Merry Christmas

Wishes for a very happy Christmas to you all! 

Riding with KP

Kevin Pearce rode yesterday at Breckenridge, for the first time since his Traumatic Brain Injury almost two years ago.

There are few recoveries that are as remarkable as KP's. He has overcome physical and mental barriers to return to the sport he loves-- not to compete, but to ride for the love of riding. His story teaches us just how lucky we are to enjoy one of the best sensations on our Earth, and how much the simple joy of carving down a mountain can mean.

Here is a video of his first runs with friends, along with commentary from KP himself:



He looks better than most people on the hill, even now!

falling in love (all over again) with music

Last Thursday night, I booked it out of the office and risked life and limb by taking the red line to Maryland to catch a ride up to Baltimore to see one of my favorite bands. Dedication: I has it.

I received two tickets from the man on my birthday to see The Airborne Toxic Event at the Rams Head Live in Baltimore, and it was totally unexpected. I love "experience" gifts -- memories last longer than material things. Anywho, we headed up to Baltimore in insane DC rush hour traffic, ready for a good time. 

We got Baltimore, paid an obscene amount of money for parking, made a pit stop at Panera, raced to the venue and took in the scene. It was a massive space, with about three tiers overlooking the stage and a "pit" floor right in front of the stage. We sidled our way to front (as you do) and took our spots for the evening. There were a bunch of teenagers with Xs on their hands, moms and mom-aged women, and a few twenty-somethings. It was a strange mix, to say the least.

First up was The Drowning Men from Oceanside, CA. I looked at their gruff appearance (only the lead singer was without any facial hair) and to be honest, I didn't expect much. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I heard them play and realized they were actually pretty awesome! I picked out a couple influences, but what stuck out was the early 20th century Southern feel (think, the movie "O' Brother Where Art Thou"). They were super original and I was happy to have learned about this band. They are also really nice guys; I got a high-five from Gabe (keyboards & vocals) on the floor later on in the night!

Next came the other featured band, Mona, from Nashville. I had never heard of them before, but to be touring with T.A.T.E., you have to be good.
This band BLEW MY MIND. 

Never before have I been so excited by music, let alone every single song a band has played. Nick, the lead guitarist/vocalist, made me feel like I was seeing a legend in the making. His voice was strong and spot-on, and his tone was just perfection. The band meshed seamlessly and played so well together. I am almost at a loss for words when it comes to describing this band -- I dorkily screamed and smiled and said "THEY ARE SO GOOD" over and over when they were playing.

Next up was the band we were there to see: The Airborne Toxic Event.

I had seen them live at a free concert in Boston a few years ago (The Bravery was also there), and knew I had to see them again. Mikel (vocalist, guitarist) engaged the audience like a good book, while simultaneously sounding exactly like he does on their records. At one point, he climbed up onto some stage equipment that most definitely was not supposed to be climbed on. Mikel got stuck and had to climb off on the second floor/tier. It was amusing, but also very cool. He walked back to the stage from the back of the audience and climbed right on up. I wish I could be a rock star.

They also had to play their most popular song, "Sometime Around Midnight," which came out during my senior year of college and make me super nostalgic.

So, basically, I fell in love with a new band that night. I fell in love with live shows. I also fell in love with music (again). Somehow, along my path from high school to adulthood, I lost my passion for real music. Sure, I listen to music on my iPod and jam along to whatever comes on the radio, but there is something uniquely special about the music-derived euphoria a good live show and album can create.

It as also helpful to have this good looking guy next to me:

New Year's Resolution (made in November... naturally): go to more live shows and discover new acts.

This gives me the happys

OH HAY

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY

The Art of Awesome

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to be able to head home to NYC (unfortunately, for a doctor's appointment) for the first time since moving down to DC. I got to hang out with my best friend, which was seriously needed. I wanted to head up a couple weeks earlier to attend the premiere of The Art of Flight and all the pre-premiere marketing events but sadly, work got in the way. Luckily, #TAOF (what all us really cool [not really] social media nerds call it) was released on iTunes and I quickly scrambled ten dollars to download that ish. I could have my own premiere party... by myself. Suck on that, people. (I'm only a little bitter, I promise.)
I saved the movie for my bus trip up to NYC, since I'd have the time to give it my undivided attention and possibly be able to watch it twice. I may have sneaked a couple 5-minute peeks here and there, but I was mainly unspoiled.

I am happy that I did because this movie was freaking unbelievable.
It definitely appeals to the snowboard film purists, if only because of the sheer, raw amazingness of the terrain Travis Rice and friends were able to ride. It also appeals to the regular film-goer/person who likes cool things because it wasn't just sick shots of people riding; #TAOF (there I go again) was definitely a "film" in the cinematic sense of the word... there was a progressing story line and, one might even say, a climax. I have since watched it a couple more times and, each time, I am most impressed by the filming/editing/production. It is unbelievable to think of what this crew went through to complete this movie. Obviously, Travis Rice and all of the other riders in the film are what make it what it is, but it would have been an entirely different kid of movie without the teams behind its creation: Brain Farm Digital Cinema (one of the coolest companies ever) and Red Bull Media House. I know there were more people involved, but these are the only two filming and production-involved whose websites I could find. If you know of more, I'd definitely give them a shout-out, too.
There is something so singularly special about ski and snowboard films that is incomparable to anything else out there. It's almost like a glorification of man's power to control nature, but simultaneously showing the same power that nature and the terrain have over that man. Nothing can even come close.



While #TAOF is an amazing snowboarding movie, it definitely is in its own category. Many may like that it is different from others, and I'm sure many hate that as well... but it is the first that I have seen capture non-snowboard audiences, which is definitely a step in some kind of direction. I, personally, loved it for what it was but will continue to absolutely love the "traditionalist" snowboard films as well.

So, my point is: see it for yourself. I won't say that you'll love it -- because, strangely, some people just don't like this sort of thing-- but it'll definitely impress you.

(photos courtesy of www.theartofflight.com)

Lazy Saturday... and Sunday

Mike is away for work this weekend and I am taking full advantage of having control of the remote for these two days. While we usually agree on our primetime viewing (Suits, White Collar, Parks & Rec, The Office, etc.,) the lure of my dirty little secret, trashy reality television, is just too strong to resist.
I do not have much else to write (well... I have lots to write, but not enough time in which to do it), and will return after my weekend of television viewing freedom ends.

Update:
Actually, I'll be watching the Yankee game this afternoon and cheering them on all by lonesome. Hoping this game doesn't get rained out/postponed either. I'm looking forward to a good butt-kicking.

My 9/11 Story

It was my first week of high school, at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and the Performing Arts, on the Upper West Side. I was starting to make new friends, which made me feel a little more comfortable in this entirely new situation; everyone was talented, everyone was special, everyone was truly unique. I was sitting with some of my new friends at my strangely early lunch period (10:45am) when one of my new barely-friends came running in and told us that someone had blown up the World Trade Center. She said they were gone. “Impossible,” I thought, I had just been there the previous afternoon, meeting my mom after school. 

This news then brought a rush of emotions. I could feel the blood rushing to my face, the confusion building. I gathered my things and left the lunch room and somehow in my fog of confusion, I heard that there was an emergency room set up on one of the other floors for all of us whose parents were in the WTC area that morning. In 2001, cell phones still were not very popularly used, and my mom and I shared one very strange looking phone with a flip-out bottom, which I happened to have that day. I called her office, her friends’ offices, my aunts, and anyone else I could think of. For some reason, my phone was one of the only ones working in that emergency response room. I made friends with another freshman, who had just moved to NYC from Madrid to study ballet, and whose brother worked in the South Tower. I let her use my phone to call whoever she wanted. I saw one of my classmates from my vocal music classes sitting with her dad, both of them crying. All the while, I had not heard from my mom and I still did not know exactly what had happened downtown. 

We were made to go to our homerooms at some point to listen to the principal make an announcement that I’m sure he never imagined making during his career. He retired the next year. They told us that we could not leave to go home without a parent coming to pick us up— well, my single mother was unaccounted for, and I was not about to sleep over at my new school that I did not like very much. I called my mom’s friend from work who was now working at a new law firm uptown; miraculously, I got a hold of her and she agreed to come pick me up. I don’t really remember much of the rest of the day at school, but I imagine it was spent calling anyone and everyone I possibly could. I got calls from friends in Spain making sure we were okay— I told them I was fine but still had not heard from my mom. 

Eventually, around 3pm, my mom’s friend got to LaGuardia to pick me up and we started walking out of the building, not really knowing what to do. I saw a woman walking up the steps of the school and realized she was my mom. I ran over and hugged her; I had never realized until that moment how much I loved my mom. We shared stories of what had happened to us and she told us about the hell she had gone through that morning. She had seen things that no civilian should ever see. She saw an airplane wheel on the corner of her block, stood and watched the towers burning above her, hid from the dust clouds, and had walked all the way from the Financial District up to my school on the UWS. 

We all went to dinner at a Japanese restaurant a couple of blocks away and watched the news, trying to figure out how we would get home to Queens. We ended up walking down 57th Street and got on a bus (some buses were running, and all were free) as far East as we could go. We then found that the only way to Queens was to walk across the Queensboro Bridge. You never fully realize how long a bridge is until you’ve walked across it. We stood in the center of it for a few minutes, just looking at the cloud of ash and dust that had formed over where the beautiful World Trade Center once stood. It didn’t sink in, what had happened that day. We continued our walk home, in disbelief and shock, confused and scared about what the future would bring, but happy that we had our family.

Happy Fourth of July!

This BAMF is going for a night ride to watch the fireworks. 

ANGER MANAGEMENT

Last night, I fell asleep watching the movie "Anger Management" with the creepily awesome Jack Nicholson and hit-or-miss funny Adam Sandler. I probably should have stayed awake for the duration of the movie, as I needed some anger management skills this morning dealing with the dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles.

Since moving, I have had to take care of various address change things, and today was the day to go to the DMV to obtain a Virginia driver's license. "This should be easy," I thought, especially considering the fact that I already had a New York State driver's license and additional documentation.


I WAS SO WRONG.


I have never been so wrong in my life, in fact.


I waltzed into the mall (yes, the DMV is in a mall - dangerous) two hours early to ensure a good spot in the line. I stood in that line, throughout the entire waiting period. I had my papers ready. I was all set to go, smiling at the employees as they went by... I was in an excellent mood. Once the doors opened, I strode up to the front desk, showed the man my papers and he then proceeded to ask me where my "legal presence" papers were. ...Excuse me? I had my social security card in front of your face, sir, and my NYS license, for which I obviously had documentation to receive. I was livid. I told him I had a copy of my birth certificate and an expired passport. Not good enough, he said. I need the original birth certificate, he said.

Who am I, the President?

This is what the man at the DMV looked like. 

I gave him a dose of my New York City attitude to assure him of my good standing as a long-time citizen of the city of New York, and also to break up the monotony of the complacent Virginia citizens that rotate at that desk day-in and day-out. I waltzed stormed out of that office and I am now sitting here in the middle of the mall, waiting for my ride. Because I cannot get a Virginia driver's license until I travel back to New York to gather more proof of my "presence" (is this some sort of existential question?) and can once again get a ride from my boyfriend, who happens to be going on a business trip next week. Awesome.

This is kind of what I looked like.

I guess blogging is my anger management.


images via, via, via

MMC NYC 2011 Recap

I was once again fortunate enough to be a part of Maloof Money Cup in NYC this year, thanks to Joanne of iiamjoanne.blogspot.com. I don't know if it's possible to say this, but I think it was even better than last year. I was non-stop busy and never bored.

Setting off to our positions, bright and early on Saturday morning

This year, I got to work with the Active Ride Shop guys in the Maloof/Active merch tent. I had always thought that working in a merch booth at an event would be super fun, and my suspicions were correct! Nick, Tyler, Todd and EVERYONE else from Active were amazing to work with. Sadly, I don't have a picture of the guys, but you should go check out their website for any info or for your skating needs. Working hard was definitely easy with that team.

Day 1 and Day 2 of working at the Maloof/Active merch tent 

(excuse the horrendous facial expression)

Kids working hard for a free Tech Deck

Highlights of my weekend:

• Meeting Chanel of MTV's Fantasy Factory - I wasn't able to see her perform because I was working, but she was honestly one of the most down-to-earth and sweetest celebrities I've ever met. From what I heard, it was a fun performance.

• Seeing some of my favorite skaters up close: Dennis Busenitz, Nick Merlino, Manny Santiago, and Ryan Decenzo

via @maloofmoneycup

• Being thisclose to Eli Reed, my favorite skater, several times. I wish I had asked for a picture or autograph. Seriously, look at that style:

via @maloofmoneycup

• Meeting THE Geoff Rowley, thanks to an awesome Twitter friend of mine (who I also got to meet in person for the first time!)
• Meeting all of the other Maloof girls - everyone was so nice and easy to work with. I am really glad we had this group of girls this year.
• Once again working with Tim, Diondra and the rest of the Maloof Money Cup team. They are what makes the event run as well as it does and I am so glad to have worked with them on two occasions. Many thanks to them!

With that said, here are some more pictures:

TV setup w/ live contest and Twitter feeds in the VIP tent

Vantage point of the finals qualis on Day 1

Media waiting for interviews on Day 2

Jumbo screens with placement info

 Thank you, Maloof Money Cup, for another amazing event!!

Totally Peninsular

Last night, I experienced supreme luxury and relaxation. I went to The Peninsula SPA by ESPA and it was some serious business pampering.

I headed over, after leaving work at 6:00pm, and met my mother upstairs at the spa reception. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was in the lap of luxury. The customer service was impeccable; the women were very helpful and informative. The attendant in the locker room was very attentive and led us to each of the rooms we were to go to next.
From reception, we were led into a locker room, where we changed into the provided robe and slippers. We were then led to a tea and relaxation room, where they served us chamomile tea and an apricot macaroon (this was not the last I would see of these delicious puffs.)

Our massage therapists met us there, and then brought us to our individual rooms. We discussed my medical history and medications I take, to see if the massage would affect or aggravate anything. I decided prior to arriving that I was going to get a Swedish massage because my stress levels have been through-the-roof recently, and my shoulders had been killing me.


Then, I think I blacked out.

I don't remember much except lots of prodding, (good) pain, and wonderful smells.

After the massage, we went to the Relaxation Room. I don't know how to describe this room, other than stating that it was pure heaven. There were endless amounts of coconut water (my favorite), almonds (my favorite), and dried mangoes (also my favorite). There were four beds, separated by softly lit screens, and each bed had headphones and a height adjuster. As soon as I sat on the bed, I was pretty sure the bed melted and formed to my body. There was no other way it could possibly have been that comfortable. It was in this magical, shape-shifting bed that I had two additional apricot macaroons. Angels sang.

Photos from NY Mag

Then came reality, and it was time to leave. We slunk out of the clouds and begrudgingly changed out of our robes and slippers. (Can someone tell me why it is not socially acceptable to dress this way in public? I'm pretty sure it would spark world peace.) Of course I had to snap a photo of myself to remember the calm I felt after this amazing experience. It's not often that I find my mind completely devoid of worries and stress, and my body completely lacking in tension.

 I refused to fall completely back into reality by taking the subway home, so we hopped in a cab and yawned the entire way home. 

Not a bad Monday night!

Showing off my thank you note from the massage therapist

LEAPING

Kimmy Fasani, getting it

Cue David Bowie's "Changes."
Big things have been happening/changing in my life, which has caused me to neglect my blog... more than usual. Do not fret-- they are all good things! These are changes that have been set in motion by my own actions, and none that are reactions to unforeseen circumstances.


I know, I know... "GET TO THE POINT!"

....


I am moving! I am heading down to Northern Virginia/Washington, DC in June, and I am REALLY excited about it. I am unsure of what I will be doing, but I am doing it! I decided that I should take a cue from my athletic interests and put a spark into everything I do in life; being a risk-taker is my forte and it's about time that I shake things up a bit. Luckily, I have a great base there; my amazing boyfriend/best friend has a great job in the area and that will certainly help me adjust.

Life is too short to stay in your comfort zone. It's about going balls-to-the-walls and enjoying the risks you take-- no matter the consequences. This also applies to the next jump or rail you want to hit in the park (which is advice I, myself, should listen to.) Everything will work out if you make it so.

Leap,

and the net will appear.

Accepting Summer

Because I live for winter and anything to do with snow, every year I have to come to terms that I must live through spring and summer. The grieving process usually takes place in early spring and does not last too long, fortunately. The sun begins to remind me of the amazing feeling of warmth on my skin, and I think of all the activities that come along with sunnier days.


Surfing

Going in the water at the beach after laying out can seem like such a bore if you don't have an activity to do. Surfing takes mental and physical strength, and is the perfect way to stay connected to boardsports-- even off land.

Boating

While I may love the occasionally down and dirty worlds of motorsport and action sports, I also live for luxury. Boating is the ultimate in luxurious travel and relaxation, and one of the first things that pops into my mind when I think of summer. There is nothing quite like the feeling of being able to go, literally, anywhere in the world.

Skateboarding/Longboarding

This is an obvious one. You can do this pretty much year-round in a lot of places, but in the Northeast, warmer weather means clear roads for riding.

Walking/Hiking

Living in NYC for almost my entire life has been a lesson in long-distance walking. It has taught me how healthy basic walking is, as well as how exceptionally easy (and difficult, if avoiding tourist traffic) it can be. I often wonder how suburban families stay fit when they drive everywhere; I will literally walk anywhere in the city, especially in the spring and summer. Everything just seems a little nicer when the weather looks up-- including the people. New Yorkers are generally a private, not-overtly-friendly bunch, but when the sun starts shining and the warm breezes start flowing, smiles abound.

If you live somewhere where there is a semblance of nature --apart from a place like Central Park-- I suggest you go hiking. When I lived in Vermont, I went on a few hikes before the snow started falling and realized just how great hiking can be. You have to think about where you're stepping, plan a route, and navigate obstacles, inclines, etc. I was also worrying about bears most of the time, although that was probably a bit irrational. What else is new...

Sitting

This may seem like a silly suggestion but I love sitting, ANYWHERE, during the summer months. My favorite spot is near my house, on a grassy area in Astoria Park overlooking the East River, Triborough bridge and upper Manhattan. I like to watch the boats go by, eat a snack from one of the many quintessentially Queens Italian bakeries, and read a magazine. The "new" skatepark nearby will also be one of my haunts. I say "new" because it opened just after last summer so it hasn't been christened by properly nice weather yet.

I'm aware there are way more things to do in the summer but these are a selection of my favorites, to take my mind off the fact that winter is months...and months... and months away....

Ummmm...

...could we NOT with the awesome edits as the season is ending?

It makes my yearning that much worse. Sigh.






I grabbed this video over at one of my fave blogs: (Vixxenblog). Definitely check it out! There is plenty of style and action sports-- and why would you want to read about anything else? ;)

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

That party last night was awfully crazy...

...or not.


So, this past weekend, I went back to Syracuse to play in our women's hockey alumni game. I was so excited to reunite with my old teammates and closest friends who are now settled all over the country! We did a lot of catching up and tried to re-live old times. I guess the years after college change you drastically, because none of us were really up for the college "scene." I was never much of a social butterfly in college but I wasn't a hermit, either... but this experience made me realize just how much we've all matured. We were invited to a party by one of our teammates who is still in college, and spent about 20 minutes standing in a circle amongst crazy kids until we decided we were just too old for that stuff. We ended up going back to our hotel and zonking out. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way, to be honest. The following night we spent in downtown Syracuse at our favorite haunt, Daisy Dukes. Guess we're all just country girls at heart. ;)

Our game was a ton of fun, even though some of us older girls were a little out of shape. And by "a little out of shape," I mean nearly having asthma attacks on the ice. This definitely lit the fire under me to get involved in a league as soon as I get settled somewhere. I didn't realize just how much I missed playing hockey and being on the ice... this has been the longest period of not being on skates in my entire life.



Here's a pic of the girls who made it to the game:

I obviously would be the only one who put her hair down for the picture.....

#ProgressIs

WARNING: Sappy post ahead

Audi's awesome Twitter, a few months ago, held a contest for the best tweet that contained the hashtag #ProgressIs. Since then, I have been using this hashtag in my everyday life, from progressing in work-related tasks to progressing at mundane things I need to take care of. This is definitely not what they intended, but it's kind of a morale booster.
This week, however, I am applying it to a very special part of my life which I don't often talk about: my Rheumatoid Arthritis. Many people confuse Rheumatoid Arthritis with "regular" arthritis, which is a wearing down of the joints over time or repeated use. RA is different in that it is an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks itself (to put it simply.) Since being diagnosed in November with an aggressive form of RA after months of symptoms, I had not done any physical activity apart from snowboarding. (Nothing can keep me from snowboarding-- even pain!) After several treatments, I have started to feel much better, and last night I decided to go for my first jog in TWO YEARS. I did not experience any pain at all, apart from the feeling that my lungs were going to explode from non-use...

IT. WAS. AWESOME.

I finally understood what it is like to come back from a sickness or injury and begin to improve. I am so happy for the amazing medical advancements that have been made in the past ten years; without them, I would still be unable to walk once waking up in the morning, and crying from pain and frustration when trying to open a water bottle with my hands. I am also participating in an alumni hockey game this weekend in Syracuse, which will be my first time on the ice since my symptoms starting occurring in 2009.

I'd call that progress!

The End is Near

I have sad news to report.

The 2010-2011 ski/snowboard season is drawing to a close.

I know.

What will we do?! That awful, yearning feeling you get in May, June, July, August and September, when all you want to do is be on a snowy mountain, will return shortly. It makes getting through loneliness and despair seem like a walk through the park. The upside is, however, that we are able to take up and/or perfect our skills at summer sports... even though all we will want to do is ride. While we are participating in these sports, the time will pass quickly, and summer will be over as soon as we know it-- and winter will be back, in all of its magnificent and snowy glory.

(photo courtesy of Cobra Dogs twitter)

Riding Relief for Japan

When I first heard about the disaster(s) in Japan, I immediately thought about the amazing people of that country. I don't think I have ever met people (as a whole) more gracious, kind and thoughtful than the Japanese people. This, perhaps, makes the news a little harder to bear for those that have been lucky enough to know and work with the amazing people of Japan.
In the skiing/snowboarding world, Japan is known as a mecca of pow. Nothing quite perks up the ears of those in search of great snow like the mention of this great, snowy landscape. I recently read an article about doing a Japan snowboarding trip on the cheap and seriously considered doing it, but I figured a car might be slightly more important to my life right now... sadly. Luckily, I can live vicariously through the amazing riders (and skiers) who get sponsored trips and professional films of their escapades. The following is footage taken by the Salomon crew shortly before the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan just weeks ago, turned into something more meaningful than just your average snowboard video. Enjoy!


Salomon Snowboards & Josh Dirksen Relief Video for Japan from Salomon Snowboards on Vimeo.

If you want to help the people of Japan in a tangible way, donate goods or money through the Red Cross.

Lapsing Time

There's nothing quite like some beautiful mountain landscapes to get your day started off well. I know these are super overdone (I will probably post more,) but this one is especially cool:



Eye Candy HD TimeLapses - TimeLine bonus 1 from TimeLine on Vimeo.

(Found on Whitelines Mag)

MASTER OF MY DOMAIN

To quote the Beastie Boys:

Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out

www.claralubansky.com

Paddy not Patty

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


I hope everyone is going to enjoy a Guinness and some corned beef and cabbage today.

I know I will!



Jammin'

About a month and a half ago, my boyfriend surprised me with the ultimate weekend plans: a trip to the Washington Auto Show and tickets to the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam. Needless to say, it was AWESOME.

At the auto show I was finally able to see, in person, the cars that I have been discussing and reading about online for the past few months. Formulating an opinion on a car based solely on glossy photos and reviews is very different from doing so after actually being able to touch and sit inside of it. (Unfortunately, I was not able to test drive any of the vehicles.) I am also fond of critiquing the company displays along with the cars, as the ambience is particularly important when being attracted to different booths. The most impressive was definitely Fiat's imposing, futuristic, pod-like structure. It resembled the shape of the displayed Fiat 500 but was also functional, with a "store" inside that sold retro helmets and other Fiat paraphenalia.

Oh yeah, the cars were cool, too.

Volkswagen's set-up was also impressive, with the cars spaced well throughout their designated area. The new Jetta was pretty much front-and-center, and I immediately skipped over to my personal favorite: the Touareg. A few of the DC United soccer team's players were signing in the area, as well, so it was pleasantly crowded. While all of this was great, it was all just icing on the cake because what I remember most about the VW booth is the cars themselves! The fit and finish was superb; slamming the car doors created a pleasant "thud" sound, as opposed to the "clink-clack-thud" of many of the... other... manufacturers' cars.
Another brand I was impressed by was Land Rover. The new two-door Evoque is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. It is like a work of art that is actually functional and can take you places. The interiors are lush and plush and everything you could ever want from a luxury vehicle that is also rugged. I have no words. So I will just show you:

(via manualgear.com)

The Audis were also pretty fabulous:

I am a truck fiend, so I definitely checked out some of the Chevy trucks and played around in the Jeeps. I am not a fan of many of the new Jeep body styles, but the various incarnations of the Wrangler have consistently made me smile through the years. One of the men who was sitting in the four-door exclaimed: "this is PARTY TRUCK!" And he was totally right. Wranglers make you think of good times with friends, and shouldn't all cars make you happy like that?


On the subject of trucks... it was that night that we went to Monster Jam at the Verizon Center in D.C. Sure, make fun of me all you want, but I had a great time and it was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. The crowd was almost exactly what you would expect at such an event, and I will leave it at that. There was some ATV racing that seemed staged, with the riders representing NY and DC getting into a fight, and then DC won the races in the end-- duh. The best part was obviously the main event: the monster trucks. The infamous Grave Digger was there, plus three other awesome trucks. My personal favorite was the Crushstation, which was in the shape of a lobster. (Get it?  Crushstation!? Crustacean?!) The others were Iron Man (which literally looked like Iron Man's awesome bionic suit,) and the Illuminator (which was covered in strobe-y light things.) Pretty sweet.

There may have been other trucks that I don't remember. In which case, they're not worth writing about anyway, right? 

So, the show.... There was some racing, where the trucks raced from one end of the dirt-covered rink to the other. There was some jumping off of dirt hills, which was probably my favorite event. The trucks went SO high into the air and even when the landings seemed uncontrollable, they were able to finagle their way back onto four wheels and stop just before the barriers. Amazing. Did I mention how incredibly LOUD this all was? We were sitting in the Player's Lounge-- which is located pretty high up in the Verizon Center-- and we could hardly hear each other speak over the huge revving engines. It was just so awesome and I can't really describe it more eloquently. It was one of those events that does not require too much description, as it is quite simple (and juvenile) but still provides plenty of entertainment. 

That's Iron Man, flying.

The next time you see one of the monster truck event commercials on TV, or even see monster trucks on the SPEED network as you're channel surfing, do not scoff or snub your nose! Give it a chance and you may be pleasantly surprised. You won't even have to wear your Carhartt overalls and orange camo hat.