America's Cup

I've been an uber slacker about posting lately but thats because so many fun things are going on and sitting at my computer writing about them is taking a backseat. Anyways to catch up, waaaaay back in September my dad and I went down to Pier 27 to watch America's Cup races. I know literally nothing about sailing or sailing races but it was a gorgeous day so we couldn't pass it up - plus 'America' is in the name so I had to check it out. 

#42 Celebrate the 4th of July

It took awhile but I finally crossed another item off the list! Yup I got all dolled up in my 'Merican finest and celebrated Independence day at my parent's house. Please note the use of my USA beer mitt- best purchase ever! I love my parent's house and affectionately refer to it as my 'summer home'- anytime its foggy in SF its usually super hot and sunny where they're at so its worth the trip over every time (plus seeing my parents is cool too). It was over 100 degrees so I spent most of the day in the pool- mainly lounging with a beer...relaxation at its best.

Father's Day 2013

As an early Father's Day present, I took my dad on a tour of the Anchor Steam Brewery. So much fun! The tour is free (super classy present I know) and you just have to book way in advance. After a brutal week at work it was the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon. The tour starts off with a little history of Anchor Steam and micro breweries in general and then we headed out for the tour of the facility.

Super Bowl 2013

Last year I checked off an item on my list by hosting a Super Bowl party but this year was a little different. The biggest difference being that I was suuuuper hungover..I kid I kid...the biggest difference is that the SF 49ers were in the Super Bowl. So exciting! Rebecca and I rallied and headed to a local bar to watch the first half of the game. I rallied from a fun night of drinking but Rebecca was rallying from running a half marathon (and setting new PR) in the AM! Despite said half marathon running there was no talk of soreness, instead Rebecca got to hear about how bad my head hurt and how hard it was to get out of bed at 12:30 (yup cry me a river right?) all the way to the bar- luckily for her its a short walk.

Beer Glove USA = music to my ears

When starting this blog my goal was to feature all things American (aka 'Murican) but it turns out I have developed a second focus- all things beer related. I even have a 'beer' label which I have added to many a post. I've cornered the college beer market with keg stands and shot gunning beer (and my general willingness to drink cheap beer when necessary- since its practically water, I'm essentially hydrating). I've learned how its made when I visited the Budweiser factory. And most importantly I've done extensive research on beer related fashion in the form of headgear and fancy holders. Well, I thought I was done and then- to my surprise- one morning I got an email from Beer Glove USA (no, I'm not kidding) informing me that I could get a discounted Suzy Kuzy American Beer Mitt. Now I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that 'Beer Glove USA' is emailing me but I think that its because the famous Skuuzi (of which I have purchased four mitts from) has become Suzy Kuzy (winter mitt still available) <--this would be a legitimate reason as to why they would have my email from a previous purchase. However, if this Skuuzi to Suzy Kuzy merger never happened then I might have to question some life choices/purchases but I'm choosing to focus on the positive as Beer Glove USA was correct in assuming I wanted one. Purchased within minutes of getting the email and I've never been happier.

#28 Go to a NASCAR race

This past weekend by friend Rebekah and I headed up to Sonoma to check out the NASCAR Sprint Cup series race. Technically the main race was on Sunday and we were there Saturday so I think this list item might eventually need a redo but for now I'm considering it checked off. We got to see the practice laps for Sunday so basically its like we were there and all NASCAR-fied. On Saturday it was the Pick-n-Pull Racing to Stop Hunger 200 NASCAR K&N West Series Race. What does that mean? No idea...my NASCAR knowledge is pretty much: cars go round a track, cars try to be the fastest, cars try not to crash....yup sums it up pretty good right? 

#26 Join a kickball team

 Another one checked off the list- I joined a kickball team! Bonnie and Rebecca decided they wanted in  as well so we went online and picked the team with the best name (since we didn't know anyone) and ended up joining the Bad News Beers (runner up for best name in my opinion was Tequila Mockingbird). Going into this I thought this would be super easy since I played kickball as a kid although in Canada we called it California Kickball- maybe because we played it outside? no idea. Yea not the case...I suck at playing kickball! Attempting to catch the ball turns me into a full on spaz: awkward panic expression, arms flailing, high pitched noises coming from my mouth...its just all bad. I am getting better at kicking the ball though and made it to 3rd base in our last game.

Stagecoach Part 2

So I was planning on posting part 2 of Stagecoach right away (I was all over getting part 1 posted and even found time to discuss wardrobe) but I got distracted by work and then Bay to Breakers happened and then my trip to Hawaii happened...yup HAWAII!! (Can you tell I am pretty excited about it?). So yes quickly finishing up Stagecoach since there was much awesomeness that I didn't cover yet...and then I will Hawaii recap since it was amazing and I want to go there all the time.

Ok, I left off at the end of the concert Saturday night...and we came right back to the RV to kick off the partying. First step was to gear up and by gear up I mean boots on and beer in (my pocket).

Stagecoach Wardrobe

So much happened at Stagecoach that I feel like I couldn't do the wardrobe choices justice by trying to fit it into another post...so yes clothing gets its own post. And what a sight the clothes were. As expected, cowboy boots are a must despite the fact that your lower leg will sweat profusely in the 90+ degree weather. Also critical is a cowboy hat (or equally American hat of your choice) as it looks legit AND keeps you from ending up with a bright red sunburnt face (yeah sun safety!). FYI beer box cowboy hats that I found earlier were HUGE at this thing...they even had a booth set up. As we were mostly girls, obviously we had these two down pat! The only boy in our group did not get the memo and was not wearing cowboy boots...unacceptable! Jk

#46 Go to Stagecoach

If you're keeping up with the list you might be wondering why I suddenly added to it- I mean why would I add something to the list that I've already done. Well there's two reasons: 1) I like making lists with things I can cross off right away so I can feel super productive...'write list' check! and 2) had I known how 'Merican Stagecoach would be well then it would have been #1 on the list from the very beginning. Sadly I didn't know about the epic awesomeness that is Stagecoach so I have added it now as an afterthought. Don't take its lowly #46 status to mean it is not amazing because it was truly one of the most fun weekends I've ever had. Combo of college friends getting together + new friends + amazing country music + beer pong/ flip cup/ civil war +4 days camping out with crazy Americans = good times.

2 Americanadians + SF = Crazy times

I've let my American blog-ness fall by the wayside...I could easily blame it on work (which is crazy right now) but really I blame addicting TV shows like Giuliana and Bill. In 48 hours, I've watched every episode available on Netflix....yup two seasons in two days because 'I need to know what happens!!'. Lets think about that for a second, I watched a reality show filmed 2-3 years ago for two days in order to find out what happens to two people I don't know...umm yea could have saved a lot of time using good ol' Google (which has a super cool architecture logo today btw). But whatevs! I totally had a partner in crime because Shay came to visit!!!! And she agrees understands my love of Bill Rancic...if you don't get it just watch the show...he's awesome.

'Merican Beer Headgear

It turns out that not only are there some awesome ways to hold your beer, there are some equally awesome ways to show your beer allegiance on your head in the form of hats. And not just standard baseball hats, no no no this goes further ...much further. Sun protection + stylish + letting people know what you would like to be drinking = win win win.

(source)

Beer-tastic

Thanks to Groupon (and my friend Kelda for telling me about it) I am now the proud owner of four Skuuzi's...yes four, obvi I need a few backups plus double fisting is totally American. Whats a Skuuzi? Basically the best invention EVER! Its the original Scandinavian koozie...allow me to demonstrate:

Holding that beer like a champ!! Plus my hands are toasty warm and there is no threat of the beer sliding out of my grasp...highly recommended! Well this got me thinking of the many ways I should be holding my beer.. I mean, why the hell should my hands be cold just so I can enjoy a delicious beverage?!? (Ideally enjoyed post-snowboarding...still keeping my fingers crossed for a big storm)

#25 Tour the Budweiser factory

Road trip (to Fairfield)!!!!!! I love road trips...especially ones involving beer, bellys and burritos. 

Did not manage to get the camera upright before taking the picture however this is the only non-blurry pic of the Budweiser wind turbine I had soooo it made the blog

Bonnie and Rebecca joined me in checking off #25 on Saturday aka Budbelly day. Even though I went to school at Davis, I never made it over to Fairfield to go on a tour of the factory....soooo un-American of me.  

#3 Go to a rodeo

Lindsey and I got all decked out in our cowboy gear and headed to the Cow Palace tonight for the Grand National Rodeo. So. Much. Fun!! Although I've learned that next year we will need to add some flair to our wardrobe- turns out western women love their bling. Bedazzled shirts, belts, hats, jeans, boots, saddles, bridles, coffee mugs etc... a good note for future outfits. 

#1: Shotgun a Beer

First American activity is checked off and at a BBQ no less (very American)...ok here's how it went...

Step 1: Get beer- extra points if its patriotic