Monday, December 29, 2008

Holiday Recap

The holiday came and went. It was pretty uneventful honestly. I spent Christmas Eve with just my mom and the 2 kiddies. We had fun though. We had fondue, watched some Christmas specials, talked, and got to bed so Santa would come. What was kind of new was that I got to sleep on an actual bed instead of on the couch. This is officially the 1st Christmas where my sister didn’t believe in Santa, so we were able to sleep in the bedroom… no trying to sneak up on the big man in red.

Christmas day we drove down to my Grandma’s and my mom immediately went upstairs to take a nap. We had to pack all the kids ski stuff because we were going to Hunter on Friday. We were all pretty tired. Well my Uncle came and being that they have a strained relationship, she didn’t come back downstairs till he was gone. I must admit, this is NOT my favorite uncle. I strain just to say I like the guy and his girlfriend is no better. You will never meet a more obnoxious woman and a more controlling man. Either way, we still hung out with them for the sake of my grandma.

Soon after they got there though, I stole Amanda and ran out to the Cemetery. I had to with my Papa a Merry Christmas. It was nice to be with him. Sometimes I wish the weather was warmer, I know I could spend hours sitting on the grass just hanging out with him. Sounds weird I know.

After that we did a beginner snowboard trip with all the cousins less Lauren + Paul and 2 friends. We had a really good time. I spent the whole day in the beginner area with Kyle, but still had a blast. He did so much better. And I got to ride my board all day instead of skis, always a plus!

The weekend was nice and lazy like it should be.

Today is Monday, and I’m back at work but only for today. Now I’m off till next Monday. Only 1 more hour till I run to the Metro North and head upstate to my mom’s where I will prepare for tomorrow’s Paul and Lilia ride day. We plan on taking no kids and just having fun the 2 of us and any other intermediate-expert riders.

We think we will plan another beginner day on the 31st. We will likely take the two kids and Paul’s cousin, Alison who is a sweetheart. She is quite possibly my favorite Rios (sorry Paul). Anyway, it looks like that means a night home on NYE but we shall see.

Hopefully things work out smoothly, it’s really all I ask.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all have a SAFE, Happy, & Healthy New Year!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

To be Continued...

So I’ve neglected this baby for quite some time. Since my last bloging venture, I’ve gone to Vegas and did a little snowboarding. I’ll probably talk about said events amongst others for those bored and have the time to read.

Las Vegas:

So I went to Vegas and met up with my cousin and 3 of her friends… all of which were special in their own particular ways.

Many crazy outfits were worn, for example:

The best was by far, the shoes!!!!


We had a blast. We all drank way too much, ate too much, smoked too much, gambled too much and laughed too much. Many vulgar things were said and it was great! The best part, all of us when home with more money in our pockets than how we came!

Snowboarding/Skiing:

I write a lot about this particular activity. I love it SO MUCH! A few weeks back (before Vegas) we went to Windham for the Betties Get on Board event and I had a blast. Even got an awesome goody bag with some skull candies, a hat, stickers, and a shirt. Can't go wrong with that. This past weekend I went to Thunder Ridge for 2 days (from my Mom's house) with Paul, Jomel and my Bro and Sis. My mom even skied on the 1st day, though she called it quits a little early. I was proud of her, she did alright. She better give it her all after her nice new investment on a brand new set up.

My brother being 4 is still learning and still very much the novice. I love to see him get out there and try his best. When he's around, I am limited to mostly my skis. I realize now, I am already a better snowboarder than I am a skier. Even though I love to watch him and help him learn, I crave the board and riding at my own pace on my own. It snowed buckets this weekend and I had to meander down easy trails on skis with him in my sights. Don't get me wrong, I'll have plenty of opportunity to ride this year and will not regret going a few times with my little man, but sometimes I just wish I could get a couple of rides in myself. The sooner I get him on his own two skis confident and doing well, the sooner I can get those rides in. In time.

Luckily I have a great man who let me get a couple of rides in on my board before close and hung back with my buddy. I'm a lucky girl to have such great siblings, a great boyfriend, and family that has similar interests as me. It's a blessing to do these things together.

Jomel got to start breaking in his new boots and so far so good. He did get whacked in the back by an unruly chair lift... but he's doing okay. He borrowed Paul's old Nitro and some Ride bindings that were Paul's and became ours. I got a few years on them myself. Well we decided to give it to Jomel as a gift... so now he is complete with his own set up. He shows dedication I don't see yet in his sister which is why I gave him these gifts and the appreciation was overwhelming. I love him a lot... he is like a brother to me and just like I love that I have this bond with Amanda and Kyle (Lauren hates skiing), I'm glad that I can have this with Jomel as well. Raquel will get there eventually. She is still a young adolescent finding her priorities and right now it's still shopping, fashion, music and friends... we've all been there.

Anyway - It's almost Holiday time. I'm happy it's here, and I'll be happy when its over. I'm more looking forward to the time off from work then the Holiday cheer. It being the 1st time without Papa will be rough. I just hope that it is truly drama free.

Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Consequences and Remorse

Certain horrible circumstances came to my attention today concerning a friend. It’s left me in a very low state. It’s brought me to think of many people in my life; their stories are all sad and all tragic.

My mind wandered to Ginamarie… or just Gina as I called her. She was a petite Italian girl with a timid yet confident attitude that made you want to hug her. She was my classmate in college and a study buddy at times. We never grew close enough to go out to the bars together or get to know each other’s outside of school friends/family.

Gina was killed in a DWI back on Oct 7, 2004. I got the phone call on the 8th and basically became useless at work and went home. I met with a mutual friend/acquaintance, Brad, who together with his girlfriend, helped me get through this. I attended her wake where I saw parents, brothers, and cousins screaming in agony. The driver was her boyfriend who called 911 and lied saying he wasn’t the driver as Gina and a friend were dying, crushed inside the car unable to get them out. How dare he think of a scapegoat while my friend sat there dying.

His lawyer later made a statement that his alcohol level must have been a mistake (2 hours after the accident) because witnesses claimed he had only had 4 beers and hours before the accident. They also contested that he is a diabetic and his blood sugar was very low, possibly causing the accident.

The State Police mishandled the blood sample taken at the scene of the crime which would have been the proof behind his blood alcohol level. He later pleaded guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter… a lesser charge than Second Degree Murder. Mind you this was his second DWI offense… at his first, he was let go with a fine of only about $300. He was driving home from a Chili’s in Long Island after drinks while watching the Yankee game. Southbound on the Wantagh Parkway at about 120 MPH in his Infinity 35 he lost control and veered into a tree crushing the car like tin foil after your lunch is done. All this while Gina and a friend sat in the car.

A judge sentenced him 2 years later to 2 1/3 – 7 year prison term. Do I think this is enough? At first I though yes, I mean the biggest punishment will be living your life knowing you killed a friend and a girlfriend; the friend just before his wedding and the girlfriend before even reaching the age of 24. But instead of mourning the deaths he caused, he sat in the sun, relaxed and tanned. Even took pictures grinning like the grim reaper holding a corona. It was this very picture that the judge waved while he gave him his sentence, saying “Only God knows why I was spared and their souls were taken” as well as “You've got Ginamarie and Matthew's lives on your shoulders, and every time you take a drink you despise their memories”

I cannot stop thinking of her and thinking of these creeps that cannot control themselves or their habits. I know everyone make mistakes and this could happen to anyone but he gives no true remorse. His actions were loud and clear when he picked up another drink… his words were deemed inconsequential to his actions.

Gina, you are in my prayers and you are missed. May God hold you in his arms and allow you to rest in peace.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Opening Day, Pacquiao & Dresses

All in all it was good weekend. I’m tired to the point that I feel sick, maybe I am? I woke up this morning with puffy eyes; you’d think I cried myself to sleep, but there were no tears flowing last night. I slept well and I slept long, so WTF!!!

Friday night I did not want leftovers and wanted a date. I hadn’t spent some QT with Pauly since before Thanksgiving. He gave me the privilege of taking me out to the Indian spot near our house. It was nice and relaxing and filling. After we got are gear ready for a day at Windham.

The alarm started buzzing at 5:50AM and I just turned and said WAKE UP! Paul did and I slowly began to emerge from my night’s slumber. After a quick rinse in the shower and teeth brushing, we were on our way to the bagel store where I was caught with awkward stares. I supposed I deserved it in my thermals, rainbow bright knee highs, boots, lime fleece and navy vest. I probably looked like a cartoon character, but I was warm! 2 ½ hours later we were there and ready to ride. There wasn’t many trails open and I predominately did the same blue over and over again, but it was a nice taste. The best part is the soreness my muscles feel today. I know that I need to train them to once again be pushed and hopefully by January they are used to the abuse use.

Driving home took a bit longer than anticipated. We arrived at key food at 7:30 where I bought chili ingredients, cold cuts, sandwich stuff, snacks and mixers. Upon parking the car right in front (a big feat in our world) we unloaded the car and I began cooking. After a quick shower people started to arrive, 1st Lori then Kareen who brought a great box of home made empanadas… yes be jealous, they were SO GOOD.

The fight was awesome… why? Because Pacquiao kicked Oscar’s ass. It almost looked wrong… like a 19 year old football player beating on the chest team. It was pathetic and all sorts of fun! After everyone began to depart full and drunk around 2AM it was time for bed… yes I needed it.

After waking on Sunday to clean the apartment from the previous nights festivities, I picked up my sister and met up with 2 cousins to go on the dress hunt! Lauren picked out bridesmaids dresses that were totally not in the theme we had originally thought but are modern and fun and she loves them. That’s all the really matters. They are far from forgiving so the diet and crunches must start immediately after my Bellagio Buffet date with Kareen in Vegas this weekend. Lauren looked amazing in everything she tried on and I think the unlikely candidate is the one… but we didn’t order it just yet… she still has a date with Kleinfields. She looked amazing though.

After being famished eating NOTHING and dealing with the dresses for hours, we finally went to the Cheesecake factory where I gorged myself on bite after bite of food. My stomach was so happy! After dropping everyone off and saying bye to Paul’s mommy in Bellerose, I was off to sleep and here I am today… still tired.

Thanks to my sis and my cousins and Pauly and my friends for making this weekend a great start to the winter!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Pompous Ass!

Anyone who knows me, well or not, knows that I take many things very seriously. Sometimes those very things I take seriously are things that are considered hobbies, recreational, and fun. I consider myself a fun person, but I also think that there are certain things that are fun that you should work to do right. I love to snowboard and I like to ski. I do both because I love winter, I love sports, and I love all aspects of both sports. I love that it challenges me physically and mentally; I never quite know what I’m up against but I know the only way out is down. I love how it is still relaxing and fun; the sounds of the snow running under my board and the cold wind blowing into my lungs brings me to another place. The tricks I cannot yet do well but still attempt are a fun and silly challenge I can attempt when the snow isn’t that great or the weather is having its global warming attitude problem. But I must admit there is one thing I never do – I never half ass my ability or my attempts to improve it. Not with riding, not with anything.

I was taught at a very young age that it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you love it. Then I was taught an even greater lesson, as long as you do it to the best of your ability. Then later the lesson I’ve always tried to live by, it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you respect.

I respect the weather, I don’t get angry when it doesn’t work to my advantage and I don’t try to make things that cannot be. I impatiently wait for the snow to fall and as I do, I dream. I follow the snow out west when finances and time permit. I respect the earth and what we’ve done to it by attempting to decrease my carbon footprint whenever possible. I want my snowy winters back, even if they come from March thru June.

I respect my equipment. I trust it to hold my weight and to react with my body. I trust it to take me safely down the mountain, so long as I respect it enough not to push it beyond its intended purpose.

And I respect the snow itself. I respect the powder that I dream about and love. I cherish it when I have it and I miss it when I don’t. I respect the ice to the point of fear that I’ve tried to overcome. I respect the man-made and the groomed, for without it, east coast winter sports would not exist.

I respect myself! I respect myself enough to not stop ½ way, to continue to learn this skill to the best of my ability. To condition by body in the fall so that it can withstand the 8 strait hours of continuous muscle strain. And to never be satisfied with my current achievements and to constantly work for more. I have a drive and I push myself. It’s why I learned to go from skis to board quickly and it’s why I have found respect in my friends who ride after I hung up my skis.

Maybe this bit about me is why it’s so hard to accept people who lack this ability. I love my friends who’ve gone out there and tried, decided it wasn’t for them and walked away, even the friends who bailed out early before they’ve even given it a true chance. At least those people gave it a shot. What I cannot stand are the dimwits who tried it a couple of times last season and think they are experts. The one’s who think they know better than those around them that have been riding/skiing since they were toddlers. The one’s who think its cool to say they’ve ridden a black diamond after only a couple of days of skiing. Well let me tell you something, those pompous asses don’t know what they are doing and what they are talking about. Any respectable snow enthusiast believes those same pompous asses are the one’s who ruin it for the rest of us. The one’s who invest every weekend to the sport; the one’s who are dedicated!

Today the gentleman who was already known to me as Pompous Ass asked me why there was no snow on the mountain (per my away message). And I reminded him about the global warming affects on the weather and about his lack of contribution to the efforts to change it (he doesn’t like to recycle and he believes its survival of the fittest, the humans turn to come to extinction – selfish?). I then told him the temperatures have been too high for snowfall and even for snowmaking so only 15 trails were open and that a good deal of green and blue trails (beginner and intermediate) were open, so that would be good for them (considering they only have a couple of days under their belts and are still learning). He then countered that he’d been on black diamonds before. I countered back saying that going on a black diamond and getting to the bottom doesn’t mean you should. You should do it with form and you should do it when you are ready. I admit that even after so many years, I cannot handle it sometimes. He said he made it down somehow so he can handle it.

What this Pompous Ass doesn’t understand is that he gets in the way of people who know what they are doing. He messes with their rhythm and he’s dangerous. People who get in the way because they don’t know what they are doing are DANGEROUS! People break limbs, get concussions, and even DIE! Additionally, they whisk the snow right off the mountain, spreading it to the ditches on the side. You’ll commonly see this on green trails as everyone is learning, but on a black EXPERT trail, there SHOULD be snow!!!! I said flatly, “It’s selfish riding” and to this his response was “That’s me. GTG see you Saturday”.

I don’t want to see this individual on Saturday. I don’t want him ruining my groomed terrain. I don’t want to hear his insolence and stupidity. And I don’t want to be aggravated on my 1st day out there this season. But its okay, I wont be. Unlike him, I didn’t step onto the snow yesterday. I don’t try to do things I can’t handle without the proper preparation and training. I will leave him in my wake. So why am I letting this get to me so much… because I am sick and tired of people polluting what I consider sacred to take advantage!!! I’m sick of people who have no respect! And I’m sick of people’s fucked up attitudes. So to you, this Pompous Ass, I’m forced to see due to mutual friendships, here’s a big FUCK YOU!!!! I hope you break your arrogant leg on the black diamond you claim to handle!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Excitement Ensures

So today is Tuesday, the 2nd of December and all I can say is, why hasn't there been any snow!?!?! I remember Thanksgiving a few years ago... it snowed BUCKETS! I was with the ex's family and smiling like a pig in shit! What happened to those late November/early December snow falls? I love the winter more than anything, and lately I have been missing it, because it has seemed to disappear. Global Warming... ugh!

This weekend is my "Opening Day". I will be packing my gear and driving up to Windham with my Pauly-face (I'm trying to convince him to make this his legal name, he asked if "Face" should be included as part of his first name or his last). I cannot wait for the weekend. I even love the packing! How crazy is that? Not that there is a lot to pack... I wear most of my cloths, pack the rest, throw my board (with bindings) and boots in the back and go!

I cannot wait! I have the itch! AND after is the fight... Pacquiao vs DelaHoya! GO MANNY! Hopefully I can catch the fight with some friends and family.

Sunday I want to go dress shopping with my sister! Time to pick out some bridesmaids dresses!

What an exciting weekend planned! And next weekend will be even better - VEGAS BABY!