An (almost) Lindsay Lohan sighting

Apparently, according to people.com, Lindsay Lohan dined at Happy Sumo at the Gateway lastnight in Salt Lake City. Apparently she is staying in the area for a while, post-rehab.

What is interesting about this, because Lindsay Lohan is not, is that Utah apparently has a really good rehab facility. Who would have thought?

A Long October

This month is going to be rough. I am trying to have a positive outlook and do the best that I can.

Since I have been back in Salt Lake, it has mostly been gray skies and rain. Except that last few days have been beautiful and sunny, with the falls leaves glowing on the trees. Fall is my favorite season. I have fond memories of walking home from elementary school during this time of year, crunching the leaves under my shoes, my nose pink from the chilly air.

Fall also inspires me to read a good book. It is on the agenda.

Have you heard the new Iron & Wine album? My god, it is amazing and you must get it. I don't even know who I am talking to right now, or if anyone reads this blog, but whoever you are, go buy Iron and Wine's The Shepherd's Dog.

To be able to get online on my laptop I have to go somewhere with (preferrably free) wireless. That usually leads me to my favorite downtown coffee shop. There is nothing great about the coffee here, and infact the tea is pretty damn horrible. But, for some reason I like this place.

A humbling experience

Lastnight my family and I went and served the homeless dinner at the Rescue Mission. This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time. My dad and brothers had done it once before, and they said it was a great experience.

They have the volunteers sit and listen to the sermon they give before dinner is served. The man who gave it said he used to be homeless and an alcoholic and said he has since found god. I don't know if it made an impression on the large crowd of mostly homeless men and a few homeless women, but sitting there looking at everyone, I really hope that it impacts them somehow.

I haven't been to any kind of church service in a long time, and probably wouldn't normally go to one, but it was refreshing and sad see this preacher standing at the microphone in his jeans and dirty t-shirt. I think the most effective words of advice someone can give is "I have been there, I made it through, it is hard and I still struggle, but you can do it." And, that is what he said.

After the church service, we went downstairs and got the food ready. It was lasagne, soup, and rolls donated from the event center down the street. I was the lasagne scooper, and several of the men said to me "Can I get a little more? I haven't eaten all day."

After the hundred or so people came through and got their food, we all washed the dishes and swept the floor. The residents (those who live at the Rescue Mission but also work there) thanked us for coming and we left.

It was a really fulfilling experience, and I definately want to do things like this more often.