Up to stratton mountain with AJ (my boy up from Charleston for this ski trip)  and Kyle. We do the night out bar thing (good times) , wake up a little hungover and drag ass to the mountain. It was negative 10 with the wind chill and the wind was a good 20 mph blowing all the loose snow at us while we hung in the air on the lift (which took a 40min wait on line for this privilege). We did one run and got a refund. Good times.

An Aside –  This was my first ski trip this year because of cancellations of previous ski plans for various reasons.  A few months ago , I pulled all my ski gear from my shed and loaded my car with it , in anticipation of my first trip.  We get to the mountain which is PACKED despite the ridiculous weather.  Its presidents day weekend and families abound.  I pull into a corner cubby room to put on my ski sweater, boots and other ski paraphernalia.  I pull my sweater out of my bag and see that the bottom of it is all chewed up , and has some wood shavings scattered on it.  Damn , I got attacked by a mouse.  I then grab my boots and open up the bindings and stretch out the flaps in anticipation of squeezing a foot into these god-forsaken tight boots.  During this struggle an acorn drops to the floor , devoid of its tell-tale crown.  Confused , I put the boot down on its side to pick up the acorn.  A dozen more acorns fall out my boot and roll across the floor.  Aghast , I dump the boot upside down and no less than 30 some-odd acorns , without their heads , bounce upon the floor like scattered marbles ….. Oh My God !! My boot was infested by a squirrel , I look inside to see if there is anything else and ….SHIT — I toss the boot onto the ground ….damn !! What looked like a dead petrified animal sticking up at me was simply a grey nest of yarn , most likely crafted from another clothing item from my bag.  Freaked me out.  I tentatively stick my hand and arm in boot to remove any other offending obstructions , fully expecting to feel a dead squishy , or a live bitey.  Nothing.  I squeeze my foot into the boot.  Kyle and AJ , separately walk into this room , to be given the story.  I point to the pile of acorns I pushed and piled in a corner of the room.  Each time I described the story for my friends, a fellow ski-dresser exclaimed, ”  I was wondering what the heck that was about.”  These people come into the room , see this pile of acorns , and are wracking their brain , “Why the hell are a few dozen bald acorns neatly pushed into the corner of this changing room , Why ?”

Out in LA with my boys Brando and Brian.  Ran into Ron Jeremy , as you can see here , I was telling him how its supposed to be done KB style.

They really like it like this.............

I’m in the process of planning my first solo vacation. I got some good ideas from facebook friends.  I decided on Costa Rica.

I had my plans adjusted for me a  bit, so my plan thus far is that next week im going to LA to meet brian gruber who is flying into the states from Baku.  We are gonna stay with my boy Brando  in LA and then shoot down to Brians friends house in  Rosarito mexico for a few days , with a stop in San Diego  prior to flying out of the states.
I will then commence my solo trip and I decided on Costa Rica. I was really tempted by belize , but have been unduly influenced by some friends that recently stayed in costa rica.  Kyle may fly in for a few days in the middle of my solo trip so that should be cool.I’m thinking that europe trip will be next year when I have a little more practice of solo travel under my belt.    I like the idea of a costa rican adventure; I know a little spanish , there are a lot of ex-pats for instant friends and plenty of lose-yourself activities , I’m looking forward to renting an ATV and exploring the land , and I want to visit the jungle.  I booked the LA part , am still putting together the Costa Rica part.
Being alone is better than wishing you were alone ; Lonely planet says , more often than not , going solo , you tend to meet more people and do more things than when going as a couple.