It's a Poll!

So I've decided that I don't blog often enough because I can't think of things to say, am waiting to upload pictures, or just sometimes don't care. I know the disappointment that comes when you go to someone's blog and nothing has been updated. So I think it may be time to start a blog series or two. I've seen some pretty fun blog series other people have done. And I think if I had a repeating subject, it would make it easier to update the blog once in a while when I otherwise wouldn't be posting anything.

And since you are my loyal readers, I figure there might be something you are more interested in reading on my blog. So what kind of blog series should I start? I may start a couple, depending on if I really want to write a series on any particular subject. But please give me your input. Vote on the poll to the side----> and feel free to add comments if there's anything else you'd like to suggest.

Okay, several of these ideas are stolen from other blogs. So what?

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

That's right! It's opening night! I'm so excited to be performing in front of live audiences! This show has been a lot of work for me, and I really think it's paid off. I work with the best cast I've ever worked with, I have a TON of stage time (I almost never get a break backstage between costume changes, etc.), and most importantly, I LOVE this show. The story is fun, the music is catchy, and the choreography is definitely challenging and fun.

So if you can make it, I definitely suggest it. You can find details by clicking on the Upcoming Peformances tab at the top of this page. :-)

I'm back!

I promise I'll get some pictures posted up here as soon as I can. Please be patient. I took over 400 pictures in Europe and am having a hard time deciding which ones to post. Plus it takes a while to upload pictures, so I'm not so thrilled about taking the time to do it.

A Little Less Conversation

Can we get some better conversation starters? Everybody uses the same ones so many times a day that it almost makes me sick. Think about it: How many times do you find yourself giving the same generic answer to "How's it going?" (granted, that's become more of a greeting than a conversation starter these days). And how many times DON'T you say "nothing" when someone asks "What's new?" "How was your day?" usually results in a one word adjective, with the question being returned to the asker. The conversation starter usually gets nowhere, and people resort to their backup conversation starters: asking about work (it's a 4-letter word), family/dating life (thank you for reminding me that I'm single), or any hobbies of yours that they're aware of (which always risks being out-of-date). When all else fails, people resort to their favorite topic--themselves. You know someone is really grasping for topics when they bring up the weather (unless there's something extreme, like a hurricane).

I'm guilty of these conversation starters just like everyone else. But I try to mix things up every once in a while by asking a random question in place of "How's it going?" For example, a few weeks ago I started asking people "What made you decide not to become a teacher?" I was surprised at how effective of a conversation starter that was. Turns out nearly everyone considered teaching at some point in their lives, and many of their reasons for not choosing the career touch on controversial issues, such as government pay and benefits, disagreements with state-mandated curriculums, and even gender bias and stereotyping in the workplace. Needless to say it was an effective conversation starter, and I had many conversations that were much more interesting than the typical "life is okay. you?"

I've also tried to throw off the generic conversation by having something to say when people ask me "What's new?" In case you're not aware yet, I am obsessed with being busy. If I ever end up sitting at home doing nothing one night, I add something else to my already-busy schedule. So there's usually something new in my life to talk about. But I've found myself resorting to the default "nothing" in two situations: 1) if I can't remember what I've already told you about, or 2) if my life is so focused on one thing and I'm think I'd bore you if I brought up the topic. Such is the case right now in my life. While I could talk about my new home, my roommate's new dog, my upcoming trip to Europe, or the upcoming wedding of one of my best friends, I find myself really only wanting to talk about Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which has consumed my life lately. I'm incredibly excited about it, and could talk anybody's ear off, but I'm generally concerned that I'll bore the other party, so I resort to the "nothing" that leads to nothing in a conversation.

Confession: Funny Office Behavior

Working in an office building can be pretty rough sometimes. Lots of people seem to agree that they drain you of your personality--being forced to spend 8 hours a day in a small cube, knowing that 5 people will hear everything you say (that's just one example). If you're lucky, you have something worth walking outside for on your breaks (such as evenly spaced trees and an untouched stretch of lawn). Some of us look for ways to escape the daily humdrum cycle that seems to suck our lives away at times. I've realized my escapes are not so ordinary. But then, who doesn't have their own office behavior that others question right? Right? Maybe you shouldn't answer that and leave me believing that at least I have company in my awkwardness. Here's a couple of things I do that fall under the "not-so-normal ways to escape the office" category.

I tap dance in the elevator, but only when I'm the only one in the elevator (it's a rare time when I don't want an audience). Although it's really funny when the door opens and I see a bewildered look on someone's face, wondering if it's safe to enter the elevator after all that noise they heard.

My other funny office quirk has a story that comes with it: Every once in a while I get tired at the office. So tired I need a quick nap to rebound and start working again. But there's no couch in our break room. In fact, there's no break room at all, since they recently tore down the wall separating it from the rest of the office. I can't nap at my desk and be accused of sleeping on the job, even if I was on break. So I go to the next best place: since our office is on the 5th of 6 floors, there's a spot in the stairwell that is virtually never seen by anyone--except one desperate napper. Very rarely has a health-oriented 6th floor employee opened the door and caused me to pretend I wasn't taking a nap. I'm only ever there for a maximum of 15 minutes, after all. And yet one day I was interrupted 4 times, culminating in my favorite interview ever: "Are you homeless?" Yes, I'm a homeless kid who wears business casual and climbs office buildings for a nap. Seriously???

So what about you? Do you have any unusual habits at work? Or do you think I'm just that much crazier?

Spring Runoff Ran Off With My Flip Flops!

It's been an incredibly hot June compared to the cold and snowy May we had this year. As a result, all the snow in the mountains decided to melt all in one day--or so it would seem. And this year's runoff was quite an adventure.

Last night at about 8:00 my brother left because he had been asked to help put sandbags by the river at Wheeler Farm. Had I known how serious of a problem it was, I would have joined him. It wasn't until later when my roommates told me I was needed that I went to help keep the river in check.



We went to 53rd South, right by Murray Park. In the shallowest part of the street, the water covered my ankles. I was made keenly aware that I was in flip flops when I stepped into the water and froze my feet. But it turned out to be a blessing, as I was able to detect major breaches in the sand wall that was being built next to the sidewalk. When it seemed like the river was under control there, we ventured into Murray Park to see the impact. The river was running across the entire parking lot at Parkside Elementary. The pond had become a lake. And some of the picnic tables were completely submerged, except for just enough of the tabletops to be able to recognize what they were.

My flip flops broke early on, so I set them down and went barefoot the rest of the night. We did really well, all except for one shack/guest house/whatever that was flooded by the time we got there. When I went back to retrieve my flip flops, I discovered that a channel had been built right on top of where they were. So they were carried away from the side of the street and taken back to the river. If anyone finds them downstream, feel free to keep them.

It was fun to keep running into people I know, including my uncle. I was impressed at how the community came together to help their neighbors. At the end of the night someone told me that I had been passing sandbags to Shawn Bradley (makes sense--he was TALL).


I have been around this river almost my whole life. When I was growing up, I knew it as the river in the gully. I've had 3 jobs in the Union Park area, where the river runs. I lived with my parents near the river by Wheeler Farm. And I currently spend lots of time by the river as it runs through Murray. This summer I'll be performing a show in the amphitheater right next to the river in Murray Park. So this river is like a home to me.

I used to spend hours in the river with my friend, who I always teased about being obsessed with the river. Truth be told, I loved the river almost as much as he did. So today at lunch I went to the gully to see how it looks in the place I've known the longest. I've always loved seeing the river during spring runoff. Today was no exception. Although I have to say that it's twice as big as I've ever seen it during runoff before. There are 3 rows of rock barricades, and only the top one is visible right now. I'm reminded of the time my friend and I thought it was a good idea to ride down the river during runoff on some inflatable pool mattresses. The plan was to jump out just before we got to the waterfall at the bridge. I'm lucky to have made it out of there without getting hurt, considering the slippery rocks and unexpectedly strong current. Although now, the waterfall would be nothing more than a quick rapid.

I'm glad I "got my feet wet" and helped out last night. It was a really good experience.

Moving Out

It's official! I'm moving out on the 1st of June. I've got two friends I'm going to live with, and we found a place that we all like. I'll be staying in the ward boundaries, too!