DAY 279
01.08.08
TREE 110
I drove all the way to IUS after work which went over a little today. I got to the campus and it was lively. Lots of people back to school. I got a parking permit and parked in the lot. I did a little clothes changing and finally got out the call back from Elizabeth Raleigh, a professor here, about meeting up so I could get the DVD I lent her. I told her I would climb first then call her. She seemed surprised that I was planning to climb today. It’s windy but nothing stops me. Why do people have trouble with the concept of everyday no matter what? I readied my camera in my hoodie pouch and walked to the sweet gum tree. Just as I knew it would be, it was bare. Very bare. With all these people walking by I would be very visible.
It seemed to make me paranoid. I really prefer to do this unnoticed. I started to feel rushed and wanted to get it over with. I jumped up and climbed fast like a madman. I’d see a person and I’d freeze. I tried to climb the side of the tree away from everyone but it was pointless because I am wider than the trunk. I also avoided making eye-contact with anyone thinking (like a foolish child) if I don’t look at them, they won’t see me. Or perhaps if I did notice someone lookingat me it would just make me more paranoid and rushed. I reached the top quickly, pulled off the ribbon,
and ripped out my camera. Take ’em and take ’em fast, I thought.
I was not even sure of the shots were any good. I was just so worried I was going to get in trouble. I’m not a student here, I’ve got nothing. I just kept thinking that I’d call Elizabeth to come to my defense. Once I had my camera back in my pocket I raced back down the tree. I barely remember much about the climb. It was easy and fast and I was preoccupied with my paranoia. It kind of sucked. I didn’t relax, gaze at the sky, or enjoy the climb. What a loss. I think the occurrence downtown when I was yelled at has made my worrying worse. I jumped to the ground and walked away quick but casually. Nothing to see here. I went straight into the building looking for a restroom to relieve my nervous pee. Then I called Elizabeth and she met me. The meeting was short, the goods changed hands, and then she was back to her meeting. What a climb. I’ll be taking my time from now on. Though getting hassled or in trouble would suck, at least it makes for a better story.
1-12-09: The movie I was picking up was Rivers and Tides. A documentary about the work of Andy Goldsworthy. If you are unfamiliar I highly recommend it. And if you are familiar… watch it. A clip below. His work really speaks to me. Especially his methods and the idea of ephemerality and our connection and interaction with nature. His work implies great control, but ultimately it is nature and time which controls and transforms the work.
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Back to UofL last Wednesday for Parkour. We had another wet but great meet-up. More new people and a good collection of regulars. I personally had a really great time and pushed it. The time off around the holidays has rejuvenated me and lessened my aches and pains. By the end of the 2 or so hours, however, I was getting sore and exhausted. Others still wanted to go and I just had to break away so I could retain some energy to climb a tree. Josh and I had carpooled so he came with me. I believe I have also converted Josh to my tree-climbing ways. He has now climbed with me a few times, and on his own many times as well. He told me the other night that ever since he started to climb trees more regularly he has felt morecentered, more at peace. And physically he feels as if it heals him. I was so ecstatic to hear this coming from his mouth. I have been saying this about my tree climbing for months and months and finally, someone has taken my suggestion and is reaping the benefits. I am telling you, tree climbing is the fountain of youth, the wellspring of happiness, the nectar of the gods.
Rant complete. We headed back to the parking lot, grabbed my camera, and he was drawn to a massive hackberry that I had climbed a few months before. (See, he’s getting that inexplicable attraction to trees.) I however, set my sights to a tree just a few feet beyond.
It was not too challenging, which was good since I was worn out from parkour. I climbed up through the branches to the tippy top. I was so high I couldn’t stay still very well to take pictures and most turned out blurry.
I got a few, though, and as I did I looked over to see Josh’s progress. He made it up his tree about a third of the way to the top. Then he was down and lying on the ground before I reached the bottom of my tree.
Coolest pic of the climb taken from the lowest branch:
