Letters to the Editor
On "Let Me Say This
About That"
From Kimo Therapy
"Don't forget, we're all a bunch of rampant extroverts
who thrive on attention over here, so e-mail us and tell us what you
think!"
Just to clarify where I'm putting feet that's making
them get so wet: trying to get discussions and feedback here is commendable,
Chef, and so too is trying to build a viaduct to redirect a mountain stream
around an interstate highway. Yet most of the time, that's not necessarily
the Way the water wants to flow. Be cool, Brother.
Chef Troy responds
A mountain stream wends its heedless way without any
thought of people. Other people do this too, but there's no reason it has
to be that way. My remark isn't intended to make people leave comments against
their will, but simply to reach out to people who simply haven't thought
of doing so.
Hey, it got YOU to leave a comment.
On "The Joyful Scream
of Rage and Pain"
From Kimo Therapy
"No your limitations." I used to hate that poster I'd
see in the rock climbing gym back in Boulder and so did my fellow adolescent
adrenaline junkies. It's been five lucky years since my last great friend
died trying to snowboard the backcountry Rockies. They said he was dead before
he stopped rolling. I still disagree. What careful balance must one achieve
between limitations and blind, adrenaline junked stupidity! It's been eight
lucky months since Mother Ocean last humbled me. She took my surfboard, tattooed
me her insignia but spared my life. Our tribe, but unlike you with the great
responsibility of a family, are crawling all over the Earth capriciously
searching for the biggest wave, the steepest slope, the deepest depth, the
extreme beyond all other extremes. We look for the next fix to tide our Tigger
temptations over for the next weekend. The best and bravest will triumph
we scream, careening out of our tall, inner city jailhouses riding on SUV's
every Friday afternoon. The biggest rush is the sickest, Bra! Take another
hit it's a three-day bender! Yet all I'm hoping for is that when I get Home
I'll see my friend again brushing fresh powder off his snowboard. I agree
with your Rage and Pain. Nonetheless, let it be known to wary travelers:
Pushing limits is like pushing buttons in an unfamiliar space ship. You push
the right one and you're going Home, you push the wrong one and you're going
where no man has gone before.
Scylla responds :
I have no idea if I agree with you or not Kimo. Personally
I'm not a big fan of adrenaline sports, as I think they're a cheap shortcut
to what I'm trying to describe, an artificially created emergency. The real
ones come along all on their own, and I find things like free-climbing to
be somewhat pathological.
No more skill is recquired to climb a wall without
ropes, just less brains.
For me, the Joyful Scream of Rage and Pain is pretty
pure. It comes on its own for its own sake in response to effort, or it comes
when it's needed.
Putting yourself in harm's way for a cheap thrill isn't
what I was trying to write about.
As I read your letter, I'm not sure that we disagree.
Thanks for reading, and letting me know what you think.
From Randy Taylor
Wow! This is the first article I've ever read at
teemings.com but let me tell you, I've just become a regular. Thing's worth
doing was possibly the best description about hitting "The Wall" I've ever
read. It's one of those things...if you haven't done it, you probably won't
get it. Keep up the excellent work!
Scylla responds
I don't know what to say but "thanks."
From Julie
My husband sent me the link to this article, as I am
due to deliver a baby at the end of October.
Wow.
I am now looking at the event in a New Light. Thanks!
Well written, too -- a great read.
Keep up the great work,
Julie
From Mona
I just discovered your magazine tonight and have read
two articles by Scylla. "Bee stings are free" is funny; and "The joyful scream
of pain and rage" is thought-provoking... although my step-daughter didn't
mention any near-drowning experiences in her training (Canadian Red Cross
Bronze level, which qualifies you to be a lifeguard in Canada). Anyway, keep
them coming!
Scylla responds
I love fan mail. Thank you! It means a lot to me when
somebody likes what I wrote.