I decided to ride for LIVESTRONG because I want my bike riding to benefit others. Many of you have supported me in this endeavor. My partner on bikes and in life, Chuck, is riding as well. Please, if you can, help support our goals to raise $2000 for LIVESTRONG!
The ride in June 21, coming up quick, and we are pedaling out hearts out!
http://seattle09.livestrong.org/chuckerickson
We have raised $1150 to date. If you can give anything, it would be most appreciated.
Thank you!
- MaLora Ann
- I found the perfume I want to wear for the rest of my life. Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Gingembre. It's ridiculously pricey, but I'm worth it.
- The Calendar Release Party kicked ass! The girls are awesome, the crowd was too. The Bands, Whiskey Romance and Golden Robot Army, were awesome! I can't wait for their CD Release party in January!
  
- I saw Arc's School of Dance "The Nutcracker" this weekend. The Snow Queen ballerina was so disgustingly beautiful I can't stop thinking about it. She also happens to be Chuck's older sister. Tall, pale, blonde, strong, thin, with huge eyes and a brilliant smile. The cutest part was afterwards, all the little ballet dancers, 6 years old, in tights with their fathers taking photographs, they all wanted to pose with the Snow Queen. It was precious.
- Christmas feels closer with snow and ice. I was out on my bike when the flakes first began to fall in Ballard. At first, I thought rain, but the drops didn't fall they floated.. and the snow coated my jacket, froze my hair into curls, blocked my vision and gave me the sniffles ever since. I love it!
- I'm having a New Year's Eve party at the home of Rachel Pigott. Lucky me! We just decided to throw it... very fun! I'm going all out for this one - stupid decorations, champagne toast, a speech, the works!
Now, to fetch coffee
Winter is here. Riding in the cold gets harder and harder. I want a trainer, indoors, with a large bottle of juice and a movie, where I can sweat and and pedal and not cough because my lungs are raw from the cold air. Trainers seem function mostly the same way, with a variety of quality levels that seem to mostly alter the volume level of the bike as the wheel spins and spins. I'm shocked to discover I'm becoming a person who wants to pedal indoors, but I know that I road a lot less in the past winters, and I'd rather keep up my exercising and maybe even, get in better shape that my regular "top of the summer" abilities! There is much talk of bike tours and the STP or the RSVP and I'd like to kick some serious ass on those rides.
Also, new gear has been purchased. C and I got the same wool jacket, mine in red and his in grey. Creepily enough, he looks like Wesley and I look like Dr. Crusher. I'm not kidding even a little. I'll see if I can get him to take a photo of us for evidence. We'll boldly go where no one has gone before...
Matching jackets? I'd like to say that when I approved of this purchase, I hadn't eaten in like 10 hours and knew that once we left Recycled Cycles, we'd get to eat. I was delirious with hunger.
Additionally, we got some winter gloves. Now, buying winter cycling gloves is always a tough choice. How heavy (warm!) do you go? How flexible are the fingers? How annoying are the seams? Why are gloves $50? Wind Stoppers, Water Proof, Mittens, Gloves, Flipper Fingers (those weird gloves with two fingers per hole), etc etc. So many options! So I'm dragging out my arm warmers and my scarves and gloves and hats and preparing for the icy cold winter we're having. The first frost hit Ballard two nights ago. Chilly mornings indeed!
Which is why I'm very excited about my new bike! The Conquest! I'll ride him into the ground! His wide, grippy tires feel a little strange, compared to my slick skinnies on my Giant or Bianchi. It needs a little touch of love before I can really take it out, but in the snow and ice this winter, I'll feel much safer on my Conquest!
The Calendar Release Party is coming along awesome! Along with live music by Golden Robot Army, we have Whiskey Romance on board! I'm so excited - this year is going to be the biggest and best ever! Bring cash to get tickets to a raffle for a 925 and support local bike-charity BikeWorks -earn a bike- program for kids. How rad!
Sneak Preview:
MORE:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malora_ann/sets/72157603211445377/
- I accepted a new position at the UWMC. I start September 2nd. I'm VERY excited. I'll be throwing parties for doctors!
- My sewing gets better with every project. I don't have any friends who sew that I know of. Do you sew? What to get together? I want someone to help me learn to be a better seamstress. I need resources, guidance, and advice. Also, any decent stores that sell supplies? Joann's isn't cutting it.
- I just dropped a frito down my blouse.
- Riding bikes gets better every day. Saturday I took a couple boys down and around to Denny Blaine Park through Ballard. It was a lovely day for riding. Sunday I took myself on a large loop from Ballard, Myrtle-Edwards, Beacon Hill, Seward Park, Lake Washington BLVD, and back home again along the Burke. A nice weekend for miles. I'm trying to get back up to over 100 miles a week. I did it last week, and will this week too, even with the rain.
- This month is my anniversary with my giant. Needless to say, I'm very excited! On Thursday, the 28th, I'm having pink bike ride/potluck picnic. You're all invited! Meet up at the Jolly Roger at 7pm, ride through Myrtle Edwards for a shared picnic at the park. Or some to my house at 6:30 to pink your ride! (Pink decorations encouraged and even supplied.)
- My yoga attendance has plummeted to once a week. I want to go twice but, it is hard to remember to bring stuff to work. Tomorrow I'm going to sew a yoga mat carrying bag, to include straps for my ULock and additional pockets for keys and whatnot. My housemate is laughing right now because yet again, I locked myself out of the apartment last night. I think that is roughly 3 times in 3 months. I'm becoming really good at breaking and entering.
- Last night, my Mister and I watched the electrical storm. It was beautiful. Flickr Collection: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=seattle+lightning&s=rec
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008099179_homelesswomen08m.html
http://seattle.metblogs.com/2008/08/08/womens-shelter-in-trouble/
The Elizabeth Gregory Home, a shelter with 11 beds for women in transition, needs to raise approximately $30,000 over the next two or three days. Donations have dropped off significantly, decreasing from an average of $200-300 down to $100 this year. The reserves that the shelter had were used last year, and they are basically out of money.
The shelter needs to give notice to their landlord on Monday if they cannot raise the needed funds and the women at the shelter would be turned away at the end of the month. In addition to the 11 beds, the shelter also provides food, laundry, Internet, and case worker services to up to 150 women each month.
You can read the complete Seattle Times article here, but if you can help, here is their contact information.
Elizabeth Gregory Home
P.O. Box 45310
Seattle, WA 98145
206-729-0262
Note: I suggest calling them, even if you are planning to mail in a donation so that they know what they have to count on by Monday.
alley cat for girls:
http://www.tourdepolo.com/
Tour De Polo next weekend. Some serious kick ass polo, and some awesome prizes! Swobo kicked in fantastic jerseys for the best lady polo team! And shirts and things. A set of Gold Velocity Deep Vs for the winning team, and much more.
Come out to Magnuson July 19 & 20
| Date: | 2008-06-26 10:43 |
| Subject: | twin sister |
| Security: | Public |
Things of Import:
http://www.threadless.com/product/114/Flowers_in_the_Attic
http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/
http://www.myballard.com/
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/142033.asp
art cars...
i need an art bike!
BUST Magazine sells Best Bicycle Bell!
Even though $20 is too much for my thin and hungry pocket book, I really love this bell. It's cute, stylish, metallic gold and even matches my single speed AND my pink giant. I don't get into bike accessories very much, but this bell is actually appealing.
Also, while commuting to work the other day, I cruised along at a basic 18mph clip along the Burke behind a lovely gentleman who, unabashedly, rang his bell behind every pedestrian and cyclist he passed to warn them of his distance as he passed them. Also, he rang and ding and donged his way around blind corners. It was fascinating, the sweetness of it.
Today ended up on such a lovely note. Dad Watson's bacon cheddar burger and root beer, following a sun-warmed evening and bike riding round down town.
Sometimes, all it takes, is freedom.
| Date: | 2008-05-29 15:27 |
| Subject: | Pandora |
| Security: | Public |
Are you on pandora?
Be my friend!
| Date: | 2008-05-27 14:38 |
| Subject: | failure |
| Security: | Public |
I could expound upon the negative, but lists make it seem less whiny.
1. I did not get the job I thought I was going to get.
2. I really need a work environment that doesn't make me hate myself.
3. I have no idea what to apply too.
4. I'm shocked that I didn't get this job.
5. I feel obliterated.
I could expound upon the positive, but lists make it seem less narcissistic.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
(Fill in the blanks for me if you can think of anything.)
| Date: | 2008-05-22 10:33 |
| Subject: | local news |
| Security: | Public |
=)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004430839_dennys22m.html
=(
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/364083_uwlayoffs22.html
I wake up starving for your touch, for the sensation of your body against mine. I wake up, hungering, not aware of time or light or space, just needing you on and in me. The yearning is a hot hot heat, seeping from my core to my tips. I feel my spine stretch and curve into the crescent of your belly. I feel my hips widen and push into your lap. My hands are seeking your hips, your arms, your shoulders. My tongue is wet inside my mouth and my breath comes deep, and slow, and deep again. I'm thick with desire and think of nothing but the dire need for you to slip inside and push me, and stroke me, and sip and sup of me. The light creeps in, your kiss is weightless and you smile - wide and clear. Sensibility brightens the room, my pupils shrink and tighten. Your up and slipping into jeans instead of slipping into me. I feel slighted. I feel short of breath. The heat dissipates. It cools and hardens. My stomach is tight and flat and solid. My hands press into the mattress, dig into thick cotton and grab hold. Your shirt is on, your shoes. Your telling me loving things, your caressing my hair and promising me affection. My retinas are pin pricks. I feel desolate. You're leaving, you've left. My breath draws even slower. The light is precise and fills my room. I crawl to stand. I rise and shower. I've grown cold.
Automobiles
Casually riding along the bike trail on Valley (where they put in the new bike specific sidewalk between the south ends of Eastlake & Westlake) yesterday, a car hit me while I was crossing the sidewalk. The driver wasn't looking at all. The large white van behind him didn't move because he was alert, and even commented on how could he not see me in broad daylight with a hot pink bicycle. It was at 12:15 in the afternoon, and I was riding to Elliot Bay Bicycle Shop on my day off from work.
I saw the white silver Scion not stop and he turned right, and right into me. I pulled my brakes so hard and flipped my wheel to the right that the muscles from clenching my brakes are sore today. I easily unclipped and bounced on my tail bone while my left knee collided with pavement, and clanged my helmet on the base of my skull. I'm very, very lucky.
The driver was and has been very nice and supportive, shockingly. A witness gave me his name and number, and a few people in cars jumped out to help and offer me rides to the ER. My bike seemed mostly ok, and I was a bit in shock, and a little shook up, and my ego made immediately jump on my bike and ride away in pain. Every pedal stroke hurt and I crawled to my destination slowly but surely, thinking I wanted a professional to check out my bike. They told me the wheel was a bit messed up and to replace the carbon fork but that the frame didn't seemed cracked (although my careful inspection revealed a bit more damage than that, it's nothing major.)
I don't remember exactly what I did, but I know I was with a friend who fed me and I got on a bus and disoriented myself enough to end up at Swedish ER just to be sure I was okay. I talked to the driver a couple times and he seems to be really easy to work with thus far. I filed a claim with his insurance yesterday, and this morning filed out the accident report. It is really great to have something this horrible, go so well. I'll bring my bike to a shop and get the bits replaced and trued and such this week, and it's nice that the driver is going to pay for everything. Hit and runs are a bitch (as the 3 inch long scar on my left forearm from two years ago reveals) and this experience has shown me that even nice people don't look when they are driving.
PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE.
My bike couldn't be brighter. I was wearing my bright white helmet. It was a sunny, warm, beautiful day in Seattle. I was in the crosswalk and for once only riding at like 18mph and I had the little walk signal and the driver a green light and he just didn't look. I was over halfway across the intersection of the road. Completely in the right, and hit anyway.
In November of 2006 I sold my car and became bike only. It's not something I am bragging about, it's just how I want to live most of my life. Mere hours after selling my sweet little Lucy, the new driver (uninsured) hit another car and damaged a person and their vehicle. Now I have to prove, years later, that I was not involved. I'm really glad I am overly organized and save paperwork. I sent off a 9page report with all the necessary documentation that I sold the car at 14:55 and the accident was at 15:35. Sorry for the new owner, but she was on her cellphone and got a ticket and everything. I'm a little unclear about insurance coverage, but I don't think I'll be involved much more than this.
Automobiles are expensive - what they don't take in natural resources, they take in lives.
Trains
The humping yard of the Myrtle Edwards trail has long since been my favorite place to ride. I love the muted colors of the tracks, the dirt, the cars, the rails, the metal buildings with rusted minerals. It's an expanse of industry, where often I see the bodies of planes and boats being hauled by trains. I love taking photographs there, and am often impressed by the image captures of this area. Phil Petrocelli took some which everyone should take a peek at. http://soultheftrecords.com/philpet/tinyseattle/
The SLUT tracks are wider and more dangerous every time I cross them. Somehow, I always see cyclists in the middle of the two track lines and I always wonder why the heck are you there?! I never got around to getting myself a 'ride the slut in Seattle' kapow coffee tshirt.
I want more trains in America, I want more passenger trains and more commuters to go by train. I want a train across Lake Washington and I want trains to run more frequently between Portland, Seattle, Canada, Montana, Idaho. I want connections and I want people to move. Why are we not more like I hear that Europe is? Is the idea better than the reality? Everyone who has been to Europe tells me of trains for passengers that run all the time, completely affordable, with varied levels of comfort connecting city to city and country to country. Why can't this country of ours change for the better faster?
I might need to write a novel just to set some self-expression into motion. I'm not terribly politically active, but the state of transportation of humans grows more damaging by the day. My need to write grows stronger, and stronger yet. I just want to say the right thing the right way. My desire for change energizes me to create, and the revolutions begin.
Planes
Working at Aeronautics & Astronautics has been a varied mix of painful, horrible, awesome, rad, intriguing, fantastic, despicable, fun, challenging, delightful, and boring. It feels a lot like a family I married into, and I don't like my in-laws. I've changed a great deal for the better, rapidly expanding my knowledge and values and intelligence and productivity in a variety of personal and professional interests over the past two years. Maybe people notice, maybe they don't, depending on our relationship and their ability to notice details. I've outgrown my ability to function in this current position. I am seeking new work. I've had interviews, here and there and everywhere. I'm seeking graduate school, and a new career (or a career.) and a challenging job where I can help others accomplish their dreams. Nothing provides me greater satisfaction than helping others. The job I mostly recently interviewed with (an hour before my accident on Monday) I am really excited about and have high hopes. I'm also realistic, and understand that I have competition, and that this specific department had me on the run around for a different position earlier this year and choose someone else. I do not blame them, I just am keeping my choices selective, particular, and broad in range. Today I started applying to jobs outside of the UW. This is a gigantic leap out of my comfort zone. I love the academic environment and thrive off of the research and creation that comes along. However, I need to be recognized for what I do.
My annual review should have happened in December. My boss finally made it happen in March. It's now mid May and she still hasn't finalized anything which stops my progress in areas of getting a raise, being recognized for my accomplishments, and career advancement. This poor performance on her part, repeatedly, is really going to disarm her when I move on. A common stereo-type of state employees is that they don't work, they just hang on till the retire, and have poor work ethics. I will not deny that I take great advantage of my vacation and sick time and comp time, and regularly have scheduled days off from my job. I also know I work very hard, get more than my required tasks done, and I don't mess up. I do what I do on time and correctly. However, it is very apparent to me that there are a huge percentage of staff and faculty at my department which need to get their act together and stop treating their job like they deserve to have it. You career is a relationship, and relationships need care: give and take, compromise and perform, strive for your best always. The person I choose to love will always be showered with affection, support, and attention. It's in the details, it's in the actions, it's in the verb of emotion. Your career is just like a partner. Treat it with respect, nurture it, care for it, perform for it, be good to it and it will be good to you. So this time around, I'm picking my job like I pick a lover.
I want a career that will do me right. I want a job where I have comfort and fit well. I want a place where the communication is thorough and succinct and pristine. I want a job where my tasks and projects are things I love to do. I want to be challenged in areas where I need to expand my knowledge and skills. I want to be pushed to new experiences, and refine talents and skills I already possess. I want to explore places I've never been and I know it'll hurt sometimes and I'll be angry and pissed and frustrated and over worked and exhausted, but I'll also be happy and proud to be there. I want to brag to my friends about the great things we do, and be excited to be there every day. I want to laugh and smile and work hard and take care of the details and plan and organize and set goals, make things happen.
So this is no easy task, to attain a new lover New Job - but I'm a woman who gets shit done.
Ready, Set, Go.
Mara and her son took me and my housemate CRC to the Woodland Park Zoo on Saturday.
My favorites, as always, are the nocturnal house and the monkeys (lemurs, gorillas, etc etc). One lucky lady had a baby 6 months ago.
It's disgustingly cute.
I reach 30 years on May 10th.
I'm asking friends, family, and everyone I can to donate to Seattle Animal Shelters for my 30th birthday.
You can either give me a check or cash, or use my nifty online form here:
http://www.active.com/donate/HTAF/MBate75
Please and Thank You!
Any amount will do ($2, $5, $50 !!!)
Details:
As you probably know, my pound puppy has been with me for over just a bit over 6 years.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malora_ann/tags/asia/
Furthermore,
I have rented out the top of BalMar for my birthday.
Want to come?
Love, MaLora Ann
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