FUN...have you listened to the band?

This week was FUN!  I've been getting so much alone time in the field recently that I try to pack my offshift with straight hangout.  Fortunately, I have an awesome community of people who love to do just that.

Wednesday Morning Breakfast is a long-standing tradition that was somewhat resurrected just this past week.  So many friends--old and new--showed up to graze for hours!



From left: Zach, Paul, Alec, Gillian, Lisa

Mother's day gifts!  Everyone get them sent.

Much climbing was to be had, even after I tweeked a finger pully and Zach stretched his hand into tendonitis...on the same route!

Much climbing was still to be had despite the injuries.  Not least of all Megas'.  Wait...what?  Megas?  As in Andrew Megas-Russell.  Yes.  The one, the only AMR rolled into town on Friday.  His long push from Tuscon made for a pitstop in StG en route to Wyoming.  His wilder-beard prompy went from 'WHOA' to 'huh' to 'if you say so'? :)

After sprucing him up, Friday night was festivities Jason and Katelyn's engagment party.  To which I accidentally led the course in a rousing "Happy Anniversary to you...happy engagement to you...happy engagement..." yeah.  Oops.

The FUN continued with a full day in Zion.  Katie and I headed up to the Canyon to do a route called The Headache.  It was anything but what its name would allude to.  We had blast despite Katie current aversion to desert splitters.  The first two pitches were enough to satiate that desire, especially with the consideration of biking in the park!

If you read my blogs, you may have ran across my meniton of climbing and obsession.  Not a new description of my affinity for rock climbing, even to those of you who may not have read that musing.  The jist is that I want to branch out; and for a couple of reasons:

1) To invest in relationships with other passions.
2) To crosstrain for climbing.

So we rented a couple of Trek 7.3s and cruised up to Temple of Sinewava.  Long about 5 miles in, it started raining...then raining harder.  Have you ever exercised in the rain?  It's awesome!  We took a short break to warm up and picnic.  Persevering, we accomplished our premeditated goal: 14 miles.  Also, Katie snatched up a bike they had on hand, and is due to be cruising all over our fair city.

The rain continued and washed away our hopes to climb.  Thus, Monday remained a lazy day on the couch.  Fortunately, for everyone except Andrew--and even he too--his Vanagon broke down and got to spend some more time in town with us.  I was getting restless by early afternoon and ripped old Megas off the couch for a trail run.  We recovered my camera left at Turtle Wall two days previous (yet another reason why I bought a shock/freeze proof camera).




Gila Monster at Turtle Wall.  Looks well fed (they store fat in their tails).



Monday Night Dinner was a ruckus of FUN people!  Most likely Zach's last MND before moving to Bishop, CA to take a job as a Sierra Mountain Guide; also Chelsea (Dave's girldfriend, and the newest edition of our close friend circle) just got into town.

I have a longer offshift this week because I'm leading a training for prospective employees starting Friday.  With my extra time Andrew and I went cycling through Snow Canyon SP and cruised down a bike path.  27.3 miles.  1,752' elevation gain.  1hr 37mins.

Now I'm having FUN recuping.  I love life!  It is in a word:  FUN!

Neurotic: A substitute for legitamate suffering?

So, I'm trying more stream of consciousness in this entry.  It's typical of my processing, and hard to follow.  Good luck.
___________________________

From the start I was a little off my game.  For the first couple of days at work this past week I was tired, lethargic, struggling to get invested, and downing my occupational lot in life.  Inner monologue:  "At 28 years old I have a job (not career) that is keeping me perpetually single with a failure to launch (professionally)."

I've found an identity here.  St. George, UT where I see people around town with whom I am acquainted.  At Second Nature, I know what I do and I do it well.  I am comfortable.  Comfort is a relative term I use to communicate that things are familiar.  I have a routine, friends, and pursuits.  I'm content.  At least when I consider the present.

The future. Achieving my potential.  Family?  (Do I sound like a 20-something, yet?)  I compare myself to others with specified skill sets.  Direction.  They seem further along.  Like they had more opportunity, or knew themselves well enough to make opportunities for themselves.

Diatribe.

I've trusted God to call me along my path thus far.  I don't know that it'd be such a bad thing to wait Him out on what would be best for me next.  The challenge, the faith, is in the waiting.  I've persevered though times of burnout and struggle with life's position--and it's taught me loyalty.  Everyone has their tough times and me, seemingly, least of all.  But it works out for whoever actually deals with them.  If one does not, they end up in my group at work.  :)

So the week progressed.  I had some great moments and an overall effect on my clients and my staff.  I let go of comparing myself to friends starting careers.  I recognised that those going to grad school are going to grad school, and I am not.  Let it be.

Let a Joy kill me,

I'm staying away from the little deaths.

Oriah Mountain Dreamer writes a book entitled The Invitation.  In it he writes:

"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.

I want to know what you ache for

And if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing."

I've been limiting myself and could start living up to my name a little more.  Take some risks.  Try to start a Pedi-cab service in Springdale, UT.  Own and operate a B&B.  Stick around, settle down.  Sacrifice.  King David said 'delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.'  So, love God and do what I want.

Got to know what I want.

Romance is the same way.  It's a risk.  It's welcomed sacrifice for a greater-than-worthwhile purpose.  And it's stepping outside of my perceived limitations.  Not stopping the race before I even start.

Two weeks ago, I planted Shasta Daisies, Blue Buttons, and wildflowers.  Some that I starting germinating are already sprouting.  Most of them won't come up.  But I tried what was in my power.  Made arrangements to fit their nurturing into my lifestyle.  A lesson from the flowers.

With risk comes consequence though.  And flowers, like occasional friendships, are of low ramification.  Business dealings--still short of intimate relationships--are intimidating and averting.

A couple of my clients did good work, hard work.  They said the hard thing and their moms loved them all the more for it.  One of my co-staff made the comment: "I can't believe so many families go through life without putting it all out on the table."  Indeed, Alec.  Neither can I.  But I can relate, because I hold back.  I don't take the step, or leap, of faith.

I may change my blog name to 'In A Word', because if you're able to follow through my ramblings, I fear you are counted among a very few to follow the train of thought.  Thus, a word.  One word.  I will try my darnedest to make a summation of the blog in one word.

In A Word: Neurotic.

_____________________________________________________________

New photos have been posted this week in the following albums:

Microcosm Shenanigans and Microcosm Escapades