Must Be Time For A Road Trip... Hello Land Of Enchantment

Lately I find that I just don't have the patience for much of anything aside from keeping my nose to the grind, as it were. I don't know if anyone else goes through phases like this, but I certainly do. I feel restless and the things I normally derive joy from doing on a day to day basis, are either boring me to the verge of tears or causing me a great deal of frustration. It's the same feeling that you would educe from taking one step forward and three steps back in a walking race. Uh-Huh.


I have no patience with long stoplights or people who seem to be asleep for the first few seconds after the light changes to green because they are talking on their freaking cell phones. I have no patience with people who ring my doorbell unannounced. I have no patience for neighbor's dogs who bark for hours on end, nor do I have the patience to suffer through visits from Jehovah's Witnesses or anyone selling anything. The people who block grocery store aisles are now on my hit list. I'm beginning to scare even myself.


I used to refer to this strange emotional phenomenon as PMS and later, menopause. I no longer have either *condition* among my repertoire of excuses for foul moods, so I'm fairly perplexed as to what I can blame this on. Am I really just a total bitch after all is said and done? Possibly, but hopefully not that uncomplicated. Perhaps it's just *crotchety old age syndrome*. Whatever.


Mr. Snoots, the poor dear, doesn't really understand but in an effort to prove his allegiance he feigns sympathy and understanding. I cannot say that I blame him for that ploy. Were I in his predicament I'd probably resort to the use of a sledge hammer, so I must praise him for his acumen.


I could have sworn I saw a pin head size hole of light at the end of the whole getting-the-house-on-the-market tunnel last week. It's entirely possible I was daydreaming since it is no longer there. I'm thinking I need to work even harder now but so far I've kept my nose to grind. I need to see some substantial progress but it all appears to be nothing more than light scratches on the surface of the overall scheme of things up to this point. One step forward and three steps back....


Oh patience, where art thou?


Sensing this, Mr. Snoots, in his infinite wisdom, has suggested a road trip. I'm always game for a road trip! So, we're leaving this morning and driving due west for about 5 hours to a little ski town. We'll only be gone for 4 days but usually that's all I need to set me right with the world again. As I've said before, all work and no play makes Snooty a very cranky entity indeed. Very. Cranky.

Mr. Snooty plans to stay at the hotel and take care of business on the computer, which will keep him busy. Then, we can go to dinner in the evenings. Normally, when I go alone, I have room service, watch a movie and go to sleep. So, this should be tons of fun!




Of course, Mr. Snoots doesn't ski anymore but I don't care. I'm just thrilled to not be going alone. I went alone for so many years and after a while, it just wasn't fun anymore. We humans need contact with other humans and he's my #1 choice, so it will be nice to have him along.

Anyway, I'm out of here! I promise to take lots of pictures but we'll only be gone 4 days. Two full days of skiing is probably more than I can handle in my out-of-shape condition. It might well kill me, but I doubt it. Only the good die young.... Most likely I'll be as sore as a two bit floosie on payday. Besides, I ski like an old lady now. You know. Because I'm an old lady now. I can only dream about how I used to ski but, I'm perfectly good with that. As always, I'll take my bottle of champagne, a jar of Icelandic caviar, cream cheese, chopped red onion and toast points to have for my afternoon snack. It became a ritual for me about 20 years ago and SD loves it as well. I just wish she were going to be along with me to share it....It just won't be the same without her.



OH! Speaking of our daughter, today she emailed me that she's so far been accepted at William & Lee (VA) and Baylor (TX) (who also offered scholarship money). However, she's in on the long haul for the Big Holdout. She still wants U of Texas. Besides, Bad Boyfriend #2 is in law school at Baylor. I think she'd rather chew off her right arm than go to school there. At any rate, she plans to be back home in Texas by the start of summer so I AM PUMPED THRILLED! Keep those prayers for U of Texas coming! (It seems to be working so far.)


I'll keep up with everyone's blogs while we're gone although I might not be able to comment. I'll be with you in spirit!

I Present To You... The Wonderful World of Warren Miller Ski Films

We are expecting something like an inch of snow tonight so it's only right and proper that I should make the last post of my NaBloPoMo commitment on the talented and funny Warren Miller, who has entertained skiers and non-skiers since the early 1950's with his films. He's 80 years old now, is a published author and father as well as one of the most funny, tender men I've ever known of. His films are legendary and have only improved over the years. He really is the Jacques Cousteau of the snow skiing world and even surfing in the early days. The man was a genius and got to spend his life doing what he loves. You certainly can't beat that.

When I lived in Aspen as a teenager, he was a god to all of us. His narratives are better than any reporter on any sport. He always features the cutting edge skiers (and snowboarders) of the day in his films and his photography will make you drool. His humor will entertain you and his tender heart will warm yours. We all wanted to grow up and be in Warren's films much like many kids want to be basketball, movie or soccer stars.

The man is a genius at what he does. I think my most favorite of all his films (which is not an easy decision) is his 2004 movie Impact. He shows more than just skiing. He shows water skiers in Mexico, surfers, horseback riding and Warren's Angels. It's wonderful and entertaining, whether you do any of these sports or not. Extreme Winter is a really good one too... as well as hair-raising.

I realize it's hard to believe I was ever as crazy as any of Warren's skiers, but I was. A gazillion years ago.

Some of my favorite Warren Miller quotes:

"When I first started skiing, my skis were long and my pants were baggy. Now, my skis are short and my face is baggy."

"Work is the price you pay for money."

"If you can afford to go to college then you probably don't need to."

"Don't take life too seriously because you can't come out of it alive."

"It's always darkest before the dawn. So, if you're planning on stealing your neighbor's newspaper, do it then."

"Anyone that tells you they ski as well at 80 as they did when they were 20, was a lousy skier at 20."

"On the other hand, you have different fingers."

"It's not your aptitude but your attitude that determines your altitude."

"How old would you be if you didn't know when you were born?"

"I dropped out of normal life at 20. After a lifetime following my heart on a pair skis, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up."

"Memory can be your choice of drug if you let it."


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And, I made it to the end of the NaBloPoMo thing... Yay!