the Lion King

On September 25th, I got to go with my mom and sisters to see the Lion King at the Capitol Theater.  We had a delicious dinner at Little America before the show.  It was a stupendous evening!

A close up of Wendy because she just looks so beautiful!

My favorite part was probably how the drums set every scene and the extravagant costumes and simple scenery. 

My least favorite part might have been the number of people who were totally under dressed.  Is Utah so sheltered that people don't know Broadway plays, symphonies, operas, and other cultural events are worthy of more than a pair of flip flops and cargo shorts?

side effects of the d.i.

I have to admit that working at the Deseret Industries isn't full-time fun and games.  Periodically, I have to work with a diverse population of humans.  The diversity presents itself in a number of ways.  Sometimes, the humans say things to me that they may or may not believe I have never heard before.  And sometimes I just can't help but ask the human, "Do you think you're the first person who came up with that excuse?"  Other times, I can't help but rudely interrupt the humans in their plea for sympathy and forgiveness for their absence as he/she explains the details of their bodily function's flaws.  That's right...the flaws in how their body is functioning.  In addition, there are times when one person calls in sick and 3.67 seconds later his/her new d.i. love calls in sick.  The second caller always seems surprised by inquiry into the coincidental nature of the 2 calls.

Let me get down to the brass tacks here....

The consistency and popularity in the belief that I can't see or hear a lie takes a toll.  Many parts of the work at d.i. takes a toll.  Side effects of d.i. include brain loss and fatigue.  For example, a dear co-worker was late to work the other day because she couldn't find her black slip.  She searched and searched before she decided just to put on her white slip instead.

I'd like to share some happy d.i. thoughts as well.  Because sometimes d.i. is a job of fun and games or, oddly enough, tender moments.  Well, maybe I won't share them right now but I will say that sometimes I can feel my eyes tear up of the successes the associates experience when they believe they can only fail.  And sometimes, their thoughtfulness blesses my life and builds me up in many ways.

Turns out....even if I go to work with 2 slips on....I'd still love D.I.

a few of my favorites

the tongue

the smile

the tongue

a messy face

grandpa S. and grandma H.

Hurley

Stone Family Labor Day Picnic

i LOVE labor day....and my family too

Jon Schmidt Concert at Thanksgiving Point

I don't have any pictures or video of Jon Schmidt or the music he played.  But I do have a few sister stories and a photo of a horrible date going on before our eyes.

1. I accidentally told Wendy about how I call her a diva behind her back.  A diva is a good description of Wendy when she is tired or hungry.  Anne agreed with my assessment and added that I (Joey) am like a troll under a bridge when I am tired or hungry.  I guess I'd take that over diva.  Anne is neither of these things because when she is tired she sleeps and when she's hungry she eats something. 

2. During a short intermission, J. Schmidt catapults ding dongs into the crowd.  It was very dark and he was worried he was going to hit someone.  I said, "I wish I got hit by a ding dong.  In my dreams....."  Who would complain about being pegged with a wonderful chocolate treat?  And who wouldn't believe that it's realistic for me to have that kind of dream?

• If you have ever been to a J. Schmidt concert you would know that he's a comedian.  The guys is hilarious.  I love all of his jokes.  Even if I have heard it at all of his other concerts, I still laugh.  He really knows how to put on good show.  My sisters say I go for the humor not for the music.  That's not true.  I go because he is an artist of blending music and jokes.
• At one point during the concert, Wendy really needed to excuse herself.  She had to gear up for it because she was a little nervous.  She thought maybe a crazy piano nerd would attack her.  Or that she would encounter children, germs, or uncleanliness.  She was wrong on all accounts.  She was able to safely "excuse herself."

1. And finally....there was a couple on a date sitting on a blanket in front of us.  They arrived before we did, and we were early.  I can't recall either of them ever speaking a word to the other.  The girl would sneak and look at her cell phone once in a while and they both would take pictures and stuff.  If one laid down the other sat up.  They never sat close enough to reach the other with less than a 3 foot 9 inch stick.  Looked unbearable.  So we left.  Literally, we left the show early.

"If you're hungry, eat something!"