Maple Hardwood Floors

I have been working on a few different projects around the house. None of them as intense as the project of sanding and finishing the maple hardwood floors. When i bought this house, there was disgusting stained carpet everywhere, except the dining room and living room. So i tore that up and found hardwood floors...with paint and old finish on them...and lots of it. Somebody had taken a paint sprayer and sprayed the trim and not put down anything to block the paint from hitting the floor. (why i aughta)
So dad and i began taking paint remover and scraping it off...
after maybe a day of scraping shit off the floor on our hands a knees and a few pints, we decided we needed a knew method. Too much sweat was pouring out with little result.
We went to the next step of renting a floor sander...what a great idea, i just have to walk behind the damn thing.
Well i rented an orbital floor sander that just didn't quite do it. It wasn't strong enough and didn't take the paint off quick enough. After a day of that (and a few pints) we decided we needed a drum sander. With some recommendations i went to Pete's Hardwood Flooring in St. Paul. They gave me some training and sent me off with 3 different sanders: drum sander, edge sander, and a radiator sander.
With the help of some friends (Jordan, Adan and my Dad, thank you all) we started sanding. I knew this was going to be a really big job...but i wasn't sure quite how big. We sanded about 400 sq feet with 5 different grits of sand paper.
By the end of it i was exhausted. It took 3 long days of kick your ass work.
I decided to finish the floors with a flat finish made of wax, linseed oil and flaxseed oil. It looks great and isn't the traditional glossy floor finish you see in rich people's houses. hehe.

Here are some before and after photos:

cold press

Today its 70 degrees.

I'm having my first cold press of the year
my gums are numb.
It was a big cold press.
: ))

March

March is over. That signifies a few different things for me. First off, this was the 5th winter that i survived cycling through the arctic tundra that Minneapolis is. This is by no means bragging; i feel an overwhelming sense of pride. Pride in my beliefs, pride in what i accomplished, and happy to keep doing it. Life in excess is nothing i want to be a part of, and that doesn't mean i think driving in the winter is morally wrong. I just discovered I don't have to do it.

My winter bike is in ruins at this point. It really did me well, carried me many miles through rain, sleet, snow, potholes, paved and unpaved road. I have replaced every component on the bike during the last 5 years (except the handlebars and stem). It also has colonies of thriving rust all over it. The worst of areas is beneath the seat post, where i had to re-weld the seat stays after a sign fell on it and snapped them off.

Also this has been a record breaking March...No snow...not a flake...i saw some hail one day...


This is not the end of that bike frame my friends!!!
The Eager Beaver will ride on!!
Off in to the sunset.
It needs new bearings in both hubs and a new chain, but after that it will be basically brand new....well... as new as its gonna get.

Bike Ride!!

Just recently a friend of mine told me about a park just out of minneapolis that is connected by bike trail. This park has a camping area, many lakes, fishing, hiking, and much more! Well that just sounds great, a place i can bike to and camp.
So a few days ago, Teeny and i decide to bike out to the park. The trail consists of 10 miles of paved trail and 15 of limestone trail. Its still March but we are having a very warm march; it was about 55 degrees with the sun out that afternoon. First we made it to Hopkins and after that the limestone trail starts. The trail was a bit muddy as we had alot of snow this year, but it was a beautiful ride. We made it out to the park after 25 miles. Unfortunately we didn't get to explore the park very much as the pub was calling our names. On the way back we stopped at Jake O'conner's for a pint, whisky and some shepard's pie. mmm. After that we were on our way home and made it as the sun fell.

50 mile spring ride!

Hopefully there will be many more to come with camping and fishing included.

Here's the route:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3553884

I rode my Surly Long Haul Trucker that i recently built and it performed well... The brakes i decided to put on the bike turned out to be not a very good choice. They work, but not as well as i would like.

Overall good ride, good bike.

panama photos

The only poem in 6 months

The light sparkles from a few as we're all on different paths
If your lucky and smart you might catch some of it
It might show you something
It may make you feel something
Have fun
Find joy in all things
If something makes you smile
Well. Then. Smile
and enjoy it
Laugh. Laugh out-loud and enjoy it
Cry and enjoy it
Don't hold back
Don't die a stubborn, prideful bigot
Live with excitement, love and eagerness
Let people inspire you
Instead of keeping your pride,
you may actually be able to learn something from someone else
Just Maybe-
There are so many beautiful people in the world
with ideas, and thoughts and feelings
far different from yours.
You should talk to them


Hi, My name's Brett
How do ya like me so far!

Las Lajas, Panama

We pulled in to some cabanas (rustic cabins) late night after being lost for an hour. It seemed even longer because i was driving. As we were walking around the seemingly deserted area another car pulled up. We had checked the huts and they didn't have anything but a bed and a shelf. Which is exactly what you need in a beach hut. The lizards and grasshoppers roam free here, jumping from shoulder to shoulder.
We went back to the chained off entrance to talk to the other car. He found the property manager and woke him, and luckily he let us pass. He gave us some sheets, that barely stretched half of the bed and said good night.
We were left to our huts and bottle of rum to stare at the stars.
STARE WE DID!
There was very little light pollution and the stars were incredible. One of my top 3 star gazing nights. It was if we were at a basketball game and all of the cameras flashes were going off as Michael Jordan dunked the ball from the free throw line. A dunk like that only happens for 3 seconds. Now imagine it for over an hour.
The stars were competing for our attention that night.
They wouldn't stop sparkling and shining and shimmering!
We saw quiet a few shooting stars as well.
I don't know if we realized it at the time but i'm pretty sure it was a new moon. I don't remember seeing the moon, and it was a dark night.
Especially being in rural panama. You had to be lost to find this place.
When we woke up the next morning with the sun so bright i couldn't see with out sunglasses
We had a huge beach with one other family on it. When i say a huge beach i mean massive.
We picked coconuts for breakfast. Delicious coconuts.
Then...... we were off on our next adventure.
: )

New Post!

Hello Hello,

Well i have to apologize, i haven't written in 10 months or so. Plenty has been happening around minneapolis and in my life...i guess i just haven't felt like writing.

First and foremost...I bought a house in august for those of you who didn't hear. I have been very busy with that, fixing and repairing things. So far things are going pretty well. I'm enjoying having the freedom to do what i want with a place. It has changed some of my opinions now that i am (as my uncle Mark would say) a real tax paying son of a bitch. hehe.
I have been practicing a lot of yoga the last year. lately its been every other day. I am really enjoying the challenges that has presented and always look forward to new poses and expressions.
This summer i was running quite a bit. My father and I had some great times running early morning.
Also i ran the Twin Cities 10 mile race last October and had a blast. I averaged 8:07 per mile, and crossed the finish line in a sprint. I guess i got excited when i saw the crowd. I registered for the Lake Minnetonka half marathon in May and look forward to that.

This summer and fall wasn't easy though, my family has had some tough times, but we pulled through, we always do.

I stuck around minneapolis for the summer and enjoyed the wonderful weather here. Went on some great camping trips to Vagasil Island on the St. Croix river.

My next adventure is coming up very soon......Panama!
After booking the tickets realized i will be there during Carnival! The biggest celebration in the world!!! (basically) 3 days long....
I look forward to surfing, hiking a volcano, deserted islands, fresh seafood, and warm weather.
I will hopefully be writing frequently now.
tell then
Ta Ta

Summer

Summer is almost here. Tomorrow is supposed to be 85!
as always things are looking great for this summer.
There will be biking and kayaking!
camping and hiking.
and Gardening! i have my first gardening plot

I think i need to move away from MPLS. I cant do another winter here
There are just too many other places that are far more amazing than MPLS in the winter.
fuck that noise

Puerto Rico is an interesting little place.
The weather is perfect. Tropical with an abundance of fruit.
We picked mangos, almonds, and coconuts.
I met some really great people in such a short amount of time.
Nick and Claire's families were so wonderful. So generous and kind.
It was wonderful to meet them.
I had some really great unexpected experiences.
The beaches are gorgeous
I need to remember the emotions i was experiencing when i was out there.
There is alot to learn from this one
plenty. just dont forget it.

But i'm home now
let it all blend

Rincon

Rincon is beautiful.
I met up with nick and claire today...so wonderful to see them...
We are in rincon at claire's grama's house...on the beach....with such a positive energy here...I am very happy to be here spending here with them.

Meeting up with them was kinda funny
i left old san juan today in a caro publico
and found an old Hamm's beer hat in the back...(which is something i've been looking for. its a really great hat)

Old San Juan was nice...wouldnt spend more than 2 days there...Met some other travelers and hung out for a bit...THey were really cool. Made some really great connections. One guy in particular was great...we had such great time talking and see the world in a very similar light.
Truely unique experience should be valued more.
we had some of that for sure.

I'm confident we will meet again...or maybe we already have.

cant wait for surfing...tomorrow 7 am. nick is taking me out...he's basically pro.
really he amazing...

life is good...my head is satisfied with the wonderful environment i am luckily in.
for the moment
thank you

Puerto Rico

Well...i'm in Puerto Rico right now...
Old San Juan...staying in a really old building. for $16 per night...its perfect...kind of reminds me of the hostel the guy stayed in in the book The Beach.
This is the oldest city in the United States. I really like it for what it is...kind of toursity.. but over all really unique...There are walls here from the 1600's still up. Lots of pastel bright colors... The first few days have been really interesting... so far some unexpected stuff...but it feels good to be in a new city...that i have never experienced...meeting new people and enjoying the hot sun and beautiful ocean...
I made it to Vieques the first day...which i was a bit surprised...set up camp on the beach...and work up to such a beautiful scene. The second night it rained a bit but i stayed dry...The waves were loud though...cant complain about that though..
Went to the Bioluminescent bay...which was really something to see in your lifetime...i cant really explain in over the comp...i'll explain it when we are face to face...
just picture sparks underwater all over you...in the ocean at night. only when you move though.

amazing...

I'm going to Rincon in a few days for more beach camping and surf. And to help my wonderful friends with thier wedding...
I think i am baking vegan cupcakes as their dessert...this will be the second wedding i have baked the ceremonial dessert for!...let me know if you want to book me for your wedding! may need to contact me a few months in advance...
and i charge big time!

ok internet is expensive here..gotta run...
be well.

Tomorrow

View Larger Map

AIG

You greedy assholes.
I could fucking strangle these money hungry wolves
about 70% of of the employees that received bonuses received more than $100,000.
The highest bonus being 6.4 million
and 15 people receiving more than 2 million.
And now their chief executive is asking them to give half back?
How about you give it all back and pay a fine.
they need to get wacked between the eyes.
go team america!

Well after this blog being down for a bit...its back up!
sorry to anyone who thought i was blocking them...the blog was closed to everyone.

I was hibernating a little bit this winter.
atleast from writing.

anyways...news is i bought a ticket for Puerto Rico...i leave in 13 days...kinda put that one off a bit.
hehe
I have some friends getting married down there and another friend that will be traveling in Puerto Rico as well.
The goals include:
practicing spanish
surfing
camping as much as possible
kayaking and swimming with bioluminescent plankton (at night of course)
Spending time with wonderful people.
hike some puerto rican mountains

Someday i will run through the fields
with nothing holding me back.
not even modern clothing
you will dance and run with me
the flowers will sing
the pollen will fly
we will smile and laugh
until we fall down
at that point life will be great
but it may not last long.
unless we stay together
and run forever

the stale cold will be gone
and we will not notice it
we wont remember how bad it gets
because we have green.
and the empty gray is gone

live in it
life

run.

went for a run today...which usually i hate doing...

decided i was going to run a mile.... then decided i was going to run another.
First one 7 min flat
Second in 6:40!!!

I dont think that i have ran a mile since high school. and even then i dont think i ran it in 7 min.

it felt really good. i think i like running now.
i think i'm gonna run everywhere!
hehe just kidding, that was a movie.

Good bye Christmas

Wow am i glad Christmas is over.
This is going down as the worst christmas in history.

First off the santa killer is such a terrible story. That is so sad and awful.

second, how ironic is it that Eartha Kitt, famous for singing "Santa Baby" dies on christmas?
are you kidding? is that real? santa must have really come for her. After all that singing she did for Santa, maybe she got him all excited and never delivered? who knows?

And i did not have a good holiday season at all. No offense to everyone i spent it with. or the ones i didn't spend it with.
The holidays are really just kinda ridiculous.
I'm all for quality time with loved ones but i try to spend quality time with them year round, not just once a year.
Its just silly.
Wait.....hold on. i know whats coming next...
I'm a grinch...................Good one.

And the holiday music really tops it off. oh man, i'm glad thats done
Worst holiday ever.

life is really crazy.
think about it
for atleast a second.
it really is something.

Scratch that last post...

I got an offer a day after for a job at Brant Lake Bowl!!
They are offering health insurance after 90 days too
i would love to have health insurance.

Anyways, i am pumped, come visit me at the BLB!!

Citizen cafe is still a really great place to eat, check that out too.

I got a job!
I got a job!
I got a job!

I just got so excited i put on the Old Wisconsin Slim record (speed 78)
I danced freely in my room to all four songs!!
Yee Haa!!!
It was a real hootenany!!

Citizen Cafe
Come visit the quaint cafe with excellent food and now better service!!!
38th st and 24 ave So. MPLS!!

my body is limp
laying there.
it has been worked to exhaustion
it is so tolling
yet it still cannot rest

there is a line,
a certain amount of everything that the human body can endure
we are not invincible
all along i had been thinking i was invincible
no body told me
i wouldn't have listened anyways.

and then it began.
right as i was lying here,
i felt my brain being massaged
not my scalp, but my brain
it was so soothing.
i drifted off...then back in.
it stayed clear for a bit.
there was nothing in my world
it has all drifted away

Then the most wonderful loving pressure was on my head
not a bad pressure but a pressure like you are getting a hug
some one was giving me a hug. They knew i needed it.
bizarre
amazing
evolution

Being Home

I have been home for over a week now.
I can say i am not very happy to be home.
Adjusting has been harder than ever.
I did not expect this at all.
It is so dark here.
I was used to another 5 or 6 hours of bright sunny day.

Its weird how my emotions are flying around.
I am totally out of my element
its not fun
I'm not myself

Usually i feel i can adapt a bit faster than this but its harder than usual right now.

maybe planes are a bad idea
Transporting people into a totally different place,
in such a short amount of time

my mind needs meditation.
It needs to be clear.
for atleast 1 minute
please?

Poems of an unknown author

I need to be free
I need to be free as a bird.
Free as a stray Argentinean Perro.
yes stray
and yes free and happy
free to see, explore and learn

do not tell me what to do
do not try to control me or any part
I'll knock your dick in the dirt faster than a shot of whiskey
you wont be able to say
run free spirit, run free
fly free

Don't try to hold me back
Don't tell me I'm wrong
I wont hear you, the wind will take it away

I will continue to hike the paths of of past explorers and know:
THIS IS REAL

When nothing is around me
nothing in this dimension
i have some sense of the world being real
I will continue to see everything that i can
Take it in
Learn from it
Never stop

I need to be free
free as a bird

Poems of an anonymous author

Sobering up is like traveling through time.
you sit there and watch eveyrthing move around you,
wondering when you're gonna get to the other side,
how much time its gonna take,
and how hard its going to be.
There's so much going on around you
all with very little meaning
But it moves, and it moves fast
and you are still.
When you try to think about how long you have been in this state
you have no idea
Eventually things slow down and you arrive at your destination
Afterwards you sit and wonder what world or dimension you were just in
or if you were even Alive.

photos

Whiskey on the Glacier


Perito Merino, one of the biggest glaciers in the world and still advancing
there is hope




on a hike in El Calafete



Before Paragliding




James and i grilling Argentina style



Wine tasting in Mendoza

Obama

Yesterday was a fantastic day
for so many reasons

We started out at 9:30 taking a bus out to some wine country in Mendoza. There we rented bikes and proceded to our 7 vinyard tour. all on bicycle!!!
it was a blast i got to taste some really fantastic wine. we actually made it to about 5 wineries.

After that we headed back into town. Our friend Kama´s birthday was yesterday and we grilled a ton of food and had great drinks while watching the election results.
We were cheersing to Kama and Obama!!!
THe lemon marange pie was magnificent as well.

Dinner was served around 10 or 11 (standard argentine dinner time) after that we went to the Irish pub and finished there.
Today some how i am feeling alright

As the results from the election came in i was with people from all around the world. Everyone cheered when the results for California and Washington came in.
everyone was very happy
It was very surreal for me watching it on TV and not being in the states.
i feel so much better about our future.
breathe easy

TOnight i am headed south on a long bus.
patagonia is next, which i am so excited about but wish i had more time.
i will get photos up soon

ohh also, i went paragliding over Mendoza,
it was pretty cool
kinda crazy
you just run off a mountian cliff with a parachute on and off you go.
there is absolutly nothing around you except air.
it almost didnt seem real

ok all for now
i am so happy i will be able to come back to the states now.

Photos!!!

scroll down to previous posts for more photos
finally



monkey drinking beer

Dali painting? Nope, just southwest Bolivia

Election

The election is in a few days
get out and vote
I´m just letting everyone know now,
if John Mcain wins i am not coming back to the states ever.
ever again
dont you dare vote for him

Im off to salar de uyuni for 4 days
wont be able to post
www.wikipedia.org/salardeuyuni

Tons!!!

Ok so here is the quick version

I have spent the last few days in La Paz, Bolivia, Copacobana and Isla del Sol on the most beautiful lake i have ever seen - Lake Titicaca. Yes more beautiful and more clean than Lake Superior. Lake Titicaca is the largest lake by volume in all of South America and sits at 12,500 feet above sea level. Making it very cold. I did of course swim in it as well. Im hoping to still be able to have kids someday. It was as clear as a swimming pool.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_titicaca
Went for a long hike on Isla del Sol yesterday that was longer than expected but had amazing scenery of the lake. There are also Inca ruins on this island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_titicaca#Isla_del_Sol

before Copacobana i was in La Paz. La Paz was amazing to see but very poluted, to the extreme that i could not breath very well. I did get sick with a cold for a few days but am recovering now. I blame the city of La Paz.

I did go to a WWF style bolivian Wrestling event in La Paz. Which is probably to most random thing ever. Rey Masterio and Scrap Iron Cadastky had thier grandkids there wrestling i think. It was hilarious.





Also went mountain biking in the Bolivian Andes. We were on really nice full suspension KONA mountain bikes. It was amazing and so beautiful. We start in the mountains, sometimes snow peaked, and decend into the Bolivian jungle. At the end of our ride was plenty of beer and food for us. we actually ended at an animal refuge for pets in Bolivia. There were tons of animals there.
Heres the thing, there were monkeys there.
Now my parents know this more than anyone, when i was a kid i loved monkeys so much. When we went to the zoo i would sit and watch the monkeys for hours. I remember begging my dad, begging, please, can we call the zoo and ask them how much the monkeys are. Of course no phone calls were made.
At this refuge i got to hold a couple monkeys.
It was amazing, i giggled like a school child. It kinda tickles when they crawl all over you. I was so happy. Some of the monkeys there were trained to steal things from people, cameras, glasses, watches, money and now their in recovery at this refuge. I have photos of that as well. -soon






I will write more soon and get photos up.

La Paz, Bolivia

OK

I'm in La Paz. This city is crazy and huge. Like really big, almost new york city like with less organization. I got stuck in Puno last night, i was hoping to get to Copacobana which is across the border to Bolivia but missed the bus. Crossing the border sucked, they dont like American in Bolivia and charged me 135 USD. Bullshit, thats robbery. The American government does it to them though. I had lunch in Copocobana today with a guy from New Zealand and a lady from England. It was beautiful out and we could see lake Titicaca. Also they were playing Bob Dylan. It was a great moment. My Tuna sandwich was about 1.80 USD

The bus rides sucked but i'm here now.

Few random things
i saw a lady with a pet monkey, the monkey had a shirt on and was sitting in her lap
I'm pretty sure in Peru they feel the cattle corn stalks. I saw a ton of cattle eating everything but the kernals of corn.
I think they need the corn for other things.
Bolivia is substantialy poorer than Peru. Bolivia is the only 3rd world country in South America. I can see the difference.
I'll get some more photos up soon.

Things are great still

I have met so many travelers and everyone is so nice. These are people that care about the world and people in it. They're hard working and openminded and understanding. Everyone i meet shares food with me and i with them. Even on the bus rides when they cant speak english. This Peruvian man shared his potatos and cheese with me. These situations do give me a little confidence in people.

Bolivia is really cheap.

ok gotta run. The hostal i am in has a microbrewery on site and we get a free beer everynight. and all you can eat pancakes in the morning.
The total cost for the room and all that is less than 8 dollars. Wow

Photos

This is me steering the jungle raft through a lake. We were looking for giant otters but they only come out at night.

photos

These were my friends on the jungle trek. I taught everyone how to play spoons and we had a blast that night. My Grama would be proud.


Machu Picchu

The Jungle is Hot!!

OK
once again i dont have enough time to write about this, I got picked up by our guides for the jungle trip 4 days ago. We took a van for quite a ways and then a motorized canoe up the river a ways. Both vessels were quite sketchy. Every once in a while we had to stop to tighten the wheel nuts on because they weren´t staying tight for some reason. We also crossed a small river in the van. It was really fun. i was soo excited. The roads through the Andes mountains are not good. Gravel roads only big enough for 1 van. We had to stop every time another car came.
I got to see 3 different types of monkey, tons of medicinal plants, over 50 different types of moth\butterfly. tons of insects, spiders. We went white water rafting as well and on a zipline through the canopy of the rainforest.
Also-this is a longer story-i spent the night with some type of Jungle rat that we could not identify. He slept in my room with me. hehe.
All very fun and amazing, exacally what i was looking for. and safe too-
The jungle is soo cool and i wish i could have stayed longer and gone in deeper. I also got lucky because the people in my group were really cool. I had 4 people from switzerland, 2 from Holland and 2 from Russia. We had a great time together.
I am going to Puno next and then to La Paz Bolivia.
Sorry i cant write more or put up more information but there is a 15 min limit on the computers at the hostals.
ok by for now

MACHU PICCHU

Today i saw the amazing ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu. This is a city build in the middle of the Andes on top of a mountain. It was for sure one of the top most amazing things i have ever seen.

Sorry i dont have time to write. Tomorrow i am leaving early for a jungle trek in to the peruvian amazon. i´ll be gone for 4 days. its gonna be crazy fun.

i hiked some mountians in Aguas Calientes yesterday before seeing machu picchu today and they were amazing as well

things are great here
sorry i cant write
i´ll put more later

Machu Picchu

Tomorrow i am taking an early train to Aguas Calientes, which is a small town close to Machu Picchu and staying there for a night and then rising early to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu. It will be amazing. I decided against hiking there because of the altitude and time crunch. I am kind of dissapointed but i am going to do a jungle trekk as well now. instead of only one or the other.
I am now at 10,800 feet above sea level, which is the highest i have ever been i believe. I am climitizing now i think but every time i go up some steps i get out of breath. The air is really thin here. Planes have trouble taking off and need more runway. Its really wierd, i have no energy.
I'll post again after Machu Picchu in a few days.
miss ya all

Cusco

I'm in Peru.
So far everything is really great. I arrived in Lima and got some sleep on both flights. I dont even remember taking off on them. When i got to Lima i was planning on sleeping in the airport and getting a flight to cusco in the morning, but i met an Irish lass that was going to a cheap hostel. So i baught a ticket for cusco in the morn and we shared a cab to the hostel. The owner of the hostel was really really nice. we talked for a while and then hit the hay. The Irish lass just got done with a trip on a motorbike from Colombia to Buenos Aires. She did it on a 125cc bike. Holy shit. now shes doing volunteer work in Pisco a city that had an earthquake wipe them out. Speaking of earthquake there was one the morning before i got here. hehe
anyways
Things are great here there are tons of travelers and people are really nice.
I havent taken any photos yet but will start soon. I have not had one chance to really relax yet. I have a feeling thats how its going to be until i get to Buenos Aires.

This evening i had a traditional Peruvian dinner which consisted of Alpaca, which is llama, rice, potatos, tomatoes and onions. Llama is not too bad but pretty tough. Kind of gamey like venison, only in taste though, not in texture.
There are alot of Aussies, Irish and Brits here that i have met. Only a few Americans and thier all from CA.
I also just found out that none of the hostels have heat and most of them dont have hot water. Peru is really something so far.

Few days out

First off-

I just finished a book that i have been reading for about a year now. Its very very dense and packed with information. Its a text book essentially. Written by Jared Diamond the title is "Collapse". I recommend it to anyone that is ambitious. Jared Diamond is a professor at UCLA and world renowned. The main premise of the book is a major study on different societies in our past that have collapsed and all of the different reasons that led them to collapse. Diamond reviews probably 10 or 12 different societies, each unique in their own situation, also including some situations that the society was near collapse and how the pulled through.
anyways -

Last night we had a wonderful dinner at Joan's house and i had a great time. We swam in lake Minnetonka (Oct. 3rd) it was pretty cold. Not unbearable though.
Thanks everyone that came and shared food and good conversation.

I leave on early on Mon. morning which is less than 35 hours away.

Its starting to hit me. I wont see anyone for 6 weeks. Wow.

And i will be in only spanish speaking countries.

I'm really excited.

Chris Isaak

Today is the first day that i have obtained a Chris Isaak song.
I head wicked game the other day and it brought me back to 7 years ago.

I have such good and comforting memories of my father putting "wicked game" on while i was reading a book on the couch.

Thank you Dad.
Thank you Chris Isaak.

Life makes a lot more sense when you realize that people are animals
Think about it.

Well once again alot has happened.
At Scallywags Bike Shop we have had a great season. We were busy fixing bikes, with some really fun projects and alot of local people coming through. We had some good times watching the tour de France and some good laughs as well. We are going to be moving and reopening the shop next spring, but for now we closed the shop and packed it up. It was a good summer, i learned alot about running a bike shop, becoming a better mechanic and getting some experience running a business. Thanks to everyone that supports us.

As for myself, i am only 2 weeks from my departure. I have been studying spanish quite a bit and am very excited to dive in to that. My goal is to become proficient in speaking spanish by the time i get back. I think that is definitely the way to learn a language. Traveling spanish speaking countries beats the hell out of sitting in a classroom for 2 years. Thats how i learn, that is the method of education that works best for me.

I am very excited to get down to Peru. Its really going to be amazing. I had planned on booking some stuff before i went but i decided against it. I think i am going to just get connected with the hike to Machu Picchu when i get there. Some people tried to tell me you need to book it months in advance but i am not going during the tourist season so i think i'm going to be fine. It will probably rain a decent amount when i'm there. It will be the rainy season.

This summer has been a fun one, Lollapalooza was great. such a fantastic time. I got to camp a few times. not enough though though, never enough. We did have some really good times out at the various hidden beaches around Minneapolis.

I did manage to fracture my collar bone mid-summer. that wasn't fun. I have actively been trying to rehabilitate my shoulder and prepare it for carrying a backpack all over. I think it will be okay, i'm hoping to come back with some more muscle stuck to me. Some of the hikes that i plan to go on will take some work for sure.

well these next two weeks i'm going to be working alot, saving money, studying spanish and doing push-ups.

Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and possibly Brazil

well its about that time.
I bought a plane ticket.
Wholly shit
did i by a plane ticket.
Here is the deal
Oct 6th i fly into Lima, Peru
Nov 18th i fly out of Buenos Aires

In between is up in the air

I jumped up and down and screamed like a girl for 10 min after i bought the ticket.

I have so much to do.

i cant catch up...

this summer has been so busy. its been great.

except for some things....for those of you that i haven't talk to in a while..
i cracked my collar bone.
over the bars, on to the pavement
ouch.
There is no treatment for broken collar bones for those of you who dont know.
Life turns in to living with constant pain for 6 weeks
its feels better everyday though
I actually think that it can be a pretty good thing
its humbling when your bike is stronger than you
and life gets harder and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it
you just grit your teeth, deal with the pain and move on

On another note,
i just got back from
Lollapalooza

wow, what a time.

Radiohead sold out the first day. there were 75,000 people there.
It was magical
Fireworks shot off during "Everything in Its right place"
During their last song Idioteque a big gust of wind from lake michigan came and tore and smashed this big balloon light.
here are some photos:
http://www.lollapalooza.com/2008_files/photos/day1/default.asp

i have wanted to see Radiohead play for so long

Best weekend of the summer so far...

well,

i really wish i had more time to write these days but i am keeping very busy.
once again a ton has changed.
I am taking on more responsibility at the bike shop and i am very excited about it.
This summer there is only 3 of us running the shop. But that includes all of the mechanic work, sales, payroll, bookkeeping, cleaning and all the other random stuff. Its awesome. I really love it.
i never thought i would be running a small business like this.
We are going to be open at that location for the rest of the summer (2011 franklin ave)
after that we are shutting down for a few months and moving the shop to another spot in the same neighborhood.

That means i will have october, november and some of dec to do something.
hmmm....
what should i do...
if i had a few months off what would i love to do....?

ha ha
ha
so i am getting the F--- out of MPLS for a while,
its been so long since i've been out.
well not that long but i'm still dying here

once again i love it in MPLS
but i love traveling more.

i haven't decided where yet...

lots...

Well alot has happened since i have been blogging.
We moved out of our house in Prospect Park
I dont know what the deal is with moving so much. I hate it but of course continue to do it.
I am on Blaisdale and 32nd now. The house so far is good, we really like it. Nothing is set up yet and we need to buy a bunch of stuff. Moving is the worst. I think it will be a good house to spend some time.

Also, I am in Las Vegas right now. This place is really something else. The biggest little city i have ever seen. We are staying on "The Strip" in which there is no such normal life anywhere you look. No grocery store, no cafe's, no schools or libraries. Its crazy, and there are just hotels and bars everywhere. We were out and causing trouble last night on the strip. Great fun.

Its really crazy though, each hotel has its own little civilization in side. You would never have to leave your hotel if you didnt want to. They just have everything you could imagine for entertainment all in one massive building. Theater, IMAX, casinos, bars delis, restaurants, buffets, coffee shops. Its nuts

I have been taking some photos, that are going to be good later.
went to the pool today with my Wayzata basketball shorts.
that was fun

also, first day we got here it was 107 degrees.
my Minnesota white ass cannot handle heat like this.

Tomorrow it is supposed to be better, 80s i think
And Tomorrow we are going to Zion National Park. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zion_national_park
I am so pumped for an intense hike.
I just hope it doesn't rain i think there is like a 40% chance.

Anyways, when i get back from this trip, it will mark my beginning of summer. I have been really busy and really stressed out this past month. But life will slow down in a few days, which i really look forward to.
I really need time to relax. at this point i have no time for that at all. everyday is go go go. working doubles 5 - 6 days a week was not the most relaxing thing. But i have learned alot in the past month and have been doing things that i love... mostly.
all for now,
i need to go win some money from this disneyland town for adults.

i am in a new house,
i love my room
i love walking to lyndale ave

despite the weather, my birthday was a blast!!!

thank you to everyone who i got to see on that day

it was way better than my 23rd birthday i think. 24 seems good

i had some very good times with very good friends.

thank you so much.

hey Kids

its my birthday!!!

I am 24 today, i just got an email from my dad that said:

I remember holding you just after you were born and you would look around the room, follow my voice and you sneezed 2 times

i just wanna be happy today, so for i have been