Posts by friendshipswithbenefits

Yo-Yo Skills with Rob Martinez

I was so excited to have Rob teach me an FWB.  Rob and I worked at our first corporate america job out of college together in SF.  It was quite possibly the worst job ever especially when seated near the water cooler during the month of March when all it did was rain and everyone felt the need to discuss the rain at the water cooler, everyday.  But I digress.

Rob has since moved to many places and is now living in Nebraska. I, of course, harassed Rob to teach me something for FWB when he was visiting SF for the weekend.  He was hesitant but came out on top highlighting one of his many skills that I definitely did not know he had.  He’s really good with a Yo-Yo.  As most of you know, my hand eye coordination and fine motor skills are not my strengths so I was excited/hesitant to take on the old school Yo-Yo.   I grew up with Yo-Yos but never really mastered it and soon switched over to the ever popular Yo Yo Ball in ’92.  As someone on youtube once put it,  it’s the yo-yo for kids who suck at real yo-yos.  And how I remember the pain of losing control of the Yo-Yo Ball and having it slam into my front teeth……Hey Man It’s a Yo-Yo Ball!

 

Thanks Rob for playing along.  Great reunion and I hope it’s not another 4 years until our next one!

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Clothing Swap with Amie Wong

This FWB really had its benefits.  I am not only a huge fan of Amie but I am now a huge fan of the clothing swap.  I came home with two bags of clothes without spending a dime, cleared out my closet of clothes that I’ve had for way too long and got to hang out with some of my favorite people as well as meet new ones.  Amie did such a great job of creating a very fun and casual atmosphere (champagne included).  This world needs more clothing swaps!   Thank you Amie for being such a genuine gem.  You are the best!

 

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FADAZZLE WITH CASSANDRA LOVE LAMBERT (C-LOVE)

I loved everything about this FWB. The topic, the way it came together and, of course, the people involved.  C-Love is so talented and you need to follow her on Facebook and Instagram to see her amazing art and also to find the best parties in SF.

Chelsea and I met Cassandra in September at Mighty where she FaDazzled our face for the first time.  We continued to see Cassandra around town and on FB FaDazzling the beautiful people of San Francisco.  On New Years Day, we ran into each other at Breakfast of Champions, where C-Love once again FaDazzled our faces and discussed that an FWB needed to happen.

I love this FWB so much because C-Love’s talent brought our friendship together and I love supporting her because she is following her purpose on her own path and making it happen one amazing FaDazzle and party at a time.

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KENTUCKY MULES WITH MATT ADAMS

For the final post of 2014, I was so happy to learn how to make a delicious cocktail called The Kentucky Mule from one of my favorite guys in SF and fellow Masshole, Matty Adams.  You can now impress all your guests at your NYE party with this libation that is way stronger than it tastes.  Matty and I met years ago through Ashley.  He always brings me back to my roots with his dry, hilarious sense of humor.  I was so pumped that he was up for an FWB and chose to teach me how to make this tasty beverage because I predict it will be seriously trending in 2015.

Wow.  2014 is coming to a close.  It’s been such a wonderful and fun filled year with amazing memories of SF living, travel, friends, family, music, sunshine, life lessons, and growth.  It was my year of gaining stability in my new life in San Francisco while always pursuing new ideas and projects.  I’m so grateful that all my nearest and dearest were happy and healthy in 2014 and I hope to see everyone continue to thrive in the coming year.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2015!  Wishing you a year filled of love, fun, happiness, laughter, light, and success!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thank you for supporting Friendships With Benefits.  I couldn’t do it without all my wonderful friends:)

PS-This is my 68th post and I’m hoping to make it to 100 by 2016:)

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HUGGING LIKE YOU MEAN IT WITH KATE DANAHER

My friend, Kate, shows me how to hug like you mean it.  I was really excited when Kate came up with this lesson because I definitely noticed her amazing hugging skills the second time I met her.  Kate informed me during my lesson that this is pretty standard; she always gives a hug the second time she meets someone.  I think that’s pretty impressive and I’m sure helps create a great relationship.  I have definitely been trying to hug like I mean it more which means a tighter, longer embrace filled with confidence and good vibes.  So far, I’d call it a success!

I met Kate through Alicia when we both moved to SF around the same time almost two years ago.  It’s been awesome getting to know her and I’m so appreciative of all the new friendships I have developed during my second stint in SF.  I really hope everyone who watches/reads this tries to put more effort into their hugs.  Let me know how it goes for you in the Comments Section!

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KAMIKAZE SHOT-SKI WITH STEVEN

 

This was quite the lesson.   Ashley and I were at the tail end of our 2 week trip in Central America when we met Steven while enjoying the night life of San Pedro in Belize.  There was another couple in the bar when we came up with the idea to do an FWB.  The guy offered to film and the girl was going to take the shot with us.  As we are going through the lesson, another man entered the bar (I thought he was going to be our fifth participant).  I soon realized he was super angry when he took the girl’s phone and slammed it to the ground and then threw it into the ocean. Definitely not participating.  Apparently, she did something to really upset him (relationship woes).  The girl started crying and ran to get the pieces of her phone all while we are trying to make a kamikaze.  Chaos and laughter ensue, but we kept it together and finished with a celebratory shot.  Thanks to Ashley for being the best travel buddy a girl could ask for and to Steven (I will figure out a way to export Fireball to you).  Good times!

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ALS #icebucketchallenge WITH JACOB

While staying with my dear friends Robyn and Jacob in Brooklyn, Jacob had to complete the ALS #icebucketchallenge that has been circulating Facebook for a little over two weeks. The challenge started in Boston and I completed it with my friend, Ashley while in Belize.   There is a lot of controversy around the Ice Bucket Challenge but I choose to see this act in only a positive light.  I’ve personally learned so much about ALS in the last two weeks including finding out that a friend’s good friend is suffering from ALS and doing brilliant work to help spread awareness.   This event has involved everyone from my cousin’s elementary school children to the President which really helps me realize the power of social media as well as the goodness people have in their hearts to raise awareness and help improve the quality of lives in others.  If you can, please donate.

This week has made me realize the importance of awareness in general. While spending time with Robyn and Jacob, I also learned a lot about the adoption process. They have started the journey to adopt a child.  I asked them how I can help since they are the first couple of my friends to go through this process and they responded, awareness and networking.  That is how they will find a birthmother.  So I am asking you to help Robyn and Jacob to make this process one that is positive, exciting and full of support.  Please like their FB page and go on their website to learn more.  The one thing I do know for sure is that their child will be the luckiest!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PICKING UP DOG POOP WITH ALICIA

Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4xJgMR37M

In this FWB, my very good friend, Alicia, shows me her technique of picking up dog poop.  Alicia is a pro at picking up poop due to her lovable Porti, Roxy.   Me, not so much.  I’m somewhat of a newb and always had difficulty/anxiety when it was time to knot the bag.  Alicia showed me her skills while on a walk with the dogs and the next day, I just couldn’t remember how she did the knot.  So, voila, we found Alicia’s FWB lesson.  Thank you to Ryan, Alicia’s husband, surfer and GoPro extraordinaire for filming!

Alicia and I met each other in 1991 at Camp Robin Hood and were campers and counselors together until 2002.    We both had very similar geographical trajectories in life.  Moving to San Francisco after college where we solidified our love for this amazing city and then moving away for grad school and life (Alicia-DC, NY; Me- SD, NYC) and then finding our way back to our favorite city.  I’m so grateful to have Alicia here.  I consider her more family than friend.  We share so many wonderful memories and special people and I can’t say enough amazing things about her!  Thanks Felish!!!

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Muni Car Party with Matt Coelho

 

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, my friend Matt organized a party aboard a San Francisco Cable Car titled “Cinco de Muni.”  It was such a fun night filled with good people, good tunes, good drinks and good times.  I love touring the city this way and reminds me just how awesome SF is and how lucky I am to live here.  Thanks Matt for organizing such an amazing party!

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TOP ROCK with Bryan aka Rojo

Well I love when situations like this happen.  My friend Joe came over with his friend, Bryan, who was visiting from DC.  We were chatting when FWB came up in conversation.  Then Joe mentioned that Bryan is an awesome breakdancer.  Within two minutes, we were rearranging my living room to make a dance floor which of course had to include the epic party light to set the scene.  It was so much fun to learn a new dance move and hopefully one day I’ll be able to do it and actually look cool.   Thanks Bryan for being such an awesome teacher and willing to jump right in there and Top Rock it out with me.  PS-Please take note of the Canton sweater I am wearing for it was part of my 4th grade Pop Warner cheerleading uniform that I never returned.  Whoops.

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