Lame Poster

I know, I know...I suck. Sorry for being so lame the past couple of days - my family has been in town. I will have an update soon - but I promised my sister we would watch a movie tonight. So...just letting you know I haven't exploded from a Freezing Explosive Potion or something.

Games Galore

Ah, the duck of doom. What terror picking up this little guy can reign upon an innocent player.

Saturday night, Mark, myself, Linc, Hannah, Timm, and Jessie got together for another night o' games. Much fun was had! We played a round of Munchkin, which is easily one of my favorite games. I love the Calvinball-esque nature of it, in that it seems so random and made up as you go along. Really, just about anything can happen. I'm glad everyone else enjoyed it too. We also played Settlers again, which is always fun. Mark and I will have to invest in that one someday...when we have money. We also ordered pizza (yum...), and had an opportunity to chat and hang out. It was much needed, as I had been having a crappy couple of days.

Now its back to Monday, always a joy. I am excited though, because my family is on their way into town. I haven't seen them since Christmas, so it will be really good to have them here. Though I have to work tonight, so I won't seem them much (if at all) today. But tomorrow I was able to trade my shift with someone, so I basically can have the whole day free. It's my mom and nephew Brady's birthdays tomorrow, so we are going to have a little family get together, which should be fun (:

Other than that, feeling kinda blah today again. Mark found out that we do have to pay that $295 - apparently in a $400 we received shortly after the accident, we were supposed to have paid that sum. Though that was never made apparent to us - we were always told that the other person's insurance would "take care" of it. Right. They were awesome about communicating with us. They told Mark that they had faxed him an itemized list (which we never saw), and of course, I'm sure no attempt at follow up was made. If it was, it didn't work.

So that sucks, on top of the $500 for taxes next month. At least the hospital is willing to let us pay that money in payments - but we still want to pay it off as soon as possible. Money sucks so bad. It's just depressing - as I know several of you feel about it as well. *sigh*

Now Playing: Inertia Creeps - Massive Attack

Awesome.

I took this pic the other night. It's my cranky-trying-to-mask-it face. I even softened it. But really, its just cranky. And that's how I'm kinda feeling right now, so I thought it appropriate.

Today was one of those days where I just felt rushed. I had class til 1, had a research meeting until 3, got home around 3:30. Ate something, and had a little bit of time to hang out. Mark got home at 5, I got ready for work, worked until 11, and got home a little bit ago. Work was busy. Which basically meant I was putting clothes away for most of the night. Always so much fun.

Mark also got a collections notice in the mail for $295 from the hospital, supposedly for not paying his bill from the accident he got into last summer. But you see, he wasn't supposed to pay. It wasn't his fault - AT ALL. The lady who hit him's insurance was supposed to have covered it. We'll be calling on Monday to try and get it all figured out. It just sucks because this is seriously the 3rd time this sort of thing has happened to Mark since we have been married. We never receive any previous warning before being sent to collections, its never been something he was legitimately at fault for, and it always comes at a really crappy time financially (like also finding out we owe about $500 in taxes). Really - it's so frustrating. And I feel bad for Mark, because it just comes out of nowhere, and counts against his credit when he has done nothing wrong. Argh. ARGH!!!

Alright, sorry for the cranky post guys. I'm not trying to elicit sympathy, I just felt the need to vent. I spose I ought to go wake Mark up (he's asleep on the couch - sore and tired from his crazy night of DDR ;)), and go to bed, since I have to be back at work at 8:45 in the morning.

Now Playing: Salt Water Sound - Zero 7

Shameless Self Promotion...

And a random pic of the katanas Mark got me off of eBay a while ago for like, 10 bucks. Pretty cool, eh?

So I have a couple of things coming up I thought I would make you all awares of, by chance you are looking for a way to either waste time, or do something for free. Only 1 is educational.

On April 13th, A research group I am in is presenting a poster at the Mary Lou Fulton research conference at BYU. It's some preliminary research we have done on measures of Grief (sounds morbid, I know...). I'm not 100% sure on what time we present at yet, but if you are interested I will post it once I find out. So if you feel like taking your kids out for a walk or whatever, feel free to come on down to the Wilkinson Center and walk amongst the posters. Or just take yourself, or whatever. Just putting out there.

I'm also in the University Chorale at BYU, and our concert is on April 18th at 7:30 PM. It's Free, and even though we aren't an "audition" choir at BYU, we're still good. So if you want a cheap date, come check it out.

Alright, shameless self promoting is over.

Now Playing: Square One - Coldplay

Peeps

Mark and I saw the craziest thing tonight at the mall. In this candy counter in one of the stores, they had all of these crazy candy apples. I mean, CRAZY. The best one? This candy apple that was coated in what looked like white chocolate with little designs, then surround by PEEPS. I kid you not. It was a Peeps candy apple. I so want to get one for Mike.

Now Playing: DARE - Gorillaz

Just for fun

I came across this picture of me from Halloween 2004, being an ornery wench while I stir the hot apple cider. I look very angry.

Now Playing: Picture of My Life - Jamiroquai 

I need brutal honesty, guys

So I decided to do something a little different with my hair today. Shocking, I know. I always get nervous when I do something out of the ordinary, because inevitably I always think it looks dumb. However, I thought I would appeal to all of you to get your opinion on the matter. Because today so far, I'm thinking its not too bad. My main issue with my hair is how thin it is - it's ridiculous. So I worry a little bit about this making the top of my hair look really thin.

So please - be honest, and let me know if you think this is a workable alternative to the usual blowed straight look. Sometimes I just feel a need for change.

Now Playing: In the Waiting Line - Zero 7

So excited for this game

Mark's "Play" magazine came today, which is gaming magazine for nerds like us. And they had a preview for Kingdom Hearts II. Though I only played through part of the 1st one, and watched Mark finish it (I need to play it again myself...I got frustrated when I got stuck fighting Ursula), I can't wait to see this one. The whole concept of the game is so fun - they basically combine elements of beloved Disney movies/characters, and sprinkle in a few well known faces from the Square Enix world (think Final Fantasy series). So the "worlds" you play in are things like Halloween Town from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the worlds of The Little Mermaid, Hercules, and several others. In the second one they are even throwing in Pirates of the Caribbean and Tron. The majority of the characters are voiced by the original actors too. Still don't know about Johnny Depp for Jack...but I hope so. Keira Knightley is doing her character, so that's *hopefully* a good sign.

Anyways, I just felt like making a nerdy post about this, because I am excited for it. It comes out in May. Really, its such a cool idea.

Now Playing: Soot & Stars - The Smashing Pumpkins

Mark's true love

Seriously - look at the affection in that look.

This picture was really dark, so I lightened it up and thought it turned out kinda cool. I mean...dark to the point where it looked like I took a picture of empty dark space.

Went over to Hannah's for the "play group" for a bit - even though I don't have any childrens. It was fun. We played DDR a bit. It was nice playing it on a big TV.

Alright, I better do some homework. Dang it. 

Duet

One of the coolest things about having a digital piano, is I can play duets with myself. I just record either one of the two parts, then play it back while I play the other part. My teacher has actually given me a couple of duets, so this is great practice for me! We play them together at lessons, but its not quite the same always playing the parts separate at home. It's pretty awesome.

Alright...kinda a boring post, I know. But I just got done practicing, and had lots of fun working on this.

Now Playing: In Between Days[Shiver Mix] - The Cure

Better pic of the snow

The last one was more for fun, that I played around with. This one shows the snow a *little* better. 

Snowing again

Ah yes - the little flakes are falling again. Right now, its really pretty - I love when there are big flakes falling fairly slowly. But just looking again outside 2 minutes since I took this picture, its still snowing - but somewhat sunny. That's always kinda weird.

I was able to meet Mark for lunch at Noodles and Company - which was really nice. Had Pesto Cavatappi, which tasted so good today. We hadn't been there in a little while. Now I am just sitting at home in comfy clothes, checking my email and blogs, then will get to work on some sort of homework. Yay.

Now Playing: Rose Rouge - St. Germain 

Ahhh...music

Much thanks to Jessie for letting me borrow some of your cd's again tonight - now I have the joys of Zero 7, Groove Armada, Jamiroquai, Massive Attack, The Cure "Mixed Up", and St. Germain in my life. I had copied several of these cds onto my computer at Leaving Prints while I was there...and there that music stayed after I was let go. So glad to have this music back. Yay!! I'm excited to give them a listen.

May I also note that with these additions, I have just over 10 consecutive days worth of music in iTunes. That's not too shabby, if I may say so myself.

Dinner tonight was much fun, as were the games. I really liked Settlers of Catan (despite the fact that I really could do nothing for my settlements). We'll definitely have to have a dinner/game night again sometime.

Alright, I've got a decent amount of homework done...maybe I will go to bed.

Now Playing: Exchange - Massive Attack

Couldn't resist

Just found this other shot of the chocolate fountain that shows its gooey deliciousness even better. Sorry for the 3rd food post in a row, maybe I should rename this my culinary blog ;) 

The start of something delicious

What is with my dessert posts yesterday and today? I must offer my apologies to those of you dieting ><

This here is a ginormous sugar cookie Mark just took out of the oven. We are making a dessert pizza to take to dinner tonight (with Jessie, Timm, Hannah, and Linc), and it is uberdelicious. Timm, there is caramel involved - but we will leave it off of a portion just for you. Aren't we great friends?

Mark and I only went to Sacrament meeting today - I have been feeling kinda off since last night, a little dizzy and off balance. Oddish. And both of us were kinda feeling in a funk this morning, due in part to our tax situation. So we were bad and ditched out early to take it easy this afternoon. We are really looking forward to dinner tonight too - it's nice to have those sorts of diversions (:

Now Playing: Mark playing Grandia III on PS2 

Mmmm...chocolate

So I made a post earlier before I went to work that somehow got eaten by Blogger. Odd.

Anyways, sorry guys, lame late night post with an old picture. This is a fountain of chocolate also at the Bellagio. Why I have had Vegas pictures the last two nights...I have no idea. But doesn't it look delicious? Click on it to see it in all of its picture glory - which is nothing compared to its real glory.

I was able to meet up at Applebee's for a bit for Rachelle's birthday - yay! Though I only had time for a water, since our waiter was definitely a personality plus. And it was really busy. But nonetheless, it made me happy to go for a bit (:

Alrighty - perhaps I will think about doing something productive now. Mark and I finished watching The Chronicles of Riddick as a follow up to Pitch Black last night. I'll have to do a review post sometime. 

Blah

So yeah...I've really got nothing in the picture department, cause I need to go to bed. This is the ceiling in either the Bellagio or Wynn casino - I can't remember at the moment. It was kinda cool.

Sorry for such a late post - today was nuts. I was on campus until shortly after 5 (taking a 2 hour test, doing some homework, and having a last minute research meeting - joy), after which I rushed home to change clothes, eat something to sustain myself, and be in to work by 6. Got home around 10:15 or so. Then Mark and I watched a movie together, so I am just now getting on the computer. Sorry for the boring post, but I am headin to bed. Oh yeah. 

Lilly Pad

This is a pic I took last summer at Thanksgiving Point. I sharpened it a little bit, and lightened it up. I love these flowers - everytime I go out there to the gardens (which are incredible by the way - if you have never gone, you need to check them out sometime) they are some of my favorite.

Now Playing: Music is Math - Boards of Canada

Giraffes

Jessie, this is all for you, per the topic that came up somehow tonight:

As quoted by the Wikipedia: "Giraffes are thought to be mute. However, recent research has shown evidence that the animal communicates at an infrasound level with a surprising level of complexity."

Now playing: Fingers - Yoko Kanno

Recipe for pinkie aches

This is a pic I took today of part of a piece I am currently learning on piano that I love, but that is also very challenging. This piece of music here may look deceptively "simple" - but my piano prof. at school will commonly take difficult pieces and spread them out so they are easier to read - for instance, the 4 lines worth of notes on this page would probably only fit on 1 in the original printed text.

This is an arranged excerpt from Rachmaninoff's 1st piano concerto, 1st movt. I am also learning 2 other themes from his 3rd piano concerto. All of it is really difficult - Rachmaninoff literally has more notes in his pieces than any other composer, due in part to his HUGE hands (and thus can make ginormous chords), and the fact that much of his music is very fast and intricate. When you don't have huge hands, this proves quite difficult. Sometimes when I finish practicing my pinkies are very angry with me, because I have such weak joints in my 4th and 5th fingers.

Even though these are a definite challenge to learn, I love learning them. What I can't imagine is learning the full score (though I would love to, in my dreams). See, these pieces I have are maybe 3-4 minute excerpts. Imagine learning 90+ pages worth of VERY difficult music that takes 30-45 minutes to play, and having it memorized. Concert pianists are freaks.

His concertos are easily some of my favorite pieces of music of all time. If any of you haven't heard them - give them a listen. Truly beautiful, and pieces of art.

Alright, now that I have bored you all with my classical nerdy self, I should probably go do some practicing.

Now Playing: Coldplay - Low 

Book Club

Book Club is tonight. I'm excited - I'm so glad I have managed to find the time to participate. Not only am I actually reading for fun during school, but I love getting together with the girls. We all seem to hit it off really well. Tonight we will be discussing White Oleander - I'm interested to see what everyone thinks!

I'm also thinking of occasionally putting a "now playing" at the bottom of posts - I am a huge music nerd, and I enjoy sharing what sorts of things I am listening to at the moment, since I have iTunes on. A lot.

Now playing: Shame - BT 

Mark

One last picture for today. I probably won't have three on a daily basis, but I was eager to get going today. This is Mark on his way out to his work conference at the Homestead. I thought he looked really cute, and insisted upon taking a picture.

Now I am just going to go throw my school stuff together, and get to bed before midnight! I at least managed to print off a study guide. I was going to do more homework, but I need sleep. 

Froggies

I love these little guys. I've had this statue for a long time. They demand spring. And so do I.

Eye

I had fun tinkering around in Picasa for this one. Pretty much my first attempt at photo editing. Thought it turned out kinda cool.

It has begun

Now I am going to have to keep updated on TWO blogs. Can I take on the challenge???

I will actually do most of my "photo" posting in here - as it is much more simple to do than in LJ, and is free directly through Blogger. To do it through LJ, I have to pay for an account, so I have just been using a limited photo hosting site in the meantime.

So anyways - feel free to check both, as I will still be updating both blogs! I just got jealous of all the cool people on Blogger.