Upcoming Reviews

Well, things have gotten very busy for me lately. I am a year from being done with law school and it feels pretty good. I am also full-swing in and internship with a local lawyer. It is taking time away from studies and being outside but I am trying my hardest to strike a proper balance. By looking at the activity on the blog it may not look like I am getting much time outdoors this summer that is totally wrong. In fact I just don't have the time to write. I have mostly been riding my bike as the hiking in this area is very bland (I attribute that to the fact that there is no real water around here).

Never fear, with fall and the fall semester coming up I will be able to write more and also get outside without sweating to death. A report released today said that July was the hottest month on record in the states, especially the Midwest. Noting saps being outside like sweltering temps.

Anywho, finals are upon me. That means that my computer time is nil for the next week. I would however, like to leave readers with a bit of an appetizer: reviews. My first and foremost goal after exams is to get some reviews out. Nothing brings people to an outdoor site like reviews, and I love helping people make key decisions with gear.

With that here are a few of the reviews to come:

Camelbak's Adventura (I know it is a women's bag)

Gerber: Gator Pro Machete

Detroit Rock Climbing: Onomonopia Hold Set

TaTaForNow

Time to get back to studying.

-J

It is official, well many things are official as of now. The first being that this is officially the longest period of times between successive blogs. (Totally sorry dudes.) Secondly, it is official that I am halfway done with law school. Thirdly, it is official that I have an internship with a law firm for the Summer. (I am very lucky and excited for the opportunity) Finally, it is official that rockwall construction is underway.

Regarding the latter, I have most of the cuts complete and once I pick up two more 9' boards the diagonal braces will be set. From there the rest should come together relatively quickly, as time allows that is. I am optimistic.

So what is it that kept me away from this thing for so long? Well, a number of things actually. School and final exams being the biggest. However, I still reserved a bit of time each week to do some me things. Usually that would involve blogging, but I chose to mountain bike instead. It is really growing on me. My bike still needs a few pieces to make it acceptable, but I will keep riding it as is until $$$ flows in to make the adjustments.

I have a load of reviews that need to be finished, edited and posted, but my time is getting kind of precious and I am trying to spend more of it doing things and not playing on the web. I have also been reading more. Not only do I have a pillar of outdoor themed books but my magazine subscriptions have been gathering in mogul sized heaps around the office. I do have a question for those who enjoy working with plants/ conservation/ green living: have you ever checked out Urban Farm Magazine? Since I like in the world of the urban right now I feel like a subscription may help me retain my sanity.

 Things will fall into rhythm and balance once school starts again. Only when I have the pressures of deadlines and commitment to others do I respect how precious my "me" time is.

Speaking of, it is time for me to get some stuff done. Due to my recent busy-ness many of my things have fallen by the wayside and need tending to. I hope you all have great weekends. Expect to hear from me soon.

-J

Animal Engineering

I know, I know, NO NEW UPDATES! What's up with that hey?

Super busy catching up with the first week back at school. But the updates are coming, I promise. Just trying to finish up a piece for Grand Traverse Mountain Bike, and I have a horrible case of writer's block.

In regards to this picture. On our Christmas Eve Hike Chels and I found this cool little natural bridge that various critters were using. What was most interesting was that all of the tracks at the "base" of the bridge were very similar to the curvature that planners put into on/ off-ramps. More proof that nature has it right most of the time.

Time to keep plugging away at the school thing. Catching up this weekend. Quite a bit of new gear over the holidays, plus new stories and maybe even a new hobby or tow.

-J

The making of glasswares

Last night we set about to start a new venture in our lives; up-cycling glass soda, wine, and beer bottles into glassware and art.

I think that what we did was a great success and I cannot wait to get them up on our Etsy.com account. However I would like to afford you with a sneak preview!

Oh, the possibilities that await us! If you have any cool ideas for glass bottle craft let me know!

In other news, my studies are going swell!