http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/ Transplanted from Oregon, I lived in California for eight years before I discovered what truly endeared the state to my heart: the plentiful and diverse rocks! After my first ascent in June 2008, I was hooked on climbing. Besides being a writer, artist and editor, I am a spiritual philosopher who analyzes life endlessly. en-us http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/gear_cropped-sq.jpg http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/ http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/sarah_jane_alexander_-_reader_blog_13 8/18/10 - I am the dot. Though barely visible, I am expanding. Expanding my worldly experiences first through my mind. I prayed to become the dot, though I didn't know it exactly. I just told the universe I was ready to make money by doing things I enjoy. One day my friend Jayne called me and said, "What are you doing this weekend?" "Sounds like you have an idea." "How would you like to be in a Toyota 4Runner photo shoot? They need a male and female rock climber." sarah_alexander Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:13:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/sarah_jane_alexander_-_reader_blog_12 1/19/10 - A gym climber is among the freakiest of all vertical freaks. Our rewards are narrow, but we are unwaveringly obsessed. The easy beauty of songbirds expressing their joy does not grace our ears. We are lucky if we can stand whatever music pours from the gym speakers. Nurturing sunbeams do not warm our skin; sickly fake light radiates from the ceiling. Refreshing wind doesn’t caress our faces. The fans either blast us cold or aren’t strong enough to dry our sweat. sarah_alexander Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:21:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/sarah_jane_alexander_-_reader_blog_11 10/14/09 - The panicky voice reminded me of someone. The calm voice reminded me of many someones. My homegirl Jonalynn was having a freakout on a ledge at Wishon, California. To climb higher, she had to make a challenging move full of trust. It was her first climb ever – and on a route that was no gimme. It was probably a 5.7, harder than what I wanted to start her on, but there were no anchors above easier routes. sarah_alexander Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:21:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/sarah_jane_alexander_-_reader_blog_10 8/31/09 - I used to sit in my lonely Fresno apartment and pray for friends, sometimes weeping. Transplanted from Oregon for my job, I found my new home strange and unwelcoming. I enjoy spending time alone, but a person can only take so much isolation before she starts to feel abandoned, unwanted, forgotten. sarah_alexander Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:21:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/sarah_alexander/sarah_jane_alexander_-_reader_blog_9 8/04/09 - The Devil kept me awake. Until that night, nothing had ever prevented me from falling asleep. But I call him The Devil for a reason. No mere mortal could have created the horrible razor-blade rasping, louder and more dangerous sounding than a chainsaw grinding granite. These superhumanly loud honks gestated in mucus lungs and were birthed in nostrils of rusty steel. sarah_alexander Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:21:00 EDT