Happy Holidays from Utah

Well here's a quick note to let the world know about the ongoing adventures of James and Michelle. It's been an eventful year with 2008 proving to be a right pain in the butt type of year. But what kills us only makes us stronger and here's looking to a stress- free, uneventful 2009.

We started the year with Michelle's employer telling her that in the grand scheme of things her quaint, homely branch was not making the bank any money. Whoo Hoo WaMu- was taken over by JP Morgan Chase in September. Michelle in the meantime whistle blew on her boss- making things awkward at work and then subsequently got his job.

On the theatre front - Michelle stayed away from the Academy but was lured back in with the promise of doing her first musical- Annie. She belted out All that Jazz in her audition and scored the role of Lily, however only to be told that because it was touring on Broadway- the little theatre was unable to play it. So out came Cinderella- and Michelle had the most fun to date in a role as the Fairy Godmother. She then reprised her role as Jadis in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. This was cut short by a blow to the head from a steel pole and then had seizures which ended her run.

James had a mediocre year. He took on more staff in far flung places and thus more international trips- including his first trip to Europe ( Berlin and Dublin). This apparently made him a senior according to his new title. Funny, i dont feel all that old. 2nd half of the year saw eBay tighten the belt pretty hard, let go a bunch of great people and cut fun things like travel and xmas parties. 2009 is looking much better.

In his spare time James wrote new music and learnt to ski. He also bought his first set of skis and is looking forward to tackling the slopes at the Canyons with his partners in Ski Crime- Jaci and Dane. Golf was a weekly thang for M & J. James maintained his handicap of 4 this year. He even had a couple of even par rounds but has yet to defeat the course.

James and Michelle plan to spend more time travelling in 2009 and plan on visiting Australia's sunny shores in February.

Big hugs to you and yours this holiday season
With Love Michelle and James xoxoxo

Michelle the crack head

We spent the other night in emergency. Michelle had good intentions and moved a bunch of kids at theatre away from a suspiciously placed pole, only to have it fall on her head. She's fine now, staples are gone as of today!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.

foshitmo

I invented a word today: foshitmo.

Search for it on google.

Zions NP

Anniversary weekend, good time to visit the outdoors! Back to Cedar City and saw another show at the Shakespeare festival (Julius Caesar), then Zion NP again. It was very wet.

From The Mouths of Smart Theatre babes

So I was chatting with the kids at theatre. I get asked all sorts of questions about religion esp as most of them are LDS. As i don't subscribe to any faith except belief in simple things and nature, it's tough playing the straight line without upsetting many, many parents. This one is gold.

LDS Little person: So I think my bishop is seriously demented
Me: And why is that?
LDS Little Person: Because he says there are three paths for a woman
Me ( getting riled up but maintaining an interested and compassionate demeanor) And what would they be?
LDS Little Person: Death, Getting pregnant and having an eternal marriage
Me: I think you should talk to your parents
LDS Little Person: Well, I still think he's a weirdo

Cinderella

Michelle is back in action as the Fairy Godmother @ the Phoenix Theatre, SLC. Details for the show here and here.

Berlin & Dublin

10 very short days on the other side of the Atlantic. Spent most of my time in Dreilinden, a day sightseeing in Berlin, then one night free in Dublin. In 5 words/phrases ...

Berlin: Pork, history, apartments, public transport and languages

Dublin: Green, Guinness, cobblestones, rain, traffic

Horses by the Brandenburg Gate:

The Berlin Wall:
Little red guy with a hat:
View of Smithfield Plaza in Dublin:
Proof i was there:

Cedar City - Utah Shakespeare Festival - Cedar Breaks National Monument

Everyone should take a long weekend every month ... we spent one down in Cedar City & saw The Two Gentlemen of Verona @ the Utah Shakespeare Festival (in a fantastic replica of the globe, Cedar Breaks National Monument (surprisingly great!), and some reasonably dodgy chinese food.

San Diego

5 days in San Diego by the beach! Went with Jaci & Dane, rented a house by the ocean and enjoyed the humidity and bearable heat. San Diego Zoo, Seaworld (complete with it's own deity - Shamu), ocean kayaking, swimming, bbq, sleeping in ... southern California was very very nice :)

The sharks were hungry:

The frogs were bright:
Got a little wet:
A few times actually...this is pilot whale spit:
We were confused when someone from the crowd went onstage under the guise of a 'walrus', but hey... the otter was cute. Best bit was when the otter came out with a can of pepsi.



Mich forked out the big bucks for a foot massage:While i pondered maps:
Coming home to this made it all worthwhile. The roof was a balcony/bbq area with a nice view of the ocean & sunset.
Can't ask for a better holiday! Thanks guys, same time next year.

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots 11th June 2008 @ the E Center.

Thought it could be fun seeing everyone's 6th favourite band from the 90s on their reunion tour. For the most part it was, pretty much a greatest hits set, nothing too unexpected. Sex Type Thing was amazing. Scott can still move, although his voice isn't all that good, the rest of the band were tight. Glad i got to finally see them (always missed them in the 90s). Made me wish Layne Staley was still around :(

San Jose, San Francisco and Sonoma Valley and Coast

Just returned from a fabulous weekend in Northern California. Amazing weather, wonderful company ( James) and just a beautiful part of the US. Had so much fun I didn't want to leave...

David Ford

Amazing show at the the Avalon Theatre. Saw David Ford supporting a bunch of bands( Wild Sweet Orange, Mesa Drive and Augustana). His set was waaaaay too short- 30 minutes- Bah!. So James & I went up to him and asked why he doesn't do his own shows and I guess he has to for the mean time ( record company bullshite). Being the eternal groupies we said he could play for us only!!! He giggled and signed my CD. aaaagh... Everyone buy a copy of his albums- " I Sincerely Apologise for all the Trouble I have caused " and "Songs for the Road" -seriously some of the best albums of I have heard in the last few years.

Oh and I am unimpressed with Augustana- way too pretty for me but want to buy the Avalon Theatre.

I love Salt lake City for the cheap music and brushes with talented musos.


My signed copy of Songs for The Road

Ben Lee, Ben Folds and Jelly

Concert Quench, last night at the Great Salt Air, featuring Ben Folds and Ben Lee! Jaci made some amazing jelly (note: quite difficult to eat jelly & drive at the same time). We also got to meet Placid (Ben Lee)!

Capitol Reef National Park

With Michelle in Sydney, i took off for a quick trip to Capitol Reef National Park.

The trip started in the coolest way possible - with the car telling me something was up:

(it says 66666-stupid disposable camera)

Then arrived here:

Drove through some rather narrow canyons, i can see how these things flood in about 4 seconds:

Climbed the odd mountain or two, this one was my favourite.

Then visited this Golden Throne thing, doesn't look too comfortable to me:


And finally, saw this rewarding sign. They forget to mention you have to walk 5 miles back to your car.

Come home soon Michelle!

Sugarhouse

So this is what is happening to my neighbourhood where I work and live... so sad. The Sugar Shack will be gone in 6 weeks as well. I am unsure where I will be working and trying to remain zen like and serene about the whole situation. I think a huge birthday bash in July will be fantastic and there's always a spot of cricket in the Caribbean to think about.

Ice Bush

Amazing bush at our apartment block, it's under a dripping drain, and it's really really cold, resulting in this:

July Birthday's

Question for all ... in July, both Michelle and I have rather significant birthday's coming up. Neither of us really like parties, yet it has been such a long time since we had a good bash.

Do we:
a/ celebrate by nicking off out of town (road trip to Monument Valley?)
b/ have a jolly rocking ol' time at the Irving Schoolhouse clubhouse or Fiddler's.

?

Happy Australia Day

Celebrated the convict landing by drinking beer (NOT Fosters), eating aussie food and watching the Castle at the McAldenhoveney's. That's our esky in the 2nd photo!