Jazz vs. Nuggets

Last night I went to my final Utah Jazz game of the season with my friend Angela and it was against a team that I love to hate!  Unfortunately, the Denver Nuggets are really good (they are battling for the number 1 seed in the Western Conference) and the Jazz have been struggling lately without Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Walker Kessler.  The shorthanded Jazz did play with a lot of heart all night and, whenever it looked like Denver would break the game wide open, the Jazz would find a way to stop them and, while the Nuggets had the lead for the entire game, Utah got within six multiple times and within three late in the third quarter (which got the Delta Center cheering as if it was a playoff game).  Horton-Tucker is one of the biggest reasons why the Jazz were able to stay in the game and ended the night with 24 points including the electrifying three-pointer to get the team within three.  Yurtseven also had a good night with 20 points and I thought he did a good job matching up with Jokic who is so good (at one point he had such an amazing three-pointer that even I had to admire it).  Semanic ended with 15 (including the first double-double of his career) and George (I really like him) and Sensabaugh each had 10 points but it wasn't enough and the Jazz ended up losing their 13 straight game 111-95.  I am usually a good luck charm for the Jazz but clearly not this season because I only saw them win once!  At least I have had a lot of fun watching the games with Angela!

Tashena's Bridal Shower

Yesterday afternoon my sister Marilyn and I hosted a bridal shower for our niece Tashena.  The theme was Around the Clock and every guest was assigned a specific time of day in order to bring a gift that could be used at that time.  The invitations featured gold and silver clocks and so our decorations were gold and silver and we has cute clocks as cupcake toppers.  This theme was really fun because the gifts were so unique, such as the ingredients to make brunch, cooking items (a cock pot, an instant pot, and a wok) to make dinner, games to play in the afternoon, etc.  We served chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, fruit cups, punch, and chocolate cupcakes.  We only played one game (it is called bride babble), but it got everyone laughing out loud, and then Tashena opened her presents.  It was really great to see so many of Tashena's family members and friends come and support her!  Marilyn and I weren't sure if we could pull this off (huge thanks to Trent, Kristine, and Sean, especially during the balloon arch incident) but Tashena was happy and everyone seemed to have a good time so we are calling it a success!

Next up is the wedding in Washington state in May.

Jazz vs. Celtics

It is always a lot of fun going to Utah Jazz games with my friend Angela even when it is not a very good game!  Last night the Jazz played the Boston Celtics and I think there were more Celtics fans at the Delta Center than Jazz fans (it definitely sounded like it).  The Jazz were without their leading scorer Lauri Markannen but they started the first quarter strong.  Then they relinquished their early lead at the 9:00 minute mark and never gained it back for the rest of the game.  They ended the first half down 72-57 but they rallied in the third quarter (and I started paying attention again) with some pretty three-pointers from Sexton, Collins, and Samanic.  Clarkson got them within two (and got the crowd back in the game) after trailing by double digits for most of the game and they ended the third quarter 98-91.  Then the Jazz had a disastrous fourth quarter and let the Celtics go on a 20-0 run which got the Celtics fans in the crowd (at least the ones around us) up and screaming at the top of their lungs.  It is pretty embarrassing when your team doesn't even score a basket for most of the fourth quarter!  George, who ended the night with 26 points, and Clarkson, who had 21, did what they could with a few nice jump shots in the final minutes but the Jazz had no answer for Jayson Tatum, who scored 38 points, and Derrick White, who scored 24.  They ended up losing 123-107 but I still enjoyed the game because it gave me a chance to catch up with Angela!

Encore: A Musical Review at the Eccles

Even though I just saw him in concert last summer at the SCERA Shell, I was so excited to be able to see Jeremy Jordan again, this time with fellow Broadway stars Kara Lindsay and Jessica Vosk, yesterday at the Eccles Theater.  I went to the matinee with my friend Wendy (we have had Broadway at the Eccles season tickets next to each other since the theater opened) and we had so much fun (we were practically screaming like thirteen year old girls during Jordan's entire set).  Voss took the stage first and began with a stirring rendition of "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl which got the crowd cheering (not for the first time).  She continued with "Almost Like Being in Love" and "Both Sides Now" and then Lindsay joined her for the beautiful duet  "I Will Never Leave You" from Side Show.  She followed this with a fun version of "Gimme, Gimme" from Thoroughly Modern Millie and then told a funny story about having to go on as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof unexpectedly in Act 2 (she told lots of stories) before singing an amazing mash-up of "Do You Love Me?" from Fiddler, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, and "Everybody Says Don't" from Anyone Can Whistle.  She ended her set with a powerful version of "Heart of Stone" from SIX with everyone in the audience singing along (this was a really cool moment).  Lindsay took the stage next with "Not for the Life of Me" from Thoroughly Modern Millie.  She gave a hilarious performance of "Adelaide's Lament" (complete with props) and then the crowd went absolutely crazy when she sang "Watch What Happens" followed by "Something to Believe In" with Jordan (she originated the role of Katherine Plumber and he originated the role of Jack Kelly in Newsies).  I saw Lindsay as Glinda in Wicked when the Broadway touring company came to SLC (she is one of the best Glindas I've seen) so I was really excited when she sang "Popular" next.  She ended her set with lovely renditions of "My House" from Matilda and "Goodnight My Someone" from The Music Man.  Jordan began his set, as he did when I saw him last summer, with "Something's Coming" from West Side Story and then gave us a preview of the upcoming musical The Great Gatsby by singing "For Her."  He continued with "Broadway Here I Come" from the TV show Smash and "Movin' Too Fast" from the movie The Last Five Years.  Voss joined him for an incredible version of "You Matter to Me" from Waitress and then he had an audience member play Audrey II for his amusing rendition of "Grow for Me" from Little Shop of Horrors.  I was hoping for "Santa Fe" from Newsies and he obliged me with a performance that gave me goosebumps!  He was such a goofball on stage and I loved it so much!  This was a wonderful show and I'm so glad Wendy offered me the ticket!

Jazz vs. Thunder

Last night I went to another Utah Jazz game with my friend Angela (she has a season ticket package and she very graciously allows me to pick several games to attend with her) and it was so much fun because it was such a great game!  The Jazz played the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the best teams in the league, and they got a hard-fought win!  They stayed with the Thunder through the first quarter but then Oklahoma City built a double digit lead with lots of three-point shots (8 for 15).  Kris Dunn and Walker Kessler really stepped up the defense to keep the Jazz in the game but the Thunder were up 89-77 with five minutes left in the third when the offense exploded.  Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George (I really like him) hit some really impressive shots and the energy in the Delta Center was absolutely electric!  It was so much fun to be in the crowd!  The Jazz ended up going on a 19-3 run to close out the third quarter 96-92!  The fourth quarter was a battle because the Thunder did not give up (their big three, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, combined for 76 points during the game) and got within one but it was not enough because Dunn and Kessler eventually shut them down while Markkanen and George traded shots to lead the Jazz to a big 124-117 win.  I love it when the Jazz beat a really good team in front of a loud and enthusiastic crowd and it it was so much fun to catch up with Angela!

Jazz vs. Kings

My friend Angela renewed her Utah Jazz ticket package and, just like last season, she very graciously allowed me to select several games to attend with her.  The first game I picked, against the Toronto Raptors (for reasons), is not until January but, when Angela let me know that the ticket for the game last night was available, I jumped at the chance to go!  The arena is once again known as the Delta Center (which is really funny to me because I still called it the Delta Center for years after the name changed) so there was a big celebration out on the plaza before the game and it was so much fun to be there.  The atmosphere inside was just as electric because it was the first game of the season and we have several new players with a lot of promise on the roster.  The Jazz played the Sacramento Kings and they let them take an early lead in the first few minutes of the first quarter.  Despite 24 points from Jordan Clarkson, 19 from Lauri Markkanen, 15 from John Collins and some exciting back-to-back layups from Talen Horton-Tucker and Walker Kessler, the Kings never relinquished that early lead for the rest of the game and even led by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter.  It was a bit frustrating because the Jazz couldn't seem to stop Sacramento's offense, especially their three-point shots, while their own offense struggled to find a rhythm (I think they are still learning how to play together as a team).  By the fourth quarter, the Kings were basically having their way with the Jazz and they ended up winning 130-114.  Despite the loss I was really excited by what I saw from our rookie Keyonte George (I like him a lot).  He ended up playing 19 minutes and finished with eight points (including an exciting dunk that got the crowd cheering), two rebounds, and two assists.  I am looking forward to watching his progress this season!  It was also a lot of fun to spend time with Angela and I'm so glad I got to go to the game with her even with the final outcome.

Note:  The Jazz won every game I attended for the past two seasons.  It looks like my streak is now over.

Jazz vs. Nuggets

Yesterday afternoon I went to the final home game for the Utah Jazz 2022-2023 season with my friend Angela and it was so much fun!  The Jazz played the Denver Nuggets and I was really excited about this game when I picked it at the beginning of the season because I love to hate the Nuggets (I have a lot of friends and family who are fans).  However, I was a bit nervous when I walked into the Vivint Arena because the Nuggets are the best team in the West and our entire starting lineup, and even some of the bench, are injured (the only starter I recognized was Ochai Agbaji and there were only nine players dressed for the game).  I thought the best I could hope for was that it wouldn't be a blowout but I shouldn't have doubted because this team just does not give up!  The Jazz came out ready to play and went on a 15-2 run early in the first quarter!  It was so exciting!  They led by as many as 19 points but the Nuggets rallied after a sluggish start to get within three at the end of the first half.  The Nuggets got their first lead in the third after a 19-4 run and ended the quarter up 95-89.  The Jazz, as they have done so many times this season, refused to go down without a fight and battled back!  Agbaji scored three baskets in a 10-1 run to put the Jazz ahead 116-110 with one minute left!  I was pretty much losing my mind with excitement over the possibility that the Jazz could win this and so was the entire crowd!  Agbaji made two free throws and the Nuggets missed their last few shots to end the game 118-114 in favor of the Jazz!  Agbaji scored a career high 28 points and our new player Luka Samanic also scored a career high of 23 points.  The game didn't really mean anything for the Jazz in terms of the standings (many even thought it would be better for us in the long run to lose) but it was great to see them win the last home game for the fans!  It has been a fun season and I'm glad that Angela invited me along for a few games!  I can't wait until next season to see what this team does!

Note:  The Jazz won every game I attended both this season and last!  They might want to consider comping me some season tickets!

Jazz vs. Thunder

Last night I went to another Jazz game with my friend Angela and it was one of the most exciting games I've been to in a really long time!  I specifically picked the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder because, when I had season tickets many years ago, the Thunder and the Jazz had a great rivalry because of Deron Williams and Chris Paul.  The current Jazz and Thunder teams are very evenly matched so I was expecting a close game but the final minutes were absolutely crazy!  The Jazz took an early lead but the score went back and forth until the Thunder went on a 9-0 run to end the half ahead 55-46.  The Jazz had a lot of turnovers, struggled defensively under the net, and missed a lot of three point shots but they never gave up.  They battled back at the beginning of the second half with the help of Jordan Clarkson, who scored or assisted on the first six baskets, to come within two but the Thunder went on another run to end the third quarter 78-86.  The fourth quarter was the Lauri Markkanen show because he contributed 18 points, including a sweet slam dunk and a really pretty three point jump shot!  Walker Kessler got a nice block and putback layup to tie the Thunder 106-106 which sent the game into overtime (and sent the crowd into hysterics).  The score went back and forth in overtime with three point shots from Kelly Olynyk (whenever he does anything noteworthy Angela reminds me that he is Canadian), Lauri Markkanen, and Jordan Clarkson!  The score was 119-117 in favor of the Thunder with 4.6 seconds left when Markkanen was fouled on a three point shot.  He then made all three foul shots to pull ahead 120-119 and the crowd erupted!  It was so thrilling to be a part of it!  With only a few seconds remaining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who ended the game with 39 points, missed a jump shot to give the Jazz the win!  Even though I had a hard time breathing during the final minutes I had to much fun at this game and I'm so glad that Angela keeps inviting me!

Jazz vs. Raptors

My friend Angela has a Utah Jazz ticket package this season and she very graciously let me choose several games to attend with her.  Of course I had to choose the Toronto Raptors game because I always love to hear "O Canada" performed!  I'm so glad that I chose this one because it was a really good game (with a great outcome) and I had so much fun with Angela (sometimes I think I talk to much to her when she is trying to watch the game).  The Jazz played really well and led the Raptors during the entire first half (Lauri Markkanen was fantastic and ended the game with 28 points and 13 rebounds).  But they let the Raptors catch up and the lead went back and forth multiple times during the third quarter.  The Jazz missed quite a few outside shots which was a little bit frustrating but then Jordan Clarkson (who was a bit inconsistent) made a really pretty three point jump shot which put the Jazz ahead 73-74 and another three point jump shot from Markkanen a few seconds later gave the Jazz the lead for good for the rest of the quarter.  The fourth quarter gave me a lot of anxiety because the Raptors took a 98-96 lead and then, once again, the lead went back and forth until Walker Kessler got a nice dunk to put the Jazz up 105-108.  The Jazz led by 6 in the final minute but the Raptors really tried (the last minute look at least 20 minutes to play but it was really exciting).  Free throws by Clarkson and Markkanen sealed the deal giving the Jazz the win 128-131.  The crowd was absolutely crazy during the final minutes and it was so fun!

I got to wear my new Clarkson jersey for the first time so I am glad that he won for me!  It is really funny because Angela and I both got Clarkson jerseys but the styles we chose are completely appropriate!

Let's Go Jazz!

Last night I went to my first Utah Jazz game of the season with my friend Angela and I could not have been more excited!  When the two best players, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, were traded during the off-season I didn't really have a lot of hope for the team.  However, against all odds, the team had an outstanding start!  Jordan Clarkson has taken on a leadership role and some of the new team members, such as Lauri Markkanen, are playing very well.  At one point the Jazz were at the top of the Western Conference and they have been so much fun to follow!  Angela got a ticket package this season and very graciously let me pick a few games to see with her.  I have been looking forward to last night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers all month but the Jazz were on a five game losing streak so I didn't really know what to expect.  It ended up being a great game because all five starters were in double-digits!  Clarkson had a season high of 33 points, Markkanen had 23, Sexton had 21, Vanderbilt had 14, and Olynyk (he's Canadian) had 12!  The Jazz led by as many as twenty points in the first quarter but the Clippers went on a 12-0 run in the second quarter and eventually went up 60-58 to end the first half.  The Jazz responded with a 22-6 run in the third quarter and did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game, although the Clippers came within three in the beginning of the fourth quarter.  Then the Jazz took control with some really great plays by Vanderbilt, Clarkson, and Sexton.  The lead was pretty much assured by the final two minutes so Coach Hardy put the entire bench in the game.  It was hilarious!  The Jazz ended up winning 125-112 and it was so much fun!  Angela said that I ended the losing streak by being at the game and I'm just going to go with that!

Another Jazz Game

My friend Angela invited me to another Jazz game last night and, because we had so much fun last time, I have been looking forward to it for weeks!  The Jazz clinched a playoff spot after winning their last game so several key players, including Donovan Mitchell, were sitting out in order to rest.  They played the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a really bad record, so the atmosphere at the Vivint Arena was not quite as electric as the last time I was there but it ended up being a great game.  I actually thought it would be more of a rout than it was so I have to give the Thunder some credit for staying with the Jazz, even getting to within two points in the second quarter, until they were completely outplayed in the fourth quarter when the Jazz went on a 27-5 run.  Rudy Gobert was really fun to watch with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Bojan Bogdanovic had a great night with 27 points.  The Jazz ended up winning 137-101 but the best part of the evening was spending time with Angela.  We spent as much time chatting as we did watching the game!

Note:  Because the Thunder have such a poor record, tickets to this game were really cheap!  I paid more to park than I did to watch the game!

Jazz Game With Angela

It has been more than two years since I have been to a Jazz game (the last time I went was over Christmas break in 2019 with Sean and Tashena) and I have really missed going!  It has also been almost two years since I have seen any of my former colleagues from Hunter High and I have really missed them.  My friend and former colleague, Angela, invited me to the Jazz game against the Los Angeles Clippers last night and it was so much fun to catch up and watch the game together!  Even though quite a few players, including my favorite Donovan Mitchell, were out for injuries, it was a really good game and the atmosphere at the Vivint Arena was positively electric.  The Jazz took an early 17-4 lead in the first few minutes of the first quarter and they never gave it up!  They went on a 30-4 run before half-time and that got the crowd on their feet cheering!  The Jazz lost a little momentum in the third quarter but were never in any danger of losing the lead and ended up beating the Clippers 121-92.  It was really exciting to watch because Rudy Gobert, Jordan Clarkson, Eric Paschall, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jared Butler were all on fire and ended the night in double digits.  Both Angela and I had smiles on our faces during the entire game and I had such a great time.  She invited me to another game next month and I am so excited!

Afternoon Tea at the Grand America Hotel

I have always wanted to have Afternoon Tea at the Grand America Hotel and I finally found a willing victim friend to go with me.  Angela and I went yesterday afternoon and it was so lovely.  I especially loved the live music playing in the background!

You have your choice of several black teas, green teas, herbal teas, or hot chocolate.  I chose a peppermint herbal tea and it was delicious!

English scones with clotted cream, lemon curd, and jam.  My Scottish grandmother made the best scones ever but these were pretty good!

We were also served Strawberries & Creme Chantilly (divine), Finger Sandwiches, and an Assortment of Pastries.

Afternoon Tea is served in the Lobby Lounge of the Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City every afternoon at 1:00 pm Monday-Thursday and at 12:30 and 3:30 pm Friday - Sunday.  Afternoon Tea is $32 for adults and $24 for children 12 and younger.  You can also order a Grand Traditions Tea which includes a Selection of Imported and Domestic Cheeses for $40 and you can add a glass of Champagne for $12.  Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.  Go here for more information.

Snow Patrol at The Depot

I love the band Snow Patrol!  I have been a fan for a really long time and I try to see them whenever they come to town.  The last time they came to SLC was, however, quite a while ago.  Last summer they released a new album called Wildness and I absolutely love it.  It is one of those rare albums where I love every single song and I play the whole thing on repeat, especially on long road trips.  I really hoped that Snow Patrol would tour with this album and I was cautiously optimistic when they started playing dates in Europe and around the world.  I was thrilled when they announced a U.S. tour and I got a ticket for the SLC show before they even went on sale!  The show was last night and I was able to join my friends Bobby and Esther (ironically I met Esther for the first time the last time Snow Patrol was in SLC).  They played quite a few songs from the new album, including "Empress," "Don't Give In," "Life on Earth" (which is my favorite from the album), "Heal Me," and "What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?"  They played my very favorite song, "Run," in the middle of their set and Gary Lightbody dedicated it to their two opening acts, Ryan McMullan and Billie Marten, and joked that the song was older than they are!  He also joked about all of the phones during the song and that he would watch all of the videos on social media later and hear all of his mistakes.  I loved it and I didn't hear any mistakes!  They played a nice variety of their earlier hits, including "Chocolate," "Take Back the City," "Crack the Shutters," "Open Your Eyes," "Set the Fire to the Third Bar" (which they rarely play live), "Make This Go On Forever," "Shut Your Eyes," "Called Out in the Dark," "The Lightning Strike," "Chasing Cars," and "You're All I Have."  They ended the evening with "Just Say Yes" which is one of their most upbeat songs and it got the crowd jumping.  They had some great lighting effects and video projections like you would see at an arena show, particularly with "Life on Earth" and "The Lightning Strike," but their performance felt intimate and Lightbody was very engaging with the crowd.  I really love Lightbody's voice (it is so haunting) but I also find him to be strangely appealing in a slightly nerdy and spastic sort of way.  It was a fantastic show!  I loved seeing them again and it was so much fun to hang out with Bobby and Esther!

Frozen The Musical in Denver

My friend Rachel and I decided to drive to Denver over the weekend to meet our friend Larry to see the new musical Frozen, which is having its premiere in Denver before it transfers to Broadway next spring.  I had Friday off as compensation for parent teacher conferences so we left mid-morning and got in to Denver right at rush-hour (my favorite).  We saw the matinee on Saturday afternoon, went to my very favorite place to eat in Denver in the evening, and then drove home yesterday.  It was a quick trip but it was so much fun (it was really great to meet up with Larry who is awesome) and I am so glad that we did it!

I am a big fan of the movie so I was excited to see the show and it definitely didn't disappoint!  I loved it (we all did)!  The story does not veer too far from the movie but there are a few new songs which I really loved, especially "Dangerous to Dream" and "Monster" because I think they both really help to add a deeper layer to Elsa's character.  Even though I loved the new songs, my absolute favorite moment in the show was "Let It Go" which is just spectacular.  Caissie Levy has an amazing voice and she really belted it out to the rafters of the Buell Theatre.  It gave me goosebumps!  The special effects are incredible, especially when Elsa waves her arms and ice crystals flash across the stage in perfect synchronization.  She also has a really quick costume change into a beautiful blue dress covered in sparkles (all of the costumes are wonderful, very much informed by the movie).  I also really loved the special effects after Elsa's coronation, particularly when she touches objects and they freeze.  It is mesmerizing!  As previously mentioned, Levy, as well Patti Murin who plays Anna, do a really great job with their characters and I also loved the actresses who play the young Elsa and Anna (Brooklyn Nelson and Audrey Bennett, respectively).  My other favorites were Jelani Alladin as Kristoff and Greg Hildreth as Olaf (who sounds exactly like Josh Gad).  However, I would have to say that my very favorite character in the whole show is Sven (much like in the movie), played by Andrew Pirozzi.  Sven reminded me a lot of the animals in The Lion King.  I loved everything about this show and I'm so glad that I got to be one of the first to get to see it (we are already planning to go to New York and see it on Broadway).  It was another amazing adventure (one more road trip to go this year!).

Note:  Rachel dressed up as Elsa and it was fun to watch the reactions of all the little girls around us!