Hikes

Being right in the middle of the Rocky Mountains means that you a lot of hiking. I have already been on three hikes at least an hour long since I've been. Here is what you see during them:

Hike #1: A waterfall in Conejos Canyon.








































I actually didn't get any pictures during my second hike. It wasn't that high. But there was beautiful valley filled with light green plants.

Hike #3: At Mesa Verde.
































I think I'm all done with hikes for a while, which means I have to back to running. Ah well.

My First Cattle Drive

The Ranch is a cattle ranch. They raise cows naturally for healthier beef. TM's family has been doing it for generations...like since America was created out here.

So as part of my "initiation" into TM's family, I had to do some work on the farm. The mission of TM, his mom, and I was to move at least 100 cows and calves from a very huge field into a pen a half a mile away.

It started out great. The cows were really funny. They would stare at me all tough, but as soon as I walked toward them and said, "HAH!" they went running. I saw a calf one day old, with its umbilical cord still attached.

When the cows were moving, everything was all good. We all had to spread out to keep them moving in the right direction, so there were times when I was handling a whole side of the herd by myself...which was fine when they were moving. But there was one time when the herd wasn't being pushed. Then they started to get rowdy and I started to get nervous. I actually started freaking out and was screaming across the mooing cows for help. You have to scream because the sound of 100 mooing cows is VERY loud. It also didn't help that some of the bulls were trying to hump the ladies and would break out of the herd. This is normal, apparently, but no one told me that, so I kept yelling at them to stop and break it up. This didn't help my freaking-outness.

I am still a bit shaken up by the whole experience, but I don't think it would benefit me to share how scared I was. In fact, that I tried to break up some cow loving will probably become a funny tale to tell around the dinner table. You have to have a thick skin to live on a ranch, that's for sure.

We aren't done with our work with the cows, so I'll have another chance with them.

Sorting It Out

There has been so much I've seen during this vacation...and I have a week left! I'm still sorting through a plethora of emotions and thoughts about TM, family, race, friendship, education, cows, the non-East Coast part of America, dogs that live outside all the time, altitude adjustments, driving everywhere, Native American reservations...the list goes on.

However, based on a comment by tuckergurl, I realize I may not have been completely clear on my itinerary thus far. Probably because TM has been the cruise director for this entire trip. I just ask him should I bring a bathing suit and get in the car.

So, here's a blow-by-blow of the places I've been in the past seven days.

Day 1: Denver; Fort Collins, CO
Day 2: Fort Collins, CO; Taos, NM
Day 3: Taos; Albuquerque; Santa Fe; the ranch TM grew up on, aka The Ranch
Day 4: The Ranch; Manassa, CO (it was here that I ran the 5K); a cabin 11,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains
Day 5: The cabin; The Ranch; Alamosa, CO
Day 6: The Ranch; Albuquerque, NM; Durango, CO
Day 7 (today): Durango, CO; Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona at the same time*; Mesa Verde, CO; Pagosa Springs, CO; The Ranch.

*I was able to be in all those states at the same time because I went to Four Corners. It's the only place in America where you can do this.

As you can see, it's been a whirlwind of a trip. I am thrilled that we are spending the second half of this trip at The Ranch. Tomorrow night will be the first night that I get to sleep in the same bed two nights in a row. I am also thrilled that I've loved every second of it. I'm having a blast.

Now that I've sorted through the places I've been, perhaps I'll be better able to sort through the things I've seen. I'll keep you posted...or at the very least I'll post pictures.

5K at 7,000 Feet

I am so glad I'd been running more consistently in the weeks before this trip. I am even more grateful for the run I made myself do in Taos. Since I've been on the ranch that TM grew up on, I have been do a LOT of walking uphill at high altitudes.

The ultimate occurred yesterday morning when TM's sister and I ran a 5K race. It was part of an annual festival in the local town. Everyone knew I was a runner...because everyone in this family knows everything about me! But that's for another post. So when his sister asked, I thought why not? I wanted to put in another run and this would be a great way for me to bond with his sister.

So I ran a little over three miles yesterday morning at an altitude of about 7,000 feet. It was hard as hell! My 28-minute run felt like 58 minutes. But I accomplished something I never would have in New York...I placed! I came in fifth in my age bracket! The medal is now in my luggage. I'm wicked proud I finished the race with a pace faster than a 10-minute mile. I am also very wicked proud that I placed.

Of course, the country was beautiful and there were even more picturesque views of the Rockies.

The rest of the day was spent hiking and camping at an altitude of 11,000 feet. Good times!

Recipe for Loving This Country

I've discovered the secret for loving America without bitterness or cynicism. The key is to see it. I know, I know...duh! I always considered myself a well-traveled person, but I recently discovered that I had barely seen the country I was born in. Two days in a different time zone has made me appreciate the diversity of landscape that is this country.

I am currently in Taos, NM. But I have also been in Denver and Ft. Collins, CO in the last two days. I am on vacation with TM where we'll be spending a couple of weeks with his friends and family. I have to say, I was/am a bit nervous about meeting his clan...because he has a very big family...but so far, we are having a marvelous time. Lots of laughing, good food and great views. The Rocky Mountains are astounding and it is very loopy to be dealing with a two-hour time difference while adjusting to being higher than a mile above sea level. My 20-minute-run yesterday felt like I ran for an hour.

I will try to post some pictures when I can; this is going to be whirlwind trip. Did I also mention that we're driving back to the East Coast? I'll keep you posted.

The Toast I Should Have Given

You have overcome so much. Yet you continue to improve yourself, to want to learn about yourself, to be better at everything you do. In your journey of learning, you end up teaching everyone around you. That is why so many people want to know you...that is why I am thrilled that I do.

Every time you say "my friend" and refer to me...it is one of the proudest moments of my life. Thank you for loving me for all these years.

Saying Goodbye

So...I've begun the process of saying goodbye.

I have one week left as a New Yorker. Next week, TM and I head to Colorado for a vacation and then we're driving back to the East Coast and via a roundabout cross-country trip. Though we'll be back in Brooklyn to load up the truck, I doubt we'll even spend the night. That's why I consider these to be my last days in the city.

I know I'm not going to live in this city again. If TM and I stay together, we'll go West after I graduate. If we don't, I'll go where my career takes me...just not here. I wasn't kidding when I said I'm done with New York. I mean, I'll visit and all that...but that's about it.

TM and I had a really fun going away party a couple of weeks ago. It was there that I was able to have private moments with some wonderful people and say farewell. I also haven't had those opportunities through the actions of others. I've thought about it and, to me, those missed chances are the same as goodbye, just in a different way. Clearly, if connection can't be made at this point, then it's not going to happen in the midst of a doctorate program hundreds of miles away.

Perhaps I'm being dramatic...as I have been wont to do...but I've realized there are certain people in my life I don't expect to ever see again. This saddens and angers me a little bit. But I am reflecting on how I contributed to this expectation and choosing to focus on all the friends that have braved long film shoots, sinus infections, and last minutes changes in venue to show their love. It is Quite Appreciated.

Public Opinion Survey

Below are two versions of the same dance by Gwen Verdon, a famous Broadway star, performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show." This dance was choreographed by Bob Fosse, one of the most famous choreographers ever. One of these videos is one of the most HILARIOUS things I have ever seen. But I want to withhold my opinion until you see both and comment.

Which one do you prefer?

Gwen Verdon #1

Gwen Verdon #2

Michael Moore's Best Film

TM and I saw Sicko today. I was expecting to leave the theater upset, angry and hopeless. Instead, I was moved beyond words. After the movie was over, TM and I just hugged each other and cried.

I'm still processing what about the film was so moving. For one thing, it was a well-constructed story with a beginning, middle, and end. Moore interspersed his facts and figures with really compelling human stories. They were real people with average lives. They didn't have some crazy diseases; people with health insurance went bankrupt from having heart attacks and diabetes.

As usual, Moore made the complex world of American politics and business highly accessible and extremely eye-opening.

But I think the best parts of the movie surround Moore himself. Unlike his previous films, he didn't insert himself as much into this one. Don't worry, he's still up to his usual shenanigans...his arrival at Gitmo was hilarious. But for the most part, he just let the people tell their stories. It was those stories that made me laugh and cry, sometimes simultaneously.

Moore also really loves America. I know there's been a lot of hoopla about him going to Cuba...those scenes, by the way, were wonderful...but he really does believe that America can be so much better than it is. During the part where he highlights the LA hospitals dropping off homeless patients on Skid Row, he asks the audience "Who are we?" And there is so much pain in his voice. I guess I always thought that he was just an angry guy who had at his disposal the means to shame America. But I learned that he loves his country.

I'm not nearly as articulate about this movie as I mean to be. But everyone should see this movie. Everyone should see this movie like they saw An Inconvenient Truth. You should see this movie, because Moore shouldn't be criticized for doing what every single filmmaker does: tells a story with a specific point of view. His point of view is pretty damn riveting.

I'm Not Quite Sure What It Means...

...but apparently I'm younger in NYC. Sucks that I'm leaving. I got this from tuckergurl, who will always be NYC-ageless.

My New York Age is 29

This New York age puts you into a middle category between young and old (but not "middle age" per se). Be proud. You've got a nice balance between going out hard-core and staying in. You care about culture but also like some quiet nights. Keep it up, but think about expanding your horizons in the other directions. Head to Studio B or Anthology Film Archives for the first time, or finally check out the Village Vanguard or Elaine's for a dose of old-school NYC.

What's your New York age? Take the Time Out New York quiz and find out!

A Random Thought, but Still a Good Question

As I hear about yet another wedding involving someone I know, I had a thought today: Do women take into account the timing of their period when picking a wedding date? Goodness knows, I would. I wouldn't want to be bloated or high on PMS or worried about leakage on my wedding day.

That's all.

In Today's News...

Two articles I found this morning on the Times website piqued my interest:

1. Antioch College is shutting its doors after 155 years. Founded by Horace Mann himself, that college has a fantastically progressive history: coeducating, desegregating, and hiring women in faculty positions well before the rest of the country. Sadly, I learned all of this this morning. The first and only thing I knew of Antioch was its sexual prevention policy that went into effect in 1993. That asinine policy stated that a person had to ask permission at every step of getting it on...every step. I was a sophomore at Wesleyan when I heard about this; I remembered feeling shame...the kind of shame you feel toward your uncouth cousins. As a proud student of "PCU," I felt that Antioch's new rules took political correctness to a tacky extreme. Who knew that it was the real "Diversity University?"
   
   
2. America is so stupid sometimes! Fox and CBS aren't going to run condoms ads perhaps because they promote pregnancy prevention, not disease prevention. They are afraid of the controversy around birth control, but they don't even have to balls to admit it. This article made me so angry for the networks' logic...or lack thereof. This is the best quote: “'We always find it funny that you can use sex to sell jewelry and cars, but you can’t use sex to sell condoms,” said Carol Carrozza, vice president of marketing for Ansell Healthcare, which makes LifeStyles condoms."

I'm sure there is a lot more in the news today, but now I have to get to work.

I Miss The New Yorker

I didn't renew my subscription because I figured that once I started classes, I wouldn't have time. It comes every week, for goodness' sake!!! But I miss it so much now. On Fire Island, there was a month-old issue in the house and I devoured it, I was so thirsty. I miss having something interesting to read on the subway.

Now TM is reading some of my old issues, so maybe I'll get him a subscription for his birthday or Christmas or our anniversary or something...wink, wink! The only problem: all those events happen around the same time of the year and that time of year isn't soon.

Sigh.

I'm Scared

It just hit me last night as I was falling asleep after a fantastic day on Fire Island...I'm scared.

I don't not want to move to Boston. I definitely want to attend Harvard. But I'm uprooting my life. As an adult, I have never lived in a city as long as I've lived in NYC. I'm very scared.

On top of all that, I'm starting a whole new life with TM. This will be our first apartment...a first step in what I hope will be the rest of our lives.

And there's so much I don't know...what if I can't hack it at Harvard? Will my NYC friendships sustain if we're in different cities? What if TM hates it there? What if I hate it there?

I have been burying myself in the details of finding boxes and showing my apartment and tying up loose ends at work so that I don't have to think about how scared I am. And I know I'm acting crazy right now because I'm so scared. So now I'm scared about alienating loved ones right when connection is most important.

At least I know my fear won't stop me from doing any of this.

Thanks for letting me say all that.

It's a C-O-N-spiracy!

Okay, I swallowed it when I found out construction on the New Target...the Target I was so excited about...was going be completed this fall...after I move to Massachusetts.

But this is the last staw...as I watched TV tonight, I heard the rumblings of a large truck on my street. Since my street is totally residential, I peeked out to see what was causing all the racket. It was a Fresh Direct truck! Ever since I moved here, I have petitioned Fresh Direct online to get them to come here. I had just about given up. And NOW, 5 weeks before I leave this place, Fresh Direct delivers!

It's a conspiracy created by the Man to drive me crazy!

P.S. I would love to link to websites and italize the way I normally do, but I'm using a Mac now and for some reason, it doesn't have the same toolbar on top of this window. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The Crush Grows...

My crush on Barack Obama was never a crippling one...the way I lust for Channing Tatum, for instance. However, I do heart Barack a great deal. This Times article just made the crush grow. Now, I don't want to hear him give a speech...I want to sit on the benches of a street court and watch Barack play pick-up basketball.

Of course, if I get an opportunity to hear him give a speech, I won't pass it up.

In other news, it has been reported that Michael Patrick King is writing the script for the "Sex in the City" movie. It's about time! is what I say. I hope he doesn't pick up where the show left off because it's been a good three years since that show ended. I don't want to see the ladies plastered in make-up to make them look younger. I would like to see the 4-year-old Brady and the toddler that Charlotte and Harry adopted. Of course, Mario Cantone is the source of this information and even he admits none of the stars has officially signed on to be in it. So don't hold your breath.

I recently went on a rant about the horrors of run-on sentences in a particular book...which I can't name because I didn't like it. Ever since then, I've discovered I talk in run-ons all the time. And since this blog is usually conversational, I find that I write in run-on sentences here. So now I'm hyper-conscious about inserting appropriate periods. I understand that, although they flow when heard, they often do not flow when read.

What else? I'm going to MA this weekend and hopefully will come back with an apartment in a highly-gentrified area. Call me bougie, but I am so tired of only having West Indian, take-out Chinese, and pizza as my restaurant options in my neighborhood. I just want to live near a grocery store where I can get mesclun greens and asparagus consistently.

I've been thinking about taking a hiatus from this blog. I want to try my hand at more creative writing...not for publication or anything...just to keep myself arty. The energy that I use for this blog may be diverting that goal. No final decisions yet...just thinking about it. Of course, a full course load at Harvard may end this blog with the quickness!

Oh! A big shout-out to my sent-from-the-heavens boyfriend and my kick-ass friends for putting up with me. I spent last weekend with a woman who is very similar to me in certain respects...it wasn't easy!

Oh The Things I've Seen!

In Union Square: A rotund, bald white man, about 6' 3", wearing dress pants, shirt and a tie making out with a petite, stick thin Latina girl (she looked 16) with hair down to her butt wearing short shorts and Chucks.

On East 23rd St., Brooklyn: a brother and sister, both younger than 6 or 7, completely riveted by a rainbow created by the sunbeams through the sprinkler on their front lawn.

On the Uptown 2 train: a middle-aged black man with a outdated haircut and beige suit trying to discreetly soothe a huge hard-on while reading the sports pages of the Times.

On the corner of Ave. I and Bedford, Brooklyn: a woman getting out of her car blaming the biker for the accident that just knocked him off his bike.

In my house: a man who looks like a younger version of TM....actually, it's TM older brother. He and his wife are visiting for Memorial Day weekend.

Actually, I heard this one: On the phone: a spacious, one-bedroom apartment in a safe neighborhood very close to Duke University for $450 a month! This is where my sister will be living next month. I've lived in the Northeast too long.

Another I Wish...

The WNYC Spring Pledge Drive ended last week. As usual, it was a pain in the ass. Yes, I said it! I can't stand the pledge drive...the same people say the same catch phrases and use the same techniques to guilt, cajole, bribe, and flatter you to give them money.

I gave them $100 back in October. I did it because 1) it's a TEENY price to pay for the insane amount of time I listen to that station and 2) I wanted the cool messenger bag. I realized this time around that my attitude toward the drive was more hostile because I had already given them money. Don't get me wrong...it's always a pain in the ass, but usually I feel guilty about thinking it's so. This time, I was just annoyed.

So I wish that they could do something where if you give the station money, you can register your radios so that you can avoid the rest of the pledge drive. All those 90% of public radio listeners who use it but don't pay for it will have to suffer through the pledge drive, but the 10% who do contribute get to avoid the pleas altogether. If they could perfect that technology, I bet you a BUNCH more people would pledge. Because I KNOW lots of people think the drives are a pain in the ass...not just me.

The Good Ole U S of A...

...is a place I have barely seen! I knew My States Visited would be bleak, but dayum!...as Quel says.

Well, this summer TM and I are driving cross-country from Colorado to New York. I told him that we have to stop and visit someplace interesting in every state we drive through, so I can say I visited the state. He's done this before and thinks it's boring, but I don't care...we're doing it anyway. Then I'll redo this map and it will be redder than ever! Mwah ha ha ha ha!


create your own visited states map or check out these Google Hacks.

Did I mention that I have bronchitis and that I was prescribed liquid Vicodin to subdue my cough to heal my throat? Did I also mention that I took my cough syrup before writing this post? That might explain some of the loopiness.

I'm Here...Just Overwhelmed

I got back from Jamaica on Monday night. It was a great time. I thought I would have to do "wedding work" for the entire time, but except for the first day and the wedding day, I vacationed along with everyone else. I got a great tan, ate some good seafood, hung out by the pool, laid on the beach, laughed a lot, partied even more. TM got burnt, but that was his own fault...thinking he could handle the Caribbean sun when he clearly couldn't. I think it was an excuse for me to rub his back with aloe oil twice a day.

Anyway, as soon as I got back to the city, LIFE hit me with full force. I have two months people! Two months and nothing is done...at least I feel like nothing is done. In addition, the idea of having Ella stay with her grandparents for the summer isn't going to work out, so I have to go pick her up early.

I just have to remind myself of the following:

1. Work becomes a great deal less stressful after next week.

2. I'm not alone. I have a true partner in TM.

3. I'm doing all of this to go to Harvard...some perspective, L. Britt!