Frazzled

I just returned to Vermont after living in Japan for two solid years. I have done a million things worth posting in the last two months. So here is a totally random picture from last Christmas...until I can sort through some pics and get postin'.

Stuff for Sale--CHEAP!

Susukino SET:

Includes a hair dryer, two curling irons and a variety of products to achieve the perfect back-comb/hairspray look. Get 'yo skank on! (600yen or a big beer)

"JAMIS Dakar" Full Suspension Mountain Bike 17" frame

BRAND NEW Kevlar XC 26X21 tires! BRAND NEW brake pads, chain&clipless pedals!

Includes clip pedals and clipless, shoes and a lock/w 3 keys.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOKKAIDO'S TRAILS!!! (25,000 yen) ($200)

AVAILABLE AUGUST 17th

Print page Model Jamis Dakar 2003 Sizes 13", 15", 17", 19", 21" Colors Matte Red & Matte Grey Frame 7005 aluminum (all tubes) w/ gusseted down tube & box-section stays, fully-active 4-bar linkage design, 90mm travel, Fox Vanilla coil-over shock, replaceable derailleur hanger, international disc brake mount Fork Manitou Black Sport, 100mm travel Rims Alex XT-3000 double wall disc, 32H Hubs Front: Formula QR Rear: freehub Spokes WTB 14g stainless steel Tires Hutchinson Mosquito 26” x 2.0”, wire bead Front Derailleur Shimano Alivio 31.8mm conventional clamp/top pull Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore Shift Levers Shimano Alivio, Rapidfire SL, 24-speed Chain KMC IG-31 Crankset TruVativ Hussefelt, 44/32/22, 170mm (13-15”), 175mm (17-21”) Freewheel Shimano HG-50-I, 8-speed, 11-30 Bottom Bracket TruVativ Gigapipe, ISIS, 68 x 113mm Brakes Tektro forged alloy linear pull Brake Levers Avid AD3 alloy levers Pedals Wellgo, WPD-823, clipless Headset Dia Compe STS Aheadset, 1 1/8” Seatpost Alloy micro-adjust, 350mm x 27.2mm w/ alloy clamp and QR seatpin Saddle Jamis ATB w/ SL top, steel rails, w/ nose and tail guards Handlebars ATB Riser, alloy, 6° x 20mm rise x 620mm Stem Jamis alloy threadless, 90mm x 10°(13”), 105mm x 10° (15-17”), 120mm x 10° (19-21”) Grips Kraton dual compound WEIGHT: 32.00 lbs

ACTIVE SET:

Exercise ball (like new)

yoga mat, badminton set, Adidas soccer ball, tennis balls, juggling balls, fishing rod,

bat&ball…&more! (3,000 yen)($25)

"Street Cruiser" (Mr. Shit)

He's the Shit. Classic design. Great for taller riders but can be adjusted to fit anyone. Three speeds. Purchased for 24,000 yen ($196). Look good while you get around. Everything works. (5,000 yen)($40)

BURTON Snowboard with Burton Bindings

Burton Custom '49. Board and bindings are in great shape. A true classic! Made back in the days when Burton handmade their boards in Burlington, VT (my hometown). Now they're factory made in Canada. Come winter you won't find a used board for less than 6,000 yen….ACT NOW for guaranteed winter FUN! Comes with board bag and leash. (4,000 yen)($33)

Liquid Lover Set:
Blender and Coffee Maker

Like new! (includes filters and "chopper" for blender) (1,500 yen)($12)

Burton Snow Skate
Can't make it to the mountain? Take the snow skate to your local park for tons of fun without paying for a lift ticket!

(2,000 yen, $16)

Two of the mama cherry bikes have been SOLD, sorry....

Hakkoda-san Hiking in Aomori Prefecture

Hiking in the Hakkoda-san mountains in Aomori Prefecture. A shinto shrine on Akakura-dake (1548M) with O-dake (1584M) and the trail we were on in the distance.

Nearly at the summit of O-dake (1584M).

Looking across sennin-tai to little Io-dake (1360M).

Looking across a crater at Takada-o-dake (152M).

A little shinto shrine on O-dake.

The Ido-dake (1550M) crater.

On Akakura-dake looking back towards Ido-dake on the left and O-dake in the middle.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

This is my newest and coolest toy--a 4 meter stunt kite.
We're playing at my favorite park in Sapporo--Moerenuma Koen (designed by Isamu Noguchi)Sherri

Kate

Sherri

Sherri

Weekend...in no particular order...all cell phone pics...

I loaded up Beverly Ulayla (my bike) and headed into the wilderness with Sherri. Bev U is a "mama cherry" aka a one speed granny bike. I rode it over 40 km to get to the mountain and back. My butt was cozy but it was killer on my legs! The basket is full of food, the backpack is full of camping gear and my boots rested on the fender...for 40 freakin kms! Aurrgghhhh...

The hike was lovely...

The hut was on this cute little lake. The water was about chest-deep but...NO SWIMMING!! "Abunai-yo!" It's TOO DANGEROUS... whatever...

This was the weekend before. Some hungover Sunday golf.
50 balls = 250 yen. Not bad.

Remember the mosaic? It's coming along nicely.

This time I participated! Katie, Sherri and I made the blue and white patch of "sky" near the windmill and the red wind.

Friday night enkai. Tastiest food ever. Always is.

Snippets of Monday Evening and Tuesday Afternoon

I've been taking pictures on my cell phone lately...

I've lived here for 2 years and yesterday was the first time I purchased flour and sugar. I guess that shouldn't seem so surprising considering I don't have an oven.... This is my homemade chocolate banana-nut bread. I made it in my rice cooker and it was tasterific!

The tulips are out!
Toyohira-Koen (park).
I ride my bike through this park every morning and afternoon.

Dearest Mom,

I did not send a gift to you.

I penned some doting rhymes in lieu:

Sorry I'm a selfish daughter,

but Mother's Day is Hallmark's fodder

for those sad souls who can't express

through love and simple tenderness

the gratefulness they should bestow

upon The One who helped them grow.

So unto you I do bequeath

longevity and healthy teeth;

in hopes that one day you and I

might share a laugh and gently sigh;

knowing that our lives were great,

Happy Mother's Day from Kate.