tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233079492024-03-12T17:30:43.011-07:00horses&cars&me"I feel bad for the man that can't spell a word more than one way." Mark TwainAundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-53376997379908169682009-04-23T09:57:00.000-07:002009-04-23T09:59:17.733-07:00Can't blog from the iPhone... BummerAundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-74997238271102165762009-04-03T14:06:00.000-07:002009-04-03T14:09:31.512-07:00This Might Be LameBut I saw the DOW today and it made me smile. Over 8000... is it a good sign? Is it a a lie? Are we going to to go down in flames? Hmmm... we'll just have to see.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-5627912535891611722009-04-03T13:52:00.000-07:002009-04-03T13:54:13.754-07:00Who's Who<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SdZ3LscKCQI/AAAAAAAABTY/DMxR6H1ecb0/s1600-h/Photo+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SdZ3LscKCQI/AAAAAAAABTY/DMxR6H1ecb0/s320/Photo+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320571052576344322" /></a>My dad is an identical twin. When i was little my uncle and him would switch sweaters and I wouldn't be able to tell who is who. Some of my "readers" have met my dad. Can you tell which one he is?Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-34416054892383407832009-03-22T16:55:00.001-07:002009-03-22T17:00:20.946-07:00Colorado<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/ScbP9axY0BI/AAAAAAAABS4/4o5IMSAJpKI/s1600-h/IMG_0035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/ScbP9axY0BI/AAAAAAAABS4/4o5IMSAJpKI/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316165064222887954" /></a>I didn't bring the cord for my camera but I have taken a few with my phone. This is the view from the wind swept top of Winter Park ski resort. It's a mile to mile and a half hike from the chair lift to this spot. The bowls we skied are behind us on this picture. It was a beautiful day and we did the hike both days. It was worth it. I'd like to say this picture sums up the three days I got to spend at my family's place in Colorado.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-64966973486356240822009-03-15T22:09:00.001-07:002009-03-15T22:19:19.906-07:00Almost a Month Late<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/Sb3fTFo4YyI/AAAAAAAABSw/bYuG_NVEx1A/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/Sb3fTFo4YyI/AAAAAAAABSw/bYuG_NVEx1A/s320/image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313648654391206690" /></a>Here Abbie and I are blowing out my start shaped candles. My sister-in-law made me a cake and even dinner. Due to some other circumstances I barely made it up to Tahoe before Abbie needed to go to bed so I had cake before dinner. Also, the family decorated the kitchen and dinning room for me. There were blue balloons, "Auntie's favorite color" and streamers as well as a sigh that said "Happy Birthday Auntie". After the long day and drive I had that night it was all greatly appreciated. Not to get too sentimental, but i love my family. Each part, AIAV, Ta, and The 'rents, each are their own individuals and support me in their own way and for this past birthday I needed the support they gave me. Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-62085097565813809332009-02-11T12:22:00.000-08:002009-02-16T13:30:46.441-08:00Bucket List (from facebook)Things you have done during your lifetime:<br />(X) Gone on a blind date<br />(X) Skipped school<br />( ) Watched someone die<br />(X ) Been to Canada<br />( X) Been to Mexico<br />(X) Been to Florida<br />(X) Been to Hawaii<br />(X) Been on a plane<br />( ) Been on a helicopter<br />(X) Been lost<br />(X) Gone to Washington, DC<br />(X) Swam in the ocean<br />(X) Cried yourself to sleep<br />( ) Played cops and robbers<br />(X) Recently colored with crayons<br />(X) Sang Karaoke<br />( ) Paid for a meal with coins only<br />( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch<br />(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't<br />(X) Made prank phone calls<br />( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans<br />(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere<br />(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue<br />(X) Danced in the rain<br />(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus<br />( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe<br />(X) Watched the sunrise with someone<br />(X) Blown bubbles<br />( ) Hiked the Grand Canyon<br />(X) Gone ice-skating<br />(X) Gone to the movies<br />(X ) Been deep sea fishing<br />( ) Driven across the United States<br />(X) Been in a hot air balloon<br />( ) Been sky diving<br />(X ) Gone snowmobiling<br />(X) Lived in more than one country<br />(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets<br />(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish<br />(X ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser<br />( X) Seen the Statue of Liberty<br />(X) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle<br />( ) Been on a cruise<br />(X) Traveled by train<br />(X) Traveled by bus<br />(X) Traveled by motorcycle<br />(X) Been horse back riding<br />(X) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR<br />(X) Been to Disneyland/World<br />(X) Been in a rain forest<br />( X) Seen whales in the ocean<br />( ) Been to Niagara Falls<br />( ) Ridden on an elephant<br />( ) Swam with dolphins (almost...there were dolphins all around our dive boat in belize)<br />(X) Been to the Olympics<br />( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China<br />(X) Walked through a volcano<br />( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf<br />( ) Been spinnaker flying<br />(X) Been water-skiing<br />(X) Been snow-skiing<br />( ) Been to Westminster Abbey<br />(X) Been to the Louvre<br />( ) Swam in the Mediterranean<br />(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game<br />(X) Been to a National Football League game<br />(X) Traveled alone<br />(X) Received an award<br />( ) Kissed a stranger<br />(X) Broken the dress code<br />(X) Drove or went somewhere on a whim<br />(X) Been to a large music festival<br />( ) Been to a large ren festival<br />( ) Been to a comic book convention<br />( ) Run a marathon<br />( ) Read a book in a day<br />(X) Spent a whole day reading<br />( ) Spent a whole day in bed, not sick<br />(X) Jumped off a cliff<br />(X) Went rock climbing<br />( ) Went geo-caching<br />(X) Been to a foreign country (other than Canada and Mexico)<br />( ) Been on a dig<br />(X) Performed in front of an audience<br /><br />I'm not sure I even want to do all of these.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-46028558522376559352009-01-13T15:37:00.001-08:002009-01-13T15:49:35.770-08:00ImpersonalOkay, well I have to admit that my entries have been a bit impersonal lately. There has been made a request from some to be kept out of my blog. I understand not everyone wants their personal life viewable on the web. 'Cause of this I've felt "limited" as to what I can talk about, until I realized, I didn't talk about this person all that much so why is it effecting me! Here am, out to try a personal blog.<div>This past weekend I was at a car event, despite the 100,000 miles my care carries. I had two students. My C/D student was my brother's girlfriend and an A student in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Miata</span>, we'll call him Mike. I've had my brother's girl before and she recognized her timidness but gets bolder as the event goes on. All is all she greatly improved. </div><div>Mike on the other hand was different. He's a college kid from Chico who's buddies do other events. I'm not sure how he got into the Audi Club event, but he did. As with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bro's</span> girl, he improved, but he had built a habit i just couldn't get him to recognize or shake. After 15-18 min on the track, about 8-10 laps, he's completely stop doing everything I taught him. He wouldn't brake as hard, he'd hold on track out, he'd slam on the gas and just be rough. He completely stopped listening to me. It's like he got immune to my voice. It was especially <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">frustrating</span> 'cause when he did listen and got a corner right he was faster, smoother, and over all the turn felt better. He even admitted it. Ugh. So finally last time out as we exit turn three all wrong 'cause he came in to fast and slammed on the gas, I say "It's funny, in each run group, this is the time you seem to stop listening to me." "Oh, really sorry." He says as he straightens the car out. We get though turn 5 a bit off kilter with me saying, "Let it track out, let it track out. The next corner will come to you don't worry." 'Cause it does every time! Well he got to turn 6 too soon and didn't brake... sum it up. He spun. He was luck to have stayed on track, but really what other evidence to I need to say THAT'S WHY YOU LISTEN TO WHAT I'M SAYING. I'M YOUR I-N-S-T-R-U-C-T-O-R!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> God damn EGOS!</div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-59954582556075418922009-01-07T15:41:00.000-08:002009-01-07T16:26:06.403-08:00The time had come<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SWVG88GZA3I/AAAAAAAABR4/jLp0Pj7PNno/s1600-h/100k.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SWVG88GZA3I/AAAAAAAABR4/jLp0Pj7PNno/s320/100k.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288711350155543410" /></a><br />A month before her 5 year "birthday" Smurfett turned over 100,000 miles. Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-17100654381283906742008-12-26T17:25:00.000-08:002008-12-26T17:26:54.223-08:00Merry Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SVWEHwD4IcI/AAAAAAAABRY/QtRT3A2nFsg/s1600-h/DSCN0990.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SVWEHwD4IcI/AAAAAAAABRY/QtRT3A2nFsg/s320/DSCN0990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284275006484259266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Thank You Ms. E for the squeaky monkey! I love it's dangling legs and squishy body.<br /></div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-75799422416303854382008-12-14T13:02:00.001-08:002008-12-17T07:29:42.112-08:00Ama Ebi Urban<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SUV0sesdqUI/AAAAAAAABBM/WmUeXXR_lVg/s1600-h/DSCN0948.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SUV0sesdqUI/AAAAAAAABBM/WmUeXXR_lVg/s320/DSCN0948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279754445664397634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We just lovingly call her Ebi</div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-18056166192732223702008-12-06T01:14:00.000-08:002008-12-06T10:09:24.222-08:00Gas PricesCalifornia is known for having some of the most expensive gas, but last night, getting gas this is what I saw.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/STq_P2VGL-I/AAAAAAAABBE/T27L95udm7w/s320/gas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276740192420900834" /><div style="text-align: left;">That's right $1.79 for regular. But what i really care about is the $1.99 for Supreme. Also, this isn't some Rotten Robbies or something. This is Chevron, and the Shell across the street was matching the price. Who'd of thunk a year and half ago that we'd have a black man coming in to office as president and all gas would be under $2. </div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-61460676640549422282008-12-01T21:10:00.001-08:002008-12-01T21:23:07.732-08:00My First Lead Climb<div>For those of you who don't know what a lead climb is, it's a climb where you are trailing a rope behind you. You attach the rope to bolts in the wall as you go up. This means that most of the time you are above the point where you are attached to the wall. That means... longer fall, if you fall, higher pucker factor. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/STTDb6kvJ7I/AAAAAAAABA8/JCZDryb6WZc/s1600-h/3074405585_57b03603ff_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/STTDb6kvJ7I/AAAAAAAABA8/JCZDryb6WZc/s320/3074405585_57b03603ff_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275055947904919474" /></a>This is a picture a friend of mine took from the ground. It makes it all look grander then it really was, but there isn't any rope above me. Just below me. And it is last connected to the wall about 5 ft below me. I made it up and down alive. I'm not sure when i'll get the nerve up to do it again.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-69067764758050129882008-11-23T20:55:00.000-08:002008-11-23T21:06:07.166-08:00I am glad I'm not ObamaHe's got a job ahead of him. Who would want to take control of a sinking ship? A ship full of rust holes and a leaking engine. A ship who's crew is looking wide eyed into the sky for the man who said HOPE to save them all. How can he save us all? He is not superman. He is not Batman or Captain Planet. He is a man who chose to run for the job of chief cleaner of Bush's mess. He is the man who ran on the knowledge that we, the American people, are grasping at straws. Straws for leadership, for the environment, for our pocket books, for our healthcare, for our educations, for our lives. Here is a man saying "Yes, We Can" in a time where we are all looking around going, "we can? well, if you're sure... i guess." Over 66 million of us grasped at the straws Obama has weaved into a safety net for us all. I just HOPE for his sake, for the sake of the American population's faith in politicians, for the sake of us all, his net holds. I HOPE his net will hold and not just the 66 million who believe that "Yes, We Can" but especially for the 58 million who were not so sure.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-60506945090933967542008-11-16T15:44:00.000-08:002008-11-16T15:45:08.248-08:00DrinkingHaving had an emotionally agitated week I went drinking, I'm sorry wine tasting, with Ma and her friend G-money. People frequently say, "go have a drink" after a long or volitial week, but really is that the best thing to do? Alcohol is a depresent. I know, dispite the giggley high I feel after having a few drinks, the lack of self contiousness, the loud boysterous, I feel a draging dark low. I feel self pitty, self loathing that encompases all. If I could hold my liquor better... Well, I could see how people become alcoholics.<br />But this leads me to why... I mean is the high worth the low. The low that is so much deeper then the place you started at, the place that "encouraged" you to go a bit past tipsey. "look all my problems melted away!" no, not at all. With a few drinks, dispite the inishal high, buzz, as some call it, your problems will feel deeper, more consuming. So why, why is alcohol or social lubricant? Why is it our "solution"? Don't we know better? No, I don't think we do. I think the instant gratification of a buzz is too strong. It beats out the known low. ughAundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-33386303295163355012008-11-16T15:42:00.000-08:002008-11-16T15:43:56.281-08:00Cable CarToday, despite a wicked nausea hang over, I went into the city to hang with Ms. O. After doing some yoga breathing on BART and realizing that standing outside the restaurant we were going to have brunch at was making me ill, we chose to go shopping.<br />Okay, you might be wondering why this mundane yammering on about my Sunday. Well, after being a local San Francisco Bay Arian my whole life, Today I rode on a cable car! Do to the nausea I did not hang over the edge, but I have finally fulfilled all the San Francisco tourist destinations.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-54409912841461877182008-10-26T16:53:00.000-07:002008-10-26T16:56:07.831-07:00SittingI've never been one for sitting still. When need be, I can normally dig deep and do it, but this weekend has not be the best for me. Rather then blood running though my veins I feel like there is carbonation. I'm unsure and untrusting of everything. I just want to keep moving, be around people, things, other moving objects. Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-24436883371493605482008-10-23T08:34:00.000-07:002008-10-23T08:42:15.118-07:00The Prince of DarknessIn college I dated a guy Ms. T fondly (not) named the prince of darkness. POD and I dated for about 2 years, off and on. Their was a period he went to study in Africa and then moved to NY for an internship after graduation. Anyway, he was a note leaver. Very romantic in hindsight but felt suffocating then. If he left the house before me he'd leave me a note by the bed. If I left before him, when I got home from classes I'd find a trail of notes on fall leaves. This wasn't an everyday thing, but probably once a week I would find a note (unless he was a bit depressed, then no notes).<br />What has brought all this up you might ask? Well it has to do with Shell Silverstine. I taught a lesson on rhyming rhythmical poetry at the Academy yesterday and pulled <span style="font-style: italic;">The Light In The Attic</span> out of a box in my office. I don't know how long its been since I looked though it. But there admits the funny tales, was a POD note. It was dated 11/30/02. We had just finished Thanksgiving at my house, I would later fly out to Chicago for Christmas, a few days after him and even less days after his childhood dog died.<br />In the note he was thanking me for sharing Thanksgiving and "letting (him) see my life" and wishing me luck in the future as a teacher. "soon you will have your own classroom and they will be calling you Mrs. Urban."<br />I am not nostalgic for that relationship. We weren't right for each other, but I wish I appreciated the little things then, 'cause they don't happen as readily when you get older. I wonder if what I learned from that relationship stuck. What did I learn then that is "helping" me now?Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-72342075109512175462008-10-22T08:35:00.000-07:002008-10-23T08:41:01.060-07:00StumbledI was scanning the am stations today looking for the world series (we can talk about that one later) when I found myself on a right wing radio station. The guy was claiming that Obama was going to Hawaii, during this crucial time in this political "tight race", not to visit his allying grandmother, but to avoid a scandal about a fake birth certificate. What? I'm sorry how could someone get 10 days away from the presidential vote, as the front runner, with a fake birth certificate! Really?! I mean, we now know how much "Alaskan" money Palin spent to fly her kids around, for something as obscure as seeing their father in a snowmobile race. We know how soon McCaine might dying and how much his skin cancer weighed, but Obama has been running for president for 18+ months with an invalid birth certificate. No way man! They wouldn't let that happen. He couldn't have gotten to senator let alone running for president!<br />Ugh, okay, so there was that to start. Then some BRAVE, yet stupid, man called in to tell the host he's full of shit. Oh yeah, that sent the crazy babbles off! The host started commenting about how "we" are brainwashed by colleges. "We" have no personal identity, no cultural identity, no national identity and all "we" can do is put a condom on a cucumber. "ah," he said, "they have no sexual identity either! They are no better then cucumbers."<br />I'm sorry what? Dude, go to college and learn to string together a thought so someone OTHER then your brainwashed right wing conservatives can understand what you're saying then MAYBE you'll actually be able to "convince" some college educated liberals you have a valid point. Oh, but I guess that means you'd have to have a valid point to start with. Foraged birth certificate, really? REALLY? That's all you can come up with when your guy is losing and there are only 10 days left to go.<br />After that 3+ minutes I changed the channel.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-86212246156313533882008-10-12T16:23:00.000-07:002008-10-12T16:38:08.586-07:00Not what I normally talk about 2Economics. <div>I think I took an economics class in high school.... something about a consumer index and something about... i don't know... i don't think i did well. Anyway, the US economy here is in the shit. We've been here before and will most likely be here again, but being Americans all we think about is the right now. And, right now it sucks. </div><div>Yesterday I was at a birthday brunch of a friend. I am not very close to her friends but we've been friends for quite sometime now. Anyway, the economy came up. Someone mentioned that <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/economicsunbound/archives/2008/10/iceland_goes_ba.html">Iceland is bankrupt</a>. Another person mentioned that due to the crap sales, the girl who works for William and Sonoma mentioned that sales in September were down 6.6% (normally a 3% drop is big), there will be more sales. Here is a direct quote from someone's mouth, "Sucks for Iceland. Do you think Loui Viton will have a sale?" </div><div>Granted, these ladies don't have 401Ks or most of them don't and I'm sure they don't have a personal stock portfolio, and only one owns a house, so the 2000+ drop the market took over the past week won't personally "affect" them. But dear god.... I guess if they are putting their money back into the market, sale or not, it's a step in the right directions. Want to buy me a bag? Or rather should I stand on a street corner with a sign that says: My personal net worth just dropped 25%, care to give me a Starbucks Gift Card?</div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-79431734085051598462008-10-10T14:54:00.001-07:002008-10-10T15:25:11.445-07:00I Normally Don't Talk About ThisI tend to keep my blog light. Mostly the contents is the happenings of my mundane life. Quite frequently I forget that people actually read my blog so talking about "real" topics isn't something I do. But recently I have felt the need. Between the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-election/post debates political world and the quickly crumbling finical world, there isn't much else on my mind. But for now I'll stick to one topic.<div>Tuesday, I had my first conversation with someone who is not a lefty. It started by me casually over hearing a conversation between my trainer (male) at the gym and one of the owners (female). Something along the lines of, "Yeah, so he said (some client of the owner) I like her 'cause of her soccer mom mentality. I'm not a soccer mom so why that applies. I mean 'what's her name' would like her if that was the case. I think she's tough" </div><div>Now I wasn't quite sure who the "she" was. I mean they were talking politics and Hilary is out so the only "she" in politics is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Palin</span>... and who uses the word 'like' and '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Palin</span>' in the same sentence unless it says something about killing wolfs from a helicopter. </div><div>"I'm sorry," I said, "Did you say you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">like</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Palin</span>?" I was aghast. Here is, as Ma calls her, a betrayer, a women who stands for nothing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">women</span> in a modern sense. I mean have we even seen her wear pants! If you felt Hilary was to "male" and "masculine" then how can you call <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Palin</span> feminine? You put lipstick on a bulldog and it's still a bulldog. It will still bite you with her lock jaw and rip you to shreds! Really, I don't want anyone to rip me to shred, ESPECIALLY someone who fired her former brother-in-law just because he "broke her sister's heart". Especially, someone who thinks even if you're raped or you might die if you give birth, you have to have the baby. Especially someone who says abstinence is the only way to teach kids about sex while her underage daughter is going to give birth. Someone who says gays have no rights, they made the choice to be gay, that's their choice and have to face the "hardships" that come with that, but is willing to FORCE her daughter to marry so guy who she knocked boots with about 6 months ago. OH MY GOD I can't stand <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">blatant</span> blindsided stupidity. </div><div>Anyway, so I haven't dealt much with "the other side". My group of friends and family, we're all standing at the same point... which is "um, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Palin</span> really... that's your choice!?" So here is this women, the gym owner, one who I thought was right minded, thinking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Palin</span> is what this country needs. Right. We need her in the same way we need more bull dogs in the world. Hearing this took me so far off my rocker that I couldn't even argue. I brought up the abortion, the teaching the abstinence, her complete utter lack of experience (really, McCain can you spend the first two month of your campaign claiming Obama doesn't have enough experience to be president and then find, not just a rookie, but almost someone at the high school level of politics as your running mate). So I mentioned what little I really know and what's funny is I probably know more about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Palin</span> then I do about anyone else in this election. I had nothing to dispute their claims on Obama. I really don't know. I like how he speaks, I like the idea of change. I don't relate to the basics of the republican politics. I'm ashamed to admit that what I know has come from three main sources: my friends, The Daily Show, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">SNL</span> and the last only slightly (I really just like how well Tina Fay plays <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Palin</span>). What is also sad, is this is what it is like for most of my generation. There are the active few, maybe more then in the generation before me, but still... We don't trust FOX news, or CNN or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">CNBC</span> or any other "news" source. We don't want to sit through the negatives of the world. We want to see puppies and laugh at how stupid the political world is. We need our news to be entertainment. Oh shit, i said I'd only bring up one "real" topic. I've digressed. What I learned from Tuesday? Oh god, there are McCain/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Palin</span> people out there... I should be very afraid!</div><div><br /></div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-16888220748616585972008-10-06T23:10:00.001-07:002008-10-06T23:19:06.099-07:00Fall Is Here<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOr973qwO5I/AAAAAAAABAE/ZzoxzueUkbE/s1600-h/FallatLP.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOr973qwO5I/AAAAAAAABAE/ZzoxzueUkbE/s320/FallatLP.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254291120278485906" /></a>I show up at school today and this is what it looked like. The beautiful tree with it's changing leaves. I love fall. I love the east bay crisp foggy mornings that lead to warm almost hot days. That distinct fall smell; 1 part fire place smoke, 1 part rotting leaves, 1 part crisp. I love fall and spring. The seasons that mean change is coming. They are the seasons of change. Winter isn't change, it's cold. Summer is just hot and for me busy, but fall is a change. The horse show season is coming to an end. I can pull out my sweaters but still wear flip flops. <div>It does have its down sides. It's much harder to get out of bed in the morning as it gets darker and darker. I accumulate sweaters and jackets in my car almost as if i'm homeless with a closet or 7 to put them in. But to see the leaves change... nothing can demising the joy i feel in that. </div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-78059299490789805732008-09-30T19:01:00.001-07:002008-09-30T19:04:59.297-07:00My New Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOLaigFzIMI/AAAAAAAAA_8/uMSvQEz5vXE/s1600-h/DSCN0882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOLaigFzIMI/AAAAAAAAA_8/uMSvQEz5vXE/s320/DSCN0882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252000401732083906" /></a>I'm not sure if it's "art" but that's another discussion. It's a wall decal, fancy word for sticker. Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-35123418136320637432008-09-29T08:25:00.000-07:002008-09-29T14:46:27.697-07:00This WeekendDespite the funny pictures of my Dad on a motorcycle, it wasn't the strongest weekend. It might seem like the adjective, strongest, isn't a natural choice for describing a weekend. Well, maybe with some description the word choice will make sense.<div>I had my first horse show in almost two months this weekend. Since that show, Pebble back in July, I've jumped very little. Well, that's not true. I've jumped but not big. Over these two months I can only think of 3 times where I've jumped over 3'3". </div><div>With all of this, I think rusty might be an understatement for how I rode. </div><div>Thursday Stella was wild. Friday I was so off I couldn't find my nose on my face, let alone a distance to a jump. Saturday I just bumped down to the lower division, 10cm, and found some mojo back. Later that day, I got to jump over my normal height, 1.30 meters, and though I wasn't stellar, held my own considering the disaster of the day before. </div><div>Am I back to my old self in terms of my riding, no. Can I be? yes, soon hopefully. Until then I guess I practice. </div>Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-5673044198700337432008-09-28T16:20:00.000-07:002008-09-28T16:32:05.540-07:00Apple Jack's Day with Dad<div>We're working on doing some last minute fixes on my house before my house warming. Apple Jacks and I were having some trouble with the big slider, to the point we called re-enforcements, Dad. </div><div>Once Dad came down, we all realized there were some parts that needed to be picked up from the hardware store. What a great opportunity for Apple Jacks to take Dad on his motorcycle!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARmEuIiAI/AAAAAAAAA-w/c7YOpuNmK90/s1600-h/DSCN0873.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARmEuIiAI/AAAAAAAAA-w/c7YOpuNmK90/s320/DSCN0873.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251216511313938434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dad's fist is in the air. He made it back alive!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARmUN-tQI/AAAAAAAAA-4/mAecOdxmLlg/s1600-h/DSCN0876.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARmUN-tQI/AAAAAAAAA-4/mAecOdxmLlg/s320/DSCN0876.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251216515474044162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"How do I get this off?!"<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARmyTlylI/AAAAAAAAA_A/XerUfevh2WU/s1600-h/DSCN0877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARmyTlylI/AAAAAAAAA_A/XerUfevh2WU/s320/DSCN0877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251216523550640722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, yes, my dad, Mr. Tough Guy<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARnI_VQUI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DBKqR1aYJVk/s1600-h/DSCN0878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SOARnI_VQUI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DBKqR1aYJVk/s320/DSCN0878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251216529639686466" /></a>Here they are, after the parts have been retrieved, using cooking spray and the drill, trying to get a new hole in the frame of the sliding door. At least Apple Jacks gets to use his Dremal Tool!Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23307949.post-70985566335628064282008-09-22T22:30:00.000-07:002008-09-22T22:37:16.359-07:00Fishing the Lower Sac<div>Dad, Tao, Ian, and I got in the car in the darkness of 6am to head up to Redding to go fishing. It turned out to a be a beautiful day to be on the river, high 70's low 80's light breeze. It was just the four of us in two boats each with a guide, Me and Dad with the main guide, and Tao and Ian with Chris. Right off the bat i caught a fish, a rare thing to happen so quickly. It was a fat sucker fish, but still a fish that made it all the way to the boat. The day continued and Dad kept losing his fish before he could reel them into the boat. </div><div>The highlight of the day was when I caught a Steelhead. It took me 10-15 min to reel it in. It kept running and fighting. This was the first time I caught a fish with fight like this. When I finally got it to the boat we had floated quite a bit away for Tao and Ian's boat and Ian was the only one with a camera, so he has to long distance shot of me landing this 7 pound fish. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SNh_DR1gqdI/AAAAAAAAA-o/Q9W5cA5_C5Q/s1600-h/flyfishing5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_46NKSgEjP-0/SNh_DR1gqdI/AAAAAAAAA-o/Q9W5cA5_C5Q/s320/flyfishing5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249085060004489682" /></a>This is what it looked like, a bit brighter, and head a bit uglier. But it was a big fish. I'm use to landing maybe a 12ft rainbow this was twice as big and weight at least 3 times as much. It was cool.Aundrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821200746147124040noreply@blogger.com0