Bike Riding Fever

Photography: Ken Zirkle

My entire family loves bike riding and would often go out on the trails when I was a kid. I went through a variety of different bike styles before I found the right one. An advanced mountain bike for teens with an easy-to-use 12 gears.

I can't wait for the sunny weather so we can get out and bike again. Sage Cycles is offering to pay me to write about their bike equipment and I'm thinking about ordering a Jandd Mountain Wedge pack for $17.99 to go on the back of my bike. I've always seemed to have difficulty keeping track of what I bring with me on bike trips.

My parents sometimes prefer wearing sunglasses to shade their eyes from the extreme sun we get in the summers. They have a great collection of Giro glasses over at Sage Cycles as well. I especially like the gray Convert.

Fantastic! This means more quality time for my dad and I.

Skate for the Heart 2009 Videos

World-renowned saxophonist Kenny G with a beautiful, talented cast in this year's Skate for the Heart made the perfect recipe for a fun, jazz filled celebration of life. I've uploaded and compiled the performances for you guys.

Ekaterina Gordeeva was the headliner. As you know, she lost her husband and skating partner Sergei Grinkov, and her father Alexander Gordeev to sudden heart attacks.

Opening: Kenny G

Irina Slutskaya: Kenny G

Viktor Petrenko: Fly Me to the Moon

Jozef Sabovcik: Heaven Can Wait

Steven Cousins: Fans

Ekaterina Gordeeva: Kenny G

Jeffrey Buttle and Ekaterina Gordeeva: You're Beautiful

Irina Slutskaya: Gypsy

Ekaterina Gordeeva: Love Story

Jeffrey Buttle: Sunglasses at Night

Viktor Petrenko: Kenny G

Finale: Kenny G

I hope you enjoy them!

Herbing!

Today I went out and picked up some herbs. I thought it would be fun to make an herb garden and watch them grow.

While I was there, I also picked up some flower seeds.

Not much to see at the moment. They should all be "blooming" in a matter of days!

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This post is part of the category "79 Things". Click to see the complete series of 79 Things.

Stars On Ice 2009 Tour Videos

I put together a compilation of my favorite performances from Stars On Ice 2009.


Cast Introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWSA4AZ8ACI

Opening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QYbmgiMAnI

Sasha Cohen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNfp82yTu2U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iVM64_H_KI

Ilia Kulik: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCGgb7LOVqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfmwWFdBSXw

Yuka Sato: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghVXlJC4Vio

Yuka Sato, Michael Weiss & John Zimmerman - Tribute to Kyoko Ina (John's old partner): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhHsODWOizQ

Todd Eldredge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCQcHVQRAM8

The Guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcv21lVybVk

Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3OlnDtZrP4

Finale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgJvHvvgPlI


This is just to give you a look at Stars On Ice and my lame attempt at trying to persuade you to buy tickets for the 2010 tour.

My Goal List (Spring 2010)

On March 10th, 2009 I started this personal goal list for myself. It changes rapidly every 3-5 months, with a whole new goal sheet and a whole new outlook. You are welcome to visit back to this post to see how I've progressed.

Current Goals:

- Tone tummy & thighs
- Learn to cook
- Get a better camera
- Diagnose health issues
- Finish a class with an A+
- Whiten my teeth

- Try Chinese food
- Survive sophomore year
- Do something new
- Do something challenging
- Party well
- Heal health issues
- Have good sweet 16
- Get a car
* This list will change on June 20th.

Past Completed Goals:

- Meet someone famous.
- Go to Las Vegas.
- Go to Madame Tussauds.
- Start driving.
- Become more laid-back.
- Look into future jobs/Colleges.
- Get a new cell phone.
- Get a volunteer job.
- Go to Phoenix.
- Don't throw up on plane to Phoenix.
- See Kristi Yamaguchi Friends & Family live.
- Read and finish a book.
- Start writing autobiography.
- Eat seafood I've never tried.
- Take vitamins.

- Go to a live Mariners baseball game (for the second time).
- Get Sims3.
- Tan ('09).
- See fireworks ('09).
- Get a better hairstyle.
- Buy nice shoes.
- Go to the fair.
- Go to the beach.
- Vacation in Idaho (for the second time).
- Visit old friends.
- Go jet-boating.
- Talk to Derik Nelson.
- Have a 4th of July BBQ.
- Perform in an ice show.

Last update: March 16th, 2010.

Meet My Grandmother

This is my grandmother Ellee. My mom's mom. I'm the most like her out of all of my family members. Loud, funny, creative, organized, and strong.

We bond over many things and I can talk to her about anything. When I was a kid, she used to let me scurry into her room and jump into her bed on Sunday mornings. She'd cuddle me and tell me stories about her childhood and the boys she liked. I love her soft Scottish accent. She's just so different from my mom and her brothers. They're certainly more like their daddy!

She's in her late 80's, can drive, can garden, and can still give me the biggest hugs. She supports me in everything I do and has always wanted the best for me. I love her very much.