Out and about again.

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My friend had plans with another friend this afternoon. He believes tomorrow or Sunday would be better. I had a list of needs so I went to town anyway. I stopped at a sporting goods store first, believing it would close sooner and having started my day a bit late. Then I drove to the hardware store for a number of items. A bit of supper to go is seeing me home and now fed.

At the sporting goods store, I did have to wait a bit for someone to notice me. But when I did get attention, it was great. I explained my situation and needs and wants. Initially he was going to sell me gear aimed directly for the use of the prussic method of climbing. But during the conversation I told him that I had ascenders but that I did not believe my strength, or at least stamina, would allow for their use as I traditionally remember them being used. Either my memory is bad or techniques have changed? Instead of selling gear that was unnecessary, he set me up for using the ascenders. He saved $50 to $100, where he easily could have just let me walk with gear I didn't need. I bought enough to get started. Further, he actually geared up and tested how to make just such a system work, from which I noted the connection methods and noted the primary variable(s). The main thing that will need tweaking is the proportion of the lengths of rise while using the upper and lower ascenders, as I see things and to begin with.

Never mind, just understand that I have a decent idea of how to begin experimenting. Low and slow, to start, in any case. It might take me a bit to get in shape to do more than experiment for some time. When the weather permits, of course. Further, I now have a definite source of equipment for the climbing end, and for information regarding that. Total bill was $69 or so, but just for the information I would say it was worth it. Books and DVDs are good but nothing beats actually seeing the hookups and testing some parameters live, in real 4D (time is included, you know).

Next stop, the hardware store. I found a set of clamps of various sizes. Oddly, a set of 5 pairs of various sized clamps (good brand) was only slightly more expensive than the second largest pair of clamps in the set sold as a pair. I figured I would be working on other things, and at those price points I really could not lose. Further, I was not exactly sure what size clamps to get. I also picked up another set of drill bits, though hardened. I do actually have good drill bits, but they do break and I am missing one already due to breakage. I also grabbed two different sets of philips head bits, hardened for impact use, one set short the other extended.

Everything is so complicated. Ignorance is not bliss, at least in these cases. And yet, I learn, I get the tools I need, I adapt what I have, and I see why those tools are better. I suppose as things go forward, I will even lose some doubt. Oh, yea! Now that I have a ladder, when the weather is going to be dry for a bit, I can get up and paint over the awful purple on the trim of my windows on the second story! Oh yeah, gear me up and let me go, and if I have it I will do it... probably, sooner or later. It all has to be together and there is so much needed while I have been buying bits and pieces for a number of projects. A fractured mind is a terrible thing to use, but it is unique and my own.

Later.