An a-MUSE-ing night

I know, I know. They aren't the best of pictures. I really wish they were better. But I'm super glad and fantastically happy that my memories remember them perfectly.

MUSE was wonderful! It took what seemed like forever for them to get on stage but once they did time flew by SO quickly. They played only 11 songs and were off stage before midnight. A little disappointing but still more worth it than what I would've got if I saw them open for U2.

I can't recall what order songs were played, other than Uprising opened the show and Knights closed the show, but I know each song that was played. The Resistance, United States, Unnatural Selection, MK Ultra, Starlight, Super Massive, Time is Running Out, Hysteria and Plug In Baby.

I loved hearing Time and Hysteria because they were the 1st two songs I ever heard from them. Time introduced me to them and Hysteria solidified my unconditional love for them. I can remember Absolution being one of the first albums I LOVED listening to completely.(It also spoke to me on a different level that I shouldn't discuss on a blog.) I don't have very many albums, soundtracks and broadway not included, that I can lay that claim on. Every MUSE album I own though holds that distinction.

There are so so so many songs I wish they had played! I ease my complaints hoping that when they come to SLC they can play longer and more. I only have to wait until April 5, 2010. Let the countdown begin......
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Testing the video

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A twins birthday

I celebrated my nephews, Noah and Zachary, 5th birthday today. In some ways they seem so much older than that.

I know my sister is worried that the cake she made will end up on the ever popular Cake Wrecks site but I feel she doesn't deserve that. So I'm posting her pictures without her permission.

I took some videos of the kids opening up there first few gifts. They were hilarious. I don't think I've seen children go beserk for a gift like the boys do. I'll try and post the video in a separate post. Not sure if I can do so with my phone.

I got Zachary the Peanuts Holiday DVD collection. At the party the boys seemed more interested in their other toys but after wards Zach wanted to know how I knew what he liked. His mom tried to explain but he maintains that I have a crystal ball and I watch him. He's asked his mom for a lead vest that he can wear so I won't see him nekkid in my crystal ball.

Children. They live in a complete other world but still somewhat and loosely grounded in ours. At what point does someone lose that? Or do we never lose it but it only surfaces sparingly. Maybe I could somehow make that a New Years Resolution.

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A new tradition

This past saturday I invited the whole family down to the Festival of Trees. Usually it's just Crystal & Hunter who get invited but I decided to branch out and invite my more "handful" nephews. I'm glad I did because I had a ton of fun.

Amazingly, we were able to get the children to look at a TON of trees. Of the 800 they had we covered a GOOD 50%. Even Hunter last year got bored and really only saw a few handfuls. We devised an awesome Christmas Hunt for them and it tricked them into seeing more. Next year, because there will be a next year, we'll bring clipboards.

The best tree-a very pretty oriental umbrella(can't quite remember what they're really called) tree. I was too lazy to look for the photo I took, so watch for me to post it on Twitter.

The best "green" tree-the one made from soda cans. Truly awesome!

Thing I never thought I'd see sold at Fest of Trees-bleach. No joke. Look at the picture. .50cents, pretty good deal. Just not entirely sure WHY it was being sold.

After all that walking we hit up the Mayan. Great theme but eh, okay food. The kids adored it so I'm glad we went. Noah said it looked like the temple of doom. They loved the divers. It was fantastic.

Even though we were gone from 9am to 7:30pm it really was a great time. The train rides, the trees, the show. I wouldn't want it any other way or with any other people. Best gift I've ever given myself.

That excludes my MUSE tickets though. So excited!!! 3 more days.
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There is really no words for this cake. They don't show it on this video but you should've seen the mess the kitchen was. You do get to see her scrape chocolate out of the bowl SITTING on the ground.

Youtube....you are riot.

I love when I run into great, just plain fantastically great videos from youtube. It really makes me feel that watching youtube is not just a complete waste time. I do waste a lot of time there.

A friend mentioned this one to me and I love it. I don't care for music videos because most of the time they never relate to the lyrics and therefore have no meaning to the song. But these new takes are fantastic. I cry each time I watch them.



Total Eclipse is probably my favorite. I had never seen the video before this though and had I, I probably wouldn't like the song so much. Seriously?!! I realize 80's music is "out there" but this was what? I try to relate back to the original lyrics but it still doesn't make much sense.



I love this song. Again I had never seen the video until now. I so wish I had the creativity and stamina to do something like this. I wish I could create videos on a computer. If I could I may never leave my computer. I'd have to get a job making videos.



I LOVE, LURVE, LUV, HEART Twilight as much as the next young women but I also have a sense of humor. I hilariously laugh at every Twilight related video that EvilIguanaProduction puts out. I also immensely enjoy The Allen & Craig Show. Check them out once, twice or even a few hundred times.

Now let's see if Blogger will post this post. It may be too big.(That's what she said.)

Talk Like A Pirate Day

If you've never heard of this fantastic holiday called National Talk Like A Pirate Day, consider yourself informed. Why we need this day is beyond me, but it was fun all the same.

We had heard on the radio about this new restaurant called Pirate Island Pizza, so I called and got some information about it. We were going to do a private room but decided it was too expensive. Pirate Island Pizza is themed and has a boat, a canon firing, a waterfall, etc. It's like a cross between Dave&Busters and The Mayan.

I would suggest going there if you've got the time and gumption. The food wasn't that bad. My chicken, bacon and ranch pizza was delicious. It had a pirate name but it's been to long and I can't recall what it was.

Trying to talk like a pirate was pretty hilarious too. And the band. Oh the band. Words cannot express my feelings toward the band. They even sell a CD.

Ahoy mateys!
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A long while and a little hurt

Its been a while since I posted. I've been busy. And as Oct. 30th bears down on me I fear I'll just become busier. Not much to discuss, all I do is work.

But I did get to ride and drive a new truck of my dads. And when I was in it I injured the outer part of my right thigh. I'm going to bruise. It hurts to move it certain ways and is tender to the touch. No visual black and blue yet, but its been just a few hours.

Our Labor Day Triathlon has been the culprit of eating up my time. In preparation for the event I chose(to not lose so much time) to be the one who marked the course. I realized a little later that the choice would "color me" forever.

Now the green shoes and finger should fade over time since it's just chalk-but it may take a while. Ignore the warts on my finger. Please.

For all my hard work and determination though-my boss pays me back by parking so close to me as to not allow me access! Unbelievable!

And as a side note of interest ya'll should check into The Pioneer Woman's cookbook, due Oct. 27th and/or MUSE's new album due Sept. 15th. Both will be "most ardently loved" by myself.

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A few hours in Park City

I love going and cheering on marathoners. I shouldn't like it though because it makes me sad that I didn't prepare enough that I could run, so when I see a similar runner to my skills I start to tear up.

Until the first year I participated in Wasatch Back I really honestly thought that Park City was the outlet malls, ski slopes and the few houses around I-80. I didn't realize that you need to travel several more miles south before you actually hit Historic Park City.

The thing about the Historic part is the streets are tiny, there is no parking and the street layout is severely out of whack. It didn't help that I read the address wrong, completely wrong, and that there was some other bike race going on. So each time I saw people wearing their staff t-shirts I keep thinking I was on the right course.

Wrong! Needless to say I didn't make it to the marathon. But I got some really good hill training in and a mile and a half walk in. And I discovered a great trail where they have a skate park! And people say skate parks attracts hooligans. I say if it's good enough for Park City then its good enough for me. This skate park was packed!!!!

Overall my plans for the day got shot but I still had fun and perhaps I'll purchase a map of Park City so in the future I don't get so lost. The picture is of 9th and Main and I thought I needed 14th and Main, but Main just ends at 9th.

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Aren't yard sales fun?

So I went yard/garage saling earlier today. It's been awhile since I've gone and I recall that you usually never find what it is you're after. That was not my case today.

I have been looking on Ebay for some vintage pyrex mixing bowls. After looking at several patterns I decided that I really prefer a set called crazy daises. They are green and have cute little flowers everywhere.

I found several sets for sell on Ebay but since I'm saving all the money I can I didn't want to pay $40 on them. Plus some of them had chips or scratches from metal utensils. Boy am I glad I didn't!

I found a perfect set at a yard sale! $4 for the entire set! I was so ecstatic. I feel bad because I guess her mother had passed away and she had these bowls in storage but she can rest assured that someone who will love them just as dearly has them now.

I want to go yard saling every week but I know I'd never be as lucky anymore.

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Crystal will love me after this...

...if it works anyways



I think these guys are so hilarious and I love everything they've done, so far. The twilight spoof is a good one. That is what led me to them. Enjoy!

My first step

As many of you know I would love love love to be able to open up either a bakery or restaurant. Or maybe even a bed and breakfast. Just something to do with food. I planned my wisdom tooth extraction around Thanksgiving because I didn't want to miss eating.

So my first step to maybe possibly doing so is to hone my skills. I really never work with fondant on the account that it tastes like paste. So wrong to put something like that into your mouth. So when will I get some practice then? CONTESTS!

It has been a while since I've even worked with fondant but I don't think I did too bad. It is a combo of ideas from many different cakes and I never could come up with a name. I'll let you know if I win the contest.

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My day at taste of the town

So my sister asks if I want to go to an event called taste of the town. Its where local restaurants make little samplings of some of their menu and you can purchase them quite cheaply. So it involves food so of course I am totally in.

I finish my samplings and offer to take some trash to the can. Its more than I can really carry but I make do. I get my first set thrown into the can and when I throw the plates away I decided to push the trash down some.

You know how events like this don't plan and give the least amount of garbage cans? Well if I pushed it down we could get more into the can.

Wrong decision! When I pushed the trash down I leaned against the can and got who-knows-what all over my shirt!! G-ross.

Oh well. Guess that is why shout and washers were invented.
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Testing 1 2 3. Testing.

Lots has happened. Most importantly-or most coolly, I switched cell companies and purchased a new phone. I finally chose the blackberry curve. I am still unsure if I am going to lurve it completely but this test could be its final test. Should this blog post go through I will profess my newly founded love of the blackberry. I really want to be able to mobile blog post. It will be awesome. Like a possum. My blackberry even has a spell checker-even on my texts!!

The more I see it, the more I love it.
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Iggy and me times

Ya know I don't really feel I have a plethora of pictures to choose from when it comes to my newest nephew. They have been living not but a mile away from me for over a month now. Why don't I have more options? I think I see my "devil" nephews more than I see them. Yes, Norah I added that crack/jab just for you.

This is my most recent picture. Betchya can't tell what restaurant that is?!

This next photo comes from me trying to get our picture together. I think he secretly never wants to be photographed with me. I can't seem to get one. But it won't stop me from trying.

I don't recall where I got this photo but I love and adore the expression. It's like "yo dog, leave me be in my car seat that is facing the wrong way. I'm a rule breaker." Doesn't the seat seem to be facing the wrong way? Where in the world did I get this picture?! Maybe it isn't even a car seat.

Last but not least is my sister egging him on in Battle: Scream. You decide who the loudest is.

Wasatch Back 2009

Oh my, another year. That makes it 3 years now. I thought this year would be my best "in-shape" for running year but sadly it was not. That title is still held by the first year. If you haven't ever heard of Wasatch Back check it out here. If you ask me to tell you about it I may rope you into it and then you'd resent me, Andrea. Although she has said she'll do my 2010 team.



That was the Van 2 Crew. Left to Right:Jules, Kathy, Liz, ME!!!, Aubri, Tay and Random Guy. Yes, that is right Random Guy. I went to a message board and I picked up a random guy to join our team. If you read my sister's blog then you already know he was a great fit with all of our personalities and didn't mind in the slightest with being with 6 women, even with one who was nursing at the time.

That was Rockport Reservior on saturday morning around 7am, just after my second run. Which is probably why I found it so pretty. After running for 2 hours, 4:30am-6:30am, I wanted to seriously dive into that water. Or maybe I just wanted to drink it. My 2nd run felt the best out of all of them.

This gorgeous barn was also after my 2nd run. It was actually the location of an exchange, so I have to give kudos to the owner for allowing us to use his land. I picked up all the trash I could see that others carelessly threw down. Some people just don't have respect. There are times I wish I was a farmer. I just don't think I'd like the fact it would be hard to take 2 days off to participate in Wasatch Back. Farming is a 24/7 job.

Of course I didn't earn those postcard views doing absolutely nothing. After my 3rd and final run, because I don't consider my finish line stupor anything but a stupor, I had to show how estatic I was to be finished. For 2009.

To read about Van 1 check out this post.

Day for Memories

The day was Memorial Day. I got to make a crack about expensive car seats. We played bad minton(pretty sure that is not how it's spelled), volleyball and blanket burrito roll. A lot of food was made. A good portion of food was eaten. One of my favorite moments was Zachary eating a blackberry.


He ate the whole blackberry, making this face the entire time. When he was finished he proudly told his mom, "Mom! I ate the blackberry." But he didn't eat another one.

My brother found a ginormous stick on the top of the bowery we were at a few minutes before we left. Apparently Noah and Zach have an obsession with sticks. It was like they were in heaven when they finally saw it. Noah exclaimed, "It's like a dinosaur bone!" Well as we were gathering the stuff to leave, Zach asks if they can take the stick. I don't think there was a person there who wasn't like, um no because it's huge and many other reasons that we don't explain to a 4 year old.

Well after everything was loaded and our bowery empty Zachary starts making his way back. I heard Don ask him where he was going, I just didn't hear Zach's response. So I yell to Zach, "Where are you going?" To which he replies, "To get the big stick."

I seriously almost peed me pants. He was very determined to take the thing home. I love that their father made the two carry it. It was like, if you want the stupid thing then you carry the stupid thing. They were super proud that they got to take the stick home. I was laughing the entire time.

Feet

Well since my sister moved back to Utah and all, she has needed a little help watching Iggy, somehow(and naturally) I have to oblige. Well, to transport these little critters around you have to have a car seat. And Norah happened to be "done" with her car seats, seeing how they've moved on to booster seats, with some good timing. By the way who knew you shouldn't resell car seats? Apparently it's a safety issue but I see it as a way to get cheap used car seats.

To go into the pain that was the installation of the car seat into my car would take me on a diatribe that I am sure NOBODY wants to hear. Suffice it to say, reason number 4,106 that I'll never have kids.


One thing about the installing of it though, it injured me. Not itself directly but had I never installed it, I wouldn't have gotten the scrape. Now some may say it was where I parked, my inability to watch where I step or some other excuse is what caused the scrape, I choose to blame the blasted car seat. Enough car seat talk before I get into even more trouble concerning it.

A girl who works for me got married just last night. I hate going to receptions. They rank near the top of my list of least favorite things to spend my time on. I would much rather attend a dinner with said married person, perhaps the other married half could attend if I knew them and perhaps a few other peeps that we both know, and wish them congrats and best wishes at the dinner. I loathe the room full of people and the chance you could see someone you haven't seen for a while. It is not my scene. And generally you need to look nice for these events.

And my requisite sneakers just won't cut it. I believe a year ago from Old Navy I purchased 2 pairs of shoes that I thought were cute. Got them home and there they sat, getting dusty. Well I pulled a pair out for her reception. And back they go to get dusty. THEY WERE THE WORST PAIR OF SHOES! Absolutely no support whatsoever. How do people wear these things?! No wonder people complain about being on their feet for 4 hours, I was complaining after(NO LIE) 1 minute. I almost threw them off and said "forget that, I will wear my sneakers." But I forged ahead and wore them. Don't get me wrong they are super cute! Super duper cute! But I have to draw the line somewhere and comfortness vs cuteness is where I draw it from now on.

Hmmm, they were cute though. Maybe once a year I'll make an exception....

Dual moves

My sister finally made her way back to Utah. I was lucky enough to be the first to see both her and Iggy, which I "graciously" rubbed in Crystals face. It is going to be so strange, just as it was strange when she moved away, to have her back so close. Plus I really have no good reason for going to Vegas anymore. I am totally going to be stuck here!



I was not going to miss cheering on the Ogden marathoners, since I missed the Salt Lake peeps, but I still wanted to get my exercise in as well. Two birds, meet one stone. I participated in the 5k! And I didn't really like the idea of going by myself so I roped/guilted/bribed Crystal to do it with me. She is such a super sport. She did awesome and now she knows without a doubt that she can complete one in under an hour. After we did the 5k we cheered on both half and full marathoners.

I absolutely adore the Ogden marathon. It is by far the most scenic in my opinion. Of course you have to look past the porta-johns they provide, which come in handy.

If I had to choose only one marathon to ever compete in it would be Ogden. I am going to see if I can talk 4 of my family members into participating in the relay next year. Everyone knows they would have so much fun!

In all you really only run about 1 mile through city, and even then the picture above shows it still not bad. Which helps makes it a very serene run. I loved loved loved running next to the river coming down through Ogden Canyon. And since it is spring you get to hear it rush and gush. Melting snow and all. 2010 is totally in my sights.

A birthday to remember

For the 2nd year in a row, by 2 completely different sets of people, I received birthday cookies. I enjoyed them both. This year I got candles, only 28 of them though. Which makes me happier than anyone will ever know. And I did get them all blown out in one breath. Running is working for me.

I worked half a day today. All week the early morning workers have been taunting me about my birthday. I knew I needed to expect something to be done. And lo and behold here was my office when I walked in today.

I could try and tell you everything they did but I just don't think I could do it justice. Even though I was embarrassed by it, I enjoyed the thought immensely. I also loved that if anybody wanted to enter my office they had to "part" the crepe paper. Hee! I am easily amused.

Now to the section where I bore you with everything I received. Just after midnight I got tweeted with birthday wishes. First thing after I get up I receive a wish via text. Next I get online, at Norah's behest, and see that I get a beautiful picture birthday wish. Then at work I received.....A PIG FREAKING MAGNET. I am totally in love.

Which also came with a pig cookie cutter, so expect some pig cookie pictures to pop up shortly. I also attended an annual lunch with people, sometimes random people, that grew to its biggest porportion this year. I thought a few of the people weren't going to make it but I am so glad they did come. It was the highlight of my day! SEFTFE!

And to share a little video from a jumping kangaroo that I received. He will be the way I waste my time for the next week or so. Any suggestion for a name for him?

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR WISHES. 29 IS OFF TO AN AWESOME START.

So much food, work and exertion-Not enough time.

It has been quite a few days for me. I have utilizied my kitchen quite a bit more than I believe I ever have. I got in 4 good workouts this week. I worked more than the requisite 40 hours and I played all weekend. I definately deserve everything I have taken in.

I finally finished using all my strawberries. In all I made; 2 batches strawberry lemonade, strawberry ice cream, strawberry scones, strawberry freezer jam and an entire weeks worth of breakfast smoothies. I deliciously devoured each item. I gave all but 2 of the jams away.

I prefer my jam to be smooth. I don't like it when it has the chunks of fruit. So I blended mine up before adding the freezer jam pectin that I picked up from Smiths Marketplace. I enjoyed using the strawberries up that I thought I should use the bread, we get it from Crossroads Food Co-Op, that usually ends up going to waste. Its a very dry bread. So I thought CROUTONS!

I actually don't enjoy croutons. They hurt my jaw. But sometimes for flavor I suffer through them. And I had already made a homemade ranch dressing, so why not complete my salads with garlic croutons.

These were actually quite simple and I prefer them to ALL other croutons. I just cubed the bread, tossed them in a ziploc bag with olive oil and seasonings and then meticulously spaced them on a cookie sheet. Baked at 450 degrees, meticulously flipped each one after one side had brown and baked again. Cooled and bagged for future salads.

My kitchen escapades were certainly not done there. I made a delightful banana cake I found from my sisters blog, I had tons of bananas-that to this day I have 2 left to use up. And I got more bananas from the Bountiful Baskets Co-Op. While it was a lengthy process to make, I loved it so much I made it a second time on Sunday. I plan on having it eaten completely by Monday night. I don't think I will be able to give half of it up to you, Crystal. There is no picture because if I am looking at it, I am eating it. No hand available to take a picture.

Sunday I got to go to the park and wear all my nephews out. I got to chase them all around the big toy in the park. We were there for over an hour. I hid once and got two of them to actually chase me for a change. Unfortunately, I didn't save the video Hunter "directed" of me re-enacting the game of tag him and I played. That was really what I going to blog about but I didn't save it. Cut me some slack! *refer to the first paragraph of this post*

Talk about a total crick in the neck!

After having so much fun during the day I still had to think about dinner. I needed some carbs. And lo and behold the Co-op has given me so many red potatoes to use. And I have dill and chives that need to be used before they go bad. But I wanted something different.

I saw a recipe for crash hot potatoes on The Pioneer Woman website. I adapted it to include garlic, dill and chives. Yummy! Next time I need to add more garlic.

Anyhoo, I am sure you guys are tired of hearing me talk about food. Besides, my second delightful banana cake is done and I can't wait to start pigging out. Hmmmmm.........

A quiz you can't fail at

Haha! I found this little quiz through a friends site and thought I'd share my results. She was a faerie. I so wanted to be a mermaid. Oh well. A dragon is just as cool.

You Scored as Dragon Dragon: Now talk about a legend. These magnificent creatures are of many species. Some can be as large as the Earth itself, while others are as small as a mouse. One image that comes to everyone's mind is the large, fire breathing Dragons that loathed humans and loved to sleep on massive piles of gold. Not all dragons have a bad reputation. Most dragons are very wise, caring, and protective. It would make a person very lucky indeed to meet a dragon. Especially if they walked away untouched. I admire your wisdom, for you are the Ancient Dragon. Dragon 75% Angel 67% Faerie 67% Mermaid 42% WereWolf 25% Demon 25%