my CHAIN DRIVEN ride through life in Alaska

Will be Adding More Art Soon

2011-12-22T13:06:00.000-09:00

I have a lot more art pieces to add to this blog, I'm a bit behind! I sold my first painting, which sold in 3 minutes of posting it on my Facebook page!! I didn't even have it listed for sale! Pretty neat. I am mailing the painting off to it's new home in Washington state this afternoon.

I was asked how I like the NEW Touch Twin markers and I have to say I LOVE them. The body design is comfortable and stylish and the new brush nib is awesome. It is nice and flexible while having enough firmness. I compared it to the brush on my Copics and they feel very much the same.

That being said, I would LOVE to win some more so I am entering Touch Twin Markers and More Challenge with this entry:

My World has Turned Upside Down

2011-10-15T22:29:00.001-08:00

Watercolor on gesso'd paper in my Moleskine Sketch art journal. This is cool because it can be viewed upside down as well as right side up. The last photo shows the doodling I added, now it looks complete.

Aqua Girl - Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

2011-10-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

Guardian Angel

2011-09-30T17:56:00.000-08:00

Acrylics, Inktense, Shinhan Touch Twin marker on watercolor paper. It is not really so dark under the trees, I can't adjust the scan :(

I Dream in Color. Art Journal entry

2011-09-28T22:37:00.000-08:00

Acrylics and Graphite. Stared out just moving paint around the page, without any plan. The face is more subtle in real life that it is in the scan and the nose has a bit more detail which seems to wash out in the scan.

Under the Tree - Art Journal Entry

2011-09-28T22:22:00.001-08:00

Shinhan Touch Twin markers has another challenge going HERE!!

Shinhan Touch Twin Markers has a new Blog!!!

2011-09-23T18:19:00.000-08:00

The new markers are on the market! I can't wait to get some of the brush markers but so far the only place that has them doesn't ship to Alaska. However, I'm told that the markers will be in other stores soon!!

Touch Twin Markers new blog is here: http://touchtwinchallenges.blogspot.com/

There is a challenge going on so I am going to enter this:

The challenge didn't say it had to be a card :), just a person. This is Shinhan Touch Twin markers 11x17 on smooth bristol

Went to the Cabin, Look who followed me Home

2011-09-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

Was surrounded by beautiful wilderness and wild animals. Saw lots of caribou, the inspiration for this painting I started at the cabin.

Acrylic and Inktense on 16 x 20 gesso board.

Far Away there in the Sunshine

2011-09-04T13:56:00.000-08:00

Summer is winding down, it's getting dark at night instead of the summer 24 hours of daylight. The leaves are turning. I'm not ready for winter yet!

I have been taking a class by Wyanne called Paint Free, a way to just let go and find your own style of art. I am enjoying this class and appreciate that it is not full of "your inner goddess" and stuff like that. Guess what, I would make a crappy goddess because I am not divine and am full of the same human garbage as everyone else - therefore, it is my opinion that there are no goddesses. Anyway, sometimes I feel like telling the artsy-fartsies, as my husband calls them, to just shut up and paint. I dont' want to meditate or stand on my head or yoga poses or breath insense or imagine me as being a god. What the heck does that mean anyway?

Anyway, the object of Paint Free is not to create masterpieces but to just paint rather spontainously and not focuse on what other people think is a piece of art. So here are a few of my random, spontainious paintings. And we can only use paint, which is hard for me since I have more control with drawing than painting. We can also use alcohol to drip into very wet acrylic paint, which makes a very cool effect.

I have been on my bike a few times and miss it so much. I am feeling much better but not yet normal, but have more almost normal days than bad days!

The penguin painting is actually drawn from a "blind scribble". You close your eyes and just scribble around on a piece of paper and then find an image in the scribble and go for it. It was fun.

The View through my Bicycle Wheel was a 30 minute painting of something you love. 30 minutes and them you must stop.

The last is much a layering excersize and it is much prettier in person and looks very layered by making different layers with clear gesso and glossy self-leveling gel. I can't get a good scan of it no matter what I try.

Teal Haired Girl

2011-07-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

Girl totally copied from Samantha Kira AKA Journal Girl. 9x12 canvas board. Mixed Media, ShinHan Touch Twin marker alcohol inks, acrylics, collage, dip pen and india ink, white ink, gold embossing (the yellow looking swirls are really shiny golden embossing, flocking, Derwent Inktense pencils, beading.

Prayer for Wild Hearts

2011-06-21T19:21:00.001-08:00

I started this a while ago but messed it up so I put it away. I decided to see what I could do with it. It's like part of an old, worn, peeling rain-stained fresco in some rundown church. It must have about 18 layers of graphite, acrylic, gesso, ink, ShinHan Touch alcohol markers, Derwent Colorsoft and Inktense colored pencils and more. The gesso is scraped on thick so it has the texture of plaster. All is aged and faded except the newly escaped heart, flying away. This is about 14x9 on 1/2 thick wood.

This is a bad picture, it has some glimmer to it, the underpainting which shows through the blue is metallic sparkly bronze and the drips where done with bronze shimmer acrylic inks thinned out with some water. The winged heart is very dimentional, it has think glazing on the wings which has glittter and the glazing is crackled. Really is very pretty. I might try and retake the photo if our weather clears up, it's been drizzling rain and gray outside, bad lighting for photos.

Anyone want to buy it?? :)

Playing with Dip Pins, Ink and Water and Home Made Liquid Alcohol Inks

2011-06-03T22:52:00.000-08:00

This entry in my art journal was done with black and white pen ink and water sprayed on it and the ink ran where it wanted to go. I also pulled out some of the inks to make the branches. It reminds me of very old trees which rise up out of the tundra; dead, weathered, twisted and cracked, bleached white by season after season of extreme cold and then heat. Weather beaten by rain, snow, ice, sun, and wind but still standing and sculpted into some otherworldly figure.

I have really been wanting to buy some liquid alcohol inks. Such vivid colors and cool things can be done with then when spritzing them with rubbing alcohol or blending fluids. I had some duplicate color ShinHan Touch Twin markers so I decided to make my own liquid inks. I collected small spray bottles, filled them with 1 to 2 ounces of rubbing alcohol. I then started dismanteling my markers. I placed the nibs in the alcohol, then pulled out the ink pad or whatever it is that holds the ink in the marker. I sliced it open and then cut it to about 1 inch pieces and placed them in the rubbing alcohol in the spray bottles. After a few minutes, the ink in the nibs and pad leeches out and colors the alcohol and now I have liquid inks which I can spray and drip and do whatever with!! This is my tester page. Of course, the rubbing alcohol smells but it fades pretty quickly as the alcohol evaporates. I like to do it near an open window.

I don't plan on using any more markers for this. I will just buy some alcohol ink marker refill ink and use that. Right now, Copic is the only refillable ink available that I know of but ShinHan Touch Twin hopefully will be coming out with their refillable markers and the ink refills soon. I will buy the Touch ink refills and then the inkologist will begin experiments! I just love the bright colors and water proof, but not alcohol proof so can do lots of cool techniques.

Moleskine: Page 1 - ME

2011-05-20T18:31:00.001-08:00

My 2 Moleskine Sketch journals came in the mail yesterday!! In one journal, one side of the back pocket was glued down and wouldn't expand and started ripping when I tried to expand it. I read the insert which came with the Moleskine and it said to email their quality control if there where any defects so I took a picture of it and emailed it to them. They emailed me back today and said they where sending me a new journal! Wow, how cool is that! Awesome customer service!!

I was so excited to get started art journaling in my Moleskine. It has buff colored Italian made heavy sketch paper which takes paints and mulimedia well. So I jumped in and got my first page finished. It's also my first self portrait - lol!

Graphite, Prisma and Dick Blick colored pencils, acrylics, distress ink, ShinHan Touch Twin marker, collage, stamps

Back on the Bike!

2011-05-18T18:07:00.000-08:00

I got my bike shop all cleaned up and have even back on my bike a few times. It's been a long time because of the neck and back pain and whatever has effected my equilibrium. I am so out of shape, ugh, but it's a start to getting back to normal. Thank God!

Hope - Mixed Media

2011-05-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

Graphite, colored pencils, acrylic paint, watercolor crayons, embellisments, ShinHan Touch Twin markers. Mounted on wood. I really like this lady. I like the emotions on her face. I think I have found my style of art. While I occasionally would like to do life like images, I enjoy doing stylized art better. Mixed media is a lot of fun too. I have 2 Moleskine multimedia journals on order, I can't wait for them to get here!

Never give up hope..never.

Playing With Mixed Media

2011-05-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

Painting stylized faces with graphite, colored pencil, acrylics, watercolor crayons, embellishments and Shinhan Touch Twin markers. Will post photo soon! I'm liking it!

I'm Back!

2011-05-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful time visiting my daughter's family in Hawaii. It was very hot though, something to do with volcano fog and the trade winds. I sure do miss my kids.

Here are two more drawings. I find that after I'm finished with a piece of art, I don't really want to look at it anymore so I tuck it away in my journal for awhile. I just went through it today and actually like my work better after not seeing it for awhile. Go figure!

Graphite

Mixed Media: ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers and Derwent Inktense pencils, in the style of Manon Doyle. Love her work.

Art journal Entry #1. Inspired by Tee of Green Isle Crafts

2011-04-16T14:46:00.001-08:00

Tee does an art journal prompt 6 days a week. I really love her style and her techniques are easy and her instructions are clear. Got me from looking at a blank page to actually putting something on it. Check her out here: Green Isle Crafts

So here is my first page. It was inspired by this prompt by Tee; Hidden

Gesso on watercolor paper
acrylic paints
Shinhan Arts Touch Twin Markers

I'm really happy with how it turned out! The gesso is put on thickly for texture and the hair has thick acrylic that also adds dimension and texture, which is better seen in the second picture. I'm not quite done, I have some journaling to add to it.

Heading out of state for a few..will be back later!

Little Inktense Painting

2011-04-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

I've done a few random painting and drawings, will post them later. I've been playing with colors so they are kind of funky.

Here is a little Inktense painting I did awhile back. It's only about 2.5 inches. I made into a card for a bible verse group.

Skintone Color Study

2011-03-31T20:27:00.000-08:00

Messed this one up. Derwent Coloursoft. Too heavy of a hand used caused too much waxiness and not able to add more colors for shading.

Practice makes perfect. More practice is def required.

Hours Drawing

2011-03-19T11:49:00.001-08:00

I had to take a break from homework and case studies last night. I've been wanting try my Graphitint pencils and pastel chalk pencils but haven't had time since getting back from Phoenix. I'm also having a lack of inspiration, because I have these deadlines to get all this work done.

Last night I decided to just grab my markers and draw. I did a 9x13 of a lady, I love how the skin tones and shading came out, but overall I'm not happy with it so I won't post it. My husband likes it but I just isn't workingfor me. I may try it again tonight :)

I'd better get back to my case study...

Back from Phoenix!

2011-03-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

Super busy trip, packed with intensive class and exams. The weather was getting pretty warm for this Alaskan girl, around 87 the day I left. Coming from 87 degrees to 7 degrees was really noticable! I was cold for the first day home! BRR. Now I'm acclimated again.

I didn't get to do any fun stuff while in Phoenix because my schedule was too hectic, but I got a lot accomplished!

Now I am doing some additional projects for Virginia Commonwealth University and should have my provisional CWIC certifcation in about 6 weeks as long as I complete and pass my projects, which I will :)

Then I can start working with clients! And after a while, I will get my permenant certification, yay!

I haven't had any time for art, which is a bummer because I got in my order of pastel pencils and graphitint pencils which I really would like to play with. :(

Phoenix, here I Come!

2011-02-26T14:06:00.000-09:00

4days of intensive immersion, homework, homework, homework, then 1 exam every day for 5 days.
Then home.

Be nice to me, Phoenix.

My Latest Painting: Polar Reflections - Derwent Inktense on 9x12 Smooth Bristol

2011-02-20T10:51:00.003-09:00

I really like this! It is based on an image I found on the internet, all I know about the artist is her name is Natalie. The original had no color, just india ink and white. I really like the colors.

My husband didn't know what the "things" were under the bear's feet. It is the bear's reflection on the ice. :)

I'm learning more how to use the Inktense pencils. Pretty cool. I would like to get some liquid watercolors...yet another item on my wish list.

I sure wish someone would donate to my art supply fund!

Back to studying today, I go to Phoenix a week from today and have a LOT to finish up before I go.

Pray for me, that it will be a good, successful trip and my body will cooperate.

Too Much Studying

2011-02-20T00:48:00.000-09:00

Makes my eyes cross. Not the most exciting topics but very necessary to learn. It's not quick reading either.

I decided to do a little painting tonight, to try out my Derwent Inktense pencils again, I'm happy with how it turned out. It's not an original created by me, I found the image on Google and decided to see if I could paint a close likeness. I'm still new to this so I haven't figured out my own style yet.

I will post it tomorrow

Hiker. ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers on 11x17 Smooth Bristol

2011-02-15T23:13:00.001-09:00

It's DONE! I might go in and do some highlighting with white colored pencil or Conte crayon but for right now, I'm satisfied. :)

I should put my art aside for a few weeks and really focus on getting my Virginia Commonwealth University reading done so I will be prepared for my class I will be taking in Phoenix in a couple of weeks. The reading is putting me to sleep. I don't know who put it all together, but it is sooo repetative it's silly.

It's been a stressful week and this marker painting has really helped but I need to focus my attention on school :( Too bad we can't just play for a living :)

More Peeks: 11x17 ShinHan Art Touch Twin Marker on Bristol

2011-02-14T16:36:00.000-09:00

I forgot to post yesterday so here are 2 pictures :)

I hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day!

Sneak Peek #2 Touch Marker Drawing And Maybe I should learn How To Draw

2011-02-12T14:49:00.003-09:00

My vintage hiker drawing is coming along nicely. I love these Touch markers! I have a lot of markers but am finding I really need more colors. I've been layering colors to make new colors which works when I need a darker color but I can't make a darker color lighter. But so far so good.

I have been thinking that maybe I should learn some real drawing techniques.

So I ordered some books on drawing:

How to Draw What You See
Basic Colored Pencil Techniques
the Drawing Bible

and I am excitedly awaiting "Markers Wet and Wild". It's an older book from the early 90's and I got it for $8 and $3 shipping so WooHoo!

Sneek Peek

2011-02-11T13:18:00.002-09:00

11x17 on Strathmore 300 smooth Bristol

ShinHan Touch markers:
Sketch 109 Pearl White
SKY 179 Aqua Mint
Trees CG0.5, CG1, WG2, 169 Putty

Copic Markers - part 3: Response from Copic regarding Splotchy, Speckled, Mottled Inks

2011-02-11T13:09:00.001-09:00

This is the last reponse from the Copic Product Specialist. As a reminder, I have been having ink quality issues with some of the markers. I use some Copics and all is fine, then I use some other Copics - on the same piece of paper - and get mottling, speckling or splotchy ink. Since it's the same paper where the other Copics worked fine, I have been questioning their consistance of the quality of the ink from marker to marker.

Copic Product Specialist:
"OK, I heard back from the manufacturer. There is a physical difference between the drying agents of the Copics and the other marker brands listed. It has nothing to do with the markers left in the cold.

Copics have a faster drying time than Blick, Touch etc. This was desirable because it meant that they could produce crisper lines and a more vibrant color-range, less streaking, and low odor.

The slower drying markers absorb into the paper a little differently. So the manufacturer consciously chose that more vibrant colors and crisper lines were a good trade for seeing the fibers a bit more. "

See the other 2 posts below for the beginning of this Copic known issue.

Copic has a much more extensive color range than any other marker brands that I have researched but other markers, like Touch are low odor to odorless, with vibrant colors and Touch are low to no streaking (depending on your individual technique).

So there you have it, if you are experiencing this, it is not "just you", "the wrong paper" or even the wrong technique. It is the ink in some of the Copic markers causing the paperfibers to become visible, due to dye density and drying agents in some Copic markers.

As the Product Specialist said, it was a trade-off. So now it becomes the consumers decision if they want the color range and visible paper fibers or not. I personally do not want it unless I put it there on purpose. I am doing a large marker painting and wanted to use a Copic color I have but I know this one has the fiber/mottling problem...I don't have the Touch marker color I need so I will be changing colors from my original plan. Frustrating.

I do wish Touch had more colors because I just can't get enough colors, haha! But life is good and enjoy your markers, whatever your favorite is!

More Information on Speckled, Splotchy or Mottled Copics Coming Tomorrow

2011-02-09T00:10:00.001-09:00

Got more information from Copic regarding the known issue with some of their inks, too late tonight, will post it tomorrow

Splotchy/Speckled Copic Markers: Reply from Copic Product Consultant

2011-02-07T15:34:00.007-09:00

I got a response from a product consultant for Copic:

"The splotchiness you see is because paper is made out of fibers from trees, which, depending on the milling, absorbs ink differently.

Each marker brand reacts differently with the fibers of each paper brand. It also depends on the density of the dye particles for specific colors - so darker colors may not absorb in the same manner as light colors.

When magnified, yes, it is easy to see the grain from the markers/paper. This is a known issue, but it also a matter of the nature of the medium.

Colored pencils look a certain way, watercolors look a certain way, waterbased markers look one way and Copics look another. Whatever medium you choose to work with is up to you. If the results are not acceptable with one medium, then it is a personal choice."

So the way I read this is that the splotchiness, blotchiness, speckled inks are caused because the density of the dye particles in some of the Copic colors are different then the dye partical density in other Copic colors. These to me means the inks are not the same so they react differently to the same piece of paper. Which is shown in my test swatches in the previous posts. So the quality of the ink isn't consistant between markers..but if a person is lucky, they might happen to find a paper where the inconsistancy is minimized...that's a lot of work and expense just to find a paper where all Copics are happy.

While I appreciate the information that it is a known issue, that last paragraph seems a bit.....so if I don't like the "know issue", it's a personal choice.

I disagree. I think any artist or hobbyist who cares about their work and pays premium price for a proclaimed premium marker has the right to expect premium and consistent quality and not have to make a personal "choice" to accept less.

But she did bring up a point I did not address so I will here:
It doesn't take ANY magnification to see any of this speckling/mottling. I can see it on the 2x3 inch test swatch standing 5 ft away. The problem is obvious enough on it's own that it does not need any enhancement in any way.

None of the test swatches below were magnified - 2 of them are at real size and the rest of the scans are SMALLER than the actual size and the speckling is obvious.

So now we know. Copic's dark inks can absorb differently than their light inks and papers definitely enhance or minimize this known issue.

So lets get down to personal choices

Copic: expensive, hit and miss quality depending on the color, fussy with paper. If that is for you, then this marker is for you. In good conscience, cannot recommend them, especially when Copic knows about the issues and still charge the prices they charge.

Touch: affordable, loves almost all flavors of paper, consistent, premium inks in every color. I can give an honest, favorable opinion of these markers and recommend them for people who care about quality over a brand name.

I work too hard for my $ and I work to hard on my art and hobbies to pay extra money for speckled/mottled inks.

Touch Marker English Website is UP!

2011-02-05T23:21:00.003-09:00

ShinHan Arts now has their English website up! It mentions the refillable and replaceable nibs as well as brush markers! Check them out in the PDF catalogue

http://www.shinhanart.com/

Copic Marker Review: Are Copics REALLY the Best?

2011-02-05T14:52:00.012-09:00

I LOVE my markers! I love the colors and how easy they are to use. I have several brands of markers; Copic, Touch Twin, Dick Blick and no longer made Design markers. I recently updated my color swatch chart. While looking it over, I noticed that most of my Copics were splotchy and mottled looking compared to the Touch and Dick Blick swatches. Hmmm..Copics are considered the premium markers out there. There is a lot of really great tutorials on how to use them and classes available and so on. They are easy to find but not easy to afford, with prices from $3.50 to $7 for each marker.

ShinHan Touch Markers can be very hard to find information on and where to purchase. They are HUGE in the asian market and are made in Korea. I found them sold at Dick Blick and the price was much less, I got them for $2.09 per marker on clearance (ShinHan is coming out with a new marker style early summer 2011 which will be refillable and replaceable nibs as well as brush styles). I also got a few Dick Blick brand markers to fill in colors I didn't have. Touch are also available online at Pearl Arts, Jerry's Artarama and several people have good results on Ebay. Some stores carry them locally.

So back to the mottled Copics. I posted on Split Coast Stampers (SCS) asking if anyone knew why I was having this problem with Copic? I didn't get very many responses but had some good suggestions that it might be the paper, inadequate saturation or using not using enough ink, ect.

Well, I spent good money on these Copics and I really want them to work and look nice so I had better find out what is going on. I was given some different paper samples by some SCS so I decided to see if it is my paper and what more or less ink would do.

After seeing the Copic results, I decided to see how the Touch markers compare and also did one swatch with a Dick Blick marker.

Very interesting results...and not in Copics favor. But some very useful findings about what papers work better with Copics and which to avoid. Paper definitely has an effect on Copics, as you will see in the following pictures. They also effect Touch and Blick, but not to the degree as Copics.

All papers are layed out the same way - Copics on top, Touch below and the Lilac is Dick Blick. Each color has the same number of strokes, the darker part of the color has 3 strokes, the lighter shade at the bottom is a single stroke. Looking at the back of the papers, they are all saturated at the same level. I have picked out the closest in color and hue of my Touch markers to match my Copics.

To define the problem clearer, I am finding Copic inks "mottle" when they dry. This means that the ink had lighter or white specks throughout, rather than consistent coverage.

PTI 110 - Obvious mottling on G07, YG 23 and YG 45 Copic. Some mottling on Touch 100 and maybe a tad in 102, but at acceptable level. DB (Dick Blick) looks pretty good also.

Copic Blending: This is a smmmoooth paper. The markers move nicely on it. However, I found that all of the pens can leave puddle of wet ink on top. It quickly absorbs in but if someone isn't careful, I think they could smear this puddle before it dries. Mottling on G07, YG23, YG45, E44 Copics. Trace mottling on 47 and 100 Touch and DB. This mottling is a bit different. It almost looks like there are shiny areas embedded in the paper or maybe the slick coating on this paper isn't consistence. When this is looked at in person, it looks like shiny flecks.

Gina K. heavyweight. This paper is VERY heavy! There is absolutely NO bleedthru on the reverse of the paper. It is fairly smooth feeling. However, I would NOT recommend this paper with Copics. As you can see, there is major mottling with the Copics, in every color. There is less noticeable mottling with Touch but still on an unacceptable level, with the worst being 47.

Next is SU card stock. When I put my marker on this paper I said "awww..", the markers glide over this like skated on ice. I thought this would be it. But it's not. It is on the same level as the Gina K. above. Serious mottling in all colors. Not recommended for Copics at all.

BUT...the Touch markers and DB worked pretty good with this paper. Slight mottling in the darker colors, nothing in the lighter colors.

Wausau/GP - I think this is available at Walmart but I could be wrong. It isn't the brightest white and I would not use it with Copics. Like SU and Gina K. above, it doesn't play well with Copics. Obvious mottling in all colors.

Touch - does pretty good with Touch and DB markers. Colors don't look quite as bright on this paper as the others. I think it suck in more ink than the other pages also.

Papertrey PTI medium. This has the roughest feel of all my samples, but it's a keeper. Copics look pretty good on this paper, mild mottling in the darker colors. Touch and DB look great. All colors are nice and bright.

Neenah Classic 80. Obvious mottling with Copics in all colors except R17 and slight in YR68. I would not recommend with Copics because it is very obvious in the greens.

Works well with Touch and DB, mild mottling in 100 and DB but not on a noticeable level.

Copic X-Press. Same problem but as Copic Blending but even more. Looks like flecks in the paper, almost like mica flecks in a rock. At first glance, it looks like mottling but on closer inspection, it is flecks in the paper. But they are noticeable and are seen more with the Copics than with Touch markers. DB is too small to evaluate.

So white spots due to flecks in the paper, which are obvious with Copics.

Bienfang Smooth Bristol Board. This is one of the better/best paper for Copics. Mild mottling, the most noticeable is G07. Touch and DB look very nice, no mottling.

This is what I think is going on with Copic inks. These are alcohol based inks. The alcohol carries the pigments and then it evaporates off the paper. As I watched the Copic inks dry, it seems to me that the alcohol might be "puddling" in the light/white areas and there is more alcohol than pigment in the puddle. When the alcohol evaporates, it is lighter or whiter because there was less pigment

Final Thoughts.

Copic need to improve their quality. The quality of ink is not worth the price people are paying. And limited papers that work with these fussy markers just adds to the expense.

Some people have hinted that this is just happening to me...well..no because I found it right on Copic's very own website. Check out the dark side of the cube (E44). http://www.copicmarker.com/tutorials

I understand how people love their Copics, especially if they have never tried any other artist marker brands and have paid big bucks for their collection. If you are happy with your Copics, please continue to be happy with them, I'm not telling you to stop. But before bashing me (yes, I have been bashed for my opinion), try your own tests with an honest evaluation.

I will continue to be happier with my Touch markers - better quality, value and consistency.

Pink Lady

2011-02-03T17:14:00.005-09:00

I really enjoy Samantha Hahn(.com)'s watercolors. This is my version of one of her watercolors but I since I don't watercolor, I used my lovely markers.

I used my Shinhan Touch alcohol markers, Dick Blick Coral Pink marker (worked OK but Touch markers are better) and Beinfang marker paper (which I don't like but need to use it up).

She was fun to draw!

Dream it Up!

2011-02-01T00:14:00.004-09:00

This is what I whipped out. It certianly isn't going to be a cover of a book. I really don't know if that is doable.

Anyway, I started this with my Inktense pencils but I just don't have enough experience with when it comes to painting with them, so I grabbed a regular #2 pencil and did a lot of rubbing with my finger to blend. Now I have a sore finger :) I couldn't get the dark's any darker, I guess I will have to get some graphite drawing pencils.

I want to try this with my Touch markers but I don't have the right range of grey. But if I did, I think I could do a fairly reasonable job with them and I know how to blend with those.

Life is about to get much busier, I've got my tickets booked to go to Phoenix for my final certification and then a year long apprenticeship type followup. I have to start reading the training materials now because it is a few thousand pages of Soc Sec policy and stuff like that. That's the government for you, they LOVE their policy manuals.

TaTa for now :)

WOW..I don't know..

2011-01-31T21:52:00.003-09:00

A very old friend contacted me yesterday and wants me to do an illustration for the cover of the second book she is publishing...

Huh? I had to check to make sure she meant to send that email to me. Yep, she did.

I'm floored.

After big warnings that I have only drawn people two times EVER in my life, she still wants me to try.

I guess it can't hurt to try.

So here is a very, very rough sketch I have come up with - it is an outline only, no details or shading yet.

So now I'm fighting the fear that I'm totally going to mess it up.

But I can try anyway, right?

The worse that can happen is that she will have to find someone else to do her cover.

Complete..sort of

2011-01-28T16:25:00.005-09:00

I decided to finish my lady. Well, finish as much as I can on the mis-centered paper. I'm OK with it be off center, I like it like that. Just like I like the cracked wings on my flying hearts, those things seem to work for me :) I think I will fill in the hair at the bottom right more and maybe I will put some bicycles floating around in the space to the right of her..hmm. Excuse the crooked picture. I had a hard time photographing it today.

I had a white chocolate mocha at about 9pm last night..not the smartest beverage choice. I'm awake and tired at the same time. I think I will get up and actually do something like laundry..did I just type that outloud? haha.

Incomplete

2011-01-28T00:11:00.003-09:00

My first attempt with my Derwent Inktense watersoluable ink pencils. I have never watercolored before so my technique is rough and I'm new to drawing/painting anyway, so I was making my own version of a face I found in the internet. I have a fear of messing up a good thing so I stop, even if it's not complete, which is what has happened here.

My husband, a college educated artist, says he's going to get me over that and teach me how to waste paper. He says he will push me and if I mess it it, throw it away and start over...ugh..that will be hard for me. Since he can't work right now because of a seriously broken right hand *he is right handed* and can't draw or do much of anything, he is going to PUSH me. He says I would be eaten up in a college art class, not because of my ability or inability, but because of my fear. Which explains why I never took any art classes EVER! This will be a a good thing, right?

So for right now, my Inktense lady will remain imcomplete. I will look at her for a few days and decided to keep her that way or to try and complete it. I am much more comfortable with my Touch markers, I know how they will behave. Adding water is a totally different ball game.

Rose Record Keeper

2011-01-27T16:12:00.003-09:00

I made up an organizer folio using a manila file folder and covered it with designer papers. When I first got this pack of paper, I thought it was a valentine theme but it turned out to be sort of an Eclipse theme. I am not into vampires or Eclipse, I never been into scary things and romance with the undead just doesn't do it for me - go figure, haha. Needless to say, when I got home and realize what this paper pack was, I was disappointed for not taking a closer look at it and thought I had wasted my money. It also has splotches on the papers like dripped blood - ick. Not a feel good image.

But happily, I was able to cut off parts of some of the papers I didn't care for and was able to make up this nice organizer. The front pocket holds 2 notepads - one for appointments and the other is a TO DO list (I have put post it notes to cover up my entries, my todo list isn't very interesting :) , the second pocket is a calendar with space below for notes, the third is an address book and the last will have an envelope in which I will place receipts and papers. I colored the edges and the spine with Old Red 2 ShinHan Touch marker. Looks great and has a nice weight and feel to it. Secure it closed with gold elastic and it's ready for use!

There are still some papers which I really don't like nor will ever use so I will get rid of them after salvaging what I can.

I edged my rose a bit more with 34 Yellow Touch marker and it looks really pretty, but I should have done it before assembling the rose. I have glued it to the cross on the cover of my homemade prayer/scripture/meditation journal. Girly glam. :)

What I've been doing Lately

2011-01-26T21:16:00.003-09:00

I've been not doing a whole lot!

But I am finally set up to head out to Phoenix at the end of Feb for a 4 day certifcation class with Virginia Commonwealth University. Even though I finished up with Cornell University, VCU is the only agency which has a contract with SSA and since I will be paid by agencies which are reimbursed by SSA for my benefits counseling services, I must get this certification.

After the training, I will be going to get checked out at Mayo Clinic. Hopefully they can figure out why I am having dizziness and can get me back on track. Mentally, I am more than ready to get back on my bike but the body isn't in agreement yet. Come on, already!

I am working bit by bit on my Art journal, it's just stuff for me. I really would like to get some black gesso and white stamping ink - it's a cool look. And I would really like to get some Derwent Coloursoft Pencils from Dick Blick, which has the cheapest price for a set of 72 pencils. I asked for dontations on FB but no one has contributed, haha...darn!

I could get black gesso and the pencils and it would probably be about $100 with shipping - if anyone wants to contribute to the hobby that is keeping me sane...I'm just sayin..:)

I am not a ribbon, flowers and lace type girl - blame it on being the youngest kid and only girl born in my family in 5 generations, - one would think that would cause me to be raised as a girly girl but no, I played hockey, not barbies. Anyhoo, I like the look of the flowery, lacy albums that I see posted online and think that I would like to set out of normal zone and give it a go. But I don't have lace, ribbons, flowers, girly stuff. And I can't buy any right now if I'm ever going to get some Derwent pencils. So I found a SVG cut and tutoral by Penny Duncan and made one of her roses.

I used GP white cardstock and colored it with my Touch markers: 45 Canaria yellow and 35 Lemon yellow for the rose, 59 Pale Green and 175 Lime Green for the leaves. This cardstock is really too heavy, it was hard to roll, too stiff. I used my hot glue gun, which I haven't used in ages and it's really nice to have it adhere and dry right away. I touched it up with some Pearl Ex, which I've never used before. Gave it a nice shimmer. I'm overall happy with it but need a lighter weight paper, then I will make more.

Maybe I will even make a PINK one and glue it to some LACE! Wow, that would really be stepping outside my box! Well, sort of, one of my bicycles is pink, so I guess a pink rose isn't too much of a stretch but the lace certianly is - and I would have to buy some lace..hmm.

Art Journal

2011-01-22T16:44:00.005-09:00

I made myself an art journal last night, using my new Cinch to bind it. I also was in a winged heart mood so I whipped out a bunch of different colored hearts.

It was interesting trying to ink the black heart to show dimention, I'm happy with how it turned out and the blue (colored with Twin Touch alcohol marker and embossed with gold, then covered with UTEE) and gold wings are my favorite. My husband thinks a black heart is weird but it's just a color, don't read any weird, dark meaning into it :) The black sets of the wings better than any other color.

The front cover of the journal is covered with glittered paper which is Mod Podged to cereal box chipboard. It is much prettier in person.

I put different size and types of papers in for different mediums (markers, pencils, Inktense, ect.) and 3 envelopes in the back for treasures.

It is still pretty bare on the cover but I plan on embellishing or collaging on the inside and outside of both the front and back covers. I will also be working more on my winged heart page.

Lots of fun!

Flying Hearts

2011-01-19T20:40:00.003-09:00

I've always loved the winged heart image. I used to doodle this all over my notebooks when I was in Jr. High and High School.

So I have made a couple winged hearts. I have used silver embossing ink and extra thick clear embossing powder on the wings of one of the hearts, which I then cracked. The breaks in the wings just make it feel right to me, since this last year has been one of the hardest of my life but I'm still flying :). This one I am keeping and have put in the journal that I have made.

I used Cool Grey 0.5 ShinHan Touch marker to detail the feathers in the wings of the second heart and then covered them with Diamond Glaze and sprinkled some clear, iridescent glitter on them. It's very pretty but the details don't show up in the pictures well.

Both hearts are shaded by sponging on Aged Mahogany Distress inks and an unlabeled light pink chalk ink and highlighted with more Diamond Glaze.

I'm happy with how they turned out, they are very dimensional...and they just make me feel happy!

Card for Granddaugher

2011-01-18T22:20:00.003-09:00

Here is a card I just finished making for my grand daughter who will be 3 soon :)

I like brighter colors so keeping it pastel was a good change for me.

It is colored with ShinHan Touch markers, which blend beautifully - just as good as Copics! I am very happy with them.

Hair:

107 Sand

96 Mahogany

101 Yellow Ochre

134 Raw Silk

Skin:

26 Pastel Peach

133 Baby Skin Pink

109 Pearl White

Jumper - has an antique or ivory base under the blue, giving it an antiqued aged look:

144 Pale Baby Blue

109 Pearl White

185 Pale Blue Light

134 Raw Silk

Balloon:

44 Fresh Green

141 Buttercup Yellow

37 Pastel Yellow

35 Lemon Yellow

Cut on Cricut with Penny Duncan SVG's and emblished with Stickles and ribbon.

I think it turned out pretty cute! But not as cute as my granddauther :)

BCG Sketch - Haha!

2011-01-12T16:15:00.006-09:00

Artistic Interpretation Quick Sketch of Son with BCG's
(ShinHan Twin Touch markers on Bienfang
marker paper)

BCG's blacked out

My son is in boot camp at Ft. Knox. Everyone had their eyes tested and everyone who needs glasses had their personal glasses taken away and military glasses issued. My son sent me a photo of himself with his new glasses on.

..........I thought it was a joke until he sent a picture of the order for his glasses.................

They call them BCG's - short for "Birth Control Glasses" and that is a fitting name for them.

My son won't let me post the picture he sent because he is looking most uncool in his BCG's so I made a quick sketch of him last night - so I'm posting that. I've been laughing about those glasses for the last day.

So here it is, a quick sketch using ShinHan Twin Touch markers on Bienfang marker paper, which is really thin and I'm not so crazy about it because I'm used to bristol board. My son is blonde/blue eyed - I don't have the right skintone colors so my drawing makes me laugh also :)

And yes, the glasses give him a googly-eyed look - I'm still laughing!!!!!!!

Busy, busy, busy!

2011-01-10T17:28:00.002-09:00

It's been very busy the last week or so. I spent a few days in Anchorage with my son before he headed off to boot camp. Always emotional when kids grow up and leave the state. But he will do great and this is a good step for is future.

I got home and was trying to have a relaxing day when my daughter called from Hawaii to tell me about a dangerous felon who escaped from the pretrial a few miles away and to lock my doors...I hadn't heard anything about it. But I wasn't too worried.

My husband came home for lunch as ususal, then back to work. An hour or so later I get a call from him saying "don't worry but I got hurt at work and busted up my hand and they caught the escaped felon and he is in the bed next to me covered with lacerations and they are trying to stitch him up and there are cops all over the place!".......hmm...way to change the topic away from HIM!

I get us back on topic and he says he will be released soon so don't come to the hospital, he's going back to work. He came hope early because his hand is broking. He is right handed and he has a very physical job and he is an ARTIST. He was told to follow up with the ortho dr. I called them the next morning and they were talking about surgery..huh? No one mentioned that to me. A detail my husband left out.

So we get into the dr and his hand is very broken, surgery is required. Bones in the palm of his had broken in 3 places and pushed down towards the wrist, too far apart from each other to even heal up, and they as all very sharp spikey twisting breaks. 4 hr surgery - yes, 4 hours, no including prep and recovery. They found some additional breaks in there which didn't show on the xrays. Plates in his had and pins in his finger.

But he is pretty tough and he will heal up fine.

I was sent some wonderful marker papers from some ladies on Split Coast Stampers. These papers are expensive and I can't find them here in Alaska and wanted to try some samples before laying out the cash on the paper and postage as well, postage just might be as much or more than the papers...one disadvantage of living in Alaska.

I am going to see how my ShinHan Twin Touch markers do on these speciality papers compared to what I have been using - I love playing with my markers! ShinHan also has some really interesting acrylic paints I would love to get my hands on called PASS. They can be used like watercolor as well as acrylic. But I can't find any here in America. :(

I also ordered some Derwent Inktense pencils yesterday and am really exited to get them. They look like a ton of fun and very vibrant instead of a wash like watercolors. I love color!

Well, enough for now, gotta go play with markers and papers :)

Homemade Diary for my Shinhan Twin Touch Markers

2010-12-31T16:59:00.003-09:00

I made a mini diary album for to keep a record for all my "marker mixes" - which colors to use for hair, skin, jeans, boots, trees, etc. I generally use 3 or more colors when blending. It is just easier to keep a record instead of figuring it out every time - although that does create some pretty neat discoveries.

The photos loaded backwards, from open to the front cover! I haven't decorated the cover yet but it is a cute, sturdy little book. I used glossy Collage Pauge and it is a strong seal and hold up very well.

Happy New Year! May 2011 be the best EVER!

Love my Shinhan Twin Touch Markers

2010-12-29T17:07:00.002-09:00

I have been doodling a bit with my Twin Touch alcohol markers. They are great, colors are transparent so they can be blended together. Colors are vibrant and they are much more reasonably priced than Copics but on the same quality level, in my opinion.

Black hair seems to be the most difficult so I have been practicing and I am happy with how this girl turned out. I love the vibrant colors so I made a calendar with the verse Eze 34:26.

2010-12-27T17:54:00.000-09:00

Random Creations

2010-12-27T17:14:00.004-09:00

Cool Studio 3 Color Cubbie give away @ Wee Memories

2010-12-19T15:54:00.003-09:00

Great giveway http://suchins.blogspot.com/. I could really use this to control my marker madness mess! :)

Couple more cards

2010-12-08T14:23:00.004-09:00

This card is much prettier in person. The mountain is hand cut, the trees are cut on the Cricut. I used my Shinhan Twin Touch markers, a Copic marker and an old Design alcohol marker (very smelly - ick) to color the trees, mountain, shadow the snow and also the starry background paper was the wrong color, a middy light blue. Did work well so I colored it with a Touch marker and now it's just right! I love my Shinhan Touch markers, no odor, affordable, beautiful colors, high quality and very blendable. I used pop up adhesives so this card is dimensional and the sparkly snow is white glittered embossing.

This is Pioneer Peak, the mountain behind my house. Love it :)

This easel card is colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol. The headband and flowers are glittered with Stickles and the girl is an Anya from The Greeting Farm

2010-11-30T16:17:00.003-09:00

Had a huge windstorm...2 days of banging, crashing, howling winds. Blew all the snow away! I am making cards as my creative outlet.

I got my field project into Cornell University and am waiting for the instructors response, then a week to make any corrections or to prove my position. Then I am officially certified through Cornell University for SSI/SSDI Benefits Analysis and Work Incentive Planning! But..

It's not the end. I will have to go out of state to attend Virginia Commonwealth University's 4 day training with 1 year follow up. This will allow me to get paid directly from SSA for doing the SSI/SSDI benefit analysis. With Cornell, the client will have to pay out of their pocket or find another agency to pay for my services, which aren't cheap.

I will have to go to Phoenix. Please pray that my body strengthens so I can make the trip easily. :)

It's almost Christmas! Yay!

Been Busy!

2010-10-22T21:41:00.002-08:00

I've been doing pretty good :0

I started taking online classes from Cornell University (yes, THAT CORNELL). It has been great to be busy again and have a goal to go for. I have just one more webinar class then I have my final and move to the field project part of the course. Once I get done with that, I will have my certification from Cornell :) Then I can get going in my new career (CWIC).
I may have to take a short 4 day training through Virginia Commonweath University but that will just be a formality. VCU has the contract with Soc Sec Admin so if I get a cert from them then SSA will pay my fee to do benefit analysis for SSA recipients.

Weather has been warm here, especially for October. It is getting dark though.

I hope everyone is doing well :) Life is coming back! I expect to be back on the bike fairly soon, but on the trainer since winter is approaching

:)

Hmm..Where has the Summer Gone To?

2010-08-05T20:12:00.002-08:00

I'm still around, better than I was last time I posted but not yet where I want to be. 2 neurologist say they don't think the dizziness is from MS. I've had my eyes checked, every blood test out there, seen eye doctor, physical therapy, ear doctor, had ultrasounds on my heart and carotid arteries and they all show I am super healthy!! Which is great...but I still have dizziness and feel like passing out sometimes.

Right now I'm on a 30 day heart monitor to see if my heart has an abnormal rhythm. I'd be suprised if this is the cause but sometimes the monitor starts doing this beeping thing. I don't know why, I've never felt what I would consider abnormal heartbeats.

If this doesn't turn up anything, then my dr. wants me to go out of state to a university hospital like Mayo clinic or something. I'm wondering if it is my ear, I have artifical stapes bones in my ears and wonder if one has moved out of place or something.

So there it all is.

I have a great opportunity for a new job though, since I'm no longer working for Public Assistance. I would contract with the state and make about $70 per hour. :) And be my own boss! Oh yeah!

Summers are short in Alaska and we haven't had much fun this year because of what is going on with me, my dad was seriously ill and my husband is working 10 hour days, 6 days a week.

We are seriously lacking in the fun department!

Prayer

2009-12-18T17:22:00.002-09:00

Been fighting an MS attack, haven't worked in awhile. Pray for full healing and recovery!

Update

2009-09-04T19:04:00.002-08:00

It's been a very nice summer, weather-wise. One of the best in years. Unfortunately, I haven't been feeling good for awhile. Really started impacting my life.

So I finally went to the doctor. Yep, finally. I was just hoping I would start feeling better but didn't.

I am having surgery on 9/11 and hopefully will be feeling MUCH better after I recover. Thumbs up and pray for the best! I really, really HATE being put under and how it feels waking up. I'm not looking forward to that. I will be out of work for around 4 weeks, which is a bummer because I've been missing a lot of work due to feeling bad so I don't have any leave time left. Leave without pay. But that's just how it goes sometimes.

My son graduated from the Military Youth Academy last week!!! He's enlisted in the Air Force and we are just waiting to find out which job he will get and when he will leave for basic. His top choices are Aerospace maintenance (part of the onboard flight crew), Aerospace propultion (he wants the fighter jets) and even put down security forces (MP?). I was told that if he puts down security forces, he will get security forces because not many recruits want that job. I hope he gets the aerospace jobs.

Here's a picture of him from his Drill and Ceremony competition. He looks pretty tough!

I'm very proud of him!

My Kid is Joining the Air Force

2009-06-23T20:27:00.002-08:00

His lowest score on the ASVAB or whatever was a 75, his highest was a 98. He started out wanting to do special ops - intellegence, spy, behind enemy lines, freaky stuff. But he's now leaning towards something in the mechanical field, which is what he scored 98 in, they were talking to him about working on spy satellites. Keeping with the spy realm.

He's a super smart kid who's finally realizing just how smart he is. He's stepped up his game and has taking all advanced classes in school, which he never wanted to do before because he didn't want to work that hard - yeah, drove me nuts.

Now he's deciding what his future career will be.

Time to cut the apron strings!

I'm going to miss him. :(

New Friend - Michael Fatali

2009-06-03T10:43:00.003-08:00

After hiking around Zion, we visited a gallery and met an awesome photographer, Michael Fatali and his wife.

We got to chatting and invited him and his wife to come up to Alaska and we will take them out to our cabin where he can photograph the northern lights or whatever catches his eye.

None of his photos are enhanced in any way, not with filters or darkroom/lab manipulations. What you see is how it was a the moment. Which means he may have to wait a long time, exposed to the elements, before getting the perfect shot.

Take a moment to check out his work, you won't be diappointed!

http://www.fatali.com/

Flat Tire, Fat Tire and Vacation

2009-05-30T11:27:00.003-08:00

I have been riding to work regularly, it's been nice. The weather has been better this May than it was the entire last summer! I hope it sticks around.

I got a flat tire on my ride to work. It was not the best way to start the day. I ended up totally ruining the tube, because I rode on the flat for a distance. I went to the bike shop to get a new tube and asked the Bike guy to have it installed by the end of the day, because I had to get back to work and didn't have time to do it myself and it takes him a fraction of the time it takes me to change road tires. So I walked back to the shop after work and the tire was still there, flat as a pancake. Bike guy was busy so I ended up doing it myself anyway. It's that crazy time of year for the Bike guy so I can't blame him, I was just hoping...

We recently picked up some sea kayaks!! :) I also finally got a 4 wheeler, now I don't have to be the passenger anymore! But we will continue to be careful not damaging trails.

We went on vacation for the last 2 weeks, a few days in Vegas (smells like sewer and cigerettes - yuck - too loud, hot and crowded), Utah (Zion and Bryce - loved it!) around the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and back to Vegas. We were supposed to go canyoneering in the slots and hike the Narrows but because of unusually rain the risk of flash floods cancelled our plans. That was really disappointing. A few photos from Zion. Loved it! I think I could live in Utah. Drank lots of Fat Tire and the local brews, that was fun to try the different brews.

I Rode

2009-05-06T18:12:00.004-08:00

In the rain today

And it was good!

Lots has been going on. I'm going to try an post more often.

We didn't make it to the cabin over spring break because I couldn't get the time off so we did a couple super quick weekend trips. The final trip the weather was just amazing and the temps were so warm we were peeling off layers of clothing while sitting on the lake ice fishing. It was really nice. The eagles are back for the summer.

The weather here has been spectalular, already warmer this spring that it was the entire last summer. Things are not yet green here, though and with the warmth and sunshine comes dry conditions.

Our neighbor decided to burn his lawn last Friday. Capt'n Balance and I had the day off and I was sitting on the deck soaking up the sun while he was talking to a friend. I pointed out to the guys that it looked like the neighbor's fire was getting too big for him to control. The guys said "naw" and kept on talking. Then I told them the fire crossed the fence and was now in our hayfield. No big deal, said the guys. The neighbor had his hose on it.

The friend left and I told the Capt'n the fire WAS OUT OF CONTROL! FINALLY he took a look and sure enough, he's running for anything he can grab to put it out. Well, there wasn't anything to grab because we have no water over there, we hook up irrigation pipes to a well across the road when we need to water it, which hasn't been for a few years. SOOOO, we towels and buckets. Wet the towels and of course the few gallons of water in the buckets does basically nothing.

The wind picks up and the fire gets BIG and moves FAST. It starts heading towards the log pile, my folks 5th wheel RV and the BARN! My house is attached to the barn. The barn was built in the 40's and has old grain and hay everywhere. Fire gets there and it will be a total loss. We call 911 and keep beating on the flames. My dog follows me as I run back to the neighbor who is standing on his side of the fence still, holding his hose. I rewet my towel and realize my dog is following me. I start running back to the leading edge of the flames and the wind kicks up and blows the fire right at my dog and I. My dog freaks and starts running away, but deeper into the field which is on fire. He is surrounded on 3 sides, I'm running to him and calling him to do a 180 and come back the way he came, then we would be fine but he was stepping on flames and freaked so bad he wouldn't listen to me. I got about 20 feet away and he finally bolted straight ahead through a wall of flames, but past the fire and clear of the fire. He's paws are burned though and he's hurting. He will be OK, we think. We have a vet coming to look at them. We couldn't tell how burned he was until yesterday, burns tend to show the extent of their damage a few days down the road.

So now the dog is out of danger, I'm sucking smoke and feeling heat, my face is a little scortched.

The wind changed again and the fire is now on a rampage towards the barn. Division of Forestry trucks start to arrive but they go down the neighbor's road instead of our driveway and the first truck gets stuck in muck and the other trucks can't get to the fire because of the fence. The fire is MINUTES from torching the RV and the barn! I'm screaming at the forestry guys, telling them where to go. I start running to the road, which is over a half mile away from the fire, my lungs are full of smoke and I'm not in a good place mentally. I start waving my towel and FINALLY guide a truck to my driveway and around the barn to the fire. They go right to the leading edge which is heading towards the barn and start up the pump in the back of their truck. They only have 75 to 150 gallons in these trucks.....soon they are out of water but they have stopped the fire from heading towards the barn and then a real fire truck shows and refills the Forestry trucks. We had about 8 forestry trucks and the fire tanker and they finally put it all out. Then they start their investigation and they talking to us...they think WE started the fire and let it get out of control. I set them straight immediately. Our neighbor felt very bad and apologized. If there had to be a fire, it worked out OK because if it went any other direction it WOULD have burned down 3 homes.

The fire was about 50 ft away from the rv/barn. Too close for comfort. I have to say, when they Foresty guys went down the wrong road, I really thought my home was a loss. The fire was soo big, so close, it was a horrible feeling.

But all's well that ends well. We have rain today and it's making things green up and that burn will grow back greener and healthier than the unburned hay.

These were taken about a half hour after the Forestry guys showed up and took over. I was covered with soot and almost sick from breathing smoke. My throat felt like it was on fire.

Not quite ready to Ride

2009-04-12T13:56:00.003-08:00

Just when I think the weather will cooperate, we get snow. So I haven't gotten to ride to work yet. I haven't gotten my new tires on my commuter bike yet but I would have to ride my winter bike anyway because there is still ice everywhere in the mornings.

My son-on-law is in the Air Force and they are stationed in Mississippi until he finishes up with his schooling, then they will be stationed in HAWAII!!! Needless to say, I'm stoked! I have never been to Hawaii but I plan on going there at least 2x per year after they get settled in about 8 months. WooHoo!

Work bites, that is what has been taking up a lot of my free time. I didn't even get to go to the cabin over spring break because of work. GRRR. The economy is making more people eligible for welfare, employees are quitting, there is a hiring freeze so we are in a really tight spot. The heads are thinking of manditory overtime but I keep telling them it will backfire. No one is accepting the voluntary overtime that is being offered because they are burned out. Forcing people to give up their down time and family time is NOT going to help. Ut will make morale fall even lower and the accuracty rate will continue to decline because it all becames harder when one is tire, unhappy and burned out. Personally, I will not be doing manditory overtime because my family and sanity is more important than this job. They need to do the right thing and open up the positions for hire.

I was going to climb the Butte today but me and the hubby went into Anchorage and scored 2 17ft sea kayaks off Craigslist!!!!!!!! We got a sweet deal!!!!!!

My son and nephew climbed the Butte a couple weeks ago and got some great pictures. It's a small little butte but offers great views!

The Edge of Daylight!

2009-04-08T20:04:00.002-08:00

The sun is coming BACK!!!!! The snow is MELTING!!! It's almost time to RIDE to work!

Still too dark in the mornings but in the next week or 2 it should be good to go!!!

I have people lining up who want me to work on their bikes but I don't want to commit because my spare time is more sparse than it used to be.

Warm weather is on it's way! Lets hope for a warmer summer than last year.

X-treme X-sport

2009-02-28T13:50:00.005-09:00

One of the best brews I have done. First time I have used liquid ale yeast. Just whipped up a quick label.

I'm looking forward to beer o'clock! :)

I Think I Love You....

2009-02-20T10:12:00.006-09:00

I did some long overdue maintenance on my commuter bike.

The tread on the tires aren't rounded anymore, both tires are squared off from use.

I'm inspecting them to see if I can squeeze out any more miles on them when I find an inch long split in the rear tire, running the length of the tire (not across), right in the middle of where the tread would be.

Darn. I suppose I could boot it.

I suppose I should just break down and buy a new tire.

I suppose I should just give in to buying a set of new tires because the front isn't looking that great either.

So I start getting sentimental over my tires. Thinking of all the miles on them, the places they have taken me, the joy, the pain, the freedom.

Turns out that I love my tires.

I don't love them because of the brand - they are rather cheap, workhorse road tires, as much as a 700 x 23 tire can be. I love them because they have been a part of my sacred chain driven journey.

But it's time to let them go. It's bittersweet to say goodbye.

Maybe I can recycle them into something useful.

Beer News: Recently bottled: X-treme X-sport Pale Ale

Bottling this weekend: Atomic Alt with specality grains.

Cabin Time

2009-02-05T16:45:00.003-09:00

We went to the cabin for Superbowl. It was a quick trip but a good one. The days are still short up there but the temps weren't bad, around 5 to 10 below. The snow-laden trees are really beautiful.

One of my very favorite things is when riding my snowmachine in power snow when the sun is shining. The track kicks up this really cool, cosmic, cloud of ice crystals. I become enveloped in a shimmering, sparkling, gossamer cloud. Tiny diamonds sparkling all around me, the coldness of the crystals on my face when they land. It's really spectacular.

We ran into 3 moose on the way out, they looked like they were going to come my way and check me out but they decided not to. That is a good thing. Don't mess with moose.

The days are getting longer down here in south central Alaska, gaining about a half an hour each week. It's nice to have daylight when I get off work.

Next week I will be working in Anchorage...all week long. I think I will stay a night or two with one of the Lost Boys, driving bites big time.

Redoubt

2009-01-30T21:19:00.003-09:00

Is about to blow again.

My dad was there for the 1989 eruption.

So I'm heading out to the cabin for SUPERBOWL! 1st time ever a female has been allowed to go to this overly testrostrone charged trip. I hope I survive...

And I hope I don't come back to an ashy mess.

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php

2009-01-23T11:19:00.003-09:00

Ohh, the new year is getting old and I'm already worn out.

The welfare office has been overwhelmed with people applying. Not unemployed, underemployed, but the average working American family, earning the average national wages. Somehow, word has gotten out that Obama has extended the welfare programs which allow the average American family to be eligible. I am here to say that this has not happened. Not to say that it won't, it just hasn't happened yet (and I really don't know that it will).

Welfare and State programs won't pay your $4 per month lifeline phone costs. It won't pay for your 5 cell phones, satellite, cable, internet or netflix bills. There is no nationtal heath coverage. It won't pay for your $3000 month house and car payments. And I believe you when you tell me you got a good deal on the new car with heated seats/DVD's and every new gaget available because the high gas prices and poor economy has cut prices, too good of a deal to pass up. Yes, I understand that your expenses are very real and are overwhelming. By the way, did you know that Anchorage has a pretty decent public transportation system?

All these programs count your gross income. Yes, I understand gross income doesn't reflect your net but if we went by net income, I could gross a million dollors per year, send my money to various accounts/investments and lower my net income to $5 per month. That's why we go by gross.

I know that food and utilities are getting more expensive almost daily. I do know and I understand. I do know that the job situation is scary. I also know that Alaska is not in the same situation as the lower 48....yet.

I know all of this and I feel your pain. But I must say "I'm sorry, but you are not eligible". I must watch the anger and the tears. I know you are hard working people, I can see that. I know a bum on the street can get food stamps but you can't. It's true and we both know it.

I can offer advice but you don't want to hear it: get rid of 4 cell phones with internet access, go down to a smaller cable/satillite/internet packet or eliminate some of it. I you need a new car, look at a gently used car and bypass the extras. Shop at Walmart instead of Nordstrom. Buy $40 Levi's instead of $150 brand whatever jeans - personally I'm not looking at your ass so I don't notice your $150 brand whatever jeans.

More advice you don't want to hear - Take a close look at your spending. I notice the lovely fake fingernails with a perfect french tip manicure as you dab the tears from your eyes. And you have a lovely tan and highlights in your hair, which is a bit out of place in the middle of winter. So what did you spend your household's PFD's and energy bonus on? You used the entire $12000+ and even more for a family trip to Hawaii? Sounds like a great time but now you still have unpaid natural gas bill because Enstar raised their rates 20% this month, which they have been telling consumer's for the last year was going to take place.

And No, I am not the bitch that you are calling me. You are simply not eligible. Yes, you could quit your job, apply for housing assistance, heating assistance, lifeline phone assistance, food stamps, medicaid, daycare assistance (why would you need that if you quit your job?), cash assistance, educational assistance and every other program out there, but you don't. I thank you for not choosing that route.

You know people who are cheating the system, who brag about getting food stamps even though they have mony and possessions they are not telling us about. I tell you that fraud is a very ugly thing and we rely on people informing us when they know about fraudulent situations and would you like to make a fraud allegation - you can be totally annonomous. Your anwer is NO. So you now are activly taking a part in allowing fraud to continue. If you are going to be a part of it, stop bitching about people who are doing it. And if I suspect you are fraudulent, even at this application stage, I will make a fraud referral on you. So keep it honest, no matter how stress and overwhelmed you feel.

Now you have rights. If you disagree with my decision, you can request a Fair Hear and have legal representation. The Hearing Authority will look at the facts and make a ruling. You don't want to do that either? Because you knew coming in that you wouldn't be eligible anyway but you wanted to just try anyway.

Sigh........

Thank you for coming in today and I wish you the best........

And I heard you mutter "fucking bitch" under your breath as you walk out my door....even though you know you weren't eligible to begin with.

It's Been A Cold Ride

2009-01-10T13:00:00.003-09:00

Eagle

So far 2009 is very beautiful but very cold. Temps have been consistantly 25 below zero. I'm stressing a little about what my heating bill will be......

Went for a ride last week. The cold really is spectaculer for it's beauty. The night skies are clear. Stars, planets and the moon are out in all their glory. Alpenglow on the mountains, pink and blue skies against white mountains. Thick frost covering the trees.

It's cold but I love it (when it's supposed to be cold).

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T09:27:00.002-09:00

I'm sitting in my bike shop, drinking a white chocolate mocha, watching CNN, while everyone is still asleep. I just got off the phone with Drunk John, who is living up to his name. He's drunk, alone and will probably be passed out within the next 20 minutes. As drunk as he is at the moment, he was pleasant. I wish I could do something for that guy but he's way beyond my reach at this moment. All I can do is wish him a Merry Christmas and let him know I enjoyed talking with him this morning.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to All! Best wishes for a safe, happy and prosperous New Year! And lets all be good to each other!

Winter Wonderland

2008-12-13T11:04:00.005-09:00

I have to admit, I haven't been getting outside like I usually do. I blame it on my refurbished home. It's so nice and cozy that I just enjoy being at home. Not that I didn't enjoy being at home previously. I will need to get the layers on and just get out.

The shoulder is OK, no surgery!!! Just physical therapy, which I'm having trouble fitting into my schedule. I think I will do the excercises as soon as I post this :)

I have been pursuing the wrist pain. Have gone everywhere from lupus (NOT), to different length ulna and radius bones (NOT), to ganglion cyct (maybe), to tendenitis (this is where I'm personally leaning towards). Anyway, at this moment, the wrists are fine. :)

It's 11 below zero right now and spectacular outside. White world with full moon hanging in a pink sky fading up to light blue, above the mountains. Wind blowing snow off the mountain peaks...I wouldn't want to be up there right now. No wind this low.

It's also vitamin D season. My Dr. suggests 3000 IU's a day. Will do.

Still pedalling to nowhere in the shop. I really like going out to my shop at 5 a.m., the stars are out bright, the moon is full, snow sparkles like diamonds.......I gaze at the sky and soak in the beauty of it all, then I trip the motion sensor lights and am blinded...damn....I feel my way into my shop, turn up the oil heater because I haven't figured out how to set the time so it comes on automatically, struggle into my shoes and pedal.....slowly at first until I'm warmed up a little, then faster and settle into a good pace. I turn on CNN so I have an idea what is happening in the world and go for the next 30 minutes. Now I'm ready to start my day.

Wasilla has been plowing their sidewalks, I have been cruising routes to see if there is a clear path to my work, comtemplating riding, if only a mile or two, to work. I found one that may work. The problem is my bike and storing it at work. It's ok so far in the summers, as long as I wipe it down, to keep it in my office but I think they will frown on the studded tires, unless I carry the bike thought the office building to my office. With all the junk I have to bring to work now...I don't know. I will think about it some more.

Colony Christmas today in Palmer, we will go to the lights parade, drink hot toddy's and watch the fireworks. All bundled up to hand the below 0 temps. It's ALL fun in Alaska!

And in closing, my dog, KC, all dressed up for Christmas. I know it's stupid to derss up dogs but this actually is his punishment for non-stop barking the other day...humiliation...but I think he kind of likes the attention he is drawing.

Have a Merry Christmas, everyone! Drinks are on me!

Black Cat Ale and MRI

2008-11-14T11:34:00.002-09:00

I wimped out of my 1st MRI, turns out I am a bit claustrophobic.

So I went back with some Valium this morning and although I wasn't totally relaxed, I got through it.

MRI's are damn loud. My ears are still ringing even though I had earplugs in.

And they aren't that bad....with drugs anyway.

Now I'm tired and want to just go to bed but I have to pick up my kid from school soon so no sleep.

I opened up a bottle of my Black Cat, not totally carbed but very promising beer!

I also opened up a Sweet Eddy the Second, still pretty green but will be great after it matures.

Nothing great going on with biking, just spinning my wheels in the morning on my trainer in the bike shop. Due to the shoulder, I'm having to prop up the front wheel a bit. Also wrist issues seem to be reoccurring but don't bother me while riding, at this point. Later in the day comes the discomfort.

We got a few inches of snow the other day, I'm glad. I want it to snow a couple of feet. Sure is pretty.

Soon we will start on renovating the bathroom. That shouldn't take too long, nothing major that we know of.

Follow up with the Dr. on Monday. I just can't imagine that I will need surgery, not much pain but lots of crunching and popping - although this could be a sign of a disconnected or stretched tendon, which requires surgery. Will update when I know more.

Hurt shoulder.....redux

2008-10-31T10:21:00.003-08:00

Last week I slipped in the parking lot at work. As I was going down, my left arm caught on a vehicle. My arm stayed up while the rest of me when down. It was about 7:30 a.m and the parking lot had not been sanded yet. Immediate pain in the shoulder. So I pick myself up and go inside, wiping the coffee out of my hair. Within 5 minutes my index finger was numb and I couldn't move my arm very well. Crud.
I talk to my boss who says I have to go to the dr immediately to get it checked out. So I go, the only Dr open and available at that time of the morning is the urgent care walk in clinic. It's a pretty nice clinic and I have been there before but this morning the Dr. is more interested in talking politics. After he finds out where I work, he launches into how we might soon end up a welfare state because those who make more will have it taken away and given to those who make less, Obama sending us down a socialist/marxist path, this fosters social and economic stagnation because who what to work hard to get ahead only to have it taken away and why doens't the MTV generation see this?

I will keep my views on this to myself as I don't want to get into this on my blog, but I WAS NOT into talking politics at this moment. He pulled on my arm, which didn't hurt too much but I kept telling him that the pain in the top part of the shoulder and under the shoulderblade. He pushed on the top of my shoulder, yes, that hurts. Nothing about the rest of the pain. He didn't think anything was torn around the joint. He did an x-ray and thought he saw something at the top of the joint, maybe a bone chip, definitely "calcium". The he lauches back into politices as he gives me anti-inflammitories and pain killers. Then sends me on my way. Ok, a week later and my shoulder really hurts under the shoulderblade. My neck is hurting and stiff because of the way I'm holding my shoulder. After a day of work, I'm not in a happy place when I get home, my shoulder aches and neck is crunched up tight.

I'm getting phone calls from Worker's comp and the complex owner's insurance company...who informed me this may be a vehicle insurance claim...um, no, I tell them, it's absolutely NOT a vehicle insurance claim.

So now I'm going to follow up with the Dr. who did my other shoulder surgery a few years back.
It just bums me out to even think of the smallest possibility of shoulder surger - that whole thing was no fun, but it did lessen the pain in that shoulder significantly so it was worth it.

We are continuing to work on the house, we turned the large hallway which leads into the main living area into a sitting area with a small tv and great for curling up with a book in the evenings and watching the sunset. This has been a wasted space, now useable. The color of the walls is really pretty but doesn't show true in the photo. It's a nice, soft golden yellow called "clarified butter".

The weather has been nippy but ground is nice and frozen so it's perfect for riding with studs. If my shoulder would allow it :(

We went to a Halloween fundraiser last week. I was the greek godess of Hops but non-beer people don't get it so would alternate to greek goddess of Autumn, Wogster was a computer virus, and Capt'n Balance was Capt'n Plunger

I have a wedding to go to tonight and the best man is the trooper in the Sarah Palin Troopergate. Yes, he did really taze a 12 yr old boy but the kid asked him to do it, according to the bride. I'm sure all eyes will be on him to see if he does anything stupid.

Kitchen remodel

2008-10-11T14:01:00.007-08:00

Amost finished with the kitchen/dining/living room! Remember, this was a grain bin which my husband made into his bacholor pad then added onto a bit when we got married but it still really was not much more than the bachelor pad. We had 6 different cabinets, the low roof, a post in the middle of the room holding up the roof.

We ripped out half of the roof, put in a beam to support the ceiling, moved the post, added and moved windows, put in floor beams and more support (posts) on the lower level to support and even out the floor.

Ripped out 2 exterior walls down to the studds, resheeted insided and out and new insulation and vapor barrier.

I can't find the "before" picture, but this gives an idea of how it looked. Imagine a small fridge, low cabinets of all sorts and a u shaped kitchen with bar countertop in the middle

Demolation:

Cabin Pictures, August/September 2008

2008-10-08T14:47:00.005-08:00

The fridge

Newest addition to our Bald Eagle family

Bear protection while out and about
Blueberries
Digging new hole for outhouse, about 2.5 ft down, started digging up bones and jaw in a layer of burned materials. Turned out to be a caribou. How old do you think those bones are, buried under 2.5 feet of dirt and tundra??

Coming in for landing on the lake
So long, Beav
The trail to the cabin

I'm Here, somewhere

2008-09-19T23:27:00.002-08:00

Just thought I'd check in for a minute. Yes, I'm here and alive, barely.

Still working on the house

Still no kitchen

Still no sunshine

but now add snow on the mountain tops and the National Enquirer trying to interview anyone who has ever spoke with the Flavors of the month. Crazy.

I hope to get some photos posted tomorrow but no promises. Not enough hours in my day. I just haven't had time.

I'm leaving

2008-08-30T16:06:00.005-08:00

But I will be back in a week!
Heading out into the wild, to no electricity, people, running water. To a land of outhouses, bald eagles, grayling, bears, blueberries, caribou, freshest air ever and no light pollution, lynx, salmon, grayjays, lake trout, wind, water and big open skies. Where everything is harder but more peacful.
I will be bringing some of my homebrew beers and a few from D Rock (sent them up from Colorado) to enjoy as well as a few of the last Sweet Eddies, blueberry bock, Jamaica Mon and German Hef. I will drink one while fishing for beautifully colored graylings, while floating around on the lake hoping to catch a lake trout as big as my arm, while picking blueberries, after hiking though tundra following caribou and while relaxing in the evening watching the sunset and feeling the cool biting autumn air and a final beer while waiting on the beach for the bush float plane to pick us up and carry us back to civilization. I won't return to the cabin again until the middle of winter when the world is white and temps get down to forty below zero.

Here the label I made for my Blueberry Bock

And the finished product! Pretty good, very mild blueberry flavor in there somewhere

Life is good at the cabin.

Riding to work is soon going to be finished. It's getting dark in the mornings, not to mention cold...oh yeah, it's been cold every morning every day this summer.

Still working on home repairs, no kitchen yet but sheetrock is going back up!!!

I will post pictures when I get back.

My new Flower Baskets

2008-08-16T15:31:00.003-08:00

Hanging on my bike shop

Beer Heaven! Christmas came early! Contents of the care package sent by brewing buddy D Rock from Colorado. None of these beers are available in Alaska, so this is very special. He even included 2 of his own brews, Granny Gear Pale Ale and Agave Whisperer Wit. I have these hidden away in my bike shop fridge. The Lost Boys had better STAY AWAY FROM MY BEER! I think I will lock the shop up.

I will be rationing these, one beer at at time. Where do I start first???? I am intreged by the Agave Whisperer Wit. Maybe that will be the starting point.

We have ripped out our kitchen, dining and living room. We live in a barn, these area's were the grain bins once upon a time. None of our floors are level, they sloped down so the grain would go down the 4 shutes. We finished building and sold the Big Lake house and I *finally* get to have some remodeling and refurbishing done. I ordered cabinets the other day. I'm so stoked, barns have no closets so we have been very creative over the years when it comes to storage. When this is finished up, I will have a pantry and plenty of cabinet space for all my junk. It will really be nice to have a place to put everything. I had NO IDEA how expensive cabinets were. Mindblowing. But I found some that I like which won't break the bank.

In the meantime, I have no kitchen,stove, oven, sink, dining table, etc. We have a temp living room in the hallway. We moved the fridge and microwave downstairs. Using paper plates and not cooking anything except on the grill, microwave and crock pot. So far so good, but I miss a sink with running water.

Riding is finished, except commuting to work, until this is finished up. All spare time is being put into this place. The weather continues to be very hit or miss, mostly miss. This summer is a loss.

We are heading out to our cabin the 1st week of Sept. Still issues with flying out game on the bush plane. Still the stupid law that won't allow game to be brought out on anything which weighs over 1500 lbs. This allows only 4-wheeler to get the game out. Which is a HUGE undertaking in Alaska's backcountry - boggy ground, streams, wilderness. The area our cabin is in doesn't have "riding trails". It's wilderness. The idea is that if you can afford to use anything over 1500 to transport your game, then you have enough money and don't need to hunt. Still stupid thinking. We hire a bush plane to fly us in and out of our cabin for $400 and usually have a friend along who shares the cost. So it costs us $about $350 with the tip for the pilot. 4-wheelers cost $5000 easy. I can't afford to buy two 4-wheelers but I can afford to hire a plane once a year. This situation really bothers me. I have been living off of moose and caribou my entire life and Fish and Game rules won't let me fly my game out. When we had to start buying commercial beef, I got nauseated everytime I smelled or ate it. Ground beef especially has a bad smell to it, like a barnyard. Yuck.

Enough of that. I am looking forward to the cabin! I can't wait to get there!

Active Wildlife

2008-08-04T11:47:00.005-08:00

Not much weekend riding, we are ripping out our kitchen and living room to remodel so all free time is going towards this project. I haven't yet figured out how to survive without a kitchen. I guess I will be washing dishes in the bathroom sink and cooking on the BBQ grill and microwave. Anticipating living this way for 2 fun filled months. oh yeah...

I continue to ride to work, it's really nice to have a smooth, clean path to ride on. And it continues to be cold and rainy. I'm wet just as often as dry and still continue to wear my helmet liner and wool jersey, full leggings, jacket and gloves.

My daugher and her husband went fishing down towards Kenai and were joined by this little grizzly bear. It is pretty small, makes me wonder if it is big enough to survive the winter on it's own.

Also, this is a great video of baby twin moose playing in a sprinkler

Weekend in Hope and Whittier

2008-07-21T18:45:00.006-08:00

We spent the weekend in Hope and then Whittier. Nice weather in Hope, major rain in Whittier.

Hiked up a mountain at Hope, so not much riding as our legs were pretty pooped. In this picture, we are in a very vertical spot. I found a little ledge to sit on but was still hanging on to the tree a little so I didn't slide down the mountain. I wasn't able to get a photo due to vertigo-inducing heights. I don't really like heights.

Lots of glaciers at Whittier.

Last photo is McHugh Creek - this is where I had my 16th birthday party! I always was an outdoors girl. This is one of my all-time favorite places. I am sad to see how it has been "civilized".

The Path is CLEAN!

2008-07-13T17:36:00.004-08:00

I sent an email to the State maintenance guys telling them that I was going to give public testimony at the Governor's Council on Disabilities (held at my office last week). I was going to report how the lack of maintenance of the bike paths presents a barrier to people with disabilities from using the paths.

I actually got an email back from 2 of them! Never have I had a response in 4 years I have been dealing with this issue. NEVER! Needless to say, I was quite surprised to get 2 responses.

The first email was from the Superintendent here in Palmer, who said the path would be cleaned off by "this afternoon" (Monday).

And it was.

2 sad parts to this story: 1) summer is half over,
2) I'm working in Anchorage still so I haven't been able to ride to work.

I was thinking how great it will be to ride on the path, without feeling like I'm going to crash as my tires slip around in deep sand, or how I won't have to ride on the edge of the highway, both with and against traffic, and how riding mile after mile of bone rattling gravel won't be missed. I then realized I haven't really enjoyed riding to work this year. When I think of it, it's got a negative feel to it. I don't like that negativity so I'm looking forward to getting in some ride time where I'm not fighting just to stay upright.

BTW, Anchorage is really getting into the bike scene! Cyclist are everywhere! When is the Valley going to wake up???

Here is the latest label for my beer, a blueberry bock. Should be ready to drink in about 2 or so weeks.

Sweet Eddy Honey Witbier

2008-07-04T12:37:00.002-08:00

Thanks to Old Man for the idea! I can't wait to try it in a few weeks!

Super DOT of AK

2008-07-01T20:12:00.004-08:00

Last Friday, I had the day off. I was near the State of AK DOT office so I decided to "drop on in" for a chat about the bike paths.

Just so happens that the "super" was there. His name is Kurt.

Kurt was a very nice guy, but nervous. He asked me is I was "Sharon". Obviously, Sharon has been chewing his ass about the bike paths also.

Poor, poor guy (NOT).

He let me know that yes, he totally understands and sympathizes with the plight of the local bike path users. And he agrees they are in desperate need of cleaning. Things are so out of his control, he doesn't have the funding nor the equipment (but he's trying to get it). If only he had photos of the poor state of conditions, then he could go to his super's and convince them the need is desperate.

Well HELLO! I JUST happened to have my camera on me WITH photos! He gulps. I download them for him. He then says it will be taken care of the 1st week of July.

OK, I'm holding him to it. I tell him I'm still going to the papers, his name and our conversation will be written about and he WILL see me again if the paths aren't cleared off.

My overall impression? He's feeding me a line of big ol' BS.

Ok, bring it on. I'm not going away.

Bears Are No Joke

2008-06-30T07:04:00.003-08:00

This is why we now carry a gun when we ride. This is right in Anchorage, a few miles from my parents home, right behind the high school I graduated from. I pray for the girl and her family.

http://www.adn.com/bearattacks/story/450061.html

Things I haven't done this Summer while biking

2008-06-23T19:48:00.004-08:00

1) Worn shorts

2) Worn short sleeves

3) gone without gloves

4) Mountain biked more than 1 time

6) Road on a nice, clean bikepath that isn't full of sand, gravel, glass, garbage, feces

7) Had much positive to say about State of AK Dept of Transportation (still fighting, going to the

newspapers with photos, going to take my snow shovel this weekend and shovel paths

myself - grrr)

8) Gone without a helmet liner in the morning

9) Been able to avoid almost get splattered by little old ladies who can't make up their mind if they are turning or not

10) last but not least...Crashed.

Check out the Quike

2008-06-17T11:52:00.001-08:00

Those Aussies are on a mission

I wish them best of luck

http://www.steppebysteppe.com.au/

Success and Tragedy on the Path this Week

2008-06-13T10:05:00.013-08:00

I'm starting this post off with a beautiful, calming photo of the lake I pass on my ride to work.

I'm still fighting the State of Ak and City of Wasilla about sweeping off the bike paths. I have been passing out the local State of AK maintenance phone # to anyone who will say they will call to complain about the road sand and gravel and I have continued to email the guy in Anchorage, also asking them to do SOMETHING about the corner of Parks on-ramp and Seward Meridian where the bike path and road join right at the corner at the bottom of a long, large hill - putting me in a head on trajectory with vehicles cutting the corner and driving into the bike path. I told all of them I was taking pictures and would start emailing whoever I could about the conditions as well as writing letter to the editor and talking with the local radio station.

All last week there were little improvements here and there. Part of the worst of the bike path was swept off, but not all - they would just stop right in the middle-living a 6 inch berm of sand leading into the remaining 100 feet of 3 inches of sand...go figure. They slowly got the hill and corner swept off. Then I was riding home yesterday and they actually put down a stripe of paint to show the edge of the road, giving vehicles an indicator of the shoulder of the road and the bike path. I also was ready to put up a boycott of the coffee shop who kept putting their sign in the middle of the bike path. I asked them to move it and finally the State TOLD them to move it off the path. Here are before and after photos.

The berm left behind

The sign in the path

View coming down the hill to the corner of my complaints. This is after they swept off the path..sort of.

At the bottom, where did the path go and how do I continue on the the left, where the path is supposed to be? This truck and all other vehicles cut the corner into the bike path. The road sand made control and stopping pretty difficult before it was swept off.

Now, after the paint! Vehicles still cut the corner but at least there is some sort of indicator where the lane ends/shoulder begins

I'm still fighting with the City of Wasilla and the State of AK over this next section on the bridge over Cottonwood Creek. Neither Wasilla nor the State will take responsibility for this section, which I almost wipe out on every day, the sand is really bad. This is the tragedy which happened on my way home Tuesday. Notice how much sand is on the path.

1st I flatted so I was running about a half an hour late out of Wasilla. Got that fixed and then came upon this scene. The baby is brand new and was hit. The mom was pretty upset, lots of sirens blaring, people honking. Moose kill by kicking and stomping, they can be very dangerous, especially mother moose protecting babies. The baby did not survive. The troopers carry fireworks and shot them near the mom to get her away then they drug the baby off the edge of the road, only about 15 ft from the bike path. I wasn't too sure about riding past with the mom moose still there so the troopers kept the traffic stopped and had me ride up the shoulder of the road against on-coming traffic until I was past the bridge and back on the path. It was very, very sad.

Later Fish and Game moved the baby.

Not the best week of commuting. But today, the weather is actually sunny..things are looking up.

Ahhhh...Weekends, Camping, Canoes, Bikes, Beer

2008-06-05T19:18:00.008-08:00

Yes, it is safe to say I live for weekends. I work to support my playing on the weekends.

Capt'n Balance, the dog and I went camping last weekend. The 1st mountain biking ride of he year. I'm out of shape and worn out. I think the stress of the new job is sucking some of the energy and motivation out of me. But I am confident I will adjust and it will all become the norm. We also rented a canoe and went paddling around the lakes. There is a canoe trail from lake to lake. It's a nice activity, but wore out my shoulders and arms, which effect the mountain bike ride the next day. But I was outside, in the daylight if not sunlight...the plus with the wind is it blows away all the bugs. I need a vacation...I sure wish I could somehow figure out how to take an entire summer off work.

My new Fishing hat, I should catch some whoppers with this baby.

The weather is still cold. The temps barely creep up into the 60's but the wind sucks any warmth right out. And it has been blowing, hard, just about every single day.

The bike paths are still in very bad condition. I called the Dept of Transportation maintenance and was blown off, like every year. I emailed Jack Fullerton (jack_fullerton@dot.state.ak.us), the Chief of Maintenance and Operations for the State of Ak Central Region, as I have in the past when the local guys blew me off. Normally Jack gets the job done very quickly. But this year, nothing has happened nor have I had any response from ANYONE from my phone calls.

I'm getting pretty annoyed. Due to the gas prices ($4.16 gallon reg gasoline), there are more riders than ever...and the path conditions are worse than ever. And we don't have a very good public transportation system here. One little bus line which struggles and is too underfunded to have good coverage.

If there are any other local Valley people who read this blog, please email Mr. Fullerton and nicely request the paths along the Parks Hwy frontage road from the Trunk Road Park and Ride all the way into Wasilla, ending at the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, to be swept off. I actually think it will take a plow to get all the road sand and gravel off.

Yesterday, while riding past Sears at Seward Meridian, the guy who runs the espresso shop was getting his portable sign to put away for the evening. He has decided to put it right in the middle of the bike path....which looks just like the ditch because it's so covered with road sand and gravel. He couldn't tell where the ditch was and where the path was so he just picked the flattest spot. Yep, it's that bad. I'm going to take my camera and start emailing pictures, maybe even write a letter to the Editor or maybe Tim (Bicycles and Icicles) can get a Daily New plug in for the sad state of the bike paths in the Valley.

I'm going to do another plug for my Mr. Beer. I have been sampling the honey amber ale and it is REALLY good. Definitely one to do again. I have a name for it, in honor of a Mr. Beer guy named Law Dawg. This batch is christened "Law Dawg Amber Ale". I will work on a label this weekend. The Mr. Beer guys are pretty cool. I'm glad to be part of their group (http://www.mrbeerfans.com/).

Lots of stuff going on this weekend so I won't be posting and I am really praying for good weather...please, we need some warmth and no wind. Have a great weekend everyone.

It's Still Cold

2008-05-26T19:09:00.003-08:00

The weather is cold...COLD! My morning commutes are cold...mid 30's, not counting wind chill. I am still wearing my cold weather clothing, gloves and helmet liner, which still haven't been warm enough some mornings.

The afternoons sort of reach up to 60, add the wind chill and it drops back down to 40 degrees. Some brave leaves have come out of the trees but some are still waiting for warmth before they make their appearance.

It snowed on the mountains this weekend. Here is a sunset shot taken at 11:30 pm last night.

I finally filled up my gas tank and was shocked that gas is now $4.06. It's still climbing, I'm told.

The state maintained bike path I ride on is covered with an inch or more of road sand. State maintained means it not maintained at all. I called the Dept of Transportation last week, only to be blown off, just like every year. So tomorrow, it's it's not swept off, I will send off my annual email to the director, just like I have done for the last 3 years. Every time I email the director, the path is cleaned off the very next day. I just wish the state would figure it out, especially with the high gas prices, there are a lot more people riding bikes.

Highlights of last week's commute: The mailman squirted me with a lawn sprinkler as I was riding past, he was moving it and didn't know I was riding on the path right next to him. Wet legs on a cold morning...but it was sort of funny, gave me a chuckle. After a few years of no corners on the sidewalks/bike paths the City of Wasilla is FINALLY putting in the corners! They were ripped out awhile back in order to put up new street lights and never replaced until now. It's really nice that the sidewalk/path doesn't just end with a 4 inch drop offs anymore. I see 2 elderly gentlemen walking their dog every morning...but I don't think they have ever seen me even one time. They are always looking down at the dog...as if waiting for it to do it's thing.

I bought my daughter a bike and a kid trailer for the baby. I'm fixing up her old bike for her husband so they will all be ready to ride. Anchorage has a lot of nice (maintained) paths they are close to. I think they can put the baby in her car seat and put it in the trailer. It would be great if they got into riding.

I'm not digging my new job right now.

Capt'n Balance surprised me with a way early birthday present - bicycle bathrobe and pj's. He says it's an early gift but I really think it is related to a motorcycle that is just sitting in the barn.

I have started a new batch of beer today, a red ale. I'm still drinking the Whiter Shade of Pale Ale (REALLY GOOD), slowly, so it will last. I have a honey pale ale lagering and the red ale fermenting. I have a smack pack of wheat yeast growing and will start a bath of german Hef in a day or 2 when the smack pack is ready.

We have been watching "The Alaska Experiment" occasionally. It sort of pisses me off. Especially when these fools decided to hike 40 miles through the wilderness in 4 days, in the winter. They run out of food, barely make it and now will rely of the others to feed them and supply them with enough food to get back to their own cabin. We are just astounded that some will not go outside to relieve themselves, or figure out how to store food when it's 30 something degrees outside, or even how to get water. Oh well. Put me in a desert situation and I would be in major trouble.

I hope everyone had a great Memorial holiday - send warm thoughts my way!

The new Bike

2008-05-16T16:13:00.008-08:00

I have finally gotten a picture of my new road bike, the replacement of the Kona Zing. It's not on the same level as the Zing but I am starting to bond with it. Being a women's specific model, it fits me better than the Zing did, much to my surprise. My wrist don't hurt near as much and I feel more secure because I can reach and grip the hoods and brake levers better, the Zing's levers were really just too big for my smaller hands. I sort of poopawed the whole women's specific sizing thing but now I'm a believer. And no, the computer will not stay there on the top tube, it's there only because the bike has been on the trainer, the sensor is on the rear tire.

It has lower end components but they are working just fine, smooth and snappy. The brakes suck, however, I will be upgrading them, maybe also the wheels. For now, I have replaced the brake shoes and that made a big difference. I will be replacing the seatpost.

The bike is much pinker in true color. The first comment my mom made when she saw it was "Wow, that's a PINK bike!" I've come to like the pink. Some of the women's cycling forums really put pink down. My new philosophy is that only real women can ride a pink bike with lower end components. Women can throw more smack than men. Yep, it's true.

The wind has been blowing hard and I hate riding in wind more than any other weather condition, so this last week I did not ride to work. Work has also been extra stressful and lots of overtime, plus I will have to start working in Eagle River and Anchorage. Ahhhggg. That is 2 lost hours of my day due to driving time. My external family appears to have lost their marbles so they are all fired until they can find them again.

Anyone want to buy a motorcycle? Capt'n Balance was looking to buy a motorcycle a few weeks ago to zip back and forth to work, but it sold before he got to look at it. I checked Craigslist last week and found this nice yahama, street legal, that I though would be perfect. I bought it, got a good deal (I think..I don't know anything about motorcycles) and brought it home as a surprise for the Capt'n. Well, turns out he doesn't want a motorcycle anymore. So he is fired also.

Now I have this motorcycle. I have no interest in riding it, I don't know how to anyway. The funny part of it all is Bikeboy. He has spotted an opportunity to maybe score a motorcycle. I can see he is just quivering inside, his eyes wide and hopeful, a dreamy smile on his face, when he asks me what I'm going to do with it. He doesn't have much bargining power at this point, due to less than steller grades and a high cell phone bill.

I let him ride it this afternoon. Maybe I can use the motorcycle as an object of motivation. As long as he can also show me he is responsible enough to ride a motorcycle on the roads and not get hurt. If not, he's fired too.

So enough bitching. I really need a bike ride to burn out all the bad juju and sunshine, beer and music to sooth the soul. I'm hoping to go for a long, long ride this weekend.

It's finally starting to green up and sort of looks like Spring. When spring comes, it's almost like I breath a mental sigh of relief, even though I love winter. It's good to have a break from icy roads, chopping wood, keeping the wood stove burning, huge heating bills.

2008-05-06T11:13:00.004-08:00

I started riding to work last week. The mornings are still very cold, averaging around 35 degrees. There is still ice on the lake that I ride past and the wind is usually blowing icy air off of it. The bike paths are in crappy shape and haven't been swept off, inches of road sand and rocks in some places. But it's really nice to be riding again.

I have only had one encounter so far with drivers knowing right-of-way rules of the road, I wasn't sure if the lady was going to suddenly gun her big SUV and run me over or if she was actually going to stop. Since I'm typing this, it's obvious that she stopped.

I have noticed that when people do this, they usually pretend like it didn't happen; avoid eye contact, no friendly or apologetic or "oops" type of signals, just sitting there looking off with a scowl on their faces. When I screw up, I always try to make eye contact and offer a "sorry" type of signal. Manners. But that's just me.

We were in Anchorage over the weekend. This moose was in no hurry to cross the street. Traffic was backed up as the moose mosied along.

Flocks of Canadian geese are everywhere. So are the eagles, preying on the geese. The other day the sky was filled with hundreds and hundreds of freaked out geese, 3 Bald eagles were on the hunt. It was quite a sight.

Winter...again

2008-04-26T12:21:00.011-08:00

I have a winner for the name of my latest batch of beer: Old Man wins with his entry of "A Whiter Shade of Pale Ale". Fitting for this snowy spring day. We opened a bottle at the cabin and took a taste test, it got a double thumbs up rating from 4 out of 5 drinkers (the Lost Boys). Capt'n Balance gave it a 1 thumbs up because he is not a hops head. It's nicely carbinated and in my garage clarifiying/lagering. I am going to open up another bottle tonight. The offical "ready to drink" date is 3 to 5 more weeks but it may be all gone by then!

I made a mad dash trip to the cabin last weekend, got it closed up for the summer, hopefully no bears will break in. The Weather was spectacular, sunny, warm, fresh snow. So bright outside it was painful to go out without sunglasses.

Golfing

Relaxing in the Tree Chair

I made this Crown Royal hat for one of the Lost Boys

Snowshoe Rabbit: The same bunny we saw in March, loosing it's winter coat

Fox Tracks
Post Ride Banana Daiquiri

Stuck in Deep Snow

We went for a nice, long snowmachine ride with the Lost boys. I got a slight sunburned face with white around the eyes (sunglasses). Days like that are high on the "It's Great to Be Alive" list.

I was going to ride my bike to work yesterday. I was getting everything ready but Bike Boy stopped me and told me it was supposed to snow...not just a little but inches. So I drove to work instead. By 10 am the snow was dumping down in big, heavy flakes. Now we have about 5 inches of snow....at the end of April....it's supposed to be Spring....but it's not. Maybe tomorrow Spring will come, but not today. I'm thinking of heading to Hawaii...

The Zing is gone from my Life

2008-04-12T16:59:00.018-08:00

Well, I sold the Zing...I bought a different, much more relaxed geometry road bike, lower end components and overall a much wimpier bike....but with the more upright positioning I should be able to keep riding it. And it is PINK! By PINK, I mean BRIGHT PINK. Brighter than I thougt it was going to be. I got quite a few complements on the color in the few minutes it took me to go out to my truck - from both guys and girls - it is definitely an eye-catching pink. I will post a picture of it later, I'm still in moarning over the loss of the Zing and feeling a little resentful towards this new bike...

Selling the Zing on Craigslist was an experience. I got a few emails from interested people and uninterested people...the latter telling me it was way overpriced...which told me they didn't know much about bikes. The 1st lady who came to look at it really lost a bargin, She offered a price lower than I was selling it for plus wanted the Terry titanium butterfly seat thrown in ($145 for the seat alone) and for some stupid reason I agreed on the price including the seat. She then took it for a very short ride, said she wanted it but wouldn't have the money for a few weeks. I told her I would sell it if someone else came along. After I got it back on the trainer, I noticed she had fowled up the chain....it was obvious she didn't know how to shift correctly or about trimming the front derailleur. Another lady was VERY interested and wanted to buy it right away but she had to suddenly leave town due to a family problem so she missed out also. She emailed me when she got back but the bike was already gone. The buyer was very excited when she saw the bike, she didn't even try to negotiate over the price....she knew she was getting a good deal...and I kept my Terry seat to put on my new bike. I hope she enjoys it.

We are in the midst of an Indian Winter...just when we thought Spring was here, Winter gives us a smack.

This is an email going around...These are different neighborhoods in and around Anchorage. I used to be a upper Hillside girl once upon a time, when it was still inhabited mostly by hippies and Gucci bags were the choice back then. The town I live in is not represented here. And I think Hummers are EVIL. Anyone easily offended, stop reading now - go get a drink and loosen up, it's just a joke.

Mattel recently announced the release of the improved limited-edition Barbie Dolls for Greater Anchorage

'Hillside Barbie'This princess Barbie is sold only on the upper Hillside . She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV and long-haired foreign dog named Honey. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.

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' Eagle River Barbie' The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic-jamming cell phone sold separately.
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' Mountain View Barbie ' This recently parolled Barbie comes with a 9 mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.
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'Bootlegger's Cove Barbie' This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.

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' Wasilla Barbie' This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and Tweety-Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's ass when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

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'Spenard Barbie' (aka Hey-Bra Barbie)This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Muldoon Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home or 1980 Camaro.
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'Girdwood Barbie' This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow . She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Girdwood Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.
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'Muldoon Barbie' This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

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'Fourth Avenue Barbie/Ken' This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the multiple snap-on parts.

2008-04-01T18:26:00.010-08:00

Yep, I'm still here.

Just feeling a bit negative.

Selling my Zing...

I don't want to...

But the wrist issues are making it impossible to ride the Zing.
I'm ready to trade this defective 40 yr old body in for 2 twenties.

Check out
Tim's Bicycles and Icicles "Bent"
post.

Go ahead and accuse me of bragging, but I'm the inspiration for his post....last time I was someone's "muse" I ended up in court getting a protective order...I don't think I will need to go that route with Tim, but I now have this secret fear that I may end up a recumbent poster child.

Which means I may have to dress like this. .. yeah, this is real, found it while doing an image search on recumbents. Tron anyone?

This poor, poor child. Can it get worse than a recumbent and camo crocks?

While I don't think I will be sentenced to a recumbent anytime soon, Tim's post did cheer me up. Thank's Tim, I owe you a beer.

2008-03-23T19:29:00.005-08:00

Night sled ride

Test run on the sled Easter Bunny, can you find it?

I'm back from the cabin - 8 days of serenity, amazing starry skys (I only see the stars in the winter, so it's special). I lost a lot of pictures and video, somehow got deleted while tranferring them to my computer.

We built up banking corners on the trail up to the cabin, then strung lights down the trail, lighted by a generator. We then had night bobsled rides on the custom make sleds that Capt'n Balance created, very fast, feet strapped in, bottom coated with P-tex, some sort of teflon coating - very, very slick. Not a ride for the faint-of-heart but damn fun! I went off the trail once, almost impaled my neck on a tree. built up the banks higher but didn't so everything is OK!

Now back to work, over-time, school, regular life.

Bad news - arthritis in both wrists, causing lots of problems with riding my road bike.

FINALLY...The Cabin

2008-03-05T20:04:00.004-09:00

I FINALLY will be going out to the cabin!!!

I have been working tons of overtime at the new job. No time for anything but eating, sleeping
(barely - too much thinking about the job), working and then doing it all over again.

A week off work is going to be really, really nice.

Being at the Cabin with family and friends will be the icing on the cake!

I snuck a taste of my pale ale that is fermenting....ohh, it is going to be AWESOME! Much better than the basic Hot Kiss Hef. Again, I'm taking suggestions on the name.

I will post beautiful cabin pictures when I get back!

I hope everyone is well. I haven't had any time to check out the blogs and feel out of the loop.

2008-02-24T09:43:00.013-09:00

I've been left behind again, the boys are off playing at the cabin, I'm here working overtime.

I learned something about myself: Don't watch infommercials in the middle of the night after drinking margaritas and a credit card sitting right next to me... I'm expecting some packages pretty soon. But I did set up a differed comp plan so the money saving will balance out the money spent, right??? Yeah, that works. And the people on TV PROMISE I will be more beautifully toned and have a flawless complexion and life will be exciting and I will look and feel younger and the world will be in harmony and everyone will love me and I will love myself and my dog won't shed anymore or it just won't matter if he sheds and ....call it a retail therapy session. It's all good. But it won't happen again...as long as I'm not left behind, don't drink tequila, don't watch tv, don't stay up late, don't have a credit card or recurrence of any combination of one or more of the preceding causative factors. It good to be aware of "triggers".

I needed a laugh instead of spending money. I found these.

What makes these funnier to me is that I used to be a photographer at Sears Portrait Studio when I was a teen and early 20's so I contributed to pictures like these in once upon a time. One of my favorites from my glory days was when a chubby happy baby projectile vomited, while smiling and laughing and I caught the spew in a PERFECT arc in a timeless photo - I still laugh remembering that. When we would get bored, we would start taking pictures of each other goofing off. A few other favorites are the arrow-through-the-head portraits (Chevy Chase Sat Night Live "better put some butter on that" days) and the "R" ears ala Rainer Beer commercials. Maybe I will dig some of them out of my dusty archives and post them.
This dude wore a tie for nothing

Nothing says "Classy" like Faces in a Wine Glass and Roses

Olan Mills backdrop #4: Bucolic Meadow with Split Rail Fence.
Is that an animal carcass behind her?

I got a $20 that says he drives a Camaro

It's SOO CUTE when couples have matching haircuts!

No time to ride lately :(

We are are seriously understaffed at work, anyone want a job?? Uhhh..... disregard the Government warning on the Hot Kiss label.

2008-02-17T11:17:00.012-09:00

BEER! I just couldn't wait any longer, I opened my 1st bottle of my wheat homebrew - I have to say the 1st taste was a little on the mild side, but it's still early, only conditioned for about 1.5 weeks after a week of carbination. And that was without the yeast. After pouring into a glass, with the yeast, the favor was much fuller. The head was nice and foamy, good retention and perfect carbination level. I then opened up a bottle of Blue Moon and did a comparison, determined the wheat is on track and with some additional time to develop the flavor, will be pretty good for a basic beer. Blue Moon is a white Belgian with some added spice and orange, a cousin to hef, so not the same but close enough due to the wheat and yeast for a comparision since I don't have any commercial hef on hand. Got a mild buzz on an empty stomach so the alcohol is there - yeah, I'm a lightweight, an advantage when buying drinks.
Me + 1 or 2 drinks = a cheap date (cuz I'm done drinking for the night )

I have a name for this batch: Hot Kiss Hefeweizen, which is my last name with the 2 middle letters removed. Yeah, I get some smack from my friends. Occasionally a client makes a comment and I slam the hammer down on it quick. Which label show I go with??

I am getting ready for my next batch which will be more complex than the Hef. I have my choice of a red ale (5.3% ABV), and amber (5.5% ABV) or a pale ale (6.9% ABV!!) I'm leaning towards the amber to start brewing tonight as the airtight hops bag was pierced when the USPS tried their best to destroy this shipment.

I have been riding my road bike in my shop. I lowered the seat about an inch. My wrists are really bothering me, from all the typing I do at work. Maybe the lower seat will help.

The Little Su 50K, which was run yesterday, has a limited entry of 100. I personally know 2 people who registered to participate. I drove by their place yesterday and guess what...their they were. They didn't bother to even show for the race.

The reason this bugs me so is because this is standard procedure for these particular individuals, they do this on a regular basis and I don't know of any races they actually have done.

So they effectively block out 2 people who really would like to participate in the race. I would have a little more respect if they at least showed and then scratched.

Just a gripe.

2008-02-13T18:34:00.008-09:00

I was talking to my son about the Susitna 100, the Little Su 50 and
Iditarod Trail Invitational ,telling him they take place this weekend and next weekend, and I was concerned about the warm temps causing bad trail conditions. He said he didn't know what I was talking about. I was surprised, then told him it was a foot, ski or bike races of either of 50k, 100 and 350 or 1100 miles. Maybe I will do the 50k someday - then I would need a new BIKE!

He said "Only someone like YOU would know about those races".

Is that a complement?

Good luck to all the racers!

A Future Cyclist is Born

2008-02-12T11:50:00.000-09:00

I'm a Grandma! Yep, I am. And yeah, I am hearing all the comments about being young. No teenage parents though, just very early 20's. At least I'm not going to be an old, broken down grandma. Bike boy does great holding the baby, like an old pro. He has always loved babies. Capt'n Balance is good after holding her for just under 5 seconds. It's pretty funny.

My daughter and son-in-law are the proud parents of baby Autumn. She's sweet and warm and cuddly. She was born on Feb 7th, which is cool because we have a 7th and 14th birthday thing going on.

Born on the 7th of a month: Capt'n Balance, myself, my daughter and now granddaughter.
Born on the 14th of a month: All of my brothers and Bike Boy.

I'm going to do my best to get her into cycling, of course. I've already bought her a
Smart Cycle and am looking into the balance bikes. Everyone laughs at me but I don't mind. I'm looking ahead to the future.

I have been spending lots of time in Anchorage, sleeping on couches or not sleeping at all. I finally got some sleep up at my parent's house. They live in the mountains above Anchorage and have a beautiful view. I saw a total of 4 moose in just 2 days.

I have also been busy with legal junk - the ex strikes again. Out of the blue, he serves me with papers. This is becoming an every other year event. This time he's got an attorney. I don't but I'm not worried because it's all a set number calulation which is totally straight forward. It the misdt of it all, it came out that the ex fraudulently under-reported his income by about $20,000. He would have gotten away with it if he had not started these new legal procedings. I don't think the judge is going to be very understanding with this manipulation and the ex will end up paying more than he was before. But since he keeps dragging me back to court every other year and reverted to fraudulent behavior, I have no pity for him. Bike boy will be driving soon and the extra will help cover his insurance.

I had to provide my annual income for these legal proceedings and have determined this: social work has got to be the lowest paid professional job there is. Money wasn't my focus when I picked my career and I always had that drive to improve the human plight. Even though I lost some of the "save the world" idealism long ago, I still like what I do and help a tiny piece of humanity, even if they won't help themselves.

I'm also starting a new postion at work, I applied for (spent weeks on resume's, cover letters, references, interviews, whew) and got a higher level job. I will now be the second in command and responsible for training and policy leadership as well as working with the "confidential" clients - those clients who are so fraudulent or aggressive that they can only have contact with 1 single person in the Division. Wish me luck!

So riding has not happened for a few weeks and I'm still too tired today. I plan to start up again tomorrow morning at 5 a.m.

I am expecting another order from Mr. Beer to start a few more microbrew type of beers, I can't wait! The wheat beer is lagering for a few more weeks but I REALLY tempted to open one and try it. I know it won't be very good yet but I'm TEMPTED!!