Rest in Peace, Ellis

We lost another friend, but I've been hesitant to post about it; seems like I'm mostly posting sad news these days, with only little posts about inconsequential things like steampunk to balance them.

Ellis was a young man, we knew through the kung fu school, who would be there for a while, then off to do something. He was in college and had an internship in India early last year, then was back again, and then went most recently to school in Eugene, OR. He and a couple of friends were in a car when the driver lost control and crashed. Driver is in serious condition, Ellis and the third young man died.

Although we weren't extremely close, Ellis was easy to get along with and be friendly with almost immediately. His positive energy, determination, focus, and high spirits were contagious, and you always knew that if he were in class it would be a high energy class. He was also an intelligent and caring person, encouraging others and readily offering praise for good moves in class. He had such composure that most folks thought he was older than 21. Not that he didn't have fun, but each thing in its place. I think the only time he got in trouble would on occasion when he'd forget he wasn't high enough sash to be instructing, and then he was cheerfully do the required pushups as penance. I have no doubt that he would have continually made a great impact on the world, had he lived.

Ellis, although it's unlikely I'll ever jump as high as you did, I did my best and highest maubu to maubu ever on Monday. You never gave up, even having had knee surgeries as a kid. I won't give up either. Rest in peace.

Snow, etc

So, more snow coming over the next several days. I'm beginning to wonder if we'll make it to the funeral service for MsMemory on Sunday. I expect we'll make it to class tonight, but I'm wondering about tomorrow and Friday.

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I should probably turn the gourds today, while I can still get to the barn...

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And more cleaning, of course, but I've been trying to catch up on paperwork this week as well. I've more or less been keeping track of the account but only to make sure to pay bills. Now I'm entering all the statements into Quicken :P

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Made two pillowcases for my body pillow, and have plans to make a couple of new ones for our regular pillows.

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Looking to register for Steampunk World's Fair, and daytrip to Steampunk City, at this point. I have to remember that it will be in May, and not start making something in wool ... although lined wool pants would be really nice right now...

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The personal trainer suggested (not a surprise, we knew it was coming) trying a change in diet for 30 days. We're on Day 2 and haven't been 100% on it, but still closer to the mark than before. No/very little fast-carb diet - no grains, fruit juice, potatoes, and preferably higher fiber fruits than oranges or apples. Although I already have some apples, so we'll be eating those -- just not more than one a day, I guess. Dark chocolate is still on, in small amounts.