(no subject)
So it's taken me a while to get this post out.
Last week I arrived at LAX airport in California. Both Tan and I couldn't really figure out what the "X" stands for in the name, but oh well... So Wednesday night I arrived in California. It was dark, the air was cool, and it was Halloween night! I can't really say much for my costume, since I didn't really have one. But some guy said b/c of my boots I must be a cowboy - how fitting :o)
First stop was Tan's place. Southern California is a lot bigger than I expected. For some reason I thought that it'd be kinda like ATX, but a little more populated. Turns out it's all of the above. Tons more people and much more land. It took about 30-45 minutes to get from the LA airport to Long Beach. Fun!
Luckily our first stop wasn't our last, even though I was pretty exhausted from the trip. We went to a Halloween party where everyone dressed up. There was one party foul b/c two girls had the same costume. Nonetheless it turned out to be fun to be around so many people. I admit, though, I felt really old there. Most of the kids at the part were probably in college and were still trying to figure out how not to be socially inept. That, and they didn't really have much substance to talk about... Sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll ~ and more drugs...
So that night ended, and we made our way home. The next morning we packed up, got some bfast, and headed out to Joshua Tree. I think it finally took me a while to realize that JT is a national park and not just a state park. That place is huge! It took about two and a half hours to get to JT, but it was totally worth it. I haven't been camping nor trad climbing for ages. Kinda makes me want to buy more climbing gear so I can do more traditional stuff. Unfortunately for me, not many of my friends are interested in participating - different mind game. So the first day we got out and we did a few trad routes up a few cracks here and there. I think both Tan and I were laughing near the end of the day by the time we both were struggling with a V.8 bouldering route. That's right... not a V0 or a V1! It was a "0.8" route - not quite a V1 and not a V0. I hate slab. I really hate slab. And JT really makes me feel bad b/c I couldn't get up a .8 >< Imagine what their V2+ would have been like?!?! Our day ended with a good dinner at a local town outside of the park. The barrista in the cafe was totally hot. Tan was sure to point her out :oP And the night ended with finding a campsite and sharing a fire with a couple from New York. Tan thinks they're lesbians, but I don't know. I think he could be right. Sunshine just mentioned that she and Sarah hadn't ever camped together before - so I'm thinking either new couple or just friends. C'est la vie.
Day 2 at Joshua Tree - LOTS OF CLIMBING! We hit "The Bong" and numerous other routes. You'll have to ask Tan what we actually ascended. I was just happy that I got to lead a lot of the routes. Trad is exciting, yet scary.
Over the weekend, after a couple days of outdoor fun, we ended up doing the typical visit to Hollywood. I only got to see a "Ferrar" and "Bent." But cool nonetheless. I don't think I've ever seen a Bently up close. Those things are really big! I guess that's how they can fit a V10 or is it V12 under the hood :oP I envy the person getting to drive that car.
I think the highlight of my Hollywood visit was getting to see "Midnight Movies." Tan and I both now have a new rock band crush. Gina, the lead singer, is sooooo hot! She's tall, probably above 6 ft, and she can play piano, guitar, AND DRUMS! Now that is hot. Good at them too... So it's not just like she gets to hit a tamborine with a stick. She was rockin' out ~
The rest of our evening was spent in clubs down the strip. All I've got to say is that there's a LOT of eye candy. And I like it! It's really too bad, though, that I don't get to see that here in ATX that often. But a lot is influenced by the larger population anyway. Just makes me want to start cruising downtown again. But I feel so old >< LOL!
Last week I arrived at LAX airport in California. Both Tan and I couldn't really figure out what the "X" stands for in the name, but oh well... So Wednesday night I arrived in California. It was dark, the air was cool, and it was Halloween night! I can't really say much for my costume, since I didn't really have one. But some guy said b/c of my boots I must be a cowboy - how fitting :o)
First stop was Tan's place. Southern California is a lot bigger than I expected. For some reason I thought that it'd be kinda like ATX, but a little more populated. Turns out it's all of the above. Tons more people and much more land. It took about 30-45 minutes to get from the LA airport to Long Beach. Fun!
Luckily our first stop wasn't our last, even though I was pretty exhausted from the trip. We went to a Halloween party where everyone dressed up. There was one party foul b/c two girls had the same costume. Nonetheless it turned out to be fun to be around so many people. I admit, though, I felt really old there. Most of the kids at the part were probably in college and were still trying to figure out how not to be socially inept. That, and they didn't really have much substance to talk about... Sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll ~ and more drugs...
So that night ended, and we made our way home. The next morning we packed up, got some bfast, and headed out to Joshua Tree. I think it finally took me a while to realize that JT is a national park and not just a state park. That place is huge! It took about two and a half hours to get to JT, but it was totally worth it. I haven't been camping nor trad climbing for ages. Kinda makes me want to buy more climbing gear so I can do more traditional stuff. Unfortunately for me, not many of my friends are interested in participating - different mind game. So the first day we got out and we did a few trad routes up a few cracks here and there. I think both Tan and I were laughing near the end of the day by the time we both were struggling with a V.8 bouldering route. That's right... not a V0 or a V1! It was a "0.8" route - not quite a V1 and not a V0. I hate slab. I really hate slab. And JT really makes me feel bad b/c I couldn't get up a .8 >< Imagine what their V2+ would have been like?!?! Our day ended with a good dinner at a local town outside of the park. The barrista in the cafe was totally hot. Tan was sure to point her out :oP And the night ended with finding a campsite and sharing a fire with a couple from New York. Tan thinks they're lesbians, but I don't know. I think he could be right. Sunshine just mentioned that she and Sarah hadn't ever camped together before - so I'm thinking either new couple or just friends. C'est la vie.
Day 2 at Joshua Tree - LOTS OF CLIMBING! We hit "The Bong" and numerous other routes. You'll have to ask Tan what we actually ascended. I was just happy that I got to lead a lot of the routes. Trad is exciting, yet scary.
Over the weekend, after a couple days of outdoor fun, we ended up doing the typical visit to Hollywood. I only got to see a "Ferrar" and "Bent." But cool nonetheless. I don't think I've ever seen a Bently up close. Those things are really big! I guess that's how they can fit a V10 or is it V12 under the hood :oP I envy the person getting to drive that car.
I think the highlight of my Hollywood visit was getting to see "Midnight Movies." Tan and I both now have a new rock band crush. Gina, the lead singer, is sooooo hot! She's tall, probably above 6 ft, and she can play piano, guitar, AND DRUMS! Now that is hot. Good at them too... So it's not just like she gets to hit a tamborine with a stick. She was rockin' out ~
The rest of our evening was spent in clubs down the strip. All I've got to say is that there's a LOT of eye candy. And I like it! It's really too bad, though, that I don't get to see that here in ATX that often. But a lot is influenced by the larger population anyway. Just makes me want to start cruising downtown again. But I feel so old >< LOL!