Have you noticed? That I don't post much here anymore? Should I scrap it altogether? What do you think?
My latest excuse for being a suckity blog-slacker is that I've spent the past several days deep in the frozen north woods of Wisconsin. In addition to drinking large quantities of beer, eating even larger quantities of cheese, and getting my butt kicked (again! will I ever learn?!) at Sheepshead, the focus of this particular excursion was to ski the 23K Kortelopet, the red-headed stepchild wimpy alternative shorter sister-race to the extravaganza on skinny skis known as the American Birkebeiner.
Thanks to the support and encouragement of my future father-in-law, future sister-in-law, and future boyfriend-in-law (future sin-in-law? hm.), I not only survived the race, I also enjoyed myself immensely and crossed the finish line in just over 3 hours. Meanwhile, Steve was flying down the big-race course, finishing the 51K Birkie in roughly 3:30. The day was crystal clear and sunny, with temperatures in the low 20s that proved ideal for comfortable skiing but chilled me to the bone once I was done. Changing into dry clothes at the finish, I paused to wonder whether I'd be better off staying in my sweat-drenched ski clothes or stripping them off on a thin carpet over icy snow in an unheated tent. I did the latter, and never quite reheated.
Later, in a haze of fatigue and beer and deep-fried cheese curds, it seems I committed to ski the whole damn thing next year. Utter insanity, but Steve is already drawing up my twelve-month training plan and hunting on e-bay for a slick pair of racing skis.
The only significant lowlight of the weekend was the unilateral decision by the proprietor of our lodgings not to make the vegetarian lasagna he promised Steve's mom he would provide for me at our erev-Birkie dinner. Instead, this accommodating host plopped a steaming plate of food in front of me, identified it as the veggie lasagna, then waited while I took a bite. When I gagged and nearly choked upon realizing it was full of pork sausage, he laughed heartily and announced that he couldn't be bothered to accommodate such idiocy as meatless eating.
While I'm not really a vegetarian (more a reformed swimatarian who now partakes freely of fowl), I haven’t eaten red meat or pork for over 20 years, and my body can no longer digest such things. So this flaming asshole's jerk's idea of a joke (or perhaps a blatant nose-thumbing at commie pinko veggie freaks) meant little dinner for me and a stomach twisted miserably into digestive knots. Fortunately, I'd consumed only a small bit of flesh, which worked its way through my system (sorry, TMI) in time for me to fuel my race with delicious Norwegian pancakes at breakfast. But, still, yeesh. Remind me to bring my own block of tofu next year.
Cool!!! I have a good friend up in Wisconsin who talks about the Birkie like its the holy grail of xc skiing. Sounds like a blast!
I WISH we got enough snow here to make learning to ski worthwhile...
p.s... Don't stop blogging! Your blog gives me hope that there are lawyers out there with actual lives outside the office! I really enjoy your blog even if its not updated all that often!
Posted by: jdz | February 28, 2005 at 06:49 PM
What a terrible proprietor!! I'm speechless as to how cruel he was!
Posted by: Scheherazade H. | March 01, 2005 at 12:59 AM
Pu-leeeeze do not stop blogging. Your blog is not only interesting from a lawyer's point of view (always exciting when you achieve a victory and, oddly comforting when you're buried in a brief) but your life adventures, particularly in light of your personal story, are a constant source of inspiration. You are my favorite blogger and as I and my significant other debate moving to Colorado from NYC (and wonder how I'll make it as a lawyer out there), I take comfort knowing that you're there -- if you can do it, so can I.
The fact that you don't post as often as perhaps you feel you should is a testament to your busy life -- that life which your readers find so interesting and inspiring. It's about quality, not quantity!
Finally, that proprietor is a real sicko!!!! I feel your frustration. What he did was WRONG! I thought people from Wisconsin were so "nice!"
Posted by: Therese | March 01, 2005 at 09:48 AM
Don't quit the blogging! Your entries may be rare but that makes them all the more enjoyable.
And that proprietor sounds like a complete moron.
Posted by: cmc | March 01, 2005 at 03:32 PM
Don't abandon the blog. Not because I love it (because I do) or because it makes me feel like I'm keeping in touch with you (because it does) but because a blog gives you an excuse to voice your thoughts. I've certainly waxed and waned with my own blog, but it's really a comfort to me to have it to return to. Even if you don't post a lot right now, there will be times when you want to, and if you don't have a blog anymore, you'll be silencing that part of yourself.
So keep it up. And don't worry if your readership drops off. You'll still have a core group that checks in once in awhile.
Posted by: rebecca | March 01, 2005 at 05:58 PM
No, you shouldn't give up on blogging, definately not!!! You are very talented at telling stories, they always make me laugh, and also you never know who you might be helping just by sharing your experiences.
Posted by: Mark | March 02, 2005 at 08:14 AM
Please don't stop blogging. Sure, I'm interested in the interesting stories about law, and I'm a sucker for wedding talk, but I read because I love to hear about your active lifestyle!
I have two children that will have a life of physical and educational challenges due to a rare syndrome (kidneys and eyes) and I want them to have your spirit for life. Reading your blog gives me some insight into helping inspire them grow up to be strong, active and fulfilled - whatever their challenges are. I don't care how often you update!
Posted by: Julia | March 03, 2005 at 09:38 PM
what can I say. My husband and his entire family are from WI. If you need WI attorneys to sue the place for not accomdating your needs, let us know. We can refer you to the attorneys in WI who can correct the wrong and right the wrong.
Posted by: Sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:04 PM
what can I say. My husband and his entire family are from WI. If you need WI attorneys to sue the place for not accomdating your needs, let us know. We can refer you to the attorneys in WI who can correct the wrong and right the wrong.
Posted by: Sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:05 PM
Forgot to add that the family in WI is three lawyers strong. One is a large firm in Milwaukee and the other is solo in Milwaukee, so let us know which you prefer.
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:07 PM
Forgot to add that the family in WI is three lawyers strong. One is a large firm in Milwaukee and the other is solo in Milwaukee, so let us know which you prefer.
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:07 PM
your website has problems.
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:08 PM
your website has problems.
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:08 PM
and I know some promi
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:09 PM
your website has problems
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:10 PM
ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:10 PM
ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Posted by: sheila | March 12, 2005 at 11:11 PM