Start with a funny anecdote about being introduced to climbing
Lets say a renaissance festival “climb the tower to save the princess” game
Take a turn. Then visit the gym for a free lesson.
Classic. The first one is always free
Combined with a steady paycheck and feelings of emptiness, the obsession was seeded
Months turn into years. Gym climbing expands to rock climbing
Friends, good times and a few bad ones but that’s life
It was better than regular life. An alternative life.
A vice with cardiovascular benefits and catalogs of cool shit
It’s fun, but shallow in my version of obsession.
But damnit, it’s fun so lets try moderation
Away from the trips. Away from the rock.
Taking it easy back on the soft-floored gym
Most of my closest friendships are from climbing
My wife and I first talked 20’ off the ground focused on colored plastic
I don’t miss spending all of my time having catalog worthy outdoor adventures
I’m 51% convinced of that
Gym climbing’s best parts:
Overhead music that I often don’t like
Auto belaying like an old man meditating in the lap lanes
Watching people have fun together
It’s 4am and the gym is closed
Thank god because otherwise I might be there
Part of moderation is flirting with obsession
It’s innocent flirting. I can do this
He’s so old
And annoying
Toto will cry like a baby
Guess he needs love
I promise myself to be better
I hate my temper
Despite our history, he's always horrified
I’ve done it again
Rage fuels it
I try to manage
It's too much
And I lose control
Most of our time is pleasant
But tantrum time carries weight
The good times come with a caveat
Every explosion worsens us
The last one just happened
Refractory period peace
I'm exhausted and Toto is here asleep
What the fuck is wrong with me?
The rage needs to go somewhere else
I think back to the serenity prayer
Never liked it
Nihilistic and truthful
One day at a time for us, Toto