Life in the slow lane.

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Trying to pick up some speed but between my heavy butt, little opportunity, and holding my breath to save some green, it is tricky. I have found that when I have major financials in the works, the rest of life can come to a screeching halt while I am seeing what will, can, should, and does happen. Yeah, money does dictate what I may and may not do. No, no, I am not poor. But I certainly am not rich. I could probably sell what of my life I have and obtain a decent penny, but it would be at the cost of all else. At least, as things currently sit.

At least I am allowing one major purchase, probably early this coming month. Skis, bindings, boots, and poles for cross country, telemark, touring/back country, or some such. I have yet to figure out what I want. I know what each does, mostly, though I would like real input from a real person. The internet is fine as far as it goes, but without the ability to answer MY questions after reading the bits, it just does not fill the whole void. I am hoping one set will see me to my short and medium term skiing goals of cross country, a bit of downhill, and maybe light trailblazing. What would be even better is to have it so that some of the equipment might work for more of the goals. As an example, maybe the poles and boots could work on all the setups I am viewing, or the skis would work with a mere change of bindings. I realize I might have to surrender optimal for subpar, but with versatility I would pay that price. Still, I want optimization in my gains and losses, and that will require a real ski guru. No complaints, this task gives me a task that is real, reasonable, doable, and present. Either this month or next, I should have the decisions made and either have the kit or have it on order.

Skiing is definitely on Sunday. I may have to call my friend Saturday afternoon. Actually, I he wants me to anyway. I plan on gifting him with some thermal long underwear and a thermal undershirt. He is planning on all cotton (two pair of jeans), and I do not want him getting sick or frostbitten. The more realistically comfortable and safe he is, the better the chance of a repeat performance. I will be going on my own as well, still, I do not wish to go solo all of the time. Hey, who knows, maybe he will strike it rich and be grateful. He is the new kid on the block, and I know what that is like. What I spend on him is quite minor, in the scheme of things too, so it is not a strain (buying a house, two rents, and such, those are strains).

Well, I need to get ready and visit the ski shop. And, the electric smoking device for my mother is in. So, it is off my buns and into the snowbank for me. Have a great one. Always remember, you have friends. Just ask. Just ask me if nothing else. I am not a great friend, more like a stuffed teddy bear. But uhrm, sometimes that is all people need. Auri voir. lols

Another day, some progress.

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It looks like I will have a skiing partner for this weekend, just Sunday instead of Saturday. I will be checking the ski rental shop to see if they offer crossover bindings on some skis for rent. Bindings where the heel detaches or attaches for whichever terrain is present. If not, I may need to buy them. Downhill on cross country skis is a bit risky. Doable but risky. I will not lose weight with a broken leg or punctured lung, probably. :p

I keep trying to catch up with cleaning, but make more messes than I clean. Nothing major, I just prefer home cooked foods. I have the cooking down, but the cleaning... not so much. There is a dishwasher here, I just do not like the way things come out of them. Dreary, with spots, and I have not found how to fix that. I have not tried all of the soaps, but the ones I have do not succeed at their claims. Glasses (real glass) and silverware are my main issues. Those need to be (look) spotless. It is just one of those things for me.

I was at the tobacco shop today and it was odd. The people who work there look like hippies, give or take. Oh, they are nice. I always chat them up. The guys and dolls are rather nice and inviting, really (unlike they often were in Iowa City, though I did not mind that either mostly). But they were unhappy with the current prez. It seems he is doing things which is hurting their business. I guess the latest is deciding that flavorings for an electric cigarette are to be banned because they "entice children to smoke". Wait until they get the full load of what the crimi-in-charge is doing. They will beg for Bush, who did not care what they do so long as it is reasonable, or at least quiet. Who would have thunk? Well, other than those who think.

Well, that is all for today. Return tomorrow, or the day after, or... *sigh* My blogging has kflopped. (kflopped is a stolen and mutilated a bit German language thing) Have a great day, and weekend!

Life is going slowly.

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I had hoped to get more done this week than what has been done, but so goes life. Not just for me I believe. I have gotten out a few times, made some plans, and have some ongoing projects in the works. A few orders have been placed and are either on their way to final destinations or just coming in. The place is beginning to look normal again, give or take, after my visitor. Shopping has been done and cooking is resuming. Oh, and my body is back to normal and has been for a while.

I am not sure if my friend will be skiing this weekend. He was called to do something Saturday, so he cannot, though perhaps Sunday he says. I will rent the skis Saturday afternoon and go Sunday, alone if I must. He has full weeks, and when he is called on Saturday, I have doubts about trying to push one more day by skiing Sunday. We have limits. When I go to the ski shop this time, I am going to ask if they have crossover skis, good for cross country (heals are not bound) and down hill (heals are bound). I know they make such bindings, if I cannot remember what they are called. They may not rent them though, they are rather pricey. I will see if they offer them for sale in their shop. I would like to rig for trail breaking, but that is a bit heavy for standard trails and probably a huge leap out of my league at this point. So, I will probably go with standard to medium and worry about the heavy gear if I get to that point.

We have an inversion, locally, it seems. That, from what I gather and put simply, is when fog comes in and stays, low and thick. When the warning is red, heavy outdoor exercise is advised against as the air is bad. Vehicle exhaust, factory smoke, and such cannot escape. We have had that two or three times this winter. Since I am mostly a house pet, it does not concern me too much. I am not sure if this is a problem where I ski, though I should ask. Then again, there are other places to ski which would not be affected, if I am unfamiliar with them to date.

If I do not like it, I have mostly decided to let school go for the semester. With so many things happening this fall, another move, visit preparations, and a dozen other little things killing my time, sapping my energy, and causing general confusion, I am simply not in "the place" for it. As well, knowing I will have to move in the spring immediately after school would get out does not sound fun. I keep looking at it, trying to figure a way, though. I hate to let another semester pass, for a dozen reasons. But it might be quite foolish to attempt such an endeavor so off-kilter. One more slop shot and I will not have the temerity to return. I must be ready for a last run at the thing. Yes, and I do mean temerity. All medical has absolutely advised against me going to school in the first place. One more plug for the medical field, if you needed more about that from here.

I hope your winter is not too harsh? Bah, if it is, move! :p