fixed by camel

Talk about a rollercoaster of a day. My CD drive decided to randomly stop working a couple weeks ago and it's been driving me nuts. Not because I particularly use it all that often, but wouldn't you know, as soon as I realized it wasn't working I suddenly needed it for all kinds of things. Funny how that works. I was really sad, because I love Mingo and I want her in good condition, but I just couldn't figure out what the deal was. I was grateful that before the mysterious break I had imported almost every CD I had that was worth importing. Even some that weren't. So today I decided I would clean up my computer a little- delete double files of things and make a little more room- when I remembered I had double copies of almost all my music. One in Windows Media Player, and one in iTunes, so I can use it with my phone. No problem, delete one set and have tons of room on my computer. So I did.

I started to get a little worried around the time I saw some big numbers flying into the permanently deleted unknown...2500, 3400, 4600, 5400 deleted...uh....wait. I opened up my iTunes, and nothing happened. No music....none at all. "Divine Intervention" my Mom says. I was able to recover about 717 files Out of thousands. Hopefully I wont miss them, I guess. It's not like I had a CD drive to import them again.

Soooo....I decided to go visit my parents and siblings in their neck of the...mountains, and say what's up to Melinda since she lives there too, and I brought my computer along for the ride. I told my Dad when I walked in that I brought her for a little fix up. He took a look at it for a few minutes, couldn't find the file for the CD drive anywhere on the computer, and claimed it was "time for surgery." Nooooo! Poor little 'puter. She was a brave soldier. Approximately 7 minutes later she was in recovery and when I put a CD into her brave little side, a gentle humming followed by a pop up "what would you like to do with this CD?" question greeted me. HURRAY!!! My Dad is a Miracle worker! Mingo is in the best shape of her life.

(Minus the unfortunate occurrence of heavy snow as we were leaving the house and the whole drive back down to Orem.)

Ps...If you're wondering about the "Fixed By Camel" note...go read the book. Camel has been my Dad ever since I was little. (When he was taking time off from being Elmo.)

"But there is more in this heaven on earth than what is revealed in the x-ray"

Let me start off by saying that today I wore flip flops and my feet didn't even get cold. *Sigh* I love warm weather. On another note, what is with this wind?! I am blowing away out there! Heavens to betsy, I can barely walk to my car! Normally that wouldn't be such a problem, (seeing as how I don't go out much these days) but today I was out of the house before 10am. I know, right? When was the last time THAT happened? I couldn't even tell you. It was quite the adventure. I drove on down to the sports med and orthopaedic wing of the hospital, rockin out on my way and enjoying driving with my window down, and promptly got lost as soon as I got inside. Typical. Eventually I found where I was supposed to go, and was soon very well acquainted with Chatty McChatty- my x-rayer. We talked about all kinds of things as I got to model the most bizarre shorts I've ever seen...I'm not complaining. I was offered the robe, instead, but gratefully chose the shorts. After my first x-ray, we walked back over to the little screen to have a look-see. Boy, did we see. Another lady was waiting for some sort of scan at the time, and as her x-rayer walked by, she saw my screen and did a double-take. Suddenly she was no longer walking forward but seemed to be walking backwards to spy on my beautiful picture. "Whoa!...Man...I'm sorry..." She said as she went along her way, giving me a full once-over as she passed. Huh. Well then. Oh, in case you were wondering, here is what we were eyeing:

I know, I know, I like the star-touch, too. What would a picture of me be without any stars? Sadly, once Mr.McChatty saw that, he asked me to please remove my necklace. I told him I thought it was a nice touch, but he wasn't sure the Doctor would agree. We took another X-Ray more full-scale, just so we could have another fun laugh, and this time as he pulled the picture up, he tried to make up for his earlier shock. Our conversation went something like this:

Him:"Um...do you have a lot of back pain?"

Me:"Well, that IS why I'm here..."

Him:"Oh...well...it looks..."

Me:"like I have crooked spine, huh?"

Him:"Yeah...but the top part looks pretty straight, up by your neck."

Me:"Huh. Way to look at the positive side of things."

Him:"Yeah...but you know...I don't think anyone's spine is really...straight. I mean, I think mine curves...a little. Not like THAT, but..."

Me:"yeah, thanks."

Him:"well, I just mean...I've seen worse. Let me just put it that way."

Hahaha. Good to know, good to know.

The next funny part was when I actually saw the doctor and she asked what kind of activities I do during the day. "Uh...activities? Well. I mean. I guess...umm..." At least I'm not doing any weird repetition to my spine. So I've got that going for me. Apparently I have to start doing some core workouts unless I want "extreme pain in the next 15-ish years. Because...you were born with it." Really? Maybe it's Maybelline.

"And now I'm sunny with a High of 75..."

Today was gorgeous! It is amazing what a sunny day can do for me. My whole outlook on life suddenly changed drastically when I walked outside today and I decided to make a list of things that make me happy. That's right. What a difference.

• When it's FINALLY sunny and warm outside.

A nice car to drive with the windows down doesn't hurt. Too bad it's not mine. (No offense, Sebastian, I love you)

• Michelangelo. He knows my voice, I swear it. He's the cutest thing to watch eat, He always makes me smile. Also- for all you doubters, I went to the pet store last week and they said turtles get their water out of their food. HA! All this time, I told you guys...

• These suckers:

Mmmmm... :)

• These ridiculous half-shopping carts:

I hate pushing shopping carts at the store, but somehow I don't mind these little guys. It's like a joke

• This thing in the middle of the two-story Target we were testing in, in New York....

• Things that light-up that you buy on cool occasions:

• Angel Food Cake with lots of strawberries. Homemade. It's like heaven on a plate. 

• Unplanned goofy pictures that happen right when the picture is snapped:

• Tetris

• Everything tropical

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny as well. If it is, there will definitely be more added on this subject.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart...."

Ellen is hilarious. Who knew Josh Groban is, too? This one is for you, mom- because of Ellen, and for you Melinda- because of Josh.

"baby jaws-do do, do doo..."

I am extremely vain, so I've decided to write another list of random things about myself. That, and I've been tagged a bunch so I've tried to come up with things people wont know.

1. I have to bite candy, I can never suck on it for more than a few seconds.
2. I hate it when I see people wearing shorts or a short dress or skirt when it's freezing outside. It's ridiculous. "If your breath is visible you should be wearing pants!"
3. If I'm eating something really good and not a lot of people are around I hum, and then tend to sway to my humming. I just realized this recently
4. It bugs me when people leave the water running while they brush their teeth
5. I love pens...and sticky notes...and notebooks...and paper...and markers...and crayons...and all other kinds of school/office supplies.
6. I hate hate hate to be imitated. I never tell people that because I don't want them to exploit it.
7. I don't think I've ever had a bloody nose. It's made me kind of want one. I've also always wanted a black eye.
8. I love crushed ice. you know the soft pebble kind...I love chomping on it. (sorry, mom)
9. I can't stand it when people leave dirty dishes in the small part of the sink where the disposal is.
10. I never ever hit the snooze button on an alarm. If you're not going to wake up when you set your alarm, set it for later. You're not fooling anyone.
11. I can't stand it when girls say "I have to pee." It's crude and disgusting. If you do indeed need to, and also have the outlandish need to share it with everyone- just excuse yourself to go to the restroom.
12. I hate spending quarters...I feel like I have to keep them
13. I kind of like it when guys cry
14. I can't blow my nose in front of people. It's gross.
15. When I drive I like to sit up really straight. People always have to lean the seat back when they drive after me.
16. I believe it's not real butter, not fooled for a second
17. I love the word "grunge" and everything associated with it
18. I wrote an English paper in high school that my teacher liked so much she turned into an overhead for an example paper. I was very proud, but didn't tell anyone it was mine.
19. I always bring way more tshirts than necessary when I pack- just in case I don't feel like wearing something once I get there. I like the choice.
20. I have a ridiculous fear of sharks. When I'm swimming underwater I always have to pop up and search the water...even in swimming pools. I refuse to watch Jaws. Ever.
21. I HATE it when I'm reading a book and the author starts a sentence with Because or And. That being said, sometimes I start a second fragment sentence with with one of those for emphasis. I always hope people will realize that and not hold it against me.
22. I am deathly afraid to speak/perform in front of people. My legs have spasms, I shake uncontrollably, and I sound like I'm about to cry, even if I'm not.
23. I'm not a movie quoter. I don't know why...everyone I know seems to be, but I never have been. There are probably a handful of movie quotes I ever say...and that's rare. The most common is probably from Ursula
24. I love reading people's comments to things just as much-and sometimes more than the actual thing itself. That being said, I can't stand it when people comment, "hey, #7, 12, and 14...awesome, me too." Then I have to scroll all the way back up to see what the heck they're talking about.
25. I cannot sit with both feet on the ground, it's uncomfortable. I don't think I've ever been able to. I always have my legs in some weird pretzel position or another-I've had everyone from classmates to bosses comment on it as I'm scrunched into my seat. (Apparently this comes from my mom. Thanks, mom. )

Aaaand...I tag everyone who reads this, 'cause I could read random things about people all day.

"It's 4:03, and I can't sleep...I toss and turn like the sea..."

I'm wide awake, even though the rest of the world seems to be sleeping. Maybe I should call my mom. I bet she's awake. Ironically, I'm watching "True Life: I can't sleep"... I'm pretty sure I have the same thing this one girl has. She can't fall asleep until 4am-ish and then her body wants to sleep until noon. Sounds about right. She's just lying in bed staring at stuff, bored.
There are 4 or 5 people the show is following with different disorders, and they all had to quit good jobs or quit college because they just couldn't stay awake or function after days without sleep. One of the guys has sleep apnea. His mouth is too small so his tongue blocks his air passage, and he's gotten lots of surgeries for a bigger mouth...how bizarre. It's kind of scary watching these people drive while they're falling asleep- that can't be safe. They're also all very grumpy because they're so tired...which makes me wonder again how my mom runs for days on no sleep and seems fine. I can't sleep at night, but at least I'm usually pretty good with sleeping in.
I love that they expect these people at sleep clinics to sleep when they're hooked up to machines with wires all over them. Haha. I'm so sure. Well...I guess it's time to bust out Power 90x and get my workout in. Mom, if you're awake, you're welcome to come hang out. Then again, maybe we should both just try to sleep.