It’s Sunday evening, sitting in the dark because I was boiling macaroni on the stove and the smoke alarm went off and there is no way to turn off the smoke detector without killing the upstairs light in my Mancave in the suburbs. The stove always smokes a lot when I use the big pot because there is so much crap spilled underneath it and the stove reflectors have longed burnt away.

Tonight is home-made macaroni and cheese — and probably the same for several meals in the future. Yes, I used knock off Velveta to the horrors of foodies and dairy farmers everywhere, but also lots of frozen veggies, including green peppers I froze last fall. Topped off with real sharp cheddar and bread crumbs. Accidentally used like 2± lbs of macaroni as the box was bigger than I realized when pouring. Going to be done soon, and while not super hungry will be good.

Went skiing for about 2 1/2 hours this evening at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. It’s not the most remarkable piece of land around but it’s nearby and I didn’t have to worry about the roads getting bad while I was out there. Good snow but a little bit icy in spots — but that’s fine as it’s pretty flat there. I’m big and heavy my ankles are a bit weak on the skis especially when going downhill fast. Kind of a gray day with only a few birds and squirrels around. At least when I was skiing, I didn’t run into many people. That’s in part because few people get out in the evening, despite being the best time to see wildlife.

Did my weekly grocery shopping at Shoprite, which I like because it’s a union business plus is well lit and friendly. Prices are better than the absurdly expensive Price Chopper next door. Every time I go I fret a bit a bit because shopping at that plaza is supporting suburban sprawl and absurd nanotechnology job creation tax breaks to a very wealthy and politically connected developer.

Disappointed that they didn’t sell headphones… Mine are are starting to have their wire cracking. Might end up firing Big Red up midweek and driving to Walmart. I hate not having working headphones.

Spent too much time today and yesterday rewriting code on my blog so I could simplify things internally and avoid some of the glitches with photos and maps on my blog. Also did some reading of books, but never made it down to library to get on the WiFi. My Smartphone keeps me in the loop about what’s happening on the Internet at home.

Yesterday I went up to Thatcher Park and ended up going for a drive in the hilltowns. Despite the ample sun with the windchills it was a bit chilly yesterday. I was going to ski from the end of that first road to Hang Glider Cliff but it was kind of chilly and the parking area was packed with yuppie mobiles. Figured instead I would go for a drive. Ended up on Rensselaerville, but then I couldn’t find a parking spot with the big snowbanks. Ended up going for more of a drive and snowshoeing at Beaver Swamp Nature Preserve. It was nice but the snow was deep. I miss spending time out in the hilltowns and the beauty of the hills and hollows as you get out towards Huntersland.