Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Chelsea's grandma has season tickets to the Civic Light Opera of Redondo Beach and as a reward for being a frequent customer, they gave her 3 free tickets to any show for this season, and Chelsea's grandma gave them to Chelsea.

She took me and Bryce to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with her. It was ...different...

hahaha. Bryce and I were still on the fence about how we felt about it when it was done. Don't get me wrong - the performers were great and everything (including Bryce's little cousin that neither of us knew was in it) but it was a little insane what with the Go-Go dancers and the ElvisPharaoh all mixed in with the Israelites.

The best part of the night was spending time with Bryce and Chelsea. I don't spend a lot of time with Bryce these days and it was so much fun to go out with both of them. And I'm really glad Bryce decided to come to dinner with us; I love him and can't believe I have such an amazing person in my life.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. My mom freaking rocks. I love her to death and can't imagine a better friend/role model.

2. Knowing that I can go to Stella whenever I need to hear the truth. I went to her to hear what I wanted to hear and got something better - honesty. She's the best.

3. I got a new purse that I'm in love with. Chelsea saw it and said, "OOOOO! Macy's?" Nope. Target.

4. Right when I hit a breaking point, the Lord remembers me and takes care of me - even if that care comes in a very unexpected way.

5. There's nothing better than your friends honest reaction of, "You look friggin' hot!"

6. There are some seriously cute babies in my home ward.

No Doubt

The band, that is.

Remember how I was told that I was going to have to try out to be the singer in my company's band? Well, we went to happy hour the other night (I didn't drink - no worries) to celebrate a huge milestone for our company and I sat across from Marc, the lead Program Manager and Mike, the President/CEO (who started the band). As soon as Mike sat down and saw me, he said, "I have HUGE news for you."

A few weeks ago Mike went to a charity event for the Pat Tillman Foundation. There was a fantastic drum set up for auction which came with an hour and a half lesson with the drummer from No Doubt, Adrian Young. Mike bid $2,000 on the set/lesson and won. Mike already plays the drums so he called Adrian Young's personal assistant and set up for Adrian and the lead singer of a different band (who I can't remember) to come down to Palos Verdes and go golfing on Trump's course with him. That should happen in the next week or so. Here's where this gets interesting for ME - according to Mike.

Mike has been working with Adrian Young's PA to set up a concert for our company. (He's awesomely pushy isn't he?) No Doubt is recording right now (for all of you fans out there) and they're going to be going on tour shortly after the album is released. From what the PA says, Adrian Young will probably be totally down with this. If he is, Mike is going to have a show at his house for our company where the company band will be performing with special guest: Adrian Young. What does that mean? I'll be singing with the drummer from No Doubt. (Possibly).

And to think I wasn't going to go to happy hour because I don't drink...

I'm glad I went. Marc, Mike, Mayu, and Kumar asked me why I don't drink and I didn't get crap for it. Marc even went so far as to say he respects me and my decision - and no, he hadn't had a drink yet. The company paid the tab - so I only paid $3 for one coke and the rest were free! Marc asked me how I thought work was going and if I really did like it and we got to talking for almost 2 hours. After a while, we did some reshuffling of seats and I talked with a few other of the "higher-ups" and the founder, Jim. As I was leaving, I went to everyone around the table to say goodbye and congrats and Marc stopped me and took me to Jim to tell him how much the content department has improved since I started. We got about 10 minutes of solid praise from Marc and Jim, both. Then, Kumar told me how much he loved how I handle his accounts and the work I put in to everything.

All in all, it was a good night out.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. This whole post.

2. Friday in general. It was a great day.

3. Gothpod is driving me insane in the good way and the bad way.

4. The Relief Society lesson today was totally meant for me. Thanks, Megan.

Mistakes

Does anyone else feel like the mistakes they make are so incredibly huge they're irreparable? I know it's NOT that huge, but I feel like I'm swimming in this one and I can't decide how to fix it.

I'm so frustrated these days, and I really hope it passes, but at this point I'm where I can't quite seem to see the end.

Because of this I'm going to do a longer list!

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I love when Chelsea comes over. We hardly EVER actually do anything, but I don't think I realized how much I missed her friendship all of those years. I'm 99.99% sure that that is why I was so mad at her for so long - because she disappeared on me. Which made me disappear on her. Sorry, Betty.

2. A few weekends ago, Scott and I hung out all night and I told him I'd go to his dance show this weekend. I was explaining to Nicole today that I had plans for Saturday (Scott's show) and she immediately asked me if Scott and I are dating. I don't understand...

3. I was killing time on Facebook tonight, and I suddenly found myself panicking that I might have homework due tomorrow. And then I realized I'll never have homework due again. SAD DAY!

4. Does anyone remember my Shig bear? I was telling GothPod about someone that works for my company named Shigeo who goes by "Shigy" and GP said that he would almost rather be called Shig. I started cracking up because of the bear's name. When I told GP he was confused and amused. Weird.

5. I think I'm going to buy an annual pass to Disneyland. The only problem with that is, if I do, it would only be worth it to buy the highest level pass because I can only go on Saturdays and all weekends are blocked-out on the lower levels. The higher level one is over $300. I have some serious debating to do.

6. I'm loving all of the videos my sister keeps posting of my nieces. Maybe I'll skip the Disneyland pass and save up for a plane ticket in case I ever get vacation time from work.

7. I literally cannot remember the last time I took my toe rings off.

8. I'm debating starting a satirical blog. My only concern is that "Satirical" will quickly become "Sarcastic."

9. I like Hot Bliggity Blog's blog backgrounds slightly more than The Cutest Blog on the Block's, but that's probably because I was using TCBOTB for the longest time and had seen all of their designs a million times over.

10. I realized the other night how much I miss living with 5 other girls. I was in severe need of someone to talk to and I'll be darned if having a bunch of girls that you love live with you wasn't a blessing for 5 years.

11. Mayu noticed the other day that I've been down, and she offered to take me to a karaoke bar where I could sing and she could drink. I love my friends at work.

12. I love finding myself in a book. I do not love reading all the way to the end of a book and finding out that the character I identify the most with is a suicidal manic depressive.

13. The stupid dog is so cute.

14. August. August. August. August. August.

HELP!

I am in a music slump.

I still have my favorite bands like Blue October

...And a few others. But I haven't found anything new that I like lately.

Jereme bought me an iTunes gift card for my birthday and I have yet to use it. It's like leaving Barnes and Noble empty-handed: traumatizing.

So, if anyone has a good band, I definitely need some suggestions.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. The last 2 nights. (:

2. Anna McPartlin. I love her books and her writing style. She cracks me up and writes about realistic scenarios in a way that everyone can relate to and be touched by. Every time I pick up a new book by her, I find myself and my friends on the pages.

3. When I got home from work today, my mom had put an opened card on my computer. I opened it and saw it was from Bryce thanking my family for letting him be a part of it. I am so grateful that my family has always been so open to basically adopting my friends. I really do love that my friends are so comfortable here and know they're ALWAYS welcome.

4. I (potentially) get to see Alli in August. I'M SO EXCITED!

5. "Glee." Geez, the Madonna episode from this week (replaying Friday night) was A-MAZING, and I don't even really like Madonna.

Life is Pretty Good...

So we have a new intern at work. He's been with us for one week today, and I'm still on the fence about him. Honestly, I question what my bosses were thinking when they hired him. I KNOW, I KNOW, he's only been with us for a week, but he's driving me bonkers because I am training him. I escalated it to Christy, though, because he's just not absorbing what I tell him. Despite the stresses he brings to the job, he's very nice and personable. And I still LOVE my job.

I got a letter from Shauna today. She is amazing. I love reading her blog (Thanks Jayne!), and her letters are like a concentrated dose of her blog. That probably has something to do with the fact that her letters are tailored perfectly to me. hahaha. Yes, I'm that self-centered. She sounds super happy and I love that she still talks boys with me. hahaha. I love hearing her talk to me through her handwriting - so funny. I miss her lots and can't believe she's only got like 10 months left. WEIRD.

Bryce sent in an audition video to "Glee" (best show on TV, by the way) all about how he should be on it not because its his life's ambition, not because he's an amazing singer (which he is), but because he has cancer. That kid milks it for all it is worth. If you want to help this poor, unfortunate cancer-ridden, kind soul get a role on "Glee," click here. (You can also click there if you want to laugh/realize your life could be so much worse/listen to Bryce to sing - it's a multi-functional link.) To vote for him, click on "Give a Gold Star." (Really, please do this - I want him on "Glee" SO BAD!!)

note: He is joking. Sort of. He is dying of cancer, but a lot of that video is supposed to be quasi-satirical. I don't want to offend anyone...

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I love how the Lord knows what we need and exactly when to give it to us.

2. We broke a record today at work. Two hours later, we broke that record.

3. New books. I had to fight to put it down last night so I could sleep. I love Anna McPartlin - highly recommend her.

4. Chilling with Scott on Saturday night. We watched pieces of 2 basketball games, made virgin pina coladas, a peach/cherry cobbler, and watched "Zombieland." It was SO fun. I'm going to miss that kid.

5. I wish I could take my own advice, but at the same time, I laugh a lot more when I don't.

Updates.

I haven't blogged in a while, so I figured I'd do that today.

My birthday went well - had fun. Nothing flashy, but it was still a very nice day. I was SUPER surprised to hear from Elliot. He sent me a text and I darn near cried just reading it. It wasn't anything extraordinary, all it said was "Happy birthday" but I felt enormously special with those 2 little words. Same with Kyle. I've never met Kyle - we just FB chat and stuff - but he sent me the nicest note. I have some truly amazing people in my life.

On the flip side of the truly amazing - guess who's back? Goth pod. What a battle. (I semi-jest. It's not a total disaster - it just makes life more interesting/stressful.)

I'm still having a blast at my job. We're getting a new intern for my team tomorrow morning - the only boy on our side of the building. We'll see how he does. hahaha.

I'm pretty sure Mishi is going to die any day now. From natural causes - not from us murdering him, surprisingly. He's stealing things more and more lately (which Chelsea's cat did right before she died), he SMELLS like 4 bags of rotten eggs, and he's so skinny that when he lays down he pretty much disappears. Here's hoping...

My goals I wrote down and posted on my tack board to keep me motivated have had NO effect. hahaha. Okay, that's not true. All but one of them.

Jereme is getting ready to head back to Idaho and I'm flipping out that I don't have to do that. I feel like I should be panicking about packing and saying goodbye to my friends and family, but I don't. I just have to sit here. It's SO weird. I'm going to miss him lots and lots.

That's about it, I guess. It's not very exciting around here anymore.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. Never, EVER underestimate the magical healing power of a hot bubble bath and your favorite band.

2. Listening to music that you haven't listened to in a while cause you overplayed it. Man, I forgot how much I love Melody Gardot.

3. I'm so glad the weekend is over and I get to go back to work. Life sucks on the weekend.

4. Chelsea totally grossed me out just now on FB chat. Not a lot grosses me out, but I seriously thought I was going to throw up on my computer.

5. I'm glad I decided to go to South Bay singles' ward. Yeah, it sucks and there's like 10 people in it, but that's basically the only way I've been able to see Bryce lately. He's so nice to humor me by sitting by me in Sacrament AND Sunday school.

I'm the Lead Singer

Unofficially...

I think there's going to be an audition at the next office drinking party/karaoke bar night, with my luck. They don't give you much notice of stuff we're doing.

I love my job. The people I work with are down to earth, hilarious, good people. But let me give you the story of just how I got roped into the singing thing.

Yesterday, during the latter-part of my lunch break, I was laying in my car with the windows slightly cracked, singing along to my Adele CD (thanks, Lo!), not thinking that people could hear me. (Why is it that when we're in our car, we think people can't see/hear us? I'm no nose-picker or anything, but I certainly do love to sing. Tangent.) ANYWAYS. One of the guys in the office came up to his car and heard me, then gave me a bit of a razz for just laying in my car in the sunshine, singing to myself with my eyes closed. Being the newbie that I am, I assumed that was the end of it.

The President/CEO, Mike, had half of the office meet him at Benihanna today for lunch. I was sitting there looking over the menu when Mike walked in and introduced himself to me (I'd never met him before). I was sitting next to a few of the Executives (including my favorite person in the office, Jared, who I've only met once before today). I knew there was a drum set in my office that had to be moved, and that a few of the folks in the office (Pres/CEO and Jared included) play in a band together. I didn't know they were lacking a key member.

Jared looked at me part way through lunch, and said, "So Lauren, do you play any instruments?" and I explained no, not really. And that's when Jared goes, "But I hear you sing." And Mike heard him. BUSTED!

They asked what I like to sing. I told him I'll sing pretty much everything and his eyes lit up when I told him I really love hard rock. He said that unless I'm absolute crap (he used a different word, but my only reader is Mormon. *waves* HI ALLI!) I'm in the band. Our first show will be at the company picnic in May and again at the company Christmas party.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I got my desk and phone and stuff today. I think we'll be working in the new office tomorrow for the first day!

2. My job freaking rocks. We get perks.

3. The cheers that erupted when Marc told everyone at lunch to order alcohol.

4. I didn't get the third degree when I said I don't drink at lunch today.

5. I put myself out there and got ignored. Nothing like a good burn, folks.

6. Halloween is a FREAKING HUGE deal at my office. I've been warned to start planning now. And when I say huge, let me give you a for-instance: Mike (pres/ceo) was Paris Hilton, complete with size 12 stilettos and a bare mid-drift, which was not waxed.

7. Jereme went shopping with me on Saturday. I mean, shopping shopping. Like, he stood around for an hour while I tried on clothes in a few different stores. He's pretty awesome.