my ears are still ringing
This weekend marked a monumental occasion in my adult life: I shot my first big kid gun. I’ve no shame in admitting that prior to this weekend the only guns I’d ever shot were loaded with water or BB’s. However, as of this weekend I’m now a semi-experienced handler of things like 12s, 16s, and perhaps my personal favorite and the reason that high pitch still resides in my left ear: the nine!That rant was really just for me. I’m pretty sure that most humans know so much more about guns than I do, even after my eye-opening weekend of firearms. You see, John Banks was gracious enough to invite all the Luther Boys out to his deer lease for the weekend, where he and other my other kind roommates let me shoot their guns. They were also pretty adamant about my needing to shoot a rabbit, which I’m pretty content letting you know that didn’t happen. I roll like the Indians. They wouldn’t shoot a rabbit and just leave it there in the trees, and neither will I.
And yes, that is a fire behind me in that picture. Be afraid.
a brief trip debrief
After loading food, one set of skis, two snowboards, three backpacks, three sets of boots, three suitcases, and three people into the afore mentioned xB (see below), we were off to conquer the road.
We swung by Amarillo to see my wonderful friend Bree Wells and headed off to Beaver Creek.
Day One: The girls snowboarded, hurt themselves, one had to quit, the other toughed it out for the day; all while I was off skiing hard stuff that made my heart beat so hard I felt it in my back.
Day Two: The girls didn’t ski for health and comfort reasons, and I went with some of the BC staff to tour the mountain. I was a sore rick.
Day Three: I don’t really know what happened at BC, because I hopped on a bus to spend Valentines Day in Vail! It was such a glorious day. Around 8 inches of fresh powder and plenty of gorgeous tree runs to keep me and my Vail friends occupied for the day. So amazing.
Day Four: I rested. I found a solitary couch and spent some much-needed time alone with some books. It was like hanging out with Malachi and Philip Yancey in the mountains. Pure. Oh, I also bought a patch for ol‘ yellow.
Day Five: Drive back to Dallas. Good conversations, good gas mileage, good bye Colorado.
For those of you who are kicking yourself for not taking me up on my offer to join me on a ski trip (again, see below… further), let me add a bit of info that will help you kick yourself harder: my spending grand total. The entire trip: gas, food, lift tickets, patch, everything, cost a total of… ready?… $209.41. That is $41.59 under my goal, and that includes a $15 deluxe edition atlas. I’m pretty sure I could claim that atlas under some other account and bring my total to below $200. Not bad huh?
Special thanks to:Miguel Mudie for driving,
Breeto for the place to crash in ‘Rillo,
Seth Hagar for hooking up the place to stay,
Seth and Erin Tegt for the lift ticket hook-ups,
and Josh Bashaw for graciously loaning me your sick skis.
out of the office
I’ll be away from my proverbial desk from the 10th to the 17th on a very important ski trip. If you need me leave a message here or on my phone. If you want to see how three people fit all their stuff in a Scion xB, check back at the blog in a week or so. Cheers.
WINNERS!!
I’m at a loss for words. The response to my contest was overwhelming! Three guesses from two different households… I mean really, just when I think that people don’t read my blog, you guys come through in a big way.
If you haven’t been able to tell by the title and the accompanying picture, Rev. Brandon “Brandone” Rogers is the winner of the contest. His prize is to have his picture posted on my blog — a blog that is home to nearly half of the readers of his. Nearly.
Another winner is me. Remember two posts ago? The one with the giant bra picture? Well I got the position. Two raises and a promotion within a two week period of time. Not bad… so I guess I win too.
As I was writing this blog and looking at the beautiful portrait above, I thought about making another contest, but decided against it. I was going to ask what things were different about me and Brandone from the picture to current day. Instead, I’ll just tell you the answer: My necklace is no longer worn given the fact that it broke, I no longer wear earrings because I saw an old guy with them and I didn’t want to be like him, and Brandone has since grown a full set of teeth per his wife’s request.
Thank you guys for playing, and as always, watch your top knot.
quiz time!
Way back in my college years I decided I wanted to get a tattoo. Being the honorable and respectful son I am, I asked my parents if that was a permissible thing to do. They promptly informed me that yes it was allowed, and made sure that I was aware that as soon as I got one, they’d stop paying for my college. Well I took that as a no. They also said that when I was out of school and supporting myself that I could do whatever I want.
I obliged.
I received these tattoos the other night from my new friend Meg. They were free because she’s an apprentice and she has to do a certain amount of promotional tattoos before getting certified. So for the mere cost of a trip to College Station, I got some neat permanent writing on my ankle.
Quiz Time: What are the two words/phrases?
People who are cannot play: Mikey, Jon, La, Jordan, Allen, and Aaron. Also, Butch Smith need not play, because he nailed it on the head before ever being asked. Someone was paying attention in seminary.
Guess away, and a prize will be awarded to the winning-est winner.