Blue Ridge blog

Enjoying the View...

So there are worse jobs than having to get into a sled and plummet down the side of a mountain led by a strapping young ski patrol gentleman dude....
Yep. It wasn't easy taking the photo (it was kinda bumpy and snow was thrown upon my lens) but the thrill of riding downhill faster than I normally ever would on my own because I put all my trust in this college kid, well, shows just how reckless I truly am.
I highly recommend the ride, except don't get yourself hurt on the slopes just because I said the ride was fun. OK?
Oh, and for the record...if your are gonna come skiing up here in these mountains...I really like Hawksnest . (That plug is for you, Justin) But, I have to say, all the slopes in our area are fantastic and are filled to the brim with fantastic staff. I suggest coming up here for a long weekend and trying all four...App Ski, Hawksnest, Sugar and Beech out.
***Update*** I guess I forgot to mention that I did NOT get injured. I was on an assignment for the day job and the fastest way to get down the slope was to hitch a sled ride with the kind ski patrol gentleman dude...

My Last photo about NYC, I promise....

I love this photo. Not because this lady is likely down on her luck...but because we had an entertaining, light-hearted exchange--it was a genuine (perhaps a wee drug-induced on her part) tete-a-tete between strangers.

Ya see, we were both in Times Square. I was trapped by the crowd. She was hired by some dude to carry a sign touting his website "newyorkthiswhatever.com." When monsieur handed me his card, I took it with his agreement that he allow me to take his photo.

"Of course," he replied, "but only with the madame." He yanked at said chick for a posed click.

As he moved on to work the rest of the crowd, madame returned to me laughing. Then, all of the sudden, she started to growl and snap her remaining gold encrusted teeth at me like, well, a bitch in heat.

I was startled just for a moment, but then instinctively raised the camera to take a photo of her doing whatever she intended to do to me. I knew that at least my camera would record the incident and could be used for evidence later. But truthfully, I knew she was harmless, especially since she started giggling like a 12 year old after I took her photo again.

She moved on and the crowd in back of me let out a sigh of laughter, slash relief. They too, were uncertain of her actions.

I felt a steady hand on my back and my husband whispered in my ear:

"Check out your girlfriend. I bet she hasn't smoked any crack today. And, why on earth did you take her photo? You were asking for it, weren't you?"

A nice elbow to his rib was my only reply, slash answer to him.

The madame only harms herself. I wish I could know her a little bit better, except of course, for that teeth gnashing bit. If we were true friends, I'd tell her to cut that crap out...and hope that she would be just as honest with me about my annoying little habits.

It feels more like spring up here...

I wondered through the valley this morning watching the fog rise above the banks of the Watauga River. The weather outside is delightful. It feels more like late March than the dead of winter...

It is a sad day for journalism when overheard cell phone callsare reported as fact.

What my daughter and I look like after 10 hours in the cold and rain....

This is me (on left obviously) and my youngest. We are cold, hungry but still smiling for the camera in Times Square. Photo courtesy of Chey. This is 10 or 11 hours into the ordeal. My makeup is all gone so you are seeing me. Please notice that I am faithfully wearing my ASU Black Saturday hat with the Roaming Gnome cap wilted on top. Alas, I didn't win that trip for two to Monaco. Oh well, my vacation time is so spent anyway.
**Update** I received permission to briefly post this photo again.

About New Years before we forget the little details...

So it is 10:30 pm on Sunday and I have to pack.
About the acts: Mariah Carey was bleh except that her appearance to me meant that it was almost midnite. The Trogs performed 'Wild Thing.' (my husband sent me a text message that said, 'Wild Thing, You make my heart sing.' That one message was worth an hour of cold... P.O.D. (who?), On Set Go (Ditto Who?). Nick Cannon, Fall OUt Boy, Nelly, Shakira, Akon Young Jeezey- Youngest enjoyed these last ones that she saw on the MTV screen. I never knew what was going on at this point.
Youngest loved celebrating with Chey and Ann(e)...as did I. (Chey is the freaky man in glasses in last post) I particularly appreciated it when Chey covered Ann(e) and Youngest with his umbrella while it snowed/rained. Youngest truly appreciated the Altoid that Chey shared with us 10 minutes before midnight. That one Altoid each-after 12 hours of no food, was like manna from heaven. Ann(e) is addicted to Soduko puzzles.
We all laughed at the strange people on either side of us. The people closest to me--Lenny and his significant other needed to go ahead and get a room. Although he gave me his email address, there is no way on this planet that I will ever open that door. Additionally, the boy/girl people on the other side of us just weirded us all out...
It was cold. We arrived at noon and 12 hours w/o food,water or bathroom was clearly an adventure that I'm not ready to embarque upon today, but would consider in the future. We had a great spot to see the ball drop. However, the ball is a great disapointment. It is the size of the pea under the princess' mattress in real life. The television exaggerates its size. Yet the rain of confetti was awesome. Real people throw the confetti over buildings. I want that job!
Our favorite free stuff thrown out to the unwashed masses--Coca Cola mittens, Panasonic glasses, Dodge, Travelocity hats and commerative beads.
What appears as chaos on tv is actually well orchestrated. The masses are herded like cattle into pins. No one leaves to return for any reason. Security is tight and there is a no alcohol policy. All the lunatics you see on tv are actually sober.
I particularly enjoyed the live practices that the celebrities performed for the crowds. Let's just say that Regis Philbin's wife, Joyce, is a wee bit pitchy...
Umm, I can't think of much more to say about the evening except that I'm very grateful that I completed the experience and that we were fortunate to meet Chey and Ann(e). They are keeper kind of folk.
My husband greeted me at the door with a hot pizza and two glasses filled with red wine.
What can I say? He loves me!

Happy New Year from Times Square

Well I survived New Year's Eve in Times Square! Never underestimate the power of positive thinking. I was determined to enjoy the experience and mostly did. There were several bleak moments when I wanted to turn tail and head back to the warm hotel, but did not. I will post more photos and stories this evening...but right now I have to enjoy my last day in New York City.