-
Movie: Rebel Without a Cause
Several things surprised me about this movie. Ann and I both wanted to see a James Dean movie, because he is still so glamorized by our culture. We had an idea of him being aloof and cool, which doesn’t describe his character in this movie at all. Here he’s sincere, well-meaning, loving, and sensitive in…
-
Punishment for gluttons
Ann picks me up at 11 today to go to one of the few restaurants we like in town, the Bangkok House. Our experience this time particularly shows something about how our expectations have changed. It hasn’t opened yet when we get there. Ok, we wait a couple minutes, no problem. Once inside we are…
-
Movie: Adaptation
For the amount of self-reference packed into this movie, it’s surprisingly easy to follow. So it would be a little misleading to say it’s the story of the script writer writing himself into the script, because it all seems pretty natural as you watch it. It does come close to getting too twisted up near…
-
Movie: The Italian Job (1969)
James Bond spoof? Ninety-minute Cooper Mini ad? It doesn’t really matter, it’s fun and funny. One thing it makes clear: while dashing male protagonists and Cooper Mini’s have not changed much, the computers in the story are almost unrecognizable.
-
Little Hunk & Snickers, Joshua Tree
We meet our friends Steve and Catherine in Joshua Tree and agree to go to the Echo Rock area. Their friends Mike, Roger, and Hoffman are on their way also. I haven’t been feeling like leading anything, but when we get to the Little Hunk the weather is gorgeous and there is a short 5.8…
-
Book: No Picnic on Mt. Kenya / Felice Benuzzi
This is the only prisoner of war story I’ve read that’s made me jealous of the prisoners. Definitely not because POW life is romanticized, but because these prisoners set out on such an outrageous undertaking to make to most of it. There is an escape, which is always exciting, but this is the only story…
-
Half Anniversary
We figure we may be on the Continental Divide on August 2nd, so today seemed like a good day to bust the wedding cake out of the freezer. The cake is still quite good, and there’s a perfect amount for Ann, Anabel, and me. The marriage is still quite good too, and getting better.
-
Queen Mountain, Joshua Tree
One of the first things Anabel asked about the park was, “Where is the highest peak?” I thought it was Queen Mountain, which from the map looked like it would have a good view of Hidden Valley, San Jacinto peak, and San Gorgonio peak. It turns out I’m right about the view, but Quail Mountain…
-
Pinto Wye Arrastra
What is an arrastra you may ask? Well, I could have taken a picture of one, but instead I chose to photograph this odd berry bush. We found this two-mile walk listed in our hiking guide. It was nearby and just the right length to finish off the day. It didn’t say, however, what an…
-
Castle Rock, Joshua Tree
Anabel meets us at the Crossroads Cafe, where breakfast is always good, and we return to camp for some climbing. It’s still a little cold so I look on the south side of the rock for sunny routes. There’s a new bolted line going up a finger on the left that looks OK, so I…