Yak-a Yak-a Kayak-A

I know this is kind of a dark picture, but it makes me happy. As camp season is soon approaching, I found this picture of pure excitement when camp received it's new canoes a few years back. Happy Camping Season to all!

Religious conclusion

Today, I came to a significant conclusion about religion.

God is hispanic.

3 words.

Chips and salsa.

More specifially, I prefer pico de gallo. I like the chunkiness of it. I do also love a good thick salsa. My only problem is that I like LOTS of salsa on my chips, like to the point of I need my own bowl of it at the table while everyone else shares one bowl and I will use mine up before them. Case in point: I went to Qdoba yesterday and got some chips and pico. They normally give you one small container of the pico and I convinced the guy to give me 3(I offered to pay extra) and I still ran out of pico before the chips were gone. It is also a great way to get veggies. I frequently make my own pico and as a rule eat chips and salsa/pico 3-7 times a week. It is one of my favorite foods.

Just thought I'd let everyone know.

Sometimes, all you can do is laugh

While eatting lunch at Frida's(formerly Spices) the drink menu blew over into my water glass and my water glass ended up in my lap. That was some COLD ice water. Thankfully I am good natured and could laugh it off. Mel and I sharing a pitcher of sangria might have helped the situation a little, too.

Patio #5 of the day

Here is Mel and I on the patio of the Opus Lounge where I had a delicious Key Lime Pie martini. Mel had a mojito topped with ginger beer...also delish.

Sally Sample

Mel and I went to the patio of the Great Dane and had a beer sampler. We had 4oz of 5 different beers a piece. What a great way to try a lot of different brews.

Pabst Bomb me ASAP

Meet the Pabst Bomb. It is now rivaling the Lunchbox for the random shot award. It is Pabst Blue Ribbon with lemonade and you drop a shot of peach Stoli in it and drink.

Party Trick

It's our new party trick. Don't ask how, but Mel and I discovered that she can fit her fist into my mouth. HA HA HA.

Thanks mom

Meet Anthony. He was sitting behind me on the bus to Madison. When I was talking to my mom on the phone and giving her the run down of what Mel and I would be doing this weekend he overheard much of my conversation. As I was about to exit the bus, he excused himself for evesdropping, but he had heard my conversation and wanted to know more information on some of our anticipated destinations. I provided him with what I knew and he informed me that he works part time for the Oprah show and is in Madison shooting a documentry about Madison(not sure if it is Oprah related). As Mel was walking down to pick me up, she just started laughing because I had been in town less than 5 mintues and was already talking to a random. Interestingly enough, we ran into Anthony at the Terrace. He wanted my email and might hook me up with being an extra in a Will Ferrell film that is going to be shooting in Millenium Park this summer. I loooooooove Will. Hopefully I will be hearing from Anthony soon.

NEWS FLASH!

You may have read stories about us or seen us on the news. Well, the Mel and Stace sensation will be sweeping the city of Madison, WI on this beautiful Memorial Day weekend. That is right, this dynamic duo will be out on the streets converting fun haters in to fun lovers. The vortex of fun will be sucking in innocent bystanders all weekend long.

Year of Yes Update

So, I haven't been good at giving Year of Yes updates, not that much has been going on.

I think the biggest change that I have noticed has been in myself. I am not sure why, but I feel like I have been friendlier and more open to talking to different types of guys since I started the Year of Yes. Which, is ultimately the goal of doing the YoY. I have always given the advice that you should always say yes if you are unsure because the worst that could happen is that you learn something new....I give good advice, but often don't take my own advice. Since the YoY I have been been doing better at taking my own advice.

On Tuesday night, Jenne and I went for dinner and a couple of drinks at a new bar on Taylor St. While we were sitting at the bar a man sat down next to us and we started chatting him up. It turned out that this man works for the CPD in the drug division. I learned a lot about people who try to bring drugs into the country in their bodies. This man also played the bagpipes and I learned a lot about that too. It was fun just to learn about new things.

Thank you YoY.

I love a rainy night

I got off work a little early tonight and convinced Megan to walk to the White Hen with me to get a Diet Coke. On the way there it started to lightening and Megan said that it was going to rain. With about a block and a half to go to get to the WH the skys opened up and poured down. By the time we got home, we were dripping wet and I could wring the water out of my clothes. There was nothing we coudl do but laugh.

Back in the saddle

I feel like my life has been a whirl wind since I left for Jamaica. I came back to being super busy at work and working a ton of overtime. Then, my grandma got sick and I had to hurry away for the weekend. I feel like I am finally back into my regular routine of working normal hours and going to the gym in the mornings. It feels good to have some structure back in my life and to be working out again.

A photo summary of my trip

Hot shades, Bub! My brother found these Solar Shield sun glasses in my grandparents car and couldn't resist wearing them! Hot, hot, hot!

On the way home, we stopped at the Pancheros in Coralville and ate in thier nice outdoor area. I LOVE THE PANCH!

We played some Kings on the Corner.

How cute is my Grandpa?

There was also a bit of education added to our trip. While in Sac City, IA, we were able to view the World's Largest Popcorn Call. It was born on June 12, 2004 in Sac City and weighs 3100lbs. Wowza!

On the way to my grandparents farm, I stopped at a gas station and they had Fruit Stripe gum. I hadn't seen it in years and had to buy a pack. It wasn't as good as I remembered it. Oh well.

This is a picture of Josh and I as little kids. I had one cross eye and droopy cheeks.

Happy Birthday, Jill!

Today is Jill's 26th birthday!

Tropical Tuesday

The weather has been gloomy and rainy for about the past 5 days here. I am really missing the sun.

I am excited that I am working days today, so that I can actually cook a real meal tonight. I don't know what I am going to make yet, but I am sure it will be good.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, Mama Lens.
I am sorry we didn't get you crack for mother's day. I know it was what you really wanted.

A few days, a lot of thinking

It has been a few days since my last post and I am sorry that they were almost all picture posts.

I have been thinking a lot lately, much of it fueled by being around Mel and some of her blog posts, as well.

Within the past year to year and a half I have had multiple friends tell me that I am "shady" in an inability to commit way. And it's true. I hate being pinned down, even if it means to commiting to plans for a Friday night on a Monday. I can't do it, I just can't. Some say that they think I am holding out to see if something better comes along, but I don't think that is it. Perhaps it comes from my desire not to disappoint people...for example, if I am really tired and just don't have it in me to go out and cancel on someone. I don't feel like I have always been this way, or maybe I have and was just unaware of it.

What is wrong with me?!?!

Getting ready for the Birthday Extravaganza in Columbus. Going to Jamaica just wasn't enough for our birthday, we also had to have fun in the great state of Ohio.

Dancing Queens. Sanjida, Mel and I did a little dancing on Aarons coffee table.

No, they aren't a traveling band...we are just leaving Jamaica.

Doing a special dance in the "Spaceship" during a toga party.

The birthday kids at sunset.

It may look like we are at Prom 2006, but it is our 25th birthday dinner.

Aaron and I got "Happy Birthday" sang to us at midnight and given a bottle of champagne.

Aaron and I singing "Sweet Caroline" during karoke at the resort.

The view from the balcony outside of the room at our resort.

Rob and Mel preparing for Jamacia. I wear my sunglasses at night....so I can, so I can...

The twins pre-Jamaica taking a still born fetus shot....remisistant of our 21st bday.

Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica

Jamaica is about the only thing I have been able to think about since we booked our birthday trip more than ten weeks ago.

Well, it is finally here. In the final hours before the other outlaws arrive, I still have a lot to get accomplished. I did get an early start on the day waking up at 7:30am without an alarm. I think it was anxiety driven.

I won't be back until late Friday night, until then, if you need to get a hold of me or just call to say HI, you can reach me here. Well, I don't know if you will actually be able to get a hold of me, as I will probably be frolicking on the beach or saddled up...Make that swimming up to the bar, but you can always give it a try.***


***Gifts, flowers and calls for Aaron and I can be directed to the front desk of the Montego Bay Breezes Resort. We will alert them upon our arrival that our birthday is Thursday May4 and will need a large area of the lobby roped off to secure the signs of appreciation and love that will be arriving from all over the world that day.

I would also like to wish a Happy Birthday to Kieran, my old boss at the stellar University of Iowa.