This is what the Republicans talk about... Yes, direct from Rep. Joe Barton's youtube.com page. It is as though he is bragging that he asked a really stupid and childish question...
From the VerdePR Blog: Steep ice, gnarly terrain, 100 mph winds, and you're on 1970's ski gear... Oh, sign me up! Before extreme skiing gained popularity there was Yuichiro Miura of Japan who pulled off the most and still extreme downhill run of all. A shot down the earth's highest peak, Mt Everest. An interesting documentary that shows the preparations, ascent and eventual descent down Everest on skis. This 1975 film is rarely shown. While the actual footage of Miuras descent on his skis is short in length the film essentially is about the determination of an individual to achieve a goal that seems both challenging and unrealistic.
And now, we have essentially more extreme big mountain skiers than ever... So what's changed? Sociologists might argue that extreme sports are similar to vision quests or other traditional rites of passage common in some cultures. These rites are severe physical ordeals during which adolescents experience intense personal growth. Initiates leave their families and experience a lengthy seclusion or concur some physical challenge. Observers believe that extreme sports enthusiasts find a similar experience by undertaking epic activities in small, closely knit groups.
It might also be the gear. The increased participation in extreme athletic pursuit might be the enhanced sports technology. For example, the invention of sticky rubber-soled climbing shoes and artificial climbing walls broadened the appeal of rock climbing. And advances in shaped ski design created an platform whereby more skiers attempted extreme feats previously thought impossible.
Whatever the case, strap on your Julbo's and cinch up your Osprey Kode, and let's hit the peaks!
Today in Colorado the snowfall has been unrelenting, and so have the well wishes on my Birthday! Already, knowing the snow is here makes my special day, well, that much more special...
It is funny the things to think about when you have another year to celebrate. I mean what really happens on your birthday other than the good things to you. Well, let's just see what happened many years ago on December 8th:
How much is a name worth? During the dot-com boom, the domain name “business.com” was worth a cool $7.5 million.
John Lennon was shot - oh, great!
The Grateful Dead broke up four months after Jerry Garcia's death
As posted from the VerdePR blog: According to the SNEWS website, Leisure Trends Group conducted an on-line survey among its retail panel, which represents over 2,300 retail doors, to gauge consumer buying in the Outdoor, Snow, Paddle, Running, Scuba and Cycling Industries over the Black Friday weekend. Responses were received from retailers representing 536 doors in 42 states. While trends vary from industry to industry the overall results are upbeat with 40% of retailers reporting increased sales compared to 2008, 36% indicating sales were flat and 24% reporting that sales were down.
More of the data, which represents a good year so far. But will the trend continue? Be sure to read the tea leaves in the outlook section below...
Sales: Most retailers report Black Friday weekend sales that were above or equal to last year.
40% of retailers report increased sales
36% report sales as being flat or the same as last year
24% report declining sales
Traffic: Looking at in-store traffic within sport and sport specialty channels, most retailers' expectations were reached or exceeded on Black Friday weekend.
37% of retailers report better than expected traffic
48% report traffic was as expected
15% indicate traffic was lighter than expected
Outlook: These results leave retailers optimistic regarding the remaining weeks of the holiday season.
52% believe this holiday season will be better than last year
33% believe this year will be the same as last year
15% feel that sales will decline from last year
Thank you to http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/3089531148/ for the great picture...