THE GOOD LIFE

What I am listening to: Andrew Bird “Noble Beast”. Released January 20, 2009

OK, so I though I would start posting the music that I am listening to while I am writing my blog! That way, you can see what I like, and perhaps discover a new artist or song that you might like! If you haven’t heard of this artist of CD, then you must find it and listen to it because it is fantastic!

I have been at a loss of topics to write about recently and so I haven’t published much of anything lately, at least nothing of substance. This post isn’t going to be much of anything this time either. However, I did want to just express how excited I am for summer because along with summer comes summer activities! Here is what I am planning on doing this summer. Please let me know if you want to join me because I would be happy to have you!

1. Off-Roading! This has to be one of my most favorite things to do in Colorado. I have seen more beautiful parts of Colorado this way since joining with my friends in this wonderful outdoor activity. My friend Austin has a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and we usually take off the doors, put down the top, and explore the wonderful scenery of Colorado with friends! There is nothing like it! Once you go, you get hooked. I now want, and will get a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon because of it!

2. Camping! This of course is a given. Colorado is perhaps the most beautiful place to camp. This of course is something that I do frequently when off-roading. We are currently planning a multiple night trip to Webster’s Pass for off-roading and camping which should be phenomenal.

3. Backpacking! I have not done this yet, but I want to. The problem is that I don’t have the property backpacking gear yet. I am planning on getting a backpacking backpack and tent among other things like trekking poles and a backpacking sleeping bag and pad. Hopefully in the next few weeks I can invest in that and have some gear in time for summer!

4. Rock Climbing! If you haven’t been rock climbing at all, you need to try it. I have done the rock gym before, and last year, when on vacation in Ouray with my friends, we did some actual rock climbing. I have to say that it is much more difficult than the rock gym, but so much more fun! I will be doing this again for sure, and will eventually be investing in rock climbing gear in the next few years…once I get the basic camping and outdoor gear and clothing purchased!

5. White Water Rafting! I have not done this before, and have been previously afraid to do this. However, I really want to do this now, and have a few friends who are interested in doing it! Hopefully we can get a trip planned before the summer is out!

6. Spelunking! I have always though that cave diving and exploration would be a blast! There are a lot of caves and mines here in Colorado that I have wanted to explore, but of course my better judgement has prevented me from going into the abandoned mines! I did find a society called the National Speleological Society. You can become a member in a local chapter, and they have planned events with guides who take you on cave explorations! It is great too because they are all about cave conservation, and ensuring that the caves are taken care of and preserved not only as a habitat, but also so that future generations can enjoy them. I think I am going to become a member and begin exploring with these groups!

7. 14ers! Of course, you cant live in Colorado without attempting one of these! If you do not live in Colorado, you may not know that we are home to 58 peaks that top 14,000+ feet in elevation. Each of these mountains can be climbed and you can summit each of them. I tried to climb one last year, Mount Huron. I wrote a blog post about it and posted some pictures. Check it out if you haven’t seen it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t well prepared for the hike and only made it to 13,200 feet in elevation. I still think that is pretty good for my first time out. This year however, my goal is to climb and summit 2 14ers! We’ll see how I do! If you are interested, check out www.14ers.com. It has a whole lot of information and pictures on Colorado’s 14ers!

8. Fishing! Colorado has excellent fishing locations. We fishing during last years vacation to Ouray and caught several beautiful trouts and bass! I will most definitely be doing this again this year!

OK, so that is some of the outdoor activity that I plan to do this year! I am working on trying to get into shape right now so that it will be easier to do some of them like rock climb and hiking. You have to really work out your stamina and cardio for that type of hiking and backpacking!

Aside from outdoor activities, summer is the time for movies to be released! I recently got in the mood to look at upcoming movies that are going to be released this month through the summer time. These are all movies that I want to see and I wanted to share the list with you. They are listed in order of release date:

1. Monsters vs. Aliens – March 2009
2. Sunshine Cleaning – March 13, 2009

3. Gigantic – April 3, 2009

4. Paris 36 – April 3, 2009
5. Star Trek – May 5, 2009
6. My Life in Ruins – May 8, 2009
7. Angels & Demons – May 15, 2009

8. Land of the Lost – June 5, 2009
9. The Proposal – June 12, 2009
10. Year 1 – June 19, 2009

11. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – June 24, 2009
12. Public Enemies – July 1

13. 500 Days of Summer – July 17, 2009

14. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – July 17, 2009
15. GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra – August 7, 2009
16. Inglorious Bastards – August 21, 2009

To see all of the trailers for these videos, you can find them in YouTube, or go to Apple’s website and view all of them there. http://www.apple.com/trailers/

So I guess this post is more than I thought it would be! I am just really excited for summer time as you can tell!

I have had a gym membership to Fitness 19 since August of last year. I have gone to the gym 10 times or less since I started my membership.

I am going tonight though and am going to work out every day so that by the time the summer season is upon us, I am fit and strong…and good looking!

If you see me around, ask how I am doing with this goal…I think that it will help to keep me going!