I’ve been reading Post Secret for about four years now. All five books and every Sunday morning…without fail.
I’ve posted about it here multiple times, because yeah, I’m addicted.
This past week they had a Post Secret event at the University of Utah. Frank Warren, the guy behind it all, travels around the country sharing the tale of Post Secret, secrets that have never been published and allowing people to share their secrets live.
It was amazing, as expected. Frank was amazing.
Joan E, Cookie and Tal went with me
#1 secret he receives – People pee in the shower.
You are lying if you say you haven’t.
#2 secret he receives – People wish they had someone to share their secrets with.
Perhaps, about sharing their secret of peeing in the the shower? Ya never know.
#3 secret he receives – Loneliness, self harm, thoughts of suicide.
Popular culture does not reflect this. For every 2 murders, there are 4 suicides. More soldiers have died by their own hand, than in battle. Why is this? People are lonely and feel like they can’t talk to people about their secrets.
Sharing secrets, can save lives.
If you suspect some one wants to hurt themselves, ask them. Point blank. Studies show, they will likely tell you the truth. They want help. Listen to them. Without judgement. What ever they are going through is all to real to them. Do not be afraid to remove weapons, prescription medication, etc., from their reach.
My grandmother committed suicide when my Dad was only 18. It affected him greatly and I suspect changed the way he fathered us.
My (ex) husband’s mother committed suicide almost 12 years ago. I know it affected him greatly and changed him in irreversible ways.
I had to ask my (ex) husband several times if he was thinking of hurting himself. He was. I had to hide a gun and prescription medications, more than once. It was difficult, but worth my time to be there for him, when he needed me. I didn’t always understand it and some things I still don’t.
Something new I learned. Walmart is the largest retailer of hard media. Because of this, they also have become the largest censor. Book publishers actually censor books because Walmart may not carry them otherwise. Frank was proud to say, not one Post Secret book has ever been carried by Walmart, for this reason. I’m proud to say, I’ve never bought a single book or CD from Walmart, and never will.
Really, the best part of the evening was getting to meet Frank and get my one of my books signed.
Free your secrets and become who you are
Share one or more of your secrets.
Share them all.
Set them free.
Free yourself.
And, if someone shares their secret with you.
Listen, really listen.
Don’t judge.
Have compassion.
Be grateful they trusted you.
We were able to pack a lot into a short amount of time. I took tons of pics. Most of them were taken with my iPhone, because my piece of shit little point and shoot decided it would be a fantastic idea to die half way through the trip. Yeah, that’s right. Nice! Now my iPhone is my only camera. Um, FML!
It couldn’t have waited to die until after we hiked to Horseshoe Bend, because I’ve have only wanted to go there since FOREVER! And I really didn’t appreciate the other asshole hikers with their fancy DSLR cameras and tripods and long lenses! (I was only a little jealous.)
When we left Powell, they were still in the process of building Antelope Point Marina. It’s gorgeous and has the nicest staff. They really did an incredible job on it. By road, it’s a bit out of the way, but so worth it.
Click on the album below!!!
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| Lake Powell April 2010 |
The ride down and back was great. Good weather and great scenery. I can’t wait to go back. Hopefully, this summer. Hopefully, with access to a boat or at least waverunners. Hopefully, with access to ATVs. (A girl can dream!)
PS – On the northern end of our trip, I couldn’t stop noticing the ribbons in the mountains. 
By the time we arrived in Page, AZ, my cheeks were sore from smiling so much. We were all giddy with excitement. Tal remembers a lot about living at Powell. I’m surprised how much Lula remembers, considering she was only four when we left.
It was already dark, but we took the time to ride the loop around the town, which only takes about 10 minutes. Got checked into our hotel room and headed to Denny’s…it’s a tradition. I couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel and get to sleep. I needed the light of day to really see it all.
Although our wake up call was for 7:30am, I was up at 5:00, like a little kid on Christmas morning. First order of business was to visit a few familiar spots in Page. Tal’s elementary school and our old house. Next, our old shop and I’ll be damned if it is not just the way we left it…over seven years ago!!
Wet Desert Watersports - Hasn't changed a bit and has been empty since we left.
I could quite literally open it back up and be in business. Tempting!
More tomorrow…
I’ve made it home!
Not to Salt Lake, which is among many homes I claim (also Okinawa and Georgia), but my hearts home. Lake Powell. Lake Powell is different. Lake Powell is my hearts home.
It was kind of a last minute trip. Thought of, planned and executed in a weeks time. The best way to finish up the girls spring break. It will be a quick trip. No watercraft to play on. I’ve never been here without access to a boat or at least a waverunner. But, I don’t even care. I just needed to come home.
We lived here for a year. We had a boat and waverunner rental company. We worked hard and we played harder. It was the best summer of our lives. So many incredible memories. Even while living here, I knew I was lucky. Every morning I’d look out my window, see the incredible scenery and pinch myself.
It was a beautiful clear day, if not a bit windy in spots. The first half of the six hour drive is fairly boring. First getting through the cities, then endless miles of sage brush, junipers and the occasional tumble weed. But, then you turn off I15 towards Panquitch and the mountains and rock formations start to change. The shape is the first indicator. Then bits of pink started to show up. Today peaking through patches of snow. More and more pink appears, until there is little gray or green or blue left. The pinks are at first pale and light, slowly deepening. Once you get close to Kanab, the mountains are gone, having been replaced with towering dark pink, reddish buttes.
It got dark shortly after leaving Kanab, but I didn’t need the light. I know this scenery like it’s my own back yard. The closer we got to Page, AZ, the more familiar. I didn’t need a map or the road signs. I know the way. My heart knows the way.
It has been exactly 2683 days since we left. Since I’ve seen these beautiful red rocks and crystal clear water. The lake, this lake, has been stuck like a song in my head. A beautiful song, calling me back home.
Tal is about to get her drivers license and she needs to log some hours. So, a week ago Sunday we jumped in the car with no real destination in mind. I left it completely up to her.
We ended up in Delle, UT. Never heard of it and with good reason. I think the only thing there is a gas station. I’m kind of surprised it shows up on Google maps. Basically, we headed west on I-80, towards the NV, stopping first at the Great Salt Lake State Park. Not much is there either besides a stinky beach and a burned out train car. (For those that don’t know the Great Salt Lake, it does stink.) I suppose you could also argue the existence of Saltair and the marina, but we couldn’t get into either. So, fuck ‘em.
It was a beautiful day. Beautiful scenery. Great day with my daughter. I took some pics along the way, though.
This is who you see in the Delle, UT. WTF??
What: Holi Festival or Festival of Colors The Holi Festival is celebrated based on several different legends (read more here) Mainly the ultimate victory of good over evil.
Where: Krishna Temple, Spanish Fork, UT
Photo from: http://photos.jarviedigital.com/Holi
When: March 27, 2010
Why: Why the hell not?!
Should you go next year: Hell yes!
Music and dancing inside the temple. My kids are bouncing around in there somewhere.
Beautiful shrine within temple.
Tal, Carrie & Lula (Carrie is Lula's friend)
Rocking my bindi! Wish I could wear one everyday!
We are starting to get colored up.
Majorly colored up.
Chalk cloud.
To see even better pics from the event, visit Jarvie Digital.
Gah!! It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. I’ll save you from the usual excuses. I really did plan to catch up this week while I was on Spring Break, but the drunken debaucherous booby flashing wild shenanigans naps and homework got in the way.
Yes, I did homework during the break. I have a huge Chinese test as soon as we get back. I also took the time to work on algebra, but only because my great friends Kevin and Rachel met me at Divas Cupcakes and Coffee and took five hours out of their Saturday to tutor this math idiot.
I also did a few fun things though. We started the week off by taking Tal shopping for her birthday present on Friday. On Saturday we had a family birthday party for the new 16 year old. Sunday, Tal’s actual b-day, we went to a #brunchup with @knappst3r @nteej @ohdax @kevindwhite @shizzlemetimber @r8chelb @babymaddie and Tal at Red Maple Chinese Cuisine for Dim Sum that was TO DIE FOR! . (Must go back soon!)
I've never been a fan of Calamari, but I am now!
Then saw Alice in Wonderland and Macaroni Grill for dinner.
Birthday Girl at Macaroni Grill (her choice, not mine!)
Since the girls were with their dad last night, I took the opportunity to go out last night with Twitter friends, @susanmercedes @iamicram @shizzlemetimber @rmiriam @knappst3r @nteej @erinalberty @cuteculturechic @mishimmy @jodim @kevindwhite @dianebhartford @cdroz @paco_belle.
First, dinner and drinks at The Porcupine Pub & Grill and then more drinks and karaoke at The Highlander.
Bunnie, Susan & Marci
Diane, Erin & Courtney
Susan & Bunnie
Amy, Nick, Rachel & Bunnie
I have great friends that keep me from being bored. It gets a little bit lonely at home when the girls are gone. I’m still getting used to it.
I recently posted about Pho Tay Ho, a great Vietnamese restaurant in the SL,UT that specializes in Pho. It had been recommended to me by Twitter friends. I was also told to try Pho Green Papaya and have been there several times recently. Not only do they serve Pho, they have a full Vietnamese/Thai menu. The other day I went with friends Jessie, Kevin and Ryan. Everything we had was excellent.
Pho Green Papaya
2000 W 3500 S
Cà phê s?a nóng - My favorite coffee! If you haven't had Vietnamese coffee, you've got to try it!
Appetizers: Dumpling Chiên (Pork), Goi Cuon (Fresh spring rolls), Tôm Chiên (Shrimp rolls), Thit Nu'o'ng (Pork skewers)
Steak and lean brisket Pho
Singha is a great Thai beer, but don't be afraid to try Hue a Vietnamese beer.
Finish up with one of my favorites...Sweet mango over coconut sticky rice!
I’ve had some pretty good food recently, so I figured I’d recommend a few things to you.
Beerhive Pub
128 S. Main St.
If you like German food and beer, this is the place for you. I actually wanted to try some of their handmade sausages, but the sausage machine was broken that night. I had the Chicken Roladen instead and was not disappointed. I loved the spatzle and the blaukraut reminded me of the Danish red cabbage my mom makes. The beer menu is large and they also have a full bar. The only downfall would be parking, because it is downtown. Plan to park and walk a bit or even better, take Trax.
Free-range chicken stuffed with speck and gruyere cheese, topped with a rich mushroom cream sauce and served with spatzle and blaukraut. Beer: Pyramid Hefeweizen.
Coffee Garden
878 E 900 S
Coffee Garden has been a favorite of mine for a while. I love their hot coffees, especially the latte, but their iced/frozen coffees leave a lot to be desired. The cupcakes are always unusual and delish. The 9th and 9th location is great, especially since Cahoots is right next door. After this trip I stopped in at Cahoots and got the most awesome SL,UT and Salt Lake temple shot glasses! They also carry SL,UT t-shirts, which I must get one of these days.
Red chai cupcake and Latte
Diva’s Cupcakes and Coffee
1560 E 3300 S
The only place better for coffee than Coffee Garden is Diva’s and now they also serve beer and wine. I’ve never had any of their food items, but the quiche and soups look fantastic. The coffee is incredible and the cupcakes are TO. DIE. FOR! And yes, cupcakes do go quite well with a good Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon Rose.
Cupcakes and Wine
Mimi’s Cafe
5223 S State St
The only reason I went here was because I heard about the fried pickles. Something I used to get in Georgia. We only ordered the pickles and fried cheese, but were great.
Fried Pickles, fried cheese and Pinot Grigio
1. Glitter in the Air – P!nk
2. Russian Roulette – Rhianna
3. And So It Goes – Billy Joel
4. Crash Into Me – Dave Matthews Band (Live at Radio City version)
5. Louisiana Sunday Afternoon – Diane Schuur
6. Hurt – Christina Aguilera
7. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
8. Welcome to the Black Parade – My Chemical Romance
9. I Want You to Want Me – Letters to Cleo
10. Blackbird – Sarah McLachlan
11. Ride Wit Me – Nelly
12. Rhapsody on the Theme of Paganin – Sergei Rachmaninoff
13. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
14. Rude Boy – Rhianna
15. No You Girls – Franz Ferdinand
16. Suddenly I See – KT Tunstall
17. Kids – MGMT
18. What You Waiting For – Gwen Stephani
19. Sexy Bitch – David Guetta
20. Canon in D Major – Pachelbel
21. Love Remains The Same – Gavin Rossdale
22. Con Te Partiro – Andrea Bocelli
23. Comin’ Home Baby – Michael Buble
24. Don’t Fear The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
25. The Pretender – Foo Fighters
Look what I got in the mail yesterday! It’s beautiful!
It is also taking all of my energy to restrain myself from driving to the airport and taking the first possible international flight out of here.
And never stop.
