Climb on

I have never been athletic. I was in figure skating up until I was 11 and I sucked at it. I was really really bad, and bless my mom’s heart, she really wanted to believe that I was going to be great.

But I wasn’t.

I was a decent swimmer. I was really good at the breaststroke (insert obvious joke here).

But I remember the first time P3 took me climbing, I was totally amazed by it.

I wasn’t super good at it, but that sense of accomplishment when I finished my first route, well that kind of exhilaration was awesome.

So I went a few more times, I bought some gear and I thought, I could totally do this a few times a month.

I had no idea it would become a multiple-times-a-week things.

I haven’t been that committed to anything before.

You see, the thing about it is, I have a really busy head. I find it hard to just stop. Stop my mind from running and turn everything off. But when I’m climbing, well, it’s the only time in my day that my mind is fully focused on the task in front of me.

My adult-onset ADD doesn’t take over and everything thing in me is focused. And if it isn’t, well, I fall. And that sucks.

I have been climbing outside, but I kinda only trusted P3 enough to climb outdoors with. I mean, I am putting my life in someone else’s hands, I have to trust them 100% right? I did love it though.

And it gave me an excuse to get to Squamish, which is always nice.

Asshole

Ok, so after a day which saw Steve do something amazing for me, I was happily going down to my car to drive home.

Yes, sometimes I like to laze a bit too much in the morning and end up driving to work.

Shut up.

Well, I get to my car and notice it is a mess, a much bigger mess than normal.

And then I see it. My window is broken.

Some asshole took a big fucking rock and threw it into my passenger-side window.

So, I survey the damage and realize the only thing they took was my backpack. With my climbing stuff in it.

Fuckers!

Those shoes were already broken in perfectly. It was like they were molded for my feet, most days. I was hoping to always have those climbing shoes. They were my first pair and they felt so special to me.

And my harness, beaner and belay device were all there too.

And what the hell are they going to do with my climbing gear? Get like $30 bucks for it.

Ugh.

I know I am retarded leotarded for leaving it in my car, but I always do. I am just so annoyed that in a parking garage, in downtown Vancouver, during the day, on a Thursday, these random acts of violence can occur.

Shouldn't petty thieves be relegated to night-time activities? Shouldn't they at least have a little fear of getting caught?

Fuckers.

Well, at the very least my stuff is in the hands of someone with some balls.

Boo-urns.

According to the critics

Last year, I did a month-by-month recount. To be totally honest with you, I don't think that is possible this year.

Not because this year wasn't good, but just because it wasn't as monumental as last year. So this year will be a random best-of.

So here it goes, probably a little disjointed, but so am I.

Best activity: Hands down, rock climbing

I love climbing. I never thought I would like it as much as I do, but here
I am, blogging about it.

Geek.

There is something so satisfying about finishing a hard route, or moving
up to the next difficulty. The best part about it? It is the only time in my
day that I am quiet - my head is concentrating on only one thing and my
whole body is pursuing that one thing.

It is incredible.

And, the boys are pretty cute.

Worst activity: Sailing

I came up with this plan this year - to eventually retire on a boat. So, I signed up for sailing lessons and was ready to fall in love with sailing.

That didn't happen.

Maybe it was because there was no wind and it was more tedious than exciting, I just didn't dig it.

Plus, those sails are really heavy.

See, I am not that granola.

Favorite big-ticket purchase: moving my shit to Vancouver

Sure, it wasn't really a purchase, but it was fucking expensive.

I was totally in denial. I didn't REALLY need my furniture out here, really, what was the big deal??

I can't believe I ever thought that way. It was a HUGE deal. The second I got my couch and my bed and my everything, Vancouver started to feel like home. I started to feel like me and life started to improve.

Seriously. I wouldn't have believed it either.

Favorite new shoes: Tie - climbing shoes and black Kenneth Cole Mary Janes

The climbing shoes are ugly, they stink and they hurt my feet a lot of times, but I love them. I took them to China with me and looked at them longingly because I couldn't use them. I just got them re-soled and they are like new! Yay!

The Kenneth Coles, well, they are fucking hot. I get compliments on them all the time and they make my legs look fucking awesome.

I forgot them in Beijing and now have to pay $50 to get them back. THIS is the problem with traveling.

Favorite thing about Vancouver: Walking home from work and the water taxi

During the summer, I discovered the water taxi. It is awesome.

On nice days, when I have my flats with me, I walk home from work and take the water taxi to get across the bay.

When I get to English Bay, I sit on a log, look west to the mountains, ships and Stanley Park and smoke. Ahh.

It is the perfect way to end a day.

The water taxi brings me to Kits beach and the perfect walk home.

It makes me happy like a mo-fo.

Love of the year: Sia
When I lived with P3, I didn't really get it. Sia was his and that was that.

Then, just before my birthday, she had a seizure and I have never been more scared. Not even when I was in hospital.

She couldn't walk and you could see the fear in her eyes. It was devastating.

That is when I finally got it - she is everything a person could ask for and more. And I would be lost without her.

When I couldn't walk, I credit Sia with getting me out there and walking. When I was going through a rough break up, Sia came and sat with me while I cried. Now, all I need is a little Sia love and my day is better and my world is happy.

She is the best thing in the fucking world.

And the love she gives is unconditional. Her happiness to see you is not faked and everything about her is perfect. She is a little damaged, which makes her all the more special. She doesn't like everyone and it takes her a while to really warm up to someone. But now, I am pretty sure, she loves me as much as she loves P3 - he gets jelly, it is both funny and a little sad *for him, not me, I get nothing but joy out of it*.

She is lovely. She is the loveliest brown color. She is my puppy love. She is Sia.

I got really high

So I have taken to rock climbing.

Taken to it in a way I never thought I would take to any sort of physical activity. I HATE physical activity. A lot. I don't like the gym. I think running is stupid. And everything else has just seemed 'meh' to me.

I tried rock climbing for the first time in April. I really liked it. The first time I got up that wall and finished a route - well, I was hooked. Even in the busy climbing gym, the only thing I could think about was the problem in front of me.

I have mentioned several times how I have a busy head. Usually, I have few moments of nothingness. And when I do, they are often fleeting. But not when I climb.

When I climb, the only thing I can think about is the next hand-hold and my foot placement. Am I using my arms too much? How do I have to position myself to make finish this one? These are the only things that can go through my head. Otherwise, I fall. And no one likes to fall.

So yeah, I go three or four times a week now. Three hours usually at a time. And I boulder too. Bouldering (for those of you who don't know) is when you climb about three metres up without rope. There are huge crash pads beneath you, so there is no worry of injury. I hope.

I have even gone outside. Which is fucking incredible. These are from my very first outdoor climb. Right on the ocean - how amazing is that!?

Me climbing












The view from Lighthouse Park (West Vancouver)









Me freaking out before my first climb.












So yeah, I love something that isn't shoes or work or bad for me. And it is sofa king granola!