Jeeze, MT, Y'all Ain't Even Complaining

Until my dad started sending me email forwards this week (much love, dad) I had no idea that the entire state of Montana was basically cut off from everything to the South and East of it... in case you aren't a geography wiz, that's 50% of the routes to get goods into and out of the state.  Interstates 90 and 94 as well as the most used commercial rail lines have been shut down.  In true Montana fashion, everyone seems to be complaining about nothing more than "excessive rain".  I checked on the amount.  4 inches in 36 hours.  That's about 1/4 of what the area gets in a year.

So, ob-v I wasn't too concerned about anything.  But maybe Montanans could give the chillaxing a break and realize that this is some shit.  Or maybe I'm getting soft in my Eastern ways.

Epic Weekend, Maryland Style

I love a nice action-packed weekend.  It seems to make them feel like they last longer.  In that context, this past weekend could have been a month.  Friday night was started with a little TFA mingling, and then dinner at JD's Smoke House in Canton.  Saturday heated up with the Infield at Pimlico for the 136th Preakness.  It rounded out with the Warrior Dash on Sunday, and that is an Epic Weekend.

Preakness:

Cutest little drunk ambulance I ever have seen.

The day started a little shaky.  We had won four tickets to the infield and we bought four tickets to the infield.  Only five of us were going, so that left 3 tickets.  We spent a good 45 minutes walking to various locations that were pointed out to us by "staff" as Will Call.  The final stop became the final stop only because, when we were pointed back to the first place we started 30 minutes earlier, the guy behind the window was tired of telling people just as much as I was tired of walking around.  The result was four "Mug Club" tickets that included both entry and all you can drink beer.  So, it was much worth it.
Next, I learned my lesson for trying to be a nice person.  I still had three tickets.  So, while the gents got their ID's checked for their tickets, I left to give away my three extra.  I walked a few feet and overheard a guy asking about tickets being told they were sold out.  I asked how many he needed.  He said three... perfect!  Have mine.  Then the security guard decided to call the cops, for I was "scalping".  I handed the guy the tickets and walked off.  No arrests were made, and when they spotted me inside I got a Black-Eyed Susan out of the deal.  I think that this cocktail might be one of my favorite things about Maryland so far.  Turns out my ticket recipients, a guy, his girlfriend, and his mom came from Rhode Island to come and had no idea how hard it was to get tickets.  They were really grateful.  Good deed done (right in time for Rapture).
Then, of course there were the pass-outs, make-outs, the race (none of us made much money, although we all came close), and well.... just check the pictures.

Warrior Dash


Sunday was the Warrior Dash.  Kim and I have been planning on this race, and by plan I mean we signed up for it, since January.  I knew it would be tough and fun and it was.  The race start was a bit slow but by the first half mile the crowd thinned through the trail and the obstacles and we crashed through the wall and into the dark, kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer. In the end, I ended up 154 of 670, so not awesome, but not bad for my first race. I got real muddy, had a great time, and drank lots of beer while a band played songs from my high school days.  Nice work, East Coast, nice work.
Warrior Dash

Miss USA Update: Exhibit A

Update:  I'm not making this stuff up, she really is the best.  After I wrote yesterday about my plea for why you should be voting for Brittany Toll, I see this:

East To West, Simply The Best!

Let me start by saying I don't know much about pageants or pageant life.  In fact, one of my first conversations with my then neighbor, and now Miss New Mexico, was an explanation of the difference between Miss America and Miss USA.  In case you aren't sure, the skinny on Miss USA and Miss New Mexico are summed up in the Qwikis below.  I don't know if I have ever watched a pageant or even know the name of any Miss USA's of the past...wait, Shana Mokler, right?  Anyway, I am compelled to compel you to ensure that a person of the highest quality could show the world what we should be celebrating in women and in humanity.  Let's sum it up with a top-5 list of why Brittany Toll is Miss Unbelievably Sharp and Altruistic:

5.  She is simply one of the best Pre-K Teachers I have ever seen in my 9 years of work in public education.  If you have EVER spent more than 15 minutes with a 4-year old, let alone 20, you get it.
4.  She is so down-to-earth and willing to share with anyone.  You'd never think you could find her on the pages Wikipedia.
3.  That girl has some energy.  I have never seen her down.  She will share a smile or a baked good with anyone in her path.
2.  Her incredible beauty is second to her endless talents.
1.  She loves many things completely and absolutely above herself:  Her family, her friends, New Mexico, and giving to others.

If you think these are great traits to share with others, click here! Your vote could put Brittany in the top 10!  Check out her blog, Happy Brittany, too!


View Brittany Toll and over 3,000,000 other topics on Qwiki.


View Miss USA and over 3,000,000 other topics on Qwiki.

East to West, What is Your State's Worst Feature That It is Best At?

I find a lot of these fascinating, but here are my editorials (West to East):

1. Who knew, Washington?  
2. I have lived in Montana and New Mexico, and I think that NM is definitely in the running for drunk driving.
3. I know a pretty good set of attractive North Dakotans.  I dispute this title and would love to know how this was determined.
4. If I lived in PA, I'd be burning shit down too.

Things That (Sigh) Will Never Be East

I just spent my first vacation since moving to Baltimore at home, in Montana.  And it was abundant with things that just will always be home, always be West, always be my favorite things in life.

I landed to a beautiful late April Montana snowstorm, which meant that the upcoming ski trip would be fantastic, and was a much-needed break from what had already become summer in Maryland.  I was on the edge of my seat the whole flight in, a landing can never come soon enough.

In deed, the trip was set for a great turn.  Big Sky had one of the best closing weekends ever.  On top of an already 120 inch base, we were treated to foot after foot of fresh powder each morning, making for sore legs, perfect hot-tubbing conditions, and the necessity for lots of drinks.

And things that are uniquely Montana?  Well here are some pics from the Big Sky Pond Skim.  Click here for the full album.