30.8.07

The Cubbies


DSC05720
Originally uploaded by ballparkjebusites
We went to the Cubs game last night against Milwaukee. It was my first Cubs game and I had a great time, even though we lost. The place was packed. When I originally bought the tickets Peter was a bit disappointed in the matchup, but now, since the Cubs have been going back and forth with Milwaukee for the lead in the division, it was a highly-energized game. The stadium was packed even though the weather was threatening and cool. We ate hot dogs with grilled onions "dragged through the garden" as they say here in Chi-town. Chicago definitely does have the best hot dogs.

We left after the 8th inning, as it was getting late and I had to get up so early this morning (note the post time - hee, hee). Cubs were down 6-1. All in all, a good time.

29.8.07

It's time!


Mountain through the clouds
Originally uploaded by eyduck
I fly out tomorrow morning at 7 a.m., and arrive in Seattle at 9:30. Sue comes in around 10:00, and then we wait for another climber, Nancy to arrive around noon. We then drive to Ashford, WA, where we'll be staying at Whittaker's Bunkhouse. Peter Whittaker is also the owner of RMI, the guiding service that we'll be using for the climb.

Friday is a day of climbing school, where we'll learn to walk roped up without tripping over ourselves in our crampons. We'll also learn the art of the ice axe rescue. Saturday we climb to Camp Muir at about 10,000'. Then we rest during the afternoon and into the evening, beginning our ascent around midnight.

We should top out at about 8 a.m., lounge awhile, visit the other side of the crater to bag the "actual" peak of 14,410', and then it's another four or five hours back down. Sue, and I and Nancy will then be driving back to Seattle, where we'll drop Nancy off at a friend's house, and we'll be heading to a posh hotel and dinner, hot tub, and bed, in that order and quickly. We both fly out on Monday.

I'm excited, but nervous. Keep me in your thoughts this holiday weekend.

28.8.07

Last weekend


Brogan's First Game
Originally uploaded by Faux pas
We went home last weekend so I could get in one last good hike up the ski hill. I put on about 45 lbs and did about two hours worth of climbing without stopping. I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be afterwards, nor as tired, so I think I'm finally ready.

We got to see little Elliott, he's so cute! I'd never held a baby so small before. I totally want one now. Peter's not so ready :)

We went to Peter's brother Brogan's first football game of the season on Saturday night. He plays Varsity (he has since he was a freshman practically). He's a junior now, playing both offense and defense. It was pretty fun. I'd been to a couple of his playoff games before, but hadn't been to a regular season high school football game since, well, since I was in high school, which was a long, long, time ago.

22.8.07

Baby Elliott is Here!


on the way to the NICU
Originally uploaded by johnstom77
Our friends Matt and Melanie just had their first baby, an adorable little boy named Elliott Matthew Butts. He arrived a bit early, (about 10 days) after - get this - only 1/2 hour of labor. We could all be so lucky. Peter and I will be home this weekend to meet him. I've never held such a little baby before, I'm SO excited. Also, I finished another set of hat and booties for this little guy over the weekend.

8.8.07

Holy Shit!


rainier space needle
Originally uploaded by davesbit
Seriously. From this angle, I feel like Rainier is coming down from the sky. That thing is a serious monster and I'm am now wholly terrified to think that in three short weeks, I will be climbing it. That seems unreal. I can't imagine flying into Seattle to see this and then start driving towards it. OMG!

1.8.07

What do you think?

Okay, I can't help myself. This one is just crying out to be talked about. A sports reporter said the other day that Vick (the Falcon's quarterback arrested on dog-fighting charges) would be better off having raped a woman where he would have only likely suffered a four-game suspension. An outcry from a number of sources forced this reporter to apologize and he will no longer be reporting in this forum. But the point that he raised is interesting in a different context. Why is it that we, as a population, leap so quickly to chastise a man who has allegedly and brutally killed a number of dogs, but get very suspicious of women who allege that a sports figure in a similar position raped her? Do we value the life of pets over the safety and protection of women? Do we believe that most women lie about being raped in order to get fame/money, but dead dogs never lie (no pun intended)? While I whole-heartedly agree that Vick's conduct, if proven true, is heinous and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, I can't help but feel that, had he been accused of raping a woman, the public would have reacted the way it did, or he would have been suspended pending investigation. The point the reporter raised is a good one, if not for the reasons he raised it. It's worth discussing. So....discuss!