I like to think I don't just jump on whatever bandwagon happens to be passing through town, but I've been asked several times to start a blog so my friends can keep posted on my whereabouts. (And probably so they feel validated that their bandwagon jumping was acceptable as well as hoping my mass emails will come to a halt - don't hold your breath). Growing up I wasn't a big writer, but more of a rock tumbler/matchbox cars/chemistry set kind of girl. But things changed when I took my first Creative Writing class in high school. I can't recall who the teacher was, but she encouraged a 'casual' atmosphere where we could sit on the floor if that helped stimulate our creative minds. I remember sitting on some shelves on the side of the room, holding hands with Chris Miller and critiquing the class's writing. (Note: I never dated Chris Miller and don't think either of us were interested in one another. I think the idea that a teacher would allow us to hold hands in her classroom was reason enough to do it.)
Starting then, writing became a way for me to express myself, particularly when I was in a funk. Many 'artists' paint, draw or design jewelry when they are unhappy (all things I enjoy). When I'm unhappy I am completely uninspired to do those things that I enjoy. Writing is often the one thing that I not only still want to do, but makes me feel better. I hated/hate/will hate math and numbers till the day I die. But words are my friend. I'm glad I can share a few with you. I'm not suggesting that I'm currently in 'unhappy' mode. Just that writing is the one thing I'm happy to do, no matter what mental state I'm residing in.
With that introduction, my current place in the world is Big Sky, Montana. It's an extensive story as to how I ended up in such a small corner of the world instead of the sprawling suburbia of NJ where I've lived the past 32 years. I will wait for another post to investigate why I'm here. But it's a simply beautiful place and I feel lucky to have found it at this point in my life. Recently, I've been waking up early in the morning for work up at the resort. As I drive up the mountain road, I usually turn the radio off and enjoy the view. Just before the sun comes up everything is a very deep blue. I can just make out the distinction of the white Lone Mountain Peak. As I drive farther up the road, the peak gets closer, and as you turn a bend THERE IT IS. I see it every day, and every day I'm just as amazed.
Today, on that drive up the mountain, radio off, enjoying the view, I nearly hit a moose. A MOOSE. I've been driving everyone around here crazy, asking where I can go to see a moose and they say, 'You just need to be in the right place at the right time". Well, I'd say this was the right time since if I had been driving 1 mph faster, or had left 5 seconds earlier, my little scion would have been moose trampled and I'm not exaggerating. Thankfully for both he and I, I had a hard time getting my booty out of bed this morning. The big guy trotted right out in front of my car, no more than 10 feet away and off into the woods. I pulled over with hopes of seeing him again but he was off.
I finally feel like I'm living in Montana now.
The snow has been slow coming around here and we're waiting for a big storm to get the season started. Word on the streets is they are going to open the resort where I work (Moonlight Basin) on Friday, snow or no snow. I'm looking forward to honing my snowboard skills which are currently minimal and have been relegated to east coast training (read: I snowboard on sheets of ice). My board is not familiar with this 'powder' substance I've been hearing about, but I think it's looking forward to becoming acquainted shortly. I'm told that a few years ago in Wyoming it didn't snow until Christmas Day and then didn't stop for months. So a late start doesn't necessarily mean a crap season.
I'm not sure what made me decide to start this blog today, December 10th, 2006. I was reading my friends blogs: Kim Jong Ramone, Justin's Mom, Corky, even The Birdman and I just like the concept that all these people are inter-connected in some way but live such different lives and have so many stories to tell. I'll be reading...
9 comments:
Did you happen to see any squirrels as well? Moose and Squirrel always get into madcap antics.
Please same some powder for me and my skis.
It's a good thing I live with Liz, since I totally missed the Bullwinkle reference. I was more of a Woody Woodpecker girl.
Trust me... there will be plenty of powder for all. Looking forward to it!
Beautiful picture! I look forward to reading your blog on a regular basis, but I have a bone to pick with you...How did Kim Jong Ramone get a link before me??? Just out of spite I'm going to add your link first ;)
I'm glad you finally decided to do this!
Was that creative writing teacher Mrs. Poss? I think we were in the same class. Her and Lovi are practically the only two teachers that I remember their names.
Sorry Cork, I will put you on asap. I was really just practicing how to put the links on... you're going up!
JC - I remember the name "Poss" but really don't know if she was the teacher. My age is showing when my memory of my high school education is a blur.
Birdman, I didn't realize our friendship had healed enough to link you to my blog, and the whole 'visiting in March' thing is still under review.
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, I've linked you. I'll need to mull the whole visitation thing...
I am feeling the pressure to come out and visit - if Birdman is considering it, I suppose I should make sure that I get out there to big sky country as well! I will see what I can do!
:)
JC, the plan as it stands is, KJR was going to visit with James, with hopes that he and I will fall in love and get married, thus closing the circle forever. This would prevent KJR from having to ever add an 'outsider' into said circle.
I don't believe he is attempting the same nonsense with the birdman. In any case, if he's going to make it out for a visit, surely you should. No pressure!
I never heard anything about James, but the rest of it sounds just like what he and I talked about....
The Birdman33
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