mdpart2

Time

2012-01-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

Who has time to blog anymore? Not this guy. If you want to follow my travels around the southwest you should pop on over to my twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/#!/mdpart2

Less thought, but probably more content.

I might get around to updating my blog when I stop moving around so much. Which will probably be never...

Godspeed You Black Emperor - Sleep

2011-09-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

The latest song that is stuck in my head...

Jed Mildon : World First Triple Backflip Story

2011-06-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

Jed Mildon: World First Triple Backflip Story from Unit Clothing on Vimeo.

Zero

2011-05-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not really one for conspiracy theories, BUT, the movie Zero does bring up some interesting ideas surrounding the investigation of the 9/11 attacks.

Langster

2011-03-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I got some brake work done on the van at my buddy's shop in Long Beach. It was almost midnight by the time we got done so I just decided to spend the night there in the industrial part of town. Yes, I live in a van and it's not always parked down by the river... Anyway, I woke up the next morning around 6:30 to the van moving side to side a little bit. I pulled the back curtain down a little, only to see a young man cutting the cable lock on my bike and trying to take it off the rack. I yelled and punched the window, he looked up and then ran to the get-away car that was just down the street. SO, anyway, I still have my bike and I now have a cable lock that is about the thickness of my arm. Let's see you cut through that kid.

Little Creek Mesa

2011-03-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

My buddy Ryan is passed out in his clothes in front of the TV in the other room. We just got back to our place in St George after riding Little Creek Mesa on our bikes today. If you're thinking about checking out this trail I would definitely recommend taking a GPS or someone who is super familiar with the ride.

To make a long story short, we got lost. It was supposed to be a 2 hour ride but it turned into 6. It was snowing, we got all turned around and ended up wandering for about 3 hours. ANYWAY, after we rode every trail in the entire area, we finally made it back to the car. I don't think that I'll ever go back out there again. Just sayin.

Boring

2011-03-12T11:01:00.000-08:00

I know this blog has become boring. BUT, I will have new photos soon. Probably. Until then, take a quick snooze...

Dastrup Auto

2011-02-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

Mystery

2011-01-09T21:55:00.001-08:00

A Mystery: Why Can't We Walk Straight? from NPR on Vimeo.

Los Angeles

2010-12-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles in the second most populated city in the United States. And, it looks like I'll be moving here very soon. Crazy.

I Drive A Lot...

2010-12-13T14:44:00.000-08:00

View Larger Map

Danny MacAskill

2010-11-19T10:57:00.001-08:00

More, From The Road

2010-10-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

From The Road

2010-09-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

So, I've been working in California for the past couple of weeks. Just hittin' all the spots and making sure that people are psyched on Black Diamond. AND, so far, so good! Lot's of driving (2,000 miles and counting.) It's rad to hang with old friends and make some new ones along the way. It definitely keeps me psyched. Anyway, I've been trying to take more photos than I usually do. Some of the places include: Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Pine Mountain, San Luis Obispo, Newport Beach and a few others...

Ken Block

2010-09-15T21:30:00.001-07:00

As It Happens

2010-09-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

As It Happens from renan ozturk on Vimeo.

It's Time

2010-09-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Time to hit the road. It always happens around the fall. I get stir crazy. There's lots to do. There's lots to see. SO, I'm packin' up the van and I'm going south.

I'm lookin' forward to climbing at Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, Owens River Gorge, Black Mountain, and everywhere else in between. I can't WAIT to see Billie Jan in Ventura and Erica in Newport, I always enjoy hangin' with those two. I'm wondering about those midnight rides in LA, I should probably check that out... Waking up at the beach and making coffee just outside the rig never sucks. Driving up the eastside of the Sierras is always amazing! I'm hitting the hot springs. I'm taking photos. You can't stop me...

AND, there is a lot of work to be done too. Come see me at these events:

Joshua Tree Experience
Climb Smart

Oh yeah, I need some books! I want to be like the bookmobile, but only with like 10 books. If you have something that I HAVE to read then let me know. I can give you cookies in exchange. (My mom always leaves me well stocked.)

That's all I've got, for now. I'll be gone till November.

People

2010-09-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

I need people in my life. People that make me want to be better. People who force me to push harder. People who aren't afraid to call me out on my bullshit. People who can silence my self-doubt. People who think I'm better than I really am. People who challenge me.

Thanks Ian, for helping me find what I thought I had lost.

Godspeed You Black Emperor

2010-09-06T21:01:00.000-07:00

This is an amazing cover of this song. Haunting and powerful. It's one of my favorites...

Station 515

2010-09-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

“I felt sorry for guys who packed into gyms, trying to look like how Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger said they should...”

you have seen the advertisements - “six pack abs”, “get totally ripped”, names like beast, tsunami, and x-plode - all promising to condense years of hard work into a shake or a pill. where do people get the idea that they can buy results? that they even deserve the physical manifestation of countless hours of blood, sweat, tears, and a level of determination that borders on psychosis?

our body is a tool, and like any tool, form follows function. so have a function. train for a purpose. make the hours matter. sacrifice. consequences will sharpen your attention.

work. work hard. work with people who will not accept anything less than your best. court failure. find your limits and expand them. take the bitter pill of over reaching with the knowledge that failure will teach you better than success ever will.

train yourself. take control. take responsibility. this is your life after all. how often is “can’t” code for “never tried”. cut the bull-shit. make decisions. make moves. make it matter. talk less, work more. work smart. what is stopping you?

it will hurt. you will survive. it will be inconvenient. you will survive. it will be
scary. you will survive. it will be hard. you will survive. keep at it, and you might
even live.

to live with a body, with a mind shaped by your own efforts. to be an individual, to know, to own your victories and defeats. to be able to taste panic, to face doubts with a quiet determination. to balance the world with the weight of our will.

that is our goal.

-Station 515

Life Cycles

2010-09-03T12:16:00.001-07:00

I can't wait to see this movie...

Life Cycles OFFICIAL Trailer from Life Cycles on Vimeo.

I Like This

2010-08-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

No thought, no reflection, no analysis, no cultivation, no intention; let it settle itself...

- Tilopa

Kurt

2010-08-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Kurt works at a grocery store near Black Diamond. He wears glasses, always smiles, and puts purchased items in "paper or plastic" bags. Since I'm a fat kid at heart, I eat a lot. And, I usually hit the Dan's a few times a week around midday to get some supplies for lunch. Needless to say, I see Kurt on a fairly regular basis and we always have the exact same conversation...

Kurt: Are you in the Army?

Me: Nope, I'm not.

Kurt: (with a puzzled look) But you have a shaved head and a camouflage (bike) bag...

Me: (with a smile) That's just how I cut my hair and camo is my favorite color. (which is sort of a lie)

Kurt: Oh. Are you a hunter...?

Me: (with a bigger smile) I'm not. Are you?

Then Kurt tells me how he went hunting with his uncle once and how they shot a deer. He tells the story just right, every time, like your Grandpa would.

I've probably talked to Kurt at least 50 times in the last 6 to 7 years, and I still always enjoy listening him tell his hunting story. And even though he will never remember who I am, I'm looking forward to the next time we cross paths and to meeting him again, for the very first time.

Brian Lopes

2010-08-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

THIS guy can ride a bike. Fast. Notice how much his speed increases after the guy he's following pulls off around 1:54, it's insane. Damn, now I have to go to Whistler too. Add it to the list...

Brian Lopes Riding the Crankworx Air DH Course. from Bike Magazine on Vimeo.

Stuck

2010-08-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Things always seem to get stuck. In my head. People, places, music. Today, it's this:

Thom Yorke, "Harrowdown Hill" from Bent Image Lab on Vimeo.

But maybe, they don't get stuck. Maybe, I just make them stick.

iTunes

2010-08-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

I discovered the 99 cent movie rental section on iTunes the other night, and ended up watching Art & Copy shortly thereafter. You should check it out. I mean, the snacks you'll eat during the duration of the film will be more expensive than the actual movie rental. And you might even learn a thing or two along the way. Like, how much money is spent annually on advertising and marketing; it's shocking...

Tragedy Strikes

2010-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

My buddy Lee McGuffey broke his neck today while riding his downhill bike near Brian Head, UT. We don't know much about his condition at this point, but he goes in for surgery tomorrow. Please say a prayer, cross your fingers, or do whatever you think will help him pull through.

Scotland

2010-07-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

This might have to be the place for my next big vacation...

Hans Peaty MacAskill Highlands from ResetFilms.co.uk on Vimeo.

Everything is OK

2010-07-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

*Thanks to JGW for the video

Stoked

2010-07-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

I'm only working a half today today. We're headed up to Deer Valley to ride downhill bikes for the afternoon. I'm stoked...

Report: Most College Males Admit To Regularly Getting Stoked

Die Antwoord

2010-06-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

This is making my day!

It's been awhile

2010-06-28T22:33:00.000-07:00

So, I just wanted to say hello.

New Whip

2010-06-18T16:32:00.001-07:00

So, I finally finished building my new bike, a Specialized SX Trail. And I couldn't be happier with the way that it turned out. Sure it's a little heavy at 37lbs but, the fun factor that comes along with that is WELL worth it. For the maiden voyage I rode the Bobsled with Sam and Joe and needless to say, it was amazing!

BP Coffee Spill

2010-06-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

It's Raining

2010-06-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

And so, the snails come out to play...

Radiolab - Limits

2010-06-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

I first listened to this podcast a few weeks ago while I was racing towards Flagstaff for work. And I hadn't really thought about it much until this afternoon when I started considering my own personal limits. Not only my physical limits, but also my capacity to deal with things mentally and emotionally. That introspection brought up some interesting questions about how, or why, those boundaries are created. Are they physiological? Or are they simply determined by the individual?

Give it a listen the next time you're driving to nowhere, or sitting at home searching for motivation. The stories will surely change your perspective on what you think is possible, and will probably make you want to push further into the red-zone the next time you're gettin' after it.

Scrapertown

2010-05-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Scrapertown from California is a place. on Vimeo.

Tapped

2010-05-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Tapped TRAILER from Santa Cruz Film Festival on Vimeo.

Sandstorm

2010-05-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

I drove home from Tucson yesterday. ALL the way home. 14 straight hours. When I left Tucson I was planning on camping somewhere near Blanding or Monticello, BUT, there was an amazing sandstorm in Northern Arizona / Southern Utah, so, I just kept going (thanks to a few sugar free Red Bulls.) Anyway, here is a short video that I took on Route 191 near Rock Point, Arizona. *This was taken when the driving was fairly tame mind you - I didn't dare shoot when it was full on.

Arizona Images

2010-05-23T23:45:00.001-07:00

I just got back from working in Arizona for the week. It was a great trip and I tried to take pictures of everything that I saw. Morgan, these are for you...

The Power of Bicycles

2010-05-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

I bumped into a couple of fellows (Derek and Brett) the other day in Tucson who are riding their bikes across the good ol' US of A. You can follow their progress on their website powerofbicycles.com

Good luck boys!

The Road Less Traveled

2010-05-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I love about my job is all of the places that it takes me. And it's not always about the destinations, but I also really enjoy all of the space in between.

On this tour through Arizona I've seen random spots that are right up there with the most beautiful in the Southwest. Places that don't have a National Park signs, visitor centers, or directions to photo ops.

Beauty is where you look for it; and it's everywhere. That said, I'm taking the long way home...

View Larger Map

Amazing

2010-05-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

Eine Frage der Perspektive

Videotape

2010-05-15T11:19:00.001-07:00

radiohead / videotape from tanja voronina on Vimeo.

Silent Partner

2010-05-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

More and more it seems that people are only interested in finding silent partners. One who will contribute from a remote location but will otherwise keep their hands off of the day to day happenings. I can't help but question their motives, and ultimately it's difficult for me to understand how they can sit back and not ask questions.

I personally have a much more hands on approach. I want to understand the inner workings of the machine and I actually want get my hands dirty! Life is for living; and learning. My interest in understanding inspires me to pull things apart and put my fingers on the parts that are never seen, but are integral to the process. I want to split open the casing and experience all of the simple complexities that move things forward.

Monetarily I can understand the value of having a reserved investment. But even still I'm compelled to pop the hood and figure out how and why it all works. There is something hidden, something behind the scenes. Something that is ever-present but is lost in the sea of mechanics and circuitry. I'm on an eternal mission to seek out this something, and make it my own. I will put it in a cloudy Mason jar and set it on my work bench next to all of the other pieces that I couldn't put back together.

Hush

2010-05-10T21:00:00.001-07:00

MASUMIphone

2010-05-04T17:46:00.001-07:00

Masumi says that his iPhone photo site is a "secret" SO, I'm blowin' it up!

MASUMIphone

Lot's of cool shots of New Mexico, Arizona and France bouldering. Oh, and he's really into cats. There are some of those too.

Balance

2010-05-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

I should have posted this before "From The Road" but I didn't get around to importing the photos until just now, but whatever.

I have this strange obsession with balance. You know, like getting your tennis shoe to stand up on end in a shag carpet rug, or, finding the exact spot where a number 2 pencil will spin perfectly about the point of a nail. A little neurotic I know, but I'm OK with it.

So, last week a bunch of us went down to the Swell to hike some slot canyons and I totally got sidetracked with stacking all of the rocks that were around our camp. One stack turned into 2 stacks, 2 stacks inspired tall stacks, and then a far away stack. Before I knew it there was probably 7 different towers at various places near camp. Anyway, some pictures from the trip...

From The Road

2010-05-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have the app on my iPhone that finds free Wifi and when I'm on the road I usually try to find quaint little coffee shops (just because that's what I like) so that I can catch up on work emails. But, the wireless signal almost always sucks at these types of places and I usually end up wasting my time. However, the Americanos are sometimes pretty good. Anyway, I've given up on the coffee shops and have just been going to McDonald's. I know, I know... That place is totally henious, BUT, the wireless is killer! Since everyone else is cramming Big Macs into their faces and they're not playing computers, the wireless signal is always fast as hell.

SO, I was at this McDonald's in Rancho Cucamonga a couple days ago emailing my coworkers about various things and there was this old man who was sitting a couple tables away from me. He started talking to this woman and basically told her his life story. And I pretty much listened to the whole thing...

He was from Germany but explained how he had come to be in Southern California quite some time ago. He was retired and told her about how he had recently married a woman and filed their taxes jointly. Apparently the woman hadn't paid in a long time (which he didn't know) and the government ended up taking A LOT of their (his) money. They were subsequently divorced and began telling of how hard up he was. He didn't have a job and his house was in foreclosure. Job prospects with grim because of his age (72) and there wasn't much hope in sight. He talked about how he would probably move into his storage unit after he was forced to leave his home. The whole story broke my heart and I couldn't take it anymore, so I l left.

Later the morning I was approached by a man in the parking lot at REI. He asked, "You work for Black Diamond?" The huge ass van covered in logos must have given it away... Talks of climbing gear somehow turned into analyzing the current state of the economy and how so many people are losing their jobs (sorta of ironic, considering what had happened earlier.) He was obviously passionate about the subject and we ended up talking for what seemed like 30 minutes.

So what is the point of all of this? I don't know exactly. I guess it's just as simple as me sharing a couple experiences from the road. But I do know that this is something that I enjoy, connecting with others. Whether it be a close friend at a coffee shop or a random guy in a parking lot. These experiences teach me to be compassionate and how to love. They teach me to be human.

Updations

2010-03-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

A couple more pictures: Me climbing on Excalibur, and a couple from our BBQ the other day. It's crazy that my 3 weeks is almost up... It's crunch time.

More Photos

2010-03-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Photos

2010-03-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

26 and 6

2010-03-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

While having dinner the other night I somehow found myself in the middle of a bet with my new friend Leslie. The challenge was to drink a case of (26) Kronenbourg beers and climb the Marie Rose (the first grade 6 boulder problem in Fontainebleau) in one day. If he did not succeed then I got to give him a mohawk. If he did succeed, then all I had to do was pay for the beer, which was only like $13. Pretty cheap for a whole day of entertainment. Somehow Les drank all of the beer AND sucessfully climbed the boulder problem. We were all amazed considering how drunk he was. That kid has got mad skills.

More Photos

2010-03-14T04:45:00.000-07:00

A couple of the other guys in the house are updating their blog (and it's a bit more comprehensive) so check it out. I think there is a picture of me on there somewhere.

www.savageclimbing.com

More Peeps

2010-03-14T04:38:00.000-07:00

The past couple of days have been really fun. Masumi and a few others from New Mexico made it to Font and it's been good catching up and hanging out with all of them.

All of the housemates (10 total) made burritos for dinner the other night. Notice the picture of Steve rolling out the homemade tortillas with a wine bottle. Super good!

Yesterday Chris and I climbed the whole blue circuit at Isatis. The circuit includes 49 V0 - V2's and we did a handful ontop of that. SO, I reckon we did about 55 or 60 boulder problems over the course of about 7 hours. Not a bad day in the office.

Today is a much needed rest day. We're being entertained by watching Les try to complete the 26 and 6 Challenge. More on this later...

First Images

2010-03-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

It's about 9:30 and I'm sitting outside in the freezing cold trying to upload these images and it's taking forever... I just with that we had a wireless signal in our gite!

Back In Bleau

2010-03-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

We made it safely to our destination. No hang ups or missed turns. Shit. That never happens in Paris... I guess we got lucky. Anyway, look for pictures soon.

Font 2010

2010-03-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

I'm about to shut down my computer and put my bags in the car. I'm SO psyched to be going back to France! I can't wait to see all my friends there; some new, some old, some missing... It's going to be a great trip. Look for photos soon!

There's A Place In France...

2010-03-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

France

2010-02-28T22:05:00.001-08:00

It's true. I'm going back. Leavin' on Monday and will be gone for 3 glorious weeks.

I was just checking out the photos from the last trip and got super psyched!

Is it Monday yet...?

8 More Days...

2010-02-28T08:11:00.001-08:00

Photos From Mammoth and Ventura

2010-02-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

Back At It

2010-02-13T15:02:00.001-08:00

I'm moving back into my mobile condo this weekend, and hittin the road for a week or so. The first stop is in Lee Vining for an ice climbing event, then I'm off to Ventura for some meetings with Patagonia. I can't wait to hang out on the beach (even if it is too cold to rock my speedo...) Finally, I'm hoping to stop in Vegas on the way home for some climbing in the sun.

1,666 miles and I'm looking forward to every one of em.

View Larger Map

TYSON

2010-01-31T10:10:00.000-08:00

I've always been intrigued by Mike Tyson's character, and this morning I finally got around to watching the movie about his life and career in boxing, TYSON. It's an interesting look into the psychology that gave rise to his reign, and ultimately destroyed him. Sure, the guy was crazy as a loon at several stages in his life, but I think there is something redeeming in his honesty with himself and others in admitting just that in these interviews. It's really worth checking out...

Official 'Tyson' Trailer from Gavin Woodward on Vimeo.

Grammy passes

2010-01-20T22:40:00.000-08:00

Grammy passed away at 2:10 this afternoon. Although my dad was some 800 miles away he said he could feel when she left.

It's strange to think that she's gone, but it's that connection that my father has that will always keep her close.

We'll miss you Grandma Duncan.

Last Minutes with Oden

2009-12-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

Last Minutes with ODEN from phos pictures on Vimeo.

Sigur Ros - Andvari

2009-12-06T23:17:00.000-08:00

There are only a few songs where I can remember the exact time and place that I heard it for the very first time. Andvari by Sigur Ros happens to be one of them, and it gives me the chills every time I listen to it.

Stuck And Thinkin'

2009-10-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

If there weren't Winter Storm Advisories all over the state of Utah, I would arriving home in the next hour or so. Instead, I'm playing on the internets in a coffee shop in St. George, UT and waiting for the road conditions to improve. The routine of checking Facebook, Weather, Gmail, Facebook, Weather, Gmail is starting to get old... SO, I thought I might compose a quick post about someone that I met in Joshua Tree the other day.

When I was first introduced to John Copp he gave me a hug instead of shaking my hand.

John was a accompanied by a 30 something year old man and when John explained that he was "Jonny's childhood friend Ryan" it all clicked... John was the father of the late Jonny Copp.

Jonny Copp was killed in an avalanche, along with Micah Dash, and Wade Johnson, while climbing in China this past summer. The tragic loss rocked the climbing community to the core.

That evening John's mid eighties motorhome slumped around campsite 25 in Hidden Valley Campground with all of us piled inside. We drank beer, ate brownies and listened to John tell heartfelt stories about his son.

The next morning John and Ryan quickly planned out where to go climbing with Christo and Kelly (both good friends of Jonny's.) They settled on the Eye of the Cyclops and John asked me if I would like to join their little adventure. I politely declined as I could somehow sense that I wasn't supposed to be climbing with them that morning... I made a little perch on my boulder pad next to the motorhome as the 4 marched off toward their route. An hour or so later I could see them all standing at the top of the formation and they hung around for a long while before descending the backside.

When John made it back to the site he had a soft smile on his face and said that they had spread Jonny's ashes on the top of the windy formation and described it as being "beautiful."

Although I never met Jonny Copp I can safely say that he was a great man and I now understand why he was loved by everyone who met him. There's that saying: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. With the Copp's, it couldn't be more true.

Takashi Sends

2009-10-27T12:10:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Kelly Cordes for writing this up. Being there to see Taka send was definitely the highlight of my WHOLE trip. I think I yelled as loud as he did when he got to the top...

White Rastafarian

2009-10-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

Double video post! I climbed this tall boulder problem called White Rastafarian in Joshua Tree last week. Super classic and pretty damn scary...

Fantasy Island

2009-10-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

I rode at this place called Fantasy Island in Tucson the other day with my buddy Jay. Super fast single that wound around a beautiful chunk of desert FILLED with sharp, pokey plants. Having good cornering skills at this place is key...

Home Sick And Another Work Trip

2009-10-05T10:08:00.001-07:00

So what else is there to do but blog and watch bad movies from the redbox. First of all, let me just say that I totally blew it when I rented "The Spirit." It seemed like a good pick when I was standing at the Smith's with a plastic bag full of TheraFlu and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Whatever. It only cost a dollar.

I'm headed out on another work trip later this week. This time I'm doing the Arizona loop:

View Southwest Dealer Camp in a larger map

One of the stops will be in Joshua Tree for the Climb Smart event on October 23 - 25. If you're in the area you should get signed up and come climb for a couple days. Always good times out there.

Anyway, I'll see you on the road, or when I get back.

On The Road - Work Trip

2009-09-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

Just like Jack Kerouac I guess, only I have a 20 foot Sprinter van.

So, I'm back from my first southwest clinic tour. 10 days, 2,200 miles, 15+ dealer visits, and who knows how many Red Bulls. I think being on the road this much is going to get me addicted to energy drinks. Again.

But what an amazing trip! I got to check out Joshua Tree (some more), San Diego, Santa Monica, Encinitas, Escondido, Solana Beach, Temecula, Tarzana, West La, Newport Beach, and Las Vegas. I did some camping on the beach, some oceanside bike riding, and I got my first surfing lesson (thanks to Erica.) Hopefully she's not totally embarrassed and will let me come back to flail again...

Brad's Van

2009-09-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

If my boy Brad B ever starts wearing a shady mustache (which isn't very likely, BUT, is entirely possible) then I just might have to report him to SuspiciousVans.com. I got my eye on you son...

August?

2009-09-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Damn! August is already gone. It's been a crazy month, to say the least. I had a birthday (I'm now 30 - 2), got a new position at work, AND, just bought a new car, among other things... Everything seems to be lining up well and I'm psyched about the direction things are going. I'm off to SoCal for about 10 days for a quick work trip towards the middle of the month. Since I'll be out of my daily routine, I should have some more interesting things to talk about. Let's hope anyway, right Lipani? *I'll really try to post more often. But then again, I sorta enjoy Mel's verbal abuse... So, maybe not.

Raw

2009-06-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

I like me some damn food. It doesn't matter what it is, I'll tear it up. For reals. That said, I've always dabbled with nutrition but never long enough to get anywhere with it, largely due to my sweet tooth, or teeth, as it were. I once considered trying the vegan thing once but soon realized that I couldn't live without ice cream. And no meat? Forget about it. Anyway, my lovely girlfriend (Mandy) is a new-age-hippie of sorts - vegetables, yoga, that sort of thing. She does a lot of fun experiments... the latest one is the raw diet. I'm all about trying something new and I'm always down to suffer a little so I volunteered to participate. I think she's shooting for two weeks but I only signed up for one. It's only been two days and I've probably eaten more fruits and vegetables in the past 36 hours than I did in the entire month of June. Sorta funny. The will power has been the hardest thing for me to overcome. Not eating candy for two days would be noteworthy, but this has gone to an entirely different level. That Mandy is keeping my spirits up and has been cooking up, or just preparing I guess, some delicious eats! Just tonight she made some fake spaghetti. Zucchini noodles and a tasty tomato sauce. Good stuff. No joke. Hopefully I can last until Sunday without breaking down. I want a Fat Boy so bad. Don't tell Mandy though. All things considered it will be a good test and I'll try to report my findings come Monday when I go back to normal life.

*I should also mention my buddy Craig and his quest for healthier living. I just stumbled onto his new blog this evening (which you should check out) and was inspired. Craig, I'm proud of you man. I'm rooting for ya.

Lipani is mad, and some new clothes

2009-06-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

Lipani is mad. And rightfully so - I haven't posted anything in quite a while... BUT! Today is the DAY! I got some new clothes (thanks Brad) and I decided to show off my new shirt / hat combo. See picture below. I could wear getup this when I visit the family and fit right in with the locals. I win. Kate wins (because the hat is no longer at her house.) And, Lipana wins. Balance has been restored. I'm going to bed.

Time to Ride

2009-04-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

Barred For Life Teaser 2 from Bjorn Aunet on Vimeo.

Fotos From Font

2009-03-27T15:15:00.001-07:00

The Last Days...

2009-03-24T12:13:00.001-07:00

My trip is almost over. It's crazy to think that I've been climbing in France for almost a month now. Life doesn't suck. I'm sad to leave but I'll surely be back soon.

I think today was probably my last climbing day as the forecast is calling for rain. Oh well, I ended the trip on a high note by sending Le Carnage this afternoon. Im super psyched about that.

It's going to really tough to go back to work on Monday...

Posted with LifeCast

The Team Changes

2009-03-14T06:24:00.001-07:00

I just dropped Luke and Cerre off at the airport so we now have a completely different team. Meagan, Colby and Pace all arrived safely yesterday without too many troubles. Now for the second half of the trip. The weather looks nice and everyone is fired up. It's time to get after it...

More Rain...

2009-03-08T15:54:00.001-07:00

It looks like we might be resting for a couple more days as the forecast is calling for more rain. Hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday we'll be back outside climbing. Although, today was actually quite nice: Kami made crepes with bananas and Nutella for breakfast. We played some cards. I read a few chapters in Invisible Monsters and took a 3 hour nap. Then I capped it all off by having dinner with Kami in Fontainebleau. Not a bad day at all. Maybe we'll play some Scrabble tomorrow. Maybe not. Anyway, off to bed...

Cortomaltese

2009-03-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Font Photos

2009-03-05T12:00:00.001-08:00

The crib

Rollin'

The country

Luke crushing

Cerre hikin'

Lunch in Paris

The real thing

Rain Delay

2009-03-04T03:17:00.000-08:00

The weather has been spectacular up until today. Rain, rain, rain. We sorta knew it was coming so we're off to Paris to check out the city and rest a bit.

Everyone has been climbing really well. Kami sent one of her project, Cul de Chien, so I was really psyched! We even got video of the ascent so it will be fun to check it out when we get home. Luke has been crushing everything in his path and has bloody fingers at this point. (That dude tries super hard.) Cerre is also getting into a groove and has been walking all of the problems she sets her sights on.

Well, time to get in the car and drive to the city. More soon. I'll try to hook up some photos today or tomorrow...

First Day In France

2009-02-27T12:17:00.001-08:00

The first day in France didn't start out all that well. Luke and Cerre's flight was delay a few hours and Kami missed one of her connecting flights. I didn't know this so I waited at their gate for almost 2 hours praying that I would actually find my friends. Of course they showed up and everything turned around in an instant. We hooked up some coffee and jammed all of our shit into the rental car. We had to get creative and the girls ended up riding with most of the suitcases in the back seat. The drive through Paris was a little hairy but we made it to the gite long enough to have some coffee with Stef (our host) and round up our climbing stuff. We drove to the Elephant area and I really think that this could quite possibly be the coolest place on the planet!!! The climbing here is ridiculously fun. I haven't stopped smiling all day. We just got back from dinner in Fontainebleau and I wanted to hack out something really quick for all of my loyal readers... (Hi Mom.) Anyway. More to come soon. I'll post some pictures soon so that you can all see what I'm talking about. Over and out.

France is only 3 weeks away...

2009-02-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

Winter X Games

2009-01-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

A BIG congratulations to Jeff, Nate, Graham, Lindsey and the rest of the US team for such a strong showing in boardercross yesterday at the X Games! Man, I wish I could have been there to see the finals.

The Latest Song Stuck In My Head

2009-01-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

Adopt Max!

2009-01-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back there was a stray dog kicking around work. No tags and fully equipped. Long story short, I ended up taking him to the shelter. If anyone is looking for mellow Pit Bull you should hit the South Salt Lake Animal Shelter and pay Max a visit. I sorta miss the little guy.

Hoodoo

2009-01-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I traveled up to Oregon for a ski demo at Hoodoo Ski Area. It was an interesting trip, I'll just say that. The company was great though - Will Cardamone, one of the Black Diamond ski athletes flew in from Aspen to give us a hand. What a cool guy. He's super humble and laid back, and is a rippin' tele skier! If there is one thing that Black Diamond does well it's sponsoring the right people. We have great ambassadors, some of the best I think.

Thanks as always to Miss Aimee Howard for putting me up (and putting up with me) while in Portland. She always shows me a good time and ALWAYS beats my ass at bowling. It's getting to the point that I might have to start training. It can't be that tough right? Rolling and drinking beer a couple nights a week should do it. I'll be picking up spares and chicks with fem-mullets in no time. Probably...

France

2008-12-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

It's a done deal. I bought my ticket this morning. I'm going to France. For a month. I've wanted to climb at Fontainebleau for years and now I'm finally going! A few of my most favorite people on the planet are going and I couldn't be more psyched. I can't wait to get out there. Is it February 26th yet...?

Shelley

2008-12-15T22:19:00.000-08:00

I like Shelley. I like the color pink, and green. Tonight I combined them all and sprinkled leaves on top. Shelley please stop being sick before the party on Saturday, umm kay? We must dance until the wee hours of the morning and sleep on the futon. And get breakfast the next morning too.

Living and Dying

2008-12-14T20:59:00.001-08:00

Rachel passed on a Tuesday almost 3 years ago. I never knew her but I went to her grave one afternoon. I remember standing near the car while Aimee smoked and cried with her buried sister. What do you say to someone who has lost a loved one? The words never came and I just hugged her tightly. This shot always reminds me of that day with Aimee...

Berto's New Abode

2008-12-03T20:14:00.000-08:00

I have a pet Black Widow spider named Berto and she has been living in a glass Kerr jar ever since I found her a few weeks ago. I know that Berto really isn't a girls name but whatever, that's what it is... So, I stayed home from work today because I'm getting sick right, and I thought it the perfect time to upgrade Bert0's living situation. I buzzed over to Petco and hooked up a "Critter Carrier." Lame? Yes. But it was only $5. I found the rest of the supplies around the house: black and white photo, tape and a drill bit. No frills on this build. I wanted to keep things simple and tight. Berto is into it, I can tell.

Red Fang

2008-11-25T22:28:00.000-08:00

Songs always seem to get stuck in my head and / or I just can't stop listening to them over and over and over... Here is this one for this week.

Proposition 8

2008-11-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

Joshua Tree

2008-11-07T16:56:00.001-08:00

I only took a handful of photos in Joshua Tree, this one is my favorite.

All I Need

2008-11-06T23:19:00.000-08:00

On The Road, Again

2008-10-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

It was Smith Rocks a few weeks ago and now I'm off to Joshua Tree for an event. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying... It's getting cold here and I'm REALLY psyched on climbing in Little Cottonwood so I sorta wish I didn't have to go. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. I don't know who they are, and I don't know about fond (er) but I'll be back on Monday and I'll be fired up! My skin is going to be wrecked next week. I can't wait!