Wise Ax

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

2011-12-14T12:41:00.002-07:00

I CANNOT wait for this movie to come out next week! As you may know, I've read the books and seen the Swedish films based on the books. I was very skeptical when I read that an American remake was in the works but I have to tell you, the trailer looks amazing!

The books and movies aren't for the faint of heart though but if you are looking for something intense with interesting characters, you should give it some thought.

The Lady is a Tramp

2011-10-28T15:48:00.003-06:00

Tony Bennett still sounds amazing and Lady Gaga is terrific. I'm looking forward to listening to this Duets albums while drinking a glass of wine. But let's be honest, I'm typically pretty excited about doing anything and drinking wine.

Hike: Calf Creek Falls

2011-10-05T14:44:00.002-06:00

I spent the last few days in Torrey, Utah. The weather was spectacular with clear, sunny skies and warm temperatures. On Monday and Tuesday I hiked to Calf Creek Falls with some friends who had all done the hike before but it was my first time. It's about three miles of mostly flat trail to the falls (six miles round trip).

The road from Torrey through Boulder, Utah was lined with gorgeous aspen trees with near electric yellow leaves.

The hike and the falls were gorgeous and next time I will pack a picnic lunch to eat next to the falls. A few brave souls swam in the freezing cold water but I only waded around in ankle deep water.

Instead, we treated ourselves to fabulous dinners at Cafe Diablo. The sweet potato and black bean empanadas were scrumptious!

The Great Shake Out

2011-09-29T07:59:00.001-06:00

Gulp. I really need to come up with a better preparedness plan than using my stockpile of wine to barter for necessary items if the big one hits.

Movie: Objectified

2011-09-28T10:32:00.003-06:00

It's not what you think, Objectified is a documentary about design and manufactured goods. While it sounds rather dry, the film was very interesting. Best of all, if you dropped your DVD option from Netflix recently, Objectified is available to view instantly.

100 Years of Style in 100 Seconds

2011-09-10T17:01:00.001-06:00

In honor of Fashion Week! So many adorable styles. ♥

Zucchini Noodles with Peanut Sauce

2011-09-08T07:43:00.002-06:00

This year I was fortunate enough to get one of the community garden plots in my condo complex and I've had a great time tending to it this summer. Like most gardeners who plant zucchini I suddenly found myself with more squash than I could possibly eat. Sure, I gave some away, shredded and froze some, but I really wanted to use as much as I could while it was fresh.

I found this scrumptious-looking recipe for zucchini noodles on the excellent food blog, Kitchen Confindante. I even ordered one of those crazy shredding tools mentioned in the blog post to make the noodles. I have a mandolin which would do the job as well but being a bit clumsy I sliced open my thumb using the mandolin and decided my digits would be better served using the $5 tool.

The recipe was very simple and a perfect light meal for a warm summer night. The leftovers were terrific for lunch the next day too.

Book Review: The Hunger Games

2011-08-30T08:45:00.002-06:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book in less than 30 hours. It's been a while since I was that engaged in a book. Interesting plot and characters. This is also the first book that I've read on an e-reader. I liked that experience more than I expected.

View all my reviews

Terrariums

2011-08-03T12:51:00.003-06:00

These adorable little treasures are my latest obsession! Ever since my friend Jodi posted pictures of a few terrariums that she'd made last summer, I have been wanting her to teach me how to make them. Last night that dream was realized.

I'd found a few jars at thrift stores and yard sales and even purchased some awesome apothecary jars online. Jodi brought over the gravel, charcoal, and potting soil. I had also picked up a few small succulents and Jodi brought air plants.

Then, it's just a matter of putting down a layer of gravel followed by charcoal and finally soil. Next you add plants and little found objects like shells, rocks, pieces of glass, miniature items, etc. I was very pleased with the first three terrariums that I put together.

It's Time to Make the Pesto

2011-08-02T07:40:00.003-06:00

The basil plants that I have in my planter box are, um....thriving. I had to trim it back before it bolted to seed. So, with my bounty of basil I made pesto over the weekend. I used this recipe from Food Network.

But, seriously, how much pesto can one girl eat? Obviously not enough (even if I invite friends over) so I froze the pesto in an ice cube tray.

Last night I popped the pesto cubes out of the tray and put them in labeled freezer bag for future use!

Book Review: Loving Frank

2011-07-25T23:35:00.000-06:00

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fascinating read about the married woman that Frank Lloyd Wright fell in love with and the struggles she faced with her family and society as she followed her heart.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Ice Princess

2011-07-19T10:37:00.000-06:00

The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not nearly as captivating as Steig Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series but the same genre.

View all my reviews

Weekend Project: Re-purposing a Tea Cart

2011-07-11T07:45:00.003-06:00

I can't help myself from looking around furniture consignment shops and recently I was in the neighborhood of one of my favorites, Elemente. Right inside the front door was this darling tea cart.

The paint was peeling and it had some rusty spots on it but I knew a quick trip to the home improvement store for some naval jelly, primer, and spray paint would have the cart looking great in no time.

I chose a bold orange color which I thought would contrast nicely against the newly painted blue-gray walls of the dining room. I set the cart up as a bar and suddenly feel like having a party!

Here's a shot of the dining now. What do you think?

Roller Derby Recap: WRD - Slaughterhouse

2011-06-29T13:08:00.002-06:00

(Photo: O'Durgy)

Here's my roller derby recap for last Sunday's Wasatch Roller Derby vs. Slaughterhouse Roller Derby for SLUG magazine.

Penny Floor | materialicious

2011-06-16T12:58:00.001-06:00

I am totally digging this penny floor from materialicious!

A Day in the Country

2011-06-13T20:56:00.003-06:00

Last month I had the opportunity to hit the road with a coworker to do some work in southern Utah. In fact, we hit nine counties and drove 700 miles in two days!

My coworker grew up in rural Utah and sometimes busts my chops about my 'city girl ways'. He was bound and determined to show me a slice of country life. Here's what I saw.

Here is the demolition derby car that I may or may not drive in the Wayne County demolition derby later this summer.

I was the only one that thought it was strange to be driving around town with a loaded rifle in the front seat of your truck.

I also was the only who thought it was strange to shoot a gun out the kitchen window.

People drive around town in souped up golf carts (apparently they are called rhinos, who knew?)

Even recreational vehicles look different down here.

I learned a few things about interior design.

And fashion design too!

Both of those previous images were taken at a family restaurant. Good times!

All kidding aside, the scenery was spectacular.

Find the Future

2011-06-06T14:21:00.001-06:00

Some of you may know that Lauren was selected to participate in this incredibly cool activity at the New York Public Library last month. Five hundred people spent that night at the library and collaboratively wrote a book in one night!

Here's a youtube video describing the game. She had a blast!

Another Dinner With Friends

2011-05-24T07:41:00.002-06:00

Ryan's birthday is early in May so we decided to have a dinner party to celebrate. The theme this month was Italian food. Yum! I made this antipasto platter inspired by my Aunt Jo who makes amazing antipasto platters. I'm so glad that Harmon's carries most of the ingredients necessary to assemble one of these for a get together.

Whitney and Ryan are making fresh pasta to go with the red pepper sauce that I made. The task was a bit arduous but I have a different style pasta maker that I think might be a little more user friendly.

Liz's pups hoping someone would drop some antipasto.

Here's the finished main course. Delish!

Finally, the two goof balls getting ready to devour the coconut cupcakes that Liz made which were amazing!

Whit made Ryan a mix tape for his birthday which may the most adorable thing that I've ever heard. Rumor has it that he may have made one for her too.

Dinner with Friends

2011-04-16T17:31:00.003-06:00

Nothing makes me happier than be surrounded by family, friends and delicious food. Over the weekend, my dear friends came over for a Mexican fiesta. These friends are the best kind to have as they are terrific people AND they know their way around the kitchen. Last time we got together we had tapas which were amazeballs.

This time around we decided that Mexican food would be on the menu. I made a fruit platter, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Whit made quesadillas filled with delicious sautéed vegetables and spicy chipolte crema. Liz knocked it out of the park with a tray of cheese enchiladas and a tray of chicken enchiladas. As you can see, I did a much better job of taking pictures of the food than I did the people. Doh!

(Sorry about the messy bowl, I hate that! )

Next month we will be preparing Italian food. I will keep you posted and take more pictures next time.

Heaven on Earth

2011-03-15T13:09:00.004-06:00

Also known as, Cancun, Mexico, was the destination last month. We stayed at the Me by Melia resort which has recently converted to an all-inclusive model. We'd been reading the reviews regularly prior to our trip and were a little bit nervous about some of the things being mentioned in the reviews. But, I am thrilled to report that our stay was fantastic! I cannot wait to go back there again. I'm pretty sure that I've found my happy place.

This was the scene that out my window as I drew back the curtain on the first morning.

Good morning to you too!

I have never seen water so incredibly blue before in my life!

I had ceviche for lunch or dinner every day while I was in Mexico and plan to perfect several versions of it this summer at home. Let me know if you'd like to be a recipe tester.

The uber chic Rose Bar where we enjoyed pre-dinner cocktails each evening (sorry the photo is a little crooked, I may have imbibed in said cocktails prior to taking the photo).

Cool breeze at the Rose Bar.

My Bali bed. I wish I had taken a picture of my friend Oliver. He was so sweet and he'd bring me cucumber cocktails and ceviche all day long.

Here was the view from my Bali bed. Yes, I am serious, I took this with my iPhone while laying in the Bali bed. It looks like a frickin' postcard!

In fact, I learned yesterday that Nelly's new music video was recorded at the resort and MY Bali bed is in the video. How awesome is that?

We only left the resort once. I mean, seriously, why would leave the resort? It was incredible but the excursion to Isla Mujeres was pretty terrific too. We took a catamaran to Isla Mujeres to go snorkeling (amazing!), have lunch on the beach (scenic but the food was not so good), and cruise around the little town (quaint).

Needless to say, we had a wonderfully relaxing time and are looking forward to going back later this year or early next year.

Roller Derby Recap: Wasatch Roller Derby

2011-02-08T13:53:00.002-07:00

The Big Girls

The Little Girls (Half-time demo by the Junior Roller Derby team)

The MVP

and

My write up for SLUG magazine can be found here.

Sundance 2011

2011-01-26T20:29:00.003-07:00

For the past few years I've written a small recap of each of the Sundance movies that I've seen. I'm not sure that any of you really care about that but it is a great reminder for me to keep track of what I've seen. Seeing ten movies in ten days always leaves me a bit blurry by the end of the festival.

I'm not sure when I turned into such a lazy blogger but I'm five movies into this year's festival and I haven't written a thing. Sigh. The best I might muster this year is just listing them out. Maybe 'fessing up will inspire, we'll see....

Abraxas This movie was okay. It's the story of a Buddhist monk longing for his punk rock days. It didn't really resonate with me but Ban really enjoyed it.

Shorts Program - We saw six shorts. Two were awesome including Right to Fight: Revisited and Worst Enemy. The rest weren't worth writing about.

Pariah I LOVED this movie. The characters and story were so compelling. I even cried a little.

Higher Ground Vera Farminga's directorial debut (you know her from Up in the Air...yah, she was naked with Clooney). I wasn't sure what to think about the movie while I was viewing it but I've continued thinking about it for days after. Probably a good sign.

Resurrect Dead The first documentary that I saw during this festival. Fascinating story! Tale a three people trying to solve the mystery of some street art (and the artist who created it) found on the east coast and in south america. The weirdest part, however, was during the Q & A and an audience member who stood up and claimed to know one of the potential suspects on the list of possible artists. Small freakin' world.

Page One: A year inside the New York Times

The Green Wave

Gun Hill Road

Benavides Born

Win Win

A Teensy Taste of New Orleans in SLC

2011-01-19T07:35:00.004-07:00

Monday night I went to see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band play in Salt Lake City. I first had the pleasure of seeing them in New Orleans in 2007 and was blown away by the music. I was very moved by the contrast of a city nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and the ability of its people to continue to celebrate life with such joyful music.

Italian Fig Cookies

2010-12-24T16:47:00.002-07:00

My Nana used to make these every year during the holidays. I didn't appreciate them much when I was a kid but as I got older I came to appreciate them. My Nana has been gone for nearly twenty years but every once in a while I get the urge to carry on the tradition and make these cookies. Plus, my Dad is in town for Christmas this year and he loves the fig cookies.

I didn't use my Nana's recipe completely because she had the luxury of having a fig tree in her backyard (in Queens!) so she used fresh figs. I have to rely on dried figs so I took some inspiration from this recipe that I found on the Food Network's website.

Merry Christmas!

Peppermint Layer Cookies

2010-12-19T16:50:00.003-07:00

Yesterday, Ryan and I made Christmas cookies. I let him pick what he wanted to make. That will teach me! I am very pleased with the way these Peppermint Layer Cookies from Sunset Magazine turned out although making them was a several hour affair.

Next up, Italian Fig Cookies! These were a staple when I was growing up, my great-grandmother made them every year at the holidays.

The Lights on My Tree...

2010-12-08T22:03:00.001-07:00

...I wish you could see. It's the first full-size tree that I've put up in eight years. Pretty, don't you think?

November 2010 Gallery Stroll

2010-11-28T18:11:00.003-07:00

I visited Stolen & Escaped gallery this month during the November gallery stroll. Even the cold temperatures and gusty winds couldn't keep art lovers away!

Our friend Matt Black and Alex Haworth presented video installations.

Amanda Hurtado and Danielle Marriott created this awesome video installation. I couldn't stop chuckling at it all evening long.

Proclamation!

2010-11-27T19:23:00.006-07:00

I'm pretty sure that I've made my feelings about flash mobs clear in the past. I love them. I want to take part in one. Plus, to have a flash mob combined with the 'Hallelujah Chorus'? Well, let's just say that I can't listen to this piece of music without getting goose bumps. I officially declare the start of the holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T08:08:00.003-07:00

I adore watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Perhaps it is a way to feel connected to my family in New York while living out west (let me clarify, they watch the parade on TV too). Maybe I just like parades (I do). Anyhow, seeing the parade in person is on my bucket list. Yesterday, I found an article that listed hotels that are on the parade route and as I bookmarked it dreamily thinking about how fun it would be to order room service and watch the parade. Then, last night, my daughter who is going to school in New York starts sending me text messages while she and some friends were wandering around the upper west side looking for the parade balloons. Next thing I know, she is sending me photos! Sigh, maybe next Thanksgiving I'll be able to cross this off my list...

I Would Like Your Vote

2010-11-17T16:36:00.002-07:00

I took this photo on my iPhone last month after hiking to Delicate Arch in Moab, Utah. I used the Hipstamatic photo application. Last night I entered the photo into a Hipstamatic photo contest. By the time I went to bed last night the photo was ranked #469, when I got up this morning it was #225, after a plea on Facebook and Twitter I'm up to #106!! Voting ends on Saturday so if you have a Twitter or Facebook account and are willing to vote, I would surely appreciate it. Click here to vote.

Attention Harry Potter Fans!

2010-11-15T12:53:00.002-07:00

This is exactly what I've been waiting for! The Quidditch matches are some of the best scenes in the Harry Potter movies and now you can be part of the action too (well, except for the flying part).

I am pretty sure that I'd be a natural Keeper. Anyone up for getting a Quidditch league going in Salt Lake City??

My Halloween Gift to You

2010-10-29T16:05:00.001-06:00

I hate feeling scared but LOVE watching other people freak out. This video clip of the Ellen show will not disappoint. Happy Halloween!

Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab

2010-10-28T07:42:00.002-06:00

My suitcase is unpacked and stowed on the shelves in the basement. I'm back from four work trips in five weeks. I'm not complaining, I've visited wonderful places, met terrific people, and learned a lot but it is nice to be home.

I just returned from a conference in Moab which was held at the Red Cliffs Lodge. What a stunning setting! Here are a few pictures from my room.

Not too shabby, right?

We also spent an afternoon in Arches National Park and hike to Delicate Arch. It's a about 1.5 miles to the arch with a steep-ish climb up slick rock at the end. Definitely worth the effort! If you've never done this hike but think the image is familiar take a look at the Utah license plate. Delicate Arch graces one of the designs.

This little darling belongs to one of my colleagues and she stole our hearts with her personality plus.

Random iPhone Photo Fun

2010-10-18T20:36:00.005-06:00

I've been having fun with some iPhone camera apps lately. My friend Jodi introduced me to Hipstamatic which makes your photos look totally groovy. You can choose your lens and film type to produce different effects. Hipstamatic costs $1.99 from the iTumes store and you can also purchase additional lenses and film types for $0.99. Here are few that I took over the weekend.

Next up is Instagram (a free app) which allows you to view and save photos taken with your iPhone camera using different filters for various effects.

Finally, I couldn't resist spending the buck or two on IncrediBooth which simulates photo booth fun without the worry of who was going to sit on who's lap. You can choose between three different finishes including black and white. Super fun! The first strip is England's Glory, Mannaramma, and I hamming it up at Gallery Stroll and the other is Ryan and I goofing off before we tried to conquer level 20 of Angry Birds. Still no dice on that.

Travels

2010-10-17T16:20:00.005-06:00

I've been to three cities in the last three weeks. All trips were work-related but held in fabulous locales. My previous post describes my trip to Tampa. The following week I went to Lake Tahoe which despite the cold, rainy weather is still a beautiful place to visit. Finally, last week I was at Duke University in Raleigh, North Carolina for the third and final Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training. I can make maps!

In the two days I was home last week between trips, Ryan and I rode up the canyon to walk around Silver Lake. Here are a few photos from our outing.

Beach Time

2010-09-28T19:16:00.005-06:00

On Sunday evening and Monday my Dad and I cruised around checking out beached. I love the beach, my Dad, not so much, but he was a super good sport about it. Keep in mind however, I was subjected to evening TV viewing of shows like Castle and NCIS. All's fair....

Are You Ready for Some Football?

2010-09-27T21:51:00.007-06:00

I love sports. I've had the chance to see professional baseball, basketball, soccer, and hockey live and in person. The only thing I hadn't experienced was pro football. Yesterday I remedied that. I'm down in Tampa on business this week but was able to come down a few days earlier to spend some time with my Dad. Once he heard that I hadn't ever been to an NFL game he went out and bought us tickets for the Bucs vs Steelers game at Raymond James Stadium.

Tickets are outrageously expensive, parking...forget about it. But despite all that, there is something indescribable about getting caught up in the excitement of experiencing a game live. We chatted with everyone sitting around us. The couple in front of us have season tickets and they drive three hours each way from Ft. Meyers to attend the game. That is dedication, folks!

The Bucs have a big rivalry with the Steelers and it seemed that half the stadium was filled with Steelers fans waving their 'terrible towels'. The Bucs started out strong with an interception but that excitement was quickly extinguished by the Steeler domination that followed. In summary, the Bucs experiences an old-fashioned a$$-whooping. Despite the outcome, I had a great time at the game and loved the excitement of seeing a game in person. Perhaps if the Bears keep it up, I'll have to plan a trip to Chicago to see them play at Soldier Field!

Island Park

2010-09-12T19:47:00.007-06:00

A few weekends ago, we had the opportunity to visit our friend's cabin in Island Park, Idaho. I've written about how much I love it up there several times now. This trip will go down as the 'Wildlife Adventure' weekend. First of all, let me introduce you to my little friend Peanut. We bonded over the weekend. Not only was he curious about what I was working on on my computer, the next day he crawled right up my leg. That is where I drew the line.

Later that evening, we were sitting on the deck enjoying the beautiful surroundings when suddenly a bald eagle landed atop of the tree right in front of us. It was HUGE! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera handy so I can't prove it.

The next day we decided to visit the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. You can get more information here. There was a lovely campground right next to this lake. Next time, I want to bring a canoe and explore the lake that way.

The funniest part of the this adventure was after driving 15 minutes along a dirt road on the way to the wildlife refuge, we saw one house and this sign post in front of it. Utes fans will think of my friend Kylee's mom, aka Crazy Lady, the Utes super fan. It would be awesome to build a cabin up there.

On our last evening we were sitting on the dock watching the sunset when across the reservoir we spotted a moose with her two babes approaching the edge of the water. Ban ran inside to grab the binoculars (you'd think we'd learn to bring them to the dock with us, right?). While I was watching all three moose entered the water and swam across the reservoir! They exited the water a few cabins down from us. I had no idea that they could swim like that. Another fantastic weekend at the cabin. Thanks Liz! xoxo

Hike From Hell: Alexander Basin

2010-09-05T17:05:00.008-06:00

It's taken me two weeks to recover from the PTSD of this hike and be able to write about it. It was a lovely Sunday morning and I decided that I wanted to go for a hike up Millcreek Canyon. Ban was game to go along and we decided to do a hike we hadn't done before. We decided to do Dog Lake and made our way to the top of Millcreek. Approximately, a thousand other people had the same idea. The parking lot was crawling with cars, people, dogs, and cyclists (yeah, cyclists get their own category because they were particularly obnoxious on this morning). We went back down the canyon to the overflow parking and it too was packed.

So, Plan B. We decided to head down the canyon to find a trail head with an available parking lot. Alexander Basin trail was the first one we found. It was steep. I mean really, really steep. Steep like my glutes ached for days afterward. Once we finally stopped climbing and the trail flattened out a bit we were treated to a beautiful display of wild flowers. We only passed a couple of people during the whole hike. Seriously, it was so steep, did I mention that? As we neared the top, we did run into a girl that Ban and I had gone to school with and neither of us had since since. Random. All the photos posted here were taken prior to this part of the hike.

Once we reached the basin, we could see that Gobbler's Knob was just a little bit further. Note to self: it always seems 'just a little bit further' when in fact it was a long way off. We climbed up a rock slide and as we made it nearly to the top we heard a loud clap of thunder that seemingly came from nowhere. Ban says 'How do you feel about that?'. I didn't feel good about that at all! I started hauling ass back down the trail. Suddenly, we felt a smattering of rain drops accompanied by more thunder and lightening. But, the worst was yet to come, pea-sized hail started pelting us and the rain and hail made the very steep trail super slick and muddy. It took us over an hour to decent. I'm sorry that I didn't get any pictures of what we looked like by the time we reached our car.

No need to lecture about all the things we did wrong. We know. But, all's well that ends well, right?

Book Review: Red Hook Road

2010-08-30T20:34:00.000-06:00

Red Hook Road by Ayelet Waldman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book really makes me wish that Goodreads let you award half stars because I LOVED this book, I would have given it five stars right up until the end. I felt the end was a bit overly dramatic and rushed which is a shame because otherwise Waldman's writing is excellent. But don't let that stop you from reading this book. Waldman's style isn't for everyone but I think her descriptions and insight into the characters are stellar and a pleasure to read. Don't get me wrong, this book isn't a walk in the park, the opening scene describes a tragic accident but much like her previous book, Bad Mother, Waldman's brutal honesty makes you squirm in your seat a little.

View all my reviews

Good Night Moon

2010-08-27T09:58:00.004-06:00

Last night's view of the moon through the telescope on the dock at the cabin. Amazing.

Book Review: The Cookbook Collector

2010-08-19T07:26:00.001-06:00

The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Meh...not my kind of novel I guess. I like more continuity in characters and story lines. What started out as a story about two sisters turned into a chapter about one sister's boyfriend, then his coworker, then the girl his coworker has a crush on etc. I stuck it out for 200 pages before I just decided to move onto one of the several other novels on my night stand.

View all my reviews »

Camping: Mt. Nebo Scenic Byway

2010-08-16T15:23:00.017-06:00

This summer we've been crushed with work responsibilities and as we looked at our calendar for August realized that summer was going to pass without us doing much in the way of recreating. So, last weekend we went camping down by Nephi along the Mt. Nebo Scenic Byway. GOR-GEOUS!

We set up camp and were surprised by the number of cows wandering around. I know, I'm a city girl, you don't have to mock. The funniest thing about the cows was that they started mooing very early in the morning which I found oddly hilarious. Ban dubbed them Nephi's roosters. We also saw deer, woodpeckers, the tiniest hummingbird ever, and early Saturday morning I heard something moving around our tent and couldn't resist the urge to have a peek. It was a wild turkey with three little turkeys in tow.

We did a few hikes and checked out Devil's Kitchen which looks like a small version of Bryce Canyon. We also got out on our mountain bikes and rode along a dirt road that climbed back into the mountains. The scenery was spectacular although the air was very thin at 9,300 ft above sea level. I was sucking air hard. But, the wildflowers, mountain views, and total solitude were worth every bit of exertion.

Concert: Chris Isaak

2010-08-15T21:51:00.003-06:00

Yeah, he was SO close that I could have touched him. Instead, I had my camera in one hand and my Blackberry in the other trying to snap pictures with both. We've seen Chris Isaak play before but he always puts on such a good show that we were compelled to get tickets to his Red Butte performance again this summer. If you aren't familiar with his music you should definitely check it out. He's a rockabilly good time, yo!

Here's a video of the song he did as the encore of his concert last week. Enjoy!

Perseid Meteor Showers

2010-08-11T11:38:00.004-06:00

This week will be the peak time to see the Perseid Meteor Showers. There will be very little moon light which will make viewing even better. The best time to view the meteor shower will be in the early hours before dawn. If you can get away from city lights that will help too. Sounds like a perfect excuse to go camping! Here is some more information about viewing meteor showers and here you can learn more about the Perseid Meteor showers specifically.
Here's a beautiful time elapse video of Perseid Meteor showers that I found on youtube.

How To Be Alone

2010-08-01T21:37:00.005-06:00

This video was made from a poem by Tanya Davis. I've never minded being alone but I know so many who do. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Hike to Cecret Lake

2010-07-30T19:26:00.008-06:00

Yesterday's hike to Cecret Lake wasn't anything like the first time I made the hike. Back then, my kids were little and they weren't too excited about the prospect of the hike at all. Even my bribery of having a breakfast picnic of egg mcmuffins at the top didn't muster up much enthusiasm.

I wanted to see the wildflowers which are spectacular right now so Ban and I went up to Albion Basin yesterday morning. Many others had the same idea so the area was teeming with people, we were surprised at how far we had to park from the trail head. I imagine the weekends will be considerably more crowded. But don't let that stop you, the air is crisp, clean, and cool and totally worth the effort.

Roller Derby Recap

2010-07-13T11:58:00.002-06:00

How did the Salt City Derby Girls' Shakers do in their quest to beat out higher ranked Arizona Roller Dolls? Check out my recap here for SLUG magazine. Photo by O'Durgy.

Movie Review: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2010-07-08T09:20:00.004-06:00

This week the Swedish movie, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was released on DVD and is available to watch instantly on Netflix. Last night I settled down in the cool basement to watch it. I was a little bit apprehensive about the movie, but I always feel this way watching a movie based on a book that I adored. By the way, if you haven't read the book already, what the heck are you waiting for? It's a thriller! Go get it and start reading.

I'm happy to report that the movie was a thriller too. In fact, Ban hadn't read the book and a half hour into the movie he decided to stop watching so that he could read it first. I thought the movie was exceptionally well cast and the Swedish landscape austerely beautiful. Don't be put off by the subtitles, after a few minutes you'll forget that you're reading.

Hollywood is making their version of this movie due out in 2012 and I'm afraid to see who they cast. Do yourself a favor and see the Swedish version of the movie. Best of all, it's a trilogy, I can't wait for the next movie to be released in the U.S.

Book Review: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

2010-06-29T21:31:00.001-06:00

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finishing a good book sometimes makes me feel the way I do when a good friend moves away. You know that you'll have great memories but it's never going to be the same. And when you finish the third book in a trilogy, well, let's just say, you may find yourself crying in your beer, or maybe that's just me.

I loved this trilogy. I found Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist to be unusual yet compelling characters. Set in Sweden (where they apparently drink coffee nonstop) this novel unravels the mystery of the injustices imposed upon Lisbeth in her youth. A fighter throughout who overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles with the help of a few loyal friends.

Add this trilogy to your summer reading list, I promise that you won't be disappointed.

View all my reviews >>

Rolling on the River

2010-06-27T09:01:00.003-06:00

I'm an Aquarian, you know, the water-bearer, and as such, I adore the water. I love being in it, on it, or at the very least, near it. Oddly enough, I've never been river rafting. It isn't because I haven't had the opportunity though because I have. The fact of the matter is that I've been too afraid to give it a try.

When I first moved to Utah as a teen-ager we had neighbors, two Dads and their two children each, who went rafting in the spring in the creek not far from our house. I don't know exactly what went wrong that day but one Dad fell out of the raft, hit his head on a rock and went under. The other Dad managed to get the kids to edge of the creek safely but was unable to get himself out of the water. He drowned also. This left quite an impression on me.

So many of my friends grew up river rafting and tell me that they knew I would love it. This past weekend I had the opportunity to go on the spur of the moment and without much time to think about it I agreed to go. We met our friends in Vernal and floated nine miles down the Green River on Saturday. Floating the river was fantastic! The scenery was spectacular. We had a great time and after we got off the river we were treated to a dutch oven dinner. Yum! I hope we get invited again next June.

Father's Day Weekend

2010-06-25T08:26:00.007-06:00

I traveled to Florida to spend Father's Day with my Dad. After all the turmoil with his health and impending divorce we decided that we needed a few days of fun. We spent five days at a resort listening to live music, golfing, swimming, and eating. I'm ready to relocate to Florida, it's like living in paradise!

Posing along the boardwalk heading over to the square to listen to live music.

Lunch at the country club before a round of golf. I didn't play I just drove the cart but this trip has me thinking that I ought to take up the sport. Have you seen the cute clothes? Plus, we hit some balls at the driving range and I didn't do half bad. If I start playing now I'll probably kick ass at golf by the time I retire. :)

My Dad with his sweet new ride. She's a sporty, two door Honda Accord.

Carrot Salad

2010-06-17T13:26:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I made this delicious carrot salad as part of a picnic dinner for Ban and I to take to Red Butte for a concert (Steve Martin...worthy of another post). The salad could not be simpler, grated carrots, toasted sunflower seeds, blueberries, lemon juice, olive oil, and black pepper. I found the recipe in Mark Bittman's 101 Simple Salads of the Season article which you can see here. I have my first CSA pick up this afternoon so I hope to plow through as many of the 101 salads as I can this summer.

Boboti!

2010-06-16T14:20:00.004-06:00

In honor of the World Cup being played in South Africa, Ban decided to make Boboti for dinner while we watched soccer on Sunday. He used this recipe to make the Boboti. Believe me, the smell was intoxicating while it was baking. He served it with rice and simple cucumber/red onion salad dressed with only cider vinegar and Dijon mustard. Yum!

Roller Derby Bout Recap

2010-06-14T14:24:00.002-06:00

Here's my report for SLUG magazine on the Bombers vs Cleavers bout last Saturday night.

The Crazy Month of May

2010-05-31T20:10:00.005-06:00

My life has been spinning crazy out of control lately. I've been traveling a lot for work, in fact, tomorrow will be my first day in the office since May 13! I've been to Raleigh, North Carolina for a GIS (Geographic Information System) training and then spent the following week at the Daniels Summit Lodge located 16 miles outside of Heber, Utah. Both trainings were fantastic and I plan to write about them in more detail very soon. But, in the meantime, I just needed to get back into the practice of writing.

As some of you know, my father was in town visiting from Florida. He is going through a tough life transition right now and my sister and I thought that it would be good for him to come to Salt Lake to spend some time with us. While he was in town he developed a serious medical issue and spent six days in the hospital. His original two week stay ended up being over five weeks long. He flew home yesterday morning.

While it was a horrible ordeal for him (and my sister and I) I also think it was a great opportunity. My parents divorced when I was 16 and he moved away from Salt Lake shortly thereafter. I've never spent more than a week with him since that time. His prolonged visit enabled us to have some long overdue conversations and gain insight into each other's psyches which would not have happened had he not had this terrible thing happen to him.

I'm happy to report that physically is doing great. I think the whole experience was a big wake up call to him. He's become very committed to exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. The healthy foods part may be a bit of trick since he doesn't possess much in the way of cooking skills. But, he called me tonight to ask advice on how to cook tilapia. Apparently, he'd stopped at the store to purchase fish and a salad for dinner. I am so impressed!

Anyway, it's good to be back! I'm looking forward to getting back on a roll and writing regularly.

Roller Derby Recap 5/15/2010

2010-05-17T18:21:00.002-06:00

Like roller derby? Fan of SLUG magazine? Two great tastes that taste great together! Plus, I wrote the recap of the Death Dealers vs Bomber Babes bout. You can check it out here.

Miss You!

2010-05-11T13:19:00.003-06:00

My life has been a chaotic jumble of family and work pulling me in all directions. I haven't had time to write anything at all. Heck, I've hardly had time to read the blogs that I enjoy reading. I just wanted to say a quick hello and let you know that I haven't forgotten about you or my blog. I will be back!

But, in the meantime, enjoy this incredible photo essay called 'A Moment in Time' from the New York Times website. Thousands of readers from around the world sent in photos of what they were up to on Sunday, May 2. It is pretty cool! Click here to check it out.

Communicating with a Parent

2010-05-01T21:53:00.001-06:00

My Dad has been in town this week and talking with him about television shows and movies totally reminded me of the Saturday Night Live skit.

So, I'm a Gleek....Get Over It Already!

2010-04-25T18:14:00.002-06:00

Check out the awesomeness of this side-by-side comparison of the Glee's video recreation of Madonna's Vogue and the original. Pretty impressive...

And That's How Sue 'Cs' It

2010-04-13T22:02:00.002-06:00

This video clip played at the end of Glee last night and I laughed my butt off. Next week's episode is all Madonna. Yeah baby!

48 Hours in Moab

2010-04-11T17:23:00.014-06:00

Ban and I decided mid-week to make a quick trip to Moab. The weather man said to expect warm and sunny weather for the weekend. How could we resist a forecast like that given last week's snowy weather? Once we got to Moab on Friday, our first order of business was a quick hike to stretch our legs after the car ride from Salt Lake.

We took off for Corona Arch. About fifteen minutes into the hike we ran into our neighbors Susan and Michelle. Random! They recommended another hike, Portal Overlook. We decided to save that one for Sunday morning before we headed out of town. Corona Arch was gorgeous and a terrific hike. We only saw about a dozen people on the trail.

On Saturday, we rented a Harley and spent the day touring around Arches. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. I've never really been on a motorcycle before but I have to say, it is a wonderful way to see the park.

Later in the afternoon, we left Arches and headed up the road that runs along the river up toward Red Cliffs Lodge and Castle Creek winery. Don't panic, I'm the only one who tasted wine.

Sunday morning we got an early start with a quick breakfast and packed up the car. We made our way to the Portal Overlook trail head. The trail was steep but the views from the top were spectacular!

Tiger is the Real Threat to the Sanctity of Marriage

2010-04-08T08:21:00.003-06:00

It's not homosexuals who want to legitimize their commitment to their partners as much as celebrities flaunting their indiscretions in society's spotlight. Bold statement? Maybe, but it makes as much sense to me as the conservative argument that 'the gays are ruining our society'.

Check out this New York Times opinion piece and tell me what you think. Valid argument? The political will of conservatives on the issue of gay marriage is staggering. Yet, those same folks can brush aside the misadventures of Tiger, Jesse James, and apparently Tiki Barber with the argument that the extra marital affairs they engage in are their own personal business and the media should leave them alone. I don't see how this argument squares up though when applied to homosexuals. Shouldn't we stay out of their personal business too?

Don't Freak Out, I'm OK But...

2010-03-31T12:52:00.004-06:00

A 7:00am phone call is never a good way to start the day. Hardly anything good ever comes from one.

Lauren: "Hi Mom, don't freak, I'm okay but..."

Me: "but what?"

Lauren: "I got hit by a cab last night."

Me: "Oh my God, are you okay, did you get hurt, holy crap" (my voice is rising and respiration increasing by the nanosecond)

Lauren: "Mom! Mom! Mom! I told you not to freak out. I'm okay. I just needed a few stitches on my face."

Seriously, parenthood is not for the faint of heart. Sounds like she'll now have a scar near her eyebrow just like I do. She's got some road rash on her leg and is bit sore from hitting the ground and tired from being in the ER half the night. I know it could have been much worse.

The ironic part is that Lauren has a seriously bad reputation for jay-walking (I do too so I can't say anything). In fact, her old boyfriend used to call her Tenacious J! But last night she was in a crosswalk crossing with the light. She didn't even see it coming.

I guess the upside of being hit by a cab is a free ride to and from the hospital. I'm thinking she should get free cab rides for life! With that rite of passage behind her I think she can officially call herself a New Yorker now.

Jamie Oliver's TED Prize Wish

2010-03-30T20:04:00.005-06:00

Have you seen this? Jamie Oliver gives a twenty minute talk on obesity, nutrition, school lunch, and home cooked meals. No new concepts here but I'll props to him for giving traction to a topic that is timely given the statistics about our ever-widening society.

Fueled by his Food Revolution project, which is tackling obesity, poor nutrition, what passes for food in the school lunch program and teaching families how to prepare home-cooked meals in one small town in West Virginia. Full episodes of the show which airs on ABC are available online.

Addendum: In this morning's Salt Lake Tribune there is an article about the results of a survey about the new school lunch items given to the West Virginia school kids participating in the Oliver's Food Revolution. The results are funny. You can read it here.

Book Review: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

2010-03-28T16:17:00.001-06:00

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As God as my witness, I will NEVER complain about ANYTHING as long as live.

The conditions that Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance endured is mind-boggling. An unbelievable story of triumph in the face of extreme adversity.

View all my reviews >>

Sunrise, Sunset

2010-03-22T15:48:00.006-06:00

Dang, Ban's nieces are looking more and more like young women and less like little girls! We celebrated their birthdays yesterday by making pizzas at Gloria's house. Ban and I picked up a couple of derby t-shirts from my friend Veronica who has her own derby-related clothing line Scarred Derby Designs. You can check out her website here. I also picked up a few pairs of knee socks from Target which went the shirts. The girls decided to wear mismatched knee socks. I think they look adorable! Plus, the girls were looking great on their skates. Future derby girls?

♣ Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♣

2010-03-17T07:49:00.003-06:00

Some St. Patrick's Day fun.

My cute tights.

Here's the link to a Pandora station playing Irish music.

I'm bummed that I forgot to wear my claddagh ring today.

No corned beef and cabbage green beer on tap for me today. I'll probably just have some grilled fish and a glass of wine. Lauren's favorite meal used be corned beef and cabbage when she was a kid but now both kids have been vegetarians for years. No worries though, it was never a favorite meal of mine! I hope my Dad is having corned beef today. I forgot to ask him last night.

Finally, an old Irish blessing (which used to hang in the kitchen of my family home when I was a kid).

"May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Movie: Coco Before Chanel

2010-03-15T07:23:00.003-06:00

Last night I watched the French film 'Coco Before Chanel'. I've been enchanted with Audrey Tautou, who plays Coco, since first seeing her in 'Amelie' (if you haven't seen that film, stop on your way home and pick it up). 'Coco Before Chanel' chronicles her early years and the struggles that she and her sister faced after their mother died and their father left them in the care of a Catholic orphanage. I enjoyed the film and was curious to know more about Coco Chanel and her rise to prominence as fashion designer.

A quick review of the Wikipedia page about Coco reveals some details of her life such as an affair with a Nazi spy and being charged as a collaborator to a British spy. The British royal family intervened and the charges were dropped. Coco Chanel not only influenced the way women of her time viewed fashion but also women's role in society. She never married and successfully launched the fashion empire that still bears her name.

AWOL

2010-03-14T15:29:00.003-06:00

I have been so uninspired to write lately. I decided to give myself a break and not feel badly about not posting but the weeks have flown by. I am changing my strategy now and getting back into the habit of writing.

This morning I had a great time skating with Cleavers during a private practice. I loved seeing the girls and meeting the new Cleavers. The team looked great. The new girls are fit and enthusiastic. Before today, it has been months since I've been on my skates which is so strange since for two years I was on them anywhere between two and four times a week. Not too surprisingly, my tender little foot is now sporting a blister and my right hip is aching from the pressure of skating those tight circles. Amazing how quickly you lose all that conditioning.

I'm excited for the Cleavers and can't wait to see them bout although I think it may be hard to just watch from the sidelines.

I ♥ NY

2010-03-05T13:28:00.002-07:00

The Sandpit from Sam O'Hare on Vimeo.

As many of you know, a giant piece of my heart currently resides in my birth place, New York City. One of my favorite cousins sent me the link to the amazing video of the sights of daily life in New York over the course of the day. Be sure to let it fully load and view it on full screen if possible. Watching it made me start checking air fares. I need to go back to see my girl and my city.

Happy Friday!

I'm in a Commercial!

2010-02-26T07:43:00.003-07:00

My former team mate, Nico Noir, who also happens to be a film-maker, just completed this commercial for the Salt City Derby Girls. I think she did a fantastic job, don't you? If you look very closely around the eleven second mark you'll see me as the Trax train passes by. No word yet on when and where the commercial will air but I'll keep you posted.

Cupcakes Rule

2010-02-25T10:34:00.003-07:00

Here's my latest article about Diva's Cupcakes and Coffee for Utah Stories magazine. If you haven't been to Diva's yet do yourself a favor and go. In addition to sweet treats they also offer soups, salads, wine, and beer. I can't wait for warmer weather so I can chill on their lovely patio.

12 Angry Men

2010-02-24T11:09:00.004-07:00

Last night I went to see Pioneer Theater Company's production of '12 Angry Men'. The story is about twelve jurors deciding the fate of an eighteen year old accused of murder. The jurors own prejudices and emotional baggage influence the way they interpret the evidence and the way they deal with one another. The show was outstanding and the appreciative audience offered the actors a standing ovation at the conclusion. You've only got a few more days to see the show since it closes this weekend.

If theater- going isn't in your plans for the weekend you can also watch the 1957 movie of the same name starring Henry Fonda and Jack Klugman. This film often appears on 'best of' movie lists.

His Girl Friday

2010-02-23T10:03:00.003-07:00

I've been home sick for the last few days and watched an obscene number of hours of Olympics coverage. Yesterday I was looking for something a little different so I watched Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in 'His Girl Friday'. Grant plays a newspaper editor who schemes to keep his best reporter and ex-wife from marrying her new beau.

The dialogue is witty and clever delivered in a rapid-fire pace.  I'd love to hear from some of my current newspaper friends who've seen this movie. I got a kick out of the press room reporters sitting around the table playing cards waiting for the candlestick phones to ring. Also, can you imagine writing stories on a typewriter?

Surprise!

2010-02-11T07:38:00.003-07:00

Last night my beautiful Cleavers threw me a surprise party at Diva's Cupcakes. I was shocked speechless as I walked in and saw them all sitting there. I LOVED seeing them, not seeing them has been the most difficult part of not playing roller derby anymore. You can't see it in the photo but on the coffee table in front of us were plates full of cupcakes. I had a wonderful time and am so happy to spend time with those lovely girls.

My New Ride

2010-02-08T07:35:00.002-07:00

After several years of thinking, researching, and half-heartedly looking, I finally did it. I bought myself a road bike! She's on her way from Pennsylvania and I'm hoping she'll be here this week. I don't really have a winter riding gear so I'd like to also request a nice spring-like temperatures this weekend too. That doesn't seem like too much to ask for, does it?

'The Book Thief'

2010-02-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My rating: 4 of 5 stars I downloaded the audiobook of 'The Book Thief' onto my iPod. This is the first time that I've done this and I think it made a difference in my 'reading experience'. A few times previously I've downloaded a book for a long car trip but my plan for this book was to listen to it while I worked out or was out running errands. 'The Book Thief' is over fourteen hours long in audiobook format. It's taken my a long time to get through it. Plus, it is a little weird to curl up with your iPod in bed at night. Twice I feel asleep listening to it. All that being said, I did like the book. The story itself is pretty sad so I wouldn't recommend it for a vacation read but it is a good winter story. I always get a little down in the dumps at this time of the year so I'm glad that I read it now. View all my reviews >>

Sundance: Secrets of the Tribe

2010-01-27T10:07:00.004-07:00

The movie description offered so much promise. Researchers in the late 1960s and 70s studying a tribe in South America that's been untouched by civilized culture. What could we learn from them about our past?

Unfortunately, the film was largely a bitchfest by various academics pointing fingers, blaming one another for misdeeds that occurred during their field research. Some of the accusations were startlingly. I come from a social science background and know that various factions of academia can be brutal toward one another but I've never heard one accusing another of genocide.

I was disappointed that the filmmaker didn't do a better job driving a narrative. It felt as though the film was all over the place with the story that it was trying to tell. Several people walked out of the theater during the movie. I'd take a pass on this one.

Wow Vacuums!

2010-01-25T12:18:00.002-07:00

Here's a link to my latest article for Utah Stories magazine. I promise that it doesn't suck despite the subject matter! ;)

Mediterrean Sprouted Lentil Salad

2010-01-24T16:38:00.004-07:00

The holiday excesses are a distant memory and my 2010 healthy living resolutions are still in place. I've been interested in incorporating more raw foods into my diet and read about Daniel Koontz's seven-day raw food trial here. I don't really see myself taking a raw foods diet to that level but I like the idea of working some into my regular diet.

I decided to try sprouting lentils. I used the instructions posted here at The Nourishing Gourmet's website. I soaked the lentils on Friday night and started the rinsing process on Saturday morning. This morning I woke up to mason jar full of sprouted lentils!

For lunch this afternoon, I mixed a cup of lentils with chopped roasted red peppers, red onion, and olives with a dijon balsamic vinaigrette. Then, I added a scoop of the lentil mixture to a bed of salad greens. The salad was light and healthy but very filling. Manga!

Sundance: The Oath

2010-01-23T15:57:00.004-07:00

Filmmaker Laura Poitras' documentary tells the story of Salim Hamdam, bin Laden's former driver who spent seven years detained at Guantanamo Bay. His story is told through his letters home to his family, as well as, the eyes of his brother-in-law (and bin Laden's former bodyguard), Abu Jandal, who now drives a taxi in Yemen.

The film does an excellent job portraying Abu Jandal as an approachable, charismatic, and intelligent man. At the beginning of the film, I found myself vacillating between liking and hating him. He introduced Hamden to jihad and now feels responsible for his imprisonment.

I found one of the most compelling characters to be the military attorney who represented Hamden during his military tribunal. He clearly expressed his contempt at the they way the American government was stepping beyond its legal boundaries with the Guantanamo Bay prisoners. I was surprised that a military officer would openly denounce the government's dealings with the prisoners at Guantanamo.

The film will be screened four more times during Sundance. It's a balloted film in the U.S. Documentary category.

Traveling Cheap

2010-01-20T07:40:00.002-07:00

I have family members who reside on each coast plus friends scattered across the country. I'm always on the hunt for travel bargains. This recent New York Times' article offered some interesting tips.

As an avid Twitter user, I especially liked the travel tips that can be found via my twitter account. I've already started following both the suggested entities. I'm hoping to score a good deal on airfare to New York and somewhere warm and beachy. Doesn't that sound heavenly? The winter doldrums have set in for me.

Sundance Film Festival 2010

2010-01-17T19:25:00.003-07:00

Sundance Film Festival starts next weekend and I'm excited to have tickets for several movies. All my films are in Salt Lake City so I'm unlikely to be sharing any photos or stories of star encounters. I have tickets for the following shows and will keep you updated on what I think of the films as I see them. Do any of you have tickets this year?

Oath

Secrets of the Tribe

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Last Train Home

Son of Babylon

Skateland

Every Little Step (Film)

2010-01-13T16:00:00.005-07:00

This past fall I saw Pioneer Theater Company's production of 'Chorus Line'. It was my first time seeing the musical that tells the stories of Broadway dancers awaiting their big break. 'Every Little Step' is a documentary about the casting of the 2006 Broadway revival of 'Chorus Line'. The film also tells the back story of how the musical initially came together weaving audio and video footage into the narrative. Three thousand dancers showed up to audition for the revival. Several dancers were followed through the audition process. It's a fascinating look into the physically grueling and rejection filled world of a dancer. 'Every Little Step' is available on DVD.

An Office with a View

2010-01-07T20:16:00.002-07:00

We've had another reorganization at work. This will be the third one in less than three years. My job doesn't seem like it'll change much and I still report to my awesome boss although he'll have a few more people reporting to him now. Mostly, I'm grateful to still be gainfully employed.

The reorg involves some folks moving offices. I'm part of that group. I'm scooting down from the fifth floor to the fourth but for the first time in my life I'll have an office with a door AND a window! The move takes place on Tuesday. I'll post pictures of my new space once I'm settled in.

Sita Sings the Blues

2010-01-03T17:19:00.006-07:00

I've been perusing many of the ubiquitous 'best of' lists for books and movies over the holiday and keeping track of those that I want to see and read. My Netflix queue is once again ridiculously long and my 'to read' bookshelf on Goodreads is intimidatingly full.

In my web travels this weekend, I discovered that the animated film, Sita Sings the Blues, which has been buried on my Netflix queue is available online in its entirety here. While you are on filmmaker Nina Paley's website, be sure to spend a little time checking it out, she strikes me as a very interesting woman. I've added her blog to my RSS feed. You can check out the movie trailer below.

Nina Paley's cathartic rendition of the Hindu tale of Rama and Sita parallels the demise of her marriage. The film features several styles of animation while interweaving the two stories. The music of jazz legend Annette Hanshaw provides an additional layer of narrative to the film. I'm thrilled to discover Hanshaw's music. I'm a fan of this genre and can't believe that I didn't know of her before watching the film. This is one of my favorite Hanshaw songs from the movie.

I loved the movie. I found the animation style charming and appreciated Paley's novel approach to combining seemingly unrelated content (Hindu story, 1920s jazz, and her personal heartbreak) into one cohesive whole. Plus, it's free. You really don't have an excuse to not at least check it out for yourself.

Are You a Pleasure Procrastinator?

2009-12-30T18:45:00.008-07:00

According to this article in the New York Times, I am. Currently, I have unused gift cards for Target, Nordstrom, Macy's, Fleming's, Brewvies, and a facial at a local day spa. I even have one for a tattoo that my friends gave me for my 34th birthday (please don't do the math!). I've written about my problem before here.

I also have a bottle of my favorite champagne stored in my basement. Champagne doesn't get better with age, what the hell am I waiting for? Honestly, I don't know, but I think it has something to do with waiting for that perfect reason to celebrate. I wish I could tell you that a hoarded bottle of booze is the worst symptom of my disorder but sadly it's not. For nearly a decade I've been using a credit card to accrue miles for that perfect beach vacation. I have the miles now but still haven't planned the vacation!

I've always been this way. I opened my first savings account when I was thirteen and didn't make a single withdrawal until I bought a car after I turned sixteen and got my drivers license. I've thought this was my own little brand of crazy for years now but the New York Times article suggests that I'm not alone.

So, one of my New Year's resolutions will be to seize the day! I'm drinking that bubbly (maybe this weekend), laying out all those gift cards as a reminder to use them, and planning that long overdue vacation to a sunny place where cabana boys bring me cocktails. Please tell me that I'm not alone and that some of you do this too!

NY Street Art

2009-12-28T14:03:00.002-07:00

I'm in love with the simplicity and creativity of Joshua Allen Harris's amazing street art. Wouldn't it be incredible to walk down the street just as one of these were coming to life?

Book Review: On Writing

2009-12-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

On Writing by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I've never read a Stephen King novel. A writer friend whose opinion I respect recommended this book to me. On Writing is divided into three parts. The first part is vignettes from King's life. While it was interesting and in some places quite moving, I was a bit confused while reading this section. I was expecting more information on the technical aspects of writing. My concerns were premature because the second part of the book was just that. I enjoyed reading about King's 'process'. Plus, his writing style seems doable. I've never really had aspirations to write a novel but after reading this book I'm feeling the urge to at least give fiction, maybe a short story, a shot. The final section of the book focuses on the auto vs pedestrian (King was the pedestrian) accident that happened in 1999 seriously injuring King and the influence that writing had on his recovery process.
I've not been converted to the horror/sci-fi genre but I do have a new found respect for King's writing and work ethic.

I've also recently discovered the King occasionally writes a witty column for Entertainment Weekly magazine (wipe that smirk off your face, I only get EW because of I bought a Sundance Film Festival package last year and the subscription was party of the deal).

View all my reviews >>

Christmas

2009-12-24T19:31:00.002-07:00

I've been trying to put together a Christmas post to wish you all a merry Christmas but I haven't been able to muster the will to do it. You see, Christmas Eve used to be my favorite holiday of the year, filled with family and friends. But, I lost all that when my marriage ended years ago, combined with some more recent bullshit family squabbles. Instead, it is now a day that I loathe with every fiber of my being. For years, I've been threatening to spend the following Christmas lying on the beach but each year I puss out. Next year may be the year. On the upside, less than five hours to go until its over.

Hallelujah Chorus

2009-12-21T07:34:00.002-07:00

Tis the season and despite where you fall on the 'meaning of Christmas' spectrum one thing is for sure, music is an integral part of the holidays. Inspired by my friend Erin's post, I offer you this humorous take on my favorite song of the season. I was a choir geek in high school which given Glee's popularity makes me feel a bit less nerdy about that revelation. Every year, we performed the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. I still get goosebumps when I listen to it.

I've Been Saving This Little Gem For You

2009-12-19T22:24:00.003-07:00

This song takes me back,way back to my dancing days at Maxim's. Back to the days when I was more likely to fall for a gay man than a straight man. Freeze! White!

Book Review: A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digsby

2009-12-16T13:33:00.001-07:00

A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digby by Mary S. Lovell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars I was partway through 'A Scandalous Life' when I realized that the author also wrote 'Sound of Wings', the Amelia Earhart biography that I'd just finished. Like Amelia, Jane was a woman who lived her life beyond the cultural norms of her time. Born in 1807 into a wealthy British family, Jane defied marriage vows and family expectations with her behavior. Her beauty, charm, and sexual prowess were legendary. But, the part of the book that I found the most interesting was later in her life she moved to the middle east to be a sheik and traveled the desert extensively with him. The descriptions of traveling the desert on camel, living in tents was really quite remarkable. If you enjoy biographies, I'd recommend you pick this up. View all my reviews >>

2009-12-15T12:08:00.005-07:00

"I realized that my favorite books about marriage — Calvin Trillan's “About Alice” and Joan Didion’s “Year of Magical Thinking” — included one spouse who was dead."

That is a quote from Elizabeth Weil's article 'Married (Happily) With Issues' in a recent New York Times magazine article. If you missed it, click here. Savor the article with a cup of coffee or wine, for it is long, but well worth the investment of your time. Weil's writing drew me in immediately with her sharp wit and humorous tales about her relationship. Plus, she quoted several of my favorite writers and their works. Writing like this inspires me.

A Dream Realized

2009-12-11T14:25:00.004-07:00

Much like legions of others out there, I've longed to be a writer ever since I came to grips with the fact that I didn't possess the musical prowess to become a songwriting musician. My main problem was that despite my desire, I didn't dedicate much time to writing. Clearly, this is a problem for an aspiring writer, although one that seems relatively common.

I started this blog in order to make writing a regular part of my life. What started as a selfish exercise has become an enjoyable part of my life, more so than I could have initially imagined. The blog has also given me the confidence to dip my toe into the uncharted territory (for me) of freelance writing. I even embarked on a home improvement project this year to have an attractive and comfortable space dedicated to writing.

I don't know if all writers feel this way but when I put something out there, I feel quite vulnerable, exposed. It's getting easier as time passes and I become more practiced but there is always a slightly queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when I do it.

I was recently given the opportunity to write an article for a local publication, Utah Stories. Today that article was published on their website (hard copies are also available in stands at local retailers). I wrote an article about Lamb's restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City. Lamb's has been an establishment on Main Street since 1939. It was a pleasure to meet the proprietor and hear his story. I hope I've done it justice. You can read the article here.

Favorite Blog Discovery of 2009

2009-12-07T10:59:00.003-07:00

I have fallen head over heels in love with VeganDad's blog. Both of my kids are vegetarians and have been for a long time. I occasionally find that I'm lacking inspiration to put together meatless meals that truly are delicious. When this happens I just head over to VeganDad's blog. How does Crispy Cajun Chickpea Cakes sound? Delicious, right? He's also posted a bunch of Ethiopian recipes lately that I'm dying to try. I dare you to head over there and not find something that you'd like to try.

This Book Stuck with Me

2009-12-04T09:44:00.003-07:00

Ayelet Waldman's Bad Mother is a brutally honest account of motherhood. What appealed to me most were the things she dared to say about motherhood which many mothers must feel and think but wouldn't say out loud. I wrote a post about the book last summer. Click here for the link.

Best Article of 2009

2009-12-03T15:51:00.004-07:00

This one is a no-brainer for me. Mark Bittman's NY Times'article on 101 Simple Salads posted during the summer has become a mainstay of our dining repertoire. Here's the link. Bookmark, refer to it often, and enjoy!

p.s. Bittman has done similar lists for suppers, picnics and appetizers. I can't find a link for the appetizers. I seem to have only a hard copy of the article. I'll keep looking and update.

Sidewalk Bistro

2009-12-02T17:35:00.004-07:00

One steamy night this past summer I had the most ridiculously wonderful dinner in New York City. As some of you know, my daughter moved to NYC in August to start graduate school. I traveled out there to make sure she got settled into her new apartment and provide some moral support. Actually, she didn't need the moral support, I did, but that's another story.

Ban made the trip east with me and since he'd never been to New York before I wanted to spend some time in the city, in addition to time on Long Island with family. We spent a glorious day walking, biking, and taking the subway all over Manhattan. I posted about our adventures here and here. But late that night, we ventured out on foot into the Hell's Kitchen area and walked around until we found somewhere that appealed. Being New York City, you can imagine how many delectable temptations faced us but one stuck out in particular.

It was a little French bistro with sidewalk seating. I can't remember the name. I even looked back through my credit card statements (Ban must have paid). But I do remember the steam coming up through the manhole cover, and the crisp, refreshing taste of the glass of champagne, and the creamy smooth texture of the mussels that we ate. I remember feeling simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated and promising one another that we'd be back for more explorations sooner rather than later.