http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/en-EUMokoFeed10http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/18/a4a37642ba95fba479194410a4f80b_160x200.jpghttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/11/03/gold_duke_of_edinburghs_award~3239719/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-11-03:/2007/11/03/gold_duke_of_edinburghs_award~3239719/Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:31:26 +0100 <p>Last week i was up in the lake district in Windermere. some of the finest weather this year graced my team as we spent for days hiking the mountains. infact on day two we walked through the cloud base as we got to the top of high raise. i have wanted to do my gold for quite a while and i cannot believe that it's all done now. thats it finished. just awaiting my invitation to the palace to get my award.</p> <p>so what next?</p> <p>well i have just finish my Basic expedition Leader Award so i am now going to be assessing the bronze and silver awards on my squadron. i'm starting my Mountain Leaders training next. whoo. and just waiting to see if i got my place on the london marathon. my injuries are finally seeming to be getting better, yay. should be back to running very soon. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/11/03/gold_duke_of_edinburghs_award~3239719/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sportduke-of-edinburghs-awarddofehttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/11/03/gold_duke_of_edinburghs_award~3239719/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/10/05/gold_duke_of_edinburgh~3090993/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-10-05:/2007/10/05/gold_duke_of_edinburgh~3090993/Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:38:57 +0200 <p>yay finally i am going to complete this award. i have been doing it for some years now, my squadron at cadets hasn't been the most organised. Finally i have everything done apart from the final expedition.</p> <p>2 weeks time i go to lake windermere to do 4 days of intense hill walking and living in the same clothes for four days living out of my rucksack. heaven.</p> <p>the only slight problem is that i have a couple of injuries. i have ITB syndrome, all runners out there will be wincing in pain as they will understand. imagine a hot knife being driven into the side of your knee. especially when going up hills. not good</p> <p>plus i have achelle tendonitis because of my bloody boots from lst weekend. i thought they were broken in by now but clearly not as the pressure on the tendon was insane. so a hot knife being ripped through my left ankle. yummy.</p> <p>apart from that it's all good. i have my assesment this weekend for my basic expedition leader award. yay. and i have some bouldering comps coming up. on the subject of climbing i was really hitting form last week and feeling very strong indeed, i just hope i don't lose my form in the time off that i need to have for my ankle.</p> <p>fun fun. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/10/05/gold_duke_of_edinburgh~3090993/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sportdofehikinginjurieshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/10/05/gold_duke_of_edinburgh~3090993/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/08/19/do_you_work_in_a_hotel~2832706/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-08-19:/2007/08/19/do_you_work_in_a_hotel~2832706/Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:04:17 +0200 <p>You might be in the hotel industry, if...</p> <p>* You sat at the same desk for 4 years and worked for 8 different managers<br> * "Going for cocktails and dinner" is NOT your idea of a nice evening<br> * When someone asks you your exact job profile, you lie<br> * You get really excited about a 2% pay increase<br> * You sit in a cubicle smaller than your bedroom closet<br> * It's dark on your drive to and from work<br> * Communication is something your "group" is having problems with<br> * You see a good looking person and you know it's a visitor/guest<br> * Food left over from a banquet or meeting is your main staple diet<br> * You forget what you look like in anything but a suit/uniform<br> * All the work you were hired to do gets done before 9 and after 5<br> * You're already late on an assignment you just received<br> * Your boss's favorite lines are<br> a. "When you get a minute..."<br> b. "In your spare time...."<br> c. "I have an opportunity for you..."<br> * 50% of the people in your company don't know what you do<br> * The other 50% of the people in your company don't care what you do<br> * Vacation is something you roll over to next year, if you are allowed<br> * Change is the norm<br> * Nepotism is encouraged<br> * Six months is considered to be substantial longevity.<br> * You dial "9" before the number no matter where you are calling from<br> * When you are walking in public, you have to fight the urge to pick up little scraps of paper and rubbish on the floor<br> * Your toilet paper at home is folded in a triangle on the first sheet<br> * You answer the phone at home "Hello this is....., how may I help you?"<br> * You eat in hotel restaurants for fun<br> * You inspect your hotel room when traveling </p> <p>* Most of all, You read this entire list and understand it.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/08/19/do_you_work_in_a_hotel~2832706/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>hotelslifeworkhttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/08/19/do_you_work_in_a_hotel~2832706/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/08/19/the_death_march_tamed~2832379/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-08-19:/2007/08/19/the_death_march_tamed~2832379/Sun, 19 Aug 2007 10:46:50 +0200 <p>This time last week i was on a coach heading back to England. </p> <p>i was staring out of the window, comtemplating what i had achieved. you set your self goals in life, well i don anyway. this one being a goal that has been waiting for five years. that whole time i have waited with a pen to tick that off my list.</p> <p>so how come it is over so soon? i sit here now and struggle to believe it has been a week already.</p> <p>i did the 100km in 20 hours and 2 minutes. This topped off with the fact that i walked two fantastic individuals. </p> <p>It is a testimony to my strength both physically and mentally that i completed it so fast. i hadn't trained at all, i had only worn the shoes that i did it in once. This is incredibly stupid, especially from someone of my experience, i just had so much going on that i never really got around that what was important at the time. </p> <p>i knew that i was physically fit enough due to my triathlons and i knew i was mentally strong enough because thats just how i am and so i felt it should be ok.</p> <p>One thing that helped was when i got angry at my mum. i have never known anyone so unsupportive of their kids. Upon telling my parents that i was doing the death march dad didn't say anything because he has become accustomed to me doing these crazy things that he probably knew i'd do it and so didn't feel the need so say anyhting at that point in time, he did wish me luck before i went and that was great. my mum however was the first to chip in "well you haven't trained for it!" she said in a very harsh manner, and that was it conversation over, thanks mum.</p> <p>one big think in my life is about making my parents proud of me, i can't tell you why but i just feel i need to. probably because they never say it. upon completing the march my dad txted me saying how proud he was and i cried because i have waited so long to hear that and it felt magical. i didn;t even get a txt off my mum and there wasn;t even a well done when i got home, just a "did you enjoy it?" as if you care mum. </p> <p>sorry i could rant and rave forever because i am so angry with her and i am desperate to move out. i can't wait to get a place of my own.</p> <p>i am going to train for it next year because i want sub 17hours, that would be magic. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/08/19/the_death_march_tamed~2832379/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sportsdeath-marchhttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/08/19/the_death_march_tamed~2832379/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/death_march~2719563/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-07-29:/2007/07/29/death_march~2719563/Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:59:17 +0200 <p>In just under 2 weeks i will be off to Belgium to do the Belgium death march. it is 100km walking to be completed in 24 hours. </p> <p>Now i know what your all thinking. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"> i have to agree with you.</p> <p>so why do it? </p> <p>"you see things; and you say, 'why?' But i dream things that never were; and i say, 'why not?" - George Bernard Shaw</p> <p>"some of the worlds greatest feats have been acomplished by those not clever enough to realise that they are impossible." - Anon</p> <p>Two of the most inspiring quotes i have ever come across and i follow them through life. yes its a bit mental to want to walk for 24 hours and do 100km. yes i know thats why cars were invented. nothing, however, rivals the sense of achievement you recieve from completing something like this. </p> <p>so why do it, well, you shouldn't really be able to do something like this, hence the name of the march, it is a test of physical and mental endurance, only a special type of perosn shall complete it. i shall be one of those special people and collect my medal at the end for sure </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/death_march~2719563/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sportdeath-marchwalkingmedalhttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/death_march~2719563/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/work_on_a_sunday~2719540/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-07-29:/2007/07/29/work_on_a_sunday~2719540/Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:42:44 +0200 <p>Yep, here i am once more. stuck here at work and for the first time in ages it is sunny, i could be climbing in the peaks today or out on a long bike ride, but no im sat here again. </p> <p>Just watched transworld sport and so i am feeling inspired to do something. ah well, just have to sit here bored out of my mind. not that i should be here; im rather ill at the moment with a bad cold, but there is no one else to cover so i couldn't not turn up. although my girl friend thinks i should just stay at home and she has a point. come and look after me please Ffion baby.lol.</p> <p>time for more lemsip i think.....can you have too much of this stuff???? lol<img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/work_on_a_sunday~2719540/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/work_on_a_sunday~2719540/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/28/suicidal_canoeing~2717117/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-07-28:/2007/07/28/suicidal_canoeing~2717117/Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:49:57 +0200 <p>10am read the clock; i looked out of the window of the minibus towards lake Bala. a thick blanket of rain continued to lash down and whip the lake into a torrent nightmare. large waves and swells coated the surface, being peddle dashed constantly by the rain. I opened the door and a bitterly cold wind bit into me. </p> <p>welcome to Wales, well, i had asked for more adventure and certainly got it. For some this is their idea of hell and would have turned back long before now. not me however; even as i sat eating brekfast and staring out of the window watching the weather get worse i was itching to get onto the water.</p> <p>So all my days at work counting the weeks, days and hours until Llanbedr camp have finally come to fruition and i find myself soaked to the bone and shivering uncontrollably; standing next to a vast expance of water known as lake Bala.</p> <p>The joint forces open water dwimming competition was happening this morning and we were tasked with being safety boats and following swimmers. yet upon getting into the water we were washed downstream at a ferocious rate. the conditions were dangerous and the race should have been called off for sure. it was even questioning my limits of "normality."</p> <p>sometimes it is the right thing to do to pull the plug on something and know when you're beaten. however, the race went on regardless. hypothermia was to prove to be the only winner of the day.</p> <p>i felt gutted that i wasn't going to be able to do much canoeing; until martin the instructor came over.</p> <p>"i hear you're good" he says to me grabbing two oars.</p> <p>i can't help but agree with him because he was right.<br> "good, we are going out there, they need some help." he said looking out into the distance.</p> <p>i followed his gaze out onto the lake, just in view you could see something yellow bobbing about.</p> <p>looking at the condition of the water, the size of the waves and the speed of the current really awoke the caged animal. i began to contemple what would become of me if i capsize. this is now dicing with death breathing it's ice cold breath on the back of your neck.</p> <p>finally, after probably two months i feel alive again. monotony is out of the window and i'm back in my world. </p> <p>Fear, that caged animal is pacing now, up and downl; but i want to really piss it off and practically bite martins hand off for my oar as i hop into the canoe. as he pushes off we are hit by driving rain, thrashed about by powerful waves , currents and howling winds. the canoe rocks about unsteadily. the animal loses it and pounces at the cage rattling the bars.</p> <p>yes, this is me, i am alive.</p> <p>the adrenilin is coarsing through my body and the animal begins to settle, i get a feeling of invincibilty and power hard with each stroke of the oar. kneeling down right at the front to get a lower centre of gravity brings me closer to the water. the canoe rises up on a crest and slaps down hard, water breaking over the bow and soaking my face. i squint through the now painful rain and press on fighting the current. </p> <p>"paddle right!!!" i hear martin shout above the howling wind.</p> <p>we are heading off course and so as directed i flip my oar over to the right.</p> <p>this is beyond an adrenilin rush, this is something different, something on a higher level. the lake tries its best to chew us up and spit us out but we fight on. the water tries harder so we fight harder.</p> <p>The stricken kayaker managed to right himself as we got to him and we checked he was ok before he got powerboated back to shore. well, theres nothing left to do but head back, this time we were even more against the current.</p> <p>as i write this my body is tense and ready for the signal, i want to go back. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/28/suicidal_canoeing~2717117/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>extreme-sportsadrenilincrazycanoeinghttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/28/suicidal_canoeing~2717117/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/back_at_the_climbing_works~2586734/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-07-06:/2007/07/06/back_at_the_climbing_works~2586734/Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:43:41 +0200 <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"> i couldn't be happier. </p> <p>Everything is back to normal, i have no skin on my fingers, i feel empowered and im climbing every ledge i can see, my fingers itch again and everything seems to make sense again.</p> <p>i think i went a bit over board at climbing works in sheffield yesterday as i have lost vast quantities of skin. however, this place is beyond heaven, and so add to that, they have just built a new bit onto one of the walls and it is out of this world. the problems start at the back in the corner and you come outwards, completley upside down for a few moves, then big reachs are needed for the over hanging slope and lot of power to get up to the top. </p> <p>It is by far the best bit of climbing wall i have ever climbed on, along with the two big buckets there. there is something so beautifully natural about hanging upside down, using your feet as hands. this type of climbing is not only the most aesthetically pleasing and most impressive looking, but it's the most impressive feeling. </p> <p>once i onsighted the first problem i came off feeling slightly pumped due to the nature of the problem, but i felt powerful. i felt the strength coarsing through me and it showed as i got on to the next problem. my feet kept slipping off this one grip as it had become quite polished, instead of giving up and starting again. i continued trying to reset my feet and i must have been haging there for a long time in a crucifix position, but it felt good. finally getting my feet back on i continued on upwards. </p> <p>there is also a sweet dyno in the main area. The problem was slightly more heinous than it appeared, but still not a problem. i got to the last but one grip, set myself for the dyno and pushed back and sideways. its amazing because as you catch the grip you have to hold on for dear life as your legs flick out, similar to the one at nottingham. mat gave it a great attempt and touched the last grip but couldnt hold it and ended up completely face planting himself. but im proud because his confidence is soaring all the time and before there was no way he'd even attempt the dyno.</p> <p>so any of you into bouldering, that havnt visited the climbing works in sheffield, what are you waiting for. i can't wait until next time now. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/back_at_the_climbing_works~2586734/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>boulderingsportsheffieldclimbing-worksclimbinghttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/back_at_the_climbing_works~2586734/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/05/escaped_monkey~2576420/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-07-05:/2007/07/05/escaped_monkey~2576420/Thu, 05 Jul 2007 08:21:36 +0200 <p>Well not really, the escaped monkey is me.</p> <p>climbing on tuesday was so good, considering i hadn't climbed for a month due to an injury i was impressed at my performance. it felt like home being back on the overhangs again. thats where i belong, upside down.</p> <p>Anyway i am going to daydream alday because Mat and i are going upto the climbing works in sheffield after i finish work at 2. we havnt been there for so long and it really is the meccah of bouldering. i saw on their website that they have extended a wall and it looks burly. </p> <p>i'll keep you informed. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/05/escaped_monkey~2576420/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>boulderingmonkeyclimbinghttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/05/escaped_monkey~2576420/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/05/the_return_to_a_mundane_existance~2576394/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-07-05:/2007/07/05/the_return_to_a_mundane_existance~2576394/Thu, 05 Jul 2007 08:16:22 +0200 <p>I feel like the title says it all really, compared to last week, being back at work is as mundane is it can get. I'm feeling trapped, looking of the window all i can picture is the mountains and the beach, i blink, rub my eyes and see some fat slob smoking and scratching his bum on the forecourt. nice.<img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>It was just amazing though, monday i was canoeing in the most torrential storm ever, i can't wait to put the blog of that down because it was truly out of this world. Tuesday was climbing and oh it felt so dam good to feel those grips again. wednesday we walked up cnicht and camped out on top of the mountains.</p> <p>Now picture this for the utmost beauty imaginable. near the top of a mountain, sun shining down, no wind, beautifuly clear lake and nearby a stream running past. i found a spot away form everyone, a small little sheltered bit at the top, all you could hear was the gentle flow of the stream, the sun beating down warming me up. i mediatated there for well over half an hour, it was pure bliss.</p> <p>thursday we came back down the mountain and friday we did mountain biking and high ropes, but i did mountain biking all day with both groups because i've done high ropes before and this mountain bike trail was like nothing i had ever riden before, despite two horrendous crashes and looking like i had been in a car crash with cuts everywhere and wrecking a bike. i got a new one and just carried on because it was just incredible. i can't wait to go again. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/05/the_return_to_a_mundane_existance~2576394/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sportsadventurehttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/07/05/the_return_to_a_mundane_existance~2576394/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/the_retreat~2500587/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-06-22:/2007/06/22/the_retreat~2500587/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:40:22 +0200 <p>Ah, and so here we are, a friday, my final day of work before i swan off to wales for a week. </p> <p>i can't wait, i am spending a week in Llanbedr doing adventurous activities. now hang on a minute there, your not even listening to me now...your making your own jokes up in your head with that.lol</p> <p>adventure training. naviagtion/hiking. climbing, kayaking, abseiling, mountain biking, canyoning. and whatever else depending on the weather. i cannot wait. last time i went on this camp i was just a young corporal in the atc, now i am still young, but am a member of staff so i am helping to run the course. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p>i love Llanbedr, it is beautiful. the outdoors has this hold on me, i can't get enough, i feel trapped when i am indoors. on a nice day snowdon looms above llanbedr and it is just the most magestic vision of beauty. </p> <p>i will use this landscape to really get in touch with myself as i can go down to the beach and meditate to the sound of the oceans waves. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p>since becoming a buddhist, a few people have laughed and mocked me for it, but surprisingly most people have been great and infact a few have said that they have considered it as well. i feel great to finally be myself and be free. i have become a calmer person now because i don't let myself get stressed anymore.</p> <p>well i must dash, i need to go and pack my stuff.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/the_retreat~2500587/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>reflectiontravelmeditationholidayhttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/the_retreat~2500587/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/joke_of_the_day~2493102/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-06-21:/2007/06/21/joke_of_the_day~2493102/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:51:17 +0200 <p>A woman was in a coma for several months, one day the nurses noticed a slight response while washing her private area. They rushed to her husband and explained, suggesting that a little oral sex might bring her round. To which he agreed. A few minutes later her monitor flat lined, no pulse or heart rate. the nurses rushed in “what happened” they cried. The husband replied “I’m not sure, she may have choked.”<br> <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/joke_of_the_day~2493102/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>funnyjokehttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/joke_of_the_day~2493102/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/super_lightweight~2491313/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-06-21:/2007/06/21/super_lightweight~2491313/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:03:59 +0200 <p>Well i consumed my first alcoholic beverage for over a year the other night. wow.</p> <p>it was my works annual awards night and i was nominated for an award which was fantastic. my mates asked if i would be drinking that night. now normally i wouldn't because of my racing i don't drink. however, this thing only happens once a year and i am injured at the moment. </p> <p>I was pissed after my first drink.... a baileys. lol a few vodka red bulls later and i was rather worse for wear, causing some havoc with my mates until 4.30am. </p> <p>upon finally reaching my bed i closed my eyes and felt like i was sinking into the floor at a phenominal rate. OH im going to be sick.</p> <p>i open my eyes and the room calms down. oh this isn't good. <img src="/img/smilies/graydead.gif" alt="XX(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>i lie there until 8am, scared of falling asleep for the thought of being sick. as soon as it was 8am i went down to breakfast and a full cooked brekfast and a yoghurt and a cup of tea and orange juice. </p> <p>at least my appetite wasn't affected.</p> <p>i felt pissed on the car journey home....i wasn't driving so you can relax. great i thought, i have staved off the dreaded hangover. </p> <p>But no, sure enough, the headache kicked in and i felt like a zombie, my usual loud, bouncy humurous personality was replaced with the inability to do anything.lol</p> <p>i think i'll stick to the pomegrante juice and the lemon and lime. oh my head.lol </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/super_lightweight~2491313/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/super_lightweight~2491313/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/19/repressed_no_more~2480474/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-06-19:/2007/06/19/repressed_no_more~2480474/Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:39:35 +0200 <p>Since my eye opener the other week i have really have become incredibly open minded.</p> <p>i thought about what chris sharma had said and really pondered on it. i used to laugh and judge things that werent in keeping with the conventional everyday life that i knew. things such as meditation. i used to think it was stupid and always laughed at the thought of it. i was very narrow minded. </p> <p>However, like liptons ice tea (which i happen to love) don't knock it until you try it. </p> <p>so i went home that day and meditated. it was amazing, i felt something different straight away and now regularly do it every day. i have begun to enjoy work again because i don't carry stress around with me anymore.</p> <p>Yesterday i looked to taking it to the next level, i am thinking of becoming a buddhist. At this point you are probably raising your eyebrows in surprise or rolling on the floor laughing and so i shall give it time to sink in............................................</p> <p>A buddhist? let me explain.</p> <p>I am not religious in any way shape or form, those that know me will totally agree with that statement, i don't believe in God or anything like that, there is far too much science to disprove otherwise. i am not getting into an arguement about religion, you are entitled to your own opinions for sure. </p> <p>for me though, no, not for me.</p> <p>My secondary school was completely bible bashing and obsessed with chrisitianity, i felt increasing repressed into having to believe in something i did not want to. </p> <p>So why should i call myself christian? </p> <p>Buddhism however is a philosophy on, life. All about your journey through life, what path you take and how you react to things.</p> <p>I have read up alot of buddhism and when i read about its teachings and the noble eightfold path i realise this is for me. </p> <p>this will guide me through life far better than anything christian.</p> <p>This does not mean that i will become a monk at all, i will just carry on the way i am and continue to meditate because this is making for a far happier life for me. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/19/repressed_no_more~2480474/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>changelifehttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/19/repressed_no_more~2480474/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/10/rediscovery~2427041/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-06-10:/2007/06/10/rediscovery~2427041/Sun, 10 Jun 2007 14:30:37 +0200 <p>It's been a while since my last entry on here and im so very bored. who would think that breaking your little toe (when technically it's no the little one, the one next to it. the piggy that had none.lol) could cause you to be so immobile. </p> <p>The past three weeks have been a nightmare, relentless pain, i'm still limping. rest rest, everyone keeps saying. yet how can i? i need to walk and i can't walk on my hands, i tried once before and that ended painfully. And so how do you rest a part of your body that never gets rest? you can't. not without being bed ridden. </p> <p>I am so angry as i was getting ready to peak for mansfield triathlon next sunday but it looks like i'm going to miss that now. I haven't climbed in 3 weeks aswell and it's been killing me. </p> <p>I've started making little problems, if you can call that on my pull up bar by dynoing from over hand to under hand and wide and narrow grips etc. </p> <p>But it isn't enough. </p> <p>However, this "time off" has been an eye opener, i read an article today by chris sharma, my undoubted role model in climbing, but now also in life. lately i had become obsessed with climbing hard grades. i have only been climbing since september last year and already i like to think i'm at a good standard. i have done F7a indoors and F6B outdoors. However, i'm always pushing myself to climb harder and better. my techinque is improving tendfold, but i have become self centred in my climbing and selfish of my friends that climb around me. </p> <p>Yes i climb harder grades than them, and yes i do encourage them alot when they climb. but i get wrapped up in a problem, in a grade. When i started to climb i climbed something because it was beautiful and inspiring. i have a very big soft spot for the over hangs and i see a line and it takes me away to a place where i am free from everything and myself. i just climb and am at one with the problem. </p> <p>The competition that i won has been both good and bad for me. it taught me new techniques and pushed me and my abilities as a climber. it made me think about the problem and how to flash it, the importance of not falling off. Great.</p> <p>But it took away what it important and thats the climbing. instead of looking at a problem and thinking "thats beautiful, i just want to climb that, feel what it's like, feel my body flow with energy and grace as i climb." instead i'd look at the problem and think "oh 6a, i could do that, it's hard, i can climb hard."</p> <p>i saw the grade and not the problem. So what if my friends are climbing 4s and 5s, that makes them no less of a climber. climbing should be challenging yes, and yes i want to climb harder and better, but it should be fun. You shouldn't care about the grade. it's a number, it's not even a definative science because one mans 6a is another mans 7a. A grade is as chris sharma put it, something that egotistical climbers try to collect in order to make them look better than anyone else.</p> <p>I'm never going to set the climbing world alight with my achievements, much as i'd like to; and so what does it matter if i climb 6B or not. Who cares? me? people who don't climb don't understand grades so it's pointless explaining. people who do climb would either think i'm a big headed arrogant idiot if i brag about a grade, or just think that it's rubbish compared to them. </p> <p>Chris sharma doesn't grade his climbs, he climbs for the love of it. for being out in the beauty of nature. for climbing. it's those that try and match his achievements that put a grade on his climbs. Grades aren't important.</p> <p>"It’s ideal to walk the middle line in life. It’s for sure the way of peace. I’m trying every day to find that way. I get lost on a path that from afar seems so simple. Sometimes I’m too lazy and sometimes I hurry too much. I’d like to be right between those extremes" chris sharma</p> <p>I will continue to push myself all the time and still do competitions if it feels right. But...</p> <p>After reading his full article i have rediscovered climbing. It has become clear why i climb. it isn't always a competiton, it isn't about climbing that problem because it's a 6a or whatever. I saw through the problem and almost saw a dot to dot line when i have studied problems in the past. now i shall see the problem for what it is, i shall appriciate the rock, the feel of the holds, the way the line takes me, the surroundings that it is set it. the feeling of climbing because i can. I am not better than anyone at climbing, i have much to learn, and i look forward to this new journey. i have been humbled and knocked down a few pegs. i shall not let my ego take over anymore as climbing can lead you to thinking with a high self importance and very self orientated. i shall respect the problem, i shall respect my friends and others around me and i shall enjoy the climb.</p> <p>Thank you chris Sharma for making me realise what is important, and i apologise to any of my friends if i had become arrogant and something i'm not when climbing. i love you all.</p> <p>Like the quote i put from chris sharma, life is a journey, a path of never ending challenges and yes from afar it seems so easy and you can happily judge from a distance. but up close and personal with each and every challenge it can get ugly. it can become easy to blur the reason as to why you take on a challenge and forget what actually matters. it's how you come out the other side that is make is important. they can make or break you as a person. But you must never shy away from the challange otherwise you will never know or grow as a person. </p> <p>alot of what i do is comptition and about wanting to be the best and obviously winning. it becomes easy to forget to take myself away from that because that vast time of my waking and also sleeping day and night is dreaming of winning, conquering my challenges, but importantly proving to myself and to people that i can do these things. i will always want to win, thats my nature, im an athlete, thats what i feed on, but i am learning all the time, and i and beginning to know when it's appropriate to be so competitve or not. Like i say it's hard to dettach from my normal way of thinking because triathlon does engulf you. </p> <p>i think it's important to go into something wanting to do your ut most best, but should it be always about winning or being the best. who knows, maybe thats the next path on this great journey that i shall discover, because each challenge teaches you about your self and i am becoming almost spitirual in my thinking about myself as a person. anyway i have waffled on for too long. time will tell.</p> <p>i just want to thank everyone i know for being such good friends to me and for being patient and for putting up with me.</p> <p>until next time. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/10/rediscovery~2427041/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>boulderingsportclimbinghttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/06/10/rediscovery~2427041/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/25/the_monkey_returns~2334356/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-05-25:/2007/05/25/the_monkey_returns~2334356/Fri, 25 May 2007 20:12:44 +0200 <p>Well i hadn't climbed for a few weeks, or at least it feels like it. </p> <p>However i have been twice this week and it feels good. mind you tell my fingers that.</p> <p>Nottingham have rebuilt the arch and it looks out of this world. it's jaw droppingly awe inspiring. i saw it and my heart was racing. There is going to be some Burly upside down climbing very soon.</p> <p>today was a ace session, cracking off some really tricky problems. Some of them requiring a dyno finish.</p> <p>problem 12 was especially good for that. i worked my way up and across to the final move. it was one hell of a reach up and left at the top, i worked my feet a bit higher. leaning back slightly to get a better view i weigh up my options. i have one and that is to jump.</p> <p>If i miss i have a long way to fall, this doesn't bother me in the slightest, those crash mats are quite soft. </p> <p>I launch myself upwards and across. Those couple of seconds floating through the air are magic. you aren't there for long and don't even have time to think. But the rush is amazing, seeing the top of that wall coming closer and closer until you slap your fingers into the jug and hold it. due to the over hang you body flicks out and you tighten the grip but it feels good. i match my hand to finish. </p> <p>Content i turn around to jump down and see a few astonished faces, one boy said "you've got monkey skills man" </p> <p>HEHE i know that. i did a wicked dyno on one wall that started low and as well as going up it came out due to a large over hang. it was a big dyno as well, not sure of the distance but very far. </p> <p>i coiled myself up, i looked up and backwards to the pink grip, visualised myself catching it. then launched myself. its a super feeling as you fly backwards through the air hoping that you will catch the grip but not quite sure if you will or not.</p> <p>"Whack" my right hand slipped into the grip, my whole body kept going up and back (it's one thing to catch this grip, it's another to hold it)</p> <p>i held on for dear life and my body came back towards the wall. Done it, what a feeling!</p> <p>well my fingers are once more shredded and my toe is even more painful....</p> <p>i accidently kicked a doorframe the other day and my toe is completely purple and swollen and excruciatingly painful. and so did not take kindly to being crammed into my shoes.lol</p> <p>But hey such is life </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/25/the_monkey_returns~2334356/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/25/the_monkey_returns~2334356/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/18/stratford_triathlon~2294204/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-05-18:/2007/05/18/stratford_triathlon~2294204/Fri, 18 May 2007 20:42:45 +0200 <p>Well my race went very well indeed. Despite my worries due to my lack of training and only my third proper session of exercise since doing my back in.</p> <p>i went into it incredibly focused. As i had done it the previous year i was mounting a hell of alot of pressure upon myself. expectations were low, however, i felt a personal best was in the making still.</p> <p>The swim felt good, i had open water ahead of me in the pool and i even over took two people, i felt good as i ran into transition. </p> <p>I struggled to slow myself down in T1 and rushed and fumbled with my shoes for a brief second, but as you see that shoe fall to the floor, you may already be reaching down for it, but it seems like it is falling for eternity, forever out of your grasp. time must be racing past. it seems like a life time but may only be a couple of seconds. however to me that is a lifetime, a couple of seconds lost could mean a couple of places.</p> <p>As soon as i heard the reassuring click of the cleats in the pedals i was gone. the bike has always and will always be my favourite of the three disciplines and i was determined to press on and eat away the tarmac on my black aerodynamic stealth machine.<br> tucked up on the aerobars i began to fly past quite a few people.</p> <p>Towards the end of the ride my quads were begining to burn, i was on the limit. i felt alive as the rain began to drizzle around me. </p> <p>Entering T2 i was perfectly prepared, feet out of the shoes ready i was able to over take two more people before the dismount line. then a sprint to the rack, throw the bike onto it and slip into my running shoes, discard the helmet and im away.</p> <p>The first few steps are always a bit wobbly so it's short fast strides to start with. i brace myself for the inevitable cramp to set in to no avail, i felt good. i pressed on. a few guys over took me, the first time i had been overtaken in this race. </p> <p>I felt strong towards the end of the run and pushed myself, i sailed past a few guys and as i neared the end i put on a fantastic sprint and flew past one guy just before i crossed the line.</p> <p>Thats it....ages preparing, days worrying feeling excited and anxious, sleepless nights, and for what, just over an hours work?</p> <p>is it worth it? i crouch down by a tree feeling as though i want to be sick.</p> <p>Of course it's worth it. This is what life is about, well not the sick bit but the rush, the high i am on after a race lasts for a good few days and its irreplaceable. almost immediatley i feel great and want to race again straight away. Ironman is calling, it wont be long until i answer the dream. </p> <p>so i walk back to my car with my bike, where did i could? i pretend not to be bothered because i no i could have done far better with training...but don't you want to know? what you can do when you just have to step up to the mark and do something great?</p> <p>The greatest acomplishments in life have been achieved by those not smart enough to realise that they are immpossible.</p> <p>my motto in life, i live by it. and so with 1 hour 20 minutes 48 seconds to beat, what did i do?</p> <p>1 hour 15 minutes and 47 seconds 146th/556 Men 152nd/789 overall</p> <p>I couldn't really be happier with a result like that..i now have 4 months until this race is run again.</p> <p>In the mean time lots of training, but also just as importantly lots of climbing to do. </p> <p>until next time </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/18/stratford_triathlon~2294204/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/18/stratford_triathlon~2294204/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/11/the_itch~2253868/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-05-11:/2007/05/11/the_itch~2253868/Fri, 11 May 2007 21:25:19 +0200 <p>Well, as i sit here i see that the skin has recovered on my fingers and they are itching. i want to climb, i amuse myself by climbing doorframes. Traversing from reception to the gym, laying back to the games bar and doing the overhang along the top of the long door frame. </p> <p>i am even making a problem of the desk by starting under it and doing the low over hang with no grip what so ever, heel hook to the end for a mantel out. love it.</p> <p>mind you, one of my gym members commented to me "your not normal are you"</p> <p>Nope i know i'm not normal, and i love it.</p> <p>whilst most of you are still in bed on sunday morning i'll be checking my bike before i set it up in transistion ready for my first triathlon of this season. my back is getting better and i am looking forward to it, despite not being able to train for 4 weeks. even now my wrist is in agony because i slipped on a mantel when climbing and have lost some mobility.</p> <p>i feel like a caged animal. i haven't raced for one month since stokesley duathlon and i'm itching so much to race. The trouble with being an adrenilin junkie is that i was not designed for the mundane exisitance of work. i can't handle the every day monotonous grind, i need to be out there, surpassing 200BPM. </p> <p>I can't sit still, even now as im typing away my leg is bouncing up and down, i constantly fidget, im constantly looking about the place for something crazy to do. earlier i was taking the boring to the plant room, then i had to go to the maintenance office. i have taken a fascination to "free running" or "parkour" and so instead of the long walk around to the office i ran and jumped up the generator and bounced up onto the wall, jumped off of the high wall, followed by a little forward roll and carry on sprinting fluidly. love it.</p> <p>so i get my heart racing again, that chemical rush begins to pump, i feel alive and ready. i wana push myself harder and further, i wana upset that caged animal in my head. the fear. that feeling when you don't think it's a good idea anymore and the animal is clawing at the bars in the cage telling you to stop. you sweat, your breathing quickens. love it, this is living. life is a challenge, so challenge life. go for it. i'm already thinking up the next crazy little stunt to bide my time, to give me that little kick, that little buzz until the next time that i can get a proper rush.</p> <p>i cant go for long with out adrenilin, i am addicted, i am dependant on the feeling of flight or fight. take that away and my spark is gone. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/11/the_itch~2253868/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>climbingboulderinghttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/11/the_itch~2253868/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/the_christening_of_the_v10s~2246632/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-05-10:/2007/05/10/the_christening_of_the_v10s~2246632/Thu, 10 May 2007 18:03:24 +0200 <p>7th May 2007</p> <p>Driving up the M1 was bleak, the big grey clouds descending upon the land. why had joe and i bothered to venture upto the peaks? a wasted jounery it was to be, when it did rain i was thinking to myself...no where will be open because it's bank holiday.</p> <p>Junction 29 looms up after an age and it begins to rain; i sigh. My hopes of climbing anything decent today are dashed. Joe looks over and rolls his eyes. However i am determined to keep the faith and so i press on towards chesterfield.</p> <p>As we near hathersage the sun begins to threaten and suddenly i feel alive. I throw Joe the Guide book with a grin, "Show us the way my friend."</p> <p>He flicks through to the location "burbage", i wanted to visit burbage south boulders, but somehow we ended up at stanage.</p> <p>"No problem" i said as i suddenly realise that the plantation left me with a few unanswered problems from my previous visit. i practically run up to the plantation with my bouldering mat. </p> <p>a few hours of climbing later and finally the group that was hogging the low traverse finally vacated and finally i was ready.</p> <p>i lay the mat over the precarious rock jutting up from the ground that threatens to damage my already injured back. </p> <p>I sit down and begin to comtemplate the problem. i stare at it intensely, every move is being played out in my head in great detail. my fingers begin to sweat as i get excited about the prospect of doing this. i concentrate on the finish, it's a thuggy mantel out of the traverse to top out. this was what caught me out last time. "hmm, now should my left hand go there or there"</p> <p>i slide on my shoes. well, i say slide, i spend an age cramming my battered toes into the V10s, still brand new and very very tight. but oh so good. shoes finally on, i dip inot the chalk pad and play out the problem one more time. im ready.</p> <p>i sit down at the far left, hold onto the bulge in the arete with both hands and pull myself up so that i can hook my left heel on to the top. tilting my head back i get the view of the rest of the problem, this is where it gets fun because it's unside down so i have to interpret everything and switch it the right way up.</p> <p>reaching out with my right hand onto a rubbish grip i shuffle my left hand up and match my feet before moving along a bit more. it feels good up to this point. here you drop down slightly onto i small crimpy flake. enough for a few finger tips. i throw my hand across full reach to the right hand side and sink my fingertips onto it. as i bring in the left hand to match i feel the power surging through me. it takes alot of strength to keep a grip and it feels amazing. i amy only be a foot off of the ground but i know i'm in heaven. </p> <p>i work my feet along expertly heel hooking and using an inverted toe hook. only a few moves left, i reach out again at full stretch to the next hold with my right hand. nothing to grip onto. This is living, sinking your fingertips onto the rock, imagining that you are squeezing out your own hand grip. i feel it biting into the tips and know that blood will be left on that hold. it's my reward, it would be easy to left go and give up. but i wont be beaten, i slow everything down a notch. the moves flow even more gracefully. it's fluid, i feel like i am creating art infront of my friends eyes. </p> <p>there is a knowing look on Joes eyes that he can't do this problem and that there is respect there despite us both being incredibly competitive.</p> <p>i lower my right foot to a tiny little feature on the rock and really slowly and controlled i let my left foot which was heel hooking lower and in one smooth movement it mathces gracefully as the right flows up and heel hooks onto the right side.</p> <p>almost there, i reach up and just out of reach is a small jug that i sink two fingers into, pulling with all my might a roll into the rock, then using my left hand backwards against the grip i mantel out.</p> <p>Heaven. i stand there happy and content. one more tick to satisfy the hunger. but im not satisfied for long. oh no, it's an insasiable hunger that tells me that no matter how much skin i lose, how much blood i let flow, i must climb and climb and climb.</p> <p>Curbar came next, there were some lovely problems requiring a few dynos to top out. this was great fun, my friend didnt think so as he was spotting. but being fearless i just warned him,....then jumped, luckly for him i caught and held the top everytime. sadly rain halted play as i was about to attempt strawberries. this is a nice looking 6b problem that appeals to me for some strange reason. </p> <p>until next time Strawberries. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/the_christening_of_the_v10s~2246632/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/the_christening_of_the_v10s~2246632/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/new_shoes~2199437/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-05-02:/2007/05/02/new_shoes~2199437/Wed, 02 May 2007 21:22:25 +0200 <p>well the new shoes arrived<img src="http://www.polarsport.pl/images/stories/mksklep/product/b1a91a00193869542989f1b38896d50e.jpg" alt="V10s" title="New shoes"></p> <p>i love them to bits. the boreals were getting far too tight, but these are fantastic and painful. very weird climbing in them, you have to use your feet slightly differently due to the huge curve.</p> <p>i took my beautiful girlfriend climbing the other day. she loves it now. a new convert. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> she was rather impressive, maybe out climb me if im not careful. </p> <p>mat and i have our videos up on you tube now so feel free to have a peek. they are rather awesome</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zkz05YGOjc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zkz05YGOjc</a><br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox9A5OPle-I">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox9A5OPle-I</a></p> <p>hoping to have another day out soon so watch this space. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/new_shoes~2199437/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/new_shoes~2199437/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/04/17/plan_b~2109633/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-04-17:/2007/04/17/plan_b~2109633/Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:56:25 +0200 <p>This friday i was going to set upon a mission to crack some tough problems up at Burbage. Shoes still haven't arrived though <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>However, i went to see my physio today to sort a problem i have picked up in my back and he has told me not to go out climbing <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>On the bright side he did say i could climb indoors and therefore i think a trip to sheffields climbing works is in order. i have read that they have a new 6+ to 7 graded circuit so i shall be pitting myself against that i think.</p> <p>Just hope my back is sorted in time for my duathlon at the end of april</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/04/17/plan_b~2109633/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/04/17/plan_b~2109633/#commentshttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/04/16/first_outing~2099791/tag:monkeyboy.blog.co.uk,2007-04-16:/2007/04/16/first_outing~2099791/Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:12:00 +0200 <p>Friday morning 13th April, 9.44am, the ground crisp and fresh; blanketed by a thick fog. </p> <p>Mat and i started the hike from the car park upto the plantation. Stanage is an incredible area, 3 miles of crags. But more importantly it is littered with Boulders, this is our playground. </p> <p>We set our gear down by "the pebble" and we are the only ones about. The fog begins to lift and the beautiful view begins to emerge. it's going to be a good day.</p> <p>We started climbing in september of last year and had only been outdoors once and that was dabbnling about without a clue.</p> <p>unpon deciding we wanted to get into this more seriously we started climbing at Nottingham climbing centre and now more recently the climbing works. That is pure unadulterated heaven to boulderers.</p> <p>Excited by our first proper bouldering session outdoors and armed with my new crash pad we were ready. Well, mat was with his new shoes, mine haven't arrived yet and so i had to contend with no edges and my toes poking out the front. shameful.lol</p> <p>Anyway, a good days climbing was acheieved and i left alot of skin up in the peaks. I'm happy because i bagged my first 6a+ outdoors. CLimbing outdoors and indoors are totally different ball games. </p> <p>I climb 6-7a regularly indoors, and yet i went outdoors and was doing 5+ and one 6a+ i think alot of it is confidence, this i do not lack, however maybe it's a new style of climbing techniques i need to learn, or just faith in myself. Either way i'll be back up there as i have set myself a project. i came so very close to topping out on a 7b on the pebble, i sacrificed the most amount of skin and blood for it, i couldn't believe that i was able to hold those crazy slopers as i dynoed up to them, from there it was the craziest mantle in the world and my left hand just slipped away.</p> <p>Just going to sit by the door and wait for my new shoes now. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/04/16/first_outing~2099791/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>climbingstanagesportboulderingplantationhttp://monkeyboy.blog.co.uk/2007/04/16/first_outing~2099791/#comments