23 November 2006

Graham gives the relay to Joe Kinder

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Dave Graham:
H
ere is kind of a little jingle, a couple of statements, some stuff that reminds me of him. Its an improvisational thing, so don't try and criticize nothing. I don't want to hear it. Its kind of a rap, or a poem, or a bunch of rhetorical statements. I am not sure. Word.

"Joey Kind Kid. One of Whom Lays it down. Outlaw. He Tore of the Roof. Abe Jigga. Prince of Darkness. Living Breathing Creature. Smooth Jigga. Owns a Chariot. Motivation is the Key. Bachelor of Fine Arts. Master of Many Directions: Brimstones, Fire, Rabies, Snakes and Ladders, Bloody Murder, and Who knows More Then Him. Promised he would die with a shovel in his hand. Joe."
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Bigwall climbing Pic: Tim Kemple
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Freshly squeezed, 8B in RMNP Pic: Keith Ladzinski
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Prime Time To Shine, 8c in Cleer Creak Pic: Tim Kemple
T
he 8a relay interview started with Martina Cufar handed over the baton to Natalija Gros  who gave it to Dave Graham  and now Dave has after 12 months given it to Joe Kinder. Dave:
"I am very very weak at the relay interviews. I have a level of like 4+ and it takes me forever. Now I am getting fit here in Siurana and Santa linya. It's cool! Climbing a lot with Chris and Dani. It's super fun!"

Joe Kinder... Joe Kinder is one of the coolest motherfuckers on the planet. I don't want to make him blush too much when he reads this, so I won't flatter him too much, but out of many people who could receive a kind word, Joe deserves it. He is very important friend in my life, and one of the few people I have met on this crazy planet who can be trusted. I live on another continent then him you see, this makes things complicated, I rarely see him. Even though there is a massive gap between us, he is always there in some way or another. Joe is 'always psyched', and as well, perpetually supportive. He likes me for who I am, which is special to me... Its kind of weird way to introduce somebody, but fuck it, I'm weird.


You are coming to Spain to climb with me. Are you psyched?
Yes Dave, you are DAMN RIGHT I’m coming and you are DAMN RIGHT I am psyched… It’s basically all I can think about.

You stay for three months, that's a long time, but not long enough. When will you move here?
Well Dave, Maybe I can move there if things work that way. I am capable of amazing things when given the chance…knowutumsayin? It all comes down to the painful concept of money and making money…such a painful topic for such a poor rock climber like me. I SO wish I was Ballin’ like you Dave… any tips???

What do you think about this statement "We live in the age of ten words or less"?
A
h yes Dave, maybe that is a phrase about how we are not using our mouths to exert the messages our brains tell us. Or how people are speaking less and doing more…This is a good thing… I hate shit talkers. Or perhaps this statement is a theory of how our day and age yields less feeling in our conversations with each other and we create bullshit small talk…PUULLLEEEEAAAASSEE…I really cannot tolerate small talk, I would rather just stare and attempt ESP conversing…save that shit and wrap it up.

What are some one-year-after comments about Las Vegas. Not the climbing, but the city. The Guns, the drugs, the strippers, the weird tourists, the old people, the gated communities...Go on. Speak you mind?
Good question Dave, basically I was fascinated with Las Vegas as a whole. There really is no other place like this and remains One of a kind. F’real. The corruptness of our neighborhood and the oddities we were constantly faced with were healthy. We had murders down the street. Gunshots from time to time, that made us think “Damn, I wonder if someone is dying right now with a hole in their body”. There was all of that shit! Just a strange place. Word bond. But, I would not change a thing about us living there. It was completely imposing to be exposed to some ill shit like that. I recommend people to get the hell out of your comfort zone and experience the other side. Its DAMN healthy and you appreciate certain things more.

What is up with the climbing scene in the U.S.? Any thing crazy you have on your mind?
Well…There are only a few people in this country doing amazing things as far as I am concerned. It’s a real shame too. When you compare Europe to the USA, we are nearly 5 years behind what is really going on. I see the US as very traditional and not exactly the most progressive country in terms of climbing. People will attempt to push standards, but US standards are almost weak-shit when compared to Euro standards. I am sure people will be bummed when they read this…but WAKE UP STRONG GUYS… DO SOMETHING!!!!! I love using that phrase, “Do something”. I live in Boulder right now and there are some STRONG climbers here… But, no one seems to do anything as ill as the Euros are. Daniel Woods, Paul Robinson, Ethan Pringle and a very FEW are straight Representing’. Thass real. Those cats are making things happen constantly. Thank GOD!!! Tommy Caldwell is always making rad things happen…then theres You, Dave and Chris S. But you are pretty much European now. Besides them…it’s, kinda dead. I am trying Kryptonite 9a right now and will send soon…I think that is pretty cool for American climbers??? Whutchoo think??!! I have to do it before we leave to Spain…I am confident I will.

Tell us something about your climbing life these days. Goals, problems, nice things...
I
have had small projects for the past year. Lots of sport routes I have completed in a couple of days. This has been really satisfying due to the fast sends and not getting to involved. Mostly my focus in climbing has been consistency and mad volume. I am a firm believer in a good climber being consistent and regularly producing. This is my own little theory…It’s really just for me. None-the-less I have been pretty successful in my recent ascents. Quick, Hard, and really satisfying. That’s been the name of the game. Now…I have a little relationship going on. It’s pretty intimate and I feel like things are really moving forward and I will be in a whirlwind of BLISS soon. Kryptonite is taking precedent over a lot of doings right now. I have put the fast send tactics on hold and now am projecting. I think this route is an amazing climb and find myself pretty much obsessed. I have until February 1st to send and I am confident I will. Props to Tommy Caldwell for the vision and the effort. The route is a monster and is unlike anything I have ever tried. Its hard and really consistent. Its also kinda heady…You take HUGE falls in spots if you fuck up. I like it.

What do you think about friendly dogs Joe?
I
love them. I like Blue Healers and Bull Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers and all kinds of other dogs. I cannot wait to get one. But, traveling and climbing is kind of important now. So, a dog will have to wait. REALLY good question Dave!!

Enlighten us about rock climbing. How the fuck does it actually work? You've been to college, I haven't. Intellectualize about this one for me.
OH MY GOD!!! Ummm…Jeez Dog. Ok…well…Its like a passion thing involving a certain terrain that primitive creatures have mastered and really don’t even acknowledge as being anything even remotely interesting. Sometimes I feel like this. Like…what the fuck are we DOING??!!! But then it comes down to that notion of “I want” and “that’s cool”. It’s so pointless, but so fun and way beyond the complexities of team sports and other “sports”. Climbing is more related to Yoga or some sort of Tai Chi or whatever. The activity/lifestyle is personal to every climber. Its not just the physical endeavor either.

Its community, traveling, knowledge, achievement, failure, emotion, slander, egos, driving, hiking, clipping, skin, injuries, resting, patience, pleasure, going, coming, staring, pondering, obsessing, gas money, all kinds of money, moving, boasting, slaying, resorting, status, photos, media, friends, suckas, turds, skinny people, ropes, Hating on Boulder, countries, competition, training, tips, toes, bodies, coffee, waiting, sun, shade, energy, anorexic people in Boulder, previous pioneers, ethics, rules, jungle gyms, being cool, and all kinds of shit. Lets just say…when I see that incredibly talented climber on that Deodorant commercial battle his way up that huge, red cliff in such a style… When I see him do the one arm pull-up on the sharp edge of the cliff and then top out. He YELLS at the sky and jumps up and down with such excitement…when I see him Incredibly psyched, and then put deodorant on then raising and shaking his fists in the air… It all comes clear to me. Climbing is my life and it is a life. How’s that for a college graduate? I’m Smart.

What do you think about this statement "after you miss the boat for the fiftieth time you say fuck it, and learn how to fly"?
Well Dave, that statement is a means to rising above. You gotta buck up on certain situations and create your own destiny, which is up to each and every one of us. I believe in all things being random and not ONE person has to settle for a situation, but can create it, and has the ability to change it. Sometimes it’s hard and it sucks, but there’s always a way…

That’s a little optimism dropped on your ass… Jyeeeeaaaahhhh!!! Thank you my friend, I shall see you soon. FUERZA!!!!!!!
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