[Mad Hatter] Don’t squash the banana

[Mad Hatter]

9 hours ago, Harriet said:

Portraits are also largely about value, I think! Just a lot of bits of light and shadow.

Absolutely! But that's still not what the exercise is about. It's also only supposed to take half an hour, and had I cared about making decent portraits it would take hours and hours to get right! 😄 Especially because of the limited values you get for exercise. A few pixels here and there can easily turn a girl into a matron into a troll. 😅

 

10 hours ago, Harriet said:

Swimming at the sea sounds nice.

It's soooo goood. I'm a little concerned though because I think the cyano bacteria season is starting. 😢 So far we've been lucky where I live. There was a freak temperature inversion where the cool water from the bottom of the sea rose up to the top, but apparently only around my island! It's super weird. I wonder what the mechanism is and why it's so very localized... Anyway that delayed the season a little bit. But now the water's quite warm and it's getting a little murky so I don't know...

[Mad Hatter]

Misc update

 

- I saw a squirrel today with a ginormous swelling on its throat! It was so huge at first I thought it was carrying a coconut. Then I realized it was part of the squirrel. But imagine walking around with a swelling the size of a beach ball around your throat and neck. It seemed ok though.

- Work was super relaxed today. I did one small thing and delegated the rest. This is like it should be. 😉

- I seem to be picking the hottest days to go to the climbing gym. I was dying! And only lasted for about an hour. But it was good fun and I quite like these short and sweet sessions. I spent most of the session experimenting with a single climb again. I filmed almost every attempt to have something to do while resting and it was very informative. Which of course I already know, as I've spent much time analyzing handstand and other footage, but I've never done that with climbing before. It's nice to do that in what's essentially a private climbing gym. Not even the staff is bothering to show up these days. 😛 I'm afraid it's all potato quality but if anyone's interested I can put something together to show the drills/thought process.

- I squashed the art banana yesterday. My excuse is that I was tired from work. Which is true, but the more honest excuse is that I didn't have it in me to face the suckage.

- I got a surprise sticker pack in the post from an artist I bought stuff from a while back! How sweet and amazing is that?! 🤗

[sylph]

I'd love to see climbing vids (potato quality or not)!

 

And yay for surprise stickers! That's awesome.

[WhiteGhost]

15 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

It seemed ok though.

I wonder if it was hoarding stuff in its gullet or something...

 

15 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

if anyone's interested

I would be quite interested to see/hear your thoughts on the various climbs, especially since I don't know anything about projecting routes.

[KB Girl]

'course we'd like to see video! 

 

On 7/13/2021 at 10:11 PM, Mad Hatter said:

 I tried to do a bit of strength training afterwards, but I got too bored trying to rest in between sets. 😛

 

Supersets are the answer

 

On 7/14/2021 at 4:26 PM, Mad Hatter said:

 

It's soooo goood. I'm a little concerned though because I think the cyano bacteria season is starting. 😢 So far we've been lucky where I live. There was a freak temperature inversion where the cool water from the bottom of the sea rose up to the top, but apparently only around my island! It's super weird. I wonder what the mechanism is and why it's so very localized... Anyway that delayed the season a little bit. But now the water's quite warm and it's getting a little murky so I don't know...

Oh yea we get cyano bacteria at our local lakes-thingy too.. they do regular checks? 

 

Hope you grabbed a fresh art-banana 😘

[Mad Hatter]

On 7/14/2021 at 8:14 PM, sylph said:

I'd love to see climbing vids (potato quality or not)!

 

And yay for surprise stickers! That's awesome.

Ok I'll try to post some.   

 

Yeah! Such a nice surprise to get post that's not like from the tax office.  

 

On 7/15/2021 at 9:53 AM, WhiteGhost said:

I wonder if it was hoarding stuff in its gullet or something...

 

I would be quite interested to see/hear your thoughts on the various climbs, especially since I don't know anything about projecting routes.

Squirrels don't do that. Ground squirrels do hoard in their cheeks, but this was a tree squirrel... Dunno, it looked so very wrong!

 

I did however witness a sea gull feeding the other day! You know where they do the thing where the parent throws up the food and the chick eats it. Gross. Even more gross when the parent ate the leftovers (or put it back for "storage"). It was a rather surprising amount of food! I expected a tiny bit, but it just kept on coming, maybe a fistful or so! Nature is fun.  

 

Cool. Too tired to post today, but soon.  

 

On 7/17/2021 at 11:16 PM, KB Girl said:

'course we'd like to see video! 

 

Supersets are the answer

 

Oh yea we get cyano bacteria at our local lakes-thingy too.. they do regular checks? 

 

Hope you grabbed a fresh art-banana 😘

Guess it was a silly question.  

 

Indeed. And making it more fun! 

 

Oh interesting, lakes here don't get it, only the sea. The main beaches do get checked and most of them are still ok. My local spot is deeper and colder and has more throughput so it's less prone to it though. Should be alright for a while longer, especially since this insane heatwave is now gone. (Sad face, I loved it!) 

 

I did! Though I haven't managed to do much yet. 

[Mad Hatter]

Guys, I can't even remember what I've been doing lately.

 

Thursday is a complete blank. I think I went to the office to hang out with people. Yeah. Oh and some fucker had bit me and the rash kept growing and growing so I went to the doctor to make sure it's not Lyme disease. It wasn't. Though I still have what looks like a bruise on my arm.

 

Friday I went out for maybe the last baby-less outing with my friends. We had gelato. And ribs. Oh yeah.

 

This is terrible, but I'm blanking on what I did this weekend too. There was lots of outside time. And I de-chaosed my flat, which I feel really good about. I wish I could keep it this way.  Why is adulting so hard?

 

There was art somewhere in there too, I'm sure of it. And I'm still swimming every morning, with the additional upgrade of bringing my coffee out with me. Absolutely love it.  And it makes my body feel really good. It was feeling really stiff and stuck, particularly my hips from too much (of only) walking, but a little daily swim looses up everything in a very gentle way. And getting into the water is an instant mood boost.

 

Today was fun! I went to the climbing gym for a play during my "lunch break". And in the evening I took A CLASS! Pole heels class to be precise, which makes my first class in well over a year.  Funnily enough the teacher turned out to be a woman who I trained with in a different class, the free running one. Not that I'm particularly surprised, it's such a small world. I really enjoyed the class, though choreography always melts my brain and this was the second lesson with the same choreo, so I was already behind. And since it was all in Finnish I didn't get any of the verbal cues which added to the challenge. But still, I really enjoyed moving in a way I haven't explored in a very, very long time. Pretty much all I've been doing is climbing (irregularly) and that's it. So I think I'll keep going maybe once a week. Honestly I didn't really feel that it had the potential to become a new "home" studio but it's definitely good for a play and for variety and for not being stuck at the house.  

[Elastigirl]

I hadn't realized that you were back in your daily swim routine that's awesome. And woohoo for being in a real live class and enjoying yourself! Yikes on the bug bite, hope it heals soon!

[Epsilonte]

1 hour ago, Mad Hatter said:

 Pole heels class to be precise

❤️❤️

[KB Girl]

I thought for a second there that you were bit by a human :X 

 

So much good stuff in your post that I don't know what to react to love the daily swimming! 

 

[sarakingdom]

On 7/19/2021 at 2:19 PM, Mad Hatter said:

And I'm still swimming every morning, with the additional upgrade of bringing my coffee out with me. Absolutely love it.  And it makes my body feel really good. It was feeling really stiff and stuck, particularly my hips from too much (of only) walking, but a little daily swim looses up everything in a very gentle way. And getting into the water is an instant mood boost.

 

Where are you swimming?

 

I want to swim every day, too. And maybe that's an option, if I can find my suit, and don't mind swimming laps very publicly in a pool where that's not normal, and also don't get told not to. (Technically, I think the pool doesn't open till 10am, but there's nothing actually stopping me from going early, so maybe a very early swim time is a possibility...)

 

PS Yesterday's music video has some banana squashing that I think you will enjoy.

[Mad Hatter]

On 7/19/2021 at 11:14 PM, Elastigirl said:

I hadn't realized that you were back in your daily swim routine that's awesome. And woohoo for being in a real live class and enjoying yourself! Yikes on the bug bite, hope it heals soon!

I love it! But the water suddenly turned soooo cold. It went from 27 to 15C in like a day. 😭

 

The bite's healed, but I still have this bruised spot thing. Super weird. 😬

 

On 7/19/2021 at 11:24 PM, Epsilonte said:

❤️❤️

Wheeeee! 

 

First time on really thin poles too. I think I like them! I have big hands so it shouldn't matter that much haha, but the grip felt so good.

 

Nice to see you pop by, how are thingggs? ❤️

 

21 hours ago, KB Girl said:

I thought for a second there that you were bit by a human :X 

 

So much good stuff in your post that I don't know what to react to love the daily swimming! 

Hah! Now that'd be a story. 

 

It's not all great though. Work in particular is challenging right now and leeches all my energy. And by work I mean people. 😛Just really tired of fixing everyone else's emergency issues. I'm trying to do better with energy management, for example today I took a 2 hour lunch outside because I knew I had 2 hours of frustration in front of me. But sometimes if I don't manage to sneak out in time it kills my day. Like yesterday a quick chat turned into a one+ hour thing and then the official meetings started and I lost my opportunity and by the end of the day all I want to do is eat a lot of ice cream and watch cartoons. And the painting gets left aside...

[Mad Hatter]

18 hours ago, sarakingdom said:

Where are you swimming?

 

I want to swim every day, too. And maybe that's an option, if I can find my suit, and don't mind swimming laps very publicly in a pool where that's not normal, and also don't get told not to. (Technically, I think the pool doesn't open till 10am, but there's nothing actually stopping me from going early, so maybe a very early swim time is a possibility...)

 

PS Yesterday's music video has some banana squashing that I think you will enjoy.

Here!

 

 

And there’s a lot of berries on my there. 😍
 

I think you should give the pool a go, it’s such a nice way to start the day. Completely unbiased of course.

 

But I’m supposed to NOT squash the banana! 😅

[Mad Hatter]

This morning I was in a really weird, sad mood. I had to wear a hoodie in the morning and the water was super cold and I got such a strong end of summer vibe. More than that, end of an era vibe. My friend's having her baby any day, and I'm sure other people will soon follow suit. Winter will soon be back and I really think I have to leave Finland (pandemic allowing), maybe for a short while, maybe forever who knows. My relationship with my dad is shot, and my grandma's memory is possibly deteriorating. Just lots of endings in sight. Not all bad, but endings nonetheless.

 

But then summer came back a bit later and I went climbing in the evening and now I feel great again because everyone was there and it was fun. 🤷‍♀️😄

 

At one point though I was "complaining" about how I could easily flash all the blues, but not even start the red ones. I thought some more about it after the session, and about squashing the banana. Did I go into the session hungry? Yes. Did I have a looong, frustrating meeting right before? Yes. Did deem a move impossible after trying it only once or twice? Yes, yes I did. Did I squash the banana? You know what, probably yes. My intent wasn't necessarily a try hard session, which is fine. But I also haven't earned the right to complain about the reds being untouchable if I didn't really try.

 

Also I need bigger guns. 😄Every time I have to do an undercling move my puny arms are like noooo, don't do this to us! 

[sarakingdom]

31 minutes ago, Mad Hatter said:

Here!

 

 

TAKE ME TAKE ME

 

33 minutes ago, Mad Hatter said:

And there’s a lot of berries on my there. 😍

 

I swear to god, I'm moving in with you.

 

33 minutes ago, Mad Hatter said:

But I’m supposed to NOT squash the banana! 😅

 

If bananas must be squashed, they should be squashed with style.

[Waanie]

2 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

But I also haven't earned the right to complain about the reds being untouchable if I didn't really try.

I like your new mindset . I totally understnd your feeling, but is there really no red one that you can do at least a few moves on? Are there any different styles you're skipping in the blues?

 

2 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Also I need bigger guns. 😄Every time I have to do an undercling move my puny arms are like noooo, don't do this to us! 

This sounds like a technique issue; are you high enough to really get all possible power out of those underclings?

[Elastigirl]

I hope you're wrong about summer ending. Seems like it just started. Sorry about the other endings. My father in law is having dementia issue. It sucks.

[WhiteGhost]

10 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Also I need bigger guns.

No matter how big your guns are, you always need bigger guns  

 

11 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Here!

Wowza!  I want to be in that place

 

 

[Epsilonte]

19 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

First time on really thin poles too. I think I like them! I have big hands so it shouldn't matter that much haha, but the grip felt so good.

 

Nice to see you pop by, how are thingggs? ❤️

On yeah, thinner poles are aweome for hand grip. Not so nice on the thighs though...

I'm great, thanks! Just quite busy, but I'll jump right back to doing challenges with the new challenge.  

 

18 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Here!

 Ooooooh so pretty!!

 

18 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

But then summer came back a bit later and I went climbing in the evening and now I feel great again because everyone was there and it was fun. 🤷‍♀️😄

Glad the day turned out to be nice after all. I hear you about the feeling that summer ends... I need to get up and leave super early right now (like sunrise early) and it's not that warm in the mornings. Feels like September. But I'm sure there are a few very warm weeks yet to come... xD

[Harriet]

20 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Here!

 

Oh my, what a beautiful place!

 

20 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

This morning I was in a really weird, sad mood. I had to wear a hoodie in the morning and the water was super cold and I got such a strong end of summer vibe. More than that, end of an era vibe. My friend's having her baby any day, and I'm sure other people will soon follow suit. Winter will soon be back and I really think I have to leave Finland (pandemic allowing), maybe for a short while, maybe forever who knows. My relationship with my dad is shot, and my grandma's memory is possibly deteriorating. Just lots of endings in sight. Not all bad, but endings nonetheless.

 

But then summer came back a bit later and I went climbing in the evening and now I feel great again because everyone was there and it was fun. 🤷‍♀️😄

 

At one point though I was "complaining" about how I could easily flash all the blues, but not even start the red ones. I thought some more about it after the session, and about squashing the banana. Did I go into the session hungry? Yes. Did I have a looong, frustrating meeting right before? Yes. Did deem a move impossible after trying it only once or twice? Yes, yes I did. Did I squash the banana? You know what, probably yes. My intent wasn't necessarily a try hard session, which is fine. But I also haven't earned the right to complain about the reds being untouchable if I didn't really try.

 

Also I need bigger guns. 😄Every time I have to do an undercling move my puny arms are like noooo, don't do this to us! 

 

Sorry about the sad things. Though it sounds like there are good things, too.

[KB Girl]

On 7/22/2021 at 8:28 PM, Mad Hatter said:

This morning I was in a really weird, sad mood.

Melancholy? 

Probably good to feel those feelings! That's lots of endings mixed with a bit of uncertainty. Glad you were able to enjoy the rest of the day though

 

Also stop with the reflecting you're making me think about my own squashed bananas  And aren't you afraid to find out that when you really try you still can't do it? x) 

[Renate]

I need to catch up! Bananas are tasty. 

 

I am almost ready to rise from my hiatus haha

 

[Renate]

On 7/22/2021 at 7:56 PM, Mad Hatter said:

Here!

 

 

And there’s a lot of berries on my there. 😍
 

I think you should give the pool a go, it’s such a nice way to start the day. Completely unbiased of course.

 

But I’m supposed to NOT squash the banana! 😅

Soooo beautiful 😊

[Epsilonte]

5 hours ago, Athena said:

I need to catch up! Bananas are tasty. 

 

I am almost ready to rise from my hiatus haha

 

Let's rise together next challenge. Return of the Zombies!  

[Mad Hatter]

On 7/22/2021 at 9:30 PM, sarakingdom said:

TAKE ME TAKE ME

 

 

I swear to god, I'm moving in with you.

 

 

If bananas must be squashed, they should be squashed with style.

You're welcome any time.  I recommend summer and February, the remaining 9 months suck.  

 

 

On 7/22/2021 at 11:32 PM, Waanie said:

I like your new mindset . I totally understnd your feeling, but is there really no red one that you can do at least a few moves on? Are there any different styles you're skipping in the blues?

 

This sounds like a technique issue; are you high enough to really get all possible power out of those underclings?

Work in progress.  For each new set there's only a 2-3 problems of each color so I try to not skip any of them regardless of style. The first red was a really awkward undercling start where I couldn't even establish on the wall. The second red I could do the first few moves, but then got stuck on another undercling. (And the ending looks sketchy AF so even if I did figure out the beta for that part I'm not very motivated to finish it. It ends with this big lunge move to the side, from a crouching position on a very slippery volume very high up with no foot to balance things out. Icky.) The third I could do the first move, then it's really hard lock off to move out of it which felt preeetty impossible...

 

I might be missing something, but I don't see how technique could save me if I don't have any foot options. I find that all my energy is focused on staying on the wall and it's super hard to keep enough tension to move. I will totally post that video sooooon and maybe you can see if you spot anything! The climb I've been playing starts with an undercling that's a bit similar to one of the reds, except much easier. I still can only do it about 3 times though.

 

On 7/23/2021 at 12:52 AM, Elastigirl said:

I hope you're wrong about summer ending. Seems like it just started. Sorry about the other endings. My father in law is having dementia issue. It sucks.

It was a record long summer for Finland, but it really does feel like it just started! 

 

Sorry about your FIL.  

 

On 7/23/2021 at 8:14 AM, WhiteGhost said:

No matter how big your guns are, you always need bigger guns  

 

Wowza!  I want to be in that place

True dat.

 

Sure about that? The water's now at a balmy 11C.  

 

On 7/23/2021 at 3:56 PM, Epsilonte said:

On yeah, thinner poles are aweome for hand grip. Not so nice on the thighs though...

I'm great, thanks! Just quite busy, but I'll jump right back to doing challenges with the new challenge.  

 

 Ooooooh so pretty!!

 

Glad the day turned out to be nice after all. I hear you about the feeling that summer ends... I need to get up and leave super early right now (like sunrise early) and it's not that warm in the mornings. Feels like September. But I'm sure there are a few very warm weeks yet to come... xD

Haven't tried, but I don't know if it can get any worse.  

 

Yay!

 

Sunrise? Gross!  I hope so!

 

On 7/23/2021 at 5:34 PM, Harriet said:

Oh my, what a beautiful place!

 

 

Sorry about the sad things. Though it sounds like there are good things, too.

There are for sure.  

 

On 7/23/2021 at 10:38 PM, KB Girl said:

Melancholy? 

Probably good to feel those feelings! That's lots of endings mixed with a bit of uncertainty. Glad you were able to enjoy the rest of the day though

 

Also stop with the reflecting you're making me think about my own squashed bananas  And aren't you afraid to find out that when you really try you still can't do it? x) 

I think so, but it's confusing as always.  Thanks!

 

Haha #sorrynotsorry.  And yes, totally, but I'm working on reframing that part. Goals are not necessarily made to be met, but to provide a direction. It's your hypothesis if you will.  If you fail to complete a goal, it doesn't mean that you suck. It means that your process is broken and/or timeline doesn't make sense and has to be revised, that's all. And if you do complete it, you take note on what did work and try to repeat it for the next goal.

 

On 7/24/2021 at 2:05 PM, Athena said:

I need to catch up! Bananas are tasty. 

 

I am almost ready to rise from my hiatus haha

 

LOL there's almost nothing to catch up on. I haven't been doing much better than you. But I'm excited about your return!