iPod + Crazy Friends = Good Times

So, I don’t typically get lost in memories. For the most part, the past is the past – and I want it to stay there. I guess while I may be optimistic for the future, I have a pattern of seeing the past with great pessimism. So, when I think back to high school, the mission, BYU, etc . . . I typically think, “Great oogeley moogely, I’m glad that’s over!”

There have been a few euphoric memories of late. I blame country music (no, that actually has reason . . . read on).

I listen to my iPod most of the time I listen to music. I have it connected to my car’s CD receiver, so it’s essentially a hard drive for my car. I also have it when I’m exercising. The only times I’m not listening to the iPod is in the morning (when the bathroom radio is set to 101.9 theend’s morning show) and when I’m at the computer (when I’m listening to the same music on iTunes).

So, I have a limited amount of music I cycle through (well, 18 gigs – but I get stuck on my favorite playlists a lot). Occasionally, I want to listen to music I don’t hear often . . . which often means I put it on the country genre. (Yes, I do like country occasionally.) This last week I was in country land for a few days. Two songs triggered actual happy memories of days past.

First, it was “Cold Day in June” by the Dixie Chicks (yes, I like the Dixie Chicks – in moderation). Instantly, I was back in high school, cruising around with my good friend, Haven. Now, why might this song remind me of her? Well, you see, when this song played on the radio a lot, we had a “routine” that went with it. We would do overly dramatic hand hand/arm gestures with the storyline (think Celine Dion in “My Heart Will Go On”). Yes, it was retarded. Yes, I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit it. But this is what Haven and I did. I remember when we were REALLY young and both got rollerblades we started making choreographies to some of our favorite songs. Think Ice Dancing on rollerblades. Gosh, those must have been horrible. And we always made Haven’s parents watch them. And they always encouraged/supported it. Now, THAT’S a sign of a good parent. Either way, I can’t listen to “Cold Day in June” without wanting to channel my inner “Celine” and belt it out like I did with Haven. Man, I miss that crazy girl! She now lives in Logan and works as a corrections deputy and firefighter. I think she needs to come visit me. :P

The second synaptic misfiring song was “Goodbye Earl” also by the Dixie Chicks (what can I say, my friends are as weird as me). This song makes think of the above mentioned Haven, her brother Hawken (don’t even ask – their parents went with more original names – but I love ‘em), and our good friend Katie. Now, the story of this song is a little different. Yes, we loved it. Every time it would play we would blast it and sing (well, scream) along. But, that’s not all. I heard rumor that the trio decided one day to make a “music video” to the song. So, Hawken was the unlucky Earl that Katie & Haven got to snuff out. I also heard that it also included some interesting “interpretive dancing” by Katie. Now, I was never allowed to see said video. I think they were too embarrassed to show the public. But, I can imagine it. And it’s pretty good in my head. And now, I miss Katie too. She up and ran away with her husband and son because apparently he had to get a PhD in another state. And now she’s going to have another kid . . . far from us. But, regardless of where she is, I’ll always have the Dixie Chicks induced synaptic misfiring.

In conclusion – if my old friends read this – I MISS YOU. And thanks for giving me rays of joy (no matter how insane) in the otherwise hit-and-miss memories.

Julie: "Let the sick kids die"

So, the other day Julie and I were hanging out with my good friend (and hopefully future boss) Chris. We chatted at home for a while (poor Chris, he always seems to come over when Julie and I are in "odd and possibly inappropriate" conversation mode - wait, we're always like this). Anyhoo, recently I have been frustrated that I still do not know of some really good "hole-in-the-wall" mom & pop restaurants to replace my old Utah County favorites (I have found that I'm not feeling the love for the chain places much as of late). Particularly, really good Mexican food. I'm also a bit bewildered that our downstairs neighbors (who both grew up in this city) don't know anything either. So, Julie researched into the restaurant down the street and we decided to give it a try (hey, if I can find an online coupon, I'll try anything - well, almost).

Salsa Leedo's = mediocre. The food was ok. The service was "meh." Some of the staff qualified as "skody" -- which is a good ole Spanish Fork term for trashy/ucky. I thought the food would be worth repeat (at least while I search for my new favorite) - but Julie was no happy. The server told her that the chile verde sauce was not spicy at all . . . and her mouth was on fire as she ate (sidebar: since chemo, Julie can't do spicy. It kicks her trash). I DID like the fact that the drink cups were almost big enough to fit 2 liters. I DO love my Pepsi.

After the dinner, Chris asked if either of us were interested in seeing the new Narnia movie. Well, Julie LOVES Narnia. So, heck yeah. We went to the theatre right behind the restaurant. Well, the first 30 min while in the theatre were ads. Mostly for Verizon. It almost was like a movie/advertisement. Kinda odd. Well, the last ad was for Children's Miracle Network. It was all warm and fuzzy "help the kids" "work miracles" etc etc. Well at the end, in her "not too quiet" voice, Julie did a big raspberry and enthusiastic two thumbs down. Now, I know that she has an old friend that worked there and was somewhat unhappy about their business ethics. However, the rest of the people in the theatre don't know that. They just know that after a moving, heart-warming spot encouraging people to donate to make miracles happen for terminally ill children, some wack-job crazy lady boo'ed it. She should have just stood up and shouted "Let all the sick children die! Who cares about them, anyway?! Survival of the strongest!! Wahoo!!" It would have had the same effect.

FUNNIEST THING EVER

So, Vanessa and I were just watching a "blooper" show on TV. This clip was on there. We both lost it. Sorry the You Tube quality is poor (looks like someone just pointed the camera at their TV - but it's still FUNNY).

Rice Crispie Elephant

This was from Momma Cindy's b-day back in Feb . . . but I have yet to post it. Actually, it took a LONG time to get it from the camera to the computer . . .

I am obsessed with monkeys. Mom is obsessed with elephants. Julie was making a cake - but we couldn't figure out how to make an elephant cake. So, being that I have watched my share of cake decorating contests on the Food Network (talk about not helping my own hetero street cred there . . . ) I thought . . . they often mold with rice crispie. That can't be so hard. I mean, I LOVE rice crispies. And they're gooey and stickey. Should work.

After a few hours and 3 BATCHES of rice crispie treats . . . this was the result.


Needless to say, mom LOVED it. It was a big hit at the Sunday gathering. However, due to the fact that you have to COMPACT the stuff for it to keep shape, eating it was not as enjoyable as I had hoped. But, I guess they always say that eating an elephant is a large chore!

My Post-LDSFS Rebellion

So, since I was done with LDS Family Services, I thought that I should do something with my new-found freedom. Yeah, they made me look like a missionary. Short hair, clean shaven, and daily shirt & tie. I'm not a huge fan of that much control. I like being able do look more "wild." So, I decided to celebrate with a new hair style.

When I graduated from BYU, I started growing my hair out. It got pretty long - I even highlighted it once. I liked it.

This is me with Katie's son, Jaser.

Then LDSFS came into the pic. So, I had to cut it off. I still had fun when I wasn't at work, doing things such as the faux-hawk. As can be seen from our trip to vegas.


Similarly, I decided to shake things up now that I no longer have to be LDSFS-approved. So, I went to the Taylor Andrews Academy in West Jordan for some STYLE. I decided to go for the faux-hawk look + coloring. I think it turned out well . . .


I appologize for those who have seen me in the last month, and find that this is old news. I thought that my peeps that have exiled from Utah might be interested. Besides, I REALLY liked the cut and color, so I best keep proof for future generations. This actually happened like 5 weeks ago, and it's time for me to get it trimmed again.

GRADUATION PICS

So, everyone knows I'm a slacker. After ONE month . . . I've finally got grad pics online. They are here. You can look. Nothing too exciting. But I AM glad that it's over!!

Clay Aiken did WHAT?!

Maybe it's better that little David A. didn't win Idol. I mean, where you look at some of the previous "losers" - some have arrived at quite some notoriety. Let's take Clay Aiken for example. He was 2nd Place (or biggest loser, whichever way you want to see it) a few seasons back. Ruben Studdard, the winner . . . nobody knows what has become of him. I think that he was massacred by a demonic zombie Reuben sandwich that I believe Mr. Studdard was named after. I could be wrong though. I think my only "source" on that one was a banana-driven nightmare that I had a while back.

Anyway, little impish David has a great role model of what to do after one loses Idol. Keep plugging away and ride that fame train for as long as you can. And if people aren't captivated by your music anymore, you can always play the "Are You Gay" game with the media, eventually declaring yourself as asexual (from lack of time . . . ) and fathering a test-tube baby with a 50 year old music producer. To quote my favorite-movie-of-time, 10 Things I Hate About You, I believe this would place Clay as a resident of Planet "Look at me! Look at me!!" I know when I was feeling like the ugly-duckling unpopular kid in high school, I always turned to pharmaceutical baby-making with soon-to-be senior citizens.

Now, this is freaky for several reasons. First, Clay Aiken has reproduced. But instead of the "falling in love and getting down with it" kind of reproduction, he chose the "Dixie Cup" variety. With someone old enough to be his own mother. So, not only does this place Clay out of "asexual" but into a whole new variety of creepy-sexuality. As I said to Julie, this does little for his "hetero street cred." I mean, what kind of straight man wants the public to believe that he's A) completely lacking any sexual drive and B) would choose the Dixie Cup over an actual woman.

David Archuleta, you have some pretty big shoes to fill. If I were you, I'd take tips from Daughtry instead of Clay (or Clay Gaykin as Clark refers to him, according to Laurel).

(Side bar, Julie laughed at me for a long time after I coined the term "hetero street cred." I kinda like it. I might trademark it, so pay me money if you even think of using it. In retrospect, I blame the term on the fact that I've wandered into reruns of Will & Grace on TV and somehow channeled the character, Jack. I know, I shouldn't like that show, but I do. Sue me. Actually, upon discussing names once, Julie and I happened into realizing that we had selected the entire 4-person ensemble as the names for our future children - William & Jack after my grandfathers, Karen after a family friend of Juile, and Grace after an awesome Ben Folds song, written for his own daughter named Gracie. Maybe we'll name the dog Rosario)