Day In and Day Out
That seems to be the general theme for work at the current time. Everyone has heard it at some point and it more literally translates into "Same shit, different day."
But things have happened outside of work!
Christmas was spent in Lolo and New Years was spent at Schweitzer ski area in a shared condo.
I received some loner telemark skis and boots, so spent my two days at the ski resort trying to learn how to telemark. I figured that I would first get used to being on skis after nearly 15 years of riding a snowboard before getting instruction on exactly what I needed to do. Things went alright on the gentle slopes...because even though I have never telemarked, I basically grew up on cross-country skis and had my stint on alpine skis. The combination of those two skill sets got me into a pseudo-telemark pose and the turns started coming easier and easier. (But the first run took me an hour to get down.) I don't think I've fallen that much in years! Part of the problem are the two sticks you have to carry around as well as the two sticks that you willingly strap to your feet. When a fall occurs, all those loose ends wave around, hit your shins, come dangerously close to sensitive areas, drag on the snow, get stuck into the snow...and it all culminates into a lovely mass of legs, poles, arms, skis, goggles and stuff splayed out on the hill. Good fun.
It seemed like everyone had a comment or suggestion, which was welcome, but not entirely useful when my basis of understanding was almost nonexistent. When I got back after that, I read a book on how to telemark. I realized I was basically doing everything wrong, but I had the general idea down. Reading it caused me to say things like, "OH! That's why my tips cross all the time." "THAT'S why I can't initiate a turn!" "Don't drag your poles? What are you supposed to do with them?" But, it looks like I have enough thoughts running around in my head now to make some improvements the next time out.
Sarah enjoyed herself watching me fall and get tangled up. She's learning to snowboard but could whoop my butt going down the hill. So at the end of my last day, we decided to try another run. That went well until the very end, where it got steep enough for me to be extremely nervous...and was, of course, in clear view of the lodge and the lift. My legs were tired on top of that so I'd turn one direction and stop...turn the other direction and fall. Repeat literally hundreds of times. It was the first time in many, many years that I was scared of the steepness of a slope...but I eventually made it down to the lodge and called it a day.
Did I mention I was trying all this on a sprained ankle?
Yah.
But before you judge me, realize I gave it a good two weeks of light-duty work, so it held up...kinda. It feels much better now, still tender though...and I'm getting excited to go out and try this new sport again.
The trap league started up again and we shot our first set last Sunday. It's a great way to get out in the winter and blow off steam...not to mention it gets me out of the house so Sarah has some time to herself!
Other than that...been basically working and walking the dog. Those near-daily dog walks have helped me immensely! I will leave work in a fog of thoughts and emotions, grab Lucca, and head into the woods. An hour or two later it'll be getting dark, we'll be wet and muddy, and my head miraculously clears!
Some photos of said excursions:
Pretty dog
Lucca on the mudflats (feels, smells, and kinda looks like the ocean there.)
"someone should go mess with those ducks Tom"
The old barn is a captivating subject
Messing around
Lucca waiting patiently
Sarah getting it done!
Well, that's basically it for now. I'll try to get out and do something a little more interesting to write about.
But things have happened outside of work!
Christmas was spent in Lolo and New Years was spent at Schweitzer ski area in a shared condo.
I received some loner telemark skis and boots, so spent my two days at the ski resort trying to learn how to telemark. I figured that I would first get used to being on skis after nearly 15 years of riding a snowboard before getting instruction on exactly what I needed to do. Things went alright on the gentle slopes...because even though I have never telemarked, I basically grew up on cross-country skis and had my stint on alpine skis. The combination of those two skill sets got me into a pseudo-telemark pose and the turns started coming easier and easier. (But the first run took me an hour to get down.) I don't think I've fallen that much in years! Part of the problem are the two sticks you have to carry around as well as the two sticks that you willingly strap to your feet. When a fall occurs, all those loose ends wave around, hit your shins, come dangerously close to sensitive areas, drag on the snow, get stuck into the snow...and it all culminates into a lovely mass of legs, poles, arms, skis, goggles and stuff splayed out on the hill. Good fun.
It seemed like everyone had a comment or suggestion, which was welcome, but not entirely useful when my basis of understanding was almost nonexistent. When I got back after that, I read a book on how to telemark. I realized I was basically doing everything wrong, but I had the general idea down. Reading it caused me to say things like, "OH! That's why my tips cross all the time." "THAT'S why I can't initiate a turn!" "Don't drag your poles? What are you supposed to do with them?" But, it looks like I have enough thoughts running around in my head now to make some improvements the next time out.
Sarah enjoyed herself watching me fall and get tangled up. She's learning to snowboard but could whoop my butt going down the hill. So at the end of my last day, we decided to try another run. That went well until the very end, where it got steep enough for me to be extremely nervous...and was, of course, in clear view of the lodge and the lift. My legs were tired on top of that so I'd turn one direction and stop...turn the other direction and fall. Repeat literally hundreds of times. It was the first time in many, many years that I was scared of the steepness of a slope...but I eventually made it down to the lodge and called it a day.
Did I mention I was trying all this on a sprained ankle?
Yah.
But before you judge me, realize I gave it a good two weeks of light-duty work, so it held up...kinda. It feels much better now, still tender though...and I'm getting excited to go out and try this new sport again.
The trap league started up again and we shot our first set last Sunday. It's a great way to get out in the winter and blow off steam...not to mention it gets me out of the house so Sarah has some time to herself!
Other than that...been basically working and walking the dog. Those near-daily dog walks have helped me immensely! I will leave work in a fog of thoughts and emotions, grab Lucca, and head into the woods. An hour or two later it'll be getting dark, we'll be wet and muddy, and my head miraculously clears!
Some photos of said excursions:
Pretty dog
Lucca on the mudflats (feels, smells, and kinda looks like the ocean there.)
"someone should go mess with those ducks Tom"
The old barn is a captivating subject
Messing around
Well, the future keeps coming at a rapid pace and I have a long list of things I want to do! Despite the warm temperatures and rain, they say the ice is still really thick on Fernan. Time to break out the ice fishing gear and spend a little time out there. I have a palatable desire to go camping on the Clearwater...which is nearly a yearly trip...the desire is just coming a little early this year (I think probably because it feels like late spring outside right now.) I want to get back into my winter exercise routine and I have some new ideas for that which I'm excited to try. And yes, part of that is still about hiking with the dog...I just need to load down my pack and/or go up high to where I can use x-country skis or snowshoes. Always fun to look for hares while you're out. I'd like to throw painting back into the mix, but I can already feel that won't happen. We'll see. The big one is to start my first batch of home-brewed beer! Sarah got me the entire kit for Christmas, I just need to get it going. I can tell that will be a fun project, and even better in about a month from the initiation of the process!
And I mentioned before that I'd get some photos from Sarah's first Christmas tree expedition. Remember that it was about -20 degrees with windchill, but still a good day!
Lucca waiting patiently
Sarah getting it done!
Well, that's basically it for now. I'll try to get out and do something a little more interesting to write about.
posted by geotracker12 at 11:51 AM
1 comments
