Logan, Utah. Cold, Snowy, Beautiful. This was the setting for Steph and I on Saturday as our bus pulled into the venue where we would perform that night. Then I saw the theater. Inside the venue, there was an auditorium that was antique and so gorgeous, that I wished I would have brought my camera. The venue is called Eccles Theater, and it is located in Logan, Utah. We were there with the folk dancers, once again performing the show that we will be taking on tour in less than a week. We arrived and immediately started to set up. Luckily, we were able to get everything set up before we had to go to dinner, and so we were able to have some free time to relax.
The band always plays four numbers before the show starts, to warm up the audience and get them excited for the show. I knew this would be a good audience when they started cheering for us after only an announcement that we would play some preshow music.
It was a great audience, and a great show. The band played a solid set, and the dancers did very well. The audience loved it!! It’s always great when you hear an audience react like that, and when you see them give you a standing ovation.
We had left at 9:30 in the morning on Saturday, and didn’t get back home until 1:30 Sunday morning. Needless to say, it was a long day.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Covey Center
What a crazy week! Stephanie and I both had a few tests this week, and we barely had time to study for them. The Folk Dance Ensemble performed at the Covey Center for the Arts Friday and Saturday night, and since we are both heavily involved in the group, we barely had time to think, let alone study for tests.
The first big rehearsal was Tuesday evening. We started setting up and sound checking at 5 pm. We then rehearsed until 8:30 or 9:00 pm. Wednesday I got to the Covey center at 1:00 pm to help finish getting things set up, and we didn’t leave that night until 10:45 pm. Thursday was a dress rehearsal, and we were there until past 10:30 again. Friday was our first performance, and our first night that we got home before 11:00 pm. Tonight we took down all of the equipment – lights, microphones, speakers, microphone cable, Ethernet cords – and didn’t get home until after 11:30 pm. It has been a very busy week.
The show went well. This is the first time that Stephanie has really mixed sound for an audience (she is our sound person) and she did a wonderful job. Many of my musician friends told me how well she did. The best compliment came from a composer who is married to one of the dancers. He didn’t know that she was my wife before he told me that it’s the best mix he’s ever heard of this touring group. When I told her it was her first time, he was extremely impressed.
I’m very proud of Stephanie. She is so great to go through this for me, and is so good at everything she does. We are excited to go on tour to China this summer and to Montana at the end of the month on our midsemester tour.
The first big rehearsal was Tuesday evening. We started setting up and sound checking at 5 pm. We then rehearsed until 8:30 or 9:00 pm. Wednesday I got to the Covey center at 1:00 pm to help finish getting things set up, and we didn’t leave that night until 10:45 pm. Thursday was a dress rehearsal, and we were there until past 10:30 again. Friday was our first performance, and our first night that we got home before 11:00 pm. Tonight we took down all of the equipment – lights, microphones, speakers, microphone cable, Ethernet cords – and didn’t get home until after 11:30 pm. It has been a very busy week.
The show went well. This is the first time that Stephanie has really mixed sound for an audience (she is our sound person) and she did a wonderful job. Many of my musician friends told me how well she did. The best compliment came from a composer who is married to one of the dancers. He didn’t know that she was my wife before he told me that it’s the best mix he’s ever heard of this touring group. When I told her it was her first time, he was extremely impressed.
I’m very proud of Stephanie. She is so great to go through this for me, and is so good at everything she does. We are excited to go on tour to China this summer and to Montana at the end of the month on our midsemester tour.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Floor Plans
This week Stephanie and I found the floor plan of our dream house. We were out riding the bus systems to fulfill a transportation assignment for Stephanie, when we ran across the floor plan while eating Italian ice in Borders. Since it was a magazine on one of the coffee tables in the café, we thought it would be ok, to take it with us. We took the page out of the magazine, and brought it home with us. It was pretty exciting for Steph. The d
esign includes a half-spiral staircase, a garage and two round circular rooms that extend out from the house itself. There are two of these rooms for each level. This gives the outside a very unique look with two round towers extending out from the bulk of the house. We would use them as everything from a piano room, to reading rooms, to a nursery, or even a child’s playroom. The house has a total of 6 thousand square feet. It also includes four full bathrooms and two half. We would probably make that only 3 full and one half bathroom with it all more accessible. There would be four bedrooms (not including the nursery) and one of those could be an office or a sound proof room for recording or practicing the loud instruments (like my drums). The design for the porch and deck look beautiful and the overall design of the house is what we have been thinking about. We are hoping to be able to work towards one day designing our own home or remodeling a home to be like this one. So, we have put the design on our bulletin board of things to work towards.
esign includes a half-spiral staircase, a garage and two round circular rooms that extend out from the house itself. There are two of these rooms for each level. This gives the outside a very unique look with two round towers extending out from the bulk of the house. We would use them as everything from a piano room, to reading rooms, to a nursery, or even a child’s playroom. The house has a total of 6 thousand square feet. It also includes four full bathrooms and two half. We would probably make that only 3 full and one half bathroom with it all more accessible. There would be four bedrooms (not including the nursery) and one of those could be an office or a sound proof room for recording or practicing the loud instruments (like my drums). The design for the porch and deck look beautiful and the overall design of the house is what we have been thinking about. We are hoping to be able to work towards one day designing our own home or remodeling a home to be like this one. So, we have put the design on our bulletin board of things to work towards.Monday, February 2, 2009
Birthday!!!
This week was GREAT! It was my birthday on Wednesday, so Stephanie made sure that I had a few surprises that day. She had asked me a while ago what I wanted for my birthday, and I was very vague. Somehow, she still managed to give me everything that I wanted. It was great.
On Wednesday, I had school all day. My last class started at three and went until five. Usually Stephanie picks me up right after five. She comes straight from work. This day, however, she was very late. She eventually called to tell me that she had gotten out of work late, and was on her way. By that time it was about 30 – 40 min. past the time that she usually picks me up. When I got in the car, I thought that something smelled a little funny. I couldn’t put my finger on it, and didn’t want to offend Stephanie, so I didn’t mention it. During our drive home, my mom sent a weird text message to Steph, and I saw it. It was something about not being able to come but to save some for them. I knew we had planned on feeding Ginger (my little sister) but hadn’t heard about my parents. Since Stephanie didn’t understand what my mom was talking about, I decided to call her and ask. My mother was very vague on the phone, and so I started to suspect something. I thought that Stephanie might have planned a surprise party or something. So, as we pulled around the corner, I watched for any cars belonging to my family and friends. There weren’t any so I decided that they must have parked out of sight and walked. As I unlocked the door I braced for the surprise, but it didn’t happen. Instead, I smelt the same smell from th
e car. I then realized that it was seafood that I had smelled. I looked over into the kitchen and saw that Stephanie had made a dinner for two with all of my favorite foods. There was crab, shrimp, mashed potatoes and gravy, green olives, a beautiful salad, and some sparkly. She had dressed up the table with a red table cloth and black placemats. It was so nice. After we had eaten, and started to clean up, the rest of my family started to show up. Her sister also came. I opened my presents and flet very loved by all of the gifts that I had received. The best part of the day, however, was the dinner. Stephanie knew exactly how to make my day.
On Wednesday, I had school all day. My last class started at three and went until five. Usually Stephanie picks me up right after five. She comes straight from work. This day, however, she was very late. She eventually called to tell me that she had gotten out of work late, and was on her way. By that time it was about 30 – 40 min. past the time that she usually picks me up. When I got in the car, I thought that something smelled a little funny. I couldn’t put my finger on it, and didn’t want to offend Stephanie, so I didn’t mention it. During our drive home, my mom sent a weird text message to Steph, and I saw it. It was something about not being able to come but to save some for them. I knew we had planned on feeding Ginger (my little sister) but hadn’t heard about my parents. Since Stephanie didn’t understand what my mom was talking about, I decided to call her and ask. My mother was very vague on the phone, and so I started to suspect something. I thought that Stephanie might have planned a surprise party or something. So, as we pulled around the corner, I watched for any cars belonging to my family and friends. There weren’t any so I decided that they must have parked out of sight and walked. As I unlocked the door I braced for the surprise, but it didn’t happen. Instead, I smelt the same smell from th
e car. I then realized that it was seafood that I had smelled. I looked over into the kitchen and saw that Stephanie had made a dinner for two with all of my favorite foods. There was crab, shrimp, mashed potatoes and gravy, green olives, a beautiful salad, and some sparkly. She had dressed up the table with a red table cloth and black placemats. It was so nice. After we had eaten, and started to clean up, the rest of my family started to show up. Her sister also came. I opened my presents and flet very loved by all of the gifts that I had received. The best part of the day, however, was the dinner. Stephanie knew exactly how to make my day.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Folk concert and birthdays
Not a lot happening this week for Stephanie and me. Work is going well and school is too. We were both involved in the folk band concert/practice on Friday night. Thursday night was a tech rehearsal from about 4:30 to 10:30. The group just got a new mixer board and some other new toys for the Aviom in-ear-monitors. Stephanie had to learn how to run the mixer and we needed the practice setting up the new equipment. Friday night we invited an audience to come and hear us play some of the music that we’ve been working on while we practice with our in-ear-monitors. We’re pretty excited about going on tour the end of February with the new stuff!
Today we had a birthday celebration for Tara and Ginger. It started out with a piano recital that my nephew was playing in. I couldn’t make it to that because I was recording with Deborah and Mike for the Folk Dance Team. Then we went and watched Ginger perform at her ballet recital. She has come so far. She is a really great dancer. My mom, Tara, Ginger, and I had free meal birthday coupons to Toucanos, and so we all went there to celebrate after the recitals. It was delicious, but we all overate. I think that happens to everybody who eats there. After eating, we all went back to Tara’s place and opened presents. Since my birthday is on Wednesday they had some gifts for me there as well. Tara and Jerem gave me a Chinese game for my birthday. It is called mahjhong. It kind of looks like dominos, but is played more like cards. It is a great game that we had played with them many times before. We love that game, and were so excited to get it! We stayed and played with them until about 10:40 pm. We can’t wait to play with them more.
Today we had a birthday celebration for Tara and Ginger. It started out with a piano recital that my nephew was playing in. I couldn’t make it to that because I was recording with Deborah and Mike for the Folk Dance Team. Then we went and watched Ginger perform at her ballet recital. She has come so far. She is a really great dancer. My mom, Tara, Ginger, and I had free meal birthday coupons to Toucanos, and so we all went there to celebrate after the recitals. It was delicious, but we all overate. I think that happens to everybody who eats there. After eating, we all went back to Tara’s place and opened presents. Since my birthday is on Wednesday they had some gifts for me there as well. Tara and Jerem gave me a Chinese game for my birthday. It is called mahjhong. It kind of looks like dominos, but is played more like cards. It is a great game that we had played with them many times before. We love that game, and were so excited to get it! We stayed and played with them until about 10:40 pm. We can’t wait to play with them more.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Buying a candy bar
What an exciting weekend! What a great Saturday! Stephanie and I each had an assignment for one of our classes that we did today. Stephanie’s was to ride public transportation round trip somewhere. Mine was to buy something for a complete stranger. We decided to go to the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake for Stephanie’s assignment. I thought that it would be easy for me to find a complete stranger in Salt Lake City, so we decided to finish my assignment up there too.
We planned out our trip, and knew when we needed to leave and which bus stop to leave from. We had looked up where to switch from the bus to TRAX, and felt confident that we knew what we were doing. We got to the bus station a little bit early, and waited for our bus to arrive. We couldn’t find a machine to buy a ticket from, so we figured we just needed to pay as we got on. As we were climbing on the bus, I pulled out a twenty from my wallet to buy a ticket for each of us. The tickets cost $2.25 each, so I was expecting $15.50 back in change. The bus driver looked at me and asked, “Did you just put a twenty in?” Then he laughed and told me that I wasn’t going to get any change from that machine. I had no idea that bus machines don’t give change! I guess that shows how much I knew about public transportation. So, we lost $15.50 on the ride up. If I would have been thinking, I would have just told the bus driver to let that extra payment buy the following 6 people bus tickets, and finish up my assignment right there. I guess I was just in shock from loosing a twenty dollar bill for two bus tickets.
When we got to the TRAX station, we couldn’t find a machine that would let us buy tickets with a credit card, so we got on and then got off two stations later hoping to be able to pay. On that stop we found a little machine where you could swipe your card and it would read it. This would only work if you had the right kind of card. Mine didn’t work, but Stephanie’s did.
At the planetarium we looked for someone who we could buy something for. We went to buy tickets for one of the films playing tonight, and the girl gave us two tickets for free. My first thought was, “I wonder if she had the same assignment that I have?” While waiting for the movie we decided it would be nice to buy her a candy bar. After the movie was over, we went and bought a candy bar from the concession stand. When I went to give it to her, there was a different girl there. I gave her and her co-worker the candy bar anyway, and told them, “Thanks for doing a great job.” The girl looked at me smiling as if she was thinking, “this is really unusual, but I’m not complaining.” The guy thought there was a problem though and he looked really confused when I left the candy bar on the desk and walked away. I’d love to hear their conversation after I left. It was actually kind of exhilarating. I now understand better why Professor Clarke always talks about messing with people’s heads. It’s actually quite fun.
It was a long ride back home after we left the planetarium and ate at the gateway. We did learn our lesson though. After going to an ATM to get more cash for the ride home, we made sure to change it into four, five dollar bills. It was much easier to buy the return tickets.
We planned out our trip, and knew when we needed to leave and which bus stop to leave from. We had looked up where to switch from the bus to TRAX, and felt confident that we knew what we were doing. We got to the bus station a little bit early, and waited for our bus to arrive. We couldn’t find a machine to buy a ticket from, so we figured we just needed to pay as we got on. As we were climbing on the bus, I pulled out a twenty from my wallet to buy a ticket for each of us. The tickets cost $2.25 each, so I was expecting $15.50 back in change. The bus driver looked at me and asked, “Did you just put a twenty in?” Then he laughed and told me that I wasn’t going to get any change from that machine. I had no idea that bus machines don’t give change! I guess that shows how much I knew about public transportation. So, we lost $15.50 on the ride up. If I would have been thinking, I would have just told the bus driver to let that extra payment buy the following 6 people bus tickets, and finish up my assignment right there. I guess I was just in shock from loosing a twenty dollar bill for two bus tickets.
When we got to the TRAX station, we couldn’t find a machine that would let us buy tickets with a credit card, so we got on and then got off two stations later hoping to be able to pay. On that stop we found a little machine where you could swipe your card and it would read it. This would only work if you had the right kind of card. Mine didn’t work, but Stephanie’s did.
At the planetarium we looked for someone who we could buy something for. We went to buy tickets for one of the films playing tonight, and the girl gave us two tickets for free. My first thought was, “I wonder if she had the same assignment that I have?” While waiting for the movie we decided it would be nice to buy her a candy bar. After the movie was over, we went and bought a candy bar from the concession stand. When I went to give it to her, there was a different girl there. I gave her and her co-worker the candy bar anyway, and told them, “Thanks for doing a great job.” The girl looked at me smiling as if she was thinking, “this is really unusual, but I’m not complaining.” The guy thought there was a problem though and he looked really confused when I left the candy bar on the desk and walked away. I’d love to hear their conversation after I left. It was actually kind of exhilarating. I now understand better why Professor Clarke always talks about messing with people’s heads. It’s actually quite fun.
It was a long ride back home after we left the planetarium and ate at the gateway. We did learn our lesson though. After going to an ATM to get more cash for the ride home, we made sure to change it into four, five dollar bills. It was much easier to buy the return tickets.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
New Semester
In my English class, we were assigned to write in a blog every week. That gives me a good reason to get started on this blog. We have been trying to get this going for a while now.
This was our first week of the new semester. Stephanie has a very full schedule with two engineering classes, a geology class, an old testament class, and a couple of fun classes. I have three business classes and history as well as continuing as the drummer on the folk ensemble. We both have a culture class that starts the second block. This is required to be able to go on tour this summer to China. It will be fun to learn all about the culture in China. We ordered most of our textbooks online this semester and have had an interesting time trying to manage our first week without them.
Stephanie is still working at RB&G Engineering and I am still working with my dad at The School of Natural Healing. We just launched our first online course this week. It has already generated over 90 students. We are excited about that success and are working to quickly get the rest of the courses online.
On Friday we had a movie night with our two little sisters. We invited my little sister, Ginger, and Stephanie’s little sister, Danielle, over for dinner and a movie. It was great to spend some time with them. I have to admit that it was a little strange for me to be the only boy though. Of course with three girls and one boy I was outvoted and we watched a chick flick. It’s funny what you will let yourself get talked into once you’re married.
This was our first week of the new semester. Stephanie has a very full schedule with two engineering classes, a geology class, an old testament class, and a couple of fun classes. I have three business classes and history as well as continuing as the drummer on the folk ensemble. We both have a culture class that starts the second block. This is required to be able to go on tour this summer to China. It will be fun to learn all about the culture in China. We ordered most of our textbooks online this semester and have had an interesting time trying to manage our first week without them.
Stephanie is still working at RB&G Engineering and I am still working with my dad at The School of Natural Healing. We just launched our first online course this week. It has already generated over 90 students. We are excited about that success and are working to quickly get the rest of the courses online.
On Friday we had a movie night with our two little sisters. We invited my little sister, Ginger, and Stephanie’s little sister, Danielle, over for dinner and a movie. It was great to spend some time with them. I have to admit that it was a little strange for me to be the only boy though. Of course with three girls and one boy I was outvoted and we watched a chick flick. It’s funny what you will let yourself get talked into once you’re married.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
