Thursday, June 29, 2017

Distraction

Today, as much as any day in the past five months, I need a distraction. Because real life is fucking barking mad.

I feel like Alex Honnald is pretty good at blocking out distractions. The 31 year-old Sacramento native famously became the first human to ever free climb Yosemite's El Capitan, finishing the nearly 3,000 foot Freerider route in just under four hours.

Without a rope. Or a net. Or Twitter.

I held my breath just watching this 30-second clip. I can't imagine actually doing that for four hours.



There's balls. And then there's whatever Alex Honnald has.

31 comments:

Danimal said...

that is unreal, and el stupido.

Who is in for Battle of the Network Start tonight?! >this guy<

Danimal said...

I just read the article. Thank you for diverting my attention from work. That puts the Awe in Awesome. Will look forward to the Nat Geo documentary.

How 'bout this Trump fella heh? He's a nice guy.

Shlara said...

The still photo of this guy on the side of a cliff makes my palms sweat--I can't think about watching the 30 sec clip, let alone the show.

But I am excited about Battle of the Network Stars, like Danimal.
I loved that show in the 70s. I hope the new version has all of the campy-ness and the same poor level of athletic talent as the original show.

zman said...

I just watched the last episode of Twin Peaks (I'm dvring it and watching by myself because it disturbs zwoman too much). Clearly no one else is watching because it's impossible to watch this episode and say nothing about it. It deserves its own post.

mayhugh said...

Z - I'm intending to watch TP at some point. The first season was awesome and the second season lost my interest before the first commercial break. I assume I need to watch that season before I get into the new one.

rob said...

zman lauded the new jason isbell record a while ago, but goddamn if it isn't completely amazing. that dude's insanely talented, musically and lyrically.

Whitney said...

Lionel Richie was thoroughly entertaining last night. Good fun.

I will say that his set wasn't terribly long. 15 tunes and he abbreviated a handful of songs, opting out of the final verse several times and/or quickly segue-ing into another song mid-tune. Springsteen is only 3 months younger and went 32 songs / 3:50 deep in September. Eh, whatever, Lionel was good.

Running With the Night
Penny Lover
Easy / My Love
You Are
Stuck on You
Dancing on the Ceiling
Three Times a Lady
Sail On
Lady (You Bring Me Up)
Endless Love
Say You, Say Me
Brick House / Fire
Hello
We Are the World
All Night Long (All Night)

Whitney said...

And anyone close to the 757 should see a show at the Portsmouth Pavilion. Small outdoor amphitheater on the water. I snagged a boat ride back to Norfolk from a friend. Best venue in the region.

T.J. said...

He did "We are the World"?!

Danimal said...

Wow...lists he and MJ as the writers. That's a good factoid of the day right there pards.

Danimal said...

That's Michael Jackson, not Jordan.

Danimal said...

Talk about a great 1st date concert right there. Bam!

zman said...

Mayhuge, season 2 of Twin Peaks hit a major lull in the middle. I think Lynch left the project but he came back for the last 3-4 episodes which are "Holy cow!" level stuff. If you're going to watch season 3 then re-watch season 1 and then watch season 2 beforehand. You could also watch Fire Walk With Me. I'm really enjoying season 3.

That said, season 3 is Lynch at his Lynchiest and if you don't like weird ambiguous sometimes plodding visual storytelling then you probably won't like it.

But everyone should watch season 3 episode 8 even if they never plan to watch any other episode. I have no idea how he did what he did.

Danimal said...

Have you guys been to Twin Peaks the restaurant yet? Did we have this discussion a few months back? I'd label it as a classier Hooters with a mountain lodge theme. Pretty good food and lots of beers to choose from. You might even be able to take your family there with them not realizing the intent of its founders, but probably not. I give it two peaks out of two.

Marls said...

I believe that the industry term is "breastaurant" along with the Tilted Kilt

zman said...

FOGTB Keith D accidentally took his wife and elementary school aged daughters to a Tilted Kilt in Orlando. He didn't know what it was but he saw the menu outside and they all agreed it looked good. His wife felt less enthused once they sat down and the waitress came over.

Marls said...

If this is the Keith D of Keith Dfest fame, I would assume that he was just fine with the TK.

zman said...

Oh he had no complaints. His wife, not so much.

TR said...

Been watching GoT reruns to get amped for Season 7. I highly recommend it: Blackwater, Hardhomme, Battle of Bastards, last episode of Season 6.

Whitney said...

Speaking (atop the comments) of Battle of the Network Stars, you know who got his start in commercials and then feature films based on charming appearances on BotNS?

OJ Simpson. Wonder whatever happened to him.

rob said...

steph curry will make $40m/year for the next five years. forty. million. dollars. that's a staggering amount of money, and a bunch of other guys are about to make just as much. i'm pissed at my parents for not making me 6'3".

Mark said...

That's all it would've taken for you to be just like Steph, Rob. Same for me.

In related, low grade athletic news. I hit 10 3s in a Rec league game on Wednesday night. Most I've ever hit in a single game. Not gonna lie. I was feeling myself (probably more than I should've) for the next 24-48 hours.

Mark said...

Holy shit that comment had some grammar fail.

rob said...

marcus thornton playing summer league for the thunder, starting tonight at 5. he will not be making $40m next year, even though he is 6'3".

zman said...

I'm sure Jordan is pissed about Curry's deal. Michael, not Spector.

Mark said...

Jordan is a fucking billionaire. I think he'll find a way to cope.

Whitney said...

How many pts did you finish with, Mark? Pretty boss at any level.

Mark said...

I had 37. A couple layups and some free throws.


I play on a really talented team and thus regularly draw the third or fourth best defender. I got hot and my teammates started feeding me. It was fun.

rob said...

Mark just got $17m for a six-month deal with a competing squad. big day for team gtb.

Marls said...

Boxing gonna boxing

Whitney said...

Mark's worth that kind of money. Big time clubhouse guy.