via Scotty Wittlake Olympics on Vimeo.

Mr. Wittlake makes valid points. Now, I supported my friend, Mr. Greg Bretz, when he went to the Olympics and I’ll support him again next year when he returns – but I do agree with Scotty about the whole sham of it all and how it completely ruins economy’s. Vancouver being , I think, the biggest loser in that argument. Van was hurting for snow which made people not attend, the destruction of land and forest that BC prided itself on maintaining is now gone just so more people could over populate Whistler. The whole money drive of it all makes the root ideal of the olympics obsolete. The romans didnt have sponsors. you’re attendance wasn’t based off of how much revenue you brought in the previous season and the athletes we’re there due to being the best of the best and they wanted to prove it.

That last point I believe is still strong today – but it’s fueled by greedy companies saying ” you can beat so and so and when you do this blank check is yours.” Who could say no to that? I know a lot of riders, GOOD riders, who couldn’t give two fucks about comps. They ride purely because that’s what makes them happy.

The olympics, like Scotty touched on, is like Forced patriotism – if you don’t support the olympics you don’t support your country. I’m pretty sure tax money supports the olympics while I still support my country. most of the people who live in olympics cities cant even afford to ATTEND the event. It’s all foreign money coming over.

So while I watch people from over seas lavishly spend their money here and there because our whole economy sucks and soon the new olympics cites will as well – I’ll sadly and poorly watch the further commercialism of snowboarding from the bar cheering on my country.

Moving Forward – Trailer – YouTube.

I remember back in January while talking to my fiend, Moss, hearing about Danny. Moss had been with him while they were filming in Montana and was telling me how the day was good until a stock trick went horribly wrong. Theres few things worse than knowing you’re gonna bail badly on a trick you’ve done a million times – watching your friends do it takes the cake.

Danny had suffered a TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury, and was in pretty bad shape. This video trailer came out a few days ago showing Danny’s truly triumphant recovery.

As riders we know that what we choose to do on a snowboard is usually pretty dangerous. Whether it’s throwing ourselves off 50+ft jumps, dropping huge cliffs, or boosting 30ft out of the pipe – we’re always putting our bodies in danger – so why wouldn’t we protect it as much as we can?

I’ll admit, when first started riding about 15 yrs ago, I was “too cool” for a helmet. After doing an unintended front flip to my dome on a down rail and splitting my head open – I came to realize that cool or not – I was wearing a helmet. Now I don’t strap in without it.

It makes me sad that pro’s and friends don’t even consider wearing a helmet until something to this extreme happens right in front of them.

Bottom line – WEAR A HELEMT. I rock one and still look like a babe no reason you can’t too.

Over the months, Danny has kept friends, family and supporters updated via his blog, www.dannyisthebomb.com, and YouTube page. Feel free to check out the video updates and keep your eyes peeled for the full length to drop January 10th, 2012

shred hard – shred safe

you know i walked around my house the other day in my boots just to get the feel back
IM DESPERATE!!!!
“its like i havent been layed in forever but with snowboarding…im getting cock blocked from the snow
it sucks” Sean “shape” April – speaking about how he’s gonna miss not living in Mammoth this coming season.

Just know, Sean, as much as you’re going to miss us and the snow – we will miss you ten times more.

xo

Hot Dawgz & Hand Rails Video Update: Course Overview | SnowboarderMag.com.

Since I wont be able to make it this year i’ll be watching it from my computer imagining that I’m there – minus all the beer getting spilt on me, smelling like cig smoke, dealing with finding a place to crash… hmm maybe it’s not so bad…

check the vid for a sneak peek of what the setup is for this year and if you’re like me – check back to SNOWBOARDERmag.com for the live webcast Sept 24th @ 3pm pst

The last two weeks in New Zealand were amazing.

…

I can’t really say much more. My friends are probably what I miss most but I will see them soon. There were ups and downs – getting hurt once again and boy drama – but what trip isn’t made interesting with a few bumps along the way.

I am already planning my trip to go back next summer for what I’m thinking will be a 6 month trip instead of a 1 month. That way I can travel around a bit more and FINALLY make it to Puzzling World . My last days in Wanaka were filled with more riding at Cardrona, running into more friends from Mammoth, more food and coffee, and obviously HEAPS more photos. I really can’t put into words how amazing this trip was for me as a snowboarder and as a young adult. I say young adult because I’m not just a person, I’m a person doing amazing things during a crucial part of my life and this trip shined some light on things I’ve been hiding away in the shadows and spotlighting things I was iffy on before.

All I can really express is if you want to do something. Do it. If you want something. Take it. Don’t let your insecurities or self doubt hold you back from achieving or obtaining exactly what your heart wants.

“I’d rather have a life full of oh wells than one full of what if’s”

When I started writing this I didn’t think it would go this direction, but perhaps as much as it’s opening my eyes – it will do the same for whoever reads it.

I really wish I could figure out how to make an EPIC video/slideshow of photo’s and video’s from the trip (I’m still in the process of figuring that all out – any help is appreciated) so that I didn’t have to post the chincy photo blocks – but enjoy some of my favorites.

For me it was like a little Asian kids first time to Disneyland. Not gonna lie I almost cried. It was that epic. Walking on the snow to the point where I could see the entire park.

The Winter Games were going on and for a comp day – the park was pretty mellow. No lines, just get on get off go spin, get back in line to get back on. Ran into Joss again which is always a pleasure. That boy is just so sweet.

Niki, Basti and I lapped the jib line and the pipe alternating runs. Finally got to see just how good Basti is and needless to say I was a bit taken back. I knew his whole “ I’m not as good as you” script was BS but I didn’t think he was as good as he is, hoped, but wasn’t sure.

The three of us rode for a couple of hours before doing a pipe run and then head in for food. On the way I decided to spin onto this mini fun box, land, and then catch my toe edge landing on my good shoulder. At the first sign of the burning sensation – I knew something was wrong. I rode down, tried to tough through it but couldn’t make it past undoing one binding before having to lie down. All I could think about was, ‘it doesn’t hurt as bad as when I did my other shoulder so maybe it’s not as bad.’ When I layed down, Niki’s friend, who also happens to be ski patrol, was right there. He gave me a quick look over then helped me to the medic room. I was till able to move my shoulder but the pain made me SO nauseous I had to lay down. To sum it all up I was given the NZ equivalent to Ibuprofen and put in a sling with a doctor’s note to go get some Phisio.

The plan for the rest of the day was to hang out on the deck, get some food, and then get crazy at the VIP after party for the comp. Sadly, hanging out on the deck with Niki’s friends and the new ones we’d made was more fun than the party, which to me was a glorified High School party with an OK band. But whatever, Basti and I took some fun photos in the Photo booth and then waited to go home on the 11:30 shuttle.

I have a feeling that had I not broken myself off the night could’ve been a bit more enjoyable. But oh well…there’s always next time.