Author: Paula
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Reflections on Obama’s Inauguration and a Letter to President Ford
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Early in the morning of January 20th, I lay awake at night wondering about our president elect. It was 1am my time, so it was 4am in Washington. Was Barack Obama asleep, or was he awake, thinking about his “new job?” I know that the night before a new job,…
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The Building of Brand Obama
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I could not be prouder today of our whole country for making the choice to elect such an amazing man, for taking the leap of faith, for holding on to hope, and for voting with our hearts. It is momentous. It was awe inspiring to watch as Obama took office,…
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The Ladybug Club
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When my family moved to California, back in 1982, we moved next door to an amazing family. It was just our luck that they had two girls, one my age, and the other just a couple of years younger than my sister. This was the beginning of a delightful friendship.…
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Friday / Saturday Music: Just Like Heaven
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After some technical difficulties yesterday, I now present my “Friday Music,” which is “Just Like Heaven,” by Katie Melua. I love the mellow guitar, her dreamy voice, and feel like it’s an awesome cover of The Cure’s original classic tune. Was there anyone else who once thought that the first…
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One in Eleven Million: Lessons from World of Warcraft
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This is it, I’m coming out of the video gaming closet. In another world, I am a level 76 Night Elf Druid. Or, in other words, I play World of Warcraft. Shocking, I know. World of Warcraft, for those who are unfamiliar with the game, is an MMORPG, or Massively…
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Oh That Pesky Nothingness
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Last week I wrote a little about being worried about attending a silent retreat which is being lead by Cynthia Bourgeault. I was wrestling with the questions of “What if I find something ugly in the quiet? Without anyone there to help it look nice? Without anyone to laugh it…
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Today was … the Beginning of ‘Inspiration Week’
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At work, the powers that be are sponsoring what they call “Inspiration Week” this week. I applaud this effort. Today, there was a private tour of SF MOMA just for our company. They also invited local artists to bring in their art, to the office, and it has been hung…
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Taking That Retreat Feeling With You
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The Young Adult planning team had its first meeting for our March retreat today. Our focus was to come up with our theme, and then to brainstorm on some ideas for the day. One of the things that we always struggle with are ways that we can help people take…
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Celebrating Failure
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In Improv, one of the things you learn really early on is to acknowledge and celebrate your failures. It’s part of the deal … there are times when a group of improvisors are doing something on the fly, and something goes terribly wrong. Or just becomes awkward. I think that’s…