Angie & Ryan

Comparisons

2012-01-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

I'm finding myself more prone to freaking out over the information shared via the internet. But then, I've become a monumentally private person, sharing only a select amount of information because I feel in my heart the rest of it is too much.

I don't want to know where you ate dinner, that you went to Walmart yesterday, that you are a foursquare Mayor. You don't realize that if you keep this up, I will take your challenge and throw waterballoons at your car at each of these locations.

I explained what foursquare was to Ryan the other day and he said something akin to "So people are making it easier to stalk themselves" Can you imagine a teenage girl with foursquare? And Facebook have you no shame?

Thank heavens I can block all foursquare notifications, but for a bit there I felt bombarded with TMI.

Speaking of TMI, as a proponent of sharing very little via the interwebs because I think its tacky, I'm wondering what you think of my 'no-sharing' policy?

*On my Akira links I'm just biting my nails hoping they don't ruin the cult classic. Its a huge part of who I am that is dorky and you might think is stupid, but it doesn't tell any potential stalkers that I'm going to be grocery shopping at 4:53 at a specific location....

A Fire Review and a Challenge

2011-12-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

You know that saying that says, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, well I'm doing just that. The past few weeks have been a continuation of Angie's new found love of hermitage(being sick), and the Kindle Fire, from Ryan's work, kept me company.

The Kindle Fire is a decent product, but the apple fangirl in me can't give it fully two thumbs up. For being $200, including a limited amazon prime membership, what can I expect? something hopefully superior to my Ipod Touch. The app selection for the Ipod touch still floors cloud. Watching netflix on the Fire is all squishy.

A friend was over, toying with the device and he remarked "I'll bet Apple toyed with this size and upon testing it out, went with a bigger size." It does feel like Amazon was thinking more about making the tablet roughly the same size as the rest of their line. I like uniformity, but I think an e-reader and tablet device are very different both in purpose and therefore, the design.

The update Amazon did improved a lot of quirks and allows more security if you desire.

I've read a handful of books on it, the cloud storage system is pretty slick. They read well but I have an issue with how they mark how much I have read. I miss page numbers. Numbering paragraphs is well and good, but how will I know how many pages I'm reading? I know I know, I'm no longer reading pages. Rather I'm reading text and text that is ready to evolve.

Overall I like the Kindle Fire for reading and reading only.

The touch screen is overly sensitive at times and other times not at all responsive.

I'd be happier if it didn't have presumptions to be a tablet device but rather an e-reader on steroids.

Again, as this was a gift and free to me this is awesome. However, I'd be just as satisfied with a Kindle Touch, or first generation Kindle.

However, I'm waiting till Scrivener or another program has a decent app for writers, but I have this gut feeling it will be available on an apple product before anything else. And why? Scrivener and other programs are for people who like to design what their text is going to look like, and Apple products are all about design.

It makes us sing inside. So who is willing to create this app? Its a tall order I know, but its editing genius.

Christmas Bookworm

2011-12-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

I love reading around this time of year. Christmas has always been a good time to catch up on a novel or 4, this year I've been tying up lose ends for books that I've started or always meant to read.

First up: "Dracula" by Bram Stoker, this was a finish up. I read this primarily on my ipod but upon Ryan getting the Kindle Fire saw it was free and I finished up the last 30 pages. Let that sink in. Why on earth would I read it on an ipod? Well I was just excited at the time that ipods now had a bookstore. Lesson learned. The Kindle is awesome for reading on. It will never replace my dog eared copies of books, but its a good way to read all those "I should definitely read that" books.

Second up: "Anthem" by Ayn Rand. I'd never read anything by her before although "Atlas Shrugged" has been on the list for years. It was good, short and another Kindle gimme book.

Third up: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Always, always makes me cry but its such a classic and a beautiful Christmas time short story. I've been reading this one ever since a really awesome family friend and advisor gave me a copy when I was either 12 or 14. It really helps to put the value of gift giving in perspective. I love this quote from it

"Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered," she went on with sudden serious sweetness, "but nobody could ever count my love for you.

and then this little gem at the end:

"And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."

Its such a magical little story, and like I said it. always. makes. me. cry. Do you have a favorite Christmas story or tale?

Third up: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. I was never ever able to get into this book as a child and often confused it with "The Cay" or other Lois Lowry books, but I'm happy to say after years of hearing it mentioned in classes, by Ryan and others, I have officially read it. It was good, I knew the jist of the plot before I read it but was constantly surprised by the story line.

Today I'll start Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale". Its surprising, isn't it, that I haven't read this book yet. Well consider it remedied.

After this I want to read Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" (Ryan is currently reading it) and "The Mansion" by Henry Van Dyke. What are you reading as a family or on your own this Christmas season?

Thanksgiving

2011-11-21T15:51:00.001-08:00

I love the feeling of gratitude in the air this time of year. When what I'm doing is enough and who I am doing it with is enough. The contentment is intoxicating.

The comfort and cozy feeling of tradition is wrapped around me and envelopes all of my senses. Ryan's homemade pumpkin pies cooking in the oven lets me know that its this time of year again.

I don't think blog foodies understand the comfort aspect of Thanksgiving, but well they have pretty pictures right?

Thanksgiving is about having enough, sharing enough, and being enough, it doesn't judge if you make all the extra things.

Enjoy your week and having enough time for yourself and loved ones.

I know I will.

Confession

2011-11-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

My mornings are when I get the most housework done. Dishes, a load of laundry, garbage goes out. Its just how I'm programmed for some reason, because doing all of that stuff after being at work all day has never been my MO.

But, mornings work for me. I'm recharged and ready to clean er, work, er whatev. You get the point.

Trekkies, Ferengi and a Political Statement

2011-11-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

Its no lie we've enjoyed having netflix for one reason and one reason a lone, we have access to ALL Star Trek seasons. Deep Space 9 went up on the streaming October 1 and we've started going through the seasons again.

One particular episode stands out to me "Past Tense" 3 of the crew get transported back in time to the year 2024. The female is found by a passing man who takes her to his office so she can get her ID's reordered but the other two are not so lucky. Two passing policemen wake them and noting they have no ideas throw them in the "Sanctuary".

Sanctuary is an overpopulated fenced off debtor's prison with 4 types of people:

the poor,

the sick,

the mentally disabled,

and anyone else who cannot support themselves

Sound familar?

The people were demanding the government find them jobs and the Sanctuary is used as a place for them to go while they wait. There were riots where people held hostages but by the use of the internet, were able to show what was going on in these districts.

I was haunted by how many similarities I saw with the current state of things, but one thing is for sure while I support parts of the 99% and the Tea Party, I don't agree with enough of either to support either one.

I feel for people who are over their head in student loans, I feel for people who have no retirement funds because of the stock market and while I support aid, I don't feel the government is big enough or should be allowed to be big enough to put in Sanctuaries for people to go while they find them jobs. I want to be self sustaining and think everyone has a right to be self sustaining but its insane for a society to continue trying the same things and expect the outcome to always be the same.

The world, like people, change.

I saw a graffiti mark the other day that said that Capitalism was a Pyramid scheme. It made me giggle, but made me think of a Star Trek quote:

"You don't understand. Ferengi workers don't want to stop the exploitation. We want to find a way to become the exploiters."
- Rom (responding to Bashir's suggestion that he form a union)

While thats extreme, it holds a certain level of truth. Are the Tea Party more like Ferengi's than the Federation?

I wouldn't mind living in a world where I did what I loved and loved what I did without having to worry about making ends meet. But that isn't a world we live in, and we've seen places that have gone corrupt in so doing that. But I can't quite let the humanist vision of Gene Roddenberry go. Its very attractive.

* This post was inspired by the following links:

Occupy Oakland Strike Turns Chaotic

We Are the 99 Percent

Tea Party Movement Wikipedia

Physics Shocker Neutrinos Clocked Faster Than Light

Nasa Hopes to Develop Tractor Beam

I can dream of those days right?

What do you think? Do you like the philosophical messages? the Scientific discoveries? Are you completely turned off by this franchise? Do you think it could work? Why or Why not?

Asking Questions Doesn't Make You Stupid

2011-10-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

...but not asking them and letting a task drag for weeks can make you look pretty incompetent.

Appendix-less & Grateful

2011-09-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Its been a while and so much has happened and continues to happen I’m just not really sure where to start.

First off, 86 degree days make me long for the pool to be open.
So Ryan did spectacular in the play. Performing and movement are some of his strongest talents. I can list some of the areas where I’ve seen this manifested below:

• Singing (the first time I heard him sing classically my heart melted)
• Composing (he really likes to make sure he chooses notes for a specific sound and not just for a filler)
• Cooking (cooking is a type of performance, you orchestrate the entire kitchen to make a meal come together at the correct time)
• Animation (Ryan has an eye for showing movement and recreating something that looks so second nature and natural)
• Film (Ryan’s well rounded degree allowed him the tools to show movement, but the one I specifically have in mind is his capoeira documentary)

Those are just a few examples of what I’ve noticed and been thinking about lately. I am talented at watching and listening. I love just sitting and chatting. I also just love whole nights to myself.

Last night was such a night after a whirlwind 2 months including Josh getting home, the play, cabining with friends and fam with Link & Odin, a trip to the ER, an unplanned emergency appendectomy, my birthday, a service auction, hoa meetings, newsletters.

First, I feel so blessed and my heart was so full of gratitude for the family support on both sides when we were in the ER. Second, for all the friends, family and neighbors that took care of Link & Odin, made us dinner, and spent time with us to make sure everything was ok, and tidied up for us. Third, I’m so so glad Ryan’s appendix did not burst after four days of pain especially up at Moon Lake.

And if it had to happen sometime, it was a pretty ok time for it to happen. Modern medicine is amazing 3 small scars and Ryan is back to normal.

I’m so grateful to people who go into medicine for a profession, they made our impromptu trip to the hospital less inconvenient and were very amiable people. Although we were so grateful to be released the same day Ryan was operated on because you cannot sleep in a hospital. There is too much constantly going on with people checking on machines and monitors and giving people more pain medication. And being able to stay and help Ryan through all of it just made me love him more.

Last night I cleaned, 2 weekends out of town, and a hospital stay makes for backed up laundry. And backed up laundry makes for piles of clothes to be folded and put away or to be washed. Dishes are all up to date and I went through tons of old papers and got rid of or shredded tons of unneeded documents. When I first got married, I piled mail, but now it gets opened, looked at, filed, shredded or tossed. Its an awesome system that Mary tuned me into.

Speaking of organizing, Fall in Utah is hard to dress for because it still feels quite a bit like Summer with a few trees starting to show signs of turning, but that’s the weather eh, always changing or being what you least expect.
And life is pretty much about change, be it constructive growth, or change for the worse. But my gut is telling me being appendix free is the way for Ryan to be.

PS. Sorry there are NO pictures, I promise Halloween pics after October.

Who are you not to be?

2011-08-25T15:58:00.000-07:00

Isn't that nice? Liberating and happy. I thought so and guess what? After a Pinteresting addiction, I designed the typography for the quote above. It made me think of a few of my other favorite quotes.

Enigmatic Health Problems

2011-07-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

I’m writing this because it seems the more I talk about this, the easier it is to accept the possibilities and not burst into tears and maybe not that many more people will tallk to me about it. So here goes, let’s start at the very beginning…

When I was younger, I would always have so called ‘episodes’ if I had too much sugar, was too stressed, or just an average teenage girl. I had tests done with results pointing that I did not have diabetes, hypoglycemia, though I had hypoglycemic tendencies. I looked like I had the flu but once I ate something that would peak my energy and then a more solid food, things were ok.

As a result super sweets like hot chocolate, skittles, starbursts and gummi bears (and cupcakes) became a very bitter and disliked item for me. It was embarrassing and humbling having to ask friends to drive me home so I could calm down from the ‘episode’. Ever since I turned 14 this started happening. It scared me, pixy sticks scared me, sugar scared me.

Fast forward to now, I’d adjusted my life to eating snacks every 1 ½ to 2 hours. Drinking water, milk or juice 60% of the time. And my episodes started acting up. At least that’s what I chalked it up to at first.

May 6 2011, I was sitting in the Jon Huntsman Arena watching Jon’s commencement ceremonies, hearing my idol Mitch Albom as the honored guest speaker. And it settled into me, feeling my body shutting down and intense nausea for no apparent reason. I had to leave because I was scared and I limped my way out of the Huntsman Arena in poorly thought out heels and a high waist skirt. I felt a lone, strangled by my garb and I was clammy. Luckily Ryan was able to quickly come get me from the institute and carried me to the car (my hero).

I ate when I got home but instead of comfort the nausea persisted with results. I was glad I already had the day off but felt cheated that I wasn’t able to enjoy the day. A few hours later I was back to my old self, but it was different. The tricks from my past weren’t fixing problems.

June 6, 2011, I had just finished meeting minutes and helped set up the room for a meeting. I told myself that I could calm myself down. I was wrong, the receptionist saw me shut down and I asked her to call my dad. He took me home just moments before I spewed. Now I was getting scared. Episodes had never ever been so scheduled. I made an obgyn Doctor’s appointment for the next day. I asked my mom if she could come watch me because I was so worried. We watched “Arsenic and Old Lace” but I was ok. The doctor’s appointment went well and I had a pelvic ultrasound scheduled for the following Monday.

July 4, 2011, Seriously, you would think I’d be left alone to enjoy a holiday right? Wrong.

July 18, 2011, a follow up with the Doctor’s office on my ultrasound results were in. I had polycystic ovaries. I don’t have a hyper or hypo thyroid. They aren’t ruling out Endometriosis, Congestive Pelvic Syndrom, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or a tumor, and we are currently watching things. I asked if I was healthy enough to get pregnant and they told me that I would need to take a folic acid supplement before I start trying and prenatal pills because I’m at risk. They also asked me how much I exercised and said that there were women who exercised too much to have a healthy pregnancy

I’m writing this because I am a bit blindsided by this news, I’m processing this, emotional and concerned. It’s possible this is hereditary and others I’m related to can relate to my predicament. I was warned also by people that in their experience, if it was stress their insurance wouldn’t cover it. It was tiresome being diagnosed by family and friends, but my doctors have been great. I value them not misdiagnosing me and really truly listening to me.

So friends and family, have you had similar enigmatic problems?

Star Trek Puppies: Our Trekkie Dogs

2011-07-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

My dogs love Star Trek Next Gen so much!!! Well, not really. When we say Picard they hear 'park' and 'car' so they think they are going in the car to go to the park. We think it is pretty funny. When Ryan and I are talking about Captain Picard (which is more often than is normal), they always get super excited and think they are going on a trip.

I love how Odin puts his paw up in the air at the end to get his leash on.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite part? Did you have a pet that heard something else when you said something?

Watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS1eSZiF0GU

Rock and Roll Broadway Dreams

2011-06-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

So out of Ryan and I, Ryan is quintessentially the limelight lover. I tend to support in the shadows and do fine in the light but don't crave it. Ryan is so incredibly talented and I thought I would share the link to the Adept Android Reverbnation website below:

http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3357843

Its Heavy Rock Alternative and may be a little dark for those into strictly pop, country, or acoustic.

In other news, Ryan has been cast as the Tinman in Cottonwood Heights production of the Wizard of Oz, with shows the first two weekends in August.

Its fun for me to see Ryan in his element performing, I'd long heard of his Ascension show choir days down at Snow College and its fun to see those talents in action. His songs talk a lot about overcoming peer pressure, persevering to the end, and a few talk about when trials and conflicts make you feel stalemated.

He has a show this week at Liquid Joe's on Friday June 24th. Let us know if your interested in coming, we can get you discount tickets or on the guest list to get a group of up to 8 in for $4.00.
We love you all and are so grateful to have family and friends who support us in pursuing our talents and hobbies.

Reminiscing on 2010

2011-02-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Ryan got his diploma in the mail yesterday which means we both graduated. So here’s to a fond farewell to 2010 a month too late. I’m feeling nerdy and so here is the outline of the Ryan and Angie Meeks 2010 and other things that happened this year:

1. January
a. We survived a flood in our apartment
b. I began my last semester for my bachelor’s.
i. I took the psychoanalysis through star trek and film class the 2010 professorship class at the U.
ii. Ryan became the Art Lead on “Beware of Dog” in which the cs was all done with free programming xna software from Microsoft. To be released on Xbox live sometime soon. We’ll keep you posted.
c. We seriously started house hunting with our phenomenal family friends Laurel and Ruth

2. February
a. We closed on our condo February 22, 2010 (seriously Laurel and Ruth were amazing, completely upfront with us about everything, how else would we have closed within a month of putting down our first offer?)
b. We moved from our 3 year home in the U MSH.

3. March
a. I had a class presentation in which I used the Roomba in a mass debate about science, ethics and money in which my bureaucratic self emerged and basically stated that all university research is tied to money somehow.
b. Saw an amazing play at USU with incredible and ingenious set design that one of Ryan’s best friends completed for his Senior project.
c. We became proud puppy owners and so our family extended to our boys, Link and Odin.

4. April
a. Ryan turned 26 and we had a small gathering in our new home.
b. Hopes of grad school were high for Ryan, with the program accepting him into the EAE Master’s Studio 2010 Cohort.

5. May
a. I walked May 7th 2010 in which the commencement speaker was my favorite politician, John Huntsman.

6. June
a. I started the beginnings of post graduate blues.
b. We swam 4-5 days a week enjoying the new access we had to a pool.
c. I learned part of the ickiness associated with public profiles, blogs and other things and became a lot more private about what I said or posted online.

7. July
a. We went on a fun weekend trip down to St. George and celebrated our nephew and Ryan’s dads birthday.
b. Grad school hopes were dashed with the graduate college declining Ryan.

8. August
a. We felt lost, but decided to have Ryan postpone graduating after a Final Cut Pro class.
b. Link and Odin got Fixed.
c. We discovered the amazingness that is Koyo.
d. I made 50 thank you cards for an event and begun my fall craft slump.

9. September
a. At my Grandma H’s 80th birthday the autobiography I ghostwrote for my grandma was given out to all my Aunt’s and Uncle’s and cousin’s.
b. I realized I really do want to become a professional personal historian with an emphasis on bookbinding. Programs existing for this are on the west and east coasts and Texas. Grad school dreams are on hold for me until 2013.
c. I turned 24 and didn’t have school for the first time on my birthday for the first time in years.
d. I read Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and fell in love with YA coming of age novels all over again.

10. October
a. We threw a pretty spectacular and rocking Halloween party in which over 30 people were in my front room at one time. Yes I had super anxiety over it, but it was fun regardless of people having very limited sitting space and sprawled wherever they could fit. Ryan’s friend Glaucia from Brazil attended her very first Halloween party. (It should also probably be included that we started planning this party in August because we are just that special…)

b. I started project333 in which I lived with a minimalist wardrobe consisting of 33 pieces. This project made me content and made me value owning and living with less.

11. November
a. I helped my mom make 2 mince meat pies for Thanksgiving. I got a little over zealous about decorating pie crusts.
b. My brain finally accepted that though I work towards things, no events in life are a sure thing. It was a bittersweet moment in which I realized that I could very well never go to grad school, but I can always continue my education in other ways.

12. December
a. Ryan graduated!
b. Opposite Christmas Carols made me giggle.
c. We had an amazing Christmas with Ryan’s family. Going down to temple square with everyone on Christmas Eve was so fun. Walking through a deserted Gateway was so pretty. Taking Karden to the “North Pole” via Trax was priceless.

d. I was challenged to just get out and start advertising my products and services regardless of having grad school under my belt. Here goes...

2011 will have lots of ups and downs. Looking back last year I remember crying uncontrollably, feeling lost and out of control but I’m really happy with who I am at the end of it all. I’m grateful for the life I have and respect the moments listed above if I don’t completely love them.

January has started off kind of rocky again. My bookbinding class I was always so excited about was canceled. Our cold water pipe in our kitchen froze and we are currently unthawing it. Ryan received his diploma in the mail yesterday and there is just something about having the diploma in hand that makes the finality of graduating ever so real. So along with the not so awesome things are riddled with happy little victories.

We got a Xoom handheld professional level recorder, and I’m getting excited about getting out there and advertising my genealogy and writing services (super scary...). Its beginning to feel like the future is just around the corner when really it’s always staring us in the face.

Sure there is surviving and making things work for right now, but we have to keep our eyes on the horizon for what’s coming next while loving and being content with this moment in time. I know there are so many people who don’t think I will go to grad school or be a personal historian, and maybe they are right. But that won’t stop me from working towards them and putting my heart and soul into it.

I was reading a study that said that Facebook makes people sad and feel less fulfilled, the studies emphasis was on how unreal our online profiles are since people emphasize more on the positive or negative rather than the everyday. I’m not saying I want to know everything about someone’s life, but I thought it might be good to finally share some things. This is really only the tip of the iceberg, but that’s really all I felt was necessary without bogging everyone down with emotional details.

The study also showed that because of the oversaturation of news, we downplayed events or moments in life because we didn’t have something earth shattering to share. Every time I get into a “what’s next?” funk, I remember that my favorite books have conflict, adversity and journeys and that’s what gives the protagonist character and makes me interested in their story. So I want people to know about my struggles and heartache because otherwise it’s a story about sunshine and rainbows withouth a lot of depth. And why would they want me to help them chronicle their own story?

What are things that you are looking forward to in 2011? What are things you are dreading?

Bookbinding, Boxes and Envelopes

2011-01-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

Leah knew she was in for a treat when she sat next to me in our first bookbinding class. I couldn't help it, certain types of paper make me swoon and my heart pitter patter. My passion when it comes to all things related to books, paper and literature is hard to contain. So at this point, halfway through my first bookbinding mini class and I'm loving it. I'm getting so many ideas and I always leave feeling empowered. My teacher really knows his stuff and is really good at teaching people who have never crafted before in their life. Its phenomenal and I absolutely love this weekly class.

I'm signed up for the February class at Taylorsville High School on Thursday nights which is only $29.00. If anyone is interested in signing up with me I'm only too happy to see them there.

I'm also signed up for swap-bot, which is an online community exchange. It is a lot of fun gathering items to give to people that they want, can use and will enjoy.

My absolute favorite thing I got for Christmas was a Martha Stewarts Scoring Tool and Board. Its amazing. I can make my own envelopes that fit the 6 x 6 cards that I so stubbornly insist and love making. Not only can I make them, but I can make them in less than a minute. Its another thing that always makes my heart pitter patter. Like dark chocolate, ice cream, and brocoli, yarn, paper; the list goes on.

Its nice to celebrate the small things and its incredibly nice to have small victories in life.

Sometimes David Warner isn’t the Bad Guy…

2010-12-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

Instead he’s Bob Cratchett in the George C. Scott's “A Christmas Carol” circa 1985. We're pretty sure its one of the only times he isn't the bad guy, but how classic to mix sci fi with traditional Christmas right? We watched "A Christmas Carol" Sunday night after seeing the play at Hale Center Theatre the night before. Everytime a version of “A Christmas Carol” is mentioned, Ryan always mentions the George C. Scott rendition. Thanks to Netflix, we were able to stream it and watch it without the hassle of waiting for DVD’s, but as we were searching for it Ryan spied a version with Patrick Stewart and got kind of excited to see that one also. He’s cute like that sometimes and you don’t mess with Ryan and his Holiday loving self.

But back to David Warner, he’s the bad guy in well everything including the original “Tron” except the George C. Scott's “A Christmas Carol”. For being an 80’s movie it was very well produced with good editing, acting and brilliant filmography, of course I’m sure the same can be said for the version with Patrick Stewart, I mean its Patrick Stewart and he’s kind of amazing, so it seems reasonable enough to expect his version of “A Christmas Carol” to be amazing and have better special effects.

I was commenting to Ryan that its possible Dickens was being more critical of what the working class had to endure than just having this be a story about Ebenezer Scrooge. Layers like that make me giddy inside, I’m just a nerd but oh these special little nuggets make me euphoric.

Speaking of euphoria indulged moments, Tron: Legacy was amazing and I have no complaints with it whatsoever. Two of the characters had names that made me particularly giddy were “Quorra” and “Suse” or as I heard them Kora and Zuess, but the etymology of both made their roles particularly awesome.

I know I’ll be the third person I know to blog about Tron, but it was just that amazing. I was a little surprised that those I was convinced would be Tron fanboys weren’t interested in the movie at all. For 1982, Tron was high budget and flopped, but it was a movie years ahead of its time with the first CGI scenes(remember the cars?). In the history of movies, the original Tron is to CGI what Fritz Lang's 'M' was to audio. Amazing pioneers for film, watch them and love them.

There were some moments that could have been left out completely as it did little to drive the plot and really thrown in more for the happy Disney Sequel generator… Seriously? I mean I’m not surprised, but maybe Disney could surprise me and not have 30 sequels in mind when writing a current script. I’m sure the sequel to the sequel will also work well and I’m sure I’ll see everything coming and still like them but I’d like Disney for once to have an open and closed movie. That would truly shock me.

But Tron gets a 10 out of 10 despite Disney’s tactlessness.

PS I really really like this haircut.

World Christmas Market 2010

2010-12-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

Blogger and I are in a fight it would seem... It allowed a slideshow to be posted and doesn't give me any options to pull it down.

Anyway, the pics below this post are ones I took with, above are the pics that are awesome that Ryan took.

Anyone know how to remove a phantom widget? I'm clueless.

In other news, did you see those beautiful books! They are all handmade books by Michel Rogerson,he teaches how to bind with leather for a fraction of the cost of the U's bookbinding course. Can you say awesome? Anyone interested in signing up with me?

Also, Photobucket is weird, when people try to download pics they stretch out pretty bad, anyone know of any quick fixes?

A

2010-12-04T15:04:00.001-08:00

Project 333 Update

2010-12-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

So I shared my experience with Project 333 with Courtney Carver and my feedback can be found here. Courtney is the awesome instigator of Project 333 and is always so upbeat about minimalism. I really do like how the minimalistic fashion has affected my life. I wish I could say that it changed the way I treated my clothes, but old habits die hard.

Since my feedback was sent in, a few things have happened. Link and Odin ‘licked’ my beige flats clean of snow, but instead of stopping there they ate my shoes. That is another one to add to the list of destroyed by puppies category. So far they’ve destroyed 5 pairs of shoes and a cardigan. I’m still learning how to have puppies I guess and they’re still growing up.

So I went out and replaced them since all my other shoes are gone. I feel like I fudged the rules for project 333 a little but its not like I meant for the shoes to be destroyed. My black leather boots weren’t holding up to harsh winter weather like they have for the past 7 winters. The last time I took them to the shoe maker he told me that this was the last time he could clean them up. So I got rid of my black boots and replaced them with brown winter boots. I miss the black a lot, but its been nice to have shoes that are winter appropriate.

My back was hurting from my black boots and the little beige flats needed a trip to the cobbler. So maybe the puppies intervening saved me in the long run.

Ryan and I went for a walk in the snow before then and my feet were freezing in the black boots. The wind wasn’t being held out. We went for a walk during a snow storm last weekend with my new waterproof boots and I was warm and not freezing. Its so fun to be out in storms when everyone else is inside hibernating, there is nothing more serene than the glistening snow at night.

So do you think I have failed project 333 or do you think that even the best made quality items still have a shelf life? I’d love to hear.

Credible News?

2010-11-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2010, and today will be the final day that Keith Olbermann, a liberal news show host, will be taken off the air. What did he do? He contributed $7,000 to campaigns which is against nbc’s policy. Their punishment is feeble, he’s taken off the air for a mere 2 shows and that’s it after press releases stating he was on leave ‘indefinitely’.

I actually don’t much care about any of this except that I can assume that Keith Olbermann read his contract and was aware of the policy he was breaking. We can then preclude that he was cognitively breaking policy and he gets a small tap on the wrist.

My issue is with NBC for making such a riot out of the issue, taking over twitter, NPR and all for naught. I’m just irritated that they have no follow through. I have higher expectations for news and that is just one of the many reasons why Comedy Central has a better news source than syndicate news channels.

Speaking of Comedy Central, here is a quote from John Stewart’s closing speech from “The Rally to Restore Sanity”:
If we amplify everything we hear nothing. There are terrorists and racists and Stalinists and theocrats but those are titles that must be earned. You must have the resume. Not being able to distinguish between real racists and Tea Partiers or real bigots and Juan Williams and Rick Sanchez is an insult, not only to those people but to the racists themselves who have put in the exhausting effort it takes to hate--just as the inability to distinguish terrorists from Muslims makes us less safe not more. The press is our immune system. If we overreact to everything we actually get sicker--and perhaps eczema.
And yet, with that being said, I feel good—strangely, calmly good. Because the image of Americans that is reflected back to us by our political and media process is false. It is us through a fun house mirror, and not the good kind that makes you look slim in the waist and maybe taller, but the kind where you have a giant forehead and an ass shaped like a month old pumpkin and one eyeball.
The point is he gets it and is calling out the pundits and press, with our obsession on a telecratic movement driven by the media, we miss what is really important. In the real world Stewart explained that we all have to work together because life in the real world is not the same as Cable TV or D.C., we are all working to make ends meet and so we do and we work together.

So why do we, as people, continue to demand to be divided and compartmentalized and streamlined. People have never been one size fits all, we all bring different benefits to the table, we have different opinions, and experiences that affect those opinions, but as soon as we lose respect for each other as people we really lose it all.

A friend who I once thought was quite smart was talking to me about the ending of a book in which he so blatantly missed the entire point. Ever since I’ve been confused because I can’t wrap my head around missing that point, as depressing and soul sucking as it was, and the person turned it around to show it as a happier ending. My Derridas love can’t refute the person’s reading, however, it does ask me if that person reread that text now, if they would still have that opinion or if the age at which it was read made the person unable to fully grasp the ending.

Same friend has pelted my e-mail with numerous requests to join groups with values and beliefs that I don’t hold. And I, as a person, do not know what I have done to mislead someone to believe I felt allegiance towards that ideology. On the other hand if I do talk to the person, I’m quite sure they will slander me for not thinking the same as them and trample me with snide insults.

My point is, extreme’s in any situation are bad, extreme cable style politics, weather, hobbies, eating, sleeping, exercising etc,. Extreme’s in our lives divide us from demographics and make us unable to really communicate or listen.

There are so few people who can be in the middle and see reason and logic to both side without letting emotion affect our opinions and make us biased. Being a moderate makes it easier to entertain both sides ideas and then refute them if need be. All sides have faults, the republicans, the libertarians (tea party) and now the constitution party, none of them is just right all the time. They all have points but their way of getting things done and their affects are all pretty scary.

But syndicate news channel’s seem to demand this and I feel that if they cannot keep their anchors in line with their policies, how can they have credibility in reporting the news to any of us?

Also, read more of John Stewart's closing speech here.

Moderation in all Things, Except Costumes and Halloween...

2010-10-20T09:40:00.001-07:00

As I have purged my closet, Ryan has also purged his. He’s getting rid of shirts that he’s held onto for far too long and embracing a more grown up and adult look. He’s getting noticed and getting calls back although nothing in stone. But after so many months of nothing its really nice. He’s making connections this semester that I don’t know if he would have otherwise. He’s changing and getting ready for life post school. Maybe its ok that grad school didn’t pan out, we’ll see. I’m grateful for where we are and how much we have been through in the last 10 months. We’re both growing so it’ll be interesting to see where the future takes us.

If it wasn’t for Link and Odin I’d be pretty lonely with all these quiet evenings. As it is I’ve been able to relax with my cute little pups.

Our neighbor’s car was broken into this week, though it’s replaced I’m a bit more squeamish when I go out because its hard to imagine a random act of violence happening again. Our car was parked right next to it, but for some reason our car wasn’t messed with. Link and Odin’s seemingly random barks don’t seem quite so random. Who does that? Breaks into someone’s property and treats it so disrespectfully? It’s awful to know that no matter where we go this kind of stuff can always happen.

My feeling on having less is that it does make you prioritize what you have and what you hold dead, but I think, for me, if I only had black and white things it wouldn’t work. I would be incomplete, because I love color. That’s why the fall is my favorite time of year with all the bright vivid colors dancing around.

We are dressing up Link and Odin for Halloween as their namesakes. We think its fairly clever but the project has proven more challenging than first thought. Because we are making them its taking a lot of time, but it will be well worth it when we unveil them in their costumes. Otherwise fall is in full force at our home with cute spray painted pumpkins and fall/Halloween decorations throughout. This week’s to do list includes finishing a photobooth backdrop and polishing silver. Sounds like fun right?

Anniversary Adventures

2010-10-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

Who could doubt how much I love this boy!

Check out just a sample here.

PS I am only wearing items from my 33!

Accesorizing to Blend in

2010-10-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

Today I took my pups out late and dressed as warmly as possible anticipating a freezing office. My office hasn’t quite figured out that it is fall, so heavy warm layers are much needed for me as I freeze quite easily. I was running late, and after yesterdays consistent compliments on me as a person instead of what I’m wearing, I decided to wear only one color. My black v-neck sweater with grey tank, pencil high waisted tweed skirt black tights no necklace, and red flats because today just isn’t a run around all day in heels day.

Again, consistent compliments, on my hair that was blow dried but not straightened and my face without makeup.

Ryan has always teased me about feeling like I always need mascara, but I find perhaps he is right. I have decent skin, and don’t really need a lot of makeup. I’ve always been self conscious about how close my eyes are together and always using tricks to make them the ‘attractive’ width. I’m not super vain, I just thought it was more professional in a business professional work area to be more done up.

Funny how I feel programmed to wear and do so much and its all of my wearing and doing that makes me blend in, not stick out.

Curious.

The Ultimate Sophistication

2010-10-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

So with slimming down accessories and sticking with project 333 I have an empty closet, which means I have space. Its a beautiful thing. I've noticed, around the office, with choosing a lot more uniform of a wardrobe people are noticing and commenting a lot more on my personality and or face.

Today I'm wearing my creme turtleneck that won out over my black sweater without any accessories. Its interesting, minimal fashion, minimal makeup and people are noticing me more than they would if I was wearing a bold print. Curious isn't it?

I think its interesting, the more stuff we wear and use, the less we ourselves are noticed.

I think Da Vinci was right, simplicity truly is the ultimate sophistication.

A

PS I will get pictures up, its just been a bit of a chore, my pups ate something and were acting rather peculiarly yesterday.

I'm still not sure how my halloween outfit will work with project 333, I think I may have to take Halloween 'off' from the project. My office really gets into Halloween and we trick or treat around the office, I would hate to be a party pooper. How are others in the project facilitating Halloween? I would definitely not buy anything, but I have a few costumes that didn't get packed up because they aren't what I'd call things I'd wear.

So what are you doing to make project 333 work with holidays? Or are you thinking of taking them 'off'?

Project 333

2010-09-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to BeMoreWithLess for the project and if others are interested in trying see the website here with the initial rules and guidelines.This was cited on a blog I love, the Uniform Project, project 333 has an interesting quest which is to wear only 33 items for 3 months. I was going through my closet(s) and thoroughly critiquing everything I own. Its going to be intense. I had 3 big garbage bags filled, ready to donate when my friend posted an interesting request on FB

***HELP NEEDED***Need clothing for family who lost everything in the Herriman Fire. Theyneed size 4 or 5 clothing (twin boys) size 8 for a mommy and size 34 for a daddy. Let me know. Anything is greatly appreciated.

I went through my closet again and paired down what I would store and what I would donate again. I felt a lot more empowered thinking that someone who had lost everything in their home would have the oppurtunity to have my clothes if they fit.

So Ryan, love of my life, super worried, and asking his wife just how much she was getting rid of and would she have donaters remorse in the morning?But I'm still pretty excited. I've already benefited from the 5 pair of shoes. The warmer 80 degree weather for the next 10 days also has me worried. But thats Utah, seasonably unseason like, but oh so beautiful.

My office really dresses casually on Fridays before football games, and if I don't wear red or black eyebrows are raised. But no one will say anything unless I'm wearing blue which is really offensive because of the U of U BYU holy war. I don't much care about sports myself, but when we are having a good season the good vibe spreads throughout campus. Its almost like extra holidays that I just have to work on.

Anyway my list that is still being revised for the next day is:

Black T-Strap Heels
Red Pointy Flats
Tan Flats
Blush Heels with metal Studs
Black Leather Boots
Khaki Long Trenchcoat
Black Trench
Pinstripe pants
Herringbone Grey pants
Tweed Black Pants
Grey Pants
Grey Anoname Jeans *RIP to be replaced soon...
Bandolino Bootcut Dark Wash Jeans
Brown Herringbone Pencil Skirt
Tweed Pencil Skirt
Striped Button up
White Shirt
Grey Sweater
Orange Sweater
Black Pearl Necklace
White long Necklace
Brooch necklace
Red Cardigan
Teal Sweater
Red Sweater
Blue Longsleeve Top
Beige undershirt
Black undershirt
Grey undershirt
Shiny Purple Top
black mock turtle top
Black Sweater
Black leather purse

So if you can't tell I love color, I'm not a strictly Black and White person and their aren't any scarves or gloves in my list. I think it has already been interesting and I hope that I can successfully finish.

The Weekend Summary, The Pups and Ska Giddiness

2010-09-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Improv show was awesome and beyond well attended. The venue has a fire code of 240 and the crowd numbered 213. So the Antics have locked in on the 10:30-12:00 timeslot for the upcoming year. Good for them. Ryan has video he'll get up with his professionally obsolete mini dv camera (that is still really awesome, it just doesn't have hd). PS the sound was recorded with the same camera.

Saturday we went to somewhere that I've never been, the Murray ampitheater where we saw my cousin in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Lindsey did a phenomenal job for her young 17 years. After 5 years of being on an on again off again family and friends performance hiatus, its good to feel like I have time to support the people I care about and see them shine. And who doesn't love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? It references the Aeneid and every time I giggle at the wittiness of the writing. We watched it in my second year latin class and wrote a comparisson essay on the connection of the Sabine women to the 'Sobbin' women in a modern day interpretation and what can be lost from translations.

So that play holds a special place in my heart for special torture reasons and other nerd related aspects.

Odin ripped out a few of his stitches so we put some neosporin and a bandaid on and basically straitjacketed him in a blanket for a few hours. He's good and there was probably no real harm done, but we didn't want Link or him to continue pulling out stitches.

Last night when Ryan got home I had a ska playlist playing and the puppies were moshing (jumping and excited to see Ryan) and I told Ryan its a sign that he needs to like ska. He laughed and teased me, but agreed to go with me to the Reel Big Fish and The Aquabats show in October! I'm so excited, concert going without Ryan is lame and last time I saw The Aquabats I had no defense from the mosh pit. But here is my proof, recorded so that Ryan can't renege. Yay!

Twilight Concerts and A Little Known Tidbit

2010-08-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

We are in the final week of true summer, next week September starts and fall. So here we are ushering in fall by ending the week full of end of season fun. Last night I dragged Ryan to She & Him at the Twilight Concerts. She & Him is the musical duo M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer, Elf, Failure To Launch). I heart her and think she is cute as a button.

The concert was good and at the end a crowd chanting variations of “Zooey!” and “She & Him!” the duo came back out and treated the audience to a pretty awesome encore.
Ryan was even impressed by their cover of Chuck Barry’s “Roll Over Beethoven". We got to the concert after 9 and parked under the gateway, tredged through the leaving groups of people and finally made it to arrive in time to hear my favorite She & Him numbers. Zooey was bouncing around on stage donned in a classy vintage blue plaid dress and M. Ward was sporting the traditional M. Ward uniform.

I guess I should confess that I don’t go to a super lot of outdoor concerts (free or not) anymore but I used to and my concert must do’s and do not’s are as follows.

1. Take someone taller with you because they will make it a lot harder for other tall people to block your view.
2. If you can’t see the stage very well, have fun in the crowd anyway with the people you are their with.
3. Do not wear heavy clothing because lots of people means you will be quite hot.
4. Wear comfortable shoes that you can stand in for long periods of time, dance in, but built well enough that strewn garbage will not get all over your feet.
5. Wear clothes that will be easy to clean, because concerts mean smoke in your face, behind you, wherever and you still can’t figure out how to find a spot where it isn’t. And drunk people are not really bright and do a lot of crazy things.
6. Minimal accessories because its bulky and unless you don’t mind smacking the people around you with your purse in their face, a small bag will do.
7. Most people will play encores, so wait around for at least 10 minutes post show with the others who are crazily chanting things like “Zooey!” not only that, but typically this means less crowd to fight and much easier to get closer to the stage.
8. If you don’t like massive crowds, going late is a good bet, because most bands play their new stuff at the beginning to promote new albums and the classic and better known stuff at the end.
9. Outdoor concerts mean overall better ‘after concert’ smell but attract things like strewn garbage and probably cigarette smoke.
10. Have fun, be careful, be mindful of others around you, and respectful though you may not see eye to eye with those surrounding, you obviously have something in common, because obviously you are at the same concert be you dragged or attending completely voluntarily.

On the docket for tonight is The Antics improv show in Logan where some of our good friends are fighting to keep their slot at the Logan Arthouse venue. Should you be in the area, a fun dose of improv costs less than a movie or play and involves the audience in all the fun and games. The imagination and improvisational skill of some of these people is quite incredible.

15 Minutes, Fall and The Boys Surgery

2010-08-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

15 minutes to reflect on this past summer and its close. I’m tired, 100% bona fide tired. I remember when summer meant lounging around all day playing with friends, and now (and for the past 6 years) it has meant next to nothing, just no school. That doesn’t mean no work, it just meant accumulating projects would try to break me, not the happiest news would test me, and the inability to say no to people I barely know stressed me.

I’m really quite good at telling people I know exactly what I can and won’t take on, however, people I don’t know, I am terrible at telling no, or letting them know when I am in way over my head.

However, Fall means less crazy, good ol’ consistent fall with its promise of beautiful fall leaves. For one there is a dramatic difference with the ever consuming issue of people always being out of town. Fall is lovely, and as always my most inspiring time of year. Be it the colors, the feel the magic of change in the air, consistent change that isn’t loud like spring that falls on its face, because lets face it, spring seems to leap before it really thinks about the outcome, this leads to crops freezing because they came out to early.

Fall isn’t that way, it thinks before it prematurely drops buckets of leaves everywhere.

The sun can go on vacation for a bit, I’m ready for sweaters, boots, and jackets. The pups won’t know what fall is, and I think they’ll think that all the leaves everywhere are chips waiting to be chomped up. I’m super stoked to let them run about and eat crunchy leaves to their little hearts content.

We neutered them this last Saturday and other than the day of surgery, they’ve been their energetic little selves. The nurse specifically said not to let them do any of the following:

Wrestle
Go up and down stairs
Jump
Play with other dogs
Get wet

They have done all of the above except for the last two, but the storm yesterday gave us a run for our money. We’ve been giving them the pain meds, and all we can think of is that the meds work a tad too well. Saturday they were limping around, so much so I didn’t bother closing up their crates, but Sunday they were zipping around, jumping, wrestling and going up stairs.

It was all we could do to keep them separate, lets see how these next two weeks fair for our little dudes.

Looming Ever Forward

2010-07-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

I got my Diploma in the mail and the reality of this looming future ahead of me inches forward. It is absolutely terrifying and exciting, all these other paths are open up ahead some with massive blockades and some very steep, but the paths are open nonetheless with doors at the end leading to even more paths.

The future is unknown, my own included. I feel mildly betrayed by myself, educators and of course mainstream media, because college is so heavily promoted as being the best thing you can do for yourself, perhaps if I had been a Comm major I’d be singing a different tune, because included with all of this deception was a promise that you would figure out what you wanted to do for the rest of your life.

I’ve always been told I should write. From the beginning, when people queried what I wanted to be when I grew up and my best friend always said she wanted to be a mom I would look clueless instead. Fast forward 14 years and I’m still looking ahead clueless because there is so very much I want to try and do. I find comfort in a quote that one of my wise cousins (with her adorable puppy) attached in one of her comments:

‘To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.’— Henri Bergson

I am always one of the first to demand people are lenient of media adaptations and translations because translating something from a primary form to a secondary (and sometimes third form) means that you lose (loose) meaning each and every time you change the text. I am terrified to write because I feel that writing, nay blogging, demands that I am a narcissistic person completely focused on myself. I don’t want to be that kind of writer. I am no omnipotent narrator in real life, so should that leach itself into my posts I would be very disappointed.

Being disappointed in oneself is very difficult to stomach; it is even above times when Ryan, my Parents, my sisters, brothers and friends are disappointed in me.

I am not competitive at heart, but I don’t want to be condemned to complacency. I hate applying or requesting something only to find out someone else is pursuing the same thing. Its not that I am worried about my sense of individuality, it is because I like to give people opportunities and not take them away.

So along with giving people opportunities to also fall in love with books and reading the way I have. I want to pursue book textiles and I have decided on my direction to pursue in the next 5 years. I want to get a Master’s of Fine Arts in Bookbinding. Yes I saw the prospect of growth is negative but it makes me tingle with euphoria, I have direction again and oh my lands is it nice to have something tangible to pursue. This fall I want to take a bookbinding class as part of continuing ed, I’d love to have company. Who knew my interest and involvement in construction and as-built drawings would lead to a distinct dream of constructing my own hardbound beautiful books (complete with sewing) completely in house. Do I have any takers out there?

Return from Hiatus

2010-06-21T10:52:00.001-07:00

As I finished the final pages of George Orwell’s critically acclaimed “1984” the text haunted me. It filled me with an emptiness that I haven’t felt for a long time. Some items in the book that filled me with horror were the destruction of vocab words that was assigned to a department as they worked towards their goal of achieving a one word dictionary. This would lead to the party’s control over all thoughts as there would be no other words available.

Another department was assigned to alter all records of history to reflect the party in charge as always being right.

Passion was all but exempt and a crime punishable by ‘rehabilitation’.

The book was difficult for me to read as it represented a world that I want nothing to do with. I became very paranoid as I was reading as the horrors I was readi

I love my freedom and that’s something I will always fight for.

Next up on my list is “The Secret History of Science Fiction” with all sorts of selections by winners of the Hugo Award and other things. Let us hope that I’m happier about finishing this book as opposed to “1984”.

News!

2010-05-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

Ryan was accepted into the EAE Masters program! We are so excited and know the next few years are going to be a lot of work for us. For me it will include leaving Ryan alone long enough to focus on his projects and finding other ways of occupying my time. He received his acceptance into the program Friday so the reality of everything is still sinking in.

The more I learn about his program, the more I am excited to see him get started. The program makes Computer Studies students work alongside Film Arts students much like how they will work together in the real world. There will be a lot of toes stepped on as there is still too much of a grey area where the definition of technical design versus art design is . Yay Ryan!

If you are interested in learning more about the program here is a link:

http://bit.ly/aucXJi

An Apology

2010-05-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

I’m in the middle of a reading cleanse to try and figure out my own passions and what I really want to read. Its weird. Although after Finnegan’s Wake, Mina Loy and Stein it was the only way to regain reading sanity. So with my reading cleanse, I have a heartfelt apology to anyone I ever slammed for reading something I deemed too juvenile. I had no right to and while at the time I was formulating large arguments against light reading based on what my classmates and Professors were talking about. Anyway, let me try to make it up to you and talk a little about why any reading is good.

Despite my various slams on Twilight and the large dismissal of one of my favorite bands selling out I have this to say to them. Good for them. Expanding the imagination of what is categorized as a certain entity and doing it successfully enough that the whole world buys into it. Well despite my large defense mechanism on not messing with folklore and myth, if that’s what makes it successful then kudos to the creator. And to Muse, well exploring their sound and style based upon books despite largely not loving the music is gutsy and successfully gathering a new audience, well good for them.

My Twilight anger was because I couldn’t read it super closely and have all these awesome connections pour out, but that’s because I was reading it wrong. Having been spoiled with J. K. Rowling’s genius (all the spells were in the right Latin mood, tense conjugation and declensions, hero’s cycle implemented,) I thought that despite calling something adolescent or young adult, that didn’t mean that it wasn’t incredibly deep. So I expected a lot from Twilight. I read the first 3 books and had a theory formulated, could Meier be pulling off a Hugo? Why all these references to the Moon and the Sun? Red and Blue, Stone and Fire? And my expectations for the fourth book were built and consequently dropped on its head. My time and theories spoiled I was of course hurt by the books, much like being stabbed in the back. My precious time that I whined I did not have enough on had been partially spent on something that would not reward me for added research and queries.

So my bitterness at being so incredibly wrong made me resent all things attached to the book series. All a long there had been refutes that I was expecting far too much, and I was. I’m sorry to anyone that felt I was slamming their interests by going into a literary snob rant, I’m sorry. Really, I’m just glad people are reading. It does so much for you to be able to connect with literature and enriches your life. So kudos to readers of all genre styles and here’s to tearing down these literary snob walls I’ve learned so well to defend.

Hi my name is Angie Meeks and I am a recovering literary snob. Its been several days since I have attacked someone for their reading selections and I hope I can mend any relationship that I maimed by lambasting anyone’s leisure reading choices. Please forgive me.

A

Picking Up The Pieces

2010-05-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

So I’m graduated now. Grades were posted today and I'm in the clear. I walked and heard Ambassador Jon M. Huntsman Jr. give a phenomenal commencement speech leaving the following speeches sounding wholly unimpressive.

It is terribly weird for me, because not that much has changed. I still have my full time job and it feels like summer. Summers, despite taking classes, felt pretty much like what is going on now. I have time when I get home and I want to do things with my hands. Reading feels to stagnant just yet and watching TV’s and movies is at the bottom of Angie’s To Do List.

Laura, one of my favorite SIL’s EVER! Brought me two boxes on Sunday night filled with reject DP that has nothing at all wrong with it. This is fabulous news because I have a few cards to make for people who sent well wishes on graduating. I stayed up late categorizing my new paper hoard feeling just like a kid in a candy store, or right after a kid has gotten home from trick or treating and is organizing their hoard.. Last night I started moving things around and spread things out around me. I plugged in my cricut for the first time in ages and I started designing things.

I’d forgotten how picky, messy, and how I use lots of tools at the same time requiring things to be more organized than not. Its funny, I had my spot in the Village and while it betrayed me (mold) I was still able to function in a somewhat organized and clean-ish manner. Now though, my space is different, I’m not in a closet nook anymore, so I have to figure out a better way to organize my craft space. Enter Mom and Mary, Mary is a given, she’s crazy organized. I came crawling to her after all the mail just kept pouring in and my apartment style way of handling it wasn’t up to snuff. She explained it pretty simply, and showed me a crate filled with file folders with labels and other simple but effective organized glory. Mail isn’t an issue anymore, and come to think of it, the folder system is about the same as what I do at work anyway sans metal fasteners (after all I’m not that crazy organized) I no longer get anxiety about it and come some time in the future, everything can be scanned in with electric backups of really important papers.

Mom is another go to resource, because she knows how to get the best bang from a space, make a space suit the need and look fantastic while doing it. Mom knows I still don’t really get into the kitschy style, or lots of feminine frills in a living space (clothes is a hit or miss too) so I know that they Mary and Mom will keep each other in check and know who I am and love me regardless for my spastic and crazy self.

Anyway, before I got off on that tangent, I tried making cards last night and I was frustrated, couldn’t see all of my stuff around me or had it organized enough to make it a known go to. Ah well, picking up the pieces after a 5 month hiatus wasn’t expected to be too easy, but I did think I’d finish at least a few cards in 3 hours instead of started 3-4 and finished none… So I’m a bit discouraged, but I guess it’s a lot like getting to know an old friend all over again, except there is really only one person who can put forth effort on maintaining a relationship.

Perhaps a supply purge is in order, but I haven't bought any supplies for at least 5 months.

But I’m picking up my pieces, and I’m going to get to a point where I can finish projects.

Till then I’ll ask for advice. What do you do to prioritize projects and motivate yourself to start and finish projects and get rid of items that are weighing you down?

Random Ramblement of Current Life Events

2010-05-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

So I made some announcements, but have I sent them? So far just to my Grandma's and my immediate family, but other than that I have been slacking.

I tacked up my announcement on the back board where notices go and then a plethora of items started arriving at my desk from people I didn't expect anything from.

My office has been the best, I don't think you understand so let me reemphasize The BEST, clear enough now? No? Well you may think you have THE BEST office but my office has been THE BEST for me, ok so now that I've mentioned the specialization it doesn't sound so in your face.

*I'm content to admit everyone probably has the best of things that circumstance has helped them to believe to be the best and thats ok, its completely conditional and based on experience of life up until this current moment in time. I'm also quite certain that the worst for someone is based upon the aforementioned hypothetical synopsis. And since I'm not really all that competitive having the best is a little out of character for me to state. (yes I think that saying someone is the best has all sorts of flaws and holes in the argument(s), but saying someone is the best for you seems to invoke a certain humility and a measure of probability that can't be deduced from the text written)

But my experience with my office, rather than detracting from school and making me feel like just having a job was more profitable, did just the opposite. They worked with my schedules, allowed me to work through lunches and build up time to use to go to class. My office has been superb and both Ryan and I wouldn't be saying goodbye to our undergrads so soon without them.

Anyway, before I got off on my tangent about my office, I have received heartfelt praise and congratulations from more people than I can count. I feel good about everything, all of our life decisions, buying a condo, getting Link and Odin, I'm really happy, my stress and anxiety has drastically dropped ever since I popped the last paper in my professor's inbox. I'm done. It just never felt like it would really get to this day, but I've learned and grown so much.

Now instead of being mandated to read things, I get to choose what I read. This day has been a long time coming, but its still just so weird to me. Right now I'm doing a textual cleansing, that is I'm not picking up a book for the next month or so, and then I'm deciding what I want to read as opposed to what I've been told I should want to read or what I shouldn't. However, the ever growing list of what I do want to read starts out with a lot of very light reading. I'm quite looking forward to it!

They're Getting Big

2010-05-03T08:41:00.001-07:00

Mary came over this weekend and saw the pups. She wanted a pic of them with here, so I utilized photobooth until I can figure out where I packed the camera...

I remember when they fit in both my hands and now they're 3-4 times as big. I'm going to be better about taking more pictures of them growing, and hopefully not just sleeping or being held by others.

This is Link's we are not amused face.

Eat mary's chin.

Link looking like a coyote.

Memo to self:

Odin is particularly hard to take pictures of in bad light.

The front room is not particularly well lit.
Find camera that is packed away somewhere and take pictures of the pups in better light and maybe even outside.

The pic Mary posted on her blog is here.

Ironically its the link of Link looking like a coyote and Odin just sitting.

So, what do you do to get good pictures of animals and pets and what do you do to encourage yourself to take pictures?

Thanks,

A

My Final Final Paper

2010-04-29T11:57:00.001-07:00

My final paper for my undergrad is finished and turned in, this is so bizarre and surreal, is this really happening? Am I really walking next week or is this a dream?

Graduation

2010-04-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Finished with 2 of 3 classes, CHECK! Cap and Gown ordered with Late fee, CHECK! Announcements finished, no check... To Do: Track down addresses, Get Pic taken and developed, Addressing envelopes, and I have until tomorrow at 6 to get this done... Should I just let this slide? Feelings?

What would you do to simplify?

Request for Advice

2010-04-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

So as stated in a previous post I said that all my craft supplies are currently stored elsewhere, but I still really want to make some graduation announcements for both Ryan and I. We graduate May 7th, so really, I should have them out by this upcoming Friday if I want people to have them in time.

What would you do in my bind?

After Being So Sneaky and Vague How About Some Details?

2010-04-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

Ryan brought me my favorite Oatmeal in the world this morning from Jamba Juice he’s so nice and thoughtful. I really am a huge fan of the steel cut oats and its just all sorts of delicious.

Can I just skip Summer and Winter and have the weather stay spring and fall for the rest of my life?

I know, it sounds ludicrous to me too but they are both my most inspiring and rejuvenating times of year. I feel like WRITING and CRAFTING again! After last semester I felt like dying before typing much or any other craft projects, hence my short posts and lack of pictures.

Last semester, where I faced Latin once again only to realize those 2 years off and then starting up was maybe not my brightest idea.
Last semester, where I faced Math one last time and pretended to buy a house (that came in pretty handy didn’t it?)
Last semester where I learned how to interview people for Life Stories and found something that fascinated and inspired me, that is aside from 40-60 hours of my life (outside of my full time work week) for transcribing. And by transcribing, I mean writing the conversation out verbatim, including ums and uhs and disjointed sentences. Transcribing is a BEAST!

Last semester where I realized what it is I really want to do for the rest of my life.

So this semester is winding down, and guess who missed graduation fair to preorder her cap and gown. However, there is a back up day for people like me who doddled about finishing jumping through all the hoops.

I’m looking for some thoughtful and simple announcements for Ryan and I to send out and between the puppies and my craft stash being stored elsewhere, I’m coming up empty. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

And then of course there is the age old battle between Ryan and I, he thinks graduation is good, but the ceremonies are dumb, and then I on the other hand am all gung ho. I mean this is where I’ve been for the last 5 years. I have learned an awful lot and I think walking is important.

(Not to mention if I told people in my office that I wasn’t walking it would be up there with me saying I like the “Y”) Working for the college and seeing all the careful preparation put into events and the building maintenance, I feel walking is the most respectful thing I can do.

For years I have had a lot of people ask me how school was going and support my class schedule in my building, and it would feel like I was cheapening their jobs and careers up here by not walking. Its really actually a very cool thing. I’m excited to walk, to listen to the former Governor give the U’s commencement speech. It really is exciting and despite Ryan’s crankiness on the topic of ‘walking’, I’m winning anyway because he gets to sit through my ceremony. I always thought a ‘his and hers’ graduation was cool, but I’ll settle and be content that I’m walking even if my honey isn’t.

It has been a rip roaring last year. Me three months ago was freaking out because I had no idea what the future was going to bring, but its been pretty great so far.

Ryan is completely engrossed in his capstone project the video game for Xbox Live. He is the art lead this semester and the project due to many changes in management, has completely taken off. This semester was completely opposite from last semester. Last semester Ryan, my visiting teachers, my ward, my good good friends, my Relief Society and my family got me through one of the hardest semesters of my life.

Before the semester started my parents sat me down and told me they were concerned about the load. I wasn’t very good at first at asking and receiving help. I really like feeling self reliant, but last semester a lot of things happened.

One thing I haven’t talked about, because I couldn’t really was:

· My dad had heart valve surgery the first week of school

My mom stayed with Ryan and I for some of the nights my dad was in the hospital, and I spent a good portion of my first week and a half of school up there. I skipped classes because I was finally realizing how in over my head I was and I was so uncontrollably emotional. Starting the semester off that way made everything feel more pressing and hectic.

There were nights where I couldn’t speak, I cried a lot and if I tried to say anything it was all stuttered. Those were some of the scariest nights of my life. I felt how important it was to communicate and how problematic it was for me to keep something I was working on so under wraps that I couldn’t expect a huge support group. But the book, my book, as told to me Angie Meeks, published and held in the University’s library, published with her undergrad, sits calmly as books do.

My book that tested me and showed me what my dream will cost and put me through has crisp pages a clean cover and pictures that tell other stories than the one I wrote. Reading between the lines, my book taught me that I am human and I have to ask for help. My book turned me into a social recluse for over 4 months. My book, which I organized and edited, made me a better more understanding person. My book taught me that it is ok to ask for help and receive dinners from people. My book taught me that the creative process rebels when it is forced and leaves writer’s block. My book doesn’t share the living hell I went through, but it’s a pretty good reminder for me of what I have gone through.

My book that I hope shares the narrator’s story with people near and dear to them. I don’t really get to talk to them about it, it’s the narrator’s story, their jewel and achievement, that’s how I want it to be. But holding secrets is slowly killing me. People who ask me how school is going, who I didn’t tell them about my huge project, who may never know how much of myself I invested in the project; I needed my words on the subject to go out to the void that is the internet. I needed closure, that I had shared my project with my small world. So people would hear what I did and am doing with school and stop getting the glazed over look. I needed that so much.

And so just like the alluring spring that promises for change and rejuvenation, I’m letting this go, to focus for the next two weeks on my last two papers for school and on whatever is coming afterwards.

New members of our family!

2010-04-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

We've recently acquired 2 new furry members of the Meeks clan.

Meet Link and Odin! We adopted the cute little guys from Zuka and Zasha, Carlyn's dogs. The tan one is Link, and he lives up to the name, he's the little mischief maker, and the black one is Odin, and despite his small size he rules with an iron paw.

They are so well behaved already and such good little guys. We love them a lot.
But then wouldn't you love them too?
I love their little wet noses and curiosity with the world around them. I love how smart they are and know after a few short weeks what they can and can't chew on.
I love how happy they are just to be in the same room as us while we are doing homework. They do so well with our current busy schedules and play with each other when we aren't around. They are so friendly and it just breaks my heart when I have to leave them and go to work.

We sure love these little guys.

Healthcare Reform IMO

2010-03-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

In lieu of the events on Sunday I have to say something about the strong lash on the actions. I’m excited to see what is going to happen. I think its silly to think that there is an N W O lingering in the background and blaming everything wrong in the world on an idea of socialized medicine. The thing is with texts you can always read what you want to out of them. You miss things, find loopholes, encounter connections, it is just how text is.

Not only that, but people wait till the oppurtune moment to out their opposers on items they noticed a while ago. This is equivalent to having an Ace up their sleeve in case they lose the round of poker. Consider it also collateral damage, that is unintended to the outcome, which is often blown out of proportion, but once revealed the damage is done. The damage done is that those skeptical and angry are even more skeptical and angry than before touting a "We have to stop this before >insert slanderous terminology being shouted by opposing party<".

Even if I turn out to be wrong, I think its important to document why I feel excited. I hope I'm not wrong, and I really want those avaricious people to be stopped and have checks placed that they can't undo.

So, living in a very red state, surrounded by very republican people, I find their argument largely asinine and selfish. I also believe that those against it, don't really know what poverty is like or really seen it in their lives. I’d consider myself as democratic as Utah can be which really just makes me a moderate and I’m ok with that. I like the middle ground leeway because it allows me to scoff at the absurdities on both sides.

Having lived in married student housing there were an alarming amount of people without insurance coverage because they had pre existing conditions or didn’t bother with it because they thought they could make it through school without it. (In reality with previous costs of insurance, it probably felt like they had to choose between school or health insurance) Seeing how people without insurance are affected by accidents and emergencies, I’ve seen how medical bills can tear up dreams and I have to back Healthcare Reform.

Ryan and I have been so lucky and blessed, but the idea of switching insurance companies post my job has filled me with nothing but anxiety. How many of my pre existing conditions or Ryan’s would be turned down?

So with the new bill, that is no longer covering abortions(by declaration of Obama), I don’t have to worry so much about pre-existing conditions when it goes into effect. Not only that but Insurance should be more manageable for small companies to provide. As I have often dreamed about starting a small independent publishing company etsy-esque, this makes entrepreneurship a lot less daunting and even more feasible.

I have no disillusions of how easy the paperwork will be to fill out. I know how cya works and while I get sick of triplicate forms and taxes, I’m sure a turbo tax esque program could be developed to fill out those forms for me.

I’m excited to have quality check ups and exams versus quantity. I like the idea of giving people health care coverage with the mentality that it is an investment for society as those people have a possible better future because preventative measures are taken early on so fatal diseases are less likely to win. The majority of disease and sickness is preventative.

College is just like Healthcare Insurance as it stands now. Higher education is in dire need of reform. Take the GRE for example, why do I need to relearn high school math to go into a Masters in a humanities? Silly isn’t it? They have the MCAT and the LSAT so why not others? And why not play on someone’s strength as opposed to holding them hostage for their weaknesses.

Sorry soapbox, but my point is why shouldn’t it be available to everyone? Isn’t it humane to take care of society? Are we inhumane and selfish being bent on bettering only ourselves and our position in life? If we are then haven’t we lost charity and hope for our friends and neighbors?

Don’t we have a right as people to demand that those oppressing our friends, neighbors and ourselves be overthrown? So then why is Healthcare Reform so scary and why are we so scared to change a system that isn’t working?

Joshy's Updates

2010-03-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

Josh is safe, and we can't ask for much more than that.

I'm going to copy his very short e-mails for your readership enjoyment and peace of mind.

His first e-mail reads:

Hey the Mission mom wants us to email you and let you know that we are fine. The earthquake didn't affect us at all other than a small power outage. The earthquake was in the mission Concepcion 1 above us. I hope all of them are ok.

Love ya,Chao

Elder Joshua David JeffersonMision Chile Osorno

And then the next one

Hola todos, Well as many of you want to know (Did I feel the earthquake?), No, I slept through the night without any disturbances. In the morning I woke up and went to turn the light on, and found that we didn´t have power. My first thought was, Why don´t we have power? I paid the light bill yesterday. It wasn´t until we arrived at the house of our District President, that we found out that there had been an earthquake. Many members told us that they felt 2 earthquakes, but we didn´t feel anything. The affects of the earthquake in Ancud include, small power outages, and people worried for their loved ones (The communication to Concepcion is still bad) One of our investigators has a son who lives in Concepcion and he still hasn´t heard from him. Our investigator is traveling to look for his son. Please keep Family Huenchura in your prayers.

Sunday we arrived at church and our branch president told me that he wanted to talk with me. He asked how my lessons were, and then asked if I could give a lesson as a talk in sacrament meeting. I am learning to give talks without preparation. I am sure this will help me later in life as well. I spoke on the peace and comfort that we can receive through the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Elder Amaya and I are learning and progressing. The Branch needs a lot of help, but has a lot of potential.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. Have a great week and remember the people of Chile in your prayers.

Love, Elder Jefferson

Mom & Dad,

I am glad to hear that Grandma Jefferson is doing a little better, and that Grandma Hebdon is excited for her adventure. It will be a fun experience for her. How are Angie and Ryan? Mary and Brad? Tell Jon and Laura thanks for the email and goodluck with the primary, school, work, and robot. Thanks for telling me a little about Elder Manwill. How´s Danny Pham? Have a great week. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you from here.

Love,Elder Joshua David JeffersonMision Chile Osorno

Josh is currently on the island of Chiloe

Which is to the South of where the earthquake hit the worst in Concepcion.

The clean up process sounds organized and effective from what I was able to read on NPR . Even though I have piece of mind about Josh, the few hours that I didn't were pretty emotional, I can only imagine how distraught people who still have no news about loved ones are. Please keep Chile in your thoughts and prayers.

The Meeks Vs Ownership

2010-02-24T09:57:00.001-08:00

Its funny how the little things seem to make all the difference. As of the last 5 days, we are officially not living in the village and are getting situated in our new home. I still get rather giddy at the fact that my washer and dryer are on the same floor and right next to each other. I’m excited to do laundry. We eat food, rinse off the plates and put them in the dishwasher. The sink stays empty as much as possible now and everything feels like its coming together in a non-cinderblock wall home.

I can put holes wherever I want to. My stuff looks crazily uncluttered. Well, at least on the main level where everything is coming together really nicely.

The other level, well I try not to think about it, the boxes strewn everywhere and it looks like my closets threw up clothes. Not to mention getting rid of our Full size tetanus ridden, rain stick sounding bed and relying on a King Memory foam mattress. As of this moment in time there is no frame or box for. Its on the ground and while it is ridiculously comfy and has made my back feel better in 4 nights than it had felt for a long time. But, its going to throw all my daydreaming décor ideas out the window. Sigh, I used to think King Size was blingy and in your face and now I get to experience it first hand. It is definitely a good thing and we are so lucky that we could get a replacement mattress before I got the back of an 80 year old over night. However, we still have many disagreements, the mattress and I, about space utilization and practicality.

About these insanely awesome little things that make my heart flutter with trepidation is our new vacuum. Our old one broke shortly after the Fall and enduring helping 2-3 people move it deserved to end its services.

So, we got a silly device that makes me exceedingly happy.

We got an iRobot Roomba that vacuums all by itself. I feel like I’m watching a video game when its on but yay for the Roomba and being able to be the little vacuum that could in my life.

Sure it makes me feel lazy, but seeing as we found it for a steal it makes it all that much more awesome to me.

This little gadget got under my furniture where a normal vacuum wouldn’t and I could be doing many other things whilst the little bot works.

Roomba = time saver; Time Saver = a happy non burned out or overwhelmed Angie.

Yes this is a very, very good thing.

The Meeks Vs Ownership

2010-02-24T09:57:00.000-08:00

January Brought a Heaping Helping of Change

2010-02-09T13:04:00.001-08:00

So some interesting things are a foot. I feel like I’m finally starting to wake up from last semester. I mean calling last semester hard is a huge understatement, but because of it this semester feels so surreal. My brain feels so free and I feel ambitious again.

So I think I need to recap the awful events of January, our apartment flooded.

Did you know certain types of bath valves can TURN themselves ON?! Me either.
Did you know that floods in winter are much worse than floods in the summer?
Did you know that cinderblock holds in moisture once introduced to it and grows mold ridiculously fast?

The night before our flood I came home and the water in the tub was running. I was really freaked out and went through a plethora of possible reasons for this. Among them I was really wondering if Ryan had left it on, however, I knew he’d gone to work over 4 hours ago and at the speed the water was filling up the tub there was no way that it had been on that long.

I knew maintenance had been banging around in the apartment below us that was newly vacated and wondered if they had come in and done something and forgotten to turn off the tub.

I even theorized that our neighbors who we’d been having a few issues with because of our connected bathroom sink plumbing had come over and turned on the tub…. Yeah I wrote that one off pretty quick too.

So the next day around 11 am when Ryan and I were both at work maintenance called us and told us our apartment had flooded. The damage was minimal, and the water pooled to the front door and didn’t go in our bedroom at all. I was still in hysterics and felt a lot the same way I felt when our little Honda had been stolen. I didn’t feel safe. Maintenance replaced our valves with a different model and despite that, I’ve been really neurotic about what is left on the ground because I can’t help but wonder if it could still happen again.

Yeah the above had a lot to do with our more aggressive actions and decisions to move, but I’m not going to say we haven’t had our fair share of great and awesome things to happen. We’ve had lots. The flood only really destroyed our sofa. Other than that we were really, really lucky. My laptop that could have been ruined was safely up high where it was untouched.

But the last straw for me was finding mold in my craft closet. I didn’t find it until a week and a half after the initial flood. I was getting excited to craft again; I had a craft date set with my friend on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the night before I was gathering all my items together. I grabbed something touching the cinderblock and it was dripping wet.

Feverishly I began grabbing everything away from the wall and saw more mold than I think I’ve ever seen in my entire life. The air was navy blue. This was my creating area and it had been tampered with. Then I started hyperventilating. Ryan came in and helped me to the front room where I laid, curled up in a ball breathing shallowly.

He bleached all of my plastic containers clean and though we had to throw a way my wicker basket and a few contents, a lot of it was salvageable.

I’m looking at the move as a chance to grow and change. The timing really couldn’t be better for us. I honestly feel like if we hadn’t been on the ball about looking to move that something more catastrophic would have happened. This isn’t to say we didn’t have great times in the village, we did, and we made great friends over the 3 years we’ve been there for.

It’s just that it’s time for some dramatic changes in our lives as we graduate and figure out what chapters are up ahead.

One of my favorite novels of all time sums this up really well where the text reads:

But change proves that you are still alive. Change often measures our tolerance for folk different from ourselves. Can we accept their languages, their customs, their garments, and their foods into our lives?.... If we cannot, if we believe that we must do things as we have always done them, then we must either fight to remain as we are, or die. the Fool in Robin Hobb’s The Golden Fool

I'm a big fan of being alive and doing new and invigorating things. I'm highly looking forward to all the new things to experience in these upcoming years. Why should I be complacent if there are things I can do today to better myself in the future? So this is how we make Lemonade out of Lemons, and I'm excited for whats up ahead as well as whats happening in a matter of days.

So what big changes do you have up ahead and how are you getting ready for them now?

January Brought a Heaping Helping of Change

2010-02-09T13:04:00.000-08:00

the Fool in Robin Hobb’s The Golden Fool

So what big changes do you have up ahead and how are you getting ready for them now?

News

2010-02-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

Psst, you should check out my personal blog for some big news.

Let me know what you think!

Thats all.

Ducks In A Row

2010-02-03T15:36:00.001-08:00

So now that all of our ducks are in a row, I can finally share one of my particularly awesome good news items.

We're buying a townhome.

Most of you didn't even know we were looking, ah but we were and found a lovely place to call home.

We put in our 30 days at Married Student Housing and we're on our way to the joys of being a home owner.

I love the location, how its older and how it just feels so right. We know we could have gone new, but thats just not who we are and that above is Angie and Ryan in so many ways.

After the joys of MSH can you blame us for being ready for this next step?

Ducks In A Row

2010-02-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

So now that all of our ducks are in a row, I can finally share one of my particularly awesome good news items.

We're buying a townhome.

Most of you didn't even know we were looking, ah but we were and found a lovely place to call home.

We put in our 30 days at Married Student Housing and we're on our way to the joys of being a home owner.

I love the location, how its older and how it just feels so right. We know we could have gone new, but thats just not who we are and that above is Angie and Ryan in so many ways.

After the joys of MSH can you blame us for being ready for this next step?

Busy

2010-01-27T13:12:00.001-08:00

I love my job, my department, the people I work with, the location. Its a lovely working environment post remodel.

There are only a couple things I can't quite get my head around, the people who call me Miss or Angela, people who wait for me to get off a personal phone call who aren't my boss or supervisor, and the people who are whiny when I haven't gotten to a task because they aren't at the top of my work priority list.

I'm a secretary, but I'm also an executive secretary, meaning more for specific people. However, and this is partially my own fault, certain people will come over and interrupt me in the midst of a task for my bosses or supervisor and plead to have something done immediately.

This is most prevalent with females over males, but males are also just as culpable of this.

Why is it that they don't seem to understand that I can help them when I have time aside from my other tasks, but their crises or issues with lack of time doesn't mean I report to them immediately.

I get interrupted so much these days because I don't like to tell people no, and their are people who have completely taken advantage of this. This time last year I wasn't this busy and my tasks and assignments seem to have multiplied to the point where getting part of my office clear of tasks and papers is a monumental task.

What are good ways of telling someone no without sounding like I have a bad attitude or whiny?
What do you do to make sure this doesn't happen to you?

Busy

2010-01-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

Secrets

2010-01-25T08:44:00.001-08:00

Secrets are interesting, especially when they are my own.

Especially when they aren't really even secrets, but rather good and fantastic news that I'm holding onto until everything really happens.

Waiting.

I am terrible at waiting. Although, its better to wait until the chickens hatch as opposed to having to explain possible almosts and how they slip through our fingers or run into roadblocks.

So here's to waiting for another month or so, and then, hopefully, finally, awesomely good news.

Secrets

2010-01-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

You Should Check Out This Link....

2010-01-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

You Should Check Out This Link....

http://www.peterbreinholt.com/shows.htm

Kind of awesome right?

*Ben Miller is also playing the Opener with Ryan.

January Funk

2010-01-14T08:32:00.001-08:00

Have you ever gone through something voluntarily with the thought that you could go back to who you were before? What happens after you’ve achieved your goal? Have you ever had difficulty resuming your lifestyle from before?

That’s where I am.

I’ve become a hermit of sorts, and I’ve become comfortable with spending more evenings just relaxing. Part of me wants to go back to the party planner I was, but even if its boring for others, I’m happy with staying at home more often than not.

I keep trying to justify that this is because I took on so much last semester. And while its partially true, I’m more concerned with my lack of desire to be involved with things and create. I made some cards more out of duty than desire and to me they look awful.

I’m in a complete and total funk and all I want to do is rest. I’m not interested in going back to my super social and creative self, she took a lot of work to wear. While I’m in this rut, I’m interested in doing and seeing new people that I haven’t talked to in the last 4 months, but I’m completely disinterested in calling people and setting things up or pulling out my crafts.

I made a few things for Christmas, but that was it.

Maybe this is January talking. Maybe its more, I guess we’ll see.

Back to my questions at the beginning, what do you do when you’ve gone on hiatus from something so long that it no longer feels natural? Do you reacquaint yourself gradually or do you plunge head first back into things? Or do you cut ties with those hobbies and find new ones? At what point do you know you can never go back?

January Funk

2010-01-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

This is it!

2010-01-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

So this is it.

It is strange to realize that in less than 6 months a rudimentary part of your schedule could be forever absent. After 5 years of painstaking school, this is it. One final 15 week bought of school and then who knows. I thought when I got this close I would know what was going to happen, but life has other plans in mind.

Well, here’s to the exciting new chapter, whatever characters, plots, twists and accomplishments await.

This Semester....

2009-12-21T12:13:00.001-08:00

I wanted to say in a nutshell, but I realized that there is no nutshell version of this semester. It was hard, but we persevered and (grades pending) conquered.

Saturday's are now restored to me and I will sleep in till ten or eleven until the nightmare that was Saturday morning class is behind me. 3-4 years perhaps?

Transcribing is behind me. I guess that isn't accurate either. I have an oppurturnity to do another project, but the idea at the moment makes me want to maim myself in some way. It would also cost me the equivalent of another class... Not a good sign right? Priceless project checked off though, and really at the moment thats good enough for me.

I survived Latin much better than I had anticipated with one measely semester needed for a minor. >Sigh< I guess I should explain that when I turned in my graduation application I did not put a minor on it and so even if I did the necessary steps for the minor, it wouldn't show up as part of my bachelor's degree, because I did not get the necessary signatures at the appointed time.

So here's to next semester with only 3 classes.

Couples Ballroom Dance with Ryan!
Star Trek: The Quest 2 Be Human!
and one final Lit history class.

Cakewalk? I think so! But after putting myself through a meat grinder this semester, I feel I totally deserve this.

Ryan's semester went much like this:

Mac people working with PC people equals epic war.

Ok so it wasn't that bad, however, designing a video game with people who can't make decisions, don't stick to what they decid and don't communicate with people equals the worst experiment since The Stanford Zimbardo 1971 Prison Experiment.

But as of late I think of most group projects this way. Lucky for me I can easily let someone else lead or if need be swoop in and take control. However, when a group project is set up so that your boss/fellow student controls your grade along with anyone else they are over, I get squeamish. Micromanaged schooling sounds like a law suit waiting to happen. Micromanaged anything sounds like why the economy is in the state it is in. Micromanaging is the worst type of business atmosphere. It stunts creativity as people are scared that someone else will take credit for their work.

Its the exact opposite of what Ed Catmull the CEO of Pixar lauded the University for providing an atmosphere that increased creativity. Ed Catmull says to the Harvard Business Review
"Management’s job is not to prevent risk but to build the capability to recover when failures occur. It must be safe to tell the truth. We must constantly challenge all of our assumptions and search for the flaws that could destroy our culture."

This was not how the project was set up, at all. However, suffice it to say Ryan survived semester 1 of 2 of his capstone project and we hope and pray management looks at the project from the perspective stated above, or else you'll hear more about it after next semester.

But for now, we are free. We have no fears of people stealing our ideas or products to sell as their own, and for that it is a very Merry Christmas.

T minus 24 hours to Turkey Day

2009-11-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is probably my absolute favorite holiday of the year. I love how its focus is on spending time with loved ones while sharing a grand feast. Throughout the years the traditions surrounding this holiday have changed, however the feelings regarding the day stay the same.

While I look back on the years, I see so much to be grateful for, among them I see so many experiences that will forever be treasured memories, so without further ado, the kick off memory run of all things turkey & Thanksgiving through the years with Angie.

Ryan’s Homemade Pumpkin Pie
(if you haven’t had this yet then we’ll have to rectify that)

Ryan’s pumpkin pie is nothing short of amazing. With regard to the current pumpkin shortage this year, I have to say that I’m so glad that I painted mine and that we were able to make countless pies with it. I feel like I’ve had a month’s worth of gearing up for pie on Thanksgiving so Thanksgiving pie’s beware. The amazing thing? There are still 3-4 pumpkin pie’s worth of pumpkin pie frozen in my freezer, so those affected by the shortage give us a call and let us see if you can come grab it.

Office Thanksgiving

For the duration I’ve worked at my current company they’ve had a preemptory Office Potluck Thanksgiving the Thursday before Thanksgiving. No one skimps on this event and besides this year, where it didn’t happen, it’s a favorite event in my heart.

Hebdon Thanksgivings

This event includes typically over 50 people and there are always leftovers and more varieties of pie than even Marie Callender’s can boast. Before the meal, everyone goes around and says one thing they are thankful for, well when I was a you whipper snapper of 8 or 9 I said “I’m thankful for a little brother to tease”, see I was always a snarky little smart aleck.

Hendricks/Jefferson Thanksgivings

Though I’ve never had a Thanksgiving with the whole Jefferson side of the family, these events have been some of the most entertaining and quality fun. Everyone really gets to talk to each other and there are always hours and hours of card games after the feast.

The Year That Was A Little Different

One year was different because my parents had to go back to Wisconsin for a funeral. The remaining result was the kids were left to their own devices, except that we weren’t. Instead we went with my cousins to their other side of the families Thanksgiving. While I was skeptical at first, the feast was grand, and the company was very welcoming. It was far better than what my siblings and I would have been able to do left by ourselves.

Meeks Thanksgivings

I’ve only been to one from my 3 years of married life with Ryan, but tomorrow I’m happily going there. Ryan loves spending time with his family and isn’t able to spend as much time with them as he’d like to because we’re so focused on school and graduating. Ryan’s mom always invites those who she knows wouldn’t otherwise be invited to Thanksgiving and it’s a great experience to be able to see her share her hospitality with everyone.

End Note

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of year and one of the few holidays with more focus on spending time with family than on buying gifts and presents. I love this Holiday and I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow, spent with those they love and enjoying time together with them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Can You Hear Me Now?....Ooops

2009-11-19T11:44:00.001-08:00

So last night, I was super frustrated and tired. I'd just taken a midterm which I did fairly well on but I had to trudge across campus and through a crowd of people going to the U of U vs. Utah State game of some sort. This wouldn't have been a problem if I had been walking the same way as all of them and if I had had the cell phone.

I got home fine and crashed as was much needed and when I woke up I had to work on more stuff. Alas, the little cell phone became victim of my frustrations, I threw it at the ground and the flip part of it broke off of the bottom splitting an entire wire.

Who knew I was that strong? How many other times had the phone fallen or slipped and come out of things unmaimed?

So now, still crazy maniacally busy, but now, this just in, cell phone less.

Can You Hear Me Now?....Ooops

2009-11-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

Who knew I was that strong? How many other times had the phone fallen or slipped and come out of things unmaimed?

So now, still crazy maniacally busy, but now, this just in, cell phone less.

The End, Oh, Its in Sight.

2009-11-08T11:32:00.001-08:00

So after nearly 3 months of burning the candle from 8 different ends, the end is in sight. December 9 is both too soon and too far but the end of classes is going to be the best reward ever.

Does that mean current hermit-like patterns will end? not likely, I am going to have to extinguish all the flames first and hope none of them meet in the middle, otherwise I don't know what kind of an aftermath I'll be dealing with.

So why not blog about current stresses and struggles? It seems that my lack of posting concerned some, while it is just one of those things I feel is near the bottom of my to do list. In fact off to work on other more pressing items. Taa-taa for a while.

The End, Oh, Its in Sight.

2009-11-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

Compliments

2009-10-22T15:04:00.001-07:00

How many times do people say nice things to us and we refuse to take the item? It sounds silly right?
I just read a post about the self deprecating comment here and boy was it eye opening.

Compliments are a rare and fun gift of life so why snub the bearer of the gift by not graciously accepting? I feel kind of criminal by the compliments I've had a hard time accepting and I've downplayed by saying something in contradiction to what the initial compliment was. But here's to a better attempt at being more gracious.

What do you think?

Compliments

2009-10-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

7, Count Them, 7

2009-10-19T13:18:00.001-07:00

7 Weeks until finals. 7 more weeks of kill me semesterdom and then finals, it just sounds so final.

Fall break was spectacular and has made the upcoming 7 weeks less overwhelming. We had a whole week off! Bless the U and their allotment of holidays. Other school around here gave people a mere day or if it was in Provo, they got nothing at all. Fal break is like Spring break so both semester require such breaks, to not give us a break like that would result in more emotional breakdowns and who wants that?

So here we are staring Fall in the face and enjoying every moment of spectacularly vibrant trees of course soon to follow is the leaf crunching time. I tell you what if there was one season I wouldn't mind seeing year round it'd be fall. The crisp air, the feeling of nature maturing and then near the end the harvest time, halloween, and lest we forget crunchy leaves.

Yesterday evening Ryan called me to look out the window and we saw a empty tree with zounds of leaves by our parked car. Of course we went outside and started crunching. And I'm glad we did because today I awoke to thunder and lightning. All the leaves were soggy and stuck to me as I walked to work. Thankfully I crunched an ample amount the night before to suffice all grumpiness I had with the Monday morning weather.

So ambitiously I'm crunching away at the end of the semester, leaving me with

7 more weeks of declensions and conjugations
7 more weeks of transribing
3 more weeks of a group math project....
7 more weeks of jazz and a concert.

To reiterate a very wise and ambitious builder:

Can we do(build) this?

YES
WE
CAN!

-Bob the Builder

7, Count Them, 7

2009-10-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N What Does that spell? Halloween!

2009-10-12T11:27:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm always rooting for things that most people disdain. Call me the devil's advocate and for years I did deserve the title.

Its fun to dress up and look different than you always do, its cathartic. You know, that word that made Aristotle's justification of plays and literature vs Plato's complete disdain for them credible.

Cathartic, pertaining to catharsis which as defined is:

Main Entry: ca·thar·sis
Pronunciation: \kə-ˈthär-səs\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ca·thar·ses \-ˌsēz\
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek katharsis, from kathairein to cleanse, purge, from katharos
Date: circa 1775
1 : purgation
2 a : purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art b : a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
3 : elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression

It seems that dressing up would allow complexes to be dealt with by allowing it consciousness.

So you don't criticize people for going to the movie's, a play, or opera so why criticize adults who celebrate Halloween? I've heard it labelled a child's holiday but I don't understand why its less culturally acceptable for adults to enjoy, after all they have a much more mundane routine oft times than children.

Besdies that its infinitely more creative than going and watching a movie or something that takes little to no effort. My Grandpa and Grandma always dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Hall O. Ween. Awesomely creative and fun right? I think so.

But I have to say, as a child I hated Halloween and it wasn't until I married Ryan that I began to enjoy the holiday again. So how can I be posting on a subject I used to hate? Well I'll tell you why I hated it, I hated the creepy gorey part with people dressing up like killers or psycho's. (one year my brother was a Cereal Killer he dashed a cereal box to smithereens!) But as a child I avidly played dress up and loved pretending, it was just that the line between Halloween and fun was skewed.

Halloween today is infinitely different from how it was when I was little. I remember my family were die hard trick or treaters, my dad went with us and if it rained or snow (it often did) he'd drive us around the neighborhood. My mom always had soup for us before hand and homemade hot chocolate when we got back. When my parents moved when I was 8 Halloween changed for me. I no longer knew the neighborhood, people didn't know me or my family yet and it was scary being in uncharted waters. The streets didn't have as many lights and a lot of people just stuck candy on the porch.

So I stopped liking Halloween because it was different. I stopped going trick or treating after I was 10 and I labelled the holdiay stupid. That was around the time that the Mall's started providing a safe trick or treating atmospher and trunk or treats started popping up. I definitely understand the precautions but I still think the holiday deserves to be considered a holiday and not just a silly thing for children. I kind of feel bad for my kids if trick or treating to them is merely trunk or treating.

So why not root for Halloween and its fun for ALL ages? I'm sure going to!

How do you feel about Halloween for adults? What do you want to dress up like for Halloween?

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N What Does that spell? Halloween!

2009-10-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Monday Monday!

2009-10-12T11:11:00.001-07:00

Test finished and I got a heeping awesome dose of Adrenaline that is still lingering.

I erased what I first wrote because I realized it was next to unintelligible so here is my 2nd attempt.

So here I am trying to remember how not to go to school from work and its rather hard because its such a habit.

Life is good, no strike that, life is great and while I'm still working on projects this week, I do not have class or tests or quizzes or homework due. This alone makes everything rose colored. Ryan however, is in crazy project mode and while I'm free as a bird he's fairly chained to his laptop. Poor kid.

So I've determined something, I don't know how to not be in school. Its my lunch hour and I am sitting at my desk blogging, its like a quasi lunch a faux lunch if you will. The point is I don't know how to do this, and if I unlearn being in school how will that affect me next week?

But be proud of me I am taking Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off. I'm pretty excited about it, but again I don't really know how to take days off unless I'm sick or Ryan has them off too so this should be quite the adventure for me.

Whats your favorite thing to do on days off? (not including Holidays, or vacations)

Monday Monday!

2009-10-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

Sassy Boot Friday!

2009-10-09T14:13:00.001-07:00

After sending my boots into the shoemaker for 2 weeks, where it rained and sleeted mind you, my fall bootwear is finally being returned to me in virtually new condition.

I have to add I love my boots! I found them both years ago at secondhand stores and I just fell in love with them. And you know what they say "If the shoe fits wear it!" And so I have despite trends and everything else, a good classy boot is always in goot taste.

So besides being only fashionable they've been the best boots I've ever encountered for all seasons.That means bring on the torrential rain, mud and sleet (no snow just yet please?) because with my boots none of these things will drastically impact me.

I'm stoked, this is the best Friday ever!

Flats will be safely placed at the back of the closet during stormy winter weather and heels just in fron of them. Heels and campus during winter are not pals, in fact campus will freeze your feet and get some sort of percipitation on you leaving you with little to no hope for being warm the rest of the day.

Yes some days I realize I sound like a much older woman, but somedays I walk to campus in snow on property that is not the campuses and thus it does not get shoveled. Thus boots equal safety sanity and warmth.

What do you keep as a staple for both form and function?

Sassy Boot Friday!

2009-10-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Math Update

2009-10-08T14:31:00.001-07:00

Whilst reviewing discovered the Math test is Multiple Choice! Someone in heaven must want me to pass!

Also, tried alligator sausage, it was less than appetizing, however I swallowed it which is more than I can say for Ryan!

Math Update

2009-10-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

3rd Anniversary and The Ever Absent Camera

2009-10-08T09:41:00.001-07:00

So after painstakingly saving pennies for our Anniversary we went to Rodizio Grill.

It was delightful and if there was a problem it would only be that I don't have a bigger stomach or I just don't know when to stop eating.

Ryan enjoyed it and even after we were done we sat around waiting for the next grilled pineapple. I joked with Ryan and said, if I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be grilled pineapple. Keep in mind this is not the same as making shishkebabs and grilling them, rather this is having an open fire with the food over the open flame.

Also, another note, I don't super love uncooked pineapple, odd right? I don't know why its just one of those things, but when its grilled its just amazing.

So because we planned this out months in advance I was bound and determined to take the camera. When I got home last night from work and my midterm I found the camera and I swear I put it in my purse after making sure that the battery was fully charged. However, once at the restaurant I put my hand in my purse to take the camera out and take a picture, lo and behold it wasn't there. After our date I looked for the camera and somehow it was on the table.

This is only one of several occassions when the camera is ever absent. So my inquiry, what is a good way to have the camera ready at hand for moments in life that bear documenting?

3rd Anniversary and The Ever Absent Camera

2009-10-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday's, Midterms and Functioning on Less Than Ample Sleep

2009-10-07T08:31:00.001-07:00

So after a monumental evening of studying for Survey of Jazz I've discovered 3 things:

1-Knowing the movie "Swing Kids" and remembering detail about the musicians talked about has made the basics of this class a cake walk.

2-Going to sleep around 2 and feeling ill from being so tired is not a useful study habit.

3-6:00 is just too far away!

However, studying done my dreams were far from boring. We had a mesh of "Swing Kids" meets New Orleans. All the spinning (can music spin?) made me feel nauseous and while I do love Jazz and Swing for its many different styles and influences, listening to old recordings of songs is grating. I listened to over 21 tracks for my midterm tonight, and while I love the music, not being able to tell the difference between what should sound like a tenor sax and a kazoo is less than ideal.

Oh well, test in less than 8 hours and we can put last night behind us. However, it would be nice if the test was sooner than that, I'd like to have a nice relaxing evening tonight.

Also, going to sleep in a trance induced spinning state is what I imagine being hungover to be like. No Bueno.! Room spinning disorientation coupled with crazy pressure on head plus nausea, how is that worth the so called 'fun' night? It gives me anxiety just remembering. Ah well, it is worth feeling over prepared for my test.

I will conquer you!

However Math Midterm, we still have a bit of a conflict to resolve. If I could willingly choose to never deal with a topic, it would be Statistics. You think I'm joking huh? Well funny story, I prefer algebra with all its lengthy calculations as opposed to all the inferring done for stats.

I know I know, a certain Math teacher cursed me back in High School when I dropped AP Calc. He said I'd regret dropping math my senior year of highschool, and well that curse has be reaffirmed throughout my college career.

Its just relearning processes is less than ideal for me. I hate relearning how to do things. I hate feeling like this is something I've already learned and yet there are cobwebs and shadows making the knowledge just out of reach. I have a philosophy for school everything should be like riding a bicycle, you never forget. This semester has been full of items on the opposite side of the spectrum than the skill of riding a bike and that I disdain.

However, all is not lost and lots of great material is being tackled and learned. I just am not a math person anymore (if I ever was), but I am half way through NEVER needing stats ever again. YAY!

Wednesday's, Midterms and Functioning on Less Than Ample Sleep

2009-10-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

Nom de Plume

2009-10-05T08:40:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking for ages about publishing names. and about when the time comes, how I want my name to show up.

Angie Meeks just doesn't sound formal, it sounds like the spunky eclectic person I am. However, it just doesn't have the certain joi de vivre that's marketable.

First of all it blatantly tells everyone way to much about my personal life and my ethnicity. Plus when I do publish, I'd rather have it be a little difficult to google my name and find out all about my life. Of course there is the pesky realization that MANY people, especially those I know be less than pleased with my writing style and topics.

So I've been batting around several ideas including:

A B Meeks
I know, I know its so JK Rowling, but CS Lewis did it and a lot of other really great writers before so really I'd be part of a genre of writers. The unambiguous initials group.

A. Bixby Meeks
Its intriguing because the A is unknown but still includes quirky middle and loved name. Its a mixture of the name above and below and well its pretty sweet. However, not sure if its original or if it is another genre I'm currently unaware of.

Bixby Meeks
This one fully utilizes my quirky and loved middle name. Not only that, its a double last name title. James Joyce anyone?

I think they are all great possibilities but when push comes to shove, I'm just not sure which name I prefer most.

Why am I so concerned about this now? Well thats a secret!

Anyway, readers I'd love some input on what you think as I'm attached to all 3. What are your opinions? And I'll make a deal, the person who's comment is my favorite will learn my news early.

Nom de Plume

2009-10-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

A Late Night Bout With Inadequacy

2009-09-13T23:50:00.000-07:00

Thats right, the time is that late and I am a busy little person this semester. But my brain has been on an on and off again fritz. Its hard to want to just complain about things and then realize the person you are complaining to is just as busy if not busier than I am.

So here is to Ryan with his intense perseverance that puts me to shame this semester. He's been so completely focused while I've been feeling so severely spread thin. So our apartment is nearly always a disaster, but I guess our homework is getting done, so thats something right? Its weird I'm 23 now and while I've grown up and become a very opinionated person with a lot of passion, my dreams have been changing.

I guess I'm just tired of telling people that I still want to do the same thing I set out to be right before I started College. While I know they mean well its hard to say what the future will be. Truth is I'm so close to graduating, and my degree could completely be for nothing. Well not for nothing, but just that I may not go into my field of choice after graduation.

But thats the thing, I'm not entirely certain what my field of choice will be and thats daunting for me. I always thought I'd be graduated from school and in a masters program by the time I was 24 and the fact that it just may not be in my cards is both frustrating and rejuvenating.

While I know a bachelor's in english is equivalent to a bachelor's in many other humanities, without grad school actually going into said field is next to irrelevant. But it will be a pay raise, and that isn't something to sneeze at. I'll be free to see what really is in store for me and my family for the rest of my life. It will be a grand adventure.

However, the more I stare at these latin declensions, tenses and parts of speech the more I feel small. I am still up for this challenge, and to minor in latin will be monumental for me. I blame latin for my utter delve into being a literary snob, but its a special kind of torture and one I do enjoy.

But its just so highly grammar driven, with ablatives of time, conditionals of future less vivid, and lets not forget the passive periphrastic. I just guess its hard feeling like I'm so much further behind everyone else when its not necessarily the case, but regardless I feel like the grammar rules are so completely over my head.

Ah, prose why do you have to be so f(x) meticulous? (thats right its this late and I'm throwing out Math Humor...) I can last, and poetry will be so much easier. Thank you Romans for Dactyllic Hexameter, you've saved me EVERY year I've taken Latin. Just come sooner, ok?

How do other people deal with feelings of identity crisis? Changes in dreams? And lets not forget being utterly overwhelmed?

A very vulnerable post but I'd like to get back to these kind as opposed to 'monthly christmas card esque' updates.

Post-Hiatus Summary

2009-08-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

So its been a long summer and its slipping through my fingers, As life would have it school starts on Monday and the 8 month countdown to graduation begins. Lots of things have changed during the summer and I hope I’ve become a stronger wiser person.

The funny thing is though, the more things change the more things stay the same. Life is funny that way. Old arguments once resolved are rehashed and ever as bitter as ever. It would have to be insanity sometimes expecting a different result from the same process.

I took summer semester off, whilst Ryan plugged away at school classes, but he too will be graduating in May.

It does not feel real, but 8 months is not particularly long at all The deadline is looming forward and with it the knowledge that this time next year things have the potential of being a complete 180, or a 360. As was stated above, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

To prep for the upcoming school year we’ve begun ikea-izing our apartment. I am still amazed at how much I can consume in my tiny apartment. I am a little hesitant to see that consumption be given more space to fill.

I guess so long as I have Mary and my Mom I will be ok. I like the idea of finally putting my Mom’s interior design skills to work, and where mom’s “form over function” lets off, Mary’s “everything must have a place” gene kicks in. Good mother and daughter combo team to say the least. There will be crying, laughter, fun but especially growth.

Alas, the only real conundrum is whether or not said new residence will be in the state or if I will jet set away from lovely Salt Lake. >sigh< only time will tell.

So as I dream of bigger and better places, I am actually content where I am. I have the space to craft when I want to, and aside from cinder block walls and all their disagreements with any personalization, I am content.

A year ago I was simply a Junior, and now, now I am a senior, I am going to minor in Latin. After my hiatus of 2 years *gasp* of a language I am plunging back in for my minor. 2 classes from now I will have my minor in Latin, it is like the ultimate nerd/geek moment for me. You see, I get a special thrill whenever someone says, you’ll never use it because I have already used it in more ways than they would realize. Those silly people and crossing items off their list as relevant because it’s a dead language, well I guess they will never know the joys of translating latin poetry or realizing that a conjugation change can change the entire meaning.

Yes I am a nerd, what of it? I’m happy with said nerddom. As an ultimate band geek, sci fi guru and fantasy lover I feel no shame in adding literary nerd to the list. Hopefully the 2 years away won’t affect me too much. I’ve been looking at all my latin books and going over my trouble spots with the hope to curtail all massive hurdles. Indeed it will be a lovely year.

However, a long period of hermit like behavior is in the very immediate future. Just know its really not you, its just school and time to buckle down. 16 weeks of a ridiculously intense semester may do me in, but the knowledge that after 16 weeks, a mere 4 months it will be complete and a relatively easy spring semester will follow

Then after that perhaps grad school but for the moment who can really think that far ahead? Learning not to have a rigid plan has taught me a lot about myself, others and made life much more enjoyable. A little daunting but completely worth the adventure.

So much has changed in one silly little year. Years are funny that way, and though things change, they largely stay the same.

The Efficiency of Two Screens

2009-07-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

I just got two computer screens at work, and I cannot even begin to explain how much more efficient it makes me.

Not only am I more efficient, I print out a lot less and have less clutter on my desk.

It makes me so happy.

So it’s a relatively small change and yet it changed a lot of my perspective on life.

The desire for more ‘Space’ is an interesting concept. I don’t think people realize they have space, they just do not organize it properly.

This is true for Ryan and I, our second apartment is 100 or so square feet smaller than our first. We had lived in our first apartment for just 8 months, and yet we had taken up all the space. The apartment we are in now is under 500 square feet. It is frustrating and a challenge, but a good point for us to start from.

I have always thought homes did not have to be huge. With an excess of space family members are able to avoid one another and live as strangers. Its no secret that I do not like 2 story homes. They suck up the sky and make it difficult to admire the horizon. I know I belong in a home with character more one the bungalow scale of things. It would utilize all the space but not boast of vaulted ceilings.

So my small beginning makes me happy. It forces me to not consume as quickly as a larger abode might and its made the use of space a very important key.

Before Mary left for Turkey, Ryan and I humbly presented some issues we felt within our apartment and Mary proactively recommended changes and ideas to assuage the problem.

The problem is that we didn’t have a place for certain things and because of that, they were taking over our apartment. It is silly how problematic mail and pens can be but with order, not only is it easier to locate them, but to clean them up.

Mail is a truly interesting concept. While invitations and announcements are always welcome, other mail items are cumbersome, monotonous and pointless. Its silly because of all the payments and notices sent online to have another item to look at and sigh as its already been taken care of.

It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer tries to cancel his mail. He is kidnapped and threatened by multiple people, including his friend Newman about a bigger conspiracy.

Not that I believe it is a conspiracy, I just think that paper mail aside from invitations, thank yous, letters and announcements are unnecessary. I know most of mine are shredded into smithereens.

What do you do with unneeded mail?

The Efficiency of Two Screens

2009-07-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

Rigid Order and Why It Has Stunted Me Until Now

2009-07-15T12:38:00.001-07:00

Its not a secret that after years and years of mocking domesticity that I am slipping or rather embracing my crafty side.

I make cards, I've attempted scrapbooking and while its alright, I just don't feel the need yet.

However, I was talking to my mom about this sudden surge into my artistic side and I realized a few things.

I do not like when everything is prepped for me to put together, it limits letting my mind choose or discover for itself.

I will for ever loathe being told exactly how something must be done.

I look at my favorite hobbies, but they still have a lot of breathing room. They have never retorted back to me that I was doing it wrong.

In fact if I was doing something the exact same way someone else was, I think it might give me anxiety.

I love being different. Being exactly who I am. With my silly opinions that are both radical and conservative. I love freely choosing how to put a card together. My cards are incredibly spastic and not at all like what you can buy in a store. But one thing I realize, my cards are more for hand delivery than the mail service.

Ryan keeps telling me I should sell them, and I would, but when I make a card its with an occasion in mind and some sort of basic guidelines.

Trying to sell my cards means anticipating what someone would want or favor. He's funny my Ryan, but I just don't know that I could be so passionate about it if it became a job...

I came across an article where someone surveyed her family on what they would buy, or liked about cards for sale.

It left me feeling less than confident in my hobby. One thing that was clear across the board was that people didn't want to buy overly embellished cards, or cards with crooked sewing and distressing.

Its made me wonder if my cards I've given away as gifts have even been used...because if they haven't been, well then my whole project as a card maker is failed and the convenience and thoughtfulness of having a handmade card is thrown out the window.

A card I made last night featured ALL of the above problems that the general population had with homemade items. Now I'm not even sure if it is a nice gift.

Although, my ONE hope is that all those included in the survey were either prudish and old because my generation is not at all and my gifts so far seem to be well received. One friend who made fun of me for making a card set for her loved it, or she loved it to my face.

And so now to be near to being plunged back into that rigid order is both daunting and stupid.

I just hope my gifts continue to be well received.

What do you guys think?

Rigid Order and Why It Has Stunted Me Until Now

2009-07-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Dance Fever, or the Lack Thereof

2009-07-15T12:17:00.001-07:00

This is a silly thing, but I am craving a night of ballroom dancing more than I EVER have in my entire life thus far.

The last time I danced was months ago. It was funny, Ryan and I pushed furniture out of the way in our little apartment. As fun as it was and can be, it just was not the same as a full floor of wood under my feet.

Nor were we able to really get into the dancing. It is a very very small front room. Since then, I have tried to coreorgraph a large group to go dancing but each and every single time it falls to pieces.

Biggest pet peeves ever, receptions that say they will have dancing but have no dancing until the tail end of the reception. I curse whichever wedding planner thought that idea up. Its painful to go to a reception that specifies that there will be dancing and leaves out that it won't happen until THE END of the reception.

I get my hopes up and then they are dashed to pieces by feeling awkward staying so long and so I leave and with it, leave whatever chance of really dancing I had.

And by really dancing, I mean ballroom and swing. I can be a bit of a snob about the whole clubbing idea...

"It just don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing do wa do wah"

Anyway, this desire only increased after watching the movie "Swing Kids" about people who swing danced in germany during WW II. The movie does a fabulous job of capturing the dance as an improvisational art form. The coreography is not rigid and has a free feel that is so nice to see in film.

Its interesting and sad to me that there aren't that many places to go dancing anymore.

After my computer crashed this spring I lost ALL my swing dance music, cha cha, waltzes etc. It was very very painful. However, I have been rebuilding my library and I think I have a good hour or two of dancing music.

Which means, its time to dust off my dancing shoes and get back in the rhythm.

Dance Fever, or the Lack Thereof

2009-07-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

Joshy Kins News

2009-07-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=3051+S.+2900+E.+SLC,+UT+84109,+Salt+Lake+City,+UT&ie=UTF8&ll=40.723063,-111.809578&spn=0.135561,0.308647&t=h&z=12&iwloc=A

Joshua David Jefferson
Leaves for the Chile, Osorno mission August 5, 2009

Come hear him speak in Sacrament Meeting Sunday, July 26, 2009 1:00 pm

3051 S. 2900 E. SLC, UT 84109.

Please join us for an open house at the Jefferson's following the meeting.

You are welcome to bring food if you would like to but it is not required.

Books That Have Single-Handedly Changed My Life

2009-07-06T07:34:00.001-07:00

I'm an avid bookworm and have been so very lucky to read such phenomenal books within my major. Some have been trying but a lot of them have been immensely rewarding and changed me.

Some have just been so fun, while others have been so heartfelt and still others have been so well written.

Opening up a book for me is like sitting down for a feast. My specific genre's of interest are Children's Lit, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Periodic novels, and Alternate history/future, . Of my top favorites are:

Robin Hobb's The Farseer Trilogy
Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders Trilogy
Robin Hobb's The Fool Trilogy

Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

Lauren Halse Anderson's Speak

Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian

John Case's The Genesis Code

Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree
Dr. Seuss's The Lorax

Mary Ellen Edmunds' You Can Never Get Enough of What You Don't Need: The Quest for Contentment

Jane Austen's Persuasion
Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey

Douglas Adam's The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy Series

Soon to follow will be a review on each of these.

Books That Have Single-Handedly Changed My Life

2009-07-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Misuse of Some Words

2009-07-02T08:10:00.001-07:00

Misusing certain words for me is like a repeated slap in the face. Such as those related to my major and specializations. Its like you are insulting my intelligence and the fact that we are associated. I'd like to think people I am associated with can differ words better than most people. However it has reached a breaking point within me.

This has been going on for months possibly years and so I have to point this out.
Epic is not for the everyday.

As deifined, Epic as a noun is:
1)An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a deity or demigod (heroic epic) or other legendary or traditional hero.
The Icelandic epic took all night to recite.
2)A series of events considered appropriate to an epic.
The book was an epic in four volumes.

Epic as an Adjective
Epic (comparative more epic, superlative most epic)
1.Of, or relating to, an epic.
Beowulf is an epic poem.
2.Momentously heroic
The epic defense was rewarded with the highest military decorations
(slang) Extending beyond the usual or ordinary; extraordinary.
3.The after-prom party was epic. [edit] Adjective
epic (comparative more epic, superlative most epic)

Epics are for a genre and have grossly morphed into a cheapened version of the everyday. So you people who nonchalantly misuse epic, you are destroying it. You are diabolically reducing it to every day slang which are other words that were once also vastly expressive.

So when I say epic what am I describing?

Playing frisbee in the park with friends.
Grabbing dinner somewhere.
A party.
Trying food for the first time.
Watching a movie.

-Or-

The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Iliad
The Odyssey
The Aeneid
Beowulf
The Ramayana
Star Wars
The Lord of the Rings series
The Harry Potter series

The later are my definition of epic. Reserve words for the appropriate situation and place and then I will step off of this soap box. The epics above are beautiful stories with moving characters during a foreign time with adventure and excitement. They are NOT droll everyday experiences. So please, move onto another word to desecrate and leave epics a lone.

And if a moment in time truly deserves to be called epic, such as a wedding or once in a lifetime moments then I can appreciate that. But as it currently stands it is vulgarly used and so this is my call to you to stop.

Misuse of Some Words

2009-07-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Oh Joy,....

2009-06-25T09:18:00.001-07:00

So with the prospect of graduating and getting jobs, the state likeliest to hire us is on a very dramatic downward spiral. Its painful, and yet, I still dislike said state, and see its lifestyle as the very poison polluting the economy.

Thats right, California, I blame you. And yet someday I have to live there... Its a very bittersweet prospect, and I kinda hope that this crisis will move big companies to safer states and thus end my possible venture to that state.

For said crisis info check out NPR's website here. Can you imagine the very idea of Washington bailing out a state? It makes me shudder...

Oh Joy,....

2009-06-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

2 Days Home and The Pigs Are Already Calling

2009-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

The trip was blissful, relaxing and amazing. We spent lots of time with family and will have some great memories for a long time coming.

The lake was beautiful! and it was certainly nice that it's before algae season. The sunsets were breathtaking and certainly made the 24 hour drive there and back worth it.

We went to Mt. Olympus an amusement park in the dells and spent the majority of the day in this massive tide pool called Poseidon's Rage. It threw 9 foot waves at us every 5 minutes or so and was quite spectacular.

We had competitions to see who could stand their ground the best, who was thrown the farthest and gave each other tips on what was our favorite thing to do when the wave crashed down on us. The body surfing was awesome and if I had only played in their all day, it would be completely worth it.

Sidenote, more humid weather makes it necessary to let the sunscreen dry...and no 5 minutes just doesn't cut it. That's right, our sunscreen washed off after each recoating... But I would do it all again.

As far as the roller coasters go, they are fun, but I'm just too achey and old from my desk job that Wisconsin roller coasters just aren't for me.

The cheese was spectacular as only Wisconsin cheese is and we made multiple stops to Culver's for the custard. Lets just say it blows Neilsen's Frozen Custard completely out of the water.

The Drive home

The drive home was pretty good. Through Minnesota and Iowa though we drove through the most intense lightning show I've ever seen. The sky kept lighting up and there was no thunder. Often the lightning was connecting to another cloud and another lightning bolt would begin. I was driving for the majority of the storm, it was a lot like this.

At first it was just amazing and gave new interest to the drive accompanied to all of the songs we listened to. The best was "The Unforgiven" by Metallica as the lightning was in time with the song. I think the firework shows are going to be hard pressed to impress me more.

We stopped and got off the freeway because my nerves couldn't handle the floodlike rain that was pelting the car. I could only see the brakelights on the semi's ahead of me. The storm lasted for over the 3-4 hours I was driving. When we got off the freeway Ryan asked a guy at the Quiktrip if there were any tornado warnings. Well, where he was he didn't get signals...perfect, the middle of nowhere. The next day a call from my dad confirmed that there were tornado's all around us.

Good thing it was night and I couldn't see them, otherwise I don't think I could have been behind the wheel...

Another phone call on the way home warned us of jump in swine flu cases. And so waking up this morning and trying to get ready for church, Ryan's been complaining of having flu like symptoms. I feel fine at this point and am kind of confused at the level of quarantine that I need but I'm going to be really careful.

A HUGE thanks to my Aunt Toni who let us borrow her GPS, it was immensely useful and we didn't get lost once. Seriously, how do people live without GPS's?

Sadly this puts a damper on all of our Father's Day family plans but I'm sure everyone will be thrilled that we aren't exposing them to the illness.

Time For Some R & R!

2009-06-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

Epiphany

2009-06-03T14:15:00.001-07:00

Tell tale signs of my writing passion are returning. The second thoughts and third thoughts about the second thoughts. It is returning. And with it an epiphany. What is really dampening the creative flow for me? Am I being spread to thin? Am I channeling my creativity in too many directions?

And it hit me. Facebook, msn and other social networking. The constant being connected is taking its toll. Last semester I read an critical theory article on the topic, and feeling I had no time I skimmed through. By skimming I missed an important point, I was not taking it all in, rather I had already decided with how busy I am this article was no different and deserved no more attention.

But the truth? With all this time I have there are one of three new options, walking, timekillers such as Facebook and other social networking or watching a show. The isolation of walking is allowing me to rejuvenate what talent for writing I had. And watching TV pacifies me for a time and does not allow me to delve into my own thoughts. Rather it forces upon me new thoughts that are not quite my own. The social networking purges all my thoughts as I am constantly sharing them and forgetting ideas as they are fleeting the screen before my eyes.

Its ironic really, this constant interconnectedness, and all the conflicting theories; one telling us that we aren't social enough and another telling us we are never quite by ourselves. Either extreme seems to leave an unbalanced lifestyle.

I think its silly when I am chastened for not telling someone about an item. Its funny that people expect always to be connected. Well how can someone be happy? My solution, walking.

And so to a happy walking filled isolation, here's to you and hopefully a renewal of the writer I once was.

Epiphany

2009-06-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Choice

2009-05-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

You know its sad when you review past years of writing and realize you were a lot better then than you are know. Strike sad, its outright depressing. But the clincher that burns more is the discovery that other successes have stopped all writing growth in their tracks. And it is sad. It burns my soul a little and the wondering begins.

Wondering if really I am going to excel at my chosen choice of expertise, or if life has chosen a different expertise for me.

Choice is so relative, and the open and shut doors resulting from each choice become a montage of what we call day to day life. A truly risky venture as each choice puts us farther and farther away from another choice.

Anyway, there is a bizarre charge in the air and I just cannot focus and so, I choose to actually recharge this summer with the rest of the world. So summer semester I bid you adieu after hours of thinking and rethinking my ‘plan’ and time frame in which to graduate from college.

Translation: I’m not taking summer semester and I’m getting used to the idea still.