They Say Patience Is A Virtue...

It occurred to me that setting somewhat subjective goals may not have been the best idea (i.e., better manage money, avoid an anxiety attack, be more patient) but I will say patience is one area I really worked on this past year and I'd like to say I did a good job accomplishing this task. Whether it was about work, friends, relationships, driving, I've made a more conscious effort to not overly stress about things (I still stress, but less drastically) and let things happen as they're supposed to happen. That being said, I still posses all the qualities of a Type A personality and will always want/expect some sense of urgency but I've learned that the best things come to those who wait (but who also work hard). This year, more than any other year, has taught me that important lesson.

Money Matters

One of the '30' that I did really work on this year were my finances. I'm still not where I want to be but I'd like to say I took control of all money matters and have a positive outlook. Also worth noting on here (as dorky as it may be) the whole couponing phenomenon has been a fun part of the year. Not only have I gotten paid to buy a lifetime supply of fancy razors, toothpaste, dishwasher tabs and marinades, but I knew I did well when my friends started going shopping in my mini 'free stuff' closet. Even my skeptical little sister the lawyer usually leaves my house with a bag of useful items (she's even clipped coupons with me before, though she may not admit it). This is an oddly fun feeling. The $4 I spend each Sunday on Baltimore Suns has paid off in dividends. Not only have I gotten free stuff, but I find it relaxing. Go figure.

My Stockpile of Free Bathroom Stuff

Anxious Matters

I will be the first to admit the 'avoid an anxiety' attack was one goal I failed to accomplish. I actually failed it multiple times. In fact, this '30 by 30' led to some extra anxiety! As a wise friend told me, "don't set arbitrary deadlines!" That being said, I'm so glad I did this project even if I didn't reach all 30 goals. I'm excited to keep working on them over the next year and beyond. Hopefully, at some point, I will meet this goal.

New Direction(s)

After 4 years at Comcast SportsNet I am leaving the hectic (and fun) world of sports TV to pursue a new career path. Starting mid-January I'll be a Business Account Executive for Comcast Business Class. Before I came to Comcast SportsNet in 2008 I worked in Public Affairs & Production for Comcast Cable. I love working for Comcast and it was very important for me to stay 'in the family'. In many ways it was a very difficult decision to leave a dream job in TV, but I could not pass up such an exciting opportunity in an exponentially growing field. The job literally fell out of nowhere (thanks to a wonderful friend) at the same time that the show I've been working on since I started at CSN was coming to an end. The timing seemed like fate. And who am I to fight fate? The last day of Washington Post Live is this Friday, December 30th. My last day in the office is this Sunday, January 1st. I'll truly miss my CSN friends and family. I've met so many people since I started this job it is very difficult to say bye. At the same time I'm very excited to embark on this new life and career adventure.

I'm still working diligently to get through as many of my '30' as I can in the next 10 days before I turn 30! That being said I will continue to blog until I accomplish all 30, even if it takes me well into the next year. Life has been quite crazy recently, but I don't want to use that as an excuse to not get through all 30!

New life decade. New job. New opportunities.

"if A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut"
~einstein~

Learning to Drive... Stick!

It finally happened! I drove stick!!! I'm on a bit of a crunch now that I have, oh, almost half my list left and 6 weeks left so I decided to be bold and just try to get it done. So, when the light bulb when on over Thanksgiving dinner I couldn't resist asking my awesome uncle to teach me how to drive stick on his summer car (a BMW z4). I asked a few times years ago and he was hesitant. But here's how it went down tonight...

Me: "Oooh, think Uncle Steve will teach me to drive stick on the beamer?"

Aunt Wendy: "Manda Lauren, there's no way, how many times have you asked him and he's said not on that car?"

Liz: "There's no way he's letting you drive that."

Me: "Uncle Steeeeve, heyyy, question... can you teach me stick on your car? I really need to learn ASAP. Don't you love me??"

Uncle Steve: (shockingly not immediately saying no). "I'm not a very good teacher."

Liz: "I'll teach her I'll teach her!"

Uncle Steve: "OK." (hands us keys)

So alas, shocked but in a hurry to beat sundown, I rocked down Heneson Garth and Greenspring Ave like Tony Stewart around the Miami Speedway. I did much better than I thought. I only stalled out twice and I felt more comfortable than the last time I tried, about 5 years ago, which was a bit disastrous. Pretty sure most of the credit goes to my awesome teacher and celeBFF Liz. Here's what she had to say about my driving:

"You did awesome. You barely stalled. Your transitions were almost seamless. You were an excellent stick driving grasshopper to the stick driving sensei"

So, here's a couple pix once I returned, a stick driving grasshopper! I'm very happy tonight. Now, just need the Ravens to pull out a win and life will be really good.

Rockin' the z4

We survived so I'm happy!

This Blog Runs On Dunkin'

I'm giddy this morning. Why? It's simple and completely dorky. I've been tweeting with my current crushes @DunkinDonuts and @DCDunkin. Yes my search for Pumpkin Ground Coffee has led to some most wonderful tweets via the social media savvy folks at Dunkin'. The highlight? When I tweeted this pic of my at-home DD stock...

I received this tweet response...

And it doesn't get any truer than that. Just check out all the receipts from the 5 Dunkins between Baltimore and Syracuse. Then there's this...

That's right. The search for Dunkin' pumpkin grounds has now been named, by Dunkin, the 'GPC Mission'. My Dunkin'-obsessed parents will be so proud.  And please remember I'm always open to Dunkin' deliveries. I like my Pumpkin coffee with a little cream, no sweeteners.

The Greatest Bar-B-Que Show On Earth

Let me put it this way... if there was Dinosaur BBQ within an hour of Baltimore I would have had to put lose 100 lbs on my '30 by 30'.  Dinosaur may be just the greatest restaurant on my earth. I put it on my '30' even though I have been there a few times in the past few years (the Harlem Dino, not the Syracuse Dino). I actually figured I would make it to the NYC one this year and not the Syracuse one, but boy am I happy i hit up my original Dino. Not sure Dino NYC would have gotten this much of a cheesy reaction...

Only Dino Could Get This Cheesy A Smile

Some history: I love food (shocker!), especially barbeque. I went to Dino for the first time freshman year with my family. It was ridiculous. I didn't go too often until Jr and Sr year when it became a Thursday night tradition with some friends. I just love love loved it. The atmosphere is fun, the food is great, the beer selection is tremendous. The packed crowds make it even more fun. In a town where I honestly didn't like too much, I really liked this place. I had such high expectations for the Syracuse location that I was concerned it wouldn't live up to my self-inflicted hype. I was also concerned that ridiculously-health-conscious Liz would be disappointed. Turns out Dino BBQ actually surpassed high expectations! It was even better than I remembered. Not sure how this is possible, but it was just delicious. Our beer selection for Friday night dinner included Saranac Pale Ale (my traditional Dino brew) and Purple Haze (a tremendous beverage whisperer pick). Though I'd like to think I've had most things on the Dino menu, we were craving wings with our beer and picked the Wango Tangos. 

"They were the best wings I have ever had in my life. Sorry Kislings." -Liz

That's right, they were that good. So good that I bought Wango Tango sauce at Wegmans and am determined to start cooking with it immediately. Just check these out...

Wings & Beer Dino Style

The photo does not do them justice but the Wango Tango-y fall off the bone deliciousness was spectacular. For dinner I got my usual favorite ribs (an ambitious 3/4 rack), macaroni and tomato cucumber salad. It was amazing. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. This picture makes me wanna hop in the car and drive on back. Yeah some food gets me excited.

What Diet?

Could not have asked for a better experience. I've enjoyed the NYC Dino the past few times I went, but the Syracuse Dino is the absolute best. Atmosphere, food, everything. Dino oh how I miss you.

Dino At Night

The Menu

Raspberry Beer Goodness