U2 countdown

Do you remember the first time you saw Rattle and Hum? I do. I was 14 and in the basement at my house, in the dark, so wrapped up in the movie that I cried when it was over. Literally cried. I did the same after I saw them for the first time back in September of 2001. I bawled like a baby.

If you are one of those unlucky ones who have not yet partaken of the manna that is U2, you are seriously missing out. Go. Right now. You can always come back to this post. Rent Rattle and Hum. Get comfy. Make sure all is quiet and partake. You will not be disappointed. I promise.

So to continue my U2 faves countdown (album release party next week!!), I have to post this from Rattle and Hum. The first three bass notes immediately give way to this passionate piece. Always recognizable. Always tugging at the heart strings. The agony! I especially love when Bono walks out on to the stage, hair pulled back, leather vest, and comes to the microphone like he's about to make-out with it. Sigh...

travels

These last couple of weeks have been crazy and fun at the same time. I jet-setted out to CA on Friday the 13th for the weekend. My cousin was married to her sweetheart on Valentine's day and it was definitely a memorable celebration. The wedding ceremony was at this atrium: Here is my brother and I. I'm in THE dress. What do you think?

The reception/dinner was held at a golf course in the mountains. It was beautiful and the set-up was magical. There were plenty of good times to be had. The music and dancing had to be the best part. I'm sure the open bar contributed to the laid-back atmosphere. No worries - I ordered a rum and coke, hold the rum. ;)
I had enough time to unpack, wash clothes and re-pack before heading off to St. George. We also stopped in Vegas where we got to visit our awesome friend Matt. He and Dan are BFF's. They have matching friend bracelets but I'm not supposed to tell you that.

The favorite part of the trip for the kids was the swimming and climbing the red rocks in Snow Canyon. Here are a few pics from that day:

Not sure how I will come down from just being home now. I need to plan something for March. The ides are not going to cut it.

oscars

Hopefully you caught some or all of the Oscars Sunday night. Even though we were out of town, we made sure we tuned in at 6:30pm for the big show. Hugh Jackman surprised me. I was unsure how he would be received and handle the hosting job. But he really was fabulous. He is easy on the eyes, can sing (and dance) and that authentic aussie accent is to die for. Way to go Hugh!

And way to go Kate!!! Yes! I was rooting for her and am so glad she came away with the win. She is my favorite actress. I actually haven't seen The Reader or Revolutionary Road. But sounds like they are great. Anyone seen those yet?

Which now brings me to Slumdog Millionaire. I'm always very skeptical about the Academy's choices for best picture. Truly, some have been pretty out there but Slumdog is awesome. Very intense and hard to forget the image of children digging through trash for food, but such a great story.

Now that the award debauchery is over, life can return to normal.

three days of rain

So my sis recently got to see James McAvoy at the Apollo Theatre in London. He is currently in a play called Three Days of Rain. She said he was great and then got his autograph afterwards. She said it was much like this:



What a cool guy. I can't even begin to describe how green I am with envy.

U2 countdown

The top favorite songs of U2 countdown continues with When the Stars Go Blue. Bono has done several collaborations and none I have liked (sorry Mary J. - please do me a favor and never, ever sing One again...please) as much as this. Here he is singing with The Corrs, who are also Irish. His voice and hers really mesh well together and sounds amazing. Maybe the Irish thing has something to do with it. Enjoy.

dilemma no. 1 solved

Drumroll please...ta-da! Here it is. This is the dress I FINALLY settled on for the wedding. It fits great, stretchy and super cute. Plus I can totally dress it up or down. Either way, a great find. Unfortunately, there were no more available in black. So I settled on the light gray. Admittedly, the fit is a big snug and the black would have worked better at hiding my flaws. But I got my Spanx and I'm not afraid to use them! Truly, it is better that I do. Thanks to all who entered the contest and tried to find me a dress. I will be sure to take pictures!

25 random things about me

1. I love Kermit the Frog and Christian Bale. I have a prized tin Muppet lunch box that I used until I graduated high school. And now lives at the Smithsonian. ;)

2. I have always had to share my birthday with my twin brother. But seriously, how cool is that? Our parties have always been double the fun.

3. The outside quad on my right leg went numb when I was preggers with my first and has been since. It's kind of fun to beat my leg with a stick (i.e. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and not feel it.

4. When I was 16, I moved to St. Petersburg, Russia with my parents and two of my siblings. I lived there for a year, attended a Russian private school and earned most of my school credits from an online BYU home study course.

5. When I set my alarm, the number has to end on a 1 or a 7 (i.e. 7:47 or 6:51).

6. Cold cereal is my favorite food.

7. I got thrown out of an old city in Russia (Kronshtadt) because we were "outsiders". Cue the mystery music.

8. I am as blind as a bat when I don't wear my glasses or contacts. I have amazing hearing due to that. My husband can never get away with anything! ;) Free Lasik anyone?

9. I love being out-of-doors but I hate camping.

10. I played softball and soccer in high school but wish I also did swimming and volleyball.

11. I still keep in touch with my friends from grade school. (Go Hillcrest Huskies!)

12. Do not, for any reason, wake me in the middle of the night or you will pay dearly.

13. My hubby and I left Phuket, Thailand 2 days before the tsunami in 2004. We found out our hotel was completely leveled. I was pregnant with Mason at the time. I can't thank Him enough.

14. I have paid over $300 for concert tickets...twice(U2).

15. My cousins are some of my bestest friends.

16. When I was born I had jaundice. The nickname "Jaundice Janelle" has haunted me every day since, thanks to my dear and kind siblings.

17. These same siblings told me I was adopted and that I had a "twin" brother just because we happened to be the same age. My therapy bills will be coming in the mail.

18. When working at my dad's law office, I tripped at the top of the stairs with a glass of water and Club crackers in my hand. Luckily, at the bottom of the stairs, a waiting room filled with clients witnessed the fall. Oh. And I also knocked over the giant plant at the bottom, dirt flying everywhere.

19. I came this close to touching Mia Hamm and having her sign my jersey. I also saw her play in her last World Cup soccer game at the Home Depot center in Carson City, CA.

20. I met Macho Man Randy Savage at a high-end restaurant in L.A. He flexed his muscles for me and was kind enough to appease me with saying, "Oh, yeah!"

21. My friends and I loved to camp out in my backyard and T.P. houses. We would even put pantyhose over our heads, in case we got caught. Then no one would recognize us!

22. I am so proud of my c-section scar. I got the most two beautiful beings from being sliced and diced.

23. I am addicted to email. I have to check it every few minutes. I go through withdrawal if I don't have access to the internet and it is NOT a pretty site: uncontrollable shaking, drooling, knashing of teeth, tearing hair out. You get the picture.

24. I had to have jaw surgery, when I was 22, to fix my bite. So, literally, my jaw is screwed.

25. Our first car was a 1981 Nissan Hatchback and christened him with the name of Nevin.

SNL weekly

Just in case you have never seen the Weekend Update segment called, "Really?!?" with Seth and Amy, here it is. So sad Amy Poehler is gone but she is going to be on a new show on NBC soon. Looks awesome!

this really isn't news...

Okay, CRoW, here we go.

I'm going to copy Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler when I say, "Really? This is news? Really!?"

Anderson Cooper. Really. This is news? This is what you are going to talk about on your segment called The Shot, while I'm at the gym trying to forget I'm working out, and all I see is you disrespecting my Christian. My Christian. Really? This is how you are going to spend 30 seconds of your show. Really?

Every other news station in America. Really? This is what you are going to talk about when there are people trying to escape Gaza, with only a suitcase to their name, and who now live on my street. Really? Christian Bale throwing a bit of a tantrum trumps the world news. Really.

I have a bit of news for you: this isn't news. Yuppers. It's true. This isn't something that deserves to be splashed all over the large flat screens at my gym. Yes, my gym. The place where I go to try and forget I am there.

I must agree with AICN on this one. This was something taken out of context and leaked to the news in an attempt to embarrass Mr. Bale.

Seriously...really??

dilemma no. 1 is over

Thank you, thank you to all those who signed my phone petition. The plea was heard and my hubby heeded the call. I was awarded with a new phone last week. Yeah!!!! It is great to be able to use all the buttons on my phone AND not have it broken in any way. Here is the prized phone:

My nose has been stuck in this phone for the past few days. It is not easy to put this down for very long. I think the kids are starting to feel neglected. I need to stop, I know. But, in the meantime, hooray for a new phone!!!

All I need now is a new dress for the wedding. Dilemma no. 2 is still on...

happy birthday

I must send birthday wishes to my dear friend Jared. He was one of the elders serving in St. Petersburg and when we arrived, he took great care in watching out for us (my dad was the mission Pres). He is such a thoughtful person. Always looking out for others and always being there. I hope you have a special day celebrating.