It's overrrrrrr

Thrice weekly post 15 of 15

I made it. Three posts weekly for an entire month.

I want to do a lot of things these days:

• start learning bookbinding
• finish my library books
• climb lots of rocks
• finish reading Psalms
• edit photos (haha, not really. I hate editing)
• make new photo projects
• adventure for adventure's sake
• shoot off lots of fireworks
• make delicious jam
• yell from the mountaintops
• figure out what I'm doing with my life
  

But first things first, this room needs to be cleaned.

Let him roar again, let him roar again

Thrice weekly blog post 14 of 15

Please check out my new favorite song of the moment here. Amazing stuff.

I had the chance to attend a performance by The Grassroots Shakespeare Company on Monday evening. It was a triple header, but I was only able to attend the last two plays, and I quickly regretted that I had missed the first.

The aim of the company is to re-create Shakespeare as Shakespeare meant it to be. They work without a director and secure props and costumes on their own. Many actors play multiple parts. When actors aren't on stage, they're providing the music for the scenes. At performances, they encourage the audience to booo and ahhhh and yell if they feel like it. There were several great ad lib moments prompted by the audience, and everyone was really able to get involved with the story.

The acting was stellar. It was amazing to see the actors switch from role to role, bringing something completely different each time. I felt engaged with the plays and really enjoyed the experience.

The first play we saw was a pretty common one - A Midsummer Night's Dream. But unlike other performances of the play, this one had an all-male cast. It added a whole new dimension that was originally in Shakespeare's plays, but we usually miss out as a modern audience. A huge highlight for me was one modern reference they included: a comparison of Puck to Link. Other anachronistic items were great surprises: dream catchers to represent the fairies and an umbrella to represent invisibility (that one had me laughing for a while).

Next was Romeo and Juliet. Whenever I see Romeo and Juliet, I always say that I will never see it again - it's just a story of stupidity, in my opinion. But I really enjoyed what they did with it. The first half had me laughing and the second had me close to tears. It was cathartic to yell at the characters as they made their stupid mistakes. Overall, another great performance.

Unfortunately, the company has finished their touring season for this year, but I would definitely recommend them in the future. Whether you're a fan of Shakespeare or not, you'll enjoy the high-paced energy of The Grassroots Shakespeare Company's shows.

Fireworrrrrrrrrrrrrks!

Thrice weekly blog post 13 of 15

I cannot forget to blog tomorrow or Thursday or I will fail this entire challenge. Oh my. I had hoped to have a cushion, but I forgot on Sunday and Monday both. Daaaaaaang.


Here is some wonderful news: aerial fireworks are legal in Utah this year! Yay-uh! So you'll be seeing a lot of bigger ones. If you're interested in shooting your own, you might have to ask about them at the store. They aren't allowed to leave them available for the customers to just grab. This is serious business.

ALSO! Fireworks are legal for an entire month. From June 26th to July 26th. This is awesome, but also bad. Last year they were allowed for three days before and after the 4th and the 24th. I'm already pretty sure I'm going to spend at least double what I spent last year. And last year I spent $100. On just those 12 days.

On a related note, my complex doesn't let me shoot off fireworks, so if anyone wants to let me set them off at their domicile or perhaps knows of a good abandoned lot, I'd be much obliged. Though it does seem some parks in Provo are legal. And one right by my house! Yesssssssssssss.

But I'm super excited. I love fireworks. Like love love them. I hope my friends in the Black Cat tent will come back. They had wonderful things.  I will buy lots, guys, so please, just come baaaaaack!

ALSO ALSO! Sparklers + extended exposure = AWESOME photos. Just you wait, guys. I'll post some winners.

So, enjoy your fourth celebrations, and be safe with your 'works.

Everything is mine

Thrice weekly blog post 12 of 15

Welp, guys, I took the leap.

I've envied others for too long - it was time to join the ranks of the elite.

I now carry the internet in my pocket; the world is my vade mecum.

That's right. I am now a proud iPhone owner.

And oh, it is wonderful.

What time is it? Blogging time!

Thrice weekly blog post 11 of 15

So. My 101 project. As seen in detail on this post.

Here are some updates. I've now completed 20 of the 101 goals. Another 20 or so are currently in progress.

Picking up from my previous update post, here's what's been going down:

Completed:

6. Visit a new country - My workplace graciously paid for me to visit Jamaica in May. I stayed in Kingston for a week and it was...interesting.

18. No fast food for a month - I did this the month of September. It was awesome. No life changes - I'm still eating out - but I feel like I make better choices now.

23. See 3 bands on my 'need-to-see' list - I saw Ben Folds (with the Utah Symphony) last July, fun. in October, and lady danville in February. Good times.

32. Send a secret to PostSecret - Done. It wouldn't be a secret if I told you about it. :P

34. Facebook fast for one week - This is my most recently completed one. I did last Monday to this Monday. SO HARD! I knew I got on a lot, but I didn't realize just how much I did. At work, it's just second nature to check in the down times, and I usually start my day with everyone's updates. Here is my conclusion: it's great to keep up with everyone, but I don't need to spend as much time as I do there. There are much better things I could be doing with my time.

40. Attend a photography class or workshop - I attended a two-day workshop at Provocreative and it was a blast, kids. I am now adept with even the peskiest buttons on my camera. :)

41. Attend a midnight premiere in costume - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, as Nymphadora Tonks, complete with pink hair.

45. Get a mani/pedi - Colette and I went on our day off and had a lovely time. I got blue sparkles on my fingers and toes and it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I highly recommend the experience!

48. Try 20 new restaurants - I finished this one only 8 months into the challenge. I should have done more. Either way, this has been the most delicious goal yet. Highlights include Five Guys, Ripple's (the drive-in from The Phone Call), and The Bayou (CAJUN!).

53. Grow a plant from a seed - I grew cilantro. On our windowsill. And ate it. It was great.

56. For one month, pay for everything in cash and save all the change - I did this in July and August and I ended up with a total of $28.14. Which I converted to an Amazon gift card at the Coinstar. Yesssssss.

64. Buy and eat a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store - I think this one was inspired by Amelie. I did it. Not all in one sitting, but over a few days.

85. See 50 movies off my 'to-see' list - Another one where the number should have been higher. My favorites were: How to Train Your Dragon, Toy Story 3, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Son of Rambow, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Tangled, Whip It, and Megamind. Good times.

96. Buy crazy eyeshadows - They are the craziest.

97. Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Another trip that was assisted by work. I did a seminar on Saturday and visited the park on Sunday. I'll refer you to the previous vlog post for more details, but all in all, a great thing.

Like I mentioned, a great deal more are in progress. I'm also thinking of editing/changing some of them completely. I'm a year in, and I feel like I have that right. If I genuinely do not care about something anymore, I don't feel like I should do it. Opinions?

Anyway, I'm off for adventures!

Road trip super tips

Thrice weekly blogpost 10 of 15

As summer is now officially upon us, I'm sure many of you readers will be traveling. Road trips are infamous for being boring and horrible. But here is what I think: if your road trips are horrible and boring, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG.

Road trips can not only be bearable, they can be downright fun. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your time on the road:

• listen to good music
• Custom road trip mixes allow you to harness your anticipatory feelings and have great tunes for the drive.
• Nothing beats driving down the freeway and singing at the top of your lungs.
• play games
• Hey Cow: When you pass a field of cows, roll down your window. Yell "HEY COW!" at the top of your lungs and then see how many turn and look at you. That's your score for the field. Avoid yelling when farmers are in the field, or when passing cops. The game can be adjusted to include other animals.
• Marry, NCMO, Kill: Come up with three people. Have everyone else choose between them, who they would marry, who they would Non-Commitally Make Out with, and who they would kill. You can get hours of entertainment from this one game alone. For everyone's mental health, please don't include Jar Jar Binks or Jabba the Hutt.
• eat food
• In-car snacks are vital - you'll want things that are clean and easy to eat in the car. Avoid things that are messy or may require refrigeration. Good ideas: nuts, chips, cookies, jerky. Bad ideas: spaghetti, ice cream bars, sloppy joes.
• Plan your trip so that you can stop at all the best places. For example, an ideal trip from Provo to Oceanside for me, would include stops in Beaver for ice cream and cheese, St. George for Mongolian BBQ, Yermo for diner food and dinosaurs, and Barstow for fake train station food (those last two count for roadside attractions, as well). 
• talk
• Being stuck in a car with someone allows you to ask those questions you've always wanted to. They've nowhere to run! On a side note, I'm a full supporter of four seasons and a road trip.
• roadside attractions
• Whether it's stopping to see a giant thermometer or visiting a petting zoo next to the gas station, take advantage of the opportunities as they come. 
• document
• I personally enjoy journalling on trips. I'll make a heading with how many miles are left to go whenever I see a sign, and it's a fun way to keep track of the distance.
• Photos are, of course, a great way to record all the fun you'll be having. Bonus: after the trip is over, you can relive all of the excitement.

There you have it folks, Sara's super tips for great road trips. Hopefully these can help you in your summer adventures.

Now tell me, how do YOU make your road trips awesome? Leave a comment! Go!

My own musical involvement

Thrice weekly blog post 9 of 15 (only two weeks to go!)

So it turns out that blogger counts drafts as posts. I went through and deleted the ones that never amounted to things, and now this is only the 43rd post on my blog. Sad face.
Oh well. 50 deserved a more proper celebration, anyway.

First things first. This makes me happy.

Second things second. So today I thought I would wrap up unofficial music week on the blog by talking about my involvement with the thing itself.

Growing up, I liked to sing. The parental units made me take piano lessons. I was resistant. I don't like practicing.

In elementary school, I did chorus, which was fun. I played an Arabian dancer in the Nutcracker and an elf in Santa's Holiday Hoedown. We did all-county chorus. Exciting stuff.

Middle school brought band. We had a trombone, since my brother had played it, so my decision was kind of made for me. Not that that was a bad thing, though. Trombones are the best! I was first chair pretty much all through middle school. Got to play with the 8th grade band when I was in 7th grade since they needed a little more bass. I'm cool.

In high school I continued with band, but we added the new task of playing while marching. It threw me for a loop, guys. But I adjusted and greatly enjoyed it. Concert band continued, as well, and I made several honor bands. I did solos and ensembles and jazz band and was generally awesome.

When I moved to MASMC, I got to be a part of the college marching band, which was AWESOME. We were learning new shows every 2 weeks or so, and we played some epic stuff. I greatly enjoyed our Styx show, where we marched as a giant robot and also when we played Rockin Robin and became a rocking chair that rocked back and forth. Good times. We did concert band there, as well. It was odd being a high schooler with a bunch of college kids, but they welcomed me in. The trombones were especially tight - we had green wigs.

At BYU, I did concert band one semester and decided it was not for me. They had way too many people, so I couldn't even play the part that I wanted. They had me on bass trombone. I don't play the bass trombone. Meh. I did sudoku in class and was very glad when the concert was over. I later took the beginning guitar and piano classes, which I enjoyed greatly.

Nowadays, I can't say I've even touched my trombone lately. I should probably fix that, huh? Any ska bands out there looking for a trombonist? I'm still working on guitar and piano, trying hard not to lose everything and to keep improving. Make me play you a song sometime, huh? I had hopes of starting a wizard rock band, but it kind of fell apart. Let me know if you want to start a lame band, huh?

I do have desires to keep learning. I really want to acquire the following: a keytar, an accordion, a tambourine, some egg shakers, a trumpet. My band director in high school told me I have trumpet lips.

So there you go.

Music. I love it. I make it. I live it.

50th post! or my musical habits

Thrice weekly blog post 8 of 15.

This is my 50th post on the blog. Hooray? Yes. This is a thing for celebrating.

So, yesterday I talked about the musical influences I've had in my life.  Today I think I'll talk more about my listening habits. This is all very interesting to me. I do hope I'm not boring you all.

I listen to music A LOT.

Like, a lot a lot. My last.fm has me at an average of 66 tracks a day. If songs are an average of 4 minutes long, that puts me at 264 minutes, or 4.4 hours. I'd def say that's an underestimate, though. I work 8 hours a day, and a good majority of that time is spent with headphones on, and then when I get home, I usually always have something playing.

I would say my top 5 bands are as follows (in no particular order. please don't ask me to rank them):

• Relient K
• They Might Be Giants
• Ben Folds 
• lady danville
• fun.

That was quite hard to pick, guys. 

Here's some more information:

• Ultimate angry song: "Goodnight Goodnight" by Hot Hot Heat (seriously, this one gets blasted a lot)
• Dance Party favorites: "Your Love Is My Drug" by Ke$ha and "Paper Planes" by MIA
• Favorite Sunday music: The Lower Lights: A Hymn Revival
• When I need to chill the heck out: Death Cab for Cutie, The Weepies
• Sound like country but are a billion times better than country: The Avett Brothers and Nickel Creek
• Best recent discovery: Freelance Whales
• I love J-pop: Greeeen, Arashi, Ikimonogakari, Tegomass
• For energy and happiness: MIKA
• Superb Soundtrack: Amelie by Yann Tiersen
• When I'm feeling down: "Philosophy" by Ben Folds, "Curl Up and Die" by Relient K, "Hovering Sombrero" by They Might Be Giants
• Sometimes I play this while riding my scooter: "We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP
• Best accidental discoveries: Maia Hirasawa, "Velcro" by Single File
• I love to sing these songs really loud: "Effington" by Ben Folds, "At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)" by fun., "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" by The Darkness, "Inches and Falling" by The Format
• This reminds me of high school: "Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry" by Relient K
• Wizard Rock is the best: Ministry of Magic, The Butterbeer Experience, Harry and the Potters
• I need to listen to more of: The Decemberists
• Best road trip songs (it's a tie): "Stick Shifts and Safety Belts" by Cake and "Highway 40" by Brak feat. Freddie Prinze Jr.
• For cleaning: "The Final Countdown" by Europe
• I want to learn all the words to: "The Consequence of Sounds" by Regina Spektor
• Oh, and I love musicals: Into the Woods, Urinetown, Memphis, Hairspray, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked
• I wish this song was my life: "President of Antarctica" by Death By Ninjas
• Airport song (especially ATL): "Terminals" by Relient K
• Some boy needs to sing these to me some day: "You'll Always Be My Best Friend" by Relient K, "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds, "More Bad Times" by The Presidents of the United States of America
• If I meet a man boy named Zak, I will instantly propose marriage because of this song: "Zak and Sara" by Ben Folds

I seem to have a lot of songs that are my "go-to" songs. You know? You're feeling a certain way, and you just NEED to hear that song. 

Sometimes I'll just listen to the same song (or a few) on repeat for a while. I remember freshman year at BYU I got the new Relient K single "Must Have Done Something Right." I seriously listened to it for at least a week on repeat. Not sure how my roommate managed to live with me...

So look me up, kids! I'm emmisary on grooveshark and last.fm. I'd love to see what you're listening to! And please, if you have any recommendations or any "go-to" songs you want to share, leave me a comment!

The development of my musical taste.

Thrice weekly blog post 7 of 15.

If you know me, you know I like music.


A lot of it came from my mother, I think. She listens to good stuff. I grew up with oldies rocking on the radio whenever we drove. She'd always change the station when "House of the Rising Sun" came on, though. 

Also, my stepdad. Well, former stepdad. Van is a stellar guitar player. In his youth he recorded some stuff, and he continues to play to this day. I was "forced" to go to bluegrass barns with him and Mom - out in Alabama and Georgia - where he and Mom would perform. I didn't really enjoy it at the time, but looking back, it was actually pretty cool.


My brothers had a pretty big influence, as well. Mostly Russell, my oldest brother. Because of him, I listen to They Might Be Giants to this day. He also took me to my first legit concert, sparking a love for the live that burns on. Oh, and I'll always remember another brother, Tadd, conveniently coughing over the bad words in Sublime songs. 


I spent middle school in the slum of trendy pop music. But didn't we all?

High school and college brought with them good friends and with them, good music. I owe a lot to those kids: Relient K, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, The Format, etc., etc., etc.

And I'm continuing to discover. Pandora's a great tool. I love last.fm. Grooveshark holds my very heart in its toothsome grip. 


I love it, guys. I can't live without it. Give me music, or give me death.

So, apparently I'm a shape-shifting alien.

Thrice weekly blog post 6 of 15 (2 weeks down, 3 to go!)

This morning I went to a waffle party. It was delicious.

Then I ventured to SLC to go to the Salt Lake Art Center with friendlies. Unfortunately, it was closed for installation of a new exhibit. One that I thought was going to be on view for the first day today. One that all the signs say starts today. So we found other things to do. I wore my new Vibram Five Fingers Treksports to get used to them more, and I am greatly enjoying them. I can't wait to go hiking in them!

This evening we did a "How to Host a Teen Mystery" and it was quite a good one. I've done a few in my day, and this one was quite hilarious. I ended being the culprit. Whoops!

And now we are going to blue my hair again. It has been, and will continue to be, an eventful day.

I have a celebrity copycat.

Thrice weekly post 5 of 15.

So guess who went and got the same hair as me?
.
.
.
Lady Gaga.

I'm enraged. I can't believe she would have the nerve to jack my swag.

http://gossip.whyfame.com/

The Gaga.

                                                                  The Sara.














I guess it's flattering that the Fashion Icon for 2011 has the same hair as me, but I think it's good I'm doing another bluing this weekend.

A post before midnight

Thrice weekly blog post 4 of 15

Today I went climbing outside for the first time. It was frightening. Mostly because we climbed up the side to set the rope and the first thing we did on the rope was to rappel down the face. Oh my. The hardest part was just leaning back and letting the rope take your weight. After that it got easier, and I actually did pretty well on the climb. Though climbing outside and at the gym are completely different, I'm feeling good.

Oh, and my hair is officially blue. Well, more like bluish-green. 4 people have said it makes them think of mermaids. Though I don't know what mermaids they're thinking of. The only mermaids I know have long red hair. My hair is short. And blue.

I found out today I get a week off this month, so that's pretty exciting. I might go home. Or maybe I'll just chill here and make it project week. I have A LOT I want to do these days, and I feel like I'm not accomplishing much. It might be nice just to take a week and focus on me. We'll see, though.

So there you go. I'm working on more interesting posts, I promise.

Miscellany

Thrice weekly blog post 3 of 15 (one week down, just 4 more to go)

I had a fun time this morning with friends doing something I never thought I would do: role-playing. But it was quite fun. I think it will get even better as I actually understand what's going on.

I have this odd sense of failure these days. But that is just a statement. This is not a pity post.

I'm currently listening to Hanson's Middle of Nowhere. Oh, the elementary school memories. Middle of Nowhere is the first album I ever bought.

Oh, and it's been one year today since I started my 101 Project. Huh. Expect a detailed update soon.

Welp, that was productive.

I'm out.

On the way to blue

Thrice weekly post 2 of 15

If I don't post now, it won't happen.

So I'm in the process of getting to blue hair. GIANT SCARY FLY, GET OUT OF MY ROOM!

I bleached it on Monday, and it just ended up golden:

So we bleached it again on Tuesday:

THANK YOU FOR LEAVING, GIANT SCARY FLY.

Now, I'm waiting for the blisters on my scalp to heal a bit, and then we'll be bluing it. Though, it might come in a bit green, since my hair is still kinda yellow. We'll see!

#78, Take Two

Trying this again. I need to blog thrice each week during one calendar month.
This will be post 1 of 15.

Now. My life has been interesting of late.

When you leave for a week and a half, a lot happens. I'm doing my best to catch up on everything, but man, it is difficult.

Jake broke his finger playing frisbee tonight. Whoops.

Colette and I went out for dinner and I bought sweet things at Borders. (Double Daring Book for Girls, anyone?)

I am thinking about going to a concert on Friday...? I'm not sure. I'm really not.

I'm not really sure about anything.

Except for this: I know that everything will be ok.