Simple Goals – Why I am here…

There he is.  That strapping young lad to your right would be me: James Lord Daddario.  Connoisseur of everything in the world that is fine, a renowned bard, righteous judge, art aficionado, playboy, and avid snowboarder.  Of course, none of those things are true… well except for the final item of the list.  Yes, that gentleman and his smug look are the main characters, antagonists, protagonists, and foils of this blog.

Ok enough absurd banter.

The purpose of my trip out to Breckenridge, Colorado is not extravagant nor is it  honorable.  I headed out west for one reason: to snowboard.  Childish as it may seem; screaming down snowy slopes is my passion; it is what I live for.

See, I wasn’t always the “counter-culture” snowboarder.  On the contrary, I did have two separate planks fixed to both of my feet for most of my downhill career: it was on skis that I made my first lines in the snow.   I continued to make two tracks until I sustained several high school football injuries to my left knee.   Taking severe lateral pressure, as one would receive on a ski, was out of the question for me; it was here that my skiing career ended.

Fast forward 4 years and BAM!!! I’m an intelligent and responsible senior in college.  I remember it happening exactly like this:  We were having a party…err study session… at our house and our neighbors, a group of four snowboarders, were in attendance.   Amidst the diligent studying, creation of profound ideas, and unraveling of the mysteries of the universe came the idea to go to Killington first thing in the AM… which was only a couple of hours away.  I think for their own pleasure, my neighbors invited me; it’s always hysterical to watch a newbie try to ride.  They were aware of my knee situation and claimed snowboarding would not present the threat of lateral pressure on my knee.  After several barrages of persistent pleads to  join the group in the next few hours…I used my best judgement and conceded.

The rest is history.  I have managed to make it to the mountain 30+ days every year since I have been riding; I have re-discovered the activity that makes me tick.  Thanks Bobby,Oliver, Trey, and Ice.

That is it.  I’m not here to donate my time to charity nor am I to pursue a lucrative career opportunity.  I will not be exploring uncharted territory and I’m certainly not circumnavigating the globe.  My limbic system has temporarily annexed the rest of my brain: I’m here on the business of pleasure.