"These are the days it never rains but it pours..."

**This is a post I wrote for a work blog. Call it recycling. It's Monday.**

Leave it to Queen to so perfectly pinpoint what a typical day might sometimes feel like, here on the 28th floor of 1818 Market.

And who doesn't love Queen?

It is more than safe to say that we operate under high, and sometimes extremely high, pressure circumstances here at Richardson. Collectively, we thrive on it and it is what keeps us on our toes. At lightening speeds, we move through the day, multi-tasking and following-up. And although sometimes we may leave in the evening feeling like we've just run though quicksand - exerting tons of energy but not really moving anywhere - great progress is made here. Every single day.

Pressure is not only a familiar feeling for us, but one that we should be aware of, as a company. Personally, I have been realizing lately that a lot of the pressure I feel is self-imposed. Deadlines, projects and clients are nothing compared to what is going on in my head most days. I wonder if I am alone in this category and, knowing most of the team for the better part of three years, I have a feeling I am in (good) company.

Imagine someone hands you an exceedingly heavy suitcase and asks you to carry it for them. It is huge, awkward and more than you alone can handle. Would you grab another one and pile that on top as well?

You'd set it down and make a dash for the nearest pal to help you out. You'd look eagerly for one of those handy airport carts and throw the suitcase in there. You'd find some creative way to balance out the weight.

I think of this analogy (shared with me by phone coach, Patti Clark) every single day and the e-mails appear in my inbox and the suitcases pile on. Instead of applying extra pressure on myself, I try to look for little tactics to better support myself and balance out the weight, both in the office and at home. Undoubtedly, these tactics will look different for each and every one of us.

For me, it's getting out in the Center City air for at least 15 minutes a day, at least eight hours of sleep a night and a light-hearted e-mail exchange with my college roomates.

And, of course, some Queen...

Exactly.

Beauty in the breakdown

Always, always laughing...

When I was younger, everytime I (or anyone) would ask my Mom how old she was, she'd say 29. She was 29 for all of my young life. Apparently, she thinks it's a good age.

Frankly, it scares me a little bit. But this isn't about me.

Yesterday, one of my bestest best girlfriends turned 29. Miss Kerry Dwyer. My favorite little Bostonian. A person who can make me laugh with, literally, just one word. Any word. Or even a letter, as she speaks in code and abbreviations quite often. Even just one of her little sounds will send me into stomach burning, tears streaming down my face hysterics. For a good fifteen minutes.

We talked briefly last night and tried to run through the usual life updates (family, boyfriends, work, girly stuff, etc.) and catch up on each other, all while hearing about her weekend and her birthday plans. We've gotten pretty good at cramming all of the goof stuff into a 15 or 20 minute phone call. Plus, we always have Facebook to keep tabs.

Apparently, 29 was a good year for my Mom, as she kept going back to it. After talking to Ker last night and hearing her smile through the phone, I am pretty sure 29 is going to be great for her too.

Happy birthday Kerry Elizabeth Dwyer! I cannot remember a time we were together when we weren't cracking up! (Case in point, the above picture. We may or may not have indulged in some mood enhancing...materials. Hey, it was college!)

Oh, Bob...

"You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She's not perfect - you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don't hurt her, don't change her, don't analyze and don't expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she's not there."

Bob Marley

Hey Blue, there is a song for you...

On Monday, as I left work early for the Reading Phillies game, I swear - I never saw the sky this blue.

Refreshing and beautiful.

Happy Weekend!

Check boxes.

New look - check.

Hoping to inspire - check.

Hoping for a shake up - check.

Oh, and I love this - check.