It seems that I've fallen in love with the bohemian life. But just for a while. There is something fantastic about sleeping in a tent, living by the river (yeah, I really do), taking siestas in a hammock and waking up with the birds every morning. I love the feeling of being so free. But I also crave sustainability in my life. Routine and a real bed.
So what does this all mean? It means that I have spent the past month and a half living in a tent in Moab, working for the BLM on trails. But my time in Moab is coming to a close rather quickly and in two weeks I will find myself in Kanab, UT Till August. I will be doing similar work in Kanab only I will have my own three person crew. This excites me and scares me all at once. I have never been to Kanab and the only thing I ever hear about it is how much people love their guns, land, republicans. Wow. I will most likely no longer be able to find Organic produce, let alone hummus. This is going to be...fun?
Now that I will be all over the place I will start updating my blog more so everyone can keep up with my crazy, bike riding, out side living life. I intend on going on some pretty crazy adventures. All of it will go down in history here.
I should have written about Durango here. Hot damn... Durango knows how to party, especially during a bluegrass festival.
Pictures to come soon!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
You say you want a revolution
I came to the realization long ago that when one is informed it becomes their duty to pass along the information that is important (and occasionally not so important) to others.
Being informed for me has meant that I have become more politically active and out spoken than I ever thought possible for myself. If you know me, I am out spoken as it is, adding politics to the situation only makes things... interesting.
Currently in our country teachers jobs are being cut like it's the governments job to make public school a worse place than it already is. In States like California and New York (just two examples I am using, I am positive that this happens in more places) Schools are already over crowded, teachers are over worked and underpaid. To add insult to injury, the government plans on cutting thousands, literally, of teaching positions to help take care of the deficit.
THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA! This idea is worse than bailing out the banks and auto industry combined. Don't let our schools become a place where education is second to crowd control. Schools are bad enough as it is, we don't need them to become worse, they need to get better. Cutting teaching jobs and combining classes isn't going to solve the problem, act up and do something about it.
If you are doubting the difference that teachers truly make in students lives, watch this video of Taylor Mali, a New York City school teacher, performing his poem, "What Teachers Make".
Being informed for me has meant that I have become more politically active and out spoken than I ever thought possible for myself. If you know me, I am out spoken as it is, adding politics to the situation only makes things... interesting.
Currently in our country teachers jobs are being cut like it's the governments job to make public school a worse place than it already is. In States like California and New York (just two examples I am using, I am positive that this happens in more places) Schools are already over crowded, teachers are over worked and underpaid. To add insult to injury, the government plans on cutting thousands, literally, of teaching positions to help take care of the deficit.
THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA! This idea is worse than bailing out the banks and auto industry combined. Don't let our schools become a place where education is second to crowd control. Schools are bad enough as it is, we don't need them to become worse, they need to get better. Cutting teaching jobs and combining classes isn't going to solve the problem, act up and do something about it.
If you are doubting the difference that teachers truly make in students lives, watch this video of Taylor Mali, a New York City school teacher, performing his poem, "What Teachers Make".
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Conquering fear
I live most of my life in fear. I'll admit it. It's not a big deal for me anymore now that I have realized it. So what does this mean exactly? It means it takes me twice as long to do things in my life than the average bear because I am to afraid. NOT ANY MORE!
The past few months it's been my goal to move past fear and into faith. I can live in faith and be happy, living in fear does nothing for me.
To move out of fear I acquired a portion of a sourdough starter and have been feeding it. I've used it to make sourdough pancakes and sourdough biscuits (for biscuits and gravy). It feels slightly carnivorous to be feeding something, watching it grow, and then eating it. But I like it. ;)
The second thing I have done is...... I am auditioning to be in a poetry slam at USU. I love slams, everything about them. Watching the poets as they pour words into the microphone for you to drink up creates this energy that is unmatched by anything else I have ever experienced.
I'm conquering fear. Watch me.
The past few months it's been my goal to move past fear and into faith. I can live in faith and be happy, living in fear does nothing for me.
To move out of fear I acquired a portion of a sourdough starter and have been feeding it. I've used it to make sourdough pancakes and sourdough biscuits (for biscuits and gravy). It feels slightly carnivorous to be feeding something, watching it grow, and then eating it. But I like it. ;)
The second thing I have done is...... I am auditioning to be in a poetry slam at USU. I love slams, everything about them. Watching the poets as they pour words into the microphone for you to drink up creates this energy that is unmatched by anything else I have ever experienced.
I'm conquering fear. Watch me.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The death of a friend
I'm 24 and I haven't experienced much death in my life. I have friends who have had 8-10 friends and family members die before they were 18, not me. My life has been defined by people that I meet, not loose.
My friend Eric, who lived in San Francisco, died Jan.3. I only got to know Eric over a three day period, while staying with his house mate Gabe. Eric lit up whatever room he walked into with his kind heart, jokes, and bright spirit.
I got the joy of celebrating Eric's 30 (or 31st birthday, can't remember now) with him and eating a beautiful and delicious brunch made by him to celebrate the occasion, with the rest of the pilgrims who had come to stay at the Fair Avenue house for the San Francisco Bike Festival. At one point during the meal Eric motioned to a box in the corner of the room "There are fresh California nectarines in that box, help yourself." "Are you sure? I'll eat the whole box if you let me, those aren't in season for another month in Utah" I said. He answered "If they aren't in season where you live, eat more! They were just picked a day or two ago" I told him I didn't have a way to repay him and he answered with "Just tell us your stories, thats all we ask for". Eric truly embodied the phrase "Food for thought" feeding people all over San Francisco in exchange for a conversation.
The night before I was to depart San Francisco I was packing up my things and Eric said to me "Don't forget to take some fruit with you". I ate nectarines the entire train ride back to Utah.
Eric's Kindness to the people around him will never be forgotten.
Although I am sad to have a friend taken at such a young age, I am grateful to have known him.
My friend Eric, who lived in San Francisco, died Jan.3. I only got to know Eric over a three day period, while staying with his house mate Gabe. Eric lit up whatever room he walked into with his kind heart, jokes, and bright spirit.
I got the joy of celebrating Eric's 30 (or 31st birthday, can't remember now) with him and eating a beautiful and delicious brunch made by him to celebrate the occasion, with the rest of the pilgrims who had come to stay at the Fair Avenue house for the San Francisco Bike Festival. At one point during the meal Eric motioned to a box in the corner of the room "There are fresh California nectarines in that box, help yourself." "Are you sure? I'll eat the whole box if you let me, those aren't in season for another month in Utah" I said. He answered "If they aren't in season where you live, eat more! They were just picked a day or two ago" I told him I didn't have a way to repay him and he answered with "Just tell us your stories, thats all we ask for". Eric truly embodied the phrase "Food for thought" feeding people all over San Francisco in exchange for a conversation.
The night before I was to depart San Francisco I was packing up my things and Eric said to me "Don't forget to take some fruit with you". I ate nectarines the entire train ride back to Utah.
Eric's Kindness to the people around him will never be forgotten.
Although I am sad to have a friend taken at such a young age, I am grateful to have known him.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Cheers to a new year
There is 15 minutes till the new year arrives and I am sitting at my parents house in Colorado typing away. Most people may ask "Why are you not out partying?" In reality, I should be. With the heavens and hells that 2009 brought me, I should be celebrating the fact that the year is over and I am heading in a new direction in life. But instead I have chosen to be with the people I love most, updating a blog I barely write on.
I have nothing bad to say about 2009. It was such an eventful year for me. I graduated from college, went on my first bike tour, planed and exicuted the fourth annual Cache Valley Bike Festival, and got to spend a lot of time with my brother.
There were heart aches, heart breaks, emotional highs and lows that I wondered if I would make it through. There were memorable bike rides, car rides, and hikes that made me realize that life is so much bigger than the 3x5 we find ourselves looking at on a daily basis.
I am excited for 2010, really excited. I can't wait to ski as much as I can afford, climb as often as I can, ride to wherever I want, laugh more, love more, and not be afraid of what is out there. Cheers 2010, I love you already.
I have nothing bad to say about 2009. It was such an eventful year for me. I graduated from college, went on my first bike tour, planed and exicuted the fourth annual Cache Valley Bike Festival, and got to spend a lot of time with my brother.
There were heart aches, heart breaks, emotional highs and lows that I wondered if I would make it through. There were memorable bike rides, car rides, and hikes that made me realize that life is so much bigger than the 3x5 we find ourselves looking at on a daily basis.
I am excited for 2010, really excited. I can't wait to ski as much as I can afford, climb as often as I can, ride to wherever I want, laugh more, love more, and not be afraid of what is out there. Cheers 2010, I love you already.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Bikes: Why I winter ride
I've been called crazy for years for riding my bike for commuting purposes, no mater the time of year. In the winter the use of crazy seems to have a higher percentage of usage in context to people riding their bikes. Crazy is as crazy does, I just want to ride and here is why.
People ask me all the time,"Why would you ride your bike in the winter? It's so cold" I ride my bike 350 day a year, putting weather on the back burner because we still drive, walk, and go about our lives regardless of what the weather is doing so why would I stop riding my bike because of it? Snow storms, flooding, cold below 0 F and monsoons are the exception for not riding my bike. Riding is a great way for me to wake up in the morning. Any time I have had to drive to work, due to bringing big things to the shop, I have found that I am not as alert because my heart rate hasn't been brought up and my body hasn't moved a great deal.
Today it was 15-20 F when I let my house this morning. Although I could have easily driven my car (the 8 blocks to work) I rode my bike because although it maybe cold, riding a bike keeps me warm. I don't have to bundle up as much as I would if I were walking.
So what do I wear to keep warm but not over heat? Every winter I try to find the right combo of base layer to jacket ratio that will keep me at the perfect temperature but truthfully it comes down to having a good wind breaker, great gloves (I use Pearl Izumi crab claws)something to keep the ears warm, and a scarf to keep the wind from chapping the face. From there I adjust my layers as needed for the temperature. If it is very cold, I'll put on some spandex pants under my jeans or skirt (yes, I still ride in skirts in the winter), and wearing shoes that the wind doesn't cut into as much.
So there is snow on the ground in the winter, big deal. I just ride a little slower, a little more cautiously, and I make sure my tires have the proper psi in them to give me the traction I need. I don't ride with nobby or studded tires in the winter because there really isn't a need for them unless one is planning on riding in some hardcore snow. Slicks do fine as long as you aren't trying to be a speed demon.
I'm not afraid of father winter, he can bring on the snow and the cold, I'm still going to ride because it's what makes me feel good and helps me do my part to ensure that Cache Valley air stays a little cleaner.
People ask me all the time,"Why would you ride your bike in the winter? It's so cold" I ride my bike 350 day a year, putting weather on the back burner because we still drive, walk, and go about our lives regardless of what the weather is doing so why would I stop riding my bike because of it? Snow storms, flooding, cold below 0 F and monsoons are the exception for not riding my bike. Riding is a great way for me to wake up in the morning. Any time I have had to drive to work, due to bringing big things to the shop, I have found that I am not as alert because my heart rate hasn't been brought up and my body hasn't moved a great deal.
Today it was 15-20 F when I let my house this morning. Although I could have easily driven my car (the 8 blocks to work) I rode my bike because although it maybe cold, riding a bike keeps me warm. I don't have to bundle up as much as I would if I were walking.
So what do I wear to keep warm but not over heat? Every winter I try to find the right combo of base layer to jacket ratio that will keep me at the perfect temperature but truthfully it comes down to having a good wind breaker, great gloves (I use Pearl Izumi crab claws)something to keep the ears warm, and a scarf to keep the wind from chapping the face. From there I adjust my layers as needed for the temperature. If it is very cold, I'll put on some spandex pants under my jeans or skirt (yes, I still ride in skirts in the winter), and wearing shoes that the wind doesn't cut into as much.
So there is snow on the ground in the winter, big deal. I just ride a little slower, a little more cautiously, and I make sure my tires have the proper psi in them to give me the traction I need. I don't ride with nobby or studded tires in the winter because there really isn't a need for them unless one is planning on riding in some hardcore snow. Slicks do fine as long as you aren't trying to be a speed demon.
I'm not afraid of father winter, he can bring on the snow and the cold, I'm still going to ride because it's what makes me feel good and helps me do my part to ensure that Cache Valley air stays a little cleaner.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Life: A year of of used stuff
An update to the blog! It's about time and I will start blogging a lot more now that I have given myself a challenge and a reason to blog. What is the challenge/ reason?
I am spending the next year, October 2009-October 2010, not buying brand new things. What defines "things"? Shoes, shirts, pants, cooking wear, sheets, towels, things for my apartment. A whole year.
This means that if I need/want something I have to go to a thrift store or yard sale and buy it. My reason for doing this is because people throw out perfectly good, almost new things every day all because capitalism tells them that they "need" this new thing, or that new thing. For example; I bought a Bosch stand mixer from the local thrift store, Somebodies Attic, for $9 this summer and it was barely used. You could tell from the condition of it that it may have been used a total of 15 times and then placed in a closet for 10 years before they got rid of it. With things like Bosch stand mixers out on the used market, I see no reason to buy new things.
Since starting this challenge I have bought the following things, that I needed for my apartment, used:
- Bosch Stand Mixer
- Metal Bread Box
- Madeleine Pan
- Angel Food Cake Pan
- Toaster oven with a rotisserie option (all parts included and owners manual)
- dutch oven style crockery pot for Shepard's pie
For my personal use:
-Peacock looking shirt (to wear at Thanksgiving dinner)
- USSR cycling Jersey
- The dvd (still in packaging!) of "The Bands Visit"
- Burton Beanie (that I subsequently lost last week and saw someone else wearing on campus days later. Right on! Glad you found it!..I am dead serious)
- Two winter sweaters from DI in purple and red
- A vintage PUMA messenger bag
- A 2001 Subaru Forester
- A Fuji Supreme bicycle and rear basket
I'm off to a good start and surprisingly I have started to curb my craving for buying useless crap. I do credit watching the story of stuff being one of the major reasons I am doing this. Watch it, it will change your life.
I am spending the next year, October 2009-October 2010, not buying brand new things. What defines "things"? Shoes, shirts, pants, cooking wear, sheets, towels, things for my apartment. A whole year.
This means that if I need/want something I have to go to a thrift store or yard sale and buy it. My reason for doing this is because people throw out perfectly good, almost new things every day all because capitalism tells them that they "need" this new thing, or that new thing. For example; I bought a Bosch stand mixer from the local thrift store, Somebodies Attic, for $9 this summer and it was barely used. You could tell from the condition of it that it may have been used a total of 15 times and then placed in a closet for 10 years before they got rid of it. With things like Bosch stand mixers out on the used market, I see no reason to buy new things.
Since starting this challenge I have bought the following things, that I needed for my apartment, used:
- Bosch Stand Mixer
- Metal Bread Box
- Madeleine Pan
- Angel Food Cake Pan
- Toaster oven with a rotisserie option (all parts included and owners manual)
- dutch oven style crockery pot for Shepard's pie
For my personal use:
-Peacock looking shirt (to wear at Thanksgiving dinner)
- USSR cycling Jersey
- The dvd (still in packaging!) of "The Bands Visit"
- Burton Beanie (that I subsequently lost last week and saw someone else wearing on campus days later. Right on! Glad you found it!..I am dead serious)
- Two winter sweaters from DI in purple and red
- A vintage PUMA messenger bag
- A 2001 Subaru Forester
- A Fuji Supreme bicycle and rear basket
I'm off to a good start and surprisingly I have started to curb my craving for buying useless crap. I do credit watching the story of stuff being one of the major reasons I am doing this. Watch it, it will change your life.
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