End-of-summer work party

My office had a Farewell to Summer barbecue for lunch on Friday. It was even catered by R&R BBQ. Delicious! It's nice to spend some work time bonding with some of my coworkers. I forget while holed up in my cubicle how much I like a lot of those people, especially ones in other departments I don't see very often.

I tried my hand at Ladderball and Cornhole and was rubbish at both. Fortunately, my partner in Cornhole was ok and we got 4th place in the Tournament. I may have only scored 4 points in 6 rounds, but I got the bean bag in the hole once, so I feel pretty good. Hooray for Team Awesome!

I do like a good barbecue!

Smyth family photos 2015

My family had professional photos done by Xan's Eye Photography. It's the first time we've taken family photos outdoors, and I think they turned out great! Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order):

And one of our talented and darling photographer, cousin Xan. Thanks, Aaron, for thinking to get one!

My final trip to the Adams Theatre at the Utah Shakespeare Festival

My annual summer trip to the Utah Shakespeare Festival was a little bittersweet. It's the last year they'll be using their Adams Shakespearean Theater, because next year they'll produce their outdoor plays in the new Engelstad Shakespearean Theater (currently under construction). So, I had to take a ton of photos of that old place. Such a cool venue. It's going to be weird not seeing a play in there next year.

After King Lear

Tree in the courtyard

Set for Henry IV part 2

After Henry IV part 2

A portrait of the Adams Theatre composed of Shakespeare Theatre ticket stubs
(Amazing!)

My dear little sister/friend Jillian is working on hair/wigs and makeup at the Festival this summer, and she generously let me crash at her place the few nights I was there. It was such a bonus getting to hang out with her. We planned our upcoming Disney World vacation and stayed up too late talking. I adore her!

I didn't get to talk with her, but I saw another friend, Halie, in Amadeus and the Greenshow. She is so lovely. I cannot wait to see what she does next!

Halie is sitting just left of center in the back, wearing a purple skirt

I saw Charley's Aunt, King Lear, Amadeus, and Henry IV part 2 while down there. They were all very different and all wonderful. I love seeing the actors play different roles in their two or three productions. Amadeus was heartbreaking (Salieri becomes a true villain when he stops seeing Mozart as a human being), King Lear frustrating (he creates all of his own problems!), Henry IV part 2 a little strange (it feels like it flips back and forth between two entirely different plays; Falstaff was brilliant), and Charley's Aunt was just plain hilarious. I think Charley's Aunt was my favorite. The characters and slapstick were terrific. I could watch it over and over.

I like to sit in the box seats at the Randall J. Jones Theatre when I can.
Leg room and comfy chairs and an unhindered view!

As an added bonus, I finished out the TheaterGoer's Journal that Larissa gave me a few years ago.

So long, Mr. Shakespeare. Until next summer, or this October if I'm lucky. I'll be back!