That is 12 in a row!

The 12 month ski cycle is now complete! The clock was ticking on September and with only 2 days left we got really lucky with the weather here in CH. Ullr blessed us with 50+ CM fresh over the past week and kept Saas Fee closed until Saturday, so it was time go!

After another crazy hectic week at work, including a 1/2 day PM Friday meeting, I left work at 5:30 directly to Jay's house in Pully to get him and head to Saas Fee. I arrived at around 6:30 and had a nice meal prepared by Jen waiting for me (thanks again!). After a little grub we were off. We arrived in Saas around 10ish and grabbed a hotel room...small but functional..with a great view!


That night we met up with Al and Milo for a few drinks and foosball.
The next AM we woke up really early to make sure we got first lift. It was a bluebird day, clear, sunny...just perfect!



We arrived at the lift at around 7:45 for the first lift, but so did everyone else:

Luckily they were mostly race teams, so when we got to the top there were still first tracks! ...my first turns!

The snow was perfect and there were many friends on the hill...Marius:


Jay and Al:



and Maitas, Brian, and Milo (not shown) The skiing was great and Jay got the shot of the year I think....very fitting that it completes my 12 month cycle!

The day ended with smiles and high fives. After getting off the hill we headed back to Pully where is was 70+ degrees and had a nice dinner on Jay's deck (2nd thanks for the dinner Jen) It was a perfect way to end the day....so now with that being said a review of the 2007 goals:
1) Stay postive+: This one is key and will always be in my life.
2) Continue to grow and be open: This takes effort, but is worth it. I have really put things in a different perspective in my life.
3) Do things that people say to you after...."are you serious": Bungee jumping, skiing in June, July, and August.
4) Do things for me, but continue to be selfless: As before ask my friends.
5) Live life and not an "existence": See above
6) Be in contact with my friends/family more: Not bad on this one. I need to call my Gramps and Jay soon.
7) Visit 10 new countries: At 6. I think I will get 2 more (Sweden and Poland)
8) Cherish everyday for at least 1 reason: Today I walked a block to get a fresh loaf of bread and made a nice breakfast....simple, but made me smile.
9) Just be: Chilling daily.
10) Ski...ski....and ski!: 12 MONTHS IN A ROW!!!
Thank you everyone that has helped me reach my goals especially my parents and KK. Much love!

Pause.....

So after about 2+ months without me being in Geneva for a Saturday, it was time to pause. Friday night I relaxed, cooked a roast, and watched a movie...nothing big, but needed. I woke to a great day on Saturday and walked out to the "marche" for a little snack:

I first hooked up with my favorite "Jambon" with rosemary and pepper...this is my "sausage guy" (like in Boston):

I got back after a 10 minute shop :-) with a booty of jambon, homemade pickles, bananas, fresh grape juice, and bread:

I cooked up a nice b-fast and then it was off to hang with Paul. I met up with Paul in Geneva at the Rive stop and we went around town checking out shops. We purchased a few books and some gear and then had lunch at Manor...apres lunch is was nap time. That evening I hooked up with Pedro for some Sushi and that was my Saturday......"tres repose"!
Today has turned into a very chill day. I got up early and went to the park for a 2+ mile run preparing for the Escalade in December, a 10K in Geneva. After the run I met up with Paul for some B-ball and brunch in Carouge. The rest of the day has been filled with work, buying gear (and sending it to KK) and relaxing. I found out how to get Pats games, so that is the plan for the PM. A very, nice, chill weekend!

Quick VTT update...

This is the course we do all the time in Les Crosets...just to give you some perspective:

Travel, CH, chilling and more VTT....

KK was coming to town and we were ready to rock to Italy for a little vacation before she started her new J-O-B in October. She arrived Friday and after a little nap we were off to the Liguria region of Italy. We arrived at our hotel around 9ish on a nice night. We stayed at the Hotel L'Approdo in Rapallo This place had a great view:

The next day we woke up and decided to check out the beach in Rapallo:

After a little walk KK was feeling a little under the weather so we relaxed at the hotel and chilled. Later in the day we headed to Portofino for a little walk:


On the way we saw this nice lady teaching her friend to ride a bike....hilarious..and cute at the same time:

After a nice 6KM walk we had a little lunch in Portofino and headed back to the hotel. That night KK was still not feeling well so we decided that it would be the best to head back to Geneva the next day to recoup. Sunday was a drive back to Geneva and a little scare. KK was sleeping and we were heading in Aosta. Gas was not an issue until the 3 rest stops I passed were closed! Oooopppsss! EMPTY:

...luckily on fumes I made it to the next rest stop (thanks Subie for the good mileage) and everything was chill. We entered the Mt. Blanc tunnel ready to get back to CH:
Monday KK started to kick the illness and we went to Ikea to hook up with some gear. The day was chill and we returned to Geneva and assemble the new ware for the flat. Tuesday rolled around and KK was almost 100%. We decided that we would check you the X-mas Chalet in Leysin. We arrived and took a walk to see if we can find the place and we did...it is perfect!


Local cows...MOOOOWWW:

Lunch in Leysin:

The day ended with a little Fondue at "chez moi"...KK was feeling MUCH better!
Wedneday was another off day and we were off to Annecy. It was a perfect day!


A sick lunch...this place ruled....7 Euros!

The day ended with a little chilling in Geneva and ready to return to work on Thursday. The next two days were relaxed and KK and I worked.
Satuday morning at 5AM arrived and KK was off to the airport. (I miss you too)..but I was off for some VTT with Jay, Tom, and new riders Peter and Robert. The day was another picture perfect one...getting ready to rock!

The crew...L to R.... Tom, Peter, Robert, and Jay:

Croset CH course:

G rocking out!

The riding was great and I returned home to chill with P+P. Sunday was a down day and today it was back to work. A great week overall! As always more to come this weekend. -GG

Mid week ride.....

So it was Jeune Genevois and instead of fasting I went to Les Gets to get my ride on! Car, pads, and bike check:

Get over the boarder..check:

Sunny day..check:

VTT course...check:

Sick riding....check:

Rest...check:

The of the best scenery in the world..check:



One good fall....check ...no pics, but it was a good one...thanks 661 for the pads!
A memorable day off...check! More to come...off to Italy and Cinque Terre with KK in the PM tomorrow.

Golf, VTT, and chilling in CH (and France)....

As in every week, Friday rolled around. This past one was extremely busy with 12 hour days and 2 nights with business dinners. I was able to extract myself from the office around 4ish to go to the bike shop and get a some parts for my new fork. After a quick shop I was off to meet Rob, Andy, and Damian (all work friends) to play a little golf. This was going to be the first time out in about 3 months so I knew that is was going to be fun. We were playing this little dog-track right outside Geneva in France. We hit a few balls pre-game and then it was on. My game, if I can call it that, was pretty bad. I think I hit one good chip and one good drive the whole round to shoot 12+ for 9 which is HORRIBLE!...I think I need to get out there again and do a little practicing. Even though I shot pretty bad I had a nice time with the guys and it was a good way to get some activity in for the week. Friday night was relaxed and I grabbed a kebab on the way home to my flat and just chilled and attempted to put my new fork on. This was cool, but I was missing a key part, a crown race, and would have to get that in the AM in Morgins. The Super T is on:

Saturday I woke up early as usual and headed to meet Jay for another weekend of VTT at PDS. This weekend we were going to meet up with Tom and a friend. We got to Morgin around 9ish and I headed to the bike shop to sort my bike. 10 minutes and 10CHF later I was ready to rock. We met the boys and headed up the lift. The day was mix of sun/clouds and cool...very fall like (winter is coming ..WOOOOHOO!!!):

The first run I was into it already and so was Jay:
..but Wade was not. He took one over the handlebars and he was off for a little break in the parking lot. We took another lap and Wade decided to call it a day and head to the hospital for a little check (only a bruised rib). So it was now only 3 and we headed over to Chatel,Les Crosets, and Champery:
It was a perfect day for biking and we rocked it out...Tom killing it:




Jay:



G:




and of course CH!



By the end of the day we were exhausted and ready to head home. When arriving home the Carouge festival was going on, so I grabbed an Italian Sausage and some Churros for dinners.
Sunday has been a down day. I woke up early, but feeling tired. I watched a movie and then headed out to the Carouge festival for some food. Lunch:

I am now writing this getting prepared for a short week. Thursday is a holiday here in Geneva and I will go biking in Les Get...and then Friday KK comes and we are headed to the Italian and French coast for some chilling. As always a sick weekend and more to come. -G
PS: Here is a link to another cool blog. Most of the pics of me skiing and biking are from Jay...... Ripzalot Blog!