What Motivates

Maybe you've already heard the inspirational story of the first couple of rock, Beth Rodden and Tommy Caldwell. As professional climbers, they were on a "job" in Kyrgyzstan where they found themselves in a 6 day struggle for their lives. Kyrgyzstani rebels of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) kidnapped the vulnerable Americans while they were resting on the side of a cliff. In the end, they and the others in their group were under the supervision of a single rebel
while they fled Kyrgyz soldiers by scaling the slopes of the mountains. Seeing an opportunity for escape, Tommy pulled their captor, the inexperienced climber that he was, from his grip on the mountain, causing him to fall 2000 feet.

Not believing he could ever kill a man, Tommy broke down, stricken with grief. Only under the support and comforting from his group did he go on.

Later, after finding refuge at a Kyrgyz army camp, Tommy was temporarily relieved to discover the rebel had miraculously survived the fall and subsequently captured (but then, of course, sentenced to death).

Today, despite all the horror they experienced while doing what they loved best, Beth and Tommy are married, continue to live their professional climbing lives, occasionally appear on National Geographic climbing and park programming, and are building a home with their bare hands near Yosemite National Park and El Cap.

It's got me wondering, what have I done today?

What NOT to write about

My latest writer's blog block has more to do with which subject to write about first than what to write about. I have a long list of things I've been trying to poignantly address for all you loyal readers out there, but have not found the time to write them in the edge-of-your seat fashion that they deserve. On the short list is a TO post and a response to the negative feedback I received following a recent post (through comments and live and in-person exchanges).

For now, just a quick note to say that the club season nears. What are you doing to get ready? I've been lifting since December. I weighed roughly 175 pounds then. I began dedicatedly lifting with the intention of trying to get below 170. I hadn't counted on my lifting to surprise the crap out of me and account for almost 10 pounds of muscle added. I almost hit 185 when I saw a Jack LaLanne infomercial and decided, what the heck, I'm gunna eat healthfullier (imagine that were a word). I hope to reach a conclusion regarding my question. Now I'm at about 180 and am well on my way to towing 70 boats with 70 people from the Queen's Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary on my 70th birthday.

But then I read about Cliff Young tonight and I think I might give up dieting, the gym, and wristwatches to take up sheep farming.

But not until I'm 61.