Mixed emotions

I'm happy to say that my cute, independent, Portland-city sis arrived this morning! I'm so happy to see her; it's been at least 6 months! I haven't seen her since before she moved out of C-town! Time flies by us, so it feels just like old times once we get together. She really doesn't like the city I live in, and I'm sure she'll be happy to get back to her life when the end of her visit rolls around, but it's really nice to hang out with her while she's here.

Strange world!

I'm starting to wonder if I really don't like living in the city. I can never make my mind up. I get bored everywhere I go. So the reason I'm "down" on the city is because I have to ride the bus, and I'm unhappy that I am forced to experience the city in this way. When I moved here, I was so excited to just breathe in the dirty, rotten, polluted air; ride the dirty, stinky lightrail (by choice at the time); and watch the weirdos and dirty bums stagger around this lovely place we call a city. I wanted it all! I couldn't wait to leave the country of boring days and even more boring nights. SCRREEECCCHHH!!! And that's where the fun ends...and real life begins. There's nothing like waiting for a bus and being surrounded by grey-bearded homeless men, all the while they are yelling at you for not giving the money, then staring at you with a look that could quite possibly mean "kill". Well, I lived through it thanks to the kindness of a lady that was parking near a car lot and she waited with me until the bus arrived. As The Doors once said, "People are strange, when you're a stranger". In this case, I hope to stay a stranger to those guys, because no matter how friendly I am, they will always be strange.

Having trouble posting

Hi all,
I really am trying to post something new, but for some reason nothing is showing up.

July, really?

Hi all!
I can't believe my last post was in July! I am officially a procrastinator. But hey, here's a short update, then I'll post something really cool another time. First, I'm not in C-Town anymore, though I do miss some of the things about it. I really miss the fresh country air; the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that I could see from the surrounding open land. Okay, that's about all I miss. I am glad that I am living in a city, even if it happens to be this one. I am trying to find cool places to eat and spend my time. So far so good. I found a really cool restaurant the other night called The Happy Sumo, and their food is great! I felt like I was in Portland! It's nice to see that there is more innovation in Salt town than when I lived here before. I'll keep you all updated more often. I think I'm out of my funk and that always makes me happy to post more often.

Moving on up?

I'm moving out of C-town soon, so I guess that is reason enough for the "cosmos" to send endless friends my way. I've haven't hung out with anyone for at least a month, then suddenly this week I made two new friends, (girls!), go figure, not to mention their friends they've introduced me to. All instant friends. I met one girl that is my age, then went out with her where I met the other girl. So friendly, nice, they give me hugs and it feels like I've known them forever.
Secondly, I get a text out of the blue today from a guy I sorted dated when he lived here. He's coming to visit in October; I haven't spoken to him in at least two months! I also met a guy that is from Eugene, Oregon, and I feel bad that I decided not to date cause I'm moving, but wow, he's cute, 29 years old, a fireman, and cute. Oh yeah, said that. There are a few other examples of friends calling me, etc., that I had to turn a few down just to have some alone time! (I know, I'm never satisfied.) So my gosh....I can't help but think...what changed? My attitude about what I am attracting because I'm happy I'm moving, and people are picking up on those feelings, or what?

The mysteries of nature

Guess what that cute little yellow flower is? Here's some hints...it turns red and roundish and it becomes edible produce! This plant is in a pot, on my patio, and I can't wait till they are ready to eat!

A peek at my free time...

Playing the guitar is turning out to be really soothing. It is the reason I come home from work; it's the reason I get up in the morning; it's the reason I have no social life. I know this may be an obsession, but I guess at the very least it's a healthy one. I can't forget the reason I have the guitar though, which is thanks to my mom. She gave it to me when I moved and I really have appreciated it. All those lonely days/nights have been filled with the sounds of sketchy singing and even sketchier-sounding guitar chords. It's lots of fun and I've gotten help from my bro' too. It's funny 'cause whenever I play to my friends, they seem really impressed. I think it's cute how nice they are to me about my playing, but I think they enjoy it too (deep down, waayy deep down)! Once I get a little better, I'll play for ya'all! Till then...I'll keep practicing.

Po-dunk crossword

Is there such a thing as a Po-Dunk crossword puzzle?
I don't think I've sat down and attempted to do a crossword for years, so I was flipping through the "local" C-town newspaper, (which happens to have about 20 pages in all), and had some time on my hands and decided to do the crossword. (I ain't that smart ya'all, but ya knows when it comes to these danged word games, I know a thangy or two)...or I thought I did! First of all, it was a real challenge to come up with words that are three letters or less. THREE LETTERS! Here's one of the hints: 21 across: Twain...3 letters...Anyone? My first thought was Mark (Twain). Nope, that's four letters! Okay, try another: 18 across: Church recess...4 letters...What church are they talking about? Aside from that, this is where I'm starting to feel really dumb. If this is Po-Dunk's idea of a joke, they really got one over on me! Like I said it's been yeeeaaarrrsss since I did a crossword. If any of you smart city folks have answers to those let me know. It's possible my brain has been sucked out by aliens...

Here's a couple more:
43 across: Title...4 letters
49 across: Get...4 letters
20 down: Stated...4 letters
41 down: Send forth...4 letters
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Been a while...

Gosh, I just realized I hadn't posted anything for a while, so here ya go! Since there isn't much to do 'round here, I have started learning to play the guitar. I play acoustic and love it! I am teaching myself, so it's a slow process and I'm sure eventually I will need to take lessons to learn some of the cool stuff that I've heard people play, but for now it's fun! I can play one song by Red Hot Chili Peppers called Desecration Smile, but it's a little choppy. I never realized how relaxing it is to play guitar! I wish I'd had this much time a few years ago to learn it, I'd be really good by now!
Anyone have any advice for me about guitar, let me know. I can use the help. Thanks!

Best invention ever!

So my bro' has been holding out on me; he just barely told me about this great, wonderful, flavorful chipotle tabasco. I really don't like regular Tabasco, so I was skeptical...Wow, try it. And B-man, you need to let me in on more of your secrets!

WARNING! Depressing post...

Cute pic of Adam and Dan of CC taken at Sundance couple years ago...He wasn't very happy 'bout it, but he still let me snap it! Thanks Adam (and Dan)

BOOORRRREEEEDDDD in the land of the boring people!!! I tried to go find something to do tonight, but there isn't one thing to do here! I'm so hatin' C-town right now! I'm a plant without water. I'm a car without oil. I'm a brain without stimulation. I'm a city without lights. I'm a thunderstorm without the rain. As Adam Duritz of Counting Crows says, "I wish this was a small world, cuz I'm lonely for a big town."

Cute pic of my bro' in Bryce Canyon

Just found this pic on my computer and it reminded me of some of the fun times I've had with the B-man! We won't mention the alien encounter...

And I don't even speak a lick of it!

I had a dream last night...You're probably thinking, "So? So did I." But you have to understand, this was a very "real" dream, and here's the kicker...it was completely in French! I don't speak any French at all! I was speaking French and my family was speaking French fluently! It was so cool. I woke up remembering most of it, so I'll give you the run down, but mind you, I don't have any idea what was being said, I only know what I "saw".

It was snowing and I was trying to get somewhere, though I can't remember where. My second oldest brother was in a European-type hotel room asleep. I went out and spoke to European cab drivers to get wherever I was going in the city and when I got back to the hotel room, my second youngest brother was asleep on the hotel bed, but the other brother had gone somewhere.

I know it's not a great dream, but for me it was awesome!

Strawberry Point~aka scary high place

This area was amazing to visit, nobody there, just a narrow "catwalk" that I was a little shy about going out on, (so I didn't), but I got really close, as you can see from the pics. The view from here varies, from the north you can see the backside of Zion N.P. to an enormous "bowl of pines" to red spires jutting out just below our feet. It is a maze to get there because you have to drive on bumpy dirt roads, but it really is worth it. It's a mini-hike, so you basically park the car and walk a couple of hundred yards to the end of the "plank", where you can see my friend Keith, (he's a skydiver, so nothing scares him). He looks small; he looks like he is further out than he really is, so if you visit, don't let that scare you. I think I might try to "get brave" and get on out there next time I go up. I'm terrified of heights, but I've been trying to get over that fear, and as you can see, the ledge I am standing on, well, a few months ago, I would never have gotten that close...

Wild antelope on the range

On our way to Cascade Springs, (which I failed to get a pic of! next time), we spotted this herd of about seven antelope. Now anyone that lives in an area where these roam freely knows how rare it is to encounter this particular animal. Let's put it this way; the last time I saw wild antelope was about 8 years ago near a reststop on I-70 going toward Colorado. At the time I took it for granted that they were like deer in their abundance, but I have gotten wiser to their ways, and now when I see them, I feel lucky. One other cool thing about this daytrip happened to be a mountain lion sighting. Keith saw it dart across the road on our way out of the Strawberry Point road. But dangit, I barely saw the back end of it as it disappeared into the bushes. From what I could see I was very happy to have been inside the car! It was huge!

Shriveling in a sunburned city

As most of you know, I live in a small town not unlike Hell, (or I'm guessing it's similar, since I've never been to Hell, but I'll keep you updated.) Back to the point; while reading my favorite author, Bill Bryson, he mentions a "city" he is visiting in Australia named Canberra, in the book In a Sunburned Country, and it just so happens that it is the capitol of Australia, but don't book that plane ticket yet...according to good ole' Bill, he is telling about his experience there and the lack of well, uh, everything. Nightlife...extinct; music...nope, culture...what's that? You get the idea. (So I thought I'd mention that it's Saturday, beautiful sunny 85 degree weather, and guess what, there's nothing to do where I live. Trust me, I've looked. You can watch tv in your house, or go to a movie in the theater, either way, you're stuck sitting in front of a screen...oh yeah, or hike to your death in the heat.) Okay, no more tangents, but I did think Mr. Bryson's interpretation of Canberra, Australia could also describe "my town". The premise: he's been looking all day for a place to find dinner, finds nothing, he ends up in a hotel bar on a Friday night at 10 minutes after 10 o'clock p.m. He tries to think of a slogan that "sums up" Canberra, while looking around the bar and only seeing four other people in the whole place. His first slogan is "Canberra-There's Nothing to It". Second one, "Canberra-Why Wait for Death?", and his third, "Canberra-Gateway to Everywhere Else!".
I think I will steal his second line, but change it a little, "Cedar City-Why Wait for Death?" I truly believe that people move here with the intention of shriveling up and disappearing into the dusty desert earth and eventually hoping to turn into cryptobiotic soil, which might be why "they" tell you not to step on it; it might be someone's grandma...
The thing that is sad in all of this, is that the people here actually believe that this is how life is. Some of them have never driven 60 miles to Zion National Park, some have never left this town at all. It has a University and appears innovative, but there are definitely some things lacking. Like I say, "I can get mad, or I can get out." Think I'll go with the second line again...Thanks Bill!

For you bird!

DURH!!!

Goats on my mind...

Antilocapra americana~Means "American antelope goat"
Now, I'm still trying to figure out if that really is an antelope that's munching on that carrot over there (see pic). From the angle I took the picture, it doesn't look like anything recognizable, but if you see it in real life, it definitely resembles an antelope, so I'm going with that for now. I liked that the species is considered a goat, of sorts. Goats happen to be my favorite animal, I really don't have a reason why, except that I think they're cute, sound silly, and seem completely forgivable. (It's probably a good thing I don't feel the same sentiment for sheep...) I know, I know, bad joke :(

Roadside Americana

I found this sign on a stretch of country road not too far from where I live. It is in a field near the road, intentionally put there as you leave or enter a little town. It made me wonder what happened in their community to make someone go to this much effort! At least it's good for a laugh!

Location: Springdale, Utah
Assignment: Sweat, sweat, sweat...

Healing waters

As a self-proclaimed hippie, I tend to "seek out" interesting places in nature to just sit and think. I found this creek last summer and couldn't wait until this summer so that I could go sit on the rock in the water, (you can see it in the pic, it's the rock on the right), and soak up the morning sun. It's hard to see from the picture, but it is very fast-running this time of year, but will become a trickle later in the season. I'm sure the locals 'round here wonder, "What's that crazy red-head want with sittin' in a dearned river", but I don't think I could even explain it to them if they asked. You just have to experience it to know...

Does living alone=bad habits?

Okay, so I have recently acquired some bad habits; habits I never thought I'd "do". I live mostly alone, my roommate comes and goes, but mostly goes, therefore, this makes it really easy for me to do whatever I want, which in this case is forming a bad habit or two (maybe more, but I can't give all of them up right now!). It's nice to wake up, eat ice cream at 8:00 in the morning, (and here's the habit part), right out of the container! I also drink juice, etc. directly from the bottle. I'm talking about the 64 ouncer and the 2 liter! It's funny, cause without someone there to see me do it, or reprimand me, it actually feels like "home". My mom would be soooo proud!
[side note] My place is sparkling clean though! :)

Preface to my random thoughts

I'm realizing how boring it is to go to my blog and not read anything new. I amuse myself with my writing, maybe my posts amuse you all out there, who knows? What I'm saying is I will be writing random, interesting, uninteresting, exciting, not-so-exciting "stuff", so I won't know what to expect until it's written, and you (the audience) will either be entertained or completely bored, it's up to you! With that said, now I can take full creative (bloggers) license and the outcome will be what it is...

A day in the life of desert girl...

Walk among the tall, sheer walls of orange rock...put your hands on the cool, rough sandstone... The pictures to the left give one the perspective of how small a person is in comparison with this magical place. This hike is only about 15 miles from my house and affords one a perfect balance of sun and shade and the enjoyment of a gradual, easy trail. The midday sun sporadically beat down on us, but never long enough to make us sweat. The trail crosses over a little creek every so often and eventually diverts to another location, forcing the hiker to leave its tranquility and trek a dry, rocky trail. One of the highlights of this trail is the privacy. We didn't encounter anyone in the almost 3 hour hike; it's definitely a hidden gem that has somehow escaped being discovered by large masses of people, at least for now...

Stay human

"All the freaky people make the beauty of the world". So this happens to be a line from a song from Michael Franti. He is an amazing musician if you enjoy mellow, political, happening music. Yeah, his last album was released in about 2003, so in terms of the music industry, he is out-of-date, but his message threads through to our current times. He does a lot of work with Spearhead; they released a more recent album in 2006. If anyone gets a chance to listen to him, leave your comment, pro or con to let me know your o-p-i-n-i-o-n...

Blogland

I'm now joining the land of the bloggers. I'm excited to keep you all posted on my most interesting life. (Insert hint of sarcasm here) At least I will feel like I have something to do on my weekends now! Hope you all enjoy it! Next posting will be about music I'm currently "into". Till then...