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 ✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Tuesday, 3rd of December 2013 at 12:08:43 PM You might know well, after looking at this blog, that Ellie is my Husky, or more to the point of this post, was. She had a series of strokes today and as a result the compassionate thing was to euthanize her. The need to make this decision for an animal that depends upon you is heavy and it was the concern of everyone involved that she not suffer. I am deeply appreciative of my mother, who tended to Ellie in old age. My mom was a trooper in helping Ellie up and down the steps, nearly weekly vet runs, and all the various chores involved in taking care of such an old dog. I do not know what else to say, except two core concepts to what it means to be me:
- Dogs give us this micro view of our own lives – reminding us always of the joy in the world, and the limit of our time here, which remind us how important it is to love as much as we can. This is why I love this article: The last word: Why old dogs are the best dogs
- In order to take on love you need to embrace the totality of the experience, which can, in this case, end in sadness. I wish there were a word for this sense I have, but I think of it like ying and yang makes a the whole.
I suppose if you read this or see my annoucements of her passing, and you want to do something, hug a dog, child, person or otherwise that you love.
 ✡ Ellie wrote this entry on Wednesday, 15th of May 2013 at 09:42:47 AM
Hi Dad,
It has been a long time since I have felt like writing. Well I am much better now and feel like my old self. In fact I have been accused of being arrogant and just plain “bad”. Ok, I got caught doing a few suspect things, but really… arrogant?
Rehab in Maine has been okay. I do like the same old boring consistency of doing the same old boring things the same boring time every single day. However occasionally, I do miss the unexpected and excitement of Hoboken and of course I miss you!
Since life now revolves around me and my needs, Slobbie is really angry and just looks for ways to piss off G_Mom and boy she can find them. She is no longer in charge. It is what I want and what I need. Cart doesn’t care, so I have been nice to her and let her share my new bed. Oh yes, thanks for the bed!
I think I have G_Mom straightened out on my meds. I could not take her stressing out over me taking all those pills. So I get one in the morning, and the rest in my food, which I absolutely love. Wish I had been eating this stuff years ago! I finish eating first so I go out first. Slobbie and Cart have gotten really slow about eating. Unfortunately they are still eating what I used to have to eat.
I suppose I should tell you that I took off Monday and ran out back to the kennel. I had on my leash and G_Mom got apoplectic over my adventure. Where am I going to go? I knew she did not have the leash and I went right to the kennel and waited to be let in. I actually like being in there now as long as it is only for about a half an hour. I am not going to lie down on the grass or in the dirt. It takes too much time to then clean my feet! I also got caught going up the steps on my own. I forgot to act like it was a chore. URG! G_Mom was taking the leashes off of the girls and I just walked up the steps without her. I think she thought she forgot me outside or that I had run away, because she was yelling for me and there I was patiently standing at the top of the steps waiting to be let in! People sometimes are just so neurotic! Believe me she can be a bit much at times. She has finally stopped checking on me three or four times a night and telling me I remind her of Adam. Your brother must have been a real challenge as a kid!
The best is the gate being down all day and G_Mom does not realize that we are out of our room all day! When we hear her coming up the steps we all run behind the gate and pretend we are asleep.
That’s all from the Rehab Facility in Maine for now. I will keep you posted and hope that you can visit very soon.
I miss you!
Love, Ellie
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Monday, 26th of November 2012 at 12:39:37 AM Where to being with this one; it was another amazing trip at a time which caps my first year of climbing outside. A year with 40+ days at the Gunks, Katahdin, Whitney-Gillman, The New River Gorge, Indian Creek and Red Rocks. I have met some incredible people, had some amazing adventures, been scared nearly to the point of crying, and lots of cuts and bruises.
This trip, with Alex, to Red Rocks was simply perfect in every way; from the patience of Alex and his gentle “we have to keep moving” to the routes we picked and the laughing back in the hotel at night. I think one night we were laughing because we were both happy to have made it back. More on that later.
Day one: landing and we went right to the climbs, picking Tunnel Vision. A great multi-pitch at about 750 feet or so. Alex and I alternated leads with my leading the tunnel. This climb was really fun – I know that sounds lame, but the chimney, face, caveish, and crack climbing all added up to a really fun 5.7. I am convinced I did the crux pitch where there was a strange move from the face back into the crack. Maybe thiner people with no packs on might be able to chimney move of this climb. The tunnel was really fun with my laughing the whole time. It is really thin of pro, but I got in three pieces.
Day two: up CRAZY early, I am grumpy, and I accidentally break smash my bottle of bourbon on the floor of the hotel’s breakfast area resulting in us being branded as trouble makers by the staff. I think Alex has some photos of my trying to clean up an entire bottle of bourbon at 6am.
» Continue reading Red Rocks – End of Year One
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Thursday, 15th of November 2012 at 10:14:25 PM
The highlights and some good beta:
- Tape gloves, make them, it is like climbing on sandpaper
- BLM lands for camping are great, but be prepared to share with people
- Camping meaning brining everything in with you, wood, fuel, etc…
- Access Fund has put in a heck of a lot of outhouses
- The common guide book is pretty crappy, we relied on Mountain Project on my iPhone. I cannot tell you how many times we said, ‘this guy never did this climb…’
- Cell service is spotty/non-existant in the canyons, you will be mostly off the grid while there (which is cool, if you ask me!)
- So you think you have enough gear? You dont, make friends by chatting people up and swap gear.
- The best climbs are “unnamed”
- Crack climbing is radically different then other kinds of climbing and there is almost no way to climb easier cracks, which is why most of the climbs are 10 and above.
The desert is stunningly beautiful.
Alex and I flew in late Wednesday evening, meeting in Denver. Be warned the flight from Denver from Moab (CNY) is a small 16 person propeller setup. It was not fun. Here is a lesson, maybe think hard about flying into SLC and driving down. The second reason for this is that the airline that flies this short route lost all of Alex’s luggage. We arrived in Moab on the most gear heavy climbing trip on earth and half our collective gear is MIA.
We decided to stay in a hotel in Moab and get some food, hoping the luggage would come the next day. It didn’t, it didn’t showed up until days later. We went to the local outfitter and got a sleeping bag, a stove, and a harness for Alex, because the rest of the stuff I had and we figured we could work it out.
» Continue reading Indian Creek and Moab
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Tuesday, 6th of November 2012 at 09:17:19 AM A quick note to let everyone know that aquaDRAMA was devastated by the week long power outage. Let me be clear, this is the only thing that happened to me, otherwise I am perfectly fine and INCREDIBLY lucky compared to many. Having my tank die is nothing compared to having no home, a family member lost, etc… If you can help people who are badly off, please go do so.
As for the tank, I have rebooted it – drained it, removed all the dead animals, cleaned the sump, and filled it back up with good water. I then seeded it with a started culture to help the cycle restart and I am hoping it will be good in a couple days. I will post more as this unfolds. I am also going to install a new sump, replumb, and install a new UPS to help make the tank more stable in the future.
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Monday, 15th of October 2012 at 04:14:58 PM  For those who do not like the metal cables to the ceiling; aquaDRAMA got a new lighting setup over the weekend based upon 2 EcoTech Marine Radion LED fixtures mounted lengthwise across my 90 gallon tank. There is one small issue, the controls of the lamps are right next to the mounting hole and it makes it harder to push on them. Honestly, I am not sure how often you would need to touch them, so I am not too perturbed. If I were the solution is simple, buy slightly higher risers and longer bolts. The whole mount was less then 100$ and was able to order the parts precut from Esto Connectors.
532300-BX 1″ STRAIGHT BASE CONTR (BLACK)
521100-BX 1″ 2 WAY RIGHT ANGLE CONNECTOR (BLACK)
109150-AB 1″ SQ. .A.A. TUBING .065 (BLACK) 4 lengths @ 5 inches
109150-AB 1″ SQ. .A.A. TUBING .065 (BLACK) 2 lengths @ 45 inches
I also ordered 4″ and 6″ risers just to be safe. EcoTech sugests the lamps be 8″ off the water and I wanted to be able to adjust as needed.
The bolts I used are listed on Amazon as “Metric Black Oxide 12.9 Alloy Steel Socket Head Cap Screw, Hex Socket Drive, M5-0.80, 40 mm Length”. I bet you can find them around supply shops without buying 100, but oh well. Again, if you want to be able to touch the controls use longer bolts. I also put in small rubber washers between the bolt and the rack.
As for the holes, find a drill but a drill press is better. Measure the middle of the 1″ tube, and then space them out as much as you like. The mounting holes are 9.72″. I would not cross beam the rack as it doesn’t need it, and that just makes for more trouble in lining up the mounting. The units are only about 3lbs each, so weight it not an issue at all.
If you have any questions, let me know.
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Monday, 20th of August 2012 at 07:15:11 AM So, listen my children and you will hear of the weekend of your protagonist – and if you can name where that opening live is from, then you are from New England for sure. It was the best of all bests lined up for a great time.
The ingredients; some off width madness as seen on the internet, amazing weather, some old friends and some new ones, good conversation, a little whiskey and a little less skin on your protagonist this morning, who by the way, is enjoying writing Saramago-esqe, massively joined sentences, while rocking out to Led Zeppelin on the the PATH train, with a huge smile on his face, as he realizes that life is just about as good as it gets, which is pretty damn good; there Saramago, do I need to bring life to a dog character, oh wait, I have. Whoa, even my digression is a little off today. It is going to be a good day.
 Back to the tale at hand; the pack forms mid day and decides to remove the metaphorical flesh on Disco Death March, Nathan Named ‘Disco Death Match’. I give it this name because it isn’t a march, it is a match between you and some awesome crazy off-width mess that makes the mind light up and the abs hurt. Up, kneebar, out to the left, up around a crazy corner and, I mean, I have no idea what you call this move; body jam, skin removal, agressive dermabrasion?
» Continue reading The Bag of Sand Encased in Hydroxyapatite
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Tuesday, 14th of August 2012 at 10:19:14 PM It was early Sunday morning, I was with Paul at The Gunks and the climb we wanted to do was occupied a couple parties deep. I am bad at recalling what they are named, because most of the names are a little dated, so I tend to make up new names that are close. This was one was dubbed Snookie’s Revenge, her revenge being that she turned being a loud mouth into a career, just like my Governor. Next door is a 9 that I believe is called Friends and Lovers, “Nathan Name” Wake Me Up When It Starts, also in contention is Paranoid Delusions of Grandeur. Why these names?
I will explain, I mean really, you can see this post goes on, you had probably assumed I would explain, no?
A bit of background, Gunks climbs are old, most of them, the majority of them and were graded in a time when there was nothing higher than a 5.10. This results in most climbers saying things like “A Gunks 9″ or “Historical Grade” with more than a few climbing veterans telling tales of what a 9 used to be like, etc… I get it all. I love it all. Nothing is static, this is all impermanent, even grades are impermanent. Again proving climbing is the embodiment of enlightened philosophies on earth.
Hitting up a 9 at 9:30 am on a Sunday might seem like a good idea, might seem like a bad idea. I like to climb harder grades in the morning, cooler, rested, etc… and it mostly seems like Paul prefers afternoon, so I lead morning, he leads afternoon. Perfect!
» Continue reading This Is What Happened
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Tuesday, 7th of August 2012 at 11:18:55 PM Take a look over here @ Climbing with Existentialists to read my guest post about the amazing trip. As I promised, kind of, in my last post, I will sit down and post a bit more about my recent trips to climb. I have very much been enjoying being outside a lot this summer, meeting new people, surprising myself with my ability to control my fear, and learning a lot all at the same time. Read your Daniel Pink.
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Monday, 6th of August 2012 at 04:01:53 PM A quick update so you know that at some point I will get my life together and work on some blog updates. I mean if it would rain or something then I would have a home day and get caught up…but…as I was told last night, “you are a real climber now, when you are in a different crag each week…” So I suppose that running around from The Gunks, to Cannon, to The New (um, we raised some cash for AAC), to Maine, to Rumney, to Maine, back to The Gunks, and maybe CO before the end of the month means what? I am crazy, perhaps… I like to go with adventurous and it is summertime!
When I have a moment, I will buckle down and write up something about each of the trips. I do have notes. The bottom line is that I am having an awesome time and climbing grades I didn’t think were possible, meeting a lot of great people, and spending a serious amount of time outside!
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Tuesday, 10th of July 2012 at 09:49:45 AM I am working on a full post about my recent trip with Paul to NH for a long climbing weekend. Here is a teaser, the view from on top of the Eaglet Spire
The trip was amazing and I learned a ton about Apline climbing! As I read this week…
One could be forgiven for thinking that climbing is supposed to be fun, but something beyond pleasure drives people to push themselves to exhaustion in such a hostile environment.
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Monday, 2nd of July 2012 at 04:57:34 PM It has been about 8 months since I start climbing outdoors and started leading as well. In that short time I have learned a few newbie tips that I thought I would share:
- When placing gear and giving it a tug to check if it is in snug, do not do this towards your face.
- The sling loop that you attach to your harness can be clipped between your legs to keep it out of the way. I have one from Metolius
- When cleaning/following try to clip the protection to your harness or sling before you remove it from the rope, this reduces the chance that you will drop it.
- Slings are your friends, you need them to reduce rope drag. Be thoughtful about making the rope in as straight a line as possible underneath you. This can be hard, but practice it as rope drag really, is, well, a drag
 . I use the Transformer Sling from Mammut
- Put your rack together with bent gate biners towards the rope as they are much easier to clip. I really love Petzl Spirit‘s as they have a smooth feeling and close actuation, which makes clipping super smooth.
- You are going to want to wear trad shoes, not some crazy bouldering shoes. Look for a comfy flat slipper type shoe. I wear La Sportiva Mythos and notice that about half the people at the Gunks have this shoe on. I also like the Millet Yalla, but the pair is taking a bit of time to break in.
- Make sure you practice rappelling setups on the ground, you need to feel solid up there when doing it. You can never practice too much. There are some good how-to’s out there on using an autoblock system that is much safer.
- Ropes are obviously needed in climbing, I would check out the Mammut series of ropes, they have all variation, dual sheaths for knowing the middle, and all kinds of useful information on rope types and handling.
- A handy blog post about twin/double/single ropes.
- I am sure there are lots of great brands out there, but I go with what I know: Patagonia, Black Diamond, Petzl, Mammut, Metolius.
- Lot’s of people talk about how they dislike the Gri-Gri, dont listen to them. The thing works and works well. It is just heavy so lugging one on a 2 mil approach might not be a good idea when you have 50 biners, 20 slings, 2 ropes, etc… and you are looking for ways to save weight.
- There are lots of great packs out there, but this one really is the best I have found – it is rugged, has good capacity, and is not too expensive: REI Pinnacle
- Try to avoid telling guides what to do, they don’t like it.
- Remember that most people are not scientific about information, therefore take everything anecdotal you hear on the wall as a story not fact. Always back it up with real research from trusted sources.
- If you want to have some fun, tell boulderers to “get a rope” when you walk by them.
✡ Ellie wrote this entry on Monday, 18th of June 2012 at 12:58:54 PM Hi Dad,
Have not been in touch for a while because I have just been straight out busy with things to do each day.
First, the Wii Fit was not accessible because of this Netflix thing that G_Mom is obsessed with watching. I finally got it figured out, but first has to listen to Slobbie blabber on and on about some Law and Order show . I got it off but had to get it back on before G_Mom came home. I almost got caught because the power went off and the clock did not reset so we did not know what time it was.
Then there have been my medications. I think that it is unfair that I get substituted my medication treat for my regular treats sometimes. I do feel better and believe me nobody has ever watched my hips the way G_Mom does.
So the twice a day vacuuming came to an end yesterday when I was raked and raked and raked, then Dad she put me into the dog kennel. Can you believe that I was put into a dog kennel? Me, ELLIE? I was so traumatized. The ground was dirty and there was no pavement. There are actually weeds in there. Of course I looked for the door to leave and saw a few but figured it may ne be smart to try it. Cart showed me the fun places to hide to scare G_MOM. It worked and we laughed when she could not find us. As if Cart would ever go far from home. She is still afraid of her own shadow.
Slobbie is the same old Bitch. She thought she was going to take my biscuit …well I showed her. Then we both got grounded for fighting. Not being an only child can be very tough!
The absolute best is that G_Mom forgot me outside. She fell asleep watching Law and Order and I started to whine. It was time to go it. Well the neighbor came and got me and took me to G_Mom. It was so embarrassing. Serves her right for forgetting about me.
The weather in Maine has been nuts. Hot, then cold, rain and more rain then no rain.
Anyway Dad I miss you. Come visit when you can.
Love, Ellie
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Thursday, 31st of May 2012 at 08:21:49 AM Recently I went and saw, on the same day, the about to close Cindy Sherman exhibit at MoMA and the Keith Haring exhibit at Brooklyn Museum.
At first I was skeptical of Sherman as I do not particularly like modern photography. I was intrigued to learn that she is the subject of all of her photos. This effect is remarkable in both how unnoticeable yet how creepy it is. I learned this fact from reading the exhibition catalogue, which contains a funny interview between the artist and John Waters. My favorites were definitely the movie still series and the aged socialites series – both interesting is their seemingly satirical intent and detailed composition. I do have to say that I was put off by how grainy the enlargements were; the lack of clarity in key parts of the larger photos was often distracting.
The Keith Haring exhibit was next and interesting in for both how it covered his art and the world in which he existed: the ramping up of the AIDS crisis of the 80s into the 90s and NYC night life of that era. I admit to not being a fan of his art and dismissing it when people would want to stop at his shop on Lafayette across from the Puck Building back in ‘the day’. Funny thing is I recall having a debate about his work on that corner in front of the gas station there in the early 90s. File this one under my rule of if the majority likes it, it has to be mediocre.
I am now reconsidering his work after this exhibit because it was put into context more by the people who set this one up – good job on the curation! I think this exhibit closes in about a month. It is worth checking out as it gives you a putty good idea of the artistic process as it was evolving in Haring from street artist to international star. It is also a stark reminder of what we lost because of AIDS.
✡ Nathan wrote this entry on Thursday, 17th of May 2012 at 11:40:55 PM Olive and
Peter battle the
Strange forces
Shrimp in clam
Clams that grow larger
Larger still
Broken SCWD
Water flow broken
Try to fix
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