The Purple Whaaat?!?!?!

So, last nights adventure is one that must be shared with the small population that cares to read this jibberish.  I'm sorry to bore you.

The other day I was at the local watering hole, and was told "there is a great band playing tomorrow night at the Purple [XXXXX]"  I'm leaving the name blank because at this point in the story i didn't know what they said (plus it's funnier later).  So, having nothing better to do, I gather more information.  The bands name is Special Ed and the Shortbus and they are "really good".  The directions i got to get to this bar were, go to Mt. Storm, turn left at the gas station, drive for what seems like forever, at the "T" make a right, drive into town, and look for a sharp left, follow that and you'll see all the cars.  Sounds pretty simple, Mt. Storm is like 18 miles from my Apt. so i know it's a little drive, but not too bad.  Then another patron of the bar says, i've been by there, it looks like a real hole in the wall....but it's rural West Virginia, what would you expect.

So at 7PM yesterday i set out on this adventure to see Special Ed and the Shortbus.  I drive to Mt. Storm, turn left, and see a sign Thomas 22 miles.  I started thinking I sure as shit hope i don't have to drive there.  Well to shorten this a little, i drove 20 miles from civilization.  I thought i knew what rural WV was....not until last night, i was in the most remote, BFR part of this state that there is.  I finally came to a town, one hour after i left home, and found the bar easily all the cars in the town were parked out front.  I parked down the street and started walking, and there it was the Purple Fiddle, large bay windows in front, and i see a completely packed house the majority of which are wearing flannel shirts, jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats...all that was missing was straw in the mouth.

I walk through the door, pay the 10 dollar cover charge...walk to the bar..and buy myself a PBR.  For how much you might be asking, go ahead, take a guess.....one freakin dollar.  i have not had beer that cheap in for-freakin-ever.

At this point the band wasn't on stage but i see guitars, fiddles, banjo, drums, washboard, and that big string thing that i like 6-7 feet tall.  What would pass through your head???  Mine was saying "What the hell am i doing here?"  So i found some friends from back in civilization (moorefield) and spent the next 4 hours drinking dollar PBR, clapping, stomping my feet, and even dancing to the intoxicating melodies of Richmond, VA finest bluegrass band.  

Summary...

The good: dollar PBRs, friends, tunes, no cowboy/girl tried to kill the city boy, and bar that has bands 3-4 nights a week for when people come down to hang out.

The bad: one hour drives into the middle of nowhere are not fun, dress like you're from the city you might get shot

The unique:  there was a guy who looked and acted like Cramer from Sinfeld who dances to bluegrass.

I do look forward to another fun night with the WV rednecks and their wonderful music.

Where is the Line

Stories I have heard from my Dad include him losing 11+ pounds in one week for wrestling. Personally, I have lost 6+ pounds in one night to wrestle. I don't know how much Dad lost each season to wrestle. Myself, I went into my senior year weighing around 149 pounds, till the weigh-ins for districts I was 137 pounds.

Weight certification used to be, go in for your physical at 145 and you were certified to wrestle 10lbs less. Not anymore.......Wednesday we had this "certification" fun. Now we have to have an assessor come in (who charges 8 bucks a head) and there are several steps to this fun evening.

1. Each wrestling must first piss into a cup and have the specific gravity of their urine tested. These determines whether they have consumed enough water in the past 48 hours or so. Though this does not take into account the amount of salt a person consumes.
• Wrestler A. Weighs into practice every day for 1.5 weeks at 140lbs. This is before a work out or sweating at practice. To pass the hydration test, he consumed 9.4lbs of water. Giving him a final weight of 149.4 lbs. Making his weightclass 152 for the first week of the season, and a minimum weight of 137 lbs or the 140 pound class.
• Wrestler B. Weighs 104.5 lbs normally....to pass this stupid test 109.4. Minimum weight allowed 103.49 lbs, so the minimum weight he is allowed to wrestle is 112.
2. Step two, Body fat. well this test makes sense, see what % body fat each wrestler has. The more body fat they have, the more they can lose.
   
• Wrestler B again, is only allowed to lose what....5.91 pounds....which statistically is not possible because they are creating certainty (not allowed in science)
• While wrestler C is weighed in around 161 lbs, but is by the end of the season, allowed to wrestle the 140 pound class because he as 21% body fat.
3. The final step is to step on the scale...simple....see how fat they are after drinking 100 gallons of water to pass the damn hydration test.

So, why am i bitching.......This season i should have had a team that filled 103, 112, 119, 125, 135, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, and 285. Meaning the team will only forfeit 130, and 140. Now, we have to forfeit 103, 130, 140, and 145 for the first match of the season. So the difference for you non wrestling fans is giving up 12 points to giving up 24 points supposing we would get pinned at the extra weights, while if we won those weights we would break even (not give up a damn point) So this just sucks big balls.....

I have a guy wrestling 10 pounds above his natural weight because they don't want him to lose weight......does this make sense?????? HELL NO. WVSSAC and the National Wrestling Federation need to get their heads out of their bum bums.

Bah Hum-Bug

Average

Average: A quantity, rating, or the like that represents or approximates an arithmetic mean.

There are two ways of looking at average, it only depends on how you are and how you see life. That is, average is either a) better than half of the sample population, or b) less than half of the sample population.

In the realm of statistics average means you are in the 50th percentile. If you are above this, congratulations, you are better than at least 50% of the people who you are comparing yourself to. If you fall below this retched number, then you are a lesser person than at least 50% of the people you are being compared to. An important side note, if 75% of the population scores a 98/100, and you score a 97/100, you fall well below the 50th percentile.

Where does all this go? What is all this about?

A person life is defined as how they are in comparison to others. A student is said to be LD if they perform poorly in comparison to the average population. An athlete is said to be good if they perform better than the majority of the population.

Our entire life is based on the standard bell curve, we are compared to those around us....EXCEPT in education. Instead in this arena we are compared to a standard grade where average is said to be a "C." But in reality, the majority of students (who attempt work) score higher than this. They score in the "B" (above average) or "A" (Excellent) category. Why do we use this arbitrary scale because the majority of a population CANNOT be above average. There is a term for this, it is called the "Lake Wobegone effect."

Again, what's the point of this rant......

Why in education (for the point of grading) do we use this arbitrary scale to tell a student they are smarter than they really are? Are we scared to hurt someone's feelings? Why can't we grade on a bell curve for all of education from K-12 and in College as well. I mean shit, the SAT's, MCAT's, LSAT's, GRE's, and PRAXIS exams are all graded on this scale. Yes, they do have a raw score which depends on the test, but what really matters is the percentile a person scores. Lets get things consistent, make my life easy.....grade everything on a bell curve.

Yet again, what's the point..........

well i guess i don't have one.......

Parting thoughts.....Where do you stand in life? Who is rating you? Can you change that status?

huh, sorry i wasted the last 10 minutes of your life.

Enjoy your day.

Cheers

Huntin'

So i have been out bow hunting many nights so far this season.....i have seen doe almost every time i went out. Two weeks ago i went out, and finally one of the doe came in close enough for me to get a shot off.......So there i was full draw for a minute.....minute and a half......shakin' like a dog shittin' razor blades....and then THWACK there was my pretty arrow stuck right into a tree 10 yards from me.....

a few days later i went back out...sitting in the same seat, here come a doe again.....i draw, i aim, i fire.....THWACK, i hit the same damn tree again. The second arrow sunk in not more than an inch from the first. At this point i realize that my right eye was not dominating my aim....it was my left screwing me up big time.

Now tonight i went back.....determined to get myself a deer. and around 5:20, here came the opportunity. 3 doe walked down the trail 25 yards from me....I picked the biggest one, and fired. My arrow sunk into her, A little high and back while she was quartering away from me....she circled around behind me....and then laid down 35 yards on the other side of me...so i waited till she stood up again..and sunk a second arrow into her....

I waited a little while, got up....walked down.......and i looked where she was laying.....NO BLOOD....i searched for an hour....went and got more lights and people, 3 of us searched for 1.5 hours and didn't find a drop of blood, either of my arrows, or the damn deer. How is this possible....two arrows, a wounded doe, and nothing after 2.5 hours of searching........

Amazing creatures deer are....someone sticks me twice i'm laying down and crying till i die......not running off.

Wii Wins Again

So this past Saturday the Nintendo Wii was a hit again. I went down to Broadway, VA to hang out w/ the old Beach Crew. It began with some grillin' and great food. The grill master Dana cooked up some killer Delmonico steaks (2.5 inches thick), mushrooms, cucumber and squash, and lots more. It was a hell of a dinner. Also, it included some Martins Chips, which it's hard to believe, but i think they might be better than Hartley's (though i'll never tell them that).

After the dinner, the Wii festivities kicked off with some 2v2 tennis which was followed by some serious bowling action. The night was finished with some Mario Cart. Mario Cart is by far one of the best party games ever. It is full of reasons to cuss out the person next to you, and seconds later they will gladly return the favor.

When i bought the Wii, i was questioning whether or not to return it....i am now happier than ever that i didn't return it. That system was a great addition to my apartment.

Cheers

Back to Teaching

Just to share some teaching fun with you all.

1. This is the second time i have witnessed this. A girl wears a VERY revealing shirt.....then contorts her body into a position that another student can see pretty much all she has to offer....and then proceeds to chew out the student for looking down her shirt.....If you don't want people looking at your goods, then don't wear shit that shows it.....I honestly thought a girl was gonna give another student a black eye today for looking at her chest. Dumb women.

2. What is the point of giving practice tests that cover the content standards for the grade the students are in, but at the beginning of the year when they have yet to cover those standards. I mean as a teacher was I supposed to cover all of my standards by the 4th week of classes. Well i guess so because we are starting testing tomorrow and they will last through Friday. luckily for me i only lose my planning period each day, and half of my second block class....but hell, i didn't need any of those educational minutes.....The people in charge of education an bloody idiots.

3. Did I miss something in the past 6 years while i was in college....but when i was in high school i didn't just skip school because i didn't feel like it. Yeah maybe one day a year i could talk my parents into letting me off to go hunting or something like that.....but never did i just take a day off to lay in bed till 11AM and then watch TV the rest of the day.....well for some reason the kids today feel that school is optional and show up maybe 2 days a week.....Do they honestly think that they are going to pass/graduate. If i was a senior i would be at school.....i have 4 off the top of my head that have only been to school 8 or 9 days this entire year....How can you pass your classes if your not in school.....freaking idiots....come to school....parents, make your kids go to school..........AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


On a happier note, IL isn't that far away. Once science creates worm holes i can just walk through one and be in Normal, IL w/ that cutie Emily :O). So scientists, get your asses in gear and make them happen tomorrow.

Late

P.S. The big back part on the back of a shitter is where the wizard lives that operates it, you don't want to anger him.

Labor Day

Last holiday weekend, and it was a blast.

Friday night drove up to Ohiopyle and met Scott for a evening run of the Yough. It was a nice Loop run. What really mad it enjoyable was the first rapid i managed to throw some ends successfully. Downriver i managed to eddie out behind Table rock for the first time which was nice as well...

Saturday we went back to the Loop and i took out a demo boat. A short Liquid Logic Ronin 49. Super fun boat. It was small enough that i could throw it around like nothing. I was able to throw ends on flatwater. In the hole though i tried to cartwheel, but always managed to catch my stern and ended upside-down. What was exilerating about saturday was our second trip down the loop, in entrance rapid i ended up underwater. The first two roll attempts I was unsuccessful at my roll. Then i switched sides and tried two more unsuccessful rolls. Finally on my last try before pulling the cord and swimming i managed a roll 50 yards downriver from where i first flipped.

Sunday we were off to coopers for some climbing fun. I sent a few problems that i have done before but it was enjoyable re-visiting them again. Towards the end of the day we did find some cool problems that we will have to go back to at Big Block 2.

Monday, was the day of accomplishment. After warming up, we went to ship's prow and I sent the Ship's Traverse variation which was a sweet V3 shown in the video.


After this excitement we went to the Mushroom Boulder and i sent one other V2 then worked on Mushrooms (V3). I was able to do every move, but wasn't able to finish the topout. Hopefully next time i will get it. There were some other cool problems on this boulder that will occupy many hours of frustration in the future.

Now, back to school for a 4 day week.

Vacation Season Ending

So it's now July 28th....and summer is drawing to a close. I have made a good run of it having a trip almost every weekend...and this past was no different. Friday I drove up to Ohiopyle, which is only 2 hours away, and spent the day paddling the loop. I was planning on only paddling the loop once or twice before Scott showed up, but I ended up running it three times before he got there, then once w/ him.

The kayaking was great, the water level was up at 2.5 feet the first time i ran it and all of the holes were bigger and for the most part better than they were the previous time i was there. The first hole after entrance rapid was really nice, it was really sticky and was perfect for flat spins. Then i came to cucumber rapid which was the only rapid i was worried about, but it turned out to be easier at higher levels.

The second trip down i also managed to throw some ends in one of the holes on entrance rapid, i did a full cartwheel twice so that is a big improvement over my normal attempts.

Saturday was the Lake O'lympics so Scott and I got up and ran the 5k. I started out nice and strong, pacing myself w/ the 12-14 year old kids. Then in the last mile or so, i started to fade and two of the kids passed me, and i ended up finishing in about 30 min behind several of those little kiddies. BUT, i did finish that 5k and i rand more before 10AM on a saturday than i have all summer.

Sunday, was the day to head homebut before i could i needed to go to Cooper's for some bouldering. I went down into the tilted tree corridor (but forgot my guide book) and tried to find some new boulders but failed. So i went over to the Moby Dick area and ended up working on Moby's Dick V3. I ended up doing all of the moves, but wasn't able to link them all. Here is my best attempt, if i had stuck that crossover then the problem got easy, alas, i did not stick it.


As for the upcoming week, it looks like there will be lots of fishing and sight seeing w/ mom, since she will be here for several days.

Peace

Idle Hands.....

So i have re-discovered the wonderful "sport" of fishing. I have spent a few hours almost every day for the past two weeks on the river. I normally wade downstream a half mile from the parking area....normally enjoying a beer or two on the walk. Then i fish my way back up. Normally i kill the bass on 3" white mr. twisters...but poppers are where its at....at least up until the other day. Now i think the water has gotten too warm to really catch many fish. It is so warm in fact that when the sun starts to set the water is warmer than the air which is still about 76 degrees. Even though i don't catch anything it is nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful area where i live.

Though this weekend has some fun ahead. I am heading back up to morgantown for a weekend of climbing w/ Scott and Jackie. But before i meet scott to climb, i think i'm spending the day in Ohio Pyle for a wonderful day of kayaking. I think i'll run the look twice before i go beat my hands up on the rocks.

I do know this, when it does come to climbing i plan on sending atleast 1 V3 problem this weekend. And possibly start working some new V4's at coopers. hopefully i'll get some pictures this weekend.

I'll be sure to update this more often.

Late

Serious Action

So the past few days have been absolutely crazy. I am sore from head to toe, and lovin' every minute of it.

Thursday, i met Scott at Cooper's for a day of bouldering. We spent the majority of the time in Upper Rock City. I sent a V2 and V3 again that were previously completed. Then we moved down to the Ship's Prow. Here we jumped on Touch of Trango(V2) first. This took each of us several tries to find all the proper holds. Once we got up higher, we were unable to find the "jugs" the guide told us about. Next we moved on to a V3, Poundin' the Pooch. This was the V3 i spent a good amount of time on the previous trip to Coopers. Finally between Scott and myself we figured out the beta to send it all. After the fun here we grappled the "Laura Croft Sloper's" on Tomb Raider but didn't manage to get the first moves. Before calling it a day we walked over to a slightly overhanging wall where there were three known lines. I had climbed the one of these i was interested in before, but to it's left i found a line that inspired me. And so, first go i sent it. no name only an estimated grade of V1/v2.


That night we went back to Scott's lake house and watched fireworks, drank beer, and relaxed before another long day.


Friday was another day of fun; Not climbing but KAYAKING!!!!!!!!!!!! Scott and i went to Ohio Pyle for a of running the Yough. I had never been down this river in a kayak, only a white water raft. It was scary, yet, invigorating. We were only running the loop which consists of 5 or 6 rapids maxing at class III+. When walking down to the river we saw probably the funniest thing ever (i wish i had a picture) 6 asians were carrying their boat down to the river wearing FULL (head to toe) ponchos. Not just a sundress like one, no these had a longsleve shirt/hood and pants. Anyho we dropped into the pool below the falls and practiced our rolls then headed down stream. We spent time in the first few rapids surfing the waves getting acquainted with our boats (me more than him). Then we got to Cucumber Rapid (pictured) the big on on the loop. I didn't know what it was, i was just told to go just to the right of table rock. So i did, and sure enough i dropped 5 feet into a wonderful wave train of 4 footers.

We then took out downstream and spent the next 30 or so minutes hiking a mile back upstream to run it again. After this tiresome activity, had some beer, dinner, fireworks, and sleep.

Saturday, (yes a third day of activities) we got up, put an extension on the deck and then, yep, you guessed it, went off to Ohio Pyle again. On sat. we ran the loop 2 more times. By the end of the second run we were both exhaused. Though we did have some serious amusement watching the vacationers who couldn't speak english but felt whitewater rafting something they needed to do.

Now today (sunday), i am so sore i feel like i wrestled a full 2 day tournament. That is how much fun i had this weekend......to aid the pain, i have been enjoying Anheuser-Pepsi all day.

Cheers

Ohh The Beautiful New

What a wonderful weekend I had. Pulled into Roger's on Thursday night, and spent the evening drinking and sitting on the porch chatting w/ a group of very experience/well traveled climbers...Friday morning...we headed down into Beer Wall (which was completely dry) and started the fun w/ Daisy Cutter (5.7) and then moved up trough several 8's and finished the day on the great route St. Pauli Girl. This 10c kicked the shit outta me last time i tried it....but not friday. I did take on it 2 times...but no falls, and no major freak-outs. By far one of the best routes I have ever climbed.

Saturday, we went down into Sandstonia, to Tatoo wall. It is a beautiful, slightly overhanging, tall wall; and i'm not the only one who things that. There were probably like 50 or more people down there climbing on saturday. so we stayed on the short entrance wall. I started on a 5.8 called Assman, or so i thought. Really i ended up climbing a 5.6. then after getting up the correct route next, i jumped on a 9+ called Celtic Sun. This route was very hard for a 9. A lot of the holds were blind. You had no idea they were there w/out someone telling you where they were. Super scary at one point (or atleast i thought). Then we finished on an "easy" 5.6 which had some super reachy moves.

After a while climbing the fun part of the day began where we sat in the river and drank beer. It was nice......till the rangers showed up.......don't worry, no major problems.

Sunday we got up early, packed up camp...then went to Tudor's Biscuit world..and then headed down to Bridge Buttress. Only had time for one...and that was a winner we picked...Chockstone 5.9 trad lead...and Gordon lead it beautifully then the other two top roped it...then i lead it on Gorodon's gear. It was a climb i have been waiting to lead....just absolutely beautiful. Spent some time at the curx sequence strapping on my balls and then pulled the roof and finished it out...just wonderful.

What a great trip, now i just need to lay back for a while and save some money cause i'm broke now. At least it was worth it.

Climb on.

Long Gone

It has been forever since i have put up a new post. But, here is a brief overview of what you have missed. School is over. And now for three months of doing nothing and getting paid for it.

Summer started out w/ a bang. I spent the first weekend in St. Louis for a buddies wedding. It was a great time. Lots of time spent in bars, but minimal money spent. And i even got a free night in the hotel. Also, we went to City Museum. It was great. A giant jungle gym for adults. I had some bruises when i woke up the next day. The wedding was great. They tied the knot then we spent several hours riding around in a hummer stretch limo drinking beer. What a time. Sunday sucked though, i spent 19 hours in a vehicle to get back to work monday morning......what a hellish affair.

Then after two days in WV, i was off to PA to visit Em and the family. That was a great trip as well. The time in LHU was enjoyable other than the oppressive heat. Infact one night we were outside playing Wii until midnight. After a great time at LHU i was off to the good ol' L-Town. There i spent two days lounging by the pool and soacking up the sun. Also, a great thing about this was that i got to bring my scooter down to WV. So me and my scoot-a-bout are all about saving money.

Today I went to Cooper's Rock for the first time in months....it was an alright trip. I didn't manage to send anything harder than V2. But i did try several V3's which will go next time i go there. It was a nice trip though, the day was beautiful.

Now to the important information. This weekend is the long anticipated trip to the New for the spring. I will be leaving tomorrow. Hopefully my friends will be able to join me. If not, I always have a back up. Good ol' Cooper's or second mountain...whichever seems like a better choice for the remainder of my vacation. Because gas is soo damn high i wont be going to the deep south like i had originally planned.

anywho, i'll be sure to give an update after the New this weekend. Have a good one.

Bee Buddies

Back to second mountain...sent two problems, a V2 and finally sent that damn V3 sloper problem that has been driving me crazy...when i was moving around trying to get stuff set to send a rather high problem i spent the next few minutes running from one of these little/big fellas....damn bees wont leave me alone.

Also, i spent some time trying to start to figure out two other V3 problems. Neither of which went today, hopefully the next time i go it will be less wet so i can get a better grip on the one roof crack V3 i was trying today.

That's All Folks.

AHHHH RAIN

Just a quick rant. It has rained how many of last 2 weeks....like 12 days....and now i get two nice days, thankfully i got to go climbing atleast once.....now it's calling for a chance of rain for the next 5 days......

It really wouldn't bother me that much...except i have my summer top on my jeep so i get wet every day on my way to work, and that my friends.... is VERY annoying. That and it takes me 10 minutes to get in my jeep and start driving....

Damn rain!!!

I wanna go climbing this weekend...anyone up if the weather will hold out.

2nd Mountain became a 2nd Home

I do love election day. No school in Hardy County, definitely nice. So what did I do w/ it you may be wondering.

Well it stated by getting up at 8AM and cleaning up to drive to the high school. There i spent 2 hours helping the baseball coach get his field ready for a game today at 3:30. When i got there i started the day by using a sponge and a bucket to clean the puddles off the infield with a few other people. While i was doing this a man came and put 8ft fans from a chicken house on each side of the infield. Now this was something that i never thought i would have seen. Chicken house fans on a baseball field......well now i have...After about an hour of sponging the field dry, i spent the next bunch of time raking the dirt so that more of it had surface that was in contact w/ the air from the fans.

After this fun, I was off to the wonderful land for lovers (aka Virginia) to do some bouldering. I started with a nice little 3 move warm-up problem...and from there moved over to a nice V2. I sent it very easily, in fact i felt it was too easy so i spent the next 45 minutes trying to send it using different hold and eliminating the nice big jugs. Upon trying to do this, it seemed too hard for V2. After finding out what the guide says for that problem i realized it was the easier of the two sets of beta. When i got home i looked at the guide a little closer and it turns out i was trying to do a V8 variation.

I'll skip right the exciting end...i was working a nice V3 sloper problem, and managed to take a chunk of skin out of my one pinky, so that pretty much killed my day. Although i did walk down to start working on this one V5 problem i want to send. When i was looking over the problem i also looked at the top-out just in case i got that far, though i probably wouldn't have. While studying the last moves i saw a bee's nest that was the size of a golf ball, but had a big hole in the bottom and looked like it was old (from last year) then about 10 seconds later a BIG, NASTY, MEAN white-faced hornet flew up to the over sized hole and crawled right on into that nest i thought was dead. When i saw this little fella i grabbed my shit and ran.

Thus ending my day.

Change of Pace

To change it up a little...how about I let you know how things have been going in the classroom as a student and as an educator.

As a student I have been taking classes at Marshall University...as of now I have completed 12 graduate credit hours, and I have yet to learn one thing that is of any use to me in the actual classroom. In fact, the last class I took (Assessment in Education) I spent many aggravated nights trying to figure out which country my professor learned English. At one point, she told me I did something wrong when I had 3 choices used to answer 5 questions ("A" was used twice, "B" twice, and "C" once). She said I was wrong because the book says "Each choice may be used once, more than once, or not at all." Now in my world, this means that I did it correctly, i only choose not to have an answer unused. Which was preceded by the qualifier "or" meaning I don't have to use that option at all. In my professors eyes I was supposed to have a choice used once, another used more than once, and the last not used at all.

see the stupidity that I have to deal with in the bass-ackward land called West Virginia.

In the world of teaching, it has been a good spring semester, and as of now I only have 16 days left with seniors and a few more days w/ the other students. It was weird, I had a student teacher for Chemistry, so I didn't have to teach that class, and only had to teach Physical Science and Environment Science. I thought this was great because I had time to do what I needed to get better settled into teaching. Over the semester I kinda got into a funk and was bored with it....then I started teaching my chemistry class again, and a great deal of enjoyment came back into teaching. So if teaching one chemistry class makes me happy this year, next year is gonna be really nice when I have two chemistry classes in the fall, and one in the spring.

As for the students this spring, it has been nice, they know who I am and I'm learning who more of them are. It is definitely something that I really enjoy being here in this small town.

Have a good one.

Fan-Friggin-Tastic

Last night after a long day in the classroom, I took off for an overnight trip to second mountain. Bounced up the final mile of off-road like conditions in jeep around 7PM. Given my late departure, I was prepared for some serious night bouldering; I had a head-lamp, lantern, food, and some beers. To my dismay when I got to the rocks and started to set up shop, I realized my lantern didn't work (stupid battery powered lamps). Didn't matter that much I was still there and wanted to get some climbing in. That night i took on some simple V0 and V0+'s to warm up for the Couch Boulder.

Once I hit this monster couch shaped boulder it got real serious real fast (it kinda reminded me of the giant couch on the on Ghallager Show). I started my buisness here with the V2 Punji Sticks. A short, overhanging 3 move problem. Doesn't sound too bad until you see the landing. It was a raised rock platform with other rocks the size of pillows (but not soft and fluffy like) strewn about and quickly sloping away from the problem. A slip at the top would surely do some serious damage. To avoid this painful beginning to the weekend I made it a point to send the problem in short order (2 tries). On the backside of this i tried two other problems a V2 (Sex Appeal) and a V4 (Italian Gelato) neither of these problems fell that night. They were both very friction dependent and on a humid evening that just wasn't going to happen. After this I just meandered around for a while looking for other cool problems but didn't find anything that inspired me at that hour.

The next morning it was back to work. I started my day at Melissa's Wall on a V0 and V0+ again; the V0 was kind of a scary highball. After this I made my way back to the Satellite boulder, where I found myself again in the "Unnamed roof problem" V4. I spent a few minutes working out the last 2 moves to make sure I could stick them, sat down and sent that rig. Lucky for you who have been reading this (if anyone has) now there is video of what I was trying to describe. ENJOY!




After this I spent some time starting to work out a nearby V3 and V5 both of which were kinda greasy from the moisture in the air. I'll hopefully get these some day when it's a little less humid.

Later.

An Aside

This post is sort of odd, so if you are reading this STOP!!! This is completely worthless to read, and you will only become dumber for reading.

Disclaimer aside, I am currently reading a book on The Superstring Theory/M-Theory. And to understand some of the math associated with the text I have been reviewing several texts from my graduate work and undergrad. In doing so, I have realized that in the past year I have forgotten more math and chemistry than I even learned in my six years of college.

It actually is quite depressing, looking at math problems that you had once done in a matter of two minutes for about an hour to try to solve them......yeah that's what I have been doing all this night..................then again it has also included 3 gin martinis......still, this math is hard.

Another failed attempt

Well, I made it back to Second Mountain today for a little more bouldering. It was a quick trip. I got there, opened the pad, and realized I had forgotten my chalk bag next to the hang board. With the little effort I did put into the V4 roof problem I started the other week I think I finally figured out how to send this rig. The route is pictured to the left. The start is way down and right shown in the other picture. The problem arises where the cracks for a V shape. I just can't wait to get this over with so I can enjoy some other routes and see some new areas.

Thats all I have to say today. Maybe next weekend I'll go back to here or Cooper's and get some serious time on the rocks. Unlike the 1.5 hours I had today.

Second Mountain

Today I made it to second mountain to boulder for the first time. It took a while to actually find the right roads and what-not. But once I reached to rocks it was a nice day. I met a guy who climbs there twice a week who showed me some routes at the one area, and then we just chatted and climbed our respective objectives. We did not climb together, he sends hard, and was working on two standing projects on nearby boulders.

As for me, I started my day with a V1 with a heel-hook and what not. It was cool, nothing great, just a little too short to really enjoy. Then I tried a V3 that was, well, MUCH harder than V3. Then I hopped on the V0 and V1 to the left of that before I began getting pissed at a dumb V3. After I did these, I attempted 2 V1's that I couldn't finish because the last moves were to shitty holds and they were too tall for me to get to statically. Then I made my way around to an unnamed roof problem (V4) and spent the next two hours on this.

This V4 was far easier than the V3, even though I wasn't able to send it today. At first I had the wrong beta and was trying to do it w/out a critical side-pull. It is definitely one of the most fun problems I have ever put my fingers to. When I first sat down, I could barely pull myself off the ground, but then once up, you reach up and left to a big sloper. Once on the sloper you re-arrange your feet to a right heel-hook and left toe hook. Then right hand goes up to an envelope slot and match with the left. NOW, drop your feet, spin around and put your right foot up on a hold above your head, right hand up to a side-pull, then left, then dyno to the lip. I have done all of these moves, only not liked it up. Next time I go there, it will be a sweet time (it'll be on video).

So anywho, I found someone to climb with, a new place to climb, and had a great time riding through the country on this beautiful day.

Check ya later

Plans Do Change

So, for those of you who didn't read my blog a while back. I plan on going to the New River Gorge for some serious sport climbing action this coming June. I will be going down there either Thursday the 19th or Friday the 20th. I will be staying at the New so long as I have a partner to belay me. Originally my plans were to continue to hang around there and find random partners, but I had a better idea last night (when my trip to the Gunks w/ Gordon this weekend was canceled) . When everyone leaves me for their destinations of choice, I will be leaving for my own adventures.

My first stop will be a small town just on the outskirts of Chattanooga, TN. I will be spending several nights here (at least 3) to boulder at Suck Creek Canyon and Pot Point. Two boulder areas within about 20 miles of each other and the camping that has my favorite 4 letter "F" word (FREE for those who don't know me).

When I have had my fill of these two places I'm headed south, and sorta east, to hit up Rockcity in northwest Georgia. after a day or two hanging out here I'm out like last year......

Headed to Alabama; here I will indulge in two smaller sandstone boulder paradises. The first will be Dakota State Park (yes, I realize this is Alabama, but they do not). Second, will be Sandrock boulder area. Both of these again have that wonderful thing called FREE CAMPING. After a few days beating myself up at these sandpaper-paradises, I'm off for The-One, The-Only Horse Pens 40. I plan to spend 2 wonderful days tearing the flesh from my fingers (if I have any left at this point) before I start to make my trek back northward.

On my drive home (trust me it is not going to be one 11-Hour bang in the rattle-trap I call a vehicle. I will be stopping off at MaCfee's Knob which is located just outside of Roanoke, VA. This again is free camping (Horse Pens 40 is 10 bucks a night). I will boulder here till I can't take it anymore (or outta food). Then I will continue my short drive home through the back hills of West Virginia. Possibly stopping at 2nd Ridge boulder area just outside of Harrisonburg, WV.

Now, this seems like an ugly mess of information, which I did give a lot of, but there is a reason. By myself it will cost me $302 in gas by myself driving my jeep getting 18 mpg. If someone is interested in joining me for some serious bouldering (even if only for a little) I am very interested in this. I'm talking to you Ben S. I know you're down here in the south.

So these are my new plans, and they can easily change if someone wanted to go sport climbing at the Red or OBED for a few days. Just throwing out some ideas that I'm gonna do if no one has a better plan.

Train Hard to Climb Sick.

A Day on the Rock

The weather cooperated today so I got to head to Coopers for an afternoon of bouldering. My goal was to send all of the problems on the one boulder at roadside rocks. In this mission i was almost successful. I managed to send all the problems except the V4 sit-start. I spent a good hour and a half trying to figure out the beta for the sequence to get up to the side-pull from which it gets easy (where the V2 stand-start begins). In the process of repeated attempts I managed to tear through two pads and get a water blister on a third. and still didn't get my ass more than two feet off the ground. Next time hopefully I'll get it when I'm fresh and have some idea of how to do it.

After I managed to tear myself away from that problem I made it down to a really cool V3 that I was too burned out to send yet today. Hopefully next time I'll send both of these.

Have a good week, I know today was a good start for mine.

To Re-Sole or to Buy New

No climbing this weekend, only a lot of thinkin' about next weekends trip to Cooper's. Though, the weather doesn't look that great for Saturday, it should get better cause Old Man Winter is one more crappy weekend from getting his ass kicked. In the process of sending V4 in my mind I have realized that both of my good pairs of shoes have holes starting in the right toes.
1.) I need to stop dragging that damn toe when going for longer moves.
2.) I need more pairs of good (shoes i like) to have when I have to send others back to be re-soled.

~On a side note anyone who needs a pair size 5.5US climbing shoes...I'm still trying to unload that damn pair of slippers (20 bucks).

As for this weekend, I am headed to Cooper's hopefully w/ some company from BU. I would like to head down into the Tilted Tree Area again with them. There are some boulders in the back that I really want to put my hands onto. These routes include V0 - V3 problems. Also, while in the TTA I would like to make it to Moby's Dick Arete (V3) and send that rig as well. Though if my company isn't interested in the TTA I know I'll find other rocks to keep me occupied. In the Upper Rock City area I would like to work on some of the fun "crack climbing." As for Roadside Rocks there are so many problems there I have my eyes on a certain V4 as well as I'd love to repeat 2 of the v2's there.

No matter what happens I can't wait for this fun to take off on Saturday. Though, it will get cut short because I have to be back in Moorefield by ~4:30 for the pageant that I have to be at. But then again, it is only the first trip to Coopers this summer. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes, as well as update my account on www.thecrag.com (on a quick aside, I have updated this site for my recent trip to the Red).

Climb On

Finally Some Action

I just got home from a wonderful trip to the Red River Gorge over Easter Weekend. What a time it was. We got down there Thursday night and I learned my first enjoyable saying, "Ohio is the state that God forgot." This will come back later on, just understand both my and Rebecca's hatred for the state of Ohio.

Friday we tried to go to Phantasia wall to climb Creature Feature, Creep Show, and Count Floyd Show. But it was like a river flowing down the face containing these climbs so we had to head somewhere else, we ended up at Pistol Ridge. There I had a great day, flashing a 5.9+ and a .10a, also getting the onsight on a .7 and a .8. The .7 I started with a completely unnecessary sit-start, heel-hook. But none-the-less it was fun. After Pistol Ridge we headed down to Roadside crag. There I hopped on a 5.9- which was kinda cool, just a hell of a lot longer than I was able to climb at the end of the day.

Saturday, we went to check Phantasia again, and it still soaking wet. From there we went to Military wall which we had both climbed before. I finally got the red-point on Moonbeam (5.9) and then decided to climb Stay Left a short .10a. If I hadn't messed up the sequence between the first and second bolts, I would have sent that rig. But I didn't get up it clean. Also, there was this really nice/cold puddle of water in a very crucial hold. Still, it was a weird climb that maybe someday I will try it again and send it clean. Also, while at Military Rebecca and I re-named Moonbeam and Sunshine to Ohio and New Jersey. These new names are very fitting to the climbs because nobody who climbs them likes them, just like no-one who goes to Jersey or Ohio actually enjoy themselves.

After Military Wall we headed down to the land of the little people (a.k.a. The Shire). We got there and started out with a really cool .10a, and met some cool people from Michigan who let us use their draws on the neighboring .10b. This climb lead me to really appreciate my belayer. After clipping the second bolt the route got interesting and I fell a few feet, nothin major, just a little dangle. Then I climbed the rest of the way to the last bolt, and all i had left were the ~10-12 feet to the anchors. I was climbing on tiny crimpers and terrible feet (for the most part), evidentally I was usin all of the holds that everyone else skipped over for better holds. Never-the-less I lunged for the ledge to clip the anchors from. It looked like a large flat ledge from below, My right hand hit it, it was a damn sloper where I grabbed, in my pumped state there was no holding on "Rebecc, I'm coming OFF" I screamed. Down I went for a long 20+ foot ride. When I got myself collected I asked the people from Michigan how girly my scream was, to which Ryan replied I think I screamed louder than you. Anywho, I jumped back up, and finished the route off. After this fiasco I climbed a .8 that I started inside a cave with a cool heel hook and what not, just super cool. Then I climbed a cool 5.7 that was neat.

The last day, was so damn cold. We went up to Pebble Beach, and I climbed this REALLY COOL 5.9+ that was a ton of fun and I would have onsighted it if my hands handn't frozen solid. I really plan on going back to this wall because there was also this really sweet looking .10b that I want to hop on.

Overall it was a great trip. I can't wait to get my hands back on some real rock again. Cooper's is coming up in a week or two, and there are always my trips to the New this summer. Overall it was a great start to the summer.

Boulderin' Day

So i was driving the other day and i heard this song "Walk Away" by Ben Harper...and i figured it would makin a nice climbing song, so i have changed some words. So the following lyrics are to that tune.

Oh no - here comes that sun again
And means another day without you my friends
And it hurts me to crimp these micro edges
And it hurts even more to have to climb these stubby rocks

And it's so hard to do and so easy to say.
But sometimes - sometimes
You just have to boulder all day - boulder all day

With so many bolts to clip in my life, why do i worry about one?
Those bolts put the happy in my ness, they put the good times in my fun.

And it's so hard to do and so easy to say.
But sometimes - sometimes
You just have to boulder all day - walk away and head for the Red.

I've been pullin' so hard on local choss
I keep thinking this bouldering will prepare me for my bolts.

And once again that rusing sun is droppin on down
And once again, those shiny bolts, are nowhere to be found.
You'd think enough problems would satisfy the bolt clipping urges,
but it seems I only want to be locked off to those lovely chains.
It's said time will make all this go away
but it's time that has taken my tomorrows and turned them into yesterdays.
And once again that rising sun is droppin' on down
And once again, those shiny bolts, are nowhere around.

And it's so hard to do and so hard to say.
But sometimes, sometimes you just have to boulder all day, walk away and head for the Red.
You just have to boulder away - boulder away - boulder away.
You just have to boulder away, boulder away, turn and run to the Red.

Enjoy.

Speck on a Speck in a Speck

I'm currently engorged in this wonderful book called "The Fabric of the Cosmos" by Brian Green. I have previously read his text "The Elegant Universe." But this new book is by far one of the most mind opening texts i have read.

The most recent chapter has discussed the idea as a universe as a whole. From my minimal understanding this is what has consumed my thoughts for the past two days. The earliest stars formed around 2 billion years after the big bang (14.8 billion years ago), so that means these stars formed about 12 billion years ago. So by using the speed of light, we can only see stars that emitted their light towards "earth" (I put this in quotes because it has yet to be formed) and are within this 12 billion light-year radius of where earth will be. So this means that if the universe is less than 24 billion light-years in diameter we can see everything. BUT, if the universe is large than this (which it is now because the universe has been expanding since the big bang) then we can never see the outter most galaxies in the universe.

On a side-note, in the first 0.00000000000000000000000000000000001s after the big bang the universe expanded by a factor of 10^100 times. This to me is just an amazing, no astronomical concept to wrap my head around.

All-in-all this makes me really respect Bill Nye when he said "we are nothing more than a speck on a speck in a speck." It just seems that our "We are humans so we are the center and at the top" mentality is dumber than i ever thought before.

Yeah, that's all i have tonight.

Wrong Again

Well, yeah, weather, YOU STINK...

Well, another weekend of climbing didn't happen. Hopefully the weather cooperates with Rebecca and myself for an upcoming weekend of climbing at the Red.....if it doesn't so help me, i'm gonna hunt down Old Man Winter's and kick his ass.

Until then i will continue lifting, and starting tomorrow there will be a nice cardio regiment added to my daily routine. Hopefully this will continue to weight loss and getting me in better shape to kick ass on the rocks this summer.

Check ya later

Cooper's Rocks

Well, my attempted climbing expedition was shut down today by "the man." It seems that the gated community we call Cooper's Rocks is not yet open for customers. I do not require them to give me camping spaces, or even ask them to plow the roads, i only ask them to open their gates here and there. Heaven forbid someone wishes to enjoy that beautiful area in the winter or at night for that matter.

Ohh well, I would hope you have figured out that when I got off exit 15 from I-68W today, there was a nice big gate saying "ROAD CLOSED" today. I would have gotten out and hiked in, but this was the first gate, leaving me like 6-8 miles to actually get to the climbing areas and i just didn't feel like doing that and possibly getting fined for entering the park when it was closed.

So with that, and no great stories of climbing to share, I will take my leave. I do promise that one day soon I will make it back to the Tilted Tree Corridor.

Back Online

Finally got internet again, so i will be updating my blog again.
o
What you have missed.

In the climbing world, I am planning on going to Cooper's Rock this Sunday (Mar. 2) and climbing outside again. Then next weekend I will be going to the New for 2 days of clippin' bolts. Hopefully these two days will give me a nice tune up and let me know what i need to do make it easier to achieve my goal this summer of climbing an 11.a or harder along with a V5.

In the wrestling world, he season is finally over. We had a great season, we won 3 matches and two of those together combined to win a tri-meet. Then as for the post-season at the PVC conference tournament we didn't place any wrestlers, but at the Regional Tournament we managed to get two guys who placed 6th. Not high enough to make it to the state tournament, but high enough to make them happy. Now we are lifting 5 days a week after school and there are 4 returning wrestlers there as well as 4 new guys who will be on the team next year.

I'll be sure to update this after I send hard this weekend.

Check Ya Later

Viking Smash

Well, it's too bloody cold outside to even think of putting my hand on a rock. The thought of it only brings to mind A Christmas Story when they dare "what's-his-face" to stick his tongue to the pole. All i can see is my hands sticking to the bare rocks, and when i try to pull away my calluses pull off my fingers. Just a nasty and painful thought. So i guess this makes it a good time to spend in the gym w/ my wrestlers.

So, this weekend is a team tournament called the Viking Smash. It includes all of the teams from our region (region 2 A/AA) except 1. This is a great thing because we get to see all of our competition other than that team for the regional tournament. Well tonight we wrestled 4 of our 9 total duals. We didn't come away a winner YET. BUT WE ARE SOOOOOO CLOSE. We lost the first dual tonight pretty bad (as expected against a team with every weight class full), but then the second dual was against Philip-Barbour (whom we almost beat the first dual of the year) and we lost 18-30. This seems like a lot, but it really is just one match going the other way, plus two of our normal starters were out of the line-up for one reason or another. Then we wrestled another team and lost to them, but not too badly. And we finished up tonight with Lincoln. This was a heated dual, all three matches that actually were wrestled. It seemed they only had lower weights while we only had the upper. But we did meet them on the mat at 145, 152, and 103. It turned out that the team that won 2 of the 3 would win the dual meet (not as straight forward as you would think) But it came down to our 103 pounder who wrestled his heart out and almost pinned his guy on two instances, but ended up getting caught and stuck. Bringing the final of this match to 30-42, another 12-point loss.

Even thought the team did not win big tonight, a few of my guys individually kicked some ass. At 103 we got a lad with fire in his eyes (finally) and is gonna kick some ass tomorrow, and hopefully still come away with 3rd place. At 152, John Ross is a pinnin' machine going 3-1 tonight, and finally getting a winning streak going. In the upper weights we had mixed results, but everyone came away with at least 2 wins i believe (including forfeits).

As for tomorrow, we have 5 duals to wrestle. And good news....when we wrestle South we WILL win (so long as everyone makes weight tomorrow) This will be Moorefield's first victory on a wrestling mat in 42 years. That will be a nice change of scenery. Other than South we have a very tough line-up: Keyser, Petersburg, Frankfort (who we can stay within 18 points of) Berkley Springs, and someone else who's name is alluding me at the moment.

On a side note from the kids, evidentially watching me coach is almost as entertaining as the matches themselves. I know i get into it, and often am standing, but I guess i bounce on my chair, dance, i know i yell cause i'm hoarse, and do everything else short of sing to them. Hopefully someone caught it on tape so i can post it for all of us to laugh at.

I will be sure to post again tomorrow to fill you in on the good news, as for now i must return to my homework.

It's an "Eye of the Tiger" kinda night.

Out in Right Field

So, this is random, has nothing to do with anything.......i just spent a good few hours watching Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Now anyone who doesn't know me, i own and have watched all episodes a million-and-one times....and i just thought the ideas in my mind needed to be known by the world.

1. Who the hell thinks that a fry box, milkshake, meatball, and a fat-bald guy in New Jersey is a funny thing that people will watch.....yes making fun of jersey rules, but who would expect it to be funny for 5 or 6 seasons.

2. Why is Master Shake (a.k.a. Shake, Shakezilla, Shake Master, M.S., and Cup) such a bloody idiot? Are there really people out there that dumb?

3. How much pot did the people who made this have to smoke to finish these shows????

It's not that these are new ideas in my mind, i have enjoyed this show for so long, but have met no other people that really like it......Until tonight, when i met someone who enjoys it just as much as i do.

So take home point..........i don't have one........


check ya later

W-O-Flippin'-W

I just ran across this quote in a friends AIM away message.....i have no clue who said it (if she did, she rocks), but i love it

Instead of controlling the environment for the benefit of the population, we should control the population to ensure the survival of the environment.

I just thought i should share that with all the people i can so i can sleep soundly thinking others are striving to better the world around them, as i do myself.\


and now for my sign-off that gets me in trouble in redneck land,

Wage Peace.