O(+>)

So between the last post on Jan. 15 and now I’ve received some great suggestions (and here’s where I’d like to give Miss Erin S a shout out for taking the time to email me her fantastic ideas!). My list is growing at an incredible rate of speed and that is fun…at least for me.

Onto some logistical stuff…

Layout: If anyone has any ideas on how to format this blog—let me know. Since, by trade, I’m just an insurance sales lady…I’m not very “tech savvy”. Specifically, I want to find a way to update the list w/o having to cut and paste a new list everytime. I'm sure there's a way.

The *: I decided I’m going to use a * next to different ideas to note the ideas that are either making progress(*) or are a uniquely good fit(**). I figure it’ll help me in my planning and it will hopefully make this process of creating “the list” a little more interesting. In each post/blog update, I’ll explain why a particular *’d item struck my fancy. Since I received so many great ideas over the past few weeks…this may be a long entry…but we shall see. Side-note: I wish my computer had a wing-ding that represented the symbol Prince used when he went through that phase of not having a name…but it doesn’t…so we’re stuck with the *. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician) …just in case you want to catch up on your Prince knowledge…that link will also explain the title of this entry.

The *’s...

*Purchase: I think purchasing energy efficient products is a fantastic idea and it’s actually an idea I think I’m going to commit to. Why? B/c the idea in and of itself is efficient...a double entendre of you will..
1. I have to purchase light bulbs anyway
2. It’s better for the environment (you and your loved ones/future children are welcome…)
3. Apparently they last longer
4. Saves $$ on electricity.
Practically speaking…purchasing CFL light bulbs is something I can easily commit to…partly because I probably only buy 4 light bulbs a year anyway and apparently I’ll buy even less when I purchase CFL bulbs. Faucet aerators were also recommended…however those are a little intimidating…I am not opposed…but my shower pressure is fantastic right now…and why mess with a good thing? When I asked Dave C what a “faucet aerator” was all I remember him saying, is, “It creates somewhat of ‘Carbonated shower’”…which in and of itself is somewhat intriguing. Perhaps I could add some other contraption to the shower head…fill it with gin…and start my morning with a lil’ gin and tonic cocktail…A morning pick me up of sorts.

*Travel: I originally got the S. Africa suggestion at my office’s last Christmas party. Betsey and her husband Bill have traveled all over the world…so I knew her travel suggestions would be quality. Last month when skiing in CO I talked w/ other travelers and I heard similar comments about how wonderful S. Africa is. I also was told the US dollar is really strong in S.A. Considering I can sometimes be Cheapycheaperson…the low cost/high quality/amazing scenery combo is a beautiful thing to me. My friend Ryanne has been itching to take a trip of international proportions for a while now—naturally she was the first person I went to as a potential “travel buddy”. To make a long story short: she was interested, we both have FF miles, the timing is good, and we could go in the fall.

**Learn Something: One thing I love about creating this list is how I never know who, or what, will trigger a new idea. I met a potential client for the first time today who was a volunteer soccer coach for 15 years. But before I go on, here’s a little background info on hollsmaher: For some reason, I had this weird complex when I was 5 that I was “too old and washed up” to learn ballet/tap/jazz…why I thought I was a 85 yr old woman trapped in a 5 yr old’s girls body…I have NO idea. That being said, despite the fact that I’m fairly athletic…I didn’t play too many sports except tennis in high school and college…my parents had to practically force me to try out for the tennis team. OK, back to today Feb. 2, 2009: Because of my conversation with Bill B this afternoon, I am considering learning how to play soccer/joining some sort of community league. I have zero information on this idea…so if anyone has any thoughts on how I can learn me some mad soccer playin’ skillz…let me know. I just liked the idea because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do…plus…interestingly enough…Bill didn’t start playing until he was in his late 20’s/early 30’s.