The Holidays

I'm not big on Christmas presents, Christmas decorations, Christmas music, or even Christmas cards. I certainly do enjoy these things, but for me, the holidays are all about people: The people you are with and the people you wished were there.

I was lucky to be in the company of friends for the holidays, though I often thought of my many friends far far away. Being snowed in on Christmas day and away from my family, I was able to help Mia plan the usual last minute Christmas dinner party at my house. New and old friends came bearing gifts for the Evil Secret Santa tradition...though none of the gifts were quite as funny as last year.

New Years was a bit different, too. Surprise, surprise: I did not participate in the New Year's Eve Instructor Torchlight Parade. Instead of freezing my ass off at the top of Chair 6 and then snowboarding down an icy hill with flaming road flares in my hands...I watched the parade from below in the company of old friends, Dave, Dane, Bridget & Kristin, and watched the firey red torches come flickering down the mountain. Of course, I joined in on the fun at the GP Grill afterwards. Welcome back Fluro Man Dive Burton! Though there was no Stan Wu jumping onto tables, no JD gulping down face-fulls of soda, and no John Evans screaming about his dead gay son, the free pizza and beer remained a common thread this New Years Eve.

Here's to new and old holiday traditions...






...and to whatever may come in the new year.