i was watching the 10:00 news tonight (something i'm still getting used to) and my aunt and i saw a report about the space station being visible overhead for approximately 60 seconds while it passed over the utah sky. so we decided to check it out and see if we'd be able to catch it.

the sky was completely clear and gorgeous. the moon hung low on the horizon with a crescent visible--but, unlike the vermont crescent moons i've seen, you could still see the entire moon. mostly in shadow, but still light enough to detect. jupiter was shining brightly to the left of the moon while the sky was still slightly greenish just over the mountains.

turning to look over the house, a bright object caught my eye, and sure enough, there it was--the space station, racing away from us. incredibly bright and moving so quickly...the timing could not have been better. we walked outside just in time to catch it...it's supposed to be visible tomorrow night as well, so i'm hoping to see it again.

one of the local papers is reporting in tomorrow's edition that evidence supports a theory that elizabeth smart's kidnapping was an inside job. i found out the other day that she shares my birthday (well, she was born seven years later, but november 3, nonetheless). i don't know how media coverage has been in other parts of the country or world, but it's everywhere here--it's an odd experience for me, having heard about the kidnapping initially when i was still in vermont, now going into salt lake and seeing the posters and flyers everywhere--and everyone hopes they find her alive and safe.

things here have been relaxing--the past few days have been spent around the house, reading, relaxing, even going for the occasional run (i know, i laughed at myself as well). there is a surprise planned for me tomorrow--i'm rather frightened, but i think it involves the bar and karaeoke. just a hunch. then friday in either salt lake or tooele, and vegas on saturday.