Cold Blue.

A year ago I was complaining about sand flies at Nelson Lakes. It was an early New Years' Eve. This year, I am excited to have launched TropoDesignz.com and have a job. We headed up to Vail last weekend to work at a snowshoe race which was a lot of fun. We stayed in Silverthorne the night before. Thanks to my last job, we have accumulated some points to give us some free nights at the Quality Inn. We fished Saturday afternoon. I think that it was 8 degrees. It was amazing to see the fish active and rising in that freezing water.

I was surprised to actually catch something on a size 24 fly. (It is about the size of the tip of a pen.) Sunday, we got up early and worked at the race. They don't go fast, but apparently, they have fun snowshoeing.
I am not a fan of resolutions, but every time that I bike or run, I remember how much I like it. Getting paid soon may allow me to join the recreation center near our house. Then I can swim as well. Maybe it is time to pick races for 2010?!
It turns out that Santa is a Persian woman in New York! We got a check that is specifically to be used for the purchase of a KitchenAid. I am excited. One year ago while living out of my backpack, I never would have thought that I would have a KitchenAid!
And if you didn't receive a Christmas card, here is what they looked like:

Bike and Breck.

I made what I believe to be pretty tasty banana nut muffins. Then I rode my bike up Flagstaff Mountain.

Then the snow began falling last night, so a trip to the mountains was obviously in order today. We received awesome winter gear from Rudy Project and were eager to show it off. We grabbed our friend Ray, made Lando come with us, and headed to Breckenridge. It snowed on and off at the mountain and people were having difficulty driving back to town. It was a great day and now it's Christmas Eve. Life is good!

EverLater and the recession.

All I wanted for Christmas was a Nintendo Wii. And a Kitchen Aid. Today I received a frying pan and a cup. This recession sucks. We did Christmas today because Mojdeh wanted to use the blender that I got her so I told her that if she got her presents, I get mine.
On a happier note, I changed the lightbulb in the car's headlight, Moj found a chair that she has been wanting, but this one was free, and I made a delicious curried chicken salad. I also banged out a hard trainer session on the bike this evening. Although, I am not sure what I am training for.
We went to a party where I met one of the creators of EverLater.com. Having traveled a bit, this is a site that I can spend a lot of time playing with. I will leave you with a picture of Lando watching me on the trainer.

Through the Roof (Teaser)

Our friend Erica in the wheelchair. I am stoked for her!

HelpEricaWalk.com

Snow and wings.

We went to Breckenridge today. The forecast was for blue skies so we brought our fishing equipment in case the snowboarding wasn't too great. Of course once we drove through Eisenhower Tunnel, it was snowing. Sweet! The snow got better as the day went on. Lando hung out in the car so every three runs we hurried back to check on him. He mostly slept and seemed a bit bothered that we dragged him out to pee and eat.

After a few hours, we decided to get some fishing in. There were some decent sized fish that we could see, but they weren't eating anything that we were throwing at them. We fished "the steps" of the Blue River near the elementary school. I couldn't feel my fingers so it made it difficult to tie flies on after a few minutes. Realizing later that I should have been using worms or egg patterns, I know I could have caught those fish!

Headed back to Boulder, we wanted to get some buffalo wings. We called our favorite place The Lazy Dog to find out if their prices were comparable to Harpos. On the phone, LD told us that we could get their wings to go at happy hour prices. Awesome. So we called when we were closer to place our order. Now we were told that we would have to pay full price. WTF? So we showed up and explained that we were promised happy hour prices for to go wings. The manager said that the server was an idiot. I said that wasn't my problem, but I was promised some wings at happy hour prices, to go. She explained that they don't make any money on the actual wings and it is supposed to bring people in to drink. I sat at the bar and ordered some wings at happy hour prices. When they were delivered, I put them in a box and left. Maybe I am on my high horse, and please someone put me in my place, what should have happened? Email me if you don't want your answer published. The wings were delicious and we enjoyed them in our home.
Last week, we ate at Southern Sun to celebrate Mojdeh taking her LSAT. We called to ask if their patio was open (it was sunny, but had snowed earlier in the week and we wanted to bring Lando) and we were told that they could accommodate us. Upon arrival, a manager told us that the patio was closed for the winter and it was dangerous because of ice forming. However, because we were promised to be able to sit outside, he shoveled snow, wiped tables, and chipped away ice to let us sit outside. We will be back there!

Apt.

I thought that our apartment was small until I saw this. Our apartment is great. Except that 7 Kuwaitis live upstairs and across the hall. They don't scare me, but someone is bound to call the NSA when they notice all 7 guys pouring out of the apartment late one night like I did. Then we will all be raided and I live with a black dog and a Iranian girl. I know that these guys are Kuwaiti because their wireless network is "the real kuwaiti". Unless the DUI dwarf that lives downstairs has a great sense of humor. The people above like to move furniture and run in circles. I think that is what they do. I can't imagine what else makes so much noise. When they bounce balls I have to pound on the ceiling to remind them that they are not outside. But then again, it has been so cold outside that Lando and I occasionally play fetch inside, so I am not perfect either. I have also been spending time on the bike trainer and I doubt that is quiet. I finally saw the guy that lives underneath us for the first time in 6 weeks. It was about 12:30 at night and he was walking his dog. He was very friendly, looked to be about my age and was missing teeth. I hope that meth wasn't the reason for the missing teeth. Maybe he is a cage fighter.
This time last year, we were adventuring around New Zealand.

Saucy?

For Thanksgiving, besides being a little cynical, I was also very happy. Our neighbor is a saucier as well as a drinker. I made the mashed potatoes, he made the turkey, carrots, and of course the gravy. It was delicious and we were all very happy. Days now seem to consist of me leaving messages at the large resorts like Vail, Beaver Creek, Winter Park, Steamboat, etc. and hoping that they call me back. Then I email and hope to hear back from them as well. I am just trying to sell some stuff in the snow. Apparently, it is a bigger deal than I thought. While I am waiting I am telling people the advantage of sponsoring our team. I am telling many many people and waiting for a few of them to see what a great opportunity this is! 

Other than that, the days are filled with picking up dog poop and staying outside with Lando as much as possible.