Phew!

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!!

For the past 4 weeks Colette and I have been going pretty non-stop.  By that I mean climbing, bolting, traveling, camping, hiking, and driving and more of that with little resting… wow I am seriously worked.  Heading to Ely has been a once a week thing.  WORTH IT TOO!!!!  The past two days were the first two rest-days in a row since we were in Spain.  I am one of those people that do pretty well without resting and it honestly messes my body up.  Two days chilling makes me feel awkward climbing and rusty.  Resting is KEY, but sitting around and staring at my computer for two day straight is hardly an “active” rest-day, which always proves to be the best.  It was productive, yes, but not exactly good for an athlete.  Yesterday’s climbing day was just one of those off days… hard to engage, clumsy, funny head… it happens.  I still managed a first ascent of one of Bill Orhan’s projects at The Fin Cave… I added an anchor to this awesome line and banged it out yesterday after like 30 tries.  Not sure of what he wants to call it, but I will get at him.  13+ classico!

I was able to lock down the latest version of Premier Pro CS6!  It is such a great workspace and program that I am totally sold.  It’s a big deal when you find a tool that excites you and allows you to manage your work in a better way.  I have actually gotten more motivated to cut videos now that this new format is out.  Stand by on the latest Sterling Rope video with Muriel Sarkany… Friends have told me that this is the best one yet!  Well… we will let the populous decide.

I also cut up a little product  banger with an AWESOME jacket I have been rocking lately.  It’s called the Alpha Shield and has kind of become part of me as it has been hard to take this thing off…. check it out once we get it approved by the fine folks at Eastern Mountain Sports.

It’s been stimulating getting those creative juices flowing like that and really does make me hungry for more.  Rest days for me are work days and this type of work is now enjoyable.  CS6 is brand new and hot right now… it is kind of the talk of the indie movie industry.  But it is still strange as I learned how to edit videos on Final Cut Pro.  FCP has been my software.  I am fast, confident, and know how to dominate with that program.  Final Cut Pro however is dead… there will be no updates and has already become a thing of the past.  Premier Pro has the new and lasting product in the Adobe line-up and this will become my staple format.  The transition to learn new software took some time for sure…. I am no computer guru and pretty much teach myself, but I think I have a solid workflow now and feel a bit more confident…  You just have to dive in and not be scared… the more time spent with it the better it will all feel.  It’s kind of like finding new beta on your project that just totally opens doors for you…I hope it shows in my latest vids!

Local spot... been spending a grip of time here....Jorge Visser photo

As for climbing, Summer is setting in for sure.  Southern Utah is the first to get it, but dang it comes fast.  Yesterday was a bit tough and was the first dose of reality, as I barely put a shirt on (let alone a jacket) at the cliff.  My hands stayed hot the whole day and the friction was a lot less present.  Yeah… this time of year stresses me out.  We are going to make due however with Ely, our crags here in St. G, and Poptire until June and then head up north to Washington.  I don’t think I could sleep very well last night with all of the beta from all of the projects I have.  Im a spaz and that is no doubt, but I love it…

Enjoy the photo dump of random action… a lot of desert shots at Poptire, Ely, and in Wendover, NV…. the Wild West.