In the 68 days that I have had my pass, I have snowboarded 61 of those days. I feel blessed.

I went to see an 80’s cover band last night. They were decked out with the studs and mullet wigs- the works. Sometimes I think I missed my calling and I should have been in a hair metal band. I think I would be good at that.

But these late Saturday nights are making it a little difficult to get up for church the following morning. I’ve been pretty determined though- unlike past experiences with church where I would find any excuse not to go. But things are changing slowly. The church here is really small, made up mostly of snowboard bums like me and very relaxed. It’s pretty good as far as churches go.

In order to maintain my sanity, I’ve developed a few rules in regard to christianity and particularly church. These rules make me look like a cold hearted heathen but they seem to be the only way church and I can get along. Lets call them “rules of play”. They are as follows.

Rule #1 I refuse to do anything on command. I won’t pray on command, I won’t stand on command, I won’t raise my hands or worship or clap or anything else someone is trying to convince me I need to do in order to honor God “right”. And I certainly won’t get all excited and riled up.

Rule #2 I refuse to feel guilty or feel like a bad christian for following Rule #1.

Rule #3 I consider it against my religion to dress up for church.

Rule #4 Christians are dorks. Make fun of them often.

Rule #5 Lastly, I reserve the right to walk out guilt-free at any moment. I have taken up this right less and less as of late, but the option is always available.

And thus we have formed an uneasy truce. Follow the rules and we can mostly get along. I say mostly because I’m still not comfortable in more intimate Bible studies and such but there is definitely progress. Lance- I know you’re proud.

First night Expoing tonight. I kicked ass.

Well the chef from Hell wasn’t there but it was pretty busy. I brought food to the wrong table once. Lucky for me, they had actually ordered that and we’re pretty surprised how quick it came out. I think I will enjoy the job. It can move fast and require a lot of attention but that’s what I’m looking for. Work at the mountain has slowed to a screeching halt, I worked one day this week. Not that I can complain about getting to ride every day but I do really need the money. It’s been snowing for days so I’m happy.

GB- I know you’re there.

She put on happiness like a loose dress, over pain I’ll never know.
–mewithoutYou

It is said that the path into light is dark.
- the Tao

Anyone seen King Kong yet? I wasn’t going to see it but I kept hearing how amazing it was so against better judgement, I went. For starters, if you are squimish about bugs you should NOT be going to see this movie. It is one huge creature fest. I could envision a group of testostorone-pumped producers sitting around a table, reliving their prepubescent years with talk such as, “Yeah! Yeah! and we should make a big slimy worm come out here and EAT off his HEAD!! YEAH!” and “Yeah, and make him swing it around like this and smash him!” eyes shiny and hands waving in the air.

Otherwise, it wasn’t a bad movie. The animation of Kong was really amazing, I still don’t believe he wasn’t real. And the interplay between him and the heroine was touching and unique. But it did seem like the story line was lost in the quest to get the most people’s heads eaten off. Obviously that was more of a priority than the storyline or the character development.

Best part of the movie. Jamie Bell was in it. “Go BILLY, GO!”

Tonight I shadowed (or asta-shed- no idea how to spell that) at this really ritzy restaurant here in town. My sister works there so she got me a hookup to expo. I felt like I was living out WaiterRant. I have never worked in a restaurant before, I barely know what an expo does. But I want to get my foot in the door so I figured I’d give it a shot.

The job itself isn’t that hard. The only hard part is knowing the menu. Every dish has to be fully explained and contains at least 7 words I have never seen before. It’s totally NOT my scene, I’d rather be in some dive bar than helping the rich waste their money, stroking their egos and pampering them. I suppose I can play the part to pay the bills. (It sounds cheap when put that way. I guess it can be just a job.)

But I’m flat broke so my options are limited. We’ll see if they even want me.