February tybbling

And now it's time for more random thoughts that have been on my mind lately:

• The only time I miss having access to television in my house is during the Olympics (I probably say this every time they come around). I've watched a few Sunday events while at my parents house, but that's it. It really, really bothers me that you can't watch online unless you have cable... do people who have cable really care about watching it online? I wish NBC would even just put some clips of events on the free site, instead of just the recaps and "how they got there" public-interest pieces. I'd love to watch Meryl Davis and Charlie White's gold-medal-winning ice dance performance!

• I am so emotionally over this sinus infection. Wish my body would catch up; I'm tired of not being able to sleep at night because I have to take naps during the day. At least this hasn't affected my voice as badly as the one last month did.

• A note about microphones and speaker phones: they are not magic. They pick up your voice when you speak up, speak clearly, and speak into it. If you are literally ten feet away from it during a conference call, do not be surprised if no one can hear you.

• It's kind of amazing how much difference a hair cut and color and a facial can make to improve my emotional well-being.

• Quite a few of my favorite bloggers/friends haven't posted anything in awhile. I kind of hope they're just taking a break and will come back some time (read the link; it's a great article). I love reading their thoughts and I miss them, but I know sometimes we need to be free to live our lives and let things happen without worrying about documenting every single moment!

• Blowing bubbles is soothing. I like to think that the relaxation that occurs is similar to the calm that smokers experience. Kids: don't smoke. Blow bubbles instead. It's healthier and less expensive.

• I almost always have a song running through my head, especially while I'm trying to fall asleep. For the last two weeks, it's alternated between two pieces I've been working on for The Sound of Music: "Morning Hymn" (sung as I bring on the new postulant near the end of Act I), and "Confitemini Domino" (a section of the Wedding medley). The silver lining is that I know the Latin and my second-soprano part amazingly well now!

• I had a Bishopric interview on Sunday, and it sparked a conversation about why I'm single and his observations about single guys in their 30s. The counselor said a lot of encouraging (and hilarious) things that I needed to hear. I came out of the interview feeling much better about myself. I am grateful!

• This adorable video from the Oh My Disney blog:

The Ultimate Declaration of Love - Oh My Disney on Disney Video

• Apparently, my Facebook breaks are super inconvenient for some of my friends. I am aware that you can change the settings so you don't get e-mail notifications for absolutely everything, but that doesn't work if you're an administrator for a group or page. Also, sometimes FB sends me notifications even when I've changed the setting so that it shouldn't. (DO NOT comment with ways I can get around this). So, I deactivate instead of just logging off -- in my mind it's the difference between losing 10 pounds just because, and losing it because a wedding is coming up. I'm on my computer all day long at work -- if I deactivate instead of logging off it's an extra incentive not to log in, no matter how much I'm tempted. I'm very flattered when people notice I'm gone and make sure to send me texts to keep me posted. That's nicer than just complaining it's so much harder to get hold of me now. I'm off FB because I need a break from the "easy access." Deactivating my account for two weeks is relaxing for me. I'm glad that it's an option and all my information is still there when I'm ready to log in again. Is it really so much harder to text or e-mail me, or just wait until I get back on? (If it's really urgent, I'd hope you'd text me anyway!)

• I took Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (the Whitney Houston version) to my mom's house for Valentine's Day. I knew she and my dad were baby-sitting the kids that night and I thought they might enjoy it. I commented to Breezy that I should have brought my tiaras so we could wear them while we watched. We didn't get to finish the movie before their parents came to get them. Sunday morning I received a text from my brother stating that Breezy wanted me to bring the movie and the tiaras. She then proceeded to boss everyone around, insisting that Aaron and Heidi and I all wear one at various points of the evening. She's such a character!

Just a little insight into the life and mind of Miss Megan.

What's on your mind right now?

Happy Monday!

Hats Off at CenterPoint

CenterPoint Legacy Theatre hosted a "Hats Off" party as a thank you to everyone who was involved with the 2013 season, including the board members, actors, production teams, backstage techs, ushers, box office people, and I don't know who else. They modeled it a bit on the party that Hale Centre Theatre does every year. It was pretty awesome, and I was thrilled to see many people I hadn't seen in awhile.

I was invited because of my role in Arsenic and Old Lace. Sadly, only a handful of us from the show came to the party.

At least Brandon was there. He was brilliant as Jonathan Brewster,

and not at all creepy in real life.

I invited my friend Liz to come as my date... and then she invited Randall to be her date... so I ended up just flitting around and talking with as many people as I could find. I probably would have done that anyway ;) I usually opt not to invite dates to these kind of things 1) because I don't have a steady significant other to default to, and 2) because I don't want to bring someone who doesn't know everyone else. Since Liz was also in a show and brought her own escort, I didn't feel too badly about abandoning them as much as I did. Haha! I was able to find them when it came time to sit and watch the program.

Randall and I looked great together in his navy blue jacket and my midnight blue dress!

The decor was impressive. They set up displays for each of the plays, and had food at each one to fit the show. Arsenic = punch, The Secret Garden = veggies and chocolate-covered strawberries, Fiddler on the Roof = chicken and rice, White Christmas = a candy bar (as in a table with various candies and little boxes to put together, not a snickers or something). I missed seeing how they incorporated Joseph, Into the Woods, or How to Succeed. I thought that concept was clever, though. They also had pizza and sodas for those of us who wanted something a bit more substantial.

The program was fairly straight-forward. The Executive Producer, Scott Van Dyke, and the Artistic Director, Jansen Davis, emcee'd the event. There were numbers from each of the plays (we didn't have enough players to do a scene from Arsenic, so our darling director sang "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" instead), interspersed with a huge raffle. I couldn't believe how much stuff they had to give away!

Scott and Jan give a madcap recap of Arsenic and Old Lace

The How to Succeed cast leads a sing-along of "Brotherhood of Man"

Two Bettys sing "Sisters" from White Christmas...

...then Bob and Phil do their reprise. So funny!

The invitation had said to wear "sparkly attire." I was glad to hear I wasn't the only person a little confused by that. According to the party planner, some of the head honchos hadn't wanted to wear tuxedos, and she'd seen the description on another invitation and thought it was cute. She ended up getting a lot of e-mails asking what that meant. People at the party ended up wearing whatever they wanted to, whether it be a fancy gown/tuxedo, Sunday best, or even jeans and t-shirts. I'm curious to see what the invitation will say next year ;)

I opted to go all out:

My mom had to come over to my house and help zip me into the dress. Sadly, I don't have much fancy jewelry. Happily, I won the necklace seen in this photo during the raffle! Score! Now I have something to wear next time!

I can no longer say I never win anything ;)
(I had just finished saying "I kind of hope I don't win anything, because I don't think I could make it down the stairs in these shoes" when they called my name. Then I said, "Woo-hoo! It's me!" and ran down without any trouble.)

Several of the women in charge told me they'd been coveting the necklace. I feel pretty lucky.

After the program there was a dance party on the stage, and I chatted and took photos with more favorite people:

My lovely Jillian (I love that her mom is photo-bombing us!)  

Jan cast and directed me in my first shows at both Rodgers Memorial and CenterPoint.
Thank you, Jan!

Scott and me (he's going to be mad I didn't photoshop this to make him look younger, as requested...)

Thanks, CenterPoint, for a terrific party. You know how to throw a classy shindig. I hope you do another one next year!

(I'd already be invited since I'm in The Sound of Music, right?)

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is what I think about just before Valentine's Day every year:

Haha! It was too perfect to pass up.

Seriously, though: I am loved by a lot of people, and I love a lot of people. I didn't do anything creative for them this year; I had a lot of fun this morning sending messages to many who mean the most to me. They show me all the time that they love me an I am truly grateful.

As for the day itself, I have been battling a sinus infection all week, and at the moment I can't hear out of my right ear, so I think I will forego my other plans, stay in tonight, eat some Little Cesars, and watch four different versions of Cinderella. Or continue watching season 2 of Fringe. Or start tackling the 5th Games of Thrones novel A Dance with Dragons (I need to read two hours a day to finish in the 4 week library deadline). I can't decide. Oh, and I will be eating more pink, red, and white M&Ms than I should. Yummmmmmmm!

A few favorite Valentine's Day-related links:

• Oh My Disney blog: We can't handle how romantic these moments are
• Teen Girl Squad: Vamlumtimes's Day episode ("What do we want?" "Several boys!" "How we gonna get it?" "Ummmmm...")
• The most recent bunch of posts on my friend Jenna's tumblr Wings of Poesie (up to and including everything about "Why I am grateful to be single this Valentines Day").
• My Thoughts about Valentine's Day post from last year.

 Have a Happy Valentine's Day, my friends!

An early Valentine from Larissa!

The "love bug" that must have been hiding in the flowers.
Hello, Lady!

My dad surprised me with these flowers and chocolates. He is such a dear man! I am so lucky to be his daughter!

The flowers are pink, white, and red. You can't see it, but they match the M&Ms in the jar wonderfully. Dad knows me so well!

Concealed weapons class

My friend Derek is an ex-Marine and very passionate about gun safety and knowledge. He teaches a Utah State Concealed Carry permit class, and in the interest of trying something new and wanting to be more informed, I decided to go.* There has been so much talk of increased legislation and tragedies surrounding guns. I thought it might ease my mind to be better informed.

I wasn't at all sure what to expect going in. Would we be firing actual weapons or simply listening to a lecture? Would there be a lot of people there? Do I even want to get my Concealed Firearm permit?

I certainly did not expect it to be as interesting as it was.**

It was a four-hour class, and most of it was a lecture. Derek is a theatre guy***, so he knows how to keep it from getting boring. He had plenty of videos to illustrate his points, and plenty of stories and personal experiences to share. As I said, he's an ex-Marine and a trained instructor. He's also a husband and father of two daughters -- a three year old and (at the time) a two month old -- so safety is VERY important to him. He's of the opinion that the more people know how to properly handle life-threatening situations, and the more they know about guns in general, the safer people will be.

The class covered the following types of things:

• Concealed carry laws in Utah. Apparently, there are different laws for different states. If you take your weapon to another state you better know the laws there, too.
• Gun safety. As I said, as the father of two little girls he was passionate about this and had some good advice about teaching kids about how dangerous guns are, since many accidents in the home are due to curiosity and ignorance.
• Situations where it is appropriate to use a weapon. A room crowded with people? Not appropriate. Someone yelling at you on your doorstep but not being physical with you? Also not appropriate. An obviously aggressive person charging at you in a parking lot while swinging a baseball bat? Probably appropriate.
• Different types of guns and how to handle them. Derek explained the different parts of a gun and how they work. He brought in several weapons; he was the only one allowed to touch them (something of a relief).
• Pros and cons of different types of concealed holsters.
• Pros and cons as to why we might want to own or carry a weapon. He talked about things like being a target to others if they know we are carrying a weapon, how some parents might not let their kids play with kids whose parents keep guns in the house, and how a person can be ostracized for shooting a gun in public, even in defense.

Derek ended with an analogy about sheep and wolves. He said that the sheep are regular people -- those who are not willing or able to carry weapons but are grateful for those who do. They are glad for the protection, even if they aren't entirely comfortable with the concept. The wolves are the selfish, evil, mentally ill people who needlessly harm others. The sheepdogs are the good people who carry weapons and will use them to protect the sheep, because they know the evil people exist and the sheep need protecting.

The one thing Derek said that has really stayed with me is this question: Would you actually be able to shoot another human being, whatever the circumstance? Even if it was a choice between that person or me where I could be killed if I didn't shoot? Could I live with myself afterwards? Honestly, I don't know if I could. Maybe it's one of those things I'll never know unless in that situation, which I hope never happens (but if I wait to decide until that hypothetical day, it will be too late). 

Will I actually get my permit or buy a gun? I haven't decided. When honest with myself, I cannot imagine myself ever shooting someone. As a single woman, it isn't a bad idea to protect myself against intruders (I've been having a lot of dreams lately of people intending to do me mortal harm). I could possibly see myself getting a gun to keep at home. But, again, could I really shoot someone? I have shot rifles at targets and had a marvelous and safe time, but shooting at a human being in an uncontrolled environment terrifies me. So many things could go wrong, including the intruder getting a hold of the gun and using it against me. Of course, practice would help me be better prepared and less afraid. I don't know.

What I DO know is that I am glad that I took the class. Even if I don't get my permit, I feel safer knowing that there ARE so many rules. If everyone is as conscientious as Derek and my dad, then I worry less about other permitted shooters. To actually be issued a concealed weapons permit, the person has to pass all kinds of background checks and be completely clean -- I got a speeding ticket a few months ago and I'm a little worried it would keep me from being cleared. I am so, so grateful for the men and woman who know how to properly handle weapons and use them lawfully to protect the innocent. I wish there were more of them (there are probably more than I suspect)!

If you're interested in taking the class, let me know and I can send you his information, or you can contact Double Tap Personal Defense on Facebook. Regardless of whether you get a permit, the class is not very expensive and well worth your time.

*For some reason, my taking the concealed weapons class has surprised a lot of people. There is so much you don't know about me!

**I also didn't expect it to be taught in the party room at a frozen yogurt shop (I can only imagine what the average patron thought if they glanced in the room during the class) but that ended up not mattering, except that I had to get some fro-yo before I left.

***My mom thought it was hilarious when we went to a play together and I pointed Derek out as the guy who taught the concealed weapons class. Theatre takes all kinds, people, and we definitely need those buff, masculine guys!

Making the most of January

I spent a lot of January reconnecting with friends after the holidays, and starting rehearsals for the Sound of Music. I didn't take very many photos, though. Here's what I did take:

New Year's Day with the family

I love my mom's holiday dishes!

 Playing the Smyth Family game we gave to Mom for Christmas a few years ago

Dinner at Blue Lemon with some girl friends from my ward

I'm so glad you could come, Sylinda!

Saw my brilliant friend Brandon as Ellard in The Foreigner at Hale Centre Theatre

 Pie and the game of Life with Nichole and Brandon and their significant others later in the week

Nichole's "pie bird" is a hoot!

I was a movie star with a modest home, and had two sets of twins:
Milo and Eliza, and Sutton and Grace.
I would have won if everybody else hadn't sued me so many times!
(I was the only one with any money for awhile, so I guess I can't blame them.)

 Found this across the street from the Bountiful Temple

The Doctor wasn't there, unfortunately.

Someday I need to go back with someone so I can get a photo of myself with it!

I was heart attacked by Lindsey, the G-child, Breezy and Zonks

I liked it so much, I put all of the hearts on the back of my door so I could leave it for awhile!

Rehearsals for The Sound of Music

For some reason, most of my weekday rehearsals didn't start until 8pm
so I had to find ways to fill my time between work and rehearsal without
going home first, such as writing in my journal at Barnes & Noble.

My part may be small, but I get to sing a lot of difficult, fun, gorgeous music -- hooray!

The Von Trapps sing "So Long, Farewell" during the first Act II run-through.
They are adorable!

Oddly enough (well, maybe it isn't when a show is so close to opening), I already have plans for just about every day in February. I'm full up in the evenings and all day almost every Saturday, so if you invite me somewhere and I say I can't, I'm sorry. I would really like to see you but I really don't have time (unless maybe you'd consider going out to lunch). Not even on Sundays which everyone suddenly wants to default to lately -- I try to reserve that day for church and family. I'll do my best to make it up to you in March!

Happy February!