The CragBaby

About a month ago an Ernst & Young study was released showing that clean-tech venture capital investing had increased 70% in the first half of 2007 in comparison to the first half of 2006. Today I was thinking about this fact and thought I would post up some thoughts on the CragBaby as I know many of the CB readers are environmentally conscious.

The U.S. has been years behind other countries in implementing greener solutions and controlling its carbon footprint. It seemed that we as a nation were ignorant to our impact until Al Gore created the film An Inconvenient Truth and now that our impact can visibly be seen with extreme droughts and the melting of icebergs around the world. The recent VC investment increase shows awareness and action at the ground level with the entrepreneurs and early-stage investors.

Unfortunately if companies are being funded today, that means that mass adoption is most likely 5+ years down the road as it will take years for the technology to be proven and implemented, products passed through prototypes and created, marketing teams to find interested parties and then finally into the consumer’s hands. Yet, this investment means hope for things to come. It means an investment today will equal a change in the future. It shows that not only is the U.S. finally joining the efforts to protect our environment, but that we are investing $367.9 million more than we did at this time last year (and note that this data is just for the first half of the year). But most exciting is the fact that the venture capitalist are financing these projects. The venture capitalists will be motivated to see these companies succeed in order to be able to experience a return on their investments, therefore will help to increase opportunities for the companies.

Pictured above is H.I.P. #1′s solar charger he used while traveling.

This weekend was such a blast that I thought I might ramble about it a little on the Crag Baby blog.

Friday: My work day finished up at the Nanotech Conference at the University of Utah. I went just for the afternoon portion to hear the discussions on commercializations. The event was informative with interesting speakers and attendees. That evening Shaft and I went to the Sarah Vowell reading at Capitol Theater. I had received the tickets through my volunteer work at KCPW and it was such a treat. Sarah Vowell was hilarious and I can’t wait to get her new book for my father. After the reading, Shaft and I enjoyed dinner at Cafe Molise and sipped some martinis at The Red Door. Man, I love Chocolatinis!

Saturday: I participated in the Deadpoint Comp at The Front. The problems were diverse with a whole section of crimpy problems sprinkled in with a good handful of sloper and reachy problems. My friends and I even luckily ended up with some great prizes including a free month to The Front (which I gave to Ms. Pear so that we can climb together in the gym) and a gift certificate for some free running shoes (which Shaft gave to me). Later that evening I attended one of the best parties at my friend Eric’s house. It consisted of a great crew of folks in costume, all enjoying the catered sushi and the open bar. Pictured above is me and Jules.

Sunday: I lazily enjoyed the morn with the CB-GBers and caught up on some reading. I took the CB-GBers for a small hike and hung out with two of my favorite kids. I was going to go climbing, but sometimes it is nice just to lay low.

Life is great! I love to savor the good times so that I can reflect back when times are bumpy. I really am grateful for the people in my life, the awesome job I am lucky enough to work, the area in which I live, plus so much more.

My friend Shaft gave me a copy of the 2007 Recycling Guide. I know it sounds silly, but I was real jazzed to be given a copy as it covers all drop-off locations and other recycling topics. The guide doesn’t specifically say what can and can not be placed in the home recycling bins due to the fact that the different areas of Salt Lake follow different protocol. I hopped on the Salt Lake Valley recycling website and noticed that in the actual Salt Lake area itself (where I live) the following can be placed directly in the bin.

• plastics 1-7
• plastic coated cartons
• cardboard
• cereal boxes
• office paper
• steel cans
• plastic grocery bags
• paperboard
• magazines
• paper towel tubes
• aluminum cans
• junk-mail
• newspaper
• phone books
• shoes boxes

Good to know! This whole last year I thought only plastics 2-7 could be placed in the bin; I am glad to have this clarified. If an item can not be placed in the bin, there is a listing by item on the website of where it can be taken to be recycled. Another interesting section is in the Recycling Guide itself and states where to take unusual items like clothes and eyeglasses.

Thanks for the hook-up, Shaft. =)

I tried to donate platelets (the cells that assist in coagulation) today after work, but was unable to due to an iron deficiency (most likely because I don’t particularly like to eat meat). I have to wait two weeks before I can try to donate again.

I have blogged before that I like to donate blood because it is the easiest form of service (I just have to sit there and squeeze a little rubber ball) and the impact directly affects a life. I thought I would donate platelets this time for a number of reasons: there is currently a greater need for A+ platelets than whole blood at the donor center, platelets have a shorter shelf life than whole blood, and due to the fact that the blood center allows more platelet donations in comparison to whole blood because the body replaces platelets within a short period of time (replaced within 72 hours, meaning I can donate / volunteer more often). In fact, platelets can be donated 24 times per year in comparison to whole blood that can only be given every 56 days. The only downside to platelet donation is the apheresis procedure takes one and half hours, in comparison to the half hour of blood donation, because the blood is withdrawn, spun in a centrifuge and everything but the platelets and a little plasma is returned to the donor.

There is a constant need for whole blood and platelets. If interested in donating in the Salt Lake area, visit the ARUP donor website. If located within the U.S., visit the RedCross. Or, register at USBloodDonors.org and a local blood center will call you when your blood type is particularly needed.

My younger sister (nicknamed Booder) moved to Salt Lake about a year ago to finish her bachelors degree. I have always been impressed with her work ethic, but she has continued to make me proud on a variety of levels.

Schooling: Upon moving to SLC, she had her associates degree and already figured out what bachelor degree she wanted to pursue. She started the program immediately, taking classes through the summer and will be finished with the program in the Spring. While jamming away on her degree, she has managed to always have two jobs, working numerous hours, while volunteering on the side.

Work: She works as a part-time receptionist here at Wasatch. She has quickly learned the ropes of venture capital and is a huge value to me and my work. Her other job is up in the Park City area. She is always picking up extra shifts and has already been giving a couple raises and job opportunities.

Personal: She is extremely fit and keeps up a strict workout program. She ran her first marathon, the St. George marathon, a couple weeks ago. It was an agonizing experience for her but she finished! Next thing I know, she had signed up for the Salt Lake marathon in April. I am going to start training and hopefully my ankle will hold up so that I can run it with her.

Volunteering: She is a journalism student and so I thought she would enjoy the volunteer experience of the KCPW pledge drives. During the spring drive she picked up a handful of shifts and thoroughly enjoyed working with the KCPW team. This past fall drive she picked up the most shifts out of all the volunteers, sometimes working 12 hours straight.

I am definitely a proud older sister and am so grateful to have such a good influence in my life.

Another old post, but Millcreek is always worth the wait. Shaft, the CB-GBers and I cruised down to Millcreek canyon for a weekend trip. Millcreek is by far my favorite canyon because it is stunningly beautiful with its striped red and black walls and extremely peaceful as it sees only a handful of climbers. Besides the beauty of the canyon, the climbing is superb and unpredictable.

Me leading one of the warm-ups on the Barrel Rock.

The Moab local climbing Frigid Air. The Moab local is mainly a traditional climber and later in the day put up a fantastic trad line in the Horse Creek area.

Shaft, the Slab Master, easily cruising a slab that I would never have been willing to lead.

This really cool arete was next to the slab. It was out of our limits, but since it shared anchors with the slab we threw a top rope on it. It was a superb climb on extremely thin holds.

Millcreek was quite busy on Saturday, but upon arriving on Sunday morn we were the only climbers in the canyon. We warmed up on a couple climbs across the log in the Wicked Crag area and then headed down to Horse Creek to run SlabDunk and tricky overhanging “5.10″ that I am pretty sure had a 5.12 start.

Me crossing the log by the Wicked Crag with the CB-GBers tucked safely in my hoody.

After yet another great day of climbing, Rob and I jammed out on the way back to the good ol’ SLC. Good times… good times!

I try to post up pics from all my climbing adventures to keep track of how many times I really get out in the canyons and as a memory of each trip. However, I really do climb a lot… and I just can’t keep up with the blogs sometimes. Oh well. Here are some pics from a couple of the recent bouldering trips.

This day was a blast. I love to try to climb hard and push myself, but when it comes right down to it, climbing is all about the people and having a good time in the canyon. On this day cool folks kept stopping by 5 mile to climb and laugh. Pictured are Triznut and Weedy.

Shaft working the worm. Shaft nor I were climbing strong this day, but Triznut sent Smiley Left for the first time.

Different day, same area. Ms. Pear came out bouldering. I really wanted her to have fun because she doesn’t usually enjoy bouldering. Thankfully she had a blast and crushed problems all over the place.

Laney cruised through the mantel in her little pink shoes.

Ms. Lulu Blue would climb a problem, then call my name so that I could take a picture of her posing. Adorable.

today, october 16, 2007, has been one of those days. instead of getting discouraged about my extremely long work day and lack of personal time, I am going to write a list of 15 things for which i am currently grateful.

1. all I wanted to do tonight was come home and take the CB-GBers on a long walk since she had been home all day alone (considering i worked past 7). i got her bundled up in her two little sweaters (because she is cold now that it is fall) and we walked outside and down the driveway. we then realized it was raining and she refused to go any further, because she hates the rain. i am grateful that i have a small dog who can get sufficient exercise and thoroughly enjoys playing catch in the house.
2. though the day was not optimal it started off relaxing, and for those few minutes i am grateful
3. today I got an email from a friend and all it said was “you are sweet Rachel =)” and it made me smile
4. i had a message from another friend on my phone. i often worry about this friend and if he is happy in his current life situation. he seemed real cheerful in his message and i felt relieved.
5. i ordered some new hoodies, which came in the mail today. i am returning one of them, but the other might become a new favorite. i love wearing new comfortable hoodies and for that i am thankful.
6. i spoke with a fellow co-worker today. today was such a bummer work day, but talking with her really helped. she mentioned some of my strengths and weaknesses, while giving me advice. i appreciated her honesty and the way she phrased her suggestions. helpful yet sugar coated.
7. last week i hung out with shaft and his two girls. the youngest girl brought me the nicest drawing of a flower and the words “I love you.” kids are amazing because they just say the darnedest things. i can’t remember the last time someone honestly said that to me and it made me smile. i hung it on the fridge.
8. tonight i am going to read a book. i am completely looking forward to relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine.
9. this past weekend i took my boss from my side research gig on a climbing adventure. swear to god the guy came real close to a climbing accident due to his harness mysteriously unbuckling, though initially double-backed. thank goodness he realized at the TOP of the rappel. i am real grateful that didn’t turn into a bad scenario. he was so chill and still had a great time.
10. i don’t mean to sound rude, but i am real grateful i live alone. it is just me and the dog. no one talking my ear off as soon as i come home.
11. i am planning on going back to school in january to work towards an IT related degree, taking classes at night. my work is going to pay for it (for which i am real grateful) and today i lined up a meeting time to talk to a counselor at one of the schools. i don’t know if i am smart enough to get a computer-related degree, but i really want to try and i welcome the opportunity.
12. i have a handful of good friends, but one of which has really helped me and encouraged me. i feel real fortunate to have this person in my life.
13. this weekend i am going away on a climbing trip with my main climbing partner ms. pear. we are meeting up with a huge crew of people one day to climb in indian creek, but the next day the two of us are going to climb a tower. not only am i grateful to climb my second tower, but i am so excited to climb it with ms. pear.
14. i am grateful for opportunity. right now i have the opportunity to excel in my job, the environment to become a strong climber, the hope of continually meeting new people who have similar interests, the healthiness to continue to live the life i love, etc. there is opportunity here for which i am grateful.
15. i just realized i still have some icecream and whip cream. i am so grateful i am going to go eat a bowl of it right now. delicious!

The semi-annual KCPW Pledge drive is underway. Please take the time to pledge your support by calling 801-359-5279 or visiting their site. Being a phone volunteer for this event is actually one of my favorite volunteer opportunities due to the interesting people involved with the drive. If interested in volunteering in the future, fill out this form.

The BBC is by far my favorite news source due to its extensive coverage. I have made the website (the UK version as I prefer the layout) my homepage on my work computer. One link that I love is the Day in Pictures. It is a little hidden on the page, but is worth looking for as it highlights 5 – 10 photos of current events or happenings. One day I saw a variety of photos that had been submitted to a wildlife contest; once I saw pictures of coral fish; and often I have seen highlights of the news. Check it out… let me know what you think.