X-C Skiing 12/28

We went to Smuggler's Notch today to x-c ski, and Marty's trusty 70's boots suffered a slight performance glitch. Aunt Denise fell, and part of the boot stayed with the ski and the rest came off with her foot! Fortunately, the Nordic center was nearby, so she was able to rent gear. We ended up skiing on the Notch x-c trails, which were very beautiful and well-groomed, instead of the closed Notch road.

Mom & Aunt Denise model the postcard-perfect river lining the trails.

Car Trouble 12/24

Shortly after climbing, I pulled into EZ Lube for an oil change and to check out the weird sound my car was making. They said it looked fine, but about 10 miles later my power steering went out -- the camshaft belt came off.

Kristin used her triple A card, and my car was towed to one of the few local mechanics that are open on x-mas eve.

Stoney Point 12/24

This was the first Christmas Eve that I spent outside of VT, but if you're not going to be enjoying snow, then why not go rock climbing in 80 degree weather? Noah and I had good timing: these guys had put up a rope, and they let us climb with them on the back of boulder one. Tony then gave us a tour of several traverse problems that I hadn't seen before.

Las Vegas/New Jack City 12/16-18

Noah, Kostas, and I stayed at the Stardust, and on Saturday we climbed at the gallery. We did an 11a that I hadn't been on before, and we discovered that some of the bolts got sketchy on a 10c (to the left of fear and loathing). It hailed on Sunday, so we bailed to New Jack City. The rock is much different than red rocks, but we got on a cool 11 that made it worth the trip.

Last Apt. 407 Christmas party 12/15

There was lots of drinking, eating, and merrymaking.

Christmas Tree & Gingerbread House 12/13-14

Home Depot is the place to get trees in LA (a 6-7' tree costs about $22), but unfortunately, everyone knows that so it took us 2 hrs! Here's a picture of Kristin's '05 masterpiece. The following night we made a gingerbread house.

Kyle's 2005 Summer & Winter Jumps

One of the cool swimming holes in VT. My brother is the speck in the upper right. Here he is again, demonstrating a winter jump.

Jenny & Eric's Holiday Party 12/10

Ram proudly displaying his new haircut.

Climbing Competition 12/10

"Sometimes good things happen to good people." -Jose upon winning the grand prize at the comp raffle (worth about $120). I made out pretty well too, winning the superfinals cash prize of $180.

Crocheting at the apartment 12/8

Rhythm & Hues Holiday Party 12/9/05

SGSA Bowling 12/2/05

The Statistics Graduate Student Association had a bowling outing on Friday. It was just the beginning of a party weekend for me...Saturday I went to 2 parties, and Sunday I went to a brunch.

My room mates Kristin and Ani.

In addition to bowling, my room-mate Ani also has a talent for handstands.
I learned to use the lane arrows and managed to double my previous high score of about 50.

Thanksgiving '05

Thanksgiving was mostly spent crafting, drinking wine, and eating good food. Analese, Caitlin, and I crocheted, while Mom & Denise made x-mas blankets. Agassi recovered from picking a fight with a car.

Unfortunately, I was too side-tracked with eating to take pictures on Thanksgiving day. But here's a photo of the Dunns' spiffy chandelier.