Second-Hand Goodies
Author: Jake
Ok; First of all, I apologize for the blurry blackberry photos. When Reagan and I were in UT, recently, we stopped through some of the local thrift stores in SLC. The Mormon church runs and subsidizes a chain of thrift stores in the mountain west region called “Deseret Industries.” Growing up in SLC, DI enabled me to to amass a very impressive bowling ball collection, as well as a huge collection of oversized wooden forks and spoons with carved handles.
The SLC thrift stores are basically a hipster’s paradise. I will admit that I have seen some pretty amazing stuff at thrift stores and flea markets in NYC (only because Reagan dragged me along, hehe). But in NYC, they call it “vintage” and try to charge as much or more than you could purchase the item new. It doesn’t deter hipsters (or Reagan) from buying the stuff. But I just can’t bring myself to pay cash money for the stuff.
At DI, it is the exact opposite. Instead of being overpriced, most of the items are priced much lower than their actual value. The wingtip slip-ons above are Bostonians, with leather soles and Vibram heels. I scored them for $4. They aren’t exactly Prada, but for $4, I wasn’t about to complain.
In addition to the shoes, I was totally stoked about a pair of glasses that I dug up. They were definitely my best find during our visit (and possibly my best DI find, to date). They are a pair of original B&L 5022 (the 1952 model) Ray Ban Wayfarers that I picked up for the extremely reasonable price of 50 cents. Check ‘em:
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Goofing off
Author: Jake
After our race on Sunday morning, Reagan and I had a very long and relaxing visit with Piper. For some reason, all of the photos that I took, came out looking like Piper was groggy and sad. She probably was groggy. She definitely wasn’t sad though. Just the same, I thought that if she could talk, she probably wouldn’t want me posting those shots of her, not looking like her normal princess self.
After our visit with Piper, we met up with some friends of ours (John and Kat), who are visiting from SC. Reagan knows John from HS. We spend the evening palling around lower Manhattan, since it was so nice out.
Highlights included a jumping contest on the benches at the Battery Park City Promenade.
^–Reagan’s Jump
^—John’s Jump
^—My Jump (shot by Reagan)
Kat also had a pretty impressive jump. But the lighting was throwing off the AF, so it came out all blurry. I’m retarded. More photos of this outing are here.
Mo’ Good stuff from the family pic session
Author: Jake
If you get grossed out by people kissing, ignore this post. Here are a couple of more shots from our little shoot in Sandy, UT.
^–Reagan, dancing around in excitement over her new (second hand) glasses.
^—About to get a room, hehe.
Kolob Canyon, Zion’s National Park
Author: Jake
Tuesday evening, Reagan’s parents drove us to Kolob Canyon, which is in the northern end of Zion’s National Park. It is only about 20 minutes from where they live. It would be a spectacular sight under any circumstances. But, the way it was lit up in the evening, with the patchy clouds, and contrasting trees/snow, made it absolutely gorgeous.
^—Reagan’s hair dancing around in the wind.
^—Photo by Joe Baker
More photos of Kolob here.
Last day in UT
Author: Jake
It has been a pretty amazing seven days. We have had a blast hanging out with our families. Monday night we took a trip to the Cedar City bowling alley. Reagan’s parents took us bowling with her brother and sister-in-law. The shot above was Reagan’s idea, since one of the best parts about bowling is the awesome rental shoes.
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Before the bowling session, we were able to wander around town with some of Reagan’s friends and hit some thrift shops, etc.. We also dropped by Reagan’s old hair school, to say what’s up. It was beautiful weather, all day. The temperature was in the 50’s and the sky was as blue as can be.
Here are a couple other of my favorite shots around town:
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This is the part of vacation that is kind of a bummer. It is that part where, although you are still on vacation, it is hard to enjoy yourself, because you know it is almost over. And, the stress of the logistics of traveling back coupled with the stress of having to catch up on real life again start to weigh you down. Maybe I’m wound a little too tightly. Hehe.
Family Photos
Author: Jake
Nothing caps off a mini-family reunion like family photos. It was a pretty miraculous ordeal, considering all of the logistics. Highlights included, watching a huddle of moms try to position all of the grandkids:
Kelton’s awesome face, during the huddle:
And last but not least, my brother Pete bribing my autistic sister Laura to be in the group photo. After everyone had tried their hand at coaxing and pep-talks, cash money spoke the loudest. Genius move, Pete.
What we have been up to in SLC
Author: Jake
It has been pretty crazy in SLC, so far. Reagan and I have been loving every second of it. Here is a little taste of what we have been up to, since we arrived.
^—–Reagan holding our new little niece Clover
^—-Me, holding our new little niece Penelope
While NYC was having a snow day (our firm even closed early), I was having a little bit of a snow day of my own, enjoying all of the fresh pow that had fallen the night before. I took Reagan back country snowshoeing/snowboarding for the first time in her life. She loved it. I was so impressed by her toe touch, while wearing snow shoes.
^—-Looking down at Little Cottonwood Canyon from UT back country.
^—-”Flipping out” over all of the fresh powder. Heheh, I couldn’t resist, the pun.
Latest chapter of the Nike+ saga and Bon Voyage
Author: Jake
Yes yes. How many times have I thrown up photos like this one before? Right? As I mentioned earlier this week, my Nike Plus sportband died on me, again. This is the third time it has happened. My cousin Liz suggested that I just abandon the sportband and go with the Garmin. I am almost to that point. I probably would have done just that, if it weren’t for the ever smooth and adept Nike customer service team. That, and the super cool staff at the running store in my building. I called Nike, who quickly trouble shot my watch with me and determined that it was a dud. They suggested that I try returning it where I bought it, before sending it back to Nike. So I called Urban Athletics, who told me they would trade it straight across, for a new one. So, here we go. Sportband number 4 (pictured above). Treat me right, baby.
Switching gears completely, Reagan and I will be flying out west tomorrow. We have not been to the land of Deseret (yes that is Deseret, not desert), also know as the beehive state, since 2008 for my sister’s wedding. Since that time, one nephew and two nieces have joined the family. We have not met any of them yet. So, we have been anticipating this visit for quite a while.
Reagan and I were having a lot of anxiety about being able to go, because of Piper’s condition. But, it seems like she is on a pretty good plane, at the moment. God willing, things will continue that way, at least until we can return. Additionally, some of our amazing friends have agreed to take care of our car. Our lovely friends, the Alaska/Hofstra missies will be keeping an eye on our pad for us.
We will be taking a notebook computer with us (mostly so Reagan can play the cake building game). But I’m not sure how much posting we will get done over the next week. So, if it tends to be sparse, that is the reason.
Piper, still having withdrawals
Author: Jake
We took a ride to Westchester pretty early Sunday, so that we could have an extra long visit with Piper. She was really mellow. This was a nice change from her crazy behavior over the past couple of weeks. The doctors feel like they were trying to ween her too fast from the narcotics, so they bumped the methadone back up and are bringing it down more slowly, this time. Poor little squirt. She still doesn’t really seem like herself. Part of the reason, I’m sure, is because they are giving her muscle relaxers, to try to mitigate the violent cycles of the withdrawals. She also seemed a bit puffy, today.
We ended up having a really great visit with her. Especially, I had a lot of good one-on-one time with her, since Reagan was taking a nap for part of the visit. It was nice for me, since normally I don’t get to have the kind of visits where I can just hog Piper the whole time. It is going to be tough, not to see her for so long, while we are away. But hopefully, she will be more like herself, when we return.
First race of 2010 plus friends visiting
Author: Jake
Saturday was the first race of 2010 for me. It was a good one to start out the year with, since the weather was beautiful and it was for a good cause (run for Haiti). It was also pretty cool, because it was the first race that our new team “New York Running Club” was listed correctly on the roster/results.
I tried to charge my Nike+ sportband the night before, only to find that it was malfunctioning, again. The display looked like some sort of alien language. Reagan was kind enough to let me borrow hers, since she was sitting this one out. I will be sending it back on Monday Grrrr. The Central Park Races are normally capped at 5000 runners. But since it was for a charity (I guess), they doubled the cap and let 10,000 participants run. It was crrraaazyy. I wasn’t expecting such a crowd, so I showed up at the 9th hour and barely made it starting grid before the gun. As a result, I was way in the back and had no real chance of making it through the pack enough to get a good time. It was ok, though. My friend Mike ran with me, and we just had a relaxing race, and chatted the whole time. It also made me totally pumped for the upcoming running season and nice weather. Woo hoo!
Our Alaska/Hofstra friends also came to visit us, this weekend. Reagan and I pretty much just tagged a long with them through the village to various thrift stores, before hitting Broadway, in SoHo (pretty much Reagan’s dream day). It was a pretty good time, even for me.
We also saw this guy, playing in Washington Square Park. It is the same dude who drags that busted old piano down to the 4th St. A platform in the Subway on the weekends. Pretty awesome.
