Computers, printers, health insurance, oh my!

In the past week we've had a very nice printer, two computers, and health insurance for me donated by various people. We are currently looking for some donated office space for three to six months until we can afford to pay for our own office space. We hope to find something in central or north Boulder, Colorado.

In other news, we are coming closer to solidifying our relationship with the Abbott Foundation of Abbotabad, Pakistan. They requested our assistance with building a girls' middle school that will serve a dozen communities in the Northwest area of Pakistan. We still have a few details to work out, and then we have to get board approval, but we are finally on our way to doing a project in Pakistan! Heidi and I are both thrilled at the prospect as that country for which we started our nonprofit in the first place.

On the other hand, during this tedious process of finding an NGO partner in Pakistan, we have learned a heck of a lot, and we were privileged to be able to meet and work with Emily Sherman-Davis of Common Ground Society, Liberia. That project would not have happened had we jumped straight into the Pakistan project.

Emily has been a valuable teacher for me, and she has done a dynamite job running our scholarship project in Liberia. She will be getting us additional photos and stories of our girls in the next month or so.

-Lizzy

Break from blogging to focus on Girls Education International

I'm going to take a break from personal blogging for a while to focus all my energy on my nonprofit, Girls Education International. In the past month there has been a significant change in momentum within and without the organization. People are coming out of the woodwork willing to help. It's thrilling.

Inspired by my friend Jonny Copp, who in every realm of his life really pursued his passions, I, too, am going to go focus 100% on my passion--empowering and educating as many women as possible throughout the world. Wish me luck. If you want to know what I'm up to, check out the Girls Ed website or blog. We've just switched to a new content management system, and I still have some bugs to work out, but I should have the wrinkles ironed out here in the next month or so. Ciao for now!

Mad sends the Leaning Tower

This woman continues to amaze me in many ways. Here's her latest inspiring achievement in the world of climbing.

---------

Note from Madaleine Sorkin...

In Yosemite, I climbed the route (the west face of the Leaning Tower) I've been dreaming about this year. It came together, step by step--testing my patience to see a personal goal through and ability to take ownership over it. I didn't have a clear partner for the route so over the course of 16 days I went up there 5 times with 5 different partners, each time was productive, some more than others. When my friend Kate showed up to the valley, she offered to support me--jugging each pitch bringing up food and water, etc to the belay. As always, friends’ support was instrumental to a send. Towards the top of the route, past a roof, I was shaking with exhaustion, and I nearly fell, as my heel popped various times as I tried to mantle out of a steep, greasy crack. I tried harder on that route than I can remember in a long time--reminding me how close the line can be between success and failure. With all the effort I put in to that route, it would have been hard to view the climb as a failure, regardless of the outcome. so here's the self-promo: http://www.rockandice.com/inthemag.php?id=345&type=onlinenews and a link to photos. http://tinyurl.com/nhez37
mikey schaefer and I went up there late in the following day. unfortunately the light wasn't golden, as it often is on the west face. we shot two sections of the route and there are a couple good ones.

-------

And now we are off to the East Coast for 10 days. How I wish I could stay as my work with Girls Education International is snowballing in a very positive way right now. I want to work every day on it, but instead I'll be traveling traveling, yet again. I love traveling, but right now I love home more. It is gorgeous, lush, sweet smelling, and wet here in Colorado. I'm not climbing a lot, so the rain doesn't bother me. Instead I revel in its ability to make my plants grow in a jungle-like manner I have never seen. However, I get to see my family, wear nice clothes at a wedding, and try out some of the East Coast climbing. It will be a nice time.

I may be giving up blogging soon. We shall see. Much to do. i'd rather blog in other places:

www.LyonsOutdoorGames.blogspot.com
and
www.GirlsEducationInternational.blogspot.com

:) Lizzy

Lyons Outdoor Games 2009 a big success!

I did the PR for the Lyons Outdoor Games. I posted these entries this morning. The event was a blast. I really enjoyed working with the volunteers and the Town of Lyons, and I was really impressed that this almost all-volunteer effort was run so well. There is room for improvement, but wow, what a cool thing to have in my little home town. Have I ever mentioned that I love Lyons?
OK, now for the article. Enjoy...

Lyons Outdoor Games a success

Despite the bad weather forecasts around the Front Range, we enjoyed perfect temps and no rain both Saturday and Sunday for the 7th annual Lyons Outdoor Games. This was by far the biggest and best event the Town of Lyons has held with between 2,500 and 3,000 people attending.

According to one of the organizers of the kayak events, Marty Cronin of Jackson Kayaks, "It was well attended and sponsored, and I believe the community really saw a great time, so that, to me, is a thumbs up!” The event, he added, was a great boon for the community.

“We have seen the cadet rodeo (kids’ freestyle kayaking). grow 100% each year, from four kids to 13 or 14” Cronin stated. “The cadet rodeo is one of the really important aspects of this event. We have the opportunity to see kids get into the sport and develop skills early on. The real pros in the world all started on the water when they were five and 10 years old. Our plan is, five or 10 years from now, to have a whole new crew of teenagers just ripping. We are super excited to see all this starting to come together at the Lyons Outdoor Games.”

Both the kayak and the bike elements of the Games are hugely positive for both the Lyons and the greater Front Range community.

“Kids winning boats are the ones coming back, and they are bringing their friends,” Cronin stated. “They are having a damn good time, and parents talking to parents. Things are starting to snowball. I’m seeing it in just three years since we’ve been involved.”

Chad Melis of Oskar Blues agreed. “Though there weren’t a huge number of kids competing, the new pump track and dirt jumps were built so that both adults and kids could progress,” he explained. “Using the Games as a way to leverage and create that park is going to pay off in the long term as far as getting kids the skills to participate in the future and have fun on their bikes.”

This is really a huge success story, he added. “We have a $150K skills bike park that we got for just a few thousand dollars (because of volunteer support and sponsorship.,” Melis stated. “The town will benefit, the bike shops will benefit, and the community will benefit.”

Full slalom results and partial creek boat/freestyle results

Adam Barron Memorial South Saint Vrain Creek Boat Race
1. Tao Berman
2. Pat Keller
3. Brian Kirk

Women's Pro Freestyle
1. Emily jackson
2. Ruth gordon
3. Elaine

Men's Pro Freestyle
1. Steven Wright
2. Nick Troutman
3. Brian Kirk

Cadet Rodeo
1. Alec Banderhoof
2. Sage Donnelly
3. Paul Palmer

Slalom Races
C1
1. Steve Isenberg -- 119.78
2. Jp Griffeth2 -- 125.82
3. Alex Dodge -- 128.72
4. Griff Griffeth -- 135.13

K1
1. Scott Shipley -- 100.37
2. Griff Griffeth -- 108.47
3. Alex Dodge2 -- 109
4. Will Grubb -- 112.37
5. JP Griffeth -- 118.47
6. Henry Hyman -- 119.66
7. Lamar Simms -- 128.75
8. Tyler Newton -- 139.87
9. Jack Heyman -- 142.16
10. Henry Hyde -- 159.84
11. Marshall McQuillen -- 161.19
12. Max Karlsson -- 267

K1-W
1. Emily Jackson -- 123.44
2. Lauren Buress -- 134.34
3. Sarah Dodge -- 135.13
4. Sage Donnelly -- 154.94
5. Emily Grubb -- 243.78
6. Samatha Cole Johnson -- 334.59

Age Group Results:

C1 - Junior (17 – 18)
1. Jp Griffeth2 -- 125.82
2. Griff Griffeth -- 135.13
C1 - Open (19 – 29)
1. Steve Isenberg -- 119.78
2. Alex Dodge -- 128.72

K1 - Cadet (16 and under)
1. Henry Hyman -- 119.66
2. Jack Heyman -- 142.16
3. Henry Hyde -- 159.84
4. Marshall McQuillen -- 161.19
5. Max Karlsson -- 267

K1 - Junior (17 – 18)
1. Griff Griffeth -- 108.47
2. Will Grubb -- 112.37
3. JP -- 118.47

K1 - Open (19 – 29)
1. Scott Shipley -- 100.37
2. Alex Dodge2 -- 109
3. Lamar Simms -- 128.75
4. Tyler Newton -- 139.87

K1-W - Cadet (16 and under)
1. Lauren Buress -- 134.34
2. Sage Donnelly -- 154.94
3. Emily Grubb -- 243.78

K1-W - Junior (17 – 18)
1. Sarah Dodge -- 135.13
2. Samatha Cole Johnson -- 334.59

K1-W - Open (19 – 29)
1. Emily Jackson -- 123.44

Thanks to all our awesome sponsors for supporting this event:

Town of Lyons
Oskar Blues (Lyons local)
Smith Optics
Montbell
Subaru
Kelty
Spot Bicycles
Jackson Kayaks
Laughing Grizzly
BMA
Yellow Designs Stunt Team
ACA
Fluid Kayaks
Immersion
Tomahawk
Bitterbrush Cycles (Lyons local)
A Spice of Life (Lyons local)
Blue Sky Mortgage Company (Lyons local)
Ideal Market
Kona
Sierra Designs
Hatrock Excavating (Lyons local)
Bella Energy
Elevation Outdoors
Loki
Mountain Buzz
Leave No Trace
River Gypsies
Blue Mountain Stone (Lyons local)
Vitamin Water
Kokatat
Outdoor Divas
Alpine Sports
Flappy's Print Shop
Rocky Mountain Sunscreen
Barking Dog Cafe
USA Freestyle Kayaking
The Lyons Recorder (Lyons local)
Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists
Planet Bluegrass
LeeLikesBikes.com
Monster energy drinks
Cronin Jewelers
Boss Hogg Enterprises

Lyons Outdoor Games 2009 PHOTOS

Marty Cronin and Scott Young chat with kayakers about the course. Watch for more photos of Boater X later this week.



The new Lyons Bike Park will help train future Lyons Outdoor Games competitors.



Maya Bassford and Ignacio Fleishour participate in the river cleanup sponsored by Lyons-based catering company, A Spice of Life. Dan Bruckner, company owner, sponsored a delicious, fresh food breakfast for people who participated. He also sponsored the zero-waste aspect of the event, along with Scott Young, of local company, Blue Sky Mortgage.


















A helicopter was brought in to dry the pump track and dirt jumps for the comp. It worked.



Steven Wright brightened everyone's day with his superb skills (he won the pro-freestyle kayak event) and his constant smile.


LOG short track competitors readying for the race.








The chainsaw carving event was one of the newest and coolest events of the Games. The detail on these carvings were awesome. I had no idea these guys were so incredible. Kudos to Bongo Love for putting this aspect of the Games together. I'll put more photos up later this week.


















Adam, Amy, AJ Schwartz and mom. Amy and Adam organized the Games in 2008 and the Canine Cannonball in 2009.
Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors for promoting such a great event!

Lyons Outdoor Games Bike Comps Results and summary

This year's Lyons Outdoor Games bike events were a big success with large crowds and plenty of talent.

According to Chad Melis of Oskar Blues, there were 17 participants for the bike short track race.

"It was our first event and there was a national event occurring the same weekend in Colorado Springs, but despite that we thought it was a success," Melis stated. "Racers really liked the course, and most asked if we would have additional short track and cyclocross events in the future. The terrain behind the Lyons High School is great for these sorts of races. We hope this event was something we can build on." The race earned the Town of Lyons about $200 and cost nothing to run because of volunteer efforts.

The dirt jump comp, he added, also went really well. "We had some really high quality jumpers there. The crowd was excited about it. It translated to a good event." For more information on the Dirt Jump comp, please revisit the blog tomorrow. I have posted one video of the event today.

Short Track Race Results:

Men's A (6 Laps)
1. Michael Hosey = $65
2. Brian Fuentes = $35
3. Chad Melis
4. Sean Madson
5. Neil Miner
6. Josh Kravitz
7. Zach White
8. Tim Leahy
9. Dan Farrell

Women's A (5 Laps)
1. Dellys Starr = $25
2. Jen Gersbach = $15
3. Monique Hein
4. Kim Pardoe

Men's B (5 Laps)
1. Scott Hicar
2. Hippie Dave Gardiner
3. Dylan Donohoe
4. Doug Mers

Comments on freelancing and Rock & Ice magazine

A number of people who have read my blog have suggested that my blog entry about freelancing from a few days ago was anti-R&I mag (or was that a week ago--yes, time flies when I am mourning and worrying). Yes, sure the overall feel of the blog entry was negative. I groaned and whined about the fact that it's really difficult to make a living as a freelance writer. However, I was not attacking R&I. My point was that I don't make as much money since I took myself off the masthead, and so it's really not worth it for me to spend lots of money traveling and lots of time writing articles.

I want to reiterate that I have no bad feelings toward R&I mag. In fact, I have had a great relationship with that magazine for many years, and I admire and respect the staff there, especially Alison Osius, who has been my long-time mentor.

Death and Buddha

In light of the recent tragedies in my cherished community of climbers, I am determined to try to stick closer to my Buddhist vows of being kind and living for the benefit of all beings. Some people, like Jonny, his girlfriend Sara, and my friend Jenna, easily and gracefully live their Buddha nature all day, every day. They were/are all such bright spirits. They remind me that I also have Buddha nature, as does every person on earth.

But sometimes, despite knowing this, I find it hard to just be kind. I am not ashamed of myself, nor will I beat myself up because I am sometimes a bitch. However, I will take these tragedies as an opportunity to consider my Buddhist vows more deeply. The deaths of my friends Jonny Copp and Micah Dash and the recent health troubles of one of my other friends, reminds me that whenever I lash out, slander, and/or otherwise spread negative energy, I am hurting not only myself, but my friends, family, girlfriend, and the world community. There is enough pain, anger, and lashing out in the world. I am determined to stop adding to it. I strive to be kinder and more loving. To the deceased Jonny and Micah and my living, beautiful friends Jenna and Sara, you are my inspiration to be kinder.

I am so thankful for knowing all of you.

Much love, Lizzy

Jonny Copp

Jonny Copp was one of the most inspiring, lightest, and most positive human beings I've ever met in my life. He is certainly one of the key characters who inspired me to climb in the biggest mountains of the world. Much love to him wherever he now is.

Samsung Sucks (aka don't buy a new charger because your old one might work)

I recently lost the charger to my new Samsung cell phone. And both my car chargers died. I tried fixing them, but they are so shoddily made that I'm positive they are made to break. Anyway, I've been without a phone for a few days, which sucks because I want to be dialed into my community of friends right now.

I've tried numerous friends' Samsung phone chargers, but none of the stupid things match. Basically, the phone-making companies are forcing their customers to buy a new charger every time you get a new phone. This is so irritating because not only do you have to constantly buy new shit, which is incredibly wasteful and harmful to the environment, but then, when you lose your charger, you have to spend another $35 to buy a new one that won't work for the next *new* phone the phone company is going to give you for *free* next year.

Anyway the moral of this rant is that sometimes you can get around the Samsung/phone-making company bullshit. I found one of my old chargers and matched its plug to the socket on my new phone. Funny enough, the plug and socket were exactly the same size, but there were these little, upraised plastic bars molded onto the bottom of the charger plug that matched with two molded metal bars in socket of the phone. I.e. the two little bars matched purposefully such that the plug wouldn't be able to fit into the socket. So, I shaved the bars off the charger plug with a kitchen knife, and viola, it now fits into the stupid phone.

F**king phone companies.

Cool video on Class V creekboating on the South Saint Vrain River

I just made this neat video of a couple locals kayaking on the Class V drops and rapids of the South Saint Vrain River. Cool stuff. I'm pretty stoked on the video.

Yosemite

We spent the weekend at my friend Greg's house in Yosemite West. It's gorgeous. Sometimes I wish I could live here in CA, close to Yosemite. I love the tall trees and fresh smells, the gorgeous cragging potential and the inspiring big walls, the raging rivers, and the friends I have here. This feels like my other home. I visit Yosemite more than any other spot in the country. Still, I love CO as well.
I had an interesting realization this past weekend. Freelance writing is for the birds. It's nearly impossible to make a decent living, the magazines typically don't treat freelance writers with the greatest respect (the onus is always on the writer to do everything), and most of what I pitch doesn't get published. It's a fun lifestyle. Coming to Yosemite to work is cool, but with the economy the way it is and the fact that R&I doesn't pay me much anymore because I'm not on the masthead, I will barely break even with this job I'm currently working on.