Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A German Opera was pulled out of production over fears of Muslim response. It's regrettably understandable, but the wrong decision.
A Mexican polititian rips a US plan for a border fence, comparing it to the Berlin Wall. Where do they find these people?
A Mexican polititian rips a US plan for a border fence, comparing it to the Berlin Wall. Where do they find these people?
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Had a great time camping with my son's Cub Scout troop last weekend. He had a great time on his bike, doing a little fishing, and just messing around camp. They also performed flag retirement ceremonies on three American flags. It's a moving thing that I had never seen done. On the last morning, I made my first mountain bike ride on a trail of any length—7.4 miles—and I'll say this: There is a full suspension bike in my future if I'm going to do that much. My bike is a good fifteen years old, hard on both ends and just about rattled my brains out. Fun, though.
Quiet weekend at home, this one. I enjoyed watching Barefoot Gen—both I and II. Both films predate the remarkable Grave of the Fireflies. I've read that Gen influenced Grave and I can see that. Grave is a higher quality film, one of the very best you'll ever see, but Gen is a good story as well, a thought provoking one about war, and well worth seeing.
Quiet weekend at home, this one. I enjoyed watching Barefoot Gen—both I and II. Both films predate the remarkable Grave of the Fireflies. I've read that Gen influenced Grave and I can see that. Grave is a higher quality film, one of the very best you'll ever see, but Gen is a good story as well, a thought provoking one about war, and well worth seeing.
Friday, September 22, 2006
No one that's still breathing will be surprised that the Middle East still drones on with its violence and insanity. Hanson writes a (typically) good article about the 9/11 anniversary.
And here's one that me shake my head: "resolutely opposed by France"? I wonder what Chirac actually means by "resolutely"? Not that I am for war with Iran, but I think the French government is all talk in these situations. It's hard not to laugh when Chirac says things like that.
NOTE: I've edited this entry after seeing a rather angry comment. It wasn't entirely unwarranted, I'll admit. I had worded the previous entry in an inflammatory way, something I generally try not to do. I've tried to get at my point a little better this time.
And here's one that me shake my head: "resolutely opposed by France"? I wonder what Chirac actually means by "resolutely"? Not that I am for war with Iran, but I think the French government is all talk in these situations. It's hard not to laugh when Chirac says things like that.
NOTE: I've edited this entry after seeing a rather angry comment. It wasn't entirely unwarranted, I'll admit. I had worded the previous entry in an inflammatory way, something I generally try not to do. I've tried to get at my point a little better this time.
Monday, September 11, 2006
A few thoughts after getting the climbing pictures posted...
Today is September 11th. September. Eleventh. Yes, that day.
There's a war on and I hope we don't let up. There are people out there that want to take down Western civilization just because of what it is, not what it does. They need to be defeated, and it will probably take killing them to do it. This thing needs to be driven to a proper finish and nothing else is acceptable.
Period.
On a lighter note, the US Open Tennis tournament I found tremendously enjoyable. Sharapova erased any doubts. Navratilova capped perhaps the most legendary tennis career ever by winning the Mixed Doubles title at age 49 (!), and Roger Federer was simply superb in winning Men's Singles.
And I must say, reading about Federer and Tiger Woods becoming friends, that nice guys can certainly finish first. By all accounts, they are both very fine people, decent human beings. To me, that's simply the cherry on the icing on the cake. Their excellence is inspiring, their humanity heartwarming. My hat's off to them both and I wish them well.
Back to climbing for a second...
I notice people bouldering in the gym just like my partner and I used to years ago. It's just great: Working out the sequences, talking over the moves, having another try at a problem. Good stuff and I think it helps push the skill level up and up.
Today is September 11th. September. Eleventh. Yes, that day.
There's a war on and I hope we don't let up. There are people out there that want to take down Western civilization just because of what it is, not what it does. They need to be defeated, and it will probably take killing them to do it. This thing needs to be driven to a proper finish and nothing else is acceptable.
Period.
On a lighter note, the US Open Tennis tournament I found tremendously enjoyable. Sharapova erased any doubts. Navratilova capped perhaps the most legendary tennis career ever by winning the Mixed Doubles title at age 49 (!), and Roger Federer was simply superb in winning Men's Singles.
And I must say, reading about Federer and Tiger Woods becoming friends, that nice guys can certainly finish first. By all accounts, they are both very fine people, decent human beings. To me, that's simply the cherry on the icing on the cake. Their excellence is inspiring, their humanity heartwarming. My hat's off to them both and I wish them well.
Back to climbing for a second...
I notice people bouldering in the gym just like my partner and I used to years ago. It's just great: Working out the sequences, talking over the moves, having another try at a problem. Good stuff and I think it helps push the skill level up and up.
From Sunday in El Potrero Chico...
Clipping the first bolt...
Top of the first pitch...
Looking West, I think...
My friend (in the helmet) and his son...
Leading the second pitch...
Clowns on the ledge...
View from the top... (you can't tell in this shot, but the ledge they're sitting on is about 100 feet off the ground)
Tired hands...
Second spire...
All done...
Clipping the first bolt...
Top of the first pitch...
Looking West, I think...
My friend (in the helmet) and his son...
Leading the second pitch...
Clowns on the ledge...
View from the top... (you can't tell in this shot, but the ledge they're sitting on is about 100 feet off the ground)
Tired hands...
Second spire...
All done...
Pictures from Saturday at El Potrero Chico.
I do try to travel light...
Top-roping a pitch or two Saturday morning...
Through the trees...
A little bouldering...
This is me...
That covers that Saturday. I'll get Sunday's posted soon...
I do try to travel light...
Top-roping a pitch or two Saturday morning...
Through the trees...
A little bouldering...
This is me...
That covers that Saturday. I'll get Sunday's posted soon...
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Notes from the climbing trip:
After driving eight hours or so from Austin to El Potrero Chico, we lead and top-roped a pitch before going to dinner. We did the same the next morning on two more pitches and then in the afternoon, two of us did a three pitch climb in the hot sun while some others came bouldering with me in the shade in the mouth of a cave. The next day, we did a two pitch route up a rather skinny spire around 200 feet tall.
A couple things were significant for me:
First, it took me a while to get my head ready for a multi-pitch climb. I hadn't been any higher off the ground than something on top rope for fifteen years. That and the hot sun explains me opting out of the multi-pitch climb that first full day. By the time we did the Spires the next day, my head was better. Both pitches are rated medium 5.10 and I was very happy with how I climbed. I was able to puzzle out the sequence, execute well, and never came close to falling off. I was relaxed as well, especially on the second pitch where the moves were straight forward face moves, in contrast to the first pitch crux which was half in what to me was an awkward dihedral, something I'm not especially good at.
Secondly, in bouldering on that first day, we had a nice group working on some problems, and had a nice time working out sequences and having a go at things. All in all, a very congenial gathering. Again, I feel good about my performance, being reasonably strong with reasonable endurance given my age and lifestyle of the last 15 years.
So, to summarize, the training of the prior month payed off and I was able to have a lot of fun and notch a significant personal victory in managing my fear about that multi-pitch -- even though it was only two.
On a different aspect of the trip, the other climbers there were all friendly as usual. The Mexicans in the area were very nice people and make me want to learn Spanish. The little hotels that cater to the climbers are very pleasant, run by, again, very nice people: Friendly, good sense of humor.
I want to put together a sequence of pictures for in here but I have a fair number to sort through and size down; I'll try to get them assembled soon.
After driving eight hours or so from Austin to El Potrero Chico, we lead and top-roped a pitch before going to dinner. We did the same the next morning on two more pitches and then in the afternoon, two of us did a three pitch climb in the hot sun while some others came bouldering with me in the shade in the mouth of a cave. The next day, we did a two pitch route up a rather skinny spire around 200 feet tall.
A couple things were significant for me:
First, it took me a while to get my head ready for a multi-pitch climb. I hadn't been any higher off the ground than something on top rope for fifteen years. That and the hot sun explains me opting out of the multi-pitch climb that first full day. By the time we did the Spires the next day, my head was better. Both pitches are rated medium 5.10 and I was very happy with how I climbed. I was able to puzzle out the sequence, execute well, and never came close to falling off. I was relaxed as well, especially on the second pitch where the moves were straight forward face moves, in contrast to the first pitch crux which was half in what to me was an awkward dihedral, something I'm not especially good at.
Secondly, in bouldering on that first day, we had a nice group working on some problems, and had a nice time working out sequences and having a go at things. All in all, a very congenial gathering. Again, I feel good about my performance, being reasonably strong with reasonable endurance given my age and lifestyle of the last 15 years.
So, to summarize, the training of the prior month payed off and I was able to have a lot of fun and notch a significant personal victory in managing my fear about that multi-pitch -- even though it was only two.
On a different aspect of the trip, the other climbers there were all friendly as usual. The Mexicans in the area were very nice people and make me want to learn Spanish. The little hotels that cater to the climbers are very pleasant, run by, again, very nice people: Friendly, good sense of humor.
I want to put together a sequence of pictures for in here but I have a fair number to sort through and size down; I'll try to get them assembled soon.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
I'm back from the climbing trip to El Potrero Chico and what a wonderful time was had by all! I need to get my thoughts organized and do a more thorough write-up, hopefully this weekend.
And this story just takes the cake. Preventing Muslim women from participating in prayers in Mecca because of "the chronic problem of overcrowding" belies that cultures 6th century attitudes. Balderdash!
And this story just takes the cake. Preventing Muslim women from participating in prayers in Mecca because of "the chronic problem of overcrowding" belies that cultures 6th century attitudes. Balderdash!
