Christmas...Merry! Merry!

If you are going to do it...

You might as well look good!

You may have noticed (especially if you are following Triathablog), that I am a little excited (obsessed?) with cycling right now. One teensy problem has been figuring how to look cute when I get to, say Bottletree or Urban Standard. I found this great website Copenhagen Cycle Chic, sort of a Sartorialist for cyclists and fell in love.



I am now riding a bike that is not a step through. Gone are the days of wearing skirts while riding...or so I thought. Then I saw this photo and realized that the answer to my problem is to be found at my local Urban Outfitters. Leggings! and mini skirts! and legwarmers! all the things I love.

I can't wait until it gets a bit colder...I am going to be Rockin' the cycling style in Birmingham.

of course, I still want one of each of these for more serious riding.





All from Harlot, a women's cycling apparel shop. How can you not love a company who has this written on their website:

Many people ask us about the name Harlot. Certainly, an old word for prostitute might seem like an odd thing to name a company after. We actually have a good reason that makes sense to us. It involves the history of women on bicycles, the reclaiming of a derogatory word, and little tongue-in-cheek fun.

see you on the roads...I'll be the one NOT in spandex

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you

That REO Speedwagon song has been in my head for days. Strange!

Thanks for all of the kind notes and calls and emails the past few days. I didn't realize that post sounded so sad. That was not my intention, but so be it.

Well, I decided it was time for action. This little funk seems to have settled it's happy ass down and decided to stay for a visit. One things i have learned over the past few years is this- "Fake it till you make it". In other words, do things that you used to enjoy and maybe eventually you will enjoy them again. I am not going to go around smiling and denying that I am unhappy, but I am also not going to give in and go to bed.

Last night I cooked dinner for a 2 close friends and enjoyed their company. I tried not to beat myself up that I had not gone to get drinks with other friends who had invited me. Cooking was good for me, as was some gardening and taking photographs. After dinner, we made butter! I have been wanting to do this for a while, so John decided to teach me (it involves a lot of shaking and some dancing and laughing). Let me tell you, homemade butter is awesome. Creamy and light. I had it on toast for breakfast and was happy.

This weekend I am going canoeing again, something that is very life giving to me. The water, the sun, the trees, using my muscles...I love it. I never used to be an 'outdoorsy' person, but this year I am discovering my inner naturalist and athelete! I am also hoping to have another friend for dinner and beer and laughing.

And The Beatles are helping as well. and Wilco. And Feist. Tristan and J Mraz. G Love. Good, happy summertime music. Well, Wilco Sky Blue Sky isn't happy, but comforting.

These things may not make the sadness go away, but at least it will make it bearable. I don't want to have a year pass me by in a grief induced stupor. My life is different now, but it is still my life. Incoporating the grief into my life seems to be the key to survival. Don't deny it, but don't make a bed for it to sleep in either.

I am sure there will be lots of pictures coming up. I have a few of the butter churning that I need to put up. I am not sure making butter has ever been so physical or hysterical!

Beer=Good, festival=Good, Beer Festival=HELLS YEAH!

Elisa pouring beer like she did in college=GOOD!

This weekend is the Magic City Brewfest. Come out and support. I will be drinking on Saturday and pouring on Sunday.

great opportunity to

a)See Sloss Furnace
B)drink good beer
c)eat food
d)hear music
e)buy a Vintage T shirt
f)SEE ME

I am counting this in my quest to See and Do Alabama. I think it qualifies.

Details in the link. It promises to be a good time.

It's gonna start today, My Life of Saturdays

Yesterday, a friend and I took an hour drive to West Blocton to see the Cahaba Lily. I had heard of this elusive flowers and, as a part of my quest to See and Do Alabama, decided to take a trip to see it.

What is the Cahaba Lily?

Hymenocallis coronaria (Cahaba Lily or Shoals spider-lily) is a species of the genus Hymenocallis, native to the Southeastern United States. It is an aquatic, perennial flowering plant found only in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Within Alabama it is known as the Cahaba Lily, outside of that state it is known as the Shoals spider-lily due to the fact that it requires a swift, shallow, water current and direct sunlight to flourish.[1] The plant grows to about 3 feet (0.9 m) tall and develops from a bulb that lodges in between rocks in the shoals.[2] It blooms from early May to late June. Each fragrant flower blooms for one day.[1]
from Wikipedia


Well, after taking the Mini along a dirt and gravel road (boy, did we get some looks!), we parked, got out the camera bag, water bottles and headed out.


The first glimpse of 'the largest single stand of Lilies in the world". It was quite a sight, these dainty white flowers seemingly rising from the water in a dazzling display of green and white. Unable to get a good view, we kept going along the road. Some ways down, we came upon an empty shore area. After walking through the trees a bit, we found a big rock that afforded us a good view. Unsatisfied, we decided that we must get right up to them.

So, we went swimming. At first we just waded a bit out. They we needed the cameras, so I waded back, retrieved them and (after putting them in a Ziploc bag), waded back out with them held high over my head. Thank goodness I bought the accidental insurance. It was such a sight! I took some great shots, retired the camera to a HUGE boulder in the middle, and Jenn and I swam all over the place. We explored a cave, swam right up to the lilies that everyone is enchanted with. We used some rocks covered in algea as a water slide (it worked and was so fun!). We laughed a lot and splashed around for 3 hours! Everyone on the shores was watching 'those two crazy girls who are crossing the river and swimming in the lilies'!


hours later, exhausted and feet bleeding (damn snails...I am investing in chacos this week), we left. Stomachs growling, we stopped at The American Diner, where we were the only patrons and the cook made the best cornbread I have ever had (even going back to make me more!). It was delightful and the unsweet tea made me realize why people love tea in the south. Full and happy, we headed back to the city we call home.

All in all, a wonderful day. I highly recommend going to see the Lilies if you can. And splashing in the river. I hope to take a canoe trip there soon. After some editing fun, I may post more photos.

I wanna soak up the sun

This just in...

I AM GOING TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS!!!

My sweet, sweet grandmother has planned a trip for most of us to go in August.

ok, must calm down.

Good thing I just bought accidental insurance on my new camera.

I've been lightly drinking and a little too much heavy on the thinking

I just had dinner with my sister. We have always had a funny (read: hard) relationship, but lately it has been good. We have been able to talk without the competitive edge that kept us so busy and apart for all these years. We speak into each others lives, but carefully and gingerly, knowing that the years must be made up and the trust must be earned. But it is happening...slowly but surely we are building the kinship that we have never had. It is funny how you can not talk (really talk) to someone for months and months, but having grown up together and shared formative years in each others company, you can know them so well. She was around in my awkward, shy phase, I was around in her rebellious phase. She has seen my heart broken by 'promising' guys, I have watched her struggle and triumph as a mother. Beautiful.

We drank too much wine, ate too much sushi and laughed a lot. We talked about aging and parenting and all the other things that come with growing up. I shared with her the struggles of Scott, and she regaled me with stories of Cooper (my nephew). We high fived over shared career triumphs. It was AWESOME. She is in town for a few days and I hope to spend each night doing this. It is so neat to watch your little sister grow up and realize that you have so much in common that is sewn into your DNA and some things that are funny and quirky and you know are from your crazy childhood!

Love you Di.

*I just bought a new camera and am taking pictures and practicing every day. I am probably going to be including them pretty regularly, even if they have nothing to do with the post at hand*

Redemption

This was to be my wedding day. It was a lovely day with friends who celebrated life with me.

Beauty in the ruins.

24 hour Elisa may cause nausea

Many of you have been asking me about yesterday and sending your love and support. Thank you so much, friends. I feel that an update is wanted, but, alas, is not coming. It is not that I don't want to share my day, it's just that I am a little sick of me. This blog is becoming a bit too Elisa-centric. I know, I know, what the hell did I start a blog for? That is a very good question. All I know is that right now I want a break from myself and the constant introspection and explanation and whatnot.

I will however, tell of one highlight of the day, which was more restful and also more sad than I anticipated.

After work, I went for a bike ride. A little exercise, some nature; it seemed perfect. And it was. I went along Jemison trail and was moving right along, ducking trees and smelling the honeysuckle and remembering happy things about the last year of my life. About a 1/3 of the way, I had the option to go 'off road' and take a side trail. so I did...and promptly laid my bike down. Not just a little fall, either. A major 'sliding along the dirt and sticks with your bike on top of you for at least 5 feet' affair. I just laid there, stunned for a minute before surveying the damage. All limbs were fine, bike seemed to be in one piece. However, I had gravel firmly planted in both of my palms and one entire leg was scraped (even under my pants) and my ankle and knee were throbbing. What did I do? Laugh. my ass off. I just laid there laughing. and shaking a bit.
I was only 1/3 in and I really wanted to continue my ride, so I cleaned out my hand cuts with my water and shirt, dusted myself off, made some minor adjustments to the bike...and kept on going. A bit down the trail a little girl saw me and started crying "Daddy, that girl is bleeding! Why?!". I looked down to see that I did, in fact, have blood running down my arm and leg. Oh well, such is life. I trudged on, and still enjoyed myself immensely. I was proud of my fall (I have been waiting for it to happen since I got the bike) and I felt a little like a bad-ass (you know how I love that!). I even went much further along the path than normal, carrying my ride across the stream again (stopping to again clean off the wounds).

The whole time I was doing it I thought "Scott would love this." He never made me feel silly for doing crazy things and when I told him that I felt brave, instead of rolling his eyes or making a little comment, he would look at me and say "you are brave".
Scott, my bloody bad ass ride was for you.

Coming soon: musings on Alabama vegetables and what the hell to do with Turnip greens that come dirty from the ground with roots attached!

Weekend Round up

Will write a proper one tonight, but for now a highlight of the weekend for me:

"Finally, at 6:40, he popped the cork on "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)," followed by "Sir Duke." Rain ponchos danced all across the muddy Acura field, and a Jazzfest Moment seemed at hand. "
(From the Times Picayune on the Stevie Wonder set)
That Jazz Fest Moment was my favorite moment from the weekend; the 'cork was popped' on Signed and the skies opened up and the entire crowd was dancing in the pouring rain to my very favorite song. I threw my poncho hood off and danced like a crazed hippie!

More to come...

Spa day in New Orleans

A free mudbath with good food?!



Good thing I have adorable yellow polka dot rainboots...


image from last weekends Jazz Fest

The girl that is me

Hello friends (and blogger stalkers!). I just returned to my cozy little abode from a concert. Who? you ask. Tristan Prettyman. I have loved her since her first album came out a couple years ago. Mellow, sweet, upbeat, summertime music. I discovered her because she did duets with guys I LOVE, G Love and Jason Mraz.
Tonight's show was at the always wonderful Workplay Theater (ok, putting links in is a huge pain in the ass...if we were writing a note to our friends, we would just mention it...in this new medium, you have to give credit and links and other time sucking things. I digress). It was a small, very intimate show and she was endearing. Her album, Madly, is doing well and she was giddy about it. Adorable, and so talented. Plus, her dress was awesome.
Opening for her was an Australian cutie called Whitley, whose name, I am sorry to say, is Lawrence (oh come on...I had to!). He is a very big 'pop star' in Australia and I thoroughly enjoyed his set. I may or may not have flirted with him at the merch table. His music was great and he told funny stories about getting drunk and singing karaoke at Starz (where he went to 'meet girls'!). Then he started playing and opened his mouth and we all shut the hell up. His voice was smoky, dirty and smooth. I went out after his set and immediately bought an album (when the alleged flirting took place). This post is so random and fragmented...and I have had nothing to drink, I promise.

The Tristan show was good, but (like most things right now) bittersweet. Scott and I danced to her and I once forced a 'movie moment' on us to one of her songs (long story that mostly involves me being a silly girl). These moments are going to keep on coming and I am going to keep on surviving them. Soon they won't happen as often and then they won't seem so terrible, and then one day they will just be fond memories of a boy I loved. Jeez, heavy posts lately, huh? Well, that is my life. If you want happy you will have to look for it elsewhere. I can give you authentic, or nothing. Joy, sadness, grief, longing, redemption. Nope, fake happiness is not on the menu...

I leave you with a video of Tristan, since I have no idea how to embed an mp3. Fred, a little assistance on this...?

this is Always Feel this Way. The song I forced a romantic moment to! Enjoy

Can't talk now...I'm writing my latest screenplay

Tomorrow begins Script Frenzy! It is a creative journey to write a feature length screenplay (or stage play) in just 30days. I did it last year and it was so much fun. 100 pages, all formatted for a screenplay (which is very different and hard to get used to). Luckily, I also get some cool screenplay writing software.

Doing this last year really changed me. I rediscovered my love of writing. I almost moved to go to screenwriting school! I even entered (and placed!) in some screenwriting contests. You would be so surprised at the stuff that comes pouring out when you are under a deadline and are not editing your work(that is part of the fun...you just write a draft, and then edit it later...no one even reads it). Every scene that jumps into my head goes on the page, with all the cuts coming later. Re-reading last years, some of the scenes I was most unsure of are the ones that I ended up liking the most. Plus, I enjoy making my soundtrack as I go, then making a copy of it and listening to it often. For almost every scene I write, there is a song that goes along with it. You begin to see your life in a whole new light for this month. Everything becomes a potential scene, a possible conflict for your characters, a great conversation to fill the gap between scene 15 and 16.

Everyone has a story to tell, whether we choose to write it in screenplay form, journal form, short story, photographs, blog or novel. Everyone. You begin to understand your life better and make connections that you didn't see as you tell your story. Your story is begging to be told, to be remembered, to be made sense of.

We have all been trained to believe that you have to be a 'good writer' to tell a good story. That is crap. As long as you write, you are a writer. I used to be afraid to write becuase I was afraid of what people would think if/when they read it. I was pretty sure that I wasn't Wendell Berry or Harper Lee, so I assumed my stories weren't as important. Ha! I now know better.
So I challenge you to write. Whatever, whenever, wherever, just write. Heck, why not even join me and write a screenplay this month? It is so freeing.

Besides, do you know how cool you sound saying that you are "writing your latest screenplay"? Pretty damn cool. Watching movies and scouring record stores and the internet for obscure songs become research, not a time waster.

So, this month I will have a notebook and/or laptop in front of me. I will be drinking copious amounts of coffee and keeping strange hours. Don't be alarmed if I quickly start jotting things down as we talk, or ask you the name of the band who had that 'one song that year that went like this...". It will all make sense when Searchlight buys the rights. Who knows, you may see someone who is startlingly similar to you...

Weekend round-up

This weekend was more social than most. It felt like my 'coming back into the real world' weekend, which was nice though daunting. Here is the run down:
Friday: work 1/2 day, in jeans. Pissed off at the impending weather doom. After work, made some killer guac. and headed to Susan's house with CJ for some catching up. Laughed so hard that I cried. We joked, mourned, celebrated, ate good food, drank good drinks. It was so refreshing. That is the way I would describe Su...refreshing. I could tell dirty jokes about ex boyfriends and politicians and we would just laugh, laugh, laugh. Loved it.

Saturday: Brunch with friends that was a bit of a friend set up. Walked around Naked Art, admiring the great local art and reminiscing about when it was Zoeys, and VRichards was too small to seat everyone (I miss it). Then I went and illegally printed some Screenplays from a library. I am not going to say much, except that we got busted and I still got the print-outs and saved the day. I am such a bad ass! Like Uma Thurman, without the killing and the Quentin Tarantino dialogue.
Speaking of dialogue, next month starts Script Frenzy, the month long insanity of writing a full length screenplay in 30 days. I participated last year with friends and this year am the leader of the Birmingham Region. It was such a fun event and I highly recommend it to everyone. It is just 30 days of free flowing ideas and typing any bad idea that comes to mind. No editing, just writing. It is a rush and I rediscovered my love of writing from it. I actually went on to enter a contest, which I placed 4th in (a big deal for a beginner). If you are interested, check out the link and get in touch with me. You won't regret it. More posts to come on it. ANYWAY, I also read some scripts this weekend.

Saturday night I went with CJ to the Magic City Art Connection benefit soiree. What a scene. The Birmingham paparazzi was out in full force, as were everyone who wanted to see and be seen. We mingled, had our pictures taken, drank some free beer and hit the road...to the Speakeasy to see Vulture Whale. What a fun band of nice guys who make kick ass music. Check em out. Always enjoy their shows. Also played some rousing games of Foosball, which created a bit of a crowd (people seem to love dressed up girls drinking beer and yelling at the table,not to mention talking complete smack to each other!). Stayed and saw a few songs by Tiger Piss...an, um, interesting band. Got home late, smelling like smoke.
this was a crowd of people that I had not seen in about 2 months, and I was very nervous. It was great. I went with a safe friend, and eased into the social scene. I don't think that I will be back in full force, but occasionally it is nice.

Sunday, I did what is becoming routine. Sleep late, then bike to Starbucks to read and hang out. Got a call that I am getting an antique dresser, chest and new Queen sized bed this week...as a gift! Yea! I am trying to make my apt homey, especially my bedroom...this is going to do wonders for that. Am so very, very excited. A nice end to a nice weekend.
Well, I have another script to read and some dishes to do. This time change thing is messing me up, but I love it! Daylight at 6:35!!
Have a good week.

Bonjour!

This is from Stuff white people like (you can find the link on the side of my blog):

But there is a special category of bicycles that appeal far more to white women, the European city bike (pictured). White women have a lot of fantasies about idealized lives, and one of them is living in Europe and riding around an old city on one of these bikes. They dream about waking up and riding to a little cafe, then visiting bakeries and cheese shops and finally riding home to prepare a fancy meal for their friends who will all eat under a canopy with white Christmas lights. This information can be used to help gain the trust/admiration of a white woman, especially if you can pull off a lie about how your mother told you about how she used to do all of these things when she was younger.

And of course, it goes without saying that white people who ride bikes like to talk about how they are saving the earth. If you know a person who rides to work, you should take them aside and say “Hey, thanks. Sincerely, The Earth.” Then give a thumbs up. That white person will ride home on a cloud.

Yep, that first paragraph is me. This is what i dream of, what I want. Guess I am a white person.
And the second paragraph is just hilarious. Especially since I have plans to ride to work in about a month (hills there and back...must train a bit)!

The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend so I am hoping to take a ride, maybe visit the Botanical Gardens, maybe just sleep. I finally got everything moved out of the apartment where Scott was living (Thanks to my Wonderful CG...they packed and moved me and unpacked me and hung drapes and pictures...truly a gift), so this weekend actually feels free. That is nice.

Only good tears from this picture. and big smiles.

Halloween 2007. Went as Britney and K-fed's best friends. Someone just sent me this picture and I like it. Sorry Mom and Abuelita for the beer and the belly! You should probably start praying for my soul now...

I miss him. We had so much fun. A lot. Dance parties, reading silly parts in books to each other, taking naps head to foot on my huge couch, planning the bakery/bookstore/coffee shop/diner we would open in Vermont (that we would ride our bikes to every day!), making fun of my seriously long toes...fun times. I miss that impish little smile he has in this picture.

It has seemed hard to really grieve, because not that many people in my life knew him well. All that most people know now are the ugly parts, but there was SO MUCH more to him than that. He was a great guy and really loved me. More than any man has loved me. He pursued me like crazy. It was nice and unexpected. I fell hard and fast for those eyes and that boy who wanted to know more, more,more about me. Did you know that he told his mother that he was going to marry me a year before we ever went on a date?! The first time we met he proposed. A year later, I said yes. Although he hurt me, I don't doubt for a second that he loved me madly. Drugs are powerful. However, they were only a small part of him and of our story and for that I am so thankful. I just recently found out that Scott died trying to get off of drugs. I think it was too hard and he was weary. I will never know.

I still don't understand his death and probably never will. I have to either say that God could not stop this from happening (and what kind of a God is that), or that God knew it and let it happen, which is hard to swallow. Really, really hard. I demanded that He get me through it and He is. Slowly and painfully I am trudging on. I am hopeful for my future and mourn my loss.

Suffice it to say, I miss him, my best friend and reading buddy.

Thanks everyone for hanging in there for this post. I am not sure why it is now, nearly 2 months later, that I felt the need to write this, but it seems to have lifted my burden a bit. So thanks.

French Press wishes and coffee bean dreams

I think that I may have to trek out to Primavera coffee soon. I looked at their website (Thanks, C.J for the tip!) and anyplace that describes themselves this way is where I want to be...

"Primavera dreams of a world filled with bicycles (and the occasional biodiesel-fueled vehicle), farmer’s markets, rosettas, and red wigglers all co-existing in perfect harmony. Siestas will be nationally implemented. Buildings will look as if they tumbled out of the mind of Howard Roark. People will dream, and then act. Laundry will contentedly hang between ancient trees, drying in the golden sun. Failure to conserve and recycle will result in a friendly visit with the local law enforcement officers. The words “High Fructose Corn Syrup” will be banished from the dictionary. The drip machine will battle its nemesis, the French press, only to meet its bloody death. And specialty coffee will reside in the same category as fine art… " From the Primavera website.

I oft dream of a house made by Howard Roark and I simply must buy my coffee from those who share that dream. I know it sounds silly to buy coffee when I have pound upon pound of free Starbucks coffee taking up space in my cabinets, but I just may have to. Live locally and sip contendly, that is.

random list

My blog has felt too serious lately. So, I am going to keep it light. I was thinking this morning of how fun my little life is. And things I like to do.
Here are some things that I thought of:

1. wearing Tshirts, all the time.
2. Stuffed animals that are subversive and cute.
3. crafting blogs and books
4. feeling cool
5. pink skulls
6. Wilco "sky blue sky"
7. cooler fall nights
8. good wine with good friends
9. sitting at Barnes and Noble in the childrens section under the "magical tree"
10. college campuses
11. Kids who call me 'Sisa"
12. Nathans hot dogs and the people I eat them with
13. Dancing and singing with abandon in my apartment
14. Jamiroqui "Canned Heat'
15. Punk music
16. Reading
17. Sewing
18. My couch (seriously, it is wonderful)
19. using real napkins
20. Charlotte Donlons food

This is just a short list I thought of. Have a happy weekend. Be sure to go here to see how my side project is coming. 6 days and only $3!!

The sun shone today

My friends just threw me a surprise Birthday Party! It was a total surprise. They did not know that I have always wanted a party, but never gotten one. Always tried not to hope for one. It was beautiful. People from all facets of my life were there, many who did not know each other. they were all there for one reason...to celebrate me! They are my family. I felt loved especially.

plus there was beer.

Here's to hoping 28 kicks 27's ass!!!!!

(and the card attached would say) Thank you for being a Friend.