Snowboard vs skiing

Ever since I've took on wintersports, I've only done snowboarding. At the time the decision was quite easy, in all honesty it was cooler to snowboard than to ski. And probably easier as I know how to skateboard a bit. It took me a while learning by myself but I can now say that I'm a good snowboarder (not excellent or magnificent but just good).

Last year I found some ski boots in my girlfriend's parents cellar and they fitted me perfectly. It belonged to someone who is unlikely to ask them back so I took them and made the decision to try skiing once. I almost went last year but grey weather kept me from doing it.

So on Sunday I said to myself - I am going to ski. I brought my snowboard as well, just in case. I rented a pair of skis (for €9) and set off with my girlfriend. We just went on a green piste (the easiest one). At some points I picked up speed and everything but the biggest problem was that I couldn't shrug of speed. So there I went, going faster and faster until I braked. Also having the poles was actually a hindrance for me as I tried turning using the poles (you should turn using your body weight). I managed to go down the piste with only a couple light falls. Then I went to my car and switched to my snowboard.

At least I've done it and I didn't do bad for a first timer (I actually think I did pretty alright). I just need to learn to shrug of speed but if I can do that I can then do both skiing and snowboarding. I'll try again next time.

Best albums of 2007

It's 2008 already, so it's time to list the best albums of 2007. However, I don't seem to have a list of albums I bought that are produced in 2007 so I'm just going by memory.

Here are the albums that were produced in 2007 that have made an impact on my music library/knowledge/tastes/list/etc/etc. In no particular order:

• Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion. It's pure pop, it sticks in your head, it's fresh, and it gives us a little Freddie. Highlight: Relax.
• Arcade Fire - Neon Bible. Probably the best album of 2007, it's that good. They might have seven members, but it sounds like 700 musicians at the same time playing music as if it was the end of the world. Highlight: Keep The Car Running.
• Hard-Fi - Once Upon A Time In The West. They are from Staines, they sound from Staines, and this album makes you think of Staines even more than their first one. Highlight: Suburban Knights.
• Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High. Emo kids turn pure pop, making way for Pete Wentz to become tabloid fodder. Highlight: Thks Fr Th Mmrs
• Mark Ronson - Version. Mark Ronson doing cover versions of great songs, with the help of Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. Highlight: Just
• Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare. Alex Turner is definitely one of the best current songwriters. Highlight: Flourescent Adolescent
• Cherry Ghost - Thirst For Romance. Alt-country pop from Bolton. Highlight: People Help The People
• Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds. He brought Sexy back, case closed. Highlight: Sexy Back
• Manic Street Preachers - Send Away The Tigers. They finally found that little thing that makes them pop. Highlight: You're Love Alone Is Not Enough.
• Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards. The best new band I've heard in 2007 (they're probably aren't that new though). Highlight: We Used To Vacation

That's it - the 10 best albums of 2007 for me.

Snowboarding

Last Sunday I went up to Contamines with a couple of friends. On Saturday we all bought helmets, so we thought it'll be a good time to test the helmets. We weren't sure about the weather, but I was sure that it snowed a bit on Saturday night, so there must be some powder. As I woke up, I looked outside and it was raining.

We got there at 10.30 and after kitting up and putting on the helmets, we went up. Suprisingly there wasn't a queue at the ticket booth. We saw a bit of snow, but still wasn't sure how the day was going to be. Got out of the ski lift and realised that there is a bit of powder. Then we went a bit higher and it was powder everywhere. It was cloudy and sometimes we were in the clouds where we couldn't see anything at all, but the powder was absolutely magnificent.

And then we realised that there was almost nobody else on the piste. Great powder, not a lot of people, all we were missing was some sun, but that wasn't important. In the afternoon it cleared up a bit and we even saw the sun for a bit.

It was great boarding in powder, boarding without a lot of people around you, no queues at ski lifts, and falling down with a helmet on the head. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun snowboarding. Hopefully the season will stay like this.

Happy 2008

Happy New Year everyone, hope 2008 will be fab!

During Christmas - New Year period I didn't do much. Played Guitar Hero III, watched the whole season 1 of Heroes, snowboarded a bit, Christmas lunch, New Year's party, and some sleep. Isn't that what we all need?