Leave The Ring On The Rail For The Wheels to Nullify

Last week was my Aunt Terry's (center, blue top) 50th Birthday celebration. Her and my Uncle Billy rented an 8 bedroom house in Virginia Beach. She is one of 9 siblings. Six of them are pictured here. (Sorry for the blurry photo.)


We played lots of Wii bowling until it was time to hit the beach or the backyard pool.


I learned to play Mexican Train Dominos and now I am addicted!


Then my cousin Eric (yellow shirt) developed a game that pitted two teams of siblings against each other. Teams took turns answering questions about about one another and growing up together. I learned that Ken's favorite present was one that he still has some 40 years later; a desk he got when he was a kid.






The following week a group of us went to Lost Cove near Linville Gorge.


Annie made the trip as well. She is 16 years young.


Our camping spot.


Our dominos playing spot.




Still breaking in the new hammock. This might have been the first time it has left my back yard.


Swimming spot #1.




Swimming spot #2 was a really mellow waterfall. Climbing back up was really challenging for Rob's dog Baker.




Sliding down on your butt was a bit painful but too fun to pass up.


Emily, Tamara and Rebecca got in on the action as well, but here the dudes all following each other down.




Rob and Baker.


Check out the new feature Tamara taught me how to do with my camera!


Art.


Annie gets a sherpa to carry her out.

I Think We Will Just Have To Adjust

2nd Annual Barnes Street Scavenger Hunt.


There were some good costumes again this year. Heather sports her prize winning outfit complete with condom holders.








Brennan and I crossing the finished line. We won the stage but did not get to wear the yellow jersey. I think we finished 5th.


Team Disastrously Fabulous got 2nd place despite having only 1 bike and no camera at the beginning of the race and not knowing their way around Carrboro.


Team Wrap Your Johnson.


Another climbing trip to the New River Gorge in WV. This climb kicked my butt last trip but i gave it the business this go around.




Rebecca got her first lead climb under her belt.




Jenny got her first lead climb in as well. Go Team Cousins!




Everything looks high when you live in Tamara's world. Here she is on top of "Morning Dove Crossed With a Malamute" 5.10a.


This guy was waiting for us on the trail as we hiked out. Thanks for not attacking us buddy.

Adam's Top 25 - Part 3

15. Hot Water Music-Fuel For The Hate Game (1996)
Great Florida punk rock with lots of sing along parts! Great guitar riffs and bass lines throughout this CD. One of the all-time great Florida bands.
Key Songs-"220 Years", "Turnstile", "Blackjaw"



14. Fugazi-Repeater (1990)
I was 14 or 15 and playing Street Fighter 2 with my friend Eric on the day I first heard Fugazi. His brother, Tom, came into the room, and he played a mix tape that had mostly radio-ready bands that I knew. But the opening lines to "Waiting Room" caught my attention. With $10 CDs, $5 shows, and a no moshing rule, I still think Fugazi was the most important punk band of my generation.
Key Songs-"Turnover", "Brenden #1", "Seive-Fisted Find"



13. Faith No More-Angel Dust (1992)
I had (ok, still have) the biggest man-crush on Mike Patton. Angel Dust is a truly amazing record that still sounds as great 15 years after it was released. Epic might be FNM's most famous album, but this one was their most diverse and experimental.
Key Songs-"A Small Victory", "Midlife Crisis", "Easy"



12. Elliott Smith-XO (1998)
I knew I had to put an Elliott Smith record on this list, but it was a close one between XO and Either/Or. XO won out because it sounds a bit more polished and produced (it was on a larger indie label) and I like the cover art more.
Key Songs-"Baby Britian", "Bled White", and "Pitseleh"



11. Common-Like Water For Chocolate (2000)
Common was one of the first "underground" hip-hop artist that I was exposed to . His lyrics are smart, political, and often funny. This record features Cee-lo, Black Thought, Jill Scott, D'Angelo, and Mos Def.
Key Songs-"Heat", "Cold Blooded", "The Light"

I Turned My Head To The Right

Yet another climbing trip. This time we head back to the New River Gorge in West Virginia. I will only post a few climbing photos since my blog is already over loaded with them.

Every good day of climbing starts with a bit of yoga at the campsite.


Rebecca threw a temper tantrum in the van because she was le tired.


That's me getting ready to lead a 5.10a that had three roofs to battle.


Shawn giving it a go.


Rebecca did awesome.




Rebecca's brother, Ian, got married to the lovely Diana at their home in South Carolina.


As you can tell, Ian was very happy that day.




The Balman family.


The happy couple.


June 21st is Go Skateboarding Day. Grey and I went to the new Carrboro street spot to shred.


Front board on the flatbar.


Pop shove-it off the ghetto launch ramp.