Things I learned from my first grand opening campout (IKEA)

1. You can make friends with anyone in a queue on a long, dark, cold night-- especially if your friend brings her laptop and episodes of "the office."

2. One of those people may have no idea what IKEA is but will camp out just because they heard about it on the news and had nothing better to do.

3. You will be surprised how many people you actually know will spend the night in anticipation for it.

4. Wal-mart sells a lot of tents the night before to people who realize that a few blankets ain't gunna hack it.

5. There is such thing as a tent who's only supports are the stakes in the ground and a hiking stick that props it up a middle

6. Such a tent is not designed for use on asphalt, but can be made to work with a bit of creativity

7. Never underestimate the importance of a large black tablecloth when camping in a brightly lit parking lot.

8. More people snore than you would think.

9. Asphalt is actually quite comfortable with a few layers of blankets below you.

10. Camping out for a grand opening is like a road trip. Often ridiculously pointless, but quite the bonding experience.

11. The morning news obviously has nothing better to report on (much like people have nothing better than to take work off for a store's grand opening.

12. You should expect pointless 10 minute speeches from each the mayer, the congressman, and the US head of IKEA. None of them will be interesting in the least. The mayer will, inexplicably, devote part of his speech to the topic of CORN... as in the vegetable.

13. The swedes cut logs, not ribbons.

14. Utah Housewives who have never seen IKEA before need to be restrained. I have never seen so many people rack up thousands of dollars of impulse buys in my life.

15. It is dangerous to overzealously cheer along with the designated IKEA spirt team. You may find yourself in the Salt lake tribune Online (possibly print?). For further explanation, see #11... and the featured photo.

Ohhh and my favorite part was when I saw some one from church who always comes across as nice, and I decided not to be shy and to say hello... to which they were completely rude. Ya... like I'm going to go to your enrichment tonight.

Things I miss about California- 1

Kangaroo rats

How cool are they. I remember playing with them- rather tame creatures- in Clinton Hinebaugh's front yard (down the street).

Semi-anual quote of the day

"A man without his motercycle is like a woman without icecream."
~Nathanial Clark~

Surrogate husbands, and such

You know that seen in the Cheeper by the Dozen where the mom has the bed all to herself and can't sleep, so she asks room service to send up 12 pillows? Well, that's how I feel right now--only I couldn't find that many pillows.

The Brett.

Brett flew to California (well, the plane flew... no mocking me) Thursday, and took his DGA test this morning (directors guild association producer training program ). They called him this evening and asked him to interview on monday. After that we just have to wait for a call on June 1st to tell us if he is starting in August. I am sore excited.

The origin of (wo)man

I should have known better

I am one of those people who always sings along with the radio. It's a long standing tradition with me. I get into it and rather enjoy my self. Brett on the other hand RARELY ever sings along, and if he starts to it is always quiet and he stops the moment he realizes you noticed. I never really understood this mentality... I mean, who cares? I know I'm not a great singer- that is why i would never sing a solo- so I often wonder why are some people so self conscious?

I think I just figured it out.

When one sings along to a song, the original music helps hide the flaws... but when you wear headphones, you are the only one who reaps the benefits of the backup music. Every one else? Well, they just hear you, and by you I mean me- and I sing with my headphones on a lot... sometimes in public.

You know how when you hear your voice recorded you insist that your voice sounds funny/different, but everyone else says, "no, that's what you sound like when you talk" and you say "wow, I sound like a valley girl." or "is my voice really that manly?" Well, Brett is out of town, and I am bored, so I decided to play around with all the fun computer software... eventually ending in me recording my voice while I was listening to headphones... because I was curious, and I'm sure you know what they say about curiousity.

So just one question to those of you who know me... Am I tone deaf?

I don't want to share my blood with the mosquitos.

so, I have made the following pro-con list.

1. Stop Eating Sugar:
PRO if they do get my blood, they would get hyper off of it.
CON I'd have to be capable of quitting sugar and think that might require expensive therapy.

2. Only step outside between an hour after dawn and an hour before dusk
PRO- I don't ever think I've gotten a mosquito bite in broad daylight.
CON- But I actually started running semi-regularly for the first time EVER and it's either hot or raining during the day

3. purchase bug spray
PRO- it seems to cut down on bites.
CON- it tastes bad and I can never seem to remember to wash my hands before i eat (Yes, I do wash them when I leave the restroom.

4. Become a fish and live under water for the rest of my life.
PRO- I love water
CON- I don't have gills, and I don't like pruney toes.

5. Cary a sword with me everywhere I go
PRO- I'd look pretty cool
CON- I'd probably hurt myself more than the mosquitos.

6. Rub basil and lemon grass on me.
PRO- I'd give everyone something to talk about
CON- That would be a lot of fresh herbs to go through, and who knows if it would actually work

7. Carry a lit citronella candle with me.
PRO- I'll be ready for any last minute candle light vigils.
CON- um, I'm sure youl='ll think of something.

8. Eat a teaspoon of garlic a day
PRO- Garlic is nummy and will double as an un-dead repellent.
CON- I'd smell like garlic.

So far I'm betting on # 7. let me know if you have any good ideas.