"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.