for sale

Anyone want to move in to the apartment below my sister's? Looks like you'll be sleeping in the bathroom though. Minor detail.

new year times two

Happy chinese new year! I didn't realize it was already time for it, but apparently it is. Which is weird because that means that it's been two years since I've been in Hong Kong for the Chinese new year when I did my big Southeast Asia travels. Two years! Holy moley. How did that happen. Anyways, new year, new times.

Things are good here. There were about 10 days of sunny weather where I swear it felt hotter than the summer. I know it wasn't of course, because the thermometer said about 40, but the sun is intense here! Honestly I could have worn flip flops. Otherwise, been working a lot, getting out, going to the gym, a bit of hiking and snowshoeing...it's been great. Except that I have a new fondness for pastries and cookies since I am constantly surrounded by them at my job. So hard to resist! They talk to me! They really do ask to be eaten. So I oblige.

I also have a great idea for a new job venture. (And yes, I know, I seem to have a new job idea every few months.) I can't take all the credit for this one as it was my co-worker who got the wheels turning, but she was saying that I should take photos of people in the summer on hikes, like portraits of them at the peak or end of the hike. Which got me thinking...I could be the photographer that documents the hike/tour. I mean, please tell me if I'm off base here, but don't we all love to have great photos of adventures we go on? And not just of ourselves posing (which I would do as well even if I hate cheesy portraits), but of us hiking, biking, rafting, etc. where we are in action. Unposed and candid. And then I would take photos of the scenery along the way. Then they can order whichever ones they would like after the hike. That way it's kind of like a documentation of their outing. So they would have good, quality photos to have with them of their trip! I have to talk to some outdoor stores and see if it's feasible, but I'm thinking they'd go for it. I'd probably just charge for the guests' photo orders, but maybe I could add in a cost to the tour organizers and they could use the photos for marketing. And in the end, it couldn't be terrible because I'd get to go on some cool hikes! Well?? Thoughts?

there is hope

How exciting is this! I hope they can do it.

1st grade humor

I am immature, which is why I find this article HILARIOUS.

photos of the day

This is pretty cool - seeing how so many people spent this amazing day.

color coordination

So I think I've calmed down since the other day and come up with a more neutral color for my wall. Thank you all for talking some more sense into me. Not that black is bad, but I think I need to start slowly. So I've decided on the color that's in this blog post. It's cute! And her colors seem similar to mine with the browns and reds. So this will be my next project. Someday. It may take months, but it's on my mind...

chilling with my sock

It's been awhile since Charlotte has visited the blog, so here's your latest labradoodle fix.

back in black

Call me crazy but I think I want to paint this wall black. Is that a bad idea? I photoshopped what this side would like like (very sketchily, don't look too close...). I don't know if it goes with the wood drawers/kitchen that face this wall, but I think it could work. No? Thoughts? Other colors?

UPDATE! A good point brought up by my dad - is it possible to paint the white back over black paint? Since I'm renting I will have to paint it back when I move out, so would I be creating way too much work by doing this? Anyone?

showing my stuff

Some exciting news - I am going to be exhibiting some photographs in a group show here done by the arts school in conjunction with the museum. The title is Before & After and my idea is a bit obscure but fits the bill (or so I tell myself). The show is in February and is totally casual, but I'm excited! I'll keep you posted on my progress.

let the sun shine in

This makes me so happy!

broken butt

I think I've injured my tail bone. I fell on it not once, but twice today, and I had to take a few moments the second time around to remember how to breathe. Oh yes, and this was when I was snowboarding, I should clarify. On a good note, I'm getting there. While my falls were more painful, there were fewer than usual, so that's good, right?

let the year begin!

Ahh 2009 - you have arrived! I'm a bit ambivalent about the new year. 2008 really was a good year for me. Looking back on things, it's been full of life changes, travel, new surroundings, health, Obama, and much much more. But then terrible things happened too - the economy, mmm....I've been sitting here for the past few minutes trying to think of truly bad things. But for me, it's actually been an ok, if not greatly positive, year. I consider myself really lucky. I am definitely looking forward to 2009 though. With my upcoming trip to Nicaragua, my new outlook of feeling healthier here in the rockies, and who knows what else, things will be good I think. And after speaking with friends and family, I really truly believe that this will be a year for positive change for all. And that is the word from me, if it matters at all, which it probably doesn't. But there's my two cents. And if you're reading this blog, that means that my two cents maybe count for something.

So to start off the new year are a few random updates from me, since I tend to not be updating this often (sorry Brooke!) and my mind is all over the place lately...

-My snowboarding is improving. The rumor around town was that after 3 days, things should start to click. And I am happy (and relieved) to announce that it is true! Plus or minus a day or two. But today was the day where I actually started to feel comfortable in the uncomfortable position of going sideways down a bumpy hill with both feet strapped onto a board. Seems so illogical, but that's snowboarding for you.

-Holidays are terrible in a resort town. Get out, people! Or if you are here, calm down! You're on vacation! Don't ask me for too much! I'm not used to doing this much work since there is usually no one here! No one except for happy people who you should aspire to be like! Try smiling, will you?! And PS: don't take up the whole ski run or I'll run into you! (By the way, I'm better now because they are gone. I'm done with the exclamations)

-Tom Cruise is a good person. I say this after much deliberation, as I have always made fun of him and have not taken anything he's done seriously (except maybe Top Gun when I was in high school). BUT. After his very generous donations to the film festival and then for supplying his Valkyrie movie to be premiered here in Telluride to raise money for the local high school theater, I think he's a good guy. He'd be an even better guy if he and the family had shown up to the movie, but I can't be too picky. And the movie was decent. I liked it.

More thoughts to come. I'm exhausted from snowboarding which has affected my stream of thoughts. I will write more. Soon, I promise.

And to sum it all up - HAPPY NEW YEAR!