Sometimes, our problems are only seen by those nearest and dearest.
Sometimes they are laid bare for all to see.
Always they exist, most times hard to find, buried deep as deep can be.
Yet joined together, no longer alone: these troubles will still arise.
There is a pattern, alone or not these issues will develop.
Let us be kind to, Yes! ourselves - and share life's ups and downs
This life is so worth living!
With those whose Hand is proffered.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
six months ago
Almost to the day, I was in Greensboro, auditioning.
Six months later - has it really been only six months!? - I've taken a quick trip to find housing. I believe I was successful in the housing department. It's a nice little place. A bit from the college, but much less than my commute was to BYU. It's a little more than I was wanting to pay per month, but it was available, and I'm frankly tired of looking.
On this jaunt I ended up with a red-eye Monday night and I fly home tomorrow morning, so I decided to get my hotel near the airport in Raleigh. On the way back from Greensboro an running errands, the late night and time change really caught up to me, so I pulled over in to some Park and Ride lot in Chapel Hill. I think I slept for about an hour! Currently I'm in my hotel room which has a kitchenette, regaining enough energy to find a grocery store to find then cook me up some grub. Mmm.
I believe this trip has been fairly productive, and instructive even with my zombie like state.
I found a place to live: all that is required before ultimate approval is a credit check.
I have an official UNCG commuter parking pass (if I hear any complaints about the cost of BYU's parking pass, you're going down! $285 smackeroos.... sigh.)
I have a snazzy new school ID card.
When my new friend at the medium, passable sized bookstore (which had a Cosmo Book about Sex - we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!) said that 'he too came from a small private school for his undergraduate,' I didn't disenchant him. I was looking forward to a tiny bit smaller school.
I found a possible temp job helping in the bookstore during the weeks before school. I love temp jobs!
I didn't walk around campus with mascara running down my face like the last trip.
I successfully navigated the city, with the use of my new map. hurrah. (I do dislike one way streets that sneak up on you, though.)
I called a few random for rent signs asking for prices. (I called strangers!)
Hmmm, what else.
I didn't get a PO Box like I'd planned. It was time for me to go. But, I was able to drive to the church building where I will be attending without any difficulty.
OH, and perhaps the most important of all: I ate a pint of icecream. But this was not just any icecream, it was BLUE BELL brand icecream. Oh so yummy. I haven't had any since the random import in Doha. (It had thawed and refrozen, so it wasn't the best example.)
I became acquainted with Blue Bell in Tampa, but have had problems locating the creamy goodness. If this is an item that is easily accessible here in Greensboro, life will be fantastic!
Six months later - has it really been only six months!? - I've taken a quick trip to find housing. I believe I was successful in the housing department. It's a nice little place. A bit from the college, but much less than my commute was to BYU. It's a little more than I was wanting to pay per month, but it was available, and I'm frankly tired of looking.
On this jaunt I ended up with a red-eye Monday night and I fly home tomorrow morning, so I decided to get my hotel near the airport in Raleigh. On the way back from Greensboro an running errands, the late night and time change really caught up to me, so I pulled over in to some Park and Ride lot in Chapel Hill. I think I slept for about an hour! Currently I'm in my hotel room which has a kitchenette, regaining enough energy to find a grocery store to find then cook me up some grub. Mmm.
I believe this trip has been fairly productive, and instructive even with my zombie like state.
I found a place to live: all that is required before ultimate approval is a credit check.
I have an official UNCG commuter parking pass (if I hear any complaints about the cost of BYU's parking pass, you're going down! $285 smackeroos.... sigh.)
I have a snazzy new school ID card.
When my new friend at the medium, passable sized bookstore (which had a Cosmo Book about Sex - we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!) said that 'he too came from a small private school for his undergraduate,' I didn't disenchant him. I was looking forward to a tiny bit smaller school.
I found a possible temp job helping in the bookstore during the weeks before school. I love temp jobs!
I didn't walk around campus with mascara running down my face like the last trip.
I don't think I ever told this story. The day of my audition, and my birthday, I got disoriented because it was pouring rain! When I finally got headed in the right direction, I noticed a few odd looks, but, well, I was sopping wet, so I wasn't too surprised. When I stepped into the lavatory to papertowel off, I noticed that my newly purchased mascara had made a black trail down my cheeks. It was worth the few double takes I had received, though!
I successfully navigated the city, with the use of my new map. hurrah. (I do dislike one way streets that sneak up on you, though.)
I called a few random for rent signs asking for prices. (I called strangers!)
Hmmm, what else.
I didn't get a PO Box like I'd planned. It was time for me to go. But, I was able to drive to the church building where I will be attending without any difficulty.
OH, and perhaps the most important of all: I ate a pint of icecream. But this was not just any icecream, it was BLUE BELL brand icecream. Oh so yummy. I haven't had any since the random import in Doha. (It had thawed and refrozen, so it wasn't the best example.)
I became acquainted with Blue Bell in Tampa, but have had problems locating the creamy goodness. If this is an item that is easily accessible here in Greensboro, life will be fantastic!
feeding the madness
For those of you who have obsessions with, or know people with said obsessions with a certain vampire book.
Warning: Not for those who take the books to be the gospel truth!
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, look here and for those who are on team Jacob, you may enjoy this.
Warning: Not for those who take the books to be the gospel truth!
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, look here and for those who are on team Jacob, you may enjoy this.
Monday, July 21, 2008
full house: update
The septic tank/sewer union progress has been blocked. Remedies are forthcoming.
The windows installation was clearly without snags.
The windows installation was clearly without snags.
book: jonathan strange and mr norrell
It took me a long time until I had the energy needed to read this book. In fact, it took a temporary job sitting in the sun to finish the book. Anywhere up to a year ago, Sarah lent me this book to read. I read maybe the first chapter, but nothing more. The book is huge! I believe it's at least 700 pages, and there are included footnotes, and the typeface is not large.
But, I was not allowed to listen to books as I worked security, so I decided to take the huge tome with me as I worked security at the gates during Stadium of Fire.
The first day I worked at 6am (in theory, at least) until, well, I don't remember when. I was stationed at gate one with a grandma who wanted to talk about her grandkids, and how she doesn't read anything unless it comes from Deseret Book.
I didn't go there.
Oh, and she didn't like fantasy. So, the common ground was quite small. It consisted of my reading of Work and the Glory, which I had read in the sixth grade. Still, she wanted to chat. This meant my reading time was limited, but it was enough to get me hooked in the story.
The second day I worked 10-3pm, alone, at a gate with very little thoroughfare, so I read a LOT. I believe by the end of the shift I had gone through at least 500 pages. Stadium workers who would go in and out of the same gate would occasionally check my progress and were impressed. And they were worried that I was bored.
Any other self-respecting book would have been finished by now, but not this one. It took an all almost all nighter that same night to finish, but finish I did.
One of my major complaints about books, well, more especially about movie adaptations about books is that the powers that be feel the need to spice things up (translation: dumb things down by blowing things up)
This book did not have that. It was refreshingly unexciting. It was real life. They just happened to be magicians. Other than the magic part, there was nothing in the book that we ourselves could not have experienced!
Bottom line: If you have the willpower, read it. Faerie now makes sense, well, at least more sense.
But, I was not allowed to listen to books as I worked security, so I decided to take the huge tome with me as I worked security at the gates during Stadium of Fire.
The first day I worked at 6am (in theory, at least) until, well, I don't remember when. I was stationed at gate one with a grandma who wanted to talk about her grandkids, and how she doesn't read anything unless it comes from Deseret Book.
I didn't go there.
Oh, and she didn't like fantasy. So, the common ground was quite small. It consisted of my reading of Work and the Glory, which I had read in the sixth grade. Still, she wanted to chat. This meant my reading time was limited, but it was enough to get me hooked in the story.
The second day I worked 10-3pm, alone, at a gate with very little thoroughfare, so I read a LOT. I believe by the end of the shift I had gone through at least 500 pages. Stadium workers who would go in and out of the same gate would occasionally check my progress and were impressed. And they were worried that I was bored.
Any other self-respecting book would have been finished by now, but not this one. It took an all almost all nighter that same night to finish, but finish I did.
One of my major complaints about books, well, more especially about movie adaptations about books is that the powers that be feel the need to spice things up (translation: dumb things down by blowing things up)
This book did not have that. It was refreshingly unexciting. It was real life. They just happened to be magicians. Other than the magic part, there was nothing in the book that we ourselves could not have experienced!
Bottom line: If you have the willpower, read it. Faerie now makes sense, well, at least more sense.
book: summerland
For last month's audible.com credit, I downloaded Summerland by Michael Chabon. I'd had it in my wish list for a while, and it finally came its turn after I finished the Dark is Rising series.
Hmm, how to describe Summerland... it's about a boy, Ethan, his friend Jennifer T. and how they save the world whilst playing baseball. This story is intertwined with elements of American folklore such as fairies (which are similar to those found in faerie), giants, Sasquatches, were-foxes and Coyote. Oh, and don't forget the Cuban baseball star!
I did worry if I would like it, for after all, the main activity participated in by the protagonists was baseball; oft times major developments resulted from baseball. I knew that I was enjoying the book when I began to wonder what was going to happen. Okay, not to spoil the story and all, but I had deduced that it was going to end happily, but how? How was that possible with the odds so against them?
Overall, yes, I did enjoy the book. There were a few cheap tricks in the plot line, but they were forgivable. I haven't devised a rating system, and I really don't know to which other books it is comparable to, other than Rip Van Winkle and other American folk tales.
Final verdict: read worthy material, especially if you like the folk myth of America. He does a good job of integrating the characters in a believable manner.
For the mums: there are a few instances of swearing, but nothing horribly vulgar. One instance of descriptive nudity and at least one passage of potty humor that I can remember.
Hmm, how to describe Summerland... it's about a boy, Ethan, his friend Jennifer T. and how they save the world whilst playing baseball. This story is intertwined with elements of American folklore such as fairies (which are similar to those found in faerie), giants, Sasquatches, were-foxes and Coyote. Oh, and don't forget the Cuban baseball star!
I did worry if I would like it, for after all, the main activity participated in by the protagonists was baseball; oft times major developments resulted from baseball. I knew that I was enjoying the book when I began to wonder what was going to happen. Okay, not to spoil the story and all, but I had deduced that it was going to end happily, but how? How was that possible with the odds so against them?
Overall, yes, I did enjoy the book. There were a few cheap tricks in the plot line, but they were forgivable. I haven't devised a rating system, and I really don't know to which other books it is comparable to, other than Rip Van Winkle and other American folk tales.
Final verdict: read worthy material, especially if you like the folk myth of America. He does a good job of integrating the characters in a believable manner.
For the mums: there are a few instances of swearing, but nothing horribly vulgar. One instance of descriptive nudity and at least one passage of potty humor that I can remember.
full house
Currently there are two large pieces of machinery running, one in the front yard, and one in the back.
Also, two guys just arrived to install windows in the basement.
In a few hours, and septic pumper truck, too, will arrive.
How's that for a full house?
(Pictures to follow)
Also, two guys just arrived to install windows in the basement.
In a few hours, and septic pumper truck, too, will arrive.
How's that for a full house?
(Pictures to follow)
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
definition: 4
Restoration: And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or place it in a state opposite to its nature? ...[T]his is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again....
(see 12-13)
(see 12-13)
definition: 3
This one comes courtesy of Frau Magister.
Pygmy: The term "Pygmy" is often considered belittling.
See the second paragraph for the full context.
This came about whilst watching a show talking of a race of smaller stature, and the little white box, which is the fount of all knowledge was consulted to know if this term is still in use.
Pygmy: The term "Pygmy" is often considered belittling.
See the second paragraph for the full context.
This came about whilst watching a show talking of a race of smaller stature, and the little white box, which is the fount of all knowledge was consulted to know if this term is still in use.
Monday, July 07, 2008
love haircuts, hate sunburns! and other subjects.
Before I begin, thanks for the ideas of where to visit on the trek.
Today I got a haircut from my cousin. She's great. AND I don't have to worry about the stylist wanting to do 'big hair' at the end of the cut. phew.
Friday I had the pleasure once again of being in the security detail for Stadium of Fire. I was assigned to Gate 1 for the actual event which was much more low-key than last year's experience at Gate 5. And no one's swearing was directed at me, though the f-bomb was still dropped.
The sunburn came from the extra hours I spent sitting at Gate 12 earlier in the day. From 10am-3pm I sat at the gate. I brought Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell with me which I was able to finish because of the time I spent there.
The lighting was deceiving. It was shadowed, but overcast. I never saw the direct rays of the sun. I didn't even wear my sunglasses! Yet, by the time three o'clock rolled around, I had unknowingly developed a full-fledged sunburn. ouch.
I hope you can see the stark contrast of red and white. All I really needed was a blue shirt or necklace. Why didn't I think f that earlier?! Today it is starting the healing process, so it's a bit tender on the edges, though it's not as bad as it could have been.
Usually I'm a slatherer of sunscreen, but I had been running late that morning, and because of the weather, I decided that I'd be okay.
The last time I sported such a marvelous red was in Haines City, Florida.
No one ever accused me of flirting to convert! ha ha.
Ironically enough, it happened on the Fourth, about three years ago. We were sent some poppers to celebrate. hoorah.
After all, what is the Fourth with out some sort of explosion! My main memory of the holiday growing up was getting Kentucky Fried Chicken, and going to sit in a park to watch the fireworks. I also remember that this park eventually stopped showing them. Everything is a bit vague. This was all in Mesa. Once we moved to Mapleton, the main tradition was watching 1776. [Notice it is to be played in Logan, with Michael Ballam nonetheless.] Provo was just too far away, and the traffic near the stadium - awful.
I've braved it the last two years because I get paid to tell people that can't bring in water, but they can bring in empty water bottles. Plus, it's a fairly good view of the fireworks. Last year, the main attraction was Brooks and Dunn, if I remember correctly, so the crowd was fairly mixed. This year, because of teen sensation Miley Cyrus, there were an abnormal amount of pre-pubescent girls, most often accompanied by their trying to enjoy themselves fathers. I don't feel too bad for them, because the Blue Man Group was there, which I think they would have enjoyed. I didn't care about missing the show these past two years, but there was a small amount of regret in not being able to see them perform.
The demographic that worried me the most was the lone single white male. My favorite was the guy with the I heart Miley shirt on. I wish I could remember the exact phrase used by the police officer I was chatting with about this group. She said it so perfectly! Okay, I'm making a broad generalization, but when the I heart Miley guy comes and asks you if she's in the stdium yet, and then commences pacing the sidewalk in front of the gate, oh, four to five hours before the gates are open to the public....
I guess it's good that he has a hobby.
Today I got a haircut from my cousin. She's great. AND I don't have to worry about the stylist wanting to do 'big hair' at the end of the cut. phew.
As I was uploading pictures I saw a picture I forgot about! When I cut my own hair, once again Haines City. (We technically lived in Winter Haven, but worked more in Haines.) This is why I love real haircuts!
As the story goes, I had just cut a good four inches off of my companion's hair. It wasn't too shabby, if I do say so myself. Especially with safety scissors. I had decided to rid myself of the tail that develops. The rest of the story, told with Kate's point of view: Heidi was in the bathroom, with scissors, and then I heard an "oops." We left the front of my hair alone, and then did some sort of layering in the back to cover my mistake. It must have worked, because the Mission President's Wife loved the haircut. Oh, good times.
Friday I had the pleasure once again of being in the security detail for Stadium of Fire. I was assigned to Gate 1 for the actual event which was much more low-key than last year's experience at Gate 5. And no one's swearing was directed at me, though the f-bomb was still dropped.
The sunburn came from the extra hours I spent sitting at Gate 12 earlier in the day. From 10am-3pm I sat at the gate. I brought Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell with me which I was able to finish because of the time I spent there.
The lighting was deceiving. It was shadowed, but overcast. I never saw the direct rays of the sun. I didn't even wear my sunglasses! Yet, by the time three o'clock rolled around, I had unknowingly developed a full-fledged sunburn. ouch.
I hope you can see the stark contrast of red and white. All I really needed was a blue shirt or necklace. Why didn't I think f that earlier?! Today it is starting the healing process, so it's a bit tender on the edges, though it's not as bad as it could have been.
Usually I'm a slatherer of sunscreen, but I had been running late that morning, and because of the weather, I decided that I'd be okay.
The last time I sported such a marvelous red was in Haines City, Florida.
No one ever accused me of flirting to convert! ha ha.
Ironically enough, it happened on the Fourth, about three years ago. We were sent some poppers to celebrate. hoorah.
After all, what is the Fourth with out some sort of explosion! My main memory of the holiday growing up was getting Kentucky Fried Chicken, and going to sit in a park to watch the fireworks. I also remember that this park eventually stopped showing them. Everything is a bit vague. This was all in Mesa. Once we moved to Mapleton, the main tradition was watching 1776. [Notice it is to be played in Logan, with Michael Ballam nonetheless.] Provo was just too far away, and the traffic near the stadium - awful.
I've braved it the last two years because I get paid to tell people that can't bring in water, but they can bring in empty water bottles. Plus, it's a fairly good view of the fireworks. Last year, the main attraction was Brooks and Dunn, if I remember correctly, so the crowd was fairly mixed. This year, because of teen sensation Miley Cyrus, there were an abnormal amount of pre-pubescent girls, most often accompanied by their trying to enjoy themselves fathers. I don't feel too bad for them, because the Blue Man Group was there, which I think they would have enjoyed. I didn't care about missing the show these past two years, but there was a small amount of regret in not being able to see them perform.
The demographic that worried me the most was the lone single white male. My favorite was the guy with the I heart Miley shirt on. I wish I could remember the exact phrase used by the police officer I was chatting with about this group. She said it so perfectly! Okay, I'm making a broad generalization, but when the I heart Miley guy comes and asks you if she's in the stdium yet, and then commences pacing the sidewalk in front of the gate, oh, four to five hours before the gates are open to the public....
I guess it's good that he has a hobby.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
the trip
So, I'm moving to Greensboro, North Carolina.
It's exciting, though at times, I am filled with the unknown - a bunch of what-ifs. But, life is too short for those, no?
If any of you were wondering, the trip from Mapleton, UT to Greensboro, NC is approximately thirty-one hours. That's almost three days of traveling! If I'm going to spend that long driving, I've decided to make the trip fun. I have a few possible ideas for stops along the way: Chicago, Nauvoo, St. Louis, etc. But, I haven't been out that way for a while, and I don't think I've ever really been to the midwest.
Where are some neat places to stop off at on a cross-country road trip? Most anything in the middle of the country is on the way, so that's not really a problem. It'll probably be me and my grandpa who make the trek, but he's more used to adventures than I, so that won't be an issue. Let's call it, one last hurrah! before school starts again.
Many thanks in advance.
It's exciting, though at times, I am filled with the unknown - a bunch of what-ifs. But, life is too short for those, no?
If any of you were wondering, the trip from Mapleton, UT to Greensboro, NC is approximately thirty-one hours. That's almost three days of traveling! If I'm going to spend that long driving, I've decided to make the trip fun. I have a few possible ideas for stops along the way: Chicago, Nauvoo, St. Louis, etc. But, I haven't been out that way for a while, and I don't think I've ever really been to the midwest.
Where are some neat places to stop off at on a cross-country road trip? Most anything in the middle of the country is on the way, so that's not really a problem. It'll probably be me and my grandpa who make the trek, but he's more used to adventures than I, so that won't be an issue. Let's call it, one last hurrah! before school starts again.
Many thanks in advance.
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