Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Avid Biker: Day Two
First off, Matt insists that I stop saying "biker" or he will get a tattoo. "Cyclist" is the appropriate term, he says. Alright, "cyclist" then. We went riding on Sunday and it was great except for the blisters on my fingers and a sore tush. Thus, I have gone in search of the proper accutrements for a the avid cycler.
First up: a helmet. Bell is best or so I hear and I was excited to find that make one in "Ice Lavender." Lavender is good. Matt and I drove to an Outdoor outfitter called REI where we promptly discovered that we are not of the "outdoor outfitter" level of avid yet. I think we barely pass for Target level avid. The difference: about 70% more dollars for everything. I just couldn't justify $36 cycling gloves yet, even if they had cushy gel grips.
What I do need is a cushy seat! Ouch! I think I might have outfitter level tush.
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First off, Matt insists that I stop saying "biker" or he will get a tattoo. "Cyclist" is the appropriate term, he says. Alright, "cyclist" then. We went riding on Sunday and it was great except for the blisters on my fingers and a sore tush. Thus, I have gone in search of the proper accutrements for a the avid cycler.
First up: a helmet. Bell is best or so I hear and I was excited to find that make one in "Ice Lavender." Lavender is good. Matt and I drove to an Outdoor outfitter called REI where we promptly discovered that we are not of the "outdoor outfitter" level of avid yet. I think we barely pass for Target level avid. The difference: about 70% more dollars for everything. I just couldn't justify $36 cycling gloves yet, even if they had cushy gel grips.
What I do need is a cushy seat! Ouch! I think I might have outfitter level tush.
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Sunday, May 16, 2004
Introducing the Renaissance Tan Line
Today I went to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie, Texas. I went sporting my newly created wench outfit - replete with a red velvet corset, green wool skirt and a white, puffy sleeved, off-the-shoulder muslin shift. I returned with a painful (albiet amusing) sunburn consisting of a square neckline and back (from the corset) and cute crescent burns on each shoulder (between the corset straps and my sleeves.) It is quite possibly the oddest burn pattern I've ever seen. We adults wander into the sun so infrequently that it is easy to forget little things like sunscreen. Mores the pity, as I will now be sporting these newly created tan lines for the rest of the summer.
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Today I went to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie, Texas. I went sporting my newly created wench outfit - replete with a red velvet corset, green wool skirt and a white, puffy sleeved, off-the-shoulder muslin shift. I returned with a painful (albiet amusing) sunburn consisting of a square neckline and back (from the corset) and cute crescent burns on each shoulder (between the corset straps and my sleeves.) It is quite possibly the oddest burn pattern I've ever seen. We adults wander into the sun so infrequently that it is easy to forget little things like sunscreen. Mores the pity, as I will now be sporting these newly created tan lines for the rest of the summer.
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Friday, May 14, 2004
The Avid Biker Emerges
For plenty of good reasons, Matt and I have decided to become avid bikers. Here is an account of day one:
1) Matt decides that today is the day he will get our bikes into ship shape.
2) He goes out on the balcony and attempts to pump air into the tires of my bike.
3) He returns from the balcony and announces that there is a leak in the bicycle pump hose.
4) We drive to Target and purchase a new bike pump.
5) Matt goes out on the balcony and attempts to pump air into the tires of my bike.
6) He returns from the balcony and announces that the tube inside one of my tires was torn because my rim strip broke.
7) We drive to Bill's Bike Shop and purchase a new tube and a new rim strip.
8) Matt goes out on the balcony and attempts to pump air into the tires of my bike.
9) A tremendous explosion is heard from the balcony followed by a long silence.
10) I go out on the balcony to discover a completely mutilated tire and tube and a mostly deaf husband.
11) We decide to become avid bikers tomorrow.
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For plenty of good reasons, Matt and I have decided to become avid bikers. Here is an account of day one:
1) Matt decides that today is the day he will get our bikes into ship shape.
2) He goes out on the balcony and attempts to pump air into the tires of my bike.
3) He returns from the balcony and announces that there is a leak in the bicycle pump hose.
4) We drive to Target and purchase a new bike pump.
5) Matt goes out on the balcony and attempts to pump air into the tires of my bike.
6) He returns from the balcony and announces that the tube inside one of my tires was torn because my rim strip broke.
7) We drive to Bill's Bike Shop and purchase a new tube and a new rim strip.
8) Matt goes out on the balcony and attempts to pump air into the tires of my bike.
9) A tremendous explosion is heard from the balcony followed by a long silence.
10) I go out on the balcony to discover a completely mutilated tire and tube and a mostly deaf husband.
11) We decide to become avid bikers tomorrow.
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Monday, May 03, 2004
Sarah wants to know where I went. Here I am! Life after graduate school is pretty much the same as life after college - sort of numb and disconcerting and a total people vacuum. You go from having a very distinct goal and being surrounded by tons of people to starting all over and finding yourself quite alone in you apartment. This has persuaded me to get involved in some sort volunteering or something, both in search of purpose and people. I swear, if I were a pet, I'd be one of those ones you can't leave alone very long because they start chewing on themselves out of loneliness.
I started a process to get a teaching certificate, but ran into several road blocks. This got me thinking to myself, do I really WANT to work for people again? Can one actually make a living making art instead? I posited this question at the lunch table some time back and was met with blank stares. Apparently, this was a very stupid question. Of course not. No one (except Sarah) does. So what are we spending our money on?? What kind of life is it if you can't pursue the thing you love?
Anyway, that's what I've been thinking about: painting, happy people, funfetti cupcakes, warm spring days, squeaky finches, anything that has to do with weddings - the things that interest me, things I love. Can you surround yourself and make a life with just these things? How do you live? Where does the money come from? So many questions....
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I started a process to get a teaching certificate, but ran into several road blocks. This got me thinking to myself, do I really WANT to work for people again? Can one actually make a living making art instead? I posited this question at the lunch table some time back and was met with blank stares. Apparently, this was a very stupid question. Of course not. No one (except Sarah) does. So what are we spending our money on?? What kind of life is it if you can't pursue the thing you love?
Anyway, that's what I've been thinking about: painting, happy people, funfetti cupcakes, warm spring days, squeaky finches, anything that has to do with weddings - the things that interest me, things I love. Can you surround yourself and make a life with just these things? How do you live? Where does the money come from? So many questions....
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