Solo Date: Downtown

The second hour of my solo date was spent in a tiny sushi restaurant with two books and a notepad. I'm trying to write more. This here blog gives me a nice outlet when I want to share and receive feedback (Is anyone out there?), but I find something almost luxurious in writing just for me. It's not a journal. It's not a novel. It's not a status update. It's just a notebook. There's no pressure for me to record events for my posterity, or to be funny or insightful. My notebook is my safe place where I can write truth or lies and I am the only one with the burden of judging my work.

I spent the first hour on foot with my camera. After I left my boys at the home of a friend (where the legos sucked them in like a tractor beam and they didn't even glance my way as I walked out the door), I was drawn downtown; I wanted to sneak a peek at the new City Creek, which will open later this month.

I was so happy to see that the McIntyre Building is still intact. I was studying math and working in this historic building for a law firm when I met my man. The architect of this building also designed the Utah State Capitol.

When I grow up, I want to be an architect.

It's cold, but there are a few flowers that are trying hard to usher in the next season.

I'm experimenting with different exposures. Obviously, I still have a lot to learn.

I'm glad I wore a scarf. Brrrrr!

In preparing for this solo date, I had considered inviting a friend to join me for dinner or a walk or a pedicure. There are so many friends that I would like to see more often. Uninterrupted adult conversation is so rare these days. But sometimes a girl just needs to be alone with her camera.

Book. Camera. Me.

Grumpity grump grump. That's what I was feeling this morning. I don't hide my emotions well. Never have, never will. So of course, my family was feeling the frowny vibes that were emanating from my very soul. My man is off work today. He likes living with me when I'm nice, but when I'm a grouch face like this morning? Not so much. So he volunteered to take the boys while I did... whatever I wanted!

And I wanted THIS!

After spoiling myself with two hours of falafel, books, and SILENCE, I returned home to these guys, refreshed and recharged.

The Solo Date

My brother David is an angel sent from heaven above. He called me last week to set up a time when he could come over and play with the punk while I took some "me time." That time turned out to be for an hour this morning. I wasn't in the mood to run the errands I had planned, so instead, I grabbed my camera and took off into the canyon for my solo date.

It was just me, the blue skies, the icy trail, and the ferocious, charging dog with different colored eyes. I didn't get a picture of the mutt because of the ferociousness and the charging. But I did get some shots of the other stuff.

It was windy. So very windy.

I had to get a belly shot:

I loved the shadows on the trail.

When I left my house, I didn't think about wearing good shoes. That there would be snow and ice on the trail didn't even cross my mind. So I just rolled up my pants so they wouldn't get wet and hoped I wouldn't end up on my pregnant butt.

The solo date is one of life's best experiences. I recommend that you incorporate this blessed activity into your routine. Amen.