Riding Log 2012 - Day 2 (Loon Mtn)

After our 1st day at Killington, we didn't get a chance to ride again. We were in NY for the Holidays & there realy wasn't much snow to speak of. You can't ride on what doesn't exist. So it wasn't until NYE that we hit the slopes again. It was a rainy day in Boston, but luckily it held up in the mountains. Andy was in town and agreed to come with. After picking him up and driving to Loon we immediately got our gear on and hit the lift. It was good. I was dissapointed I was riding so slow. Then I got a nasty stomach ache and vertigo. I ended up chilling after 2:30. It was still fun though.

On our way back to the car, I caught an edge on an easy flat. It always happens like that! My knee is nice and swollen and a pretty purplish blue color. Eh, I'm fine. I'm glad we got in a day where I otherwise would have been working.

Till next time... do a snow dance!

and

Happy New Year!!!

You probably wanna see...

pictures of the car... since all I've been doing is talk about it.


Here is the Subie on day 2 parked in my Mom's driveway. It looked pretty there. Too bad I drove it like crap that day. Stalled repeatedly. I actually think I owe my transmission an apology, maybe even a massage.


Here it is at another angle.

Ok Ok let the jokes begin.....

Let me answer 2 questions that have been asked recently....

1. No, I'm not pregnant
2. No, I'm not trying to get pregnant
3. No, my partner is not female (and that's just rude to those who stereotype btw... but I know it was said in jest)

In my eyes.... what it really is... it's a rugged do it all vehicle. It is my snowboard chariot. It is my camping SUV. It is my means to get to my employment. It is a challenge (being standard and all). And it's pretty. It's also my 1st brand spankin' new car. It is also... not mine. It's ours. Paul and my 1st large purchase we've made together as a married couple. It's a pretty big stinkin' deal.

Doesn't it look stinkin' good covered in dirt, snowboards on top, ready to head up or down a mountain!

Another big deal is saying goodbye to my malibu. It was really my 1st car. The 1st car I paid for. The 1st car I was really responsible for. It saw me out of college, through all of my jobs, and through each of my moves, including my 1st move out of NY. It was an old soul (if cars could be old souls... or even have souls). It was my baby. And I miss it. We've been apart for almost 2 weeks now... and I miss driving it. The Subie is great, but it's no Mali.

Here is my last goodbye in the Mali.

New Car?

So let me tell you about this new car. It’s definitely different owning a brand spanking new car. Paul and I came to the decision after facing a few bad developments with the Malibu. It still had a lot of life left if you were willing to invest the money, but is it worth it? We thought that over for a week and decided that we’d spend Black Friday at the local Subaru dealer. Well, we were immediately disappointed when they didn’t have what we were looking for in stock (a 4 cylinder Subaru outback with the all weather package). Then the sales rep said they did have one in a standard transmission & an upgraded Harmon Kardon speaker system. So as I saw Paul’s eyes grow with delight we told him to bring it in so we can check it out.
The next day we were signing paper work, upgrading the cloth seats, and ordering peripherals, but sadly, we couldn’t drive our baby home. We borrowed my grandma’s car and went home with a list of RMV to dos and high hopes of what our new baby would look like.
Saturday came back around and we were back at Subaru. I was disappointed immediately by our dealer installed leather, but was quickly assured they’d be fixed to my standards. It was their fault in not having a thorough check before we picked it up after all. Well a little later with the tech in on his day off we felt satisfied enough to head out. But…. But wait, it’s a standard transmission! I only know how to drive an automatic!
Paul did all the driving that day and in my few attempts to get around, there was a whole lot of stalling, bouncing, and grunting (I was doing the grunting, not the car). My little brother told me he’ll never ride in the car with me again. My sister screamed. My Mom just laughed. Paul yelled but that’s his way of teaching me… boys!
Well soon after arriving back to Beantown… and I mean soon… I got the call… I got a job! Oh yeah, by the way, this job is in the burbs… that means I have to drive. CRAP!
So I drove to the gym, to the grocery store and occasionally to no where just to practice. Man did I suck! Driving uphill was a true challenge – especially in traffic. Rolling into the car behind me was a true possibility! I had 1 week to get this right because I was headed into work at my new job.
So here’s how it went….
… I’m typing this now during some down time at work. I got here safely and didn’t kill anyone along the way. Let’s hope I can continue to say that.

word of advice... NEVER LEARN HOW TO DRIVE A STICK IN YOUR BRAND SPANKIN' NEW CAR!

Riding Log 2012 - Day 1 (Killington Mtn)

We start the season the same weekend every year. We take a trip to Killington, VT on the 2nd weekend of December. It's not tradition and it isn't thoroughly thought out. It's just that... about that time the itch to ride gets fearce and there are only a few mountains open within a reasonable driving distance. This year... there was almost nothing going on.

Winter is a little lazy to get here and the snow is less than stellar. It's ironic considering that freak Halloween snow storm we got.

We gave it a go anyway. We booked a hotel room on the access road, invited our friend, Jerry to come for a ride, and took a chance. A classmate from grade school was up there for her birthday, but we didn't ride with her much. We ride fast and hard and fast again. I'm the slowest of the group, and we don't like waiting. So we tried to take advantage as much as possible. We did the hardest runs and the emptiest runs available. Then the gondola broke and the lift lines became unbearable. We decided to not bother with Sunday and headed back home. Which worked out for the best. Jerry still had to drive back to NY and I still had to prepare myself (read: learn how to drive a stick shift) before my new job on Monday!

Sneaking Around

I'm sneaking around behind my blogs back. While I've been ignoring you I've been undergoing some major changes....

Hubbs and I bought a new car... a Subaru Outback. It's a stick. I'm figuring it out oh so slowly.

I got a job offer. It's a good offer. I'm happy, but nervous.

I need to learn how to drive the new car to get to the new job in 7 days =)

And I've been crocheting and making soap like mad.

I'm sure I'll get you all some pictures very soon =)