I've been biking a lot lately.  When I first moved here, it was a little hard for me to get used to.  It's definitely not like back home where I could just hop on a blacktop and go for miles.  My bike has been a project for about a year now, and I'm just so in love with it.  I don't mind the process, in fact I adore it.  I checked out Superb Bicycle yesterday and they were great! I had a broken saddle, and the people who helped me were extremely helpful and friendly.  Other cyclists in the shop were also great to talk to.  That's one thing I notice about the cycling world.  It doesn't matter if you are really into riding your road bike, or just commuting around town; there is really a camaraderie amongst cyclists.  Even today, I went into REI for a little problem I had (ok......I know. I need to learn how to change a flat.  Where's Dad when you need him?) and another cyclist was in there with some questions about clip-less pedals.  While waiting, we instantly had a lot to talk about: he gave me some ideas for trails to ride around here, and I sympathized with the short, but definite struggle when changing to clip-less pedals.
This brings a question to mind.  Why isn't there a similar camaraderie amongst musicians? Maybe I'm not a cyclist who does anything competitive, and perhaps that's why I don't feel that vibe from other cyclists.  I kind of think that as much as musicians are trained to become masters at their instruments, they are also extremely trained to strive to be the best, and therefore to be super competitive.  But to make music, we need to do it together.  In my opinion, this mindset is so backwards.  How can you make great music when the people you play with are waiting...no, actually hoping to see you fail?

current state 

not much of a view from down here, but am glad to enjoy this weather!!

kitty wants to join me

it is soooo green outside!! i love love LOVE it!!

I am typing this post outside on our porch, and naturally took a couple pictures.  Poor Kitty; she would like to come out to enjoy this amazing weather too!

Bike play

renewal

I saw these little buds on the way to school one day!! Spring is so beautiful.

collage

"Op!"

ahhhh

My sister's dog.  Every spring, I want a dog soooo bad!!

I love my sister! We always have the best time together.

Getting to school at 7:00 AM always at least guarantees a pretty view while practicing.

new green.

A leftover halloween confetti.....?

I laid in this spot today for quite a while.  Closed my eyes, and let the sun warm my whole body.  I could  smell the new grass and for once the breeze was light and actually enjoyable, not hurricane-like.  One of the few times lately that felt completely timeless- I had no where to go, nothing pressing to worry about. ugh. makes me wish I was still out there... tomorrow, maybe.

Kissies!!

Spring!

So happy for open windows!

WHOASOMANYPICTURES!

I created a little challange for myself today.  I didn't end up sticking to my silly challange, but kept with it until I found myself wandering and finding more and more to photograph on my own.  Also, really nice, I was able to really listen to a couple albums I've been meaning to listen to lately. All in all, I had a really nice day.

Looking back on the pictures, I kind of wish I would find a picture to take, but wait for the right moment.  Usually I take a picture, and that's that.  Maybe I'll take 2 or 3 of almost the same thing, but looking at the pictures, I've been finding that I wish the people were arranged differently, or there were more clouds in the sky, or the light was a little different.  Stuff I didn't really think about when I took the shot.  Even though I didn't stick to my little unnamed challange, I think it is good for me to come up with things like that.... the more I take pictures, the more I will notice... right?

I took this picture and didn't like it, but when I uploaded it on my computer,  the decay seems more interesting.  I actually wasn't really thinking about the decay when I took the picture.

Me.

Haha... something I took for my lil "challange".... but turned out alright.

I was going to keep photographing these flowers but at some point I realized they were fake (wasn't wearing my gleeaaasses) and I was disgusted so I walked away....... but they are pretty if we all just pretend they're real.

Yeah. I took a picture of a guy taking a picture.

I just think the wording on the sign is funny.

Also wanted to add a couple older pictures:

Not really a great picture... wish it was clear. But Stella's face is awesome!

A farewell picture to my Conn.

Equilateral 

Brent Sandy at the Mill in Iowa City

I promise I'll update more regularly again :)