Nightmare

Not all dreams are meant to come true. Or at least I hope that is true. I hope all our fairy tale, love dreams make some sort of appearance in our real lives, but the occasional nightmare can stay permanently strapped in the backseat.

Last weekend, I had one of dreams that are horribly vivid. It didn't surface in my memory until later in the day, but as soon as I remembered it, I felt uneasy.

I dreamt that my brother died. Blunt, but that's what happened. I got a phone call from his beautiful new wife (that's real life) that they had just gotten in a car accident. Evan was driving on the highway and someone broadsided the driver's front side and another car broadsided the passenger's back side. His wife lived, but Evan didn't.

This was one of those short, random dreams. All I can remember from the rest of it was that I woke up in a panicking cry. Iet really made me think, what if that actually happened? What would I do? I know what I would do: I'd completely lose it. Evan is one of my very best friends. He and my sister have gone through so much in our family. They are two of maybe four people who really understand me. They don't just listen to me, they experience my thoughts, felt my pains and celebrated in victories.

Although Evan is newly married, in medical school and living too far to see for a weekend visit, he still remains one of the most influential people in my life. I can cry to him about boys, yell about roommates, get the best advice about anything under the sun and laugh with him harder than anyone else. He wakes me from my funks and reminds me that shit gets shitty, but that's life. What does Evan tell me when my heart is breaking? He says, "Katlin, get over it. Date someone else." Harsh? Nah, well, maybe at first, but he's right. Whether I like it or not, he's always right. Note: I might regret writing this later....

He has taught me not to dwell on the unnecessary. Sometimes, no matter how hard it is, you just have to pick yourself up and move on. No one will do it for you. It's up to you how you want to live your life.

Poachers Unite

The biggest problem I've had in the last four years has been my location. This is the second Saturday at work where I've spent hours not studying, but rather watching snowboarding videos. Let me set this straight: I love the sport, but am embarrassingly bad. I didn't want anyone to think that me being from ColoRADo + watching snowboarding videos at work = a good snowboarder. 

With Thanksgiving break quickly approaching, I am becoming far more jealous of friends going home to shred than I thought I would be. As of right now, I'd undoubtably give my left boob to go snowboarding. Riding the lift up the mountain, talking with my brother and sister, then cruising back down the mountain while trying my hardest to float effortlessly atop the white powder is something I think about all the time. I miss the pristine peaks, the mellow moods and the group of people simply enjoying the outside. 

Case in point: What made me write this blog was a poaching video I watched from Burton. Poaching is where snowboarders go to ski only resorts and lay down the law. There are a few skiers only mountains around, but many are slowly making the change to accepting snowboarding. Why this rule has existed for resorts to only allow skiers, I do not know. In my opinion, it's a bunch of old yuppies set in their ways of the world revolving around their gas guzzling SUVs, corporate meetings and golf schedules. Really, it's no different from racism or sexism. I know a few people who have courageously taken their snowboards to some of these mountains, but after the ban broke of only allowing skiers. Although they were allowed to ride the mountain, they still were treated like unwelcome guests. Skiers would throw things at the boarders and these so called veterans to the mountains would even spit on the people snowboarding. They [skiers] think we [snowboarders] are a joke and they are the classy ones.... Think again. 

We should all be able to ride whatever want down the mountain. Two skis, two poles vs. one board. Who cares?

OBAMAHA

One of the biggest presidential elections has come and gone, and I am so happy to say that Barack Obama will have the seat in The Oval Office, come January. I will remember November 4, 2008 for the rest of my life. It was so emotional, exciting and inspiring. 

The day after Obama was elected, I walked into the office where I work and smiled to see a portrait of Obama as the desktop background on the computer. A few days later, the picture had changed to Obama running in the ocean (probably during his family vacation in Hawaii). As I smiled at the new background, I turned to the two boys standing in the office and asked them how they felt about the outcome of the election. Both boys, whom I love, seem quite conservative with their views. 

Assuming they voted for McCain, I braced myself for a rough answer. They both looked at me, then at each other with puzzled reactions. One at time, they told me they voted for Obama.

These were two people I never really brought up the subject of politics with, but found it so beautiful and surprising that they voted liberally. I feel like a grandma, getting so happy and teary eyed over this whole thing, but it's something I am passionate about and feel so strongly and positively about. Yes we can. 

Election

Alex

Miss you

9:04pm

Katlin

miss you, too. tomorrow our lives change....

9:05pm

Alex

I know

I am an intern for the Obama campaign in Bozeman

We knocked over 10,000 doors in our county alone

On Sunday alone

9:06pm

Katlin

that is amazing. i can only imagine how much hard, passionate work you've put into that.

jesus.

you deserve a pat on the back

9:07pm

Alex

Hugs are great too

9:08pm

Katlin

even better. i send mine your way. squeeeezeeeee. i've been wearing so many obama/proud democrat shirts, i think i might be smelling funny. hahaha.

9:09pm

Alex

That's my Katlin

9:13pm

Katlin

hannah, my sister (age 17) wore an obama shirt to church with my dad and someone actually came up to her and said it was inappropriate to wear that there and that she didn't deserve to get communion. she laughed, as did my dad, then the guy told her that he was serious, etc. my dad gave him the stink eye and said it's her right and opinion and to leave her alone. shit, she's not even old enough to vote. my dad wished he had just gone ahead and punched the asshole. obama supporters are serious.

9:13pm

Alex

It's true

This election isn't a joke

I am trying to think of something witty and funny, but I am drawing a blank

9:14pm

Katlin

not in the slightest. i actually talked to my ballot as i drove it to the post office (i even kissed it).

9:15pm

Alex

Have I told you you're amazing and wonderful lately?

Because you are.

9:15pm

Katlin

haha thank you, but not even a fourth of what you hold.

9:16pm

Alex

What do you mean hold?

9:16pm

Katlin

all the amazement. drive, determination, actual thought and care.

9:18pm

Alex

I will accept the compliment, but contest the fractional measurement

9:19pm

Katlin

and that was me being generous to myself. thank you, alex, for doing this. you are making the most positive impact on the world. thank you.

9:27pm

Alex

Of course. Well, all of us are making impact. Every person who casts a vote for Obama is....