DAY 204
10.25.07
TREE 128
The IUS 3-D class came to the Mount today to see my show today. I showed them around, they looked at my work, and then we walked the trails around the lake. One student asked if I had climbed today. I hadn’t so she asked if she could pick one out for me. We got all the way around the lake and we were walking past the boats when another girl said, “we never had you climb a tree yet.” So I told her to pick one. She chose a large tree by the dock that I had always eyed before but thought it was too hard. The first branch was reachable but form there it was questionable. But I still gave it a good look. I expressed my doubts but they egged me on. I decided to try it. I jumped up and grabbed the first branch. I inched upward and got my right foot in a crook. I muscled my way on top and then realized the second branch was actually in reach. So I grabbed it, pulled myself up and got my left foot in another crook. I got a good re-grip higher and pulled myself up within the large branches. Then I worked my way up another 10-15 feet till I had no options left.
I got much higher than I expected but I still wasn’t that high. I tied my ribbon and took some shots of the students and the surrounding view.
Then I grabbed a leaf, then to not make them wait, I began to climb down.
The descent was much easier than the ascent and soon I was on the lowest branch. I jumped to the ground and rolled which was a nice, little showy ending. They asked if I had been a rock climber. I said no and they asked if I am now. I am not, but soon a tree climber. It was a perfect grey, cool, autumn day.
Very nice to share my work with these students, and very nice to make a good connection with Elizabeth Raleigh, the professor. It was a very good climb here at the Mount, probably one of the last new climbs here.
10-28-08: I wonder if any of those students were inspired by my work? Part of the plan for coming out there that day was to introduce them to the idea of eco-art. Art made of and about nature. I never got to see what projects resulted. I also wonder if Elizabeth thought the tape casting project this year.
I remember that one of the female students was so afraid of heights she began to hypervetilate when we were on the berm that dams the lake. It was a matter of 5 feet or so and we were far from the edge. I am glad I don’t have any fear of heights like that. Of course, the whole time I was just thinking… she should climb a tree a get over that irrational fear. I just think everyone should climb a tree no matter what. It’ll fix everything… trust me.
So, on Friday I helped Charlotte move some furniture for her new apartment. Then we got some pizza at Spinelli’s and Julio, Drew, and Mike joined us. It got dark and I knew I needed to climb a tree yet. We made plans to go to The Monkey Wrench to meet up with MaryLiz and see some bands. We were also going to surprise Leigh Ann with a belated birthday celebration. We got some party hats and cupcakes and candles and headed to the bar. Before we went in, Charlotte came with me to find a tree. We walked down about a half block and I found a decent tree with a bunch of trunks. I climbed in and soon realized that one of the trunks was a power line pole. On it was a huge line with one of those black box things.
I looked past the wire and saw Charlotte climbing onto Lynn’s Paradise Cafe’s parking lot bear.
I climbed up as high as I could but didn’t want to take too long. Charlotte voiced her concern that she was getting cold. I took a few more shots then went back down to join her at the bear.
I thought it might be nice to take a picture of the two of use in front of the tree.
Then we went inside and had a great night. Here is, strangely, the only shot I took in the bar. I didn’t even get one of everyone, not even the birthday girl. And Julio and Mike aren’t even in focus.
