The climbs, the gig, and the mall...

Hmm, where shall I start?

So, Great Falls is now becoming quite the little backyard get-away for me. I realized while I was at the mall today (which I'll get to in a moment), how much I liked going there. Doesn't even necessarily have to be a climbing outing... We climbed 'the climb' on Saturday (faithful readers, you will know the one in which I'm referring to). But no good news to report, it's still a work in progress. During the brief session today, we climbed at the Dihedrals. The climbs were fun, but unfortunately time didn't allow for more than one setup. But now I know where they are...and I shall be back.

Foxchase Tavern was fun. Some folks from my office and Stacy, Lynda, and the J's came out which was cool. To my surprise, someone brought a date....ahem, thanks for sharing, you know who! Very not in character, hmmm...what's the deal? Inquiring minds want to know!

Oh, and so the mall...hard to believe that just a few years ago I would've liked nothing better than to spend a gorgeous day inside a mall spending money on stuff I didn't need. How times have changed... although the spending part remains consistent. Well, today I was there to get an oil change and I guess everyone and their mother had the same idea because the wait was 2 hours during which I had to endure the crowds of teenagers agonizing over which homecoming dress to buy. Turns out the latch for popping the hood is broken so finally, the oil was not changed and I've got another car issue to add to the list. Yup, that'll get fixed next year...

A newbie for my life's tick list...

Okay, it's not so new...but it will be for you all as I'm just posting it. I want to climb a mountain. Haven't decided which one yet...but something big, something technical, something that'll require some acclimatizing, something not so dangerous (K2 can wait). It's not something I have in mind for a vacation next year. But I'm thinking maybe in the next 5-10 years...

It's odd to say this as it was just last year that I got into rock climbing and Adam had given me the low-down on how a 'climbing bug' progresses...1. climbing at the local crag (Great Falls for us locals) 2. learning how to lead climb 3. spending a ton of money and amassing a large amount of climbing gear 4. and finally, mountaineering. (FYI, I'm just in the early stages of phase 2) And my response, as I recall, "Mountaineering, no way. Not me, not gonna happen".

Saturday mornings, not the best time to call...

Am I the only one who's phone rings constantly on Saturday morning? It's always some stupid telemarketer, and it's really quite infuriating. This morning my first call was at 8:30am...and it didn't have that signature 2 second silence that usually gives away the telemarketer. No, it had a "You have an important phone call, please stay on the line" message. Great, so I'm freaking out on a Saturday morning thinking what emergency happened. And, of course, it's just some company trying to get me to sign up for their credit card.

I don't know why I haven't just cancelled my home phone, I use my cell mostly now anyways. I guess I like paying that extra $$ a month to make sure I get my awesome weekend wake up calls.

The meaning of ache...

...is comprehended when every inch of your body down to your callused fingertips hurt. The next time I really feel like sleeping in and not go climbing for 7 hours, I may just listen. ....maybe...

"The next band is next"...

As quoted from the band's earlier act this past Saturday. Now, I only make fun because that's really something I would say...which is precisely why I don't talk on stage. The gig went good...it didn't rain! Hallelujah. My only complaint is that I couldn't hear myself, so I basically resorted to screaming my songs. I guess the more trained singer is prepared for this and can 'place' their notes, therefore bypassing the screaming method. But no, I'd rather damage my vocal cords... I guess I need to give my ol' vocal coach a call.

Deep Thoughts....

(Old SNL, anyone?) So, this weekend was fun, short...but fun. I took Ty's to his first Fu show. It rocked, as always. He was especially tickled with the neon glow thingies they gave out...brilliant idea. Sunday we went to his t-ball pool party in which they gave out engraved trophies (...very impressed). He had so much fun, but I will miss all the nice parents I got to know with this team.



Ty's new favorite song: Move Along (All American Rejects). Video coming soon.

I need some updates too...

Well, I haven't really had much to blog about lately and whilst I'm sitting here trying to think of something worthwhile, it dawned on me that you all need to fill me in on what's going on in your world. So, I want to hear about new climbing feats at the gym, 30th birthday bashes, OC happenings, the latest poker night recap...

Day 5-6: A fine ending...

Well, the last two days were really great...which made it even that much harder to come back! On Thursday we went to the boards, ate lots of junk food, played putt putt, then went to a nice dinner that had a cruise afterwards (I'll be adding a pic once Blogger decides to cooperate). On Friday, we fished off the pier and caught lots of spot fish. Ty's had a blast since it didn't take but a second for some poor fish to get hooked.

Then, back to reality...waah

Day 4: So, there is climbing in OC...

Too bad you just have to fight 30 other kids to practice some good dyno's. So, anyhow...I'll let you all just guess where Tyler and I went today. Hint, it has lots of sand... We did get to see some dolphins today which was pretty neat, usually they just swim by and you just see the fin for a second but they were actually a bit playful today and jumping out of the water. I want one. :-)

Day 3: And more beach...

So, I came here for the beach and relaxing and I must say...I'm accomplishing my goal quite well...

Day 2: Beach n' bar...

Good beach day. It was still a bit overcast but it worked for our advantage since it scared away most people. Went to see a band afterwards....band was good, the bar's strawberry daiquiry - superb. Oh, and I'm starting to get concerned that Tyler won't go home with me...that is, unless he can take his cousin (his new best buddy) with him.

Day 1: Crabs are not a-biting...

OC Trip report, 1 of 7


Figured today would be a good day for crabbing with it being a bit overcast. And apparently, I was wrong... What it did turn out to be a good day for was sitting on the deck and relaxing. :-) We hit the boards afterwards, Thrasher's fries...check. If you're jealous now just wait till my weekday updates. hehe >:P

Things I learned this weekend...

Being stung by a wasp makes for a nasty sting, but they don't itch.

You learn how to place gear pretty quickly when you're above a ledge that has 'I want to break your ankle' written all over it.

Some people will believe that a 5.11 (hard!) climb is a 5.7 (fairly easy).

Oh, and at Indian weddings...they have the teenage girls perform a dance before the bride and groom's first dance (which was a tango...whether or not that's Indian tradition, I do not know).

He's a heartbreaker...

Check it out. (Don't mess around with him!!)

Top Five...

...things that run through my head when singing at weddings:

5. if a tambourine is percussion, does that make me vocals/percussion?
4. I'm really not in a "Walking on Sunshine" mood
3. just stay in one spot and you won't trip over the slew of cords
2. we should learn more disco
1. 'I've got to get those shoes...and those...oh, and those...'

Trip report...

Spent this past July 4th weekend at Seneca, WV...

Arrival: "ROOM #9". Why the quotes? Because once you've been in "ROOM #9", the mere utterance of the words will haunt you. Just to give you an idea...there was actually a sign in the room that said 'Please excuse the stains on the sheets...' You get the idea. My sincere thanks goes out to the family who reserved cabin #41 and never showed. All was well.

Day 1: Climbed a bit and slept. Lazy day, ain't nothing wrong with that... Oh, and had a gear placement 101 class...I know what I want for Christmas. :-D

Day 2: Climbed some fun new stuff (had a really really good time, I didn't necessarily get all my climbing ya ya's out but I'm still a newbie...learning is a good thing), ate, and um...drank a lil too much. :-/

Day 3: Thought about climbing...was kinda looking cloudy...I was "under the weather"...sooo, fishing it was. (Almost stepped on a black snake...still freaked out over that one. Yes, I'm a big wimp.)

Day 4: Thought about climbing...it started to rain. Fishing again! And no, we didn't catch anything (of significance, that is).

It was a really great time. I can't wait until the boys are old enough to come along (don't worry, Daphne...only for fishing). Will defintely be back soon...

Venezuela, here I come...

After spotting this pic off rockclimbing.com, Venezuela just got bumped up to numero uno on my 'places I must climb' list.

Questionable promotional piece...

(After my previous post, I scrolled down and to my horror I have subjected my loyal readers to line upon lines of text. I do apologize and offer this pic to break up the monotony.)

I was given this um...'promotional' item from my former print rep. :-D Undoubtedly, the item managed to make it's way around the office with quite a few giggles. I guess it did accomplish the goal of getting people's attention...is it subtle, marketing genious? By the way, it's supposedly a 'giant pen'...judge for yourselves...

Input anyone?...

Couple things...

Anybody ever order prints/photo books from Shutterfly and/or iPhoto? How did they turn out?

Besides fish, what other "brain foods" are good? You know, food to make you remember things (like how to count properly)...

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Should I take Ty's to see this? It's not rated yet. My initial thought was no, but I did take him to see Fantastic Four and he saw the first one (loves Captain Jack Sparrow...as do I, hehe).

Say goodbye to Sweetie...

Tyler's Sweetie has passed and gone on to goldfish heaven. :( I found him when I put Ty's to bed tonight. Ty's wanted to say goodnight, but thank goodness he bought my 'he already went to bed' story. I'm not sure the cause of death, but something about my condo is fish toxic, I haven't been able to keep a fish alive for more than 2 weeks...