Summer 2009 (pt 2)

Unfortunately, June closed with a lot of sadness for me. On June 24, my beautiful Emma Dog had to be put to sleep. She was almost 14 and had suffered from a stroke in the night. It really hasn't hit me yet, because I haven't been to my parent's since before I came to Ely. I know that when I go home in a few weeks and she is not there--it will suck big time. She represented the last of my childhood. We got her as I was beginning my freshman year of high school. I kind of feel like an orphan, now.

Emma Lou Poo Poo Pants

August 1995-June 2009

As if I wasn't sad enough, on June 25th, I went on my break at work and found out that Michael Jackson had just died. I was devastated....I don't care what anyone has to say. His music has been such a huge part of my life. Anyway...so, I came upstairs and Nick asked me how my break was, I stopped and looked at him and was kind of shaking--I'm not gonna lie. I said, "Michael Jackson just died....holy shit, MJ just died!" A woman turned and said, "Really? It's been confirmed? I'm from LA and my husband has been hired to go over to London and film his upcoming shows. He's been getting texts all afternoon about him going into the hospital." To which my response was, "Well I'm sorry to inform you, but your husband is out of a job." I love that in Ely, MN I am the one who has to inform someone that they are out of job because Michael Jackson died--only me would this happen to. The funny thing was the amount of texts, emails, and calls I got from people checking into see if I was OK. Even my mother called me. Too funny.

As I was coming out of mourning, The 4th of July was upon us! The 4th of July in Ely is my favorite! The parade is a riot and the streets are packed with spectators. I have always thought it would be fun to make a float and be in the parade. Well, this year was the year! The day before the 4th, my friend Beth and I decided it would be fun to crash the parade. We went to an antique store and found these odd matching robe things. We decided to form the BWWS--The Boundary Waters Wizard Society. On the morning of the parade, we haphazardly put our costumes together and then walked over and just picked a spot between the dance team and some random tractor thing--and away we marched. It was so much fun!

After the parade, I had to head to work for a few hours. (I was able to get rid of most of my shift) After work--on to grill and drink at Nick's house! We just kicked for a bit by ourselves, tipping back a few, and then people started showing up to eat. We were having a great time enjoying the beautiful weather.

After everyone had full bellies and was feeling pretty good (if you know what I mean), we headed down to watch the fireworks. SO many people, but we found a spot in a feel over looking Miners Lake and enjoyed the show. We also enjoyed a lot of free beer provided by a friend. It was there that I lost my camera (I didn't realize it at the time--I'm sure your surprised).

Once the fireworks show was done--we drunkenly hiked back to the car (we had a sober driver--no worries) and headed back to Nick's for a bon fire and some s'mores--nom nom. Some more people showed up and it was great just to chill. Around 2 am, the party started to break up and it was down to Nick and I and 2 girls. One of them suggested that we go to the public beach in town and go skinny dipping. Sounded like a great idea. On the way I demanded that we go back to where we were watching fireworks to look for my camera. Lo and behold, we found it! We raced off to the beach for a chilly dip in the water, but it was oh so fun.

Doing things a little backwards, we then decided to go back to Nick's to sauna (usually you sauna, then jump in the water.) After the sauna the girls headed home. It was 4 am and you would think the story would be done, but no! Nick and I decided that it would be the perfect time to pick up the party mess and go to the recycling center. Non of this wouldn't be nearly as funny, if Nick wasn't wearing a speedo from the sauna. We created quit a ruckus at the recycling center and then headed to my house to get something. On the way we posed for a picture on a parked float and then back to Nick's where we decided that blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes were a good idea--not too bad, but the vodka ice teas definitely a bad choice @ 5:30 am! Shortly after I headed home to pass out so that I could be to work by 10. Oy! God Bless America!

Summer 2009 (Pt 1)

Oy! I can't believe summer is half over already! I came up to Ely the last week of May and it snowed...seriously!

To catch you up...

I live in a great little house in town, this year. Though, I miss the little cabin on the lake, I am enjoying a much more social summer...and by "social", I mean I'm partying a lot! I still work @ the same outfitter that I have the past 2 years. It's great to just slip back into it. A lot of friends came back, again--the ones I really wanted to, even! I've also made some new friends, which is always good.

My second day up here, I got to venture to Duluth to see Leahkim and Paul!!! It was super fun and we just hung around town and caught up. I miss seeing them both on a regular basis. They were in charge of pictures and only sent me one of me sitting in a moose...

The month of June, was a lot of fun. I spent a lot of time going out and shaking up the Ely bar scene. What made it fun was getting my buddy, Nick (who's only 20) in. It always made for an exciting and funny time watching him get crazy. Nick, is definitely my best friend up here. We honestly see each other everyday--give or take a day or 2 here and there. We also spent a lot of time out at my buddy Jas's cabin drinking beer and taking saunas!

Mid June, I got to go back for the marriage of my friends, Jess and Joe. Hands down one of the best weddings that I have ever been to. They got married @ the Depot in downtown Minneapolis and everything was beautiful--they even had an ice cream bar instead of a cake. I know! Right!?

My date, Laura and I

The happy couple and I

While I was back I got to help Carly celebrate her birthday. So, glad it worked out that I was home for it.

The birthday girl!

Of course, a Crowd Favorite!

I took a second excursion to Duluth in mid June to cheer on a bunch of different friends running Grandma's Marathon. It was uber hot, but fun and it gave me an excuse to miss my 10 year class reunion.

Me hating crowds @ 9 am

Kristie and I striking a pose

Kristie and Ian after he finished the race

So, my store employs a lot of guys and the restaurant next door employs a lot of girls. That can only mean one thing...fun! There has been a lot of grilling out, drinking, going out, and saunaing between all of us. 3 of the girls live together and hosted a great grill out towards the end of the month. We all got rowdy and, unfortunately, not all of us stayed dry. Nick fell in the lake. In his defense, the dock was really short and not fully attached...which no one told him. It was still flippin hilarious and we still laugh about it.

Hangin out on the deck

Getting out of the Lake

I also was able to get in some great day hikes. Would love to get more trips in but work and partying get in the way;-)

Vintage Inspired.

Before I left Minneapolis for the summer, I had an excellent opportunity to do some styling/art directing for some photo shoots shot by photographer Emma Freeman. She was working with a friend who is thinking about trying her hand @ modeling. They decided that they wanted to do a variety of vintage inspired shots. Emma saw my costumes for Lamb Lays with Lion's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and asked if I would style and art direct for the shoots. I love vintage and I have always wanted to style for photo shoots--I was in. Caitlin, the model, supplyed us with excellent hair and makeup. She works for an Aveda Salon in downtown Mpls and had two of her coworkers assist us. They were awesome. Carolyn, who did hair, has gone out to NYC to do hair at the tents for fashion week. Very cool.

Here are some of my favorite shots out of the hundreds we did.

1920's

1960's

1970's Bohemian

1980's

Republic Tigers play Mpls!

My friends, The Republic Tigers--from Kansas City, finally played in Minneapolis. They were on tour supporting the Scottish band, Travis. I was on the list with a +1, because it was a last minute thing, it was hard to find someone to go with me who wasn't busy. My buddy & coworker, Joel, was up for the task. We headed to The Fine Line Music Cafe' in downtown MPLS. Kenn, the front man for the Tigers, found me right away. It was great to see him and catch up. I hadn't seen him in about a year and a half. Then the Tigers started playing. Wow! They really tightened up over the last year of touring. I was very impressed & proud of them. I really hope audiences will get their stuff and help them take off. I was disappointed that there set wasn't longer.

After their set, the guys came out to hang out. We all caught up and talked about the ups and downs of touring. Then, I asked, "Why the hell are we not getting rowdy?!" The reply was because they had to drive an hour or so out of the city to their hotel. They were playing Chicago the next night. I quickly put 2 and 2 together--an hour or so out of Minneapolis towards Chicago--They were totally staying Eau Claire!--The Ramada Inn and Convention Center to be exact. It was 11PM and I devised the plan that Joel and I would follow them and we could be in the Joynt by 1. Everybody was on board. They just needed to finish loading the trailer and I had to close my tab. By the time I made it out back, the guys in the band were fighting and Kenn told me the night in EC probably wouldn't happen. They were getting tired and hungry and sick of each other. I was totally bummed.

Ugh, rock stars!

Baaaaa

I love farm animals. I would love to have a very small farm so that I could have a sampling of a few breeds. So, when my sister-in-law told me about a lambing farm near Menomonie, I got very excited. The problem was, was that she already took my nephews, Liam & Evan--How was I going to get there!? I decided to take my pseudo niece and nephew, Phoebe and James--but really it was for me.
We got to the barn and it was full of sheep with there new born lambs. Some were a few days old and some were a few hours old. I was in heaven.

I fell in love with one new born Lamb, I think she was about twelve hours old. She was so tiny and calm. I just sat with her curled up in my lap--it was great. We bonded--she needed me, what can I say? I decided to name her Mary. I love Mary. I hope she is doing ok and growing fast.

Not only did they have sheep, but they had chickens, as well! They had chicks a plenty and it was fun to pick up something so delicate and yet so tenacious. It would have been very easy to stick one in my pocket and leave with it.




Of course you can't have a farm without a cow or two. There was a pen of some calves. I got a little upset because they refused to suck my thumb. I loved that as a kid, when our neighbors would have calves and my dad would take me over to see them and they would suck my thumb. Oh well.

It was a great day @ the farm...and I think the kids had fun too!

Marchgraff Madness

For reference, I had an amazing childhood. This amazingness is in part to the kids that I grew up with. Yes, I have one older brother Josh, but I also feel that I have 2 older sisters and 2 more older brothers.

Living within an 1/8 of a mile of each other were, us (the Lindgrens), Hummels, & Johnsons. Hummels had 2 boys, Adam & Alex. Johnsons had 2 girls, Mary & Jenny. We all were insperable growing up together on Markgraff Rd. We had fields, acres of woods, streams, barns, sheds...you name it--we had the best playground ever! We would be gone all day on adventures, building forts, playing games, playing with the animals, & exploring. We also were very good at watching movies and late on in our childhood--making them. I have the best memories with these 5 individuals.

Now that we are all adults (some married & some with children), we have decided to have an annual reunion called Marchgraff Madness. Every March we get together over food (usually pizza, since that is what we consumed as kids), drink, games, conversation, & memories. I feel bad for the spouces, because they don't have any idea what we are talking about, but they are slowly getting it.

I feel so extremely lucky that we have all stuck together. I think it is a pretty rare thing to come by--a group of people who have been friends since such a young age who still have things in common and enjoy each other's company in adulthood. I hope that we are together always. There is a magic about our childhood and our bond that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Us Then...
Us Now...
* Mrs. Hummel made the best chocolate cake ever! It's called Aunt Ruth's Chocolate Cake and all of us can spot it a mile away and grew up loving it. Mrs. H was great enough to make us one for MM 09'. You can tell our excitement.

nothing has really been exciting...

So, I should probably update this thing.

First things, first. I didn't get the reality show in Norway. I'm a little bummed, though it was a long shot. Ah well, I'll have to find another way to win $50,000.

Work is work, but is still fun. It is nice to be getting ready for the summer season. I'm a lot more knowledgeable with the summer gear. Next month we will be hosting our Outdoor Expo, which is a crazy, crazy time. I have been asked to teach a lecture on how to dress for the Boundary Waters and Quetico. I'm really looking forward to the class, it will for sure break up the overwhelming chaos of the weekend. Plus, it's nice that they trust me and respect my knowledge on the subject. I'm also starting to think about and plan my summer up in Ely. As of right now, I'm planning to head up on Memorial Day. I can not wait!

As for Lamb Lays with Lion, we are diligently working on Lamb Lay's with Lion's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The show opens next week and it should be a great one! I started out the rehearsal process by playing Big Daddy--a great role and a lot of fun to play. Unfortunately, the rehearsal process was taking too much time out of my work schedule and I had to step down from performing. I am, however, costuming and house managing. Both tasks are not so demanding of my time--which is great! After Cat we will send Jayne and Jeremy with their show, Tenebrism to Austin, TX for a week. We are all very excited and it will be great exposure for the company.

Other than work and company stuff, I've tried to see friends whenever possible. I'm looking forward to Marchgraff Madness next weekend, which is a annual reunion of my childhood best friends who all grew up on Markgraff Rd. It has been a great night of laughing, eating, drinking, & game playing in the past. I hope the tradition continues. I'm sure I'll get pics up after the event.

Here's to hoping Spring is right around the corner!