Blog-dude

With the Christmas season being over it looks as if I will be taking down the christmas lights. I heard from some of my neighbors that they purchased LED rope lights this year. They told me all about the benefits of LED lights, like how they consume very little energy and that the LED lights can last for more than 50,000 hours - that’s 5.5 years for 24 hours a day! They also generate very little heat, causing them to be much safer.

LED rope lights can be used for all sorts of decorating, whether it’s seasonal or full-time - step lighting, handrails, patios, dorm rooms, Christmas parties, you name it. Light ropes don’t get tangled like strings of bulbs and the lower energy costs will even make Scrooges smile. That’s because these LED lights burn about .5 to 1.0 watts per foot compared to 6 or 7 watts from incandescents. You can have bright decorations and still be safe and responsible.

~blog-dude~

I will tell some more about my day at Afton Alps. After the pop-can tops incident, we slipped our gear on and went to the ski and snowboard racks. As I was walking to where I had left my skis, I spotted someone, my size, trying on a pair of skis that looked identical to mine. As I drew nearer, I realized that he was trying to take my skis! I walked up behind him and asked for my skis back. His response was a muffled “oh, sorry”, and he then selected another pair to try on! I asked him if he was sure that the newly selected pair was his and he mumbled an unconvincing “yeah”.

I am still upset about that encounter. I knew that Afton was notorious for equipment theft, but I figured it would never happen to myself. I am going to be sure that I bring a lock along with me next time I go skiing. I suggest that all who read this heed my warning, ski theft does happen!

~blog-dude~

Happy New Year!

I went skiing with my family, yesterday, at Afton Alps. We had a great time and skied for about 6 hours. So much happened while skiing, so it may take a couple of days to post it all!

When we arrived at Afton Alps, we bought four tickets, each costing $37.00. Fortunately I own a pair of skis, so I did not have to pay for rentals. We located a chalet to put on our equipment at and I then realized that I had left my helmet at home. After we got our gear on, we hit the slopes. Afton has 18 lifts, so our goal was to use all of them. We skied for an hour, then met back at the chalet to eat lunch. Being a thrifty family, we packed our own lunches rather than buying over-priced cheap-quality chalet food.

This is a bit off topic, but I have recently started a pop-can top collection. I collect colored pop-can tops commonly found on energy drink cans. Anyway, while we were eating at the chalet, I saw a group of teenagers drinking energy drinks, which has colored pop-can tops. After they finished their drinks I went over to them and asked if I could have the pop-can tops. They thought it was an interesting request, but graciously gave me the pop-can tops. I think that is enough for today. I will be sure to write more in a couple of days.

~blog-dude~

Now that winter break has begun, I haven’t got a whole lot to do. The other night I saw Shrek the Third with my family, it was real funny. Tonight we are going to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3, which is 169 minutes long. Me and my brother shoveled the driveway and sidewalks today since it was snowing all day. It looked like we received around 2½ inches.

Our family went to the mall yesterday and bought gifts to give each other. We are all really excited from Christmas, which is only one day away (if you don’t count today)! Unfortunately, we do not have anybody coming over to celebrate Christmas day with. We do, however, have friends from our church coming over on Christmas eve for fondue. I am really looking forward to fondue, since we only get to have it once a year. My favorite part is dipping apples and such in the chocolate.

~blog-dude~

I had a great time skiing over the weekend at powder ridge. It was pretty close to what I expected, not very big. There were a total of 6 runs and none of them were difficult. For my first time I tried the terrain park. Since that was the first time getting on the slopes so far this winter, I am real excited for more. I am trying to learn how to ski backwards, so that will be my goal this season.

Only Eight days until Christmas! I am so happy to visit with my relatives again and exchange gifts. Our family has yet to buy Christmas presents for each other. We are planning on going out this week though. Even though it seems like it just became the year 2007, I am anxious for the new year.

~blog-dude~