Casita Chamisa – there are no accidents

Gosh, I have soooo much to share about my travels, and it’s been so exciting and full of fun that I’ve neglected taking enough time to keep up with my blogging efforts.

I reached Albuquerque, NM last weekend after two long travel days across the plains (I guess) along route 40.   Again, another obstacle with my planned hotel that accepts my 3 dogs led me to one of my most unexpected pleasures.

After not being able to reach the hotel ahead of time to confirm for hours on end, I checked my pet friendly travel list and contacted a little bed and breakfast run by the most amazing older man, Arnold.  His niece showed me to my little guest house and it was perfect, amazing and very special. 2 bedrooms, a little kitchen and garden of it’s own.  Sweet!

The following morning I reveled in tales of the house being built on top of an ancient Indian burial ground.  So for almost a decade they painstakingly excavated and cataloged every artifact under the supervision and appreciation of the Indians and township.  After that, they opened this very special place that I’m certain I will visit again.

I was served blue cornmeal pancakes with fresh berries and warm pears and had a lovely conversation with the other couple that was staying there for the weekend, Barbara and Neil.

There are no accidents really and I felt I was led there to meed this most amazing man, share a meal with interesting and incidentally “showbusiness” related folks, and walk afterward amongst llamas, peacocks, horses and chickens.

Sure beat the hell out of the La Quinta Inn!  And you know what?  It cost less too!

I’m having the time of my life and thrilled to share it with you all.

If you have some travel stories of your own, especially about unexpected places or people you’ve met, I’d love to hear about them.  Lisa Gold

Resistence is Futile

OK, so I finally, finally, finally gave in.  I bought a GPS for this trip.  I’ve traveled across country by car many, many times.  Early in life with my parents, then again in my 20’s when I moved from FL to LA, a few more times for a few more reasons and again a few years back on a journey to speak at colleges across the country about The Business of Show.  This time it’s to build the Act Outside the Box brand on the west coast.

And always with a map.  And before the last time, without a cell phone.

My friends and other well wishers for my journey said “What? You don’t have a GPS?”  To me it felt like I was going in to outer space or something.  Come on, I-40 is fairly plain and simple.  Hard to get lost.

But I’m one of those folks that prefer to do things the old fashioned way I guess.  I like to use my wits and brain and intention and attention.  Heck, I don’t even use a calculator to balance my checkbook!

Buuuutttt, I gave in.  In Staples the week before I left and with a giant coupon in hand, I bought a Garmin (I’ve named her Sally the Sat Nav) and you know what?  I LOVE her!  She speaks in soothing tones and gives me little updates along the way.

Sometimes it IS better to stop resisting.  Sometimes it’s better to go with the flow.  But I still like knowing in the back of my mind that I can get there with a map!  Lisa Gold

Sunset in Charlotte

As I leave Charlotte, NC this morning I wanted to share this glorius picture I took outside of Wal-Mart last night.  Getting here on Monday night took about 3 hours longer than expected because of what?  An obstacle of course.  As I often teach in my CEO course, the best laid plans also need to include the certainty, not possibility, of obstacles.

A traffic jam outside of Richmond, VA had me sitting at a standstill for over 2 hours.  When I did get to move at a rate of 2 to 3 miles per hour I got excited.  So why relay all of this to you here?  Because it wasn’t a problem.  I had prepared myself for things to get in the way.  I had snacks, great CD’s and took some mental inventory during the time I was delayed.

It seems to me that perspective is the key to life and as I spent yesterday in the rainy, and as my friend Cindy would say dreary day, I was rewarded for keeping my thoughts and my general outlook on life positive.  After buying a special dog food at the end of my visit here with my friend, who I’ve known for 35 years, I walked out of the store and in to this beauty.  I stood there transfixed at the wonder of it all.

The next time you see something as beautiful as this, take a moment to reflect on all that is good in your life.  You’ll certainly have obstacles, but no problems.  Lisa Gold

First Thursdays – Holiday Networking Party 12.1.2011

Wow, what an awesome holiday fest we had at our monthly networking party.  The first Thursday this month was on the 1st, so we started our holidaze early!

We’re a real family these days and sooooo many great industry guests, actors and artists alike were in their finest attire and ready to ring in the season.

I want to wish all that attended and those that wanted to come but couldn’t an amazing New Year, Lisa.  CLICK HERE to see all the pics from our Holiday party!

Best Laid Plans and Armani’s 16th Birthday

So this is it!  Last night I pulled out of my parking space in front of my apartment 4 hours later than planned, to start my big adventure driving across the country to Los Angeles.  My car is packed to the gills with only what I think will be needed for the next 6 months and of course, my most precious (hate to say possessions, cause they’re not possessions) furry children.  As I write this, Armani is celebrating his 16th birthday today.  We’re off to Charlotte, NC, again a few hours later than planned, but heck…as I’ve taught many in my CEO workshop, a planned 37 minutes usually takes an hour.

Give your career that extra time too.  Why be in such a hurry?  Enjoy the ride and follow along with me as I journey “outside my own box” to bring the Business of Show to the west coast.

Thanks for all of the good vibes and I’ll see you soon.  Lisa

P.S.  I’d love to hear some stories about your road trips, either to the Big Apple or the Big Orange.  How did you get here?