It’s post-Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner. That means you can’t blame the early-season for your lack-luster performance on the slopes any more. The snow is no longer riddled with rock and twig death traps; you aren’t considering amputating a foot after a full day in your boots; and there is much less giggling and snickering when your friend mentions a “big dump,” because the image that comes to mind has nothing to do with last nights drunken Del Taco burrito bender.

Every day we ride we try to improve, but sometimes we hit a plateau. Something is holding us back but we don’t know what.
So- Maybe you’re downright embarrassed to tell your friends you’ll meet them after your bunny slope warm-up runs. Could be you need a little extra game to seal the deal with “Jackie from Texas” at the bar in the lodge. Or perhaps you’re somewhere right in between. Whatever the case, these three tips should have you back on the path to bragging rights. They may seem simple and obvious, but I guarantee you haven’t considered all three (if any)!

1. Rub it Out- err… On. 

   The wax that is! Or even better, get an iron and do it right. Think about your first day this season. Were you “that guy/girl” in the group: the last one down every run– leaving your friends tapping their foot in the lift line? Maybe you should try a few solo lesson days… OR- maybe a fresh tune is all you need. I waxed my board halfway through day 1 this season and was TOTALLY amazed the diference it made. If you have to take it to a shop I wouldn’t be TOO embarassed… but you could just as easily follow these instructions at home.

2. Get Some Beef on those Buns 

   Nobody wants to believe it, but chances are you’re out of shape. Maybe you bike, run, or perform arial acrobatics on the reg, but that doesn’t mean your ski/snowboard muscles are up to par. Flexibility and endurance are equally as important, but most of us sending it every week are young bucks anyway.

   I spent WAY too much time looking through websites to find pictures and explanations of exercises that would be the most beneficial to you. So, while Exercises to Prepare for the Slopes on Bodybulding.com seems a bit hardcore, the exercises in the article are the most quality, and appropriate for skiers and snowboarders alike, that I could find. Try to incorporate a few of these into your day once or twice a week. You’ll be blown away how much easier tricks will be. And a positive side-effect: you’re ass will look better than ever come summer.

3. Treat Her Right
   

   I’m talking, of course, about our Mother Earth. In true DVLP Life fashion, “riding green” had to get thrown in here. While being environmentally conscious probably wont help you stick 60 ft. frontside 5′s by the end of the season, it may score bonus points with the snow-bunnies. When she says, “Ooo, I like your snow pants!” what’s better than replying: “Thanks! I bought the skinny pair because I’ve been doing conditioning this season (i.e.- ‘they make my ass look awesome’). Oh, and did I mention they’re made entirely of post-consumer recycled material and $1 of my purchase went to saving children and puppies in Kazakhstan?” Nicccce.

   This article is an awesome place to get started: How to Go Green: Skiing & Snowboarding

    

So now you have no excuses! With these three easy-as-pie tips, you should be upping your game in no time!
And if any of these tips worked for you and you want to show off, hit me up ANYTIME– let’s ride!

- Ches Sheridan Arms

I have no doubt that each of you reading this is juggling anywhere between 1 and 17 too many things in your life. The fact of the matter is: in a frantic effort to gain control over our hectic lives our brains are constantly multitasking– thinking about what we have to do today, tomorrow, next week. While there is something to be said for being organized and productive, when we are too concerned with what’s happening 20 minutes from now we forget to enjoy what’s happening
right now.

How many of us feel empty inside? We spend our money on fleeting pleasures that never provide fulfillment– things like copious amounts of alcohol, shiny new gadgets & toys, or expensive shoes & jewelry. Don’t get me wrong, I love blowing a paycheck in an inebriated shopping spree as much as the next guy, but I enjoy it every once in a while as a spontaneous pleasure. I know it doesn’t bring true value to my life.

Similar to a drunken dumping of all my dinero, I often catch myself not being able to remember what I had for lunch yesterday. Where was I? Where was my head?
Obviously, I did not get much enjoyment out of the plants that were harvested and the animals that were killed to provide me sustenance. How unconsciously ungrateful!

It sounds silly (because chances are you’ve not tried it), but slowing down and focussing on what is wonderful at any given second will put a smile on your face and in your heart. Try this the next time you make a sandwich at home: sit down, shut off the music & TV, close your eyes, and try to detect each individual flavor in every bite. Thoroughly enjoy what you’ve just prepared.

This sounds really goofy, I know. But no need to feel embarrassed, no one is watching you do this or judging you. You don’t have to go tell people about it. I guarantee, tomorrow, you will remember exactly what was in that sandwich and, regardless of what you are doing, you will smile.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

The nature of our society is growth. As a culture we are always seeking bigger, better, MORE. As we age and embrace social norms this mentality transcends the societal whole and takes root in our individual consciousnesses. We begin to lose sight of the wonderful things we already have in life and covet the shiny, the expensive, and the unattainable.

Are we ever, simply, content?

I met some friends at a local coffee shop yesterday. An hour after purchasing my Americano “Frosty the Snowman” (or some variation of) had played four times. We have entered Holiday Season: Defcon 1. Within the next 2 weeks we will hit Defcon 5 and grannies will be beating soccer moms with their canes for the last waffle-maker at Target.

How silly.

SO- let’s take a step back and look at what we, and our loved ones, already have in life. Do any of you really need new, expensive, and shiny? Do any of you REALLY need a 6-setting space-age polymer waffle maker?

This holiday season I propose a challenge: Buy (or better yet: MAKE!) unique gifts. Think of each person on your list and give them something that is individually meaningful to them. Re-purpose old items you never use or bake them something delicious!

A couple days ago Abella wrote you a piece on Upcycling. <– GREAT place to get started!!!

 And as for the time you’ll save not standing in lines or filing police reports on “Gladys,” donate it to those less fortunate. Head down to the shelter ONE night this month and serve some meals. Hold a toy drive like the one above. ANYTHING!

 If you get “that warm fuzzy feeling” you’re probably doing something right.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

It’s a lot like an early Christmas Present: New Music Friday– On Wednesday!

Many of you may remember a semi-regular installment on DVLP Life called New Music Friday.We featured beats as a treat for your ears and your feet.

Well, this afternoon I sat down to write a heartfelt and meaningful awareness piece, but figured you will get your fill of “heartfelt and meaningful” at Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. So, instead, I give you e-double! :

Written Thursday by edubble

If you like hip-hop, you’ll like e-dubble. Now imagine I’m making my serious face. In 2010 he released a new track every friday as a radio freestyle and, with the exception of the the Outro, all of these songs were one of them. And all of these songs are AWESOME.

So give him a listen!

Check out his Facebook page HERE and cop the FREE download of Written Thursday.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Let’s face it: we are consumers. Whether we consciously attempt to reduce our consumption or not, if it wasn’t for Black Friday and arbitrary shopping sprees our economy would atrophie. It is what it is, whether we like it or not.
Last week I shared the concept of “dining mindfully” with you. On Monday, Rustin asked the question: “Can a Product Really be Sustainable?” Whilst considering these topics my mind drifted to wood… and NO, not the wood that normally “pops up” when sitting alone in front of one’s computer- the more sustainable kind. Ya know: the kind that remains useful for more than 5 or so minutes…

Before we make a purchase, many of us don’t consider what it took to create our shiny new object– Nor what happens to the materials in an item once we are through with it. However, to remedy this lack of concern, all we have to do is purchase from the brands that have already thought of this for us! Piece o’ cake!

Wood is one of [if not] the single most sustainable resource(s) on our beautiful planet. Trees are naturally renewable. With responsible manufacturing waste is virtually eliminated by creating products out of wood. There is far less energy and fossil fuels that go into their production. The durability of a finished wood product contributes to it’s longevity, not to mention the fact that wood stores carbon– thereby reducing the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. And finally, at the end of their initial life-cycle wood products are very easily recycled for other uses!

Now that you’re psyched on cedar and revved-up on rosewood, get out there and earn some style points!

• WeWOOD fashions the dopest wooden timepieces from mostly scrap-wood and uses state-of-the-art Miyota movements forthe guts, resulting in a unique watch that’s handsome, earth-friendly, and splash-proof.
• Shwood is a self-proclaimed experiment with nature. They make handcrafted wood eyewear created with the finest exotic woods.
• Omerica Organic designs and crafts wooden plugs and jewelry, to your specifications, from a single block of wood. Even better: they’re a young bunch of pierced and tattooed artists based in a workshop right here in Denver!

“Wood is Good.”

Mmmm… California Eggs Benedict: Warm Hollandaise, tender ham, fresh avocado, and ripe tomato– all served on a buttery croissant.

If I was getting “The Chair” tomorrow I know what would be gettin’ cooked for a second time my belly.

When it comes to dining out Denver has a plethora of palatable choices. But, what is it that motivates our decisions as to where we stuff our stomachs? Is it speed and convenience? The likelihood of running into friends? Perhaps a severe allergy to shellfish…

While these are legitimate reasons to pick (or avoid) a spot for your next meal, do any of us consider if the restaurant is concerned with social responsibility? Is the beef in that burger grain-fed, family farmed, certified organic? Probably not.

But don’t fret! There are many delicious options out there.
Snooze, An AM Eatery has switched all of their whole eggs to cage-free and are sourcing pork from a producer that does not confine breeding pigs in gestation crates.
If you’ve eaten at Chipotle you’ve probably seen their commitment to “Food With Integrity” printed on cups, bags, etc. I wont go into detail as to all of the initiatives Chipotle is taking, but click the link (in the last sentence) or Google them. Truly awesome.

These are two great choices in the battle for dining mindfully. If you’re curious to see which of your favorite joints are on-board with this, check out the website for Eat Greener Denver. They’re an association of locally-owned, independent restaurants that are stewards for sustainable action in the restaurant industry.

We would hope that with the progressive atmosphere of business today all of our favorite eateries would have some concern for people and planet (The Triple Bottom Line). The fact of the matter is, it is up to us as falafel fans and croque mossier connoisseurs to be mindful of where we grub. By frequenting businesses that are socially and environmentally conscious we are doing our part.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

WHEW! So it’s Wednesday now and the week is in mid-swing. Halloween is [finally? unfortunately? gratefully?] behind us. We continue, however, to re-live the debauchery through the posts and pictures of our online friends.

(On second thought… if they gave you Sharpie ink poisoning, pissed in your shoes, or screwed with you in any unacceptable manner while you were passed out, are they truly your friends? BUT, I digress…)

This week social media outlets have served as a fragmented storyboard– allowing us to reminisce about (or put the pieces together from) the weekend. Because this holiday is my single favorite of the year I wanted to take a couple moments to pay homage to another All Hallows Eve of epic proportions.

The first moment will be in silence… for all those lost in our inebriated states. Thank you, you sweet little brain cells. I would like to say you wont soon be forgotten– but in all honesty, I’m still using Facebook to piece together Saturday night. I can only assume you were once cordial contributors to my IQ.

The second moment will be to share the Halloween experience had by the crew over here at DVLP Life. Now, we’re not normally ones to brag, but let me tell you: we’re awesome. From epic costumes to awesome company, we did Halloween right. And now a look behind the scenes at the staff:

Rustin Coburn
Costume: Blackmail!
Props: Postage Stamp,
Photographic Memory (more dangerous than a camera)
Attended: Taxi Eurotrash Bash and
The DTC Haunted Hotel Party

Abella Balla
Costume: Dust Bunny
Props: Hot Pink Sunnies (found on floor),
Rabbit Ears,
The Keys to Every Guy Dressed as Mr. Clean’s Heart
Attended: Taxi Eurotrash Bash and
The DTC Haunted Hotel Party

Ches Arms
Costume: Tyler Durden
Props: Stunna Shades, Red Leather Jacket, Undeniable Swagger
Attended: Taxi Eurotrash Bash and
The DTC Haunted Hotel Party

Tyler Browning
Costume: Lucha Libre
(The Masked Wrestler)
Props: Leather Mask, ‘Shiver Me Timbers’ Chest Carpet, Smokin’ Blonde Sidekick
Attended: Hudson’s Wholesome Festivities and Skrillex

_________________________________________________________

Awesome?
Yeah… we know. And now I’ll open the comments section up to you!

- Tell us how you rocked the casbah this weekend!
- Vote for your favorite DVLP Life hoodrat!

Ready?! GO!

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Hello all! Happy hump-day and happy first snow!

Originally I’m from San Diego, where today they are enjoying 70 degree weather and sunny skies. They will likely enjoy similar weather tomorrow… next week… Christmas day… YUCK!

Which brings me to the point of this ramble: Too many guys are, umm… challenged, in the fashion dept.
When I went to get dressed this morning I realized that my clothing considerations changed drastically. I like to think of myself as a stylish fellah, but it took a minute to put a cohesive outfit together– one that complimented my baby blues while protecting my ‘chestnuts’ from Jack Frost. Lucky for me, my wardrobe and I were blessed to have been a part of DVLP Clothing. DVLP was an innovator in mens fashion, offering guys stylish threads for any temperature. Unfortunately, not all guys have been graced with an intuitive sense of style and many (like myself) don’t have a fashion-forward female to lead them down the path of dashing dress. In my own search to be stylish I’ve come across a few resources that offer men options beyond the relaxed fit wranglers and pullover CU hoodie.

For the Winter: Holden. If you’re not familiar, Holden is a snowboard company out of Portland that makes some super rad streetwear and outerwear (for dudes and dudettes).
Year-round: Secede For Men. Our good friend and previous fashion design intern for DVLP, Diana Walker, is passionate about Mens style. She’s showed some love to my look on more than one occasion.
Nearby: Emage. Our friends over at Emage skate/snow have an epic collection of sneakers, as well dashing adornments for the other pieces of you.

These are just a few places to start. Get creative with layers. Don’t be afraid of accessories. Bust out the scissors.

Guys, what are some of your favorite brands and looks that set you apart from ‘Chad’ in the polo and cargo shorts over there?
Ladies, what kind of styles are your favorite to see us stud-muffins in this time of year?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Recently, the good folks at Battery 621 hosted an event called “The Business of Fun: Keeping Kids out of Cubicles.” It was held as a panel, with an open discussion format, and featured guest speakers of varying professions within the action-sports industry. I’ve attended the event two years in a row now. Both panels left me feeling invigorated about pursuing a career for passion instead of paycheck.

Q with Travis Rice at "The Art of Flight" premier in Denver

This time around, there was a gentleman in the audience sitting two seats to the left of me: Questor Sapnu. If you enjoy the Denver nightlife, chances are you’ve met him, felt enamored with him, shared bottle service with him… woke up in a hotel room, missing teeth, with a baby and Mike Tyson’s tiger [giving you the stink eye] with him.

Don’t remember? Likely story…

Well anyway, his friends know him as “Q.” For years Q ran the scene at several of Denver’s most popular locales, including Wicked Garden and the Jet Hotel & Twenty. After being on the grind forever he realized it wasn’t his calling. He dropped everything in the pursuit of something he has been passionate about his entire life. Q’s enthusiasm for the action-sports industry will soon deliver us a unique training facility for skateboarders, bmx riders, skiers, and snowboarders. The facility, located at 9499 Washington St. in Thornton, will be called Progresh– and it’s gonna blow your mind!

Q, Rustin, and I had an epic day at Loveland on Monday and the drive to/from gave us a chance to chat about the specifics of Progresh:

DVLP Life: What made you decide to leave the Denver nightlife and start Progresh?

Questor: For a long time all I wanted was to open my own bar/club.  I got back into the nightlife business here in CO to learn more as well as try to log 100 plus days a year riding…  And successfully did that for 11yrs in a row.  After 18 yrs in the bar biz I realized that this wasn’t my goal anymore. The only other thing I knew was riding…that’s always been my passion.

DL: Any hint of when we may be able to start signing liability waivers?

Q: We’re hoping that you guys could start hucking your carcasses by March 2012!!

We’ll have price points that will fit all budgets!  You can figure dropping in for a 2hr session in the morning for $25 or in the afternoon for $35.  We’ll do a variety of passes, but the more in advance you purchase the bigger discount you get.  We want to take care of our loyal customers.  Kind of like buying your ski/snowboard pass.

We are SUPER excited to see this thing blow up! For up-to-the-date info make sure to ‘Like’ the Progresh Facebook Page and follow Progresh on Twitter!

- Ches Sheridan Arms