Just Another Bike Ride

Today was one of the nicest days I've had off recently- sunny and clear without a bone chilling Southerly or Easterly or Sou'Westerly or any other Windy Whateverlys to speak of. I think it's nearly spring, and the presence of flowers and lambs is helping support this theory.

Anyways, nothing new and exciting to report (I just finished night shifts and have the mental capacity of a goldfish), so just a few photos from today.

My mountain bike is getting fixed, otherwise you'd be looking at a picture of it.

Look mom, no hands tan!

It won't be winter forever.

FOR MOM: BABY SHEEP (and what exactly do you think YOU are looking at?! Baa-aaa-ck off!)

Oh, and Scott also managed to get himself a short article in this month's New Zealand Mountain Biker (you know, that one he was on the cover of- proud wifey!). He tested and reviewed a couple of pairs of goggles. And got his stunning photo (by yours truly, in the 5 minutes we had to get it done after forgetting for several weeks) in the mag as well!

And what the heck, since this post has turned into me posting photos from my phone, I'd just like to mention that we went and checked out one of Christchurch's newest restaurants: Orleans. Since I've never actually been to New Orleans, I can't be impressed/offended by how authentic their food is/n't, but hot damn it is tasty!!! Among other delightfully fried foods, we had the chicken waffle. Which is exactly what it sounds like. And is divine.

Maybe if I had a new phone you could differentiate the food in this picture from what your cat barfed up on the bathmat. Oh well.

That's all from Christchurch for now guys!

Cover Boy!

This is a very tardy post.... Scott is on the cover of this month's New Zealand Mountain Biker magazine! This is arguably the larger of the two mountain bike mags in the country. I've snapped a number of phone pictures when I see it on the rack at the gas station, grocery store, etc... but I'll spare you all those blurry, low quality photos. (I got a lot of raised eyebrows from strangers...)

Anyways, Scott got asked to review the new Rocky Mountain trail bike. He kept the bike for a few weeks and test rode it like it was his own (poor bike). He actually ended up really liking it, and may have been a bit sad to give it back. He gave his feedback to assist in the review, and figured that was the end of it. But then he was asked to be the rider showcasing the bike on the cover of the magazine! Needless to say, I am super proud of my hubby!

Fun Fact: Scott's done a number of races with Blind Bobby, who is also from Northern California.
Pretty cool to have the feature article be about one of our own "hometown heroes". 

Close up from the above shot

Again, close up

I took this last picture while we were in the airport waiting to come home from Wellington. There he is, front and center!

Illness Has Replaced Inspiration

I haven't been sick in two years. I've been on eight flights (15 if you count to and from) in the last 2 years. Not sick. I've been a nurse the whole time. Not sick. I've ridden my bike through the snow with summer gloves and wet socks. Not sick. I've switched jobs, moved houses, jumped continents, managed more stress than I knew was possible. Not sick.

But my husband has one friend with a little cold and bam.... as of yesterday, despite all my normal fool-proof methods of staving off illness, I have a sore throat. Now I know all of you with kiddos, or who teach for a living (bless you), are thinking, "Welcome to my normal Tuesday." But being healthy for the last 2 years has put me at a disadvantage. I've forgotten how utterly annoying it is for my throat to hurt. For food to have not taste. For my ears to ache. To sneeze constantly. For this weird goop to come out of my nose. This is awful and I did not sign up for it.

In the time since I contracted this cold the plague, my creativity seems to have drained. I have no wheels turning in my snot infested brain. When I try to think of something interesting or at least funny, my eyes start to water and my ears itch and ache at the same time (why do they do that?!!!) I've got nothing for you guys. But then again, I'm the one suffering here. Why don't you entertain me??

Anyways, I've been saving an article for a time when I have nothing to write about, which is obviously now (is anyone even still reading this?). I answered a few questions for a European fashion e-mag called Bella about what it's like to live abroad. It's unfortunate they didn't mention my blog in the article... but regardless it's a cute little compilation.

Don't strain your eyes. you can read the full article here. I'ts in the May issue, on pages 45-47.

Not to be out-done, my super talented other half managed to get his photo in this month's issue of Spoke Magazine. Spoke is an artsy bike mag published here in New Zealand. They used a professional photographer's photo of Scott taken during the Dodzy Enduro for their write up of the event. My photo is a handheld snapshot of the magazine, so it's pretty poor quality. But it was a fun surprise to open up this month's mag and see Scott!

Well I think I'll get back to my busy schedule of doing absolutely nothing, because this is wearing me out. I promise I have some really good blog posts coming up... I just need my hearing, breathing, and brain function back first.