Hanging out with your buddies is a necessary thing - once in a while.

Don't get me wrong. I love my family. I did have a blast, though, skiing and then drinking with a random collection of coworker compadres. We did the moguls at Fernie, which is a very, very challenging hill. The weather was a bit nippy but the testosterone ran high. Although none of us would admit it out loud, we were all pushed to the limits trying to keep up with one another. Towards the end of the afternoon, my quadriceps were feeling heavy and slow. Once we gave up on skiing, we headed for the bar where, thanks to our fearless leader, the beer pitchers were never empty. No one got sick, arrested or did anything they couldn't have told their wives or girlfriends about. Well, maybe Garett might have to dumb down the story a bit, but the rest of us were clean.

Fun as it was, I don't think I could do that EVERY weekend. I missed the girls final ski lessons at our local hill and one of Banana's ringette practices. It was good to get away, and it was good to get back.

It's all about balance.