A New Start

I know I attempted to restart my blogging last fall and clearly failed miserably after just two posts. I cannot believe it has been so long since I've written anything, so much has happened to me in the past few months I still can't believe it at times. When I started this blog I had just graduated from college (and nursing school), and was still living in Omaha, Nebraska finishing out my lease getting ready to take my nursing boards (the big test you take to become a Registered Nurse), and basically building up the courage to say goodbye to a city that had been my home for four long years.

After taking, and passing my boards at the end of July I packed up my car and drove back home to Portland, Oregon to move in with parents, with no job and no friends left over from high school, it was definitely a dark few months. In a way though, being unemployed gave me a change of pace, a chance to spend quality time with my parents, and get to know people in my life that I hadn't really had the opportunity to spend time with.


On January 10th I trekked up to Seattle for my first, and only official interview for an RN position. About a week and half later they'd offered me a job, and on February 15th I moved up to Seattle. I found my roommates on Craigslist and have been pretty happy with my new home so far. The past few months have proved difficult and rewarding at the same time, and I am looking forward to restarting (hopefully with much more success than last time) Let Me Blow Your Mind, and using this as an opportunity to share things I love as well as my experiences and adventures. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more to come!

Video Post: Aloe Blacc

I am currently obsessed with Aloe Blacc's Song "I Need A Dollar." In today's economy I'm sure we can all relate to the feeling. After looking for his new album Good Things in the record store on several occasions I had to have it special ordered, and am currently still awaiting the much anticipated phone call saying that it's in the store. Take a listen and maybe you'll want to special order one for yourself...

Obsession: Office Space

I am so excited that my triumphant return will be about one of the best movies of the 90's, Office Space. The movie is filled with feelings of frustration, anger and hate for jobs and employers we can all relate to. Consider yourself lucky if you've never had bosses that you just want to flip off, fax machines you dream of taking into a field to smash with a baseball bat and have never at one point or another been able to truthfully say the most famous line of the film: "it's not that I'm lazy, I just don't care."


Because there is so much truth to the situations and Peter begins to act out all of the behaviors we would all so love to do, and gets away with it somehow, the film is humorous rather than irritating. The best part about the film is the ironic use of classic gangster rap. From Ice Cube's "Down for Whatever" and Geto Boys's "Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangsta" the film uses some of the best rap songs (if you look closely the trailer it says featuring the music of Canabus and Biz Markie at the end) and they actually add to viewers ability to relate to the film. When Joanna says "most people don't like their jobs but you go out there and you find something that makes you happy" it reminds me that we might not like where we are at this moment, but we've just got to keep looking and if you're very lucky you might just find a job that you can feel good about.


One of my favorite parts about this movie is Jennifer Aniston's role. Granted, I love love LOVE Jennifer, but she is adorably sweet in this film and plays a normal, down to earth girl who just happens to be beautiful. I love her super long hair that is simply split down the middle, and although most people should probably NOT sport the center part (myself included), we could all work the simple french twists and half pony tails (with a side parts that is). Every guy should take Peter's actions to heart when he just flat out asks her out after having his eye on her for so long. I honestly believe that any guy has a shot with pretty much any girl if he just walked up to her and made a move.

So take another look at this modern classic, seize the moment, and remember there is always another job out there for you.

Recommended: Henry Doorly Zoo

If you've ever lived in Omaha it would be impossible not to have heard about the Henry Doorly Zoo. It is supposed to be one of the best zoos in the nation, after San Diego and Washington D.C., but it is also a central source of pride for the Omaha community. Tucked away at the southern end of 10th street next to what will soon be the bones of Rosenblatt Stadium sits this little gem of the midwest.


As you approach the zoo you can see the Desert Dome from a distance. Home to variety of birds, mammals and nighttime creatures, it seems to be the natural place to begin your zoo trip. Although many animals are contained with netting, many more are given the opportunity to fly freely around the enclosed complex. The birds that are behind netting are beautiful shades of vibrant colors and ornate feathers, and the mammals are charmingly unique to a desert lifestyle. Although the exhibit is extensive, and expensive costing over $30 million, it does begin to get a little repetitive.
One of my favorite exhibits is the Scott Aquarium, a perfect place to cool off on those sticky summer days in Omaha. Fish exhibits are always one of my favorites because they are so colorful and there is so much variety between all the species. The great thing about this aquarium though is that it is so much more than just fish. Set up similarly to that of a stage for performers the penguin exhibit allows you to watch several different kinds of antarctic penguins zip in and out of the water, and can even be watched at home from through the zoo's webcam. As you move along you find salt water tanks that even simulate the waves of a tide pool, a 70 foot-long tunnel full of 900,000 gallons of salt water as well as large sharks, stingrays, and fish. The tunnel gives you an opportunity to see these animals from several angles and literally surrounds you with ocean life.

If you start to get a little tired from walking around you can always take a ride on the steam train (although I must warn you that it is extremely loud), the tram or skyfari. I was surprised to learn that the skyfari ride is just a little over year old, but allows you to view many of the African animals (giraffes, rhino, elephants) from overhead. Although a little nerve-wracking to be suspended so high up its definitely worth the $2 to take a one-way trip, just make sure you don't lose your sandals over any of the outdoor complexes... I'm not sure you'll get them back.

The great thing about the zoo is that it has enough entertainment to make an entire day's worth of entertainment, or you can go catch a couple of exhibits in just a few hours. Either way, at just eleven dollars you're able to go do something different, and help support a pillar of the Omaha community. With over 25 different complexes with animals from around the globe there I'm pretty sure there will be something that catches everyone's eye and will always provide a different experience with each visit.

Photo Post: there are no words

In case you don't recognize him, that's Dr. Dre in the red shiny outfit... Like I said, there are no words.

Some Things Never Really Change

I'm so excited to share one of my absolute favorite musicians of all time in this post! Dave Smallen was introduced to me by my kid brother as the lead singer of a band called Street to Nowhere when I was in high school and I've been listening to him ever since. Very much like Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes, Dave was the front man of Street to Nowhere, especially after the original band broke up and left him to reassemble the group. Their only album Charmingly Awkward is easily on my top ten favorite albums list even after all these years. It has a little bit of an "emo" vibe to it, but it is also some of the most genuine, heartfelt pieces work I've ever heard, and quite possibly has the best drinking song of all time.

Since the second dissolution of Street to Nowhere Dave has stepped out as an individual artist, released his solo CD through his website, and has been playing a few shows here and there, unfortunately mostly in California. His latest album Everything Changes and Nothing Changes is a unique piece of work. I love the title because although the music is still a reflection of Dave, it is also a very different sound than what he released through Street to Nowhere.

I think what I love most about Dave is that he is a true artist. If you look through his website he displays artwork and poems, and on his blog he shows interesting photos from touring, writings, more artwork and pictures of him performing. Dave has a way of sharing a part of himself with the world, putting himself out there in ways I don't think I ever could, and I truly envy him for that. If you're lucky enough to be in an area when he happens to play a show I highly suggest checking it out, otherwise check out his website and maybe support an independent artist and spend a few bucks on his album (it's only $7.99!). You can listen to it all online, but I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Scout: Dry Goods and Trade

If you're as into thrift shopping as I am and happen to be in the Omaha area, you should absolutely check out Scout. This is easily one of the best stores I've ever encountered and I'll be sorry to leave it behind when I head back to the West Coast in a few weeks. A local business started to offer an alternative option to the pricey stores found at Westroads or Oak View, or any other mall across the country for that matter, Scout offers classic, quirky, vintage, and always interesting pieces.

This store is perfect for anyone trying to find their individual style, and more importantly, at a reasonable price. Within the last few years I've found myself turning down beautiful pieces of clothing because they seemed just too overpriced for me justify the purchase. I must admit I'm a little jaded when it comes to the cost of clothing because I am constantly digging through the racks at Goodwill in search for gems that cost just a few dollars, and although Scout is a little bit more expensive, it is still very reasonable and requires little to no digging in order to find an amazing item, or even an entire outfit.

Another great aspect about Scout is that you can sell your old clothes there as well. They are always looking for both unique and classic items, although they are only interested in things in excellent condition, why not bring anything you think you can sell and take what's left over to the Goodwill. Make yourself a little money, or maybe some store credit, and send some good karma while you're at it.

Scout is a store you can feel good about shopping at. It is a store that is built on community support, provides a sales opportunity for local jewelry artists and not only recycles clothes, but paper as well. They promote the use of reusing bags, and make their sales tags out of interesting images from what I believe are old posters.

What I love most about Scout, and thrift shopping in general, is that no one else owns the same stuff as you. Nothing is a bigger drag than picking up a cute hat or scarf at Target, only to see another girl wearing the same thing two days later. I suggest everyone make an effort to shop second-hand, it's better on the environment (you're basically recycling) and your wallet, and nothing is more satisfying than to have someone ask you where you got a sweater and be able to say you paid just a fraction of what they would have expected you to have paid.


If you're don't live in the Omaha area and aren't lucky enough to make a visit, I suggest looking for other opportunities to sell your old stuff and update your wardrobe with a couple new things. Some of my favorites are Buffalo Exchange and Redlight, but I'm always looking for new ones in any city if anyone has any to suggest!