So, yeah, I’m Pretty Awesome

Posted on April 23, 2014 Posted in Bum ChroniclesTagged 20something, Bonobo, Brooklyn Bowl, bum, Compliments, Concerts, Current Events, Decor, Drinks, Good Vibes, Harmony, Humor, inspiration, Iphone, Las Vegas, memories, Nature, Peace, Photography, Photos, RedRock, Self Acceptance, Vegas, weather, XXLeave a comment

I tend to downplay my awesomeness. I.E. when someone pays me a compliment, I tend to brush it off. More often than not because I usually don’t have the confidence to admit, that “hey, I might be talented”. It’s hard accepting compliments without feeling that A: you aren’t deserving of them, and B: you don’t want to appear cocky. I’ve also realized that I’m not the only one. Why is it, that most people (particularly of the XX variety) don’t take in positive affirmations well? I’m baffled by this. It’s like I’m automatically ready to dismiss anything nice that anyone says about me. It’s kind of sad really. So in my ever-growing quest for self acceptance, I’m challenging myself to take a compliment and accept it. No strings attached, no negative self-talk, just the appreciation that someone else likes whatever it is that I’ve done.

In unrelated news, I’ve been trucking along on my Bum Chronicles. I had the very distinct pleasure of seeing Bonobo in concert. If you’ve never listened to him I have attached a YouTube video of my favorite song of his (I love all of them, but I can’t post everything now can I?). It was at a newer venue in Las Vegas called The Brooklyn Bowl. If you’re ever in these parts, I definitely recommend that you check it out. It’s Brooklyn inspired decor plus the fact that you can eat, drink, bowl, and catch an amazing live act in one place makes it incredibly unique and super awesome to boot. Though it’s technically on the Strip, it’s far enough removed that most tourists aren’t even aware of it, which is nice for locals. But anywho, I digress. I absolutely LOVED the concert, just seeing all different types of people being moved by miraculous sounds is just something words cannot capture. The closest word I think that could describe the mood is: Harmony. I think that leaders of all countries should just attend a concert and get swept up in the vibe. Maybe we’d all get along better. Nothing like a good ol’ concert high. Well, there were people toking it up, but that’s unrelated to what I’m talking about, lol.

Also, my ventures to RedRock have been so amazing and great. I’m kind of a nature enthusiast now. Who would’ve thought? Getting out there in the open is so incredibly relaxing. It’s like my soul is being reborn every time I go. Fortunately there’s like 18 different trails, so I’ve been diversifying it up each time. I wish this weather would stay like this forever! So to some this up, learning to take a compliment, going to more shows, and getting outside more often than not are my main takeaways as of late. There’s so much to do and see, I want to take in all of it! I’m putting a bunch of photos of my shenanigans. Compliments are welcomed ;-).

Damn it Feels Good to Be a Gangsta

Posted on April 1, 2014April 2, 2014 Posted in Bum Chronicles, HumorTagged 20something, bum, Creativity, Drugs, Freelance, Humor, inspiration, Proud, Published, Writer4 Comments

www.picstopin.com

So, I’m going to take a moment to pat myself on the back. Since being a bum has been fun, I’ve decided to make it a permanent thing by becoming a freelance writer. Honestly I was beating myself up and didn’t think my writing was good enough, but turns out it is (who knew). Some of my work has been recently published on different sites and I could not be prouder. Getting published is the best kind of drug out there and it’s one that I want to keep being on. So excuse me while I continue to get “high”. I’ve posted a couple links so check them out if you like!

https://www.careeraddict.com/en/6614/5-ways-to-get-right-mentally-to-get-right-physically

http://www.wearable.co.uk/blog/cuff-bringing-technology-fashion-together/

Family Time

Posted on March 3, 2014March 6, 2014 Posted in LifeTagged Allegiant Air, Birthday, bum, California, Family, Getting older, Las Vegas, Life, Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Parents, Satan, siblings, SurpriseLeave a comment

I took a little break from the internets mainly because I went to Monterey to visit my parents and surprise my dad for his birthday. I decided to leave my laptop home and unplug while enjoying some family time. It was incredibly nice to see the ‘rents, though it was hard as it was the first time visiting without Kobe.

-Fisherman’s Wharf

Though the flight from Las Vegas to Monterey is only 1 hour, one can expect it to take about 3 when traveling with Allegiant Air. Right in the middle of take off, they all of a sudden break and we are immediately escorted off the plane. With no clear reason as to why, we had to wait almost 2 hours for another plane. Upon boarding sister asked the flight attendant why we had to switch planes in the first place. The attendant responded with “Be glad that we did” and that was all. They really should change their motto to “Allegiant Air: We’ll get you there… at some point”. A word to the wise, give yourself a 6 hour window when traveling with Allegiant.

– Window seat!

For my dad’s birthday, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and it was awesome! I never thought I liked aquariums (I was wrong). I suppose trying new things isn’t so bad 😉

-Monterey Bay Aquarium

-Jellyfish!

– One of the coolest looking jellyfish I saw that day

-Fish

-Octopus taking off

-Fun times at the aquarium!

It’s nice visiting my parents. They’re actually pretty cool peeps. I’m very lucky to have them because they’re so legit. Even when growing up doing my “angst” years, I never really had any parental “drama”. I think it’s because they’ve always been straight up with me and my siblings, I’ve never really saw the need to rebel or alienate them. Plus they’ve always given me the autonomy to be myself whether they understood my actions or not. Anywho, it was a really nice break from Satan’s buttcrack, though I must admit the weather has been nothing short of amazing here in Las Vegas. Let’s hope it stays that way for a few more months. It was a very nice visit and I’ll probably head back sooner than later (the perks of being a bum). Now that I’ve had a little digital break, it’s time to get back into the swing of things!

-On the way to the airport

-Getting ready to take off

-In the air

-Back in Vegas

Whatever you do, do it well

Posted on February 9, 2014 Posted in Bum ChroniclesTagged 20 something, Advice, bum, Corporate, failure, goals, make things happen, mediocre, off the beaten path, Parents, potential, predictable, quarter lifer, success, the unknown, workLeave a comment

That was something my mother told me when explained to my parents that I wanted to leave my “cushy corporate life” for the unknown island of bummage. A decision I have not regretted in the slightest. As I’ve said before I have the “gift” of doing things “half assed” and still come out smelling like a rose, well for the most part. The one thing that I love and respect about my parents is that they never tell me what I want to hear. They tell me the truth whether I like it or not, and for some reason I’m able to swallow my pride and run with it.

I am (or was?) predictable to a T. Anyone who knows me can tell you what I’m doing, where I’m doing, and who I’m doing it with (no pun intended 😉 ). Seriously, calling me a creature of habit barely begins to scratch the surface of it. Why? Honestly, I think it’s because there is comfort in the predictable. When you know the outcome, you can never be hurt, disappointed, or fail ultimately. I think that’s the reason why I’ve always been a “successful” slacker. If I succeeded, great! If I didn’t, I could always blame it on my lack of trying. Bottom line, I don’t always want to be a person with “potential”. I want to use that potential and be great.

“The greatest waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we could become.” -Ben Herbster

Now that I’m a Bum…

Posted on January 25, 2014March 6, 2014 Posted in Bum ChroniclesTagged bum, Fitness, freedom, Life, Travel, unemploymentLeave a comment

What to do, what to do?!

Well I have a list of things I plan on accomplishing during my time as a bum.

I am so excited about all the shenanigans I’ll be able to get into.

I’m sure my fur-child Abbey will enjoy my increased presence.

To Do List

1. Get back into fitness (My ass has seen better days…)

2. Learn to take a decent photo

3. Work on my “Labor of Love“

4. Travel, travel, travel!!!!

5. Enjoy life!

I’ll try to get in a blog post or two! 😀

(Me in about a week)

I’m Free to Do What I Want…

Posted on January 24, 2014March 6, 2014 Posted in Bum ChroniclesTagged 20 something, adulthood, aspiration, bum, corporate ladder, corporate world, dreams, Finding yourself, goals, Humor, Limbo, Mick Jagger, perspective, post grad, Rolling Stones, School, Transition, Validation, work, work/life balance, workaholic2 Comments

Ok so here’s the news I’ve been wanting to share with you all!!!

I decided to quit my corporate big kid job!!

And you know what… it feels AMAZING!!!!!!!

Now granted, I’m super fortunate for the experience and the opportunities it afforded me. Not a whole lot of 22 year old kidults graduate college and land a full time gig let alone one that pays very well with a lot of perks.You’re probably wondering why the hell I would quit a job that gave me financial security/stability for the unknown

It’s quite simple… I was MISERABLE

One thing I’ve learned is that for some companies salary= slavery, I’m not kidding

When I tried having a day off I was still beholden to emails, conference calls, texts, etc. I never really had a day to myself to just unwind and be a human being. Instead, the expectation was that I was to be available all the time, anytime. And trust me when I say, it made functioning not easy You see, because I never felt like I was able to wind down, I was just frazzled, absentminded and flustered. Remembering things from 5 minutes ago let alone 5 days ago became a chore. On top of that I got lost in translation. My personality went from bubbly optimistic dreamer to boring negative hermit.

I noticed I began withdrawing from society. Instead of going out with friends I just literally bundle up in my blankets in my apartment and watch Duck Dynasty with my dog. Now I’m not the only who felt this way about my job. My peers in my same position shared the same sentiments. I should also mention being with the company for over a year, I was considered a veteran if that helps give you an idea about how out of sync things were.

The average “life” of a person in my position is about 3-6 months. Due to the huge time commitment (time suck) and unrealistic expectations, most people in their right minds run for the hills. I think one of the major reasons why I stuck it out for so long was pride. I didn’t want people to think I was “running away” or I couldn’t hack the pressures of the job. Honestly, I really didn’t want to be thought of as the “kid” who couldn’t handle the adult world. In retrospect, I now know that it’s not because I’m scared, but it’s not what I want to do with my life. I mean granted if I was passionate about the career I had been in, maybe the long hours and no life would be ok, but having the world’s worst boss (I’m dead serious) on top of it made it too much.

It honestly felt like a bad relationship. Too tired and frustrated to stay, but too insecure/unsure to leave. At first thinking about leaving was scary, but now as I finished my final day, I am more than ever 100% ok with my decision. It’s like I can breathe again. The world was taken off of my shoulders and I can dare to dream again. The moment I realized I needed to make a change was when I was on vacation last week. I’d noticed that I’d missed a lot of life events of my friends and loved ones because of work. I’d also realized I’m further away from what I want to do than I was when I had first started. The whole reason why I took the position was that they offer tuition assistance. What they failed to tell me was that I sold my soul when I began my employment and I wouldn’t have time to sleep let alone get a master’s degree.

So now, after all is said and done. I really want to get back into the things that give me joy. Somewhere along the lines of corporate aspirations and world domination, I lost sight of the quirky, witty, free spirit girl I used to be. I want to find that girl again. I miss her terribly.

Being that today was my last day, it was bittersweet with a cup of good ol’ sweet validation. I was given a lot of kudos today from people that I least expected. The early on doubters of my capabilities ended wishing me well! I have to tell you it was one of the most humbling experiences.

The biggest take away for me is that money isn’t everything. Money is useful and nice to have; but money doesn’t make you laugh. You cannot recall past events or reminisce with money. Money will never ask how your day was or listen when you’re having a crappy one.

Now that I am a bum, there will be more blogging on my part. I refuse to give an estimate because we all know I lie. Also I’ll get back to discovering what makes me tick. For the better part of almost 2 years I’ve put “me” to the wayside. In the words of Mick Jagger, “I’m free to do what I want, any ol’ time”!

Taryn Was Here

Tag: bum