Quick Update in No Particular Order

School: One year and one final to go. I can't wait to rediscover happy hours when I graduate. Interestingly, because of programatic budget changes at the Leeds School of Business, I have the option to graduate one semester early. However, the program cost doesn't change. I learned in business school that it's unwise to pay $5,500 for air. I'll be getting final two class's worth, thanks.

Love: Amanda and I got back together in March and celebrated our one year anniversary in April. I planned to write a long epic post detailing how we got back together but it would have necessitated chronicling most of the last year, something that is hard to do. Since we reunited things have been great. We have already made summer plans for Rockies games, concerts galore, and camping. 

Work: I never really blog about work but I will say that 2010 is going better than 2009, which went better than 2008. One of the projects I'm working on is helping Paul write a poker book. 

Fitness: A nagging shoulder injury has sidelined me for the week. Currently I'm having trouble lifting this laptop. In the meantime I've been running a fair amount, albeit sporadically. 

Other: As I'm sure you noticed from the previous picture, I have a big bushy beard!  Also, blogger decided to get with the 21st Century and update itself. Now we have strikethrough. 

A Happy Birthday

Today I turn 29 years old, an age The Big Bopper, Kitty Genovese, and Heath Ledger failed to reach. My birthday began last night with a party at Jump Street in Thornton, where friends and family assembled for intense battles of trampoline dodgeball (pictures coming soon!). I had a wonderful time and have the ~black eye to prove it. Amanda baked delicious cherry almond cupcakes.

After dodgeball we went to the Castaways Lounge, a dive bar that appears to have been inspired in equal parts by Jimmy Buffet and Dale Earnhardt Jr. This nautical theme is consistent with Westminster's dolphin fountain so I felt right at home.

I have received awesome presents this year: tasty looking wine, a sweet backpacking thermos for cold climbs, a very fancy kite, deluxe Eddie Bauer ladder golf, and best of all... tickets to Green Day in August!

The best part of my birthday has been spending time with my friends and family. Thank you thank you.

Caucus?

My mom is desperately trying to get me to attend the democratic caucus on Tuesday night. I find politics so depressing that in the past, I have just buried my head in the sands of ignorance and let others make the decisions affecting virtually every aspect of my civic life. I realize that logically I either must not care what happens or should fight to change it. It's just hard to feel that I'll be making a difference. Nevertheless, I guess I'll go and see what this "politics" thing is all about. :)

Breakupdate

Since Amanda and I broke up, I've been eating better, and running a lot. I know that these are completely predictable and perfectly cliche but they feel good. Instead of getting a haircut, AKA the most cliche move of all time, I've begun growing a beard.

I've also been playing online poker.

Instead of trying to consciously choose how to feel, I've just been doing whatever feels right. Sometimes this involves listening to sad music, sometimes it involves midnight trips to King Soopers for broccoli. Mostly I've been spending more time with various friends.

I also signed up for a library card and have been devouring mountaineering books. These books really fall into two categories: 

1. I survived a disaster and here are pictures (e.g. Into Thin Air, Annapurna, In the Hall of the Mountain King)
2. I can't explain why I climb but I will try (Mixed Emotions, Above the Clouds, In the Shadow of Denali, Climb)

The best books combine the two. Walker has declared that he will climb Longs Peak this summer. I definitely plan to accompany him. My goal is to use the Bolder Boulder and possibly the Garden of the Gods half marathon as tune ups for 14er season.

I went dancing at the Mercury Cafe last Tuesday and had a wonderful time. If felt as if it my soul had let its hair down. I have at times described the swing scene as petty (and I even helped cause it to be so) but since the 23 Skidoo implosion of 2008, the scene has become more friendly and more supportive. Dancing on Tuesday, enveloped by great music (somewhat of a Merc rarity these days), I felt a wonderful combination of nostalgic, comforted, and Sasha Fierce.

The chief beneficiary of the breakup has been Roxy the cat. She never suffered for lack of affection but now I'm home every night and it's pretty easy to read with one hand and give Roxy love with the other. She has reclaimed her spot at the top of the bed. 

As for dating, I know I'm not ready but online profiles are siren songs. I set up a minimal profile and have been lurking. Even down the road, I don't know if I'll muster the energy to meet random people and hope for sparks. Perhaps in a few months...

Life is good. I am about to turn 29. I miss blogging but have struggled with how much to share. 

Awkward Poker Media

These off the cuff interviews happen all the time in poker and they're almost always painful to watch.



Extra points for uncomfortable hair flip followed by lecherous boob ogle.

Truman Bradley is single

Since most of you read facebook before you see this, you probably already know.

I honestly don't really know what to say. We got off to a rocky start, patched things up, and then fell apart over the last four days. For the record, I do believe that online dating is possible and that there are amazing people out there because I met one. In the end, I don't think it was a good fit though.

Unlike a few past relationships, I didn't blog much about Amanda's and mine. I'm not sure whether that was good or bad.

I had a lot to do with this breakup. I was pretty self-centered during the relationship and although I didn't know it at the time, I made trying new things very scary and ugly. I was frequently unclear about communicating care and concern and I fought tooth and nail sometimes. I had difficulty showing empathy. These are all things I will work on. I also learned a lot of things and experienced a great deal of emotional growth, if you will. Perhaps a post on that later.

I believe Amanda and I will both be better off down the road but today I am sad.

Meadow Mountain 11,632'

(Please send me photos if you have them!)

On Saturday, Walker and I met up with Jeremy, Ryan and Mike Wanger, and two of Jeremy's friends: CJ and (it might have been) Robin. Originally Jeremy and I had planned on doing Mt. Audubon or Toll but with the added length of the Brainard Lake Rd being closed and a high avalanche warning for most of the front range, we decided to attempt Meadow Mountain, a much easier peak further north.

Apparently Meadow Mtn affords fantastic views of Longs Peak. As predicted however, it snowed for most of the day Saturday. We never had much visibility so seeing Longs wasn't going to be an option. We got a somewhat late start but moved quickly up the road to the Saint Vrain Trailhead. The trail heads west for quite some way before crossing a valley and then climbing up a "small" mountain in front of Saint Vrain Mtn. The trail was visible for the most part, but only just so because wind and heavy snowfall had filled much of it in.

We discussed board games, poker, and work. During one of the steeper sections, Robin and CJ called it a day. The five of us hiked up out of the trees and grabbed a 10 minute lunch before losing the trail shortly before gaining the ridge between Meadow and St Vrain Mtns. It didn't matter though because the route was obvious. Upon gaining the ridge, we left our snowshoes and began the final .3 mile push to the unimpressive summit. Here it began snowing in earnest, big fat flakes. The terrain consisted of slick snow covered rocks interspersed among deep pockets of wind blown powder. Those with poles excelled.

Shortly thereafter, we sat on the leeward side of a snowy windblock atop the summit and shared a piping hot cup of lapsong suchong tea, pored into Walker's thermos 6 hours earlier. It hit the spot. Knowing the falling snow was obscuring our tracks, we retraced our steps, descended back to treeline, and fairly flew down the now well-packed trail.

This is the perfect introduction to winter climbing. The route is very safe, and short enough that many have a good chance to summit.

Congrats to Mike, who had never before donned snowshoes. He broke trail longer than anyone else.

Happy Birthday Paul!

I became friends with Paul when he invited me to his birthday party in 7th grade. Paul was extremely excited because his mom was taking us to a video arcade (obviously). I am terrible at video games but had a wonderful time playing side by side with Paul, slaying all the demons that we encountered. That night we went on the first of many tp-ing raids. The perfect start to a wonderful friendship.

Happy Birthday buddy!

My family and friends love me

I know this because they constantly give me health suggestions, and I appreciate that. It feels good that people care about me.

Several months ago, my mom suggested that dark beer might be causing me to have migraines. I tested this by forgoing all beer for two weeks and then drinking three stouts. I didn't get a migraine but I did get very bloated and quite tipsy.

The current suggestion (from Amber) is that I may be blowing my nose too hard. In the past, my nose blow has been likened to moose mating calls. *To me this is normal* To test this theory: For one week I will practice little pathetic wussy blows that don't get the snot out. Then I will attempt the mother of all nose blows and see what happens. Pictures?

Indian *peaks* Winter

 Audubon

Jeremy and I are planning a winter hike in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area nearby. Potential destinations include Mt. Toll or Mt. Audubon.

Scouting!

Part of my job entails scouting opponents for Paul Wasicka whenever he's at the poker table. I have never played with anyone who sits at Paul's tables. Last night, as per usual, a poker media outlet (HendonMob) posted Paul's table draw for the WSOP Circuit Championship event in Tunica MS. Here are a few nuggets from my scouting report, followed by tweets from a reporter at today's final table.

Seat 3: Jerry Saucier Helena AL USA 77,000 chips

Total nut. Capable of a big blow up! Has a history of shipping uber light at final tables. 


Tweet from @WorldSeriesOfPoker: Jerry Saucier all-in for remaining 60k on 2d-kd-8d flop with A-J. Carter Phillips snaps calls with pocket kings- #wsop

Seat 8: Dwyte Pilgrim Brooklyn NY USA 322,000 chips
If he gets short he will move all-in with anything decent (Q7s). 


Tweet from @WorldSeriesOfPoker: Pilgrim devistated after getting rivered, moves last 50k all-in with Q-9. Richard Robb re-raises all-in, shows pocket aces... #wsop

Dear potential renters

When you call the number on the sign in my yard, don't tell me that you let yourself through the gate, went in the back yard, tried the door to the garage, found it unlocked, and thought it would be a good idea to let yourself into my house so you could check the place out unsupervised. Glad you liked it enough to call and start negotiating, you creeps.

Dear former renters,

WTF YFI!!!!