Yawn. Perhaps up just a little too late watching movies. But they were good ones. :)

Yesterday afternoon, Tobias was given a full tank, loaded with food and supplies, and driven into the mountains for the afternoon journey. Bitscape had happily agreed to bear the gas expense in order that he might take the helm. There's no driving like mountain driving.

Departure took place at around 1430. bouncing had been planning to bring his camera, but after unsuccessful attempts to fix the problems with his lense, he distressfully decided to leave it behind. It's still under warranty, so he thinks he'll take it back to the store to get it fixed, and maybe take another trip to photograph the aspen next week.

(At this, I didn't mention and tried not to think about the nasty spectre that my employer might very well try to drag everyone back into the office for the duration of next weekend. Right after stress-out trip Atlanta? Hah. Fat chance. As much as I hate to admit it, I am find myself becoming increasingly pissed off at the whole situation around that place. God, I wish I could find some better way of dealing with it. Whattaya do when they just keep demanding more and more? I try to keep a good spirit, a professional demeanor, and a happy face, but it gets hard after a while. I s'ppose I could be fired for these statements. Quite frankly, I'm finding it hard to care right now. Is that foolish? I mean, I know I'm far from the most overworked person in the place. Far, far from it. Heck, I've got time to come home this weekend. Not so for many others. People getting sick and coming in anyway, missing deadlines on school assignments, coding until midnight. All for what? To meet some totally arbitrary deadline? Why? Is it really worth it? Having a job is good. Being productive is good. Getting things done is good. I have nothing against a commitment to diligent and efficient work. But going the point where one sacrifies personal enrichment, time with family, sleep, hobbies, and eventually sanity itself? Why?)

Okay, wow. Didn't mean to go off on quite such a rant there. I guess I've just had it bubbling up inside. And that is exactly why this trip to the mountains was a Good Idea.

So, as we journied up into the hills, I tried to leave all that shit behind. The mountains are wonderful in that regard. Just so peaceful, and beautiful, you can just stand up and feel totally absorbed in the nature. While I was mostly successful, there was still this little nagging that would occassionally come poking up from the back of my mind -- the awareness that it would all come back with a vengeance on Monday (and possibly lasting through next Saturday/Sunday, and beyond. bleah!). I tried to ignore that, just let go, and live in the beauty of the moment. As I said, mostly successful.

[Bitscape starts the Metallica cd, gets up and paces for a few minutes.]

Yeah, Lars is an asshole. Still, those guys have made some good music over the years. What else can I say?

We drove to the south. Far to the south. Up into the hills. And by a place that is the namesake of a very popular animated cable tv comedy show/movie. We were going to try to eat at one of the pre-constructed picnic areas or campgrounds. But all the ones we could find were crowded beyond belief. So, eventually, we found a dirt road which led us off into the toolies, and Tobias grudgingly experienced his roughest terrain yet. Suffice it to say that Tobias much prefers the paved areas.

No picnic table, we took the food out, situated it on the ground, and sat on some sparse logs. And ate like hogs. It was 1700, and this was my first meal all day. Sandwiches, potato salad, chips. Mmm, mmmm good. Even if it was a constant fight with the flies and bees, it tasted good.

After eating, we headed round the loop, through Breckenridge, and the Eisenhower tunnel. Love that mountain driving!

And here's a rare tidbit. What music can all four members of this family not only tolerate, but actually enjoy? Ding ding ding. Beethoven. Yes, there was Beethoven. How could anyone not like Beethoven?

By the time the joyous journey home concluded, it was dark, and nearly 2100. Bitscape decided it was time to watch the movies he had rented from Blockbuster the night before. (Usually, I only rent one at a time, but lately, they've had this habit of handing out coupons with the receipt for "Rent One get one free" deals. So why not grab a second for no extra charge?)

Sleepy Hollow. That one was wacky. Surprisingly enough, when I asked the rest of the family if they also wanted to watch, or whether I should view the films in the seclusion of my room, and which one they wanted to watch first, mom said "Sleepy Hollow". And so it was.

After that one, the parents went to bed, and after a brief intermission, bouncing and I watched Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Nothin like a little good ole Star Trek. (Although I think the movielog entry I made about it was slightly goofy. Too late at night.)

I went to bed far later than I should've, given the busy week that's coming. I guess my attitude was, "Hell, if I'm destined for the frying pan, I might as well have a little fun first, while I still can." And enjoyable the movies were.

Didn't wake up until after 1000 this morning. Surfed a bit. Went back to bed. Got up again.

I think I'll now see about taking a shower and eating some breakfast. Or lunch, if ya wanna call it that. Or, I guess it's past lunch time. Whatever. Food.

Then see about doing something to mentally prepare myself for the next week. And I haven't even looked for a monologue yet. Maybe I'll just use one of the pre-fabs. Acting class tomorrow night. Remember? Lookin forward to that.

Carpe Diem, Baby.