1 year ago
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Do NOT go see Bruno!
Unless you are in the mood for a gay porno. I felt like I needed a shower and a three-week liquid-diet cleanse afterwards. It's one of those times I should have walked out but didn't have the courage. The legitimately funny parts didn't even come close to making up for how disgusting I felt afterwards.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
My "thing"
I started yoga again and I can't believe I ever stopped. It is the best thing in the world. My legs were so happy afterwards. I've been looking for ways to relax and an outlet for my stress (i.e. drama) and yoga is just the thing. I'm not a gardener, chef, artist, poet (well maybe an occasional writer), or massage person. All the ways normal people relax are out for me. I love to clean and I swear I do it every day, but that just might not be the healthiest thing in the world. Oh and I love mani/pedi's and getting my hair done. But I think I've found my thing. I think I need to make yoga a regular part of my life, like my job or something. Don't worry, I'm not going to start writing about my spiritual experiences in every yoga class, although I reserve the right to if I feel like it.
Monday, July 6, 2009
I heart Ikea
The day Ikea opened in Salt Lake was one of the best days of my life. Hehe. Yeah, I'm not afraid to admit I love it. But that's not what this story is about. Inspired by my cherry pie accomplishment, I stopped by today to pick up a few things for the kitchen. While I was in there I heard a mother and father calling their two kids' names. (Hilary always says "if everyone in [Ikea] knows your kids' names you're doing something wrong..." -funny.)
"Reagan!"
"Kennedy!"
What?
The irony is, anyone who would name their kids - siblings - after those two presidents are either asking for a disaster or don't have a clue about politics. It made me smile.
"Reagan!"
"Kennedy!"
What?
The irony is, anyone who would name their kids - siblings - after those two presidents are either asking for a disaster or don't have a clue about politics. It made me smile.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
I wonder if I have...
Someone gave me a large bag of homegrown black cherries, and since I'm not a big fan of fruit I decided to make a cherry pie. If you've already started to chuckle, you should. I mean, me? Pie? To tell you the honest truth, I'm actually pretty good at making pies, it's just that I only do it about every 5 years. If I'm going to go to the trouble I want the best ingredients and a homemade crust.
My first thought... "I wonder if I have any sugar of flour?" Nope, better go to the grocery store. After getting home with my groceries (I also had to pick something up at the pharmacy so the trip was a little longer than expected), I realized I didn't know how to make a cherry pie. I googled recipes and ended up at foodnetwork.com. Again, "I wonder if I have any shortening, or butter, or cornstarch? I think I have corn starch! Aha!" Nope, it was actually baking powder; I better go to the grocery store.
So, back to the cherries. I don't have a cherry pitter, so I was cutting them in half and taking the pit out by hand. It took about 30 minutes for 4 cups of pitted cherries. I headed into the kitchen - I was hanging out with Marie and Lauren, who happened to be in town at the same time, yay! - and started following the pie filling directions. While the cherries were cooking (to release the juices I guess), I started to make the crust. Here's the deal, I not only want a homemade crust, it better be flaky and buttery, basically perfect.
"I wonder if I have a pastry blender? ...so I don't have to do this with my hand. Nope, guess I'll have to use an electric mixer to get the 'oatmeal-like consistency."' But first I had to get the shortening mixed in, and you really do have to do that with your hand. Meanwhile, the cherries started boiling over. "Yikes! Crap, my hand is covered in flour and shortening!" In spite of everything, the final filling mix tasted amazing.
Back to the crust. "I wonder if I have a rolling pin?" Yes! Emily must have bought one because there it was in my all-purpose cooking utensils drawer. I rolled out the dough and it was beautiful. "Now where's my pie pan? What, no pie pan? Hilary must have taken the one I got from Grandma Black when she moved out." Luckily Marie offered to run back to the grocery store to buy a cheap little pie tin. All I could think was "sh**, now the dough is going to get too warm." Well yeah, it definitely got too warm, and I ended up having to place pieces of it in the pie tin and mashing it together with my fingers. Are you laughing now? I poured the filling in and knew my patience was wearing thin, so I made a big ball of the rest of the dough and stuck it in the fridge so I could take a little break. (I still ended up having to put it on the top of the pie in pieces - it looked ridiculous.)
The pie was finally finished and it smelled lovely. "I wonder if I have a pastry server?" Nope, couldn't get lucky twice. Well, a fork worked just fine and I enjoyed eating it all the same. The black cherries made it a sweeter pie and yes, the crust was flaky.
My first thought... "I wonder if I have any sugar of flour?" Nope, better go to the grocery store. After getting home with my groceries (I also had to pick something up at the pharmacy so the trip was a little longer than expected), I realized I didn't know how to make a cherry pie. I googled recipes and ended up at foodnetwork.com. Again, "I wonder if I have any shortening, or butter, or cornstarch? I think I have corn starch! Aha!" Nope, it was actually baking powder; I better go to the grocery store.
So, back to the cherries. I don't have a cherry pitter, so I was cutting them in half and taking the pit out by hand. It took about 30 minutes for 4 cups of pitted cherries. I headed into the kitchen - I was hanging out with Marie and Lauren, who happened to be in town at the same time, yay! - and started following the pie filling directions. While the cherries were cooking (to release the juices I guess), I started to make the crust. Here's the deal, I not only want a homemade crust, it better be flaky and buttery, basically perfect.
"I wonder if I have a pastry blender? ...so I don't have to do this with my hand. Nope, guess I'll have to use an electric mixer to get the 'oatmeal-like consistency."' But first I had to get the shortening mixed in, and you really do have to do that with your hand. Meanwhile, the cherries started boiling over. "Yikes! Crap, my hand is covered in flour and shortening!" In spite of everything, the final filling mix tasted amazing.
Back to the crust. "I wonder if I have a rolling pin?" Yes! Emily must have bought one because there it was in my all-purpose cooking utensils drawer. I rolled out the dough and it was beautiful. "Now where's my pie pan? What, no pie pan? Hilary must have taken the one I got from Grandma Black when she moved out." Luckily Marie offered to run back to the grocery store to buy a cheap little pie tin. All I could think was "sh**, now the dough is going to get too warm." Well yeah, it definitely got too warm, and I ended up having to place pieces of it in the pie tin and mashing it together with my fingers. Are you laughing now? I poured the filling in and knew my patience was wearing thin, so I made a big ball of the rest of the dough and stuck it in the fridge so I could take a little break. (I still ended up having to put it on the top of the pie in pieces - it looked ridiculous.)
The pie was finally finished and it smelled lovely. "I wonder if I have a pastry server?" Nope, couldn't get lucky twice. Well, a fork worked just fine and I enjoyed eating it all the same. The black cherries made it a sweeter pie and yes, the crust was flaky.
Our Dear Friend
Kris Wilson passed away on Friday. We have been friends with the Wilsons since I was a baby and have taken vacations together as families my entire life. I don't really know what to say, except I am so sad and will miss her so much. Mostly I am just heartbroken for the kids, who are about the same ages as me and my brothers and sisters. It makes me appreciate my life and my family so much. I love you guys!
Old Hag
Yeah, that's me. The Jonas Brothers played at the Stadium of Fire last night and I was bored out of my mind! And exhausted from getting up at 5:30am for the race and not having a nap all day. Oh, and I feel like I have a hangover this morning because my head hurts so bad from all the little (and some big) girls screaming their hearts out for their true loves. I realized I have seen all of what I believe are the most significant boy bands of my time in concert - NKOTB, Backstreet Boys, 'NSync, and now Jonas Bros. At the previous three concerts I screamed my little heart out for the loves of my life (and I was 22 when I saw 'Nsync), but something has changed. Maybe it's the same 30-something hormonal change that has also caused me to gain weight in my tummy and battle round 430 of acne. All I know is it was an exercise in my patience, so much that I was relieved when Glenn Beck, MC, came back on the stage. That's pretty bad. At least today I'm laughing about it.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Natalie's Marathon Playlist (Preview)
Ran a 4th of July 5k today and have been collecting some good music. Thought I'd give you a preview of my playlist for the fall marathon plus a few old faves. (Also for your listening pleasure in the sidebar.) On a similar note, I ran with some friends and we convinced Emily to do it with us! I was so happy to run my first race with my sister. She beat me but I still love her.
1. Knock You Down, Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
2. Ricochet!, Shiny Toy Guns
3. Top of the World, Pussycat Dolls
4. Forever, Chris Brown
5. Lose Yourself, Eminem
6. Just Dance, Lady GaGa & Colby O-Donis
7. Hung Up, Madonna
8. You're Not Alone, Saosin
9. Panic Switch, Silversun Pickups
10. Audience of One, Rise Against
1. Knock You Down, Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
2. Ricochet!, Shiny Toy Guns
3. Top of the World, Pussycat Dolls
4. Forever, Chris Brown
5. Lose Yourself, Eminem
6. Just Dance, Lady GaGa & Colby O-Donis
7. Hung Up, Madonna
8. You're Not Alone, Saosin
9. Panic Switch, Silversun Pickups
10. Audience of One, Rise Against
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Chicks are bad for baseball
I mean "girlfriends." Specifically, our best player's girlfriend, who came to the game tonight for her first time. The dude was so nervous he got out every time he was at bat and made errors in every inning. We still won, that's all I care about.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Something I would NEVer do...
Marie is visiting and we have been crazy little shoppers the last couple days. We had to go to the outlets in Park City to return some things from my Nike Outlet moment of insanity a few weeks ago. If you've been up there since it has been under new management/ownership, you know that the little road around the parking lot is a one-way street. So, we were driving (the right direction) up to the Nike Outlet and we passed about three cars going the wrong direction. Marie finally had enough; as we passed a mini van with its window rolled down, Marie rolled down the window on her Murano and yelled "it's a one-way street!" I laughed so hard, and then she turned to me and told me I was a bad influence. WTF? :)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Country Music I Love
Alison Krauss
Faith Hill
Tim McGraw
George Strait
Dixie Chicks
Jo Dee Messina
Trisha Yearwood
Not much, as you can see, but the country music I love, I REALLY love.
Faith Hill
Tim McGraw
George Strait
Dixie Chicks
Jo Dee Messina
Trisha Yearwood
Not much, as you can see, but the country music I love, I REALLY love.
Friday, June 19, 2009
RUN DON'T WALK!
You know it's bad when your bra is even too tight. I have turned into The Blob. Better watch out I might roll over you and eat you too.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Status Update
My friend Alyssa's status update on Facebook today reminded me of a funny story. A few years ago I was at the Provo D.I. looking at books and someone asked me if I worked there. Now, I will admit that has happened to me at other stores - maybe it's my level of shopping intensity that gives people the impression I couldn't possibly be doing it for enjoyment - and it's always a little awkward... But D.I.? Come on!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
"Regular" People
I know a lot of "regular" people. I'm one of them. Even though I'm going to make fun of one of them, I still consider us a lucky bunch. I used to work with this guy Stephen, in DC, who was like 9:30am/bm - you could set your watch by it, seriously. Stephen was a bureaucrat who worked under a Clinton appointee. When Bush was elected president, Stephen and all the other appointees and their buddies lost their jobs so all the Republican appointees and their buddies could fill those positions.
Stephen was 54 when he lost his job, less than one year away from government retirement (we didn't figure this out until later). He got a job working in my office as Administrative Assistant, which on the Hill is just one step below Chief of Staff. Since our Chief of Staff worked out of the the district office, Stephen basically ran the DC office. He got the job over our Legislative Director, who was being considered and in my opinion more qualified, but Stephen was an old friend of my boss and used this connection to weasel his way in.
I hated Stephen. We all did. He was married to someone much too young for him and had two young kids. He was always leaving the office for hours at a time for doctors appointments and stuff for his kids, while the rest of us slaved away with hardly a lunch break. He would put stacks of papers on my desk and tell me to go make copies or fax stuff for him (the copy machine and fax machine would have required 2-3 additional steps). That's just not how we did it in our office. We're Democrats for Pete's sake! No hierarchy here! Well, he didn't last long. About a week after his 55th birthday, not quite making his one year anniversary as AA, he gave his notice and said he and a friend were starting a business. So THAT's what all the "doctors appointments" were! Basically he needed a government job until he turned 55 so he could retire and get his pension or whatever. To this day I do not know if my boss was aware of this when he hired him. In DC you never know, although I will say I did consider him a person of integrity, especially compared to other Congressmen/women.
In addition to all of the above, we LOVED to make fun of Stephen's 9:30am/bm. He didn't even try to be discreet either! Every day he would get up and grab the newspaper, then walk out the door saying "be right back." So although he was "regular" I wouldn't consider him regular, well maybe a regular jerk but that's about it.
Stephen was 54 when he lost his job, less than one year away from government retirement (we didn't figure this out until later). He got a job working in my office as Administrative Assistant, which on the Hill is just one step below Chief of Staff. Since our Chief of Staff worked out of the the district office, Stephen basically ran the DC office. He got the job over our Legislative Director, who was being considered and in my opinion more qualified, but Stephen was an old friend of my boss and used this connection to weasel his way in.
I hated Stephen. We all did. He was married to someone much too young for him and had two young kids. He was always leaving the office for hours at a time for doctors appointments and stuff for his kids, while the rest of us slaved away with hardly a lunch break. He would put stacks of papers on my desk and tell me to go make copies or fax stuff for him (the copy machine and fax machine would have required 2-3 additional steps). That's just not how we did it in our office. We're Democrats for Pete's sake! No hierarchy here! Well, he didn't last long. About a week after his 55th birthday, not quite making his one year anniversary as AA, he gave his notice and said he and a friend were starting a business. So THAT's what all the "doctors appointments" were! Basically he needed a government job until he turned 55 so he could retire and get his pension or whatever. To this day I do not know if my boss was aware of this when he hired him. In DC you never know, although I will say I did consider him a person of integrity, especially compared to other Congressmen/women.
In addition to all of the above, we LOVED to make fun of Stephen's 9:30am/bm. He didn't even try to be discreet either! Every day he would get up and grab the newspaper, then walk out the door saying "be right back." So although he was "regular" I wouldn't consider him regular, well maybe a regular jerk but that's about it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Get a Financial Life
That's the title of a book I read when I was in college, and I love it. I tell myself that almost every day. Anyway, I probably should be more concerned about my privacy, but I joined Quicken online today. It's pretty cool, let's just see how committed I can be. I can't think of one thing I'm willing to give up right now!
Monday, June 15, 2009
What a great first impression I make!
Our new VP started today and my former boss brought her around to introduce her to all the managers. As I turned around to introduce her to one of my associates who was sitting at my desk, my hand knocked over my bottle of Diet Coke. The lid was on it - I always keep the lid on for situations just like this! - but it was just loose enough that the force of it knocking over caused it to spray everywhere in about a four foot radius. Everyone kind of laughed and I just said, "well you'll never forget that I like Diet Coke!" It was EVERYWHERE! All over me, all the papers I had out on my desk. One of the new directors (who has been my mentor this past year) ran and got some paper towels for me. Ohhh man. I think I redeemed myself when he asked me to explain a project the inventory team has been working on. I hope. But she did mention the spill again as she walked away...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Another Crazy Neighbor Story
Her name is Barbara. She walks across the street every time she sees me outside and introduces herself. She always asks me three questions:
1. What is my name?
2. Am I LDS? (Her church starts at 1pm.)
3. Do I like to dance, and would I like to go with her?
Barbara has to be about 70 years old - she looks 80 - and she's looney tunes. She wears magenta lipstick that is outside the lines and I'm actually surprised she's allowed to live alone.
Yesterday, with all the rain, I was doing some heavy-duty spring cleaning. It was about 3pm and I was in sweats (barefoot), unshowered, and taking a little snack (i.e. Diet Coke) break. I heard this banging on my front door, and I honestly had no idea who it might be and I was a little nervous to answer it. I opened the inner door - I have a small entry way between two doors - and I could see Barbara through the glass of the front door.
I opened the door. "Hi I'm Barbara, from across the street. What's your name?"
"Natalie."
"Are you LDS?"
"Yes." (And no I do not want to go dancing with you tonight.)
"Well, my church is just right across the street and it starts at 12 o'clock, I mean 1. Uhhh, do you have any CDs?"
Me. Confused. "Well, yeah I do."
"Could I borrow some? I just got a new TV and I have watched all mine over and over and I need some new ones. I have Mamma Mia; you could borrow it."
(Ohhh, she means DVDs.)"Um, I actually don't loan my DVDs."
"Well you could just write your name on them and I'll bring them back. And you could borrow mine. I have Mamma Mia. I want to be a good neighbor and share. I'll bring them back I promise."
"Okay, come in. What would you like to borrow?"
"You just pick something for me."
I was tempted to give her Sex and the City. I laughed to myself thinking that would probably keep her from ever asking me to borrow a DVD again. Okay, I'm not really thaaat mean. I gave her The Princess Bride and Phantom of the Opera. Neither of them belong to me. I actually don't know who they belong to, but as I was cleaning I made a pile of DVDs that weren't mine and that's the pile I pulled from, just in case I never see them again. She asked me my name again, then how to spell it so she could write it in the DVDs so she would remember to return them. I asked her not to write my name in them (hey, they belong to someone else!). I told her to leave them in the mail box if I wasn't home when she came by to return them. She didn't like that idea; she wanted to come back when I was home. I assured her it was just fine to leave them in the mailbox (especially since I will be avoiding her in the future).
I feel like a big jerk. What is my problem with the elderly? They just bug me. I try to think, "how would I feel if that was my Grandma? And some meanie wouldn't loan her a DVD?" But it's not my Grandma. My Grandma is awesome and would never do anything like that.
1. What is my name?
2. Am I LDS? (Her church starts at 1pm.)
3. Do I like to dance, and would I like to go with her?
Barbara has to be about 70 years old - she looks 80 - and she's looney tunes. She wears magenta lipstick that is outside the lines and I'm actually surprised she's allowed to live alone.
Yesterday, with all the rain, I was doing some heavy-duty spring cleaning. It was about 3pm and I was in sweats (barefoot), unshowered, and taking a little snack (i.e. Diet Coke) break. I heard this banging on my front door, and I honestly had no idea who it might be and I was a little nervous to answer it. I opened the inner door - I have a small entry way between two doors - and I could see Barbara through the glass of the front door.
I opened the door. "Hi I'm Barbara, from across the street. What's your name?"
"Natalie."
"Are you LDS?"
"Yes." (And no I do not want to go dancing with you tonight.)
"Well, my church is just right across the street and it starts at 12 o'clock, I mean 1. Uhhh, do you have any CDs?"
Me. Confused. "Well, yeah I do."
"Could I borrow some? I just got a new TV and I have watched all mine over and over and I need some new ones. I have Mamma Mia; you could borrow it."
(Ohhh, she means DVDs.)"Um, I actually don't loan my DVDs."
"Well you could just write your name on them and I'll bring them back. And you could borrow mine. I have Mamma Mia. I want to be a good neighbor and share. I'll bring them back I promise."
"Okay, come in. What would you like to borrow?"
"You just pick something for me."
I was tempted to give her Sex and the City. I laughed to myself thinking that would probably keep her from ever asking me to borrow a DVD again. Okay, I'm not really thaaat mean. I gave her The Princess Bride and Phantom of the Opera. Neither of them belong to me. I actually don't know who they belong to, but as I was cleaning I made a pile of DVDs that weren't mine and that's the pile I pulled from, just in case I never see them again. She asked me my name again, then how to spell it so she could write it in the DVDs so she would remember to return them. I asked her not to write my name in them (hey, they belong to someone else!). I told her to leave them in the mail box if I wasn't home when she came by to return them. She didn't like that idea; she wanted to come back when I was home. I assured her it was just fine to leave them in the mailbox (especially since I will be avoiding her in the future).
I feel like a big jerk. What is my problem with the elderly? They just bug me. I try to think, "how would I feel if that was my Grandma? And some meanie wouldn't loan her a DVD?" But it's not my Grandma. My Grandma is awesome and would never do anything like that.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Ew, A Wart
I had to get a wart frozen off my middle finger today and it still burns like a mother-effer. There's a blister the size of Planet Earth with a little red dot where the wart is. It's my new one-eyed albino friend. I also had to get a little patch removed from my leg so I have a couple stitches there. What a fun morning I had at the dermatologist. I'm happy to say I haven't been since 2006 (okay, maybe 2007), but unfortunately I also had to get a a prescription for a topical acne cream. I'm frickin' 31! Not 14! If I can just make some time to get back to the dentist to have my recent filling shaved down a little more, I might start to feel like I'm pulling this body back together.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The time I thought I was a music critic...
What is up with Seether? Okay, I actually really like him, but I can't decide if he's a rockstar singing wussy music, or a wuss trying to be a rockstar (reminds me of the Sex and the City episode about Gay Straight Men vs. Straight Gay Men).
I'm not afraid to admit that I love American Idol. I love Kelly Clarkson. I love David Archeletta. I love Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, and on and on. Can't wait to see what Adam Lambert will do (Yeah, I know he didn't win, but I guarantee Kris Allen will release a couple of cheesy singles then fall off the face of the planet).
Okay. Death Cab for Cutie. VERY talented. Great music. But so boring! I try to tell myself that people who have good taste in music like Death Cab. I like it. I just can't listen to it.
About five years ago, Green Day release a little album called American Idiot. One of the greatest albums of all time in my opinion. 21 Guns, their new single? What a disappointment. Another Big. Fat. Boring.
Radio really sucks right now.
Dido came out with a new CD in the last year, Safe Trip Home. It sounds like elevator music. Her albums have gotten progressively a little worse. I know Hilary will probably disagree with me on that, she really loved White Flag, but I thought No Angel was better.
You know who I'm getting back together with? 311. We broke up for a few years while they were making terrible music, but I love their new album. All of it.
I'm OBSESSED with the song Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups. OBSESSED. Probably won't buy the album, but I could listen to the single over and over and over.
Glad to see Britney back in the scene and doing well. Miley sure is going downhill.
Oldies but goodies: If you want to see a couple of great performances, check out the Foo Fighters on youtube, 1) singing Everlong on Letterman after he came back from his heart attack (this is one time when I enjoyed watching Taylor more than Dave), and 2) Queen induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, singing Tie Your Mother Down.
Can I hate this person without everyone hating me? Jason Mraz. Ew.
I like Linkin Park, but their music is all starting to sound the same. I hope the similarity between What I've Done and New Divide isn't like a harbinger for Transformers 2, 'cause dude I can't wait to see that movie.
I'm not afraid to admit that I love American Idol. I love Kelly Clarkson. I love David Archeletta. I love Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, and on and on. Can't wait to see what Adam Lambert will do (Yeah, I know he didn't win, but I guarantee Kris Allen will release a couple of cheesy singles then fall off the face of the planet).
Okay. Death Cab for Cutie. VERY talented. Great music. But so boring! I try to tell myself that people who have good taste in music like Death Cab. I like it. I just can't listen to it.
About five years ago, Green Day release a little album called American Idiot. One of the greatest albums of all time in my opinion. 21 Guns, their new single? What a disappointment. Another Big. Fat. Boring.
Radio really sucks right now.
Dido came out with a new CD in the last year, Safe Trip Home. It sounds like elevator music. Her albums have gotten progressively a little worse. I know Hilary will probably disagree with me on that, she really loved White Flag, but I thought No Angel was better.
You know who I'm getting back together with? 311. We broke up for a few years while they were making terrible music, but I love their new album. All of it.
I'm OBSESSED with the song Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups. OBSESSED. Probably won't buy the album, but I could listen to the single over and over and over.
Glad to see Britney back in the scene and doing well. Miley sure is going downhill.
Oldies but goodies: If you want to see a couple of great performances, check out the Foo Fighters on youtube, 1) singing Everlong on Letterman after he came back from his heart attack (this is one time when I enjoyed watching Taylor more than Dave), and 2) Queen induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, singing Tie Your Mother Down.
Can I hate this person without everyone hating me? Jason Mraz. Ew.
I like Linkin Park, but their music is all starting to sound the same. I hope the similarity between What I've Done and New Divide isn't like a harbinger for Transformers 2, 'cause dude I can't wait to see that movie.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Memorial Day in LA
HB Pier (I needed to return some things I bought when I was there in April) 
Me and Katie!
Venice Beach
Cute Cecily
Redondo Beach I will never complain about my neighborhood again!
Last night was another classic. I'm laying in bed - it's about 11pm and I have just taken a sleeping pill (oh, and I have to go into the office for a couple hours in the morning) - just about to fall asleep, and I hear this dog barking. I can tell it's a really big dog, and it's right outside my window. Definitely not one of the neighbors' dogs, who I have learned to tune out. I peek out the window and see three SLC police cars and 4-5 police officers, one of them is holding a dog the size of a small horse on a leash. There is a young guy in a white t-shirt sitting on the curb being watched by two of the officers. It looks like he is being arrested because his hands are behind his back and he keeps losing his balance and falling over on his side. But they're all just kind of standing around. Next thing you know a fire truck and ambulance slowly drive by but don't stop. They drive around the block, which I can see because across the street is a fourplex with a driveway in the middle and a church parking lot behind, so I can see the vehicles on the other end of the block. I continued to watch for about 15 more minutes, different police cars and officers come and go, and finally the fire truck and ambulance come back. At this point there are about 8-10 people standing around the guy in the white t-shirt. It looks like they are taking his vitals. Then they put him on a stretcher and load him into the ambulance. They all drive away and it's as if nothing has ever happened. I have come up with all sorts of stories to explain what happened, but none are very interesting so I'll spare you.
The moral of the story is, I live in the Ge-Hetto and I really need to move. But there's a twist. Today a friend from school and I threw an "Asia Reunion" for all the people from our MBA class who went to Asia on the foreign business excursion. I decided I wanted to put flags from all the countries we visited in the centerpieces, which I thought would be simple and cute. I went to all the usual places and was able to come up with China and Japan - piece of cake, and even Hong Kong, but not Thailand. Someone told me about an area near 33rd and Redwood Road where there are a bunch of Asian markets, so I thought I'd go out there after work this morning and see what I could find. I went to the Tay Do supermarket, which smelled like urine and took me back to my time in China (about this time last year). Nada. A girl that worked there recommended Asian Gifts in Valley Fair Mall. I was feeling brave, so I decided to check it out.
Now, anyone familiar with Salt Lake will realize that all these places I was going to are in WEST VALLEY. Going to West Valley is like being in another country. I've heard all the jokes, but just haven't spent enough time hanging around town to really know what they're talking about. And I had never been to Valley Fair Mall before today. It certainly put Southtowne Mall in a whole new light (another place I try to avoid). Words really can't describe what an experience going to Valley Fair Mall is. If you live around here, try it out for yourself sometime. Don't go at night, don't take your kids, go with a buddy, you know, your basic safety precautions. Haha. Whatever you do, don't honk at black Hyundai's as they are swerving into your lane or you might be putting your life at risk. Better to let them just hit you, or even better, slam on your brakes and let them in (I learned that lesson the hard way today).
So the REAL moral of the story is this: appreciate what you have because it could be worse. Worse than police chases and drug busts. You could be living in West Valley.
The moral of the story is, I live in the Ge-Hetto and I really need to move. But there's a twist. Today a friend from school and I threw an "Asia Reunion" for all the people from our MBA class who went to Asia on the foreign business excursion. I decided I wanted to put flags from all the countries we visited in the centerpieces, which I thought would be simple and cute. I went to all the usual places and was able to come up with China and Japan - piece of cake, and even Hong Kong, but not Thailand. Someone told me about an area near 33rd and Redwood Road where there are a bunch of Asian markets, so I thought I'd go out there after work this morning and see what I could find. I went to the Tay Do supermarket, which smelled like urine and took me back to my time in China (about this time last year). Nada. A girl that worked there recommended Asian Gifts in Valley Fair Mall. I was feeling brave, so I decided to check it out.
Now, anyone familiar with Salt Lake will realize that all these places I was going to are in WEST VALLEY. Going to West Valley is like being in another country. I've heard all the jokes, but just haven't spent enough time hanging around town to really know what they're talking about. And I had never been to Valley Fair Mall before today. It certainly put Southtowne Mall in a whole new light (another place I try to avoid). Words really can't describe what an experience going to Valley Fair Mall is. If you live around here, try it out for yourself sometime. Don't go at night, don't take your kids, go with a buddy, you know, your basic safety precautions. Haha. Whatever you do, don't honk at black Hyundai's as they are swerving into your lane or you might be putting your life at risk. Better to let them just hit you, or even better, slam on your brakes and let them in (I learned that lesson the hard way today).
So the REAL moral of the story is this: appreciate what you have because it could be worse. Worse than police chases and drug busts. You could be living in West Valley.
P.S. I found the Thailand flags at Colonial Flag on 90th South, and yes I drove all the way out to Sandy to get them.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Utah Roadblock is Alive and Well
I spent Memorial Day weekend in LA visiting friends and family. I had a blast and it gave me another reason to wonder why I still live in Utah. We can talk about that another time. I saw my friend Katie from elementary school. In fact - I've mentioned this before - our parents met in Lamaze when our moms were preggers with us, and Katie found me last Fall on Facebook. We met on 2nd Street in Long Beach and got Mexican food and gourmet cupcakes, then went back to her house and hung out. She showed me her high school yearbooks and caught me up on everyone we could think of from elementary. We had so much fun; she is definitely a friend I will be in touch with forever.
For this particular trip I decided to drive. I don't enjoy flying and I do enjoy roadtrips, so it wasn't too big of a deal. Now everyone knows how bad the traffic is between Vegas and LA, but we were going the opposite direction of the holiday traffic (ohhh, I felt sorry for those people). Even so, there are still A LOT of cars on that stretch of road. So, since this post is actually meant to be a driving story, here's what happened: I had no issues driving from LA to St. George. However, between St. George and Cedar City, the Utah drivers were out in full force.
I-15 is two lanes going each direction, and I swear for 20 miles I was behind about six cars who all wanted to go the same speed. I would get around one, drive for a few minutes, sneak around another, then drive for a few minutes...you get the idea. Finally I was car #2 behind a Honda Pilot with two college guys driving in the left, aka FAST or PASSING, lane, and I flashed my brights at them. Talk about bruising someone's ego! He was NOT happy. He sped up from about 72-73 (he was going UNDER the speed limit of 75 mph) to about 85, moved over, then as soon as I passed he got right behind me, flashed his brights, gave me the bird, and tailgated me for another 15 minutes or so. There's an 80mph test area just as you pass Cedar City, so of course I sped up to 89mph, and that's how fast I was going on cruise control while he continued to tailgate. What a jackass.
Anyway, I was reminded of this experience while I was on my way home from work tonight. I take State Street for about 15 city blocks, and I was behind a classic Utah roadblock the entire way. Three cars - a Jeep, a truck, and a Camry - driving right next to each other, with me trying to be patient behind them (not worth flashing the brights for a five minute commute, haha). It's just too bad not everyone knows the laws of the road (and yes, I know I strategically break the speed limit law) as well as I do, and it's also too bad they don't all have my ninja reflexes and decision-making skills. I swear I should have been a fighter pilot.
For this particular trip I decided to drive. I don't enjoy flying and I do enjoy roadtrips, so it wasn't too big of a deal. Now everyone knows how bad the traffic is between Vegas and LA, but we were going the opposite direction of the holiday traffic (ohhh, I felt sorry for those people). Even so, there are still A LOT of cars on that stretch of road. So, since this post is actually meant to be a driving story, here's what happened: I had no issues driving from LA to St. George. However, between St. George and Cedar City, the Utah drivers were out in full force.
I-15 is two lanes going each direction, and I swear for 20 miles I was behind about six cars who all wanted to go the same speed. I would get around one, drive for a few minutes, sneak around another, then drive for a few minutes...you get the idea. Finally I was car #2 behind a Honda Pilot with two college guys driving in the left, aka FAST or PASSING, lane, and I flashed my brights at them. Talk about bruising someone's ego! He was NOT happy. He sped up from about 72-73 (he was going UNDER the speed limit of 75 mph) to about 85, moved over, then as soon as I passed he got right behind me, flashed his brights, gave me the bird, and tailgated me for another 15 minutes or so. There's an 80mph test area just as you pass Cedar City, so of course I sped up to 89mph, and that's how fast I was going on cruise control while he continued to tailgate. What a jackass.
Anyway, I was reminded of this experience while I was on my way home from work tonight. I take State Street for about 15 city blocks, and I was behind a classic Utah roadblock the entire way. Three cars - a Jeep, a truck, and a Camry - driving right next to each other, with me trying to be patient behind them (not worth flashing the brights for a five minute commute, haha). It's just too bad not everyone knows the laws of the road (and yes, I know I strategically break the speed limit law) as well as I do, and it's also too bad they don't all have my ninja reflexes and decision-making skills. I swear I should have been a fighter pilot.
Email from Scott Wilson
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:46:54 -0700
Subject: What a Day I had!
Okay, so on Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM I am driving home on I-80 from Elko, Nevada listening to the Beach Boys on my I_Pod when Out of nowhere a car traveling the wrong way on the freeway hits me head on.. I am very lucky to be writing this. Lucky for me the other car hit me on my drivers side front headlight area and tore off my front fender and wheel then bounced off of me and across the grassy center divider and through a fence then over a bridge and fell 40 feet to the pavement below. Then she crawled out and tried to run from the police who had been chasing her for about 40 miles...They caught her..
As I sat in my car for about 10 seconds wondering what had just happened I saw people running up to my car yelling "are you ok" I said, "I think so, what happened" I tried to get out but the door was jammed so I kicked at it until it opened and got out.. The lady who was traveling behind me said that the other car was going the wrong way and hit me and she thought for sure I was dead. She couldn't believe I was standing there talking to her without a scratch on me.
The Highway Patrol was right there because they had been chasing her.. They told me she was going over 100 MPH when she hit me.. I was going 75 in the opposite direction.
The impact was unbelievable. I never saw her but just felt the jolt and my car stayed right there in my lane.
I told the paramedics that I was fine and didn't have any pain. They thought I should go to the hospitol anyway just to make sure So they took me in and did an MRI and asked me a bunch of questions and said I was okay..
By now it was 10PM and I had talked to Kris and all of our kids and they knew I was ok. Since I was ok we decided that I would stay in Elko and that two of my sons, Brett and Kirk would come get me in the morning. They wanted to come immediately but it was too late and I was fine..and I didn't want anyone driving 4 hours that night..
The Doctor at the hospitol told me that I would probably have a large bruise where my seat belt was and that I would be very sore for several days. As I left the hospitol I saw the woman who hit me. She had been slightly injured and was in handcuffs. She was a local drug runner that the police had been after for quite a while. I was just the lucky one who got caught in the middle of a police chase. She had crossed over the freeway but they stayed on the other side. The guy in front of me saw her and swerved out of her way but she got me. My car is dead but I am still here..
I woke up about 6:30 in the morning expecting to feel the pain that the Dr. told me I would have.. No pain at all and no bruise either. I decided to go for a walk around Elko to see if I would feel anything wrong..Still nothing...
When Brett and Kirk arrived we had a few tender moments and some hugs and we headed off to get everything out of my car. When I saw my car again I realized how fortunate I was. If she had hit 4 or 5 inches more to the center of my car she would not have bounced off me...her whole car would have been in my lap and I would not be typing this right now.
I know that a loving Heavenly Father (and probably even my earthly dad up there) knew I still had work to do here on this earth.. I have always believed in miracles but now I REALLY do because I had one happen to me.
My best part of the day was getting home and holding my wife in my arms, knowing that if not for a few inches I wouldn't be able to do that. I love my wife and my family so much and I love life!! I am very thankful to have a second chance that many people don't get..
Thanks so much to so many for the phone calls and E-mails.. Your concern is very much appreciated. Until now only a few know what happened so I thought I would let the rest of my friends know about my experience two days ago... I love everybody today!!
Heck I even love the crazy lady who hit me!!
Scott
Subject: What a Day I had!
Okay, so on Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM I am driving home on I-80 from Elko, Nevada listening to the Beach Boys on my I_Pod when Out of nowhere a car traveling the wrong way on the freeway hits me head on.. I am very lucky to be writing this. Lucky for me the other car hit me on my drivers side front headlight area and tore off my front fender and wheel then bounced off of me and across the grassy center divider and through a fence then over a bridge and fell 40 feet to the pavement below. Then she crawled out and tried to run from the police who had been chasing her for about 40 miles...They caught her..
As I sat in my car for about 10 seconds wondering what had just happened I saw people running up to my car yelling "are you ok" I said, "I think so, what happened" I tried to get out but the door was jammed so I kicked at it until it opened and got out.. The lady who was traveling behind me said that the other car was going the wrong way and hit me and she thought for sure I was dead. She couldn't believe I was standing there talking to her without a scratch on me.
The Highway Patrol was right there because they had been chasing her.. They told me she was going over 100 MPH when she hit me.. I was going 75 in the opposite direction.
The impact was unbelievable. I never saw her but just felt the jolt and my car stayed right there in my lane.
I told the paramedics that I was fine and didn't have any pain. They thought I should go to the hospitol anyway just to make sure So they took me in and did an MRI and asked me a bunch of questions and said I was okay..
By now it was 10PM and I had talked to Kris and all of our kids and they knew I was ok. Since I was ok we decided that I would stay in Elko and that two of my sons, Brett and Kirk would come get me in the morning. They wanted to come immediately but it was too late and I was fine..and I didn't want anyone driving 4 hours that night..
The Doctor at the hospitol told me that I would probably have a large bruise where my seat belt was and that I would be very sore for several days. As I left the hospitol I saw the woman who hit me. She had been slightly injured and was in handcuffs. She was a local drug runner that the police had been after for quite a while. I was just the lucky one who got caught in the middle of a police chase. She had crossed over the freeway but they stayed on the other side. The guy in front of me saw her and swerved out of her way but she got me. My car is dead but I am still here..
I woke up about 6:30 in the morning expecting to feel the pain that the Dr. told me I would have.. No pain at all and no bruise either. I decided to go for a walk around Elko to see if I would feel anything wrong..Still nothing...
When Brett and Kirk arrived we had a few tender moments and some hugs and we headed off to get everything out of my car. When I saw my car again I realized how fortunate I was. If she had hit 4 or 5 inches more to the center of my car she would not have bounced off me...her whole car would have been in my lap and I would not be typing this right now.
I know that a loving Heavenly Father (and probably even my earthly dad up there) knew I still had work to do here on this earth.. I have always believed in miracles but now I REALLY do because I had one happen to me.
My best part of the day was getting home and holding my wife in my arms, knowing that if not for a few inches I wouldn't be able to do that. I love my wife and my family so much and I love life!! I am very thankful to have a second chance that many people don't get..
Thanks so much to so many for the phone calls and E-mails.. Your concern is very much appreciated. Until now only a few know what happened so I thought I would let the rest of my friends know about my experience two days ago... I love everybody today!!
Heck I even love the crazy lady who hit me!!
Scott
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Little Anecdotes
Last week I was PISSED because I washed my car only to come out the next morning and seeing it BOMBED with bird turd. I was complaining like crazy, and then this morning I got the following text from Emily: "Good news! The neighbor is taking down the tree today. No more bird poop, but now you'll have no shade:(" I responded: "I don't care about the shade! Yay!" Although when I drove up to my house it definitely looked weird; I wish they would have just pruned it really good. I mean, I'm all about "green." Maybe I'll plant a tree in my front yard to celebrate, where the bird shit won't drive me bonkers. My only concern now is, where are the birds going to live? I hope not my roof or eaves...
In the elevator at work this morning, this woman - who I've seen around but don't know and have never spoken to - told me she saw me on TV last week. At first I was a little confused; they've been doing broadcasts over the TV's on our floors and I thought maybe she was confusing me with someone else. Then she said she saw me on the news. Apparently they were doing a story about a woman who was assaulted on the way to her car, and they were giving safety tips. As they were telling viewers not to talk on their cell phones as they are walking to their cars, they zoomed in on me walking past the courthouse, on my way to the parking lot, talking on my cell phone. She said they followed me for several seconds. And of course they must have gotten a pretty close shot for someone who I don't really know (out of an office of 500+ people) to recognize me! The things is I HATE talking on the phone, and it is really random that the ONE day I happened to be on the phone I got busted for it!
We're having a potluck at work tomorrow and I volunteered to bring some serving dishes along with my food assignment. Because I had to be at work at 7am this morning, I decided I would go out to my car at lunch, pull it around to the 10-minute delivery parking right in front of my building, take everything upstairs, then move my car back to the parking lot. In a very un-Natalie-like moment, I got distracted and forgot to move my car. I didn't realize until 4:30!!! I was freaking out that I was going to be towed and was praying all I had was a parking ticket. I grabbed my computer and all my stuff and raced downstairs to find my car still sitting there, with a pink envelope and a $30 parking ticket. Phew! Guess I will be working from home tonight.
In the elevator at work this morning, this woman - who I've seen around but don't know and have never spoken to - told me she saw me on TV last week. At first I was a little confused; they've been doing broadcasts over the TV's on our floors and I thought maybe she was confusing me with someone else. Then she said she saw me on the news. Apparently they were doing a story about a woman who was assaulted on the way to her car, and they were giving safety tips. As they were telling viewers not to talk on their cell phones as they are walking to their cars, they zoomed in on me walking past the courthouse, on my way to the parking lot, talking on my cell phone. She said they followed me for several seconds. And of course they must have gotten a pretty close shot for someone who I don't really know (out of an office of 500+ people) to recognize me! The things is I HATE talking on the phone, and it is really random that the ONE day I happened to be on the phone I got busted for it!
We're having a potluck at work tomorrow and I volunteered to bring some serving dishes along with my food assignment. Because I had to be at work at 7am this morning, I decided I would go out to my car at lunch, pull it around to the 10-minute delivery parking right in front of my building, take everything upstairs, then move my car back to the parking lot. In a very un-Natalie-like moment, I got distracted and forgot to move my car. I didn't realize until 4:30!!! I was freaking out that I was going to be towed and was praying all I had was a parking ticket. I grabbed my computer and all my stuff and raced downstairs to find my car still sitting there, with a pink envelope and a $30 parking ticket. Phew! Guess I will be working from home tonight.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Stories I Tell Myself
I wrote this on my facebook wall yesterday: "I'm taking the word 'should' out of my vocabulary and replacing it with 'want.'" I'm not going to worry about what I "should" do, only about what I "want" to do (or could do if I wanted to). I'm tired of trying to be the perfect girl so that some d-bag will fall in love with me. I'm tired of setting my expectations of myself so high that they are impossible to attain and so I constantly feel like a loser and a failure. I'm tired of losing years of my life because all I think about is that I should make more money, I should drive a nicer car, I should be a better friend/sister/citizen, I should be skinnier, I should run faster, you get the idea. I OBSESS about a future in which I will be able to do these things. I tell you what, the shoulds are just NOT GONNA HAPPEN, EVER.
I'm telling myself some new stories:
1. I am going to do things I enjoy and I am going to enjoy the things I do. I am not going to go get my hair done because I think I should be prettier, more stylish, etc. I LOVE getting my hair done. I LOVE how I feel while I'm there and for several weeks after. I'm going to soak up that moment every time I'm lucky enough to have it.
2. I am going to try to be a better person because I want to be a better person. I am going to continue to do things that make me happy and uplift me, which may include reading an occasional self-improvement or dating advice book. Or it may include learning a new skill or continuing my education. Some guy, who's not a d-bag, will love me AND pursue me because of my efforts and my attitude, not because I'm perfect and I'll do anything to make him happy.
3. I am going to live in the moment. When I'm driving, I'm not going to speed to get to work, because in that moment I'm enjoying listening to the new Beyonce CD. I'm not going to think about my house while I'm running, work while I'm at my house, or running and dieting while I'm at work.
4. I am going to control my thoughts and not live in some fantasy future where I look like a model, am the world's greatest cook and have the world's cleanest house, volunteer in the community, never break any of the commandments, have six kids, a Ph.D., and a high paying job which I can do from my home office. I'm going to do what I can do and be proud of myself for trying.
I'm telling myself some new stories:
1. I am going to do things I enjoy and I am going to enjoy the things I do. I am not going to go get my hair done because I think I should be prettier, more stylish, etc. I LOVE getting my hair done. I LOVE how I feel while I'm there and for several weeks after. I'm going to soak up that moment every time I'm lucky enough to have it.
2. I am going to try to be a better person because I want to be a better person. I am going to continue to do things that make me happy and uplift me, which may include reading an occasional self-improvement or dating advice book. Or it may include learning a new skill or continuing my education. Some guy, who's not a d-bag, will love me AND pursue me because of my efforts and my attitude, not because I'm perfect and I'll do anything to make him happy.
3. I am going to live in the moment. When I'm driving, I'm not going to speed to get to work, because in that moment I'm enjoying listening to the new Beyonce CD. I'm not going to think about my house while I'm running, work while I'm at my house, or running and dieting while I'm at work.
4. I am going to control my thoughts and not live in some fantasy future where I look like a model, am the world's greatest cook and have the world's cleanest house, volunteer in the community, never break any of the commandments, have six kids, a Ph.D., and a high paying job which I can do from my home office. I'm going to do what I can do and be proud of myself for trying.
My Weekend
(Too bad my handy man skills are better than my photography skills)I decided I'm not going to let my f'n house get the best of me anymore. Over the weekend, I had two tasks: fix the leaky faucet and spray wasp killer around the entire outside of the house. With Hilary's help, I was able to accomplish both! But it wasn't so easy... It took me four trips to Home Depot: first time, I almost had an anxiety attack as I pulled up to the store; the most I could do was buy the wasp killer. Second time, I bought a wrench and a new faucet. Third time, I returned the faucet, bought a bigger wrench, and then bought the exact same faucet I had just returned. Fourth and final time, I returned the faucet, bought the right faucet (it was a female connection, not male), and bought my third Diet Coke of the day. When the whole thing was attached and the water main turned back on, I was so happy it gave me the motivation to actually pull the weeds in the cracks in the sidewalk around my house.
Now a quick sidenote. Part of the reason I freaked out during HD trip number one was that I thought I had to turn the outside water main off and I felt overwhelmed. I know that sounds stupid, but I was worried I'd pull the lid open and the air pressure would make it fly up and break my face or something. I was also worried about whatever bugs or reptiles might live down in that big hole in the ground (I'm sure there aren't any but what if...?). Turns out that particular faucet was connected to my inside water main, so it was a piece of cake to turn off.
On top of the progress I made this weekend (mentally more than what I actually accomplished), Chris offered to come over Monday night while we were all at Jacey's bridal shower and risk his life two weeks before the wedding to hook up my swamp cooler (it's on the top of my very steep roof). Last night I enjoyed sleeping with all my pajamas on and three blankets while my house stayed cool. Yay. Today I noticed the swamp cooler was leaking, and I'm sort of dreading calling Chris to ask him what it might be. But I'm not going to let it get to me, I'm not!
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