So we set off at 6:30 in the morning (sacraficing our one late start day for skiing) in the bus drived by the U32 coach (we always travel with U32). Things are a little cold on the bus, but going well... Until we hear a beeping. So, we pull over and it turns out there wasn't any coolant (sp?). So the coaches collect our water bottles (I'll admit I secretly held onto mine, my water was in an old coke bottle so it looked really trashy compared to the fancy-shmancy nalgenes being passed forward). They poured the water in and we set off again to the Elmore store. Once there Greg discovered they had no anti-freeze (by the way, everyone on the bus was taking this as a message from God that we really shouldn't race). So Greg worked a little magic with some duct tape to fix some tube and we set off again. Then we drove to the bus barn which is where we got the bus I guess (we passed it twice before we actually got there). I don't think anything was actually accomplished there, but it was another promising sign that we just shouldn't race (we would only have missed the boys race if we had missed any at all). So we leave there in our broken bus, which breaks down again a little later. Some U32 parents drove the boys the rest of the way so that they could make their race (it took a little convincing to get two certain boys off the bus and to the race, Montpelier boys of course, it's just our nature). Eventually we made it to Jay Peak, where we find out they postponed the race just for us, how nice.
So the race consisted of two laps. It was 6k in all and half up hill, half down hill, really. Very, very brief periods of flat. At the end of the first lap, it was a little confusing where to turn, because one direction took you to the finish and the other direction took you to your second lap (the confusion of that turn led to another classic ski team moment when one member was DQ'd for only doing one lap by accident). Anyways, while I was having a heart attack going up the hill on my first lap I was planning out in my head what I would do at the end of my first lap: I'd zoom down the hill, find Greg and say "Nope, I can't do it, I quit, sorry!" Which wouldn't have made that much of a difference as I am admittedly the slowest skier on the team (not that much slower than some others, but yes, the slowest I believe). But as I zoomed down the turn after the long, long downhill that allowed for a nice recovery, I found I was already headed back up the hill for my second lap before I even realized it. The second lap wasn't quite as bad because I was a little warmed up and a little less concerned with keeping up, as the end was sort of in sight. Eventually I got to the downhill and cruised casually into the finish. Overall, I came in 53rd out of 57, which is much better than I had anticipated. And just to give you some perspective, there were some other Montpelier skiers that came in pretty close to me (before me, but close). So I thought it was successful. And I believe Ruthie came in first out of the Montpelier girls, which is no surprise as she is a fabulous skier.
The relays followed, which required 4 girls for the girls team and 4 boys for the boys team. Kate showed up for that one which made the girls team, Kate, Ruthie, Emma and Erica. They did the same loop, but only once, and a little bit was cut off. They did a very impressive job (beat U32 in an exciting finish). Ruthie and Kate also have their picture in the Times Argus (courtesy of Steve Sease) which you should check out if you have one available.
My ride home was much less chaotic thanks to Steve. Alex, Pat and I jumped at the chance to ride with Kate and Steve, which was very nice. So all in all it was a wonderful day! And good luck to ski team next week at the skating states. Now it's time to get ready for vacation, fun! And my last day of school before vacation won't be too challenging. I think we're watching a movie in one class, we're doing yoga in another (yay Ms. Smerka!) and the rest doesn't matter, fun! Except I have to work after school.... But that will eventually lead to getting a paycheck, which is fun too.
Act One, Scene One
Lib: to person one Can I have a sip of your water?
Person One: Yeah, sure. Lib drinks. Oh, by the way, I'm sick.
Lib: Oh, well... That's fine. Lib sits
Person Two: Hey Lib, I can't find a seat, can I share with you?
Lib: Um, yea sure, why not? Person Two sits.
Person Two: to Person One, Can you pass the tissues? I'm soo congested.
Person One: Yeah, sure.
Person Three: Hey Lib, why don't you take some of my cold germs, I have plenty to spare.
Lib: Oh, no, really...
Person Three: No, no, I insist!
Lib: Oh, but...
Person Four: I have a fever of 105, but I just had to come to school today. Mind if I follow you around today Lib?
Lib: Oh, um. Sounds like fun, but...
Person Five: I'm about to sneeze..... Ahh.. Ahhh.
Person One: Bless you.
Person Five: Oh, it went away! They laugh.
Person Two: Aren't colds hilarious?
Person Three: I wish we could just stay sick all year, let's just keep coming to school and passing it around.
Lib: Hmm.. Sounds great.
So, I might not have been so irritated at being sick, but I just got over my last cold a month ago. Also, I was planning on giving blood in two weeks (which would save three lives!!) and if I'm still sick, then I can't.
As I was arranging my stuffed animals and pondering the new insights the discussion I began to appreciate coming from such an educated family (no, this wasn't an epiphany or anything, maybe just a post wisdom teeth pain burst of joy). Not just an intelligent family, but a really educated one. One in which just about every member is really invested either academically or for fun in various topics. But one family is no use on its own, it's even better that I'm surrounded at almost all times by really smart people. In fact, I think it's safe to say that in Montpelier, no question goes unanswered. Really, you don't even need a question to get an answer. Just wander over to any one of my friends house and you'll have all sorts of information thrown at you before you even say hello. They're like walking encyclopedias. Have a question about the ACLU, random bits of history? Keith's the guy. Art inquiries? Carol N., of course. The best wax for skiing? Definitely Steve and John. The latest news in environmental law? Mi madre. Archetecural history? Nancy. Music? Dan's the man. Just to name a few. Really the list could go on.
What's more is all their unruly teenagers (the two words just sound so nice together, it's up to you to decide if it applies to your child), who also happen to be human sponges, walking from house to houes absorbing information from these fonts on knowledge, are turning into mini (I'm really not implying size here, don't get offended friends, you range from normal to huge. I'm merely showing the difference between degrees earned) experts in their own subjects. Phew, long sentence. I won't list their interests for fear of sounding redundant.
Now my brain is starting to shut down as this was as far as I had written in my head, and my bedtime is surely plotting its revenge for the morning. Anyways, that was my appreciation for being surrounded by smart people. Yuh dun a reel good job teechin me all dem importnt things.
On the topic of food, I might also mention that I've changed more than just my liking for grapefruit. I actually enjoy cooking these days! It may be partly because the Food Network has gotten me addicted to cooking shows (particularly Semi-Homemade). So once my teeth fully recover from the wisdom teeth experience (they're shifting a little because of all the new room, really a throw back to the achy days of braces), I'm going to cook and cook and cook... and eat and eat and eat. Yum.
Oh, and I'm getting my wisdom teeth out on Friday (eek!), so my entries may become a little more sparse for a time. (To tie it back into the Myspace scandals, that would be an example of information that is okay to post online. Sharing your illegal weekend activities, impersonating teachers? Not okay. Seriously).