What are you reading?

Sometimes I really hate it when people ask me what I'm reading. If it's somebody who really knows me and knows what I like to read, I don't mind. But when random people on airplanes or co-workers, etc. ask, I sometimes hate to answer. Inevitably, I get a blank look because they've never heard of what I'm reading. It happened to me again last week at work.

Me: I'm tired because I stayed up reading last night.
Coworker: It must have been good. What are you reading?
Me: Um...it's called Magic Rises.
Coworker: blank look and a nod
Me: It's a series from one of my favorite authors.
Coworker: Nice, what's it about?
Me: Hmmm.. magic and shape shifters... there are a few vampires too, but not the sparkly kind.
Coworker: another blank look
Coworker: Nice, well gotta get back to work.

It's just funny to me that the thing I spend most of my free time doing is something I don't really talk about with people I know. There are a few friends or family whose reading interests overlap with mine or who really understand why I love reading, but nobody who really likes to read the same books as I do. I'm not complaining about it. I get on Goodreads or go to my favorite book blogs if I want to discuss books.

Anyway, that's why I don't like it when people ask me what I'm reading. Of course, knowing my luck, I could be reading Shakespeare and be sitting next to the one person who hasn't heard of him. :)

Camping

I spent the last four days camping with my family in Logan canyon. I do like camping, but I don't love it. I'm not a die-hard outdoor enthusiast and don't like to get dirty but I can handle camping in small doses. I grew up camping with my family and have really great memories of playing in the Loagn River. We don't camp as often any more, but it's always fun when we do go.

My nieces and nephews were fun to play with. They were in the river for hours and covered in mud at times. I even got the one year old in the river and she was fearless. It was her first camping trip and she had a blast. That little kid was so dirty.

And then there is all of the sitting around playing cards or sitting by the fire. I don't know why a campfire is so relaxing and enjoyable, but I do love it... until I get home and smell like one. :)

Pink Martini

I finally got to see Pink Martini (www.pinkmartini.com) in concert last night. It was awesome!!! They played at Red Butte Gardens in SLC. It was a perfect venue and a perfect night. The weather was warm while we were waiting in line before the gates opened but once we got seated, there was a little breeze and when the sun went down, it was nice and cool. Once we found a place to sit, we unpacked our dinner and my sister made us non-alcoholic pink martini's to drink. Outdoor concerts are a lot of fun.

I don't know how long I've loved Pink Martini's music. I think my sister introduced me to them and I have 5 of their cd's. I definitely have my favorite songs, but they have so many good ones. It's just feel-good stuff and I can't help but sing along or move to the beat when they sing in a language I don't understand.

It was a great night and I will look forward to next time they come to SLC. Once is just not enough.

Seattle

I spent last week in Seattle. I went for work and then got to spend the weekend with a friend, just seeing the sights and having fun. It's a beautiful area.

 

I went to my first (possibly last since I'm not a baseball fan) major league baseball game. I had a great time but that was mostly due to who I was with, not where I was.

 

No trip to Seattle is complete without the Space Needle, right?

 

View from the needle

 

 

 

Shoreline from Discovery Park

 

Snoqualmie Falls - a fun little side trip to get out of the city

 

 

And then of course there is Pike's market. I only wish I could have tried food from all of the shops. It all smelled so good.

 

 It was a great trip even though I'm happy to be back home.

Niagara Falls

So I spend last week working in Auburn, NY. I have never been to NY at all and thought it was a beautiful area. After work on Thursday and friend and I went shopping at some outlet malls in the area and then drove to Niagara Falls for the weekend. We stayed on the Canadian side. The falls were pretty fun to see and get wet in the mist. I could have done without the more touristy parts but overall all, I’m glad I went. Plus, Canada has the good kind of chocolate that you can get in Europe.
It was a fun mini vacation and I can cross Niagara Falls off my list.

American Falls

Part of Queen Victoria park, I think.

Horseshoe Falls

more Horseshoe Falls

 

Here I am in the lovely rain poncho they give you. Not the best place to take pictures but it was fun to do the ferry ride.

Maid of the Mist ferry

view at night

 

American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls at night

 

Ice cream and bubbles

It was a great weekend. I started out a bit restless on Friday night. After work, I sat down and finished my book and it was so good and kind of emotional at the end.  So then I was restless. I paced around doing little things like picking up some of my clutter, putting away laundry, etc. It’s funny how I am always kind of sad when I finish a really good book. It’s a kind of mourning for friends that you won’t see again.. at least not until a re-read. And I simply cannot start another book so soon after a good one like that.

Saturday, I played with the kids. I guess I was technically babysitting. I offered to take them to Dinosaur Park, but they didn’t want to so instead we played with my tinker toys and then went outside and played and blew bubbles.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE blowing bubbles. What is it about sitting on the grass in the sunshine watching bubbles float across the yard? It’s such a great, relaxing feeling.  And I don’t do it by myself (although I don’t know why not since I love it so much) so I always like to get the bubbles out when the kids come over.

After bubbles we went to Farr’s for ice cream.  It was a bit crowded in the little ice cream shop so we got our cones and went outside and sat on some steps near the parking and out of the sun.  The people who had been in line before us were getting into their van and the driver let out a huge burp. The kids are at that age where it was hilarious to them but I told them they couldn’t laugh out loud while all the van windows were down so we all sat there giggling quietly. Then we’d stop but once we caught each other’s eye we would start giggling again. You probably had to be there but we had the best time laughing and eating ice cream.  I love little moments like that.

Spring Fever

Oh man, I’m dying to go somewhere. I’m restless. I have a couple work trips coming up in the summer months so I will be going somewhere, even if it’s for work. Both times I’m going to stay the weekend to have a mini-vacation. And my family is going camping. But that doesn’t help me now.

It’s been a little cool lately but with the flowers and trees blooming and everything turning green, it finally feels like spring. I must have spring fever.  The cure for that is a day off in the sunshine and planting flowers in my planter boxes. One day soon I will that.  And maybe I’ll plan a little vacation. A foreign trip this year is not looking likely but since I did one in both 2011 and 2012 it would be ok to stay a little closer to home this year. I live in Utah. It’s not like there’s not a ton of things to do and see right here.