Awwwww Maureen, life as a human is all about community
CHHHEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! 
1967 calories and man oh man I taxed out my body!

If Steve is reading this, he would chastise me for eating too little and stressing my body too much but oh well, one day won't kill me.
I went to the rock climbing gym and met Chris. He was talking to Tom, the owner--when Chris was 15 and not very sick, he used to be able to do ANY route. He was a boss tycoon of climbing. He used to SET ROUTES and I guess being tall and skinny with a 235 IQ helps *shrugs* Anyway, although he is deteriorating, whenever
I'M around and take him out, his mind gets off of his pain and he is able to have some fun. Plus, his body is back on and getting used to the Haldol, which also helps. We had a blast tonight!
First thing, Tom let me rent climbing shoes without charging me (I guess it costs $5). Then Chris busted out his mom's old harness (which is top notch) and his own chalk bag for hands (whatever it's called) and I strapped myself in. Being "skinny" helps, man! I was really really relieved to not feel too self conscious in the harness (which makes my thighs bulge a bit because it's right in my leg/body crease). Haha! I joked, "does this harness make me look fat?" He said, "No, you look good." Good old Chris! Well, he's 24.....not old.....He showed me how to tie myself into the rope and proceeded to belay me.
Anyway, right off the bat he made me climb 50 feet up a 5.8 Route that was straight up. I DID NOT FALL, NOT ONCE. I admit it! I was scerred

My hands sweat and I trembled like a scared little bunny, but since I'm also a tough bitch with lots of pride when it comes to my physical capabilities, I went up as quickly as possible. Chris said I did very well and surprised him. Chris is not easily impressed. He's never been rude TO ME, his manners are impeccable because he thinks it's beneath him to be rude in the slightest and he overly apologizes too much; but with everything it must be the best: best gear, best guns, best food, best wine, etc.....so to get praise from him is good. Not to mention he is a pro. From YEARS back, but a pro nonetheless.
Next route was a 5.8 too, but it went over the corner of a wall and there was a VERY tricky part where there were "not enough holds" and I gave up in dismay, half way up. I did not see anyone else do that route all night. BUT after bouldering for a while with him, I tried again.....and MADE IT!

However, I had to jump-switch my feet a few times,
cling to one hold with my fingertips on both hands and do a FINGER PULLL UP to get past the tricky party, and kind of JUMP up to grab a hold at one part. PANT PANT! My palms, right now as I type this, are actually getting moist just thinking about it. Chris told me he was pleased when a few times I tippy-toe-scuffled up the wall with one leg WITHOUT any holds to get to the next one. He said that was a method he didn't teach me and I figured it out on my own. I said, "No shit, what the fuck
else would I do?" Apparently I figured out a few methods that are used without being told. But he straight SCHOOLED me in bouldering....
People in the gym, I noticed, were watching me and him a lot. A few guys, I saw, looked at me and gave a little side-smile (I was in yoga pants and a Victoria's Sercret Sports shirt). People were eavesdropping on Chris's barking orders at me. I mentioned this to him later and he said that "most climbers are....civilians," which in Chris's world is sort of like "cretins," LOL! Basically he said that climbers like any advice, will listen to pro-advice when they can, and it was obvious he knew what he was talking about. Chris was not being arrogant--he DOES know. Fucking A, he used to be a boss tycoon. He's a GREAT teacher by the way. He really pushes me without ever raising his voice or losing his patience and always gives me praise when it's due, but he does it with his even, pleasant voice and intelligently, in an effortless way. He is......a GREAT teacher. With bouldering he'd say, "Now reach over with your right hand....keep your body closer to the rock.....closer......don't waste energy, REST when you get in a comfortable place......use geometry, press into the corners of the wall.....put your legs in crazy positions to wedge in there, use your Yoga.......rotate your knee the other way....closer to the wall......grab that one with your left hand......yeah.....that's good....now GO FOR that one--just jump...." I, being the obedient masochist that I am, LIKE being told what to do, especially in a firm and compassionate way for the greater good of my health.
I fell a lot. It is a little bit freaky to jump down 5 feet but of course the ground was soft padding. I noticed and rejoiced in my brain's ability to create neural pathways on the routes, i.e., after doing a V1 or B1 or whatever it's called in bouldering, once, and failing, the nsecond time around my eyes and hands worked better strategies and I succeeded.

Climbing is fun but yes, my forearms and wrists and fingers are a bit sore. And right after the first climb I had to hold my arms in the air to get the blood to pool down out of them.
Yoga: Maria had us in mostly strengthening standing poses. I thought I'd be bad at Chaturanga, but instead, my wrists and arms LIKED me pressing my weight on them. We went though
so many Vinyasas

Seriously, guys, I was totally worn out.
I'm home on my laptop and dial up

I'm gonna go to bed I just needed to share my story.
