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That would be moi. Ski Mama Maximus.

I am also leading the finest SKI SWAP around at Hyland Hills Ski Area next Friday from 5-10 and all day Saturday. That's Hyland Hills in Bloomington right down the street from the big ski jump on 494 (you can almost see it from downtown).

Unlike a typical hockey parent (or political poster mom for the cause), I am bright enough to speak in polished syntax while I purchase lightly used world-class equipment for my whole family at 85% OFF RETAIL.

I was recently in Oakland, California, spending the afternoon watching some hipster bands play a house show in a sort of art-school punk-rock party compound, complete with barbed wire fencing all around the perimeter of the backyard (this is the sort of exotic jet-setting one does when one is an art blogger). I was having a good time, but after an hour or so, all the skinny kids thrashing away on their instruments were becoming less and less distinguishable, so I decided to wander elsewhere in the house to see what things I could find there.

Riding on Guest Defenestrator Max Ross' shirttails, I am featuring myself as this week's Guest. Thanks for your hospitality, Rich.

The McCain campaign has taken Obama to task for supposedly saying Sarah Palin will do what she's told. I can't say whether anyone really said that Palin will do what she's told, but the evidence of her appearance with Charlie Gibson on ABC certainly suggests she SAYS what she's told.

When Gibson asked her if she would back Israel if Israel were to attack Iran's nuclear facilities she said, "I don’t think that we should second-guess the measures that Israel has to take to defend themselves."

Just when I was about to launch my ski team's website this "Hockey Mom" thing blows up. Well, well, the truth is, the buzz surrounding the sport (and the phrase) will only help us attract converts.

Still I have aborted further attempts at uncovering the culinary habits of Hockey Moms and Dads versus those of Skiing families till the buzz cools down. For a look at this superior winter sport and lifestyle click the link at the bottom of this page.

Elitist?

Photos by India Bell

Hockey moms across the nation collectively ovulated in sheer rapture Wednesday night at the coming of their messiah. Palin's pointed attacks on Obama were justified and applauded by "political speech experts" for their use of humor. The awkwardly-executed humor was the type you're supposed to laugh at, like when the postman tries to make small talk.