They Came, They Saw, They Married

There are some truly lovely images from today's Wedding (which was actually pretty fun, I thought, and the news coverage of the entire country gettin' their street party on was completely endearing) and this is one of my favorites. I don't know if this is the first or the second kiss (did you realize that Charles and Diana were the first to kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace? They were. Fergie and Andrew were next - evidently, that got steamy. William obligingly kissed Kate, with what could accurately be called a "peck", and the crowd chanted for another. Apparently, they really ARE the People's Prince and Princess, and Round Two was a little more successful with the crowd - though it definitely stuck much closer to "sweet" and "dignified" than to "steamy") - but look at everybody else!

Charles and Camilla with their granddaughter, ignoring (or just missing) the whole kissing thing (very British, in that it might have been weirder to acknowledge it, what with Charles starting the whole tradition with William's mother); the two page boys on the right eating up the crowd and typically not tuning in to schmoopiness; the two older bridesmaids adorably captivated by the romantic gesture; and the hilarious diva in front who's upset that the whole thing isn't about HER.

It may not be a candid moment, exactly, but the things the candid pictures can capture are the BEST.


Now, I have to get back to work. It's only a holiday for people who don't have graduate presentations and essays due next week (unless they finished already, but those types are overachievers and we don't want to talk about them). Wave your flags and sing "Hail to the Queen"! Party on, Britannia!


P.S. I quite liked the Bishop of London's sermon, and I would recommend taking a look if you missed it. It's not just good for a royal marriage, it's good for any marriage! Also, I kinda tuned it out, but the hymn Jerusalem has been getting a hugely positive response as well. I do love music in Westminster.

Wedding Playbill

Want to feel like you were there at The Wedding? (Of course you do!)

Then browse through the program(me) while you're curled up in front of the telly in your pajamas and fancy fascinator!




ETA: This is brilliant. Fun, funny stuff.

Week In Review

26 hours driving a mini-van by oneself sounds like:

- Daughtry - Leave This Town
- Notre Dame de Paris (Euro Musical Cast)
- The Scarlet Pimpernel (Original Cast)
- Hairspray (Movie Soundtrack)
- Emerson Drive - What If?
- Brian Regan LIVE
- "All Star Christmas" Mix
- Aly & AJ - Into the Rush
- Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted
- Teen Witch: The Musical (Original Cast)
- Sky High (Movie Soundtrack)
- Dragonsong by Anne McCaffery (I am SO glad I figured out how to load that onto my Ipod Shuffle!)

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Achievement Day for 9 - 11 yr. old girls. "Vinyl lettering on tile" is evidently the new tole painting. Pink vinyl is the worst, FYI.

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It was a really great tent, made even greater by the fact that it came equipped with a basic queen-sized mattress for the visiting oldster, yours truly. Loved the star-gazing-friendly mesh window, having the sprinklers turned off and the train decide not to drive by in the middle of the night. This tent was not so great in the heating department. In the tent's defense, it wasn't SUPPOSED to get that cold that night...

PRO: Nobody wet their sleeping bag.
CON: The train did visit after all, at 6 AM. No walls to mute the rattle.

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Why do I always start to feel sick when I visit Oregon? I'm not allergic to anything, I usually get in at least one day of exercise... Is it the sea level? Delayed travel lag? Crappy guest-room mattress? (Sorry, K. At least the food is always good!) Speaking of...

No one is ever to sick for:

Seriously. Could eat there every day. My sister actually has (well, three days in a row, anyhow).

Also, made the kids watch Hairspray this afternoon. They liked it, but my oldest nephew thought it was "weird".

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In theory, I'm a fan of weddings. In practice, I'd just as soon not be there - thanks in large part to the tendency of elderly family members to do things like grabbing my left hand and loudly asking, "Aren't you married yet?!?", always in public settings and usually during a lull in other conversation. My cousin's wedding on Thursday was very nice - got held up for about 45 minutes since another cousin hadn't realized her temple recommend had expired and the temple workers were scrambling to find enough people to vouch for her and get her in. She was cleared, but had hied off to parts unknown. Her bishop speculated: "She's probably in a bar." Generally speaking, you don't often laugh that hard in a temple sealing room.

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An excellent new series:


Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, and Silent on the Moor - all excellent Victorian-era mysteries with just a dash of romance thrown in. And I'm serious about that "dash" - ignore the covers, because these book are not in any way the Harlequin-esque "bodice rippers" they would appear to be. (Pity, that.) (Sort of kidding, there.)

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As a rule, I don't like wedding receptions. I've been to a LOT of them, and at least half the time end up working in some capacity or other - cutting and serving cake, arranging decorations, cleaning up, etc... Also, I have an embarrasingly large collection of bouquets that I've caught in the bridal toss, in spite of my long-standing policy to hide in a closet during that activity. I was fully prepared to not like this reception either - I was working hard to get tables set and decorations up and fluffed, and had been asked to sit at the guest book and welcome people once things started. Bleh.

Even my reception gloom could not withstand the nuptial glow, however - my cousin and his new wife were so brilliantly happy you couldn't help but feel good when you were around them. She's absolutely darling, and the two of them are a wonderful match. The food was good, the people sitting at our table were friendly and funny, and the cheesecake production line I helped to organize was a work of art and marvel of efficiency. (My sister is REALLY good at that kind of thing. We were awesome.) Also, my parents got into a fight in the garage over the proper way to serve the dinner buffet, and my sister's retelling of the story is hilarious. We were able to duck out early on the excuse that I had to start a 13-hour drive at 5 AM the next day, so I missed the bouquet toss altogether. Score!

* * * * *

I managed to squeeze in a visit to one of my favorite places, Silver Falls State Park. I know. A place that highlights hiking is one that I love most. What can I say - I'm complex!


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Thank goodness a former fellow employee put me onto her "iguana" or Guarana pills - the "natural stimulant" may in fact be cartloads of caffeine, but they got me and four coolers full of Oregon blueberries and raspberries home safely after 13 extremely boring hours on the road. I really don't remember anymore why I volunteered for that part. Complex... or just an idiot?

Don't answer that.

* * * * *

The dedication today was lovely.

I've got a lot to do if I want to visit all the temples in the area before I leave for England (which I do).

I've got even more to do if I want to leave for England!

Chick-Lit Live

Tonight's agenda: Wedding reception. (Not mine.)

Equipment: "Hooker" stiletto boots, red pearl beads, take-no-prisoners red coat. Slimfast shake (to fend off reception food).

Situation: Brother of the bride is ex-boyfriend.

Mission: Make nice with bride and groom, show ex what he’s missing. Bonus: Irritate single bridesmaids.

Status: ACCOMPLISHED.

Agenda for rest of evening, since there were no convenient attractive single cousins/groomsmen of appropriate age at reception: Pilates workout. DVD of cheesy new dance movie. (It’s a sequel, even.) (They’re always cheesy.)

Status: PENDING.

INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT OF DAY:

Congratulations, friends! (I'm pretty sure at one point she was on my list. Not the list you think, a different list... and she made it off! Awesome! Hope remains!)

Day 9 - (Insert Emoticon Here)

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In other news: I ate one meal, a pound or so of M&M's, and four different kinds of cake today; I got a Thank-You card and a fantastically outrageous apology card that I will treasure FOREVER; there was no bouquet toss (joy and gladness!); and I didn't cry once. Awesome.

It's a Sin (one of 7)

In which we shall see: nothing so bad as the post title would imply (I think), long-armed furry animals, tracks in the carpet, things that almost happen, a list, big news, a stiff upper lip, "Dear Auntie Cyd", and familial lunacy.

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I don't really have much to report, so this will more than likely bit something of a ramble. My current job just cut hours down to 20 hours a week per person, and that has left me with a couple more days off a week. That's really only OK for about the first week - after that, one starts to realize that (along with the sudden drop in income) a person generally does better when she has a real, Day-Timer worthy reason to leave the house. I am such a LURP. I haven't exactly been sleeping all day (that was last week), but I probably could be mistaken for a tree-hanging mammal. In my own small defense, I really haven't been feeling well or sleeping well the past few weeks, so days when I don't have any scheduled appointments make it that much harder to get going. Probably the most exercise I get on a regular basis is the series of laps I do between my bed and the "snooze" button on my alarm clock. Today I almost did some housecleaning, very nearly got a load of laundry in, and WILL in fact get out of the house for an, er, "appointment" (more in a minute) and a two-mile walk/jog. It's 8:00. P.M.

At least I'll also be able to say I blogged today.

Plans:

- Clean out storage. Sell things on Ebay.

- Make/sell jewelry. Next month, put together website. (Want to wait until my web designer gets settled in her new house.)

- Find second part-time job/one full-time job. Will probably stick with odd jobs or SP-T job until fall, when job market opens up a little and vacations are over.

- Finish next dramaturgical packet for Pinnacle Acting Company. (Romeo and Juliet. Bleh.)

- Try badgering (er, "persuading") local theatre companies to let me come on as a paid, assistant, or intern dramaturg.

- Get dramaturgy portfolio DVD compiled, ready for grad school applications.

- Help prepare jewelry, flower girl dresses, and anything else that needs doing for my youngest brother's wedding.

Yeah.

I'm officially the last single member of my family. It's not like I didn't expect it, but it is still a little strange... We're having family pictures taken next month, and each sibling's family is wearing a different color - and I'm halfway tempted to just show up in my own color (burnt orange, or gray, maybe). I won't, 'cause I think it would make my mom feel bad (and there really aren't any colors left I look GOOD in, so...), and it's just weird, you know? It's certainly nothing about my brother's fiancee, who's a darling girl... It's just...

Years ago, I remember my mom saying that one of her dreams was to have all her children present in the temple when the youngest was married. And we all will be, which is wonderful, it's just a little hard to know that I'll be the only one there by myself. (Naturally, this situation wouldn't have ocurred to anyone all those years ago.) On the plus side, I have made it clear that I am not eligible for bridesmaid's duties (honestly, when the bridesmaid is a good thirteen years older than the bride things are gonna get uncomfortable for everybody). Also, I really do want to get a Master's Degree and work as a dramaturg in New York, and then maybe (MAYBE) come back here and start a Performing Arts School... while intermittently traveling the country (and possibly the world) doing important work in the development of theatre (and perhaps working on movies) while writing books and a syndicated humor/advice column; which is gonna be just a little difficult if I a) have a husband/family or b) don't get moving and stop being so lazy!

To that end, there is one other bit of news - most of the family is taking part in the Pocatello Marathon on August 30. We are not a particularly athletic family, being much more inclined towards the artsy and musical and computer-oriented aspects of society, but one person got interested, and it snowballed, and peer pressure reared its ugly (yet effective) head, and we're off. My oldest brother and my brother-in-law are doing the full marathon; while my sister, sister-in-law, youngest brother, and myself are doing the half marathon. All the rest of the siblings/in-laws (and parents) are coming along for support and to offer child care. The other day, Mom said she wanted to do the marathon NEXT year with all of us... oy. Gotta make it through August, first!

I'm off now to help plan flower-girl dresses, and to get in my two miles - I'm hoping that the exercise will help me get ready for the (half) marathon, sleep better tonight, and motivate me to actually get some things done tomorrow. Quite a lot to expect from two little miles, eh?

Watch out for falling turtles (and bouquets),

Cyd

Days to marathon: 52

Candy-Coated Happily Ever After

In which we shall see: a wedding invite, Jessica Ann-Tiek (hee), the report, chocolatey goodies, jewelry design (*shameless plug*), an inappropriate conversation, pretty pictures, and multiple-use words.

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You are cordially invited to the wedding reception of the new Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Jessica Tiek, married Wednesday, May 21 just after torrential rains but continuing through freezing, hair-pulling winds (wedding party pictures sure to be posted later). The bride wore white, with an adjustable dark-hot-pink train and sash, and the groom wore a black tuxedo and an adorably unforced PermaGrin. (The government is looking into using this couple's enthusiasm as an alternative power source.) The 11 bridesmaids (11!) were melt-in-your-mouth luscious in chocolate brown with respective candy-colored pink, orange, and green satin sashes. All the women in the party were accessorized by the up-and-coming Kaesi Designs, who did the fun and funky jewelry (*shameless plug*). Decorations included neon pastel M&M's, gerbera daisies, lime slices, and small children climbing on the tables to get the M&M's.

Join me now as we listen in on a conversation overheard (er, participated in) at the wedding luncheon, where a remarkably tasty Costco chicken alfredo (not kidding - so yummy!) has just been consumed and desert is being served.

Sibling: "Wait, what did he just call that cake? And it's his wife's recipe?!?"

Sib-in-law: "I know, I heard it too!"

Sibling 2: "Huh?"

Sibling: "Did he just call that 'Whore Cake'?"

Sib-in-law: "That's what I heard!"

Sib-in-law 2: *bursts out laughing*

Cousin: "No, it's 'Score Cake'."

Cousin-in-law: "In my family we call it something else, but maybe he didn't think it was appropriate to call it that here..."

Sibling: "Oh! 'Score Cake'. I get it. Nice."

Sib-in-law 2: *still laughing*

Sibling: (Pause.) "Wait - like the candy bar?"

Sibling 2: "Huh?"

Sibling: "You know, the Skor bar crunched up as the topping. 'Skor Cake'."

Sibling 2: *stares blankly, then collapses into laughter along with sib-in-law 2*

Several guests at luncheon: "I'm glad we're not at THAT table."

Rest of guests at luncheon: "I wish I was at THAT table."

Bride's grandmother: "Good cake."

Good times.

A passel ("flock"? "flitter?") of chocolatey bridesmaids:

The official cake (love the brown ribbon):

Congratulations, cute newlyweds!

In other news, today at work a man came up to the window and asked if there was "a john here." A little confused, we directed him around to the front of the building where there is public access to the restrooms. He continued, "... but John told me to meet him here!" I burst into laughter, trying to choke it back so as not to embarrass him. He gave me a funny look, but didn't in any way acknowledge the alternate meaning of what he'd said. He sat down to wait for his, er... John, and we were grateful once more that the thick glass keeps most sound from escaping our office!

Watch out for falling turtles (also doubles as wedding advice),

Cyd