A Good Dose of Happy Music

So I've spent the weekend organizing and fixing pictures. It's a fun project, though a little mind numbing at times, so I'm constantly figuring out what to listen to, keeping up the motivation.

I miss Radio Disney. I actually really loved the song selections! So this time I've been listening to playlists on Spotify. On one playlist a new song, well new to me, by Maroon 5 played. It's from the Paw Patrol movie! Which is why it was unfamiliar... not a movie I ran to the theaters to see. :P But the song is "Good Mood", and it's a catchy little thing. Played it on loop for a little bit until needing to listen to something else. (Too much of a good thing can be too much).

Watched some Pluto TV as well, BBC Home. 

So, didn't finish my goal, but that's no worries. It's always a nice feeling to get them finished and sorted. But it's more fun reliving memories and seeing things I've forgotten.

I'm just super thankful for camera's and music. That I can listen to whatever song I wish. Whatever genre. Whatever I'm in the mood. Phonographs are cool and all, but a bit of a hassle.

Anywho, this morning a thunder storm rolled through. Lightning and rain. It's been on and off stormy all day, but took a break for sunset to allow the sun to come out. The air was so clean and the mountains gorgeous. Now it's thundering again and I love it.

Have a good week,

Sarah

Being Smarter than the Child's Lock

Oh, goodness, when I went to Japan with my sibs Michael and Krista back in 2015 my Mom babysat the kiddos.  They were young and got into everything, so nearly everything got child locks.  This child lock has remained in place since then, not released.  What is it guarding?  Piano/Vocal sheet music.  I haven't practiced in... I can't remember honestly.  Total mental block.  There's sheet music next to the piano I haven't touched as well.  I've been buying sheet music, just haven't been able to bring myself to the piano to practice.

 

That's changing.  I need to play again, face the silly thing in my brain that's stopping me.  I need to play and feel music again.  Step one is organizing what I have, and I can't do that until I unlock this baby.

 

Problem is, I'm not smarter than the lock.  I've tried opening it in the past, but wasn't successful.  So I found another way... (Yeah, I could have consulted YouTube, but what fun is that?)

 

I realized that doorknobs twist off.

And the lock was removed.  Still don't know how it works.

And now to organize and play again.  I'm afraid to find old music that I use to play so well, but may now find difficult.  Is playing the piano like riding a bike?  Well, one way or another, I can't keep holding myself back.

Sarah

 

To Honolulu and Back

On the 12th of May I left for Hawaii.  After several attempts to make the trip in the last year and a half, each time being canceled, this time it finally happened.  The funny thing is that leading up to the trip I had a bit of anxiety, not the visiting of Hawaii itself, but worry that the trip would be canceled once more. So I didn't do any research, which is out of character for me.  Briefly looked up a couple tours and the Polynesian Cultural Center, and then quickly closed those webpages, not to return.  Usually I have everything figured out, down to what restaurants are available and so forth, so not having that knowledge was causing it's own stress.  Silly!  I know.  But I like knowing what to expect.  Going with the flow with no previous knowledge is a huge act of faith.

So I arrive at the airport, departure slated for 11:40 am... and the flight was delayed several times.  The first time was due to engine problems that needed repairing, and then all the tests that followed.  Around 2 pm Delta gave a $15 food credit to everyone, so my Mom and I ate at the White Horse restaurant, right across from the gate, so I was able to monitor what was happening.  Honestly, that food was one of the highlight meals of the whole trip.  All while eating the departure time was 3:30 pm, the moment my Mom and I left the restaurant the time jumped to 5:00 pm.  I was worried the flight would be canceled over logistics.  Maybe I am cursed when it comes to visiting Hawaii.  Turns out that with the extra testing the repair crew found a fuel leak.

Honestly, I wasn't upset with the flight delays, I'm just glad we were safe and the flight was smooth.  I just hope that those who missed connecting flights were okay.

But after sunset I finally made it to Hawaii!!  Dazzled and amazed at the lit up skyline.  The beautiful island of O'ahu, the city of Honolulu, right next to Waikiki beach.  

The trip was amazing, really.  There were good weather days and rainy days.  We scheduled a Luau on the beach for that Wednesday, but three days before the event (the cut off for refunds), I looked at the weather and saw that it was predicting rain, so we canceled the beach Luau, and another Luau that Sunday evening at a water park was scheduled, bus pick up in a few hours.  Chief's Luau is known for their fire dancing.  The Luau was fun and the fire portion was amazing. 

Did the hop on hop off trolley, all three routes.  A tour around the island. Swam a little in the ocean.  And the night my Mom and I would have visited the beach luau it did rain, a lot, so it's good we canceled. 

McDonald's has a secret menu item called Saimin, which is Ramen.  It's a very required taste type meal, fishy in smell, and I couldn't finish the soup.  It was fun trying Ramen at McDonald's.  (Just had a flashback to when McDonald's served pizza in the 80's/90's. That was awesome).  The Waikiki McDonald's also has a coconut pie fried the old fashioned way that is on the menu and called Haupia Pie.  It was nice and creamy.

Oh, kinda silly, I guess they're all over Hawaii, but I fell in Love with the ABC Store, which is literally on every corner, three in our hotel alone, and the joke is the ABC stands for All Blocks Covered.  But the store is part convenience store, part souvenir shop.  The bottled water was affordable, $1.40 for 1.5 liters.  And I had several Ham and Cheese/Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches that week.

 

The food prices in Waikiki are so crazy they make Disneyland feel like a bargain, and the Cheesecake Factory feel reasonably priced.  The Luau's on the island are also really expensive.  The ABC store was a convenient relief for a quick, cheap meal.  There are a lot of food courts and food options scattered about, fast food and various Asian restaurants, chain restaurants and local specialties, so there's a lot of choices.  I did like that ham and cheese sandwich.

these cute little birds kept visiting our room.  They would fly up and down, and on our last day one was brave enough to come into our room.  I told it we didn't have food, and it flew off, but I'd like to think it was saying goodbye.  That's one thing I loved about Waikiki, hearing all the different birds.  There's this magnificent tree on the beach, and during the Wednesday rain storm they were all crowded and making the most lovely ruckus. 

 

I have more to say, later, after I've gone through the photos and done some organizing.  It was a nice trip.  So happy it worked out.  Last week went so fast!  Too fast.  (Time, slow down, please). We flew the red eye back on Thursday, landing Friday morning.  It's amazing how a simple four hour time difference can cause jet lag.  I couldn't get to sleep last night until 3 am. 0_0  Heh, working on it. 

 

Mahalo,

Sarah

 

I'll Never Get Fashion

Today I went into Nordstrom to do nothing more than use the restroom. Heh, old habit from the days when I visited Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara, an outdoor mall. They have the best bathrooms!! And it was a quick stop before heading towards the parking garage.

I'm not in Santa Barbara (someday I'll return), but thought it would be nice to do the whole "run in and out of Nordstrom" bit once more.

And goodness, once again it was hard not to gawk at crazy priced shoes and clothes I'll never understand. Granted, they do have nice things, but on this visit it was the shoes I couldn't get over. A lot of shoes had metal spiky things with rounded tips. So ugly. Bright clashing colors. And all for $400-$1000. 0_0 I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and my tastes are pretty simple.

Once upon a time I made an effort to understand fashion. Subscribed to several magazines: Marie Claire, Vogue, Elle, In Style, etc. I looked at the pictures, which were interesting, but so much of fashion is baffling!!!

Honestly, I'll always enjoy wearing jeans and tennis shoes. They're just so comfy. And I really don't care what color is on trend! I like what I like. But I really don't have a fashion sense!! :P

Sarah

I've Got Mountain Pride, Y'all. :D

On Facebook I follow Must Do Travels. Pretty much they show gorgeous videos of cliffsides in Greece, wondrous landscapes in Switzerland, gorgeous Caribbean beaches, lit up infinity pools overlooking grand vista's, etc.

The videos call me away. Wishes to experience such beauty, but thankful to know such places exist.

Well, a few days ago a video popped up of a gorgeous sunsrise. The person recording the video was cruising down the highway. In the distance were tall mountains where a burning sun hid and rippling clouds glowing in bright pinks and oranges. The scene was beautiful, and then I realized... I knew this place!!!  Replaying the video over and over, recognizing the exits and buildings on thevside of the road. The highway was clearly the I-15. The caption for the video simply read: Road trip, Utah USA.

My home.

I take these mountains for granted, and yet at the same time I'm super prideful about them! 

When I first moved to Utah Valley the mountains were super claustrophobic. Overbearing. I felt a little stifled looking up at them, wanting distance. Now, I crave them. They've become a shelter, a warm hug. A comfort.

Back in my BYU days I went to a free lecture for this author series at the library. This woman, who I had no previous knowledge of, had just come into town, never having visited previously. At BYU the campus sits close to the mountains. They're really strong and bold from that vintage point. And this lady could not get over it. She was overwhelmed. And even though we were in a small theater with no windows, she kept mentioning the mountains and how they were affecting her. She seemed more distressed than pleased.

I've grown to have mountain pride. When I travel I look at cute little hills, only to be told they're mountains. :\ 

Last March I visited St. George. The landscape was a mixture of greens and snow down I-15. A gentle transition from Winter into Spring. I've made this trip so many times I know the ebb and flow of it. This time I wanted to truly take in the scenery. I'm so use to mountains I no longer see them, but this time I wanted to see the hills and mountains, passing through small towns as the sign exits call to all the state and national parks that are scattered throughout Utah. This state is truly beautiful.

There's a movie called "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain". It came out in 95, and I saw it around that time, telling a story of the town Taff's Well in South Wales, where they had a mountain that turned out to simply be a hill, so they did everything they could to make it a mountain.

When I was on a bus tour in Wales, we passed by this mountain hill. The hill is called The Garth, close to Cardiff, and in all honesty it does like a hill! I believe the story is fictional, and I don't think it's an actual mountain, but it was equal parts interesting and funny to see.

Needless to say, I do love these mountains, and I'll always find them majestic.

Sarah

Keep On Trying... The Try Debate Continues... :P

Trying is important.  Yoda got it wrong!  I know, I know, the little wise man is cool and all, did amazing things in that fictional world of his, but he did get some things wrong... some things... (Actually, it's been forever since I've watched the prequel trilogy). :\ 

"Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible -- And that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."

 ~ Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God"

And then Elder Holland said this...

(Found this meme online somewhere, so not my creation)

But "We get credit for trying" is quoted in "Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You". I linked the video because it's so good, and I don't know how anyone can listen, or watch, Elder Holland and not feel comforted and loved.  So if you're feeling a little down, this talk might help. 

This sentiment has been on my mind lately, as I flounder and meander.  Not at all progressing the way I feel I should.  It's funny how things we need to hear or feel pop up just when we need it.  And today I needed it.  Today I needed the reminder.  And then I discovered this workout health guy talking about Atomic Habits.  And dang I needed that too.  The Youtuber is Mark Lewis, and there's a Part 1 and a Part 2.  I've only seen a few of his videos and they seem good.

I have terrible habits!  Oh, I've got dreams and goals for days, but that's all they are.  Dreams and goals.  Not reality.  Not physical.  Good wishes and hopes stuck in my head.  Until I get good habits sorted out, developed, and daily, I simply won't attain my goals.  

And a little while back I watched a HealthyGamerGG video "Why You Can't Turn You Creativity into ANYTHING." This is also a good watch.

I'm just so good at the all or nothing game, followed by burn out and then nothing. I'm facing all this wrong.  Slow and steady, built on a solid foundation, wins the race... or simply achieves the dream. 

A lot of things to think about.  Right now I think my key is analyzing my morning and evening routines and fixing them. The start and end of a day. Beginning and end. It seems one feeds into the other, and my routines definitely needs work.

Hope you're having a great week!

 

The heater went out a couple days ago, and it's 62 degrees in the house currently.  Fun times.  The repair guy came over and the part has been ordered.  Strangely I was super cold earlier, freezing last night, but right now I'm not feeling it.  That's good.  I'll take it!! 

Sarah

Why I Stopped Writing Movie Reviews

Watching movies, going to the movies, and visual forms of storytelling is something I will always enjoy.

The way I view movies have completely changed since I started writing movie reviews many years ago. Instead of pure enjoyment, the experience became completely critical, analyzing everything, taking apart scenes, picking out the little things. Whereas before I could ignore and overlook, that option became unavailable. Now I had to remember, revisit mentality things I may not have liked.

I would see movies I really wasn't interested in, had a gut feeling, and the intuition proved correct, though I was out the several dollars and time for obligations sake.

Then there's the moral dilemma I faced: Not wanting to write mean things online. It's one thing to talk about a movie, analyze it to its bones in private amongst friends and family, but once you put it online anyone can see, even those you are writing about. That unnerved me. Praising and positivity was no worry, but when there was something I wasn't happy about in a film I struggled with the mention.

There were times I didn't like an actor in a role, or didn't like artistic choices, and stayed silent. And I don't like how movies have become so political with woke stuff, things I don't appreciate due to the divide it causes, but out of respect for differing opinions and beliefs I won't talk on such things. And I honestly believe wokism has stifled good storytelling, agenda over character growth or good plot development. It's so prevalent now that ignoring is impossible.

There's a fine line between how much I can reveal so there's stuff to talk about versus spoilers. This was a balance I never could quite figure out. Either I didn't reveal just enough that my review felt shallow, or revealed too much that I may have ruined the movie.

Then there's other little things like cost, time, etc. Right before the pandemic and lock downs I was seriously considering starting an exclusive movie review blog on WordPress with the possibility of starting a companion YouTube channel. Looked into the costs, started working on names and so on, then the lock downes started and theaters closed. I could have moved to reviewing streamed content, but I decided against it. 

When it came down to it I realized the commitment, the time that it would take away from other projects, and realized I really didn't want to persue movie reviews outside of the hobby.

I'm glad for the reviews I did do. I learned a lot, and the critical thinking skills I've developed in the process will help me when breaking down and developing my own creative works.

I'll always enjoy the movies. I'll always enjoy stories.  Now I'm focusing on the fun.

(Heh, though I seem unable to turn off the deep analysis, so that won't change... :P I love debating movies after leaving the theater).

Sarah