My Friend's Throw Great Parties

The latest Ultimate Fighting Championships party, Heather and Ivo's house, February 4, 2006. These people are out of control, and I would appreciate it if you would leave them that way.

Kickin back on the couch, watching the big fight. Poker preparation time, learn the intimidation tips from Chris. Wave money around and use obscene gestures, always gets 'em.

Mexico Teaser Tastes

Think of this post like the little kiosks in the Mexico City airport inside the Duty Free store. You can take all the little tastes of tequila you can handle, but you don't get all the love until you flash the cash.

Here are a few photos I have compiled from Mexico so far...many, many more to come.


This first photo is from Amir. I remember the day, I think it was the last day of comp. I am in the yellow and white glider in the center of the photo...Amir also had another shot like this one that he exposed differently. Looked really cool, like something from Sin City.






Here are some photos of my buddies. The looker in the camo hat is the infamous Nick Greece. Down below, showing off on the RedBull BoomBoomBoom is Keith MacCullough from Canada.

Here is shot from the acro exhibition day. Josh had just completed his first ever d-bag. He did this from a tandem, with about 700 feet of altitude on the Edel Funky. It was perfectly executed by Josh and loved by the crowd. There is some good footage of it out there somewhere. After watching Josh's flight from the air, it was my turn to throw down. This is a photo of me finishing up a fun session on Josh's small Trango I. And below is a post-flight cheers between me and Josh. I love my friends, my passion, my life.

And last but not least, the grand finale. Thanks to everyone who made this possible for me; Eagle Paragliding/AirPlay and the dedication of Rob Sporrer and the rest of the US UP Team, the Monarca comp committees and Juan Carlos, the best launch director ever. .

(and thanks to the Norwegians, for trying to keep me constantly drunk and the Mexicanos for just being great)

Commence Operation Play

It's been a while since I have posted, life has been very busy! Just got home from a paragliding trip to Mexico. Soon I will have stories and photos to post for that trip, but I needed a little time to relax first! Been skiing a lot this winter, and working to prepare for Mexico. Now that is done, it is time for a little playing around. I don't have another big trip until the end of May, so it will be nice to relax. On Sunday, February 5, I had a beautiful day. I had to work at Solitude, but that gives me ski breaks. So I skied on Sunday in fresh powder, drove out of the canyon in the most spectacular snow storm I have seen this year to sunny skies and a calm north wind in the valley. I ditched all plans to run errands and went straight to the Point to fly. I got a smooth, mellow flight in for about 10 minutes and snapped a few shots of the clouds I had just driven out of. I landed at sunset and headed home. After the grueling 2 minute drive home, I went straight into a great yoga session. Then I cooked up some grilled vegtables and settled in for some writing. It was one of those days, where when you are ready to get into bed, you look back and realize that days like that are what life is about. You did fun things that make you happy, interacted with friendly and fun people and played a lot. You took a minute to take care of yourself and felt relaxed and refreshed at the end of the day.

Got to fly yesterday as well for a little while. I love leaving work a little early, just because you know it is going to be good to fly. You miss most of the traffic and cruise to the hill quickly. I stopped by the house, threw on my cold flying duds, grabbed my camera and raced to launch. Another beautiful, cold day of flying on the North Side. February in Utah brings some of the smoothest flying, if you can hang with the cold. My post-work flights are nice, because I generally only get 30 minutes of sunlight, so I can only freeze so much. Had a nice low save last night. I was trying to stay out and take some pictures of the sunset from the air and the wind crossed up quick. I felt indications of the switch earlier, but ignored them and chose to keep flying. One guy had sunk out and two others and landed in sketchy places on the side of the hill (the one guy may still be picking out of the bushes). I had one goal, land on launch. Not at the bottom of the hill and not on the side of the hill. One thing I learned in Mexico was the benefit of learning how to balance patience, endurance and skill to get through a tough spot. There was a little lift drifting crossways up the ridges, so I put all my skills to use and worked the hell out of those little farts. Buddy Wade came to edge and asked if I wanted a ride from the bottom. I said yes, but to not go anywhere until I land because I plan on landing up there. Three minutes later, mind completely focused on that little spot of launch in front of the windsock, I landed in that little spot and right next to Wade. Moments like that are my biggest accomplishments in flying - when I set my mind on something and acheive it. Making it happen because I beleive I can. Some photos from last night...