$125

I think of a lot of things I could do with $125. Buy that 700 fill down Rab jacket I have had my eye on, buy more bike parts, pay off more of my student loans. Spending a month living off of only $125 isn’t something I have contemplated, until now.
We as a people spend to much money on things that don’t matter. Eating out, buying useless clothing items because they are “new”, going out to movies we end up hating. I have decided to cut out the crap I don’t need to live and live simply with what I have.
$125 is the average amount of money given to people on food stamps. That evens out to about $30 a week for food only. What I am attempting to do is spend $125 on gas, food, entertainment, and clothing.
I loosely began this challenge three weeks ago but didn’t start taking it seriously till December started. I withdrew $140 from my bank account on Friday and have started the challenge. With this weeks grocery money already spent on Almond butter, soy milk, and fruit, this should be interesting. I will be posting recipes from this experiment on my other blog, but will keep regular updates going about the joys and struggles of this decision.
If you want to join in on the challenge, please do. I would like to see how other people do at this challenge.

Winter Bike

Winter is coming. At this point in the game there is no denying it. Skis come in by the dozens at the shop and I have moved from talking about tire options with customers to wax options and ski lengths.
Living a mile away from work now means I don't have to drive at all, though I find myself running late at least once a week and have to drive. :( The mile cruise down hill, through the Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake makes for an easy morning commute. The mornings that I walk I some times stop by one of the three coffee shops I pass for a mug refill. Going home isn't always as enjoyable, though I do like it. A one mile hill climb with what feels like an 18 percent incline is what greats me on my way home. I live on A street and about 9th ave and work two blocks from I street and South Temple. The closer I get to A street going up hill, the steeper the the hills get. I use to wiggle my way through the aves to get home, up one block, over one block, till I realized I should really just grin, bare it, and get my ass in gear, literally, because hills aren't going to get easier any time soon. This way of thinking has actually been helpful. By the time I get to 9th ave I am usually over the fact that I am slightly sweaty, breathing heavy, and utter a small matra of success under my breath. The hills have gotten slightly easier the past few weeks. The more time I spend on the bike, the faster I seem to get. Funny how that happens.... (sarcasm intended)
As the months get colder I will cling to my bike a little harder. I just lost 10 lbs. You think I want those back? I'm not going out looking for them so for now I will stick to riding my bike during the cold months, don a pair of warm gloves, marino wool base layers, and good shell jacket with pit vents.
Dear winter,
I'm going to kick your ass.

-Punkin Pants

I'm back!...on two wheels

There is no string of sentences I can bring together that is going to explain my absence from the interweb the past few months. I will say this as my only disclaimer; I do all my best thinking on my bike and when you aren't able to ride your bike for three months because of a broken humerus, there isn't a whole lot of good thinking that happens.
But now I am back and making a goal to blog at least twice a week. For real. I am serious this time. Tuesdays and Thursday maybe? Who knows. But I am back with a vengeance and my veins pumped full of bicycle fueled words.
Lately bicycles have meant so much more to me than they have in the past. Perhaps my three months sabbatical is the cause of this. Even as the temperatures drop and we usher in yet another cold Utah winter, I can't get enough of the one mile hill climb to my house, the feeling of cold cheeks, and the ultimate feeling of untrammeled freedom I get from riding a bike. The feeling of my legs: hips, quads, knees, ankles, feet, all taking me where I want to go. My lungs, gasping for oxygen, feel so much better at the end of the day when I have strained them for air and asked them to be stronger. My mind feels clearer and my waist line is noticeably smaller. I currently don't fit into about half of my clothing because it is all to big. I have three pairs of pants that actually fit. One pair are Carhartts, the other are electric blue skinny jeans I bought during my quarter life crisis.
Regardless of my ill fitting clothing problem I am happy to be back on my bike and hope that with consistent updating I can inspire a few of you to get ahold of two wheels and enrich your lives.

For My Dad

One Sunday afternoon in 1993, while living in San Diego, California, my dad gathered his hiking things, and said to me, “We are going on a walk, it will be fun.” We drove into the hills of San Diego, our exact location escapes me, till we came to a parking lot where the trail head was. After unloading our gear my Dad pointed to a concrete pillar in the distance and said, “We are hiking to that point. I promise it isn’t far.”
We ended up hiking further than the pillars but I was so lost in the the beauty of the landscape, I didn’t care. As we rounded a corner some people mentioned that they thought there was a snake on the trail. I was hiking 15 feet ahead of my dad and jumped over the snake when I saw it, then turned around and said, “Dad, watch out. There is a snake on the trail!” As he approached it he nudged the snake with his hiking pole. The snake immediately went into an attack position and struck my Dads boot! Literally bit his boot. Dad was shocked and backed up as the snake released. As the snake slithered off the trail my Dad muttered some comment about being an irresponsible parent and I told him how cool he was for playing with the snake.
Small trips like this became a ritual for my Dad, as well as weekend education on all of his hobbies. I became skilled in reciting lines from Marx Brothers films, “I never forget a face but for you, I will make an exception.” Politically rhetoric, “Al Gore, I’m hungry, lets go to congress.” and the differences between battery types (go with lithium ion). My Dad made sure we were all journal writers and gave us lots of notebooks to write in, top of the line pens to write with, and stationary to write to our grandparents with.
Even though I saw my Dad three months out of the year for the first 12 years of my life (He had sea duty in the Navy), he was always there to support my siblings and I in whatever capacity he could. When he wasn’t recording one of our choir or band concerts, he was out searching for the next piece of technology we could use to enhance our lives, after he was done “testing” it and before anyone else had even heard of the product.
My Dad never fails to intimidate suitors with his 6’4 build and booming baritone voice but when you get to know him he is the biggest sweet heart who only wants what is best for his family. After a recent botched dating experience I was talking on the phone with my Dad and told him what happened. He said a few comforting words and when we got off the phone he sent me a text that read, “Forget that Arrogant, self-centered, rat-bastard, Mormon boy. You are too good to put up with his crap!”
I am forever grateful for the Dad I have. For the never ending flow of stories from his childhood that I never tire of. Even at the age of 25, I still look forward to going home, going on a hike, and talking technology with my Dad.
Thanks for everything Papa.

Obama Dreams

obama dreams
I don't usually remember the dreams I have. Some times it is clips and phrases but nothing really tangible. The other night I had the most vivid dream about President Obama. It felt so real I thought for minute it might have really happened.
The dream started out with me working in the presidential garden, tilling the field and tending to the greens and newly planted tomatoes. I was working with one other person I remember feeling like I had really made it since I was working in Obamas garden.
While working some soil I heard the president and Michelle Obama having a heated discussion over something as they walked in the garden. When their conversation became more audible I eavesdropped in on what they were talking about, soy. Michelle insisted that the president needed to start pushing soy as a viable crop for farmers in the US to grow instead of corn because it could feed more people and we could use it for soy yogurt and milk. The president didn't agree and told her that isn't the direct we needed to head. She handed him a cup of soy yogurt, urged him to try it and stormed out of the garden.
The president stood their for minute eyeing the cup of soy yogurt. I approached him, which made me really nervous, and started talking to him about what his wife had just told him. This is what I remember me saying to the president in my dream.
"Mr.President? I couldn't help but overhear what you and the First Lady were talking about. I agree with what you had to say about soy. I think you have it right and you need to encourage the farmers of America to grow more viable crops that will help feed the people and not livestock."
He said he agreed with me and thanked me for my input, said he would look into farmers growing more vegetables, and took off back to the white house.
I wish there was a reasonable explanation for this dream but there isn't. I'm just a hippie I guess.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Japan Effect

"I know I keep saying it, but I really wish I was in Japan right now."
A sentence my brother has uttered to me said daily since the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster happened in Japan.
To some people, hearing both of us say that might sound a little strange. Why would we want to be there in the middle of a natural disaster? Japan is where we grew up, it is our home so naturally we want to be there to help the people we love rebuild a country we love.
Hours after the earthquake my Dad was skyping and e-mailing our close family friends, The Sato's, to make sure everyone in their family was accounted for. We got word that everyone was safe but Tomoko and Yuka were stuck in Tokyo because of the trains.
My family being one that is familiar with disaster (and being Mormon) we knew immediately that the Satos would most likely need an emergency food source since the grocery stores were quickly running out of food and batteries. My Dad consulted my brother and I on the best brand of backpacking food and then took off for Costco to buy a life type supply of batteries and dried food for back packing. The next day it was shipped off to the Sato's, since they were still receiving mail in Fujisawa. I received a forwarded e-mail from Sato san a few days later that read, "You are such a great man. We opened boxes. Surprise ! Many batteries.Lamps! foods.survival goods. You absolutely Ultra man ! We just laugh and then tears... We have great family in USA. Really appreciate you and Jodie san. No words for thanks. If you can open attached movie files,watch our joy."
Since the Sato's are family to us, Eric and I decided to send our own box to them. One filled with all the sweet moral boosters you could ever need. Girl Scout cookies, Ritter Sport, and Fruit Loops.
Ok, I know what you are thinking, but in the middle of a crisis wouldn't you want something to boost your moral?Sure, we could have saved that money we spent sending a package to them and donated it to a relief fund, but I am happy to know that my contribution is going to directly impact people I love.
I am encouraging everyone I know to donate whatever they can to support the cause in Japan. Whatever you can donate, they can use.

Notes on a (environmental) scandal

It is no secret I am an environmentalist. By profession, no. By passion and dedication, yes. I don't need to give a laundry list of reasons why I am dedicated to making the world a better place. In all honesty, it just happened that way for me.

Having worked at a student bike center focused around sustainability and for the Utah Conservation Corp for a total of three years, I have gotten to know the environment. The simple changes we can make in our daily lives to better our bodies and the world around us make more of an impact that we think they do. For example, making meat 10 percent of your protein intake will not only help you become healthier, you are also helping decrease factory farming, one of the most unsustainable farm practices (in more than one way).

In the Spring of 2009, while on (bike) tour with the band Shake Your Peace!, I was told about a man named Tim DeChristopher who had bid on 14 parcels of BLM land that were going to be leased for oil and gas drilling. His bidding tab amounted to $1.8 million. At first I thought, "Wow, this guy is a hero! Way to stick it to the man and dedicate yourself to the environment." I did a little research on him and thought he had done the right thing, to some degree.

Last March I moved to Moab to do conservation work on BLM land with the Utah Conservation Corp. I fell in love with the beautiful landscape and often found myself thinking, "Why would anyone want to screw this land up by drilling on it?"

While living down South I was taking an environmental studies class focused around public lands. I got to know why BLM land is range land, why we drill on parts of it for oil and gas, and why it is important to protect it.

As part of the class we were required to read a number of articles on Tim DeChristopher written by different points of view. I hadn't thought about DeChristopher much since 2009 but now I was interested in what was going on. I dug a little deeper into his case and realized, he didn't bid on those parcels for environmental reasons, he bid on them for personal reasons. Though people may think that DeChristopher had done something revolutionary by bidding on those parcels of land, he is only one in a line of environmentally conscious people who have bid, and won, parcels of land headed for oil and gas drilling. The difference? He had no intention of paying for them, the others paid up.

I am extremely skeptical of DeChristopher and his "environmentalism". I am familiar with a large amount of environmentalist, extremists and none extremists, all having their own reasons for doing what they do. But they all have one thing in common, they don't show horse the work they do for the environment, they do it because they love it. Their actions are also similar, they ride bikes, plant gardens, support local projects dedicated to sustainability, and are about 80 percent vegetarian. None of them seek the lime light for their actions and they never seek out celebrities for their cause. They are all quiet riots of sustainability.

This is not the case for DeChristopher. Seeking out the support of Patagonia clothing company, Robert Redford, and other celebrities seems like only a personal ploy. If DeChristopher had really wanted to use his environmental foot hold for good, he would have got involved with grassroots organizations, marched with the people in West Virginia to end mountain top removal, and spent less of his time seeking out celebrities to back him at film festivals.

I realize that I sound angry. That is because I am. Angry that some one would use environmentalism to gain celebrity status and expect to not get the book thrown at them for breaking the law. I work hard to make sure people don't think that sustainability is a movement full of hippies. when someone like DeChristopher comes along, he makes us all look like Earth First, E.L.F (earth liberation front) freak shows and I get a little irked.

Tim DeChristopher broke the law and no "necessary evil" defense is going to change that. As far as I am concerned the only necessary evil is on public lands. Oil and gas drilling and range land leasing are necessary evils because we have made them so. If we want to protect our lands from these things, we have to change our life styles so we no longer rely on cows, oil, and gas. That is only way for more protection to happen.

I want thoughts on this. If you think Tim DeChristopher is a saint, I want to hear why.

Being outside

I have been reading up on bike a lot lately. My brother and his girlfriend are doing a tour of Napa Valley and need some help getting bikes and touring gear together. I feel like a kid in a candy shop with every bike parts website and shop I look at.
Damn, I love bikes. I love them a lot and I feel so blessed I get to go to mechanic school in a two months and learn more about them. What a fine machine. Looking back into the memory banks of my mind, some of the best and most calming moments are those associated with riding my bike. Even in Europe, where I was miserable, I was so happy to be riding my bike and seeing the country side of Bavaria. What is there not to love about bikes?
I went to the climbing gym on Wednesday and had a bonfire ignited inside me that I can't seem to put out. I forgot how much I loved climbing and how good it makes me feel. I have had some great moments at the crag with friends; night climbing in Logan Canyon, learning how to lead with Annie, getting lost in the City of Rocks, climbing at the only crag in Kanab, Utah with my crew from UCC.
Since Wednesday I have been doing some research on where I want to climb this summer. I don't want to put climbing on the back burner again, I bought a 70 meter rope for a reason. There are three big spots I want to hit in the next six months; City of Rocks, Triasic, and Moab. I want to get back in touch with climbing on a bigger level. Not a First Assent kind of way, but a, "I love the rock, I love the earth, I love myself, so I want to climb this." I want to do multi pitch climbs, easy climbs, hard climbs, bouldering. I guess you could say I want it all with climbing. I have been at the same place with climbing for a while now. I don't want to be in that place any more, I want to be better than that place. I am done being mediocre, so I am going to do what I can to be great. I know I will never be Lynn Hill when it comes to climbing, Evelyn Stevens when it comes to cycling, or a Lindsey Vonn when it comes to skiing, but I've got passion, isn't that what matters the most?
Today I am taking that passion to the mountain with me and enjoying the 19 inches of powder we were blessed with last night. I am fully aware of my inability to ski powder like a champ, but I have to start some where and Honeycomb Canyon sounds like the place.

Gotta let it out

When your Saturday night looked a little like this, it is hard to remember where Sunday went.

Actually, I worked a double last night, which means I was working from 3 pm- 8 am. I still haven't slept and I am wondering when I am going to get tired. Even after skiing for two hours, still wasn't tired. I have been up for over 36 hours. What is wrong with me?

Skiing today was beautiful. I know it is Sunday and by my own standards, I really shouldn't have gone out on the slope. But I was up at the mountain any way so I thought I would make a few runs. I met up with my friend John and we did a couple runs together. I like skiing with other people, it makes me more confident. Having some one to ski with is always worth a few laughs too.
I can't quit thinking about how beautiful it was on the mountain today. Blue bird skies, no wind, a chill in the air, only a few people on the mountain and a friend to share it all with.
For the past few weeks everyday has felt like the best day ever. I don't know why. I could get yelled at by a patron at work and five minutes later I think, "Man, today is great!" Call me resilient.


I made two loaves of sourdough bread this weekend. They were devoured by the beasts and a can of Nutella.

I found these

Gina will probably kill me for posting these but...whatever.
I found my digital pictures from senior prom the other night while looking for a pair of scissors in my desk. There are a whole slew of photos from 2004 on the disk but the Prom ones called to be posted on the interweb.

25? Why are you not married?

Yes, I did get asked that today. Again. For the 2nd time this week.

So why are people asking me this?

Good question.
For those of you who don't live in Utah, that may have stumbled upon my blog, being female, not a return missionary, and single at the age of 25 in Utah means there is something wrong with you.

What is wrong with me?

I am a radical. An extremist. A hippie. A brazen woman.

Really?

No.

I am none of these things.

I'm not marries because I haven't met the right person.

This could be due to the fact that I call a spade a spade, I speak out at inopportune times, I don't trust easily, I have opinions I share often and don't change easily. I some times go a month without shaving my legs (but I cover them up so you can't tell). I swear....like a sailor. I lived an equal amount of months outside as I did in a house last year. I wear Carhartts. I drive a Subaru with stickers on the trunk window that read "Quit eating babies America! Eat more poetry" and "Protect Wild Utah" and "No Farms. No Food". I shop organic. I can repack the baring in a bike wheel, overhaul a drive train, adjust the breaks and fit someone to a bike better than most guys.

I am not married not because I compost, vote, quilt, cook dinner for three people nearly every night of the week, have a BS in journalism, garden, ride a bike, make bread weekly, ski, play violin, minored in music, collect vinyl records, scrap book, crochet, start my garden from seed, love making people smile, give willingly, wear high heals, love unconditionally. Because I'm 32 flavors and then some.

I'm not married because it hasn't happened yet.

Plain and simple.

Bread

Bread has once again taken over my life. Outside of working, skiing, reading, preparing the garden, and training, I have been geeking out about bread. No, I am not working at a shop again (sadly) but since my roommates and I are trying to cut costs and I have the ability to make bread, I have become the head bread maker in our house. It has been great to take on that responsibility again since I love making a really good loaf of bread.
Since getting a starter going again my bread production has increased and my excitement for bread as well. There is something great about having a really good starter that makes bread production that much better.
I fed the starter tonight in preparation for tomorrows dough. Giddy and smiling I head to bed knowing that the microorganisms are having a party in the glass bowl sitting on my counter top. mmm.....

MLK Day

While listening to npr this morning, I heard a really great news cast on Martin Luther King Jr. It took me back to when I went to DC for the fourth of July in 2008 and got to stand where Martin Luther King stood and gave his "I Have A Dream" speech. It was so empowering to stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial, looking over The Mall and imagining being there. I have imagined myself as Martin Luther King Jr., telling the country that I dream of the day when my children are judged not by the color of their skin but the content of their character.


Having grown up with racism being a huge part of my life, I know what it feels like to have people judge you by the color of your skin. I know the feeling of being told you are a terrible person because of your beliefs. Because I know how that feels, I don't want to ever impose those feelings on someone else.
I want to fight racism in all of it's forms, against all the people of the world. We should take pride in being human and unite as such. I love that the world is diverse and is full of people with all different skin pigment variations and the cultures that are associated with them. But I don't want to put people in a corner because of their skin difference.
Over the past few months I have come to realize that the only way anything to change in this world is if everyone wants it to change. We have to unite for change to make it happen. I want to see that change happen with my generation and future generations to come. Lets make every day MLK day.