Hairball in Hastings

Friday nite, Jay took me out on a double date with Cave & Kristie to grab some food, beers, and a killer Hairball show down in Hastings.  Dinner was tasty and the company was great.  The best part came after...

Jay was the King of the knight, acting as sober cab to get us to the show and back safely.  Anxious to rock out, I twitched in anticipation, holding back on the "are we there yet's" as we made our way down to Hastings.  Once we finally arrived, we exited the car to find the show having just begun on a fabulous outdoor stage!  I haven't been to an outdoor concert since I saw Paul Simon & Bob Dylan in Canal Park 13 years ago... awesome!

The summer air was warm and inviting, and a gentle breeze kept the bugs at bay and the jackets off, allowing us to enjoy the show in our favorite summer wear.  There were VIP lanyards awaiting us at the ticket table, and we quickly grabbed a beer and made our way to the front of the crowd.  Jay taught me how to move to the front long ago, and I have gotten to the point where any spot more than 2 rows from the stage just doesn't do it for me any more.  I didn't come here to watch douche bags and whatnots dance in front of me, I came to see the band... so stand outta my way Too-Much-Hairspray or Bathed-In-Aqua-DiGio... I came to rock out!

Back to the concert.

We made our way to the very front and stood directly in front of Freaky.  The sound was so loud it wrapped us up and helped us roll around in every rise and fall in the music.  The drums came through so thick, I thought each slam on the base drum would interrupt my own cardiac rhythm... oh my, I love that feeling!  It was as if the music passed right through you, the songs melting away the constraints of your body and becoming one with you.

Freaky, as always, was electric.  And there's something about watching my loved ones do amazing things that just seems to breathe life into my soul.  As if being able to watch fills me with the same energy that they're experiencing.  Maybe its the current state of my existence and the life I love and live every day, but there was something about the music and the night air that made me feel that, if only I could breathe in deep enough, I could fill myself with the energy in the air, become a part of it, and open a new door in life.

The music played on for hours, but the excitement never waned, only built up into a frenzy of strangers singing every word to every song.  From KISS, to Poison, Queen and AC/DC, the crowd followed every beat and we danced freely to every sound.  For the first time since I threw out my back a week prior, the pain wasn't constantly nagging me, telling me to lay down.  Maybe it was the movement of swaying to the music that helped keep it loose, whatever it was, I will take two.

The music played on and we were far from done.  Cannons filled the air with confetti as they rocked out some Queen tunes, and I spent a moment or two simply looking up and watching as they fumbled their way to the ground.  I watched as time seemed to slow and everything around me became united.  It felt as though my eyes were a camera recording the live performance... watching confetti flutter across the ground as Freddie Mercury lulled the crowd.... any way the wind blows.....


The show ended to the crowd's disappointment, and we slipped backstage to say hi to the band.  The guys were charged and sharing laughs and stories with us as the fans chanted in protest at the end of the night.  We happily caught up with our friends before slowly making our way back to the car.  Jay was sweet to drive us all home as the black night sky hung outside the windows and we eased back into relaxation and looked forward to sleep.

It was an amazing night... one of those concerts I'll look back on fondly years from now... not exactly remembering each song that played, but the feeling the night left us with.  I never feel like I can describe a Hairball show as splendidly as I experience it, but I hope this helps.  Thank you, Randy, for inviting us to come enjoy this with you!!!  I can't wait to do it again!

Still floating amongst the clouds...
Kristy Kreme

Hot Summer Ride

Yesterday, as Jay headed out to a race, I gathered my things and jumped on my bike for some quality time in the sun and warmth before going to work.  I headed west, towards Lake Minnetonka... no real path or destination in mind, just doing anything to avoid the Greenway or the lakes.

The wind was a pain in the rear, but the ride was awesome.  It was one of those rides where I was thinking of all the wonderful things around me that I wanted to get back and write about, blended up with some personal goals, thoughts of my family, and of course more bike rides.  

Along my way, somewhere in deep thought, I caught something out of the corner of my eye that startled me.  I kept going, but had to turn around to see if it was real...

It didn't move, not even when I stopped, not even an ear twitch... but my heart still raced as I took the picture.  Titillated, I headed on down the road.  

I hadn't made it more than a couple miles before I came across another 4-legged friend, running along the road.  A Husky apparently snuck out of the house, and was trotting down Mcginty with owner slowly riding a bike behind it, leash in one hand, phone to her ear with the other.  Considering the number of cars I'd seen on the road already, I passed the woman as she weaved back and forth, half of the time calling to the dog, the other half panicking into the phone.  I rode up to the dog who didn't care if I called it a bad dog or tried to bribe it with Gu packets, so I herded it off of Mcginty and onto a side road.  Luckily, there was a pole that looked like it really needed to be peed on, so I got my window to get off my bike and bribe the nice puppy into greeting me.  I grabbed his collar and started walking me back home.  It felt awesome!

Near death experience with a fake coyote.... check

Reunite rogue puppy and owner..... check

Commence ride.

I got into downtown Wayzata, peacefully watching the streets full of families, walkers, and bikers galore.  I wasn't ready to be done... so I wondered... can I make it around Lake Mtka and get home in time for work?  I cranked up the speed and hunkered down for a big hard effort.  My legs still resist me some, but they gave in eventually and let me play.  I got out to Orono and stopped to check the map to see if it was at all feasible.  Unfortunately, the clock said I had 45 min. to get home... maybe another day.  So, I turned around and raced myself home, stopping only to refill my bottles.

I got home with enough time to take Rosco for a mile long walk, and even he started to get exhausted from the heat.  Lucky  for him, he got to go home and nap.  This girl had 6 hours of walking ahead of her.  But, I made some moolah, hung out with my friends, and I had a front row seat for the wicked thunderstorm storm.... after clearing the patio in a frantic, wet, rush.  :o)

Now, my legs are still buzzing and I wish I could get out and ride.  Tomorrow, friend. Today, I've got things to do.  

Livin' the dream,

Kristy Kreme

Double Down at the Dog

Last Saturday, we dug out the time trial bikes and helmets for the first TT of the year down at the Farmdog Time Trial in Eureka Township.  Not only had the bikes withstood the big shop move, but had to wake them up from being apart so long... pretty sure the last time I'd been on El Gato was last July or August.  So, needless to say, we not only needed to put some air in the tires, but I actually had to dust her off before hoping on the trainer.

Once I got out on the road, I remembered how much I love time trials... how much I love El Gato.  She's steady, responsive, light, and sneaky quiet.  

My March legs didn't really enjoy me trying to pull off a May legs cadence, but I asked them too anyway.  It was a struggle against the wind and my out-of-season body, but I pulled it off.  My time was about a minute slower than I would like it to be, at 0:23:02.9, but I had to remind myself that I haven't even spent 150 miles in the saddle yet this spring... it'll come.  

Jay looked and rode great, as always.  Working like a dog at all hours of the day and night hasn't kept Jay from riding when he can and nothing can keep him from his pain cave.  Awesome job Hollywood!

Then, on this past Wednesday, we hit the Farmdog TT to tackle the course again.  The winds were almost non-existant, but the real question was if it was going to be a help, or a hinderance.  Yeah, no headwind to fight, but no tailwind to push you on.  Either way, we took the challenge and fought it out again.  I was able to shave off some time, finishing in 0:23:00.2, with a goal yet this summer to take off another 30-60 seconds.. I've got some work to do.

But, when it comes down to it, I'm still doing something I love with my best friend & hubby, and hanging out with my friends while exercising.  Add in a couple beers after the race and a warm, summer sunset with my puppy in my lap, and you have all the wonderful things that make life great.  Only thing we're missing is family and the Scamp.  :oD

Loving Life,
Kristy Kreme