???

Given the absolutely ABYSMAL conditions at Tahoe thus far this season, I've resorted to skiing runs in my head (it's a good way to pass the time while working out, that's for sure) as well as daydreaming about destination ski trips and accompanying après-ski festivities. I've also become really fixated on the idea of lounging, in my base layers and under a gigantic Mexican blanket, by a wood stove. I've never owned, let alone used, one of these blankets, so I don't know where this part of the image came from, but I won't be too upset if it comes to pass. 

Anyway, I'm starting to get genuinely worried... WHERE IS THE EFFING SNOW?! :(

"Blanket"

 

First day

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"

 
 

POW

Holy cow, it's December now! Brrrrrrr. I guess this means it's that time of year to... 

Go on powder watch! 
Check trail reports daily! 
Do the snow dance, all the time!

Please be kind to us this year, snow gods of Tahoe! :D
 

"pOw"

Xplosion

Step 1 is over, I'm a year older, I've moved into a new place, and I've finally started my fancy research position (which has quite quickly reminded me that I actually hate working)... whoa, it's an explosion of big events! To celebrate all this, I'm taking a step away from the pastel kick I've apparently been on: 

"Xplode"

P.S. After this, I'll also be done with my gratuitous and inexplicable use of the letter "x."

To friends

I've been here for almost 2 weeks! Hard to believe. There's really a ton to do in the city, and I'm so happy to have such great people to explore it with. Here's to friends, old and new!

"Amité"

Contours

Cartoon hearts are really lame, but playing around with their contours was actually a pretty interesting exercise. 

Cuuuuuurvy...

"Contours"

Cycling

A lot of people I know are really into road biking. This is something I will never understand, as I hate both biking near cars and driving near bikes. If there are any hills involved, forget it. The stress! The anger! The crotchal pain! And those leotard... costumes... You freaks.

Anyway, from the most unenthusiastic cyclist ever to the most hardcore one I know -- happy belated, R! 

"Roy"

Dots, stripes, what have you

A study in shape and texture.

"Along the dots"

Royal hues

Anyone who knows me even peripherally knows that I'm utterly obsessed with the color purple. I've got purple shirts, dresses, outerwear (including ski jacket), pants (including ski pants and trendy shiny pants), pajamas, handbags, jewelry, scarves, shoes (athletic and formal), socks, stethoscope, eyeglasses, water bottle, binders blah blah blah. I'll buy ANYTHING (even something as mundane as a piece of felt) if I'm attracted to the shade of purple it features. 

Naturally, I would really like a pair of purple skis. Pretty please.

"Violaceous"

The desert

That vacation went by fast... :(

The end of a lovely break has coincided with endless amounts of rain. Perfectly mirrors my anxiety and dread surrounding the next few weeks. At least this colorful take on the desert theme cheers me up a little. 

Q

"Desert angles"

Goat sounds

I saw some goats today! That vacant stare coming from their plastic-looking eyeballs is so amusing. :) 

It seems that lately, goats have experienced a surge in popularity: the "Goats Yelling like Humans" video; Taylor Swift's "Trouble: Goat Edition" (this version, in my opinion, far exceeds the original in both quality and catchy-ness); that goat-meat burrito I ate the other day. Weird.

Anyway, here's my belated homage to these noisy, funny-looking, kinda smelly, and sometimes cute animals.

Q

"The Bleat"

Splatters, stripes

This one's pretty straightforward -- I'm becoming steadily obsessed with the splatter effect! Also, I've been wearing lots of stripe-y clothes recently. 

Q

"Walk the Line"