We can rebuild it!

I'm repairing the horse for a Santa themed bar crawl in a few weeks. I modified the rear legs to pick them up a little more from the ground, so hopefully they'll last this time. Cale made a support for the tail so it won't bounce up and down when I ride. I'll have to get some updated photos up soon.



I used duct tape for a little extra strength. The rear legs flex up and down a bit, so if there's something in there that can't rip, it should hopefully be able to stand up to a few hours of riding.

Followed by lots more paper mache, of course.

Fatty Boombalatty

I'm all for making a little room for a cat on your lap while you're on the computer, but when the cat starts abusing his privilege by spreading out and gnawing at his claws like a heathen, that's not cool.

Doppelganger

I found a better groomed, more put-together version of me on Facebook. This photo in particular, I thought.

Blanketed

It occurred to me the other day that I haven't put a Snips picture up here in a while. This is the first cat I've had that likes burrowing under the covers. Last night he searched for hours for the perfect spot. He was supremely satisfied with what he eventually arrived at. Ever had your legs spooned by a tuxedo cat?

Post Halloween

What have I been doing since Halloween? I'm so glad you asked. I've been staying on the craft/art kick, and I've been making myself get out and about a little bit. I've been saying I would go to open drawing night at MIAD for a few months, and the same went for Doodle Day. I'd been putting both off because my drawing skills were so rusty! And because the Doodle Day crew is seriously creative and skilled. It was intimidating.

I dipped my toe in the water first by going to figure drawing. It has been so long, I don't think I've seen a naked model for... four years, maybe more. It was a bit of a shock to realize that, and strange like first-time-figure-drawing-strange to see that again. But! The setting was familiar and I soon fell back into the art groove. After a few hours, I realized that I've still got it! And by 'it' I mean drawing skills that are neither great nor totally shameful. I'll take it!

First drawing back (1 min gesture drawing):



Last drawing of the night (20 or 30 min):



Next up was Doodle Day, a week or two later. I biked up to Alterra (a coffee shop) on the East Side (look at me, getting out!). I sat down at a table with a bunch of people, set up my markers and stared at the blank page for a while. Then I stared some more. So big, so much paper, so white! Glancing around, I saw all sorts of good ideas and cool executions. Talent to the left of me, talent to the right! I decided to keep my head down and go for quantity over quality.



I did manage to fill the whole page, and it wasn't so agonizing!

The other thing I've been doing with nearly all my free time is crocheting. Maybe this is the year I finally learn to do more than just scarves. Maybe not! I made this one for myself out of a bunch of smaller balls of yarn. I tried to make a gradient in purples and yellows. I'm happy with how it turned out.



A better look at all the colors:

Playing Adult

Ever feel like you're playing adult? Like today for instance, during my lunch hour (9-5, what-what!) I went to the gym, and on the way back I stopped at the gas station to fill up. When you were a kid, did you think you'd ever be this grown up? Having a real job and running errands in your very own CAR?

At the gym, I put my hair into a sporty pony tail, changed into an old t-shirt from an alleycat and some PRO looking running shorts, put my headphones in and stepped out... in my pilly black ankle socks and some scraggly old flats.



I forgot my tennis shoes and extra socks today. Also, when I stopped at the gas station, I may have bought myself some gas station nachos for lunch. You'll never take me alive, adulthood!

Halloween Wrap Up

Get with the program! Here are some older posts about the process of making the Equestrian costume.
Costume Post #1
Costume Post #2
Costume Post #3
Costume Post #4

Alright, you adoring fans, you. You wanted the finished Equestrian costume, so here goes.

I borrowed a helmet from a coworker's mom. I didn't have a backup plan and I got it a few days before Halloween.. luckily it was perfect, if a little large. Easily solved- Halloween is the time for wigs, and I had one left over from last year. Helmet is pictured below, wig is not. Those luscious tresses are mine, all mine!



I also got the breeches and boots on the same day, so I came home and hopped on the bike for a test ride. This is before I added the bridle and saddle.



This is what it looked like before the tack. I never did get the hounds painted and attached. They were going to get attached to the pedals. While it would have been exceedingly hard to get on and off the bike with them there, I think it would have been TOTALLY WORTH IT to see them 'bounding' along with each pedal stroke. Alas.



Here it is at the race (Photo by Karen Larson):



What, want some more photos of me and the horse that I stole from other people? Suuure! I never did pose for a picture with my camera, so I thank those who got pictures.

This one's from John Owen. I was pretty much mobbed as soon as I pulled up to the race- I should have taken my bag off! There's my ratty wig, with my actual hair sticking out the bottom.



Speaking of getting to the race, and also of thanks, I owe Nick H. many thanks for letting me borrow his big 15 passenger van to transport the horse and my regular bike! I don't think I've ever been more uncomfortable driving than I was when driving that gigantic mass of metal. Luckily we both made it out unscathed.

And of the actual race? I planned on doing an awesome job racing the Women's 1/2, then doing a second race with the horse bike. The only other race I could do, according to an official, was the Men's 1/2. So I told eeeeveryone to look for the horse in the Men's 1/2 in the first lap, because I planned on doing one lap and then getting out of the way. The best laid plans of mice and men...

I did not do an awesome job in my race. It was almost what you'd call.... terrible. My racing lately has not been all that great, and that combined with a hot, hot, hot costume was enough to pretty much do me in. The one year I'm wearing a bunch of clothing, it's too hot for it! The nerve. Anyway, on the run up I asked a friend to hand me off the horse in the pit. The next time around I grabbed it and the fun began. I lost the race to everyone else, I think, but I was proclaimed winner of all costume contests in the land.


Photo from here.


Photo from here.

These I just flat out took from Peloton-Pix, but I'm planning on buying them, along with a few more, at the end of the season. So we're cool?





Thanks again for photos and/or comments on the costume. It took about two weeks total of about three hours a night, minus a night or two. It sounds like a lot of work, and it was, but I found myself actually skipping around at times. I had a ball making this thing! Gotta plan next year's now...