Reading (For Dummies)

Winter Setting In

We had the first snowfall of the year last night. At least it was a more enjoyable experience than I last remember it. I was suffering from insomnia, sitting in the hot tub, as flakes came down...occassionally annoyingly at the spot on my head where the hair is too thin, but all in all a good time.

David is back, too

We're all somewhat shocked to see David back in town from his home haunt of Cesky home of Znojmo. We had a little celebratory dinner, but I haven't had the time to do anything trip-wise for his two weeks here.

I generally tout that I haven't had a bad day in at least 8 years...lately I've been coming close. Work is still kicking my butt, with 7am-6pm funness, followed by barely enough time to eat before other obligations begin at 7pm Tuesday thru Thursday, with just enough time to get home, prepare a lunch for the next day, and get to sleep. I've been thinking about it a lot today, and it seems that work isn't the fun-killer that I'm labelling it as, it's everything else. Humans need downtime, and so does this one. Answers are always easy once the problem is known...

Brushing with a Vengeance

Work has had me stressed out. I haven't been stressed out since I was in high school, back before I discovered girls. Like Rincewind, when trouble calls, I generally run away. Destination: New Paltz.

Jonas, checking out my dad's house from the Near Trapps. Her face was glued to the camera all weekend.

My dad's 59th birthday was Wednesday of last week, and we were going to go down then and celebrate. My boss needed me in late Wednesday, though. And Thursday morning. And Thursday afternoon. I finally gave my boss the finger, took my overdue vacation time, and we got out of town on Friday afternoon sometime. Getting to New Paltz was half the battle. Fortunately, Jonas was making a documentary of our trip, which kept me at least mildly amused through my failing memory of how to get around the Catskills backroads.

The main road from New Paltz to Gardiner was...well...wet...

The Wallkill river decided to flood its banks after 9 days and something like three feet of constant rain. Bridges were closed, and USGS was out taking water flow measurements. Sad, but higher bridges were available, so we could at least get to my dad's house, even if it did take a bit of extra time.

Since the cliffs were wet on Saturday, we just did a mofo dayhike over the Nears and way out to Millbrook (where my dad's house is), then down into the west valley and back out to the Mohonk Preserve. Saturday night was the climbing film fest at SUNY New Paltz. Sunday...well, Sunday was the best part of the story.

Joel belaying Stephen on Tipsy Trees/Minty

We did the same old climb, including much of Minty. I didn't feel nearly as nervous climbing this time, which means I have to get out of this 5.4 rut I've been in. Harder stuff is in order, for sure.

This old dude soloed the same route we did, sans shoes and rope. Yeah, I feel like a wuss.

Critical Mass-ive

Syracuse has joined Rochester in having a critical mass ride. As the story goes, Syracuse City Hall scoped out and approved over 40 miles of bicycle lanes in the city and burbs, and has only built a measly mile.

Needless to say, the bikers are pissed

Over 150 people joined the ride (check out my silent movie clips of the riders here), shutting down traffic along Comstock ave, Euclid, East Colvin, and Nottingham roads. Kind of lame, I think the next ride needs to head downtown Clinton Square/Armory Square/etc during rush-hour. Still, it was an impressive initial turnout, far bigger than its Rochesterian counterpart.

Now we just have to keep up the momentum...

Entropy Takes Hold

It's been a struggle to stay afloat the last couple of week as the universe's more potent force seemed to dictate the goings-ons. My neighbor (whichever one it is, but the keeper of the wireless network "ABH") decided to move his/her wireless access point some time ago, making it impossible for me to establish a connection with my laptop anymore. I've finally gotten back online, through a method that I may detail later...

Accentuating the postive: hosting a sushi dinner at my house

The bad news of the week seemed to hit all on Wednesday: my new glasses broke (somehow a titanium weld fell apart), the muffler fell off my truck without warning, and I did a 'not good' job on my first dry-run for the SAB. Funny that I've still had this way of looking at life with a smile on my face, even when the e-room started falling apart Wednesday night...

What would I do without water?

Life hasn't been all breaking and losing lately, which I suppose has something to do with the positivist view. Last weekend I got to do a little paddling around on the Seneca river near the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Chugging the whitewater boat around on the flat was actually really nice, and a really nice workout. I've been considering buying a boat lately, maybe this will be the edge-pusher?

We'll see; raises are coming soon, I might very well have a little extra money to toss around...

Your moment of Zen: Paul (my housemate) "paddling" with Amalia