Miller's High Life

It's been a while, but I haven't had much to say...



I have to admit, I’ve been pulled onto the US Ski Team bandwagon hook, line, and sinker. And it’s not for the reasons you might expect.

Why would a kid who grew up on the beaches of Charleston do such a thing?

Well, I love skiing, and I do it fairly well. I started at the age of four, the same age at which I was learning to read.

More than many things in life, I love hitting the snow (as I will this weekend) and reaching the bottom of a black diamond with the biggest smile I can manage plastered on my face. The ‘perfect’ run from my standpoint, even if I fell flat on my face. Thankfully that whole "falling" thing doesn’t happen often for me. The older I get, the more it hurts, so I try to avoid it.

On a side note, some friends were trying to talk me into wearing a helmet this weekend, but to be honest, if I go out skiing you can rest assured I was having the time of my life.

When I get to the Alps I’ll wear a helmet.

Moving on…

I respect athletes (hell, people in any profession) who push themselves not to fulfill the expectations of others, but simply for the great feeling they get from doing what they do. It’s why I love my job, and at times am frustrated by it.

Bode Miller does just that and it’s why he’s one of the best, if not the best, skier in the world right now.

I respect people in the vein of Miller who eschew conforming to the standards others have set for them and do what they do because a stirring in their soul, perhaps God, calls them to it. People who strive to live life on their own terms, doing what they love and pursuing it with all their heart. It’s the type of life I strive to live. It’s that mindset that pushes me to play guitar, write, and work toward my current goal of running a marathon.

Lastly, I’m on the bandwagon because several members of the women’s team are near my age and incredibly attractive (example - Julia Mancuso). An attractive woman who can ski well is immediately a medal winner in my book.

I’m honestly looking forward to the Olympics. I always do. This year’s team could be ‘the’ team to oust the dominance of the Austrians. Miller could be the first American male to stand on the medal podium after every race.

The Olympics and the 2006 ski team are good for a nation where there is a bitter divide between ‘right’ and ‘left’. Starting this weekend I for one will gladly turn on the television and alleviate my mind of frequent criticisms of our government, our current leadership, and their policies. Starting this weekend I’ll gladly put aside cynicism to focus on the many aspects of life in our nation of which we all should be proud. And, in the spirit of sport and the Olympic tradition, if not for our hot skiers, I’ll join the chorus of, “USA, USA, USA”.