Gamer confessions

So lately (as in within the past half hour or so), I've been reminiscing about all of the awesome computer games I used to play as a kid. I've never been a fan of console games, but I do like computer games. Does anyone else remember these awesome games from the 1990s and early 2000s? (* = favorites)

Myst*
Oregon Trail 5*
DinoPark Tycoon
SimAnt
Odell Down Under (I ALWAYS forget what this game is called.)
Sid Meier's Civilization II* (I still play this all the time.)
SimCity
Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
Zoombinis*
MathBlaster
The ClueFinders games
Zoo Tycoon*
Jazz Jackrabbit
Monkey Island games*

There's another game I used to love, but I can't remember for the life of me what it was called. It was an old DOS game involving a kid in a cloak that ran through a castle. You could shoot little fiery bullets, and you had to collect goblets of potion to regain your health. . . . There was lava. And moonlight. . . . Argh. I can't remember what it was called. Perhaps my siblings can help me out with this one.

Wow. I sound like a nerd now. Oh well! Keep in mind, all of these games were played in moderation, with the possible exception of that one time when my brother and I played Civilization II for over two hours straight. But that was just once. And then I ironed 10 shirts to make up for my laziness. I'm not a gamer. No, no, no.

What games--computer, video, board, or whatever else--did you enjoy as a kid?

Vaycay pt 3 - Disney is da best

Disneyland is a great place. Obviously. This year they've added a great new show at California Adventure. It's called World of Color, and it's freaking awesome.

Picture the fountain show at the Bellagio in Vegas.

Now make the water change colors.
Now add synchronized music and a lit-up ferris wheel.
Now add fire exploding from the water pool.
Now add lasers.
Now add clips from Disney movies being projected onto the water.

Cool, eh?

Seriously, this show was awesome. The music, lights, water, and other elements all meshed together perfectly. I was in awe at the amount of imagination and engineering (Imagineering, as they call it in Disneyland) that went into the show. It was oddly emotional to watch. At one point, the music was "So Close" from the movie Enchanted, and the water screens were showing all of the best Disney kisses. It was very tender. Awwww! Cheesiness aside, it was well worth the 2 hour wait to see the show.

When I grow up, I will create giant colorful water shows with fire and lasers and music.

Vaycay part dos

Let's talk about trees. I love trees. I draw them all the time. I did a project on references to trees in the book of Isaiah. My brother and I named the willow trees that used to line our street. I sometimes read about trees when I have nothing to do. On my trip to California, I saw some trees.

They were big.


Woaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

The giant sequoias were absolutely amazing to behold. I luff them.


Guys, nature is awesome. I kind of love it. This trip was a cool reminder of how amazing God's creations are, from the really big stuff
to the very small stuff.


The stuff in between isn't so bad, either.

I'm baack!

Best. Vacation. Ever.

I'll have to describe this vaycay (read: "vacation," shortened and cutesified) in a few shortish blog posts instead of one giant post. I feel like the latter option would be the equivalent of making you all watch a long and boring slideshow of vacation photos.

First: the Salt Flats at sunrise. I realized, as we started our drive to California, that I have never seen the Salt Flats. I've lived in UT my whole life, and I've never been there. Nuts. Luckily, we took the scenic route and I got to be there just as the sun was coming up. Gorgeous.

(Please forgive the occasional cell phone pics....)

Around noon on the first day of driving, we came across a "town" called Tonopah, Nevada. This place is scary. One of the biggest features of the town was a clown motel. It was not cool. Me no likey. Glimpse into the evil freakishness thereof:
Freaky. I have other pictures, but they're too frightening to post.

After narrowly escaping the zombie-like grasp of Tonopah, we made our way to Tioga Pass near Yosemite. This place was beautiful. Observe:

Unforgettably gorgeous. Aaaahhh. Well, that's enough for now. Coming soon: gigantic, red, fuzzy trees and other nature-ish stuff.

Laun-dray.

Here I am, at my parents' casa, doing laundry. Why am I doing laundry at 10pm on a Sunday? Because I need clothes to pack. Why am I packing?

Because I'm going to DISNEYLAND!

That's right, folks, I'm going to the happiest place on earth (besides Provo). We're leaving at 4:30 tomorrow morning and starting the long drive to the land of giant cartoon mice. It will be nice. And full of spice. (Eurydice. That was for you, Averyl.)

Seriously, those are big mice.

Anyway, that's that. I hope you all have a fantastic week. Just know that it will not be as fantastic as MY week is going to be. Bwahaha. Be jealous. Loves!

This is a blog. About a log. With a frog. In the fog.

Hmm. A lot has changed since my last post. I finally got a job, which is nice. I work for a probate research company in Salt Lake. This is a little difficult, since I still have an apartment and awesome friends in Provo. So, for the time being, I live in Salt Lake during the week and come to Provo to party on the weekends. Also, I come here to blog. (Apparently.) It's kind of an odd situation, but it allows me to see my fam and friends, have a job, and not spend millions of dollars on gas for my car. Instead, I'm only spending thousands on gas. Just kidding. Seriously though. Driving is expensive.

Let's see, what else. . . . Oh yeah, I'm engaged!






I am SO just kidding, cuz I am SO not engaged. So not even dating anyone, but that is so how I like it, for the time being. I'm a free woman, and it kind of rocks.

Umm.... what else.... I bought an Irish pennywhistle! I'm learning, very slowly and squeakily, to play it. It kind of rocks, too. Everything kind of rocks right now. Life is good.

P.S.
Does anyone read this blog?