Shirley Temple

here's a commercial on these days that use Shirley Temple's song "Early Bird." So I've been thinking about Shirley Temple.

Now, I've never been a huge Shirley Temple fan. Like, ever. I've always thought she was overrated, completley, and nigh unto irritating.

So, having avoided all things Shirley Temple for the last few years of my life because of my Shirley Temple aversion, I decided to give in and YouTube her. I found the following video, and I actually think it's gorgeous.


Now, I don't think this movie did well, and as far as I know, I don't think Shirley Temple's career was great after her childhood, but I think the trailer is so romantic! Isn't it? Don't you just want to run through that big house in a puffy white dress singing "ah ah ah ah!!" Like Shirley?

I still don't like her as a kid - but I"ll give her one thing, that this trailer is pretty pretty :)

I love This

I love Jessica Peterson. Last year, she took my bridal pictures and now she's working on a project about "Charlie the Horse."

I'm obsessed with it.

See it here.

I have a new blog

It's about the house.

Which house?

This house: http://thebeanhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome.html

That we moved into two weeks ago.

There, I plan to write all about the projects and updates and fun, wonderful things we do to said "house."

Hope you'll follow along with me for the journey!

Genius for Many Reasons

My daily planner is full of "inspirational quotes" which I tend to take with a grain of salt. This is usually because the "quote" is something to the effect of "Children are life's love" or something weird like that.

Oh here's one I just found: "The world always looks brighter from behind a smile."

Not bad, mind you. They're typically very true. But they're not usually moving in any particular way.

Today I looked at my planner and noticed the following quote at the top of the page:

"Our task must be to free ourselves...by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." -Albert Einstein

Admittedly, much of what Albert Einstein said in his day goes so over my head that I can't even feel good about using the phrase "right over my head" because it is SO much farther over my head than just "right" over it.

But this? I can relate to. It's something that is so true but I hadn't quite thought about it in that way. Widening our circle of compassion, embracing all living creatures and the whole of nature is what frees us.

Essentially, we become free through compassion and gratitude.

I say - Good one, daily planner. This week's quote was definitely a winner.

Best Dream Ever

The other night I had the most amazing dream.

The dream was not so much plot-based, as my dreams usually are. It felt more like a series of personal memories.

And in these memories I was Paul McCartney's best friend. Honest to goodness! Just his best friend and confidant. Nothing more, nothing less. It was delightful, truly.

The first memory I had in my dream was of riding in a car with the Beatles on their way to a show. I was sitting next to Paul and George, both of whom held onto one of my hands for moral support before getting out of the car to face a crowd of screaming fans. I assured them they'd be great and had nothing worry about, that I'd be eagerly waiting for them after their show.

The next memory was similar - only we were riding on a train. And it was nighttime. Everyone was going to sleep but Paul and I stayed up chatting, as friends do. But eventually I helped him fall asleep.

Another memory was riding in a plane. I was playing cards with Paul before their first time visit to America.  Everyone was so excited!

I suppose I stopped touring with the group, because the later memories consisted of writing letters back and forth for a lifetime. I remember reading bits about the Beatles' trip to India, receiving and invitation to Paul's wedding, the announcement of his daughter, and a letter about the irony of the song "When I'm Sixty Four," on Paul's 64th birthday.

The last memory in my dream was Paul and I reconnecting as old folks. But we were so happy to see each other.

The best part about the dream, beyond these memories, was the neat feeling of being SO proud of my friends. Only my friends were THE BEATLES. No big deal. But it was not a crazy-fan-obsessive dream at ALL. It was just a calm, pleased, I'm-so-proud-of-you-and-so-glad-to-have-been-there dream.

I woke up from this dream SO happy.

And I have since concluded that we are kindred spirits and were most definitely besties in the pre-earth life. No WONDER I like the Beatles so much.

Tuesday

Was a much better day.

First, I must express my come-to-Jesus moment about my job. I was frustrated, yesterday, I'll admit. And when I posted I suppose I wasn't in my most right mind. I think I was caught up in the *joy* of coming to work first thing in the morning, to find endless papers and many, many pieces of the metaphorical puzzle that need putting-together, some of which I had already put together, some of which still remained, and some of which were new. My job is stressful, I won't deny that. But I think I need to stop and be grateful that I have a job and that I have bosses that are a) neat people and b) detail oriented. It sets a good example. It's not the end of the world. And I'm sorry if I frightened anyone with my frustrated-natured post.

But ANYWAY.

In more happy news, I signed up for a VOICE OVER CLASS. 

Yes.

A VOICE OVER CLASS!

A two hour block of JOY where we learn about radio, tv and animated feature VOICE OVERS. We talked about the 5 main things to consider - placement, gate, dialect, attitude and pitch. We briefly covered pace, texture and rhythm. IS THIS NOT THE BEST CLASS FOR ME?!  Like - EVER?! Seeing as I've done voices my whole live (Bonny, Sprout, Svetlana, The Ghost of Christmas Future, etc. etc. what have you) I'm in heaven with it and I can't wait to continue.

Also, I bought this book:

I'm SO looking forward to reading it. You have no idea. From what I've read so far, it's relatable, understandable, and totally mind-blowing. I'm a big dog person in a big, big way.

Also, Spencer and I are probably going to hopefully maybe look at buying this house:

It looks (and probably is) "just a house." It's not too amazing, or unique. But it's a great house with some great features. And it has a rentable apartment. And it's got its own laundry. And no bass-pumping upstairs neighbors. And covered parking. And a yard with fruit trees. And two bedrooms. And a linen closet. And a dishwasher. And a garbage disposal. I'm still trying to psyche myself out about the commute which will change from 5 minutes to about 15... But it looking out to be a pretty wonderful prospect.

Tuesday, everybody. 

Tuesday.

Monday

Today has been the day of parking and pantyhose.

I got to work relatively on time. I would have been more on time had it not been for the hellacious state of BYU parking.

I walked from my distant lot to the Oliver House and it was snowing. The snow was really just slivers of ice, and they glistened like pieces of silver glitter. It made me think of the confetti that fell from the ceiling during the finales of my childhood dance recitals.

I got going at work and found all the projects I've been working on to be tampered with.  I work with one other person and we do the same job. But our bosses can be very, very, very, very impatient.  If I'm not there to do something on my project, they ask co-worker to do it for me. It feels like I'm being violated every time.  First it makes me feel vulnerable, thinking "Do they not like my work?" "Do they not trust that I'm still working on this project?" "Do they think I won't finish it?" Then it makes me angry. I think "Well if they were around more, I could ask them the questions I need to get these things done sooner!" and "It's not my fault I'm here at 8:00, ready to go, and no one else is!!" or "Why should my credibility suffer when it's not my choice that the bosses don't really hunker down to check out my projects 'till the afternoon shift!!"

Sigh.

I had a meeting with an artistic director today. I made the mistake of driving to the south of campus to meet with him. Good thing co-worker came along, so he could go start the meeting and I could spend 30 minutes hovering by the 15-minute parking spaces only to have them NEVER open up. The dumb BYU parking guys even drove by twice, and failed to catch the illegal actions of the white mini-van and blue truck that remained in 15-minute parking for over 30 minutes. 

Injustice.

Luckily, my two classes I had today were great. Unfortunately, though, I learned that my piano skills are rusty. And it didn't help that with everywhere I walked or sat today, my nylons kept scooting down my legs. So uncomfortable, those. Now I remember why I wear thick, sock-like, stretchy tights most skirt days. 

But now I am home. I am home and I'm in jeans and I have checked my emails. I have purchased school supplies. I have had some peppermint ice cream. And I most certainly NOT gearing up for a rehearsal, at which I would feel more of the same above-mentioned frustration and resentment. 

No sir. 

And I couldn't be happier about it.