Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock!

One of the most frustrating aspects of the autumn season in Utah--besides its relatively short stay in our fair state (1? Maybe 2 days?)--is the difficulty I have in acclimating my own body temperature to the constant change of rising and falling temperature. The nights can be quite chilly, but the afternoons can be roasting. Often when I slip under the covers its too warm for the covers...but then I'll awake at 2:00 am just freezing. What to do?! Recently I've taken to just covering my feet. Seems if the bottom appendages are warm, the rest of me follow suit.

Last night I hit up the annual Back to School BBQ Stake FHE event. As usual, its not an actual BBQ because cooking hamburgers or steaks or even 'tube steaks' for several hundred people would be a herculean task. Instead, subs were on the menu last night. Can't complain about free food really, but it was no Quiznos toasted goodness, you know? On top of that, it got dark pretty fast so in order to actually see anyone you had to be inside the pavilion...along with the 200+ other people trying to do the same thing. It was loud. And when my friend, Alisha, challenged me to give my number out to somebody in "the next 15 minutes"...I quickly realized the folly of such an endeavor. You couldn't even hear yourself! For the record, I at least made an effort. I met a couple people and even engaged in an actual conversation with "Tim of the --th Ward"...but I quickly wrapped that convo up after he brought up politics and said he was a "far right Republican." Eegads! So no phone numbers distributed, but I'm sure I'll be blessed for my efforts.

I recently became involved in something of a "Blog argument" via the comments section on an acquaintance's Blog. It doesn't matter the topic, but I was proud of myself for keeping my cool and not getting angrily hateful with any of my comments. I ended my involvement with this particular post saying, "We shall have to agree to disagree." Isn't that what's great about America? We can all have our own opinions and know that not everybody has the same viewpoint. I almost laughed out loud, then, when an earlier arguer responded to my statement with, "No, I don't think we will." What? What does that even mean? He will not agree to disagree with me? But...he obviously does disagree with me. So if he disagrees about agreeing with me...wouldn't logic then suggest he agrees with me? I'm totally confused. And totally amused. And even more convinced that Blog arguments are entirely futile.

General Conference weekend is almost upon us again and I'm just so pleased! I love listening to the words of the prophets and the counsel from our leaders. I love that it means I have a Sunday without any meetings. I love that it means hanging out with the family. And this year I really love that it means chocolate chip cookies and rootbeer floats. I haven't had a treat since August 26th, (see explanation here) and this Saturday will be my first "cheat" day in the way of our biannual Conference treats. YES! I am SO excited. I love cookies.

The Stake Musical Revue is opening (can we use regular theater lingo for a glorified roadshow?) in less than a month and I'm trying not to freak out. Its been a really fun experience and even the giant dance number I somehow got roped in to is proving to be a good time. Let me know if you're interested in coming to see the show and I'll get you the info. As an admitted theater snob, I cannot encourage attendance at a community theater production such as this in good conscience. However, I do guarantee you will laugh. Even if that's you laughing at us rather than because of us, we'll take what we can get.

Sheldon Quote of the Day: "You know, I've given the matter some thought, and I think I'd be willing to be a house pet to a race of super-intelligent aliens."

Meet My Faves: Mariah

The next episode in the "Faves" series features the one and only, Mariah S. She's awesome. Let's start there.

Mariah and I met during the Disney College Program in 2004. She was in Entertainment (ooooh...) while I was a lowly attractions hostess. We actually met through the Disney branch where we both attended church in the hallowed halls of Disney University. OH SO MAGICAL. But really, it was Gregory that brought us together. Turns out--what we'd heard about each other was so intimidating we were both nervous to meet! HA! But...a beautiful friendship began.

I love that Mariah travels and lives all over the place--giving me opportunity to travel places and visit. I love that she thinks I'm hilarious and will eat loads of yummy food with me. And I love that it took traveling all the way to Florida for me to meet this amazing woman who hails from Kaysville--only 45 minutes North of my hometown.

Best Thing: Laughing out loud for hours over the wild and crazy stories we love to share.

Worst Thing: Only getting together a couple times a year because she lives so far away!

Where are you from?
Kaysville, Utah

What do you do for a living?

I am a nanny right now, but I am still looking for that perfect museum job. I can't stay a nanny forever.
(Editor's Note: Since answering my questionnaire a couple months ago, Mariah has found a new job as a legal secretary. It might just be an eye candy job but the pay is still better!)

What is your favorite comfort food?

mac'n'cheese or a peanut butter banana honey sandwich or a grilled cheese sandwich...or maybe all three. I know of restaurants that specialize in all three, and I like fancy kinds as well as the not so fancy kinds. Also, if it is summer, fresh peaches with milk and rootbeer freezes. I think anything my dad made as a "specialty" when I was a kid makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

What color is your bedspread?

dark purple

What book/movie has had a major impact on you?

Book: "Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters and Seymour: an introduction" by J.D. Salinger. I read it in London for the first time in 2002, and it had the curious effect of making me feel expansive and all encompassing, while creating a feeling of coming home to a home that had always been there, but I had never known. It pulled the real me out of deep inside myself. It is full of truth and life and beautiful thoughts.

Movie: "The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind." It affirms life, while messing with your mind a little bit, and it is a gorgeous piece of art. Sometimes I find it comforting and sometimes I find it indescribably tragic, but I always love it.

What is your favorite word?

Hard to say, because I LOVE words, but I will admit that lately I have been particularly fond of the word "cad." As in, "I won't put up with your dastardly tricks any longer, you cad!"

Also, "dastardly" is a fun word.

What is your best color?

I think this is a weird question. To wear? Or are we talking Charlie and Lola "best color" as in "pink milk is my favorite and my best." I look pretty darn fabulous when wearing kelly green or an intense coral or a dark plum or puce, but if I were to answer what my favorite color is I would have to say a variety of oranges--including, but not limited to, mac'n'cheese, which was my favorite crayola crayon color when I was allowed to have the ginormous box of crayons with something like 108 different colors. I also really loved "periwinkle" as a child, but only because I had no idea what a periwinkle was, so the crayon was a mystery to me...and it was fun to say.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Seriously? I live in NYC and I plan travel around food...

Alice's Tea Cup? Queen's Lane Coffee House? Nargila? S'mac? Kyoto? Mandarin? Sally Lunn's? Westville? Serendipity? Grimaldi's? One if by Land, Two if by Sea? Gramercy Tavern? Juliet et Chocolat? Earl of Sandwich? Q.I.? The Rio Grande? Le Cellier? Boma? The Grand Floridian Garden Tea Room? Salt Lake Coffee Break? Nelson's Frozen Custard? Pace's Dairy Anne? Cici's Pizza? Tazuri? Sweet Melissa?

Honestly...I couldn't say.

What is one material possession you couldn't live without?

I am not sure...I think it would have to be one of my go to books, such as the Salinger book mentioned above, or the complete works of Frank O'Hara...or Whitman's "Leaves of Grass"...or maybe "The Ordinary Princess" or "Peter Pan."

Which cartoon character do you resemble the most?

I always thought Belle, in personality and appearance. It's the first character everyone guesses when I tell them I was a character at Disney World. However, someone recently told me I look like Coraline, and I resented it. Do I look like a creepy 13 year old?

Why do you think I like you so much?

Because we are S'mac eating, bun shoppe in Bath buying, "My Best Friend" listening, gyoza hunting, punting, tea party attending, Central Park strolling, Tower of Terror riding, caramel apple craving, hot sausage consuming, SYTYCD oggling, twilight dancing, Organ Loft appreciating, world travelling, greeting card sending, gut busting laughing, love sac lounging, lime chip loving, good hug giving, hotty-totty dress wearing, conversation junky friendsies. People WISH they were as cool as us, because we are LEGIT.

(Editor's Second Note: This is pretty much the best answer EVER)

What is the best compliment you could receive?

Someday I would like to be referred to as "dishy"...or a "dishy bird." Or perhaps a "dishy minx."

I wish I could pull off "bombshell" but voluptuous is not a word that will ever describe me.

I also find it charming when people think I am nice.

What is your favorite memory we have shared?

"The Mark of Zorro" at the Organ Loft was a favorite. Kyoto lunches are always a favorite.
That time I fell into you butt while you were trying to take a nap.

Punting/lazing around at the Royal Oak.

How about the time Keith dripped hot custard on his arm, but wanted to eat it so he was trying to lick his elbow WHILE it was burning him...and we laughed.

Reading the "Art of Kissing" book on our way to Bath and having a tea party at Sally Lunn's.

Last summer's first S'mac extravaganza was pretty amazing.

Blues dancing at twilight in Brooklyn with fireflies while full of chastity bread pudding.

Lime chips, Sara B., and Connie and Carla.

Our beach day in Florida with the Disney family was kind of amazing too.

I guess that whole trip to England sort of wins just because of the epic magnitude of it, but our Organ Loft dates and your visits to NYC are chart toppers...wait! NYC wins because I get you all to myself. HA!

What 3 words would best describe you?

fabulous

saucy

smart

Googlicious

I know we ask this question time and time again in the present day, but seriously--what did we do before the Internet? Yesterday, on a whim, I wanted to know how long it takes a scab to heal. A quick Internet search and I had the answer (5-10 days according to most sites, if you were wondering). It took all of 5 minutes to read three sources and have my answer.

Before the Internet, I guess we just assumed there were some things we'd never know the answer to--how long scabs take to heal being one of them. Weird.

Walking on Salt is like Walking on Snow

Happy Day Off! While the rest of the nation was celebrating Labor Day, a few fine people were celebrating Erin's birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIN!

In honor of this happy day, we ventured out to that famous artistic landmark--the Spiral Jetty. For those of you unfamiliar with this Utah landmark, I suggest you click here and read a little more. It looks like this:

The road to the Jetty was long and perilous...but we survived. Once at the site, we took some time to walk out on to the sculpture itself, and even ventured beyond it onto the salty sand. And that's when I discovered...walking on salt feels like, sounds like and even looks like walking on snow. Totally awesome. Totally cool.

And now...a few more pics from the day.The happy crew (including Marnie who you can't see due to my giant hair) headed toward the Jetty. We didn't look so chipper on the way back because we were hungry and tired.
Look closely and you can find Marnie--running all over Rozel Point to get better pictures than us lazy sandal-wearers down below cared to make the effort for. Okay, so maybe it does just look like sand, or even rock, in the picture. But trust me--its like snow! And that's my foot...on the snowy sand-salt of the Great Salt Lake!
Another fun adventure with the Roommates! And look--my hair's waving too!

Happy Birthday, Erin--here's to an amazing 27th year!

Speaking of Zac Efron...

Once again, its the start of a new school year. This year is going to be crazy busy with a myriad of responsibilities beyond the classroom teaching itself. I am still serving as Relief Society president in my ward. I am working on my National Board certification. I have a student teacher first semester. I am rehearsing for our stake musical revue. I am co-facilitating our district's Social Studies book club. And in the midst of all that I am trying to maintain some semblance of sanity...and a life, if possible. Good Luck to me.

This past weekend I ran the Top of Utah half marathon with my little sister. Abby is THE BOMB.com and we ran without any major stops for 2 hours, 12 minutes, and (in my case) 40 seconds to finish with a fabulous time...if I do say so myself. The racecourse is quite delightful and the scenery through Logan Canyon--splendid. I had a great time and look forward to another half marathon in the near future. Plus, I finally got to try Angie's tots. Kayla was right--they're delish.

I think one of the things I'll miss most about my summer break is spending so much time with my nephew. He is...fabulous. He's adorable and incredibly entertaining, and always in the mood to eat. Seriously. He is such a mooch its hilarious. But you know--I love that about him too.

As of August 26th, I have officially gone off treats for the school year. That means no cookies, brownies, ice cream, pie, candy...and the list goes on and on. Almost everyone who has heard of my daring diet plan has declared that I have to give myself a cheat day or I'll never survive. First, no I don't. I'm definitely an "All or Nothing" kind of person. If I give myself a cheat day once a week I'll just give up altogether and very quickly at that. Secondly, I'm not entirely insane. I have given leave for treats on specific days of the year. For example, I will be indulging in rootbeer floats and chocolate chip cookies with the family during General Conference weekend. And I refuse to let Thanksgiving go by without pie. I'm pretty sure I'll be okay. The whole purpose of this experiment is to improve my self-discipline, and to see some true SHRINKAGE around my middle.

Yesterday my Visiting Teacher, Lisa, came to see me at school. Isn't she great?! She brought along Caryn--her other visiting teachee--and lunch. Hero O' The Day! I'm so grateful for delightful friends who can surprise you on a Monday afternoon and make the rest of the day bearable.

Last week I had the great pleasure of taking in a free premiere showing of the film, "Adam." Hands down--one of my favorite movies EVER. Really. Its a delightfully tender, off-beat romantic comedy and I would recommend it to anyone. Hugh Dancy is fantastic and I spent most of the movie trying to decide if I wanted to laugh, cry, or...well, cry; the debate over sad tears vs. happy tears was insane. The movie is awesome and if you want to go see it soon, give me a call and I'll do my best to make it. I can't wait to see it again!



I am excited for autumn to really start. I want to wear sweaters and not get nasty sweaty when I get into my car in the afternoon. I'd like the fall TV season to start (GLEE!), and I'd like to crave a drive up the canyon and apple cider. Of course, winter follows shortly after the autumn but we have to know the bitter to appreciate the sweet, right?

On a final random note, I saw two ducks crossing the road this morning. The only thing better than that sight, was seeing the giant grin on every driver's face who was stopped in their respective lanes as we waited for the ducks to move along. Fabulous.

Want to Help?

I'm a fan of changing the world. I mean, the world is pretty great already but "Go Big or Go Home," right? My friend, Abe, is doing a bit more than my wishful thinking. He's started an awesome organization called Ads4Africa. Its a great and easy way to help people in Africa become more self-sufficient, employ others in their area, and generally stimulate their economy.

And so, I am totally in favor of the new Search Engine for Africa they just unveiled. Its basically just a Google search (and who doesn't like that?!) but by using this search engine, you're helping the organization help others. And by "help others", I mean Change the World. I've bookmarked it on my toolbar and plan to use it in place of my usual Google.com. I'd encourage y'all to do the same. Make that "Hot Google Search Action" do some real good in the world.

Check out the video below for more information. Or, just go to the organization's website--ads4africa.org.

Cleaning Out

I went shopping at the Park City outlets yesterday. I made a series of purchases which, when added together, should sustain the economy of Summit County for at least a few months. Adding new pieces to my wardrobe also requires me to clean out a few old pieces. Not only is this good sense for a pack rat like myself, but its rather necessary since my closet just isn't that big.

Working my way through the "Tops" section of the closet, I kept asking myself, "Okay, which of these do I honestly not wear anymore?" However, I changed the question when I pushed aside my new H&M blouse to reveal this Blast from the Past: Because really, "Which of these should I not be wearing anymore?" is probably a more important question.

Old Navy Performance Fleece, circa 1999? Yikes.