On Friday, we headed up Millcreek Canyon with some friends to do a little snow shoeing. It was a winter wonderland up there! Spectacularly beautiful...Snow shoeing
On Friday, we headed up Millcreek Canyon with some friends to do a little snow shoeing. It was a winter wonderland up there! Spectacularly beautiful...Christmas...the Low Down
Christmas was great. Good times with family and friends. Delicious food. Thanks Mom, for Christmas breakfast of sausage, egg, & potato casserole and the stuffed french toast. Yum!
We also celebrated Christmas night with some french food to honor Lauren's impending semester in France. Lauren requested ratatouille and we also had quiche, a cheese tray, and mushroom pate. Bon appetit!
Awesome gifts!
And finally, some holiday silliness. We sent this to our friends who spent Christmas in Cancun. Earlier in the day they'd sent a photo of their pool side fruity drinks, complete with paper umbrellas, wishing us a merry Christmas.
Overall, a terrific day despite all my pre-holiday crankiness! :)
We also celebrated Christmas night with some french food to honor Lauren's impending semester in France. Lauren requested ratatouille and we also had quiche, a cheese tray, and mushroom pate. Bon appetit!
Awesome gifts!
Overall, a terrific day despite all my pre-holiday crankiness! :)
The Cleavers End of Season Montage
This is a video montage that I put together for my awesome Leave It to Cleaver team mates to memorialize forever our victorious 2008 season (league champs, baby!). If you aren't a roller derby fan or maybe even a Cleaver's fan this will likely be super boring. But otherwise, I hope you enjoy watching these five minutes as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
The Nutcracker & Theater Etiquette
Lauren and I went to Capital Theater this afternoon to see The Nutcracker. Although she does not remember suggesting this as a possible activity that she'd be interested in doing while she is in town for the holidays, I am glad that we did it! She has not seen The Nutcracker since she was 8 years old. I really enjoyed having some time for just the two us together. We went to lunch at Trio beforehand and it was delicious!
While we enjoyed the show, I can't help myself from commenting on some very annoying behaviors that were on display in the theater today. Firstly, please wear something decent. I don't think it is necessary to bust out the evening wear (especially for a matinee) but for the love of God, you can do better than jeans and hoodie, right? Secondly, while I know it is the holiday season and parents do their best to impart wonderful holiday memories in their little ones, please leave little kids at home. Give some thought to whether your child has the ability to sit still and be quiet for two hours. While you may think it is adorable that your child is commenting all through out the production, believe me, the patrons sitting around you who dropped bank for their tickets aren't amused. Finally, if you buy snacks, the merch that is being peddled, or merely cough drops, if they are wrapped in cellophane, quickly, quietly unwrap them and then leave them be until intermission. Nothing is more distracting than the sound of cellophane being crumbled throughout the duration of the show.
Otherwise, the show was wonderful. The dancers amazed with their lithe physiques and gravity-defying moves and the costumes and music were beautiful.
Bah Humbug
I am the grinchiest ever this year. I cannot for the life of me get into the holiday spirit. I've struggled with it for the last few years but this year is the worst of all. Everyone I talk to is fearful of losing their job or has already lost it but I whenever I drive past a shopping center the place is packed. I can't quite figure out how the recession is affecting people. Are folks adjusting their spending habits to match the economy?
Spyware Guard 2008....Blech!
This miserable virus has sucked the life out of my laptop. The IT department has called it dead. So, in the meantime I will be sharing a laptop at home with my sweets (yikes, I know!). Bear with me during this difficult time.
UPDATE: Shoppingnotes.com
So far, shoppingnotes.com has been a bust (see previous post for details). I did received an email notification from them on Friday morning saying that the camera that I was interested in buying from Amazon had gone up $40. While swearing and pounding my hand on my forehead for my own stupidity in waiting to see if the blasted camera went down in price, I visited Amazon to see the damage for myself. Well, the camera was still the same price that it had been the day before so I threw in the towel and ordered it.
Smart Shopping
Do you have a specific holiday gift in mind for someone special? Do you ever leave the item lingering in your online cart for a few days? I do this all the time and I'm amused to see the fluctuation in price over the course of those few days. I just know that as soon as I pull the trigger on the order, the price is going to go down. Knowing what a tightwad I am, you know how this chaps my hide.
So, I'm excited to try out a new service that I just read about called Shopping Notes. Just enter the URL of the item that you want to follow and you'll get email alerts when the price drops. I signed up today to watch a camera on Amazon that I've been considering for my daughter. I'm going to check a few other items as well. I'll keep you posted. If you know of other money-saving sites then please share!
The What Not To Buy Holiday Gift Guide
For each of you who's received (an unrequested) household appliance as a holiday/birthday/anniversary gift before, you'll get a kick out of this 4 1/2 minute video clip.
Miss Anthropy's RetroRadioland
Listen right now!
Tonight is the end of an era, Miss Anthropy's RetroRadioland will air for the last time tonight from 5-7pm MST. Miss Anthropy began spinning tunes on KSUB (Seattle University's college radio station) in Spring 2006. For two hours each week, she's played rockabilly, psychobilly, big band, surf, swing, and the like.
But, alas, all good things must come to an end and Miss Anthropy is off to new adventures. We'll miss our favorite 'hostess with the mostess'. Bon Voyage, Miss Anthropy!
Love, your Mom :)
Tonight is the end of an era, Miss Anthropy's RetroRadioland will air for the last time tonight from 5-7pm MST. Miss Anthropy began spinning tunes on KSUB (Seattle University's college radio station) in Spring 2006. For two hours each week, she's played rockabilly, psychobilly, big band, surf, swing, and the like.
But, alas, all good things must come to an end and Miss Anthropy is off to new adventures. We'll miss our favorite 'hostess with the mostess'. Bon Voyage, Miss Anthropy!
Love, your Mom :)
On My Own Again
No Ban and I didn't break up. I'm talking about my ongoing saga to find an excellently trained, reasonably priced, non-flaky hair stylist. Last December, the hair stylist who I love and have gone to for years and years decided to relocate to St. George. I can't explain her decision but nonetheless, I've spent the last year trying to find someone fabulous to do my hair.
I'd found a great stylist with mad cutting and coloring skills but she was at a hideous salon. "If you're not hot, we'll make you hot", yes, they seriously answer the phone with that message. The first time I called, I hung up, I was so put off. The stylist thankfully left that salon and started working at a salon in the way southwest end of the valley. Apparently, she has left there too and now I'm back to square one. I'm 9 weeks past my last appointment and looking a bit shaggy.
I'd found a great stylist with mad cutting and coloring skills but she was at a hideous salon. "If you're not hot, we'll make you hot", yes, they seriously answer the phone with that message. The first time I called, I hung up, I was so put off. The stylist thankfully left that salon and started working at a salon in the way southwest end of the valley. Apparently, she has left there too and now I'm back to square one. I'm 9 weeks past my last appointment and looking a bit shaggy.
B
Happy birthday to one of the greatest humans on the planet! Today is my sweetie's birthday and what will surely be the beginning of a fun-filled weekend (we work 4 tens so it's our Friday...yippee!). He means the world to me and life without him is unimaginable. He's my best friend, my number one goofball, my rock, and all of that other incredibly gag-inducing mushy stuff that I feel but won't write here. I'll tell him later, although I'm pretty sure he already knows. Right, schmoopy?
4500 S 900 E. Murray, Utah
This intersection is the bane of my existence. I drive through it at least twice a day on my way to and from work. It doesn't matter what time of day or which direction I approach the intersection from, I miss the light EVERY SINGLE DAY. It is unbelievable. Sometimes I take the alternate route just to approach the intersection from the other direction. Doesn't matter....I mean I JUST miss it. As in, I am almost always the first or second car at the light. On principle, I don't drive and text, but seriously the ridiculousness of this situation tempts me to post an easily-typed expletive, such as 'Frick!' each time I just miss the light just so you know the daily dumbasity of the situation.
Heartache
Typically, I'm a glass half full, looking on the bright side, believing in the human spirit type person. But today, all I feel is anger, hurt, rage, and sadness. I can't understand what would possess someone or a group of someones as the case may be, to intentionally mock, harass, and generally make life miserable for another person. Especially someone who is a little more vulnerable than the average bear. What causes a person to do this? What kind of short-coming in their character? With a heavy heart, I'm off to bed to ponder these questions.
Attention Pet Lovers
Critter Carols!Love the Jib Jab Sendables? Or last year's Elf Yourself? Well, you and your pets are going to love this little bit of fun. Click on the link above and you'll be able to insert your pet's photo into an singing dancing holiday spectacular. You can even upload or email the finished product to your friends and relations.
Here's something for you non-pet people. Go Elf Yourself already!
Team Building Exercises
I've been asked to come up with some 'team building exercises' for our program (16 people) at the holiday retreat later this month. Usually when I think of 'team building exercises I sort of cringe. Does anyone know of some interesting/fun/creative activities to do? I have a lot of flexibility in terms of what counts as team building (e.g. Wii games, Foosball, and gift exchanges have come up as potential ideas).
Another Angle on Gay Marriage/Prop 8
The following letter appears in today's Salt Lake Tribune, in the public letters forum. I thought the author put forth an excellent point:
Not Christian nation
Updated: 11/28/2008 04:46:21 PM MST
We have experienced a storm of letters relating to the passage of Proposition 8 in California, but one major issue has been slighted: the difference between religious and civil marriages.
The former should be determined by the particular religion that is conducting the ceremony, and rightly so. But why should any religion have anything to say about who gets married to whom in a civil ceremony completely devoid of any aspect of any religion?
The Bible is frequently quoted in the letters regarding marriage; to wit, the main object of a union is to procreate and homosexuality is an abomination. But why is the Bible the authority? We are not a Christian nation.
"God" does not appear in the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison were all deists, while Thomas Jefferson denounced the "superstitions of Christianity." Finally, the Treaty of Tripoli, which was unanimously ratified by the Senate in 1797, states: "As the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion … ."
So why shouldn't gays be allowed to marry in civil ceremonies?
Kermit Heid
Salt Lake City
Art Show: Pooing Cats
My friend and team mate is the mother of what may be one of the world's cutest damn kids. He tickles us because he speaks like a 30 year old (with an British accent). Last weekend while we were in Seattle, we missed his debut art exhibit but thank goodness reporters were on the scene to cover the story.
Kinny Blanford's "Robots, Bikes + Pooing Cats" from Salt Lake Magazine Online on Vimeo.
Kinny Blanford's "Robots, Bikes + Pooing Cats" from Salt Lake Magazine Online on Vimeo.
Seattle, day 2
On Saturday, we headed to the Hurricane Cafe for breakfast with Lauren and Ian. Afterward, we made our towards Broadway to check out the shop where Lauren works, Panache.All throughout the city, they have these charming brass dancing feet embedded in the sidewalk showing the steps to various dances. Here is a picture of Lauren doing the Mambo!
We made reservations for Saturday night at The Can Can, a cabaret dinner theater near Pike's Market. The show that evening was Aerobotron, and if you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it. The dancers were amazing! Surprisingly, the food was excellent also. We chose the 4 course fixed price menu which included pumpkin soup, spinach salad, choice of chicken, buffalo meatball, or mac & cheese. YUM! They also served creme brulee for dessert but I was too full to partake.
After the show, we went to Julia's on Broadway for the 10:30pm drag show, La Faux (I know, I stayed up that late, amazing right?). Here are a few pictures of us with Tina Turner, Tammy Wynot (ssh...she's actually a woman) and Cher.
On Sunday morning, we went out for brunch at the Cafe Presse and then Ian dropped of us off at the airport for our flight home. We had a terrific time in Seattle. Lauren is a fabulous weekend adventure planner. I'm already scouring the paper and web looking for fun things to do when she is home next month. She's set the bar pretty darn high, though.
Seattle, day 1
We arrived in Seattle mid-morning on Friday and took the bus to our hotel and got checked in (yes, public transportation, cabs are expensive. We're in a recession, people!). Another bus took us up to Seattle University to meet Lauren as she got out of class. We went to lunch at this eclectic place called Bleu Bistro. You sit in little quirky booths with curtains that can be opened or closed. The food was as equally charming. I ordered wasabi grilled cheese sandwich. I know that it sounds weird but it was very tasty.
Afterward, we went to see Lauren's house and meet her room mates (and Scoop, the dog). They all seem very nice and I know that Lauren has been pleased with the set up.We went to Sushi Land for dinner where you pick your sushi up off a conveyor belt that moves around the restaurant. It was a bit of a challenge for me being as indecisive as I am. The plate had moved on out of reach before I could decide if I wanted it or not!
Finally, we headed to the Tractor Tavern in Ballard to see the band Goodness play. Poor Lauren was the youngest person in the bar by at least a decade. It's a bit unsettling to see all those old people enjoying my favorite band. I don't look that old, do I??Anyhow, I took a little video clip of the show to post on here but once I reviewed it I realized that it just didn't do Goodness justice. Between the camera shake from my jumping up & down and apparently singing loudly along with the songs, the clip just sucked. So, if you are curious about them check out you tube or their myspace page.
I'll fill you in on the rest of the weekend in another post.
Home from Seattle
We just got home from a long weekend in Seattle visiting Lauren. We had a TERRIFIC time. I will have to break it up into multiple posts in order to share all the amazing experiences that we had. I've attached a photo or two of Seattle (Pike's Market) tonight but I'll post more later on.
Goodness!
Tomorrow night I'm going to see Goodness at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle. I am so excited that I can hardly stand it. Goodness broke up years ago but they've gotten back together to do a few shows since August and it just so happens that they are playing this weekend while I'm in Seattle visiting Lauren.
Here is a video of one of their songs:
Here's a link to lead singer Carrie Akre's website.
James Hunnicutt in SLC Wednesday Night
James Hunnicutt, a singer/songwriter/musician from Seattle, will be in Salt Lake Wednesday evening (November 19) playing at Burt's Tiki Lounge. James plays rockabilly, rock, & punk. He has an amazing voice and is a terrific guitar player. I had the opportunity to see him play at the Double Down Saloon in Las Vegas this past August during RollerCon. Believe me, it will be worth a venture out of the house. I'll be there and hope you will too!
This is an exciting week for me musically speaking. I'm going to see two of my favorite artists this week. More on the other show in another post!
This is an exciting week for me musically speaking. I'm going to see two of my favorite artists this week. More on the other show in another post!
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I haven't read a book that I couldn't put down in quite a while but this murder mystery set in Sweden had me hooked.
View all my reviews.
A Screaming Deal
This month, the liquor stores have one of my favorite wines on sale. You can get a bottle of Silver Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon for $6.99. That $5 bucks off the regular price! Go get yourself a case of this stuff. You won't regret it, I promise.
New Wine Store Opens in SLC
(photo from www.sltrib.com)Check out this article in the Salt Lake Tribune about the large, new wine store that opens in SLC today. Apparently, it is double the size of the downtown wine store and has abundant parking in the back. The address is 1602 South 300 West and according to the article, the entrance is a bit narrow and can be difficult to enter. I'm hoping to check it out today while I'm running errands. Exciting!
ADDENDUM: I went to the new wine store and I'm happy to report that it is just beautiful. Think lovely California wine store rather than the usual state run liquor outlet. There are handsome display cases all around the store. The floors and check out stands are very good looking as well. Additionally, the selection of wines is outstanding, almost a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, several sales people were wandering around the store answering questions that thirsty patrons had about wine.
Veterans Day
When I was growing up, Veterans Day was a rather abstract holiday. We didn't get the day off from school, no candy, no gifts, mostly a mention on the nightly news. The story would focus on some really old guys getting together in their uniforms.
All that has changed now. Veterans are all around us. They are much younger than us. They are friends of our families. They are coming back from war physically and mentally scarred. They come back and find assimilation into society challenging. They are forever changed by their experiences, but while they've been gone, not a lot has changed here. We still watch our idiotic reality TV shows and buy crap we don't need.
One of my friends is a film editor and she edited this documentary film that's showing on PBS this month called 'Reserved to Fight'. Check out the two minute trailer above. The show airs in Utah on Wednesday, November 12 on KUED at 9:00. Be sure to watch it.
Over the Weekend
I had a very busy weekend! In addition to buying a camera, Kylee and I hosted a baby shower for Anna. You'd think that I would have taken more photos but unfortunately I didn't. Ban took a few and I'll post the ones that he took.
Also, check out this origami crane mobile that I made for the baby's nursery. Yeah, I made that! I think it turned out pretty cool.
Also, check out this origami crane mobile that I made for the baby's nursery. Yeah, I made that! I think it turned out pretty cool. My New Camera
Many of you who know me know the joke that if I were one of the X-Men that I would be Indeciso. I've always had a point and shoot camera and I've wanted to upgrade for quite some time now. After months of research I've FINALLY decided that I'm going to buy a Canon S5 IS . At first I had decided to get a Canon dSLR but after borrowing one for the weekend I came to the conclusion that it was just too much camera for me at this point. I know myself well enough to know that there is no way that I'd lug that big, heavy thing around with me regularly. So, the Canon S5 seemed like a good intermediate step.
I just got the camera and I'm very excited to start taking photos!
Cool CNN Website
Do you have particular election races or ballot measures that you are interested in following? I know that sometimes I don't want to listen to the news anchors go over the same results over and over again and only sporadically mention the races that are important to me. Check out this cool site from CNN that allows you customize the results that you see.
Halloween 2008
Ummm, apparently, me and the Dealers! Sassie Lass, me, Movin' Violation, Wanton Rebellion, and Lady Octane celebrating Halloween at Movin's costume party.
Collin, Smack, Phillip, Veronica, Octane, me, Sass & Movin'
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