MIAMI

It's off to the greater Miami area tomorrow. I hope I don't forget my camera but I have to leave at 430 in the morning. However, my mind is on snow and the week long ski trip next week. I love Thanksgiving because it means skiing. Last year I was in the prison but the year before it was Solden, Austria / and before that it was Zermatt, Switzerland / and before that it was Baghdad, Iraq. If I'm not eating fake turkey, better known as FURKEY or ... truck driver special -- I'm drinking Jager Tee with a side of powder.

Are we there yet?

I'm not even there yet but the adrenalin is already starting to pump through my system. Sitting in the Huston Airport -- see review at bottom of the page -- I'm getting snow reports and can not wait to get to my destination. Hopefully when all is said and done I'll be able to validate that the crepe cart is a must do and PBR taste better at freezing temps. OK -- Houston Airport the Business Class lounge is one of my favorites -- Terminal B. However, the clientel is a little snobby and the sour faced woman married to the man that wears black socks with brown tassled loafers and has a kid that thinks he's a rastafarian (no... they are not Jamacian -- if I was a betting woman I say they are Texan). Just to validate that last statement let me tell you why I have made this judgement -- He's wearing one of those hats you stuff your dreadlocks into and has one of those multi-color "I smoke hooch" hemp tops on. The bartender is cross-eyed ... like the insurance guy my mom had and you never knew if he was looking at you. Not a lazy eye -- a bonified I'm looking at the guy at one end of the bar AND I'm looking at the guy at the other end of the bar. But I love this guy -- he's fast and doesn't close the bar on-time. He's awesome. I know I'm sounding judgy ... but crap -- why do people have to think their so special ... it's not like NWA puts folks through a screening process.

Après Ski at Breckenridge

In preparation for the upcoming first of the season ski trip I’ve scouted the happy hours and good deals – my source (Happy Hour Hound) has sent the following suggestions: Angel’s Hollow on Ridge Street / Jolly Roger flag flying out front – need I say more Blue River Bistro / $2 dollar Fat Tire happy hour with live jazz Breckenridge Brewery on Main Street / $6 dollar pitchers 3-6pm and FREE BEER on Wednesdays Breckenridge Burrito on Main / 2 for 1 burritos leave more money for beer Café Alpine on Adams Ave / Molto tapas – small plates and good wine Crepe a la Cart / Just like Paris … it’s a cart somewhere on Main Street Hearthstone / 2 for 1 happy hour appetizers. Sit on the front deck for the perfect sunset Modis on Main / Make a reservation and go! Motherload Tavern (my favorite) / Fried Twinkies (as if they weren’t fatting enough) and PBR in a paper sack! This totally appeals to my American Legion / dollar taps sensibilities Rasta Pasta / Spicy… in a good way Rita’s / Best margarita’s in town – made FRESH with FRESH squeezed lime Salt Creek Saloon / Red meat – yum. A Muslim’s nightmare … pork ribs to die for! Southridge Seafood / Raw Bar happy hour 4-6pm

And the Snow Starts

The US ski tour will begin on 7 November in Arapaho Basin and possibly Breakenridge. If you are considering doing the Rocky Mt. thing consider the EPIC PASS a very good deal that lets you ditch all your cash on the slopes. It's a ski pass that's good at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breakenridge, Arapaho Basin and Tahoe's Heavenly and ... it can be linked to your debit card / credit card -- one card, loads of skiing! After these next two hell weeks at work I'm focusing on the snow. Global warming has not been affecting the US as much as Europe.

Colorado Springs

This weekend I'm off to Colorado -- a little recon visit before the big ski trip in November. Hiking the Columbine trail is on the menu as well as getting all the "GEAR" together for the first snow of the season. At least this time I'm not taking the red eye through Las Vegas. ALTHOUGH ... a quick trip to Las Vegas to see a few friends wouldn't be a bad idea (Mac Daddy, Fich, and T.Nic) -- hmmm didn't think I knew so many people in Sin City. I think I might have to go sometime soon.

Update on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 20:48 by LIFETRASH

MY NEW SKI'S I've been skiing on my Fischers for 5 years and I figured it was time for an upgrade -- again ... prepping for the big Thanksgiving extravaganza. Not just an eating holiday ... it's a Traditional Skiing Holiday -- except for last year when I was in PRISON ... this will make every year for the past 5 years (again ... last year not so much so we'll pretend the prison didn't happen, the no eat buffet didn't happen, and the 110 degrees was all a mirage). I'm happy to announce that tradition prevails over world peace & skiing will take place over my absolute favorite holiday - despite the fact that war continues to wage in Iraq (so glad I spent a year furthering that effort). Thanksgiving, snow, & my sick looking skis await. Peace to Allah! Merry Thanksgiving and Happy Christmas to all!