Holy poop batman, it has been a long time since I wrote a blog. So much has gone on since returning from Spain. I had a lull of a month, post-partum-trip depression. With the bank account depleted it was time to start working again. Work! What is that? It is something I hadn’t done since October. Bummer!
I started working at Lago, another Common Man restaurant, also on Lake Winnipesauke. Funny thing is this; I can see the Lake House from Lago! Go figure. In addition to working at Lago, I am tutoring twice a week at the Olivarian School. The Olivarian School is a private high school for children with problems. Nothing major, mostly kids who parents never paid enough attention to them, so they got into trouble or drugs. These kids come from privileged families. None of them are from New Hampshire. They come from California, Utah, Florida, and New Jersey… etc.
Kayte Knower, a fellow climber has a tutoring business. Until now it was just her, but she has accumulated more students then she has time for and that is where I come in. Right now I have two students twice a week. It is nice, supplemental income. I am tutoring these students in SAT skills. Wow, if I only knew the tricks that I am teaching when I took the test. I can only imagine the astronomical score I would have had. However unfortunate, I don’t think these kids care enough to retain any of the information. They say yes, nod their heads and are some-what attentive during the session. I think they feel like the world has given up on them, so in turn they have given up. It is sad. I can’t blame them, for what ever reason(s) they ended up at the school stems from worse. As a parent, if you cannot pay enough attention to your child to see that they are getting into trouble or using drugs, something is wrong. If I ever have children I hope I won't make the same mistake.
Lago… Lago is fun. It is busy. My check average is less, (the entrees are less expensive then the Lake House). So I am busier and turn tables more frequently. I don’t mind it. I like the people I work with. There are a couple people that get my humor. The managers are nice and work with you to an extent. In the end, every restaurant is the same. Food is made, you serve it to a table, the customers can make or break your evening and everyone has there shit. Some people are hard workers, others do the minimum just to get by and if someone is having a bad day, more often then not, that person takes it out on their coworkers. It’s the nature of the beast and a vicious cycle.
On the occasion it isn’t raining I am climbing! This season has been wet, not just rain, but seepage and soaked, soaked cliffs. I have seen portions of cliffs wet that I have never seen before. It is demoralizing and frustrating. On the days where it is nice or climbable, I am making the best of it. I am close to sending Dodge the Lemons, 5.13d. This will be the hardest climb I have ever done. The other day I stuck a move that was giving me trouble, with the confidence that I can do that move, I will send soon! Sending (for the non-climber), is a term applied to completing a rock climb without falling or using aid.
Since Dodge the Lemons is at my max, I am unable to try it on consecutive days. It drains my core like no other climb I have tried. It is so much fun. The first move is a knee bar. Starting on two slopping pinches, you throw your right foot above your head, do a drop knee maneuver that places you knee against the same sloper your right hand is on. It only gets more interesting and fun from there. It demands so much core strength. Since I cannot work Dodge the Lemons all the time, I returned to an old project, Roaring Silence, 5.13a/b. A route I tried a few times last year, but found extremely hard. I almost sent it yesterday, on my third try this season. It is an amazing feeling to come back to a project that felt extremely hard and feel strong and confident on it.
I am trying to run at least once a week. I need to do more cardio and cross training. I cannot climb all the time and expect to feel strong. I have the ability to climb everyday, but I can’t climb hard routes every day. Right now I want to send strenuous and demanding climbs, which means approaching them rested. Running is something I can do on rest days and feel like I did something while letting the climbing muscles heal. I am in a better sleep cycle, I hope it continues. Rest is amazing.
All in all life is good. I am excited for the summer season, the trees are beginning to bud, and I can feel the renewal and energy of spring. Despite the rain today, I am still in a spectacular mood. I am working at Lago tonight. I need to prepare for my tutoring sessions tomorrow and I still have plenty of coffee to drink.
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