California (Pt. II)

Songs, and music in general, seem to (in some cases) provide, or at least, confirm our aspirations and dreams in life. Point in case, listening to Mason Jennings "California (Pt. II)" has convinced me that, at some point in the future, I need to purchase some land in Northern California, preferably on the Mendocino County coastline, and build a yurt there. A yurt because they're cheap, and if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I won't really have any substantial money... ever... in my life. Which is, coincidentally, a good thing. I don't know if Mason Jennings could have said it more perfectly... just got to go somewhere where the air is clean, north of San Francisco, where the next nearest neighbor lives miles away, and the surf is empty and (often) shitty. Which is just fine by me. Because I suck at surfing and probably always will. But, if
no ones watching who cares, right? That and Mendocino County is beautiful. The way the hilly farmlands roll into the ocean or, conversely, drop into sheer, ragged cliffs that border Highway 1. Either way, it's fucking gorgeous. In fact, I remember whistling this song ("California (Pt. II)) aloud the entire Mendocino county portion of my Pacific Coast bicycle trip. It's like you come out of the mountains at Legget (at around 50 mph on a fully-loaded touring bike) and, instantly, you run right into the churning Pacific. And, better yet, there are no people, besides the occasional touring RV. It's like most Californians don't realize that the Northern California coastline, in actuality, does exist. Just farms, waves, and wind. The good, simple life. But, I digress. In conclusion, I can't express a more fulfilling way to spend (at least a portion) of life just getting away from it all, living simply, maybe growing some crops, and surfing. This is one of my, I guess you could say journeys/adventures, in life. And, hopefully, after glacial/ice sheet melt-off due to climate change has elevated ocean levels enough so that they buttress the Sierra Nevada's, then I can surf and ski; all within the same day! Totally kidding. Climate change ain't nuthin to joke on, son.

"I'm gonna stay away from LA, stay far away from there..." Mason Jennings - California (Pt. II). ZING!!!

Life... and Reflections on a Mediocre Ski Season.

The success of ski seasons is transitory. It is never consistent. One season can be great... landing tricks, no injuries, good crew to ride with, etc. while the proceeding season can be terrible, usually due to the lack of the aforementioned characteristics. That being said, this season was mediocre. In fact, the season really didn't even start until late-February for me. And a couple of these weeks were downtime, due to a couple of injuries, not serious but just annoying enough I couldn't really ski until they had healed. I bruised my ribs in mid-March. That kept me off the snow for a good week. Then, a week away from closing day, I got a concussion which essentially ended my season. I continued to ski, but had to be extra careful and only ski short amounts of time because I started to get super dizzy towards the end of the day. Accomplishments this season; meh. I feel like I regressed from last season. Only around 5, 4 landed, cork 7's this year, not a single 9 (these are the basis for rating my seasons) ... one which resulted in bruised ribs. Anyways, next year... I'm already stoked. It's gonna be a good one. I plan on actually moving to a ski resort, working and skiing all winter... it will hopefully be my first "full" ski season since I went to San Francisco for college, plus the Boise Boyzzzz are due to reunite and winter is as good of time as ever. So fuck it, mediocre season but high hopes for the next one... that, in itself, should last me until next November.

I feel like I haven't really kept up with much people since leaving SF, even though I promised myself I would. As everyone knows, I'm simply terrible at any long-distance communication and I really promised myself I'd make an effort. Fail. I'm starting to miss SF. It's taken a good portion of March to realize it, but since skiing has ended here and I've sunk into a type of post-skiing depression for a week or so (it's a actual disorder, ask any skiier/boarder) and, now, since I have nothing to keep the days filled, it's only intensified. So, hopefully, as soon as I can get some things worked out, I'll be back in SF.