Apparently I had more to say than I thought.

On Wednesday I bought a drum. It is a beautiful Djembe from Ghana with a dancing elephant on its base. I selected that particular drum after having a long conversation with the drum maker about the particular sounds of drums. I wanted a drum that sounded like who I am. I wanted something that would blend well with the steady rhythm, was not too piercing and not too deep. I didn't think I had a lot to say yet, being new to drumming and drum jams, and I wanted a drum that wasn't so powerful that it demanded to be heard. The elephant spirit seemed to be a good fit.

On Thursday I played that drum at a drum jam. Let me clarify, I played that drum, out loud, in front of people, with other drummers,one day after buying it. After practically no practice at all. I realized that this was the first time I have ever done something so "spontaneous". I realized that I usually participate like an only child (the justification I've given the learning differences I'm about to describe.) You see, I usually see something I like, something I'd like to do or know more about, and I go home and privately practice, research, and learn. When I'm comfortable with my skill level, I introduce my new interest to the public, always performing at a level below where I am comfortably. That way I know I won't mess up or fail in front of people. But I also don't grow any quicker than I can teach myself, and frankly it is kind of boring. But it was safe.

With this drum, I took it and started hitting it. I started hitting just the base note, one hit each measure. Practicing getting the nice dong sound to come from the drum. Then I added other beats as I felt able to do. Sometimes I messed up, and sometimes I lost the beat, and I'd go back to just keeping time for the other drummers. But I could hear my drum mixing in with all those others. And then, later, after I'd warmed up or gotten comfortable or what have you, I started hearing my drum on top of the others instead of below them (rhythmically). Were They following Me? Was my beat steady enough for the other drummers to build off of its base and settle into my rhythm? Could I actually be good at this drumming thing? This is amazing! This is great! This is so much fun! I didn't want to stop and I couldn't wait for the next time.

I like this concept of learning in the presence of others. In a community of people who have been there, and can remember what it was like to start.

So here's to doing more than dancing to the beat of your own drum, here's to sharing that beat with others.

Clink!

Part Gym, Part Church, All Community

I love Climbing Gyms. They are full of fun things and fun people. There is a unique culture in climbing gyms. When you need them to be, they can be a private space. Just you and the wall, left alone to work out your problems mentally and physically. It is a space where you can challenge yourself to improve without needing to compete with anyone else.

But, when you need them to be, they can be very social spaces also. Sitting back from the wall, resting your muscles, or studying a problem, it is easy to chat with other climbers. There is something simple to talk about, an easy space to give advice or vent frustration about particular routes or maneuvers. A quick conversation before focusing your attention back to the work at hand. It is an easy community. A nod of the head or a casual wave when you see people you recognize is all that is necessary. Or, strangers can team up to offer life saving belay assistance so that they can take turns climbing the higher routes.

Arriving in Arizona, knowing no one, I signed up for the local climbing gym here. It was an activity off site, that allowed me to get a change of scenery. I met the staff who quickly came to know me. I met climbers, and quickly found a climbing buddy. I even met other rennies that I wouldn't have crossed paths with otherwise because we all love to climb.

And I can watch myself improve! I have begun climbing 5.9s now, a feat I have never before accomplished. Even in years past, after months at the gym, I had only climbed 5.8s. The gym proved to me that my wrist, once broken, is truly fully healed and is stronger than ever.

So concludes my ode to the climbing gym.

So Here's to Rocks, again, only slightly bigger this time!

Cheers!