Well... there's an app for that.. Fav of the week.

In August I finally joined the smart phone revolution. I LOOOOVE it. Before you have one you think to yourself, "I don't NEED all that" but after you get it you think something more along the lines of "If you take it away I'll probably dieeee".

I got a Samsung Galaxy S phone. At T-Mobile it is called a Vibrant but all major companies have them. Its the bomb yo. The screen is amazing, I have my own built in GPS which came in unbelievably handy while driving cross country this summer, it has an AMAZING camera on it, I surf the net and check my business email, and it has all kinds of fun applications available--for free. Seriously, me and my Vibrant are going steady. Its getting pretty serious.
Randy likes to joke that I am not using my phone's full capabilities (much like my brain I suppose) because I haven't downloaded very many apps and that I should probably just trade him so that my poor mistreated phone can reach it's full potential. Yeeeah... not so much.

He had a point however, so the other day I was shopping around the Android Market and found my favorite app to date. I always have my phone on vibrate. I find it sorta embarrassing when my phone starts to blare Paramore while I'm standing in line at the grocery store or when I'm in the middle of a shoot. So vibrate it is--and usually this is just perfect for my needs. However, there is one time when vibrate on the old phone is woefully inadequate: when I've gone and lost it.

Ever tried to find a lost phone when you can't call it to hear it ringing?? Difficult? Yes. Annoying? Always. That's where the "Where's my Droid?" app comes in. You send your phone a pre-programmed text saying whatever you like, it turns your ringer on to the highest setting and starts to ring. When you find it, it automatically returns to its original settings. REJOICE!

Maybe not quite as cute as the Light Saber app, but definitely more practical.

The only drawback I have found is you have to either test it out alone OR make sure the person you have text the "secret message" to your phone is trustworthy. Mine started wailing as I drove down Parley's Canyon going 80 and nearly scaring the bejeebers out of me. Thanks again Randy.

Oh... and sorry Lady in the next lane. :)

Favorite Thing of the Week

Alas...

Its my Kindle.

I'm loving my little electronic book!! I've been book happy the last month reading The Hunger Games, the sequel Chasing Fire, The Lost Symbol, Bridget Jones' Diary and Vanish. I'm am now a good way into the novel Deeper Then the Dead and I have a half dozen books on my "Save for Later" list in my Kindle.

Convenience is the key. I just carry my Kindle around in my purse. It has a nice cover and an adorable skin. I take it out and read at lunch, when I'm waiting for my car to be detailed, while I'm getting my nails done, anytime I have a minute or two. I never lose my space, I can change my mind and switch to a different book, I can even shop for new books. It's awesome!!

My apartment is small. I'm finding it hard to find extra room for books. Now I don't have to anymore!! The Kindle stores up to 1500 books give or take and if by some freakish chance I were to fill it up I can use Amazon online to store some I'm not reading. Shazam!

So if you love books and reading, and have been stumped on what to ask for Valentines from your honey then I suggest practicing puppy dog eyes NOW. (And Randy, thanks for the bestest Christmas present ever!!)

Let me know how it goes!

Everyone... I'd like you to meet Fez.

Yep. This is Fez.

Why you ask? Why am I introducing you to an obnoxiously hued 70's barrel chair??? Because I am sorta in to love with him and together we're going to make dozens and dozens of adorable,well behaved, ravishing pictures.

I have been looking for a few unique pieces to use in my work. That obnoxious marigold color will work fantastic in my outdoor shots. I cannot wait to try Fez out and have made arrangements for a location and models this Friday. I'm pretty sure Fez is excited too. We're planning on giving Fez a little bit of a make-over. Perhaps get him out of that dated skirt so he can show off the sexy legs he's got.

In the meantime Fez is in pretty great shape. He needs a little cleaning here and there and he does have one little hard to see hole but other then that the cushion and the fabric look great. I picked him up at the local Deseret Industries. He was eyeing me... I flirted back. It was pretty much meant to be.

(Funny side story.... that D.I. What a bunch of swindlers. I bought Fez for fifteen dollars only to get home and see the tag taped on him said ten. Why I oughtta....)

Now I know what you are all thinking.... where did Fez get his name?? And you're thinking right. Randy and I both agreed he looked like he stepped out of Eric Forman's garage on That 70's Show.

Besides... he has a lisp.

AND and accent.

Talk about depressing

This week a year ago I was on a trip to San Diego, then a cruise in the Mexican Riviera.

I was finding bathrooms hard to come by--specially with toilet paper and then running water.
I was hover-planing it.
I was watching the terrible practice of syrup application to cheese omelets.
I was stressing about leaving my Murano in a rental lot.
I was getting blissfully sun burnt.
I was getting ripped off by little swindlers--er I mean children in Acapulco.
I was blowing salt water out my nose after taking a thrashing by a wave and washing up on shore in a number of compromising positions in Ixtapa.
I was getting smacked in the face with flippers.
I was getting a mild case of sun stroke on a real crappy "nature hike".
I was finding sand in various unmentionable places.
I was getting seasick in the dining room and trying not to wretch in the theater.
I was cursing the weather as the winds blew so hard and cold they closed the upper decks.
I was spending a lot of time indoors watching karaoke and playing games with the old folks.
I was gaining 15 pounds on shrimp, melted chocolate cake, and unlimited sodas.
I was getting harangued by Mexican merchants trying to sell me things made in China.


You know... come to think of it---maybe I'm not AS depressed as I thought!

(Who am I kidding. Yes I am. This was a lesson in futility. I'm trying to talk myself into it.)

I feel a make-out session coming on

I mentioned in an earlier post that we've recently made some big purchases. I finally gave up all hope for a Mac and decided a PC is better then nothing. Which is what I would continue to have for the three years it would take me to save up 3000 dollars without touching it. I lack self control. I admit it. Something would indefinitely keep coming up and the Mac-stork would never arrive.

So I know I said I would never own another, but Dell really did have some screaming deals. Besides my other issues all stemmed from our previous Dell being a laptop so I shouldn't encounter any of the same troubles this time around. Not only that but it seems my family has their very own Dell Technical Support whether she wants to be supportive or not (sorry Mel! Expect a call from me if I can't figure out how to set my TV up through it alone). Introducing the new desktop:



New desk, new printer, new high speed internet. Damn is that sexy or what?? I'm so enamored with the 24 inch monitor that I wanna open-mouth kiss it. Finally photo editing will not involve any nomad-type maneuvering. We've only been seeing each other for about a week but I think that maybe I'm in love. But I'm gonna wait till it says it first.

In Memory of...

A year ago today someone that I cared about passed away. This past year since his death has been hard on a lot of people that I have come to love and care about and of course myself as well. So on this day I wanted to take a moment to touch on some of the qualities of this extraordinary young man in the hopes that as we all continue on we can try to incorporate some of those traits into our lives and learn from his example, and in turn, celebrate his life. Because if anything can be said of Kiefer, you can definitely say he was inspiring.

Kiefer had just an ineffable sence of joy about life. He had a thousand watt smile. He knew how to laugh at himself and he knew how to make others laugh. Oftentimes you laughed without even wanting to, so crazy and harebrianed some of the things he said were, but you couldn't help it. You would just find yourself shaking your head in disbelief. Sometimes Kiefer would laugh about some joke that he found so hillarious he'd fall helpless on the floor but was incapable of telling you WHY he was laughing. In those cases you basically just started laughing at him. It was like he just couldn't help it. The joy would bubble out of him like a spring.

Kiefer, much like his father, had a most definite sence of self. He didn't care what anyone else thought or said. He could as easily stand on a stage giving a monologue from Julius Ceasar or make a fool of himself in the middle of Walmart in front of a gaggle of girls as he could debate private heath care with a family practitioner. I called him "No Shame" for a reason. He said what he wanted and wore what he wanted. If that included wearing eyeliner to soccer practice and taking flack from the coach, so be it. He didn't define himself by what he wore one day or what people thought of him. So many people would try to shove this long boarding, black clothes-wearing, faux-hawk-coifed kid into a certain box, and so many were surprised when they found that he lettered in debate (a skill he undoubtably rendered from his mother), and loved writing short stories and poetry.

Kiefer LOVED. And of course was loved fiercely in return. He had a huge extended family of friends and seemed to make more everywhere he went. He had a special affinity for those in need and extended himself to people that maybe needed a friend or a shoulder. This wanting to help others spread to social causes as well whether it be Sub for Santa or children in Africa without shoes. He wanted nothing better then to make people happy. He loved passionately and gave freely to those who needed it.

While a mischevious teen fond of sneaking out and planning non-parental approved adventures with his friends, making his mom crazy, and single-handedly giving reason for parents of teenage girls to lock all their doors, Kiefer was, above all, a young man with a huge heart. He was ambitious and smart, loving and passionate, tallented and imaginative and chock full of more self confidence then a teenager should rightfully have.

I take away my own lessons from Kiefer. His legacy for me has been to try and appreciate those I love a bit more. To maybe be a bit more passionate, a bit more caring, to laugh a little more, be a little crazy sometimes, and perhaps to take more joy in my life.

I hope others who knew him do the same. I miss you Kiefer!

"but we need the water... blah blah blah"

Utah is really trying my patience this year. This whole cold, rain, snow, briefly sunny, warm smoggy haze, rain etc etc thing has GOT to end. Did anyone else realize its going to be May in a week and its still 50 outside?? As I type this I look out the window at the bleak sky and the barren trees and my lip starts to quiver.

I think the extended winter has put everyone in a perpetual bad mood. We all need a little sunshine, a little tan, and a little vitamin D. I think the current conditions are going to finally awaken that secret serial killer waiting to come out in Randy. No worries guys, I'm safe. They don't kill people they know. However, if I come home and he's wearing a 'people' suit its really gonna put a further damper on things.

So, in a sad whistful way I have put together a little list of all the things I am REALLY looking forward to in the next coming months.

• Having a clean car for more then three hours. I had the Murano washed yesterday and it just looks so sexy with its gleaming chrome and shiney wheels. I almost moved it to the top of my loves list.
• Golf. Yeah Randy will roll his eyes here but I do miss it. I miss my legs sticking to the vinyl, the ping of the ball and the feeling you get when you finally hit that great shot. I'm sure after I lose a couple hundred balls my enthusiasm may fade just a bit, but thats when I break out the camera!
• Green. Green leaves, green grass, flowers blooming. I never noticed how much I was starved for it till it took a month longer then usual to coax all the living things out of the ground.
• Driving with the windows down at night. The lilac blooming is a bonus. Can. Not. Wait.
• Snowies. Who doesn't love a good snow shack?? I mean minus the slightly sullen teenager baking under the plexiglass like an ant under a magnifying glass.
• Barbecues. I plan on having a lot more of these this year. And I cannot wait to convince my sister that we need to have them at her house cause they were her idea.
• Capris, shorts, flipflops and the tans that come with them. I'm tired of looking like a slathered a tub of cream cheese on my face.
• More photo oppertunities. Winter is beautiful and all but you have more time and more motivation to get out there and work on your photography if youre not losing a limb to the elements.
• Nectarines, peaches, raspberries. Locally grown fruit and produce that wasn't imported from Chilie. Oh and isn't rotten on the inside. BIG bonus.
• Fireworks, festivals, car shows. Theres just so much to do in the summer!
• Roadtrips. I've made a goal for myself to see more of what this beautiful state has to offer. If its just an hour jaunt to a weekend, I want to go places I haven't been.

Is there anything in particular that you are really looking forward to this year? Or is there somethings that this horrendously long winter has made you appreciate a bit more? Let me know.

stick it to the man

I love the Cheesecake Factory. I love, LOVE, LOOOOVE it.

I pretty much want to marry it.

At some point, on any trip to Las Vegas in the past, you would be sure to find me sprawled in the licked-free-of-debris Chicken Madeira plate while doing the Homer Simpson gargle to the last swallow of mango marguerita and berating my server loudly to make my cheese-cake-to-go reeeeal snappy.

I was thrilled when I found out that we, in Utah, were finally deemed worthy to have our very own Cheesecake factory. Sometime back one of our local news stations had ran a report that they were looking for new areas to expand and had several states that they were looking into. Unfortunately they said that the owners of the Cheesecake Factory, in their infinite wisdom, only built their restaurants where the college education rate was above a certain percentage and Utah fell below that rate. Now I never finished college and I don't know how right I may be, but I came up with a few hypothesis as to why maybe they use that percentage as a location factor:

1. College educated people go to school a lot. That makes them hungry.

2. Smart people are fat. Fat people eat more.

3. College educated people generally make more and thus eat out more often.

I'm not sure if any of them are close to their reasoning but I am glad they rethought their decision cause I felt it was pretty weak. Its not that Utah is the Land of the Stupids or anything like that or we just quit going to the school house when Pa needed us back on the farm. Actually the rate of students continuing on to college is pretty high around these parts. The problem actually comes from the fact that many students, once wisened up, leave in a mass exodus like flocks of ducks seeking warmer climes. Our biggest export is good college educated people. They act like Utah is a big family. All the good smart kids go to school move out and get jobs and all the stupid kids stay home and live with Ma and Pa.

Maybe that's why although we finally got our own place its scandalously fun-sized. You can fit three of our Cheesecake Factories into the one in Vegas and probably still have room for Celine's farewell party for her dancers.

Every time I drive by around dinner dining hours there is a crowd spilling out onto the sidewalk with over an hour wait. I went at a quarter to ten recently and was told it would still be 45 minutes. I guess they underestimated us. Do they not know that we all dream of having a family with eight kids and we can only leave one at home locked in the closet before the neighbors become suspicious? That we might not buy the alcohol but we make up for that in sheer numbers? So the next time you stop by (I highly recommend you do if you haven't yet) and you're waiting outside huddled against a no parking sign for warmth for an hour and a half in order to give them money for their delicious moderately priced fare, and then hurried out again like cattle in a shute while still trying vainly to scrape the last crumb off the plate, just feel happy that you're showing those high paid exec types up. Guess we're not as dumb as they thought we were.

I am one who baby-sits

Recently I watched over my good friend Lucky's baby boy while she went down to St George for some business. The little guy is named Trevor. He is ADORABLE! She calls him Bubba. I call him Little Man. What he is, is a complete joy. He's smart. He listens. He's pretty clean. He eats good. He's a cuddler. He's got great manners, She dresses him in the cutest clothes. And he has got the most prescious black mustache.

Granted that last part sounds a bit odd, but thats because Trevor is a Mini Schnauzer.

We had a dog from the time I was 3 til the time I was 21. I love dogs. I'm a true sucker for puppies and I only wish I knew a breeder just so they would let me come over and lay in piles of little tuna-breathed litters for a couple hours everyday. Thats my idea of a real stress reliever right there. So the question is, why don't I have one of my own? Well there was a time there where Randy and I trolled the KSL site everynight looking for a breed that would suit us. Finally after a lot of thought we just decided that we didn't have the time to spend with a dog and it wouldn't be fair to us or the new member of the family. I always feel bad for that little guy that has gotten attached to his "people" only to get abandoned at a shelter. I resolved that would NEVER be me.

So once again, I must live vicariously through others.

While Trevor stayed with me we played fetch a lot. We layed on the couch and vedged a lot. We had some tug o'war going on. We went on lots of rides. We cuddled and snored together, Understandably it was a little weird turning the lights low and getting the Marvin Gaye on with a dog staring at you, but Randy and I dealt with it, which means Trevor and I snuggled together and slept blissfully and Randy complained a lot for three days.

Unfortunately after spending so much time with Trevor I desperately want to steal him. Is dog theft a felony? So here's to Lucky for training such a well mannered little gentleman. You did an outstanding job. Now, when are you leaving again?

I wish the real world would stop hasseling me.

I have recently returned from my first vacation in two years. My boy Randy, my two very good friends Ber and Di, and myself drove to San Diego and from there went on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. It was an adventure, and though sometimes complicated trying to please everyone, for me in particular it was the best of both worlds. Randy got to golf and see Tiger play at the Buick Invitational. I got to explore beaches in La Jolla, go to Sea World, and sun bathe at a resort in Ixtapa with the ladies. Perfection. We had three stops on the cruise: Acapulco, Zihuatenejo/Ixtapa, and Manzinillo (Chanel--you were so right, Ixtapa is where its AT).



Heres the highlights:

• Returning to San Diego, an emerald green, beautiful, friendly, coastal city that I adore.


• Rolling down the windows in January


• Spending time with my good friends that in the daily hustle and bustle I don't get to see as much as I like.


• I finally got to touch a dolphin. And yeah.. okay, they sorta do feels like a wet hot dog.

• Having someone to wait on me, clean up after me, and basically taking care of every whim.


• Consuming more guacamole, chocolate melting cake, shrimp, mango strawberry angel food cake trifle, and carbonated beverages then ever before recorded.


• Enjoying four different beautiful beaches.


• Hairy chest contests


• Good natured mockery of kareoke singing Canadians


• Watchhng Di give Mexican booth owners the wagging finger while proclaiming "I don't want no pesos!


• BubuLubu


• Going down more waterslides then I have since the days of Classic Skating


• The term "all inclusive"


• Hearing about multiple snow storms in Utah while enjoying sunny 90 degree weather.

• The sweet tan I have now and the fact that I have escaped almost completely burn and peel free.


• Towell animals. They make me happy.


• Returning to Ocean Park Inn on the boardwalk. My favorite place to stay.

• World Famous Restaurant's lobster bisque ::drools::
  

The Lowlights (or what I like to call "things that make for better stories")

• Watching Ber sleep almost the entire way to California while Di and I tossed and turned ALL night.


• The decor of our first Hotel in Cardiff by the Sea looked like Queen Victoria' s stuffy Aunt Mildred's country estate.




• How you feel after consuming more guacamole, chocolate melting cake, shrimp, trifle and carbonated beverages then ever recorded.


• Mild heat stroke from the 90 degree weather


• Being forced to pay little boys for shoddy merchandise.


• The initial fear of imminent death the first time snorkeling

• Getting smacked in the face by Di's non-conformist paddling tecnique.


• Eating at least one wave at three of those four beautiful beaches


• Bathrooms with no toilet paper... oh and no running water either, Did I forget that?


• Hairy chest contests


• Surprise surprise but when you disenbark from San Diego in January its not warm on the deck till the second day at sea. who knew?

• Having sand... everywhere.


• Being sea sick. Anyone who says you can't feel the boat move LIES.


• Watching Ber smother her daily cheese and ham omelet with maple syrup.

• Lobster bisque does not come with free refills.
• Dolphins are whores. You must pay for their affection.
• Cult owned 7-11's with no bathrooms
• My head has started to peel. I now look like I have chronic dandruff. Great, I did say I almost escaped.
• Have become slug.

It was so fun. I can't wait to get out of here again already!!

For another take on it check out my friend Bers blog here.