Leap Day Eve

Alright alright, the snow's all melted or melting, birds are chirping, the sun stays out a little longer, and the permafrost that has built up from this winter is alomost gone. Time for my 5 favorite things about spring:

1. Time to dust of the old bicycle(s). No longer am I forced to stare at two beautiful two wheeled creatures, but actually get to ride them. Yesterday and today I've gotten out on some short rides, for coffee, and to the bank. And finally I dont have to look like this guy:

2. Chaco time.


3. Spring camping. It might be a little wet, it might be a little cold, but to hell with it. We've been sleeping inside for too long now. Plus with the new edition of a MSR coffee filter to my gear collection those cold mornings are way more pleasent.

4. Fishing time. A family member of mine just purchased a great new boat and a slip at smithville, Jordan and I will have no regrets taking advantage of that. Plus my GF that has never been fishing or caught a fish (werid I know), will be snagging crappies like crazy before she knows it. I also plan on having Jordan teach me how to fly fish.

5. Waking up and looking forward to the day. Febuary is just gray and once you think its as gray as it can get, its gets even grayer. I'm over. I can't wait to enjoy my walk to class each morning in a beautiful moderate temperature.

I just love the change in seasons. I think that we forget how cyclical life was supposed to be. There are season to life as there are seasons in our environment. Since we've moved from a largely agrarian cluture and society we've lost the awe wonder and thankfulness for the new life springing up around us.

Keep walking, look forward, but don't miss what's right under your feet.
R.F. Lauer

Tasty Food..Tasty Price Contest

Winner goes to the person who can up with something better then a "Handful of Everything" by Archer Farms

Ryan and I love this 30 oz mouth watering blend of flavor heaven. Really the only way to eat this pleasing mix is by the handful. Whoever said you can't guarantee happiness clearly has never tried Archer Farms "A Handful of Everything." We're talking.. raisins, almonds, chocolate drops, peanuts, cashews, coconut, and the most delightful... dried fruit.

So the winner that comes up with something better...will receive a courtesy 30oz jar of "Handful of Everything." But once you receive your 30 oz jar you will soon realize that your answer was wrong and that "Handful of Everything" is indeed the best.

In the mean time Ryan and I are going to fist fight over them!
Good luck.... you will need it.
J.C.

Cause there's good deeds and there is good intention

It started with good intentions: Get in killer shape, become better climbers along the way, and do something few have ever acommplished. Our attempt at the Oklahoma City Half Marthon started out strong the second week of Febuary...for two days.

We got sidelined quickly. First I had wicked battle with influenza. Only a few days later Jordan caught a chesty congestion cough thing. We're a little off track, but we'll catch up somehow. Sunday first run in two weeks-6 miles. Look out, we're on our way.

Before the marathon I'm starting my first run at the professional triathlon circuit. April 19th I'll be in Columbia doing the Shakespeare's Pizza Duathlon. I'll be making T-Shirts for my offical fan club soon.

Keep livin' the dream

Ryan

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman aint got nothing on me.

Today's 50 degree weather was a breath of fresh air! Even though it is now snowing and cold... but heck 50 degrees is a much needed rise in temperature and morale.

In case anyone was sleeplessly wondering how my terrible sickness is going... no need to worry I think I'm going to make it. (pity cough.. pity cough)

My Three day Medicine Diet:
In your face Dr. Quinn (not Sully..he is the man)
2tsp of Delsym every 12 hours.. then throw in 4tsp of Tussin chest congestion (wild berry flavor of course) every 8 hours. Then before bed throw down some..ok alot.. Night Time Cough All Night Relief.. then between medicine shots, suck on some Cough Drops.. cherry flavor of course.. gotta keep it real with the cherry. That seems to be working so far.. not out of the woods yet..but I see the tree line up ahead. (c)

Gotta get back on my feet...

keep your eyes on the horizon.
Jc

Lazy Sunday.

Caitlin and I have determined that being outside more will bring spring about faster. Today was a great one. With my poor sick roommate in a Nyquil induced comma, I got up early, picked up Cait, drank some coffee, at some day old muffins, courtesy of By the Book, and went to Jacob's Well. As usual, great service, great message, great friends. Taking advantage of the great spring weather we wandered around The Nelson lawn and explored for the second time the great galleries of the Bloch Building. Came across some new great things worth checking out. A photography exhibit: Time in the West: Photographs by Mark Klett. Its great that a major art museum is free.









Offically started planning some weekend trips for this spring. Starting with Piney-Creek Wilderness and Taum-sauk Mt.

REI Garage sale: STL, less than a week away.

...great day.

Much love-
R. Lauer

Cough..cough...uaaaaaakahhhhh(really big cough)

Greetings from Sick Camp.

I totally underestimated the wildness of my cough and have been unsuccessful thus far to tame it.
Hopefully NyQuil won't fail me now.

Due to my illness this will be all. However I will urge you all to track our good friend, video genius, Brandon Goodwin as he chronicles his adventures in the People's Republic of China.

Wash your hands~
J.C.

not close enough.

This week has been a great music week. I've came across and rediscovered a lot of artists that are really hitting a chord with me. I think it has something to do with the crappy weather, too many YouTube climbing videos (this one's great), really boring classes, and more snow than I can remember in a winter. So here's my top 8 albums in rotation for me. Why 8 I don't know.

1. Lupe Fiasco's, "The Cool"

2. Eddie Vedder, "Into the Wild"

3. Brett Dennen, Self-titled

4. Waterdeep, "Sink or Swim"

5. U2, "Joshua Tree"

6. Andrew Bird "Armchair Apocrypha"

7. Wilco, "Sky Blue Sky"

8. Tea Leaf Green, "Live in San Francisco 4.7.06"

Its been a good winter for reading. I'm chowing through some Kerouac, but thats too dangerous to do when one is locked into school, one place, and winter weather. I'm reading Vollmann's "Riding Toward Everywhere", don't really like it. At this point I'm just reading to finish it.

Bumming around Kansas City this weekend. Can't wait to head to Columbia in a week.

Peace and chow-

RFL.

Spring and adventure are close....