So, What Do YOU Do, Again?

Today at work I built a second leg for a one-legged dummy and then mummified it (the whole dummy, not just the leg). Also, the three body bags are finally finished.

Bet you've never said that in regards to YOUR job.

(Except for the Girl-Kissing Part)

A while ago a friend of mine recommended the BBC series "The Vicar of Dibley". Just this week I've been watching, and I've found it's some absolutely HILARIOUS television (on DVD). A clip from what could very well be my favorite TV episode EVER follows: not only does it include Richard Armitage (Mr. Thornton from "North and South"), it also perfectly captures what is likely to be my response should someone actually propose marriage to me (starts about 30 seconds in, and runs about 3.5 minutes)...



Note: The noise she makes is a reference to an earlier conversation they had, discussing Emma Thompson's reaction in "Sense & Sensibility" when she finds out Hugh Grant's character is in fact single, and in love with her. Hmmm.

Note #2: Richard Armitage is currently starring on the BBC series "Robin Hood", and it's very likely I'll post again once I've watched it. Just a hunch.

O, The Weather Outside is Frightful...

Seriously. The storm we've been waiting for all week finally hit today.


It's ten in the morning, I slept in, I'm going to shower and head over the the parents' house (just one set of parents - weird, I know!) with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory caramel apples and a few presents, and we're going to eat demented cinnamon rolls and watch A Christmas Story (as neither of my parents nor I have ever seen it. I KNOW).

Good times.

Still my favorite Christmas book.


Happy Holidays!

So True

This is for Monika, and anyone else who gets it.


1. You don't need Henry to explain.
2. If he loves you, he will lie to his own police force to get you out of a sticky murder inquest.
3. He doesn't want to possess you.
4. Pop the collar, lose the cravat, and roll the sleeves whenever possible.
5. Always get off the train if it stops for a rest--even a short one.
6. Be patient with inlaws. They just love their sons/daughters very, very much.
7. Find out if she has a brother.
8. Don't smoke in the mill. Just don't do it.
9. You will find it in the hedgerow, but you have to look hard.

ETA: 10. When driving away from a potential love interest, look back. Just do it.
(Massive props to Monika for rounding out the list!)

Indeed.

Photo Post

The bed.

Sometimes I get a little TOO into my work.

The designer at the theatre declared these pillows to be "works of art". YES, I made them. Be quiet. (They're awesome.)

And, in keeping with the season...

Classic white elephant gift: a framed picture of yourself, right? However, I was attending a high school drama club Christmas party (NO, I was not looking for a date) and I knew this party gift had to have a little something extra... SO here we have a framed picture of me with a "dash" of Christmas in Meheeco! Sing along to the tune of "Feliz Navidad!" Naturally, the girl who ended up with the present was one of the 5 or so students in the group that didn't know me and wouldn't think it was funny. Gratifyingly, after she opened it, glared at it, and then showed it to the rest of the group several of the boys immediately started a bidding war for it. Wow - even with a moustache... (Just because I wasn't looking for a date doesn't mean I couldn't have gotten one, were it not illegal. So, yeah.)

Conversation at Work

"So, how's it going?"
"I'm a little frustrated - I'm making a body bag and that sewing machine is giving me grief."
". . . Wow."
"I know, right?"
"Well, cheer up - 'tis the season!"
"Oh, not to worry - recalcitrant sewing machines come and go. Tomorrow, another one will have an attitude and mine will be fine! (Pause) Also, I'm working on my vocabulary."
"Been hitting the dictionary again?"
"I'm trying to quit!"
(Shaking head) "It's an addiction."
"No, it's a-diction-ary!"
". . ."
"Sorry."



This was (very close to) a real conversation. It's not quite a real job, but I'm enjoying it anyway. (I'll let you know how the body bag turns out.)

Checking In

Hey all - sorry I haven't been around lately... it's been interesting, because I've been having all sorts of great blog posts lining up in my head, but they haven't made it online. I have been busy, what with the manual labor and all (they like me! and want me to come back and work more!) and then right as things slowed down enough to where I'd be able to sit down and post my computer picked up some spyware or a trojan horse or some other freaky new virus-y software, and it's been very very very slow and frustrating and SCARY. (Seriously, I was so fed up with trying to navigate Internet pages one day that I just shut down my computer - and I got an error message saying "there are other users logged on to your computer" and if I shut down they might lose data... FREAKED. ME. OUT. I am the only user of my computer. PERIOD. I shut it down, and took the laptop to an exorcist.)

So, my poor baby is at the "doctor", and I should get it back soon - and then I'll go comment on all of your blogs repeatedly to make up for my slackitude! AND post (hopefully) interesting, amusing, and season-appropriate anecdotes and pictures. Stay tuned! Tell your friends! Oh, and get me any jewelry orders or requests you might have... there's still time before Christmas!

DIY

I built a bed today, with wood stain, gaffers tape, foam rubber, a staple gun, and a trap door. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm kind of awesome.

Oh, and...

THIS.

SERIOUSLY, WOW. ELIZABETH AND MR. DARCY HAVE A NEW SHELF-MATE. (SORRY FOR THE SHOUTING, IT'S JUST THAT GOOD.)

(Between work, looking for work, Sunday School lessons, holidays, rehearsals, birthdays, visits, funerals, and various other forms of madness, I haven't taken the time to post anything substantive. I wish I could promise I'd do better soon. Sorry. But I'll try! This bonus post is because North and South really is that good, and because I didn't want to leave my post count for the month at 13. It just looks... off.)

Blog Analysis (Very Scientific)

I went here, and tried it out, and this is what it said about this blog:

ISTP - The Mechanics

The independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to the demands of the moment and are masters of responding to challenges that arise spontaneously. They generally prefer to think things out for themselves and often avoid inter-personal conflicts. The Mechanics enjoy working together with other independent and highly skilled people and often like to seek fun and action both in their work and personal life. They enjoy adventure and risk such as in driving race cars or working as policemen and firefighters.

Huh. I hadn't thought of looking for work as a policewoman or firefighter, but I guess I'm open... What do you think?

I KNEW IT!

I'd heard from an "industry insider" that Zac Efron wasn't really a good singer at all (please understand, I thought ZE was adorable in Hairspray, but wondered why his was the only name out of the film cast that wasn't included on the soundtrack liner notes) and it's late enough at night right now that I'm stoked to find the truth.

Seriously...

... he's a dancer, singer, and a hottie; and when you see Drew Seeley don't you just go, "Over here, Pacey!" I'm not the only one that thinks so, BTW.

But don't worry, Zac... we'll always have Hairspray! ("Link Larkin 4eva!")

Note: Drew Seeley - 26; Zac Efron - 21.

Advantage: DS

Guesting

It's been a while since I've posted (Sidenote: I mentioned participating in NaNoWriMo, where people write a novel and/or 50,000 words in one month [i.e., November] and I didn't do it. I don't have a problem with words [and lots of them] per se, but when it comes to a plot or story idea my brain goes *. . . *. I just found out that some other group is doing NaBloWriMo, where people are supposed to blog every day for a month. *. . .* Could I get my Certificate of Accomplishment retroactively, please?) and I decided that today I would have Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) as a guest on my blog.


Me: Scott, I'm so pleased to have you here today. I'm a big fan of your work! Being currently out of the corporate rat race, your comic strips don't have quite the same sense of cringe-worthy immediacy that they used to, but hey - they're still funny! Is there anything you're working on right now?

SA: . . .

Me: Um, any new books, maybe?

SA: . . .

Me: Do you have an opinion on the last election?

SA: . . .

Me: How about news on ground-breaking medical procedures?

SA: . . .

Me: Tell me, what's you favorite color?

SA: . . .

Me: OK, well, thanks for stopping by. Oh, I know - have you been to see Twilight yet? What did you think? WAIT, don't answer that! No spoilers! How about some final words of wisdom instead?

SA: "THIS", "THAT", and "THE OTHER".

Me: Perfect.



*** Celebrity voice was impersonated. Much to his everlasting chagrin, Scott Adams has no actual connection to this blog. Neither does Dilbert. (More's the pity.)

Coming Out - Of My Foxhole, That Is

In which we shall see: A very long post that carefully rants and raves, the possible destruction of a goodly part of my Facebook friends list, and a hope for something more than what we're getting. (I'm a little nervous, but I'll say it anyway. Gulp.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For the last couple of weeks I have had the overwhelming urge to duck and cover. I've never experienced this before in the wake of an election, and I hoped that if I ignored it the feeling would go away. It hasn't. I decided then that the indication was that instead I should "stand up and be counted", and that is my intention here.

In the fallout from the passage of Proposition 8 I have been reading and researching voraciously, and I am astounded at the amount and the level of discussion that has promulgated. (I've been reading posts from lots of very smart people, which is what leads me to the usage of words like "promulgated." Sorry. It will probably happen again.) Currently, my overwhelming urge is to send the entire "gay rights" movement over to stand in a corner until they regain control of themselves. This is probably a condescending response on my part, and I do understand that very real feelings and motivations are involved in what is turning out to be a fairly massive issue. HOWEVER - This is a republic. We are governed by democratic principles. We hold an election, we vote on issues, and majority rules. THIS IS THE WAY IT WORKS. If you don't get what you want from an election, you have several options: one is to continue to participate in the system until the changes you hope for occur, another involves moving to Europe. It is not all right to throw yourself down on the floor, beat your arms and legs, break your toys, and scream at the top of your lungs, all in the hopes that things will turn out the way you wish because you are louder than everyone else.

Listen - the majority of definitions I've found describe "marriage" as a "contract between an man and a woman" etc... "Civil union" is defined as a "contract between two members of the same sex in which both parties have the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities as spouses in a marriage." So, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Groups are shouting that their "rights" are being restricted - I say, where do you get the idea that marriage is a right? Are you saying that everyone is entitled to be married, and to have that union recognized not only by the parties involved but by the government and every other individual living in the country as well? My goodness, but some people are feeling awfully self-involved lately! I'm not married, and have never been married - whom should I sue? Whom should I picket and protest? "Marriage" is not guaranteed by any governmental document, and is not listed with any group of rights to which the people of this nation are guaranteed. If anything, marriage is the domain of religion, and only secondarily recommended to governmental purview because it is a long-accepted societal unit and recognized as beneficial to the growth and well-being of the nation. The same cannot be said of same-sex relationships, though in general those relationships are not opposed or restricted by the civil government.

So let me ask - why the extreme desire to be "married"? If you don't believe in God, it doesn't make much sense to argue for a situation designed and originated by God. If you do believe in God, it doesn't make much sense to fight for your "right" to something He has rejected. It appears to me that you are seeking the label of "marriage" so as to be validated in your lifestyle by those around you, not because the word or institution itself actually means that much (see RE: religion, God). Here's the thing - I don't care to validate your lifestyle, anymore than I am concerned with having you validate mine. I will work, laugh, study, play, converse, and cry with you, but I am not interested in having your bedroom activities shoved in my face. Boundaries - look into them, please.

In for a penny, in for a pound - It is my personal belief that homosexuality is a choice. Sexuality as a behavior of any kind is a choice. Urges, inclinations, attractions, etc... may indeed be hormonal, chemical, even genetic - but actions based on those feelings occur by choice. The person you sleep with (or don't) is a matter of decision, not fate or coercion. A person may very well be homosexual by "wiring", if you will, but they are under no compulsion to participate in homosexuality except by conscious decision. I know that this is a simplistic perspective. I also know that we are more than animals being led around by our instincts. The fact that I am a 34-year-old virgin is a matter of choice... believe me, I have had opportunities to alter that status. For various reasons (which are, quite frankly, none of your business) I have not. This doesn't make me better or holier or smarter (well, OK, maybe a little smarter than some) than anyone else, it just means that I have made particular decisions regarding my own sexuality, and I do not need those decisions to be regulated by anyone else.

Did the "gay rights" group really expect the religious sector to suddenly roll over and hide in regards to a principle they have ALWAYS opposed, just because the movement was/is noisy and yells things like "repression", "discrimination", and "hate"? Haven't they been paying any attention to the last 2000 years? Let me repeat - "Marriage" is an institution that has always stood as a union between a man and a womon. There are biological, religious, emotional, philosophical, sociological, and ecological reasons this has always been the case. WE DO NOT KNOW THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS of homosexual relationships on society at large, mainly because every civilization that sanctioned homosexuality has been destroyed. We have no precedence, no prior examples to look at. It should come as no surprise that society at large is extremely leery of making such a huge shift in traditional, tested, accepted morays in favor of something that cannot be judged accurately, but that has looming potential disadvantages to the well-being of future generations and the stability of that societal foundation.

Finally, a word to those who sneer at the "brainwashed sheep" that make up religious congregations - I am opinionated, lucid, occasionally eloquent, educated, and inclined towards study and research. My choice to follow the direction of one I revere as a prophet is just that - my choice. I am not being led around by the nose, and I reject out of hand the assumption that I will do whatever I am told, just because the church says so. How foolish to suppose that just because I support and believe something you do not, I am stupid and robotic. I do not assign such a role to anyone who does not believe the same thing I do, and I would ask for similar courtesy.

Polarizing the issue further by demonizing anyone on either side of the divide is not productive or beneficial. Stop it, all of you/us - grow up, take a deep breath, go wash your hands and face, and come back to the table ready to sit up straight and discuss things like adults. Temper tantrums will not help. Name-calling (from either side) will not help. I may not condone what you do, but I respect your right to choose to do it. I expect that same perspective from you.

Explain, Please...

... how it is that to guys my age (say, 29 - 39) I'm still the kind of girl they'd "marry, but not date", while to the much younger crowd (legal, at least) I'm definitely someone the guys would go out with, even if they wouldn't think of permanent hitching. I don't get it - Do guys really change THAT much from one decade to the next? I don't think I behave all that differently with different groups, but maybe I do... Any armchair psychiatrists lurking nearby?

* * * * *

The family weight-loss competition has everybody running like crazy (yay!) - some people have reported major losses in just the first two weeks, but then some people stocked up on winter clothing, big meals, and a couple of 44-ouncers just before they weighed in, too. I trust things will balance out. I've stayed pretty steady in the past week, going down a pound for each weigh-in (three times a week)... I did donate blood yesterday, so I'll have to work a little harder for the next time! (I resisted a fairly major ice-cream pull tonight, and had a little glow of pride to go with my evening carrots.)

* * * * *

Employment-wise, things are still shaky... but it looks like I've got a fun temporary job for the next three weeks, and then a (vague) possibility on something that could be really great (maybe) starting after the new year (perhaps). [Note: I'm kinda freaked that we're already back to a time when we can readily refer to things anywhere near the "new year". Brrrrr. OLD.]

Things I've Learned from Unemployment

* Staring at the vacuum and using the "power of your mind" will NOT actually make it clean the carpet.

* Checking your email and Facebook every 15 minutes does not encourage people to respond to you faster.

* Season 1 of JAG was pretty good.

* Season 2 of JAG was a little better.

* Season 3 of JAG should be available for pickup from the library shortly.

* David James Elliott (from JAG) is really, really pretty.

* The downstairs neighbor seems to have a good work ethic - at least when it comes to practicing for his audition for American Idol.

* Gray weather and nowhere to be make it difficult to get up in the morning; early afternoon is only slightly easier.

* Approximately half the state is also looking for a job.

* It's depressing when, even with a college degree, you're not actually qualified to do anything (at least, not anything anyone is willing to pay you for). This must be what history majors feel like.

* I wonder what convenience store clerks make.

* Movie soundtracks are fun and a nice way to buy a good mix of music, but they're not terribly valuable when it comes to re-sale.

* Dried "food storage" beans should not be microwaved - it's not dangerous or anything, it just doesn't do much.

* For the first time, I'm reluctant to donate blood - I'm not worried about the needles, but I am painfully aware that I could be selling the plasma instead.

* I'd rather be unemployed in the Bahamas. That way, I'd be jobless with a tan.

AI Won't Be Calling

The unemployed 30+-year-old guy who lives with his mother in the apartment below mine is currently BLASTING rock music and bellowing along at the top of his lungs. It's... sad. It's not even "play music loudly and dance around and sing while you clean or cook or just have fun" bellowing, it's "I've really GOT it and I'm going to make it BIG if I can practice enough and be FIERCE enough [OWWW, sorry, that screech was definitely NOT a note that belonged in that song] then I can convince people that shouting really is singing and music-shmusic" bellowing. Seriously, he's still going. He is OBVIOUSLY a DEDICATED ARTIST.

It's painful.

Advertising Gem

A sign spotted from the freeway:

"PEOPLE DON'T READ BILLBOARDS

WITH OVER SEVEN WORDS.

CRAP."

Awesome. I wish I'd been able to get a picture.

Pick It Up

Heard on a bus:

She: So, where do you work?
He: Checker Auto Parts.
She: Really? I would have thought you worked for the Devil, since I can feel you leading me into temptation!

Score: 9 points for delivery, 7 for originality, 10.5 for crowd response

I've De-voted Myself...

... to a weight-loss competition among family members! Woot!

(SO SORRY. But do you know how hard it is to find punny titles on days of national significance, for posts that don't actually include anything THAT momentous? I mean, yeah, I VOTED. Civic duty, *RAY*! Also, I've committed $100 to be put into a family pot - not really an actual "pot", but hey, maybe - that will be handed over to whichever "registered" family member loses the highest percentage of weight in the next four months. I weighed myself today, and let's just say that while I was surprised and appalled at the total, it does give me the motivation and opportunity to WIN should I hit my goal weight!)



That's right. VOTE for ME, to be the BIGGEST Family LOSER!


Huh. That doesn't quite sound right.

Memory Lane (I Tripped)

It's a little surprising to me how many of these movies I own. I feel an 80's marathon coming on.

Costume-y Goodness

Just in case you were curious, here are my contributions to this year's Halloween Collection of People in Crazy Outfits.

Wednesday I helped out at a friend's elementary school dressed as Professor Trelawney, and then Thursday night I reprised the costume for a performance of "Thriller" in SLC. By Friday, though, I just couldn't handle ratting out my hair like that anymore, so instead...

... I painted a sweatshirt (freehand lettering! Nice, huh?) and poured on the rhinestones (by midnight I had taken off the headband, the necklace, and about three of the bracelets) in honor of the fashionistas at http://www.gofugyourself.com/ (FUNNY STUFF. Terrible pun. Sorry about that.) The picture is at a midnight showing of an experimental theatre piece based on the old German horror film, Nosferatu. It was pretty darn cool.

No, these are not injuries I received on Halloween - I had a blind date on Saturday, and he agreed to dress up for a performance of an old-fashioned style "radio show", based on Frankenstein. It was also pretty cool. No one else was in costume, though, not even the performers. I'm totally lucky the dear boy was such a good sport! (And my grotesque drawn-on sutures probably made people think he wasn't a very good surgeon. Oops!) If we go out again, the theme will be "Mini-Golf" - no costumes required.

30 Days Recap

In which we have seen: Shakespeare in high school, me (and a water balloon) in high school, exotic locales, the occasional movie review, back pain, the title of my memoir, speaking in tongues, a poem (and Sarah Palin hair), another poem by some dead guy, a third poem (one about punctuation), wedding hullabaloo, a highly amusing re-imagining of an 80's music video, goals, Xanadu, the end of Romeo and Juliet, theatre is life (and vice versa), a grocery list, some marvelous photos, an argument for Proposition 8, Metropolis, Halloween turtles, Customer Service ettiquette (I've been practicing), something about a safety pin, and a handwriting analysis.

Additionally, this month I: was "downsized" from my job and had my last day Thursday; did NOT catch a bouquet; cut my hair; developed three different Halloween costumes; learned something fabulous about a friend that I am not at liberty to share; actually became (practically) a cougar; got an unexpected fake stage kiss; seriously, wrote poetry; auditioned for a show, was called back, and did not get cast; got a speeding ticket; went to an experimental play/movie; punk'd an actor; attempted to dry up a small lake (OK, pond); hung out with former students; spent some time at the chiropractor's; hit a record 40 posts for one month and my 100th post ever; and listened to barbershop.

Ah, memories.

Watch out for falling turtles...


Cyd


P.S. Honestly, "fake stage kiss"? That's just sad. If you're going to get up the courage to stage kiss somebody (a kiss that is for show and effect, vs. a "real" kiss that is because you actually want to kiss them) just kiss them already. The whole "turning your head to the side and angling your hand to block the sightline so it LOOKS like it could be a real kiss while making sound effects" is SO junior high. I mean, really.

Good Night, and Good Luck...

... seriously, it's Halloween. Be careful out there!

Well, all, it's been fun - I made it for 30 posts, at least one a day! Not all of them were entertaining, educational, or even (let's face it) interesting, but I MADE IT. Woo! Thanks so much to those who commented!

I'm planning to recap the month tomorrow, to help fling us into November. In the meantime, I'm off to go Halloweening - for the last two days I've been dressing up as Professor Trelawney, so I thought tonight I'd try a different direction by going as a Fug Girl. Have fun tonight, and I'd love to hear about/see your costumes, too!

And, since I'll also be changing my layout tomorrow, here's one last look at my holiday-themed turtle (thanks again, Kyle!) ...

Now the next question is: should I participate in November's NaNoWriMo?

Watch out for falling turtles and excessive Halloween candy,


Cyd

Day 30 - Handwriting Who-Am-I

The results of your analysis say:
You plan ahead, and are interested in beauty, design, outward appearance, and symmetry. You are a person who thinks before acting, intelligent and thorough. You are diplomatic, objective, and live in the present. You are a talkative person, maybe even a busybody! You enjoy life in your own way and do not depend on the opinions of others.

What does your handwriting say about YOU?

- OK, first of all, it's HARD to write naturally with a mouse (my handwriting is NOT that bad!). This wasn't a particularly scientific analysis; I wrote, and then answered questions about my own writing. I'd like to try one where someone or something else does the analysis... but overall, it's probably pretty close.

You jump in, though. Does the analysis say ME?

Day 29 - A Poem

This has nothing to do with Halloween (though I do have a couple of pictures of my fabulous Professor Trelawney costume that I pulled out tonight to go help at a friend's school) - it's just that I didn't really feel like writing about anything. More on that later, I'm sure.

Instead, yet another original poem (I haven't written this much poetry since, like, ever):

Comma

"You use line breaks
in poetry
like you use commas
in prose,"
he said.
"Excessively, yet effectively?"
I offer.
"Conversationally, perhaps?"
He smiles, exasperated,
shaking his head.

I know my weakness -
Love for useful commas
(and parenthesees, I might add).

Written language must chuckle
and hiccup,
roll, stutter (I chew my pen)
and flow,
drive and scurry and soar
if it is to Live.

The occasional pretentious grammatical set-dressing
just keeps things interesting.

Day 28 - Halloweenishness

Some fun for you - think of it as my Treat.

(This one is especially for my brothers...)

Day 27 - Sometimes

Sometimes the Lord is NOT trying to teach you a lesson - it's just your own damn fault.

Sometimes going somewhere in a hurry will result in you being much later than you otherwise would have been.

Sometimes the pictures are telling the truth, and you really ought to do something about it.

Sometimes the fake kiss is as good as it's gonna get.

Sometimes follow-through is a VERY good idea.

Sometimes waiting around can be productive.

Sometimes it just doesn't matter, and sometimes it does.


Generally, it's smart to carry an extra safety pin.

Day 27 - True Drama

In the end, the real lesson we learn is that it's always wise to dress up for the theatre. Exhibit A:

Case closed.

And, appearing exclusively on this blog, I present: The "I'm Dead" Dance.

(Do not try this at home. Not safe for young, impressionable viewers.)

Day 26 - Big 100

I was going to think of something profound to say for my 100th post, but then I decided not to.

I'm going back to bed. I'll be here later!

Day 25 - Note to Self

"Whatever you can do,
or dream you can,
BEGIN IT.
Boldness has genius, power
and magic in it."

-Goethe

Day 24 - Oregon Colors

*






Photos courtesy of RoryB.

* * * * *

Today I was called into a meeting and GIVEN two weeks' notice. Which actually turns out to be a week and a half... nothing like a little extra motivation to find a new job!

Day 23 - The "Deep Thoughts" Post

In which we shall see: Lots and lots of words. Really. Read at your own risk.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Over the last couple of months several major happenings and issues have come to the forefront of national and international awareness - financial crisis, elections, and Proposition 8. From various conversations (online and in RL) with intelligent, concerned individuals, and from my own reading of pertinent articles and commentary, I have come to a few conclusions. These conclusions are my own supposition and opinion, and I am no authority nor representative voice for any organization involved. These are my own thoughts and feelings.

A friend recently asked, “So, who are you going to vote for?” This question led to an hour-long discussion of some of those issues mentioned above. My answer is that I’m still working on it – this seems to be an election that REQUIRES more research and study than any I’ve seen before. It also leads to the idea of inevitability – living in a particular state, why should a person vote when the outcome for that state is essentially determined? I’ve decided that voting is not necessarily about contributing to the end result (any more than one grain of sand contributes to the character of an entire beach) but about knowing for oneself just what one is willing to support and stand up for. I think that before much longer it will become vital for individuals to decide for themselves who they are and what they believe and not succumb to any kind of “flow” or “wave”. I believe that voting today represents the opportunity for us to become deliberate, decisive, regardless of whether or not we “win”.

That conversation, like many others recently, turned to Proposition 8. I know that much has been criticized in the decision of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to actively (and very unusually) step forward and encourage its members in California to vote “yes” for this amendment that will “provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” I have carefully read The Divine Institution of Marriage, the article produced by the Church to state its position on this proposition, and discussed at length the ramifications of such a position.

Here’s what I think.

I do not believe that the Church is in any way biased against or “out to get” anyone who is same-sex oriented. It is also my belief that in the end the Church is also not opposing same-sex marriage in and of itself, as such a marriage has become essentially a civil ceremony. For thousands of years religion (God, the Bible, prophets) have taught that such a union is wrong. From there, the choice to participate in such behavior belongs to the individuals involved, not the Church or any other entity. Choice, of all things, is sacred. However, at times the consequences of choices can adversely affect the future lives and choices of others – and this is the point at which regulations are installed. For example, one friend argued that while the idea of abortion was repulsive to them, they were also very reluctant to restrict a person’s freedom regarding the use of their own body. My response is that while, yes, a person has the right to choose their own behaviors and activities, they do not have the right to cut off the potential choices another might make by prematurely ending a life. (Please do not draw any crazy conclusions that I am trying to say that all same-sex oriented individuals support abortion. The example here is “freedom of choice” vs. “accepting consequences and restricting some personal freedoms for the safety and benefit of others.” Also, this example refers to choices made, not to consequences imposed by the choices of others, or instances where no choice is involved.)

So, Proposition 8 – In my opinion the Church is not looking to restrict same-sex marriage because it is a “moral” or “religious” issue. It is both those things, but again, all are free to choose their own lifestyle. However – the CHILDREN that will be raised in those families will not be afforded the same opportunities, and this is the point from which I believe the Church’s concern commences. Current political policy dictates that if same-sex marriage becomes an accepted practice, schools will be OBLIGATED to teach that such behavior is a valid, accepted lifestyle (rather than an issue of moral choice), and parents will have no recourse to oppose such teaching. Additionally, children in such families, no matter how well loved and raised, will never be able to be sealed eternally to their parents. One debater argued that the children could always choose for themselves to marry a spouse in the temple – but if parents are not living in agreement with the teachings of the Church, what is the likelihood that the children will? These concerns have been in the national eye for a relatively short period of time; certainly not long enough for any incisive conclusions about the cause-and-effect of same-sex parenting on children to be reached. Consider this: when the Word of Wisdom was given in the early days of the Church it stood in opposition to several accepted practices of the day. Over a hundred years later it has been accepted by secular medical practitioners as an exemplary way to live, and scientifically demonstrated to uphold the principles of health it promised back in the 1800’s. It was given by a prophet, and those who followed it were upheld in their choice.

The bottom line is this: The Church has made a request of its members in the current election in California, and those who follow will be upheld in their choice. Honestly, this direction from the Church may not succeed in confirming Proposition 8. Those who vote “yes”, though, will have the satisfaction of defending their beliefs and the security of knowing they have listened to the prophet. These are decisions we all need to ponder and stand prepared to make – I also believe the time is coming that we will ALL be required to make them.

For additional (and beautifully written!) commentary on faith, individuality, and obedience, go here, here, then here.

Day 22 - Exercise

I HAVE DISCOVERED MY MOTIVATION. (And it will probably be obvious to everyone here.)

I haven't been able to make myself exercise consistently for my health, for my wardrobe, or even at the direction of John Tesh (the ERGWK). I haven't done it despite the needling of family members (love you guys!) or in the face of rising gas prices. I won't exercise even though it will increase my core strength and improve my energy and the quality of my sleep. There are all kinds of other logical reasons to exercise, and I haven't done it for any of them.

I will, however, exercise for pastry.

This morning I took off on a round-trip 3-mile walk/jog, the pivotal destination being a grocery store that carries German Chocolate danishes. (Coconut + caramel + chocolate frosting in butter pastry = superYUM.) I came home with only one of them, having developed at least a teensy modicum of self-control - AND my impulse purchase of the day was a small Chef's Salad!

Some people "do it for love", I do it for carbs.

* * * * *

Please go browse through this blog for some wonderful pictures of Utah's fall foliage - we are having some lovely days of autumn-blue skies and crisp fresh air. My sister-in-law also has some beautiful pictures that she's taken up on her blog, but it's private so I'll see if she'll let me re-post some of them here. I hope you're all enjoying the season!

Day 21 - Grocery Shopping

Work has been MURDEROUS this morning. I don't want to talk about it.

* * * * *

I really enjoyed this idea - and I would love to have you fantastically, weirdly creative people (plus everyone else) start a grocery list for me! If you read this, leave a comment with an item or two (or...) that you'd like me to "buy", and I'll keep blogging photographic evidence when I find the items. Bring it on, folks.

* * * * *

BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL IS THE GUEST ARTIST FOR THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERTS!!!!! (*Squeeeee*, even.) I'm a little bit excited.

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From So You Think You Can Dance: Canada - this number is gorgeous.

Day 20 - Tips for Triumph: Customer Service Saavy

Here, once again, is an outlet for day-to-day living advice that will make you more attractive to the opposite sex, boost your love life, make you smarter AND more sensitive, and (FDA approval pending) lower your cholesterol.

Today's Edition: Getting What You Want When You Call to Ask For It

Say you come across a notice for a show that strikes you as interesting. You say to yourself, "Self, that show strikes me as potentially interesting, and probably an excellent use of my time and money. I think I'll get some tickets!" Should you:

A) Go online with the intention of using the production's website and allow yourself to get distracted by the pictures and the opportunity to web surf, leading you to call the ticket office and complain about how difficult it was to get tickets over the Internet;

B) Call the ticket office first, and spend the next 23.6 minutes on the phone trying to figure out when you actually have a night free to attend the show, since you didn't check your calendar before you called;

C) Drive down to the ticket office, promptly forget your name and how to speak English (or whatever the national language is of the country in which the ticket office for the show you want to see is located) and stare intently at the ticket agent until they PICK THE INFORMATION FROM YOUR MIND;

D) Gather all your friends and instruct them to each follow one of the above procedures, forcing the ticket agents into a murderous rage and inciting them to burn down the theatre, thus canceling the show and relieving you from the responsibility of making any choices concerning the show.

Obviously, the answer is D. For DUH.

For the love of all that is holy and good, PLEASE hold firmly in mind the specific question you would like answered when approaching a Customer Service representative, and DO NOT assume that mind-reading and/or psychic abilities are pre-requisite to employment with that company. Know what you want and specifically ask for what you want, and then LISTEN carefully to the response in case adaptation is needed (or just to keep you from asking a question they have already answered). Ticket agents and customer service reps the world over will rain blessings (and free tickets - maybe) down upon your head, and you will be met in the future with songs of rejoicing. I AM NOT KIDDING. (If all that musical-theatricality is too much for you, well, just go to the website, follow the links, and make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page before finishing your order. When purchasing tickets, make sure to look for the picture of event tickets or the button that has the words "Order Tickets Here" and CLICK ON IT. It's amazing how often that works.)

And if you don't believe that this blog feature will, in fact, boost your love life, try this - any guy that calls me and says, "So I called the ticket office to place an order for that show, and I ALREADY knew the date I wanted to attend - the ticket agent found me some seats that sounded great and I was off the phone in less than three minutes!" has got a date with me that I will probably volunteer to pay for.

Day 19 - (Help!)

So I'm trying to make things a little Halloween-y around here, and I would really love a graphic of a turtle in a witch's hat. Thus far, I haven't been able to find anything of the kind on the Web. I have two images I'd like to mesh (turtle + hat) but find myself incredibly inept at navigating any kind of photoshop-ish program. If you have some free time and would like to A) tutor me, or B) have me email you the images and do it for me, I would be EXCEEDINGLY grateful. And would probably bring you cookies.

ETA: Success! Thanks to the marvelous and modest Kyle! Plus my turtle is on a BROOM! It's more than I could have hoped for. (Don't worry - I'll figure out some way to get you the cookies!)

And, as a special bonus, the charming runner-up photo from Ringleader. Hee.

Day 19 - Ouch

*Sigh...*

Day 18 - At the Wire

Busy day, quick post -

Picture this: Three girls, chatting. Boy walks past, then suddenly drops to the floor and starts doing push-ups. Girls exhibit variety of "What the...?!?" faces, then quickly control giggles. Boy finishes, gets up, and strolls away nonchalantly. Girls turn to each other, somehow manage to laugh silently, and finally one says, "Well, HE'S straight!"

Picture this: Girl manages to convince Boy that she needs some pictures of people in various "athletic" poses for a blog entry she plans to do on Motivations to Exercise. Girl gets Boy to recreate push-ups (as well as other spurious shots) for the camera. Yeah. Evidence:


The things a guy will do for cute girls...

Sahara, Michael, Lindsay...

And just to prove I can play along too - my version of a Pilates pose:

* * * * *

Quote of the day: "But my other toe is... compromised."

Day 17 - Bonus FUN!!!

This is not the "deep thoughts" post. Far from it, in fact.




(Just trust me.)




(MASSIVE HILARITY. I kid you not.)



(BONUS NUMBER!)



Love.

Day 17 - The Appetizer

I had a very interesting (and long) conversation last night that went right along with some heavy topics I've been ruminating about lately, including: politics, the election, Palin, Biden, Obama (not so much McCain), fatalism, sympathy, Proposition 8, revelation, doctrine, freedom, rights, choices, and freedom of choice (to sum up). I haven't had a chance yet today to post about the bottom line, so until I do I wanted to spread around this photo that a friend of mine took of a sidebar in a magazine article:


Once you get past the initial *gasp!* it's really not all that surprising, is it? I mean, who HASN'T been there? (Or, to be honest, isn't there still?)

Day 16 - Lessons Learned (So Far)

Two weeks ago, while coaching drama students, I reminded them that the point of drama is for characters to get what they want, and that no one ever gets what they want by being angry at other people. Just "being angry", no matter how magnificently you do it, doesn't get you anything. In yet another case of Theatre Is Just Like Life, I realized it's the same in the real world. If you are going to get what you want out of the time you've got, it won't be by sitting around being mad about things.

Today, I saw the corollary brilliantly enacted: having psychotic breakdowns will ALSO not get you what you want. This is not to demean those who have had ACTUAL breakdowns - it is to say that being a massive drama queen, panicking, swearing, screaming, crying, and pounding on the floor (and other things) will not accomplish much besides ticking off the downstairs neighbors and frightening the impressionable youngsters watching you go all to pieces.

It's hard to ask for help if you're too busy making sure everyone within a five-mile radius knows The Universe (And Everyone In It) Has Wronged You, you know?

Day 15/16 - R&J Chronicles, The Final Chapter

(Unless there's an epilogue...) I wrote this all out on Wednesday, but started helping look for costume jewelry and didn't finish getting it posted until after midnight... It's transitional!

* * * * *

Final Dress - a Running Commentary

7:14 – it’s nice to be back in a theatre, after all the everyday-life drama of the last two weeks. Romeo and the students seem happy to see me, and if the director isn’t effusive, well, she’s opening a show that she’d like another day to rehearse…

7:25 – Once we got started, it was a pretty explosive beginning… nice. Everyone really seems to understand what they’re saying, which makes it a LOT easier for the audience to follow.

7:26 – I wish Benvolio were a little bigger, sillier – it needs a little comic lift. He’s a good actor, though young – he’ll do well. Romeo really is a marvelous actor.

7:39 – Mercutio is a HOTTIE. By the end of the show I might figure out if he can act.

7:43 – Inadvertent joke: Mercutio speaks of something being “thin of substance as the air” while waving his hand over Romeo’s thinning scalp. Oops.

8:12 – GREAT scene with Romeo and Friar Laurence! I’m still not sold on the romance, but the character stuff is fascinating! That’s not to say that the production isn’t selling the romance (as it were)… these are excellent actors, and I really can see how this headlong tumbling into love/infactuation is exciting and fun – I just don’t feel it applying in any way to me.

8:22 – Juliet bugs me. She’s young, and a twit.

8:25 – OK, she’s cute. (I credit the actress, not the character.)

8:38 – Good fight scene… Oh. I had no idea that Shakespeare was the originator of the “Previously, on…” bit of narration, though. Always makes me think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Hmmm… Nicholas Brendan as Benvolio, Anthony Stewart Head as Prince Escalus, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Juliet, and that leaves David Boreanaz as Romeo… (Angel’s certainly broody enough to play the part…) I guess that means Allyson Hannigan is left for Friar Laurence – I like it! Right, back to the play.

8:41 – Intermission. ( [SPOILER] Even dead, Mercutio’s still a hottie. Rowr.)

8:59 – Blah, blah, blah… drama drama drama. Dead, banished, WHATEVER.

9:02 – The scenes with Romeo and the Friar are the best. I’ve never liked Friar Laurence, but I’m finally starting to see how Shakespeare wrote the two characters to balance each other, and where the Friar’s motivation comes from… Also, it makes me happy that FL and the Nurse are both treating him like the whining little baby that he is. Heh.

9:19 – Hey, Lord Capulet! It’s like I told the BHS students – anger doesn’t get you anything. And in Shakespeare, it just makes you hard to understand!

9:23 – I do like Paris. This is an extraordinarily sympathetic actor. Oh, wow, and the author gave him some good lines… I never noticed before. I’m feeling a little swoony.

9:38 – It really sucks to be Lady Capulet.

9:43 – Shakespeare is just MEAN. That tonal shift from [SPOILER!] Juliet’s death scene to Romeo in Mantua is irony whacking the audience over the head with a jackhammer. Rude.

9:47 – Ooh, dead Juliet and dead Tybalt walked into the “vault” and laid down on their biers at the same time. Cool.

10:00 – Dang, another “Previously”, and at the very end of the play! Come on, FL, we KNOW what happened! We just watched it! I suppose that IS a good teaching technique: “Tell ‘em what you’re going to tell ‘em; tell ‘em; tell ‘em what you told ‘em.” Are we supposed to cry all over again?

10:06 – Really, this is a very good show. I’m terribly impressed. Everyone has obviously worked very hard, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes Shakespeare or would like to become better acquainted with the Bard! (Opens Thursday, and runs this and next weekend!)

Day 15 - For Your Enjoyment

Happy Hump Day to me! I made it halfway through my "30 Days Post"! I have plans for further blogs tonight and to come, but in the meantime...

Xanadu: the Movie, "Don't Walk Away"



and Xanadu: the Musical, "Don't Walk Away"



Animation or roller skates and a chorus of muses? Which do you prefer?

Day 14 - Sainthood Pending

I made it to work 5 MINUTES EARLY. Without excessive speeding. Two more days of this (maybe just one if I make it 10) and it could count as an actual miracle.

* * * * *

My old friend Pinched Nerve is back. He is joined by his close neighbors, Aleve and Advil. Should be an interesting day.

Day 13 - Monday Report and Review

In which we shall see: Pictures of a cultural icon (Garfield), a report card (no grades), irony alerts, and a break with tradition.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'm sure we can all relate.

About two weeks ago, I set out some goals - today I want to evaluate and see how it's going so far.

1 - BE ON TIME TO EVERYTHING.

The first week, I was awesome. I made it on time to: work everyday, every rehearsal, every appointment, and church. I wouldn't say I was EARLY very often, but I always made it on time. Last week, I didn't do as well. Maybe it's psychological - I heard again that my family thinks I'm late to everything, and most of last week was family events... and I was pretty generally late. I wasn't usually LAST, but I wasn't early or on-time. Bleh.

- Today I made it to work on time, but only barely. I think the problem (besides not liking to get up, which might be helped by other goals) is that I'm in the habit of checking things online in the mornings while I'm getting ready, and we all know what a time-sucker THAT can be. *Irony bell ringing* So, time for a new plan in the mornings! Skipping to...

2 - EXERCISE EVERY DAY. Again, I did pretty well that first week, but then came Conference and the pinched nerve and family activities blah blah blah. Today, it was the residual stiffness and "will have time to workout in the afternoon." I'm seeing that it's gotta be the mornings - in the afternoons (if I'm not at work) and evenings there is just too much else to do, and I am far too easily distracted. I really do need that stretching workout today, so I'll get to it tonight - and then right back to it tomorrow morning. Right after...

3 - GET MORE SLEEP. Yeah. This really hasn't been happening. OK, family stuff is done, everyone's gone home, it's getting colder and it will be far more efficient to warm up in bed than by puttering around the house doing unimportant things. Exercise early, get to bed early. Right.

4 - COMMUNICATE ABOUT IMPORTANT THINGS BY PHONE, NOT EMAIL. Not too much application here in the past few weeks - most of the people I needed to talk to were around, anyway. I haven't made any official announcement to this effect, though I will email it out soon *Irony alarm sounds loudly*. I did mention this new policy to a few people, so it shouldn't be a big surprise. I do see that it will potentially be a very important concept in the next few months.

5 - STOP GIVING ADVICE. It's been surprising to me how often I've had to restrain myself in the last two weeks. I had no idea I was such a know-it-all! *Irony bell falls silent, having broken with exertion* I can think of one specific incident where I gave advice recently, but I do think that was more along the lines of a "teaching" episode than a "let me give you the benefit of my insight and opinions" occasion. For the rest, well, I guess I know now why my tongue has been so raw - all the biting - and maybe I'm finally learning to shut up!

ADDENDUM - LISTEN TO DIRECTIONS FROM SELF. Either I've been too tired to give myself directions, or feeling too self-pitying or entitled to give myself helpful instructions. We'll see how I do this week, as I talk myself into making habits of these goals!

Note: One brother-in-law asked me how I was doing on my "no chocolate" goal - as we can see, that goal is not on this list. It probably should be, and my excuse for stuffing myself full of sweets over the weekend was to get so sick of them that I wouldn't want to eat any more. I recognize that at this point, that's not very likely. Maybe the next list!

* * * * *

FYI: If I ever get married, I foresee three events: 1) - An egagement dinner, involving friends and family. 2) - The wedding, probably followed by a meal for the group at the ceremony. 3) - Three+ weeks later, a big party with a band, dancing, and all kinds of food.

That's it. No reception, no fluffy dress, no receiving line, no bouquets, none of that stuff. Doesn't that sound much easier, and much more fun?

Watch out for falling turtles,

Cyd

Day 12 - A Poem

From this morning's Music and the Spoken Word:

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

- Rudyard Kipling

Day11 - To Sum Up

My impressions of yesterday:

*huff* *gasp* *oooooh* *la!* *yummmm* *brrrr* *wheeee!* *yummm, again* *hee* *OW*

To illustrate:






(I accidentally deleted a couple of pictures of the Alpine Slide I'd wanted to use here. Bleh.)

Timpanoogos = tough hike up, great cavern tour, extremely cute Ranger guide, fine hike down, cold, great views.
Blue Plate Diner (Sugarhouse) = sketchy exterior, OK interior, FANTASTIC food.
Alpine Slide = cold cold cold cold cold, homemade winter hats!, speed, screaming, fun, COLD.
Grub Steak = terrific salad bar, nice atmosphere, excellent Mud Pie, Bread Pudding w/Rum Sauce that can knock you flat (whatta kick ina teeth!).
Hanging with friends = funny stories, LoveSac, no new pictures of Tara and/or Greg (sad), good times.

* * * * *

Resolved: If I ever write an autobiography, it will be titled, "It Goes Without Saying."