1.31.2009
What a Nightmare!
It's wedding day! I'm so excited for Jacob and Joni. Interestingly I must be feeling a lot of anxiety about my role in it or something because between the time that Jade woke up briefly at 4:00 AM and the time I woke up for good I had the weirdest nightmare. In my dream, I woke up early to get me and the kids looking nice for the pictures that will be taken afterward. I got Jade and I ready, but then for some unknown reason, I had to go to an elementary school to take some sort of evaluative screening for Braden. The screening took longer than usual, so I went straight to the temple. Spencer and the kids met me there and Jade and Spencer looked great. For some reason, Braden was dressed in his rattiest play clothes and they had dirt all over them. I was so worried about the pictures, but people were already waiting for us in the temple. I sent Spencer back to the house with Braden to put on his suit (the house was in walking distance oddly enough). Then I went and waited for him in the foyer. I was sitting there with a shoebox full of makeup. And then I looked down... DUN DUN DUHHH. I was wearing a rust red pants suit from the seventies! I started freaking out and calling Spencer hoping he could bring my black dress to the temple. I kept getting his voice mail (which was exactly like his real one in the dream). I was sitting there ringing my hands and playing with my makeup while I tried to get a hold of him, very nervous that I was going to ruin the pictures. Then an old woman next to me looked at me and then at my huge box full of makeup and said, "Where on Earth are you going that would require so much makeup?" Spencer came back without my dress and we decided the sealing was most important anyway, so we tried to go inside. For some reason, there was an issue with Spencer's recommend (it was expired or something) so he couldn't go in. That's when my dream started closing. I woke up and was actually very relieved that it had been a dream. I hopped in the shower and placed my black dress on the counter (leaving my rust pants suit in the closet) ha ha. I know that today is going to be beautiful despite my horrible dream. I love Jacob and Joni so much and I know that they will be a great match and that this will be the perfect start for their little eternal family. But what a nightmare!
1.15.2009
Wear Gloves!
Hello my friends. Life has been busy... what can I say? I'm not digging this background for my blog anymore. I went through great lengths to make an amazing totally custom one in PhotoShop and then when I went to throw it on I couldn't find a site that would make it large enough to fit right on the blog site. Photo Bucket failed me! Well, I could get it the right size if I upgraded for $5 a month or something, but you all know how cheap I am... So my blog is feeling a little lame. I haven't had time to pick new music for it and I'm frustrated about the background... Enough excuses. I am on here to update and that is what I intend to do. I actually have a funny story to tell. I had a new experience today that I consider to be a great lesson now that it's over. I'm in the mood to write this in a cheesy reporter story style...
There I was minding my own business. I had opened a box that had been waiting in the depths of Jades closet for the right moment to be unpacked. I relished at the thought of filling Jades room with the beautifully feminine accessories that had long since been hiding behind the dusty dull-brown cardboard. I unwrapped each item from it's packing paper eager at what lay under the wrapping. I came to a keepsake that I had in my room when I was a young girl; a little porcelain trinket adorned with birds and flowers. As I unwrapped it, I could tell that it had once again broken apart and a couple pieces needed to be mended. I took it lovingly into the kitchen where I stored the cure... super glue. I took off the cap. I lined up my pieces. I squeezed the tube. Nothing. I squeezed again, but there were no results. I had to save this precious keepsake. I tried the tube one more time. The glue came out in a burst, but I quickly aimed it to the desired target. It acted as a healing balm against the broken porcelain. I mended the petal and the bird. There was only one small problem. This healing balm was about to become a thorn in the side. As I set the small tube down, it didn't stay on the counter. It was firmly connected to my middle finger on my right hand. A result of the volcano-styled debut of glue, no doubt. Yes, I had adhered the super glue tube to my hand and it was set. I had enough sense to not pull it off when I felt my flesh being uncomfortably stretched as I gave it a hopeful tug. I didn't worry immediately. I Googled immediately. I picture texted Spencer immediately. I didn't worry. I started worrying after I soaked my finger for extended periods in hot water and soap, nail polish remover, 409, Comet, and hair mousse to no avail. I then felt like I needed some assistance. I called my mom... no answer. I called Celestia... no answer. I asked Spencer if I should call 911 to which he replied, "No, silly. Just soak it in warm soapy water." He didn't realize the severity of the situation. I then decided to call Jill and she answered! She had never glued anything to herself before, but she did have the suggested kind of nail polish remover... with the acetone. So I awkwardly strapped the kids in their car seats (tube still in tow) and headed to her house. About an hour and 15 minutes later after a good long acetone soak, some wiggling, and gentle pulling, my finger and that tube ended their relationship without any additional pain. We promptly threw away the remaining super glue and I bade it good riddance. Lesson learned: Super glue bonds quickly; wear gloves!
There I was minding my own business. I had opened a box that had been waiting in the depths of Jades closet for the right moment to be unpacked. I relished at the thought of filling Jades room with the beautifully feminine accessories that had long since been hiding behind the dusty dull-brown cardboard. I unwrapped each item from it's packing paper eager at what lay under the wrapping. I came to a keepsake that I had in my room when I was a young girl; a little porcelain trinket adorned with birds and flowers. As I unwrapped it, I could tell that it had once again broken apart and a couple pieces needed to be mended. I took it lovingly into the kitchen where I stored the cure... super glue. I took off the cap. I lined up my pieces. I squeezed the tube. Nothing. I squeezed again, but there were no results. I had to save this precious keepsake. I tried the tube one more time. The glue came out in a burst, but I quickly aimed it to the desired target. It acted as a healing balm against the broken porcelain. I mended the petal and the bird. There was only one small problem. This healing balm was about to become a thorn in the side. As I set the small tube down, it didn't stay on the counter. It was firmly connected to my middle finger on my right hand. A result of the volcano-styled debut of glue, no doubt. Yes, I had adhered the super glue tube to my hand and it was set. I had enough sense to not pull it off when I felt my flesh being uncomfortably stretched as I gave it a hopeful tug. I didn't worry immediately. I Googled immediately. I picture texted Spencer immediately. I didn't worry. I started worrying after I soaked my finger for extended periods in hot water and soap, nail polish remover, 409, Comet, and hair mousse to no avail. I then felt like I needed some assistance. I called my mom... no answer. I called Celestia... no answer. I asked Spencer if I should call 911 to which he replied, "No, silly. Just soak it in warm soapy water." He didn't realize the severity of the situation. I then decided to call Jill and she answered! She had never glued anything to herself before, but she did have the suggested kind of nail polish remover... with the acetone. So I awkwardly strapped the kids in their car seats (tube still in tow) and headed to her house. About an hour and 15 minutes later after a good long acetone soak, some wiggling, and gentle pulling, my finger and that tube ended their relationship without any additional pain. We promptly threw away the remaining super glue and I bade it good riddance. Lesson learned: Super glue bonds quickly; wear gloves!
1.06.2009
Cutest Ipod I'd Ever Seen
This is kinda random, but it needs to be shared. I failed to mention what the amazing gift that Spencer gave me for Christmas was. He surprised me with an Ipod Nano! I wasn't expecting it at all! So, naturally, I've been talking about my Ipod with the kids since I talk to them about everything. I didn't think much about it. I assumed they knew what it was since I'd shown it to them. Anyway, we were at the mall in the play area and Jade came up to me with her eye peeking out from between two fingers. I said, "Hi Jade. What are you doing with your eye?" (Since she was obviously trying to show this to me). She responded, "It's my eye-pod" Ha ha ha! I just cracked up. It was the cutest Ipod I'd ever seen.
This Online World
As if I didn't have enough blogs to manage, I have created another one http://calartistry.blogspot.com/. You don't all have to look at it out of obligation, but if you are interested, it is something that I'd love to receive feedback on. I've set up a photography blog where I intend to post a photo every day for one year. I started on the 1st of January because that seemed fitting and so far it's been hard. Often the day gets away from me and I have to scrounge for a photo. My goal was to take a new picture every day, but I realized it might be too lofty with the other obligations I have. Instead, I'm going to try to post a picture that I've either taken that day, or Photoshopped that day. I'm basically trying to work on something photographic every day in an effort to improve my skills. You're comments will be vital to this process. I will appreciate honest feedback and suggestions. This is an improvement project so go on and crush me if necessary (without killing me, obviously). I appreciate everyone who follows my blog and who plans on checking out this latest one. It's fun to share in this online world.
1.04.2009
Piece of Me
Did you realize that if I had done 1 more post last year, it would have made 100? I'm glad you enjoyed that random fact. Life has been very good for me lately. I've been thinking a lot about music and have determined some things about myself and my relationship with music. These thoughts started after I took a self-evaluation regarding learning styles, or the most effective ways I can learn. I scored very high in musical intelligence. According to the test this means that I think musically and therefore learn well through music related methods. Around this same time I began to become interested in making my own music and started writing some lyrics. I've never written lyrics before, but lately they have just started running through my head and I have to sit down and start typing them out before they're gone. Sometimes I will think of a whole song together, others it's just concept ideas or short hooks. I've been enjoying working on the lyrics and hopefully someday, I'll have the chance to put some to music.
Throughout my life I have had the ability to understand lyrics in almost any piece of music. I can usually learn at least the chorus and a few lines from the verses after hearing a song once. I've also always been very picky about music for as long as I remember. I think one of the reasons for this is because I have a very strong emotional response to music. If a rap song is cheapening women in some way (as they often do), I will start to feel the effects of that and feel so uncomfortable and devalued. A sweet and moving symphonic piece has the power to make me cry. A good beat will almost always make some part of me move. When I'm shopping I'll sing along to even the cheesiest music and I always hear what is playing on the overhead speakers. I think of songs while I'm doing things and my life definitely has a soundtrack. It didn't really occur to me that some people do not respond to music in this way until recently. I think I finally realized it when my friend said something like, "Sometimes, I just forget to turn music on". That has never happened to me that I can remember. If music is not on it's because I have made the conscious choice to leave it off. Some people have the ability to hear music as background noise. They may not recognize the lyrics in a song. The beat won't make them feel like dancing. They won't be able to recall the songs they were listening to if asked later. This is not me.
Lately I have been very interested in the psychology of music... especially when used for marketing purposes. I've started to be able to tell the class of a store based on the music coming from the speakers overhead. If the music is relevant to the store products, aimed at a specific costumer base and tasteful this means the company has considered the importance of musical psychology and hired someone who makes the big bucks to create their play lists. I was in Victoria's Secret and I noticed that all the songs were about desire or temptation or something like that. They didn't sound sleazy up front, but let's just say that the lyrics were very pertinent to the products in the store. I'm not saying I like that sort of music, but it made sense to me that they would play it. Most of the little shops in the mall are like this. They play specific music for their main customer base. On the other hand, some stores just play whatever. I know this shouldn't bother me, but every time I go to Fry's I hear that song about some Rio dancer dancing on the sand or "She Blinded me With Science" and wonder WHY? How do these songs encourage people to buy (or even want to stay) in their store. It gets even worse at places like DollarTree or Saver's. I actually heard a song with the words, "Driving that train, high on cocaine..." at DollarTree yesterday. Wow. I would have to say that not a lot of thought went into that play list. I wonder if this trend that I have noticed actually matters? How much of musical marketing goes on to affect the bottom line? I would be interested in finding out.
Anyway, I'm starting to lose my point in writing this post, but I think it is that my life would cease to exists as I know it without music. If suddenly all the music was turned off, I would notice it in a major way and I'm sure I would feel as if a part of me was gone. For better or for worse music will always be a huge influence in my life and a vital piece of me.
Throughout my life I have had the ability to understand lyrics in almost any piece of music. I can usually learn at least the chorus and a few lines from the verses after hearing a song once. I've also always been very picky about music for as long as I remember. I think one of the reasons for this is because I have a very strong emotional response to music. If a rap song is cheapening women in some way (as they often do), I will start to feel the effects of that and feel so uncomfortable and devalued. A sweet and moving symphonic piece has the power to make me cry. A good beat will almost always make some part of me move. When I'm shopping I'll sing along to even the cheesiest music and I always hear what is playing on the overhead speakers. I think of songs while I'm doing things and my life definitely has a soundtrack. It didn't really occur to me that some people do not respond to music in this way until recently. I think I finally realized it when my friend said something like, "Sometimes, I just forget to turn music on". That has never happened to me that I can remember. If music is not on it's because I have made the conscious choice to leave it off. Some people have the ability to hear music as background noise. They may not recognize the lyrics in a song. The beat won't make them feel like dancing. They won't be able to recall the songs they were listening to if asked later. This is not me.
Lately I have been very interested in the psychology of music... especially when used for marketing purposes. I've started to be able to tell the class of a store based on the music coming from the speakers overhead. If the music is relevant to the store products, aimed at a specific costumer base and tasteful this means the company has considered the importance of musical psychology and hired someone who makes the big bucks to create their play lists. I was in Victoria's Secret and I noticed that all the songs were about desire or temptation or something like that. They didn't sound sleazy up front, but let's just say that the lyrics were very pertinent to the products in the store. I'm not saying I like that sort of music, but it made sense to me that they would play it. Most of the little shops in the mall are like this. They play specific music for their main customer base. On the other hand, some stores just play whatever. I know this shouldn't bother me, but every time I go to Fry's I hear that song about some Rio dancer dancing on the sand or "She Blinded me With Science" and wonder WHY? How do these songs encourage people to buy (or even want to stay) in their store. It gets even worse at places like DollarTree or Saver's. I actually heard a song with the words, "Driving that train, high on cocaine..." at DollarTree yesterday. Wow. I would have to say that not a lot of thought went into that play list. I wonder if this trend that I have noticed actually matters? How much of musical marketing goes on to affect the bottom line? I would be interested in finding out.
Anyway, I'm starting to lose my point in writing this post, but I think it is that my life would cease to exists as I know it without music. If suddenly all the music was turned off, I would notice it in a major way and I'm sure I would feel as if a part of me was gone. For better or for worse music will always be a huge influence in my life and a vital piece of me.
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