Obsessed

I go through phases of obsession with a certain extracurricular activity. It's who I am. At times I think it brings Erin to tears. I think she would like to see a long-term obsession with finishing the house. These obsessions usually last a couple weeks, sometimes a couple months. But they never completely go away, just fall down the list behind the new obsession.

Six weeks ago I got obsessed with chess. Yes, chess. Marlee joined the chess club. I always liked chess as a kid, but never really learned anything about it except for the rules. I knew no strategy, and so I got my butt whooped every single time. 20 years later, I'm enthralled with it and the strategy involved. I'm still getting whooped, but now I understand why and am improving quickly. Chess was the first app I downloaded to my iPhone.

Chess has been bumped down the list this week and replaced by the re-emergence of my climbing obsession. It's just about all I can think about since Sunday (see the Dave & Co post.) I've been online at work (both during breaks and times when I should be more productive) trying to find and devour any sites devoted to tree climbing. I gave in and ordered a book (On Rope - North American Vertical Rope Techniques) that I've been wanting for a year or more. But what I really want more than anything else is a new saddle that I can hang comfortably in for hours at a time from New Tribe. At night I've been practicing new knots and rigging configurations in the basement.

To add to my current obsession, I've started reading The Wild Trees. Well, I started reading it at home Wednesday night, but became so hooked that I now listen to it in the car on the way to work as well. It's non-fiction, but I think even non-climbers would really like the way he puts the stories together. It's awesome and I highly recommend it. I will probably stay up late tonight to finish it.

It's interesting that the book is based on the canopy rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, including the areas around where I grew up. I really want to go home and visit with all my climbing gear. I know there are some huge Douglas firs up behind our property up there. Not giants like in the book, but still quite big. I'm also looking forward to taking the kids camping down in Jedediah State Park this summer. I think I'll have a new appreciation for the redwoods.

I did get a kids' harness for Marlee for Easter. I can't wait for Sunday to come. The weather is supposed to be nice, so we should be able to go out and climb for awhile. Cailin wants in too. I may have to get a second harness. Or even upgrade to one of New Tribe's kid saddles. Last night I was teaching Marlee how to tie the necessary knots. She definitely has the knack.

Well, I need to hit the pause button long enough to earn my paycheck.

Investing and Passover Jokes

So, I can't help but feel there are some good opportunities in investing right now. Opportunities to make a lot of money, but also opportunities to fuck up and lose even more. My boss pointed me to this guy with a fair amount of money who writes a daily article that has a little insight, but a lot of humor. I'm going to copy this passover joke straight off of his site, (http://technologyinvestor.com/) I might add this to my morning routine of checking the headlines and Dilbert.

Today is the first day of Jewish Passover. Part 1.
An elderly man in Miami calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing. Forty-five years of misery is enough."

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old man says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her." And he hangs up.

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone, "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."

She calls her father immediately and screams at him, "You are not getting divorced! Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing. Do You Hear Me?" And she hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says," They're both coming for Passover and paying their own airfares.