E is for Energy Efficiency

Note: I'm throwing my hat into the A-Z Blogging challenge sponsored by Tossing it out! What you will be reading via the letters A-Z is a little bio about me. This will give you a glimpse into my work world and what I do when I'm not here - blogging. 

This will be a little different then what you may be expecting.

“How so?” you ask. 

Well, let me get right to it.

Energy efficiency, as it pertains to this post, is about how efficiently we use energy from our body in our daily life. 

How efficiently do you use your body’s energy?

Ah, now you see where I am going with this, right? 

Still confused, let me continue then...

In my work establishment, I have my implements, equipment and furniture set up in such a fashion that I expend the least amount of physical energy running around looking for things I need to do my job.

I am thereby conserving energy for more important things - the actual “working on a client” part of my day to be exact.

In fact, my energy efficiency is one of the things most remarked about by my clients. (next to my charm, wit and wickedly honed sense of humour) 

My ability to utilize my space as efficiently as I do results in my energy being spent at a leisurely pace whereby I never appear frazzled! (frazzled - tsk, tsk -  not a good look, and if you’ve ever seen a frazzled little worker bee you know what I mean)

In the last decade and a half we have seen the invasion of the “body spas” - no, not body snatchers - although in some ways it is the same. 

They snatch your body and do all kinds of “good for you” things and when you get your body back it’s definitely lighter, by about five hundred dollars.

The lack of energy efficiency, again relative to how a body needs to move around these “designer” establishments is, for me, shocking! 

Yes, shocking! (I know, I’m as surprised as you to read this)

This inefficient use of energy may not be apparent to you  - the person getting the pampering.

But, if you are the provider of a service, in the beauty industry, you need to be aware of the energy expended on all the little things you do (sometimes needlessly) before you even start a service.

As I listen to clients, that have been gifted with a visit to a “spa”, what most intrigues me is how inconvenient they find the layouts of these “designer spas” to be.

FYI - just because a beauty salon has running water does not give it the right to be called a “spa” - because then every bathroom could be called a spa - even your main floor two piece powder room. 

Now when your guests come over you can show them your “spa” - and trust me, some “spa” treatment rooms (because everything is a treatment) are just about as big! (read "small")

A “spa” visit, in nutshell: 

The visit starts with a trip to the change room, and some time spent in a waiting area, then down a hall to the pedicure cubicle, next it’s off to the manicure area,  then up the stairs-around the corner-past the linen closet-down a long corridor to the facial area.

Ah, how relaxing and peaceful - now let’s do the route in reverse so you can get back into your clothes and pay for that treat - and hopefully not ruin your polish in the process. (horror stories abound - wait for “H”)

So, now that the client has spent more time on their feet then off, my question is, “How’s that working for you?” - “You happy?” - “Feeling pampered?” - “Revitalized and full of energy?”

And what about that little worker bee...who’s been on the journey with you but doing the work while you get that much deserved pampering from head to toe?

This is were I come in...Miss Energy Efficiency herself!  The idea of expending energy so inefficiently is beyond my scope - therefore I do everything in two rooms, side by side, very functional but very relaxing, comfortable and appealing. 

And as an added bonus there is no additional staff or clientele loitering around during your time - just you, me and the pampering.

It’s all about expending energy efficiently - and as I sit here typing - my phone - a plate of freshly baked peanut butter cookies - my stereo remote and my glass of milk (yes milk) are all within arms reach - no need to waste valuable energy when I still need to finish this post.

And you, how is your energy efficiency working for you these days?

Until F...

D is for Deliberate Dialogue

Note: I'm throwing my hat into the A-Z Blogging challenge sponsored by Tossing it out! What you will be reading via the letters A-Z is a little bio about me. This will give you a glimpse into my work world and what I do when I'm not here - blogging.

Thanks for joining me on “D"- day for a little deliberate dialogue.

“So, what is deliberate dialogue?” I hear you asking as you stare at my blog and are probably thinking it might be time to exit stage left before you get in too deep.

Hold on not so fast, I have something to tell you...that’s it...get comfortable.

Have you ever been out for a coffee or a meal - alone - and were forced to entertain yourself by listening in on the conversations around you?

Yes? 

Well, I think most of us have - I know for certain I have and here’s what I have discovered - most of us are really bad at deliberate dialogue. 

Deliberate and dialogue are both very interesting words in their own right, but put them together and they are a force to be reckoned with. 

To be deliberate is to be conscious and intentional in what we do, or in this case, say.

And dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. 

Have you ever heard a little child say something like, “Mommy! That lady is really fat.” in a voice loud enough that people in a one block radius stop and stare. 

How rude - right?

The child’s mother turns crimson and looks as if she’s going to die of embarrassment - she grabs her child and leaves the crime scene as quickly as humanly possible, without looking like she’s abusing her child as its arm is being wrenched out of its socket. 

Most of us feel her shame and yet inwardly we are chuckling because we see the innocence of the child in its statement - said without malice or intent to offend. It was really a bit of deliberate dialogue - an observation stated in a very direct manner.

Deliberate dialogue gets drilled out of us early. It’s considered rude and more to the point it is not socially acceptable.

So...what is a reasonably intelligent adult to do if they wish to engage in deliberate dialogue with another equally (we can always hope) intelligent adult?

How about simply thinking before speaking. Possibly slowing down the train wreck in ones head and breathing while thinking of exactly what it is we want to say and why.

Now...since I want this is to be somewhat work related I will share with you how I implemented deliberate dialogue in my work sphere, years ago.

I did a manicure on a woman from France one day and while she certainly could speak English, and we had, I thought, a good conversation about life, love and the universe, I realized later, when having a discussion with the hair stylist that had sent her to me, she was unhappy with my work!

Shock and Awe! 

Unhappy - not possible! I’m the best! And that’s a fact! (no modesty - it’s just the truth and one should always tell the truth when in deliberate dialogue with anyone)

What had I done wrong? 

Well, apparently in France, back in the 80’s, it was the style to have the moons (that little funny white half-moon shaped bit at the base of your nail plate) left unpolished - go figure. 

I thought I had asked all the right questions, but apparently I forgot to ask whether she wanted her moons painted. We were in Canada - I didn’t think about how things were done in her country - never crossed my mind! 

Here comes the profound lesson out of this experience that has stayed with me for over twenty-five years:

Do not presume anything.

From that day forward this is what I have said to every new client:

“I am not a mind reader. Alas, it is the one great talent I do not possess - everything else is a piece of cake! If you want something - talk to me - chances are I can accommodate.”

But rather than relying solely on my client (or any other person) to be obliged to do the deliberate dialogue dance alone while I just standing there making assumptions - I strap on my dancing shoes and I dance carefully and unhurried so every step is understood and every turn anticipated. 

For you, the on-looker - sitting alone - having your coffee or meal, you will be spellbound by the fluidity of this deliberate dialogue going on at the table next to you.

And as you listen you hear words strung together in deliberate dialogue, consciously and with intention, always careful and unhurried so as to be clear and forthcoming in their meaning and purpose. They are music to your ears.

Until E...

C is for Consumer Consciousness

Note: I'm throwing my hat into the A-Z Blogging challenge sponsored by Tossing it out!
What you will be reading via the letters A-Z is a little bio about me. This will give you a glimpse into my work world and what I do when I'm not here - blogging.


In the beauty industry (and don't let this topic scare you men off - this pertains to you as well - so hang in there) it's all about the consumer - something we all are - even you men! (think shaving products, hair growth products, and now even cosmetic surgery is on the male radar)

As a consumer what is your role?

Do you need to be on top of every little thing that you encounter, from products to types of services available; can you just rely solely on the sign on the door of a business; how about the label and advertising of a product (endorsed by paid actors) or even the recommendation from a friend?

How do you exercise your consumer consciousness?

Since I am covering the "beauty industry" the blanket is a large one, all things relating to external grooming and maintenance will be under this blanket - such as all beauty product purchasing (both by men and women), services offered by "beauty professionals" and even cosmetic surgery.

As this may be read by wonderful readers from around the globe - some of the "legal parameters" regarding products and services as they pertain to the beauty industry will vary - bear this in mind when you are reading this. I write this as it pertains to British Columbia, Canada.

In BC the beauty industry was deregulated many years ago. This puts the onus on the consumer to do their due diligence when seeking out the services of a "beauty professional" and this is exactly where I wish to spend a little time with you.

After deregulation, almost overnight, we saw the rise of the "nail shop" which gave Starbucks a run for their money as these shops popped up all over the city in record numbers.

Operators within these premises were no longer required to have any certification or license to perform their services. That's right - NO certification or license - literally overnight problems started to occur.

Yet, consumers frequented these "overnight" businesses without regard to the education of the staff or the hygienic practices within these establishments, because the price was without rival.

(In the world of beauty the one truth I can safely say does exist - after twenty-seven years is this: You get what you pay for - and that is a fact!)

As these problems started coming out in the media the stories about serious flesh eating diagnosis of the legs and about nail disorders of both hands and feet were shocking and the harsh reality of these "nail shops" was hitting home for consumers.

"Why was this happening?" consumers would ask. "What's the government doing about these shops?" Health inspectors were going crazy trying to keep up with the complaints - and things kept going from bad to worse.

My question always was, during these early years of deregulation, where is consumer consciousness in all of this - do consumers have a hand in their own fate?

My answer was always a simple "Yes!"

Consumers do have a hand in the outcome of their choices. We all do! No amount of government regulations will negate the need for you, the consumer, to do your homework - and that goes for almost everything we purchase - cars, boats, homes and even the family pet needs to be researched if one truly wishes to get the right fit.

Consumers need to realize the real power they have to self-regulate an industry in which they are major consumers. The beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry because consumers do not challenge what is being fed to them. I see this time and time again with the manipulation of the consumer to feel inferior for not "having" the latest product, service or surgery to be "one of the beautiful people" we all seemingly aspire to be.

If only we could all be air brushed to perfection as we walked out our front doors the world would truly be a beautiful place - now fall down a rabbit hole if you wish to experience that fantasy!

Just because a commercial makes it sound absolutely fabulous doesn't mean it is! Just because the product is being endorsed by some stud of a man or siren of a woman, who looks flawless, doesn't mean you should rush out and buy it - but, surprisingly many do!

Yes, many do!

You and I have, on occasion, fallen into this consumer trap! It's sad but it's true. Most of us, however, learn from the experience and do go forward with our "Buyer Beware" glasses on and make sensible choices.

The sad truth is that for every individual that is a conscious consumer - there are hundreds that are not.

Which are you?

Until D...

B is for the Basics

Note: I'm throwing my hat into the A-Z Blogging challenge sponsored by Tossing it out!
What you will be reading via the letters A-Z is a little bio about me. This will give you a glimpse into my work world and what I do when I'm not here - blogging.
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A is for Apple (this one was almost too easy)

Having just bought a Mac I can safely say I am having an apple a day! Little less messy and no core, but an apple all the same!

For an actual post on the letter A I will (since I am a day behind and need to focus on B) defer you to my post on my recent acquisition - my Apple computer! My big Mac attack is finally subsiding... Had I been actually writing this piece for the A-Z challenge then I would have named it A is for Apple.

_______________________

B is for the Basics


Basic services in the esthetic (fancy word for beauty) world are manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials and makeup lessons/application.

Let me give you twenty-seven years of behind the "chair" insight into the Basics, through the eyes of a Basics Specialist!

You won't find the basics in a fancy spa - they want you to invest a small fortune in the "gravy" services; body scrubs and wraps, deep peels, fancy shower treatments, specialty "flowery" foot treatments and the list goes on, and on.

Having special training on foot care from Germany, I can safely say, without prejudice, that North American feet are seriously neglected. (more on this when the letter F comes around)

Hands, don't get me started on fake nails - that being said I have found there to be some very skilled and highly proficient nail technicians in my pool of professional colleagues that I would not hesitate to recommend.

Artificial nails just aren't my cup of tea! Hence I do not offer them. Also, they would not be considered a basic manicure service - they are a specialized nail service and as such should be done by a well trained "nail technician" - this may be a further topic for the letter N - but that is still a ways off!

Waxing - I can only say - this will be a must read post when W comes around!

Okay, the last two items up for grabs under basic services are facials (and this is a whole category unto itself - because there are very specialized facials that build themselves upon the "basic facial" platform) but for all intense purposes facials really are a basic service - you just don't know it yet! (if you're a client of mine you do - but for these writings the presumption will be that we don't know each other)

Then, there's the basic makeup lesson/application service. This too can get very specialized and again the field of professional makeup artists are vast as is the talent! But the basics should be standard knowledge and the skill set of teaching and applying makeup should be part of the basic service list for any reputable esthetician.

Okay, have I piqued your curiosity?  What if you're a guy reading this - does any of this pertain to you? Absolutely, it does and I will be writing special posts just for you.

Quality basic services are often overlooked as individuals go looking for a place to get beauty services done. They seem more impressed by the fancy spa itself than the service they are about to receive - and even in who is providing that service for them. Do you know who's doing your next spa treatment? (more on questions to ask when Q comes along)

Or, are you one of the lucky ones that has their own esthetician, who is seasoned, and knows how to provide top quality basic services which are the cornerstone of your regular maintenance and grooming routine.  Consider yourself lucky if you fall in this category!

Until C...

My big Mac attack is finally subsiding.

Well, the inevitable finally happened...I bought a Mac - a "big Mac", no, not the Mickie D burger but my very first Mac computer.

"So how's that working for you?" I hear you asking, with concern in your voice.

As a PC diehard, loyal to HP products I might add, I found I had come to a fork in my computer road and had to make a choice...

a - stay true to my loyalties and my PC inbreeding

or

b - get that long overdue divorce from my PC and start dating Mac!

My decision was helped along by the fact that my daughter, the ever talented Miss CP, has been a Mac loyalist for about four years and my writing buddy, Gill, has been Mac-ing around for some time as well.

I admire these gals and their opinions count - so...off to the Mac store I go...this was back on Friday, March 18th the day after my trusty PC up and died. Really, the nerve of some computers - thank God I do regular backups that's all I can say.

(Note to all of you reading this, DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP PLAN? It's not just the impending earthquake or a freak tsunami you need to be preparing for, but a major and most inconvenient crash of the technological kind - so, after reading this post, get right to it and back your computer up!)

Okay, where was I...oh yes...me and Mac!

MARCH 18TH - FRIDAY (the end of an era...)

After spending an inordinate amount of my precious time (like I had anything else to do on a Friday night in one of the most exciting cities in the world) I finally left the Mac store with visions of sugarplums and MacBooks dancing around in my head! (it's still close enough to Christmas to have the sugarplum thingys dancing in my head - so there)

Home went I on it sleep I did - a little Yoda touch for my fellow StarWars fans (of course I only liked the original three - not those three barf-worthy cheap wanna-be StarWar movies that came out later - gag me! - I think it's a generational thing, anyone in my vintage will have nothing to do with the "bad three" as I call them)

MARCH 19TH - SATURDAY (the day of new beginnings...) 

Okay, now we are on day two of my saga - March 19th - the big Mac attack day! Thank God for all those "legal" nerve calming drugs available without having to lurk around some back alley with old running shoes hanging off of telephone pole wires!

I was calm (don't let CP tell you otherwise) and ready to lay my money down and buy myself some "love"! I can see now why people actually "love" these little guys - they are so user-friendly and the online tutorials are, well, like you know, totally like, rad dude! I think you sorta hafta do the cool lingual stuff - am I right or am I right!

Okay, okay - enough already with the trying to be a cool Mac-dudette! But I AM having a love affair - I just hope it doesn't end badly...for Mac. It never ends badly for me - I've got the HAMMER, remember.

No Hammer dents...yet!

A WEEK AND A HALF LATER (new computer, new job, new man, new life...)

"So how's that working for you?" I hear you ask. Well...just great thanks! (and with an exclamation mark to boot)

I now live at Mac's former "hangout" (aka store) and all his "hanger-ons" (aka staff) are groovin' with me and like, you know, chillin' and being all like, "hey" and "s'happenin" and you know, super friendly...they even think I should, like you know, work there! Too cool!

I'm taking advantage of the One to One program, Workshops and Personal Projects time - I figure by the time I'm finished I'll have turned into a MacBook Pro myself - sleek, good looking, creative and very intuitive!

MARCH 30TH - WEDNESDAY (a wee reality check...)

I had a class on the Numbers program in iWorks (the equivalent of Excel's Spreadsheet program) and I must say - impressive! (okay, I'll add overwhelming...if you insist on knowing everything)

Of course, (and here it comes), you have to have an open mind and be willing to think outside the PC box - which can be hard for diehard PC users - but I'm a sucker for "new and exciting" so I'm always willing to try and learn a new trick - see, you can teach an old dog a new trick - ask Lucky!

I'm just now working with iPhotos and have started to make a "Book" of photos for my mom - I know she will love it! More on that later...

Happy Mac-ing to those of you that are fellow Mac users.
And to those of you that are still PC-ing it...okay...Happy Times to you too!

Jenny

Time for a new Hammer - my old one's buried somewhere!

Okay…

Time for me to throw my two cents worth on the table about days like yesterday…

Valentine’s Day

There are 365 days in a year, right? Okay, we’ve got Valentine’s Day, then there’s one's birthday, add to that a holiday like Christmas, maybe an anniversary and what you have is three maybe four days out of 365 to hopefully be remembered on.

Years ago I told my ex that he could forget commercial holidays. I highlighted Valentine’s Day as one he most certainly did not need to remember because, quite frankly, wasn’t I his valentine all year long – gag me!

I told him the day he needed to remember was my birthday.

That’s right “the birthday”.

Lucky for him I’m not a material girl – that’s why there’s Madonna.

I’m the kind of gal that, odd as it may seem, is very happy getting things most gals would divorce a man over.

For example – I don’t like to share my hammer, or any of my tools for that matter. So, I like getting tools, for my tool box.

And then there’s the motorcycle – I don’t do “passenger” at all. So that means I need my own bike – you can keep the diamond and trade it in for a nice little Harley – teardrop tank, custom pipes…you get it.

And let’s not forget the fishing stuff…okay, so I’m a little different.

But…don’t forget my birthday.

If I told him once, I told him twice – in that first year of dating leading up to my “big day” – my birthday was non-negotiable. Period – Full Stop

I said,

“Sweetie, I don’t need gifts or fancy stuff, all I want is a card given to me on the morning of my birthday, before I start my day, with a hug and a kiss. Gifts are optional, so are flowers although a new hammer would be a nice gesture!” (hint, hint)

Now, you might ask yourself, why in the morning…well, let’s go through this, shall we…

I have only 24 hours in which to “celebrate” my birth – since time stands still for no one (I am trying to work on this one) I need to start early. And unlike most of my gal pals – I welcome my birthdays with open arms. It helps looking younger than my years, I’ll admit, but quite frankly I like seeing the numbers pile up – means I’m alive and ticking!

The real reason for this request of mine is it let’s me know that a day prior to my “big day” the guy in my life is thinking of me. (He’s standing in front of a bunch of sappy cards and debating with himself whether it’s too early in the relationship to get the “gag” card)

For me, it wasn’t about the card, but (if you need to know) I like a funny card way more then those sentimental mushy ones.

What this was about was me being given my birthday card at the “start” of my day, not midway through, or God forbid, at the end. Giving me a card at the end of my birthday is a death wish and I told him so. (I loved Charles Bronson in all the Death Wish movies if that tells you anything)

I don’t know which cemetery he now calls home, but suffice it to say I do keep my word!

It was a simple request – a card at the start of my day – bingo…happy me!

No card…well, you do the math.

An “unhappy me” isn’t an option – really, don’t test me – it isn’t pretty and I’ve got tools!

Ask my ex where my old hammer is…got the picture.

Is there a moral to this story? -  No…not really.

I figure it’s my birthday, it comes once a year and if I want a card first thing in the morning – then that’s what I should get! And when I’m disappointed I don’t stick around to see if it’ll get any better next year. (If there was any advice – that was it)

Yup…

It’s definitely time for a Hog upgrade, a little gift that’s long overdue. That sunset still looks good and I’ll ride into it solo if I have to…and I’ll buy my own damn card and maybe a new hammer to boot.

By the way, the only date on my calendar circled in red is Feb 27^th – just in case you need to drop a note…the morning of! Otherwise, don’t bother!

To all of you that appreciate getting your birthday nod, up front first thing in the morning, consider yourself hugged and acknowledged by me…

Jenny

(CP – your date is circled too ’cause Moo loves you!)

Bloedel Conservatory walkabout

The following photos are taken at Queen Elizabeth Park where the Bloedel Conservatory resides and houses a variety of exotic flowers and plants, various tropical birds and ponds filled with Koi.

I was on one of my many walkabouts - this time with Katharina. She's visiting from Germany and this was her first time in the park.  We were both busy taking in the beauty around us with the help of our cameras.

Enjoy - and may these pictures inspire you to go on a walkabout in your own city and play tourist for a day!


First off, here's a photo of the Conservatory from the outside...  

         

Here it is from the "back side"...

Let's head inside...

It's warm and the air is thick, very tropical; on a cold Winter's day it's great to be inside!

A colourful inhabitant catches our eye!

Orchids are one of my favourite plants. I have recently figured them out!

Don't let them sit in water - submerge them in a tepid water bath, hold them there for a moment and as they come out of the "bath" let the water run out from the bottom of their container.

Seeing them like this is amazing.

From the picture above, I zoomed in on these gorgeous flowers growing out of the tree's trunk.

Here are some more flower shots...

I really liked the water-wheel in this shot.

This sweet little gal could speak and whistle - very clever!

She hammed it up for the camera too - so she deserves her 15 minutes!

Say goodbye! Yes, she really does wave!

The visit wouldn't be complete without a little dry climate Cacti!

Outside we go...into the large Quarry Gardens.
It's a misty, damp day but the beauty still shines through.

A sentinal of trees watches over us...eerie but very cool!

Through the small Quarry Gardens our journey continues...

Looking up, from the small Quarry, we see our final destination.
Seasons in the Park Restaurant - where Katharina and I sat enjoying a cup of hot cocoa and cheesecake! It's my most favourite restaurant in Vancouver!

Note - the first two photos of the Conservatory are archival photos I took one sunny day last year!

Here's a little 411 for those of you that made it this far. If you look closely at the second photo, behind the Conservatory to the right, are the mountains known here as The Lions. They are the mountains you see in my Blog Header.

Here is a photo of the view from just in front of the Conservatory taken in Nov. 2010.

If you want to really see this photo as it should be seen, right click and open it in a new window.

This is my desktop photo and on rainy days I just have to look at this photo and I'm good to go!

If you are a Vancouverite and haven't been up to QE Park lately, lace up your shoes and do a walkabout; then, stop off at Seasons and enjoy their newly renovated "lounge" where the fireplace invites and the view mesmorizes!

If you're not from Vancouver and are thinking of taking a trip here, be it personal or business, this park is really a 'start' and 'finish' point of any trip. I take my out-of-town guests here and it leaves a lasting impression - even on an overcast and misty day! And...as a local, I never tire of it!

Happy walkabouts,

Jenny