The State Of The Blog Blog

Hey Gang,

The State of the Union was on on last night and it was riveting.  Just kidding, not only did I not watch the SOTU on Tuesday, I wrote this blog on Monday, the night before it aired.  I have never been interested in fancy speeches with  big words so I was awfully tempted to listen this one, but decided otherwise. I did realize, though, that it has been a full year since I started writing "Gaining Insight," so I want to look at the state of this blog within this blog post.

First, let me take you behind the scenes of the magic that is blogging.  You go to a swanky office that is filled with warm loving people and fresh homemade bread. Classical music is playing in the background to stimulate the great ideas that freely flow from my mind. Just kidding, I usually hand-write my blog alone huddled inside my 1968 Gremlin and then type it into a public library computer.  Sometimes I stare for hours at the dashboard because I have no clue what to write about.  It's what I call my "creative process."

As we speak I have published 44 blog posts and have over 6300 reads.  In addition, I started a podcast (I have been told it's a vlog, but that sounds like a Russian curse word so I'll stick with podcast.) that I film with my good friend. (I can't always remember her name.  She has a place and then her name as a name....Sacramento Sally, Salt Lake City Cindy or Seattle's Finest..something like that)  We film every Saturday morning, I have a lot of fun and so does my friend  Just kidding, she tells me it's stupid and usually asked me to leave her condo. (She has a stationary home unlike my portable Gremlin resident.)  So far we have only 4 video podcasts out, but many more are on the way.  Take a look at the rest of my blog and watch them!

Thanks for all the reads and views and as always...Stay Awake, kids!

Cathy Gainer Corporate Trainer






  

My Podcast on Lockdown!

Hey Gang,

I got locked out of my studio on this podcast!

Escape From Which Mountain?

Hey Gang,

Escape rooms seem to be the hottest craze!  It is a business that takes your money, locks you in a room and doesn't let you out until you have solved a puzzle.  It is a lot like growing up with my family, they would also lock me up but there were no puzzles and I would be confined for days.  Grandma's visits were fun!

Some of the escape rooms have themes like zombies, mysteries or awkward conversations.  I wanted to check one out for myself so I went to a place that advertises escape rooms.  I wasn't sure of the theme so I decided to dress like a pirate... just in case.

When I got there the other participants seemed nervous, I figured they were as eager as I was to start the game.  The room was very small and the first challenge was a math problem with numbers on the wall.  All of the other people there were quiet and looked uncomfortable, so as a trainer, I stepped in and took control.  I yelled, "I need numbers, people... numbers!"  At first everyone just looked at me, until I continuously screamed and repeated myself. Finally, the other participants started calling out numbers.  I feverishly inputted them into the key pad on the wall when presto...the escape room door opened!

As it turned out I was just in an elevator.  The escape room was merely in that building. Most of the people I was riding with worked in unrelated office jobs.  Once everyone exited the elevator (some ran) a nice security guard escorted me to his office where I tried to explain the whole misunderstanding.  I  did end up spending the afternoon in his office, unable to escape.  So I guess I had my own adventure for free! (Plus no charges were pressed if I promised never to return to that building!)

Stay Awake, Kids!

Cathy Gainer Corporate Trainer

The Great Disguise Podcast

Hey Gang,

It's Saturday, which means it's time for my weekly podcast.  This week I master the art of disguise!

My Blazer of Glory

Hey Gang,

After a year of blogging, I realized that I haven't had a fashion "episode" yet.  For those of you who have watched  Cathy Gainer's Podcast, you may have noticed that I always wear a very stylish, canary yellow blazer. It is comfortable, professional and glows in the dark.

When I first decided to wear this jacket, I didn't feel like I was worthy enough to wear something so regal.  I tried it on and felt the power of the yellow. (Or el poder de amarillo, as they would say in France.)  My blazer is a lot like my personality...sunny, vibrant and repellent to some.

I think it's important to have a "signature" look.  Many famous characters have used this tactic, like the Fonz's jacket, Mork's suspenders and whatever it is that sits atop of the president's head.

If you are contemplating your own signature outfit, my advice is to look inward, particularly inward in your closet or dresser, that is typically where people keep their clothes.  Choose something that makes you feel your best, that makes you feel your prettiest and that makes you stand out from the rest. (In the case of my blazer, it doesn't matter where I stand, it can be seen from almost any distance!)

Stay Awake, Kids!

Cathy Gainer Corporate Trainer

The Podcast Where I Eat Gross Stuff!

Hey Gang,

My second podcast is out and I eat gross things like all the cool kids do!

The Ballot of MaryJane

Hey Gang,

For those of you who are familiar with current events, I don't have to explain what's been going on with marijuana politically.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the latest "doobie" news, let me lay it out for you...Pot is legal now in some states.

Now, I neither condone nor encourage the smoking of the left-handed-cigarettes or the right-handed-ones, either. (For those of you who are ambidextrous, then your a candidate for a bong.)  I do, however, find the subject interesting.  Fun story - As, Cathy Gainer Teenage Trainer, I was once peer-pressured into trying a Swisher Sweet Cherry-Flavored Cigar.  It didn't have drugs in it, but it still made me black-out for 3 days.  I woke up in a jazz club wearing a fedora and playing a mean triangle.  I tried to adopt a cool nickname like "Fats" or "Dizzy", but all anyone would call me was, "Please Leave!"

As an adult, I have decided not to temp fate and try the "devil's dandelions," but far be it for me to tell other people how to live their lives.  Some people may think that living in a Gremlin in a Walmart parking lot isn't cool or hep or desirable, but I have proved otherwise!

Although these marijuana laws have been put on ballots for citizens to vote on and some states have experienced an increase in revenue as a result of weed taxation, it seems that one little old man might change all of it. It's neat. It reminds me of Grandpa Gainer Old-Timey Trainer who once said, "Baaarrrhhh!" He did so love to grumble!

Stay awake and keep on voting. It makes a difference (kind of). 

Cathy Gainer Corporate Trainer.

PS- Check out my new channel on the You-Tubes!

Cathy Gainer's Podcast!!!

My First Podcast!

The Future Is Scary and Bleak Post

Hey Gang,

I have noticed that the internet really likes a lot of things...cat videos, pictures of food and super scary articles about the demise of the following: environment, democracy, common decency, family values, and "real music". (The internet is a lot like the conversations at a dinner table with elderly relatives.)  Sometimes I get horribly worried about the future, sink into a giant funk and let the hopelessness consume my soul. JK, I'm Cathy Gainer Corporate Trainer and I use my endless positivity to turn panic into a picnic!

As I aspire to inspire the masses, I realize that Fear is a big seller. (It's not as big of a seller as Fear's hedonistic cousin, Sex, but it's a nifty merchant nonetheless.)  The news plays Fear like a fiddle, politicians invite Fear to appear in all their commercials and sometimes Fear is used to peddle products to people with children and pets. (Both have car seats, life vests and strollers now!) 

 There are a few articles that address this Fear phenomenon and suggest  to "unplug" electronic devices, avoid social media or enjoy nature's surroundings, but I don't like to hand out such bad advice.  I think the more online time, the better.  Reading posts, blogs and articles about possible: outbreaks, wars and named storms just makes one mentally stronger.

I try to look at fear like I look at Responsibility.  I ignore it, pretend real consequences don't exist and Google those cat videos that everyone loves so much.  It works well for me.  I sleep great every night in my Gremlin that is parked in the Walmart parking lot!

Stay out of cold and try to avoid the "bomb cyclone" that is coming later in the week!

Cathy Gainer Corporate Trainer