You know you are living in the Pacific Northwest when:

You have Alaskan King Crab at your disposal, easily and regularly.



And for 3.50 a leg.

Time for some more pics. The clouds are definitely breaking and i believe that Spring is in the air. From what I understand from the locals, we've "turned a corner."

Things I learned this weekend:

1. It is possible to injure yourself to the point of drawing blood while eating Alaskan King Crab Legs.

2. Spending many hours with somebody who chews tabacco is not only distracting but pretty disgusting.

3. I must have terrible movie taste because I had not seen a SINGLE movie nominated for any kind of oscar. Not even those oscars that nobody cares about.

When I was in 4th grade, my parents sent me to ballroom dancing classes at our local country club that are designed to teach kids some dancing and a lot of social ediquette. It was quite a formal scene, complete with tea cookies and white gloves (aka boy cootie protectors). Last night I took my first ballroom dancing class since the 8th grade. It was nice to know that much hadn't changed:

1. No matter how hard the organizers try, the girls still outnumbered the guys.

2. Spinning girls confuses boys. "I always forget the rockstep after the turn."

3. Instructors are still in charge of playing the music, and still have trouble doing so.

4. Rotating partners, though "fair," can be very annoying when you get a partner who doesn't like to lead.

5. "Cootie protectors," though not necessary for entry to the class, are still sometimes very desireable - like when you dance with the guy who has hands like sandpaper.

Since the snow has turned quite "cementy" in these parts, I decided to abandon skiing for the day in favor of snowshoeing around Mt. Rainier National Park. The weather, for the first time in weeks, was totally clear, so Rainier was being anything but shy. Sunday was also the first time in weeks that the roads leading to the highest recreational areas have been open, so essentially, we spent the whole afternoon "ruining the scenery." It was very fun. Way tougher than I thought it was going to be, but totally worth every labored puff. I also thought that I was pretty coordinated until yesterday, when I proved that it was quite challenging to take photos while snowshoeing. I've never taken so many photos sitting on my tush.

For the first time in weeks, it looks like the sun might actually make an appearance today. Makes for a nice sunrise:



For those East Coast skiers who read this blog, you will be happy to know that WA has "death cookies" as well. After spending the past 6 weeks blowing through mounds of pow, last night I negotiated piles of frozen snow. What used to be fluffy and forgiving has now become bumpy (not in a good way) and hard. At times I thought I might lose a filling. ICK.

Better start snowing again. I have no idea how else they can fix it.

No skiing for me this weekend. Why? Because we have too much snow. Still. And it was impossible to get to any of the ski areas close by. Pretty disappointing and very frustrating.

So instead, I went "caucusing." The past week or so, there's been a lot of buzz in anticipation of the caucus in WA on Saturday. All the major players were in town at some point - you know you are in a "blue" state when Obama can turn people away from Key Arena and McCain can't fill up the Westin Ballroom.

Anyways, having never participated in a caucus, I decided to go to where there would be the most people, figuring that would be more interesting. So I caucused for the Democrats, while wearing a bright red shirt on, of course. Besides, when in Rome...

I felt a little like a spy, and was quite certain that my cover would be blown at any moment. I was nearly "made" when I declared myself "undecided" and "uncommitted" and was made to stand in the front of the room with the other three undecided as if facing a firing squad. For a moment there I really thought I was going to have to explain why I wasn't supporting either candidate. Sweat was beginning to bead on my forehead. I did stay long enough to hear what both sides had to say and then I snuck out to the food court and had a smoothie while watching a homeless man dance around the tables like a ballerina. And no, i don't have photos or video of that, sorry.

Usually, I post photos of sunset over the Sound. Yesterday, the sunset view was better over the city.

This weekend I returned to the night club where I had attended "Indian dance night" several months ago. This visit, however, it was "Gay men night." Needless to say, my Indian dance moves proved to not have quite the same effect as they had during my previous visit. I enjoyed the dancing, choosing to be in total denial that all the men on the floor are not interested in women - an illusion that was totally shattered when the DJ played Madonna's "Lucky Star." The tipping point was when this was the first time I've heard Bon Jovi played in Seattle. Bon Jovi. Gay Night. I really had no idea.

Happiness is....in no particular order...

Having snow hit you in the face as you ski.

Coming to a dead stop because you don't weigh enough to push through the snow.

Having an inch of snow covering you by the time you get off the chairlift.

Your team winning the SuperBowl.