July!

July was filled with vacation and rehearsal, and I still managed to stuff in just a few other outings.

Another "sister" reunion, this time from Seven Brides: It was awesome seeing Erin play Penny in Hairspray. Goodness, she was funny! Best I've seen yet. And now that she's back in town, she, Nichole, and I need to hang out more.

We had a big meeting at work, after which they brought in several food trucks. Finally got to try Cupbop, which was DELICIOUS! And it was freebee!

On a particularly crappy day when I was feeling like a failure, I wrote up a "Did-do" list. 

It helped -- I felt less defeated. I should make a habit of this.

 "I blued myself!" I'd had this sucker for ages. It didn't disappoint.

Aaron is growing his lovely, thick hair out. I think I've 

convinced him to stop calling this a "man bun" ;)

Speaking of flowing locks, here's another handsome boy and his gorgeous mom.

How cute are these girls?

They marched in a parade with their ward for the 24th of July

To celebrate Harry Potter's birthday on July 31, I read my gorgeous illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Every illustration is breathtaking. I could do with fewer spiders, but everything else makes me smile. I first read the book exactly 15 years ago, and it never ceases to be magical!

March mayhem

March roared in like a lamb and out like a lion. Wait, is that the phrase? It doesn't matter. This was during the height of my post-NYC-feeling-sorry-for-myself-for-not-having-a-job funk. I took a break from life and interviews to attend all three days of FanX. And on the very last day of the month I was offered an amazing job with a surprisingly high salary. A Mercurial month indeed!

On the first day of the month, I joined Nichole as she fulfilled a wish: we saw the touring production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. She was the one who first brought it to my attention, and seeing it with her was perfect symmetry. The musical was brilliant! Witty, and quick-paced, and very, very British. We laughed and laughed and marveled at the leading man's stamina (he rarely left the stage) and the other leading man's versatility and quick-changes. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something silly and clever.

Mom and I drove to Provo to see the Provo City Temple during one of the final days of the open house. It is beautiful inside. I admired that they strove to keep as much of the original architecture and furnishing style as they could. I like the contrast between the dark wood and the bright and airy carpets and tapestries. It's a tiny building, but filled with everything necessary for a House of the Lord. I'm glad Mom wanted to go. I wouldn't have known what I was missing, and I'm glad I didn't miss it! Afterwards, we had uncommonly good pancakes at Penny Ann's. I love having one-on-one time with my mom. Our day trips were one of few good things about being out of work!

Liz and I intended to go to the Ogden Temple, but unluckily it was closed and neither of us had thought to check. So we drove a little further to the Brigham City Temple. It was smaller than I expected and really cute inside. One of the workers showed us around a few of the sealing rooms and explained that each of the temples pays homage to where it is located, so this one has a lot of peach blossom motifs (I didn't know before that Brigham City is known for its peaches. I'll have to check them out in the autumn). 

Aaron and Anna hosted a swimming and pizza party at Aaron's apartment complex. It was low-key and fun. He's a darling uncle and the kids love him. The adults do, too, come to think of it. It's hard not to love Aaron!

I saw Zootopia on opening night with a couple of friends. I liked it a lot! Pixar lately seems to have an agenda in these movies, but oddly it was one of the first couple of lines that really resonated with me. Judy as a tiny bunny tells her parents she wants to be a cop. Her parents know this is an unlikely career bath for a rabbit, so they tell her that sometimes you have dreams and you don't achieve them, and that's okay, too. Judy then goes on to achieve her dream of being a cop and solving a huge mystery and all that, but I appreciated the almost throwaway moment where her parents acknowledge that even though your life may not be what you dreamed it might be when you were young, it can still  be pretty darn awesome. Sometimes dreams change. Sometimes you change. I needed to hear that right then.

Later that night, I blew a tire, but that's another story.

I saw one of my oldest friends perform as a narrator in a delightful Stake production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat. Michelle hadn't done a play since we were in high school. She sparkled onstage -- she should do it more often!

I saw one of my oldest friends perform as a narrator in a delightful Stake production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Michelle hadn't done a play since we were in high school. She sparkled onstage -- she should do it more often. I sometimes complain that Joseph is performed too often, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying it every time I go. I love the music!

On Saint Patrick's Day, my mom invited me over for corned beef and cabbage, and her famous sugar cookies. I played with baby PJ in his new cardboard-box house. He's such a charming boy!

I saw the movie Brooklyn later that night. It felt appropriate to see a movie about an Irish girl who finds herself in New York, then goes home to see what might have been had she stayed. All those lovely accents and costumes. Highly recommended!

 Nichole and I supported Larissa in a darling production of Snoopy. It had similarities to You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, but not many. It was a lot of fun, though, and I liked a lot of the music. Talented people having a good time together. And Larissa was wonderful as always!

I auditioned for Big River at Hale, and to my surprise, I was called back, too! I wasn't cast, but I felt good about my work, and grateful they wanted to see me a second time. To celebrate, I ate a donut. The fluffy kind with chocolate frosting. YUMMY!!

Free pancake day at IHOP (I donated to charity, so it wasn't free, but I didn't mind giving money for a good cause AND good food). Then some time at the Salt Lake Temple. I tried to spend some time at a temple every week while I was unemployed. I didn't quite make it every week, but I got pretty close.

After my first job interview, I decided that I had to treat myself. McDonald's ice cream is only a couple hundred calories, so I thought it was a decent choice. I needed something after that interview. It was two hours long and it was harrowing!

Not my cutest outfit ever. If I ever interview for another new job, I'll have to buy something new.

After a few months' respite, we had snow near the end of the month. I got to wear the squashy purple coat and stylish boots I bought for New York City, so I didn't mind traipsing all over to do errands on a particularly snowy day.

Volunteered to judge a high school drama competition. It was hard work and I enjoyed it. The kids had worked hard. Some were better than others. But they were all supportive of each other and positive and the excitement was palpable. Trying to pick a first, second, and third place during the medals round was TOUGH! Everyone else by default tied for fourth place, but there were at least five kids who could have been in the top three. Made fifty dollars and had my faith in the future restored. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

This photo of my nieces makes me giggle. Zonks isn't paying attention, just walking away with her dessert, and Breezy is posing like a loon. They are such dear girls.

Lastly, on Easter Sunday I pulled this dress out of my closet. I bought it five years ago and it didn't quite fit back then. Now it fits perfectly. I had a lot of compliments on it. Adam said I look like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. And now I want to cosplay Belle. I feel pretty when I wear it. Not bad for a $6 find!

April is going to be big!

October memories

October began with Is He Dead? rehearsals and performances, ended with Halloween  and was filled in the middle with a lot of odds and ends while I tried to catch up with many of the friends I'd been neglecting. I was busy and happy. Good month.

Silliness

One of my friends posted this meme on Facebook:

It made me laugh so hard that I determined to copy it. Then I posted it to that friend's page. She'd been having a rough couple of weeks, and she said it made her laugh. Hooray!

General Conference

Because of rehearsals, I missed listening to both of the Saturday sessions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference. Thanks to brunch and Mom and Dad's house, I heard some of the morning session (I spent a lot of it keeping the twins busy), and most of the afternoon session. I am always eager to hear what the General Authorities have to say about the state of the world and how best to keep close to my Heavenly Father. I've gotten into the habit of listening to the talks while I get ready for the day or drive to work. I love it. I need that spiritual renewal and check-in more than twice a year.

Lunchtime walk with PJ, Breezy, and Papa

This is PJ's new favorite game

President Russell M. Nelson is one of my favorites. I love his talks and was thrilled that his latest centered around the importance of the female members of the church.
I pointed out to the G-unit that when President Monson dies, then President Nelson will be the new prophet (unless President Nelson dies first, which seems unlikely). It will be a big change. I think he's up to it. I know the Lord will help him just as he did President Hinckley and does President Monson. 

Mom would be annoyed if she knew I took this photo.
I have a lot of memories of her sitting at a sewing table, sewing, painting, reading, or watching t.v.

G-unit's ball game

Managed to see the G-unit's last football game of the Fall season. Mom, Dad, Peter, Jordyn, PJ, Lindsey, Breezy, and Zonks were all there to cheer our star player on. It's great seeing him so passionate about something. He certainly knows what he's doing, and he's rather good, if I do say so myself.

PJ and Papa

Cornbelly's and the Leonardo

Had some notable dates with some good guys. Robert took me to Cornbelly's and we managed to get through the maze without getting lost. We almost finished before the clouds opened up and dumped on us. Whoops! Good thing we had jackets!

We reached the bridge in the maze just as the fireworks started. I don't know about fireworks in October, but they were pretty and festive. What more could you want?

Another man took me on an Art Walk and we wandered around the Salt Lake County Library and played at The Leonardo. I sketched in the right half of this picture to try to match the left. Not terrible. I'm pretty proud of it. It was a fun night with a funny guy. Hope he asks me out again.

Hamlet

The National Theatre in London was kind enough to broadcast a recorded version of their latest mounting of Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. It was a master class in acting. The entire cast was amazing. I didn't care for Ophelia's interpretation, but I understood why she made the choices she made and I couldn't take my eyes off her. So many wonderful moments and performances. Benedict was brilliant. I loved that he had a ton of iconic lines, but he didn't give them extra weight -- he just said them in conversation because that's what Hamlet would do. That man knows what he's doing.

Kate introduced me to the combination of hot tamales and popcorn, so I took some with me to watch with her. I then proceeded to spill half the large popcorn she bought almost as I sat down. I was mortified and immediately ran to get a refill. Later on, she spilled the hot tamales. I laughed and thanked her for making me feel less of a dunce. She's thoughtful like that. And talking about live theater with her is always fantastic. She's so insightful. Thank you for coming with me, Kate!

Working out again

Ugh. I took a month break from working out while rehearing and performing my play (and getting sick) because "I didn't have time." I still don't have time, so even though I'm not a morning person I am forcing myself to get up an hour early to work out. Two weeks in, my body is still pretty sore and I'm tired, but I also feel accomplished and strong. I can do this.

Witchapalooza

I've wanted to see the Witchapalooza dinner theater show at Gardner Village for years, and actively made it happen this year. I think it's the first time I ever used the phrase "I can't even." It was funny, clever, and definitely entertaining. Jenni (the script writer and one of the stars) told me later that they revisit a lot of the numbers every year. I'm glad, because I need to see the Heebie-Beegees, Superhero, and Boyband numbers again. This may have to be a new tradition. I'm glad Brandon was in it so I had an excuse to go.  That guy can sing and he can dance better than I knew. I've never seen him let loose like that -- most directors don't know what to do with him and he is FAR more talented than he is usually allowed to be. I'm thrilled that Nichole came with me. She is an excellent date.

"Holding Out for a Hero"
He-Man, Robin, and Aquaman

Jenni, David, Nichole, Brandon, me, Amy, Brian

Halloween Party

Kenn and Jolene throw a Halloween party every year. It's fun getting together with these awesome people and getting our "theatre weirdo" vibe on with similar-minded folk. We mostly stand around and gawk at costumes and talk and eat, though Ghostbusters was playing in the living room. I had to leave a little early, but I had a good time!

Adam and Mandie

Kristina and her husband, and Mandie

Kent's youngest daughter, the Wicked Witch to my Glinda

Mandie and Liz - I adore these women!

Hosts Kenn and Jolene as Bruce and Caitlin Jenner

Temples

I visited the Bountiful and Jordan River LDS Temples in October. I hadn't been to either in quite a while, and I have a lot of memories associated with each. It felt like coming home.

The Bountiful Temple

The Jordan River Temple

Sadness

This dent in my window is about as big as the nail on my ring finger. Blergh.

Shakespeare Festival in Autumn

Allison and I weren't able to sync our schedules for another summer trip to the Utah Shakespeare Festival (though we both went separately), so I am glad she could come with me for a quick trip too see two of their Fall shows.

We saw Dracula and Two Gentlemen of Verona. The reviews were mixed for Dracula, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed it. We'd read the book and weren't sure how they were going to fix the ending (the book is anti-climactic), and the script went a cool route. Plus, the casting was wonderful. Neither of us was familiar with Two Gentlemen, so we were glad when Fred Adams warned us at the pre-show orientation that it ends weirdly. We thought it would be funnier than it was - moments were hilarious - and, yeah, the ending was troublesome. We debated about it for a little while afterwards. Worth seeing, for sure.

Allison and I 

Allison's friend Wendy lives in town and joined us for the plays and for dinner. She was kind of quiet, and we delighted in introducing her to such Halloween classics as The Worst Witch. I need to watch that movie again sometime, just for the nostalgia factor. Or maybe I don't, because it's terrible (in a good way? I don't remember!)

We ate dinner at one of our favorite places, Centro Pizzeria. Their gourmet pizza is awesome. I had one with grapes and bacon. I recommend it!

This bottle is the leftover rootbeer from my float ;) Yummm.

Allison is "friends with" a lot of Disney characters (or was when she worked at Disney World several years ago). She amused us by practicing their signatures on her to-go box. I think they're adorable, and so suitable for each character.

The playbill is Dracula, and the backdrop is Two Gentlemen

Bonus

I don't remember when Aaron took this photo of us girls but I love it, right down to the twins' matching pink shirts and missing front teeth. How funny that Lindsey and I are both in black and white, too. Couldn't have planned it better if we'd tried!

Now that October is over, it feels like Autumn has almost passed, too! It's definitely colder outside, and the holidays are coming. Hooray! I have a lot of vacations and holidays to look forward to in the next couple of months!