Spring Hunts and Hurls

Easter, on many different levels, is a celebration of the renewal of life: the world starts thawing, life hints at returning, and the younger among us race around in the pleasant sunshine replenishing their chocolate stash. It is indeed a holiday of hope…and hurling.

Jason and I spent a few hours shaping and decorating these cheerful cookies.
Jason and I spent a few hours shaping and decorating these cheerful cookies.
Jason and I gave all the kids sunglasses as part of their Easter stash. These accessories turned out to be quite popular and quite cute on the kiddies.
Jason and I gave all the children sunglasses as part of their Easter stash. These accessories turned out to be quite popular and quite cute on the kiddies.

My family holds an egg hunt each year of practically ridiculous proportions. The reason it’s practically ridiculous is that there are so many contributors to the loot that we run out of hiding places long before we run out of treasures. Jason and I donate a large quantity of candy, prizes, and good ol’ fashioned cash. My parents, my brother, and my sister also all add to the enormous pot. Ultimately, most of the kids need something bigger than a basket to carry their findings, as one of my nephews informed me.

Isabelle looked like a miniature movie star in the shades that we bought her.
Isabelle looked like a miniature movie star in the shades that we bought her.
Jadon is a bit like a dignified old man in a little boy's body but even he got into the spirit of carefree mayhem.
Jadon is a bit like a dignified old man in a little boy’s body but even he got into the spirit of carefree mayhem.

Our hunt this year proceeded as usual. The children sprinted about in an unruly fashion reminiscent of a frenzied stampede as they hurriedly searched for the hidden while overlooking the obvious. In the end, some of the kids retrieved much more than their allotment of treats while others remained disappointed by their limited finds. We partially corrected these allocation injustices but allowed some elitism, as it was part of our design. For the golden egg, though sought by all, can only be claimed by one. In this case, that one was Madison, who used her teenage guile to outmaneuver the other seekers.

Abigail was a little confused by the egg hunt. She aborted her search often in favor of playing.
Abigail was a little confused by the egg hunt. She aborted her search often in favor of playing.
This was Madison's "teenager" pose.
This was Madison’s “teenager” pose.

After the hunt we had a lovely Easter dinner, which was augmented by the festive cookies that Jason and I had made. Then the kids lined up for scooter rides around the neighborhood before we all headed to the park. I refer to this playground near my parents’ house as “vomit common” because of its greater than average number of dizzying devices. The results of a trip to this park are inevitable. Without fail, the kids convince the adults that they are weaklings if they don’t go for a spin or two on something sickening. For some reason this taunting works even though we grownups know full well the outcome of such tipsy activities. Next, the adults, realizing that their fate is unavoidable and wishing for some puking partners, shame each other into riding those ridiculous personal merry-go-rounds faster and longer. We relish each other’s vertiginous torment yet cannot escape our own anguish. Eventually, we all end up woozy and regretting our feeble will. Our excursion to the park that day followed this pattern precisely. I had a great time harassing my family members but felt queasy for hours from my own ill-fated revolutions. Barfing would have been a welcomed relief.

Wesley and Isabelle are good buddies. They fight frequently but giggle together even more often.
Wesley and Isabelle are good buddies. They fight frequently but giggle together even more often.
The pleasant weather made some porch-time possible.
The pleasant weather made some porch-time possible.
Madison drew this highly accurate depiction of Andrew in spinning duress..
Madison drew this highly accurate depiction of Andrew in spinning duress.

Easter is about rebirth and, in keeping with that tradition, we rebirthed a whole lot this year. We revived our glucose levels with too many sugary cookies, we renewed our upchuck reflexes with too many turns, and we reawakened our primeval hunting skills with a frantic golden egg quest. Our holiday was a magnificent reminder that spring has arrived and it’s time for some refreshing transformations.

The Regency Ball

It’s no secret that I’m an Austenphile. After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that any woman of good taste must be in want of a Mr. Darcy…and if Mr. Darcy isn’t available then a well-dressed replicate will do.

My hairdresser Stacy created my do for this event. She did a great job; I got lots of compliments.
My hairdresser Stacy created my do for this event. She did a great job; I got lots of compliments.

When I heard that the Jane Austen Society of Utah was holding a Regency Ball and a group of our friends was interested in going, I was instantly on board. Unfortunately, because I only learned of this event two weeks beforehand, I had to sort out our costumes in a hurry. Thankfully, since Jason and I dressed as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet for Halloween a couple of years ago, I had already made most of what we needed but some quick stitching was still necessary. I had run out of time that Halloween and, consequently, hadn’t gotten around to making the authentic (circa 1790-1830) shirt that I had planned on sewing for Jason. He had had to manage with an obscured pirate blouse. And his waistcoat, another actual pattern from the late 1700s, had turned out undersized even though I had added 3 or 4 inches to its length. (Those Georgian gentlemen must have been puny things like me.) Since I wanted Jason to look perfect for the Regency Ball, I was determined to get that historically accurate shirt done and a new longer waistcoat made for him. Also, being a woman, I felt compelled to accessorize my costume a bit and an Austen style purse, known as a reticule, which could hold all of my girly stuff during the party, was just the thing so I added one of those to my sew list.

The men had snobbish disdain down pretty well. Practice does make perfect.
The men had snobbish disdain down pretty well. Practice does make perfect.

Two weeks isn’t much time to sew a shirt, vest, and purse but it’s doable. Then again, these weren’t your run-of-the-mill clothing items. Because I was using actual 1700s patterns, the instructions were horrendously hard to decipher and follow. Plus, the designs for these articles incorporated a whole lot of extra pieces that didn’t seem to serve any purpose. I ended up completely disregarding the instructions for the waistcoat and just doing my own thing. The shirt’s directions weren’t as awful so I did use them for the most part, even though they called for an absurd number of gussets to be stitched into peculiar places. (Before this experience I didn’t even know what a gusset was.) I also had to make my Princess Peach outfit for our polar plunge in the middle of all of this. (Insert curse word of choice here.) Talk about sewing to near insanity! Everything turned out splendidly though so I have no lasting complaints. Oddly, Jason’s unembellished shirt, with its simple details, was my favorite out of everything I created. Those gussets and strange pieces combined to make something that could have come straight out of Pride and Prejudice.

Jason and I make a pretty great pair. Maybe that's why we nearly won best couple.
Jason and I make a pretty great pair. Maybe that’s why we nearly won the prize for best couple.

And the ball? Fantastic! Most of our night was spent dancing with only a short intermission for dinner. I love moving my feet so I didn’t grow weary of skipping, spinning, and galloping even after four hours. The meticulous costumes and ubiquitous curtseying successfully made me feel like I had been transported to a time long-gone when a bow to honor your partner was customary before a tune began. We were taught many dances from the Regency Period but we moved through them quite quickly so I’m not entirely sure how much of that footwork my tootsies retained. However, I definitely remember the steps to my favorite dance, the reel, which involve a whole lot of whirling and dosadoing. I’m a twirly kind of girly!

Our group looked spiffy in their mostly homemade attire.
Our group looked spiffy in their mostly homemade attire.

All the members of our group put substantial effort into their attire. Amber made terrific costumes for her and Jeremy. Simone and Abigail bravely sewed their dresses but decided to send their husbands to the costumer’s. And Jason and I looked pretty bona fide adorned in our useless gussets. The work I put into our clothes did not go unnoticed. We were runners-up for best couple out of the roughly 200 people present. It made me feel a little better about all that manic stitching.

Jason's shirt looked like something straight out of Pride and Prejudice.
Jason’s shirt looked like something straight out of Pride and Prejudice.

It was a perfect evening filled with frills and twirls. My feet were throbbing by the end of the night but I enjoyed every minute of the ball regardless. It provided an excellent excuse to get dolled up and then get down. The setting may not have been as plush as the halls of Pemberley but I felt immersed in that classic grandeur all the same. Plus, my late model Mr. Darcy was definitely handsome enough to tempt me. I hope we can attend this event again next year. You might want to consider joining us. After all, any savage can dance.

The Steps to Sundance

The Sundance Film Festival just ended. As usual, Jason and I eagerly added our bodies to the masses of movie aficionados during its 10 day stint. We’ve been attending this world-famous at hand event for almost a decade and we always look forward to its star-strewn madness.

Our enjoyment of Sundance has improved in recent years by going the locals route. Yes, if you’re a Utah resident you can get tickets to the Sundance Film Festival before the general public. How does a native do this one might ask? First, you have to remember to register in October. If you forget to sign up then you’ve lost your chance at passes. Second, you have to wait for your appointed timeslot to purchase your ticket package, not individual tickets mind you but just your ticket package of choice. The chance to buy a package works like a lottery. So far fate has smiled on us and we haven’t been denied this acquisition but there’s a first time for everything. Next, about a month after buying your package, your timeslot for picking individual tickets is revealed. This window is based on another system of chance, you might get lucky and be in the first group to get tickets or less fortunate and be in the last. Either way you can’t complain because, no matter what, you’re choosing your seats before the crowds get a chance. When your ticket opening hits you’d better be fast. Identifying what you want beforehand and having a strategy is paramount or you will be left in others’ box office dust. You never know what will be sold out so you have to be flexible and have lots of backup plans. Jason and I usually draw up a complex ticketing diagram beforehand to aid us in this part. Finally, a couple weeks later, you get to pick up your tickets but only during a designated timeslot. (You getting a feel for how many timeslots are involved in this process?) This must be done at the Salt Lake City Sundance box office with a Utah driver’s license in hand and there is often a wait. This year Jason ended up standing in line for about an hour. But at least at the end of this queue you are, at last, the gratified holder of passes to some exclusive events. Hallelujah! Yes, the locals method is a complicated procedure but it makes getting into popular screenings possible for us nobodies and the nobodies we know. Jason and I are nice; we buy an extra-large ticket package every year so that we have some passes to spread to our friends. Hint to friends: if you want us to continue purchasing tickets for you in the future be grateful that we let you benefit from our toil.

We attended a couple screenings with Drew and Simone. It's always fun to have some company.
We attended a couple screenings with Drew and Simone. It’s always fun to have some company.

All that ticket commotion happens before Sundance starts. What happens after it begins is also crazy but much more enjoyable. Here’s what transpired for us after the festival commenced this year:

The Crash Reel was the first show we attended and what a way to kick things off. It was a documentary that followed the fall and rise of snowboarder Kevin Pearce. You may recall that Kevin Pearce was an Olympic favorite in the half-pipe for the Vancouver Olympics. He had beaten Shaun White on multiple occasions so it was anyone’s guess who would come away with the gold. Unfortunately, about 2 months before the Olympics Kevin Pearce wrecked while training in Park City and suffered a traumatic brain injury. With a damaged noggin, Kevin’s continuance of competitive snowboarding was unacceptably risky to the loved ones of this talented rider but he found the overwhelming danger harder to acknowledge. Being a snowboarder myself, with injuries that have made riding the slopes impossible at times, I think I can understand to a small degree the devastation that Kevin felt when he realized he’d have to give up boarding.

A whole lot of famous boarders showed up to support The Crash Reel.
A whole lot of famous boarders showed up to support The Crash Reel. It was marvelous!

This was a fantastic film that had elements of a cool boarding movie along with touching inspirational moments. It’s supposed to premier on HBO during the summer and I would highly recommend checking it out. As an extra treat we got to meet not only Kevin but Scotty Lago, the American that received the half-pipe bronze medal in Vancouver, and a whole bunch of other amazing snowboarders like Mason Aguirre, Luke Mitrani, Jack Mitrani, and Danny Davis. Lucy Walker, the academy award nominated director, was also present. Wow!

The Summit was a documentary that shed some light on the tragic events that occurred near the peak of K2 in August of 2008. K2, the second highest peak in the world at 28,251 feet, is far more dangerous to climb than Everest. Did you know that 1 in 4 mountaineers that make it to the top of K2 die during their descent? That dwarfs Everest’s 5% and is hard to wrap your mind around. Any hike up K2 is apparently a gamble with death but during this particular disaster, the worst in K2 history, 11 of the 24 climbers that attempted to reach the summit never made it back to camp. As you can imagine, this documentary was intense and disconcerting. It was hard to understand why these climbers would risk so much for an unnecessary achievement. One of the saviors of the catastrophe, a Sherpa named Pemba Gyalje, surprisingly showed up for the Q&A after the show and got a standing ovation. It was a pleasure to be in the presence of this heroic and humble man.

Pemba Gyalje's unexpected appearance at The Summit's Q&A had everyone on their feet.
Pemba Gyalje’s unexpected appearance at The Summit‘s Q&A had everyone on their feet.

These first two documentaries really made an impact on me. More than a week later my dreams were still invaded by troubling rides on powder or unsettling climbs up insurmountable mountains. Even now I find myself daydreaming about the images, characters, and music from these films that moved me. I believe movies like these, great movies, linger with you and continue to change your perception of the world long after the credits have rolled.

Computer Chess was an unusual flick that imagined the inner goings of the world of computer programmers in the early 80s, specifically programmers that were trying to teach machines how to play chess. It was quite nerdy and, like many indie films, a bit slow but I enjoyed its randomness and appreciated its geeky humor.

Andrew Bujalski, the director of Computer Chess, was enthusiastic about his creative homage to nerdery.
Andrew Bujalski, the director of Computer Chess, was enthusiastic about his creative homage to nerdery.

We Steal Secrets: the Story of WikiLeaks was an insightful and interesting documentary. It portrayed Julian Assange pretty fairly but not favorably. The WikiLeaks organization, on the other hand, it presented as more idealistic and less hypocritical.

The last picture we saw was The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete. This film followed the lives of two project kids as they tried to survive a summer without their junkie parents. While it was told from the perspective of the kids, it was not meant for a young audience; these children faced obstacles that no kid should have to. Yet, it was somehow endearing and sweet while maintaining its harsh reality.

It was another great year for us at the festival. We saw a variety of flicks that made us giggle, gasp, and grieve. Attending Sundance may take work but it’s nothing compared to what goes into putting this festival on. We met the program director for Sundance at one of our screenings and learned that 12,000 film submissions, about 1,500 of which are documentaries, get sent in every year. They all have to be watched in order for the best hundred or so to be selected. Holy movie overload Batman! I’m not sure how you could view that many every year and come away still enjoying films; I’d never want to see another movie in my life. Good thing I get to watch 11,995 less than those programmers. We’ve found that catching 5 Sundance films each year is just about right for us. It’s enough to get the flavor of the festival without getting burnout. See you in 2014 Sundance!