Day Off : J.P.'s Blog

Day Off

So finally (yesterday, today, and tomorrow) I have some time off.

Yesterday, I got to go snowboarding again. It was COLD, wet, sleeting, and I got stuck for 30 minutes or so (seemed like hours in the cold) on a chair lift because 4 people IN A ROW refused to get off the lift. (Normally this would not be too much of a problem, but in this case, this lift was A. NOT a detachable lift and B. was one where the chairs continue strait and then turn around 50 ft ahead and 15 ft in the air. As such, they have to hit the emergency switch when they see someone is still in the chair past the offload ramp (we could feel them do this several times from the middle of the ride). Sigh, I supposed it could have been worse though. I only got suck in the middle, those at the beginning had to wait even longer to get off since even after it started again, they had the entire lift ride ahead. Needless to say I was DONE after that. I got completely soaked from the constant sleet, I was freezing cold from the winds, and generally unhappy from the experience. So after coming down, I went straight for the fire pit (and noticed SEVERAL others from the lift there with me). I honestly hoped that there was a mechanical problem. At least then there would be an in-animate object to blame, and maybe even could have gotten some refund for my ticket. However, after finding it was the 4 jokers that would not come down, there was not much I could say or do. (Though I was surprised that the lift operator so quickly pointed the people out that caused the trouble. Of course, I wasn't going to approach them, but there were some pretty upset people. I could see someone else doing something.)

And just to prove I was there, here is a picture of me on the slopes. (Its really me under all that, I promise.)

Well, the good news of course was that I didn't get hurt. Even better news was that as far as I could tell, nothing seemed to be "different" because of my leg. Of course, I am not as good as I was a few years ago, but mostly I blame that on A. the weather, and B. the fact that I was not as in shape as I have been in the past. So I guess that just means I have to go more often now and get back into it. Though if I had my choice, I probably would rather not go on a day when it is so wet again.

Today so far (and probably the rest of the day) I plan on continuing to "move in" so to speak. Lots of things still need to be put away and lots of things to actually find a place for. Not to mention lots of laundry, dishes, etc. which need to get done. So, the zune is connected to the stereo, and right after I finish this, its off to more work. In the mean time though, here is one of my accomplishments for the day. If you remember I posted a picture of my so called "wine rack" in a post recently. Well, with some modifications, I have slightly changed it. But it has a spiffy new addition as well. The upper half is now an temperature controlled cellar. I had to take the glass door off, but that's ok. Honestly this is TOTALLY overboard, even for me, but its kind of fun...plus it was on sale at Target. So its not like I am a total wine snob yet.

While I am at it as well, I don't think I ever posted about my trip to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Well I was there with my parents the whole week of thanksgiving and got to see some neat places. There are probably 4 places I recommend going to while there. 1. Hoover Dam. This place is just awesome. Its amazingly large. 2. Go up the stratosphere on a clear (or slightly cloudy) day right before sunset. Take a tripod if you have one. The views (and photos) are amazing. 3. Zion National Park. Its a bit of a drive (its just across the border in Utah), but it is well worth it. I have some pictures from there below. 4. The atomic testing museum was amazing as well. (Though I think they went a bit far with the special effects in their theater.) I could have spent another hour there easily...but I was holding my parents back. They were not as interested as I was.

In general though, if you want my overall recommendation for Vegas during a holiday? My recommendation has to be no. There were so many people there, and while its not the busiest time, I am sure, there were more people there than for my taste. So without further delay, here are some of the pictures from my trip. (Including another VR-Panorama.)