I've rediscovered a few of my hobbies recently.

Scuba: I'm going to be getting PADI certified to scuba dive and I've gotten my self some equipment and I'll be trying to find places to get wet this summer. (Need to buy new regulator and mask.)

Roller Blading: This is one of my favorite workouts. I love it because I get the feeling of speed and turning and that "OH SHIT, HOPE I DON'T HIT THAT!" feeling. Followed by the, "SWEET, I didn't lose my ass!" feeling. :) (new skates? Nah, they should hold for another season.)

Water Skiing: I was able to get out last summer and this summer I'm looking to make more trips to the lake. I want to try to get some air time on a wakeboad as well as work on my slalom ski. It burned me out pretty quickly last year, I should be in better shape for it now. Of course, barefoot. If there's a anyone out there who is a 'footer' there's always room in my boat for one more. Like wise if you have a boat, I'm a good driver and used to pulling people. My boat is 5hrs away. :( (I need to shop for a new wetsuit)

Bicycling: My family has brought me up with distance bicycling and I try to participate in at least one bikeathon a summer. Last year I did the MS150 from Duluth to Minneapolis. I'd like to do it again this year. Mt Biking too, just not much fun terrain in ND...

Cooking: I enjoy making food, but I'm a tad against it when I know that all the food I make is going to end up as left overs. I think when I get back I'll try cooking with that in mind. Maybe make a few days meals on one day.

Skiing: (down hill) I've been skiing since I was two, but this season I was sidelined by a deployment. It's not like I live close to a hill as it is, but I try to make a good trip out west each year and get the rest of my fun at Spirit Mt or Lutsen if I can make the drive for the weekend with the family. My dad is a ski instructor and has the whole family into it.

Music: I've just picked up the guitar and to be honest it's pretty rough right now. I can rock out "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". So, if you'd like to hear that badly and slowly played let me know. LOL, it will get better, it's only been a month or so. I used to play the harmonica, and I've been thinking about picking that up again too, we'll see. I also listen to mostly alternative. Cold, Audioslave, Shinedown, Bush, 3 Doors Down, ect... I can also be caught enjoying country. The greats like Dean Martin and company also captivate me.

Weight Lifting: No, not the super veiny creepy body builder look, but I've been out in the desert for 5 months with nothing to do but go to the gym. I like what it has done for my body and how I feel when I'm done. Just the same I'd rather get my workout as a byproduct of fun, but here it's all I got. Hopefully I'll be in better shape to have fun doing the things I love this summer. The other up side is I just discovered that I am apparently one of those guys who has what they call "abs". I won't be starring in my own calendar photo shoot, but I'm pleased to meet the little suckers.

Spanish: Plenty of times have I been places or done things where I have said, "I wasted so much time there I could have learned a second language!" This time, I attempted to actually use the time for that. Doesn't seem so wasted now, but my Spanish is still rough. Unless I can find someone to abuse with my poor grammar and trade foreign banter with I'll prolly lose it in a month or two altogether. oh well.

Motorcycle: This one is planned not necessarily in action. I'm looking to buy a lil beater bike this summer to get used to riding and get my license. Maybe next year I'll buy a shiny fast bike, but for right now I'll just find something that works.

Camping and Canoeing: I'm going to be making it a priority to get at least one good trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area this year. I'd really like to go and see Rebecca Falls. It's a bit of a long trip with bugs, wind, and trails that will try to break your ankles. And it might rain the whole time... On the positive side, I know how to pack and the scenery is amazing and being in that place makes it all very worth while. (I just might be in the market for a new canoe too..)

Dancing: I at one time really enjoyed swing dancing and since have let my skills just about completely slip. It was fun and it's one of the things I'll be searching out how to revive this summer. Since my deployment I've also been learning salsa dancing. I'll be looking for a dance partner if I find any classes in my area.

I've just picked up the guitar and to be honest it's pretty rough right now. I can rock out "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". So, if you'd like to hear that badly and slowly played let me know. LOL, it will get better, it's only been a month or so. I used to play the harmonica, and I've been thinking about picking that up again too, we'll see. I also listen to mostly alternative. Cold, Audioslave, Shinedown, Bush, 3 Doors Down, ect... The greats like Dean Martin and company also captivate me.

Any good music... I listed some above, but I can't forget to list one of my all time faves, CAKE. I'm a fan of almost every song they've put out. Also check out MC CHRIS. Also known as MC Pea Pants from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Check him out. MCCHRIS.com