I was called a “delicate bird” today and I wasn’t too happy about it. It wasn’t meant to be mean, but needless to say I tend to pride myself on having tough skin. So in light of that and a particularly poignant post about health care from my good bloggy friend, I’m talking politics today. I know this blog was supposed to be about my transition from college to corporate but part of leaving college is to find who you are and take a stance. So here’s mine.

I was a Hillary supporter. I admit it. I liked her. The woman had a spark and for some reason I just believed in her. When she talked, I wanted to listen. But, I’ll be completely honest… I didn’t know her EVERY policy move backwards and forwards but everything I did hear during the primaries, I liked. And whether she did or not, I personally don’t think that “flip-flopping” is a bad thing. I think it’s worse to be stubborn and to hold your ground on stupid things like a war that’s being fought when no one even remembers what we went there for. You’ve got to roll with the punches and evolve with the times. Some ideas and decisions are great at the time, but then things change. 

But now we have Barack. I don’t care if the man is Black or Puerto Rican, Muslim or Christian, raised by a single mom or a pack of wolves- the man has what it takes. At work, my homepage is AOL and there are news features that I read just about every day. These features allow for people to comment at the end. The ignorance that I read makes me sad for America. The lies that I read- such as Barack Obama is a Muslim, which he’s not. Or since Obama is 1 letter away from Osama- clearly they MUST be related or at least best friends. Yeah, makes total sense right? Or since his middle name is Hussein- yep there MUST be a correlation! By George! How can people think that way? I don’t care if the man WAS a Muslim, Puerto Rican, raised by a pack of wolves- if you’re good for the job then you’re good for the job. Period. Barack Obama is good for the damn job. 

I’m not getting into policy yet because I need to learn more before I speak on specifics. But what I do know is that I can sense the passion in Barack Obama and I’ll choose passion over a resume any day, not that he doesn’t have the resume to boot. And we twenty somethings and the Generation Y crowd need to show America that we have the ability to say NO MORE to the bullshit we’ve seen for the last 8 years. Pull us out of this economic crap hole we’re in and start living again without fear. I have faith that we will stand for change this November. 

So that’s what I have to say. Love it or hate it. Rip me one or join in the debate. Healthy debate is good. But I’m also ready for the backlash. So what’s your take on the ’08 election? 

Update: I completely forgot to mention this man’s amazing online campaign. He’s on LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace and just about every other social network. There are frequent updates and FYI’s for followers. Pretty incredible. I’m beyond impressed. For a potential President of the United States to be all over social media in a time like now- I think is pretty amazing. Embracing the new generations and tailoring to them- BRILLIANT.

Dear Ms. Catalysta,

You need to get your ass in gear. You’ve stopped running. You’re eating like crap. You read great posts by new bloggy friends and you feel so inspired and yet you don’t use it! What is your deal? There are things to be getting ready for like Sister’s wedding! Dresses to fit into and things to get you moving and yet you sit. 

Peeing dog wants you to take her for long walks. Your ass is begging you to stop eating that cookie. You aren’t a big girl but you know those clothes aren’t looking as good as they could and you’re lucky that obesity doesn’t run in your family otherwise you’d be in trouble. 

But it’s not just the diet and exercise routine that’s slacking. You’re letting stupid things get the better of you and you’re definitely sweating the small stuff. For your own mental well being you need to let it go. Breathe in, breathe out and release the bullshit that’s crowding your life. Maybe you need to find another good yoga studio? And actually start doing that Zumba class you talked about.

You’re also getting sloppy. Some of your work is better than ever, while other stuff is lacking. You need to step it up. Step up your game. Stop complaining and start doing. Sadly, no one else is going to notice any of the crap or problems until it’s already changed and you should have learned by now that no one else is going to change it for you. No one else is going to take your side until you give them a reason to. You need to take active steps to change it. 

So how can we strike a deal? How can your mind overcome the nonsense and the laziness? What will finally be the breaking point? I think when you go home for Sister’s bridal shower this weekend, you should step on the scale, and face the harsh reality. Then when you get back to Columbus, you should start getting up 15 minutes earlier and start getting to work earlier- and by earlier I mean ON time. Then start working harder. Be smarter, be faster, try harder. 

That’s all. You know you can do it. You want it badly enough so let’s make something happen. 

Now that you’ve had your fill of cliches for the night, I think you need to go to bed early and think about the changes you need to make.

Thanks for hearing me out,
Meg’s Mind

PS Please post all motivational tidbits you’d like to offer in the form of comments. Anything and everything is appreciated. I need it all! Thanks! 

I seem to live in a state of constant opposition. I usually chalk it up to curse of the twenty something and our selfish Gen Y motto of “i want it… i want it right the hell now… and i want it with a bow on it… and with free WiFi.” So I’m constantly feeling pulled in many directions. Here is a conflicting list that runs through my head on a nearly daily basis-

1a. I want to move to NYC and get some 8 story walk up efficiency crap hole, with my dog, my Jimmy Choos, a fantastic agency job, walking to work amongst my fellow city-mates. Be totally career driven and maybe find a boyfriend but date casually, get married when I’m 30. 
1b. I want a big house, decorated with a modern, fun feel. I want to get married at 25 and travel a lot. I want a stable life with lots of room. Maybe start a family in my early 30′s. Be financially comfortable and have everything I need without any major complications. 

2a. I want a big white wedding. 200+ people, big white dress, impeccable makeup and hair. Every eye on me as I walk down the aisle with a bouquet of glittering flowers. 9 bridesmaids and my dog as ring bearer. 
2b. I want to run away with closest friends and family to somewhere wildly romantic. Still want the white dress, but get married on a mountaintop overlooking some amazing old beautiful countryside. Then maybe throw a party when we get home for everyone else who couldn’t be there.

3a. I want to be wildly successful corporate something or other. Whether that means a creative director or CEO or producer. I want to run a company and everyone to love me as their boss and get to travel on an amazing expense account.
3b. I want to be a writer and work from home. I would love to be a novelist or screenwriter. Be able to make a fantastic living and be a stay at home mom at the same time.
3c. I want to live in NYC and be a famous Broadway actress. Bust my ass knocking down every damn door until I’m the next Elphaba in Wicked. (I know I know… but it’s my dream so lay off!)
3d. I want to join Habitat for Humanity or the Peace Corps and help others that are less fortunate in countries that are torn apart by war, poverty and disease. I want to help and make a real difference in the world and lives of others.

Being that all of these things- where I want to live, what I want to do, and basically what I want out of  life- define who I am or possibly might be… I feel that having my multiple personalities in these particular areas could possibly be setting me up for failure or at least some major disappointment. I just don’t know what would make me happiest sometimes. I feel like I could choose any combination of these and do well for myself, but I don’t know if I’d achieve my ultimate potential or my ultimate happiness. 

I don’t know. Maybe I’m just having another quarter life crisis. I feel that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been right now, so I know that’s not a problem. Just a little scattered I guess. What do you think? 

I have some troubles dropping my issues at the door. I’m one of those heart on my sleeve people and though I usually pride myself on my openness sometimes it’s not always the best quality in a group environment. If I had a bad night or I had a tiff with boyfriend- I’m not easily able to shut myself off. If someone asks me out of sheer politeness, “Hey Meg, how are you?” and I had a bad night/morning/whatever, they will almost without a doubt get every detail of said aggravation. Not good. 

I am an over-sharer.

When I was in college, I used to waitress. I got so good at being able to turn off the motor mouth in me and smile- it was for the sake of tips. No one wants a bitchy waitress. I need to find that again. I need to find that balance where I’m outgoing and still myself, but a bit more toned down version of myself. I believe it’s called “professionalism?” I need to find that “off” button. 

I’ve never been diagnosed with any kind of crazy. But I have to say I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if they came back to say- yep, you have a typical case of (insert random crazy-disorder)  and you need a very large dose of (insert one of any bazillion prescribed anti-crazy medications here).

Then again… maybe it’s just one of those days. (I hope). 

**I realize I have left myself open here for a whole slew of mockery and crazy jokes! I’m good at laughing at myself so go for it… but try to be a little kind here!!  I also just realized that I have a category titled “Xanax induced sleep” for some irony… interesting… **

After finding a great job, the next biggest search you’ll have is- finding the great apartment. Currently, boyfriend and I don’t love our humble abode. We’ve been living together for a year and our biggest fights usually occur over 2 things: the peeing dog and our crappy apartment. After training a puppy for a year and seeing the pitfalls of our current place, we are ready to move on. 

Trying to stay on a bit of a budget, we find ourselves limited. We both drive a half hour to and from work already, so we’re at a pretty decent central location for the both of us. We want a nicer place and boyfriend is willing to sacrifice square footage to keep the cost down. But having a dog, a cat, and two people who like their space- I’m not so willing to sacrifice the extra room. However, I am willing to pay a little bit more for a nicer place and keep the square footage at the same time.

We pay for the convenience of not having a mortgage as twenty somethings, new to the career thing. Neither of us has strong roots here, but we do want to stay for a couple of years at least and get some good experience under our belts. Keep our options open, not get tied down. Wait and see as opportunities come… or don’t. 

Anyway, I apologize for the indulgent rant. Apartment hunting is infuriating and exhausting. So is compromising! I’ve actually stopped looking at apartments in Columbus and started browsing $6800/month penthouses in Manhattan on Craigslist- just for the hell of it. 

So in other words- any advice you’d like to give on this great search, I’d love to hear it. Or if you know of a penthouse suite for less than $1000/month with stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors (for easy pee clean-up), overlooking the Manhattan skyline in Columbus, OH, and comes with 2 free jet packs for quick transportation to both boyfriend’s and my places of employment in 10 minutes or less- please call me! Thanks!