inSECURITY

I wrote about attending a movie screening for Monsters University a bit ago, but I didn't tell the story of the night. I had a friend who was going to be in town from SLC for the night so I kindly invited him to go to the show with me the day before. The morning of the screening, I texted to see if he was for sure going and he replied with yes and asked if he should pick me up or meet me at the theater at 7pm. We didn't make definite plans. Around 6pm, I headed out to run a few errands and texted I would meet him there. I received no response. I texted again and around 6:40pm, I phoned. Still no answer. I had both tickets and 3D glasses in my hand already. The movie was starting soon and I couldn't think of anyone who could make it to the theater on such short notice.

This might not be such a big deal to some, but I've never been to the theater to watch a movie by myself before this night. I felt a little anxious. I didn't think I could find ONE theater patron standing in the ticket line who wanted a free ticket to see Monsters U with me. I thought about going home. Then I told myself the theater would be full of little kids and parents and I'd be fine. Silly? Maybe. 

I'm a big girl...a confident woman. You know, the "Miss Independent" Ne-Yo sang about. I've done a lot of things by myself. For heavens sake, I've traveled to foreign countries where I didn't speak the language alone, gone to wedding receptions without a date, even eaten at a restaurant alone when on business trips, etc. And I didn't think twice about any of those activities, but for some reason going to see a movie at a theater by myself really made me nervous.

Everybody needs moments of silence, of meditation, and of being alone, but this was not the appropriate time for me. Don't worry....I survived the night. 

Being alone actually gave me time to think and to remember I'M NOT PERFECT.

Nothing was wrong with me that night. My insecurity can be a sign of strength instead of weakness. Let's not be so hard on ourselves. Laugh it off, love it, learn from it, and keep moving on. Just don't make me go to the movie theater alone again, please?

THE LONE RANGER

I had the opportunity to attend a special screening of the The Lone Ranger tonight with my friend Patrice. Was I super excited to see this movie? Not really. But did I really enjoy it? YES! It's pretty funny....a must see! Hi Yo, Silver!

YouTube: http://youtu.be/kPJl_5VnX2o

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Visit THE LONE RANGER website

THE LONE RANGER rides into theaters on July 3rd!

Zombie Chase

A 5k adventure race with zombies, obstacles, and a full moon in a real ghost town? COUNT. ME. IN. The Zombie Chase 5k was held in Eureka, UT, this year. 

Volunteering to be a zombie for the race was a great idea...

Volunteering to be a zombie at the end of the race where the zombies grab paintball guns and shoot you  for 3 hours was NOT such a great idea.

 It started out fun and we walked around getting shot walking like zombies. As the temperature dropped, the practice paintballs (which don't break as easily and those are the shots that hurt most) seemed to be flying faster and harder and we zombies were RUNNING from haystack to haystack to avoid getting hit.

 It was 1 AM when I got home and showered, but I'm pretty sure I counted 40+ welts on my body, 3 bruised fingers, 2 swollen wrists, and a goose egg on the top of my head.

Was it worth it? I dunno. But the race was super fun. Go here to find out more about it and be sure to sign up next year as either a zombie or runner...or maybe even a zombie runner.

BEES BASEBALL

My pal, Skippy and Isis hooked me up with tickets to a Salt Lake Bees baseball game tonight at Spring Mobile Ballpark in SLC.

We met Takeru Kobayashi who holds the Guinness World Record for eating hotdogs, they handed out collectible team garden gnomes, and the team had a sweet victory over Sacramento 5-2.

Bees, gnomes, baseball, hotdogs, and Isis...oh my!

Last Summer On Earth Tour

I scored free tickets to the Last Summer on Earth Tour from Rewind 100.7 fm radio station tonight. Here's how it went:

Guster opened the show. Since the concert was outside and started at 7pm, they battled the blaze of the sun on Usnas’s west-facing stage. The lead singer mentioned he wasn't prepared for the brightness and people from the crowd gladly donated floppy hats and sunglasses to the band members. 

Guster had a a fun, carefree performance of 11 songs and sometimes their drummer played with just his hands.

I was most excited that Ben Folds Five were playing together again at this show. However, their performance was just ok. 

They played 11 songs without much time to talk in between (some of the bands old songs and new songs and a couple of Ben's solo stuff):

1. One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces 

2. Selfless, Cold and Composed 

3. Erase Me 

4. Sky High

5. Landed 

6. Draw A Crowd 

7. Brick 

8. Do It Anyway 

9. Underground 

10. Song for the Dumped

11. Army

Barenaked Ladies headlined the show. The banter between the lead singer and the other guy who left the band just wasn't there. They tried...but it just did't quite work. The best part of the show was a little rap routine toward the end of the show. I found this on Youtube from another fine concertgoer.

3 MO FOLLOW-UP

For those of ya'll who might be wondering...

Today was Day-Z's 3 month follow-up appointment after her eye surgery. The doctor said her eye is looking great! That's it. Yeah the appointment lasted like a total of 1 minute.

To celebrate Day-Z's awesome status, I hung a canvas print I received from PrintFirm.

Isn't it super magical?! It's a 24x24 wrapped canvas. The quality is fantastic (full color and high quality offset printing) and the website is very user friendly (their Design-It-Online tool is incredibly easy to work with).  Add great service and fast turnaround and you will be very impressed with the entire process and company. PrintFirm not only does canvas prints, you can also have them help with your printing needs for magnets, DVD covers, flyers, calendars, business cards, menus, brochures, and so much more. 

Check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrintFirm

#MonstersU

Looks like I'm going back to school...at Monsters University.

I was lucky to score tickets to an early Monsters University screaming...I mean screening. The theater was full of giggly children that made the show just a little bit funnier.  Get excited because #MonstersU releases in theaters on June 21st!

PS This movie gave me a great idea for a Halloween costume for Day-Z. Green spray paint with an MU hat and she can be Mike Wazowski, no?!

Like MONSTERS UNIVERSITY on Facebook:http://facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity

Follow Disney/Pixar on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DisneyPixar

Visit the website: http://www.Disney.com/MonstersU

FATHER'S DAY

My dad likes to eat sandwiches, drink Diet Coke, play computer games, watch tv, make awkward comments, and help his children out WHENEVER and WHEREVER they need him. I suppose that can be stressful. So that's why I think the best Father's Day present for him would be the Ozeri CardioTech Premium Series BP3T Digital Arm Blood Pressure Monitor. CardioTech products by Ozeri offer clinically proven technology and are compact, portable, and simple to use. The product ships with 4 AAA batteries (included), a medium sized arm cuff (8.7"-14.2"/ 22-36cm), a carrying bag, and user manual and is backed by a 5 year warranty. This product can be purchased from Amazon at this link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C2EABVA.

It's easy to use and might help him keep up with his blood pressure levels due to his children and grandchildren. Love ya, Dad.

**Don't worry...I also picked up some delicious prickly pear BBQ sauce from Mesa Verde National Park for him when I was there last weekend.**

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

HANDCUFFED

I came outside to find my dog being handcuffed

by a neighbor kid dressed in a police officer uniform.

He told me he was going to radio the station for help.

Busted!

The MESA was VERDE

When I go to book stores, I like to look in the travel section. In most books with "50 places you need to visit in your lifetime," Mesa Verde National Park is listed. I've never been there. So I decided to change that and went for a weekend of adventure with my best bud Brandon.

On the way, we stopped to climb Wilson's Arch. BONUS.

The park is very family/not hardcore camper friendly. There are several visitor centers, gift shops, restrooms (tons - before EVERY trail), free showers, camping spots with your own picnic bench and fire pit, and a general store.

Broken tent poles couldn't stop us!

 You can choose long hikes, short walks, or driving loops. 

There are several good look out spots.

 You'll most likely see plenty of wildlife

(including these creepy, fuzzy, ginormous ants)

and prickly pear (yes, I was singing the Bear Necessities song as I hiked)

 I'd highly recommend taking the guided tours in the park. They are about 1 hour and only cost $3 per person. 

 I'd take the guided tours in this order: Balcony House, Cliff Palace, then Long House.

(in order of size and excitement of being able to walk around the sites)

 You'll see plenty of kivas.

 pit houses

and maybe a few petroglyphs.

 You'll receive plenty of warnings that hikes can be strenuous, but don't let them scare you...

...if you can walk up a tiny hill and climb a ladder, you'll be fine. Don't be afraid.

 The sites are totally worth the trek (notice how close the car is in the background at this stop)

If you get a chance and are tired of eating granola bars and fruit leather, try the southwestern lasagna in the Far View Terrace Cafe. Or you can find your Navajo Taco zen place some other way.

Take time to enjoy the view.