Stroke of Genius

A Happy Birthday, Indeed!

2011-03-06T22:02:00.005-07:00

And I will have just that...

This weekend was more than I could have ever asked for in a birthday. My day started out with an Asian bath and 90 minute massage at the Kura Door (a holistic Japanese spa in the Aves). Seriously, I would have been happy at that...but then I remembered the fun shabby chic desk back at my apartment that Jimmy gifted me with a few days earlier. And after we got back from lunch, he gave me a copy of The Great Gatsby, his favorite book that I pretended to read in high school. I was showered with love and affection from every angle all day long!

But the best gift came the next day. We went to dinner at Pei Wei to celebrate my birthday and my brother-in-law's birthday. Dinner was great, and the company even better. We went to the mall and to Hobby Lobby and just wandered around for a few hours and decided to wander back home and take Winston for a walk and watch a movie. We walked up to the capitol like we usually do and made our way up the stairs to overlook the city. And then he pulled that little white box out of his pocket.

He said all the perfect words (and I nearly ruined the whole thing by telling him that he didn't need to do it now if he wasn't ready...what was I thinking?!) and helped me realize how special I am to him, and then dropped to one knee. It was perfect. I couldn't have painted a better birthday if I tried.

So now I get him - all of him. Forever. He and I, everyday. I. Can't. Wait.

I Struck Gold

2011-02-03T08:00:00.001-07:00

*I've been giving a lot of thought to this post, as I really wanted to convey my true feelings about the subject. I sincerely hope that I can do it justice.

Six months ago, I went on a date. I distinctly remember the feeling I had when I came in the door at the end of the night, smile plastered to my face, drifting to the computer to update my status. "He took me for a burger...and it was the best date I've been on in months." Its' happenstance was completely a fluke. I was trying to diversify my dating pool and decided to give it a shot - what was the worst that could happen? I couldn't have known then just how very amazing that guy could make my life.

So now it's been six months. (Save a very, very unhealthy relationship from my past) This is the longest I've been with the same guy who lives in the same county as me. I struck gold. And.I'm.so.very.happy.

I've been very discreet in the cyberworld about my relationship with a certain Mister Bowen, somehow thinking I might jinx it, or let too much out of the bag too soon, but being that it's Mister Bowen's birthday today, I wanted to let everyone know just how incredible he is...and how happy he makes me...and how much I love him!

Jimmy gives me the freedom to be my independent self while allowing me to fall comfortably into that vulnerable place where it's obvious that I need him. He has also allowed me to express that silly, often embarrassing side of myself without the fear of judgment - and happily embraced his own silly side as well!

He is happy to let me run my life but quick to offer advice when I need it. He has been able to find that delicate balance between overbearing and uncaring - perfection. He carefully crafts his own decisions around what he thinks would make me happiest and I have never loved being so accommodated more!

He has endured numerous meals at restaurants he really doesn't care for, movies he would rather have never seen, and evenings spent at my work events taking pictures or picking up trash. His quiet support is priceless and he always does it with a smile on his face. He is an amazing cook, making me dinner often, and clearly seems to enjoy the process of making a meal.

Jimmy truly cherishes my company and is always able to erase every insecurity I allow myself to feel. If I were to name one flaw, it would be that he cares about me too much. He treats me like a queen and constantly helps me realize how special I am, both to him and to others.

When my car was broken into in September, after only having dated for one month, Jimmy quietly cleaned the glass out of my car while I began the process of canceling every card in my purse. He made sure that I would feel comfortable driving in it, even after I felt so violated. He truly has a gift for making me feel safe.

I know that my few words are just a small expression of the way I feel, but that doesn't discount their sincerity. Jimmy, I love you and I am anxious to see just what is in store for us down the road! I am grateful for who you are, and who I am when we are together! I hope you have the happiest of days today, and I can't wait to share many more with you!

My Family is Crafty

2011-01-24T11:31:00.005-07:00

So, several months ago, my sister made this fabulous Spa Bench for her entry and it turned out so cute (and she claimed it was SUPER easy). She reads this blog called "Knock Off Wood" which is a DIY furniture blog and has some fun designer knock off furniture plans - I fell in love! Leigh linked to a Farmhouse Bed plan and I decided to persuade her to coordinate it with all our siblings for our parents for Christmas.

A little back story...my parents have only had one "real" bed that I can remember. It was a water bed that we had when I was a kid. When we moved to Utah, the bed didn't come with us and they just got a bed frame and mattress/box spring. I think my mom has secretly wished for a headboard for ages, and I thought this Farmhouse Bed would be the perfect resolution.

Leigh got both my parents on board (as much as we wanted it to be a surprise, there was no way we were going to all that time and effort only for them to say they didn't want it) and we got to work (I say "we," but really it was just Leigh...I just went along for the ride). The 5 of us spent some quality sibling bonding time and hammered (well, really screwed, NOT hammered) it out. From start to finish, I think it took us the better portion of about 3 days, but it was well worth the effort. We were able to give this bed to our parents for only $35 a piece ($35 x 5 children = $175 TOTAL! And that includes paint). It really was a labor of love :)

It totally transformed the look of their room! Here are a couple alternate views...the lighting isn't the best, but you can get the picture...

Next step...finally hanging the iron bar and frames that we got my mom for Mother's Day 2009...

A huge thanks to Ana at Knock Off Wood for this awesome plan!

For Changing the World...

2011-01-15T10:18:00.005-07:00

In all my blog hopping last week, I found the cutest FREE printable - inspired by Gandhi and his life-governing principles. Take a lookie:

I will be printing one of these little babies...best part is, it's a hi-res PDF file when you download it from Francesca so you can get it printed as large or as small as you want. Let's change the world, shall we?

Florence + the Machine

2010-12-04T20:53:00.002-07:00

So...it's been awhile. But I have a new(ish) infatuation. Her name is Florence. And apparently she has a machine. She is a musical genius. Partake of a favorite of mine, The Dog Days Are Over (and this love is completely independent of the trailer for Eat. Pray. Love. AND the latest installment of GLEE).

And another one (used on one of my favorite dances from last season of So You Think You Can Dance). The idiots at YouTube won't let me embed, so if you want to see it, HERE is the link.

Check her out. You won't be sorry you did.

Untitled 8.6.10

2010-08-06T09:26:00.011-06:00

So...it turns out that Real Simple agrees with my shrink. Today's thought is:

“We’re so busy watching out
for what’s just ahead of us
that we don’t take time to
enjoy where we are.”

― Bill Watterson

There is absolutely nothing wrong with just dating for fun (unfortunately, I didn't learn this lesson when I was 17). I am NOT going to marry everyone I date, nor do they want to marry me, or commit to me long-term, or be with me 24 hours a day. They just want to have fun with me, with the possibility of seeing where it goes. I've been so paranoid in my dating ventures that I have neglected having fun with the guys I go out with - I'm just constantly looking for the signs that I could marry them...doing both of us a huge disservice! I know, I'm severely retarded.

Now that I've revealed all my neuroses to the blogosphere (or at least the 4 people who actually read my blog), again, I ask, please withhold judgment...or at least judge me in person.

I'm Coming Out of the Closet

2010-08-02T21:02:00.004-06:00

The last two months I've been living something of a lie. My life has a huge secret I feel I need to reveal...

I. Am. A. Plasma Donor.

Turns out I like to spend money. Consequently, I'm running out of money to spend. Therefore, I've turned to alternative means to supplement my income (means that don't involve taking my clothes off in public). I was ashamed of this decision, being aptly employed with an adequate salary...but that inclination to spend overtook me and I needed more cash. Please try to withhold judgment.

It hasn't been all bad - I got a date out of it. He's quite a cutie, but after only one date, I can't divulge many details without putting the kibosh on the whole thing. He took me to see Inception, and allowed me to put him through 2 hours of John Mayer and So You Think You Can Dance, and he actually tried to come back for more the next day. He was the perfect gentleman. Perhaps he will last longer than the usual 2 dates.

The "NEW" John Mayer

2010-08-01T23:55:00.004-06:00

So...there's a long boring saga about how I finally got "Cute Plasma Boy" to ask me out...and I can fill you in on the deets later. But there's a more pressing issue...apparently there's a guy out there masquerading as my John Mayer, calling himself "Jon Meyer." Trust me, I was alarmed when I found this note on my car this morning on my way to church...

Click the pic to enlarge

Cute as it was, it is sincerely one of the strangest post-date happenstances I have ever experienced. I guess I should just be grateful to know he was paying attention when I made him watch "Storytellers: John Mayer" when we got back from the movie. Call it a form of initiation.

Did YOU Want to be an Icon??

2010-07-27T23:03:00.004-06:00

It's true...I embarked on an 18 hour adventure with the Shark, all the way down to Vegas for a show that WASN'T John Mayer. *Gasp*

I'm sure she hates when I do this, but Tib wrote a fantastic write up of the Keane show at the House of Blues, complete with pictures and video - man, she's awesome! Suffice it to say, they pleased me. I might even consider seeing them again.

Highlights:

Meeting Mindi and her St. George posse
Learning what defines a "douche nozzle" in Tib's book
Getting to see Ingrid Michaelson cover Toxic (and I guess the rest of her stuff wasn't too shabby either)
Seeing Tib "sweat like a whore in church" awaiting Keane's arrival on stage

Regrets:

Not getting to stay longer in our posh hotel
Not making out with Ingrid Michaelson's super cute merch guy (what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? I guess I didn't get the memo...)
Not buying the shirt above...I have to admit I've looked at it three times on the website wishing it was in stock...should have coughed over the $30 at the show...le sigh.

Yeah...you wish you came too.

Untitled 7.27

2010-07-27T21:05:00.003-06:00

Carry her in your arms, and pretend you'll throw her in the swimming pool... She'll scream and hit you, but secretly she'll love it. Hold her hand while you talk. Hold her hand while you drive. Simply hold her hand. Tell her she looks pretty. Look into her eyes while you talk to her. Protect her. Tell her stupid jokes. Tickle her, even if she tells you to stop. When she starts cursing at you, tell her you love her. Let her fall asleep in your arms. Make her mad, then kiss her. Tease her. Let her tease you back. Kiss her cheek. Kiss her forehead. Just kiss her. Let her wear your clothes. Go slow. Don't force anything, and when you fall in love with her, tell her.

*Stolen from a friend's Facebook page

Daily Thought

2010-07-14T14:05:00.002-06:00

I receive daily thoughts from Real Simple in my inbox. Some days they are silly, other days a little more philosophical. Yesterday's was particularly appropriate:

“Life is all about timing...
the unreachable becomes reachable,
the unavailable become available,
the unattainable...attainable.
Have the patience, wait it out.”
― Stacey Charter

...I'm just letting it sink in.

Red-Eyed and Blue

2010-06-23T22:51:00.004-06:00

source: Le Love

No fresh man pain...just reminiscing over what could have been...
*Bonus points if you can guess the song I'm quoting in the title

City Deals Benefits JDRF

2010-06-12T00:40:00.005-06:00

Have you ever used City Deals? If you haven't, you SHOULD! It's a huge site incorporating discount gift cards - it's seriously like getting FREE money. And even better is that City Deals just partnered with JDRF - we get 50% of all proceeds we generate! That's HUGE! Those links are to JDRF's actual deal page- so you can spread that URL like wild fire!

With Father's Day right around the corner, this would be a great option to purchase some last minute gift cards for dad - there are tons of golf courses, restaurants, automotive, and retail deals (and tons more I don't feel like listing).

This is also a great way to stock up on funding for places you visit on a regular basis - like your favorite office lunch spot, or your favorite date night restaurant. Seriously, I can't say enough about this site!

There's also great hot spots for the family for summer - Cowabunga Bay, Seven Peaks, Cherry Hill, Classic Skating, Clark Planetarium...on and on. Even some great hot spots for YOU - Got Beauty, numerous nail salons and spas...

AND, like I stated earlier, 50% of your purchases comes right back to JDRF to help find a cure for diabetes. City Deals loves us so much that they even created us our very own custom button for your blog:

If you have a vested interest in finding a cure (OR if you love me and want to help) you can grab this button for your sidebar. If you love me EVEN more, you'll re-blog about this awesome opportunity to help find a cure. I thank you in advance for your support. :)

I would be happy to send out the code for the button...shoot me an email or comment with your email address and it's yours. Thanks for playing.

Celebrity Crush #4

2010-06-07T00:03:00.005-06:00

This one spawns from movies that should be considered too "juvenile" for my taste. Sadly, though, I don't think even the most seasoned of movie critics can deny the attractiveness of Robert Hoffman.

He stars in movies such as She's the Man, and Step Up 2: The Streets, and he's just awful nice to look at.

He is quite the jacka** in She's the Man, but he bears his pectorals a lot, and who can argue with that?

He's the fantastic non-street dancer in Step Up 2, and exhibits some mad dance skills amidst the awful acting.

AND, by scanning his resume on imdb, it even indicates other on-screen "highlights" to include From Justin to Kelly (which, sadly, I have to cop to seeing that one on opening night in an empty theater), Gigli, and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.

Ok...so maybe he has had a less-than-stellar career, but at least most of these credits are as "dancer," so at least we know he's not trying to masquerade as a "real" actor. He's still awfully easy on the eyes...

If...

2010-06-03T00:03:00.006-06:00

I'm completely stealing this idea from a blog I stalk (Bits of B)...and I know it's after midnight, but I thought I'd let the creative juices flow for a few minutes before beddie-bye. Feel free to play along if you feel so inclined...

If I was a season, I’d be Fall

If I was a piece of furniture, I'd be a Chaise Lounger

If I was a country, I'd be England

If I was a food, I'd be a Minestrone Soup

If I was a candy, I'd be a Sour Patch Watermelon

If I was a flower, I'd be a Phalaenopsis Orchid

If I was a song, I'd be In Repair by John Mayer

If I was an instrument, I'd be a Snare Drum

If I was a color, I'd be Red

If I was a letter, I'd be an email

If I was a book, I'd be Confessions of a Shopaholic

If I was a time of day, I'd be Midnight

If I was a drink, I'd be Diet Coke

If I was a holiday, I'd be Thanksgiving

If I was a store, I'd be Target

If I was a word, I'd be "panache"

If I was a person, I’d be me - and I'd change the world

If I could know the future, I wouldn't worry so much about the outcome of my life.

RC Willey Haste

2010-05-20T09:31:00.004-06:00

So we went down to the Willey last night. After a long, painful, and agonizing search on the internet (KSL, Craigslist, Overstock.com, and many, MANY other retailers), I finally ended the search for couches to replace the beasts I have now. It was a moment of glorious bliss when I told Patti I would take them.

A little backstory on the couches that now occupy my living space. These bad boys are the couches I grew up with. Paul and I would chase each other around them (which may or may not have been misconstrued by our parents as dancing) when we were little. I mean really little (6 or 7 - you do the math). My grandparents slept on the pullout when they visited us in Kansas. Many years of Christmas gifts were displayed in an ever-so-neat arrangement on them. My parents were kind enough to bestow them upon me when I first moved to Salt Lake four years ago. I was ecstatic - my only existing piece of furniture was my papasan, so they made a nice addition.

But, alas, all things must come to an end. I'm moving shortly, and I was desperate to NOT move them to the new place, knowing that once they went in, getting them out would be a task. So, I took my trusty friends (and opinion-givers), knowing they wouldn't let me do anything stupid, we met Patti, sat our asses in the beautiful microfiber creations, and it was immediate love at first sit. I said, "I'll take it!" and we were on our way to check out.

En route to the cashier, I was busily checking my phone to update my Facebook, and gandering at the other pretty furniture I can't afford. In the midst of all this distraction, I almost missed the clear and blatant sign that was blaring from the gorgeous 50+" flat screen right in front of me - the Willey had the Where the Light Is DVD playing on their display TVs! Immediately, any kind of apprehension or hesitation I might have been feeling was washed away. The Mayer is definitely a sign - and I can't wait to watch that DVD again from the comfort of my new couches in my new apartment!

**Side note: the beast couches are for sale - I will entertain any reasonable offers
**Side note #2: now taking applications for movers AND a temporary home for these beauts until they reach their new place on June 1st

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-14T21:42:00.004-06:00

I think we made mom happy this Mother's Day.

I decided long ago (October when I was in Kentucky, visiting the Shaker Village) that I was going to make my mom a Tree of Life cross-stitch. I just didn't know it was going to take until Mother's Day to complete the project. Since I was so organized this year, I figured I needed to shake it up a little bit, so Leigh and also decided we'd try our hand (read: Leigh would try HER hand) at Edible Arrangements. I think it turned out FAB! Not to mention, it was delicious! I honestly can't take any credit for the beauty of this bad boy - Leigh did it all. I was just a very vocal financial backer.

I love you mom! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's/Birth Day

Waxing Philosophical

2010-05-02T22:46:00.003-06:00

My life, of late, has become something of a difficulty. I have struggled to find the happiness I once thought I had, and struggled to find the blunders with which to blame my frustrations. As I sometimes do, I ventured home this afternoon to seek advice from the old man. After a good talk, and the shedding of some tears (sometimes it just feels good to cry), I realized that my life is not all that bad.

I'm not saying I am depressed, I'm just saying I often neglect to see the forest for all the trees. During the past few difficult weeks, life has smiled on me more than I have allowed myself to see. I need to better learn to see the little pockets of happiness that are given to me on a regular basis.

I have a wonderful family who supports me more than I deserve - be it professional or personal, they are there. My family loves me, no matter who I am or who I become.

I have an education and a job that collectively afford me an enjoyable quality of life, with many luxuries that a lot of the world aren't given. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clean water, and an abundance of clothing.

I have friends that care about me and my happiness.

I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself, and allows me to experience trials in life that will make me a better person in the end.

We all know that I love the Mayer, and once again I found his lyrical genius soothing my battered soul this afternoon: "Pain throws your heart to the ground. Love turns the whole thing around. No, it won't all go the way it should, but I know the heart of life is good."

SLC Half Marathon

2010-04-26T22:02:00.009-06:00

Last year when I was training for the Bear Lake Half, I ran the SLC Marathon 5K as part of my prep (albeit, that day I should have run 8 miles, but still...). As I stood at the finish line watching as the half marathoners came in, I felt a pang of emotion - sadness that it wasn't me finishing my own half, and extreme pride for those that were finishing. I even watched the amazingly talented em-cat cross the finish line - before she was my friend. I SO wanted it to be me - so this year, I made it happen.

The forecast for the weekend was gorgeous - the temperature wasn't going to break 60 degrees until after 10 am, and by that time I would be done and gone. I picked up my packet on Friday and left work a few hours early, ready to mentally prep for Saturday. Saturday, April 17th dawned bright and early - I left the house around 5:50am (an ungodly hour my body only sees on Walk Day) and booked it to the Gateway. I chomped down my banana on the way and made my way to TRAX to head up to the U. I met up with Mya (a gal from my parents neighborhood) and some of her friends to ride the train to the starting line and we chatted a bit, trying really hard to not let the anxiety get to me. I chugged a Vitamin Water on the way up the hill (and it took FOREVER, mainly because of the sheer number of riders), so naturally when we got to the starting line (15 minutes before the shotgun start), I had to pee like crazy. Consequently, so did everyone else.

We stood in line - listened to the sponsors of the race, Mayor Corroon encouraging the racers, the National Anthem, and yup....the shotgun start. I still had my gear bag that I needed to stash with the gear truck for careful transport back to the Gateway - and, you guessed it, we heard the announcement that the gear truck was leaving as well. I wouldn't have cared about my sweatshirt, but my car keys were also in the bag. I made an executive decision to kindly ask a gal in jeans (i.e. a marked non-runner) if she would take my gear bag back to the Gateway and get it with the rest of them. She said she would and I had serious doubts about ever seeing my keys again. But nevermind that, I had a race to run!

I finally started the race (unsure of how late I started, and really hoping I would still be able to cross the finish line relatively close to when I asked my family to arrive) and I knew it would be a great race as I was running down Mario Capecchi and Heartbreak Warfare came up on the 'ole iPod. Love it! The trending for the first stretch was an easy downhill grade and actually quite pleasant.

I got down to about Sugarhouse Park (6 or so miles in) and started to feel it in my hips. I was making sure to adequately hydrate at each aid station, with both water and Powerade, but it wasn't helping matters much. One of the houses along the route was even handing out bacon (why, I'll never know). I kept plugging along, knowing it would all be done soon enough.

I found myself at mile 9 around Liberty Park, and I remembered the few miserable training runs I did there last year. As I made my way out of the park, I realized I was so close to being done, but I was starting the State Street climb - one of the only stretches of road that was pretty moderately uphill. It was at this point that I started seeing an aura in my left field of vision. This has never happened to me before and I was a little freaked out. That hill, and the vision issues all but killed my motivation, and the self-talk got really intense. People were passing me, and I felt like a snail creeping up the road. Perseverance and a few good tunes and I was on South Temple. I saw a guy mouth to the woman in front of me "Only one more mile!" I was so motivated by that!

Working my way along South Temple, I noticed the crowds of spectators becoming more and more prevalent, and I remembered with a swell of pride that my parents would be waiting for me at the finish line. Last year Krista was at the finish line cheering for me, but there's something about having someone who shares your DNA that makes that moment all the more enjoyable. I started watching for them, but never found them in the crowd. I was overcome with such intense emotion and accomplishment as I turned the corner into the Gateway and the finish chute. I remembered the emotions I felt the year before and almost teared up as I started sprinting to the finish. I almost felt defeated as I crossed the finish line with the official time clock reading 2:22:54, and I had to remind myself that I had gotten a late start. I couldn't worry about that - I needed replenishment!

They herded me through the chute and I was bombarded with food and beverage. I wanted to find my parents, and was seriously upset at the length of the lines to pick up your gear bag. I wandered out from the tents and immediately found my parents just outside the menagerie - what a coincidence! We snapped a few pictures, my mom so kindly offered to stand in the ginormous line to get my bag (after I explained what happened, we all started praying that my keys actually ended up at the finish line), and we headed off for breakfast. My second half marathon experience was officially over.

I got home and anxiously pulled up the site to check my official "chip" time. 2:09:31 (overall pace of 9:53). All the emotions of the day again washed over me and my heart swelled with pride. I finished 6 minutes faster than last year, shaving nearly 30 seconds off my pace. It wasn't as fast as I had hoped, but the improvement over last year was enough to make me happy about what I had accomplished. Perhaps I shall entertain thoughts of a third.

Battle Studies, Round 3

2010-04-19T23:04:00.003-06:00

It's not Wednesday - but I have no words. I will be sitting (or, rather, standing and cheering vigorously) on that star on August 31st to see the Mayer for a third time this year. That makes for a gooooood year.

p.s. I haven't forgotten that I still need to blog about that race I did on Saturday. Patience - it is forthcoming.

Vogue

2010-04-13T22:56:00.003-06:00

Madonna. Simply saying the word aloud makes me feel powerful.
~Sue Sylvester

Okay...so this made me all kinds of happy tonight. Vogue has long been one of my Madonna favorites, but Sue Sylvester makes it all the more delightful! Next week is the Madonna themed episode of Glee and I'm so excited!

There's even a cameo by cute Nathan Trasoras from the last season of So You Think You Can Dance.

MBP Does Giveaway?!

2010-04-12T19:36:00.003-06:00

So...awhile back I posted about how I let these guys rate me on their blog. The jury's still out on whether that was a stupid decision or not.

Well, I still follow Mormon Bachelor Pad (despite my better judgment), and they are doing a giveaway. Now, were it ANY other giveaway, I probably wouldn't care. BUT, they are giving away a Shabby Apple Five to Nine dress. Oh, how I {heart} Shabby Apple! I haunt their site on a regular basis, dreaming of the day I can actually give in and drop a hundy on a beautiful dress. Sissy actually got me a Shabby Apple frock to wear as a bridesmaid at her wedding...FYI, I rocked it. I probably wouldn't choose the Five to Nine, but it's beautiful regardless...and I'm sure I could rock it as well.

In case you're wondering, my preference would be the Bugle Boy or the Sheep Meadow.

In case you're wondering...I want to have John Mayer's babies

2010-04-06T20:24:00.003-06:00

I like to think that the fact that I've seen the Mayer perform in two countries makes me a "true fan." I mean, how many people (besides Tiburon) would invest the cash, time, and resources to go to a concert - two nights in a row? Canada came and went in a blur (all but the last 3 hours in the country, spent anxiously waiting a border crossing - but that's a story for later).

Getting into the country was easy - a quick 10 minutes off the I-5 and we were in business. As we meandered around Vancouver, we found our hotel and took to the primping. I learned firsthand just how expensive Canadian toiletries are. We had a wonderfully fantastic $16 caesar salad at the Shark Bar, puttered off to our $30 parking space, and made our way into GM Place in the misting rain.

Again, I wasn't overly jazzed to hear Franti again (and a wee bit pissed about our seats at the very back of the arena - fan seating, my ass), so the show was off to a great start. Once they drew the curtain, however, the Mayer anticipation set in with a vengeance. I was seriously freaking out again - Heartbreak Warfare rocked my pants right off (well, not literally, but you get the gist). The energy was already better than the night before - higher in ways that one cannot experience legally in the U.S. (if you catch my drift).

The fabulous set continued, and Mayer didn't disappoint. Despite the awful seats, the show was freaking amazing. The moment that absolutely made the trip was when flames lit up the stage and I heard that opening riff to Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. I'm not lying when I say I think I had a baby orgasm. The performance was so impassioned and I was transported back in time to the first time I heard it live at Red Rocks. Fabulous.

He again played Assassin, and again the mood was intense and the crowd was wild (and the lala girls were totally wigging out - hard to miss). The remainder of the set list was pretty good, with only a few standout parts - first of which was All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye acoustic. This was one of my favorites from Battle Studies (well, let's face it - there's not many that I dislike), and performed without the band, it was pretty dang good.

Second standout item of the evening - seeing Tiburon practically piss her pants when the intro to Neon started. She REALLY wanted him to perform this one (probably about the same as me wanting to hear Slow Dancing) and her reaction was seriously priceless.

Again, the closing song was Half of My Heart, and again, I totally dug it. This time, however, it was infused with a rendition of Don't Stop Believing (making for a fantastic combo). I think the Canadian Mayer fans did him proud (prouder than the American fans - but hey, when illegal substances are involved, is there really a contest?) and the energy prior to the encore was palpable - he didn't stay off stage for too long before coming back out and playing Who Says and Gravity. What a great way to wrap up the night. And again, Tib hasn't disappointed - her concert recap is stellar. Her video is amazing.

Some other non-Mayer related highlights:

Tib almost hitting an elderly lady
Waiting 3 SOLID hours to cross back into the USA (still surprised they let us back in - but had they not, there was another Mayer show in Calgary two nights later...just sayin')
Meeting Tib's awesome family and getting a better understanding of her "roots."
Eating Tib's mom's AMAZING cooking - a fab beef dish, and seriously, I'm not a beef eater - and I ate the ENTIRE thing.
NOT getting a stamp in my passport for leaving the country (ok, this really is a drawback - but in a post about Mayer, I can't say anything negative....unless it's about our seats)
CUPCAKES for breakfast!
Staying up until 3am talking like high schoolers

Best part of the whole thing? Knowing that in August, the whole affair can happen again, here in the SLC...he's performing at USANA on August 31st.

Hold on. We might die.

2010-04-04T19:23:00.004-06:00

There are few things in life that please me as much as hearing The Mayer play live. He is one of my life's great loves. His music whispers to my soul. I'm on a Mayer high and I'm not sure I want to come down.

8:15 am, Wednesday morning rolled around quick (considering I procrastinated packing until the wee small hours as usual). I pulled up at Tib's house just in time to see her kids emerging in their PJs for the quick jaunt to the airport. After waiting what felt like hours to de-ice the plane, we were off, and a short 2 hours and 3 minutes, we landed at SEA-TAC. We got our rental car and swiftly headed up to Broadway for a Dick's Burger (totally kicked In and Out's ass), did some shopping downtown, and headed out to Tib's parents to get ready for our Mayer experience number 1.

We got to the Key Arena in Seattle, procured our souvenir tour t-shirts, found our seats (on the floor, row AA28) and waited. We got there an hour early. Thanks to a Ticketmaster glitch, we thought the show started at 7, when indeed it started at 8. No matter - it just gave us an extra few minutes to sweat out the anticipation (it really had been TOO LONG since I witnessed the Mayer in all his LIVE glory).

Michael Franti and Spearhead opened - not my favorite, but they did a great job elevating the energy and engaging the audience. Dirty hippies make the best openers. I was ready for them to be done long before they were - I was seriously pissing my pants with anxious anticipation. Following Franti's set, the crew set to work (not quickly enough) preparing the stage for the main event. And seriously, I don't think any crew has ever worked slower.

Finally, the lights went out and the crowd went wild. I don't think my heart has ever beat that fast - I had researched the prior shows and I knew what I was in store for in the coming moments. He opened with Heartbreak Warfare, easily one of my favorites from Battle Studies. I could not believe how amped I was! But, again, as I said earlier, there are few things in life that please me more than listening to Mayer live.

The rest of the set was fantastic. With one exception - not many "talkies." Mayer always has some great anecdotes and musings to accompany his music, and those talkies were distinctly missing from the evening's performance. As we all know, the Mayer has had a helluva year thusfar, sticking his foot in his mouth more times than I care to acknowledge. I pictured a very one-sided conversation between Mayer and his publicist before the show to go something like this:

"John, you better be careful tonight, because if you open your mouth and embarrass yourself or me one more time, I might just castrate you."

I was a wee bit disappointed at the absence of talkies, but the music was phenomenal - just as it always is. I won't go in depth with the set list, but rest assured, Tib's always got my back, keeping immaculate records, and has documented the whole night with photo and video. He included an amazing 4-5 song sub-set of pure acoustic bliss - it is seriously Mayer at his finest. I think my favorite song of the night was a toss up between Assassins or Half of My Heart. These two were definitely not my immediate favorites on the album, but performed live, they were BOSS! Assassins was definitely more intense on stage than on the album, and included a bitchin' guitar solo mid-stream. Half of My Heart, I've decided, is another of my life's theme songs. Performed live (sans T-Swift), I fell in love.

Great show. Definitely worth every penny and ounce of effort I put in.

Stay tuned...the great international Mayer experience coming soon :)

I am Cougar, Hear Me ROAR

2010-03-17T19:15:00.005-06:00

(and I definitely don't mean this in the BYU variety...)

I have always claimed to like older men. In dating scenarios, I feel like if the guy is older than me, they are "dominant." Just as if they were taller than me, or outweighed me by more than 10 pounds. I've always had a dominant personality so it's always been important for me to find those characteristics in guys I date.

I guess my "cougar" tendencies really started to come out in high school (strangely, when I had only been dating a year or two). There were a handful of freshmen boys I coveted during my own senior year. What can I say - they were adorable. I even had baby crushes on my brothers' friends.

During my adult life, I put that side of me to rest - insisting on only dating guys who were my age or older. Yet last year when the opportunity arose to go out with a guy I had been lusting after for months, despite his very young age, I took it. He was taller than me (by a head), and outweighed me by at least 10 pounds (times 5 or more), there was just this little matter of 6 years I had to look past. And look past, I did. I talked to some friends about it, dubbed myself a "cradle-robbing, cougar, whore" and got on with it. It seemed the only one who had issue with my age was me. Sadly he has left me for 2 years (you figure out why).

Since then, I have semi-fully embraced the title Cougar (although I don't think you can actually be called a cougar until you are 40). I have found solace in being attracted to the younger generation of Hollywood:

Joe Jonas

Zac Efron

Fast forward to THIS Monday in my real life. I'm working on a fundraising campaign through several high schools in the state and I had the privilege of visiting West High to motivate and encourage them in their efforts. I showed them the ever-motivating "Sydney Video," answered several intelligent questions about diabetes and went back to the office. Their teacher called me a few minutes later and told me I had forgotten to bring some supplies she needed, so I booked it back to the school the second time. As I dropped the materials off, she mentioned to me that after I left some of the boys were talking about me, "I think they would fundraise better if you come talk to the class a few more times - they think you're pretty cute." I had a little giggle walking back to my car, flattered and appalled at the thought of high school boys being attracted to me.

Takeoffs and Landings

2010-03-11T22:01:00.005-07:00

In the past eight days (that's 192 hours), I've driven to the Salt Lake International Airport no less than five times.

The first (Wednesday, March 3rd) was to drive myself, en route to Boise for what seemed the 50th time this year.

Second (Friday, March 5th) was to pick up the lovely and fabulous Tiburon and Hub from their excursion to Mexico.

Third (Saturday, March 6th) was to really pick up the lovely and fabulous Tiburon and Hub when their flight actually landed in SLC (I had my wires crossed the first time - silly me).

Fourth was this morning, being the amazing roommate that I am, to take Bre and the Skipper to catch their flight to a luxury resort in Mexico (seriously, what's with all the trips to Mexico - and why is no one taking me with them?!).

...And finally

Fifth was this morning, continuing to heighten my roommate status, to take Bre her passport, which she left, forlorn, on her bedroom desk.

Quit Playing Games With My Heart

2010-03-10T21:57:00.004-07:00

I was driving home from the gym tonight, scanning the radio waves and stumbled upon a true classic. I was launched back to 1996, the year the Backstreet Boys debut album was released:

I was only 13 years old
I was in 8th grade at American Fork Junior High
I had braces on my teeth
I thrived on riding my bike to Smith's to buy cheap nail polish, Bonne Bell, colored mascara, and Lee press-on nails.
I was best friends with Kim Hansen - we bonded in band, she on the flute, I on the clarinet.
I had a crush on Sean Johnson - his place in my youthful crushes was sealed when Mr. Dickerson wanted he and I to get in "the crawl box" together (as the two smallest pupils in 7th grade science)
We had The Box (which was forbidden to watch, until my dad discovered that during the month of October Michael Jackson's Thriller could be requested - at that moment, the ban was lifted for a short time. Interestingly enough, the ban was again lifted for BSB's As Long As You Love Me as well). When this particular music video was released, it ended up on the air non-stop. It was during this time that I fell in love with Nick Carter - how can you NOT love him (and even the other four) sloshing around in the water?!
YouTube is retarded and won't let me embed video here, but if you want a reminder of how awesome Quit Playing Games With My Heart really was, click here.

...life was so much simpler then.

Retail Therapy

2010-03-01T22:38:00.004-07:00

I have mentioned time and time again that spending money makes me feel better. I am a big believer in retail therapy. Who needs a REAL therapist, when I can spend away my woes in a flurry of tissue paper and a swipe of any array of plastic. When I saw these cardigans, something instinctive inside of me wanted one. Yearned for one. I'm not caving in...I'm blogging about it instead.

THIS picture makes me want to buy things. Lacie things.

I am THE person they target when they create their direct-email marketing. It's sad, really. Even worse is the display at the actual store...where they sort the panties in a beautiful lacie rainbow. I'm doomed from the get-go.

It's a sickness...justified by an alluring spectrum of color.

Running Woes

2010-02-20T14:00:00.005-07:00

You know that scene in Save the Last Dance where she's sitting on the edge of the bathtub and takes off her toe shoe, revealing a bloody mess of her toe? I kind of feel like that. No, my toes aren't bloody from running (yet), but try convincing my brain not to feel that kind of pain. It feels like with each long run, I give a layer of my toe skin as payment to the running gods.

Today's run was miserable. First of all, I was a big wuss and I didn't run outside, despite the gorgeous sun beating in my bedroom window. Second of all, I ate two bowls of Cheerios for breakfast, only about 90 minutes before leaving for the gym. I didn't make my 8 miles (training plan dictated), but didn't feel one ounce of disappointment in hopping off the treadmill and coming home.

It wouldn't be training season without me complaining about my toenails. The first started to turn black just two weeks into training (on the left foot), and the second followed suit about two weeks later. As a result, they haven't fallen off, they're hangin' on for dear life. I thought I'd document the "progress" immediately post-run for maximum effect.

Two black toenails

The left foot also has a beautiful blister to accompany the black nail

I'm writing as I sit in my papasan chair icing my knees (with two bags of frozen peas) in an attempt to ward off the inflammation that is sure to torment me for the better part of tomorrow. Oh, and please try hard not to judge the condition of my toes. They've had a rough 6 weeks.

p.s. PLEASE still pray for Mitch. His condition isn't getting any better, and his family has made the decision to move him to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. It breaks my heart!

Say a Little Prayer

2010-02-15T23:23:00.007-07:00

My heart is so full right now.

I know the Flygare's through a couple different channels, most recently my association with them through my JDRF family. Mitch is the family's diabetic child - a burly 16 year old athlete with tremendous potential. I've known Mitch since he was a little boy, living in my family's ward, and have since fallen in love with their family as I have worked with them in our pursuits to find a cure for diabetes together.

Last Wednesday, February 10th, I heard from another t1 parent that Mitch was in a coma due to some complications with his diabetes. I was incredibly taken aback by this news, mostly because he is one of the healthiest kids I've had the pleasure to associate with and is in fantastic control of his diabetes. Immediately I had a panic and fear spread over me as I contemplated the implications of this. Earlier in the week, Laura and I had heard about a teenager from another chapter who had passed away from diabetes and we both remarked how awful it would be if one of our kids died. And here I was, faced with this very possibility.

On Thursday upon arrival at work, Laura, Jamee, and I let the tears roll as we realized what this family was going through. I always knew that these families touched and enriched my life, but I never thought that a situation such as this would affect me in such a way. Through a quick Facebook search, I discovered that Mitch's family had set up a blog to document his progress. I scanned the blog and realized the family was at the ICU at Primary Children's. We decided to head on up and visit to see if we could offer any comfort and try to get some answers ourselves.

Turns out, no one had any answers. The doctors are stumped at Mitch's condition. He presented with severe back pain and muscle spasms that were completely unbearable. In an effort to control the pain he was feeling, doctors thought it best to put him in a coma. They have tried to figure out where the spasms are coming from but haven't been able to. It breaks my heart to think about Mitch lying in a hospital bed, completely helpless, and a slave to his condition.

I hate this disease.

This week I also stumbled upon another heartwrenching story: the Staker family from Provo, and their sweet little Bronson's recovery. This family petitioned countless strangers throughout the blogosphere for prayers for their precious son. I know that the prayers of many can make a difference, and my testimony of that has been renewed this past week as I've read her updates.

I know that prayer can help Mitch in his fight as well. Mitch is a strong kid with an even stronger spirit, but even a simple prayer on his behalf could make a world of difference. If you're the praying type (or even not the praying type), please try to remember Mitch in your prayers. It would mean so much to me.

Do Not Text While Sleeping...

2010-02-14T21:41:00.004-07:00

In case anyone was wondering if my work is disrupting my sleep patterns, I had textual proof this morning when I woke up. Apparently I can text while I'm asleep, but had enough faculty of mind to know that I didn't have the appropriate phone number saved in my phone. And, for the record, I have no idea who Kevin is.

(I'm fairly convinced that the "dipping chocolate" has something to do with the fact that I've been watching The Little Chocolatiers on TLC. It's a reality show based in SLC, featuring my favorite chocolate shop, Hatch Family Chocolates...which I frequent with my boss on a regular basis.)

Peggy is a Whore

2010-02-14T21:18:00.006-07:00

I tried to think of some kind of profound thought to bring up this Valentine's Day, but it all ended up sounding bitter. I thought Peggy and Viola would suffice tonight.

It's been awhile since I was "a Peggy." In fact, I think it dates back to my days in kindergarten back at Nieman Elementary School in Kansas. I was a clean slate - my heart had never been broken, and there was nothing but green grass and beautiful sunny horizons. My outlook on love was one of immense potential. I had my eye on several boys, but only one really reciprocated (though I tried my hand with most of them anyway). His name was Brian Pepperdine, and, according to my mom, after my first day of school I came out to the car declaring that I was in love. I'm sure at that time, my mom knew she would have her hands full.

I don't have many vivid V-day memories. In fact, there have been very few years when I have actually been part of a "we" on February 14th. Beside the year I got a rock put on my finger (only later to give it back), I think one of my favorite V-day memories was a few years back.

I was working at Winger's in Lehi. Not my favorite job, but it paid the bills. I was lamenting the fact that I had to work on Valentine's Day, unable to make the mighty trek to Logan to be with my "boyfriend." The restaurant was slow, so Brittany and I had plans to hang out and do a girl's night. She was texting me throughout the night keeping very careful tabs on how busy I was and when I would be off. It was a little obsessive, but I figured it was because we were going to meet up after. I left work and met her at Chili's, where she had a change of clothes for me (another strange occurrence). I went in the bathroom to change, and went back out to sit with her and there he was - my long distance fellow. She had been in negotiations with him all day getting him to come to my neck of the woods for a Valentine's dinner. I was excited and quite touched that she would go to such great lengths to arrange it.

Since that year, there haven't been many ups or downs (mainly because I haven't allowed myself to let anyone else in), just existing in a nice switzerland of neutrality. It's probably not the ideal, but it's my existence, and as John Mayer put it, "I'm perfectly lonely." I'll save "being Peggy" for another year.

Sissy's New Shoppe

2010-02-07T22:29:00.004-07:00

Wow...it's been a whole month since I posted. Holy cow.

Well, now it's time for some shameless marketing for my favorite sissy's new little shoppe. She is the proud owner of Feathered Whimsy, a place for fancy, feminine accessories (namely darling little headbands). I'm BEYOND proud of her. She's always been a crafty and domestic diva and she's finally been able to put her creative wiles to work for her!

Her Etsy shoppe has only been live a little over a week, and already she's being featured on another blog with a giveaway! Check it out and enter to win the Hayzl headband.

Feel free to spread the word. She's in the growth phase and would love new customers!

I Might Be Crazy

2010-01-04T10:50:00.006-07:00

I know it's blurry and hard to read, but it's all there. A combined total mileage of 244 miles over the course of the next 14 weeks. I might have thrown up a little bit in my mouth when I pulled it up and reality hit me.

I am again running a half marathon, but this year a little closer to home. Laura threatened to kill me if I did a race later in the year, so I've selected the SLC Half on April 17th. Training humor (read: horror) stories to come!

And then there was this time I asked to be rated publicly...

2009-12-25T10:29:00.005-07:00

So...a few months back, I discovered this blog, written by two 22 year old guys who were airing their dirty dating laundry online. I got sucked in and hooked. Naturally, when they announced that they would be rating girls on Christmas, I got right on board and asked to be posted on the web for the whole world to see. Merry Christmas to me - I'm a 7. I copied and pasted my portion below, but you can read their entire objectifying and honest (and entertaining) post at the link above.

Stacey
age: 26 height: 5'5"
American Fork, UT
Single
JAKE: 7.5
When we make out I will definitely creepily keep my eyes open just on the off chance you occasionally open yours, because your eyes are amazing. Your face as a whole is awesome, awesome. You’re cute, buuut... would it be bad for me to ask you to hook me up with your friend Michelle Ortega? She's pretty fly!

CALVIN: 7
I probably would have rated you higher, except I stumbled across your blog post when you didn't have any make-up on. Normally, I'm a fan of the natural look, but that was not a flattering photo. It was so unflattering, I refuse to post it on our blog. If we ever get together for any length of time, I'll pay for you to get your makeup tattooed on. That said... you're still out of my league... even first thing in the morning.

Percentage of Accuracy: 72%

Should you read through the entire post, they actually "de-code" the scale at the bottom of the post. It's quite entertaining - and refreshing! They don't actually think they all deserve to be dating a "10"! I'm perfectly content being a "7," since in the eyes of the Mormon Bachelor Pad, it means "7: Very attractive. These are the hot girls most common in a guys regular environment" (and Jake said 7.5).

I know...it's stupid, but I'm entertained.

Merry Christmas!

Celebrity Crush #3

2009-12-15T21:40:00.005-07:00

Whilst working my way through a run in the Cardio Cinema room at Gold's last night, I realized again my lust for Celebrity Crush #3. He is a man of limited resume, but he is delightful in every role he takes on. National Treasure was on the big screen, and I remembered back a year or two when I first partook of the goodness which is Justin Bartha. Check out those baby blues.

The quick wit and humor of his characters rolls off his tongue so naturally I can't help but believe that's what he's like in real life. He's also the perfect degree of nerdiness to compliment yours truly.

Oh, and did I mention he looks fab in glasses?

I LOVE quick witted friends!

2009-12-10T09:33:00.005-07:00

Within an hour of my post of the beautiful Mayer pictures, I had a message in my inbox. It simply read "Because I'm that fast." Scott, you rock :)

It's rough being single around the holidays...

2009-12-09T18:39:00.006-07:00

Fortunately, johnmayer.com has the single girl's interest at heart. Johnny has provided three tasty morsels of eye candy to keep me warm during the coldest days of winter. Observe:

Photo #3 occupies a special spot. It turns me on every time I open my phone :)

Cashmere

2009-12-05T23:31:00.000-07:00

I hurriedly ransacked my closet, searching for just the right combination of blouses, sweaters, and tees for my trip to the windy city, and came across that old Banana Republic sweater set. It was 100% cashmere, and "worth more than any article of clothing I had ever owned (including formal wear from high school dances past)," or so I was told. It is the only article of clothing given to me by a guy that wasn't my boyfriend, but that doesn't make its giving any less significant.

He was my backdoor neighbor. You know, the guy you grow up admiring during your overlapping pre-adolescent social affairs (most of ours included long summer days at the home of the Earles - they had three kids within a 4 year window, twin boys and a girl). He wasn't anyone of significance to me at the time, just the obnoxious friend of my friend's older brothers. They tormented and teased us, and very often ignored our existence.

Fast forward a few years to the beloved days of high school: awkwardness at its best. Marching band was where our paths crossed most often, not counting the countless hours of mutual activities through church. He bounced from girl to girl, not really having a "type" or "class" he preferred. I still remained one of his (and his friends) favorite people to tease.

Jump again to my high school graduation. Shortly after graduation, I hit the dusty trail to Ephraim to begin life as a Snow College Badger. I returned home one weekend during first semester for his missionary farewell. I distinctly remember him delineating his reasons for going, saving the "there's this girl" reason for last. The girl he had been dating was going to be waiting for him. While I felt a twinge of sadness at the thought, I was happy for him. While I didn't love her, he was happy, and in love with her. Later, on another weekend home, my mom had been invited to a bridal shower for his sister. She brought me along, and I managed to procure his address in the mission field. I added him to my collection of about 6 missionary penpals and continued to write him until he arrived home a year and a half later.

I was off school for the summer and was attending my parents' ward again. I attended his homecoming talk and felt those ever-familiar emotions. I had heard through his parents that his girlfriend had gotten married just a few months earlier and they thought he would love to hang out with me. After breaking off my engagement, I was wary of starting something romantic too fast His dad pushed me on more than one occasion (during a mutual ditching of Sunday School hour) to go catch a movie or dinner together. I was reluctant because I was sure he would remember me as the young, obnoxious pre-teen from years before. Though I had been resistant, we hung out a time or two and it seemed we became fast friends.

We started hanging out...a lot. He quickly became my favorite movie buddy (I saw pretty much every movie released that summer with him). When I needed to get my ex's mailing address to threaten legal proceedings, he drove me out to West Jordan in his car so we wouldn't be recognized. When it came time to go back to school in August, he wanted to "take me out" for a nice dinner before I made the mighty trek to Logan to start at Utah State. I should have caught the innuendos that were blanketing me during dinner, but in spite of it all, he didn't try to kiss me at the end of the evening.

Fall break was looming, and he inquired (from Utah County) if I had plans for the recess. He had a trip to California planned with a couple of friends and asked me to tag along - no strings attached. Friends of mine had mentioned to me that he was interested in me, but unable to let a free trip to California pass me by, I feigned ignorance and went along. During the course of the trip, he became frustrated (understatement) with my lack of reciprocation and pawned me off on his friend for the day (we went sailing). When we all hooked back up, he and I went for a walk around the neighborhood where we were staying. Ignorant no more, I heard him spill some of the most flattering compliments anyone has ever told me. He was in love with me, and while I was complimented, I knew I wasn't ready to duplicate his feelings. I walked in silence, listening awkwardly to him gushing. I still remember, "So, I blew it with Stacey #1. Tell me what to do differently when Stacey #2 comes along." I shed many tears that night, wishing that I could allow our friendship to elevate to the next level.

The next day we hopped in the car and began the trek back to Utah. It was the most uncomfortable 10 hours of my life. I pretended to be asleep most of the drive just so I wouldn't have to endure the anger and sadness he exhibited in his eyes. I felt so incredibly guilty. We had to stop in Las Vegas (for a reason I can no longer remember), and as we wandered around the shops at Caesar's Palace, I wondered why we were prolonging the end of a laborious trip. As we walked back to the car, he was toting a Banana Republic bag and I wondered why he went there. I didn't inquire, not wanting to push his buttons even more and we drove the rest of the way home.

When he dropped me off at his house, I was planning on making a beeline for the front door and not looking back. He quietly asked me if I wanted what he had bought me. He pulled the gift box out of the Banana Republic bag and handed it to me, telling me I didn't need to open it yet, but that I could wear it on a date with a new guy. I got inside and pulled out the most beautiful black cashmere sweater set. I had never owned something so soft and classy (being a student, I mostly lived in D.I. tee shirts, jeans and flip flops). Again, a wave of guilt washed over me as I realized that he felt like he needed to buy me something to compensate for his behavior on the trip.

As I arrived home from class the next Monday, there was a tag hanging from my front doorknob. Logan florist gad tried to deliver while I was out, but had left the most beautiful bouquet of white roses at my upstairs neighbor's apartment. I retrieved the card, which read, "Have a good one! From your ex-neighbor" (an inside joke, as though nothing had even happened).

After the flowers died, the memory of that trip lived on vividly for months. I didn't talk to him again for quite some time, but our relationship continued to develop. He set me up with another guy who became fiance number two, and even consoled me when said relationship didn't pan out.

When I got his wedding invitation in the mail a couple years later, I wasn't hugely surprised by the fact he was getting married, but I was surprised by the fact that again I felt that familiar pang of sadness. His chapter in my life was closed, and I wasn't sure I was ready to let it go.

So You Think You Can Dance

2009-11-10T21:57:00.004-07:00

I have a new best friend. Her name is Kathi Strong. Kathi was blessed with an exceptionally talented niece, Randi, whom I have never met, but admired from afar, in television never-never land. So You Think You Can Dance has been my favorite reality show for a couple of years (really, since Benji was crowned victor in season 2), and Randi was a Top-10 finalist last season. Kathi, being the wonderfully fabulous person that she is, decided to share the wealth of her "friends and family" tickets, and my wonderfully fabulous mom (who works with Kathi) put her neck out to get me two of them!

Needless to say, our seats were amazing. We were 5th row. I was seriously happy to be alive on Saturday night. Tiburon wrote a fantastic recap of the whole night. We had such a fab time, and I'm convinced she needs to be my permanent concert buddy. Rest assured, I was a little starstruck. I don't think I need to talk about every.single.contestant in great detail. There was no rhyme or reason to their placement in the room. I'm sure they were coached to take up residence at a given position and stay put.

While I wanted to "meet" them all, I decided I would be happy with just one: Phillip. I've had a baby crush on him since his first audition. He has these voluptuous lips, and can move like he has no bones in his body. It's pretty freaking amazing. We finally found him towards one end of the room, with a much smaller crowd around him. Tib told him we had a $50 bet with one of our friends that I couldn't get him to kiss me. I was beyond embarrassed, but more than willing to play along. He said that they weren't allowed to kiss anyone (I'm sure it had something to do with that DAMN H1N1 crap), but that I could kiss him. I was shaking like the last leaf on a tree in a windstorm, but not about to let the opportunity pass me by. Tib snapped a quick shot, and just like that it was over. That was the highlight of my week...maybe the highlight of my month.

Here's one of my favorite dances from the season, Phillip and Jeanine. Mad skills!

But seriously...check out Tib's recaps for more detail. What a great night!!

p.s. My Mayer leaked his new album on Rhapsody and I think I'm in love (in case you were doubting my allegiance to the Mayer these days). Can't wait to go to the show in March!

Prelude to a Kiss

2009-11-04T22:05:00.007-07:00

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."

~Ingrid Bergman

In my life I have happenstances which cause me to reflect back on memories past. Tonight at work such an instance presented itself and I was transported back a few months.

They had spent a blissful evening together, complete with baseball spectator-ship, watermelon wedges, and a quiet contemplative drive around the city. The night was waning and she had to be at work early the next morning. As they pulled up to her office so he could pick up his car, it was evident that neither of them were quite ready for the evening to end. They sat down in the driveway, started up a conversation and the time flew. They talked like they'd known each other for years, rather than their short couple of weeks. He asked her what she looked for in a guy. She rattled off the characteristics, memorized from several other such conversations, "Intelligent. Funny. Driven. Motivated. Attractive." Before they knew it, it was after 1am and they both knew that they should call it a night.

Inevitably, as conversations often do between guys and girls, the subject shifted to kissing. He asked how many guys she had kissed, and she obliged, afterward turning the question on him. As the conversation evolved, he asked, "Have you ever thought about kissing me?" Of course she had. Nearly every week when she passed by him at church she had verbally remarked to her friend how adorable he was. "I'm not going to answer that," she coyly responded. He looked her in the eye and asked what that was supposed to mean. She could see he wasn't driven enough to make the move, so she sauntered over to the driver's side and opened the door, saying, "Ok, I'm gonna go now. Thanks for hanging out."

He looked at her with a certain longing in his eyes, as if to say, Are you kidding me?? She knew he wanted to kiss her, and she him, but she was going to make him work for it. "Remember when I told you how I like guys who are driven and take initiative?" she asked him. He did - vividly. He came closer to her, the driver's side door acting as a buffer between them. He asked her not to leave yet. She asked why and he said he wasn't ready for the night to be over. She crept out from behind the protective barricade of the car door and asked if he was any good. He responded, "There's only one way to find out." He cupped her face with his hands, the only guy she had ever kissed to do such a thing, and kissed her.

As I ventured out of the front door of my office, down to the driveway where I was sent to retrieve my bosses' purse, tonight, I got to relive one of the sweetest moments of my dating career. It was ever so vividly replayed in my memory as thought it were yesterday.

Welcome to the Bluegrass State

2009-11-02T22:19:00.034-07:00

I had this wild idea to visit Kentucky for my annual fall vacation. Every single person I talked to about this trip had similar responses, "What are you going to do there?" I knew I would stay with my cousin, Ashlee, and her cute little family, but beyond that, I really had no idea. I requested a visitor's guide from the Lexington Visitor's Bureau. It was a dandy publication and gave me several ideas to fill my two weeks of schedule-less bliss. Ash's husband also gave me a few ideas, noting that there were several "destinations" within a couple hours' drive from them. I booked the red-eye ticket and was gone within a couple weeks.

As I arrived in Louisville (the cheapest airport in Kentucky), I picked up my car from the rental counter (with borderline harassment from the agent - can't one leave the counter without purchasing supplementary insurance?!) and was on my merry way to Lexington. I knew that Kentucky was beautiful but I had no idea of the degree of beauty. The freeway was lined with thick deciduous foliage, brightly colored with the hues of Fall (unlike Utah, where the trees are sparse and the corridors of the roads are peppered with advertising). When I arrived at Ash's house, I thought I would be ready to hit the town for my first day of activity - but rather crashed on the couch instead. The red-eye flight and I do not get along.

I had never met Ash's two boys until now. I had seen pictures, and even fantasized that my own children (with Ash and I sharing similar alleles) would be so beautiful. They were so much fun and made my stay so enjoyable. Mac called me Spacey for the duration of my stay (which made him all the more endearing) and G (short for Gray) was just too adorable for words. They made me feel so welcome and right at home that I was sad when it came time to leave.

It was so great to not have to do everything alone while I was there. Ash braved the long drives and the non-kid friendly activities to keep me company and help me make the best of my trip. My first day of Kentucky tourism included a visit to Keeneland to watch the races. I didn't even bet $2, mainly because I was distracted. Mac was convinced that the beer in the transparent plastic cups was apple juice, and like a good cousin, I corrected him (and he proceeded to beg Ash for a Budweiser). There were quite a few characters (and wonderful Kentucky stereotype men) at the track and I joked with Ash that I should start taking pictures for a post called My Kentucky Soulmates, but unfortunately I never got around to that.

The next day we ventured out to Cincinnati to the famous Gap Clearance Center. This is NOT an outlet, but a place for the store rejects to find a new home. It houses retail outcasts from Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic at killer prices - I left the store with two pairs of jeans and a pencil skirt for $23 total. I really had no definite ideas of what else I wanted to do in Cincinnati, so I told Ash I wanted to take a picture by a bridge, eat some chili and be done. That is precisely what my visit to Cincinnati entailed (beside the 2 hour layover I had in the airport on my return flight). I don't regret this at all (I've been told that it's a ghetto city - one where blondes go for a high price, and the chili was gross).

On Saturday I ventured out to Woodford County to the Woodford Reserve Distillery (the only distillery to triple distill their bourbon for a smoother taste). I purchased my tour ticket and joined the group with several guys I had noticed in the waiting area. Turns out, they were on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for a bachelor party. They chatted me up during the tour and accompanied me to the counter at the tour's conclusion to witness my first (and last) taste of bourbon. The taster card said it would have hints of caramel and vanilla in the flavor. I'm quite convinced that the bourbon makers of Kentucky have never tasted caramel OR vanilla. It tasted like gasoline...straight from the pump. I took a picture with these fellows (and mentioned to them about my Soulmates of Kentucky blog post) and we parted ways.

Sunday, I thought I would get acquainted with a community who lived as "Brothers and Sisters in Christ" in Pleasant Hill. The Shakers were an odd people, and during my wandering around their plantation, I decided I would have been a horrible one, probably being exiled from the group before I hit puberty. Their living space resembled a Polygamist compound, segregating men and women on opposite sides of the house. It was a HUGE residence. I was transported back to 5th grade when I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond in Mrs. Hacken's class. My imagination went wild envisioning these people and how they lived, and probably inaccurately envisioned characters from the Salem Witch Trials. I bought a book at the gift shop with the intent of actually educating myself on these peculiar people...it is still in the bag.

On Monday, Ash, the boys, and I toured Darley Horse Farm and learned all about the horses that race at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. They discussed the lodging of the horses (most of them have better living conditions than I do), breeding habits (during breeding season, stallions breed 3 times per day, videotaped in a secure facility), Stud fees, etc. They wouldn't let us near any of the horses.

Following the Darley, I ventured out to Berea, an artsy college community whose economy is dependent upon the craftsmanship of its' residents. It was so quaint and very fun to wander around checking out the local talent. Berea is home of Boone Tavern Hotel and Berea College, where students pay their tuition and fees through their handiwork. As I arrived in town, I noticed all these cool hand statues on the lawns. I learned that it was a charity project called the Show of Hands. I was very impressed.

Tuesday I drove back to Louisville to visit the Slugger museum/factory (fun for baseball enthusiasts of all ages) and to have lunch with my new friend Matt (of the distillery). Matt actually took the afternoon off to shuttle me around town, visiting the University of Louisville, the Seelbach Hotel, Churchill Downs, and the 4th Street Live area. We even ventured over to the Hoosier side to view the city from afar and snap some cityscape pictures. He was fun company to have and made my stay in Kentucky much more memorable. On the way home from Louisville, I stopped in Frankfort to take a picture with the capitol building and was assaulted by the vibrant red bushes. They were stunning!

The last two days of my trip we kind of just laid low and enjoyed each others' company, going to lunch with Drew in downtown Lexington and taking one last memorable road trip to Red River Gorge in Eastern Kentucky. We happened to stumble upon Nada Tunnel, one of the coolest natural formations I have ever seen. There is a tunnel carved out of this huge wall that you can't see until you round a sharp corner. It was a one-way tunnel, so it was a little nerve racking, but it was short. We also spent a little time in what I would call a "Kentucky Canyon."

Never did I think I would have so much fun in Kentucky. Thanks to Ash and Drew's fabulous hospitality, this vacation ended up exactly what I needed - a lot of rest and relaxation with a little tourism on the side.

More pictures on my Facebook page.

au naturale

2009-10-12T22:27:00.005-06:00

Tiburon dared everyone to go 100% natural on the web...well, here's mine, in all its superfantastic glory:

This is post-shower (approx. 10 minutes after)

This is post-get-ready-regime.

p.s. I totally spaced taking a post-run photo for this purpose. No worries - it doesn't change, and you can see THAT beauty here.
p.p.s. I wanna see yours! Upload those beautiful mugs of yours!

New Moon Soundtrack

2009-10-04T23:13:00.003-06:00

I'll be the first to admit - I'm not a "Twi-Hard." I've only read the books once, and I can count on one hand how many times I've seen the movie. I do, however, squeal a little with girlish anticipation for the theatrical release of New Moon. I saw a new(ish) preview for it last night while waiting to see Zombieland (a fantastical feat of cinematic sublimity) and was embarrassed by my own excitement.

I didn't LOVE Twilight. In fact, I thought the bulk of it was laughable, but Edward is so dreamy and the love he has for Bella is one that would make any girl (even this one) go weak in the knees. The one element of this movie that was flawless was its soundtrack. Man, that Stephenie Meyer can channel vampires through music with the best of them!

I decided to find out when the New Moon soundtrack would be available, and it's up for presale on Amazon. The track listing hold tremendous potential!

1. Meet Me On the Equinox, Death Cab for Cutie

2. Friends, Band of Skulls

3. Hearing Damage, Thom Yorke

4. Possibility, Lykke Li

5. A White Demon Love Song, The Killers

6. Satellite Heart, Anya Marina

7. I Belong To You (New Moon Remix), Muse

8. Rosyln, Bon Iver & St. Vincent

9. Done All Wrong, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

10. Monsters, Hurricane Bells

11. The Violet Hour, Sea Wolf

12. Shooting the Moon, OK Go

13. Slow Life, Grizzly Bear (with Victoria Legrand)

14. No Sound But the Wind, Editors

15. New Moon (The Meadow), Alexandre Desplat

I think I'm most excited for the collaborative effort of Bon Iver and St. Vincent - I predict it will be spectacular! If you haven't listened to either, they are both at the top of my "most played" playlist. And I'm officially announcing I have more anticipation for the soundtrack than the actual movie (but I'm still excited to see how the songs mesh with the scenes). The countdown for November 20th begins...

Stacey's a Sector 9 Girl!

2009-10-04T22:42:00.008-06:00

I took the plunge this weekend...and bought a longboard. I didn't take much time contemplating this purchase, but after hanging out with Ken and some of his buddies, I realized it's really FUN!

I'm not so great at it, but I've managed to stay upright and not introduce my face to the pavement yet. I haven't figured a name out for her (him?) yet, but I'm taking suggestions.

When it came to color, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted a RED board (the blue one is Ken's - and he named her Molly). As for features, I was pretty clueless. Anyway, I hope the snow doesn't fly too soon so I can spend some time and work up some mad boarding skills.

What a great weekend - and what a great teacher (well, not so much - he just steadied the wheels so I could get on a few times...). And yes, it was my idea to take some "posed" shots in the church parking lot.

An Open Letter To My Malodorous Neighbors

2009-09-29T21:56:00.006-06:00

*I am completely plagiarizing this idea from Tiburon...just sayin'*

Dear Neighbors,

I remember back a few years, a young and foolish college freshman, completely oblivious to the rules of social normalcy and etiquette. We had no qualms about just walking into each other's apartments without knocking, bang on the walls to quiet a noisy situation, or stay up all hours of the night giggling (regardless of who was trying to sleep next door). We even thought it swell to leave our front door open, indicating a warm, open invitation for company. However, upon graduation from college, social norms dictated that we start living like adults and abandon the carefree days of school.

I moved into this community well over three years ago, and have had constant struggles with those that have occupied your residence during that time. I thought to myself, "Self, maybe once the pot dealers get evicted, perhaps the management can put a decent family or newlywed couple in that trash-hole."

Instead, you moved in (with all 25 of your children, none of whom have seen the interior of a shower in months), and brought along with you a few bad habits of your own. My favorite, perhaps, is the way you leave your front door open (which, I think, has something to do with the fact that caring for your 25 children prevent you from affording air conditioning - WHICH I could look past, IF your house smelled anything better than the streets of India). The foul stench emitted from your open door leads me to believe that your cooking skills leave much to be desired (if not your personal hygiene). I have to make a mad dash for my own door, two floors above, to keep the vomit from erupting. Now, I know we all live in what could be considered "the ghetto," but that doesn't mean we need to smell like one.

Please consider this my notice to you (and your unkempt children) that your heinous odor and lack of social norm observance has been reported to management, and I await your eviction notice with baited breath.

Sincerely,
Stacey

Just Blue, v.2

2009-09-27T16:04:00.005-06:00

Last week Laura and I drove to Provo together and she asked me to bring my iPod along for entertainment (LOVE when she does that). When I asked what she preferred to listen to, she replied, "Something sad and mellow." WOW! She must know me well (I shouldn't brag about this, but most of my music and preferential listening is the sad, mellow stuff). She asked me to make her a CD, and I have. I thought it would be fun to share with the world, Just Blue, v.2. I made the first version of this playlist one night following the whole debacle with Mike when I told him I liked him and was so worried he was going to stop hanging out with me because of it...but I figured that it was worth a revamp with some of my newer tunes:

Just Blue, v.2

Lie in the Sound - Trespassers William
The Heart of Life - John Mayer
Duet - Rachael Yamagata *not on the OFFICIAL New Moon Soundtrack - it just says so on this vid*
Kite Song - Rosie Thomas
If You Ever Did Believe - Stevie Nicks
Recognition - Susie Suh
The Acrobat - Johnathan Rice
Keep it There - The Weepies
Get Well Soon - The Perishers
Hazy - Rosi Golan (feat. William Fitzsimmons)
Stand Still, Look Pretty - The Wreckers
Rain - Priscilla Ahn
The Absence of Your Company - Kim Richey
Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic
Two - Ryan Adams
Dream - Priscilla Ahn
Gravity - Sara Bareilles
The World Spins Madly On - The Weepies
9 Crimes - Damien Rice
The Longer I Run - Peter Bradley Adams
Ain't Gonna Lose You - Brett Dennen

I've been listening to this playlist all week, and I think I'm in love. It's a keeper - if you have any inclination to take a listen, they are linked.

Mmm...

2009-09-27T16:02:00.002-06:00

What a great way to help build the anticipation for the new album Battle Studies, coming out November 17th! Such a sweet little ditty...

Celebrity Crush #2

2009-09-02T21:40:00.003-06:00

I recently acquired all four seasons of the OC. I loved the show back in college when it was all the rage. I was working at Subway at the time, and my manager, Brian, and I would "talk OC" on Friday mornings while doing prep. I always had a thing for Seth Cohen (played by Adam Brody), and always thought the attraction was to the actor, but through careful conversation with Brian, we came to the conclusion that my soulmate was Seth Cohen, the character.

He exhibits that witty, charismatic charm that I'm always looking for. He has those dashing good looks. If there were a dictionary definition for my "type," his photo would be there.

Some funny Seth-isms I adore...

He uses sarcasm and irony to cope with life's hurdles
He doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut
He is madly, obsessively in love with Summer
He is a board-certified geek
He loves music
He is cautiously distracted 90% of the time
He has grade A geek-chic style

I know it's mildly inappropriate and irrational to have a huge crush on a fictional TV character, but real life has failed to produce anyone quite as intriguing.

Here's a cheeeeesy montage of Seth/Summer moments. Love the song (kudos to Ryan Adams for that bad boy). And in case anyone is dying to set me up (because it seems EVERYONE is these days) compare him to Seth Cohen first.

Weekend Hoopla

2009-09-02T20:59:00.007-06:00

It's fun when friends meet. Especially when you know they would have something in common. This blessed meeting took place at, where else, the Rio. I'm so glad they let me be "in" on the fun.

Shamae needed to come down with her cute family for an endocrinologist appointment on Monday, but I managed to twist her arm into coming early so they could attend the SLC JDRF Walk.

After meeting up, Tib decided to host a BBQ on Sunday for their families, and again, they let me come. It was so fun! I decided I would be willing to have kids if I could clone Ethan and Sydney. Good thing they're gonna end up married someday - here's the first photo for their wedding video:

I had to buy the love of the children (except for Ethan...already won that kid over) so I brought some glitter-ific tattoos for the girlies. We didn't snag a photo of all the kids with their tats, but when I got home, I got one of mine - I think it's a keeper (it's two sparkly cherries with two STARS)!

Seriously love these ladies. Can't wait until we can get together again!

*If I look stoned in any/all of these photos, it is because I was running on a tremendous lack of sleep. The Walk doesn't plan itself!*

100 Things i LOVE Terribly

2009-08-18T22:26:00.000-06:00

It first should be said that I am plagiarizing this from TWO different blogs. It should second be said that I am most definitely in need of a pick-me-up. This should do the trick.

My favorite Shark and the Rockstar Diaries gave me the inspiration, and I am merging the two ideas together to birth:

100 Things i LOVE Terribly
*In NO PARTICULAR ORDER*

1. John Mayer (the man, the music, the mystery)

2. Yoga
3. Driving with my feet out the window
4. Laying out by the pool
5. Reading in the shade on a blanket
6. Cafe Rio salads
7. Kids with type 1 diabetes
8. Working hard to find a cure for kids with type 1 diabetes
9. Laffy Taffy
10. F*R*I*E*N*D*S
11. Gilmore Girls
12. Grey's Anatomy
13. Sarcasm
14. My family

15. Sex & the City

16. Thunderstorms
17. So You Think You Can Dance
18. Concerts
19. Sleeping in
20. Kissing in the rain
21. Novelty books
22. Victoria's Secret
23. Retail therapy
24. Diet Coke
25. Fall vacations
26. Massages

27. Footloose

28. Iceberg shakes
29. Broccoli
30. Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran
31. iPod
32. iPod Shuffle
33. Little Caesar's Crazy Bread
34. MSN Messenger/gChat/Facebook IM
35. Facebook
36. the Beatles
37. Shakespeare in Love
38. Song lyrics
39. Hugh Jackman
40. Work
41. The beach

42. Baking

43. Flying on airplanes
44. Road tripping
45. Rollerblading
46. Michael Jackson
47. Movie theater popcorn
48. A Plethora of pillows
49. Naps
50. A good sweat
51. Burts Bees
52. Hard earned money
53. Birthday presents

54. Target

55. Chunky rings
56. Aromatherapy
57. Pencil skirts
58. Thanksgiving
59. Entertainment Weekly
60. Dark nail polish
61. Gerber daisies
62. Ryan Reynolds
63. Ann Taintor
64. The Weepies
65. Vintage
66. Skittles

67. the Jonas Brothers
68. Chocolate
69. Sunglasses
70. Lucky bamboo plants
71. amazon.com
72. iTunes
73. New music Tuesdays
74. Stars
75. The O.C.
76. Shopaholic books
77. Going to the movies
78. Lazy rivers
79. First kisses
80. Shoes
81. Bridal fairs
82. Sharpie markers
83. Apple Macintosh
84. Sudoku
85. Listening to music in the dark

86. My sissy

87. Longboarding
88. Eating out
89. Listening to music, full blast, in the dark
90. Finding new music artists to adore
91. Showing others new music artists to adore
92. Thinking about getting a tattoo

93. Chace Crawford

94. Meeting new people
95. Falling in Love
96. a Good Cry
97. Laughing until you cry
98. Mod Podge
99. Domesticity
100. Contentment

Lightning could strike

2009-08-18T00:00:00.004-06:00

I saw the movie Meet Joe Black when I was a sophomore in high school. I fell in love with the movie immediately. It was later on in college that I fell in love with the content. I began compiling a book with magazine ads and photos that depicted "love." To compliment the photos, I began scouring the web, lyrics, movies, and books for quotes about love. To this day, this passage from Meet Joe Black still holds a certain significance in my life. I imagine this is what it will be like...

I want you to get swept away.
I want you to levitate.
I want you to sing with rapture and dance like a dervish.
Be deliriously happy - or at least leave yourself open to be.
Love is passion...
Obsession.
Someone you can't live without.
If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with?
Fall head over heels.
I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back.
And how do you find him?
Forget your head and listen to your heart...I'm not hearing any heart.
Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back.
Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this...
To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all.
You have to try.
Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived.
Stay open - who knows...
Lightning could strike.

Drive My Car

2009-08-10T21:35:00.010-06:00

This weekend I said goodbye to the only car I have ever owned.

I bought the Priz when I was 17. It was a flash decision, born of lucky circumstance and necessity: I totaled my parents' minivan in the high school parking lot and had no choice. I needed a car, and I needed it fast. Before we found the Priz, Paul and I had to ride the bus - for a grand total of one week. Needless to say, it was one of the longest weeks of our lives - and one I vividly remember...hating.

My mom and I had discussed a price range, and I knew I didn't want to pay more than $200 a month, but soon realized that cars in that arena were few and far between. I test drove a Saturn with a stick shift - not very well, I might add. We were back at the dealership in no time. I had no preferenct in make, model, or color, but instinctively knew I wanted it to have a sunroof, power windows and locks, and a CD player. Sadly, I soon learned that these bells and whistles didn't generally come on a $5,000 car.

I settled on the Priz, paying $6,500+interest. I very quickly learned that taxes on a purchase that large added up quickly, and that interest was a b****. It was love at first sight - and very luckily so, because my patience with riding the bus was wearing thin.

I.loved.that.car.

Since I bought it at the height of my high school career, and drove it all through college and 3 years post-graduation (a grand total of 9 years), the memories associated with driving in it are innumerable. Some of the top would include:

2000: Being reprimanded by Mrs. Belliston in the HS parking lot for parking in faculty parking (she was trying to give me an opportunity to be an example to Paul, but instead I took the opportunity to give her lip, and ended up getting chewed out in her class, and promptly passing out).

2001: Packing EVERYTHING I own into the trunk and backseat to make the mighty move to Ephraim for my freshman year in college. Thank goodness for a fully furnished apartment.

2002: Driving to Las Vegas with Snow College roommates and learning firsthand that when the oil light turns on, you should probably check it out.

2003: Driving to Los Angeles with Haley - no destination in mind, just the two of us and the road. We ended up in LA, two naive, sheltered Utah girls, and at the temple because we knew nothing bad would happen to us there.

2004: Fighting with the starter EVERY TIME I TURNED THE KEY. Thank goodness for Uncle Dave who saved me in the WalMart parking lot and escorted me to the repair shop! Oh yeah - and this was the year I PAID OFF the Priz.

2005: Started a long distance relationship with a guy in Logan - began commuting from Provo to Logan nearly every weekend (sometimes not even leaving Provo until close to midnight).

2006: Graduated from college and moved to Salt Lake City to begin life as an "adult." AND, in my first "real adult" scenario, I had to pay to have the transmission rebuilt - to the tune of $2,000 (ouch!).

2007: Took the Priz for an impromptu trip to Las Vegas with Nick for In-n-Out. We ended up walking the strip until the wee small hours, and landed in the Bellagio parking lot to sleep for a few hours - to this day, we're lucky to be alive (and still friends, for that matter).

2008: Started working for JDRF and realized again the Priz's massive capacity for cargo. The best example of this is cramming 13 boxes of Frito Lay inside and driving to Logan with my knees against the steering wheel...again, lucky to be alive.

2009: Realizing that 3-years post-graduation is high time to buy a new car. The final "long" trip in the Priz was to Idaho Falls to kick off the Walk. What a great last run. I decided on a 2009 Subaru Impreza Wagon - very practical for work, and nice and zippy. And I finally got my sunroof, power windows and locks (and even more important, NOW, an auxillary cable for the iPod).

Side by side, there's no contest. I am so grateful to have the Imprez (tried to figure out a parallel nickname). I hope Brad is equally as grateful that Doug and Lynnae were kind enough to buy the Priz for him...he really lucked out. Its got a nice long life ahead - and he better treat her well!

My Life According to The Beatles

2009-08-05T23:00:00.006-06:00

My favorite Schmiburon had this fun game (for the music lover in us all) on her blog. Me likey...

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)"

Pick your Artist:
*The Beatles*

Describe yourself:
Her Majesty

How do you feel:
I'm So Tired

Describe where you currently live:
Run For Your Life

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Here, There and Everywhere

Your favorite form of transportation:
Ticket to Ride

Your best friend:
Girl

You and your best friend are:
Tomorrow Never Knows

What's the weather like:
Sun King

Favorite time of day:
Golden Slumbers

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
You Never Give Me Your Money

What is life to you:
Helter Skelter

Your relationship:
Free As A Bird

Your fear:
For No One

What is the best advice you have to give:
Come Together

Thought for the Day:
All You Need Is Love

How I would like to die:
When I'm 64

My soul's present condition:
Carry That Weight

My motto:
Let It Be

I tag:
Lynsey, Leigh, Shamae, Jody....anyone else who wants to play. Let me know if you do - I want to witness all the creativity!

Celebrity Crush #1

2009-08-03T21:40:00.005-06:00

Now, when posting about celebrity crushes, we all know who occupies my number 1 slot (John), but since I am just now acknowledging (and delineating them on the blog) that I have many celebrity crushes, I thought I'd start off the listing with someone a little more obscure. He is a man of dashing good looks, but many would say his brother, Ralph, has had the more stellar career. I tend to disagree.Joseph Fiennes came into my life when my roommate brilliantly suggested we watch Shakespeare In Love. I consented and immediately fell in love with the male lead, who so fabulously played William Shakespeare. I am now convinced that very few men know real love the way Shakespeare did (totally kidding, but they do a great job convincing you of that).

Joseph has more recently come into the spotlight again (after what I view as many years of hibernation) on a new drama on ABC starting this fall. I'm not too intrigued by the story line, but I dare say, just because my Joseph is starring, I may pick up a new favorite. Take the trailer for a spin...

Even better is it premieres on the same night as Grey's Anatomy, which, I might add, I still haven't been able to watch reruns of because of how devastated I was after the season finale!

So, here's to crush number 1 (and many more to come)!

The BEST news of the month

2009-07-23T23:15:00.003-06:00

In April, 2006 I graduated from UVSC with a BS degree in Health Promotion. I was ecstatic to be done, and even more ecstatic at the prospect of moving out of Utah Valley for good. Upon graduation, I faced a mound of debt, larger than any balance I have ever had to pay off. I immediately set a goal to have it paid off as fast as I could (shows how good of a goal-maker I am - not putting any time parameters on it). I got to work and started making payments. Nick and I brainstormed ways I could have the balance paid off by December, 2008. I went to Seattle in October, and kind of lost momentum after that. I got back on track and kept on trucking - promising myself that if I paid it off, I would reward myself with a new car. With one payment left, I got the car (with a good window of time before the first payment). I was going to pay the last payment of the Student Loan at the first of August and the first payment of the Car Loan at the end of August.

On Tuesday, I got the best news of the month. Welcome to the good news minute portion of the program:

"Dear Stacey McAllister:

We are pleased to inform you that the remaining balance of your student loan(s) listed in the table below has been forgiven as a way of thanking you for taking care of your loan obligation in a diligent manner. Within 2-3 weeks UHEAA will send a document indicating the paid in full status of the loan(s).

Sincerely,
Borrower Services"

It was only the last $250 of the balance (which I'm sure I paid, several times, in interest throughout the course of carrying the balance), but still, what a thrill, and a teriffic surprise from "The Man." It's official - I'm out of the student loan tunnel!

congratulations to the happy couple!

2009-07-21T21:59:00.006-06:00

My sissy got married on Thursday. And what a wonderful day it was!

After quite the long weekend of self-inflicted stress, I got my mind off the pity wagon, and embraced the fact that I have two younger siblings that are married. I LOVE my family! We had a good time at the wedding, and I think, perhaps, my favorite part (beside Brian's ADORABLE niece) was that my sissy actually let go of the reins enough to enjoy the day. I didn't get a picture, but after the ceremony and the plethora of group photos, she sat down, put her feet up, and hung out with her new brothers-in-law and her husband. I was relieved and so happy for her. The kind of sappy happy you get watching a Sandra Bullock chick flick. Witness the smiles:

Ethan and I prior to the ceremony - can't tell we're related can ya?

Beautiful couple #1 - Paul and Marianne

Beautiful couple #2 - The Parents (looking happy as ever!)

Brian's niece, Avery. She fed me ice cream, and I nearly took her home with me

Congratulations sissy! You made a gorgeous bride!

Blue Plate Diner

2009-07-18T23:36:00.006-06:00

I remember the night we went to the Blue Plate Diner. He had come over to drop off a mix CD, which turned into hanging out...all night. His friends had plans for dinner and I didn't want to crash the party (with the friend in from out of town). He made every attempt to make it clear that my company was desired, but in my typical stubborn nature, I had myself convinced that no one wanted me there. I made some outlandish request for pancakes (not thinking that any of the guys would follow suit), not of the Denny's variety, and he made it happen. Quite elated that I had manipulated dinner plans in my favor, I gleefully hopped in the car.

Upon arrival at the diner, we were the first of the group to get there. We perused the menu, as well as the city weekly provided at the door. The group filtered in, one car at a time, and we proceeded to order. I got pancakes and french fries - an unorthodox combination. We chatted, caught up, and decided to move on to phase 2 of the evening.

I was tired, so I hung back while the guys threw out ideas for the remainder of the evening. Keys on Main seemed to be the consensus, and immediately I felt ready to go home to bed. He was so considerate to accompany me home, against my insistence that he go out with his friends - one of the boys had offered me a ride home. I was annoyed that he would be so unrelenting, but by that point, I didn't care anymore. He drove me home, saying "I would rather be here watching a movie with you, than anywhere with those guys."

Immediately I melted, realizing how much he cared for me. My annoyance turned to comfort as we watched Holiday Inn together. He kissed me goodnight, and when he left, I scratched my head and considered, exactly, what I felt for him. I knew I was in trouble.

Another Reason to Love the Mayer

2009-07-07T21:37:00.003-06:00

I had no idea that John was a part of the tribute to Michael Jackson. I've been "mourning" the loss of one of music's greatest talents since I heard of his death, so, naturally, when my dad mentioned that there was a memorial that would be televised tonight, I had to tune in. I heard that all-too-familiar electric guitar and immediately had to scour the web for a full video. I knew I loved John Mayer before, but this is a merging of two fabulous talents. I only wish John would have joined in the singing...

Random Thought on Singledom

2009-07-05T21:14:00.005-06:00

While hopping from blog to blog this afternoon, I stumbled upon a quote I found very comforting to me in my singledom. It goes a little something like this:

“Girls are like apples...the best ones are at the top of the trees. The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples that are on the ground that aren't as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think there is something wrong with them, when, in reality, they are amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree...”

Glad to know I'm not a rotten apple today.

By the way, here's where I found this gem. She had some great insight on Independence Day. Rather than try to duplicate a post, I think I'll let her words suffice - we have very similar feelings towards our Nation's Birthday. God bless America - we need His help more than ever!

Syd's Vid

2009-06-23T23:45:00.003-06:00

I feel the need to give a shout out. This is Sydney. I am completely in love with this little girl. She is one of my heroes. Her mom, Shamae, has put together this amazing video outlining Sydney's life with diabetes. Syd is Walking in Idaho Falls on September 12th and raising money for a cure. Even if you don't donate, it's a great eye-opener. Not to mention the Jonas Brothers providing the soundtrack - and we all know I love those baby boys :)

Mayer Love...

2009-06-23T23:03:00.007-06:00

When I first started the old blog, I thought it appropriate to "ode" the Mayer - my life's true love. Well, today when I got home from work I was oh-so-happy that FedEx doesn't require a signature on delivery. A couple weeks ago Tiburon notified me of a killer sale at the John Mayer store. Because I didn't currently own any Mayer merch, I thought I'd stock up. I was a little wary of what sizes to order, but turns out, I guessed right - they fit perfectly. Yay! I'm like a kid on Christmas! Too bad I have a dress code at work...

I even ordered (or shall I say, was rewarded with) a pair of JM Vintage Shades which I shall give to a certain male friend of mine...or perhaps I will keep them. They look pretty damn good on yours truly.

Eye Candy

2009-06-20T23:38:00.002-06:00

So...I go away to Idaho Falls for not even two days, and when I get home, I have this to greet me. Happy girl? I think so...tasty.

13.1...Been There, Run That!

2009-06-18T23:06:00.011-06:00

The anxiety started to set in when I first checked the forecasts. It was bleak - high of 65 with a 40% chance of rain. I kept a vigilant watch on weather.com, desperately hoping for a turnaround, but the prognosis kept getting worse and worse. I watched as the high temp dropped from 65 to 57, with the 40% chance of rain holding strong. I braced myself for a long run in a Bear Lake downpour.

Krista and I set off for Garden City around 3pm on Friday, with her 3-year-old daughter in tow. The drive was lengthy and my anxiety was deepening. All the preparation I had put into this weekend, and I felt as though I had done nothing.

We pulled into the Bear Lake KOA just before dinner time and set up our digs in cabin 18. I counted myself lucky I wouldn't be sleeping in a tent in the rain that night. Krista was the most fabulous travel agent making all the travel arrangements. She developed a stress fracture late in her training and was unable to run the race with me, but was bound and determined to come and support me (for which I was extremely grateful)! We did some carbo-loading at the Bear Lake Motor Lodge (a fancy meal of fettucini alfredo, garlic bread, and cheese sticks) and went back to our humble abode for the night. After attempting to watch He's Just Not That Into You, we realized we were far too tired and were able to turn in around 10:30.

I reported to the shuttle bright and early around 6am and hopped on, trying to mentally prepare myself for the challenge that lay ahead of me. I shoveled a banana and a vitamin water down my throat, hoping it would be enough. In my training, my longest run was only 10.25 miles, so I was a little worried about actually getting to the 13.1. I said a quick prayer and started to talk to a couple of the girls on the bus. I got to know a couple of girls from Logan, Traci and Katie, and we waited for the start of the race together.

We waited....and waited...and waited. There was no actual start time posted on the website, nor at packet pickup, but there were rumors that we would start at 7:00 am. 7 came and went, as did 7:30. It was drizzling rain, which was definitely not good for morale. I was thinking about how far I could be along the beaten path, but realized there was no good to that. The runners started to get anxious and started congregating behind the sorry excuse for a "start line" around 7:35. Fortunately the rain let up and we could see patches of sunlight on the west side of the lake. The race director gave a few instructions, letting us know that we would be sharing the road with traffic and that we should be cognizant of what is going on around us, and sent us off with a bang at about 7:40.

I was determined to maintain my pace throughout the race, only stopping to walk if I really needed to. I kept reciting to myself the mantra "pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." I was not going to allow myself to suffer (at least until the end of the race). The adrenaline was pulling me through quite nicely. In fact, Traci's husband managed to snap a shot of me around mile 7 or 8 (as we were going uphill for what seemed like forever - doesn't my leg look AWESOME?!). It was also raining again at this point, but surprisingly, I wasn't bothered by it.

I was feeling my energy plummet as I got to the rest stop at the sign that read 3 miles to go. I knew I had reached the furthest I had ever run before, and decided to have a half a banana to take me to the finish line. I walked for a minute or so while I ate my banana and had a little self-talk. I mentally calculated the time it would take me to reach the end and again convinced my brain (and my legs) that I could make it. I took off again, and to my delight, John Mayer came on the Shuffle. My Stupid Mouth is not one of my favorites of John's, but I figured, if he would take the time to run with me, I would accept whatever he would give me. It was a very pleasant 4 minutes on the route.

The last 2 miles felt like 6 as my legs quit cooperating. I was sending every shred of positive energy to keep my legs moving in forward propulsion. Both of my achilles began to ache at this point, making it very difficult to maintain any kind of technique. I didn't really care, as my only "real" goal was finishing. My secondary goal was 2:30:00. As I got closer and closer to the finish, people began lining up along the route to cheer us on. It was truly appreciated (and motivating - as long as there were people watching, I couldn't stop to walk). I got to the final yards of the route and I was coached to expose my number (which I had pinned under my jacket, assuming I would have removed it by the end of the race). In a "flashing" maneuver, I lifted my jacket and showed the crowd my number, and held the position as I began my sprint to the finish. I crossed the finish line with flair and felt a huge sense of accomplishment as I slowed to a walk. Krista and Savannah were there to greet me with hugs and compliments, proving to me that I needed a "fan club" at the finish line. I'm so grateful that Krista still came to support me!

I made my way up to the pavilion where they had posted the official times and was completely overcome when I saw that I had finished in 2:15:09. I was so shocked that I had to double and triple check in case of error. That was a full 15 minutes faster than my goal - a 10m 30s per-mile pace. I was beaming. I was overcome with a sense of pride in an accomplishment I had worked so hard to achieve. Again, I have to sing Krista's praises for convincing me to run in the first place. I had a really great time, and I think that the experience was a good one - and I definitely haven't ruled out running another half. You won't be hearing me say "I want to do 26.2" anytime soon (or ever), but I'm sure there's another 13.1 in my future. I now comprehend the old adage, "The greater the pain, the sweeter the victory."

Tan Lines

2009-06-15T21:49:00.009-06:00

During the course of my 14 hour work day today, I managed to soak up some sun. Today was our Golf Marathon (and marathon, it was). I arrived at Eaglewood Golf Course at 5:30am (an ungodly hour I only see usually 4 times a year) to help set up the affair, fully anticipating a drop in temperature and heavy rains after lunch. I was unequipped - no sunscreen. The day remained beautiful from sun up until I went home around 7:15pm. I set up shack on the 4th hole - babysitting the contenders for the hole-in-one Harley Davidson prize. There was a canopy, but because the clouds kept floating over the sun and causing me to contemplate putting my jacket back on, I opted to sit in front of the canopy, attempting to develop a little color. I pulled up the legs of my pants to just above my knee and bunched up the sleeves of my shirt, exposing my shoulders (*gasp*). I made sure my eyes were covered with UV protection 400 (the max provided in sunglasses), and tried to make the best of it.

The lines are quite comical. I'll start with the mildest and work my way up.

Exhibit A: above the knee. My legs now have two tan lines - one where my running shorts hit and one (slightly more crimson) where my pants pushed up to on the golf course.
Exhibits B & C: shoulders and neckline. I now am sporting a beautiful stripe down the inside of both arms and a tasteful red v-neck. Too bad my star necklace didn't stay place long enough to make a lasting impression.

Exhibit D: coon eyes. I mentioned putting on my sunglasses early in the day. As I felt my forehead burning, The thought of coon eyes crossed my mind, but I seriously underestimated the power of UV-A & B. Now I look somewhat akin to what I imagine Rocky Raccoon would have looked like, had the Beatles done a video (only prettier, and with blonde hair).

AND last, but not least (my favorite) Exhibit E: the Zong. Years ago, I had a few friends who lifeguarded during the summer and the season was validated once the imprint of their Chacos was left on their feet. I managed to validate my summer in just one day on the golf course.

Despite what one may think, I had a relatively good time today. And, even though I may have multi-colored extremities, I'm thinking of taking up the sport.

Just a Taste.

2009-06-14T18:46:00.003-06:00

I'm holding out on writing the full post on the race this weekend...just until I feel like I can do it justice. Suffice it to say, I'm still alive, I finished with a perfectly "bloggable" time, and I made it to church today to play the organ and give my "spiritual thought" in New Member Meeting. The "I MADE IT" finisher picture is all you get for now.

*Shameless Marketing for Giveaway Today

2009-06-09T08:44:00.002-06:00

So, I meandered upon this great site awhile back, and have now started visiting it as part of my morning ritual. They are a marketing site for businesses and they give stuff away. For free. No. strings. attached. I have their button on my sidebar, but it's definitely worth checking out (even if you don't win, you could find your new favorite products). You can find them at http://giveawaytoday.blogspot.com. I have YET to win anything, but I've got everything crossed that I win the 90 minute massage from Sego Lily Day Spa today...

Overwhelmed...and Grateful

2009-06-05T22:37:00.004-06:00

It's nice to know I have a boss who cares about me as a human being first, and as an employee second. We have very rigorous fundraising standards and love to come out on top, but when it comes to the well being of her employees, she shows the utmost concern and realizes that employee morale is truly important. I am incredibly grateful that she is often more in tune with my personal needs than I am.

Last year around this time, I got really overwhelmed with the duties of my job, but determined to rise above, I worked myself to the bone and got really run down. After a particularly taxing staff meeting, I went back to my desk and looked over the list of items I needed to follow up on or complete. Feeling overwhelmed I sat down and tried to absorb it all. Laura came back to add one more thing to the list and immediately saw the emotion in my eyes. She asked me what was wrong and I felt the tears start to fall. She could tell I was overwhelmed and exhausted and told me I needed to take time off - ASAP. I looked back down at the list I had just accumulated and felt like a day or two off was a complete impossibility. She explained to me that she and Jamee could pick up some slack for a couple of days while I took the time I needed to rest up and renew myself.

Well, this morning when I got to work, I had the following message in my text inbox:

"You okay girlie? You sounded tired last night! Is it only the training? Boys? (They are all retarded!) Or work? Can you schedule a couple days off? I'm a wee worried about you. Stac - see if Alex can come in and help you guys today? If she can't see if Peg can send someone over? I need you and Jamee to not get overwhelmed. Let me know what you think!"

I already had a little 15 year old juvenile delinquent stuffing invitations for me in our spare office, so the additional help wasn't necessary, but the fact that she cared enough to offer me an "out," of sorts, was so appreciated. I have to say, I feel so blessed to have a boss who understands that employees are also people who have a life outside of work. Laura has also been a fantastic mentor to me as I have strived to learn this role. She often compliments me on a job well done, but I have to say, I am her prodigy in this game.

National Running Day

2009-06-04T11:24:00.003-06:00

June 3rd is National Running Day. Never in my life did I ever think I would observe this "holiday." To commemorate, I'm proud to say I logged 7.24 miles around the slums of South Salt Lake. Aren't you proud of me? It was a tough one, to say the least. My legs and my lungs were not cooperating, not to mention I couldn't get my heartrate regulated. But I persevered and finished in an hour and a half (almost on the nose).

Now, you should all mark your calendars for next year's June 3rd. I'm taking applications for a running partner.

Love Connection??

2009-06-01T18:30:00.006-06:00

Do you ever compare your life to TV shows? I've adopted this horrible habit, and right now I would liken the events of my life to a bad episode of Love Connection. I half expect a crazed Chuck Woolery to leap out at any moment and critique. It started with Hot or Not. Eric insisted that I upload my picture, and I insisted on an alias - Candy Cane. This was, of course, in the wake of the Mike fiasco, and I had nothing to lose, so I did it. Naturally, the "double matches" started rolling in and the emails abounded. That was fun and amusing for a few weeks, but then the hysteria died down and I became your average 9.5.

Ash always has a guy up her sleeve, which is why I wasn't surprised when she begged me to go out with her friend. "Just log into my Facebook and check out his photos." Ironically, he was online and choosing to chat with "Ash" at that very moment. I decided to chat him up, and had myself a date for that weekend.

Walking the halls of church more than 5 minutes prior to the start of Sacrament Meeting isn't common for me. Planning on just making a beeline for the Bishop's office for a tithing envelope, my mission was interrupted by a guy remarking that I was "quite the runner." I'm so self conscious about the way I run and how I look that I was immediately caught off guard. He had seen me running and I begged him to just keep it a secret and not tell me. We got to chatting about running until I had to retreat to the organ for prelude. Later that night he popped up on my chat and I debated for a good 10 minutes before I hit enter to send the simple message, "Hey." The night ended with me at his house, watching the white trash guilty pleasure Talladega Nights. Glad I hit enter on that bad boy.

Going out to my car after the movie, my phone beeped loudly at me signaling a message. The voicemail was from a guy my mom has been trying to set me up with for a month. He had finally called, and chosen that night to pounce. He accused me of screening my calls (not true) and asked me to call him back. Unintentionally, his phone call still remains unreturned.

Ladies and gents, I now turn to the old adage when it rains, it pours. Love to hate it, but, boy oh boy, it's true.

Weekend Update...

2009-05-27T20:35:00.004-06:00

Memorial Day came and went without a hitch. I found myself in St. George, running my very first 10K race! When I started training for the half marathon, I thought I ought to inch my way there (of course, the training would be gradual, but mentally, I needed to run a race longer than a 5K before the "big one") and started looking for 10K's in the area. Finding none, I decided I would be okay, but when I ran the SLC Marathon 5K, there was an ad for a 10K associated with the Washington County Medieval Faire and I immediately decided I wanted to run it. Tiffanie was supposed to come with me, but due to extenuating circumstances (and her having the absolute worst day ever) I ended up going with Eric instead. We stayed in a trashy hotel and woke up at the crack of dawn, but I ended up finishing with a time of 1H 1M for the 6.2 miles. I was beaming with pride...or maybe that's just sweat...We rushed home from St. George and I crashed (right around 6:00 pm - barely able to stay awake during the drive) and managed to sleep for a total of about 12 hours that night. Did I feel guilty? Not at all.

Sunday I went down to my parents' to sleep over, making the rash decision to run the Harrington Memorial 5K in American Fork on Monday morning. This time I suckered Ethan into running with me. He's my little brother, and runs the 400m in track. I was astonished when we crossed the finish line within about 10 seconds of each other. And to think that I was the one who pushed him to beat a 30 minute finish time. Paul and Marianne ran it with us, as well as Marianne's lightning fast little sisters, and her parents.

The remainder of the holiday couldn't have been better spent. I made a pasta salad for the BBQ that evening, and then retreated to my dad's hammock in the back yard. My face was perfectly shaded, and my legs were perfectly sunned, and I spent the afternoon reading and napping.

I came to the conclusion that all weekends should be four day weekends. Perhaps I should plan a move to France...

Random Encounters at the Old Navy

2009-05-18T18:41:00.003-06:00

He was meandering around the men's underwear when he began to eavesdrop on their conversation: "Part of me really thinks I need one of these shirts to wear to the Walk events this year. They're pretty cool!" He mentioned he liked the Superman one, and asked exactly what she was referring to. "I work for a non-profit and our theme this year is 'Be a Hero, Find a Cure' and these would mesh perfectly!" "Oh, that's cool. Go with Superman."

She shrugged off the encounter, and continued with her friend towards the "main event." Lynsey had gotten a 25% off coupon from a co-worker, and they fully intended to splurge on swimwear that evening. There were numerous styles, colors, and cuts, some of which only porn stars could wear, but she found a cute black and white ruffled, gingham duo, which she fancied, and noted that they didn't have her size. She walked up to the nearest store attendant and asked if they had any more in back. He went to look and she wandered further over into the women's section, when she saw the gentleman with whom she had previously conversed that evening. He came up to her and asked if he could ask her a strange question. Always up for answering those, she said "yes," tainted with a hint of intrigue. "My friend just got a phone call from a talk show, telling him that he had a secret admirer. If it was you, would you go?"

Puzzled by the query (and why he would ask her), she asked, instinctively, "What talk show?" He didn't know, but she said she would likely go, out of sheer morbid curiosity. He seemed satisfied with that response and confidently asked her name. "Stacey. Yours?" "Jeff."

After chit-chatting and small talking for a few moments longer, he got her number, asked her if she would like to go for coffee ("I don't drink coffee," she replied), then, for ice cream, took his cue to leave, and he was gone. Stacey and Lynsey continued about their shopping, puzzled about the whole encounter, when the first text message arrived (not ten minutes after he left). "Hi it's Jeff from Old Navy. Would you like to go get ice cream sometime?" How's that for striking while the iron's hot?? "Sure. When?" she replied. "Monday works for me." She pushed him to Thursday, thinking she could maybe think of some way to bail on him before then. He agreed to Thursday at 7:30, and the texting stopped.

At the conclusion of the evening, Stacey commented to Lynsey that she needed to ice her knees on Sunday. She would stop at the Smiths on the way home and grab some (along with a load of other crap she thought up while making a list). She was almost done, but just needed some salad for her dinner alone on Sunday. She turned the corner to the produce section where she spotted him again. She accused him of stalking her, and he said the same to her. He noted that two "meet-cutes" in one night was a sign and that they needed to bump their ice cream date up from Thursday at 7:30 to right now. She had eggs and frozen peas that needed to be kept cold, so she used that as her argument to wait. He offered to allow her to go home, properly refrigerate, and go from there. She explained how to get to her house, and he offered to drive her there, drop her groceries off, and take her back to her car once the outing was done. She reluctantly agreed, thinking that now she wouldn't have to worry about Thursday.

They arrived at the Iceberg a short 15 minutes before closing time. They sat in the car, enjoying their shakes and listening to music (a shared passion, they discovered). He mentioned that he used to rap (yes, like 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem, alike) and offered to rap for her if she would sing along to one of the songs. He introduced her to what he called "intelligent rap" (tells a story and includes strings), and mocked her love for the Mayer. She never did sing along (silently knowing that she doesn't hide her dislike for things well), so he offered an alternative to singing along. She could kiss him on the cheek. Disliking both of her options, she hoped he would forget by the time they pulled up next to her car in the Smiths parking lot. He gave her one more chance to sing along, which she denied. He turned his face towards hers, indicating for her to kiss his cheek. She looked him square in the eye and said "If you turn your head, so help me, I will slap you." "Well, then," he replied, "you'd better just go."

She thanked him for the shake, hopped in her car, and drove home. "Here's to a random encounter," she thought, "and not having to wonder what might have been."

Suspicions Confirmed

2009-05-11T23:34:00.005-06:00

So, while composing my last post, I had so much fun with the BabyMaker that I decided to do a little experiment. Turns out, we would have cute kids. Soulmates? I THINK SO!

Exhibit A:
(I call him "Johncey")
Exhibit B:
(I call this little lady the "Anti Maniston")Now my suspicions are completely confirmed. The Mayer and I would definitely make the most beautiful babies. Now if only I could get him to realize that...

Match Made in Heaven...in another 15-20 Years

2009-05-11T21:56:00.005-06:00

Meet Ethan:
Ethan is one of my favorite kids with diabetes. Don't you think he kinda resembles Bon Jovi? Many have told me I'm crazy for seeing this resemblance, but I think it's there. Well, mostly Ethan's mom, Tiburon, is one of my favorite people in the chapter (and don't get jealous - I have a lot of favorites around these parts). . The saddest thing is, he's broken his elbow, and now he's out for the baseball season because he has to have surgery...let's all say it together, "POOR Ethan!"

So I wondered what I could do to cheer him up.

Enter Sydney:
Syd is now one of my favorite girly girls from JDRF. Her mom, Shamae, is pretty much 'da bomb, and one of my new best friends. Isn't she such a beauty (not to mention, has a FAB taste in movies)?? Well, one time Shamae mentioned to me that Syd thought Ethan was cute (Shamae has a bit of an addiction for blog stalking, and stumbled across Tib's blog with the help of yours truly), so I thought I'd try something out. In my opinion, Syd could put a smile on Charlie Chaplin...

In 15 years when I set these two up (I will be 40 and bored out of my mind...much like all the peeps trying to set me up these days), they will fall madly in love, get married and make babies together. THIS is what they will look like:
Ok...so maybe two FAB looking kids don't make the most beautiful baby. You just wait til baby Bon Jovi grows up!

8 Things Tag

2009-05-08T11:59:00.002-06:00

8 Things I'm looking forward to.....

The weekend (minus the 9 miles I have to run tomorrow)
The half marathon being over
My student loan being paid off
Getting married (well, I would settle for a steady beau, but let's face it, it's the elephant in the room...)
The Grey's 2 hour finale next Thursday
Getting a new car...
Raising another million dollars for diabetes research this year (care to help?)
No Doubt & Paramore, together on Memorial Day...yay for BOGO tickets! Wanna come??

8 Things I Did Yesterday......

Worked
Lunch @ Rio Grande
Ran 2 miles
Showered FAST
Got cracked by the chiro (is that politically correct, Mandy?)
Watched Grey's in the front room
Watched Grey's on DVD in bed
Fell into a silent slumber

8 Things I Wish I could Do.....

Cook (baking doesn't count as "cooking")
Run without being in pain
Find a cure for diabetes MYSELF!
Raise an extra $50,000 by June 30th
Go on vacation
Sleep through the night without having to get up to pee
Be crafty like my sissy
Read more without falling asleep

8 Shows I Watch.....

Grey's Anatomy
American Idol
Ace of Cakes
The Soup
One Tree Hill
Gossip Girl
Friends (syndicated AND DVD)
(anxiously awaiting the return of) So You Think You Can Dance!

8 People I Want To Read 8 Things About.....

Leigh
Ashlee Mc
Ashlee G
Lynsey
Tiffanie
Krista
Cassie
Breanna

All the Things I SHOULD Have Learned...

2009-05-07T21:57:00.008-06:00

I'd like to say that God blessed me with the wisdom to absorb my mother's personality characteristics. I'd like to say that I've grown with grace and poise into the woman I am today because I mimicked my mother my whole life. I'd like to say that I am half the woman that my mother is. But I can't. God blessed me with sufficient stupidity to not love or acknowledge the fabulous traits of my mother while I was young and impressionable. Constantly, through my tumultuous years of youth, members of my ward would remark at how fabulous my mom was; how beautiful she was; how talented she was. Even better was when they would compare me to her. I would scoff at the comments, never identifying with what I now realize was one of the best compliments someone could ever pay me.

Because I'm now an independent woman, and no longer live with my mother (a blessing to both of us) I now realize how lucky I am to have been born to the mother I was. I hope to preempt all the "Mother Tribute" blog posts that I know are forthcoming to the world of blogdom (especially since her birthday is also this weekend)...so I present...

Top 10 Things I Should Have Learned From My Mother*

*While I was still in close enough proximity for them to rub off on me

My mom has more patience in her little toe than I have in my whole body. No matter of proximity could infuse this virtue in me. Even when I was being a little s*** (which was most of the time), my mom handled the situation so well. When I "grew up" and moved back into my parents' house, and I knew just which buttons to push, she still acted with so much presence of mind when I all but pushed her over the edge.
My mom has learned how to mother me through years of hands-on experience. There was a time when I really thought that God gave me a mother who had no idea how to deal with me. Then I realized that we are all blessed with our own challenges - and I was one of my mom's (and for that reason, I wouldn't have changed a thing about my "nurturing years").
My mom is crafty from head to toe. While I have a lot of "projects," I could never piece a quilt, knit a baby sweater, sew a prom dress, or reupholster a chair. She patiently offers guidance to me as I clumsily muddle my way through a sheath dress (which, by the way, I get loads of compliments on) or a duvet cover, and gushes compliments once I finally finish, surely with hopes that next project, I will have more confidence to work alone.
My mom can kick my butt in NERTS. She has tried to impart her mad skillzzz with this game, and I was quick to learn, but either she greases her fingers and rigs her deck (which is impossible since we shuffle and deal for each other), or she really is just that MAD talented (and she harnesses that talent without the use of profanity, a skill I have yet to master)!
My mom has a garden that yields viable produce! Broccoli from the garden is one of my favorite "treats." There are times when I go home on a Saturday, and find my mom in the garden, weeding her little heart out. She is a green thumb extraordinaire.
My mom knows the value of hard work. Fortunately, this one did rub off on me a little (and all my siblings). One thing that McAllisters can be counted on for is a stellar work ethic. For this I am incredibly thankful (and so are my employers). Growing up I would witness my parents working side by side, a characteristic I want in my own marriage someday. Some of the projects I remember specifically are: the sprinkler system, the backyard fence, tiling the kitchen and front entry, laying the railroad ties for the garden, and finishing the basement.
My mom knows that kids will be kids, and sometimes fighting is a necessary part of growing up. There was a time I distinctly remember when Paul and I were fighting, rather violently for pre-teens, and mom told us to go outside. I recall thinking, "Paul could really beat me up if he wanted to...and if we go outside, no one will be there to stop him." We went out on the front porch, threw a few punches, and realized that it was comical that we were sent to the porch to finish the fight. The encounter ended in laughter. Oh how wise she was...
My mom knows how to have fun. Fortunately, again, I did learn this as well. I can always count on a good laugh when I go home, especially when we make Ethan sing the mockingbird song. Ask my mom about it...she'll probably burst into hysterics just thinking about it.
My mom loves my dad. I haven't had the chance to exhibit this trait, as I'm still single, but I hope that because of my parents' relationship, I will also be in love with my husband nearly 30 years into marriage. There were a handful of times, as a child, when I would think, "I hope my parents don't get divorced." Living outside Utah, where I was the only LDS child in my school, I had a lot of friends with divorced parents. I couldn't imagine anything worse. Luckily that's never been an option for my parents, and I've had a fantastic example of what marriage is all about.
My mom has her eyes so sharply fixed on eternity and is willing to sacrifice anything to get there. I have always been fairly "religiously-challenged." Or perhaps you could say I don't always have the faith necessary to do all the things asked by our church leaders. My mom, however, has always had the laser focus and the desire to "be good." This example has stuck with me through my "grown up" years, and I have grown to love that about my mom.

So, for most of my 26 years of existence I went through life ignorant to the "total package" I had as a mother. I hope I can continue to learn from her expertise and her life experience. People still tell me how fabulous my mom is - now I just nod in agreement and think to myself "And she is mine for eternity. I am one lucky duck."

Free KFC...again?

2009-05-05T21:58:00.002-06:00

Ok, so never did I think I would do two posts on KFC...in any amount of time, but this deal was way too good to pass up. It's true...Oprah was singing the praises of the new un-grilled line of KFC chicken and she had her very own coupon created for her viewers. Well, I love you all so much that I thought I'd make it available for you. This time it's for a FREE two piece meal! Can you believe it?! Two pieces of chicken, two sides, and a biscuit...FREE! Just visit the new KFC site to download and print your coupon before 9:59 pm (Central time) tomorrow (or today, depending on when you read), and then it can be redeemed by May 19th. Take advantage, peeps. Free food doesn't come around every day.

CD Swapperoo

2009-04-28T20:21:00.005-06:00

So...lately I've been craving new music (or at least a re acquaintance with some old favorites). Basically, I'm just burned out. Summer's right around the corner (says the calendar, not the weather) and I thought it would be fun to host a swap.

Here's how it works. If you want to play, leave a comment and let me know you're committed. Do this by May 16th. Then, I will let everyone know how many copies of their mix they need to burn (if 10 people say they want to play, you'll make 10 copies). You'll get your discs to me by May 30th and then I'll get one of each sent back to each of you! It's simple - I just need your commitment. Make sure you include a track listing and some fun cover art too! OH, and give it a shout out on your blog - the more people that play, the more music we get!

The catch? Summer music can tend to be so cliche (Summer Girls by LFO, Cruel Summer by Bananarama, Steal My Sunshine by Len). If you want to play, get those creative juices flowing and really put your personality stamp on that mix! Try to think of the songs that make you want to sit out on your porch sipping a Shirley Temple, or drive around town with your feet out the window, or put the top down on your convertible and feel the wind in your hair.

If you have any questions, you can also email me at s [dot] mcallister83 [at] gmail [dot] com

a day off

2009-04-24T12:04:00.009-06:00

When this girl takes a day off, there had better be a good reason. Today's "good reason" was that I have accumulated too much vacation/sick/comp time and I now have to burn it off before it expires. SO, I tried to think of what fun things I could pack into my day to make it worth the time out of the office. Normally, when I have a day to myself, I run, sleep in, go to a movie, bake something, and/or (if it's warm), lay out. Since I overdid it on my run on Wednesday, and I decided to give it another go last night (and aggravated the injury), the run was out. I did manage to sleep in (until 8:30...haha), and lounged around in my bed, checking emails and watching Gilmore Girls until about 11 am.

Last night, while recovering from the 2-miler Bre and I did, I stumbled across a FAB baking blog. Since I'm single and I don't have a husband to cook for, I end up trying my hand at some new and different baking projects. THIS was the recipe that caught my eye last night. When I finished getting ready this morning, I threw on my shoes and walked up to the Smith's. After filling my basket with my supplies (and some impulse items), finished ringing myself up at the self-check and reached for my debit card. Since I didn't have my purse, I didn't have my debit card. I summoned the self-check babysitter over to my station and told her my problem. Sadly, I did have to leave behind my strawberries, doritos, and vitamin water. I only had enough cash for the essentials.

I wasn't sure I had enough time to throw these delicious morsels of goodness together before I had to leave for my 1 o'clock appointment with Braden, my new masseuse (he got a good tour of the assets...sadly, my running injury is in the gluteus region), but I worked at lightning fast speed and got them in the oven with just enough time to garnish before running out the door. I'm proud of these little beauts! They were quite the accomplishment for moi.

Back to Braden, my new best friend, who singlehandedly (well, doublehandedly, really) pressured the kinks out of my back and booty. He was quite the attractive devil as well. Secretly, I had hoped that he would be ugly so I wouldn't be so self conscious about my bare booty on the massage table, but was fantastically pleased when Braden came into the waiting room to take me to the massage table. What a glorious hour. Let's hope the effects carry on into tomorrow's 8-mile run.

Maybe tomorrow, if I'm feeling super ambitious after the run and the SWEET BBQ, I'll try my hand at these. Don't you wish you lived at my house?? Come on over...I'm more than willing to share :)

Get your grill on...

2009-04-21T17:32:00.006-06:00

...in more ways than one! I have two FAB ways to satisfy that "grill fix" of yours.

One of my awesomely awesome JDRF families is hosting a BBQ on Saturday (April 25th), courtesy of Macey's grocery store. Best part? All the proceeds will benefit JDRF (oh and the other best part is that you can get a juicy hamburger, chips and Coke for a BUCK!). Just come out to the Macey's in West Jordan (7800 S 3200 W) between 11 am and 2 pm. Be sure to find me and say "HI," because I'll be there with bells on!

KFC has launched their new line of Kentucky Grilled Chicken and they have aptly dubbed Monday, April 27th as UNFry Day. They are offering a FREE piece of their new grilled chicken to each and every customer that walks through their doors. All you have to do is ask! Click the pic for more info. Go check it out on Monday!

She & Him pt. 3

2009-04-20T22:27:00.004-06:00

The Other She landed in Salt Lake on December 19th - the day that Winter Break began; the day after She said goodbye to Him for the long 9 days ahead. She had never been so anxious or worried in her whole life. She couldn't concentrate, She had a knot in her stomach 24 hours a day, She was consumed with thoughts of losing Him. Her friends and family coached her, saying that this was the time for her to be confident - when He would realize just how much he missed her. Unfortunately, these reassurances only made matters worse. She took nearly a week off work to spend time with Her family to try to pass the time.

He arrived on her doorstep to drop off a Christmas gift, and immediately She started to cry. She hated that she couldn't maintain her composure in front of him, but seeing Him after 4 days of brain-numbing anxiety was all that She could handle. He had bought Her a book - by an author they had discussed. A passage in the book reminded Him of Her, however, he couldn't, for the life of him, remember which passage it was. His charge: to read the book searching for similarities. She did, and though there were many, She didn't find their correlation strong enough to their immediate situation. She completed the book in record time.

She was getting her hair done when She got the text, "Hey do you have some time to get together?" In Her mind, this could only bode badly for her. She pushed and pushed for him to spill his guts (and in His defense, He really wanted to talk in person). "We stayed up until 4 in the morning talking, and after that I had decided that She was the one." (of course, referring to the Other She). She stopped reading at that point. The tears began to fall amidst the crowd of pubescent beauty school students - not many past the age of 21. Fortunately her sister was the one doing her highlights, and tried her best to console Her. "I hate him" her sister said, "you need to make a clean break and move on."

The texting continued through the duration of Her hair treatment. He claimed to have regretted his decision immediately, and, long story short, He wanted to see Her - tomorrow at breakfast. With eyes swollen to the size of grapefruits, She consented to the meeting. They talked in circles for nearly 3 hours, with the consensus being that He needed more time (more than the ten months She had already given Him). She agreed - anything worth anything can be waited for.

He managed to taint Her holiday season with anxiety, even on Christmas, He asked her to a movie. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was the decided, and He even went down to Her families' house so She wouldn't have to drive. They went to the movie, and came out to a winter wonderland. His dad asked Him not to drive home. He was down to stay (at least for the evening). Upon arrival at Her parents' house, they tiptoed in, careful not to disturb its' slumbering inhabitants. They retreated to the basement, where the spare bedroom was located. They quickly reacquainted, as though nothing had transpired between them the last 10 days. She went upstairs and quickly fell asleep on the couch, and no sooner had she fallen, She awoke to the cereal chomping of her younger brother (he eats like a horse out to pasture). She had a small conversation with her mom and dad, and went down to awaken Him.

He was embarrassed to ascend from the basement, worried about the judgment of Her parents and family. She reassured Him, and quickly ushered Him outside. They dug His car out of the snowdrift they parked it in the night before, He gave her a quick kiss, and drove away. For the first time in 10 days She felt markedly reassured.

That day She shopped the after-Christmas sales with her sister. While at her favorite shoe store, She got a phone call from Him. "We need to talk," He said. Feeling Her stomach churn just as She had for the past week, She agreed to call Him back following Her outing. She got home and immediately dialed those familiar 10 digits. His voice had a somber tone he responded to her question, "What's up?"

"I've been thinking about things since I left this morning, and while I value our friendship, I value my relationship with her more." He had finally made a decision. The whole ordeal had finally come to a screeching halt. She was immediately devastated. However reassured She was that morning, She now felt as though she had been repeatedly kicked in the stomach. She didn't think she had ever cried so hard, or felt so much pain because of one person. The next morning, She awoke to find an email from Him, delineating all of Her attractive qualities, and reasons that He had loved her for the past 10 months. She read quietly as the tears streamed down her face. She thought "He really believes I exhibit all these traits, yet He still chose her. What a slap in the face."

It took a little bit of time, but eventually She picked up all the pieces of her broken heart, and managed to forge on. She did emerge a stronger person - just as She had many times before. And She never really figured out what passage in that book He was talking about...

She & Him pt. 2

2009-04-12T23:20:00.001-06:00

Things continued this way for a couple months and things were fabulous for She and Him. They were fantastic friends with all the trust, communication, and laughter of any great relationship. They talked to each other about various topics, movies, music, and even dating experiences. So, when He went to North Carolina to meet up with another She, whom he spoke very highly of, even to the point of romantic interest, She thought nothing of it. He sought out her advice regarding how to handle the girl he was currently dating, and whether he should break up with her pre-emptively.

He came home from the East visibly unchanged, but with the Other She existing merely as a technology friend (phone, email, IM). She and Him continued to hang out multiple times per week, and He even took her to the airport for her 9-day jaunt to Seattle. She was scared when she realized that she had new, ever-familiar feelings for Him. Worries about how their friendship would be affected (as He was getting very chummy with the Other She - 0r at least as chummy as you can get 2,000 miles apart) crossed her mind often. Other worries included whether She really wanted to take the plunge and be vulnerable again, whether it was really worth it, whether or not She would win.

She desperately wanted to tell Him how she felt, but was content to continue hanging out as friends until she gained the courage. He mentioned to her that he had dreamt of her and that it was an "in-person tell." He picked her up and they went to Cafe Rio. The sat down with their food and He spit it out, ending with the question, "So, are you interested in me more than just a friend?" Caught off guard, She spit it out as well, embarrassed to the brim, and immediately thinking she would never speak to Him again (in normal, comfortable conversation).

To her disbelief, things were sticky for a short couple of weeks, and then they became inseparable. They hung out 4-5 times a week, and She tried fiercely to push thoughts of the Other She out of her reality. Talk of the Other She coming to town for Christmas break started, and immediately She began to feel insecure and anxious about the whole ordeal. While she was confident, She had never met this Other girl, and She had no idea what kind of "competition" she had.

She & Him pt. 1

2009-04-12T18:55:00.005-06:00

**Long short-story style post - proceed with caution (and read carefully - lots of personal pronouns!)**
She thought she would have an ordinary night at home. Her roommate was going to dinner with an old friend so she would have the apartment to herself. After making the suggestion of Cafe Rio for their dinner, She decided that it sounded good herself, and made the mighty trek for takeout. They asked her to sit down and eat with them, noting that they had just been discussing various options of guys to set her up with. Yes, it was decided, He would be great. She asked the particulars (his looks, tastes, background), and they set up the meeting for that night. They would all watch The Darjeeling Limited together that very evening. He had to pick up his parents from the airport, but would be on his way shortly. The threesome played cards to pass the time.

When He walked in, She wasn't too impressed. He was growing a beard, that had amassed the size of a small nation by that point, he was on the short-ish side, and she was left wondering why her newfound friend, Eric, and her roommate would think that She would be interested in Him. The remainder of the night was uneventful, but impressions were made, and she thought to never give another thought to the gentleman.

Nights later, Bre mentioned that Eric and Him had been asking about her. It appeared that there was a shared interest (however so mild) between the two guys. When, later that week, Eric came by her house, She confessed that she was first attracted to and wanted to date him, not his friend. He let her know that he was dating someone, but that she should give his friend a chance - because He was really interested in getting to know her. If at the end of this "chance," things didn't work out, Eric hoped that She would still be interested in going out. It was almost the challenge she needed to go out with Him - even without the initial attraction.

Two months passed, and no further attraction developed between She and Him. However hard She tried, She couldn't make herself fall in love with him. They went out sometimes twice a week. She couldn't put her finger on it either - there was something holding her back. They always had a fantastic time together, but She didn't enjoy thinking about Him holding her hand, or kissing her, the way She had with other guys. After a good coaching session with Eric and Bre, She decided it would be best to end it now, and hopefully try to keep his respect, and possibly forge a friendship out of it.

The conversation came and went easily. She said her piece, and He didn't even seem phased by her lack of interest. She was incredibly sorry (since she very well knew how bad it felt to hear someone say they weren't interested in you) and thought she broke his heart. Even discussing it with Eric and Bre afterwards, they both thought that He would still be willing to be her friend, although it would probably take a few weeks for him to get over it. However, the very next weekend, She wanted to go see a movie, and He had become her favorite movie buddy, so She gave him a call. They picked up as though nothing had even happened (with the only exception to their new relationship being that She bought her own movie ticket).

So we thought we'd be domestic...

2009-04-05T22:03:00.006-06:00

Conference weekend for Mormons is pretty well consumed by listening to the words of the prophet and napping. That's how my Saturday went - conference (+nap), running, conference (+nap). For men, it's even more consuming with an additional session on Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, it's more enjoyable for me than actually attending church - and the talks are FAB, but it makes for two long days (of slothful, lazy bliss). For Lynsey and I, however, we managed to find some domestic activities to keep us busy on Saturday night.

We started out by hitting the Roberts (remembering that they have this HUGE ladies night out event on conference Saturday after we had arrived). We decided to brave the crowd of moms and kids to get our crafting supplies for the evening's festivities. Perk to this outing being that I won a bead spinner (no clue what the perk to actually having a bead spinner is, but thrilled to win, nonetheless). We spent far too long perusing the printed papers, and I dropped far too much dough, but I just couldn't limit myself! I'll take the matter up with the Budgeting Gods later...

We then hit the Home Depot and realized where all the hot guys hide out on the weekends. I never thought I'd say this, but my sister has it so great actually working there! I think I saw several guys I would have gone out with, or would have hit on, at the very least. After walking the length of the store a few times, we left and found ourselves at the WalMart. I got the hankering to make cupcakes, and I had neglected to get some glue applicator sticks at the Roberts.
Words cannot describe the kinds of things you witness while shopping at WalMart. I joked with Brian on Friday night that he must be allergic to white trash because his allergies flared up once we got inside the store (did I just admit to shopping at WalMart two nights in a row??). The caliber of people who shop at WalMart crack me up, ranging from the annoying teenagers who just want somewhere besides home to chill, to the inconsiderate families who just can't manage to make room for one more person in the aisle. Anyhow, we settled on easter egg cupcake papers and devil's food cake and headed home.

While the cupcakes were baking, I taught Lynsey the delicate art of magnetry. I never thought I would be imparting crafty wisdom to another, but since my ever-so-thorough tutelage from Leigh, I am a magnetress of unparalleled proportions. Turns out, Lynsey's not too bad either. The cupcakes turned out remarkably (I'm even thinking about telling Martha Stewart about my endeavors in the kitchen) and the frosting was oh-so-creamy. We even learned that the adhesive we used in the creating of the magnets is industrial strength - most commonly used to bond cement or metal or repair conveyor belts. So glad we're using it to attach paper to glass (no wonder it smells worse than perm solution - perhaps we were a little high on fumes).

We even topped off the evening watching Food Network Challenge: Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 Birthday Cakes. What can I say - we got sucked in; I can't be held responsible for my viewing behavior.

What a fantastic Mormon girl retreat (unplanned). I felt so domestic and productive - after running almost 8 miles (my personal record), it felt nice to give in to the Mormon girl stereotype (no matter how brief) and embrace my pioneer roots. I'm sure the ancestors are proud ;)

In case you were wondering....

2009-04-04T14:07:00.005-06:00

This is what running in the rain looks like on me: (and I should be ashamed for posting this photo, as it is NOT my finest moment)

As soon "amen" was said, and I awoke from my conference-induced slumber, I hopped to it and got dressed. It was raining, and even, at points, snowing, but I kept warm, and managed to hit 7.87 miles before I called it quits. Despite the rain, it was a great run. In case you were wondering, THIS is what 7.87 miles looks like in the slums of South Salt Lake. It's a wonder I haven't been jumped. And to think, I was going to run at the gym today...

New Music I {heart}

2009-04-01T23:18:00.005-06:00

As a music junkie, I "waste" too much tine scouring the internet for new music. It's not just the internet either - I hear music on TV shows (most often Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill), on commercials, in stores, and on movies. I have also learned that Murray Public Library has a DANDY CD collection. I have found a new favorite site, TuneGlue, that explores relationships between artists. It is amazing! Once you enter an artist or band and click "expand," it branches out into a web of related artists. I highly recommend giving it a try sometime.

Since I'm lacking the blogging "creative juices" tonight, I thought I'd share a few new artists/albums/songs that are currently tickling my fancy. Some are older loves that have resurfaced, but most are new finds - doing a lot of play time on the old iPod.

Rise Up by Ben Lee. This song is found on the not-yet-released Rebirth of Venus album and was featured on Grey's Anatomy last week. What a beautiful, delicate song! Not to mention the great scene it played behind on the show! Ben is a fab artist, with other such songs as Catch My Disease, Chills, What Would Jay-Z Do?, and Ripe. He even adequately covered The Beatles, In My Life.
Paris by Benton Paul. Benton opened last Friday for David Archuleta, but exhibited a musical maturity of someone with much more experience. He was a joy to watch, and melted my heart with his talent (not to mention, he hails from Highland, UT)! He spent some time in France, and managed to crank out this beautiful song - "I learned to talk in French. I learned to kiss in French," he said.
The Weepies iTunes Exclusive Live EP. I thought I had all there was to have of this fantastic mellow duo. The husband and wife have cranked out yet another great release. I would listen to The Weepies 24 hours a day. I know they're a smidge "easy listening," but once I heard The World Spins Madly On on Grey's (the gripping "bomb episode" in season 2), I was hooked.
Half Acre by Hem - found on an insurance commercial (of all places). Another mellow band, using a lot of soothing piano riffs, and that oh-so-common indie woman vocal. This track even boasts a clarinet (now think if I had never given up - I could have been Hem's clarinetist - haha).
Then by Brad Paisley. I'm not a country girl, by even the loosest definition, but this song quite nearly made me cry. He performed this beaut on American Idol a few weeks ago, and it helped me to see just the smallest glimpse of what my mom and dad, and numerous other long-time couples have in their relationships. Fantastic perspective!
Duet by Rachael Yamagata. She has partnered with one of my all-time favorite male vocalists, Ray LaMontagne, to sing this beautiful arrangement. The vocals compliment each other quite well - it's a fab song for bedtime.
Hazy by Rosi Golan. This indie gal was featured on One Tree Hill, and at the conclusion of the episode, I hopped on iTunes and downloaded the album immediately. Rosi features another uber-talented bearded vocalist, William Fitzsimmons. These two are some of my favorite finds of the new year.
The Fear by Lily Allen. Lily is a fearless British pop star, with questionable lyrics. I love her. The Fear is the first single off her newest album, "It's Not Me, It's You" and is a great little ditty.
Grizzly Bear's Yellow House album. No words to describe them. Favorite track? Knife.
David Archuleta's self titled album. I know, I'm 26 and I shouldn't have so much love for the underage Idol, but after seeing the kid perform live last weekend, my heart is brimming with love for Murray's own superstar. I think I have listened to his album at least 10 times since last Thursday when I started prepping for the show. I don't even think I can denote a favorite track. Judge all you want, but you know you secretly love him too.

Check 'em out. You won't regret it...just let me know when you've succumbed to your musical coma.

RUNNING for a cure!

2009-03-24T23:05:00.003-06:00

Ok Friends...as you all know, I'm a Special Event Coordinator for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It's a wonderful job and I am blessed to be involved with such an amazing organization with such a focused mission: finding a cure for diabetes. My job involves planning and executing our Chapter's FIVE Walks to Cure Diabetes each fall. Not only do I plan the Walks, but I am also responsible to guide the fundraising activities of the chapter around these Walks.

The past two years, I have asked for donations to support my family Walk team, Cap'n Mac's Mates, as THEY Walk for a cure in Utah County. They have been kind and supportive enough to hop on board and fundraise with me since i got my job in 2007. I couldn't ask for a better family! THIS year, while the funds will still be supporting their team, I will be participating in an additional feat of endurance. Since I am never able to actually WALK on Walk day (because I am working "behind the scenes"), I decided to run a half marathon this year to raise money for my Walk team.

The longest race I have ever run is a 4-miler on Thanksgiving day. A half marathon really will be a challenge for me, and I would like nothing better than to say that I was able to raise $1,000 for diabetes research as a "perk" to finishing those 13.1 miles on June 13th. My goal is always $1,000, but the most I have been able to personally raise is $500. I have been diligently training for this race, and have found it to be incredibly difficult and painful. I know how personally satisfying it will be to cross that finish line, but I also know how much it will mean to the families I work with that I did this for them too.

To learn a little more about JDRF and diabetes, there is a video posted at http://www.supportthischarity.com/cure2008. These kids are actually kids from Utah and yes, they actually have diabetes. You can also read about this on my JDRF post here on the blog.

If you are able, please take a moment to click on the thermometer on my Facebook page where it says "Donate Now." I will love you forever (and probably give you a shout out on my blog for your kind generosity) if you do. You can also click this link: http://walk.jdrf.org/support.cfm?id=87309357 and it will take you straight to my fundraising page. Thank you so much!

validated!

2009-03-24T20:57:00.005-06:00

Okay, so I'm about to toot my own horn here. I have been working my tail off for the last 6 weeks training for this half marathon. I've thusfar been discouraged by the number on the scale, assuming that I would lose weight based on the number of miles I'm logging - I haven't lost an ounce. I'm down in size, but up in pounds.

Today a Board Member was in our office meeting with my boss. She had to take a phone call, and he meandered back to my office to say hello. I stood up to go refill my water bottle and he asked me, very pointedly, if I had lost "a lot of weight." Taken very much aback, I responded with a firm and resounding "NO." Then he asked if I had been working out and I told him that I have been training for a half marathon in June. He told me that "it definitely shows" and that I "looked great." I thanked him and went up front to refill my bottle with a huge smile on my face and a huge feeling of validation in my heart.

Thank you Bruce! You made my week!

Yes, I'm posting about Twilight...

2009-03-22T22:53:00.010-06:00

I only saw Twilight one time in theaters. I wouldn't even have considered myself a "Twilighter." I was the first to admit that they hype surrounding the movie was completely out of control. I read the books out of curiosity, but finished the franchise out of obligation. One wouldn't guess this, given that I read the books in record time (on my scale, of course). When Facebook status updates and flair boards read "I'm looking for my Edward" I was thinking "Oh, please. Can't we get over the mythical vampire dreamboat?" I mean, really, how healthy can it be for teenage girls to be lusting after a blood-sucking, whimsical guy, when REAL guys bring enough problems of their own??

So, last night when i bought the DVD (yes, it was actually a "stop" on the Saturday to-do list), I was eager to get my second-take. I wasn't terribly impressed the first time around, but because my infatuation with Robert Pattinson has bloomed, I felt the need to give it another chance. It took me two tries to get through it (given that I started it at 12:30 am), but finished this morning with just enough time to make it to church. I liked it more the second time, but for different reasons than I thought I would. Having experienced a few handfuls of life since I saw it last November, I picked up a few things that I didn't before.

I love finding parallels to my life in movies, music lyrics, and TV shows, but I really didn't want to with Twilight. I was startled when two lines, in particular, struck me as pertinent - yes, the teenage vampire movie has application in real life! The first line is in the scene at the restaurant after Edward rescues Bella from the weasels in the dark alley. He says, "I feel very protective of you." I find this to be very endearing - and appropriate of any male/female relationship. Any good guy friend/boyfriend I have had has mentioned this to me one time or another. It is so important to me to know that the guys I am with feel the need to protect me. I'm one tough broad, and usually do pretty well on my own, but to know that someone else has my back, is truly a sign that someone cares for me.

The second line is in the hokey scene when Bella articulates to Edward that she knows what he is. He says to her, "You don't know how long I've waited for you." He knows that she is who he is meant to be with. I think we all feel this way at times - when we've met someone and the chemistry is just right. It hasn't happened to me more than a handful of times (with friends - girl and guy - and love interests), but you just know that you've met for a reason. I know, especially as single Latter Day Saints, we are constantly indoctrinated with the marriage spiel (as if we don't know that we should be getting married). We've all waited so long - and we will wait even longer, but I would rather wait FOREVER for someone who makes me feel this way than to settle for someone I have lukewarm attachment to.

Even in church today, Bishop Hanks taught Relief Society about dating and marriage and his wife mentioned that even in Twilight, Edward put Bella's needs above his own. He was always concerned about her well-being first and foremost - the same way that guys we date should be about us.

Oh, and did I mention, the movie has a great soundtrack??

So there you have it. I have likened Twilight unto my own life (as inappropriate or blasphemous as that is). Try not to judge too harshly. It was either this, or another post about how I'm losing a toenail due to my training. I picked this.

New Layout??

2009-03-17T22:22:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I'm really not the girly girl type, but I thought I'd try something new. What do you think?

We'll see how long it lasts....

In the meantime, a festive St. Paddy's limerick...

There once was a girl named *stace*
Whose training blew up in her face
She went for a run
Fell down on her bun(s)
So maybe she's NOT such an ace...

Training=Pain

2009-03-17T17:42:00.005-06:00

"Top results are reached only through pain. But eventually you like this pain. You’ll find the more difficulties you have on the way, the more you will enjoy your success." --Juha Vaatainen

I went for a leisurely 3.75 mile jog yesterday, after a 4-day weekend hiatus. After resting for such a long period, I thought I'd be able to hit it hard and tack another 5-6 miles to my weekly mileage. Not so. My shin splints and joint pain were too much to bear and I stopped at 3.75.

*Here's a little backstory on my shoes: they were my first pair of "serious" running shoes. I did my own consumer research and looked on various websites for the best pricing. They served me well, accumulating close to 1,000 miles on their soles (nearly 500 more than a pair of shoes should earn).

ANYWAY, following this run, I found myself at Salt Lake Running Company, begging a guy named Lance to fix my broken legs. He looked at the soles of my tattered Asics and told me what I already assumed - that i need more of a stability shoe to prevent my pronation. I walked on the treadmill to be sure that my legs aligned properly in the new shoes (they did) and told Lance I would take them. 30 minutes and $144 later, I was the proud owner of some new Mizuno Wave Inspires, complete with support insoles. I have high hopes that they will relieve some of the stress on my legs.

Over the weekend, I also ventured over to GNC. I've had suspicions that I am deficient in a plethora of nutrients, so I self-diagnosed. I returned home with over $80 worth of supplements: TriFlex (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM for joint health), high potentcy women's multi-vitamin, and an additional Calcium supplement (with added Magnesium). I now take 7 pills a day. Interesting observations of these supplements:

All pills are the size of a grape
The multi is green and smells like a horse pasture
Said multi has made my urine a sonic yellow/green color (in a radioactive-like fashion [sorry for the TMI])
Having to remember to take said multi TWICE a day might prove difficult.

I'm thinking these changes will help me work through the pain of training (a pain I don't think I'll EVER like). I can't wait to take my new kicks for a spin. Until then, I'll hope that my radioactive urine isn't a sign of something negative.

Tidbits About Training

2009-03-10T22:04:00.006-06:00

It's hilarious to think that in 3 months time I will have added "completed half marathon" to my life accomplishments. When I was in Mrs. Scott's PE classes in Junior High, we would do a "fun run" every Wednesday. This "fun run" was a 1.5 mile loop around the school. Everyone laughed and joked about its name - it was "fun" when it was over. It's hard to think back to when I was winded just by running 1.5 miles.

Seasons change and metabolisms slow and there I was, nearing my graduation from college, and I found myself running again - this time by choice. My first run outside was a complete and utter joke, achieving maybe one mile before I dragged myself up my front steps. I declared, upon entering my parents' house, that I would never be doing "that" again. I took to the elliptical for months before I ever dared run on the pavement again.

Moving to Salt Lake brought interesting challenges, and my job was an inactive desk job. I noticed a gain of about 10-15 pounds one summer, and determined to have dropped a pant size before my boyfriend returned from Boston, I started running once more. I later purchased a gym membership, and began to consider myself a serious "athlete."

Little did I know, when reuniting with an old group of girlfriends, that I would be propositioned to run a half marathon. I have been running consistently since about December, but never in quantitative mileage that one who attempts this feat would boast. I had entertained the idea of a half marathon last year (as part of my lame attempt at New Year's Resolutions), but never really buckled down. So, I agreed, and here I am, 4.5 weeks into my formal training and I have a few observations to share.

Bananas are my fruit of choice - they increase my endurance, decrease muscle cramps, and they're fast and convenient.
The tone of my skin (not just on my face) has gotten much nicer since I started training! It's much softer and more supple :)
The inclusion of water in one's diet cannot be underestimated. My goal is to drink one full gallon per day - something I achieve most days of the week. I feel so much better after a run when I'm adequately hydrated!
Running medicated is the only way to go. My preferred cocktail: 5 Ibuprofen, 15 minutes before starting my run.
The proper synthetic attire (i.e. sports bras) make a HUGE difference. Not just in support - they wick moisture away from my body and make me feel less of a sweaty mess when I'm done. In that same vein, I've learned I can't run in pants! They make my legs feel so heavy and ultimately slow me down - leggings and shorts only, please!
My feet and legs have taken a huge toll - I have blisters on the ends of all my toes except the big ones, and I have a feeling that I will start losing toenails within the next 2-3 weeks. My legs are perpetually sore and sometimes I walk with a limp because of it.
There is no better running partner than an iPod Shuffle. Period.

I have 11.5 weeks of training remaining. I dare say, I'm in for a bumpy ride.

They say it's your birthday...

2009-03-05T19:33:00.008-07:00

This week I've learned that it's okay to be 26. I always thought I'd struggle with this birthday, just because it would put me closer to 30 than to 20, but I'm happy to be at the place I've arrived. I was inundated with phone calls, texts, and Facebook shoutouts, enough to please any girl. I had a "party" (in the loosest sense of the word) with some of my dear friends, and came to realize how good life is. I didn't expect any presents - I have enough stuff, I just wanted to spend time with people I love. This really is the first time I felt this way (although I am planning on getting a new laptop before the end of the month with my "earnings"), and I'm happy to say, this is the best birthday I've had in years.

Without divulging the dirty details, the last few years have been rough, as far as birthdays go. I'm a big believer that birthdays are a big deal. When people don't go above and beyond for mine, I'm always a little (or a lot) disappointed. THIS year, I lowered my expectations (so to speak) and was rewarded richly. THANK YOU to all of you who helped to make my birthday so special this year!

I got home from the Jonas Brothers concert on Tuesday and found a lovely surprise, courtesy of Breanna, sitting on my kitchen counter. She hand-dipped strawberries in chocolate (one of my favorite treats) and added words of wisdom in the form of a book: It's Called a Break Up Because It's Broken.

Yesterday I started fielding text messages around 7:30am, I think the best being "Happy birthday to my most beautiful firstborn." After work I went for a run, and then Ash took me to dinner at Mimi's (where i schmoozed my old manager for a free brownie). Afterwards, I had a "party" with my peeps - an exclusive by-invitation "party." We had marvelous cake (*pats herself on the back*), lively conversation and boisterous laughs. It was exactly what I needed and the perfect way to celebrate.

Tonight after work, Nick picked me up and took me to Chili's (I had a mad chips and salsa craving) for a birthday dinner. I'm glad Nick was unable to come to my "party" last night because it meant I got some one-on-one time with my best friend. I met Nick when I was barely 20 years old, and just prior to the conclusion of my first engagement. Unbeknown to me at the time, this would become one of the most significant relationships of my life. SO, when Nick called and asked to take me to dinner, I responded with an unmistakable "yes." We have a fantastic friendship and I count myself lucky to know him!

If getting older means having one week like this per year, I'll take all the years I can get! Happy birthday to me!

Burnin' Up For YOU...baby

2009-03-03T23:37:00.008-07:00

SO...my unabashed affection for the Jonas Brothers came to a pinnacle tonight as I attended the long-anticipated Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience. As it is my birthday week (full of fun, excitement, and other nostalgia), I coerced two of my dear friends to attend with me. It was one of my birthday wishes.

We got to the ticket counter of the vacant Century Theater and I coyly said to the theater attendant, "I bet you won't believe we're here to see the Jonas Brothers, huh?" She handed over my $10 ticket, proclaiming that the "film" wasn't doing too well in its one week stint in theaters. That didn't temper my excitement. We proceeded through the front corridor of the building, working our way back to theater 10, not-so-secretly hoping to run into a giant cardboard cutout of these underage eyecandy phenoms. I squealed with the glee of a 14 year old, prepubescent school girl and asked one of the gentlemen en route to the bathroom if he would indulge me with a photo. He rolled his eyes as if to say, "Are you kidding??" He took two frames (without even having to be asked), and continued on his way.

We were able to rent out the entire theater for a sly $30! We took our seats in the empty auditorium and I muttered a quick, but sincere, apology to Ash and Lynsey for the impending lame-ness awaiting them. This was followed by a quick, but sincere thank you for indulging me in my birthday wish. We donned the 3D eyewear provided by the theaters (they seriously were magic!) and the show started. Those Jonas boys sure are adorable! I know I'm 6 years older than him, but Joe Jonas is my ticket to jail. Charge me with statutory, I'll gladly go! He was mesmerizing on stage, and the most alluring aspect was definitely the lime green, v-neck muscle tee. I love me a "man" who can sport the sleeveless look and not pass for gay. Oh yeah, and there was another part in their dressing room, but I won't divulge the juicy details. Mmmm...

After 1 hour and 16 minutes of 3D Jonas bliss (kind of), we vacated our otherwise empty auditorium and darted to the car. Ash kept her glasses (the only way to rationalize the cost of the ticket - I'm sure they're already in her trash at home...haha) and we had yet another laugh about my crazy fixation on these minors from Jersey. When I got home, I proudly put on my Nick Jonas tee shirt and finished up my birthday cake. "She has a tee shirt?" you ask? Well of course I do! What kind of a fan do you think I am?! Thanks, ladies, for entertaining my birthday wish. Hopefully I have planted the seed of Jonas goodness in your hearts.

Birthday Reflections

2009-03-01T20:34:00.006-07:00

In tradition of celebrating my birthday for an entire week (as opposed to the normal day-long celebrations of the rest of society), I have begun to reflect on what I have learned in my 26 years on earth, on this, the first day of my birthday week. I feel like I should have been jotting down thoughts all year long, so there may be gaps in this list. I gave it my best shot. I give you "The Top 10 Life Lessons I Have Learned in the Last Year."

1. It's okay to be 26 and single in Salt Lake Valley.

2. Sometimes things don't work out. It's a fact of life. We need to pick up the pieces and carry them to the next phase of our life - which, hopefully, is more exciting anyway.

3. A girl can never have too many shoes.

4. Sometimes spending money on things you don't really need can be very fulfilling.

5. Working for a cause and uniting with other people in a similar goal is always fulfilling. The relationships that are formed along the way are priceless.

6. Lyrics have different meanings at different times in our lives - the song was good the first time you heard it, but now it has new meaning, and you love it all the more.

7. The number on the scale is the worst indication of how healthy you are.

8. Reuniting with friends from the past helps you remember what it was like to be young and foolish. Keeping those friends as time progresses helps you grow together and still remember what it was like to be young and foolish, but only in reflection.

9. Sometimes "Oscar Movies" aren't really the best movies.

10. Family relationships really are one of your greatest assets in life. They are your best link to your past and those most likely to stand by you in the future.

I hope that as I embark upon my 27th year, the lessons I learn will be equally as important. And I hope the venues for learning them will be equally as fascinating.

'un-' an exercise in clutter examination

2009-02-25T00:08:00.009-07:00

Every year, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to purge my life of unnecessary things: bad boyfriends, ill-fitting clothing, superfluous pairs of shoes, unused credit cards, and various forms of clutter. I do so well with everything up until I get to the "clutter." For me, "clutter" has come to represent many things: unfiled recipes, unread books, stray newspaper articles, and magazines. Tonight as I desperately needed a break from an unfinished work project, I decided to reorganize my shelf of unread books, which led to the unorganized shelf of magazines, which led to the box of discarded magazines under the bed. Holy cow, I have a problem.

I posted a list of 25 randoms on my Facebook page about a month ago, but tonight I realized that, since I'm a clutter junkie, I should make a whole new list of my OCD behaviors. Behold:

1. I have a magazine problem. Breanna and I noticed it first when there was a stack of magazines sitting on the kitchen counter: Shape, Fitness, Real Simple, Entertainment Weekly, and Ensign, all addressed to yours truly. Do I read them all? I peruse them all leisurely, but usually the only one I read, cover to cover, is Entertainment Weekly. Breanna and I evaluated the subscription expiration for each one, and most were at least 9 months into the future. The best part? I just got a $1 subscription to Rolling Stone from Amazon to add to my collection.

2. I can't bring myself to throw any of the above magazines away. I have this "thing" for making collages, and I would hate to think that one day I would want to make a collage and not have any magazines to destroy for that purpose. Thus the reason for the 2 large boxes under my bed and the 5 magazine boxes adorning the bottom rung of my bookshelf.

3. I am a book monger. I haven't read 75% of the books on my bookshelf (or I have started them, but haven't had the time or the willpower to see them to completion), but I continue to buy them because I love having them. It really is an illness. I love a good story, but I am usually more amused by TV on DVD than I am by a book - it's a path of least resistance thing.

4. I have old tee-shirts that date back to high school. For everyone's information, I graduated high school in 2001. I rationalize this because I like to work out - what if, one of these days, I don't want to use one my high-tech running shirts; or, better yet, what if ALL of my workout clothes are dirty! I can't work out naked! SO, they sit...in a dresser drawer...AND in a sliding box in my closet.

5. I have every letter and email that my mom, dad, and grandpa have ever written me. I used to keep these in a binder on my bookshelf, but they got ousted for all the books I haven't read. Never fear, they were just relocated to a new home - the box of keepsakes under my bed. These letters started coming to me as a freshman in college, and still continue to this day. They never fail to make me cry, and always help me remember who I am, what I've accomplished, and what I can become. I read them on a regular basis.

6. Speaking of keepsake boxes, I have 3 of them. One is an old cookie tin we got for Christmas last year in the office; one is a cardboard file box I made as a rebellious Laurel; one is a plastic rubbermaid tote. Their contents are diverse: wedding announcements, movie ticket stubs, letters, valentine cards, memoirs from old boyfriends, high school dance pictures, etc. And, yes, I do need 3 boxes.

7. I collected wine bottles and corks when I worked for Mimi's Cafe. Everyone would make fun of me because they all knew that I had never tasted alcohol. I use them as "decorations" in my apartment. My roommate, Michelle, (who drinks now and again) even mentioned to me that part of the reason she was so interested in living with me was because I had wine bottles (she thought I drank, and therefore wouldn't mind her keeping wine in the fridge).

8. I have every bib number from every race I have ever participated in. They were all 5K's (until June, when I will be running my first half marathon!), and they are all hanging proudly on my bulletin board.

9. I like to bake, but I rarely cook. This doesn't stop me from searching the Food Network for recipes I know I'll never use. I have a cupboard full of unorganized sheets boasting savory ingredients and intricate cooking methods that will likely never take flight in my kitchen. I tell myself that I'm building up my collection so that one day when I have a husband to cook for, the skill will come on its own and I'll have an entire repertoire of options to choose from.

10. My brain is cluttered with literally every phone number, email address, birth date, statistic, trivia tidbit and password I have EVER heard. I try not to admit this to people, but because he told me his password once, I checked my ex-fiance's email for a month after we broke up because I wanted to see if he or his mom dissed me in cyberspace. I'm telling you now, if you ever are a contestant on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, you would want me for your phone friend for my vast trivial knowledge.

SO...there you have it. I'm a mess. And you know the best part? I have no intention of cleaning it up.

Movie Savvy?

2009-02-22T22:22:00.010-07:00

I have always been a self-proclaimed "movie buff." It wasn't until others pegged me with that title that I really got serious about this year's Oscars - well, that, and Entertainment Weekly. 2008's honoree's were, for the most part, an amazing collection of cinematic talent; a smorgasbord of savvy; a surplus of skill. It was the January 9 issue of EW that cited the 25 Movies You Need to See Before Oscar Night. The listing was rather impressive, and, given that I had only previously seen 4 of the 25, I took upon myself the challenge. I had a wonderful 6 weeks of movie-going ahead of me.

The first week, I managed to find myself in a movie theater six times. Sadly, twice were for the same movie (one of my favorites from the year - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist), not from the list. Another, Bride Wars, with the girls (also not on the list - nor, initially, on my list either). However, I felt this excellent preparation for my hind quarters for the weeks to come. I decided to tackle the ones in the theaters immediately, and started "the list" with Defiance, Milk, and Frost/Nixon in the theaters, following those up with Wall-E and Tropic Thunder from the comfort of my bed - all in one weekend (Friday-Sunday). I had started out with a bang.

I became a movie machine, even enrolling in NetFlix to be the first in distribution once Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Frozen River, and Changeling came to DVD. It was an exhilarating experience to take in the cinema in such a condensed fashion! My friends made fun of me, but were more than happy to accept my invitation when i hounded them to be my movie buddies.

In watching the ceremonies tonight, I found myself quite satisfied with the time I had invested. I managed to see 20 of the 25 total, including all those up for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress (with the exception of Rachel Getting Married, which I have full intention of seeing once it hits NetFlix). I have a deep and profound respect for the art that went into the making of all of these films. Though I didn't fall in love with some of the movies, and I likely won't see some of them again, I recognize the flair and the forte of their production. The talent exhibited in this year's Oscar movies was beyond perception.

I wasn't really playing favorites as I watched the ceremonies tonight. I was trying to see if I could guess who would win, based on my own assumptions and the predictions of my trusted sources. What a fun experience! Please indulge me, if you will, to name my top 5 movies moments from the last 6 weeks:

5. Gran Torino - The uber-talented Clint Eastwood made the list, but seemed to miss the critical eye of the Academy. This movie was a work of art, incorporating Clint's experience with war and racial conflict. Clint also wrote the masterful score for the movie. I was moved to tears while watching.

4. Defiance - From the first time I saw the preview for this film (probably at least 6 months ago), I was intrigued. A story of three brothers who escape to the forest during the raiding of their village where their parents and neighbors were killed. They make plans of how to survive and gradually numerous others come to know of them and join them in their efforts. Their colony grows and they form a militia to combat their enemies. Another great (true) story about triumph in adversity! Another beautiful score (nominated for best score this year).

3. Australia - I have always been a Baz Luhrmann fan, from Strictly Ballroom to Romeo + Juliet; from Moulin Rouge to (now) Australia. His directing/producing tactics are different from all other directors and make his films a joy to watch. This is a compelling story about a wealthy English woman who inheirits a plot of land in Australia (where she meets Drover, played by Hugh Jackman). This movie was a delightful cocktail of romance and action - and it didn't hurt that Hugh was shirtless for half the movie. Hugh also proved to be quite the congenial Oscar host this year as well.

2. Milk - Sean Penn won a Best Actor statue for his phenomenal efforts in this politically charged drama. I loved watching the story unfold, and didn't even giggle when Sean Penn and James Franco kissed. I did giggle, however, when he opened his acceptance speech addressing the audience as "commie, homo-loving, sons of guns." It was a momentous time in history, and a noteworthy film. I love Sean Penn as an actor, however I find it hard to "like" him as a person - chastising the general public for their views on gay marriage (and even failing to mention his beautiful wife in his speech).

1. Slumdog Millionaire - By far my favorite film of the year. I watched the Golden Globes, in complete awe and confusion of how many wins they had. Once I finally got to see the film, I was again in awe, but this time in awe of the fact that I had waited so long to see it. Immediately, I was hoping for wonderful things for them at the Oscars. I instantly fell in love with the little boys that played young Jamal and his brother, Salim (those are the kids in the photo above). I was sucked in, and before I knew it, I was crying in yet another movie this year. This movie had a GREAT soundtrack, incorporating Paper Planes by M.I.A., and an awesome ethnic song, Jai Ho, which won Best Original Song. I'm so excited that such an underdog went all the way and won Best Picture!

Roman Polanski said "Cinema should make you forget you are sitting you are sitting in a theater." I say "Mission accomplished."