Stranger than Fiction

"When we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention hospital gurneys and nose plugs, an uneaten Danish, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true." -Emma Thompson, "Stranger than Fiction"


I love moments. The strange and unusual moments that make my day different. This morning just as I closed my door a butterfly flew into my car. I spent the next 15 minutes trying to get it out of my car without damaging it. It got harder and harder to get it out of the car as the laughing made my hands weaker and weaker.

Moments are a matter of perspective. Every moment can be a moment if we choose to see it that way. As you go about your everyday routine take a moment to have a moment. Look around and see what is new and beautiful. Wonder at the ordinary and marvel at the simple. I know that as an adult it is difficult to look at things with the wonder of a child. We've seen and experienced too much but it is possible to find joy in the simple things.

Life really is stranger than fiction but only if we are careful not to get caught in the rut of routine. Just because you have the same job day after day that doesn't mean that your life has to be boring or ordinary. Just because you do the laundry or go to school everyday that doesn't mean that your life is uneventful. Make moments for yourself.

Appreciate the moments that come. A hug from a friend. The smile from a co-worker. The Bavarian sugar cookies. Be a moment for someone else and you will find that that moment has become a moment for you too.

The Zombie Survival Guide

It has come to my attention that a shocking number of people are unprepared for the zombie uprising that is on it's way. Here are some tips on how to keep safe from the infection that will reanimate the dead...

From The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks

1. Organize before they rise!

2. They feel no fear, why should you?

3. Use your head, cut off theirs.

4. Blades don't need reloading.

5. The best defense is tight clothes and short hair. They have less to grab on to then.

6. Get up the staircase and then destroy it.

7. Get out of the car and get on to a bike.

8. Keep moving. Keep low. Keep quiet. Keep alert.

9. No place is safe, just safer.

10. The zombie may be gone but the threat lives on...

Now you are prepared for the zombie uprising. Just a word of warning: I have no loyalties. If you travel with me, I'll use you as bait for the zombies while I escape. :)

"Sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood...

...others may deceive you. You decide what's good. You decide alone but no one is alone. Mother isn't here now. Who knows what she'd say? Nothing's quite so clear now. Feel you've lost your way? You are not alone! Believe me! No one is alone. You move just a finger; say the slightest word. Something's bound to linger. Be heard. No one acts alone. Careful! No one is alone.

People make mistakes. Fathers. Mothers. People make mistakes. Holding to their own, thinking they're alone. Honor their mistake. Fight for their mistakes. One another's terrible mistakes. Witches can be right. Giants can be good. You decide what's right. You decide what's good. Just remember: someone is on your side. Someone else is not. While we're seeing our side maybe we forgot. They are not alone. No one is alone.

Hard to see the light now. Just don't let it go. Things will come out right now. We can make it so. Someone is on your side. No one is alone!"

-Stephen Sondheim "Into the Woods"

There are about 5 billion people on the planet. Circling each others bubbles but rarely looking up. So self absorbed that they forget to look around and reach out their hand to those who cross their path. Unfortunately I am all too often included in this statement.

So many times I've thought, "Why isn't anyone here to help me?" instead of thinking, "Who can I help today?" Take a moment to look around you and really see others. Look into their eyes and discover hidden pains. People are children deep down inside. Lost and afraid. Calling for help, praying that someone will hear. When we take the time to put our arms around them then our own pains and fears will crumble away.

If you are one of the people who so desperately need someone to save you then consider this: What have you done for someone else lately?
You are not alone!
When fear knocks at your door let faith answer.
Find one thing to smile about every day. You never know who will see your smile and be touched by your light.

What if you are one of those people who loses themselves in service of others but still can't dispel old hurt? Then make sure that you are letting others in. So many people love you and want to serve but you have to let them in. Trust. Don't lose faith in people. Or in love.

Happy Easter!

Every year my family gets together and colors Easter eggs. No matter how old I get I never get sick of it. This year we had all sorts of creativity running around. My personal favorite is Callie's series, "Where The Wild Things Are".

The first group has my name egg. (It goes inside your basket), Gir, a bit of Japanese pride, hearts and the Irkin Empire flag.

The second group is Nick's name egg, Tim Burton egg and some typical Easter eggs.

The third group is my bee, Marlyn, Dori, and V for Vendetta.

Happy Easter everyone!

The Provo City Half Marathon

Today I ran the Provo City Half Marathon. Probably the hardest thing I've ever done. Here is the harrowing tale and some pictures to go along with it.

We woke up at 6:30am and ate some runner's breakfast. Toast and peanut butter. We drank some nasty energy/vitamin stuff that made me gag and dry heave. I have very sensitive gag reflexes in the morning.

7am out the door praying that the snow would stop.

7:30am. Arrived at the starting line and started to warm up. The starting line was 100 South and University Ave. We mostly stretched out to keep from freezing to death before the race.

8am. The gun was fired and we were off. Up over the viaduct and around the mall. Down around some of the surrounding neighborhoods until mile 3. At mile 3 my mom pulled out our water and her camera. She was great to come to 4 stops and take pictures for us.

The first 7 miles were through the city and neighborhoods and when we hit mile 8 we were on the Provo trail that runs by the river. We stayed on the trail unitl about mile 11 and then we were back into the city.

At mile 9 Linsay and I seperated. She was having some hip pains and cramping and needed to go at a slower pace so I went on ahead of her. She ended up only being about 7 minutes behind me when I crossed the finish line though so she kept running despite her discomfort.

By mile 11 I though I was going to die and when I came around the corner to mile 13 and saw the finish line I almost cried because I was so happy. I did it! I worked and trained for 6 months to run the race and I did it in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

There is nothing more satifying than knowing that I accomplished something that I thought was impossible for me to do 6 months ago. We had a good time and now.... on to the full marathon!

Special thanks to my mom for stopping at 4 stations to take pictures, cheer us on, and give us water.

Inkspell

"You cannot fully read a book without being alone. But through this very solitude you become intimately involved with people whom you might never have met otherwise, either because they have been dead for centuries or because they spoke languages you cannot understand. And nonetheless, they have become your closest friends, your wisest advisors, the wizards the hypnotize you, the lovers you have always dreamed of."

Antonio Munoz Molinas, "The Power of the Pen"

There is something magical hidden between the lines of books. Something that whispers your name and pulls you deep inside the story. Every word serves as a carriage that takes you far away from all thing ordinary and plants you in places you've only seen in your dreams.

Books have always been my sanctuary when I was alone or afraid. Many times I've flown to Neverland, sat in the Gryffindor common room, and stepped through the wardrobe to Narnia. My love of books grew from reading when I was alone or afraid and turned into a craving for the spell that they cast. Whenever I have a spare moment I use it to throw my spirit into a new adventure. Run through unexplored lands, meet people whose lives are so unlike my own, taste the foreign air, and thrust out my chin defiantly when the villian stands before me.

I recently read a book called Inkspell, part of a pretty good series, but it was the title that I loved so much. The idea that ink can cast a spell over the reader and make you forget for a while where you came from and those you left behind. I know that feeling. The magic is very real to me. Many times I've been pulled out of a book by the voice of a family member, leaving me feeling disoriented and wondering how I came to be at my house. Have you felt that before?

Sadly, with all of the new media avaliable to the public, books have become lonely beings. They sit on the shelves gathering dust, the enchantments forgotten. The characters trapped behind the covers and their stories untold. When was the last time you read a book for strictly for enjoyment? I hope you answer is, "I'm reading one right now!"

Let the ink cover you. Let it free your mind and take you on amazing adventures. Escape into the pages.