Jun
15
2008
The title of this post comes from what my mother said when she was trying to explain how her friend bruises easily.
I now have a membership at Rocknasium and my own rock-climbing shoes and harness (so I won’t have to spend $6 in rental each time at the gym). I climbed two 5.7s and a 5.8 on Friday. Afterwards, as I was touting the health benefits to Cheryl, I happened to glance at my lower extremities. It was at that moment that Cheryl decided that she’d prefer a different form of exercise. Wuss.
May
26
2008
My poor little muscles have gone all floppy this week as they’ve sat around watching me work on the computer. So yesterday Anna and I took them for a walk in Briones Regional Park, on a six-mile trail with 1700 feet in elevation gain. Anna’s wearing the cowboy hat she bought in Death Valley.
Our destination was a small, fuzzy, round peak where, inspired by total isolation and the 360-degree view, we spontaneously broke into a frenzy of self-expression: shouting greetings to faraway friends and cursing our enemies: “You’re a big, old throwup-face, [name here]!”
And today, in celebration of Lulu’s nineteenth birthday, she and I went rock climbing. Since I’ve gone only once since my lesson, I still have to get tested on my knot-tying and belaying technique before they set me loose on the premises. Usually you have to pass the test five times before they permanently certify you, but the guy said I did so well that I earned my climbing card! From now on I can head straight for the fake rock.
I’m afraid I look like a man in that picture, particularly next to Lulu. I swear: all the men in the gym couldn’t take their eyes off of her. I notice the same thing when I’m with my other daughter, too.
At home, Lulu wanted to see how much she and Stella weighed together. That’s Esmeralda’s sister looking on. I have to make up a blog name for her, too. Okay: how about Bettina?
Lulu wanted leek-potato soup for her birthday so I complied, luckily making enough to share with unscheduled guests.
My own birthday is in four days and I always get weird when it rolls around. I just feel terribly, terribly sorry for myself because… well, I don’t know why. I just do. I’m dreading it.
May
01
2008
Look what I did this afternoon!
Rock-climbing Lulu: aren’t you proud of me? I wasn’t even too scared. My favorite part is flying down after reaching the top. I made it all the way three three times out of four. On the last climb I had gotten up over the hard bendy-out part but the handholds got too small and my arms were too tired, so I asked to be released earthward, and floated down like a leaden, big-assed feather.
The only drawback is that the area near the bone I broke a few years ago is issuing a pulsating dagger of pain now and then. But it’s not too bad.
