Five Things

Alright, I'll play. I've been tagged into disclosing 5 unknown things about myself. I suppose I have to tag 5 people but I don't know if I know that many people who would respond on this blogger thing...so perhaps I will use some of my non-blogging peoples. So if you're reading this (and I know you are) you better respond :) Stickboy, J.B., Jeffy, B-Horn, Jennie.

1. I am hypoglycemic. If my blood sugar drops so do I. It can get ugly - most of you who know me know I need to constantly have some sort of caloric intake at all times especially when I work out. Only the select few have seen my at my worst - it's not pretty.

2. I am addicted to exercise. I need the endorphin rush. It can come in the form of a run, bike, hike, swim, kayak, ski, play w/ doggies, climb - whatever. I need it! If I don't get out and do it on a regular basis I slip into a catatonic mental state which is almost as unattractive as hypoglycemic shock. This is the reason for me not having knee surgery yet. The thought of not being able to get my endorphin rush on a regular basis scares the crap out of me.

3. I danced ballet for 10 years. That's right the Ice Princess was a ballerina - if any of you ever make fun of me for it I will kick your posterior! If it weren't for that I would be the biggest klutz in the world. It was fun and it gave me what little flexibility, grace and balance I have to this day.

4. I really enjoy being alone. As social as I am and as much as I love my friends/fam/people around me - I equally love my solitude. My favourite times are hikes deep in the woods with Sergei (the only "person" I love to have around me even when I want to be alone).

5. I have an irrational fear of rats. Yes rats....just typing it in gives me the creeps. I once locked myself in my work truck and wouldn't make a delivery because a rat was outside of my truck. I even called my dispatchers - who got a great laugh out of it. I freaked out to the point where I thought the rat would try and open the door to the truck then subsequently try to climb in through the vents when it discovered the doors were locked. Yes, it's that bad.

So there it is in writing - I suppose I feel cleansed by putting it out there. Do with it what you will, but remember...don't make fun of the Ice Princess Ballerina!!!

Christmas Memoirs

I am back from my travels to Philadelphia, Sellersville, Bethlehem and Buffalo (yes, Buffalo). My travels over the holiday were filled with an excess of amazing food, meeting (lots) of new people, seeing "old" people, a new church experience, an old church experience, singing, music, sports, a motorcycle ride, running, great new towns, site seeing in old cities, parks, walks, talks, a movie and spiced wine...Yikes. To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement - to say it was just great would be a verbal injustice. I can not put into words what an amazing time I had.

The five days flew by so fast, my head was spinning and still is with all the activity. There was so much to absorb and process. At the end of each day I thought for certain I would collapse with exhaustion but instead my head kept going (and going) and as a result my sleep cycle suffered - so yesterday on my drive back, the fight to remain awake was only successfully achieved by the continuation of my mind running at an unimaginable speed. The past five days spinning and spinning. It was a good five hour period filled with reflective thoughts, defragmentation of my brain and lots of NPR. Only to get home to my crazy, cabin-fever filled animals...time to run. I don't know where I mustered up the energy but Sonia and I went on a great run (Sergei, poor guy, is getting to old for ass-kicking runs :( More time to think as we were gone for an hour - my knee woke me last night from the pain - good times. Then it was off to Buffalo for a hockey game and more family/friend time. I am exhausted mentally and physically. Emotionally I feel incredible - I just wish I could show it - but my body just hurts. Let me sleep and I will be back to my hyper-ridiculous self by New Year's Eve - promise!

Holiday Cheer

I am venturing to Parts Unknown, PA for Christmas therefore I will be out of blogging commission for the next 5 days...so I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Fantastic Festivus, Killer Kwanzaa or whatever you do during those days off!

Eat, drink, and be merry - 'cause that's what I am planning on doing. Sock's going down to NYC to party with the ladies...and I see he has begun his festivities a bit early - go on with your bad self, Sock!

Stuck In My Head

"Don’t see elysium
Don’t see no fiery hell
Just the lights up bright baby
In the bay hotel
Next we're coming in
Like an ocean roar
Won’t you take my hand darling
On that old dancefloor..."

Brotherly Love

This is off of my brother's website...and his quote:

"My sister,'Big Red', is the founder and president of this franchise. Just ask her liver!"

Nice one, Alex!

Sock in London

"Learning to drive on the "Other Side" was a tedious task that often left him frustrated and driving to a pub."

Love and Snow

It has been snowing here for several days straight. For me it is heaven - at least heaven the way I would imagine it to be. To me there is nothing more beautiful than the world encased in the perfect brilliance of a snowfall. Running through the park the other day was affirmation of that belief. Not another soul was in this 900 acre oasis that day. In a way being alone in the park was amazing, but somehow in another way it kind of saddened me. Why are more people not loving this? Oh yeah it's because I live in Rottenchester. Hmmmm.

So the problem with this city (there are many - bear with me as I am about to focus only on one) is that most of the people here don't enjoy the climate. There's a loaded statement - the climate here pretty much sucks most of the year. It's too hot in the summer (that's why God invented kayaks and the Lake!), it's too cold and rainy in the spring and fall (best inventions ever = Goretex and Wellies), and it's way too cold and snows too much in the winter (OMG that's why we ski, snowshoe, run in the snow, have sheep shearling....AAARRRGGGGG).

So as I was shoveling my driveway - for the 5th time in two days - not that I need it shoveled as my bad ass Subaru can go pretty much into ~4' of snow (after 4' I def need to shovel) - those were the thoughts running through my head. Yes I will agree that Rochester is a far cry from a perfect city. I always said that if there was a 12,000 ft. mountain set right next to Lake Ontario I would never even consider leaving - but there isn't so I do. I just get so annoyed when people bitch about the snow and the cold and the rain and the....Fucking MOVE! Don't heat up my chill! For now I am stuck in this purgatory and all you guys are stuck in it with me...so make the best of it and stop wrecking my temporary glimpses of heaven!

Wanna Run

Today's the kind of day I just want to scream. Not from pain or anger or fright...just scream. For release. To get it out. It's the kind of day where all of these things, inexplicable things, are jumbled so tightly inside that you just have to get them out - and now! They can't be talked through or justified...they just need to manifest themselves in a scream...or a killer run...in the crazy snow storm that's going on right now. So I think I will do the latter, for fear of being seen as crazy if the former takes hold here at the office.

Only problem my right knee is a "little" fucked up...hmmm I think extra Ben-Gay, knee brace and some ibuprofen should do the trick. Perhaps afterwards the scream will come but in the form of actual pain - nothing like a little masochism to make you feel alive :-D Besides snow is cushy, right?

(*All rights to that photo belong to C.B. - Colorado Rock Star and Alpine Mountaineer Extraordinaire)

Mmmm Cheesecake

Sock's new love for cheesecake has manifested itself in a most disturbing display at the Cheesecake Factory in Dallas, TX.

Life & Guinness

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cans of Guinness from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Guinness represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."

WTF?!?!

Crazy stressful day here in sunny, warm, friendly Rottenchester. For those of you who feel my pain - check this:

http://www.cattlerange.com/stress-test/stress-test.html

Pure Luck

Did you ever wake up feeling like you are the luckiest person alive? Lucky for absolutely everything (except the bills that are stacked up by the fridge - we don't like those EVER!)? Lucky for the friends you have and for those you haven't even met yet? For your family as dysfunctional as they are they are all still incredible people that have shaped you today - whether you like it or not? Lucky for your health and the ability to go out and do all the crazy shit you want to do? Lucky for having time in the morning to play with the dogs in the snow while it's still dark out and world is still asleep? Lucky for the opportunities you are presented with?

I don't know why, perhaps its because I get a little nostalgic during the holidays (yes even the ice princess has a chink in her armor). I am usually aware that I have it pretty good compared to some and I admit I love my life the way it is - crazy shit, hard times and all. But today I guess it just became more vivid to me. It happens once in a while - I love those days! Do you think if you awoke each day feeling that lucky that you would begin to take it for granted? I hope not.

The Dangers of Over-Analysing

I am an over analyser - In everything I do - In every aspect of my life. I can’t help it. I try to stop but to no avail my mind just naturally drives itself to put all occurrences, experiences, thoughts, etc. under a figurative electron microscope. However, to say that I am detail oriented would be a completely false statement. One would think that with an overly analytical mind would come order and decorum. WRONG! I wish that were the case. For some bizarre reason I can’t keep things straight to save my life – either mentally or otherwise. Well, perhaps if a life were truly in jeopardy, I might be forced to clean my mental house…but that scenario has never (and hopefully will never) present itself.

With my job it is expected that we keep everything in order - in detailed, well documented and engineered order. I, on the other hand, am the equivalent of the absent- minded professor. (Well, to say I am of the intellect of a professor would be drastically over inflated). Anyway, I am a tornado when I work. My papers are scattered randomly across my entire workspace, spilling onto the floor and into adjacent cubicles. I work on multiple projects simultaneously only because I have to. I can not focus on only one task at a time – it is a futile attempt and nothing gets accomplished. I am a mess – or so it seems to the untrained eye. When in fact in this mayhem of documentation and flurry of pencils I find myself contently completing one mundane task at a time.

Back to the over analysation. So why is it that some people are in fact over-analysers while others just seem to drift along in their blissful acceptance of the way the world works? I can not comprehend the latter. While I am for the most part very optimistic, I tend to question everything and wonder why it is the way it is. Not because it’s just supposed to be. There must be a reason, a driving force, a theory, an alternate push to the pull…why sometimes it all works in symbiotic unison while other times it is in complete disarray? When I ask about it "all" or "it" I suppose I mean all of it, the world, life, everything. Ok, so this train of thought is quite possibly the direct result of not enough sleep, too much caffeine and an overwhelming workload. I just needed a 10-minute break from my day to ensure sanity. To all that are going to read this and wonder what drug I’m on…don’t wonder, most of you who do know me already know, I don’t require drugs for these things :)

Just Sit There and Look Pretty

Forgot about this until I actually looked at the pics I have on myspace...good memories of a couple of visits ago to SLC (this is actually Deer Valley).

Look at these two lovely, ladylike, delicate flowers. Sitting so gracefully atop a mountain waiting for their princes to come along.

Nah - we're just taking a breather after racing to the top before we killed it running back down at full speed! Princes, huh? Only if they can catch us...and when they do they better be ready for a foot race!

Sock's New Endevours

Sock has been spotted recently...after receiving a picture of him doing some route mapping, he was found to be somewhere up north around Lake Champlain...Vermont or Canada?

Slacker

I have been slacking on my blog writing duties and for good reason. I need to recover from the weekend. I should re-phrase that, by recover I don't mean from an old fashioned bender or from too many late nights of pool playing and beer drinking. My recovery is that of a different nature. I need a day to come back down to earth and regain my thoughts :) To be continued...

From Russia With Love

It's true Russians love their vodka...did you know that they love their wine just as much? This is a "Vino-Theque" kind of like a super market just for wine. Brilliant!

Taos Dreams

I woke up this morning dreaming of Taos. Not exactly sure what spurred those thoughts, but they were just there in my head - something must have triggered them. I have been racking my brain all morning trying to find the catalyst - to no avail. Usually really crisp, cold nights where the sky is a black canvas mottled with little flecks of white, shimmering paint brings my mind back to Taos. Or mornings when the air is biting and dry and the rays of sun are a welcoming warmth to the snowy landscape. But this morning it was cold, damp, windy and rainy - typical Rochester and even more so contrasting to New Mexico. Maybe it has been my need for the mountains or perhaps my anticipation of the winter snows and skiing. Not sure but I know I miss it. Maybe later the reason will come to me. I suppose for now I will just enjoy the files brought out by my memory banks.

Lessons from Sergei

Sergei is my favourite dog - yes I have favourites...if you know them both then you know why. This morning brought grey skies, damp, cold air and a light dusting of snow. Now being from the northern part of New York State I have grown up with the tundra like conditions bestowed upon us for the greater part of the year. It doesn't get easier to get acclimated to the cold however. So today when taking the dogs out at 6 a.m. I grumbled under my breath about the freezing cold and crap weather when simultaniously looking at Sergei get all excited about it.

Each year when the first snow falls he can not contain his excitement and today was that day. It was as if this 11 year old dog had jumped into the snowy fountain of youth. I couldn't get him or his crazy sister back in the house (couple of dog treats finally did the trick). Many years before I had rescued Sergei (or maybe he rescued me?) I hated winter and hated even more to be cold - even with all the winter sports I had participated in. Almost 11 years later, I find myself getting more and more excited for the first snow. I have found that I love the winter (skiing aside - that's just my crazy adrenaline fix) and all that you can do in it. I have also found that Sergei has passed on his view of the world to me. Sounds crazy, I know, but in his simplified dog's view of the world he has simplified mine. So the lesson from Sergei today is: IT'S SNOWING - LET'S PLAY!!!!!!

Jello Flambe

After yesterday proving itself to be of great a many disappointments, today is going much more positively. I felt the need to scream yesterday - loud! But I didn't, instead a thorough cleaning of my house incorporated with an hour of spinning out proved to be more therapeutic. It was either that or a bottle of wine. For once the wine lost the battle and the results seem much more fulfilling than a hangover. The frustration is still there but my mind is more at ease. I have to realize that we don't always have control over what others do and that we can't, or shouldn't, defend our feelings. Those who we think we can count on, sometimes prove to us otherwise and those whom we would never consider prove trustworthy. The irony of it all is enough to make you laugh and cry all at the same time. (I, however, do not cry - it is for wusses). So I laughed - forcefully - after my legs felt like jello flambe. Such a beautiful feeling.

So with those thoughts I either find myself in denial or comforted. I would like to go with the latter, just for sanity's sake. As well as the sake of my state of mind being much more, shall we say, resilient today. As for tomorrow, I guarantee it will be even better!

Random Encounters - Biking in Philly

I consider myself a friendly person, in fact, I think I can be overly friendly sometimes. However when out at a bar I am the exact opposite. I don't do the meat market thing, I don't go to meet men, and I most certainly do not like any attention from random strangers who are looking to "get some". Once in a while, though, there are those random encounters that surprise me.

Not wanting to sit and watch football in my brother's apartment on a Saturday night, I begrudgingly took myself out to a local bar. Grabbing the last available bar stool with TV access, I ordered a beer and began watching the Flyers/Penguins game. After a few minutes the man to my left initiated conversation - at first I was a bit stand-offish. I am usually forwardly curt with anyone who tries to talk to me at bars. I am known as the Ice Princess back home for just that reason...however, either I was being nice because I was not in my comfort zone or I just didn't feel threatened - his efforts were reciprocated. Next thing we were playing pool, chatting and laughing like old friends. I realize that alcohol is an uninhibiting device for some...and perhaps that was one of the factors of our comfortable interaction that night...perhaps.

The next day he phoned to have lunch - alright - I love to eat, he was very nice and seemed to be a perfect gentleman, why not? He shows up at my brother's place with two bikes - a beautiful Cannondale road bike and an Alan track bike - YIKES! A man who is cool and knows bikes...dangerous combination for me - if he was a downhill skier I might have to propose - that's all right, no one's perfect. Anyway, so we ride throughout the city to the lunch spot. Have a great time - he's even more attractive today. How does that happen? I thought beer goggles don't work the next day? Regardless, it was an amazing time with an amazing random encounter. I don't know if I will ever see him again. I hope to...but only time will tell. If I don't I can still think about riding through the city with a cool guy, on a killer bike and smile till my face hurts :)

I'm 21 Again!

This is what happens when you bend the truth about your age...it gets grossly bent - 21?!?!?!

http://democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071104/SPORTS0103/711040324/1009/HEALTH

Short Fall Off the Wagon

Ok, so I have come to the painful realization that I am weak. Not physically weak, in that realm (when in top shape) I can hold my own - but mentally that's another story. My weaknesses are manifested in the forms of a great glass of dry, oaky, 1998 Reserve Cabernet or a Post Road Pumpkin Ale. The finer things in life are there for a reason - to be enjoyed.

When I got home Wednesday from climbing, I was all set to go in, shower up and check out for the night. The dogs had a great time at the rock gym as did I. My first day of detox felt great. Then I hear over the fence "Ari? Ari, grab a chair c'mon over. Do you want a beer?". My neighbors were having a small gathering over a fire pit...the battle began in my head. Do I want a beer? Hmmm, of course. "Ari, you are detoxing" angelic Ari said to my embattled brain. "But you only live once...and it is a nice night for a good beer by the fire" the little devil Ari said perched on my left shoulder. If you know me, then you know who almost always wins this battle. I think I threw the little angel Ari into the neighbors fire pit...and cracked open a most delicious Indian Pale Ale. Sometimes being weak has its delicious and thirst quenching high points.

Ok so I am not at a point where I want to give up alcohol. Do I really need to? I will just continue my eating a healthy diet and excercise - that's kept me going so far. After all I did get my trainer set up so I can jump on my road bike whenever I can't ride outside. . . I am not worried. Besides when I move to SLC Jennie will kick my ass if I am not in shape enough to keep up with her. If any of you know Jennie, that's motivation enough! Yikes!

Cold Turkey and Discipline

After a long weekend of excessive drinking (and some smoking- blah) that has spilled over into the week. . . I have come to the realization that I need to detox. So I have decided to streamline my diet, cut out any impurities and quit - gulp - yes, quit drinking for a while. YIKES! I think it will be good - a little discipline is definately needed in my life, right now. I figure I will set my goal to purify until Thanksgiving. I figure that's doable, right? After all you can't eat turkey without a good merlot, can you? But I definately can not smoke anymore. I am an athelete - and it's disgusting. But for some reason when I have a couple in me, all of a sudden, it's acceptable. Until the next day when I go to take a run and can't even get through the second mile. SO LAME! It's got to stop, I say. Wish me luck...

note: caffeine will not be cut out of my diet - I would surely be forced to kill someone if coffee were taken away.

Pumpkins and Beer

Two of my favourite things...thank god today is the last day of the work week. After one crisis after another my week of "fire fighting" is almost over. Tonight I celebrate with a beer and pumpkin carving party. This brilliant idea came from my roommate who thought that mixing alocohol with a knife weilding activity would be great :) Me? I am just in it for the beer and to stand by with my first aid kit handy - I am red cross certified, you know. I just can't wait to relax and catch a nice buzz...but first I must go put out some more fires. How is anything productive supposed to get done when they have me off smoke jumping? I just have to remember the light at the end of the tunnel....mmmm, beer.

Update

I have just received an update on Sock's whereabouts. He is on the tracks in South Norwalk, CT...more updates to follow

Sock's Story

Sock monkey has been the best travel buddy I have ever had (next to Steph, Lynn and my other cohorts). He was a gift to me when I travelled to Russia three years ago from my ex so that I would have a reminder of him during our summer apart. Sock (as we have fondly come to call him) has seen and experienced more of the world than most humans dream of. When Lynn and Steph joined me in Russia they quickly came to love him and the 3 of us decided to create "the Adventures of Sock Monkey" series. And so his life of infamy (and sometimes debauchery) began...

Having broken up with the giver of Sock sometime ago, I have since donated, burned or given away all he had ever given to me. It was my way of starting over, coping or whatever you may call it (female drama?). The one thing I could not get rid of was Sock. He became so much more than a gift. He became a partner in crime, an integral part of my travels, and an anticipated familiar red smile among our photos. Deciding that I needed to let him go (sob) to finally be completely over the past was a most difficult decision. I scoured my mind and quietly studied my friends to decide who would have the honor of being Sock's new travel partner. So it only seemed natural when one average day I was reading my friend Lynn's blog from El Salvador, then the next from Guatemala, then the next from Montreal or wherever she had ended up...she just had to be the next owner of Sock!

So this past weekend I met with Lynn in Vermont. Not letting her know exactly what was going to happen, I discretely placed Sock on her bed in the hotel prior to her arrival (sob). When she did finally show up he greeted her with a most welcome and very familiar red smile that we have all grown so found of. She didn't even ask but just knew why he was on her bed. The rest of the weekend he spent in her care, driving in her car, photos in her house...

It is still hard for me, but I know he is in good hands and he will see far more of the world with Lynn. I only asked that I keep getting photographic evidence of his amazing endeavours and that he join us on our adventures, as well. God speed, Sock!

Playing Hooky

Today is a typically dreary, rainy day in Rochester. I usually feel depleted on the days it rains here - not sure if it's due to the lack of sun light or the fact that it's just not motivating to go and play outside in the cold, autumn rain. But today I feel rejuvenated. It could be the combined 24 hours of sleep I had over the weekend or it could be the fact that I went AWOL yesterday and spent the afternoon road riding in Mendon instead. Yes, I am certain the latter is the cause of my mental and physical well being today.

Having an unusual warm and sunny day in late October is reason for celebratation in this town...so that's what I did. By leaving work 3 hours early and enjoying every bit of the amazing day that was left. I know work will be here today, tomorrow and the following days to come as I also know that it will rain (and snow) for more days than I can handle (for the next several months). Therefore an executive decision had to made. Work a full day and waste the weather or skip out and pay for it later. I am currently paying on that debt but with a great sense of fulfillment and an ear to ear grin :)

Don't Upset the Monkey

This is what happens when you do upset the monkey...YIKES!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/22/india.monkeyattack.ap/index.html

Back in Civilization

I am back from a long weekend of no internet access and a cell phone which kept roaming on a Canadian signal. So it feels great to check my millions of emails, make all those calls that I missed and yes, to blog again. I am, however, exhausted from the drive so I will have to continue my thoughts tomorrow...

Road Tripping

So I just returned from my weekend of many miles, bad radio and even worse drivers...it's so good to be home. As I sit with my laptop, in my bed, surrounded by my menagerie of animals (real ones, not stuffed - sock monkey has a new owner now...that's a whole other story). I must say as much as I love to travel and experience new locations, re-live old locations or just get out of Rottenchester - I ABSOLUTELY HATE DRIVING! No matter how amazing the destination if the road trip requires me behind the wheel, I will most definitely be frazzled at the end of it all.

The fact that I don't have any real means to good tunes doesn't help matters. Why is it that in the rural parts of our country the only stations available to us are either "bad" country or bible thumping? I say "bad" country because there is such a thing as good country. For instance Rascal Flatts is bad country. George Strait is good country. You get the picture? Probably not but that's irrelevant.

So then my other choice were the stations that felt they needed to save my sinful soul. NO thanks. I know I am a far cry from a saint, but I do try to live a good, clean life (ok, so I like to drink, however, monks make beer & Jesus turned water into wine...I rest my case - of 2003 Modavi Reserve Cabernet). So to try and stomach the blasphemous spew that's crying out for me to take Jesus into my heart, blah, blah from a man who most likely has at least one if not several mistresses is intolerable! Ok, so then I turn to the a.m. dial on my 1998 standard Subaru radio...and I do find salvation. This auditory ray of sunlight through the clouds of the f.m. convolution comes in the form of NPR. Ah yes, the only thing I have to keep me from barrelling into on-coming traffic or veer my 16" wheels (hell yeah - El Fuego is pimped w/ his racing tires!) off the shoulder then subsequently off a cliff. This however is impossible due to the fact that NYS Thruway is as flat as the road killed possum I passed by mile marker 179. So to drive off the shoulder would only result in my car engaging it's all wheel drive and keep going through some poor farmer's field destroying either his soybean crop or scaring the shit out of his cattle. We don't like hurting the hard working people in the world.

They say it is not the destination but the journey - in my case destination was the only thing I had going for me...
The leaves in Vermont were amazingly beautiful and the couple of days in Cape Vincent were incredibly relaxing - the journey did provide a well deserved interlude amongst the chaos of the road. And now I am home and grounded - for a few days at least, when the memory of driving fades and the desire of getting the hell out here takes over again!

American Fork Canyon

Rookie

So this is my first blog - ever. Yes, EVER! I don't have an IPOD, the "stereo" I use is a boombox from 1991, I just got a laptop last fall (first computer EVER), I don't IM, I don't download songs on Itunes, nor have I ever even seen the Napster site, I don't Ebay, hell, my car still has a tape deck! So to say I am behind the techie times would be a gross understatement. I know, I feel as if I have living under a rock or in some technologically backwards timewarp - I just got my first DVD player (ever) last Christmas. Well, it's time to catch up with the 21st Century (that is the one we're in, right?)....

I must also interject here that this blogging thing was no idea of mine...oh no. As a human being we are susceptible to peer pressures and influences, both positive and negative, from those we hold closest to us. Brutus fell to the (negative) pressures of those who wanted a leader removed - so he killed his best friend due to those pressures. When in Rome.....

Here I am blogging because my roommate has started doing it on his myspace page, then one of my closest friends started her own blog site(thanks Jennie) - next thing I knew everyone was doing it! I must say, I have never been one to fall into the pressures of my peers - nor have I been known to follow the lemmings to the cliff - unless I am harnessed and tied off, of course. But here I am running with wild abandon staring at the furry little asses in front of me, not knowing where we will end up or even why we are running. All I know is they're all doing it, so it must be great....