I'm Getting a Camera!

Ara saw my post and he still has the camera! It wasn't sold yet! He is going to send it to me and let me pay him as I can which is more than generous of him. I know it is just a camera as Ara puts it, but it has a ton of sentimental value and I am going to be so proud to carry it in my hands and take pictures with it. And to add icing to the cake, he is going to teach me a few things about getting the most out of the camera with the settings and stuff. Mind you this is coming from a total photography pro. I am a very lucky girl!

I will do you proud Ara and take lots of cool pictures to share on my blog. When I see you, I hope Spirit doesn't think I'm attacking you when I throw my arms around your neck and give you a giant bear hug. :)

I Need a Camera!

I wish I had the money to buy a camera. My beautiful friend Ara(The Oasis of my Soul), has a camera for sale, and I wish I could buy it. How awesome that would be to own the camera that traveled in the hands of a true free spirit. His camera's lens captured amazing shots of mother nature in some of her finest moments in time, and it captured the images of interesting people with great stories to tell. Ara is becoming quite an icon whether he likes it or not...

I will probably break down and buy a fuji or something inexpensive and lightweight before my next excursion. I plan to get out doors again for a long day hike or overnighter next weekend. The weather was too rainy so the trails will be muddy this weekend. However there is always the all weather trail! Might have to give that a go tomorrow morning...

I can't wait to start posting photographs again...hopefully soon dear readers.

My Blog is Four Years Old!

I had no idea I've been blogging that long! It's been a ride the last four years...

Dating Site Rant

Men get a clue! Don't brag about your gadgets and cool material things so much. It makes you look dumb and like you are compensating for something. I can't stand it when I go to a guy's profile to see that he seems to care more about his gadgets and gizmos than anything else. That reeks of a man who is nothing more than an immature materialistic kid. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the kid inside, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

Another thing that annoys me is some of these profiles are way too filled up with accomplishments and pats on the back for oneself. There is nothing wrong with high self esteem, but inflated egos completely turn off quality women. Profiles that list off hundreds of reasons why you are so awesome have red flags all over them. A little humble pie wouldn't hurt.

Oh and of course don't get me started on photographs. Too late...I'm going there. If you feel you must show off your six pack online, I simply shake my head and laugh. Nothing screams egotistical bastard more than the shirtless eye candy photo. Get over yourselves already.

And for those of you who don't post photographs, I don't care what your reasons are...they are not honest. You are either married, have a girlfriend, or are unattractive. And using the excuse you are worried your kids will see you is lame! If your kids are cruising dating sites on the internet you have way bigger problems than not having a date.

No Back Packing...Waited Too Long

I didn't go back packing but I did manage to get out and hike on Sunday. I went to Doe Skin Ranch and wandered around there for about four hours. I did Rimrock Trail loop twice and wandered around on the other trails...repeating them a couple of times...then called it a day.

I actually ended up lost towards the end and had a fun road walk back to my car. I didn't know how far away my car was, but figured it had to be less than two or three miles and thankfully I think it was no more than a mile. Once I realized I was going the right direction(had to flag someone down and ask) I settled in for the walk and was happy to see that my car was not near as far as I thought it might be. I still am not certain how I ended up so turned around looking back at the hike, but that place can get confusing because it changes. It seems every time I go out there, things look different to me.

I don't know how many miles I ended up in total(no gps)but I know it was at least 7...my feet were screaming at me towards the end. I can't wait to get out and do it again! The next time I will plan better. Note to self...go buy another GPS, don't forget compass next time. :)

Change of Plan

HCSNA is not gonna happen. I called the park just now and boy scouts are there. I do not want to spend any time near a bunch of loud boys. But interestingly I just saw a comment from an old friend who will be in the place I was considering next. Is this a strange twist of events?

It would absolutely be too awkward for me to go to a place knowing my ex back packing partner will be there. He would for sure think I'm a stalker! So back to the drawing board....Canyon of the Eagles is a possibility, so is Pedernales Falls. The Roughs come to mind as well...HCSNA will happen soon though. I long to get back to that place...it is magic.

I will figure it out my friends and hopefully have a cool trip report to share when I get back.

I HAD TO DO IT!!!

I just bought a new backpacking tent for two. It's a NEMO Nano Elite model and it is SUHWEET. It comes in leaf green and was regularly 389.00. I picked one up for 269.00 on closeout! This is awesome considering I have had my eye on one of these for a while now. :)
Check out these specs...

Features/Benefits:
3 seasons
freestanding
32 square ft
Mesh door faces outwards so it can be used as an internally adjustable vent when rain isn't a factor
Mesh door can be unzipped completely from the tent to save a few ounces
Curved floor edges cut out excess material and produce excellent tension to the tent shell
DAC poles sets are on average 20% lighter than standard aluminum poles and use a green method of anodization
A large internally deployable vent promotes good air ventilation
Large internally deployable overhead vent further helps combat condensation
Includes DAC Featherlite poles, stakes, and stuff sack
Footprint available separately
Packed weight: 2lbs 13oz

My only regret is that it won't be here in time for my backpacking trip this weekend.

A Hacker

Just a heads up that my blog has been hacked in to. I don't know exactly yet what the hacker hopes to gain from this attack but I guess I'll find out eventually...

So if you see any strange posts that are completely out of character you will know why my dear readers. :)

No More Wheat of any kind(gluten), Dairy, Soy, fish, seafood, Beef, Spinach...

I have been recently told after extensive blood work that I am suffering from some big food intolerances and food allergies. This explains a lot actually as far as my health goes but is not the greatest of news for this foodie to hear. Many of the foods I love are now off limits...

In fact it would be much easier to list what foods I don't have any issues with rather than what I need to avoid, but it's far too depressing to do because it is a VERY small list. If I could live without eating I think I would all around be happier at this point!

Almost Finished a Painting

For the first time in a long while I worked on my art. I have one of five paintings close to completion and it is a good feeling. It is a small painting done in acrylic using deep blues, oranges, yellows, and black in varying shades and textures of all three.

It is turning out to be very rock like in some ways. I want to do a series of these smaller paintings and make them all nature themed and abstract. I'm going for bold eye popping colors and textures that make people want to reach out and touch them. It takes a lot of paint for stuff like this but I think the end results are interesting.

Goodbye Toyota, Hello Kia

So I bit the bullet and bought a new car finally. After much back and forth internal debate, I bought new and not used. I am now the owner of a Kia Soul(base model). It is quite a relief to finally have this task behind me. Now I can look forward to car payments! Yippy!

I wish I could post a photograph for everyone, but I am no longer the owner of a camera that works. But I'm gonna set aside some money each paycheck and go buy a new camera next, so hopefully I will have one within the next six weeks or so. I can't stand the thought of not taking pictures and what a boring blog this would be without them.

Since my last post I have met a new person who I think I might hit it off with. He is every bit the adventurer I am, and he has a degree in the culinary arts which I think is pretty sexy. Not only that but he also has his degree in marine biology and is quite the animal lover. We haven't met face to face yet, so who knows. But for now I am feeling a little tingle of excitement. Only time will tell if it leads anywhere.

Yippy, the Holidays are Over!

I don't want to sound too scroogie here, but I really love it when the holidays are over. Life can resume it's normal pace!

So let's see, what's been happening...

Well I have a couple of dates lined up. I'm not that excited about anyone yet, but we'll see. It doesn't help that I'm so wishy washy on this whole dating thing. One minute I think it's a great idea, and the next I'm sitting here thinking what the fuck am I doing entertaining the thought of bringing a man into my life? I'm so happy right now with just being free! But I can't lie, there are times when I am really lonely and crave male companionship. So I'm in a strange place kind of...

And for the record, dating just flat out sucks. Isn't it supposed to be fun? I'm not having fun yet...it's stressful.