The Climb

Climbing Mt. Washington last Sunday was the hardest thing I’ve done in a long time. All I can say is it was wet, windy, and more windy. When I got to the top, sustained winds of 70 - 80 mph. I have blisters and I can’t seem to feel dry. However, it was a lot of fun, and I learned much about climbing techniques.

In this picture, I was facing the wind. It looks like I am smiling, but on further review, I am being sand blasted by snow. Face hurt. No smile. It took 4 hours to climb up with crampons on, and hour in a half to climb down in which we needed rope to propel down. The whole trail is at a 45 degree angle. I’ll have some picture up in a few hours. You can check all of them out on my photo page.

My best friend Richard has spawned a new human being into this world. Stephanie & Richard have a new baby boy. Jonas Curry came into this world on Monday weighing in at 129 pounds. Well, not really, I think Stephanie might have thought that. Jonas weighed 10 pounds 2 ounces. Congrats!!!!

Upon arriving into this world Jonas was asked what it was like seeing the light of day for the first time?

I really didn’t know what do expect. I have to admit I had high expectations of what the outside world looked like. It will be nice not to eat Chinese take out anymore however. Not sure green baby food will taste that much better. Not that I know what colors look like yet. Pooping black stuff right now. But I think after time, all will be cool. I am looking forward to ruling the world. Or maybe just setting up a facebook page. So much to think about right now.

After driving all day yesterday, I had noticed a continuous message that kept appearing on my facebook page. It was Billy Dennis who had invited his peeps to the monthly blogger bash. I have to say I have wanted to attend for quite some time, but have never had the time. Having said that, last night when I got home I went to meet this infamous group of people who blog.

It’s always amazed me that “those” people can spend countless amount of time writing about the political musings of Peoria. AND those “others” who just blog about other stuff. I mean who the hec are these people anyway? So my curiosity to meet these blogger’s was overwhelming.

In truth, I have wanted to meet CJ (Peoria Chronical) and Billy Dennis (Peoria Pundit) for awhile. I have been reading their blogs since they got online. I was surprised however to learn they don’t take a lot of page views per day. I blog about nothing, and I am right up there with both of them…when I post something.

Anyway, it was nice to meet with them and listen to Gary Sanburg, and meet some others running for office. Curphy Smith, who is running for the 2nd City Council Seat in Peoria was there, along with Beth Akeson who is running for 3rd District Council Seat. Beth Akeson knew my blog site, which was impressive. You have to know genius before you can run for City Council. I think that’s an important qualification.

A few updates tokeep my 3 peeps that read this blog excited enough to keep coming back.

First and foremost: My Mom who broke her hip last month is doing well. She has been in a Skilled Nursing facility going through rehab. Let me tell you, for a 72 year old who has Parkinsons, the woman is really starting to get around. It has been a long road, but I have high hopes that she will return to “independent living”, (with some help of course).

I seemed to have picked up a new addiction. It’s called Twitter. Damn! If you are not following me on twitter, you should. I have great insight about absolutely nothing. However, if you miss nothing, how will you ever know anything that I am doing? How?

I am leaving this week for New Hampshire. I’m taking a 3 day mountaineering course on winter survival, avalanche skills, and ice climbing. The last day we ascend to Mt. Washington which has recorded the highest wind gust ever in the USA at 232 MPH. The temps up on top yesterday when I checked was -35 degrees with wind chill. I’m guessing it’s gonna be a bit chilly. However, that is only a guess.

Next week, I would have abstained from one drink of alcohol for 16 months. That abstinence has set forth a chain of events that I could not have ever predicted. The outcome has been…I apologize a lot less now.

Until next time my little Tweeters and cult followers.

How is it that my house has turned into the “Poltergeist” for varmint. I have bats, some sort of wood pecker or squirrel living in my wall cavity, and of course, back by popular demand. The Cardinal.

Yes, the Cardinal who visits every year in the Spring to fight with himself in my reflective window in my bathroom. He starts around 5:30 am and doesn’t stop until 8:00 or so. He sees his reflection and thinks it’s another Cardinal. Then he pecks at the window, and throws himself against it. (kind of loud really). Why? I don’t know. But he’s done this for 3 years in a row.

Upon telling one of my dear sarcastic friends this bird story, they pointed out that the Cardinal is really a metaphor for me. WHAT? They said “You fight with yourself, bang your head against the wall, then wonder what’s wrong with people, right”? Umm yea. “So the Cardinal is really you”. I do sometimes fight with myself. I do sometimes bang my head against the wall, and I do sometimes ask what is wrong with those people. MMmmmm?

I really hate when people I know psycho analyze me. I hate it more when they are probably right.

OH MY GOD. I am the Cardinal. I am not the Walrus. I am the Cardinal Coo Coo Ca Choo.

Ever see shadows but not really sure why, or what they are? So I was in my kitchen last night, and my Cracka, (cat) was going nuts. I was like “oh that cracka, on the cat nip shit again”. I also kept seeing a shadow by the ceiling. I was perplexed to say the least.

After some investigation and a couple of fly by’s. I realized a bat had gotten into my house and was dive bombing me. (Good thing it wasn’t a real dive bomber with explosives, since it was apparent i had no idea. It took me a while to realize I was in fact, being dive bombed on).

After running around the house screaming. I finally settled down and went after the creature. It was a battle. I have to say the “bat” was opponent worthy. I fought it valiantly, and in the end it took a broom, a hockey mask, a bucket, foul language, and luck, to bring the sucker down.

All I can say to those who have never done battle with a bat in your house…you had better be in shape, those suckers are fast and clever.

I AM the Master of my domain.

Just finished a new video of my Winter hike in the UP. I think it’s my best one so far, but I am biased.

You can find it on my other site www.thebackpacker.tv

I’ve also uploaded some photos also. Still trying to figure out my new digital camera that I think will even start my car. Geez, does that thing have a lot of options.

When I tell you I can put down some serious Starbucks coffee, I am not kidding. So it not surprising that as I am throwing a Grande Cafe Americano down my throat, I take time to read the saying on my paper cup that they always fill to the very brim. (erks me when they do that)

One in particular keeps following me. I mean I get it every time I order a Grande Cafe Americano (with room for cream). It’s like the Universe is trying to tell me something. What are the odds I get the same damn saying every time? What is Anne Morriss (Starbucks customer from New York City), trying to tell me? WHAT? She describes herself as an “organization builder, restless American citizen, optimist”. What the hell does that mean?

Ok, so I have some commitment issues. So what? But does that coffee cup have to remind me everyday of what could be my biggest issue? Does Anne have to be so damn smug about it? Or, is she a genius like me, who recognizes the human trials and tribulations of life, then writes about them for the world to see? My ego tells me it’s the ladder.

Anne writes:

“The Irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating - in the work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the very tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier of your life”.

Damn Anne, your good, real good.

Winter Storm Warning for the U.P of Michigan. Cool, that’s where I’m headed. Gonna go backpacking this week in the U.P. Pesque Isle, near Marquette. Weather forecast looks nasty Tuesday and Wed. Then after that, I’m gonna shoot over to the Rocky Mountain National Park, and do some real winter camping in the mountains. The Ranger at RMNP said in the uppper elevations there were still over 50 inches of snow. Wow! My snowshoes are ready.

For those who care to follow and see me freeze. You can follow me on Twitter.

You can also follow me GPS style here at Instamapper. (hope it works) I’ll also be posting new articles on thebackpacker.tv

This last weekend I had the pleasure of attending The American Cancer Society Disco Ball Night, to raise money for cancer research and support for people/caregivers struck with cancer. The theme of this years fund raiser was “The 70s”. I have to say that it wasn’t too much of a stretch to find “retro” clothes in my closet. After all, I love that decade. The only hard part was finding the white shoes. Everything else I just about had. (I know, sad) However who doesn’t like dancing to the BG’s or a Donna Summer song? Who?

I won a raffle to the Cubs, Cardinals game in April so I’m totally excited about going. It was a great to boogie oogie oogie, support a great cause. However at some point, I didn’t know whether I was at a Disco Ball Night, or a Porn Convention. Either way, I had a lot of fun.