Hollywood Baby

I am going to L.A. tomorrow for a couple of days to visit with my friend Gillian. We haven't spent much time together in recent years and its going to be so much fun just to hang out and relax, not to mention reminisce about living in London together and the crazy bats we used to look after. Oh the memories.

The Cutest Thing

I had lunch with Nicole today. This was the first time I had seen her since I left Rubberball. It was so good getting caught up and seeing her new townhouse. She bought me this most adorable little framed picture from Belle and Boo. She said it made her think of me, and symbolizes me finally being free from the tyranny that is Rubberball.

Monday Night Rodeo

My mom got free tickets to the Ogden Rodeo on Monday night. She had never been to a Rodeo and neither had Ethan, so she was excited to go and see what the people here in "The West" do for fun. I couldn't miss this opportunity to see Ethan's reaction.



My favourite part of the evening was what they call "Mutton Bustin". They take these tiny little kids (not older than 4 or 5 yrs) and get them to hold on for dear life to a sheep. They then slap the sheep which sends it running, and then they time how long the kid stays on the sheep. It was completely hilarious.

Ethan thoroughly enjoyed the Bronco riding, but didn't like it when "the naughty man hurteded the little cows". Throughout the steer tying even he kept yelling "naughty man stop that".

On our way home I asked him what his favourite part of the Rodeo was. His reply "I liked the gurls - the princesses" (referring to the highly sequenced hopefuls in the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant.)


This is Allyson's idea of smiling for the camera.

Tastes Like Home

On Saturday afternoon, Mack, my Mom and I went to the London Market in Salt Lake City (across from Trolley Square). We had hoped that the new tea room and bakery would be open so we could sit down for a good pie and gravy and some scones and cream, but alas, we found that the tea room was still under construction and would only be opening in mid August.

So instead we spent large amounts of money on a few other things that we hadn't had a in a while and that reminded us of home. Hmmm yummy!

Pot Heads

It is true - I am not ashamed to say it - Mack and I bought the 7th Harry Potter book yesterday. Mack is reading it first as I am re-reading the 6th book to prepare myself for the nail bitingness that is supposed to be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

We have not stopped reading. Every now and then Mack will make a comment that just makes me want to bite him. A comment like "Oh, interesting", or "I never thought they'd kill him...", or "two people just died sweetie, but don't worry they weren't important".

It'll be my turn to read it soon enough, and then I'll be able to ruin things for others too. Yay.

Just for Laughs

Poor Baby

Mack had his septoplasty yesterday. In essence he had a nose job. At least thats what his new nickname has become. I am happy to report that he is in full recovery mode. I know this because a) he tried to grab my butt while still waking up from anesthesia, and b) he spent the rest of the day glued to his computer games.

Here he is with stuff oozing out of his nose and the handy device they gave him to catch it. (We had just barely changed his dressings to keep this a PG rated post)

BFL vs FWDGF

Its been a week and a half. I have lost 4 lbs since I started the diet. I have also been a very naughty girl and cheated pretty badly with the eating part of the diet. I have however been pretty darn good about the exercise part. I got a call from my sister-in-law letting me know her progress. She is on a road trip with her parents right now and said that its really hard sticking to her diet because there is so much to snack on in the car. I can't say I'm sad she's cheating too. Makes me feel better.
If I continue to have an average weight loss of 2 lbs a week, I'll have lost 24 lbs by the end of the course - not too shabby if you ask me.

I am a Brownie

My house is clean, I've tidied and sorted all my closets and so with nothing better to do for the rest of the day I started looking up random peoples blogs. I know - no comment. Anyway I found that I am a brownie. Check it out.

You Are a Brownie

Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weakhearted. Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Bizarre Brazil

Last night I had the surreal "pleasure?" of watching Terry Gilliam's Brazil(1985).



Now I have to tell you that I don't think I had time to try and figure out what this movie was about the whole 2hrs 20min I sat watching it. It ended and both Mack and I remained sitting exactly where we were, completely numb and yet enthralled at the same time.

I thought that possibly sleeping on my confusion would help me compartmentalize this movie (I have to do this to everything, it just makes my brain happier), or possibly make up my mind about the subtext of the movie (I was a film major for heaven's sake, I should be able to dissect a film completely). Possibly the reason I can't come to a conclusion about the subtext is because there isn't just one.
I think the whole "man versus machine" text is pretty blatant, then there is the whole "the cost of literally pursuing your dreams/fantasies" at the same time as the "dreams/fantasies are never the same in reality" texts. The "price of consumerism on society" text is also pretty blatant. There are so many other subtexts that I can't completely wrap my mind around right now, like the uncomfortability of the incongruity of the dialog and visuals - they use innocuous terms like "information retrieval" instead of "torture and interrogation". It makes complete sense that this was a deliberate device now that I'm writing it, but in the context of the film, your senses are so bombarded that such obvious things get overlooked in the search for the way deeper meaning.

I have to say thought that there were a couple of scenes that made Mack and me look at one another in total confusion, and then others that made us both laugh out loud.

This picture is from a scene where we both laughed out loud. The protagonists Mother is getting prepped for a face lift. The picture speaks for itself.




I just have to end with this completely pompous quote from a review on Imdb by user mariogreymist: "Brazil is a very cerebral film, so if you are thinking, "What does cerebral mean?" you can probably skip it. Anyone who expects to have a story clearly spelled out for them, and done so in a concise manner with little background interference will hate Brazil. Brazil is a film for those who want texture, emotional involvement and some sort of deeper meaning."

Personally I think the film is just weird, which is what I think the insane genius Terry Gilliam was going for.

New Desk

I'm on my way to actually decorating the "Library" the way I want it to be decorated. Naturally I forgot to take a before shot, but here is an after shot of the new desk we got from Ikea. It doesn't look spectacular yet, but its a start in the right direction.

Caught my Eye

When in Florence, Nicole and I were on our way to see Michael Angelo's "David" and we passed a store totally out of character for the city. It sold a bunch of really contemporary kitchen gadgets. This one was in the window and completely caught my eye. It made me laugh so hard. Sadly it had been sold by the time we came out of the gallery.

BFL vs FWDGF

I wrote about the fact that I was starting the Body for Life twelve week challenge. I told my sister-in-law Allyson I had started and she told me she wanted to do something similar. Her idea was this:

Why don't I do the Body for Life challenge and she would pick a different twelve week course and then we would compare our results at the end. I thought this was a fabulous incentive. I waited for her to pick a challenge. After much consideration, she picked the French Women Don't Get Fat course.

So it starts again, with yesterday being our first day. Now bear in mind that we are tripping to South Africa in the middle of this challenge. I don't know if I'll be able to remain strong with all my childhood sweets and chocolates surrounding me.

You're on Al!

I'm Going Home

Its official. My tickets are booked. I leave 14 September 2007. I will spend 6 weeks in my homeland. It is going to be such fun. My whole family will be there.

Beautiful Cape Town here I come!

Sun, Sand and Lake

Mack and I spent the weekend at Bear Lake with my brother Darren and his family. The weather was absolutely fantastic and we came home completely sunned out.

4th of July Salutations

My first year in America, I was asked the following question:

So how do you celebrate the fourth of July in your country?

I told the questioner that we pretty much did what we do most days - go to work, come home, have supper etc.

This statement was met with an appallingly sour face.

I went on to explain that America is the only country to actually celebrate "American Independence Day".

This statement was met with a blank stare.

So to all my friends who are American and who are celebrating their Independence Day I say "Happy 4th of July" and to all the rest I say "nice day isn't it?"

It Starts

I started my new "Body for Life" program today. I don't think I'll post my before picture, mainly cause its way too hideous for words. And, I don't think I'll post my after picture cause I won't want too many people to be jealous. Seriously though. This diet/exercise program is something that is completely necessary. I feel gross!
My trip back to South Africa in September is my main incentive. I want to look good and feel good for a change.

So this is what I ate today:
9:15 am 1 small egg white omelette
1 small bowl of Optimum Power Organic Breakfast cereal
1/4 C skim milk
500ml water

12:17pm 1 Slim Fast Shake
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

2:49 pm 1 slice of whole wheat bread,
lean sliced ham, lettuce
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

6:18 pm 1 small baked potato
2 Tbsp low fat cottage cheese
1 spinach, cilantro and green onion side salad
1/4 C avocado
1 side of lightly sauteed cabbage
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

I spent 45min at the gym doing strength training on my upper body.

I was completely knackered afterwards and could barely drive home - all in all a good day and a good workout.

30 Years Together - Now Thats What I Call Love

Mack's parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this weekend. They had a great party in their backyard and invited the whole neighbourhood. I got the fabulous job of decorating the cakes. The icing was melting in the heat and my hand was shaking like I was on some sort of medication, so I thought they looked like a two year old could have decorated them, but I got some good feedback. People are so nice. (oh and don't judge my pictures right now, I don't have photoshop.)





Mack grilled chicken like a dutiful son,



and his sisters did what sisters do best.



Funny, I didn't actually take a picture of his parents - the whole reason we were there.