I've been lying to myself for a long time, but it's time to come clean. I do not have a politically set mind. I have never realized (or probably more correctly admitted it to myself) until I went to see the movie Frost/Nixon. I guess it makes me feel really stupid how much I don't retain when it comes to political or historical things.
During the movie I actually thought to myself, "I must have been told at least once in my life that Nixon resigned from presidency", but there I was shocked to hear him resigning (albeit fakely) on the big screen. There has to be some disconnect between these subjects and me because I've never done too well in history (in my opinion). I got good enough grades to keep getting me through, but in the back of my mind I thought that all these teachers were crazy because I have no idea what I am talking about.
My favorite history class experience was in High School when our class was studying World War I and World War II. The entire class broke into groups and had to take different topics of interest to present on: weapons, troupes, etc. Lucky for me there was one topic that I could actually identify with. I convinced my group to do the impact on media. I got to see the impact of the wars on the film industry and clothing and whatnot. Our presentation was the best because we dressed up in more 40's inspired garb, an Andrew's Sister and Charlie Chaplin, and got to show movies and listen to records. It was sooo much fun, but I didn't REALLY learn anything about the wars, if I'm completely honest (except now I know the approximate dates they occured, I guess that's something).
Okay, so why did I go see this movie? First of all, I just wanted to finally hang out with my friend again. He told me what the movie and I would lie if I didn't say I judge a movie by it's title. My mind went, Nixon?=boring historical stuff. Then, I gave it a chance and watched a preview for it and thought it looked kind of interesting and wanted to give it a try. So I went and for a while I thought, "What the crap did I get myself into?" They were throwing out issues and words right and left and I had no clue what ANY of it meant. I felt like I probably needed to do some research and studying up before I went to see this movie.
Finally, I was just gave up trying to make any sense of the things they assumed I already knew about (because what normal college graduate doesn't?) and looked at the film-making, the acting, the makeup, lighting, editing, everything. It's an amazing film looking at it that way. I was truly impressed by how amazing this film is. Yes, I tuned out during every long monologue they had (which was almost every line), but was deeply moved by the passion that went into playing the part of Nixon, played by Frank Langella, and the final part of the interview with Frost when he was completely broken and admitted the wrong he did in office. That was brilliant. Frost, played by Michael Sheen, was alright, but I was more distracted by his eyebrows and how much they made him resemble Jack Nicholson. That kind of overpowered his performance. A shout out will be made for Kevin Bacon. He played the silent, brooding Jack Brennan who is Nixon's chief of staff. There was such loyalty shown in this portrayal that it was endearing (plus, he looked quite snazzy in his suit vest, yup).
Anyway, sorry this turned into another movie review, but honestly I'm better at that then pretending to be politically interested. Yes, I have debated politics before, but if you pay any attention I always stick to logical things and not delve into past issues for my rebuttals. I would also be lying if I wasn't somewhat relieved when I never got my out of state voting stuff for this past election. On the important things (to me) I know where I stand, but I did not know who I was going to vote for, I had an idea, but it was never actually finalized. I knew that when I voted I would have to read up on the issues and whatnot and so when it never actually came...yea, I was angered at first. Who are they to deny me my right to vote? But when I really thought about it...
Basically, politics and history are completely foreign to me. I don't get it and maybe never will. But I already put that on my list of qualities my husband needs to possess because if he doesn't, our children will never have a chance. But hey, at least I learned something today about our former President Tricky Dick. And people think the media is bad for us, hah!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Isn't he a Rabbit?
So I didn't think I would turn this page into a review of anything, but I'm thinking if I see something that really inspires or really sucks there is merit in letting you people know about it. I went with Heather saturday to see the movie Last Chance Harvey.
I wasn't sure whether I was going to love or hate this film. I thought that I was going to feel indifferent about it and then just leave it at that. So our lead male Harvey's, played by Dustin Hoffman, life is completely screwed up. He's losing his job, his ex-wife turns his nose up at him and his daughter is getting married and isn't too keen on him being a part of the festivities. I kept feeling sadder and sadder as the movie went on. Emma Thompson's character Kate is still single and older without any profits and you can tell the wear that that is taking on her. I was maybe 30 minutes into the movie and felt as though that anything and everything that could go wrong to make somebody suicidal was about to. I was feeling as though I needed to leave the movie and that would help cheer me up.
Then it happened. The meet cute between our leads and though it was at first a strained happiness it was nice to not be so emo anymore so it was taken in with enthusiasm. I was just happy that they finally met, because we all know that's what the movie was about. The rest of the movie was amazing. The ENTIRE movie was amazing. It's really something that can bring hope and cheer into all of our lives. My favorite part of the movie was the many characters and the quirks that made them amazing.
Heather said, "If this film doesn't prove we have British in us then I don't know what does." She's right, it had British humor in it through and through and most of the time Heather and I were the only ones laughing. I was seeing so many family traits in this movie it was quite endearing. The number one favorite was Kate's mother Maggie, played by Eileen Atkins. She has such a few amount of lines and her scenes are filled with just her looking around, spying on the neighbor and internally connecting with the audience. To say she is brilliant is an understatement. She also bore quite the resemblance to my mother in her emotions and actions. In one part Kate has her arms around her and tells her three times in a row, "Hug me mum" while Maggie's arms are at her side trying to ignore her, but after the final plea puts her arms around Kate in what is obviously an exasperated hope that her daughter will stop hugging her. It's priceless. (That's totally my mom.)
Dustin Hoffman is quite a gruff old man, but is completely delightful. He can certainly deliver a line and, with that sparkle in his eye, he will charm your pants off. He certainly delivered the complete lows and highs of Harvey's life with such purity and raw emotion it was compelling. Emma Thompson is just beautiful to watch. She has poise and vulnerability and is a complete star. I don't know what else to say, she's just an entrancing actress because it is completely real with her. She's not just pretending, she's living. These two together is such a match. She's about 4 inches taller than him the entire film because of her shoes with heels and it's so funny to see them together. At the end she does take her shoes off and comes almost to his level (at least to the level of his hair) and they walk off in one of the most beautiful vertical crane shot panning up and out through green trees filling both sides of the screen with a sliver in the middle to still view both actors walking off together. Such a brilliant thing to end on.
I have to say how much I love movies that have been filmed in London because I am constantly looking at the scenes to see if I was where they currently are. In this film I got really excited because Kate has a class in the National Theatre and I have been where the class was shot. Then I have walked down the river and across those bridges. It was kind of fun. I know, I'm totally lame, but it's still way cool for me. But anyway, the places they chose to film in London were so exquisite and beautiful and lent so much for the movie. It was beautiful to see.
So if you didn't guess already, I completely endorse this movie. It's funny and enjoyable in every sense of the word and is still touching and dramatic. It's definitely a must see in my opinion. Hopefully this all didn't sound so lame and boring, but I just wanted to write about it. Good movies make me want to take action somehow.
I wasn't sure whether I was going to love or hate this film. I thought that I was going to feel indifferent about it and then just leave it at that. So our lead male Harvey's, played by Dustin Hoffman, life is completely screwed up. He's losing his job, his ex-wife turns his nose up at him and his daughter is getting married and isn't too keen on him being a part of the festivities. I kept feeling sadder and sadder as the movie went on. Emma Thompson's character Kate is still single and older without any profits and you can tell the wear that that is taking on her. I was maybe 30 minutes into the movie and felt as though that anything and everything that could go wrong to make somebody suicidal was about to. I was feeling as though I needed to leave the movie and that would help cheer me up.
Then it happened. The meet cute between our leads and though it was at first a strained happiness it was nice to not be so emo anymore so it was taken in with enthusiasm. I was just happy that they finally met, because we all know that's what the movie was about. The rest of the movie was amazing. The ENTIRE movie was amazing. It's really something that can bring hope and cheer into all of our lives. My favorite part of the movie was the many characters and the quirks that made them amazing.
Heather said, "If this film doesn't prove we have British in us then I don't know what does." She's right, it had British humor in it through and through and most of the time Heather and I were the only ones laughing. I was seeing so many family traits in this movie it was quite endearing. The number one favorite was Kate's mother Maggie, played by Eileen Atkins. She has such a few amount of lines and her scenes are filled with just her looking around, spying on the neighbor and internally connecting with the audience. To say she is brilliant is an understatement. She also bore quite the resemblance to my mother in her emotions and actions. In one part Kate has her arms around her and tells her three times in a row, "Hug me mum" while Maggie's arms are at her side trying to ignore her, but after the final plea puts her arms around Kate in what is obviously an exasperated hope that her daughter will stop hugging her. It's priceless. (That's totally my mom.)
Dustin Hoffman is quite a gruff old man, but is completely delightful. He can certainly deliver a line and, with that sparkle in his eye, he will charm your pants off. He certainly delivered the complete lows and highs of Harvey's life with such purity and raw emotion it was compelling. Emma Thompson is just beautiful to watch. She has poise and vulnerability and is a complete star. I don't know what else to say, she's just an entrancing actress because it is completely real with her. She's not just pretending, she's living. These two together is such a match. She's about 4 inches taller than him the entire film because of her shoes with heels and it's so funny to see them together. At the end she does take her shoes off and comes almost to his level (at least to the level of his hair) and they walk off in one of the most beautiful vertical crane shot panning up and out through green trees filling both sides of the screen with a sliver in the middle to still view both actors walking off together. Such a brilliant thing to end on.
I have to say how much I love movies that have been filmed in London because I am constantly looking at the scenes to see if I was where they currently are. In this film I got really excited because Kate has a class in the National Theatre and I have been where the class was shot. Then I have walked down the river and across those bridges. It was kind of fun. I know, I'm totally lame, but it's still way cool for me. But anyway, the places they chose to film in London were so exquisite and beautiful and lent so much for the movie. It was beautiful to see.
So if you didn't guess already, I completely endorse this movie. It's funny and enjoyable in every sense of the word and is still touching and dramatic. It's definitely a must see in my opinion. Hopefully this all didn't sound so lame and boring, but I just wanted to write about it. Good movies make me want to take action somehow.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Call Sasquatch, he has better stories than me anyway.
So I welcomed in the New Year with the renewed knowledge of how awkward a person I am vocally. I find that I never know the right things to say so I end up sounding stupid, snarky, or completely mad (crazy). I feel that there is never a situation where I say the right thing, but I came to that conclusion a while ago and used it to my "advantage" (somewhat).
The stupid thing I turned into a "dumb blonde" thing. I'm sorry people for using the stereotype to my advantage. But hey, it's there already, might as well prosper from it. So whenever I say the wrong thing in a stupid way it's chalked up to hair color. I trick I used to pull a lot in high school (and still occasionally) is I would just put a blank look on my face and "space out" when I knew that I really had nothing to contribute, but if I looked as though I were a part of whatever conversation was going on I would be expected to contribute.
Snarky remarks come out of my mouth right and left. I used to keep quiet because I knew that what I had to say (or contribute) would not be helpful or wanted by other people. Then my Mom got mad at me because she never knew what I was thinking because I was quiet about everything (believe me, that's how often the wrong thing pops into my head). That's when I snapped and I'm sure that she regrets ever telling me to open my mouth. Yes, we can all blame her for me always speaking my mind. Although, small kudos to me because I've learned how to sometimes control it and keep the funny, yet rude, remarks to myself (or the people I text...I need an outlet somewhere). Don't blame me, blame my mother people. Look what she has done to society.
Then I come off as crazy. Like the step-second-adopted-twice-over-niece-of-your-nephew-who-was-dropped-on-her-head-at-birth (and repeatedly after that) kind of crazy. I sometimes wonder why people hang out with me at all. It's not often, which is good, but when it happens, oh man. I'm embarrassed for myself, my family, my friends, people I don't even know, because they may come across me (even once) in their lifetime. It's like every full moon I open my mouth and howl the thing that makes people move chairs away from me. I'm a looney. Sad days.
So all this ends up with me being socially inept, but honestly I've tried to work on it. Seriously, I have. Maybe if you have known me for a while you will have noticed the progress I have made (maybe you just ignore me and that's fine too). I thought my interactions with people have risen and I was doing good...then I was reminded of my biggest flaw of all time. (Whisper) I am the worst person to talk to on the phone (end of whisper).
I KNOW!!! I've tried to overcome it, but I have serious issues with using the telephone. I've even fooled myself into thinking that I've gotten better, but then I realized that it's the people on the other side of the call that make it work. If we have good conversations on the phone then you are the one who has the amazing God given talent of "being an expert phone conversationalist". I was trying to talk to one of my best friends on the phone and I just felt so sorry for her.
I wanted to apologize during the conversation because it literally sucked a thousand times worse than Taco Bell's mild sauce in a fresh paper cut (believe me, that sucks!) I wanted to be able to talk to her and tell her many strange and wonderful things, but all I could think of was "you suck", "why do you even answer your phone", "think of something to say" and "if you can't think of something real, make it up, tell her you saw sasquatch or something". I feel that that phone conversation was the basic equivalent of being on a blind date, having nothing to talk about and realizing that you are out with your step-second-adopted-twice-over-niece-of-your-nephew-who-was-dropped-on-her-head-at-birth. I cringe thinking about it.
Goodness, of all the social problems I have when I open my mouth it's a million times worse when I can't. She must think I had something better to do (I didn't), I hate her guts (I don't), I never want to see her again (not true, I'm finding a way to see her in March). There is no hope for me. I think about it and the people I have good phone conversations are the people I have known from birth and Justin. Maybe because they have unconditional love for me and I have awkward conversations like that with them too, but don't realize it. Oh my gosh!!! That's it. I don't ever want to use the phone again, because I'm awkward and unsociable and only do well in person (subjective). So text me, show up at my door, hit me in the face and if you call me expect to have a brief conversation (if one at all) or be able to carry the conversation on all by your lonesome because this blonde is spacing out.
The stupid thing I turned into a "dumb blonde" thing. I'm sorry people for using the stereotype to my advantage. But hey, it's there already, might as well prosper from it. So whenever I say the wrong thing in a stupid way it's chalked up to hair color. I trick I used to pull a lot in high school (and still occasionally) is I would just put a blank look on my face and "space out" when I knew that I really had nothing to contribute, but if I looked as though I were a part of whatever conversation was going on I would be expected to contribute.
Snarky remarks come out of my mouth right and left. I used to keep quiet because I knew that what I had to say (or contribute) would not be helpful or wanted by other people. Then my Mom got mad at me because she never knew what I was thinking because I was quiet about everything (believe me, that's how often the wrong thing pops into my head). That's when I snapped and I'm sure that she regrets ever telling me to open my mouth. Yes, we can all blame her for me always speaking my mind. Although, small kudos to me because I've learned how to sometimes control it and keep the funny, yet rude, remarks to myself (or the people I text...I need an outlet somewhere). Don't blame me, blame my mother people. Look what she has done to society.
Then I come off as crazy. Like the step-second-adopted-twice-over-niece-of-your-nephew-who-was-dropped-on-her-head-at-birth (and repeatedly after that) kind of crazy. I sometimes wonder why people hang out with me at all. It's not often, which is good, but when it happens, oh man. I'm embarrassed for myself, my family, my friends, people I don't even know, because they may come across me (even once) in their lifetime. It's like every full moon I open my mouth and howl the thing that makes people move chairs away from me. I'm a looney. Sad days.
So all this ends up with me being socially inept, but honestly I've tried to work on it. Seriously, I have. Maybe if you have known me for a while you will have noticed the progress I have made (maybe you just ignore me and that's fine too). I thought my interactions with people have risen and I was doing good...then I was reminded of my biggest flaw of all time. (Whisper) I am the worst person to talk to on the phone (end of whisper).
I KNOW!!! I've tried to overcome it, but I have serious issues with using the telephone. I've even fooled myself into thinking that I've gotten better, but then I realized that it's the people on the other side of the call that make it work. If we have good conversations on the phone then you are the one who has the amazing God given talent of "being an expert phone conversationalist". I was trying to talk to one of my best friends on the phone and I just felt so sorry for her.
I wanted to apologize during the conversation because it literally sucked a thousand times worse than Taco Bell's mild sauce in a fresh paper cut (believe me, that sucks!) I wanted to be able to talk to her and tell her many strange and wonderful things, but all I could think of was "you suck", "why do you even answer your phone", "think of something to say" and "if you can't think of something real, make it up, tell her you saw sasquatch or something". I feel that that phone conversation was the basic equivalent of being on a blind date, having nothing to talk about and realizing that you are out with your step-second-adopted-twice-over-niece-of-your-nephew-who-was-dropped-on-her-head-at-birth. I cringe thinking about it.
Goodness, of all the social problems I have when I open my mouth it's a million times worse when I can't. She must think I had something better to do (I didn't), I hate her guts (I don't), I never want to see her again (not true, I'm finding a way to see her in March). There is no hope for me. I think about it and the people I have good phone conversations are the people I have known from birth and Justin. Maybe because they have unconditional love for me and I have awkward conversations like that with them too, but don't realize it. Oh my gosh!!! That's it. I don't ever want to use the phone again, because I'm awkward and unsociable and only do well in person (subjective). So text me, show up at my door, hit me in the face and if you call me expect to have a brief conversation (if one at all) or be able to carry the conversation on all by your lonesome because this blonde is spacing out.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Pain in My Butt (aka Utah)
Utah tried it's best to make me miserable this Christmas, but it didn't work. No sir. It's last kick to my pants came in a series of unfortunate events. I hate Utah.
I was finally done with finals, but had to stay up all night to complete them, woe to me. Joshua was quite perturbed upon finding out that I had no sleep the previous night because he wanted me to do most of the driving home. Him being upset with me made me sad and not happy, but then he said it would all be okay. I still knew that he would be angry, but what could I do? I had to finish those awful papers for stupid Anthropology that I hope for once and for all is out of my life. It's never sure until the grades come out (and if it were up to my t.a. they would never come, she was so unreliable).
I was so happy to turn in that paper and I did exceptionally well on my final test for Human Development that I was practically skipping to get money back for my books. The book for Anthro got me $10.00 (whatever, I'll take it) and then he announced that Human Development was getting me over $80!!! Then the nice man was corrupted by the spirit of Utah and asked where the c.d. that went with the book was? Ummm...CRAP!!! I left without my H.D. book money hoping that when I got home I would be able to find that stupid c.d. that comes with the book, but nobody ever uses because it's really not that useful.
I waited for Joshua to get out of his final and then HE got to sell back his books with no catches (Utah knew he would be coming back so it could make his life miserable later). Then he got his knitting books and we went home to pack the stuff in the car. I felt like both my brothers hated me because I had so much stuff. I could see it in their faces. "I hate Ashleigh, she has so much stuff. What an idiot. I hate her and her stuff. Let's burn it all and then it won't matter." I left stuff that I should have brought, but didn't (oh well, I'll get it later?) On a positive note - I found that stupid c.d.
So we finally are packed and I have to say goodbye to Kara and that was sad...
I'm feeling wide awake at the moment so I offer to drive for a little while and Joshua says alright. I get in and the wheel won't turn and I feel so stupid, but I turn it off and back on and we are on the road. I have to go get a pizza for the boys which is fine because we have to make so many pit stops before we leave, what's one more. We get the pizza and I can't see behind me and focus so hard on one thing while I'm pulling out that I don't see another and "crunch", there I go backing up and letting my front bumper scrape the door of the car next to me.
I am about ready to cry, but get the insurance and whatnot and go to talk to this girl who is wearing a blanket and smoking and swearing at me. (What did I ever do to you Utah?) I'm trying to explain that it will be alright, to give my insurance and everything, but she's making me so angry and upset. Then her friend comes out of the Pizza place and says it's alright and nothing looks damaged and to just leave it (I guess the car belonged to her). I was so happy to leave, but I didn't want to drive anymore, but I still had to.
We get to the BYU bookstore and I get my money, yay. Then we drop off some videos I rented from the Provo library, done. Finally we get gas and then we are on the freeway. I'm still upset and Andrew tries to make me feel better. He tells me to think about what's making me upset and whether or not I can do anything about it. I'm angry at him right then for trying to make me feel better when I just want to wallow in my misery, but then I realize that he is right and I try to move on and leave all my troubles in Utah. We eventually hit some fog and my eyes were doing funny things and I pulled over and let Joshua drive, excited to sleep and momentarily not think about everything awful.
Then it happens, we are out of Utah, but that doesn't make Utah happy so it sends all of it's troops down to Las Vegas (who knew they would unite to destroy me?) THE ROADS ARE CLOSED!!! We are stuck in Vegas. Woe to life. Woe to living. Just kill me now. I hate the snow so much, it needs to evaporate and never come back (snow death). Extra money was shelled out and we ate and slept.
Joshua thinks we should just leave the hotel without waiting for the all clear on the roads. Whatever, I start to drive. Then we hit the mile(ish) before Primm and we stop. I turn off the car on the freeway. We are stuck there for several hours...I'm so bored I start tattooing myself and then Andrew. When it finally clears we decide we are so hungry we get off at Primm to find food, but then we get stuck in this long line of trucks and never are able to get food and for about an hour we are getting off and then back on the freeway. Very productive.
Eventually we get somewhere with food and get fed and things start to go right. Which in my mind is only because we made it to California, home sweet home, and Utah can't touch us anymore. Stupid Utah, I will not miss you. There are things I will miss, but not you.
Quickly, things I'll miss: Kara and my roommies, my Pilches that I have become so close to, the people I work with, and my friends that I have gathered through classes and shows. Some of my classes and the professors in my major and some from my minor. My ward up there, the bishopric, the people. My friends at raintree, we had good times. Being about an hour away from Emily and going to Elizabeth's for Thanksgiving.
Things I'm happy to be home for: My friends and family down here. Being home for all of the holidays. Not going to school, at least for awhile. Being free from Utah.
So adieu Utah. You were the ultimate pain in my butt. This Phelps fan is checking out (until I have to see Kara get married and walk, but no more living there for me!)
I was finally done with finals, but had to stay up all night to complete them, woe to me. Joshua was quite perturbed upon finding out that I had no sleep the previous night because he wanted me to do most of the driving home. Him being upset with me made me sad and not happy, but then he said it would all be okay. I still knew that he would be angry, but what could I do? I had to finish those awful papers for stupid Anthropology that I hope for once and for all is out of my life. It's never sure until the grades come out (and if it were up to my t.a. they would never come, she was so unreliable).
I was so happy to turn in that paper and I did exceptionally well on my final test for Human Development that I was practically skipping to get money back for my books. The book for Anthro got me $10.00 (whatever, I'll take it) and then he announced that Human Development was getting me over $80!!! Then the nice man was corrupted by the spirit of Utah and asked where the c.d. that went with the book was? Ummm...CRAP!!! I left without my H.D. book money hoping that when I got home I would be able to find that stupid c.d. that comes with the book, but nobody ever uses because it's really not that useful.
I waited for Joshua to get out of his final and then HE got to sell back his books with no catches (Utah knew he would be coming back so it could make his life miserable later). Then he got his knitting books and we went home to pack the stuff in the car. I felt like both my brothers hated me because I had so much stuff. I could see it in their faces. "I hate Ashleigh, she has so much stuff. What an idiot. I hate her and her stuff. Let's burn it all and then it won't matter." I left stuff that I should have brought, but didn't (oh well, I'll get it later?) On a positive note - I found that stupid c.d.
So we finally are packed and I have to say goodbye to Kara and that was sad...
I'm feeling wide awake at the moment so I offer to drive for a little while and Joshua says alright. I get in and the wheel won't turn and I feel so stupid, but I turn it off and back on and we are on the road. I have to go get a pizza for the boys which is fine because we have to make so many pit stops before we leave, what's one more. We get the pizza and I can't see behind me and focus so hard on one thing while I'm pulling out that I don't see another and "crunch", there I go backing up and letting my front bumper scrape the door of the car next to me.
I am about ready to cry, but get the insurance and whatnot and go to talk to this girl who is wearing a blanket and smoking and swearing at me. (What did I ever do to you Utah?) I'm trying to explain that it will be alright, to give my insurance and everything, but she's making me so angry and upset. Then her friend comes out of the Pizza place and says it's alright and nothing looks damaged and to just leave it (I guess the car belonged to her). I was so happy to leave, but I didn't want to drive anymore, but I still had to.
We get to the BYU bookstore and I get my money, yay. Then we drop off some videos I rented from the Provo library, done. Finally we get gas and then we are on the freeway. I'm still upset and Andrew tries to make me feel better. He tells me to think about what's making me upset and whether or not I can do anything about it. I'm angry at him right then for trying to make me feel better when I just want to wallow in my misery, but then I realize that he is right and I try to move on and leave all my troubles in Utah. We eventually hit some fog and my eyes were doing funny things and I pulled over and let Joshua drive, excited to sleep and momentarily not think about everything awful.
Then it happens, we are out of Utah, but that doesn't make Utah happy so it sends all of it's troops down to Las Vegas (who knew they would unite to destroy me?) THE ROADS ARE CLOSED!!! We are stuck in Vegas. Woe to life. Woe to living. Just kill me now. I hate the snow so much, it needs to evaporate and never come back (snow death). Extra money was shelled out and we ate and slept.
Joshua thinks we should just leave the hotel without waiting for the all clear on the roads. Whatever, I start to drive. Then we hit the mile(ish) before Primm and we stop. I turn off the car on the freeway. We are stuck there for several hours...I'm so bored I start tattooing myself and then Andrew. When it finally clears we decide we are so hungry we get off at Primm to find food, but then we get stuck in this long line of trucks and never are able to get food and for about an hour we are getting off and then back on the freeway. Very productive.
Eventually we get somewhere with food and get fed and things start to go right. Which in my mind is only because we made it to California, home sweet home, and Utah can't touch us anymore. Stupid Utah, I will not miss you. There are things I will miss, but not you.
Quickly, things I'll miss: Kara and my roommies, my Pilches that I have become so close to, the people I work with, and my friends that I have gathered through classes and shows. Some of my classes and the professors in my major and some from my minor. My ward up there, the bishopric, the people. My friends at raintree, we had good times. Being about an hour away from Emily and going to Elizabeth's for Thanksgiving.
Things I'm happy to be home for: My friends and family down here. Being home for all of the holidays. Not going to school, at least for awhile. Being free from Utah.
So adieu Utah. You were the ultimate pain in my butt. This Phelps fan is checking out (until I have to see Kara get married and walk, but no more living there for me!)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Gesundheit, now stop it.
One of my favorite things is sneezing. You lose control of your body for a split second, it contorts, your eyes close and explosion! It's very liberating and so much better than coughing. With coughing your throat gets all sore and unhappy, with sneezing you pirouette and cablooey! (Sometimes your nose runs, but dude, get a tissue.) I've always been fond of sneezing.
The only problem I have ever had with sneezing is when someone does not cover their spray. My Mom said that when she was working at an Elementary school she was walking behind this boy and it was foggy. Then the boy sneezed and didn't cover his mouth - sprayed all around him in about a 6 foot diameter (the fog helped my Mom see it.) So I've always thought that we just need to cover our mouth and sneezing would be an enjoyable experience, until recently.
Recently I've started to become annoyed with the process of sneezing. Not the individual there-is-dust-in-my-nose-got-to-sneeze thing going on, but the cultural sneeze-blessyou-thankyou thing! It's so annoying. I get it, the need to be polite and what not, but really? This all started when people would sneeze and think their soul was flying to the devil and the "God bless you" brought it back into your body. It was a nice thing people were doing for each other, constantly saving each other from hellfire and damnation. Such a nice thing to do. But I think our generation is far enough advanced that we know that sneezing is not your spirit escaping, just like taking a photograph of someone is not stealing their soul. (If that were the case we'd all be damned.)Also, my dog Molly chooses to pretend to sneeze to get our attention when we are eating so we'll give her food. It's clever.
But there are the people that just can't help themselves and sneeze and sneeze and sneeze. They sneeze once and you bless them. Then they sneeze again and you already blessed them and you don't know if you need to do it again. Does the first blessing cover them all? THEN they sneeze again (and again and again) and now you're thinking they are just getting greedy with all the blessings that are coming their way, but you are shackled to politeness and just keep blessing. Sometimes you can tell more are coming and you shut up until the end of their sneeze-fest and you bless them for all 20 sneezes. That may be the best solution to the multi-sneezer.
I've often thought that if you said "bless you" for a sneeze then you also should say something for a cough, just to be polite. Like "are you okay", "can I get you a lozenge" or "woah buddy, we just met, I don't want your germs." Those all would be appropriate and/or polite, but it doesn't happen. So we need to dispense with the "blessing people". We know their soul isn't escaping from their body (Aren't souls the good thing? Are we damning them by putting them back in their jail? Just a thought.) so let's get rid of these so-called polite habits and let people bless themselves if they need to. People excuse themselves when they burp, so they can bless themselves when they sneeze. Let them apologize and pray for themselves.
P.S. I'll probably still blessing people because I believe in karma and I feel that I will be screwed if I don't. So stop it people, and puppies, it's not cute and no one really wants to bless you. Bless yourself. (If I'm around I'll do it for you, but now you know I loathe you, your sinuses and your attention getting ploys.)
The only problem I have ever had with sneezing is when someone does not cover their spray. My Mom said that when she was working at an Elementary school she was walking behind this boy and it was foggy. Then the boy sneezed and didn't cover his mouth - sprayed all around him in about a 6 foot diameter (the fog helped my Mom see it.) So I've always thought that we just need to cover our mouth and sneezing would be an enjoyable experience, until recently.
Recently I've started to become annoyed with the process of sneezing. Not the individual there-is-dust-in-my-nose-got-to-sneeze thing going on, but the cultural sneeze-blessyou-thankyou thing! It's so annoying. I get it, the need to be polite and what not, but really? This all started when people would sneeze and think their soul was flying to the devil and the "God bless you" brought it back into your body. It was a nice thing people were doing for each other, constantly saving each other from hellfire and damnation. Such a nice thing to do. But I think our generation is far enough advanced that we know that sneezing is not your spirit escaping, just like taking a photograph of someone is not stealing their soul. (If that were the case we'd all be damned.)Also, my dog Molly chooses to pretend to sneeze to get our attention when we are eating so we'll give her food. It's clever.
But there are the people that just can't help themselves and sneeze and sneeze and sneeze. They sneeze once and you bless them. Then they sneeze again and you already blessed them and you don't know if you need to do it again. Does the first blessing cover them all? THEN they sneeze again (and again and again) and now you're thinking they are just getting greedy with all the blessings that are coming their way, but you are shackled to politeness and just keep blessing. Sometimes you can tell more are coming and you shut up until the end of their sneeze-fest and you bless them for all 20 sneezes. That may be the best solution to the multi-sneezer.
I've often thought that if you said "bless you" for a sneeze then you also should say something for a cough, just to be polite. Like "are you okay", "can I get you a lozenge" or "woah buddy, we just met, I don't want your germs." Those all would be appropriate and/or polite, but it doesn't happen. So we need to dispense with the "blessing people". We know their soul isn't escaping from their body (Aren't souls the good thing? Are we damning them by putting them back in their jail? Just a thought.) so let's get rid of these so-called polite habits and let people bless themselves if they need to. People excuse themselves when they burp, so they can bless themselves when they sneeze. Let them apologize and pray for themselves.
P.S. I'll probably still blessing people because I believe in karma and I feel that I will be screwed if I don't. So stop it people, and puppies, it's not cute and no one really wants to bless you. Bless yourself. (If I'm around I'll do it for you, but now you know I loathe you, your sinuses and your attention getting ploys.)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Worst Type of Person...
* Never watched Pushing Daisies
* Canceled Pushing Daisies
* Closed a door on a child making him cry
* Doesn't tell you who got cast when it doesn't include you
* Tries to hold a conversation in passing
* Does an entire show with you and then can't remember who you are
* Never makes a date
* Irrationally hates you
* Hates little dogs
* Likes cats
* Thinks someone's allergies are being made up
* Still has prejudices
* Uses and abuses
* Likes the show 24
* Likes Anne Geddes' work
* Frequents the hot tub
* Thinks Christmas starts in September
* Forces others to listen to Christmas music
* Forces others to listen to Country music
* Thinks Texas was God's gift to the world
* Doesn't share
* Is a substance abuser
* Yells on their cell phone
* Plays their music loud enough so everyone cn hear it rom their headphones
* Doesn't dress up for Halloween
* Forgets who their friends are
* Chooses to live in BYU approved housing, but constantly complains about the rules
* Holds grudges
* Makes you feel bad for no reason
* Likes you, but never says anything
* Doesn't agree with me
* Is the main topic of every one of their conversations
* Pretends to understand modern art
* Follows the fads, but can't tell you what makes them good
* Wins Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model
* Thinks I'm writing about them
(* Is right)
* Canceled Pushing Daisies
* Closed a door on a child making him cry
* Doesn't tell you who got cast when it doesn't include you
* Tries to hold a conversation in passing
* Does an entire show with you and then can't remember who you are
* Never makes a date
* Irrationally hates you
* Hates little dogs
* Likes cats
* Thinks someone's allergies are being made up
* Still has prejudices
* Uses and abuses
* Likes the show 24
* Likes Anne Geddes' work
* Frequents the hot tub
* Thinks Christmas starts in September
* Forces others to listen to Christmas music
* Forces others to listen to Country music
* Thinks Texas was God's gift to the world
* Doesn't share
* Is a substance abuser
* Yells on their cell phone
* Plays their music loud enough so everyone cn hear it rom their headphones
* Doesn't dress up for Halloween
* Forgets who their friends are
* Chooses to live in BYU approved housing, but constantly complains about the rules
* Holds grudges
* Makes you feel bad for no reason
* Likes you, but never says anything
* Doesn't agree with me
* Is the main topic of every one of their conversations
* Pretends to understand modern art
* Follows the fads, but can't tell you what makes them good
* Wins Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model
* Thinks I'm writing about them
(* Is right)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sacré bleu, it's sacrilegious! (That's the only warning you get...I'm serious)
(Okay,if you didn't take the title into account let me warn you that if you love to pray. No, if you love to have long prayers, this may not be your blog of choice. Once I post it I expect to be struck by lightning...if you read it, you may be going down with me. Okay, maybe just reading it will be okay, but no laughing and whatever you do don't agree with me or I'll have to dust off a space in hell for you to sit with me...That's it.)
Here it is. I'm saying it. I feel inept when I pray. It should be easy, shouldn't it? I was taught in primary how to pray, primary! But I feel that there are a bunch of primary kids running around out there that are so much better at praying then I am (and their parents!) I have had years more experience than them so why do I feel like I suck so much?
So basically a prayer is:
1. Introduction
2. Thank you
3. Asking and pleading
4. Sayonara
It sounds simple and I thought I was okay at it. Then I realized (when I was 4ish?) that my Mom's prayers were so long! She was on her knees for like 30 minutes (maybe less, it felt like hours in truth). So I felt my little prayers needed some length and I started to bless "the good people and the bad people and everybody else", "the rich people and the poor people and everyone else", "the tall people and the short people and everyone else" - pick two opposing adjectives add on everyone else and you can be sure it was in my prayer. It was awesome! My prayers went from 10 seconds to 10 minutes! I was amazing! (Later I found out that my parents essentially drew straws to see who had to listen to my prayer for the night; doesn't help my self esteem now...I shouldn't even want to pray anymore, but I do...privately). I now realize that she had 9 kids to pray about and I'm assuming that is where the length came from (especially for the seventh one).
When I am asked to pray in public my palms get sweaty, my face flushes, my stomach turns and I feel like throwing up. People are going to judge my prayer and think I don't love the church as much as they do because my prayers are short, sweet and to the point. Publicly I feel that since I am praying on their behalf I need to make it long, drawn out and vague(ish).
This is how they want me to pray:
1. Our dear, most kind and gracious, Heavenly Father who is in heaven (or what ever else they feel like adding in)...
2. We thank thee for the snow (I HATE THE SNOW - I don't care if it got rid of a drought!) and for everything else people don't really appreciate, but thanks!
3. Please bless the missionaries and the troops and that person who is sick in the ward, but I can never remember her name because frankly she is a beast and I don't like her, but please watch over her. Also make sure we remember every last thing that is mentioned in this meeting and those to come. I don't want to forget about that "thank"simony where we learned how nice that girl in that one apartment just knew that other girl in that other apartment was having a bad day and made her cookies and then smiled at a hobo and saved a kitten out of a tree! Oh yes, please also bless that we have more snow!!!
4. (The closing is my favorite part because if you play your cards right it can be longer than the actual prayer!) Everything that was said in the holy and sacred name of our big brother, our friend, our Savior, the redeemer of the world, thy son - everything listed in Isaiah 9:6 - EVEN Jesus Christ (oh, it was him, you were referencing) amen.
Do you see how this could be overwhelming? I just don't know what to say when I get up there. I'm going to forget something, I should have written a script to memorize, I didn't even get to warm up my voice!!! (Coca Cola! Pepsi! Mountain Dew! or should I warm up with caffeine free drinks...Diet Coca Cola! Diet Pepsi! Sprite! Orange Fanta!) I need this time to myself so I can research a good prayer and do it...maybe. Okay, I can't. I'm the girl who thought that "no harm or accident" was "no arm or lasent"(I know it's not a word, it didn't make sense to me either, but I always said it because that's what I thought I had to say). I;m going to slur my words together and some poor little girl will think "Our dear Heavenly Father" is "O drivenly feather". Could you imagine the uproar at family dinner? I don't want that on my conscience! Also, I'm going to forget to bless the troops and then another war on top of this one will break out and it's going to be my fault. Or I won't remember whose name it EVEN is in and then I'll have to splutter incoherent adjectives, mumble and say amen.
Do you see the predicament I am in every time I am asked to say the prayer? I know God doesn't mind that I am short and sweet, he made me that way and if I rambled he would dread listening to my prayers like my parents did when I was little (and the things that are "cute" when your little are totally "un-cute" when you are older) and there isn't anyone he can pass the buck to! It's the rest of the people in the church that feel that longer is better and then everyone in the congregation (and the bishopric) that don't plan on taking a nap during the prayer really wish that they could open their eyes and see who else is opening their eyes and then look down ashamedly because they were caught not enjoying the long prayer and with their eyes open staring at the other person with their eyes open...see how long prayers only hurt the congregation?
We need to all go to primary for the prayer lesson (and possible the testimony one) so we don't go wrong and make people feel bad for short prayers. I say, "Rock on short prayers! Rock on!!!"
P.S. Just so you know, I love to pray. I think it's the best. For sure.
Here it is. I'm saying it. I feel inept when I pray. It should be easy, shouldn't it? I was taught in primary how to pray, primary! But I feel that there are a bunch of primary kids running around out there that are so much better at praying then I am (and their parents!) I have had years more experience than them so why do I feel like I suck so much?
So basically a prayer is:
1. Introduction
2. Thank you
3. Asking and pleading
4. Sayonara
It sounds simple and I thought I was okay at it. Then I realized (when I was 4ish?) that my Mom's prayers were so long! She was on her knees for like 30 minutes (maybe less, it felt like hours in truth). So I felt my little prayers needed some length and I started to bless "the good people and the bad people and everybody else", "the rich people and the poor people and everyone else", "the tall people and the short people and everyone else" - pick two opposing adjectives add on everyone else and you can be sure it was in my prayer. It was awesome! My prayers went from 10 seconds to 10 minutes! I was amazing! (Later I found out that my parents essentially drew straws to see who had to listen to my prayer for the night; doesn't help my self esteem now...I shouldn't even want to pray anymore, but I do...privately). I now realize that she had 9 kids to pray about and I'm assuming that is where the length came from (especially for the seventh one).
When I am asked to pray in public my palms get sweaty, my face flushes, my stomach turns and I feel like throwing up. People are going to judge my prayer and think I don't love the church as much as they do because my prayers are short, sweet and to the point. Publicly I feel that since I am praying on their behalf I need to make it long, drawn out and vague(ish).
This is how they want me to pray:
1. Our dear, most kind and gracious, Heavenly Father who is in heaven (or what ever else they feel like adding in)...
2. We thank thee for the snow (I HATE THE SNOW - I don't care if it got rid of a drought!) and for everything else people don't really appreciate, but thanks!
3. Please bless the missionaries and the troops and that person who is sick in the ward, but I can never remember her name because frankly she is a beast and I don't like her, but please watch over her. Also make sure we remember every last thing that is mentioned in this meeting and those to come. I don't want to forget about that "thank"simony where we learned how nice that girl in that one apartment just knew that other girl in that other apartment was having a bad day and made her cookies and then smiled at a hobo and saved a kitten out of a tree! Oh yes, please also bless that we have more snow!!!
4. (The closing is my favorite part because if you play your cards right it can be longer than the actual prayer!) Everything that was said in the holy and sacred name of our big brother, our friend, our Savior, the redeemer of the world, thy son - everything listed in Isaiah 9:6 - EVEN Jesus Christ (oh, it was him, you were referencing) amen.
Do you see how this could be overwhelming? I just don't know what to say when I get up there. I'm going to forget something, I should have written a script to memorize, I didn't even get to warm up my voice!!! (Coca Cola! Pepsi! Mountain Dew! or should I warm up with caffeine free drinks...Diet Coca Cola! Diet Pepsi! Sprite! Orange Fanta!) I need this time to myself so I can research a good prayer and do it...maybe. Okay, I can't. I'm the girl who thought that "no harm or accident" was "no arm or lasent"(I know it's not a word, it didn't make sense to me either, but I always said it because that's what I thought I had to say). I;m going to slur my words together and some poor little girl will think "Our dear Heavenly Father" is "O drivenly feather". Could you imagine the uproar at family dinner? I don't want that on my conscience! Also, I'm going to forget to bless the troops and then another war on top of this one will break out and it's going to be my fault. Or I won't remember whose name it EVEN is in and then I'll have to splutter incoherent adjectives, mumble and say amen.
Do you see the predicament I am in every time I am asked to say the prayer? I know God doesn't mind that I am short and sweet, he made me that way and if I rambled he would dread listening to my prayers like my parents did when I was little (and the things that are "cute" when your little are totally "un-cute" when you are older) and there isn't anyone he can pass the buck to! It's the rest of the people in the church that feel that longer is better and then everyone in the congregation (and the bishopric) that don't plan on taking a nap during the prayer really wish that they could open their eyes and see who else is opening their eyes and then look down ashamedly because they were caught not enjoying the long prayer and with their eyes open staring at the other person with their eyes open...see how long prayers only hurt the congregation?
We need to all go to primary for the prayer lesson (and possible the testimony one) so we don't go wrong and make people feel bad for short prayers. I say, "Rock on short prayers! Rock on!!!"
P.S. Just so you know, I love to pray. I think it's the best. For sure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
