Here comes a post.

Today is not off to a good start. But I'm going to try and pull through and salvage what's left of the day. Which is a fair amount of time, considering its only nine in the morning. On the plus side, the poison oak has cleared up and now I'm only itchy because the skin on my left arm is drier than the Sahara.
Yesterday was a bit of a crazy day. I got to do some "Dad" stuff when I went with Amy to set up for the carnival at Abernathy. People kept referring to me as Julian's dad and Amy's husband. It felt good, so I didn't correct them. When we got back home I had a message from my Mom, which sounded kinda urgent. When I called back she told me that my sister and James where getting married in an hour!! Apparently James is got back into the Army and leaves for training on the 20th of May. He'll be bouncing around the country for summer, then he'll either be stationed at Ford Hood, someplace in Florida, or in Germany!
Which means that for the first time my sister will be far away from the rest of my family. I'm sure she's a bit nervous, but I know in the long run it will be good for her. Since I missed out on the opportunity to go away for school, I didn't really have to go through the feeling of having to fend totally for my self until I really moved to Portland, at the sad age of 27. This experience will be good for her.
James has already done a tour in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I'm certian that he will end up at one of those places again. Which means my sister will be alone in a new place for a while. I think she'll do great though, she's one of the toughest people I know.
I like James, even though we disagree on a lot of things pertaining to foreign policy. But he's lived U.S. policy, and for that he has my eternal respect. Though I couldn't sign up my self. I think that serving one's country is the most noble thing that anyone can do. I know that they'll be great together.

In other news, the fabled stimulus arrived yesterday. I know the country can't really afford it right now, but I'll take 600 bucks financed by the Chinese. Thank you communist China!
With the cash in my account and rent paid, I headed down to REI to help the economy. I walked away with a pair of shorts, two new shirts for work and a new crash pad. I unloaded my Revolution AK a few months ago because I decided that I didn't need a pad of that size So I replaced it with this bad boy. This pad will be perfect for bouldering at Carver, and hopefully scooting around Squamish later this summer. When I bought the AK I was primarily a boulder, but now that my needs have changed, I don't need the giant pad. The commando, coupled with my old black diamond pad will be perfect for quick bouldering missions, and maybe some good buildering.

What else has been going on? I've been busting my ass in the gym. I'm down ten pounds from a month ago, which feels great. I've been running for thirty minutes at least twice a week and doing three hour gym sessions a couple days a week, climbing and lifting. I'm getting stronger, both mentally and physically. I've been climbing with my buddy Jeff, who is pushing me hard and making me take some good whippers. I'll be over my crippling fear of falling outside in no time.

Here's what a typical climbing day looks like.
5.8 warm up, 5.9, 5.10-, 5.10-, then a good go on a 5.10 lead route. After that I'll top-rope the hand crack and a 5.10+ then if I'm up to it I'll TR a 5.11-.
Then its to the hang board for hanging lock offs, finger repeaters or a hang board work out, then the treadmill for 30.

On non-climbing days:
15 min weight plate
3x10 burpees
3x15 squat jumps
3x20 kb swings 25#
3x15 kb squats 50#
4x10 push-ups
4x25 crunches.
Saturday is family day...so I rest. Then Sunday is just a climbing day, where I hopefully get outside and work on some projects.

That's all I've got for now. I've got to head out to a soccer game in half-hour. Oh yeah, I got contacts too!