Bedrock & Paradox

What is up with lists? And with numbers. All the magazines seem to have some marketing data that the more numbers they put on the cover (“155 Essential Winter Skills” in the latest Backpacker, what unfortunate intern had to count them all?), the more people will by them. That bit of data doesn’t resonate with…

Our testimony was very well received at the capitol yesterday. Montana legislators continue to impress me with their intelligence, dedication, and accessibility. Our work yesterday laid some very solid groudwork for future endeavors. We also learned that presentation is important. The bureau chiefs who spoke before the public comment period took up more than their…

I snuck out for a snowshoeing and snow-camping trip last night. Leave the house at 3, snag some ramen and cookies, leave the car by 4, make camp around 630, fire by 7, in the bag by 830, asleep by 930, awake the first time a little after 5 (too cold! back to sleep), awake…

Good food for cold weather: Warm ~1 quart chicken or veggie stock. Add, 1/8 cup ginger roughly chopped6-10 cloves garlic roughly chopped1 block extra firm tofu cut into 1/2″ cubes1/3 habenero pepper, diced well3/4 cup jasmine rice2 Tbs sesame oil1 Tbs sea salt Simmer covered for a good hour. Add, 1 medium sized sweet onion,…

The “other team” at the Parcour last month. Looks like fantastic terrain, I’m rather tempted to take my skis up there soon.

They’re big, noble, symbols of the lost Americas. My favorite animal, one I never tire of observing. I found this bison fur on a low-hanging snag while bushwhacking along a bison trail near the Lamar River in Yellowstone this morning.Last month I read American Buffalo by Steven Rinella, which I highly recommend. Entertaining and informative.…

In more than one way. The possibilities are endless. In the interest of content, and because this is what I got, I present what I’ve been spending most of my time on the last few days. Testimony I’ll be giving before the Child, Family, Health and Human Services Interim committee this coming Monday. I left…

Before I stick my head back down in it. This has been my motto for the past week: Problem is how to get the ball rolling. I spent all weekend struggling with writer’s block over testimony for a committee hearing next Monday. Yesterday I finally broke through the dam, and life suddenly seemed so much…

Montana is a unique state. Big, few people, great geographic diversity and a unique human history (for a Rocky Mountain state) all create a zeitgeist that I like more the longer I’m here. A big part of my work this semester has taken me into the idiosyncratic world of Montana politics. A big class project,…

Holy grail achieved! I’ve thought about this for ages (along with just cutting off my pinkie toes with garden shears), but didn’t know folks had actually had it done. I don’t think our insurance will pay though…