Tone Deaf Voice

I had a rather lovely New Year’s Eve. Cheers to 2019 and the many adventures I’ll go on along with the many people I’ll have experiences with.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGiLL8F0Gg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t7iwn16kll4c

2018 has been a year of learning a lot about myself.
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2016 was one of the worst years of my adult life. 2017 was rebounding from that and having an incredible time and being reminded that life will be okay. 2018 felt like everything settled and I struggled with that.
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In my mind, because everything was okay this year, I interpreted that as things aren’t good and to expect something bad to happen. My brain is annoying like that.
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But, looking back on this year, it’s really truly been a great year. I got to watch one of my best friends marry his second best friend (I’m the first, obviously) on a beautiful beach in Alabama. I got to make so many new friends and continue to foster my old friendships. I climbed mountains and hiked more miles than I ever thought possible. I conquered the Grand Canyon with an incredible crew of people. Close friends had babies or will be having babies soon and I’m excited to expand my resumé of being Uncle Kevin. I went camping and explored parts of Colorado that are so awe-inspiring that I still can’t believe places like that are real. I went rock climbing and avoided two moose and got lost on a couple hikes and I got new hearing-aids and I reconnected with old friends. I could go on and on.
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This year has so many little moments and so many big adventures that this will be a time I’ll remember for the rest of my life. A lot of stuff this year has inspired me in so many ways and I want to make 2019 even bigger and better.
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I am so excited for myself but I am also extremely excited for my friends since I know 2019 will be a really big year for all of them. So let’s all have fun tonight, be safe, say a loud goodbye or point a middle finger to 2018, and let’s welcome 2019 with open arms and take in what it’ll give us.
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I love you all. (at Manitou Springs, Colorado)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsEH_pQlQPn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xw954njqd7zf

I really like this photo of me at the frozen Zapata Falls.
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📷: @stefaniewarrior (at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrvLEIClT3j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=62ux2l9z52nd

Alright, I feel compelled to do a little PSA after what happened to me during my lunch break.
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I went to a fast food place (shame prevents me from naming which place) and the cashier immediately gasps in amazement at me and says, “Oh, wow! You talk so good for being deaf!” and I was completely caught off-guard. I told her I wasn’t deaf, just hearing-impaired. She then asks me if I could read lips and I said yes. She moves her hand in front of her mouth and whispers and asks if I could hear her. I responded, “No, I’m not doing that,” and she got all flustered and offended with my curt reply. I paid for my meal and went on my way.
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So, the lesson here is to never, ever approach and complete stranger and loudly ask about their disability and ESPECIALLY do not test their disability for shits and giggles.
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I’m still in shock about this and I am mortified that able-bodied people think behaving like that is somehow okay.
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Just FYI, I’m totally cool with my friends asking me about because I love spreading awareness and knowledge about my hearing-impairment so please ask away, but just don’t do that to strangers.
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P.S. Don’t know who to credit for this picture but I think it accurately portrays my WTF reaction to this encounter. Okay, thank you!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Brn6-rSFqeL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zn9550l3xiet

Since everyone else is doing it, here’s my #TopNine. It’s been a pretty amazing year so far. #TopNine2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrLqjBrFLu_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12miu9qivj4k5

You would’ve been 62 years old today.
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Every single day, I desire nothing more than to get a cup of coffee with you and tell you about all the things that have happened in the last nine years and to tell you all my hopes and dreams for the future.
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I hike those mountains and canyons because it makes me feel closer to you.
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Miss you, love you, and happy birthday, dad!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrDWnKulo14/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u1hpwir3regy

Had a really fun evening seeing a musical/opera/ballet/orchestra show called Amahl and the Night Visitors. And I’m honored to get a #KevinSelfie with a #SamSelfie and a #ShannonSelfie! (at Pikes Peak Center)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqv-f_rFLlx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1flzxgp2fwrf2

I got to watch this kitten over the weekend while a friend was out of town and I already miss her so much and want to adopt her and turn her into a little hiking kitten!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsSaC2Fh9o/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1r6fmd7h1m427

“To those who are enthralled by the mountains, their wonder is beyond all dispute. To those who are not, their allure is a kind of madness.”
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While I’ve had a strong wanderlust the last few years, my experience at the Grand Canyon has really pushed me to further that sense even more. I have a craving now that is probably worrisome by some standards but I know I’ll never be able to stop it now. I’m slowly building up a bucket list of not just hikes, but experiences. So, what are some things you believe I should add to my bucket list?
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At the top of the list is, in a few years, I want to summit Denali, the highest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet. But I don’t just want mountains to summit, I want canyons to explore and deserts to saunter in. I want all of your ideas. (at North Cheyenne Cañon Park)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqaLtf7FpoH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=45rc7zxvr2ww

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
-Albert Camus (at Section 16/Palmer Trail)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqIk45xl0-F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1c8pj0l27l0dy