Randoms.

"Your life is what your thoughts make it."

~Marcus Aurelius

Double Rainbow in Salt Lake City on 15 May 2013
Photo Credit: Lennie Mahler, found here

... We had a beautiful rainstorm the other day, which was a welcome relief after the uncharacteristcally hot week. It's supposed to be spring, so I invite any and all rainstorms our way! Especially when they result in stunning double rainbows like the one we had (shown above). The colors were so brilliant.

... Do you think women who name their children Braxton never consider the name until they are going into fake labor? Maybe, except then there might be an equal number of babies named Hicks. Either way, I can't figure out the appeal of the name. (It was the 125th most popular baby boy name in the U.S. in 2012. Whaaa? Want to see others click here.) (Also for a good laugh, read about Idaho's baby names here.)

... Speaking of babies and pregnancy... apparently someone is trying to pose as me and got a 14-week ultrasound in my name in March. Hahaha. I got a bill a week and a half ago, from a familiar company (since I had so many tests and xrays, etc. done last year). Since it looked familiar I didn't open it right away, even though I wondered to myself what it might be for. When I opened it, I still couldn't figure out what it would be for, but when I spoke with them on the phone today, they said, "Oh that's for the ultrasound you received on March 27th." Ultrasound? Haha. Sorry, see that's the problem. I didn't receive an ultrasound. And for the record, I'm not pregnant. :)

... Showtune Saturday night on 106.5 FM in Salt Lake is no more. SO sad. I was really sick during the middle to end of December and not at work, so I wasn't listening to the radio much. At the beginning of January, I took a marvelous cruise to Hawaii with my family (more on that in a post to come), and so I didn't start listening to 106.5 until mid-January. A month hiatus, if you're pay attention. For two weeks, on my way to work, I couldn't figure out why 106.5 had such weird, songs. I finally heard that they were bought out and completely changed the genre of music and did away with Showtune Saturday night. Five months later, I'm still in mourning.

... Still obsessed with Kate. Which Kate? HRH The Duchess Kate. I am my grandmother's daughter.

... In my absence from this blog, I became addicted to Grey's Anatomy. They are now an extension of my family. At least that's how it feels sometimes. In three months, I shared eight years with them, thanks to Hulu. I got caught up in time to step into the last half of Season Nine and watch with Kate. You know, The Other Kate. KDJ The Other Kate. (She pines after Harry, as much as I pine after Pine.)

... I have lost the majority of motivation to cook for myself. You'd think this would help me lose some of the weight I gained last year being sick. No such luck.

... Because I can.

... After buying my house, I soon learned that I live parallel to a helicopter route. While this might annoy some people, I absolutely love it. Whenever I see a helicopter I always wonder where it's going and imagine its occupants. Unfortunately, all too often, it's Life Flight, so I say a little prayer.

... I've decided to add "extensive experience dealing with stupid people" to my resume. That has GOT to be a marketable skill.

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Not giving up... on blogging nor Chris Pine.

"Never, never, never give up."
~Winston Churchill

I haven't given up on blogging. Really, I haven't. At least I don't think I have. All the time, I think about things I could write about, but then, for some reason, I just don't sit down and write. But I'm turning a corner (in many aspects of my life) and I have a few posts brewing right now, so be excited. Very very excited.

Or at least try.

For now, I just have to publicly admit, once again, that I am in love with Chris Pine. (Remember when I first fell for him, four years ago? Hyeah. Me too.) The man is beautiful. Talented. And the first thing he looks for in a woman is intelligence. We're meant to be, right? ;) I'm not giving up; he's single. Said so on Ellen. By the way, I love the beard he sports on Ellen. Love it. Love him. Go ahead, click on the link and watch the video.

Okay, just one more. Just look at those eyebrows.

Emery Pine. It works.
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11/11/11.

"Hope is patience with the lamp lit."
~Tertullian

Today is 11/11/11.
I took a picture of the clock on my phone at work at 11:11 on 11/11/11.
Oh, and I made a major wish.
I've been wishing all day, let's be honest.
{sigh}
Just me, alone with my thoughts.
So, it's winter.
And I'm all about wearing my scarves, but I have had a hard time with transitioning to socks with shoes.
Ugh.
I just love wearing my flats with no socks.
Went to the temple tonight.
Lots of people.
Lots of couples.
LOTS of couples.
Got asked if my husband was coming.
Hmmm... I have the same question.
Poor lady was confused when I shook my head and muttered,
"I'm still wondering that myself."
{sigh}
I miss Fall weather today.
But I sure do like to see all the leaves on the ground and crunch my way through.
It's almost 11:11 again on 11/11/11.
I'm going to be making another minute's worth of wishes.
Today's Veteran's Day.
Thinking about those who step into harm's way so I can live the privileged life I do is almost more than I can take sometimes.
Well, goodnight all!
May all your wishes come true.

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Random Friday Night Thoughts.

"The best way out is always through."
~Robert Frost

Photo found here.

I am in bed. I'm tired. I've been really tired for the last six weeks. Sleep, clearly, is needed, but I also feel extra obligated to my body, now that I'm slinging it across the pavement three times a week.

I should be asleep, but I'm not there yet. My mind seems to just be getting going. All kinds of thoughts. You know.

My life is good. It's hard sometimes, but for the most part, it's pretty darn good and I don't have much to complain about. I have a good job. I have friends, even if I often feel alone. I have a mother who loves me. A lot. I have a car that's as cute as can be. It turned one year old at the beginning of this month, which of course means that by the end of the month I have to renew my registration. Ugh. But, I'm traveling to Italy in less than two months. Mmm, gelato.

I ate Cafe Rio tonight. Super huge portions. But I didn't stuff myself and I successfully talked myself into throwing away what was left over. It wasn't really worth keeping. Tasty, it was, though. And my fingers smell like lime. I like that.

I've been thinking lately that I'd really like an adventure. I'd like to live overseas again. I think I'd just really like my own place to decorate. A space that really feels like mine. Someday.

Today, there was a bombing and shooting of some 80 summer camp attendees in Norway. Who does that? I haven't even been able to bring myself to read much about it. I don't know. I guess I'm feeling a little emotional and it might put me over the edge. You know, I go off to a wedding reception in my slinky LBD with red heels (hot red heels, I might add) while people in Norway are mourning the deaths of many of their friends and family. I'm sitting here contemplating my run tomorrow morning and how hard it's going to be, when there are people who are lying in the hospital. I pretty much start crying when I even THINK about one of my family members dying. Too painful to contemplate for very long, even for a morbid person like I am.

I don't know. Life is hard. It's full of pain. But I guess it's through the pain and the hard things in life that we come to know ourselves and God. I feel compassion for the peaceful Norwegian people. Somehow, I wish I could just go there and hold their hands. Hug them and hold them while they cry. Be the person who can think straight for them, while their minds are in shock. Someday, I'll rescue the world.

Instead, I'm lying in my bed... blogging. Preparing to drift off into a dreamy sleep. And when I wake, I'll roll out of bed, pull on my wonderful new sports bra (I got it in black) and go off for W3D1. Life goes on, I guess. But I can say my prayers. And I am. Someone's missing their mom tonight. But they'll see her again. Someday.

The wedding reception tonight was for two friends from Salt Lake Choral Artists. They're in their mid-30s and really great people. They give me hope that maybe, by my mid-30s (almost there) there will be someone out there for me too. She looked beautiful in her dress and they just seem really comfortable in their skin. That's nice. Someday.

Last Sunday, I walked into sacrament meeting (at my family ward) and sat down two rows behind my friend Melissa and her family. She was holding new baby Brynn, who was sleeping, so I said, "Anytime you need someone to hold her, let me know." She immediately handed her over and that sweet little baby slept in my arms for the next hour. I want babies. Someday.

That's why I'm going to the mid-singles ward (yes, still doing both, sort of). You know... to find someone to have babies with. :) Oh gosh, did I really say that? I did. And I guess it's true. And to branch out and make new friends. One can never have too many friends and everyone else needs one, so why not be the one to be one. Did that make sense? I think I'm ready for bed.

Glad it's Friday. Really glad. My fingers still smell like lime. Mmm. Goodnight.
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Fortune Cookies.

Photo found here.

When I was 11, I told my mom that I was pretty certain that I could subsist off of Chinese food for the rest of my life. You know the game, "If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Well at eleven, for me it was Chinese.

While today, I may have a different answer, Chinese still ranks rather high. High enough, that I have many, many, many fortunes that I've saved over the years. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to write some of them down (blog them), so I didn't have to keep the piece of paper anymore. Does that lack sentimentality? Maybe, but practicality often wins the prize in my mind.

So on that note, here you go. Some of my favorites. :)

*Star light, star bright, your wish will come true tonight.*
*Step by step you will ascend the staircase to success.*
*Love is a present that can be given every single day you live.*
*Cooperate with those who have both know-how and integrity.*
*Elegant surroundings will soon be yours.*
*The best teacher is also a student.*
*There is a prospect of a thrilling time ahead for you.*
*Among the lucky, you are the chosen one*
*Soon you will be sitting on top of the world*
*A fascinating project is in your future.*
*A surprise gift from another will leave a lasting impression.*
*A financial investment will yield returns beyond your hopes.*
*You will always be successful in your professional career.*
*Your hard work will soon pay off.*
*Keep up the good work. You will be rewarded.*

I like to believe they all are or will be true in my life.
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Nonsense One Word Quiz.

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
~Dr. Seuss

Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. April 2011

This is harder than you might think! Here is what you are supposed to do (and please don't spoil the fun)... use one word, the first one that comes to mind

Where is your cell phone - sternum
Your boyfriend - non-existent
Your hair - straight
Your mother - sick
Your father - For-I-Am
Your favorite thing - massage
Your dream last night - disturbing
Your favorite drink - water
Your dream/goal - house
The room you are in - bedroom
Your fear - falling
Where do you want to be in 6 years - traveling
Where were you last night - walking
Muffins - blueberry
One of your wish list items - cruise
Where you grew up - fog
The last thing you did - cried
What are you wearing - underwear
Your TV - Katie's
Your pets - none
Your computer - laptop
Your life - good
Your mood - drained
Missing someone - yes
Your car - awesome
Favorite store - Smith's
Like someone - always
Your summer - preparing
You work - fine
Your favorite color - blue
When is the last time you laughed - tonight
Last time you cried - tonight

Good night and happy summer solstice! What a beautiful sunset. And to think, it was still light outside at around 10pm. Oh, how I miss living in more northern latitudes. The days were long and wonderful.

Here's to a wonderful summer!

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Just for the record.

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."
~Flora Whittemore quotes

For the record, Blind Date and I haven't been out for quite awhile. I'm just not interested enough. Just thought I'd tell you, so you don't wait for an update. I wanted to be more interested. I tried. But, there's no point in trying if you're just not feeling it, right? So yeah, that's where things are.

On another note, I have such terrible allergies right now. Spring is hitting me with a vengeance. At least the weather is still nice. Not too hot yet.

Oh, and I just sent a message on FB to someone saying,

"So, {insert full name here}... I've been thinking that I'd like to go out with you sometime. Whaddya say, will you ask me? :)"

Who am I? :) I guess, I'm no different than I've ever been. I seem to go after that which I want.

Okay, gotta go pick up Katie from the airport. And for the record, I have violently sneezed 11 times since writing this post.
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Pinterest and Other Posts Up My Sleeve.

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy."
~Dalai Lama

So, I know it's been a little while since I posted and you can be assured that I have several posts up my sleeves. A post about graduation (!) and family in town will have to wait just a bit because I'm waiting to download some pictures from my sister, which shouldn't be too far off, since I'm SITTING IN HER LIVING ROOM! Fun stuff since she lives in New York. So yes, that also means I have a post (or two or three) about an east coast trip up my sleeve.

But for now, I just want to say how much I love Pinterest! I know I've mentioned it before once or twice, but by way of reminder, Pinterest a social catalog service. What does that mean?

Think of it as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can post collections of things you love, and "follow" collections created by people with great taste. It's a great place to keep ideas for Christmas gifts, or birthday party themes, wedding ideas, clothing, or home decorating organized. Or simply use it to archive all the pretty, fun things you find online. Here's a peak at my current boards...

Find my pinboards here, and jump on the bandwagon and start your own!
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Random Photo: Norton to the Rescue?

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
~Albert Einstein

This made me laugh this morning, as I waited for the update to be complete. Wouldn't it be interesting if Norton could fix ALL my problems?! I'm home sick today... wish that Norton could fix that! :)
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Television is a drug.

"Television hangs on the questionable theory that whatever happens anywhere should be sensed everywhere. If everyone is going to be able to see everything, in the long run all sights may lose whatever rarity value they once possessed, and it may well turn out that people, being able to see and hear practically everything, will be specially interested in almost nothing."
~E.B. White

I think it's fair to say that I rarely turn on the TV. I'm talking maybe once a month? Truly. Now, you all know how I love Glee, but even then, I have only ever watched it on Hulu. I just don't really like a) being strapped to a specific time slot, b) spending an hour watching a show that's really only 45 minutes, and c) watching all those ridiculous commercials. And I just don't believe in paying for TiVo at the moment.

I'm not even entirely opposed to TV. Just a lot of it.

A friend of mine shared this video on Facebook. I thought it was funny. Then, when I watched it with another friend, I thought it was especially funny because he couldn't stop laughing. :) Enjoy.

Television is a drug.
from Beth Fulton on Vimeo

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When the list of things to do keeps getting longer...

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin--real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
~Alfred D. Souza


Life is good, but...

I'm tired.

I haven't done my taxes. Seriously?

I have two term projects due on Monday and Wednesday next week.

Work has been non-stop busy. Business reviews. Big wigs in town. Lots of schmoozing.

I've been needing to go to Costco for oh, about three months now. Haven't made it yet.

Still haven't bought a new car. Mine died. Well, not exactly, but it's been deemed unsafe to drive.

Been driving an automatic (my mom's -- THANK YOU!) for six weeks now, and I STILL reach for the clutch and my gear shift at every intersections. Seriously, it's like I have driving Alzheimer's. I'm just a stick-shift girl for life. Besides, automatics drive themselves! What's up with that?!?! I can't figure out who decided that was a good idea.

Also, been needing to get my dry cleaning done... for five months.

I find that I don't have time (or energy) to pick up my voicemail for days. That's a little pathetic. Sorry for any unreturned phone calls.

Last week brought the sheer pleasure of singing Rachmaninoff's "All-Night Vigil" three nights (one in The Cathedral). Remember how I said life is good. Marvelously soul-soothing. (But that also meant eight hours of additional rehearsals last week.)

Trying to keep up on Primary. (Oh, I'm the first counselor in the Presidency now. That happened three and a half months ago... haven't had a chance to tell you.) We've lost eight teachers. EIGHT! My goodness.

I'm tired of people using Facebook as their political soapbox. Especially when they are so openly raunchy and disrespectful. It's exhausting. And embarrassing. And... well... annoying.

I need to clean my bathroom. Desperately.

I've been needing to take a few of my favorite pairs of shoes to the shoe repair guy... for three years.

Lots to do.

But, it's Spring. And I can feel it. Loving the fact that I can sleep with my windows open!

Oh and my Driver's License is expiring on Tuesday. Gotta get that taken care of. Oh, and yes, that does mean it's my birthday... :)

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Whatever.

Funny "Whatever" Baby @ Yahoo! Video

Random Photos: I'm a Goofball. The end.

"I also found child's play - stuff that was not considered serious, but goofy - was the stuff I liked to do, so I still do it as an adult."
~Matt Groening

Please laugh. Yes, at my expense. It's funny. Laugh. :)
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Life's fun.
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Wish List: This T-shirt.

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose."

~Woody Allen

I have Christmas secrets!

"Secrets are made to be found out with time."

~Charles Sanford

And I'm not telling.

Yet.

:)

My Dilbert Creation.

"The world is but a canvas to the imagination."

~Henry David Thoreau

So once a long time ago (I'm guess something like more than ten years ago) in a computer class, we were assigned to work with this Dilbert cartoon and sort of make our own creation. Coloring and cutting and pasting (it was a very basic Windows class, if I recall). I switched around the clothed Dilbert with the boxer-clad one and wrote in my own text. I must admit that I never read Dilbert and so I had no idea what the characters were like and I don't even remember what the original text to this particular cartoon was. But I've always thought it was funny. So here you are.

Answers to the Bay Area Native Quiz

"San Francisco itself is art, above all literary art. Every block is a short story, every hill a novel. Every home a poem, every dweller within immortal. That is the whole truth."
~William Saroyan

1. San Jose
2. From north to south: Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, San Mateo Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge Extra extra credit question answer: walk
3. Daly City
4. c - "Hey, Beach Blanket Babylon!"
5. It means she's a dog (if you still don't get it, ask a native to explain it to you.) -- TV20 used to have a little advertisement between shows, where a dog was sitting on an armchair next to a TV on a TV stand. At the end, the dog would look at the TV screen as the TV20 logo was being flashed across it, and bark.
6. c - "Earthquake? We had an earthquake today? I guess I didn't feel it."
7. Bob Wilkins - Creature Feature
Pat McCormick - Dialing for Dollars
Herb Caen - Baghdad-by-the-Bay
Dr. Donald D. Rose - Sacratomato
8. c - Los Angeles? Why do you want to go to Los Angeles?
9. d - 3Com Park
10. b, c, or d - anything BUT a cute little nickname for the city we also know as "San Francisco."
11. The movie rating system in the pink section of the San Francisco Chronicle
12. b - West Bay -- it's called the Peninsula.
13. d - San Jose doesn't have BART.
14. e - all of the above

Scoring
12-14 Correct -- You're a true Bay Area Native. Feel free to look down on Los Angeles with pride. (You probably already do.)

8-11 Correct -- You've probably lived in or near the Bay Area for awhile, but you're not a true native. You may occasionally leave the water running, or throw out your aluminum cans. Keep trying; you'll get better eventually.

4-7 Correct -- You know a couple of things about the Bay Area, but you're far from being a native. Probably some of what you did get right were just lucky guesses. Go back to Los Angeles (even if you're not from there).

0-3 Correct -- Forget it. Don't kid yourself. You're not even a Californian, let alone a Bay Area Native.

You Know You're From the Bay Area If...

"No city invites the heart to come to life as San Francisco does. Arrival in San Francisco is an experience in living."
~William Saroyan

"San Francisco is a mad city - inhabited for the most part by perfectly insane people whose women are of remarkable beauty."
~Rudyard Kipling

Twelve or thirteen years ago, a friend sent me this "Bay Area Native Quiz." At the time, I was experiencing major culture shock, having moved from San Francisco, where I'd lived my whole life up until that point, to Provo, Utah, conservative capital of the world. I got a kick out of the quiz, and was extremely proud to have gotten them all right.

Have a stab at it. When you're answering, take into consideration that this was written 12 or 13 years ago. Have fun. I'll give you the answers in a couple of days. :)

1. Complete the following phrase: Dublin, Berkeley, San Lorenzo, Cupertino, __________

2. Name the five bridges that cross San Francisco Bay. *Extra credit: put them in order from north to south. **Extra, extra credit: explain how to get across the Golden Gate Bridge during rush hour in less than an hour.

3. Complete the following phrase: 2400 Mission, top of the hill, __________

4. You're at a San Francisco Spiders hockey game at the Cow Palace. (True: a team call "the Spiders" played at a place called "the Cow Palace." Go figure.) A woman comes out to sing the Star Spangled Banner wearing a huge hat with a model of the entire financial district, including the TransAmerica Building, on top of it. Your response is:
a) "Hey, look at that idiot wearing the dorky hat!"
b) "Hey, look at that woman wearing the cool hat!"
c) "Hey, Beach Blanket Babylon!"

5. Explain the following joke: "I don't want to call her ugly, but whenever I say 'TV 20', she turns her head."

6. Which of the following is your typical response to an earthquake?
a) "Earthquake! We're all gonna die!"
b) "Earthquake! Great! Now I don't have to go into work today."
c) "Earthquake? We had an earthquake today? I guess I didn't feel it."

7. Match up the following people with the phrases/shows they're associated with:
a) Bob Wilkins
b) Pat McCormick
c) Herb Caen
d) Dr. Donald D. Rose

1)Baghdad-by-the-Bay
2) Creature Feature
3) Sacratomato
4) Dialing for Dollars

8. If someone asked you how to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, what would be your response?
a) Get onto 101 south, and take it all the way.
b) Take 80 east to 580 east to 5 south, then take it all the way.
c) Los Angeles? Why do you want to go to Los Angeles?

9. Which of the following is NOT, repeat NOT, a valid name for a Bay Area sports stadium?
a) Oakland Coliseum
b) San Jose arena
c) Candlestick Park
d) 3Com Park

10. The word "Frisco" is:
a) A cute little nickname for the city we also know as "San Francisco."
b) A really annoying shortening of "San Francisco," no doubt started by Southern Californians who can't say words longer than two syllables.
c) The result of a satanic plot.
d) Beats me. Never heard the word before in my life.

11. The little man is on the edge of the chair, clapping wildly; the little man is sitting in the chair and clapping; the little man is sitting in the chair and leaning forward; the little man is asleep in the chair; and the chair is empty. What did I just describe?

12. In referring to a general region of the Bay Area, which of the following terms is never used? What is that area called instead?
a) Marin
b) West Bay
c) East Bay
d) South Bay

13. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is not in fact rapid transit for the entire Bay Area. For instance, it doesn't run to Milpitas (but can you blame them?). Which of the following is another city that BART doesn't currently serve? (Keep in mind this was 1996 or so.)
a) Richmond
b) Fremont
c) Daly City
d) San Jose

14. Which of the following would you be likely to see people wearing at Bay to Breakers?
a) running shorts
b) an Elvis costume
c) a fancy ball gown
d) a fancy ball gown worn by a male
e) all of the above

Photo taken by Mom. August 2007.
Land's End (affectionately dubbed in my family, "Favorite Place").

Happy Birthday Bella!

"What fun is it being cool, if you can't wear a sombrero?"
~Calvin & Hobbes

I couldn't resist. Isn't she cute?! Hopefully, she won't hate me forever. :)

Happy birthday Marina Bella!

Photo courtesy of Nancy. 1989?

Fall = Scarves and Sweaters!

Awhile back, I posted this status on Facebook:

eclaires wants to live somewhere where it's perpetually Spring and Fall.

It's true. I just don't like the heat. I love when there is a breeze. I love clouds. I love rainy days.

And.

I love scarves and sweaters!

These new sweaters look fun.

And scarves simply make the outfit. Just take a look!

Clearly, I'm looking forward to the approach of Autumn. The cooler temperatures are right up my alley. Now, let me clarify... cooler temperatures does not mean that I'm excited for snow. That can hold off for awhile.

All the sweaters pictured were found on the Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, and Lane Bryant websites.

And the scarves... well, they belong to the people wearing them. Thanks Katie and Meera for being my models. (Oh and those other two pictures are of yours truly.)