Bike Tip #34

A bike light is no good when it's in the garage, and it's dusk on the George Washington Memorial Parkway trail. Even when it's still light outside, it's much darker in the woods (good lesson learned).

Papovich is Hitched

Congratulations to Allison and Alan! This is the only couple I know that would throw a party (complete with live music) the day after their wedding (must be the Irish influence)!!?!?

We also got to spend some quality time with Chari, Tim, Baby Granger and Mrs. G! One of my favorite moments was getting to meet Chari's SON! I always knew motherhood would be natural for her but that's one of those thoughts you have when you're fourteen. It's so crazy to grow up ;)

Just realized that I didn't get any good pics of the Newlyweds or of Baby Granger (but I did get one of the Blue Grass Band). Idiot!

Here are my GFs from G-F (translation: girlfriends from Gar-Field High School).

Not pictured: Zach, Kelly, Screech and Mr. Belding.

Clipless Pedals

First of all, I don't understand why they are called clipless pedals when they do in fact allow you to clip your shoes into the bike pedal?!?

I was pretty excited to add this feature to Firefly (my bike). I had ridden with clipless pedals a few times before when I was borrowing Blue Devil (Kirsten's bike). It was intimidating enough to go into the bike shop and make this purchase (I always feel like such a dork in there, like I'm riding a big wheel compared to the fancy bikes and bikers in bike stores). After they installed the new sleek pedals, they put my old clunky pedals with the plastic pseudo-clips into a bag. I felt like I had just got the training wheels off my bike!

Well, EVERYONE you talk to about clipless pedals mentions that when you first use them, you are bound to take a few spills. But, I thought I was better than that since I had never fallen.

So, I may have been feeling a bit cocky when I set out for a long ride on the Potomac that evening to break Firefly in with her new equipment. For the most part, I had a great ride.....until I got within a block of Big Blue on my return trip and noticed there was a huge truck trying to parallel park and blocking the bike lane. As I approached, traffic to my left was heavy and I slowed to let the truck finish parking. I unclipped one pedal but in the process of trying to decide whether to go around or fully stop, I toppled over. The fall was not pretty but the worst part was that it happened directly in front of the strip of bars and restaurants in Clarendon...on a Thursday night....at 8pm. PEAK PEOPLE outside watching this event unfold!

I ate my humble pie for dinner that night and embarrassingly walked Firefly the few hundred feet back to Big Blue with my bike cleats clomping, while trying to ignore the whoops and laughs coming from the (motorcycle) bikers drinking at Mexicali . I guess I was do for a fall..I just hope that will be the last one.


This picture is titled 'Before the Fall' (yes I know it's cheesy, but Carly made me pose for it).

Dance for a Difference

"Get Down with your Good Self"

So my overachieving roommate started a non-profit called 'Dance for a Difference' (D4D). When I didn't have a job, I went to Europe and got sucked into daytime TV, but Carly was off of work for two days and put this idea together. It's a great way for gals (boys too) like myself to add some rhythm to their dancing repertoire. The chicken dance and leg guitar can only take me so far. Carly's class has already made such a 'difference'.

Here are the details...tell all your friends.

What: A non-profit organization offering dance classes through volunteer instructors and donating the proceeds. We will be offering a hip hop class. And don't worry if you don't have a dance background, it will be basic and it will be a good time

Who: You and your friends!

When: Tuesday, July 25th at 8:00-9:00 pm (every other Tuesday)

Where: Lyon Village Community Center - Clarendon
1920 N. Highland St.
(Lee Highway and N. Highland)

Cost: $7 (Dance classes can cost $10-$15 in the city and all proceeds are collected for donation)

For more information, please contact Carly Spring at 303-917-2947 or Carlynn_Spring@hotmail.com

PS

Paul Simon concert last night at Merriweather. Although he looks like a grandpa, he can still rock it out. Diamonds, Cecilia, Boxer, Graceland; he hit all the classics. Matt was surprised at how many songs he recognized (and they weren't even Pearl Jam covers)!

I love his new album, especially since he wrote one just for me, 'Father Daughter'.

"I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father who loved his daughter
more than I love you"

So I just have to share that this song seriously speaks to me...what other dad hangs a huge homemade sign in lights reading 'Jill 95' in the trees at a highschool graduation party? And there was of course, another one for college graduation.

And by the way, Merriweather is a fabulous venue! I forgot how cute the lawn is scattered with trees and farm houses in the background. Maybe 'forgot' isn't the right word...the last time I was there was for Jimmy Buffet...

Fourf Follow-up

Well, it was no Long Island, but the Fourth of July proved to be pretty fulfilling. Big Blue was asked to assist with the Lyon Village neighborhood picnic and parade and boy did we show some spirit.

Top Four Things I Liked about the Fourth:
1. I got to wear a sandwich board and use my retail skills (again) by selling tickets.
2. FREE hotdogs!!
3. We met fun neighbors, like Mrs. Miller Miller (her maiden and married name is Miller).
4. It was a little slice of Americana.

Strategic Work E-mails

How amazing does it feel when you can send an e-mail after 'core' work hours? And do you sometimes copy a few extra people just to show off? I worked til 4am last night, and I think there is definitely a line between respected e-mailing hours and when people start to think you are a little nuts.

Big Blue

Big Blue...no introduction is really necessary. I tend to assume everyone knows what I'm talking about when I refer to our house, just like 'The Grill', 'Shitlows' or 'Big Dog' (that's a whole other entry). It was an amazingly lucky find, thanks mostly to Terri watching Craigslist like a hawk and our superior negotiation skills. Does it get any better than the corner of Garfield and Wilson?

Big Blue has seen some turnover, but the original ladies include Terri, Kirsten, Angela and myself.

We hosted our first party the 'Big Blue Bash' in the fall, complete with blue boas. It was so cold that we rented an outdoor heater (yes, like the kind they have at restaurants). Check out that action shot!


This was only the beginning of the many parties, bbqs and shindigs to follow...


We got more creative and hosted 'Toga for Terri' when we lost our first Big Blue Lady to her hometown of Pittsburgh. The theme of this party was a cross between Greek Games and Animal House.


We welcomed Carly (aka Car Car) from sunny San Diego and she has taught us a whole new dialect that includes phrases like 'whatv', 'i heart you', and lots of other abbrevs.

Kirsten was next to move out when she married our honorary roomie (Lee), but only down the block (I still secretly consider her a roommate).


Sam, the cheese shop gal joined the house, but didn't stay long enough when Oregon offered a great opportunity. And no, we still haven't found Hammy the Hampster.

Big Blue's most recent major event was the 'Big Blue Christmas Ball' (note the coordinated blue outfits).

Laura-Lu is last to live in the 'newbie' slanted, tiny room at Big Blue. Now that her LSAT studying is over, we hope to see her more!

We also hope to make our next house event an entry into one of Clarendon's parades. Ang and I are convinced we'll become the Golden Girls of Clarendon and never let go of this sweet location (and she is already much like Betty White, 'Rose').

Big Blue does have her endearing quirks though, like the tiny bathroom that you have to put your feet in the tub in order to use the toilet, the sounds of bottles clanking at all hours of the night from the restaurant next door, and the scary garage that is held up with one piece of plywood...but we wouldn't trade it for any other spot, especially with such a great landlord.

Drinking Before Noon

It's been a while since I woke up early to specifically secure a position at the bar. Not that I had any real reason to make it a miller time morning, but Carly (one of Big Blue's youngbucks) made it seem like this World Cup thing was a big deal.

I'll admit, I don't know soccer, but what a good excuse to drink and bond with international sports fans....all before noon and in the convenience of my backyard (RiRa).