Dieckhoff has been in Boulder since 1979, and just about everyone knows him, but at present he is battling lymphoma, with dwindling funds and no health insurance (ongoing difficulties with a congenital hip defect and eventual hip replacement priced him out of being able to afford a policy). Dieckhoff underwent six rounds of chemotherapy beginning last November, and now needs a marrow transplant to survive. He is attempting to line out Medicaid, which should come through, but in the meantime friends are rallying to help. While Dieckhoff's story is frightening, it is also a reminder to all of us to keep health insurance current and to even at our poorest look into those "catastrophic" policies that will cover us in our times of direst need. A trip to your local insurance agent will get you the info you need, and even $75 to $100/month, if you're in good health, can lock you into a serviceable policy. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Flatiron afternoon: I think horizontal lines are peaceful. Supine. Vertical lines are peaceful also, because they're balanced but they have more energy. Diagonal lines are the most energetic because they struggle against gravity, they risk falling, and they seek transcendence. I also like diagonally pitches because they're often just as exciting for the second as for the leader. I put up a route in Eldo (a tribute to Derek) where both the leader and the second are looking at potential 60-foot pendulums if they come off. Derek would have loved that.
