CHURCH ADVERTISING NETWORK

Many churches across the UK have created ads to promote church attendance. I heard these on NPR {of course} and couldn't stop giggling when I heard these 30 second radio spots.

Christmas story told in 30 seconds:
-Football Match
-Horse Race

I found them here.

MORE THAN LIPSTICK ON A PIG!

If I did not have NPR to keep me company on my morning commute I don't know what I'd do. How would I ever know about the state of the economy...the latest on Palin and Barack...or about a couple of tatooed pigs? Shanghai Contemporary is a big art show that unfortunately would not allow these pigs to be shown as part of Wim Delvoye's art show, but they did allow him to show a welch man who allowed Delvoye to tattoo his back and sell it as a piece of art for over $200k. Once the canvas passes on, his skin will be removed, framed, and hung on some shmucks wall as a one-of-a-kind. Sheesh. I prefer the pigs!

PACK IT ALL IN ONE BAG

I'm going to be taking a few trips in the next month. NYC, Arkansas {yay!}, and China. When I heard this segment on npr I decided I should give this new way of packing a try. I mean, nearly every trip I take I only use 35% of what I pack. I'll document how the "bundle wrapping" goes and let you know whether or not I really can fit everything in one bag.

ADDICTED!

While I'm doing mindless work at work, I have become addicted to listening to archived episodes of This American Life. I feel at once smarter, funnier, more informed and yes, a little bookish in a snobby way. You can stream the audio to most episodes dating back to the 90s.

Go have a listen. You can start with the "Favorites" if you are overwhelmed and don't know where to begin.

I'm saving the episode called "roadtrip" for my longer then life roadtrip to the Sasquatch Festival with Nate, Julie, Tim, Brandi and Jamie. It's available for free download right here.






Also, what do you think the chances are of me ever getting on this show with some compelling story from my life?

I'M A NEW MEMBER

This morning I was driving to work, listening to NPR {via KUER} and I realized how many of their shows I listen to and enjoy. Here is a short list in no particular order:

1. Diane Rehm
2. Radio West
3. Car Talk
   
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me
5. This American Life
6. Morning Edition
7. All Things Considered

So {drumroll} I called in and became a new member with a donation of $40! The best part was when they read my name on the air. I felt so responsible at that moment.

THE MEAN FRIEND

Were you the mean friend in high school? Did you say, unforgivably, to some boy obviously interested in you and even more scared to death of you, "don't even look at me."
I wasn't the mean friend. But I also wasn't the girl that all mean friends verbally punched and kicked either. Granted, there were times when, for some unknown reason, my friends would decide they weren't eating lunch with me one day. Or, they'd all wear a certain color and forget to tell me so I didn't fit in. But I think that's the usual fare for junior high and high school.
What I do know intimately are the results of those terrible days where I felt like an outsider in every respect. That hollow feeling; seeing the world in a blur where everything sounds like I was listening with my head in a bucket of water - those feelings I hope NEVER to cause in someone else. Now I try to remember everyone's birthday. I try to let everyone know they are welcome at lunch, or a party or my house. If I accomplish only one thing in my lifetime, it will be to avoid making someone else's stomach hurt the way mine did on a particularly difficult day in junior high.
Ira Glass, host of This American Life on NPR and the show of the same name on Showtime, did a fabulous story this week entitled, The Allure of the Mean Friend. This is a great listen with clever commentary and great first-hand experience from individuals who were the mean friend or a victim of the mean friend. I giggled; oh how I giggled.

















{isnt' Ira cute!}

POOR HILLARY CLINTON

I first heard this clip of Hillary Clinton quoting a Southern hymn on NPR and it made my toenails curl up. The clip was used as an example of public speaking that didn't work.

VALENTINE'S EVE

NPR did a great story this morning on the color red in honor of Valentine's Day. Very fun! Give it a listen here. {photo courtesy of Martha Stewart}.

NPR::MUST LISTEN TO

Jan 31 had two interesting must-listen-to radio shows. Both of which I listened to and both of which I'm recommending.
1. Diane Rehm interviewed Sharon Begley, author of Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain. Sharon is a columnist for the Wall Street Journal - who was invited by the Dalai Lama to record a summit he held at his home {which became the catalyst for her book}. The interview is about her book and how through proper and extensive meditation and cognitive training, the human mind can transform itself. Parts of the brain can learn to function in a different capacity, possibly giving hope to anyone who has lost brain function due to a stroke or injury. Very interesting!

2. Radio West with Doug Fabrizio interviewed Daniel Levitin, author of This is Your Brain on Music. Daniel and Doug discussed the different ways in which music can effect us both biologically and neurologically. For anyone who has an acute love for music, this interview will definitely hold your attention!

BROADWAY BOOM

I heard an interesting story on NPR today about how well broadway is doing these days. It seems that New York is getting a much larger influx of visitors now then it was a few years after 9/11. Another catalyst for the boost in Broadway profits has been the invent of the "premium ticket concept" which can be nearly $500 {yup, that's per ticket and doesn't include dinner with the cast}. This ticket is compared to the courtside Nicks tickets for sports fans. With the top-listed ticket price of $115, you can surely understand why the boom!
Here is a list of the ten most popular broadway shows based on 2006 attendance.

1. Wicked: 751,496
2. The Color Purple: 652,559
3. The Lion King: 641,627
4. Mamma Mia!: 610,614
5. The Phantom of the Opera: 602,841
6. Spamalot!: 575,027
7. Beauty and the Beast: 528,926
8. Jersey Boys: 504,350
9. Hairspray: 498,899
10. The Producers: 477,718

I HEART DIANE REHM

Well it's official, Diane Rehm is such a graceful, eloquent and most importantly brilliant woman. From the moment she walked on stage I was completely besmitten with her. She was funny, vulnerable, self assured and absolutely beautiful. At one moment she refered to herself as "just a little Arab girl" and both Nate and I fell for her completely.
All in all a very lovely evening with Doug Fabrizio and Diane Rehm.

{this is us just before the show started}


















{this is my futal attempt to take a flashless photo from the audience}

IT'S DIANE REHM DAY!

At 7pm tonight I'll be gathered at the Jeanne Wagner Theater in Salt Lake to see Diane Rehm in person. I'd like to sneak from work in time to dine at the Porcupine Grille before the taping but we'll have to see how it goes. I love seeing smart women who have power in their field of study.

I'M ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES!

If you didn't get tickets for the Diane Rehm event on January 16, it's too late. I was lucky enough to get two tickets for Christmas from handsome Nate. I know many people are turned off by her wobbly voice or public radio in general, but if you take the time to listen to her interviews you will realize she is an absolute talent.

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

DIANE REHM

If you haven't listened to the Diane Rehm show on NPR, you must. Diane is such a good interviewer. You'll know if you've listened in because her voice is so perculiar. It's warbley due to the development of a neurological disoreder called spasmodic dysphonia in 1998.

Diane is so methodical, bright and deliberate in her interviews and she has interviewed a lot of diverse individuals. Authors, politicians, musicians including Bill Clinton, John McCain, Sandra Day O'Connor, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Maya Angelou and Mr. Rogers (from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood) which was her most touching interview to date.

I was lucky enough to attend a live taping of RadioWest with Doug Fabrizio where he interviewed Diane and her husband. She is so smooth. You can just tell the woman is sharp and on her game all the time, yet she remains very genuine. I actually attending the reception just before the live taping and became so star struck that I couldn't approach her. There she was, just an arms length away and I couldn't do it.

Give Diane a listen. She airs on KUER at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM (yes, it's a two hour block).

KNITTING IS CHARMING

I think anyone with anxiety should knit. It's relaxing. It promotes meditative thoughts. It's fun to do with friends or all by yourself. I have a friend who used to go to knitting group and they'd all sit around chatting, knitting and getting stoned. Whatever your pleasure; knitting is for everyone. The very best thing about knitting comes in two parts. It's easy; the sound the needles make when they clink together is fabulous.
NPR promoted Tracey Ullman's new book Knit 2 Together, a book she wrote with her knitting friend, Mel Clark. You can listen or read the story here. The book offers charming designs like this darling knitted apron. I can't imagine actually wearing it for fear of ruining it, but I might because I'd look so cute.

RABBIT HOLE

Salt Lake Acting Company is doing a run of Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire. A story about a family dealing with the death of a small child. In 2005, Rabbit Hole was nominated for a Tony Award in NYC for Best Play and Cynthia Nixon {Miranda Hobbes on Sex and The City} won a Tony for her performance. After a lot of tenacity, SLAC was able to get the play in Utah for a season. I'm hoping Nate and I can see the play before it closes on October 8.
See it while you can. Get your ticket here. Read review here.

SILENT FILMS

I've never seen a silent film but I'm strangely interested. As usual, I was listening to NPR and heard about an event taking place Saturday night (September 9) at the Capitol Theater in SLC.

If you decide to attend, you must be in your seat by 6:45 for a live taping of KUER's Radio West with Doug Fabrizio (on the topic of silent film). After the taping they will be showing Safety Last, a silent film made in 1923 and starring Harold Lloyd. There will also be someone playing the organ to accompany the show. The best part about the night is that admission is 25 cents.

I'm hoping Nate will be up for it. Silent film seems like something you have to experience, like falling in love and running 20 miles.

MUST SEE ON MY TV

I heard an interview yesterday (first recorded in June) that Doug Fabrizio did with Deepa Mehta, an Indian movie director. They were talking about Water, her movie just released on DVD. It's the third in a trilogy (Fire '96 and Earth '98).

I am going home tonight to add these to our Netflix and move them to the top of the que.