communication breakdown

Last night we went to the Utah Museum of Natural History. They have one day a month with free admission. It was really cool! They have real fossils there, not just the copies of them, an awesome kid area with puzzles and little pebbles to "dig" for dinosaur bones in, and there was a bug collection display that the kids just loved! We ran into some friends there that also like the word "free".

All ended well, but there were challenges along the way. A later than expected start for our journey was buffered by Evan actually eating some dinner. He told me it was delicious! A real compliment coming from him! He even asked for seconds!!! WOW!

We get on our way and Steve starts to turn the truck into a parking lot. "This isn't where we're going." "What? Oh. Where are we going?" We get to another parking lot. "Is this it?" "No. It's the Utah museum of Natural History. This one is for art." "Oh! The one clear over there!?!"

We finally get there. After looking for a parking spot (I guess I am not the only one who likes "free") I say to the kids, "Okay. We are here. I'll get the strollers out." Steve says, "Strollers? I didn't know you wanted them."

We had a great time though! The kids were well behaved and didn't get lost at all. I think we will be doing this again and not worry about the strollers.

The question for the day: How do you make friends if you are not supposed to talk to strangers and everyone you don't know is a stranger?

Oblivions?

Okay, so it's my turn to be an oblivion. I went to school the other day, got out of my first class early and decided to get some dinner at the Subway across the street. It is a cozy place with only 4 tables in it. Of course, they were all taken. An older gentleman saw me looking around and we caught eyes. He started moving his things off the table and invited me to sit. I said thanks and sat down. We chatted a bit. "Are you native to Utah? How long have you lived here? The commute from ??? for 20 years as he has worked where he does..."

Another man waked in and ordered a sandwich. They knew each other and the man I was sitting with stood to visit him a while. When he sat down again (the other man was getting it to go) he asked if I recognized the one that left. I said no, but he did look vaguely familiar. Well, that would be because he is a news anchor that I see, or should see more than once a day for I don't know how many years! Oh well.

We chatted some more about the work he has been doing for the last 20 years. He works for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, just down the street in that great big building. I ask, "Oh, what do you do for them there?"

Umm..This is where he tells me he a full time employee, what is called a General Authority of the Quorum of the Seventy. Yup, a leader of the church that I belong to that has probably been on TV many more than one time, who I am supposed to pay attention to and has his picture posted at least twice a year in the conference session issue of our church publications. The conference that is this weekend! Ugh! So what do I say in response? He is most likely thinking that I am not even a member of the church according to our conversation. "Oh, I guess they wouldn't be hiring in your department then." DUH LYDIA!!!

This is a lifetime calling from on high, not a real job! Here is the real kicker though. If I did see him on the television as we are watching conference this weekend, I do not think I would remember what he looked like and I don't remember what his name was. As we parted after more stupidity revealed by myself, he said, "That's okay. I like the anonymity." I can relate to that.

On another note, yes, my kids had a birthday this week. They are three years old now. My sister has posted a few pictures on her blog if anyone wants to look at them. Here is her site http://clarkcharacters.blogspot.com For today I am still in denial that they are growing up. Maybe I will address it tomorrow. And yes, they are way too cute!