Hello, fun things, weekend

Morgan,

How is it possible that we haven’t posted on the blog since January? And it’s MAY? My fault, home-skillet, my fault. You made the last post, and I dropped the ball. It’s pretty late right now, and I should probably be going to bed, but what the heck, why not post? I miss you, my friend. I hope you are having the swellest time in Seattle with your sister. Say hi to Carter for me.

So, today. This day. Wow, I’m typing so fast; I’m a mad woman; my thoughts can’t even keep up. This day was, undeniably, a good day. This weekend was, undeniably, the best weekend. Why? I will explain:

1. I went climbing.

2. I got to be outside.

3. I got to hang with David.

4. I did no work.

Killer combo of forces at work there.

Friday and Saturday I went on a C.A.N.O.E. trip to Devil’s Lake, which is a state park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. It was beautiful, and warm, and sunny, and still. It’s also one of the few places in the midwest with some serious topography (or topo, as we abbrev it), so it makes for some good climbing. Climbing outside is really different, and all kinds of fun. I also set up my first anchor (like it sounds: essentially, the anchor that holds up the rope/climber at the top of the route) which David kindly walked me through, and was great in getting a real sense of/grip on the more technical aspects of climbing. It also means I’m one step closer to being proficient enough that I can lead my own trips, which is the ultimate goal. Woohoo.

And Sunday, today, was David’s birthday, so naturally–Morgan–I took him roller skating. It’s a right of passage, eh? He was also crazy awesome at it, which didn’t surprise me. We went to this place in the twin cities called Roller Garden; it was so classic. We must go there, you and me. It was blast. Afterwards we walked around Lake Calhoun, drove home, made yummy pizza. Overall, pretty rad day, I’d wager. It was kind of lame of me to give the trip as his gift, though, because let’s be honest, it was just as much fun for me as for him, if not more…

Hmm. Nothing much else to report here, really. I know this post was neither terribly profound nor interesting, but it’s something, at least.

Post back and tell me about Seattle! And adventures! And photos! Wow, I’m demanding.

Much loov,

Drewzie

 

P.S. An article I just wrote for the ‘tonian- no presh but peruse it if you are interested!

 

 

Me, unshowered, playing my uke (?!)

CLICK HERE.

Morgan–

So, I understand this is quite embarrassing. Like, am I going to become one of those people who uploads shitty videos of themselves singing on youtube and their blog? Have no fear: I understand the sheer mediocrity of this lil’ performance. ALAS, I wanted to share something with you and post on our blog and I was too damn lazy to write things (except that I guess I’m writing now?) and I had to upload it to youtube to upload it on the blog but I’m hoping no one else ever discovers it but you (which is probably going to be the case because not everyone stalks people obsessively through google searches and so finds these sort of embarrassing things).

ANYWAYS. Enough chatter. I’m breaking the four/five months hiatus of our blog? with this video. HOPE SCHOOL IS AWESOME CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN LIKE THREE WEEKS.

Much love, your frand,
Drew

P.S. tried to embed the video here but I can’t do technology…so I just posted the link. Hopefully it works. I had to upgrade to google chrome to see it which I guess everyone has already done but I was still using safari…#embarrassing #luddite4ever.

P.S.S. love the holidays…my bro and sam sam.

Nostalgia Tuesday (or maybe thursday?)

Dear Morgan,

Today, I’m feeling pretty nostalgic.

Mostly this happens when I’m loafing around, as I’ve been doing today…my brother is in classes, my parents are out skiing, and I’m just sitting here, icing my achilles and listening to sad music on Pandora. #boohoo.

Music really does it for me, you know? Like, remember when I wrote about that band, Young the Giant over the summer? Now listening to their album kills me, because it reminds me of Maine, and farming; dirt; Cassie; driving back from the beach; fresh Maine bluebs. And those are all happy, happy memories–but it’s still painful, because nostalgia is inherently painful, isn’t it?

In fact, I’d argue the happier the memory, the more so–nostalgia is a “sentimental yearning” to return to a past time, which is, as we all know, impossible. So, the happier the past time = the more we wish to return to it = the more intense and painful our longing is. And the worst part is, Mo, I’m guessing it only gets worse the older we get, because they’ll be more happy moments to feel nostalgic about!

So today is Nostalgia Tuesday (actually, it’s Thursday, but I didn’t get around to publishing this post until now, so) and this is my nostalgic post. As such, I feel I must include some appropriately nostalgic photos.

I’ll just say this: you and I take some wonderfully candid snapshots.

We are goofs. 

I think this collage sufficiently proves that smiling, or for that matter, looking normal in photos is overrated.

So there you have it, nostalgia nostalgia nostalgia. This supremely human feeling. I mean, I have no idea if animals feel nostalgic–perhaps. But perhaps not. I reckon part of human’s distinctiveness from other species is our concept of time–namely, our concept of time past, time to come, and our own mortality. Our ability to feel nostalgia is tied up in our understanding of life as a hodge podge of ephemeral moments.

But then, if you turn it over in your mind, those moments wouldn’t be beautiful if they weren’t ephemeral. Nostalgia is painful, but its also the tell tale sign that we’ve had beautiful, happy moments–because if they weren’t so happy, we wouldn’t wish so painfully to return to them.

And that’s my sad little philosophic shpeal (jeez, how to you spell that word? schpeel? who knows). Hope your spring break is going well, that you’re getting lots of rest, and eating something besides honey nuts cheerios.

Much love, Drew