tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165364462011-10-02T03:40:59.159-06:00A home for randomness, ranting, and rambling.Hobienoreply@blogger.comBlogger1321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-34685115612566811962011-03-26T16:24:00.001-06:002011-03-26T16:25:57.586-06:00

I wrote this yesterday in Houston but my "free" wireless access timed out before I got it posted. More to come...All it took was a 3 hour flight plus a 5 hour layover in Houston to provide me with a chance to update a little. I know that I could write a little more often… if I slept a little less, or watched a little less LLS on the DVR. But the reality is that, well, reality is pretty boring.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-11064072237126320122010-12-22T15:43:00.001-07:002010-12-22T15:44:39.278-07:00

Thank goodness Katie keeps up on things. Just refer to her blog and pretend I actually wrote something!

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-52237799644374969572010-08-02T22:17:00.014-06:002010-08-02T22:45:20.903-06:00

Katie said she was cheating on Timp. This is not allowed. This is my response to her post.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-74649619839191073322010-07-01T17:28:00.001-06:002010-07-01T17:31:16.169-06:00

Three times this week I’ve had three different people say to me “I hate June.” They have all been referring to the unfortunate and untimely losses of loved ones during this month, Mom being the first on that list. But June… I love June. I think it is BECAUSE I love June that I am able to wade through the related emotions that are so prevalent this time of year. If the deaths happened during

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-957231131616518372010-06-14T21:43:00.003-06:002010-06-14T22:33:34.454-06:00

Lately I've become keenly aware of the awkwardness which ensues when I run into old friends and acquaintances. There is the moment after we've done our polite "catching up" where they want to ask questions that could be considered socially awkward. I have decided to simply answer the Unasked Awkward Questions so that A) no one will feel awkward, and B) the answers will just be out there.1.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-65259898367809538962010-06-01T17:09:00.004-06:002010-06-14T21:23:34.694-06:00

Yesterday we held the family Memorial Day celebration at the Orem City Cemetery. It is a truly lovely spot (the one, in fact where my remains will hang out until they're needed again). Dad, Tim, Katie and Elliott, Amy, Mabel, and Kimball all joined in our decadent feast as we enjoyed that little taste of summer. In honor of those in the family who have gone before, I did a (not so-) dramatic

Hobienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-61887440336835186852010-04-22T22:50:00.002-06:002010-04-22T23:14:53.534-06:00

Katie made me feel guilty. Its been over a year since I last posted. There is much to say, I guess, but I have to ease into it. So this shall do.WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope. Except someone else named Heather. Wait- I think I DID meet my namesake once in California- we got a VW from them??? Is that true?WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? About 3 minutes ago reading Katie's blogDO

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-11902050530276199072009-01-19T22:57:00.002-07:002009-01-19T23:11:06.442-07:00

8 Shows to Love1. The Office. 2. Brothers and Sisters 3. Private Practice4. Top Chef5. Iron Chef6. All of the Mark & Olly docs on the Travel Channel ( a new one starts soon!!)7. Deadwood (ah Bullock, how I love thee)8. Six Feet Under. Forever. I will never forget watching the series finale all alone in my hotel room in Anchorage and sobbing until it hurt.8 Favorite Restaurants1. Bombay House2

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-27028639755923547882008-12-16T01:17:00.003-07:002008-12-16T01:24:18.142-07:00

You’re at the grocery store and you are in line behind “that person” who is not only dressed in frumpy pajamas and red Crocs, with a SCRUNCHIE in their unwashed hair, even though it is early afternoon, but is also purchasing random things like vinegar, milk, and glass cleaner. And then their card is declined and you have to wait while they embarrassedly count out ones and dimes, trying to cover

Hobienoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-34093259359627188212008-11-26T22:38:00.002-07:002008-11-26T22:48:50.671-07:00

It's Thanksgiving Eve and I've just spent an hour on Facebook looking at all the things my friends have done with their lives, and I'm trying desperately to convince myself that I AM thankful for where I am in my life. Therefore, tonight this is what I am thankful for:1. I can, in all honesty, say "when I ran off and joined the circus..."2. There are at least 3 living creatures on the earth for

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-86041567081507898372008-07-24T00:31:00.006-06:002008-07-24T00:52:27.509-06:00

Well hello there loyal readers. You thought I'd never return, right?? After all this time, I didn't think you would, either. Well, after months of really hectic work, doing a show (what?!?), Girl's Camp, and any number of non-excuses, I am returned. It is long past my bedtime, but I am suffering from too much caffeine too late in the day. Did you know that Code Red Mt. Dew is available in diet

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-41220258723888576342008-02-27T22:43:00.002-07:002008-02-27T23:10:31.081-07:00

Whoa. Really? I did not melt into the earth, nor did I get abducted by aliens. I am shamefully behind when it comes to reading and/or updating blogs. Terrible, I say. Months ago I was tagged with a little "get to know you" alphabet thing. I have been working on it, so here is what I've got.Attached or single:More attached to my four-legged beasts than I should admit. Enamored. Completely

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-17336925847377479572007-12-20T14:20:00.000-07:002007-12-20T14:37:31.955-07:00

My sweetest Brown Dog was ailing last week with a severe bout of pancreatitis. This manifests with vomiting and diarrhea. I wish someone could have (but am relieved that no one did) seen me in the middle of the night in nothing but pajamas, coat, cow-print rubber boots, and a flashlight poking at anything in the backyard that could have been dog poop. As a responsible pet owner, I should be

Hobienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-69170298386486469302007-11-24T23:27:00.000-07:002007-11-24T23:30:41.864-07:00

So, I have been SO out of the loop for SO long, that I didn't not know until 3 minutes ago about being "blog-tagged"... by multiple people even. Its not that I am intentionally ignoring ya'll. I've just been wildly out of commission. So I vow to respond. And tag another in my wake. If I wake.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-20596000984066705522007-11-01T12:04:00.001-06:002007-11-01T12:24:00.533-06:00

The first 3 months of my mission, I served in Hamburg proper... Just north of the neighborhood of St. Pauli. We were proud fans of the never-victorious St. Pauli Pirates soccer team. We cruised the neighborhood, with the exception of Reeperbahn, of course (immediate undignified and dishonorable release from the mission...), and appreciated this center of German punk culture. It was a pretty

Hobienoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-25653489031814682412007-10-15T11:13:00.000-06:002007-10-15T11:14:52.725-06:00

Ok, I don't know how they get in my head, but I CANNOT handle this. Cron. Seriously.marriedtothesea.com

Hobienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-91962622665288226062007-09-20T00:18:00.000-06:002007-09-20T00:30:10.924-06:00

September is full of birthdays. I don't even know where to begin telling about Katie's birthday, but she did a pretty good job here. There are 2 co-worker birthdays, 2 sister birthdays, etc., etc. But the very special birthday was on the 16th. It was Kiste's birthday. The only reason I really know this is that I was updating some information in her medical record at work, and it lists age in

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-32810335524628838492007-08-21T15:19:00.000-06:002007-08-21T15:21:07.559-06:00

Here's a little something lighter than the last entry.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-8655505851314782642007-08-19T19:16:00.000-06:002007-08-19T19:51:00.406-06:00

I have trouble falling asleep a lot of the time. It is hard to shut my mind down long enough to rest. When I do finally fall asleep, I am haunted by very vivid dreams. Its not that they are nightmares, but they are so vivid and real to me that they leave me emotionally exhausted, and impact my mood, sometimes for days. I can usually pinpoint which aspects of my day manifest themselves in my

Hobienoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-46171269123152906932007-08-16T00:16:00.000-06:002007-08-16T00:25:41.102-06:00

Every spare minute of my life for the past few months has been CONSUMED by preparations for Young Women's Camp. I was called as the camp director for our ward many many months ago, but it has really been crunch time. Now that we have returned from MIA Shalom, all limbs and digits intact, no major traumas or fights or crying episodes (other than my own private breakdowns) among the 15 teenage

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-34758053111982598062007-06-29T14:07:00.000-06:002007-06-29T14:19:34.969-06:00

FOR ADOPTION: "Tortuga""Malkovich""Brad" *ALREADY NEUTERED/SPAYED* *CURRENT ON VACCINES* *VERY SOCIALIZED AND LOVING* TORTUGA IS THE MOTHER OF THESE TWO CUTE BOYS. THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TO THE SHELTER AND WERE RESCUED. THEY HAVE BEEN TESTED AND ARE FELINE LEUKEMIA/FELINE AIDS NEGATIVE. MOM HAS HAD ALL HER SHOTS INCLUDING RABIES AND HAS BEEN MICROCHIPPED. THE TWO BOYS HAVE HAD ALL

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-15482361612923224582007-06-18T16:47:00.000-06:002007-06-18T17:17:52.819-06:00

Today it has been 2 years since my mother died. An unbelievable 2 whole years. Every day is still poignant. I love this picture of her with Siam, my favorite elephant at the circus. In my eyes there is a wisdom that these two girls shared. Every day I love you.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-26982856420386427492007-06-04T23:45:00.000-06:002007-06-05T00:50:24.704-06:00

So, um, I disappeared into The Abyss. Just want those of you who have not been to visit said Abyss lately that I didn't actually die. This is the time of the year when I now expect unexpected deaths... But miraculously this past weekend did NOT actually involve my death. This is a miracle. I have Bad Watersport Karma (BWK). It's not really my fault. How many people get pushed under a raft

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-74340658777543592502007-05-04T19:06:00.000-06:002007-05-04T19:20:45.028-06:00

It doesn't matter what I do in my life, what plans I make, what job I commit to... When May rolls around, the Fates, The Almighty, or whatever universal power you believe in, dictates that I go on tour with a BYU group. So here I am, in Todd County High School in Mission, South Dakota (yes, I finally made it to at least one of the Dakotas!) on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. I am sitting

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-6817327375018172002007-04-16T19:51:00.000-06:002007-04-16T20:03:02.735-06:00

Suspenders are funny. Suspenders on a dog are REALLY funny. Suspenders on Max (Mr. Pants) are HYSTERICALLY FUNNY. I know, I know, I have to resist the urge to buy these clothing items. FOR MY DOG. But tell me it isn't worth $4.99 to have this image burned into your brain:Look at his cute, dumpy little dog-butt! Max loves to wear his T-shirt, but wasn't really sure about the pants. But then

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-81626991446421957162007-03-28T23:58:00.000-06:002007-03-29T00:27:20.569-06:00

Dad got a ginormous HD TV last year. I will support this choice in light of some macular degeneration and resulting less than perfect eyesight. It is huge. It's like 500 inches or something. The first few times I watched with him, I was slightly overwhelmed at the vastness of Jay Leno... or the enormity of delicious looking food items that shouldn't be advertised when one is so hungry. But

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-30220877088901646802007-03-19T00:28:00.000-06:002007-03-19T01:00:40.151-06:00

The Riggs kids weren't really allowed to play video games when we were growing up. We did have a Nintendo and played Super Mario Brothers and Legend of Zelda... to a certain extent. But it was discouraged. I am not a really a fan of spending hours playing games that don't really get you anywhere. We did go through a period at work where we played a little game called Tumblebugs to excess. And

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1171842150612816062007-02-18T14:55:00.000-07:002007-02-18T16:42:30.630-07:00

My FoxyThis is a really long entry. That's what happens when I don't regularly purge. Sorry for the wordiness. It just needed to get out.I inherited my love of horses from my mom, who, in turn, had inherited it from her father. Other members of our family had, at times, been appreciaters of the Equine... I used to take riding lessons with Adrian, there are photos of all of us riding with

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1169445126381670492007-01-21T22:46:00.000-07:002007-01-21T22:52:06.396-07:00

I have been sick. And overworked. And really tired. These things combined tend to make me slightly melancholy. Or really melancholy. I have a strange combination of photos that rotate as my desktop. Lately, these two make me break down in bittersweet tears:Summer Under the TreesSunday Dinner

Hobienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1167589064576158992006-12-31T10:40:00.000-07:002006-12-31T11:17:44.650-07:00

Grandma and Cosmo, April 19, 2006Virginia Heilbut Riggs-- April 19,1923- December 27, 2006I was blessed to be sitting with my grandma when she passed away last Wednesday. It was a very difficult and spiritual experience. She had been very ill for a long time, but was truly in the final stages of leaving this life. We sat with her for about 45 minutes, then my dad, Tim, and Uncle Steve laid

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1166374588990301512006-12-17T09:44:00.000-07:002006-12-17T09:56:29.013-07:00

This actually happened the day before Thanksgiving, but I finally downloaded the photo... It happened in a very innocent looking veterinary exam room, with an even more innocent looking ferret. The little beast had a suspicious lump, as ferrets sometimes will. Well, with all my animal restraint finesse, I explained to the ferret owners that ferrets have a nerve bundle at the back of the neck,

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1166072278339239972006-12-13T21:41:00.000-07:002006-12-13T21:57:58.353-07:00

Well, Jon, this one is for you... it's been only a few days since the last post. How's that?I like to see the results of my endeavors. I like to clean things that are really dirty. I like to iron a large pile of clothing and see it hanging in the closet, neat and pressed. I like to rake thick fallen leaves and see the lawn underneath. I simply enjoy seeing the fruits of my labors. One of my

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1165813688255971802006-12-10T21:19:00.000-07:002006-12-10T22:08:08.366-07:00

I have decided to repent for my lack of recent entries, and try to catch up a bit concerning the goings-on of the past few months. I once promised some more pictures of my Alaska trip back in October. That is where I shall begin, I suppose. I went with the Living Legends from BYU as the Assistant Technical Director... it was the first tour of the year, actually the first show of the year, and

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1163535243215617262006-11-14T13:08:00.000-07:002006-11-14T13:14:03.476-07:00

I took my sweet little Fox Mulder to the vet this past weekend- he has an injury to his eye which had me really worried, but should heal, thank heaven. While we were there and had him sedated, he had his teeth floated-- filed down. This is a regular part of horse life, and as they get older, it has to be done more often so they can continue chewing their food. I took this little photo of Fox

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1162446562361341452006-11-01T22:39:00.000-07:002006-11-01T22:49:22.373-07:00

Here is one photo of last week's trip to Alaska. Details to follow. Someday.Between Anchorage and Glennallen

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1160460277749529632006-10-09T23:37:00.000-06:002006-10-10T00:04:37.776-06:00

I hereby officially announce that I LOVE Dane Cook. This is, due to the adult nature of his comedy, probably not something I should tout. But I can't help myself. His delivery is in a class by itself, his subject matter is original and accessible, and his even the sound of his voice makes me giggle a little. The first time I really listened to Dane was driving with Tim in our little Opel

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1160202125598994462006-10-07T00:10:00.000-06:002006-10-07T00:31:24.863-06:00

The continuation of My Month in Pictures begins now:My sister Katie was inspired to put together a team to participate in the Walk for Diabetes. Our team was named "The D.C. Riggs Avengers," and we walked in honor of my dad. We raised quite a bit of money, considering that it was our first foray into fundraising. And next year, we're doing the LONG walk instead of the wimpy two-miler. The D. C.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1159724252806301362006-10-01T11:13:00.000-06:002006-10-01T11:55:11.593-06:00

It's okay to update my blog while I watch conference, right? And I'm Tivo-ing in case I miss something. I love that "to Tivo" is a verb, and one that I use. I digress.I have finally downloaded the latest photos from my camera. Now each of these events really merits its own entry, and perhaps some day that will happen. For now, I will just add some photos and go from there.Okay. The first

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1159060851518160362006-09-23T19:12:00.000-06:002006-09-23T19:20:51.536-06:00

I was without internet at my house for over a week! Can you believe that we all used to live like that? The dark ages. I had to use my telephone to get information. I didn't have Instant Communication Gratification. I had to wait for the news to be on to find out what was afoot in the world. I wasn't enlightened by the opinions of others. I was an island in a sea of mass communication. It

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1157857151814902692006-09-09T20:46:00.000-06:002006-09-09T21:17:51.560-06:00

First of all, I haven't had internet at home for at least a week, and I am really struggling with it. My wireless router is on the fritz and I have difficulty communicating with my dear friend in Pakistan who strives so diligently to offer customer service in a language that neither of us speaks... Anyway, I came down to work to get my poor abandoned topless car (another long story) after hours

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1157000960874980952006-08-30T22:30:00.000-06:002006-08-31T08:51:21.636-06:00

One thing that I particularly love is camping food. My mom taught me how to cook a really mean dutch-oven chicken, and I can create miracles with a sandwich/pie maker over the right coals. I am an appreciator of a perfectly roasted marshmallow, which in my book has a light tan color and occasional "heat dimples." No charred, flaming mallow for me... Not that I will deny you that if that's what

Hobienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1156311792778493412006-08-22T23:37:00.000-06:002006-08-22T23:43:12.790-06:00

My "wife" is leaving RiverWoods at the end of this week. In preparation for our breakup, I have been trying to pick fights with her-- it is a defense mechanism, I suppose. Anyway, one way that I tried to make her mad was to play a few small jokes on her when I was dog-sitting. I chose very small, easily undo-able things (saran-wrapping the toilet, christmas decoration in the living room,

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1155694419696334622006-08-15T19:52:00.000-06:002006-08-15T20:16:51.453-06:00

As crazy as the radio commercials make me, the words of the LDS Social Services adoption campaign keep coming to mind: "I'm not giving him up-- I'm giving him more." I have to keep reminding myself of this. Flash the Wonder Horse has moved to a new home. Since losing the property where my horses have always been kept, after entrusting my horses' care to someone who didn't love and attend to

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1155014533746087412006-08-07T23:07:00.000-06:002006-08-07T23:22:13.756-06:00

I constantly struggle with deciding what to be when I grow up. I have too many interests. I have a short attention span. Lately I have tried to convince myself that a job is a job. It's not life. It's not who you are. It sure is a big part of it. Usually more a part of my life than I would like. If there was a way to NOT go to work every day so that my life could be filled with things I

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1153981236007504622006-07-27T00:14:00.000-06:002006-07-27T00:20:36.016-06:00

I was just called "pirate hooker" in a text message from someone who we will call Gorilla. All I'm saying is: 1- thank you, I think, and 2- that is now, by far, a favorite epithet of mine. And this from someone who for years was greeted by the pet name "Whore [insert slight tug at hair with right hand here]" by friends and family alike. And also, Gorilla, I think this is the 3rd entry where you

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1153692698066090082006-07-23T15:58:00.000-06:002006-08-07T23:24:53.290-06:00

I have given into social blogging pressure, and will now include a map of the world showing the countries I've visited, and a map of the U.S. showing the states I have visited. You can make your own, too, and jump on the popularity bandwagon.EEFIFRDEGIITLVLTPLRUESCHUKJPKR">create your own visited countries mapObviously, the Northern Hemisphere is winning, although geographically, South Africa is

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1153186363500271832006-07-17T19:07:00.000-06:002006-07-17T19:32:43.530-06:00

Dad got a new puppy. He was lonely when my doggies came to live with me, and lasted just about a month before he needed a dog. Enter: Sophie Neveau, named, of course, for the heroine of The Davinci Code. She is a tea-cup sized ball of terror. And about as precious as can be. She is part Boston Terrier and part Sneaky Neighbor's Dog. I vote Border Collie. She and dad are inseparable, but she

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1152767491431316232006-07-12T22:36:00.000-06:002006-07-12T23:11:31.460-06:00

It was pointed out to me today that it has been quite a while since I posted. True, true. This is because nothing truly interesting ever happens to me. Not that that has prevented any of the previous posts... I found that my previous My Week in Pictures was an easy way to fill cyberspace, so perhaps I will try that again a little tonight. But it is more than a week. So deal with it.Grandma

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1151290345115612242006-06-25T20:10:00.000-06:002006-06-28T18:25:58.256-06:00

Okay, so it is actually eight days if we are being exact, but this week has included some odd goings-on, very surreal Hobie-specific things, and, well, things that just make more sense in pictures.Saturday, June 17In a reprise of where we spent last June 17, Katie, Tim, Amy, and I, along with Elliott, My Favorite Wife and her dreamy husband, and Brandon (Gorilla) and Jenine, went to the Pleasant

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1150958712840603982006-06-22T00:24:00.000-06:002006-06-22T00:45:12.853-06:00

So, I have to brag for just a second. My yard looks GREAT. This is a comparative great, as compared to the Years Of Lazy Renters Before Me Who Never Did A Damn Thing And The Lawn Not Getting Watered Enough While I Was Gallivanting In Europe... I have planted, weeded, fertilized, swept, watered, staked, pruned, mowed, etc., and the result is a cute, little, mostly-green, and semi-blooming

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1150562555323812112006-06-17T10:39:00.000-06:002006-06-17T10:42:35.336-06:00

Traditionally, a period of mourning lasts one year. It is for that length of time that the family would wear black, mirrors would be covered, a widow or widower would be “off limits.” At the end of the year, life would go on, the deceased would no longer be mentioned, and that was that. The Chapter of Mourning would be closed and a new one could begin.As the one-year mark since my mother’s

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1150097542120145802006-06-12T01:23:00.000-06:002006-06-12T01:32:22.133-06:00

I feel, in a way, like I have been cheating on Utah. I love Utah. We have had a relationship for a long time. I always know that wherever I go, she will be waiting for me at home. She is a constant. She is strong, beautiful. I tend to get a little wanderlust occasionally and go away. But I always come back. Recently, I was having a bit of an affair with Germany. With Austria. With Czech

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1149560293681871932006-06-05T20:11:00.000-06:002006-06-05T20:18:13.696-06:00

I have returned. I am trying to adjust to the time difference, and trying to adjust to the lack of German breakfast... My sweet doggies are helping me unpack and try to finish moving into my little house so that I can at least be relatively settled. I am back at work tomorrow, and couldn't have LESS desire to be there. Such is the danger of time away, I suppose.I have had a request from my dad

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1149249483815536832006-06-02T05:48:00.000-06:002006-06-02T05:58:03.830-06:00

While sitting in a back-alley laundromat in Baden Baden, Germany last night I composed a Final Installment posting, banking on wireless internet which I never found. Too bad for ya´ll cuz it was great. Not really, but you can believe that. Tim and I did go to Bodensee, which was absolutely lovely. We spent most of the day on the German side, before driving to Switzerland by way of Austria. It

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1149068887810658732006-05-31T03:36:00.000-06:002006-05-31T03:48:07.826-06:00

Hey loyal readers. We are back in Ulm, which seems like a second home to us now. We returned from Prague by way of Karlsbad, a beautiful little resort town in the Czech Republic, where we drank "healing water" from fountains on the street. I am healed. I don´t know what was wrong, but it certainly isn´t anymore. We drove along the "Romantische Straße" yesterday, ending in Ottobeuren, an

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1148768875285804232006-05-27T16:01:00.000-06:002006-05-27T16:45:24.806-06:00

This is only a few hours after the last post, but after going to see X-Men 3 in a Czech movie theatre, Tim and I returned to our fabulous Pension (which you can view online here), I decided to check if there was wireless. How could my dear Pension M fail me? So after great deciding, I have chosen about 100 photos of this little trip... not quite 100, but it sure seems like it. So skip about,

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1148748507282763422006-05-27T10:36:00.000-06:002006-05-27T10:48:27.296-06:00

Well, here I sit in a dark alleyway internet cafe... in the amazing back streets of Prague. I have had rave reviews of this town from everyone who has ever been here. Didn't think it could live up to it, but after just a few hours here, I must say that it does. Amazing. I will fill in a little more later... but to catch you up:Tim and I DID go back into Venice for the day before leaving. I

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1148547374677176992006-05-25T02:49:00.000-06:002006-05-25T02:56:14.686-06:00

Yes, 2 whole days in a row! Venice is an internet Mecca for crying out loud. Not that it doesn't cost me $5 an hour... but at least it's here. So Tim and I ventured of on the city bus to Venice last night, in the pouring rain. But as we drove out across the Adriatic, there was a huge rainbow arched all the way from one side of Venice to the other. The rain cleared and it was a lovely, crisp

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1148485531332834212006-05-24T09:39:00.000-06:002006-05-24T09:45:31.350-06:00

So over (nonalcoholic) beers in Munich last night, Tim and I decided to head south. So we took off after saying a sad farewell to dear Stefan and stopped at the foot of the alps and stayed in a little chalet surrounded by bell-laden cows and hills that were alive... It was oh so picturesque. Then we took off this morning for Sued Tirol (Tyrol in English?), the Italian Alps. But then, after

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1148159530544569082006-05-20T15:07:00.000-06:002006-05-20T15:12:10.566-06:00

I have waited in line for the computer here in the hotel lobby in Frankfurt. Tour is quickly coming to an end. We had our final show last night, our final fireside tomorrow. I just said goodbye to John who is on his way to join the YAs. I hate the end of tour, because I will never be in one room with this group of people ever again. It breaks my little heart some days. Okay, all days.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1147676771259162612006-05-15T01:02:00.000-06:002006-05-15T01:06:11.270-06:00

Hey all. I am here in the lobby of our hotel in Berlin and I am sitting with Stefan the bus driver who is amazed that I have a blog... apparently not a big thing in Germany. My power cable to my computer died, so I am relying on free internet at the moment, which is inconvenient. I will post pictures soon if I can use a private computer. We are in Berlin, which is a really amazing city. We

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1147445387924529072006-05-12T08:46:00.000-06:002006-05-12T08:49:47.936-06:00

A really quick Guten Tag from Hagen, near Dortmund. It has been a crazy week or so, and this is the first email access I have had since the last posting. Just wanted to say that it is beautiful, we are eating bread and cheese and schnitzel until we are sick, and I can't wait to be on my own itinerary. The shows are great, so well received, and everyone has been very good and has welcomed us

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1146639039266959452006-05-03T00:47:00.000-06:002006-05-03T00:50:39.373-06:00

May 2, 2006We arrived in Frankfurt this morning after a rather nice flight, as trans-Atlantic flights go. I took a few Tylenol PM and slept the whole way. That was nice. We had a good tail wind so we arrived an hour early, only to sit in the airport for 3 hours waiting for one member of the group to get through immigration, which she never did (visa issue), so she was sent back to the U.S. to

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1146473717079769112006-05-01T02:50:00.000-06:002006-05-01T02:55:17.090-06:00

Okay. It is almost 3:00 in the morning, and I haven't slept in 2 days. I am getting set to leave for Germany in a few hours. A month is a long time to be gone. I haven't packed yet, but the intended items are about a foot deep in my room. I have added countless new playlists to my iPod, as well as a tour-specific photo album, every episode of The Office, and a few movies. I know I was

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1146040687215852032006-04-26T02:35:00.000-06:002006-04-26T02:40:41.500-06:00

Now I may find this clip in particular REALLY funny since a) it stars my intended, and b) I have tried to get into this show but feel much like my beloved Antonio. Check out the Office clips, as well, and this one is a true classic.Also, if you aren't playing The DaVinci Code Quest, you had better get on board.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1144909335346171572006-04-13T00:05:00.000-06:002006-04-13T00:22:15.360-06:00

Item 1:Thanks to all my dear friends and family who pitched in on a birthday gift certificate, I, too, now own an iPod. I am nervous. It is sitting here in its box in front of me. I haven't even opened it. I opted for the 30GB in white. I am afraid to dive into the world of iPod users because I don't believe in subjecting myself to things I can't live without! But I do make a killer playlist,

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1144654537342318562006-04-10T01:11:00.000-06:002006-04-10T01:35:38.446-06:00

I am not really one to get sentimental and melancholy on birthdays. I do that enough on any given Tuesday... But the combination of early morning, recovering from sickness, and the fact that I have been given the assignment to gather pictures of my mother for (yet another) tribute, have made me a little introspective and overly dramatic. It has nothing to do with my birthday, per se, but rather

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1143611433488621622006-03-28T22:32:00.000-07:002006-03-28T22:50:33.516-07:00

I am trying to free up some memory on my phone, so I have downloaded the past few months worth of pictures from my phone onto the computer. I LOVE having a camera with me all the time. So although the quality isn't the best, some of these are too priceless not to share. 2 Feet of Springtime This is Kiste and Max enjoying their gigantic back yard at Dad's condo. This is the whole thing...Fox

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1143097482729609142006-03-22T23:36:00.000-07:002006-03-23T00:04:42.786-07:00

Katie said to me tonight, "I'm sorry you have a job where you have to see things die." But I think that I'm not sorry. It is an honor and a privilege. I have touched on this a little before, but tonight I am very sure of one thing: the moment when a spirit leaves or enters a body is truly sacred. I spent the last 4 hours of my work day tonight sitting at the side of a special little dog named

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1142398680427456972006-03-14T21:31:00.000-07:002006-03-14T21:58:00.460-07:00

My sweet little blue jeep, "Never Saw Blue," died last night. I was driving home from Salt Lake and there was a terrible sputtering and cloud of black smoke as all the dials on the dash suddenly dropped to zero. Based on the diagnostics today, basically the mechanic's words were "your engine is shot. You could replace it for only $3000, or sell it for scrap." I have known this day would come.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1141164648531415862006-02-28T14:46:00.000-07:002006-03-01T00:40:16.876-07:00

I can't believe I have let so much time go by without brightening your lives and your minds with another exotic tale... or tail, as the case may be. My sister, Adrian, is back in Japan, which has become a second home for her. She spends many months out of the year working there, and has grown to really love it. I spent a month in Japan a few years ago, and I also loved it. She sent this picture

Hobienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1140487877350009822006-02-20T19:01:00.000-07:002006-02-20T19:11:19.723-07:00

Saturday marked the marriage of my youngest sister, Katie, to Elliott Hansen. It was a beautiful day, beautiful wedding, and end of a chaotic couple of days, weeks, months... It also marked the official beginning of my old-maidhood as my last single (and younger) sister was married off. I am celebrating by sitting at home eating leftover wedding cake and watching ski jumping. But it was a

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1139878937339558602006-02-13T17:44:00.000-07:002006-02-13T18:02:22.343-07:00

Some of you may have read my previous call for a date to my sister's wedding. I am, finding myself somewhere in the vicinity of the 11th Hour, now willing to make a few concessions: 1- You do not have to be gay, although the non-commitment clause is still in effect2- You do not, although it is a great plus to look like him, HAVE TO be Cary Grant. Any tall, dark, hansome gentleman will do (touch

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1139877671338863402006-02-13T17:37:00.000-07:002006-02-13T17:41:11.360-07:00

My HairOne can see the single streak of darker color added a few days ago. The rest is mine. All mine.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1139467889692908232006-02-08T23:48:00.000-07:002006-02-08T23:51:29.703-07:00

This is an actual quote that escaped my lips. Granted, there were some (slightly) extenuating circumstances:"I am too out of breath from going up the stairs to eat my doughnut."

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1139276422548671132006-02-06T18:38:00.000-07:002006-02-06T19:20:49.850-07:00

Leland, Nathan, and Malcolm BackstageWell, due to a wifi issue at a Holiday Inn, my last post has apparently disappeared. Too bad. I am sure it was witty, yet informative. So here I am to do a quick recap of the rest of tour-- I can hear your letting out your collective breath(s). So, Billings was successful, then we travelled to Sheridan?, WY, by way of The Little Bighorn Battlefield. That

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1138863305485217362006-02-01T23:40:00.000-07:002006-02-06T19:23:40.656-07:00

Yesterday:We had a great time at the Buffalo Bill Museum this morning.Leland and I and a happy Native family Some of the crew at our TeePeeBuffalo Bill's SaddleYes, I get excited about strange things.We then drove to Lovell and set up for a show in the gymnasium. I do love the challenge of transforming a basketball court into a theatre, and it never ceases to amaze me the miracles that can be

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1138688690707919402006-01-30T22:47:00.000-07:002006-01-30T23:24:50.720-07:00

Well, I didn't quite get the post done for Riverton. We had a great Sunday. We went to church at Fort Washakie on the Wind River Reservation, which has an amazing history. It is the burial spot of Sacajawea, and we ate lunch with her great-great grandson. We met a wonderful group of Shoshone and Arapahoe, and many of their white neighbors. After Sacrament Meeting, I went to Primary, as I

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1138522577417932252006-01-29T00:55:00.000-07:002006-01-29T01:16:17.456-07:00

We woke to really freezing temperatures this morning and set out for Riverton, WY. I was excited to see the Wind River Mountains from the East side, since I have only ever seen them from the Jackson Hole side... But no luck. I saw my first ever Sun Dog but only got one picture:Sun DogWe also saw many, many deer and moose downtown, including this one:Moose BreakfastThen we headed for Riverton,

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1138342846064279832006-01-26T23:14:00.000-07:002006-01-26T23:20:46.073-07:00

Well, here I am on Day 1 of Living Legends Midsemester Tour to Wyoming and Montana. Yippee. I have done many of these tours, but this one promises to be one of the coldest. We are here at the lovely Best Western, and my hopes of motels with wireless access are high with good luck here the first night. We had only one near-death near-deer-squishing experience on the drive, but thanks to my

Hobienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1137899519257783902006-01-21T19:55:00.000-07:002006-01-21T20:15:07.876-07:00

Here I am, 8:00 pm on a Saturday, still not dressed for the day... but at least I bathed. That made me try to understand the appeal of a hot bath. I have felt terrible all day (usual end-of-the-week exhaustion + 20 hour work day yesterday), so the logical choice is to run a hot bath and soak away all the gunk. Maybe it is that the only time I take time for a hot bath is when I've been sick.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1137762651030558292006-01-20T06:08:00.000-07:002006-01-20T06:10:51.040-07:00

Please pardon the fabulous cell phone quality photo, but some moments just can't wait for a real camera. How could you not love this quartet?Max, Kimball, Mabel, and Kiste

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1137695656175514612006-01-19T11:29:00.000-07:002006-01-19T11:34:16.190-07:00

ADOPT US!!2 SPAYED FEMALE WESTIESLOST OUR OWNER AND NEED A FOREVER HOME“LADY JANE” IS 2 ½“MISS Q” IS 4WE MUST STAY TOGETHER!!COME WITH ALL ACCESSORIES, HOUSE TRAINED, AND SWEET AS CAN BE.PLEASE CONTACT HEATHER AT RIVERWOODS PET HOSPITAL: 801-224-2233 OR 801-787-6774

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1137401868618608412006-01-16T01:56:00.000-07:002006-01-16T01:57:48.630-07:00

I had an awkward experience at work yesterday, which has me wanting to change our society, yet again. I work with an amazing group of people. We have a great deal of fun joking and playing around, which lightens up an otherwise rather oppressive environment. One of the ongoing things is “your momma” references and jokes. Yesterday, dear Brandon, who is as nice and good-natured as can be,

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1137051030199189562006-01-12T00:21:00.000-07:002006-01-12T00:32:49.436-07:00

Well, we had a miracle and mystery in one: at 4:30 this morning, Wilson arrived at our front door, loudly announcing his arrival back home with his characteristic "yelling." A great mystery: his collar and tags still on, clean as can be, but thin from not eating for a while. Where could he have been? How did he find home, and if he was nearby, why didn't he come home sooner? Perhaps heaven

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1136880619951915392006-01-10T01:07:00.000-07:002006-01-10T01:10:19.960-07:00

I DARE you not to become obsessed with this site. I have never had so much fun mocking and hating the "beautiful" people of the world. Hours and hours of witty, bad-fashion delight.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1136789135378825422006-01-08T23:39:00.000-07:002006-01-08T23:45:35.393-07:00

I am having one of the melancholy days where I inexplicably feel like I'm not home where I am. I have these days occasionally, where I feel like I am far from the place where my heart is at peace. Sometimes it is for Germany, sometimes for LA, sometimes for a place I'm not sure I've ever been. Today, I am longing for Africa. I have been so blessed to spend 2 months in South Africa, a place so

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1136532402737868362006-01-06T00:24:00.000-07:002006-01-06T00:28:24.596-07:00

I am coming to terms with the fact that Wilson isn't coming back. If he were around, he would come home. He also has collar and tags and microchip, so he would be returned by now. I am very sad. I don't like cats (don't tell them at work), but I love that crazy gray beast. I also dreamt that he was with my mom. They were loading in a show to the deJong Concert Hall. What does this mean??

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1136442242781616612006-01-04T23:06:00.000-07:002006-01-04T23:24:02.793-07:00

So, I know I've been slow getting on the bandwagon, mostly because, and I hardly dare admit it, as I will either be lynched or receive multiple expensive gifts (possibly a hint, rich friends, wherever and whoever you are), I am not an iPod owner. I can't believe it. Oh well. I also spend a lot of the day at the computer, but not really in a place I can listen to anything online. So, I didn't

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1136282858004883742006-01-03T03:05:00.000-07:002006-01-03T03:07:38.016-07:00

LOST: REWARD!FROM 1600 SOUTH IN OREM ON DEC. 30WILSONPLEASE HELP ME FIND MY WAY HOME. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!I AM GREATLY LOVED AND MISSED.HEATHER @ 787-6774DENNIS @ 836-4761 OR 225-9262

Hobienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1136167087581350392006-01-01T18:51:00.000-07:002006-01-01T18:58:07.596-07:00

It is the dreaded time of the year: when one should resolve and commit to ways in which one should improve one’s life. This usually consists of a list of goals: concrete, measurable actions which can be checked off a list. I am not good at this. I shun this once-a-year making of lists which all too soon gives way to the cold icy reality of late January. This year, I am seeking “Higher

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1135917489845914732005-12-29T20:59:00.000-07:002005-12-29T21:38:09.890-07:00

I went to see The Producers last night, and it sealed in my heart my love for three things: physical comedy, musical theatre, and Matthew Broderick. All of these things I have loved for a very long time, and this film was a combination of all of them. First of all, physical comedy: I admire an actor's ability to use his body as another "language," the ability to do things which are very

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1135662504400567302005-12-26T22:32:00.000-07:002005-12-26T22:48:24.410-07:00

“Christmas Eve will find me, where the lovelight gleams. I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” Fitting that this carol comes from a musical, Meet Me in St. Louis. I have a standing date with my mom on Saturday nights. It used to be the one night of the week that she didn’t have rehearsal, and we used to drive around and listen to Show Tune Saturday Night. Well, since she has

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1135397117151752022005-12-23T21:02:00.000-07:002005-12-23T21:05:17.170-07:00

Someone I know and respect greatly was dealt a great wrong today. Those of you who live in Utah Valley may have read something about a civil case involving the wrongful termination of Dr. Richard Thwaits from BYU. Today, the jury found in favor of BYU. I only recently did a little research into the details of the case, and had no idea how great an impact it had on my educational experience. I

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1135056770012402742005-12-19T22:30:00.000-07:002005-12-19T22:32:50.030-07:00

My sixth through eighth stitches ever!

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1135034638877143362005-12-19T16:21:00.000-07:002005-12-19T16:23:58.886-07:00

Last night a dreamt that HBO was selling off props from their show Six Feet Under. As a fan of the show, I was interested in looking, so I drove to the football field off of I-15 where they had rows and rows of caskets set up. There were fully costumed extras milling about for ambience: women with big hats and veiled faces, men in their Sunday black suits. There were hundreds of caskets which

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1134875417637735712005-12-17T20:08:00.000-07:002005-12-17T20:10:17.636-07:00

I have tried to include a link to my mom's online guestbook, but the site won't allow a redirect, so here it is.

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1134795154331480882005-12-16T21:43:00.000-07:002005-12-16T21:52:34.343-07:00

I love furry little creatures. This love has led me to my current profession as a veterinary nurse. Is there anything more charming than a furry little kitten or a romping puppy? What sweet, adorable, blood thirsty man-killers! I rarely finish a day without some battle wound—scratches, bites, bruises are a normal part of my “outfit.” One of the keys to being a vet tech is knowing the proper

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1134541131292728402005-12-13T23:07:00.000-07:002005-12-13T23:19:36.933-07:00

It was a miracle that I was able to rouse myself from my NyQuil coma to get ready for work today. It took all that I had to get there-- last pay period before Christmas, you know. Well, I would consider it a good day because a) I showered and b) my scrubs matched. So I walked into work and Dr. Dobson, who (Heaven bless her) is INSANE looked at me in shock and said "what's wrong with your face?

Hobienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16536446.post-1134453291382232342005-12-12T22:51:00.000-07:002005-12-12T22:54:51.393-07:00

I finally got out of bed at 10 tonight to eat some soup. On my way back downstairs, I saw Wilson, the grey cat, sitting on a box by the front door. The way the light hit him, it caught only the tip of one ear. In my cold-medicine fogged mind I thought "wow. Wilson has a rhinoceros horn." This made complete sense to me, and it wasn't until I got to the bottom of the stairs that I realized I

Hobienoreply@blogger.com0