Before Tahoe got hit hard, it was our turn. Winter returned with a vengance to the NW bringing massive amounts of snowfall to places like Mt. Baker and Stevens Pass, while cold temps and low freezing levels have kept the snow light and dry. Mt. Hood got it pretty good too, and a combination of dental appointments, basketball games, concert tickets, the need for some new snow tires and just plain ol’ work kept me stuck in Portland the entire time. I wasn’t mad though, as days ripping around Meadows with Prosser and Stamps have been some of the best riding of the year. I haven’t even been stopping to shoot photos. Just having fun, snaking through the misty Meadows gullies and poppin' ollies left and right.

Nights off the hill have been just as fun too, with a steady line up of events last week to entertain, enlighten and excite my restless soul.

First off, it was a down-to-the-wire Blazers game against the Utah Jazz, which luckily we held on to win in the end.

I got the hook up at the RoseGarden this year, and am always rollin' in style...either on the posh new Lexus Club Level or in a private suite.

The Club Level is dope because it's like an open bar, but with food! Plus you got the nice leather seats, in-seat drink service and my favorite: The Crown Royal Lounge.

Once again, it's all about the bracelet.

It's free...might as well stock up, right?

Gotta love those Blazer dancers.

The next night it was off to see The Greatest Band on Earth.

I'm talking, of course, about Jack Black and Kyle Gass. They are...Tenacious D.

The venue was the beautifully restored Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, originally the Portland Public Theatre built in 1928. Home to the Oregon Symphony, theatre groups and more, the grand stage was the perfect place to see the boys play the best songs ever made.

A few drinks at the bar before the show.

Starting off perfoming some songs off their first album, The D fired up the ecstatic crowd...complete with dancing mushrooms.

The lighting effects were amazing, always setting the mood for the tale to come.

The tale of The Pick of Destiny. If you haven't seen the movie yet, go buy the DVD (it came out today) and then go see the tour. In the live show, the boys go to hell, meet up with the AntiChrist and Charlie Chaplin and start a band to defeat Satan. Stoner entertainment at its finest.

It was an awesome show, and I love that Jack Black still does this even after all his Hollywood success. He was performing at the Oscars with Ricky Bobby (Will Farrell) like a week later. Lotta range, that guy.

The next night it was back to the RoseGarden to see my man Jamie Foxx. I caught his "I Might Need Security" Tour in Vegas back in 2002, and it was hilarious. That's a good DVD too.

Here's another guy with some range—no one has ever been able to mix comedy, acting and music so successfully as Foxx. I was hoping for a little more stand up before he got into his mack mode, but hey…can’t hate on a playa. Music make mo' money than tellin' jokes.

He even threw in a little Ray Charles tribute.

If he comes through your town, take your date to go see Jamie Foxx. Trust me, it works.

NE Portland was representin' hard up in thurr.

Pimpalicious!

Friday night, The Blazers had another game—this time against the worst team in the league, The Memphis Grizzlies. After two big wins against The Lakers and The Utah Jazz, I figured the Grizzlies would be no sweat. This time, we even had a private suite to get our lounge on.

The Grizzlies have the worst record in the league! I mean, The Blazers are no Phoenix Suns...but I was starting to think 8th spot in the playoffs was a possibilty. Well, Udoka missed a free throw with 0.8 seconds left that would have sent the game into overtime, and we walked outta there losing 104 - 103. Then, we dropped another to the Sonics...the second worst team in the league! Now, I've never said "we" before when referring to a sports team in my life, but I'm trying to be a real fan here. I got faith in potential Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, Z-Bo and the rest of the young Blazer squad. We got Charlotte coming into town tonight, so wish us luck. We're gonna need it.