Direction not Destination

Lifetime Music

2012-02-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

I'm currently working on item numero diez of my 26-For-26 list, creating a mix tape of 26 newly discovered music artists. As I sort through all the great music I've discovered lately, attempting to whittle it down to 26 favorites, I'm reminded of the mix tapes and albums of my past. Everyone remembers their first CD, some of us remember our first cassette tape. (I would say I'm dating myself, but there's no hiding my age on this blog site)

What were some of your signature albums and mix tapes? For me, several come to mind, some are pretty embarrassing, and so many of them represent a large and wide spectrum of so-called "music." Here's a collection of some that come to mind.

Artist: Ace of Base. Album: Happy Nation 1993. Song: The Sign.

My very first cassette tape! This album was a clear indicator, or sign, of great music discoveries to come. It opened up my eyes. I remember listening to this album on my personal portable cassette player in the 2nd grade, as my classmates and I bused off to a Green Meadows Farm field trip.

Artist: Garth Brooks. Album: Ropin' the Wind 1991. Song: The River.

Likely the first album I played over and over and over and over and over.... I originally had the album on cassette, but someone broke into our home and stole my boom box, with Garth's cassette in tow. I'm still upset about it. I upgraded to a CD copy of the album several years later. (I apologize for this video version, it's a family slideshow, but it's the only video I could find that wasn't a cover. Copyright issues.)

Artisit: Alanis Morissette. Album: Jagged Little Pill 1995. Song: Head Over Feet.

My first CD! And an amazing one at that. Remember the secret song?!?!? At the height of this album, and the start of my awkward puberty stage, I was often told I looked like Alanis. I still get those comments today.... I can see it.

Artist: Korn. Album: Freak on a Leash 1998.

And that oh-so-embarrassing Korn phase. Those were the Jnco days. Ugh! I'm not including a video, sorry I just can't do it.

Artist: Dixie Chicks. Album: Wide Open Spaces 1998, Fly 1999. Song: Goodbye Earl

Turning to more modest music, though at the same decibel as the Freak on a Leash album, I loved to belt out along to the Dixie Chicks albums in late Middle School.

Artist: Lauryn Hill. Album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 1998. Song: Doo Wop (That Thing)

Another CD that was often on heavy rotation in late Middle School and early High School. Such a good album, with so much variance in themes and sound. Though this wasn't my favorite song on the album, this was the hit song that led me to discover the rest of her music.

Artist: The Darkness. Album: Permission to Land 2003. Song: I Believe in a Thing Called Love

You remember this one. A blast from the past, this one reminds me of days in the dorms. Too much fun!

Artist: Elton John. Album: Greatest Hits 1970-2002. Song: Your Song

Artist: Prince. Album: Musicology 2004. Song: Musicology

I was on a big Prince and Elton John kick in early college. No idea why. But I woke up my college roommates many a mornings, at way too early an hour, blasting Musicology, Call My Name, Bennie and the Jets, Your Song, and so many more good ones.

Artist: Tool. Album: Lateralus 2001. Songs: Parabol and Parabola

The only mix tape to ever be gifted to me was a gift from Kevin just before we started dating. Awwwww! This is one of my favorites from Kevin's CD gift "Dat Jamz." OK maybe that's a little too sappy and personal.

Artist: Bon Iver. Album: For Emma, Forever Ago 2008. Song: Skinny Love

In more recent years, my music tastes have turned to more indie folk, world, and electronic genres. I discovered this video while sharing music with my fellow volunteers during one amazing summer project in the Dominican Republic. This song kicked off a venture in exploring less main-stream music artists. It's still a favorite.

So there you have it folks, a montage of signature songs from my past. So many more come to mind, but I've got to stop somewhere. So many of them are god-awful, but others simply incredible. What are the signature songs from your past?

With a Little Help From My Friends

2012-01-09T21:53:00.000-08:00

To my friends and family,

In mid-March I drafted up a list of 26 Things For My 26th Year. This list is comprised of (you guessed it!) 26 things, most of which I am attempting to do 26 times. This list includes creating 26 pieces of art, reading 26 books, a 26-day food challenge, 26 hikes and much much more. The kicker?? The one I'm writing you all about?!? Donating blood 26 times.

When I first signed up for this lofty goal, I hadn't yet realized that it's quite impossible for a single person to donate blood 26 times in a single year. At most, you can donate 6 times in a single year, and 6 is a far cry from the 26 I was hoping to reach. Nevertheless, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.

One failed attempt. I now take my vitamins daily. You should too! :)

I am determined to bring 26 donors to the blood center this year, whether it be my blood or your blood (twiddles fingers and does evil laugh).

Will you donate blood? If not for my silly 26-For-26 cause, then perhaps for the benefit of 4.5 million Americans who need a blood transfusion every year? This bit of information came to me from the Puget Sound Blood Center, where I donate regularly:

Patient Report: 12 day old infant, Children’s Hospital, post Open Heart surgery. B neg

RBC: 13 ( + 1 WB)

FFP: 4

PLTS: 1 apheresis + 2 WB platelets

CRYO: 2 units

Total donors needed to support this patient: 23

It doesn’t matter who specifically gave the B- blood that went to this infant. What matters is that throughout the year, it is through the generosity of donors that hospitals can ensure that this infant, or any other person of any age, would have what he or she needs in a moment of vital crisis.

To date, this 26-For-26 challenge has brought 11 donors to the blood center, resulting in 10 successful donations. Six of which I have contributed personally (in the form of whole blood or platelets) and the others from my boyfriend, his father (thanks so much!) and two of my coworkers. The 11th attempt of donating blood came from a good friend of mine, someone I haven't seen for a couple of years now, but think of often. She is my favorite landlady, my all-time kitchen idol, and a cancer survivor (again, thank you so much!)

I plan to donate again on January 12th. Will you join me?

For most of you, I've looked up the information for blood donation centers near your place of residence. Please see the details below. And don't forget, if and when you go to your local blood center, be sure to send me a photo of you sporting that "I Donated Blood Today" sticker. :)

Thank You!

Your Friend/Neighbor/Sister/Daughter/Niece/Cousin,

Jenn

Puget Sound Region, Western WA

Puget Sound Blood Center: http://www.psbc.org/home/index.htm

Modesto, CA:

Delta Blood Bank: http://deltabloodbank.org/

Eastern Iowa:

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center: http://www.bloodcenter.org/index.aspx

Clarksville, TN

Tennessee Valley American Red Cross

Search by zip for Centers and Drives: http://www.redcrossblood.org/tennesseevalley

Knoxville, TN

Medic Regional Blood Center: http://www.medicblood.com/

Lake County/Orlando, FL

Florida Blood Center: http://floridasbloodcenters.org/donateNow/viewLocations.stml

(scroll by county)

Tampa, FL

Florida Blood Services

Donation Centers: http://www.fbsblood.org/html/donate/fbslocations.aspx?county=Hil

Find a Blood Drive: http://www.fbsblood.org/html/donate/drives.aspx

Space Coast, FL

Florida Blood Centers: http://floridasbloodcenters.org/donateNow/viewLocations.stml

Jacksonville, FL

The Blood Alliance

Donor Centers: https://www.thebloodalliance.com/index.cfm?group=page&pgfunction=fixedsites

Find a Blood Drive: https://www.thebloodalliance.com/index.cfm?group=op

Sumter, SC

Sumter American Red Cross: http://www.redcrossblood.org/locations/sumter-fixed-site

Boulder, CO

Bonfils Blood Center: http://www.bonfils.org/

Colorado Springs, CO

Memorial Health System: http://memorialhealthsystem.com/wps/wcm/connect/MH/Main+Navigation/Our+Services/All+Services/Blood+Donation

2011 Wrap Up

2012-01-01T23:47:00.000-08:00

Today I welcome the start of a fresh year. I say farewell to the adventures of 2011, and think curiously of the uncertainties of the year to come. Wedding bells will ring for two of my closest friends in 2012, my parents will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary (just, wow!), and I will face unemployment come April. I have an inkling that 2012 might be one epically eventful year. Here goes!

Commonwealth Basin. New Years Eve.

In celebration of the changing year I spent yesterday snowshoeing through the beautiful forest canopy and fresh snow of Commonwealth Basin, I built my first snow man (I'm a FL girl, remember), then counted down to the new year with hundreds of others as we watched the space needle shower the city with light and color. This morning I kicked off 2012 with a splash at the Resolution Run and Polar Bear Dive. Once you catch your breath, a mid-winter plunge into Lake Washington is quite refreshing!

Happy New Year!

No new years resolutions here. My only goal is to stick to the 26 other goals I set for myself last March. So where do I stand with my 26-For-26 progress thus far? With the start of the new year comes the final stretch of my 26-For-26 challenge (2.5 months to go!).

To date, I have successfully completed 4 of my 26-For-26 challenges. It doesn't sound like much, but with a good push I'm pretty confident that I can knock out the few remaining items left to 7 of my goals, and will go about 3/4 of the way with 8 others. 19ish out of 26 ain't bad.

As I gauge my level of success so far, I realize I've still got a long ways to go on my 26-For-26 goals, but I've accomplished a lot along the way. I'm proud to now be a bicycle commuter, and no longer a fairweather one at that. I've braved some pretty cold and wet conditions, and loved every moment of it! I've discovered some new creative outlets, including dance. I've logged over 50 miles in foot races and over 115 miles in hikes. I've successfully survived downhill skiing on both a carpeted conveyor belt (haha.. you just have to laugh at yourself sometimes) and the mountain! I've gone carless, trashless, and gone loco for local food. All in all, 2011 sure was fun.

Don't I look so stoked! Resolution Run and Polar Bear Dive. 01/01/12

What about you? What were you proudest of in 2011? What are your new years resolutions?

Cheers!

Yes, I took indoor ski lessons on a carpeted conveyor belt. Go ahead, judge me. :)

You Will Be Missed

2011-12-20T23:50:00.000-08:00

Today I got the news that afriend has died, and I feel compelled to write.

I got the news at lunch, and at first it all felt surreal as I shared the news with today’s coworker,someone who doesn’t know Leslie. But as I returned to the office from my field work, to a placewhere others knew Leslie personally or knew of her, the surrealism of her deathturned to reality and I soon found myself in a heavy fog. I attempted to return to office work insolitude, only to find that solitude and a larger acknowledgment of her death didall but alleviate the fog that hovered over my head.

Leslie and I weren’t the best offriends, but she is one that has really made an impacton my time here in the Pacific NW and my time with the WCC. She seemed a calm and happy soul, with a genuine smile. A genuine person, that’s what shewas. Easy to like, easy to trust. She and I could easily connect, share, and laugh with one another. I’ve always been a fan.

But now she is gone. This fogabout my head still exists, and I know I’m not the only one. It still seemssurreal. I feel for her sister, the rest of her family and her closest friends.

To those hurting, I send a bighug!

To Leslie, I’ve always admiredyour strength and character, your smile and your words of truth. When I thinkof you I’ll always think of river rafting adventures, snowfall and hot springs,Thanksgiving celebrations, romping and stomping, your oh-so-impressive owlcalls, and much more. You will be missed.

I'm Still Here

2011-12-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile, but I'm still here. My busy life is evermore busy with the holiday season, but I'm still working towards my 26-For-26 as I attempt new hobbies, discover new music artists, commute by bicycle in sub-freezing temperatures, run 5k's with jingle bells on my shoes, and much much more. An update will be coming soon, but in the meantime I leave you with a few photos that I'm proud of (item #8 on my hefty 26-For-26 list).

I'm a novice mind you, so don't expect too much from the photos. But I'm proud of them, nonetheless.
Enjoy!

The Larches at their peak. Blue Lake, Methow Valley, WA.

Blue Lake, Methow Valley, WA.

The Crooked River, Smith Rock State Park, OR.

Smith Rock State Park

Juniperus occidentalis, Smith Rock State Park

Adventures of the Market, Kitchen, and Dinner Plate

2011-11-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Farmer's Market beauties.

A Locavore's Pantry:

Tonight was our final night of only-local grocery shopping. We returned to the same grocery store where our local-buying adventure began several weeks ago. This time around, we felt like seasoned local shoppers, as our basket filled quickly with local cheese, greens, eggs, and fruit. Very different from our last visit there, which was a long and painful shopping experience of label-reading and struggling to come up with a satisfying meal with what seemed to be a very limited selection of local goods (we were such novices). So, I write this blog with the hopes of easing some of that initial local-eating learning curve.

Produce:

Brussel Sprouts Tree! $5/6 servings.

The vast majority of our produce came from our local farmers market. Just a couple of blocks away, this year-round market was our savior throughout this local-eating endeavor. We saved our protein purchases for the local grocery store chains, as it's much more affordable there, but I'm convinced that the farmers markets are the way to go for fresh and yes, more affordable, produce purchases. With about $20-$30 you could return home with two very heavily weighted bags of delicious brusselsprouts, butter, cheese, onions, garlic, apples, the best pears you've ever eaten, potatoes of every color, locally-made ravioli, cranberries, spinach, kale, peppers, squash, you name it! You can find more info about the Seattle's Farmers Markets Alliance here.

Protein:

For our sandwiches we purchased Hempler's spiral ham and bacon at QFC or PCC. For local sausages, Whole Foods is a good option. Bill the Butcher, is also a great option for all meat products. They make their sausages in house and know exactly where their meat products come from, most of which come from WA, OR, or MT. Local eggs can be found at any grocery store, just check the label.

Dairy:

You can find milk and locally-made cheese at the farmers market or at any of the nearby grocery stores (Beechers, Port Townsend, and Applegate are some great local creameries) but there are a few cheese varieties you won't be able to find (though the ones you can find are damn tasty).

Bread:

We did our bread-buying at Grand Central this month. Though there are plenty of local bakeries to choose from, Grand Central is very transparent with the origin of their ingredients. On their website, they've actually mapped out where they purchase their sustainably-produced and locally-sourced ingredients.

A Locavore's Night Out:

Ordering a Homegrown local meal.

Sometimes life requires a break from the kitchen. Especially during a month of all local eating, with was quite the labor, but a fun one. For a locally inspired bite out, there are a whole host of restaurants to choose from in the Seattle area, but most are pretty heavy on the wallet. Emmer and Rye, The Herbfarm, and Urbane come to mind. For a more reasonably priced local meal out, I suggest looking into one of your local pizza shops. Yep, pizza. A little to my surprise, independent pizza shops tend to be pretty local-fare-friendly. We visited Flying Squirrel Pizza a couple of times this month. They offer a seasonal menu, where they use Shepherd's Grain flour, Zoe's or Salumi's meats, and seasonally inspired vegetable choices. They also serve up local brews too, including NW Peaks, a new fave.

If you're in a lazy stay-in-your-pajamas mood, I suggest hitting up Eat Local, a store in the Queen Anne neighborhood that offers up locally-inspired meals that are prepared and frozen. You can buy frozen desserts, sides, and entrees in single-serving to 4-serving sizes. They even offer the option of buying their products in glass containers which you can pay a deposit on and then get back once you return the containers. A plus for those trying to eliminate waste or attempting their own No Trash Week like we did a few months back.

Some other suggestions of eating out locally are Molly's Salads, Homegrown, and Central Cinema (Movies+Beer+Food).

Eating locally and with the seasons is a beautiful thing, especially this time of year. It brings adventure to the kitchen and dinner plate. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner during this 26-day local eating challenge. It certainly won't be our last locally inspired meal, but I am looking forward to some Halloween candy :)

Our final Locavore's dinner? Tonight we feast on a home-made pizza with back-yard tomato sauce (the last of my tomato harvest), red onion, poblano pepper, Hempler's bacon, and kale. Delish!

Eating Like Queens and Kings

2011-10-12T22:20:00.000-07:00

"Local month should be renamed Eat-Like-Kings month" -Kevin

Eating locally is an absolutely beautiful thing! It takes signifcantly more effort, but our meals taste significantly better. Tonight's menu features home-made mashed potatoes (a first for me), roasted brussel sprouts (another first), and some Coho salmon cooked in a tomato and basil sauce (both harvested from our backyard garden, minus the salmon, though close). All accompanied by Skagit River Brewery's IPA and 14 Hands' Hot to Trot red wine blend. I wish I had a photo to share, but I ate is so quickly.

And it's not just tonight's dinner that has been amazing. Nearly every dinner these past 2 weeks has been nothing short of phenomenal! From fresh tomatillo salsa made from backyard green tomatoes and roasted local peppers, to zucchini-potato latkes, and so much more. It's a beautiful beautiful thing.

A not-so-beautiful thing? This quote from a book I've just finished: "...sweets, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages account for almost 25 percent of all calories consumed in America. Add in salty snacks and fruity drinks, and the total reaches one-third of calorie intake. Meanwhile, Americans eat half as many servings of vegetables as recommended; 50 percent of the vegetables they do eat comprise just three foods: iceburg lettuce, potatoes, and canned tomatoes."

No iceburg lettuce or canned tomatoes in our kitchen. Just the simple (and did I mention beautiful) goodness of fresh local vegetables, fruit, and protein.

On Eating Locally

2011-10-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

October 1st marked the start of this year's 26-day food challenge, eating locally. This past week has been a bit of a transition, as we work to finish off any non-local leftovers and fill our very empty fridge full of local produce, protein, bread and cheese. Today's local adventures included a run to our neighborhood Saturday farmers market, chanterelle harvesting, and a stop by my favorite local micro-brewery, Skookum, for a growler fill of some very delicious suds.

A locavore's heaven. Farmers Market finds.

Eating local, even in a city as "green" and forward thinking as Seattle, can be a real stitch. I've lost count of how many times we've visited the grocery store this week and how many questioning looks I've received in response to my question of the origin of ingredients. So far, the biggest challenge was on Tuesday evening when I was offered a free ticket to the Sounders FC game (US Open Cup baby!). There was no time to head home for a locally-sourced dinner, and then back downtown for the game, so I was forced to make a quick last minute local-dinner decision downtown. The nearest option was Pike's Place Market (where local options are plentiful...when they're open). In an effort to keep to my goal, only a few days into the challenge, my friend and I nearly sprint to the market in hopes of finding a quick local meal before everything closed down for the evening and the game started. We arrived a little winded and sweaty to a nearly abandoned marketplace. I fell short of my local eating goal that evening, but damn did I give it some effort! Oh well, it is what it is. (I did insist on local beer options for the evening, that counts for something right?)

A beautiful local harvest. Cantharellus cibarious

Despite it's challenges, eating locally is a beautiful thing. Tonight's dinner included the chanterelles we peronsally harvested today, baked kale, some once very happy and local chicken, and a cranberry relish that included farmers market cranberries and onions, local honey, and some apples I handpicked from the work site on Friday. Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm. I could get used to this.

Whoa-Oh! I'm Half Way There!

2011-09-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

Whoa-Oh! Livin on a prayer!

Today marks the 6 month mark for my 26 Things for 26 Years challenge. Here's a recap of where I'm at.

Camping on a gravel bar in the Sauk River. WCC Knotweek!

Spend 26 nights outdoors:

So far I've spent 22 glorious nights in the comfort of my tiny tent, 12 of which have been on work trips (who doesn't love that?!). I've spent my tent-dwelling nights in the wilderness of Lake Chelan, Banff National Park in British Columbia, at Goldmyer Hot Springs, and along Canada's Sunshine Coast (where raindrops far outnumbered rays), among many other fantastic camping spots.

Try 26 different beers/wines I haven't tried before:

Quite possibly the easiest goal on this lofty list, I knocked this one out quite quickly. I stuck with beers for the challenge, and these beers ranged in style and geographic origin, from New Belgium's oh-so-amazing Lips of Faith sour beer series to the awesome local micro brews of Skookum Brewery (a well-hidden jewel of the PacificNW that I'm just as eager to hide from everyone as I am to share it. It's that good!)

Going Car-Less for 26+ days: Car Cleanse Complete!

Donate blood 26 times:
It is quite impossible to donate blood 26 times in a single year, at most I will be able to donate 6 times this year (you have to wait 8 weeks between whole blood donations). Fully aware of this at the start of my 26-For-26 challenge, I'm still committed to bringing 26 donors to the Blood Donation Center this year. To date, I have contributed, in some fashion, to the donation of 6 units of whole blood or platelets. Kevin joined me at the blood center a few weeks ago, and you should too! Let's make it a blood donation date! For those folks living in the Seattle area here is the link to the Puget Sound Blood Center. I'm signed up to donate again on November 10th, join me if you can.

Compete in 26 official events:

Labor Day 4-miler.

I have competed in 7 official events (that's 25.7 miles). I was a bit slow to start on this one, but my last 4 running events have occured over the last 4 consecutive weeks. Maybe I'll get to that 26-miles-for-26-years afterall. :)

Communte by bike to work 26+ times:

Another one that I was slow to start on, this challenge is quite possibly my proudest achievement since starting this adventure. I have only biked to and from work 3 times, but those days have been 1 day each week for the past 3 consecutive weeks. Biking to work has been something that I've wanted to do for nearly a year now. One of those self vs.self dilemmas, but I have finally overcome all the excuses! It's a sweet 6 miles into work each morning as I ride across bridges, along the shoreline of Lake Union, and through the sunrise-lit skyscrapers of downtown Seattle.

Read 26 books:

To date, I have read 11 books. They have ranged from a children's novel for adults (or an adult's novel for children, however you look at it) B is for Beer to the epic-length classic The Count of Monte Cristo. Here are a few of my favorites.

The Hunger Games series: Yes it's a young adult's series. Yes it is amazing! Yes it is addicting! You could not pry my hands away from these books, as I managed to knock all 3 of them out within a week. The series was so good that I even bought a book about the books (lame I know), and I'm counting the days until the movie is released (187).

Born to Run. Another book that is really tough to put down, yet at the same time all you really want to do is toss the book and throw on your running shoes to head out for an epic run. Even if you're not a runner (I pretend to be one), it's a fantastic story about an admirable sport and the isolated community of the Tarahumara that is world renown for its "techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it."

The Count of Monte Cristo. Though I read the "abridged" version, this looooooong classic novel is well worth the read. There wasn't a single moment where I found myself bored or uninterested in the storyline. It is 630-pages of pure entertainment in the form of action, adventure, vengeance, and passion.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The inspiration for what will be my 26+ day Food Challenge next month. It is a memoir about a family's attempt to go all-local for an entire year. They move away from their familiar dry and barren landscape in Tuscon, Arizona to rural Virgina where they raise turkeys and chickens, harvest morrels, eat only what they and their neighbors produce, and celebrate the simple goodness of hard work and fresh, local, beautiful food.

A 26-day Food Challenge:
Herbivore? Done it. Omnivore? Doing it. Vegan? Meh. Raw? Hmmm... Locavore?Yes!
Next month, I will embark on a month of local eating. That means no coffee,no tea, no quick lunches at Uwajimaya, no olive oil, and no soy milk. Therewill be plenty of farmers markets visits, supporting our local craft breweries,wineries, and cideries, and enjoying fresh produce from our backyard as well as free-range eggs and meat from the local pasture. There will definitely be more to come on thisin the coming month. In the mean time I leave you with this awesomely funny video clip from the show Portlandia.

Part with 26 things:

I still don't really care for this task. I have parted with several items, donating them to Northwest Center, but I haven't kept tabs on the items and don't intend to in the future. Hmmm... What's another good challenge?

Try 26 new recipes:

I've got 5 new recipes under my belt since the start of this challenge, and I anticipate many more to come as I head indoors for the coming season of rain and gray. I've made cheese and spinach stuffed poblanos, beet chips, BBQ tempeh sandwiches, some uber tasty goat cheese and pecan stuffed figs, and an amazing spinach dip that was a huge hit at both a friend's backyard BBQ and a communal backcountry meal at Goldmyer Hot Springs. Over the course of the next 6 months, it is my goal to perfect some staple Indian dishes (like palak masala and a chutney) and try my hand at making my own granola bars. Yum!

Create 26 pieces of art:

I have created 3 pieces of art of very different media. I have dabbled in wood burning, painted ceramics, and a knitting and beading project. I blame Summer, the season of non-stop outdoor activities, for my slacking effort. Fall and Winter will be the season of craftiness. It will also be the season for Discovering Several New Music Artists, Taking 26 Photos I'm Proud Of, Picnicking (likely in the rain), Handwriting Notes (a Christmas must anyways), Leaving Poems in Unsuspecting Places, taking up quite a few New Hobbies, brushing up on my Native Plant Latin terms and 26 Different Languages, and Writing a Letter to my 62-year-old Self. Whew! Though I'm WAY behind on these tasks, I still have hope. It is going to be one very productive Winter!

I'm hovering just above or below the half way mark on my Dress-Wearing occasions (16), Blogging (this is my 11th), Planting Seeds (14 different types), Volunteering (9), Days in Another County (Canada counts!12), and ~~Climbing a V2, V3, V4, V5, and V6~~ 26 Hikes (Why yes! I am entitled to change my mind).

All in all, I'm about where I expected to be at this point in the game. I will be quite surprised if I actually cross off everything on this hefty to-do list by March 19, 2012. But as this blog's subtitle suggests: The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.

Trash Tips

2011-09-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

This update is a bit overdue. Butbetter late than never ey?

My cup runneth over... with recyclable corks.

After a couple weeks of attempting alife with less packaging and waste I've learned a few things along the way.I've learned that we're quite below the national average of personal trashproduction (approximately at 1/12 of the national average). And somehow wemanaged to do this without putting too much effort into the cause. Actually, weput forth a pretty terrible effort.

Summersin Seattle are a whirlwind for us. When the sun is shining in Seattle, you gogo go! Between long work days, bike rides, bbq-ing, beach visits, campingtrips, day hikes, etc etc etc, we had very little time for grocery shopping,cooking, and sleeping. And it's through our food packaging that we produce themost waste. Had we done this challenge during a slow grey season, we verylikely could have done the challenge right (and maybe even succeeded inproducing 0 waste). But being what it is, we opted for the challenge during oneof the busiest months of the year. That meant a lot of last minute dinner choices(where food in my belly was the main priority, not the packaging it came in),and we still kicked ass! This only goes to show that anyone can do this!

Beyond the ever-growing trend offashionable reusable grocery bags and Klean Kanteen water bottles, here are afew things that we do, some old some new, to keep our waste at bay:

B.Y.O.T.

B.Y.O.Towel. I highly doubt these things will ever be as trendy as thepersonal water bottles and reusable grocery bags (which I'm also a fan of), butI use these every day for my work lunches. People Towels, an alternative topaper towels, are reusable personal hand towels made of 100% organic Fair TradeCotton (And they have the cutest towel designs too). Don't give paper towelsmuch thought? Here's a disturbing fact: every day, Americans produce roughly3,000 tons of paper towel waste.

Toss ThosePlastic Sandwich Bags. Another item I use for my daily worklunches (also with really cute designs), ReUsies are reusable sandwich bagsthat are lined to prevent your snacks and sandwiches from getting soggy, andyou can stick them in your dish washer or washing machine for a wash.

Wine Habit? You can recycle the corks from your wine habit through theCork ReHarvest program. Here is a link to all the grocery stores thataccept your wine corks.

A plastic diet.

BeautySalon with a Recycling Incentive.Eventhe most extensive and innovative municipal recycling programs often don'taccept plastic caps that are smaller than 3 inches in their recycling programs.Aveda Hair Salons, however, offers a Cap Recycling program where they process andrecycle small caps for their own beauty product line. Why caps you ask? Checkout more of these disturbing images of albatross birds who have mistaken our small plasticsfor food for their chicks.

Look It Up. Livewithin Seattle city limits? SPU's Look It Up page is a great tool if you've got any questionsabout what to recycle, compost, or just toss. Still have questions, ask Evelyn.

Buy Bulk. Quite a few grocery stores offer a pretty impressiveselection of bulk goods, including the larger QFC stores, Whole Foods, PCC, andother small natural foods stores. Note that not all bulk practices areconsidered responsible packaging options. Buying bulk at Costco often resultsin more packaging. And the plastic bags, twist ties, and tape at the open-bulkaisle in standard grocery stores aren't exactly the best way to go either.

Nearly a year's supply of plastic caps.

Stockup on your own storage containersof all sorts and sizes for bulk items. No need to buy fancy containers either,just reuse what you've already gone through. We buy our olive oil and laundrydetergent, among other things, from the bulk section using the same containersafter a quick wash.You can even ask the folks at the deli counters to use yourreusable containers. Shout out to Beth at the Whole Foods cheese counter! Sherocks! She got a kick out of our project and our annoying requests of slicingcheese into our bulk containers without the wax paper and wrap they normallyuse.

All in all, waste is inevitable, butI've found it's quite easy to limit your waste production if you just give it alittle bit more thought and effort. A little can go a long way.

"Sometimes when I consider whattremendous consequences come from little things…I am tempted to think…there areno little things." -Bruce Barton

Well This Is Embarrasing...

2011-08-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

...Actually, not so much. I'll explain.

As I took inventory of our ever-growing trash collection throughout last week's experiment I became more and more disheartened by our trash efforts. During our one-week attempt at a trash-less adventure it seemed that luck was not on our side. Instead we conveniently finished off several household products that are rarely bought, and therefore rarely disposed of.

Some highlights of our waste this week include:

Toothpaste: Something we purchase maybe 3 times a year. We finished one last week.
Deodorant: Usually a biannual purchase, this item also found it's way into our trash can last week.
Chips Bag: We might go through 5 bags of chips throughout the year (okay when I say "we", I really mean "I" go through 5 bags of chips a year). My perhaps 3rd salty bag of chips of the year now resides in our waste bin.
Lemon Juice: Also typically a biannual purchase. Guess what? We finished that last week too.

Needless to say, last week's trash bin wasn't exactly representative of a typical trash week for us. I was bummed. I was embarrassed. I'd already determined what the likely title of this blog update would be "Well This is Embarrassing...". But truth be told, our efforts were not an embarrassment. In the end, even with the plethora of rare contributions to our waste bin, we did pretty freakin' awesome!

Drum roll please...

All in all, we produced 0.8# of garbage, 2.5# of recycling, and 1.6# of compost (0.7# of which was a single pizza box). If you add it all up that's 4.9# of "waste" for two people for 7 full days. According to the EPA, the average American produces 4.3# of waste per person per day! That's 12 times the amount of trash we created on a per person-day equivalent (0.35#)! BAM!

The thing is, we made some effort, but our numbers can totally be improved. We're working on round dos of this trash-less challenge and seeing where we get with it this week. Kevin's off to a good start this time, he has contributed only one paper towel to the waste pile so far this week. More to come later.

Trash Talk

2011-08-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

If you couldn't already tell, I'm a fan of challenges. I'm also a fan of lists. One list that you may be somewhat familiar with, that is if you aren't a complete newcomer to this blog, is my 26-for-26 list. It's a decent list, and it's loaded with challenges. I've recently conquered going carless for the 26+ day One Less Car challenge, and I'm planning a food challenge for the Fall season (going all local!). This week, I'm dragging my live-in boyfriend along for the No Trash Week challenge.

Kevin's off to a bad start. He just presented me with 4 paper towels that he used today. At least one of us went an entire day without producing any trash. (Jenn=0, Kev= -4)

Of course, we will likely produce more trash throughout the week, I'm fairly certain of it. But in an effort to live a more intentional life, we're seeing what sort of difference we can make in our waste production if we commit ourselves to minimizing it as much as possible for 7 full days. It's just 7 days...Cake! Right?! That's what I thought of the One Less Car challenge, and that certainly was not a walk in the park.

Tonight, we've emptied our trash, recycling, and compost receptacles and plan to track the waste we produce throughout the week. Wish us luck!

Join in on the fun at No Trash Week and their facebook page.

Car Cleanse Complete!

2011-07-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Today my car and I were reunited. It's been well over a month (41 days in fact) and thus completes my first 26-for-26 task, going carless for 26+ days.

Between showing up to appointments 1.5 hours late, missing several bus connections, getting stranded in the Central District alone at 1am, running for the bus on numerous occasions (LOTS of running), and spending 3x more money on transportation than I normally do, I'd say all in all it was a pretty positive experience. Really. There were a couple of times when I wanted to pull my hair out and give up, but in the end I might just do it again.

I've learned a few things along the way...

For starters, do not rely solely on Google transit. I've learned my lesson so that you don't have to make the same mistake. Trust me.
This challenge would be WAY easier had I had a smartphone. As a result, I'm breaking down and buying one this month :)
Biking is not only a very fulfilling and fun way to get around town, it's sometimes the most practical and efficient choice. Greenwood to U-District, for example: no Aurora Ave and no idling of your car for 15+ minutes in congestion, instead you encounter fun fast hills and a nice ride along Greenlake. I never knew the Greenwood neighborhood was so obtainable.
The perks! I met a guy by the name of Ian on the Burke Gilman bike trail one day. He was telling folks about the Bike for Benefits program, and as we were riding along we got to chatting about my car cleanse for the month. I told him about the One Less Car challenge and he handed me a free Bike for Benefits sticker (normally $5) for my helmet, so now as I bike to participating shops I get discounted food, booze, coffee, movie tickets, and even sex toys (if I so choose).
While traveling by car is often a pretty efficient means of getting around, we often perceive it to be way more efficient than it actually is. Seattle seems so much smaller and more obtainable now that I've experienced the city carless.

So, it wasn't easy. It was sometimes a headache, but it was definitely rewarding. I'm actually convinced now more than ever that I will someday go completely carless, but in my current place and position (aka, summer in Seattle) I'm looking forward to adventures via the transport of my own 4 wheels.

The Realities of Car-Less Living

2011-06-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Going without a car during the month of June poses some interesting challenges. For starters, Kevin, my longtime live-in boyfriend, is out of the country for most of the month. What I was hoping would be an obtainable challenge is now a bit more difficult than originally thought. I signed up for a one-less-car challenge, not two-less-cars! Also, because of Kevin's absence, I won't have the luxury of in-home company and entertainment. That means I'll be spending more time away from home. That means more trips by foot, bike, and bus.

Also, the summer season is nearly here. This presents both advantages and disadvantages. One major disadvantage is that with summer comes long glorious sunny days, which means more camping, hiking, etc. I'm quite sure that bussing and biking to remote campsites and trailheads throughout the Cascades and Olympics is a bit tough to do. I'm really hopeful that this one-less-car challenge doesn't pose too big an obstacle in enjoying my short PacNW summer.

On the other hand, summer is the season of "spike" trips and trainings at work. A spike trip is typically a 4-day work trip in a remote part of the state, often involving work that is a bit out of the ordinary. Last month's Lake Chelan trip was a "spike," only it was an 8-dayer. Thursday night, I returned from another spike, a 4-day rafting and knotweed scouting adventure on the Sauk River. On Monday, I leave again for our WCC training week (a.k.a. adult summer camp). These two trips basically enable 8 freebies for my 26+ days of car-less living, but now as I've returned to a full plate of weekend activities, the reality of this challenge has really started to set in.

For example, to knock out my evening to-do list of volunteering, running the Fremont 5k, and cat sitting, I will not only run 3.1 miles this afternoon, I'll also have to bike 9.4 miles to get from place to place. The steepest portion of this bike ride will directly follow my 5k race. Yay! I haven't been biking regularly, so this should be an interesting venture.

And tomorrow is even better. I'd like to go to yoga class, donate platelets (another part of my 26-for-26), buy new hiking boots, check out the Bite of REI event, and stop by Kenny and Sara's place for some more kitten company. This trip would be cake if I just hopped in my car (35 minutes tops), but now I've got to manage several bus trips that add up to several hours of bus time. (It's a good thing I'm also working to read 26 books this year. I might knock two of them off the list in the time it'll take me to bus from place to place!) And then there's Sunday, when I plan to head to a more remote part of town for some more volunteering. Add another 2.5 hours of bus time to my day, in what would only take 45 minutes round-trip via my car. Ugh!

All of my weekend plans could easily be done with the aid of 4-wheels, but it's feeling more and more like I'll have to sacrifice some activities for the sake of the one-less-car challenge. And that wasn't what I was hoping to get out of this.

But what's a challenge if you aren't actually challenging yourself and stepping beyond your known limit of comfort and convenience.

I haven't been defeated yet, just disheartened.

Soggy Trash and Laughs

2011-06-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Despite recent writings about one truly amazing work trip, don't be fooled, my work isn't always beautiful scenery and campfires. Today, for example, I picked up trash. Very stinky, wet, decaying, trash . All in dissolving and ripped trash bags or untied tarps. What fun! In the debris pile were the remnants of an Earth Day event at North Winds Weir, an estuarine salmon habitat restoration site in a very industrial stretch of the Duwamish River. The debris pile consisted of invasive weeds and trash that had been picked from the site by enthusiastic volunteers, and it was all left to sit in muck and several weeks of rain until yours truly arrived back from wonderful Lake Chelan. Welcome back Jenn!

Despite the many perks of my job, I do sometimes get stuck with these oh-so-exciting tasks, but what else can you do but to knock it off your to-do list as quickly and painlessly as possible. So, I set off in "Dumpy," our 1-ton dump truck, to the smelly task at hand. Upon arriving at the site, I discovered that the debris pile was nearly 3 times the size I was informed of. Fantastic! While imagining yelling profanities at a certain project manager, a man walked up and exclaimed "Great job!" with big smiling eyes. And so we chatted a bit about the restoration site, volunteers, fishing spots, salmon, etc. Nothing too out of the ordinary considering the stage and circumstances, but he was extremely pleasant to chat with. The conversation was brief, but engaging. In our quick exchange I had forgotten that I was elbow deep into a ripped trash bag of decaying organic matter. Oddly enough, in that moment, I too found myself with a genuine smile.

From the project site, Dumpy and I slowly made our way to the local transfer station while humming along to the terrible pop music of Radio Disney (there are very few options available through Dumpy's radio dial). There, I was greeted by the compactor operator, who pointed to the logo on Dumpy's side and immediately started asking away about my position with the Washington Conservation Corps. The conversation then turned to his nephew who recently signed up for City Year (another AmeriCorps program) in Miami. We discussed Florida and other AmeriCorps programs (apparently VISTA preceded AmeriCorps), and I again found myself engaged in a enjoyable conversation in an odd place. I'd once again forgotten my undesirable situation (think large trash pits and saturated gloves) and was sharing laughs with the nicest of strangers at the local dump.

So there it is folks. My workday! I apologize for this lacklustre story about my mundane trash run at work. While this likely won't be a very popular blog posting, nor will this day rank as one of my top 10 WCC work days, I do think it is one to remember. As they say, the world always looks brighter behind a smile. :)

One Less Car

2011-05-31T22:29:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks the first day of a one-month trial separation from my car.

She's sittin' low. First road trip, moving to NorCal 2007.

I signed up for this challenge well over a month ago, but the timing seems pretty spot on. After a wonderful 8-day escape from the norm, I've reluctantly returned to my normal day-in-day-out place of residence and work. It's a great place to be, don't get me wrong. Seattle is wonderful, especially now that it's beginning to feel a bit more like summer, and I can't complain too much about the normal WCC workday. But I do find myself craving a simpler life. Less technology, more homemade goods. Fewer material attachments, more freedom. Less congestion, more birdsongs. And now, no personal car trips for 26+ days.

First Snow! Seattle Nov 2010.

The challenge comes by way of Seattle's "One Less Car" program. It's a program that provides incentives for people to "save money, reduce stress, and help the environment by living with one less car." Level 1: Trial separation. Level 2: Break up with your car. Though I've toyed with the idea, I'm not sure that I'm quite ready to give up my Hyundai just yet. She wasn't my first car, but she's definitely my favorite. We've been through so much together, she and I. Multiple cross-country roadtrips, each of them life changing. From bottoming out in the middle of nowhere Utah (thanks Kev!), from national park to national park, through Florida's incredible heavy rains and hail, through our first snowy winter together, and so much more. She's been a trouper! Regardless, I crave more simplicity in my life. I want to taste a car-free existence.

For now, I'm heading to the grocery store, with the windows down and the sunroof rolled back. After that, it will be "Adios my dear car!" We'll visit again in one month.

Odometer Reading, 05/31: 109,834miles

Wishing I Were Sitting Fireside

2011-05-27T23:56:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from an EPIC 8-day work adventure at Lake Chelan, and I find myself desiring the comfort of the campfire over the comfort of my recent return to civilization, the city, my basement apartment, a proper bed, clean clothes and hair, and a bottle of wine. The luxuries of cleanliness and intoxication are all dearly missed and oh-so-fantastic, but it just doesn't compare to the crisp clean cool air, the glow of the campfire, and the company of some pretty amazing folks. Le sigh....

Moore Point, Lake Chelan at dusk.

I've just returned from what will be my last work trip out to Lake Chelan. Sure, I can return for a personal vacation, but it just won't be the same. There won't be Mike, our guru chef for the work stint. He ensured we were fed until we burst, and always had a campfire prepared at the wake of the morning and our return to camp at the end of a long 10-hour work day on very inhospitable (but very beautiful) terrain. There won't be a group of 18+ WCC folks sharing stories of the work day, wildlife-sightings, bird songs, body aches, our longer second toes, blisters, significant others, you name it!

I've just returned to "normalcy". It's comfortable, but not enough. I crave the wilderness more than anything I crave here in the city. I appreciate the company, the conversation, the shared muscles aches, the laughter, and the memories that I'll always carry with me.

I've just returned from the grandest of WCC work trips.

I itch for the next opportunity for a camping and backpacking adventure. Stay tuned. More adventures to come!

"Here I am, safely returned

over those peaks from a journey far more beautiful and strange

than anything I had hoped for or imagined

--how is it that this safe return brings such regret?"

-Peter Matthiessen

Adventures in Libations

2011-04-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

Today's taste bud adventures included a fine Mexican meal, courtesy of Chef Kevin, and a new and uber-tasty adult beverage, New Belgium's Le Terroir. Part of their "Lips of Faith" series, this dry-hopped sour ale is top-notch!

From the bottle: "Le Terroir is a French term meaning "of the earth." Used to reference the environmental conditions that affect the brew, we like to think about the terroir of our foeders. These wooden barrels age our sour ale in varying temperatures, humidity, and vibrations. The terroir of New Belgium, so to speak. Add in another variable by dry-hopping with peachy, mango-like amarillo hops, and we created an ale that changes every time we brew it."

This tasty brew is delish! The nose is citrusy and peachy. The flavor sour, earthy, and peachy. Though the peach becomes more and more prominent as you reach the end of your glass, it's not an overwhelming fruitiness, but subtle and delicious (aka: not a girly fruit beer, but a finely crafted ale that both genders can appreciate and enjoy, seriously). Well balanced and smooth. A perfect compliment to a mexican dish. Did I mention earthy? See tasting notes for more details.

Other recent new-to-me brews include Rogue's Dirtoir (black lager), Victory's Scarletfire (rauchbier), and Naked City Brewing's Cadillac Coat (pale ale, 100% falconers flight hops- a new "hot" hop that I've never heard of before...more to come on that later). All very tasty and recommended.

Cheers!

P.S. The tasting wheel for the beer was taken from our 33Bottles of Beer tasting journal. Check it out here. They have tasting books for 33 Bottles of Wine, 33 Cups of Coffee, 33 Cheese, and more!

Welcome! 26 Things for my 26th Year.

2011-04-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

OMG I’m now in my late-twenties! To celebrate, I put together a list of 26 Things for my 26th Year. One of the items included in the list is to "Blog 26 times." Hence the reason for this new and unfamiliar endeavor of blogging. Welcome to my first blog!

26 Things for my 26th Year:

Create 26 pieces of art.
Spend 26 nights outdoors.
Wear a dress (You guessed it! 26 times)
Go car-less for 26+ consecutive days (Personal car that is. Driving the company vehicle is necessary if I actually want to do (and keep) my job)
Volunteer 26 times.
Compete in 26 official events. (Perhaps even that ever-so-daunting 26 miles for 26 years challenge.)
Blog 26 times. (First step: start a blog.)
Take 26 photos I’m proud of.
Write down 26 of my favorite poems and quotes and leave them in unlikely places.
Discover 26 new music artists.
Read 26 books.
~~Part with 26 things.~~ Do 26 days of a juice fast.
Plant 26 seeds.
Attempt 26 new hobbies/activities. (This one is a recent update. I decided to forgo the challenge of staying up for 26-hours straight. Though it's something I could pretty easily do (especially if traveling), it just doesn't sound like fun. But twenty-six new hobbies, on the other hand, that's something I can look forward to!)
Try 26 new recipes.
Donate blood 26 times. (Technically, you can’t give blood more than 6 times in a year, so I’ll just bring someone along with me each time I donate. Any volunteers??)
26 picnics.
Commute by bike to work 26+ times.
A 26-day food challenge (Herbivore? Done it. Ominvore? Doing in. Vegan? Meh. Raw? Hmmm.... Locavore? Yes!)
Spend 26 days in another country (Canada counts! And is only 2.5 hours away.)
Write 26 (hand-written) notes and mail them out (on time!)
Recognize and know the Latin for 26 PacNW native plants.
~~Climb a V2, V3, V4, V5, and V6 (I can dream right!)~~. 26 Hikes
Try 26 different beers~~/wines~~ I haven’t tried before.
Learn to say “Hello” and “Thank You” in 26 different languages.
Write a letter to my 62-year-old self.

Disclaimer 04/01/11: I fully intend to revamp this list as the year goes on. It was a bit of a struggle coming up with 26 things that I felt were beneficial and fun, challenging yet obtainable. It took many minds and many hours to come up with a list that I feel is mediocre at best. Keep an eye out for updates (note the crossed out text). Suggestions appreciated.