Me, Backwards

Though I’ve enjoyed my time at the Skydive Arizona Holiday boogies in the past, each one has had some sort of bad memory associated with it.  There was giving myself a concussion in 2005.  Sean breaking his leg and two friends dying in 2006.  Being sick in 2007.  (We spent 2008 in ZHills, of course).  This year, trying to keep our time away from work to a minimum, we decided to go back to Eloy since it’s easy to get to Arizona without taking any time off work for travel.  I was looking forward to a boogie without any bad ju-ju, and I got it, and got the much needed mini-break from work, too. (more…)

Today my departmental holiday lunch was at a PF Chang’s at the Stoneridge Mall out in Pleasanton (much of our team works in Pleasanton, and I’ll likely end up there mid-year next year once they consolidate all of us in one location).  I figured since I was already at the mall (4 days before Christmas!) I’d brave Macy’s to see if I could find any interesting clothes at a good discount.  It was tolerably crowded.
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… till our mini-vacation in Eloy.  We’re heading down Christmas Eve (late in the day) and coming back early on the 29th (the dates are timed so that we could use free Southwest tickets without running afoul of blackout dates).  We’ve rented a team room at the dropzone for the 24th-27th, and a hotel near the Phoenix airport for the 28th since our flight leaves very early in the morning.  It’ll also save us a day on the rental car.  The team rooms are a modest step up from the bunkhouse (where we’ve both stayed before).  The one we’ve rented has four bunks and a mini-fridge (but since we’re renting the whole thing out we’ll have all the space to ourselves).  We’ll still use the communal showers, but it should offer much more privacy and quiet than the bunkhouse, which tends to be full this time of year.  The fridge will allow us to pick up some food for breakfast, lunch, and snacks to save having to eat every meal out.

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Last night I had the good fortune to be invited along to a Los Angeles Kings hockey game with three coworkers.  I’d only gone to one hockey game before (a minor league game in Seattle) and was looking forward to experiencing the skill level (not to mention the hype) of an NHL game.  As you can see from the photo, we had fabulous seats (purchased at half price!) about 10 rows back from the ice.

I wasn’t disappointed.  I’ve never gotten into hockey, but friends who are big fans have said that if I go to a game, I’ll understand the appeal more.  I can definitely understand that - like basketball (a longtime favorite), I enjoyed the pace and the skill demonstrated by the players.  I’d definitely enjoy going to more games, for sure.

Even though I had four days last weekend and two this one, I still feel like my weekends are way too short.  But that’s not news - I’m sure most people do. (more…)