Last weekend, Tahoe got pounded with a ton of new snow. As the inches piled up, my excitement became overshadowed by agony -- there was really nothing I could do to take advantage of all the pow, as I was chained to SF by an important research deadline.
This past week, I obsessively checked the weather reports and lift statuses for Northstar/Heavenly/Kirkwood multiple times every day, my eyes bulging with anxiety and anticipation each time I refreshed a page. Things didn't look promising, but I hightailed it to Kirkwood at the first opportunity anyway.
And boy, was it worth it! Despite the fact that there were only 3 lifts open, I found a super fun and challenging mogul line to hit over and over again (my legs are currently jello). While exploring the woods and gullies, I came across a fair amount of deliciously untracked pow as well. :) I didn't have my Parlor skis with me (they're still without bindings), but my new Fischer skis really delivered -- I got my ski legs back way sooner than anticipated. First day of the 2013-14 ski season = huge success!
Now, behold: my artistic interpretation of the mogul line that's rendered me pretty much immobile:
 |
| "Kirkwood" |
A study in shape and texture.
 |
| "Along the dots" |
I'm trying to juggle so many things right now. Everything's a colorful blur -- it's like looking through a kaleidoscope!
 |
| "Kaleidoscope" |
I have an exciting announcement to make soon! I've been dying to share, but wanted to wait until everything was in place.
Here's a hint... it has something to with birds...
Stay tuned!
 |
| "Bird brain" |
I keep forgetting that I don't get a real summer break... The sun is out all the time now, and it's really warmed up a lot! Such pretty blue skies, too. I hope the weather stays this nice come mid-August, when I'm finally free. Yeah, right, as if -- it's going to be disgustingly humid and suffocatingly hot, but oh I remember... none of that matters, because I'll be OUTTA here! So ready to go experience some real city life. :)
 |
| "City slicker" |
I'm feeling a little winter-y this cold, dark morning. Well, I imagine that it's cold (because I'm depressed to be up so early) -- I'm waiting until the last possible minute to step outside.
 |
| "Black flakes" |
To me, the woods are endlessly revitalizing -- in the spring, they offer up some of my favorite hiking trails; in the summer, they turn into a refreshing, cool refuge; in the fall, they become giant blankets of the most beautiful autumnal hues; and finally, in the winter, they accumulate the snow that's most fun and rewarding to ski through. As much as I love skiing, it's really hard to pick which version of the woods I like best...
 |
| "Into the woods" |
I often feel blah about my wardrobe. I'm one of those people who buys an item of clothing and forgets about it if I don't wear it within 5 days of purchase. This puts me in an endless loop of lamenting my lack of fashionable clothes followed by some impulse purchases followed by temporary sartorial satisfaction. Emphasis on temporary.
The most recent of my misguided fashion finds was a cute black blazer liberally splattered with bright flowers. It's definitely THE most colorful staple I own now, and I quite honestly was scared to wear it at first. It's just so loud and borderline tacky! However, I've come to love it and have worn it multiple times and feel crazy enough about it to have churned out these skis.
 |
| "Spring Fever" |
I've yet to use a more muted palette, so I thought it'd be nice to branch out a bit. Plus, it was really fun to play around with the spray paint effect!
 |
| "Aerosol" |
My brain can't possibly hold any more information. All the neurons in my head are fizzing feebly in protest. Can it please be spring break already?!?! Gah.
At least the weekend is here -- cheers to that!
Q
 |
| "Neurotoxicity" |
It's the weekend! Time for leisure, in theory. While I don't have much time for that nowadays, I do like to think of the things I would do and places I would go if I led a more freewheeling life. A life in Paris, for instance. My, those few weeks I spent there were some of the most leisurely ones I've ever had. Fresh croissants and madeleines and creamy whole milk (I don't think skim milk exists in France) in the morning, lunch on the benches of Place des Vogues, fist-sized macarons devoured as snacks....
Le sigh.
Q
 |
| "Paris, Je T'aime" |
