Day 152: Jackson's "Napoleon" Moon Boots

A visitor came by my room earlier today, doing - whether it was intentional or not - his best Napoleon Dynamite impersonation, wearing moon boots on a 90-degree day.

Who else but my nephew Jackson?

Day 151: Rickshaw Races

I pulled into the driveway the other day, and my two nephews Dallin and Jackson were busy giving each other rides up and down the sidewalk in this rickshaw . . . or whatever you might call it (I honestly don't know).


There's never a dull moment with these kids.

Day 150: Kenna's "Deb" Hairdo

Kenna, who is sure making an effort to be the family member who appears in (or takes) the most pictures during my Project 366 year of 2012, did it again at the latest family party and styled her hair in the same manner as Deb in the movie Napoleon Dynamite, giving herself a side ponytail:


Personally, I like it.

Day 149: Kenna's FHE Lesson

After enjoying an afternoon movie (Men in Black III) with some members of the family, I got to spend the rest of my Memorial Day with Mike's and Jana's clan, as I was a guest at their home for Family Home Evening. It had been far too long since I had attended an actual Family Home Evening rather than a singles ward- or mid-singles-sponsored event.

At any rate, McKenna gave the lesson, in which she talked about such values as: "ask first, because it might not be yours"; "think about what you do before you do it"; "it's OK to make mistakes"; and "help others when they need it."


She then asked everyone present which of these values they need the most work on. It was really an inspired lesson by my soon-to-be nine-year-old niece.

Day 148: Kermit Signals Touchdown!

oday, we celebrated my new sister-in-law Summer's birthday with a typical assortment of Plowman family birthday festivities, including the second barbecue of the year, a rowsing game of "Pass the Parcel," and this birthday cake, prepared by Mom:

You'll notice that Kermit the Frog, wearing a referee uniform, is on top and is signaling "touchdown."

I don't know where that Kermit figure came from, to be honest, but I sure want it atop my next birthday cake.

Day 147: Improv-ing with the Ridiculizers

It has been more than 15 years since my graduation from Bountiful High School, and earlier tonight - took me long enough, huh? - I finally took part in my first theatrical production on a BHS stage.


The Ridiculizers, aka BHS's Improv Club, invited Aivan and me, as representatives of the Improvables, to take part in their end-of-the-year improv show, even playing on stage with them during the first half of the event. During the second half, we got to take part by sitting in the audience and offering suggestions.

For a group of high schol performers, the Ridiculizers are a pretty talented group of kids. I may be a bit biased, as they represent my alma mater, but I enjoyed the evening nonetheless.

Day 146: More Sidewalk Chalk Art

I came across some more sidewalk chalk art today, though this time it was mainly Kylee's, Dallin's, and Kenna's doing, and it was all over their front sidewalks and driveway.

Among the best pieces was this one of their dog, Ozzy:

Day 145: Employee of the Month Parking

This sign hangs outside of one of the windows where I work:


They're kidding about the "violators will be fired" part. I think.

Day 144: Silly Signs

I took a drive through my new neighborhood today, and it was good to see that my neighbors - or at least whoever mapped out the area - have a sense of humor:


"Ewe Turn," in case you can't read it in the photo, is just a couple of blocks down the street.

Day 143: Daisies

Today, I brought a girl some flowers. For the first time. Ever. No, corsages for high school dances - both of the ones I went to - do not count when it comes to bringing girls flowers.

What was the special occasion? you ask? Suffice me to say that I was unkind to this female friend not that long ago, and I fortunately am able to still call her a friend after today's visit. I learned from the movie You've Got Mail that daisies are "the friendliest flower," and they seemed like a good choice. It turns out that my instincts were, surprisingly, correct.

Let's say that, perhaps, you are a girl and are reading this, perhaps asking yourself, Why won't he bring me flowers? Well, the answer is simple: Give me a reason to do so, and I just might appear on your doorstep out of the blue.

Day 142: Movin' On Up

Tonight, I moved into my digs in Mike's and Jana's basement on the east side of Layton, and a handful of my siblings showed up to lend a hand. Thank goodness for their help.

There to greet me - and to help unpack my Star Wars toys - were the kids, including this shot of Jackson and Kenna horsing around with my double-bladed Darth Maul prop.

I'll never pry it out of his hands.

Day 141: Kenna Hijacks My Camera, Part IV

Well, Kenna did it again. Here of some of my favorites of the images she snapped at our latest family gathering:

Whatever it is that Dallin's doing in this last shot is anyone's guess. I still like it, though:

Day 140: "Psych" Out!

Once again, Biz and Jeff provide the best photo of the day, this time a picture of their encounter with actor Corbin Bernsen, who plays Henry Spencer on one of our favorite TV shows, "Psych," as they walked along the streets of New York City earlier today.

*SPOILER ALERT* Henry Spencer was, in fact, shot at the close of the recently completed sixth season of "Psych," and Bernsen was noncomittal as far as telling them what his character's role would be in the upcoming seventh year.

Regardless, it's always good to know when the actual person behind one of your favorite characters turns out to be a great guy in real life, too.

Day 139: Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood

The photo of the day - which is not mine, but was sent to me (obviously) - comes from my brother-in-law Jeff, who met ex-NBA star David Robinson on the streets of New York City today.

Other than arguably Tim Duncan, I don't care much for the Spurs of today, as they recently swept my Jazz out of the playoffs. I've always admired Robinson, though, and he proved today that he's a class act.

Day 138: Sidewalk Chalk Walk

Every year about this time, Bountiful City hosts a sidewalk art event for artists of just every talent range and age. I never really paid much attention to them until tonight, when I joined the mid-singles in a walkabout through several of the entrys into this year's extravaganza.

Some of my favorites included Sonic the Hedgehog:

"Dead Maus":

and this drawing of a dinosaur riding atop a jet airliner:

Today also marked my good friend Gary's birthday, so we took him over to Yogurt Stop afterward to enjoy some delicious dessert.

Day 137: Kira's Headlock

One of my favorite shots from last week's aforementioned final family get-together at the parents' old house is this one of three-year-old Kira surprising her grandpa with hug around the neck from behind.


Or headlock. Call it what you will.

Day 136: Pinned

Kylee was none-too enthusiastic about me taking this picture of her while her dad (playfully, of course) had her pinned to the floor the other day.


I guess finding shots like these is one of the more enjoyable parts of carrying out Project 366 and is what is keeping it interesting for me still.

Day 135: Chili Cheese Fries

Did you know that Wendy's now serves chili chees fries? Well, they do.

Can life get any better? I submit to you that it cannot.

Day 134: Kira Hijacks My Camera

A few days ago, the family came over for one last hurrah at the old home before the moving "fun" of this past weekend. While we were gathered, three-year-old Kira thought she'd take a stab at taking some pictures with my camera. Among her best shots was this photo of her dad, Dave, and her grandma:

Day 133: Smashy, Smashy

A number of years ago, my mom gave me a statue of Nephi as I embarked on my mission to Peru. While moving today, this is what became of that statue when it shattered on the kitchen floor after I accidentally knocked it off of the counter:

Twinkle toes (aka yours truly) does it again.

Day 132: Jordan and Trumpette

Tonight's Improvables performance was another great show by our gang, and it featured the debut of new Improvable Neal, the second apperance of relatively new Improvable Jordan as the night's M.C., as well as the second appearance of our "mascot," Trumpette the cow.


The disco-themed shirt, I guess, speaks for itself.

Day 131: At Last, We Meet . . .

Every so often, the stars align and the light side of the Force comes into contact with the dark side. Case in point:

Our paths crossed today in a parking lot. It's a presence I haven't felt since . . .

Day 130: "Princess & the Gator"

At a recent work luncheon, we were divided up into groups and were assigned with the task of creating our own fairy tale, as well as with the task of writing and illustrating it, all within a 15-minute time frame. What my group came up with was "Princess & the Gator," which, as you can see, turned out rather awesome:


If it is noticeable (in the upper righthand corner), we were awarded the "Most Creative" prize.

Day 129: Wedding Lunch at Joy Luck

Today's images are the final ones I will be posting from my cache of Steve's and Summer's wedding festivities of two-and-a-half weeks ago. There are several more that have not made it here onto my blog that can be viewed on my Facebook page, in case you are interested in seeing them.

The bride's and groom's (and their parents') table at Joy Luck:

Ben accompanies Steve on "You Send Me" during the talent portion of the lunch:

I also participated by doing another dramatic reading, at the groom's request. My subject this time was Air Supply's "Lost in Love," and I think it went over rather well.

Day 128: Two Months Old

Today, my nephew Jacob is two months old.

They grow up so fast, don't they?

Day 127: Everything Old Is New Again

With my upcoming move to a new location fast approaching, I have be doing a lot of de-cluttering and have cleaned out several old boxes and closets these past few days. When they came over to visit this afternoon, Dallin and Luke were more than happy to lend a hand in this process, offering to take some old Star Wars toys and posters off of my hands.

I'm glad that the next generation has taken to Star Wars so well. It makes me feel much better about the fact that I still haven't completely grown up and that, to boot, I don't necessarily have to be embarrassed of that fact.

Day 126: Kenna Hijacks My Camera, Part III

Some of the best photos that were snapped at Steve's and Summer's wedding lunch at Joy Luck (other than the professional photographer's, of course, which we have yet to see) were, not surprisingly, not taken by me but by my mischievous little eight-year-old niece McKenna, who again "borrowed" my camera and who has already demonstrated here on Disconcertingly Choppy that she has a keen eye for taking pictures.

Here are some of the best ones IMHO:

Kenna also included this self-portrait:

Day 125: Feeding the Ducks

I had a surprisingly enjoyable time tonight when Robyn invited me to accompany her to her friends Gilbert's and Joanni's wedding on the island at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.

Did you know that there was an island at Liberty Park? Well, if you didn't, then that makes two of us. It's actually a very picturesque spot, and the only way to reach it is by crossing a bridge.

Ducks and geese surround the lake, and we took a moment to feed them some bread crumbs that we leftover from our dinner.

It was a "nice day for a white wedding," as the song goes, and a nice setting for it, to boot.

Day 124: Upsy-Daisy

When we were outside of the Bountiful temple taking pictures after the latest family wedding, Summer's three brothers picked her up and pretended to throw, or nearly threw, her into the fountain.


They were just kidding. Probably. (With guys, you just never know.)

Day 123: Over the Top

Ben, Gary, Richard, and I ventured out for the traditional Wednesday night post-Institute snack, and tonight we found ourselves over at Jake's Over the Top for some delicious ice cream.


It had been far too long since I had last enjoyed a shake from Jake's.

Day 122: Horsing Around

Horsing around is something that we Plowmans are quite adept at doing. The kids did their fair share of it outside the temple last week while waiting for Steve and Summer to come outside, as you can see in this photo:


By the way, we're now one-third of the way into 2012 (where has the year gone?) and one-third through Project 366. Thanks for your support.

I'll be signing autographs in the foyer.