Estes Park

Alo, faithful readers!

Yesterday I got out to Estes Park for a hike with a friend. It was 65 degrees in Denver. A bit colder in the mountains, but still really nice. So windy, I was especially glad I picked up my shell instead of just my fleece. We could have used snowshoes, but decided to wing it and just hike in boots. Worked out great, minus a few falls in thigh-high snow, resulting in screams of snow-in-sock shock. We made it out to the lake in the photo above, chatted with some snowshoeing, older men who were super nice, and headed to Mountain Sun in Boulder for Stout and delicious food. Good fun!

Two photos for you all...

Photo update

TBWOTY

We had the first annual sibling-cousin shin dig last weekend. A.k.a. The Best Weekend of the Year. It was so fun! We met in NYC. I got there early so I had a day with Dr. Baby Brother. I cooked him a bunch to have in his freezer for when he was too busy to cook. Don't want him losing weight!

We didn't do a whole lot, but we ate good food, talked and laughed in various locations like the Met, FAO Schwartz, The Strand etc. I soaked it all up and felt happy to have such great family (& significant others). I was pretty exhausted the whole weekend from the busy week before, the red eye flight, and general lack of sleep. Yesterday was rough, coming back to freezing temperatures (literally, it's 2 degrees and we're in the middle of an 8 inch snow storm. no snow day.) I rallied hard with no second coffee, no nap, and a trip to the bike at the gym.

In other news, I went to a Conference for Women in International Trade yesterday. Only so-so. The talk I really wanted to hear was canceled, but there were still some other interesting talks.

I also discovered and bought new music by a South African guy, Vusi Mahlasela. It's beautiful. Have a listen:
River Jordan

Just when you think...

Surprise!! I was all sitting on the bike at the gym thinking "high of -1 degrees tomorrow. No big deal. Life goes on as normal." Get back to my locker and have a text message saying school is closed tonight and tomorrow for snow. YAY!

Lucky lucky meeeeeee!

Symphony

Last night I heard Mozart's Requiem and the Oboe Concerto. So good! I loved it. I had a seat as far and high as I've ever been, but I kind of liked the bird's eye view and anonymity of it all. Before the piece, there was this long pause and this maintenance type guy came out to fix the microphone. When he came out people started clapping, maybe thinking he was the conductor? Anyway, he leaned down to fix the cord and everyone started clapping again. He stops what he's doing and looks up at the audience. Basically, he's saying, You people are crazy clapping for me. I didn't even do anything!" Clapping dies down. He finishes fixing and starts to walk off stage. Everyone claps. He just calmly, slowly walks off stage and doesn't look back. Brilliant non-verbal communication and humor. I loved it and thought it was hilarious!

Off to go running.

Denver weather: we had 65 degree weather all weekend. Monday and Tuesday are snow with lows of (actual temperature) -15. Yikes! Glad I played outside instead of doing work... tee hee hee!