Tuesday, October 31, 2006

sputter ..poot















What happened to my party days? Tonight I gladly just hung out chatting and gorging on yummy Thai food instead of hitting downtown SC with 20k other hooligans halloweening it up.




























Oh wait, I know what happened. I partied till my bones were tired this weekend. ;) Way better than beer brawls an stabbings...

Surf City

Ok...Quick post

Last Friday I finished building my pretty new one of these

















It's my first cross bike and I am sooo in love with that sexy thang! I can't stop talking about it, although I think some of my friends wish I would. ;) However my performance this weekend had nothing to do with my lovely lightning fast new bike or all that "training" I've been putting in.....oh no, it was all about the Vanderkitten socks baby! (pictures to come)

And now for some sappiness. Surf City on Halloween weekend is quite possibly one of my very favorite times of the year despite the nasty time change. Each year I find myself recovering from a weekend of hard fun work, good friends, new friends, silly costumes, cheering till my throat is raw, gettin dirty, cold beer, and mmmmm pie. Not to gush but I love Cyclocross above all other bikey type events. It is inclusive of all ages, genders, and skill levels and it has this intoxicating irreverent feel to it. Like it's thumbing it's nose at sports and athletes that take themselves so seriously that they've forgotten that it's all about having fun. (Thanks Sabine, Laura and too many other cool people to mention for reminding us all!)


PS. a HUGE thank you to Douggie and Michael for all the help and advise on the bike as I got it together!! I couldn't have done it without you guys!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Update

I've been busy since I last wrote...mostly looking for my missing socks. Somewhere in there I found time to ride my bike, start classes again and see my best friend tie the knot. So heres a quick re-cap...well as quick as I can make it.

August - The most mentionable part of Aug was a trip to Downieville with friends for my birthday. I decided to do it in style and stayed in a hotel right in town rather than camping. We shuttled and rode the downhill twice on Saturday and once on Sunday, giggling the whole way. Post ride we chased the local icecream cart around town and demolished a guilty pleasure or two. We spent the rest of the evening sitting by the river with a glass of wine in hand while drinking in the beauty of our surroundings. Pure bliss! I couldn't have asked for more. Thank you Heather, Dawn and Doug for making it a fantastic trip! Who's birthday is next!

Sept - I flew back to MI in Sept, just in time for what I am told is the most beautiful time of year there. The hardwood forests were changing color in vibrant splashes that sparkled all happy and gemlike reflected in the abundant lakes and streams. Riding through those woods was like riding through the fairy land you dream up in your childhood. I half expected a silly little knome or woodsprite to dance from the ferny undergrowth as we wound along the miles of narrow undulating single track.

I spent the first part of my trip in Boyne, MI which is 'Up North" of Detroit by a few hours. We were there for Allie's bachelorette party. To quickly sum the weekend up there were 6 girls, bikes, karioke, fantastic scones, beautiful sunrises, tequila warmed mudbathing, fourwheeler riding, too many of Lornas infamous Jello shots and a late night/early morning dip in the lake. I miss everyone already. We all left vowing to get together again soon. That kind of fun is so good for the soul.

The remainder of my trip was spent working towards the day my friend would become a Mrs. Her husband is everything I could wish for her to have in a partner, and I couldn't be happier for her. I just hope for his sake he keeps a 2x4 handy for her stubborn streak...oh and an extra watch that is set to "Allie time". ;) The man has hockey pads and more watches than a NY street vendor though so he's off to a good start.

And now for some "Shmooop"...thank you so much to Allie, Mike and her extraordinary family and friends for their hospitality during my stay. I have decided I am adopting her funny lovely family, whether they like it or not. Homecooked chicken soup with dumplings from scratch, Pastitsio that was so good I ate it for breakfast, and a furniture store built like the Winchester Mystery House are enough to lure any girl aren't they? Oh...and I know now where Allie gets her quick wit and wicked sense of humor...that rotten little apple didn't fall far. ;)

Anyway...I'll spare you all any furthur shmoop for the moment as I really should be paying attention in class rather than babbling on. I promise a link to MI pics and some fresh babbling about Cyclocross soon.