part 2

Marjo got back to me this afternoon. I was so stoked. After work I went over to her new apartment and hung out there for a while until she had to go to a party. It was so good to see her, but it was kinda awkward too. We will see what happens with that boyfriend of hers...

After that I came back to the hotel and had a swim then went into town and ate at a great Italian place called Pannu. I am stuffed and tired and it is time for bed.

Back in Finland

So, here I am back in Finland. I thought that if I came back here that I would see Marjo right away, but that is not the case. She is back with her old boyfriend and I don't know when I will see her at all. She says Saturday, but so far she is not returning my texts. We will see...

On a brighter note, I forgot how unbelieveable looking the girls are here. All of them. Last time, since I met Marjo the second day I was here, I didn't really pay as much attention to other girls. Well, let me tell you, it is amazing. I will just have to find a different one ;)

When I landed in Copenhagen yesterday, our deplaning music was a song by the Kings of Convenience. I was so stoked. The Rasmus is playing here in Oulu on Sunday night and I will be there.

Time to get to work and fix some problems for these guys...

this will be awesome

Current music: Death Cab For Cutie - Summer Skin

I just found out that The Rasmus is playing in Oulu, Finland on Sunday! I will be there, count on it.

aspen to denver

Current music: The Killers - Everything will be Alright

I did so much driving this weekend. Tasha and I went to Aspen yesterday to go up to the Maroon Bells. It is so beautiful up there right now as the leaves change on the aspen trees. Aspen was a neat town. I could see myself living there, but it is a little too far from anything. I would rather have the city life.

Today I took Tasha to Denver to go hiking with Meghan. We went to Red Rocks which is really incredible, then we went hiking in Matthews/Winters Park. Just an easy hike, but it was fun to hang out with Meg as usual.

Here are some pics from my trip to Aspen and the Maroon Bells:

back to Finland

Current music: Death Cab For Cutie - Your Heart is an Empty Room

My boss just got in touch with me about heading back to Finland to do some work with a customer. Depending on when we can get flights I will probably be leaving the 27th of September and staying for about three weeks. I am looking forward to it, but not looking forward to missing the beginning of the snowboard season.

wearing out the dog

Current music: Bloc Party - Pioneers (M83 Remix)

I slept at Jeff and Dan's place last night because it was pouring out and I didn't feel like coming home. Tasha was well behaved. This morning I took her out and played fetch for ages, then brought her back to my house. She has just been chilling here most of the day except for the run home and back here for her to eat.

Sean just took her out for a hike on Berrypicker. She is gonna be done after that and sleep well. She has been very well behaved. I am impressed.

tasha is done

Current music: Foo Fighters - In Your Honor

This morning I got up and rode over the Jeff's house to get Tasha. I hung out there for a little while with her then brought her back to my house. We stayed here until about 10, then I rode up Red Sandstone Road with Tasha in toe. We rode up to the Lost Lake Road junction then back down. On the downhill she was flying. She ran the entire way at full speed and then all the way home. She was loving it. Then I put her to bed for some time so I can work.

Back at home now and the clouds are moving in badly. Supposed to get some thunder today and tomorrow. Ugh.

tasha time

Current music: Sigur Rós - Vaka - Track 3 (Smskfa 2)

Well, this morning I had to get up early to drive Hulsey to the Denver airport so he can fly to Rochester then go to Allentown, PA for Jamie's wedding on Saturday. It was a nice drive.

When I got back into town I had to ride over to Jeff's house and take Tasha out for a run. She is my bitch for the week until Jeff gets back. It should be fun playing with her. I rode my bike and made her run down to the post office, then over to my house, then back to Jeff's. Overall, it was a good 4.3 miles. She should be sleeping now until I have to go and let her out again later on tonight.

The new album from Sigur Rós came out last week and I got it in the mail today. I am stoked on it and about to listen to it now...

make money spend money

Current music: The Appleseed Cast - Rooms and Gardens

Well, last night I found out that I missed the big Vail Ski Swap when I was at Shannon's wedding last weekend. So, today I went down to One Track Mind and did a little shopping. I ended up with a new board, new boots, new bindings, and a new backpack. Fortunately, the sale is still going on so I got everything super cheap.

Board: 2005 Nitro Naturals 161
Bindings: 2005 Solomon SPX 4
Boots: 2005 Solomon F22

Finally, I have some new stuff. Now I just need new pants, an avalanche beacon, and a shovel.

mucho biking lately

Current music: The Appleseed Cast - Signal

Sean has been looking for a job. On Friday Sean showed up. Before that I did a short ride on the North Trail near Buffehr Creek. Then I spent pretty much the rest of the day working and stuff like that. Ryan and Elena showed up with Ricky Zinter and Carlis Sillins at night and we went out to the bar with them and Hulsey.

Saturday I rode on Vail Mountain, then just came home and hung out the rest of the day taking it easy... Lazy weekend was in order.

Yesterday, Sean and I rode up Vail Mountain. He made the climb to Eagle's Nest in about an hour and 45. Not bad for his first big ride:


The aspen trees are all turning and it is so beautiful up here:

back on my mtn bike

Current music: Bloc Party - Blue Light

I had intentions for riding to Piney River Ranch today, but I decided I didn't have time to do that and get to work on time. Instead of rode up Red Sandstone Road to the junction with Red and White Mtn Road and took that up to the Buffehr Trail down to the North Trail. About 15 miles, and now I have hit 500 miles on that bike.

Here are some pics:

Gore Range from Red Sandstone Road:


Lenny and the Gore Range:


Vail's front side from Red and White Mtn:


Changing aspens:

back in collar ado

Current music: Bloc Party - Like Eating Glass

Yesterday I had to get up at 4:15am to get to the airport by 5am. I made it to Denver a little before noon and had to wait for Jeff to come pick me up at 5pm when he got out of work. That was a long wait.

Of course, when we got back to Vail the first thing we did was hit up La Cantina! It was snowing when we drove over Loveland Pass.

This morning I had to hit up Wal-Mart and do some shopping because my grocery supply was low in the house. On my way back home I noticed snow up on the Gore Range!

Time to do some work...

wo wo work in the lib lib library

I have been working in the library all day today. A bunch of girls just came in and sat at the table right in front of me and started talking so loud... Doh...

The wedding was fun on Saturday. The reception was at a park and we had a pig roast and park kinda activities including bocce.

Yesterday I went to Buffalo to see Kris and my old manager, Shawn. It was good fun. Kris and I went to Beaver Island State Park and played some disc golf. I lost the keys to my parents car when we were playing. Apparently there is a hole in my pocket. We walked the course over and over again and never found them. Eventually we called my parents and my dad came all the way out to bring us another set.

After Kris and I ate dinner at My Tomoto Pie we met up with Shawn at Slick Willy's for a few games of pool...

Rochester time

Well, I am in Rochester visiting my family and such. My cousin, Shannon, is getting married tomorrow to her high school sweetheart, Tim. That should be fun to see everyone.

I am working today and probably will put in a few hours at some point tomorrow as well. Sunday I think I will head to Buffalo to visit some friends.

Very strange... Rochester no longer feels like home. I haven't been to Buffalo in a while, but my suspicions are that it won't there either. New Zealand never felt like home, but Colorado is really starting to feel like home to me. Good to see family and all that jazz, but I really can't wait to get back to Vail.

city boy, yes i am

Current music: Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body

So after quite a few years of trying to figure something out, I think I finally have. I love city life. This however conficts with my love of snowboarding since snowboarding in cities usually sucks and the concrete and asphalt ruin boards quickly.

I love the concerts.
I love the indie movie theatres.
I love walking around the city.
I love having tons of people.
I love the public transportation.
I love city biking.
I love the bookstores, CD stores, and magazine shops.
I love the ghetto bowling alleys.
I love the metropolitan women.
I love cities.

So, I have done 4 years in Plattsburgh (too small), then almost 2 in Buffalo (good size), then a year in Hamilton, NZ (too small), and now I am in Vail (way too small). I am gonna have to make the move after this snowboard season to a city... I just can't handle it anymore. Not that I don't love living in Vail. I do love this place. This is my favorite place I have ever lived, but there are too many things I miss...

The Beav

Current music: Modest Mouse - Truckers Atlas

Yesterday James, Kevin, and I went over to Beaver Creek to check things out. James loved it there. There were statues he could pose with and a bocce set we could use for free up by the side of the mountain...

Playing bocce:


James and Lenny looking sexy:


James in one of his nicer statue poses:


Lenny and Jeff at the Sandbar:


Lenny with Vail's oldest virgin:


The "biggest tool" in Colorado:

Sky Chutes (part 2)

James and his friend Kevin showed up early on Sunday morning. After 1 day of acclimitization they decided to hike Sky Chutes to 12,866 ft... They made it, but James almost died on my couch afterwards:

Vail sunrise:


Lenny, Kevin, and James nearing the top:


James at 12,866 feet above sea level:


View of Copper Mountain from the top of the Sky Chutes:

weekend parties

Ryan and Elena were over on Saturday night for a bit of a BBQ:


Meghan and I went to a Rockies game with Dan and Brienne:

busted

Current music: The Postal Service - This Place is a Prison

I was lokoing at my webserver logs this morning and I came across 3marketeerproductions hitting me a fwe times. After a little investigation I discovered it is a spammer by the name of Tom Horn. He is from Michigan and the Spam Huntress has already picked him out... see here.

Anyway, here is the whois info:
Registrant:
3 Marketeers Productions
485 Central
Pontiac, MI 48341
US

Domain name: 3MARKETEERSPRODUCTIONS.COM

Administrative Contact:
Horn, Tom 3Marketeers@comcast.net
485 Central
Pontiac, MI 48341
US
248-232-0635 Fax: 000-000-0000

This guy appears to be a real loser.

Feel the burn

Current music: The Mars Volta - Cygnus....Vismund Cygnus - Sarcophagi

This morning I got up at 6am and headed out with Jeff, Tasha, Megan, and Scout to hike Quandry Peak (14,265 ft or 4323m). We conquered it. Such a sweet hike and unbelievable view from my first Colorado 14er.

Jeff and Megan gunning for the peak:


Megan taking a snooze:


Views to the west from the peak:


Yeah, we did it suckers:

errand day

Current music: U2 - Gloria

Finally went to the DMV this morning and got a Colorado drivers license. About time huh? There was no line! I couldn't believe it...

I also took my bike to the shop to get the front wheel fixed. The rim is bent, but only slightly and Jeff (the guy at Colorado Bike Service) was able to true it up.

Now it is work time... Ugh.

Mill Creek and Vail's Back Bowls

Current music: Twothirtyeight - The Bathroom is a Creepy Place for Pictures of Your Friends

Yesterday Dan, Jeff, and I rode up Mill Creek Road to Joint Point, through the Back Bowls to Patrol Head Quarters, then the Grand Traverse to Eagles Nest, then down the front side doing a combination of trails... Here are some shots:

Jeff and Dan approching Mill Creek Road:


Dan at Joint Point:


Vail's Back Bowls:


Jeff and Dan taking in the views:

Pictures from Booth Falls

Current music: Twothirtyeight - Rhythm & Blues

Ryan, Elena, and I hiked Booth Falls on Sunday... Here are a few shots: