Distance.

Oh, you guys. I just read this mostly funny and a little bit sad blurb.
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/how-to-pick-a-present-for-your-ex-boyfriends-40th-birthday/
If you know me well, you know that article is quite close to real life for me--in a wait, what?! I did that?! kind of way. Though the subject male is long gone, quite forgotten and I am as happy as I've ever been, I do remember that he is turning 40 soon (don't judge me).
There will be no birthday gift.

Skiing Mt. Apharwat: Kashmir, India

P.S. What do you give the man you actually love for Valentine's Day?

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.

I know, I know: I'm one in millions of people blogging about Steve Jobs from their Mac. It begs blogging, you guys.
Last night, after hearing the news of SJ's passing, BJG and I talked about innovation and actual change in the World. I dare say that SJ was one of a few, in our time, who have actually fueled change in the World--at least in our lives. Even if you have never used an Apple product (is this even possible?!), you've probably used a device that is modeled after an Apple concept (hello, multiple type faces) or have been the benefactor of technology fueled by the innovations of Steve Jobs (you've seen Toy Story, right?). True vision is hard to define and even more difficult to come by, but SJ undeniably had it.
Despite the challenge of implementing change, SJ insisted that with effort, we are all capable of achieving whatever we dream up, as evidenced by his 2005 Stanford University commencement address.

A simple Google search will bring up many memorable SJ quotes, here are a few of my favorites:

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Everything else is secondary.”

Visitors.

A few weeks ago, BJG's parents came to visit from New York; they haven't been out West in a few years (and I had actually never met them!), so it was fun to show them why we love living here.

They stayed at Snowbird--it was perfect! The weather was nice, Oktoberfest was happening and the view is to die for.

Image by Blush.

 

Cliff Lodge pool.

We ate. A lot. We went to so many nice dinners it's crazy. My favorites: Red Iguana 2, Red Rock, Bohemian, Trio (Cottonwood), Lone Star Taqueria.

BJG at Trio. Delicious creme brulee

At Lone Star Taqueria.

One of favorite summer activities is going to Bee's games, of course.

I lived, for a short time, across the street from the capitol building and we loved going for walks around the capitol campus, but hadn't been inside for a while--so beautiful! All the details! Seriously, go walk around, you'll love it.

The rotunda.

Senate Chamber, taken through a key hole.

View from the front steps.

Fountain at the center of the campus.

 Finally, we visited the Salt Lake Art Center which always has very unique exhibits going on.

Forbidden Fruit exhibit.

In addition, BJG took his parents to Moab for some hiking and sight seeing.
It was a great week and I'm so glad to have finally met the entire BJG family!

Friends.

My favorite girl, Brooke, blogged it. You know what that means? I don't have to. Y'all know I'm lazy like that...

Check it out here and show her some love by booking your pics here.

Indigo Girls. Finally.

You guys! I went to the Indigo Girls concert July 19th at the Ed Kenley Ampitheatre in Layton. You probably just said to yourself, "Layton? Really? HOW did Layton get the Indigo Girls?!" Answer: my friend Dawn Brandvold is on the Layton Arts Council and she loves the Indigo Girls and has been trying to get them to come for years; she faced a multitude of opposing forces, including idiots that think lesbians shouldn't be able to play their music in Layton. Finally, Dawn secured the Indigo Girls, called to see if I wanted a ticket (duh), and we went.

Yep, we were this close!

That's Dawn, and her daughter and my friend, Erin.

Ironically, I was first introduced to the Indigo Girls by an early college boyfriend, a super jock type, who always had them playing in his car.

The concert was amazing. Seriously, one of the best concerts I've ever been to. It didn't hurt that we sat front row, center. The stage is about thigh high, putting us mere feet from the band. Awesome.

Afterward, Dawn was driving the Girls to SLC, so we waited for them to come out and get pics/autographs. Only Amy stopped for pictures, but since she's my favorite, I was psyched!

I'm happy.

Another perfect summer night.

Pioneer Day.

Pioneer Day is the best day. Why? It's like Independence Redux; I love Independence Day.
Since I am lazy and took no photos of our adventure at Cottonwood Heights' (where I live) Butlerville Days/Pioneer Days (is this getting confusing, all the names? I'm confused), photos I stole from Brooke will have to do.


It rained. I liked it.



BJG and I gave up our rain jackets to the little ones.



Hiding under the trees. He's tall, I'm not.



What to do when it literally rains on your parade? Dance. To bad covers of Journey songs.



The fireworks were LOUD. Also long and pretty.



Laughing love. .

 It's no secret I love Salt Lake City summer nights, but in case you don't know: I love Salt Lake City summer nights. More to come...

cute, right?

Sometimes, I try to take pictures of BJG or with BJG...but he always hates it. As a result, he is never looking at the camera--at least not on purpose. I took this picture after we'd walked to the top of Mount Baldy to ski last weekend.

BJG wants to go and is mad I'm taking so long and wasting precious corn skiing time by taking pictures. Happy accident: it looks like he's being nice and cute. Nice try buddy, nice try.