a new career chapter for me

It may seem too early to tell, but I am already super glad I left my old job for my new one at OrangeSoda. Sounds like an obvious statement, but I did have my doubts in the interim. I was unemployed for several weeks before getting a job offer, after all. And this was after going back to at least 3 companies for a 2nd interview! Job searching blows!!!

But I finally feel like I may be at a place where work doesn't have to suck. Where it can actually be fun. Trust me, I know how rare it is for someone to be able to make a claim like that. Since starting my working life back in high school at the bottom of the food chain with first a newspaper route and then as a server, I have never thought that work was fun. And that's just life. 

I don't expect that I'll think work is fun every day. I'm not that naive. But the facts that these people are almost as enthusiastic about Halloween as I am and that they encourage employees to take breaks in the community ping pong table room are enough to give me high hopes.

Talking about work is boring, I know. But this has been occupying my mind for, like, a really long time now. So here are some things I've learned to appreciate during my quest for career nirvana. At my new company:

• They value people and employees. That's a good sign. I used to take that for granted.
• They're excited to brag about their benefits & compensation rather being secretive about it.
• The interviewing and hiring process is organized.
• They recognized that it was also in their best interest to make me feel comfortable during interviews and etc.
• I've already been introduced to a gazillion people.
• They have a "work hard, play hard" mentality that makes its employees happy! Imagine.
• They are flexible with scheduling and time off.
• People are just nice. Everyone I've talked to has been friendly and happy. No negative vibes.
• They are expanding and expecting to move to a larger building within the next year.
• It's my first week and they've already made me feel like they want me to stick around.

Here's to hoping I'll be here for a long time. I don't want to job hunt again any time soon. Actually, when it comes to job hunting and I, "we-ee are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together."

2 sisters married

It is sooooo..... FUNNNNN.... to have 2 other sisters besides myself married. Seriously, it's been a blast.

What a blessing it is that they each found a great guy who jives well with the fam. They are fun, adventurous, kind, and a bit goofy. Which you have to be if you're gonna jive well with these wackies.

I've loved it. And Clint too. Since my brother left on the mish, Clint has been the only dude at family gatherings besides my pops. And now he's had 2 other dudes to be buddy bud with.

Needless to say, family four-square and badminton and basketball will never be the same again. It's at a whole new level, I'm telling you!!! But so fun. And I am happy to say that I did actually win a round of Lightning (Tornado, Tsunami, Spit, etc) against even all of the guys. So ha. Take that.

And I got to have some special sister moments too.

Don't have any of the pics ready right now due to the recent hard drive crash (GRRRRRR!!!! I won't be over THAT until I get my files BACK already), but here are some of my favorite moments:

1. Posing with the cardboard cut-out of my missionary brother (in Paraguay) at the weddings
2. Doing my sisters' hair and make-up (both sisters) for their bridals and their actual wedding day (both events)
3. Posing in "all-sister" shots at the temple in cute, matchy outfits. Seriously, some of those pics of all of us (posted on facebook) are time. less.
4. Hugging my sisters and their brand new husbands in the temple right after the marriage ceremony. Giving those guys a huge old hug and saying "Congratulations, I'm so happy for you" have been some of the sincerest moments of my life
5. Noticing that my parents are a bit more... willing? aggressive? assertive?... about getting the family together now that there's more than just 1 daughter (ahem) not living at home
6. Allie's husband Cameron taking to Clint like a puppy-dog to a frisbee thrower. Clint loves having a disciple of his same mind. Clint and Cameron are so similar -sports-loving, practical-minded, conservative with money, chick-flick-eschewing, etc - and any time my parents invite us to do something, they always say that Cameron asked whether Clint was coming. The side bonus for me is that I get to hang with my sister Allie more :)

As for least favorite moments... the 2nd sister to get married, Liz, moved to Nevada with her husband Mark right after the honeymoon and I miss my Bizzer (there's a long story behind that nickname somewhere but I don't remember it.) I miss both of them obviously, but Bizzer was always my willing toe-nail-painting-chick-flick-watching-girls-night-in buddy. Still happy for them to be starting their own cute little family in Nevada while Mark starts school. Of course.

It's so special to see my family change like this. It's just really... really.... REALLY...

FUN.

itunes withdrawal

Waah. Our hard drive crashed and we lost a bunch of pictures, documents, and music that will cost hundreds of dollars, like 500 bucks, to recover in a special "clean room."

Speaking of which, if anyone knows of a good hard drive recovery place that's cheaper than this, I'm all ears.

I didn't have any of my favorite itunes saved on my ipod because I had just on that very same day uploaded a new audiobook to my ipod at work which reset my ipod. HUMBUG!!!

It's kind of a good thing I've gotten used to running without my rock 'n roll and beaty-beats but it's a major bummer when I want my "wakey wakey" playlist in the morning and it's not there.

Boo to that.

Want my tunes.

A recent letter to my missionary brother

Hey Elder!

Thanks for your email last week. It's always great to hear from you. I'll keep this email short since I know you don't have a lot of time.

Cam and Allie's wedding was really fun. It was a great day. Cam's family was really nice and his dad and brothers offered to help clean up after the reception, which was nice. Mom's cake bites were awesome! Me and Liz and Mark all helped gather presents from the guests and put them in one place. We also took care of decorating Cam and Allie's car. :) Mwah ha ha. Mark and Clint sprayed Cam's car with silly string and me and Liz wrote all over it and tied streamers to it everywhere. Dad wrote on the windshield "Cam loves Kobe" and "Kobe stinks" or something like that. We took a bunch of pictures by your cardboard cut-out, too. Haha.

Anyway, phew! They're married now. We all had dinner at Mom and Dad's last night and played badminton and it was fun to see how the family's growing. It'll be really fun when you get home Kenny. You'll love Cam and Mark - they're great and the family has gotten even funner with them in it. Cam and Allie actually left Mom and Dad's house before me and Clint, which was weird but kinda nice. Clint and I are used to being the only ones who have to drive there and then leave so it was kinda nice to feel like we're not the only ones who leave at the end of the night.

Now we're all getting excited for Liz and Mark. I'll probably do Liz's hair and makeup this Saturday for her bridals.

Clint and I babysat for Clint's brother Brian and wife Annie this last week. They went to Denver to get away for a couple days and we babysat their 3 kids from Friday night at about 6 pm until Saturday at 4 pm when their parents got back. We had Avie, 7, Eliza, 4, and Maxwell, 1. So it was kinda a handful to keep them happy and fed and get their nap times and diaper changes and what not. But I think the kids had fun. They love to play with Clint. And I think we handled them ok. :) I had fun coloring with Avie and holding Maxwell in the pool (we went swimming for a little bit).

Anyway, we're still working hard at our jobs and our callings and running and what not. Clint surprised me this morning by waking up early, almost at the same time as me. I still get up at 5 am on most days. We went for a 4-mile run together and I just tried to keep up with Clint even though I was tired. It was nice to have a running buddy. I've actually discovered that I really like being outside in the mornings and hearing the birds chirp and seeing the sun rise. I never thought I'd EVER be such an early morning person, but there ya go. I guess I am now!

Oh, by the way, I added another movie to your "must-see" list: Men In Black 3. Me and Clint really liked it. It had some good action and it was funny. I bet you'll like it. :)

Well, I WAS trying to keep the email short but I had one more thing to tell you about. On Sunday I helped teach a lesson to all the combined young women about keeping personal records. Mom gave me a bunch of records and stories, including Great Grandma Spencer, Claron Spencer, and a few more all the way back to Daniel Spencer, our ancestor who knew the prophet Joseph and trekked across the plains to good old SLC. I'm going to Trek in memory of him next week. NEXT WEEK! Gah, oh my gosh, Trek is NEXT WEEK ALREADY! We still have so much to do. But anyway, I shared some stories of my ancestors with the YW and encouraged them to find some inspirational stories and keep good personal records of themselves. I think it went pretty good. I found some cool stories of our ancestors so I was pretty thrilled that the lesson started me looking into it.

Phew! Sorry this email got so long! I hope you can print it out and read it.

We just really love you Kenny and keep you in our prayers. Take care. :)

Love,

Sam (and Clint)

Our latest run

We ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon, and these were some of our best pics (trust me, I look like I'm dying in most of the others)(and yes, these photos are snatched from the website without paying ludicrous prices for "de-proofed" digital copies):

I barely beat my PR from last year coming in at about 1:54:30 and Clint came in somewhere around 1:42. That fasty pants.

Sometimes, I feel like a slob after a race and I totally forget about being a runner for weeks or even months, but this time... not so. I felt a little fired up about doing better and getting faster. It was a rough training season for me with several colds, knee pain and therapist visits, and some other emotional issues. I was a fighter, but... I'm ready to do better.

Meet me at the Halloween Half marathon in Provo on October 27th if you think it sounds KILLER to run down a beautiful canyon dressed in whatever crazy runner costume you've always wanted to run in. I'm thinking of turning a Disney princess into a runner or possibly Sally Skellington! Prices go up May 1 and then again in August, I think.

update on the office fish tank

Remember how creepy the office fish tank is? I posted about it here.

Well, it has since been a little de-creepified. It actually looks nicer and more professional now, with completed wood finishings and a clean area surrounding it.

However, it is still a source of morbid occurrences during the day.

The owner (or the assistant) always announces when he's about to feed the fish and we all rush out to the tank like it's some sort of show. 'Cause it is. 

He dumps in the "feeder fish," which are usually little shrimps or goldfish, and the other fish all dive in like a regular feeding frenzy!

It's crazy. One fish always goes straight for the goldfish's eyes and gets them sometimes too. The puffer fish likes to gnaw a goldfish in half and gulp down sections at a time. This blind eel sort of squirms about and shoots its head around like a snake trying to catch food.

Some people took to naming the puffer fish after one of the other copywriters. I'm not sure why, but they'll point their fingers and say "Look at Scott - he's so aggressive today!" And people laugh.

And we all stand around, gasping and hooting at the fish like it's a gladiator arena.

Ten or so minutes later, we ho-hum back to our cubicles. La-te-da, back to work.

It wakes you right up if it happens to be after lunch. At least, you hope it happens after, and not right before.

I’m sorry if you love office fish tanks…

But I have to say that the fish tank at my office is downright creepy. It’s not just because of the odd-looking fish and the shark with snake-like eyes.

I was recently hired at a start-up (sorta) marketing business and they recently changed  locations. This doesn’t mean that they had a lot to transport.

There is virtually no wall art or plant life to be found anywhere on the floor of this building, and yet there is this huge humming aquarium stationed in the main “reception” area (which makes up a significant area of the total office space on this floor.) The isolated fish house is surrounded by cardboard boxes scribbled hurriedly with black marker, and the inner digestive tracts of the aquarium are a jumble of exposed pipes beneath the main watery habitat.

I halfway expect the shark in the aquarium to hiss at me as I walk by. It doesn’t help that most of the fish follow you with a slow-blinking stare as you pass. (Shudder.)

In other words, it’s not creepy in a cool way. It’s not like some mystical, unearthly display of creatures arranged aesthetically for shock value or as a tourist attraction.

It’s more like a small business owner’s eccentric attempt at appearing reputable or even (spare me) medical.

If you were to simply walk in the door, you wouldn’t expect to see a team of highly productive and smart-alecky copywriters in the next room – oh no. You’d expect to hear the crazed snickering of a dentist as an unnaturally loud drill buzzes dangerously to life somewhere you can’t see and someone else starts wailing.

I know you’re asking that question right now, and the answer is:

No.  No, I definitely could not ever have stopped at plain old ‘creepy.’ It’s me.

I'm getting a new job!

Yes, that's right. The return of the Sammer Hammer to full-time work.

I knew when I took my current freelance SEO article writing job that it was mostly an entry level SEO job. I was still thrilled to get my foot in the door. However, whether it's because I'm the oldest independent child in my family or because I just picked up the trait from my dad - I am not one to sit still for too long. The time arrived for me to move forward again.

I will be a SEO Copywriter, but working full-time as part of a marketing team. I'm super excited.

Don't worry - I am still working on my book and I am definitely entertaining my hopes and dreams of seeing my name on a best-seller bookshelf some day.

In fact I recently received a jolt of excitement that is moving my story-writing process forward with a bit more...urgency. I call said Jolt: The Mortal Instruments series - including City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass. Just when I thought the whole paranormal movement was becoming cheesy and overdone, I found my obsession again. Thanks to these books. Join my magical book club if you want or just read my reviews if you are looking for an engrossing series to take your mind off the bleak weather.

Hum diddy dum. Ok, back to work.

Lately

I don't know that I have that much to post about, but I feel like it's been a while so here is some gibberish that's been on my mind lately.

• First of all, has anybody seen the reality TV atrocity called "Toddlers and Tiaras"? Oh. my. freaky. I clicked on it out of curiosity one day and I couldn't believe the lengths that some (mostly hickish) moms will go to to steer their literally toddler aged daughters into being airheaded beauty/drama queens some day.
• Anyway. I'm also getting over my fourth cold of the season. I feel better, but of course I still have a persistent cough that makes the usual activities somewhat uncomfortable.
• Do we need to start praying for snow? After several mid-Winter weeks of feeling like it's really March or April, I'm starting to feel a little concerned about what this will mean for my beloved summer season.
• Job searching. Again. It's like a yearly ritual or something. You'd think I can't get enough of it. Except this time, my freelance writing has given me a foot in the door with marketing companies and things are looking... sunny.
• My car coughs disturbingly when I turn on the ignition. It's due for an oil check, and I'm hoping that is the only reason why my car is making sickly noises.
• I'm reading City Of Bones for my online book club and loving it. Clare is a good storyteller. It's a magical and totally engrossing plot, plus the characters are fascinating.  Seriously. It's giving me ideas. And hinderig my productivity.
• On that note, my own story writing efforts are coming along. I caved in and did some outlining, eventually realizing that I could write myself in circles without a plot chain to help steer me.
• I am proud to report that Clint is enjoying his new Christmas shoes. I was hesitant about giving him not just 1, but 3 pairs of new shoes for Christmas. But he needed them. I'm always happy to see him wearing a new pair of stylin' shoes picked out by his wife!
• I also caved and finally took down my Christmas decorations. I just felt too weird with it looking like April outside.

Finally, Happy Martin Luther King, Jr day!

catching colds during a warmish cold season

I'm pretty sure this is the fourth time during the past 3-ish months of this season that I have gotten a cold.

 The kicker is, it hasn't even snowed since November, and the snowfall was pretty weak even then. Obviously something is wrong with my immunity.

I've been keeping the cold symptoms at bay each time with vitamin C drops and ColdEez; however, I'm starting to wonder if I should let one of these colds run its course so that it can finally leave my system for good.

The positive news is:

• At least Clint hasn't seemed to catch it from me
• working from home means jammies and relaxing while still getting work done

The bad news is:

• my running legs (and lungs) feel like Frodo trying to climb up the last mile of Mount Doom

So is there a secret to boosting immunity that I am just not getting?

Anway, sorry to take up an entire post complaining about illness. I just never realized colds could be quite so chronic. If you have any tips in this area, do share. Because according to WebMD.com I am simply not meditating or sleeping enough or something. Whatev.

Happy new 2012!

January? What's that? Looks like March outside to me.

I'm fine with the sunshine as long we don't get any stinky inversions. As far as I'm concerned, Snow missed its chance in December. Once Christmas and New Year's are over, I don't much care for snow on the ground anymore.

But anyway. I haven't blogged for a while so why don't I start off January 2012 with a couple of my New Year's resolutions that I'm willing to share? :) (Because you don't necessarily need to know how many pounds I would like to drop.)

Sam's (and Clint's) Goals for 2012 

• Run another half marathon, set new personal best
• do Trek with our stake (Clint and I have been called to be a Ma and Pa)
• finish at least the first draft of my story (Sam)
• keep up Sam's Magical Book Club, reading and reviewing at least one book a month (Sam)
• personal reading goal to read about one book a week, or for really long books, one a month (Sam)
• be more patient and kind and happy (Sam)
• take some painting classes, finish reading book on painting, and complete an original piece of Sam Paintasticness for house decoration (Sam)
• do better at budgeting and spending money
• paint at least one or two more areas in the house (I've slacked on that one for at least a year now)
• help Clint work on our backyard, at least to finally get some grass
• finally hike either Lone or Twin together (also for Sam's first time ever)

How's that for a busy year?

We had plenty of splendid adventures in 2011 and I'm excited for 2012. We also plan to visit Seattle some time during the year so I can see where my cousin and dear friend Emilie is now living with her husband, Todd. Plus I think Seattle sounds beautiful.

I'll try to keep y'all updated on our new 2012 adventures! Happy New Year. :)

downtown days of christmas

Clint and I traveled downtown 3 days in a row last week.

And we feel like we don't need to do it again for a very, very long time.

Each time it took us at least twice as long as it normally would because of extra Christmas traffic, including accidents on the freeway each night. We were travelling in the evenings on days that I can only assume the rest of the valley was heading downtown for the same events that we were. I also decided that some people who were heading toward these Christmas-related activities are people who do not normally drive on the freeway, and during busy conditions.

How else can I possibly account for all of the accidents on the freeway between the south end of the valley and downtown? It wasn't as busy as rush hour, nor have we had any snow to serve as people's excuse for driving poorly.

Anyway. Once we made it downtown, we had a great time going to one performance of Pioneer Theater's "Annie", the Utah Symphony's surprising spectacular of "Cirque de la Symphonie", and Clint's office party.

Just in case you've been wondering what we're up to.

Drumroll... and now for an online bookclub!

Right now it's called: Sam's Magical Book Club; and it will be fabulous. Always.

By the show of comments and/or votes, how many of you would like to join my new book club? (It will be found on my writing blog - you may also click the tab above or on the sidebar.)

Everything will be done online, from choosing books to reviewing them to sharing ideas and handing around virtual biscuits and jam and sparkling lemonade slushies. (Okay, so maybe not the food.) the point is - you get to be a full-fledged member just by reading my blog and commenting.

So far it has one member: me.  But a bunch of people have said they're interested, so I am afraid that positions of V.P., Secretary, Miss Bookworm, Book Club Greeter, and Miss Betsy-Bo Bookish McGoo will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. (I can come up with as many as positions as there are people who want them...)

So... let's get this thing started!

Reasons why you should join my book club:

1. You don't have to leave home to go to book club meetings (but you can if you want... more details later.)

2. You can read the books on your own time - about 1 book a month.

3. You do NOT have to cheat on your old book club. You can join both at the same time.  And if you have too many books to read - suggest a book that you're reading in another book club and we'll do the same one!  One book; two places to talk about it.

4. You get to suggest and choose books you want to read.  We'll pick books ranging from Paranormal Young Adult to classic literature to New York Time Bestseller list books. You choose what you want to read and what you don't want to read. 

5. You can read my review of the book each month on Sam's Magical Book Club website and post your own reviews.

6. I'll update the site throughout the month to talk about developments in the book and you can too.

7. You will never be kicked out.  Take a month off if you want.  That's why it's called Magical, my friends.

8. You really don't have to do anything besides read the book and then make as many comments as you want online.  I'll manage pretty much everything else.

9. IT'S ALREADY STARTED!!!  December's read is Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.  This fits the Young Adult category and the NY Times Bestselling category. 

Sorry for the sort of late notice - we will extend the reading time for the Uglies series into January.  If you've already read Uglies or if you think you can read it a lot faster than one month, feel free to go on in the series (with Pretties, Specials, and Extras).  

Then at the end of January we'll talk about the series and meanwhile be deciding on the next book!

Freelance writing is hard

Sometimes I wonder how long I can continue to fool myself into thinking that I am self-disciplined enough to do this freelance thing.

I'm a good faker.

I had a... um.... mild breakdown after experiencing another week of slow work. I was caught feeling guilty for not working as hard as Clint, for making even less cash than usual while not cutting back enough on my spending, and wondering whether I had made the wrong decision altogether to do this job. 

I mean, do I need to change career directions again?

There's no clear cut answer most of the time and it seems that I have more growing up to do than I ever thought.  I am NOT patient, I do NOT have nearly enough faith, and I do NOT know what my purpose is in life. 

Sound like the life of a 13-year-old? (It's okay to say yes.  I already have.)

But, to be honest, I am somewhat even less self-assured than many of the13-year-old girls in my darling Beehive class. Sometimes I realize that as a kid with the whole world in front of me, I had a sort of magical confidence that I don't have as an adult.  I mean I could have done anything from painting masterpieces to writing novels to playing professional sports to traveling the world...

Not that I always wanted such glamorous professions, but the point stands: the world was mine for the having. 

And now I'm 27. Graduated from college and still not sure where I'm supposed to "end up."

I'm not really trying to be depressing here. I'm just saying some of the things that have been on my mind.  It's actually a positive reflection, because I can at this point of my life say that I am pursuing a talent that I have always wanted to...

Writing.

I went to a new optometrist today to renew my contact lense prescription and had to fill in my new address and such. Under "occupation," I felt a girlish thrill at my hand spelling out, "Self-empoyed Writer." 

And yes, I used a capital W.  Thank you very much.

I'm lucky to be a writer, and I'm especially lucky to have a husband who is patient and faithful and reassuring of my positive influences, so that he can get me through phases of forgetting how lucky I am to be a writer.

And also so that I can feel silly about myself the next day when I suddenly get a whole bunch of new articles to write. So many articles, in fact, that I will be at this computer again tomorrow morning.

Just... how 'bout that.

the home alone shivers

Okay, so nothing could really ever make me buy one of these.  First of all, who came up with that name?  Snuggie? Really? 

No kid who was ever treated to a bully-induced snuggie in elementary school would think of naming a product that and any geek who grew up to be a business savvy marketing genius would never have let this one slip. 

I can do better.  Pajankie, for one example.  Or how about, Blankajama?

Hahaha.  Man, I am such a comic.

Anyway.

Since working from home, I have noticed a few things:

1. Pandora (internet radio) is an insecure girl like me.  It likes you to click that you like it every once and a while or it will ask you if you're still listening.

2. Cable TV with promotional free movie channels is the devil.  (I'll actually be happy when the promotional period ends and I'm not so tempted to always check and see what's on.)

3. Pajamas in the afternoon are totally acceptable, even encouraged.

4. It is deliriously wonderful to only get phone calls and emails from people that I care about.

5. The house is colder without a husband in it.  I am determined to not make Clint pay for letting me work at home in the form of increasing our heating bill by a gazillion percent.  So while the indoor temperature lingers around 66 degrees, I wear slippers, sweats, and hoodies all day while occasionally drinking hot chocolate at my computer.

In case there is any question in your mind at this point, the slippers-and-hot-chocolate scenario is NOT a bad thing.

At least I will never stoop to Snuggies.

my grandpa's final fight

It came to an end on Wednesday morning at 6 am.  It was only the morning after I learned from my Mom that he was even close to leaving us.  It was a bit more sudden than anyone expected.

During the past decade he struggled with health problems, including a stroke, heart health, and fluid in his lungs.  He also fought with the frustrations of dementia, and would frequently forget the names and situations of his children and extended family.

But after the funeral today, I learned a few more things about my Grandpa and who he really was.  His kids spoke about him as well as one of his dearest friends. It was extremely precious to hear about his life well-lived.

My life during the past hour

Do you ever have days where you have a schedule that you're living by, and you've got just enough on your plate and starting to tackle it, when suddenly, somewhere in the cosmos a cord snaps and dumps a pile of extra stuff onto your shoulders that makes everything else seem that much harder?

Well. 

Speaking of today... I already have several extra events blinking on my radar this week. 

A shoetastic use for duck tape!

I've definitely been bitten by the craft bug lately. 

I have made a bunch of Halloween crafts, but one of my favorite projects lately has been converting old, scuffed heels that I don't wear anymore into a sassy new accessory that begs to be worn.   

So...

Q. How can you make an old pair of these

new and wearable again with a few rolls of these?

A. Just like this!

Yep, those are actually my shoes wrapped in none other than duck tape.

Sounds crazy, I know.  But I actually think they look awesome! 

Oh, and these are my personal favs:

What do you think?

High school Dance Beauty Consultant

I am a High School dance beauty consultant wannabe.

If only I had had someone to do my make-up when I was 16.  I mean, I did my own hair and makeup when I went to Homecoming my sophomore year, but I had not learned much about the art of cosmetics at the time. 

Since then, well... make-up and hair has become something of a hobby.  One of the perks of making it a hobby and spending all these years experimenting and being a bit, ahem, vain is: that I get asked to play beautician and cosmetologist for my girl friends!  I did my sister Liz's when she was in high school, and now it's my cousin Emma.

Hopefully some of my darling neighbor girls are next.  As of right now, my only charge is to meet the date. (wink wink.)

So fun.  Thanks for asking me, Emma! :)

a "narrow" escape... Zions Narrows, that is

Well, I know this post has been long delayed.  Clint and I had an adventurous time hiking Zions Narrows several weeks ago; we even thought we might have been rather lost or disoriented at one point even though that would have been pretty hard to do... I mean, all you do is follow the river, right?