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Thinking about buying new Ski Boots? Bomb.

Over the past few weeks a few friends have been asking me about ski boots because i have a bomb pair myself. I'm not exactly a ski-boot expert like the crew at your local SureFoot, but here are a few of the things i have been telling people to think about.

Ski boots are a tricky mix of form and function. The perfect boot for you depends on the shape of your foot and the way you ski. The higher your arch the more necessary custom foot bed becomes. Conversely, if you have a really flat foot a custom foot bed will be more comfortable too. If you have a pretty neutral foot then you're probably fine picking up a generic footbed just to give it a whirl before you spend the dough. Footbeds can be a game changer for some people by increasing the amount of your foot that is in contact with the boot. The more the better. If you have a good foot bed, it can make getting to your edges a fraction of second shorter. Some people claim that it increases circulation in your feet also, but I've never experienced that. (Good ski boots are generally pretty flippin cold...)

The custom liners are a mixed bag. If you're skiing a lot, then you will pack out your custom liner pretty quick making your heafty investment into a pedestrian pair of boots broken in ski boots. I have custom liners and they are pretty comfortable, but i wouldn't ever tell you that they dramatically changed my skiing experience. The experience of getting them fit at the Deer Valley SureFoot was pretty cool though.

The thing with ski boots, like skis, you should consider the way you ski first to figure out how stiff of a boot you want. If you're a speed freak or on really steep terrain, then you'll want a stiffer boot so that you can control your skis at the higher-end of your speed range. If you spend a lot of time in the park, the bumps, or skiing powder, you'll want to consider a softer boot that you can flex easier and not bang your shins up too bad.

In the end, skiing will make your feet really cold no matter what you do so I don't usually get too hung up on the warmth factor. If warmth is a concern than buy yourself a really nice pair of camp slippers to change into at lunch which will let your feet stretch and the feeling return to your tootsies.

If you do go the custom route I recommend working with SureFoot. They are a good company run by decent and knowledgeable people and they carry all of the boots worth skiing in.

Kingdom Trails, East Burke Vermont: Bomb

Kingdom Trails, in East Burke VT (LINK) is EPIC. Just got back from a trip there. It's closer to Montreal than it is to just about anything in America, but it doesn't mean it's any less of an American Classic. How this has remained under the radar from those dumb "Top 10 Getaway" lists baffles me. But i think it has, and let me be the first to say, this is a great weekend getaway. Combine good trails with some other good things, and you have the makings of a good time. So if you're on the east coast, and have a craving to dine on some of vermonts finest mud pies, than this is your place.

Here is The Cone of Silence, a custom Richel Pugh 30 in Boston Harbor screaming around this past weekend. (I was on board, so this is a personal bomb). Top speed for the weekend was 18 kts. booooomb.

check out gothecone.com for more info about the boat and the crew.

Natio Furniture: Bomb

Student Villiage II: Bomb.

This image appeared on Boston.com yesterday. It was taken on the study floor of the new BU Dorm... what has happened to college? I will momentarily see through my excruciating jealousy to realize just how bomb this new facility is for the Terriers. LINK

Darts: Bomb

Darts are bomb. No matter how you cut it or try to hate on it, the fact is that darts are bomb. I just rallied a few friends here in Boston to join a dart league with me (MMDL.org) and we had our first captains practice tonight with another team. It was totally awesome. [For those of you in the know, We are playing in Brad's league. Home court is the Beacon Hill Pub].

Vuelto a Espana

If you've got the time to watch this (and not just follow the think to the outside blog) check this out. All the same riders that are in the Tour de France are in this major tour. And just about all the heavy-hitters that compete for the top races are included in this crash. This is pretty much your worst nightmare as a bike racer.

The Assad Brothers break it down: Bomb

Sailing Videos on Sailgroove

Barry Gibb: "Do you have any thoughts on this Robin?"

Robin Gibb: No, no i dont.

Barry Gibb: (silence)

the above reference is to this video:

Winkers: Bomb

Just in case you are sitting around wondering what all the hot people are going to be wearing this fall dont worry... you've found it. they will be wearing winkers. Winkers have a way of saying everything that you can't. Just like you're mama said, if you've got it flaunt it - and if what you've got is bomb, than you need winkers.

Sarah Bowman: Bombshell

Sarah Bowman is rock-star runner for Tennessee. She's been the real deal since she was 13 and has been a part of a successful 4-years for the Volunteers. She's obviously hot, but she seems intelligent and motivated which is what makes her a bombshell. For more check out flotrack.com <Link>

Lance's Custom Bikes are Bomb

Hope you guys enjoyed watching the tour as much as I did this year. One thing I noticed more prominently this year than in the past is the use of customized "art bikes." They didn't get a lot of attention from the press but they are pretty slick looking machines. Cavendish was on at least one fancy thing and Fabian Cancellara got his ink on too but Lance's whips take the cake. Click the picture for more detail about the bikes and a closer look at the frame designs. Also, see trek.com for more images of the bikes. Hopefully this sort of design trickles down to the "people" some day.

ESPY Awards

The ESPYs were aired last night on ESPN. Have to say it was the best awards show that i've seen in a long time. The Arthur Ashe Award given to Nelson Mandella was great, the shorts between awards with Sam Jackson were hilarious. Bottom line, it was bomb.

Bruins v Flyers in Fenway: BOMB

see the SI link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/hockey/nhl/07/15/winter.classic/index.html

The bruins will play the flyers in Fenway Park. That will be absolutely awesome.

Extreme Kayaking: Bomb.

Do not try this at home. Especially if you have a 186 foot waterfall in your home.

Boston.com reports "Cyclists Flex Political Muscle": Bomb.

It's bike week in Boston. Which is good. The bikers in Boston are a powerful bunch. Which is bomb. That's Menino in the jumpsuit and gloves from a few years ago. The big man will not be riding this year but since watching him tumble off the stage after the World Series in 2007, everyone else should feel much safer with the Mayor on the sidewalk.

Megan Fox Eats/Drinks/is a bombshell: Bomb.

Early on in the existence of this blog (last week) I decided not to put up supermodels or dumbass actresses. But I been thinking a lot about that (today) and decided that I could make the occasional exception if the supermodel / actress was truly bomb. I stumbled on this video of Megan Fox. Esquire will release it soon, and it'll be all blown up with fratty dudes drooling over her, but it's pretty sweet that she shoots this video drinking beer, and eating. EATING. here's a reality check for many of us, these women drink and eat. It's allowed. Anyway, check it because it's 100% bomb as all hell. [http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid21821663001?bctid=21845810001]

Snowbird passes 600" of snow on the season: Bomb.

"Snowbird has received more than 100 inches in five out of the last sixth months, a feat that has only occurred four times in the last 60 years. April alone has deposited 132 inches, more than double the monthly average of 65 inches. " Powder Magazine. God damn, they're still skiing in Utah - that's bomb! [http://www.powdermag.com/features/news/snowbird-passes-600-inches-for-season-snowfall/]

The Bahamas: Bomb.

Saw this image on Boston.com for Earth Day (which was yesterday). I've never been to Eleuthera Island, or to space, but after seing this image I want to go to both places.