Don't Toy With Me

I started this month off with Red Hot Holiday on my toes, but with climbing it soon wore off.
With everything going on this month Don't Toy With Me was the only way to go... At least until they make a color called Don't F*&%@ With Me, I'm Not In The F*$#&ing Mood. I have been on a bit of a roller coaster since Thanksgiving.
I was sick, a few times. The low point was working at the restaurant and the burger shop with no voice. I mean shit, what the hell can you do?
The holidays have brought around some festivities that have been so fun!! I got to be in a light parade up in Annapolis on J's boat. I love the Annapolis group. They are so chill and fun. J, James, Christina, Will... And my girl Parrish of course! After we headed to D.C. for my friend Jeff's hat party. It was really fun... So fun that he was evicted half way through it. C'est la vie, another Jeff Le party goes down in history. He has a ton of friends and could probably live for free for well over a year if need be. The night wrapped up with some very drunk happy folks and a bar brawl. My friend Jon got into town on Friday and so we got to go to dinner and then went out with Parrish and met up with Jon's friends. Some really fun people.
Last week my great aunt passed away. My first time truly regretting my move was when my mom told me that she was gone and not being able to be there with my family. So I got on a plane and came home early to regroup before Christmas.
Losing her really took the wind out of my sails. We have all been so worried about my grandma and her surgery that none of us saw it coming so soon. Parkinson's had taken its toll. She hadn't been herself for a long time. She may be the first person I have lost that I honestly can think of as being happier. The picture I have of her in my mind is one of her with a smile on her face.
Today I spent the day with my mom and grandma going through her stuff and chatting. I gave my grandma a mini pedi... She has never had her toenails painted! It was nice to be there. It was what we all needed, to be together.
Christmas is just around the corner. Best wishes to everyone and their families! I'm sure there will be more to write by the time I get back to the East Coast.

Snow You Can See!

Ele-Fantastic!

I forgot to write about the election! I don't know how, but I did... The election was not my happiest moment, because I didn't get to vote. Not that it matters now (Yey Obama!), but at the time I just about lost my mind. I registered in VA twice and they have no record of me being here. So not only did I not get to help change VA to blue (which it did for the first time in 44 years,without my help), but I didn't get to vote on Prop 8 in CA either... Which really broke my heart.
I guess all is well that ends well. Obama gives me hope. I don't think we can expect really amazing things to happen, we are far too deep into the hole to be fixed in 4 years, but maybe he can turn this ship around and at least get us headed in the right direction.
On another note... SNOW! It snowed while I was driving home from class today. It was so light I didn't know what it was at first (being from California, my first thought was ash)... You can't see it in the video at all, but I'm putting it up anyway, my first Virginia snow!

I AM NOT A WAITRESS!!

Okay, yes, I'm still a waitress. But I've been so frustrated lately that when I found the pretty red polish named "I am not a Waitress" I couldn't resist. When you know what you want, waiting is such a bitch! As many of you have heard me state, patients is a virtue, just not one of mine.

So much has happened since I wrote last!! Jill and Brandon got married for starters! http://picasaweb.google.com/pamela.a.jacobson/JillAndBrandonTieTheKnot# Holy shit. I got into Malibu on Thursday and hung out with Jill's parents and her friend Lauren before the rehearsal. After the rehearsal we all went back to Jill and Brandon's and had dinner. After dinner I stayed the night at the house with Jill's brother Jay, and Brandon. In the morning Brandon was gone early to surf and Jay and I went to breakfast. Mexican food, *drool*. Then it was off to run some last minute errands and get to the hotel where I got to take some pictures of the bridal party getting ready until my room was ready and the ladies got there. A lot of the old Monterey folks were there, and two of my oldest friends, Dori and Erin. I feel like I haven't seen them in forever! Cristiano, Ali, Al, her husband Mike, Dustin, Paul, April, Mel, Todd... And to get to see Jill's family was great too! Jay, Pam and Jay, and to meet Jay's fiance, who is one of Jill's oldest friends Daniela, was icing on the cake. The wedding was perfectly, intimate and rowdy! We had a great time, dancing the polka, can can and break dancing (not me...) and wrapping the night up with "Don't Stop Believing"... Everyone went back to the hotel after and we hung out by the bar before calling it a night.

The day after the wedding I drove down to Costa Mesa with Erin, Dori and Ali. Ali left for home and Erin, Dori and I hung out by the pool until Z showed up. The girls were hung over (I was DD and ready to go!) so Z and I went to the beach. I miss the beach. I could have stayed there forever. We went back to Erin's to shower up before driving to San Diego to go out for Z's friend's birthday. Good beer and good people finished up the night before we went back to Z's to crash. In the morning we grabbed breakfast and he took me to the train station. I took the train up to Burbank to fly back to Virginia. Not ready. Not even close to ready to leave California. It was that moment that a tentative plan to move home became concrete.

Changing my major, again and again and again, has been EXHAUSTING. I have had ideas of what I wanted to do, but nothing that would turn into a tangible job that would make me enough money to enjoy the other areas of my life, until now. Architectural Engineering. There are no programs here in Arlington. Online classes, moving to Richmond to attend Tech and private school in DC are my only options, unless I want to go back to San Francisco State that has a program that promises to have you work ready by graduation.

Missing new babies, friends' milestones, my family and my home has put a slight damper on my life in Virginia. I love it here. I love my friends, I love the seasons, I love my house. But it's not home, and it never will be. So, with nothing to prove, I'm moving home in May. I think a nice Bay 2 Breakers party will be just the welcome back I need... After a few more adventures of course!

Last week I had two days off in a row. My grandma has been having some trouble since her heart surgery a couple of months ago, and Jasmine just had her sweet little girl, Beverly!! I couldn't resist surprising everyone with a trip home. Nate picked me up at BART and we went home. It was great to see my parents, they were so surprised. In the morning my mom and I went to see Julia! I hadn't met Julia yet, only a couple months old now, she's beautiful. Promising to be a complete knock-out like her sister Allie. It was great to chat with Linda for a little while before we headed up to Napa to see my grandma. Man she's mad!! I don't blame her a bit. I hate not being able to do the things I like because of some injury... And heart surgery?! Oh I'd be pissed. She's strong, and she'll get through it, but it won't be easy. I was glad I got to see her and my Aunt, who was in a really good mood. Christmas was just too far away.

On our way home I called Jasmine, for the third time.... :) Beverly was only five days old at this point and Jasmine wasn't in the mood for company. I would think that very few of us would be, but when she heard I was in town we got to go right over. Beverly is one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen, just like her mama... We stayed for a little while, with her son Gabe and her dad Mike there for company. I have known them since before I can remember, well Mike and Jasmine anyway, and it was just what I needed.

I went to dinner with the parents and then, in the morning, climbed with Nate. VA gyms blow, I love Diablo Rock (as it is now called)... I do not love Keith, who was working the front desk, but even he couldn't ruin the day for me!

I left at four to get to San Francisco to see Jeff. We haven't hung out in San Francisco together since I was 19, it was strange... And great. It was a hint of what it will be like when I move back. To have him living in my city makes me happy. She's being rough on him, but I'm sure he will find his niche.

This weekend I have another two days off in a row! So tomorrow Leanne and I are going to a mini spa day. Then I am off to dinner with Jill and Steve (Lisa's parents) at Zatinya, a tapas place in DC. Sunday I am climbing with Parrish :)... It better stop raining!

I moved my bed to next to my window. When I move back I will miss this for sure. There is no way I will have a view like this in San Francisco! There are times when I will just sit there, reading or watching fat squirrels try and climb the trees... Virginia has given me some of my favorite memories, and I'm sure the next few months will give me at least that many more...

Louvre Me Louvre Me

My roommate just got back from a weekend trip to Paris! Now that I live on the East Coast this is realistic for me too... If only I could find the time! So instead I will paint my nails Paris inspired purple and go to work :)

Work has been good lately. The burger shop, Ray's Burger Hell, was just reviewed in the Washington Post and kept us quite busy yesterday and today. Today we sold over six hundred burgers... Yesterday we sold 825! Quite amazing. I get sick of eatting at every restaurant that I work at, but not the burger shop. I could eat there everyday, not have the same burger twice, and always, ALWAYS, finish that 10 oz hunk of deliciousness! If you are curious, here are some of the reivews...

Ray's Burger Hell:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/08/AR2008100803060.html?sub=AR

http://www.washingtonian.com/restaurantreviews/1921.html

Ray's the Steaks:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1071592

Nate left to fly back to California today. I am so sad that he is back on the West Coast! We had such a good time! DC United game with Megan, my friend Barbara's roommate's going away party, climbing with James and J, The Spy Museum with Leanne and dinner with Parrish and Bonnie. The best times though were when we were running a muck just the two of us. We had so much fun! To see more go check out my Picasa site!

Get in Lime

I haven't dropped a blog in a while. I was trying to figure out something that I can measure time by accurately enough to make sure I got on here and one thing in my life is consistent these days. Now that I have a work schedule that goes week by week, and there are no real weekends in sight. My friend Leanne and I have started getting pedi's once a month, give or take a week. I am not a huge fan of people touching my feet. I am far too ticklish and my feet are ugly. Just the same, the time we spend chatting, in those heavenly massage chairs, is a really good regrouping time for me. I always pick the color of my toes by the name. First it was "Cajun Shrimp", I was starving and it sure sounded good to me! The last time was "Don't You Sea?", and this time it was "Get in Lime"... The color resembles an anti-fungal, but the name is very suiting to recent days.

It seems that everyone is really stressed to their limits. I am working a lot. No complaints there, the money, and company, is good. But, I have had to give up some things that have kept me grounded out here. I don't have a lot of time to climb anymore and I see very little of the majority of my friends I have made since moving here. I am back in school, and to nobodies surprise, I'm still not an amazing student! I'm doing better than I thought, so that is something. My major is changing once again, but I will fill you in below...

My boy is newly to San Francisco and trying to find a job. Quite a few of us have been there, and it is no fun. Leanne and Jasmine are about to have babies! Jasmine in November and Leanne in February. No matter the joy that will come, it is not without some stress and some serious decisions to be made. My grandmother is just out of the hospital from side effects from her heart surgery that she had just over a month ago. Knowing how poorly I do as a patient, and knowing how much worse she does, makes me feel awful that she is so restrained these days, no matter how necessary. My mom, being the rock she is, is keeping everyone moving along. Other friends have new jobs, have started school, have moved to new places and have family fun that would try anyone. So you've had a rocky past six weeks or so? Get in Lime.

All of this does not go without some nice chunks of joy and a light at the end of a few different tunnels. First up, Cyn. She is my soccer mom, soon to be, tattoo artist! I had my consult last Wednesday to finish my back. I adore her and can't wait to see what she draws up for me. I am so excited to have a finished piece! I will post pictures as we move along.

I have detoured from the Non-Profit major with some advise from a few good friends. NPO's, just like any business, need people with specialties. Since a Business major was out for me, I have decided to go into Construction Management. This would make me useful to a couple of the NPO's I have worked with in the past, Habitat for Humanity and Sierra Service Project. I have always liked building things, having a finished product, so I'm going for it. A certificate at NOVA is available and then I am planning on following it up with my bachelors in Architectural Engineering. I am taking a class right now on Methods and Materials of Construction. It seems all of my questions are engineering questions, ones that my teacher can't answer. It makes me confident that my way of thinking aligns more with the engineering aspects of things, so, as of now, that is where I'm headed.

Next, Nate is going to be here on Saturday. I have the weekend off and we are going to a DC United game and getting into any number of other things the following week! Showing him around will be a great way for me to remember what I love about this area, because there are a lot of things that are great about Virginia.

A little ways off, I have Jill and Brandon's wedding on the 24th of October down in Malibu. I can't wait to see some of my California people! Saturday will be spent at the beach. I may live close to a coastline out here, but I haven't seen the Atlantic up here since 2001. It never did it for me like the California coast anyway... Once a California girl...

NOTE: Jasmine and I were talking about how much people can take before going off the deep end. She told me about a book called Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, but I did go on Amazon and look it up. It has 74 reviews, 59 of which are five star ratings. It really sounds like something we all should take a shot at reading. Below is the description of the book. Check it out.

Product Description: Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of those he treated in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory—known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")—holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.

Jackie and Kenny Come to Visit!

Most of you were part of, or heard about, my mad dash visit to California last month for Jackie and Kenny's wedding. If you missed it, check out my Picasa site, the pictures tell all :)

Last week Jackie and Kenny came out to Virginia to visit Kenny's sister Sandra and her husband Chris. I was working a lot at my new job (I'll fill you in in a moment...) so I only got to see them a few times. The first night I went over was after a shift at Ray's Burger Hell (part two of the new job) and got to play some on DDR. I have never played before, as everyone can vouch for, but I had a really good time anyway! Here area couple videos I took of Jackie and Kenny.

And my favorite...

We also went to dinner at Malibu Grill one night on a Ghost Tour of Alexandria another. The guy that did our tour, on a night just like this, was a newbie, mmm kay. It was a hoot. I really enjoyed getting to know Jackie's new inlaws! They are great people. I wish I had more time to visit with 'em but I guess there is always Christmas!
The new job. I am now a waitress at Ray's the Steaks/Ray's Burger Hell. I love the girls I work with. The pace is fast, and I'm definitely not up to par, but I'm working on it. Finally get to pay down some credit card bills and live a little. It should be just the right fit until I finish school... As long as they don't mind me going home for the holidays :)
Class also started a couple of weeks ago. Not much to it yet, but my spanish class is kinda funny. My teacher is the Brain, from Pinky and the Brain. We are learning spanish via a soap opera. I'm not sure how it will work out, but I'm going to give it a shot.

Denver, CO (Robbie & Darnelle's Wedding, Sarah, Z and Jeffy)

I just got back from Denver. My friend Robbie got married! Holy cow! I left Friday after work and Sarah picked me up from the airport. Sarah is working for Americorp and finished up a project just in time for Z and I to stay with her in Denver. I haven't seen Sarah in ages and it was so good to catch up! Z was out with the boys for the bachelor party and so it was a girls' night. Z came in late, and a little tossed :), so we had a quick hello before going back to bed. The next morning we got up and had breakfast at Breakfast King, delicious! Off we went to Red Rocks for a hike. The hike that Z had found online didn't exist so we wondered around the amphitheater for a bit. I wish we could have gone to a show there, it was absolutely beautiful. Good thing Sarah plans on sticking around because I spent most of the weekend creating a list of things to do. When we headed out to hike we had a security guard tell us that we had to leave because there was a man with a gun in the area. Sweet! We decided to chance it in hopes that whatever plans he had would keep him out of the area we were headed for. Red Rocks is fabulous! We didn't have a chance to visit where the dinosaur tracks are, but the area is so unique and beautiful I don't feel like the trip was any bit of a loss. About half way through our walk Z's shoes died. We headed up to the gift shop to get some duct tape. We cooled off in some AC and taped up Z's shoes.
After hiking we went down to Washington Park to people watch and hang out. It is such a cool place! There were people everywhere. They were playing slosh ball and running, rollerblading, there were dogs everywhere! It is a really neat spot.
Showers at the campus proved to be very interesting. The shower head hit me below the shoulder! Cleaned up and ready to go we headed out for some Mexican food. Illegal Pete's had some great food and delicious boy watching :) Heyloo!! Celtic Tavern was our next stop. The place was huge and complete with a bowling ally and live band. The first rounds of drinks were ridiculously sweet. Sarah, being the sweet girl she is, simply dumped it out in the bathroom and lied to the waitress who sold it to her as one of her specialties. Jeffy showed up later with Carlie. It was so fun to catch up and shoot the shit with the boys!
All dressed up and ready to see Robbie tie the knot! Z was my and Sarah's date to the wedding, pimpin'... We picked up Jeff on the way and pre-gamed in the car. We got there and sat down... on the wrong side! We saw Katie, Rob's sister, sitting on the other side so we got up and ran across the isle. Rob couldn't help but laugh at us, especially since Katie was on the wrong side and soon moved to our original side after we settled in. The wedding was sweet and just short enough to survive the heat. The reception was so fun! I haven't seen Rob's parents in so long! I adore them and it was good to get to talk to them as well as Rob's sibs, Katie and Scottie. Our table consisted of Z, Sarah, Jeff and I, another couple and Mr. Gauddi, the scariest man I have ever seen. After the wedding we took off for Sancho's Broken Arrow, a Grateful Dead themed bar. Fooseball, air hockey and pool was the name of the game. The bar is complete with a bit of San Francisco decor, including Filmore posters! After a few six packs of PBR we encountered some very interesting characters. Our intro to the girl that Z wrested in the video was her coming up to me, straddling me on my chair and asking if she could hump me for a minute... I could have sworn I was in some dive in San Francisco at that moment. Sarah had to leave early so she could get up for work the next morning, so me and the boys finished up the party strong for her. The next morning we got to meet up with Rob and Darnelle for breakfast. Z and Jeff got to fill Darnelle in on all of the stupid shit they used to do in high school while we nursed our hangovers. The morning was cut short by my need to get to the airport, boo! Z and I dropped Jeff off at home before getting ourselves a bit lost heading back to the campus. Sarah met Z and I at the dorm and we were off.
The weekend was full of surprises that will bring a smile to my face for a long time to come. There is nothing like new memories with old friends.

Weekend Videos

There is a lot that went on this past weekend that I will have to write about when I have more time. For now I leave you with the videos of our trip.

Cammy dancin'!

Baldwin and I fooseballin' it.

Z's victory lap... GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!

Z wrestling the crazy chick who had, earlier in the night, humped me. Love the crazies!

SAILING

Friday I woke up excited. Only one stop before I could get up to Annapolis and see Calliope in the water. When I got there J was putting, shall we say finishing touches?, on the boat. There wasn't much I could help with so I ran things to and from the truck until we were ready to go to the Boat Club. J took off in the boat and I drove to the grocery store on my way to meet him and James for dinner.

We had steak. And when I say we had steak I mean, we had the largest steak I have ever had. It was delicious and the salad and pasta salad were pretty damn good too. It was so nice to sit there and watch the sunset on the water. It's been quite some time.

An hour late for our full moon sail, we got out onto the water. Sailing at night easily ranks in my top five favorite things. Skimming over the dark water with the enormous yellow moon lighting the way, not much can beat it. Being around the open salty water felt like home.

To get into Swan Creek we had to be careful not to get into shallow water. For this I sat on the bow with a Maglight and look for the reflective material on the buoys. Going into port you have to keep the green buoys on the port side (left), and the red ones on the starboard side.

J told me that in Europe it is the opposite. In Baltimore they switched the buoy colors so that when they were attacked the ships would run ashore. Simple and brilliant eh?

It took us a little while to get in and we finally dropped anchor at one in the morning.

When we woke up the sun was shining and it was already warm. The perfect time for a swim! We swam over to the boats that we were supposed to meet up with the night before for coffee. After a little chat we went back to the boat for breakfast. Bagels and cream cheese with lox... MY FAVORITE!

Once we cleaned up the whole group took off for Baltimore. We were flying! Passing everyone up! We switched to the engine before passing under the Key Bridge. As soon as we did the motor started to putz out on us. Every once in a while it would putter down to nothin'. During out little struggle to the marina we passed the buoy marking where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner while watching the bombing of Balitmore as POW on a British ship during the war of 1812. Before too long we were at Inner Harbor in Baltimore.Once in Baltimore J did a few more repairs on the boat. Turns out we had water in the fuel and that was why we were fighting out way into the marina. The big success for the day was when J installed the chocks! Yey!

At six we all headed out for the Orioles game. J and I had Parrish's ticket so we were going to meet her and James at the gate when they got there. We got all the way up to our seats, after the fabulous discovery of black and tans at one of the beer stands, when Parrish called. Back we went. We picked them up at the gate and went for food and more beer. The O's played Detroit and it was a hell of a game! The O's won in the 10th inning, 10-9. Back at the boat it was time for some Dark and Stormies. I must say, that for not liking rum, I sure do enjoy a good Dark and Stormy! James was supposed to head back that night but I don't think that was ever a realistic plan. Brie with minced sun dried tomatoes, yummy. We all crashed out on the deck. After the third time J's foot slipped and knocked me in the head I went down below.

The next morning we were all a little slow to get going, except for James who had to be on his way out at five a.m.. We got dressed and walked the few blocks to breakfast. We sat down with the group from the game to eat. I must say that I really enjoy the sailing community. Everyone I have met is very welcoming, nice and laid back. There always seems to be good conversation.

After breakfast we headed back to the boat for showers and a few last minute tune ups before leaving for Annapolis. We got back and met up with Parrish's friends Marci and her boyfriend Roger. Both were super nice. Considering the air was completely still when we woke up in the morning, we were very happily surprised to find it blowing right along once we were out of the shelter of the marina. The engine was acting up again so J went to work switching out the filter. It took some sweat and coercion to get the filter to cooperate but J got it done.

We sailed on, into the wind, for some time. It felt so nice, but unfortunately Parrish was on a little bit of a time crunch, so we opted to motor our way back. The water was choppy and it was really fun!

I had a fantastic weekend and can't wait to get on the water again, that is, if J will have me. I'm pretty useless on a sailboat. I can follow directions, but only those that I can understand. I will study up on the sailing vocab before I try again.

Say, Aaaaallllll Greeeeeeeen!

07-12-08Saturday was a great day for me! Shenandoah was perfect. Parrish, James and I took off for the a 12 mile hike on the west side of Shenandoah National Park. It was a hot day but the hike was almost entirely in the shade. It was so nice to be outside! The first part of the hike had a swimming hole that we will be returning to take advantage of for sure. The hike was a little rough, lots of hills, but worth every moment once we got to the clearing. After hiking we headed back to my house to shower up before dinner and then went to see Wall-E.

07-13-08

Sunday I headed up to Annapolis to help J work on the cooler for his boat. I guarantee I cannot properly tell you how it works. If you are really curious as to how to build a boat cooler look here, http://calliopelog.blogspot.com/. It was good, hard work. I cut and shaped foam for the installation of the cooler and then we covered the sides in fiberglass. J has been working on it for a long time. I was really lucky to get there on a day where the whole thing really came together.

07-15-08

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay is one of my all time favorites!

Tuesday I headed to Wolf Trap for Amos Lee and Al Green! I met Jeff and Ting at the Ballston Metro and we grabbed some food for the road. Amos Lee went on first. He is a great performer! I had only heard his slower stuff and after hearing him Tuesday night went and downloaded all of his stuff. We were on the lawn and had a few beers and some wine. The guy in front of us needed a wine key so Jeff passed him ours. He then proceeded to drink three bottles of wine in about an hour. Him being so drunk would have been less entertaining if he wasn't a giant. He kept turning around and giving Jeff love. Then he would get up, put his hands over his head and wiggle his ass for a little while.
After Amos Lee's set I went up to get his autograph. The line was quite long but I waited anyway. At the front of the line I could see girls swarming him for pictures. The poor guy looked so uncomfortable! After he signed my ticket I went back down for Al Green's set.
Al Green was a trip! He had dancers and once of the back up singers kept saying, "Let me hear you say Aaaallll Greeeeeennn!". It was a super fun show once he got past some of his new songs, that I'm not a big fan of, and once he stopped saying, "The reverends still got it!". It was a very random show, with everyone singing along and dancing.
Driving home from D.C., for the second time, Jeff, you loser :), I was thinking about all of the concerts I have been to over the years. Here we go, in no particular order...
Aerosmith, Bush, Green Day, Kiss, CCR, The Judds, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Brooks and Dunn, (get ready for the boy band segment of the list) Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees and N'Sync, Doobie Brothers, Pedro the Lion, Steve Miller Band, Rage Against the Machine, The Roots, Cyprus Hill, Marva Wright, Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band, Cher, B.B. King, The Beach Boys, Stone Temple Pilots, Celine Dion, Clay Walker, Emmylou Jarris, Faith Hill, The Shins, Tim McGraw, (my boys) Aratic, Forthmorning, Thought Crime, Fredalba, MaNdonna, Domeshots, Hard Nox..., Goo Goo Dolls, Charlie Daniel's Band, Mike Doughty, Muse, Rascal Flats, Travis Tritt, Wanda Rouzan... a good dent but I'm not done yet!
It was a night of "baby makin' music", that warranted, at least, a good make out session on the grass... There's always next time!

Sophia

Yesterday I went to pick up my new bike, Sophia! After Sophia Loren of course, because I need to channel some serious Itallian bombshell to whip my ass into shape to ride my new Bianchi the way she deserves.
Off to Wayne, Pennsylvania!
Aren't we going to be a fabulous threesome?

Just because, seriously? Spread Eagle Village?!

Turns out that to get to Pennsylvania you have to go through Delaware, go figure.

Just making sure she's still there. I wasn't entirely sure that I put the truck rack on properly.

Off to Annapolis to meet up with J for food.

We headed to Ram's Head for dinner and ran into J's roommate Will. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. Crab melt and a few beers can cure almost anything.

Lusa Blanks

Okay, so Lisa pointed out to me that the last blog left quite a few unanswered questions. Especially since I haven't posted a blog in quite a while. So I'm going to fill in the Lusa Blanks:
I met James in Parrish through my friend J. I met J almost two years ago on a flight out to Lisa and David's wedding. After Memorial Day weekend of no friends I decided it was time to tap into the friend reserve and sent J an email. After hanging out he got me in touch with Parrish. Parrish is his sister and has also just moved to the area. James is J's friend from Annapolis that I met when we all went climbing.
The people in the picture are Alicia (maker of quiche and olives), Parrish and James at the Sunday Brunch. We hung out at Parrish's house and watched Wimbledon.
Ray's the Steaks is a steak house that I have applied to work at. They are currently in the process of openning (a few days ago) a burger joint right next door. After that they will be expanding the steak house and that is when I will be able to start. I didn't write anything about that previously but Lisa asked and I figured it wouldn't hurt to throw it in there.

Happy 4th of July!

This weekend was spent with my friends Parrish and James. Parrish is new to the DC area also so it was fun to see the sights together. On Friday we went to Iwo Jima to watch the fireworks. The view was damn good but there wasn't quite enough wind to keep the smoke moving. There were so many people there!

Saturday we met up at REI to get Parrish climbing gear and me some cycling stuff. I am now the proud owner of a bike pump and some mini tool that, although it is a super sweet little guy, I have no idea what to do with. After REI we went to climb in Rockville. It was a very decent round of climbs. On our way back to DC we went to pick up James's car. After a little drama with the 24 hour key pick up box, we gave up and headed to DC to go and see Wally. When we found out it was sold out we went back to Parrish's and assisted James in making some very yummy veggie stir fry. When we were done with dinner we went over to hang out with a few of Parrish's friends who had gone berry picking that day and made cherry pie! Delicious! The drive home was a wet one.

Sunday brunch at Parrish's was amazing! Baked french toast, corn pudding, banana crepes, asparagus and chicken crepes, fruit salad, two kinds of quiche, rhubarb bread, champagne punch, bloody marys... Mmmmm! It was really fun to hang out and meet some good people.

I left just in time to get home and win my new wheels on Ebay! I can't wait to pick her up tomorrow and bring her home! Out with the running, in with the cycling. Should be interesting. Full of new toys and new ways to hurt myself.

Hope everyone had a good 4th!

New Goal

I needed something to work towards to get me onto a bike. So on October 4th I will be doing the Sea Gull Century out at the Eastern Shore! That's 100 miles people, get excited! Not any real idea where to start but I always seem to figure it out.