Perception

Strong branding must be an important focus for any business. The brand helps the consumer identify with the company and its product. Large companies pay millions of dollars annually to keep their brands at the front of people's minds.

I think people, in a way, have this same behavior. We are constantly trying to separate ourselves as individuals, after we know our identity, or brand, we then find a group of friends that we can directly identify with. These friends in turn become the consumers of our individual brand. When seeking a partner or spouse we must find someone that identifies with our individual brand and convince them they like this brand so much to live with it the rest of their lives.

Recently we fell into a show on BBC America all about bras and bra sizes and proper bra fit. I was interested in the show because I had noticed my bras weren't fitting right after all the walking I was doing, but never really thought about it enough to do anything about it. Thomas was interested because it was a show about boobs, boobs and boobs being held up by different contraptions, women talking about boobs, and boobs. From that point on Thomas would inspect whatever bra I put on. This one doesn't fit properly in this area, this part seems to be riding high, etc. While out running errands we passed Victoria's Secret, and I inquired if we had time for me to run in and test these newly learned bra theories.

I popped in to the store and Thomas wandered off to the cooking shop nearby. I had the girl measure me and she said I was definitely wearing the wrong size, and here. Try these. Ten minutes later, Thomas returns, we buy a bra and head off for lunch and other errands. We eventually get back home, set the shopping on the table and carry on with our day. I wander to my office to check my email. Suddenly Thomas appears behind me inquiring about what I had bought, and how did it fit, and what size is it? I go fetch the bag, try on the bra.

"Oh," says Thomas. "That looks very nice. It's fitting better here, and this is staying in place." He takes a few steps back. "What size is it?"

"34 D."

"WHAT?! My wife has D cups?"

"They're still the same boobs."

"Yes, but now they're exciting!"

So for $43 my individual brand has just been elevated, in more ways than one.

A dislocated shoulder or two

I love the idea of taking my dogs for a walk, but unfortunately for everyone that's all it is some days, an idea. I have been walking them much more recently. I do not always jump off my butt to get dragged around the neighborhood. Henry and Lola have been better at walking calmly but it usually isn't until after the first mile of our walk, making that first mile hell. We've tried many different techniques, using a harness, holding them back behind the left knee, general yelling and screaming, walking back and forth until the dog gets confused enough to watch where YOU'RE going rather than where they want to go. None has really worked with any consistency. But thank goodness for Mondays off! After watching an episode of the Dog Whisperer, I discovered that the problem may be part dog and part human. As much as I've avoided the program, Cesar Millan may have a point!

Dedicate at least 45 minutes of time to the dog’s walk in the morning. Let the dog know you have a consistent pattern that you expect it to follow. Utilize your dog’s energy in a positive manner.

I have never been consistently dedicated to getting them out for a long period of time each day. I think I will give this technique a try. It can't hurt!

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Week 4
Walking: 6.5 miles

Home is where the work is

Working from home as a freelance designer has to be one of the best jobs I've had. Actually I've pretty much only had cool jobs, but being at home a lot is a major perk to this job. I know a lot of companies let employees work from home, but I think more companies should allow it. I think the world as a whole would be a more relaxed place. It's just better to be at home. Take today for instance, I took a five minute break and watered my potted plants, I took a phone call on the patio and the caller asked me if those were chirping birds he heard in the background. Then around five, still having more work to do, I popped out to the kitchen to put on the rice for dinner. I think the dogs like having us home too. They don't have to wait around to show us what they've done all day, they get to show off their dirty noses immediately!

Still going

My walking is starting to pay off. I can already my flab dissipating . Unfortunately the scale says I gained two pounds, two additional pounds over the ridiculous weight I achieved while imbibing my way through the holiday season. I suppose the muscles need to strengthen before they power-wash the fat off my ham-hock thighs. Damn WINE!

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Week 3
Walking: 12 miles

I voted

On this most super of all Tuesdays, I hit the poles. As promised I took along my camera and documented my experience for the Polling Place Photo Project.