Shalom,
I can't say that it is often I have a 40 minute phone conversation. I can't say that it's often I have a 4 minute phone conversation, but when the right person gives you a call... DAMN, life is good. Cheers Elliot Williams, keep up the good body language and keep killin E-Dawg style!
Sometimes I am just so full I spill. Maybe I'm full of shit or laughter, tears of happiness or tears of sadness, full of light or even sometimes full of darkness. What I am trying to say is the glass that is myself is an ever changing shape, but it is always overflowing with something. Whatever the day brings has a part in shaping what I am and how I react reveals who I am as a person. I feel if my reactions are true and I don't hold anything back that I am then the best person I can be. When not holding anything back I begin to spill and my contents are something that people can enjoy soaking in. Perhaps if I spill enough people will begin to remember how I've made them feel, how I may have had a part in the filling of their own glass. I want those glasses most importantly to be filled with happiness and awe. I want then for the glasses of others to spill themselves, thus creating a cascade effect. Maybe then, just maybe, the world will begin to be a better place.
I guess it's time for a poem.
We don't need wings to learn to fly
On chance alone you cannot get by
In everything you do just try
Try
Be bolder than your shadow
Let your fear go
If it's dangerous, just know
Try
When you walk, leap
If you cannot be strong, be weak
Gain knowledge, be heard, speak
Try
If the odds are a million to one
You will never be done
Believe in yourself, and you've won.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Get it Off.
Let me take a moment before I start... Oh wait... I guess I just took a 2 month moment. I guess I can begin again now.
Why hello,
Dearest of dears and deers and bears and beers and Beers (which is a bear/deer, terrifying bear with antlers, but a cute white cottontail of course) please excuse my lack of button pushing for the past few howevers. I have been lost in a world within ours, sunk deep in shallows of the highest peaks of the North Cascades. I have grown, I have took leaps into no bounds, I have tried and failed, tried and conquered, conquered failure, and danced the fine lines of life itself. Life is good, as always, however troublesome, my heart continues its beat, and damnit, the rhythm is a pace that challenges me to keep up. Just the way I like it.
Spring is here and my job at Mt. Baker is nearly ending. I have gone from the rope tow to double black diamonds in one season. Gone from falling to flying, punching my board to grabbing and holding. I now ride with a fervor I only dreamed of as a kid watching videos of epic backcountry snowboarding. This place will forever hold its spot in my heart as an intense, beautiful, and epic adventure. The people, the views, the powder, the silence, the noise, the gentle flakes of bliss. I couldn't have had a better season and to most people, the season has been shitty (as far as snow goes). But hey, not everyone's glass is overflowing.
What will summer bring? A whole new adventure. From mountains to the San Juan Islands. I will be working for a YMCA Summer Camp called Camp Orkila on Orcas Island leading 14-17 year old kids on 1-2 week bike tours throughout the San Juans. Bike rides and getting paid, what's better? I'm not to sure, but maybe I shouldn't speak so soon because what if it sucked... HA! See what I did there?
I couldn't be more blessed by the family and friends that push me. I have a desire to see the world and its slowly coming into view. The most beautiful view. One where it'll leave my mouth hung open, an awe moment. Ideas are brewing, countries are calling, travel surges through my blood like I'm a nomad whose been trapped by the lines on a map. Well, I guess I just have to keep drawing my own map in hopes that someone can find it worthwhile.
This has been a short post, written within 25 minutes at a coffee shop in Bellingham, Washington. I have things to do, people to see, and poops to take. The future will hold more, so much so that I will spill some onto the virtual pages on the internet. Stay tuned, somewhat.
Cheers,
Moey Jichels.
Why hello,
Dearest of dears and deers and bears and beers and Beers (which is a bear/deer, terrifying bear with antlers, but a cute white cottontail of course) please excuse my lack of button pushing for the past few howevers. I have been lost in a world within ours, sunk deep in shallows of the highest peaks of the North Cascades. I have grown, I have took leaps into no bounds, I have tried and failed, tried and conquered, conquered failure, and danced the fine lines of life itself. Life is good, as always, however troublesome, my heart continues its beat, and damnit, the rhythm is a pace that challenges me to keep up. Just the way I like it.
Spring is here and my job at Mt. Baker is nearly ending. I have gone from the rope tow to double black diamonds in one season. Gone from falling to flying, punching my board to grabbing and holding. I now ride with a fervor I only dreamed of as a kid watching videos of epic backcountry snowboarding. This place will forever hold its spot in my heart as an intense, beautiful, and epic adventure. The people, the views, the powder, the silence, the noise, the gentle flakes of bliss. I couldn't have had a better season and to most people, the season has been shitty (as far as snow goes). But hey, not everyone's glass is overflowing.
What will summer bring? A whole new adventure. From mountains to the San Juan Islands. I will be working for a YMCA Summer Camp called Camp Orkila on Orcas Island leading 14-17 year old kids on 1-2 week bike tours throughout the San Juans. Bike rides and getting paid, what's better? I'm not to sure, but maybe I shouldn't speak so soon because what if it sucked... HA! See what I did there?
I couldn't be more blessed by the family and friends that push me. I have a desire to see the world and its slowly coming into view. The most beautiful view. One where it'll leave my mouth hung open, an awe moment. Ideas are brewing, countries are calling, travel surges through my blood like I'm a nomad whose been trapped by the lines on a map. Well, I guess I just have to keep drawing my own map in hopes that someone can find it worthwhile.
This has been a short post, written within 25 minutes at a coffee shop in Bellingham, Washington. I have things to do, people to see, and poops to take. The future will hold more, so much so that I will spill some onto the virtual pages on the internet. Stay tuned, somewhat.
Cheers,
Moey Jichels.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Just a Little Bit, Just to See How it Feels.
Seasons Greetings,
Here I hang at Maple Fuels in Maple Falls to bring to "you" the things that I do do. As you may have thought that I was going to college, I pulled your leg and arm and gave you a tittie twister because I AM NOT! HAHAHHAHHA YA FOOLS! Well, I am, just not in January. So it seems our wonderful goverment doesn't want to give this 23 year old independent male any grants for college. So, I am just not going to try and figure student loans out until the 4th quarter or possibly next fall. Which means... THAT I AM GOING TO SHRED SNOWBOARDING ALL WINTER AND YOU SHOULD TOO!
Things that are on my chest that need to be off my chest include but are not related to scuba-drifting:
1. Working on Christmas...
That is basically it, no one wants to, but I did... Sure, I got a bonus of 20 bucks and 20 dollar gift certificate and won a helmet that is too big for my noggin and I happily handed it off to a friend in need, it still doesn't account for my having to work that hard and deal with all those hungry people. Needless to say, I had a good Christmas that was filled with laughs and friends. I did (and do) feel bad for missing my first family christmas, but they know I was there in spirit. To everyone I normally see on that Merry day, please know that I'll do my best to be there next year!
What is life on the mountain like? Well, I work in a cooler version of a fast food restaurant and listen to a mix of dance and rap music... I get to snowboard (sometimes). There is a snow igloo that is getting so BAA DASS that Nate slept in it the other night. Pretty much just hang out and laugh, even when I work. Though, yesterday at work I asked someone if they wanted Orange Milk with their chicken nuggets... We don't have orange milk... Also, I watched a kid cough at me and I felt like I was going to be sick, because he looked pale and deathly. Then, two minutes later, he fainted and started crying... and all his dad did was say "HE IS FINE, HE JUST NEEDS THIS LEMONADE AND CHICKEN NUGGETS!" I fear for that poor boy, getting aids or herpes and just remedying it with rub on chicken nuggets dunked in lemonade his whole life. Poor fellow. On the upside, I am not sick.
I got a newer pair of used boots, ya know, instead of the 96' Airwalks... Along with those sick Burton Boots, I have a new "used" helmet that has already come in handy. I was also gifted a sweet pair of bindings for when I stumble upon a sweet snowboard. Looks like I am rad rad rad ready! My learning curve is taking its "super happy fun time" where you have to go really fast before you fall. Makes for faster learning and faster turning.
What else to tell the few people that read this? Life is good, I am happy, I am full, and I am alive. The mountain is a whole different style of life and I feel I've only just dipped my toes in. Come Jan. I feel like the new year will bring leaps of enjoeyment, hopefully for everyone! Without further adieu I am going to buy a case of beer. "Smooches and Farts"- A Hero of mine once said.
Here I hang at Maple Fuels in Maple Falls to bring to "you" the things that I do do. As you may have thought that I was going to college, I pulled your leg and arm and gave you a tittie twister because I AM NOT! HAHAHHAHHA YA FOOLS! Well, I am, just not in January. So it seems our wonderful goverment doesn't want to give this 23 year old independent male any grants for college. So, I am just not going to try and figure student loans out until the 4th quarter or possibly next fall. Which means... THAT I AM GOING TO SHRED SNOWBOARDING ALL WINTER AND YOU SHOULD TOO!
Things that are on my chest that need to be off my chest include but are not related to scuba-drifting:
1. Working on Christmas...
That is basically it, no one wants to, but I did... Sure, I got a bonus of 20 bucks and 20 dollar gift certificate and won a helmet that is too big for my noggin and I happily handed it off to a friend in need, it still doesn't account for my having to work that hard and deal with all those hungry people. Needless to say, I had a good Christmas that was filled with laughs and friends. I did (and do) feel bad for missing my first family christmas, but they know I was there in spirit. To everyone I normally see on that Merry day, please know that I'll do my best to be there next year!
What is life on the mountain like? Well, I work in a cooler version of a fast food restaurant and listen to a mix of dance and rap music... I get to snowboard (sometimes). There is a snow igloo that is getting so BAA DASS that Nate slept in it the other night. Pretty much just hang out and laugh, even when I work. Though, yesterday at work I asked someone if they wanted Orange Milk with their chicken nuggets... We don't have orange milk... Also, I watched a kid cough at me and I felt like I was going to be sick, because he looked pale and deathly. Then, two minutes later, he fainted and started crying... and all his dad did was say "HE IS FINE, HE JUST NEEDS THIS LEMONADE AND CHICKEN NUGGETS!" I fear for that poor boy, getting aids or herpes and just remedying it with rub on chicken nuggets dunked in lemonade his whole life. Poor fellow. On the upside, I am not sick.
I got a newer pair of used boots, ya know, instead of the 96' Airwalks... Along with those sick Burton Boots, I have a new "used" helmet that has already come in handy. I was also gifted a sweet pair of bindings for when I stumble upon a sweet snowboard. Looks like I am rad rad rad ready! My learning curve is taking its "super happy fun time" where you have to go really fast before you fall. Makes for faster learning and faster turning.
What else to tell the few people that read this? Life is good, I am happy, I am full, and I am alive. The mountain is a whole different style of life and I feel I've only just dipped my toes in. Come Jan. I feel like the new year will bring leaps of enjoeyment, hopefully for everyone! Without further adieu I am going to buy a case of beer. "Smooches and Farts"- A Hero of mine once said.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Farts
From the Eyes of a Mountain Bum,
"Sup brotha-man?" T-Sloan pipes.
"Oh, goin' out to tha snow cave." Brotha-man merrily replies.
Now its time for Mountain Dictionary Edition 2013 Revised.
Chunder ball: N. A giant block of ice, usually at the bottoms of Cat-Tracks, dangerous if encountered without reaction time.
Canadian Thanksgiving: P.N. It's in October.
Core Shot: When a rock busts through the base layer of your skis or board. 2. Getting shot by a gun in the midsection.
Here I sit at the Employee Lodge of Mt. Baker Ski and Snowboard area. I had to work today, but we once again have terrible snow conditions so we are not busy, hence the had. However, working here is not about the work, but the perk. Going out every day to catch some pow-turns, drop some cliffs, or just jovially gallivant and traverse the varying terrains the mountain has offer on your skis or your snowboard. I digress.
I came here with nothing but a heart, a soul, a mind, and a body. Upon arrival the kindness of others has begun hitting me like ocean waves. In a week and a half, I am fully equipped to snowboard whenever I want/get the chance too. Thus far, I have gone out 3 times and have damn learned a lot! First things first, don't put your hands down to fall, you'll break your wrist. Second, your ass will hurt if you do the first correctly. Third, when you begin to fall harder, your learning a lot faster...
That last line brings up my first lie. Well, not really a lie, just a time out of time thing (I mean, if I wrote this blog sooner, it wouldn't be a lie, but because of "time" I guess I lied). I am NOT fully equipped to be riding this mountain, I need one more item. Yesterday I smashed my face going quite fast into a heelside turn, instead caught my toe edge of the snowboard, thus making me gain super powers as I Super Maned right onto my face and chest, knocking the wind out of me and making me think semi funny thoughts, aka a bit delirious. SO, after I managed to get back up and ride the rest of the way down to the Raven Hut (backcountryesk lodge), I strolled in to find some friends kickin it, warming up, and getting coffee. We shared our daily riding stories and VOILA! Lucas, an Australian who moved to Glacier (closest town) offered to hook it up with his helmet an his old boots (I am currently rockin some mid-90's Airwalks). BAM! Now this brain of mine won't get too scrambled!
Alright alright alright alright WHATEVER ALREADY. If you love snowboarding or skiing and your stuck in Wisconsin and you think you need an actual mountain to ride. I suggest finding one, moving there as an employee, living on the mountain, and riding as much as possible. you will progress more than you ever have. Plus, you get to meet some of the craziest cool cats ever. Every day is story time, If that means listening to one, telling one, or creating one, it is eye opening and mind blowing.
So you snow heads out there, strap your balls on and make some moves son. Or strap your boobs on, to you beautiful women, but ya know, not being sexist, it's just, ya know, like, works better with balls... I mean, harumph sigh. Sorry.
Sorry this was a pretty lame post. The mountain life out here is so awesome that I have to balance it by making it less cool on the introwebs. Now go give a stranger a hug, buy the next person in line their coffee order, and snag that handicap spot you've always wanted!
Karma Cheers,
Joey "WISCONSIN" Michels
"Sup brotha-man?" T-Sloan pipes.
"Oh, goin' out to tha snow cave." Brotha-man merrily replies.
Now its time for Mountain Dictionary Edition 2013 Revised.
Chunder ball: N. A giant block of ice, usually at the bottoms of Cat-Tracks, dangerous if encountered without reaction time.
Canadian Thanksgiving: P.N. It's in October.
Core Shot: When a rock busts through the base layer of your skis or board. 2. Getting shot by a gun in the midsection.
Here I sit at the Employee Lodge of Mt. Baker Ski and Snowboard area. I had to work today, but we once again have terrible snow conditions so we are not busy, hence the had. However, working here is not about the work, but the perk. Going out every day to catch some pow-turns, drop some cliffs, or just jovially gallivant and traverse the varying terrains the mountain has offer on your skis or your snowboard. I digress.
I came here with nothing but a heart, a soul, a mind, and a body. Upon arrival the kindness of others has begun hitting me like ocean waves. In a week and a half, I am fully equipped to snowboard whenever I want/get the chance too. Thus far, I have gone out 3 times and have damn learned a lot! First things first, don't put your hands down to fall, you'll break your wrist. Second, your ass will hurt if you do the first correctly. Third, when you begin to fall harder, your learning a lot faster...
That last line brings up my first lie. Well, not really a lie, just a time out of time thing (I mean, if I wrote this blog sooner, it wouldn't be a lie, but because of "time" I guess I lied). I am NOT fully equipped to be riding this mountain, I need one more item. Yesterday I smashed my face going quite fast into a heelside turn, instead caught my toe edge of the snowboard, thus making me gain super powers as I Super Maned right onto my face and chest, knocking the wind out of me and making me think semi funny thoughts, aka a bit delirious. SO, after I managed to get back up and ride the rest of the way down to the Raven Hut (backcountryesk lodge), I strolled in to find some friends kickin it, warming up, and getting coffee. We shared our daily riding stories and VOILA! Lucas, an Australian who moved to Glacier (closest town) offered to hook it up with his helmet an his old boots (I am currently rockin some mid-90's Airwalks). BAM! Now this brain of mine won't get too scrambled!
Alright alright alright alright WHATEVER ALREADY. If you love snowboarding or skiing and your stuck in Wisconsin and you think you need an actual mountain to ride. I suggest finding one, moving there as an employee, living on the mountain, and riding as much as possible. you will progress more than you ever have. Plus, you get to meet some of the craziest cool cats ever. Every day is story time, If that means listening to one, telling one, or creating one, it is eye opening and mind blowing.
So you snow heads out there, strap your balls on and make some moves son. Or strap your boobs on, to you beautiful women, but ya know, not being sexist, it's just, ya know, like, works better with balls... I mean, harumph sigh. Sorry.
Sorry this was a pretty lame post. The mountain life out here is so awesome that I have to balance it by making it less cool on the introwebs. Now go give a stranger a hug, buy the next person in line their coffee order, and snag that handicap spot you've always wanted!
Karma Cheers,
Joey "WISCONSIN" Michels
Keepin the gear safe, mouser ftw
Mt. Shukstan
Dorms anyone?
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Kiss Farm Boy Ass Goodbye!
SCHNARF,
Well folks, another day, another ... shit I made no money. But, that is what WWOOFing is all about. It's not about making flow so you can toss up yo billz and make it rain on bitchz! It's about sharing knowledge, making change, living a healthy lifestyle... Damn, I think I am in the wrong profession... HA YOU WISH BILL LUMBERG! In all honesty, WWOOFing is such a good organization. It's a network of knowledge. A reins toward travel and experience. A way to shoo yourself from the confines of your everyday life. An escape module to a planet of good food. Don't you just wanna?!
Jim and Vera have been wonderful hosts and to that I thank them. My time at Biocharm farms has been well spent. I have learned the right amount of knowledge for future farm preparation and production. My future will one day contain damn good food!
To Ilwaco, I was hardly there so I don't think you care what I say about you. Also, your inanimate.
To life. <-That is just a good cheers.
The chicken coop is not finished... That kinda sucks, but I don't blame myself. Sometimes you have to stop and smell flowers? No, no, just stop and hang out, read a book, drink lots of coffee, and do your best to crush crossword puzzles that you never finish.
This next paragraph is for the things to come. Please, mountain, let my Wisconsin skin be able to bear your hardly freezing temperatures. Don't hit me with an avalanche. If you do, let me live and not be injured (AWW DANGLES! I WALKED UNDERNEATH A LADDER TODAY!). The thought of being around peers truly warms the cockles of my heart. Perhaps, mountain, make my beard, or lack there of, grow in fuller. Well, that's enough I guess.
Say hi to your animals for me.
Exotic love,
Joey Michels
Well folks, another day, another ... shit I made no money. But, that is what WWOOFing is all about. It's not about making flow so you can toss up yo billz and make it rain on bitchz! It's about sharing knowledge, making change, living a healthy lifestyle... Damn, I think I am in the wrong profession... HA YOU WISH BILL LUMBERG! In all honesty, WWOOFing is such a good organization. It's a network of knowledge. A reins toward travel and experience. A way to shoo yourself from the confines of your everyday life. An escape module to a planet of good food. Don't you just wanna?!
Jim and Vera have been wonderful hosts and to that I thank them. My time at Biocharm farms has been well spent. I have learned the right amount of knowledge for future farm preparation and production. My future will one day contain damn good food!
To Ilwaco, I was hardly there so I don't think you care what I say about you. Also, your inanimate.
To life. <-That is just a good cheers.
The chicken coop is not finished... That kinda sucks, but I don't blame myself. Sometimes you have to stop and smell flowers? No, no, just stop and hang out, read a book, drink lots of coffee, and do your best to crush crossword puzzles that you never finish.
This next paragraph is for the things to come. Please, mountain, let my Wisconsin skin be able to bear your hardly freezing temperatures. Don't hit me with an avalanche. If you do, let me live and not be injured (AWW DANGLES! I WALKED UNDERNEATH A LADDER TODAY!). The thought of being around peers truly warms the cockles of my heart. Perhaps, mountain, make my beard, or lack there of, grow in fuller. Well, that's enough I guess.
Say hi to your animals for me.
Exotic love,
Joey Michels
A quick jaunt of a p o e m.
Here I rest for one last night
The moment has come, the work is done
Biocharm will always need an extra hand
for mine I've lent with no restraint
But tomorrow brings a new day
A whole new different place to stay
What I am leave behind I have only gained
Knowledge from some ancients ways
To grow a better crop
To build a home for chicken crap
Life on the farm is perfect for what it is worth
Life on a mountain will be a whole new different Earth.
MORE TO COME! Not poetry though, poetry is for SUCKAS!
The moment has come, the work is done
Biocharm will always need an extra hand
for mine I've lent with no restraint
But tomorrow brings a new day
A whole new different place to stay
What I am leave behind I have only gained
Knowledge from some ancients ways
To grow a better crop
To build a home for chicken crap
Life on the farm is perfect for what it is worth
Life on a mountain will be a whole new different Earth.
MORE TO COME! Not poetry though, poetry is for SUCKAS!
Monday, November 18, 2013
They are everywhere
There are so many words that go said but never heard
Everything left unsaid just because you forgot the words
Holding nothing back plunging for the turns
Left for dead regretting you have never learned the curves
No fine lines in between two ends
Thinking outside those lines about which end is pretend
What is to figure out, the whispers from the wind?
No questions asked, embrace the tickles within
Inside you will always feel it growing
Fantastical brightness, the spark, the rhythm, your hearts pumping
Soon you will know there is no mountain to climb
Just an upward motion, an action toward an view, a awe moment.
Everything left unsaid just because you forgot the words
Holding nothing back plunging for the turns
Left for dead regretting you have never learned the curves
No fine lines in between two ends
Thinking outside those lines about which end is pretend
What is to figure out, the whispers from the wind?
No questions asked, embrace the tickles within
Inside you will always feel it growing
Fantastical brightness, the spark, the rhythm, your hearts pumping
Soon you will know there is no mountain to climb
Just an upward motion, an action toward an view, a awe moment.
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