New and Experienced climbers over 50 #20

Lori Milas wrote:

I had a rough day climbing today. Don’t know why. WHY do some days go badly? 

Maybe try to replace the inner dialogue with some music in your head? I've always thought it's easy to overthink climbing. It's not rocket science   .

I came to a point, a bit more than 40 years ago, when I was confronted by a huge, life changing decision. Up until then, I was building a fair career playing classical music on the trumpet. I made a living in NYC, no small accomplishment. But climbing got a hold of me. 

It worked out like this. A rough day on the trumpet was crushing. It didn't happen often, but when it did... It's over, you'll never play that same music for that same audience ever again. 

But climbing? A rough day climbing motivated me to get back at it, to make a higher quality attempt next time. Failure didn't carry with it that feeling of remorse, that loss of self respect. 

I'm not trying to get too heavy about it, but maybe don't see the rough day so much like the former, but rather more like the latter. 

I just enjoy being out there. the only way it would not be fun would be if someone got hurt or it was too crowded... 

Kris, I can't believe you are still spinning my old turntable!  I'd have thought you would have upped your game to a nice Pro-Ject or better table by now.

I just got new speakers 2 days ago.  I got some Zu Audio speakers.  They sound REALLY good!  Bought them used but in pristine condition.

Jan Mc wrote:

Kris, I can't believe you are still spinning my old turntable!  I'd have thought you would have upped your game to a nice Pro-Ject or better table by now.

I just got new speakers 2 days ago.  I got some Zu Audio speakers.  They sound REALLY good!  Bought them used but in pristine condition.

That turntable is 1st class. Try to buy a used one today. I've upgraded it with tonearm and drive parts from LP Gear in Las Vegas, including an Audio Technica cartridge with a Shibata diamond stylus. I can't recall what you took in trade for that, but it was one of the dumber things you've done. What was it anyway?

Then, of course, the phono preamp is as important as anything else. My old Hafler still does the job.

I'll bet those speakers sound great.

I love this place so so much. Went for a walk to Trackside with a beer listening to Michael Kiwanuka on my headphones. Couldn’t resist trying some moves on The Animator. Felt hard. I used to do laps of it. Then I reminded myself I’d had about 5 beers and was wearing my Vans. Doesn’t matter. Just being here is nurturing my soul.

Do you have to keep an eye out for brown  snakes  etc.? Every time I see a  headline about a  venomous  snake  found  in  someone's kitchen  it's  Australia...

Carl Schneider wrote:

I love this place so so much. Went for a walk to Trackside with a beer listening to Michael Kiwanuka on my headphones. Couldn’t resist trying some moves on The Animator. Felt hard. I used to do laps of it. Then I reminded myself I’d had about 5 beers and was wearing my Vans. Doesn’t matter. Just being here is nurturing my soul.

Carl, where is this? It looks amazing…and is climbing it allowed under the recent policy?

We were planning on Australia in 2020, but COVID and the wholesale climbing area closures put the kibosh on that plan. 

I'll beat Carl to the punch, it is the Taipan Wall in the Grampians---and it is totally amazing (even just looking at it--easiest routes are much too hard and serious for me). However, it is, very unfortunately, currently closed to climbing along with most of the (many) other quality cliffs in the Grampians.

And, Nick, during my trip to Australia I was CONSTANTLY on alert for Eastern Browns and any other snake (and spider, jelly fish, etc) --actually quite nerve-wracking, but I am fairly phobic about such things. Walking out of Upper Shipley in the Blue Mountains one day on a wide gravel path not far from a neighborhood I did come close to stepping on a small snake crossing it in front of me--though my companions declared that it didn't appear to be venomous. A few days later, as we were leaving the car to walk in to the crag along the same path, a local mother and daughter emerged from it and casually mentioned that we should keep an eye out as they had just seen an Eastern Brown slithering off of it---needless to say that was an even more nervous walk for us. 

One of the highlights of a visit to Sidney is touring the very impressive Natural History museum. The 5th floor is the exhibit of the various critters native to the Continent and surrounding waters that can kill you----it is a very big floor!!!

Despite these worries, it was a great place to visit and climb.

Kristian Solem wrote:

That turntable is 1st class. Try to buy a used one today. I've upgraded it with tonearm and drive parts from LP Gear in Las Vegas, including an Audio Technica cartridge with a Shibata diamond stylus. I can't recall what you took in trade for that, but it was one of the dumber things you've done. What was it anyway?

Then, of course, the phono preamp is as important as anything else. My old Hafler still does the job.

I'll bet those speakers sound great.

I don't even own any vinyl anymore so it is good that you ended up with that turntable.  I do still have the Rotel preamp that I traded it for in the garage but have moved on to Schiit tube preamps since then.  And they come with a remote so I can sit in my chair and be lazy and still change the volume.

Todd Berlier wrote:

ankle is feeling a lot better everyone. thanks for the well wishes--they made my day.

and Lori...i can get pretty dark.

get that knee better soon Ward!

Kris--I am SUPER JEALOUS. I started listening to Tool on a cassette someone made for me. so i guess that means im, "OGT from back in 92 with the first EP."

also jealous of the cragging you have Carl.

Cheerfulness is entirely overrated, in my opinion.  Good to know a companion in darkness.  

I've just given into it today.  I mean, it's a beautiful day, and everyone I know is alive and healthy.  Darkness can still creep in.  

Could be we are over-reaching?  

I went climbing yesterday, felt tired way before I expected.  Maybe not totally ready to climb, or maybe a little dehydrated, or ... god knows.  I only climbed three or four routes.  It felt awkward, fumbly... and I was washed out almost before I started.  Came home, crashed... took a look at my Whoop later.  The theoretical max being 21, this showed an enormous output of energy--as though I had run a marathon.  So, are these outings causing this much physical strain?  And if so... what to do about it.

There are a few things that will pull me out of any bad mood.  One is a lunch from my favorite restaurant, La Copine, which is a former diner out in the middle of the high desert, off Old Woman Springs Road.  (They now have a route in Joshua Tree named in their honor--check it out on MP!). The first time I took Tony there he just shook his head in confusion and amazement.  It's the epitome of everything he feared California to be... kale-eating, sprout-growing, hippie liberals.  He decided to give it a go and ordered something with 'brussels sprouts leaves' and pork belly.  He posted a picture on Facebook so his Chicago family and friends could see what he's being forced to do.  Now he's tried menu items even I haven't tried...and he loves them.  

He misses a place called Gene and Judes, where you can go and get 'real' hotdogs, where it is forbidden to put saurkraut or catsup on the dog, there is nary a piece of lettuce or vegetable in the place... you can eat these with fries and nothing else by the half dozen.  I think he's lonely for his kin and lonely for a 'real' Chicago hotdog. 

.  

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

I just enjoy being out there. the only way it would not be fun would be if someone got hurt or it was too crowded... 

Totally with Nick on this one.

I try to find productive takeaways from "bad" days/outings; need to warm up better, get my lead head in gear, chill, get more sleep, etc.

I do have to admit that some days are just too damn cold and the ice is just too hard and brittle.. its still fun  but those kind of days its  more fun after the fact by the wood stove with a hot Chai. i also tend to bail early on those kind of days.....   

Todd Berlier wrote:

i do think people that live with genuine positive thinking are probably better off emotionally than myself. 

Perhaps.  My Mom was a positive thinker.  My Dad was a worrier, about everything.
I take after my Dad but I have learnt from my wife too.  Now I worry less about thngs I have little influence over; weather three days from now, Ukraine, those brats who warm up on my projects.  She also taught me to pay attention and do my best on things I can control and have lots of influence over; my health, our well being, planning for college education, raising a bright, worrdly, balanced child with a positive yet realistic view of the world and life.  Drink less, lose 5 pounds and finally send that project.  I need to invest more in the last two!

Lori Milas wrote:

He misses a place called Gene and Judes, where you can go and get 'real' hotdogs, where it is forbidden to put saurkraut or catsup on the dog, there is nary a piece of lettuce or vegetable in the place... you can eat these with fries and nothing else by the half dozen.  I think he's lonely for his kin and lonely for a 'real' Chicago hotdog. 

.  

A hotdog should NEVER have catsup on it no matter where it is made or being eaten!!!!

Chili now and then is OK though, because we live out west.

Jan Mc wrote:

A hotdog should NEVER have catsup on it no matter where it is made or being eaten!!!!

Chili now and then is OK though, because we live out west.

But, given the unknown ingredients in many mass produced hot dogs, perhaps the catsup might have a positive effect----like stopping you from eating more than one.

I never understood the whole "ketchup on a hotdog" being offensive or gross, I mean we are talking about ground up fatty buttholes and whatever else they shovel off the killing floor wrapped in a poop tube(if you are a big spender that is). I saw a guy soak his gourmet 20$ burger in ketchup last night at the pub, I think he slathered it up three times at least. That to me was kinda gross(not a kid either, closer to 60-65) but not offensive. 

Drink less and lose weight, I'm on board with that. Now I just need a project.

There’s rules.  

Idaho Bob wrote:

But, given the unknown ingredients in many mass produced hot dogs, perhaps the catsup might have a positive effect----like stopping you from eating more than one.

Local meat, that’s why I’m a member of PETY, people eating tasty yaks

M M wrote:

I never understood the whole "ketchup on a hotdog" being offensive or gross, I mean we are talking about ground up fatty buttholes and whatever else they shovel off the killing floor wrapped in a poop tube(if you are a big spender that is). I saw a guy soak his gourmet 20$ burger in ketchup last night at the pub, I think he slathered it up three times at least. That to me was kinda gross(not a kid either, closer to 60-65) but not offensive. 

Drink less and lose weight, I'm on board with that. Now I just need a project.

Maybe if you buy Oscar Mayer dogs but jesus spend another couple bucks and get some kosher dogs and you won't be eating shithole dogs that need catsup to make them palatable.

Alan Rubin wrote:

I'll beat Carl to the punch, it is the Taipan Wall in the Grampians---and it is totally amazing (even just looking at it--easiest routes are much too hard and serious for me). However, it is, very unfortunately, currently closed to climbing along with most of the (many) other quality cliffs in the Grampians.

And, Nick, during my trip to Australia I was CONSTANTLY on alert for Eastern Browns and any other snake (and spider, jelly fish, etc) --actually quite nerve-wracking, but I am fairly phobic about such things. Walking out of Upper Shipley in the Blue Mountains one day on a wide gravel path not far from a neighborhood I did come close to stepping on a small snake crossing it in front of me--though my companions declared that it didn't appear to be venomous. A few days later, as we were leaving the car to walk in to the crag along the same path, a local mother and daughter emerged from it and casually mentioned that we should keep an eye out as they had just seen an Eastern Brown slithering off of it---needless to say that was an even more nervous walk for us. 

One of the highlights of a visit to Sidney is touring the very impressive Natural History museum. The 5th floor is the exhibit of the various critters native to the Continent and surrounding waters that can kill you----it is a very big floor!!!

Despite these worries, it was a great place to visit and climb.

Indeed it is Taipan wall. I’ve climbed on Spurt wall, right of Taipan, but yeah, Taipan is very hard. It’s currently closed but apparently it will open again.
Australians don’t really care about poisonous things. We get about the place like they don’t exist. I did freak out the first time I saw scorpions here though.
Did a tiny bit of bouldering today.

https://youtu.be/qAkaw8bhbcs