Good News!

Alison just got a job as a teacher tutor. Only part time but it should be a great step in the direction of landing a teaching job. Congratulations honey!

First attempt at a fixed gear

1970 something Schwinn Varsity. $25 from a very nice lady on Craigslist

Probably the first trip computer.

After a few hours of taking off all the extra weight (like brakes), and bolting on a cheap flip-flop wheelset.

Straight as an arrow (I got lucky)

My First Bike Project

I'm attempting to convert this 1970's Montgomery Ward Open Road 10-speed into a single speed. I've been hearing a lot about single speed and fixed gear bikes and I needed a project so I decided to jump on the hipster band wagon. Picked up this old steel frame bike for $15 at the local thrift store and now I'm hacking away at it to remove the old paint, decals, rust, and unnecessary parts. I keep going back and forth between just spray painting right over the existing paint or doing a nice job and stripping all the way down to bare metal. I'll probably just take my time on it and do a nice job in case I decide that I like this bike and eventually upgrade everything but the frame. The wheels are heavy but solid and true, and are beginning to clean up really nicely. I'm trying to keep my total cost under $100. I'll keep you updated.
~Paul

Our Garden Update (Carrots)

My Birthday Weekend in Photos

So, these pics are about a month old now but I'm finally posting them. The birthday weekend was fun and full of mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, family, friends, BBQ, and the rest of my favorite things.

My Garden Update in Photos - May 6, 2009

Jesusita Fire

Here are some pics of the Jesusita Fire that I took from work at UC Santa Barbara today. Everyone was thinking it was contained and then the wind really picked up at about 2pm today.

A Great Day At Work

This was the view from my work today out at Sedgwick Reserve. Now I just need to move my office out there :)

The Oak

Don't be fooled by its beauty. Poison Oak will get cha'.

 

Stormy Sunset Over Avila

One of my favorite pics from this past weekend.

Sinkhole Hike with Lindsay

A panorama from the sink-hole at Montana de Oro. It was just the two of us, so who was holding the camera?

San Jose Sharks Hockey!

Alison and I, along with 10 great friends attended our first pro hockey game / match/ challenge this past Saturday night in San Jose. We all had a great time and some of us even watched most of the game. It was a quick trip because we all had to get back home for Superbowl XLIII parties.

My Favorite Pic of the Week

Sunset @ Point Sal

Soccer Ball No More

BEFORE



AFTER

Point Sal Hike

Alison, Sage and I had an awesome time hiking with our friends/ neighbors Rachel, Noah, and "VL" today. We did a quick 12 miles to Point Sal. We were having so much fun that we lost track of time and had to finish the hike in the dark but Sage was there to protect us from the coyotes and I was able to get some nice sunset pics. The dogs had an even better time than us and probably traveled twice as far. It was great to get out there finally; last time we were turned away by armed guards, but the hike was open today so we made it all the way down to the beach which is ridiculously beautiful! If you get a chance to go, its definitely worth the walk.