#26: Create an Online Blog for my 101 Goals

Good lord, how could I have not made this number 1?  I guess I technically did....but I didn't title it with a number so now everything is all wacky.  Psssh, sometimes I have no clue where my mind is.  Either way, you're reading #26 right now, so we'll call it good.

On a random note, I kind of like this blogging thing although I don't update it frequently enough so I may have to start another blog someday.  Maybe something anonymous where I can bash the stupid things people do and say.  And where I can talk about how I feel without the fear of judgement or ridicule.  We'll see.  For now, I have another 75 goals to get done and write about and less than a year left to do them.  I gotta get crackin'.

#25: Send a personalized Christmas card to at least 10 people

I like when people know I care about them.  And as much as I wish I would write to people more often like my cousin Katie does, I'm horrible at sending people letters or postcards.  I don't even send them mail around the holidays.  They're lucky if they get a text. 

Last Christmas (sad, it's been almost a year and I'm just writing about it) I decided to buy a box of cards and send a bunch of people a happy holiday blessing.  I included friends, family, and some of my friends' families.  I wrote notes in each one and although it was nothing spectacular, I hope each one of them enjoyed getting something in the mail unexpectedly.  I know I do, so hopefully that's the least I could have done to give them a moment of joy.

Maybe this year I'll put in the energy to do it again.  It's always important to let the people you love know that you love them, even if it's only once a year around the holidays.  It's better than nothing.

#24: Clean out my closet and donate clothes

This was a much needed goal.  I was taking up two HUGE walk-in closets at my last apartment, plus some totes and dressers with clothes in them as well.  So, before I moved, I decided it was time to make a big donation and get rid of some old clothes.  I had four giant black garbage bags full of stuff, including the following:

2 pairs of men's swim trunks
23 tank tops
16 pairs of pants / jeans
6 pairs of shoes
4 blouses / sweaters
2 pairs of socks
4 sports bras
5 pairs of brand new underwear (grandma works in retail!)
30 bras (WTF?)
13 pairs of shorts
2 skirts
13 belts (which I should have kept a few of because mine are too big now!)
11 t-shirts
12 miscellaneous items (including books, purses, wallets, and stuffed animals)

These are not my clothes - I filled 4 of the giant black pine-needle type bags.  You get the idea.

I used the Salvation Army range of acceptable donation values to calculate the estimated costs and for as many thousands of dollar$ that I (and more so my parents maybe!) spent on those clothes, the donated value was approximately $400.  It's all for a good cause but man does it make you think about what you spend money on.

I donated to the Dog House Thrift Shop in Lakeside, Arizona because my mom works part time at the Humane Society of the White Mountains and the Dog House uses the sales of their donations to help the Humane Society.  I've always been a huge animal lover so I'm glad that my giant piles of stuff went to a really good cause. 

So adorable!  :)

I have a feeling that I'll be doing another giant closet cleaning next year sometime but we'll have to see....there's a lot more work to be done on that front.

*Change of Plans!

I'm irked.  I was numbering my blogs as the number of the item on my 101 list until tonight.  For some reason, the website I keep my blogs on isn't tracking all of my "done" items on the total list so the numbers are getting all screwy.

So, sadly, I had to go back and edit the numbers of the items.  However, now it will be easier to see how many total items I've completed of my 101.  And just a reminder, I have like 109 goals written down but my goal is to finish at least 101 of them, just in case some become impossible (i.e. an event that gets canceled for future years).

Still, I felt like this kid when I had to go change everything.

#23: Join a Sports Team at Work

It's hard to describe how important networking is at the company I work for.  You need to know lots of people (and the right people) to learn about possible job opportunities and help get you the "in" you need to get there.  I figure that a work sports league is a good, casual way to get to know people.  It forces me to get out there and network in a less formal way than trying to ask others about their connections and hoping you can meet people that way.

So when softball came up this spring, I was in.  Sadly, I spent a majority of our 8 week season with a chronic sinus infection that took 4 bouts of antibiotics to kill.  (Thanks a lot to Melissa's devil spawn, "Baby Lemons", for getting me sick for a month and a half.)  I only got to play 3 weeks with my team at the time so it was hard to feel welcomed when I had to join so late.  We did make playoffs so I guess it was 4 weeks.  I enjoyed the time I had to play but wish I had been there for more.

This fall, softball came up again but I discovered my team wasn't reconnecting for another season.  Luckily, I reached out to my team captain and he suggested I contact another team and see if they could use an additional player.  They're only supposed to take 15 players total but they needed another girl so here I am, player #16.  Most of the team come from a few departments I know very little about (but are in my building) so it's kind of cool to meet new people.  I didn't know any of them.  I did, however, recognize one guy in particular because I've always thought he was the best looking guy in my building.  Now he has a name and a department, which I will not state on here due to my own personal privacy policy (and protection of both him and myself from embarrassment).

We're only 2 weeks in to the season but the team has been so welcoming and fun.  We all trash talk each other and I hear every week a lot of them go out after the games to a bar and just chill together.  I'm looking forward to that because it's a new opportunity to make friends and work connections.  I'm excited for Saturdays and hope that I remain close enough to the team to play with them again next spring.  We'll see how it goes but so far, it's been more than worth the $43 entry fee and the humiliating fall over my own two feet that happened the first week...but that's a story for another time. 

#22: Eat Alone at a Sit Down Restaurant

Hey, what better way to attempt to conquer a fear than to write it down and make it a requirement?  Yeah, I have a weird fear of eating alone.  I don't even prefer to do it at a fast food restaurant if I can help it, but I have done it a couple of times in the past.  What makes it even more unusual of a fear is that I have no qualms about going to a movie by myself.  So why do I have a fear of restaurant "masturdating" but not movie "masturdating?"  (Read that closely...and check out urbandictionary.com if you need a definition).

I think it all started when I began to bus tables when I was 16.  I worked at a steakhouse then and shortly after a fine dining restaurant.  And every time I saw someone eating alone, I immediately felt sad for them.  I wondered if they didn't have anyone special (friends, family, a significant other) to join them.  It never occurred to me that maybe it was by choice.  Until I learned about this little old German man who came into the fine dining restaurant weekly.  He always ordered a meal and then enjoyed coffee afterward.  Sometimes he had a book with him but he was always at his leisure.  I originally felt sorry for him too, assuming maybe he was was a widower.  But then I found out from someone else at the restaurant that once a week he came in to eat, have coffee, and read by choice- because his wife had her own weekly ritual that she did without him as well.  It was time for just "him" and having a nice quiet dinner is how he chose to spend it.  It's been almost 10 years since I worked at that restaurant, and I finally went out to do the same thing.  Sort of by choice, sort of by circumstance.

My job chose to send me out to Missouri for the state fair this year so I could run a booth to educate people about our college savings plan.  I flew out on my own and spent a weekend (which will be another blog since that checks off #108 on my list - attending a state fair) in the mid west - my first time ever.  On the airplane I met a woman who asked me where I was going and when I told her Sedalia for the state fair, she said I had to try Kehde's BBQ because they had amazing fried green tomatoes.  It's a restaurant made out of an old train cart.  I decided to be bold and instead of picking up fast food and bringing it back to my room, I was determined to check out this quirky restaurant and have some fried green tomatoes.  So, I unloaded my stuff at the hotel and off I went to Kehde's.

I went at night so I had to steal this picture from the internet

I ordered the fried green tomatoes and their Posh baked (a baked potato stuffed with different BBQ meats, cheese, and green onions).  It's funny because the tables just have a small walkway between them so the table next to me, a young couple with their daughter, started talking to me and asked me what I was going to order.  So even though I was eating alone, I made "friends" and visited with them while they were paying their bill.  The girl was actually born in Phoenix and grew up here as a child but has been in Missouri for awhile.  They were nice people and their conversation made me comfortable sitting there, without a book or any other distractions.  Just the enjoyment of my fried green tomatoes (which were amazing and I'd go back to the mid west just for those....I wonder if I can find anywhere that serves them in AZ?)

Inside of the train cart / restaurant

SOME OF THE BEST THINGS I'VE EVER HAD FRIED!  AND LOOK AT THAT POTATO!

I ate somewhat quickly because I showed up about 5 minutes before the restaurant was closing and I didn't want to be "that jerk" but the experience made me less concerned about having a meal alone if I really want to go somewhere.  I still prefer my meals out to include good company, but I think my previous fear of eating alone has been squashed.  "Masturdating" at dinner = success.  :)

#21: Buy a Little Red Dress

I don't wear a lot of red.  But I'm not sure why, because I love the color and think it's very fun and bold.  So, I wanted to force myself to buy a red dress.  And what better way than to throw it on this list.  Truthfully, it's not really fair to call this dress a "little" red dress for a couple of reasons.  First, because I picked it for a wedding so it's not scandalous or inappropriate - aka "little red Vegas dress" or anything like that.  Second, because I'm not small enough for any clothes I buy to be considered "little".  However, I do consider this an accomplishment to the goal and perhaps as I continue to lose weight and get healthier, there could be an additional little red dress in my future, in which case, I'll add new pictures.

Photo op with Kellen before leaving the wedding

No red dress can compare to how lovely the blushing bride Margo looks!

#20: Chop Wood in the Snow Wearing Flannel

Don't ask- I've always wanted to be a lumberjack.  Okay, not always.  But over the last few years.  I'm strange.

It started a couple of years ago when my brother and I had some wood to chop at home before the upcoming winter season.  I think we were probably home for Thanksgiving or something.  I'd never gone out to chop wood but offered to help and while Kendall did most of the chopping and I did most of the stacking, I did get the opportunity to swing the ax.  And I probably had way too much fun doing it.  Since then, and I have no idea why, I like chopping wood.  So, to live out my lumberjack dreams, I decided it would be best to do it wearing flannel.  So last Christmas my mom bought me a flannel shirt and also some ridiculous Frog hat.  So, due to the cold weather, it just made sense to combine them.  Yes, go ahead a judge me.  I look ridiculous.  But it's worth the humiliation - another goal complete.

#19: Play Disc Golf

Maybe first I should describe disc golf just in case any readers haven't heard of it.  It's just like it sounds.  Golf with a disc (frisbee). There are generally 18 holes of play and the winner is the person with the fewest strokes.  Each hole has a "par" number indicating the level of difficulty and distance, just like golf.  I'm sure you can Wikipedia it or check out the PDGA's website for more information but puts looks like this:

This probably sounds a little random that I really want to play disc golf.  But my dad has been playing since I was young and several years ago went pro.  Yes, my dad is a professional athlete.  An elite member of the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association).

Dad's on the right

I still don't think it's a particularly well known sport but it's getting bigger and you can find courses just about anywhere.  I wanted to play because I wanted to share that experience with my dad.  It's something he's passionate about so I wanted to give it a shot and let him teach me something.  Some of you may or my not know, but my dad and I have had some issues in past.  Nothing serious but we tend to argue hard since we're both stubborn and don't want to give up.  I was a little defiant (to say the least) and haven't always made his job as a dad easy, especially when I was really young and throwing major temper tantrums or in high school where my arguing became more intense.  Things improved when I went off to college and we fight much less.  I've always loved him, and him me but I wanted him to know that I want to spend time with him and have him teach me things.  So disc golf seemed to be the perfect opportunity for some father daughter time.

I finally asked him to take me out when I was home this summer, I think it was probably around the 4th of July.  So he took me out to the course at Show Low Park and we did about 12 holes.  Sometimes I had some decent throws and others I was horrible.  It was probably frustrating for him to have to deal with me climbing through trees to find my disc.  But I had fun and it was a challenge so I hope I can go again.  I wasn't really prepared for taking pictures so I do not have any of myself to document this experience (and thank god no videos, I'd be an internet joke).  But maybe next time, since I do hope and expect that there will be a next time. 

#18: Attend a Midnight Movie Premiere

I should disclose right up front that somehow I let Jodi talk me into using the Twilight: Breaking Dawn movie for this goal.  Possibly the worst idea ever.  I'll explain.

First, it sounded good in theory.  I wanted to see the movie, Jodi and I thought it would be enjoyable together, and we thought maybe Melissa could join us and we'd make it a girls' night.  We knew it would be busy but we worked out a plan and decided to go for it.

Jodi was going to go really early...like 8 p.m. early and I would show up a little later with some Caramel Apple Spices from Starbucks to help keep us warm.

We were waiting outside but not too far from the entrance so I knew Jodi picked a great time to get there.  We were surrounded by teenagers (as expected) but I was a little surprised to see so many teenage boys there.  They were probably with their girlfriends...whipped fools.  They probably let us in the building between 10:30 - 11 and because of how early Jodi got there, we ended up in the front row behind the walkway and bar.  Prime seating.  (Props to you Jodi!)

The wait didn't seem that bad and just after midnight they started previews.  I should have known better than to show up at a teen movie premiere and expect a quiet, enjoyable time.  The theater cheered like crazy when the movie started and within a few minutes of starting, Jacob had already taken off his shirt and girls were screaming.  These are NOT features of a movie I enjoy.  Luckily, since shirtless scene came pretty early, they quieted down quite a bit afterward and the rest of the movie was reasonable.  The movie itself was interesting...I don't think I loved it but it wasn't horrible.

I think what I realized the most is that I enjoy seeing movies in relatively empty theaters.  You know, like 4 p.m. showings on a Wednesday after the movie has been out for 2 weeks. Lol.  Guess I just like to enjoy my $1 Harkins refills in peace and not have squeals or talking throughout it.  But I appreciate Jodi inviting me and I definitely had fun with her.  I said I wouldn't probably do a premiere by choice again....but the Hunger Games does come out next month and I may have to break that vow. 

#17: Take an Internship at Work

This won't be the most exciting post so I'll keep it short.

The department I currently work in has several different opportunities to take 6 month internships in different specialized groups and I knew that I wanted to complete at least one of these before I left the department.

I was hoping to try our State Relations internship (which works more closely with the states that offer our college savings plans) but it hadn't come available and when the Compliance internship did, I jumped at the opportunity.

For the last four months I've been working with our very small (3 people) compliance group focusing on projects that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do if I didn't attempt to gain the internship role.  I'm having a good time but it is hectic.

What has probably been most beneficial has been learning that I miss contact with people (sometimes clients even!) because I'm tied to my desk all day and don't get a lot of social time with my former teammates and that I really enjoy owning projects.  It makes me feel good to know I owned a project that made a difference.

It's supposed to end April 30 but there is a discussion of a possible extension, which I would certainly consider.  If not, at least I gave it a shot and it helped me figure out some things I'm good at and enjoy at work.  Only time will tell if it helps me make career choices toward a Compliance path.

Oh yeah, and this is how I get people excited about compliance!  Just kidding.  The picture just made me chuckle because this isn't ANYTHING like my job.  Haha.

#16: Buy a Stranger's Coffee

Thanks to Gauri's dedication of conducting a scavenger hunt with a list of items and actions that a friend helped put together, this was my perfect opportunity to complete #8 since it was on that list.

Team Awesome (which I have just named us) was comprised of Danny, Dustin, Gauri, and myself.  We decided to head to Paradise Valley Mall for the hunt because we figured we could find just about everything in a mall.

While Danny and Dustin ran around trying to get a few more actions done, Gauri and I staked out the Starbucks waiting for a single person to come in.  I mean, come on, I wasn't trying to go for broke buying venti lattes for a whole family!  In comes this pretty, spunky girl and Gauri nudges me and says, "Go!"

As she was at the counter, I told her it was really important to me to buy her coffee.  Whatever she wanted.  She was very shocked and seemed to feel guilty but I explained that it was both for my "bucket list" (which is much easier than trying to describe the Day Zero project to strangers) and for our scavenger hunt.  Her name was Heather and she worked across from the Starbucks in a salon.  She was utterly grateful and I could tell Gauri and I made her day.  This may have been one of my most gratifying challenges since starting Day Zero.
I love making people happy.

#15: Play a $50 Hand of Blackjack

This may sound like chump change to some of you.  And if it does, you better not let me know who you are.  Because I'll shank you for having so much money that you scoff at my goal.  I prefer $5 blackjack tables, which are nearly impossible to find in Las Vegas.  So I settle for the $10 tables and hope that I don't lose $100 in a matter of minutes. 

I joined Gauri and her mom, K, for a trip to Las Vegas because K had the IRS convention.  I'd say this is where our tax dollars go but attendees have to pay to go so we can't actually blame taxes on this one.  It was a mostly relaxing trip since it was the middle of the week and we didn't have a lot of intentions to do the standard "Vegas weekend" stuff- no clubbing, no excessive gambling.  Hey, I'm broke people, that wasn't an option.  But we did meet up with Gauri's friend Isha (who is a doll!) and spent Wednesday night into Thursday morning hanging out and gambling.  Well, mostly it was me gambling.  Gauri doesn't really join on the table games and Isha is concerned about anyone losing money...so watching me put anything out there stressed her out.  Haha.  To explain how this story begins, because the hand of blackjack isn't as simple as it sounds, we must go back a little ways...

Back to my trip with Stephen to see Chris off before he moved to Chicago.  We were wandering the strip and drinking when we stopped in the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  I noticed a table for "Blackjack Switch" and while the guys were in the restroom, I asked the dealer what it was.  He gave me the basic rules and I was intrigued...just long enough to have the guys come back and insist we continue wandering through the casinos and hotels.  But I remained curious....

So now it's the middle of the night and I decide to sit at an empty blackjack switch table in the Monte Carlo, where we were staying.  I started playing and after learning the game rules for awhile and going up and down between my money, I was down to my last $50.  At 4:30 a.m., on Thursday, August 18, 2011, Gauri, Isha, the dealer and myself agreed that a $50 hand of blackjack switch was just as sufficient for my goal as a $50 of regular blackjack...even though technically I was playing 2 hands for $25 a piece. 

I guess I should have explained what blackjack switch is to anyone who hasn't heard of it.  In the the most basic of nutshells, you play two hands of blackjack at once but have the option to switch the top cards if it gives you better hands.  For example, it would benefit the player to switch the 5 and the 10 cards because then they have 11 on one hand and 20 on the other- both better options than sticking with the 15 and 16, despite what the dealer is showing. 

Ok, so that isn't the only rule.  There are some others- like blackjack pays even money and a dealer pushes if they have a 22, instead of busting. But the general idea of blackjack switch, is the opportunity to switch!  I won't lie, I don't remember my cards or whether I needed to use the switch. What I do remember is that I didn't end up like this guy >>

I lost one of my hands and pushed the other.  So I lost $25 of my $50.    Is that a half success or a half failure?  Probably a half failure; a half success would be winning one hand and pushing the other! But somehow when Gauri and Isha left for the bathroom, I went on a streak and ended up ahead from my original $100 by the time they returned.  I think it was only $60 or something but hey, I still ended up ahead.

And I ended up addicted to blackjack switch.  Speaking of, does anyone have the number for the Problem Gambler's Help Line?  I should put it on speed dial...just in case.  



#14: Read "The Hunger Games" Series

Ok, any guys who are reading this are probably rolling their eyes. And for your sake, let's just say it is like Twilight.  But not.  If it makes you men feel any better, these books focus a lot less on a love story (although that aspect is there) and a lot more on the war and Games stories.  Either way, they were great.  I loved them.  I am really glad Jodi said I needed to read them, because they were definitely worth the time.  And being the girl I am, I cried through the last 2 chapters.  Good thing I was at home on a Saturday night on my couch and not at work (where I usually read).  Now I need another series to read since I've read the Twilight books and The Hunger Games books.  What's next?  Besides the Hunger Games movie in 2012!  Eeek, I'm super stoked!  Somewhere on my list is a "midnight movie premiere" and if I haven't done it by then,  I may have to take a Friday off work and hit up the theaters on the Thursday it opens.  Yes, I'm that excited.

#13: Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Despite the fact that I'm not a big fan of heights, I was really excited to try this out.  Gauri and Missy were on board with joining me so while Gauri was on break from Saba island life, we booked an appointment to go.  The balloons run at sunrise and sunset some times of the year but due to the heat in April, they only offer sunrise rides at this time. We met at Deer Valley Airport and commuted out to the west side- Peoria area.  The sun was rising as we were getting ready to watch the crew fire up the balloons and it was gorgeous.

They started setting up the balloons and we waited as they were filled.  With enough fuel and fire, they were up and ready to go.  Time to get in...which was a little complicated.



As you can see in the above picture, the baskets have square foot holes that you have to step into and fling yourself over.  It wasn't terribly hard but some people had more trouble than others.  The basket was split into 5 sections- 4 for passengers (3 people into each) and one for Captain Mark and the fuel. To say that 3 people can fit into each of the 4 passenger areas is a stretch.  Putting 3 full size adults into a basket was possible, but not comfortable.  We began take off and that was the only part that made me a little nervous.  It was one of those feelings that makes your stomach turn (well, mine did since I don't like heights) but it was a fleeting feeling and shortly after it was just exciting to be rising.
It was very relaxing and the views of the city were really great.  Even though we were out in northwest Phoenix, you could see the skyline of downtown and the area around Lake Pleasant.  We were in the air for approximately an hour to an hour and a half before it was time to land.

 Ah, landing.  Captain Mark explained the importance of following instructions because if we didn't, we would likely fall out of the basket.  We all had to put our backs toward the landing area, keep our legs bent, and brace ourselves or impact.  Why?  Because the basket bounces of the ground when it lands and wants to keep rising.  So we hit ground, took out some bushes and 2 crew members on the ground jumped on the side of the basket to help weigh it down so they could tie it up (sweet job by the way).  Upon landing we had to get out one section at a time, because another set of passengers were getting ready to take their rides.  I think getting out was more complicated than getting in- less room to maneuver. The view of the other balloons preparing and in the process of take off made for some cool pictures.

 Once our whole group was out of the basket, they set up a picnic for us. We all got some cheese, quiche, chocolate filled croissants, and apples (I passed on those- haha). Along with orange juice and champagne.  It was actually quite tasty and once we got our special "flight certificates" we packed up and headed back to Deer Valley Airport. 

I enjoyed it thoroughly and wouldn't have any hesitations to go again.  However, I'd like to do a ride over a different type of terrain instead of desert.  Maybe more trees or water or mountains.  Just for a different view. But it was cool to see the valley from high above it and just sort of go along with the flow...wind flow that is.  A great experience, and one I would recommend anyone to try.

#12: Try Traditional Chicken and Waffles

So, chicken and waffles.  Everyone kept talking about it and I was curious so I wrote it down.  Then, lucky for me, my team at work won an extended lunch and chose to go to Lolo's Chicken and Waffles in Scottsdale, AZ.  Perfect.  I couldn't wait.  I vowed to actually order chicken and a waffle, despite my weird feeling of having syrup on a fried chicken breast.  I'm strange about my breakfast foods.  If I have something sweet like pancakes or french toast, I do not particularly care for the syrup touching anything non sweet- eggs, sausage, bacon, etc.  I just like to have them separate.

But not this time.  I want the whole experience. Fried chicken with a buttery, syrupy waffle.  And it was delicious.  Salty and sweet and overall very good.  I definitely want to go back.  I ordered the Betty Boop (one chicken breast and one waffle) and tried a side of their smothered potatoes, which I was not a fan of.  But the chicken and waffle was tasty so I'll return for that.  Except I was given crap for not either ordering some traditional sweet tea or their famous Red Kool Aid Drank.  Next time.  Until then, the picture will just continue to make me hungry.

#11: Start a Journal

Dear Diary,                                                                                                         7.17.2011

I'm in love with a boy.  Just kidding.

But one of the items on my list was to start a journal.  I wrote journals when I was in junior high and maybe some in high school (standard girl thing) but the closest thing I've had to a journal since then was posting personal updates on my Myspace blog.  Someday (before I delete my Myspace profile, which is #73 on the list), I'd like to print out those posts and keep them somewhere as if they were a journal.  There were a lot of personal thoughts that I put in those posts.

So now I've started a real one.  And it has the same type of things.  I write when I've got a lot on my mind or when I'm trying to get some feelings out before having to address a situation with a friend or loved one.  I have always enjoyed writing so I think it's something I actually enjoy doing, when I get time.  I have been writing at work between calls because I know I won't take the time to write at home.  Once I'm home, I'm glued to the couch or my bed and relaxing.  But I probably should start locking it up in my desk, considering I haven't hidden any names for privacy.  I think it's sitting on my desk right out in the open now and who knows who could come across it and take a peek.  I can just picture the drama that would ensue!  Whoops.

I'll have to write about that on Monday.  Haha.

#10: Try Snowboarding Again

Based on the previous post, you probably already get the idea that I finished this goal.

Completing the goal= success.  Snowboarding= not so much.

I'm a snowboarding failure.  Granted, it was only my second time ever.  My first was New Years Day 2003 with Cherisse.  We had just worked a late night busing tables at Charlie Clark's Steak House and we decided to snowboard the next day...before having to head right into another shift.  I think we were both exceptionally sore and broken going into work.  And exhausted.  We picked a bad day to do it.

Well, 8 years later, I don't think it was any easier.  And the whole time I was jealous of the skiers.  It has been more years since I skied but I was more advanced at that when I quit skiing so my thought process is that I would be more successful as a skier than snowboarder.  The trip was good though and I think we'll plan another one this winter.  So that's the plan for me this year- skiing.

"The 80's called and they want their sport back."  Yeah, I know.  I'm just coming with it.

#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!