I'm Not Dead. I Promise!

So its been more than a little while since my last post. I mean my last post was about cycling and now were over a month into ski season. Since my last post I have...I have...Well I have been working a lot. My winter job this year is working Sunday thru Wednesday as a product sales supervisor. Basically I supervise the old ladies that sell lift tickets and private lessons. I work with about 15 middle aged women. 9 of whom are named Susan.

What keeps me sane is that: 1, I drink after work. 2, I am teaching skiing a day or two a week. and 3, I drink after work.

What else has been going on? Well I have been cleared to ski. I have gotten a few good days in so far this season. Alpine feels good. Telemark feels Great. I cooked for thanksgiving, which you probably heard about from Matt's blog. My washer is broken (thanks Matt) so I need to get that fixed on a day off. I quit my 3rd job waiting tables at blue moose pizza.

That about covers the last few months.

Over the next month, I hope to:

get to the gym on a regular schedule

Exercises outside of the gym (ice skating, cross country skiing, cold weather cycling...)

get overtime with my sun-wed job and 1 day of teaching so I can free ski or XC ski on my "days off"

get the washing machine fixed

ski with my dad, and snowshoe with my mom, and hang out with my broken sister

Post more!


I think I have covered the last few months pretty well. For those who have checked this to see what I have been doing, I'm sorry I didn't fill you in. For those who didn't check, You didn't miss much.

Keep checking in. Happy holidays. Happy new year. Keep it real.

The beginning of the end of the road.

For the last 164 days I have been in pain. Some Physical. Lots emotional. all coming to an end. I am making steps forward.

Two weeks ago I started my new job, which I love. It has gotten me out of the house. Given me something to look forward to each day. And gotten me to engage my brain. This has been great for my morale. Today though I had a bigger smile on my face than Ive had since the last time got some ass.

Today, I RODE MY BIKE! I did it. I got back on that horse(Bike).

It took aver 5 months, but I had some serious hurdles. The best part was that other than riding over ice. Everything felt great. I felt free again. I cant wait till I can really ride hard again. Today's ride was good, but there is plenty of room for improvement. I am not very flexible, after about 10 minutes my neck got real stiff. Since I'm still not allowed to twist I couldn't look behind me for cars. Either way...I RODE AGAIN!

That's a big W

Till next Time

SWAP's are the devil!

This weekend started off in Vail at the ski and snowboard club of Vail ski swap. It is held in the Dobson ice arena in Vail. Thousands of people attend this event to purchase new and used ski equipment for the upcoming season. The Arena is filled to the brim with thousands of pairs of skis, snowboards, jackets pants, boots, hats gloves, one pieces...etc. No matter how organized the gear may be Friday morning, as soon as the first 10 people are let through the door, the place goes to shit. Finding what you want is like finding a needle in a haystack, which as we all learned from mythbusters, is possible just very dirty and time intensive.

The only thing that made the swap bearable was that they served beer.

Saturday brought over 500 vendors to the Denver western complex for the Veloswap. This event was slightly easier to navigate because it was set up by individual vendors. With these vendors, if someone had a big pile of junk on their table you could simply walk by it. Walking through the western complex was what i think it would be like to walk through the magical place behind your dryer. You know, the place where all the lost socks go. Of the 500+ vendors, 487 of them were selling boxes upon boxes of socks. It was heaven for the sock elves. they could go around stealing socks all day and no one would be the wiser. by the time someone got home and they had an odd number of socks they would assume the lost one on the trek back around the block to their car.

Overall, swaps are the devil. They throw overstimulating at your already overloaded brain until you cant remember what you have at home and what you came to buy and you try to buy everything, until you realize your broke.

Remember, Only 211 days until the spring kayak swap!

Witness'

This is a simple post to make everyone reading this witness to the deal matt made to jump off our balcony if we build a pile of snow under neath it. We dont have the neccessary snow yet but look for pictures or a movie or hospital visits in the months to come.

I'm A Big Boy Now

Today I became a true contributing member of society. Today I started my first Big Boy job ever, working for the Beaver Creek Ski School as a product sales and services supervisor. I even have a desk and a phone.

Downside to being a grown-up...getting to work at 8. I have only done it once so far and I'm already tired.

Up-side, I'm making money again and I'm even using my degree.

So I will update later this week and let you faithful readers know if I still feel the same about the job then.

Til next time.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Today at approximately 10:18 am, Aaron put in his guess of $1063 on the price is right. He was exactly correct which earned him $500 cash. This was not the history making part. The game he earned the right to play was plinko.

He guessed right on all 4 products to earn him 5 total plinko chips. Once again this is not the history making part. This comes on his fourth and fifth plinko chips played.

When Aaron dropped the 4th chip, it got stuck between the bottom plinko board stick and the separator walls. This was the first time in history that a chip has gotten stuck(according to bob). He replayed that chip and it dropped all the way down. He than went to play his fifth and final chip. This too got stuck, this time between two plinko board sticks. This was the second time a chip has ever gotten stuck. And it happened right after the first one in history ever got stuck. Mr Barker than commented on how this had never happened before and that the TV audience should go and write about this in their journals. Hence this post.

Now for a regular update. My head hurts. I was awake all night last night. I wasn't dozing off here and there. I was wide awake till approximately 6:45 am when I finally fell asleep for about an hour. I have a feeling my day is going to suck.

Till next time.

Poetic Post #2

The dog is hairy,
I had a crush on Mary,
That was in middle school,
Now I know what's cool,
Its all about the Benjamin's,
I am experiencing flatulence,
I don't know where this poem's going,
I think the dog is almost showing,
This has become a ramble,
I think for breakfast my eggs will scramble,
I wonder how long this will go,
I don't think anyone could know,
Christie alley got real fat,
She found weight watchers and is All That,
I think I will have a night cap,
In jackass Jonny got stuck in a bear trap,
I just sneezed and it hurt bad,
Today I talked to my mom and dad,
I need to do some laundry tomorrow,
Thinking about that fills me with sorrow,
Shaq is not happy with the NBA,
My roommate matt came out, He's Gay,
Little people on TV,
I think people would rather watch me,
Or at least read my awesome rhymes.
wouldn't they?

If you made it this far...Good for you.

Progress Report

I RODE A BIKE AGAIN! Sort of. I went to the doctor on Tuesday. I got an X-ray, it showed nothing. The doctors assistant looked at my scar. It looks good. I still am not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds. I am still not allowed to twist. Those rules hold until I see the doctor again in 2 MONTHS. THAT'S 8 WEEKS The only thing that changed was now I am cleared to ride a bike. I will need to set up the bike for a more upright ride, and get help getting it out to the street(its more than 10 pounds), but I can ride.

So when I said I rode a bike again it was slightly misleading. It was a spinning bike at the gym. I am working my way back onto a road bike. Today I was checking to see that I could bend forward using my hips. It worked. I rode for 30 minutes and it felt great. Now, 5 hours later, I'm hurting but that's to be expected. The only thing I need now to ride is a new helmet. Any recommendations?

Till next time

The life of a dog

-What goes through a dogs head on a day to day basis?
-What is the most important thing to a dog?
-Do dogs have friends? People friends? Dog friends?
-Do dogs taste their food? If so what does it taste like? Does it taste better than the poo they eat for dessert?

My quest is to understand the life of a dog so I can be a better owner(I know matt she's really your dog, but where the hell have you been for the last two months?). What I think the dog is thinking is probably not right at all most of the time. Sometimes though its right on.

The times I'm right are when she is looking out the window towards ellie, elly, L-E, however you spell it, once she spots her allez get on the chair right next to me, looks at me, whimpers, and stomps her feet. It is the cutest thing in the world. I know when she does this that she wants to play with elly. This answers my question of friends.

That's the only question I have an answer to. I haven't yet tasted her dog food, or figured out whether the Tigger she plays with or the chair she sleeps in is more important. Maybe its time with her friend that is most important. Maybe its making me get wet trying to get the ball she drops near the bank of the pond. Until I learn to speak dog these questions will go un-answered. It is something to think about though.

Till next time

My Second First Time

For the last 3 and a half months I have been as stiff as a bored. Not like that, well sometimes like that but while the bones were fusing in my back I was not allowed to bend or twist. Although I am not allowed to twist until I see the doc again in just over a week, I did bend forward in physical therapy yesterday.

It was pathetic. I was hootin and hollerin with excitement as a bent forward about...2-3 inches. So its meager at best, BUT IT'S PROGRESS.

The rest of my life has been the same. Nothing exciting going on, just waiting for the golf course to close and to find a winter or year round job.

Just for good graces here's a pic to look at. Its coming!

The Feeling of Fall

Last night was a cold and rainy night. I slept better last night than I have in months. Today was a cool, slow, quiet day. A great Sunday. I was not in a rush for anything. I sat around a lot. I even got to watch some football.

This time last year I was just getting back to greeley from a long road trip from New York. The weather was hot and I was getting ready to go back to school. My back was also in one piece but that's neither here nor there.

With all the nostalgic reminders of fall all I could think about all day was fall. I cant wait for Halloween and carving pumpkins. Spiced tea. Thanksgiving. Sweaters. Three blankets on the bed. I guess it will be here soon.

Till than enjoy the back to school season.

Bringing Back the Quote of the Day

This is a Jeremy Gross original. I came up with it this morning as I was drinking my coffee and reading the Vail daily, while watching mindless TV shows.

Life should not flash before your eyes in the face of death. Death should flash before your eyes in the absence of living.

Think about it.

Successes of Parenthood

Today I took my little girl to the dog park(by little girl I did mean dog). One thing she has never done was swim voluntarily. Another thing she hasn't done was fetch something and bring it back more than once. I think it was a fluke. Anyway, today at the dog park I noticed she was attracted to a stick. She brought me the stick. I threw the stick. She brought back the stick. I thought it was too good to be true, so I tried it again. It worked. After the third time I though...Jeremy, if she is fetching the stick on land...Maybe, just maybe shell fetch in it water. I took a chance and threw it. Although she was hesitant at first she swam to the stick and brought it back. I proceeded to throw the stick again. And again. And again. She was a swimming fetching animal.

From this experience I can now imagine what my parents felt when I fetched my first stick. Ok maybe more like when I rode away on a bike with no training wheels. Or my first step. First word. Potty training at the age of 8. Whatever, the point is I felt proud of my baby girl!

Crash Pics

So at work today I found my old phone in my bag and looked through it only to fine pictures from the accident. They are not that great but there worth a post.

Poetic Post #1

Chicken Burrito
Over Night in the Cold Dark Fridge
Now a Quesadilla

It was a damn good quesadilla too! A little Mexican shredded cheese, hot sauce, and about 5 minutes on the George Foreman to heat it through. Wash it down with a Pacifico. I'm ready for the world.

Just for good measure I'll post a fresh picture of the pooch. Look at the fire in her eyes. Thats intense.
Thanks for coming.

This just in. ASPEN IS FULL OF SNOBS!

Its now official and scientific even, Aspen is full of snobs. For a full report we go to asain reporter Trisha Tokinawa. Just kidding please read on though, and for the full article follow the link.

Survey: Aspen is full of snobs
Abigail Eagye
August 9, 2006

ASPEN — The resort town has been overrun with surveys of late, and when it comes to development, opinions are many. But a recent poll by historic preservationist Les Holst might have yielded important insight: It appears Aspen is full of pretentious snobs.

“I think Aspen has always, in some people’s mind, had that image,” Mayor Helen Klanderud said. “That’s not new.”

Holst distributed the poll during a wine and food festival in June. Among other questions, the group asked, “What do you like least about Aspen?” Among the answers were:

• Snobs

• The handful of pretentious people

• Rich snobs

• Fakeness and social climbing — materialism vs. conservation

• The rich Californians

• Many snobby, pretentious people

• Too much money

• The prices

• Sometimes too elitist now with Prada, etc.

• Pretentious people

• Traffic, and rich people who feel entitled to special treatment

“Everything is a matter of opinion,” Klanderud said. “If that was their experience here, I’m very sorry to hear that. I hear many other comments on how friendly people are.”

Holy Matrimony

I spent the last 5 days in Greeley for the wedding of Mario and Meghan. Throughout the week I did little more than eat and drink. I had breakfast twice at the kitchen. It would have been 3 times but they were closed on Saturday for ventilation. Not sure what that means but I'm guessing it has something to do with the recent renovation, the renovation that had the kitchen closed for week's. If I sound a little bitter its because in the 2 or 3 weeks they were closed all they managed to do was put some paint on a soffet and 1 wall. They also replaced a few of the chairs that didn't match with matching chairs.

The morning of the wedding I tried to go to the kitchen again. This is when they were closed for ventilation. I was supposed to meet a few people there...no one showed. I called and woke Mario up and ended up meeting him and 2 of the guys in the grooms party at the country inn. I had a delicious skillet breakfast with a bloody mary. It was a good start to a long day of drinking. After breakfast I went to the kappa sig house to drink more before the wedding. I went to the weeding and drank free Coors light all night. After the wedding I went back to the house to drink more on the beach. Yada Yada Yada I went to bed.

Now from what I've said here you would probably think I did nothing in 5 days. Well your pretty much right and it was fantastic. It was great to drink again. Since the accident I haven't drank enough to get drunk, and I took this opportunity to do just that.

As for the coming days and weeks, I will not be drinking much any more. As of Wednesday I will be doing physical therapy. I am taking this as a new lease on life. I am going to workout as much as I can. I will eat well. I am going to come back from this injury stronger than ever.

Now for those of you that read this whole post I am sorry. I just realized I haven't said anything interesting in the previous paragraphs. I am going to go through with the post anyway as I have put 5 minutes of my life into typing this. Please don't let this affect your future visits to my blog. I promise I will not post shit like this again. Tomorrow I will actually post new pics of the place now that the couches are up here.

Once again I'm Sorry

Damage Report

Last night Ryan, the guy who I was riding with last, brought my bike back. It was the first time I've seen my bike since I left the seat in flight over the bars. Surprisingly the bike is totally fine, except for one small thing. For all you braniacs out there, try and figure out waht is wrong with the wheel in the first picture.


Figure it out yet. Well heres some more views.





Now for the reason I'm not dead. My Helmet!

The Future of American Cycling

Tomorrow will be the 8th time in 8 years an American has won the Tour de France. The top 10 spots in the GC this year was dotted with American riders. Some of the American riders and American teams didn't compete at the levels expected but overall the Americans did show well at the tour this year. There were stage wins, combacks, breakaways, and the Maillot Jaune. The world of cycling is slowly making its way into the mainstream of the United States. It still has a long way to go but it is making progress nonetheless. The one thing I would say were are missing in the states is a world class stage race.

There is the Tour de Georgia. There is the Amgen tour of California. But these tours haven't gained the international respect that is needed for the US to become a real competitor in the cycling world. I know its a long shot but I am waiting in angst for the Tour United. Three weeks of racing around the beautiful United States of America.

And That The Bottom Line!

Best Move of the Stage

Jeremy's pick for the move of the day happened with roughly 25 miles to the finish. Robbie "the badass" McEwan sprints off the front of the group, not to get into a breakaway but to chase the motorbike photographer away from the front of the peloton. Such a badass.

Medical Magic

Follow this link and watch the flash clip about spinal fusion.
http://www.spine-health.com/dir/bonefusion.html

I found this link in my eternal search to keep busy as I sit and waste away...I mean heal.

Enjoy

P.S. when watching remember that I didn't have a pinched nerve, I broke 2 vertebrae and had my T3 fused to my T10.

Back Into It

So for those of you that also read Matt's profile you have seen pics of the new place, and for those who don't, I'll give you a link. Either way I have moved into my new place and I love it. My family came back to Colorado with me to help move all my stuff. In the last four years I have moved 8 or 9 times. This time was cake. Maybe even funfetti cake or something equally delicious. I didn't lift a thing. It was almost like I was a very rich person that hired someone to do it for me but I didn't have to pay. It was great. What sucked was that as I sat around and did nothing, I had no TV or internet. In my broken state I rely on TV to keep my mind occupied. Without it I was almost going into depression. DON'T WORRY THOUGH EVERY THING IS OKAY, I have cable now...With a sweet dvr. No more commercials for this guy. Anyway to see pics check out ridestrong.blogspot.com and I will probably snapfish some soon.

Finally in my life I am making progress again. Tomorrow I leave the east coast, get out of the 90% humidity and constant rain, and head home to Colorado. I arrive back to the valley on the day of independence for the wonderful United States of America. After watching the fireworks sober for the first time in a while I will probably go to bed. I am still on too many narcotics to make it past one drink and I have a busy day on Wednesday.
At 4 pm on Wednesday I will officially be broke, I'm closing on my new condo. I am very excited about my new condo as it will be the first time in over four years that I know I will be in one place long enough that I can hang things on the wall. Throughout college I did live in some fun and exciting places, but I didn't stay in a single place for more than 9 months. Because I am lazy, a pack rat, and unorganized, by the time I was unpacked I would be packing. I had boxes in some moves that didn't even get unpacked before I moved. But this is all about to change. I will finally unpack for good and hang stuff on my walls.
Hopefully when I get back I will also find some sort of work that doesn't require me to bend twist or lift anything over 5 pounds. This means I am looking for a desk job or a cashier job. As soon as I am unpacked and find a job I will let you, my many faithful readers know about it.

Cheers

I'm Melting!

I rode a stationary recumbent bike for 30 minutes today. I also walked a mile around the neighborhood. That's about the extent of my exercise for a while due to my broken back and at this point in the night my legs are killing me like I rode a century(not that I would know what that feels like). I cant wait for my bones to fuse so I can start working out again. The one good thing is that while I'm losing muscle I'm also eating less and losing fat so I will hopefully train myself into a badass easily when I can ride again.

Tour de georgia 2010 here I come!

So I looked at my blog today only to realize I haven't updated in 11 days. The funny thing is there has been more going on in the past 11 days then there has been for a while in my life.

I finally moved out of my perch high above Vail village in the Austria Haus. I will miss the Austria Haus for the youthfully, perky, and cute front desk staff that greeted me every day with a smile. I also miss the ability to walk around the village where there are always people to talk to and no cars to hit you.

My move brought me to Greeley where I was celebrating the wedding of Matt and Trish. As best man I spent most of my time in Greeley within reach of the groom. I worked hard to make sure he was ready to give his life away. The bachelor party was fun, the wedding was beautiful, but the entire time I wanted a drink.

After the wedding I flew to Maryland to spend two weeks recuperating. While in Maryland so far I have been watching the world cup, and...Well that's about it. I cant wait to get back to Colorado and settle in to my new apartment.

By the way I still really want to ride.

That sums up the last few days. Im out till the next exciting thing in my life happens.

I want to RIDE!

I can't tell you why, I don't understand it myself, but after being in a horrific and near fatal bike crash all I can think about is getting back on the bike. I guess its like falling off a horse. I have never fallen off a horse but there is that saying. So I spend my days thinking about cycling, checking up on pro cycling, and dreaming about being able to push myself and ride for hours and hours every day. I just hope when I am capable of riding again: 1, the weather has not turned too bad, 2, I still have the motivation, 3, I can actually ride for more than an hour(bad feeling of lost stamina after 3 months on no exercise). I guess till than I can get my jollies watching the cyclism and surfing the web for cycling news.

Over and out.

Quote of the day

Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more wisely.
       - unknown

P.S. I am putting up the quotes of the day as inspirational messages throughout my recovery. Really though I have just lost motivation for extensive posts, and I havent been doing much so this is it for now. Enjoy

Quote of the Day

Don't ask for a light load, but rather ask for a strong back.
       - unknown

Or a not broken back!

jealousy

So I got set up in a pretty sweet condo for my recovery stage in vail. I overlook the mountain, gore creek, and vail village from a penthouse 3 bedroom condo. What started out as a blessing has become torture. As I look out the big windows in the living room throughout the day I see mountain bikers on vail mountain, as I look over the balcony at the creek I see kayakers and guided rafting trips, and now as I walk out of the front of the condo I run into a climbing wall for the Teva Mountain Games and I stop for parades of paddlers making their way to the play hole to practice for the freestyle rodeo events.

Checklist for the Summer '06 season:

Road Bike-X1
Mountain Bike-X1
Paddle- X1
Golf-X3

Outlook for tomorrow- Scatter physical therapy in the morning, clearing in the afternoon for some jealousy(aka kayak qualifiers.)

Realization of stupidity

So I'm sitting checking emails and blog and i think to myself, my leg is very uncomfortable. Well its straightened under the table because its swollen from hip to toe. It swelled just like this 2 nights ago too. two nights ago i was in the hospital still so i told the nurse, she looked at it and told me she would ahve a doctor look at it in the morning. The doctor didnt come at all so i spent a hole nother day in the hospital waiting for a doctor to look at some x-rays. The doctor finaly came today and told me it wasnt a blood clot and the xrays didnt show anything. He wouldnt worry and i could go home. My leg is now swelling again tonight...i dont know why...but i did spend another lets just say $1500 to stay in the hospital and have the doctor tell me nothing. Just a realization of the world making me happy.

I've ESCAPED!

Ok so by escape i mean discharged but at least one way or another im out of the hospital. I am now in the Austriahaus hotel in vail village with my parents until i can be functional independantly. I still have a view of the mountain from my hotel but I dont have Teresa, Autum, Julie, Steph, Heather, Shayna, etc...at my beck and call. I will miss those nurses and I will definatly visit them soon. The other thing i wall miss is the recliner i had in the hospital. It was dreamy, or at least better the the chairs i have here.

Anyway Its time for some candy and a lie down but I will be back baby....and better than ever.......in about 6 months.

mmmmm food

So today i stated eating real food. i had abou 2 bites of a grilled cheese sandwich and a spoonfull of sop for lunch, wih a cup of jello for desert. I was than given a shot of mineral oil for a midafternoon snack. Mmmm oily goodness. so i think tomorrow i might be out of the hospital. I cant wait till i can eat more thought.

The day in the life of a cripple Day 2

So I didnt sleep much last night. I couldnt hit my dug button enough to control the pain so i could get comfortable and sleep. I took care of the proboblem by putting my brace back on and sleeping sitting up in a chair. I have now become very fnd of that chair and spent most of my day in it today. I did get up and go for 3 walks today. I made it around te hole wing of the hospital than i tried climbing stairs.
I still have not been able to really eat anything yet. I have to wait for my bowels to return to normal function before i can eat or drink. Becasue i got gassy the doctor let me have a small cup of jello. It was DELICIOUS. The rest of my day included watching tv, having a shave and trying to cut my hair. The hair clippers died after i got only one side of my head done so no it loks like the doctor shaved me for some brain surgery. as for the rest i will fill in anthing i forgot tomorrow but please feel free to call or stop by.

Jeremy

P.S. i apologize for anyone who read this and didnt want to know about my bowel movements.

big life change

so i have made a big change in my life. And it was not by y will. IO hav broken my back, the t6 and t7 vertibrea. I am typing this from a hospital ed which makes it somwhat jumpled. I will informe every0one about the rest later but the gist is i can walk and i will live. Call or visit o i dont bore oto death.

Broken in bed...Jeremy

Mug 47

So i went for a bike ride today and found my way up to beaver creek village. While in the village I ran into Buzz, the coolest gay bar manager I know. He informed me that the 'yote is open every night from 4-8 until summer when they open back to regular business hours. This makes me happy. Tomorrow I can go enjoy a free beer out of my favorite beer recepticle in the world...Mug 47.

I Gave In

I decided to give in and start a blog. I figure its better than MySpace and now that I have graduated this will help be keep everyone posted on what I am doing now. Its going to be pretty bare for a while. I just can't imagine putting in too much time to post anything. I will try to post the good stuff though.

Peace