"I don't want to play golf....

...When I hit a ball, I want somebody else to go chase it." -Rogers Hornsby

We went to a Dodgers game last weekend. And thanks to Sara's camera and blog, I have awesome photos to show you! Julia also posted some on facebook, which were pretty cute, so I borrowed those as well. (Thanks girls!) Unfortunately the baseball game was uneventful, but the movie we saw afterwards definitely made up for it! If you haven't seen Ironman yet, do it. Drop what you're doing and go buy a ticket. It's worth every penny.

Kami, Jessica, Sara, Vic

Vic, Sara, Jessica, Kelsey, Ruth Ann, Shaun, Heidi, Julia

Jessica & Heidi

Dodger's Stadium

View of Downtown LA from the parking lot

Lucy's Funeral

I'll spare you the tears by not going into detail about the services and viewing, but it couldn't have been more perfect. The stake center in Park City was filled to capacity with heavy hearts and plenty of tissues. The speakers were uplifting, spiritually-minded, and had wonderfully sweet stories to share with us about little Lucy's short life here on earth.

The Bishop asked all the firemen, policemen, paramedics, nurse's, flight crew, doctor's, and Relief Society sisters who had assisted that tragic Sunday afternoon to stand. It was pretty amazing. Next to stand were: family members, ward members, and those who had fasted and prayed for them. At this point, everyone was standing.

I really hope that in that moment, Molly and Vic took note of the hundreds (literally) of people who were standing there--each filled with love and support for their little family. I'm sure that in the days, months, and years to come, life is going to be terribly difficult. Even with the knowledge that they will be reunited with Lucy again–doesn't necessarily take away how painful the process of living daily life will be, I can't imagine. Countless have prayed, fasted, and served on their behalf. I still have a hard time not crying while reading through the comments that friends, family, and complete strangers have left Molly and Vic on their blog. I honestly believe that a part of me will never be the same. The outpouring of love and support is unprecedented.

After the funeral services ended, the congregation was asked to meet the family members outside of the chapel. We were greeted with about 200 or so pink balloons. Molly and Vic released their two balloons first, and the rest of us followed. The sight was spectacular. Of course this was all beautifully symbolic, but I couldn't help but think how excited Lucy must have been to see all those pretty pink balloons floating up to the heavens. She must have been dancing and jumping!

One of Molly's friends took this photo. This was just the beginning.

Courtney's Wedding, Part One

Salt Lake City Temple




Dad & Courtney


BBQ Luncheon


Courtney, Sara, Kami, Jessica @ BBQ luncheon after the sealing

Reception Photos
Hot Grandma & Sister @ the wedding reception
Even though I caught the bouquet, take note that my grandmother was the most excited about the bouquet toss!

Update on Lucy

Unfortunately little Lucy passed away yesterday. I couldn't help but cry when I found out. She was such a doll. I can't even imagine how her parents feel right now. I'm so thankful for the knowledge of eternal families. Through the blessings of the Atonement, Vic and Molly will see her again.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a fund at Chase Bank in Salt Lake City to help offset costs. A small group of old friends here in Los Angeles will be gathering money to make one large donation. Please let me know if you'd like to help.

The obituary can be found on Molly and Vic's blog.

"Got an Ex? Get an Ex!"

During one of my recent Internet browsings, I happened upon this great little item and had to share. This was taken directly from the Overstock.com website:

Though frowned upon by many, stabbing your ex can really give you some closure, although it's often the kind of closure that leaves you closed for thirty to life.

'The Ex' knife set is the perfect solution to all your morbid fantasies. The razor sharp precision cutting blades slice easily through all types of foods. This set makes a great gift for any occasion and it's also considerably cheaper than therapy.

* 'The Ex' stands 15.5 inches tall
* Anonymous effigy design can represent anyone you please
* Plastic casings house every knife to prevent blade exposure
* Unique artistic holder made of ABS plastic
* Innovative knife suspension system
* Individual protective knife sleeves
* Heavy gauge durable stainless steel blades and hollow handles
* Razor sharp precision cutting blades

Although I don't actually need one of these, maybe I'll buy a couple for my friends. Heaven knows they could use one of these! But then again... would I be considered accessory to murder? Maybe I should wait.

A whirlwind week...

All within the past week: I moved to another apartment in Los Angeles, my sister got married, and I graduated from California State University Northridge. I didn't think this week could get any crazier until I got a phone call around 11:45pm last night.

An old roommate and good friend of mine has a little girl in a coma as I write this. She chocked on an apple Sunday afternoon and was air-lifted to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. The prognosis to this point is pretty grim. Please keep little Lucy and her parents, Molly and Vic, in your prayers.


More details about happier life events to come as soon as my life slows down a bit!

Steamy Friday Nights

This is what a little rootbeer, vanilla ice cream and hot, sexy aprons will do to two single girls on a Friday night in Los Angeles. Oh yeah... it's a wonder we're still single! And you didn't think I was going to blog again today? You were wrong.

Just a few more things...

I promise, this is my last post for the day. Here are some more photos (thanks SC) from the goings-on around town. :)

SUPERBOWL 2008

Chris's Hockey Game: Jimbotron, Cheryl, Jeffrey, me, Chris, Sara, and Justin (aka-Scott)

Chris's going away dinner @ El Torito. I can testify that Sara definitely earned her reward, don't let her fool you.

Sara looking gorgeous in India. Come home!!!

Ha Ha

An email from my dad last month:

Subject: "An Unexpected Peep Show"
Body: "HAPPY EASTER! Love, Dad"

"My name is... and I'm a Blogaholic"

I am suffering from Blogitis. This could be due to an excessive lack of blogging lately, the extraordinary amount of down-time I'm having at work the past two days, or the Adderall finally kicking in. ;) Either way, here's another little update on recent adventures and events in my life.

Phil was one of the first guys I met when I moved to LA in 2002. In fact, I remember meeting him after his Sunday School lesson one Sunday in 2001 while I was visiting the UCLA ward. Jill moved in a little later and the two eventually became inseparable. There was rarely a day that went by where I didn't see her car parked outside of his apartment, just across the street from mine; it secretly made me happy.

After a surprise engagement at Griffith Observatory, an upheaval to SLC during Christmas, and taking the BAR exam soon thereafter, they finally got married last month at the LDS Los Angeles Temple! Their reception was held at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Course. It sat on a cliff overlooking the ocean... it couldn't have been more beautiful. Minus the gail-force winds that day, it was perfect.

I was lucky enough to see them for dinner the next night before leaving for their minimoon. They introduced me to the world's best hamburger joint in Santa Monica called "The Stand". I'll forever be grateful! Love you guys and congratulations again!

Here are some photos I stole from Erin and Adam... thanks guys! :)

Phil & Jill at the LA Temple

Adam & Erin and Mark & Kirsten (3 days before Britton was born... poor girl)

Sparklers: the modern version of rice-throwing

Feeling Down?

Get over yourself and join me in a little service adventure at a Special Ed School!

Comcast Cares Day 2008
Saturday, May 3rd
8:00am - 1:00pm

Comcast Entertainment Group (my office) has chosen to volunteer at the C. Morley Sellery Special Education Center. This is a public elementary school for developmentally and physically challenged children in need of special education.

This school really needs help. We can make a huge difference for their students by brightening the halls of the school by painting fun and instructional murals, as well as landscaping and planting gardens.

Comcast Cares Day is a single day of service when Comcast employees, their families and friends volunteer for projects in their community. On this one day, it is anticipated that more than 300,000 volunteer hours will be contributed nationwide. This project will be fun and fulfilling... and you may even get a free t-shirt out of it. I know you can't resist!

So who's in?! Any takers? Let's be honest... when was the last time you actually planned a morning to do a little community service?

Warning: Rated R

Ok, so I came across a video on YouTube that cracked me up. I seriously can't control my laughter. Too bad this wouldn't ever make it on the show "Kids Say the Darnedest Things".

Warning: this may be offensive to some, but it's totally innocent, I promise!
Click here to watch.

An Ode.

EvRo once wrote an ode about me and now I'm passing the torch to a recent birthday girl. I love birthdays (aka-going out to dinner with friends). This particular night started off at Woodranch BBQ and ended with yumminess at my house. Thank goodness Cheryl was born so we could have a reason to celebrate!

Other reasons I like Cheryl:
-she gave me a sewing machine
-she taught me how to knit
-she recruited me for my current job
-she gave my sister a bed
-she makes yummy cookies
-she refinishes her own furniture
-we laugh about past ward council meetings together
-she was in a rock band in high school
-she grew up in the town that my brother is serving his mission in right now
-she's my neighbor (and doesn't try to light my house on fire)
-she's done the seemingly impossible... she's beginning to tame the Jimbotron
-she's freakin' hot... what else can I say?!

Tortilla chip posing as Chris & Jessica

Lanara & Christian

Cheryl & Jimbotron

Courtney & Jeff

Dane & Jessica

Maggie, Kristen & Kim

Emily & Julia

Update Time!

Q: "Did you fall of the face of the Earth?"
A: Yes, but hopefully I'm back for a while.

Where to begin... goodness.

Wedding stuff Courtney and I finally finished designing, proofing, printing, cutting, assembling, labeling, and sending over 600 invitations to her upcoming wedding. They turned out perfect for her. I estimated that I made over 6400 slices with the paper cutter just for her registry cards. Add to that the vellum overlay, announcement, temple ceremony invite, luncheon invite, direction cards, and tiny thank you tags for reception favors and you can imagine how long it took us to just cut them out! Next time remind me to hire someone. Well, let's hope there's not a next time!

Kami and Jenny and I threw Courtney's bridal shower this past weekend. A couple days before the anticipated event I received an email from my mom. She was kindly reminding me to keep things on the clean side. She continued, "Don't you dare and say 'Oh my gosh mom!' Did I catch you with those words in your mouth? Have fun and I wish I could be there. Love, Mom." Mothers definitely know their daughters! She caught me. I'm proud to report we kept things as clean as possible... as clean as Kami and I could be after spending well over $100 at a certain fun store. ;) 29 days and counting until the big day! Congrats!


Apartment stuff
Speaking of roommates, last night the 4 of us had a "Going Away Dinner" at PF Chang's in Santa Monica. Courtney will be moving out next week, Kami is officially closing on a condo, Jenny is on the hunt for a new roommates, and I'm moving a couple blocks away to live with Sara and TBD roommates. I never thought this day would come so soon, it's very sad but exciting at the same time. They say change is good, right?

If anyone out there has a heart and a little time, we'd LOVE your help moving furniture on Saturday, May 24th. (Jim, I promise that my Red Couch of Love will be easier to move this time—and that it won't eat your foot!)

Let's pray I have better luck with homeless men and arson at my new residence.


Creative Stuff
Courtney and I celebrated Easter with a class at CAFAM. We learned how to make Pysanky--Ukrainian Easter Eggs. My mother used to make these when I was young and the class caught my attention after walking past the museum on my way to work. It was super fun and a lot easier than I remember it being. If anyone is interested in learning, I'd love to show you how to do it. I bought a book with hundreds of designs and all the supplies to make dozens of eggs.
They're made with a batik method. You place beeswax on the egg with a little tool, called a Derlin, where you'd like to preserve that color, then dye the egg in the next color and repeat the waxing process. After doing this multiple times, you carefully melt all the wax off the egg and it leaves beautiful, brightly colored designs.

Here's an example of a traditional 8-pointed red star.















Work Stuff
Even though I'm averaging 60 hrs/week at work, I'm still loving my new job. A couple weeks ago I finished up a huge campaign for the Style Network-- Season 2 of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane. I made mall posters, billboards, bus kiosk posters, ads, online banners and wallpapers, and a double-decker bus-wrap. The Photoshop file that was used for all of this artwork was gigantic, to say the least. Let's just say there were over 250 layers in this one document (and I still know every single one by name). ALL HAIL THE PRINCESS!Did anyone see this is People magazine this week?!

We just finished up the entire campaign for The Soup too. If you've ever seen this show, you know how hilariously sarcastic Joel McHale is when it comes to "The Industry" (entertainment industry for those not living in Los Angeles). These ads are ridiculously funny. I couldn't help but laugh when I was preparing them for print. I think the Bimbos billboard is my favorite of the series. There are a bunch of them, but here's a couple so you can see what I'm talking about.







I'm sure I can come up with a couple more things to blog about today... check back soon for another update on my crazy life!