We got up and ate breakfast with Mary Ann before hitting the road for our longest driving day of the trip. From the research station, we drove through Yellowstone. We didn't stop in the park, but we did get to go slowly enough to gawk at the scenery. If we'd seen any big animals, I'm sure we'd have stopped. Strangely, we didn't see much either in Teton or Yellowstone. Last year, I saw a bear, deer, bison, and more.
Because we were headed for Montana, we exited in West Yellowstone, where we bought the most expensive gas of the trip. We called it "tourist gas." Then we headed out on I-90. We'd both heard that Butte is a cool town, so we decided to wait to eat until we got there. It was a very cute little town, but it took us a while to find a park. Finally, we found one with a gazebo and had our picnic lunch. We sort of lollygagged a bit, but finally had to get going in order to make it to our destination before dark.
The drive through Montana was beautiful. We were driving alongside water almost the entire time. I'd been on the I-90 stretch once before, but this time, we headed up north to an area I'd never visited before. We reserved a U.S. Forest Service fire lookout in northwestern Montana, on the top of Yaak Mountain. It's pretty close to the Canadian border, so it was way up there. The scenery was gorgeous, but we were both nervous about driving up the mountain and packing into the tower in the dark and we were getting tired of being in the car.
We finally arrived at the mountain around 8pm. It took a little time to find the FS road, then we had a slow, steep drive up on gravel. The road was in great shape, though, and we managed to get there and our stuff inside before dark. We even had time to take a little walk before it got totally black out. We saw some grouse and a deer, as well as some tiny little rodents that moved very, very quickly. We also saw some scat that let me to believe something large was around. Freaky!
I had been worried about climbing a ladder to the tower. Actually, I was more nervous about climbing down four stories in the dark to get to the outhouse, truth be told. But we had stairs, so no biggie. The sunset was pretty, but my pictures didn't turn out very well, I'm afraid.
Dinner was sandwiches, fruit, and beer and was fun. We didn't stay up super late because we didn't think to bring cards or anything to keep us entertained in a cabin with no electricity. Being a lookout, the place was all window, from knee high to the ceilings, so I expected the sunrise to wake me. I actually woke up before dawn and got some pics of the sunrise, but Rick refused to leave his sleeping bag to join me.
After our yummy breakfast of greek yogurt (a new favorite thing) and granola, we had to get going. We both wished we had more time to hike and stay another night. We realized what a cool retreat that place could be. Imagine getting away and just writing up there. In any case, we left and headed toward Sandpoint, Idaho, about 30 miles away once we got to the highway.
Once on the road and coffee-ed up in Bonner's Ferry (great name), we were off. We ended up stopping for second breakfast in some small town in Idaho, not too far from the Washington border. What was it called? Priest something? Rick, help me out. I ate my weight in hashbrowns and biscuits and gravy for about $5. Not bad. It was about this time when we turned our clocks back an hour to Pacific time, so we experienced 9am for the second time that day.
This is really part of day 3, which I'll get to next.
Friday, August 15, 2008
road trip, day 2 plus
road trip, day 1
This will take a while and likely be filled with more detail than strictly necessary for anybody but me. I'm doing it anyway.
We started out early on Saturday, at my insistence. We'd spent much of Friday shopping and other last-minute errands and mostly packed the car, so we were able to get on the road before 7am. I've made that drive before, but it's one of the prettiest I've seen in Wyoming. I especially like the mountains as you approach Lander.
We took a break for a picnic in Dubois, but managed to make it to the research station by 1:30pm. When I pointed out how much of the day we had to spend in the park and asked Rick if he was glad I made him leave so early, he said, "No!" I don't believe it, though. We went for a walk up over a hill with a great view of Jackson Lake and the Tetons, and sat on the dock drinking beer and eating chips with our hostess, Mary Ann. It was great.
Then Mary Ann took us to Two Ocean Lakes for a walk on the trail. There were tons of wildflowers, and Mary Ann knew what they all were, which was really cool. On the way back, we stopped at a lookout and saw a huge herd of elk. We also saw some herons that day. It was really nice. Rick and I headed to the dock to catch the sunset before dinner. It got dark pretty quickly, and I was amazed, once again, at how bright the stars were.
We had a late dinner with Mary Ann and her sons and their girlfriends. We had great company and before long, a few hours had passed. We were really tired, and opted not to have drinks on the dock. Once we settled in our bunk beds, I fell asleep immediately and slept really well up there in the quiet mountain air.
the big trip, in numbers
13: number of amazing days
600: number of dollars spent on gas
4.06: average price in dollars, per gallon of gas
6: number of U.S. states visited
1: number of Canadian provinces visited
15: national forests visted/drove through (Medicine Bow, Bridger-Teton, Flathead, Gallatin, Helena, Kootenai, Coeur d'Alene, Targhee, Colville, Okanogan-Wenatchee, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Wasatch-Cache, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, Boise)
2: national parks visited (Grand Teton, Yellowstone)
4: beers consumed by me
12: cups of coffee consumed by me
1: hikes taken
1: city bus taken (Metro #70)
1: rainy days
3: days above 90 degree
1: meltdown by me
1: times swimming
36: dollars spent on most expensive meal for two (Tsunami sushi)
3: dollars spent on least expensive meal for two (Dick's Drive-in)
*NOTE: I just realized I messed up this map. We really took US-2 from Montana and across Idaho and Washington, not I-90.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
sunrise
This was a view at dawn on Sunday. Waking up on top of a mountain in a fire lookout with 360 degree views is definitely a cool thing to experience.
The road trip is well underway. Day one was amazing, and the two that followed were good, too. I think the driving time was pretty long, but I don't regret planning it that way because I wouldn't take back anything we saw and did along the way. Well, maybe driving through Spokane. That was pretty unnecessary.
More to come!
Friday, August 01, 2008
Westward ho!
Here's the plan, stalkers. I'm so excited I can't even explain it to you. I've been trying to scheme out how to see everybody I know and love without totally hijacking the trip--after all, it's Rick's vacation, too. If you're one of my PNW friends, I can't wait to see you! Everybody else, expect tons of pictures.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
play ball
Last night was the final regular season Colts game. I went over after work, so I missed the first couple of innings. When I got there, the scoreboard wasn't working and I didn't know where things were. So basically, I very quickly lost interest in following the action. There were some good plays, and the Colts won, but we saw just as many foul balls fly into/over the crowd as hits into fair territory. It was kind of scary there toward the end. A bashed in head isn't a fun souvenir of the game.
Maybe we'll have a better time at the Aquasox game next week. Yes, the big road trip is nigh and the plan is to go to the game on Thursday, August 7. Everett will face off against Vancouver, and Rick's hoping he'll be able to buy a Canadians hat. Their gear is certainly cooler, but I will of course be rooting for the 'sox, since they're part of the Mariners organization (and are also in last place). Any PNWers interested in coming with us to the game are welcome!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
sunsets
The sunsets in this town are beautiful. Last night when I was at Coal Creek with Meggie and Addie, it started raining really hard, and then the sun came back. Sunset was a little while later and it was gorgeous as usual. My pictures never really do it justice.
A week from today, I'll be up in the Tetons. Last year, the sunsets up there were unbelievable. I'm sure I'll be speechless again this time around. It's not like I haven't seen sunsets all my life, but I think I've only really started paying attention recently. It's worth taking the time to stop and just look.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
stormy weather
I almost thought the day would be a wash. I was tired and crabby, and had a pretty wicked headache. My extended lunchtime nap didn't work out so well because a thunderstorm broke. It was loud, but I probably could have had a really nice sleep if I wasn't so preoccupied with getting back to campus for evening reference.
When the lightning stopped, I drove back to campus. I had to stop at Engineering, so I wandered the wet campus and took some pictures on the way back to the library. The sculpture installations are moving on and I was able to snap the latest.
Patrick Dougherty's sapling sculpture smelled wonderful after the rain. I spent some time just walking through and around it. It's pretty cool--reminds me of the haystack structures outside the Museum of Glass.
I like the new sculpture a lot, too. I don't know which artist did it, but it's cool. Very amoeba-like. Walking around in the fresh, wet air made me feel so much better. It was too bad I had to go inside.
The reference desk didn't do my headache any favors, and I started getting more naseated the longer I sat inside. Finally, I realized there was no way I could go to the student dance showcase, which made me sad. I like to take advantage of every opportunity to see dance in this town, but I know I would have felt crappy the whole time. It sucked to flake on the friend I was going with, also.
Once I'd been home, ate some soup, and rested in front of a fan, Peter called. He wanted to come over and borrow some music. We baked some cookies, too. Yum. So the day ended on a good note after all.
When the lightning stopped, I drove back to campus. I had to stop at Engineering, so I wandered the wet campus and took some pictures on the way back to the library. The sculpture installations are moving on and I was able to snap the latest.
Patrick Dougherty's sapling sculpture smelled wonderful after the rain. I spent some time just walking through and around it. It's pretty cool--reminds me of the haystack structures outside the Museum of Glass.
I like the new sculpture a lot, too. I don't know which artist did it, but it's cool. Very amoeba-like. Walking around in the fresh, wet air made me feel so much better. It was too bad I had to go inside.
The reference desk didn't do my headache any favors, and I started getting more naseated the longer I sat inside. Finally, I realized there was no way I could go to the student dance showcase, which made me sad. I like to take advantage of every opportunity to see dance in this town, but I know I would have felt crappy the whole time. It sucked to flake on the friend I was going with, also.
Once I'd been home, ate some soup, and rested in front of a fan, Peter called. He wanted to come over and borrow some music. We baked some cookies, too. Yum. So the day ended on a good note after all.
Monday, July 21, 2008
hot in here
Tonight the house is hot and I don't feel like I can sleep yet. I suppose I could go downstairs where it's always cooler, but I've sort of banned computers from my bedroom. It's all part of the master plan to improve my sleeping habits. Although, I suppose actually going to bed at 10 or 11 would be a good move in that direction, too.
I'm wishing I'd gone out and taken some pictures during the thunderstorm this afternoon. I even had my camera on me, but just ended up sitting on the porch of the library, texting back and forth with a couple of people until the power came back on.
After work, I just came home and had a totally lazy evening. The only productive thing I did was a couple of loads of laundry. It felt good for a while, but then I got restless and bored and wished I'd had something better to do. I have to report that I'm a few more episodes into Mad Men, and it's more interesting now. I think I'm just resistant to all those jerky characters.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
outside
Did a little more hiking this morning up at Vedauwoo with Rick and Meggie. This trail (Turtle Rock) was kind of too easy and too short, but it was a nice way to start the day. Never thought I--of all people--would claim a hike was too easy, but it's true. If I didn't have to be at work at 1:00, I would have suggested somewhere else. Still, it was a very pretty location, bugs and all.
After work, had kind of an uneventful afternoon. We tried to buy an atlas with good city maps included, but were unsuccessful. Then I grocery shopped without a list, so I came home with things like shrimp and green salsa, but no toilet paper. Hmm. At least I have the stuff to make my lunch tomorrow.
Finally, I started the first season of Mad Men. I've been looking forward to it, what with it being all critically acclaimed and stuff, but I'm undecided. What I'm sure of is that the raspberry sorbet I had for dessert was FANtastic.
3 things before bed
1. Dr. Horrible is amusing, in that very particular Whedonesque way. But now I can't get the "Mr. Horrible, Mr. Horrible/telephone call for Mr. Horrible" part of TMBG's "Someone Keeps Moving My Chair" out of my head!
2. Well for a while, I replaced it with ABBA's greatest hits because I saw Mamma Mia tonight. Oh, yeah I did. It was really hard not to sing along to all the songs. And it made me want to dig out ABBA Gold and add it to the car stereo (no one will know if I sing in there).
3. I saw some Shakespeare in the park today (As You Like It). Like Rick said, I'm glad they did it and I'm glad I went. But it wasn't very good. Also, I got three moquito bites on my hip while sitting there in the grass.
2. Well for a while, I replaced it with ABBA's greatest hits because I saw Mamma Mia tonight. Oh, yeah I did. It was really hard not to sing along to all the songs. And it made me want to dig out ABBA Gold and add it to the car stereo (no one will know if I sing in there).
3. I saw some Shakespeare in the park today (As You Like It). Like Rick said, I'm glad they did it and I'm glad I went. But it wasn't very good. Also, I got three moquito bites on my hip while sitting there in the grass.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
pie!
Apple pie is baking in my oven right now, along with two tiny ramekin pies for Rick and me. (The big pie's for a dinner party tomorrow.) The house is really hot, but it's worth it. It smells amazing. I just hope it tastes as wonderful.
I haven't made a pie in a long time. My mom has a rad crust recipe called "never fail pie crust." And it's true--the secret ingredient is a little vinegar, which makes the crust flakier. But this time around, I used Martha Stewart's pate brisee. It turned out really soft, and I was afraid it would be sticky and not roll out nicely. I was wrong, because even though I didn't chill it (oops), it rolled out pretty easily and it was a snap to roll onto the pin to transfer it into the dish. Even so, I'm out of practice, so my crusts are a little messy. We'll call it a rustic look, okay?
As usual, I didn't follow a recipe for the filling, because I'm contrary that way. My preference is for tart apples, so I used granny smiths. Then I just mixed the apple slices with some lemon juice, sugar (many recipes call for a cup, but I use about half that) cinnamon, and a splash of liquor (usually bourbon, but this time vanilla vodka). Then I melted butter in a skillet and cooked up the filling until it was golden brown and the alcohol burned mostly off. That whole shebang went into the crust, and I topped it with the other crust, brushed it with egg yolk & water glaze, sprinkled with a tiny bit more sugar, and cut a couple of vents. Bake at 400 for about 15 minutes or until the crust is golden, then turn down to 350 for another 45-50 minutes or so. Voila!
P.S. This pie would be perfect served with a slice of sharp cheddar and a glass of reisling. But that's just me. I suspect my friends will want it heated with vanilla ice cream.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
working it out
The summer is flying by too quickly. I'm trying to take advantage of it and spend as much time outside as possible. As a result, I keep getting sunburned and mosquito-bitten, but I guess that's an okay trade-off for getting out to hike and bike and walk. On Saturday, I got my dose of sunshine and thin air on the Medicine Bow Peak trail. There were five of us, and we had a pretty great day. While it might not have shown as I was huffing and puffing my way up the mountain, I really enjoyed myself. I managed to take some nice pictures, too.
The other thing I've been doing is ballet class. Today was my second week at the drop-in int/adv class. Basically, it kicks my ass. I feel so weak and off-kilter trying to to anything in combination. It's really disconcerting to have the technique and know how to do the movements but lack the strength to make my body cooperate. And there's something else going on, too. The ballet studio feels kind of like my hometown: familiar and full of memories, but I don't belong there anymore. It was strange to feel more comfortable and strong in the yoga studio last week, even though it's something new. Maybe I should just close the book on ballet for good, even if it is a great workout.
Friday, July 04, 2008
I'm meming again
I saw this at Pop Culture Librarian, and decided to do it. She said I should, so I did. Not that she was talking to me specifically. Anyway.
1. Who was your first prom date?
I never went to the prom. Sophomore year, it wasn't really on my radar. A senior in my drama class asked me, but I wasn't into him or the idea of buying an expensive dress. Then junior and senior year, prom was the same weekend as regionals for crew, so I was out of town and it wasn't an option. And truthfully, I have no idea who I might have gone with even if I was around.
2. Do you still talk to your first love?
Depends on what you mean by first love. First crush? No. First boyfriend? No. First real, adult love? Yeah.
3. What was your first alcoholic drink?
Besides sneaking sips of beer as a little kid, which I've been told I loved to do, I think my first drink was Boone's Farm Wild Island. Classy! The first time I was ever drunk, it was on vodka shots (gross) that cost $1 Canadian at a dance club in Vancouver B.C. when I was 19 and could drink up there legally.
4. What was your first job?
I was a very industrious babysitter as a pre-teen and teen, and made enough money to buy all sorts of ill-conceived fashions. The first job that required W-2s and all that was in the commissary of a summer camp during high school. The bummer about that job was that I crashed my parents' mini-van and everything I earned the whole summer went to pay for the deductable.
5. What was your first car?
I had a 1989 Chevy Cavalier in maroon.
6. Who was the first person to text you today?
Addie.
7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning?
See number 2.
8. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Hansen at Sunnyside Elementary. She was pretty nice, but I don't remember too much from that year. I split the year between two elementary schools, but I don't remember who my teacher was at Garfield. That year's a blur.
9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
It must have been the trip to New York when I was almost two. I have no memory of that trip, but I drowned in a lake and had to be revived. I do remember the drowning nightmares that followed for many years afterward.
10. Who was your first best friend, and are you still friends with him/her?
I guess I had a best friend of sorts as a very small kid, but the first best friend I remember is Amy. We met in elementary school and took ballet classes together for ages. We are still friends, even though we don't talk that often. She's a great person and has a nice husband and three kids. I really admire her.
11. What was your first sport played?
Well, I danced from age two on. Mostly ballet, some tap and jazz, and modern from about age 11 until I quit. The first team sport I did was swimming, but only for a year. Then I did crew for the rest of high school.
12. Where was your first sleepover?
Who knows? My friends and I were always having sleepovers and slumber parties.
13. Who was the first person you talked to today?
Besides myself? The barista who made my latte.
14. Whose wedding were you in the first time?
Amy's, the same Amy who was my first best friend. I was her maid of honor, and her sisters and the groom's sister were bridesmaids. I'm not a huge wedding person, but it was really special to be part of Amy's, because she means so much to me, and I was really happy she was marrying Matt.
15. What was the first thing you did this morning?
Probably rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. Who can remember? The first 30 minutes of any given day, I'm totally zoned out.
16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Def Leppard, on the Hysteria tour, at the Tacoma Dome. Lasers, in the round, with L.A. Guns openining up. Aww, yeah. My mom and my friend Jamie's mom took us and two friends. It was on a school night, we were in ninth grade, and we gleefully wore our t-shirts to school the next day, and were totally exhausted.
17. What was your first tattoo or piercing?
No tattoos. I got my ears pierced when I was five or six--somewhere around there. I had gold, heart-shaped studs.
18. What was the first foreign country you went to?
I can't really count Canada, since I grew up so close and we went to British Columbia like once a year, at least. So I have to say Sweden. We flew through the Netherlands first, but being in the airport doesn't really count.
19. What was your first run-in with the law?
Other than my penchant for speeding tickets, I'm pretty law-abiding. But when I was 14, I did run into a manhunt for a guy who killed somebody near my house. It was the middle of the night, and I had sneaked out of my house alone and was heading up the highway to a boy's house, where many teenagers congregated because of a lack of parental supervision. My regular sneaking-out accomplice lived on the same block, and was supposed to already be there.
So when I saw the roadblock and the cops, I geniusly decided to evade detection by going into the woods. Not a minute later, several men were yelling "freeze!" and shining lights on me. Scared shitless, I froze. They had guns pointed at me! Then, one of them said, all disgusted, "it's a little girl." They were pissed. Evidentally, my white t-shirt, cut-off jeans, and long, blond ponytail matched the description of the perp. Upon questioning, I said I was headed to my friends' house up the street. The police were busy and let me go.
But I didn't get off totally free. No. When I knocked on the basement door, the boy's DAD answered it. Busted! He said he already caught my friend and sent her home, and he said he was going to drive me and three other boys home. He took me home first, but decided not to wake up my parents and just let me sneak back in. In retrospect, that wasn't the best parenting move, since I learned nothing. Well, I never sneaked out alone again, but I still did when I had my accomplice over.
20. When was your first detention?
In sixth grade, I got Saturday school detention for fighting. A boy, with whom I shared mutual hate, flipped up my skirt in the hall when I was at my locker. My response was to grab him, slam him against a locker, and punch him in the face a few times. He didn't get a chance to hit back. We were apprehended by a big old coach, who left bruises on my upper arm from his meaty fist as he dragged me to the principal's office. The boy and I both got detention, and he never got over his beat-down. We didn't have another class together until senior year of high school, and he refused to sit next to me, as the alphabetical chart had placed us. When I told him to get over it, his response was, "never!" Ha.
21. What was the first state you lived in?
Washington. Born and raised. I lived in three different counties, but never lived outside the state until I moved to Wyoming.
22. Who was the first person to break your heart?
See number 2.
23. Who was your first roommate?
Jamie. We shared a studio apartment in the U District, but she really lived with her boyfriend. I had the place to myself. Then we got a really beautiful apartment on Capitol Hill and did live together for real. She's the only roommate I've ever had.
24. Where did you go on your first limo ride?
Limo ride? I think some girlfriends and I had a limo one New Year's, but that might have been a town car. I've ridden in lots of town cars. My parents and I got a limo a few years ago when we took the dinner train.
So, that's it.
1. Who was your first prom date?
I never went to the prom. Sophomore year, it wasn't really on my radar. A senior in my drama class asked me, but I wasn't into him or the idea of buying an expensive dress. Then junior and senior year, prom was the same weekend as regionals for crew, so I was out of town and it wasn't an option. And truthfully, I have no idea who I might have gone with even if I was around.
2. Do you still talk to your first love?
Depends on what you mean by first love. First crush? No. First boyfriend? No. First real, adult love? Yeah.
3. What was your first alcoholic drink?
Besides sneaking sips of beer as a little kid, which I've been told I loved to do, I think my first drink was Boone's Farm Wild Island. Classy! The first time I was ever drunk, it was on vodka shots (gross) that cost $1 Canadian at a dance club in Vancouver B.C. when I was 19 and could drink up there legally.
4. What was your first job?
I was a very industrious babysitter as a pre-teen and teen, and made enough money to buy all sorts of ill-conceived fashions. The first job that required W-2s and all that was in the commissary of a summer camp during high school. The bummer about that job was that I crashed my parents' mini-van and everything I earned the whole summer went to pay for the deductable.
5. What was your first car?
I had a 1989 Chevy Cavalier in maroon.
6. Who was the first person to text you today?
Addie.
7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning?
See number 2.
8. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Hansen at Sunnyside Elementary. She was pretty nice, but I don't remember too much from that year. I split the year between two elementary schools, but I don't remember who my teacher was at Garfield. That year's a blur.
9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
It must have been the trip to New York when I was almost two. I have no memory of that trip, but I drowned in a lake and had to be revived. I do remember the drowning nightmares that followed for many years afterward.
10. Who was your first best friend, and are you still friends with him/her?
I guess I had a best friend of sorts as a very small kid, but the first best friend I remember is Amy. We met in elementary school and took ballet classes together for ages. We are still friends, even though we don't talk that often. She's a great person and has a nice husband and three kids. I really admire her.
11. What was your first sport played?
Well, I danced from age two on. Mostly ballet, some tap and jazz, and modern from about age 11 until I quit. The first team sport I did was swimming, but only for a year. Then I did crew for the rest of high school.
12. Where was your first sleepover?
Who knows? My friends and I were always having sleepovers and slumber parties.
13. Who was the first person you talked to today?
Besides myself? The barista who made my latte.
14. Whose wedding were you in the first time?
Amy's, the same Amy who was my first best friend. I was her maid of honor, and her sisters and the groom's sister were bridesmaids. I'm not a huge wedding person, but it was really special to be part of Amy's, because she means so much to me, and I was really happy she was marrying Matt.
15. What was the first thing you did this morning?
Probably rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. Who can remember? The first 30 minutes of any given day, I'm totally zoned out.
16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Def Leppard, on the Hysteria tour, at the Tacoma Dome. Lasers, in the round, with L.A. Guns openining up. Aww, yeah. My mom and my friend Jamie's mom took us and two friends. It was on a school night, we were in ninth grade, and we gleefully wore our t-shirts to school the next day, and were totally exhausted.
17. What was your first tattoo or piercing?
No tattoos. I got my ears pierced when I was five or six--somewhere around there. I had gold, heart-shaped studs.
18. What was the first foreign country you went to?
I can't really count Canada, since I grew up so close and we went to British Columbia like once a year, at least. So I have to say Sweden. We flew through the Netherlands first, but being in the airport doesn't really count.
19. What was your first run-in with the law?
Other than my penchant for speeding tickets, I'm pretty law-abiding. But when I was 14, I did run into a manhunt for a guy who killed somebody near my house. It was the middle of the night, and I had sneaked out of my house alone and was heading up the highway to a boy's house, where many teenagers congregated because of a lack of parental supervision. My regular sneaking-out accomplice lived on the same block, and was supposed to already be there.
So when I saw the roadblock and the cops, I geniusly decided to evade detection by going into the woods. Not a minute later, several men were yelling "freeze!" and shining lights on me. Scared shitless, I froze. They had guns pointed at me! Then, one of them said, all disgusted, "it's a little girl." They were pissed. Evidentally, my white t-shirt, cut-off jeans, and long, blond ponytail matched the description of the perp. Upon questioning, I said I was headed to my friends' house up the street. The police were busy and let me go.
But I didn't get off totally free. No. When I knocked on the basement door, the boy's DAD answered it. Busted! He said he already caught my friend and sent her home, and he said he was going to drive me and three other boys home. He took me home first, but decided not to wake up my parents and just let me sneak back in. In retrospect, that wasn't the best parenting move, since I learned nothing. Well, I never sneaked out alone again, but I still did when I had my accomplice over.
20. When was your first detention?
In sixth grade, I got Saturday school detention for fighting. A boy, with whom I shared mutual hate, flipped up my skirt in the hall when I was at my locker. My response was to grab him, slam him against a locker, and punch him in the face a few times. He didn't get a chance to hit back. We were apprehended by a big old coach, who left bruises on my upper arm from his meaty fist as he dragged me to the principal's office. The boy and I both got detention, and he never got over his beat-down. We didn't have another class together until senior year of high school, and he refused to sit next to me, as the alphabetical chart had placed us. When I told him to get over it, his response was, "never!" Ha.
21. What was the first state you lived in?
Washington. Born and raised. I lived in three different counties, but never lived outside the state until I moved to Wyoming.
22. Who was the first person to break your heart?
See number 2.
23. Who was your first roommate?
Jamie. We shared a studio apartment in the U District, but she really lived with her boyfriend. I had the place to myself. Then we got a really beautiful apartment on Capitol Hill and did live together for real. She's the only roommate I've ever had.
24. Where did you go on your first limo ride?
Limo ride? I think some girlfriends and I had a limo one New Year's, but that might have been a town car. I've ridden in lots of town cars. My parents and I got a limo a few years ago when we took the dinner train.
So, that's it.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
vanity
Last night, I was talking to Peter and Rick and one of them said something about it being weird that I take so many photos of myself. I was asked to rate my vanity on a scale of 1-10. I said 8, but not because I think I'm fabulously beautiful or that I admire myself all the time. It's more that it's interesting to see the way I change over time and I am really aware of my looks. I know I'm not alone in this. Spending so much time in front of mirrors in dance classes from the age of two surely feeds into my self-awareness and self-scrutiny. And I see it as a victory of sorts that I'm fairly dispassionate about my level of physical beauty and have a pretty positive body image after all the weird socialization that happens in ballet classes, and just surviving being a teen girl in general.
Another reason I take more pictures is that I've really tried to change my lifestyle over the past year or so, and those changes are visible. Talking about body and weight and fitness is complicated and uncomfortable, but that's something I've been trying to get over. We all have bodies, right? And we all have issues with our bodies, regardless of our shapes or sizes. My own motivation to make a change was based more on feeling better than looking better, but I can't pretend I'm completely unaffected by my looks. But what affects me most is how other people react to my weight loss. I understand that people mean well when they say I look good or exclaim that I've lost "a lot" of weight, but it always makes me wonder what they thought of me before. And back when I was heavier, I didn't even worry about that, so it's almost like I'm retroactively getting my feelings hurt. Again, this stuff is complicated.
But that doesn't mean I don't like the changes I see in myself weekly, if not daily. It feels good to have more energy and actually want to get out and be active without being certain I can't keep up. I like being smaller and realizing I've gone down four (almost five) sizes. Sure, of course that's nice. And maybe taking pictures of myself is part of a bigger commitment to these changes and will help me maintain them.
Rafting on the Snake, July 7, 2007
In the Snowies, May 24, 2008
Another reason I take more pictures is that I've really tried to change my lifestyle over the past year or so, and those changes are visible. Talking about body and weight and fitness is complicated and uncomfortable, but that's something I've been trying to get over. We all have bodies, right? And we all have issues with our bodies, regardless of our shapes or sizes. My own motivation to make a change was based more on feeling better than looking better, but I can't pretend I'm completely unaffected by my looks. But what affects me most is how other people react to my weight loss. I understand that people mean well when they say I look good or exclaim that I've lost "a lot" of weight, but it always makes me wonder what they thought of me before. And back when I was heavier, I didn't even worry about that, so it's almost like I'm retroactively getting my feelings hurt. Again, this stuff is complicated.
But that doesn't mean I don't like the changes I see in myself weekly, if not daily. It feels good to have more energy and actually want to get out and be active without being certain I can't keep up. I like being smaller and realizing I've gone down four (almost five) sizes. Sure, of course that's nice. And maybe taking pictures of myself is part of a bigger commitment to these changes and will help me maintain them.
Rafting on the Snake, July 7, 2007
In the Snowies, May 24, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
summer nights
I can't believe a week passed with no comment from me here. How unlike me! Honestly, it's hard to remember the last week. I know I went to work and got some stuff done, but after that, things start to get a little hazy. Oh, I saw the play last week. And a softball game. Other than that, I'm a blank.
The weekend is more in focus. Today, I was trying to upload my pictures from the weekend, and by sheer stupidity, disconnected my camera from the computer before they actually uploaded and proceeded to delete the entire shebang. I am very annoyed, because I had some nice ones of my friends from Friday night.
Saturday was more chill. I mostly did some laundry around the house while Rick worked on a project in the garage. Then after he left, I took a nap. It was a good nap. Then, Rick and Peter came over and I made very tasty tacos and we all rode our bikes to Bud's Bar for a couple of drinks. The only problem was the ride home. See, I live in a very dark and semi-creepy part of town, while the guys live in the main part of town. They didn't want me to take the lonely dirt trail under the overpass by myself (and neither did I), so I was convinced to ride on the main road. It sucked because I couldn't see anything and was afraid I'd be hit by a car or simply drive off the road and fall into a ditch, not to be found until morning. I'm guessing I won't be doing any more nighttime biking unless I move to town. Scary.
On Sunday, I slept in. After I got up and messed around the house a bit, I rode my bike to Rick's. He drove Peter and me, and the boys' bikes to Curt Gowdy for the day. The guys mountain biked and I hiked around the park. I had a better time than I thought I would. Hiking alone has never appealed to me for a few reasons. First, I grew up hearing about people getting lost or injured at least once a week during the summer. Second, I'm a woman and have been indoctrinated by society to believe that bad things happen to women who do anything alone. And third, where I'm from, people do get robbed/raped/killed while hiking. Not all the time, but it does happen.
But I wasn't freaked out to be alone this time. I think having the guys there made the difference. They weren't right with me, but they knew where I was planning to be and about how long it would be until I was done. I'm not saying I'm ready to go it alone, but I'd do this kind of thing again. And Rick's planning to get people together to climb Medicine Bow peak in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure I'm up to it, but I want to be in the right frame of mind to try.
The weekend is more in focus. Today, I was trying to upload my pictures from the weekend, and by sheer stupidity, disconnected my camera from the computer before they actually uploaded and proceeded to delete the entire shebang. I am very annoyed, because I had some nice ones of my friends from Friday night.
Saturday was more chill. I mostly did some laundry around the house while Rick worked on a project in the garage. Then after he left, I took a nap. It was a good nap. Then, Rick and Peter came over and I made very tasty tacos and we all rode our bikes to Bud's Bar for a couple of drinks. The only problem was the ride home. See, I live in a very dark and semi-creepy part of town, while the guys live in the main part of town. They didn't want me to take the lonely dirt trail under the overpass by myself (and neither did I), so I was convinced to ride on the main road. It sucked because I couldn't see anything and was afraid I'd be hit by a car or simply drive off the road and fall into a ditch, not to be found until morning. I'm guessing I won't be doing any more nighttime biking unless I move to town. Scary.
On Sunday, I slept in. After I got up and messed around the house a bit, I rode my bike to Rick's. He drove Peter and me, and the boys' bikes to Curt Gowdy for the day. The guys mountain biked and I hiked around the park. I had a better time than I thought I would. Hiking alone has never appealed to me for a few reasons. First, I grew up hearing about people getting lost or injured at least once a week during the summer. Second, I'm a woman and have been indoctrinated by society to believe that bad things happen to women who do anything alone. And third, where I'm from, people do get robbed/raped/killed while hiking. Not all the time, but it does happen.
But I wasn't freaked out to be alone this time. I think having the guys there made the difference. They weren't right with me, but they knew where I was planning to be and about how long it would be until I was done. I'm not saying I'm ready to go it alone, but I'd do this kind of thing again. And Rick's planning to get people together to climb Medicine Bow peak in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure I'm up to it, but I want to be in the right frame of mind to try.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
lazy summer
This has been one of those great summer weekends. You know, the kind where nothing's really planned, but it's relaxing and fun things crop up here and there. On Friday, I went out for a couple of drinks, but my interest waned quickly. Rick, Peter, and I decided that a movie was in order, so we saw Get Smart. I didn't have high hopes at all, so I was pleasantly surprised to really enjoy it.
On Saturday morning, I met Rick to plan the big August road trip. We found a Forest Service lookout in Idaho to stay in on our way out. Looks cool, and I'm kind of excited. I rode my bike into town for the first time, and it was much quicker than I expected, taking 17 minutes from my house to Rick's, and I wasn't hurrying at all. I can definitely ride it to work sometimes, which will help me spend less on gas and get a little more exercise at the same time. I just have to figure out how to stop burning the tops of my arms while I ride--I have some seriously dorky tan lines.
Then Miriam and I walked around town a bit, stopping off at the public library's "Book Bash" in the park. The music was kind of good, but we eventually wandered away to get lunch at Fat Burrito. Then we went back to the house, where I crashed hard for two hours, probably because I was sunburned. I finally rode my bike back home, with some wandering about just for fun. I can't quite ride up the ramp to the footbridge because I am weak. But I made it halfway up before having to walk the bike. Maybe by the end of the summer.
Today, it felt like I'd slept in really late, so I was surprised to see it was only 8:44 when I got up. I didn't have anything planned and was lazing about with a book and a half-baked idea to gas up the car and grocery shop, when Addie called and asked if I wanted to go with her and Sondra to swim in a reservoir off of 34. So that's what we did, and it was great. The water was c-c-cold, but it felt so good. I took some pictures of the scenery and just had a nice day with fun, laid back people. And hey, Peter just texted, so maybe there will be some more fun to be had before work tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
home again
The weekend trip was really nice. I jammed a lot into a short amount of time, but it was still pretty relaxing. Well, the travel part was anything but relaxing, but the time in the northwest was great. I left kind of in a messy rush on Thursday afternoon. I think I just wasn't ready to make that drive to Denver again so soon after coming back from Loex, because I was really dreading it. Then finding all the outer lots full and having to park in the more expensive "economy" lot was annoying, as was the endless delays at the baggage check and security. What really burned me was that the lines were very short, but the few airline and TSA folks working that day were unable to complete any transaction without much jackassery.
After a very uncomfortable flight jammed next to two space invaders and in front of a screaming toddler, I arrived in Seattle just before midnight. My parents and the dogs were there to greet me and take me home. I have to say that staying at my parents' house is kind of weird. It's not the place I grew up in, nor the house they lived in for about ten years of my adult life (which had been my grandparents'), so I don't really feel connected to it. But my mom always makes an effort to make it fun and comfortable. She fixes up the spare room really nicely and has Kiehl's stuff in the bathroom. It's sweet.
Mom and I spent half the day on Friday at malls. We found a pretty cute dress at Nordstrom and had it taken in a little to fix some gappage issues. There was another dress I would have loved to have also, but I don't really need a nearly $200 silk tank dress for rambling around Laramie. Another weird but nice thing about going home is the sameness, even as new development goes up all around. We saw my favorite eyebrow/facial technician when we were at lunch, and all my favorite salespeople at the Northgate Nordstrom. We started at the closer, less satisfactory store, but ended up heading back to Northgate. There's something comfortable about shopping at the same department store I've been going to since I was a tiny kid.
It was nice not to have to spend the entire day shopping--I was pretty malled-out by noonish. On Friday evening, we chilled out at home, and Mom gave me a spa-style pedicure and manicure, which was amazing. Seriously, it was the same exact thing I've paid $70 for in the past. She even has a paraffin pot and all the same supplies as the spa.
On Saturday, I got to laze around a bit and then go over to see SJ, Pete, and Strudel! SJ made us an amazing green curry for lunch, and we sat outside and watched the chickens cluck around th yard. It was a nice visit and I was sad I couldn't stay longer. I then headed to Melanie's, where we got all dressed up and ran to Ballard to pick up the cupcakes from Cupcake Royale and take them to the wedding site. The wedding was lovely. I loved how relaxed and really personal and fun the whole thing was. I got to see lots of people I miss and just enjoy seeing my friends get married.
THEN, Mel and I got up on Sunday morning and drove down to Portland. We stopped on the way down for lunch at East West in Tacoma. Since Mel started working in Seattle, I have little reason to hit Tacoma, so it's been a while. The food was lovely and the weather was nice, making the rest of the drive even better. We hit Portland around 3pm, too early to check into the White Eagle. We poked around the neighborhood a bit, finding a cute coffee shop for the next morning, the Ethiopian restaurant for dinner later that evening, and the venue for the Old 97's show. Sadly, as it was Sunday, hardly anything was open.
After checking in, we went over to the Widmer Bros. brewery and tried the beer sampler. Vic met up with us for one more beer before we walked up the hill to dinner at Queen of Sheba, which was great. I had a chicken and mushroom dish that was so good I ate a little too much. Vic was able to score a ticket to the sold-out show, so the three of us were able to have a tiny MPHS class of '92 reunion all evening. The Wonder Ballroom is nice, so it really felt like a theater instead of a nightclub. But it was hot as heck in there, so I felt like my jeans were shrinking as I stood there. It would have been fun to hang out a while after the show, but it was late and Vic had to catch the train back to his hotel. How cool is it that he lives in PDX now!
On Monday, Mel and I hit the cute coffee shop for breakfast before beating feet back to Washington. We stopped in Olympia for lunch at the Spar, which was nostalgic for me. I haven't been there since I was a kid, but my grandpa used to take us there. I didn't realize it was a McMenamin's now, but I'm really happy about it. They've saved some really cool properties that might otherwise be long gone. After lunch, we wandered around the historic downtown a little and did some shopping at Compass Rose, which has a lot of the local indie arts and crafts I like. It was so hard not to buy one of Faryn Davis's pieces, which I've admired for a long time. Mel dropped me at Sea-Tac, which was awesome of her. That place is torn up right now. It was hard saying goodbye knowing she's heading for Oxford soon and I won't see her until we're both back in Seattle in August.
Travel home was just as annoying as it was on the way west. Again, very few lines, but inefficient and unhelpful staff. For some reason, all the security lanes were open, but every other metal detector was closed. So two lines of people had to merge together while their stuff went through different x-ray machines. It was a total c.f. My flight was delayed and I had a somewhat upsetting phone conversation while I waited at the gate. Then the luggage took forever to arrive at baggage claim, and by the time I drove onto the interstate, it was almost 10pm. My arrival in Laramie was pretty late, but I had a surprisingly okay time of it this morning.
I just know that while I'm ready to be back here in town for a good while, I'm really missing home. At the same time, I missed this place and the people here while I was away. I just wish coming back had been easier.
After a very uncomfortable flight jammed next to two space invaders and in front of a screaming toddler, I arrived in Seattle just before midnight. My parents and the dogs were there to greet me and take me home. I have to say that staying at my parents' house is kind of weird. It's not the place I grew up in, nor the house they lived in for about ten years of my adult life (which had been my grandparents'), so I don't really feel connected to it. But my mom always makes an effort to make it fun and comfortable. She fixes up the spare room really nicely and has Kiehl's stuff in the bathroom. It's sweet.
Mom and I spent half the day on Friday at malls. We found a pretty cute dress at Nordstrom and had it taken in a little to fix some gappage issues. There was another dress I would have loved to have also, but I don't really need a nearly $200 silk tank dress for rambling around Laramie. Another weird but nice thing about going home is the sameness, even as new development goes up all around. We saw my favorite eyebrow/facial technician when we were at lunch, and all my favorite salespeople at the Northgate Nordstrom. We started at the closer, less satisfactory store, but ended up heading back to Northgate. There's something comfortable about shopping at the same department store I've been going to since I was a tiny kid.
It was nice not to have to spend the entire day shopping--I was pretty malled-out by noonish. On Friday evening, we chilled out at home, and Mom gave me a spa-style pedicure and manicure, which was amazing. Seriously, it was the same exact thing I've paid $70 for in the past. She even has a paraffin pot and all the same supplies as the spa.
On Saturday, I got to laze around a bit and then go over to see SJ, Pete, and Strudel! SJ made us an amazing green curry for lunch, and we sat outside and watched the chickens cluck around th yard. It was a nice visit and I was sad I couldn't stay longer. I then headed to Melanie's, where we got all dressed up and ran to Ballard to pick up the cupcakes from Cupcake Royale and take them to the wedding site. The wedding was lovely. I loved how relaxed and really personal and fun the whole thing was. I got to see lots of people I miss and just enjoy seeing my friends get married.
THEN, Mel and I got up on Sunday morning and drove down to Portland. We stopped on the way down for lunch at East West in Tacoma. Since Mel started working in Seattle, I have little reason to hit Tacoma, so it's been a while. The food was lovely and the weather was nice, making the rest of the drive even better. We hit Portland around 3pm, too early to check into the White Eagle. We poked around the neighborhood a bit, finding a cute coffee shop for the next morning, the Ethiopian restaurant for dinner later that evening, and the venue for the Old 97's show. Sadly, as it was Sunday, hardly anything was open.
After checking in, we went over to the Widmer Bros. brewery and tried the beer sampler. Vic met up with us for one more beer before we walked up the hill to dinner at Queen of Sheba, which was great. I had a chicken and mushroom dish that was so good I ate a little too much. Vic was able to score a ticket to the sold-out show, so the three of us were able to have a tiny MPHS class of '92 reunion all evening. The Wonder Ballroom is nice, so it really felt like a theater instead of a nightclub. But it was hot as heck in there, so I felt like my jeans were shrinking as I stood there. It would have been fun to hang out a while after the show, but it was late and Vic had to catch the train back to his hotel. How cool is it that he lives in PDX now!
On Monday, Mel and I hit the cute coffee shop for breakfast before beating feet back to Washington. We stopped in Olympia for lunch at the Spar, which was nostalgic for me. I haven't been there since I was a kid, but my grandpa used to take us there. I didn't realize it was a McMenamin's now, but I'm really happy about it. They've saved some really cool properties that might otherwise be long gone. After lunch, we wandered around the historic downtown a little and did some shopping at Compass Rose, which has a lot of the local indie arts and crafts I like. It was so hard not to buy one of Faryn Davis's pieces, which I've admired for a long time. Mel dropped me at Sea-Tac, which was awesome of her. That place is torn up right now. It was hard saying goodbye knowing she's heading for Oxford soon and I won't see her until we're both back in Seattle in August.
Travel home was just as annoying as it was on the way west. Again, very few lines, but inefficient and unhelpful staff. For some reason, all the security lanes were open, but every other metal detector was closed. So two lines of people had to merge together while their stuff went through different x-ray machines. It was a total c.f. My flight was delayed and I had a somewhat upsetting phone conversation while I waited at the gate. Then the luggage took forever to arrive at baggage claim, and by the time I drove onto the interstate, it was almost 10pm. My arrival in Laramie was pretty late, but I had a surprisingly okay time of it this morning.
I just know that while I'm ready to be back here in town for a good while, I'm really missing home. At the same time, I missed this place and the people here while I was away. I just wish coming back had been easier.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
we could drown ourselves in a flood of sunshine
It's so pretty today. I was walking back from A&S after lunch with Rick, and Prexy's was so green and the breeze and sun felt so nice. This is totally corny, but my internal soundtrack kicked in and The Posies' "Flood of Sunshine" played in my head.
I considered stopping and taking some pictures, but decided to just enjoy the moment. I did snap a few pics on the porch of A&S, and here's one that's not of Rick's bruised ankle.
Very nice. It should be a great evening for a baseball game.
I considered stopping and taking some pictures, but decided to just enjoy the moment. I did snap a few pics on the porch of A&S, and here's one that's not of Rick's bruised ankle.
Very nice. It should be a great evening for a baseball game.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
the weekend
It was as busy as ever this weekend. On Friday, I joined Peter and friends to help celebrate his one-year anniversary of living in Laramie. It's a big milestone, as I well remember, so going out for drinks is warranted. Only one photo survives from my own first Laramie anniversary, which might be a good thing.
On Saturday, Rick and I co-hosted a barbecue at my place. I don't spend a lot of time at home, let alone have people over, so it was kind of a nice change of pace. We had a good crowd of fun people and lots of tasty food. This picture cracks me up because Amye's getting swarmed by little girls.
The sunset was really pretty that evening, and I managed to snap a couple of shots. People stayed until dark, and seemed to have fun. I did, too.
Then, on Sunday, Peter came over and got my bike road-ready. We took a ride to the Greenbelt, which I didn't realize was so close to my place until Rick told me how to get there the other day.
We tooled around on most of it, but had to go around the section that's underwater right now. By the way, City of Laramie, you need to get some info up online. This is the only map I could come up with and it suxxx. It's nothing new, but I'm always aggravated because the city site is lame and unhelpful, and most businesses here lack even a basic website. Welcome to Laramie, where it's still 1995 in many ways.
Finally, I got to cap off the weekend with the home opener for the Laramie Colts on Sunday night. For two summers, I've been meaning to go to some games, but never got around to it. Baseball's fun, even when the opposing team has trouble fielding the ball. Laramie won over Greeley, 9-4. For once, I forgot to bring my camera because it wasn't in my purse as usual. I had to make do with my phone, which was no match for the safety net in front of us. Ah, well.
The end result of my weekend outside is below.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
new computer!
Hey, I almost forgot: I got a new computer at work. It's beautiful and I'm in love with it. One day before going to CALC was probably not the best time to have it installed, but I lived through not having a computer for most of a day, and I still got my notes together in time.
shiny new Mac
It's been a while since I had a Mac; I switched to Windows when I bought a laptop when I started library school back in 2002. The OS switch was motivated partially by the iSchool's recommended specs and mostly by sheer cheapness. The O.G. lime iMac I had then was seeming pretty slow by then, but I did write many papers on it, which are lovingly archived on the once-amazing technology called a zip disk. Then, all my jobs have had Windows machines and I just kind of stuck with it and now own three machines I wish I could trade in for one MacBook.
Anyway, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to play with all the software, but I can report that I made a presentation this week and the screen shots and other fussy stuff came together much faster with Grab than Printkey. Sorry, end dorky software talk. But I did play around with Photobooth, which I love. Unfortunately for my flickr friends, this will enable my self-portrait fascination. Expect many photos like the one below.
vanity
Now, if I could only remote desktop, I'd be unstoppable.
shiny new Mac
It's been a while since I had a Mac; I switched to Windows when I bought a laptop when I started library school back in 2002. The OS switch was motivated partially by the iSchool's recommended specs and mostly by sheer cheapness. The O.G. lime iMac I had then was seeming pretty slow by then, but I did write many papers on it, which are lovingly archived on the once-amazing technology called a zip disk. Then, all my jobs have had Windows machines and I just kind of stuck with it and now own three machines I wish I could trade in for one MacBook.
Anyway, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to play with all the software, but I can report that I made a presentation this week and the screen shots and other fussy stuff came together much faster with Grab than Printkey. Sorry, end dorky software talk. But I did play around with Photobooth, which I love. Unfortunately for my flickr friends, this will enable my self-portrait fascination. Expect many photos like the one below.
vanity
Now, if I could only remote desktop, I'd be unstoppable.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
summer?
So, it's been busy around these parts, even after the crazy tornadoes. We made it to Denver on Friday for CALC, and the panel and my presentation both went well. We got some good questions from the audience, which is always great. It was also fun just talking to people between sessions. For me, the day was kind of weird, because we missed the breakfast and opening keynote because we had to drive down that morning, then I was presenting in two of the three sessions. So I only got to attend the luncheon keynote and a program during the final session. It felt like I didn't get a lot out of the day, but I hope my stuff was useful to others. The session I did get to see was fun, though.
I thought I might have a pretty quiet Memorial Day weekend because everybody cleared out of town. But Peter got back from Rio on Saturday, and we drove out to Centennial for an early dinner at the Bear Tree, then drove into the mountains a little because the road was finally open. The snowdrifts are pretty huge. Then on Sunday, we drove to Ft. Collins for lunch and some shopping. I got my third new phone in a month, after the one I got the previous weekend malfunctioned and I couldn't dial a zero. I also got myself a pair of pants on sale.
Monday was pretty quiet, but after going to the grocery store, I ambushed Rick, who had just returned from Casper. Then Tawnya and Will called and suddenly, we had a little gathering for dinner, with Peter joining us in time to finish the game of Trivial Pursuit. That was nice, even though we were grilling on the porch while it rained.
I'm hoping for real summer weather this week and weekend, as I'm planning barbecue on Saturday, and I don't want to end up marooned inside. So I'm getting ready for that.
Loex of the West is next week, so I'm busily working on my program and trying to finish a paper to submit to the proceedings. I've never been to Las Vegas before, so I'm hoping to take lots of pictures and window shop at the fancy stores. Then I have a wedding in Seattle the following weekend, with the added bonus of the Old 97's show in Portland that Sunday. I expect to have my nose to the grindstone a little more than usual to keep up.
I thought I might have a pretty quiet Memorial Day weekend because everybody cleared out of town. But Peter got back from Rio on Saturday, and we drove out to Centennial for an early dinner at the Bear Tree, then drove into the mountains a little because the road was finally open. The snowdrifts are pretty huge. Then on Sunday, we drove to Ft. Collins for lunch and some shopping. I got my third new phone in a month, after the one I got the previous weekend malfunctioned and I couldn't dial a zero. I also got myself a pair of pants on sale.
Monday was pretty quiet, but after going to the grocery store, I ambushed Rick, who had just returned from Casper. Then Tawnya and Will called and suddenly, we had a little gathering for dinner, with Peter joining us in time to finish the game of Trivial Pursuit. That was nice, even though we were grilling on the porch while it rained.
I'm hoping for real summer weather this week and weekend, as I'm planning barbecue on Saturday, and I don't want to end up marooned inside. So I'm getting ready for that.
Loex of the West is next week, so I'm busily working on my program and trying to finish a paper to submit to the proceedings. I've never been to Las Vegas before, so I'm hoping to take lots of pictures and window shop at the fancy stores. Then I have a wedding in Seattle the following weekend, with the added bonus of the Old 97's show in Portland that Sunday. I expect to have my nose to the grindstone a little more than usual to keep up.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
weather weirdness
Confidential to my Laramie stalkers: you already know most of this story.
Okay, earthquakes are no fun, and I've only had to live through a couple of them, but at least you don't wait around for them. Living in Laramie continues to delight. Today, I walked out the front doors of the library on my way home for some late lunch. I stopped on the porch because it was pouring rain and the sky was dark and angry. Just as I was hesitating about walking the block and a half to my car (wearing flip-flops and a lightweight top), the tornado sirens began. As I headed back inside, everybody was being directed to the basement because of the tornado warning.
Crazy. I was luckier than most, because I had my office right there, but still unhappy because all I had on hand to eat was a granola bar and some candy. At least we never lost power. Rick's class was just about to start in the library classroom when the alarms went off, and he held class gathered around one of the study tables downstairs. Seems like most people down there were watching the weather cams and looking for updates. I tried to concentrate and get some work done, but it was hard. After a couple hours and some damage in town, the warning was lifted and the library closed. We took off downtown in search of food, but even the places with power were closed or closing. So Rick was nice and let me eat cold cereal at his house, which was out of power like most of town.
So, five of my colleagues and I were planning to leave for Denver this afternoon for CALC tomorrow. We tried to leave town at 6:oo, thinking the weather would be better, but me being late back to campus and a big hold-up at Burger King (one of the only places in town to get food) delayed us even more. I-80 was really slick with leftover hail, and filled with craziness. Then, near the summit, it was snowing and a thunder and lightning storm at the same time. So we turned back. I'm glad, because even before that, I was freaked. The power's still out at all my friends' places, but for once my inconvenient home in W. Laramie is a plus because I have power and, therefore, internet.
Oh, but it gets better. As I approached my house, I called a colleague who had gone down to Denver earlier. She said the skies there were grey, but the weather was okay. She had to drive through a mess to get there, though. I was still talking to her as I stepped out of my garage onto the walkway. Yeah, in flip-flops onto wet snow. I fell ass-over-tea-kettle and dislocated my shoulder. Because I'm a genius who talks on the phone while carrying a suitcase and looking for my keys. I was able to rotate my arm back into the socket, and it's just sore now. I'm still really cold from laying in a snow/rain puddle while I fixed my arm. Obviously, I can type, so I'll live.
We're planning to leave early tomorrow to get to CALC in time for my first presentation. Yeah, I have two. One of my two co-presenters for the morning panel is ill, so I really don't want to leave the other in a lurch if I can't make it. The afternoon panel is the six of us from my department, so if we can't make it, there will just be one fewer choice that hour. I hope it doesn't come to that, though.
Cass just called and reported that another tornado hit Cheyenne, so it's good we didn't drive right into that cf. As we were turning back to town, I called Rick on his way to Casper to see how he was doing. He said it was just raining, then he lost reception. I think he'll be fine, but it's still scary to have somebody out there on the road tonight. I know my parents (mostly Mom) were freaked out about me all day. It's hard for them to be so far away and watch the news without thinking the worst will happen. Mom thinks I'm going to get stranded and die out on some abandoned highway every time I travel. Or else I'll be eaten by a wild animal, die of hypothermia in the snow, or get nabbed by a random psycho killer-rapist. Now we can add getting sucked away by a tornado to the list of things likely to kill me in Wyoming. Sigh.
Where's my spring, dammit?
Okay, earthquakes are no fun, and I've only had to live through a couple of them, but at least you don't wait around for them. Living in Laramie continues to delight. Today, I walked out the front doors of the library on my way home for some late lunch. I stopped on the porch because it was pouring rain and the sky was dark and angry. Just as I was hesitating about walking the block and a half to my car (wearing flip-flops and a lightweight top), the tornado sirens began. As I headed back inside, everybody was being directed to the basement because of the tornado warning.
Crazy. I was luckier than most, because I had my office right there, but still unhappy because all I had on hand to eat was a granola bar and some candy. At least we never lost power. Rick's class was just about to start in the library classroom when the alarms went off, and he held class gathered around one of the study tables downstairs. Seems like most people down there were watching the weather cams and looking for updates. I tried to concentrate and get some work done, but it was hard. After a couple hours and some damage in town, the warning was lifted and the library closed. We took off downtown in search of food, but even the places with power were closed or closing. So Rick was nice and let me eat cold cereal at his house, which was out of power like most of town.
So, five of my colleagues and I were planning to leave for Denver this afternoon for CALC tomorrow. We tried to leave town at 6:oo, thinking the weather would be better, but me being late back to campus and a big hold-up at Burger King (one of the only places in town to get food) delayed us even more. I-80 was really slick with leftover hail, and filled with craziness. Then, near the summit, it was snowing and a thunder and lightning storm at the same time. So we turned back. I'm glad, because even before that, I was freaked. The power's still out at all my friends' places, but for once my inconvenient home in W. Laramie is a plus because I have power and, therefore, internet.
Oh, but it gets better. As I approached my house, I called a colleague who had gone down to Denver earlier. She said the skies there were grey, but the weather was okay. She had to drive through a mess to get there, though. I was still talking to her as I stepped out of my garage onto the walkway. Yeah, in flip-flops onto wet snow. I fell ass-over-tea-kettle and dislocated my shoulder. Because I'm a genius who talks on the phone while carrying a suitcase and looking for my keys. I was able to rotate my arm back into the socket, and it's just sore now. I'm still really cold from laying in a snow/rain puddle while I fixed my arm. Obviously, I can type, so I'll live.
We're planning to leave early tomorrow to get to CALC in time for my first presentation. Yeah, I have two. One of my two co-presenters for the morning panel is ill, so I really don't want to leave the other in a lurch if I can't make it. The afternoon panel is the six of us from my department, so if we can't make it, there will just be one fewer choice that hour. I hope it doesn't come to that, though.
Cass just called and reported that another tornado hit Cheyenne, so it's good we didn't drive right into that cf. As we were turning back to town, I called Rick on his way to Casper to see how he was doing. He said it was just raining, then he lost reception. I think he'll be fine, but it's still scary to have somebody out there on the road tonight. I know my parents (mostly Mom) were freaked out about me all day. It's hard for them to be so far away and watch the news without thinking the worst will happen. Mom thinks I'm going to get stranded and die out on some abandoned highway every time I travel. Or else I'll be eaten by a wild animal, die of hypothermia in the snow, or get nabbed by a random psycho killer-rapist. Now we can add getting sucked away by a tornado to the list of things likely to kill me in Wyoming. Sigh.
Where's my spring, dammit?
Monday, May 19, 2008
home again
Vacation on the coast was wonderful. We haven't taken a family vacation for a few years, so it was our first with my nephew. It was also the first trip in a long time where I felt truly relaxed. It was fun seeing West and how he's grown and changed since Christmas. At 15 months, he now walks and talks a little. My dad is his favorite person, and it's cool to see my dad in that role. His dad, my grandpa was my best friend when I was little, too.
Spending time on the water was exactly what I've been needing. One night we had a beach fire, and the mist from the ocean spray made my hair get even curlier. I forgot how huge my hair used to be when I lived in the humidity. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and tried to keep the sand out of our food.
Enjoying first s'more at the beach
The sunsets were lovely, and one evening we sat on the promenade and watched. I took too many photos, but it was cool.
Beautiful sky
Contemplating touching a hermit crab
Spending time on the water was exactly what I've been needing. One night we had a beach fire, and the mist from the ocean spray made my hair get even curlier. I forgot how huge my hair used to be when I lived in the humidity. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and tried to keep the sand out of our food.
Enjoying first s'more at the beach
The sunsets were lovely, and one evening we sat on the promenade and watched. I took too many photos, but it was cool.
Beautiful sky
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
rollin' along
Some of us went roller skating again last night. I think I've found my skating partners for the summer and beyond, which is pretty awesome. While I'm definitely rusty, I'm really having fun at the rink and am improving every time I go. Last night, I made my first attempt at skating backward, which I never even used to do as a kid. My crossover turns are still pretty awkward, partly because of the terrible floor condition and having to dodge children who aren't watching where they're going, but mostly because I just need more practice.
I'm considering using some of the stimulus package to buy a pair of skates. It would be nice to have some that really fit, and I wouldn't have to pay the extra couple of bucks to rent each time. But last night my rental skates were a little cooler than usual. Check out the Pac-man laces!
What I really should have been doing last night is finishing laundry and packing for vacation and/or working on my results and discussion sections of my paper. I'm flying back to the PNW for a vacation on the Oregon coast! Things I'm looking forward to: family, being at sea level, eating lots of seafood, walking on the beach, humidity, and not worrying about work (much) for a while week!
I'm considering using some of the stimulus package to buy a pair of skates. It would be nice to have some that really fit, and I wouldn't have to pay the extra couple of bucks to rent each time. But last night my rental skates were a little cooler than usual. Check out the Pac-man laces!
What I really should have been doing last night is finishing laundry and packing for vacation and/or working on my results and discussion sections of my paper. I'm flying back to the PNW for a vacation on the Oregon coast! Things I'm looking forward to: family, being at sea level, eating lots of seafood, walking on the beach, humidity, and not worrying about work (much) for a while week!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Cinco de Mayo
Tonight after class, Rick and I tried unsuccessfully to get some people together for drinks. Instead, the two of us had some dinner at the local Mexican restaurant. Cinco de Mayo is a weird holiday. Seems like most Americans think of it either as Mexican Independence (it's not) or an excuse to drink lots of cerveza and/or tequila (I guess it is). Today, all I could tell Rick is that I knew it was the anniversary of Mexico defeating the French in a battle sometime in the 17th century. So much for my education in world history, right?
I ate too much food and drank half a margarita. So, the evening was kind of tame, but okay. It was pretty nice to be home early, especially after a jam-packed weekend of shopping, barbequing, roller derby, too much driving, homework, and the Sunday evening movie (Persepolis). All of it was fun/good, but I'm tired.
I ate too much food and drank half a margarita. So, the evening was kind of tame, but okay. It was pretty nice to be home early, especially after a jam-packed weekend of shopping, barbequing, roller derby, too much driving, homework, and the Sunday evening movie (Persepolis). All of it was fun/good, but I'm tired.
Friday, May 02, 2008
stormy night
I just got home, after staying out way too late for a school night. I'm tired, but it's so windy that my whole house is shaking and the wind is whistling and rumbling so loudly I wonder if I'll be able to sleep. Garbage cans are banging around and something big just flew down the street. Storms are cool, but this one is kind of scary.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
rollin' rollin' rollin'
It's been a pretty great weekend. On Friday, Rick organized some roller skating. Wendy and Tawnya came, too, and we rocked Skyline Skate with our 30somthing powers of awesome. This time, I was almost able to do the crossover on the corners. I also got to practice my agility as I avoided running over tiny children just learning to skate, as well as some pre-teen girls who inexplicably sat down in a circle right in the middle of the floor. Man, I miss the Skate Inn and its army of whistle-bearing floor patrollers. They really kept things organized. Skyline is kind of a CF, with no adherence to skate etiquette at all.
Then on Saturday, skate-or-die weekend continued with a visit from the Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, who came to Laramie for an exhibition bout, the Contenders v. the Others. It was a little disappointing that so few people came out, but it was really fun. We screamed as loud as we could for our chosen team, the Others (in black). I hadn't ever seen the RMRGs before, but quickly picked out some gals to root for.
Of course I could not resist getting my picture taken with a favorite rollergirl, Annia LateHer, after the match was over.
I'm planning to go to next week's bout in Denver, too. Laramie people, are you ready to caravan down?
Then on Saturday, skate-or-die weekend continued with a visit from the Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, who came to Laramie for an exhibition bout, the Contenders v. the Others. It was a little disappointing that so few people came out, but it was really fun. We screamed as loud as we could for our chosen team, the Others (in black). I hadn't ever seen the RMRGs before, but quickly picked out some gals to root for.
Of course I could not resist getting my picture taken with a favorite rollergirl, Annia LateHer, after the match was over.
I'm planning to go to next week's bout in Denver, too. Laramie people, are you ready to caravan down?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Vic is in the house!
My birthday came and went and it was fun. I've been a terrible blogger lately and might or might not get back to those stories.
But the big news is that my pal Vic is in Laramie! I've known Vic since middle school, but I think we really became friends in 9th or 10th grade math class. Also, he made me laugh every day in College Prep English. It's been way too long since we lived in the same state and about a year since we've been able to hang out. He's on a western supertrip; Missoula to Seattle to Denver to Laramie. I'm glad he worked me into the big adventure. We have some fun stuff planned for the next coupe of days before he heads back to Montana.
I love it when people come to visit me in Laramie! It's not exactly in the neighborhood of anything else, so it can take some convincing. I need to figure out some fun stuff to do while Vic's here, but I'm not too worried. He has a lot of interests, so he's pretty easy to entertain.
Expect pictures!
But the big news is that my pal Vic is in Laramie! I've known Vic since middle school, but I think we really became friends in 9th or 10th grade math class. Also, he made me laugh every day in College Prep English. It's been way too long since we lived in the same state and about a year since we've been able to hang out. He's on a western supertrip; Missoula to Seattle to Denver to Laramie. I'm glad he worked me into the big adventure. We have some fun stuff planned for the next coupe of days before he heads back to Montana.
I love it when people come to visit me in Laramie! It's not exactly in the neighborhood of anything else, so it can take some convincing. I need to figure out some fun stuff to do while Vic's here, but I'm not too worried. He has a lot of interests, so he's pretty easy to entertain.
Expect pictures!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
more firsts
I was just saying that I've done a lot of things for the first time lately. Friday it was going to Saratoga to the hot springs. Rick and I went over after work, and it was a nice way to end the week. We ran into some friends of his while we were soaking (boiling) in the pool, which was a pleasant surprise. The water was hotter than I expected, but it didn't make me as tired as I thought it would. As a bonus, long car trips are fun, especially with a friend. I like the time and space to just talk about what's going on, both in our lives and in our heads.
Another first for me this weekend was snowshoeing. I don't do a lot of outdoorsy stuff because I don't know what I'm doing and I don't have the right clothes or any gear. But Melissa convinced me to give it a shot this afternoon, and I'm glad I did. She and the others were skiing while I was on snowshoes and it worked out nicely. I always underestimate myself, thinking I'll never be able to keep up or that I'll suck at that kind of thing. It felt great to be outside in the snow for a couple of hours, working hard enough that I was pretty hot and sweaty. I'm pleasantly sore in a couple of places now and wondering if I'll manage to get out and try it all again soon. I hope so.
Another first for me this weekend was snowshoeing. I don't do a lot of outdoorsy stuff because I don't know what I'm doing and I don't have the right clothes or any gear. But Melissa convinced me to give it a shot this afternoon, and I'm glad I did. She and the others were skiing while I was on snowshoes and it worked out nicely. I always underestimate myself, thinking I'll never be able to keep up or that I'll suck at that kind of thing. It felt great to be outside in the snow for a couple of hours, working hard enough that I was pretty hot and sweaty. I'm pleasantly sore in a couple of places now and wondering if I'll manage to get out and try it all again soon. I hope so.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
"it's complicated"
That's one of the Facebook relationship statuses available. The other day, I decided that maybe it really isn't that complicated, so I changed my status, forgetting that profile changes get published in the news feed. Friends have contacted me, wondering what's up. The answer is: nothing new. I'm just trying to describe things as they are, rather than how I'd been confusing them.
Life in general is busy and uncertain right now. I've been wanting to move closer to work for a while, and thought I had a plan and a roommate in place a few days ago. After some thought, and more honest assessment of the realities, that's not going to work out. It's cool. I'll stay put for a little longer and keep looking for a new place on my own. I felt a considerable amount of relief once we reached the decision not to move.
All sorts of plans I had are falling through, which is frustrating and disappointing, but I'll manage. I have to reassess what's important to me and go from there. I've been thinking a lot about my life here in this town that I'm starting to get to know. It's weird and isolated, and I sometimes want nothing more than to just go back to the coast, where it's safe and known and filled with friends and family. But sometimes it feels like home here, one I've actually made for myself. It's not perfect, but I'm trying.
Life in general is busy and uncertain right now. I've been wanting to move closer to work for a while, and thought I had a plan and a roommate in place a few days ago. After some thought, and more honest assessment of the realities, that's not going to work out. It's cool. I'll stay put for a little longer and keep looking for a new place on my own. I felt a considerable amount of relief once we reached the decision not to move.
All sorts of plans I had are falling through, which is frustrating and disappointing, but I'll manage. I have to reassess what's important to me and go from there. I've been thinking a lot about my life here in this town that I'm starting to get to know. It's weird and isolated, and I sometimes want nothing more than to just go back to the coast, where it's safe and known and filled with friends and family. But sometimes it feels like home here, one I've actually made for myself. It's not perfect, but I'm trying.
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