Talent.

Need another blog to be astonished by?  Through the eyes of m.e. is where you need to go then!

Meet Melissa.  She's awesome.  Passionate.  Adventerous.  A photographer.  So sweet.  Annnnnnddd luckily, my roommate!

Important words

Danke.

Merci.

Toda.

Dhanyawaad.

Arigato.

Mesi.

Misaotra.

Xie Xie.

Tang Kun.

Takk.

Maltiox.

Ke itumela.

Hvala.

Tack.

Dank.

Ngiyabonga.

Dank u.

Ta.

Thank you.

Do you know how important you are to this world?  To me?

Winter X Games 15

Ask Pink, Holler Otto (ever play MadGab?)

Euphoria =  term is often colloquially used to define emotion as an intense state of transcendent happiness combined with an overwhelming sense of contentment. (wikipedia)

Standing at the bottom of the SuperPipe with an athlete/industry VIP pass.  In the front of 41,000 people.  Alongside athlete Gretchen Bleiler's family and friends.  Euphoria.  100% perfect satisfaction was felt.  The X Games have been on my bucket list for a long time.  

History was being made in every event.  Kelly Clark's 1080 landed for gold in the Superpipe Finals (first woman to land one in competition)  Tucker Hibbert blew away the competition in the SnoCross (snowmobiling races) for the 5th time.  Those guys were launching snowmobiles over a 125ft kicker.  Then there was Shaun White's second run during the mens SuperPipe final.....watching it, no still thinking about it gives goose bumps.   

Here there are people pushing the limits.....a LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS.  

The best tho, were the moments that were about character and not necessarily winning.  Gretchen Bleiler fell during all 3 of her Superpipe snowboarding runs.  Yet, every time she came up to her friends and family.  Smile on her face.  Still life, in her eyes.  Happy to be there, competing in on of the worlds most prestigious events.  That is ingrained in my memory forever.

Then there were the adaptive races for SnoCross (men with injured bodies) throwing the 500lb machines around like they're tricycles.  As they took off, the announcer said "people, last year, we had prosthetics flying around the course, this race gets interesting."

A glance up on the Skier X course sees a MonoSkier (adaptive skiier, riding on a chair with one ski below)  coming down, hitting the bottom 80ft jump, flying through the air only then to SMASH himself on the landing and sliding down to the crowd.  

Life, my friends, is about living.  Not dying.  Have you LIVED lately?

The Minturn Moose

Coming home from Winter XGames 15.  Sharing the backseat with a dog that has worse gas than my father.  It's  6:30pm and completely dark now.  Yet, car beams shine upon a figure to the right.  Eyes attempt to focus, yet denial of pirate patch means no night vision.  Figure is running along a path.  WHAT IS THAT GIGANTIC THING?  Blink.  Blink.  Blink again.  "Thats not an elk.  That's..That's.....WHOA GUYS STOP THE CAR....THATS A MOOSE.  WAIT....THAT'S TWO MOOSE!"

Photo quality isn't the greatest, yet adrenaline, night time, dog in car and moose sighting doesn't equal photographer skills!

Fact:  Colorado does have moose.

Be my guest, be my guest!

 Best part of having an address now is having the ability to have visitors.  My good friend Kat came to visit for a few days.  She wanted to get the full Colorado experience.  We skied.  We snowshoed.  We skate skied.  We even went sledding.  Tho, this doesn't look like sledding, it was.  Kat, come back and we can work on your form!

 There are grandparents.  Then there are adopted grandparents.  That's Harvey and Evy.  They made a pit-stop on their way to Arizona.  Yet it wasn't the warm weather they were expecting, think they enjoyed the first time gondola experience and the village of Beaver Creek!  By the way Harvey, I'm not going to be needing your AUTOBUY magazine....want it back?

And just to entice you, this is a sunset over Nottingham like, where this girl resides now!  

Be my guest!

Life in photos

 Hiking in Maloit Park

 Ripley, best snow catching dog ever known to man.

 A walk in the woods in Camp Hale

 Camp Hale.    Was established in 1942 by the govt in preparation for WWII.   Camp Hale soldiers included the 10th Mountain Division.  Those were the guys that trained for cold weather survival skills, rock climbing and skiing.  They were the ones in the mtns of Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

Camp Hale has also been used by the CIA for training.

Camp Hale is now a piece of flat ground.  No buildings.  No signs of the past.  Turns out, after the war, the govt ordered the destruction of the site 'Camp Hale'.  So they bulldozed the place.  But, mistake on their part, there was 2 Camp Hale's at that time.  One in California and one in Colorado.  They actually meant for the destruction of the California Camp Hale.....a big govt oops on that one!

It's a beautiful place for hiking around. Back country skiing.  And to let your imagination run wild as to what happened in the exact place 70 years prior.

 View from trail on North side of Camp Hale

 Map of the area

 River crossing

 During a back country hike, we found this little face that was stunningly perfect.  Moments before my snowshoe had sent forces to the snow below making a deep and powerful split of the layers.  Enough to scare me to chills.  No worries tho, avalanche beacons on!!

That's Tim taking his second run down that perfect face!  That day we hiked around 9 miles from Camp Hale.  The first few miles were a breeze.  Right up until we found the desired trail hadn't been used in some time.  For the remainder of the day we broke trail (aka, Tim did!)  Two days later, my calves are sore to the touch.

Now or in 10 years...?

There comes a time in ones life, a tipping point you can say.  Where you don't want to live like anyone, or be anyone different.  You want to be you.  Do what you love and be accepted.  This seems so petty.  So simple and easy.  Tho, it is one of the most trying, life-changing seasons of life.  Those friends that always seemed so close are all of the sudden in shock because you're separating from them.  No longer wanting a 'part of the crew' name tag.

Life spins wildly.

You hold onto whatever is around, finding the stable, accepting relationships in your life to be your rocks and altar.  You begin to feel courage.  Make more and more changes in your life.  The air is fresher now.  A crisp, mountain morning sensation.

You notice the transition in yourself.  A person who loves to make others happy no matter what.  Now, becoming honest with yourself.  A 'true to thy self' character.  Some don't like this.  They liked you more when you always sacrificed yourself.  Not that life isn't good when others are happy.  It's just you know the bliss it is when you are you, in your element, surrounded by those who love to live, love to laugh and love to see you as who you are meant to be.....Who you aspire to be.

This transition, that you feel and are living, isn't a 'flip of a switch' kind of change.  It's something to be endured.  You spin.  You're thrown upside down.  Tossed sideways.  Slammed backwards.  Only to get up and be pushed down again by some random Thursday morning decision.  It's then, when you realize that you have the power to stay happy and stay you through all, does it become a fun challenge.  It's then when you start to move forward.  One-step-at-a-time.

The beauty of all starts to glisten.  And the inner peace and soothed soul you now have, is smiling.  Happy to be 'feeling, loving, laughing' in the place that is absolutely perfect.  Whether that place is a physical or figuratively found in your thoughts.  It's then you notice life isn't about the easy.

Life.  Character, is defined during trying, changing, straining, unknown moments.  Accept them with open arms.  Embrace it, as you never know what road you might be standing on in 10 years, reflecting on that exact situation and say 'thanks' because of that, I AM HERE NOW.

Tech break

Ever find yourself over new age communication?

Just want to toss your cell phone into a dark bottomless hole where you won't see it again?  You look at a computer and say "no way."  Sometimes, life is best lived being away from technology and the lure of lost hours using it.  Life, lived in the moment, is dependent on what you're doing right now.  Not what happened yesterday, not in tomorrows dreams.  But right now, a true 'present.'

Tho in this life very few live without cell phones or email addresses, it is possible to escape or take a break from over-usage.  How great a feeling to take a hike through the woods, not thinking about what news is breaking, what texts you need to return or who's blog to read (yes, I know this is a blog.)

My lovely smart phone rang today.  (It was in a dark hole, apparently covered in velvet with extra trampoline padding!)   My big sis, questioning my existence as a person and social communicator.  Kel, I've taken one of those breaks and am working on the balance needed for life, friendships and communication.  As I sit here, babysitting, I want you to know that reality has hit once again as I'm being watched by a smiling 4 month boy and am covered in baby vomit and snot!

A true. GIGANTIC. Gaper move.

The formal definition

What is a gaper?

"I guess you would quantify a gaper as someone from out of town who isn't very familiar with the mountain, or the mountain lifestyle," says Chavez.

"It's someone who is in the wrong spot at the wrong time, all the time," says St. Germain. "Like always standing on the other side of a blind jump or taking up the whole catwalk when you're trying to get through."

The etymology is simple. Gapers garnered their nickname because, while standing somewhere they shouldn't be, thus making them an accident-waiting-to-happen, the mouth tends to be agape.

"They're oblivious. They have no clue," says St. Germain.

Adds Luke Eckenroth of Edwards, "They're the only people in the middle of the hill not moving." 

-There are other indicators. If you ski in jeans, you're a gaper. If you wear a jester hat, or big, tinted aviator glasses on the hill, you're a gaper.
-If you still wear your ski outfit from 10 years ago, you're a gaper.
-Head bands. Neon. Rear-entry ski boots. Sports-team jackets (especially noxious, red Huskers jackets). 

"You learn real quick what gapers are," says Eckenroth. "If you're a first-time local, you are probably a gaper at one point."                                                         (article from Vail Daily)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STORY TIME.

Riding for a couple afternoon hours at the Beav.   Made it to cookie time.  Walked to the bus.  Put my snowboard on the outside rack and jumped at the chance of sitting and enjoying the warm chocolate chip cookie that Beaver Creek provides every afternoon (served by chefs in white jackets, on the snow and a top a silver platter)  "Not exactly roughing it" is soooooo true.

If you're a local.  You've already caught my mistake.  If not, learn from me.  As we're driving down the mountain to Beaver Creek landing my eyes watch horrifically as my snowboard leans and falls off the outside of the bus.  CLANK.  BANG.  SCRAPE.   I jump up.

"WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA my board just fell off the rack outside.  Stop the bus!"  The driver is in shock  "what?"  "please please let me off, my board just fell off"  "hmmm, I can't."  

She calls security "a board just fell off the bus, its in the middle of the road, can you go pick it up?"

At this point I'm red in the face.  About to puke.  In a dead sweat.  Standing up right next to the driver.  Wanting to faint.  AHhhhhhhhhhh.  WHAT HAPPENED???

I get off at the landing.  Have to bend down.  The shaking has taken over.  Soon a suburban pulls up and a very nice man pulls out my board, in one piece, completely black with mud and hands it to me.   "did you know that none of the buses at Beaver Creek have snowboard racks????????"

That explains so much!

10 New Years Resolutions that are GREEN!

It's easy to think about all the big changes you're going to make in the New Year as the old year comes to an end -- but by the second week of January, most of us are already finding reasons to skip the gym or break the spending freeze. That's why we've come up with ten green New Year's resolutions so easy you'll have no excuse not to keep them -- and as they help you save money, cut your carbon footprint, decrease your home's waste stream, and improve the quality of the Earth, you'll be glad you did.

1. Never buy bottled water again

Trade your bottled water habit for an at-home filtering pitcher and you can help make a dent in the 1.5 million barrels of oil used to make plastic water bottles each year; pair it with a reusable bottle (like one made of glass, aluminum, or recycled plastic), and you'll always be prepared to tackle your thirst. Bonus: With bottled water no longer on your shopping list, you could save as much as $1,400 this year.

2. Brew your own Fair Trade coffee

Photo: Beneath_B1ue_Skies/Creative Commons
Carrying your own coffee in an insulated travel mug helps you reduce waste from cardboard cups and carrying sleeves -- which are thrown away at a staggering rate of58 billion each year. For greener at-home brewing, choose a Fair Trade blend that supports farmers; add organic milk instead of artificial creamers; and try a French press (instead of a traditional brewer) to save electricity.

3. Remember your reusable bags

Photo: Blue Avocado
With more than 1 million plastic bags ending up in the trash every minute, takingreusable bags to the store is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint -- but the hardest part about using them is simply remembering to take them with you. A set like this one from Blue Avocado is almost impossible to forget: It comes with six different bags, sized for everything from frozen goods to fresh fruit, and the entire collection folds down into a slim packet for easy transport.

4. Cut back on paper towels

Photo: edkohler/Creative Commons
If you're grabbing a paper towel for everything from wiping up spills and cleaning your counter to scrubbing the bathroom and keeping your hands clean at dinner, it's time tomake a change. Instead, invest in a few cotton cloths and some fabric napkins; then drop them in the wash when you run a load of laundry. Using the cloth alternatives is just as easy as using the paper versions, and you only need to buy them once -- plus you can help eliminate the 3,000 tons of paper towels that end up landfills every day.

5. Use a bike for short trips

Photo: laffy4k/Creative CommonsIt takes a certain amount of dedication to permanently give up a car in favor of a bike, but even an eco-slacker can make it work for short trips that don't require hauling a lot of stuff: picking up milk at the local grocery store, after-dinner ice cream at your favorite dessert spot, your morning yoga class, brunch with friends at the coffee shop. Ride your bike for trips shorter than 2 miles and you could cut your carbon footprint significantly, save money on gasoline and car maintenance, and increase your fitness level -- all at the same time.

6. Order from your local CSA

Photo: Comrogues/Creative CommonsGoing to the farmer's market always sounds like such a great idea -- until Saturday morning rolls around and you realize you have to get up early, have enough cash, and fight other customers for the best strawberries. Instead, have your local CSA programdo the hard part for you by putting together a box of their best produce each week -- and, if you're really feeling lazy, have it delivered right to your door so you get fresh, local fruits and vegetables without giving up your lazy coffee-and-crossword mornings.

7. Become a weekend vegetarian

Photo: naotakem/Creative Commons
Cutting meat out of your diet just two days a week can decrease your carbon footprint by about 1/3 of a ton -- and coming up with meat-free meals for Saturday and Sunday isn't as hard as it sounds. Try pancakes and fruit for breakfast; fresh salads or roasted vegetable sandwiches for lunch; and veggie pizza, bean soups, and creamy risottosfor dinner. And since doubling a recipe rarely adds any time to your prep work, you can make extras to eat throughout the week (and trim your carbon footprint even more).

8. Eliminate phantom power

Photo: kalleboo/Creative CommonsIt takes approximately one second to unplug the charger for your cell phone, mp3 player, e-reader, or iPad -- but if you really can't be bothered, then let nifty, energy-efficient gadgets do the work for you. Use power strips to turn off all your appliances at once; put your television, DVD player, game system, and stereo on a timer so they automatically shut off overnight; and invest in chargers that stop drawing current when the device's battery is full. You could cut your energy bill by as much as 10 percent annually -- without lifting a finger.

9. Switch to green power

Photo: Lollie-Pop/Creative Commons
Switching your home to run on green power sounds like a big job -- installing solar panels, geothermal energy, or a tankless hot water heater is not a job for the construction-impaired. But you can also make this happen without getting out of your chair: Call your local energy company and see if they offer renewable options (most do). You might see a small jump in your bill, but it's an easy way to make a big change.

10. Replace your lightbulbs

Photo: dbgg1979/Creative CommonsReplacing your lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lights may be the ultimate change for the eco-slacker. Despite all the jokes, it takes only one person to change a lightbulb -- and since CFLs last longer than traditional bulbs, you'll be saving time for years down the road while cutting your energy use by as much as 80 percent. Can't even face the hardware store? Order your bulbs online and have them come straight to your door.

Article from treehugger.com