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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Perhaps the self-styled emperor of Yosemite could arrange for the person in question to be "tooled" on his next visit to the Valley. If his car had a bumper sticker with a little fish (icthos) with legs, with the word "Darwin" worked into it, Jody might be interested in helping.
A stay in Guantanamo shouldn't be necessary, though. :-)
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L
climber
Jello fan from the City of Lost Angels
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I have a really good friend named Mark, from back in my college days. He was a chemical engineer, smart as Ed H., and one of the funniest, nicest guys I've ever met. Partied hard, played hard, on the rugby squad and the St. Pat's Board (UMR was an engineering/drinking school--St. Pat our patron saint--you figure it out.) I loved that guy.
Two years after he graduated from college, he was in a car accident, down in Dallas where he'd gotten a damn good job with an oil company. It was a really bad accident that almost killed him. It didn't, but it left him a paraplegic.
So when my husband and I moved to Alaska, there was this whole contingent of UMR/ARCO engineers working there in Anchorage, and lo and behold, Mark and his wife were among the inmates. Hadn't seen Mark since his accident...but he hadn't changed at all. Well, except for the addition of the wheelchair. But that was it...a couple wheels and thinner legs.
Our group of friends did a lot together: downhill skied and cross-country skied, went to Denali National Park on photo safaris and white water rafting trips, to every glacier we could find, to the mountains and the rivers and across endless tundra. And there was Mark, always right along with us, always doing what he wanted to do--always proving that while legs are nice, a lack of them means diddly when it comes to living a full life.
He had this great downhill sled and won all sorts of races with it--and not just Special Oly races either. He also had this great Belgium Shepard named Max--and with a special harness attached to the sled, Max would haul Mark on the cross-country ski trips along with all of us. There was nothing that we did that Mark wouldn't do. Nothing.
The guy refused to put a handicapped sticker on his truck--he told me he wasn't handicapped, and he wasn't going to let the DMV tell him he was handicapped. "Leave the reserved parking spaces for folks who really need 'em," he would say.
Mark wasn't in denial at all.
Mark had simply accepted the hand he'd been dealt...and didn't settle for "making the best of a bad situation". Instead, he wrote his own Manual For People With Wheels Instead of Heels. He knew that seeing himself as disabled, and buying into all the "bennies" of disabled thinking would make him handicapped...so he just didn't do it.
Mark is an amazing person, and is still out there doing things that many people with legs can't. And he's still not handicapped. He never will be.
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So I want to say something to you, Jeff, and I'm only going to say it in these terms once...right here, right now.
I stopped by Barnes&Noble and read that article in Outside Magazine tonight.
Even if I didn't know a thing about you...your history, your present life, who you've been on the Taco...even if all I knew about you was that you were some guy who had MS and was struggling with the symptoms...even if that was all I knew...I would still find Pete's article despicable.
Cruelty without conscience, insidiously passive-aggressive, and slimy in the worst sense of the word...like a child pornographer. And he calls himself your friend.
His whole intent was to make you into a crippled object of pity, an aging has-been who--in between all your boozing--is thinking suicide might just be the answer to your failing health. Nothing could be further from the truth--nothing. He drags HIS corrupted version of your private life--things that even National Inquirer wouldn't stoop to--and your business struggles over a cheese-grater of innuendo and allusion, speaking like a "friend"...with the intention behind his words of your worst enemy.
Does he bother to mention the fact that being an entrepreneur means that sometimes your business doesn't make it? Oh Hell No. All he does is paste a cheesy smile on his cheesy face and "infer" certain...things. Unscrupulous things. I've had my own company and watched it die. I work for a couple of very successful entrepreneurs now--they've built businesses and they've lost businesses--that's the name of the game. I have nothing but respect for people who are willing to step up to that plate and play hardball...it ain't government work, that's for sure. But ol' Pete shines a harsh light on your endeavors...like any "good friend" would.
I could go with this evaluation of Mr. Pete's hypocricy and pathetic journalistic un-skills, as I'm really quite angry right now. He betrayed your trust and friendship...not merely for the measly 30 pieces he'll get from a rag like Outhouse Magazine...he betrayed you because he's jealous of you. Plain and simple and obvious as a tumor. It drips from his words like puss. And that's the part I find the most reprehensible...a personal vendetta couched in the warm cuddlies of a life-long friendship and journalistic impartiality. Barf.
Well, that's my take on that piece of crap article. I know you've already forgiven Pete...as who you are, Jeff, is as obvious as who your "friend" isn't.
For myself, and for people like my friend Mark who, if I was to write something like that about him, would be fully justified in ripping my head off because I obviously wasn't using it--for us, and my affection for one of SuperTopos kindest...I'm going to go meditate on this one. I will eventually forgive that moron for being a willing slave to his demons...but it may not be tonight. That's just the way I am when it comes to my friends.
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dougs510
Social climber
down south
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Hey Mellow,
I don't read OS mag, and haven't for many years. I've learned that true adventure seeking folks tend to be under the radar for the most part.
I don't know much about sensational journalism, but lean towards the idea it is a venue for success, via notoriety.
In my eye's, your a great climber, and a unique human.
Best to you and yours,
Doug
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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That sounds worse than I ever dreamed, L gets my vote for best most honest, sincere poster, ever!
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Thanks, L - it sounds trashy.
I went looking for it tonight, too, but the store didn't have them in yet. Maybe it's delayed a few days crossing the border. It isn't in the on-line edition yet either. I'm tempted to suggest that someone post the article here, flouting copyright, so we can all "fairly comment" on it.
Does anyone watch Outside on-lines blogs and forums? The fireworks may get interesting. Sadly, the editors/owners may not mind that at all - if they get attention, and website traffic, and maybe sell some magazines.
There is a simple strategic choice, for us interested onlookers. Ignore the whole thing, or bombard the author and Outside with public criticism.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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I dislike being being a downer...no, not really, but this thread is like a fu-king AA meeting or something.
it goes without saying, man. Of course you should forgive and forget, not dwell on some dickhead spraying about you. Sometimes you kick his ass, sometimes you just say, "whatever", and go do some routes.
Do we really need a discussion about this? I'd rather talk about Crimpie flailing up a wide stem or smashing atoms or something.
Maybe I'm different or something. Y'all are f*#king drama queens for the most part.
Edit: Now that I think about it, y'all are having fun, maybe I should just STFU and go somewhere else....later.
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L
climber
Jello fan from the City of Lost Angels
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Look Bluering...you have the excuse of all those AA meetings you go to. None of the rest of us do...so leave us alone. ;-)
BTW--if you and I were actual friends and I read crap like that about you...sorry, I wouldn't walk away saying "oh well, just another pigeon crapping..."
You have to stop the stupidity at some point...or at least say something...it's just the way we liberals are. Sorry.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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No, L. Sometimes you say something, sometimes you don't.
Especially when it comes to someone you know will kick your ass or you're clearly outnumbered and your wife is with you. Sometimes I go too far that way too but sometimes you have to bite your lip and walk away and just chalk it up to as#@&%es.
I don't take a lot of crap but I do know when to say, "this ain't worth it". Especially nowadawys with MS13 fu-ks and gangbangers who will blow you away.
In Jello's case, he should tell the other dude he was out of line and should have some respect.
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bob d'antonio
Trad climber
Taos, NM
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L...I learn a long time ago never get on the bad side of a powerful woman (my wife)I pity Pete if he ever runs into to you.
Jeff is going to be just fine.
Bluering wrote: Do we really need a discussion about this? I'd rather talk about Crimpie flailing up a wide stem or smashing atoms or something.
Of course we do because Jeff asked us too and he is our friend.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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I should add that I was forced to attend AA meeting for a heroin and subsequent coke addiction a long time ago.
AA? I know, before all the other druggie clubs. Put a smack-head in AA, that makes sense.
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L
climber
Jello fan from the City of Lost Angels
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Thanks for those words, Bob.
And yes, I know...Jello will be fine. I was just so...shocked at the insidiousness of the whole thing. And then those old "defend your friends" feelings came up...and I'm not kidding you, I'm not a violent person, but if that Pete T. had been there, I'd a put a Krav Maga round kick to his stomach that would've ruined his dinner for the next 2 weeks.
Good thing he wasn't there...cause truly, I'm not a violent person....;-)
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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"Look Bluering...you have the excuse of all those AA meetings you go to. None of the rest of us do...so leave us alone. ;-) "
Another thing that pisses me off too, is when you take a jab at someone and then put a little smiley face after it. Either take the f*#king jab or not. Don't put a cherry on a turd and expect me to enjoy it. It still tastes like shit!
Oh sorry, you guys were talking about mellowness and forgiveness...carry on!
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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wow, o.k., cheers to you too.
you forgot the little smiley face thing too ;)
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L
climber
Jello fan from the City of Lost Angels
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"Another thing that pisses me off too, is when you take a jab at someone and then put a little smiley face after it."
Heeeeeyyyyyyy! I didn't know you're history with AA! I was just teasing you with that comment (thus: ;-) ), and wanted you to know I was teasing you. You didn't come clean with your record till later...so what is it they say?
SFTU ;-)
No, wait....FSTU ;-)
Hmmmm...that's not it.
Maybe USTF ;-)
Darn it...this is just so confusing...
TSFU ;-(
Don't ask. (_*_)
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Whatever, L. I'll let you have the last stab.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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On being mellow and forgiving....ain't obviously happenin' here.
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L
climber
Jello fan from the City of Lost Angels
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That's a judgment call that really has nothing to do with reality, Lynne.
Edit: Bluering...wasn't meant to be a stab. Was supposed to make you laugh...I'm not the SWhatEverU sort of person, in case you haven't noticed.
Now c'mon...lighten up and give me one of those stupid :-) so I can go to bed, will ya? ;-)
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Sorry, guess I went to zzzzzzzz's before you did. :) Have a great day - Lynne
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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The prophetic Fish was on to something when he ran that ad campaign long ago....."Big Wall Pete- fact or fiction?!?"
Damn Jello- you sure can get that wagon train of ST love in a circle right quick!
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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I am going to head over to Borders and see if they have the magazine.
Juan
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