It’s snowing in Aspen. I got up this morning and it was so beautiful.

From our balcony:


Downtown Aspen and Ajax Mountain:


Our Frontyard:

As a celebration of this I spent some time compiling the best Christmas songs by the best artist. Here is my list.

Contemporary:
Here Comes Santa Claus - Doris Day
Winter Wonderland - Rosemary Clooney
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby
The Night Before Christmas Song - Gene Autry & Rosemary Clooney
O Christmas Tree - Aretha Franklin
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Andy Williams
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Betsy Curtis
Baby It’s Cold Outside - Johnny Mercer
Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Jingle Bells (Alternate Take) - Frank Sinatra
Frosty the Snowman - Ella Fitzgerald
Christmas Time Is Here - Richard ‘Cookie’ Thomas
Silver Bells - Perry Como
Deck the Halls - Julie Andrews
Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer - Dean Martin
Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis
I’ll Be Home for Christmas - Doris Day
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole with Natalie Cole
White Christmas - Bing Crosby

Traditional:
Silent Night - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
O Come All Ye Faithful - Elvis Presley
O Holy Night - Charlotte Church
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Jerry Vale
What Child Is This? - London Philharmonic Orchestra
The First Noel - Jaci Velasquez
The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Chorale
Do You Hear What I Hear - The St. John The Evangelist Adult Choir
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear- Frank Sinatra
Carol of the Bells - Boston Pops Orchestra
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Choir of King’s College
The Twelve Days of Christmas - The New York Philharmonic
Joy to the World - Vienna Choir Boys
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman - Choir of King’s College

I have also made an iMix so you can download the songs:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPublishedPlaylist?id=556146

I tried to make this list as diverse as possible. Considering that, I would like to give a list of my all time favorite Christmas albums by individual artists.

Perry Como - Greatest Christmas Songs
Rosemary Clooney - Rosemary Clooney Christmas
Kenny G - Faith
Kenny G - Miracles
Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Frank Sinatra - A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
Bing Crosby - The Very Best of Bing Crosby Christmas
Andy Williams - Andy Williams: Merry Christmas
John Lanchbery & Philharmonia Orchestra - Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Silent Night
Choir of King’s College - Best Loved Christmas Carols

Loveland was a lot of fun. Both Sam and I are so tired, not to mention sore. They only had one run open but they had a mini terrain park at the bottom with three boxes. The first day was sunny and warm (around 50 degrees) and the second was snowy and cold (around 30 degrees). Here are a couple pictures from the trip.

From the bottom of the mountain:

Sam and I:

Independence Pass:

Me getting some crazy air:

We’re going snowboarding!!!

We’re leaving this afternoon for Loveland. It’s a ski resort just outside of Georgetown, CO (about a 3 hour drive). We’ll be there until Sunday. I’ll be sure to take some pictures.

Until then you might be able to spot me on the web cam.
http://www.skiloveland.com/cam.html

The Chicago White Sox have swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series. Their 3rd championship and the first in 88 years. The Black Sox curse has been broken.

This is the coolest thing ever. If I sent post I would absolutely get this.

The company that does it is Stamps.com. Check out their website here.

A group of children laughing with joy
Playing in my ears like a song
I saw nothing

Turning to gain perspective I fell
My knees hitting the soft grass
I felt nothing

All I heard was the laughter

Beautiful voices singing in the distance
Reciting ancient psalms
I saw nothing

Emotions growing stronger each second
Tears welled in my eyes
I felt nothing

All I heard were the voices

Blackness surrounds me as I listen
Trying to comprehend
I see nothing

Turbulence from without disturbs
Wind punishing my face
I feel nothing

All I hear is the silence

Stand up
Get off your feet
Jump

Let your arms flail
Jump
Jump for joy

Breathe deep
Reach high
Jump

Smile wide
Jump
Jump for joy

Scream loud
Celebrate
Jump

Release your mind
Jump
Jump for joy

Just saw Doom and I have to say I liked it. I walked in thinking that it was going to be horrible and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a bit gory but it wasn’t cheesy. What was good, which is missing from most “video game” movies, is that the dialogue was not a joke. This may be the best video game adaptation since “Mario Bros” (joke). There are some pretty bad ass scenes. Also I’m curious as to if any women enjoyed this movie.

You’re huddled in a purple zip-up turtleneck
Seated, I admire from across the brick walk
Golden leaves float past your mittened hands
The cold of night slowly creeping in

Streetlights begin to fade in as the sun fades out
You laugh and talk at the table with your friend
Your glances give me fleeting moments of courage
Yet I remain seated, too nervous to approach

My heart trying desperately to overcome the brain
I’m in a fight with myself and it’s your fault
Slowly I stand and head in your direction
Knowing I will regret not speaking my mind

Your eyes draw me closer as my heart races
Struggling with what to say I open my mouth
And for once I wish it would be acceptable
To say honestly, “Will you marry me?”