Preparation is key

Our buddy Dave is leaving town today for his new job in Boston, so there was a little get together at a local pub & grill (where I met my fiance btw) last night.

Mr. P & I walk into the patio to sit down and at that point, there were only 2 other people at our table and they commented on how nice I looked with my makeup and clothes. Apparently I don't normally look like that and the reason for the next question: why?

So I said I had had a second interview at a new dermatology clinic in town and we started talking about that for a little bit. A friend was saying it's great we have one now because it took her forever to get into the one in Asheville.

At any rate, I then noticed a little commotion behind my friends at another table. I look over, and there are the owners of the clinic, who just interviewed me, looking our way and laughing. We waved to each other, said hi, and I swiftly crapped my pants.

We all had a good laugh about it. After they left I leaned over to my fiance and asked, "I didn't say anything bad did I?" I really couldn't remember what I said before I noticed they were there.

Weird thing is that I had completely envisioned this happening as I was getting ready to go out. But what I envisioned was walking by their table, pausing, and politely introducing them to my fiance. Not what actually happened at all.

I do not want to die

From Spring Moon by Bette Bao Lord:

The child shook his head. Slowly the tears fell, like brave soldiers marching before the king.

"Was it a ghost?"

"I..." His words burst forth. "I do not want to die, I do not want to die like True Mother. Why do I have to die?"

Bold Talent put his arms around him, comforting him. "You see, if no one ever died, the world would be a terrible place. There would be too many people, no room to grow food or play. So it is better to have a season and live each minute until it is time to join our ancestors."

Honeymoon Preparation I

*Whew! I'm glad I read this before our trip! I was starting to think I wouldn't know how to handle it.*

From The WORST-CASE SCENARIO Survival Handbook: EXTREME EDITION

HOW TO SKI OFF A 100-FOOT DROP

1. Look for danger below.

Just before you ski off the edge of the cliff, look down and out over the slope. If your projected path takes you toward rocks, trees, or another cliff, change your takeoff angle by jumping to the left or right so you will head toward safer, wide-open terrain.

2. Jump up and off the ledge.

Just as you are leaving the ground, hop up and slightly forward to help you clear any rocks or other obstructions that may be hidden just below the ledge and that could knock you off balance.

3. Pull your legs and skis up and tuck them under your rear end.

This compressed "ball" position will help you maintain balance while airborne and help you to land safely.

4. Thrust both arms out in front of you, elbows slightly bent.

Avoid the "cat out the window" position, where your arms and hands are splayed out above your head. That position will put you off balance when you land.

5. Look out, not down.

Looking down at the ground will lead to a "door hinge" landing, where you bend forward at the waist and plant your face in the slope. Look out over the mountain.

6. Focus on a suitable landing site.

Land on very steep terrain. Avoid a low-angled slope or, worse, a flat section of the mountain. As long as the snow is powder and at least one foot deep, you should be able to land without serious injury.

7. Bend your knees as you land.

As you approach the side of the mountain, keep your knees bent to absorb the force of the impact with the ground. Avoid leaning back, which will cause a "tail first" landing and probable back injury. If you cannot ski away from a landing, land on your hip. Do not lean too far forward or you will fall on your face.

8. Extend your feet, bend your knees, and turn across (or "into") the mountain to slow down.

Because of your extreme speed while airborne, you must minimize acceleration by turning as soon as you land, or you risk hurtling down the mountain out of control. Modern skis should stay on top of deep powder instead of sinking, giving you a reasonable amount of control.

9. Continue making turns to keep control and reduce speed as you ski away.

BE AWARE

• If you feel yourself falling backward while airborne, move your hands further in front of you and make fast circular motions, forward and back. This balancing maneuver is called "rolling down the windows."
• In any jump greater than 15 feet, avoid landing in the same spot a previous jumper landed; the snow will already be compacted and will not provide sufficient cushioning.
  

Let's make a deal

Two weeks or so ago Mr. P made a trip up to the neighbor's house above us to see who they use to do their lawn. Yesterday, the guy came down to the house to talk about what we'd like done and how much he would charge.

Well, turns out he used to live in my house! He's married to the woman from whom I bought the house! He's the one who put all the planters in and I'm pretty sure he also built the firepit. I hope we haven't disappointed him too much by how we've let it grow up!

I had called a different guy to come and give an estimate, but I think I'll scratch it. This other guy is just too perfect. He knows the property lines, what's planted (weeds vs. plants), and he's charging a lot less than I expected. He's going to trim up the hedge (great b/c I don't have a hedge trimmer), cut off some lower branches of the trees above the house, clear out the rubus (blackberry--man I hate that stuff) from the front of the house, and do the regular weedeating. I can't wait! I wouldn't even do this work for the amount he's charging. And then he wasn't even worried about getting paid. He says, 'Well, if I don't get it the first time, I'll just get it the next time.'

Too bad he can't come by until next week. :o(

2 Notations

1. My veggies are growing! The watermelon plant has finally started growing, I have peppers (hot & bell), a real nice yellow squash (last year I had a problem with bugs, so I'm diggin' this nice looking squash), two big ol' tomatoes, some killer cucumbers (have never actually seen these suckers grow), and cilantro that's so potent it'll knock your socks off. My lettuce is still hanging in there--not doing much of anything really. And the strawberries are non-existant. Damn you birds! My fiance is in charge of making a scare crow, but I think that's not high on his priority list.

2. Had a job interview for a receptionist position at a new dermatology clinic in town. I'm super excited about this and have a second interview with the doctor on Monday. We discussed the possibility of me moving up in the clinic (because of my advanced degree--hardy har), so that's pretty frickin' awesome. Definitely better than the sporadic paychecks I'm currently receiving...or not receiving rather.

Need to go. Have to get up at 5:15a to go feed some people breakfast. Ugh. What one will do for money. I guess I should count my blessings.

Such hostility!

I went to Walmart today and got CornPops, 2 packs of thank you cards, & provolone cheese. Since I didn't have my grocery bags with me, I told the cashier that I'd just carry them out without a bag. WHOA NELLY was that the wrong thing to say. She got very upset and informed me quite rudely that I'd have to show the Walmart welcomer (is that their official title?) my receipt as I left. I politely informed her that that was fine with me. She then yelled across the way to the welcomer that I would be leaving without a bag *gasp* and that she would need to check my receipt on the way out. The cashier then, with attitude mind you, tried to let me know that I would need to push...oh wait, I'VE ALREADY DONE IT YOU IDIOT! She tried to get all snotty when I didn't push no cash back, but alas, I had already done everything...just waiting on you to push your little 'Debit' button Miss Walmart Meanie. Sorry, she really perturbed me.

Final vindication: I started to stop by the welcomer and the lady waved me on and said, "Oh, you're fine...go on." Take that you silly cashier!