Active Brent

Audi? More like Owwwie!

So after an amazing weekend in Mammoth (pictures and video to follow) my car wouldn't start.  Now I knew when I bought it that it would be expensive to maintain but I think Audi has reached a new level of sticker shock.  Chris at Audi called me back with the estimate for replacing the battery, poor guy didn't know who he had on the phone.  I thought, $100-200 max when I took it in.  Amazingly the quote was $450! 

This is the conversation that followed:

Brent - $450?  Why?
Chris: uh....
Brent: Is the battery made from a space-aged polymer found only in very remote areas in eastern germany after falling from space for several milleniums?
Chris:  I dont think so 
Brent:  Does it really take 2 hours labor for a certified Audi mechanic to replace a battery when it should take 5 minutes? 
Chris: It shouldn't but they might have to re-set the codes. 
Brent: Well how long does that take?
Chris: 5 minutes
Brent:  So you're telling me to pay $450 for a mechanic to replace a battery in 10 minutes?
Chris: Um, yeah I guess
Brent:  That seems pretty silly now doesn't it
Chris: Yes
Brent: Give me a discount
Chris: How's 50% off sound?
Brent:  Still a lot but now I don't have to burn the place down
Chris:  Um...so fix it?
Brent:  I've put you through enough......fix it.

Note to self: Buy American from now on.  Sure they break down all the time but at least they are cheap to buy and cheap to fix.  Or wait, is that Japanese cars?

Mammoth......you are so good to me!

So we rolled up to mammoth yet again to experience the magnificent mountain that is Mammoth.  This marks day 7 on my season pass so as of 2/13 my pass makes sense to buy.  Success!

The trick to going to Mammoth if you do not own a place up there is simple, find folks that are already going and invite yourself.  Don't take no for an answer.  This particular trip worked out well but started out a HUGE hassle. 

My buddy Robbie's dad has a place that he said was open so I told everyone I had a place and join in.  Turns out it was booked as was every other place in Mammoth (combo Valentine's day and Presidents Day weekend). Kim and Rob were going up already but staying with their uncle who booked a big place but he "didn't want strangers to stay there" so Kenny and I were desperately trying to book a place. 

My friend Carol was also trying to book a place so we combined efforts and I eventually found a place that would fit everyone (8 people total).  I thought I should double check with her since I didn't know her friends and didn't want to be stuck with a $400/night place for 3 nights.  Turns out her friends wanted to get a place on their own so they could "hook up with guys."  I applaud their honesty (and was slightly dissapointed I wouldn't witness this).

As fate (and my awesome luck) would have it Kim's uncle got snowed in and couldn't get a refund.  We were back in!  Kenny is a rep for booze so he had tons of alcohol and wine (though I barely drink either). We spend most of the trip ripping the slopes, eating, and enjoying the various types of alcohol that Kenny brought.  Rode the park under gondola, caught some big air.

Next Trip early march

Why am I blogging?

So according to most folks that know me I'm about the busiest person they've ever met.  Whether it's playing in a band, playing beach volleyball tournaments, doing triathlons, doing stunts for the LA Clippers, skiing all over the country, or working my full-time job selling for a Chinese manufacturing company.....you will always find me busy.....very busy.

With all the economic uncertainty and some shennanigans during bonus time I started exploring other options to build income and have a blast doing it.  One thing I'm good at is having many hands in the pot and being contantly on the go with a plethora of fun and interesting activities.  When I discussed various options of a future career path with my network of professionals and friends I sensed a common theme: Promote yourself.  Of course this is not a career, not a viable source of income, and just one more thing to add to my plate, I thought it would be fun to document the weird and crazy things that seem to come my way on a regular basis.

This is day one of the Chronicles of the thoughts and adventures of my daily life.