Dammit... Springtime already?!?

This winter has been quite busy for me... so I apologize to those of you who have been coming to my blog daily or even weekly, just to be repeatedly disappointed that I haven't written anything.

Ok, I know that last statement is only relevant to 3 people at most... but the apology is still sincere.

In the past month, I've been all over the place, both nationally and locally.

I spent a weekend in my home town with my parents and girlfriend. She and I did some snowboarding at Ski Liberty, then hung out with my parents at the local social club and got in some good face time... It's always good to know that your parents are doing well and having a great time in life. And I must say, my girlfriend is becoming a much more confident snowboarder!

One weekend was my girlfriend's birthday, so we headed out for a great weekend at the bars with all of her friends. Saki bombs are a lot of fun, especially with 15 people at 7pm in a restaurant full of families eating dinner and dozens of high schoolers having their pre-formal dinner with their dates!!

One weekend was spent with the little lady and some friends in Vermont, hitting the slopes at Mount Snow. Next year, the girlfriend is coming with us out west to hit the "hills"... that's how good she's gotten!!

One weekend was full of exercise in anticipation of the half-marathon we're going to be running in Nashville in April. My better half and I strapped on the blades and skated about 13 miles on Saturday (racing through 2 states and the District of Columbia in less than 2 hours), then donned our running shoes for a half dozen miles on Sunday.

And I just got back from Tahoe, where two of my friends and I enjoyed 50 degree weather while hitting the slopes sans gloves, hats, and anything else we could shed while we shredded.

Now... it's back to the daily grind. I've got no great weekend plans coming up for a while...

But I do have something great to look forward to!!

This weekend marks the beginning of our spring kickball season. I've finally gotten my team roster finalized, and we have our first practice/meet and greet this Sunday. On Thursday we've got the Pre-Season Kickball party at our sponsor bar (props to Nolan's) and on April 12th, we take the field to squash our first opponents (I hope!!).

Kids... if you have a kickball league anywhere in your area, and you have a free weeknight, or weekend afternoon, to give up for a couple months... I highly recommend giving kickball a shot. It's a great way to meet some fun people and enjoy the spring weather after a long day's work. Plus, I dare you to come up with a better reason to head down to happy hour...

So here's to kickball, springtime, and warm weather (oh, and more frequent postings on this blog!!)...

CHEERS!!

Ski Liberty

I took my sexy little woman snowboarding over the weekend to a little mountain in Southern Pennsylvania called... yep... Ski Liberty.



She had a great time from what I can tell. It's hard to determine if she's being completely honest through the moaning and groaning that comes with a fresh case of whiplash and knees so bruised you wouldn't wish them on a West Virginian trailer park slut trying to climb the ladder in the family business.

Seriously though, she got a little beaten up by the mountain, but that was in the morning... by the afternoon, she had the slopes tamed and under her control. She even conquered a black diamond on her first day out this season. I was quite impressed, not only by her continuous improvement, but by the dedication and determination she exuded. A weaker human would have given up after the third or fourth head-over-heels spill, but she kept getting right back up and asking for more.

You know, it's pretty easy to spoil yourself by going to really nice places and having really nice things... but at some point you realize that although you liked those things a little better than the basics you had before... it's really the basics that you need.

I've been snowboarding for years and years, starting back before there was such a thing as the "X Games" (or a series of videogames dedicated to said games) and many mountains had segregated sections for snowboarders, if they were allowed on the mountain at all. I've ridden the slopes on the east coast and on the west coast, and yes, there is definitely a difference.

But what I noticed this past weekend, is that in spite of all the wonderful mountains I've experienced, carving down the hill where it all started with the woman I love, watching her repeatedly inflict more pain upon herself just so she'll eventually be skilled enough to ride with me on some of the steeper slopes, was all that I really needed to have a great time on my board.

Of course, I'd rather that she didn't get hurt at all, but I'm also a realist and know that you can't just jump on a board and go and never get hurt. So let me warn you now... If you're going out to snowboard for the first time... wear kneepads!!! You'll thank me later.

Well, it's official... I've found my cold threshold.

I drove all night from DC on Thursday night to Vermont so I could hit the slopes for the weekend (now that they actually have some natural snow and have been able to blow enough to open 50% of the mountains).

Yesterday's weather made the entire drive worth it. Highs around 30 degrees, a little fresh snow, and just a little wind.

Today, however, not so good. As of now, the temperature at the top of the mountain is around 12 degrees and the winds are blowing consistently between 20 and 30 mph, with 50+ mph gusts. At least they didn't close the lifts... but from what I hear, it was close.

Tonight, we get to warm up in style... Jager-style!! and watch one of the most interesting performers I've seen in a long time. His name is Bruce Jacques, and he's pretty much a one man entertainment machine. Check out his website... www.brucejacques.com and see for yourself. He plays here at Mt. Snow every weekend at the mountain bar (yeah, there's pretty much only one).

Tonight... we drink and laugh... tomorrow... we pop Advil and hit the slopes for the AM... then hit the road for the PM.

I hope you all are having a great (and warm) weekend!

Happy New Year!!

I'm back from the frozen tundra that they call Minnesota!

Fortunately, I took many warm layers and a good bit of my snowboarding outerwear. As it turns out, I needed it... but not when I could actually wear it! The weather was relatively warm (above freezing) Friday and Saturday, but it was raining and drizzling the whole time. Then Sunday as we were getting ready for the wedding, the rain changed over to snow and the wind began howling.

2-3 inches fell between the hour before the wedding and the end of the reception and the wind was blowing at 20-30 miles per hour throughout. Now THAT'S what I call Minnesota weather!! I've been up there twice before and both times it was warmer there than in D.C. But this time the state didn't disappoint.

As for the wedding itself... a short and sweet 30 minute Lutheran ceremony followed by a reception that more resembled a greek formal than the typical reception where most people don't know the other people.

My favorite over-indulgence was the 28 inch tall ice sculptures in the shapes of numbers to mark the tables. And of course, I was with the rest of the mutants over at table 9!

But it seemed that everyone had a good time and I can't really complain about the 8 hour open bar... it was definitely the least expensive New Year's celebration for me (well, ever since I was legal to buy my own booze). The only expense was the cab ride... and we split that 4 ways, so I guess $10 isn't too much to pay for a long drunken romp with filet mignon and salmon in the middle.

Anyway, I'm back on the east coast, and the weather is looking great!!... Not for snowboarding, but perfect for a pedestrian's commute to work. Oh and speaking of work... Today I'm supposed to take the day off to mourn President Ford. So let's take a moment to remember all the great things he did for our nation... ... hmmm... ok... I can only remember him pardoning Nixon... Oh well, soon it'll be time to indulge my inner rebel and go to work against the current president's will.

Did anyone have a particularly memorable experience this New Year's that should be viewed by the entire world? How about viewed by the 3 people who currently read this blog (and I think I'm one of them... how sad... )

Since National Hangover Day is all about reflection on the night before (and the year before) and about setting your sights on bettering your life, I hope you all set some reasonable and exciting goals for the new year... Personally, I did not. I never do. My only goal this year is to have a blast like I did last year... but maybe not spend as much money doing it. I'm a lover of life... I simply love my own existance. I try to enjoy everything I do... note the word try... even daily household chores. I've found that this outlook on life minimizes stress and allows for better human interaction in general.

So... let's all make the world a better place this year and be nicer to our fellow peeps.

word.