The Bank and Trust

I saw this somewhere else and thought it interesting/relevant... If only we had the leadership today of the days when our country was still in it's infancy. One such visionary (TJ, to be exact) said:

“If the American people ever let a private bank and the corporations that grow up around them control our money supply, first by inflation and then by deflation, they will deprive it’s citizens of their property until one day their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers’ conquered.”

Perhaps the "perilous times" we've heard so much about are finally here.

-The Elected-

You Don't Know Me

g-chat message from Anna this morning: "You will love this" and a link to this amazingness:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95081189

Ben and Regina together?! How could I not love it? Thanks Anna. :)

-Ben Folds-

Just a Dream

Ever had a dream related to blogging? I think last night was my first. A group of girls from BYU (didn't recognize any faces) and I decided to organize a pr/advertising conference around the influence of blogging in those arenas... so naturally we had as our host none other than Design Mom. We all flew to New York and had a big sleepover at her very cool house (though it was quite different from the photos I've seen on her blog). The last thing I remember was standing in the dark and the rain in Central Park trying to get Spencer's camera to work so I could take a photo of us all. Strange sometimes, these dreams of mine.

-Gabe Dixon Band-

Cinder and Smoke

Today I realized, once again, just how much I hate ironing. Really, I do. I got out the iron for the first time since I've been married for the sole purpose of looking decent at my interview with these people. But really, it just spit dirty water everywhere and made me regret not using my favorite anti-wrinkle solution: the dryer. Plus, I really only have one "interview outfit" and I used it once with them already. Whenever the chance to go for round two comes up, it kind of puts me in a panic, but only because of the lack of suitable business wear to be found in my closet.

That's all. Oh, and I have an interview with them on Monday. Does that make me a total traitor?

-Iron & Wine-

Better Way

I don't know if you've downloaded the new iTunes or used the new Genius feature, but I think it's fantastic.-Ben Harper-

Part of Your History #1

I've wanted to do this for a long time. I think it's interesting every once in a while, to take a look back and see where you've been and who you've been. So every once in a while (meaning I have no idea how often) I'll do a "part of your history" feature where I indulgently take a look back, with kind of an "on this day in history" approach.

Four years ago today, I arrived back in the states after my eighteen month mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. My last day in the field was the 21st, transfers were on the 22nd, we boarded the plane on the 23rd, and arrived at home on the 24th. It was much too drawn out for me and just plain hard. An excerpt from my journal explains my feelings pretty accurately:

We had a thirteen hour flight through the middle of the night, and I think I probably slept for about 20 minutes. Finally we landed in Dulles and as I stepped onto the people mover, I felt that wet, familiar Virginia air. We reached customs and someone came over the loudspeaker and said, "Citizens of the United States of America, welcome home." Immediately I felt the tears pooling in my eyes - such a confusing emotion. Although I knew I was home and that I was American, I felt like a foreigner stepping onto familiar, but changed soil. Perhaps those changes were only within myself, but they were significant enough to make me feel as a stranger in a new world.

Thankfully much has changed and I feel pretty comfortable in my country again.

Smile Like You Mean It

Since we are still newish in our ward and neighborhood, we are still constantly meeting new people and introducing ourselves. Naturally, one of the first questions people ask is, "so, are you working, or in school?" (ie you have no children, what are you doing with your life?) I have come to really hate this question and tried to come up with interesting ways of saying "I'm unemployed" without actually saying it. I've used, "well I've worked in marketing for a few years and I'm looking for a new gig" and "I'm kind of in between jobs right now" but it always leaves me feeling like kind of a loser.

Yesterday I sat next to someone in RS that I'd never sat by before. Of course, the conversation came to the question and I looked at her and just said, "I'm a freelance designer." I don't know how much I actually qualify (I have a website, right?) but that didn't really matter. It felt good to say it.

-The Killers-

Invisible Ink

For various reasons, I got way behind on blogging this summer. I've been wanting to update, and finally got around to it. I back-dated the posts to keep them organized for my own sanity... they won't show up at the top of the blog, but if you're interested just check the archives from July on up to September.

-Aimee Mann-

Spirals

Spencer worked really hard all week so he could just work from home on part of Friday and then relax for the rest of the day. He spontaneously suggested that we go to the spiral jetty (something I've wanted to do for a long time) so we hopped in the car and drove up. 90 miles of highway + 15 miles of dirt road + .5 miles of walking = the spiral jetty. It's very remote which made me happy. I kind of hate when cool things like that are destroyed by easy accessibility and football field sized parking lots.
-Adem-

I Will Follow

Blogger's Follower feature is finally out of beta. Join the club on my sidebar. -->

In other news: I'm interviewing for new jobs here and here, the Sugarhouse Ink website is coming along (don't worry, I'll definitely post when it's up and running!), and my arms are missing the sweet little bundle they held every day for the past week.-U2-

Late Morning Lullabye

Yesterday was little miss Olivia's blessing at church. She looked so pretty in her long white blessing dress (although it seemed to be quite itchy). Lots of family came to the blessing and the open house afterward at my parents' house. It was a pretty big event for such a little girl! Spencer and I took turns holding her most of the evening (what can I say? we have the magic touch) which was pure delight. Here are a few photos from the big day.

(Olivia and her great-grandma Miriam)

(the Payne family)

(Olivia loves her uncle Spencer)

(right after they took off the itchy dress and she was down to her tights)

(Mollie setting out the spread for the big event)

-Brandi Carlile-

Beautiful Stranger

The New York Times picked up the story about Nie Nie and her family. Check it out here. I guess this whole experience has gone to contradict some of my feelings about technology driving people into less intimate and involved relationships. It's been marvelous to see the blogging community come together and rally around this family.

-Madonna-

Never Leave Lonely Alone

Spencer and I have been talking for a while about possibilities for a big adventure next summer. Some of the options we're considering:

-A guided rafting/camping trip through Cataract Canyon
-Visiting Spencer's cousin in Alaska (who happens to be a pilot) and possibly backpack around the Denali
-Take a month off from life and do an overland Europe to Asia trip possibly hitting -among other countries- Italy, Greece, Turkey, India and China
-Bike the Oregon Coast (take two...)

It would be great to be able to do them all, but we are saving our pennies in hopes of doing one. What's your vote?

Image via
-Ben Harper-

One Fine Wire

On Labor day Spencer and I went to Broadway Cinema downtown to see Man on Wire. It's a fantastic documentary about a man who rigged a wire between the two world trade center towers and walked it. How did I never hear about this happening? Anyway, I really think you should find out where it's playing and go see it.


-Colbie Callait-