Getting To Know You...Getting To Know Me

This morning, I left my work desk, climbed in the van, and drove north. It was time for a team office party. And that's where we played "getting to know you" games.

What is it about office parties? The games seem to be part of the plan. In defense of the organizers, the people at this particular party do not work together often, if at all. We all have very specialized job duties and for that reason, we're all under the same manager. Today we got to meet each other, and by the time the party ended, we all knew each other better.

I don't know who came up with the party games, but they were fun. We played "rock/paper/scissors." We acted/sounded like barnyard animals. We spelled out four-letter words (the safe kind...). We sat across from each other and asked questions printed on a card. I think the card game allowed us to find out more about each other than any of the games. Who knew Forrest Gump was a person someone wanted to be in a movie?

The rain came, the temperature dropped, the food was eaten, we got in our cars (and vans...) and drove home. Normally, after an office party, I'll see the people in the office and ask how they're doing, maybe catch up on something they told me when we first met. Now that I telecommute, I have no idea when I'll see them again in person. It might be soon--it might be years. But, on a somewhat cool day in September in a park in Ogden Utah, I got to know them a little bit better.

Experiencing Ogden's Farmer's Market...Simply Wonderful

We arrived to the theater a few minutes early today and I heard a farmer's market was set up just a half a block away. And I thought, "I ought to check it out."

And I did.

And it was incredible.

I live in a wonderful little town. Over the years we've kind of turned into homebodies. We go out when we need to, but we find ourselves venturing out less and less as time goes on. And because of that, we miss out on several things, like driving a half hour north to experience a farmer's market. It's in Ogden and it runs in the summer and fall. You can get more information from their website by clicking: HERE.

The city closes down several blocks on arguably their most famous street, 25th Street, right downtown. I saw things you'd expect to see in a farmer's market--fresh locally-grown fruit and vegetables. There were other things, pastries, coffee, honey, and the people--and dogs--were as interesting as what was being sold...but in a good way. Also, you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day--overcast with the summer heat not yet arriving.

Unfortunately, I was only able to see a small portion of the market. I had to return to the theater to get ready for the matinee. Next time, if we arrive a few minutes early either next week or the week after that, I may have more time to explore, experience, and take in the sights of a classic farmer's market. If you're in the area and haven't been, you ought to give it a go.

Come See OMT's Peter Pan...It's A Fantastic Show!

I've been posting pictures from Ogden lately. There's a reason for this, and it's not just because the valley is full of amazingly photogenic locations and sights.

It's because my daughter and I are in a play that opens in just a few weeks.

Peter Pan

This is a show of firsts for me. It's the first show I've done in Ogden, unless you count my birth in Ogden over five decades ago. It's the first show I've down that wasn't in Centerville or Farmington. What it isn't, is the first time I've done this show. Years ago, I was fortunate enough to be part of a Peter Pan production at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre.

This time, I'm Jukes the pirate, not Cecco. I'm the pirate who gets killed first by Peter in Act III (sorry for the spoiler...).

I have had an amazing time learning the show all over again with an entirely new cast (but not director or choreographer...). Doing a show in a new theater in a new city gives us the opportunity to get to know more people.

So, if you're in the area and want to see first-rate entertainment, chick: HERE for more details on the show, ticket prices, and performances. Come on--check out the show! You won't be sorry!

The Pie Pizzeria In Ogden...Baptized By Pizza!

I picked up my daughter from her first night class on Tuesday. We hadn't quite figured out bus systems so I thought it would be easier to just go and get her when she was done.

"How was class?"

"It was good," she said. I'm glad she didn't say she hated it because it was a subject I didn't particularly like--math. 

"You want to get something to eat?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"How does pizza sound?"

"Pizza sounds good," she said.

"I know just the place."

That's when I turned off Harrison Blvd and parked the car at The Pie Pizzeria in Ogden. I mean, you can't be considered a college student in Utah without experiencing The Pie.

It's not the original Pie--that's about thirty miles to the south in the basement of a pharmacy at the bottom of President's Circle at the University of Utah. When I went to the U, I didn't eat at The Pie everyday, but if I had the resources, I might have considered it. There are a few Pie Pizzerias out there. I believe I tried the one in Provo, but that was decades ago. I'm not even sure it's still there.

When I went to Weber State years ago, I ate at the pie a couple of times, or rather, we had The Pie pizzas ordered out. I was curious to see how this new location measured up to the original. It's really not fair to do that--anyone who's ever ate at the original knows what I'm talking about.

I'm happy to say the Ogden location is a fine substitute for those not making the trip down south. It's got a good vibe, a sweet patio where we watched the sun set and heard the Hill Air Force Base jets roar (something I love...), but the most important thing is the food. I know it's been a while since I've had any Pie Pizzeria pizza--the food we had Tuesday night was delicious! Good and filling! The leftovers carried me through two lunches.

I'm glad I could introduce my daughter to The Pie. I told her as we left that now she'll know what people are talking when they say, "Hey, how 'bout we order The Pie?" It's yet another way of knowing she's officially a college student. 

Baptized by pizza!

I Love The Mountains Of Ogden, Utah...

Driving home from the bus stop earlier in the week I glanced over to see a snow-covered Ben Lomond Mountain. In Utah County, just south of Salt Lake, they have Mount Timpanogos, above the Salt Lake Valley you'll find Mount Olympus, but I'd take Ben Lomond Mountain over both of them. It's simply beautiful.

I have a friend who lives at its base. I'll bet waking up to that view each day is a treat. But, as we are sometimes prone to do, maybe it gets ordinary when you see it everyday. Maybe not. I know that many people have posted pictures of their hikes on both Mount Timpanogos and Mount Olympus, but I don't see a lot of pictures posted from Ben Lomond. It could be it's not as accessible as the other peaks. Maybe I just have more friends who live in Salt Lake and Utah Counties.

I once heard, and it's confirmed by Wikipedia (so it must be true...) that Ben Lomond Mountain is the original mountain used by Paramount Pictures for their logo. Per Wikipedia, William W. Hodkinson, founder of Paramount, sketched the mountain on a napkin during a meeting. He would have been quite familiar with the peak--Hodkinson having spent time there and having opened up one of the first movie theater in Ogden. Of course, the Wikipedia page for William, or W.W. Hodkinson, states the logo was actually Pikes Peak (another beautiful mountain...). It's possible since he was born in Pueblo, Colorado. Is the logo Pikes Peak, or Ben Lomond? Too bad we can't ask him--he passed away in 1971.

Famous logo origination or not, it doesn't much matter in the grand scheme of things. So if you're traveling in Northern Utah, just look up. It's definitely worth it and you'll be glad you did.

Farewell April, 2014! Here's Some Of What I Saw...

What a month it's been! As the day fades into the western sky I picked a few photographs and put them on this blog post to remind me of the month. It's been a very busy month for me and the fam!

It was a month of birthdays! My son, daughter, and mother-in-law had birthdays this month. Happy birthday, guys (and gals...)!

We painted our aging mailbox--the only purple mailbox that I know of.

I switched job locations. I now work in Ogden, Utah, and for all you photographers out there, there's a million things to photograph in Ogden. If you've got a day, or an afternoon, grab your camera and just drive downtown. You'll be blown away!

And to get me to work, I've begun taking the train, and I love the train!

We had Easter...

And Comic Con FanX...

And, of course, sunsets.

April, you were good. Let's see what's next!