INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (6696,1,'2011-07-23 01:11:03','2011-07-23 08:11:03','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/29/day-213-this-is-it-i-promise/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I alluded to a possible addiction</strong> </a>to the free samples at <strong><a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend as if I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so that you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and (in non-chalant upsell mode) asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea Break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine to my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums:  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','publish','open','open','','day-295-tea-sales-by-guilt-pays-off','','','2011-07-22 21:31:29','2011-07-23 04:31:29','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6696',0,'post','',7),(6697,1,'2011-07-21 12:56:10','2011-07-21 19:56:10','','Day 295:  Sales by Guilt ','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision','','','2011-07-21 12:56:10','2011-07-21 19:56:10','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6696-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6698,1,'2011-07-21 21:10:04','2011-07-22 04:10:04','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut then again Mondo Beyondo isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole \"Mondo Beyondo, You Rock My World\" experience back in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-2','','','2011-07-21 21:10:04','2011-07-22 04:10:04','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6699,1,'2011-07-21 21:10:05','2011-07-22 04:10:05','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again Mondo Beyondo isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole \"Mondo Beyondo, You Rock My World\" experience back in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-3','','','2011-07-21 21:10:05','2011-07-22 04:10:05','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6700,1,'2011-07-21 21:12:06','2011-07-22 04:12:06','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole \"Mondo Beyondo, You Rock My World\" experience back in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-4','','','2011-07-21 21:12:06','2011-07-22 04:12:06','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6701,1,'2011-07-21 21:12:26','2011-07-22 04:12:26','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole \"Mondo Beyondo, You Rock My World\" experience back in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-5','','','2011-07-21 21:12:26','2011-07-22 04:12:26','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6702,1,'2011-07-21 21:14:08','2011-07-22 04:14:08','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-6','','','2011-07-21 21:14:08','2011-07-22 04:14:08','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6714,1,'2011-07-21 21:38:19','2011-07-22 04:38:19','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrubbersr/5801056916/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6706 alignleft\" title=\"5801056916_a195da3c4c\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong> in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I signed up for the course along with <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/\" target=\"_blank\">Sam.</a></strong>  And promptly fell behind two days in.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\n\n&nbsp;','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-14','','','2011-07-21 21:38:19','2011-07-22 04:38:19','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6703,1,'2011-07-21 21:14:33','2011-07-22 04:14:33','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-7','','','2011-07-21 21:14:33','2011-07-22 04:14:33','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6704,1,'2011-07-21 21:15:54','2011-07-22 04:15:54','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at The World Domination Summit in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-8','','','2011-07-21 21:15:54','2011-07-22 04:15:54','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6705,1,'2011-07-23 15:44:49','2011-07-23 22:44:49','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrubbersr/5801056916/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6706 alignleft\" title=\"5801056916_a195da3c4c\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong> in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I signed up for the course along with <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/\" target=\"_blank\">Sam.</a></strong>  And promptly fell behind two days in.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-autosave','','','2011-07-23 15:44:49','2011-07-23 22:44:49','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6706,1,'2011-07-21 21:23:37','2011-07-22 04:23:37','','5801056916_a195da3c4c','','inherit','open','open','','5801056916_a195da3c4c','','','2011-07-21 21:23:37','2011-07-22 04:23:37','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6707,1,'2011-07-21 21:16:00','2011-07-22 04:16:00','Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at The World Domination Summit in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-9','','','2011-07-21 21:16:00','2011-07-22 04:16:00','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6708,1,'2011-07-21 21:24:17','2011-07-22 04:24:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6706 alignleft\" title=\"5801056916_a195da3c4c\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong> in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-10','','','2011-07-21 21:24:17','2011-07-22 04:24:17','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6709,1,'2011-07-21 21:25:05','2011-07-22 04:25:05','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrubbersr/5801056916/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6706 alignleft\" title=\"5801056916_a195da3c4c\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong> in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with Sam.  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-11','','','2011-07-21 21:25:05','2011-07-22 04:25:05','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6711,1,'2011-07-21 21:36:52','2011-07-22 04:36:52','','Day 296:  The List','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision','','','2011-07-21 21:36:52','2011-07-22 04:36:52','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6710-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6712,1,'2011-07-21 21:27:56','2011-07-22 04:27:56','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrubbersr/5801056916/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6706 alignleft\" title=\"5801056916_a195da3c4c\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong> in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/\" target=\"_blank\">Sam.</a></strong>  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-12','','','2011-07-21 21:27:56','2011-07-22 04:27:56','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6716,1,'2011-07-21 21:38:08','2011-07-22 04:38:08','Homework has never been this inspiring.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  The List','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-2','','','2011-07-21 21:38:08','2011-07-22 04:38:08','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6710-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6715,1,'2011-07-21 21:38:45','2011-07-22 04:38:45','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrubbersr/5801056916/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6706 alignleft\" title=\"5801056916_a195da3c4c\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong> in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/\" target=\"_blank\">Sam.</a></strong>  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision-15','','','2011-07-21 21:38:45','2011-07-22 04:38:45','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6687-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6717,1,'2011-07-22 16:02:55','2011-07-22 23:02:55','A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their white chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. burst out laughing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe poured samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe had me at the white chai whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to 2 ounces, since Teavana might just be the World\'s Most Expensive Tea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly fainted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am here to tell you, Ladies and 3 Token Gents, that you thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!\n\n&nbsp;\n<ol>\n	<li>Death</li>\n	<li>Taxes</li>\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\n</ol>\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jumpstart a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-2','','','2011-07-22 16:02:55','2011-07-22 23:02:55','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6719,1,'2011-07-22 16:05:55','2011-07-22 23:05:55','A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their white chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. burst out laughing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe poured samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe had me at the white chai whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly fainted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am here to tell you, Ladies and 3 Token Gents, that you thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!\n\n&nbsp;\n<ol>\n	<li>Death</li>\n	<li>Taxes</li>\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\n</ol>\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jumpstart a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my afternoon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-4','','','2011-07-22 16:05:55','2011-07-22 23:05:55','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6718,1,'2011-07-22 16:03:04','2011-07-22 23:03:04','A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their white chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe had me at the white chai whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces, since Teavana might just be the World\'s Most Expensive Tea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am here to tell you, Ladies and 3 Token Gents, that you thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jumpstart a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-3','','','2011-07-22 16:03:04','2011-07-22 23:03:04','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6720,1,'2011-07-22 16:12:52','2011-07-22 23:12:52','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-455','','','2011-07-22 16:12:52','2011-07-22 23:12:52','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6721,1,'2011-07-22 16:11:55','2011-07-22 23:11:55','A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their white chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. burst out laughing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe had me at the white chai whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly fainted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am here to tell you, Ladies and 3 Token Gents, that you thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!\n\n&nbsp;\n<ol>\n	<li>Death</li>\n	<li>Taxes</li>\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\n</ol>\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-5','','','2011-07-22 16:11:55','2011-07-22 23:11:55','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6723,1,'2011-07-22 16:21:12','2011-07-22 23:21:12','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. burst out laughing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly fainted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!\n\n&nbsp;\n<ol>\n	<li>Death</li>\n	<li>Taxes</li>\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\n</ol>\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-7','','','2011-07-22 16:21:12','2011-07-22 23:21:12','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6722,1,'2011-07-22 16:13:55','2011-07-22 23:13:55','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their white chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. burst out laughing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe had me at the white chai whiff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly fainted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am here to tell you, Ladies and 3 Token Gents, that you thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!\n\n&nbsp;\n<ol>\n	<li>Death</li>\n	<li>Taxes</li>\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\n</ol>\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-6','','','2011-07-22 16:13:55','2011-07-22 23:13:55','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6724,1,'2011-07-22 16:21:18','2011-07-22 23:21:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-8','','','2011-07-22 16:21:18','2011-07-22 23:21:18','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6725,1,'2011-07-22 16:22:02','2011-07-22 23:22:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-9','','','2011-07-22 16:22:02','2011-07-22 23:22:02','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6726,1,'2011-07-22 16:22:25','2011-07-22 23:22:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at Teavana.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-10','','','2011-07-22 16:22:25','2011-07-22 23:22:25','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6727,1,'2011-07-22 16:22:55','2011-07-22 23:22:55','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago I alluded to a possible addiction to the free samples at <a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-11','','','2011-07-22 16:22:55','2011-07-22 23:22:55','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6728,1,'2011-07-22 16:23:56','2011-07-22 23:23:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/29/day-213-this-is-it-i-promise/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I alluded to a possible addiction</strong> </a>to the free samples at <a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-12','','','2011-07-22 16:23:56','2011-07-22 23:23:56','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6729,1,'2011-07-22 16:24:08','2011-07-22 23:24:08','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/29/day-213-this-is-it-i-promise/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I alluded to a possible addiction</strong> </a>to the free samples at <strong><a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums?  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-13','','','2011-07-22 16:24:08','2011-07-22 23:24:08','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6730,1,'2011-07-22 21:31:35','2011-07-23 04:31:35','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/29/day-213-this-is-it-i-promise/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I alluded to a possible addiction</strong> </a>to the free samples at <strong><a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend as if I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so that you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and (in non-chalant upsell mode) asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea Break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine to my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums:  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-autosave','','','2011-07-22 21:31:35','2011-07-23 04:31:35','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6731,1,'2011-07-22 16:25:34','2011-07-22 23:25:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/29/day-213-this-is-it-i-promise/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I alluded to a possible addiction</strong> </a>to the free samples at <strong><a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend that I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums:  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-14','','','2011-07-22 16:25:34','2011-07-22 23:25:34','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6733,1,'2011-07-22 21:25:47','2011-07-23 04:25:47','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/29/day-213-this-is-it-i-promise/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I alluded to a possible addiction</strong> </a>to the free samples at <strong><a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend as if I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea Break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine to my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums:  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-16','','','2011-07-22 21:25:47','2011-07-23 04:25:47','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6732,1,'2011-07-22 21:21:45','2011-07-23 04:21:45','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6720\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7180022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>A couple of months ago <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/29/day-213-this-is-it-i-promise/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I alluded to a possible addiction</strong> </a>to the free samples at <strong><a href=\"http://www.teavana.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Teavana</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I am here to say, \"Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a Teavana free samples-aholic.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor YEARS, I\'ve snagged those free samples and pretend as if I\'m tasting them for the first time.  The salespeople are usually hovering about, and I\'ve always been nervous that one day I would be exposed.  I envisioned the hoverers lecturing me with a \"No more free samples for you!  It\'s time to pay up, lady!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, Kim C. accompanied to the mall for an errand.  I suggested a lookie-loo around Teavana.  I asked Kim, \"Have you ever had their White Chai?  It\'s to die for!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, Kim C. had indeed sampled the delectable chai in question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Pretend like you\'re drinking it for the first time then!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. looked more than puzzled.  \"WHY?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Because I\'ve oversampled here one too many times, and they might be on to me!  I may be guilted into buying some!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. burst out laughing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was here that I knew I had a problem.  Paranoia and little white lies are the telltale signs of addiction, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd little white lies from ME??? The person who normally cannot tell even the littlest of white lies?!?! WHAT HAD BECOME OF ME?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer, as if on cue, arrived at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe poured me numerous samples.  He lured me into the store for more.  He guided me to the back of the store, and opened those large, marvelous tins where they do that fanning thingie with the lid so you can catch a whiff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>He had me at the White Chai whiff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot to mention that I would feel terrible walking away after 5 minutes of his time, 7 samples, and 3 whiffs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to 2 ounces.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Teavana Sales Hoverer weighed two scoops and -- in non-chalant upsales mode -- asked if 2.8 ounces were o.k.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI replied, \"Sure!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. TSH announced, \"That will be 14 dollars and yada yada yada cents.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly fainted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gents, you previously thought there were TWO things in life that were for certain?  Thank you for playing, but try again!  There\'s THREE!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Death</li>\r\n	<li>Taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Free Samples at Teavana.  You\'re going to pay for them sooner or later.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided then and there that I would put World\'s Most Expensive Tea to good use.  Day 295 was a Monday, and what better way to jump-start a Monday afternoon slump at work with a World\'s Most Expensive Tea tea break?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt certainly added a bit of sunshine into my Monday afternoon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of Teavana White Chai:  $14.88.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCost of beating the Monday afternoon doldrums:  Priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 295:  Tea Sales by Guilt Pays Off','','inherit','open','open','','6696-revision-15','','','2011-07-22 21:21:45','2011-07-23 04:21:45','',6696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/22/6696-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6734,1,'2011-07-21 21:39:55','2011-07-22 04:39:55','Homework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ended my homework with my Mondo Beyondo List, which we were asked to keep private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  The List','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-3','','','2011-07-21 21:39:55','2011-07-22 04:39:55','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/21/6710-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6735,1,'2011-07-23 15:38:19','2011-07-23 22:38:19','I\'ve done it!  I created my Mondo Beyondo List!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe have been asked to keep The List private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  Making a List.  Not Checking It Twice.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-4','','','2011-07-23 15:38:19','2011-07-23 22:38:19','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/23/6710-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6736,1,'2011-07-23 15:44:19','2011-07-23 22:44:19','I\'ve done it!  I created my Mondo Beyondo List!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nis all about voicing and honoring your BIGGEST, most wildly passionate dreams.  We are encouraged to get silly and outrageous.  Twist my arm! ;-)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have no problems allowing my imagination to run amuck, so my finished List was four journal pages front and back.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe have been asked to keep The List private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  Making a List.  Not Checking It Twice.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-5','','','2011-07-23 15:44:19','2011-07-23 22:44:19','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/23/6710-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6737,1,'2011-07-23 15:44:25','2011-07-23 22:44:25','I\'ve done it!  I created my Mondo Beyondo List!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a>is all about voicing and honoring your BIGGEST, most wildly passionate dreams.  We are encouraged to get silly and outrageous.  Twist my arm! ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have no problems allowing my imagination to run amuck, so my finished List was four journal pages front and back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have been asked to keep The List private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  Making a List.  Not Checking It Twice.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-6','','','2011-07-23 15:44:25','2011-07-23 22:44:25','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/23/6710-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6738,1,'2011-07-23 15:44:49','2011-07-23 22:44:49','I\'ve done it!  I created my Mondo Beyondo List!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> is all about voicing and honoring your BIGGEST, most wildly passionate dreams.  We are encouraged to get silly and outrageous.  Twist my arm! ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have no problems allowing my imagination to run amuck, so my finished List was four journal pages front and back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have been asked to keep The List private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write them down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  Making a List.  Not Checking It Twice.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-7','','','2011-07-23 15:44:49','2011-07-23 22:44:49','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/23/6710-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6739,1,'2011-07-23 15:46:37','2011-07-23 22:46:37','I\'ve done it!  I created my Mondo Beyondo List!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> is all about voicing and honoring your BIGGEST, most wildly passionate dreams.  We are encouraged to get silly and outrageous.  Twist my arm! ;-)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have no problems allowing my imagination to run amuck, so my finished List was four journal pages front and back.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe have been asked to keep The List private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write your dreams down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  Making a List.  Not Checking It Twice.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-8','','','2011-07-23 15:46:37','2011-07-23 22:46:37','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/23/6710-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6742,1,'2011-07-23 16:12:18','2011-07-23 23:12:18','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-460','','','2011-07-23 16:12:18','2011-07-23 23:12:18','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230016.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6743,1,'2011-07-23 15:46:44','2011-07-23 22:46:44','I\'ve done it!  I created my Mondo Beyondo List!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> is all about voicing and honoring your BIGGEST, most wildly passionate dreams.  We are encouraged to get silly and outrageous.  Twist my arm! ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have no problems allowing my imagination to run amuck, so my finished List was four journal pages front and back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have been asked to keep The List private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write your dreams down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  Making a List.  Not Checking It Twice.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6710-revision-9','','','2011-07-23 15:46:44','2011-07-23 22:46:44','',6710,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/23/6710-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6917,1,'2011-08-01 01:11:50','2011-08-01 08:11:50','A few weeks ago, I was driving somewhere on a Saturday night.  I was flipping through radio stations and halted at 91.5.  (Public radio for readers outside of my fair city.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I fall in love at first listen with a song in the car, I call home and leave it on my voice mail (Yes, I still have a home phone.  Snicker away at me if you must.) so that I can Google the lyrics and uncover the song\'s identity at another time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who have that dandy iPhone app that names that tune for you, I have a Crackberry.  IN ADDITION!  I suspect that even YOU would not be able to reveal the songs identity.  Here\'s why:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt took me a few weeks to check my home voice mail.  I\'ve been kind of busy, if you haven\'t figured that out through this blog.  :-)  On Day 305, I saw a number on my caller ID that could be an important message, so I checked my home voice messages.  All 15 of them.  On July 3rd, there was a musical message from my cell phone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>\"That\'s the song that I fell in love with at first listen!!!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI often talk to myself.  Don\'t be alarmed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI immediately and furiously Googled away.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nArtist:  <a href=\"http://www.sarawatkins.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Sara Watkins.</strong> </a> Song:  Mystifies Me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWriter:  Ron Wood.  Whoa.  Who woulda thunk?  It all made sense when I watched the <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCzmw9tpDCM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ronnie Wood/Rod Stewart video</strong> </a>on YouTube.  My memory was hazy, but I remembered now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI searched to purchase the song everywhere.  No luck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I found it through Public Radio.  One of the many reason why I ♥ Public Radio.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would now like to share this experience with you.  Consider my method for optimal listening pleasure:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Listen to this at night.  In complete darkness.  With high quality speakers.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I fall in love at first listen with a song, I listen to it over and over and over while reclining on my fainting couch in the dark with my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-42-to-rock-my-world-you-need-stamina-baby/\" target=\"_blank\">Speakers of Stamina</a></strong>.  I absorb the song into every fiber of my being.  Granted, I am admittedly the most hopeful of romantics, so if my method sounds to woo-woo for you, go ahead and find your own listening comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPress play and then use your mouse to forward to 25:10 in.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"phc_2011_07_02_phc_20110702_64s_player\" type=\"text/html\" width=\"319\" height=\"83\" src=\"http://minnesota.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/syndicate.php?name=phc/2011/07/02/phc_20110702_64&starttime=00:00:00&endtime=00:36:47\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowFullScreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\nDid you fall in love, too?','Day 305:  I Fell in Love at First Listen','','publish','open','open','','day-305-i-fell-in-love-at-first-listen','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-42-to-rock-my-world-you-need-stamina-baby/','2011-07-31 13:15:30','2011-07-31 20:15:30','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6917',0,'post','',2),(6745,1,'2011-07-24 10:22:40','2011-07-24 17:22:40','Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy to pedestrian for his tastes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAllow me to explain that Captain Adventure is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-2','','','2011-07-24 10:22:40','2011-07-24 17:22:40','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6756,1,'2011-07-24 10:35:48','2011-07-24 17:35:48','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6746\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy to pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6747\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It&#39;s taken me 16 years, but I finally found quality Tex-Mex in Arizona.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6747\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-5','','','2011-07-24 10:35:48','2011-07-24 17:35:48','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6748,1,'2011-07-24 10:33:18','2011-07-24 17:33:18','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','David\'s all about authentic music to accompany the photos.  I can relate.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-462','','','2011-07-24 10:33:18','2011-07-24 17:33:18','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6751,1,'2011-07-24 10:34:08','2011-07-24 17:34:08','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Can you imagine?!?!  Breathtaking.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-465','','','2011-07-24 10:34:08','2011-07-24 17:34:08','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6752,1,'2011-07-24 10:34:26','2011-07-24 17:34:26','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-466','','','2011-07-24 10:34:26','2011-07-24 17:34:26','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6753,1,'2011-07-24 10:34:42','2011-07-24 17:34:42','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-467','','','2011-07-24 10:34:42','2011-07-24 17:34:42','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6754,1,'2011-07-24 10:35:40','2011-07-24 17:35:40','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6746\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy to pedestrian for his tastes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6747\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It&#39;s taken me 16 years, but I finally found quality Tex-Mex in Arizona.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6747\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[gallery]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-3','','','2011-07-24 10:35:40','2011-07-24 17:35:40','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6755,1,'2011-07-24 10:35:41','2011-07-24 17:35:41','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6746\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy to pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6747\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It&#39;s taken me 16 years, but I finally found quality Tex-Mex in Arizona.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6747\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-4','','','2011-07-24 10:35:41','2011-07-24 17:35:41','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6757,1,'2011-07-24 10:39:02','2011-07-24 17:39:02','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-461','','','2011-07-24 10:39:02','2011-07-24 17:39:02','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6758,1,'2011-07-24 10:42:11','2011-07-24 17:42:11','','IMG00533-20110720-1855','It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.  ','inherit','open','open','','img00533-20110720-1855','','','2011-07-24 10:42:11','2011-07-24 17:42:11','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6761,1,'2011-07-24 10:37:06','2011-07-24 17:37:06','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6746\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy to pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6747\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It&#39;s taken me 16 years, but I finally found quality Tex-Mex in Arizona.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6747\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[gallery]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-6','','','2011-07-24 10:37:06','2011-07-24 17:37:06','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6760,1,'2011-07-24 10:45:42','2011-07-24 17:45:42','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-469','','','2011-07-24 10:45:42','2011-07-24 17:45:42','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6762,1,'2011-07-24 10:50:06','2011-07-24 17:50:06','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy to pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-7','','','2011-07-24 10:50:06','2011-07-24 17:50:06','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6763,1,'2011-07-24 10:50:29','2011-07-24 17:50:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy to pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-8','','','2011-07-24 10:50:29','2011-07-24 17:50:29','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6764,1,'2011-07-24 10:51:15','2011-07-24 17:51:15','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy too pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-9','','','2011-07-24 10:51:15','2011-07-24 17:51:15','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6768,1,'2011-07-24 11:07:49','2011-07-24 18:07:49','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy too pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, selfish wench that I am, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-12','','','2011-07-24 11:07:49','2011-07-24 18:07:49','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6765,1,'2011-08-09 21:48:54','2011-08-10 04:48:54','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy too pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vinOwcerAXE\" target=\"_blank\">Burma</a></strong>.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, selfish wench that I am, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n7-31-11 Update:  iMovie is up on YouTube!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/ufSOdUhHgiQ\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"349\"></iframe>','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-autosave','','','2011-08-09 21:48:54','2011-08-10 04:48:54','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6766,1,'2011-07-24 11:04:25','2011-07-24 18:04:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy too pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-10','','','2011-07-24 11:04:25','2011-07-24 18:04:25','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6767,1,'2011-07-24 11:06:02','2011-07-24 18:06:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy too pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to Burma.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, personally, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.  Selfish wench that I am, I decided to let that go in the name of Captain Adventure\'s happiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-11','','','2011-07-24 11:06:02','2011-07-24 18:06:02','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6769,1,'2011-07-24 11:46:39','2011-07-24 18:46:39','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy too pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vinOwcerAXE\">Burma</a></strong>.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, selfish wench that I am, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision-13','','','2011-07-24 11:46:39','2011-07-24 18:46:39','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6740-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6770,1,'2011-07-25 12:11:50','2011-07-25 19:11:50','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHell, no!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe part was a 20 - 30-something mother from the 1950s.  So I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','publish','open','open','','day-298-my-first-audition-in-15-years','','','2011-07-26 20:32:50','2011-07-27 03:32:50','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6770',0,'post','',5),(6771,1,'2011-07-24 12:04:47','2011-07-24 19:04:47','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-463','','','2011-07-24 12:04:47','2011-07-24 19:04:47','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6772,1,'2011-07-24 12:05:40','2011-07-24 19:05:40','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHell, no!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCasting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-revision','','','2011-07-24 12:05:40','2011-07-24 19:05:40','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6773,1,'2011-07-24 12:07:40','2011-07-24 19:07:40','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHell, no!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-revision-2','','','2011-07-24 12:07:40','2011-07-24 19:07:40','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6774,1,'2011-07-24 12:07:48','2011-07-24 19:07:48','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHell, no!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-revision-3','','','2011-07-24 12:07:48','2011-07-24 19:07:48','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6775,1,'2011-07-24 12:11:17','2011-07-24 19:11:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHell, no!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe part was a 30o I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-autosave','','','2011-07-24 12:11:17','2011-07-24 19:11:17','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6776,1,'2011-07-24 12:08:13','2011-07-24 19:08:13','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHell, no!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-revision-4','','','2011-07-24 12:08:13','2011-07-24 19:08:13','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6777,1,'2011-07-26 01:11:48','2011-07-26 08:11:48','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a hope note and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Coconut Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Hope Fairy for a Day','','publish','open','open','','day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day','','','2011-07-25 20:41:20','2011-07-26 03:41:20','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6777',0,'post','',5),(6778,1,'2011-07-24 12:12:17','2011-07-24 19:12:17','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision','','','2011-07-24 12:12:17','2011-07-24 19:12:17','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6779,1,'2011-07-24 12:47:33','2011-07-24 19:47:33','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Left on Britt\'s desk at work','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-464','','','2011-07-24 12:47:33','2011-07-24 19:47:33','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6780,1,'2011-07-24 12:50:53','2011-07-24 19:50:53','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a <strong><a href=\"http://mondobeyondo.org/class/july11/secret-mission-1-leave-a-hope-note-for-someone-to-find-2-2/\" target=\"_blank\">hope note</a> </strong>and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes,\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-2','','','2011-07-24 12:50:53','2011-07-24 19:50:53','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6781,1,'2011-07-24 12:52:04','2011-07-24 19:52:04','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this.  :-)','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-468','','','2011-07-24 12:52:04','2011-07-24 19:52:04','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6782,1,'2011-07-24 12:53:35','2011-07-24 19:53:35','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','My only hand-delivered hope note.  To Cooleenie.  ','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-470','','','2011-07-24 12:53:35','2011-07-24 19:53:35','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6783,1,'2011-07-24 12:54:48','2011-07-24 19:54:48','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Left at my community mailbox.  I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this?  :-) ','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-471','','','2011-07-24 12:54:48','2011-07-24 19:54:48','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6784,1,'2011-07-24 12:56:00','2011-07-24 19:56:00','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','\"You have all you need to begin\" -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-472','','','2011-07-24 12:56:00','2011-07-24 19:56:00','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6785,1,'2011-07-24 12:57:10','2011-07-24 19:57:10','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-473','','','2011-07-24 12:57:10','2011-07-24 19:57:10','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6786,1,'2011-07-24 12:58:22','2011-07-24 19:58:22','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-474','','','2011-07-24 12:58:22','2011-07-24 19:58:22','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6787,1,'2011-07-24 12:57:53','2011-07-24 19:57:53','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a <strong><a href=\"http://mondobeyondo.org/class/july11/secret-mission-1-leave-a-hope-note-for-someone-to-find-2-2/\" target=\"_blank\">hope note</a> </strong>and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-3','','','2011-07-24 12:57:53','2011-07-24 19:57:53','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6788,1,'2011-07-24 12:59:42','2011-07-24 19:59:42','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a <strong><a href=\"http://mondobeyondo.org/class/july11/secret-mission-1-leave-a-hope-note-for-someone-to-find-2-2/\" target=\"_blank\">hope note</a> </strong>and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-4','','','2011-07-24 12:59:42','2011-07-24 19:59:42','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6796,1,'2011-07-24 13:08:21','2011-07-24 20:08:21','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a hope note and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-9','','','2011-07-24 13:08:21','2011-07-24 20:08:21','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6789,1,'2011-07-25 20:41:37','2011-07-26 03:41:37','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a hope note and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Coconut Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Hope Fairy for a Day','','inherit','open','open','','6777-autosave','','','2011-07-25 20:41:37','2011-07-26 03:41:37','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6790,1,'2011-07-24 13:01:03','2011-07-24 20:01:03','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a <strong><a href=\"http://mondobeyondo.org/class/july11/secret-mission-1-leave-a-hope-note-for-someone-to-find-2-2/\" target=\"_blank\">hope note</a> </strong>and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-5','','','2011-07-24 13:01:03','2011-07-24 20:01:03','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6791,1,'2011-07-24 12:11:31','2011-07-24 19:11:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHell, no!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe part was a 30-something mother from the 1950s.  So I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-revision-5','','','2011-07-24 12:11:31','2011-07-24 19:11:31','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6792,1,'2011-07-24 13:04:34','2011-07-24 20:04:34','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a <strong><a href=\"http://mondobeyondo.org/class/july11/secret-mission-1-leave-a-hope-note-for-someone-to-find-2-2/\" target=\"_blank\">hope note</a> </strong>and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-6','','','2011-07-24 13:04:34','2011-07-24 20:04:34','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6793,1,'2011-07-24 13:05:17','2011-07-24 20:05:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHell, no!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe part was a 30-something mother from the 1950s.  So I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-revision-6','','','2011-07-24 13:05:17','2011-07-24 20:05:17','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6794,1,'2011-07-24 13:05:39','2011-07-24 20:05:39','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a <strong><a href=\"http://mondobeyondo.org/class/july11/secret-mission-1-leave-a-hope-note-for-someone-to-find-2-2/\" target=\"_blank\">hope note</a> </strong>and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-7','','','2011-07-24 13:05:39','2011-07-24 20:05:39','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6795,1,'2011-07-24 13:06:59','2011-07-24 20:06:59','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a <strong><a href=\"http://mondobeyondo.org/class/july11/secret-mission-1-leave-a-hope-note-for-someone-to-find-2-2/\" target=\"_blank\">hope note</a> </strong>and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-8','','','2011-07-24 13:06:59','2011-07-24 20:06:59','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6797,1,'2011-07-24 13:08:26','2011-07-24 20:08:26','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a hope note and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Playing the Role of Hope Fairy','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-10','','','2011-07-24 13:08:26','2011-07-24 20:08:26','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6798,1,'2011-07-24 13:12:14','2011-07-24 20:12:14','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a hope note and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Hope Fairy for a Day','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-11','','','2011-07-24 13:12:14','2011-07-24 20:12:14','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6799,1,'2011-07-27 01:11:50','2011-07-27 08:11:50','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY DEATH WISH, BATMAN!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads up and down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I realized through Sarah\'s near death experience that I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','publish','open','open','','day-300-climb-every-mountain-or-every-rock-gym-wall-if-its-112-degrees-outside','','','2012-11-26 21:22:24','2012-11-27 04:22:24','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6799',0,'post','',11),(6800,1,'2011-07-24 13:13:02','2011-07-24 20:13:02','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision','','','2011-07-24 13:13:02','2011-07-24 20:13:02','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6801,1,'2011-07-24 13:13:46','2011-07-24 20:13:46','','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  Or Every Rock Wall If It\'s 110 Degrees.','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-2','','','2011-07-24 13:13:46','2011-07-24 20:13:46','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6802,1,'2011-07-24 13:14:15','2011-07-24 20:14:15','','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  Or Every Rock Wall If It\'s 111 Degrees.','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-3','','','2011-07-24 13:14:15','2011-07-24 20:14:15','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6803,1,'2011-07-24 13:14:36','2011-07-24 20:14:36','','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  Or Every Rock Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees.','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-4','','','2011-07-24 13:14:36','2011-07-24 20:14:36','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6804,1,'2011-07-24 13:12:43','2011-07-24 20:12:43','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMondo Beyondo sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a hope note and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Hope Fairy for a Day','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-12','','','2011-07-24 13:12:43','2011-07-24 20:12:43','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6805,1,'2011-07-24 18:51:00','2011-07-25 01:51:00','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-475','','','2011-07-24 18:51:00','2011-07-25 01:51:00','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6806,1,'2011-07-24 18:52:01','2011-07-25 01:52:01','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-476','','','2011-07-24 18:52:01','2011-07-25 01:52:01','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6807,1,'2011-07-24 18:52:51','2011-07-25 01:52:51','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-477','','','2011-07-24 18:52:51','2011-07-25 01:52:51','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6808,1,'2011-07-24 18:54:04','2011-07-25 01:54:04','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the Phoenix Rock Gym, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"  And they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-5','','','2011-07-24 18:54:04','2011-07-25 01:54:04','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6809,1,'2011-07-24 18:54:12','2011-07-25 01:54:12','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the Phoenix Rock Gym, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"  And they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-6','','','2011-07-24 18:54:12','2011-07-25 01:54:12','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6810,1,'2011-07-24 18:54:22','2011-07-25 01:54:22','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the Phoenix Rock Gym, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"  And they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-7','','','2011-07-24 18:54:22','2011-07-25 01:54:22','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6811,1,'2011-07-24 18:55:04','2011-07-25 01:55:04','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the Phoenix Rock Gym, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-8','','','2011-07-24 18:55:04','2011-07-25 01:55:04','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6812,1,'2011-07-24 18:55:12','2011-07-25 01:55:12','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the Phoenix Rock Gym, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-9','','','2011-07-24 18:55:12','2011-07-25 01:55:12','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6813,1,'2011-07-24 18:55:15','2011-07-25 01:55:15','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the Phoenix Rock Gym, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-10','','','2011-07-24 18:55:15','2011-07-25 01:55:15','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6814,1,'2011-07-24 18:59:04','2011-07-25 01:59:04','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the Phoenix Rock Gym, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity.  Not death or dismemberment.  ','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-11','','','2011-07-24 18:59:04','2011-07-25 01:59:04','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6815,1,'2011-07-24 19:05:06','2011-07-25 02:05:06','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-12','','','2011-07-24 19:05:06','2011-07-25 02:05:06','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6816,1,'2011-07-24 20:51:25','2011-07-25 03:51:25','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Breathe...','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-478','','','2011-07-24 20:51:25','2011-07-25 03:51:25','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6817,1,'2011-07-24 20:51:42','2011-07-25 03:51:42','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-479','','','2011-07-24 20:51:42','2011-07-25 03:51:42','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6818,1,'2011-07-24 20:51:58','2011-07-25 03:51:58','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-480','','','2011-07-24 20:51:58','2011-07-25 03:51:58','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6819,1,'2011-07-24 20:52:16','2011-07-25 03:52:16','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God\'s children to see.  Does this wall make my butt look big?','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-481','','','2011-07-24 20:52:16','2011-07-25 03:52:16','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6820,1,'2011-07-24 20:52:34','2011-07-25 03:52:34','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-482','','','2011-07-24 20:52:34','2011-07-25 03:52:34','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230033.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6821,1,'2011-07-24 20:52:53','2011-07-25 03:52:53','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-483','','','2011-07-24 20:52:53','2011-07-25 03:52:53','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230034.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6822,1,'2011-07-24 20:53:14','2011-07-25 03:53:14','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Whoa.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-484','','','2011-07-24 20:53:14','2011-07-25 03:53:14','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6823,1,'2011-07-24 20:53:33','2011-07-25 03:53:33','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-485','','','2011-07-24 20:53:33','2011-07-25 03:53:33','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230040.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6824,1,'2011-07-24 20:53:49','2011-07-25 03:53:49','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-486','','','2011-07-24 20:53:49','2011-07-25 03:53:49','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230043.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6825,1,'2011-07-24 19:06:49','2011-07-25 02:06:49','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-13','','','2011-07-24 19:06:49','2011-07-25 02:06:49','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6799-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(7424,1,'2011-08-31 17:35:15','2011-09-01 00:35:15','I\'m sure you\'ve heard of it.  Office Yoga.  Exercises (or \"Asanas\" in Yoga terminology) that you perform at your desk so that you don\'t turn into a computer hunchback.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s such a great idea, isn\'t it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don\'t know of anyone who has ever tried it.  Do you?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve never tried it, and I\'ve practiced yoga for 11 years!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 337 days of computer work during the day and blog posting at night, my back, neck and shoulders asked me to investigate this Office Yoga stuff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI find it best to tackle these sorts of things with my guinea pig posse.  Today\'s <del>victims</del> volunteers:  Hollywood and YoYo.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 338:  Office Yoga','','inherit','open','open','','7422-revision-2','','','2011-08-31 17:35:15','2011-09-01 00:35:15','',7422,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/08/31/7422-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6828,1,'2011-07-25 18:50:01','2011-07-26 01:50:01','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-14','','','2011-07-25 18:50:01','2011-07-26 01:50:01','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6829,1,'2011-07-25 18:50:12','2011-07-26 01:50:12','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-15','','','2011-07-25 18:50:12','2011-07-26 01:50:12','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6830,1,'2011-07-25 18:51:01','2011-07-26 01:51:01','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-16','','','2011-07-25 18:51:01','2011-07-26 01:51:01','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6831,1,'2011-07-25 19:11:15','2011-07-26 02:11:15','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go left, it goes right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOops!  I mean, I was PANICKED following in her footsteps.  I must have been a quarter of the way up\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-17','','','2011-07-25 19:11:15','2011-07-26 02:11:15','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(6832,1,'2011-07-24 13:16:49','2011-07-24 20:16:49','[caption id=\"attachment_6779\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left on Britt&#39;s desk at work\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6779\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220037-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> sent me on a Secret Mission.  I was to choose a hope note and leave it in a public space for someone else to find.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOverachiever that I am, I scattered ALL of my hope notes around my fair city, and even beamed one out of state.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn true fairy fashion, I floated around on a natural high all day.  People always ask me, \"What is your favorite blog activity so far?\"  There are many to report, but this one certainly makes the Top 10.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was about to drop one of my hope notes in the mailbox for the postmaster, I actually said out loud to myself, \"This is so much fun!  This is so much fun!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI HIGHLY recommend trying this at home, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6781\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I thought that a postmaster unloading a mailbox in 111 degrees might need to be reminded of this. :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6781\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220041-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6782\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My only hand-delivered hope note. To Cooleenie.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6782\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220039-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6783\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Left at my community mailbox. I wonder which neighbor found this/needed this? :-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220043-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6784\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"&quot;You have all you need to begin&quot; -- Tucked into the wine list at my favorite wine cafe.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6784\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6785\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Restaurant Bathroom Wisdom\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6785\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220022-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6786\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Beamed out of state to a Tall Drink of Water\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6786 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7220016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 299:  Hope Fairy for a Day','','inherit','open','open','','6777-revision-13','','','2011-07-24 13:16:49','2011-07-24 20:16:49','',6777,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6777-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6833,1,'2011-07-25 20:55:28','2011-07-26 03:55:28','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go left, it goes right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh**less!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-Will-I-Write-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-18','','','2011-07-25 20:55:28','2011-07-26 03:55:28','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(6834,1,'2011-07-25 21:05:32','2011-07-26 04:05:32','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought my writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agrred\"It\'s much less scarier over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-19','','','2011-07-25 21:05:32','2011-07-26 04:05:32','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(6836,1,'2011-07-25 21:06:32','2011-07-26 04:06:32','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought my writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s much less scarier over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-21','','','2011-07-25 21:06:32','2011-07-26 04:06:32','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(6835,1,'2011-07-25 21:06:08','2011-07-26 04:06:08','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought my writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s much less scarier over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-20','','','2011-07-25 21:06:08','2011-07-26 04:06:08','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(6837,1,'2011-07-25 21:20:17','2011-07-26 04:20:17','','Unnamed','Mr. Muscles 1 & 2 are not aliens in real life.  That\'s a side effect of Sarah\'s iPhone.  You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!','inherit','open','open','','unnamed-3','','','2011-07-25 21:20:17','2011-07-26 04:20:17','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6838,1,'2011-07-25 21:31:49','2011-07-26 04:31:49','','Unnamed','Apple, seriously.  You should be ashamed.','inherit','open','open','','unnamed-4','','','2011-07-25 21:31:49','2011-07-26 04:31:49','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6839,1,'2011-07-25 21:10:33','2011-07-26 04:10:33','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s much less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-22','','','2011-07-25 21:10:33','2011-07-26 04:10:33','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(6840,1,'2011-07-25 21:32:52','2011-07-26 04:32:52','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s much less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to climb next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder for this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!  I\'m wondering when it\'s going to be my turn already!!!  But I couldn\'t be happier for Sarah.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-23','','','2011-07-25 21:32:52','2011-07-26 04:32:52','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(6841,1,'2011-07-25 21:33:10','2011-07-26 04:33:10','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s much less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to climb next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder for this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!  I\'m wondering when it\'s going to be my turn already!!!  But I couldn\'t be happier for Sarah.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-24','','','2011-07-25 21:33:10','2011-07-26 04:33:10','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(6844,1,'2011-07-26 20:53:18','2011-07-27 03:53:18','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-26','','','2011-07-26 20:53:18','2011-07-27 03:53:18','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(6842,1,'2011-07-25 21:38:30','2011-07-26 04:38:30','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Living Social coupon helped spur me on as well.  I heart Living Social and Groupon!  They make life so much more fun and less expensive!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death or dismemberment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knows <em>exactly</em> what I\'m talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America scaled that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s much less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to climb next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder for this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!  I\'m wondering when it\'s going to be my turn already!!!  But I couldn\'t be happier for Sarah.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if from a Burning Bush, he thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look -- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 with the knot, 6 inches, etc.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-25','','','2011-07-25 21:38:30','2011-07-26 04:38:30','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/25/6799-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(6843,1,'2011-07-24 13:06:17','2011-07-24 20:06:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6771\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7210034-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day, I was a professional auditioner.  i.e., I was a theatre geek.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen my career path veered towards education.  I left the theatre, and I never looked back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople always ask me, \"Don\'t you want to audition and perform in community theatre?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHell, no!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI immensely enjoyed my decade of performing, and my background in the theatre played such an integral role in the person I am today, but I don\'t miss having to report to a theatre nightly.  And I certainly don\'t miss the mental and emotional roller coaster ride of auditioning.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t auditioned in 15 years until Day 298.  An email from Noble Publishing Superpower\'s marketing department caught my attention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Casting Call:  Audition for our [insert fabulous NPS product here]</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow!  You mean to tell me that I am encouraged to play actress during a work day?  I\'m there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe part was a 30-something mother from the 1950s.  So I showed up in my 1950s-esque sundress (I was feeling very \"method actress\" that day) and did my thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued...maybe...if I get the part.','Day 298:  My First Audition in 15 Years','','inherit','open','open','','6770-revision-7','','','2011-07-24 13:06:17','2011-07-24 20:06:17','',6770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/24/6770-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6845,1,'2011-07-26 20:54:07','2011-07-27 03:54:07','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nForeshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-27','','','2011-07-26 20:54:07','2011-07-27 03:54:07','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(6846,1,'2011-07-26 20:57:14','2011-07-27 03:57:14','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-28','','','2011-07-26 20:57:14','2011-07-27 03:57:14','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(6848,1,'2011-07-26 20:59:52','2011-07-27 03:59:52','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-30','','','2011-07-26 20:59:52','2011-07-27 03:59:52','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(6847,1,'2011-07-26 20:57:17','2011-07-27 03:57:17','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomies, and Living Curiously, and Stellar Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-29','','','2011-07-26 20:57:17','2011-07-27 03:57:17','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(6849,1,'2011-07-26 21:09:57','2011-07-27 04:09:57','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you truly, madly, deepl','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-31','','','2011-07-26 21:09:57','2011-07-27 04:09:57','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(6850,1,'2011-07-26 21:10:57','2011-07-27 04:10:57','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat?!?!?!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-32','','','2011-07-26 21:10:57','2011-07-27 04:10:57','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(6851,1,'2011-07-26 21:12:18','2011-07-27 04:12:18','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-33','','','2011-07-26 21:12:18','2011-07-27 04:12:18','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(6852,1,'2011-07-26 21:25:48','2011-07-27 04:25:48','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-34','','','2011-07-26 21:25:48','2011-07-27 04:25:48','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(6853,1,'2011-07-26 21:30:13','2011-07-27 04:30:13','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-35','','','2011-07-26 21:30:13','2011-07-27 04:30:13','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(6855,1,'2011-07-26 21:33:12','2011-07-27 04:33:12','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I realized through Sarah\'s near death experience that I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-37','','','2011-07-26 21:33:12','2011-07-27 04:33:12','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(6854,1,'2011-07-26 21:31:36','2011-07-27 04:31:36','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I realized during Sarah\'s near death experience that I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-36','','','2011-07-26 21:31:36','2011-07-27 04:31:36','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(6856,1,'2011-07-26 21:33:49','2011-07-27 04:33:49','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah hoisted me down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI did it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I realized through Sarah\'s near death experience that I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-revision-38','','','2011-07-26 21:33:49','2011-07-27 04:33:49','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(6857,1,'2011-07-26 21:35:29','2011-07-27 04:35:29','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6807\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230044-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />For a few years now, I\'ve been intrigued by the thought of scaling a wall at a Rock Gym.  Since this 365 project involves me Carpe Diem-ing, I thought, \"Why not now?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, you know what they say?  \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the<strong><a href=\"http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Phoenix Rock Gym</a></strong>, they say, \"It\'s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Or dies.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd they\'re not kidding!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may have figured out through this blog, I\'m sort of a positive thinker, and honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could get hurt or DIE at the indoor rock gym until I signed this waiver.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6805\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then saw this sign from across the crowded gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6806\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmmm...I signed up for a blogilicious activity. Not death!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHOLY CRAP!!!!!  WHAT DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO????\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know the drill.  Once you\'re there, you better suck it up, Buttercup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere I am at the Rock Gym with Sarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America who has previously scaled Real Rocks!  What I am I going to do?  Shamefully exit the gym like a little wussy girl???  It\'s time to walk the talk, Late Bloomer!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6816\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Breathe...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6816\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230025-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter watching a safety video, a perky young thang strapped Sarah and me up in harnesses while peppering us with questions about the video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI blurted, \"I am a kinesthetic learner, so I\'m going to need some serious individualized instruction here.  I learn by doing.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerky Young Thang must be an Education major because she knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talking about.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe reassured me that Lynn would show Sarah and me the ropes.  Literally and figuratively.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn (a boy Lynn, not a girl Lynn) was extraordinarily patient with two chatty women who needed to document this rock wall adventure for blogilistic purposes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6817\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230026-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6818\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Foreshadowing (insert eerie music of your choice here):</span></strong>  The rope does not go pictured left, it goes pictured right.  Pay attention, girls!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLynn, The Master of Calm, instructed us to first climb halfway up the wall.  The second time, we\'d go for the gusto to the top.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Sarah to go first.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDon\'t judge me!  She\'d done this before, and I needed to watch her to learn!  The whole I Do, We Do, You Do, Gradual Release of Responsibility thing!  Perky Young Thang who\'s more than likely an Education major knew <em>exactly</em> what I was talkin\' about!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah aka Pilates Teacher Extraordinaire aka Ms. Fitness America crawled up that wall like it was nobody\'s business.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was PUMPED to follow in her footsteps!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Oops!  Just kidding!  I mean, I was PANICKED while following in her footsteps.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI shouted down, \"Am I halfway there?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm begged to differ. \"Nope.  You\'ve got a little ways to go.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrap.  Crap.  Crap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI inched up a few more steps and announced, \"I\'m finished!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm said (calmly), \"O.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah hoisted me down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I fessed up immediately.  I looked Master of Calm straight in the eye.  \"I was scared sh*^less!!!!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaster of Calm offered, \"That\'s o.k.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah chimed in with something of a cheerleader-ish, \"You can do it!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers everywhere!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of What-the-Hell-Will-I-Write-About-If-I-Don\'t-Haul-My-Cookies-to-the-Top-of-That-Freakin\'-Wall?!?!?!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6819\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"When you are a Rock Wall Climbing Blogger, you have no choice but to plaster your cookies on the Internet for all God&#39;s children to see. Does this wall make my butt look big?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6819 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Late Bloomers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the name of Entertaining Writing Material!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd just when Sarah and I thought that the writing material had been exhausted...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6822\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Whoa.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6822\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230035-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile I was walking over to our stuff to grab a sip of water, Sarah disappeared.  I found her around the corner of the gym checking out the various \"walls\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Let\'s try the walls over here!\" Sarah beamed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed.  \"It\'s far less scary over here!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore we knew it, Mr. Muscles 1 and Mr. Muscles 2 came over unsolicited to offer their services.  (Master of Calm had sent us on our merry way after the first climb.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6837\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Mr. Muscles 1 &amp; 2 are not aliens in real life. That&#39;s a side effect of Sarah&#39;s iPhone. You mean to tell me that Crackberries take better photos?!?!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6837\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven with extra tutoring, Sarah and I nearly made a fatal mistake.  (Don\'t worry, Mom.  It would\'ve been Sarah that would have died.  I would have lived with the guilt for the remainder of my life, but I would have walked away without a scratch.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMr. Muscles 1 &amp; Mr. Muscles 2 took a break from chatting us up to climb.  Sarah wanted to go next, and while we geared up, she gushed on about her date the night before with a man who was previously fodder on this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  You heard it first right here, Ladies and 3 Token Gents.  The first Diary of a Late Bloomer Love Connection!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen...from the mist (I\'m not kidding!  That gym is h-u-m-i-d!)...a Rock Gym Guardian Angel appeared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>He thundered, \"DID YOU DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PARTNER?\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, yes!  Look!\"  Sarah and I bobbed our heads.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock Gym Guardian Angel grabbed Sarah\'s billet thingie that looked like \"pictured left\" above, and BOOM!  Sarah and I realized that she would have gone CRASH!  BOOM!  SPLAT!  had it not been for our Rock Gym Guardian Angel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, and I do mean <em>luck</em>ily, Sarah lived to see another day, another date, and another kiss.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6838\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Apple, seriously. You should be ashamed.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6838\" title=\"Unnamed\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Unnamed1-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI conquered my fear and lived to write another blog post.  I realized through Sarah\'s near death experience that I need kissing badly.  I want be kissed often, and by somebody who knows how.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever climbed a Rock Gym Wall?  A Real Rock?  Would you rather scale a freakin\' wall or have someone kiss you like there\'s no tomorrow?  Please share in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 300:  Climb Every Mountain.  (Or Every Rock Gym Wall If It\'s 112 Degrees Outside.)','','inherit','open','open','','6799-autosave','','','2011-07-26 21:35:29','2011-07-27 04:35:29','',6799,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/6799-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),