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Oh Bloody Hell
On Sunday I noticed a Facebook post from Eat Up (the amazing cafe at Skydive Chicago) letting everyone know that the Skylounge is open – given that winds and rain were not allowing for much jumping on the last open day of the season – and Bloody Mary’s were being served.
Now, normally people would find this to be a rather benign post, aside from the fact that they can’t jump and it’s slightly disappointing. I on the other hand, found that my mouth immediately began watering at the thought of a good Bloody Mary.
For those who know me, you know I’m not much of a drinker. College, sure, that was just what you did, but as a post-grad adult, I can count the number of times I’ve been legitimately drunk on two hands. Tipsy on a few glasses of wine, sure. But sloppy drunk with a hangover, rarely.
I’m not one for hard liquor. I don’t like the taste of alcohol and unless you’re making something really fruity to mask the taste and in turn is really bad for you, odds are I won’t like it.
But lately, I’ve been on this Bloody Mary kick. When we visited SoCal last year and stayed with my Uncle and Aunt, it was common place to be drinking Bloody Marys at all hours of the day – we even went to a hole in the wall breakfast place specifically for this cocktail. Sure, I had a few then, but it wasn’t a taste I brought back to the Midwest with me.
Until recently.
Maybe it’s because, as I’ve gone through my 20s, my sweet tooth has dissipated and my taste for savory has amplified. Or maybe, it’s just that I didn’t know what I was missing, but now it’s something I crave. Monthly dinner nights out with the girls, I’m always asking the waitress how their Bloody Marys are. Luckily, I usually get the thumbs up and order one, extra spicy. The last few months I’ve had some incredible cocktails that make me want more.
Problem is, I don’t really care about the alcohol. In fact, it’s what keeps me from drinking more of them. Yes, I know it adds to the flavor a bit, but how much difference can it really make? I’m half tempted to make (or rather, have my husband make, since he makes a mean drink) virgin Blood Marys at home just for the taste bud pleasure.
Anyone ever tried that? Thumbs up or down on this one?
Cheers (and blue ones)!
Ashley
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Time to hang it up?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about hanging up my career as a blogger. It’s something that’s been a part of my life since 2003, when blogging was essentially online journaling and less of a “trend,” if you want to call it that.
Blogging holds a special place in my heart. Writing has always been an outlet for me. It’s cathartic to sit down and type out your thoughts, opinions, emotions – on any subject that might tickle your fancy (do people still say that?).
When I started SkydiveChick.com in 2009 it was because I was incredibly passionate about the sport – and I still am to this day. I wanted to share it with the world. I wanted this site to be a destination for anyone interested in hearing about skydiving from someone who does it on a regular basis. It was, and continues to be, as I get about an email a week from people who stumble upon the blog and want to know more about the sport. It’s heartwarming to know that I have inspired others to jump into this sport (no pun intended), or provided guidance to students and other fun jumpers in the sport – it’s also quite flattering. *Blushes*
Of course, that was never an intended purpose of the blog, but I’d be lying if I said my audience didn’t keep me coming back to write on a regular basis.
Since the birth of SkydiveChick so many changes have occurred in my life – I graduated AFF, started traveling to boogies, switched from RW to freeflying, met my husband, started wingsuiting, moved to Chicago, switched careers, switched dropzones, adopted a dog, got married and now I’m staring the 3rd winter since I started skydiving in the face – and let me tell you, Chicago winters are the worst. Through the whirlwind that my life has been these past two years, I can honestly say my outlook on life as well as my lifestyle has changed – and I really want my creative outlets to mesh with these changes. I’m happier than I’ve ever been and I’ve got some great goals for my near and not-so-near future, but where does blogging fit into that mix? Do I want to continue focusing on skydiving, or is it time to make SkydiveChick more of a lifestyle destination? Given that my life isn’t just about skydiving, shouldn’t my blog reflect that?
One thing that hasn’t changed is my desire to write. With my daily commute via public transportation I’ve been lucky to have extra time (not spent behind the wheel every morning and evening) to do some reading, which actually makes me want to write more. However, with everything that’s changed, I find my time for blogging just isn’t as available as it once was. Which brings me to my dilemma – to write or not to write.
I’ve taken quite a few weeks off, as you’ve likely noticed, but it’s been much needed. I still must admit that I’m unsure if I’ll be returning to blogging at SkydiveChick on a regular basis, or if this return will be short lived. I guess it’ll depend on how this feels – because as much as I love knowing that my writing is benefiting others, I have to think about what that means for my writing as a creative outlet. If I find that my return to the blogoshere continues to be a mutually beneficial experience, then you can count on my regular blogs posts once again. If it becomes a burden on my creativity, then you might just have to settle for Twitter updates and the occasional witty Facebook post. Of course, if I do start to disappear again, you might just find more of my work over on my Flickr page.
I guess we’ll just have to see where life takes me.
Blue skies!
Ashley
p.s. – a couple pictures from my recent wedding below (for those who are interested). Thanks to Ms. Amanda Huebner for being our wonderful photographer on our special day!
Archive: November, 2011
