incoming

October 3, 2010:

Joining the Ranks of the Unemployed

Last Monday went down as the most humid day of 2010, with meteorologist Cliff Mass proclaiming a 100% reading at the UW. The air felt thick as syrup as I went out the door in Lake Forest Park, and the feeling of lethargy was amplified by the fact that my cousin Larry had called me about 10 hours previous to tell me he had sold the restaurant and as of today I would be unemployed. Nice. Thanks for the heads up, bro.

I applied for unemployment for the first time in my 41-year work history, and cleared out my office. Enough Ermenegildo Zegna dress shirts and Gap corduroys to last me for the rest of my life; guess some of these will find their way to Craig's List. I took a few long bike rides and a couple of runs, but when you're feeling a little down and disoriented there's nothing like climbing up and sliding down.

Since Friday was a new month and the weather was supposed to be decent, I headed for the solo ski standard at Rainier, Paradise. Turned out to be just as the doctor ordered - clear, brilliant blue skies, a little breeze, and sweet turns heading off from Camp Muir where a tiny finger of fresh snow skied like the real thing. If anyone has any ideas regarding employment, please use the link at the bottom of the page to contact me!

The refurbished climber's shelter at Muir pops out against a cloudless sky. Great skiing just out of frame to the right of photo!

Someone was having a bad day. Rangers and guides work to assemble the "all terrain" stretcher to take an injured climber down from Pebble Creek.

Previous Incoming Pages:

China: Wandering in the Middle Kingdom

"Incoming" covers developments that have personal interest to me (ie. gear I might consider acquiring, or events I feel may impact the sport of skiing) - it is by no means meant to be a comprehensive enumeration of gear or events in the ski world at large. Feel free to contact me via the randosaigai.com link below with news or images that may be of interest . . .