Colorado: Day 4

It was a rough night for me. Everything hurt. My calves, my toes, my elbows. My back, my neck. I woke up and told JW that I was going to take a break today. I was hurting. I quickly popped a few Ibprophen to help with the pain. Its just how things go.

But I recovered well enough to go to the "night ride". Basically Keystone ski resort opens the mountain at night. Let me say that it is a different experience than doing it by day. It was lots of fun. You get to look at the stars as you ride up on the chair lift.

But best of all, my boarding skills have improved. I was complimented many times. JW said he didn't recognize the guy making the turns. Another of his friends Mason commented on how fast I was moving on the last run compared to how slow I was when we started the night. So I am feeling really good about my night.

So now I'm going to crash out for my last day of riding.

Colorado: Day 3

Colorado Day 3.

I woke up early enough after my 12 hour sleep. And everyone was getting ready to hit the slopes. IT was declared "Super Tuesday". Everyone had the day off and were ready to snowboard to their hearts content. This was a big day for me. We were going to try some blue runs today. But like Greens and Blues, this Blue looked more like a Black Diamond. I took my time getting down. And this is where JW made his biggest impact.

He watched me and realized that I had a weight distribution problem. I was shifting my hips to my back foot. So when I tried to make toe-egde turns, I was not properly set on my board. He has made a lot of adjustments: Bend my knees not my waist. Shift yoru hips over the board. Don't let your waist lean far back. Drive your front knee over your pinky toe. After all these adjustments it made my boarding significantly better. I was able to carve easier and, as he said, "let the technology do the work". I am stoked that this is working out. I know I have improved, and JW already sees that I have improved from the first day to the second day.

After the ride, we headed out to a local brewery called "Dam Brewery". Being the NHL trade deadline, I wore my Shark's jersey. But ESPN woulnd't say what trades were done. I had to wait to get back to JW's to find out. We ate dinner at the Brewary, which turns out to be at 5:00PST. Way to early for me.

We headed back to JW's house and relaxed the night. We tried to make some plans, but ended up staying home and watching Spaceballs. Which is still funny to this day. I went to sleep right afterwards.

By the way, I am happy the sharks made a trade. It looks like a good trade, but will it be good enough to get over the hump? I don't know. The team has to respond to the trade. We'll find out soon enough.

Colorado: Day 2

Colorado Trip Day 2

Colorado has treated me very well. The weather has been absolutely beautiful . There are clear skies all around.

On Monday, JW came down to Tonya's to pick me up. We had a quick breakfast before loading up and heading on out. JW and I caught up on a lot of stuff that has happened since the last time we saw each other.

It was about 1 hour 30 minute trip from Tonya's house in Westminster to JW house in Dillon. Once we got here we were greeted by two dogs, Gorilla and Willy. Both are really friendly and do not bark, unless outside wanting to get back in.

It was almost noon. So we quickly got dressed and headed out to Copper Mountain. The Green Runs (easiest runs) are Blue Runs (harder than green runs) in Tahoe. Green runs in Tahoe are flat and short. The Green runs here are long and have some slope to it. Our first run was on American Flyer. It is a 10 minute chair lift ride up, and 20-30 minute board down.

Along the way, JW gave me a few pointers to figure out what was wrong with my boarding technique. And they helped.

Around 3:00, we called it quits. It was a good run for my first run on the season and in Colorado. I also got to experience what it is like to work on a snow resort. Everyone has nicknames. And there is a lot of talk about how to pull this move or that move. I met a lot of people the first day, including JW's roommates: Bill, Graham, and Corey. They all work at Copper Mountain as well.

We got back around 4:30. We ended up going out to the store and making some dinner for everyone. But by 8:00, I was tired and was hit by the altitude sickness (lack of oxygen). I woke up to JW saying Good night. It was 12:30!!! I couldn't believe it. So I crashed out and ended Day 2 passed out.

Colorado: Day 1

Colorado: Day 1

Well I woke up early. well 8:00. Becca picked me up at 8:30 and I was at the airport at 9:00. I was worried. I don't think the plane was what I feared. It was my snowboard. I was worried my snowboard would get lost or get stopped. I wasn't sure how it was going to happen.

I friggin forgot my pizza in Becca's car. so I had to buy something at the food stands. It's like eating at a ballpark. Over priced.

Finally boarded the plane ontime 10:15 or so. And we were in the air ontime 10:43. I thought the flight would get delayed because of the rain. But turns out that it let up jsut enough for the plain to go.

The ride was easy. I just "got" Zelda Phanotom Hourglass for the DS. It's a good game so far. but it has it's hard moments. But the use of the stylus to move, and drawing the path of the boomerang is different and maximizes the use of the system. I also had to do stuff like blow "dust off the map"

I arrived on time around 2:00 PM MST. I got my suitcase. and held my breath for my board. Here it comes! yay! but it got inspected. boo. oh well what we give up for safety I guess.

Tonya picked me up and we talked about lots of stuff. We went to C.B.Potts, which is a sports bar and brewary, like BJ Brewary. They had a really good burger. Then we headed back to Tonya's where she put me to work. I fixed her Sliding door and reached behind the washer to pick up clothes and whatever has fallen back there. hahahahaha.

Then I passed out. for like an hour. watching Drag Racing on ESPN HD. I had to wake up just to turn the channel.

I lost track of time due to the time shift. I thought it was 8:00, but it was almost 9:00!!! and we hadn't had dinner yet. so we rushed out to a resturant and thankfully they let us eat before they closed. It was a mexican resturant. it was very good too. I saved some for breakfast.

And now I'm about to crash. That is after the shower curtain crashed down on me already. It was booby trapped!!!

JW has called me a few times. He says, "It's Dumping!!!" lots of snow on the mountain. He's going to get me in the morning and we're driving out. Hopefully if the weather is right, we'll be able to get to to the mountain by 1:00PM.

For now It's time to sleep. And pray altitude sickness doesn't hurt me.

Reunion: "Make a Memory" by Bon Jovi

Make a Memory
Bon Jovi

Hello again, it's you and me
Kinda always like it used to be
Sippin' wine, killing time
Trying to solve life's mysteries

How's your life, it's been a while
God it's good to see you smile
I see you reaching for your keys
Looking for a reason not to leave

If you don't know if you should stay
If you don't say what's on your mind
Baby just breathe
There's nowhere else tonight we should be

You wanna make a memory?

I dug up this old photograph
Look at all that hair we had.
It's bittersweet to hear you laugh
Your phone is ringing I don't wanna ask

If you go now, I'll understand
If you stay, hey, I've got a plan
We're gonna make a memory
You wanna steal a piece of time
You can sing the melody to me
And I can write a couple of lines

You wanna make a memory?

If you don't know if you should stay
And you don't say what's on your mind
Baby just breathe
There's nowhere else tonight we should be
We Should be

We're gonna make a memory
You wanna steal a piece of time
You can sing the melody to me
And I can write a couple of lines

You wanna make a memory? (x2)

Us: "Work" by Jimmy Eat World

Work
Jimmy Eat World

If you only once would let me
Only just one time
Then be happy with the consequence
With whatever's gonna happen tonight
Don't think we're not serious
When's it ever not
The love we make is give and it's take
I'm game to play along

All I can say
I shouldn't say
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place
While we still have time

oh oh, oh oh oh
oh oh, oh oh oh

All the best DJs are saving
Their slowest song for last
When the dance is through
Its me and you
Come on would it really be so bad
The things we think might be the same
But I won't fight for more
Its just not me to wear it on my sleeve
Count on that for sure

All I can say
I shouldn't say
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place
While we still have time
You want to take a ride?
Get out of this place
While we still have time
Yeah - We still have time

oh oh (ahhhhhhhh)
oh oh (ahhhhhhhh)
oh oh (ahhhhhhhh)
oh oh (ahhhhhhhh)

Can't say I was never wrong
But some blame rests on you
Work and play they're never okay
To mix the way we do

All I can say
I shouldn't say
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place
While we still have time
You want to take a ride?
Get out of this place
While we still have time
We still have time

oh oh, oh oh oh
oh oh, oh

Waive bye to Derek Smith

Derek Smith has been one of my favorite 49ers. for a while he was putting up 100 tackles / year. But his tenure with the 49ers ended a few days ago.

It was inevitable. with Patrick Willis becoming the future, Smith's play and production shrank. It is how it goes.

Sorry to see him go. he had a great career here.

Inspiration: "Brighter than Sunshine" by Aqualung

Brighter Than Sunshine
Aqualung

I never understood before
I never knew what love was for
My heart was broke, my head was sore
What a feeling

Tied up in ancient history
I didnt believe in destiny
I look up you're standing next to me
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, i don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine
And it's brighter than sunshine

I never saw it happening
I'd given up and given in
I just couldn't take the hurt again
What a feeling

I didn't have the strength to fight
Suddenly you seemed so right
Me and you
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, i don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine
And it's brighter than sunshine

It's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun, sun, shine.

Love will remain a mystery
But give me your hand and you will see
Your heart is keeping time with me

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, i don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

The Betrayer: "Waste" by Staind

Waste
Staind

Your mother came up to me
She wanted answers only she should know, only she should know
It wasn't easy to deal
With the tears that rolled down her face
I have no answers 'cause
I didn't even know you

But these w o r d s
They can't replace
The life you
The life you w a s t e

How could you paint this picture?
Was life as bad as it should seem?
That there were no more options for you
I can't explain how I feel
I've been there many times before
I've tasted the cold steel of my life crashing down before me

But these words
They can't replace
The life you
The life you waste

Did Daddy not love you?
Or did he love you just too much?
Did he control you?
Did he live through you at your cost?
Did he leave no questions for you to answer on your own?

Well fuck them
And fuck her
And fuck him
And fuck you
For not having the strength in your heart to pull through
I've had doubts, I've had fears
I've fucked up, I've had plan
Doesn't mean I should take my life with my own hands

But these words
They can't replace
The life you
The life you waste

But these words
They now replace
The life you
The life you w a s t e ..

Me: "Hold on My Heart" by Genesis

Hold on My Heart
Genesis

Hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know weve been here before
We both know what can happen

Hold on my heart
Cos Im looking over your shoulder
Ooh please dont rush in this time
Dont show her how you feel

Hold on my heart
Throw me a lifeline
Ill keep a place for you
Somewhere deep inside

So hold on my heart
Please tell her to be patient
Cos there has never been a time
That I wanted something more

If I can recall this feeling
And I know theres a chance
Oh I will be there
Yes I will be there
Be there for you
Whenever you want me to
Whenever you call oh I will be there
Yes I will be there

Hold on my heart
Dont let her see you crying
No matter where I go
Shell always be with me

So hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know weve been here before
We both know what can happen
So hold on my heart...

Me: Why Georgia Why by John Mayer

Why Georgia

John Mayer

I am driving up 85 in the
kind of morning that lasts all afternoon
just stuck inside the gloom

Four more exits to my apartment but
I am tempted to keep the car in drive
and leave this shit behind

Cause I wonder sometimes
about the outcome
of a still verdictless life

Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Why, why Georgia, why?

I rent a room and I fill the spaces with
wood in places to make it feel like home
but all I feel's alone
It might be a quarter life crisis
or just the stirring in my soul

Either way, I wonder sometimes
about the outcome
of a still verdictless life

Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Why, why Georgia, why?

So what, so I've got a smile on me
but it's hiding the quiet superstitions in my head
Don't believe me
Don't you dare believe me
When I say I've got it down

Everybody is just a stranger but
that's the danger in going my own way
I guess it's the price I have to pay
still "Everything happens for a reason"
is no reason not to ask yourself

If you are living it right
Are you living it right?
Are you living it right?
Why, tell me why
Why, why Georgia why?

The one I lost: "Warning Sign" by Coldplay

Warning Sign
Coldplay

A warning sign,
I missed the good part then I realized,
I started looking and the bubble burst.
I started looking for excuses.

Come on in,
I've gotta tell you what a state I'm in,
I've gotta tell you in my loudest tones,
That I started looking for a warning sign.

When the truth is,
I miss you.
Yeah the truth is,
That I miss you so.

A warning sign,
You came back to haunt me and I realized,
That you were an island and I passed you by,
You were an island to discover.

Come on in,
I've gotta tell you what state I'm in,
I've gotta tell you in my loudest tones,
That I started looking for a warning sign.

When the truth is,
I miss you.
Yeah the truth is,
That I miss you so.

And I'm tired,
I should not have let you go.

So I crawl back into your open arms.
Yes, I crawl back into your open arms.
And I crawl back into your open arms.
Yes, I crawl back into your open arms...

Me: I Want Love by Elton John

I Want Love

Elton John

I want love, but it's impossible
A man like me, so irresponsible
A man like me is dead in places
Other men feel liberated

I can't love, shot full of holes
Don't feel nothing, I just feel cold
Don't feel nothing, just old scars
Toughening up around my heart

But I want love, just a different kind
I want love, won't break me down
Won't brick me up, won't fence me in
I want a love, that don't mean a thing
That's the love I want, I want love

I want love on my own terms
After everything I've ever learned
Me, I carry too much baggage
Oh man I've seen so much traffic

So bring it on, I've been bruised
Don't give me love that's clean and smooth
I'm ready for the rougher stuff
No sweet romance, I've had enough