Adventures in Indianapolis

Duckpin Bowling in Fountain Square for Kristyn's Birthday

Revisiting the Myers Briggs Personality Test ... yet again

Approximately twice yearly, I find myself re-enamored with the Myers Briggs personality test.  Today I was reading over this blog and found this post on how to parent an ENFP (my primary personality type.)  Found some of them particularly relevant still at age 27 :)

http://enfpconfessions.tumblr.com/page/2

• Two words: Verbal Affirmation. Repeat that over and over. Your ENFP needs to hear compliments. She needs to know that she’s loved. She needs the security of knowing that she’ll always be loved. She needs to be reminded that she’s special (obviously you shouldn’t go overboard and give her false confidence). Find something good that you notice about her and point it out. If you love her, she needs to know that and with ENFPs, you have to tell her and you have to be specific.
• Never, under any circumstances, force your ENFP to participate in a club or group activity that makes him extremely uncomfortable or that he fears. There’s a difference between an ENFP who is lazy and doesn’t want to commit and an ENFP who is completely miserable and wants nothing more than to get out. The lazy ENFP will begrudgingly go along with you if you nudge him enough because deep down, a part of him wants to do it. The miserable ENFP will dig in his heels. He will beg and plead with you to let him skip said group. If your ENFP is begging to get out of social interaction with peers, you need to sit him down and figure out exactly why. Use the first point (verbal affirmation) to your advantage when wheedling information out of him. He may be shy about sharing why he doesn’t like it. Make sure he knows he’s safe. And if your ENFP is truly miserable, he will not benefit from the activity and you need to take him out. And I cannot stress this enough: YOUR SOCIAL STATUS DOES NOT MATTER WHEN YOUR CHILD IS SUFFERING. If people think you’re a bad parent for pulling him out, that’s not your fault. You’re actually doing him a favor.
• Make sure your ENFP has plenty of time with her friends, especially if none of your other children are particularly close to her. Your ENFP needs social interaction with people she can relax with and unfortunately, that may not be you. Don’t take it personally. Just because your ENFP doesn’t draw energy from talking to you doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you or enjoy your company. But you have to allow her to recharge. A drained ENFP will be irritable and is likely to snap at you. Or she’ll be emotional and completely unreasonable. ENFPs are known as the most introverted of extroverts because they’re very particular about who they befriend and few people energize them. So you have to make those people who do energize them a priority because she is already doing that and no amount of fighting will change that. Fortunately for you, she doesn’t need a ridiculous amount of social time and will tire out if she gets enough. She may become a bit of a hermit for a while. But since she’s energized, she will be in much better spirits and will be more likely to be obedient and agreeable.
• Just because you’re bored with the conversation topic doesn’t mean that your ENFP is ready to stop talking about it. On the contrary, he’s probably just getting into the good stuff and is excited about sharing everything with you. Do not shut him down. Telling him you don’t care will hurt him. It may not seem hurtful to you but to an ENFP, you’re basically telling him you don’t care about what makes him passionate. Being forced to shut down also takes an incredible amount of energy away from him. In fact, he may just stop talking to you altogether and go sulk for a while. It is extremely hurtful and will only hurt your relationship. So, because your ENFP is forced to listen to your SJ babble all the time, let him babble in his NF lingo for a while, no matter how bored you get.
• Your ENFP probably won’t care about grades as much as you. As long as she’s doing okay (As, Bs, maybe a C or two), leave her be. ENFPs hate being held to a ridiculously high standard and get very stressed, which can cause their grades to plummet. If she’s not doing okay, do not take away all of her social time. That’s a great way to make her even more miserable and will likely result in even worse grades. Instead, do your best to present your help in a way she’ll understand. If you can make a game out of it, that’s even better. ENFPs are great at memorizing things and remembering them if they had fun while doing it. They don’t take themselves too seriously so you shouldn’t either.
• If your ENFP’s room is cluttered, leave it be. Make sure he knows that the rest of the house has to be kept up to your standards but his room should be his fortress because every ENFP needs one. For that reason, as long as you can move around without stepping on something and he isn’t losing things, leave him be. Being obsessive about how clean his room is will annoy him to death and will only make him resent you. Honestly, it’s not a big deal as long as it’s not dangerous and he’s happy with it so let it go.
• Laugh with her. Seriously, ENFPs feel so much better when they can laugh with someone. Find a movie you both find funny or talk in a group with friends and share funny stories. This will make your ENFP very happy and will improve your relationship.
• If you can afford it, take him on trips. They don’t have to be far away or expensive as long as he has a change of scenery. ENFPs do really well when they get to travel. To them, vacations have nothing to do with visiting relatives and they think it’s stupid for that to be your only motivation. Vacations are adventures. So let him have an adventure once in a while. Let him go on trips with friends. However, if you’re planning a family vacation and he’s not interested (and he’s old enough to take care of himself), know also that staying home alone rather than with the family can also be an adventure and it may be preferable to taking a sullen teenager with you everywhere you go.

Poem of the day

from “The Tatters” Brenda Coultas

I can get at the drawings or language of making things: instruction manuals for building fires or cookbooks for explosives or poisons. I have found out why we stand tall and who the commanders of the great ships are. I have learned the story of the microscope and of birds which dress in blue and purple, of how to read a sea shell. I have read of Monsters of the Land and Sky, from the crumbles of a 19th century text. I commit to memory views from penny postcards of sights I’ve never seen and actions I never witnessed; like the great swans of Long Island in the wild, or the skyline of Manhattan as seen from the deck of a paddlewheel steamer. I am impressed by cancelled postcards from the plains of a sod house or from a museum of corn.

On the road again: Packing for another adventure

Getting ready tonight for a 2.5 week adventure to visit my dear dear friend Krista in Japan.  Leaving this Thursday at 6 am and thinking about how much better I am at packing now than a few years ago.  A few pre-trip essentials have been taken care of:

- Cut, buff, and repaint toenails
- Take nail polish off, cut, and buff fingernails
- Toiletries bottles refilled and in a bag at the top of my airplane "personal item"
- Lonely Planet Japan book reserved at the library for pick up tomorrow morning
- iPhone 4 from Kalen charged w music, Japan travel app, and Skype credit
- Credit and debit calls called for details of international fees and travel notice so they're not stopped while abroad
-Clothes for two and a half weeks carefully rolled up to fit into one backpack and one carry on suitcase
- Sketchbook and journal packed
-Camera charged and memory card cleared
- Two pairs of squishable walking shoes purchased, squished, and packed into a carry on
-Waterproof Sea-to-Summit camping bag emptied of air and packed into the mix
- Camping towel and swim suit rolled into side pocket of backpack
- Layers, layers, layers, and even more layering options ready to go

East Asia, I'm nearly ready for you.  Bring it on.

The start of another year

The big 2-7, and I've felt surrounded by thoughtful people all day long.  I actually prefer working on my birthday to not working bc there are more people around to feel celebratory with.

A late night gift pick up from my neighbor's unlocked car in his driveway last night, nice Trippel beer waiting on the counter in a beautiful bag from my roommate this morning, the most beautiful rose I've ever seen waiting in the crack of my car door for me from a secret admirer this morning, a cubicle covered with streamers, 4th of July costume celebration and pitch in at work, a team pitch in with cupcakes, a singing birthday card from my coworkers, and a thoughtful gift of sidewalk chalk (long story) from my boss to round out the day before a birthday dinner (and my annual St. Germaine birthday cocktail!) with Mom and Sarah at Flatwater on the White River.

Early bedtime getting ready for an early morning tomorrow to drive up to a 4th of July weekend in Pentwater, Michigan

It's been a relatively grown-up, relatively low-key, but 100% perfect birthday.

The sort of week where you come home to flowers on your doorstep

It's been an interesting few days. Thankful for a thoughtful surprise. 

And so begins the World Cup

Biking season at last!

13 miles, smoothies, and tadpole catching on the Monon

Life Lessons -- Find of the day

45 Life Lessons from some one who really knows

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland ,
Ohio

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled
Over to 90 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never
blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is
up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an
answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't
save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this
matter?
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
parents will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or
didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift

Urban Expansion: Glow sticks on a high ropes course

As I was eating lunch at Yats with my in-town-from-Chicago friend Ann last weekend, I saw a group of fit young people in green shirts that said something about a challenge course.

Being chatty and curious, I had to ask about it.  They all were grabbing a bite to eat after a morning working a high ropes course on Butler University's campus (10 minutes from my apartment.)  Since I kept asking questions, one mentioned that they were hosting a free community day on the course with glow sticks for a night climb on Friday.

I've finally been in town long enough to know a couple people who would be as excited about high ropes courses at night as I am, so I've just gotten back and have several glowing accessories to show for it.

Growing up in a summer camp-y community and an outdoorsy family, it wasn't my first ropes course, but it was the first time since early during undergrad and definitely the first time 25 feet up at  night.

Feels good to do something that made me nervous (other than parking) for the first time in a while.

http://www.butler.edu/hrc/challenge-education/high-ropes/

After three years cutting my own hair...

Today I had a proper hair appointment and chopped it all off.  It's been a long, long time coming....

At last, spring has sprung -- a walk around the neighborhood.

Went for a perfect walk down the Monon today. Inspired by Ann Ferguson and her visit, I bought out half the inventory of a fair trade shop near my house.

While there, signed up to volunteer at a couple events this season with the Peace Learning Center in Indy. Got invited to an event at the fair trade shop this Saturday and asked a random girl if she wanted to come salsa dance sometime. 

Then, walking home, I met two new neighbors who were out on their porch with guitars and assorted hand drums. #bunkhouseporchnostalgia

After forgetting their names a few too many times, they said I could refer to them as the "stoop guys" to make it easier. I returned the favor and told them I sometimes go by Laser.

"Laser, drop by the stoop with your uke anytime you like."

Might have to bring them one of the houseplants I've been propagating in the windowsill later this week.....

Carlos B was right. You do just have to walk out your door for things to happen and friends to appear.

Especially when it's April in Indianapolis.

#317

How to change health without a high cost

"Making individuals aware of health risks and how to cope with them has come to be widely recognized as an essential feature of reducing mortality from lung cancer, heart disease, and other maladies associated with diet and lifestyle.  What this chapter shows is that fecal disease and tuberculosis, and to a lesser degree malaria, were all combated by a similar mode, which informed ordinary people in accessible terms about how these diseases operated and how people could protect themselves from them.  Those things--self-awareness and self-help--were the central feature of disease protection in the low-income countries in the early decades of their health transitions."

p 159-160 Low Income, Social Growth, and Good Health: A History of Twelve Countries by Riley


After a morning of reading and finishing up this book, I'm feeling very good about my current job as a health coach!


A few other striking clips from later in the book:

"In important ways social growth that did not lead a country to high-income status may in the long run prove to be a more useful mode of development for other low-income countries.  It is markedly less abusive in its exploitation of scare resources, and it avoids the agonies associated with the early stages of industrial modernization.  The low-income countries' model of social growth also sets a different goal.  Where as economic growth measures success by adding to income, improving material life, and meeting people's expectations for a continually rising standard of living, social growth sets the goal of self- and community improvement.  It concentrates on what is absolutely the fundamental prize, which is good health and survival.  A global strategy of social growth would also produce less inequality among nations in income and wealth, hence lead to a more ethically defensible and morally acceptable distribution of material goods.  And it would make middle-income rather than high-income status the goal.  Imagine a world in which the most valued skills and ideas lead not to the possession of ever more consumer goods but to improvement of the quality of life for individuals and the community."

p 163-164

"For some decades now medicine has had the upper hand in the minds of policy makers, in a manner analogous to the preference for economic over social development in the same group.  Many students of human survival believe that public health and its potential contributions to disease prevention should be given more importance.  The research that has produced this book lends support to the public health side of this debate, but with an important qualification.  The important thing in public health is not the technical knowledge and skill of the experts who give advice about disease prevention.  It is instead the participation of ordinary people in the effort....

The third element in the plan for development is thus for people to discover that they can be engaged in controlling health risks.  This is the essential point: people can be counted on to become allies and participants in social growth and improving health."

p172-173

Urban Expansion: Trade School Indy

Starting a new series of posts on "Urban Expansion", recapping some of the better adventures, communities, events, and finds I've come across since moving to Indianapolis after 8 years away in a nice college town in Southern Indiana, a few years in Spain, and, most recently, two years living on a ranch in beautiful, but VERY rural, Colorado. 

In moving back to more of an urban context, I was hoping to get back connected with the diversity of the human narrative -- bumping into people who look, think, and act differently than I do, having a variety of events and places available to me, remembering what it's like to connect with strangers or try to form community when most people you see are not people you already recognize, and feeling the sense of personal expansion that comes with participating in a variety of different events, activities, and roles.

First post about this sort of Urban Expansion in the series is on Trade School Indy, which has been an ongoing January-March learning experience that's kept me sane and curious through the never-ending series of not-quite-enough-snow-to-ski cold fronts that hit, and depressed, Indy and most of its residents this year.






A barter based series of single session classes on anything imaginable.  I've attended about 7 different classes this "semester" and am sad to say that I only have one left to go before a month hiatis waiting for the summer classes to be announced.

I've always been fascinated by bartering.  Why should money be the only form of exchange if people already have an end product in mind that another person might have?  

And education.  How do you continue learning new skills, finding new information and passions, and connecting with other learners while working 40 hours or more weekly, surrounded by people who might not be as driven toward continual learning and growth, and outside of a formal educational system?

Some teachers ask for items for their personal use while others collect barter items on behalf of a non-profit organization they resonate with. And to find spaces in Indianapolis willing to host the class, I've learned about and made a point of visiting certain places around the city that I may not have discovered.  And places I'd been procrastinating on getting to because I don't always have someone to explore them with.

New Day Meadery.  Big Car. The Red Door. Indy Reads Books.

The types of places that host trade school classes tend to be places that I am drawn to.

I've met some fascinating people, some odd ducks, some inspiring people, and plenty who combine 2 or all 3 of those traits.

I have a basic understanding of topics ranging from HTML to EFT and NLP to Native Pollinators that keep my curiosity bubbling and my conversations interesting.

I've gotten connected with more classes on container gardening with Slow Food Indy and learned about a new orangutan exhibit coming to the zoo soon.

And all while giving funny items to knowledgeable people in exchange for their expertise.

Spring semester summary and barter items

•  HTML basics for coloring books
• Emotional Balancing Techniques for size 3-4 diapers
• NLP for sketchbooks
• Credit and Insurance for playing cards
• Eating Seasonally and Locally for Traders Point yogurt
• Native Pollinators for markers
• How to Play Go for craft beer

Bell's Brewery and a walk on the beach

I was surprised and impressed by both the food and the beer at Bell's this weekend.  After heading up with my mom and sister for a day trip to visit my grandma and braving the cold weather to see the ice built up along the shore at South Haven, we stopped by Bell's Brewery to debrief and warm up our bodies and spirits.

I got a flight of 6 samples, many of which aren't sold outside of Kalamazoo.  Sarah got another 6 so we all had plenty of sips, tastes, and comments about our far-from-connoisseur impressions of each type.

From favorite to least favorite, I tried

1. Bull in a China Shop (blew the rest of the beers away)
2. Baltic Porter
3. Larry's Last Pale
4. Bell's Cider
5. Harvest Ale
6. Cherry Stout

3.14.14

Can't wait for next year!  (3.14.15)

Today's find: Global population

From an interesting article at
 http://distractify.com/geek/trivial-facts/12-astonishing-facts-that-will-warp-your-perception-of-timeforever/

Sick day

Today I took the whole day off work.  I started coming down with a cold Wednesday night, and after spending my three day weekend in bed, this morning I was still feeling under the weather.  

Probably could have made it in, but to avoid infecting all of my coworkers and sounding like much less than the image of wellness while health coaching, I decided to call in for an extra day of rest.

It's currently 9:43 pm and I've been awake for a grand total for 4 hours so far today.  It's been a luxurious, thoroughly unproductive set of four days.

Other than the being sick part, sick days are a dream come true.  Not only have I nearly made it through the first two seasons of Parks and Rec (which, until this cold, I regret to admit I had never watched), but sick days involve many of my favorite things, including, but certainly not limited to

• My bed
• Tea
• Hippy home remedies
• Being quiet
• Napping at weird times
• Doing whatever I want
• Being warm
• Making soup
• Eating soup
• Looking out the window
• Wondering about many things while looking out the window
• Drinking more tea
• Napping more

To clarify point number three, this time through I've been revisiting some old self-care experiments from the past and adding in some experimenting with Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar.  A few of said "hippy home remedies" that I've been playing with over the past few days (most of which are not new to me) are miso soup, echinacea supplements, oil pulling with coconut oil, neti pot, ginger, sipping on apple cider vinegar with raw honey, zinc spray, and, of course, vitamin C.

If only I could justify another one tomorrow! (Or choose to spend a day doing sick day activities without actually being sick...)

Today.

Day after Valentine's Day: German food, German beer, and my first time downhill skiing

Of love

This just arrived in the mail wrapped in another piece of paper that said "When I read this I thought you had written it."  L, Ann.

I feel so understood.

So in anticipation of the upcoming holiday of love....

Of Love

I have been in love more times than one, thank the Lord.  Sometimes it was lasting whether active or not.  Sometimes it was all but ephemeral, maybe only an afternoon, but not less real for that.  They stay in my mind, these bueautiful people, or anyway people beautiful to me, of which there are so many.  You, and you, and you, whom I had the fortune to meet or maybe missed.  Love, love, love, it was the core of my life, from which, of course, comes the word for the heart.  And, oh, have I mentioned that some of them were men and omse were women and some -- now carry my revelation with you -- were trees. Or places.  or music flying above the names of their makers.  Or clouds, or the sun which was the first, and the best, the most loyal for certain, who looked so faithfully into my eyes, every morning.  So I imagine such love of the world -- its fervency, its shining, its innocence and hunger to give of itself -- I imagine this is how it began.

by Mary Oliver 2008

Song of the week

Blue grass, green skies, and good friends make me feel alive

Just learned what a "vine" is at the Greensky Bluegrass concert with 3 good friends from college this weekend.  Thank you, Ann M for sharing this clip with the world....

Long weekends, good friends, and dancing are always life giving.

30 day challenge revisited

Back from last year's kick of motivation, I've been on a self-proclaimed 30 day challenge this past month to wear a scarf (with an emphasis on incorporating decorative scarves that I was too intimidated to wear before) and reading 30 pages daily.  Today is my final day before going back to the 30 day drawing board.

Have dabbled in the following books/topics this past month

• Book of Salt
• Ethics
• How to Read a Book
• Mythology
• Things Fall Apart
• Daddy Long Legs
• Charlotte's Web
• Memoirs of a Geisha
• History of Routt County, Colorado
• Low Income, Social Growth, and Good Health: History of Twelve Countries

I've finished some, read a few pages of other, but overall am glad to have taken some action on putting my concept of self as reader into practice.  And I'm much more comfortable wearing my vast collection of decorative scarves from vintage stores, boutiques, and lovely nooks and markets around the world than a month ago.

Off to finish the last 30 pages and imagine what the next 30 days might hold!

Charlotte's Web and morning skis

"'Where do you think I'd better go?' [asked Wilbur]

'Anywhere you like, anywhere you like,' said the goose.  'Go down through the orchard, root up the sod!  Go down through the garden, dig up the radishes!  Root up everything!  Eat grass!  Look for corn!  Look for oats!  Run all over! Skip and dance, jump and prance!  Go down through the orchard and stroll in the woods!  The world is a wonderful place when you're young."  p 16-17


I bought a pair of cross country skis this week after feeling in a funk about the winter.  After living for two years in a place where people choose to move specifically because it snows so well and so much, the overarching Hoosier distaste for the cold was starting to bring me down.

After a day of the most beautiful Midwestern snow I had ever seen and a full 5 hours of craigslisting and calling around town for used skis while cooped up home alone, I woke up last Saturday, went over to REI, and bought myself some brand new Rossingol cross country skis.

Since we had record snow accumulation this past week and several winter storm warnings, I've already used them 4 times.  It's finally back up in the 30s, which compared to -20 at the beginning of this past week feels balmy.  Starting my day for the past two days on a 3 mile ski loop through the woods at Eagle Creek, one of the largest city parks in the country, has been like heaven.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

SNOWPOCALYPSE 2014 Social Media: Now Trending

A reflection: http://snowpocalypse2014.yolasite.com/

#snowpocalypse

SNOWPOCALYPSE 2014

Between subzero temperatures, massive (by Indiana standards) amounts of snow accumulation, and closings to roads, businesses, and schools across the streets, it does seem, as my roommate called it, a snowpocalyse.

Time frame and highlights so far:

3 days ago

First 6 inches of snow fell and were quickly cleared.  After a day of Colorado nostalgia/cabin fever, I went out first thing the next day and bought my first pair of cross country skis.  Skied around Broad Ripple Park for an hour or two.

2 days ago

Did a snow dance for 10 to 15 minutes while jumping around the apartment hoping to help the forecast of "rapid snow accumulation" along its way.  Skis, just as hoped, successfully changed my perspective on the season and weather for the better.

Yesterday

The office was open for our 1 pm shift after an official ruling at 10:45 am, but we were allowed the option of taking personal time if we felt unsafe.  I decided to try it out, figuring that after driving around on snow for the past 2 years at the ranch I should be better off than most Indiana drivers.

I was one of the only cars out on the road but made it just fine (at a snail's pace and still passing a few trucks.

One of my coworkers who didn't come in texted me updates all day when the mayor said all businesses should shut down, that all schools were closed, that people shouldn't even step foot outside, etc. etc. etc.

I asked my boss for an extra half hour at lunch because I brought my new skis (and snow gear) with me just in case.  Spent a full hour tromping back and forth and around the building in the snow thinking how glad I was to be outside and to have skis.

My boss tried to order us pizza.  No surprise, delivery wasn't an option.  Even if the restaurants had been open....

The parking lot was so snowy that I could ski comfortably across it even though the plows had passed by twice

Came back in and found out that the office was closing early.  I think we get paid for the extra 5.5 hours that we were let off.  And since they didn't want us all to slide off the side of the road and get stranded, work paid for 3 of us to stay at a hotel 1.5 miles down the road.

Thankfully I brought a Snowpocalypse prep bag with pajamas and had a toothbrush, twizzlers, playing cards, and some reading material in my camping box in my trunk.

Made some popcorn, took a hot shower, and went to sleep

Today

Woke up in the hotel.  Had a continental breakfast (waffles and a yogurt "parfait"), plenty of coffee, and stocked up enough bagels, cream cheese, and muffins to last for my lunch and dinner at work.   Naturally, no other businesses were open in the area still including anywhere to pick up food.

Work was closed until noon.  Then 1 pm.  Then, after waiting around at the hotel for work to start (since, as mentioned, I was only 1.5 miles away), they ended up closing the office for the full day.

Took about 10 minutes to get my car door open because of all the ice.  Nearly cost me my left pinky because of the -20 degree windchill even with gloves on, but it seems to be regaining feeling now.

Felt hungry from the effort and tried to eat the bagel I'd taken for lunch before driving away.  While I was defrosting my car, it had frozen solid.  Frozen cream cheese is weird.  Not bad.  But weird.

Got home, made some mulled wine for lunch with my roommate, watched way too much TV (now hooked on Once upon a time), started learning how to crochet a flower (before today I was exclusively a knitter), wrote some letters, read about part time jobs and stocks and taxes and SQL and uploaded all my photos from the past 6 months to Facebook.

All in a snow day's work.

Should be below zero all day tomorrow as well.  More snow Thursday with better temps so my skis will be getting more attention in no time!


Stay warm, keep those faucets dripping, and sweet dreams from the 317,
K