I’m done

@climbingmonkey24 everyone on this thread is in your corner bro. Everyone here is rooting for you to make some tough decisions, do the work, and get on the path of recovery my man. 9 years ago yesterday, I put down the booze because I didn’t like the man I saw in the mirror, I didn’t like what my future most likely looked like, I was sick, I was wore the fuck out, I was over it. Today, I am living, walking talking proof that change is possible. Do I still get depressed, angry, pissed off, over it? Fuck yes I do, but now I have better tools to cope, the lows aren’t as low for as long, and I have so much to live for (we always did). The human experience can be a real spiteful bastard sometimes, but nobody’s life is easy, perfect, or happy 100% of the time. Everyone here gives fucks about your well-being and quality of life. That’s why we keep checking in/back on this thread….. this story deserves a happy ending, you deserve to be happy.
 
Okay just to clarify, I’m not dependent on alcohol. Yes there have been periods where I might’ve used alcohol as a substitute for something else. I don’t think I’ve ever really gotten into any detail in that respect.

Coincidentally though is I’m all about health / fitness. Have been since I was a teenager. Workout at least 6x a week, etc. It’s a HUGE part of my lifestyle and who I am.
 
@Pinhead Squirrel My man, the treebuzz community may be unique yes but it’s not in the sense that everyone else or people who just join are outsiders. It’s a public forum. There’s just some members who have been active on here for YEARS literally and have gotten to know pretty much everyone and those that post regularly.

Keep posting, contribute and bring positivity to the forums, listen to other people and their stories, try and help if you can, and you’ll do just fine around here.

Tree climbers / tree workers may appear to the public as a bunch of bad ass mother fuckers, but are actually quite friendly.

I have seen countless times when veteran members and people with a lot of experience in the industry have jumped in to try and help a newcomer or even someone with more experience looking for advice or just starting out, etc.
 
climbingmonkey24 said:
I just want to apologize for acting like an asshole. I regret and am embarrassed by this thread and some of the things I have wrote and bringing my own personal stuff onto a tree forum.

You guy's have tried to help, and I try to show gratitude but I also know I've done a good job of acting like I don't care at times, or being confrontational, etc. And even though it's just a forum, that's not cool. As I've said before, I've developed some friendships on here, and I value those friendships and the connections with others in the tree care / tree climbing community. It is a unique community after all.

Ultimately though I need to take responsibility and figure things out.
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Good Morning,

My niece used to tell me that she enjoyed my "drunk-dialing" her when I was loaded, but that's at least in part because I'm a "happy drunk," and even happier when I'm stoned. However, I also sometimes think that only I can see the world clearly at those moments and--as my wife would tell you--that's pure bullshit.

I have many times risen the next morning to find that I'd sent out some very embarrassing/hurtful/counterproductive messages in voicemails, emails, and sometimes in hand-written letters that I thankfully hadn't sent yet. That's why, nowadays, when I do get a buzz on, I promise myself not to go anywhere near the phone, PC, or email. I do that by leaving my phone behind and not turning on the PC.

Instead, I muck about in my basement making/fixing stuff, go for a walk, or simply wander around in nature. I typically get some really cool projects built--even if I do sometimes wonder the next day who built them. Not only are the results more rewarding in real time, but I no longer need to worry that even my heartfelt, best-intended opinions will come back to bite me.

Hey, I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't reach out to us at any time, by any means possible, but staying away from your communication devices might motivate you to find more enjoyable pastimes, and you might find that the vicious cycle of overstatements and apologies goes away. (That cycle is enough to make me drink all by itself.)

Our carefully-crafted social media thoughts can be dangerously misinterpreted when we're sober, and seldom represent our best work when we're not. Please share more of your thoughts in the light of day; we'd all like to hear those. But when you do need immediate help, know that we are right here.

All the best,
John
 
climbingmonkey24 said:
Okay just to clarify, I’m not dependent on alcohol. Yes there have been periods where I might’ve used alcohol as a substitute for something else. I don’t think I’ve ever really gotten into any detail in that respect.

Coincidentally though is I’m all about health / fitness. Have been since I was a teenager. Workout at least 6x a week, etc. It’s a HUGE part of my lifestyle and who I am.
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I'm very curious on what your vice actually is. I certainly have my suspicions as I've seen this behavior before. It's time to let us know so our minds don't wander and make up untrue stories.
 
SeanRuel said:
Brother, have you heard the gospel of SRT! repent your double rope ways and you will be saved.

Jk but only kinda- if you aren't on SRT we can set up a rec climb and get you on some redirects. Maybe @moss has something planned in MA already?

Looks like a nice day and a fun tree, thanks for sharing.
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When I started the day I worked the opposite side of the tree so climbed high to set a solid TIP. When I was finished, I set the second TIP and between the two was able to comfortably walk out on that awkward lead without having to worry worry about slipping and going for a swing into the tree, etc.

Yeah I know Kinda old school compared to you srt guys but hey, what you gonna do.

My two systems here were a hitch climber and petzl zig zag.
 
climbingmonkey24 said:
When I started the day I worked the opposite side of the tree so climbed high to set a solid TIP. When I was finished, I set the second TIP and between the two was able to comfortably walk out on that awkward lead without having to worry worry about slipping and going for a swing into the tree, etc.

Yeah I know Kinda old school compared to you srt guys but hey, what you gonna do.

My two systems here were a hitch climber and petzl zig zag.
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Shit, today was my first day with my feet off the ground. Not much to brag about other than the oldschool tendencies. 60’ + feet up a Doug, srt, base tied with a running bowline (took me fucken 4 shots to get the bag down). Realized I’m still not 100% so instead of calling for a lowering line I just used my tail and one handed hand hold/throw the rest. After that a chubby very short (topped sprawling) dead shore pine, maybe 24” above the flair (12 -1:30), kept the mini running full time, and the chipper chugging the whole time with brush on the ground when my feet hit. Old school x2 lanyard cut in chuck. Crashed that and another x2 Doug’s I didn’t work myself. 9-1:30 -the guys dumping the rakings and wood.
 
evo said:
Shit, today was my first day with my feet off the ground. Not much to brag about other than the oldschool tendencies. 60’ + feet up a Doug, srt, base tied with a running bowline (took me fucken 4 shots to get the bag down). Realized I’m still not 100% so instead of calling for a lowering line I just used my tail and one handed hand hold/throw the rest. After that a chubby very short (topped sprawling) dead shore pine, maybe 24” above the flair (12 -1:30), kept the mini running full time, and the chipper chugging the whole time with brush on the ground when my feet hit. Old school x2 lanyard cut in chuck. Crashed that and another x2 Doug’s I didn’t work myself. 9-1:30 -the guys dumping the rakings and wood.
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I feel like you’re work environment is a lot different from what we’ve got out here.

A lot of straight shot up Firs, etc. yeah?
 
climbingmonkey24 said:
I feel like you’re work environment is a lot different from what we’ve got out here.

A lot of straight shot up Firs, etc. yeah?
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Yeah for about 170’ and the occasional 200’ er. But I don’t really do many climbing removals.. but we do have sprawling stuff too. Norway maples, wide oaks, big leaf maples that can be 120’ tall and nearly as wide, black walnuts, sweet gum, and on and on..
the guy who brought me into the industry would say, ‘ we’d grow more of the world species than anywhere else, and sometimes our grow their native counterparts’.
Worlds largest eastern black walnut is outside of PDX for scale.
 
climbingmonkey24 said:
When I started the day I worked the opposite side of the tree so climbed high to set a solid TIP. When I was finished, I set the second TIP and between the two was able to comfortably walk out on that awkward lead without having to worry worry about slipping and going for a swing into the tree, etc.

Yeah I know Kinda old school compared to you srt guys but hey, what you gonna do.

My two systems here were a hitch climber and petzl zig zag.
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It's all about being good in a tree, not what your gear/system/technique is. That said... SRT makes my climbing more efficient/ergonomic, less work to move up and around. Gives me much more access/range/safety in a tree.
-AJ
 
moss said:
It's all about being good in a tree, not what your gear/system/technique is. That said... SRT makes my climbing more efficient/ergonomic, less work to move up and around. Gives me much more access/range/safety in a tree.
-AJ
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10 years only SRT except when using a crane. Not that I am climbing as it is more rappelling... I rip through a tree SRT saves me energy and gives me tons of options in my widespread trees. The redirect is king here. Can use up to 8 in some trees.
 
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