so this is a lengthy one: i just went snowboarding today (my second time in two weeks, third time ever) and i have never felt so many aches and pains. i'm making baby steps towards my goal to carve the mountain without falling. but man oh man, why do i subject myself to so much agony? i think i sprained every limb and strained every muscle. my right ass cheek and my knees are killing me. as well as my back, my ribs and my fingers.

it didn't help that i went with nine guys (all of which are proficient snowboarders) and it was damn icy (meaning it felt like falling on concrete again and again... and again). also, i must vent my absolute dread of that precarious moment of getting off the lift. "will i make it without harming myself or innocent bystanders?!" its about a 50/50 chance and today i did the even more unlikely.... i almost got my head chopped off by the lift chair.

my board got caught in an odd position, pulling me down under the chair instead of straight and clear. i ducked my head (thank goodness) and just got a small tap on the back of my head before the guy stopped the lift. thank goodness he was paying attention; that was scary. (at least i didn't fall the 10 feet down to the rocks below though, huh?)

its two weeks til another snowboarding trip to vermont. i better heal by then. and while last snowboarding trip i earned goggles, this time i truly earned butt and knee pads. and oh man, i could use a massage.