“Hey, what’s new? What have you been up to?”

Each time I am asked these questions I come up with a lame answer.  One, because I’m not into idle chit chat and two because I can’t come up with a good answer.  

I was at an enchilada potluck bonfire party last night when a young man my daughter’s age asked these questions of me.  I thought of answering with my pat answer of let’s just stop this conversation in it’s tracks answer of “not too much new here”.  But something took over in me to answer the truth.  To remember what I’ve been up to lately.

I replied without pausing; “I’ve been thinking about working at the school another ten years. It’s a job that puts food on my table and a snowboard on my feet so I don’t want to blow that gig.  But I would like to start my own business and have something to keep me working when I do retire. I would like to start working and building on that now.  I’ve considered several business ideas.  For example, I could write a book or I could start my vegan veggie burger business. Maybe I’ll  start a hostel in Darby.  I have so many ideas.

 I’m also teaching myself to play the harmonica, which my dog is not happy about.  I’m training for a half marathon with the Good Times Running Club. I’ve run five half marathons and still dream of running a full marathon.  

 I just joined a book club with a couple of teachers and several high school students.  We are reading “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat”  Interesting read; thought provoking for sure.  

 The high school science teacher and I are planning a spring break backpacking trip.  We just received the backpacking permit to the Grand Canyon this week.  We plan on taking nine students and I’ll be working on some grants to help pay for the trip.  That’s another business idea I have, grant writer.  I’m going to practice grant writing for the school while I’m employed full time and see if I can become a professional grant writer.

 I also coached  junior high tennis this year.

I was appointed to be  on the Public Library board of directors.

I’ve improved in my yoga practice.  I can do side crow with one leg out to the side.  I can go from standing straddle to headstand without flailing my feet in an egg beater style.

  I am hoping to get some new cross-country skis this year.  Mine are 22 years old. I’ve reserved May Creek Cabin for the end of January to ski into for the night.   There is also a yurt on Saddle Mountian that I would like to ski into one night too.

I write a blog, but I’ve not been writing much since Brett’s accident and it’s time to get back to it.

My headaches have gotten so bad that I finally had to get prescription medicine and it’s working.

 I’ve started making my own toothpaste.  I’ve used the homemade toothpaste for several months and thought it would be wise to go to the dentist.  I wanted to make sure I wasn’t making a big mistake.  He told me my teeth were too perfect and that I might have problems with them because they were so perfect.  What? Did he say that?  I didn’t tell him about my homemade toothpaste.  I lied when he asked if I swished with mouth wash.  

Derek found a break in my dissertation to ask about my job at the school.

“My job doesn’t define who I am.  I don’t usually bring it up in conversation.  I’m the business manager of a public school.  It’s not a good use of my talents.  It is not very creative.  I fake most of it and don’t have much passion for the job.  

Why do I stay?

Because the pros outweigh the cons.  I have a three-mile commute,  I have a flexible schedule,  I make good enough money.  I can take off on powder Thursday when there’s powder.  I have some sort of health insurance, vacation/sick days, and a retirement.  I work with good people who appreciate the work I do. When it’s after hours and the school is empty I can ride my longboard in the halls.  These are good things and one should not take these pros for granted. I have a good job and sometimes I forget that.  

That’s what I’ve been up to.

Wild About Books blog followers don’t give up.  I’m reading 6 books right now.  I’ll have a book for you for the next post.