Cable woes, et al

I've begin making those dreaded correspondences to ensure that the utilities and such here in Salt Lake are terminated and that any of the business' I am associated with will know I am living in Cedar Hills.

The worst phone call by far was the one to Comcast.  To begin with, even when successfully navigating the phone tree, it is difficult to get someone on the phone to take this request.  When I finally was able to tell Shaniqua that I wanted my service disconnected her response was, "If you don't mind me asking, why would you want your service shut off?" I told her I was moving and her response was, "won't you need the service in your new place?" to which I firmly stated, "I'm moving out of the area" to which she replied, "to somewhere without cable????" When I said yes, she asked, "do you know of anyone who will be living at unit #312 who will want this service?" No, No, No, please just turn it off. And yes, you can email me a copy of my final bill and no, I am not providing you my new address.

Ok, one down. Next Questar, then Rocky Mountain Power, the post office and my church.  On June fifth I informed my landlord that I would not be renewing my lease which is due to expired on July 31st. I explained to him that I would be out sometime early July and suggested he begin showing the unit as quickly as possible to secure new renters. I received from him a stern email reminding me that July's rent was due in full July first regardless of the day I choose to move out and that although I paid first and last months rent upon moving in and a $1250.00 security deposit I was in no way allowed to use any of those monies for the rent in July.  All of which I was already aware of, I too have a copy of the contract.

I wonder if it occurred to my landlord that I could have paid July's rent as planned, moved out when convenient, allowed the contract to expire and let him find out for himself the unit was vacant sometime after August 5th when the new rent became past due.  And here I was just trying to be nice.

Welcome to Happy Valley!

It seems a bit surreal to be returning to Provo to work after the twenty (plus some more) years that had lapsed since I first lived in Utah County. I can definitely say that some things are much the same as I remember them.  For instance: the adult to minor ratio is the same, the jokes about BYU coeds haven't changed at all and everyone seems to be......happy. I do find it a little of that mobs of people swarm the snow shack for crushed ice treats in Utah County while no one in Salt Lake County has ever been seen standing in front of these buildings.
Right now I'm not sure what to make of the 40 minute commute to work but luckily that will change in a few short weeks and my migration to Happy Valley will be complete.  So here's to my transfer, yippee!

Engagement Photos

A night of Thriller at Kingsbury Hall 

Awaiting a helicopter ride at the Grand Canyon

For the last several months I have been trying to take photos of Jim and I in hopes of having a record of the months we have spent dating, engaged and finally waiting for temple clearance to get married. I also reasoned that when we got around to sending out wedding announcements it would be nice to have one good shot of the two of us. In the last 10 months I have determined that one or both of us are not very photogenic......here are some of the photos that are NOT going in the announcements.

On our way to a Christmas concert at the conference center in Salt Lake

The Roof at the Joseph Smith Building January 26, 2013

Unfortunately, it looks like a good photograph of the two of us will need some professional intervention. 

Door Code #5412

I wanted all those blog followers and internet stalkers to know that I am out of town for the weekend. Everything of value Ashelyn moved out when Nicolas got home and my refrigerator is still an empty box I pay to chill. So if you think there is anything in my apartment you think you need, by all mean please stop by and take it.

Jim bought tickets to Mary Poppins at the Tuachan so our mini vacation is in Saint George this weekend.  We are spending the afternoon at the temple, then onto dinner and a movie. Tomorrow we are biking through Zions Canyon, swimming and going to the play and Sunday we are at odds as to if we will be planning something for the morning hours or just heading home for some much needed rest.

The gem I've discovered thus far is the quilt store located next to our hotel. Jim's back at the room changing his clothes so I'm sure I don't have time to fully investigate the store at this time, but I can guarantee that I will find time in the next two days to do some shopping. BTW: I'm giving that fiancee of mine two bonus points for his choice of hotels especially considering the proximity of the quilt store.

A Soldiers Homecoming

I realize that I am a little late in this information but I wanted

 to include on my blog, a video that Nicolas' father-in-law made within the very first moments of his return to Utah after his deployment to Kuwait. 

In the last year plus that I have gotten to know Ashelyn, she has spoke warmly of both of her parents and I have enjoyed the time we have spent first counting the days, then celebrating this common milestone together.  This video was produced by Dave Braun and posted on his web site www.seekingoohla.tv (don't try to click on the link, I'm pretty sure it doesn't work), his comments accurately capture the feeling of that day.