#( i love winter thru February so this makes me quite happy )

[galaxy-whiskers]

I was tagged by @bailandonorris, thanks!

1. what is the colour of your hair brush? 

I have a silver paddle brush which I don’t use very often, a transparent and purple swirly coloured (honestly don’t know how else to describe) afro comb, and a regular black comb.

2. name of a food you never eat? 

Tuna, can’t stand it. To be honest, I eat most things if they’re warm, but VERY fussy when it comes to cold food

3. are you typically too warm or too cold? 

Definitely too hot! I still have a fan on in the winter at night time

4. what were you doing 45 minutes ago? 

Playing Animal Crossing, tried to catch some tarantulas because Flick is on my island but the dodos don’t seem to want to send me to any decent islands so my mission was unsuccessful

5. what’s your favourite candy bar?

That’s a hard one... probably either Cadbury’s marvelous creations with the jelly beans and popping candy, darkmilk, or the one with oreos. Snickers are pretty great too, also Kinder Bueno and just Kinder chocolate in general. Basically, what I’m saying is I love chocolate

6. have you ever been to a professional sports event? 

Yes, I went to the London 2012 Olympics to watch show jumping, football and basketball! Have probably been to others? Really want to go to Wimbledon at some point but not sure when I’ll be able to do that. Does dog agility count as sport? Seen it at Crufts multiple times

7. what is the last thing you said out loud? 

‘Night night curly shoes’ - a goodnight wish for my sweet doggo Ivy

8. what is your favourite ice cream? 

I’m a fan of coconut ice cream it has to be said, also honeycomb, and your standard Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough is high up there. Really specifically, the vanilla ice cream from the waffle shop in Cirencester. To be honest, don’t eat much ice cream, not my go-to food choice because I’m lactose intolerant and a lot of it makes me feel sick just thinking about it. Has to be good!

9. what is the last thing you had to drink? 

Some water, absolute health right here (she says drinking her first glass of water all day after about 4 cans of Pepsi Max whoops)

10. do you like your wallet? 

I guess so, yes. Could probably do with a slightly more efficient one but it’s decent

11. what was the last thing you ate? 

A jazz apple from the fridge. We have no pink ladies which are the favourites but jazz are pretty tasty too

12. did you buy any new clothes last week? 

No, only virtual ones in Animal Crossing. I haven’t been clothes shopping in so long and doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon

13. last sporting event you watched? 

Honestly no idea, since all the sport has been cancelled for a while I can’t think what the last thing would have been. Probably Cheltenham races on the telly back in February or March or whenever it was?

14. what’s your favourite flavour of popcorn? 

The classic, salty cinema popcorn. Honestly the best

15. who was the last person you sent a message to? 

Strangely, someone from my secondary school who I haven’t ever spoken to over message before. She posted our leavers video on her Instagram and thought I’d message since I’d been looking for that video for  y e a r s  and sparked a conversation! She never liked me much back in school I don’t think, she was popular and I really wasn’t so I never properly spoke to her. One of my friends had a bit of drama with her, absolutely hated her, but they eventually became best pals. Also her best pal during most of school really didn’t like me for some reason... anyway, had a nice chat, strange how friendly she seems these days

16. ever go camping?

Uhh well... I’ve been 4 times, 2 of which were for D of E and I can safely say I’ve never had a good experience. First time, the people in the tent next to us got arrested at 3AM for drugs or something, second time was my dad’s 40th birthday and my brother didn’t know he was allergic to nuts so eating a cake with mixed nuts on the top didn’t go down well for him... also went to a restaurant on the way there with my granny and got a caterpillar in my salad. Third and fourth times, let’s just say D of E was one of the worst experiences of my life, I’ll leave it at that... would really like to go camping again though to have a good experience, maybe change my mind on it? I don’t know, willing to give it a try

17. do you take vitamins? 

I go through phases, sometimes I take them every day, other times I don’t take them for like 3 months

18. do you go to church every sunday? 

I used to, but as I got older I slowly went less and less until I didn’t go at all. I lost faith I guess? Kind of didn’t feel I belonged there or believed anymore. I loved singing the hymns and our vicar was an absolute lad, we also got biscuits at the end of each service, but over time I decided it wasn’t right for me to keep going. Pretty much all the people that go to ours are your typical white, posh, probably homophobic and hate children type so that put me off. Also after everything that’s happened in mine and other’s lives, I slowly lost the belief in God. If all of it was true, why would these things happen? I guess also my scientific mind was constantly telling me there’s no proof. I think the only reason I went to begin with was because it was a family thing and as a child I believed pretty much everything that was said

19. do you have a tan? 

No, certainly not... used to when I lived in the Caribbean but now I’m pretty much white as a sheet

20. do you prefer chinese food or pizza? 

A very difficult one... probably chinese? As much as I love pizza, it’s the same issue as the ice cream

21. do you drink soda with a straw? 

Nah not a fan of straws, they taste weird

22. what colour socks do you wear? 

ALL THE COLOURS! I own a pair of socks for every outfit to colour co-ordinate, my sock draw is overflowing

23. do you ever drive above the speed limit? 

Strangely, I drive under by quite a bit when no one else is around. It’s the other cars that stress me out and make me go too fast. Also I have a black box so not allowed

24. what terrifies you? 

Good question, lots of things... the sea, pools, tbh water in general, heights, rejection, the current impending doom, large open spaces with no walls I can be against, losing everyone I love, the fact that anyone might be secretly talking about me behind my back because they actually hate me, the list goes on but I won’t continue it

25. look to your left what do you see? 

An empty Pepsi Max can, a glass of water, some crocodile scissors, my Switch, a cranberry scented candle, and some tiny balls of wool

26. what chore do you hate? 

Got to be changing my bed, or washing up when the things have got cold food left on them

27. what do you think of when you hear an australian accent? 

A throwback to year 8

28. what’s your favourite soda?

Pepsi Max

29. do you go into fast food places or drive thru? 

It depends who I’m with

30. who was the last person you talked to? 

My mum about a meteor shower and satellites

31. favourite cut of beef? 

A random question... I do like a good rump steak

32. last song you listened to? 

You Make My Dreams by Hall and Oates because I’m using it in my animation project

33. last book you read? 

I’m like part way through Good Omens and have been for quite some time... I have learning difficulties and find reading a lot of effort so don’t read very often

34. can you say the alphabet backwards? 

No, it’s the kind of thing I’d have expected myself to learn at some point but never did

35. how do you like your coffee? 

I don’t like coffee so in the bin

36. favourite pair of shoes? 

My multicoloured Vans, got them in the second week of uni and I’ve loved them ever since

37. the time you normally go to bed? 

Well, currently it’s around 1AM to go to bed, 3AM to sleep. Used to be around 12/1AM sleep but the lockdown has ruined that

38. the time you normally wake up? 

Again, currently it’s around 11:30AM to wake up then 12PM to do things but used to be around 9:30/10AM. To be honest I still sometimes wake up then but I go back to sleep again because I have no reason to exist more than I need

39. what do you prefer sunrise or sunsets? 

Sunrise is always nice to watch, but I don’t like getting up early so definitely sunset, especially when you’re at a restaurant or sitting outside somewhere in the countryside

40. how many blankets are on your bed? 

Just the one duvet, but I have a soft fish patterned blanket for when I want something to cuddle with

41. describe your kitchen plates? 

We have some plain white ones and some that are white with leaves around the edges. The edges have a ridged pattern and the rims are gold

42. do you have a favourite alcoholic beverage?

I don’t drink so no

43. do you play cards? 

Yes, love a good card game! 

44. what colour is your car? 

It’s very nice Caribbean sea blue. Used to be my mum’s car, it’s her favourite colour

45. can you change a tire? 

I probably could if I had to but can’t say I’ve done it before

46. your favourite province? 

I guess that’s counties? Hometown of Gloucestershire is up there, also a fan of Devon. My favourites may have to be Caenarfonshire and Anglesey though after the road trip last year

47. favourite job you’ve had?

Not sure really, I guess it would have to be doing my art commissions

48. how did you get your biggest scar?

The biggest scar I have these days is on my right knuckle between my index and middle finger, it’s very small. I got it from when I was holding a horse still before untacking and he decided that hay was more exciting, caught my hand on a splintered wooden fence and that was that

49. what did you do today that made someone happy? 

Nothing, I’ve only seen my family and even then it was for a short time. Don’t think I make anyone happy these days ahah

It’s now 3:22AM, that took longer than I expected. ‘I’ll go to sleep early today’ I said but I say that every day. Don’t know why I keep lying to myself. 

Anyway, I guess I have to tag someone now, so I tag @duckingpunches !

[nostroviapress]

N!P’s 2017 Pushcart Prize Nominations

Nostrovia! Press is excited to announce our nominations for The Pushcart Prize:

Alain Ginsberg @alainginsbergofficial – “on ‘shim’”

Katie Clark – “february water”

Joseph Parker Okay @josephparkerokay – “how many red caterpillars are in the world hold on let me count”

While we’re sharing these pieces with you, a final reminder that our 2017 Chapbook Series can be found as limited edition, pay-what-you-can printed chapbooks. 

But for now, enjoy these fantastic pieces:

on "shim"

Shim, noun, a thin strip of metal used to align parts, make them fit, reduce wear / I was first aware of the word in middle school, how there was a need for a word and no one to tell us it was not the right word, all interest in aligning the parts to the idea of a body, make fit, reduce, reduce, reduce / Shim, noun, not quite a boy, not a real woman / example / is that human, that he-she, that shim / example / she is not a woman for how she believes herself to be, that's a shim, or, synonym, something flaming or, synonym, combustible or, synonym, to be laid onto a pyre or, synonym, if you burn someone at the stake you will gain five more minutes of warmth.

I research shim the same way I research everything else; how long will it take for me to die after being one? A friend is followed by a military man, which is to say someone who wishes for Chelsea Manning to not pass out as the flames lick her screaming mouth, and the police pull my friend over, let them be doused for how easily the parts align / and making a body fit into a machine to be able to watch it leave you /

Shim, verb, wedge to fill space, and we do so overcrowd this planet, losing water, food, and autonomy, and when the ocean drowns the land, whose bones will we use to build boats of? Whose going to fill the caskets or, synonym, who will eat all of the bullets or, synonym, who will we let ourselves consume when the non-human animals perish or,

antonym,

I drift through crowds like a ghost, I am a ghost, I am spectator or spectre, or no one sees me in what would not be called a campfire or in this world the same pieces used to align machinery will be used to destroy it, to throw ourselves on the cogs of that which kills, when they see my body burning the world, they will only be able to call out my name open-mouthed and without breath.

------------------------------------------------------

february water

moves like milk does: it doesn’t.

this was never something i picked out. i just watched you walk across a lake, and it was mid-winter,       and so it happened.

i think today i loved you, which is another way of saying it doesn’t always happen in the order that it happened.

on monday, i found my last-year body floating in the lake you walked across. there was no reflection. the lake has thawed and frozen over again, and again, and she is less for it. she was angry i cut my hair.

tuesday, we are in the basement and you are holding spines. i watch as they clean crooked curl around your fingers, alive, somehow, and not. to think this was body, but now, here in your hands: bone. a week later, there was my spine and how you held it, but i don’t remember that part.  

wednesday, i am still lying on your desk, your hands and the projector light are dewing over my shoulders like morning. you kiss me even though my jacket

is orange and i like how the cold tastes on you.

thursday, a year after this, my partner reaches for me, but i no longer have any bones. i’m trying to tell you i think i know how the story ends now.

friday, i don’t know what it means or what it doesn’t that i accidentally smiled at you in passing. i heard you have a job that makes you grateful and that makes me grateful. i need you to know you did not ruin me.

what’s left of saturday: gold glitter and whiskey spit. my friend leaves, you stay, we all regret this.

i was wearing my roommate’s basketball jersey. i do not think i brushed my teeth before. i remember it like this: i don’t. i had breakfast.

you tell me i didn’t say yes, but that we could try it again. you said you didn’t have to tell me; i hated you for that.

sunday, i wake up with your body by my body like a needed fact. it happened. it still happens, but less now.   the week starts over. i think maybe this time, i will pull myself out of the lake, walk her home.

------------------------------------------------------

how many red caterpillars are in the world hold on let me count

nuyan is riding a bike through a forest. “i’m the frickin fastest bike rider in this dang ass forest” says nuyan. suddenly they hit a fallen tree and go flying thru the air. they do 13 flips before landing in the unsuspecting arms of a large, beautiful bear. the bear looks down and is shocked and immediately begins to weep. the bear has been alone and scared in this forest for so long and now she finally has a friend.

nuyan starts singing “crazy town” by ozzy osbourne to calm the beautiful bear down. and it works!! the bear actually starts singing along!!!!

and!! she has a beautiful voice!!!!

“wow” nuyan thinks to themself, “i could take this bear back to civilization with me and make a fortune taking her on day-time talk shows” but then instantly feels upset with themself and pushes the thought from their mind. 

nuyan knows their upbringing in a capitalistic society is to blame for intrusive thoughts like these. they have truly no interest in profiting at the expense of others and it makes nuyan sad to know that in the society they live it’s considered “subversive” to look at the beauty in the world and not want to exploit it.

the bear finishes singing the song and does a cartwheel. it makes nuyan feel 100% better. they tell the bear they will come back to see her tomorrow and then rides their bike away without holding onto the handlebars.

the beautiful bear is so extremely happy and sleeps 13 hours that night. while she’s asleep she has a dream that she’s in the dmv. the bear does 7 kick flips in a row and then pushes mongo out of the dmv. in the parking lot she does a 50-50 grind on the back bumper of hulk hogan’s stretch limo.

the bear skates to a nearby park and jumps off the skateboard. she walks over to a palo verde tree and starts licking it. 

“o wow” the bear says between licks. “i can’t believe this tree grows without any bark. it’s as if over millions of years of evolution it’s learned it can trust the world around it not to harm it and can now take the energy it would have used building defenses in ways that are beneficial to itself and its surrounding environment.” all the tree licking makes the bear’s tongue dry so she walks over to the bubbler.

“‘bubbler’ is what people in specific parts of wisconsin call water fountains” the bear explains even tho there isn’t anyone around to hear her.

… weird .. …. it’s almost as if she knows she’s in a story and is aware there are probably some people reading the story who aren’t familiar with this specific regional jargon?

hmmm.

seems suspicious maybe.

the bear goes over to a park bench and continues talking to herself.

“wow” says the bear. “there’s so much we can learn from trees if only we’d start to pay more attention.” the beautiful bear falls asleep on the bench for 3 weeks and when she wakes up in the dream she wakes up in real life. the sun has just started to rise and the bear gets excited all over again when she remembers she’s going to have company today. she does 10 minutes of yoga and then goes out to find a large pinecone to give nuyan as a gift for being her new best friend.

the end

#katie clark #alain ginsberg #joseph parker okay #pushcart prize #nostrovia! press #n! news

[jeremyhowlett]

As I take a look back over the course of 2016 there is much to be thankful for. It has been a year full of blessings and adventure. We have been blessed in so many ways. I’ve been able to explore more of the world that God has created for us. And often, I’ve been able to bring my family along with me on these adventures. The outdoors is where I feel most comfortable. I enjoy exploring and playing outside. A lifestyle that allows me to do that is vital to my overall balance, happiness, and mindfulness. Being able to do this with my family is necessary.

Here is a look at what 2016 brought to me and my family.

A Ski Family

The year started off where it was going to end, skiing. We rung in the New Year of 2016 with some fun family ski time. Through utilizing the Alta Copper Pass and hand me down skis we were able to get our children into skiing last winter. The oldest was into it at first but after a scary incident at Sundance she decided that skiing was no longer for her. The boy and the next youngest are passionately in love with it though. That excitement has carried over to this next season as well. It was a fun start to getting them out in the snow.

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I was able to get out on some great ski adventures to start 2016. I was able to summit a few 10,000+ foot peaks on skis as well as go out on a yurt trip in the Uintahs.

The view back to Wolverine Cirque and the Alpine Ridgeline from the summit of Honeycomb South Peak

It is hard to beat a winter destination that is not in a yurt! Especially one obtained by your own power.

Racing On A Whim

In February we took the family and headed down for the weekend in Paige, AZ. I decided to jump into the Antelope Canyon 50. From little running and some ski touring I was planning to get through the first 33 miles of the race. I would have signed up for the 55k but then I would not have had the opportunity to run through Antelope Canyon. It was worth it to get in the canyon. I see why so many people travel from all over to visit this place! It was fantastic!

The slot canyons of the desert are amazing. Well worth heading down to do the Antelope Canyon 50!

Ready to enter the canyon and run on through.

After the race we took the slight detour over to Zion National Park. Not a lot of time to spend there, but enough to get out and enjoy the surroundings. Also, it was early season so we could drive through the entire canyon. It was pretty cool jumping into a race late and still making my goal. I tend not to race much unless it is for the scenery and this one had excellent scenery!

Cautiously overlooking Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River in Paige, Arizona after the Antelope Canyon 50.

  Any time that you can make a trip over to Zion National Park it is worth the detour. We swung by for a couple of hours.

We enjoyed a great family outing to the open house of the Provo City Center Temple. It is wonderful to take our children to visit these sacred buildings and teach them about the importance of God’s holy temples.

Sometimes you need to head south for a bit to escape the cold. Altra hosted a fun athlete summit in Las Vegas. Leslie and I headed down to join in on the festivities.

The Altra elite athlete team

We are always looking for a fun race and an opportunity to travel and visit someplace new. Leslie and I headed out so that she would be able to race the inaugural Mendocino 50k this spring.

Traveling for races is more than just running! We get to see such beautiful spots!

Spring brought some great new beginnings. I had the privilege to baptize my third child. What a glorious day! These are the great moments as parents.

Excellent family days!

A Registered Nurse!

Years ago, we decided as a couple that Leslie would pursue a degree in nursing. This would give her something to fall back on were we to ever need it. She was placed on the wait list and it seemed as though the day would never arrive that she were to go back to school. Well, that day came a couple of years ago. After hard work, family sacrifices, and what didn’t even really seem like that long, she has done it! Leslie is now an RN! This is probably the biggest event of the year and we are all so proud!

Celebrating with mom on her big day!

This year brought about other changes. This past summer we decided that it was time to move on from Altra. It was a hard decision, but the time seemed right and it is time for new challenges. I am currently helping a couple of startups and doing some consulting in marketing and brand strategy.

As the snow melted and the ski season ended it was time to move onto summer fun. What is more fun to do in the summer than to get out camping? And because camping isn’t enough we needed to make it a family backpacking trip. Our first ever full family backpacking trip happened as we went up above Horsetail Falls up the canyon from Alpine, Utah. It was steep and rugged at parts, but worth the adventure! We did run into a bullhead snake on our way down. That made us all a little more edgy on the descent.

This year Leslie got into Western States through an Altra sponsored position. What a superb venue!

Leslie got out to preview the course at the Western States training weekend over Memorial Day Weekend.

Yosemite National Park

On the way out to Western States we took the southern route through Mammoth, California and into Yosemite National Park. This was my theme park! This was the first time that I had ever been to Yosemite and it lived up to the hype. It was such an excellent place. As we drove into the Valley for the first time it took my breath away. Half Dome stands supreme from the moment that you come around the corner. The granite walls are superb. Yosemite is truly magical!

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While in Yosemite I did an awesome 26+ mile run from Tuolumne Meadows down into the Valley along the John Muir Trail. It was fun speaking with and meeting many thru-hikers headed out to do the entire JMT.

Western States 100

We then left Yosemite and headed to Tahoe. I’ve driven around Lake Tahoe a couple of times in the past but never really spent much time there. It is a place that I need to go back to. Some time I would like to do the Tahoe Rim Trail.

All ready to go at the starting line in Squaw Valley!

Western States was a lot of fun running around to chase Leslie along the course. I can see why this is such a highly touted race. It had the allure, the scenery, the venues, and the people. It was a lot of fun. She didn’t quite get the day she wanted, but she pushed through for a solid race nonetheless. Read her report here.

The team helping to crew mommy around the course at Western States.

One strong woman! I love being married to this amazing gal!

Rolling into a good finish around the track!

More Summer Fun

After Western States we continued to have a fun summer.

First ever young women’s girls camp!

Second family backpacking trip. This time up in the Uintah Mountains.

SGB 40 Under 40 Honoree

Early on in the summer I was honored with Golden and Brian as a SGB 40 Under 40 Award winner. This award goes to 40 individuals each year in the outdoor and sporting good industry that has done outstanding work. With our ability to create and grow Altra we were recognized and honored with this award during the summer up at Deer Valley Resort. It was a fun get away with my wife and a great honor. We worked hard to achieve this and it feels great to be so well recognized.

Sporting the hardware in one hand and the most beautiful woman in the other!

Northwest Road Trip

We ended the summer with a bang as we headed up to the Northwest to visit Seattle and Portland and surrounding areas.

All loaded up and ready to head out for two weeks on the road!

Mt Rainier was socked in clouds the entire time that we were there, but worth the visit. We will need to be back fore sure! Rainier is so much more than just the mountain. The surroundings are astonishing. Waterfalls, rushing rivers, lakes, lush greenery, and so many trails to explore. This place is a true playground!

After Rainier we spent a day in Seattle. We took the kids up in the space needle and enjoyed a meal overlooking the city in the rotating restaurant.

How yummy is a wall full of gum?

The views were amazing! Within an hour we got to see the entire city from up here as we rotated around.

We then proceeded up to the San Juan Islands. Leslie’s family has some property on the shores of Lopez Island. This was a spectacular place to spend a couple of days! We kayaked, biked around the island, paddle boarded, and ate fresh caught crab on the beach! Superb!

Down from the San Juans we headed to Olympic National Park. On the onset this is not one of the epic parks, but dive into the middle and you know why this place is preserved. Mt. Olympus is an amazing peak! I need to go back to summit it. I ran from the north to the southwest of this park and it was amazing. Loved the interior of this park!

From Olympic National Park we headed down along the coast to Portland, Oregon. Any coastal drive is a plethora of adventure and great sea towns. We got to eat fresh oysters, drive through logging areas, see the routes of Lewis and Clark, and drive across the Columbia River on a bridge that was over 2 miles long from Washington to Oregon.

We took a slight detour to visit Canon Beach

Portland is a great town! There is so much to do and see. This visit was not short of activities. Wish we had more time to slow down and do more (or at least to eat more local ice cream).

On from Portland we visited the Columbia Gorge and visited several waterfalls including the large Multnomah Falls.

The trek up to Oneonta Falls through the gorge was a fun one. It was about a mile each way, but we had to walk through chest deep water to get there. This is worth the trip to the Gorge.

As we have the privilege to explore this great country with our children we are blessed to show them so much. We have the opportunity to spend time with them and grow closer as a family. We are also honored with an increased cultural exposure that broadens and enlightens our view of humanity and the world that we live in. We have been blessed with both the passion and ability to travel and explore great places. Its not always perfect, but the memories that we gain from these trips are priceless.

Back to Everyday Life

Not that everyday life is too different from the adventures that we go on, but we do have other responsibilities that we need to attend to. One of those being getting the little ones ready for a new year of school. We sent off our first middle schooler this year. Wow! That makes me feel a bit older.

Their personalities truly come out in this photo! Off to school!

As we approach late summer and early fall it is time for peak bagging season in the Wasatch Range. This year was not a huge year with getting to the tops of too many mountains but here are a few that I did get on top of this year.

Both Honeycomb Peaks

Sugarloaf Peak

Mt. Baldy

Lone Peak

Devil’s Castle

Mt. Olympus (in Utah)

Clayton Peak

After several attempts I finally made it to the top of Sugarloaf this year!

Other activities that we engaged in as a family this year were Jr. Jazz Basketball, Youth Baseball, Mountain Biking, Gymnastics, Rock Climbing, Scouting, School Play, Orchestra, Dance, and so much more. We are always staying busy with something.

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The year ended much like it began, on the mountains in the snow. As a family we got out a few more times to close the year. Also, I had the opportunity to go and explore some great backcountry terrain in the Uintahs with some buddies. Its been a great ski season so far looking into 2017.

As we leave 2016 behind and look back on the many adventures we get excited for what 2017 has in store for us. We are looking forward to more fun, more places to explore, and a lot more time as a family as we grow closer to each other and to God. We are truly blessed and hope to always be grateful for what we have. We hope that you enjoy your 2017 as much as we will enjoy ours!

My 2016 Year In Review with family, adventures, travels, and more! As I take a look back over the course of 2016 there is much to be thankful for.