New:

Year. 

Opportunities.

Toothbrush.

Optimism.

Perspective.

Underwear.

Paths.

Adventures.

Personal Records.

Goals.

Favorite.

Oil.

High Score.

Roll of Toilet Paper.

School.

Wax.

Fan.

Batteries.

Hope.

Beginnings.

Rest

Slow start to the season. Barely open by Christmas. Rode Christmas day. Leg burner day two this past Sunday in a couple inches of pow. Inversions feel better when you land on your board and not your head/neck. Should probably be more patient with longer run-ins, bigger jumps, and softer landings. Day three yesterday lapping groomers and searching for in-bounds powder with new friends and old. Spent last night sitting on the foam roller. Running is not the same kind of conditioning I was hoping for. Legs are toast.

Exhaustion is still not enough to stave off the nightmares and crazy dreams. Bed time at 10, awake by 2, back asleep 330, awake again before my alarm at 9. Taking a day off today to avoid the winds and possibly icy conditions while we wait for new snow. Taking care of "Thom, Inc." this morning: laundry, bills, bank, etc. Will probably go for a run after a meeting with a buddy this afternoon. Stay busy, stay happy.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve. Working til 10. Friends playing a show directly after. Mountain hike or a long trail run on January 1 to ring in the New Year. Not sure about the need for resolutions. Goals to pursue: taking care of mind, body, and spirit. Patience. Perseverance. Sending love into the Universe. Harmony.

Battles and Juxtapositions

For the insomniac - sleeping.

For the smoker - quitting.

For the adventurous - a "normal" day job and lifestyle.

For the extrovert - silence and solitude.

For the introvert - sales.

For the romantic - birthdays and holidays.

For the hopeless romantic - dating and courtship in today's environment.

For the rambler - setting roots.

For the dependent - avoidance of clinginess.

For the proud - admitting fault.

For the honest - the art of tact.

For the compassionate - objectivity.

For the trustworthy - faith in humanity.

For the confident - over-apologizing.

For the hard working - idle.

For the glutton - self-control.

For the active mind - meditation.

For the active body - stillness.


For me - all of the above.

Back in the Proverbial Saddle

It has been a very long time since I have written a blog post, hence the chosen title. This is the beginning of my 33rd year walking the Earth and I am hopeful and optimistic about the future. The Winter has been off to a very wonky, wet, and lackluster start leaving me a lot of time to cross-train in order for my legs and body to be in prime shape for long days of snowboarding and hiking. Mt. Baker is finally getting some much needed snowfall (which I attribute my personal blessing as seen in the photo above). 2014-15 is the worst start to a season in about 40 years. Fingers crossed for cold jet-streams and big dumps!

About eight months ago I got back into running and it has been a difficult transition back due to old injuries and general body mechanics. At first I was satisfied with 1-3 miles at a time and now I am currently up to running 5 miles without serious or lengthy time in recovery. I definitely had some help and encouragement through the beginning from a special lady and I am extremely grateful for the extra push I needed. I don't plan on getting to a point where competitive running will be a goal or hobby, but you never know what could happen in the future. I am just excited that I have been able to persevere through the process of getting back into a way of being healthy and fit. I am still not eating the way that I would like to, but one thing at a time and a commitment to being a better me is all I can focus on.

This is my personal philosophy. Feel free to apply it to your own life if you should so choose!

The past few months have been quite a change to my normal approach to taking the easy road in life. A difficult relationship transition forced to re-examine my future, goals, aspirations, and methods of achieving them. Although the relationship ended in an unexpected amount of heartache I have taken this as an opportunity to consider my options and focus my attention and energy on a life-long dream. It is a long road to hoe and I am up for the challenge. At this juncture I am taking the necessary steps researching ways to fund the training and to get to a financially solid position to make the dream a reality.  See above photo for my outlook and approach. 

Mt. Baker Season Opening Day 2013-14

Mt. Baker Website

The snow God's have spoken and we were listening. It has been written. 

OPENING DAY FOR THE 2013-14 SEASON IS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21!  

If you are one of the less fortunate and have a "real job" hopefully this weather system will continue to bring us more heaps of "Cascade Concrete" for your weekend warrior way. You could always take one of those coveted paid sick days and, "cough, cough," not make into the office. If you are a Western student may I recommend sending your lab or group partners that aren't into the cold and deep pow to pick up your assignments, take copious notes, and GET YOUR ASSES UP TO THE HILL!  For all of you "Washington State Ski Team Members," (i.e. seasonal workers collecting unemployment), UP YOURS. There is no doubt your slacker asses will be in line waiting for Chair 6 to open. 

I happen to have an early morning appointment that I cannot miss and will be desperately trying to find a ride up once my duties are complete. Follow the links below to see for yourself, but I promise you this is not a lie. I repeat, this is not a lie. If I don't see you there on Thursday we shall ride on Friday! Hope to see all of my ski-bum friends up shredding the gnar pow-pow VERY soon!

Winter has Come!

Today marks the day that I feel the chill in my bones, the rain on my face as I ride my bicycle around Bellingham, WA, and snow begins to drop in heaps on Mt. Baker and the North Cascades. 

What does that mean for you? 

Bundle up, find a cuddle buddy for these long, cold Winter nights, and start waxing your snowboards and skis, and most importantly - REPLACE YOUR TRANSCEIVER BATTERIES! 

NWAC has posted their weekend forecast and it is looking like this weekend will be the beginning of huge dumps and the base stacking in the local ski areas. Get ready, my Friends! 

This year is going to be a huge change for me from the icy "mountains" of Vermont and New Hampshire. I hope to see you all out there shredding the gnar and submarine-style shredding in the White Room.

Older brothers were made to champion your successes and help guide your way.  This kid is the best!

You can become a Believer here: Mr. Feelgood and the Firm Believers.