The last few weeks!

So now that school is almost over I have been climbing outside a lot more! Over the last week or two I have had some awsome accomplishments come my way. First off Superman went down two weeks ago on a trip out to levy with Mackenzie. During that trip Mac crushed several problems that had been thwarting her such as the hueco route and the scoop. This last thursday Mr. Dove showed me the Thunderdome problem up in the JY boulders and it shot instantly to the top of my routes I need to do list! just like Mad Max, Thunderdome is one of thoes problems that almost every move takes a lot of attention. This weekend might have been the most fun ever because Mac showed me how to ride her amazing horse! Riding a horse might be the coolest thing ever. However there was also some climbing this weekend. I started out up in Moutainhome where I finaly sent my fingernail tearing Darth Vader. After that it was back to the grind on Thunderdome which thwarted my attempts at the seend, but I feel like its gonna go down soon (but not too soon cuz then I would be out of projects again).

Brian

Climbing Baby!

Ok, I couldn't help but share this. It's pretty great.

What the Future Holds

I've been doing a lot of thinking about the future lately. After I got done with the cruise ship gig, my goal was to secure a full-time job and start making lots of money. It was time for me to grow up and start living the American Dream. I was applying for anything and everything that looked like a great career option. It wasn't until I went on a job shadow with a business-to-business sales company that I realized how truly miserable I would be if I got a full-time job that I wasn't really psyched about, and how much my climbing time would decrease. Since that experience, I realized that I had to make a choice that will affect the next few years of my life. Do I a) get a full-time job, make a lot of money, and just deal with not having much personal/climbing time, or do I b) have a part-time job, make enough money to support myself, and be able to go on climbing trips, and pretty much climb whenever I damn well please. After some heavy internal dialogue, I realized that there's no need to rush, and I need to enjoy my free time while I have it. Am I getting rich off of my job at a climbing gym? Absolutely not. But (when the Washington weather allows) I get to climb more than I ever have, and I'm having a blast with the way my life is currently going! Why mess with something that makes you happy? Money isn't worth it if you're miserable, period. Climbing is such an important part of my life, and at this point I'm really not willing to sacrifice it at all. So, do what makes you happy in life. Obvious advice, I know. But when you think about it, how many people do you know that are in a position that makes them unhappy that they could fix at least relatively easily? The day something stops being enjoyable is the day you should stop doing it.

On a lighter note, Brian's gonna update the blog on the last few weeks, so stay tuned! And I am a recovering youtube addict, but unfortunately had a relapse this morning. However, I think this video is something the world should see, so I'll do my part in spreading it. Let hilarity ensue.

Stay psyched,

Mike

Someday We'll Start Posting Regularly

Ok... it's time to buckle down and actually keep this blog thing going. Brian and I are basically slackers, but we promise to keep things going this time. I guess we'll give it a couple months and see what actually happens.

So much has happened lately. I finally legitimately graduated from college! Before I decided to finish up though I got a job on a cruise ship in Australia playing drums for four months. It was an amazing experience! I got to see areas of the South Pacific, New Zealand, Fiji, and of course, Australia. Let me make it very clear though, that New Zealand is basically the best place on earth, and no other country can compare to the average New Zealand breakfast.

I had so many awesome experiences during my four month contract, but a cruise ship job can easily turn into a lifestyle, and it wasn't one I was willing to commit to for too long. There are too many things on land I miss, like family and friends, climbing, and most importantly... real ketchup. So, I got back in February and hadn't climbed in over four months. Needless to say, I'm still pretty rusty, but it feels so good to get back on real rock and climb. Climbing is a huge part of my life and living without it definitely made my "negative, ghost rider" list. I've been getting back into it slowly but surely, and recently secured a job at Edgeworks Climbing gym in Tacoma, so I'm really psyched that I can put real life on hold for just a bit longer.

Brian on the other hand, has been crushing all season long. He's been competing in the NC3 series (collegiate comp series) all school year, and ended up getting second overall! He also looks set to graduate this spring, which is really exciting! Brian is such a gangsta, and even though we're on opposite sides of the state now, we're still trying to find time to climb together. On a side note, it was Brian's birthday on may 4th, so if you see him out at the crags give him a big Happy Birthday!

Stay psyched,

Mike