At work, I’ve been known to sit on an exercise ball, peddle an under-the-desk stationary bicycle and do crunches while I sit at my desk. I like to multi-task by marking items off the to do list while working on my fitness simultaneously. I’ve always wanted a stand up desk or treadmill desk, but could never justify the cost…until now.

Knowing about my enthusiasm for such health/productivity devices, a conscientious coworker introduced me to a new phenomenon I can embrace – the ‘Hamster Wheel Standing Desk‘!! Even better, it’s a DIY project you can do for a team building exercise.

In the future, I would like to have a ‘fishbowl’ work desk invented: a small swim spa, floating desk and waterproof PC. Can someone in Redmond get on this stat? Heated water, please.

Who else likes to proofread marketing emails at 6:00 a.m. just for fun? When trying to awake this morning, I scanned my email and stumbled on this gem – the ‘Greatest Country Music 5k Ever Created’. Of course I had to open it. And then, I was assaulted by spelling/punctuation/consistency/formatting issues.

Here is the email in question and my subsequent response to them. How many errors can you find?

“The Greatest Country Music 5k Ever Created!”
A new, unique 5k like nothing you’ve seen before! The event starts off with a new and exciting western themed 5k course. Then, the event turns into a big festival like atmosphere with great Country music, awesome games and activities like cornhole, line dancing, and our crazy cowboy hat contest! Of course we’ll have amazing country BBQ and ice cold beer to.

Like Our Facebook Page and Receive 20% Off
Use Promo Code “facebook” to receive a “early bird”
special of 20% off registration
DON’T WAIT!
This Event Will Sell Out!

Country Festival and 5k!

The Great Country Run So Cal! We have a deal for you! For a limited time registration is 20% off! Don’t miss this offer!, here is a chance to capitalize on the ultimate “Ealry Bird” Special! You will not get a better deal than this! Like our Facebook page, Tell your family, friends, neighbors this deal will not last. Promo code “Facebook” will get you 20% off registration! Promo Code Expires October 12th 2014.

The Great Country Run March 14th. 2015

The Great Country Run is for all ages. The course is 3.2 miles + western action (full 5K course), Celebrate at the The Great Country Run festival with family, friends, music, & beer where you can dance, listen to live music, enjoy BBQ, play games, and win contests!

There are several spelling errors in this email.
I can proofread it for you:

Country doesn’t need to be capitalized mid sentence (country music)

Too, not to. (Ice cold beer too)

Early, not ealry

March 15, 2015 (comma, not period)

Is the promo code facebook or Facebook? You have two versions listed; capitalized or lowercase?

No exclamation point before a comma

Comma after October 12 (not October 12 2014)

Copyright 20XX should be 2014

I like the concept of the race and I’m interested. Can I get a bigger discount for proofreading? I know you are trying to appeal to country lovers, but spelling and punctuation, attention to detail is still important.

###

Would you run the Greatest Country Music 5k Ever Created? Would you run in cowboy boots? Of course I would; country costumes, beer, music, dancing…cornhole! Maybe there will even be moonshine! I can guarantee there won’t be any spelling bees, however, which is a shame, because you know I would totally win.

UPDATE: I received a response from the race promoter (after they sent out the same email again and I replied): “I am so sorry, we have been on the road for events. I know that’s not an excuse, but we will fix it before the next one, I promise!” Needless to say, I asked again for a race entry for compensation for my proofreading. I’m intrigued by this race!

“Alright stop. Collaborate and listen! Ice is back with my brand new invention. Something grabs a hold of me tightly. Flowin’ like a harpoon daily and nightly.” – Vanilla Ice
*Warning: Personal plea for you to take social action below. Listen to Ice Ice Baby while I attempt to persuade you to go shopping for some beautiful, handcrafted Italian jewelry.

If you like Janine’s handcrafted jewelry, please share it with your friends and family. Better yet, buy some Signorelli-Mix jewelry for your mom, mother-in-law, wife, girlfriend, daughter or grandma! Her jewelry would be perfect for ‪Mothers Day ‬ or Easter gifts!

“Lindy’s Nautical 40th” birthday party is just two months away and planning is well under way! Invitations have been designed and sent out. Shout out to Courtney Mansell Design (former maiden name Van Laar) for her most awesome graphic design skills. We work closely together on projects all the time, and I’m always in debt to her for the magical way she pulls concepts together.

We are going to be taking a three hour tour on the Newport Beach Harbor Tiki Boat by Fun Zone Boats. They feature charter and party boat trips in Newport Beach, California. The photos of their booze cruises look epic! Of course, I have a comprehensive list of my own ideas to make it even more memorable and fun. Battle Shots, anyone? Nautical costumes and regalia? There will be a taco bar, regular bar, DJ and a Gilligan’s Island vibe. Photo ops galore!

Next steps are my music curation for the DJ and the party mix tape. I created a Google Docs online form to help gather all the best music requests for the party ‘mix tape’. Aside from the obvious dance hits of more recent times, here are some of my classic song faves from the last four decades (in no particular order.) If you haven’t heard these before, you’re missing out. Go to your nearest online radio platform now to check them out.

Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice

Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J

Push It – Salt n Pepa

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Baby Got Back – Sir Mix A Lot

It Takes Two – Rob Base

Eminem

Raise Your Glass – P!nk

Summer Lovin’ – Grease

Children’s Story – Slick Rick

Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes

Humpty Dance – Digital Underground

Little Red Corvette – Prince

I Want Your Sex – George Michael

I Need You Tonight – INXS

Beds are Burning – Midnight Oil

Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard

Barbie Girl

Boom I Got Your Boyfriend – MC Luscious

You Shook Me All Night Long – AC DC

Girls – Beastie Boys

Pearl Jam!

TOO MANY MORE TO LIST!

What are your all time faves to dance to? Don’t be shy – put your song request in a comment. I’ll consider it for my mix tape!

I hope your heart is filled with love on this special day for romance. Here are some homemade Valentine’s Day cards that I made for a pen pal swap through Seattle paper magnate, Lyndsey at The Stationery Place.

This is my second year participating; it is a rewarding to receive thoughtful, homemade valentines from new pen pals from across the globe. I like to make the homemade valentines using my red Olivetti Lettera typewriter (named Beulah Hildegard Francis) to create my typewriter poetry cards.

This year’s poetry includes:

Love is a game. Love is war. Love is patient. Love is kind.

Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love.

Love is a verb. Take action.

Typewriter Poetry Homemade Valentines by Lindy | “Love is a game. Love is war. Love is patient. Love is kind.”

Typewriter Poetry Homemade Valentines by Lindy | “Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love.”

Typewriter Poetry Homemade Valentines by Lindy | “Love is a verb. Take action.”

Here are the homemade valentines I’ve received from my pen pals so far, from gals in Iowa, California, Washington, England and Australia.

Homemade Valentine Card Swap | The Stationery Place

Homemade Valentine Card Swap | The Stationery Place

Homemade Valentine Card Swap | The Stationery Place

Homemade Valentine Card Swap | The Stationery Place

Homemade Valentine Card Swap | The Stationery Place

Homemade Valentine Card Swap | The Stationery Place

Speaking of handcrafted, I also received some beautiful Signorelli-Mix “Venetian Date” Italian sterling silver earrings in the mail this week! The designer, Janine, is a family friend who has her heart in Italy as well as Los Angeles and creates beautiful jewelry out of silver and colorful Italian glass. Please take a moment to check out her unique selections on Etsy. I will be writing and showing more photos of her beautiful jewelry later this week.

Finally, here are the homemade valentines I made for my eight year old’s classroom using my fun typewriter poetry. I believe they were the best valentines in class and received a standing ovation (in my overactive imagination). Poems included were:

Love is a verb. Take action. (3rd graders need lessons in English, so this is an educational poem.)
Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you. (An oldie but a goodie.)
You are just my type. (See the fun play on words?)
Friends are like family, but better. (Profound, huh?)