The Book of Ashes

The art of snow boarding... 8:12AM

Big things are happening in the world, none of them getting anyone anywhere. I had lots of nothing to do on Monday. Went to lunch with Tom which was good. He is good with the world. Decided I needed to go skiing. I couldn't contact Amy who I usually go up with so I booked a bus ticket up. Caught the bus up to Palmy and left a message on mums phone saying I was coming up and could I borrow the car.

The trip up was cool. I truely realised I love travelling, I love being in vehicles, going places and getting to new destinations. Its kinda of a way of seperating yourself from your world, you have no worries on a bus and it is good. Going up to Palmy a section of the ride is along the sea side. I watched an awesome sun set over the sea, mango-orange in colour, deeping to crimson as the night went on. I saw a Chinese dragon, floating a brilliant pink over the horizon, or maybe it was a cloud I couldn't tell. Whichever it was I realised one thing, that sunsets over the sea last for ages and (yes thats now two things) also that I want a house by the sea to watch the sun set over it and to swim in the sea when I want.

I arrived in Palmy to have mum tell me I couldn't use the car. Her WOF ran out the next day which is the day I wanted to go up. She had deliberetly left it till the last minute to get the most out of it. How unlucky is that? So the next morning I had to drop Thomas off at some part time work he had then go get a WOF for the car. Of course it had something wrong with it so I thought fuck it I'm going anyway and I drove up to the field.

The trip up was good and relaxing. Quickly the country rose until I saw patches of snow on the hills around me. The weather wasn't looking good though. It was spitting on the way up. I got to the mountain and was told it was all open, currently raining but forcasted to clear. I got a new board, only ridden once before and headed up...

The weather sucked. It drizzled down little droplets most of the morning that stuck on my goggles making it hard to see then snowed lightly a lot of the afternoon. The snow was better because it didn't stick to your goggles. Apart from that though the day rocked. My new goggles were awesome, 5x better than my sunnies and the snow was perfect. It was so deep and soft and it was everwhere. Every time I came a cropper I just made a soft arse or knee print in the snow. None of me hurts today, just a little stiff but still a million times better than me first two days. I think I would attribute that to an improvement in form as well though. That day things finally fell together. I didn't know what did it but I could board in almost all directions. It was like I had been enlightened and could see the true way. I realised that I was fighting my own body when trying to turn. By going with it, things happened all of their own accord. I was doing 360s and 720s and 1080s, spinning, spinning, everywhere. I could do it all. Boarding is all in your balance and hips. By swiveling my hips I could keep my upper body balanced while letting the board spin around me. I started holding out my arms in a classic martial arms balancing style, swiping the air with an arm as I turned as if hitting an apponent. It was great. I was snaking down the hill with minimal effort. I think the awesome snow helped a lot as well. It is so good to learn in. I also think Bev's training on the weekend helped. Telling me that all my movements originated from my hips and that balance and flow of movements was essential. Whatever it was I improved heaps

Back in Wellington. 8:19AM

So at the end of the day I left. I had had one good run where the sun broke through the clouds and I could actually see the edges of the runs. Still I loved every minute of it. I drove home and relaxed out in front of TV before hitting the sack. The next day I knew I had improved greatly because I didn't hurt as much. Also I only fell over about 1/4 as many times as the time before. I cleaned up around the house then headed off around lunch time to the bus home. The trip back was good as well. I love travelling.

I arrived home to a perfect Wellington day. As I walked back from the bus stop with my bags I saw people blading past me and knew I must join them. I hurried home and donned my blades eger to head out. Now with wheels as feet I ran the water front of Wellington. The day truely was perfect, hardly a breath of wind and what there was of it was drenched in sun. Not at all a winter day. After a quick bout of exercise I headed home to read in the sun then Andrew came around for a game of tennis. We went to the Renouf centre to play on proper courts and he kicked my arse. He is good and I am still learning, I hate not being as good at others but still have only been learning for a short while. I will endevour to get better.

Thats about me I guess. I came home, showered, had some tea and am now here. Tired and worn. Tomorrow I have physio and then I'm helping my auntie paint her house. Should be fun