Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #9: Killers Of The Dawn by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

Finished reading: The Trad Climber’s Bible by John Long 📚 ★★★★

When I purchased this book, I thought it would be a classic how-to book full of anchoring and climbing techniques, diagrams, and tips. I was right that it was chock full of suggestions, but completely wrong thinking it would be anything but a “for dummies” type guide.

Legends John Long and Peter Croft use an interesting way of weaving best practices into anecdotes of when these two old-school climbers had to learn them for themselves back when they were pioneering great climbs in North America. I’m so glad that I started with this book in my re-entrance to trad. It reminded me that everyone starts at the beginning, and that’s okay.

Tea. Book. Dogs. Park. #Boston 📷

And with that, ya boy passed his rock climbing, hiking, and camping guide exams for New York State. Just gotta re-up a couple other certs and fill out some paperwork to be a Licensed Guide! 📷

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #8: Allies of the Night by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

Wow, I’d forgotten how much happens in this book! A return of so many old characters, plus love and betrayal? This is a good one. A little odd how much the trio gives in to the trap they’re clearly in, but hey, gotta keep it dramatic, right? We’re right at the edge of what I remember from my original read-through of the series, so the next few books should be a blast.

4th of the Saranac Lake 6ers 📷

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #7: Hunters of the Dusk by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

The time jumps in these books get me a little bit because it doesn’t seem like Darren matures (internally, not externally) as much as he should. But the author does a good job getting us up to speed and onto the next adventure quickly. I enjoyed the return to the Cirque, however short-lived, though the crux battle and reveal of the book really happens in a flash.

Happy muddy hiking buddy 📷

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #6: The Vampire Prince by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

Darren’s maturity in his attitude toward death and murder stuck out most to me in this book. He returns the prodigal son when he exposes the Vampaneeze, but there are consequences — dire ones. Darren finally becomes more self-dependent here, too. After all the action in the last book, The Vampire Prince sets us up for the next stage in Darren Shan’s story.

Birthday hike! 📷

Birthday! 📷

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #5: Trials of Death: Book 5 in the Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

The action really picks up here in Book 5! We see Darren with a thirst to prove himself and then have to hold his own in the Trials. I enjoyed the background and traditions during the festival and how Harkat became a more well-rounded character. The ending leaves me hungry for more and to see how Darren will fare beaten, betrayed, and on his own.

💘 my life buddy 📷

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #4: Vampire Mountain by Darren Shan 📚★★★☆

This felt like a setup book, with Darren getting to know more about vampire culture than ever before. The time jump (8 years!) was a little jarring, and though Darren doesn’t seem that much more mature, I appreciated the development of trust between him and Mr. Crepsely. As I recall, with things established nicely in this book, the story gets more exciting in the next ones.

The ice castle is coming along nicely. 📷

Phin had an excellent day out on the trail. He did great off-leash, loved playing the in the snow, and even met another Golden buddy! He thinks the #ADK is pretty okay. 📷

Ice skating on Mirror Lake! 📷

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #3: Tunnels of Blood by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★☆

On this re-read, I was struck by how enthralled I get in the story, despite it being written for teens and already knowing the plot. In this installment, Darren learns of the Vampaneeze, explores his boundaries for interacting with humans, and his relationship with Mr. Crepsley is tested in new ways.

I liked it, but it’s short and doesn’t push the overall story forward too much. I rate it 3 stars not because it was bad writing, but because it feels like it served as an explainer book more than anything.

Finished watching: Mr. Corman (2021) written and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt 📺 ★★☆☆

It’s hard to wrap my thoughts about this show into a tight little bow because it was kind of all over the place. But I can say that it was masterful in bringing forth emotions from real everyday life. The last three episodes, which took place during 2020 pandemic, so accurately captured the fear and uncertainty of that time that I forgot for a moment that I wasn’t actually in lockdown in my house.

I can’t foresee a Season 2, which it sounds like there won’t be one, but I think it’s worth watching – even if just for it’s weirdness and rawness.

Oh, and it feels like this show was Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s demon dog. He wrote, directed, and starred in the show and wrote and performed the music. Pretty cool.

New home! 📷

Any time I sit in my desk chair the past month, the cat is in this spot within seconds. 📷

Merry Christmas! 🎄 📷

We’re back in the ADK… 📷

Lake Placid! 📷

Road trip! 📷