San Francisco – Day 1

We didn’t roll into San Francisco until about 5:00pm but as we crossed the Oakland and San Francisco Bay Bridges I started to get mesmerized by the city lights. Then I quickly refocused, since I was driving, and asked my mom to snap a couple pics as we came across the bridge.

We grabbed devoured some fabulous seafood at a restaurant near our hotel and walked ("hobbled" actually might better describe the motion we were making) down to the Fisherman’s Wharf area to check out the wicked nightlife.

We came across a warehouse right on the water at the wharf that had a sign out front titled “Musee Mecanique” and it offered free admission. My dad started wandering toward it and I started to get really creeped out. It looked really sketchy.

But it turned out to be not-so-sketchy after all, it was an antique coin operated arcade.

A what?

Let me explain… kinda.

Basically, someone (or someones) had collected and maintained over the years a bunch of old, coin-operated machines. One of the first ones I came to was this:

And just to better explain, here’s a short video of them in action:

I also decided to try out this machine, although I was a little nervous (maybe it's better not to know!):

But this is what I landed on:

Whew! That’s good, right? Well, not GREAT, and not true by any means, right? Right?!? But it's better than what Sister got:

Uh-oh, why the sad face?

“No Pep”! Poor sister, at least she’s married already!

Here are a couple more of the hundreds that are in there.

This one was less than exciting, 3 buffalo “eating” an Indian (on the ground between them... it was kinda a lame one). And no, that’s not the music that the buffalo machine is making, although I think it makes it more funny. That music is from the machine behind me that played 10 different instruments (like a player piano but a player band, very cool)!

There were multiple machines that had many things going on at once. The next 2 videos were from the same machine (same town).

Then there was Laughing Sal.

I guess the old girl's quite famous around there.

When you put $.50 in her she laughs. And it’s quite funny. And it made me laugh. I just couldn’t help it. You know, like when you laugh at someone not because you know what they’re laughing at but because their laugh is funny. I guess you’re laughing at them, not with them. Anyways, that’s what it was like.

My favorite, and the scariest, was La Bocca Della Verita (The Mouth of Truth).

(That's not the actual one I saw but I didn't get a picture of it so I stole this off the internet so you could kinda get an idea of what it looked like.)

I stuck my hand inside its mouth and it read my palm and printed this out:

I don't know what the top and bottom parts mean. It looks, according to the graph on the bottow, like sex is gonna be great!

Here's what the main part says:

You have a strond constitution and can work hard.
You often think too much and don't reach conclusions in time.
You know hot to lose yourself in the joys of spirituality.
From him who has been given most will be demanded because of what this help enables him to do...don't be afraid to risk!
Even in old age you will continue to be successful and happy thanks to love and affection.
You will make a lot of changes affecting work, and where and how you live.

Interesting, huh? I'd like to argue the second point, though, about not reaching conclusions in time. It is true that I think too much but I've thought about it and I think I do usually reach conclusions in time... usually... maybe not all the time... I don't know, I can't come to a conclusion!

Anyways, that was it for day one. Sorry to just throw up a bunch of pictures/videos but I figure I need to hurry and get everything posted before Christmas. I hope it makes sense, or, well, at least as much sense as anything I say or do makes!

Monterey... again!

I lied,... and you can’t fire me because I’m not getting paid to do this. (And don’t you be thinking, “That’s obvious!”)

Before I move on to San Fran I need to post a couple pictures from the rest of Monterey! After the Aquarium I had dinner on one of the piers at a steak and seafood place. I was going to go for just some seafood, cuz that town definitely puts you in the mood for seafood, but then I realized I still had all weekend in San Fran with the family (who all love seafood, except Vita, cuz he's allergic to most of it) so I decided to go light on the seafood.

I decided to go with a cup of clam chowder and a small steak. I don’t remember the name of the place but they were right by the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and they had a heated patio upon which I sat. Not the greatest picture but here’s my food, and the view:
The next morning I went to the main wharf in Monterey and had some more clam chowder before heading up to San Francisco to pick up the family. I wish I’d had more time to spend there and it started pouring at the end of my visit so I ran back to the car but it was the most charming pier I think I’ve ever been on.
I definitely plan to go back to Monterey someday, there was so much more I didn’t see!

Someone is apparently not very good at keeping secrets...

Assuming the anticipation didn't kill you, your patient waiting has paid off. It's now time for pictures from my adventures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!!!

(Sidenote: Evan, please don't be disappointed at my lack of technical terminology and... well, my lack of any real knowledge at all about what it is I'm showing pictures of. I go to the aquarium to look at the pretty fish. Please forgive me for not reading all the wall signs thoroughly.)

On my 5-minute walk to the aquarium I passed this advertisement:

...and it made me wonder if the majority of the seahorses are now shunning the 1 (maybe 2) who told the secret.

Poor seahorse(s).

Anyways, on to the fun stuff.

Nothing much to say about these...

... I just like them.

These, though...

...freak me out and I think there should've been a warning sign to prepare you for what's around the corner. I could've had a heart attack. In case you're wondering what they are, well, that I can tell you, kinda. Based on what I remember when I was there, they're dinosaur fish. If I zoom in on the picture, though, I find out that one is a Lingcod, and I didn't get in the photo what the other one is. (I apologize for the fact that you must suffer with me in my lack of knowledge or caring in finding out what the other fish was called!) But let's just make one thing clear (this is for you, Sister)... these are "former fishes", as in they no longer exist on earth. It's still only the sharks you have to worry about in the ocean (and maybe a few other things).

Moving on... I love tropical fishes. I saw lots of them when I was snorkeling in southeast asia a few years ago. Amazing colors!

Found!!! (Again, yes, I'm recycling jokes. I have to, I'm not actually that funny. What do you mean you don't know what I'm talking about?)

This:
...is amazing, no? It's a Sea Dragon (see, Evan, I did read some of the signs) and I think it's absolutely amazing. To me it looks like a sea horse in a Cirque de Soleil costume.

And who doesn't love penguins?
The tuxedo look really suits them. (Get it? Suits... tuxedo....... Why am I hearing crickets chirping?!)

And these are gorgeous...
...whatever they are! ("Ooooh, pretty!"... That's what I said right before I took the picture and walked away!)


Next I came upon the mystical and magical (that's as technical as I get around here) jellyfishes.
Lovely!!
Mesmerizing!!They make me feel peaceful!

Sadly, the exhibit I was most looking forward to (the sea otters) was closed for renovations. :( I cried a bit, picked myself up, and moved on, though.

In closing, (wait, this is starting to sound like a sacrament meeting talk) I'd like to show you a video I took of the seahorses. (Just ignore the shrimp that moves into the frame, he's just jealous he's not the star!) And look for the 2 sea horses who get their tails tangled right toward the end of the video.

Okay, and now, I debated whether or not to show this video. It's actually a video of a video of a seahorse giving birth. The male seahorses are the ones who give birth. To me, it just looks like he's convulsing! I only caught part of it right at the beginning but it looks so funny! (Disclaimer: May be unsuitable for children. I refuse to have the birds and the bees talk with your child.)

Tilt your head to the right. Now. (Sorry about that but I don't want to take the time to fix it.)

Up next: San Francisco

And, once again,... anticipation... blah, blah... you know the joke!

All work and no play makes Brooke a dull girl

I’ve been in California for work the past few days but work has ended and now I’m off to play. I’m headed up the coast towards San Francisco to meet my family tomorrow. But today I'm free to do whatever I want to do!

I headed up the coast and on my way I ran into some interesting things. It seems the folks around here enjoy erecting large billboards of themselves or loved ones. Here are a few:



I don’t understand this strange phenomenon. It kinda creeps me out.

It took about 3 hours from where I was staying in Santa Maria but I finally made it through all the rain to Monterey, CA. AND I AM IN LOVE!!!

What a cute town! I’ve gotta plan a return trip, and bring some girls with me who love to shop. (Any volunteers?)

More details on Monterey to come! (I hope the anticipation doesn’t kill you!)

A room with a view

I woke up this morning to this view.




I understand it's snowing in Utah. Sorry if you're in Utah!

Festival of Treats… and some Trees

Yesterday was decorating day for the Festival of Trees down at the South Towne Expo Center. It is always quite a sight to walk in the empty building at 7:00 in the morning (a “blessed” hour, according to Wendy, who’s the one that ropes me into this every year… ok, so it’s pretty easy to rope me in) and see the transformation that takes place. By 7:00pm there are almost 400 decorated large trees, 100 or so small trees, gingerbread houses, wreaths, a gift shop, sweet shop, bakery…etc. filling the room to the brim. And let me tell you there are some gorgeous trees this year.

A few of the “over-the-top” trees include the Grinch and the Star Wars tree. Seriously, even if you’re not a fan of Star Wars, you’ve gotta respect this tree, it is amazing. A collector is giving up his entire collection of over 30 years… hundreds of figurines, every ship and vehicle in series, it’s crazy.

But back to my point… the trees are great, but the treats… OH, THE TREATS… everyone kept coming by with treats. A cinnamon roll here, a scone there. They’re fabulous. One of the Festival board members made the yummiest treat I have ever tasted. It’s a cross between a biscuit and a sugar cookie and has the most fabulous fresh raspberry and almond frosting. I wanted to die, then come back to life and eat another one!

So, in case you couldn’t tell, I think you should go to Festival this year. It runs Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 10pm. Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for kids. I have some discount tickets if you’re interested. They’re only 50¢ off the door price but the best part is you don’t have to stand in line for tickets. The best part, though, is that all the proceeds go to the children and families of Primary Children's Medical Center. Everyone who helps bring this function to fruition (did I really just use that word?) is a volunteer!!

Oh, and make sure you check out the gingerbread house section, too. There’s a gingerbread train that is fabulous and a gingerbread castle. If you’re bored with the large trees and want to see the best of the best just make a huge loop around the entire large tree section because most of the biggest and best trees are on the ends of the aisles.

If you’re looking for gifts for loved ones there’s a great selection in the gift shop and the treats,… well, they’re everywhere!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

For more info check out: http://festivaloftreesutah.org/

I'd never leave the house again!

Info:

• Brand new multifunction computerized massage steam room with built in heater pump, two handheld showers, waterproof LCD TV, MP3 compatible input, 6 accupuncture massage jets, 6 adjustable water jets, 8 small water jets, radio, alarm and more!"
• This computerized whirlpool and steam shower room (63" X 63" X 86.6") fits snuggly into the corner of your room and brings a whole new meaning to the words comfort, relaxation, and luxury. Designed with the highest quality in craftsmanship and unparalled technological innovation we guarantee you complete and utter satisfaction with this luxurious product. With 6mm tempered glass, 5mm acrylic board, copper faucet, and stainless steel frame this steam shower is built to last!
• There is no better friend than an acupressure massage after a grueling workout or a long day at work. With the touch of a button you can control the steam temperature, radio, TV, massage jets and more with your computerized remote control. Catch your favorite movies or listen to your favorite music while lying in the lap of luxury. Why wait? Bring the ecstasy of modern spa technology to your very own home at a fraction of the price! The safe, soothing comfort of a steam bath makes the rest of the world simply f a d e a w a y......

Get yours here: http://www.aquapeutics.com for only $4299

And after you get yours, give me a call, I’d like to try it out!

**Disclaimer: Aquapeutics in no way endorses this post. They don’t know who I am. They don’t care who I am. But I’d sure love for them to give me a free one of these! (A girl can dream!)

Operation: Save the apples

I woke up last Saturday morning to lightly falling snow. Seeing as how the weatherman said it was going to snow on Friday and it didn’t, I thought for sure the snow would stop and I’d be able to go pick the rest of the apples on my tree. There were still quite a few and I felt bad about letting them all go to waste. So, I waited, and waited, and it kept snowing more, and more. So finally I decided to put on my boots, coat, and hat and I ventured out to participate in Operation: Save the apples!


I’d run out of boxes (all but 1) long ago so I ended up filling my wheelbarrow and the 1 box I’d rounded up. I must say, it’s very peaceful picking apples in the snow. Standing on the ladder was a little unnerving and I had to leave a few apples on the tree that I didn’t want to try to reach for but I sure saved a bundle of them.

Another tricky thing about picking apples in the snow is that you have to look for the apple, reach for it, look down, then pick because the snow from the branch falls on you as soon as you pick the apple. It was quite an experience!

And if you want any of these saved apples let me know, I have quite a few left! (Please, take the apples, you know you want to!)

Creepy... but kinda cool!

This is one implant that kind of caught my attention:
http://gizmodo.com/5401714/digital-tattoo-interface-turns-your-skin-into-a-display

Weird, huh?

Did I miss the memo?

It's friday, right?

There are 6 empty (as in, the permanent occupants are out of the office) cubicles around me and nobody's walked by my door for 5 hours. I think I hear the distant (very distant) tapping of a keyboard, but other than that it's pretty silent in the office today.

Remind me, why am I here?

Oh, yeah, I left early yesterday so I get to work 9 full hours today. I ran out of vacation time so I can't use that. So here I sit, listening to the air conditioner blowing full blast (it annoyingly dries my contacts out, who in the company do I talk to about this?).

But I've been dying to share pictures I took of one of the cutest boys ever. I've been waiting for Leah to put them up on her blog but she's had 23 hours now to do so. So, here they are. You can check out more of the photos I took for Leah and her family at her blog... if she ever puts the pictures up. (There's a link to Leah's blog over there on the right! For those of you reading this in google reader, well, you'll just have to actually go to my site to find the link. I know, life is hard sometimes!)



Isn't he adorable?! (You'd better nod your head, Leah's been known to have a temper sometimes, especially given the current "state" she's in, which she needs to blog about, not just put a tracker on her sidebar, so that people who read her blog in google reader know.)

(But I'm not mad about it!)

For your reading pleasure...

My sister started a blog that I think you'd all enjoy. I told her she needed to start one especially so she could tell about all the funny things her kids say at school. She's a special education teacher at an elementary school and, boy, does she come across some doozies. (Is that a word? I'll give a big hug to the first person who says it is!)

You can also see what our family did for halloween since she never emailed me the pictures so I could post about the fun myself. (That's right, I said it, sister!)

Here's a link to her blog: http://silatolufamily.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!

Ahhhh-some!

I work in an office that is mostly male so our office supplies are typically... well, typical. But look what I just found in the supply closet:


Bright pink and purple sticky notes!!! I think the guys will easily be able to figure out who my sticky note messages are from!

(It's the little things in life...)

Because it's Friday...

I ran some errands during lunch today and was almost back to work when I realized I was supposed to pick something up for lunch while I was out. I was passing a Maverick (the last watering hole before work) and decided to stop. I found a few things for lunch and walked up to the counter to purchase them, all the while thinking how I’d not chosen a well-rounded meal by any sense. I’d been standing at the counter for ~5 seconds when the Maverick employee walked over to help me. That’s when the following conversation took place:

Him: Hey!!!

Me: Hi! (said not quite as excitedly as he did, that’s why there’s not as many exclamation marks after mine.)

Him: How are you? Are you having a good day?

Me: (thinking: do I answer both questions or just the last?!? Aaagh, I don’t know what to do!) I’m having a great day, how about you?

Him: It’s… (insert happy sigh, if you can imagine such a thing)... good…. (2 second pause)… every day is a new challenge (strange, somewhat creepy grin)

Me: (Thinking: Really? I totally want to ask him what he’s come across today that is so challenging but there is a line behind me now and although I’m not in a hurry someone else behind me might be so I’ll just give a little chuckle and agree with him) **chuckle** Yep!

(Now the sale is wrapping up, but not before he asks to see photo id with my credit card and proceeds to pronounce my first, middle and last names all out loud. And again gives me a strange, creepy grin.)

Him: All right, there you go.

Me: Thanks, have a good day!

Him: Yeah, and you have a good weekend!

(Of course he had to one-up me. I leave the store feeling bad because I only wished him a good day instead of a whole weekend.)
But moving on...

So here’s my question (and please, PLEASE leave a comment with your thoughts, I really want to know what great stuff you can come up with): What do you think the Maverick employee meant by “every day is a new challenge”?? What do you think these challenges are?

A Bad Wardrobe Day

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not great at putting an outfit together. I’ve perfected the science of putting simple, cute, and fashionably safe outfits together. (What ?!? Stop laughing?!... I try really hard!)

When I say “fashionably safe” I’m referring to the fact that I’m nowhere near the leading edge of fashionability. (Yes, … fashionability. Look it up… and if you can’t find it then just remember that I was the first one to use the term!) My number one goal (when it comes to fashion) is simply not to fall into the pit of fashion despair. 20 years from now (or tomorrow, in actuality) I don’t want my picture circulated by email with the caption “Fashion gone wrong!” or "Can you believe someone wore this in the 21st centure?!"

Recently I’ve seen a couple of girls wearing simple, yet fashionable, outfits that I figured I could imitate. I already had all the correct items to complete the look, I’d just never thought to put them together that way. So today I ventured out of my comfort zone and tried to pull off the fashionable look.

When I looked at the completed outfit in the mirror this morning I thought, “Not bad.” I thought I'd kind of pulled it together but it wasn’t quite as cute as I wanted it to be.

...

When I looked at the completed outfit in the mirror this morning I must’ve been asleep.

…

I just returned from the ladies restroom here at work. They have a full length mirror and I decided to take a quick gander to see how my “look” was holding up.

…

And now I’m writing a post titled, “A Bad Wardrobe Day”

…

And no, there will be no pictures included with this post.

In my defense I think the outfit would actually look ok with levis. The top is a little under dressy and my slacks and shoes are a little over dressy.

Also in my defense, I’m still the best dressed person in the office. (Sad, but true!) It is nice to have a place to test out my experimental outfits before showing them to what I consider the “real world.”

(At least I HOPE my workplace isn’t a true-to-life indication of the “real world.”)

Covet

Def: To wish for longingly, especially eagerly.

Synonyms: Envy, Desire

This is what I’m currently wishing for longingly:

And while we’re at it,… this also:

And kinda this:

But OH, the COST!! Huh?

So what I wanna know is, do you (or your significant other) own one? If so, how much is this really gonna set me back? I mean, it’s all the extras, you know?

Extra Wiimotes, nunchucks (sounds dangerous), an SD-card (is this necessary?), a charge station (??), and what the heck are N-point cards?

And if you don’t own one, have you ever played one? What do you recommend as “must-have” games?

Oh, and, anyone wanna buy me a really nice (and early) Christmas present?!?

Oh Yellowstone, where the buffalo roam...

(You can sing the title of this post: "Oh, Ye-el-low-stone, where the buf-fa-lo roam!" You know that song, right?!)

Over Labor Day weekend a few weeks month ago (what happened to the rest of September?) my family and I headed to Yellowstone.

We went the camping route. We pretty much always do. I think it's the best way to do Yellowstone. (My sister might have a different opinion!)

We spent the first night outside of the park at Baker's Hole campground.

(Above: Yellowstone River from Baker's Hole)

We try to go once a year but some big wedding got in the way and forced us to postpone the trip.

It was a fun trip, as usual...

...but it was extra fun because it was Tevita's first time in Yellowstone.

Have you ever tried explaining exactly what Old Faithful, geysers, or hot pots are to someone who has never seen one?

It's just one of those things you have to see to believe.

(Above: Beehive Geyser)

D&C 128:23 "Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy!...

...And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!"
I can't help but think what a truly amazing creation this world is!

The Happy Couple

Last weekend I ventured out to Saltair to take wedding photos of my sister and her husband. They'd opted to do an after-honeymoon photo shoot rather than try to squeeze everything in on the wedding day. It was a great day for taking pictures and I've been dying to show you a few of my favorites.

Turns out that new camera takes some pretty snazzy pictures!

I have pictures of Yellowstone to post to... I'll get around to it!