kadmium

Lots to talk about … proceed …

“New” Job for Dave

I got a promotion this week from “Programmer” to “Programmer/Analyst”. It doesn’t mean much in the world of the web, because those titles are pretty specific to a different style of programming, but it does mean a raise. I’ve finally cracked the $50k mark, which is a first for me.

New Skill for Lola

Lola is our Chow/Husky mix. She’s a very energetic little pup and requires a good deal of exercise and she loves running, so last year, Katie tried skijoring (You put on cross-country skis and harness yourself to the dog. More info here.) with her, with mixed success. The whole idea is that the dog should run ahead of you and keep some tension on the rope between you and her. The problem was that we spent so much of Lola’s early life teaching her not to pull, that she won’t run ahead if she’s hooked to something.

Well, this weekend we had an idea. I went with Katie and Lola out to a small mixed-use ski area to ski ahead and call Lola, to see if she would run. It took us a little while to get the coordination down so that when Lola started to run, Katie was ready to ski, but eventually we worked it out. We ended up skiing for forty-five minutes. It was very cool, but it was the first time I’d skied in a year and a half and my hip flexors are still complaining.

I took some pictures that I’ll post after they’re developed.

New Moves for Katie and David

This week Katie and I started a ballroom dance class. It’s being taught by Bill Cardwell, the man who gave Katie her first ballroom dancing lessons when he and her mother, Betty, started dating when Katie was 11. He and Betty have been dancing together forever, so when they demonstrate it’s a lot of fun to watch.

Last night we worked on the Foxtrot and the Swing, both variations on the “slow-slow-quick-quick” pattern, and over the next couple of weeks we’ll get to the other basic dances including POLKA!

I must admit that I’m having much more fun than I thought I would. The image I had in my mind was of the ballroom dance competitions that they show on PBS occasionally and the movie Strictly Ballroom. It’s more like basic swing dancing, and of course it’s hard for anyone to be stuffy and uptight in an elementary school gym, right? Pictures of that, too, if we get any.

On the first item, David, congratulations! I can remember when you thought such a status was giving in too much to the culture. Must feel good now.

On the second item, I would like to see Lola and Katie. David, are you going to get in the harness?

On the third item, Ruth and I did some of that years ago, but never kept at it. Hope the two of you stay with it.

Comment posted by David | January 23, 2002 08:01 PM

Congratulations David. Does this mean a change in what you do for the school system? Does it mean a change in office location and reporting scheme?

I would love to see Lola pulling Katie. Is it fun to be pulled like that Katie? What if Lola suddenly veers to one side or the other rather than going straight ahead?

Bill must be a good teacher. My experience is that most dance teachers don't figure out a way to make it fun. Too much technic instead of fun and relaxing. So you guys enjoy.

Comment posted by Ruth | January 24, 2002 05:42 PM