PICS
I only have a minute, so this is going to be super short and sweet.
My set OH Mai went live a couple weeks ago and I just want to thank you all for the love you gave it. I really felt it.
School is in full swing so I haven't had much time for the internet, let alone SG. But I just want you to know that I did manage to read each and every comment and I really appreciated them all. I'll get around to the messages when I have some free time. Promise!
Here's a few photos:
My last day of freedom before school started, was pretty magical. Don't you think?
School work isn't possible without a little (or a lot) of coffee.
Amidst the chaos that is my education and work life, I managed to take a mini vacation to South Dakota.
Here's a great picture of the Mister and I terrifying our fellow passengers on the 1818 Train in Hill City, SD.
Here's a more attractive picture of myself.
What, don't you nap in trees??
A more comprehensive update as soon as I can slow down. Which I hope will happen sooner, rather than later.
LOVE!
Oh man, and P.S!
This totally made my day! New profile photo! I've had the same one since like '06. Thank you, Missy!
My set OH Mai went live a couple weeks ago and I just want to thank you all for the love you gave it. I really felt it.
School is in full swing so I haven't had much time for the internet, let alone SG. But I just want you to know that I did manage to read each and every comment and I really appreciated them all. I'll get around to the messages when I have some free time. Promise!Here's a few photos:
My last day of freedom before school started, was pretty magical. Don't you think?
School work isn't possible without a little (or a lot) of coffee.
Amidst the chaos that is my education and work life, I managed to take a mini vacation to South Dakota.
Here's a great picture of the Mister and I terrifying our fellow passengers on the 1818 Train in Hill City, SD.
Here's a more attractive picture of myself.
What, don't you nap in trees??
A more comprehensive update as soon as I can slow down. Which I hope will happen sooner, rather than later.
LOVE!
Oh man, and P.S!
This totally made my day! New profile photo! I've had the same one since like '06. Thank you, Missy!
So it has been a month since my last update and boy have I some shit to tell! A little Fleet Foxes, bike riding, kickball, rock climbing, summer time and general shenanigans.
Warning: heavy on the photos.
Village Hall
Puppy sitting Lucy
Fleet Foxes
July 19th I saw the Fleet Foxes at the State Theater here in Minneapolis and they put on a great show. Too bad a few people in the crowd pissed the band off and they powered through half their set without really stopping. Regardless, they sounded great and I’m really glad the Mr. and I got the chance to see them.
Minnesota summer vs. winter
Summer time. Waiting for our kickball game to start.
Wee!
HED. wheel
A ton of you have been asking me how my bike ride went and I’m sad to say that it didn’t go quite as I had planned it to. Here’s the run down:
Team Road Kill, the morning we left.
The back of the TRK bus.
Unloading the bus in Glenwood, IA.
No filter, a photo of the sunset in Glenwood, IA.
Glenwood, IA.
Friday night we packed the bus up and I stopped by a friend’s house for a pre-Bearded Lady party before heading home for the night. Saturday morning we left bright and early. Little did I know that we would be in that bus for 10 hours driving from the Twin Cities to Glenwood, Iowa. The team I road with is called Team Road Kill and I’d say the majority of those people are in their 50’s and older with a handful that were my age. There was lots of drinking, dancing and yelling on the bus. All things that have been known to piss me off. By the time we got to Glenwood I had pretty much hit my mental breaking point.
Our first host was a family that lived on a farm about 1.5 miles off the RAGBRAI route. My dad and I set up our tent and then I spent some time wandering around the farm taking pictures and trying to catch fireflies. In the morning, we woke up, packed up and headed out. Let me tell you though, that 1.5 miles to the route was on a gravel road. Skinny road tires + gravel = pissed off, MaiTai and subsequently a pissed off father. I now know exactly where my temper comes from. Haha.
8:00 AM Day 1
The beginning of the RAGBRAI route.
The first day was 59.5 mile ride with a 4,298 foot climb. Needless to say, it was hilly. The ride started out just fine, that is until I biked up my first hill and my chain kept slipping out of the one gear I wanted to use. In Silver City, I had a mechanic look at it and he informed me that I just needed to be “gentle” with my bike when shifting. Right. So... Half way to Carson on the way up a gnarly hill, I started having chest pains. I assume this is because I’ve been swearing at my bike and am not only hot but also royally pissed off that my bike won’t stay in gear. This resulted in me hitching a ride in a SAG Wagon to what I had assumed would be Carson (the midpoint). Unfortunately, the other people in the SAG outvoted me and they all wanted to go to Atlantic (the last town). So, off to Atlantic we go! That night we ate a spaghetti dinner in a church and I totally forgot what it’s like to be looked at like the antichrist (with almost all of my tattoos showing.) Small town Iowa, reality check.
8:00 AM Day 2
These things are really loud.
The second day was a 65.4 mile ride with a 4,719 foot climb. Because this day was even more hilly than the first day and due to the condition of my bike, I had to sit out of day 2 and ride in our team bus with the driver and one other team mate. I kept to myself on the bus mainly because Gary, the bus driver, was a total Type A, prick. Thank god I had my headphones with me because if I had to spend my entire day listening to his shitty ass smooth contemporary jazz elevator music, I might have lost it. This day was crappy, that is, until I got my bike fixed. A really nice bike mechanic from Colorado took a look at my bike in Carroll. He came to a conclusion almost instantly that there was something really fucked up with it. So, we ended up replacing my cassette and chain. Tada! Fixed!
8:00 AM Day 3
People Watching
Resting under a tree.
The third day was a 70.9 mile ride with a 1,787 foot climb. The entire day was relatively flat with the exception of a gnarly hill toward the end of the route. With my bike in top shape, it was a great ride. I rode to Churdan with my dad before he broke off and did the optional Karras Loop, which added 28.3 miles to the day making it a century ride for him. Between Lanesboro and Churdan I had a serious energy crash. When I got to Churdan I ended up taking a nap in a park while I waited for my dad. It was a really hot day; over 100 with the head index. Somewhere around Pilot Mound, we finally reached the hill. It was a straight drop down and then a straight climb right back up. I got about a quarter of the way up and had to hop off my bike and walk the rest of the way up (I sure wasn’t the only one). By the time, I reached the top I was breathing so hard that I had to sit down and put my head between my knees. Haha. I’m so glad I quit smoking when I did! It was pretty brutal. That night we stayed in Boone, Iowa.
8:00 AM Day 4
Waiting in line for the Farm Boys breakfast.
My dad!! hehe
Cornfield.
Biking is dirty.
The fourth day was a 56.1 mile ride with a 1,147 foot climb, most of which was downhill with one steep hill. This day I had to stop every 10 miles to cool off and rest. It was over 100 with the heat index again and super humid. Toward the end of the ride, I broke out in a heat rash and started sweating profusely… I now know that these are symptoms of heat exhaustion.
We got in to Altoona that evening and I felt fine. We set up our tent right after we got in and then I took a shower. After my shower, I was sitting outside of the tent and I got super lightheaded. I lay down in the tent with a handheld fan for a bit before I really felt like I might pass out. I crawled out of the tent and found my dad in the backyard and as soon as I saw him, I burst in to tears (I’m such a baby sometimes). The young woman he was talking to was our host and she let me go inside so that I could lay down in some air conditioning.
Once inside, I lay down for about an hour. While I’m lying there my body is heat cramping, I really want to fall asleep but I’m fucking terrified to, my body is blazing hot yet I’m chilly and I’m nauseous on top of everything else but can hardly get myself to even drink water. Needless to say, this point of my trip was borderline terrifying. After a cold shower, some fruit, water and some more lying down, my dad decided that it was in my best interest to go home. The following day was supposed to be even hotter than the previous days… great.
8:00 AM Day 5.. on the way home.
Where I took pictures in Iowa.
My dad called PineappleJay and he dropped everything he was doing (getting geared up for Sturgis!) and drove down to pick my sad-pathetic-ass up. He got to Altoona around 2 AM and we ended up sleeping for a bit before leaving at roughly 6:30 AM. It took 12 hours for my body temperature to regulate. 12!! Can you believe that? I think I was borderline heat stroke, honestly. I was super bummed to be going and it was a really hard decision but you just don’t mess around with that sort of thing. My dad kept sending me pictures and I miss you texts, which made me super sad-bot-3000. Once I got home I pretty much slept for 2 days straight and hide inside where it was nice and cool.
Next year though, next year, I will make it. I think all around though the trip would have been a lot more fun for me if I was able to ride it with my friends. It was a great experience and I’m really glad that I got to ride what portion of RAGBRAI I did with my dad, but honestly, he’s a lot stronger of a rider than I am and I felt like I was holding him back. I think I pushed myself a little too far. What can I say? I’m a cold weather baby and the heat totally kicked my ass. The good thing is I now know exactly what I need to do to train properly for next year’s ride. Riding to and from work at an 11-mile ride 5 days a week, just doesn’t cut it like I thought it would.
Enough bike talk!
Red velvet cupcakes at a friends wedding. My favorite!
Luna missed me. I know this because I took this picture of her while she was on my chest... which she never does.
My hair got wet... and my natural curls got excited.
Back to the real world aka work.
.
Last Sunday, Danielle and I went rock climbing for the first time and I totally fell a little in love with it. I’m so excited to go back, again, again, and again! Sadly we did not get any pictures of us climbing. Next time, most definitely.
Kickball.
Last Tuesday was supposed to be our last kickball game, but it looks like we have one last bonus game this coming Tuesday. Viva la Buck-U!
Toe shoes!
Today I made a strawberry ice box cake while listening to Orchid. It was a great afternoon.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now. Hugs & Kittens!
PS. Give my set
OH Mai some love for mama. I’ll love you long time.
Warning: heavy on the photos.
Village Hall
Puppy sitting Lucy
Fleet Foxes
July 19th I saw the Fleet Foxes at the State Theater here in Minneapolis and they put on a great show. Too bad a few people in the crowd pissed the band off and they powered through half their set without really stopping. Regardless, they sounded great and I’m really glad the Mr. and I got the chance to see them.
Minnesota summer vs. winter
Summer time. Waiting for our kickball game to start.
Wee!
HED. wheel
A ton of you have been asking me how my bike ride went and I’m sad to say that it didn’t go quite as I had planned it to. Here’s the run down:
Team Road Kill, the morning we left.
The back of the TRK bus.
Unloading the bus in Glenwood, IA.
No filter, a photo of the sunset in Glenwood, IA.
Glenwood, IA.
Friday night we packed the bus up and I stopped by a friend’s house for a pre-Bearded Lady party before heading home for the night. Saturday morning we left bright and early. Little did I know that we would be in that bus for 10 hours driving from the Twin Cities to Glenwood, Iowa. The team I road with is called Team Road Kill and I’d say the majority of those people are in their 50’s and older with a handful that were my age. There was lots of drinking, dancing and yelling on the bus. All things that have been known to piss me off. By the time we got to Glenwood I had pretty much hit my mental breaking point.
Our first host was a family that lived on a farm about 1.5 miles off the RAGBRAI route. My dad and I set up our tent and then I spent some time wandering around the farm taking pictures and trying to catch fireflies. In the morning, we woke up, packed up and headed out. Let me tell you though, that 1.5 miles to the route was on a gravel road. Skinny road tires + gravel = pissed off, MaiTai and subsequently a pissed off father. I now know exactly where my temper comes from. Haha.
8:00 AM Day 1
The beginning of the RAGBRAI route.
The first day was 59.5 mile ride with a 4,298 foot climb. Needless to say, it was hilly. The ride started out just fine, that is until I biked up my first hill and my chain kept slipping out of the one gear I wanted to use. In Silver City, I had a mechanic look at it and he informed me that I just needed to be “gentle” with my bike when shifting. Right. So... Half way to Carson on the way up a gnarly hill, I started having chest pains. I assume this is because I’ve been swearing at my bike and am not only hot but also royally pissed off that my bike won’t stay in gear. This resulted in me hitching a ride in a SAG Wagon to what I had assumed would be Carson (the midpoint). Unfortunately, the other people in the SAG outvoted me and they all wanted to go to Atlantic (the last town). So, off to Atlantic we go! That night we ate a spaghetti dinner in a church and I totally forgot what it’s like to be looked at like the antichrist (with almost all of my tattoos showing.) Small town Iowa, reality check.
8:00 AM Day 2
These things are really loud.
The second day was a 65.4 mile ride with a 4,719 foot climb. Because this day was even more hilly than the first day and due to the condition of my bike, I had to sit out of day 2 and ride in our team bus with the driver and one other team mate. I kept to myself on the bus mainly because Gary, the bus driver, was a total Type A, prick. Thank god I had my headphones with me because if I had to spend my entire day listening to his shitty ass smooth contemporary jazz elevator music, I might have lost it. This day was crappy, that is, until I got my bike fixed. A really nice bike mechanic from Colorado took a look at my bike in Carroll. He came to a conclusion almost instantly that there was something really fucked up with it. So, we ended up replacing my cassette and chain. Tada! Fixed!
8:00 AM Day 3
People Watching
Resting under a tree.
The third day was a 70.9 mile ride with a 1,787 foot climb. The entire day was relatively flat with the exception of a gnarly hill toward the end of the route. With my bike in top shape, it was a great ride. I rode to Churdan with my dad before he broke off and did the optional Karras Loop, which added 28.3 miles to the day making it a century ride for him. Between Lanesboro and Churdan I had a serious energy crash. When I got to Churdan I ended up taking a nap in a park while I waited for my dad. It was a really hot day; over 100 with the head index. Somewhere around Pilot Mound, we finally reached the hill. It was a straight drop down and then a straight climb right back up. I got about a quarter of the way up and had to hop off my bike and walk the rest of the way up (I sure wasn’t the only one). By the time, I reached the top I was breathing so hard that I had to sit down and put my head between my knees. Haha. I’m so glad I quit smoking when I did! It was pretty brutal. That night we stayed in Boone, Iowa.
8:00 AM Day 4
Waiting in line for the Farm Boys breakfast.
My dad!! hehe
Cornfield.
Biking is dirty.
The fourth day was a 56.1 mile ride with a 1,147 foot climb, most of which was downhill with one steep hill. This day I had to stop every 10 miles to cool off and rest. It was over 100 with the heat index again and super humid. Toward the end of the ride, I broke out in a heat rash and started sweating profusely… I now know that these are symptoms of heat exhaustion.
We got in to Altoona that evening and I felt fine. We set up our tent right after we got in and then I took a shower. After my shower, I was sitting outside of the tent and I got super lightheaded. I lay down in the tent with a handheld fan for a bit before I really felt like I might pass out. I crawled out of the tent and found my dad in the backyard and as soon as I saw him, I burst in to tears (I’m such a baby sometimes). The young woman he was talking to was our host and she let me go inside so that I could lay down in some air conditioning.
Once inside, I lay down for about an hour. While I’m lying there my body is heat cramping, I really want to fall asleep but I’m fucking terrified to, my body is blazing hot yet I’m chilly and I’m nauseous on top of everything else but can hardly get myself to even drink water. Needless to say, this point of my trip was borderline terrifying. After a cold shower, some fruit, water and some more lying down, my dad decided that it was in my best interest to go home. The following day was supposed to be even hotter than the previous days… great.
8:00 AM Day 5.. on the way home.
Where I took pictures in Iowa.
My dad called PineappleJay and he dropped everything he was doing (getting geared up for Sturgis!) and drove down to pick my sad-pathetic-ass up. He got to Altoona around 2 AM and we ended up sleeping for a bit before leaving at roughly 6:30 AM. It took 12 hours for my body temperature to regulate. 12!! Can you believe that? I think I was borderline heat stroke, honestly. I was super bummed to be going and it was a really hard decision but you just don’t mess around with that sort of thing. My dad kept sending me pictures and I miss you texts, which made me super sad-bot-3000. Once I got home I pretty much slept for 2 days straight and hide inside where it was nice and cool.
Next year though, next year, I will make it. I think all around though the trip would have been a lot more fun for me if I was able to ride it with my friends. It was a great experience and I’m really glad that I got to ride what portion of RAGBRAI I did with my dad, but honestly, he’s a lot stronger of a rider than I am and I felt like I was holding him back. I think I pushed myself a little too far. What can I say? I’m a cold weather baby and the heat totally kicked my ass. The good thing is I now know exactly what I need to do to train properly for next year’s ride. Riding to and from work at an 11-mile ride 5 days a week, just doesn’t cut it like I thought it would.
Enough bike talk!
Red velvet cupcakes at a friends wedding. My favorite!
Luna missed me. I know this because I took this picture of her while she was on my chest... which she never does.
My hair got wet... and my natural curls got excited.
Back to the real world aka work.
.
Last Sunday, Danielle and I went rock climbing for the first time and I totally fell a little in love with it. I’m so excited to go back, again, again, and again! Sadly we did not get any pictures of us climbing. Next time, most definitely.
Kickball.
Last Tuesday was supposed to be our last kickball game, but it looks like we have one last bonus game this coming Tuesday. Viva la Buck-U!
Toe shoes!
Today I made a strawberry ice box cake while listening to Orchid. It was a great afternoon.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now. Hugs & Kittens!
PS. Give my set
OH Mai some love for mama. I’ll love you long time.
Oh, hai!
I have a few exciting things to write about, first and foremost - I QUIT SMOKING! Finally! I’m so proud of myself and I can’t imagine why on Earth it took me this long. It’s such a nasty habit on so many levels and I’m so happy that I finally kicked the habit. It hasn’t been easy, but the rewards outweigh all temptation.
Saturday, July 23 I leave for a week long bike ride across the state of Iowa. It is roughly 450 miles total over 7 days. I’m anxious and excited for the adventure. However, I’m not looking forward to the goofy tan lines from my bike shorts, or socks. Because believe it or not, that milk glass complexion of mine actually does tan! Hahaha
Friday, July 22 my first set in over two years is going live in Member Review. Please make sure you guys give it lots and lots of love! Back in February, I took a trip out to Ohio and shot with the lovely Alissa Brunelli. She was so much fun to shoot with and I’m really happy with how my set came out.
Here’s a teaser picture for your viewing pleasure:
Last month I finished the work on my left sleeve, courtesy of Zack Kinsey at Uptown Tattoo. I’m really happy with how it turned out. We’re going to work on my right arm next but I haven’t decided if I’m going to cover the piece that’s already there or work around\with it. We’ll see what happens.
My spring\summer has been super busy and will continue to be that way until it snows again (or so it seems). Since I last updated in March I’ve taken a few trips out of town for motorcycle and car shows. I attended CONvergence with Danielle and got my nerd on. I’ve gone swimming, biking, picnicking, paint-balling and exploring. Winter was really rough on us here in Minnesota so I’ve been trying my damnedest to spend as much of my free time outside as I possibly can this summer before I start school again. Oh! And I joined a kickball team with Danielle and her husband darkjuan. It has been so much fun!
Anyway, I leave you with pictures and my top 25-song list from January 2011 through June 2011.
Top 25 Songs January-June 2011
1. Little Lily – Widespread Panic
2. This Part of Town – Widespread Panic
3. Sirens – The String Cheese Incident
4. Sometimes – Widespread Panic
5. Beg Steal or Borrow – Ray LaMontagne & The Paraiah Dogs
6. The Ghost Inside – Broken Bells
7. Albatross – Corrosion of Conformity
8. Ready to Start – Arcade Fire
9. Down – Widespread Panic
10. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
11. Imitation Leather Shoes (Edit) – Widespread Panic
12. Do the Astral Plane – Flying Lotus
13. For the Summer - Ray LaMontagne & The Paraiah Dogs
14. Looking Glass – The String Cheese Incident
15. Blood of My Blood – Slightly Stoopid
16. Ocean – Slightly Stoopid
17. Tinder Box – The String Cheese Incident
18. Hoola – Archie Bronson Outfit
19. The Otherside – Slightly Stoopid
20. Jimi – Slightly Stoopid
21. Casa del Grillo – Widespread Panic
22. Trap Doors – Broken Bells
23. Girl With One Eye – Florence + The Machine
24. I Don’t Know I Know – Jonquil
25. Anywhere I Go – Slightly Stoopid
Are you on Instagram??? Follow me and I’ll return the favor! Username: oohhello
Porky's
I have a few exciting things to write about, first and foremost - I QUIT SMOKING! Finally! I’m so proud of myself and I can’t imagine why on Earth it took me this long. It’s such a nasty habit on so many levels and I’m so happy that I finally kicked the habit. It hasn’t been easy, but the rewards outweigh all temptation.
Saturday, July 23 I leave for a week long bike ride across the state of Iowa. It is roughly 450 miles total over 7 days. I’m anxious and excited for the adventure. However, I’m not looking forward to the goofy tan lines from my bike shorts, or socks. Because believe it or not, that milk glass complexion of mine actually does tan! Hahaha
Friday, July 22 my first set in over two years is going live in Member Review. Please make sure you guys give it lots and lots of love! Back in February, I took a trip out to Ohio and shot with the lovely Alissa Brunelli. She was so much fun to shoot with and I’m really happy with how my set came out.
Here’s a teaser picture for your viewing pleasure:
Last month I finished the work on my left sleeve, courtesy of Zack Kinsey at Uptown Tattoo. I’m really happy with how it turned out. We’re going to work on my right arm next but I haven’t decided if I’m going to cover the piece that’s already there or work around\with it. We’ll see what happens.
My spring\summer has been super busy and will continue to be that way until it snows again (or so it seems). Since I last updated in March I’ve taken a few trips out of town for motorcycle and car shows. I attended CONvergence with Danielle and got my nerd on. I’ve gone swimming, biking, picnicking, paint-balling and exploring. Winter was really rough on us here in Minnesota so I’ve been trying my damnedest to spend as much of my free time outside as I possibly can this summer before I start school again. Oh! And I joined a kickball team with Danielle and her husband darkjuan. It has been so much fun!
Anyway, I leave you with pictures and my top 25-song list from January 2011 through June 2011.
Top 25 Songs January-June 2011
1. Little Lily – Widespread Panic
2. This Part of Town – Widespread Panic
3. Sirens – The String Cheese Incident
4. Sometimes – Widespread Panic
5. Beg Steal or Borrow – Ray LaMontagne & The Paraiah Dogs
6. The Ghost Inside – Broken Bells
7. Albatross – Corrosion of Conformity
8. Ready to Start – Arcade Fire
9. Down – Widespread Panic
10. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
11. Imitation Leather Shoes (Edit) – Widespread Panic
12. Do the Astral Plane – Flying Lotus
13. For the Summer - Ray LaMontagne & The Paraiah Dogs
14. Looking Glass – The String Cheese Incident
15. Blood of My Blood – Slightly Stoopid
16. Ocean – Slightly Stoopid
17. Tinder Box – The String Cheese Incident
18. Hoola – Archie Bronson Outfit
19. The Otherside – Slightly Stoopid
20. Jimi – Slightly Stoopid
21. Casa del Grillo – Widespread Panic
22. Trap Doors – Broken Bells
23. Girl With One Eye – Florence + The Machine
24. I Don’t Know I Know – Jonquil
25. Anywhere I Go – Slightly Stoopid
Are you on Instagram??? Follow me and I’ll return the favor! Username: oohhello
Porky's
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JANUARY 2012
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