#168 - carousel of confusion

Boise Bike Week kicked off last Sunday with a vintage bike swap. Seeing all those bicycles made me want to buy a cruiser and maybe another street bike. If only I had the space... my loft's capacity is basically maxed out. There was a Mardi Gras Twilight Race last night that weaved through downtown and circled the belt loop (people mistakingly think it's called the "green belt" ba!). To have my bicycle in top shape for the race, I decided to ride it over to the bike shop where I purchased it for a tune up. I remembered it being about 5 minutes away by car, and thus, very feasible to cycle there. I headed out on one of the more busy roads (State Street) which luckily had a bike path. I was well equipped with my ipod and water bottle so time passed relatively quickly. About 40 minutes later, biking pretty hard, the "I remember this being a lot closer" thought popped into mind. I kept trekking on, thinking it would surely be at the next group of businesses, to no avail. I finally texted google only to discover, it was on Fairview. Another busy road very far away from my own current path. I turned around and headed back, this time faster to make up lost time before it closed. I biked up a ridiculously huge hill and finally, an hour and a half after leaving my house, arrived at the bicycle shop that's a 5 minute drive from my loft. Two hours later, I was back home and too exhausted to do the Twilight Race... My 'oops' bike ride was enough for me.

(from D - B on accident, from B - C where I wanted to be, from C - D which would have been easier to go in the first place...)

#167 - breast cancer

Most of last week was dedicated to preparing for the Susan G Komen "Race For A Cure" event. The company I work for said they would sponsor any employee (and guests) that would like to participate and run under their team. With the $20 donation enrollment fee covered, our team quickly grew to over 2,000 members. We wanted to stand out from the pink crowd of athletes so we ordered lime green breast cancer shirts. I signed my mother, friend, her sister and myself up for the 5K. Preparation for the race (assembling packets for runners) took about 3+ 14 hour days of work, which are, for the most part, a blur.

My mother flew out for the event, and dressed to stand out, we headed out on our bikes early Saturday morning. We both jogged the entire time and then sprinted the last leg. I'm not a runner, so there were definitely a few times when I would have been glad to walk, but with my co-workers all around me and my boss jogging right behind me, that wasn't an option. Who would listen to a personal trainer at the corporate gym who couldn't even run a 5K! I mean... come on. My favorite part was definitely the sprint at the end. There's no feeling. No thought. No pain. It's purely a mental game. You just go. I felt untouchable and full of energy and ran the fastest I possibly could (while weaving in and out of participants).

Not too long after the race, mom and I downed the carbs and headed over to a spa for a full body massage. Definitely the perfect way to end a race. Now she's off to Ogden to run a half marathon while I am just getting back from laying in the warm grass, taking a nap under the glorious sunshine. Go mama go!

#166 - the rainy wait

Since the birth of my mac, I've been checking all my gmail accounts through the mac mail program; making it so I don't have to actually log-in to gmail.com. A few months ago, though, I discovered a feature on google that allows you to change the theme of your main page. I've changed the theme a few times so far, but have soundly rested on one I really like. It consists of a group of people (and animals) waiting at a bus stop. This adorable little gathering draws me to log-in to gmail regularly now. Every day it has been the same. Always the same. People still waiting. Sun still shinning. Animals still accompanying. Grass still green. Sky still blue. I've grown acustom to it.

Footnote: as I was driving back to work from my lunch break, a freak-slushy-hail-snow storm hit for about 2 minutes. It's been gloomy, rainy, windy, and overcast all day, and then finally the climax hit.

Later that day, I logged into gmail to access a document for work, previously saved there. I looked at my gmail and what did I see?? I big gloomy rain storm looking at me! I was blown away... I didn't know the picture could change?! We're all in this together... see you soon, little bus stop neighbor friends.

#165 - dream

As much of the world as possible! Cover the country! See every corner! Coast to coast! Obscure cities! Picturesque fields! Dance in the ocean!

My future map: (times 7 - for each continent)

see you there.

#164 - archaic trinket

My elementary school sported the Apple Computers; complete with epic games during computer lab time like Prince of Persia, Oregon Trail, Crystal Quest but my all time favorite was the "open Paintbrush tool and draw a picture" game. I rocked that game. Our school supplies list always included a pack of 25 floppy disks which were then promoted to hard disks. 80% of the time, one would be shoved in my backpack, containing multiple papers and projects for school. The 'shoving process would cause the silver metal piece to be bend, dented, or completely ripped off- destroying my academic career.

"It’s probably been a dog’s age since you even thought about floppy disks — let alone had a drive on your computer that could support one — but floppies are actually still popular in India and Japan. Sony is the last manufacturer of 3.5-inch floppy disks, and while the company sold more than 12 million of them in 2009, Sony has just announced it will stop making floppies as of March 2011."

As obnoxious as they were, they will be missed. Now my problem is losing the technology of the future. They make everything so dang tiny!

#163 - boise pineapple

"So how long have you lived in Boise?"
"Oh not too long; I just moved here in August."
"Wow, really? Where did you move from?"
"Washington!"
"So what brought you here?"
"... ... ... ... ... "

I have had this conversation countless times since I moved to Boise, ID - and I never have a good, consistent answer.

...seemed like a cool place - close to home/school - came here for work - locked into a contract - felt right - was headed home and ran out of gas in boise, decided to stay...

I've been trying to think of a really compelling response and so far, have come up wanting. To be honest, there was a slightly ridiculous reason I decided to come here, and a few dollops of whipped cream that sealed the deal:

dollop one: The Egyptian Theater
dollop two: The Record Exchange
dollop three: The Co-Op

Each day I find a new topping that keeps me happy and keeps me going and today was no exception. Boise Bicycle Week was just announced and I am SO excited! I plan on doing as many events as I can fit in on my new ride. There is a Vintage Bike Swap that I would love to watch (will not be trading anything), the Monday Kickoff, a Twilight Ride on Mardi Gras, Bike Maintenance stations, Street Smart Cycling, Women's Road Ride, the Recumbent Rally, Pedal Power Picnic to the Park, May in Motion Event, Bicycle Block Party, and the Pedal Power Parade.

Ride on.

#162 - banksy

A new Banksy was just found, yesterday, in San Francisco's Chinatown. I unfortunately missed his debut film "Exit Through the Gift Shop" when I went to the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, but did see two of his works on my excursion.

This is the one I saw in Park City:

And this is the one I saw in Salt Lake City:

#161 - tumtum tree

Today is a special day. The Day of the Earth!

Earth is so captivating! She has grand mountains, picturesque fields, vast blue oceans, rivers, streams, flowers, trees; beauty for sight, sound, taste, smell. And today, Earth. Today we salute you.

My salute:

riding my bike everywhere today instead of driving my car (except for work... that would take an hour and I could quite possible die on the freeway) ** not turning on the lights today... home by candlelight ** turning off the water while I'm brushing my teeth instead of letting it run ** unplugging my phone charger and other unnecessary cords **start my vegetable garden on my window sill ** opening the window instead of turning on the air

It has been easier to minimize my carbon footprint, living downtown and being able to bike all over instead of drive, but I can still do more!

Hooray Lady Earth!

#160 - prepared to sweat

This morning was my first attempt at Hot Yoga. The Bikram Yoga Studio is just a few blocks from my house and the earliest class is at 6:00 AM, so at 5:50, I rolled in. There was about 20 people in the class, but still managed to feel very individualized. She kept on saying things into the microphone like, "Straighten your legs a little more, Vanessa." and "Good arch in your back Mike, just tuck your head in."

90 minutes
26 yoga positions
107 degrees

I managed all but one position. The rest I attempted, but saw much need for improvement when I compared to the more experienced classmates.

drenched
dripping
depleted

dehydrated

She had this kind of mystical voice with a Yoga-ian accent. It was confusing at first, but I ended up liking it. I'm envisioning round two on Thursday will go slightly better.

#159 - tax man

April 15th, 2010: D-DAY

My normal taxes proceedure is to get them filed as soon as I receive my W-2 forms. I quickly filled out my online tax forms, only to discover I owed the tax man a few hundred. While all my friends celebrated their multi-hundred dollar returns, I tried to fit another deduction from my budget. Because I was paying, I was in no hurry to cut the government a check. Fast forward to April 15th. Federal taxes barely filed that morning and still the daunting State Income Tax. I had never had to do state taxes before (living in Washington) and did not want to go through the rigamarole. 4:00 pm... 6:00 pm... 8:00 pm... finally around 9:00 pm I finished my paperwork (with a little help from my friends), and headed over to the post office. I arrived to a bustle of cars mailing similar white envelopes, only to discover I didn't have stamps. I then drove across town to the Post Office that was actually open with employees (instead of just a drop box) only to hear that they didn't sell stamps. Drove over to Walmart to buy stamps. Left, to then notice I didn't have a pen to fill out the envelope. Back to Walmart to borrow a pen. Envelope in hand, I drove BACK to the post office at 10:30. It was rather comical: an endless stream of cars driving through a round-about, all sticking an envelope out their window, which is immediately grabbed and placed in a bucket by an out-door assistant to The Man. I felt the anarchistish camaraderie...

THEN!

I sped off for home (after realizing I slipped on the wrong freeway) to meet my friend on her bicycle in our parking lot. I ran upstairs, grabbed my bike to ride downtown. Us two met two more at a bar downtown for Goldfish Races. Masses of people crowded around two rain gutters as competitors coax their gold fish to swim down the line and run fish-head-first into the end of the gutter - claiming their prize ($125 bar tab). After cheering and flashing my camera for an hour-plus, we headed a few blocks down to a Karaoke bar. Horrid singing, but they all Karaoked just fine.
What a day!

#158 - hindu take two

I made it down for my second Hindu fix. At the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, UT, every year they celebrate the coming of spring at the Festival of Colors! About 30,000 people (ironically, 90% mormons) all squeezed together, splattering one another with color. (more pictures to come...)

• religious rejuvenation - kinda check
• inner peace - mostly check
• multicolored powder in every orifice - check
• destroyed clothes - check
• March's monthly excursion - check
• loving bonding - double check
• a blast! second year in a row! - hecka check

The only, potentially life-ending, struggle was the drive home. I apparently got a lot of chalk powder in my right eye, completely inhibiting my contact. If I opened both eyes at once, they would cross - suddenly launching cars in front of my car, or cause the road looking all screwy. Thus, I could only open one at a time, and for some reason my mouth had to be open and eye brows had to be raised as well. It was extremely exhausting for my face and caused a pounding headache. I discovered a trick about half way home and that was; if I was sucking on my water bottle straw, my eye no longer hurt. Don't ask me questions... it just worked. If I stopped drinking, searing pain and tears flooded from my eyes. Constantly having to drink water though, led to the need for frequent pit stops.

PRO: vision, hydration, life

CON: frequent stops means getting home later, prolonging the drive, thus causing more stops in a vicious circle of tired frustration

#157 - lost whiskers

TOGETHER, LET'S LEARN: Whiskers help the cat feel his way around. Whiskers are so sensitive that they can detect the slightest directional change in a breeze. At night, for example, this helps a cat slink its way through a room and not bump into anything. How? The air currents in the room change depending on where pieces of furniture are located. As the cat walks through the room and approaches the couch, he'll know which direction to turn based on the change in air current around the couch. But the whisker's primary use is to help a cat judge whether or not he'll fit through an opening. A cat's whiskers are roughly as wide as his body -- sort of a natural ruler. The whisker tips are sensitive to pressure. You'll probably see a cat stick his head in and out of an opening before he puts his body in. He's judging the width of the opening, and is determining if he can fit into it.

I feel as though, lately, I am a cat with my whiskers cut off. I apparently am back in a phase where I have no spacial perceptibility. I keep bonking my head, face, arms, legs... bumping into walls, cutting corners too closely... not ducking low enough and just not seeing certain things entirely. Owiee....

#156 - lady belle

My qualifications were thus: needs to be light-weight (because I will be keeping it in my apt; two flights up), have a classy retro look, street/cruiser/commuter (already equipped for mountainous terrain), needs to be a well known quality brand, needs to have a warranty, needs to have good reviews, needs to be in my $300 price-range.

I went to a couple of bike shops, just for browsing. The last one I entered: Bob's Bicycles. I went to the front counter and told the help exactly what I was looking for. I had a particular bicycle envisioned in my head and wasn't planning on settling. She showed me a few in my price range... errrr! Showed me one that was what I had described WAY outside my price range... errrr! The owner laughed when I told him what I wanted and he said $700 is minimum starting price for a bike like that. Thinking I would probably have to find my new bike in a second hand store, I just perused for a little while. After, I don't know.... 30 seconds, I found it! MY bike. It was perfect, exactly what I was looking for and was even on sale for the exact price I was looking for. It is simply put, the perfectly imagined bike.

I took it out for a test spin yesterday and still loved it. Then later that night for its official debut. I was riding along the green belt and whenever I would adjust my headlight, my hand would sweep across the front handlebar and accidentally 'ding' the bell. It was the happiest little sound and would always surprise me! I would then say, "Oh! Hello Belle!" as if my bicycle didn't want me to forget that she was a part of the bike ride too, and not to just use and ignore her. Belle and I had a beautiful ride and I love that she is waiting for me at home, as we speak. Another bike ride is in my future, for Saturday.

My favorite is the little wood panel on the back for my purse/backpack for downtown grocery shopping or long trips, for a bag filled with water and snacks.

#155 - whuppah

There's no place like Idaho. Very much so, I live in the desert. No green pine trees, no beautiful mountains in the distance, no soft lay-able grass. There's sagebrush and ... tumbleweeds, and brown. Could just be that it's felt like winter has lasted forever and I'm ready for glorious sunshine, or it could be that I live in Idaho. It's been so windy and the weather has been very bipolar lately, I'm ready for continues rays of happy.

Today is no exception: this blew by work today. I've never seen a tumbleweed so large! Whenever I see tumbleweeds, I always think of that song I heard when I was little, "Rollin' rollin' rollin', keep them doggies rollin'. Rawhide! Whickchu!"

#154 - ogling google

So I have a crush on the super-cool, Google. They are always coming out with extremely user friendly, fancy features and products. I'm really into the Google Reader, iGoogle, Google Earth (woah!), blogger ('course), Google Desktop, Google Calendar, Picasa, YouTube, Docs, Gmail (beyond rad... I have a public account, a private account, a personal account, and a super-special-happy account. AND thank you very much I was one of the first test-gmail accounts), and the highlight today: Google Maps. Not only does it show you everywhere and routes (better than mapquest or other others), satellite imaging and the street views (like you're actually driving down the road), BUT I recently discovered the "more" selection. You can pick to have bike paths illuminated for easy routing, and even see pictures and movies posted from those areas.

#153 - february flight

Keeping in line with my 2010 goals, I went on my second trip of the year to Colorado. I hadn't seen my sister's family since, a year ago, Christmas; plus, hadn't seen new Norah yet. My friends Adrienne and Corrine were kind enough to let me fly on a buddy pass, making the flight very affordable. Catching my plane from Boise to Salt Lake, and then Salt Lake to Montrose was a breeze. Each time, they called my name and I was allowed onto the plane. I spend Thursday - Sunday with my family; playing, going out to lunch, attending my sister's book club [The Book Thief], reading stories, piggy back rides, late night movies, and delicious meals.

Flying back Sunday, though, was a bit of a waiting game. I got to the tiny baby Montrose airport and noticed a plane was loading. I asked the desk if this was my flight (no flight read-out screens). She said it was for Denver and my flight was not for some time and to take a seat. There were no loud-speaker announcements, so I tried to sit close to the counter. I delved deep into my book while the other flight loaded. After about 10 minutes (i

f that), I hear someone yell, "Vanessa Park, your plane is leaving." I jumped up, handed over my seat request with a shocked look on my face. Apparently in 5 minutes, Denver had loaded, closed, taken off; and Salt Lake had been announced, boarded and was moments from leaving the strip. Guess I delved deeper in my book than I thought...

Once to Salt Lake, plane after plane was over booked. Requests were made for people to volunteer to step off each of the planes, so a second-list-little-stand-by-girl was a low priority. 3:00 flight - full. 5:00 flight - full. 8:00 flight - full. My friends who offered the ticket had, granted, warned me a Sunday evening flight from Salt Lake was a long shot, but I could try. They showed me the way to the VIP "Crown Room: Fancy dressed men and women can sit in a quiet, luxurious room with free drinks and food, on cumpfy couches and watch big screen televisions. Although it was a long day, it was nice to sit in a quieter place, away from the insanity that was the SLC Sunday afternoon, and watch the Olympics, or read my book.

Finally, the 9:45 flight rolled around and my name was called. I've never been so happy to hear my name before, "Park, Vanessa... Please come to the front terminal for your seat assignment". GLORIOUS! Seat 33 F. My wonder-seat home.

#152 - in sunshine

I recently had a friend from college, who is close to graduation, ask me how I found myself in my current job/ position. After a verbose response, all of my job experience has boiled down to two things: networking and self confidence. So here's the digest to self confidence:

1. Take Action. Get it done.

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Dale Carnegie

2. Face your fear.

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt

3. Understand in what order things happen.

4. Prepare.

“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self- confidence is preparation.” Arthur Ashe

4. Realize that failure or being wrong won't kill you.

“I quit being afraid when my first venture failed and the sky didn’t fall down.” Allen H. Neuharth

5. Get to know who you are and what you want from life.

“The world has the habit of making room for the man whose words and actions show that he knows where he is going.” Napoleon Hill

OR; my personal favorite: just click here. Or be a man and grow a freakin' awesome beard.

#151- vidi vidi vidi

I saw the clock say: WED 1/20 3:30 PM, signaling my retreat home to grab my bags and hit the road for Park City, UT for the 2010 Independence Sundance Film Festival!

I saw zero flakes of snow my whole way, making the drive fast, easy, and pleasurable... zipping along by my lonesome to a new adventure.

I saw a very luxurious hotel (outside my price range) after arriving because, unfortunately, calling AAA at 10:00 at night, requesting a hotel in Park City during an international event is a comical request.

I saw multiple feet of snow outside my window early in the morning, making my clothing selection, car condition, and rest of the week plans very superfluous.

I saw my best friends! (Jenny, Amy, Trevor, Viktor, Simon, Shua) after ambushing them in Provo for the day on Thursday. It was nostalgically glorious!

I saw my tickets in hand for an eventful Friday in Park city: "Happythankyoumoreplease" and "The Company Men".

I saw celebs during my stroll downtown in Park City: Ben Affleck, Ryan Gosling, Josh Radnor, Tony Tale,

Malin Akerman, Kate Mara, Peter Scanavino, John Wells, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner, and Chris Cooper.

I saw the beautiful, unappreciated art of the infamous Banksy while enjoying my Java Cow.

I saw "Obselidia" "Shorts Program IV" and "Lourdes" with Adrienne while in Salt Lake City for round two of the festival.

I saw the stunning Egyptian Theater, complete with the classic old man playing show tunes on the organ before the performance. After which I enjoyed "Waiting for Superman" and "Boy" in Ogden for Sunday day 3 and then the quick drive home.

My eyes feasted that weekend on people I love, films I adored, audiences crying, laughing, clapping, standing in ovation and the humble beginnings of low budget film makers trying to make it big (and in my mind, resoundingly succeeding).

#150 - set yourself on fire

Vanessa: an honest, uncontrollable emotion in the current...

That was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said 'yes I think we've met before'
In that instant it started to pour,
Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
And all of the time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name...

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
Tried to reach deep but you couldn't get in
Now you're outside me
You see all the beauty
Repent all your sin

It's nothing but time and a face that you lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard
I'll send you the news
From a house down the road from real love...

Live through this, and you won't look back...

There's one thing I want to say, so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save

#149 - to be to come

I'll blog soon, but for now - new pics of high adventure (and more on their way)