On my way up!

In so many ways the title, on my way up, reflects the events of life, both upcoming as well as in the past few weeks. I will be ascending into the sky early friday morning by jet. Then again on saturday using my own strength while climbing Castleton Tower in Utah. The past few weeks has offered countless new experiences, from interacting with upcoming christian music artists to dabbling in the world of motion graphics. I have been blessed, stretched and challenged in my new role as the operations director of Citikidz.
Friday presented a chance to get to know a few of the members of Shachah, a christian rock/rap band. Awesome guys who love the lord and worship Him with their talents. I also met a few of the members of Level 3:16 an inspiring up and coming christian hip hop group that will be releasing their first album in a month. The scene unfolded in IHOP at about 1 am in maryland. I have some video footage of the experience, which I will be posting soon. It was truly an inspiring experience. They are all awesome, God fearing, wonderful individuals whom I am so glad to have met.
Finally I must say that God has been doing some awesome work in my life. I am inspired and excited to press forward and continue to learn and grow in the midst of His awesome presence. If you have any interest in supporting Summers Best Two Weeks Citikidz, or would like to learn more about what God is doing with this awesome ministry I would love to sit down with you and tell you all about it!

Music beneath the wall...Off Belay!

I spend a lot of time climbing and being active however there is also a part of me that loves creating things. I really enjoy music, art and books. Currently I have a couple of books I am looking forward to reading but I have them on hold until I finish my staff training this week. I am currently reading a book called the CIty of Joy, it is a great look at life in Calcutta in the India of Mother Teresa. The other books that I am looking forward to reading are The things they Carried by Tim Obrian, and Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. I also really enjoyed The River Why by David James Duncan.
Other than reading, I play some music and draw. I am not great at either, I used to get bored if i did something to long and would switch to something else within a few days or weeks. Lately I have just kind of done all of the things I like and managed to fit them all in. This is one of the neat things about growing up and having a consistent job, which I really enjoy! Having a job also provides me with the resources to decide to go skiing with some friends last minute on sunday. I have not been out in years but
I went for it. This is somewhat of a random post. I think random is ok sometimes. It has no purpose other than to fill you in on whats new, and comment on some of my interests other than climbing. But don't worry there will be climbing beta soon enough. Until next time...On Belay!

Listen with your left ear!

Its easy just grab the colorful ones!...Route Finding

Ok sorry to start out with climber terms. On the wall, as in the picture posted, the walls at many sports and workout facilities are covered with brightly colored climbing holds. While it is always easy to spot them they are not always as easy to grab. If you think it is hard getting up a wall littered with bright neon yellow, orange, and pink holds try climbing a wall that is consistantly the same color and shadows appear to be great holds and great holds appear to be shadows on the rock. Add 1,000 feet of air and space between you and the ground and you have a real climbing experiencing, or at least the ones I long for during these wintery days. As I mentioned the routes are not as easy to find once your on them let alone getting to the base of the climb. I have found myself shwacking through mountain laurel so thick I was ready to give up all together and sell my climbing gear, maybe not all of it.
Route finding is indeed an art. In traditional climbing, you go where the rock gives you cracks to place protection. It is because of these experiences that I appreciate climbing, however not everyone can have them and for those who are not as adventurous, the art of route finding is transformed into the art of route setting. As I set multi colored holds on the climbing wall at work for my students, I can't help but think about the parallels between route finding on the rock and route finding in life.
Life is a continuous journey of route finding. I am only twenty four and have much discovering to do in both rock climbing and life. But I don't just look at my own experiences. I observe and watch others. In climbing I watch the way people move over the rocks. I see how fluid methodical movements produce great results in some situations and powerful dynamic moves fit in others. I scan the rock many times to see how the rock is formed and try and choose the path of least resistance, or most resistance depending on how bold I am feeling! I do the same thing in life, I watch others and assess their successes and failures and try not to judge or criticize, although it happens, so that I may learn about myself and how to find a better path for me to follow. I am currently preparing to train a small staff of seven people. At twenty four, almost twenty five, I am blessed to be in this position but know that I am not here by fault. It is the path I have chosen and as the rock many times leads, it is the path that has chosen me. I have seen and learned so much from the individuals around me, what to do and not to do, and I have stored that knowledge away and wait for the right moment to say "I can do this" or the humbling "I better try this another time on another day".
This is why I love it when I am climbing a new route I never know what might be around the next overhang or bulge or even what the holds might be like but that is one of the reasons I climb, to discover something. Life provides the same excitement. I never know what each day will bring. I have seen many beautiful vistas from perched positions on the sides or tops of mountains but I never choose to stay forever. There will be many others to see. I take in the part of life I am currently living, and do the best I can with each new day that is gifted to me. I have my share of rainy days and wet sloppy climbs but its in the face of adversity that forms the heart and soul of a man and I am being shaped with each moment by climbing, responsibilities, relationships, and experiences. I can't wait for the next time I rope up on the mountain or in the workplace. I also posted a photo of the ice tower with a person to give some perspective. See you on the rocks!

xbox rots the mind...But I still want one!

I had high hopes of getting to climb the ice tower today however it was not completely formed. Instead steve and myself pulled together some gear again hopeful to find some ice at the Mill. This proved to be a recon trip rather than a climbing trip because the ice is not ready and I don't want to risk damaging it and ruining the possibility of climbing later. While my expectations of climbing this early in the season have not yet been met I feel as if it is not going to be long before I am picking my way up some perfect ice this winter! If not here than in Ouray Colorado. Oh yeah, I am going out in two weeks to hang out with Dan.
Upon failing at climbing some ice today we settled for a bite to eat and a drink at Rachels, a restaurant, that had some great food and good company. Shortly after lunch Steve headed to work and I had to figure out what to do with the rest of my day. I decided to face the hazardous road conditions in my faithful ride, the chevy prizm, and drove to butler to buy an XBox 360 and a 46" flatscreen tv. All was well, they had the tv and the xbox however upon trying to get approved for a sears credit card I was denied. For one reason or another I was not meant to have my prized xbox and tv. With inspection and registration coming up I need to be responsible and take care of those things before dropping a load of cash on more toys. The benefit with the card is that it was no interest no payment for 12 months. I am not someone who usually advocates this type of credit card behavior however it seemed the right time to get the toys because of the christmas specials on everything.
To say the least the drive back was disappointing but enlightening also. I don't tend to let things go unnoticed. There undoubtedly will be some reason I did not get the toys this time around. The car will break or I will have an unexpected payment on something that would have kept me from paying off the sears card. I realized perhaps I should just enjoy the things I have for the time being and spend the next month focusing on work, working out, reading, and writing. Sure enough I carried this attitude home with me. I took a nap to fight of a headache and woke up feeling invigorated to write some music I got the guitar and started writing and recording. I know its not perfect I just enjoy playing my guitar and being creative.
What I learned from this whole episode today is that I am extremely blessed to begin with and as much as I want an Xbox and tv I already have plenty to be thankful for. Beyond just material things I have a wealth of talents and knowledge that allows me to enjoy my time regardless of the technology around me. Hopefully I can upload one of my songs so you can check it out.(I know thats ironic seeing that I just commented on the technology around me, oh well) If not ask me to play it for you live. Its better that way!