Snowboarding Jan 2014

I finally got to the mountain for the first time this year.  I went to Whitetail and had a good time, even with all the people. It was really cold all day (~20 deg F) and snowed, but once I got used to it it wasn't bad. I started on the bunny hill and actually almost fell on the magic carpet then proceeded to crash my way through a few beginner groups.  I really thought I forgot totally how to snowboard.  We hopped on the chair lift to the top of the bunny hill and I had a much better go of it and proceeded to run intermediate plus hills all day.    

The big trip to West Virginia is booked and in fact I have the ski access vehicle in the shop for the trip this year.  As usual it needed a few hundred dollars worth of maintenance.  That is why in the the last picture you see the daily driver, which I have spared from such dirty trips in the past.  I mean I have the GX for such things especially having put the roof rack on in December, but I guess I should be grateful that I have a choice of rides. It is funny because the idea was floated of renting a passenger van for the trip. So us and another family or two could split the cost and not have to worry about the logistics. Of course my first thought was no I wanted to drive my truck especially with laying out the $800 the repairs are costing. The fact is the repairs needed to be done trip or not if I am to keep the GX long term.  The biggest thing that is swinging me toward the rental is the fact I might be able to rent my favorite vehicle on the road today the Mercedes Sprinter Van! I am so excited if I can get one of those for us (at a reasonable rate of course).  A bit of a downer in that I saw the local place that has Sprinter vans also rents Ford Excursions which would be so much more appropriate for the mountains and I should just get that...    

Looks like I was correct with Denver and Seattle playing in the super bowl. I like Denver winning, but I wouldn't be upset to see Seattle and Russel Wilson taking it.

January Update

January has been a blur so far.  I have a few irons in the fire on the job front, but wont get into it just yet, but it's been very busy.  I have been going out to eat and drink in support of these opportunities. This leads to my next observation.  So as I have posted the Kickboxing hasn't led to any weight loss, so for January I have went back to lifting exclusively.  The results: lost 5 pounds in about 3 weeks.  I just respond better to anerobic exercise.  Cardio feels like it's doing a lot and in fact I know I was burning more calories with the kickboxing per session than lifting.  The numbers don't lie.  In the first week I felt like my clothes fit looser and the scale recorded the progress.  This presents a problem; I like the classes and get a lot from it.  That leads me to having to somewhere find the time to do both.  As I said before try a 3 kickbox and 2 lift splits.  Maybe switch it up with 3 lift 2 class weeks.  I'm going to try this starting in February.

Speaking of February I have the annual ski trip planned for the week of the 21st.  The GX needs some work as I always find this time of year, but having a reliable ride to get to the mountain is a must.  Next is the snowboard situation.  I need to check out my gear and see what shape I'm in before the trip and I plan on going next weekend.

Ok the playoffs are in full swing.  I like the Broncos and Seattle.  Although Sanfran coming out of the NFC would be a good accent on the terrible decision made to trade Boldin...

Late December

So I was slacking on my blogging in December.  I guess getting ready for the holidays which went well.  You can see the cabinet doors that finished the project.  These were delivered the Monday before Christmas JIT.  The weekend before I played a charity football game for Santa Claus Anonymous at Patterson Park.  It was fun and sparked a desire to play in the spring.   On Christmas Eve I got an opportunity to give back a little more to my community.  A neighbor randomly forwarded a request for volunteers to deliver gifts and food to needy families in Baltimore County.  Last holiday season I was looking for an opportunity.  So we volunteered for Santa's Helpers and picked up the packages and delivered them on Christmas Eve morning.  We had a lot to do around the house that day, but even with the deliveries we still got it done. I hope to do it again next year.  

We hosted the family for Christmas dinner and had a throwback special entre this year (lobster).  After dinner the young folks had a little after party fire pit, cigars and bourbon.  A great way to cap off the holiday.  

After Christmas we sort of took it easy a little shopping and I played paintball on the following Saturday.  NYE found us at a friend's house for a party and New year's day we made bean soup with the leftover Christmas ham.  

I got to say the Ravens under achieved this season.  They lost some close games they should have won and didn't really play well.  I said since the beginning of the season they would be 8-8 due to the loss of Bouldin and Pollard and they were.  The offense wasn't good.  The running game was terrible. Two fold for me I had Ray Rice a my first pick in 1 of 2 leagues and thus I came in last 1 and 12 (after winning last year).  The other league I just missed the playoffs on points.  The Ravens need to get some weapons on offense and figure out how to make Joe more effective since we are committed to him for a long time.  

I did Muay Thai for the remainder of December and still haven't lost a pound, but I feel like I am getting better.  I have been working in lifting too so I am trying to get to the gym 5 days a week 3 Kickboxing and 2 lifting.  I hope that helps with the weight before I hurt myself.  

I also finished making a Paracord Rifle sling for the AR which turned out real well (picture to follow).