The humble thoughts of a very short girl at the close of the year

Advice: If you don't know how to spell, you probably shouldn't write things in public places.

We are approaching the end of 2006, which has been a great year. ("It was a very good year...") Thinking about what I have done and/or achieved has been keeping me busy this last couple of days. Shall we review?

High Points/Achievements/What have you

1. New York - I still dream about that city. What a truly amazing experience to go to a place where you can see, eat, do and buy almost everything. I was so spoiled to go with the greatest people as well. And who knew that Ben talks in his sleep?

2. Arrested Development - The show that (in the words of Andrew) changed, nay, started my life. Not only did I love it the first time, but I am getting to watch it for the first time again with friends, and that is almost better.

3. Becoming social again - Just one year ago I was content to sit at home, watch t.v. and download music. Thanks to Denise, Ginger, Ashley and Sarah, I go to dances, help plan parties, and even talk to boys again (which is still a mystery to my roommates) I have had ridiculous amounts of fun, and have made some great new friends. Hooray!

4. The Thaine and Terry Olsen 30th Wedding Anniversary Tribute Concert - This was so much fun to plan and put on. It was great to do something so classy for Mom and Dad, and, let's be honest, when you have so much talent in the family, you have to show it off sometimes. Thank-you again to all my siblings for helping with the night.

5. Learning to play the guitar and writing my first official song - I have such talented, smart, and funny friends, and the music this year has been phenomenal. (people who are unsure of their spelling should probably not write blogs, either) Actually learning to play my guitar has been hard, and I am definitely more bad than good, but it has been a goal for awhile, and I am proud of myself for starting it.

6. Applying to school twice - sadly, not getting accepted to either program, but attempting to try something new, finding out you can survive heart break twice in one year, knowing you need to be doing something more with your life are all things that give you hope for yet another new year.

I apologize to the 2-3 people that may be reading this for the Hallmark Movie style writing and reminiscing, but in the words of Kat lovin' Kristy, "Sorry ladies, it's unavoidable!"

Hope all of you take the opportunity to look back and assess, and if you get the chance, let me know what some of your highlights were. (Or low points, I am equally open to both!)

Chao Bella!!!!

Jenny-Bean

things that you should not do at home come naturally..

Christmas was fantastic this year! Hooray!! For starters, I did get some gifts. (flashback to the saddest Christmas morning last year when I was the only one without a spouse or not in a "serious relationship", watching everyone open presents) I got great presents - Thanks to Greg for the beautiful picture which I will love forever. And, in about 4 days, I will officially come into the 21st century when I get MY IPOD NANO!!! I am beyond excited to have all of my music in one place. I just know that it will revolutionize my public transit experience.

The food was, of course, great as usual. Our appetizer night on Christmas Eve was heavenly. Adam's homemade baguettes were to die for (even the new and exciting cheeses - yay Norway) The butter tarts, ther caramels...thank heavens for the regime Jess, Adam and I are starting in January.

I have been thinking about Christmas movies, and I came up with my top 5 Christmas movies of all time. In no particular order:

1. Christmas in Conneticut. Barbara Stanwyck is so delightful in this film. Her desperate attempts to be the domestic wonder woman of her column make me almost as uncomfortable as Michael Scott's antics.

2. White Christmas. Great dancing, singing, humor, romance and the wonderful Danny Kaye make me love this movie every time I see it. I don't know how many times I have watched and rewatched the dance number "The best things happen while you're dancing"

3. Holiday Inn: The sweetness of Bing Crosby's character, the smarminess of Fred Astaire's, the first film appearance of the song "White Christmas", the dancing, and Irving Berlin's music make me love, love , love this movie. I remember that we had it in a tape with no name, and so we never knew what it was called for years!

4. A Muppet Christmas Carol: "Light the lamp, not the rat!" This is probably my favorite tellings of the Dicken's story for Michael Caine, Kermit the frog, Beaker (love, love, love him) and the wonderful cheesy music.

5. A Midwinter's Tale: A relativley unknown movie, it was written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. It is about a group of actors who are preparing a production of Hamlet for Christmas Day and it is sweet, funny, sharp and heart-breaking. Jess and I discovered it awhile ago, and I watch it at least once a year now.

Anyway, I should probably go and dress so I can prepare for the crazy ones, Mark and Steven, who will be here later today.

Merry Christmas!!

placating bad drivers since 1977

Since when did it become a bad thing to be annoyed when someone almost runs you over with a minivan?
Yesterday I was (furtively) on my way to the store I love to hate, "The Bargain!Bargain! Bargain! shop, and as I was crossing the street right by that respected establishment, I looked up to see a van headed straight for me. I WAS ON THE CROSSWALK, and the van just kept coming. I had to start running backwards, while the lady driving was looking everywhere but straight ahead AT THE PERSON SHE WAS INCHES AWAY FROM HITTING. When she finally looked up, she slammed on her brakes with a horrified look on her face. I quickly stepped up on the sidewalk, and by doing so, came around the side of the van. She rolled down the window and apologized. Now, a good person would have apologized for walking ON THE CROSSWALK WHILE THERE WAS A WALK SIGNAL ON and for getting in her way. On any other day I may have smiled and tried to make her feel better for being such a terrible driver. However, this was not to be that day. I was already stressed about the Relief Society dinner that evening, and I was annoyed that I had to go to the Bargain shop at all. So, when this lady apologized I just said "Yeah, Whatever!" in a hostile tone, and kept on my way. Anyway, when I told some people the story, they were scandalized that I had been so rude to the lady. Just chalk the attitude up to my embarassment at having to run to avoid being hit. Whatever!

Other than that controversial incident, my evening was actually really great. The R.S. dinner was fantastic! We had a great turnout, and the decorations and program were wonderful. Hooray!!

I am here at work (sshh, I am not supposed to be blogging on company time, but I guess the Christmas season is bringing out the rebel in me...) at the most unholy hour of 10:00pm. We are open all this week until 11:00pm. Boo. And another resounding Boo!

Anyway, that is really all I have and I need to go and fill bags, because heaven knows, people are going to be buying books tomorrow.

The wind is making me want to kill myself

"If you sit on my lap today
a kiss, a toy is the price you'll pay!
If you sit on my left knee,
don't be stingy!!
Be prepared to pay"

O.k., so these are the creepiest lyrics known to man (Thank-you Adam!) from the cartoon "Santa Claus is coming to town". This insane movie chronicles the life of our very own dear "Kris Kringle", and features the voice of...Mickey Rooney. Does this not make the aforementioned song even more shady? That's all I really have tonight, besides the fact that I am going to the dance, even after my emo post from the last one.

Oh yeah, I should not be allowed to use email. I am not strong like unto a rock.

Kate

As December 15th is fast approaching, I have been thinking alot lately about stuff, life, love, whatever. This morning I wrote a poem, and I really do find that I write them when the inspiration strikes. So, here it is:

Thank heavens no one will read this

I have had my heart broken
by neither boy nor man.
They have kept their distance
from my charms and insecurities
as I have walked
with my arms outstretched
(wait, its not what you think)
keeping them where they're perfect
and knocking them flat-
those who tried the unthinkable.

It has broken, though
this heart I have buried
in lungs and ribs and fear
by the sweetest black-haired girl
I never knew.
The one who wouldn't come
even when I prayed
(wasn't I always taught to?)
the one who like her mother
stubbornly remained expressionless
to all my pleading and rage.

It was she who stole
the breathing beating mess
and split it, crushed it deftly
with tiny moon-tipped fingers.
But to boy and man
it has (oh, my heart!)
stayed hidden like hers
elusive quiet
waiting for the quickening.

December 13th, 2006.

The cure for winter wonderlust...

is not a chick-flic. Especially one with Jude Law and a completely adorable Jack Black. Hmmf. It is also not secret watchings with Flick selected romantic episodes of Dawson's Creek. It is also not sitting around all week, glued to my cell phone, waiting for a promised phone call. And, surprise, surprise, it is definitely not reminiscing about stories of first kisses . Assaults on the dance floor, (New Years, grade nine graduation, Sweetheart's dance or what have you), not withstanding.

I am hoping the cure will be one of three things:
1. Dying my hair tonight ("I said a change...will do you good")
2. Thinking about our favorite mood-killer (B.E.)
3. Starring (ever so reluctantly) in the Stake Carol Festival where I will be surrounded by people who are mostly over the age of 50.

Hmm, it is also not listening to the soundtrack for High School Musical, which happens to be playing in the house right now. It is merely conjuring up images of the unavoidably adorable Zach... something. (I really think it would be 100% sadder if I actually knew his full name)

So, I will stop waiting for a phone call that, let's be honest, is never going to come, I will dye my hair, and I will do my best to stay away from the girly movies. And I will definitely cut myself off from the ever-persuasive Pacey Whitter ("Ah! I'm naked...What happened?")

The next time you see me I will be relatively cured. Or minus eyeballs.

Sure. Fine. Whatever.

Is it hard to be a cashier with no bra?

The retail countdown to Christmas continues to be an absolute gong-show. Not the least of the crazy is coming in on the phone. "Hi, I hear you guys have lots of books there..." That was my favorite opener of the day. I don't know who told that gentleman that we sell books at Chapters, but he was seriously informed. We do sell books, my brother, and a darn tootin' lot of 'em, is how I wanted to respond. Crazy also comes waltzing through the front door. Today I had a lady who said: "I'm looking for a c.d. that I have been told you have here. It is by a young guy, and it's a fairly new one." I asked her if she knew who the artist was, and she said no, and looked at me as if I was the one who was stupid! I dug my toes into my shoes and started firing names off at her. With each name she only said no, and was becoming visibly impatient. !!!!!! She then made a huge deal of saying she would have to go to the car to get the piece of paper on which she had the person written down. (Why wouldn't she have just brought...) She finally said "I think its Corbin, or something". "Josh Groban?", I asked. Yes, that was it. She wasn't that grateful that I had finally read her mind, she was only mildly annoyed it had taken me all of 2 minutes. There is also crazy right under our noses at Chapitres. Kristy, or "Cat-lovin' Kristy" as she calls herself, was in the staff room with myself and 3 other female coworkers just before her shift started. Suddenly, she whipped off her shirt, and she was completely naked from the waist up. NO BRA. Now, this is a neither young, nor particularly skinny lady. The rest of us just stared at eachother while she rummaged (topless, remember) through her locker for a work-appropriate shirt, which she then put on. Still no bra. What on earth would make a person think that it was in any way appropriate to disrobe in front of virtual strangers, and in a room where a man or boy might walk in at any minute. I think about poor Robbie, our sweet young employee who only narrowly missed being scarred for life...

I am looking forward to this weekend and the tons of things that are going on. I will be singing in the Stake Carol Festival, where I will be in at least three numbers, and who knows, by the end of the night I may be in more. I was of course asked last Sunday if I could get something together for our ward, and I was then asked by some London Road members if I could sing in their quartet. And, of course, there is the incomparable Institute choir. I am happy to help, however, I feel like I will be up there almost too much. Ah, c'est la vie. It wouldn't be my life unless I was finding numerous ways to "exhibit".
Ciao for now!

pearls and curls

Thoughts about dances:
1. I am too old
2. Why can we not play music with a beat that can actually be danced to? Why so much swing? And, for the love of Mike, why line dances?
3. Why do we always end up in a circle, and why when you venture out to break it up a bit do people automatically assume you're out there to be on display, and therefore give you some cat-calls? I just want to dance!!
4. I'm sad when Denise doesn't come.
5. I spend literally hours on my curly hair, buy a new shirt, and only the girls say "You look great tonight"
6. This is the most emo post EVER. (Boo, my life is so sad and I'm so misunderstood!)

I am happy to report that the Cardston Telethon was as exciting as it ever was. Or, in other words, I was there, I sang, it was an event. I love how people at work were so excited tht I was singing at it. They were considering me a minor local celebrity, and wondering if Mark Campbell was there to mark the occasion. I am absolutely toying with the idea of writing a novel/novella/cowboy poem about a woman who plans a community event, and has to deal with the self-proclaimed "local talent". It's fun when people think that they are the star of any show tha they are in.

Ciao for now, this blog has moved from emo to just plain excruciatingly boring. I'll write again when I can be amusing and awake!