Utopia

Well, I have spent most of the day sitting in a car, playing guitar uncomfortably, reading The Host (which is a very captivating and interesting book, by the way,) and eating snacks. But hey, it was sure worth it! As we started to get into the city of Salt Lake, I had fun looking at random people on the streets and saying, "Hey look! It's a Mormon!" It was just fun being able to just identify people like that. As we entered the suburbs, I couldn't help but notice how Utopian the entire community seemed. It was so strange to me. All of the nice, pretty houses, kids playing, people taking walks. It got into even more detail when I entered one of the houses. The house was the home of some relative of mine, I think they were my cousin's grandparents on their other side. The houses had basements. BASEMENTS. And, at least in the one I was in, a pretty decent one too. Carpeted, cool, lovely. It was a good place to be. They must've been a really wealthy old couple, I was sure of this when  I got a look at their car: A 2010 Lexus. It is the most futuristic vehicle I have ever driven in. You could not hear the sound of the engine, the ride was ridiculously smooth, the car had a mouse. Like, a computer mouse! Did GPS and other stuff on it. It was almost like a computer on wheels. You were able to open and start the car if you had the keys for it IN YOUR POCKET. No handling of the keys necessary. It was an almost sci-fi experience for me.

While there, I got to hang out with my coolest uncle ever: Uncle Paul! For those of you who don't know him, he is an Irish (accent and all) guitar and ukulele expert. I played him some of my songs on my new guitar for him; he acted interested and impressed. He showed me a lot of stuff too! He helped me get rid of a bad habit I had about my strumming; I didn't relax my arm enough and used my arm instead of my wrist to strum. I'm working on breaking this habit; I'm really glad he told me about it. I've been trying to learn how to play a more advanced version of More Than A Feeling, and he helped me figure out some chord variations that really made it sound smoother. He is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He asked me, "So, how many lessons in guitar have you had?" I said none, and then he said, "Well, I can see that!!" Hahahahaha! Uncle Paul, I love you!

Well, after hanging out at my cousin's grandparent's house, I went over to my Aunt Jo's house. She is in her 30's, but she still acts like a teenager. She is such a fun aunt. I think she will help me discover more music, to increase my musical knowledge. Speaking of awesome and modern music, I need to learn how to play My Wish. I heard that song on a movie I watched while driving and remembered that it was one of Ceana's favorites. I'll get started on it ASAP. I love being able to play songs that my friends and acquaintances know and love.

Anyways, I got to have some fun in my own way tonight: Board games! My cousin Gabe is 12 years old, and is cooler than I remembered. He is an awesome actor and a board game enthusiast. We had a good time playing some of my most favorites: Dominion, Tsuro, Galaxy Trucker. He really really wanted to play Dungeon Lords, the most complicated and fun game I own, but we couldn't find others who wanted to play it. The game needs exactly 4 players. It takes a long time to play, especially if you are playing it for the first time. Hm, we'll have to play it sometime while I'm here. I also would like to try to play Heroscape: a favorite of mine that Gabe owns.

Anthony, Jefferson, Jason, Alex, Jo, and Gabe are now watching Spiderman 2. Ahh, just being here is bliss. I love my family.