Hotties!

We actually saw Mama Mia but couldn't pass up the chance of a photo with Batman! Too bad it wasn't Christian Bale:(


So my questions is...Paid employee of the theater or strange fanatic?

Nice Shirt

Today when I walked into the cafeteria, a group of boys had just arrived for lunch. I purposfully walked directly to the vending machines and began inserting quarters for a Diet Coke. My name must be fun to say because they sure say it a lot. "Hil-uh-reeeeeee, Hil-uh-reeeeee" in a sing songy voice, over and over and over. I finally looked over, smiled and said, "hey guys." To which I got the response:

"Hil-uh-reeeeee, I like that shower curtain you're wearing!"

----------->

The funny thing is that I think he was being sincere! Huh?

(Later that evening I went out to dinner with friends in said shirt...That is Nora, Dyan's darling baby girl!)

Does it hurt...being a teenager?

I should have known when the minivan dropped off a load of teenage boys that the music would not be my only form of entertainment for the evening. I had been unable to obtain accurate information about what time each band would be playing and not wanting to miss the 2 I was going for we arrived early. Thank goodness or we would have missed not only the ridiculously long will call line but the super white trash fight between some dude and his girlfriend. I didn't see the whole thing but I heard that she was holding her jaw like she'd been hit and was mouthing off a string of profanities to her boyfriend who was being held back by several large men. In true female form she burst into a torrent of tears as soon as security arrived and called out to the teen who had caught the whole thing on his handy video cell phone that he better delete it or she'd get him too! Yikes! Since we had 2 less desirable acts to sit through we had the opportunity to observe the gross display of teenage insecurities, bad fashion and hormones gone wild. We marveled at the styles kids are wearing these days, verifying that we are in fact getting old. More than once Candice wondered out loud how parents could let their child leave the house looking the way they did. One teen was wearing a cute turquoise dress that was actually just a long shirt and super high pink patten leather heels. The rhetorical question was answered when we saw the girl momentarily pull down the leggings that she was wearing as hot pants under her "dress." My personal favorite was the pubescent boy who had removed his shirt and had it tucked in the back of his pants, between his legs and had it hanging out the front again in classic diaper style. Hmmmm?

Good Charlotte played a fun set, they even got me jumping and waving my arms. Nicole Ritchie sat quietly in the sound and light area about 15 ft away from me. Can I just say how itty bitty that girl is. I know that people in Hollywood have a different standard than the real world but she looks like a 12 year old. I got a huge kick out of the teenage girls who would come stand by me to get a picture of her over my shoulder. A couple of them were so excited they were almost in tears. Sorry, there just aren't very many celebrities who could get me that worked up.

Boys Like Girls were lots of fun too. They have been my motivational running music at the gym lately and they were actually a decent live show despite all their annoying teen fans. Some of their lyrics are extra cheesy but the 17 year old inside me just loves them.

Overall, the evening reinforced my gratitude for maturity and self awareness. There is not enough money in the world that could persuade me to re-do my teen years. They are deeply repressed in my memory somewhere and I have no intention of digging them out and dusting them off. A visit to the world of teens is enough and begs the question, does it hurt? I mean it is as painful as it looks to be a teenager?

My neighbor

I just met one of my downstairs neighbors. He knocked on my door which was propped open about 4 inches on my chain to let in the cool air from the hallway (ghetto AC). He indicated that he was just outside talking "just talking" with his friends and someone had called the police. His accusing tone left no doubt in my mind that he thought that someone was me and the alcohol on his breath made me wonder if I should have even opened the door. I'm not gonna lie, I have called our landlord once to complain that he smokes outside my window despite several notices that there is no smoking within 30 ft. of the building. He is also known for playing music (bad music) with his band very loudly at inappropriate times (3am). Apparently I am not the only one who has complained because he informed me (not quietly but mellowly?) that he got a note on his door this week that said he had to be out in 3 days but that he had talked to our landlord and convinced him that he would be good until the end of the month. I empathized, nodded and practiced active listening while he explained, professed and accused. I told him I was very sorry, I had not called the police and was not currently bothered by his activities outside my window. He continued (not quietly) to explain that he wasn't even being loud (our halls echo terribly) and that he was just sitting outside talking with his friends. I think he thought I wasn't getting it so I told him again that I was sorry and offered to let him see my cell phone to check my call log. He declined and apologized and then talking more generally to the hallway than me he griped that someone was really f*$#ing with his life, there was no way he could move out in 3 days and now he was probably going to have to and that it is just so messed up that someone felt the need to f*$k with his life like that. At this point he indicated that he was from Philly and was just having a hard time adjusting to the Mormon culture here in Utah. Then I understood.

What I said:
"Yeah, I'm really sorry someone called the police. I just got home a few minutes ago and you weren't bothering me at all. So, good luck and I hope your night gets better."

What I thought:
Wow, you weren't bothering me before but now that you are standing in my doorway drunk and loud and smelly I kinda wish the cops would have arrested you. Apparently they don't teach people in Philly about manners and accountability. If you were so concerned about getting kicked out maybe you should have moved the talking to your friends place for the evening. And listen freak...If you were bothering someone it probably is some old person that you woke up not the mormon girl who just walked in and is wide awake and didn't even notice your existence until you knocked on her door to accuse and insult her. My advice to you, be sorry sooner next time and stop blaming the world dumb a**! Now will you go away, you're bugging me!

Some people!

Nice Recovery

I was at dinner last and there was a large table full of girls sitting next to us. After a few minutes I realized that I recognized the girl at the end...almost. She was the twin of a friend of mine. Just moments later I realized that the girl sitting closest to me was my friend Danielle so I leaned over to say 'hi'. We chatted for a minute...only catching bits and pieces of what was being said over the live music and restaurant chatter. As I was leaving I realized the twin I knew was in fact at the table and I gave her shoulder a squeeze as I walked by. We said quick hello's and then she looked at my friend and mouthed, "are you on a date?" I nodded and she gave me a silent rock on fist while mouthing something else. As we left my date recreated the motion with his fist and asked..."what was this for?" I shrugged my shoulders and responded, "I couldn't really hear her, I think her team beat my team in softball last night!" Nice recovery...!?!

By the way, I highly recommend the Ham and Havarti at the Citris Grill...Mmmmm TASTY!

This Land Is Mine

From behind these walls I hear your song

Oh, sweet words

The music that you play lights up my world

The sweetest that I’ve heard

Could it be that I’ve been touched and turned

Oh Lord, please finally…finally things are changing

This land is mine but I’ll let you rule

I let you navigate and demand

Just as long as you know…this land is mine

So find your home and settle in

Ohhh, I’m ready to let you in

Just as long as we know…this land is mine

After all the battles and the wars

The scars and loss

I’m still the queen of my domain

and feeling stronger now

The walls are down a little more each day

Since you came, finally…finally things are changing

Follow the days I’ve travelled alone

In this cold and colorless place till now

It’s what I had to pay

This land is mine and I let you rule

I let you navigate on demand

Just as long as you know…this land is mine!

--Dido

Friendly People

Let me tell you a little about myself. First, I would not consider myself a friendly person, or maybe I am just not outgoing!?! I am quite shy and a little stand-off-ish. It is usually perceived that I am stuck up and that bothers me sometimes but not enough to change. Second, I like to people watch. I find infinite entertainment and amusement in watching people interact, maybe that is why I majored in sociology. Humanity is an interesting thing and individuals are just so unique (is that redundant, did I just say the same thing twice? haha). Third, I am not particularly athletic. Though I enjoy most sports there are some I find impossible and usually I just like to be a spectator. I am a great fan!


My work has a softball team and they play on Wednesday nights and I have enjoyed watching the games. I always make sure I get there a few minutes late to make sure I don't get asked to play, they never seem to have enough girls. This Wednesday I arrived a few minutes into the game and found my usual spot on the bleachers. I generally have someone with me but this week I went alone and didn't recognize any of the other fans cheering for my team. There were two men a few rows up who were obviously rooting for the other side but I was getting a huge kick out of their commentary and disdain for the strange and seemingly made up rules they were playing by. One of them turned around and made some friendly chit chat when he realized I was a fan of the opponent and I did my typical nod, smile and one word answers. The other was a little more persistent at being friendly...He won me over when he offered me a water from his cooler. He said he'd like to offer me a grown up drink (beer) but I didn't look grown up enough. Anyone who thinks I look under 21 can most definitely be my buddy! I laughed, accepted a water and proceeded to have a great time talking to Paul (that's his name) for the rest of the game.

So, I learned a few things about myself. First, maybe I should be a little more friendly, it doesn't hurt. Second, engaging in conversation with a stranger can be just as fun as watching strangers. And third, I am still no athlete and still enjoy being a fan!