tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88175322789741729682024-02-19T05:39:41.342-06:00...Ramblings of EElenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-86940088803544986452010-05-24T19:19:00.012-05:002010-05-24T20:15:19.430-05:00A fav book being made into a movie!So I've found out that the powers that be are currently shooting a movie based on one of my favorite books, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.saragruen.com/water.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTavIDul9i3jHALzs742kWmDrg0UKChrDR5ii68fW_6Rlw-5dBzr4D84Wpi4TUmYu_APqlvOsDqZmjHAkwsFS793jb75DOUY0mt9RZWSDwNSsobP9g99wOfar_HvBnUpT_69wxEyv2vA/s200/WFE_book.jpg" border="0" alt="Water for Elephants"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475003395219935458" /></a><br />It's a love story between a young vet student, Jacob Jankowski and a beautiful circus performer, Marlene Rosenbluth set in the Depression era within a traveling train circus. The story is told by an elderly Jacob about his time with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. I'm not much of a circus fan but this book got me interested in circus history and how circus folks lived back in the day. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it! :) <br /><span id="fullpost"><br />The movie actually started shooting this past Thursday in Filmore, CA. Rob Pattinson will star as the younger Jacob Jankowski, Reese Witherspoon is to play Marlena Rosenbluth & Christoph Waltz of Inglorious Basterds fame is to play Marlena's charming & cruel animal trainer husband, August Rosenbluth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jAi36vdJmJ2g622YiuyDhh6Q4hesd0HZX6_kbLANhj1CbXBwzcEHo3-p6pOMwyHFne2EwJ23yuTMTMgX51MQEox3o6gyVTTSj2fAiDm0Esh9Jtza0RtQhAJOYY3i0NJWcqimO2K_3DY/s1600/WFE_Rob_traincar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jAi36vdJmJ2g622YiuyDhh6Q4hesd0HZX6_kbLANhj1CbXBwzcEHo3-p6pOMwyHFne2EwJ23yuTMTMgX51MQEox3o6gyVTTSj2fAiDm0Esh9Jtza0RtQhAJOYY3i0NJWcqimO2K_3DY/s320/WFE_Rob_traincar.jpg" border="0" alt="Rob on the Water for Elephants set"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475009402140297042" /></a><br />I'm excited that the book is being made into a movie but nervous as to how they will tweak the story for movie purposes. From all that I've read about current production, there doesn't seem to be an Uncle Al character or plot line nor anything about Camel... How could you leave those two characters out of the movie? They were pretty integral to Jacob's story...<br /><br />The photos that are emerging from the shoot look very promising set/costume-wise! I think I'm going to love the period costumes & the set. The big steam Loco is awesome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrnaVW_CmbMMLNAaERJIZ7Y9KY1zZKVw0HKBrPb7tmCvL0LqQdFH_Z8_ZOCPL8jUMtIx7MZY5AKaCVTCjBLbaV2ruiMZk-LZGEO0uvjB5y19jMrhF9ogWQU6oZ2LkTU2HIvPFsRTKt1M/s1600/WFE_train.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrnaVW_CmbMMLNAaERJIZ7Y9KY1zZKVw0HKBrPb7tmCvL0LqQdFH_Z8_ZOCPL8jUMtIx7MZY5AKaCVTCjBLbaV2ruiMZk-LZGEO0uvjB5y19jMrhF9ogWQU6oZ2LkTU2HIvPFsRTKt1M/s320/WFE_train.jpg" border="0" alt="Steam locomotive on set"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475009642262717314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeYwuBNkCytIV-KaVHBO-SRktqbgGbslvkynjEZa_AoSYeYGaq_T8jxplvZH16zhXDLdbMAbdt_4v7OjLskyhJc0GDoNbGfyb-SBHTR6l9z9Vr0Llt3e0y05tPGNntSIdxwDklLamYWY/s1600/WFE_set.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeYwuBNkCytIV-KaVHBO-SRktqbgGbslvkynjEZa_AoSYeYGaq_T8jxplvZH16zhXDLdbMAbdt_4v7OjLskyhJc0GDoNbGfyb-SBHTR6l9z9Vr0Llt3e0y05tPGNntSIdxwDklLamYWY/s320/WFE_set.jpg" border="0" alt="The main circus tent on set"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475009873270954994" /></a><br />Have you read the book? Did you like it? What are your thoughts on the movie being shot at the moment?<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-87469061793921996772010-05-22T21:37:00.003-05:002010-05-22T21:47:16.992-05:00Robin Hood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_s3CGUqPIfoPNWnSlRlizmQtfPNxcFz-Ft3Nt9kq1dxYRKb86XPObvRBPmHPpXfHWDAU376jxrTtIqxZGOO_a9nxk2kKmF-OBGEPCoDXxCLbXKFCdj5VTuyXNNQJz6PLXHenFDjQIoVQ/s1600/Robin-Hood-Russell-Crowe-and-Cate-Blanchett.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_s3CGUqPIfoPNWnSlRlizmQtfPNxcFz-Ft3Nt9kq1dxYRKb86XPObvRBPmHPpXfHWDAU376jxrTtIqxZGOO_a9nxk2kKmF-OBGEPCoDXxCLbXKFCdj5VTuyXNNQJz6PLXHenFDjQIoVQ/s320/Robin-Hood-Russell-Crowe-and-Cate-Blanchett.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474290897837661074" /></a><br />I went to see Russell Crowe's latest film, Robin Hood this afternoon! It was a rollickin' good time! Director Ridley Scott and writer Brian Helgeland told the story from how/why Robin did the things he did. I liked it a lot and would recommend that y'all go see it if you haven't!Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-40798415465442009832010-05-18T20:55:00.010-05:002010-05-22T21:53:43.511-05:00A new start!Where to begin?? <br /><br />I've since left Cincinnati and recently moved to the Dallas, TX area for a new job! Nick is actually still living in Cincy with his daddy because I'll be traveling a lot my first year or so for work. I'm still working with OnBase and I'll have a lot more responsibility which is nice, yet kind of nerve-wracking.<span id="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaX5OzcfljR0hGRXE5HBM9oFK0l0oHy4WPgopPicnE5_Lk-HE4ifSunZkD4yhvmfgSdlda7ZK9bTYFlCoq1iiS-DPzh6xbxD4XE-XgIYd_rv65Nv0HP4Pc-BUyQhIReNPxwstYMTqH0M/s1600/P5050075.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaX5OzcfljR0hGRXE5HBM9oFK0l0oHy4WPgopPicnE5_Lk-HE4ifSunZkD4yhvmfgSdlda7ZK9bTYFlCoq1iiS-DPzh6xbxD4XE-XgIYd_rv65Nv0HP4Pc-BUyQhIReNPxwstYMTqH0M/s320/P5050075.JPG" alt="Dallas World Aquarium" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472806344697245746" border="0" /></a><br />I'm loving living down here so far...my new digs are nice, comfortable, decently price and close to work but not too close. It's been fun exploring the city - finding quirky restaurants to try, the awesome farmers market downtown and the aquarium. I do get a little homesick for Ohio though sometimes, mostly I miss all my friends back in Ohio and I miss Bubba. :(<br /><br />On the personal front, I met a new guy and he's awesome! He's got a really twisted sense of humor but that's the norm for folks in his profession. I love it though, lol. We've been dating for a little over 10 months now. He works in law enforcement (LE) and he's based out in DC. It's been an interesting, a little crazy, but awesome ride! Things have gotten pretty serious too. It's all good!<br /><br />That's pretty much it for now...</span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-53446752536968214252010-05-18T15:05:00.004-05:002010-05-18T15:09:27.061-05:00I'mmmm baaaccckkk! Man, it's been awhile, hasn't it? Over a year, eh? Lots of things have happened - opportunities have ended while others have opened...<br /><br />More details to come!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Later, when I get home from work! :pElenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-72826521786823644592009-04-29T13:34:00.004-05:002009-04-29T14:06:14.410-05:00And so the journey begins...After a couple of days to think upon what has transpired in my life, I've identified some things that I need to work on. Mainly building self confidence. What is self confidence anyways? Whatever it is, I'd like to have bucketfuls of it, please.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />I don't have much of it and I don't think I've ever had a whole lot of it. I guess some of that stems from how I grew up in the environment I grew up in. Now don't get me wrong as I'm not hating on my parents or anything like that. It is what it is. <br /><br />I've been doing some reading on the Intrawebs on building self-confidence and stumbled upon this fabulous blog article on <a href="http://zenhabits.net/2007/12/25-killer-actions-to-boost-your-self-confidence/">25 killer actions to boost your self-confidence from Zenhabits</a>. It's looking at the positives and having a belief in yourself that you can do whatever it is that you want to do. <br /><br />Quite the attitude shift. Kind of daunting from a gal who had always focused on the negative. Thankfully, self confidence is something that can be learned/grown/cultivated/whatever. Baby steps.<br /><br />Here's a quote that I came across yesterday that really resonated with me.<br /><br /><blockquote>I don't want to leave any darkness behind me. I think we should all have a responsibility not to affect people in a negative way.</blockquote><br /><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-39141136698942215142009-04-27T10:20:00.005-05:002009-04-29T14:01:41.967-05:00Untitled**Ultra personal journaling ahead for the next 5000 miles**<br /><br />I don't even know how to start this... <br /><br />Eric & I have split up. We've been split up for the past 3 weeks, but we're still living together because it's what works and honestly I can't afford to move out. It's effin complicated. <br /><span id="fullpost"><br />I've never been one to share with the world my inner dialogue. This along with a constantly waffling between wanting/not wanting to be a mommy and an outrageous addiction to shopping has caused me to hit abso-effing-lutely rock bottom. It has (or will) cost me tons not only in the $$ department but also in the relationship (or lack thereof) department. It all came to a head last night as he couldn't take it anymore. An ultimatum was given, essentially grow-up or GTFO! No where else to go but up, right?<br /><br />So here I am, stressed out beyond belief, depressed as all get out and rambling on. I need to get this stuff out or I'm just going to shut down permanently. Journaling seemed like the best thing to do as I'm more comfortable writing all this stuff out instead of talking to someone about it. Logging my moods, inner monologue and the long hard road. So, Welcome to my effed up world. Pull up a chair and hold on, it's gonna be an ultra bumpy ride.<br /><br />There is a plan in motion to pay off my debt, a la Dave Ramsey. Nobody believes that I'll do it. Fine, I get that. If you don't have anything nice/encouraging/supportive to say, then don't please don't say anything at all. I wanted to take care of this before tackling the other stuff but the gauntlet has been thrown down.<br /><br />As for the ultimatum, I don't know what to do. I know I don't want to be alone. I've hurt Eric horribly, lost his trust, etc. Honestly, he is an amazing guy who stuck it out for 5+ years and in the end, trying to help in all the ways he knew how but couldn't take it anymore because it was killing him emotionally/physically. I really, really effed everything up. Seriously effed everything up. I was incredibly stupid. My parents think I'm incredibly stupid. His mom thinks I'm incredibly stupid. <br /><br />I am scared shitless. <br /><br />I've been neglecting my jewelery making & Etsy shop.<br /><br />I haven't skated or played hockey in 3+ years.<br /><br /><br /><br />My god, I need a beer. And a double shot of Tequila. Stat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Eff Mondays.<br /><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-25219226970504168582009-04-09T10:01:00.003-05:002009-04-09T10:14:09.461-05:00Back from the dead! The Jackets are in!!Back from the dead! Been busy with the roller coaster that is life...good things & bad things. Such is life.<br /><br />My boys have clinched a spot in the NHL Stanley Cup Play-offs!! After 8.5 years of ups & downs, the Columbus Blue Jackets have finally made it to the post season. And how sweet it is!<br /><br />Our young captain, Rick Nash, scored the game tying goal last night to take the game against the Chicago Blackhawks into OT. Defenseman Fedor Tyutin scored the lone shootout goal to clinch the win and the play-off spot.<br /><br />A picture is worth a thousand words...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9AyfgkpcHaoAyuNkfmIBk4THKil2bkU9gDYZHtQ36zZaLsf_puauAEmVYNapggQ0E3sepmy3EveE9EOrIgXQD2QfrQXvlTIjjLasH-Xs83Ln66wKlk2EblzFdFebaDptY_Y5lqb9zOY/s1600-h/nash_goal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9AyfgkpcHaoAyuNkfmIBk4THKil2bkU9gDYZHtQ36zZaLsf_puauAEmVYNapggQ0E3sepmy3EveE9EOrIgXQD2QfrQXvlTIjjLasH-Xs83Ln66wKlk2EblzFdFebaDptY_Y5lqb9zOY/s400/nash_goal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322710119938030978" border="0" /></a><br />Woohoo!!Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-86638280715495757992009-03-07T19:27:00.010-06:002009-03-07T19:53:20.792-06:00A little Cincy Zoo love!Man, what a beautiful day today was and incredibly enough still is! The temps peaked at about 77 degrees and the sun was out and shining.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmv3Qj2wPUCqq3iFp29FGemhGkaXRt4MUJXnUjalTFBkPwFIefvbCslCNWGdNTAYzDcw0yPjJHYD-UV6IjBKSsfKc39lCU5674nLm7mVa9iC_k2DMNCYsQZ8xUZBRZ9MHpFUibBL5kqc/s1600-h/DSCN3432.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 172px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmv3Qj2wPUCqq3iFp29FGemhGkaXRt4MUJXnUjalTFBkPwFIefvbCslCNWGdNTAYzDcw0yPjJHYD-UV6IjBKSsfKc39lCU5674nLm7mVa9iC_k2DMNCYsQZ8xUZBRZ9MHpFUibBL5kqc/s200/DSCN3432.jpg" border="0" alt="Steller sea eagle"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310625198443875698" /></a><br />Nick and I spend the majority of the day at the Cincy Zoo. We had gotten there when the zoo opened and enjoyed ourselves imensly as there wasn't much of a crowd there yet.<br /><br />We were fortunate to see the baby giraffe and the baby okapi. Nick got to hear on of the male white lions roar, which was very cool. The bird of prey nerd inside me was ecstatic because I got to see a pair of Stellar sea eagles. :) <br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Here are a few more pics from today. If you want to see <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladyhawke34/sets/72157614933109472/">the rest of my zoo pics</a>, check out the set on my Flickr page!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKcPPyi1xLujJ2MTLpp2wgKa0eT7arleDr_0iLdWplU311NO8t6YohbwMMWEVCBR4voHthuDLB2OC0W7f2tePz17yNwEvtxRhKHy_Un_92JItm6aTrjq1HO65nXjJo4n4nQSwrP2OuKQ/s1600-h/DSCN3441.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKcPPyi1xLujJ2MTLpp2wgKa0eT7arleDr_0iLdWplU311NO8t6YohbwMMWEVCBR4voHthuDLB2OC0W7f2tePz17yNwEvtxRhKHy_Un_92JItm6aTrjq1HO65nXjJo4n4nQSwrP2OuKQ/s320/DSCN3441.jpg" border="0" alt="Asian elephant"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310625686914366066" /></a>Asian elephant<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg76o8sCPLxWs6RhfTA0gogJOybf6gUOYTChKRzsnRq6Qy4YwhfPkRvXil_xaB0yyopiSy4xrzUmEndg37IhS9pMMRvSa4N7Os6qCh1HJPU8BsAo3yy6UMi7IrBC-OhHLwM-0JWSaYgJE/s1600-h/DSCN3448.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg76o8sCPLxWs6RhfTA0gogJOybf6gUOYTChKRzsnRq6Qy4YwhfPkRvXil_xaB0yyopiSy4xrzUmEndg37IhS9pMMRvSa4N7Os6qCh1HJPU8BsAo3yy6UMi7IrBC-OhHLwM-0JWSaYgJE/s320/DSCN3448.jpg" border="0" alt="beautiful bloom" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310626171210417890" /></a>A beautiful bloom that caught my eye while we were going through the Discovery Forest in the education building. I love the vibrant color!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaYL_wlhEp_MhZ-uwcGJqb9EcQtmdwcTQDUgjwD166imtrDtRY4HOGTAX5YEUgsFFqsaCTMnveC2smHiyfDCnATInF5TIojMcasqg3QWVdtafuXOxhOKJ_xwjCka3j1lkoQCOLnob5oA/s1600-h/DSCN3452.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaYL_wlhEp_MhZ-uwcGJqb9EcQtmdwcTQDUgjwD166imtrDtRY4HOGTAX5YEUgsFFqsaCTMnveC2smHiyfDCnATInF5TIojMcasqg3QWVdtafuXOxhOKJ_xwjCka3j1lkoQCOLnob5oA/s320/DSCN3452.jpg" border="0" alt="Giraffe" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310626582096984114" /></a>Giraffe<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24ssztWEEyStqnd3dbYk6VMDqhFltcW5JuYoo1mMaQMyhxDtXFaVOTpn103Z46IawHNELuS6XEfb4XKSQcYyzKVfuBMKuD19YhX-CVO6gCp51jpas-OD1YZS0ey8LvAwlSvmDVyxiSbY/s1600-h/DSCN3460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24ssztWEEyStqnd3dbYk6VMDqhFltcW5JuYoo1mMaQMyhxDtXFaVOTpn103Z46IawHNELuS6XEfb4XKSQcYyzKVfuBMKuD19YhX-CVO6gCp51jpas-OD1YZS0ey8LvAwlSvmDVyxiSbY/s320/DSCN3460.jpg" border="0" alt="pair of Mexican wolves"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310626891988885522" /></a>A pair of Mexican wolves<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xIkyAdWFbcc2Dx3H3Ut5NZYnmq7MPfh0SLeLgcfbfyOog-021g0ToTbHmNRi761UboukMksBVOiIcZTTeZD6ZPvblloIcMCoyxixaBTVwrQD3gAhN1_SGITt4NJ1nGahF0Ose4QicDU/s1600-h/DSCN3474.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xIkyAdWFbcc2Dx3H3Ut5NZYnmq7MPfh0SLeLgcfbfyOog-021g0ToTbHmNRi761UboukMksBVOiIcZTTeZD6ZPvblloIcMCoyxixaBTVwrQD3gAhN1_SGITt4NJ1nGahF0Ose4QicDU/s320/DSCN3474.jpg" border="0" alt="Momma opkapi" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310627260588937570" /></a>Momma okpai. Her calf was also out in the yard with a keeper observing how the little one was doing.<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-54569552381734601712009-03-05T10:21:00.003-06:002009-03-05T10:29:02.510-06:00Redtail Hawk stuck in SUV after being hit!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NIutRZIOhUUTCCAipJeumMAKOO_2gp0LZRZRHWm3avsdwTwYYV6hyphenhyphenK0nAa-OeU69objhXx5Hp4ZMfVPPpiTLp9Iwhlrsg2j4qVkzeFNsmyNC8C54327iPZ1xbR2z5vmlAsgJ85mWrTw/s1600-h/redtail_hawk.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NIutRZIOhUUTCCAipJeumMAKOO_2gp0LZRZRHWm3avsdwTwYYV6hyphenhyphenK0nAa-OeU69objhXx5Hp4ZMfVPPpiTLp9Iwhlrsg2j4qVkzeFNsmyNC8C54327iPZ1xbR2z5vmlAsgJ85mWrTw/s200/redtail_hawk.gif" alt="redtail hawk in SUV" title="redtail hawk in SUV" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309741267630554130" border="0" /></a>Is there a full moon or something? Have planets aligned in a weird way out there in space?<br /><br />Just read a story from KPTV out in Portland, OR about a <a href="http://www.kptv.com/news/18854423/detail.html">redtail hawk that was hit by a SUV along I-5 and it survived</a>. Somehow it managed to get stuck between the radiator and the front grill.<br /><br />Crazy!<br /><br />Read about the <a href="http://www.kptv.com/news/18854423/detail.html">redtail hawk</a> on their website.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-52827958659683739042009-03-05T07:33:00.004-06:002009-03-05T07:52:39.430-06:00Druzy love!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19469427"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C1xvH8pmVuoHUdukm1q-lV-4D1w4cWs-yxMeJ7D8tKyuz01QHvrrl4X_OxBR22Wp_UPpOjunjrn3QMjgtDGfEUdVVyawlwsFot3OYERpSjHpFCkciTjKfkG88-QIqQq5D9aBwx1DnXU/s200/druzy+in+love+earrings.jpg" alt="druzy in love earrings" title="Druzy in Love earrings" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309700543585305970" border="0" /></a>Got a Google Alert this morning notifying me that my Etsy shop was mentioned in a blog somewhere on the 'net!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12742452512426073290">Leslie</a> over at <a href="http://315thomas.blogspot.com/">315Thomas</a> has written a lovely article spotlighting 8 wonderful jewelery artists whose <a href="http://315thomas.blogspot.com/2009/03/etsy-finds-druzy-jewelry.html">beautiful druzy jewelery</a> she found on Etsy. Yours truly was included! Woo!<br /><br />Head on over to her awesome blog and check out the article!Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-47666333745775097052009-03-04T20:52:00.006-06:002009-03-05T07:56:58.664-06:00One lucky Golden Eagle...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLOTh9R9kdIKAKxO6aoK066dlOUYu8NqNw90SWX-v8uEaLMfEzKpFPxqP1hLuCgirCMSqn9GFugquyVBUQ3v4qsXYGshG_l9bmzMhyphenhyphenLO6_HW4oGMOqtMdM4pGw2aYitZmP7CW21fc6PA/s1600-h/golden_eagle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLOTh9R9kdIKAKxO6aoK066dlOUYu8NqNw90SWX-v8uEaLMfEzKpFPxqP1hLuCgirCMSqn9GFugquyVBUQ3v4qsXYGshG_l9bmzMhyphenhyphenLO6_HW4oGMOqtMdM4pGw2aYitZmP7CW21fc6PA/s200/golden_eagle.jpg" alt="golden eagle" title="AP Photo/Northeastern Nevada Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Lance Dean" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309532769625133282" border="0" /></a>Apparently out in Reno, NV a 15 pound golden eagle crashed through the windshield of a tractor trailer and survived! Luckily for the eagle, the truck was not moving as it was parked along the sleeper berm along the highway.<br /><blockquote>"I heard a loud thump like a brick or something coming through the glass," said Daryl Young of Miami, the co-driver who was dozing in the sleeper berth when it happened. "I woke up, and the windshield was all over me. Next thing I know there was a big bird lying on the floor."</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Read about this <a href="http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=Mjg1NjI2NA==">lucky eagle in the Associated Press</a>.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-25701403186796164862009-03-02T14:00:00.005-06:002009-03-02T14:29:54.969-06:0019 Days until Spring!I'm ready! Are you ready for Spring? <br /><br />19 days until it is officially Spring! :)<br /><br />It sure doesn't look nor feel like it here in the Southwestern corner of Ohio. We're still getting the typical dreary cloudy days of winter but the sun is making an effort here and there to shine! Temps this morning were in the teens. Looking ahead for the next couple of days, we'll peak at 60 degrees on Friday and then cool off in the low 40s by next Weds.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />It's getting there though!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm7CZc0dfNh1JHdu1IyZQHMDL4Ab0V37V8RxsGVfGwebchHurkZ1h2mwHynHRmhuE-YANdbdpkbl_costB06bf6L1uZ6rYGx6qbmeaqKj3uhEbMF-rB-WbUybyrP0sTmSayHqB4rB3O4/s1600-h/springmelt2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm7CZc0dfNh1JHdu1IyZQHMDL4Ab0V37V8RxsGVfGwebchHurkZ1h2mwHynHRmhuE-YANdbdpkbl_costB06bf6L1uZ6rYGx6qbmeaqKj3uhEbMF-rB-WbUybyrP0sTmSayHqB4rB3O4/s320/springmelt2.jpg" alt="Spring melt water" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308687442676483842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love going hiking & camping during the spring, especially during the melt as the streams & rivers are gushing with melt water. There's still a little ice along the banks and you can see the little green buds of fresh growth peaking out from the ground and the surrounding trees. It's still a little nippy in the morning, but it's a refreshing kind of nippy. You know you have a little longer before the bugs show up...a little calm before the storm per se. :)<br /><br />Actually, we've got a family trip planned in May to do a little camping down by Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. We've invited our parents and siblings! It should be a good time!<br /><br />What do you like to do during the spring? Have anything fun planned?<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-73967060207962959502009-03-01T20:29:00.002-06:002009-03-01T20:42:21.396-06:00Catching up with old friends!I had the wonderful opportunity today to catch up with some old friends of mine from the zoo. We spent time catching up on what everyone was up to nowadays as well as going back down memory lane and reminiscing about the good old days at the Columbus Zoo. :)<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Perhaps a little background for y'all?<br /><br />My mom had signed me up as a teenage volunteer at the Columbus Zoo when I was in high school. Little did she know what kind of monster she was unleashing...heh. I spent an awesome 4 years spending my summers at the zoo helping out in the depts I was assigned. You know all that fun stuff - cleaning, manning the yard at the children's zoo, cleaning, face painting, cleaning & more cleaning. It was not glamorous at all but I loved it! Soon I spent most of my time with the Shows department, cleaning out cages, cutting up produce, watching the hawk weathering yard and other small jobs. The end of my senior year, I had hit the age cap for being a Zooaide, but I didn't want to leave. <br /><br />I eventually got hired on full time and spent my first 1 1/2 working the front gate & parking. Then I went to talk to the Shows supervisor. Sent in my resume and interviewed. Got hired on and spent the next couple of years working in the Shows dept. while going to school at Ohio State.<br /><br />Man, were those days crazy & chaotic but unforgettable! <br /><br />Good times!<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-90612603890225248732009-02-28T08:10:00.000-06:002009-02-28T08:11:55.773-06:00A little morning Star Wars gangsta rap for you?Funny stuff!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/493ljyoox6o&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/493ljyoox6o&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-37217985099982594902009-02-27T22:42:00.002-06:002009-02-27T22:45:24.539-06:00Changeover complete!Just put in the new template! <br /><br />Looks much, much brighter in here. A lot more cheery as well, huh? :)<br /><br />The other template was nice but it was bringing me down (and probably the rest of you all) with all its dark & broody color palette.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-67766165721645110712009-02-27T09:12:00.005-06:002009-02-27T22:30:21.889-06:00Been MIA!Sorry I've been away and not posting. I've just felt very uninspired and lazy these past days. The Etsy shop has been equally neglected as well. Haven't really made any new jewelery pieces for a couple weeks. I'm totally in a jewelery making rut...oy. How do you go about sparking the ol' creative juices again?<br /><br />Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Although I've gotta confess...I've been feeding my inner computer nerd and have been working on a new blog design. I didn't want to use one of those free templates that one can find on the web. I wanted to stretch the old noodle and make one from scratch. :) Learning about CSS and XML...<br /><br />Here's a little preview of my new design...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdK1jzBQ2PMbGlZHyYcuPNP2JimSSK1yPV7OQiWcZNZ42tlM2gQZ6HHZ8vlXA0hiuwBtc-8Ohz0cPtfC4BgWoal-b2TKMUhWC8uHDmdmdCG5DwKan8OYRTtBdwamw0Af5jBVgGuDkAaU/s1600-h/newdesignpreview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdK1jzBQ2PMbGlZHyYcuPNP2JimSSK1yPV7OQiWcZNZ42tlM2gQZ6HHZ8vlXA0hiuwBtc-8Ohz0cPtfC4BgWoal-b2TKMUhWC8uHDmdmdCG5DwKan8OYRTtBdwamw0Af5jBVgGuDkAaU/s400/newdesignpreview.jpg" alt="New design preview" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307496302199200802" border="0" /></a><br />Whatcha think?<br /><br />I've been developing over at my test blog and I'm still tweaking things here and there, but it's almost done!<br /><br />If you wanna try your hand at creating your own Blogger template, check out <a href="http://www.bloggerbuster.com/">BloggerBuster</a>! Amanda, the head chica over there, has written some fabulous & easy to follow <a href="http://www.bloggerbuster.com/search/label/Blogger%20Template%20Design%20Series">tutorials on creating your own Blogger template</a> as well as other great tips and tricks for you to use for your Blogger blog!<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-64855776818907063142009-02-23T07:38:00.015-06:002009-02-27T22:35:09.284-06:00Weekend in New Hampshire!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFZ8MYERGDvpC4-xFULiSQn1aSztmYs59V9AyfMQ04F9h_fxPPl6RvcS8HI-zcbJ1HF98o9aPtIr92Aiw1kBqH1bLKPJZsymwgE7Yoxe2LyVy-gvGj3KewYx_8DGls7tqtB2AHZUePxA/s1600-h/NewYorkSunrise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFZ8MYERGDvpC4-xFULiSQn1aSztmYs59V9AyfMQ04F9h_fxPPl6RvcS8HI-zcbJ1HF98o9aPtIr92Aiw1kBqH1bLKPJZsymwgE7Yoxe2LyVy-gvGj3KewYx_8DGls7tqtB2AHZUePxA/s200/NewYorkSunrise.jpg" alt="New York sunrise" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305993901624679138" border="0" /></a>Hope everyone had a great weekend!<br /><br />Mine was filled with lots of driving, snow, wind, sun, sweat, tears & a large rock pile by the name of Mount Washington.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />So we planned this trip out to Mount Washington out in New Hampshire. We drove out there Friday right after work but first we had to drop off the little one at my parents house up in Columbus. By the time we really got started driving, it was already around 9:30 at night. Driving in shifts, we drove straight through and got to the <a href="http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/pnvc/index.cfm">Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch</a> at about noonish Eastern Standard Time as the Lionshead trailhead starts behind the lodge. We did get to see an awesome sunrise in New York though! The weather on the drive out there wasn't too bad at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOsd7ofegzOd38M6kSsftvlRDXQARk0GqwiTm3j9ndbAAs5p3SogTA5xwfLU-1E0WZh-l6jO8voW_4Wb63fUIwE9bQOuEmnKvuObjGGAwlYukWatnZ5e5hH1P7iPBnDXetMeN4t3TmRo/s1600-h/lionsheadtrail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOsd7ofegzOd38M6kSsftvlRDXQARk0GqwiTm3j9ndbAAs5p3SogTA5xwfLU-1E0WZh-l6jO8voW_4Wb63fUIwE9bQOuEmnKvuObjGGAwlYukWatnZ5e5hH1P7iPBnDXetMeN4t3TmRo/s320/lionsheadtrail.jpg" alt="lionshead trail/topo map" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305992939310660818" border="0" /></a>I think Eric totally miscalculated the miles we drove because we definitely did not expect to get there that late at all. We were counting on getting there much earlier, say around 8am. Oh well, right? We quickly got geared up in the basement prep room at the lodge and signed in at the register.<br /><br />As you can see from the trail/topo map on the right, the first half of the hike takes you uphill on the Tuckerman Ravine trail through the beautiful forest that surrounds the mountain. It was quite the slog, but the weather was fantastic! The sun was shining, but you could tell it was going to be windy up past the treeline because you could hear it blowing and gusting in the treetops. Then you come to a T-junction where the Tucks trail goes off to the left and the Lionshead trail starts on the right. That's where the fun steep bits begin. Pinkham is at about 2100 ft above sea level and the Lionshead is at 5083 ft above sea level.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow9MvAeqbDc3RB6pletArEA3R2PyuXpuYVC-6CrimXJfkKDeFjD-IboGrkZKNYmQBCvcLcqHq5nGC88hj8Zfa-u_RSvRfMJfJJ3KGnN9MK0zGnS5F8zWY42iqGHc4TUqa8GiZul2bt88/s1600-h/Slogging+uphill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow9MvAeqbDc3RB6pletArEA3R2PyuXpuYVC-6CrimXJfkKDeFjD-IboGrkZKNYmQBCvcLcqHq5nGC88hj8Zfa-u_RSvRfMJfJJ3KGnN9MK0zGnS5F8zWY42iqGHc4TUqa8GiZul2bt88/s200/Slogging+uphill.jpg" alt="slogging uphill" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305996782854870290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Because I'm not a fast hiker to begin with, it took us about 2.5 hours to get to where the Lionshead trail splits off of the Tuckerman Ravine trail. Because of the late, late start (as Eric had said when we first pulled into the parking lot, 'The latest alpine start evar.') Eric said that our turn around time would be a 5pm.<br /><br />I actually felt much better on this trip, as opposed to the last time I was there, on the first stretch of the hike since I had been running at home. Big thanks go to my hairy mountainman as he was the one who keep hounding me to go running. Thanks love!:)<br /><br />I do have to say that when we got to the steep bits of the Lionshead trail, I was intimidated as all get out! You know, the 'Oh shit' factor ;) We got out our crampons and put them on, lashed my trekking poles to my pack and got out our mountaineering axes. And up we went!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuVKsJdvJJ1KMC9eNd1_zokDvHtfHLgEECGaSXFutI9e48J7hq9UK3By1OCCDsVV6L8eGIj-1W8efsWWBgs2iiPLCdNU7Ee5A8A7jGlwpolRSYA4-Ew03VLkugYgLMhfTTFCNFXc283c/s1600-h/steep+bits+of+lionshead+trail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuVKsJdvJJ1KMC9eNd1_zokDvHtfHLgEECGaSXFutI9e48J7hq9UK3By1OCCDsVV6L8eGIj-1W8efsWWBgs2iiPLCdNU7Ee5A8A7jGlwpolRSYA4-Ew03VLkugYgLMhfTTFCNFXc283c/s200/steep+bits+of+lionshead+trail.jpg" alt="steep bits of the Lionshead trail" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306004395295573746" border="0" /></a>There was alot of sidestepping using our axes as canes, hooking trees and roots, a little front pointing and some doing what it took to get ourselves up that steep section.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zBlIhWjCfy-tvVp45VWSNwSNKNX9FV-iy7c2XBQCcvH2MQkd7LXxPe9eQzcfdmQNYRdhXg9ZNDCPTrXDV_Lmi8ru15_h541V05amy-lwmzkQT3luVxebDV2mF49p_T8ht8Ypvo9X1Iw/s1600-h/more+slogging.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zBlIhWjCfy-tvVp45VWSNwSNKNX9FV-iy7c2XBQCcvH2MQkd7LXxPe9eQzcfdmQNYRdhXg9ZNDCPTrXDV_Lmi8ru15_h541V05amy-lwmzkQT3luVxebDV2mF49p_T8ht8Ypvo9X1Iw/s200/more+slogging.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306008099350721138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As we were getting higher and higher, the trees were getting shorter and shorter. The wind was definately picking up. Good thing we were layered up and warm & toasty with our hardshell coats on. We would occasionally stop and admire the views which were beautiful and breathtaking. You could see everything below. We definately lucked out a little on the weather out there. There was a storm a couple days before we got there and another was supposed to move in on Sunday when we would already be on the road back home. Towards the end of the treeline, we had stop and put on our windproof balaclavas as our skin would freeze in the cold wind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoYFh44S7maKfddaIABcv7-Lkm0ext6MfvSy8wZSYCJcR2sR2yTmxQvEaOsHmGLmGtKoSwb1vWFczdzvS8higA5vOMU1vcVa8UMGrdzfOhXEkw2Oi4WHz3JhpSoirnMwmEhk60L6TME4/s1600-h/beautiful+views.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoYFh44S7maKfddaIABcv7-Lkm0ext6MfvSy8wZSYCJcR2sR2yTmxQvEaOsHmGLmGtKoSwb1vWFczdzvS8higA5vOMU1vcVa8UMGrdzfOhXEkw2Oi4WHz3JhpSoirnMwmEhk60L6TME4/s200/beautiful+views.jpg" alt="beautiful and breathtaking views" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306008286155986274" border="0" /></a>By the time we got out of the treeline, it was close to 5pm and quite frankly I was more than a little scared. I think a lot of that had to do with the wind, being exposed, not wanting to descend in the dark, etc. You know all that mental stuff, but I was feeling good physically.<br /><br />Looking back at it now, I should have just pushed through that fear and kept on going. Eric wanted to push on up and tag the rocks at Lionshead before turning around to descend, but he was not willing to leave me behind to do it. It was either we both do it or we both turn around right there.<br /><br />We ended up turning around. If you're looking at the map, the red dot indicates where we turned around at, a little above the green shading where the trail kinks to the left. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj5r2MwfgdX3objsmfU1DYKE095OS3UiuQ7nL96o62RRAA_HmP_Q9tcujEhv4vokCmw0lW7MNSLqqZ4qYoKGKZXTbUAgKktkE_lyY4OaVerzRLTFk8pSk3s0Y-h6S7GOAyl2cE0Jym70/s1600-h/turnaround_point.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj5r2MwfgdX3objsmfU1DYKE095OS3UiuQ7nL96o62RRAA_HmP_Q9tcujEhv4vokCmw0lW7MNSLqqZ4qYoKGKZXTbUAgKktkE_lyY4OaVerzRLTFk8pSk3s0Y-h6S7GOAyl2cE0Jym70/s320/turnaround_point.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306021117759455106" border="0" /></a>I do have to say that there was one point where I was totally and utterly scared out of my mind. But to get back to our car, I had to sack up and do it. I did it, but not without some tears. Gah. Glissading partway down the Lionshead trail shaved off some descent time. There was already a bobsled like channel down where others had slid down on their butts. We got back to the lodge at around 7pm.<br /><br />All in all, it was an ok trip. Lots of mixed feelings and all. It was definately a soul searching trip. I honestly don't know if I'd do it again. I don't know if this mountaineering thing is for me. This whole suffering for pleasure thing is...well crazy. Although, when I was in the groove slogging away I was actually enjoying myself, the scenery, etc. It really was beautiful. You really do have to have the gumption, that desire, the willingness to dig deep. All the prep in the world isn't going to get you up a mountain if you can't handle it mentally or you flake out, like I did.<br /><br />Eric says that he felt that I could have gone all the way up to the summit. Physically, yeah I could have done it as I was feeling really good. Mentally, the trip was done as the mountain had already effed with my mind and that was really bad, disappointing. Really, really disappointing actually. Maybe I just needed to kick my fear in the balls and push through it.<br /><br />He says that we're not going back until I'm ready again and we will go back and summit.<br /><br />She'll be there. Waiting...<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-54853671608500111652009-02-20T14:00:00.005-06:002009-02-27T22:31:49.851-06:00Nadya Suleman is looking to buy a multi-million dollar house...Wait...wut?!<br /><br />How effed up is this?<br /><br />From <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/19/octomom-house-million-dollar/">TMZ</a>, apparently Nadya Suleman has shown interest in purchasing a $1.24 million dollar home in Whittier, CA.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Eh, ok...and how is she going to pay for all this? The shit that comes out of her arse?!<br /><br />No job. On food stamps & on welfare. Relies on grandparents' help to raise her 6 other kids.<br /><br /><br />Wow. Just wow.<br /><br />And there are people out there who feel for her and are going, 'Oh honey, I'll help you...here, have some $$'.<br /><br />Wow.<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-44274389201361004432009-02-20T10:29:00.003-06:002009-02-27T22:33:05.542-06:00Funny comic for today!Totally made me LOL at work. :)<br /><br />From my favorite web comic site...<a href="http://www.explosm.net/">Explosm.net</a><br /><br /><span style=""><a href="http://www.explosm.net/comics/1569/"><img style="width: 389px; height: 258px;" alt="Cyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomic" src="http://www.flashasylum.com/db/files/Comics/Matt/one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-other.png" border="0" /></a><br />Cyanide & Happiness @ <a href="http://www.explosm.net/">Explosm.net</a><br /><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-37439783435764728082009-02-20T10:14:00.004-06:002009-02-27T22:33:48.062-06:00Nervous & excited!Sorry, I've been MIA the past few days...it's been a bit hectic around here with Mt. Washington prep/packing/bitching/etc going full steam ahead. Even my Etsy shop has been neglected!<br /><br />I'm an equal opportunity neglector! :p<br /><br />We leave for New Hampshire tonight after we get home from work. Gotta pack up Nick's stuff and drop him off at my mom's then we'll be on our way.<br /><br />I'm slated to take the first driving shift as it's easier. Yay!<br /><br />Totally a wee bit nervous but am excited too.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />All this week, I've been keeping tabs on the weather out there by checking the <a href="http://www.mountwashington.org/">Mt. Washington Observatory website</a> and the <a href="http://www.weather.com/">Weather Channel website</a>. They got hit with a storm last night & it'll continue today then taper off a bit tomorrow. Then supposedly, another round will hit them on Sunday.<br /><br />Temps are slated to be around 5 degrees Fahrenheit on the summit Saturday with a 35 mph wind, so in reality, it'll be about 25-30 below zero up there! Woo! In North Conway, it'll be around 26 degrees.<br /><br />I'll post a trip report with pics when I get back!<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-411285687775984942009-02-13T08:26:00.004-06:002009-02-13T08:32:51.668-06:00Random funny for the day!Just got this at work from a friend...enjoy!<br /><br />Oh & don't try this at home! ;p<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t_ZITODdPR2J3n81lG0WWUXyr2dPj0XHrqoPlSAd2uT_Ffi8HGZ9Ccy-9UFHncfb29AbQu-P7Kr_QWzkJUodvRyW2fsuhhIR2WMFmb6jQlteUDEY_AiU2EpBCG24qWwbl99W56OvPAY/s1600-h/Grandma+in+court.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 413px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t_ZITODdPR2J3n81lG0WWUXyr2dPj0XHrqoPlSAd2uT_Ffi8HGZ9Ccy-9UFHncfb29AbQu-P7Kr_QWzkJUodvRyW2fsuhhIR2WMFmb6jQlteUDEY_AiU2EpBCG24qWwbl99W56OvPAY/s400/Grandma+in+court.JPG" alt="Grandma in court" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302289557995880146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-11276084450842881842009-02-12T21:48:00.005-06:002009-02-12T22:08:40.914-06:00Dreaming Necklace featured on Etsy's Front Page!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvbCz8zlbrp-jxvhRsM9RxbRkpoIL6Vo3TXFz43VyzrGrhPcOPM-5IFbUIXKU88tF_azD5-GVsdtWPhcwlerzqVubU9lIuSLh_rN1lTq81H0g78ivk3NCZX90gYjI0vcqG3BFyIFR4s8/s1600-h/etsy_front_page_021209.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvbCz8zlbrp-jxvhRsM9RxbRkpoIL6Vo3TXFz43VyzrGrhPcOPM-5IFbUIXKU88tF_azD5-GVsdtWPhcwlerzqVubU9lIuSLh_rN1lTq81H0g78ivk3NCZX90gYjI0vcqG3BFyIFR4s8/s320/etsy_front_page_021209.jpg" alt="Etsy Front Page 2/12/09 6:34pm EST" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302125036725549330" border="0" /></a>A lovely treasury that included my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20763764">Dreaming necklace</a> curated by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5500964">pixiepaper</a> that was chosen by Etsy admin for the front page at 6:34pm EST. Visit her shop for fabulous handmade cards, stamps & magnets!<br /><br />I think I was busy making dinner for my boys! Ha!Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-22846144588075381462009-02-12T10:55:00.005-06:002009-02-12T11:14:26.863-06:00Nadya Suleman and her octuplets...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6mfLTDtAbluGYnrr82C9kUVFDTFoOcJk5wqkaauapW_35GRGH5naCDSTahAvDtOge7mAbwgnVtNX5TvSt93MUOYucDxNBylzdAmLjrKBVvMmJ8_yiwziGaOk0dUo90bVm0euMS2lI_I/s1600-h/art.mother.today.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6mfLTDtAbluGYnrr82C9kUVFDTFoOcJk5wqkaauapW_35GRGH5naCDSTahAvDtOge7mAbwgnVtNX5TvSt93MUOYucDxNBylzdAmLjrKBVvMmJ8_yiwziGaOk0dUo90bVm0euMS2lI_I/s200/art.mother.today.jpg" alt="Nadya Suleman" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301957289793589698" border="0" /></a>Yea, I'm pretty sure you heard, seen or discussed Nadya Suleman and her octuplets.<br /><br />How can you not? News of their births have been in the news all over.<br /><br />And you know what <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/12/octuplets.mom/index.html">per an article on CNN.com</a>, now she's had a <a href="http://www.thenadyasulemanfamily.com/">website created so the general public can donate money</a> to help her raise those kids...<br /><br />When you are a single mom who's been let go from a job, buying food using food stamps and have 6 other children, what possesses you to go to a clinic to have more children?<br /><br />Are you in it for the freebies and money? Because it sure looks that way. Is this your sick idea of getting your 'fifteen minutes of fame'? If so, you need more than a little help.<br /><br />And what was the specialist who implanted those fertilized eggs thinking? I'm sure they knew she already had 6 other kids and that she was a single parent.<br /><br />I heard somewhere that she says that she's gonna hold each child for 45 minutes each day.<br /><br />What?! I can only shake my head...<br /><br />What the hell is a matter with people these days?!<br /><br />Meh.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-80753812709139912072009-02-09T10:20:00.004-06:002009-02-09T10:33:12.692-06:0012 days and counting......until we leave for New Hampshire to slog up Mt. Washington. I hesitate to say climb any more with regards to this little mountain folks call The Rock. In reality it is more of a strenuous hike/slog, more so when done during the middle of winter. :)<br /><br />I've been doing pretty good with the running and working out with free weights. I feel so much better since I've gotten back into doing something resembling exercise and physical exertion.<br /><br />And with the trip coming up fast, I've begun running a mental tally of things that need to be packed and what technical clothing that need to be worn.<br /><br />It's such a long drawn out process, I think about all of this during work as well as on my commute to and from. Eric will want all of it packed and ready to go by this weekend. That way if we need anything, we still have time to get it. We will go over all of it again next week to make sure we have absolutely everything we need for the slog.<br /><br />A little sampling from this morning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Things to pack in my pack</span><br />compass<br />Leatherman<br />emergency space blanket<br />hardshell pants<br />down jacket<br />crampons<br />trekking poles<br />extra socks<br />extra glove liners<br />extra wool hat<br />ski goggles<br />balaclava<br />water<br />snacks/foodElenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817532278974172968.post-38061698371765886602009-02-05T13:28:00.007-06:002009-02-05T13:56:12.516-06:00Bus rides & shirtless doodsWhat you say? No, there weren't any shirtless doods on the bus this morning...<br /><br />Actually I was sitting next to a fella who was watching the recent re-make of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072856/">Death Race 2000</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.deathracemovie.net/">Death Race</a> with the lovely <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005458/">Jason Statham</a> as Jensen Ames. Have you seen it?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMQItqZmACiUnZ6vAvia_2Vug6JQHOMAWM83LgQcY0Okogd0yl7aa8IFxGIvFFIrPyDM36QWhss_OyTRMopxwpdolVJq89rrsK0nKTLane5s3AiECbBap6GzxPG9GnBJtdOVZA3EPIxo/s1600-h/death-race-20080729022331483_640w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMQItqZmACiUnZ6vAvia_2Vug6JQHOMAWM83LgQcY0Okogd0yl7aa8IFxGIvFFIrPyDM36QWhss_OyTRMopxwpdolVJq89rrsK0nKTLane5s3AiECbBap6GzxPG9GnBJtdOVZA3EPIxo/s200/death-race-20080729022331483_640w.jpg" alt="Jason Statham as Jensen Ames in Death Race" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299401106726822322" border="0" /></a>I've seen this film and loved the action, explosions, crazy death scenes. It's a fun, don't-have-to-think movie. And I love the gratuitous shots of a shirtless Mr. Statham...hehe. :p There's a sequence where his character is in his prison cell doing pull-ups shirtless. Sure he could be doing those with his shirt on...<br /><br />When I saw that, sitting on the couch next to my honey, my eyes bugged out a little, my jaw dropped and I was like "Whoa...(fans self) did it just get warm in here?..." Eric just looks over and rolls his eyes. Typical male response...<br /><br />We've seen a lot of Mr. Statham's movies. Since <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120735/">Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels</a> actually and he always ends up shirtless at some point. Not that that's a bad thing...<br /><br />You know, there are films out there where there's lots of gratuitous shots of boobs, sex and the like for all the males in the world.<br /><br />How about some love for the ladies, huh?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJG9xs0aEO12YOG3UMEeQCZvliyNufQL-CFsR7NqVn_NT8FV1I2lxPVHAKf46uc_N1ZiD85TvGefzAiIl4Paz_pFAGB_3_Ch27T-_HWbwRYBegJrvaarYN-pnwrG5xsdkTgt0YYwNziI/s1600-h/statham2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJG9xs0aEO12YOG3UMEeQCZvliyNufQL-CFsR7NqVn_NT8FV1I2lxPVHAKf46uc_N1ZiD85TvGefzAiIl4Paz_pFAGB_3_Ch27T-_HWbwRYBegJrvaarYN-pnwrG5xsdkTgt0YYwNziI/s200/statham2.jpg" alt="shirtless JAson Statham" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299402631876249266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yea, about time.<br /><br />Thank you Jason Statham for going sans shirt in so many of your movies!<br /><br />:)Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09340295709038098050noreply@blogger.com2