Softball : Art

KAPITEL EINS

Our family is made up of a bunch of softball players. Well, actually, wannabe softball players. I think the most "pro" out of us all is Bruce, who is basically a rockstar on the field. My work has a softball team and all of us except for my mom have joined. Bruce, Nina, Ashley, Karl, and I all belong to the team. It is funny because I don't exactly look like the sportiest of girls, so many of our team members were surprised to see me join. I am more or less an "extra." Which I don't mind. I've never really played softball before, but I think that it is fun and who cares how well you are doing as long as you enjoy what you are doing right? At first it was Bruce, Nina, and I who joined. Ashley was trying to help me by coaching me on how to hit and catch. My team saw her blasting the ball over the fence during our warm ups and decided that I should be an extra and she could be a permanent team member. I really didn't mind. She has always been the sporty one (I say this self-consciously, ashamed, and under my breath :))
Anyway, I digress. I just wanted to post some pics of us all playing from this Saturday. We lost. Our team isn't the best, but actually this was one of our better games. It just seems like a really hard loss because the opposing team is the undefeated champions of the league AND they consist of trash-talking lesbians. While they had a lot to say it was actually really fun to play them because they were so into it. I'm sure the majority of them could eat me for breakfast, but it was all in good humor. I probably shouldn't admit this, but our ending score was 23-6. Sad. But still fun!

My tough brother-in-law Karl.

My mom and her friend Eli

Partial fam pic (everyone on the team anyway)

Ashley as her bad self watching 1st base

Nina showing Bruce who is boss in their relationship

Bruce and his gf Nina

No Comment

My mom showing her support

The fam

Ashley apparently doesn't like to be hugged :)

KAPITEL SWEI

Saturday was a busy day. Shortly after the game we went to breakfast and later to the SL Arts Festival. This is my favorite festival! We had a wonderful time! Unfortunately, Ash and Bruce couldn't stay the entire time, but my mom, Brent, Eli, and I stayed and really enjoyed ourselves. We went to all of the exhibiting booths. I love the arts fest because so many people come out to just appreciate all of the differing genre's of art. There was dance, visual, literary/poetry, and music. I was in heaven! Usually I don't find too many things that I feel (in my humble opinion) are absolutely amazing, but there was one artist in particular this year that impressed me. His name is Trevin Prince. His medium is his own type O blood. While this may freak some people out, it was incredibly fascinating to me. This is mainly because of his process (which includes multiple layering of resin, blood, and gesso), but most of all, his concept is astounding. The work inherently mimics the human body in that it is layered and filled with blood. Not only that, but the issue of authenticity is explored. What could be more authentic and signature than the artist's blood? This is something that cannot be copied or falsified. The work is beautiful and just amazing. I could go on for a long time, but to say it simply, I was so impressed by this artist that I was thinking of ways to buy one of his works, which start at $2500. I was thinking a school loan would suffice :) ha ha. But couldn't bring myself to do that. Here is one of his works:


Artist: Trevin Prince, Against the Wind, bood preserved on plexiglass in resin

We stayed at the festival until it closed. My mom and I danced (as we usually do) to all of the good bands. The night ended with a Neil Diamond cover band and a Brazilian performance number. Oh, and I also have to note the poetry throwdown that we attended. My mom had never been to a beat-style poetry reading before. At first I could tell that she really didn't know what to think. It is a bit startling because it is definately a performance rather than just reading, and some of the poets even shout out their declarations. After a couple of artists, we were totally into the snapping swing of things. It was so great!


A really bad picture of one of the performances. There was this really crazy guy skanking in the front (this is what I was trying to capture). He had a diaper bag on and was knocking into everyone. Really strange and entertaining. I think that his wife came up and tried to get him to leave, she looked totally embarassed.

Everyone at the festival.

Past in Pics

Whew! I realize it has been a while since my last post. It has been a very busy summer so far, but a really enjoyable one at that! I have forgotten what it has been like to only have a single job without having to go to school, and it totally ROCKS (exempt working hours)! I feel totally relaxed and am doing things that I have been planning on doing for years. Here is a pictorial representation of some of the events that have occured since my last post:

LIVING TRADITIONS FESTIVAL

Richard, Brent, and I went to the living traditions festival in downtown SLC. I love riding TRAX, and parking is hard to find, so we rode the train. We always meet and see the most random people on the train, and on this particular ride there was an interesting girl who educated us on the life and times of someone who eats only raw food. I don't think that I could ever follow that path, but totally respected the discipline that she had to eat only raw food.


Richard, Me, and Brent living it up at the Livin' Traditions. This is an awesome festival where several cultures around the world exhibit or perform various identifying characteristics. It is always a great time!


While waiting in line for some of the AMAZING food at this event, our hunger was interrupted by this dance. Very entertaining. There were two guys under that dragon. I looked.

TONSILLECTOMY
Last month I completed the long-time goal of getting my tonsils out. Yes, instead of my yearly trip abroad (e.g. Europe), I sucked it up and went under the knife. It was a learning experience, and I can't say that I ever want to have surgery again. It took about three weeks for me to recover, and even after that I was feeling my throat. Whenever I looked in the mirror at my throat I saw two empty eyesockets. I am really glad that I finally took the inititive to do this though because I already feel different from before. Before = lethargic and consistently sick. After = energetic and no sick symptoms yet. Throughout my recovery I tried to read, guiltly indulge in smutty t.v. series, and catch up on my cleaning. None of these happened. I mean, I read and watched TV, but don't remember much of either. Sad.


Prepping me for surgery. I was surprised they found my vein on the first try. Ususally it takes a couple tries because my veins are almost microscopic.


My mom and I. She was worried. Both Brent and her cried when I came out of the operation room. She was a really wonderful support. At this moment in time my nerves were going pretty crazy in anticipation.


I hate to even post this pic, but must to successfully record my experience. I am coming out of anestesia at this point. They didn't put any pain meds in my iv, so I was in excruciating pain at first. This was when they finally put some morphine in my IV. :)


My mom wouldn't stop taking pics of me in my helpless state. She thought she was pretty funny.


Near the end of my recovery I was going insane and had to get out of the house. My first outing was to the Bee's baseball game. I don't remember much of the game either. My appetite had been quite ravenous, so in order to eat I had to keep up on my pain meds. I think that I ordered everything that the ballpark had to offer and then some. My family had a really good time with me, or more accurately, at my expense. I was pretty loopy, but it was a blast that way! Ha ha!


My mom, Ashley, and I living up the cotton candy (this is our second bag...I ate the first...alone).




My sister and I. I really don't think we were watching much of the game. She is a spaz. Ok. We both might be.


My mom and my sister and some guy who wanted to look at the camera while I was taking the picture. I believe he is a scout. Anyway...


Brent and I.


Brent and my brother Bruce.


Some hard core fans of the salt lake Bee's. Just really funny to me. I respect their enthusiasm.


And the grand finale. This dude was sitting in front of us. I couldn't help but laugh every time I looked at this shirt. The front said something equally funny, but obviously forgettable.

CITY OF ROCKS
Unfortunately, this trip to the city of Rocks was completely rained out. And this wasn't no light rain either. It was like hail and wind and blow your tent over, flood your sleepingbag like storm! Out of the three days that we were there we got in one climb. I was so disappointed. On the bright side, I did complete a 5.7 climb called swiss cheese. I felt so good because I've tried this climb before and couldn't make it. I think that I might take up rock climbing as a new hobby. I've got a used harness and have yet to purchase shoes. I really do love the sport though!

The dreary rocks.


My main view for the majority of our stay in the city.


Our beautiful drive on the way up.


Here are some of the climbers in my group. They are the pro's that lead us through the park every year. Thank you James! A freakin' crazy awesome climber.


Elephant Rock. My favorite rock formation (not because I've ever climbed it).


The rain yielded this beautiful sight! This was our last day here...of course :)

This obviously doesn't describe all of the past events in the last couple of weeks, but they are the main events. There is more to tell, and I will have to post it a little later because I am pretty tired of this post at this moment in time!