this was taken somewhere in AZ on the first day of Roundtrip Road Trip… or maybe it was New Mexico. Anyway, this will be my POV for the next few days. Who wants shotgun?
I finally overshot a parking space one time too many and my partially dislodged bumper became non-partially dislodged on Friday. Why do they make those stupid curb stopper things so tall? If you want me to pull all the way in and tap it with my tires to keep my ass from hanging out in the way of parking lot traffic, then don’t make the concrete blocks so high that my undercarriage comes off when it’s time to leave. Please. I don’t want to have to put a lift kit on my Avenger but by the grace of Henry Dodge I will if it keeps everything put together in the future.
Ok that was a little too random.
So once my poor bumper car is done at the shop I’m hitting the road to show the new Oiselle line to all the cool desert people in Arizona. Maybe run a few miles (c’mon, hip!), see the Little Wings and some Volee teammates, and eat some Red Velvet pancakes while I’m there. Hopefully not getting any speeding tickets or rip off any more bumpers.
So, your missions before 1pm PST when I leave, not “should you choose to accept them” because really just do me a solid and help me out here:
- Favorite Podcasts? Specifics, please. I know “Life Hacks” and “This American Life” are popular but I don’t have time to sift through extensive catalogs to pick a good episode (or five)
- Are you on Spotify? Have a killer playlist? Send me your username!
Also, related but more all-days generalization:
If there is a product, brand, or something totally random you wish your local run shop would sell, TELL THEM! They may not know about it, or do but don’t think their customers are wanting it, or just need a gentle nudge to submit an order. It’s a pretty big decision for a small, independent store of any kind to take a chance on a new product line (budget, floor space, contracts, etc) and if they don’t think it will move, they’re unlikely to bring it in. The most efficient way to get what you want on the shelves? INCESSANTLY BEG FOR IT! Ask in store. Social media them. Submit a formal request on their website. Send a carrier pigeon, I don’t care. They won’t know you’re looking for it if you don’t tell them! I hadn’t realized all the little bits and pieces that have to line up just right for it to happen until I got on this side of the sales table, but can tell you 100% if they hear their customers ask for something enough, they’ll act on it if they can. When I moved back in with my parents after college I filled out a comment slip at my hometown grocery store asking for soy milk, because they only carried cows’ and I was on a weird anti-dairy kick then. I don’t remember if they actually brought it in or not (I moved away from the dairy farms where the milk came from and to a city with a Trader Joe’s and 15 kinds of milks a few months later) but I felt better for having tried!
a purposefully indistinguishable preview of things that could be hanging in your store soon
And for the record, that little grocer in Corntown does carry soymilk, AND almond milk I think, these days. High five, Ohio! High five, comment box!
(now leave your podcast suggestions in my comment box.)
Sarah OUaL
we can also place order for bulk apparel to Garment exporters world wide. There we can get travel apparel for best Quality & Price.
LikeLike
I never have a problem asking people to order specific items that I want, especially if I see that they do carry a brand I like, but not the particular product. It doesn’t necessarily mean they order it, but I feel better knowing that I tried! There aren’t too many places near me that carry Oiselle. :-(
LikeLike
If you like comedy podcasts, check out the ones in the maximumfun.org “network” of podcasts. My favourites are Judge John Hodgman and Stop Podcasting yourself. If you’re a Dan Savage fan – he has a podcast (The Savage Lovecast) which is pretty great.
One of the most riveting single episodes of a podcast I’ve ever listened to is the August 13, 2013 episode of Radiolab called “Rodney Versus Death.”
Hope you have a good trip!
LikeLike
Downloading now! Thank you!
LikeLike
I love this! There aren’t many running type stores where I live but I don’t have any problem asking for a store to get something in. The worst they can say is no and then there is nothing wrong with it! I wish there were stores around here that carried Oiselle – I’ve always wanted to try it out!
LikeLike
I haven’t been into podcasts lately and when I do it’s usually something mega nerdy like space and physics.. so…. unless you’re into that too I won’t encourage you to do the same.
I DO however enjoy audiobooks and HIGHLY suggest downloading Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” for any road trip (or long run, for that matter) listening material.
Also, I’ve been pushing hard for the running store that I work at to carry Oiselle! I think it might be slowly working. Do you know if there’s a Oiselle sales rep for Canada?
LikeLike
If you want to send me the store name and contact person’s info and I’ll pass it along and have them reach out? We’ll credit you with an assist ;)
LikeLike
I emailed you her info! She’s excited to hear from you guys.
LikeLike
I’ve been asking my local running store to carry Oiselle and Hokas but so far they are just looking at me a little funny….will keep trying and showing up for group runs in cool outfits to hopefully convince them!!!
LikeLike
I’m going to choose to believe the funny look was more towards the Hokas ;)
LikeLike
are you saying birds don’t fly well when they are wearing clown shoes ?! ;-)
Have a great trip!!!!!
LikeLike
Just sent an email to my local running store. Only two stores in Ohio sell Oiselle now :(
LikeLike
I’ve def asked places to carry things I like…although its usually a bar I am asking about carrying my favorite beer…
LikeLike
I’m obsessed with Freakanomics and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me (NPR). Random episode listening is perfect for these.
LikeLike
I really like the Slate Mag Culture Gabest. It’s especially nice when they talk about movies or exhibits and whatnot that I’ve actually seen, but other times they give me ideas of ‘cultural’ things to see, read, listen to, and do. Have a good trip!
LikeLike
I think I missed your deadline but I love How Was Your Week, WTF, and You Made It Weird (podcasts)
LikeLike
you should listen to Slumber Party with Alie and Georgia – they are the best and soooo funny!
LikeLike
“Food is the new rock” is an awesome podcast. Musicians talking about food! Food on the road, restaurants, holiday meals, etc. so good and hilarious!
LikeLike
Just whatever you do, don’t listen to Phoenix radio stations. They’re terrrrrible.
LikeLike
Since your a sports-loving gal like myself, you might enjoy the B.S. Report (Bill Simmons). I also love listening to the Dan Patrick Show when I’m unable to watch it on TV (hilarious and takes up a good two hours). Happy travels!
LikeLike
The $10 Spotify premium membership is probably the best investment I’ve made since I started living out of the Brooksmobile! I’ll be browsing some of these podcast recommendations for sure. Ah the life of a running rep… :)
LikeLike
Oooooooh!!! The Podcast called “Here’s the thing” hosted by Alec Baldwin is good! I like the episodes with Kristin Wig and Fred Armisen best!
LikeLike
The same thing happened to my bumper. I’m ignoring it as it drags along.
LikeLike
These are my podcast suggestions: TBTL (Too Beautiful to Live with Luke Burbank), Handel on the Law (very funny!). Hope life on the road goes well. FYI you aren’t *supposed* to bump the curb with your tires, just getting close to it is fine.
LikeLike
Potayto potahto
>
LikeLike
Thanks, that reply totally made me chuckle!
LikeLike
I think Colin Cowherd is pretty awesome. Very funny sports overview with random bits of life advice thrown in. Even though it’s not a podcast, I recommend listening to Mitch Hedberg for a long trip! You won’t regret it!
LikeLike