Farve: Walking the Plank

Dear Brett Favre,

The Vikings of the far past, never knew you; the Vikings of the near past despised of you; the Vikings of the present depend on you; the Vikings of the future falter in the rationale of the decisions that you will make right now.  Oh, the story of the Norse - according to football!!! 

Having grown up in a family that holds the Vikings engraved in our hearts, I cannot say that I ever liked you, but I can say that I definitely appreciated your game.  After all, from deep in my heart I still visualize you wearing your yellow and green (and it hurts).  And while you were a part of my team last year, it was your leadership, skills, and spirit for the game that carried our Vikings through the 2009-2010 season.  I respect that.     

That in-mind, please do us all a favor and please be rational before you decide to leave Minnesota.  I respect your game and I respect your age...And as long as you leave the game respecting your body, no bad purple blood will you leave behind. But if it's just because you're bored of football, or bored with the Vikings, please think precisely about this decision.  It takes 21 days to make or break a habit; and last year, you didn't even afford 21-days to the pre-season team.  Jump-starts don't work, even if you are a very seasoned veteran.  I hope that you don't think that was okay last year, and I certainly hope you won't go that route again this year!!!

Regardless of the 2010 pre-season kick-off being just around-the-corner, with or without Brett Favre, the team will carry on.  After all, by definition Vikings were Nordic adventurers who took to expeditions by way of the seas.  With that, we will be proud to bid you farewell after your premiere Viking season of adventure, shall you choose that route.  Now carry-on, get yourself straight, and be right-minded with a decision that will leave us all looking forward to the 2010-2011 Viking football "expedition" - WITH or WITHOUT you!  Skoal!!! ~K

This could quite possibly be the Vikings team bidding farewell to Farve,

as he walks the plank toward the retirement piranha!

Girl Scouts Logo Update

Today I discovered that the Girl Scouts have changed the original 1970s-designed logo to a more "modern" version of the iconic branding.  Being a former girl scout, I was surprised that it captured my emotions on such a personal level that I just HAD to blog it!

For those women who are former girls scouts, you will probably be able to relate to my feelings of uncertainty as you compare the two logos.  First, you can see that the "trefoil" design has more of a "squished" line.  The "corners" of the leaves of the trefoil are more defined, giving the leaves a more "cloud-like" and "child-like" character.  Additionally, the faces of the trio of females on the trefoil seem to encompass a more "youthful" shape.  Their noses are more lifted, their lips are a bit more rounded and smaller, and their necks seem a bit more erect.  The most obvious change is the addition of "bangs" to the design, on the first female on the trefoil.  After reviewing the logo, it is clear that the changes are virtually more evident of an appeal to a more juvenile generation of girl scouts.  

According to a news release from their website (http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2010/new_national_brand_initiative.asp), the change is a way that the Girl Scouts are "revitalizing and reenergizing its brand to reach a new generation of girls."

While my personal feelings are still torn by the fact that the legendary designer, Saul Bass' icons have now dawned a new era of youthful feminism; I do feel as though the Girl Scouts have definitely branded their image towards that "new generation of girls" through the changes made to this timeless icon.  I am always going to personally have a soft-spot in my youthful heart for the icon that I carried on my sash through my youth and into my teens; at least I will never forget the "trefoil" my heart knows and loves.

~K

Brix 42 ~ Pasadena, CA

Thanks to our great friend Frank, who actually invited us to meet up spontaneously after work one Friday night, my wonderful hubby and I decided to join him and some friends for a fantastic "Happy Hour" in Old Town Pasadena. We discovered this great spot, that we have driven by numerous times, and never even gave a second look - until now!!!

It's called Brix 42, and it's right in the heart of Old Town Pasadena...{caddy corner from the ever-poppin' Twin Palms} Brix is located at 42 De Lacey Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105. The facade of the building is very "Spanish Colonial"...and it has a inviting warmly inviting interior where you can relax in the lounge area, or be more social in giant oversized booths on the more "restaurant-lounge-side".

The place is just fabulous for some cocktails - great music - flat screens for the almighty sports fans - and believe it or not....THE FOOOOOODDDD! Yes, we had some amazing apps, from their garlic french fries, to the fried calamari, to their mussels in a yummy white wine cream sauce - We clearly indulged!!! My husband and I enjoyed an amazing NY strip with mashed potatoes and veggies to make anyones' mouth water! It was all beyond compare, and very unexpected. Although we never had the opportunity to do a sampling of their brews, to top things off - this place is also a brewery with house brews. Yep, so go get your beer-tasting on!

Around 9 p.m. the house lights dim, and the twentysomething Pasadena crowd rolls in, but do not be discouraged because the DJ just starts spinning some fantastic jams. Old-school, to new-school, this place really gets poppin'....Although we left around 9:30 - I am sure those that want to hang until the DJ stops spinnin' are more than illin'!

Regardless of your taste for winding down the week; this is one hot Pasadena spot that will get your mouth watering and your taste buds shouting....With a casual - loungy feel and a crowd that appeals from twentysomethings to sixtysomethings - all will be pleased with this little-known Pasadena spot!!!

~K

DESIDERATA

~~DESIDERATA~~
“desired things”

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann (1872 – 1945), poet & lawyer