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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

Spring Seekers

Easter in my family means a couple of things. First, it means a delicious meal made by my parents that’s supplemented with some decadent dessert contributed by yours truly. Second, it means stuffing eggs, treats, prizes and money into every bush, bench, pot and tree in my parents’ backyard for the nieces and nephews to rabidly pursue.

Miles found the coveted golden egg this year and was thrilled with its monetary contents.
Miles found the coveted golden egg this year and was thrilled with its monetary contents.

This Easter held its usual joys. My parents cooked more baked beans, potato salad and barbecued chicken than any army of oinkers could consume and Jason and I added ice cream cupcakes from Cold Stone Creamery to the gluttonous mix. It was quite a satisfying spread.

For a little tike, Abigail sure accumulated a lot of goodies.
For a little tike, Abigail sure accumulated a lot of goodies.
Madison may have been giving off that "disgruntled teenager" vibe here but she was rummaging through the bushes with as much gusto as the rest of the kids.
Madison may have been giving off that “disgruntled teenager” vibe here but she was rummaging through the bushes with as much gusto as the rest of the kids.

The hunt this year went exactly as expected. Quite a few adults were involved in the cramming of goodies around the yard but it still took a while to hide the collected heaps of treats and toys, way too long as far as the kids were concerned. Those kiddies practically exploded outside when they were finally allowed to emerge from the house and, of course, due to overstimulation, they missed much of the entirely obvious plunder around them.

Isabelle thought this "golden egg" was a prestigious enough find.
Isabelle thought this “golden egg” was a prestigious enough find.

On Easter, munching and seeking has become a family tradition for us. I’ve been told by nieces and nephews that rummaging for Easter loot with their cousins is a preferred pastime and seeing the excitement on their small faces as they tear around the yard in search of oval treasures has made it a favorite pastime for me as well.

Rachel May 7, 2014 No Comments
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