Lunch Break

Here at the ski resort, we don't take lunch breaks. We take ski breaks! Today on my "ski" break, I went snowshoeing. I've never been snowshoeing before, and I found it to be pretty sweet, same goes for Annie, the friend who came with. Basically, it's hiking in the snow without constate post-holeing. Yes! One day I hope to give it a go in Estes Park.

Phew!

I lived; no worries.

Snowy Roads

I don't think that they salt the roads here. I'm planning to get my snow tires tomorrow morning, but that was almost (assuming all goes well on the drive home) too late. Do you know how much scarier it is to lose control of your car on a road with a sheer mountain drop-off on the side instead of a nice flat field? A lot. Don't worry, though, I made it through. My biggest concern is getting through that same area tonight in the dark.

Mystery

I have no idea why my post about my orientation at my new job is blank. I also don't remember what all I wrote, so I will just move on.

I have worked two normal-type days at my new job now, and I think that it is going to be good. Basically, I answer the phones and either answer questions, make reservations, or transfer the call. It's mellow. Soon, I will find out what I will be doing in my one day of fill-in work in a different department, maybe Monday. I get the impression that it will get more lively as the other departments start operating and more people are milling about. Also, getting some snow should add to the excitement because we get ski breaks and I'm sure I'll get some breaks while learning how to ski. I will then relate them to you with the most appropriate amount of sarcastic humor! Apart from work, I am just reading, crocheting and cooking. That is to say, life is good.
Actually, I did go out on Tuesday to take in some live music. I saw Bright Eyes and Eliza Gilkerson, who were both good. To my Bush-despising readers, I suggest checking out the song "Man of God" by Gilkerson. It's one of those funny/sad songs Bush seems to inspire with incredible ease.

I don't remember if I posted this earlier, but I have started listening to lectures and books on tape while I crochet. It is the best. I am about to check out a book about Sue, the T-Rex skeleton that was recently unearthed and was the subject of a big ol' custody battle of sorts.

Oh, one thing that I have been meaning to post is a little super-yummy vegan food discovery list.
non-dairy ice cream that actually has ice cream consistency:

It's made from nuts!

Soy "egg" Nog made by Silk, yum! My mom says that she hasn't found it in MI yet, but she hasn't looked at Whole Foods

Parsnips, who knew?

Earth Balance:

It's not butter.

Veganaise: How can something with such a disgusting sounding name be so good?

I've only tried the original

Orientation

Ayla Is My Hero

This post is just going to be some ramblings. You have been warned.

1. Ayla is my hero.
My mom told me this story about Ayla: She was at Boo At the Zoo in Potter Park (MSU territory) for Halloween with Cait and Herb. Sparty was there, too, hugging kids and generally doing the mascot thing. Ayla said, much to Herb's dismay, that she wanted to go see Sparty. They got in line; they waited. Finally, Ayla got her chance to give Sparty a big ol' hug. Sparty opened his arms, but Ayla opened her mouth and shouted, "GO BLUE!" You go Ayla.
Sidenote: Don't you all think that UM should have Wolverine from the X-Men as our mascot? Awesome.
2. I think Boulder is the only town in which you'll find a house with both its own private tennis court and a dilapidated 1960s-ear pickup in the yard.
3. Homeland Security is out of hand. I just got this letter regarding a credit card: We are writing to request your assistance in connection with your XXXXXXX account. During a recent review, we determined that additional personal information about you is required for our account records. The information is required under federal regulations governing credit card accounts issued pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act. Specifically we need the following information: Your Date Of Birth. etc etc etc. This is crap! First of all, I closed this account maybe two years ago. Second, AHH! I'm planning to call and refuse later today.
4. Last night at the house, it was windy. How windy was it!? It was so windy that THE WOODPILE BLEW OVER. That's right. And what's more, the woodpile is stacked against the house. Just think about that for a second. Now, compared to things that you would normally expect to blow away (leaves, tarps, flags, birds with outstretched wings) a log is pretty aerodynamic. Plus, it's heavy. PLUS, these logs were nested protectively against the wall of the house (which luckily remained intact). Debra says it's normal. We'll see.