TR: Maggot Camp

[altagirl]

I'm sore as hell today and can't wait to ski again.

What a great weekend. I really feel like I learned so much that I'm dying to go out and practice it some more while it's still fresh in my head. The days were long, especially in the not particularly easy snow conditions, but I guess that's really the stuff I need to work on more than anything.

Friday I pulled up to the Snowbird access road and parked next to Bagtagley. Early morning parking made it look like it was going to be a really uncrowded day, and we cruised over to the tram deck to meet everyone. Gordy then told us to split into groups - instead of doing a ski-off we're just deciding for ourselves what group to be in. There's a lot of uncomfortable looks of "who want's to declare that they're better or worse than everyone else". LPH grabbed me and said hey, middle group. So my group ended up being LPH, Bagtagley, Phatfreeheeler, Raps (who belonged in the fast group for sure, but stuck with us all weekend), and DJSapp. It didn't really matter anyway, since I think we all benefitted from the same drills and terrain to work on what we learned on the groomers, and when you ski one at a time, keeping up isn't an issue.

We skied with Rick Greener the first day and he had us working on rolling our ankles in the turn and the correct body position out on the groomer to start and then we headed over to hit some stuff off the Cirque traverse and Bookcliffs, to apply it to different conditions. We found some spots of decent powder and searched out some wind drifts to work on getting your legs really dynamic as you're changing slope angles drastically with each turn, dropping in off the top and fighting your way back up on top. Definitely something I hadn't considered on before but can totally see the value. Plus it was pretty fun.

Tram lines were pretty insane considering it was a Friday with fairly shitty snow, and we got in less skiing than I would have imagined with all the waiting in line. But between the standing in line and firm conditions, my feet were killing me (6th toe, AKA the little bone sticking out above your pinky toe), and I was relieved that we quit a little early to go practice beacon searches and do snowpit analysis. Really cool facility at Snowbird that we should use more often. Then we proceeded back to the Cliff Lodge for the avy discussion and video analysis. Our group didn’t get videoed on Friday, so we were of the hook, but watching everyone else’s was excellent for knowing what to look for and we found ourselves analyzing everyone's skiing while riding the lifts the rest of the weekend. Freeze frame and slow-mo are particularly painful to watch, but you get to see every detail of what went wrong to precipitate a fall or loss of control and it's good to see WHY all the things you're working on are so important.

Saturday we decided to hit Alta to avoid the tram lines, which turned out to be a damn good call since apparently the tram was down most of the day. That would have sucked. Saturday morning Gordy was our coach, and LPH jumped into a different group since he’s heading to Alaska to spend a week with Gordy he figured he’d get enough of him and wanted to hear from the other coaches. Gordy told me I was on the wrong skis (Gotamas) and told me to bring smaller skis Sunday, and probably to emphasize his point, took us off to a steep icy groomer to shoot some video of us doing (or attempting to do short radius turns). Thanks, man, that was sweet. But I will say he was right, my knees were a lot less sore yesterday when I skied my Phat Luvs than on the Gotamas on Saturday. I feel like off piste, I CAN ski in whatever conditions on the Goats, but it is just easier on the body when it's that firm to be on narrower skis (90 vs 105). Of course Greener and Collins were on 105+ skis all weekend... heh.

Anyway, Gordy had us doing some excellent drills to get us skidding correctly. We all figured this drill would be so easy and it turned out that none of us had the body position right. The other interesting thing is that while Raps was probably the best skier in the camp technically, he's all racer and benefitted from learning when and how to skid turns correctly to scrub speed when and where you want to instead of trying to carve all the time. It helped a great deal when we were skiing tight chutes, etc. What I need to work on more than anything with that now is my head. I'm so used to feeling like I'm sliding into the walls/trees when I'm trying to hop turn down something tight I'm still nervous even though I've got it down now. Again -can't wait to practice some more...

That afternoon we skied with Chris Collins. I managed to scare the hell out of myself and everyone else. We took that traverse above Garbage chute that I ski several times a week (which I would call Cliff Pass, but apparently that's not an Xover approved name), but my uphill ski caught on the wall of snow when I was scrubbing speed and I catapulted myself backwards off the traverse and towards the cliff, catching myself from falling as my neck wedged in between a tree trunk and the snow, with my feet and skis stuck up in the tree. For a second I couldn't breathe at all. I went to clear the snow out of my mouth and realized as I let go of the tree, my body weight was wedging my neck farther into the tree and I went back to trying to hold myself off of it and just calmed my breathing down and yelled for some help. Chris came running up telling me not to try and move downhill or I was going to fall off the cliffs below (which was less of an immediate concern to me because I sure as hell wasn't moving anywhere without some assistance). The other guys in my group said they came around the corner, saw my skis in a perfect X leaning against a tree and then realized I was still attached to them. Many thanks to you guys for lifting me up by my feet to get my out of there. Ended up with nothing but a few bruises on my collarbone, shoulder, and arms. Phew. If I had done that while I was alone, I would have eventually suffocated for sure. Such a freak thing, but scary nonetheless.

Back to skiing - we just cut down skiers left of Garbage Chute and then went and alternated between bombing groomers and hitting Thirds and the shoulder over by Bad News and such. Which was pretty funny - Chris was pointing out a little straightline he likes in Bad News, but there's a damn traverse under the rocks that ruled it out. Raps was looking at this 10' drop and Collins said hell no based on the traverse you'd need to clear. We all ski down to the bottom and Raps goes for it, lands in the trough of the traverse, loses a ski and cartwheels down the slope. You had to figure it can't be a good call when Collins isn't going to hit it, but that's gotta be pretty high on the gnar point scale. We also later discovered that Raps had his heelpieces set on a DIN of 5. Whoops.

Yesterday we went back to skiing with Rick in the morning, which was excellent. We did a lot of work on hands and upper body, taking the drills with poles held parallel out in front of us off the groomer and into the chopped up snow in Devils Castle. Wow. I had been working on getting more up and down motion into my skiing and that really did it because it's the only way you're going to initiate a turn at all. Great for upper/lower body separation. And then we skied down Cecret Chute a couple of times, which was complete with someone's bootpack tracks, rocks, and crappy snow. Woohoo! (But we went back and did it again because it was challenging and there were a few sweet pow turns off on the side at the beginning of the runout. (Rick is also all about searching for non bumped lines to either side of where everyone else is skiing.)

And then we ended up with Gordy again in the afternoon. Mostly freeskiing with guidance and reminders of what we were working on thrown in. We worked on proper form for getting air and spent a couple runs searching out jumps. (Which really, watching any of these guys is insane - where I get 6inches into the air, they get 15 feet. It's ridiculous and I think they have springs in their legs.) Then we ran into Xover who said we needed to ski Eddies. Which did turn out to be excellent - nice non-bumpy chalk. We wanted to do it again, but were all to lazy and tired to hike back up the bootpack so we cut in from Thirds for a repeat and our last run of the camp.

The whole thing was a fantastic experience. Plus, Rick fixed my boot issues on Saturday night and yesterday was the best my feet have felt in forever. He was busy shell fitting and making adjustments and recommendations on peoples boots in the evenings, during lunch, whenever we had time, and he went and shaped some pads for my (and several others) boots and brought them to video analysis. All the coaches were excellent, but skiing with one who's a kick ass bootfitter too is a huge bonus.

Can't wait to work on implementing everything I learned! Huge thanks to Gordy and everyone involved for making it such a fantastic weekend.

[Raps]

GREAT write-up of the camp, couldn't have said it better myself....it was great skiing with you and all the other maggots this weekend. It was so worth every penny spent. Thanks a lot Gordy and all the coaches.

Its tough to leave Alta as i sit in the GMD, waiting for my airport shuttle......i really should move out here next year - this place and all the maggots that rip here are awesome.

Not much more to say cause Altagirl's post was damn thorough - glad that tumble above garbage chute only produced a few bruises. Enjoy the storm heading in as i head out....

I'll post a few pics when i get back to school but i can't wait for GT40s shots to get posted....

[MTT]

Altagirl,

Excellent summary of the Camp, my group worked on the very same things. I knew coming into the Camp that there were some very basic problems that have been causing me grief all year. As I sit here in the motel (Not Skiing) licking my wounds, I feel like I ski much worse than the day I showed up for camp. This of course is not true.

I now know the cause of my grief (Hand and pole position) less leaning and more angulation, Body separation. I have some things to work on and will be a much better skier when I get it to start clicking in.

I believe I was the one guy who never finished a day (Without being injured)

I found that I just could not ski a full day with any of the groups.

Let see, I quit @ lunch the first day. (The morning session with Ben Wheeler) was enough skiing to last me a very long time. WOW just seeing Ben, Tarkman1, and Tyrone Shoelaces rip it up was worth the price of admission.

Day Two Morning session with Chris Collins was another amazing session. Chris seemed to have just the right amount of hard charging skiing, observation, analysis and corrective input. This was the session when the (Falling down) Started.
I was done by lunch time but did not want to puss out two days in a row.
The afternoon session with Rick Greener was very well rounded. We started off doing some of the scariest traversing I have ever done into some very nice terrain where we did a little photo sluting for GT40. We then started working on fundamentals (Much needed) but not what I would call fun. I then started getting cranky and talked myself into thinking I was too tiered to continue. So I quit and got a head-start on the beer.

Day three, my day with Gordy. I started the day not wanting to put my ski boots on (I was and am, SORE) Gordy kept us on the Groomers for the morning session working on fundamentals, for me it was Hand position and angulation. This BTW is the root of my skiing issues.

Gordy is an excellent coach, just the right amount of constructive criticism mixed with encouragement. I was having a tough time doing some very basic skiing exercises that I thought I would have no problem with. I felt like I had my pants pulled down in public.

Both Gordy and my classmates were very encouraging and helpful.
I split from my group for the afternoon and continued on with Gordy and Altagirls group
I wish I had stayed in the Bar. (Train wreck!) Quit early again.

I HAD A GREAT TIME. Coaches and Maggots THANK YOU

[shmerham]

Wow. Having skied before with at least half the people in the "slow" group, sounds like it was a pretty ripping group. Sounds like a great time.

Altagirl, your snafu sounded really scary. Had my heart beating just thinking about it.

[Mulletizer]

Was cool to meet some of you. I am sorry I didn't meet everyone though, it's not often I see that many mags in one place. Would have loved to come for beers on Sunday evening but was not on good form at all so went home to eat-all-you-can pizza and bed. Another time, I hope...

[MacDaddy]

Nice write up!
I usually cant read that much script (I'm so freaking ADD) but that was easy
glad you OK

[InspectorGadget]

The closest I got to the camp was seeing Arty, lph and AG in the GMD parking lot Sunday morning. I already knew that Gordy's camp is on my to-do list, but reading AG's write-up confirms all. I think I'll skip the hanging upside-down, neck-wedge, not breathing part though.

Damn, I am so glad you're OK. Scarry.

[Szyslak]

My report

What a weekend! Even though I had not met any maggots before the group was not hard to find the first day on the tram deck. All I had to look for was the big group of people sitting next to the ski rack full of Bros and other assorted fat skis. Introductions were made and I had to out my self as more of a lurker than anything else.

I had myself quite intimidated before the camp knowing the level of skiers that would be there, so I immediately aligned myself with the “slow” group. For this being the slow group it was full of hard chargers. Not a slow person among the group, except me. I fully lived up to my expectations and was the worst skier at the camp. We started out with Gordy coaching us, and he had a lot to say to me right off the bat … feet wider, elbows out, hands forward…. He spent no time sugar coating what needed to be fixed, just told us what it was and how to go about fixing it. After the first day I felt completely beat down, not because of the coaches, but because I felt that my skiing was getting worse and that I was holding everyone else back, even though the group was completely supportive. The video of me that night was a study in all the things not to do.

The next day was better. I had a few runs where thing seemed to come together and felt right, but at the end of the day I was worked again. I was exhausted that night, however for some reason I could not sleep well. Every time I closed my eyes the coaches were there telling me to get my hands up, don’t pole plant, do pole plant, feet wider, elbows out, quit following your skis…

I woke up the morning of the third day still completely beat and not sure that I would be able to make it through the day. Because everyone was feeling worn out and sore, we spent most of the morning on the groomers working the drills that Altagirl outlined above. By lunchtime I was exhausted again. After lunch I was planning on taking a few runs and calling it a day, but all of a sudden things clicked. Every run we took felt better than the one before and I finished each run with more energy than I had started with. I was finally able to feel like I was not holding the rest of the group back. I was sorry to see the day end, as I wanted more runs.

So this is my endorsement for the camp. The coaching was phenomenal. Gordy, Rick, Chris, and Ben all were excellent and had pointers and things to work on that helped me immensely. Most of the time they were teaching me the same thing, but had a little different way of saying or teaching it that would add to what the other coaches had taught that would really drive the point home. I feel that I made more progress in my skiing in those three days that I have in the past several years.

I had a great time and want to thank Gordy and all the coaches for what they have done for me, and to thank all the maggots for putting up with me and making me feel welcome! Also, thanks to GT40 for following us around and taking pics. It was great to meet you and I look forward to seeing the pictures.

[SkiingBear]

I fully lived up to my expectations and was the most improved skier at the camp.

There, I fixed it for you.

I'll vouch for him, Szyslak is the real deal now. The first run I had my doubts about him, but by the end of yesterday he was looking like Greener tearing the shit out of everything.

Szyslak, all I have for you is this:

[MTT]

There, I fixed it for you.

Originally Posted by Szyslak
I fully lived up to my expectations and was the most improved skier at the camp.
Szyslak, all I have for you is this:

Nice move SkiingBear.

[shmerham]

I fully lived up to my expectations and was the most improved skier at the camp.

Sounds like you got your money's worth!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Man where the heck do I start?

Do I start with talking about the mysterious psychic I sat next too on the flight back home who knew everything about me, my past, and my future? (I shit you not).

Do I start with talking about my answer to the question my boss posed to me this morning: "So, just where exactly were you on Friday?" (I shit you not).

Do I start with talking about how cool it was (is) to hang with a bunch of like-minded freaks (coaches & campers ) that'll make skiing 3 days worth of cut-up-cruddy-crap snow, moguls, hardpack, and every variable snow condition in-between as much fun and stoke filled as a 2 foot cold smoke bluebird blower pow day? (I shit you not).

Do I start with talking about and thanking my gracious hosts Skiguide and SkiingBear for transporting, feeding, and putting a roof over a flu-ridden and bloodied-shin wayward homeless maggot?


Maybe I shouldn't start at all...maybe I should just end by saying that no matter what the heck your ability level or experience as a skier is, you'll benefit from this camp.

So spend the 3 days trying to match the lines of and stay on the ski tails of Ben Wheeler, Chris Collins, Rick Greener, and Gordy Peifer through every condition and terrain imaginable and you'll learn what it takes to become (and what it means to be) a better skier.

Spend the 3 days having your skiing style pulled apart, dissected, broken down into the this-is-why-this-works-for-you-here's and the this-is-why-you-should-be-doing-that-there's, and then reassembled into a tighter cleaner platform upon which you can take home and build yourself into a better skier.

Spend 3 days on getting more progressive feedback on your skiing that'll pay you dividends for the rest of your skiing life.

Just spend the 3 days....it'll be worth much much more than what it'll cost ya.

Thanks Gordy, Ben, Rick, and Chris. You guys helped me out a lot. Can't wait to see where your insights take me.

[bagtagley]

Do I start with talking about how cool it was (is) to hang with a bunch of like-minded freaks (coaches & campers ) that'll make skiing 3 days worth of cut-up-cruddy-crap snow, moguls, hardpack, and every variable snow condition in-between as much fun and stoke filled as a 2 foot cold smoke bluebird blower pow day? (I shit you not).

Took the words right out of my mouth. I didn't think it was possible, but the past 3 days skiing in marginal conditions rank among the funnest I've had.

AG, Szyslak and Ty, thanks for the perspective from each of the groups.

As if it's not cool enough getting the instruction and support of your ski-porn heros, you've also got a handful of maggots chearing each other on, helping each other out and offering props at the bottom of every run. I've not only improved my skiing, but I've gained a bunch of friends in the process. Such a cool experience.

Thanks again to Gordy, Rick, Chris and Ben.

[altagirl]

Do I start with talking about how cool it was (is) to hang with a bunch of like-minded freaks (coaches & campers ) that'll make skiing 3 days worth of cut-up-cruddy-crap snow, moguls, hardpack, and every variable snow condition in-between as much fun and stoke filled as a 2 foot cold smoke bluebird blower pow day? (I shit you not).

Totally agree. Even after hearing about the fantastic pow in Jackson from Mr.AG and Stump, I still think I had the best weekend possible.

[altagirl]

Dammit, you're not supposed to quote the same thing I do a second before me.

[LaramieSkiBum]

what they said ^^

I've got alot to work on. This was the first instruction I've ever had, except my dad. Which was all before I can remember, so really I've never had anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong, or right for that matter. I was probably the only one out of the group who was leaning way too far forward....perhaps some bad habit picked up by trying to force myself out of the back seat. Not to mention my hands were all out of wack. I'm on my way to recovery now, and much more balanced for it. I think the tip dive issues I've had in powder might be directly releated to my horrible, steezy stance.

My training in the past has been to pick some one out at the top of the hill and try to follow them...mimick them. I usually ski alone or with friends who are kind of mellow, so it is usually up to me to push things. This means I havent really gotten hurt, but also means I'm never really pushing and learing as fast as I can.

The video and comments from the coaches was invaluable. Seeing yourself on video really drives home what will make you stronger. Even though every coach was pretty much driving home the same point in a different manner, it was really better that way - maybe it was the same message, but delivered in 4 different persepectives.

The coaches comments were awesome, but having 5 other people in your group tp give you advise, pointers, and drills (Yugi? and SkiingBear!) also made a big difference - the coaches can't really watch you the whole run due to terrain and other campers.

For future mags who take the camp: Bring some shorter skis with you. Your powder boards really don't have any place for the technical aspects of this camp if things are firm. If you have the skill and strength to really pull it off, cool, but bumps and tight suff in the chalk really don't warrent anything wide or long. Even gordy was on 184 b3's...Chris on is 183 goats (unless they are unavailable due to 20 huge ass core shots)

Tip those coaches, it's approperate and with our reduced camp price it's easy to justify. I learned more in 3 days than a whole year, and I can walk after 3 days of moderate skiing - how can you put a price on that?!

I had a 6th toe issue, and Rick saw to it with his padding trick. It's monday night, after 3 days of stop and go skiing on hard pack, and I'm going jogging. Normally, after 2 days of hard powder skiing, I can't hardly put my shoes on. Rick G. knows his shit. If anyone at the camp saw his feet, you would understand why he is a boot fitter. The guy has 6th toes the size of pingpong balls, and knows his boot fitting thorugh experince with himself. My feet feel better after 3 days of skiing moderatley hard than 1 day of groomers. If anyone wants his phone # or email address, PM me - drive up to Sunvalley and get your boots fitted by him, I'm convinced that he knows what he is talking about. One look at his own feet, his skiing ability, will convince you too.

Trying to follow gordy, chris, ben, or rick was quite humbling. something that I felt like I was ripping at 6 or 8 turns, was a mere 3 or 4 for them. It was out right amazing, especially skiing the same line just after them and realize the strength, planning, and speed of thought that goes into freeskiing.

goto this camp....if you don't, and there is an open spot, I'll take it.

[shadow]

Not much to add as everyone else has pretty much summed up all my thoughts on the camp. I will throw in my perspective as being a return camper though.

The first str8line camp that I attended was the january maggot camp last year. That camp completely changed my skiing for the better and made me excited to attend another camp. The camp was an awesome experience last year and has only gotten better. Having a suite at the cliff lodge made the camp even better than last year. Instead of having to fight over the big screen in the Goldminers we were able to have our own private room to do our video analysis, watch the presentations, and hang out. The coaches have all improved dramatically in the last year as far as their ability in giving campers advice. In our group last year Chris Collins really didn't do much coaching. He pretty much served as our guide to the gnar terrain. This year he not only showed us the goods but he also threw in a lot of coaching. Rick Greener is the same way. He was the coach that had our group do the most drills to improve our skiing. The guest coaches were awesome coaches last year but as they spend more time doing these camps it seems that they are getting even better at coaching the campers.

These camps are awesome experiences and I fully recommend them to anyone who wants to gain more confidence in their skiing. Thanks to my group for all their help as well in offering me advice and encouragement.

[mday]

I was on the tram deck Friday at lunch, and it was hard to miss what must have been the largest collection of Bros assembled outside of the factory. I wondered if a Bro-vention was in town until I remembered the Maggot camp, and my painful decision to stay with my wife and kids for the twelve hour drive back to California rather than attend the camp. Somehow I knew in advance what the trip reports would be like, and a Straightline camp is even higher on my todo list now. Without trying to hijack the thread, I'm having trouble with the "cut-up-cruddy-crap snow" comment. This is just one of those quaint Utah customs of downgrading current snow conditions, to make the rest of us feel left out, no? 'Cause I was in Gunsight, and Greeley, and Catherine's on Thursday, and the Cirque on Friday, and if that's cruddy snow, you guys really need to get out more often.

[Ridgehippy]

All you str8liners from last week and the rest of the maggots need to throw a little love Tarkman1's way. Sounds like one turn at camp worked him hard and still waiting word if he's going to become another reluctant DonJoy customer. Give him your +++ vibes to help get him back out there ripping......He said Gordy and the other coaches sure make it look easy.

[Bodhi]

Nice write up!
I usually cant read that much script (I'm so freaking ADD) but that was easy
glad you OK

Only quaffed 5.5 Coronas so far, eh?

peace,
D.

[LaramieSkiBum]

...and if that's cruddy snow, you guys really need to get out more often.

I think you've got that backwards.

[splat]

That afternoon we skied with Chris Collins. I managed to scare the hell out of myself and everyone else. We took that traverse above Garbage chute that I ski several times a week (which I would call Cliff Pass, but apparently that's not an Xover approved name), but my uphill ski caught on the wall of snow when I was scrubbing speed and I catapulted myself backwards off the traverse and towards the cliff, catching myself from falling as my neck wedged in between a tree trunk and the snow, with my feet and skis stuck up in the tree. For a second I couldn't breathe at all. I went to clear the snow out of my mouth and realized as I let go of the tree, my body weight was wedging my neck farther into the tree and I went back to trying to hold myself off of it and just calmed my breathing down and yelled for some help. Chris came running up telling me not to try and move downhill or I was going to fall off the cliffs below (which was less of an immediate concern to me because I sure as hell wasn't moving anywhere without some assistance). The other guys in my group said they came around the corner, saw my skis in a perfect X leaning against a tree and then realized I was still attached to them. Many thanks to you guys for lifting me up by my feet to get my out of there. Ended up with nothing but a few bruises on my collarbone, shoulder, and arms. Phew. If I had done that while I was alone, I would have eventually suffocated for sure. Such a freak thing, but scary nonetheless.

YO, altagirl!

Synopsized for the ADD in all of us.

[SkiingBear]

Tough to say anything here that hasn't already been said...but I'll try anyway.

I didn't really know what to expect going into the camp. I knew a lot of the things I was doing wrong...I just didn't know how wrong until I saw them on tape.

Gordy picked out everything I thought he would and just harped on me to keep working on those things (Gordy, I'm gonna work on the feet...I swear). I intend to work on every damn thing you pointed out over the next 10-12 months, and when next year's camp rolls around, I want to be there getting everything pulled apart again.

Rick and his drills was amazing. It's amazing how a simple drill on a groomer can teach you so much about skiing variable/bumped/shitty conditions. Watching him ski and apply those same lessons only served to drive the point home (his recovery late Sunday was amazing and coincidentally perfectly timed following a drill we had done...and it was good to see someone of that caliber get knocked around a little bit, somehow made him look more human) Echoing LaramieSkiBum, Rick's boot fitting was top notch. I too received some help with my "sixth toe" issues. Every day that I'm in my boots I want nothing more than to get out of them...and then yesterday I went all day with almost no pain. I will likely be visiting him every time I get new boots.

Chris and Ben served up the stoke needed to keep us all going. Their encouragement, input, and advice were invaluable. Simply amazing to see them ski.

Most of all, thanks to all the maggots that attended. So much fun to ski with such a supportive group. It's hard to put into words what it did for the experience having maggots there rather than a random assortment of skiers.

edit: I somehow forgot to mention GT40 and his generosity and selflessness Friday and Saturday. It was great having him with us taking pictures. I'm really hoping he puts together a "best of" CD availble for all of us.

[altagirl]

YO, altagirl!

Synopsized for the ADD in all of us.

Yeah, sorry about that. Believe it or not, I actually spent some time editing things out to make it a little shorter. And yet there are still things I managed to forget, like hoping that Tarkman's knee is alright. It was looking pretty swollen and bruised, but hopefully it can heal on its own.

[stump832]

Yeah, sorry about that. Believe it or not, I actually spent some time editing things out to make it a little shorter. And yet there are still things I managed to forget, like hoping that Tarkman's knee is alright. It was looking pretty swollen and bruised, but hopefully it can heal on its own.

Don't apologize AG - it was a good read from start to finish. And its certainly better than the other drivel on the front page right now.

Glad you guys all had a cool and solid time - I certainly can relate.