Joined the Oilers message board 6 days ago. I've posted 50 times since then. Yes, I'm bored, and yes, I have better things to do, and no, I don't want to do those better things.

 

Started Physics 30. Why do they have to make everything so bloody complicated?

 

Photo Editing. It's a hobby, and it's going to be a side part of my future profession. If you want custom display pics, email me the pic, and either tell me what you want done, or play Russian Roulette, Nikolai the Conquerer style. Or Stile, if you like cute word plays.

 

Watched Secondhand Lions. Great movie. I highly recommend it.

 

A look at my newest hobby

            I have decided that I must have fallen and hit my head this summer. I spent my summer at Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp, and during one of the many sessions I had on the climbing wall, I must have fallen. In the duration of that fall, I most likely bounced my head off of a few things harder than it is. I have no recollection of that fall. All the evidence that I have of the event is my sudden and total obsession with rock climbing.

            Why do I think that I must have hit my head? Because I’ve never been obsessed with rock climbing before. I’ve gone to Crow Camp for six summers, and did rock climbing for the first three of them. Sure, it was fun, and I was good at it, but I wasn’t all of a sudden gripped with the overwhelming urge to climb everything from large rock outcroppings to brick walls to cliff faces. That is what I feel now. I see a large sculpture, and I automatically start assessing it for handholds. I see a wall with texture, and I wonder how fast I could get onto the roof. I spot a playground set in a schoolyard and look for unorthodox ways to scramble my way up, on, and around it. I even carry my all-purpose (but mainly climbing) gloves around with me, just in case an irresistible target for climbing should present itself in my weekly travels around Lethbridge. Last week I walked into a store that sells climbing gear. I told the lady that I had just started climbing seriously this summer, and she kinda gave me this look, smiled, nodded and said “Yeah, it’s addicting, isn’t it?”

            How truly right she is. When I get bored, I find myself looking at climbing gear, pricing out how much it’s going to cost me to get my own, and whether or not it’s going to be worth shelling out fifty or 60 dollars extra for lighter, more durable kit. Then, I find myself questioning how serious I plan on being about turning climbing into a serious pastime. Sure, I may have “fallen and hit my head” this summer, but is it going to be worth investing $300 in top-of-the-line equipment, if suddenly, in five years, I decide that climbing isn’t the sport for me? Climbing is an expensive sport. In approximately one year, I will be living in Edmonton, going to school at NAIT. I’d love to join a climbing club up there, but will I be able to juggle the cost of paying for room and board, going to school, and maintaining/updating my climbing kit and skills? Am I going to be able to find time amongst classes, working, and general life to be able to climb frequently? I don’t know.

            There are costs to consider, and I surprise myself by thinking long-term. When I’m on the wall, I never think about what route I’m going to climb next. I concentrate on my immediate concern; which handhold to grab. Throughout my life, I have consistently neglected to think further than tomorrow. Most days it’s hard enough to think about what’s going to happen that night. I don’t plan long term. Maybe it’s because I’ve never needed to. Maybe I’m fatalistic; if I don’t make plans for the future, then I don’t have to worry about dying before achieving my goals and dreams. Maybe I just unconsciously trust that God will provide what I need. He hasn’t failed to do that so far.

            I must be growing up. Who woulda thunk? It’s not as much fun as I thought it would be. I think maybe that blow to the head I took knocked some sense into me. Maybe it’ll wear off. I hope not. I think it’ll be worth the cost. I might not get to do too much climbing over the next couple years, but who knows that the future has in store? I hope to climb a few cliff faces in the Crowsnest Pass, and after that, who knows what could happen? I like life close to the edge; life climbing up the edge sounds like even more fun.

Track 3: Vale of Plenty

Track 7: Synchrotone

Track 13: Leave No Man Behind

Track 3: The Battle

Track 4: Earth

Track 5: Sorrow

Track 9: The Might of Rome

Track 14: Am I Not Merciful?

Track 17: Now We Are Free

Track 2: Now We Are Free [Juba's Mix]

Track 18: Now We Are Free [Maximus Mix]

Track 2: Spectres in the Fog

Track 3: Taken

Track 9: Red Warrior

Track 10: The Way of the Sword

Track 1: Jack Sparrow

Track 2: The Kraken

Track 12: He's A Pirate [Tiesto Remix]

The two most infinitely valuable pieces of advice ever given to me:

"If in doubt, stall for time" and "Wait two weeks" - They go hand in hand sometimes, but not always. Like when a girl asks if I think she's fat.

Random Thoughts:

Do vegitarians eat animal crackers? I, personally, didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables. What about getting scared half to death...twice? And about that "stop, drop and roll" thing...are you really going to remember to do all that when you're on fire? They say that curiosity killed the cat...it doesn't seem to do me any harm. Some resteraunts still have "smoking sections". Isn't that kinda like having a "peeing section" in a pool? Always remember that you are unique...Just like everyone else. You know what? Normal people worry me. But, on the other hand....I have different fingers. Sometimes it's fun just to SMILE......it scares people. You're only young once, but lucky for me, you can stay immature indefinetely. Ever stop to think, and then forget to start again? I've been told I shouldn't let my mind wander. It's too small to be out there on it's own. You know what "gun control" means? It means using both hands, and hitting your target. I play with swords. I don't play well with others. Don't cry to me if you can't find your arm. I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left. If all else fails, lower your standards. Can somebody please tell me why it's always the people with closed minds who open their mouths? When in doubt, empty the magazine. Save a cow! Eat a vegetarian! I don't have a license to kill, but I have a learner's permit. Hunt with your kids, not for them. Adrenaline is my drug of choice.

Animals are tasty.

Apocalyptica

Nightwish