Vail

Today, I'm suffering a little bit.  Why?  Because I'm hungry and I want to eat cake, sushi and gravy cheese fries.  After a weekend of gluttony and pleasure it's hard for me to get focused again and maintain my disciplined eating habits.  I just want to let go but doing that brings it's own set of miseries like- I hate myself for looking like a slob (which because of my crappy genetics, happens in no time).  The thing is, I'm happy most of time but sometimes you look around and realize that there is a price to pay no matter what decision you make.  One of the four noble truths of Buddhism is that to live is to suffer.  That guy was onto something.  He also says that to overcome suffering we need to work on becoming enlightened -see shedding carnal desires, become the masters of our emotions, detachment from physical things.  In other words, more pain and discipline.  On this topic, I would argue that LDS teachings are basically the same with a few differences thrown in for good measure.

What does this have to do with Candice's birthday?  I'm not sure but I'm feeling a little introspective and it probably has something to do with the fact that I'm listening to smashing pumpkins, sunny day real estate and say hi to your mom right now.

Ok, so about hedonism, I'm a fan and this weekend is perfect evidence of that.

Not to toot my own horn but making Candice happy is basically one of the few things I feel I'm good at.  Lloyd Dobler and I are kindred spirits.  Here's how it all went down.


Let's start with gifts.  There's no need to go into details but I was proud of one gift in particular.  As you know, Candice is a yoga gangsta' if ever there was such a thing.  She can now do all the downward dogging she wants on this custom mat featuring her coupled with all sorts of potentially dangerous creatures.  Alligator, timber wolf, lemon shark and mountain gorilla to be precise.  She is a little worried about appearing narcissistic in yoga class but she's just going to have to deal with it.  I'm hoping that the spirit of the wolf will carry her onto new yoga heights.

I gave Candice a massage and tickle sesh that lasted for a few hours.  I actually really like giving massages and if you've never had a tickle session, you're missing out on a seriously good time.  She gave me the best compliment by telling me it was her favorite part of the day.  Some of the best gifts are the ones where you give of yourself, you know?  I'm super cheesy. Sorry.

As expected there was good food at every corner of the weekend.  During dinner on her actual birthday, I busted a joke that sent Candice into a fit of belly laughter.  She leaned forward only to have her perfectly manicured bobble catch fire in the candle sitting on our dining table.  Luckily, it just singed the tips a bit.  You still look hot babe, burnt hair or not.

This cake doesn't look like much but it's our favorite.  It mostly has to do with the fact that there are 4 sticks of butter in this bad boy and it takes about 6 hours to make.  Labor of love homies, labor of love...

Lobster Ramen from sushi den. I wish I could work out everyday with a camelbak full of this broth on my back.  I'm pretty sure my bench would go through the roof.

If you don't want to kiss her cheek in this pic, I think it's pretty safe to say that you don't like money, rainbows or the American way.  I feel bad for you.

We got a beautiful room at the Arrabelle hotel in Vail for the weekend.  There are some things you should know about Vail.  It's flippin' adorable.  The town looks like a bavarian ski village that is jam packed full of water features, flowers and charming architecture.

Don't really have any great pics of the room but it was large and luxe.

Gazing on the mountains and quaint village of Vail in between swim sessions.  

Fake laughter, a specialty

One problem I have is that I fall instantly in love with anyone that brings me breakfast in bed or in this case, breakfast on our balcony.  To Anthony, the room service guy, I shall never forget you...

Candice always loves the really small bottles that accompany room service food.

Hiked around 

We dipped our toes in a river and talked for hours.  The best part about getting away is always the removal of distractions like business and electronics and reconnecting with each other.  Maybe our country wouldn't have a 50% divorce rate if people took more vacations and worked a little less on obtaining material possessions?  Look at me getting all preachy, sorry.  Truthfully, there's only like two things I know for certain.

1.  I love my wife

         2.  Chocolate is of God.

We took a kayaking class.  I was really surprised how much I sucked.  I'm an okay athlete but the instructor kept focusing on helping me the whole class.  Some times I get pissed-off when I'm made to feel "special."  I guess with kayaking, it's all about finesse and not muscling anything.  All I really understand is muscling things, so I failed miserably.  It was fun though.  I want to do it more often.

Cartwheel contest before we got into the water.  I lost again..dang it.

Blisters from the oars.

The only thing that tainted the weekend was that we couldn't help but talk about the Batman killings a lot.  Being a proud Coloradoan, I hate that our state is associated with some of the worst mass killings the country has ever seen.  It's been said so much lately, but it's true- life is precious.  Hungry or not,  I'm going to suck it up and appreciate this day because there are 12 people that don't have that chance.