"Y'all two are Lonesome!"

This is one of my favorite quotes from Connor... it was referenced to a story regarding a certain Chicken Biscuit Indecent... but when I think of this picture sequence below, that is the only phrase that pops into my mind... This is what happens when I take the day off to study.. scary stuff...





Ahhhhk.....KISSES!!!!!


And one more for good measure ;-)

I Wanna Rock Your Gypsy Soul....

This weekend I was provided with a ticket to see the Dead and the Allman Brothers Band at the Gorge amphitheater in Washington state. Highlights? yes, there were highlights... let's see... musically: Blackhearted Woman with an Other Ones tease was pretty epic from the ABB and the Dead started out a bit sub par, especially from what they had been boasting in San Fran (ehem... Scarlett -> Fire...need I say more?) but they brought out a string of goodness that put a smile on my face... Dire Wolf, Tom Thumb's Blues, and a little Into the Mystic with Warren belting that tune... (loved that one) So, here is a little visual journal of the crazy weekend that took me from bluegrass in AK to the Classics in WA to the hot springs in Idaho... enjoy...


Ladies and Gentleman... Cold Country (with Bryan and Marta dancing in the foreground)


Welcome to hot hot Washington in May!! if it looks hot.. that is because it was smoking! 90 degrees, I felt like I was on a barb~e~que!!!


These cats were the two biggest Doobie Brothers fans in the entire world! Did I mention that they doobies were there? I wasn't too concerned, but these kids rocked the air guitar to every song. Take a gander at the chick's cut-off&roll-up jean shorts! love them!!


Ladies and Gentleman.. the Allman Brothers Band...


Rockin' the concert Tee!!


The Dead


Set break.


Although this is a lovely picture of Eric and Jess, let's be honest... this picture is really about the dude behind them... really? Yes, really.. this is the Dead show after all...


"Bobby" Weir Hot Spring on Weir Creek, Idaho! First time in Idaho! Loved it!!!


Tom, Jess and Eric.. Waiting our turn at the spring... we ended up just getting in with the rest of the peeps.. hey, it wasn't getting any less crowded! The hot spring was awesome, one of the best I have been to and paired with quick runs into the freezing river and some PBR, it turned out to be a great couple hours.


Me, Jess and a bigole Doug fir!


End of the Trip on the way to Bozeman... so lovely!

Strawberries Coltrane (these are a few of my favorite things)... oh yes, I did!

I just made a new dessert up because I needed some sweetness... It is called Strawberries Coltrane. It's basically just Angelfood Cake with cut up Strawberries in a simple syrup and Chocolate sauce, but it involves putting on John Coltrane and eating the strawberry shortcake~esque dessert while taking a bubble bath... it's pretty good...and yes, it could quite possibly be one of My Favorite Things...

Maybe Spoke too soon...

So I have good news and bad news... which first... well, I will start with the good news that I am pretty excited about.. Got my India Visa today!!! One step closer to the trip of a lifetime, version 2009...

On the bad news tip... I have to cancel my trip to climb the Granite Tors in FBX and soak up the Hot Springs at Chena at the end of the month because I have to have surgery on my vocal chords! No I am not kidding... I have a polyp on my vocal chords... this does not mean cancer and should not be that big of a deal.. I had a polyp when I was about 4 and was all fine for 25 years after that. The problem now lies with the stupid healthcare system in America... So, right now I have great insurance because I have the golden handcuffs of a corporate job wrapped pretty tightly... 90% coverage, and it's all gravy, right? Except for the fact that I plan on moving to Denver this fall (after a two month leave of absence to road trip and trek around India)and as of right now I do not have an authorized transfer in place.. this means if I am forced to abandon my healthcare coverage, then I MUST pay for Cobra, as any lapse in healthcare would throw this condition (along with any others that I have) into an uncovered pre-existing condition... brother! It's enough to make you want to move to Germany! And that is just what I may do someday!! hmph!

Well, this is the first 'knocked out completely' surgery that I will have had in 25 years (the last one was the last time this happened) and only the second ever! I am a little scared as I have to go to a real hospital this time and that is going to suck! I hope I don't get swine flu... time for some more BBQ to build that immunity up!

In a Dream...

The waves on Eklutna Lake are currently frozen in time... I was at a one year old's birthday bash at the lake today and upon walking down to the shore I saw the most amazing sight. The snow has melted off what is left of the ice on the lake and it has formed the most amazing phenomenon... waves frozen in time, azure ruffles frosted in white capps. I felt like I was in some sort of sci-fi dream world. It was gorgeous. I want to burn it into my retinas so I can see it forever. The next time I am in a swelteringly hot tropical country this is where I will go to find my mental happy place.

In order to be "too good to be true" it has to be "too good" first, right?

I have been thinking about this statement for about half a year now... in a way I have found comfort in the fact that when I find a flaw in something, by this logic above, it is real and true...nothing is perfect, and if something seems "too good", then you probably just don't know it well enough yet. Very pragmatic of me... if I do say so myself. In a strange way I am comforted by imperfections. As imperfect as the world is, finding and dealing with issues, loss, and emotions is a necessary part of life, and I have come to realize over the past 4 years that handling these imperfections has made me gain a certain clarity about my relationship with the world and others. I am stronger and more solid and so are many of these relationships. My heart has opened and I have become more free...

Enough waxing for today...

I got the results of my diagnostics back yesterday and there is apparently nothing wrong with my digestion or really anything that would be causing my weight loss... as I had hoped, I am merely just pretty healthy I guess... yay! I have thought about this a bit and am kind of cynical about the situation... after the bouts of depression that I have felt over the past 4 years.. all the loss of people dear to me, frustration in personal relationships.. I could go on... anywho, after all this strife, I finally start to feel happy and healthy and smile and... gasp! silence.... something must be wrong!!!!

All I can do is laugh at this.. I am quite silly with myself sometimes. I look and feel great (for the most part) and I swear something must be wrong with me... but to be too good to be true, it has to be too good first, right? Good thing I still have a little loss and frustration to keep me in the true.

Bird Ridge

Monday Namah and I took up Bird Ridge to achieve some clarity... Namah almost ate a marmot... I did get a bit of clarity, so success all around! Here are a few pics...


The gray dirty looking stuff on the snow is volcanic ash deposites...mmm...


Evening Fog on the Turnagain Arm







Moonrise.. it is itty bitty.. can you see it?


Clarity


This picture doesn't do it justice, but the drive home was magic! Pure turquoise water in the Arm and a pumpkin orange sunset over Sleeping Lady.. my favorite colors together at the end of a lovely day...

The Office...

Lisa wants to see more pics of my new hair... this one is of me at the Office... I woke up this morning after a heavy sound sleep (a bit late off the alarm) and realized, to my amazement, that my hair looked super cute! I didn't even have to wet it down... just shook it around and day it is! This evening after 40+ hours and one sound sleep in the middle, it still looks pretty cute! I am slightly amazed... this makes me happy. I like low maintenance anything.


check out the sweet whale pic behind me...It's a southern hemisphere Humpback!

Cinco de Mayo was on Tuesday!

Megan, Mary, and I at Megan's going away party/ Cinco de Mayo!! I am very sad that Megan is moving... now I have no single lady friends to hang out with in Anchorage... I am currently interviewing people to back fill this position. It requires being available for breakfast some Saturdays and Sundays, but not all... and being available to hike, run, bike, climb, go to yoga, have dinner, and drink libations at a moments notice...

Two things...

Just to let y'all know... sporty haircuts and Puma wristbands definitely make you better at playing soccer... my first game with the new doobie (that is street slang for hairdo)!

Oh the Ponies!!!!

So, have I mentioned that this spring has been the most wonderful, lovely spring in Alaska?!?! Seriously... there has not been a cloud in the sky for the past week and temps have consistently been in the high 60's and yes... low 70's. It has been a dream... There is still a bit of snow on the North Faces of the mountains... but all South aspects are free and clear! Needless to say this has proved to be quite an impediment to my studies... I am crossing my fingies that I pass this LEED exam in a couple weeks... I am forcing myself to study today (lovely, warm, sunny Sunday) as there is not change in this weather for the foreseeable future and I have a big week ahead of sweet thangs to do... Also, there is a down side to the lovely weather... my sinuses are totally messed with all kinds of dust and volcanic ash that has been blowing around Los Anchorage... I have been riding my bike everywhere for the past week... only hopped in the car last night to take the pup to a bbQ... my throat hurts! but at least my buns are getting nice and firm...(snicker)

Ok, so... about the ponies..this weekend was the Derby!!! and I hope that y'all had some luck with the Ponies! Steph, I was sending you good vibes this morning!!
The picture below is me after accepting a dare on Friday night to ride the Pony wheel that was set up downtown... needless to say I got the big one... and yes, I have no shame.. it was actually pretty hilarious... Check out the super cute lil girl riding the lil pony behind me....


Here's to Sweet Tea Vodka and Mint Juleps!

Hello, Karma... please send me some love...

My hair is now shockingly short... This morning I donated all my hair to Locks of Love... yep. I did it. No tears as of yet... I think I was ready for a change. With the way my mop grows, I should be back to long and lovely by the time I settle into Denver in October, anyway... It feels pretty good.

"I'd have cut it myself, if I knew men could climb hair" - Sara Barielles

Pobres Cerditos!

This story broke my heart...
What is Egypt thinking!?!?!?! Meanwhile.. I am operating with business as usual and am using my friend Chris's approach to building my immunity (he's from South Carolina)... Eat more BBQ! (see post from yesterday) Wow.. two posts in one day for me! I must be real busy at work or something... :)

Oppression...

I came across this story today on CNN... Women in Lahore are trying to stand up to the Taliban... even through thought that the Taliban may just go ahead and bomb them if they organize!! The situation of oppression in this area of the world really grips me. Last year I remember hearing of the assassination of a female police officer right in her own yard.. with her teenage son looking on... She was the leader in the Kandahar police force and overcame all odds to rise to a high level in her career.. and the Taliban took her away just because she was a woman, just because she fought for what she thought was right and true. I cannot fathom how some people can harbor and harvest so much hate. I hope that the women and people of Lahore stay strong and stand up for what they believe in... the people of this area of the world do have a common thread... their passion... whether it be passion for oppression or freedom... most of them are willing to die for what they believe in.