The Great Miscellany

Zutano Giveaway

2011-10-25T15:55:00.003-07:00

Ok. Now that we're getting ready for our baby to be born I have been able to justify looking up the cutest things to buy. Normally I'm a huge bargain hunter and my main motto is "less is more". I don't want to be bogged down with a lot of unnecessary baby paraphernalia, especially in our current studio apartment.

HOWEVER - I found the cutest baby booties, and I really want them. I don't think I can justify the cost, but I found a giveaway for this company. So, who knows! Maybe I'll get lucky! If anyone is interested in entering to receive a $75 gift card for Zutano products, check out the giveaways here and here. You can also look at Zutano's adoreable items here.

By the way, I could use some opinions. We're having a boy. Is the owl print to the left too girly? I like trying to get gender neutral stuff for future use some of the time.

nothing.is.unknowable.

2009-10-28T23:29:00.005-07:00

Sometimes there are jewels in the cracks we step over in life, and the people that follow us - tracing our steps with a light heart and unsearching eyes - will miss their glint. Sometimes I want to record things I feel aren't mine to tell on a hidden scrap.

Sometimes I'm afraid I'll forget the power of unexpected and potent miracles, the spirit words will never describe. Then, I remember that scratchings of black ink on a page reflect a mere paucity of what the heart finds rearranged.

The only way to find and remember is by living truly.

hilarity.ensued

2009-07-30T15:30:00.003-07:00

The prodigal daughter returns to her blog. Enough said. I feel no need to hem and haw over intents, life, and details of why I haven't written in ages. You don't want to read it anyway.

Yesterday was my first day back in Provo-land after the sweet, sweet retreat of Utah's Shakespearean Festival and Zion's National Park. It was a beautiful week. I decided to record some choice comments. Here are a few - unprompted and unedited, hopefully supplying brief entertainment despite lack of vocal inflection, context, and familiarity with the parties involved. I'd also like to add that I made my mom pee her pants laughing for the first time in her life. That's impressive.

Caitlin (19 years old):
"Hey Mom - they had plumbing when you were little, didn't they?"

Dad: "Mom was PERFECTLY right. Uh... what did you say, honey?"

My father, watching Cait drive on the freeway:
"She's an idiot. I can't believe I've spawned an idiot."

Jameson's reaction to a billboard's fertility clinic advert:
"Doctor, are my salmon swimming upstream?"

Joseph: "You bought a station wagon?!?! Whatever. I would never have done that."
James: "That's because you haven't had that experience with God yet. God told them to buy that station wagon."
Cait: "It was God's station wagon."

Caitlin: "Joseph should marry a Tongan. A blonde Tongan."
Joseph: "Do they exist? With a soft round nose and a gentle face?"

brain.on.laundry

2008-11-20T00:01:00.002-07:00

Tonight, while doing my late-night laundry, I've decided to censor nothing. To overcome and face my fear. That's right. You get a random stream of Heather thoughts. Fortunate, or not-so-fortunate you.

FIRST: people. I love people. i love the lovely sort of people that care about other people more than anything in the world, because honestly: life isn't anything without people. AND life is hell when you don't love the people around you. How in the world are you supposed to grow and become more like God if you're not serving others, loving them, and helping them to grow? Hell=damnation=a stop in progression.

God's whole focus is found in Moses 1:39: to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Doesn't that essentially back up the idea that everything He does is for our benefit? Yessir. Yes it does. Everything He does is for US. To help us grow and change, and be happy. That's what makes Him happy. Amazing.

Shouldn't our purpose reflect His, then?

superdell.writes!

2008-11-01T10:43:00.009-07:00

oh, I found the most fabulous waste of time while trying to educate myself to vote. Indulge. Take a moment to reflect on your would-be future governor.

dellschanze.blogspot.com

I think my favorite parts are when he calls John Huntsman "that Anti-Christ". I'll quote from his entry of August 4, 2008.

"What's wrong with a competition to see who can more closely follow the commandments of God??? ...How can that be bad???!!! I'm actually your hero; you just need to stop allowing the satanic media to influence you and twist the numerous phenomenal things I do into something wicked. I'm SUPERDELL; don't even allow the dark side to put a spark of doubt as to my intentions and goodness. I am on the right track, look for the positive and you will always find it in me."

Wow. Does this remind anyone of something along the lines of "I am the light and the life..."?

a.few.laughs

2008-11-01T09:38:00.004-07:00

I'm am practically rolling on the floor. Part of me yesterday thought that I could learn to hip hop at a dance party. Hilarious. I did give it my best with a good natured grin. It was just really really really really funny. And scary. (Appropriate for Halloween, no?) It's not my fault I grew up in Holladay, Utah!

I'll get Elizabeth to teach me before I embarrass myself in public again. Holy flashbacks from watching 'Save the Last Dance'. Julia Stiles, I know how you feel.

"Superdell".to.the.rescue!

2008-10-25T12:55:00.005-07:00

The following was taken from page 11 of the Utah Voter information Pamphlet of 2008. I'll just say that I'm not a proponent for Dell Schanze.

"Superdell" Dell Schanze
GOVERNOR
LIBERTARIAN

"SUPERDELL is your only choice because YOU didn't file. Huntsman took away your freedoms and raised taxes more than any governor in the history of Utah. Springmeyer has admitted that he doesn't care about the constitution. The definition of the word insane is voting for the same people while expecting change.

"There is no question that Dell Schanze is different. There are only 3 people on the ballot and SUPERDELL is the only one that is NOT socialist. If you are unsure then fill your heart with love, completely open your mind and pray to God earnestly. You can't afford to get this wrong and will be held accountable for your choice."

5442 S 900 E #223
Salt Lake City, UT 84117
801-631-1731
dellshanze@totallyawesome.com
totallyawesome.com

bravery.and.insanity

2008-10-23T02:06:00.014-07:00

Update: see post below.

So... apparently this mystery guy is a close friend of my brand-spankin-new roommate. And every girl she knows is after him. He's kind, spiritual, funny, pretty much the best thing ever. Elders Quorum President. Home teaches anyone who doesn't get covered. Planned speaker for the SANE symposium. Always busy. Completely amazing.

I think I'm going to die of embarrassment.

bravery

2008-10-23T01:12:00.034-07:00

Nine dates in two weeks have me stymied. They're nice guys, they're interested. They're interesting. I just don't *like* them. Nothing, nada, zip. This track record is NOT normal. I'm average in the looks department, and flirt-ignorant. Divine intervention could spur such numbers, but no starry-eyed missionary would set such an unobtainable goal.

I haven't dated anyone for two years. Those who piqued my interest weren't piqued. No contact, Houston; we have a consistent lack of reciprocation, sides variable.

Enter a recent visit to my friend's apartment. We joke with roommates, with people a few doors over... While laughing, we're joined by a random individual from down the hall. He's funny. He's smart. He's charismatic. He can appreciate an impertinent sense of humor. And... I like him! I didn't think much of it in the moment, but I like him! Long story short, my friend bullied me into writing my name and number on a piece of paper, and pushed me toward his door.

I'll take this moment to interject: I'd like to find the right guy, I'm tired. I've also learned that you never have anything to lose. It's not like you run into random people again.

So, at 12:30a.m. I knocked on his door. I said, and I quote: "You're cute, smart, and funny; and you should ask me on a date." A proud moment in my life, if only for pride's sake. (Now THAT'S courage!) It seemed to go well. I'm waiting to see if he calls. (And a little scared). In any case, I think someone else might be giving me a hint... 9 dates is kind of a slap in the face. I'm trying, I'm trying.

bad.Packer.transcript

2008-10-22T17:21:00.029-07:00

A supposed transcript of a talk given recently by President Packer has been circulating. The jist of it regards hard times we live in, and other "last day" comments you can imagine might be included.

While President Packer did attend the fast and testimony meeting and speak, these multiple versions of his thoughts have been taken from the notes of those present and distributed. Because of this, there are inherent problems you will find with any secondary source. The "transcripts" are not, in fact, transcripts. They are incomplete and imperfect. They are in the words of those that took rapid notes. President Packer has expressed concern about this circulation for obvious reasons. It's someone's incomplete interpretation of his talk.

This is what Church Public Affairs had to say about the matter.

* President Packer did indeed speak at the meeting cited.

* No official transcript of his talk was made and that the one circulating by email was typed after the talk was given and should not be considered to be authoritative.

On 13 May 2004 the First Presidency issued the following letter to all Church units and leaders:

"From time to time statements are circulated among members which are inaccurately attributed to the leaders of the Church. Many such statements distort current Church teachings and are often based on rumors and innuendos. They are never transmitted officially, but by word of mouth, e-mail, or other informal means.

We encourage members of the Church to never teach or pass on such statements without verifying that they are from approved Church sources, such as official statements, communications, and publications. Any notes made when General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, or other general Church officers speak at regional and stake conferences or other meetings should not be distributed without the consent of the speaker. Personal notes are for individual use only."

This sort of thing has happened before. If you want to see what President Packer has to say on troubled times we live in, check out his conference talk. He spent a long time pondering, praying, and preparing what to say in General Conference this October. He spoke with the authority of an apostle of God. There also happen to be *perfect* transcripts and recordings of it. It's funny how those things worth most to us are overlooked, while trivial incidents are blown out of proportion.

If you receive a copy of the Forest Bend talk by email, please inform the person who sent it to you that it is spurious and should not be used.

If anyone is interested in the official church response to this you can hear a recording of the statement they have issued by calling either 240-2205 or 240-1000 and asking for extension 22833.

occasionally.i.sit

2008-10-12T19:34:00.005-07:00

Occasionally I sit muttering to myself, half-heartedly scouring the internet for answers to complex problems and questions throbbing in my head. Late at night it seems that anything should be available... if only I knew where to look.

The answer to life, the universe, and everything may not be "forty-two", but I'm convinced earth is exactly what we need to figure it out, even if it's not really a super-computer. I'm just not very patient.

(10 points if you got the Douglas Adams reference)

the.helicopter.overhead

2008-10-11T01:35:00.013-07:00

Subject: [*] The helicopter overhead‏
From: University Communications (univ-comm@BYU.EDU)
Sent: Friday, 10 of October, 2008 9:41:42
For: CURRENT-STUDENTS@LISTSERV.BYU.EDU

University Police would like the campus community to know that the helicopter buzzing our campus is not a threat.

The university has hired the helicopter to help with a film that is being prepared. Filming is scheduled to continue through today and Saturday.

We apologize for the disturbance.

Apparently scores of students on campus (those still around at 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night), were calling admins in a panic after having seen a sole circling helicopter over the grounds.

Odd moments in life make me smile.

mmm.mmm

2008-10-07T21:12:00.009-07:00

Thoughts for the evening.

Licorice and ginger flavored altoids are superb, and even make water taste better. I wish they were easier to find.

Huh. if you find those rare altoids around town. let me know, eh? =)

greed.ambition.charity

2008-10-03T10:02:00.015-07:00

This morning I was leaving one class for another, pondering greed. Our history class heard brief comments about this: during the 1600's a British philosophy of greed was significantly different from our view today: it involved the fact that recent years had shown justification of action in regards to what they saw as 3 sole motives: glory, love, and greed. As the 16th century was one of the bloodiest - filled with all sorts of warfare - many began to question the validity of glory and love as motivation. Greed seemed a less obtrusive and gory focus. I still can't fully wrap my mind around why they saw greed as positive.

What, specifically, would I place at the heart of greed? There are certainly many ways to define the little thoughts of life, and it's often in the definition and perspective of words that individuals dissent. Most of the discussions in which I have disagreed vehemently with other critical thinkers lead me to the conclusion that we are often either 1) without information or bias of information the other holds, or 2) define things differently; and hence occasionally argue opposite one another when we in fact have similar viewpoints. (I've had passionate conversations with others when we discovered things like this some time into the discourse. What a riot.)

What is greed? A desire for something? A motivation to acquire status, knowledge, or possessions? I've certainly always thought of it as excessive, something that negates the respect of others' rights to available or already held property or opportunity; I've seen it as selfish and covetous, even exploitative. Is there then a similar notion that doesn't necessarily involve egotistical avarice and neglect of one's fellow man? Ambition, perhaps?

When one strips language and labels (words) from the concepts learned since childhood, what is left? Isn't it the American dream to push and pry and pull oneself up? To make the most of whatever is available? If one's primary resource is will, and there are a seemingly unending supply of universities to educate, jobs to man, money to earn, and ladders to climb, what exactly is thoughtless about utilizing such favorable situations? Even when competition seems steeper in applying for positions, universities, programs, raises, grants and scholarships, teams, etc., possibilities seem numberless. So do the throngs of faceless individuals. We justify pushing to the top in our inability to process the exactness of all composite situations. (Does this make any sense?)

Sometimes I feel I'm standing in a crowded society that clamors: "we need the best of the best to roll this great world forward, we need the greatest minds in universities and workforces to study problems, lead us to solutions, and eventually help all the others that are less fortunate." The cry of progress hastens on. Ironically, in pushing forward individualistically without (supposedly) shutting-out the masses, we trod on those we seek to help. We're too busy seeking intangible solutions in a "world-view" to help the "one"s we come across. The opportunities are there. Everyone is on their own, and if some"one" isn't making it, they obviously lacked fortitude and desire.

We say that we regret our need to be exclusive. Sometimes. "We're sorry, we need the best. You see, there are a lot of people that have been left behind in this world, and we want the best available candidates in our exclusive institutions to address those issues. Eventually we'll have a solution... And... that solution will allow us to help you and yours." Maybe the solution is to find programs that help everyone. Some ambitious individuals that don't show malicious behaviour are still indifferent. Where's the summa cum laude of truth and honor in that?

the masses seem dehumanized.

our society is inattentive.

as individuals we become indifferent.

the one is lost.

Ambition and work ethic are charming, but charity will always come first in my book.

at.home.depot

2008-09-27T11:53:00.007-07:00

Today's date is September 27th. That's all I have to say.

intervention

2008-09-23T19:30:00.035-07:00

We had an apartment intervention.
It was serious stuff, a matter of life or death.

The plant on the right of this first blurry photo (left side) is a refugee. Recently rescued, it was one door below ours at the apartment complex, nearly dead! My kind-hearted roommate Lindsay rescued it with a fellow houseplant, pictured right.

The two seem happier now that they've been watered for a week; our one fear is the downstairs neighbors dropping by and recognizing their former property... But kidnapping a plant doesn't make one liable for incarceration, so, why not save a life or two?

general.messiness

2008-09-21T22:47:00.017-07:00

How can I sum-up my weekend?

I missed my best friend's wedding.

For which I was the maid of honor.

I had a pseudo-date with my ex-fiancé that culminated in a 3a.m. conversation.

I learned that I'm probably losing my job.

I'm short for rent, since my student loan hasn't gone through.

I slept through the class I was supposed to teach in church.

I consider myself to be someone with an outstanding sense of humor, ability to remain calm and in control while under stress; (which I did).... but, it's all a little too much for me to find humor in at the moment. Or explain. Or talk to anyone about. So I thought I'd post it out on the world-wide web for anyone I don't know to see. After all, if I can't make the fall play callbacks, I have to get my free emotional therapy somewhere. Here's to catharsis.

lamentations

2008-09-19T13:56:00.017-07:00

I have come to a sad conclusion today. Chocolate isn't worth it anymore. The resulting headache and havoc on my critical thinking skills just aren't compensated by measly morsels of joy. That being said, I'll probably still indulge from time to time... but it'll be dark chocolate. And quality. And rare.

Dad, you were right. I'm the one kid, yes, the ONE of five that developed your abhorrent allergy. How's that for alliteration? It's hard to write something decent when your head feels like it's in a vice. I take it back. I take back all those comments about eating chocolate happily until I die, even if it IS the death of me. Though I'd sooner take death than daftness.

eccentricity.is.subjective

2008-09-08T11:55:00.035-07:00

eccentric, adj.
εk'sεntrIk

from Gk. ekkentros "out of the center", from ek "out" + kentron "center".
*Figurative sense of "odd, whimsical" (adj.) first recorded 1685.
*Noun meaning person with such qualities first attested 1832.

1. Of a circle: Not concentric with another circle (const. to). Of two or more circles: Not mutually concentric. eccentric orb: in the Ptolemaic astronomy, an orbit not having the earth precisely in its centre.
b. fig. Not agreeing, having little in common. Const. from, to. Obs.

6. fig. Regulated by no central control.
a. Of actions, movements, and things in general: Irregular, anomalous, proceeding by no known method, capricious.
b. Of persons and personal attributes: Deviating from usual methods, odd, whimsical.

thanks to the Oxford English Dictionary
and online Etymology Dictionary

The other day a friend of mine pegged me as an eccentric.

Which, admittedly, amused me. I've heard that more than once. I've also heard mischievous, whimsical, free-spirited, independent, and energetic. Acquaintances occasionally balk at the plethora of interests I have. I'm "too intense". Lately another casual friend remarked that he had never seen the side of me on display at the neighborhood barbecue. In his own words, I am normally very refined, composed, serene. Very zen. He'd never seen me "scrappy". That is a new one. I'll admit this entry is completely self-serving; it's egotistical. However, I'm willing to indulge that for a moment of self-reflection.

In any case, polished or abberant, intense or multi-faceted, I'm happy to be who I am. I'll take eccentricity as a compliment; and ask that you chew on this: Your rationale for labeling me as an eccentric may prove the same cause of another feeling an affinity for me. Varied interests and an open mind provide sundry avenues of thought. Isn't it logical that some of those that I cross may not be common paths to others? (And, vica verca). Hence definition #1.

Hats off to all my eccentric friends.

Lyrics | - WHERE IS IT WRITTEN? lyrics

my.conundrum

2008-08-20T22:58:00.017-07:00

I have a confession.

I spent the last 20 minutes talking to Someone, I've no idea who he is. I'm intrigued. He's in the Business School. We were in the same congregation. We met a year and a half ago, I wish I had caught
his name.

He knows I rarely answer my phone, and heard I'm contemplating study abroad in Jerusalem. He knows I like history and art, and says I'm exceptionally friendly. We used to talk. I know his laugh, and it's driving me crazy.

I hope he doesn't suspect my ignorance. I'll pray he doesn't read my blog. I'll try not to look surprised when he picks me up for the date I've just broken plans to make...

bad.car.day

2008-08-19T19:58:00.011-07:00

She was in the parking lot minding her own business when local tenants attacked.

Blood-red paint oozing down my poor baby's silver sheen. Happy Birthday, Cindy. We just wanted to let you know how much we cared. Enough to find and deface your car! Wait, that was your car, wasn't it? Cindy? Oh Cindy, I'm so glad we're such close friends.

"The Cuteness", as my younger brother and sister have deemed it, had a rough day today. Abject humiliation in the medium of sponge-paint markers just wasn't enough. After the hot sun had all morning to bake red paint onto her surface (yes, the Cuteness has gender now), the University Parking Police slapped a boot on her. You'd think a little leeway would be given when an automobile owner is about to buy a parking pass at their own apartment complex for said owner's new automobile, but, you'd be wrong.

When the unfortunate employees of this very enterprise returned to the scene of tragedy, my pathetic attempts to hop while wiping the back window were acutely humiliating. 5'1" girls with heels should not be required to scrub the back windows of a vehicle, compact or not. I'm just sayin'. Multiple apologies ensued, including hemming and hawing over whether they had booted my car on my birthday, about making me late to work, making me wait for over 30 minutes in the noon-day sun... I was nice to them, but I let them think it was my birthday. Is that wrong? It all just cracked me up.

Kudos, Cindy. Happy birthday.

new.effort

2008-08-19T12:49:00.007-07:00

Well, I'm actually going to type something and leave it in a note. I guess my recent efforts to be pseudo-social on the internet for lack of greater time blocks lately has driven me to a mock-blog that will be anything but complete; and certainly less than I expect from myself.

How's that for a run-on sentence?

I hate when records feel incomplete. In any case, I'm the sort to filter, filter, filter; unless asked questions directly. It must be the little corner of my mind that says "less is more - don't be force-feeding people information they don't want." SO regardless of whether anyone reads my comments, they're going to be on my little page, and make me feel warm and toasty.

Today's thought: Last night I was driving around for the sheer joy of driving, and saw a young father walking his baby at 12:30 a.m.. He looked absolutely exhausted, but it was kind of sweet. It made me think how different the lives of various students at my university. It made me happy to be where I am; and appreciative at the same time of others taking good care of their families. It made me happy to know that someone cared enough to soothe his infant away from his wife and sleeping masses of apartment-dwellers.

that is all.