43nd Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race

The Humboldt Kinetic Grand Championship is a 3 day race from Arcata to Ferndale.

Each Kinetic sculpture is human powered and designed to survive being pedaled on paved roads, the beach, and in the Humboldt Bay.

I remember seeing my first race in 3rd grade. This is a really fun local event, and I am so glad I got to see it one last time before moving to the Philippines.

I got to ride in the picnic basket at Burning Man. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the people powering these huge creations for 3 days in a row.

Official Website:

http://kineticgrandchampionship.com/

KEET PBS Auction

Tonight I was part of the Humboldt Mediation Services shift for the local PBS biannual auction fundraiser. It was fun to be on TV and to see behind the scenes of the auction. The studio light were surprisingly warm. My shift took bids 8pm to 11pm, and I got to see the station sign off for the night.

Humboldt Mediation Services:

http://www.humboldtmediationservices.org/

KEET Public Television for the Northcoast:

http://www.keet.org/

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

My favorite perfume company is Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. They sell 5 ml bottles and 1/32 oz imps (sample vials) of scented oils. They "specialize in formulating body and household blends with a dark, romantic Gothic tone". All the scents are made fresh when ordered and are vegan except those made with honey, which will be labeled in the description. It is hard not to become a collector, with all the limited edition special oils released for holidays, special events, and even full moons. I am addicted to the general catalog scents (sold year round) inspired by H. P. Lovecraft and Lewis Carroll.

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab:

https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com

Birthday Cake

I am so excited, this year for my birthday I got a vegan pink champaign butter cream cake from Calla Lily Cakes. It is so cute, I can't wait until tomorrow to try a piece.

Calla Lily Cakes:

http://www.callalilycakes.com

Peace Corps Fame

I'm famous. There is a blurb about me on the Peace Corps West Coast Recruitment Offices blog.

Next PCVs: Meet the Newest Peace Corps Volunteers:

http://nextpcvs.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/rkooy/

Annie's Cambodian

The Humboldt Vegetarian Society had dinner out at Annie's Cambodian Eureka, CA. Tonight dinner shows most any restaurant can create a vegan dish. Everything on the menu had meat in it. Even the dished listed under vegetarian items had fish and beef in the seasonings! With careful ordering we found 3 dishes and an appetizer that could be 100% veganised.

Humboldt Vegetarian Society facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Humboldt-Vegetarian-Society/133088206304

Collapsible Hoop

I just got my very first collapsible hula hoop! Since it is collapsible to 1/4 the size of a regular hoop I can bring it with me to the Philippines. I bought it from Stellar Sunshine Hoops, and it came in the mail just wrapped in bubble tape (no box). The mail carrier said she had never seen anything like it. I love the hoop, even though Bert felt comfortable sticking his little tongue out at it.

Stellar Sunshine Hoops:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/StellarSunshineHoops?ga_search_query=hoop+hula&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade