Friendship, Friendship, What a Perfect Blendship

My darling Shayla e-mailed me this 50s style photo and quote.  I know it will ring true to more people than just me.  Sappy?  Oh yeah.  Do I care?  Eh, I'm in a sappy mood today, so heck no. 

Disney Characters in Real Life

I stumbled upon these illustrations, the work of Jirka Väätäinen, of Disney cartoon characters in real-life.

I am absolutely fascinated and thought I'd share a few.  For the full collection, check out his site.   

Dating Emissions

Let's say you are on a date.

He's a funny fella and you begin to laugh rather vigorously in the ice cream aisle.

Let's say you then have a sneak attack of gaseous emissions.

You can see him trying to remain composed.

Let's say you then begin to laugh uncontrollably instead of succumbing to the embarrassment.

You are both then laughing like hyenas in the ice cream aisle, scaring away any passersby.

Let's say you are me and it was last Saturday night.  Now aren't you glad it wasn't you? 

You're welcome. 

Funniest Typo on Ebay

This has to be the funniest thing I've seen on Ebay in my 13 years as a member. 

Enjoy.

The Importance of Being Perfect

I have a problem.

I think I need to be perfect.

The interesting twist is that this idea is nothing that has been imposed upon me by society, family members, or other outside influences.  You constantly hear about how society needs to stop pushing its ideas of who we should or shouldn't be.

But what to do if this is some idea that I have concocted and enforced upon myself?

My long-time readers and friends will know that I have had a life-long struggle with fitness or lack thereof.  But now that I have had everything under control for a few years, "body image" is not the source of my perfectly distorted imposition of perfection.

So what is it?

I've always been that child whose parents didn't need to punish her - I was tougher on myself than they ever were.  I've always been the over achiever smarty pants.  Whenever I have decided to do something in my life, there is no turning back - I do it and I do it perfectly.  Sure, I took three years to pick my major in college, but once I did, I went so far as to be one of only 3 Public Relations students accepted to the New York City Internship program.  Sure, I didn't start gymnastics until I was 12, but once I started, I had earned a place on the team within 6 months.  Sure, I didn't desire to be in show choir until my junior year, but I made it my first audition.  Sure, my company didn't do an "employee of the year" award until I'd been here almost 4 years, but as soon as they awarded one, that baby was mine.

Are you seeing a trend here?  Yeah.  Me too.

I've always thought I was simply driven, motivated, dedicated, passionate, and all of those other synonyms.  I've always obeyed authority and laws and regulations and even just signs...yeah I'm one of those who won't walk a step past a "do not trespass sign."  So silly.  I've always looked at others and thought, "It is okay for them to make mistakes, but not me."  I never once judged another person for the same mistakes I beat myself up over.  Recently, something absolutely inconsequential happened that tarnished my perfect record in my mind.  I made a mistake.  A mistake I couldn't explain or displace blame.  Just a normal, human mistake.   My image of myself shattered - who would people think I am if I'm not perfect - who am I?! 

I all of a sudden saw myself from a distance.  I wanted to slap myself and say, "Are you SERIOUS right now?  Is this a big deal AT ALL?  Life happens!"  All those times I've been worried about being late because someone may think less of me, all those times I couldn't sleep because I worried I'd said something that would make someone perceive me as unintelligent, all of those times I was disgusted with myself on a clumsy day when I seemed to drop or run into everything and worried others may not respect me if they knew, all of those times I skipped the gym and thought I was a failure for missing a commitment...all of those times....all of those times...

THEY DON'T MATTER!

My life is wonderful.  I have been blessed beyond anything I ever could have dreamed of as a child.  I have a family who love me, friends who would drop anything for me, health that stays with me in spite of what genetics threaten me with, fitness that improves daily, skills, intelligence...my life is sunshine, lollipops and rainbows!

Why am I so worried all the time?  For the love of everything good and decent, I need to stop it.  I want to stop it.  My friend Dennis has this sign he gives me when I need to calm down that I picture more and more recently.

I have a goal to be less perfect.  I have a goal to embrace my mistakes.  I have a goal to laugh a whole lot more about life.  I have a goal to walk past a "do not trespass" sign.  I have a goal to purposefully make a mess in the kitchen...and leave it there for more than five minutes.   

Life is joyful.  I am going to live it as such.  If you see yourself in any of what I've just shared, please, let's make a little pact: stop worrying, bask in imperfection, enjoy life more. 

Evil Queen

My long-time friend and old roommate, Stephanie Fowers, asked me to help her on a project this past Saturday.

I was rather amused with the idea she had of innocent-looking me playing a bit part as an evil queen for a music video she is putting together for an LDS writers conference.

I was even more amused with her costume choices.  I really had no idea how I looked, she just kept putting things on me.  So I took a photo.

Now, let me state that I am very much not a fan of "Myspace photos."  You know, where a gal takes a photo of herself and then makes it look all doctored up and then pretends like she doesn't think she's hot in those photos and then posts them to shop for compliments to which she denies, therefore earning her even more compliments.  I just find it interesting how things come together sometimes.  And slightly embarrassing that, yes, I walked around downtown Salt Lake this way and, yes, I look like a LARPer.  I never know what I'm going to get myself into. 

Anyway, I took a photo.  Then I played around with the photo.  And for some reason, I'm quite intrigued with the results, so I thought I'd share.  Maybe it is that I actually look mean.  I showed a friend, who had no idea what the project was for, and he remarked, "You look like you are going to cast an evil spell on me!"  Well guessed, sir.  Another asked if I could point him towards Rivendell.

What's your favorite?

Original

Instagram - I think this one is my fav

I'd make a great cartoon, right?

This reminds me of that scene in Star Wars when Han gets flash frozen. 

Hot dang.  If my eyes only looked that good in real life!

Centerpoint Legacy Theater: The Importance of Being Earnest

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of watching my amazingly talented actress friend, Megan Smyth, perform the role of Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest at Centerpoint Legacy Theater in Centerville, Utah.

She had shared with me many of her moments of worry and moments of glory, so I actually spent most of the play trying to observe her so I could give her feedback.  Thank heavens everyone was so delightful that nothing really stood out to me as a detraction from anyone's performance.  I giggled a little as some of the actors slid out of their accents or made a modern gesture, but those occurrences were far and few between.

The men were handsome.  Jack, as played by Jon Rash, in particular.  I love when a theater is able to find a handsome leading man and let's just say I really loved this theater's choice.  Allyson Sanders, the young lady playing Cecily, is just a gem.  She is delightful and sparklingly beautiful in every way.  Allyson filled the stage with every nuance of her character utterly convincingly.  Not only were these performers talented, but you really wanted to watch them.  I'm sorry, but aesthetics is a part of theater.

So what did I think of Megan's performance?  This is what I shared with her in writing: 

You did a fantastic job!  You were just quirky enough that that cleaarrrrrly came across in the character but did not leave us at all wondering why Jack/Jon/Earnest would want to be with you.  Make sense?   Did I think it weird that no one kissed kissed?  If only one couple had kissed, I would have thought it weird, but since both did cheeks, I thought it was period and I actually think it simplified matters.  Although marriage is being discussed, the comedy is so light-hearted that kissing almost seems too serious and romantic.  I think all the proper sentiments were displayed with the longing looks, the dialogue, and the cheek-kisses." 

Megan has this arsenal of dynamic facial expressions to convey layers in her characters.  She is one of the sweetest, kindest, most wholesome young ladies I've ever met, but she delivered one scandalous line with such finesse, she had me utterly convinced she was out to seduce Earnest.  Thinking back on it, I start to giggle all over again.

Let it be known, the genre of The Importance of Being Earnest is not my forte nor my preference.  However, this production is highly enjoyable, even for me!  This was my first time seeing it live and I would very much recommend you go see this one, especially if you love Oscar Wilde.  They do him proud.

Megan's cast (Go see this one! Go see this one!) is T/Th/S and plays until April 28.  You can, should, and will buy tickets here.  They've been selling out, so buy in advance!

My Little Poof Tail

Every once in awhile I geek out about my tiny tiger.  It's allowable in moderation, right?

I call her "my little poof tail" because she has this ridiculously poofy tail she flaunts like there's no tomorrow.  She also carries it like a squirrel tail - always up and curled around.

One of my favorite things about her is that she waits until I fall asleep every night before crawling into the nook of my arm, snuggling her little head on my shoulder or just under my chin, and stretching her paw across my chest.  When I wake up, she begins purring.  Silly as it sounds, this is a tender moment I share with my little four-legged companion each morning - always starting the day off right.

This is my view first thing each morning

I Could Die Happy

Do you ever have those days where, when you rest your head on your pillow to sleep, you think to yourself, "Today was a great day - I could not have made it much better.  I think I could die happy."?

Spring is in the air.  Change is on the horizon.  Friends are coming out of the woodworks to play and love and make new memories.  My sheets and blankets are freshly laundered (seriously, does life get much better than snuggling into fresh bedclothes?).  Life is good.

Does His Smile Make You Swoon?

Ladies, you know there are features about men that typically make you swoon - what is it for you?  And none of this business about anyone "objectifying" anyone - physical attraction is kinda an important thing if you are ever gonna make babies and there is a type for everyone. 

For me, one of the biggest attractors is broad, defined shoulders.  I think that trait has come to equal "most likely fit and healthy" and I find myself drawn that direction.

Now, spill it.  
(and feel free to do so anonymously if you'd like)  

Well, Hello, Don't mind if I Hugh...