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Bogus Basin Ski Area
We explore another small ski area. This one is near Boise, has six lifts, and is playfully named Bogus Basin. Once again we’re fortunate to hit decent snow, and several inches more fall while we’re there, keeping it fresh. The area is spread out, requiring some traversing from lift to lift. It has good trees,…
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Christmas
We’re treated to a Christmas with all the traditional American elements: family (the Fish side), a tree, gifts, kids, church, snow, and an abundance of rich food. While enjoying it all I observe the contrast with my everyday life. There is time for pure play, and pure contemplation. I make sure to do some of…
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Geo Mashup 1.0 Beta 1 Release
A Christmas present of sorts – some bleeding edge software for you! I’ve used some of my holiday break time to start implementing a few features I’ve been eager to add to the Geo Mashup Plugin. I’ve made a lot of changes in this one that will need some testing, so I’m going to release…
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Pomerelle ski area
We need some activity to break up the long drive to visit Ann’s family in Nampa, Idaho, so we stop at tiny Pomerelle Mountain Ski Area. We’re lucky to hit beautiful weather and a nice foot of fresh powder. I’m reminded of the virtues of little podunk ski areas like this: easy access to your…
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Movie: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
This is a movie with a clear message that has nothing to do with Al Gore. The fact that he delivers the message is almost a distraction. It’s about how we react to threats. We overreact to dramatic threats like a terrorist attack with very little evidence to support our reactions. Yet gradual threats with…
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Blizzard Commute
There were predictions for a big snowstorm starting yesterday, but I ride in to work like usual and see what will come of it. The ride in is nice – quiet, a gentle tailwind, and a few snowflakes. During the morning the university announces it will close at noon to let people get home before…
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Movie: First Ascent (2006)
This is the first DVD I’ve ever bought for myself. I’d only seen the trailer, but it hooked me. I don’t regret it. The movie is well filmed, and pulls off a remarkable trick: it manages to scorn sport climbing without being at all pretentious. Make no mistake, this is about first ascents of TRAD…
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Friendsgiving
It’s not easy to put together a big holiday meal, or to make time for friends during the holidays. Our earlier attempt to do so was canceled when people were just too busy. Today we tried again, and it went off swimmingly. Everyone brought or cooked something, most of it organic and all of it…
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Movie: Earth (1998)
The middle edition of this Indian trilogy is a little hokey in spots, but edifying. The setting is Lahore during the 1947 partition of India, of interest to me because my grandfather started a hospital in Lahore a few years later. The movie clearly portrays some of the social distinctions between Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians,…
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Black Powder Trail
Looking for a quick midday hike we drive up the Poudre Canyon to the Milton Seaman Reservoir to hike the Black Powder Trail. This turns out to be just what we wanted – short, but a good climb to a nice view. I’d never actually seen the reservoir until now because it’s tucked away too…