Mission. Accomplished.

Boom.

And that my friends is how you get things done. :)

I'm pretty proud of myself for making this happen because we all know how nerved up I was going into it. And Liz DID NOT HELP in the "Be Calm/ Be Cool Department. She told me various times that she needed her 'natural anxiety remedy' and we weren't even close to the venue. We were hours from the party even starting. Gotta love Liz though. The truth is we are both a little anxiety ridden. So if you put us together and give us a little bit of time to conjure up more suspense and go through ten thousand what-if scenarios then you my friends, have yourself two apprehensive broads.

We were walking through the door and I literally had only taken maybe two steps into this place when I looked up and saw Bun B. I did a double take (which he totally saw) and out of sheer panic and unpreparedness I just kept walking....away. When I turned back to look at Liz she's giving me this,"What the hell are you doing?!?!?" type of look. And I just motiond back, mouthing the words,  "NO! I'M NOT READY!"

We went straight to the bar and a few drinks later, I casually and very nonchalantly walk up to Bun B with my photographer (Liz) in tow. And I got my picture with the legendary Big Pimpin' himself.

I'm totes satisfied. (Even if in the picture his forehead is reflecting that shiny sticker from inside the bill of his hat. Folks gotta stay moisturized!)

I was so happy that Liz and I celebrated by taking 3 trips into the photobooth, which for the record takes pictures way too quickly. I almost knocked the entire photobooth set up over (which is documented in the last photo taken) and at that point- it was time to leave.

Houston Press Web Awards, you treated us well. We'll be back next year, maybe we'll even win something?

Getting an Online Store and Being My Own Worst Enemy

SO, part of the reason why I decided to take some time away from wasting time on Facebook is because I have this project that I am working on and there is no time for fluff. You see, I'm planning on opening an online store element over at the PrettyRiot.com site. It hasn't been as easy I thought it would be because:

#1 I don't know how to use the program. I keep using this as an excuse to not learn it too. (That's about as utterly honest as one can get folks!)

The thing is, I get really frustrated when it comes to technology. I am incredibly impatient so when something is difficult or not as easy I think it should be, I get really mad. It's a horrible thing and something that gets in my way. I like to be happy and fun and in great spirits often. SO instead of taking the challenge head on, I avoid it with lines like, "It's so difficult!" OR "It's soooo detailed, I get confused." And while I recognize that it's totally ok to feel that way, what's not ok is to sit in those statements for days on end getting absolutely nothing done.

You know that one car commercial that's all,"If you aren't moving forward, you're moving backwards."? UGH, THEY ARE SO RIGHT! I hate them for being so right!

#2 I haven't dedicated the time to making it happen. Plain and simple.

In order to learn the software and find the merchandise you have to do some shit. It's not going to magically appear in my online store that magically designed itself.

I'm a firm believer in if you can dream it up, there is a way to bring that dream to reality but I keep getting hung up on these molehills that in my distorted vision are The Appalachian Mountains. Mike made a good point a few weeks ago. He said,"It's time to stop dreaming and start doing."

Why does he and that one car commercial have to be so right!?!?

I've got the vision, I've the planning down to a ridiculous tee and I'm very organized but these plans sit there on the shelf because of those two excuses..... and because I'm a little afraid....

I think that fear cripples a lot of would be entrepreneurs. Well, I know it does. Fear has made me think that I might get in over my head or that I may become too overwhelmed in order to properly take care of my business venture. It's this weird fear of success kind of. That's ridiculous you know? I'm totally capable and I think I'm finally feeling ready. Like Bethany Frankel says in her book, A Place of Yes, I've got to stop listening to the noise. (She too, is so right.)

For Pete's sake! (and who is Pete anyway?) It's AN ONLINE STORE! IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. I could probably start posting things in the next hour and business would be up and running. I'm way too in my head. Obviously.

Something that is reassuring when I start feeling afraid is the realization that there are so many people in the world that are less creative, less intelligent, and have less charisma- and they are doing just fine. Not to be down on those people, cool for them, but I've got all that spunk and know how! I can do it too! So can you!  I've seen it so many times and it's frustrating but also also very encouraging.

So, to work on my store I go! If you know anyone that is an independent designer or creates something cool and needs a place to sell it online, email me their info Jessica ((at)) PrettyRiot ((dot)) com. It's time to learn by doing!