4-10-2014

Integrating it all together

I believe the prep work is DONE

Spring Clean Up Rocks

Last years transformation 

Any ideas on what to do with the grass

That piece is from Marble Colorado

2day is a bit of a rough day 4 me & many others. But in no way is it harder 4 anyone than Larkin. The history is this, my friend Zachariah passed away on this day last year, his girlfriend Larkin by his side, & 2day is also Larkin's B-Day. Thats right, Zachariah left Larkin on her birthday. About every 3-4 months I still write a quick note on Zachariah's CrackBook page, but I can't express how much I miss him. SO I am telling all of you right now, tell that loved one "why" & "how" you love them.

Diggin' Physical Labor

How Much Can You Love A Dog??

 Maybe You Need A Profile Photo 2 Really Love His Personality!!

Oh Boy

Pt II of the front yard. Finally tying the 2 together.

I can see 2 nosies & 1 eye. My Supervisors 4 The Day!!!

Trail Run, PLEAZZZZZ

Out here in GJ,Co, we have this program every Spring, were we load all kinds of crap out 2 the street. Its Called Spring Clean Up & Others Treasures. Trucks drive by all day & "recycle" unwanted items. Me, I used  this service 4 what it was intended 4. Getting rid of a water waster, GRASS!! Don't ya just love working out front & you receive a " What You Should Do " comments from your neighbors?? 2 Funny. I just smile & allow them 2 feel better about themselves. A neighbor came down the street & 2 congratulate me on removing & going xeriscape & gave me all the jusifcations way we ALL should be doing this & in the same breath, " Can I Have Some Of Your Grass 2 Fill In Some Holes That My Dog Had Dug?" Now, I learned from my last project, I walked down 2 her place, roughly measured the hole, walked back, cut out 3 pieces near that size, went back w/the wheelbarrow, dug out the hole 2 match, & scored out 4 the new section of grass. She thanked me the whole time & expanded how she wouldn't have done such a nice job. I began thinking 2 myself that she doesn't spend much time around adults because she talked the whole time. I am OK w/that, just another funny observation from the neighborhood.

 Around 2:30pm, my left palm began feeling some light pain. Took off my glove & what a drag, Mr BLISTER popped up. This is a drag 4 me because I have appointments 2day AND 2mar. In the past, I would have change my ergonomics & kept on working until I pulled something. Becoming wise is pretty cool. I was happy 2 clean up & head 4 the kitchen because I was hosting the Finals last night. Overall, flippin' awesome day!!! The Boy Dog got the shaft but he was OK w/me walking in the house & rubbing him down while pouring some cold H2o 4 myself.

More photos 2 come, More digging ahead, & More Dog Stories Coming Soon. Thanx 4 Stopping By My Blog & Remind Someone Why You Love Them.

And NOW We Run???

Awesome & Happy & Alive

Dig This Section. Both Rolling & Layout

 Shadow Boy & I had a fantastic trail run on Friday!! The happy grey clouds covered Mr Sun from cooking us & Mother Nature blew in a calming breeze. Sweet recipe 4 adding some miles & living outdoors.

Bring On The Bikes

 We started up Tabaguche Trail, hooked up w/High Noon Trail, & danced across Ravens Trail. I really like hiking up Tabaguche because I can feel my gluts burn, my feet placement ( I don't care 4 the STRIKE term ) finds its lineament, & my happy mind fools me that my cardiovascular systems is tip-top.

A Shot North At The Book Cliffs

 Oh, and more wild flowers are in bloom. The colors of the high desert are worth a trip out & about. These flowers are doing their best 2 attract bees & they are screaming pollenate me. And check out that cloud cover. Such a good day.

Shadow Boy Charges The Climb

 2 funny!! I didn't know this shot was in the mix. I remember looking at the GoPro 2 see if it was on 4 the next shot of the Boy Dog up on the High Noon Trail.

Didn't know these 2 shots were here as well. Shadow Boy runs 2 this spot every time because he believes its H2o time. This is a Gr8 spot 2 soak up the vistas. Wonderful shot 2wards the east & the northern book cliffs come alive from this advantage point. I wish you all could see the Book Cliffs during the sunset. There is so much depth 2 be seen from here.

 And he loves his recycled dog bowl!! Thanx again Chow Down. He is so good about scratching up a little area 4 his warm belly 2 lay in the cool soil while he has a drink & observes his surroundings. Just 2 the right of my knee is the trail. 2 mt bikers came by during this time & Shadow just watched. No biggie he thinks. 8 years ago, he would have followed the riders. He always came back, but it use 2 drive me nutzzzzzz because I never knew if he would come back, become lost, or find a new dog bowl 2 eat from. All that wounding I did 4 nothing. Thats Love A????

The Start Of Ravens Trail 4 Me

A Shot Looking East 2wards The Grand Mesa

And Back Down 2 The Parking Lot

 I am still on the biking everyday in April Challenge. I rode 2 the station 2 see my friend, rode both days 2 work, & still busting out the leg lifts, plank, & crushes as well. Its been a good month so far.

My Friend Serendipity

Early Tulips Blooming On Main St

 This shot ( above photo ) was from Sunday after work. The colors are splashing my ride home. Pinks from cherry trees are coming alive, yellows from little hedges are saying hello, & pink & reds are dotted everywhere now. Makes 4 a blurry ride home, AWESOME!! And the photo below is from Shadow Boy after our run Friday. He had a belly full of food, just had a wiz in the backyard, & knew it was Padres baseball it in Miami. I have a hard time explaining my love 4 this guy because he is my world. He wakes up happy, he eats w/enthusiasm, & becomes overwhelmed w/the notion 4 a car ride. He Simply Is

Shadow Boy Says," Leave A Message Please."

Friday Baby

This Girl Has Come Along Way

 Is time totally flying on by or what??? 2nite is 1st Friday Art Walk & I am looking 4ward 2 it 4 some reason. Not sure what my game plans is yet but I know I will be on MainSt at some point. The Raw Canvas Art Gallery is something crazy & cool. Its tattoo shop as well as a gallery of sorts. Call me crazy but I am so impressed by tattoos these day. The detail is unreal & the portraits are life-like. These artist can pull off contrast w/yellows & greens that pop the art work off the canvas of skin. Way talented.

This Girl Is Amazingly Dynamic 

Brother Jake Hosting Above Ground

I rode down 2 KAFM 2 see Jake & Mariah & it was a small fan fair 4 sure. Ron, aka Old Dog, was there w/Lucy. She is a sweet dog & she was so thin when she came into Ron's world. She even gave me that look like she knew me. She sat on my foot & enjoyed the offerings that I gave. These are the days I truly appreciate at KAFM. Familiar faces that walk by 2 say hi & check in. Faces that you only see at the station. A common factor in play. Community Radio!!!

Another Day On The Bike 4 Aprils Pledge 

So that comment brings me 2 my fear. FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real. However, KAFM is in a bad spot in a big way. This little community radio has been on a downward spiral 4 the past 3 years. I place blame 100% on the Board Of Directors. Truth of the matter, a lack of leadership. Way 2 many Indians and not enough Chiefs. The saying should be, too many chiefs, not enough indians but that is not the case here.

I started volunteering at KAFM in 2001 & the station was a magical place. Folks from all walks of life were embraced & accepted. Thats right, accepted. Twice a year, sometimes more, KAFM had a volunteers meeting. Everyone would stand up & say their name, DJ name, & radio show time slot. At one point, KAFM had 335 volunteers. Thats both on air & off air volunteers. When KAFM had a meeting, not just X-Mas meetings, the room was packed. KAFM would offer a full hour pre-mix party because socializing was a big part of the night. Shaking hands, asking about families, & whats coming up soon. 2 weeks ago, KAFM had a volunteers meeting 4 the upcoming Fund Drive. KAFM offered free beer & free pizza & I counted 49 people & 4 kids. A FUND DRIVE meeting & the room was empty. KAFM even introduced 2 new employees & those jobs were never posted. Blown away but I wanted 2 look at the positive side & say," Well, maybe the station IS growing."

Why am I ranting about this??? Because I love the station & always have!! I love this hobby & I have met the most wonderful life long friends from this little community station. Lately, everyone I run into that is affiliated w/the station has had the most negative comments about the direction that KAFM has gone 2wards. 2014, some of my closest friends have given up on KAFM. Hugh & Kelly, owners of Toyota Safari, had their shop radio tuned into KAFM 24/7. Walk in & hear KAFM was a given. Their employees were subjected 2 Big Band Swing but a costumer would walk in & take a trip down memory lane & would share stories. Community Radio!!! Last week, I scored new biz cards, walked into Toyota Safari & the flippin' Moose Commercial Radio Station was on. This is the 3rd local grass roots business that has switched off KAFM. What the hell does that say???

A few rants ago I explained my displeasure of pre-recorded promos. SO, here is a classic. KAFM goes commercial sounding w/very poorly produced commercials & the Moose is now reading live advertisements. Community radio goes commercial & commercial radio goes community sounding. Back in Aug, I shared ( both in person & on my blog ) my anger w/the GM hiring a guy from Miami Florida. I was pissed because of the out of state aspect & not community based employment. Then, we volunteers are informed that this new person is both the Station Manager AND Program Director. Say What?!?! Even I know the PD position is full-time on the phone. How can this be??? Easy, the new person simply pre-records everything. Meaning, if I can't do my show, I don't call a sub, this person plays the computer instead. Do you see anything wrong w/this???? I could see the writing on the wall. The reason I bring this up, during our Fund Drive Meeting, not one, not two, BUT THREE TIME SLOTS ARE EMPTY FOR THE FUND DRIVE!!! During the month of April, as a listener, you wouldn't have any idea that the station is looking at raising $35,000.oo!!! KAFM has 1 lame PRE-PLEDGE promo, I mean lame quality wise. When I walk into the station 2 see my friends, nothing in the whole building says FUNd Drive is coming. Yes, FUNd Drive. The fund drive was FUN. Maybe I am off base here & the station is doing well. Maybe they are hosting art actions & grant writings so the fund drive is just on the back burner because KAFM doesn't need the headache of asking the community 4 funds. Only time will tell.

Please, I beg, please donate your hard earned money next week. Please pledge that you will support a community station. The only theme show that I know of, believe me, I have asked everyone by phone or person while they are hosting THEIR show, whats their game plan during the fund drive, as you might imagine, deer in head lights, the only show w/a theme is the Magic Carpet Ride on Thursday the 17th of April. The Blue Z will be bring in his classroom 2nd graders 2 read stories live on air. Out of all the shows per day on KAFM, thats the only show investing any time into THEIR show. Where is the ownership in the station, where is the enthusiasm, & where is the leadership???

Damn, now I am upset again. Thats It, Shadow Boy & I are headed 4 the Lunch Loops 4 a trail run.

Day Was A Success

Dig This Sculpture

 April 1st starts the beginning of my Bike Pledge, Crunches, Leg Lifts, Plank, & Push Ups….. All Done Successfully Without Pain

On Top Of The Parking Garage 

Dropping Of Bills & Drinking Water

 Check These Little Guys Out!!! Does anyone know the name of these beauties??? I was so stoked 2 come around this corner & find them in bloom.

 I met up w/the WSR group last night. They meet on Tuesday 4 a trail run. They split into 2 groups. In my opinion, both groups are studs, a faster group runs further & the second group runs about 3-5 miles.

                                                                                   

Our Water Stop

I started out a little before the group because I didn't have much time & I knew that they would blow on by me. I followed the Pet-e-kes trail w/the Boy Dog on leash. He pulled me up 2 the top of the trail where Pet-e-kes meets the Tabeguache Trail. Shadow Boy & I began running when we hit the Tab trail. I felt Gr8!! Finding that my legs find a rhythm much quicker than in the past.

 I feel more in control of my body. My foot strikes are more relaxed & I have more confidence in my ability while on the trail. Thats Good.

Shadow Asked 4 A Profile Photo

Oh Wait He Says… This Is My Better Side He Thinks

Can You See Yourself Here Right Now???

Pretty damn stoke that I was able 2 run the whole time 2wards the parking lot. I didn't feel winded & I didn't mind reminding myself 2 slow up & be present. I say this because I began 2 have feelings resurface about Sadie Girl, projects that I need 2 finish, & work ideas. You can call it mind drifting but that is not a good way 2 trail run. Start day dreaming & then a rolled ankles throws you on your face. NOT FUN!! Plus, felt strong when I was in the moment. And Shadow Boy was happy. You can feel his happiness, not just assume it.

Shadow's Interval Training

 And what a beautiful day here in the Grand Valley!! We had some light wind & a few high cirrus clouds. The cool air was perfect 4 our climbing section & the wind was behind me on the return trip.

 Check Out That View Boy!! This is part of the Tabeguache Trail w/the Bookcliffs way off in the distance. This was the section that I happily ran w/ease. Wish I had more time 2 do a time lapse from up here. Sweet cloud formations & gorgeous lighting.

The Lunch Loops, Bookcliffs, & The Grand Mesa in this shot

 Somewhere around this time, I was thinking that nobody had past me. Again, these runners kick A$$. But I was happy w/the pace I was running, stopped twice 2 give the Boy Dog a shot of water, & took the time 2 snap some photos. Thats what I call trail running. I don't think I want 2 be a fast trail runner because I don't want 2 miss the scenery or wild life or wild flowers or a belly rub on Shadow Boy. Lets be real here, I won't ever be that fast. And I am OK w/that.

So overall, the 1st day of April treated me well. I met my goals, did some socializing, & hurt NOTHING!! I will get on the commuter bike here soon & head downtown as 2 fulfill my bike everyday in April pledge. After that, the crunches, leg lifts, & plank position challenge. Then I will find myself in the garden, which I wasn't going 2 plant this year. Classic A????

Best Dog Ever!! Love You Shadow Boy!!

So thanx 4 stopping by my blog. Feel free 2 comment. Feel free 2 share your feelings. Allow yourself 2 enjoy the day. Big Hugs