In other news ...

Look what my tights and boots did to my leg. I think I need a new pair of tights. And yes, I need to shave.

Sore

Ugh, I'm so sore today.  I think I was getting a headache from how sore and stiff I am.  Today, I had to work and I had hoped that my 10:00 meeting would finish by lunch and I could sneak off for a quick last run at Snow Basin, but alas, it was not to be.  My colleague has a knack for talking and outwearing his visit.  So I'm robbed of my last run.  After the meeting, I'm not so sure if I'll be coming back next week for another meeting.  It doesn't  look good for getting on the general's schedule.  I'll be bummed.

So I love snowboarding.  LOVE.  I don't know what it is, but it's an amazing feeling when I am snowboarding.  Just the way that my bodies feels the mountain and reacts accordingly.  I still over-think it a bit, but I'm getting better.  I love it and I can't wait to go to Mad River Mountain next week even though it will only be a shadow of Utah.  *sigh*  I'm obsessed.

Snow Basin

I had a blast at Snow Basin today.  I checked out of the hotel and headed on over.  I got the intermediate lift ticket to save some cash.  Seriously, I'm not going to be using most of the mountain.  The day did not start off that great.  I had removed the bindings from my board last night on the advice of my cousin and when I put them back on this morning, I had the angles reversed.  I didn't know until I got off the lift.  I strapped in and was like "Hmmmm, this feels weird.... Oh, fuck"  So I had to do an emergency fix at the top of the bunny hill. It still wasn't 100% right.  My right foot was more angled than usual, so I had to fix it again at the bottom of the hill, but I made it down!

I did two runs down the bunny hill and decided to brave a green run.  I got onto the lift and about peed myself.  This was by far the longest lift ride I'd ever been on.  I was thinking the whole time, what did I get myself into.  It was way steeper than anything I'd ever done and I took a nasty fall.  I hurt my arm/elbow pretty bad.  My confidence was shattered and was feeling dejected.  I finished my run and sat by the lodge for about 30 minutes.  I decided that I could not learn anymore by self teaching and signed up for a lesson.  Best. Decision. Ever.

It was a great experience.  My teacher was awesome.  I was linking turns and carving and all sorts of other things.  We spent a few runs on the bunny hill, but went back up the intermediate lift.  It went a million times better than the first.  I was amazed with myself.  We did two more bunny hill runs and that was it.  A pretty quick 2 hours, but well worth the $50.  I felt so good that I went back up again for one last run.  I still fell, but I felt so much better.

Here are some pictures I took:



















Utah is beautiful and I can't wait to come back.  Perhaps cousin's trip 2012!!

Wiped out

I am completely wiped out.  I got up at 5:00 am to catch my rescheduled flight to Salt Lake City.  I landed a little before 11 and waited in the horrendous Hertz line for what seemed like an eternity.  I got upsold a different type of car, but whatever, I'm not too concerned.  Headed to the hotel, got early check and proceeded to change into my snowboarding stuff.  I have to say traveling with a board and board bag is a huge pain in the ass by yourself.  Anyway, since the Hertz line was too long I wasn't going to make it in time for a lesson.  I hope into my $33/day Altima and zoom off to Park City.  I figure I'd drive through some place and grab a quick lunch, but Salt Lake City is kinda barren.  I was losing hope 10 minutes into the drive.  I somehow find myself in downtown Salt Lake and there is no Wendy's where there should be one.  Oh well, give up on lunch.  Head to Park City.  The drive is pretty fun, winding and pretty.  I don't like the Altima though.  It has what feels like loose driving.  Like the wheel is too sensitive.  I didn't like it.  It felt like I was swaying in my lane too much.  Anyway, I got to Park City.  What's this?  A McDonald's!  I stop and grab a $3 lunch and hit the slopes.

Park City offers this Quick Start lift pass which gives you a free all day lift ticket if you pre-register, bring your voucher, out of state driver's license, and your boarding pass.  It's pretty much the only reason why I went and because they do night skiing until 9 PM (most places close at 4).  Anyway, I get my ticket and hope onto the "First Time" lift.  My first run down the beginner hill (which was awesome) was rough.  I was completely despondent and hoped that this isn't how it's going to be for the rest of the day.  It was only 1:45 pm so says my lift ticket.

I don't know when, but something clicked and I was doing a lot better.  I wasn't falling as much, my toe to heel transitions were smoother, my heel to toe transitions could use some work, but there was definite improvement.  By the time I went down for my last run of the night, I felt like a real snowboarder.  I'm awesome!  Now time to try something other than the bunny slope.  I'm so proud of myself.  I stayed until a little past six.

I did manage to hit the gift shop at Park City and got myself a mug and the hubster a t-shirt.  In hindsight, I should have waited until I was done to walk over there, but I needed to go back to my car to rest a bit.  At this point, the hunger pains were coming in and it didn't help that my pants are a bit tight.  I definitely need to buy new ones.  By the time I left, I had unbuttoned my pants and my jacket was holding my pants up.

Of course, by the time I got back to the hotel I was starving.  I skipped a shower, put the clothes I flew out here on, and went to the hotel restaurant.  I think I stunk, but I was hungry.  While waiting for dinner, that is when the exhaustion hit me.  My arms/shoulders are tired from falling and picking myself up.  My feet hurt.  Everything hurts in varying degrees.  I finished dinner, came upstairs, took a shower and laid on my bed for 20 minutes before moving.  It's 9:30 here and I'm about to pass out.  It was  great day and I hope tomorrow will be just as good.  I'm headed to Snow Basin and then I'll prep for my presentation and meeting on Monday.

"You look like a bitch"

In my first quarter in my year in college, I became friends with this guy who lived across the hall. His name was Ryan. It took three weeks to talk to me on the shuttle loop on the way to class. After a while, he confessed to me that he was hesitant to talk to me because "You looked like a bitch". At this time in my life, I was sporting black sunglasses with rhinestone details on the frames. This is not the first time to hear such things. One of my very close friends that I played lacrosse with in college also told me that I was scary and unapproachable. So apparently I give off people repellent vibes/ anti-pheromones. Sitting here on the plane, I realize that no one has ever struck up a conversation with me... ever. I wonder what it is about me that keeps people from talking to me. Most of the time I'm grateful for such a talent, but sometimes I wonder what is wrong with me.

I can't remember if I blogged about this, but just last week the security guard told me I looked mean and needed to smile more. This is also something I have heard before. I'm sorry I don't always walk around with a smile on my face. It just looks like that when naturally at rest. I'm not looking to change anything about me. Just commenting about personal observations in my life.