#9: Plan and Execute the Vanguard Ski Weekend

Back in 2010, I spent several months talking about how it would be fun to get a group of coworkers together, rent a cabin in my hometown, and go skiing or snowboarding.  I kept talking and talking about it and finally was coaxed into making it a reality.  It was impossible to get the original "group" together for a free weekend, and I certainly tried, but a final group and trip was planned for the weekend of February 11-13, 2011.

I booked a cabin at Whispering Pines in Pinetop for myself, Stephen, Oscar, and Manny, and we drove up to the mountain on Friday.  Quickly checked into the cabin and then headed back to my house since my dad had agreed to cook dinner for everyone.  Besides enjoying some burgers, Oscar even made a friend- Mugsy (aka "Uncle Tony") just loved him.

After watching some strange foreign film...which I can't remember the name of but really want to call it Wasabi (no clue if that is correct at all so we'll move on), we went back to the cabin to chill out and prepare for our early morning snowboarding expedition.  True to form, Oscar had to make his presence known at the cabin...

So we had a couple of drinks, watched "Wanted", and went to bed.  Got up early the next morning and prepared ourselves to tackle Sunrise Ski Resort.  Manny borrowed a friend's snowboard but the rest of us had to rent.  Got our rentals and then waited for our "beginner's lesson" to start.  I've been snowboarding once but it was 7 years ago...on New Years Day with Cherisse after a late night of work at Charlie Clark's. And then we both had to work that night...totally bruised and sore.  Anyway, that's a story for another time.

I won't lie.  The lesson didn't seem to help that much for me...I still failed miserably once on my own.  I think we did the "bunny hill" a couple of times and then decided to to into the lodge for some food and drinks.  Manny and I decided we wanted to take on mid-way so we left Oscar and Stephen in the lodge while we headed up.  Manny made it down pretty quickly- my goal was slow and steady.  Getting up once fallen was the hardest part for me so my goal was not to fall...then I wouldn't have to waste time getting up.  However, when I say "slow", I mean S L O W.  Sometime on my way down Oscar passed me....I thought I recognized him but wasn't sure.  Until I got to the bottom and he was sitting there.  I think Manny started another run because he showed up later.  We waited for Stephen for a few minutes and decided to go get some hot chocolate in the lodge...so I sent him a text where we were.  Considering we were there most of the day, I would not consider my second snowboarding experience a success.  A few bunny hill runs and one mid-way wasn't a very efficient trip.  But I'm glad I tried it again...which I'll get into in my next blog because it has its own section.  The guys all took some falls and were pretty sore.  I thought we might have to take Oscar to the bar in a wheel chair.  Haha.  But I felt pretty good, so I got off lucky.  Slow and steady won the pain race at least.

It was a good group to get together- we had a good time up in the mountains.  After snowboarding and some relaxation time, I even took them out to the Lion's Den, the happening place to be.  We had some drinks and some good times.  Oscar embarrassed me and got on his knees to beg me to dance...which he finally won.  Some guy photo-bombed a picture (well done dude), and I made some random friends (who shouldn't be called friends because I never spoke to them again. But when they bought me a drink, they were my friends that night).  Oscar danced with some older women (of which he only remembers 1) and Stephen documented it all.  Manny did some dancing and drinking with us. And although neither of them remember it- Oscar pissed me off when we got home and Manny was the voice of reason when he did.  I had to tell them both the story the next morning.  So, overall, it was a good trip.  We are planning another one for sometime this winter 2011-2012 and maybe we can get a few more attendees since some of the original planners couldn't make the first one.  I'm looking forward to it.

He won- I danced.

Photo bomb!

#8: No Soda for One Month

Compared to going pescetarian for 2 weeks, this was a piece of cake.  I'm actually surprised how simple this was for me to complete.

I began the soda-nix on February 1, 2011.  But then I realized, "Wait, I just picked the shortest month of the year.  Someone is going to give me a hard time for this."  So I decided that I would go a few days into March just to make sure that I wasn't harassed for "trying to get off easy."  I went 32 days.  And then decided I wanted a diet Pepsi.

I think there was only one time that I REALLY wanted a soda- and that was having dinner at Arriba's with Melissa and Blake.  I love having a Dr. Pepper when I go out to Mexican food.  For me, it's like PB&J.  It's just a good combo.  And I really wanted to have one.  Yet, I stuck with a water with lemon.  Had to stay strong.

Realizing how easy it was makes me think that I could probably give up soda entirely if I wanted to.  Yet, at this point, I don't have a real desire to give them up for good.  I don't drink them as often as I used to and when I have one, it usually is a diet.  But at least I know that my willpower is strong enough to succeed if I do decide to cut them out of my life.  That probably means I'll have to un-like Dr. Pepper on Facebook too...just so there isn't any temptation.  :)

#7: See a Movie in IMAX or 3D

I know.  This isn't that big of a deal.  But the only 3D feature I ever remember seeing was some short Michael Jackson thing at Disneyland when I was a kid.  And I know I've never been to an IMAX film.

So, Oscar helped me with this one and scheduled one of our common "Firm Commitments" to see Suckerpunch at the IMAX theater at Arizona Mills Mall.  It was pretty awesome- I can see why people choose to see action movies in IMAX.  I actually enjoyed the film for the most part- I enjoyed the music, graphics, and beautiful women (those girls were gorgeous) but at the end of the film I left thinking, "Huh?"  The storyline was a little confusing.  Overall though I had a good time and was glad Oscar asked me to see it because I didn't know another female who wanted to.  And I definitely plan on seeing other films in IMAX down the road. 

#6: Go vegetarian for two weeks

Originally I said I would do it for a month...and then changed my mind before creating my entry.  Thank goodness I did.  This was significantly harder than I thought it would be.  And I allowed myself fish so technically I was pescetarian for 2 weeks.  And still, I was miserable.  I learned I could probably do without pork pretty easily.  And with some work I could give up red meat.  But I would miss my poultry WAY.TOO.MUCH.  I ate some Morningstar "chicken" patties and they weren't bad, but nothing can compare to the real thing.

So, I doubt that I'll ever be able to live as a vegetarian.  But maybe I'll try to do it again someday.  Until then I'll have to be heartless and try not to think about what I eat.  :(