Nothing but WET

Someone had a great idea. Someone figured out that certain keywords draw consumers to purchase. This notion changed the world of marketing. "Natural", "Organic", "Pure"; these are some of the words we get bombarded with each day.

The chemical compound which consists of two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule is probably the best example of what marketing can do for a product:

We are inundated with selection when we want a simple, refreshing drink of water. With merely a label we can be transported up to glacial heights or whisked away to a tropical paradise. Such a fantastical trip at such an unreasonable price tag, and sadly the reality is that we're pretty much having a drink of water. Water. WATER!

Well, I have an idea too. If we're going to monopolize on something as commonplace as water, then lets do it right. How about we give people what they REALLY want?! Now introducing, for the first time ever (that's right, you heard it here folks):

Ah, the Glory Days

Two days ago I got to hang out with 2 colleagues that I don't work with day-to-day, but only indirectly, as in that they work for us freelance. We sat on my back patio, on a cool afternoon, casually getting to know each other better. We talked of leaving the LDS church, and shared our individual stories (something I don't get to do much anymore).

Why do I bring this up? Well. A while back I used to write. A lot. Perhaps not a LOT, but you get the gist. I just read an old blog post of mine, and I thought, "This shouldn't be sitting in the dust. I'm proud of this. This post should be revisited."

So here I am, selling out, but loving to be able to post a link from an old "finding la" post. Good times.

http://findingla.blogspot.com/2006/07/instead-of-posting-comment-i-take-my.html

Bombarded

Being a liberal in Utah County is like being white in the Mexican supermarket on State Street I imagine. It's like people know liberals exist, they've heard of liberals before, but it's so rare that they come out in the open that conservatives are actually surprised when they find out someone is liberal. "Someone disagrees with me? What? Lunacy."

I hear the regurgitations of Bill O'Reilly too often. Sean Hannity is a Saint around here. And what's-his-face, the guy who sobs all the time, oh yeah Glenn Beck. That guy's name sends chills up my spine.

Not that I'm confrontational, mind you. But if I hear someone say something ridiculous (mostly about homosexuals or "marriage") then I'll speak up with some sarcastic comeback. I don't bite my tongue, but I'm certainly not on the lookout for a fight.

Why has fighting always found me? Hmm...something for me to ponder on.

So, yes, the fight always seems to find me. It must be a nice thing to be able to be so open about political beliefs. Most people get nods of agreement and a pat on the back for the ideas they vocalize. But me? Liberal me (moderately liberal, by the way)? If I say something that I believe, I get jumped on. Whatever.

I'm getting sick of living here. *sigh*

Why did the Mayo Clinic remove their success story that is Shona Holmes??

I'm into universal health care. So I've been reading up on the Candian who had to come to the US to get the treatment she "needed". I've seen this link in MANY places:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/patientstories/story-339.html

It's the Mayo Clinic's story of Shona Holmes. But sadly, I cannot view their story because it's been removed. Why? Over-traffic is my guess. Huh.

Turning a New Leaf

So one of my life challenges is that I was never able to grow a clematis plant. I have probably killed 3 or 4 innocent clematis' (clematii?) in my life, something for which I feel great shame. It turns out, all I needed was the right place for them to thrive, and give them a little bit of love.

I planted 2 different varieties last year. The both did really well and I was optimistic that I might not kill them this time. I tended them very carefully, and encouraged them to climb the trellises behind them. The plant on the left has light purple flowers, and likes to climb. The plant on the right has dark purple flowers, and is more bushy, which means it hasn't grown vertically very much.

One day I was trimming the overgrown grass around the plants with a Weed Eater. I'm not very deft with dangerous tools, so it comes as no surprise that I weed whacked the left plant on accident. I was heart broken! I rushed inside the house to find some sort of tape to see if I could "graft" the stem back together. Over the course of the summer, sadly, the left plant withered and died. Oh, the bitter sorrow.

A few weeks ago I peaked my bleary eyes through the haze of winter, and into one of the warm spring days we had this year. In other words, I went outside to examine the yard. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the left plant, not only alive, but THRIVING. It's amazing.

Today when I went outside I was thrilled to see the plant had grown taller than the fence! I don't know how it happened. I had given up all hope. But it is true, the plant has risen from the grave. Here, now, are the pictures to prove it. I hope you appreciate even a fraction of how incredible this was for me! :)


The left plant, today.

The right plant, still going strong.

A close-up of right plant's new flowers.

My New Fave

Like a Sunshower by Journey

Girl, tell me what's wrong
Are those tears in your eyes
What's going on between us
I'm ready to listen
I don't care if it takes all night

We both said something we didn't mean
We lost our heads
Now I can't sleep
'Til you talk to me

We find the sun through the rain
Caught in a sunshower
We'll be all right, no one's to blame
After the storm, we'll shine
So rare you and me disagree
Love's like a sunshower

When you meet me, babe
Somewhere halfway, yeah

It's been way too long
Since we shared what's in our hearts
Let's say this charade is over
Ooh, we can't take for granted
How far we've come
Let's not lose each other

I know you care, 'cause you stand your ground
When we talked enough
I wanna make up
Wanna make love

We find the sun through the rain
Caught in a sunshower
We'll be alright
No one's to blame
After the storm, we'll shine
So rare you and me disagree
Love's like a sunshower

Baby, babe
Somewhere we'll find
We won't regret
We won't forget
Rainbows wait for you and me
Girl, we're caught in a sunshower

When we've talked enough
Can we make up
Can we make love, ooh
Yeah

On the down-slope of hump day

Do you ever have one of those days where you wonder if you can't take one more thing? Where the only viable option seems to crawl into bed and pull the covers over your head? Well. I am at the point in my day, the time is finally here, where I can actually do just that. Oh, sweet flannel, envelope me.

I need to think of something interesting to say, dangit.