Daydreams

So I'm working in pest control again, the greatest thing about this job is it offers me the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and do a lot of contemplating and daydreaming. For instance, the other day I was doing a service on a house and their next door neighbors had around 50 garden gnomes in their yard. I had just found out I was getting a couple roommates unexpectedly in a couple days so I wasn't in the most chipper of moods. So I started thinking, what would I do if I owned a home and my neighbor had an unhealthy hoarding obsession with garden gnomes? I came up with this plan…

Each night, under the cloak of darkness I would sneak next door and rearrange the gnomes into epic battle scenes, one may be Braveheart themed and I would paint half of the gnomes faces blue. One might be civil war themed with the North and South, but each day they would get progressively more violent and gory. Maybe they would call me up or knock on my door and ask if I had seen the people who did this and I would just play dumb and say things like "those darn teenagers with their practical jokes… Do you think we ought to just get rid of the gnomes and solve the problem?" If they didn't, I would take it to the next level. The next night I would stack them one on top of the other and place a lock picking kit in the top gnome's hand with the lock picker still in the dead bolt, like the gnomes were trying to get into the house but were thwarted when the sun came up just a moment too early. At this point I imagine the people would be getting nervous that perhaps there were no pranksters at all and the gnomes actually came to life in the light of the moon. As an act of neighborly compassion I would then take them a plate of brownies tolet them know how sorryI am they picked out the possessed gnomes. Secretly though, I would sneak in some of the gnomes and place some under their bed or in their closet with a butchers knife and a little note saying "I gnome what you did last summer"… Eventually they would have no choice but to get rid of them, and I would smile. Victory… Anyway, just some thoughts that ran through my mind.

In less than two weeks I am once again driving away from Utah and headed toward a new adventure. This time... Atlanta. It felt like it was time to add another city to my list. I love the southern accents, the artsy community of Virginia Highlands and dinner parties on sun porches. Here are a few shots from the last time I visited, I can't wait for the next chapter.

To the 'Rents'

I’m back in the home of my parents. Crash landing is always full of irony. I forgot how nice it is to feel the warmth, security and love that are always in these walls. As much as all those secrets hurt and despite the turmoil we’ve all been through we somehow manage to keep it safe and open. I am continually grateful for how often I am welcomed with open arms and I have been grateful for the times when I was pushed to stand on my own. I’m 24 and getting old… I found a gray hair today; I’ll attribute it to my growing wisdom and distinguishing nature. I can’t imagine being a parent to adult children; I can’t imagine a more difficult line to have to toe. I know so many times they’ve wanted to grab my shoulders to shake the stupidity from my head, but instead they allowed me to find my way on my own. I know it’s hard to watch your children’s faith waiver and change throughout their lives, but what an invaluable lesson to learn to soften your heart. Through everything I think this is what I have learned most from my parents. Last night I expressed to my mom that I was cold the night before so she responded by bringing me another blanket and wrapping it around me in a hug while laughing. I cannot adequately express how much I love and look up to my parents. Their quiet strength, unwavering faith and steady support have been instrumental to my life. Thank you mom for teaching me to care for others and to dad for teaching me how to laugh and think for myself. I love you guys.

Epiphaknees

So I’ve had a few epiphanies lately and I thought I’d share…

1. Being an A-hole is unacceptable. Universal truth: If you are an A-hole it WILL come back around to you. Being negative and hard on people and talking shizwalla WILL INDEED be returned. Karma is a beeeotch!

2. Your life and livelihood is all in the way you look at it. I could say I’m broke OR I could say I have adequately spent :-) Here’s another universal truth I heard from the great Ulla Septon, Needing things tend to repel them. When we feel we have enough and are satisfied, anything extra is just icing on the cake.

3.Learning takes patience and yelling at those who are teaching you won’t help you absorb information any better.

I literally cannot wait to have another adventure. I’ve been in Utah for about 6 months and its time to go experience something else again. I’ve also realized I have some difficult requests I’ve asked of people lately so let me just get them out and you tell me if they’re too arduous…

1. Clean up after yourself
2. Don’t sit in my leather office chair without a shirt on and fall asleep with your hand on my computer mouse
3. Please refrain from sitting on my actual couch and put a blanket underneath you (seriously, you’re turning my cushions black)
4. (Also relating to my couch) Please refrain from sitting in the middle of my couch for 3 days straight. My cushions are starting to suck me into the middle crevasse every time I sit down. Instead, rotate on the sides as well.
5. Don’t take my kitchen utensils into your shower to itch your back
6. Don’t smoke cigarettes underneath my window where my vent sucks the air straight into my room
7. Don’t smoke cigarettes period! They aren’t allowed on the property and we could all get fined!
8. CLEAN OUT THE LINT COLLECTOR IN THE DRYER!
9. Wipe off the counter of all crumbs and fish food…
10. Wash your hands so that you don’t leave black marks on the walls, doors and cupboards. We aren’t cavemen or 4 year olds, we have soap

Hmmm was that some of that shizwalla I was talking about NOT saying… Meh, venting is healthy too :-)

I value friendship a great deal. The relationships that we have in this life are some of the most important things we will take to the next. I will miss my friends who have gone onto the next step and I will always hope that they will find the peace they were unable to find on earth. I will miss your laugh and your quick and witty remarks. I will miss your ability to laugh at anything and everything and your gift of not taking things too seriously. I don’t think anyone can prepare for the pain you had to endure and I’m sorry for not being there more often than I was. I miss your interest in literally everything and how fully you enjoyed life. I will miss your sincere notes and how wonderful your heart was. I thank you for your kindness and compassion and for loving me when I didn’t deserve it. I won’t forget our Sunday drives and neighbor visits and laughing while we listened to whatever new band you were listening to from whatever country. I won’t forget your generosity or friendship; you were loyal when few were. I will miss you very much and I am sad that we won’t be able to watch you achieve the wonderful things you were destined for. I am happy you are reunited with those that watched over you and cherished you most. I will miss your mind, you were brilliant and you inspired people wherever you went. I love you and I miss you, I wish I would have said that more.

Musicology

So I've been somewhat obssascinated with some music I have recently discovered. Well some newer than others, but life changing none the less.
First and foremost, if you haven't listened to Sia enough to fully appreciate the amazing production on her albums you seriously need to. I have been super into the songs Lentil, Sweet Potatoes, Little black Sandals and Numb.





Second, Horse Feathers I have been thoroughly enjoying their newest album, really simple yet brilliant!


















Zooey Deschanel is not only one of my favorite actresses right now but her Band She & Him has an awesome throwback sound that is a breath of fresh air in our current musical climate.












One song in particular from the band Chairlift "Bruises" has also been on the list of my favorites lately.










Oh, and I can't forget Northern Lights by Bowerbirds, So amazing. Thank you Jess for the recommendation :-)

I've had a lot on my mind lately and I found these songs to be exceptionally helpful in the clearing of the head department. Hope you listen and hope you enjoy. If you want to hear more than the preview iTunes provides try the website Lala.com which works alongside iTunes however the songs are cheaper and you have the option of buying online versions of songs for only 10 cents... Probably my new favorite music website :-)

Swined

It’s called the swine flu because for about 7 days this is how you feel!!!

I know that everyone is sitting in their homes terrified of the swine flu but let me just say I had it and I’ve very nearly conquered it! Its felt like a cold and cough, I can’t eat much and I stayed in bed for 3 days except to use the restroom. I’m getting used to everyone at home and work calling me “swine.” I think of it as more of a term of endearment. Someone told me to stop kissing pigs, I maintain I was rufied (sp?)...

Also, I was thinking about the days when I could sleep in until 2 and stay out until 5 and I kind of miss them. I remember how upset my dad always was with me for my schedule and I remember asking him one day “at what point does all this become endearing?” I look forward to the time when all my weird quirks and abnormal behaviors will endearify me :-)

My two thoughts today are completely unrelated, just a couple things I was thinking about. Oh by the way, I have a new multimillion dollar idea I would let you know what it is but well… You know… I'll update you all very soon