Wow

Well.. went snowboarding again yesterday. It was real nice. Ania and her mom joined me on the mountain. I took many pics but again, they will have to wait. But suffice it to say, this is definitly the way to spend the holidays.
But, back to reality, I actually did work all day today. My boss is kind enough to let me work remote.. very remote.. while on this trip..
But right now my wife is calling me to eat soo..
Bye for now..

Europe Rocks!

Hey guys..
Sorry for the delay in posting.. I am having a little trouble with being connected.
The trip over was great. (well, an 8 hr transatlantic flight, coach, has its pitfalls but we arrived safe.)

We had a 5 hr layover in Frankfurt where we found these groovey lounge chairs to nap on. Score. Our flight to Katowice, Poland was a little delayed due to a computer error but hey, I don’t mind chillin’ in Europe.

So.. the ride from the airport to the house in the mountains was an adventure. If you've ever been to Europe you know that the cars are very small. No ridiculous SUV's with soccer Moms driving them who have no f'in reason to have a eco-harsh vehicle that size.. But I digress.. Ania's moms small VW Polo held all of our luggage, plus 30 lbs of bacon. Go Polo! We got a flat tire on a very busy highway. But I must say, I had the tire changed in no time but I was afraid of being attacked by a roaming band of Polish cats (bacon).

So the first day we went into town, Bielsko Biala, and got haircuts. My cut was done in no time but Ania and her mom were pampered for 2.5 hrs. It was perfect for me because I got a chance to walk around and take photos. I took many but can't dream of posting them with a dial up connection. Will have to wait, but here are 2.




The fish is a carp. There were these nylon fish pools set up in town with people selling carp. It is a Polish tradition to eat carp on xmas eve. I tried to ask the guy if I could take pictures in Polish, but of course he spoke English. He said he had been to America before. I asked where and he said Aspen. So I started picturing fish-man hanging out in Aspen with all the other celebrities. aaanyways..


There was also a guy with an organ grinder. I tipped him to take his photo. Of course I meant to give him a dollar but instead, gave him 7. Oops. Not used to the Polish zloty. I imagined him toasting me at the pub later something like, "here's to the kind gentleman with such a big heart on xmas.." a.k.a. stupid tourist.

Christmas eve was killer. There is an incredible amount of snow here. We ate, drank, played cards, and just had the best time. Then came today.. Xmas. I decided to check out the mountain and see what the snowboarding is like.
Wow. 2.5 feet of freshie powder. Like a dream. And the mountain is frikkin' huge! Basically, I was a rock star on the mountain today. No repercussions of big airs if you don’t make the jump because the powder is your landing. So, needless to say, I will be on the mountain a lot this next 3 weeks. (I forgot that my camera battery was charging and spaced it. I will take some pics of it tomorrow.)

Hope you all had a merry xmas.

Ciao..

Wal*Mart Santa is foul..

Let me begin this by saying that a few months ago I bought a Red Hot Chilli Peppers cd from Wal*Mart. It was edited. What asshole at Walmart feels he has the skills to edit a highly produced cd from a band that is outstanding! FU WalMart. I hate you.

So when I came across this I was elated. Crafty people have hacked the walmart dancing santa purchasable at any Walmart. Ohh the joy.. see the video here.

So.. everyone who has the skills.. I urge you.. Buy it, hack it with horrible obscenities, and return it :) Merry Christmas Wal*Mart

Poland .. doesn't suck

Hey people. For those of you that know me, this is not new news. Yes I am going to Poland for the Holidays again and I can't frikkin' wait.

If you grew up in the eighties like me you're probobly a product of the cold war and think Poland is covered in barbed wire, everything is black & white, cold as a mofo, and people are stupid. My thoughts.. the more Westerners that think that way the better because it will keep them from traveling to what is actually the Jewel of Europe. Call me selfish, but I dont think a bunch of obnoxious tourists would be best for my buzz over there :)

Instead I will cherish this Holiday season with my wife's family and yes.. snowboard my ass off in the mountains in the picture above. The place is called Zakopane (zak-oh-pah-neh). The site is in Polish but if you click here you can go straight to the image gallery.
The snowboarding in Poland is phat as hell and not expensive. I can actually see the lift from our bedroom at Ania's moms house, but I've said to much. Westerners are packing their bags. (strike that from the record)

To my friends and family.. Happy holidays.. We love you guys and wish the best for you.
..and check this blog often these next few weeks, I intend to post a travel diary here complete with supa'-phat pictures from my new camera. (And who knows, maybe Ania & I will get stranded in a strange country again like last time..)

Bye for now..

Mike

English Rules!

inspired by a joke at ebaumsworld.com

It Rubs The Lotion On It's Skin

My new favorite song is this one from The Greenskeepers. I heard it a while back, but then heard it again the other night on the TV show Greys Anatomy (which is a great show). But check it out.. This song is super catchy. I found the video on transbuddha.com.

View Video Here