Modern. Timeless.

So I went clothes shopping last night. Even ended up buying a shirt. Now, that's boring and I wouldn't blog about that (got a haircut, too, while I'm talking about boring stuff), but something I saw there was pretty funny.

Saw a slogan calling an item "Modern. Timeless..." Isn't this an oxymoron? You can't have it all... All it was talking about was a pair of plain black jeans.

Update

Been here well over a month now. Looking forward to my return. I see the weather up there in Minnesota is starting to get really nice this week -- into the 50s even. That sounds perfect. I went jogging last night for the first time in about a year. It was probably between a mile and a mile and a half and man my lungs felt like they were going to explode. I must keep it up though and it will get better very fast I know.

Here's a song of my brother's called Ocean he gave me permission to post on here:
http://www.box.net/public/static/2bqboii934.mp3
I think he did an excellent job on this and it's worth listening to.

Lonesome Roads

Time to have you vote and comment on two versions of one my songs. Just before I came down to Arizona I wrote and recorded a rough version of 'Lonesome Roads' that was a short and simple, slow, sort of country-ish song (more folk than country, probably). I've gotten kind of bored with playing it slow so recorded a faster version of it today in my hotel room and want to see what you all think is better. I've spent hardly any time with either version and of course the recording quality of the newer, faster one is really bad, so don't comment on sound/engineering quality, of course. Let me know which you think sounds better (or 'could' sound better if someone w/ talent was playin' and singin' ;) ).

Slow version recorded back home in MN:
http://www.box.net/public/static/9qh9bme3my.mp3

Faster version recorded in AZ hotel room:
http://www.box.net/public/static/iurxflssru.mp3

Oak Flats Trip #3

The forecast called for rain today but as what it appears normally happens here when rain is forecasted, it didn't rain. Instead it was perfect weather in the mid 60s so I headed back up to Queen Creek to boulder more at Oak Flats. A few other groups of two were out there and we all ended up hanging out together -- unfortunately, since I'd been here before, I ended up being the expert of the area since all of them either hadn't been here in years or were first timers -- so I didn't learn any new areas. I didn't climb very well today as I stayed out pretty late last night but it was good to get back up there and breathe the fresh air and hang out in the rocks.

Last weekends rain really changed the look of the area. Because it hadn't rained in 5 months, everything was really dry and I guess all the trees got covered in ice and snow which they just couldn't handle so large broken branches were everywhere. The creek bed was also flowing with lots of water and the base of my DJL Project #2 is under 2 feet of water now. So, I worked on DJL Project #1 and again did better but still didn't send it. Not in good enough physical shape today is my excuse :).

I cut my wrist on it as well today and while it's not that bad, it does look it. It looks like I tried to slit my wrists :) -- I'll probably have someone do an intervention for me at work if anyone sees it.

No pictures today - forgot my camera.

Recording Music in My Hotel Room/Rainin' in the Desert

I climb Tuesday's and Thursday's so Wednesday happens to be one of my guitar nights on a typical week. I came up with a couple of cool bluegrassy licks tonight and strung them together in a little jam I decided to call 'Rainin' in the Desert'. I've often wondered how musicians name their instrumental pieces..sometimes very specific titles that simply don't make any sense. 'Rainin' in the Desert' doesn't make any sense either. It's just the first thing that popped into my head. I decided to check out a free recording program called 'Audacity' (thanks to Amit) and have recorded my attempt at bluegrass jamming here in my hotel room -- gotta love the built-in laptop microphone:
http://www.box.net/public/static/85no9bkxht.mp3
or if you want a fancy online player and can't be bothered with things like downloading:
http://www.box.net/public/85no9bkxht

There's Snow in Them Hills

Tried to go out to Oak Flats today with Dan to do some climbing again. It had rained all day yesterday but today was beautiful. Felt like perfect climbing conditions. After renting shoes for Dan, we made the 45 minute drive only to discover that instead of rain, it had snowed yesterday at the higher elevations starting just before we got to Superior. Apparently, the word had spread as what appeared like thousands of people had congregrated in this little town and kids and families were everywhere building snowmen and having snowfights like they'd never seen it before. The traffic backed up for miles. And then we found out -- Highway 60 through Queen Creek Canyon was closed -- apparently snowed in. What a bummer! We ended up turning around and as a consolation prize found a pullout, jumped a barbed wire fence and hiked up to a ridge to take in some cool views. 

Rain..

After nearly 5 months with no rain, the wait is over here. The weekend Dan comes down to escape the winter in MN it drops to 40 degrees and has been pouring.

Therefore, no climbing today but I'm really hoping it will dry up by tomorrow.

Inspiration struck

A new song just hit me. I've got the music for the verses and chorus 'done' and the first verse lyric written and a clear direction on where to go with it. I recorded the verse with the Windows recorder program so I won't forget it. Not quite as nice a program as Sonar.

Update..Up to 4 verses and half a chorus

Oak Flats Trip #2

 
I made it out to Oak Flats for the second time this trip today (3rd time ever -- I went back in January as well when I was down). Had a fun time again, but man, this rock is brutal on my fingers. Here's a picture of me on my new Davy Jones' Locker project (DJL Project #2). Not the best picture b/c of the sun creeping over the top of the boulder and I had to do it w/ the timer but it's a crimp climb up an overhanging bulge. Took me about 10 tries to do the first move. It demanded pretty precise footwork for me to stick the second hold. I got close to sticking the second move -- would hit it for a second and bust off.

I made good progress on DJL Project #1 which I posted a picture of last week. Made it two moves further so I know I can do the problem. It's kind of freakin' me out doing this one by myself, though. It's overhanging and there's a big rock right behind it so the higher you go the more likely it feels like you'll hit the rock on the way down. It would be nice to have a spotter sitting on it.

I also walked around alot more after I was done climbing and am getting a better feel for the lay of the land. Found another one of the climbing areas. I forgot the guide today so don't know yet what that area was called. 

Here's another picture of the new project:


And a shot of the area:

One Week Down

It all pretty much feels routine now. Went to the Phoenix Rock Gym on Monday and tonight. Lots of new routes compared to last week and even though the place leaves alot to be desired it's starting to grow on me. I should get back out to Oak Flats this weekend. Finally bouldering consistently is going to be very good for my climbing -- I'm feeling stronger every night. Met some stronger climbers tonight that I'll hopefully hang out more with that will be good too.

Couple of things I've heard on the radio down here that I don't hear back home:
1) "We're under a pollution warning again today, so you all know the drill..."
2) "It might hit 80 tomorrow, finally starting to feel like spring!"

Funny conversation overheard at work today (not sure if this is going to be funny in a blog, sorry if not..):
Lady in cubicle diagonal from mine (out of the blue): "So I hope you don't mind working with me"
Guy in cubicle across from me (who doesn't see her): "Why's that?"
Lady: "Me being bipolar and all, just thought you should know"
Guy: "Oh yeah?" chuckles a little uncomfortably
Lady: "Yeah, I was hanging out w/ some random name last night and she said I was like a freakin' camel that had gone insane"
Guy: "....pause That doesn't make any sense."
Lady: "so that's why I'm calling you, I wanted to warn you........blah blah"

and then she continues talking, now obviously into the phone and not to the guy in the next cubicle, can't imagine how he felt :). I almost burst out laughing.