Scrabble Gear

Look at what I found at the USF Art Show!

I is for Inge, S is for Supercalafragilisticexpialadocious!

With these earrings to add to my traveling Scrabble kit, I am invincible.

BRING IT ON!

A chat with Bill

 Julie was a bit shy and didn't talk much to Bill.

I, on the other hand, got really comfy with Bill ...

We got into a few arguments over his work ...

... but in the end we made up.

2011 Utah Shakespeare Festival

In what may look like an annual tradition, Julie and I, went down to the Utah Shakespeare Festival this weekend. This year I picked to see “The Glass Menagerie” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Both were excellent plays!

I’ve not read Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” since high school and have not ever seen it performed, so I wanted to see it as USF because I know it will be done well. I knew that it was a “heavy” play. I knew going in that I’ll be able to relate well to the play. When it play ended, I found myself in tears. Without going into too many details, it certainly gave me a lot to think about and I may have to go buy a copy of that play for further reading.

At the Greenshow prior to the perfomance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, the actors performed a skit telling the story of the inception of USF. They wore various jackets and wigs to portray the forefathers of the festival. Fred Adams, who is the founder of the festival, was found after the Greenshow as usual mingling with the crowd. I couldn’t help myself and tapped him on the shoulder and said, “You look much better in person than the actor that portrayed you on stage.” “Well, that’s because you have great taste!” was his reply. What a cute man! I told him that when I first came to the festival 15 years ago, he took the time to chat with me and that had made a positive lasting impression that got me coming back. As we walked away from him, Julie said to me, “Did you just flirt with Fred Adams?” Hmmm, I guess I kind of was … can you blame me?

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a favorite of mine. I wasn’t too crazy about some of the costumes they put on Tatiana, the fairy queen, Oberon was HOT and I found Puck borderline annoying. Otherwise, it was a fantastic production. The night’s performance was being taped to be aired on one of the BYU TV stations. I’ll have to watch it again in the comfort of my own home and see if I can get more out of it.

Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger

Oh yeah, did I mention? I went to the Journey, Foreigner and Night Ranger concert at the Rio Tinto Stadium this past week. I met up with a couple friends at Crown burger (which was a bit further from the stadium, but beats paying $20 or $10 to park closer) for dinner and still had to spend so much money on food in order to be able to park at the restaurant's parking lot legally. They (Rio Tinto) made me dump out the water in my bottle upon entering the stadium only to be gauged by paying $4 for a small bottle of Fiji water or opt for the warm water from the drinking fountain. Not a good start. The narrow and uncomfortable seats made me feel rather claustrophobic and with the weather being so hot, it made Rio Tinto one of my least favorite venues. It was amazing how much cooler it was the minute the sun went down in comparison. While nothing happened with drunken fellow attendees at the concert worth writing about (unlike the 2008 concert at USANA), the group of 7 in front of us must have had at least 5-6 beers each and they were at times a lot more entertaining than the bands on stage.

Night Ranger performed first and since I only recognized a couple of songs, I could take them or leave them. Foreigner was better and Journey was great (one guess as to which group I came to see). They performed a few songs from their latest album, Eclipse, as well as the classics that would disappoint fans if they didn't sing them. Comparing this concert to the previous one I attended in 2008 where Journey headlined with Cheap Trick and Heart, I prefer the 2008 concert. Not just because I prefer Cheap Trick and Heart to Foreigner and Night Ranger, but the song list was just a lot better. Was it a good concert? It was decent. Would go to it again and pay the money I did to see Journey at Rio Tinto? No, I think I'd rather stay home and listen to the CD.

Walking back to the car, I felt like cattle being herded. Again feeling a bit claustrophobic and hoping not too touch anyone around me ... There were a group of people handing out flyers for midget wrestling, starring Mr. Big. Seriously?

Aqua Zumba

In our attempt to be more active and have a buddy to be accountable to, Julie and I went to an aqua zumba class at the local community rec center. The class KICKED BUTTS!

I wasn’t thrilled about having to get into a bathing suit, but there were 59 people in attendance in all shapes, sizes and activity level and that made me feel a ton better. The music was loud, the water cool, the muscles worked … It was a lot of fun and I came home sore, but feeling good. I’m looking forward to making this a regular routine. Anyone want to join us?

HoJo Concert

Yeah, I know ... I'm stuck in the 80s. Went to a concert tonight featuring Howard Jones (aka "HoJo") with my friend, Dave. HoJo performed songs from his "Human's Lib" and "Dream Into Action" albums. Still a great voice and performer. It was as sold out concert and the fullest I've seen the amphitheater. The local chapter of the HoJo fan club was definitely there. I had to smile hearing the people around me sing along. I thought I knew most of his songs from listening to his greatest hits album, but I think I may have listen to the songs on the two albums performed. We felt a couple of raindrops, but never amounted to anything. Great evening, good concert.