Guess What's Coming Around the Corner!?

I'll give you a hint...it starts with 'snow' and ends in 'season'.

That's right! Snowboarding season is just around the corner. A-basin will likely open mid-October for the fantastic early season riding, which mostly consists of grilling out at the car, drinking a few beverages, and hanging out with friends in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Of course we also take a few runs, but with hundreds of skiers and riders and only 1-2 runs open, the riding really isn't what early season is about.

To get in the proper mind-set for this phenomenal time of year, a few friends and I went to 'Snowboard on the Rocks' last night. It was an event held at Red Rocks Amphitheater where they showed 3 new snowboarding videos and had 3 performers entertain. It was the first year they have ever had this event, but I believe it is going to become an annual thing. The whole event was executed very poorly; it was extremely unorganized and the technical difficulties at the beginning of the event resulted in a large amount of time of 'filler-entertainment' which was awful. It was basically two guys who sounded like stoners walking around on the stage, talking about nothing, and shouting out 'yeh' or some other ape-like grunt. They finally did get the videos playing, but due to the extra time it took to fix the technical difficulties, they cut one of the entertainers from the line-up and the event still didn't finish until midnight. I wasn't upset about the entertainer being cut. All 3 of them for the night were pretty bad hip-hop type rappers. They had some nice background beats and we enjoyed it enough to have a good time and dance, but really I just wanted to see the videos.

Speaking of the videos, they were great; especially the last one. It was called The Storming and it was the very first premier of the video. The riders in the video hadn't even seen it. A couple of pros in the video were at the premier last night to introduce it, so that was also pretty cool! I don't know his last name but Torstein something-or-other was there, and he was the main rider in the video. Apparently he is the only rider ever to land a triple inverted trick and he did it while adding spins (I think a 900). That is how the last video ended. It was a great video; very well produced with some gnarly lines dropped and catchy music. I think it is sufficient to say that by the end of the night we were all pretty stoked for the season to begin. Here's hoping this year brings more snow than last.

In Honor of Earth Day

I went to the Whole Foods-sponsored showing of the documentary, Food, inc.
It may very well have inspired me to rekindle my vegetarian ways, for multiple reasons. At the very least I will only be buying organic or free-range chicken and beef. If you haven't seen this movie, I highly suggest it. It will open your eyes in huge ways to the astounding practices of the American food industry. If you haven't seen it, take a look at this trailer and decide for yourself if it's worth watching.

Now, before you go thinking I was completely swayed by this movie and I'm going to become an organic-food junkie based off the facts presented in this movie alone, let me tell you that is not the case. I actually went into this movie pretty well educated in organic food production practices as I did a huge research project last year comparing organic food production vs. conventional food production. And I'll be honest with you, in terms of health, organic food isn't that much better for you; but in terms of sustainability and helping our planet, organic food production is the only way. And if animal cruelty is anything you're concerned about, organic food production is the only way in that regard too. Only today did I truly come to understand the immensely cruel practices in conventional beef, pork, and chicken production (for the employees as well as the animals). It is unbelievable and sincerely heart breaking. I could go on and on about this movie and the many important topics that are discussed throughout - food safety, obesity and health, sustainability, the control and manipulation certain companies impose on the entire food industry, policy, the global food crisis, etc. - but I won't. Today I just want to promote green living. So, even if you don't want to completely change the way you eat, you can help make the world a better place.

Try one, two, or all of the ideas below:
- Ride your bike, walk, or carpool when able
- Recycle (reduce and reuse also!)
- Plant a small garden
- Buy locally grown and produced goods (farmers markets are amazing!)
- Buy foods in season
- Minimize paper waste and any other unnecessary waste
- Use reusable shopping bags
- Use energy efficient appliances and light bulbs
- Use solar energy (if possible)
- And my favorite, save water...shower with a friend :o)

There are hundreds and thousands more ways to be green and save our planet.
So what are you doing to make the world a more beautiful and sustainable place?

SNOW DAY

Work was canceled today because of last night's snow storm, so I woke up to my first 'professional-life' snow day! I knew going to bed last night that the TCHD offices weren't opening until 10am, but the snow-line recording said to call again in the morning for updates. Lucky me, when I called I found out all offices were closed!! By afternoon it seemed silly that the offices were closed because most of the snow on the streets was melted and only water remained. Plus it was sunny! But this morning it was still pretty bad, so I can see why they closed. And believe me, I'm not complaining! It was a very relaxing day. Along with sleeping in and organizing some stuff for work, I watched The Informant (interesting movie) and cooked dinner with my sweetie.

Back to the grind tomorrow.

A Date

Tonight I went on a date with my man, and it was quite lovely. After a quick dinner of sushi, we went to the nearby theater and saw The Blind Side. AMAZING. Seriously, this movie is great. I definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to see a feel good, inspirational flick. And it's a true story, which makes it even better (in my humble opinion).

Now, for a good night's sleep curled up in a warm bed. It's freezing outside!!