Recharged

The end of climbing season is approaching quickly. Snow in the North Cascades has already started to fall and soon the passes will be filled with cars topped with skis and boards on their way to a winter bliss. I have not skied in nearly fifteen years. It makes me a bit ashamed really. My father's true love and I ditched it because I got hurt. I dislocated my patella. I didn't even get hurt skiing, but the passion fell to other activities and priorities. I should not really call skiing my passion. It simply wasn't. I had many friends that I could ski with but the only person I enjoyed skiing with was myself, and my dad. I think he was sad that I stopped skiing. I sometimes regret that the last time we skied together I was 21 years old.

Well, I'm determined to ski again, or maybe board. I will get on the slopes at least once this year. You are probably wondering why only once? Dad is sitting on my home office desk, and I think it is time for him to move out of the house. I'll have to figure out how to get my sister out here so we can do this right. My Dad, though he wasn't all present in his head, was all present in his heart. Seem like we should give him a happy place to hang out.

In the meantime I'm recharging. I was suppose to be out climbing this weekend but the weather proved to be less than agreeable. Next weekend I have a family gathering and so I won't likely get out to climb and I am doubting the weather will be good enough for a day trip. The GUGOO's are going to enjoy the Leavenworth Oktoberfest on the 18th so I have plans to go climbing and hopefully meet up for the festivities. Until then recharge.

When I recharge, I like to listen (and re-listen) to one of my favorite pod casts of all time -- The Dirtbag Diaries. Fitz Cahall, the pod author, is a few years younger than myself, but like my cousin Kevin he's in touch with that "something" in the world that fills you up and leaves you whole inside. For someone you've never met that might sound ridiculous to say. I know this though, anyone who thinks/speaks "There's at least a half dozen ways to screw this up -- It sounds perfect," has figured out something that the rest of us are still seeking. Facing the challenges head on is what life is all about. Not only that, finding challenges and overcoming them -- Fitz would say "Trip not possible -- Game On!"

So, Game On! Here's to facing the challenges you are presented, and finding those that will make you a better person.

Live Free or Die!

I love that saying. Happy Independence Day! Today, is a very emotional day for me. I have a friend coming over to help me liberate myself from years of comic books, magazines, books, and other trinkets. I wrote to another friend, Erin, that "Independence Day for me has been -- liberating. I am someone who holds tremendous sentimental value to things that don't matter. I'm purging them. I'm not forgetting them, but removing them." I continued with, "Part of me is tremendously scared. Seriously -- Scared. I don't really know or understand why but I'm imaging shedding my old self. I know there is someone great inside me and it is not defined by comic books, magazines, or trinkets...."

This got me to thinking -- I need to blog this! What an amazing day! I'm liberating myself from a box that I put myself in. Why was I so afraid to step out and see that there are other boxes, and bigger boxes to step into (and hopefully out of.) For years a dear friend of mine would tell me how she would love to just live out of her car. She'd be so happy to only have the stuff that fit in the back of her wagon. I would tell her that the cat box would be really stinky in the car. But Why! I didn't listen to that sooner I can only guess. I suppose that is something one learns from living on their own though. I have never in my life lived alone. I have always had a roommate, or family. Even now, I have the company of two cats and my dog. Today, I'm asking myself "Are You Living it?" and I am hoping if not, that I will be soon.

My dearest aunt has lived life very simply, and I'm striving to let go of the things in my life that no longer matter and cling on to what she can teach me. The things that truly matter to me -- I hope to find them again once I've cleared out all this junk.

Happy 4th of July!