Today I went skiing for the first time. Basically, I killed it.

Courtney told me, "Paolo, I can't wait to take you skiing because it's the one thing I know I can beat you at." Well, sorry Courtney. Try again.

I took a run at the Bunny Hill (red line on the map) and had no problems. Scott thought I was ready to ski the "real" slopes, so we took the chairlifts up and I learned the ropes on Queen's Run (yellow line on the map). Scott's mom, Cassandra, is a long-time ski instructor and she gave me some pointers. I felt good. I fell only occasionally and demonstrated that natural athleticism is the gift that keeps on giving.

My legs did get REALLY sore midday. Learning to carve combined with the shape of those unfamiliar ski boots took its toll. I let Scott know that I was going to take my last run all the way to the bottom of the mountain. Halfway through Queen's Run, Scott guided us across to Quiksilver, which was only partially open and extremely narrow. We instead took a closed route parallel to Quiksilver(blue line on the map), and that sucked. It was deep, uneven, and I could hardly get through it. I fell often, and by this time my legs were giving out and my upper body was wearing from having to lift myself up from falls. I got to the bottom of the hill eventually, but got one hell of a workout.

Now I can hardly walk, am extremly sore everywhere and look forward to skiing next weekend!

GRE test today. 5 p.m.

Update: I did well. I can live with the scores, but also have time to take the test again, so I'm registering for February.

Last call for focuspoint shirts!

We're placing the order tomorrow. People who ordered shirts can pick them up at our High Dive show Jan. 3, or will receive them shortly thereafter. Get your order in today, or forever hold back your style.

To see further examples of what we can offer for American Apparel colors and styles, click here for men's shirts, and click here for women's shirts.

Tonight, we're playing at Fuel in Pioneer Square. The show starts at 9 p.m. and a portion of the $5 cover goes to Northwest Harvest.

Tonight I saw Jen Wood and Rosie Thomas at the Triple Door.

Jen Wood is fantastic. She's a local artist, well-known internationally for collaborating with Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard on the Postal Service album. But really, she deserves all the credit for her solo work. It's brutally honest and painfully romantic. She's the kind of artist you just gush over when she's performing because she's that good. I've seen her at the best (Tractor Tavern, High Dive) and worst (Lock and Keel) venues this city has to offer, but she puts on a great show regardless.

Jen also works at Cafe Fiore with Katrine and Katrine gets hella jealous when I talk about Jen, mostly because Katrine is the Queen of Ballard and does not enjoy sharing the limelight in her kingdom. Katrine "coincidentally" scheduled the Cafe Fiore holiday party tonight, knowing that Jen was playing a significant show at the Triple Door at the same time. Coincidence? I think not. (For those who don't get it, this paragraph is intended to be a joke, although the Fiore party and Jen's show were conflicting.)

I hadn't heard Rosie Thomas before and even questioned her as a headliner, blinded by my admiration for Jen Wood, but she delivered. She and her brother are musical phenoms and Rosie is basically a stand-up comedian the way she can tell stories between songs. In addition to her originals, Rosie covered R.E.M.'s "The One I Love" and a few Christmas tunes, "Christmas Time Is Here," "Baby It's Cold Outside," and a crowd-joining acapella "Silent Night." Singing "Silent Night" reminded me of singing in my Catholic school Christmas programs, which is the reason I'm vocally-challenged.

Lastly, the Triple Door is my new favorite Seattle venue and an ideal date spot. (If you're reading this and I take you out on a date to the Triple Door in the future, it's your own fault for blog-stalking me in advance and ruining the surprise.) I'm constantly and pleasantly surprised by the spaces I find in this city. The acoustics are fantastic and the old-school set up of sitting at tables and watching shows over a meal is way underrated and needs to be brought out of antiquity.

Notes to self:

• Find hot date to take to Triple Door
• Set up acoustic focuspoint show at the Triple Door
• Remind everyone that focuspoint plays tomorrow at Fuel (a less glamorous venue) in Pioneer Square at 9 p.m. A portion of the $5 cover goes to Northwest Harvest.

Hi all,

We have more than 45 requests for focuspoint shirts. Yay! However, I only have details for shirt color and size for the following people (who contacted me through the blog or email):

• Sergio
• Nina
• Dad
• Wesley
• Gramps & Grams
• Scott
• Anna

If your name is not listed and you would like a shirt, please contact me ASAP because I need to get shirts ordered on Friday to have them ready for the High Dive show Jan. 3.

Need more information about focuspoint American Apparel shirts? See below:

Click to enlarge shirt flyer.

To see further examples of what we can offer for American Apparel colors and styles, click here for men's shirts, and click here for women's shirts.

Thanks! Don't forget, we're playing Fuel in Pioneer Square this Friday.