Yes, I'm a giant nerd when it comes to maps (among other things). I love topos. Big kudos to Google for adding contours to their Terrain maps. Score major points if you guess the traverse of which these peaks form the start.View Larger Map
Just heard at the dealer that BMW announced at their sales meeting the rerelease of the redesigned F650GS supposedly in Fall 2008. OK, so I may have jumped the gun and bought an 2003 when I heard they'd stopped producing them last year, but I couldn't imagine a summer in Bishop with no bike. Maybe when I get back from my travels I will look into an upgrade.
Firstly, let me just say that Faroh is into hair. His shop is filled with his hair competition trophies and numerous articles documenting his accomplishments in the world of hair design. How many stylists do you know that wear New Rocks and cut with five scissors at the same time? He's been cutting hair in N Hollywood and Los Feliz for ~25 years and is a staple in the Thai community. Call ahead to avoid the line. Who needs Rudy's when you've got Faroh?
Faroh Hair Design | 1656 N Harvard Blvd, L.A. 323.839.4856
Of course I managed to total my F650GS the year after BMW stops making it. WTF are they thinking? The F800GS will be out sometime in the fall (rumor is Nov not the advertised Sep release date), but even with the lowered chassis model it's 6cm taller than the 650. I'm above average in height for women, and I like having my feet flat on the ground for riding off-road. That pretty much rules out the 800. Given the short supply of F650s and high resale I know that it's a popular bike, so why would BMW knock out most of the female/smaller male enduro market? Too bad I can't let go of that stylish German design.
Just discovered this amazing LA-based indie band, Dengue Fever. 
Backed by 60s inspired psychadelic rock, chanteuse extraordinaire, Chhom Nimol, sings Cambodian and English lyrics in classic Asian pop style. Catch them live if you can or check out their recent interview on Fresh Air.
It's official. I handed in my letter of resignation today at work citing the need "to pursue personal goals outside of the corporate world" (i.e. beef up my climbing/travel resume). Unfortunately, I still have 10 weeks until the amount I have to pay back on my relocation package drops by 25%. April 30th can't come soon enough.
Headed up the coast this past weekend on the new (to me) bike to my friend Mike's wedding reception on Hearst Ranch in San Simeon. I met Mike back in 2003 on a mountaineering trip in Bolivia and have him to blame for my ill-fated and short-lived ultrarunning career (just kidding, blame it on my shoddy genetics/biomechanics). The reception was held in the lovely, Julia Morgan designed post and beam dairy barn (turned party room). Interesting variety of mounts, which of course I felt compelled to capture.
