Halloween

1. Morgen: photographed Morgen's new Halloween costume for the concert he went to.

2. Chen: watched a lineup of unbelievable tweets last night as the shooting on campus unfolded.

3. Markus: met the beautiful, motherly hockey moms named Kim and Ginger. Halloween in the streets: enjoyed donuts in boxes.

Acceptance

This evening I read Sheri's post on acceptance. 

I opened two gifts this morning...

They were my eyes.

Random 1. It was quite warm outside, so I walked Skip (again).
Random 2. A girl at work told me she was leaving for the hospital in Park City.
Random 3. Leftover Cafe Rio, black beans on top.

AND my friend called me the other night. Myliu, broliuk!

Some Eyes Sparkle From the Inside Out

Like Naomi's do.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. Inside the restaurant,  smell of sushi (nose) followed by being truly heard (ears) over a delicious bowl of beef (mouth). Followed by smiles (sight) and a hug goodbye (touch).

2. On to the after party, sipping my water (taste) and taking photos (seeing), someone I know steps out of her comfort zone for a dance (feeling) whereupon we catch up on outstanding happiness. Followed by holding her hand (touch) and direct eye contact (sight).

3. Lay eyes on a head-to-toe part scene (sight) and snuggle up in it (touch). In the presence of that brand-new cake smell (nose), Naomi gets some great honeymoon advice (ears) before unwrapping a fresh package of kissable body oils (mouth).

BONUS:

On discovering Nicole's polaroid camera takes an extra photo to start with (anger), ask her husband Jeff (The Brud) to help (hope). Discover that many friends cannot be photographed in the same pic (outrage). A dear friend agrees to accept the task and take them for me (delight). Result: Glamorous (glee). All the single ladies, revolt!

Aloha, Naomi.

Friday's

are like hockey players,
everybody loves them.

3. 'i was facing off at practice, when Will came down on my stick and it just snapped.'
2. 'Pure Hockey can order them in to the store, and we won't have to pay for shipping.'
1. 'last years model of stick will work just fine, all it has is different paint.'

Markus in Deustchland

1. People in media: Sharing time with scrapbooks.
2. People in media: Sharing time with photographers.
3. People in media: Sharing time with totally charming, intelligent and engaging adult relationship insiders!

Coach Metcalf

texted me this: Great Kid.

Markus has won West Coast Renegade's hard hat election. I have a big hockey crush on him. He will make a great Assistant Captain!

3 Things: Movies

1. Only The Brave by Kosinski 
2. American Made by Liman
3. Blade Runner 2049 by Villeneuve

Minutes

Minutes well-spent

1. Markus' snap-chat 2 time hard (worker) hat recipient (3 minutes)
2. Max's four lost games in Minnesota dontcha know (11 minutes)
3. My NRP recertification simulation lab (480 minutes)

Recovery

Beware the after-effects of night shifts...

1. Tranced, tracked down some serious sleep to begin my recovery.

2. Recovered (miraculously) in time for Markus to land in SL.

3. Enjoyed, the vivacious company of a Salt Lake Fire Captain, whose energy and effervescent charm completed my full recovery.

Impromptu

1. Hanging: Another day of fun with Morgen.

2. Partying: Markus' impromptu post-win party in Philadelphia.
3. Devoting: Max's heavenly text before they took all players phones away in Minnesota.

Fall!

1. The voice of reason: gorgeous fall walk beckons.

2. The voice of improvisation: Morgen going for a run calls.

3. The voice of an angel: Anika during my first ever facial.

Spend Your Time

Loving Your Life

1. Online: Live from PA! Marko, tomorrow night.
2. Offline: Japanese green tea facial.
3. In line: Encouraging coursework grades for Morgen.

Imagine

1. Meeting up with Skip.
2. Meeting up with Markus.
3. Meeting up with Morgen!

Spinning

1. Creating solutions, like how to affix stubborn spider webs to siding (damn it), with Marko, my Friend in frustration and small pleasures.
2. Creating new friends at work (Hello) at a party I was lucky enough to be invited to.

3. Creating (not I): new media on the way home at the Walmart. Not spun sound; spun images!

Meeting

1. Meeting of the minds: kitchen table collaboration.
2. Meeting of acquaintances: fraternity dialogues of Morg.
3. Meeting of the hearts: old teammates catch up.

hypnosis

Working a Saturday Night shift is the best! Direct from overnight, here are some of my favorite lines from recent babies' births:

1. ‘Aunt D, call me when you want jr. to learn how to be steezy.’
2. ‘In praise of Cole… A baby who is the rebirth of Goliath.’
3. ‘The hypno-birthers people don’t use pain medication. They have their self-respect.’

AND: ‘Nowadays I have a habit of keeping my hands to myself.’

If you could go anywhere???

Joining a blue-and-white fundraiser game for free is more than enough fun. Especially when you need a ride home and your friend helps you coordinate an uber (which you may or may not have successfully pulled off, seeing as Jared's parents were a part of the equation). So, what to do with the spare cash? Why, throw it into charity fun, of course!

His winnings included
1. Game tickets,
2. Fancy snacks in the suite, and
3. Meeting with the players packages.

The trip to Ireland has eluded me, despite my best concerted efforts to concoct a plan, but I got a great return on his $20 bill nonetheless... and the smiles just kept flowing.

Parties

1. Two free concerts, one exceptional percussionist, one paint party.

2. Two teammates, one outstanding player, one new assistant-captain.

3. Two friends, one happy accountant, one Delta Sigma Phi invite to join.

October Sky

1. Privileged: to observe an October sky morning.
2. Surprised: to meet a Skip inside Markus' room.
3. Delighted: to be called off work and catch a hike instead.

You Will Always Be A Part of Us

A. Jonas' golf cart in the Public school is clipping along midday 15 minutes after school let out. It is beautiful, yet perplexing.

1. Feeling it as I am welcomed into several extended Sparta-nation families.

B. Email from old friends, keeping those connections, everyday thoughts, especially those at the rink, being courageous, gigantic explanations.

2. Feeling it as Tim helps me get to where I need to go in a hurry.

C. The privilege of reading ‘you will always be a part of us’ in a three page email - with extraordinary feeling - from a mother to her daughter's coach (‘you were like her second mother’).

3. Feeling it as the email went on to say that she still has pictures of me hanging in her room (à la Lost Boys) plays a constant reminder over dinner.

Priorities

1. Dough. Max's at this thing. He met this nice guy from Ventura, CA. He'd like to work only in the mornings; I'd like to him share his hockey bill. I talk about taking baby-steps. He is half-in agreement, half-asleep. My bills are half-due, half-coming due. We take advice from his team manager to talk to someone named 'Paddy'. We hope he can help him find a job that he hasn't already applied for on-line. The idea is thick and creamy like pizza dough.

I've always liked people from California.

2. Birth. I'm at this thing. I see this schedule feature titled The Recovery. I learn about the mom and baby and the water breaking. Inspired by the perseverance and the conviction of its people, I get a reminder I must make my appointment with the dentist tomorrow. ‘If the people lead, the leaders will follow.’

I've had this visit on my calendar for 6 months with the dentist.

3. Win. We're at this thing. I re-meet this nice guy from hockey. We drink water and talk about ... well, we talk about all kinds of banner raising things. He is a writer and communicator who keeps on keeping on ... and even though we should both call it a night, we can't. Priorities? These are the moments.

I've always liked kindred creative spirits.

Giving Thanks

Yesterday was Canadian Thanksgiving. Since this is at heart a blog of thanksgiving, I want to pay respect to this underrated holiday. 

This morning, I am thankful for my brother, Adam. HBD bro. 

POST

1. Free replacement hockey stick (already worn down). He's going to keep using it through the winter: wear it down again!

2. Night-shift-hair-meets-bed-head. Getting the up and down - in a good way - on the elevator. I love arriving at work in my bike-greased scrubs. 

3. Complimentary pickled ginger from the local sushi restaurant. When all else fails, I cut it up and improvise tea. I refuse to get sick.

Now I'm pickled tink! This is my 2,830th post.

Hot Shower

like a regular shower

but with me in it

A bathroom shower curtain is a good way to learn a few lessons.

1. Inspect sister's new home in Boise. Check.
2. Leave town for a weekend while work is completed. Check.
3. Do not - I repeat, do not - hire the contractor if he says he will be back tomorrow with his trailer. Oops, did not check.

Lemonade

My employer called me in for my on-call shift. How flattering that someone needs me so desperately.

1. Hence the opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons.

2. Lessons from a woman who made lemons out of lemonade:
‘If my Tesla hadn't been built so well, I never would've survived .’ - my sister Marilee 

3. She called her insurance company at once and significantly improved her health by going in to be checked for a concussion today. The benefits cannot be overstated. I'm bringing back the almighty penlight!

FOR LIKE {ever}

Noni + Drew = forever

1. Urination: I have placed two new urinary catheters today!
2. Consideration: I was asked whether I had any ‘philosophical objections’ to doing two cesarean sections in a row.
3. Salvation: I found a can of chili in my empty kitchen.

Scrubbed?

How will this adventure end? So far:

1. Strength: The buyer (of my CRV) asks me if I'm going to ‘seal the deal’ at 7-11. The universe gives me strength to resist harsh negotiations (since I don't want any, either). I ask to please send feminists into this man's life immediately.

2. Story: I give the seller (of the i3) and his daughter a ride home. The seller tells the tale of his father-in-law, who would only drive this car when he didn't have to go far. He'd drive it to Jazz games; he never paid for parking, just for charging. It just happened to be on that exact day that I called to buy it.

3. Plate: The seller demonstrates what he used to do back in the day, way back when, at BYU: turn the ride around out by the lake. Either he scrubbed it clean or I will never have to do another car wash so long as I take it to the dealer.

yesss

I spent the whole day with nice people at work. I left with a sense of urgency: to enjoy my youth and my body now!

The wise nurses tell me:
1. ‘A man can be nice – but not too nice! If he's too nice, he won't be strong.’
2. ‘You can be nice to a man – but not too nice! Be nice – but never beg!’
3. ‘The most important thing in this life is to be healthy. And to be young!’