Weekly Favorites #19

1) The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling.
Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide.

Moth shows are renowned for the great range of human experience they showcase. Each show starts with a theme, and the storytellers explore it, often in unexpected ways. Since each story is true and every voice authentic, the shows dance between documentary and theater, creating a unique, intimate, and often enlightening experience for the audience. The organization produces a podcast. There is a new episode up every week in iTunes or you can visit the website.

2)Love Hunter Hayes. Love this song. This video is cute and all I have to say is I will be your somebody Hunter.

Get More: 

Everybody's Got Somebody but Me (Featuring Jason Mraz), Hunter Hayes, Hunter Hayes Videos

3) I am loving Nashville on ABC. The music and talent is always great including Lennon and Maisy.


This Shadow Performance Group on Britain's Got Talent

Deal Breaker

Last weekend I went out on a blind date. This guy I went out with seemed like a decent normal guy. He was nice, articulate, he likes to read. Then during dinner, I find out that he doesn't like pumpkin pie. What! Who doesn't like pumpkin pie? That is so not normal!
That might be a deal breaker.

I am not very demanding when it comes to dates or choosing friends to spend with but these are the things that will help guys earn points with me.

First, be respectful. Don't talk about yourself the whole night and open doors for me. It's very much appreciated.

Hygiene. Shower everyday but don't overdo it on the cologne. Don't belch and do other gross things.

Be positive. Give a sincere compliment, and don't complain about everything going on in your life. Negativity is a turn off.

Eat Sugar. I don't think I could ever hang out with somebody who doesn't eat cookies and ice cream.

Be Goofy. I think its cute when guys can bust out a song and have fun singing at the top of their lungs. Even when they're not the best singer.

Read. I respect somebody who always has a book they are working through. That usually means they have a decent vocabulary.

Country music. Guys have to enjoy country music and be okay with me talking about how much I love Hunter Hayes.
On a similar note, the guy I date should be willing to go see a Michael Buble concert if I ask him.

What are your deal breakers?

Favorites of the Week #18

Boy Meets World. This is my all time favorite show. While I am still nervous about the upcoming spin-off I am still very excited about it. That excitement grew after I saw that the show was featured in Entertainment Weekly’s Reunion Special coming out this week!

Here's another reunion video from Entertainment Weekly

Kelly Clarkson is releasing a Christmas album. The festive album will include both original songs as well as popular covers, such as "White Christmas" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside." "Wrapped In Red" will be released on Oct. 29. She released one of the originals this week. Underneath the Tree.

Pretzel M&Ms-So good!

The movie Captain Phillips. The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. The end scene in this movie was so great, and I think Tom Hanks might be considered for an Oscar. 

                                                                                                                                                    This Made Me Chuckle.

On Being Stupid.

The word stupid has several, slightly different meanings

1. Slow to learn or understand;

2. Tending to make poor decisions or careless

I wouldn’t call myself a stupid person but because I live in a fairly safe neighborhood I am a naturally trusting person. I always lock my car wherever I park, but I don’t mind walking at night by myself or, say going to a movie theatre alone. After one particularly frightening experience at the movies, this is something I am trying to be better about.

This was in spring of 2011. I had just graduated from BYU (Brigham Young University), and I was not taking classes at the time. It was during finals week and my roommates were busy preparing for tests. I had gone to the track to jog after work. When I got home from working out I decided since my roommates were at the library studying I decided I would go see a movie. I had wanted to see Source Code. I went in my work out clothes, all gross and disgusting.  After I arrived at the theatre and bought my ticket I realized I had arrived a little bit early and my movie was not seating people for another 10 minutes.  Because I had no other choice, I hung out in the lobby watching previews. While I was waiting, this guy who is a probably 6 years older than I am starts making small talk and chatting me up. I could tell he was at least a little interested. This might sound conceited but you have to understand that this never happens to me, so I felt uncomfortable in the first place. Secondly, this guy was not very attractive and the conversation grew awkward. This was probably because I really wanted to be left alone.

So then this guy, asks me what movie I am seeing and if I am waiting for any of my friends. This is when lying comes in handy. I was thrown off guard so I just answered honestly. I told him I was waiting to see Source Code and that I wasn’t waiting for anybody. Stupid moment, and not one of my finest. I should have known better. Then he tells me that he was seeing the same movie and wanted to know if we could sit together. Geeze. I know he was lying because when I said that would be fine, he excused himself and went and bought his movie ticket. How weird is that. It was like he was hunting for someone to sit with before he decided what movie to watch. Maybe I am reading too much into that? I don’t know, but he was just hanging out in the lobby.

Then we sit by each other and he keeps trying to make awkward small talk during the previews. And I love watching previews. He kept asking me if he was making uncomfortable, which got old very fast. He asked me that at least 5 times. I guess maybe I sit awkwardly in the theatre chairs. I don’t know. Then, near the beginning of the movie, he leans over and tells me that I smell good. Creeper! Who does that? I asked him what I smelled like because I literally had just come from the gym. In reality I probably smelled sweaty and gross.

During the movie I actually felt this guy’s pinky touch my hand like he was trying to hold my hand. I’m trying not to accuse but it was all so strange.

Also during the movie, he actually left to go to the bathroom and I felt so off, and maybe a little worried for my own well being, that I almost considered moving seats so he couldn't find me. But I didn't. 

So, after the movie I didn't want the guy following me to my car so I told him it was nice to meet him, and I bolted out of the theater before he could get out of his seat. 

Puppy Love

If you ask my friends and family I love dogs.  If I was going to get a pet, I would definitely buy a dog.  Dogs are usually friendly, they are so excited to see you and play with you, and they make great exercise partners.  Plus, When I finally get my own dog it will probably be my best friend.

I have discovered my two new favorite breeds of dog. They are mixed breeds but are my favorite because they are so darn cute. Just Look at those faces!!

First, the puggle (a mix between a beagle and a pug)

Pomsky (mix between a Pomeranian and a husky). 

Weekly Picks #17

This healthy Sweet Green Smoothie

6 oz. fat-free plain Greek yogurt

1-2 cups baby spinach

1 very ripe pear (peeled and cored)

15 grapes

2 Tbsp avocado.

1 Tbsp lime juice

I am LDS and last weekend we had a worldwide general conference. 

Our prophet and other church leaders spoke to members all across the world. You can read or watch the messages at this website.

The Glee tribute to Cory Monteith. Good bye Finn. I cried big time but at least I know I’m not a robot.

Luscious Liquid Lipstick by E.L.F

This is not only a bargain at $1. It’s not really lipstick but lip gloss. It has great coverage, makes your lips soft, and comes in fun colors.

I have always loved this song  Hey Juliet by LMNT. I just recently learned LMNT is pronounced element.  Who knew?

Book Club-Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle--and people in general--has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

While the book is not perfect, as a whole it is very engaging.  I really enjoyed it. There is funny dialogue, meaningful moments, and incidents that can only be described as awesome but absurd. Kindergarten program anybody?  The characters all have qualities that border on crazy but that you can completely relate to. With all of the mothers in the neighborhood you start to think, I totally know somebody like that.

The majority of the book is a compilation of letters, emails, and E.R. bills, F.B.I documents.  A small part of it is narrated by Bee (can I just say again that I love how Bee’s greatest aspiration is to go to Antarctica). This type of writing would normally  have me worried but I realized it has a lot of strengths. The format allows for a lot of character development. You get to hear the innermost thoughts of these characters, how they feel about each other, and how they interact with one another. And, Maria Semple is a talented writer. She is very adept at giving each individual character a distinct voice. (Just for your Gee Whiz file, she used to be a t.v. writer. She wrote for a little show you might have heard of-Arrested Development). I really enjoy when you hear a character, and you don’t have to rely as much on physical descriptions to bring them to life.

Burnadette might have issues to deal with but she is very funny and my favorite character in the whole book.

“Americans are pushy, obnoxious, neurotic, crass - anything and everything - the full catastrophe as our friend Zorba might say. Canadians are none of that. The way you might fear a cow sitting down in the middle of the street during rush hour, that's how I fear Canadians. To Canadians, everyone is equal. Joni Mitchell is interchangeable with a secretary at open-mic night. Frank Gehry is no greater than a hack pumping out McMansions on AutoCAD. John Candy is no funnier than Uncle Lou when he gets a couple of beers in him. No wonder the only Canadians anyone's ever heard of are the ones who have gotten the hell out. Anyone with talent who stayed would be flattened under an avalanche of equality. The thing Canadians don't understand is that some people are extraordinary and should be treated as such.” 

This book is a quick, easy read. And it’s full words of wisdom. Go pick it up and read. Let me know what you think.

You’re bored. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think it’s boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn it’s ON YOU to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.”

Joanne's

So I had a pretty funny experience. This past week I went to buy fabric for the first time in my entire life.

The store is impressive. It's like a crafter's heaven. They had every possible color and type of fabric ever imaginable, which is a problem for me. This is one area where I absolutely fail at being a girl. I don't knit, sew, quilt, paint, or make crafts. The last time I used a sewing machine was in a class in 7th grade, 12 years ago.

Earlier this week I had to Walmart to look for fabric. Wool specifically. I was teaching a lesson on static electricity. Wool works really well. So I walked into Joanne's and start to look around. I see a lot of cotton but no wool. I know what wool is supposed to look like but I am not confident I could pick it out without a label. I am a pretty smart person, and I know a lot about different areas, but not fabrics and not sewing. I quickly decide that best and quickest thing I could do was just to ask somebody to take me to their wool samples and have  the nice ladies there take me to the correct aisle.

I didn't even care what bolt I grabbed or what color I ended up getting. So I go to the cutting counter and grab a number just like an episode of Seinfeld, except I'm not waiting for a bunt cake.

This girl in front of me says hi and asks me what I'm making. It took me off guard but apparently this is a very legitimate questions for a fabric store. I told the truth.

"I'm just getting fabric for a science experiment. I just need some fabric to cut into squares." Than I thought, they don't even have to be squares, they could circles, rectangles, or any other shape for all I care.

This same girl, girl A,  then told me she was at the store with her friend, girl B. Girl B was getting fabric to make mummy Halloween decorations.Very crafty and not anything I would do. My philosophy is that it would be easier to buy decorations than to make one. I am a total snob.

Then there was a lady behind me with her daughter. She had a bolt of red, sparkly fabric. I believe it was tulle. Yes, I looked up the correct spelling of tulle. They were making a Super Girl costume for Halloween and were making the skirt all pretty and fancy.  I then had to explain that I was doing the most unexciting thing and just getting squares of fabric cut for science experiment. Nothing else. Nothing cutesy. 

Then the girl cutting my fabric asked me what I was making. (Apparently this is the most common question in the store.)  I believe this was because I asked her to show me how much a 1/2 yard of fabric and a 1/4 yard of fabric would be. I had no idea how to judge how much fabric I needed. Hopeless I tell you. Anyway, to make a long story short, I think I have found the place where I DO NOT belong. That is at Joanne's buying fabric, or anywhere near a sewing machine.

Sunday Social 70

1.  What were you like in middle school and high school?

I was quite shy  in junior high and high school and I am positive my awkward phase lasted way longer than everybody else’s. I always considered myself pretty normal. I wasn’t ever super popular but I had quite a few friends in school. I took a couple of AP classes and got good grades but I was not even the close to being an over achiever compared to the rest of my class. I went to school with a whole hoard of very smart people.  If you asked my dad he’d probably describe me as one of the nerds. In fact, he has actually described me that way. I was involved in orchestra also which was a blast. It was fun, I loved the music, and I met some of my best friends through orchestra.

2. What were your favorite pastimes?

Music lessons and orchestra were a huge part of my life. I loved my English classes and really loved reading. My friends and I would hang out all of the time listening to music, playing night games in the park, hosting murder mystery parties, and making movies. We thought our movies were so great. 

3. What songs were you obsessed with?

I was a true Backstreet Boys fan. My sister got to go to their concert ages ago and I was so jealous. I really liked anything by Kelly Clarkson. I remember her winning American Idol as I was going into 9^thgrade.  I also remember loving Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney and Accidently in Love by Counting Crows.

4. What fashion statement do you look backing and cringe?

There was year or two in junior high where I would go to school in my bib overalls. Talk about embarrassing.

5. Who was your celeb crush?

This is a really hard question. I never got really crazy about the crushes until later, but there is one I remember. Everybody always said that Nick Carter was the cutest Backstreet Boy. I disagree. It was Brian all the way. I also loved Matt Damon.

6. What was your favorite movie?

First I have to say Harry Potter. Harry Potter was my Childhood! Other movies I loved were 13 going on 30, the Italian Job, the Devil Wears Prada, Chicago, The Wedding Planner, Kate and Leopold, Legally Blonde, Miss Congeniality, Zoolander, and Ocean’s Eleven. Wow that was a lot.

Favorite Things This Week #16

I saw Gravity. Oh my gosh, you all need to go watch this movie. It is the most intense thing I have seen in recent memory.  This movie was so stressful I think I held for breath for the entire 90 minutes. For some reason I really liked it.

My new scarves. 

I bought tickets to see Lady Antebellum November 23rd.

I’m going to love on Chris Pine a little bit. He is so handsome. I just saw the trailer for the new Jack Ryan movie. I think it has major potential. And this is a new picture of him on the set of Into the Woods.

These adorable animal pictures. Can you even stand the cuteness?

Lessons from Redbox

So do you guys go to rent movies from Redbox often?  I rented a movie on Saturday and realized I experienced two of my pet peeves, just while waiting in line.

The first is one I’m sure you have all experienced. I get in line and I am stuck behind a group of 10 or 12 year old boys.  I hear them talking, and I know they are looking for Ironman. They look at the alphabetized list and find out that Ironman is not available. Should be end of story, right? No. These boys decide what they need to do now is scroll the entire list of movies two or three more times just to make sure they couldn’t find Ironman.  This literally went on for 10 minutes and they were completely oblivious to the other people waiting. This is why we have something called the internet.  You can reserve a dvd at a location near you. That way when you show up at the redbox, all you have to do it swipe your card and take your movie.  I guess browsing is not all that bad but not when you have a line of people behind you.  Just remember to be considerate, people.

The next thing that bothered me was the guy behind me in line that had no respect for personal boundaries.  I had a dvd reserved and had just stepped up to the machine to swipe my card when the guy behind me steps into my personal bubble and starts to crowd me just a little too closely. He is probably 2 inches away from me, and I can practically feel him breathing down my neck. This also happens frequently at the self checkout at walmart.  Don’t be that person whether you are in line at the movie theatre or the grocery store. Just remember to give people their space. Crowding them will not make things move along any faster.

Anyway that is all. Do you all think I’m a horrible person now?  Ha ha

Have a wonderful day.

Thanks for stopping by.