Lifestyles of the rich and famous

Is it ironic to be wearing my 'Make Poverty History' wristband in Aspen, or just precious? As we landed at the airport, a little joltingly (is that a word?) I put my arm out to brace myself and noticed the wristband - then looked out the window to see at least thirty private jets lined up along the runway! The juxtaposition cracked me up, at least...


Aside from that great irony, I am, in fact, in one of my favourite places on earth. I haven't been here in over ten years, but used to love skiing Aspen when I was in high school and am still loving it now. It is the prettiest town - having maintained a lot of the original architecture of the old mining town, and with a pretty unsurpassable natural scenery! It also boasts some fairly awesome skiing - four mountains, each roughly the size of an Australian ski resort, make up the full complex. It snowed about a foot yesterday - delicious powder to ski in - I couldn't even see my skis under all that snow!


I am here with the family, and we have friends arriving tonight to join us. It is great to have a family holiday before we all part ways again for the year - and a huge thanks to my Dad for shouting us a trip here!


Sadly, thus far, I have not seen any celebrities (suspect they are all in L.A. for the awards ceremonies) - the closest has been Andy Roddick on my flight over here. I was eating at a cafe at Melbourne airport with my old manager, a truly lovely chap who was flying out ten minutes before me, and who told me that Andy was on my flight. Sure enough, about twenty minutes later, a fairly tall chap in a cap and sunglasses (way to be inconspicuous in an airport - stood out like a sore thumb!) stalked past, still looking incredibly cheesed - I don't think he had recovered from his straight-sets loss to Federer two days before... He then vanished into first class, never to be heard from again (I texted my friend Lui, who came to meet me at LAX, to watch for him exiting, but she didn't even see him get off...)


So - no celebrities, but plenty of hot apple cider and bad coffee! As frustrated as I become with America as a country in the world arena, (primarily due to its government), I do love Americans as a people - they are super friendly and whether on a chairlift, in the jacuzzi or out at a restaurant, it is great to chat to them. Such an interesting variety of people here as well - they are always fascinating (and so many Aussies - we are like a little colony!)

So - no major news, but just checking in from winter wonderland. Will be sure to be back with more skiing tales again...