Underground Al

Sports Cliches that are Applicable

Sometimes life is like a big game or a big series or a big match. That is how I feel right now after being about 1/2 way thru “Operation Really Really Busy”. It’s a tough balance between working hard, having fun and still getting your turns in. I feel that I’ve done a fabulous job thus far….so good in fact that I’m going to give myself a “B+” as a grade.

I’ve certaintly excelled at the partying and I do feel that I’ve worked hard. My skiing is where I’ve been lacking. I’m still on my full season pace although I’ve ventured from my tele/ski/snowboard rotation. I’ve been killing it on the skis lately and have been on them for the last 5 days….I feel that I’ve been killin’ it and at this point in the evening, my opinion is the only 1 that gets to count.

So back to the sports cliches….here’s how I feel so far about the Big White season.
“I’m just taking it 1 game at a time, it’s going to be a long series and I just hope to end it with a “W”.
“They’re a good team and I can’t take anything away from them, I can’t take them lightly and I prepare for them just as I do any other team”.
“There’s no sense looking at the end while we still have all these good teams yet to play, It’s going to be a long hard battle and I just hope to do my best”.
“I’m going to give it 110% every shift I’m out there”.

So, as you can guess, I actually didn’t google anything. I just took those cliches from some files in my head. Some of them may be real, some are fake but by me just typing them…I’m making them real fake.

Now for real–it’s been a remarkable season so far. Plenty of smiling faces and incredible skiing to go around for everybody. If you haven’t enjoyed yourself over the last week then please take this complimentary “never talk to me again” coupon and validate it RIGHT NOW!

So as we say in the industry…so far, so good. Here’s to many more incredible days. If enough people ask, I might even tell you about the Greatest prank ever, I’ve even givin’ you a pre-look at a photo of Mark Hetherington below.

Peace Out–I hope that Santa was good to you and your family.
Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!

Memories & Special Moments.

Well It’s that time o’ year when we really have an opportunity to create some special memories. My OLDER sister, whom I love with all my heart, is always that person taking countless photo’s at an event. My good buddy Gary is also THAT dude. If my house was on fire and I only had to save 1 thing, it would be my photos. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I have a cat or a dog and I’d leave them in the house,….I’m just saying that my pictures are important….hold that thought for a second.

Okay, I’m back..just had to grab a cup o’ coffee. Now what I meant is that pictures are timeless and wonderful. They have the ability to capture a millisecond in your life that you’ll never get to experience again. I guess if you have a time-machine then I’m wrong but until then, I’m right.

Now how did this topic get into my melon this morning? Well, I awoke to some friends voices and that reminded me that we had a killer time last night and then that reminded me that Gary also took pictures which we then looked at. ha-ha-ha some of those pictures are classic!

The greatest gift I’ve ever recieved is one of those incredible ones that you can’t find at any store. My lovely Mother (I threw in lovely just in case she reads this….her birthday is on the 28th and just in case I forge….HAPPY B-DAY MOM!) gave me a collection entitled, “My Life”. It was a history of me and there was a ton of shit that I’d forgotten about. Old love letters from grade 7 when I knew the most about relationships, school report cards….this may surprise you but apparently I’m a bit of an underachiever and I’m not good with attendance…. I know…shocking.

Here’s what I’m getting at. Grab your camera & click away. Capture that moment that you’ll never get to have again. Put the timer on and put the camera on the floor with everybody looking down (Kudo’s to Shane Styles for that one). Take good shots, bad shots and yes, even great shots…just take them and then watch them. Get your picture with Santa every year regardless of what you believe in, just because you can. Big White starts their free Santa pictures for mountain guests today in the VCM. I hope to see you in the line up.

Underground Al saying–Peace Out Hommies & Hommiettes!

Visitors to The Shark Tank

Hurricane Horwitz Approaches Big WHite

Summer hike to the Cliff

Well it’s 4ish in the AM and I can’t sleep. That usually means a couple of different scenarios. A) I’m pretty loaded and just got home. B) I was really loaded, passed out at 9pm and just got up or C) Have stuff on my mind & I’m really excited about something!

The answer Ladies & Gentlemen is…..insert drum roll….”C”. As I was ripping it up with a couple of friends yesterday (won’t mention their names as I handidly beat all 3 down the hill in the Hot Chocolate Invitational), my thoughts began to spread about a certain Hurricane Horwitz arrival and our famous Cliff.

I hadn’t dropped into the cliff yet this year(the upper portion anyways). I had a moment of clarity where I thought, this is just like an old friend that you hadn’t seen in awhile. It only took a turn or 2 before we were totally caught up to date. Man, I love that run. It was a little sketchy for about 5 turns but then it turned into pure giddyniss, the type of smile that just simply cannot be wiped from your face.

I’d spotted Russ & Jade Chritchslow on the right and then Rob Olson on my left…and then to his left, we saw the little break in the rope-line that seperated choppy from soft mashed potatoes. Rob & I got about 10 incredible turns that made me love Cliffy and dream of that day that’s coming where I’ll be first down it with 25 cms choking me every turn.

Now back to the can’t sleep saga. The Horwitz’ aka Hurricane Horwitz is just one of those families that you just have to meet. Full of life & love is how I’d describe their family. Also full of the ability to have a very good time via the “House Specials”. Ask Michael J, Hetherington  or John Mooney if you need a 2nd opinion.

Now here’s where it gets fun. I live at their house here at Big White, It’s an incredible place that I’m VERY lucky to be able to stay at. When the Hurricanes get here (in just over 12 hrs now), I am but a trailer park in the game of life. Meaning that when the “House Specials” arrive, I get spun faster & further than a double wide in Florida.

So if between now & January 10ish you happen to see me early in the morning looking a little frail….please do not approach too fast or yell too loud cause Uncle Al probably got hit by a House Special Hurricane the night before.

Underground Al saying, “If you’re not living on the edge, You’re taking up too much space”.

PS: Picture is of the last time I saw Cliffy. Found 2 skis, I was looking for the 1 in my Left hand. If you own the ski in my Right hand, let me know.

Oh What a Beautiful Tuesday.

Woke up way too early. Even too early to get out of bed so I opted to finish off the Thriller of a novel that I’ve been reading…this master piece is entitled, “Love don’t live here no more- Doggy Tales:Vol 1.” Now I guess it’s my fault for even having expectations when it comes to a novel written by Snoop Dogg and another dude but no book should have to end with “I loaded my gun, cocked it, and held the trigger. The knob turned. The door opened.”

Ohhhhh come on! The really funny thing is that I actually thought I was reading about Snoop growing up and I just found out (right now) that it’s just a novel. A bad one by the way. I don’t even care now what happens when they open the door. I hope they shoot him. All this time I thought that Snoop’s real name was Ulysses, not that I know his real name. Yep, just googled it and it’s Cordazar….wow, another Cordazar in my life.

So after that frustrating waste of time that I’ll never get back and I’m actually punishing you for having to read about it and you in turn will never get that time back, I’m having a great day! Incredible Sunrise this morning. You could feel the crispness of the oranges & red coming up over the Monashees. I never get tired of seeing that.

I chatted about Santa and Make a Wish during my last ramblin’. It turns out that Rialyn had some major issues where he’s been thru too many surgeries to note. He walks though and isn’t in a wheelchair. I got a Santa stand-in at the last moment, my Father came up to visit me and I told him that I have the perfect project for him. He’s such a great Santa, you should have seen the glints in the kids eyes! Incredible…..well worth going to see the magic happen.

The funny moment was when Bill the camera dude asked Santa to do another version of “What do you want for Christmas?’, My father aka Old Saint Nick replied, “Santa doesn’t like scripts…Santa likes to be spontaneous.” I LOVED it.

You would have melted when Rialyn and his little sister Alyssa gave Santa some fresh flower Lei’s that flew with them from Hawaii that morning. I don’t care how tough you think you are, even the Scrooge himself would’ve sniffled when gorgeous little Alyssa put the Lei around Santas neck and said, “I love you Santa!”

Now of course, I couldn’t let a Santa suit sit idle. I’m pretty sure that I’m getting coal for Christmas now but that’s okay,it was worth it….I have a wood burning fireplace here so I can use the coal. Video to follow one of these days and you out there in Underground land that have seen it have all enjoyed it….I have Bill working on it before it goes viral for me.

Underground Al- signing off & saying, “Be Cool, Stay in School”

Christmas is a Coming!

Not too many things make me nervous but I have a massively important task to do today. I was asked a couple of days ago if I’d dress up like Santa and present some gifts to a kid that is involved in a “make a Wish” foundation…or something like that. I guess I’ll get the entire story later today. I think he’s in a wheelchair with some form of a degenerative bone disease. Again, not sure but will get back to you. I did wake up feeling some form of trepidation though.

Now we all know that Jolly Old Saint Nick cannot attend to all his obligations as he’s VERY busy getting ready for his big day to travel the entire globe spreading happiness & goodness (& if you’ve been good….some cool loot). This is a pretty tall order so he relies on volunteer like myself to do cameo’s at malls, outside liquor stores and Yes, even hang out at Big White.

What do I say besides “Ho-Ho-Ho?” (FYI, just googled, “does a ? go inside or outside the quotation marks?” and I wish I could answer it but it looked like way too much work to figure it out officially so I plan on doing both as I really don’t care that much about it….in an unrelated topic…where’s me coffee…oh there it is… well, Hello Mr. Coffee Cup!)

So, “where were we”?…oh ya, Santa talk. I guess I can talk about Ruldolph and Blitzen and Dasher and the rest of the gang. Perhaps I should mention the Old Lady? maybe mention that the sled just got serviced and is running “like a top”. You gotta take care of your ride when you’re traveling about 160 million kms in 1 night you know. Duh, I guess I should ask him what he wants for Christmas….I can’t believe that wasn’t first!

I was asked about Christmas decorations for the Pizza Shop yesterday, Santa today, tons of new snow so I guess that x-mas is coming …ohhhhh, the idea light just came on…they should do a christmas X-games by the way where everybody has to compete dressed up……that’s the kinda world I want to live in!

So in the spirit of things, here’s my all time favorite Christmas tune…..I like the message it sends as well.

Underground Santa, saying Ho-Ho-Ho!

“I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He’ll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again”

Karen’s response to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow…”

Hey Under ground Al- you not ready to fight my girl!
Unless you want to loose an ear, you better stick to playing ukeleles!
That’s King wit a capital K!

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Another stunningly incredible day, if I could find my camera-I’d take a photo as proof to show you. Trust me though, it’s going to be another Kickin’ day! 41 minutes & 2 cups of coffee until the 1rst chair.

Music is what is on my mind the last couple of days. Well, music is usually always around but I’ve been playing a super mellow track list in my head & ipod lately. From The Hip’s “Bobcaygeon” & “Wheat Kings” to Jack Johnson’s “Flake” or over to Ben Harper’s “She’s Only Happy In The Sun”.

If tough to rip up the hill with your body going Mach 3 and your brain staying in the slow lane but it’s been working. I do love listening to an Accoustic guitar, especially when somebody has real talent. My theory is that some people are just simply born more musically than others. I know that you disagree Karen and feel that you can learn anything but I don’t care & I think we should fight. I also don’t care that I weigh more than you by double and have a foot of reach. My point is this; I need a check mark in the win column of my Fight Record and I think you could be it.

I’m currently 0-1-1. Aka, no Wins, A loss in Grade 7 (but that kid should have been in grade 9) and a Tie about 10 yrs ago in SnowShoes (I’m calling it a Tie). So Karen whose last name starts with a “R”…..LET’S GET READY TO RUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBLLLLLEEEEEEEE. I suggest we meet Christmas Day at high noon at the top of the T-Bar! I’ll notify Patrol and your sled will be ready for your ride to see Doc Mike. In the spirit of Christmas, that’s what I’ll give you, a complimentary red toboggan ride …..and Yes, I had to spell-check Toboggan.

But alas, I’m not where I started…again. Music, guitar, sunshine, happiness, rainbows, love and even Ukeleles……. somethings you think don’t go together, just like a massive man with an incredible voice and a Ukelele. RIP IZ.

Karen, I’ll see you at Christmas.

Underground Al saying, Keep it Real Hommies!

0-1-1