I would like a lemon tree.

The thought of an uneventful two days off (filled with lots of sleep) is fantastic. Mornings are looking up though; the sky isn't completely black at 4:30. Early mornings have grown on me, out of necessity, but everything is very still and peaceful.

We're embarking on our long-awaited Northern California trip in a couple months! Paul hasn't experienced the amazingness that is NorCal...outside of a bus that is. On my last visit a couple years ago, I wandered around San Jose/Palo Alto while my friend was at work. I saw all kinds of citrus trees in backyards and I decided that was my favorite part of the area. I would very much like to have my own lemon tree. When you fly into California and you see palm trees everywhere, it feels kind of magical. Lemon and orange trees are extra magical.

Darkness!

This is Paul again (of course, it's 2:20 AM). I'm trying to write a proposal for my research paper for my capstone project and it's going very slowly. I went outside for a bit, and realized how beautiful it was. I moved my computer to the back porch (luckily we have an outlet outside), and here I am writing and watching the sky. Amazingly, I've only seen 2 cars go by on Taft Hill in the 20 minutes I've been out here. It's so peaceful, I love it.

In other news the Rockies won 10-4 today over the Nationals, and are back to 7-7 on the season. The Rockies president died suddenly today so I like to think that they were playing for him. Ubaldo Jiminez just pitched the first no-hitter in Rockies history on Saturday, and I was there listening on the radio in my car. It was glorious.

Well, I guess I should get back to the proposal. I'm sorry I don't have interesting links or companies to post, I just have my own musings. Have a great night!

Growing Bikes!

Panda Bikes is native to Fort Collins and it's appropriate considering the bicycle friendliness of the community (unless you're Paul and you hate people in bike lanes). Their bamboo bikes are incredible---they're ridiculously strong, sustainable, and unique.

One of the founders is currently in the MBA program at CSU and he spoke to our business plan class last semester. I have a copy of their business plan. Needless to say, they're brilliant and creative in the way they've designed their business. If I had $2,000 of disposable income, I would definitely buy a Panda bike. If you live in FoCo, they're all town and they've taken part in Tour de Fat and other events with New Belgium. They were at CSU's E-days last week showing off their amazing engineering abilities (which I couldn't begin to explain). I think they're also touring business plan competitions and presenting in hopes of raising more capital.

Even if you aren't an avid cyclist, just look around their website. It's very eye-catching and streamlined so it's user friendly. They're a really cool group of guys, too!

http://www.pandabicycles.com/

Ben Folds with WASO - Not The Same

Yesterday was National Record Store Day! Maybe you played a record...or maybe you just thought about it. Classic vehicle for music listening though. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Amoeba Music in Hollywood or San Francisco, CA, it's amazing. They're strong advocates of local music, too. Twist and Shout in Denver (off Colfax and Josephine) is equally awesome--it's one of the largest music/record retailers in the country. They have live music most nights, too, if you ever have the chance to visit.

We went to Centennial/Lakewood this weekend to look at apartments. I think we're pretty excited. Bandit is exorbitantly expensive regardless of where we live. Even though our job prospects are up in the air after we leave Fort Collins, I think we'll be in a central enough location that we can access mostly everything. It's kind of sad making carpet cleaning appointments and U-haul arrangements, but I think we're ready to move on to a different stage of life. Yay!

Gallagher is home! Having my car back might be the best thing to happen since December. I'm still holding my breath...just in case it starts smoking or the wheel falls off, but hopefully I'm safe for a while. I didn't realize the extent to which my independence relied on my car. I feel very free.

We're starting a softball rec team. We're the Decepticons and we still need at least two females to join the team. If anyone is actually reading this and knows of anyone who would have fun on a team that really isn't highly skilled or competitive, let us know somehow! We're fun. We promise. We'll have shirts, too, in case a new shirt is a better incentive.

Thinkin' Bout Something

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=104317949

Love the tribute to the blues brothers (and the Weird Al cameo)!

Late-night Posting

So, this is the P half of this blog for the first time. Pretty much, if you ever see a post after 10PM, it will be Paul. Sara has to sleep so she can get up at 4AM to go to work. So, I just thought I'd alert everyone about my big purchase of the week: A Rockies Jersey! I bought a Brad Hawpe jersey at Sports Authority for a mere $37.

In other news, I'm now broke and have no money. Well, I'm up this late because I should be doing homework, but instead I'm writing this, watching re-runs of Family Guy, and making Onion Rings. Off to "Media Ethics".

Barefoot!

We walked barefoot two years ago! Today is A Day Without Shoes...a day to recognize the millions of people who don't have the luxury of shoes.

In other news, sample stealer is back! She used to steal a purse-ful of bagel samples but she has moved onto iced tea. She fills a small vat with iced tea a couple days a week. She's also rude--stealing is one thing, but at least be polite while you do it. We can see you. Food cost, people. We pay for the things we sell.

A gentleman yesterday also informed me that I needed to clean the tile on the ceiling. It looked "very dirty and unprofessional". After I get through this line, I'll find my Swiffer and get right on that. Maybe he's spying for corporate.

Butchered Panera Product Name of the Day: Patini! She was looking for panini, but must have problems with her consonants.

Gallagher the Grand Prix is coming home next week! Fingers are crossed, anyway. I think Emma the Ranger will be relieved. We're moving in July and two cars will be more helpful than just one.

Do you have TOMS shoes?

I (Sara) did an international business project on TOMS Shoes, and in researching the company, decided I wanted a pair. I might have a shoe problem, but I had a good reason this time. They're crazy comfortable and when you buy a pair, TOMS makes a pair and sends it to Ethiopia, South Africa, and other developing countries for children who can't afford proper shoes. It might be good corporate social responsibility, but it's a genuine cause (and the shoes are awesome).

Tomorrow is A Day Without Shoes. If you're able to, try spending a day without your shoes! Check it out here: http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/

And buy some shoes! I'm talking Paul into trying some on at Nordstrom's. http://www.tomsshoes.com

Stories from a bakery-cafe

Hello! This was born out of boredom and a desperate need to send our ridiculous stories out into the world for someone else to enjoy...or at least sympathize. We hope this will be both cathartic and entertaining (for you and us). We're fairly private people, but some things just can't not be shared.

Anyone in customer service knows you must bend over backwards to get a customer anything they want. After a few years in food service, you stop reacting to ridiculous requests and you realize how selfish most people are. An older woman came up to me last week as I was plating orders and rudely asked me if I was having a bad day (actually it was more a rhetorical question...clearly I was now having a bad day) because her husband could not eat his salad with a spoon. I apologize for that huge mistake I made, please let me stumble all over myself looking for a fork so your husband can happily eat. A little politeness really goes a long way, so next time you find yourself talking to a restaurant employee, just smile. It helps a lot.

Additionally, it's "asiago" not "hasta luego". Don't make up names for the bagels.