The tree was in the middle

I'm back from the annual ski trip! Fun as always. This year we went to Sunshine and stayed in the inn right on the mountain. So cool. Valet parking at the bottom and then you take a gondola up to the hotel and ski right out of your room practically. I highly recommend it.

So anyway, this year I decided that I would conquer the black diamond. I am a pretty confident blue run skiier but I wanted to expand my skills and tackle those blacks head-on. Actually literally head-on; my poor "head" hit "on" the ground several times. The thing that still foils me is the narrow runs - I can't seem to turn quick enough. So while I was inside warming up with some hot chocolate, the guys found this run (I think it was called "Star Trek", although I'm not sure why) that they thought would be perfect for teaching me. It was two moguls wide except for this one part where there was a big tree right in the middle. I said, "Which way do I go?" and was told to just pick the right or left and go. Right. No, left. No, right. Then my skiis crossed and I ran straight into the tree. "That was the worst way," was the laughing response of one of my friends. And he was correct. I should have stuck with right.

The rest of the trip was just as excellent. I hung out for a few days with my friend who got married in Mexico this December. I also visited with some pals in Calgary. And went to IKEA. I can't believe they won't ship things. I probably would have spent $1000 on furniture there plus whatever shipping was, but since they don't ship, I didn't spend anything. I guess it doesn't matter to them though. If I don't buy it, someone else will.

But today is the last day of my holiday. Tomorrow is the return of work. So I guess that's it. Later.

Ontario wimps

I've been busy. Christmas was relaxing. Work's been good. Life has been fine. But I just haven't been in a computer mood. Which is too bad, because I actually had some funny stories in the past month. But meh, too late now.

I just got back from a work trip. I was gone for the week, doing my surveys, staying in little towns. The usual. But it was a particularly cold week. And it got colder as the week went; -26 degrees Celsius, -28 degrees Celsius, and then this morning, -32 degrees Celsius. That is cold my friends, and it does not include the wind chill (which thankfully was not that bad. Only -40 or so). So this morning I went to start my car, my beautiful Mazda that I still love and find only one fault with (and that is that it is kind of wimpy and doesn't like the cold weather). While I was loading all my equipment and files into it, I turned on the Weather Channel, my guilty pleasure. As per usual, the world in Canada revolves around Ontario and they were doing a "National Forecast" which involves a quick mention of all the rain in Vancouver, a passing remark about Alberta (a.k.a. the Prairies), and then on to Ontario. To be fair, they usual don't mention the maritimes or Quebec all that much. Eastern friends, Saskatchewan feels your pain.

Anyway, this is what I heard the weather lady say. Paraphrased of course, because I am horrible at remembering exact quotes.

Extreme cold weather warnings in Ontario today. Weather dipping as far as MINUS TEN. And with the wind chill, it feels even colder.

My mouth dropped. Did she really just say EXTREME? Her very own network is telling me in a scroll across the bottom that it is -32.

Ridiculous. Well, I sure hope those Ontarions are staying inside today with that extreme cold. Wouldn't want their cheeks to get rosy or anything.

Yes, I am bitter. But it is more that the weather network ignores my province than anything. And I also realise there are snow squalls going on out there, and those are a really big deal. But geez. -10. That's approaching spring weather. Sure I choose to live in Saskatchewan and I know that means it gets cold. But really, do you need an "extreme weather warning" for -10. Buck up.

And northern Ontario, you are excluded from my rant, because they ignore you too. And because you are cool. Especially Kenora. I want to live there someday. But I digress.

Busy Miss Gina

Okay, so I'm taking a break from bloggy land and I'm not quite ready to come back yet but I had to quickly post about my sister's new blog!

Miss Gina

She's not sure yet if she's going to be a full blown blogger or not, but you should check her out in case she does. She's very clever.

Okay, I'll be back soon. My break is almost over. I can feel it.