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I GOT IT!.....a new job and a new outlook.

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:59 pm
by SikMonkey
Well, it's official. I am leaving my cush state job for the 9-5 grind of the consulting world. But this isn't just any consulting job; I am now a Forensic Engineer. I won't be doing design work anymore, instead I will be investigating failures, fires, accidents, etc. and reporting to insurance adjusters with my opinion on the "5 W's" of the situation. This is a new beginning for me in a lot of ways and it brings about some HUGE changes in my life. For instance, my office is a stone's throw from Rocksport, so I will be logging a WHOLE lot more gym time (good thing). On the other hand, due to the nature of the private industry I will be loggging somewhat less Red time (bad thing). We are moving to Lawrenceburg (about half way betweeen Lex and L'ville) so that my wife my continue to work with the LexPD, but in our new house I will have a basement to do with as a I please (i.e., good ol' home wall). I figure if I can get 2-3 days on plaskit and a day or two on the weekends in the Red, my climbing will actually improve.

This also affords me another climbing related opportunity. For those of you who have climbed with me, you know that I love to be aggressive on the rock, am VERY redpoint oriented, but that I also get just a tiny bit "stressed out" when I climb (understatement of the year). Well, with all the changes in my life I figured this was a golden opportunity to rediscover what got me into climbing in the first place. I have recently purchased The Rock Warrior's Way and am now trying to shift my focus from the goals and rewards (clipping the chains) to the actual process or journey (the climb itself) that we as climbers derive so much joy from. Don't get me wrong, I still will chase high grades and will always want to improve and get better at climbing, but now I am going to concentrate on what makes the climbs that I get on worth getting on. In other words, I have to reexamine WHY I am climbing. I elevated my physical abilities pretty quickly from when I first started til now, but neglected the mental aspect of it and now it has caught up with me. So from here on out, I am going to do all kinds of stuff that people who know me never thought I would do. Such things as going on BOULDERING TRIPS!, doing some TRAD CLIMBING!, and Heaven forbid, GOING SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN THE RED! I am going to continue to train and stay strong so I can enjoy a broad spectrum of climbs, but I intend to take time along the way to really stop and smell the roses.

Mj

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:41 pm
by dipsi
I'm not sure we've met, but you know what? I am sooooooooooo happy for you! Climb on! Climb safe! Live a long, happy life! Namaste! dipsi

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:48 pm
by Artsay
Congrats on many levels, Sik. The new job sounds very cool. As for the climbing changes, you know I'm a huge advocate of the Warrior's Way so I hope you receive all the rewards you seek!

Cheers!
Michelle

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 10:49 pm
by 512OW
Eat chili dogs. Your climbing will improve. Proven fact.

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:52 am
by Roentgen Ray
Tough choice, but I'm sure you'll be happy. You won't be all that far away either. Not like me, lost on the East Coast come summer time, swattin' black flies in N.H.

Good idea on the climbing front, now's a good time to try out a bunch of routes you've never climbed. There's a lot of good stuff out there. Enjoy the benefits of the send, and climb some stuff that's not at you limit. As for going to somewhere other than the Red, I don't know if you need to get that extreme. One step at a time Buddy.

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:31 am
by J-Rock
Awesome! Climb on and have fun in the process! Sport, Trad, Bouldering... road trips on new rock! How could life get any better than that!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:43 pm
by Spragwa
Awesome Sik! I'm so excited for you. It sounds like you have done some soul searching and have really found a new outlook. That is wonderful. Woohoo!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:09 pm
by Meadows
I borrowed the book and it has been helping me as well to appreciate the journey because I get frustrated so easily (especially when I can't pull something off that I've done many times before).

Congrats on the new job and I'll see you soon!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:59 pm
by Crankmas
you made me smile, I'm happy for you Good Luck with the job change, the move, and your new outlook on climbing- Have fun

Re: I GOT IT!.....a new job and a new outlook.

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:26 pm
by Steve
SikMonkey wrote:I am leaving my cush state job for the 9-5 grind... Mj
I knew it!


Ok really, congrats on getting off on the good foot. Thanks for sharing your excitement and joy.