http://gumbydiaries.com Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:36:34 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en So, I haven't posted anything in a while. I was so discouraged by my persistent finger injury that I really didn't have anything to say. But, I've recently been able to get back to the climbing gym. It seems that about 4 months or so of down ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=166 I haven't blogged in a while because I haven't climbed in a while. I've made a point out of not climbing until my injured finger healed. So, today I made my reentry to the world of chalky plastic only to find that my finger still hurts like Hell. I don't ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=162 The good news is that my new shoes rock. They are exactly what I was looking for. The bad news is that my finger is still not okay. Two weeks was not enough. I even taped it to my third finger. So, Im typing this on my iPhone while my ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=157 As I start this blog and continue to recover from my finger injury, I'm finding myself looking back and reminiscing about my first climbing season.  My first lead climb, my first road trip, and my first experience of Miguel's pizza are all memories that I'll hopefully have forever.  There is ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=147 The label "Gumby" has a pretty negative connotation.  I'm sure people wonder why I would embrace the label.  Most people use it to describe a novice climber that acts like he/she knows more than they do.  Of course, that's not what I'm after.  Instead, I want to always remain mindful ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=139 What do the three things in the title have in common?  They are all things I don't do.  It's not because I don't know how important they are...I do.  There's just something in me that is adverse to doing the smarter, more mature things in life.  And, yes, I am ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=130   [caption id="attachment_127" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Five Ten Galileos"][/caption] I just received my Five Ten Galileos today.  I tried them on and they feel great.  To me, they feel exactly like the Anasazis I tried on, except with a more comfortable heel.  If, by the end of this climbing season I find myself ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=126 Today, in light of the fact that I won't be able to climb for a few weeks due to finger injury, I decided to go shopping for climbing shoes.  Like most things I do, I researched the shoes I was interested in and asked a couple of questions to my ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=111 I learned the same lesson twice this week.  Self-control is not my strong suit.  As I try to get back into shape for climbing, I'm starting to watch what I eat...or at least trying to watch what I eat.  For me, my biggest enemy is portion control.  I eat too ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=105 [caption id="attachment_68" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Matt Tackett of Red River Outdoors checking my gear placement and providing instruction."][/caption] I wasn't too sure about taking a climbing class, much less a multi-day intensive class.  I had always heard about the joys of learning to climb from experienced climbing partners as you go.  However, ... http://gumbydiaries.com/?p=66