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So – Gavin and I will be boarding over the next few days. He’s been a few times now, had a few private lessons. I told him a few times ago that once he’s comfortable (using edges, etc), we can look at getting him his own board rather than renting.

I have Burton Step-Ons. Boots and Bindings. Comes from when I learned in the late 90s when I had Device Bindings (same – but much earlier – concept). I loved them. And migrated to Burton once I started boarding again (15 years later – kids made it hard, but now I can take them).

So – Gavin and I will be boarding over the next few days. He’s been a few times now, had a few private lessons. I told him a few times ago that once he’s comfortable (using edges, etc), we can look at getting him his own board rather than renting.

I have Burton Step-Ons. Boots and Bindings. Comes from when I learned in the late 90s when I had Device Bindings (same – but much earlier – concept). I loved them. And migrated to Burton once I started boarding again (15 years later – kids made it hard, but now I can take them).

So – in prep for this week, I used the Burton rental service. They ship you a board, bindings, and boots – with a return label. Cheaper and easier than getting locally on the slopes.

Today, the board and gear arrived.

WOW – Brand New board (still in shrinkwrap), Brand New bindings (I know, because when I bought the same one a few years back, they arrived the same way with all the same pac

So – in prep for this week, I used the Burton rental service. They ship you a board, bindings, and boots – with a return label. Cheaper and easier than getting locally on the slopes.

Today, the board and gear arrived.

WOW – Brand New board (still in shrinkwrap), Brand New bindings (I know, because when I bought the same one a few years back, they arrived the same way with all the same packaging, etc), and Brand New boots (not used). HOWEVER …

As we unpacked everything (I was unwrapping the board while Gavin was trying on the boots – 1st one fit perfectly), Gavin said … “I think they sent two lefts”.

This was a confusing statement. “What?” I responded.

“The left fits great. The right seems like another left.”

I went over to look as he was putting the other boot on his right foot. Sure enough, we were sent 2 left boots.

How disappointing. Enraging? Everything to that point was perfect. But 2 left boots?

I immediately contacted Customer Service (could only do so via email). Had to cancel the hotel (we live very close to many hills – but I like to get there the night before, hotel, eat, chill, and drive out early to be there at opening).

Where the hell (locally) could I get Step-On boots on rental. Nowhere. The Step-On system is all inclusive – you can’t have any other boot with these bindings. It’s all or nothing.

To make it short – we had to drive to a local shop in ABQ to purchase new boots (damnit – we are going boarding – and he has great equipment otherwise waiting). On the way, I got a full refund of the rental fees. Still have to return everything by the original due date – no problem. But now we have a left and right boot.

Got home, rescheduled the hotel (going to Wolf Creek), and are ready.

Tomorrow, Gavin and I drive to Pagosa … should be awesome Spring Boarding (nice temps, 300+ inches of snow). Reserved 2 nights should we want to do 2 days …

But somewhere in Vermont, there’s a boot-packer I’d like to have a word with …

Was watching the ESPN NFL Honors show on Thursday and a little struck by one segment – “Angry Runs”. This was to award the best running back run of the year. Seems like an unfortunate name, though.

Huh. I just learned that my snowboard (Arbor: Cosa Nostra) shares the same name as the Sicilian Mafia by its members.

I will admit to my ignorance of it’s name when buying it – I didn’t know that. I mean, technically it means “our thing” so there’s that.

Maybe I can just carry it around and get some respect?

fuhgeddaboudit.

Yes – we’re still going to the gym. 4-5 times a week (2 on, 1 off). Tracking in Excel. It’s awesome – feeling really good and we’re keeping each other true.

Now my look-forward is winter … snowboarding. Last year I got the gear (after a long respite – you know, fatherhood) and felt pretty good. This year will be very different.

Can’t wait.

Took Gavin for the day – more to come.

It’s over in a few hours … but, MAN! I love October! NFL, College Football, NBA, MLB Baseball – even Hockey … All On. It’s incredible!

I am in my office and have 3 games on at once … Loving It.

Just had to say it …

So we went to Purgatory ski resort in Durango, CO for Spring Break this week. Just got back last night. The kids are exhausted, which is good.

The first time snowboarding for anyone can be brutal, and their experience was no different. Actually ended in tears for both. Seeing so many whoosh by on their board or on skis is deflating for the first-timer, as one has little context: you don’t realize or understand that those ‘whooshers’ have been up a few times. No one really masters the skill the first time. You spend most of your time getting up from falls.

That clarity came to point on this trip as, even though I hadn’t been on my board for about ten years(!), I only fell a couple of times. My pain was fairly limited to my ankles and knees only – and just a small amount. It’s the repeated falls and getting back up that really makes it painful in the end.

But I lost out on my equipment on the trip. My old Device boots (step-in snowboard boots) finally died. On my 4th run of the day, the back section of my left boot (which holds the bolt which locks into my bindings) ripped off of my boot. I was able to keep the front of my foot in the bindings and hobble my way down about 100 yards. Then, my right one ripped off! I was stuck but was fortunate enough to be near a lift and was able to take the ‘gondola of shame’ back down to the base.

The boots had some sentimental value to me – these were the boots (bindings, and board) that I purchased in Santa Fe years ago when I first started (and experienced the pain that Elyce and Gavin had this trip). What was funny was that at the start of the day, when we were getting dressed to hit the mountain, a kid came by and saw my board and said “whoah – retro! How awesome!”

After lunch with Tina and the kids and $40 later, I had a new set of boots and a board (rental) to finish out the day. But my boots stayed behind as we left Purgatory. But I’m keeping the board!

Watching Saturday Night college football. Saw this. Wow. COMPLETELY turned the momentum of the game. Ducks Win, 51-27.

I saw the below diagram online the other day, and found it interesting. Having lived out of the geography of a clearly defined ‘home team’ (New Mexico, Oregon) for the past twenty years (and being a huge football fan {more-so college, of late}), I have found it interesting to see in what teams the locals root for.

Please know that this is one of my new, all-time favorite pics …

If you missed this game, you missed one of the best games in history.