One foot placed before the next

Back in Baltimore.

I was hanging out in the Red and not really getting psyched. Not sure why. But in any case, it seemed logical to leave the Red for a moment and return to Baltimore for a spell. So far, Baltimore is, more or less, just as I left it. Most of my friends are still here living their lives and doing their things. It has been great to get to see most of them again.

I have not been back to Baltimore since January earlier this year, and even then it was just for a couple of days. I think it will be nice to spend a little bit of time here again and be afforded the opportunity to really see everyone that I miss in the area. I have been climbing at the gym I used to work at a bunch in the last couple days. I forgot how different the setting style there is from what I am used to. They are fantastic problems and the angles are really nice, but, yet, still different. It definitely will take a little re-adjusting to feel strong in there again.

Incidentally, I climbed something taller than 40 feet for the first time since leaving the Red last year the other day. It is amazing how weird it feels to get pumped on a route after not feeling the sensation of intense burning in your forearms for over a year. I think it is definitely an awesome feeling to push through all of that and hang on for as long as possible, but I am still rather partial to short rocking. I will forever remain faithful to my love for lowball boulder problems and short, powerful, in your face roped routes. I think there is something to be said for sending a climb that contains the single hardest move your body is capable of completing.

I went out for a night on the town with my roommate from college last night. Some friends of his were having a showcase at a local bar. One group and skaesque jam band, the other a hip-hop artist. Both sets were awesome. They got me to thinking, once I settle down somewhere an extended period of time again, I am going to try to tour the local bar scene while wearing my musician hat. I really miss making music. After that we went to a kind of sort of dive bar where I was spoiled by getting to try four brand new gnarly stouts and discover the best pretzel shoppe in all of Baltimore afterward. All in all, a good night I think.

What is next? It is hard to say I think. I am vigorously trying to ascertain the nature of my next move in life, but heretofore it is unclear overall. I imagine the key is just living life and letting things unfold as they may, but I have a hard time accepting that. So, here I am. There is an answer somewhere, and I intend to find it. Until then, I have good friends, good times & good climbing to keep me occupied.