Xbox red ring of death

More like the xbox red ring of gayness! If you haven't caught on yet, my xbox red ringed. Probably (sadly) 60% percent of my life died. Only a year old too. I've treated it so well too! Not once did I take it for granted. I feared that one day this would happen, which made me appreciate my xbox to a great end. Two things that make it worse are: I bought it off of ebay, so I don't have a warranty to fix it, and I don't have a job to buy a new one. So until money grows off of trees, I get a job, my mom or dad decide to grace me with a new one, I'm S.O.L. Plus some of my friends are gonna pass me in rank on Halo: Reach. GAY!

Another great weekend in...... RMNP!

Gang Bang V8

Yes! Another weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park! Great weekend at that. My partner (Dan) and I woke up early and departed for RMNP Saturday morning. It was a pretty good drive most of the way, until we got in Estes park. All the tourists vacationing for Labor Day weekend, gaping at all the elk (one or two) and holding up traffic while doing it. Has nobody ever seen an elk? I guess its just part of living in Wyoming I suppose. Since it was Labor Day weekend, a lot of the campsites were full. Except one... Timber Creek, a 40 mile drive from Estes!!!!..... So we get our camp spot, and its actually pretty nice. The campsite wasn't full up, and there were actually A LOT of spaces left. I start putting my tent up, and Dan asks "You're putting your tent up?" I reply "Yeah, aren't you??" He was scared someone would take his tent! But we both get our tents set up, and we head out to go climbing. We arrive at the parking lot at 3, and got a pretty good spot, which was nice. The hike was actually really short this time, time wise. Dan and I warm up at the same boulder, and there was a couple Boulder that were there too, but they weren't being to friendly. We said hi, but they didn't really talk to us. I do a couple laps on a problem and try to do another one, but the guy in the couple wouldn't move from the start, and I didn't really want to ask him to move, so I did another run on the warmup. Afterwards, we headed to Tommy's Aerate, so Dan could send. There were two other guys there that were working on it, and they were super friendly. When Dan got on, he turned on the burner. First try, and he finished the whole thing. No warmup go's on it, just got on and sent. It was awesome!

Dan on the send

Dan, the two other guys, and I decide to go check out Deep Puddle Dynamics, a V9. We get there, and it looked super hard. You start on this under cling, and move up to this sloper thing, match, move your feet around, lurp up to a bad slopey pinch thing. Once I hit that, I would have to deadpoint to another sloper thing, toe hook so I could move off of the slopey pinch thing, and match the sloper. A couple of the moves after that were easy, giant sloped jugs, and then a crazy overhang with a crimp rail and a bird beak like pocket thing. Thats where it got scary. Plus the two other guys left, so we only had two pads and I was sketched. So we decided to move on to Gang Bang. I gave it a few tries, then got my groove and it was on.

ME ON THE SEND!!!

Thats right, I sent Gang Bang. I was soo stoked about it too! Dan gave it a couple tries, but wasn't feeling it, so we hiked out. In the dark again too, but this time we were prepared. We brought headlamps. I'm gonna fast forward here... Hike down, car, drive, camp, food, sleep. So while we're going to sleep, there were elk in the area bugling, all night. What an incredible experience! Too bad it was ruined by a couple having sex.... Yeah, we can hear you two! The guy sounded like he was having some troubles. And he was grunting and moaning more than the girl! So hilarious. But the bugling elk made it better. So the next day, we go back up. But parking was full, so we had to park at some pullout, hike to a trailhead where the free shuttle stopped. Fast forward; parking lot, hike, warmup, douche bags from boulder (different douche bags), gang bang. Since I had done it the day before, I was just chilling. But another couple came up, and acted like they were waiting for us to leave, like they can't climb when there are other people around. So I tell Dan "We should just stay here" and he like the idea. So the waited like, 20 minutes... AND LEFT! What dickards. Dan came real close to sending Gang Bang a couple times. A little after the gay couple left, two guys came up. Drew and Alex. These guys were super chill. Really friendly and super stoked. They gave a couple tries on Gang Bang with Dan, then we started trying this crazy hard 6. But I gave up, so we left. Fast forward; hike down, wait for bus, parking lot, hike, car, Eds Cantina, douche couple that can't climb around other people, drive home.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

So this weekend, I went to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was an awe inspiring experience, thats for sure. My partner and I arrived in Colorado at like five and went up to the trail head to the heinous hike up to the boulders. We had NO clue where we were supposed to go or where the boulders were. But we saw a guy with a pad and asked him if he could show up. He ended up being Nick Duttle, (he's done Esperanza (V14) in Hueco Tanks National Park) and he guided us up to Lower Chaos. But we went up at 5..... So we arrive at the boulders and warm up on some weird thing, do a V7 that felt like a four, then headed off to a really cool boulder. The boulder had an 11 called Bush Pilot that had a hard start move into an awkward aerate. Nick was projecting Freaks Of The Industry, a James Litz boulder problem. He worked that until it got dark enough to motivate him to leave, and we hiked out with 5 minutes of daylight left. As we hiked on, the light died a lot. It made it really hard to see, but you could see a white-ish glow of the rocks on the path and a dark spot in between them, so you could kind of see where you stepped. One thing that was awesome about hiking in RMNP at night was the starry sky. It was a humbling feeling looking up seeing the crimson sky with all the stars and the silhouette of the mountains in the background. After what seemed like an hour long hike, my partner and I made it back to the parking lot. We drove back to Estes and tried to find a place to camp. We barley found one in a campground that was full, but we snuck in, woke up, and snuck out without paying. The next day, we went up for a full day of climbing. We warmed up at the same boulder, no big deal, then we went on to Tommy's Aerate, a 14 move boulder problem going up an overhung prow. It was long, but fun! Two cool pinches, a huge jug rest, and a scary landing. I sent after maybe 10 tries, and my friend worked it with all his might. But then it got a little crowded, and he lost his psyche, so we moved on. The next boulder we went to had The Centaur, a Dave Graham V12 or 13, but it also had an 8 called Gang Bang, and a 9 called Handicaps, and an 11 I think. We worked on Gang Bang most of the time. It was also on an over hung prow like thing, but the moves and holds were harder. The move that was most intriguing was a throw to a sloper. You would go from two crimps, and a slick foot, throw, hit the sloper and you have to fight a helicopter swing.

Gang Bang V8

Once you control the swing, you have to do something with your foot, which is hard, because there ARE NONE!! But I found one I had to press hard on, but I could make the next move. I tried a lot to get it, but I worked all the moves all the way to sticking the sloper and the dish next to it. But I could never get my foot up on to a hold after sticking the two holds. After a bit, more people came so we left. We drove to town, and ate at Ed's cantina. There were two girls that we met earlier at Tommy's Aerate that worked there, so we got a little special treatment. I had a DELICIOUS cheeseburger that made me a very content boy. When we were done, we tried to find a place to camp, but all the camping areas were full or too expensive, so we decided to head to Casper. I fell in love with RMNP, and would loooove to go back sometime.

Lander!!

When I was a young girl, I had me a Cowboy 5.13a

So I went to Lander Wednesday and today, and it was okay. I didn't climb all that much. I tried a 13b that was super scary because it was really over hanging, a 12 a that was also scary, and a 13a that was confusing and fun! I got real close on the 12, but one move was was kind of run out and it was a cross off of a slopey crimp to a pretty good pocket. So after the climbing, we ate at Cowfish and I had a really good burger. The next day, I warmed up on Wotai which was a 10d and was really fun. Up next was When I Was A Young Girl, I Had Me A Cowboy which was a 13a. The beginning started with bad holds and weird feet. I had to bump my left up and one more time to a real good pocket. Then I cut my feet and did a little hop to a huge pocket and clipped. After that, it was good pockets to weird weird WEIRD confusing sequence on slopey shallow pockets. I did a couple hangs to figure out some beta, but it would have been awkward. So I got to the last clip, but the anchors were over a bulge and it was kinda sketchy. So I came down (didn't have to clean because the draws were up already) and we left. I should mention that Kerrek got on it first, but hurt his tendon on the start pocket. So I just drove back to Casper and here I am now. Thank god for Lander and its short but hard routes.

Goals

Okay. I've set a lot of "goals" wether they be school related (mostly school related) or just life goals, but I've never really followed through on them. Like in school, after New Years, I would always make my resolution "Do homework" or "Get better grades." Yeah, that never happened! But this year, I think I have some goals I know I can follow through on. Sending. I need to send something! Last year, I red pointed an 11 b or c, and worked on 12. But this year, I know I can do 12+ and -. My only problem is endurance and lack of job to get me gear and transport. But my goal is most certainly sending something. That shouldn't be hard for me though, I have lots of personal projects to choose from. Such as Crown Prince Abdullah, or Esplanada. I think Esplanada is first, and C.P.A. is second. But I have four others to get. I hope to at least get two or more by the end of the year. But if I send them all, well that would be peachy!

Emotional days!!?!???!!#$!@%@#%!

I may have just seen one of the funniest things he has ever seen in his life:
I walk into Subway, wanting a sammich. And there are three girls and a "girl" sitting in a booth, but I don't notice the "girl", so I assume there are four. I step up to the counter and I hear one girl say "Something something something Michelle." So I look at "Michelle".... and I realize its a Michael. Funny thing is, I have seen Michael before. But when I notice, I chuckle. I hear "Michelle" start whining; "You guys never want to hang out with me! Do you want me to sit in my basement depressed??" and on and on like that. I know why nobody wants to hang out with you! Nobody hangs out with you because 1. You're a man with girls clothing on and 2. You're acting like this in public. I'm pretty one of the girls (The other three were fat by the way) said something like "You're being a drama queen right now" Which he was. But he goes on with "Like, you guys saw Twilight 2 with me, and you know I wanted to see the third one, but you didn't even call me or text me and you went without me! And you guys know I'm a Twilight fan..." By then I was grinning from ear to ear, mustering every fiber of my being not to laugh, because if I did, I would have been attacked by the he-she. When I turn around to order, smile on my face, the girl taking my order notices how hard I am smiling and acknowledges what is going on with a smile. During my order, one of the girls said might have said he was on his period.... WHAT PERIOD?? I'M ABSOLUTELY SURE HE HAD A SEX CHANGE, HE CAN'T HAVE PERIODS SEEING AS HOW HE DOESN'T HAVE AN ACTUAL VAGINA! But he cries out "NO, I'M NOT ON MY PERIOD, I'M JUST HAVING AN EMOTIONAL DAY" By the time I am paying, Michael gets a call and says "Oh hey, I'm just here with nobody that wants to hang out with me." and when he hangs up, I think one of the other girls told him that he may be bothering the other people with his un-nessacary drama. No, he wasn't, he was only yelling and crying like a baby.... "I don't give a fuck about what these people think, they don't fuck me or pay my bills!" he cries, which is when I let out a little laugh. But one of the girls told him that he should go outside, and he said he was going out to get a cigarette, but leaves with a "And you guys get to have emotional days and I get to hear all your bullshit, but when I have one, its not okay!?" No, it isn't. You're a man! As I'm walking out, I hear him huff and puff and yell out "Oh my god!" But once I get in my car, I just let out a huge round of laughter. Hopefully loud enough, that he heard. So I got to drive home content with my sandwich.

Waaaah.

You know what I think? I think I need to stop sucking at climbing. Okay, I don't "suck" at climbing. I'm not that bad, but I could be better. Lots better. But like a friend always tells me, "We all suck at our own level." Normally, I'm a boulderer. But this year, I've had the itch to sport climb. I've gone a lot it seems like this year. More than I did last year. But all these trips have taught me a few things: I need to get better, and I need my own gear. All I have is a harness, shoes, chalk bag, and thats about it. No rope, no draws, no belay device, no NOTHING! And normally, I just leech to Alli (lives in Ten Sleep) and I think it bothers her. That and I stay at her house a lot. So I've decided to wait a little until I get my own gear. Which may be a difficult quest, seens as how I've no job. But I've been looking! However, it is all for naught. But back to the climbing.... I really really want to get stronger, and I think by stronger I mean I want more endurance, so I'll just say that. Last year started my sport climbing "career". And I redpointed 11b, and tried 12b. This year, I ran that 11b, but still no 12's. Okay, so I did a really really short 12a that really only has 3 hard moves. So I don't count it. But all my list consists of are 12's! GAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Surprise! Another blog update bout Ten Sleep.

So last Tuesday, I had a dentist appointment in Lovell, Wyoming. So the Sunday before that, I went up to Ten Sleep and got a NEW PROJECT! Super. Now I have like, a million? More like 5 just from going up that Sunday. That doesn't even count the new one I have. So its 6. So I leave Ten Sleep, stay in Powell, go and do my dentist app, go back to Powell, and left for Ten Sleep AGAIN on Friday. When I show up, a friend was there and we go climb up at the Slavery Wall. It was a good, fun, easy day. I FINALLY got to do Beer Bong (a 10 something) that has like, a tube at the top, that you have to stem facing outwards to the canyon as you climb up. Super unique and way fun! So on Saturday, I finally lost my FCR virginity. Probably the most beautiful wall I have ever seen. Granted I haven't been to many, but it is gorgeous. Its got blue and gold streaks and tons of super rad climbs! The 6th addition to my project ticklist was Esplanada 5.12d. I would post a picture, but I'm never special enough for a photo of stuff I'm working on. But Esplanada is absolutely amazing. It has a bunch of hard moves and the whole thing is crimpers with a few good jugs. Definitely number one on the list. But there is a 13- I want to get on called Rosy Pussytoes. I guess it has a boulder problem start 0n super shitty crimps and then the rest is good. Now my fingers are wrecked! They were pretty bad before I got there, which is funny because I hadn't climbed since Sunday. But after my day on Esplanada, they were worse. So after the day, a few people did the usual training which is tortuously fun. But this time, I didn't feel too bad the next day, which is a good sign I think. I was planning on staying until Tuesday, but I would have to have waited today (Saturday) and Sunday and then climb Monday. Which would suck, seeing as how there isn't that much to do in Ten Sleep. Actually thats a lie, there is the Festival this weekend, but I don't have money for some of the stuff like the rodeo that they do. So I left for home. But when I got home, I realized I had left my laptop charger at my aunt's house! DAMN! So now I have to use the craptop temporarily. But, I got to bring my bike home AND I got COD MW2 re-surfaced! Huzzah!

"photographers"

I think its funny when someone picks up a camera one day, takes a few photos in black and white, and instantly calls them self a photographer. So does that mean that if I put a bandaid of someone, I'm a doctor? Or if I give someone some toothpaste, I become a dentist? I think not. And then they make their own Facebook page for it, or worse, an actual website!!! Even if they're photos are mediocre at best, they still do it. And then it really irks me when people blow sunshine up their ass about how they "love their work" or "are a big fan of their photography!" SHUT UP. You only say that because you have a personal attachment of some level with the "photographer", don't do it. You're making it worse by encouraging them! I've had someone say they like my "work". Thanks for the effort, but they're just some photos, not "work". I may be going to school for photography, but I'm not a full fledged photographer. And at least learn some of the tricks of the trade. Like how to alter depth of field, or how to use rule of thirds, equivalent exposures, how to utilize light, stuff like that! And I think its really silly when the photo is out of focus, but they call it "artistic". No, its just out of focus. Same thing with under or over exposed photos. And not just slightly, like when they are way underexposed or overexposed. DUMB DUMB DUMB!! I'm not saying don't put your photographs up on a social networking site, just don't label it "My work", or anything like that. And don't change your name to "Such and Such Photography". Please.

Another good weekend in Ten Sleep Canyon, Wyoming!

Crown Prince Abdullah 5.12d

Another weekend in Ten Sleep. やた！　Its always a good time in Ten Sleep. First day, was excellent. Got to meet a guy from Scotland! It was like a dream come true! And he was pretty strong as well. I did my normal warm up, then I flashed a short short 12a that was like a boulder problem. Afterwards, I got on a super cool route called Happiness in Slavery which is a 5.12 c? C or B. I don't really remember. But I was cruising it! I got all the way to the last bolt but was uber pumped and couldn't hold on anymore so when I moved to a crimp, my hand un-folded and I fell. I was soo close! I'm definitely going to have to come back to finish it. The next day was pretty good as well. I got on a route called Crown Prince Abdullah. It starts with a gnarley bouldery start, cool pockets, a semi-easy part, then crimpy/technical finish with a two finger pocket you clip into the anchor off of. I took a lot on this route, but I think I have the start dialed. But the weather forecasters predicted thunderstorms and were partly right. Dark dark clouds started to roll in and it drizzled a bit, so Alli and I booked it out of the crag with three dogs and thunder growling. Once we got closer to the car is when it actually started to rain. But it stopped shortly after, which is the funny thing. Once we got back to Alli's house, the wind really picked up. I was afraid my tent would blow away! But it stopped. Then it was training time! There were two others that were going to train with Lawrence, Alyssa (Lawrence's wife I think) and I, but the were at the crag still. So we started without them. It was a rough training sesh that was comprised of: Assisted one arm pullups, a hanging core workout, a tricep workout, squats, and another core workout. We were definitely wrecked afterwards. After the training, Charlie, Danny, and Liz, came back with pizza and we all hung out in Alli's living room and talked for a while. It was a terrific time with good climbs, laughter, pizza, and dog shenanigans.

Reunited!

at last! I'm finally getting a new pair of Testarossas! I had a pair maybe a year ago, but I lost the left shoe!!! I was in Lovell with my cousins, because they said "Hey, we should go check out these boulders we found." So I said yes and we went up to a part of the Big Horns. At the time, I didn't have a crash pad and thats what I usually carry my stuff in. So I just put my shoes and chalk bag in a mesh bag with a giant hole in the bottom. But I though that the shoes were too big to fit through. So we hike to the "boulders" but they were blank or just too darn slabby! In the middle of the hike back, I looked in my bag and noticed I only had 3 shoes, and that my other La Sportiva Testarossa was missing. We tried to re-trace our steps, but the effort was all for naught. So in memory of my lost friend, I put the right shoe on top of my t.v. I guess it was a good thing, because there were massive holes in the toes so it was probably time for a new pair. But now I'm going to be re-united again! HOORAY!

Have you ever had one of those days.....

Where everything is incredibly irritating? I definitely did today. It was mainly due to video games. Specifically Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. For some reason, I was just getting annihilated today! Normally I do pretty good, but the planets must have been mis-aligned or something. So I switched to Burnout Revenge which didn't go all too well. But it never does. So I go to The Peak (our local climbing gym) to climb. But for some reason, after a couple easy warm ups and trying a problem I put up, I was getting pumped!! Lately, I have been doing laps around the gym to build my endurance, which may be the culprit. But I had a 3 day break... And I would think that I wouldn't be getting pumped from doing so many laps. Luckily a friend came in and we did a bunch of easier problems. And I did 3 laps at the end which may or may not be good. We'll see tomorrow, eh? OH, and now the copy of MW2 that I play on (My cousin's copy) has a giant scratch in it and I can't play it!!!!!!! F***!!!!!!!!!!!!

The itch.....

The Burden Of Immortality 5.12c
Tensleep! Why must you be so addicting? And why must I suck so bad at sport climbing? I really want to go back, and that is the best I can do to express how bad I want to go back. Even though it is more than that, thats all I can come up with! I just want to be able to go all the time! Ever since last memorial weekend. Even though I think every trip to Tensleep so far has been terrific, this last one was the best. I got to work on one of the coolest sport routes I have gotten on. (I haven't been on many) Its called The Burden Of Immortality and its a 12.c I think. I think I could do it if I had the endurance!! But alas, I don't. So I've been doing lots of laps at our local climbing gym hoping that will help. I also got to see one of my long time climbing buddys! And I got to meet cool people. I always meet someone new when I go to Tensleep. Last year I met Cedar Wright and James Litz! I think this is going to be a rearry good year for da climbing.