Harbingers of Spring

I once again went on a midnight run through the hills, drawn by perhaps one final opportunity to enjoy the last chill of winter’s breath on the night air. Even on a dark, moonless night, my path and the world around me lit only by the distant lights of civilization and the faint glow of the stars in the heavens above, I would have had to have been blind not to have been overwhelmed by the multitude of portents of the coming spring that surrounded me as I ran through the hills and orchards.

I must admit that it was not the chorus of frogs singing their song of love to prospective mates at the pond in the vineyard, nor the sweet smell of some unseen fragrant blossom wafting on the night breeze, nor even the breeze itself, cool, but yet not quite as chill as it would have been ere a month earlier, that spoke to me so strongly of the coming dawn of summer.

I was impressed by the unexpected and awe-inspiring shooting star that blazed a fiery-bright path across my path as I climbed towards the top of the hills, an omen portending an event worthy of note by the bards and poets of ancient times, yet still not the sign that I sought.

Indeed, as I paused at the peak of the highest of the hills, enjoying the view of glow of the city beneath me on one side, and the dark of the wilds on the other, feeling that frosty edge to the air that I drew into my lungs as I caught my breath, the surest sign of spring was not even the warm feelings of love and longing for those closest to me in my heart, yet distant and far away from my side.

No for me, as for our distant ancestors who marked the passing of the seasons by the march of the constellations across the heavens, the one unmistakable sign of the passing of winter was the sight of Scorpio rearing its head above the eastern edge of the world, the red glow of its heart, Antares, already beginning its ascent toward its position of prominence in the summer night sky. I quickly turned on my heel and looked wistfully westward, hoping to catch one last glimpse of the mighty hunter Orion, knowing even before I looked that his time had already gone and that the winter heaven’s guardian had retired from his post. Overhead, Leo, the lion, stood watch, but only briefly, his time too soon to pass in deference to the ascension of the summer firmament. Winter has gone, spring is come.

Yes, all of these signs of spring passed before me, surrounded me, and even on this dark, moonless night I found my senses overwhelmed and myself immersed in the coming of the new season. So, I entreat you, my friends and colleagues, to let not the change of seasons pass by you un-noticed and encourage you to go for a walk in the evening and seek out that herald of spring which sings the strongest to you and revel in the moment, for few in life are as sweet. Good night and God bless

Sweet Rides Dudes

Sweet is the only word that I can think of to describe the riding conditions on Snoqualmie yesterday. Coming off the Snow Patrol concert the night before, up early to grab a pre-dawn meeting and first on the lift to track some prisitne powder...dude, it don't get much better than that. The conditions were totally bomb...chill, another total dump of snow, like a foot of untouched powder to shred on first thing...once I got to weaving the slopes I didn't put the brakes on until wayyy into the day and only then to grab a burger and a Dew to fuel the fires for the rest of the day. I spent the whole day running the big mountain, hit the park a couple of times just to grab some air, even tomahawked for the first time...kinda whack, but totally gnarly:D If they let snowboarders into heaven then all the rides should be this sweet, o ja;-)

Snow Patrol...A Tour For Lovers

No, not the folks who help riders and skiers off the mountain when they get in over their heads, but the rock group. I actually caught them in concert at Key Arena in Seattle on Tuesday night and they REALLY rock. Of course their music is absolutely fabulous, especially "Chasing Cars" *sigh*, but they also put on a totally sick light show and bang it out to the extreme. If you can catch them on their North American Tour, it is one that I would recommend that you see with someone you love...romance is definitely the genre of this tour and it is meant to be shared with someone you can wrap your arms around while you sing softly in their ear. Of course in the mosh pit it would be a good trick to hear anyone or anything but the band, but better to have someone to hold than not;-) Besides, why anyone would go to a rock concert and sit off the floor in the seats is beyond me. Not that I could hear or speak above a hoarse whisper for the next day or so, but who cares...too much fun!!! Oh, and the opening local band Steam Ship Under People, followed by Ok Go were totally bomb in their own right. Snow Patrol played out their gig and then followed up with a half hour encore...you have to love catching these guys at the the beginning of their tour;-)

A Major-League Face Plant

After an absolutely awesome day shredding the slopes in a driving fresh snow on Snoqualmie, I obliged a challenge by a friend and finished by throwing it down the riding park a couple of times, rails, jumps and all. My first jump was by no means timid, fairly good air, but the landing left quite a bit to be desired...unless one is supposed to land face first *OUCH* Okay, I made it up on my second run, taking the jump at speed, catching big-time air, landing and not even looking back...I stomped it!...JAHUU!!! *Sheesh*...the things I do on a double-dog dare;-)

And The Winners Are...

Okay, here are my favorites from the less-than-impressive lot of this year's Super Bowl commercials (I really think that they tried too hard to be cute...and missed, for the most part;-):


FedEx Comes Out With the Number One Ad Again!



This One Is Just Too Cute;-)



...And The Winner In The "Best Soundtrack" Category Is...

A Pretzel By Any Other Name...

While shopping at the mall today, I stopped and grabbed a pretzel at "Aunt Annie's", the frist I have had since I ate my first in Philadelphia last year. The pretzel was the same, I suppose, but somehow it did not taste near as good as the one that I shared with the homeless dude on the steps of a downtown Philly subway station where we both had found shelter from a cold and rainy March day;-)

In fact it was kind of tasteless and uninspiring. I guess that it just goes to prove what I have always said...it is not what you do, or where you do it, but rather who you share the experience with, O ja:D

Shredding the Slopes by Moonlight...Jahúú

About the only joy in my life right now is my snowboarding. Though I can never put other things entirely out of my mind, at least while I am riding I can (must) focus on something else, if only for a minute or two. I have found the slopes at Snoqualmie to be pretty rad, with great overall weaving opportunities and a few sketchy spots to test my (hopefully) improving skills. I plan on spending as much time as possible riding there on my trips over and back to Seattle, heck I am even getting pretty good. Monday night found me weaving down the run on Central Summit in a freezing rain, icy, pretty whack conditions, but managing to keep an edge and even throwing a sick move or two at it...I was pretty stoked and just kicking it. Of course, I did manage a few pretty gnarly bonks but kept throwing it down until they turned out the lights...it was like totally bitchin', dudes;-)

...and dudes, it is a GF cap, so I just KNOW that you love it too, right?;-)

*Sigh*