jmb

SLC Shore

2011-01-10T14:22:00.001-05:00

Jon and Lindsey really out did themselves this year with the annual Christmas party.

Jersey Shore here we come.

Mine

2011-01-03T20:55:00.001-05:00

How gorgeous is this baby?

2011-01-03T14:42:00.001-05:00

proof that Zach still exists! Via skype via The Philippines.

He kind of looks like a predator right?

2010-11-26T02:29:00.001-05:00

Casteller from Mike Randolph on Vimeo.

Rachel just showed me this. It's so cool. These peeps are tough, especially the kids. I want to have tough kids. Maybe I won't force them to do this, but I'm sure I'll be making them do others.

Rog

2010-11-14T15:26:00.001-05:00

I get to hang out with this chunky monkey this week and I can hardly wait. hardly hardly.

2010-11-02T16:29:00.002-04:00

Holly's blog made my day when I found this on it. Can't wait to start training Tag.

What does this say about my life?

2010-11-02T03:02:00.003-04:00

I have had a night of inspiration watching none other than . . . MTV. Yes, you heard me right. There is one show I have been watching for a few weeks - World of Jenks. A. He's a babe. B. He spends time interviewing a myriad of people, spending time with them. I'm a geek for that kind of stuff. You should check it out.

Then a surprisingly good show afterwards is called The Buried Life. It's these four lucky lucky boys that are cruising around the country doing things on their bucket list. The episode I watched is them purposefully getting stranded on a dessert island. You'll just have to watch it to understand, but it's real good.

Chelsea's House

2010-10-25T15:26:00.004-04:00

one of Chelsea's pieces

I have been able to hang out at Chelsea's house off and on for the last few weeks and it's such a dream. Her, Adam, and Lulu live in the woods (kind of) and their home is open and airy and just a lovely place to be. Plus I get to hang out with this jelly bean.

House Shows

2010-10-25T04:11:00.003-04:00

I have had such great luck and experiences with home shows where friends showcase their friends musical talents for the rest of us.

Tonight was one of those lucky nights. First these two boys played who are Utah locals who have just returned from an East Coast bike/musical tour from Vermont to Virginia. They played shows and slept on couches all of the 700 some odd miles they rode. They were a banjo and acoustic guitar duet.

Next a couple with the most lovely little duet going. They live in San Fran and are in town to visit family. They were magical in person. You can check out their website to learn more about them here.

Mostly I was touched by all of these adventurers out there living their dreams. I love coming across people who are actively doing something they strongly believe in. I see it in my brothers letters he writes home from his mission in the Philippines and I see it in the passion these people have for their music. I guess my point is that it's touching no matter the subject as long as it's an honest and good endeavor. Makes me want to work harder at doing the same.

Let the Right One In

2010-10-25T04:01:00.003-04:00

Best scary/vampire movie I've seen in a long time. You can watch it instantly on Netflix.

2010-10-20T01:08:00.002-04:00

I was going through some old photos and it has been just over a year since I was worked by those old folks in their Pantiac.

Yes you're seeing right, I have cowboy sheets.

Great news, I've made what I like to consider a 110% recovery and some wicked awesome scars to prove it. Why 110% you say? Well my wrist is stronger than ever with a titanium plate in there, I'm back doing everything I did before AND no more student loan! Muahaha. It may have even been worth it.

Jigidy Jam

2010-10-13T00:25:00.001-04:00

Slot Canyon from Jessica Baucom on Vimeo.

sometimes when I'm supposed to be working I work on things like this . . .

1 more point for Utah

2010-10-11T21:11:00.001-04:00

I love Southern Utah. I would kill to live on one of those little orchards in Springville. It's a magical place and I have been away too long.

Labrynth

2010-10-11T21:00:00.002-04:00

I got to tag along on a canyoneering trip last weekend. So worth it. So cold.

Breanne as Laura Croft

the labyrinth

froggie

swam in that

San Francisco

2010-10-06T21:46:00.004-04:00

Got away to San Francisco last weekend for a music festival. It always amazes me how beautiful the surroundings are in this city. For all of the water that is around New York you rarely get the feeling you're near the ocean. In San Francisco you can smell it in the air.

The festival was "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass" in Golden Gate park. Sooo many great bands were there - Patty Griffin, Jenny & Johnny, Conor Oberst, Indigo Girls (yes, to me they are great), Emmylou Harris, Patti Smith, Avett Brothers and some more.

We made it to Arcade Fire (opened by Calexico) in Berkley too. It was worth it to see Michelle see them for the first time. I think it changed her life, or at least made it a lot better.

Besides the music I was such a nerd for the plant life at Golden Gate Park and around SF. The trees in particular in the park were AMAZING.

There were so many people selling "stuff" there. This guy was one of my favorites. He was writing poems in person on his little type writer with the mantra "name your subject name your price".

There were also a LOT of these guys.

Then there was the drive there and back. Long and beautiful.

Poor Tyler, we tuckered him out with all of our Indigo Girls singing in the car.

Hussler

2010-09-17T21:35:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I bought the new iPhone because this guy told me you can buy a new one and sell your old one on Craig's List for the same price. With out much research I dove right in and I've been trying to get that old phone off my hands ever since! Because I'm in New York I figured there would be more demand for it. I was right, but at a price. I first met with this guy yesterday who said he wanted it and then after making me come to Starbucks to charge it up for 15 min. he finally looked it over and realized he couldn't hack it so he didn't want it, but then he asked me on a date. Ya right, didn't even buy the goods and now he wants something for free?

Tonight I found a taker. A Russian exchange student buying it for "his friend". He looked it over for about 10 minuets. These buyers are serious. He asked me a bunch of questions and then he pulls this wad of cash out of his pocket. He paid me all in $10's and $5's. He took the bait - finally made some money back! (not the same that I payed for the new one might I add).

2010-09-09T23:37:00.001-04:00

Thanks Amanda, I'm stealing this from you.

Very Cool. Click on the image - do it.

2010-08-31T14:33:00.000-04:00

Tripping Me Out Right Now

2010-08-20T14:02:00.003-04:00

Have you ever heard of this book? Have you ever read it?

A very peaceful hippy that I met while traveling suggested it to me and I started reading it last week. It's supposed to help you find balance and peace in your life, but right now it's mostly got my head spinning.

It's about letting go of all the useless junk that is always bouncing around in your head and enjoying and appreciating what is going on right this moment. It's harder than you'd think, and I think I like it. It's not an easy read, but I have a feeling I'm going to be glad I did once I'm done. I would love to hear if anyone has read it and what they think about it.

Diversity in Living

2010-08-20T13:53:00.003-04:00

This week has been one of those upside down weeks, but in the best way possible. Started semi normal. A little too much web surfing not quite enough work, but I do my best.

Right in the middle of the week of pushing to get it all done my dad asks if I want to go up to our cabin for a few days. Turns out I have a flexible schedule so I'm in. We drove the three hours up there and I go instantly from emailing and web surfing to being completley cut off and loving it.

We worked hard for two days. We worked on the tractor, I cleaned the tack shop, and then we spent about 8 hours cutting brush out of this field so that more grass would grow there for the horses. Him or I would drive the John Deer while the other lifted or lowered the mower (that is huge by the way) and being dragged behind the tractor.

How greatful am I that my day can start in the mountains driving a tractor and watching hail storms from the front porch - to dancing the night away at a free Big Boi concert (yes, you heard me right, Big Boi) with a follow up at Urban.

The answer is very.

2010-08-10T09:58:00.005-04:00

I am the epitome of unmotivated right now. I have a million things to do - many of which I could be doing on this here computer - but I can not bring myself to be productive. It's 10 a.m. I've been up for an hour and a half and I have yet to do one thing that is not useless. Kelly, Cardon, and I were talking about this at dinner last night; The pitfalls of being self employed. I am a shining example of this right this second. So instead of breaking through and being a design rock star I thought I would blog!

I'm on the last leg of a 18 day east coast journey. Starting in DC I worked with Lizzie on her amazing new little home - then a jaunt to West Viginie with a herd of radical DCers - then I made my way north to Maine where I met up with my clients/friends to look at a new project of there's - and last of all a few days in the city to catch up with some hommies and supposedly get some work done. Ha! The only photos I have are from Maine because I took them with my phone. Camera is dead and being a genius I left the charger at home. Just too much to keep track of I suppose.

Katie and Leo being the cutest

This water is so pure - when you swim in it you feel like you should be drinking it down at the same time.

Sneak peak into the new project. It's a 7 building camp built in the early 1900's. There are 3 livable cabins. A boat house, a bath house, a school house, and a house keepers cottage. Should make for an adventurous time to design. Unfortunately they have someone restoring it right now, so there is no need for my help with materials (which kills me just a little bit), but I'll be all over it when it's time for furniture, rugs, lighting, and those final touches.

Mountain Mama

2010-07-22T23:51:00.001-04:00

Headed back east this weekend and just found out that while I'm back there I'll be making a special trip out to West Virginia. To get me excited Andrew just sent me this little clip.
I am speechless.

Lucky Me

2010-07-22T02:52:00.004-04:00

2 days after I got home I was able to go back to the mountains, but this time with the boys.

Yes, that's Jack asleep on a horse blanket

Southern Most City to the Equator - Check

2010-07-20T00:47:00.004-04:00

Cheers to my fearless (usually) travel companion

We made it home and there has been a little bit of culture shock but mostly just temperature shock. After being in the mountains for 3 months it's a little rough to hack it in this 100 degree weather, but hey - I hop from my AC'd car to my AC'd house so I really shouldn't complain. It is so nice to be back and playing with all my homies here in Salt Lake though.

To wrap this adventure up here are some stats for you:

5 flights (including to and from)

20 bus rides covering 12,200 km and taking a total 240 hours - muchas auto bus'

19 different hostels and friends homes visited and slept in

Approximately a kazilion photos taken, new people met, and good times had

Who's in when we go back for Brazil and Colombia?? I miss it already

Updated

2010-07-20T00:29:00.003-04:00

here

Home Again

2010-07-08T17:31:00.002-04:00

My backpack exploded on my couch.

We did it! We made it home! It was a close call when my checked bags were randomly searched at the Ecuadorian airport and they found the antique pistol I had purchased at the market a few days before. I totally forgot about it so when they pull it out I'm like "Oh ya, sorry I forgot to tell you about that" they weren't too humored. They even threatened an investigation, but I put my best I feel real bad and real stupid right now face and they let my on the plane sans pistol. I cried, I really wanted that gun.

Anyway I am home now and I can't get over how:

A. fat all of the Americans look at the airport, sorry but it's true

B. big and absorbent our napkins are

C. giant and fast my computer seems to me right now

Honestly I'm pretty overwhelmed by all of the blogs I want to look at, people I want to call, and work I have to do. So instead of deal with all of that I'm headed to the woods for the next week with no phone and or internet - I guess real life can wait right?

If anyone is around tonight though I really hope you decide to come down to Pioneer Park for the free concert so that I can see your beautiful face and party with you. Otherwise I will be back in about one week - ready for some serious SLC summer fun.

Miss you all! See you soon!

The Road Home

2010-06-29T23:27:00.002-04:00

Still here, just getting super lazy on the blogging. Lost my camera battery, so no photos either, but we´re still out here and making our way north.
In the last 3 weeks we:
Hiked the Inca trail con Lauren, Lezlie, and Casey and loved every second of it
Headed south with those same chicas to Lake Titi Caca (the center of the Inca religeon)
Took a 30 hour bus ride all of the way up to Moncora in the far north of Peru on the coast
Laid on the beach like it was our job, ate fresh fish, fresh fruit, took yoga classes with the most amazing yogi I have ever seen (this guy had skills), surfed with the locals every day, watched the world cup with an international crowd at our hostel, swam in the ocean on the night of the full moon and salsa danced for a week. Can you tell I liked it there?
Arrived in Ecuador and so far just soaking it all in before headed farther north into the mountains

Things are going well here, but we´re stoked to see everyone at home as well! Get home on the 7th of July and I really hope everyone is around. I´m ready for summer and for some play time in Utah!

Festival Time in Cuzco

2010-06-19T20:29:00.002-04:00

Untitled from Jessica Baucom on Vimeo.

Baby Boom

2010-06-10T18:27:00.003-04:00

2 of my best friends back home decided to have babies while I was away (that's 2 new babies, 1 new puppy, and 1 new baby horse if you're counting). Sarah in Colorado and Carly in Brooklyn. I'll be honest, I don't really like the idea of my friends having babies. I am selfish like that and I want them to wait for me to have babies, and in the mean time I want them to not be married either and come travel with me and play all of the time.

Sigh, in the mean time I will try to be happy for them and just enjoy all of these beautiful children they keep having.

Back in Action

2010-06-10T11:22:00.004-04:00

The current state of my shoes

Today we flew from Lima to Cusco leaving the small town of Pampas Grandes far behind and it was a big reality check. We have been such scrappers going from bus to bus, hostel to hostel, so going to the airport all of a sudden we felt a little out of place. It felt posh. Wierd to think that's pretty much how most of the USA is. Posh compared to here.
We're back in Cusco and we feel like it's whole new place since we were here last. It's high season for tourists and there are Americans and Europeans everywhere. It's not bad, just different. Plus everyone wants you to pay twice as much as they were asking for 3 weeks ago. We're not falling for it. Last time we were here we scoped out some of the locals spots. We met a guy from Cusco who took us to a resturaunt that gives you a full meal for 3.50 soles. That's $1.20 US, and we're talking a big meal. The hostel we're staying at is 13.00 soles. That's $4.60 a night. If you can't tell what I'm getting at then here it is - TRAVEL. Travel while you can. It's completely doable. We have met SO many people from all over the world that are doing this for longer and for cheaper than we are. It's something that most people consider out of their reach, but let me tell you what. It's not. It's worth it.

2010-05-31T19:48:00.000-04:00

Once again I have been blown away by what we have been able to see and do here; in Pampas Grandes more than ever. This community is so simple and humble, but they are some of the kindest most open people we have met. This is probably THE most laid back place I have ever been and I love it. Our current schedule consists of:
5:00 a.m. waked up (yes you heard me right) and go running with these two girls here that are hard core like that.
6:45 a.m. go home and squeeze in a shower and breakfast before school starts
7:45 a.m. school starts. We go to the school and pretty much just teach which ever class a teacher dosn’t show up for. Turns out it’s pretty common for that to happen. Our classes range from 11 year olds to about 17 year olds. These kids are wild and it’s kind of a joke that Teri and I are in charge of their little brains for 5 hours each day.
1:00 p.m. (this is when we start saying Buenos Tardes instead of Buenos Dias) We walk to our place that’s just across the street to take a break.
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. We head down to the restaurant that we go to everyday. I’m going to go out on a ledge here and say most people haven’t been to a restaurant like this one. There is no menu, you just sit down and they bring out whatever they are cooking back there. Most days you start with a soup that has a mysterious chunk of meat in it and next they bring out a plate of rice with another large chunk of meat. One day I made the mistake of asking for my meal sin carne. I got the biggest load of greasy chicken and the lady is like “no carne, it’s pollo”. Today I asked what the meat was and when I didn’t recognize the answer I decided it was best I just didn’t know.
3-3:30 We head to the field to make good on one or more of our promises to play soccer or volleyball with the kids. This is my favorite part of the day. These kids are tough man! They are so funny to play sports with. They’re nuts. Playing soccer with the boys is pure comedy. They are constantly running into each other and tripping in the awkward dirt/tufts of grass field they have to play on. They just do a few summer salts and keep on running. Yesterday our goalie literally came up to my hip and he was 80% the reason we won the game. The other 20% was because we had a child prodigy making all of the goals. The best part is that the girls are just as tough or more when it comes to volleyball. Teri and I whimper almost every time we hit the ball – it hurts sooo bad. My arms are finally starting to build up a resistance, but it has come at a cost. The first few days we were here my arms were black and blue. The other day the adults asked if we wanted to play “volley” and we said yes. It was the biggest shock to watch these fierce competitors on the court (if you could call it that). First of all they asked us for money to play with them. We thought at that they were just trying to rip off the gringos, but no, it was a wager on the game. My team won and I made a whole sole! (which is about 40 cents)
6-7:00 We start walking home. The sun is setting by now and so far I have yet to see a sunset that disappoints. It’s almost always stunning from our lofty spot up on the mountain top. We shuffle home with a few kids tagging along. We almost always stop on our way to get some treats.
7-9:00 p.m. Last of all we hang out in our kitchen with Diego (the main director of our program) and a few kids playing cards and drinking tea. There are very few options when it comes to food here and we usually eat avocado and pan (bread) for dinner.
9-9:30 p.m. We generally head to bed. This is the earliest I have gone to bed since I was 14 and was on the swim team, but let me tell you what I am ready every single time. It’s like a health spa here. Hard work, good food, lots of exercise, I’m in the mountains. Life is good.

24 Hours of Bliss

2010-05-23T13:16:00.000-04:00

We made it to Pampas Grandes! Barely. We are here to do service for a program that we knew almost nothing about when we agreed to do it. Pan Peru is the program we are working for. We were recommended to them by a friend back home. The purpose of Pan Peru is pretty much to compensate for the lack of education and attention that small, poor, farming communities get in Peru. Pampas Grandes is the town they are focusing on right now. To get here we had to get to Lima where we met with the director (who doesn’t speak a lick of English by the way) and then get a bus up to Huarez. In Huarez we met another guy who lives and works in Pampas and met us to drive us the rest of the way. That transportation ended up being a little faulty. First of all turns out we were to drive up to Pampas with the mayor of Pampas, who was in a meeting. At first he said the meeting would be out at 10 am – long story short we pulled out of Huarez around 3 o’clock with 5 other passengers, one of which road in the back of the pick up truck amongst our back packs, a dirt bike, and a load of 10’ long pipes. After barreling up the windy country road for about 30 min we pulled over to check something under the hood – I wasn’t complaining because I needed a bano break anyway. By the time I made it back to the truck the mayor and Diego (the guy who initially picked us up) were arguing about something. They had taken the cap off of the (hot) radiator and it had flown off and was now missing. We searched for about an hour before heading back down to Huarez. The mayor (the driver at the time) was pretty annoyed and was cruising down the road that we had just climbed when we came across a lady and her small herd of live stock. At the last second one of the sheep darted in front of our car and the mayor ran right over it! Teri and I both gasped, but the best part is HE KEPT DRIVING. No apologie, we didn’t even slow down long enough to see the carnage, he just kept going. We didn’t know whether to laugh or what. That was just the beginning though – 2 min later Diego made us pull over so he could ralph out the window. We were going way too fast down that road and Diego proceeded to give the mayor and ear full. Diego drove the rest of the way. 2 hours later we were finally headed back up the road. No one had the right cap, but we forced one into working finally. Teri and I couldn’t help but laugh, it was the craziest day. The truck had some serious damage to the front bumper from the poor lamb. They guy in the back had to get out and walk twice as we passed police stations so they wouldn’t get a ticket for having him in the back. The cherry on top was when we stopped to have something to eat at about 9 pm after rumbling up a dirt road squished in the back of a truck for the past 2 hours and we were served soup with a swollen chicken foot floating in it. We got some serious giggles – it was all just too much.
It has all turned out fine though. We are staying in a great little house in the most beautiful spot at the top of a mountain. Pampas Grandes is a dusty little town clinging to mountain side at about 11,000 ft. One way down the mountain takes you to the ocean and the other to the jungle. Today we literally woke up to a rooster crowing. We went to the local “Olympics” where all of the surrounding towns come to Pampas to compete in running, soccer, and volleyball. Random I know. We made some fast friends with 3 little girls who took us all around town today. We can’t wait to start teaching. It’s so nice to be somewhere that we can actually get to know the people and not just be gringo outsider tourists. I really despise being a tourist. People don’t treat you like people, they treat you like a dollar sign. Here we’ll have a chance to really make friends with people and see how we live. We are living in pretty humble circumstances ourselves actually. We’re staying in this funny house, where there is really no interior space besides the rooms. It’s hard to explain, but there are no halls. All of the rooms just lead outside and there is a path outside the runs along the building that you take to get to the kitchen and the bathroom. There is no heat, the floors are cement. The water is hot though, which is just about all I could ask for at this point. It’s kind of like camping – I guess? I love it. There is a dog here that we are already friends with and our yard has big green over grown grass and flowers all over. Not a bad place to hang out for a few weeks.

2010-05-18T00:04:00.002-04:00

Oh really? Two cute baby animals at home while I'm away?

2010-05-17T23:36:00.002-04:00

We made it to Lima today. We are staying in the first actual hotel that we have our entire 6 weeks. Our friend here had booked it for us ahead of time so we went with it. Sooo worth it. Tonight we have sat around, watched tv (sex and the city just came on . . . in ENGLISH, it's like it was meant to be), ate candy, took hot showers (yes, first HOT shower in 6 weeks) and vegged. I can't imagine anthing better right now. We even have internet here! Real internet, the kind that works! Modern marvels.
We just got word that the place where we will be working for the next 3 weeks is another 15 hours from Lima - half by bus, half by car. It's also in the middle of it's rainy season and averages 3 degrees C. They don't really have internet turns out so see you all in a few weeks!

Good Bye Lapaz

2010-05-15T22:00:00.004-04:00

We left La Paz early this morning and boarded the first of three buses (so far) that are taking us to Cusco. We will spend the day in Cusco and then get on a night bus that will take us to Lima tomorrow, another 24 hours by bus.
La Paz was probably the most inspiring and interesting city we have been in so far. It’s also one of the trickiest and least 1st world cities I have been in. First of all we stand out like soar thumbs there, and I never like that. It also is constantly having protests and demonstrations, making things that much more unpredictable. On the flip side it is so culturally interesting. As I mentioned before there are tons of traditional looking ladies everywhere wearing their colorful shawls and slings. Most of the city’s housing looks like adobe brick legos – one built right on top of the other. Besides being at 12,000 ft and surrounded by snow capped peaks my favorite part about this city is their markets. There is a neighborhood where there are market booths taking up dozens of blocks selling everything from shampoo to DVDs to fruit to dried llama fetuses (yes, it’s true). They call it the witches market and it kept us entertained for hours. Last night for our final meal we sat down at one of their fast food joints, which consists of one or two stout little ladies squatting in front of a big boiling pot of soup, or meat, or who knows what. Then there are these small little stools surrounding the pot where you can sit down and be fed. They serve you on their own plates so you have to stay to eat if you want a plate; otherwise it ends up in a plastic bag. When we first sat down we got plenty of stares; curious eyes peaking up from their own mound of meat and potatoes. It only took a few minutes though of piecing together a sentence or two to make friends. By the time we left practically the whole group of them said good bye. Best part – our stomachs survived! I wasn’t’ brave enough to get the meat, but Teri loved it and our stomachs are both doing well.

A few other activities La Paz involved a football match we went to with a bunch of our friends that we have been traveling with for the past week or so. Another was riding mountain bikes down the worlds most dangerous road [dun dun dun]. The football was a blast. We ended up in the rowdy crowd with our faces painted and flags waving. We stood up and jumped the entire time. Partly because it was fun and partly because I think the crowd would have pummeled us if we hadn’t. By the end I could following along with a few of the chants, but still had no idea what I was saying.

The biking I was a bit skeptical of only because I can do it for free at home, plus I haven’t been on a bike since my accident and I wasn’t sure how 4 hours of downhill on dirt roads would feel. Turns out it was a great decision – I completely loved it. The company was started by a New Zealander who did the ride himself about 20 years ago. They have awesome full suspension bikes, plus they were the only company that had rescue equipment in case anyone went over the edge. It felt so good to be on a bike, plus we were riding down some really amazing terrain. It’s considered the world’s most dangerous road because it’s a single lane dirt road that winds from a high mountain pass of 14,000 ft to the jungle at 3.000 ft. and the cliff that parallels the road reflects that. It doesn’t help that while riding you are passing dozens of crosses for those who have gone over the edge. Up until 2006 it was the only road that could take you to La Paz from the area and dozens of trucks, buses, and cars have gone over the edge whether because of late night sleepy driving or simply trying to pass another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Now it’s mostly utilized by tour groups taking willing bikers down the road, but even then there have been a hand full of deaths. There were plenty of places where if you went over the side you would drop up to 900 ft before stopping. Sounds sketch, but I tell you it was amazing. It felt so good to be on a bike plus at the end we got to hang out at an animal reserve where you could play with the monkeys that live there. And they weren’t the nasty greedy kind they have in Thailand – they were so sweet I wanted to stay.

5 Facts About Bolivia

2010-05-15T21:56:00.002-04:00

They use pink toilet paper
Old ladies sport top hats
They love themselves some popcorn (sold everywhere)
They have amazing scenery
I love it

2010-05-09T19:49:00.000-04:00

Hola from Bolivia! This place has been unreal. Such a big culture difference from Argentina – Bolivia has villages with mud brick houses and beautiful native people. All of the women have these massive slings on that are either stuffed full with goods or babies. Most of the women here wear a unique outfit which consists of a top hat (a “proper” top hat as our English friends call them) and long black braids coming out from beneath. They also wear colorful knit sweaters and full pleated skirts that hit them just below their knees. Then they almost all wear thick wool tights and finally (and who knows why), they wear these cute little wedge heal sandals. I’ll have to bring back a post card of them because I feel really weird taking their picture, especially when I can’t even talk to them.
Since we crossed the border into Bolivia it’s been like stepping back in time. We got on a bus right away that was so rickety I could hardly believe it could make it over the intense bumpy road we commensed to drive on for the next 9 hours. The landscape in the southwest of Bolivia is really similar to central Utah. Kind of reminds me of the farm towns around Price. You might think that made it boring, but no, I love it. So wild and open. We swerved up sketchy dirt roads, sometimes along sketchy cliffs, and then when you thought you were really in the middle of nowhere the bus would pull over and pick someone up that came from who knows where. We finally arrived in a dusty little town where we started our salt flats adventure. Yes, we came all of the way to Bolivia to go to the salt flats It’s the biggest in the world and one of the most striking landscapes I have ever been too.
Now we’re in La Paz, the highest capitol city in the world. We’re at about 12,000 feet elevation here. I don’t even know what to say about it, but that I love it. So completely speechless when I saw it for the first time from the bus window this morning. Can’t wait to check it out some more.

2010-05-05T08:57:00.004-04:00

I had a wicked combo of time and internet this morning so I was able to finally upload a few pictures!
We're in Salta now, but we just came from Iguazu. Iguazu is this massive water fall that is on the border of Argentina, Brasil, and Paraguay. It's enormous, beautiful, and kind of a tourist trap, but well well worth it. We got there via bus and our friend in Buenos Aires booked it and it was luxurious, probably the last luxurious bus we'll take in a while. The seats laid completely out AND there was a food service included. I made them book us the front seats on the second floor so we had the coolest view as we wizzed through small towns too small to have giant buses wiz through them, felt bad about that.

Someone told us about a moon light tour the first night which was a really cool way to see the falls for the first time. They only do it a few nights a month, and we got there the night of the full moon so it was PERFECT. It was unreal walking up to it for the first time. The falls kick up so much mist that it blends with the low lying clouds.

The water's really high this year, so they had to close this platform. Just the wind alone made by the falls could through you off of that thing.

Next we got on another giant bus and headed to Salta. It's in the North West of Argentina and totally different from Iguazu. Yesterday we went with some friends that we met back in Patagonia and ran into here on a horse back riding excursion. Ya, I know, why did I come to Argentina to ride horses when I do it back home, but it was really cool to see how they did things on this ranch. It's an old convent that was converted into a home 75 years ago or something crazy. It's super green there, but arid too. There were giant cactus's (?) everywhere, but there were also green parrots flying around. Very strange.

These are their saddles and I was obsessed. They are so comfy. They are a series of blankets and leather under and on top of this saddle frame that had sturrups attached. I wanted one so bad! The guys on the ranch make all of them themselves.

Group photo - yes, we had to wear fancy helmets

Then they cooked us lunch on their grill and in these ovens. Mark my words I will build one of these when I get home. I don't know where, but the food that they cook in them is sooo good.

Finally our cute little hostel in Salta. It's one of my favorites. Salt is the oldest city in Argentina and the architecture reflects that. The beds in this place are not the nicest, but it's definitely my favorite ambiance. It's so sweet.

Next we're on to Bolivia. We leave on a bus tonight and midnight and should arrive at the border by 8 a.m., just in time for the border to open. We hear they give Americans a hard time - we pay more than anyone else to cross borders and/or go to national parks etc. This is because apparently the US charges everyone else a lot to come to the US, but still, Teri and I should not be paying the consequences! We'll see though, maybe they'll believe we're Canadians?

2010-05-01T18:15:00.002-04:00

Is it just me or does it look like I'm missing a tooth in this photo?

Hiking on an island in the Beagle Channel

View from our hostel window in Ushuaia

So here’s the story about the long blog posts and lack of photos. We have been taking some pretty wicked long bus rides lately – hense the long blog posts because typing is one of the three or so activities I have to do while on a bus. The lack of photos is because internet is something we detest here, photos upload soooo slow and it ends up just driving us crazey, so usually I just copy and paste my writing and then add a photo or two. Anyway, that is my excuse, if you’re still interested do stick around.

Right now we’re riding a massive bus from Buenos Aires to Iguazu. Iguazu (which I’m sure I am spelling wrong) is a giant water fall that kind of sounds like a tourist trap to me, but EVERYONE insists that we need to see it. I’m sure it will be beautimous and it is pretty cool to be heading into the jungle. Because we’re American (oh, excuse me, United States of American – it’s a sensitive subject around here) we can’t go to the Brasilian side unless we want to pay some big bucks. As it turns out Americans charge tons of fees to foreign visitors and right now Teri and I are paying the consequences. Everything we want to do costs us more, just because we’re from the US. Anyway, back to the water fall – should be pretty cool.
Before leaving Patagonia (my favorite place to date) we went even farther south down to Tierra del Fueggo – the very farthest south peninsula or Argentina. There we stayed in the sweetest little port town called Ushuaia (which I am also sure I’m spelling wrong). It’s the farthest southern city in the world and it sits on Beagle Bay which is surrounded by the farthest southern peaks of the Andes. It was so peaceful and nice down there, and really not all that cold despite a million warnings we received. We went to a national park outside of the city called Tierra del Fueggo and it was pure magic. I could have just stayed there and been completely content. Both Teri’s and my camera ran out of batteries almost the moment we got into the park, so we took it as a sign to just soak it in and not worry about photos. While hiking there we ran into this kid who dropped out of highschool and now just travels and busks everywhere he goes to make money. He sang us a few songs that then we left him there in the forest, he said he would spend the night. It was so random. I told him to call his mom and tell her he was alright when he got a chance. I felt old.
From Ushuaia we flew back to Buenos Aires where we had a just a few days to get some business done (exchange money, ship some stuff home, etc.). That city really takes it out of you. The extra effort of always being on guard gets old quick. If we ever had time to sit in the park or go to markets we loved it, but most of the time we were there we were always running around trying to get everything done, so I can’t say I’m too sorry to be leaving it. We did squeeze in one more night of Tango where both Teri and I were owned again by some old men tango dancers. My partner kept trying to get me to do these fancy moves that I’m pretty sure I would be incapable of even if I could understand what he was saying. I looked so ridiculous I could tell. Teri on the other hand really got the hang of it. I think she’s going to go pro.

Break My Heart

2010-04-22T22:28:00.002-04:00

This is what I'm missing out on back home right now and it kills me!

Teri the Amazing Hand Stander

2010-04-22T22:09:00.002-04:00

Patagonia

2010-04-22T21:46:00.002-04:00

I found my future home. It’s called Chalten and it’s in the South West of Patagonia tucked up against the Fitz Roy Range. It’s perfect. A small quaint town with few year round residence, packs of dogs roaming the streets (but not the nasty ones you see in ciites, the tough mountain kind), and mountains and beauty EVERYWHERE. We were only there two days, but in the time we were there we were able to hike up to the base of Fitz Roy. We went up with a group of kids that we met a few towns back in Calafate and happened to be traveling in the same direction for a few days. There were 8 of us total. 1 girl from Ireland and 1 from Whales traveling together. They had been out about a month and had made their way down from Brazil. 1 guy from Philidelphia who had been traveling all around South America and had been out 8 or so months, he plans to be out a whole year. 1 girl from London who was a photographer and had been living in Buenos Aires for 4 months off and on while traveling in between. 1 guy from London who had met the photographer in Brasil and they had traveled together ever since. Lastly there was 1 girl from California who had only been out a few days. All of this to say there are soooo many people out here traveling the world. 3 months sounded like a long time while I was still at home and after talking to these people it doesn’t seem like nearly enough time. They all have amazing stories about where they have been and where they are going. It’s been nice to get out into the travelers circuit to get the first hand advice because we have been in BA for so long trying to figure it all out, and now we realize just how much there is to do and just where we want to go.
Anyway, back to the mountains. They’re beyond words. Vast and seemingly untouched compared to the bustling National Parks we have back home. The other noteable strangeness is there are very few animals out here. Aparently there aren’t many because of the harsh conditions (yes, it’s freezing and the wind usually blows all of the time), but still it feels strange for all of this open wilderness to feel so empty. When I come down next time (and there will be a next time, mark my words) I’d like to go with a group of friends, buy a beater car, take camping gear and go everywhere. One of our friends in BA asked “What are you going to do in Patagonia for a whole week?” Which seems even funnier now because I feel like I could be here for months and not see enough.

Tango

2010-04-20T21:26:00.003-04:00

We did it. We tangoed last night and it was pretty fantastic. Rose and her uncle suggsted this spot where you pay $20 pesos (around $5 US) where you spend the first hour in a class, the next hour tearing up the dance floor with your new moves, and then eventually they put on a show where they show how the pros do it. So we arrived an hour late, missing the initial class. One other detail they semi explained in broken english is that most people go to this sort of thing with a dance partner. When we first got there I was determined that we would still dance so I started studying the guys and tried to force Teri to dance with me, but luckily some tango efficiantos rescued us. Mine was a middle aged argentine pop musician metro sexual who knew a little bit of english. Enough to get me to follow his footsteps anyway. Teri’s was an older, slightly fatter tango man who taught her a thing or too as well. We both loved it. The focus on learning this dance is trusting your partner. It’s a pretty slow dance and the steps are relatively easy, yet there are a lot of different ways to put the steps together so you really just follow what ever the guy wants you to do. It might sound lame, but the coolest part of this dance was when you could really relax, lean into your partner and just go with it. Sounds weired, but once I was able to do that it was soooo cool. We want to Tango more. I also danced with this old guy who spoke NO english, but one of his lady friends explained to me that the group they were with (6 or 7 old folks) are a part of a senior center (over 60) that get together every Saturday to take Tango lessons. They were my idles. Out at 2 in the morning with all of their compadres drinking, eating and dancing. Loved it.
Lastly I danced with an Argentine closer to my age. He was an unlikely find at a Tango Bar (or so I thought)because he was hippyesque, young, and a hip hop/pop musician (I have yet to look up his band, but I feel like this could either mean something really interesting, or really no bueno). In his broken english and my next to nothing Spanglish we talked about how Argentines and most of the hispanic world partner dance from such a young age. He first started dancing with his mom when he was a kid and next with girls he knew at dance party/get togethers that start when he was around 12. It’s really natural for them to dance with a girl, whether they’re attracted to them or not. He asked me something like “How do you know how to socialize with boys without being able to dance with one?” I like the idea of this question/statement. Men here are so confident and natural about talking to you, makes me wonder if this has something to do with it. Here Americans are known for being stiff. They put their hand out to greet rather than the traditional cheeck kiss greating they all do here. When dancing it’s really natural for me to want to pull away a bit and look at my feet instead of rest up against a stranger and relax. It’s one thing to think “ya. I want to relax more and be more open”, and it’s been another to actually do it, especially in Tango. I’m giving it a try.

2010-04-15T23:10:00.005-04:00

Today we went to a movie of a friend (Zach) of a friend (Dusty) who just happens to have a film (Bummer Summer)in a festival (BAFICI) that just happens to be going on right now in BA. Magically it all worked out, we made it to the movie AND ran into Zach (the producer) on the street outside of the movie theatre. I only recognize him from his blog posts that Dusty has shown me, so hopefully I didn't freak him out too much being being one of those people who comes up to you in a foreign country and knows all about you.

It was well worth it to check this out. First off it was fantastic to listen to english for a few hours. Also, I followed the production of this film a bit on their blog and I really loved the aesthetic of the photography on the blog. To my pleasant surprise the film was like one beatiful photograph after another, really fun to see. Also, another friend, Elna, that I know from New York just happened to be in the film too, which was filmed and took place in Oregon/Washington - weired.

Some lovely shots from the film below. . .

All in all it was pretty great.

Sneak Peak

2010-04-15T22:59:00.008-04:00

Finally mini is back and running (for now) and Teri and I are scrambling to get stuff done while it's working. We leave for Patagonia early next week so we're trying to live it up here in BA while we can. So far I love/hate this city. One side it's super dirty, people aren't particularly friendly, and it really wears us out trying to get around here. On the other side it's been a blast seeing so many new things. I love the language, they have a beautiful dialect here. They also have great food, great parks, and a lot of beautiful architecture. They also have amazing shopping. At first we didn't think so and then we started figuring out where to go. They have tons of cute botiques here and the leather is especially amazing. Tons of great boots, shoes, and jackets. I never thought I was into leather jackets and there are sooo many beautiful ones here. This weekend we hope to do a lot of antique shopping too which I have heard is unparalelled. Hopefully the rest of the trip isn't as tempting as this place because I have had to have some serious self control with my wallet.

2010-04-13T00:18:00.002-04:00

Sooooo, mini computer already crashed. Turns out the NYC Craigslist special wasn´t what it was cracked up to be. Luckily uncle Gabriel (who lives here with Rose) happens to fix computers for a living is working on it and is letting us borrow his mini computer which has a spanish key pad. Now I´ll have a legit excuse for my poor grammar.
BA is very cool and interesting. The people aren´t espcially friendly, to be honest, but that said we have met a handful of gems. First off the people we´re staying with are unreal. They are so good to us and Rose, who is 20, is super sweet and fun to hang out with. We kick it with her whenever she´s not in school.

One thing about BA that´s so funny is that this place never sleeps. It´s 1:30 am and we can hear someone in the aparment building is playing a piano, yes, a piano. We haven´t had dinner before 9 o´clock since we´ve been here and it´s totally acceptable to wake up at noon. This is my kind of town.

Today Teri and I went to this famous old cemetary to walk around, take pictures and do some drawing. After wards we took the long way to the next area we wanted to go to and stumbled upon a lot of good stuff. Old ladies excersizing in the park, a botanical garden that for some reason is full of cats (and I mean FULL of cats), drummers at another park, lots of interesting things. Teri is my perpetual spanish sounding board. She´ll teach me all day and not get sick of explaining things which keeps me pretty entertained. We´ve eaten more empinadas and icecream than any two people should, but we´re just living it up while we can.

Anyways, stuffs is good. Love you all. Chau Chau.

We Made It!

2010-04-10T11:55:00.004-04:00

Prepare yourselves, this is about to turn into a travel blog. Upon Chelsea's suggestion (Chelsea you're a genious) we brought along a mini computer as our travel guide/flight booker/telephone and now blogger. For now we have internet so it's our little buddy.

Arrived in BA two (or three?) days ago and it is fantastico. Teri is trying to speak a ton of Spanish to me so my brain is currently throbbing, but I've already learned a lot and I even dare to talk to locals from time to time (as in say hello I mean).

We're staying with THE nicest people. A friend of Teri's aunt has an apartment here where her daughter currently lives while going to design school. They both act like we've all been friends forever and we have a lot of fun together. We went out with Rose (the daughter) last night and all of her Dominican friends (that's where she's from) and they don't go out to the clubs till 3 or 4! No joke. Teri and I showed up ready to go at like midnight at her friends apartment and then were so beat by 3 that we only lasted about an hour before we lost our groove.

Besides this we have been wondering through busy streets, through beautiful plazas and historic buildings. Going to some cool markets today. Everything is going swell and Teri is my golden ticket because she is the translator. If you ever want to ditch the US of A for a bit and head south you'll know where to find us!

Chau for now!

I want to break free

2010-04-07T18:36:00.001-04:00

Teri just showed me this video and it is epic. Since youtube and I don't get along I can't figure out how to post, so you'll just have to do it the old school way and follow this link. You won't be sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMrY8jysdg

Flight neighbor

2010-04-06T17:59:00.002-04:00

I guess the below post never was posted, but I swear I really did wake up at 5:00 am the other morning. It's been a whirlwind of a month and I couldn't be more satisfied about it.

Currently on an airplane sitting next to my new hero. Couldn't help but share because I am intrigued by this guy. He's from Idaho Falls, traveling home from Nepal where he spent 4 weeks trekking around with his lady friend. He's also 74 years old. He's proceeded to tell me about at least 8 other international trips that he's either been on in the last year or is going on in the next. Once he's back in Idaho he is headed south in his four wheel drive vehicle (I didn't ask the specifics) for some adventures in Southern Utah and Colorado. Back up to Salt Lake to pick up his new travel van (it's a Ford, I did catch that one) and then he's headed up to West Yellowstone. This guy is the man. He's given me a few jems like "you have to travel while you're young because if not you'll get old like me and not be able to fit in with all of the young hippie kids. Those kids are always smiling so they must be doing something right". He's also a proponent of not worrying so much about making money because what's the good in saving money for when you're old ? "Then you'll be too fat like me to do any of the fun stuff!"

We also ski on the same ski and just had a 20 minuet nerd out gear head conversation. Love this guys - WHAT A STUD

Just what I needed - a reminder of why I am so glad I'm headed to South America tomorrow even though I kind of feel like I have a hang over and that it's only going to get worse with 36 more hours of traveling ahead. I needed the pep talk.

2010-04-05T05:10:00.003-04:00

New York I love you, but you're wearing me out . . . I just woke up, check your watches (or my post time) 5:11 a.m. Many of you may have thought I wasn't capable of such maddness, turns out I am. Sammie (new friend and happens to be an angel) is in a cab on her way to pick me up to take me to the flower district to get my clients apartment rigged out in beautiful greens, pinks, and more. I am more tired than I though I could be and so excited. Been working NON stop for the past 5 days on this project and it will be done in 6 hours. Photos to come.

I stole this photo from Jams blog because I love it. We're in the bathroom playing words with friends while Aly has a serious convo in the other room. This pretty much sums up my month. 3 bodies plus in our 400 sq ft apartment. Couldn't been one bit less privacy, more exhausting, or more fun for that matter. Not sure I'm ready for it to end tomorrow.

Charlie Eco Friendly

2010-03-28T23:32:00.002-04:00

Highschool friend Heather Lang moved to NYC to be a model. It worked and she's been living the high life out here ever since. Met up with her for lunch the other day and she told me about this business that her and a friend of hers are working on making all organic t's. They are buying organic cotton tees and hand dyeing them with tree bark from all over the world. Yep, you heard me right. They haven't set up their online shop yet, but you should watch out for them because they're super cute and comfy looking. Check em out at their site.

Hippy r die.

2010-03-28T11:15:00.001-04:00

Washington Square Piano from Jessica Baucom on Vimeo.

Newmans Own

2010-03-07T15:38:00.002-05:00

Thank you Paul Newman for yet another innovation in delicious treats. Your genius is transcending.

High Line Park

2010-03-06T18:51:00.002-05:00

Over the past few years there has been a construction project underway to revamp an old above ground train track that runs from Meat Packing up to Chelsea. I have wanted to go there ever since I heard it was done and today I finally did. Perfect place to spend one of the first sunny above 45 degrees days here in New York.

This is the railroad when it was in use way back when.

In some places it went right through buildings.

This is what the trail looked like when I lived in NYC two years ago.

This is how it looks now.

Well, more like this because there were tons of people out today.

See more pictures and read about the High Line Park here.

Podcasts

2010-03-03T02:43:00.004-05:00

I'm not afraid to admit it, I'm a major podcast junkie. Ever since Christy explained to me what they were I have been hooked. I'm trying to stock up on them for traveling so please oh please tell me you're favorites. I'm already an avid listener of:

This American Life

WNYC's Radio Lab ***favorite

The Moth

NPR's All Songs Considered

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Missed in History Class

What are your favorites? I need to mix it up.

More Lulu

2010-03-01T02:44:00.005-05:00

What is it about a baby that is so relaxing? Maybe only sleepy babies that you get to hold when they're happy is what makes them so relaxing for me, but I really like being around them. Chelsea brought it up today, but babies really force you to slow down. You can't do a million things at once when you have a baby and you just have to accept that when you're taking care of them.

Hung out with Chels, Adam, Frida and Lulu today. Spent a slow Sunday afternoon walking around the woods behind their house, holding the babe, and watching (and eating) Chelsea's cooking. It always feels like a vacation when I hang out with them and even more so when I get to hang out with this peanut.

This rig is surprisingly comfy - kind of made me feel pregnant. This is as close as I'll be to that for the next decade I'm sure.

Please

2010-02-25T02:30:00.002-05:00

One of my clients asked me what I thought about doing this light in her bathroom today. It was a challenging moment.

I miss you guys

2010-02-24T18:53:00.004-05:00

I thought I was going to be able to make it up north before leaving for the next 4 months, but alas, I won't and I am going to (and already do) miss these guys soooooooo much.

2010-02-22T02:58:00.000-05:00

BK from Jessica Baucom on Vimeo.

Can you tell I have been messing with videos today?

2010-02-21T22:10:00.001-05:00

Wild Stallion's in Altonah from Jessica Baucom on Vimeo.

These horses came out of nowhere when we were out in the field riding the other day. They were kind of eerie because we have no idea who's they were (they were in a field of ours) and they would just come running up to us out of nowhere, circle around us, and then leave again like sharks waiting to pounce.

Snow Ponies

2010-02-20T21:11:00.007-05:00

Paige and I both needed a break from life today so we drove up to Altonah for a ride. Among other things we saw some beauty and peace - snow and horses - and I totally got thrown off a horse. I didn't just loose my balance, oops I slipped off. Pretty much the horse wanted me off and he got me off, that hasn't happened to me in a while. Luckily it was into the snow and Paige and I both got the giggles out of it for the rest of the day. Even on the ride home we couldn't stop laughing about it.

The horses are so fuzzy in the winter it always takes me a while to figure out who's who. This is Sailor - the sweetest bestest of them all. I can always find him.

She's prego and stuck in the snow, I kind of feel bad for her. Can you see the baby bulging on her right side?

Benny is already giving me the stink eye for making him ride in this deep snow. Approx 10 minuets before he went nutso and dumped me.

2010-02-20T21:00:00.001-05:00

The Daily Coyote - Home from daily coyote on Vimeo.

Sand and Snow

2010-02-16T00:32:00.003-05:00

I went out to the beach house the other day for work and Midori came along for the ride (thank you Midori for the company!) so after measuring rugs for two hours we rushed to the beach before the sun set to catch a glimpse. Needless to say it was frigid, yet some how the waves were still tempting me.

As I'm sitting there thinking about how "ya, you'd probably die from coldness if you were in that water" some surfers come swimming by like it ain't no thing! It was blowing my mind how they were capable of such a feat. It was freezing out there. They were in wet suits, but still! I'm still perplexed about it.

iche liebe the ocean even in the winter.

Flight

2010-02-15T14:03:00.004-05:00

I have been scrambling these past two days to get everything done before I fly home at 5 pm today. As the clock gets closer to 5 the scrambling has gotten more and more intense. I was in a cab after buying a bunch of rugs on 19th street rushing back to my apartment to pick up my bags to run to my friends to drop of some keys and then get on the subway for the airport. While sitting there I thought - "I'll check my flight number so I can text it to my mom" because I'm a lucky girl and my mom picks me up from the airport. So I'm scrolling over the info and I notice the text TUE and 16th. Weird, I'll look at it again. Ya, says Tuesday the 16th of Feb. Weird, I'll look at it one more time. Yup, confirmed, I'm an idiot.

Utah in August

2010-02-14T23:49:00.003-05:00

Carly just sent me a bunch of pics from when her and Fritz came to Utah. It's got me really missing green, and mountains and sage brush.

Snow

2010-02-10T20:52:00.004-05:00

It has been snowing a lot here today and I may be one of the only people in this city that LOVES it. The streets are so peaceful (relatively) when it snows hard here and I've been eating it up. Yet, I must admit that most of the day I have been in bed reading my latest guilty pleasure, but still I love the snow.

The guilty pleasure is guilty because it's SUPER cheesy and not written terribly well, but I'm smitten by this book called "The Daily Coyote". This girl from New York ended up living in Wyoming and was given a baby coyote. Most of the book is about her living in this rickety old cabin on the property of a cowboy she met out there, living with the coyote, her cat, and this horse (the horse lives outside).

Any who, i'm totally smitten by this coyote. This is one of my dream lives - except that I would prefer the cowboy lived with me and the coyote in the rickety old cabin, and I could do without the cat - but either way it's totally dreamy and has me really really missing Max. I love the west and animals. K, so turns out I'm the cheesy one.

Here are some pic from the blog - http://www.dailycoyote.net/

I want one.

2010-02-10T19:48:00.002-05:00

These friendly friends came up from DC to help me house & dog sit last week and I was ridiculously pathetic at taking photos. I did get a few quick snaps as they headed out the door (elevator) one day without me because they had bikes and I had to work. LAME. It was fun anyway and we had some quality lounging time in the big rig house.

Jealous.

Side not on this sofa is that my clients asked me to help sell it. They offered me a commission, which I kind of shrugged off. Oh, it's no problem, I'll just start looking around and doing some research on it. As it turns out, and I shouldn't be surprised, that it's a $39,000 designer piece from the 50's. Ya, just my entire student loan sitting there in the corner of their loft with a pee stain on it. Classic.

Playing on the Subway

2010-02-07T21:31:00.003-05:00

Bro tried to play his electric guitar on the subway for money today.

Poor fool got busted though

2010-02-07T20:49:00.003-05:00

Beyond spoiled by my clients. After house sitting/dog sitting for them this past week Tracey has offered to let me stay here for the next week. A little apartment that she owns in the West Village. It was the first apartment she ever lived in in New York and she can't bare to part with it - lucky for me.

2010-02-06T19:57:00.002-05:00

I'm house sitting here in New York.

It's alright.

Netti

2010-02-05T23:28:00.002-05:00

Have you ever used one of these? They hurt so good if you're sick, but they're soooo worth it. I swear it healed me last week.

And no, this is not me.

Chelsea's a Mama

2010-01-21T19:43:00.008-05:00

Chels had her baby last night (rrr this morning I guess) and she is fine and dandy! I'll let her tell the details, but just wanted to spread the word that everything is good and going well.

I was kind of scared of the picture before, so I thought I would update.

Sitt'n in the waiting room

2010-01-21T18:44:00.004-05:00

Thank you Neil, made my day. Click it.

Missoula

2010-01-19T19:20:00.005-05:00

Drove up to Missoula Montana with Rachel Barker this week. She needed a driving partner and I needed a rode trip. Done and done.

Court House

Staying in a cottage right next to this rig - haven't gotten a pic of it yet

Parrot friend found in the Army Navy store - see vid below

Missoula street art

Rachel is up here working on a dance project with a local company called Headwaters Dance Co. They get together every day for 8 hours to work on the 4 pieces they will be performing in a few weeks. I love it - they work all day in this studio in the artistic directors back yard and then they all eat lunch together at her house. It's so very bohemian. They're from all over too. A few from New York, one from LA, and one is even from Iceland! I've been sitting in on their practices and I love watching it all. I like watching the process of them working together and talking through it. Wish I could be here for the performance.

Joe

2010-01-18T23:45:00.006-05:00

I'm in Missoula MT for a few days wondering around. Something I do often, wonder around in new and random places. I walked into the Army Navy store that's in town and this parrot liked me (according the shop keeper) because I turn around and he is waddling towards me. A giant green parrot waddling towards me while I'm there looking at webbing. Kind of freaked me out. Next he climbed up my leg and perched on my shoulder and started to do this weird shaky dance. I had to go find the shop keeper and he got a video of the dance. Don't mind me being a total dork throughout the whole thing.

From Jan 17, 2010

(click on the photo to watch - I am totally struggling with how to post videos on this thing, and this is the latest I have come up with, thanks to Sarah)

Time to Travel

2010-01-16T14:59:00.005-05:00

I have been whining about wanting to travel for months now (sorry to all who have been listening patiently), but all of a sudden I got what I was wishing for because it just got crazy up in here. I have a wicked crazy schedule over the next 6 months - usually I don't know my schedule for the next 2 weeks, so this is new for me. All the while I would LOVE it if anyone wants to join for any little bit of it.

Starting with New York I'm there Jan 25th - Feb 7th. I'll be busy working the first week, but the second I'll be house sitting in a massive loft in the West Village. Anyone interested? Do come along.

Hoping to visit this lovely place in the next two months. Some time in February I think.

If I REALLY got my way I would go to this rad town for a week in March, but i'll have to see if I can swing it. Ok, I'm probably dreaming at this point.

Back in New York for a few weeks in the end of March. Most likely working like crazy to get a project done, but if you're in town I will for sure want to meet up, even if just for a bit.

Next is South America with Teri for 3 months. Any and all, please do come! We will be total scrappers living off of nothing and wandering around, hopefully picking up some Spanish too. Plan is to start in Argentina and end in Equador - but we're flexible so come along and who knows what will happen.

Wrestling with a Sugar Glider

2010-01-14T02:33:00.005-05:00

I was trying to get a picture of Louise, one of my dads sugar gliders (yes you heard me right) and I could not get her to sit still. This is how that went.

See that little gray blob? That's her.

Gottcha!

This is a pretty typical night at my house these days. My hanging out watching t.v. with the rents and playing with these little guys. These images were taken moments before the little bugger got away and it took me 45 min to find her. Sneaky.

Yurt Not Going to Regret This One

2010-01-10T01:41:00.011-05:00

Oh yes I did just pun that.

Welcome to the magical post by the sorcerer Neil. Pay close attention and maybe you too will one day be able to experience the magic that is the yurt.

Listen closely friends - there are a few important steps needed to make for a successful mountain adventure.

First and foremost you need a stellar cast - Chris, Anna, Jason, Neil, Erika, Christy, and yours truly provided that, if I do say myself.

Now you are ready to hike and hike in freezing temperatures until you want to laugh and cry at the same time.

It also helps if you're as cute as a snow elf, as you can see.

Now you have made it to the yurt! You're so happy! Especially because once you get there you realize that a most beautifully new yurt has replaced the last rickety (although lovely) one that you stayed in last time.

treats

wood chopping

Tight pants

and hilarity will most surely ensue.

As well as some mad chilling by Neil

And gorgeous glamour shots

The poles of the yurt make for great posing props. Maybe if you're lucky, one day we will give you more tips on how fun these poles can be.

After much sleeping, eating, and coziness it is now time to get back out into the wild

and skin em up

Now you hike again, but you feel better because you are not carrying a heavy pack - and that lasts a whole 10 steps, and then it hurts again.

But you're in a cute line so you don't care

Then it's time to un skin em and get to it.

And look really rad while doing it

And then you check for deepth (notice the shrubbery in the near distance?)

And then my friends you shred the shit out of that 6" deep snow as demonstrated below.

And now you're so happy you don't know what to do with yourself, so you skin up and do it all over again and have so much fun doing it that you don't take any more pictures, you just ski.

Alas, after much good times - it's appropriate for another epic self timed group shot before attempting a painfully long icy shoot of a run through trees and rocks back to the frozen car.

Yet you keep you're spirits up, because you're in the mountains, and you love it.

till next time folks.

p.s. thank you to those far and wide whom I poached almost every single one of these images from!

Burley Spudman 2010

2010-01-04T15:21:00.002-05:00

If you want in on it enter into the lottery. Started today and ends January 24th.

Race is on July 31st.

2010-01-04T13:48:00.001-05:00

Dear Santa

2009-12-19T23:45:00.001-05:00

I want one.

iphone and the Puget Sound

2009-12-10T02:07:00.001-05:00

Twinners

2009-12-03T01:42:00.004-05:00

Snapped this picture of Chelsea and Amanda this morning when I woke up at the crack of dawn (10:00 a.m.). They looked like little siamese twins and I couldn't help myself. What if they were siamese twins? That would make being married to brothers all the more complicated.

Note Chelsea's eye shades. Love it.

Punked Zach

2009-12-03T01:27:00.004-05:00

Zach has talked for weeks about me cutting him a mullet. My mom made me promise to wait until after some family photos we took last week - so finally Sunday was the day.

before, still innocent looking

during

after - check out the badittude he's sporting with his new look. Even Jack is impressed.

The next day. If there was audio to this you would hear my mom in the background begging us to get rid of "it"

The due lasted a dismal 24 hours, although before hand Zach was sure he was going to leave it until he went on his mission in two weeks. Sometimes when you love something you just have to let it go. I'll get a new pic of the buzz I had to give him because I cut the sides so short.

Stones

2009-12-03T01:15:00.002-05:00

I was walking near the cemetery the other day and across the street there was a grave stone shop (location location location) with the most excellent selection of head stones. Unfortunately I didn't snap a shot of the one I saw with a Mickey Mouse head on it (yes, it is true) or the one with the New York Yankees symbol - but lucky for you guys I did get a pick of the doves flying to heaven together.

Despite all of the varied options I was really surprised to see just what (I didn't know) I was looking for! My headstone! I want a little sand stone one like this one! How cute is that? I didn't know they had hippy head stones.

Jared claimed this one.

There must be something about grave stones and Thanks Giving time.

I want to be there . . .

2009-11-28T01:12:00.003-05:00

Not to be pushy snow gods, but . . . we could use more.

Or I could just go to Norway, I could be good with that too.

This Guy's My Hero

2009-11-25T01:51:00.003-05:00

My dad gave me the heads up on this clip from the today show. If you're a junk collector and/or a design nerd you might be interested.

2009-11-10T23:46:00.002-05:00

The claw is finally out of the brace. I'm pretty much terrified of this prospect. First off it feels WEIRD and second of all it looks just as weird or worse.

Look out world here IT comes

The Man Watching

2009-10-23T17:08:00.005-04:00

Came across a paper with this poem on it among my piles of stuff (and I have a lot of that let me tell you). It was meant to be, I really needed it - especially the third paragraph.

The Man Watching

by Ranier Maria Rilke

I can tell by the way the trees beat, after
so many dull days, on my worried windowpanes
that a storm is coming,
and I hear the far-off fields say things
I can't bear without a friend,
I can't love without a sister

The storm, the shifter of shapes, drives on
across the woods and across time,
and the world looks as if it had no age:
the landscape like a line in the psalm book,
is seriousness and weight and eternity.

What we choose to fight is so tiny!
What fights us is so great!
If only we would let ourselves be dominated
as things do by some immense storm,
we would become strong too, and not need names.

When we win it's with small things,
and the triumph itself makes us small.
What is extraordinary and eternal
does not want to be bent by us.
I mean the Angel who appeared
to the wrestlers of the Old Testament:
when the wrestler's sinews
grew long like metal strings,
he felt them under his fingers
like chords of deep music.

Whoever was beaten by this Angel
(who often simply declined the fight)
went away proud and strengthened
and great from that harsh hand,
that kneaded him as if to change his shape.
Winning does not tempt that man.
This is how he grows: by being defeated, decisively,
by constantly greater beings.

So deep - have a good weekend!

Fall Colors

2009-10-20T02:01:00.005-04:00

Just after the sun dipped behind the mountain last weekend in the Uintahs the colors were so great, and I know I didn't get the true feel of them with these dinky pics - but hopefully you'll get the idea. Pure blissful late fall beauty.

Police Report

2009-10-20T01:59:00.001-04:00

Automoblie : Failure to Yield

Yahoo! Looks like I'm not paying the bills on this one! Sorry Mr. & Mrs. Snow, but you gots to look out for us bikers!

2009-10-12T02:37:00.001-04:00

Amanda's picture of Rez wins by a cabillion so I had to add it to the collection

Aminals

2009-10-12T00:49:00.004-04:00

Lately I've been collected phone pics of my favorite animals (most animals are my favorite animals) and here's what I've got so far

Coal Plewe - Gentle Giant

Birdie Farney - either this is the cutest cat, or the ugliest, and I can't decide which I like her for more

Drigg's Strate - no words

Rez James - so weird, for the first time in my life I have contemplated perhaps one day, that may not exist, having a cat. Well a kitten anyway

Frida & Kenya James

Frenemies for Life

Bosom Buddies

2009-10-12T00:38:00.004-04:00

Guess who else is helpless these days? Yup Manda. Slaving away getting ready for her radical photography show in Salt Lake this weekend, October 16th at Art Access from 6-9 if you must know, she sliced her leg open. Next she spent two days in and out of the hospital getting all fixed up. Finally I have another gimp to feel sorry for.

Last Night

2009-10-10T16:54:00.002-04:00

Last nights concert at Urban highlighted an unexpected life lesson. I need more enthusiasm in my life. I mean, I enjoy a good mopey day like everone else. Listening to sob music, shuffeling around in my pajamas, watching lame movies online is great now and then, but something about watching the d dog crew party like it was 1999 on stage last night made me tink "I need something in my life that I can be THAT passionate about"

In contrast my insescent girl crush Jolie Holland who preformed first could not be more dull on stage. You can tell very well that being in a hole-in-the wall bar in Salt Lake is not her idea of a good time. If it is she's a masachist because she acted MISERABLE. Good ridence Jolie - get on out of our town.

All of this to say I will most likely continue to lounge about listening to Hollands gorgeous gloomy tunes, but mark my words a change is going to come. It's time for an adventure.

2009-10-06T02:08:00.004-04:00

I know i'm going to regret this - but that's what being on heavy drugs does to you right? i know it doesn't look like much, but this is probably the most bizarre sensation i have ever had. my arm from the elbow down is so numb that someone could saw my arm off without me noticng

Also, if you have a strong stomach you can check this out and see what i was up to early today. fast forward to the end because it's the coolest part.

2009-10-05T00:07:00.007-04:00

The doctor broke it to me last week (i know, i kill me too) that in fact I've broken both hands. Classic.

Actually instead of the right being super mangled like the left it's a stabile fracture which apparently means no cast or splint necessary - just a super cool looking wrist guard that looks just like the ones the cool kids wore when they went roller blading back in the day.

Truly im starting to feel like Denise

Sorry for the incessant broken posts, unfortunately it's pretty much all that is going on

Broken Bike

2009-09-28T01:24:00.004-04:00

So I got in a little accident while riding with lauren last week. we were biking back from city creek canyon via research park on our way home when a car took a left across backed up traffic. Basically i didnt even see the car turn in front of me, it was just there and i gave it a good dent in it's back right flank. We think i went over the top of the trunk? not really quite sure. basically as i skidded to a stop in the middle of the street i thought i was the luckiest girl in the world because i jumped up and proclaimed "i'm alright! i'm fine" to all of the shocked people standing at the bus stop who had just witnessed it. then i looked down at my wrist. not fine.

i guess i'm lucky it was just my wrist because this is the wreckage i left behind. poor lauren got to come upon the scene of the crime with her bike in two and her friends gory body in shock. thank you lauren for being the trama care taker.

could you imagine a worse ending to borrowing a friends bike besides breaking it in two?

rip trek 1200

ps, i don't think writing in all lower case is cute - my one hand is just incapable of keeping up with the demands of the shift key. you can expect my blogging and emailing grammar and spelling to sink to a new low.

Boo

2009-09-24T22:52:00.002-04:00

Broken. More gruesome pictures to come.

Success in Seattle

2009-09-22T02:30:00.003-04:00

So besides playing with them boys that I can't stop talking about - I did do some professional research while in Seattle. Job hunting to be exact and it went about as well as you could expect it would for a non-vital industry in the middle of a recession. Actually, it went mildly better than that, hopeful even.

While there I met with the most generous design blogger out there, Cassandra at Coco & Kelley, who gave me some great tips and insight on the industry in Seattle. Who knows, we may even end up working together a little.

Also met with some and sent emails and resumes to others of these beautimous architectural firms:

Domestic Architecture ** favorite

Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

Miller Hull Architects

Harrison Architects

Any who, we'll see what happens, but if something works out I may be up adventuring in the Great North West in the near future. Hope you're all ready for some road trips!