Sometimes you just need to cut your hair

You know that feeling. It's the "I need to change something or do something different or I'm going to explode" feeling? I'm having that feeling right this second. Part of it could be that it's now 2:20 and I've eaten lunch, and been working on this project for 6 hours and I have to be here til 4 and I am really sick of sitting behind a computer. I think it has more to do with the fact that I've been wrestling with ideas now in my head for a while.

I'm starting grad school. That's something different. I've always tried to reinvent myself when I went to a new school. I tried to be less shy when I switched middle schools. I tried to get more involved in sports and academic team stuff when I went to high school. When I went to college I went somewhere that was out of state, that not a lot of people I knew went to. New major, new me, right? But through it all, I'm still same me on the inside. Oh, I've grown and changed. It's kinda impossible not to in almost 24 years. Still, I have grown into a set of morals and values that are mine no matter what, and not much is going to change that. So all this other changing is just window dressing. It's like the seasons almost. My back yard looks major-different four times a year, and every day there's just a bit of change to be found. Still, no matter how much snow there is, or how many leaves are on or off the tree, the tree is still there, and it's still my yard.

Still, You can trim the tree, or add hedges, or build a deck or gazebo in your yard. It's still the yard, but you've ended the monotony of looking at the same scenery every day. You can change the window dressing. I think I see a gazebo on the horizon.

Pete and Repeat went out in a boat. Pete fell in, who was left???

Yeah, we all know. Repeat. As in repeat my idiocy of last summer. Though this time the reasons were a bit different. But, the results were the same. So, are you all wondering what I have repeated?

I managed to fall down on my rollerblades again. Yup. I managed to skin open the same places as last year. My whole lower left leg, my upper (way upper) thigh of my left leg, and I managed to catch my right elbow as well. Would you like to hear the best part?!? I was TEN MILES from my car when it happened. 10 miles. And on a straight trail that it wasn't an option to have my companion go get the car. So, I got up, washed out as much of the dirt and rocks as I could w/ the water we brought along, and took off towards my car. (I had already skated the 11 miles out, we were returning) The stinging wasn't as bad while skating as it was while stopped though, and by mile 18 I was feeling my knees and back more than my new cuts and bruises...but still.

It happened because I didn't see a pile of wet leaves til it was too late. I was learning how to draft in a pace line, so I was about 1 foot behind the guy in front of me. When he yelled watch out, I didn't react fast enough. Oh well....live and learn I guess. At least this time the wounds are nearly as bad as last time. Oh they still hurt, and I won't be wearing jeans or tight pants or tight shirts for a while...but at least it isn't oozing as bad. And if I can do 10 miles on it when it's fresh, I can certainly do another hour and a half ride tomorrow...which is the plan.

At least it was a good workout, since the guy from work I was skating with is a whole foot taller than me!! And tomorrow I'm going out w/ a biker, so I get to play catch-up again. Sheesh!

As promised, more details of this weekend

Wow, what a fast weekend! I had so much to do, I can hardly believe I finished it all.

Let's see. Friday I did my volunteering in the morning. Then, about 1 Katie and I left St. Paul. We found some traffic, so we didn't get out of town as fast as we'd like. We made lunch stop (cause I was starving) and then drove all the way to GB. Once in GB I found another car, and drove to meet my parents on the property. Spent the evening making big fires, eating 'sacrificed' hot dogs, and making smores. And the STARS!!!! wow

Saturday I was able to sleep in, then I joined my parents on the property for some cutting wood fun. We hauled two pickup loads of firewood over to the campsite, and then went to destroy some bad gypsy moths who had taken up residence in one of the apple trees. We went for some lunch then, and came back to the campsite to make a nice fire and enjoy the afternoon. I left there about 3 or so and headed back to GB. When I got back, I found out Katie hadn't gone running yet that day, so she and I did a nice run to the park and back before I went home to get ready for the class reunion.
The reunion
It was something I wasn't really worried about going or anything, I just was undecided about actually going. I didn't know if I wanted to see those people again. Still, there were those who I had lost contact with for one reason or another, and hoping to make contact with them again, I went. I was pleasantly suprised. I chatted with a lot of people, even the ones I barely said 'boo' to when I was in high school. I did reconnect with the majority of the people I wanted too, and for some of the others, it was nice to hear what they are doing. It was also a nice gage for me to see if I'd been 'successful' in the last 5 years. Overall, we're all doing a variety of things, from work to school to lazing about to raising families, but most people seemed happy with where they were. I know I am. The reunion was held at a bar, so after it was over, I just met Katie and Shelly out at said bar to have a drink and chat. We met some guys and we chilled w/ them at various bars for the rest of the night.

Sunday I was able to sleep in a bit and then did some laundry (which I forgot in the dryer at home, damn it!) and then I went to dinner with the family before heading to Katie's graduation party. It was a great time. Got to see lots of more peoples, and Katie seemed to have a good time too--which is the important thing. Went swimming, and didn't freeze to death, catch pneumonia, or become hypothermic. Wow, the way this summer is going, that's almost a miracle. Then after the party, Katie and I loaded her car, and headed back to the Cities.

You see. Very busy weekend. Now hopefully I can recoup in time for this coming Saturday's festivities.

What an Interesting Night..

So, I started typing this, and got a phone call, so now it's later than I'd like it to be. Still I had my 5 year class reunion for high school tonight, and I have more fun than I thought I would. I'd like to write more, including the interesting stuff that happened after the reunion was officially 'over' but, I'm way to tired now. I'll write more either tomorrow night, or on monday.

Goodnight everyone!

BRRRR

Ok, where did the summer go? I mean, really! It's 62 outside. That would be fine if it were 3Am not almost 3PM! It's summer, and while I do not particularily appreciate extreme heat, I do rather enjoy not having to wear sweaters to be warm. I like cold weather. It's great. Fall is one of my favorite seasons (also when I was born, but that is besides the point) and I enjoy spring as well. I just prefer that seasons happen when they are supposed to. This is not Monty Python! There will be no 'giving summer a miss' here. We've had, what, 1-2 weeks of real summer weather so far this season?

By writing this, I am not inviting the realm of heat to invade our little city. I just want weather that will make me happy to be outside. I will save wearing the sweaters and wool socks for two months from now, thanks. So I ask you, if you are the one who stole our hot weather, please bring it back. If you place it in the box at the front of the day, where the sun can pick it up, noone will fault you.

Happy 200th Post!

This is the 200th post to this blog. So, instead of being a meaningful one, talking about all the interesting or meaningful shit I've written, I'm gonna ignore that, just wish my blog a happy 200th post, and leave it at that.