Camping Weekend

The weekend finally arrived where we went camping. It is rather surprising that this is my first camping trip of the year, and will likely to be my last for winter is approaching fast. Typically, I camp several times a year up and around the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest.

Angela found Money Creek Campground, just off of highway 2. The sites sit along the side of the rapid Skykomish River making for a pleasant white noise background as you lay inside your tent late at night.

The four of us arrived Friday evening, set up camp and almost instantly felt relax and excited about the next days ahead of us. While sitting in front of the fire under a canopy of old growth trees, we talked about many things, including what hike we should do on Saturday. Did we want to see an old fire lookout, a waterfall, or a serene lake. After the votes were cast, serenity won out and Barclay Lake was where we were heading.

Saturday came quickly and after a great, hearty breakfast of pancakes with walnuts and bananas cooked inside, we packed lunches and made our way to the trail head. Just off of highway 2, and about 5 miles from our campsite, you reach the tiny town of Baring and also the turnoff. You then begin a 4 mile uphill climb in your car, which cuts into the side of Baring Mountain. The trail is short and sweet, taking you through an enchanted-like forest which my guidebook accurately describes as gnome-like. Around every corner, it felt like you should see fairies and gnomes, and maybe even a troll or two.

You eventually see the lake, which is located directly under Baring Mountain, an imposing peak reminding me of Half-Dome in Yosemite. The peak is over 6,000 ft high and sitting at the base of it makes you feel miniscule. Sadly, the lake itself is muddy and not ideal for swimming, though still stunning. You can sit peacefully on the sandy shores of the lake and look at the grandeur of the peak that looms over you.

After our hike we then found a peaceful spot along the Skykomish River to play along, where we were skipping and stacking rocks. A salmon fisherman and his son were also sharing this part of the river with us and watching the two of them was very picturesque.

The rest of the trip was just as relaxing and wonderful. We made great food and we had great company. It is trips like these that makes me love living in the Pacific Northwest, where nature is so close to home and yet a world away.

Here are some photos of the hike up to Barclay Lake and Baring Mountain.

Granite Mountain Lookout

Well, another day off so another adventure. I feel like I must say that often. This morning when I awoke, I knew I wanted to go somewhere but I just wasn't sure where. After packing up my gear, getting some food and filling my car with gas, I headed East on I-90. Depending on the weather would determine my route, either Mt. Si or Pratt Lake or maybe a climb up Granite Mountain.

As I approached North Bend, I saw that it was going to be a clear and gorgeous sunny day, so heading up to the top of a mountain and having lunch at an old fire lookout sounded wonderful. Granite Mountain Lookout, I was on my way.

You find the Granite Mountain trail by first starting at the Pratt Lake trail head. About 1 mile in, you hit a fork on the trail, a point of divergence for if you go straight you hit a chain of lakes at the base of the mountains (Talapus, Ollallie, Pratt Lakes et. cetera), but if you turn up, a great ascent is ahead of you. When you start climbing you start climbing rapidly, about a 4,000 foot climb in around 3 miles. I'll admit it...it even kicked my ass.

After you make your way through the old growth and ferns, you break over the ridge into a large glen of wild blueberries that were absolutely delicious. As far as the eye could see were blueberry bushes. I spent the greater part of the trail run grabbing handfuls of berries and shoving them in my mouth.

As you make your way past the glen you walk along the ridge for a bit, jumping along big boulders, where remnant of snow linger in the shade. It was strange to still see snow in the end of September, but that is just proof of how bad our winter was this year.

Once you crest and can't possibly go any higher, you can see the old fire lookout in the distance. If you turn around, a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier can be seen. If you look straight ahead, a spectacular view of Mt. Baker is off in the distance. You are simply surrounded by beautiful mountains. Looking down over the north side of the trail , you can see lakes at the base of Granite Mountain, lakes that I believe you can access from the Pratt Lake trail.

Once I made my way up to the lookout, I sat down and had my lunch. The wind was cool but felt good against my sweaty back. It was great taking in all the scenery and it is amazing just how much beauty is so close to home.

Pratt Lake and then some

Another day off and so another trail run in the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. This time I had Casey choose a run for me out of my 50 Trail Runs in Washington book and this is what she found...run #20 Pratt Lake, a 12 mile out and back. You can add mileage by dipping down to see some of the other lakes in the region, the Alpine Lakes Region, such as Talapus Lake and Olallie Lake. By adding those two, the mileage is upped to about 16.

The run started out wet and rainy, but I liked the cool air. Once I started making my way into the Pratt Lake basin, the sun came out as I made my way across the large scree areas. The screes were some of the most beautiful ones I have seen as of late, with lots of moss and foliage growing in, on, and around a lot of the rock.
Well enjoy the photos...

Baker Lake Trail Run

I had a day off so I decided to take a solo day trip. After flipping through the pages of my book, 50 Trail Runs in Washington, I settled on Baker Lake, a dammed lake. The run is a 26 mile out and back, along the banks of Baker Lake, which is near the base of Mt. Baker. From Seattle, this is a 2 hour 30 minute drive, but I figured I would getting my monies worth with the trail run mileage.

With my bag full of fruit, a few books, my camera,and lots of water, off onto the trail I went.

Turns out there is a 50k Trail Run there soon. Wish I could but I have to work that day for Sherman Alexie will be reading poetry at my branch.

Anyway, here are some photos of my trip.

Mt. Si Day Hike

Well I guess you can't stop me. I decided to take another day hike, but this time up to the top of Mt. Si. For information about Mt. Si, such as elevation gain and mileage, simply click the link here.

I included a slideshow below.

This solo trip was just what I needed. The trail itself was a little crowded, but it was a nice Saturday afternoon after all.

Anyway, enjoy the photos...

Lake 22 and more

Well I did another hike, this time a solo hike to Lake 22. I have included a slideshow of this hike, as well as, my day hike with Brian to Heather Lake.

I started early in the morning, hoping to beat any traffic on the road . I knew if I were able to climb to the lake then I would want to spend a while there, maybe play with some rocks and build something, swim in the lake, and then probably smoke my cigar. It is dependent on whether there was still a lot of snow up there or not. Due to a very harsh winter and a lot of late snowfall, I just wasn't sure.

I had the entire trail to myself all morning and I ran up along the mountainside. The trail was very slick and wet, with a lot of tiny waterfalls pouring down the mountain. It seemed very likely there would still be a lot of snow at the lake.

When I crested and saw the lake for the first time, it took my breath away because of all the ice still in the waters, like little ice cubes in a giant cup of water. I walked to the waters edge and put my fingers in and found it would be too cold for a dip.

I could talk about this trip some more but really the photos are all you need.

Heather Lake

Brian and I took a day hike to Heather Lake, a place I like to trail run. The snow is still lingering in the mountains, especially higher up where I would have liked to take him. Since Heather Lake is a little lower elevation, it seemed like our best bet, plus he had never been to it and it is rather gorgeous anyway.

To get to Heather Lake you just need to get to the Mountain Loop Highway in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, about 1 H 30 M drive. Not bad at all.

The trail takes you through dense wet forests, with ancient cedar stumps that were cut down by loggers in the turn of the 20th century. You can see the notches in them still, where the loggers wedged their boards in to stand on as they cut away at the huge trees.

You climb up and up until you then begin climbing down, down to where the lake is formed, at the based of Mt. Pilchuck. There was snow everywhere and we had to be careful for a lot of it was in the process of melting and it was quite unsteady. We made our way to the lake, with was so clear there were mirror images of the mountains sweeping across it. If only it weren't so cold up there with the snowy air, for there is a wonderful swimming hole on the sound end.

We found a huge boulder, climbed up on it and gawked at the Heather Lake's majesty surrounding us from all sides. We had a little lunch, smoked a cigar, talked about anything and everything, and even listened to some music.

Out of nowhere there was a loud crack, like Thunder and the earth rumbled. An avalanche had begun on Mt. Pilchuck. We were nervous at first because we didn't know where the snow was coming but we ended up being fine for it was on the other side of the mountain. The whole experience was otherworldly, giving me goosebumps for rarely do you experience an avalanche like that. We just sat and listened to it, completely blown away.

STP 2011

Well that's it. I made it to Portland via bicycle yet again.

I've just completed my 4th Seattle To Portland bicycle ride, a 210 miles trek all in one day. This morning I am sitting at Crema Coffee + Bakery in Portland, enjoying an iced Americano and chocolate croissant, thinking about yesterday's accomplishments and mishaps. This time around I had Charles accompanying me, the husband of one of my beloved co-workers. He is a solid guy and a solid rider, though he was nervous never having ridden this far in one day before.

My alarm went off at 3:55 am yesterday morning, though I was already awake staring at the ceiling. I never get good rest the night before a major event, which makes getting up in the morning the hardest thing. Once you get up all you have to do is either start running or biking. If you can just get up the rest is cake.

I was on my bike by 4:25am, a stomach full of an Odwalla shake and Cliff Bar. A few miles to the start line, where I dropped my bag off, and then the ride began. I was meeting Charles at Seward Park since he was coming over from Beacon Hill. Around 5am, we connected and off we went.

The early sections of the rode ar eso full of riders since you are all starting around the same time more of less. Eventually all 2,500 of the One Day Riders get stretched out, making the roads clearer and less crowded. After a handful of riders, the jitters in your stomach have left and you are just enjoying the road, the endless colors of bike jerseys, and the people.

You eat, you drink, you joke around, you ride....all day.

We were making great time all day, jumping from pace line to pace line. Around mile 140, just 1 mile from a Rest Stop, Charles got a flat. Not a big deal or anything, but it is an interruption. Charles patched up his wheel just fine and we got to the bike mechanic to fully inflate the tire. No more than 5 minutes behind schedule now.

Bam, rattle. rattle. rattle. A spoke on my front wheel just broke and my wheel is caving in. I let out a curse. I was the pace setter, the one in front of a group of riders in a pace line. I move to the right, closer to the shoulder, as the rider behind me pulls up saying "busted spoke?" "Yep"
I yell at Charles as he passes, hoping he heard what I said as I have to stop my bike.

In a situation with a busted spoke on a ride such as this, there really are only a few options for you. 1. Ride is over. 2. Swap out the wheel. I choose number 2. The next rest area was only a few miles ahead and if I took it easy, very easy, I hoped my wheel would hold up until I got there. It was already bending in, so I knew I didn't have much time. I didn't really have many other options though.

I slowly made my way to the Lexington Food Stop at mile 160(?) the final Food Stop for STP. The bike mechanic explained to me the options and I bought a new wheel for $60 (a steal actually). Ride saved!

From Lexington, we have to ride through Kelso-Longview and over the Longview Bridge into Oregon. I love crossing that bridge because it is wonderful incline and the downhill is exhilarating. And that is about it for the ride.

We rode into Portland feeling great, despite a sore ass, sore neck and back muscles, and a slight sunburn. Charles popped a wheelie as he rode across the finish line, with the crowd cheering him on.

What a great ride.

TEDxOverlake

On Saturday, I was privileged to participate in a TED Talk along with a select group of educators and innovators. The theme was 'How People Learn' and with a variety of guest lecturers, from old to young, we explored the ways in which people live to learn and learn to live. It didn't matter if you had a formal education at some great school or simply learned on your own terms through nature, books, or friends, what mattered is that you learned and often you first would learn through your failures.

The theme of failure was the most often brought up idea in learning for it is through failure that one can achieve perseverance. Failure challenges you to be better, to do better. I think back at times when I may have faltered, stumbled, and failed. One thing I never did...I never gave up. Maybe it was my stubbornness. All I know is that you must try again and again for that is that is the most important thing for each time you learn something about yourself.

Summer

So I am gearing up for yet another marathon (how many is that now??? who cares how many. I just love running.) The air is getting warmer so I am stripping down the layers and am soaking up the sun. I have noticed more people on the trails; it is like the sleepy city of Seattle is waking up after a long, cold winter.

I have been checking out the Evergreen Trail Run Series website hoping there are some dates that work with my calendar, allowing me to participate in some of these events. So far no luck. Either I am working or I already have plans so it is a little frustrating. Luckily, with Pacific Northwest trail running, there are always events to be had. There may be a few dates in August that work for me so in the meantime I will just keep on running.

I am really excited to visit some of my favorite day trail runs that have been closed due to the winter's snow. Come June, most of the trails are starting their annual thawing out process. I desperately want to see Mt. Pilchuck, Heather Lake, and Lake 22 again. My gear is all packed, all I need to do is run to the store, grab some mixed nuts, cheese, salami, baguette, and jump in my car and go.

Hey Hey Library Guy

The funny thing about living and working in the same neighborhood is that you will often run in to your patrons, both good and bad, depending on the circumstances. This morning, on my way to get my morning coffee, I am walking on the sidewalk and a man walking from the opposite direction sees me and says, 'Hey Hey, library guy! Allllll right!" and then continues to walk past. I just smiled and nodded, acknowledging his comment.

This is the better of the many simple interactions that I have had. Because I am such a strict enforcer of our ROC (Rules of Conduct) at the public library and I am often having to ask people to leave due to infractions, whether it is eating, sleeping, or whatever, I often wander past these patron's on the street and they are still angry at me for doing so, sometimes weeks after.

Among the better names I have been called, we librarians have also been called Fascists and my personal favorite is Pamela, our beloved Children's Librarian, being called a Nazi. Some people just don't get it.
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me???
Perhaps. Only time will tell.

San Francisco

To write about all the things I did in SF would simply just take way too much of my time, so rather than do that, I will simply list them.
1. Gayngs show at the Independent
2. took a nap in Golden Gate Park
3. walked around Haight/Ashbury
4. Stepped in gum three different times in one day
5. ate amazing pastries at Tartine
6. burrito love at Taqueria Cancun
7. visit to the Mission Branch Library during storytime
8. City Light Books
9. had too much garlic at the Stinking Rose
10. discovered Comstock and the joy of great mixology
11. Communism (inside joke obviously)
12. had fun with Emily and Ross

In the end, SF is a great city. Would I live there? Definitely not!
Would I visit it again? Most definitely.

Leaving

Just one more day until Ross and I leave for San Francisco to see Emily, a friend who used to work at the Triple Door. I am excited to go to a city I once visited as a child and will now be returning to as an adult. I wonder how my perceptions will hold up, for I am no longer a 10 year old boy who once stood in awe of a gigantic red bridge and who was dying to see the Full House house.

I will find out shortly…

I Know Places

I went to see Lykke Li with my friend Sallie and wow, we were both blown away. She is a Swedish singer who is really coming into her own now, having experienced both love and loss in the past few years. Her second album and the one for which she is touring for is titled 'Wounded Rhymes' and deals primarily with her loneliness and her embracing of it (see her song 'Sadness is a Blessing').

While Lykke Li is still young, only in her mid-2o's, her music has matured quite a bit. Her traveling the world for this tour is helping a bit I am sure for when one travels one begins to see the world in a different light and from a different perspective.


Here is Lykke Li - I Know Places

New Ballard Library LA IV

Today is the start date of my new job.
New job = New responsibilities = New challenges = New excitement

I am almost done with my Master's Program at UW in Library Science and Information Technology (I can count down the days until graduation) and I have already landed a full time job with great benefits. More importantly though, I am working at a location where my colleagues are also my mentors, something that is ever important in the information seeking world where technologies and the ways in which we communicate are always progressing and changing.

If you don't seek out challenges and try to tackle them how can you get better than you already are (and it doesn't matter if you were successful or not for that comes later)? This is why landing a job at Seattle Public Libraries' highest volume branch is key to my CE (continuing education). CE doesn't end just because you get a diploma and can now call yourself a "librarian." Who are you kidding really. CE is an everyday action, an everyday act, and it is how you go about tackling such things in you life, both professional and personal, is what makes us who we are.

So yeah admittedly I am a little nervous. Why wouldn't I be. The possibilities are endless but therein lies my first challenge, to take the first step forward.

Discovery Park Trail Run Sample

A day in the life of a Discovery Park Trail Runner....(04/21/2011)

Frankie Four

Yesterday I woke to the rain pouring down over Ballard. It was a cold, dark and dreary morning, not the kind of morning you want when you are scheduled for an afternoon beach swim suit shoot at Carkeek Park.

I went out for my morning coffee, per my usual routine, enjoyed an everything bagel with cream cheese, and spent the early morning reading some Washington Trails books. I am trying to plan out my trail runs throughout Western Washington for the upcoming summer months. If I can manage it, I would like to tackle a trail or two a week, with the goal being around 30 new trails to add to my arsenal.

It was still raining steadily as I finished my hot coffee and I headed home, to change into my running clothes. With the raindrops being as heavy as they were, I knew that Discovery Park would be all rivers and waterfalls and I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to play around in this.

I ran around the park loop once (4.25 miles) running and jumping into puddles, taking in the rain and enjoying the cool crisp air on my face. When I got back to the beginning I didn't want to stop. It is just too much fun, after all I was already drenched, muddy, and still full of energy. I ran around the park a second time, reversing the direction for a new experience.

When I had my fill I rode back to Ballard and jumped in the warm shower and sipped some more hot Kona coffee, coffee that given to me as a gift from Angela and Jason upon returning from Hawaii.

The rain never abated and now it was time for our Frankie Four photo shoot, which is looking more and more like it will be an indoor shoot. Angela had made a lot of new men's vintage swim suits for me to model, as well as, our friend Charlie. Ruthie would be our female model, with Julie Harmsen our wonderful professional photographer. Any true Seattle native would tell you to take the weather in stride...it rains and then is stops...it then rains some more and then it stops. You just have to go with the flow. I feel like I am being more like a native Seattleite with each passing day, for I just take the weather in stride and it doesn't stop me from much of anything. The shoot was a lot of fun, even though we were a little constricted due to our location. I am just hoping something good turns out that Angela can use for her website. We will just have to wait and see.

Graceling Booktalk

Here is my latest booktalk. It is Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Born To Run Booktalk

Here is my Booktalk for Christopher McDoughall's Born to Run using Jing.

Trail Run and Library Thoughts

Yesterday I had a chance to trail run through Discovery Park before work, taking in the sunny weather as the first days of spring have arrived. What a great way to start my day, to get my blood flowing and settle my thoughts. My usual route, the Loop Trail, is a 4.25 mile trail around the park, through the forests, down the bluffs, and onto the Lighthouse beach. Because spring has arrived, however, there were Seattle Parks Department workers clearing and maintaining the trail (thank you) so I had to diverge and explore some other trails that zigzag through the park. It was fun hitting up those trails for I haven't visited them much lately, primarily because I have been sticking to the outer edges of the park.

Today we had a branch staff meeting, so I had to work the morning rather than have a full day off. No matter to me really, because after the meeting was over I had a lot to ponder over and I needed a place to think. Off the Discovery Park I went and with a lot of time to spare.

I ran the park trails twice and had to resist going for a third. I have a hard time holding back because there is just so much beauty in that park and it is so calm and serene that no matter how I am feeling I always leave feeling at peace. Now with spring here, a lot of the plants are starting to bud and the forest is getting denser and filling up with life. This was the first run I've had in weeks that the route was relatively dry too; I had hardly any mud on my legs.

At the Seattle Public Library, we are gearing up for the launch of our new Strategic Plan, a plan that will guide us and challenge us to be the best at what we do. It is an ambitious plan, but it must be otherwise what's the point really. If you don't set goals, if you don't challenge yourself, then really are you striving to be the best? Library work is all about service and innovation. This plan puts down on paper our motivations for why Librarians do what we do. And this is the kind of thinking that will keep us relevant. If we succeed in this Strategic Plan, it is easy to believe that libraries would be around for many years to come.

DOK

I was browsing Library Journal articles (cause that's what I do at 7am) and I stumbled onto an article about the DOK library concept center in Delft, a place where I visited as part of my Netherlands Exploration Seminar/Dutch Designs Program with the Information School at UW. The article (found here) is about Erik, Jaap, and Geert and about the incredible work they have been doing over there and how they have changed the way a library operates, both conceptually and functionally. Because of their work they were awarded the honor of 2009 Movers and Shakers.

Reading this article made me nostalgic because I think about all that I did while I was there, riding my bike, Suzzette, on the Tour de France routes, going to library lectures, touring beautiful and innovative library centers, swimming in the North Sea, even plucking a bike key out of a murky canal using only a piece of thread and a magnet (see my other blog). But most importantly, it reminded me of the wonderful people I met while I was there.

To see photos of DOK you can go here. Note-these are not my photos nor am I claiming any rights to them.

old friends

While running around Discovery Park today I ran into an old friend. I was in the middle of an 9 mile trail run and there she was, my friend Amy LaVare, one of the best Children's Librarians the Seattle Public Library offers. We worked together at the High Point location but since I have been moved over to the Ballard Branch, I haven't seen her in some time. Actually, the last time I did was over beers at the Beverage Place Pub for my going away party, a very bittersweet party. I knew I would be leaving good friends behind as I took the next step in my librarian career, but that still doesn't make it easy saying goodbye. I wish I had the time to really chat with her, to catch up, to check in, but it wasn't the time or place for this.
Amy, you are missed.

Book Lovers

What is it about a book that attracts you? Are you drawn to the image on the cover? How about the size or shape of the book? Are you drawn to it because someone suggested you check it out. Maybe you heard about it in the paper or saw someone on the bus reading it and they were smiling.

Reader's tastes are as varying as chocolate, which is having a resurgence in its craft here in Seattle. Dark chocolate with 70% cacao, dark chocolate with 80% cacao, white chocolate, milk chocolate, milk chocolate with nugget, the list goes on just as book genres and appeals are concerned in the book lover's world. We have the obvious ones, like the fiction lovers, the non-fiction, the mystery lovers, westerns, urban fiction, young adult, true crime, and again the list goes on with the more obscure. And then comes the list of appeals, plot driven, character driven, witty...so many to name.

I think this is what makes the hobby of reading fun and exciting. When I see an interesting book arrive in our morning delivery it reminds me of the feeling when I am browsing the chocolate isle of the market. Which one should I try....dark chocolate with 70% cacao and jalapeno bits??? oh wait, what about this one...milk chocolate with crushed mint leaves. I get a wonderful rush and I can wait to get it while saving the other for my next time. I also never seem to run out of options too, making this one of the best hobbies to have.

Currently I am reading two books that are different kinds of chocolate. One is a YA book that I can't seem to get enough of: Graceling. The other is simply cracking me up: I Was Told There'd Be Cake. Simply decadent. Try a piece.

Running

I've been running a lot again lately and it has made me the happiest I've been in a while. It is funny how sometimes you just get so bogged down with life, with work, with educational advancement, that you are forced to sacrifice some things you love temporarily....and then you re-discover it.

Running around Discovery Park is one of things that makes me overly joyful. I love the feeling of it, the mud between my toes, the fresh crisp air, the serenade of the trees singing as I glide by, the birds chirping. The physical rush, the chemicals my body produces is also addicting, all the adrenaline and endorphins. An article (here) explains just what I am talking about and I am one who has to say I completely agree because I can associate with this wonderful feeling. Running is not painful, it is sheer bliss.

On my last run I almost stepped on a cute little chipmunk that darted across the trial in front of me. My closest call so far to stepping on a little animal. It made my heart leap a little, as I leapt across the trail trying to avoid it. It was also very windy that day, with branch bending and braking all around. It was really beautiful to hear. I know with the broken branches comes new life and I can wait to see it.

It is raining pretty hard at the moment. I am sitting in a coffee shop, with my Americano almost empty, with the itch to go running. I love running in the rain, the slap of tiny raindrops on my face, the coolness on my body. I love how with heavier rain comes little rivers all through the trails and I have to trudge through it, sometimes ankle deep.

Soon the snows will start melting in the mountains around Seattle and I will be able to tackle some new terrain. I am already mapping out some trail runs. For now I'll stick with Discovery Park and loving every minute there.

Current Musical Obsession

Sarah Vowell

I have been on a Sarah Vowell kick lately. Her newest book, Unfamiliar Fishes is on its way to me and I can't wait to check it out.

This morning, while sitting at Tully's going over my book annotations, I received a GoodReads newsletter spotlighting an interview recently conducted with her via GoodReads questions. It is funny to me because of the timing of this. Last night I picked up A and J from the airport, who had just arrived home after spending time in Hawaii sunbathing and playing with lava (literally, with sticks).

Anyway, I can't wait to read this book.

Here is the interview:
(http://www.goodreads.com/interviews/show/576.Sarah_Vowell?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Mar_newsletter&utm_content=vowell)

Well I am back...that is...I am back to posting on this blog. I have a few more stories to write for my DutchDiscovery blog, but that will come with time. No rush for I can add to it at anytime.
So what have I been up to??? That is a big question so let's just start with today. After doing some library readings to enhance my Reader's Advisory skills (thank you David Wright) I went for a little run through Discovery Park. After that, I went to Shelter Lounge for happy hour snacks and cocktails. That about sums it up.
Now back to library readings...