You’ll see I’ve placed a phrase square on the top of this blog (it’s on the cards for the blog too) and it will most likely stay there for the duration.  Although I could change my mind tomorrow. You never know with me.

And this is the part where you find out who you are.

I came across this thought in a wonderful store called Rubaiyat last summer, as I was heading out to meet some friends for a self-designed, ill-fated afternoon “pub crawl”.

You see, I spent two months—mid-June to mid-August–living just off a very popular street in Calgary, Alberta.  I had rented an apartment in a part of the city that is busy, boisterous, and full of restaurants and bars and other great places to sit, have a drink or a bite, and catch up with friends or simply spend some time with yourself.

Part of my transition to single life, my summer in a big duplex apartment off 17^th Avenue, SW became the grounding for my first attempt at a blog.  If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the link to 17x17x17 .   Read the first entry in late June (“The Quest Begins”–go to the archive on the right and choose June; the first post was on the night before summer officially began).  It will give you enough background on who I am (or at least, who I think I am) and how I got here.  Then, if you’re intrigued, please go ahead and read some of the other pieces.

Never in my wildest imagination did I think it would prove to be as popular as it was, so thanks to those who have visited and thanks in advance to those who will.

Based on its success and all the positive feedback I received from old (as in long time–I think I’ll stop qualifying that now–in future, if I mean old–as in age–I’ll say so) friends and new friends, I decided to launch this blog to see what happens next, which is where we are now.

What I learned from the experience is that while the original intent was create some sort of food blog (at least I think it was–I can’t really remember why I started to put it together in the first place),  1) I am not a restaurant critic, 2) I don’t do a great job of describing the nuances of food or of specific dishes (but I do know I like it all), and 3) most importantly, it never really was a food blog—not even from the start.  It could best be described as food as a vehicle for conversation, connection and reconnection; it was the catalyst for getting out and getting together with friends I’ve made over 30+ years of living in one place.  And it was wonderful.

ANYWAY….on my way out for the ill-conceived pub crawl, I stopped in at Rubaiyat, just to see what was new as I hadn’t been there for many years. And that’s when I saw the necklace, in the box, with the statement:

Made by a company out of Brooklyn, b.u. (or “be you”) jewelry is a collection of small-stone pieces on gold or gold-plated chains, packaged with inspirational messages.

I saw this one, and I knew I had to have it.  But when I tried it on, the chain was too short to be comfortable on my neck. (It was clearly made for my younger neck…as I’m fairly certain the jeweler’s intention was not for this to be a true choker…in every sense of the word).  So by the time I returned after making sure I had a gold chain at home that could replace the one that came with the charms, the necklace, and its box were gone.

Somebody else was busy finding out who they were.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So I called the store and ordered one in. It arrived in early November, and I’m glad I had to wait as it made me think more, and more often, about finding out more about my grown up, individual self.

The three charms/stones—pyrite, tanzanite and a gold vermeil charm–are light enough to hang comfortably, yet they have a certain weight that reminds they are there. I leave them on all the time (except for when I get to do fun stuff like going to the hospital for a colonoscopy or an EEG—stories for another day).  I think I could even add small stones or charms to the chain too (in fact, I’m thinking about adding a Project Angel Food wing

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…gifted to me by my friend Holly on Christmas in LA–a place where I had the opportunity to volunteer for an afternoon)…but for now, I like them just the way they are.

And I love the message, its tone of empowerment.  It tells me that it’s up to me to chart my course, to figure out what I’m made of, to be me. And while it is my mantra for now,it’s only part of what I would call “words to live by”.  That said, right now, it’s a very important part to me.

So my first question to you: do you have a favorite piece of jewelry—one you never remove—and what’s its significance in your life? Do you think it silly to buy something based on a well-contrived marketing sentiment?  Or, like me, are you sorry you didn’t think it up first?

And here’s a second: do you have a personal mantra?  Is there a phrase you use or know that sums up your philosophy about life? Some words you like to try to live each and every day?

I’m curious to know.

Oh, and if you want to know what happened with the pub crawl, you’ll just have to read the 17x17x17 blog entry entitled :The World’s Slowest Pub Crawl”. (if that doesn’t give you a hint…. 🙂 )

Last thing: I’ll think I’ll start adding a PotW–a photo of the week.  I know I have some friends who are amazing photographers out there, so if you’d like me to share one of yours, please email me here–I’d be happy to show off your work!

Here’s my picture for this week, taken about two weeks ago on the Santa Monica pier. Just a reminder to most of us, who are freezing under blankets of snow this week, to stay warm and remember, winter will be over before you know it!