Like the Weather

Last weekend the MINI Club drove up Mt. Charleston for our annual picnic with the British Auto Club. When we left the parking lot at Sante Fe station, it was muggy from the rain the previous day. I was actually happy about the rain. We went to Aliante Station that day, then to our local dealer, Desert MINI, for a 50th birthday celebration. Minis are 50! Anyway, it rained on the way to the dealer and then when I made the dash from my car to the showroom, I pulled out my Harry Potter umbrella which I love but hardly ever get to use. I was delighted to finally have some different weather. The downside though was the mugginess on Sunday. So we all headed up to Mt. Charleston where the weather was decidedly more pleasant. It was 68F with a welcome breeze.

We had a nice picnic but it seemed a bit awkward. I think it always is with the British Auto Club. They seem like nice people. But there is a perception, maybe just paranoia on our part, of a touch of snobbery. The guy with the Rolls Royce wasn't there this year. But in general the cars they have are more high end than our minis. Minis are more like the cars of the everyman. One reason why we love them. But the BACLV were gracious hosts, and cooked up loads of burgers and hot dogs for us. And we brought along many side dishes and desserts. Tons of food left over as usual.

There were a few cute dogs to play with, including Pedro's dog Yuna, a sweet little pug. I drove down the mountain afterwards thinking of seeing a movie. I still haven't seen that latest Harry Potter. Shame on me. At least I got to use the umbrella. I stopped instead at the mall in the Palazzo which is a nice place to browse. I stopped in Bottega Veneta for the first time. Quite an intimidating experience. The gorgeous leather items, bags, wallets, etc. were way out of my price range. Pretty much ridiculously so. The leather is soft and buttery. Yes. But in the end my assessment was that a Bottega would be much too precious. I'd never be able to take it anywhere without worrying about it. I visited my perennial favourite Cole Haan and bought a pair of shoes. The sales associates at Cole Haan are very attentive. The girl wouldn't let me take the shoes out of the box myself. She unwrapped them and presented them to me to try on. That kind of thing is nice. But it makes me feel a little odd. I'm a simple girl really. Used to doing things for myself. But it's a nice treat to be pampered a bit.

This week, I planned to do some more shopping. Yesterday I managed to browse around without doing any damage at all to my bank account. I didn't want to be impulsive. But I did find a few things I would like to have. Bags of course, and a few other bits and bobs. I stopped by the other Cole Haan store, the one in Fashion Show mall, and the associate there told me about a special event the next day. He gave me his card and an invitation which included 20% off any purchase. Even the new season's collection. I asked about the Maria Sharapova black hobo bag I'd been eyeing in the catalog. And he said he'd have to order it. I decided to stop back in for the event, and maybe order that bag, and maybe pick up something else while I had use of a discount. So I did go back today, and bought a beautiful dark grey soft woven leather tote (who needs Bottega after all!) and ordered the black hobo. Two bags in one go. Naughty. But I was happy with my purchases and continued shopping knowing that overall I was still good budget wise. If a bit poorer for this weekend. A girl could use a little splurge every now and then. Especially when she's trying to avoid the awful summer heat and look forward to the cooler autumn. It won't be that much cooler right away. But I still found a couple of cozy sweaters and a decadently beautiful sort of trench coat. Didn't buy that. It would have been impulsive. And it would've maxed out my NM card. I told the saleswoman I'd think it over. Still haven't decided. Might be worth it for my trip to New York next month. Then again, I'd like to have some money to spend while I'm there.

It's a dilemma.

In any case, it's nice to know that the weather will be changing soon. I've always been more of a winter girl.

Still Can't Find the Phone

My brother lost his phone a few nights ago while he was at work. He was pretty frustrated, because he uses his phone a great deal at work and losing it made it harder for him to do his job. Then there were all the other considerations. The phone had his contacts and pictures and whatever else he needs to have with him everyday. Plus, it was a pretty nice phone. It got me thinking, as technology continues to give us conveniences and capabilities that weren't dreamt of even 50 years ago, it can also be a bit of a burden.

We don't think about all that we carry in our pockets and purses until it's suddenly gone. And then, PANIC! Guys used to have to worry about only two things. Wallet and keys. Now it's wallet and keys at a minimum, but most likely also a mobile phone. Depending on the features of the phone, they may or not want to also carry an mp3 player, a camera, a GPS device...or any number of other gadgets.

For women it's always been more complicated. We may carry a couple of necessities in our pockets if we have any, but for the most part, we have a constant companion known as a purse, or a handbag. Much the same as for men, women generally carry a wallet and keys. Losing that stuff is bad enough, because these days we carry all manner of information in our wallets like a driver's license, credit and debit cards, work ID, library cards, membership and loyalty cards (including ones that can be used as cash like a Starbucks Card). And of course there may actually be a bit of cash in there too. Keys can include house keys, car keys, keys to any storage units, mailboxes or other secured facilities. Those are all an enormous headache to lose and have to replace. But in these days of identity theft, the worries are compounded. Plus if they get your wallet and keys, they know where you live and can get into your house! Quick, it's time to change the locks as well.

We've all been living with these potential hassles and even dangers for years now. Cell phones have been around more than a decade. But it seems like in the last few years alone the "must have" technologies have become "never leave the house without them" daily essentials. After my brother's experience, I decided to have a look in my handbag to see what I carry with me everywhere I go, and consider the catastrophe of losing any of it.



Let's see: I've got my wallet and keys of course. Hairbrush, cosmetics pouch, a couple of pens, some mints, coupons and bus tickets for work. Then the mobile phone, in this case a Blackberry with access to all my email accounts, etc. My iPod Touch, both for the music capabilities and the applications that I depend on, and the little pouch with my earphones. Pack of tissues, planner/datebook (slightly redundant since my iPod and my Blackberry both have calendar functions) and my Kindle. I mentioned this item to my brother and he said, "Geez, you carry your Kindle with you Everyday!" I don't, but every workday, yes, because I read on the bus. Also usually carried but not pictured are my work ID and car keys. And to be honest, concealed inside the cosmetics pouch are a few pricey personal care goodies including several jars/tubes of lipbalm that may or may not cost up to $20 a piece. (No, I'm not proud). And oh yeah, occasionally my wallet actually has a bit of cash in it. (Not much).

Put that all together with the value of the handbag itself (in this case a reasonably-priced DKNY hobo but often a pricier bag), and a purse snatcher must beware. He's not getting this stash without a fight. I mean, obviously if it's life and limb, I'm letting it go, but you get the idea.

I have a good female friend who travels sans handbag all the time. I don't know how she does it, but sometimes I envy her. She must be free of the constant burden of worry that I share with so many women. What if something happens and I don't have my __________ (hand sanitizer gel, band-aids, tampons, cutlery, handcuffs, change of clothes, etc.)?! I'm one of those be-prepared-for-every-situation-type girls. And I love my handbag. It's my life I'm carrying in there. That makes it a companion to me as much as an inanimate sack full of stuff can be. And full of stuff it is. Much more than in the past. Which is why I believe losing your handbag, or even just your phone, like my brother did his, is a nightmare waiting to happen. I just hope it never happens to me.

Queen of the World

Ida Maria is my new hero. I saw her last Friday at House of Blues opening for Glasvegas and she was pretty wow. I've been listening to her music since I heard her on BBC 6 last year and when I saw she was coming with Glasvegas, I was excited to see her. She's such a lively great performer. Yes, that's part of it. But there was something else. She just had this attitude. Like my arms aren't totally toned, and I have bruises on my legs from falling down, but I still rock. Well, I doubt those are her actual feelings, but she does rock. That part is right. And she just radiated this inner confidence and the willingness to totally make fun of herself. She just had a great energy. I've never been great at reviewing music. As much as I love and get so caught up in a great live show, I find verbal description difficult. So I don't do reviews. Just impressions. I went to the show with my friend Kristie who hadn't heard either band before. I was anxious to know what she thought. I think she thought they were both cool which I was glad about. I just wish the H.O.B. folks hadn't cut her off before she did her last song, which I'm guessing would've been "Oh My God." They were closing those big quilted curtains they have there. And Ida gasped, "Thank you. I hope you liked that." I did.

Which brings me to Glasvegas. They were pretty great too. But my overwhelming feeling after the show was that it was so wonderful to see a young band from the U.K. on their first big tour of the States. Not yet jaded, just taking in the fact that it is all happening. James Allan, the band's singer, didn't let a moment go by without showing his love for the crowd. He seemed amazed that he was here on stage in this strange town (which partially gave the band their name) and people were singing his words back to him. I imagine this is a heady feeling for any performer. But never before have I seen the guy on stage taking in the love and returning it so immediately and earnestly. At least not that I can remember; I've been to so many shows. But it made the show fresher, more of an event. And I can't neglect to mention the awesomeness of Caroline McKay's stand up drumming. Another gal who totally rocks.

And I'm still singing...

"I'm Queen of the World, I bump into things....I spin around in circles...and I'm singing"