Author: Matt (Page 18 of 23)

or not…. I just got back from spending two hours on a horse. A rather stupid one at that. I think that might put me up to counting on two hands, the number of times I’ve ridden a horse. Or perhaps walked a horse would be more accurate. It seems like “riding” should involve more than walking.

My honey and I went over to the stables at the Air Force Academy and rented a pair of nags and went exploring. This time was a first though, as it was just the two of us. Every other time I’ve been on a horse it has been one of those pathetic nose-to-tail guided walks.

This time we got to go “off-trail” and make our own way out into the foothills and just ride around. It was pretty fun… when the horse did what I told it to. Which was maybe 30% of the time. It seemed to be stuck in nose-to-tail mode and it kept wanting to go back to the stables instead of “through the woods and over the hill”. Nevertheless, I did increase my riding skills some and it was much more interesting than following a well worn path.

We rode up to the top of a small ridge and had to go through the scrub oak and snow. Ronda’s horse went right up but I had to argue with mine quite a bit. He finally did go even if he didn’t like it much. The weather had been calling for partly cloudy skies and the morning started off sunny but by the time we got to the stables the clouds had moved in and turned into an overcast day. We both wished we had brought a jacket.

I also seem to have discovered some new muscles in my legs.

Took Abby for little walk up in Ute Valley Park today. She enjoys it immensely and I find it quite relaxing too. I have found a nice secluded place where the woods and rocks combine to form small sanctuaries. Little restful places where you can sit on the rocks in the midst of the pine trees, soak up the sunshine, and smell the earth and woods around you.

It seems to be a favorite spot for the deer too. Lots of tracks and “piles”. Today I came upon a small group of them. They were standing perhaps 25 yards away through the brush. I had brought my digital camera with me and I quickly got ready to catch them leaping away. I didn’t figure it would take Abby long to catch their scent but surprisingly she did not. They soon decided to move on and I tried to snap several pictures but was ultimately frustrated by the stupidities of digital photography. Simply put the camera refuses to take pictures when you press the shutter button. It always seems to want to think about for a minute. Unfortunately, by the time it decided to cooperate the moment was gone.

I’ve interviewed for several more positions lately. One was a three-month contract conducting software quality control tests on nuclear missle launch systems. That would have been interesting to learn about but I did not get selected and probably just as well. It was a night shift and several other better opportunites have come along since. I am waiting to hear back on two different positions in the Information Assurance field that are full-time. One of them is over at a Schriever AFB working with the Integrated Missle Defense program and the other is with ITT Industries where I would be working on a number of different programs. I really want the ITT position because it would provide more challenge and variety, not to mention that it is only a mile or so from the house.

Ironically, the position with Booz Allen Hamilton that originally brought me here and then slowly withered away has suddenly surfaced again. They called last week and wanted to know if I was still available. It seems the govt. has decided maybe they do want to pursue that project after all. It may pan out but I’m not going to hold my breath.

Just some basic ramblings here….

Winter is kinder here in the Springs. Plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures. It has been in the 40 and 50’s some weeks and colder others. This week will be mostly low 30’s. I read in the paper today that the snowpack up in the mountains is now between 100% and 165% of normal. That is a very good thing for our water supply. If it continues we should be safely out of the drought.

Ronda started her new job this week. She is working for John Bevere Ministries (Messenger Intl.) up in Palmer Lake. It’s about a 30 minute commute. She is helping out in several areas essentially working as an adminstrative assistant. The standard 8-5 Mon-Fri workweek is a blessing after putting up with the erratic schedule she was working at Chico’s in the retail world.

Nothing new on my end career-wise. I interviewed last week for a systems administrator position with a local software company. It would be very convienient if I got it. The office is only a mile down the road. I could walk or ride my bike to work.
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Post from Kristina:
So here’s the deal. I’m snowed in. I came to the farm Tuesday afternoon…hoping to go to a I-35 game that night..but it was cancelled.

Its Thursday now and I’m still here. No complaints other than I have terrible Cabin Fever. DREADFUL Cabin Fever in fact. It annoys me because under most circumstances I would be playing this up as much as possible..telling dramatic stories and trying to stay as long as possible. HOWEVER. The irritating realization that I need a job weighs pretty heavily on my mind. So the 3rd day in I’m kind of getting crazy. but eh, its been fun and I’ve been disgustingly lazy. I’ve gone sledding, played guitar, ate too much food, drank 3 cups of hot cocoa..mmm….had a great time with my cousins, watched way too many movies, the list goes on. So really as I think about it..I don’t mind being here at all. in fact..its pretty doggone fun. oh and I cant check my email for some dumb reason. *pout* dumb reason being cause I can’t remember the link to the page. *pouts some more* Well, that’s enough complaining about not having any responsibilities for 3 whole days for me. I hope your all having fun going to classes and work, earning a living. Because I’m here. drinking hot cocoa..and not doing a thing.

See you in the real world….soon.

~*k*~