Next to Good Food, There's Good Music

My last post was about good food. But right up there with delicious food is delicious music. Sometimes I wonder why, with so much uplifting, edifying, beautiful music available, do I listen to such humdrum, weariful music? Only I know the answer (er... never mind). On Saturday night I attended the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music Concert 2008 featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Utah Symphony Orchestra with world renowned maestro Erich Kunzel, and delightful guests Denyce Graves and Brian Stokes Mitchell. The title was "An American Songbook" and indeed I felt patriotic. Brian Stokes Mitchell stole the show in my opinion, although the Maestro's professionalism to conduct two singers behind him, a full orchestra in front of him, and an entire choir way in front of him was impressive. The concert was held in the Conference Center where there isn't a bad seat (President Monson and President Eyring were in attendance). Music has the mind blowing capacity to grasp my emotions and do whatever it pleases to them. Last night, it chose to thrust them into a patriotic vortex smeared with red, white, blue and apple pie. When I first opened up the program I thought it was featuring Beyonce (she looks like Denyce and the way it was written was similar to 'Beyonce'), so I got really, really excited. I thought, "Beyonce and the Mo Tab? Could there be a better hybrid? Move over Celion Dion, we have a new greatest show ever!" Although she was no Beyonce, Denyce was quite entertaining. The concert was gorgeous and I was reminded that music has a wonderful power associated with it. Anyone up for a baseball game and a barbecue?

All You Can Eat = All You Can Enjoy

There are few things in life that are very physically enjoyable. Scratch that- in the time it took that thought to go from my head to my fingers, I thought of about six different physically enjoyable things, and six is more than a few. That's what you get for brainstorming new blog posts... But, having said that, let me iterate what I meant to write, in a watered down fashion: I love to eat, and especially when it is all-you-can-eat, and even more especially when I don't pay for it, but can still look at myself in the mirror because I did so honestly. This week I had some truly excellent meals that were noteworthy in my book. As an epicure with palatable taste, it doesn't take much to make Mister D.W.Belly happy. On Tuesday I was invited to a good friend's house for a fresh salmon dinner. "Fresh salmon? in Utah?" you inquire acquisitively. (But then you are distracted and mysteriously impressed at my usage of two words with 'q,' in succession, and the original thought of salmon has vanished like an open box of truffles.) My friend and his wife vacationed in Alaska this summer and caught kilograms of fish, which they immediatley froze and shipped to landlocked Utah. So we had a pleasurable salmon meal with great company and a nice sauce (on the salmon, not the company). Wednesday night I attended a chocolate party and was partial to the bananas dipped in chocolate, although the marshmallows were tasty too. Thursday night I went to a housewarming party with chicken curry, watermelon, red velvet cupcakes and homemade ice cream. Homemade ice cream is irreplacable, like Beyonce. On Thursday I dined with my brother at the Campus Commons (commonly called Cannon Center), containing confections, crepes- cream cheese. I had four entrees becuse I have little will power when it comes to food, and it was all just so good! Yummm. I was such a happy student. I barely even needed lunch because I was so satisfied. I ate some other meals inbetween those ones, but those were the highlights. Holla to Thomas for taking me out to the Campus Commons!

A Brief Boston Ballgame Bulletin

That's a fancy alliterative title for "I don't have too much time but I want to write a post, and Boston Sports are on my mind." The Patriots are in trouble, to put it kindly. They couldn't win a single exhibition game without Brady, and now he's out for the season. Good luck Pats! The Red Sox, on the other hand, took one from the Rays tonight behind Lester's fantastic performance and moved just 1/2 game behind them in the A.L. East. Mike Lowell's back and feeling great. Things are really looking up for my BoSox. And don't forget, the doughty Celtics are still World Champions! If you have any updates about Boston's underground curling fascination, I would love to hear them. I am an equal opportunity blogger here, willing to give attention to all sports.