glen

Tune the low -E string down a full step to D. This allows you to play the same chord by simply barring the 3 strings. This allows a bit more speed and a full step lower range for that particular chord. Pretty common tuning for Jazz, and folk, and rock, and whatevah. Shit, maybe I should give the guitar lessons!

A friend and I were discussing the increasing impact at climbing areas, especially the increase in impact in the last few years. The impact is mostly loss of vegetation at the base of cliffs, noise, and trash. The topic came out of the apparently changing ethics of climbers from the 1950s-1980s versus the 1990's to today. There have been a number of major changes in the climbing world in the last 15 years, namely the huge increase in number of climbers and the accompanying growth of gym-rats and sport climibing. Notably all aspects of climbing have seen increases in usage, but the greatest impact seems to be associated with cragging. Possibly a tangent, but the amont of 'scene' at climbing areas seems to have changed and increased with time also. I am just curious if any of the folks who have been around longer than my scant 12 years of climbing could comment on this, and maybe some general comments on what the differences in the climbing population are. Is the increase in impact in climbing areas a result of simply having more people or is there a population-scale shift in treatment of the natural environment? Just curions what people think; not putting forward any specific opinions (people will do enough of that on their own). G

Why go to all the trouble of making a power chord, when you can just use drop D tuning and do: --|---|---|---|--- --|---|---|---|--- --|---|---|---|--- --|---|---|-x-|--- --|---|---|-x-|--- --|---|---|-x-|--- If it works for Tool, it works for me. ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ---6-5-0-3---0-6-5-0-3--3--3----0--- ---6-5-0-3---0-6-5-0-3--3--3----0--- ---6-5-0-3---0-6-5-0-3--3--3----0---

lol

Gary Brill's intro course is good (took it last year), but it does not have enough field time. Make sure to get out with avy-savvy folks as you learn how to read terrain and conditions or take a course with more field experience. Be safe out there in the freshiezzzzzzz!

I wonder if they really thought about what they were saying?

Another less expensive route is to take group lessons through a community college or the UW experimental college. Info on these courses is available online with a quick search for the source school course offerings. Many of the music students at colleges often give lessons on the side. Lessons are good, but the instructor needs to be well matched to the student. An evil instructor can sap the fun out of music and make it an onerous chore. A good instructor figures out what direction the student wants to go and tailors the lessons accordingly. If she's young and just looking to play around, formal classical guitar lessons would probably be a bad choice.

I think Kiss might be less scary for your sister than that dude. Just plain wrong. She'd be playing Sweatin' to the Oldies themes in the back of his videos.

Interesting link to actual reported accident statistics from NYC. Includes all possible combinations of bikes, cars and pedestrians.

That's so the bikes get going faster for the BG speedtrap further up the trail. It is a bit annoying to get a ticket on the BG. Seems like there are bigger fish for the police to fry. Certainly, irresponsible pedestrians and bikes and bladers have caused many an accident on the BG, but probably not as many as on the roads.

So, if I quote you, will I get busted? Life is tough when you're a cc.com martyr.

Q: What's a pirate's favorite way to gt around on land? A: A Carrrrrrrrrrrgh! Q: How much did it cost the pirate to pierce his ears? A: A buccaneer. Q: What's a pirate's favorite letter? A: R (arrrrrrrrh!) Q: Why did the pirate drink so much? A: he got 'hooked'. Okay, I'll stop the torture now... TLG, any pirate emoticons?

No war? What about the Balkans? What about the routine bombing of Iraq? Just not as overt as Dubya.

I just like to climb. Sometimes I climb harder. Sometimes I don't. Who really gives a $#!+ about the ratings anyways?

Monkey Wrench gang by ed abbey. Long live Hayduke!

Man, what a legend... One of the few musicians that is appreciated by listeners across a spectrum of genres. How many people havn't heard him? Who can't sing along with "Boy named Sue"? Who else could have upstaged the Boss with a cover of "I'm on Fire"? Who else could sing "I've been everywhere" or "Ring of Fire" and actually pull it off ? I think I'll pass on the beer and take a shot of JD for the Man in Black.

UHHHH.... is winter here yet?

There are plenty of people with those jobs, including doctors, etc. They are in demand because they provide a necessary service and most people aren't willing to work hard enough to become proficient with that skill/knowledge set. Microeconomics at work. Academia requires a lot and caters to people who are obsessed with their work- note the absurd divorce rate amongst R1 faculty. If you want the 30 hour a week job, then think outside the box, find a niche and run with it. It is out there. But, that job is not why you should be doing a PhD. I think (without having been there) that what your advisor might have been trying to communicate is that you should rediscover the simple joy in what you do and not be afraid to be immersed in it a bit. You'll be happier and more productive. The increased productivity will generate more free time. I think it might be a bit ambitious to think that you'll be able to take 3 day weekends all the time and be successful at a research driven PhD. The academic culture in the US simply doesn't cater to that. If that is what you REALLY want, you might consider europe where there is a slightly more sane concept of a work ethic (seriously). It's not like they don't have computers, universities and climbing there.

Sex is like money, the more the better... Sex is like mountains, the valleys, peaks and plains are always better close up.

<yawn> then... and... / followed by... Repeat as neccessary...

Gary, Having done 6 years of grad school, I hear where you are coming from. I also think that having lots of pressure is just a part of grad school. One school of thought (not supported or bashed here, just presented) is that grad school is at least in part about finding out about how much you can do at 110%. It is a marathon. It is not easy. There are tough moments. There are moments when you want to drop out. If $$, or some idealized job post PhD is why you are doing the PhD, drop out now. It jsut gets harded. If you are truly passionate about what you are doing, the pressure is just a nuisance. If you focus on the pressure, you waste energy, become less productive and get into a negative feedback. In other words, get some perspective. It is natural to get pressure from advisors to perform. Remember that the project and the experience are why you are there. If that isn't enough, it won't be enough and that's just what it is. If your advisor is giving you a truly raw deal (be honest with yourself about this), then shop elsewhere. I know plenty of people who have swapped advisors, departments and even universities. blah, blah, blah.... A few beers and some ranting usually do the trick for me, and I have a good (but sometimes difficult) relationship with my advisor. So, up and get cracking!

That pic is some funny shittake! My brother went out for his first ride on his new CF Calfee road bike... He was screaming down a curvy descent and the next thing he knew he was hitting a guard rail and snapping his collar bone. All in all, he was pretty lucky. It takes a few rides to get used to a new steed. Any of you guys up for road rides again? Or are you all scared off by the thought of a digger? My De Rosa is feeling a bit left out as I've been hitting the mtn bike more often as of late. G

Or, add your own!

If you have a ball hitch in the 2" receiver, I have a rack for you. It is a Rhode Gear that bolts on where the ball would go. It works great, but I no longer need it now that I have a truck. It folds out of the way and is easy to use. New, it was $120. I'll sell it for $40. BUT... I don't get back into town until sunday night. PM me if interested.

I'd be into some riding later in the month when I'm back from MT and CA. Mmmmm, new single speed to hit the trails with too. Hot damn!