A new Baby!

I found out a week or so ago that my sister is pregnant, and I couldn't be happier for her. I'm really hoping it's a boy because this family could use some manly blood a little bit closer since my Brother's brood is up in Oregon.

The weird thing is that her due date is almost exactly the same as it was with her first daughter, Ashley. Oh, and, she didn't even really try. She gave her husband "one shot" this whole year and apparently he wasn't shooting blanks.

So congrats to my Ughty and Michael. Please, please don't name the baby Tobias or Maximillion.

My favorite part was searching for javelina

Or possibly dissecting owl pellets. For those of you unfamiliar with Javelina, I've inserted a link. But, as usual, I'm digressing.

In fifth grade I had the coolest teacher ever, Mrs. Beauchat. She said her name meant beautiful cat in French, and with her glossy black hair and thin frame, I believed her.

I remember when the Challenger exploded, she sobbed because she brought in a little television so we could watch the launching. She was so proud of those teachers and the fact they were making history.

One day she took us out into the desert so we could explore, straining our eyes for quail, doves, javelina, and of course lizards! I loved that day with its freedom and heat and amazing scenery. The desert is remarkable with a musical quiet unlike any place I've ever been. That day, we crunched on the gravelly dirt, careful no to make a sound; hopeful to find a desert creature unaware that we were there. I brushed against a jumping cactus and refused to make a peep when it stuck its needles into my tender upper thigh. Too chicken to pull it out, I had to go to my archenemy Eric Roberts, because I knew that he would gleefully tear it out without taking his time which always made the pain more unbearable. He was nice that day though and removed the arm of the cactus without malice, or speaking.

Another time she let us dissect owl pellets and poke around digging for the grossest bits. She was amazing and I never felt as stimulated in my education as I did in that class. She believed that classroom learning was a supplement to life's education.

She started behaving strangely towards the end of the year, forgetting things and zoning out in the middle of class. One day my friend Paige was near her desk and noticed a bottle of pain killers in her purse, and got yelled at by our sweet teacher for snooping. We were shocked because she was normally so gentle and calm.

Later that year she got fired for having a drug abuse problem, and I wonder about her. If she missed us, why she was addicted to pain killers, how she found another job, etc. I wonder if she knows that even now I think she was the greatest teacher I had in elementary school and that I benefited from her lessons, viked out and all.

This calls for a fleece pants celebration!

Frick!

I just read Kirkwood's customized weather report for this weekend, and I don't want to ski somewhere that ranges between -3 and 16 degrees Farenheit. I just don't.

Even in the coldest of conditions (last week ~8 degrees) only my face and feet suffer, but my ninja face mask reduces the chill while conveniently allowing me to rob the Kirkwood General Store without being recognized. As for the feet, just call it a sacrifice to the ski gods and be done with it already.

It's supposed to dump tonight, which means the snow will be light, fluffy, and so cold it can lacerate my delicate skin immediately upon contact.

I don't want to ski where it's so cold,
but I want to ski.

Double frick!

Happy Birthday to my sweetest friend,

Did you know that your name means bitter?

I was looking for a segue, or something interesting to post about your name, or perhaps our history together, but found myself struggling with too many memories to count and no words that can adequately express my love, admiration, and appreciation for you.

Then I found out your name meant bitter, and really, of all the people I know who embody bitterness this is both the most paradoxical and fitting description of you I've ever come across.

In many ways you remind me of a child, with eyes full of wonder and awe. I'm fascinated by your belief in the good of people, your endless ability to reach out to someone who's hurt you, and your gentle vulnerability.

"That assbag just cut me off! Motherfucker!"

And then, with words like that, driving and talking on the phone (hands-free, of course) while sipping your Starbucks Frappuccino, I remember your zany Berkeley edge. You are networked to an entire community that spans oceans and time and strange Jewish camps. (Keetov, I believe?)

There are things about you I will never understand, like your love of condiments -- as dinner. And then, there are things that I will always love and get, like holding "handed" hands.

You understand me better than I deserve, I think, and I love you for it.

Thank you for reminding me that today was your birthday because you know I'm so bad about these things, which doesn't in any way diminish my love for you.

I love you.

J

Tonight...

because i love you,
we are having thai food.
Jen and i will pick it up from Sabieng
after you call and order.
i will bring it to you and feed you,
because i love you, and it's thai food, afterall.
:)

In the same way that monkey brains was a delicacy in the Indiana Jones trilogy

Now I'm all for eating weird things and experiencing something new, but this
is just too much.

Frankly, I just don't see the point in eating the genitals of a horse, ox, goat, or any other animal. Supposing the Chinese are using the rest of the animal for food or fur or fat, I support eating sex organs as a way to use _all_ of the animal, but the thing that really doesn't make sense to me is the outrageous amounts they are charging for you to eat fried nutsack with a dippin' sauce.

Whatever happened to artichokes? I just read on Wikipedia that the Chinese artichoke (which is not very similar to the Jerusalem artichoke but still tastes good) is used primarily for pickling.

So this is the land of pickled artichokes and fried nuts?

I admit I'm intrigued about the crispy scorpions, but the skinned puppies and horse balls are things I will probably avoid when visiting. Unless I'm in the presence of royalty and everyone else is eating it too.

Love the Phat!

If you can save yourself money in the long run, you have to spend money now.

At least that's how I'm justifying my new Phat Luv skis because the deal on them was unbeatable. Virtually untouched skis that are two years old and gorgeous! Not the icky pink ones that are out now, but blue ones, to match all my other blue gear that somehow keeps growing. Anyway, I've promised that there will be no more ski presents or purchases for myself for a while because I'm really trying to save for a house, but since I was planning on buying new powder skis next February, I figured that amount of money could be cut in half (or more!) in getting them now.

I am starting to get a small arsenal of skis! Woot.

Can't wait to try those suckers out this weekend.

My widdle baby's all growed up!

I missed my car's 10,000 mile anniversary because Nick was driving him to and from Kirkwood --- without me. Nick was redeemed when he called me to tell me to say Happy Birthday to Kirk.

1500 miles later, I have two cracks in my windshield from road debris carelessly (and mercilessly) tossed at my beautiful baby.

The trip was successful; Nick and I passed through multiple levels of screening virtually the entire time. We spent two days with my semi-invalid parents where we hung upside down from a traction machine, cooked dinner, and played with their behemoth of a dog, Bonnie.

Then it was another drive up to Oregon to visit Jon, Meghan, and Annie for a couple of days of life-with-a-child-up-north where we did crazy things like go to a 4H expo in a giant barn. Yes, there was a tractor, but this time Nick's closed fist around my collar prevented me from hopping in and getting us kicked out.

Ran up to Medford to say hello to the Brody, who as it turns out, is headed to Santa Clara for a Java convention/training seminar where he will not only be attending lectures, but will also be drinking heavily with his co-workers and his older sister. I can hardly wait since I've never actually been out drinking with my brother.

Zoomed back down to South Lake Tahoe where we rested the first day, attempted to get to Kirkwood the second day, and finally skied on the third. I jumped my first cornice and still kind of suck at skiing in powder, but it was super fun.

Drove through Sac to say hi to the Ughty and her kids and husband. They are begging us to buy a $429K house across the street from them.

Pictures to come very soon on Knownick, but I'll put a few up here so you guys can see the highlights!