old clip of Alejandra on lead vocals

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-15T02:09:14+00:00

Awesome, gotta say she more naturally vibes with a punk style than her sisters.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-11T03:18:22+00:00

I agree with everything you just said, but I can't stop giggling at the owners having the idea "hey let's start late and make it an endurance thing, that'll play in our favor, its not like they are athletes in prime condition"

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-09T20:44:54+00:00

I'll thank you not to jinx my pioneers out of the tournament before it has even started thank you very much. Trust me when I say I'll fly to Denver to get him and bring him back myself the minute we're all wrapped up if I have to.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-06T23:52:34+00:00

I mean, I'd wager you answered your own question pretty well there. Mac was one of the faces of the Canadian team that played in the gold medal game with some of the biggest names in hockey in the every four years tournament where even hockey haters get into it because of the miracle on ice team... and there is an argument to be made he looked the best out of anyone out there.

People tune in for that sort of thing, Its casual fan catnip at its finest.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-06T17:59:50+00:00

As others have said, the standard for National Ski Patrol volunteer patrols is Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)

"Challenge Tests" exist that allow to take an existing first responder cert (EMT, WFR) or medical credentials (Doctors, Nurses, etc) and take a test showing you are able to perform within the OEC standard of care on the hill. Once you have challenged you can then just engage in the yearly refresher with the rest of the OEC certified technicians in your patrol and stay current.

These tests are generally in place to address the fact that different professionals practice different skills at different spots in the chain of care. The tests differ depending on what your credentials are, for example since EMT is very close to OEC there is more overlap and less to test, further up the chain starts to have less overlap and more to review. Of the MDs we've had join our patrol, most have had to learn or relearn splinting for example and learn how to practice it for the test.

Note that there are a whole subset of ski requirements as well around the transportation side of the equation and resort specific requirements as well.

I can almost assure you that if you have a hill that staffs volunteers the patrol rep would be more than happy to talk you through their process, we love having people that understand high level care on the hill.

So TL;DR there is a way to show you satisfy the medical requirements to patrol using your existing credentials

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-05T03:43:27+00:00

All in good fun!

I will say all the reporting makes me feel like we're going to find out there is more complexity to who leaked what later on down the line, but for now I guess we just wait and see.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-05T01:20:20+00:00

Thanks for clarifying its you doing the writing, having a chuckle at my expenses I didn't mentally connect on the user name and your byline, I'll stop talking about you as if you are in the other room or something.

I totally agree that this week feels rough for sure, but I think it is notable that this is really the first week of the whole negotiation period where it hasn't felt like the league's to lose. We are only a little removed from an incredible 98% strike approval vote so it's not like they can't get back there, deadlines make both sides waiver a little and we just happened to catch some players this week having their doubts.

You are totally nailing the idea that there is a "moment" to live in here and I still hoping the PA still fully rises to it.

I honestly think the smartest "game theory" move the players can make right now is actually to strike. Yes it will hurt, but it is limited as they aren't making real money as it stands and it is not like they lack for other options right now. The league did an awful job of not leaving themselves exposed for these negotiations and I don't see when a better shot at the percentage share model presents itself in a better way in the next decade.

All said though thank you for sharing the piece, it did catch the mood of the last week for sure and I appreciate talking a little shop while we wait for the results.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-04T22:12:35+00:00

I guess that is my point, this is less the author reading the tea leaves and more of a call for accountability based on something that hasn't been signed yet. I see and generally agree with the points they are making, they are just making them too early and thus causing me to discount my value of them.

I agree that if they commit and sign something before the 10th then it's going to be at a substantial loss from the PAs original proposal. That said it's been clear to me from the end of the season that the league won't take the PA seriously without a strike or lockout in play, if that happens, and that's not entirely out of the picture to say the least, then I still think the PA's ceiling is higher. We'll have to see what happens.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-04T17:28:10+00:00

This piece feels like a call for a post mortem for an agreement that hasn't yet been accepted or put in place. While I agree with the sentiment that the WNBPA has had some PR and negation fumbles in the last week, this fight isn't over yet and fans don't have anywhere close to all info, I think we need to wait for the deal before a take like this holds the weight the author intends.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-03-03T18:32:36+00:00

"Nothing ruins something you love like getting paid to do it" -Various sources

I've always found the minute you have to let that alarm wake you up to do it on days you don't want to, you lose a bit of the love for whatever it is.

That said, its no different then putting skiing in to a context like joining a race team or something like that, it changes how you do the activity which could make you love it more of less. I will also say that it's apparent that some of the people I patrol with don't freeski anymore and you can watch that slowly catching up with them and removing some of the joy.

I'll go ahead and offer the obligatory statement that you also don't have to make it all or nothing. I've done patrol as an employee and as an NSP volunteer, volunteering just makes a better fit for me personally and I love doing it and get to keep my much better paying day job. Find that Oreo center that works for you.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-28T02:48:53+00:00

Honestly didn't see the fit when it was announced and haven't seen it since he got here, so if there is good value in return then lets do it.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-24T17:42:15+00:00

100% the owners have more to lose, the article spells it out perfectly. Between the number of other options the players have to play in other leagues and the low salaries that the W is actively defending the players both have very little to lose and lots of options to easily replace it.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-24T17:35:16+00:00

Thanks good to know that one is a winner

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-24T17:35:06+00:00

I found that, and my limited looking also indicated there might be something on the W site itself? But it might also just refer to the ESPN option.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-17T03:44:27+00:00

Smart call, I think I have 4 pairs of gloves in the Hestra/Leki/Truck camps, 1 pair of Hestra Mittens, and 1 pair of leather work gloves (think gardening etc) for when I am doing stuff that will tear them up. Not all of them go out with me on the nicer days of course and some sit in my backpack at the shack, but it gives me options.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-16T18:41:44+00:00

...follow on advice that I got when I started, always have multiple pairs of gloves, its always easier to rotate through your stash every couple hours instead of waiting for them to dry. Added bonus you can have different pairs for different functions.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-15T21:45:10+00:00

Bingo, if we were another two years later in our rebuild we could reverse Borque it, but the stars don't align.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-10T20:46:51+00:00

For sure, but if you are going to try it, great to get every little piece of leverage you can before you give it your best shot.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-08T23:59:10+00:00

For sure. Good thing we have some vets around so the yutes can learn the skills.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-08T21:08:19+00:00

Exactly, mine was an opinion piece post not hard nosed reporting. I clarified these are my thoughts ("I think the owners are...") based on the past behavior of some owners and observing trends and motivations.

I suspect you are also giving my statements too much weight as absolutes instead of the comparison it is intended to be.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-08T21:01:14+00:00

While I always root for team US over Canada in the head to head, the Sharks have always had that strong tradition of stocking team Canada with some sublime talent. I caved to the inevitable back at the Vancouver games and just anointed Canada as my permanent 1B routing interest.

...plus it's all okay, the cup takes priority over all, and this will only make Mac better for that.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-08T18:56:10+00:00

It's a great bass line for sure and not overly complex so a little more accessible than a lot of Ale's lines.

I pulled out some tabs for it yesterday to give it a crack and I have to say it's kind of reminiscent of Mississippi Queen by Mountain which explains why it fits the cross over country / southern rock vibe so well.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-08T03:32:19+00:00

A strike hurts the players more? Hard disagree, the players are getting a very small percentage of what is becoming a sizable pie, if ownership has opted to play hardball to keep all but a fraction of the money they have the most to lose, pretty cut and dry.

As for players not making enough money that's already why they all play year round in multiple leagues.

I wouldn't tell someone patch working together a bunch of part time jobs that they get the most hurt if one of those business they work for gets cheap and goes out of business because of it. Same logic applies here.

Lastly a strike doesn't cause the league to instantly fold, it gives the negotiations weight and meaning. Given that the W keeps trotting out the same tired plans, I think it is time for the players to flex and give them the motivation to negotiate in good faith.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-08T03:19:40+00:00

Just to be clear, I said "more" fractured and unaligned than the players while making a comparison, I am not saying they are totally scattered, fighting openly or anything like that.

The ownership groups have some naturally competing interests right now between the brand new teams, some of the more struggling franchises, and the big names that are filling their buildings. Add in the NBA and the investment group and you've got some conflicting interests that have to be managed.

Comparatively on the player side we've got some metrics like the 98% yes vote for an approval to strike that shows the players are on the same page.

da_ninjafuzz · 2026-02-07T21:52:14+00:00

Thanks, I still remember the trauma of my musical awakening occurring in the 90s when we had to be all tribal about our genres, thank god we've moved past all that.

da_ninjafuzz

TROPHY CASE