Yesterday and today is the 2009 Special Olympics State Games for Colorado.  I again had the privilege and honor of attending this marvelous event.  My role in all this is to ensure my athlete gets where they need to be on the mountain at the right time, to provide moral support, tons of enthusiasm and and to offer any kind of coaching advice that might be needed. The last part was a bit tough for me since I was assigned a knuckle dragger snow boarder to spend the day with.....and I only ski.  

It really was awesome.  I know my athlete from ESRP.  She's a super fun 26 year old lady, who was thrilled to be paired with me (I was thrilled as well)....we yak'd and yak'd and yak'd on the lift, about all kinds of girl stuff, our sports training and just life.  She faces challenges that I don't on a daily basis with such energy, joy and a sense of humor.  Here's a picture of us waiting for her run...and just for the record she does wear a helmet, it's just off for the picture!

After the races we all got cleaned up for the evenings fun....which starts off with an athlete's banquet (Here's Jacquie, Pete and Me after desert).

Next is the athlete parade!  With all the flashbulbs going off you'd think Angela Jolie was on the red carpet!  But no, it's just our Athletes!!!  

Here's some of our crew waiting to be called....

After some brief ceremonies (after all we are outside and it was snowing!) the Copper Ski Instructors form a torch light parade down the slope...It's the coolest thing to watch....next year I need to find out how I can do this!  Surely they need one more person to carry torches down?  

And after that a great fireworks show....(doesn't my iPhone take surprisingly good pictures??)

Last but not least is a big dance!  This is the high point of the evening for many of the athletes.  I hung out for a bit and then let the younger generation carry on into the night...well, at least until 10 pm when it's over.  I don't know how they all do it!  What a great day...

....aka Me yesterday. 

TT and I spent the day at Copper Mountain checking out the absolute beauty the recent snow storms created.  The views at the top of the lifts were just stunning, breathtaking, jaw dropping.  Here's TT checking out the view off the Storm King Poma lift.  

We skied lots of different terrain....Copper Bowl, Union Bowl, Resolution Bowl and some cruisers.   It was exhilarating.  The snow was soft and there were hidden stashes of powder, which I felt the need to explore in detail.  Did you know if you fall into really deep powder it:

a)  doesn't hurt in the least, it's actually really comfy

b) as you land you might hear a giant "woosh" and then a mushroom cloud of powder rises and slowly settles over you like a blanket

c) it is ALOT of work to get yourself out of that comfy little spot....I had to take off both my skies, undo my poles, and then crawl like a worm on my belly to get to firmer terrain.  

d) it is just a spectacular experience!!!

Here's me after one of my snowball experiences -

Yesterday another famous person died skiing with out a helmet.  Natasha Richardson was the most recent "celebrity" to pass away tragically, and maybe needlessly, by choosing to not protect her head.  Sonny Bono and a Kennedy Clan member were two others famous names over the past few years to pass away helmet-less.

I'm going to get on my soap box now, so people, be prepared.

Celebrities are not the only ones to not wear helmets.  As frequent readers know, skiing is my winter passion and I spend a tremendous amount of my free time on the slopes.  I continue to be SHOCKED by the number of people, probably very intelligent folks, who choose to wear a beanie or fuzzy head band in lieu of a brain bucket, which is PROVEN to offer significant protection of death, or a serious brain injury.   

What are people thinking?  I hear a million excuses.  People perceive that they loose visibility wearing a helmet.  They think they won't be able to hear as well.  Even though people won't admit it, they think they don't look as "cool" in a helmet.  What is up with the parents who ski with their kids, who are wearing helmets, and they are not?  What kind of example is that?  Do as I say, not as I do???

For all these and other "excuses" I say GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!  PUH-LEASE!!!!   None of these excuses are even close to true.  

Now, have you ever spent a few hours with someone who has a cognitive brain injury?  Here's an idea of what you might expect if, maybe worse than dying, you survive a bump on the head with a brain injury.  

First, you may have trouble walking because your balance is off.  You might not be able to work more than a few hours a day due to blurry visions, headache or just not being able to function like you used to....you may have to quit your high paying job and join a company that provides employment opportunities to the disabled assembling gift baskets for the welcome wagon folks.  You may have paralysis on part of your body.  You may spend your day eating jello through a straw....and, here's the kicker, you absolutely know with out a doubt that this level of functioning isn't how you used to be.  Nope, not even close.  How do you think you'll manage that level of frustration????  Hmmm.  

So, WAKE UP PEOPLE!  Get a helmet before you step foot on the slopes.  If you can afford to ski you can afford a helmet.  While there are some pricey ones out there, you can get hooked up for well under $!00, especially this time of year.  

Check out my last few posts and see how totally gorgeous, hot and sexy I look in my helmet.  And, SMART.   

Ok, I better log off now, I'm all fired up and I don't want to start blogging about how !*#^% angry I am about the AIG bonus.... 

In my previous post I neglected to mention that Saturday was Retro Ski Day at Eldora.  The mountain was a sea of neon colors, crazy outfits, many of us reminiscing of the good old days.  

Me, on the other hand, had absolutely zero neon ski outfits in my closet, but I do still have my ski bunny outfit.  Black stretch pants, and a bright red puffy jacket with a wide belt.  Totally out of style and not really a good look. I decided to go with this....until I couldn't find it.  I had to resort back to my college memories....skiing in jeans and a big old flannel shirt.  I went from ski bunny to Paula Bunyon in the blink of an eye.   

Good Gracious!  Where is Babe, my blue ox????? 

Today I'm taking a vacation day...that is after taking my 0'dark thirty conference call.  I'm heading up to Eldora to spend the day teaching at our Disabled Veterans program.  I'm so thrilled I can participate with these great men and women.  I was up a few weeks ago and the rewards were invaluable.  

This year ESRP was awarded a grant by the US Olympic committee which allowed us to expand our program and offer this opportunity to any disabled veteran free of charge.  Today we have 11 or so veterans up to ski, many coming down from the VA Hospital in Cheyenne Wyoming.

I better run.  I don't want to miss a moment of today with these folks!   

I was quite horrified to find I haven't posted an update since early February!  Come on, I know that February is the shortest month, but how lame of me not check in just a few times, especially with all the great stuff going on.  

This last month has been really fun.  Work has kept me hopping (I am not complaining, just stating a fact) and it is ski season.  Need I say more?  Every weekend is spent in the pursuit of good snow.  Either free skiing with the girls at Aspen, or teaching at ESRP, the disabled ski program.   This year has been a bit tough...while the rest of the country has been getting hammered with snow, Colorado isn't...the temps in Boulder have been unseasonably warm, which is lovely but not right, and the mountains just plain need more of the fluffy white stuff.

So, to summarize the last month I've posted a series of pictures taken - Skiing Aspen, Hiking Boulder, and a couple of shots from day's I've taken off as vacation to ski with some of our Disabled Veterans at ESRP.

 Aspen/Snowmass:  Longshot Run (5.3 miles top to bottom...hiking required to get to the run)

 View of the Maroon Bells from Aspen/Buttermilk 

 Hiking with the Boys...

 Emma and me....

 Jason and me, one of our Vets

 How can you not just LOVE Ray's ski smile????  

Ok, that's all for now...thanks for stopping by.... 

In the summer I sometimes forget how much I love to ski....but people, now that it's winter, I recall that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE skiing.  

Last weekend I spent the day at Eldo in a ski clinic working on my own technique.  Sunday was girls ski day at Breck.  This weekend is two days at Eldo...one free skiing, and supervising at ESRP.  

I am just feeling so fortunate that I live where I have world class skiing right in my own back yard....hopefully I'll take a long enough break to get some pictures to post! 

My badly trashed feet continued to decline, precipitating a trip to the local urgent care.  I won't go into gruesome details, but suffice it to say that the blistered areas are more inflamed and were definitely in need of professional attention.  

Apparently I hadn't given any thought that this visit might hurt....and yes sir, it did....my heart rate is still racing, and my adrenaline is still shooting through out my body....I hope that by sharing this experience a bit I can chill out!  

The doctor, who seemed really nice in the beginning, dug her q-tip around in the infected area to try and get a sample.  She then poked hard on both of them trying to make sure there was no fluid in the inflamed area.  This was followed by the nurse, who seemed really nice in the beginning too, coming in and scrubbing cleansing the wounds and then bandaging them.  At this point all is well, right?  

Absolutely not!  Yes, drop the drawers and roll over for a sharp stick in the backside of some antibiotic which he promised me I would hate even more tomorrow!  All this for self inflicted fun...

At least my pedicured toe nails look good. 

I just returned from one of my most special winter activities.....our annual hut trip! 

A group of my long term friends and I head into the Colorado back country each winter to get away to one of the 10th Mountain Hut's that sprinkle the mountains between Leadville and Aspen.  This area was used in WWII to train our Alpine soliders....in the 10th Mountain Division.  This was their training ground. 

What's amazing about our three days away is that we just disconnect.  No e-mail, no cell phones, no stress of everyday life.  We take a small step back in time, melting snow for our water, cooking over a wood stove, shoveling and shoveling and shoveling a path to the outhouse.  We use headlamps at night, or candles.  Days are filled with just "being" in the present, which might mean it's all about just getting to the hut....in our case a 6 mile trip with about 1500 feet of elevation gain to get to Uncle Bud's hut.  Carrying our food and provisions.  Laughing and joking.  Being totally and 100% yourself....after all, you are with people who love you for just who you are, and not any thing else....lifetime friends.   No makeup, showers or shaving.  

Wonderful meals is a focus.  When you are just "being" good eats is key to us.  Our meals could make the food network.  Can you imagine challah french toast, with bananas, pecans, carmel sauce and bacon?  We play in the snow.  Snack.  Nap and read.  More naps.   Life is just soooo good.  

My only downside was severe blisters...in my custom fit boots none-the-less!  But, I still had a GREAT time...how could I not with all that special friendship, love and thankfulness?  Here's a shot of me descending through the magical forest on our way home yesterday. 

Life is good, even with blisters.  May you all experience your own version of my hut trip....peace!   

This is what Boulder looks like right now....yup, white!  No hiking in t-shirts, no road bike riding or cruising with the windows down like 2 days ago....

 Andy and Emma are NOT impressed.  

I'm still recovering from my Today Show hangover but it's time to share more about the amazing day where the Eldora Special Recreation Program was featured by Al Roker with his Lend a Hand program.  I'll apologize in advance for being unable to fully explain how cool the day was...you really needed to be there to get the full effect.

We arrived up at Eldora well before 5 am.  Even though it was before dawn, the place was lit up like a Christmas tree.  Giant spot lights illuminated the area.  The Lend a Hand truck was backed up to our trailer.  The area was teaming with very excited people, me included.  I was blessed with visit from Michigan Mom, Dad and Sis who came out to experience live TV in the Rockies.  Even the production crew was scrambling around. 

One really cool thing about the day was the number of volunteers from Sun that came up to help us create a crowd.  The ESRP program has a very long history with Sun.  At one point in time over 2/3 of all volunteers worked at Sun.  The number of current employees is smaller today, but still very active.  I received tremendous support from the Sun Microsystems Foundation and the Colorado Leadership Committee.  Both organizations helped me publicize this event to Colorado employees, and a huge group of employees got up at the crack of dark to come up and be the "crowd". 

Needless to say it was an emotional event for all of us close to the program.  The adjectives I would use to describe my feelings are:  love, overwhelming gratitude, thankfulness, humility, kindness....you get the idea.

If you'd like to watch a brief clip of the show, click here.  I'd love to hear your comments....

Finally, more to come in another posting.  Lots of pictures, stories and my impression of Al !!

Wow.  I don't even know where to start.  Given my day began at 3.30 am this morning I think I'll write more tomorrow.  However, I need to attach one great picture from this early morning - a crew of Sun volunteers (and my Mom) up to support the amazing Eldora Special Recreation program - what is fun about this picture is all of us from Sun worked together in the same group when I first joined Sun in 2000.

Left to right:  From Sun, Greg Richards (and son),  Steve Simpson (Sr. Director, Global Services Logistics), my Mom, Mary Cay Kosten (Vice President Global Customer Services), Me, and Al Roker....(unidentified volunteer behind me and Al)

Excitement is building around my favorite winter charity.....here is the vague press release that came out from NBC's Today Show (check out my March 9 blog posting for more details!): 

Yesterday was our ESRP Volunteer Appreciation Ski Party. 

I spent part of the day with Hope, one of our junior volunteers.  She and I are buddies, and we did some skiing just on our own, on the big mountain.  Here we are as we finished her first black diamond run of the year!

Believe it or not, the amazing organization I'm affiliated with (ESRP) is going to be featured on the Today Show in April!!  For real, not kidding!  This is the biggest thing to happen to us, ever.  Our all volunteer organization, like so many other worthy causes, struggles each year financially.  Insurance, equipment and just general operating expenses are obscene!  This opportunity of being featured has the possibility of opening so many doors for us it's almost overwhelming. (Did I already say !!! ??)

Al (as in Roker, I figure we'll be on a first name basis soon) will be broadcasting LIVE in April with us.  They will be featuring us for an HOUR on the show.  OMG!!!!  EEK!  HOLY COW!!! 

The NBC film crew was on site Friday and Saturday to capture us giving lessons.  I was asked to ski with Wyatt, a dynamite 8 year old I've been teaching for the last three years.  So, me, Wyatt and my new nipples were filmed late yesterday.  We might end up on the cutting room floor, but it was a treat.  And, so much fun.  Our students were so excited.  Oh, and so were all the instructors.  Can you tell?

Regardless, as the day approaches stay tuned for more info on ESRP on the Today Show.  I'm confident I won't be able to contain myself!! 

On Sunday and Monday over 500 Special Needs Individuals competed at Copper Mountain at the State Special Olympics Winter games.  This event is the culmination of months of hard work, training and significant effort.  Atheletes compete in a variety of events, including Alpine and Nordic Skiing, Snow Shoeing, Snow Boarding, Speed Skating and Figure Skating. 

I was honored again this year to volunteer with the Boulder County Expand program to escort atheletes to the events and provide coaching throughout the weekend.  I also had the pleasure to interact with a group of wonderful giving volunteers.  In addition to the athletic events there is a banquet, opening ceremonies with include a torchlight ceremony, a procession of snow cats, fireworks, dancing and medals ceremonies. 

Words cannot possibly cover they experience.  I've attached a few pictures, which also do not do justice to the joy and love which permeates the air for two full days.....sometime in your life find time and volunteer at one of these events, but be warned, you might get hooked...

Stephanie and I at the start of the Advanced Slalom:

Peter and Wayne at the start of the Intermediate Super G!

Barb and Jackie before opening ceremonies:

Wayne, Pete and Me:

 Atheletes at the queued up a the start of the Advanced Slalom:

 Rock On ROCK STARS!!!

Yesterday I was up at ESRP teaching.  My afternoon student was a delightful young man - he is strong, very capable of skiing - but suffers from severe anxiety in many situations, including yesterday on the hill.  I skied backwards holding his hands, trying to get him to look at my eyes, and to see my smile. All in the hope to make him feel just a bit more comfortable.

We paused part of the way down the hill to practice some breathing exercizes to try and relieve the anxiety.  As he was breathing, I continued to reassure him that I would keep him safe.   I was in the middle of reminding him that nothing had happened to him this far, and that we were fine.

Then, cathunk....just a foot from my right hand shoulder landed a ski.  Some poor kid lost his ski on the chairlift, which happened to be right over where we were standing. 

Fortunately my student didn't notice, but I thought  #%^$@ !!!!!  If this had hit him or me we probably never would have got this brave young man on the hill again.  Jeepers...

Today I had one of those moments where you just pause and are hit dead on with Gratitude.  Gratitude so overwhelming tears come to your eyes...

I was riding the chair lift at Eldora, the host of the NE Regional Special Olympic games, just following lunch.  I had been on the mountain since 7 am, and was the starter on the Intermediate/Advanced Super G event.  We had cycled 45 athletes through the course three times, once for inspection, and twice for timed racing.  In spite of an occasional white out and freezing cold temperatures spirits were high and enthusiasm for living just oozed from everywhere.

So, on this chair lift, with a brief calm in the middle of the winter storm, the feeling of gratitude was overwhelming. 

Thankful that I was alive, and healthy.  So healthy that I could marshall such an event.  So thankful that I have an employer like Sun that not only supports, but encourages activities like this in our communities.  Thankful that I could interact with over 80 different athletes on the course.  Thankful that the team supporting me on top of the hill are some of the most generous, kind and loving people you'd ever want to meet.  Just so much gratitude for so much that I have in my life every single day. 

Yup, it was a good day, a very good day.

Three winters ago I discovered the Eldora Special Recreation Program.  This all volunteer program provides alpine, nordic, snowboarding and snow shoeing adaptive lessons to the disabled in our community.  We serve all people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities, with the focus on Safety, Fun and Learning, in that specific order.  I spend many of my winter weekends as either an adaptive instructor or supervisor.  This weekend was just that, which is why my goal is to stay awake until 8 pm tonight...two days on the mountain have left me totally exhausted, but in a very good way.

I got to see my Special Olympic buddy Mary.  I got the thrill of watching a young boy with Cerebal Palsy swoosh down the mountain in a bi-ski (specially designed alpine equipment for those who need to ski seated).  I got to conjole a young fellow to take his boots off - he had so much fun on his first day ever of skiing he didn't want it to end.  I also got to reconnect with many of the very amazing volunteer who are truly gifted instructors who could teach at any resort in Colorado, but prefer to donate their time and skill to ESRP. 

What a blessing to spend my winter weekends in this environment.  Yup, I am truly blessed.   Doesn't get much better than this, that's for sure. Ok, 22 minutes until I can go to bed! 

Tonight I took Andy and Mikey for a nice walk.  We headed to the "field".  I'm wandering around a wind blown, snow covered pumkin patch full of frozen pumkins that were never harvested, observing the plethora of wild turky tracks, singing the Little Drummer Boy. 

So, is it Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas Eve? 

Based on the wind chill factor and the fact it was dark at 5pm I'm going with Christmas Eve....

As I'm sweltering in the Caribbean on the Big Project I came across some photos from February.   Every year a group of Mountain Friends and I go on one or two "hut trips".  Huts are comfortable cabins that are in remote areas of the Colorado Wilderness.  We ski or snow shoe in with our gear, good food and adult beverages.  This is a wonderful winter experience for me and I look forward to it every year.  Last year we went very upscale to the Shrine Mountain Huts.  These are over the top with indoor plumbing.  Not as rustic as most.  Here's some pictures....the snow looks very appealing now. 

Getting ready to head out:

In the backcountry:

 Packing out:

 I want to lay in the snow and make snow angels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I shared in my last post, my experience at the Special Olympics Winter Game taught me some valuable lessons about spirit, courage, determination and conviction.  The event wasn't just about winter sports, it was about being an athlete, and participating. 

In my new definition, and athlete is not just someone with superb physical abilities.  An athlete is someone with the mindset to do more.... it's competing all day, in spite of obstacles that would make most folks stay home.  It's about doing your best all day on the course, then attending the ceremonies for the event.  And then it's about the DANCE.

While escorting Mary through the ceremonies, I was truly speechless. I now know what it feels like to be a movie star on the red carpet at the Oscars.  We were blinded by the flashbulbs.  The turnout to cheer the athletes and the teams was mind boggling.  The joy on the athlete's faces, the excitement, was indescribable.  I witnessed in wonder as the athletes enjoyed the fireworks display, the bright flashes lighting the faces.  Me, quiet and reflective.  Holding Mary's hand.  Feeling like I had a special invitation to a community where only the most fortunate get a chance to visit.  I am blessed.

 And then, like most fireworks, poof, big bang, they are over.  The athletes moved on to the big event - the DANCE.  I gained more appreciation for human interaction than one would have thought from such an event.  I am totally convinced we could have world peace and stop global warming if these amazing athletes were involved in such issues. 

It goes something like this.  You see someone you want to dance with, you just go and dance with that person.  No hemming and hawing, you just join in.  If you see someone you might like, you give them a hug, then dance. You are always welcomed. You improvise, making dance circle, with some people sharing the middle, but no matter what you don't stop moving.  More capable athletes look after those that need extra attention, even if they don't know that person.  And, you smile.  You laugh.  You keep smiling.

 If you do need to stop moving, you step out side to the tables for a break.  More world peace activities happen here as well. Same goes, if there is a group talking that looks like fun, you just join in.  No hassles, or invitations required.  Just come on over.  Pull up a chair.  Say hi.  And, you are in.  That simple. 

I was truly blessed to participate at the Special Olympics Winter games.  Me, unfortunately, I'm not as much an athlete as the others.  I wimped out, I couldn't make it through the entire dance.  Exhaustion overcame all else -

This winter I coached a blind/disabled ski student at the Special Olympics Winter Games.  I learned more about courage, spirit, determination and conviction from Mary (name has been changed) than from any other experience in my life.  No Joke.  Here's the story -

I volunteer at the Elodora Special Recreation Program  as a Supervisor/Ski Instructor.  Our all volunteer program provides opportunities for individuals with any disability to experience the fun of outdoor winter recreation by learning to cross country or downhill ski, snow board or snow shoe.  The disabilities we see range from cognitive injuries to the brain, development, emotional or learning disabilities, downs syndrome, autism, amputees, cerebral palsy, you name the disability, we work with it. (Ernie, we used your projector for our annual silent auction fundraising event - so this is the story I promised!)

This year I had the opportunity to be Mary's coach at the regional games, as well as the State finals.  Mary has been skiing a long time, she is a regular at our program.  She became disabled as a child due to a severe car accident.  She is legally blind, has developmental and cognitive disabilities, diabetes, as well as physical limitations with her leg and hip.  She loves baseball and football, and can talk batting averages, player trades, and other stats better than anyone I've ever heard.  She, and her companion dog Aggie, spend almost every weekend day at our program.  She rides the bus up from Boulder, and we know she's arrived when we hear the air brakes sound just outside our trailer.   Someone always heads out to help guide Mary in the building.

Mary, Rob (another coach) and I head to Copper Mountain in late March for the big event.  Mary did very well at regionals, making all her gates and skiing well.  Here is a picture of Mary and me on the course at the regional event at Eldora Mountain:

We have two different events, the super G and giant slalom, on different days.   She was determined to do well, and wouldn't consider any other option.  The course was very tough.  She missed a gate, just didn't quite make the turn, and missing a gate means you are disqualified from that event.  But, no, not Mary, she refused to be disqualified. 

She climbed back up hill, then skied backwards to me, and made the second pass. This is activity alone is amazing given her phyical challenges, but what I haven't mentioned yet is that her ski tips are bungeed together because of her weak leg. And she did this 4 times, each time we missed a gate. She wasn't willing to quit.

It was an honor for me to participate, and extremely humbling. 

More to come:  opening ceremonies, and the dance.  (Yes, dance.  After all this exhausting fun competition on the slopes, there is a rockin' party - all the athletes and coaches enjoy a huge dance.  The athletes stayed till the bitter end, but I'm was a wimp!  Couldn't make it through the party!)

First, thanks to skrocki  for the tip as I was "Struggling in blog-land".  As a non-techno person I like the easier way to do this!  Thank YOU!!  I still have a long way to go to be a competent blogger, but your hints were a big help! 

As a skiing adict, I've been blessed with a number of amazing days on the slopes this year.    Saturday was Girls Day Out at Copper Mountain.  Copper is my favorite Summit County resort, and over the last week they got 30" of fresh snow.  April is usually a big snow month for Colorado, but sometimes we don't get to take advantage of it like yesterday.  The sun was high, not a cloud to be seen, screaming bright blue sky, and all that fresh snow.  In spite of the 60 degree temperatures the snow held up and conditions were the best I had all year. 

We started the day a little later than I would have liked....we had a fair amount of debate on what time to depart for the mountain.  "E" sometimes finds it painful to be up before 9 am on the weekends, so it took some arm twisting to get her to agree on a 7.30 am departure. 

"L" my yogi gal pal is an extremely competent boarder and she pushed me just a bit more than I might have pushed myself.  The highlight of my day was my first descent down Union Bowl - an extremely steep double black diamond run.  We had to hike that last bit off the chair to get to the summit, and it was only then that I had a severe case of nerves.  But, after some clucking like a chicken on my part, and some coaxing from "L" I made it off the edge onto the craziest funnest place I've ever found myself on with skis!  While I didn't exactly rip it up, I had a great time and made it down in one piece. (bonus!!)

I don't think Warren Miller will be calling me anytime soon to star in a ski flick.  Good thing I love my job at Sun!