erm...

So remember that time when Sunday was daylight savings time in most of the civilized world? Well, I somehow missed that memo.

Perhaps I just ruined the punch line for the story I am about to share, but here goes anyway.

*Beep*Beep*Beep*

Oh how I loathe the alarm clock, but I have made a goal to start getting up earlier. I obeyed the alarm clock (aka phone) yesterday. Got up, started the shower to get it warm, possibly turned the heat up a bit, to create a sauna-like bathroom, etc.

I have been accused of taking long showers, but I really was trying hard to be on time for church today, because usually I'm late. So when I was almost ready, and saw my bathroom clock reading 9:30am, I went into super duper quick mode, and made it out the door ten minutes later. This Sunday was a bit more complicated, as the Old Time ensemble was playing for the North Carolina Music Educators conference at three in Winston-Salem, which meant I would get to lug the mandolin around church (it's almost cold now! boo.) and then high-tail it out there to find the conference center in downtown Winston. Then back to the Friend's house for dinner, then the CES fireside, and then home to a starving Max the Cat. And as I've already digressed, as I was driving home at about 10pm last night, there was a little black kitten on the side of Freeman Mill. I was [this close] to stopping and saving the poor beastie. But I thought that 1) Max the Cat would loathe me even more and 2) Cousin Paul would increase his 'cat lady' commentary to my life. [His most recent was asking if I wanted another cat for Christmas. Bless his heart.]

Okay, back to the story.

I finish getting ready in record speed. Get out the door. Get to church in a decent time, though about ten minutes late. I make the last turn, slow down to enter the parking lot, and see that there are. no. cars.

See, there are three wards that meet in the building. This is up from two when I first moved here. They haven't quite learned how to share the building. It's not like its been two years or anythings. (cough. cough.) As such, the east side of the building is my ward's side. Granted, there were a few rebellious car parkers, but the normally full lot, was mostly vacant. It was then I began to suspect something. But hey, I got a pull through spot! Sweet!

I grab the mandolin, and my church bag, lock the car and rush in as quick as my heels allow.

I hide the mandolin in the foyer so I don't have to carry it in the Chapel, walk in. And find. no one.

I thought stake conference was the 20th. What the heck is going on?

And then, a little fact wiggles into the fore of my brain.

Crap.

Well, at least I was early for church once.

I wandered the halls for a full fifty minutes, in my successful attempt to avoid being asked to give a prayer (don't tell me you've never done that - okay, maybe not for fifty minutes....) and enjoyed the rest of my meetings.

sucker song

So, in a forthcoming post, I am to detail my brilliant plan for goal setting, that I will actually follow.

Needless to say, one includes getting more active. I have a plan. There's a YMCA with a pool not that far from my house - and it's the other way from everything, which is perfect. Why? Because I won't feel obligated to start my day directly after going to the pool. If it were, say, the same direction as school, or work, then I would feel the need to be practical, and continue in the same direction. (It makes sense in my head, okay.)

So, there is a monthly membership, but there are no contracts (Hallelujah!) so when I realize I probably won't keep this up, I just stop. Brilliant. And, there are still benefits to being a college student.

To cover the monthly membership (that I haven't officially done - remember, this is all in the planning stages), I decided to cancel my movie supplier membership, and my audio book membership. No worries, these are steps I contemplated taking anyway; currently because they've became more of an obligation - 'Thou MUST find movies/books to enjoy. NOW!' Someday that will change, and I'll begin again.

I'm waiting for my last movie of the month to come before I cancel the one before the next renewal period. No big deal. (Actually, it was. What movie is the perfect last movie? It was so hard deciding between a new installment of the Belgian Detective and his  Little Grey Cells, and Tim Burton and Danny Elfman's 9. I still fret it I made the right choice.)

Last night, as I was searching for the perfect swimsuit to replace the one that doesn't fit anymore (thus the desire for being more active), I thought, what a perfect time to cancel the audio book membership! I have absolutely no problems remembering things. My problem is remembering things when they are needed.

I digress from the thrilling narration but for a moment:

While in Rome, doing what the Romans do, we occasionally were stopped by street vendors and the like to partake of their wares. I even angered one man who gave me a 'free' rose in exchange for a donation. I gave him the rose back.

Cousin Paul taught us a song his dad had sung when attending a family wedding in Cancun. It's a very popular song among vendors: 'suuucker sucker sucker sucker suuuucccckkkker!'

Quite the lovely song, no?

Okay, back to the story.

I begin the process of stopping my membership. They ask you why you are canceling. Not needing to burden them with the reason I stated above (must enjoy books NOW) I chose the other reason of saving a few dollars.

Mmmhmm, they know a sucker when they see one.

The next page took you to an offer to accept a $20 coupon.

Ya. I caved.

Last night I fell asleep to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

I can hear the strains now.... 'Suuuccker sucker suuccckkerrr....'

devil bugs

Whew. Thanks for indulging me with that last post.
But in continuing with the theme, if you do not like bugs, stop reading.

What I really wanted to share deal with this status update:






Two quick cockroach stories, and then, back to the grindstone.

A number of Christmases ago, I was so  excited to begin decorating. I went down to our store room to retrieve the cardboard boxes the ornaments and other decorations were stored in.

I brought them all in the house [our store room was separate from the main house] and began to unpack. As I unpacked, I began noticing these strange brown-black things.

Then I noticed that the sourdough ornament had been chewed on.

And that was when I realized that the cardboard box had been infested by those nasty devil bugs.

I stopped decorating for Christmas at this point.

Growing up in Arizona, the winters didn't get cold enough to kill all the lovely bugs, so they would show up from time to time. Once one came out of the loveseat and crawled onto my leg. The worst was right when you were going to step into the shower, and you noticed the huge brown bug staring at you.
*shudder*


Second story.

This one involves a Palmetto bug, spray starch and a mission companion.

It must have been night time, because I know I was in bed. All of a sudden I hear my companion squeal. Then, this thing is flying towards me. I run. Quickly.

I am of no use to her in the battle against the bug. No, no, I had the important role of seeing the whole field so that I could direct the battle.

We did not have the usually bug killing supplies [bug spray, hairspray and matches....] in the apartment yet, as we were the first to live there, so we had to be creative.

The only spray aerosol we had was spray starch, so that had to do.

The spray did nothing really to harm him, but when he eventually landed in the sink, he was so coated with the spray starch, he could not remove himself from the sink.

So, my brave greenie drowned the sucker.

If you want to learn more about the cockroach (a.k.a. devil bug) you may look here.

Let us now all go and do our dishes. :)

dreams

I must've woken up and gone back to sleep this morning, for I remembered my dream. I never remember my dreams. After you read this, you'll know that that's probably a good thing.
.
I briefly mentioned the story line to a friend this morning. She suggested that it was a dream worth analyzing. But alas, I was not given that ability. So I ask you, intrepid reader, to interpret the dream for me.

I see some one running through the forest, and realize it's Nephi. Of I Nephi fame. (He's a good guy.)

I can't remember a whole lot of what happens until I see him killing an entire family, except for the baby. Of course there must be a reason for this: Nephi is a good guy.

This is where I enter the dream as more than an observer - I am asked to run after Nephi while hauling and protecting the baby. I think I realize that this is a baby that is going to grow up to be King Noah. (A bad guy). And we're trying to prevent that from happening by moving him to a different location and having a happier childhood or something.

Then somehow we're in this building, running up stair after stair, that is congregated with thousands of people going down in the opposite direction. I'm supposed to follow Nephi up these stairs, running, whilst toting the tot. I fall sort of behind. Then I fall really really behind, and don't see the hero anymore.

And enter the creepy evil lady. She's always on my heels, trying to steal the babe. I run and run, and call out, and nothing happens.

Somehow we end up in the basement, me just earlier than her to wedge the baby in an air vent filled with straw. Of course I don't get the vent completely closed enough.

I'm grateful that it was at this point that I start to wake up and realize that this is a weird dream, because I think the lady was about to do some creepy divining to find the baby. *shudder*

So what does this all mean?

I think it means that one should not mix:

The Hill Cumorah (Nephi and King Noah)

with

Really Nice Clothing Store (creepy old lady)

and

the books River Secrets (trees) or Graceling (secret killer)


together with a homework tired mind.


What do you think?

its been great to know you, mr. man in the moon

Forty years ago, we got to meet the man in the moon.

My mom remembers being in a hotel room in [some southern state]. I think it was Mississippi. (Sorry mom.) They were on a tour of the East, and watched the landing on TV.

I also remember stories of how grandpa papa would bring home different metals for my mum and aunties to test the strength of them. Bending the metal back and forth, seeing how long the metal would hold up. This was important, because it was going to be used as an antenna.* Yay for Arizona, Motorola and grandpas (You too, Lizzy!) who worked there, helping to make such an important event possible.

Here's a very brief relation of a former employee.
Motorola and the moon


From others who worked on the shuttle,



And for those who may still believe it was a hoax, the Myth-Busters themselves take popular Moon Landing Hoaxes to task.




* If any of the facts are wrong, it's my fault. My mother has told me the stories a number of times, but some things just do not stay put in my head.

squirrel!

Okay, so it's the same fifteen seconds looping over and over again. But tis a squirrel with his head stuck in a yogurt cup!

Squirrels are fascinating animals. My experience with them was mainly in the mountains. Either at the cabins in Strawberry were they attempt (usually successfully) to raid the bird feeders, or the Grand Canyon and the lovely tuft-eared Kaibab Squirrels on the beautiful North Rim.

Or the random squirrel in Massachusetts that liked Boston Baked Beans.




When I lived in Florida, I was shocked to find squirrels. Specifically, squirrels in pine trees.

It was my goal to get a picture of a squirrel in a pine tree before I left.

Oh bother, I think I've put my picture on my external drive. Too bad for you, you'll have to wait and see the AMAZING Squirrel picture.

i went to the oquirrh mountain open house

As we were leaving the temple, one of the last places we went through was the women's dressing rooms, and the bride's dressing rooms.

My grandpa looked at me and said,

"Take a good look [referring to the bride's rooms] because it will be the last time you see them."

hmmph.

Needless to say, I stuck my tongue out at him. (Real mature of me, I know.)

I think he was a bit put out and needed to tease someone, because as we were earlier about to descend three flights of stairs, the host lady asked if he would prefer to take the elevator.

How was she supposed to know he was about to make a 40 mile hike earlier this month? He only refrained because of flash flood danger.

Poor grandpa. He's only 76 after all.


Don't worry, though - I hold no hard feelings, for I know he was teasing.

At my cousin's/his grand-daughter's wedding, he asked where the strippers were.

Why?

Frau and I were playing "Air on a G String."

Oh, and the temple was quite lovely. I really liked the colors; the Celestial room was very very nice. The ceiling was amazingly high!

And from the parking lot, I could see the Draper Temple, and the Jordan River Temple as well. It was dark when we were leaving, so the inversion was invisible.

Though I am often light-hearted, and sometimes silly, I am grateful for temples, and their place in the Plan of Salvation. Without the knowledge that I have, well, let's just say sometimes really crappy things happen: I'm grateful for a different perspective, that, though not making such things easy, there is Someone in charge, making them bearable.

For

...when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they [the bad-guys] may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.
Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also.
And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.
Now it came to pass that when the bodies of those who had been cast into the fire were consumed...the chief judge of the land came and stood before Alma and Amulek, as they were bound; and he smote them with his hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After what ye have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that they shall be cast into a blake of fire and brimstone? Behold, ye see that ye had not power to save those who had been cast into the fire; neither has God saved them because they were of thy faith. And the judge smote them again upon their cheeks, and asked: What say ye for yourselves? (Alma 14:10-15)

I say that the Lord knows the beginning from the end, and really, there is no end. There is no end.

*ahem*

Always always always wear a slip.

It does no good even if you remembered to pack your slip for a cross country slip, yet forget to put the slip in the bag of clothes that you are to change into before a concert.

For, you never know who you will run into, while trying to manage major static cling-age.

ego stroking

I don't know about you, but I admittedly, on the occasional basis, enjoy a good ego stroking.

So today whilst shopping I stopped at the horribly dangerous neighborhood make-uppy store. There's something about cosmetics that fascinate me, even though I'm not a user. Okay, well, not too much of a user.

(Side note: strangely enough, stationery stores have the same pull. Go figure.)

The said make-uppy store was having a sale on their liter 'poos so I decided to take advantage, as I'm almost out. And since cousin Kati has grad-eated from her school, she's spoiled cheap things such as Green Fruit for me - saying such is horribly bad for hair. sigh. So, when normally bank breaking materials are on sale! Woo-ee!

Ahem. The narration continues below.

I'm at the store for awhile, deciding which to get. I won't bore you with the details.

In the normal store etiquette, I refuse help from Salesperson #1 because I'm still looking around. Then, as I decide what I really am to get, I accept help from Saleperson # 2. Thankfully she even had an established opinion on which tinted moisturizer to use.

(Other side note: for some reason, talking about specific cosmetic products publicly is reminiscent of talking about bras and other feminine products. I think I have issues. Side note within side note: Are there any of the female gender who are happy that there is finally an equality of embarrassing commercials?? If it wasn't so embarrassing, perhaps I would blog about it.)

Time is spent texting said cousin about some Buzzy products she had wanted me to check out. Deciding

Then, I decide to find some blush. I can't believe I'm writing this. 

After realizing it's past time for me to go, I look to Salesperson # 3 who refers me to Special Product Rep Lady. She shows me the product, tells me I should try Plum, because even though some people are afraid of Plum, because it's purple, it would work really well, because it would bring our my blue/green eyes. 

First of all, my eyes are brown. 

Second of all, whatever.

This is the first incident: She sits me down in the chair, and says:

SPRL: Whoa! Your eyelashes are incredibly long!

Me: Really?

SPRL: uh, like, Ya. You probably get compliments all the time about them.

Me: Umm, not really.

SPRL: Oh, well you should.

Me: Oh, okay.

Then she proceeds to cover my entire cheek with said Plum blush.

SPRL: See, don't you see how nice it looks?

Me: mmhmm. 

My head: Ya, especially since it covers my entire face!

Me: Well, thanks for your time.

I then proceed to the line to check out.

This is Ego Stroking Moment # 2.

Salesperson # 1 AND Special Product Rep Lady both come over to me in a hurry, and ask me where I got my shoes.

Wow.

I do think they're pretty neat-o shoes, and was happy they received a warm, albeit a bit creepy, welcome on their first showing in the NC. (Its been a bit too nippy for them the past little while.)

May you too be complimented on your abnormally long lashes, and your five-toed shoes by black wearing, cosmetic selling Sales Persons and Special Product Rep Ladies. 

The End.

Anyone else have random compliments they've been given?

seriously?

Well, I drove the night shift on the way to our hotel in Kentucky. It was late, and though not tired, I thought it was in our best interest to get some sin juice, and the gas could use a topping off.

I pulled off the exit in Indiana with a town called Santa Claus. It was perfect. The picture below has a lot of bug splatters in the flash reflection, but I think you can see it.

As I was leaving the building with said sin juice, I was asked by a random guy if I was headed from, or to, Utah. (Silly license plates!)

From.

There were two people at the next gas pumps who started to talk to me, too. I was a little irritated, because I wanted to finish my thoughts to the other guy.

The two asked where in Utah.

"Provo."
"Really, that's where we're headed!"
"Wow. I'm actually from Mapleton, and Kate is from SLC"
"Where are you headed to?"
"Greensboro, NC"
"Seriously? That's where we're from"

I kid you not.

Two paths did cross, at a lonely gas station, near Santa Claus, Indiana.

For those that need proof, here are some fabulously awkward pictures.

dave's house

Well, I left my directions to Dave's house somewhere, where, I don't know. So, I texted him. I really despise talking on the phone - let me rephrase that. I enjoy talking on the phone usually when I'm not asking for something. I don't know what my problem is.

Anyhoo, we got some info from Dave, and after a turn around or two, made it to his house.

Kate and I had eaten at Arby's later in the afternoon, so when we were offered food to eat, we both hesitated a little. It was then he said that he had to at least offer, because his mom would ask if we had been offered food, and drink. Well, we don't like to get people in trouble with their mums, so we ate. The jam was especially delightful!

As we were clearing up, his mom came upstairs and asked if we had been offered any food. We answered positively.

Later that evening, there was a competitive game of skip-bo, no, Phase 10, which I WON.


His mom's dad and his wife were visiting, so I got to meet Dean Hansen's dad, too. The night before I had told the Dave a story how I used to think Dean Hansen's first name was in reality, Dean. And honest mistake, I thought, for one unlearned in the ways of academia.

The next morning during breakfeast, I overheard the mom telling her father the same story; I'm glad that it made people laugh.

We left fairly early, because we were wanting to spend time in Nauvoo, but before we left, we were provided with sack lunches and water bottles. We were told which sites to visit by his mom, warned by Dave that all seemed the same so we only really needed to visit one, and were off.

toto?

I went to class, and began to go sit down in a row. As I approached the the empty chair:

African American and Bulgarian: "Sorry, you can't sit here unless you're a minority."

Me: "Yes I can. I'm a minority. I'm Mormon."

AAB: "Oh, okay."


Hmmm. It's not as funny as I remember.

Those two were just giving me a hard time, I know, but it does go to show that I'm definitely Not in Kansas anymore!

by the way

Well, in my attempt to be social and branch out and all those good things that I need to do, I went with three other girls from the Greensboro ward to a BBQ down in South Charlotte. It was even a Pool Party to boot. (I know, you should be proud of me!) AND, I even talked and socialized, etc. etc.

Well, after becoming chilled in the pool, and having dealt with an almost case of hypothermia before, I knew it was time to get into the hot-tub. Now, the hot-tub is not my favorite in these kind of social situations, because to me, it's a chance to show off the latest bathing suit or how much you work out. I blame this on growing up in Arizona where pools are for, well, swimming.

Anyhoo, not too long after I changed locales to the hot-tub, one of the guys looks at me and says,

"Do you know who you remind me of?"

(Nope, I sure don't.)

"Tilda Swinton."

"Ya, I've been told that before."

"You know, like the White Witch in Chronicles of Narnia. ... But not so scary, of course...."

It's as if it was Musicians Guild/Early Music Ensemble all over again.

What do you think?

Tilda Swinton photo taken from IMDB.

pink finger-nail polish

Story time!

I'd like you all to know that I've now played for an evening concert for the International Double Reed Society annual conference. (That was too easy to make it bigger than it really was!)

Well, here's closer to the truth.

In the end of July, BYU hosted the International Double Reed Society conference. It was very much overwhelming, even whilst having really nothing to do with it, or any of the planning.

The Sunday before on a broadcast, there were two guest artists: Gordon Hunt, and Frank Morelli. They were very gracious and played fabulously.

There was a cancellation/rescheduling for one of the pieces for the evening performance, so it was suggested that the two songs from the earlier broadcast be played for those in the audience.

During the song, A Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Mr Hunt had his solo, I had a short one phrase solo on the English horn, but I knew that I was going to be on screen because the camera man guy was right in front of my face. It's always a little unnerving to have a camera right in front of you when you're playing - I mean, what if you mess up on live TV?? (Thankfully I didn't. phew.)

The way the shot worked was a close-up of my fingers on the instrument. It then pulled out showing myself and most of the instrument. All of the previous instrument shots had been of Mr Hunt, for he was, after all, the soloist. Side note: oboe and English horn look quite similar. So, you first think that it was Mr Hunt. I had decided to paint my nails a bright pink the night before.

There were a lot of worried double-reed players in the audience for a moment thinking he had pink fingernail polish.

tee hee.

Thus my pink finger nails and I had our Double-Reed Society debut.

The end.








(These pictures were captured from the actual broadcast online. Looks like I got 'play' stuck in it, too.)