James stopped by today and brought along a friend I hadn't met yet: Andy Sherbo. Andy's got so much charisma it's unfair, though he's cool about it. (NC friends, think Burgess without the ego, facade and expensive accoutrements.) We had good conversation despite my coughing from crud. More importantly, I had a wonderful experience I hadn't had in the longest time: someone picked me up when they hugged me. I can't being to describe how incredible it was, but it reminded me of why I love climbing and anything else that gets me off the ground. It's a shame I can't actually fly of my own mechanics. *g*

[later edit] Picked Andy's brains a bit so I could get a better read on him. I am muchly impressed, although I'm not sure how I'd be as a player in a game he was running. Brilliant mind for tactics, though at points he seemed so ahead of himself I was just figuratively standing there trying to see where he was going. Overall I grepped him as a good spud, moral fiber without being overbearing, and great untapped leadership potential. I'll climb off my soapbox for now, need to go scare up some more cough syrup.