All That Jazzzz

Man...it's just soo easy to get soo into it!
Feel free to call me if you wanna have a jam sess.

In case you didn't know I have a new hobby. I'm officially a Harmonica Playa'! (Not 'player' cause it's more ghetto than the typical - I really funk it up.) I stole my nephew's harmonica the other day and have taken many online lessons and from what the lessons say...I'm now a professional. Apparently once you've practiced a song 50 times you are then ready to preform it publicly. So I guess I'm ready to show you all - but I might play it a couple more times before I share my skills with the world. But be on alert...it's commin! My first piece is, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." I think I chose these lovely lyrical lines because the tune brings back fond memories. I use to sing it as, "She's got the whole world in her pants" as a tribute to Lindsey's 'Thunder Thigh' days.
I've got more to come. But unfortunately I won't be asked to do a solo in church any time soon...I guess Harmonica Playin' isn't approved in the Church Handbook - wonder if I can appeal that?!

p.s.: I am available for summer bonfires! Although I'm sure space is limited...(I'm pretty sure my skillz are going to be in high demand!)

Snuggie Love

Happy B-day Briti!!

Lucky you!!

I was apparently a little more excited to give it then she was to get it. Her expression says it all!

"Why skull and crossbones?"she asks. Umm...cause it's a Snuggie for crying out loud. It's suppossed to be tacky!

I think it's a perfect fit!!!

When Linds. found out I was making Mammie one, she wanted one too. I surprised her with a special alumni flavor. Yeah...the little brat doesn't even like it! Anyone else a UCLA fan out there that would love a homeade snuggie???

I worked hard for you Mammie. This is how I show my gratitude and love to you on your special day! XOXO!!!

So basically I was given the coolest idea ever by some ladies at work! Some fellow teachers were making a "Snuggie" for their roomate for her birthday. And that's when lightening struck! I'm horrible at giving presents when forced to find something. I'm much better at just picking something up for someone that I know they'd like when I see it. Not at their specified birth month.

But things have changed. I am the ultimate SNUGGIE giver! I had Britni and Katch's birthdays and Mother's day all in the same time frame. (J. Moff's too...but I decided to keep his!) I decided I would give them all a labor of love! Andrea Nielson helped me figure out the pattern - and before you know it we were whipping these babies out!

I gotta say I think the real joy of it all is finding the perfect obnoxious material to create with! I just knew my mom...who is ALWAYS hot...was going to love my skull and crossbones gift! I have given away my first 4 snuggies with great pride I tell you! Can't wait to see what patterns LA has in store for my next masterpieces!!!

"FOX"y Lady

Cameron and I were thrilled to be 2 of Paula's invitees!

Paula, Tessa, UreGirl

Nothing is more fun than when you find out Petey Ord is at the same fun thing you are at!!!

For reals...we hardly touched our booties to our seats!

Yeah... kinda sweet pic right??

Where all the dolling up happens. I think I was sitting in Simon's chair

Obviously I had to see what it felt like to make it all the way to the judges to perform!!!
YEAH...it felt good...real good! (even if there was no one there to fawn over my performance...)

And then obviously I had to see what it'd feel like to get a golden ticket from the "Golden Ticket" gal herself....Sum-summ's (who you'll no doubt see on screen this season!)

And ya...I mostly wanna be a judge and be in the power seat...so I had to try that out too.

Umm.. did I mention that Randy was obsessed with me? It was all fun and games till he started really asking for my number and such. (Weird things - cause it's Hollywood are you suppossed to just go along with it all??? I so don't have that kind of tact!) That's when I got nervous. I can joke and turn on the charm for the best of them. But then all of a sudden when I realize I'm naieve and the teasing isn't mutual and the other half might actually be serious I go Helen Keller on them (deaf, dumb, and blind). Just a defense mechanism...that's all.

The after party that we were escorted into had all sorts of free stuff which I obviously love. We were all over the "BLISS" hand massages. The party was classic, we were like two modest sore thumbs that seemed a little out of place next to the big names. We tried not to act too clingy.

We were sent to replenish the judges must have's from the grocery store. Interesting personal fav.'s they've got.

I guess you could say that if I could live my life without the stress of money or need of responsibility I would become a Hollywood groupie. I mean that in the sense that I just love any opportunity to go to any tv/filmed event and especially love it when I get to see a thing or two behind the scenes.

This weekend I had the chance to do a little work at the American Idol auditions, and I also was invited to see the So You Think You Can Dance show at the Honda Center. Now this kind of crap makes for my kind of weekend!

Whether I was dancing next to Paula Peralta in our own personally choreographed routines in section 228 (fab. seats girl!) of the Honda Center, or I was dodging giving Randy Jackson my telephone number - I was having fun and cracking up the whole time.

At the SYTYCD tour that I was invited to by the lovely Paula...who some of you may not be aware...has the roar of a lion!!! (For reals I was blown away at the depth of her bellow!) As usual I could care less if I'm lookin' the fool as I attempt to imitate the latest moves on the dance floor - so I shook my bootie probably a little more than necessary. But it was great cause Paula and I apparently gave some courage to the row of pre-teens sitting in front of us. They'd turn around and watch us having the time of our life, then they'd nod to each other as if to say it was ok for them to begin catching a beat of their own. I thought it was fun to see them being encouraged to have such a great time as well.
***and p.s.*** might I mention that I WILL be having Napoleon and Tabitha choreographing a one of a kind out of this world dance routine for me and Mr. Right ( I totally wish it was 'Mr. Right Now!' ) to dance to at our wedding reception. Believe me when I tell you that you'll sooo want to be there!!!

Now at A.I. - I had the chance - thanks to Sum-Summ's ever present connections - to wait hand and foot on our lovely judges. Who...by the way.. have now turned to 4 instead of 3. This year Kara has been brought in to spicen things up. Might be interesting. But not as interesting as all the secrets I learned about what goes on to make the whole production happen. No doubt watching the show this year will be extra entertaining for me! Oh and did I mention that Summ's insisted I perform my rejected American Idol Audition performance for a few of our pals there? Yeah...they weren't surprised I didn't make it too far.

Cracks in My Foundation

Nancy, Brock, Greg, and then me...pointing out my jokes!

Soul Sister...Better get yo' Flo Sista'

The Lyrical Genius herself!

We got pretty close right...?

Let's play, "where have you seen that handsome face..."
...Barney you say???....you know it!

So Kate Nash...if you haven't heard of her - it's time you did! I've been quoted to have before called her a "lyrical genius" and I'll stay true to my claim. She's a singer/songwriter from across the ocean and happened to be in town last week. Now - I'm not a girl that's been to very many concerts..shows..whatever you want to call them. Not that I am not obsessed with the thought - but I've realized that unless I have some sweet seats, some VIP status, or in this case the ability to sneak darn close to the front - I can just as well listen and watch them on MTV with the same effect. (Although, I can't even really do that cause I don't have MTV...you know...too many things to covet smeared up all in my face. (namely the ability to procreate...if you know what I mean)- Gotta try to keep myself grounded!)

But Brock...who is quick to humor me (even if he regrets it the next day...oopps) took care of business and made my encounter with a lyrical genius a reality. So last week Brock, Tessa, Josh and I made our way up to LA. I'll have to admit I was the only REAL fan out of the 4 of us - but was excited nevertheless.

I'll have to admit I was a bit exhausted for the first little bit. I mean - in case you weren't aware I'm officially out of my "hobby phase" and back into real life. I have a new job to even prove it. No more Apple Store bathroom timeouts for me...thank you very much. This job actually has a REAL paycheck and I have to do REAL work. We'll see if I can keep the two in sync.

So for the first little bit I was just taking in the atmosphere and awaiting the arrival of the British red head to come on stage. We went upstairs and did a bit of people watching. Which, I will have to say is my favorite activity...in LA especially. The stories I get to hear from these randoms I meet keeps me entertained for hours.

On this night in LA - it was the duo of Greg and Nancy that kept me giggling all night long. They were both in LA living the dream...auditioning by day and cleaning tables by night. Actually Nancy had recently quit her gig of being #34 suitcase gal on "Deal or No Deal" - and Greg is the PSA poster boy these days. But I'll have to say that their day jobs...or 7 minutes in the spotlight...weren't exactly what entertained me.

It was the alcohol consumption! It gets me every time. You see - I figure that if a knowing adult makes the conscious decision to partake of something that is going to alter their persona and decision making abilities then I'm going to have myself a good 'ol time. (Perhaps this is where the cracks lie in my foundation...)

Brock and I first made conversation with the pair as I yelled over at them to not tell me who got kicked off of American Idol cause I hadn't seen it yet. Then we started talking about our favorites etc. etc. I of course gave my shout outs for David Archuletta (and yes I have the total younger hunger for that boy. I'll write him his whole mission if he asks me to. I've waited this long for love...I can wait a few more years. No prob!) They quickly responded negatively with, "Oh you like that Mormon boy?!" Oh and you know I jumped on that right away with a "yeah man - that kids so cool he makes me even want to check out that crazy church!" (And some of you try to say you can't find any missionary opportunities. Shame on you! - Come on now...every member a missionary!)

Well, we kept on with the chit chat with our new friends- and then... - I'll have to even admit myself that I just may have taken it to the "next level" (perhaps it's this 'next level' that always makes it so I have to end up apologizing to someone that's a bit sensitive. Oh well...some of us must be compelled to be humble right?!) ...Well good 'ol Greggy was thinking Brock was pretty cute and all I did was crack a joke here or there with Brock being the butt of it. I know, kind of rude. After all - it was Brock that was taking me to the fun concert and this is how I was repaying him? Well all I gotta say to that is this: Brock knows me pretty well, and he was nice enough to let me have my fun. And had Greg not been under such an influence of liquids than perhaps my jokes couldn't have gone on as long as they did. Yep...they lasted all night. And I was gigglin' all night to myself. Mostly cause Brock is just too sincerely nice to 1) tell me to shut my big mouth and 2) to let on to his admirer that he is actually very much straight.

Anyways, I have to tell you that I had a great time. Our new friends were hilarious and made it all the more fun. Kate Nash was amazing and I feel like I was close enough to have considered myself in my made up version of the VIP area (cause that is where I belong!!!) Brock was a blast and more than a good sport. Thanks for taking one for the team Brock...oh wait...what team are you on...have we established that yet?

Just kidding Brock...X to the O baby! Thanks for the fun night!

Oh No She Did-in't.....

Oh Yes...Yes She Di-id!!!

What might you ask am I holding up my hand in victory for? Well only for the completion of team, "Ride Red or Die" finishing their first CENTURY RIDE!!! Ohh really...not sure what exactly that is, are you? Well - let me blog all about it! BLOG ON...

Early in the am - 6am to be exact (I swore I'd never wake up that early again when I got home from my mission!) Team "Ride Red or Die" got all geared up and ready to go!

Baby supported me as we revved up with all our carbs ...via the Banana

All of us racers starting out together...but we didn't stay that way for long. (not even like 10 seconds!!!) Ohh - and later I found out that Johnny-boy Moffit did the ride too and initially thought himself pretty cool for doing it. That was until he heard Lindsey and I did it too and we didn't even train. He said that kinda took the ummph out of it for him. HA! How funny is that!

Pit stop #1 (mile 18? I think...and it was practically ALL uphill!) ...by this point I had already striped down to nastiness (hence my lovely shorts) and my back and shoulders were dying! (My neck...my back...my neck and my back!) We helped those volunteers volunteer in more ways than they had anticipated!

Pit stop #6...the last one at 91.5 miles. I was a mess...a tired, hot, wanting to vomit up all my peanut M&M's and water, mess! Lindsey was still eating the M&M's!

Never again in this Century...

So how in the world I volunteered to do this race is beyond me! Lindsey and I have some sort of innate desire to prove ourselves...to ourselves - time and time again. If we think of it, we assume we can do it. And we are all into planning the next adventure that we can share stories about. There really are very few exceptions to this rule.

One exception might be if it has anything to do with loosing weight. Uh-Oh. That's not our forte...to my mother's dismay. Also, apparetnly the Amazing Race is in that category of lacking success as well. Which... is way LAME because we did get ourselves to the very last cut, however our journey ended there. I guess they've already had "mormon sisters" - which I totally disagree -cause those girls they're referring to weren't even active and they have nothin' on the two of us! All I know is we really could have sky rocketed their ratings. Don't believe me?...then you should just watch our audition tape. Straight off the cuff and freaking hillarious (even if you don't know the two of us!) Ahh well...just waiting to see what else is in store for us instead cause I was just sure we were headed for a season of "Amazing Race."

Anyways - so the two of us are all about doing whatever sounds fun and exciting and that which would either impress our mom or totally embarass her. Well, Micah (Lindsey's husband) is all hardcore into everything physical etc etc. Now he loves it when Lindsey accompanies him on these endeavors. Lindsey loves it when I then accompany her. You see the two of us are pretty comparable as far as athletic ability is concerned. She sort of thinks she's better...like when she use to "coach" me in the hurdles...yeah...the one race I actually didn't hide from racing in, I fell...TWICE. So basically she sucks as much as I do.

Well having no training under my belt as far as road biking is concerned I told her I'd do this 100 mile ride with her. She told me people would think it was cool if I infact did it. That sold it for me! If I can increase my cool factor in any way...I'm sooo in!

I've had a pretty messed up back for the past few years. And the last month plus it's been acting up while we've moved out of the house we all grew up in for the last 18 years. (hence the lack of blogging updates...believe me there's not too much humor to write about concerning all that crap. Well I guess I could've written about my new title of "official hoarder" in the Ure family. Everyone's trash is my treasure! - But I think only Lindsey finds that entertaining, so I refrained.) So with the bad back -I was a little hesitant of the up and coming ride in Palm Springs.

But my mind was made up and Lindsey was counting on me as her official teamate. So I came prepared! I mixed up only a few (cause mostly her taste in music BITES! - she would have loved it if I had thrown a little Dr. Laura Schlessinger down to a sweet beat acting as her personal D.J.) of her fav. songs and a whole lotta mine. Let me tell you -that was the playlist of all playlists.

From Prince, Wham (my pf!), and Depeche Mode, all the way to Lil' Kim, Snoop, and a little "Heartbreaker" from Mariah (cause she's on fiah'). In addition to that, I had every sweet cover song you can think of to get me through the long day. If I were to choose the MVP of the playist it would definetely have been awarded to:
Ice Cube and DMX's remix of "We Be Clubbin' - Eye of the Tiger!"
The last big hill before the first pit stop was about to be the death of me....untill I heard that familiar beat. It was like Rocky Balboa was on one side of me chanting with one fist high in the air' "Tristen ...Tristen" - and Ice Cube was on the other side lyrisizing, "We Be Clubbin' (or in my case.. Ridin' ) ...and... You Can Do it put your rear into it!" A shot of pure adrenaline ran through me from head to toe and I conquered that mountain! The beauty spewing forth out of my ghetto blaster rigged onto the front of my bike got me through it all. It was genius...pure genius! And all those riding past me (and there were a lot - believe me. 10,000+ registered in the ride!) thought it was brilliant as well. Rocky helped me and Rocky helped them. You see that's what we do as fellow riders on the road - we look out for each other.

I was told that this century course was the easiest of them all and a totally flat course. Now I've realized those informants were speaking comparitively. There was nothing flat or easy about that course in the least bit! At mile 10 I was huffin' and puffin' just to stay alive. Not to mention that these huge packs of riders would swoosh past me and I'd be white knuckled holding on for dear life praying I didn't fall and get run over by them all. And then with traffic on the other side of me...whoa - it was all too much. Now generally fellow riders are pretty nice - but I was able to share the road with a few fiesty ones.

They'd try to holler their advice/orders to me as they coasted by, "I said on your right...I'm on your right! (oopps - my sense of direction was a little foggy at some points. Believe me this was not funny! - nobody takes me accidently cutting them off as cute or innocent!)" or "Don't just stop in the middle of the road!!! (Well where the crap do you want me to stop if I can't help it and can't peddle another second to get to the side?!) or my personal favorite was when I would hear the faint noise of a snooty giggle as they passed swiftly by me shaking their head. Honestly I didn't care really if they were all faster than me...except when the really big, big, BIG, ladies would leave me in their dust - well it was easier to feel a little dumb and lazy at that point.
Also all before the first pit stop I had to stop like 5 times. We were told it'd be freazing in the early morning - but I was feeling like I was in Mexico in the dead of summer within the first 10 minutes. So first I took off my tank top. Then I had to stop and take off my pants (hence the lovely showing of my legs). And then I had to stop and take off the shorts under my shorts...cause let me tell you it is not fun to ride with a seam smack dab in the middle of your shorts. That could dang well newter a young lady!

Lindsey and I would get so excited at the sight of an up and coming pit stop along the ride. To think they had cups and cups full of free peanut M&M's - yeah we loaded up. I had to get a few rub downs each time cause my back was beggin' for some mercy. I think people thought we were quite the sight - they even asked to take a few pictures of us. (I really hope I don't find a picture of us on FUGLY.COM -that would suck!)

At mile 85 I was ready to vomit up all my water and chocolate I had consumed. But on we pressed...and on we conquered! I gotta say I think it's pretty unbelievable we did it! Now I actually don't care if anyone else thinks it's cool...cause I freaking know it is! Just think - I was on a bike riding for pretty much 10 hours straight. (yep - speed was not my goal!) Now that is one gnarley... Oh Yes She Di-id!!!

INHALER....PLEASE!!!

Tristen the Triathlete!

I tell you...a girl's gotta breathe and thank heavens for my trusty blue friend making that possible!

The Champion of us all!!! Jake was a MACHINE!

It's officially official!!!

That's right...I got one more thing to check off the list! Now I may not have looked the prettiest, and you might think I was the "Biggest Looser" coming in last place and all, but freak man...can you say YOU are a triathlete? I think not (most of you anyway...)! That's right suckers I just finished my first and most likely my very last triathlon. And shiz man am I tired!

Micah puts on a local Beacon Hill triathlon a few times a year. It's small but is actually even sponsored by some sweet companies. He usually has a pretty nice intimate group of athletic junkies participating. He also usually has a few wannabes (strictly members of the URE family) join in for the fun. I've said a few times that I was going to be a part of one. But I gotta tell you my warm bed has sounded a lot more tempting than swimming in the early am, hoping on my bike for a bit, and then finishing the morning off with a nice run! But today it was going to be a very small crowd of athletes, Micah, Bryan (brother-in-law), and his son Jake. I was up for looking the fool in front of these few so with Lindsey's wake up call I made my way over to the starting line.

3x's the fun...or 3x's the hell?

The racers, the supporters, and the wussies that stayed dry and relaxed.

We all started off decently even. And may I mention that I was NOT last in this event! Close to last...but NOT last! And I hardly even cheated...very proud of myself indeed.

In case you weren't aware...this kind of bike with the real skinny wheels can be a bit wobbly! Not to mention that I sort of fell behind on the bike part because Lindsey only told me how to shift one way and that one way was workin' my legs leaving them like a bowl full of jelly!

So you wanna know my time? Yeah...I don't think so. Ain't nothing but a number baby! Don't mean a thing!
But I finished and it's now onto the next amazing adventure...or race...(or maybe even the Amazing Race?!?!)

MAC ATTACK

I am URE MAC GENIUS! I officially now work at the APPLE store in the Mission Viejo Mall. So maybe some would call me silly for my step backwards on the pay scale. But I have to say that $11.00 an hour can totally pay for a lot of things. I can pretty much get anything at the dollar store that I want, and I even get a discount at Paradise bakery because I'm a fellow mall employee.
But I have to say that I am obsessed with my new "hobby job" and all the fun people I get to show off to. People here think I'm freaking smart - come visit me and you'll totally agree! I love it!
p.s. And you might want to ask to see my iPhone - because you better believe that it's all tricked out.
Umm...what was that? You want to see my iPhone turn into an "Etch n' Sketch"?...or was it that you wanted to see my dashboard turn into a mini version of "Tap Tap Revolution" or you wanted to see me have my own ring tones? You tell me...I got it all!
That's right - this Mac gal has taken it all to a new level. (ok so maybe it was my fellow mac employee that I had to flirt with to take me to the new heights...but whatever)

American Idols?...or Rejects?

So, I mean you figure a girls gotta have some fun in her life right? You only live once... gotta stop and smell the roses... live like you'll die tomorrow...make a fool of yourself by auditioning for American Idol???
Well I did just that. I've been meaning to check this one off the list for quite some time. I know that most might think that music/singing is not my strong point. How sad that I would even know of that truth which should be hidden from me and only gossiped of behind my back. After all, I grew up with my mom telling me I had a beautiful voice and my singing was music to her ears. But somewhere along the way my singing career was demolished due to the reality I slowly came to accept. I figured it can't just be a coincidence that every time I sing in church I have at least 3 rows giggling and turning their heads, or that on my mission- as I sang in the choir - they asked me (and ONLY me) to please lip sync.
But my mom also taught me to not really care what other people think. So what do I care? - The truth is I would love to be on American Idol and I have envisioned myself belting out a certain song since season 1. For the past 2 years I almost tried out, but didn't quite make it there. Not this year!!!
With Gary Samuelian back in town you better believe that dreams are going to get realized. So Lindsey (and baby), Gary, Skylar, and I made our way to San Diego to become discovered. We showed up early Monday morning (6am to be exact!!) and got our wrist bands. Don't worry that the 5 billion other people that were there had been there since Thursday night. ( Are you kidding me? Thank heavens the world is full of suckers that follow the rules) The line was ridiculously long. So we stood to the side and I did an occasional warm up and followed Gary on some harmonies and then we made our way effortlessly to the front of the line.
We came prepared for a long day in the sun so we found the most comfortable seats (wheelchair seating of course) and got comfy. I took a little rest as the stadium sang their hearts out for all the pre-recorded stuff. Then people started going upto audition, and Gary and I went to warm up. Now by this time I had let it sink in that I'm basically doing this audition (against my mothers wishes) just to say I did it, not because I think I'm getting on. And it doens't help me with the serious factor when Gary is telling me to kick at this part and sit on the judges desk at that part. So I decided if all else fails to put on a good show for Gary and Linds.
Well let's just say that I surely did that! I sang with all the pizazz a broadway wannabe could muster and performed my heart out. I gave them a rendition of Chorus Lines' "T and A" they'll never forget! Lindsey said that from the bleachers all she could see were my arms and legs flailing and everyone looking my way once I started singing. And then once I finished (umm...don't worry that the judge cut me off before I was finished and I told him he was missing the best part!) everyone from all nearby rows gave me their enthusiastic applause.
I have to say it was a nice thing to experience rejection with Gary by my side. In my opinion those dang judges should have followed some peer pressure and put us past the second round! That crowd was loving us from 6am on. Ohh but don't you worry....we've always got next year baby!

The 1st step is to admit you have a problem...

Well let me take care of that...
My name is Tristen and I'm freaking obsessed with anything produced by Apple! I couldn't help it - I bought an iphone! Now I'm generally pretty good at not living outside of my means. But talk about major temptation taking its toll on me. I mean, I am currently unemployed (should that embarrass me? cause it doesn't at all) and it's not like I have my lovely paychecks perking up the end of my work weeks right now. In fact, the other day Summer Thacker asked me if I was collecting unemployment checks. I told her that of course I wasn't! And she was very confused as to why I wasn't. Um -how about that I quit my job...I didn't get fired. And how about the other fact of my being somewhat responsible and having some sort of financial plan to save my day! How classic is that girl! Gotta love her. But - I have come up with an ingenious temporary plan! While I am patiently waiting for the most perfect sales job to come my way that I can conquer, I have decided to become an Apple Store employee! Did you know they train you on all of the products and applications? How awesome is that?! I have a goal to become MAC certified and this will totally help me be on my way! I have already sent in my application and have been assured I'm good to go! Tell me you're not some what jealous about that!!!
So the point of this story is - save your money cause there might be the funnest treat in the whole world that you just can't live without that you need to purchase the first day they come out and if you save a little collection of dough then maybe it's ok to sort of live outside of your needs for just a tiny second!!!

p.s. Butterfly's are a beautiful thing!!! They can really save the day!

And a Few More....