You have died of dysentery

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Last vacation, I reported 119 degree weather. This vacation, it will be more like 19 degree weather.

Amanda and I are catching a 6:15 a.m. flight to Chicago tomorrow. We'll spend an exciting, frigid two nights in the land of Obama and Oprah, staying at the Hyatt Regency on the Magnificent Mile.

Then we're "heading home" to Leo, Indiana.

I'm not sure what resources I'll have in this remote part of the country, but I've been mentally preparing for scarcity by playing "Oregon Trail."

I'll try to get online or blog via telegram whenever possible to update you all on the good times, but this is my last post from Seattle until the end of the month.

Happy holidays and safe travels, everyone!

The final countdown

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Happy Monday, everyone! I have just TWO more days before I go to Illinois and Indiana for the holidays! Yay!

The weekend was busy but fun.

On Friday night, Amanda and I went to Black Bottle for dinner. I highly recommend the "blasted broccoli" and "mussels marseille-style."

On Saturday we met G&G for dinner at Vince's in Federal Way and spent the evening in Federal Way at Scott's birthday party (look for a post about that later today).

On Sunday we were planning to go skiing, but everyone was too tired from the party/intimidated by the single-digit temperatures.

To avoid traveling with a load of presents to Indiana, Amanda and I celebrated Christmas early and opened presents (except one each, which we will bring to Indiana). I totally scored! I got a Flip, pillows, socks, a sweater, toothbrushes, a DVD, a knit hat and Snorenz. Thanks, Amanda!

We went to Madame K's for dinner and saw Rosie Thomas' Christmas show at Town Hall (Thanks, Wesley!).

Now I'm about to kick-off my last Monday before vacation. Word to your mothers.

Holidays can be a headache

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Sorry I've been MIA these past couple days.

Perhaps the reason why holiday vacations are so noticably relaxing is because everything leading up to them -- closing work projects, planning the trip, last-minute shopping, packing, etc. -- is so damn stressful.

Yesterday I actually left work mid-morning because I had a killer migraine. My right eye was twitching non-stop, too. I'm not crediting pre-vacation stress entirely for this episode (brews from the Jolly Roger the previous night may have contributed), but I'm quite sure it was the catalyst.

Amanda and I leave for Chicago on Wednesday and then we'll be heading east to Leo, Ind., one week from today. This is when I meet her family for the first time, which reminds me of a headline I read the other day: "Guy killed meeting girlfriend's family for first time."

That's comforting.

No, seriously though. Because I'm a polite, charming fellow I'm quite confident that things will be smooth with Amanda's family in Indiana. I've already made my first impressions on WIB and have gained a small readership out of her family (Hi Grandma Lowden, Aunt Teresa, Amber and Sheree!).

Before we get to crunch time next week, I have lots of opportunities this weekend to unwind that I'm looking forward to. Look for some pictures over the weekend from Scott's ski-themed birthday party on Saturday night.

Now back to finishing up those projects at work...

Crystal Mountain may open Saturday

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You heard it here first!

According to the Ski Crystal announcement, "We can’t say for sure but we’re looking at a possible opening on Saturday, December 13th with limited operations. We’re keeping a close eye on the weather over the next few days. The big deciding factor will be the system on Friday. We sill need another 6-8 inches of snow in order to open."

Lifts and trails available IF Crystal opens:

Discovery Chair: Discovery Meadow
Chinook Express Chair: Broadway & possibly Skid Road
Forest Queen Chair: Downhill & possibly Magoo.
Below Forest Queen & Chinook Express: Tinkerbell to lower Quicksilver

Discounted lift tickets will be just $25 due to the limited runs (or extensive runs to some of us), which means this is a good opportunity get your legs back in shape on the cheap.

Pray for 6-8 inches on Friday! (That's what she said.)