Today I learned...

There are numerous manufacturers who sell hearing aids. Part of their job is to make people with a hearing loss want to buy their product, e.g. fun hearing aid colors, intriguing names, etc. Well, today I realized that one company stands out as far as creative name giving goes. First of all, their company name is Siemens. Okay, fine. I'll give them some credit; maybe it's the founder's last name or something. They probably didn't have any control over it. BUT! Second of all, out of all the other titles they could have given to one of their programs, they decided that the "Wiener filter" was the best fit! Yep, both pronounced like the male anatomy parts! I don't even want to know what the marketing crew was smoking when they came up with that one!

A funny joke.

After eating downtown, the following conversation took place between two good friends:

Friend 1: The homeless shelter is right there.

Friend 2: I really need to do service.

Friend 1: Not there.

Friend 2: Maybe there…

(Driving past a brick fire pit on the sidewalk…silence)

Friend 2: You know, why don’t homeless people just go get some hot dogs and roast them right there?

Friend 1: They don’t have the money to buy hot dogs…

Friend 2: Well, maybe they should save up a couple bucks to go buy some hot dogs at the grocery store instead of buying a pack of cigarettes!

You know, maybe that’s what I should do: gather up hotdogs and give them to the homeless. We can call it “Hotdogs for Homeless!”

(Outbursts of laughter filled the car. At that moment, nothing was more funny to those two friends.)

Spring.

According to the Weather Channel dot com, today's temperature reached a high of 47 degrees in SLC. I don't think you can understand how happy that makes me. My spirits were lifted as I walked around the Garden without the protection of a heavy jacket. Life is so much better when the sun can actually keep you warm! Winter, I beg you to leave.

Yes, I am a nerd...

So, I heard about this in class and thought I would check it out. This is one of our inner ear hair cells at its best! Just jammin' to the music! HAHAHA.

Okay, you probably won't think that it's cool, but it is...

Calling all Utahns, male in gender:

If you take the time to dress nice, wear nice shoes, etc...

the least you could do is not wear white socks!

It's dang cold outside.

LD

So when did Leonardo DiCaprio become a sexy man? I mean, he has always been the teenage heart-throb, especially since his Titanic performance. But really, I have never been attracted to him until now. I think there are some folks (male in gender) who age very nicely, and he happens to be one of them. I hope this doesn't mean I will end up marrying an old man...that would be weird.

Dammit.

I sometimes find myself surprised by a person's stupidity. I am amazed at what people think is okay to do. I have learned these past few hours that I should not be surprised, but instead I should expect it. Some things never change.

Strange encounters.

I frequently ride Trax to a class I have on campus. Yesterday, I parked in my usual spot and headed toward the train. As I was walking, I noticed a homeless man holding a sign straight ahead of me. He was greeting cars as they exited the busy shopping center parking lot. I instantly decided to avoid an uncomfortable "hello" by walking behind him, hoping to prevent any type of communication between the two of us. Just as I thought I had escaped all awkwardness, the following happened:

Homeless Man Holding Sign: Hello Ma'am, How are you today?

I replied with the curtious "Good" answer, but of course I couldn't stop there. Before I knew it I added, "How are you?"...

Hold on. What a second. Did I really have the audacity to ask a HOMELESS man how he was doing?? Ummm, yes I did. And what do you think was his reply? Not the curtious "Fine, Thank you", but instead he boldy replied, "I don't know yet", hoping that I could somehow change his fate right at that very moment. (heart sinking to bottom of chest) What was I thinking? Of course a homeless man begging for something is not doing great. What did I expect! It's not like I really cared how he was doing. And if I did, I would have pulled out my loose change from my purse and smiled kindly, no words needed.

So I continued my walk of shame to the tracks and made a vow never to make stupid conversational decisions again. We'll see how that works out.

What I hate.

I hate:
writing papers
cold sores
cold hands
homework
studying
finals week

ok, basically I hate school right now...I can't wait for this week to be over. I keep finding other things to do besides study or write my paper. I am ansy right now just to be done with the semester. I need a couple weeks to get ready for another, even harder, semester. AHHH. I should go now.

Money

I will never forget the feeling of paying off credit card debt. To finally be able to do that is a tremendous, overwhelming happiness that reminds me how much I rely on money. I get really nervous when I don't have any and I hate asking my parents for money, so I don't whenever possible. But I try and take on my mother's attitude of "Money is there to spend, so we have to spend it when we have to spend it!" I try not to worry when my bank account gets horrifyingly low, but when I get money again and can pay off what I owe, I am joyous and relieved. Thank you money, for causing stresses and then taking them away.

It could happen.

"Prayer the ultimate wireless network"

I saw this on a billboard outside of a church in downtown Salt Lake. It reminded me of a small town horror flick made in the 80's. The camera would pan across a church like this as you enter the town where everyone will be murdered except you. And you will be left in bloody clothes, with scrapes and bruises from the many close-calls, trying to hitch a ride to the nearest town, which happens to be even weirder than the first. And next summer the same thing will happen to you once again. Your life is forever haunted and you will never escape it...

Just sayin'...

10.31

America is a weird place. For the past month I have procrastinated the registration of You Too, and have left the task for the last possible day of completion, the 31st of October. As I took the long way to the DMV, I had forgotten that this was a special day. If I had decided to sit on nasty black, plastic chairs any other day, I would have a had a completely different experience than that of this blessed day. Before I walked through those ever too simple doors, I was expecting grumpy, unforgiving government workers. Instead, I got normal, everyday Americans, dressed as witches, and pirates, and pumpkins. As I sat there trying to think of anything but how long I had been there, I realized that we live in a strange place. One day, out of all the days of the year, we are allowed to be anyone but ourselves. We are able to put on a front and say "Peace, love and happiness" without being judged as a free spirit or hippie. And I believe I got better service because of it. It is sad to think that tomorrow, just a couple hours difference, will change the attitudes and demeanors of those government workers who so willingly helped me today. They will no longer have such a convenient conversation starter or tension-breaker. So, that leads me back to my opening statement: America is a weird place. If we really wanted to be a hippie or pirate, what is stopping us from that. Or even better, what makes us believe that it is okay to do it once a year?

Lately...

Lately I have been going to sleep to a movie. I just can't get my mind to shut off. Life got hard and busy and I don't know how to deal with it. And it's not like I have never been busy before, I have. It's just more complicated now. I don't want to give that extra effort that would make things okay. I just don't. I can't get rid of that feeling, you know, the one that will never let you relax because you have a million things to do. And somehow you get them all done. That's how it has ended up before, but this kind of feels different. Like there is no ending. And there might not be and so what. What do I care? I seem to care a little too much. Maybe that's my problem. I should try to not care so much. But for now I just need more movies...

"Pain...you just have to ride it out. The truth is you can't outrun it. Life always makes more."
-the creative writers of Grey's Anatomy

Poem #1278 in memory of You

Today I lost You.

A loud pop,
And you're gone.
As I waited to be saved,
You were already dead.

We listened to great music,
You never complained.
Except for that Winter,
You would scream everyday.

And then came the Summer,
We barely went out.
I would sometimes forget,
You were so close.

But Your time is now done,
You left me in pieces.
What shall I ever do,
without You.


-dedicated to the best friend a girl could have...my Mitsu. (tear tear)

Firenze, Italia

I am here in the beautiful city of Florence. It is our second day here so we are becoming more and more familiar with its streets and people. When you travel, you learn quickly what you like and don't like. Like: Florence, Don't like: Rome. And I mean, yeah, Rome is great for the obvious reasons (Coloseum, ancient ruins, Vatican, etc.), but it really is just another hot, stinky and busy city. There is nothing wrong with that, it just wasn't my favorite. I think it was good to start with Rome, get the worst over with and now I can enjoy the company of those who don't mind that I am not familiar with the language. People are happier the further north we go. I wish everyone the chance to travel to different parts of the world. It is a very good thing. Tomorrow we tour the churches. What a life!

Ciao!

Top 10 Fav. Songs, 7.20.06

Most of these are solid, but let me tell you something...It is dang hard to figure out your favorite songs of all time. I have no doubt that every year, maybe even every week, some of these will be exchanged for newly discovered captivating songs. But for now:

1. Unfold - Jason Mraz
2. Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles
3. Because I Told You So - Jonatha Brooke
4. Learning to Fly - Tom Petty
5. King of Sorrow - Sade
6. Guestcheck - Tristan Prettyman
7. Nobody knows me at all - The Weepies
8. Glory Bound (acoustic) - Martin Sexton
9. Building A Mystery - Sarah Mclachlan
10. Out of Habit - Ani DiFranco

Peace be with you...

TOP 5 as of 7.6.06

On the glorious ride back from Colorado (the colorful state) I was asked the question: "What are your top five song artists?" Everyone in the car had a chance to respond, each taking their time. As I pondered, I felt good about the five I chose. When it comes down to it, each of these artists have been with me through different times of my life. It is kind of cool to look back on memories and hear a song playing in your head. It spices up life a bit...

1. The Beatles
2. Tom Petty
3. Guster
4. Jason Mraz
5. Tristan Prettyman

Update.

So, last night I found out that the angry man that I talked to yesterday is completely insane and rude to everyone. So now I do not feel bad one bit. Not even a little. He definitely deserved the attitude I laid down on him. Ha! I feel great!