Consider Yourself Invited

My good friends are giving me a going away party and you all are invited:

Host: Stephanie Kourianos
Location: Lindsay's House (contact me for directions/address)
When: Friday, January 4, 8:00PM

See you all then!

Movie Mania

Over the past few days I have watched way to many movies because I love them.

I Am Legend: - I really liked this movie. I love that feeling you get when you know something bad is going to happen and about to jump out at you, but you don't know when. Watching it on a night when my roommate was out of town was not the best idea I have had. I did not sleep well and almost killed my cat when he jumped on my face in the middle of the night causing me to scream while I tried to slow the adrenaline in me.

Dream Girls: - It was on HBO and I found myself singing along as I packed up my kitchen. I really do like musicals and am working on the soundtrack to my life.

August Rush - I had been looking forward to this movie and my movie going friends had all seen it so I hit up the show by myself Saturday afternoon. The movie was quite disappointing, but I remembered how much I like going to the movies by myself. You can sit where you want, be on time, and I always enjoy the looks I get from others in the theatre.

Juno: - This movie was GREAT!!! I laughed through the entire thing and even just thinking of the one liners makes me smile now. It is a funny story about a high school girl who gets pregnant and puts her baby up for adoption. I recommend you ALL see this movie. In fact, I may have to go see it again next week.

Stardust: - As I sit in bed writing this blog, I am watching Stardust and I like it. It is like Pirates meets Willow...weird, but I like it.

Hum, maybe the writers strike should end so I can get back to TV.

Work Holiday Party

I almost could not sleep on Work Holiday Party Eve. Knowing the next day would include a company talent show and the Datamark band debut had me maliciously excited .

In classic work form, we potlucked it in the shop. The talent show included techo's on their electric guitar, managers on the cello, and a few other guitar solos. The talent show ended when one of our sales guys came out dressed as Elvis and sang a little something. I remember having one of those surreal moments. No way could this really be happening...at work...in the shop...as entertainment at the holiday party...right in front of me.


Next came the "Datamark Band" which members included our creative director, HR director, marketing director, TV producer, and some random guy they found online. They had been practicing in the shop after work a few nights a week, but today was their first official gig. I must admit they did sound pretty good, but I should have done back up vocals. Give me a tambourine, a mic, and a captive audience and you can guarantee it would be a good time.



Before it was back to work, the "Band" and Elvis did a little duet.



My parting thought: "What the Hell just happened!"

Eye Update

I know a lot of you have not been sleeping because of my eye. Well, here you go. Unless you know to look for it, it is pretty much gone.

Random Morning Thought

As I listened to the radio on my way into work this morning, I had the following thought:

What goes through Mark Wahlberg's head when he hears the song Good Vibrations?
a. does he think ya that's right, that's all me
b. does he laughs at the lyrics and be embarrassed by the synthesizers
c. does he quickly changes the station before he starts to rap

Mr. Wholesale

Oh honey, did the crazies thing happen to me last night. I went to the Costco on 21st South as the hug black storm was rolling into Salt Lake. I was in the store for about 45 minutes when I found him. There were 4 employees checking receipts at the door and the line was way backed up. It was snowing/hailing sideways harder then I have ever seen it. People were waiting inside as they sent someone out to get the car. While Jerome checked me receipt, he asked me how I was doing as he cracked some joke about what I had purchased. I replied with something like, "I would be better if you went and got my car for me." Before I knew it, I had given my car keys to a stranger. (Now that I look back at this I know it was not the best decision, but he was an employee so I could track him down if I needed to.) He pulled up with my car, helped me put my things in the trunk and turned to me and said, "How about a little kiss for the road." I kissed him on the cheek and got in my car. As he closed to door behind me he said, "I'm Jerome, I hope you come back again."

As I pulled away, I could not stop laughing at what just went down.

Loven from my Oven

What a night. I don't think I have baked/cooked this much in one night ever. Because I love to cook and my family is coming to my house for Christmas I went a little crazy tonight. I literally used every pot I own. Here is a run down of everything I made from scratch:

- Lasagna with my Grandma Lyman's home made spaghetti sauce
- Chili
- Chicken cordon blue
- Funeral potatoes
- Cheese sandwich spread
- 2 batches of Toffee
- 2 batches of chocolate chip cookies
- melting moments

And to think I am just getting started. I bet you wish you were having Christmas at my house too.

Awards For Today

The 'You Can't Say That To A Client' award goes to RN for saying he can "squeeze one out" to a client over the phone while negotiating a marketing deal.

The 'Best Email' award goes to MF for sending out an email that used the phrase "drop us like a hot rock" when explaining contract verbiage.

The 'Best Text Message' award goes to SH for telling me the people that came to look at my house left a "comment card that said 'would recommend painting pink bathroom.' RUDE! I like my bathroom."

The 'Funniest Email' award goes to ST for responding to an email about loosing a work competition. "Shit, you mean I have to wait in line...I hear CF's meatloaf surprise is to die for."

The 'Gold Star' award goes to NN for coming through with a little afternoon delight in the form of a Diet Coke.

The 'Best Phone Call' award goes to EM for answering the phone with "can you believe Jamie Spears is pregnant" when I called.

I should really be working in Human Resources! :)

Grandma Lyman

I have never been a very close to my extended family, but the other day I received the best call ever from my Grandma Lyman. She is 95 years old, still teaches piano to 18 students, and her brain works better then mine. Her eye sight is going, her husband passed years ago, she suffers from Parkinson's, and yet she still has a great attitude about life.

I answered my phone and could not stop grinning when I heard (in her sweet old lady shaky voice), "Hello Lindsay. This is Grandma. I am not sending out Christmas gifts this year and decided to call everyone instead." We had a great chat about life, her piano students, and my plans to move to Seattle. As I hung up the phone I got to thinking about how many things I have because of her and how sad it makes me that she lives so far away.

I have a lot to thank my Grandma Lyman for:
- The 'Jane' in Lindsay Jane Lyman comes from her.
- My big boobs come from her; not sure if this is a good or bad thing. :)
- My Love of Jewelry; we both like it big and loud.

What I am most grateful to my grandma for is the chance to grow up in The Gospel. She raised my dad to be one of the most Christlike people I know. Because of this, he raised me to do what was right. You know how crazy I am today; try to imagine what I would be like with a little alcohol and a few too many good times in me. Yikes.

Grandma Jane, thanks for the best Christmas present ever. I will take a call from you anyday.

This picture is of my grandparents on their honeymoon. She is so beautiful.

This picture was taken in July 2004.

Oh Shit....I Grew Up!

This is SO my life!

The Perfect Sunday

It went a little something like this:

- Sleep in and finish watching Holiday Inn in bed with Max.
- Enjoy a diet coke as I rock out to Brandi Carlile while getting ready for church
- Receive the funniest text during church about Brandi Carlile
- Get hit on at church

T- Do you want a cinnamon fire jolly rancher
L- Sure, (2 minutes later) wow, it really is like fire in my mouth
T- Yep, like a party in your mouth
L- I like it. Thanks
T- Can I be the party in your mouth?
L- I had no comment

- Eat the best homemade stew I have ever made while watching Ellen on the couch with Max
- Wrap gifts
- A phone call from Grandma Lyman*
- Make meals/desert for Christmas at my house
- In bed with Max and my electric blanket

*More to come about this later.

Bloody Eye

I was sitting in a meeting when someone asked what the crap was wrong with my eye. I had no idea what they were talking about. I looked in the mirror and this is what I saw.



It did not hurt and my vision was fine. After a little Internet research I have self diagnosed myself with a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. Look like I am going to make it through.

I can't wait until it turns yellow and purple, but don't worry, there will be more pictures to come!

Mika...Coming To A Town Near You

I heart MIKA and he is finally doing a tour in the US. He is even making a stop in SLC and Seattle!

Brothers, I am buying you both tickets. Consider it one of many Seattle Lyman Children adventures!

Good Friends

Back during the good old days of college Lynsey Steadman now Strader and I lived together for a few years. She is one of those great people that I am in aw of. Her life has not been easy and she continues to go through many hardships, but I see her as one of the strongest women I know. Despite all of the things going on in her life she has one of the healthy marriages I have ever seen, a contagious positive attitude, and a strong testimony of what is true.

Lynsey and her family recently moved out of state for a job and it has really made me realize how much her friendship does mean to me. She is one of the handful of people I know are always there for me no matter what. She supports me and cares...about ME. She does not have any hidden agendas and I know she is not going to turn around and drop me one day. We have an equal 2 way friendship which is very hard to come by.

For this and so many more reason (that I am not going to share with the world wide web) I love her and was so glad I had the change to spend a few hours with her last night. Thanks Lynsey for all the great times.

Guffaw

Saturday night Steph and I were at the movies with a few friends. It was a smaller theater with only a handful of people so it was dead quit. Out of no where the guy behind Steph made a "sound" twice. Ah, it was a "pleasure" sound I thought people only make in private, when...ah...well, you get what I am saying. It took a minute for it to register because surely I did NOT just hear this, twice. I turned my head and saw Steph looking my way out of the corner of her eye. We lost it. It was one of those, it is way to late, that was too funny, and it is even more funny because I can't laugh out loud moments. Steph and I were literally shaking in our seats for a good 3 minutes and missed the end scene of the movie. Just when I thought I had it under control, I would loose it again. I had tears streaming down my face and almost had to leave.

As we left the theater our friends asked what was so funny. We told them, but they looked at us like we were idiots. I guess you had to be there to hear and witness it first hand.

"Pleasure man:" Thanks for the best laugh I have had in quite some time, but really you should never make that sound in public again. I'm just sayin.

Random Things that Make Me Happy

A friend at work gave me this card and I love it!



The other day at work I went to lunch with the normal crew. We pulled into the parking lot at the same time as another car from the opposite direction. Both cars pulled up to the only empty parking spot at the same time and we sat and waited for someone to make a move. My co-worker started to do rock, paper, scissors to the other driver. He laughed so hard and waved us into the spot. How great would it be if all parking disputes were this way. I'm sorry I was speeding officer. Best 2 out of 3?

My new work hero ("Ellen") told me she made Mr. Quite Frankly cry. I know it should not make me happy, but honestly it gives me so much satisfaction.

Need A Man Part 2

There are a few times in life when I think how much it would help to have a man around. I am in one of those times.

- My oil needs to be changed.
- I need to sell my house.
- I need to clean and pack my entire house.
- I have had a really bad 2 days at work, can you sell the house and pack it before I get home. Dinner would be nice too.

The Emerald City

This morning I walked into work and gave my notice. Why you ask? I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want in life. I have not figured it out, but I do know I want my family in my life. I have no ties to Utah and while it has been fun, am ready to move on. I am moving to Seattle in January. Both of my brothers live in Seattle and we are hoping to convince our sisters to join us.

I was a little nervous and did not sleep well last night. I really did feel bad because my boss is one of the handful of people at work that I like and respect and I know how stressful things have been without this. I did not want to add to his stress, but also needed to do what I knew was right for me. He handled it better then I thought and I really will be flexible because I respect him and want to leave the situation as best as I can.

All in all, today was a great day. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from me and I can finally relax at night. I also had a few private and touching conversations with a couple of people I highly respect at work. There are people I will really miss, but at the same time I can't wait to see what adventures await me in Seattle.