My Brazilian Wax Will Help End the Recession

Ah, the Recession.  It feels overwhelming to even ask, but what are we supposed to do while waiting for the great economic engine to kick back in?  Me?  I am going to promote those small businesses that I love, or at least the businesses of people I love.  After all, for every small business that fails it means a few more jobs lost, another home into foreclosure and more people displaced from the fabric of our lives.  We must realize, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, one of every two persons in the private workforce of the United States either runs or works for a small business.

It is for this reason that I will be getting a Brazilian wax this week.  I’ll tell you I’ve only had one in my lifetime.  I don’t know that I enjoyed or disliked it.  I guess I never got another one simply because I didn’t see the need for it in my life.  But hey, this is a RECESSION and when the going gets tough…..well I get waxed.

Seriously?  Yes.  There is a local business called “Box Waxing” (clever, huh), that is operated by a really wonderful mom named Bree Goldwater and her often brilliant husband Jason.  You can get the formal info on them by clicking here, but personally I can tell you that Bree is one of those amazing women who is raising two incredible kids, working 50+ hours per week (even when her back goes out), is always ready to help a friend in trouble, supports charities that the rest of us never even knew we should care about and always has a gorgeous smile when Rome is burning.

The hairy part of the story is, as you can imagine, when people start cutting out discretionary spending, the bottle of Nair makes a resurgence and professional waxing takes a hit.  As a good citizen, I will not stand unkemptly by and let this happen.  Box Waxing, like many small businesses all around you today, employees people.  It also pays rent as one of the few remaining tenants in a commercial plaza that once boasted of being at Las Vegas’ busiest intersection.  It’s all a chain effect.

A recent Fed survey shows the Recession may be over, but I’m not so sure about this.  After all, if this Recession has ended, then why are people still facing the fear of foreclosure in a few months?  Why have their businesses dropped off to the point that they are unable to afford their original mortgage amount, let alone the 125% increase that their current payment represents after the ARM kicked in? Why did two separate businesses cancel their contracts for overflow parking with my church, resulting in a $60,000 annual loss in revenue – a loss my church can hardly afford?  Why are my children’s friends having to change schools in search of lesser tuition?  Why are people with graduate degrees applying for housekeeper positions just to have some source of income?  I suppose I could go on and one with these questions.  The end result remains that as the person at the end of the economic chain, I just don’t see where this Recession has ended or is ending.  The hurt continues for those that I love and care about.  My heart is beyond heavy.

Real talk?  We know that announcing the end of the Recession is really just spin on a technical position of the economy.  Newsweek’s Daniel Gross nailed it, stating:

[W]hen economists proclaim a recession over, they’re celebrating a technicality: they mean economic output has stopped contracting. And while that is good news, you might wait a while before adding Judy Garland’s rendition of “Happy Days Are Here Again” to your iPod. GDP growth alone can’t feed a family, or pay a mortgage. Cursed with a high national debt load and blessed with a dynamic, growing workforce, the U.S. economy needs annual growth of at least 1.5 percent just to feel like we’re standing still.

So with all that being said, I will be losing some hair this week….and while that may not be your cross to bear in these uncertain economic times, look around and see where you can throw your support to help out a small business or other organization.  For more information about the importance of small business and what you can do to help, visit the National Small Business Association online.  I love their motto, “Think Big, Start Small.”

Love and mys-adventures to all.

Hey Look…Senator Reid Responds to My Health Care Concerns Again!

Wow! I am feeling good. I guess that since I hyphenated my last name when I originally wrote to Senator Reid he got confused and answered me again.  I’m sure that happens.  I just feel badly that he took time out of his very busy schedule to respond to my concerns twice.  I am very sorry if his writing this letter took away from something that you might have written him about.  At any rate, here is his second response:

September 1, 2009

Mrs. Mysty Cain (that’s me!)

xxxx Xxxxxx Ave (masked to keep paparazzi from stalking me since I’m so tight with Senator Reid)

Las Vegas, Nevada 891xx

Dear Mrs. Cain:

Thank you for contacting me about health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you.

In America today, concerns about our health care system have been rightly brought to the forefront of the national consciousness. Many of us are familiar with the reports of 47 million uninsured Americans, escalating prescription drug prices, and declining health insurance benefits. Unfortunately, for too many across Nevada and the country, these facts and statistics are not anonymous findings removed from daily life. As a fellow Nevadan, and as the Senate Majority Leader, I know that millions are struggling with the reality of America’s health care crisis.

Amid our health care crisis, however, I believe there are opportunities for members of Congress, the President and his Administration, the private sector, and other stakeholders to work together for the benefit of the American people. It is my hope that the solutions we develop and enact will ensure quality, affordable health care coverage for all Americans-regardless of their age, income, employment, or health status.

During the 111^th session of Congress, we have already made significant improvements to our healthcare system. For example, in February we passed an expansion and extension of the vital Children’s Health Insurance Program (P.L. 111-3). This legislation will expand coverage to an additional 4.1 million low-income children across our country. I am also pleased that as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5), billions of dollars have been allocated for health information technology, the National Institute of Health for research and development, and for prevention and wellness programs. In addition, the federal matching payments for state Medicaid programs have been increased, and a temporary subsidy for COBRA premiums has been implemented to help ease the burden for hard working families affected by the economic crisis.

We have taken the first steps in a long, arduous journey towards healthcare reform, and there is still much more to be done. Please know that as we move forward, I will keep your ideas and concerns in mind. It is my hope that we can make affordable, comprehensive health coverage a reality for so many Americans who are currently struggling to pay their medical bills, and make ends meet.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. For more information about my work for Nevada, my role in the United States Senate Leadership, or to subscribe to regular e-mail updates on the issues that interest you, please visit my Web site at http://reid.senate.gov. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

My best wishes to you.

Sincerely,

HARRY REID

United States Senator

Nevada

Now before I get any more responses telling me that this is a form e-mail, I point out that it’s not.  This e-mail is ENTIRELY different from  the one I received August 14th.  So there! Love and Mys-Adventures, Mysty

Review of Diego at MGM Grand

Last night we kicked off Three Square’s Restaurant Week with Diego at the MGM Grand.  It was my youngest daughter’s night to pick what we ate and she wanted Mexican, so there we were.

Their special dinner menu of $30.09 per person looked promising, especially because it began with table-side guacamole.  Let me start by saying that the service was spectacular.  Also noteworthy was the guacamole.  The freshness was so incredible.  Unfortunately those are about all of the good things I can say for Diego.

Mexican food is supposed to be simple and authentic.  I found everything about Diego to be overdone and pretentious.  The bubbling water feature at the table was interesting for a second but soon led us to ask what was the point.  The chips came with 3 salsas and 3 types of salt.  My husband and I have found that anytime a restaurant is looking for a gimmick, they bring out the salt varieties.  Let me try to close on a positive note and say that the fact they had a kid’s menu was nice.  Our daughter enjoyed her cheese quesadilla which was enclosed in an empanada type shell.  All total our bill was $158.00.

Don’t worry, I am not giving up on Restaurant Week as there are many other incredible choices left to pursue.  Further, your experience with Diego may be entirely different from ours.  The important thing is that all of us are “Dining out to help out.”

Love and Mys-adventures.

GNO – Just call it grocery shopping!

When my gorgeous friend Kristin extends an invite to meet up with some of her friends, you know it will be an awesome time.  So of course I jumped at the chance to meet her San Francisco friend, Claudia, for a little Girls Night Out.  Turns out we were attending AFAN’s Black & White Party at the Hard Rock Hotel.  Good times, good times.  Any guilt I might have felt for leaving the kids at home with the husband was assuaged when I was able to sign-up for home delivery of milk and organic products from Winder Farms.  (Check them out and tell them I sent you!)

After a super time of great food, music and vicarious debauchery, we checked out XS at the Wynn.  The club was beautiful, of course.  Where else can you party with your friends in the latest Cavalli, while standing in the pool.  Amazing.  The people we met up with were, among other things, dentists.  It pointed out that I have a major hang-up about dentists.  I mean, do they immediately meet people and then check out their teeth.  Ugh.  Why have I been putting off that Invisalign consultation.

Anyway, here is a link to some of the pictures I snapped.  I also have 2 gift certificates for $50 off spa services at Canyon Ranch if anyone needs them.  Love and mys-adventures.

Random Text…..Incoming!

What fun to receive the random text message from an unknown number, whose subject matter is surely meant for someone other than me.

“I GOT SHROOMS” (Grammar and punctuation omitted to preserve original integrity of the text.)  Now obviously someone is having a more interesting Saturday night than I.  No, the sender is certainly not tossing and turning wondering whether he or she should have bought the extra package of hot glue sticks at Michaels yesterday.  This glaring example aside, I feel confident that the message was not intended for me.

Other than a few instances involving shoplifting cucumbers from the Supermercado del Pueblo and the like, I won’t do anything that involves breaking the law.  I will admit, however, I do love mushrooms.  It is my favorite pizza ever.  I’ve had only one experience with the non-pizza topping type.  It was in Amsterdam, of course.  “Perfectly legal” I was assured by the 7-11 like store clerk.  (I asked him 4 times, resulting in his finally stating that if they were not legal would they be listed on a giant board above the counter of a convenience store on a busy street.  Good point.)

Having purchased the potato-chip bag of mushrooms we proceeded to walk down the streets of the city where I, well….proceeded to munch them like potato chips.  Well lets just say a short time later I was in my hotel room clinging to my Sony Vaio asking my husband if I was laying on the sidewalk and if I was Jennifer Aniston.  Oh yeah, and we had only been in Amsterdam about 7 hours!  Let’s just say I restricted the majority of the remaining week to museums and canal tours.

So thank you to the random text for reminding me of yet another exciting time in the Mys-Adventures of my life.  In the words of Mr. Mackay “Drugs are bad, Mmm Kay.”

Senator Harry Reid Responds to My Healthcare Concerns….

I took some time last week to write each of my state politicians to express a wide-variety of concerns, not the least of which is our nation’s healthcare crisis.  I feel so much better for having done so because I received the following, comforting response from my State Senator, also the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid:

August 14, 2009

Mrs. Joseph Scalia (That’s me!!!)

xxxx xxxxxxxxxxx Avenue

Las Vegas, Nevada 89xxx

Dear Mrs. Scalia:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about health care reform.  Please be assured that I have noted each of your concerns and that I will remain mindful of your views.

In America today, concerns about our health care system have been rightly brought to the forefront of the national consciousness. Many of us are familiar with the reports of 47 million uninsured Americans, escalating prescription drug prices, and declining health insurance benefits. Unfortunately, for too many across Nevada and the country, these facts and statistics are not anonymous findings removed from daily life. As a fellow Nevadan, and as the Senate Majority Leader, I know that millions like you are struggling with the reality of America’s health care crisis.

Amid our health care crisis, however, I believe there are opportunities for members of Congress, the President and his Administration, the private sector, and other stakeholders to work together for the benefit of the American people. It is my hope that the solutions we develop and enact will ensure quality, affordable health care coverage for all Americans, regardless of their age, income, employment, or health status. Those fortunate enough to have adequate coverage, I am also mindful of minimizing disruptions of the care they are already receiving.

As Nevada’s senior senator and the Senate Majority Leader, it is my job to do what is in the best interest of our state and work on behalf of the people of Nevada.   Please be assured that I take these responsibilities very seriously, and I will continue to do everything I can to make Nevada an even better place to live and afford good, quality health care.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with me, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

My best wishes to you.Sincerely, HARRY REID United States Senator Nevada HR:cs

I don’t know about you….but I certainly feel better.

Restaurant Week is Back! To Benefit Three Square. Help End Hunger

Restaurant Week Help Out by Dining Out! August 31 – September 6, 2009 Once again, Three Square will be partnering up with the finest restaurants in Las Vegas to bring you Restaurant Week. This is your chance to sample the cuisine of world-famous chefs at a fixed price with the proceeds going to help Three Square end hunger in Southern Nevada. Learn more! See all the great participating restaurants! Click here

Perfect Afternoon – Penn & Teller and AGT Live Results Show….

Received a super-tempting e-mail to attend the America’s Got Talent Live Results Show.  But alas, I returned from El Lay on Thursday and can’t justify a turnaround at the moment.   Here’s the info though for those who might be in the area:

Penn and Teller are taping a special performance this Wednesday afternoon for America’s Got Talent!

Their performance will be pre-taped before the live results show- the arrival time is noon and it will finish at approximately 1:30 PM and if you attend the Penn and Teller taping your admission will be guaranteed into the live results show Wednesday evening! To take advantage of this offer, simply use the link below, print out a free ticket to the Penn and Teller special, and arrive no later than noon on the day of the taping. The Penn and Teller pre-tape will end at approximately 1:30 PM and you will have until 4:30 PM to return to the studio for the live results show.

http://www.ocatv.com/shows/show/142/event/6315

Renew America Roadtrip – Stop 13 was Las Vegas!

The Renew America Roadtrip is “America’s first GREEN, Charity, Volunteer drive coast-to-coast in an production all-electric sportscar.”  When I heard they were stopping at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas with the new Tesla Roadster, I had to go.  Turned out that, although the Roadster had the special quality of being all-electric, it was still a tiny little sports car that too big guys were trying to stuff themselves into.

Nonetheless, there were several other really cool vehicles such as the all-electric Ford Ranger (a handy little work-truck) and the “Bombadier” – a fun electric vehicle with great pick-up.

Our personal favorite, however, turned out to be the “Magoo” car, built by a local member of the Electric Vehicle Association (www.LVEVA.org)  This organization seems to be doing some cool things with converting existing internal combustion engine vehicles to electric.  Although the sampling of production electric vehicles is still limited, the day left us very excited for all of the possibilities to come.

A New Friend Made – The Las Vegas Zoo

Prior to this summer I had visited the Las Vegas Zoo, located at 1775 N. Rancho Drive, a handful of times.  I admit

Timex & Swatch - Emus

that Iwas completely turned off by the fact that there are tons of chickens, peacocks and other birds with free-run of the place.  (Note: I am freaked out by birds)  When asked for my recommendation of the zoo, I admit that I’ve told moms, “Don’t go. It’s so hot.  The animals are really sad….and there is this family of apes there that do some really lewd things to each other.”

Recently the karma of my disinformation campaign came home to bite me.  Our youngest daughter is jonesing for a turtle.  My husband, however, has drawn the line at our growing collection of pets.  A compromise was that we agreed she could adopt a tortoise from the local zoo.  This is what lead me to return to the Las Vegas Zoo and for my ultimate admission that “I was wrong.”

The Las Vegas Zoo is an often overlooked treasure right here in our Valley.  Sure it isn’t the same as the San Diego Zoo or any other zoo in the world, but isn’t that appropriate?  After all, Las Vegas is unlike any other city in the world.  The birds are still there and you must watch your step.  I’m engaged in my own personal desensitization therapy as I walk around waiting for a half-feathered chicken to attack me.  I secretly wonder if at that moment I will grab my 6-year old and throw her in front of me for protection.  (I’d like to think that I’m bigger than that, but who knows what I would do in the face of terror.)  Anyway, our zoo is actually home to a number of endangered species including the Desert Tortoise, the Chinese Alligator and the Mynah bird.

There is an awesome chimpanzee, Terri, who does not seem to like people to watch him eat or take his picture.  I took a few anyway, clicking the shutter as his fist pounded against the glass to chase me away.  I was fascinated as he lay in his bunk bed picking his nose and eating the contents….I don’t believe we came from apes, but sometimes the similarities are eerie!

Zoo Director Pat Dingle has been building this sanctuary for 29 years.  His hard work is paying off as he will soon be announcing some major developments.  In addition, the San Diego Zoo is working to loan a rare big cat to Las Vegas.  You can find him feeding the alligator four days per week at 10:30 a.m.  He is also responsible for garnering private support to build an awesome new otter exhibit.  Everyone’s fingers are crossed that one of the otters is expecting!

I apologize for not giving the Las Vegas Zoo a chance.  I was someone who lamented its status without being willing to support it along the path of development.  If you have a free morning, I’d encourage you all to take a look.  Say hello to some of my new friends or make some of your own.