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Lucky 13 Part I: Birds of a Feather

Jason and I don’t hesitate to celebrate. No, no one could ever accuse us of skimping on festivities. So, not astonishingly, when our thirteenth anniversary came around this year we spared no revelry. Jason, whose turn it was to plan our activities this time, decided that the proper commemoration of this event shouldn’t be limited to one day but distributed over weeks. Yes, weeks of anniversary exploits means weeks of related posts. I wouldn’t want you to be subjected to more excitement than you could handle in one sitting.

Kea are very intelligent and curious. They are often called "the clown of the mountains" because of their inquisitive nature.
Kea are very intelligent and curious. They are often called “the clown of the mountains” because of their inquisitive nature.

Our dedicatory partying started on our actual anniversary. Jason made a lovely breakfast for us that morning, after which we headed to Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City. He had arranged for me to take a behind-the-scenes photography tour with the Curator of Exhibit Collections there. This was extremely cool and a very thoughtful idea on my hubby’s part. I was able to go into the birds’ enclosures and take pictures of them up close while learning fascinating facts about those feathery creatures from the curator. I got some terrific shots and a glimpse into the personalities of each of these rare species, some of which are now completely extinct in the wild thanks to the stupidity of our species.

Green Magpies are native to Asia. These pretty creatures can mimic other bird calls.
Green Magpies are native to Asia. These pretty creatures can mimic other bird calls.

We finished our afternoon by strolling The Gateway and stuffing ourselves with sushi from The Happy Sumo. Then, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 occupied the bulk of our amazing evening. After all, seeing superhero flicks has become an anniversary staple for us.*

These White-faced Whistling Ducks seemed to think I was disturbing their naptime.
These White-faced Whistling Ducks seemed to think I was disturbing their naptime.

Our anniversary was relaxing yet distinctive. It was an outstanding day spent with many fantastic fowls and one fantastic non-foul. But the merriment didn’t end with these fine happenings. Check in next week for all the mind-blowing details about the second phase of our anniversary saga.

*We are uber-nerds.

Rachel May 28, 2014 No Comments

From Basin to Brighton

Utah: one of the best places on the planet for snowboarding. Snowboarding: the best part of the winter. Winter: the worst part of the year. Ah, life is just full of complexities and incongruities, isn’t it?

I'm getting much better at launching myself off jumps.
I’m getting much better at launching myself off jumps.
We went to Snowbird on Memorial Day, which was their last day of operation for the year. The snow was surprisingly still good and the sun was charming.
We went to Snowbird on Memorial Day, which was their last day of operation for the year. The snow was surprisingly still good and the sun was charming.

I hate winter. It’s a lot like that girl that’s too mean for anyone to get along with but all the boys chase anyway because she smooches like a goddess. Yup, that sounds like winter to me. With strings of days when the temperatures never get above freezing and inversions block out what little warmth the weary sun might offer, winter’s got few charms but that frosty imp lures you in with its sweet, sweet powder and you find yourself longing for its blustery tempests with an eagerness that’s nearly nonsensical. Here are the highlights of our recent sporty encounters with that moody succubus.

One of the first good snowstorms of the season brought out all the boarding rabble.
One of the first good snowstorms of the season brought out all the boarding rabble.
No, that's not lens dust; it's many magnificent flakes of snow.
No, that’s not lens dust; it’s many magnificent flakes of snow.

This year’s snow patterns were a little abnormal. The flurries came late and infrequent until early spring and then storms raged aplenty. Because of that belated precipitation, Jason and I didn’t go boarding as much as usual. We only hit Brighton five times and Snowbasin and Snowbird each once. But don’t let those limited visits fool you; we got it while the getting was good. A few tantalizing blizzards found us in the mountains surrounded by powder so deliciously deep it’d make Charles De Mar weep.

He wants to be?
He wants to be?
What you're seeing here is the clumsy ending to my best jump ever. I got three feet of airborne bliss and one awkward landing.
What you’re seeing here is the clumsy ending to my best jump ever. I got three feet of airborne bliss and one awkward landing.

As for my progression as a boarder, that went quite satisfactory this season. I’m pleased to report that many speed and height advancements came without much conscious effort. My new record for jump air is now approximately 2-3 feet. Not impressed? Remember, previously I was soaring measly inches.

Boarding is one of the many activities that Jason and I go gaga for.
Boarding is one of the many activities that Jason and I go gaga for.

Spring is unabashedly here now. The heavens hint at the hot temperatures to come and the mountains’ once glorious frocks melt into sticky slush. Winter will have no power to persuade us to pursue its luscious slopes for months but, after the heated passions of summer have passed, pursue them we will. What fools we boarders be!

Rachel May 22, 2014 No Comments

Nerds with Benefits

There are certain benefits to having a full fleet of nerdy friends. For starters, discussions on whether Gorn or Mugato is more impervious to Kirk Kicks or which Doctor has the most effective screwdriver are frequent and fascinating in our circle. Plus, it’s easy to find a companion for pursuing a Pathfinder quest or the latest Miyazaki flick. Also, having many geeky acquaintances means you always have somewhere to go when you happen to be dressed like a giant fox. On that note, our friends, the Rowleys, again hosted Rowley Con this spring, their annual tribute to all things gaming and geeking. It, once more, filled that twenty-sided void in many a heart and provided a loving home to unnaturally-sized foxes everywhere.

Jason took on Captain Kirk with this Friday facsimile. He had all the details down to the badge and phaser.
Jason took on Captain Kirk with this Friday facsimile. He had all the details down to the badge and phaser.
My Saturday duds consisted of long johns and various foxy parts. Jason looked suave dressed as my backup dancer.
My Saturday duds consisted of long johns and various foxy parts. Jason looked suave dressed as my backup dancer.

While the busyness of the particular weekend that Rowley Con was scheduled on this year prevented Jason and me from cavorting our usual amount at it, we stayed and played enough to participate in the competition for total nerd domination. The challenge categories this time were Dance Central 3, Love Letter, Crokinole, TowerFall, and a zombie game with ambiguous victors. Although neither of us succeeded at securing placement as the grand winner, I did manage to win the Dance Central 3 contest, which, frankly, is surprising since I had never danced the competition song until the three times I performed it during this tournament.

Milo donned his best bowtie and sonic screwdriver for this Eleventh Doctor outfit.
Milo donned his best bowtie and sonic screwdriver for this Eleventh Doctor outfit.
Love Letter was one of the tournament games this year. I believe Brandi proved herself the most appealing suitor.
Love Letter was one of the tournament games this year. I believe Brandi proved herself the most appealing suitor.
Many of the little kids preferred spending Saturday outside rather than amongst the congregated herd of nerds.
Many of the little kids preferred spending Saturday outside rather than amongst the congregated herd of nerds.

As is customary, Jason and I dressed iconically for this con occasion. We wore Starfleet uniforms on Friday and told everyone just what the fox says on Saturday. That’s right, I broke out my fox outfit, with some modifications, and Jason, in full feral splendor, dressed as my backup dancer. We were happy to see that a few other attendees actually sported costumes this year. I won the best female costume prize and the best male went to my brother Drew for his Doctor scrubs.

Andrew and Simone paid homage to the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond with these great costumes.
Andrew and Simone paid homage to the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond with these great costumes.
The prize for my award-winning costume was a unicorn mask. It found its way onto Bart’s head rather quickly.

Thanks Jeremy and Amber for hosting Rowley Con once again! Nerds may have sweet nunchuks skills but they’re not always competent in the gratitude department. So allow me to say thank you, on everyone’s behalf, from the bottom of my two hearts.

Rachel May 14, 2014 1 Comment
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