So...Cold...

[ghost_light]

We rented skis for me on Saturday, and then called Dave and Krista to set a date to go out today, in spite of the fact the mercury went and hid below zero on Friday and has not been man enough to show its face since.

We fortified with toast and a couple more Scotch Eggs this morning, the last egg is hanging in the fridge in case Rodney comes over, and then called Dave to meet up for skiing. Krista, wisely, chose to exercise indoors because it was really damn cold out there! It was fun, and I did well, but I did not have gloves up to the task so I had to talk LonelyDumptruck and Dave into ditching out at the first turnout. In my defense, I did really well and I didn't fall down once this time. I nearly fell twice, but my butt never actually touched snow. This is a 100% improvement over the last (and only) two times I have been skiing.

The first time I fell so hard I lost my hat. I got myself back up again, but everyone else had gone on in front of me and, perhaps, had not noticed my fall. Every time I bent over to try to pick up my hat, I skied straight forward and directly towards a tree. After numerous tries and several minutes, I was finally rescued when someone came back to check on me and picked up my hat.

Last time I went skiing was on a romantic getaway with LonelyDumptruck. The ski resort had a very well-groomed little circle for beginners like me and he, graciously, spent part of an afternoon teaching me the very basics and followed me around the circle over and over again. At some point we stopped to chat with another guy skiing the circle and I think I got bored and needed to shift my weight. All I really remember was going from standing like a real pro to getting my skis crossed and needing to lift one foot to correct the problem. I lifted the wrong foot and, as happens when you chose poorly, managed to lift both skis and send myself completely ass over tea kettle in the middle of the remedial slope. I mean circle. It was so remedial there was no slope. Now snow up ass this time was a major accomplishment.

We went shopping after a brief defrost. LonelyDumptruck wanted to hit the Men's sale at Nordstroms and I happened to have a gift certificate from one of my sisters-in-law (Thanks Jenny!) so we braved the stores. I found an awesome pair of iridescent Danskos right off the bat, so LonelyDumptruck made sure I got them by paying the difference. We also looked for new button-down work shirts for me but 2012 appears to be the Year of the Jersey.

LonelyDumptruck was unable to find a good pair of shoes, so we slunk home with just my shopping trophy and made spaghetti alfredo. I'd forgotten how much I like to make alfredo sauce.

We called Stephanie and Rodney about going to a movie and went to see the new Sherlock Holmes. I think I am the only person who didn't think of a particular story when the falls came into view, but I still enjoyed it a lot. After the movie we came home to watch the Amsterdam episode of the Layover and try a strange hellbroth of egg nog, champagne and rum one of us read about last week. I'll tell you how that went over tomorrow.

Comments

[elvenforever.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you had a lovely time! I am a Colorado native but don't ski; my balance has always been shit. Tried to learn as a kid; was a complete failure at it and never tried again, LOL. :)

[alicephilippa.livejournal.com]

I used to ski, but my shit balance was always defeating me. I've never broken anything although I was once black and blue form waist to ankle after a fall.

Now I can't ski even if I wanted to as my balance has got even more shit and my knees are pretty well wrecked and heading for replacements in the not too far future. My orthopædic conslutant threatened me with a new left kneecap last week. :/

[elvenforever.livejournal.com]

Yeah, skiing can be hazardous even if you do it properly. :) Sad to hear about the wrecked knees, though -- that must suck. :(

[alicephilippa.livejournal.com]

I cope (mostly). When the weather is cold and changeable I find best to stay firmly tucked up in the house, as that plays havoc with my pain tolerance.

[elvenforever.livejournal.com]

Chronic pain of any kind is not fun. :( I got to experience that when I had shingles in 2008 and resultant nerve damage (post-herpetic neuralgia). I was on narcotics for 8 months and had to physically detox from them under a doctor's care. Fortunately mine went away entirely. You just have to live with yours. :( Knee replacement surgery may well change your life; that's something to look forward to, though! :)

[niknak0.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good time. I definitely woudlnt' be skiing if it was me. I would have been on my butt more times than not. LOL

{hugs}

I hope you have a good day.

[technophobe1975.livejournal.com]

I am pleased you managed to rescue your hat in the end :)

[goffburd.livejournal.com]

Skiing - brrr - never! I went skating once and couldn't sit for a week! I'm glad you had a good time.

So Sherlock Holmes is good - excellent - I'm going to see it next week for my birthday.

[harrietbrown.livejournal.com]

I love Danskos! I had a pair some years ago, but I sprained both my ankles and despaired of ever being able to wear them again. But I bought a new pair this year, and they are FANTASTIC! The most comfortable shoes ever, if you have to spend a lot of time walking and standing.

How do you make your alfredo sauce? I use 1 stick of butter, melted, add 2/3 cup sour cream or heavy cream, 1 egg yolk, beaten, and 2/3 cup grated parmesan. I got that off the back of a Ronzoni package, do you believe it? That stuff is da bomb with spinach fettuccine.

So glad you didn't end up on your ass while skiing - that would have been painful! I admire you for going out in the cold.

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

I used Emeril's, really simple.

Ingredients
1 pound dried fettucine
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsley, for garnish, optional
Directions
Cook the fettucine in a pot of rapidly boiling salted water until al dente. Drain in a colander, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and saute until tender. Add heavy cream and bring to a boil. Cook until sauce has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Return the pasta to the pot it was cooked in, set over medium-high heat along with the reserved cooking liquid. Add the butter-cream mixture and half of the Parmesan and toss to combine thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and garnish with parsley, if desired. Serve immediately


We added proscuitto.

[harrietbrown.livejournal.com]

OK, I copied it to a Pages document and I will try it out next time I get paid. This gives me an idea: I have some friends coming over for lunch on 1/22 - maybe I could serve this! Great, thanks!

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

I hope you like it!