Five (plus two) for Friday (on a Thursday): Technicolor sky

I'm peacing out early this week hence the Five for Friday today. But it's with good reason. The fiance and I are road tripping it to San Diego this weekend to cheer on our alma mater at their football game at Qualcomm Stadium. 

We're staying in a sick beach house with a bunch of our alumni group homies, and it's going to be one fun-filled weekend. We have a pub crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter on Friday, a huge tailgate before the game Saturday and Sunday will be spent searching for our livers, I'm sure.

In the spirit of travel and because I've been kind of a slacker around these parts (I'm working on a client's blog redesign), I wanted to share a few pictures from my plane ride back to Phoenix from my Montana adventure. (And I totally will post photos from that experience. It was everything I hoped it would be, and I basically want to move there, now).

I always carry my point-and-shoot in my purse because you never know when the opportunity to capture an image will present itself. And if you couldn't tell, I heart taking sky pictures, which is maybe why some of my fave photos ever were taken from an airplane.

I let my imagination take over while editing these. Hope your weekend is just as colorful!

Get your Friday fix here. Or check out more of my travel photography here. Or be rad and do both.

Five for Friday: Applelicious memories

In celebration of Apple Cup Week, I've chosen some of the best moments in the history of my school's rivalry game with the University of Washington. The past few haven't meant much in terms of the postseason because both teams have been down, but it's always nice beating your rival and claiming the bragging rights for the upcoming year. 

The stakes are somewhat high in Saturday's Apple Cup as WSU can stop the Huskies from going to a bowl game, which would be so sweet. Hopefully, the Cougs can make plays that will end up in future Apple Cup highlights countdowns for years to come along the way.

GO COUGS!

1. Apple Cup 2008:

WSU's double-overtime victory helped send UW to an 0-12 season.

2. Apple Cup 1997:

Chris Jackson had a career day with eight catches for 185 yards in a win that sent the Cougars to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 67 years. 

 

3. Apple Cup 2005:

Trandon Harvey caught a pass from Alex Brink and ran for the winning score to give WSU its first Apple Cup win in Seattle since 1997.
 

4. Apple Cup 2007:

In his final game at WSU, Alex Brink hit Brandon Gibson for the winning touchdown in the 100th Apple Cup.

5. Apple Cup 1992:

In one of the most well-known plays in Apple Cup history, Drew Bledsoe threw a 44-yard pass to Phillip Bobo, who slid into a snowbank at the back of the endzone for a touchdown in the game dubbed "The Snow Bowl."

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Apples + inspiration

It's Apple Cup Week, friends, and I couldn't be more confident in my Cougs! Late Sunday night, I received an invitation to a Facebook event called "COUG OUT FACEBOOK." 

A WSU student created a virtual meeting place for fans to gather and exchange inspirational photos, pictures and words during the week leading up Saturday's rivalry game against the University of Washington (Boooooooo). The event, which has swelled to more than 19,000 people in only a few days, reiterates just how amazing Wazzu students, alum and supporters are.

Even though the football team has been mired in a slump, it's inspiring seeing photos and videos of people displaying Cougar pride across the World.

That inspiration was manifested in two graphics I created to use as my Facebook profile pictures. And to my surprise (and excitement), some of my friends adopted them for their pages. 

Regardless of what happens Saturday, my heart will always belong to Washington State University and the 509. 

GO COUGS!

Someone posted this video on the event page and it made my heart swell with pride and happiness.

Win the day for Crimson & Gray

It was going to happen eventually. I had faith. And the Cougs rewarded my unfailing loyalty with their first Pac-10 football victory since 2008 on Saturday afternoon. 

The fiance and I have traveled to a number of games during the past few years when it was anything but easy to be a WSU football fan. But Saturday's win against Oregon State eased the sting of watching those painful loses in-person and the criticism and ridicule that comes with residing in the conference basement.

Some questioned why head coach Paul Wulff recruited Jeff Tuel, who had never thrown a varsity high school pass when he committed to play in Pullman. I think Tuel showed everyone Saturday why he's such a special player.

One thing is certain. I will never be accused of being a fair-weather fan. I will support my school whether it be in the elation of victory or the despair of defeat. And it was nice to see a little of that elation Saturday in the players singing the fight song and the outpouring of support and pride on various social networking sites after the game.

Now the challenge is to keep the momentum going during the three-week break heading into the Apple Cup. Regardless of what's to come, I will be cheering on the Cougs.

A little Pullman Water to celebrate the streak-breaking victory. I think so. GO COUGS!

Little moments and future Cougs

You know those little things that absolutely make your entire day? Well, this picture my sister-in-law sent of my nephew wearing the WSU socks I bought him did just that. The sight of his sweet little face made my heart burst with love, pride and happiness. 

It's nice to see these moments since the fiance and I live away from our family and friends back home in Washington.

Not to mention the shear joy that comes from seeing him obviously practicing how to kick UW fans to the curb.

Five for Friday: Pullman or bust

It took four years, but I'm headed back to the land of wheat fields, Busch Light and some of my best memories and experiences. For those not familiar with the above-mentioned awesomeness, I'm returning to my alma mater, Washington State University, for the weekend.

The fiance and I don't have a set schedule, but there are a few things and places that are a must-do/see.

1. The Coug: The best Pullman bar and a college staple where the beers, burgers, graffiti and atmosphere are one-of-a-kind. Where else is it not only OK, but encouraged to get wasted and write on the walls? A pitcher of Mac & Jacks, my favorite beer that is only available in Washington, is in order.

2. The top of Holland Library: One of the best views of the Palouse. I spent a lot of time up there taking in the majestic views of rolling hills and football pants. Some studying happened there, too.

3. Martin Stadium: Many hours were spent watching the football team when they actually won. Hopefully this Saturday will be one of those times. I'm excited to see the stadium improvements in person.

4. Rancho Viejo and Cougar Country: My favorite restaurants in Pullman. By the time I was finished with school, the good folks at Rancho didn't bother asking what I wanted to order. They just brought it out. And anyone who has ever dined at CC knows the fry sauce alone is worth the monotonous drive via two-lane Highway 26.

5. The Daily Evergreen: The place where my passion for the printed word and page design were solidified. I also met truly gifted and amazing individuals in the bottom of the Murrow Building. I learned more about journalism there than I could in any classroom or professional setting. Long live Tubs Night!

Other stops include the Bookie, revamped CUB and a drive by my old places of residence. I'm kind of preparing myself for everything to look much different. It's definitely a homecoming four years in the making. 

We fly into the fiance's hometown Friday and will get a chance to take our boat out for some much-missed wakeboarding on the Columbia River and a visit with his mom. All the makings of a whirlwind, but perfect, weekend!