: so this is 2009?

t has been ill battling a harsh cold so we rung in the new year on the couch watching red bull's new years no limits and relaxing. 2009 is here, but hell, it doesn't feel any different than 2008? i could really never comprehend all the hype of new year's eve. people dumping mass amounts of money into food, booze, party favors, etc. as far as i'm concerned we should celebrate and cherish each and everyday, not one night of the year.

i headed out this afternoon for a solo hike at hurd park. 17 degrees with 15mph winds made for quite an invigorating adventure, but i wouldn't pass it up for anything! call me crazy, but standing alone, shin deep in snow in the middle of the woods is amazing! the absolute silence is indescribable! people talk about "cleansing themselves" for the new year, turning over a new leaf and starting fresh. for me, nothing is more cleansing and purifying than standing alone in the middle of the wilderness. for those few seconds i'm free, not a care in the world, just man and nature. deep breaths of bitter cold winter air fill me with new life and energy.

photos from today: click here