Funny because I'm an engineer and can do crazy math in my head but usually it's because I see it in a different way than how I was"taught"which was memorization. I just can't see how it's a bad thing to teach kids different ways to understand concepts instead of memorization. Maybe that's why I don't actually do "engineering" and pure design work is getting outsourced to India. My job requires actual thought, not running calculations. I think it's better to have kids understand concepts and figure out the most effective way for them to do it that makes sense for them. Or we can have them memorize a bunch of shit and never have them think.
So in a society (the United States) that is increasingly dependent on "services" and "knowledge" you are against trying to install additional knowledge and aptitude in a seemingly critical skill?
The question is more how to structure and to whom the donation needs to go to ensure acceptance. Currently seems to be a random lottery for anyone who applies that makes C's and above. I'd think they would want a straight A student who excels in several sports and is in GT. Yes a humblebrag, but my daughter is the type of person I would hate if she wasn't my daughter. She'll do great regardless but the open learning is very suited for her organizational skills. If I can make it happen I'd like to do what I can to ensure acceptance.
aggy never believes they are as bad as they are, and never as good as they think they'll be. Fify Aggy is never as bad as we think they'll be, and never as good as they think they'll be.
Did a transformer blow up on the west/nw side of Houston about an hour ago? Was sitting outside and saw a flash of light with a loud metal failing groan immediately afterwards. Didn't see anything on the news but it was like a flash of lightning across the sky followed by the noise. Seemed pretty distant but massive.
Beyond the lottery, any way to improve the chance of getting in? Our daughter is a perfect fit, GT, Straight A's, organized, self motivated. Is there a way to improve the odds of getting in? Thanks
Doss, Kealing, Anderson here. Apparently AISD felt that junior high kids were the best adapted to handle race relations. Brilliant. That said, Murchison was a shithole then and appears to be the same now. At least Kealing was a magnet school.
From what I've seen, he has some great people working for him at the Houston location. I'd imagine they can hold down the fort while he gets SA up and running. No inside knowledge though, just impressed with what I've seen in the times I've been there.
There's several restaurants with one of the being a bar restaurant that is basically attached to the lodge. There's another bar in the main center that is very close by and other restaurants. Pool and hottub scene is reasonable. They have two pretty large hottubs outside. They also have an indoor/outdoor heated pool. All of this is attached to a game area with ping pong tables, etc. More of a family friendly scene than a party scene. But after skiing and having two kids, that's more my style so I can't speak to late-night hottub parties.
It is easy to schedule transportation into town. Just call the front desk and you can set it up in advance. Takes less than 10 minutes to get into PC and they'll drop you off wherever in town. Tons of shops, restaurants, art boutiques, etc. in town. Not sure if you went through the GL itself or VRBO, but I don't believe they service rooms for VRBO, but I've found the staff to be extremely friendly and helpful.
Agree with a lot of what crash says above. PC is very busy. Canyons I think has improved a lot (only been in the last 5 years so can't comment on how it was before) and is generally much less crowded. Its enormous and you can spend almost an entire day just going from one side of the mountain to the other. Vail built a gondola to connect the two so you can actually ski both together now but it does take some time to make it to that side of the mountain on Canyons. Not sure what level skier you are but if you are a beginner and not comfortable skiing blues, do not go to Canyons. There is literally one tiny green slope off the High Meadow lift and nothing else accessible unless you can get down a blue. That said, the blues are generally pretty easy around Saddleback.
For challenging blues - Lookout is a great, steep, pretty long run. Apex is a nice long run off of the Condor Express. Sidewinder and Cloud 9 have been blues in the past but appear to be marked as black now. When groomed, they are fantastic, steep blues. Lots of nice runs off of Dreamscape/Daybreak/Peak 5. I prefer skiing Canyons over PC.
Can't comment on the black runs, but there were definitely a lot of very challenging looking runs.
We've always rented by Owner at the Grand Summit Lodge. We've been there 4 times and I still can't easily find my way around. It's pretty massive, but a decent place to stay at the base. Decent amenities. The base area has a big open area in the middle where kids can play, sometimes they have musicians, etc. Great ski school - I can give you a name if you or your family are looking for private lessons.
Transportation into town is provided and is free (+tip).
Considering buying because we'd actually use it a few times per year for skiing and during the summer and if we can get rental income to offset the cost then I'd like to maximize that. I also think that the Vail investment will generally increase the values of property in the area over the next 10+ years assuming you get the right place in the right area. For better or worse, Vail will make changes to grow the resort, improve amenities, etc. They've invested $1.2B in the last decade to improve and grow resorts and plans to spend another $175M this year. Having skied at Canyons/PC the last few years, Crested Butte was definitely a step behind as far as the overall experience. Not that it was bad - we had a great time and love the area. But things could definitely operate smoother and I expect that will happen sooner rather than later.
To add, I think the potential growth for CB is better than a lot of other places so if I'm going to buy something might as well try to find something that will appreciate over time. Obviously no guarantees, but I'm willing to take the chance the area will grow and prices over the long term will appreciate.
So CB was great. Stayed at the Grand Lodge near the base. Very convenient with two kids. Awesome to watch the torchlight parade/fireworks on NYE and made it to Secret Stash for some pizza. Thanks for the recommendations. Absolutely beautiful as well.
Difficult terrain - its been 30 years since I skied there so did not remember just how comparatively difficult the mountain is. They appear to take pride in under-classing runs. I am well past skiing blacks these days but there were some blue runs that I would consider to be tough blacks/double blacks on other mountains. I have no interest in moguls and that level of difficulty but long cruiser blues and steep, challenging blues are great. The kids are just getting comfortable on blues as well, so hopefully we'll have several years to ski together.
Is there anyone here really familiar with the town, mountain, Gunnison, and local winter/summer activities. Even better, anyone with any insight into Vail's plans with the recent purchase? Heading back up there to look at buying a place and would love additional insight from regulars. Loved the overall atmosphere, the people were great and obviously very excited to talk about how great CB is. Unfortunately I think the Vail purchase will change some of that (hopefully not too much - and some of it for the better), but also seems like it could be a beneficial investment.
Cheers!