so you think you’re fab?

  Well, I knew Nate was up to something this spring and summer. I had heard the rumors and watched him smirk when I asked  about the stash of boulders he had found in LCC.  I continued to ask and at some very low points beg and threaten, but he held his cards close.  At one point I might have chased what I thought was his car up the canyon honking my horn and yelling that I had found him.  Sadly it was just a family out for a hike and I hope I wasn’t the cause for their daughters tears.   Sure, there are plenty of problems to keep me occupied in the canyon, they have for YEARS, but there is nothing better that throwing yourself around on new gems.  Yes, that is what I finally was able to do this weekend. Thank you Nate, for sharing with me the boulders I will never be able to find again since you blindfolded me.   Here are a few photos the master took.  This roof problem was dope, I broke a hold at the top, but am stoked on it. The first move is a powerful throw to a decent crimp. I think its a V6 or V7.  The other photo is right before I started (almost) crying after pulling on up top, slipping off and banging my knee on the rock as I slide head first into the cave. For some reason, Nate is always there to witness my worst falls and stupidity .     

Tradition in my family runs deep, tradition in St. Louis runs even deeper. Looking back at my childhood, I enjoyed a great life, for the most part it was normal…well in the bubble of St. Louis. There were a few things that I was submitted to that are not exactly normal and have some strange roots, but I don’t think they had that large of an effect on me. Sure, instead of shaking hands I like to curtsy, I never wear white shoes before Memorial day or after Labor day, I believe it is rude to sneeze or cough in public, and I always use a fork to convey food to my mouth, except when a spoon is necessary for liquids or fro-yo.

That is kind of how I feel at the moment.  Waiting out a blizzard that has shut down transportation and caused all twelve of us to tromp through frozen puddles in search of the best baklava and Turkish coffee.  I must say I was not that heart broken that we had to stay an extra day in one of the most amazing places I have visited.  Waking up at 6 to the prayers that are blasted over loud speakers multiple times a day is quite different than my typical alarm.  We have gone to The Blue Mosque, The Grand Bizarre, and The Spice Market. The spice market was so eye opening, literally.  The colors and smells are indescribable! More but the battery is dying…I will have to explain “Not Normal” and how Lauren, Cynthia and I were forced to leave a store because of this.