SNOWBOARDER 1: Are you on Facebook?
SNOWBOARDER 2: Yeah... aren't we friends?
SNOWBOARDER 1: I don't know.
SNOWBOARDER 2: Dude, yes we are, you wrote on my wall.
Some conversations transcend time, not this one. This could only have taken place within the past year, the year of the Facebook phenomenon. Facebook has become the world's default social networking site, and only because I wonder what will become of it years from now, I am noting it's significance here. today. now.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Newest Ski Bum
Sanjay is now officially a skier. Here's the classic ski-school-pose photo, only I didn't pay $25 for it. :)
After only 2 lessons at the beginning of January, we had no expectations for this weekend in the mountains. I really was prepared to spend the entire day on the bunny hill, tow rope even. However, we were pleasantly surprised when Sanjay skied with strong legs, no fear and a great attitude all afternoon long. He even got upset with me during one stretch where I didn't take him through the trees. He did so well and earned so many compliments from Mom and Dad that Priya grew very jealous and turned on a lovely, most unpleasant attitude. Precisely the attitude which causes Mommy to loose it and Daddy to break off with Priya alone. Only he knows how to deal with the attention-seeking, feelings-burned female. Lord knows... he gets lots of practice with me.
Feeling optimistic after Saturday's skiing, we decided to hit the big mountain (Vail) on Sunday. This video shows us at the top of China Bowl at about noon, if I remember correctly. About 10 minutes after the video was shot, the day fell apart. The top part of this bowl was a little much for Sanjay, the beginner. Although he managed to get down most of it without falling, the burden on his little legs was too much. Even with frequent breaks, his legs were burning. He started crying and kept repeating “I don't like China Bowl”. The promise of easier trails once we got down to the chair lift didn't seem to help.
Near the bottom, he just plopped down and was done. Hmmm.... we were still quite far from the bottom and our salvage, the chair lift. What to do? Bartee was about 100 yards downhill from us and was prepared to carry Sanjay, but I had to get him down there. Coaxing the little guy to even stand up was very difficult, but I finally managed. Holding him under his left arm and letting him ski just uphill from me, we started down... as I approached Bartee our speed had increased and Sanjay's ski was completely on top of mine and for whatever reason, I could not dig my edge in to stop, so I let go of Sanjay hoping he'd land somewhere near Bartee and I proceeded to fall flat on my bottom. Now, mind you, this was a fairly steep part of the slope... so when I landed, gravity took over and I slid. Far. Unable to turn any part of my body or ski equipment into a brake. Priya watched the whole thing from a little farther downhill, and got quite a kick out of seeing Mommy slide out of control for those 20 seconds. I know because she told me all about it later. At this point, I was too far downhill to get back up to Sanjay and Bartee to offer any help. So, Bartee popped Sanjay's skis off and took them downhill a little past me. I went down to meet him and Sanjay slid on his bottom down to us. From there, Bartee held him, I held the skis and we all made our way to the chair lift. Next stop, Two Elk Lodge for some grub.
Unbelievably, Sanjay was not scarred by this experience and he was more than willing to hit some easier trails after lunch. Turns out though... as much as his mind wanted to do it, his legs just didn't have the energy. After lunch, we probably made it half way down the mountain and ended up having to take a chair lift the rest of the way. So, we learned the hard way his limits and will certainly keep that in check the next time we hit the slopes.
These are the videos that are referenced in this post (in case you find it easier to just view them here):
After only 2 lessons at the beginning of January, we had no expectations for this weekend in the mountains. I really was prepared to spend the entire day on the bunny hill, tow rope even. However, we were pleasantly surprised when Sanjay skied with strong legs, no fear and a great attitude all afternoon long. He even got upset with me during one stretch where I didn't take him through the trees. He did so well and earned so many compliments from Mom and Dad that Priya grew very jealous and turned on a lovely, most unpleasant attitude. Precisely the attitude which causes Mommy to loose it and Daddy to break off with Priya alone. Only he knows how to deal with the attention-seeking, feelings-burned female. Lord knows... he gets lots of practice with me.
Feeling optimistic after Saturday's skiing, we decided to hit the big mountain (Vail) on Sunday. This video shows us at the top of China Bowl at about noon, if I remember correctly. About 10 minutes after the video was shot, the day fell apart. The top part of this bowl was a little much for Sanjay, the beginner. Although he managed to get down most of it without falling, the burden on his little legs was too much. Even with frequent breaks, his legs were burning. He started crying and kept repeating “I don't like China Bowl”. The promise of easier trails once we got down to the chair lift didn't seem to help.
Near the bottom, he just plopped down and was done. Hmmm.... we were still quite far from the bottom and our salvage, the chair lift. What to do? Bartee was about 100 yards downhill from us and was prepared to carry Sanjay, but I had to get him down there. Coaxing the little guy to even stand up was very difficult, but I finally managed. Holding him under his left arm and letting him ski just uphill from me, we started down... as I approached Bartee our speed had increased and Sanjay's ski was completely on top of mine and for whatever reason, I could not dig my edge in to stop, so I let go of Sanjay hoping he'd land somewhere near Bartee and I proceeded to fall flat on my bottom. Now, mind you, this was a fairly steep part of the slope... so when I landed, gravity took over and I slid. Far. Unable to turn any part of my body or ski equipment into a brake. Priya watched the whole thing from a little farther downhill, and got quite a kick out of seeing Mommy slide out of control for those 20 seconds. I know because she told me all about it later. At this point, I was too far downhill to get back up to Sanjay and Bartee to offer any help. So, Bartee popped Sanjay's skis off and took them downhill a little past me. I went down to meet him and Sanjay slid on his bottom down to us. From there, Bartee held him, I held the skis and we all made our way to the chair lift. Next stop, Two Elk Lodge for some grub.
Unbelievably, Sanjay was not scarred by this experience and he was more than willing to hit some easier trails after lunch. Turns out though... as much as his mind wanted to do it, his legs just didn't have the energy. After lunch, we probably made it half way down the mountain and ended up having to take a chair lift the rest of the way. So, we learned the hard way his limits and will certainly keep that in check the next time we hit the slopes.
These are the videos that are referenced in this post (in case you find it easier to just view them here):
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)