Small Town Girl

So during the past week I have learned how small town I truly am. For work I spent 2 days at the Magic show in Vegas, where I saw some real fashion, which will unlikely hit the Midwest with the same vengeance. Furthermore once it hits GR it would be even more subdued. The sheer lace pants....don't work in the winter wonderland. Plunging necklines....I'm pretty sure that is office out of control around here. Leather harness accessories....not in Republican range of Michigan. Now, I have never been a slave to fashion, but that was reinforced at the show. My wardrobe consists of utilitarian basics, with an occasional fashion fundamental from Rue La La.

Now my small town lifestyle was further confirmed in LA. The car pool lane was the highlight of my driving experience; which consisted of driving through East LA, Inglewood, and South Central LA, among other areas. All far more interesting and diverse than Southwest Michigan. Note: when I say driving through these neighborhoods, I don't mean passing by on the highway. Each neighborhood was unique, interesting and distinctive; unlike most of my home turf - Southwest Michigan.

My default saying for anything new and interesting is "Wow, that is so cool." Yes, I'm working on expanding that into something more verbose, professional or adult-like. If I had been recording myself (which obviously, I don't) it would be truly embarrassing.

This was the first time I really started to see the difference between Midwest conservatism and West Coast cool. My pedestrian style wouldn't last a minute among the California chic. I'm relatively sure I could never cut it as a "California Girl" (thank you Katy Perry). While I might be "Fine, Fresh, and Fierce" in my own mind. There are a few things I don't want "Sun-kissed skin, so hot" (we call that skin cancer prone here), "Sand in my stilettos" (I'm a flats kinda girl), "Toned, tan, fit and ready" (Okay, I'm working on the toned and fit part - but keep in mind we have 4 months of darkness & cold). I'm still working on my own version called "Michigan Girl" thank goodness for Journey or we would have nothing. Since Katy had Snoop and Alicia had Jay-Z, I assume Eminem will make himself available for my "Michigan Girl" anthem, if needed I'll take Kid Rock though.

The land of social

As social media continues to dominate the modern world, I feel like I'm falling behind....Google has yet to realize I'm a great candidate for Google + and I only actively use Facebook. This blog isn't really active (hence my non-exist following) and I only use Twitter to track interesting brands and Packers players......so no I won't fess up my handle.

Wouldn't it be great to know what will be the biggest social tool in 10 years? Obviously, because then I could retire early and live in la la land (which may or may not include a house account with Rue La La).

It almost seems like just keeping up with all the social media is a full-time job. And I don't mean the folks who truly work in social media for a living.....monitoring corporate twitter handles, pushing new facebook content, etc. I mean just to be up-to-date in the social-verse for your own personal use, it is practically a full-time job. Who has time to share all their life events on multiple forums, while checking-in everywhere they go and following all their friends and family? Serious overload. Plus my life is so uninteresting I wouldn't have that much interesting information to share. Where did the idea of everything is good in moderation go? In the world of over-sharing and under-privacy there seems to be no moderation.

Maybe I'm just bitter Google won't allow me into Google + yet or maybe I feel like in 2004 my social presence was so cool. Back when it was thefacebook.com. However, now my social media presence is pedestrian and lacking because I still have that same facebook account with limited other social media accounts.

Groupon Where Are You?

Since way back before Groupon was a daily deal phenom and every city was clamoring for their own personalized daily deals, I've been a fan/user. This was back when the only city to have Groupon was Chicago and I was a resident (albeit very short-term). Of course, like all cities Groupon now exists in Grand Rapids, which is great because occasionally I purchase restaurant deals being a frugalista. However, recently I stepped out of my typical purchasing behavior and purchased a pressure washing Groupon.

Yes, that's correct....a pressure washing Groupon. Ah, the joys of being domesticated....no longer do a crave the Rue La La flash sales (okay, I still can't pass up the final sales) but its the homeowner Groupons that win me over.

While Groupon had until now never failed me....it finally did with the pressure washing Groupon. I assume there are Groupon sales reps out there, and the GR Groupon rep screwed up with the pressure washing Groupon. I'm pretty sure the company is a complete scam since their voicemail offers pressure washing and tax prep services....right, because I want my tax accountant to come and wash my siding. After multiple voicemails and emails, no one has responded to my request for an appointment. Therefore I assume it could potentially be a scam and I'm disappointed Groupon would partner with such a company. Guess I'll stick to the restaurant Groupons.