Buddins, buddins, who's got the buddins?

Buddins got married. I am so proud. The celebration was an event of complete social abandon and the most fun I have had in a long time.
In the haze of the evening I took a moment to realize that I have known and associated with Buddy longer than any other friends that I still stay in contact with. (Disclaimer: I have a bad memory so if anything stated here is inaccurate, I apologize) We met after school at Canyon View Jr. High when he requested that I do my Ethel Merman impersonation. Random, yes. Did I do it? I am sure I did. Since then we have been theatre geek friends. I was always cast as the slut, he as the balding older man. The last show we did together was "Lucky Stiff" and he would give me a shot of Jager before my song because I was terrified EVERY night. Thanks Buddy.
Then Buddins moved away to the big city. The only time I saw him there he looked so sick and sad that it broke my heart, I barely recognized him. I didn't try to see him again. Then, he came home (this is where the story gets good). I found out through the grapevine that he had returned to Utah and I was ecstatic. I think we saw each other for the first time in years on the first day of work at the Sundance Film Festival. He introduced me to Sam, who is hot and charming and he immediately got my vote.
Since then, they have been the picture of domestic bliss. I am so happy that they found each other and have made such a rough and successful journey this far and have both come out with a smile.
They were married last month in Canada (American laws suck) and I am so grateful I was there to celebrate their union last weekend.
Cheers to long time friends, love, success and growing wiser. I love you boys.

Why you gotta be that guy?

I am sitting in the lobby of the Lexus Dealership while my oil is being changed and all the people here make me mad. I resent how easy, clean and simple their lives seem. How is it that I ended up driving a Lexus? I am NOT that guy. You know, the schmoozing POS that gets everything for free because he is a dick so he has extra cash that he could give to charity but he buys a Lexus instead. OR the trophy wife who gets to stay home and baby sit the "nanny" between yoga classes and meetings at the coffee shop while her high powered entrepreneurial husband flies all over the country telling other people how to have the same. OR the workingwoman with no kids and thus few expenses who can leave work when she wants and sit in the Lexus dealership while they serve you snacks as you wait for your car. My friend Elaine calls these people, "The clean people".

The tragedy of it all is. I am that guy. When did I become that guy? I am a watered down version but still, that guy. I need to take a paragraph to defend my honor. I bought my Lexus under duress. I felt like I needed a car that more than dog and husman could fit in and that by expanding my backseat, I might get me some friends. I drove EVERY car that fit my specifications. I just wanted a car that I didn't have to worry about. My Beetle, as fun as it was, caused me great stress. When I drove all those other cars I expected them to drive like the Bug. When they didn't, I wanted them to at least have the same features (you know the leather heated seats and power windows, sun roof, charm). Now, I wanted something bigger. What the hell did I think I was going to get? I couldn't bring myself to spend the money to buy the car I wanted. So, went to my good friends at LA Auto (in Orem. Why is it called LA Auto?) And they offered me full blue book for my beetle if I would take this Lexus. So I did. Don't get me wrong; I enjoy the things you are supposed to enjoy about driving a luxury car. The only problem is that I have aged 15 years while driving it. I keep the rocket box on top to mute the stuffiness and accentuate the sporty but short of taking the revealing "L" off the front, you can't really hide its true self. As it approaches it's 9th birthday the years are starting to show and we are once again in the market for a car. I am going to put my bid in again for the Element so I can stop being that guy and become the other guy.

Summer, please stay.

While driving last night I started to doze off. It was dark and when it is dark I must sleep. I resent this about myself (add it to the eternal list) but I have come to terms with it. The thing that really made me mad though was that it was only 8:27pm. WTF? When did it start getting dark at 8:30 rather than 9:30? I feel a little cheated.
I must say I had an active and very fun spring and early summer. One of the best ever. But, when the heart of summer hits, work gets busy, I get hot, the lawn needs to be mowed more often and all those other life things that keep you from really enjoying the things you think are life. All I really wanted from the summer was to feel tired. To have played so hard that going back to school was a relief because it gave you an excuse to slow down and rest. Maybe next year...

This is us on the San Juan River in April. Fun!



The Ogden Marathon with Adrian and TJ. Adrian did the 1/2 and I only did the 5k. That is better than the "no K".




Sexy husman dressed as Gilligan for our very serious sporting activitiy.