Baldy Basin

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Originally uploaded by Johnny Cakes.

Changes

Frost, golden Aspen leaves, some snow, and lots of chatter about when winter will start this year all clue in the change of seasons. Days are getting shorter and mornings colder. Kids have become as settled as they can be with the new school year.

This is a time of excitement because winter is close, and a time of tension, because having winter around the corner is like having an itch that you just can't scratch. A day hasn't gone by where I haven't been asked when we are going to start snowboarding. Of course, we already have. I took a crew up to a patch of snow at the base of Mt. Baldy two weeks ago, but that does not count. When do we really get to start snowboarding - every damn day!

I have been so engrossed in life on campus. Trying to get a ton of new students to buy into a clean, healthy, hard-working culture is a huge undertaking that is deeply challenged by a pre-existing sub-culture of negativity and subersiveness. Youth against Establishment. Whatever. How do we (CBA faculty) teach privaleged children how to be thoughtful, respectful, and kind when they have been raised in such a way that has largely avoided these issues. There are so many tangible issues crossing my desk every day. Some times I feel discouraged, but I have been feeling very engaged and involved in trying to make good decisions. I have been drafted into the Administrative Committee, basically to replace Christian who is not starting work until Nov. 1. Being involved in a lot of big picture planning has been a big jump in responsibility, but something that has made me step back and not stress the little stuff as much. Engrossed.

Katie and I have been pretty stoked on married life. Not sure I can ID the exact nature of the change from unmarried to married, but there is a levity and kindness pervading. We have been involved in a lot of adjusting to a new financial model built around the team. Additionally, there have been a lot of business/travel projects on the table that could potentially cause a lot of negativity and stress, but have been handled well as a team. It's pretty cool to tackle a process that we have been warned could be a marriage-wrecker so early on and handle it well. Good, good, good...

Last weekend Katie and I flew from Gunnison to Providence, RI to attend my lovely cousin Sarah's wedding. She and her now-husband, Billy, were married in Woods Hole, MA. The reception was at the mouth of the Falmouth Harbor. Perfect weather and eight out of nine of the first cousins were there - Charlie was the only one who didn't show. We feasted on lobster, which cousin Betsy and I tackled side by side in a shower of juices and guts. Spending time with the cousins and family felt very good in my heart. Dad was having a good time. Katie and I got to meet David and Caroline Broughton's kids, Rachel and Robert, for the first time. We managed to sneak in a breakfast with Mom and Chuck, Dinner with Matt and CC Curtiss and Tim and Jen DeBell, and a mtn bike ride with Charlie and Polly, while Katie and Jacey hiked around Haley farm. A quick trip with no time wasted - other than having to sit still for far to long while travelling.

Time to get on my Surly 1x1 and ride into town for another day of madness. Yipee.