View From the Lodge

I love WiFi.  Here I sit at the Holiday Valley lodge enjoying a cup of Starbucks, a terrific view and the knowledge that my son thinks I'm fantastic because I drove him and his buddies to snowboard today.  It is freezing outside so you know these guys must love snowboarding to deal with the bone chilling temperatures.  Much nicer sitting in the warmth and blogging.

I actually really like skiing and tried snowboarding last year.  It's difficult, especially for the person who has to lift me when I fall (thanks Scott).  See photo.  Not pretty.  Besides the fact that simply getting up on the board demands incredible abdominal muscles, falling is painful.  You fall either directly on your face or backwards on your tailbone.  I was sore for three days and only made it down the hill once!  But I plan on doing it again this year - although not today.

So what's the allure? It cannot possibly be the weather. My body shook walking from the car.  I  know its not how great it looks because I have never been so heckled.  "Nice job lady!  Get up Honey!"  Mortifying.  I think the feeling of freedom is enticing.  It's just you controlling the board (or not controlling in my case).  You do it right, you slide. You do it wrong, you fall ... and fall ... and fall again. I am guessing that the jumps give you a feeling of flying.

Trying something so physically challenging is also a major rush.  The ability to master this board, maneuvering around obstacles and swaying with the movement must be an amazing feeling.  Just thinking about it makes me want to brave the cold ...almost.  Plus I think if I could really get this, my son would elevate me on the coolness scale.  Could use that, might be worth it.

Maybe its just that I  love the outfits, which if you remember is the reason I enjoyed tennis so much.

I guess the boys have similar reasons for loving this sport, but may also thrive on the competition among their friends, the comaraderie and the risk. I'll ask them when they return. I know whenever my son comes back from boarding he is lighter - full of laughter with rosy cheeks and a sparkling eyes.  Don't think I had that sparkle, although the snow burn from using my face as a stopper, could account for rosy cheeks.

For  now, I will just enjoy the view.

I am not an animal person

Just about every morning, I wake up with my husband to walk the dog.  As we are walking the dog this morning, we hear someone yelling for "Lucy Girl". We are stopped by a guy in a taxi, with what looks like a german shepherd in the back seat.  He asked if we had seen a large pit bull who  "got away" from him. The guy was pretty concerned.  Worried about a lost, loved pet or nervous about being sued when his Kujo attacks someone.  Nice way to start the day.

We have a small cockapoo who was acquired to satisfy the needs of a toddler wanting a brother.  I am not an animal person and really have no relationship with this animal, outside of walking it and feeding it and taking it to the vet.  Our vet visits include the doctor and assistances talking baby talk to Jack (the dog).  On our last visit the vet stated he needed to have his teeth cleaned which would include anesthesia and a bill for about $750.  Hmmm, how about euthanizing him?  Wouldn't that be cheaper?  Ok, that was mean.  Did I mention I am not an animal person? None the less, my son loves him and after about 9 years I am getting used to him. He is kind of cute, especially now that he has stopped using my piano as a fire hydrant.

Back to point.  Jack has gotten loose on several occasions.  He tends to slip out when someone comes in the house and then gets disoriented.  We have fantastic people in the neighborhood who bring him back with a smile.  No real harm done.

But this is a small little dog.  Not a pit bull.  If you are going to have a killer dog, shouldn't you have a fail safe way to keep him locked up?  Over the past 6 months we have had three stray dogs in our yard.  The first experience was with the neighbor's beasts:  a  dobermein and shepherd.  My response was to stay locked in the house until they left.   Next was the St. Bernard.  An adorable dog who kept us trapped in the car, laying on the horn and screaming out the window until he moved and we could sprint to the back door to hide in the house.  The last was a three legged black dog who happened to enter the yard without me knowing.  A neighborhood runner saw the  dog and rang the bell to let me know "my dog" was loose.  Not my dog.  Back to barricade in house.

One of the reasons I moved into the city is because I am not a fan of wildlife.  Why has my yard become a dog hostel?  Not too mention the several neighborhood cats who frequent our koi pond, the blue heron  also likes the koi pond and the circus squirrels tightroping the phone wires.

I seem to attract animals indoors as well.  Both of my brother's dogs insist on sitting on me when I come over.  My sister-in-law's giant bird sent me into the fetal position with fear.  And even in my own house bats have chosen to visit.  Did I mention I am not animal person?

The way I see it I have two options:  learn to like animals or carry large amounts of pepper spray with me. UGH.

Happy New Year!

I love New Year's Day. It is that blank piece of paper before you write or that first day of school or that hiring interview.  Hopeful and full of possibilities.  My resolutions are in place and I have not broken any of them yet.  Off to a fantastic start.

I understand it is just another day and that I could wake up every single day with this attitude, starting anew  and full of potential. The issues still remain.  For people with health issues, they don't become better on the 1st and those with financial worries don't suddenly see $0 credit balances.  But we can choose to to put that stake in the ground today and say I will do all I can.  

We will err and basically screw up.  So expect it but don't dwell on it.  Pick a friend that you will plan to call when you fall.  She/he will help you forgive yourself and encourage you to go on.  Or maybe just laugh with you so you feel better.  Maybe even refer back to this blog to help you remember those hopeful feelings on New Year's Day.

Call me conventional, but I think there is something more stimulating and encouraging about a new year.  Almost like being pushed... no guided, into  a fresh new world.  You don't even have to think about picking a time and day to improve.  Here it is.  Brand new.

Happy 2010!