Soundboard, The Purple Experience at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

Last taper run for Megan before Disney World, Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, Minnesota

This week we stopped at one of the few spots in Minnesota that has snow right now – Giants Ridge in Biwabik. Of course most of that snow was artificially made, but you really couldn’t tell. The quality was great – not icy and very few bare patches. It helped that there was a dusting of real snow overnight, but overall I was very happy with my first day out this season.

After the big crash last year at Lutsen, I now judge the success of a ski trip by whether or not my face gets smashed on something. The new helmut makes me a little more confident, but I’m still not as agressive as I used to be. I’m slowly coming around to the fact that I should probably dump the ancient straight skis and get something more modern (and safe), but cost is a huge factor right now.

Speaking of cost, I experienced a bit of sticker shock at the front desk. I was hoping Giants Ridge would have a reasonable beginners package available, as one of the kids had never skied and another needed a refresher after not skiing for a few years. All I wanted was a bunny hill lift ticket, rentals and a short group lesson for a reasonable price (say $50?), but they didn’t offer anything like that. I bought four lift tickets, three rental sets and taught my own group lesson and it was $250. Add in several visits to the cafeteria and it was a very expensive five hours.

A few other downers: spoiled kids, rotten parents, cursing teenagers, greasy chalet food, lack of sunshine, cold winds and frozen extremities.

But I still love the actual sport of skiing – there is really nothing else like it. Freedom to move at your own pace, a connection to the outdoors, the feeling of “beating” winter, spending time with my kids and an adrenaline rush you don’t get from running or golf.

You will never confuse Giants Ridge with Colorado, but compared to other ski areas in Minnesota, it’s fun. I still prefer Lutsen, but Giants Ridge is only a half hour from work. Both of them could use some high-speed, detachable chairlifts, though – the old style chairs take soooo long…

You’re never gonna make a billion dollars dancing like that…

It sucks you in…

Today I had a clerk ask for my ID when paying with a credit card and she said:

“You were born the same year as my dad, but you look a lot younger than him – he has silver hair.”

Not sure if I should feel good about that or not…

Judge Reinhold is neither a real judge, nor has he received acting’s highest honor…

The Bay Muffin with tri-tators, Baystreet Grill, Fortune Bay Resort Casino, Tower, Minnesota

Birch Point sign, Lake Vermilion, Minnesota

http://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/pebble-beach-golf-links/live-golf-cams/hole17

Tower, Minnesota

Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it’s time to sing along…

Kid tree decorating, Batinich Ranch, Lake Vermilion, Tower, Minnesota

Splitrock State Park, Lake Superior North Shore, Minnesota

Steve Holt!

I’d have to get up pretty early in the morning to get drunk by 1 o’ clock.

Dorothy and Toto doll for kid two, Christmas 2011, Eagan, Minnesota

Kid one and her box-o-ramen, Eagan, Minnesota

http://www.ruelala.com/

So he took his dog Max, and he took some black thread, and he tied a big horn on the top of his head…

Lunch with the kids, Cossetta’s on West Seventh, Saint Paul, Minnesota

My friend Terry was kind enough to give me a tour of the KTCA/TPT studios in downtown St. Paul tonight. I’ve driven by that building for years, but had never been inside. It was also pretty cool to see the new central corridor light rail lines in the street outside.

Terry does lots of different things at the station, but I seem to have forgotten most of the “official” titles. I got to see the air control center, most of the sound stages, a number of edit bays, a recording booth, their cool autograph wall and the IT and marketing departments.

I was really impressed with all the digital workflows – can’t imagine how that all worked using tape. Lots of encoders/decoders, IP and fiber connections, giants DVRs and tape storage, time servers, sweet video monitors and satellite feeds all come together to bring 24/7 programming to your TV (more photos after the jump).

Thanks Terry!

Email from the New York Road Runners announcing the 2012 NYC Marathon lottery.

Don’t want your bullshit, just want your sexuality…

http://www.tintin.com/