I am thankful for:

Blogging, because it passes the time...
Lindsay, who will watch ANTM with me.
Hali, who makes me laugh late at night.
Art, because it speaks to me.
David Bowie, just because.
Erin Cotten, who makes Logan a worthwhile place to visit.
My job, for supporting my wild lifestyle.
My apartment, even though it is Fort Knox.
Sephora, for inspiration.
My calling, for restoring perspective.
Internet TV, for keeping me up to date and entertained.
Chuck and Sarah, Ned and Chuck, and Pam and Jim, for giving me hope.
My family, (Chariots of Fire theme) Commitment John, commitment!
My freak of nature dating week, for reminding me that I am not a freak of nature.
Leilani, who loves me enough to send me art.
Val, who kills me at Mario Kart.
Travel, for keeping things interesting.
My camera, because it lets the world see how I see the world.
Macaroni and Cheese, you know why.
The gym, for always being there for me, even though I neglect it so.
IKEA, for giving me an outlet when I am stressed and providing me with cheap Swedish goods.
The beach, for connecting me with who I really am and what really matters.
Vanessa, for Rock Band and Guitar Hero (and covert operations!)
Ari, for keeping me well advised.
Unlimited text and the people who text me.
Skinny jeans, because I never thought they would work, but they do.
Music, because it fuels me.
My guitar, for making me feel like a super star. Thanks guitar!
Mervyns, because it is going out of business.
Homemade Oreos, Hali's Homemade Oreos (to be specific).
The cold, because it gives me a reason to bundle up and drink hot chocoalte.
Books, because they make me smart.
National Holidays, for giving me a break and a reason to celebrate!

SURPRISE!

I got my hair did! It was a little bit of an impulsive day. I had just gotten back from California, and I had watched too much ANTM. I needed a new look. My palerie Valerie had gone to see Quantum of Solace last week and told me that I looked a great deal like Agent Strawberry Fields. Done and done. New hair.

It could always be worse... Part II

And just when I was starting to feel sorry for myself:



Amy Winehouse goes for a stroll Tuesday after visiting her local pub in London. The singer received some good news recently: Her husband Blake Fielder-Civil was released from jail and checked into rehab.

Train wreck.

'Nuff said.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Salem!

Happy Halloween from Sleepy Hollow!

Happy Halloween from Count Orlok's Castle!

Happy Halloween from Orem!

Happy Halloween from Boston!

I lead a very difficult life. After traveling to exotic Delta, Beaver and Richfield, Utah last week, I headed off to Boston for the NODAC 2008 Conference.

As it was Halloween while I was there, I figured that I had best celebrate in style. I took the train to Salem with several hundred of my closest, crazy, costumed friends. Salem was WALL to WALL with ghoulish ghosties out to celebrate this haunted holiday with the witches.


While in Salem I visited the Salem Witch Museum, the House of Seven Gables and the Salem Witch Memorial. They even had fireworks to finish up the night. There were some crazy costumes. Jedis walking around with Darth Vader and Darth Maul, Beaker from the muppets, Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovitt. My favorite was Batman, the best part was that his kids were dressed at Robin and Cat Woman.


Also, to celebrate the season, I went on a completely ridiculous, but rather amusing, Ghosts and Graveyards tour. I learned several things:

1. All ghosts in Boston have Cockney accents.

2. In colonial Boston they buried people on top of each other, sometimes 10 coffins deep.

3. Bostonian ghosts also really like to hit on girls. See example below. ALSO the trolley driver offered to show me around the city. Wow, it is just too bad that I had a conference to go to.

I Honestly Love You

The title of the blog will make sense later. The questions below are some that we often may wonder, but what better way to answer them then with music. A friend of mine posted this on her blog and demanded that I do it to. Thanks Lindz, this provided some much needed amusement in Delta.

Here are the Rules-
1. Put Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, MP3 Player, or whatever on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say?
"Hello" David Cook

How would you describe yourself?
"Any Day Now" Missy Higgins (anyone read Leo the Late Bloomer?)

What do you like in a guy/girl?
"Home of the Blues" Johnny Cash (hmm, ok)

How do you feel today?
"Golden Girl" Dan Wilson (today and EVERYDAY)

What is your life’s purpose?
"Carmel Apple Eating Contest" Jack Christianson (this thing knows me too well)

What is your motto?
"The Fear You Won't Fall" Joshua Radin (and how!)
What do your friends think of you?

What do you think of your parents?
"I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" Chicago

What do you think about very often?
"How Great Thou Art" MOTAB

What is 2 + 2?
"Ganges A Go-Go" Bombay the Hard Way

What do you think of your best friend?
"It's Over Now" Colm Wilkinson (how tragic)

What do you think of the person you like?
"Too Soon" eastmountainsouth (bad timing?)

What is your life story?
"A Very Nice Prince" Into the Woods

What do you want to be when you grow up?
"The Last Dance" Frank Sinatra

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
"The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down" Winnie the Pooh

What will you dance to at your wedding?
"Be Be Your Love" Rachael Yamagata

What will they play at your funeral?
"Hotel Song" Regina Spektor (it will be quite the funeral)

What is your hobby/interest?
"You and I Both" Jason Mraz (yes please)

What is your biggest fear?
"Alone" Ben Harper

What is your biggest secret?
"Clarity" John Mayer (cause really i just seem unclear?)

What do you think of your friends?
"Never Let Go" Josh Groban (really, don't. i mean that)

What will you post this as?
"I Honestly Love You" Olivia Newton-John (PERFECT!)

The Happiest Fall Break On Earth

The Happiest Fall Break on Earth started a week ago Wednesday. We left work just before noon and after 9 hours in the car,4 In N Out cheeseburgers, and 1 presidential debate, we pulled into Costa Mesa. We rolled down the car windows and took in the fresh, ocean-kissed, California air. With a beginning like this, the vacation was destined to be a success.

The next morning we woke early and headed for the Happiest Place on Earth. We parked in the Pinocchio lot and walked past a plethora of vans and SUVs that had also made the trip from Utah. In case you were wondering, UEA stands for Utahans Enter Anaheim. Our excitement mounted as we boarded the tram that took us toward Disneyland at a thrilling 14 miles an hour.

We got inside about 15 minutes before rope drop, and let me tell you friends, the second that rope dropped, the magic began. I am serious about the magic part. Somehow, whenever I am there everything falls into place. Magic happens.

Within the first 3 hours we were there we had ridden every ride in Critter Country, New Orleans Square, Adventureland and Frontierland. We got a VIP reservation at the Blue Bayou (when it was already booked for the next three days) AND we met Jack Sparrow!


The most magical moment for me was running into an old friend. Eight years ago my sister and I were at Disneyland celebrating her graduation from college and my graduation from high school. One day we went to Fantasyland and rode the tea cups, while we were there we thought it would be fun to get our picture in the Mad Hatter's hut. To achieve our goals we decided to get our picture taken with the ride operator. He was really nice and our picture turned out adorable. The ride operator's name was Rigo. We got a kick out of that. The next day, our brother went of to get some food and my sister and I embraced our freedom and ran over to Fantasyland (somehow it wasn't my 23 year old brother's favorite spot) Anyway, the park was slow that day and my sister and I were on our own. We could do whatever we wanted!! We went on the Snow White ride and the ride operator was Rigo! When we came out there was no one waiting to get on so we asked Rigo if we could go again. He sent us through 7 or 8 times in a row and we loved it every time. Being the geeks that we are, we shouted "Hooray for Rigo and hooray for the Snow White ride!" when we came out. A good time was had by all. At some point Rigo explained to us that his real name was not Rigo. It was actually Mickey, but - as it was the same name as a certain mouse - he had a different name on his name tag. We were all fast friends by the end of the morning.


My sister and I still laugh about that day and I think of it every time I go on the Snow White ride. Well, On our second day at the park Hali and I went to ride the Snow White ride and the ride operator looked extremely familiar. I glanced at his name tag and saw that it said "Mickey". "What is your last name?" I asked him. He looked at me and sardonically replied, "Mouse." I am sure that he thought I was just some cheeky guest making fun of his name. "No, seriously, what is your last name? I think I know you." It was Rigo. He said he remembered us, I seriously doubt that, but it was amazing that eight years later, on the same ride, I ran into my most favorite ride operator ever.

Thanks Mickey, for a very unexpected surprise!



Of course, Disney magic wasn't the only magic we experienced on the trip. Saturday night Hali and I headed up to Hollywood to see Wicked. It was my second time seeing the show and I loved it just as much, if not more than last time. P.S. Hollywood is everything fame and fortune are. When professionally displayed, it is all glitz and glamor, but when you are there and you see how it really is, it is one massive train wreck. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our evening. Besides the show, my favorite moment was when we were walking to find some food and passed a group of people that included a couple of guys that were conversing by freestyle rapping. It is moments like that when I truly treasure my life.


No trip to California would be complete without a trip to the beach and a teeny, tiny sunburn. And you know, the amazing thing is, after 3 days of adventure and 18 hours int he car - I still love my workmates. What luck. Oh, and it is possible that I got an annual pass to Disneyland. Anyone want to go back?