She's Bonafide!

It's official - I'm a nerd.

This was supposed to be a costume, but doesn't it look like me in 9th grade? Even though I never had braces, it still looks an awful lot like my 14-year-old self. They're Jim's glasses, not mine.

And, of course, just like 9th grade: check out my stylish pals (SpockGirl, Carmen, Skeleton). And the Jellyfish!

Quite neglected

..you are. My apologies! For the love of lists and the lack of time I'm feeling now, I thought I'd present a list of topics I'd like to post about (and hopefully will in the near future):
- my utterly fantastic and gorgeous new clutch, whose name is Bess (I didn't even make that up, that's the model name!);
- the joy I got out of receiving great birthday presents from The Roommate, all within the 2008 Birthday Budget, and how good it feels to have a birthday budget in general;
- (potential) work excitement;
- birthday weekend at the fox farm;
- general excitement regarding what is to be soon regarded as My Year of Culture: a membership to the Anch. Museum and season tickets (you-pick) to the Anch. Concert Association;
- All Things Loon Related;
- I'm sorry, did I mention the purse yet?
- Reading a book that my newly-93-year-old grandmother has enjoyed so much that she read twice (and which I could hardly get to the end of);
- Halibut fishing girls weekend!
- Taiko drumming
- The visit by the in laws;
- the anniversary;
- Luna's third birthday;
- Rowing on Trail Lake;
- Biking up Hatcher Pass;
- Head of the Kenai;
- MS 150 bike ride;
- observing Grandpa Bob's passing;
- energy audits;
- Montana, Omaha, North Carolina, San Fransisco, Italy, Deadhorse by motorcycle, Australia! (a.k.a. trips planned in the next 13 months)

I suppose that is all for now. Good pictures coming soon, and a fulfillment of a birthday resolution to blog more (here's at'cha, Captain Colossal)!

Love,
B's Knees

On Top of the World!

Here are some quick recent photos from our trip up to the top of Jumbo Mine in Kennicott - can you believe people used to mine copper out of these mountains, waaaaaaay up here??


Kelly, Jim, and Erika on the way to the top. This is right before we start climbing the talus slope.
The talus slope going up. Can you find Erika in this picture?
Erika at the top of the talus slope. There is still maybe 300 more vertical feet up before reaching the mine. The Jumbo Mine! It is, of course, collapsed. But you're looking at the bunkhouse and tram beginnings:
From the ridge above the mine, we looked down onto this spectacular rock glacier. That's the Kennecott and Root glaciers beyond (Kennecott is dark; Root is light):

The Initiation

I suppose it was a matter of time before I fell prey to the blogging games people play: tagging. I think I actually clapped my hands and exclaimed excitedly when I saw that Renee had tagged me. Here goes:

Since I've been largely a blog observer, I can only surmise how this works. Fortunately, the rules are fairly simple:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog.
3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people at the end of your post and link to their blogs.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6) Let the fun begin!

1) Done. Hah!
2) Done again. I'm a go-getter!
3) Six non-important things about myself. Well, isn't it all important? In the grand scheme? How about just six random things about myself:
1. I just ate refried beans with cheese on top for dinner, and it was the best thing I've eaten in 5 days.
2. I can sing along to the opening sequence of "Bridget Jones' Diary" as well as do the gestures and air guitar.
3. I loooooooove striped socks.
4. My college friends, although smart, interesting, engaging, and caring, are generally terrible about keeping in touch.
5. I bought a Greek cookbook for someone who is half Greek. Cliche? or cool?
6. Yes, yes, you were waiting for it: I love All Things Bulldog.

4) Hmm, let's see. Apparently not being prompt about keeping in touch extends beyond the college pals, because there are five blogs I can think of right now that aren't updated often enough to justify tagging. So, at the risk of these fine people thinking I'm cheesy, I'll tag The Greek, The New Parents, and this very interesting, smart blog that I am completely addicted to. And for good measure, here's one for Sunday's Workout Partner.

Hallows Eve 2006

Recently, I found some long-lost pictures that I thought I'd share. Here is "Devil in a Blue Dress" from last year: And here is Kern, Anne, and Baby Drake:

Dr. Aloha

Not sure I want to write about Dr. Aloha just yet. Not sure if ever. But we're looking at December 1 for a memorial service. Only cried once today. Lost count of how many times yesterday. I'm having a bit of a hard time merging the idea of what happened from the fact that it was a person that I knew. Both are sad. I feel like I start to feel "okay" about the idea of what happened and then I remember who specifically it was, and I lose that "okay" feeling. Friends and family have been wonderful and I'm trying to take this as an opportunity to tell everyone that I love them and care about them.

Drat, that makes two times today.

'Cause You've Gotta Have Faith

What would we ever do without a little Faith?

...and a little ERVA?