It's not time to make a change

One of my all time favorite things is listening to my ipod on shuffle. I have about 3500 songs and it would take me FOREVER to listen to all of it, so when my ipod is on shuffle it's kinda like Christmas. I am so excited to find out what the next song will be- whether it's an old Counting Crow's song I forgot I loved or the new Radiohead I can't get enough of (Sullivan Street and All I Need- in case you were wondering). Tonight was especially great. I was driving home from a friend's house where we watched Some Like it Hot (men in drag and a braless Marilyn Monroe) and I was playing the ipod shuffle game when the most wonderful song came on- "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens aka Yusaf Islam. I sang it as loud as I could as I drove and when it was over I hit repeat and sang it again. I remember sitting on my bed with my cousin Heather at about age 8 and her teaching me to sing this song when we were supposed to be sleeping. I think this may be one of the greatest songs of all time.

There is no way a man who writes lyrics like that could a terrorist.

See you at the crossroads

Went on a little trip to Colorado for the weekend. It was quite fun, full of incredibly normal stuff- which was just what I needed. Previously, when I visited my special friend Joey from out of town, we would do extremely exciting things, like cutting down trees and driving for hours, not to mention our near death canyoneering adventure. So "normal" seemed like a good alternative for a change.

I learned a thing or two during my stay such as:
Bubble wrap=fun (knew that one already)
wrapping yourself in bubble wrap and rolling around on the ground=even more fun
wrapping yourself in bubble wrap and jumping on a trampoline=priceless

As I had cut down my first Christmas tree just two months ago, it was only logical to come full circle and burn it in a ceremonious Christmas tree bonfire. Books were also burned, but strictly due to water damage- not due to moral religious or political objections. It was quite the fire.

Early on in my trip, a mystery began to unfold and clues seemed to be around every corner:
hot hamburger
abandoned tree house
severed foot
uneven sidewalk
the rent note on the stairs
and conversation hearts that spelled out mystical sentences

Jinkies (don't we look like sleuths?)

What did it all mean? What conclusion did it bring us to? Hmm, nothing. . . yet.

We carbo loaded at breakfast everyday, just to ensure we would be able to make it through the rigorous schedule of normalcy we had planned. We napped to keep up our strength. We made a trip to a granola town and didn't even eat granola (we are rebels like that). And all I have to say is thank heavens Michael was almost done with his milk- I don't think even Knight Rider could have saved him if it had been much longer (did you know that if enough people had watched the made for TV movie of Knight Rider they may make it a series? I didn't know or care either).

We wanted normal- so I nagged and he told me what to do, in fact I nagged so much that he FINALLY cleaned off his ceiling fan. That was a fight that could go down in history. But then we made up and ate two entire bags of Cadbury mini eggs and shared a gastrointestinal breakdown -which only brought us closer.

I guess what I am saying is that I had a good weekend celebrating our presidents. I am still a little pissed that I didn't get to dress up as Lincoln, but Joey was right (never question him, rule #1)- the top hat and beard did look much better on him.

***NOTE: much of this blog entry is rich with sarcasm, for those who take things FAR too literally. Joey is defintely one of the nice ones.

Lets be honest this Valentine's Day

All ya need is love

My love of Valentine's day has gone back and forth. Some years I love it and some years I hate it. This year, I think I love it. Not for the reason you all may think, but because I am feeling so grateful for all the people in my life whom I love and who love me back. I am so so lucky!!! So thank you for loving me and letting me love you. It makes me who I am.


But don't get me wrong, I do hope I get a little somethin' somethin', if you know what I mean.

Make it a Happy Valentine's day

I thought this was funny.


Sorta random pet peeve- I HATE it when people call it ValentiMe's day- why do people do that?

free money

Ok, so here is the deal. My roommate and I have been talking about our credit card debt. In the grand scheme of things we are not that bad off. It says that most households have up to 9 credit cards. That is insane. We live in the same household, but we each only have 1 credit card. JUST ONE! and we really want them paid off and quickly. So, we have tried to come up with logical solutions to our debt problems.

1)Ask Oprah for it. I mean, after all, she is a bajillionaire and she likes to help those less fortunate (which is pretty much everyone). So two poor social workers trying to change the world seems like a worthy cause, don't ya think?

2)Game shows. This might be a little more logical. I think I could apply for "Don't forget the lyrics" and Aliah could go for "Deal or no Deal" and we could get our measly amount that we are looking for. Or maybe even "Are you smarter than a 5th grader" but I might want to punch Jeff Foxworthy in the face and that will just get me arrested instead of out of debt. Ok, but have you seen these applications? They act like you are applying for the CIA or something.

3)Googled "Free Money" that was fruitless. It's like no one wants to give out free money- I bet they do, it's just a little harder than just googling it.

4)Rob a bank. But just for the exact amount we need to pay off our credit cards. I am sure the bank wouldn't even miss it and probably not even come looking for us. It would probably be a story the bank tellers would laugh about around the water cooler during their breaks "did you hear about the two social workers who came in and robbed us for a few thousand dollars?" We'd be legends AND debt free.

5)Play the lotto and or go to Vegas. We decided against this one, because no one actually ever wins and you kinda NEED money to GET money.

and last but not least

6)Craig's list. We figure if we ask every person that looks at our add to send us 5 dollars, people might just do it. Maybe. I believe people are inherently good. In fact, my blog site meter says that on average 38 people look at my blog a day, if every one of you sent me just 5 dollars, that would be 190 a day and I could get my credit card paid off in no time.

Then I can focus on more important things, like saving the world through my social work. Wouldn't you like to make the world a better place? Of course you would.


***Please send all proceeds to the Angie and Aliah get out of debt fund. Email me- we accept paypal, all major credit cards, cash and check.

Firsts

I am kinda copying a blog my friend Spencer wrote. I am going to blog my first memory of my closest friends from over the years, either that or my favorite memory, or both- we'll see how it goes.

Melanie- I was 7 years old, so I obviously don't remember the exact day we met. I kinda just feel like I have always known her. There aren't really memories pre Melanie. One of my favorite memories of me and Melanie is watching Labyrinth and dancing around. We didn't want to say "hurts like hell" which is what David Bowie sang, so we would sing "hurts like heel". I think we were both kinda in love with David Bowie, which seems so funny now. Also, we couldn't watch Beaches without crying about each other (still), but I kinda always resented that Mel was the pretty one and I was supposed to be Bette Midler.

Ginger- I think she was my very first friend in Florida. Girl's Camp was really what solidified our friendship. I think it was our mutual disdain for Gail Homer's awful harmonic destruction of "teeny jaws". Most, if not all of my high school memories have a Ginger in them. One of my favorite memories was skipping a fireside to go and run naked on the beach. Mike could get us to do anything!

Mike- Can't remember the first time I met him. I am sure that I liked him from the moment I saw him. My 14 year old self was in love. But then our friendship just grew. I still love him (but in a much more platonic way now) and I love his wife and kids too- in case anyone was getting the wrong idea. Favorite memory was on his 19th birthday. He made me jump over an 8 foot wall into this beautiful park with a fountain and trees. And then we got chased by security and almost arrested for breaking into an assisted living facility (who knew those places were so romantic?).

Alissa- My first memory of her was in the lunchroom in 8th grade. I was playing the shy new girl and Alissa was playing the potential new friend I didn't want to scare off with my spastic personality. It didn't take long for the real Angie to shine through- good thing she was just as big a spazz as I was. I have MANY favorite memories of Alissa. One of the best was Disney World in 10th grade, I think she would only understand why it was so great- too great to explain with words. We will continue to have great memories.

Sunny- We met at girl's camp, but then we were together at EFY and Youth Conference and then pretty much our group was together for the rest of high school. Favorite memory was probably one of our many crazy weekends of a stake dance and dancing like idiots. I think we would still dance like idiots if we had the chance- that's what I love about you.

Erin- Wow, it was freshman year in college- we were put in the same trio in girl's choir and we would just talk about Florida as Christina, our second soprano, would try to pipe in with something and we would ignore her. Triscuits with cheese (poor man's nachos) followed, then roommates and then best friends. Who would have thought. I can't pick one memory she's been a constant for the past 7 years. Everyday with her is my favorite.

Alyssa- Hmm, I think it was at Dorm 6. I walked in and there she and Ashley were. Her and I then went and ate oreos at the dorm opening social and I knew we were going to be friends. Favorite memory- hmm. Another hard one, but I think it goes back to her BYU days and the snow and the swings. Such a perfect night. That night saved me many times on my mission. Although, Alyssa super pregnant and me, her and Jared dancing like crazy on New Years in San Francisco was also super awesome. I could go on.

Mark- First time I met Mark, I was taking a nap and I was miserable- my life had just basically fallen apart and he popped his head in the door and said "Hiya" in his cute Scottish accent. We then proceeded to go to the movies everyday and he even moved into my room. I think I would have decomposed in my room if he hadn't rescued me. One of my favorite memories of Mark is sleeping bum cheek to bum cheek. Ah, platonic bliss.

Aliah- We met at work training and I remember thinking- “wow she has really cool hair and shoes and bags“. And then our offices were right next to each other and we would IM all day and I could hear her laughing through the wall at all the clever things I would say. Then we lived in the same apartment building and now the same house. Ah. Friends forever. One favorite thing about me and Aliah is that we pick the crappiest movies to go see together. It's actually humorous how bad they are (don't ever watch the movie In the Mix, trust me).

Maren- She was Aliah’s friend Maren for the longest time. Aliah kept wanting us to be friends, but we aren’t the types to do what someone else says- so it had to happen in our own time. Then we hung out and we knew we were going to be friends. Most recent favorite memory- snow day, frozen pizza and like 4 movies. It was glorious.

Dainon- first time I saw him it was kinda a blind date, except it was me him and his friend and I remember thinking that he was too good looking. I am not sure what he was too good looking for, but just too good looking. I told him we would be best friends, he didn’t believe me- but of course it was inevitable. Favorite memory would have to be our trek to Denver. Good music, good laughs, just a good time. And the fact that I always seem to do something totally ridiculous around him and he of course never lets me live it down.

Sarah- I think I had met Sarah a few times, but one time we all went to the Pie and there she was. She ended up taking me home and I basically told her she had to be my friend and forced her to hang out with me. So far, so good. Favorite times- 4 words- Sex in the City.

Anyway- that is all I got tonight. I will add on whoever wants me to. Or you can comment and fill in your own memories.

Love Ya.

Why I am a masochist.

I was thinking about it today and I think that I actually enjoy pain. I don't mean physical pain (although there is something that feels so good about flossing so hard your gums hurt), but I mean emotional pain. There are many things I have done over the years that I think proves that I am an emotional masochist.

1) I love making super depressing music mixes. I have always loved this. Every mix tape/CD/playlist I have ever made for myself is full of super depressing songs of heartache and misery. They are my favorite. I also play super depressing songs on repeat, that is why Let It Die by Fiest is my number one most played song on my itunes.

2)This next one has many facets to it. I enjoy painful relationships. I do. I never choose the easy one, it always has some sort of Romeo & Juliet type complication. They have to live far away or be emotionally unavailable or still in love with someone else or a drug addict or the opposite of what I really want or just not that in to me. I think if I met a perfectly normal guy who lived in the same town and didn't have any crazy emotional baggage I would (and have) just think "meh".

3)Not only do I choose the difficult guys, but I allow them to stay in my life and potentially hurt me over and over. Hmmmm. I am working on this one. I have a problem closing doors that really need closing. I am starting to close doors and windows and all other possible openings where trouble could sneak in.

4)This one is a physical and emotional one. I DON'T SLEEP. Even when I know I should try, I stay up and stay up and stay up. Which makes me physically exhausted, which makes me emotionally exhausted.

Ok, so now what are the good unpainful (not a real word) things in my life.

1)My friends- near and far. They make me sane, they buoy me up, they help me make wise choices. I am really good at choosing excellent friends.

2)My creative outlets. Singing in a choir, reading good books with friends, dancing in my room and even writing on my blog. All good positive things. Oh and I am writing an essay that is going to be publish in a cute little mormon book. More to come later.

3)Things to look forward to. I always have something special on the horizon that will make me happy and I can look forward to. I wish it was February 15th already.

4)Work, school, progression. It's good.

So, I need to be less masochistic. I have started by making a super happy mix on my ipod. That's a step in the right direction, don't you think?

I thank thee O God for a Prophet

I remember in 1995, attending general conference and watching the solemn assembly as Gordon B. Hinckley became the new prophet and president of the church. I remember my dad leaning over to me, saying that I needed to pay attention because this was something really special that you don't see everyday. I remember always believing in the prophet- whoever he might be- and thinking that it was cool to witness a new one being "sworn in". I remember raising my arm to the square to say that I too agreed with God's choice. I then remember President Hinckley standing up and speaking for the first time as president of the church and I remember the feeling I felt and the realization I had that for the first time in my life I was receiving a clear and distinct confirmation from the lord through the holy spirit. I knew Gordon B. Hinckley really truly was a prophet of God. In that moment, I knew. I still know that he was. I loved him. He was the main prophet of my life and I will miss him.

"I have a confession to make, my brothers and sisters. It is simply this: I love you. I love the people of this Church. I love all who are faithful. I love all who follow the ways of the Lord. It is a humbling thing to preside over the Church. I can never forget the words of Jesus: he that would be first among you, let him be the servant of all." -President Gordon B. Hinckley 1910-2008

Sun and dancing

I went up to the Music Cafe in Park City yesterday with my friend Mike. We went specifically to see Missy Higgins play. She has an amazing voice and a really cute Australian personality. It is the second time I have seen her perform and I like her even more now than I did before. I took some pictures, but my camera skills were lacking as always. If you go to her link, listen to the song Secret, Mike and I both decided that it was our favorite song she played. She only uses 3 notes. Kinda cool. She also played a song called Angela which I really liked. Everest played as did the guys who wrote the songs for Walk Hard, the Dewey Cox Story (they had an entire song about their testicles, I was not impressed). The last band that played was kinda cool. They were called Orba Squara. The first song they played Mike and I both knew, but could not figure out where we had heard it. I did some research and their song is on an iphone commercial. They were really interesting- played ukuleles and wash boards and a melodica. The lead singer's voice sounds like a petite little girl singing, but he is actually a big guy with long hair and a beard. Weirdly awesome.
As Mike and I were chilling, listening to music, an interesting guy walked in and Mike instantly recognized him. Mike went and saw the movie Hell Ride the night before and the writer/director/actor in the movie was in Music Cafe. Apparently he is really good friends with Quintin Terantino- who is also the producer of his film. The film is about motorcycle gangs and revenge. Since Quintin gave him full artistic reign, I guess the violence was quite intense. They will have to cut quite a bit out to even get an R rating. I took a picture of Mike and awesome dude. He was super nice and you may recognize him from the movie Kill Bill 2. Here is Mike and Larry Bishop.We ate at this super good BBQ place and then went to see an amazing movie. I cried three times. The movie was called Phoebe in Wonderland and it was beautiful. Felicity Huffman played the mother, Bill Pullman the father, Elle Fanning (Dakota's little sis) played the quirky daughter and Patricia Clarkson played the teacher. The director and Felicity Huffman were both there to answer questions. Their responses were touching and heartfelt and I could tell they really loved being a part of this movie. It was a beautiful story of a little girl struggling to make sense of why she is different and a mother and father's battle to help her without knowing how. I LOVE LOVE LOVED it. It had imagination and heart and excellent acting. I think everyone should see this. It really reminded me of all the adorable children that I work with.
It was a perfect night in Park City and at the film festival. Good Music, good food, good friends, good weather and a really really good movie.