Pouring out that half empty glass and refilling it to the brim

What an invigorating 72 hours! A 2012 came to a close, I was at the Empty Bottle watching the Marked Men and ringing in the new year with long-time friends. I have been jamming out all day to OWTH and TBR.

I feel rejuvenated, wheels are turning, ideas are forming, plans are coming together.

Highlights of 2012:

MPLS x 2
PDX + meet ups with JJ and Milo
*EFFING INSANE* party week with N&TBDB
Witnessing a wiped-slick Lars wreck his bike into a parked rig
Germany and Finland!
Getting busted finger-banging in a national park after hours
San Diego for AF666
My own "unfest" FEST Florida trip
+ a few random road trips with the usual suspects for shows
+ raced twice on Ex-Girlfriend and didn't puke, wreck, pass-out, or come in last

The last days of 2012 were spent in cold but beautiful Chicago with people who are important to me. Excellent hangouts with Bookmate, Rootbeer, Carl, Danny, and David.

I feel energized and am looking forward to 2013. I have to work for the next three days, but next Monday, my plan is to hit up city hall, the bank, and Schiller's. In that order. And run down the dream that got away from me.

I leave you, loyal reader, with this:

first snow

I absolutely love how the world gets quiet when the snow is falling. I could watch out the window for hours.

XxmasX

Christmas wasn't too bad! My sister surprised us for a visit!

She bought this mat for our family, and we laughed SO HARD when my dad unwrapped the packaging!

Five of us, together for the first time in A LONG TIME!!

And this gem, only because my sister is eating, and she really seems to be savoring that bite. She would be horrified if she knew that I took a pic of her eating. Also, I love how the dog is waiting with such attention for a dropped morsel.

No picture to accompany, but this was the first year in like five that I didn't call Jeanne. Also, I received ONE card. It was from my German hosts, and was AWESOME!! Really made me smile. I sent them one, too, and I even wrote in German. I'm sure they will get a kick out that!

Musings from the couch

So, I rolled my ankle on Friday night at boxing class. I've been laid up at home RICEing it for the past two 1/2 days.

Everyone else went to KCMO and bitched about how shitty of a time they had when they returned.

I was snug as a bug in a rug on the couch with wiener dog.

I've been watching a lot of nature documentaries, as usual. Two that really struck a chord, or I guess three now that I think about it: "Silence and Solitude: Yellowstone at Christmas", one about parks of the Balkan Peninsula (Beautiful! I was so thrilled to see that there are still areas pretty much inaccessible by humans and therefore pristine!) and a third one about the numerous species of birds of paradise in New Guinea.

Anyway, while I'm watching these shows, I have A FUCKING EPIPHANY!!

I've decided to see how far this rabbit hole goes.

less gross, one day at a time

1064 Laser!!!


Google that shit!

simple pleasures v.12.16

Total 180 from last night.

Successful A.M. bang out sesh.

45 miles on Ex-Girlfriend. Gorgeous blue sky, shining sun, no wind, pleasant temps. Probably could have gone in shorts, but I went with pants and did not overheat.

Tivoli a bit later to see my girl's new movie.

Seasons Greetings

Even I can't fathom how unmotivated I am to go this Christmas party tonight.