It’s been three days since I landed at DIA and felt the brisk, December air brush against my sandaled feet. It’s been about six full months since I last stuffed my feet into ski boots, and I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. Don’t get me wrong, I love my purple steeze Tecnica Agent 130s, but I’m currently missing a toenail on my left big toe. Oh the timing…

So, there I was, wrapping up our last WME show in Pasadena, and I was lifting the last of our promotional gear through the delicate doors of the Rialto Theater which was built back in 1925. I was taking care not to damage the doors by slamming them around, and in a moment of frustration, I accidentally swung the huge speaker towards my foot, thereby ripping the toenail off in one fell swoop. The pain was manageable, but my ego was wounded as I quickly remembered all of the warnings paid me by stage hands throughout the tour. They had told me that sandals are dangerous, and now this ski bum/raft guide wishes he had heeded their advice.

Now, with my new Blizzard Answers mounted up with some Marker Duke bindings, I am antsy to get out and make some turns. I just have to wait for this toe to scab up…at least I have my beautiful girlfriend Jamie and her dog to play in the snow with.

It is the 13th of October, and here I am in Boulder training for my second year as an emcee for Warren Miller Entertainment.  It’s been an interesting situation, as my good friend Casey has recently been hired for one of the other emcee positions on the film tour, and I’ve been doing my best to help him adjust to his new job.  On top of that, relearning the script has kept my mind busy during the days here on the Front Range.

But, it’s been a blast, and we’ve been able to meet up with some old friends and make some new ones during our week of film tour crew bonding at the Millenium Hotel.  Lots of random walks from the bars back to the hotel late at night and some funny stories of tours from the past have filled the gaps between Big City Burrito munching sessions at the nearby strip mall.

For as fun-filled as our nights have been, it’s the days that have us working away in a warehouse somewhere on the East side of Boulder.  The projectionists and emcees from each of the five tours have been filed away from the main offices of WME – probably to keep us from scaring the Skiing Magazine staff with our sweet mustaches! – in a manifestation of ‘mancamp’.  Facial hair and fart jokes notwithstanding, our little group of roadies have found some real energy and stoke to get out there on tour and show the newest of 60 Warren Miller films.  And hey, I even packed my stand-up paddle board…heh.

Some pictures of the warehouse:

Ahhh, its been a busy few days. Recently, our little foursome has traveled back from Eugene to Portland for a weekends worth of shows. The film played at the McDonald Theater in downtown Eugene with both an early show and a late show. After our setup in the theater, Evan, Kyle and I strolled about town in search of some good eatin. Alas, after yet another iPhone experience, our search turned in few results for local fare within walking distance, and we found ourselves gnashing down some chicken and gyros pitas from a chain restaurant across the street. Well, gnashing for some, but in Evans case, due to his newly constructed two front teeth, it was more of a carefully strategized skirmish of delectable delight.

Starting Friday night we hit the Portland scene, screening the film to over 5000 ski and snowboard fans over the course of three different show times. The Friday night show was by far the biggest weve had, and will probably have for the remainder of the tour. With 2500 folks in the audience, the level of intensity was at an all time high. It was absolutely amazing to grab the mic and walk out on stage to the roar of such a giant crowd. I can only imagine what it must feel like to be a rock star walking out there, but instead of just introducing a ski film, to play music that you yourself have written.

The theater itself was giant, its architecture a cross between vaudevillian dcor and early twentieth-century classical style with glossy marble floors in the lobby and heavy ruffled curtains closing off the stage. With a balcony as big as the main floor, the place was large enough require over 30 staff members, from ushers and doormen to stage hands and beverage vendors. It was awesome to have all the help and it was one of the few times Ive worked with union labor, all an agreeable experience. The acoustics were amazing; the symphonies that usually play in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall must really be a tasty treat for the senses. But we brought a ski film. And we rocked the house. We even took a few pictures out in front of the marquee with its hundreds of yellow bulbs glowing and flashing brilliantly in the Portland night sky.

I was even lucky enough to have some friendly support amongst the masses, as old college buddies and high school friends were in attendance at the Saturday shows. It was great to catch up on new stories and share old ones from our early days of intellectual exploration. After two nights of cruising the Portland bar scene, Ive found my legs weary from over 60 blocks of trekking on foot in search of some local adult beverages. I guess thats one way to mitigate the calorie consumption such a quest involves. (click here to see map)

Were currently in the Warren Miller wrapped Jeep Liberty cruising down I-5 to finish up our last Oregon show in Salem tonight. It will sure be a shift from this weekends other shows, but it will be nice to play to a slightly smaller audience, at least a little more intimate. Kyle says the theater were going to is pretty cool, so it will be fun to check that out.

It’s been a long week, but we’re finally hitting out stride in the show. Kyle has solved our technical difficulties and Evan has the venue dialed every night. Al, on the other hand, knows what the rest of the tour is like. And, for that matter, what WE’re getting our selves into.

Ever wonder how I manage to stay connected to the internet while I’m on the road? It’s all because of my Patagonia Half Mass laptop bag. I carry so much equipment with me: laptop, external hard drive, helmet cam & mount, DC/AC power inverter for the car, etc. So it’s nice to be able to stow it all in a durable bag with clean design. If you wanna be a ski bum, get this bag.