WHO'S THAT TREE?

The Rockstar and I live in a pretty progressive neighborhood. Our sprinkling system is connected to a satellite and provides just enough water based on the current and impending weather. If it rains, our sprinklers don't turn on. Miraculous!
But now...NOW things have just been turned up a notch. We just got an email today that explains each of our community trees will be tagged with an RFID. Here's a little more information from the email.

"In response to this need, XXXXX is working with the Salt Lake County Million Tree Program, South Jordan City and G. Brown Design, Inc. to develop an urban forestry management program. This program is the system by which the trees will be properly monitored and provide a streamlined management approach through the use of a tree inventory and mapping system. The inventory contains information about each tree including: Unique Tree # using a RFID (Radio-frequency identification) tag that is 1/2” long x 1/8” diameter glass capsule embedded into each tree, Scientific Name, Common Name, Location, Tree Condition, Caliper Size, Canopy Size, and Photo. After the tree has been tagged and evaluated, it becomes part of a tree database and computerized mapping system."

I guess all those plans we had for stealing trees and adding them to our backyard are squashed!!

BLACK CHANDELIER

If you are living in Utah, it's high-time you checked out The Black Chandelier featuring designs by Jared Gold {Idaho native}. It's fun, it's funky and quite affordable. Store locations include Trolley Square, Gateway, The Shops at Riverwoods and Fashion Place Mall.
I have a cute t-shirt and some recently purchased BC vegan, patent yellow shoes and Amie got a skateboard. So cool!

FOR REALS?

A few days ago I heard about the impending storm that blew into Utah lastnight. Because I still innocently believe weather people, "winds getting as strong as 50-75mph", I brought our two new rocking chairs in from the porch. I didn't want to risk waking up this morning and fishing them out of the lake.
Well, for once, I'm glad I heeded the warning. The wind BLEW. I woke up this morning to the neighbor's garbage cans blown into a heep in our alley. I couldn't believe the dip in temp this morning. I could see my breath!! In June!! I don't think it's been this unpredictable since the early 90's when it snowed on my sister's June 1 garden wedding reception!
Did I mention there's snow in the mountains?

DATE NIGHT AT THE METROPOLITAN

Remember when I said Nate and I were invited to a night of fabulous dining with his employer picking up the tab? Well, the time has finally come. We'll be dining at the Metropolitan at 8pm tonight. Nate is a lot of fun to explore a new restaurant with. He's experimental and fearless {I still obey my strict rule of not being carefree enough to bite into a tendon or eat fur/feathers}.
I've only had one evening when all these rules were willingly tossed out the window. My last night in Africa. We went to a restaurant called the Carnivor and I ate the meat from Osterich, Wildebeast, and Crocodile. I had to take advantage of every experience on that trip because I didn't know when I'd be back. I'm currently trying to pique Nate's interest in becoming a humanitarian in Africa.
Kristin said that the Metropolitan offered her the best meal she's had in SLC. I can't think of a better recommendation. It calls itself "american, seafood, contemporary" and claims to be romantic. We'll see.

SALT LAKE ACTING LIKE A REAL CITY?

Lastnight around dinner time an 18 year old boy walked into Trolly Square shopping center and starting shooting, at random, into the restaurants. He ended up killing five people and wounding four before police shot him. This story is totally sad and completely shocking. Read story here.

AND THE WINNER IS

Sundance winners were announced tonight. If you want to get the line-up, go here. Nate and I have tickets to see a couple of movies considered "best of fest" tomorrow night. We checked out the website and this is what we'll be enjoying.

1. In The Shadow of The Moon {best documentary}












2. Rocket Science {best director}

TRIFECTA OF ENTERTAINMENT

Subtitle: Sundance #4 and #5: Snow Angels, On the Road with Judas {respectively}.

Lastnight Nate and I visited the Rose Wagner Theater in Salt Lake for our fourth of five films for the festival. This one, Snow Angels, stars Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Michael Angarano {from the current season of 24}, Amy Sedaris, and more. This movie was really fresh. The dialogue felt quite natural and not trained for the cinema. Performance worth noting was Michael Angarano. Heavy storyline; very heavy. But the performances were really good and I liked!













After Snow Angels Nate and I walked up 3rd South heading to the Broadway. We walked by the Beehive Tea Room, saw live music and a warm atmosphere {and a few empty tables} and decided to have some dinner before the second movie of the evening. Things I like about the tea room: it feels like a cute little place you might stumble onto in New York or Chicago. The food is pretty good, especially the salmon chowder. The dining area seems intimate and parlor-esque. Live music not half bad. They make a delicious iced Chai tea.
While at the Tea Room and while standing in line for my ice chai, a man in line asked me if anyone had told me I look like Sally Fields, and I said, "yes, several times." And then I recited her most popular line, "you like me, you really, really like me." I asked him to clarify which Sally I resembled {gidget, smokey and the bandit, steal magnolias, prilosec commercials}. He said Gidget which I think was his attempt to me nice to me. Anyway, we discussed possible movie roles for me which all included me playing a "young sally". As Nate and I left the theater he called out, "goodbye Sally Field" which I'm sure turned a lot of heads.


















Now for the third leg of the trifecta of entertainment. On the Road with Judas starring Aaron Ruell {Nepolian Dynomite's odd brother}, Leo Fitzpatrick, Kevin Corrigan and Eddie Kay Thomas adapted from JJ Lask's book of the same name was a total highlight. I've never seen such a confusing plotline executed so well and be so entertaining. Especially when, in the end, not much happens. And I mean that in a good way.
The story looks into the idea of stealing; a moment, an idea, someone else's experience...and then just good old fashioned stealing like taking someone's computer or TV. If you enjoy indie films at all, you'll like this one. Something to impress you??? JJ Lask, who can't be more then 30, wrote his first novel (On the Road with Judas) which became a bestseller. Then he adapted it for film {his first}, entered it into the Sundance Film Festival {first time entering a festival} and was accepted. Here's to getting it right the first time!

EIGHT DEGREES!

It's eight degrees here in Salt Lake City. EIGHT! During "cold spells" of this caliber, it's key to have a space heater for your cubical or office. Especially if you are wearing fabulous heals...or anything other then these abominable snowman shoes. By the way, these are the kind of boots I forbid during the film festival for obvious reasons. In fact, I ban them altogether. No one should be wearing footwear like this unless they live in an igloo.

SUNDANCE RUNNING IN OUR VEINS

Nate and I woke up early on Saturday and headed to Salt Lake - trolley square specifically. At 10:00 am the Sundance Film Festival office opened and gave each local resident standing in line four Best of Fest tickets. Nate and I got our tickets and plan to see a couple of the award winners unless by some strange twist of events the movies we have tickets for end up sweeping the festival.


















After we stood in the behemoth line I rewarded myself for all the agony that is Sundance Festival ticket purchasing with this cute brown hoodie. I love the way it fits, long torso and sleeves but cut for a girl's body.

UTAH SNOW BLANKET

Salt Lake County was blanketed in snow all day today making for terrible driving conditions. According to ABC news, nearly 450 accidents happened today between Ogden and Salt Lake City with over 50 injuries.
With an average of 5" on the ground around the valley, all we can do is expect more. Looks like it will be another snow day tomorrow. IF I can find a good place, perhaps I'll go out and make a snow angel tomorrow. Isn't that what we did as kids? If I do, I'll snap a photo. Drive safely!

SUNDANCE, HERE WE COME!

Well, this year's ticket purchasing experience was no less disappointing or frustrating then any other. The website was so slow I had to buy tickets five hours after my allotted time just to get it to stop timing out with errors. AND, most of the movies that Nate and I decided on were completely sold out. But, in true indie spirit, I picked myself up and got excited about the movies I was able to secure. This year we are going to FIVE!

Here's our schedule:

Away From Here
January 22
Stars: Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, Olympia Dukakis, Kristen Thomson, Michael Murphy, Wendy Crewson













Away From Her relates a beautiful, yet unconventional, story of a couple coming to grips with the onset of memory loss. Fiona (Julie Christie) is well aware of what awaits her. To release her husband (Gordon Pinsent) from the inevitable fate of becoming her caretaker, she chooses to check herself into a home specializing in Alzheimer's patients. The couple must begin working through the complex transition from lovers to strangers.

Away From Her is like a love story in reverse. Through the commitment of the couple to respect each other's wishes, the history of their love becomes increasingly evident. You are witness to the incredible bond that has made them nearly inseparable for more than 45 years.

Year of the Dog
January 23
Stars: Molly Shannon, Laura Dern, Regina King, Tom McCarthy, Josh Pais, John C. Reilly, Peter Sarsgaard













Peggy, a happy-go-lucky secretary who is a great friend, employee, and sister, lives alone with her adorable beagle, Pencil. Peggy and Pencil have a blissful relationship full of love, appreciation, and companionship. One night Pencil wakes up to go potty and unexpectedly sets off a chain of events that change the course of Peggy's life.

Adrift in Manhattan
January 24
Stars: Heather Graham, Victor Rasuk, Dominic Chianese, William Baldwin, Elizabeth Peña, Marlene Forte, Richard Petrocelli, Erika Michels













Rose, an optometrist paralyzed by crushing grief after the death of her infant, has built a wall around herself, unable to relate to her estranged husband or anyone else. When an elderly patient, a painter losing his eyesight, begins to visit her office unannounced, Rose registers how alone he is, urging him to reach out and ask for help--something neither does easily. Meanwhile Simon, a late-blooming teenager with an overbearing mother, photographs people at a distance with a borrowed long lens. One day, Rose, beautiful and melancholy in a vibrant scarf, comes into focus in his camera sight. The pictures he shoots become a conduit for each of them to touch something deep within and expand their confining existence.

Snow Angels
January 26
Stars: Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, Michael Angarano, Griffin Dunne, Amy Sedaris, Olivia Thirlby













The story of Snow Angels is fairly simply, and perhaps even familiar in the independent arena. A couple that have separated (Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale) are each attempting to pick up the threads of a future when they are dealt a further blow that leads to a dark conclusion. And a somewhat-nerdy young man in the throes of discovering a first romance must also deal with the separation and consequent strife of his parents' failed relationship.

On the Road with Juda
January 26
Stars: Aaron Ruell, Kevin Corrigan, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Eleanor Hutchins, Amanda Loncar, Alex Burns, Leo Fitzpatrick













On the Road with Judas is a film based on a real novel, written by a writer, played by an actor, about the real characters and the actors playing those characters in this story. It is also a delightful and fun romp about crime, love, and David Lee Roth.

Lask, the novelist, lives in two worlds, and both exist inside his mind. His characters are both "real" and "actors." His main character, Judas, is also a man living a double life as an entrepreneur and a petty criminal. But when he falls in love, he must deal with things which he simply cannot handle

LOCAL CONCERTS

I watch 24tix.com for regular reports on what's happening in Salt Lake in terms of music. Not Jack Johnson-esque music but good, independent, great music. My sister-in-law Emma loves Jack's Mannequin so I'm also including it in my picks.

Feb. 8, 6PM, In The Venue










March 19, 9PM, The Urban Lounge










March 21, 9PM, Urban Lounge

GET YOUR SUNDANCE ON!

Nate and I love movies. The more indie-esque they are the better. I met Nate in January 2005 just a few days before the Sundance Film Festival got off the ground. Nate took me to several shows that year including The Matador, Layer Cake, and Reefer Madness {at the end of this movie I knew I loved him - crazy!}. In 2006 we were lucky enough to see Little Miss Sunshine and The Night Listener.
This year we threw our name in the pot to buy tickets and actually received a fairly good day and time, January 10 {they make the selections lottery-style and we've always been assigned the last day when all the tickets are sold out...not this year. Yippee}.
























This year I'm thinking about several films {read synopsis here} including;

• Adrift in Manhattan {I love any movie about three stories converging}
• An American Crime {true stories always make for better horror}
• Angel-A {I'd see this just because it's filmed in Paris}
• Away from Her {I'm sure old Julie Christie is just as pretty as the young one}
  
• Black Snake Moan {this one stars Justin Timberlake}
  
• Chapter 27 {Jared Leto playing the guy who assassinated John Lenon}
  
• Clubland {guaranteed Aussie accents}
  
• The Good Night {a man happier with his dream life then real life - so familiar!}
  
• Longford {how can good and evil exist together...or come to terms with each other?}
  
• The Nines {claims to "make you ask questions"}
  
• Resurrecting the Champ {all about boxing}
  
• Trade {touches on child sex slaves}
  
• Year of the Dog {Molly Shannon rules}
  
• Broken English {Parker Posey - Yay}
• Grace is Gone {woman dies in Iraq and leaves a husband and two daughters}
  
• Hounddog {Dakota Fanning and "haunting performance" piqued my interest}
  
• Joshua {might scare me from having children}
• On the Road with Judas {written by a writer, played by an actor}
• Snow Angels {maybe}
• The Savages {i heart Philip Seymour Hoffman}

The way it typically plays out is that I make a big list of films I'd like to see {see list above}. Then Nate and I sit down and decide what days we'd like to see movies and at what theaters. I narrow the list according to the new parameters. On January 10 during our appointed 30 minute window, I buy whatever tickets are still available {only $15 each}.
On game day Nate and I get excited and feel quite artsy and snobbish attending our selected films. We use it as a good opportunity to sample a new restaurant and be the "first to see" films that only sometimes make it to theaters in the same calendar year.
The Sundance Film Festival is one of the perks of living in Salt Lake {or Bluffdale...beggars can't be choosers}. Things to avoid wearing at Film Festival {or you'll look like a foolish try-hard}: black north face puffy coat, any kind of ugg boot, high heels {c'mon, you're in Utah where it's snowy and cold}, and ANYTHING made of fur.
By the way, I'm NOT a star junkie. I'm there to see the films, not to watch in awe as Bill Murray walks across the street. The girls I know that spend hours "getting ready" for the festival - planning to go to parties and meet a producer or an indie actor and have a fling - are the definition of lame.

BIRD VASE

I stumbled onto these bird vases at a boutique in SLC called Hip & Humble which is a really cute shop with lots to look at. Priced just a bit cheaper then the $15 you'd pay at Golden Calf {which doesn't happen to have an online shop...but if you are in Brooklyn any time soon}. I bought two for me. You can expect to see them nesting in my kitchen window or on my office desk.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITY

One thing to add to your holiday festivities is a good lap or two around a skating rink. Nate and I have tentitive plans to go tonight. We are lucky in that we live near Peaks Ice Arena which was built to host the olympics so we'll be toasty warm, skating inside. What we won't experience is how good hot chocolate tastes when you are frozen to the bone from outside skating. And if we take pictures, we won't have the covetted rosey pink ice skating cheeks. Oh well.

MESSIAH SING-A-LONG

If you haven't participated in a Handel's Messiah sing-along you should. When I lived in Montana I went one Christmas and it was so much fun. The chapel was decorated with candles and poinsettias and audience participation was encouraged.
If you happen to live in Salt Lake City, consider attending the fifth annual Messiah: A Community Celebration at The Grand Theater at 1575 S. State Street. The performance runs December 7, 8, 9 & 11 at 7:30. This is no ordinary Messiah sing-along because it includes spirited gospel music along with the traditional Handel tunes. Call 801-957-3322 for tickets.

SANTALAND DIARIES - HOLIDAY FUN

If you live in the Salt Lake City area you may want to check out Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris. Performed by Tooth & Nail Theater Company at the Rose Wagner Theater, this one-hour play promises to ring in the holiday with plenty of sarcasm.
Santaland Diaries runs through December 30. Call 355-2787 for tickets. Read a review here.

DEAR DIANE REHM, WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?

KUER's Radio West is hosting an evening with Diane Rehm. I went a few years ago when she was doing a book tour with her husband and she was really great.
If you are a Diane Rehm fan (which I am), this is a great opportunity. Tickets are $25-45 depending on whether or not you want to attend the champaign and chocolate reception following a live taping of Radio West. Here are the specifics off the KUER site.

An Evening with Diane Rehm KUER invites you to spend an intimate evening with Diane Rehm hosted by Doug Fabrizio at the Rose Wagner Theatre, Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 7 p.m.

Ticket information:
● On sale at (801) 355-ARTS on Monday, November 27, 2006
● $25 per ticket
● $45 includes a show ticket and a post-show champagne and chocolate reception with Diane Rehm

UTAH RESTAURANT OF NOTE

Looking for Authentic Chinese food in Utah? Check out Little World. This is NOT Asian Fusion, for once. The decor leaves much to be desired but the food and service will not let you down. Nate took me here on our third or fouth date...I didn't notice the decor that time.

Little World Chinese Restaurant
1356 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115-5422
801 467 5213

UTAH RESTAURANT OF NOTE

Nate and I love Thai food. Any day of the week; we are in the mood for good Thai. If I can't get a plate of homemade curry or pad thai {Nate's specialties}, I'm always game to rush to Thai Ruby or Thaifoon. Both are DELICIOUS!

Thai Ruby
744 E. 820 N.
Provo, UT
801.375.6840

Thaifoon {at the Gateway shopping center}
7 N. 400 W.
Salt Lake City, UT
801.456.8424