#53 Snow Skiing (Complete)

                                                 Big Boys on Big White

Great things are done when men and mountains meet.

William Blake 

 So I have crossed off number 53 on my list down hill skiing...I'll start by stating that above is a great picture of Geoff and Elliot riding the chair lift.

This was the first time that I've gone skiing in God knows how long, it was amazing I forgot how much fun the rush is of flying down a snow covered hill. Elliot, Geoff and I partook in Big Whites Friday night skiing, I left work early to get up and buy my pass and gear, shortly after the guys met up with me. Its impressive how cheap it was to go...a lift ticket and all my essential gear was only 20 bucks!

The guys were a little late getting to the hill but that was find it gave me some time to practice on the small hill and warm up and make sure I wasn't going to make a complete fool of myself. I find skiing to be a lot like riding a bike or lacing up hockey skates once you have learned how to do it, it doesn't take long to pick up again, I was coasting down the hill in no time. I did a couple runs of the small hill and road the lift with strangers and struck up interesting conversation. One person told me about how their grandmother died of dementia and she felt what I did was noble  (typical). Another lady told me that her and her girlfriends go up to the hill regularly stating it is their night away from the kids ( sounds fun). 

When the guys showed up I was ready to go down the big hill, when we arrived at the top I was immediately impressed with the view...even a night. One thing I really enjoy about skiing...besides doing it with good friends...is that you can choose to do the hill however you like...you can do slow long cuts making a smooth path down the hill....you can try to gun it and catch as much wind as you can...or you can zig zag in and out of trees....In a way it feels like art as you truly are painting the path that suits your mood in that moment.

We rode right up until closing time, when the hill got dark and the winds got cold. Before heading back down the hill we stopped in at the pub to have fish and chips with beer. It's a great way to replenish the body after a hard work out on the legs (did i mention I wiped out really good at the end?). Overall a great night, I'll have to go more often.

The one and only...Koolaid

#16 See a Favorite Band Live (Complete)

The Killers Killed It!

"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato 

Wow this entry is just a bit late, its one of two entries that I forgot to enter, but none the less let me tell you about my night with the Killers! 

When we talk about #16 and seeing a favorite band, it doesn't get much better then the Killers! Sure there's bands I listen to more like the Black Keys (who I also saw) MGMT, Kings of Leon or Monster of Men but I'd have to put Killers at the top of the list. A lot of there tunes remind me of great times in my life, especially the epic trip with my dad down the 101 coast line....."I've got soul but im not a solider!" So needless to say I was dangerously stoked when Jenelle and I got tickets.

The concert started off with Tegan and Sara as the openers, which was surprising disappointing. I've always loved the sister duo and the tunes they produced but it was evidently clear that in a stadium setting there voices can't match the needs of a loud crowd. So its obvious now that to see Tegan and Sara at there best you really need to be looking at small venues. None the less still a fan, you go girls!

When the Killers hit the stage it was everything that I expected it would be. When you think about the Killers you think about Vegas and their roots there. So its to be expected that a Killers show has all the glam of a Vegas act...and they defiantly do deliver. The show was full of amazing lights and fire displays that kept your eyes engaged and entertained, as most concert do, but with Vegas flare. 

The dazzling lights weren't the only treats thought, the sound quality in the Giants arena was very good! The Killers sounded clear and crisp which made it easy for the crowd to sing (or should i say yell) along.

I left the show with a great smile as I reminisced about the memories that the songs drew out of me. Music has always amazed me, its ability to create emotions, and awaken the mind and heart is truly unique. To me music may well be one of humanities greatest creations. 

Anyways I took a few videos and I hope you enjoy them, the sound quality sucks on my camera so my apologies

.

 Rock on!!! Combat Wombat!!!

#18 Whitecaps (Complete)

West Canada 1 East Canada 0 !

"Playing soccer with your feet is one thing, Playing with your Heart is another" ~ Anonymous

Wow its been forever since I did a blog entry! I just want to start by saying I haven't given up on "The List", In fact I've been working on it tons, If you look at the heading above you will notice the progress I've made on more then a few of my list items. Anyways let me tell you about my amazing weekend in Vancouver.

So this Saturday Jenelle and I went to the Whitecaps season opening game against Toronto FC.  It was a amazing Saturday. When visiting Jenelle we don't usually go downtown due to the chaos but it was worth it this time. We had plans later that night to meet up with Beth and Steven for dinner to congratulate them on there engagement. Being the genius that I am, I notice that the Whitecaps season was starting and so it worked out perfectly if were going downtown for dinner we might as well make a evening of it.

The game started out with a hilarious surprise, in the picture above you will see a picture of Kyle on the jumbo tran smiling like a nob! Kyle and I use to play soccer together in Kelowna before I switched teams to the Celtic, the lucky bastard was selected to participate in the opening game coin toss. (Not jealous at all)

I have to admit the first half of the Caps game was a wee bit shocking to say the least, ball possession was horrendous, shots didn't happen as much as they should have and our captain got injured 8 minutes in! Lucky  we had beers in sippy cups to get us through the stress of the first half.

By the time the second half rolled around the Caps nerves seemed to settle and passing and shooting started to flow, and when they finally scored the whole stadium went off like a fire work and the southeast corner were on there feet the rest of the half! The caps totally dominated and Toronto looked not only out of there element but also out of there league. (Grinning ear to ear at this point with my beautiful girl at my side)

The Caps won and that was great, it defiantly added to a already amazing day, it may not have been the most impressive game i've seen but being the true soccer maniac I am, it was without doubt a incredible time. Now that the Caps are in the MLS I think I have to try my hardest to make it to one of there rival games against Portland or Seattle, that would defiantly be a game to watch!

Sincerely one big Caps fan Butch!