Well, it's been a long, LONG time. But, there have been several -- namely one -- request and several life changes that need documenting. So, it's time to do an update.

I'm starting this update in a backwards fashion. Mostly, I'm updating you on my life and it's current adventures not by detailing them with words and photographs, but by doing a flashback. To be precise, I'm going back to the early days of my "adult life", when I spent most of my free time with kids -- ironically.

These kids... and one adult.

$10 to anybody who can name the little blond girl with the navy sweatshirt and the pigtails.

What was he thinking?

Good lord almighty....

My friend Mike posing as an old baron of industry. Not surprising to me, Mike can fit the bill nicely. Ironically.

More of Mel....

More pictures of my new dog Mel.

Meet Mel!

As of June 19th, I am fostering a rescued golden retriever named Mel. He's about 5 or 6 years old, 70 pounds, and a nicely balanced reddish-brown that Goldens are known for. At the end of a month or two, it's up to me to adopt him or pass him back to Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon. To date, he seems to be a really good boy; more to come I'm sure.

2010 Division I Championships

Grayson Harris and company -- thanks to Shawn of Canon Cameras -- did a fantastic job shooting the Division I Championships at Clubsport on June 12th and 13th, 2010.

Cheers to them.

Grayson's photos are here.

Eric's photos are here.

Tom's photos are here.

Running Orders!

USAClimbing Division I Championships Saturday June 12th 2010

PM Running Order
ALL DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE!

Running orders!

Clubsport Division I Championships Saturday June 12th!

Qualifiers Running Orders
AM Running Order

"Yes I can fit!"

 

Looks like Alana can almost fit inside of the ole bird....

The XO hard at work...

 

Alana working on the Falcon during one of our "repair jobs".

In all its glory...

 

A good view of the whole Falcon....

Eat my ion trail...

 

A view of the rear, including the ionic engine bursts....

And it has a functional ramp!

 

Look, it lowers!

"Punch it!"

 

Nice....

Finally, done. Well, almost.

Good view...

 

From the bird's nest uptop. Got a glimpse of almost every route in the whole place.

A - HA!

 

Now I got all of 'em.

No wait, I forgot Max. Doh.

"Nice Emma!"

 

She's just sitting there but it still seems appropriate.

"The whole gangs here!"

Well, mostly. Max, Lily, Bam, Bryn, Kira, Courtney and I all headed down to this competition and we had a grand time. The routes were all set very well and everybody had a good time. Aside from a small line controversy, I think all would say it was another good competition at the Rogue Rock Gym, April 2010.

Yikes...

 

Alex Fritz of Seattle, WA on a boys A final. Crazy looking route.

This gym is hard to shoot in because there's little natural light and the overhead, halogen lighting is killer. I was lucky enough to get a few good shots in today. This one was out of focus for the most part, but I liked how the colors came out.

Nice climb Fritzel...

Caught red-handed....

 

Proof positive that v10 / v11 climbers do know how to tie-in. Luckily for this fella, somebody was there to check it out and lower him to the ground....

Doesn't seem too happy to have a harness on though....

Max the Machine....

 

On his final at Tacoma Edgeworks.

Both Max and Drew Ruana flashed the route and proceeded to crush the Boys C Final in a superfinal. Two incredible climbers, both in the same region. Coincidence? I think not....

Mad Max

 

Max trying to crush his brother at Edgeworks while his father, Dave, looks away -- momentarily. This embrace ended like many brotherly embraces; hairpulling, wrestling, sniffling, carpet burn, and hurt feelings. What did you expect, world peace?

Well deserved....

 

A well deserved beer after a 6 mile up-hill hike by Eagle Creek outside of Portland. Here, Zacky looks endearingly at me in hopes to get some of the good suds he smells.

Antics

 

Round about April 1st, we hosted a special visitor at our climbing gym. Little did we know, this critter could pull down hard, even with fluffy hands and furry feet.

"Come on baby hold together."

 

"Illuvial dampeners? No, that's not it! Get me the Hydrospanner! Don't know how we're gonna get outta this one..."

Woah.

 

"What a piece of junk!"

"She'll make .5 past light speed. She don't look like much but she's got it where it counts, kid. I made a few modifications myself. But, we're in a hurry, so if you'll just step on board we'll be on our way."

Geekiness

 


Well, it's official. I just got the biggest Lego set ever contrived, compiled, and distributed. It's about 1/4 done in this picture. Yes, one quarter of 5000 pieces make this much of a Lego Millenium Falcon. More to come...