Is summer really almost over?

I wish I had a cloud for a best friend.

More via Michael Casker.

So, back to longboarding

Remember when I blogged about how I just HAD to have this board? Well, I have it now, and I've had it for quite a while . . . and you should all know . . .

that I LOVE IT.

It's to the point where the Spud and I don't get along anymore and we've had to have long talks about why our relationship just isn't working. The Spud is all take, take, take . . . but the Apex just keeps on giving.

In other words, my 90 lb, 5 ft frame is just way better accommodated to the Apex. The Spud is a heavier, wider, stiffer board and the Apex's super flexy and lightweight bod fits perfectly to mine. Its spring loaded trucks actually respond to my weight. With the Spud I had to throw myself hard, often to no results.

But Spud lovers don't worry . . . it will always be excellent for downhill, smooth, gentle rides. The Apex has become my everything-else board. Besides, Seve loves the Spud and it fits his manly frame quite well. Though he prefers his Dervish with the new Paris trucks and Durian wheels I got him for his birthday. Nothing says true love like new longboarding wheels.

A word on longboard graphics: I'm not a fan of longboard artwork in general, Loaded being the exception. So, I asked the illustrator we hired at our office to do some off-the-job commissioned work for me on some sweet new graphics. BUT as much as I don't like my current graphics, they're kind of a status symbol. It's pretty gratifying to my ego when people recognize the Spud or Apex when I'm carrying my board. Silly, I know, but I'm not sure if I want to get rid of my "hey, look at how cool I am" status markers, even if they get replaced by gorgeous illustrations more suited to my style. I need all the cool I can get. Just some thoughts.

p.s. I apologize for not having any actual pictures of me longboarding, for those who've asked (my mother not included - longboarding scares her). I rarely post pictures of myself anyway, but I'll remedy that soon.

p.p.s. I owe all my longboarding love and skillz to these guys.

Little List of online shopping I love but can't afford and even if I could I'm so appalled by their prices I wouldn't shop there anyway only actually I would because I love the clothes OH THE CLOTHES (and the shoes)

I can't find the exact post, but the Clothes Horse once blogged about herself in terms of being "not cool," as in she didn't consider herself a hipster or fashionista, but just someone who really enjoyed fashion. She admitted to not being part of any "scene" or following any particular trends--just wore what she liked, trendy or not, and that was that. I think a lot of us can attest to feeling that way.

Since marrying, I've reigned in my fashion spending, but that doesn't mean I don't covet the finds on these sites:

Pixie Market - dress $110, shoes $189, socks $101 = $400
Urban Outfitters - cardigan $40, skirt $70, shoes $98 = $208
L.A. Vintage - skirt $46, bodice $62, heels $54 = $162
Topshop - blazer $80, dress $60, shoes $70 = $210

Considering the pieces, these prices aren't terrible, but nonetheless not things I can afford. This is why I shop here, despite their reputation. I calculated a full outfit with cardigan, dress, stockings, shoes, hat and bag to be somewhere around $80 total. That's like, one sock from Pixie Market.

So, I'm pretty poor. As in, I'm poor and still pretty.

Do svidaniya

Should have found and posted this the day I left Russia. So fitting.

до свидания

via

Did I ever tell you I'm on Team Edward?

via

Just so you know: my job requires me to write everyday. Everyday I'm writing either a blog post, an article, a news release, a case study . . . you get the idea. And sometimes, my mind is just too fried to write. I write for a tech company and truth be told, I don't know tech that well. I now know it phenomenally better than I did eight months ago, but still, I'm at the amateur end of the spectrum.

That's why I love this blog. It's my release from this techy guru world I've been thrown into.

So, updates:

-I never got to tell you about my trip to Philadelphia. Well, it was hilarious. Story time: we went to Pat's for some authentic philly cheesesteak. It's the "King of Steaks" and apparently Larry King and N*Sync have eaten there. Not together, I presume. It's not even a sit-down restaurant, but a largish outdoor stand with a line that wraps around the building for all the eager cheese steak-eaters. The line moves incredibly fast, and there's a sign by the order window that says READ THE MENU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT HAVE YOUR MONEY READY OR YOU'LL BE KICKED OUT OF LINE. Something like that. Are you familiar with Soup Nazi? Good. So, the people at Pat's are Steak Nazi's. I anticipated this (thanks to said sign) and had my order and money ready to go, so I got my sandwich and was on my way. My coworker, who will go unnamed, was not ready and let the fear and intimidation of Pat's get to him and accidentally stuttered out that he wanted "cheesecake" instead of "cheesesteak" and was kicked out of line. FUNNY. Don't worry, my other coworker ordered a second sandwich for him.

-Texas! Just got back and had a great time with family . . . not much else to add because, truth be told, I'm not of a fan of Amarillo and really only visit to see my family. There's not much to do in Amarillo and there are NO longboarding hills to speak of so Seve and I are glad to be back in hilly, green, lush Idaho and all the longboarding it has to offer.

-Denver Airport. Known for its delays. Our flight got delayed which made us arrive in Salt Lake close to midnight, thus missing our shuttle back to Rexburg thus having to stay a night in Salt Lake THUS blowing money on a hotel that needed to be spent on car insurance. Denver Airport: I do not <3 you.

And, uh, that's all.