The Analogy of the Lookie-Loos

This morning as I was driving to Denver, I got caught in some slow traffic. When I finally got to the source of the slowness, I saw that there had been an accident...on the opposite side of the Interstate. This got me thinking. What is it that is so fascinating about the car accidents that BOTH directions of traffic have to slow down? What are we thinking? Here's a list of potential thoughts:

-What happened?
-Is someone I know involved?
-Is anyone hurt?
-Wow, what in the world were they doing to have THAT happen?
-Glad it's not me!

Then we drive off and go on with our day. I found an interesting comparison to having trials in life. When someone has a trial in their life, there ends up being some Lookie-Loos. People who are unwittingly passing judgment on the situation. They're thinking "What happened? What were they thinking? Why did they get themselves in that situation? Wow, I'm really glad it's not me!" They are slowing down to check out the mess, just like Lookie-Loos slow down their cars to check out the accident. They have no intention of stopping to help, they just want to observe, pass a little judgment, and move on. What they don't realize is, they are slowing their own progress. When you're stuck in the bumper-to-bumper traffic, you inch forward until you're clear to pick up speed again. It's the same with watching someone else's trial and not helping. They are slowing their own progression. In traffic, Lookie-Loos don't have all the facts. They may be thinking "That guy must have been speeding", but they really don't know what happened. Same thing with trials. We don't know all the facts sometimes, so why even try to guess? It's not your business. If you're not going to help, then move it along. Nothing to see here. We should always try to help others, but don't just drive by slowing and judge. It's not helpful...or pleasant. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't be a Lookie-Loo in life. Either stop to help or move along.

The End.

PS. On the way home from Denver, I was caught in an even worse traffic jam. I saw the accident; I saw the guy. He was sitting in his car, halfway down an embankment, and his bumper was a little ways down the road. He had a look on his face that clearly said "I hate my life." Poor guy. Ah, but there I go...being a Lookie-Loo.

The Latest News in Angela-land!

I haven't done an official update in awhile. There's a reason for that: I lead an extremely boring life with random spurts of excitement and drama. Keeps me on my toes, if anything.

Okay, first of all: South Pacific closed on April 11th. We had a fantastic run! Being Bloody Mary was a dream come true for me and she was an absolute delight to play!

Next up for me is a Benefit Recital for Loveland Opera Theatre on Saturday, May 9th. It's at 1st United Methodist Church in Loveland, at 1:30 pm. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. I will be singing on the 1st half of the program along with some other LOT singers. I'm singing "Come Ready and See Me" by Richard Hundley and "The Alto's Lament" by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler. (I'm also singing that song at Juliana's Studio Recital on May 3rd.) The 2nd half of the recital will be Kristen Jensen, who just played Adina in our production of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love.

Then, in August, I will be in Front Range Music Theatre's production of The Taffetas. We will perform at the Rialto Theater in downtown Loveland, August 11, 12, & 13. I don't have all the details yet (including which part I have), but hopefully soon! I am very excited to be back with FRMT. This will be my 7th production with them!

It's going to be a busy summer, but I'm hoping to do some things that I haven't done in awhile. Like go to Drums Along the Rockies, possibly play a concert or two with the Loveland Concert Band, go to Idaho to visit family in July (I don't know if I can do that yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!!), and get in some hiking and camping in our wonderful Rocky Mountains! And let's not forget, the Celtic Woman concert on July 1st! I can't wait for that!!! We are not taking my car. To read why, click here: http://angelas-old-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/celtic-woman-rocks-my-car-sucks.html

Life is busy...life is good!

Wordless Wednesday

Ode to a Sandwich

It's not that I don't like sandwiches. I do like them...I'm just sick of them. And not all of them...just the kind with regular bread. You have to understand, that was my lunch pretty much every day from 1st grade on. Even into college, I think I had a sandwich every day! Let's just say I have issues with those kinds of sandwiches. (I like Subway & Quiznos sandwiches just fine, thanks.) But when you eat THAT MANY SANDWICHES over the years, the thought of eating another one makes you want to hurl. Trust me on this. And then there are the sandwiches that get soggy by the end. There has been many a sandwich that I have not finished, because I couldn't stomach the sogginess. Yucky!!!!!!

This story has a point...please bear with me.

Because of the location of my office, I get lunch at the Safeway Deli quite often. They have the most DIVINE chicken tenders. But I've been trying to cut back a bit on those. They are deep fried...and soooooooo not good for me. So, today I headed across the street in search of food. I carefully avoided the deli counter itself and perused the items in the cooler close by. I glanced across the row of sandwiches. I had tried one once, and it was horribly dry. They used to have some good wraps, but they haven't been as tasty lately. And I've had one too many Chicken Salad on Croissant sandwiches. Well, one sandwich caught my eye. Roast Beef and Cheddar on white bread. Didn't look so bad. Finally, I decided to give it a try. I also got my obligatory bottle of apple juice and a bag of Cheetos. A well rounded lunch, I must say. Especially with the addition of Easter peanut M&Ms I found of sale. :)

Back at the office, I dug into my lunch. After removing the offending tomatoes, I bit into my sandwich. I was pleasantly surprised! The bread was not dry like before. It was perfect. The roast beef was great and the cheddar cheese was so mild it was practically American cheese (my favorite kind of cheese, much to my family's dismay). The lettuce wasn't wilted, but was perfect as well. I checked the label...the sandwich was made yesterday! Wow! It was possibly the best day old roast beef and cheddar sandwich I have ever eaten. It won't be enough to make me a sandwich lover again (not that I ever was), but it made for a great lunch.

Yummy sandwich from the Safeway Deli, I salute you!

Flashback Friday

1 year ago this weekend, we had Neal's missionary farewell. Here's a cute picture from that weekend:

Trevor, Drew, Emily, & Tyler

And because it's Easter this weekend, here's another cute picture:

Emily
Easter 2006

To Twitter or Not to Twitter...

...that is the question.

I just got rid of my Myspace page, and so now I'm only on Facebook. Well, and this blog, of course. Is Twitter worth it? Would anyone read my posts? Would it just be another random technological advance that gives people more ways to ignore me? Yeah, probably.

One of the reasons I'm interested is that I update my Facebook status all the time. I could do that on Twitter and leave a Facebook status up for more than a few hours. Wow, that's a novel concept!

I don't know...this is another one of those things where I'm extremely indecisive. Sounds cool, but is it just another way for me to waste time? Is there something more important I could be doing? Yes, there is. But the idea is still intriguing. Hmmm.................

Wordless Wednesday