It's been a while since I've blogged. It would be sad and hopefully unbelievable to think that was just because I had nothing interesting to share. It would be equally unbelievable if I couldn't "rant" about something, I'm decent at that.
But the truth is, life has been cruising along with definite ups and downs but all in good stride. The last week or so we've been blessed with great snow, all in good time for my friends Molly and Seth to enjoy.
And then back in January, skijoring entered my life, and McCarthy's. Skijoring ('skē-jȯr-iŋ) is a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog (or dogs) or a motor vehicle. I chose my 62 pound chocolate lab and I was certain, if he could harness his energy and focus on this task, he'd be pulling me around like a madman! And that was it, he was a maniac and did so well. It was I who needed cross-country ski lessons to get "the hang of it". We had a blast and I look forward to the next time we can skijore!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, December 5, 2008
Strep Throat to Make You Get An Attitude Adjustment
So after a 48 hour bout with strep throat that the strep was winning, I lunged off my couch to my new found freedom. Is it just me or through the humbling process of sickness, do individuals appreciate life more? We were chatting about being sick at work just yesterday and a co-worker of mine was just revelling in the fact that come Monday, she would have her license once again. She commented that she would easily go 365 days being sick but this last year of her life without her license has been unbearable. Hmmmm, not sure if I myself would chose the "be-sick-for-a-year" route but....I'll get back on track.
My case right now is that being sick does have its benefits as you'll see, perhaps a change in perspective, like an attitude adjustment. I always have liked what the Bostonians call Happy Hour, Attitude Adjustment Hour.
As I was saying, I lept off the couch this morning with my new found fervor. I had the energy to cook breakfast, walk my dog, and do other things I could not bear to do a mere 12 hours prior. So I sauntered into the street where my dog and I play ball. My neighbor was out on the steps in front of our apartment building and mentioned how put off she was that the free bus was only running every 40 minutes to our street. Ahem! My new found appreciation for life was not going to be shattered by this lousy surly lady's "I-got-up-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-bed" attitude. She then proceeded to ask with a snarl in her tone, "When are they going to go on the winter schedule anyway?"
Ok, backup and let's look a little more closely at this lady's gripes. We live in Vail, Colorado and are privy to a free Town of Vail Bus System, more on the magnitude of this later. In the winter, there are more people going and to and fro, with skis, out to dinner and into town. So in turn, the winter bus schedule notoriously runs more buses, maybe a bus every 1/2 hour versus every 4o minutes. Right now, there aren't many tourists in town (though the snow is great!) so they don't switch to the more robust schedule until close to Christmas.
Trying to stick up for the town and the bus system I appreciate I add, "I imagine since there are not a lot of tourists in town right now, they can't afford to run the bigger and better schedule." That ticks her, "Figures, locals are the last people the town thinks of", she adds. Not trying to add fuel to her raging inferno I tell her something I read recently, "They are actually considering abbreviating the regular bus schedule in the winter months a little bit to save money." I think I heard a huff out of her after my last remark. At this point in my life, the proverbial cup is overflowing and I guess my obnoxious optimism is too much for her. I continue, "They could charge us for the bus, at least they don't do that", but that doesn't bring her around. I guess when someone wants to be a Debbie-Downer, they will be one.
So let me paint you a picture of how unappreciative this lady really is being. The Town of Vail I believe has the largest free bus system in the country, maybe even in the world. It runs a myriad of routes - East Vail, Sandstone, Golf Course, West Vail Green & Red. Out of those 5 lines that I mentioned which is the abbreviated schedule for the summer months, 3 of the lines run from 6am to 2am. In mid-December they change to a more robust schedule as I mentioned. It is a wonderful service and I thankful for it. It keeps me from drinking and driving, from paying $20 a day at the parking lots, and it helps me in adverse road conditions. I guess Sally Sunshine is too damn happy about the free bus system and her ability to get off the couch. Maybe Debbie-Downer needs an attitude adjustment!
My case right now is that being sick does have its benefits as you'll see, perhaps a change in perspective, like an attitude adjustment. I always have liked what the Bostonians call Happy Hour, Attitude Adjustment Hour.
As I was saying, I lept off the couch this morning with my new found fervor. I had the energy to cook breakfast, walk my dog, and do other things I could not bear to do a mere 12 hours prior. So I sauntered into the street where my dog and I play ball. My neighbor was out on the steps in front of our apartment building and mentioned how put off she was that the free bus was only running every 40 minutes to our street. Ahem! My new found appreciation for life was not going to be shattered by this lousy surly lady's "I-got-up-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-bed" attitude. She then proceeded to ask with a snarl in her tone, "When are they going to go on the winter schedule anyway?"
Ok, backup and let's look a little more closely at this lady's gripes. We live in Vail, Colorado and are privy to a free Town of Vail Bus System, more on the magnitude of this later. In the winter, there are more people going and to and fro, with skis, out to dinner and into town. So in turn, the winter bus schedule notoriously runs more buses, maybe a bus every 1/2 hour versus every 4o minutes. Right now, there aren't many tourists in town (though the snow is great!) so they don't switch to the more robust schedule until close to Christmas.
Trying to stick up for the town and the bus system I appreciate I add, "I imagine since there are not a lot of tourists in town right now, they can't afford to run the bigger and better schedule." That ticks her, "Figures, locals are the last people the town thinks of", she adds. Not trying to add fuel to her raging inferno I tell her something I read recently, "They are actually considering abbreviating the regular bus schedule in the winter months a little bit to save money." I think I heard a huff out of her after my last remark. At this point in my life, the proverbial cup is overflowing and I guess my obnoxious optimism is too much for her. I continue, "They could charge us for the bus, at least they don't do that", but that doesn't bring her around. I guess when someone wants to be a Debbie-Downer, they will be one.
So let me paint you a picture of how unappreciative this lady really is being. The Town of Vail I believe has the largest free bus system in the country, maybe even in the world. It runs a myriad of routes - East Vail, Sandstone, Golf Course, West Vail Green & Red. Out of those 5 lines that I mentioned which is the abbreviated schedule for the summer months, 3 of the lines run from 6am to 2am. In mid-December they change to a more robust schedule as I mentioned. It is a wonderful service and I thankful for it. It keeps me from drinking and driving, from paying $20 a day at the parking lots, and it helps me in adverse road conditions. I guess Sally Sunshine is too damn happy about the free bus system and her ability to get off the couch. Maybe Debbie-Downer needs an attitude adjustment!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Etiquette This...
So I have been cordially invited to my sister's wedding. The portion I need to return is a small envelope with some small writing and then a large spot I think for some words I have to scribe. Oh great. This happened last year when I got invited to a wedding and I had to summon Ann Landers, or Abby Tierney (my mom) to help me. I'm going to try to do it all on my own this time... except my first inquiries online haven't been successful. Help!
So far I've come across a fascinating tutorial about how to use titles on invitations and have been forewarned that inner and outer envelopes get addressed differently - don't be fooled! And of course I've learned that the words honor and favor are spelled honour and favour in the wedding world. And don't even think of not spelling out a numerical street - like 12th Street, needs to be fully spelled out - Twelth Street. But as for what to put on that looming space, I can't figure it out.... Guess I'll have to phone Abby.
So far I've come across a fascinating tutorial about how to use titles on invitations and have been forewarned that inner and outer envelopes get addressed differently - don't be fooled! And of course I've learned that the words honor and favor are spelled honour and favour in the wedding world. And don't even think of not spelling out a numerical street - like 12th Street, needs to be fully spelled out - Twelth Street. But as for what to put on that looming space, I can't figure it out.... Guess I'll have to phone Abby.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Uninvited
Where are all the romantics these days? Or are so many people jaded by bad relationships that they never open up again? A friend tells a story about a guy who got burnt so bad one time (10 years ago), he hates chicks. Wake up and smell the coffee! We've all been burned, and if you are going to go into your soliloquy, I'll add the greatest comedy of the summer for me.
Recently, I was invited by Kevin to a Police concert down at Red Rocks in Colorado. I've visited the amphitheater before but never have heard a live concert there. So upon getting invited to the concert, I was ecstatic. The gentleman (and I use that term loosely) who asked me to the show was a friend. At some point in our friendship I think we were interested in each other. However, Kevin was in a relationship, which he said he wasn't happy in. I didn't want to get involved in that and truthfully was surprised and saddened to hear about a person in an unhappy relationship who wouldn't do something about it. And that being said, it made me realize that I wasn't interested in someone who doesn't do something about an unideal situation. So our friendship stayed at friendship and romantic interests on my side waned.
And then he and his girlfriend broke up. Calls from him became more abundant: he it seemed was ready to pursue a romantic relationship with me. Like I said, I had already for the most part categorized him as a friend. And then there was the invitation to the Police concert. And oh yeah, that sounded great. To be fair, I was a bit hesitant and cautious - would I be sending out the wrong signals? So in an effort to keep it plutonic, I offered to buy my own ticket but he said it was his treat. Looking back, my friend Jim would suggest, that's where I went wrong.
Continuing, I was quite excited for the concert. The day prior I was telling a co-worker Shawn(actually taunting him) that I had a ticket for the show. Perhaps my gloating brought my downfall too. After work Shawn and I went over to Kevin's house. We were talking about the concert that loomed ahead. Shawn not only liked The Police but was a large fan of Elvis Costello who would be joining The Police. Shawn thought, "Hey wait a minute, I'd love to go too, we could all go together." Shawn getting a little bit too excited even offered, "I can drive and we can all sleep in the back of my truck."
Well apparently Kevin had other ideas about how the night would unravel, and spending it with a 3rd wheel and then sleeping in the back of a truck with that 3rd wheel wasn't going to happen. Quickly, Kevin's demeanor had switched as he was angrily saying to me, "Hey, this was supposed to be a date, just you and me. But if you want this joker to come, just go with him. I'll invite someone else." And at that, he whips out his wallet in search of another girl's number. Whew, that all came out of left field.... Ok, ok, it was just an idea. I try to settle Kevin down, "You and I are going together. Maybe we'll see Shawn down there." As the night progressed, or digressed should I say, I said to Kevin, "It seems like this is a bigger deal to you than me, the part about us going together, so you need to know, I'm not interested in you romantically." (Especially after your little tantrum). So I offer, if you feel more comfortable inviting someone else, go for it, I totally understand. He insists, "No, let's go as we planned, even if it is just as friends but I don't want your friend coming." Ok, ok....
So the rest of the night was tense to say the least. I head home, only minutes later to get a text from Kevin saying - Date is off! No way, you don't "uninvite" me via text message so I call him up, try to make him be a man about it. "Yup", he says, "I got to do what I got to do". Fine, fine, like I really wanted to go with him anymore anyhow.
You would think that would be the end of it, but no, Kevin calls me the next morning and reinvites me. He admits he may have been short and overreacted so if I still want to go, let's go. Are you kidding me? Though I still wanted to go to the concert, no way chump, no thanks, beat it.
So that's my story of men's attempts to try to jade me. But I will not be jaded! In fact, I was accused of falling in love in 2.2 seconds just yesterday. And heck, I'd rather be accused of that than being a jaded human.
Recently, I was invited by Kevin to a Police concert down at Red Rocks in Colorado. I've visited the amphitheater before but never have heard a live concert there. So upon getting invited to the concert, I was ecstatic. The gentleman (and I use that term loosely) who asked me to the show was a friend. At some point in our friendship I think we were interested in each other. However, Kevin was in a relationship, which he said he wasn't happy in. I didn't want to get involved in that and truthfully was surprised and saddened to hear about a person in an unhappy relationship who wouldn't do something about it. And that being said, it made me realize that I wasn't interested in someone who doesn't do something about an unideal situation. So our friendship stayed at friendship and romantic interests on my side waned.
And then he and his girlfriend broke up. Calls from him became more abundant: he it seemed was ready to pursue a romantic relationship with me. Like I said, I had already for the most part categorized him as a friend. And then there was the invitation to the Police concert. And oh yeah, that sounded great. To be fair, I was a bit hesitant and cautious - would I be sending out the wrong signals? So in an effort to keep it plutonic, I offered to buy my own ticket but he said it was his treat. Looking back, my friend Jim would suggest, that's where I went wrong.
Continuing, I was quite excited for the concert. The day prior I was telling a co-worker Shawn(actually taunting him) that I had a ticket for the show. Perhaps my gloating brought my downfall too. After work Shawn and I went over to Kevin's house. We were talking about the concert that loomed ahead. Shawn not only liked The Police but was a large fan of Elvis Costello who would be joining The Police. Shawn thought, "Hey wait a minute, I'd love to go too, we could all go together." Shawn getting a little bit too excited even offered, "I can drive and we can all sleep in the back of my truck."
Well apparently Kevin had other ideas about how the night would unravel, and spending it with a 3rd wheel and then sleeping in the back of a truck with that 3rd wheel wasn't going to happen. Quickly, Kevin's demeanor had switched as he was angrily saying to me, "Hey, this was supposed to be a date, just you and me. But if you want this joker to come, just go with him. I'll invite someone else." And at that, he whips out his wallet in search of another girl's number. Whew, that all came out of left field.... Ok, ok, it was just an idea. I try to settle Kevin down, "You and I are going together. Maybe we'll see Shawn down there." As the night progressed, or digressed should I say, I said to Kevin, "It seems like this is a bigger deal to you than me, the part about us going together, so you need to know, I'm not interested in you romantically." (Especially after your little tantrum). So I offer, if you feel more comfortable inviting someone else, go for it, I totally understand. He insists, "No, let's go as we planned, even if it is just as friends but I don't want your friend coming." Ok, ok....
So the rest of the night was tense to say the least. I head home, only minutes later to get a text from Kevin saying - Date is off! No way, you don't "uninvite" me via text message so I call him up, try to make him be a man about it. "Yup", he says, "I got to do what I got to do". Fine, fine, like I really wanted to go with him anymore anyhow.
You would think that would be the end of it, but no, Kevin calls me the next morning and reinvites me. He admits he may have been short and overreacted so if I still want to go, let's go. Are you kidding me? Though I still wanted to go to the concert, no way chump, no thanks, beat it.
So that's my story of men's attempts to try to jade me. But I will not be jaded! In fact, I was accused of falling in love in 2.2 seconds just yesterday. And heck, I'd rather be accused of that than being a jaded human.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Road Trip
Life off the road continues to be a whizzing good time. Being settled here in Vail, now I plan vacations and get outrageously excited about road trips. I write this because I am off on an adventure in a couple of days. I am going to head to Crested Butte, dog in car, bike on car, me in car, and great scenery abounding outside of car. Been advised that Cottonwood Pass is open, yeehaw! Can't wait to drive that road. Hoping for some great weather in the Butte so I can mountain bike with my d-o-g, McCarthy.
Speaking of McCarthy, McCarthy was in the Vail Teva Games just a few weeks ago. He was supposed to jump into a pool real real far and win great big prizes. The little turkey got stage fright, jumped off the stage and then tried to get into the pool from the exit ramp - cheater. This is what McCarthy got at the end of the day- a first place medal in the "Dogs who wouldn't jump category" - yeah boy!
Speaking of McCarthy, McCarthy was in the Vail Teva Games just a few weeks ago. He was supposed to jump into a pool real real far and win great big prizes. The little turkey got stage fright, jumped off the stage and then tried to get into the pool from the exit ramp - cheater. This is what McCarthy got at the end of the day- a first place medal in the "Dogs who wouldn't jump category" - yeah boy!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Epic Year
What a year! Vail now boasts a 75 inch mid-Vail base, usually it's more like 40 inches. It has been an incredible winter! And guess who won a pair of skis today - me! Quite a bit of luck involved. I work one day a week at the Lionshead Information Booth and truth be told, when there's new powder on the slopes, I begrudge it quite a bit.
Lo and behold, I was asked to work at the Vail Information Booth for the first 1/2 hour today. As I was leaving to switch to Lionshead, I walked outside, came upon the Plum TV Channel 16 Local TV station and they were about to commence a snowball throwing contest. Now I've always shyed away from softball, football, anything that clearly demonstrated how I throw like a girl. I was indeed worried I'd make a fool of myself but skis were at stake. There were 5 other contestants, I was the victor!
I walked away with a new pair of Liberty skis, skis a buddy Robert had been grinning from ear to ear about since he bought a pair this winter. So seredipitously, what a day! And to boot, it's still snowing which hopefully means I can test out my new skis tomorrow!
Thanks for the white gold....
Lo and behold, I was asked to work at the Vail Information Booth for the first 1/2 hour today. As I was leaving to switch to Lionshead, I walked outside, came upon the Plum TV Channel 16 Local TV station and they were about to commence a snowball throwing contest. Now I've always shyed away from softball, football, anything that clearly demonstrated how I throw like a girl. I was indeed worried I'd make a fool of myself but skis were at stake. There were 5 other contestants, I was the victor!
I walked away with a new pair of Liberty skis, skis a buddy Robert had been grinning from ear to ear about since he bought a pair this winter. So seredipitously, what a day! And to boot, it's still snowing which hopefully means I can test out my new skis tomorrow!
Thanks for the white gold....
Friday, January 4, 2008
Can You Find Me a Deal?
What's with people, everyone wants a deal, and to boot, in Vail. Maybe someone can kindly explain how travelers can come to Vail, Colorado, a premier skiing destination, a mere days after New Years and expect to saunter into the info booth and secure #1 a room and #2 a cheap room? But since I hope someone would be dutiful should I be in the same situation (I wouldn't be though), I do my best, I call around and try to find a "deal" for them. But some people can't be pleased.... $279/night during one of (if not the) busiest weeks of the years isn't good enough... beat it chump, and stay warm! And while I'm dispensing advice, try the internet before you leave your house next time....
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