It's that point in the relationship...

...when I reveal some of my less charming qualities. Two that appeared this weekend:
1. After watching scary movies, I can't go into the basement by myself.
2. When learning something new and challenging, I'm a big weenie and prone to crying.

Quality No. 1 reared its scary head after watching 28 Days Later with the GF late Friday evening. Walk the dog outside? No problem! (And if you think it's because Maddie the Wonder Dog would come to my rescue against zombie-like infected people, think again.) Venture into a perfectly well-lit basement to transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer? Um, no. I tried--I scurried downstairs, opened the washer, started to pull out the clothes--and panicked. I scurried back up stairs, and convinced the GF to accompany me on the return trip.

Quality No. 2 emerged Saturday, when--and this is BIG NEWS--I went downhill skiing for the VERY FIRST TIME. So, I deserve big credit for this. Whilst awaiting the assignment of my instructor for my VERY FIRST LESSON, I felt the anxiety growing and the tears stinging my eyes. The instructor folk noted my nerves, despite my dark glasses, and were very, very reassuring. Terry, who got me all to himself for an hour, was patient and kind as we, again and again, sidestepped a little way up the beginner hill (covered, of course, with tiny persons skiing much more adroitly than I), followed by me practicing what I've heard those same small people refer to as "french fries" and "pizza." We tried turning, but I struggled, so we kept to the basics.

After an hour of this, I headed over to the main building to meet GF for some hot chocolate. (She, of course, had been whooshing down the bigger hills.) At which point my frustration at my slow progress became apparent. "You're not going to cry, are you?" she demanded. Had I had my wits about me, I would have had some pithy reply, like, "Well, yes, I just might!" I did agree to let her come back with me to the bunny hill, where she taught me how to use the rope tow, which is ever so much faster than sidestepping. And the small people aren't much better at using it than I am, so I appreciated the more equal playing field. Slope. Whatever. And starting farther up the hill allowed me to begin to do turns, which is way cool.

Then she suggested we move to the other side of the hill, and use the other rope tow. Which unfortunately does not have a nice flat area to stand on. And since I'm not yet allowed poles (they say I don't need 'em, but I think they're afraid I'll poke someone's eyes out), it's hard to simultaneously keep one's skis in position to grab the tow handle and keep from sliding backward down the hill (not the optimal position for skiing, I'm told), well, I had to give it up. And trek with frustration back to the other side. Again, movement on a flat surface minus poles = very hard. Though she did tow me, which was very sweet.

I sent her away to ski some more on her own, while I practiced alone. Because, yes, I felt pressured to do really really good with her nearby. By myself, in front of small people, their instructors, and parents, I could make a total ass of myself. But I got lots better, though I did have to quit after a few hours. My knees were getting wobbly, my shins were bruised from wearing scary giant boots that force one into a forward lean, and the rope tow had tried to jerk my arms out their sockets a few too many times. (When it stops, then starts up again suddenly, that's not good. It's the only time I fell over using the tow. Fortunately, I moved clear of the next small person, to whom my tumbled bulk could do some damage. Again, I think this is the real reason for no poles.)

So, GF dealt with both annoying behaviors in very reasonable fashion. And, I did something very, very brave: I refused to back down, and she tolerated my eccentricities.

Oh, and I went skiing for the VERY FIRST TIME!

(and the basement isn't nearly so scary the next day)