<h1>Biding Time in Phoenix</h1>

It is October 2^nd and I'm still here in Phoenix. I did not think that I would be here this long when I got on a Chinatown bus in Orange County, California, over a month ago.

Yet, here am I now.

I'm undaunted, becoming more fit than I've ever been, and I'm coming to appreciate my Phoenician family in a new way.

Survival of the Most Resilient

Phoenix for a month has been a mixed bag. A blessed journey and a bit of a tribulation.

I witnessed a shooting {BAM!} less than a mile from where I'm living—don't worry mom, I'm safe!—but I don't think anyone was hurt. I get around town by walking because I don't have any transportation. I'm pretty broke, and I really would rather be in Los Angeles. I also stirred up some trouble quite unknowingly and unintentionally in an interpersonal relationship. I've even had some trouble at the rock gym.

Now, I don't want you to think I'm letting this heap of stuff get me down so much as it is propelling me away and (I like to think) forward and toward a brighter future.

All of this is to say, I'm ready to skip town.

I'm going to Los Angeles.

Even with all those negative things I've actually had a great time here. I've reconnected with a lot of great friends that I haven't seen for the better part of a year. And I've made a new friend in my roommate and sponsor, Christian. He and I have many great conversations that precipitate and catalyze personal growth.

Christian is moving to L.A. but before he can do that he has to rent his house out. I'm helping him get it ready, and in the process I'm learning a lot of valuable skills that I'm very happy to acquire. I can now paint like a pro—really, my work is ace—and I have learned some other handy man skills from Christian (he used to do construction and remodeling).

My Dirtbag Workout Plan

The essence of the dirtbag is to compromise everything because of an uncompromising vision. That is to say, one overarching goal, activity or cause is pursued at the expense of everything else. Everything else in your life is compromised in order that that one thing is not compromised.

If you've read this blog you know I've lost my way sometimes, and I even hesitate to call myself a dirtbag in the traditional climbing sense of the word, but it's still closest in accuracy to describing what I'm doing.

Still, dirtbagging can do great things for you by helping you to curtail bad or unsustainable habits. My desire to go do things regardless of my lack of resources (i.e. a car/bike/ride) has helped me become more fit and lose weight and obtain a closer approximation of the body I've always wanted.

I've worn holes in the soles of brand new shoes because I've done a good amount of walking or, as I like to call it, “urban hiking”. In fact, I've walked well over 100 miles in the last month, and with the addition of my frequent running, I'm getting into pretty good shape. I'm even losing weight! I like to think I'm making an “LA. Body”.

On top of the walking and running I've been up to, I also started visiting the rock gym again. I went frequently for a month and my climbing came naturally and felt easier than it had been before. Certainly I was not pushing my personal best grades, but the grades I was climbing were easy and I felt in control. That feeling of mastery is what I think I love about this sport [rock climbing] and any other that I become deeply engaged in.

I also realized that the community was part of what I missed while I was on the road. The friends I have in Phoenix are my original rock climbing family, and as such, they know me in terms of my climbing better than most, so it is they who can encourage me best when they see me progressing, for they know where I have come from.

It's My Rock Climbing Anniversary

I've been climbing for three years, to the month.

When I first went to AZR (Arizona on the Rocks), I could climb V1 (barely). Through the course of 2 years I was able to climb up to V6, indoors and outdoors. Although I can't do that difficult grade right now, I feel more capable and masterful than ever. But more important, I know that my friends who climbed with me for those 2 years also appreciate the progression I've experienced.

Maybe, just maybe, that is the root of power that resides in the idea of family. I'm talking about the special quality of family to be able to appreciate who you are in spite of—and because of—where you have come from. They are (usually) the only ones that have known you your entire life, and if they like you still, that's some pretty strong validation.

I want to thank you if you've been part of my rock climbing family, no matter where or when we met.