Remember when we were encouraged to leave our personal lives at home and be ‘just business’ in the workplace? That notion is dying…there is a new calling to be 100% OURSELVES 100% of the time. The Past Once upon a time in a consulting world far far away, there was a poet who turned into workaholic [...]
Stilettos, Sexism, and Sheryl Sandberg
I was invited to a book club to talk about Sheryl Sandberg’s book, ‘Lean In’. True to Heidi fashion I read the entire book in a cram session 24 hours prior, spilling coffee and makeup all over the cover. Sigh. Not very Sheryl Sandberg like. Regardless of the stains on its cover, I thought her [...]
A Different Take on Philanthropy
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy I am drawn to women’s stories that change the way we think about things, from sexism to alcoholism to altruism. A new friend picked up on this and simply said, “You really need to interview Maya.” Maya [...]
3 Reasons To Be A Social Butterfly
My friends complain that I am ‘too social’ about as much as I am “ too humblebragy.’ The latter I am trying to correct (see Things Not Posted on Facebook). The former, however, is my part of my core. I consider my vast array of friends a beautiful mosaic, each person a tile with [...]
Things Not Posted on Facebook
A college friend came to visit recently and remarked, “Wow, you’ve really made it in San Francisco. I can tell from your posts on Facebook.” Er. That was right after another friend called me out for ‘humble brag’ on a recent post about a secret admirer. I realized that yes, ok, perhaps I [...]
How to Live Life and Love it!
The first message I received on Valentines Day went something like this: heidi,this is the first time I’ve looked at facebook in 5 months or so. i wanted to tell you that i love how much you live your life. few people ever live truly, and so most people might as well have not ever [...]
My Eulogy to Granny, the Isern Matriarch
I’ve written about my Granny more than any other subject. She’s appeared in multiple blogs and stories, the fierce whiskey drinking heroine that tells the world to be ornery. As her eldest grandchild, I wanted to read something at her memorial this weekend and I am, for once, having a hard time with words. What [...]
The First Women Surfers of Nicaragua
I just came back from an extended trip in Central America. There is something about that place warms up my bloodstream, making my veins swirl with a spicy happy. I love the people’s smiles, ignorant of their poverty. I love the smells of street food, grilled bits that tingle my nostrils. I love the sound [...]
From Baking to Seduction: The Inspiration of Christmas Carols
“I abhor holiday music. It’s so commercialized and so annoying…” What?! I felt as if I had been stabbed. How could someone I knew have such an aversion to something so happy? Were the songs I sang at the top of my lungs every December just serving to destroy other’s eardrums? Did no one [...]
Meditation and Thomas Keller
“Why don’t you a blog post on meditation?” asked a man I recently met. “What is every executive in a company were required to?” he continued. What would the world look like? How much petty bullshit and time wasting would vaporize….” Clearly the man had pleasurable meditation experiences. He didn’t know that I [...]
Finding the Elusive ‘Present Moment’
There is a time in everyone’s life where we worry, “Is this it?” “Is this all I will ever be?” Some compare themselves to successful moms with two published books and three well-behaved children. Others measure themselves against those written up in TechCrunch, IPOing on a successful company. Did we somehow mess up? Did [...]
Abstinence and the City?
Manhattan is Broadway shows to some, intense shopping to others. But to me it always a represented debaucheries and adventure in swank downtown clubs. Regardless if I traveled there for work or pleasure I always was sure to come back with a roaring hangover and amusing tales to tell my ‘smug married’ friends back at home. [...]
Obama Election 2008 vs. 2012: Remembering the Past and Continuing the Journey
On Tuesday we elected Barack Obama for his second term of presidency. Four years ago I watched him win his first in the heart of Fillmore’s jazz district. I was in a back booth of Rassela’s dark jazz club, the only blond head of hair in the joint. I sat close by my date, a man I [...]
Overcoming Decision Paralysis
We are all products of the choices we have made. Perhaps this is why I have a difficult time making them. I am a true maximizer in every definition of the word, always seeking to carve out the best possible outcome for myself. If my choices dictate who I am, then I want to ensure [...]
Why We Need Harems
The word ‘harem’ often conjures up sexual visions where multiple female dancers hand feed a lone aging fat man grapes while twitching their finely tuned abdominal muscles and showering him with kisses. However, in reality the word has nothing to do with men or sex or cheesy belly dancing outfits. Harem is defined [...]
Who You Meet, Who You Love, and Who Sticks Around
Your timing determines who you will meet in your life Your heart determines who you will love in your life Your behavior determines who will stay in your life Your timing determines who you will meet in your life I used to scorn the concept of timing. I was a romantic believing [...]
Healing a Sports Injury Without Turning into an Alkie
“Heidi, You are not 25 years old anymore. You can’t just do the same things.” My body, foot now in a cast, apparently hadn’t gotten the message. Last year after my birthday I wrote an article called “F*ck the birthday pressure, I’m taking my time…” However this year I cannot help feel the [...]
What Makes a Marriage Work?
Today is my parent’s 36th wedding anniversary. I asked them how it lasts (I certainly have no idea). According to them, it’s simple. It’s the threads you weave together over the course of time. People that know my parents find them the perfect blend of romantic, silly, and kind. To some they seem perfect-they wear [...]
Bringing Back Community
The first definition for community is, according to Webster’s, “a unified body of individuals.” Then the options for the definition vary just like a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book. The community could be unified by geography, politics, common interests, beliefs, or, as I like to think, a common sense of wellbeing. Sometimes, especially in [...]
In Defense of Beautiful Women
Beauty can have an ugly side and the fair faced don’t always ‘have it all’. I decided to talk to two former models that explained the challenges of being seen as just ‘another pretty face.’ When I turned 15 my body transformed. My perm grew out, my glasses were cast aside, and my once gangly [...]