Bugger

Don't you hate those people who always look good in photos? Even at 7am? Even after a hard 5K. Grr. So, as promised, here's some pics of Debbie and I. The Thanksgiving Day run was held in Balboa Park in San Diego. It was raining. At one point it was even pouring. Like Seattle kind of rain.

This is Deb and I before the race. All I can say is that I think I was very tired. Deb looks great. I should have kicked her right before the picture.

Dude, it was wet. You can't see it, but we're in an gated off beer garden after the race. The thing is, you can't go grab your beer and go find an awning to sit under. You must stay in a designated area so as not to be wandering loose in the park with alcohol. Also it ensures that everyone drinking in that area is indeed of age. So it was pouring. I had just changed into a warm (and dry) t-shirt and jacket after the race (because I was soaked). As you can see here, we were not incredibly dry. Again, Deb looks fantastic, and I've decided I'm not allowed to smile that big in photos anymore. I was seriously tired though... in my defense.

It may not look like it, but I'm very content right here. I was cold and wet and for some reason my face looks swollen, but I was very happy. I think we stood in there enjoying our beers for at least 15 minutes in the pouring rain. It was around 9am. Oh, and the beer was Stone IPA. I don't think I would've stood in the rain that long for a Bud Light. Ok, maybe I would've. We had a lot of fun though. I had a decent 5K, something to be proud of. And it was definately exciting to be drinking beer in that atmosphere. Drew was there too, but for some reason, Deb hasn't posted pictures of him yet on her facebook. Yes, I stole these photos, without permission. But there's my disclaimer, so it's legal.

Off-season

Well fire season is officially over. I think I needed it to be. I've seen more of my friends in the past couple weeks than I have all year. I feel like this is what I've been missing all summer. I just don't get to see anyone during the summer months so now I'm making up for it. As soon as I get pics from my pals, I'll post them. There was yesterday morning having beers in the beer garden after the Turkey Day 5K in the pouring rain with Debbie and Drew, Thanksgiving at Natalie's, and even a few days ago, the girls went out for Italian... and the next morning: coffee at the butt-crack of dawn. Pics to come!

Snow!!!

We had our first snow of the season on Sunday morning (November 9th). I woke up to white stuff everywhere, and as I was leaving for work, a very pretty flurry had started.

The night before:

I did absolutely nothing to doctor up this image. Gorgeous sunset!

Being as I was taking pictures of the sunset that night, I had my camera waiting on the kitchen table for this:

I realize that may not be exciting to some of you, but I just wasn't expecting it. It was much more fabulous in person.

There were still a few small flakes coming down, but most of it started to melt as the morning went by.
This is what it looked like as I was leaving for work. It had started to snow pretty good by then. The snow on my jeep melted because I had started it up 20 minutes earlier and the heater was on inside.

On my way to work, I snapped this picture. There were a lot of other pretty things to take pictures of later (like snow at work, ice crystals in the trees, etc) but by then I was over it.... maybe because I have to work in this now. Yuck! Corey (our apprentice) and I went for a run in it. It wasn't too bad, but I shudder to think we'll be doing fuels projects in this all winter. I certainly don't get paid enough for this.

My Crew

Now that the fire season is officially over, here is my crew. I know, it's kinda late, but we've been gone on a fire and things have been hectic since we got back.

Left to right: Eric (captain), Louie, Lanolin (Jason- he's allergic to sheep's wool), Me, Christian, Kyle, Chris (engineer), Dominic (in front).

So all the temps/seasonals have been layed off for the winter. All that remains of this crew are myself, Chris, Eric, Dominic, and another Apprentice who isn't in the picture: Corey.