Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Birthday Bodhi! (4 Years Old!)


Bodhi's Cake for his spooky 4th Bday! Congratulations, big boy!


An aside: happy birthday, me, my bday was October 7, and the best part is: I turned 36! Yup, you heard it, I thought I was 36 all year last year, turning 37, but it turns out I was wrong! I was 35 last year! So I get to do it all again!

Happy Halloween!


Here is a Halloween Greeting made by Bodhi and I! Have a great Trick or Treat tonight!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Your Kung Fu is no good against my Taekwondo!


So thank GOODNESS I have some Percocet left! Yes, indeedy do, as I often do, I injured myself. First, let me say that Taekwondo may be the worlds BEST ski conditioning there ever was. It is so much a combination of balance and power and LEGS. I went last week for my first class, and about an hour later I was thinking... oh man, I am going to be crippled tomorrow if I can already feel it! Yup. Super sore thighs for three days. SIGN ME UP!

Today we did kicks for an hour. Of course, I didn't drink enough water today, and I was running late, so I didn't stretch properly, and now, I have strained the adductor on my right leg, so i am all doped up, sitting on ice. Fantastic. Anyhow, we'll aggressively RICE it, and Ibuprofen the heck out of it, and try to get to class again tomorrow!

AND, a quick plug for the TRULY AMAZING studio that we go to: Taekwondo West on N. Rouse. This place is awesome. They are welcoming, friendly, AMAZING with kids (Ethan takes there twice a week), and committed to a very rigorous workout. They train everyone as though every person there has Olympic potential, and I love it. If you've ever been wondering, GO CHECK IT OUT!!

This last three months has been interesting for me. I have missed being in training so much, but I have been watching film and reading my book (Secret tactics), but whatever I did to my hamstring isn't really getting better. Dr. Litel says that I have a flat hip socket on that side, and I'll probably need a hip replacement there when I am older. I think what I did was pinch a ligament attachment in the socket itself. Anyhow, I've been out of commission, as you know by the dearth of posting. Not a whole lot of skiing or training for skiing has been going on.

But something interesting has. First, I have been spending a LOT of time with Bodhi, because we took him out of the evil preschools, and so its just him and me all day long while Ethan is at school.
Bodhi and I never got this kind of one on one time together before, and it has been just amazing for both of us. He comes in and we snuggle for about an hour or so in my bed, then we go out and make a fire and he gets into his blocks, and builds for about an hour, while I make coffee and check email, then we make breakfast together, and either go to his class (swimming or gymnastics) or we get out his paper and pens and scissors and he goes to town building these amazing constructions while I work on my painting or whatever. Its not a bad way to spend a day. So in a way, I am grateful for the injury, because it brought my family back into focus. I need badly to make sure I am not just balancing my time, but balancing my emotional commitment. I tend to get so rabid about the goal I have, that I can get distant from those who really matter in my life.

Last season, when I was just starting back again, I became a bit of a punk, staying out late, partying a bit much, and sort of reclaiming myself as a person separate from my children and my husband. It was a radical shift, and, I think, an important one to create that distance. This summer, I tried to find some balance in between, and in the last three months, I have been able to just sort of relish being a mom and a wife. So in a way, I've come full circle, but I have arrived at a much healthier place. I will be interested to see what this season brings, and if I can keep both my family and my training in a good place in my heart.


Another exciting thing is that there has been a lot of creative work while I have been out of the training mode, I am working on two large sculptures, BOTH going up in the next 16 days (AHHHHhhhh! Run screaming from the room! Too much to DOOOO!), I finished my painting commission (finally), and I am working on a series of landscapes for the Pierce Flooring show as well. I also wrote a children's book, and am in the process of editing and story boarding it, edited a friend's screen play, and started a new one of my own. (Because, you know, the three novels, and two other screen plays I have that are half finished are just not fun enough without even MORE on my creative plate.) It has been nice to have so much creativity flowing around the house.

Yet another great thing, during this training dearth, I have not gained any weight. Thank you, Dr. Backer! Anyone with an eating disorder in Bozeman, this is your man. I have finally made some significant progress on my relationship with food, to the extent that it no longer rules my life, and as such, I am at a stable, consistent weight, and able to pick up where I left off when I train, without having to work back down my "out of training 10" that I tend to put on.


And lastly, tonight, I was putting the boys to bed. Ethan, such a big boy at 5 1/2, crawled up the ladder to his bunk, told me he thought I looked like a teacher princess in my Taekwondo uniform, and promptly fell asleep. I crawled in with Bodhi, who asked me to rub his back while he fell asleep, and I noticed again that his back is about twice the width of my hand. He is still so small. And I really just took that second to be with him, to experience the size he was, the way his hair smelled, and the gentle breathing from the bunk above, and I have to say, as frustrated as I have been not to be at the gym, I am happy to have these boys to fill my time with.

(pictures: 1. Master Brandon Saltz of TaeKwonDo West. 2. The first snow man of the season! 3. All the boys ready for school 4. Ethan flies a plane ALL BY HIMSELF! (for about 10 minutes! up, down, left, right, awesome.) 5. PJ Day!)

Saturday, October 20, 2007

When I'm Not Skiing, I...


Not Broken 2007, 4'x8', oil on shellac'd mahogany, private commission


I just finished this large portrait of Jami Redman, and we are off to install it tonight! I am so excited, and really pleased with how it turned out. Its nice to be painting again!

Coming Up: New Large Work by Kate at Pierce Flooring, Bozeman Co-Op


Pierce Flooring and Design is hosting a large sustainable building show, featuring a massive flying sculpture made of Marmoleum by Kate Howe!
DATE: November 15
TIME: 6pm
LOCATION: Pierce Flooring, 1921 W. Main, Bozeman, MT
MORE: contact Claudia Krevat at 406-587-5428 for more info.

I am very excited about several events happening in October and November! First, I have been invited to create a large piece for the Pierce Flooring show, and of course, it will be an enormous new flying sculpture out of the most amazing material! Also in November, a new installation goes up in the Bozeman Community Food Co-Op, stay tuned for news and photos of these fun events!

As you will remember, moving to Montana was a bit concerning to Tom and I with regards to my ability to find a venue for my large, contemporary work. So far, it has been an amazing experience, and I have been invited to display and design for several venues. I am still seeking gallery representation in order to realize some of the large scale pieces that are overfilling my sketchbook. If you know of a space that is seeking new artists, please pass along my information, I'm dyin' to get some of these pieces out of my book and into reality!

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Friday, October 19, 2007

9th Annual Powder Blast Oct 26th!

The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is broadcasting again! Here are some events coming up that they are sponsoring!

POWDERBLAST

Hopefully you’ve already got next Friday, October 26th blocked off on your calendar because the Friends of the Avalanche Center and Sweet Pea’s Nursery are presenting the 9th Annual Powder Blast at 6:30 pm in the Emerson Cultural Center. Your $25 donation gets you into the party where there will be beverages, food, live music and a great silent auction. Last year we sold out days before the event, so get your tickets early at Barrel Mountaineering, Northern Lights Trading Company, Team Bozeman, PhD Skis, Timber Trails and Gallatin Alpine Sports. We hope to see you there!

SNOW EXPO

This weekend, October 20 and 21, at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, we'll have an information table and also teach a 30-minute avalanche awareness class both days. Our presentations are Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Stop by our booth for more information. This is for the 1st Annual Snow Expo (www.mooseradio.com), a 3 day event (Fri-Sun) of celebrating winter with Cold Smoke movies, a tradeshow and demos.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Chris Jones, The Ultimate Bachelor ??

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Oh for heaven's sake, with this attention whore stop at nothing?? (*** UPDATE *** we say this with much mirth, as we know Chris to be humble, and not just a bit embarrased about all the hype! You GO, girl!!) Chris Jones, Big Sky Ski Instructor and all around great guy, has been nominated for Cosmo's Bachelor of the Year! I got this letter from him, and yes, voted for him to win. Read on and help send one of PSIA's own to glory!

Chris' Cosmo Profile:

Name: Chris Jones
Age: 32
Hometown: Big Sky
Cosmo Username: MONTANABACH07
Occupation: Real-estate investor/developer
In his own words: “I’m spontaneous and funny.”
Flatter this fella by: “Telling me something deep about my character. It means much more than just complimenting my looks.”
Chick trait he craves: “I like a woman with many interests—someone who will wear stilettos one day and throw on hiking boots the next.”
Hook this hottie by: “Introducing yourself. Being forward impresses me.”
Secret spot: “Kiss my ears and I’ll go bananas.”
When he’s clicked with a chick: “Any time we’re ­together, time will just fly by.”
Turn-him-off topic: “A girl shouldn’t discuss drama she’s having with friends on a date.”
Dudes decoded: “Guys often become quiet, but it’s not ­because we are upset. We need that silence sometimes.”


And here's the letter from Chris with all the details of why you should vote for him!

Hi,

This is a bit random but I need your vote!

Last spring I was nominated by two people I didnt even know for something I didnt even know existed. On October 15th the November issue of Cosmopolitan magazine hits stands and I will be in it. Its the -Most Eligible Bachelors 2007- issue. Along with the magazine is an online vote that begins very early on the morning of October 9th and runs till midnight on October 11th.

This all is a bit strange for me to say the least. I very rarely do mass emails, but if I receive the most votes and am deemed -THE- Bachelor of the Year I stand to win some really amazing prizes.

I think this is all a bit funny, at this point Im just kind of rolling with it. On October 16th I will be in New York for more media events and interviews and also for the party where they announce -THE- Bachelor of the Year.

So, please go to the following website October 9-11 and vote for Chris Jones - MONTANA:

http://www.Cosmopolitan.com/bachelors

Apparently I will be on the Today Show, Access Hollywood, E!, ect. throughout the month of October and November so keep an eye open. If you want to know exact dates and times I may be on TV please email me as I should soon be receiving this information.

Please help me get more votes and forward this email on!

Hope this finds all of you in good health and spirits,

Chris

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Avalaunch Festival this weekend!




This Saturday! Oct 13 from 5pm to midnight:

The purpose of Avalaunch is to celebrate music, film and snow, while educating about environmental stewardship in the backcountry and avalanche awareness. Avalaunch is a festival that might just save a life by getting snowriders to think twice about how they ride in the backcountry as well as how they impact the earth and the future of snowriding. A percentage of all proceeds will go to benefit the avalanche centers for each festival community.

Tix are $20