Dim lights, soft music, sweaty palms, heart beating madly...
This would be a much better story if that was describing, say, a date I just got back from, but sadly it's not.
This is a tale of why I don't exercise.
It was a perfectly lovely Saturday, one of those late summer days where you manage to do plenty, and yet, nothing at all. I did some internet window shopping and took the time to do an extra-good job of shaving my legs. There was a fabulous book signing and homemade pancakes for dinner. I also started watching this little tv show called Wonderfalls. I'm only three episodes in, but it’s good. Bryan Fuller (the creator) is also the genius behind Pushing Daisies and I would be willing to do anything he asked me to do if he promises to keep making great television. Especially if he happened to need me for a make-out scene with Lee Pace. Go ahead. Ogle. I’ll wait.
Yum. But back to the story…my parents got home from a drive around 8:30. Who goes on drives with gas prices the way they are in Utah? We have the highest average in the nation, which is gross.
Then this occurred.
Dad: Are you planning on doing anything besides watching five hours of tv?
(I wasn’t.)
Me: Of course I am. Gosh!
(I sounded disturbingly like Napoleon Dynamite at that moment.)
Dad: If you say so...
(At which point I’m pretty sure he went upstairs to watch tv.)
After the episode wrapped up, I stretched and sighed. Grabbing my iPod and phone, I hollered up to the folks that I was going for a walk. So…I walked. Over to the high school, because I thought I’d check out the track. See, I’ve had these grand plans in my mind for a long time that I will eventually go running on a regular basis. This is hard for me because I’m a lousy runner, but I realize that I need to exercise more, especially if I’m going to be at a desk for forty hours a week. I’m sooooo not a morning person, so that’s really not an option. Getting back in shape would be a definite bonus. I figure it could also be a good way to blow off the steam of a) working all day and b) living at home.
It took me a semester or two to adjust to living on my own. However, once I went home during that first break from school, I positively couldn’t wait to get back. Apartment life suited me well. Now here I am, living at home for who knows how long. There are many perks, like a stocked pantry, air conditioning, and a laundry room that doesn’t cost $2 a load to use. At this exact moment, though, I’m missing my wireless internet, the cupboard of Pringles and kettle corn, and the ability to do whatever I darn well please on the weekends.
I made it down to the stadium in ten minutes, only to find it under super-tight security. The football field was re-done and I guess it’s still under construction, something like 18 months later. You can build movie theaters in that time, so you’d think it would be finished by now. The fact of the matter is that the new field won’t make our football team any better, so it’s all a tad Sisyphean.
With the prospect of running on the track ruled out, I began to consider other possibilities. (There aren’t many.) I walked around the side of the high school and right by the doors to the G Hall there’s this guy kneeling. Definitely not a high schooler and it looked like he was wearing all camo or something. It probably wasn’t a big deal, but it was dark and late and unusual. I freaked out, because not only am a young female with shapely legs, but I read something like one hundred murder mystery books when I was in middle school. As a result, I’m very paranoid and also suffer from the delusion that if I do find a dead body, there will be a complicated trail leading to a showdown with the murderer. Ostensibly, the handsome sheriff will arrive at the last minute and save me. (I also ALWAYS wonder if there will be a dead body in the shower before I get in.)
I quickened my pace, turned down my music, and took an unwise detour down the darker part of the street. I made it back safely, but on the walk home, I realized something. What if I’m not ready to live on my own yet? If anything had happened, how would I have defended myself or who would I have called? If I do ever get to fulfill my dream of living in New York City, I have to be better prepared (and probably a better runner). A person can’t let the inconsequential things freak them out, but one must be cautious. I have some growing to do yet.
I guess even though it’s been an adjustment for my whole family to have me at home, it’s nice to have a dependable roof over my head. Besides, there are people who love me here and pancakes for dinner on a Saturday night.
I should not be blogging right now, because I got a temporary job for the next two weeks and I start tomorrow. Praises to TPTB (the powers that be) for some source of income. Anyhoo, I actually had a semi-eventful weekend, which is rare. Here's the briefest of rundowns.
Friday: I slept in waaaaay late. (Dear sleeping in, I'm gonna miss you like crazy. Don't ever forget me! Love times infinity, Gretchen) I went to Kohl's and Target with my padre and the Lil' Bro. I picked up a navy headband and skinny jeans from the Simply Vera Wang line for less than $10. I know they're not real Vera Wang, but it's as close as I can get at this point in my life. Stokage!
My friend Kevin took me to the Joshua Radin concert. LISTEN. If you aren't familiar with Josh Radin yet, you need to head over to Myspace or youtube or Last.fm and check him out. (Points if you literally check him out, because he's also one attractive fellow. Think Jess from Gilmore Girls.) His new album comes out September 9th and I reviewed his EP here. He puts on a killer show--his specific brand of music is kinda "Whisper Rock." Hardcore, but quiet. It's very much Simon & Garfunkel. Also, holy cats, is he a good live performer.
I picked up a sweet t-shirt and I totally got to meet him afterward. We went up to the bar to take pictures with him and I got carded for the first time in my life. Relax, it was just so I could get into the bar in the first place--there was zero imbibing. Radin's very funny and down-to-earth. For the record, I side-hugged someone who has presumably side-hugged Zach Braff, as they're really good friends. This makes me far more excited than it should.
Saturday: I worked on re-organizing my room and made a new inspiration board. I love that I have the time now to expend my creative energy. My mom and I went to a trumpet performace at the Assembly Hall. Decent, with all the required trumpet jokes. ("We're thinking about releasing a cd about the end of the world! We'll probably call it Apoca-lips.") I watched the Olympics and freaked out about the 8-medal run for my boy Phelps.
Sunday: Church...dinner at Grandma's...nap. I also got to meet the BFF's new beau. He's a total gold digger. Like, literally. That's his job.
Alright, I've got to hit the sack.
P.S. Seriously, go listen to Josh Radin. I recommend "Star Mile," "Closer," "Sky," and also EVERYTHING ELSE he's ever done. You'll thank me later.
What time is it? It's vacation recap time! Much, much later than I intended, but I have three very good excuses reasons.
1. How I Met Your Mother
2. The Time-Traveler's Wife
3. The Olympics/Michael Phelps
July 23: We flew out of SLC and got into Cleveland in the early afternoon. I'm not scared of flying, per se, but it still kind of gives me the wiggins if I think about it too much. I started reading Marian Keyes' Watermelon and listened to the in-flight radio. It played the Watson Twins, which basically made my morning. We paid a ridiculous amount of money to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and I learned that I should always carry my school ID card, even if you're done with school. Real-life lesson #1! Anyhow, the Hall of Fame rocked (pun!). When it comes to music, I'm an old soul, so I enjoyed every minute of it. I did miss out on seeing Chubby Checker live, because I thought he was dead and it was an impersonator. Guess not!
July 24: We drove from Cleveland to Kirtland, Ohio. Our trip was heavy on the LDS church history sites, which was pretty cool. We did the Newel K. Whitney Store and a bunch of other old homes. Lunch was super late, and I get really cranky when I don't eat on time. It was my first and hopefully last time to eat at Red Lobster. We also went to the Kirtland Temple, which is owned by the Community of Christ. Fascinating, but it had a completely different spirit than the other sites. I got sick from something I ate and spent the car ride to New York writhing in pain. That's a tad melodramatic, but it still wasn't fun. I watched Lars and the Real Girl at the hotel--it's a great movie in many respects.
July 25: Niagra Falls! I'd been to the falls before (around age eight) and I remember being thoroughly unimpressed. It's just a bunch of water, right? Wrong! The Maid of the Mist was by far the highlight. It was gorgeous and powerful. We hit the Cave of the Winds (not actually a cave--disappointing!) but before you go, they give you sandals so your shoes don't get wet. That's my kind of tourist attraction--one that provides you with free footwear. Lunch was at this fantastic little restaurant in a hotel, where I learned that I still don't like normal onions, but I LOVE pearl onions and french onion soup. Mmmm. Oh, funny story! My dad wrote my blog address in the visitor book. I wonder if anyone actually noticed it and decided to check it out. The IMAX movie was a complete joke, but I still left thinking that Niagra Falls is amazing.
July 26: Palmyra, New York is another big church history site. We saw where the original Book of Mormon was printed. Since I'm a nerd and love learning about book-making, I had a blast. We met up with some family friends and did some work at the local temple. We also went to the Hill Cumorah and ate at Mark's Pizzeria. (That one's for you, Chilly!) I wanted to go see a movie, but the sole movie theater within miles was only showing The Dark Knight, which my mom refused to watch. Instead, I think we just hung out at the hotel.
July 27: All I remember was that we went to church and the Erie Canal. Oh, we also spent some time in Palmyra at the Joseph Smith homes and the Sacred Grove. Amazingly spiritual and perfect for a Sunday. Another memorable thing was the spectacularly awful ribs that I ate for dinner. (I think it's pretty apparent that I associate travel with food.)
July 28: The morning was spent in Fayette, New York at the Peter Whitmer home. The sister missionaries that showed us around were so good. This was probably one of the highlights of my trip. Not many people get to visit sites where they know their ancestors set foot. We spent some time by the Finger Lakes and went to Ithaca, home of Cornell University and alma mater of Andy Bernard. It is the Ivy League University that he attended, after all. Tip #1: The Cornell dairy makes an excellent french vanilla ice cream cone. Tip #2: There's this restaurant called the Rogue's Inn that was by far the best meal I had during the vacation. It had chicken and olives and pepperoni in a light cream sauce with Rigatoni noodles. Sooooo good.
July 29: There was really no set plan for the day, which usually is how I like my vacations. This doesn't apply if you're in Buffalo, New York. What a downer city! We did take a boat tour, which I spent reading Atonement. I finally got to visit a Dunkin Donuts, which they don't have in Utah. Dear Utah, please remedy that a.s.a.p. Kthx.
July 30: The last day is usually sad, but I was glad to be coming home. We made a short pit stop at the original house where A Christmas Story was filmed. It wasn't open to the public that day, so we just got pictures. There was much quoting of the best Christmas movie ever. My favorite picture is one of the Lil' Bro looking in the mailbox for his Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring. ("Be sure to drink your Ovaltine. A crummy commercial? Son of a...!") The flight back was uneventful, expect for the fact that I was watching The Holiday and our portable dvd player ran out of batteries about ten minutes before it would have been over. Granted, I've seen that movie more times than is healthy, but still! Then, it was back to the land of mountains and deserts.
Overall, it was a great experience. It was a wonderful strengthening of my faith and beliefs. Plus, I have missed the east coast like crazy ever since we moved from Virginia. There's just something about the trees and rain and people that I adore. I don't know what it is, but you guys are doing something right.
Picture preview! Me rocking and rolling at the Hall of Fame:
You have until 5 PM MST to get your vote in for my Tumblr Blog and to win sweet earrings. I'll announce the winner early tomorrow morning.
In other news...
1. I have my degree now. Yay! Graduation was amazing. The speakers were good and we drank of Mormon wine in celebration. (Mormon wine=Martinelli's Sparking Cider) Thanks for all your well-wishes.
2. My car broke down on the way home. It's currently at a Tunex in Ogden Keep your fingers crossed that we can fix it!
3. I have a dentist appointment this morning. Blerg!
4. I haven't been able to see either The Dark Knight or Mamma Mia yet.
5. The fact I have no homework anymore is incredible.
6. I'm dyeing my hair again tonight to be more reddish. I've always wanted to do that, but I'd be lying if I said Penny/Felicia Day didn't have an impact on that choice.
7. I took the most amazing nap yesterday. Take that, three years of sleep debt!
8. The Morning Benders' new album Talking Through Tin Cans is lots of fun. Speaking of, I'm thinking about starting a blog just for my reviews. I really like reviewing stuff and now I have the time to do so. It's not set in stone, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there.
9. I have so much stuff to unpack. Part of me just wants to get rid of it all and start anew.
10. I can't think of a #10, but the list felt incomplete without it.
A few things that have made life worth living in the past week...
Eric D. Snider blogged about a new site called Seriously, So Blessed! I have never seen something that so effectively and snarkily parodies the "Mormon Princess" culture. There's a "Breaking Dawn" countdown in the side bar and multiple exclamation points. The clique mind-set is expressed by the fact that it's written by Tiffany/Amber/Megan/Nicole who is married to Jordan/Jason/Wes/Taylor.
I have a date to the zoo tonight. This is exciting because a) I haven't been on a date in a good long while and b) I have this love of the zoo that exceeds that of your average 21-year-old. And probably your average 8-year-old, which is saying something. I don't know the guy very well, but I'm planning on having a blast.
Pandora, step aside! A friend directed me to ruckus.com. It's a free music download service for college students. I don't know if it works for alumni, but you do need access to an .edu email account.
Cons: It requires its own player and the site is inundated with ads. You can't burn the music and they won't play on iPods. Not all music is available that you might want. (Really, ruckus? No Dog Problems?)
Pros: It's extremely quick to get set-up and oh yeah, 100% FREE. The selection is actually quite wide-spread. Since Wednesday, I have downloaded something like 75 albums. (That is a completely accurate number.) There may have been tears of joy shed when I finally was able to download Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.
I worked out plans for going home for Independence Day. I have a history of really crappy Fourth of Julys, but I think this year will be perfect.
3 weeks until graduation! I've been receiving emails with all the nitty gritty details. I'm so ready to be done.
I just watched the Girlfriends and Boyfriends episode of Freaks and Geeks. I'd seen the Nick/Lindsey basement scene lots of times before (you know which one), but to see it completely in context? Beyond belief good. I haven't fallen this hard for a show in a long time.
-Take a walking tour of your town. Meander from the park on the east side to the park on the west side and revel in the fact that all the rain from the past week has made everything a thousand different shades of green.
-Eat orange sherbet and otter pops, because hey, why not?
-Stay up so late reading Airhead that you fall asleep with the lights still on.
-Finish Airhead and wish its sequel was out right now.*
-Change your hairstyle twice in one day! (I got the bangs and trim done earlier in the afternoon and the BFF dyed it late Saturday night.)
-Eat copious amounts of fresh Filipino food with friends. (Also, alliterate!)
-Sing your lungs out at the 1964: The Tribute concert.*
-Consequently, bemoan the fact you were clearly born in the wrong era.
-Watch the last half of Sky High. (I get such a kick out of this movie.)
-Wonder where May went.
-Go to church.
-Take a nap in a hammock.**
-Make a big decision as to where you'll be this upcoming fall.* (In my case, it'll most likely be heading out on an 18-month mission for my church!)
-Eat roast and po-tay-toes for dinner.
-Eat peach cobbler and funfetti cake for dessert, because hey, why not?
-Discover daytrotter.com and try to figure out why you didn't know about it before.
* Slated for a future blog post.
** HIGHLY recommended
And since Elise asked so nicely, here's the end result of les cheveux.
If the bangs look a tad uneven, it's because I apparently have this long-forgotten and irksome cowlick where my part used to be. So, uh, just overlook that and trust me that it looks much better IRL.
I've got big stuff planned for this week! Be very excited.
Now I'm gonna write up the rest of this week's posts (mostly just gift lists...we'll be back to normal blogging next week). Maybe I'll study, too. I know this was a bit ramble-y, but I just needed to write something.
Edit: Oh, I forgot to mention that Tib's having a surprise giveaway. Go check it out!
