Removing wisdom

Getting your wisdom teeth out is really, no big deal. Getting them out without being asleep? that's no big deal either-promise. Yes guys, it was no big deal, I secretly enjoyed it actually and was thankful that I'm not a squeamish girl either-especially when the dentist said to his assistant, "Scalpel." I was amused actually, and my favorite part was after my headphones had fallen out of my ears and we were on the third tooth. The dentist commented, "the tooth is still attached to some tissue" and the assistant said, "um, she can still hear you" hahaha, oh if I could have giggled at that moment.

If your curiosity is peaked I could explain the procedure to you, but then again, I couldn't feel much, except for those couple of moments that he seemed to be jerking a bit-ick. I did cringe on that last and second to last tooth, they were tricky. The Luxator, apparently is a very useful tool for removing teeth; and I'm pretty positive that he gave me 7 or 8 shots; oh, and wisdom teeth are HUGE. My mouth is finally fairly back to normal and the bleeding has mostly stopped. I watched one drama today set in Ireland, and started a Barbara Streisand film, it was pretty slow though and bored me...Why am I even writing about this?

Brown Dumpster

I saw a dumpster today, it was brown and shaped kind of funny, not exactly like the photo I hope to be able to post with this, that's a stolen piece of work from google.  The shape was unique enough to remind me of those card board, carton, cup holders from fast food restaurants.  Cool right?  I thought so.  It was in the parking lot of the management office for an apartment complex I was working at today-Wymount.  Interesting place to be for sure.  I pointed it out to some friends, who thought I was crazy, but hey it's imagination truly at its best.

Blogging and the point?

      So I was thinking about the purpose of "Pretty much," not to mention its massive list of influenced followers, and suddenly found myself on a mind tangent involving the bus stop, Gina, and the idea of her baking bread.  "Pretty much" after all was a saying directly from the mouth of this un-imaginary friend who's probably spending her day right now in the city I claim as my home...with so many towns having housed me before, but then again, my uncle once told me that "home is where you are" when you're young and adult.  Hmmmm, in any case-back to my point:
      What is the purpose of "Pretty Much"?  Is it a public diary like some blogs?  Poetic thought?  A showcase of photographs?  Though I don't even own a camera, so I guess I'm out of that category.  "Pretty much" then must be an observation of life.  Kind of like a diary then?  Oh, oops.  

      You know I could write about the shapes I see throughout the day, the patterns on the sidewalk, and what they all remind me of.  Now that's creatively unique.  Perfect then- today, "Pretty much" takes a new turn, a stride in time (at least for a week or two), I will observe the patterns and shapes around me and I will write about them.  Psychoanalyze if you like, but I'm positive it really won't mean a thing.    
      And the first observational entry "should" be appearing sometime this evening. 

Artists: souls brave enough to declare what exactly we're all feeling deep down inside throughout various moments of our lives, let that be related to love, trial, hardship, or even the seconds we stop to ponder silently on the magic behind a dewdrop or sunbeam and lack the words to describe, the colors to paint, or the notes to sing.

A second glance at South End

I stepped back into South End Market this evening to grab a Caesar Dressing for this chicken salad? Anyway...I ran into Zach Scholer, then chatted with his dad, and all I have to say is, "Wow." "Wow, wow, wow." They absolutely loved the article, Ray too, he even sent it to a friend of his that writes for a magazine who liked it as well. My point of noting these events though are not to promote the article, "Students excited about South End Market & Spoon It Up"-read it, get excited ;-) no, my real thoughts lie in the delight I find in making new friends, understanding true sincerity, and learning to joy in the success of others.  

I love South End Market and I love the people who've made it possible. I thank them for their support even though the article wasn't officially "published." They were still grateful, full of encouragement, and inspiring. Have they won a loyal fan and customer? Oh sure. Is that just good marketing and business? No way.. I see the family that lies behind South End as a good, honest, hardworking, humble group. They take the advice of others and they apply it. They know that the store's purpose is to serve the people not just them, and I respect that. It's good to see a person fill a need and it's good to be believed in. I can do this, we all can. The sky's the limit my friends! And we're going all the way!  

They've been working so hard at South End, and to see it all come together after understanding how it came to be is really a blessing in disguise, because now, I can joy in that result as I've sort of fallen into the mix. Life is like magic and I love people.

Students excited about South End Market & Spoon It Up

Just this past week, south of the BYU campus and on the corner of 700 East and 820 North, students began to explore the grand opening of brand new grocery and frozen yogurt combination: South End Market and Spoon it Up, a joint venture, owned by Zach Scholer & Ray Landry. The two entrepreneurs, best friends from Las Vegas, looked to off-campus students when it came to deciding their plans for the acquired business space next to J-Dawgs. “Most of this business was designed by college students,” Zach Scholer says. Market research was implemented through Facebook, polls, and talking to people heading up to campus. “We heard some students over the summer saying it’d be cool if there was a grocery store over here,” continues Zach. Both explain how it’s continuously been an evolving process; with the original plan including only a grocery store and Subway, a student asked Ray Landry, “Are you guys doin’ frozen yogurt?” and the idea evolved. 

From a South End Market perspective, Zach describes their goal of managing a store that’s 50% grocery and 50% convenience, “a convenient store with grocery store prices,” he says, and essentially their items include just that. From fresh bread and donuts made by the Provo Bakery, to essentials like milk, butter, and eggs, they even carry produce, household basics, and of course, candy bars. Asked about competition from the Creamery on Ninth, Zach responds, “We’d love to be as popular as the Creamery,” putting emphasis on their desire to be more of a compliment to them than competition, “we’re not here to compete,” he says. Both Zach and Ray stress that South End Market is a store especially for students without cars who need to buy groceries or pick up something quick at low prices, and their goal is to keep those prices comparable to Macy’s. Besides your grocery basics though, South End Market has a lot more to offer with both a deli and Subway counter and of course frozen yogurt from Spoon It Up in the back.

A second location opening soon at the Plum Tree Center on University Parkway, Spoon It Up is not just another frozen yogurt place as Ray Landry lists off it’s many features including 24 flavors, free wi-fi, flat screen tvs, and high quality yogurt. “We’ve got one of, if not the best product out there,” he says, not to mention his great enthusiasm for the tons of upcoming events, and discounts he further describes. Zach adds, “We’re coming up with new, innovative ways to serve frozen yogurt that are going to blow people away,” as Ray drops an addition of Belgian waffles? Well, you’ll just have to stop by to check that out soon. Being one of the only frozen yogurt places just south of campus, Zach and Ray have a lot of faith and enthusiasm for the future of Spoon It Up too.

So what do students think of South End Market and Spoon It Up? “I love it! It’s so close, it’s a walk away!” exclaims Jake Hyer. Trevor Rivera, amazed, states, “Some of the produce was cheaper, which really surprised me. Even their cereal was the same price like you’d pay at Walmart.” Mo Lee finds it to be “really clean and the price is reasonable.” “The people are way nice, says Kara Grenfell, “everyone who works there is way into helping out and making sure your shopping is going well.” Even a student who’s yet to shop, Corinne Olsen, is already impressed: “I hear their customer service is really great, my friends went down there this past week and decided that they’ll go to that subway before the Cougareat.” Chris Rostrom’s first impressions of Spoon It Up left him anticipating, “I think it’s gonna be a better deal, they’re trying to make it into a place where people wanna hang out, so it might just be kinda a fun place to be.” Anna Woods ate at Spoon It Up for a second time last night: “…it was really good, they have a lot of interesting flavors that not a lot of places have.”

The future looks pretty bright for South End Market and Spoon It Up, and Zach and Ray will be working hard to support that forecast. With still open ears to the ideas and opinions of students all around Provo, Zach and Ray will continue to develop and improve their business of providing low-priced groceries and quality frozen yogurt to South End off-campus students, and the best part is, in the words of student, Daniel De Gaston, “It’s so flippin’ convenient!”

A Moment Out of The Comfort Zone

I opened the door to the grocery store and stood by the 'grab and go' salads, waiting to speak with the cashier. He hadn't got around to talking with the owners, but called to his Auntie and explained my objective. She welcomed me warmly and proceeded to introduce me to her husband, a tallish man with gray hair and a stony face.

He was not an unpleasant person, but certainly a contrast. Formal and to the point, but impressive. Someone you wouldn't trifle with, and perhaps instead, a well sought ally. The sir agreed to the plan and referred me to an excited associate, who proceeded to write down numbers with a fancy pen on a typical sticky note.

Muriel and I sat with complimentary frozen yogurt, considering the moment. Creme Brulee flavored was well recommended and likewise received. I assuredly give a thumbs up to the latter establishment. And so went the evening. I'm scared to death, but that often comes right before good things.

Gerald: my guitar.

So I played my guitar, Gerald, tonight, and I played my guitar, Gerald, last night. A famous musician played him too. My best friends play him. Little kids pick at the strings and bang on his neck. He doesn't mind, he loves kids.

I don't really like the name Gerald, but I figured, since that's been his name for so long now, it must stay. He likes it, it reminds him of the kid on 'Hey Arnold'. Sometimes I get bored with Gerald, and start thinking about a nice Taylor or Takamine guitar. A 12-string, or even a cheap classical-just for a new sound. But then someone else plays Gerald, and they admire his deep tone and bright smile. He's a good guitar, and I'm glad that the red pick guard first drew me to him. We've been friends for almost 7 1/2 years now. Imagine: just $100 could buy you a great friend.

I played Gerald in an acoustic jam session tonight, with a bunch of pretty sweet musicians. We sang together and shared capos. I love it when creativity unites. I love that I'm listening to "This One's For Andrew" right now, by The Electric Fuzz & The Robot Army. I love that I know Andrew, and the musicians behind that song. I love my life. I love art and music. I love the mind, and I love the soul. I love that I can write this, and I love that Bear is sitting beside me as I do so.

Gerald and I will never stop being friends. I'll keep writing music, and Gerald will keep holding the strings, in-spite of his habit of a much-too-high action.

I love being.