Saphira77's Xanga

Monday, October 20, 2008

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:45:33 GMT

Uphill both ways

No one ever said sports were easy. Mine alone takes a life time and a few horses to master.

I've known several people to not only sacrifice their families, their time, but their bodies and most of their income on something they would never see a return for.

I've wished for a long time for certain things to happen, and now, they're slowly started to occur. Most of it is bridge building. But I'm still not satisfied. I want to begin training full-time again, five days a week up and going with a full string of three horses. I want my USDF medals. I want flexibility with my job and not be so reliant on a faceless corporation.

Slowly, this is happening. Slowly I'm building the bridge that will carry me into something I want and will spend the rest of my life doing. It's just frustratingly slow.

This week I spent outside of the arena, just going out and galloping. The weather had a huge part of it as well. Crisp weather, and open fields.

The open fields did the pony good, about four miles of slow galloping work a day probably got the 20x60 box temporarily out of her mind. Went back to the box today with some improved results. I also need to get back to wine blogging. Haven't done anything recently.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:57:22 GMT

One more time with energy

Even though it's October down here, it's still 80 something degrees during the day, and 50 degrees in the evening. It's enough to drive a person nuts.

We debuted at second level this weekend at Meadowlake Equestrian Center. You can definitely see the drought effects on the land, the arenas had to be watered numerous times throughout the day and the grass was dead.

While the pony was fit enough, the heat, nor my fairly stressed back didn't do her any good. She didn't have enough energy the first day (complete with my top hat falling off...) and the second day she just didn't nail the mediums and was above the bit for a few of the simple changes. Even the pictures resonated the tightness and my nervousness. We came out with a pair of 55's and still managed to top the field of imported warmbloods.

It was a small show, ending at around 1pm for both days, and attracted the usual crowd of DQ's, wannabes and serious pros. I had enlightened company along who gave helpful suggestions and stated the obvious. But for the most part I need to ramp up the training if I'm going to get anywhere with the mares.

Despite 20/20 hindsite, I'm still proud of the pony.

And I'm disappointed with myself because I thought I had prepared her well enough for it. I thought the clouds would honestly part and this level would be a breeze. Two scores and bam... done with the entire thing and moving on to bigger and better items such as third level, piaffe and changes. The fun stuff.

But something just didn't click for this round. So, it's back to the drawing board for December's Snowbird.

Meanwhile I have a list of "stuff" I need for next season including:

three new pairs of breeches (one white, two schooling)
boots to show in
one new show shirt
bag to organise it all
3 farm polos to wear in clinics/business

For now, I want this week to be easy.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:42:08 GMT

Yakitty Yak.

I played hookey from work today.

Not because I wanted to but because I damned well deserved it. Especially after Black Tuesday last week and being grilled on Monday. That and I have the LSAT in less than 48 hours.

To add insult to injury, my manager wanted me to work this weekend. Told him flat out no. Not for at least another two weeks.

The day was spent sleeping in to 7, spa day for the pony, complete with clipping her winter coat (she was unamused) out for next week (final show of the season!) and getting her shots (really unamused). Then off to the CDE for mimosas, porches and CDE. Topped it off with sandwich, beer and ben and jerries. It was a very relaxed day.

Tomorrow I get to hang out in academia land at UK and do lunch with the boy, oh yeah, sleep in more too.

But my day today isn't without highlights.

I'm making it no secret that I'm trying to escape from the Jungle before it goes into the cannibalizing mode of peak season. I've been there for a year now and I haven't progressed beyond the basic job specs. In fact, I've maxed out the job itself. I'm in the most tenured department, on top of being one of the top members of team and being in Quality Assurance (one of ten people in the entire building carrying out audits). Unless I stay there for about 5 years (ala Canadian's method, which is semi-successful at the moment) and have certain male anatomy with an military background, I'm not ever going to be considered for management. Despite degree(s), success

I've hit the glass ceiling.

I'm smart, able and I can run circles around 90 percent of current population. I'm worth more than current pay and I have low tolerance for what's occuring. I've put out feelers since last week and I've begun to get some small response from the crowd. I have my first interview next week. Will post an update.

Everyone else is fine, Sinari is preparing for her second level stuff for next week. Bella is working fabulously. And we're preparing for the freestyle debut with S, Dr. Who Soundtrack OST Series 3 and 4.

I'm just hoping I don't get any backlash from taking off...

Still need to pay car insurance.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:29:31 GMT

These stones will shout

Since August 17th, I've been waking up at 5 and not going to bed until 9. The Jungle had instituted mandatory overtime, a feeble attempt to count its way out of the mess that others had created. While for the most part it has worked on a basic level, it still hasn't addressed the larger problem at hand. Corporate bureaucracy at its finest. It doesn't help that it's become a ex-army boys club.

The first two weeks were utter hell, I was back in Inventory, and the mind melt of counting just was horrendous. Came home crying a few times. I was thankfully redeemed and put back into my regular group which made the overtime much more bearable.

But because of the overtime, I haven't had time/brain function for updating unless it was necessary. My entire life has been the Jungle and horses. The house work has taken a dive (much to the dismay of the boy) and my articles have been thrown to the wayside.

I still feel half dead between social functions (two point five birthdays and a wedding).

The horses have become an interesting bunch, Sinari has popped her first, purposely done flying change, schooled half steps, and done more half pass work. The traverse and renverse has come along, but needs more angle. She was recently viewed by Poulin, and in short, I think I'll have a Grand Prix pony on my hands in a few years. We're incredibly pleased. But we, of course have what feels like an infinite amount of work that needs to be done. I think I have pictures from this weekend.

May is still very pregnant and I'm contemplating her future again. Everyone just loves her, and I would like to try to keep her around as a embryo recipiant when I do ET on Sinari. I've had a few people suggest I breed to a reining futurity horse for the next project. While I'm not a reiner by trade, I've been told that these crosses are hot now due to the money, with most of them selling in-utero. An added bonus would be a Kentucky-bred foal, it would qualify for all Breeder Incentive Fund dollars in addition to all the sweepstakes money for half arabians.

Bella is doing fabulous, also viewed by Poulin, she's ready to move forward in training, but needs more fitness and more of... everything.

I have several business ventures about ready to take place, and I can't wait to start them. I'm looking into options with the Jungle to accomodate the school schedule, but if push comes to shove-- I'm looking into more flexible positions elsewhere.

I also got to ride my first reiner ever. It was like sitting on a sports car with eight gears, sharp breaks and tight suspension. I already had a huge appreciation for those who ride the sport, but I wish my seat was as good as some of these guys. The reiners have also taught me a thing or two about the changes which should come in handy.

Would also like to say sorry in advance for those who have called and I haven't called/emailed/smoke signaled back. I know there's a pile of messages waiting to be answered-- and I'm sorry that I haven't gotten back, but I promise I'll touch base sometime in the coming week.

But right now, I'm happy.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:12:29 GMT

Got no time

I'm in a love/hate relationship with fall nowadays.

Its been this way for quite sometime. Fall used to signify going back to school, championship season time, the death knell of showing season, the accumulation of the year's efforts, and the time where I could begin to sigh with relief to begin some experimental projects that were shelved over the summer.

And truth be told, I love fall for the most part. Colder weather, color, the way certain smells come back, cold rain and worn jeans, it's comfort at its best.

The hate comes from the current situation. Fall means winter. Winter means holidays. It means peak season, it means the jungle box corporation demands my body for what feels like an eternity. It also means every rugrat is an walking black plague.

The job has also left a sour note in my mouth. They officially took me off of QA and put me into rotation. I'm back in IC ("general population" of the department), and I feel like hell. I learned this week I have no future with this company. That, I indeed, am an expendable number. I've already begun motions to escape.

It was only highlighted when the Kentuckian once again broke the shaky truce when he didn't call labor day to let the Canadian and I know that we didn't have to work. Normally I don't care, but I'm exhausted, I could have used the sleep. Instead I was paid and sucked up four hours in hell.

His excuse was the lame duck that broke the camel's back. While the Canadian attempted to circumvent me snapping, a lack of sleep and just utter anger over rode the choke hold. I ripped him what felt like a deserving new one, unfortunately it was public and made things much worse.

While I don't mind public reemings, I still need to remind myself I still have to deal with this individual for another 11 months, as does the Canadian. Manners, and apologies were firmly in check to appropriate people. I now maintain a polite distance, per the boy's suggestion.

The begning of fall also means rain, which we've been sorely lacking. A normal fall has rain at least once a week out here, and the grass is usually a vibrant green well into November. Until two days ago-- it was a deep fried brown.

Everything suffered from it, including the ponies, who soldiered on in what felt like one of the hottest weeks to date. They were good this week, and I wish I could say the same for me. I had repetitive brain farts.

Fall means birthdays.

I have three of them I need to celebrate now. The boy's, the Canadian's and the boy's father.

I went through 2/3rds of them this weekend. Part of it unsuccessfully. After eating with the boy, I became ill. At first I thought it was from over eating, food poisoning or maybe drinking too much red wine, but after pitching a fever of 100, nausea and suffering flu-ish conditions, with some interesting sinus cavity upchucking, it was clear I was just ill.

It was probably due from stress (which shot the immune system), lack of sleep and a deep running depression. Probably compounded with every child going back to school and their parents becoming walking germ factories.

I didn't survive Saturday, I crawled out of bed long enough to make the final presentation on a project, take care of the pony and then was forcibly grounded to bed until Sunday morning.

But everything else is fine. This week is again busy, with next week being busier (double booked clinic and wedding) and I fear sleep, will once again be lacking. Plus need to get my ass in gear for school.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:43:26 GMT

Under pressure

It's been awhile. Between launching a website, dealing with drama at work/barn and upstarting a new online magazine (shameless self promotion: terroirwine.blogspot.com) I've barely had time to do 'fun' stuff, like sleep.

Despite the dust storm of activity, I did meet with my old professors and after much groveling, I think I have a plan in my head for school. It involves going back to post B.A. work to raise the GPA to something competitive. It's the price I pay for being stupid and young. But definitely moving forward with the college idea. Even if it's taking five or so years to do it.

Sinari received last week off, she was lame, took a lesson from one of her barn mates and knocked herself one. Not unsound, just blew the leg up.

May looks happy/pregnant and Bella is awesome.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:47:09 GMT

Hum hallelujah

It's been anything but a ho-hum of a week. The drama of the boy being stranded in NYC, losing my ATM card, breaking a $200 decanter, missing a birthday party, overtime and booting my ass through application season, I'm rather happy that this coming week seems almost dull in comparison.

The jungle has called overtime, and among other things, is really cramping my current position as an auditor. Yes, the ex-military monkeys in charge feel that my position can be boiled down to a time lot, thus, I would effectively go back to counting for the half of the day. My brain dies with anticipation. In reality, my over glorified baby sitting position takes most, if not all the day, and effects the majority of the company. So to put a time limit on it would just be a detriment instead of an asset.

To add more color to the picture- the men of Slam Line have taken me to talk about porn and how women look in sweatpants.

Once again my corporate overlords only serve to remind me why I'm doing what I'm doing. Even if I got a load of sticker shock the other day (at $735 per class). I'm also contemplating plans of action, but first things first, I need to go speak to the academic gods, and apologise for past youthful indiscretions. I did manage to get a boat load of other things out of the way.

There were some highlights of the week though... May passed her 100 day check, and we're still pregnant (I was also reminded how easily everything can go wrong with a foal as well). The whale-like fetus wasn't sexed, so jury is still out as to the blue or pink theme. Thankfully no twins.

Sinari is pushing third level work this past week, even got in super strong half steps and eight gear mediums. She'll be piaffing by the end of the year, and probably have solid changes as well. Exciting times.

Our coach has ramped everything up as well for the very last show in October. Training and first levels you can apparently get away with murder, second level is finishing the foundation and adding pounds of muscle. But yesterday's and today's session she was a rubber ball of fun, much more flexible, and connected to the bit. We've had our asses kicked, and will continue to have them kicked weekly since it's making progress.

The peak of the weekend was actually the start, a few old college friends stopped by to say hello and imparted timeless advice in many subjects. One of them is living a dream that I've been fond of for sometime, and I'm glad, if not elated she's getting to live it. I miss them.

So much work to do, so little time as usual.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:17:50 GMT

Cause there's nothing left to do.

I arrived back Friday. I'm still groggy, I'm still sorting through a lot of things, but I'm back and not in the best of ways.

It was an awesome trip. One of the very few (one of two actually) vacations that was so soul-satisfying, leaving it was very rough.

Toronto and for the most part, Canada, is a wonderfully under appreciated place that is a playground for anyone with a whit of taste and imagination. It's much like visiting Europe without the pretenses or poor exchange. The city caters to hard-core individual eccentricity, and wildly supports it, both environmentally and lifestyle wise. It's truly a beacon of culture and diversity.

But not in the over-bearing, in-your-face American flavors that has come to dominate my current reality, but in the subtle way that everything is seamlessly blended into one package. Don't get me wrong, I'll always have and love NYC, it's much like an old vintage that never goes out of style, however Toronto had a different feel to it all together.

You can see it the way the neighborhoods flow from one to another, the way people relate to each other and how it's appreciated despite being so variantly different.

To two culture starved, American-lager drowned, out-of-sorts kids the place transforms from 'just a place' of concrete to an urban utopia playground. We exhausted ourselves exploring it from border to border. There was very little left undone, and there was still so much to do. We breathed freedom from our hum-drum, box corporation lifestyle and painted the town red.

Our only regret is that we didn't have one more week, a fridge and cooking apparatus.

Pictures to follow semi-soon.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:46:42 GMT

Grab hold and don't let go

My internet was down for a good portion of the weekend, don't know how, don't know why, but for the week to two weeks this place will be quiet. Especially after the celebratory week I had.

Yes, I indeed turned 24. Almost a quarter of a century old. I don't feel it, but then again, I haven't really realised or written my age down yet.

It was a good birthday. It was a good birthday with several delicious karmatic resolutions that have echoed in from last year.

Last year I suppose you can call transformational, it was a crucible for these years, and I'm happy now that it occurred. I'm even happier that much of my predictions are coming true.

It also meant eating tons of rich food in massive quantities and while the triple-chocolate birthday cake isn't completely gone, my waistline is. I spent a good portion of the week past Thursday as a air balloon at work that couldn't be brought down. Didn't help that I didn't get to ride and probably won't until I get back.

Birthdays also mean gifts, and I got my run of unusual ones. The boy gave me a desk (have to go pick it out), and then we went in together on a point and shoot Nikon, Kitty sent along the same theme, a gift certificate to Pier One and even mum and dear old da sent along some cash. The Canadian and I went out to dinner at Regatta, spent several hours at Jo Beth were I splurged on books and reintroduced him to Bronte Cafe. There are several more, but they're in development and I'm excited about the possibilities.

But in all honestly, this month has been one giant lead up to this week.

Yep, this week the Canadian and I book it north to the Maple Leaf Nation. While the poor man is stressing out about getting everything done, I'm finishing up the last bits of deadline work and clearing off the proverbial desk so I have nothing waiting for me when I come home. Packing is the hardest part. The two last major things I need to do is exchange out cash and visit the DMV. Tomorrow, Sinari goes over to Deer Haven for her vacation with the broodmares (the back to work come August 2).

Despite all fun times, the weeks of partying and activity caught up to me, I crashed late Sunday and been cat napping here and there, even fell asleep in the bath tub today. I suppose I need to keep it mild this week. But I am excited.

Published

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:32:23 GMT

Published

Finishing up deadlines prior to leaving the states is always fun, got one project cleared off the list, two more to go through (Jeffersonian and barn call to clear).

but here's one behind the cut