KABOOM!

kronda: Lot of this is pretty close to home. Great video. Wake...

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:00:06 -0500

Lot of this is pretty close to home. Great video. Wake up homophobes!

lindseykirkbride:

Welp, I’m crying. This is beautiful.

thedailywhat:

PSA of the Day: Nonpartisan pro-accountability “grass-roots community advocacy organisation” GetUp! says it’s time to end marriage discrimination in Australia.

After watching this short PSA, hopefully you’ll agree it’s time to end marriage discrimination all over the world.

[towleroad.]

What’s on the menu? A chicken cacciatore-type thing…

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:56:57 -0500

What’s on the menu? A chicken cacciatore-type thing…

My auntie is visiting so that means…cocktails!

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:49:34 -0500

My auntie is visiting so that means…cocktails!

My pick for “most adorable puppy.” All the cutest...

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:15:27 -0500

My pick for “most adorable puppy.” All the cutest dogs were out en masse today at PIR.

Speaking of classy airport fare, Stanfords is really bringing...

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:54:47 -0400

Speaking of classy airport fare, Stanfords is really bringing it. Margherita pesto flatbread (yum)

My fave pre-travel ritual: lovely glass of King Estate Pinot...

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:48:03 -0400

My fave pre-travel ritual: lovely glass of King Estate Pinot Gris at Stanfords. You stay classy, PDX Airport.

Holy bed head! Spending the better part of my morning cleaning...

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:00:42 -0400

Holy bed head! Spending the better part of my morning cleaning up this hot mess.

Pearls of wisdom.

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:09:23 -0400

Pearls of wisdom.

Um, yeah…street art.

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:56:52 -0400

Um, yeah…street art.

Into the Valley “It’s a bunch of rocks,”...

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:49:08 -0400

Into the Valley

“It’s a bunch of rocks,” said my husband. “Big deal.”

We stood on the quintessential lookout point, eyes pointed toward the horizon, the stars and brightly lit moon illuminating the valley. We chuckled at Jamie’s obviously feigned insouciance.

Yosemite was a quiet, vivid dream I had twenty-two years ago, and I had finally returned to settle some unfinished family business.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My grandfather, Albert Leopold Jones, was born in Yosemite Valley. His father, a chauffeur, had the esteemed pleasure of transporting the valley’s most esteemed visitor the day of his birth: Prince Albert.

Hence the name.

Albert was a good man. A stoic quaker, he valued peace, kindness, acceptance, and hard work. He was a man of strong constitution.

He died in November of 2010.

When I looked around the dinner table this weekend, I saw his legacy. Three generations of Jonses, gathered together over food and drink in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

I know he was proud of his great-grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew. My cousin Jake said that when he found out he was going to be a father, Albert was the first one he told. I could see that. Albert was, above all, a proud family man who helped raise all of us. He left his imprint on us in ways we can’t even describe.

He was our backbone.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We returned to the Valley, all of us together, to celebrate a long, meaningful life worth living. My father, aunt, and uncle lay Albert to rest in an unnamed place in the land of his birth.

Life came full circle.

I unplugged for four days and ventured deep into Yosemite...

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:57:41 -0400

I unplugged for four days and ventured deep into Yosemite Valley. I emerged victorious.

So basically, this happened. Made the podium - 3rd place. Still...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:48:35 -0400

So basically, this happened. Made the podium - 3rd place. Still in shock.

Pet the pigs at Krueger’s Farm for good luck and hope I...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:45:00 -0400

Pet the pigs at Krueger’s Farm for good luck and hope I don’t get swine flu. Debate skinsuit vs. kit and change in the backseat of the car. Pick up my number and pre-ride so I know what I’m getting into. Pee a thousand times and curse myself for drinking so much coffee.

I drink coffee until I start having heart palpitations. My OCD...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:54:18 -0400

I drink coffee until I start having heart palpitations. My OCD kicks in and I swear I’m forgetting something important even though I’ve triple-checked my race bag.

Then we pack everything cycling-related that we own into our...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:40:36 -0400

Then we pack everything cycling-related that we own into our car.

This requires a lot of swearing.

Race day is full of quirky rituals. First, I wake up at the...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:43:32 -0400

Race day is full of quirky rituals. First, I wake up at the crack of dawn and eat my bird seed.

At the Zoo. Huey Lewis and The News. Reliving the glorious...

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:08:34 -0400

At the Zoo. Huey Lewis and The News. Reliving the glorious 80’s.

I’m on a bike. A while back, I participated in a video...

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:39:10 -0400

I’m on a bike.

A while back, I participated in a video shoot for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. It’s a promotional video for bike commuting, and I think it beautifully sums up the positive cycling community in Portland. We’re lucky to have such a bike-friendly city.

I love the video and I can’t stop watching it.

Summer bliss is mussels and clams with white wine, rich butter,...

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:48:24 -0400

Summer bliss is mussels and clams with white wine, rich butter, and a hint of curry. Crisp green salad with balsamic vinegar and fruity olive oil. Ice-cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Savory sourdough cheese rolls.

We are in Mt. Vernon for a wedding and love is in the air.

Crown Point, you are an ass-kicker. Beautiful ride on a...

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:42:53 -0400

Crown Point, you are an ass-kicker. Beautiful ride on a beautiful day…