Kinetic

Day Off

Ahhhhhhh...

It wasn't too long ago that I was griping about being home too much because of no work. Now I have been busy balancing tile work, coaching, and a stint in Aspen at the X Games. I am grateful to have the work. Economy in the gutter, jobs scarce, and struggles abound. It is likely that I will be struggling again before too long. Tiling jobs only last so long and coaching lasts only as long as the resort stays open. I am working with a dude from the seismic survey crew I was on in New Mexico and it seems like we are all waiting in limbo to see if anything is going to pan out down there. I don't really want to go back down, but it is an opportunity I have to weigh.

The local paper used to have so many jobs listed in the classifieds, but now there are just a handful of listings. We tune in to National Public Radio twice a day most days and it never fails to leave a tightness in my stomach hearing about all the job losses and madness in the economy. I am glad that Obama is in office, but don't think he is the answer to all that ales us. The government is filled with politicians that make things tick, regardless of how they go about it - bickering, cheating, filibustering, or whatever they do. How long will it take for them to pass the economic stimulus bill? Maybe as soon as tomorrow, but I don't know.

So today I take a little reprieve and don't have to pack my lunch and figure out transportation or daycare with Katie. Gus is on my lap chewing on the string from my hoodie. Kai and Katie are working on a "potty chart" to try to encourage him to use the toilet. Gus is too squirmy to last on the lap. He is crawling now - and biting. Developing into a bona fide little man.

Winter has been on hold for the last couple weeks. Nice, sunny days stacked up one after another. We are waiting for a storm to roll in. It was supposed to be here yesterday, but never showed up. Still not here this morning despite what NOAA tells me. Though I am not riding as much as I have in the past I am still in love with winter and want more snow. The whole town seems to just enjoy weather and the seasons. Different festivals and events draw a lot of active community members and visitors into the fray. Huge snow banks are melting away, but still stand taller than the tallest man. A fresh snow makes everything new, and that is always nice.

The driveway has been a project to keep clear and draining. Katie and the boys came over to Aspen to hang out for a couple days, and while we were there we ended up getting about 40 inches of fresh snow. I was dreading digging out the mess when we returned, but our neighbor Derek had already gotten to it with his families skid steer. It is nice to live in a real neighborhood with good people.

Second cup of coffee is almost done and the accompanying antsyness is right there with it. Better get to it or we are going to lose too much of this precious day off.