Obesity's True Cause

So it was refreshing to see that the Germans do not beat around the bush on the true cause of obesity for the majority of people, laziness. Per this news story they have found the link, less movement and activity + the same amount or more food = fat people.

And another depressing fact, I also found that the US has by far the highest % of the population with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or greater, which is the definition of obese. We come in at 34% and the next closest major country is Mexico at 26% and even cold as hell Russia is only 17%. Slightly depressing and the reason I ate salad for lunch today.

Casey and I catching our breath at Loveland Basin.

So it turns out that Loveland Basin, is a great ski area on the Continental Divide and only a little over an hour from Denver is EXCELLENT! First off they have a 4 hour pass which is perfect for a Sunday morning when you have a flight out at ~4pm, and it is only $40. And secondly the terrain is great. With groomed runs, big wide open bowls, and plenty of tree runs. I highly recommend spending a morning or afternoon there when in the Denver area. And I high reco getting over to lift "8" the best trails we found all day and never a line.

Check out Casey going into the back bowls at Copper

Casey shredding it up.

These are the signs as you enter 'Zuma bowl at A-basin

This was a pic from yesterday. Also I finally found out what it is like to board in a whiteout, in short not fun b/c you have no idea where you are going.

Enjoying the powder.

8 inches powder at Vail.

Drive Safe

So we saw this crazy bad accident tonight on the way home from NJ. At least 10 cops and fire vehicals and a car that looked in real bad shape. Just a reminder to drive safe this holiday season...

New Ride!

So check out my new board, I picked it up from REI tonight. It is a 163 Arbor Roundhouse to accommodate my big size 12s. The bindings are Burton Cartels, which are solid mid-range bindings. I am going to put the new rig to good use tomorrow night at Blue Mountain in the Poconos.

Unique Gift Idea

So if you need a unique gift idea this holiday season, and there is someone on your list that:
1 - drinks water
2 - is concerned with climate change

A great option would be the 1 ton carbon offset Nalgene bottle from Native Energy you can find it here. And I will be waiting for the tree hugger comments once I post this...


You can also check out the lifestyle carbon calculator they have on the site by clicking here and you can see how much impact you are having on the environment.

National Championship!

So fate has struck and the mighty BUCs will be playing in the Big Game on January 7th. I do like the image below (which I completely ripped off from espn).
On another note even through all the snow melted in Chicago yesterday morning my flight was still delayed almost 3 hours because of rain in Philly. Rain, really? That was enough for a 3 hour delay. Anyway I took the opportunity to read most of the book I AM LEGEND, originally published in the 1950's and a forth coming movie staring Will Smith. It is right up my alley with the apocalyptic/vampire/survival story line. Turns out that if you buy the book I have linked to above it is a compilation of many stories by Richard Matheson, the first 160 pages is the I AM LEGEND story, and not to ruin the movie, but if it holds true to the book it is not a happy ending...

Snow!

So here is Kristin and Andy's place. And only an hour ago there was not a flake in sight. Now there is almost an inch on the ground and it is now turning to rain. Flights home tommorrow should be fun.

Fantastic Sausage

So Andy took me to maybe the best food place ever, Hot Doug's. They specialize in many kinds of hot dogs and sausages, including the one here. I had to try it because how many times can you get a bacon sausage. And it was delicious. Highly recommend it if you ever get a chance.

New googe maps for your smartphone

So I continue to be impressed with all the crazy cool apps that google offers for free. The lastest is version 2.0 for google maps which offers what is essentially a GPs functionality for phones without GPS. In addition the google calender which you can share with another person, such as a fiancee, it makes scheduling meetings so much easier. If only it synced with Outlook.

First turns

So I got my fried turkey on Thanksgiving and I even got some turns in at Big Boulder today. With my stylin new helmet, thanks to Amy's early Christmas gift. The snow was pretty good for this early in the year. And the 165 Rossi board I rented was brand new. Not a bad holiday weekend at all, I hope it was good for you also.

Thoughts of snowboards and fried turkeys

So with any luck this weekend will be an excellent one with me getting two of my most favorite things in the same weekend, fried turkey and snowboarding. The fried turkey is no big surprise, since it is Thanksgiving, but the Poconos got snow earlier this week and with cold temps Friday and Saturday I am holding my breath for one of the resorts (most likely Big Boulder) which right now has one trail open, to make snow and make it worth my while to drive up the 1.5 hours on Sunday for some early season tune-ups on the board.

We will have to wait and see if Mother Nature comes through.

For all the sad, sad Michigan Fans

Well all I can say is the best team won. And the coach that has lost 4 in a row has been pushed into retirement. My take on how the post game conversation went. There is always next year for the sad little Wolverines.

Smoked Turkey

So in doing my research to ensure I had the best methods for smoking turkey I found this video podcast of BBQ Bob smoking his turkey. This might be one of the best cooking "shows" ever. While being informative and educational it is also hilarious, mostly because he is BOMBED out of his mind by the end. I guess that is one of the upsides to smoking - it leaves plenty of down time in the middle that you can use for beer drinking.

Check it out here (press the green play button on the page to get the video to come up)

GO BUCS!

It seems only right that I post about the game this weekend since I started this blog while watching OSU in a bowl game in 2006.

And with the shame of last weekend behind us, I am gearing up for a great Wolverine whomping this Saturday. Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes will bring a little pain to the entire mitten shaped state of Michigan. Rose Bowl here we come.

Pulled the Trigger

So I finally pulled the trigger, and asked Amy to marry me. For those I have not yet spoken with I am sorry, but give me a call. I am getting lots of requests for pictures of the engagement ring, which is asscher cut with micro pave side stones, so I wanted to get one posted:

And I have been told the other relevant info is: I asked her at our house over sushi dinner with Argentinian wine, she was surprised, but not totally shocked - I had been acting suspicious since we got home from Africa, and we have no idea yet on wedding plans. Looking forward to a wonderful engagement and a happy wedding at some point that has yet to be determined.