I need to post pictures of this event, but they're on my camera and I'm too tired and hot to try to transfer them right now, so words will have to do.
This lovely event takes place in the parking lot by Diamonds, the coffeehouse near where Ross works. We rode over - me on my CB-1, Ross on his Honda 450. I had been suffering from stiff back that morning, made worse by bending over the dog for half an hour wrestling a comb through his fur. So we get to Diamonds, I spot an opening in the line-up of motorcycles along the curb and wrestle my bike into it, and as I'm wrestling something goes bad - seriously bad - with the muscles in my back. A tremendous pain shoots through my back and all through my torso. I manage to park it and walk over to find Ross, hoping that the pain will ease. But no. If anything it grows worse, cramping my body so that I can't quite draw a full breath. I can barely tell Ross what's wrong because the stress has got me crying.
We go inside and get some water, and Ross finds a guy who works there and does some massage. He goes to work on my back, and fifteen minutes later I am at least smiling and thanking him, and able to get up and look at motorcycles. And boy, there are some cool bikes to see. The event has a somewhat rockabilly feel, with a down-to-earth grunginess competing with (or perhaps complimenting) a fifties-era style. There are new bikes, old bikes, heavily modified bikes, but mostly unique bikes full of character.
Pictures to follow.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Riding
Rode my CB-1 to work today. It was very windy and I was cautious; I took the back roads and avoided the highway. I have unrealistic fears, still, despite the motorcycle class. I am cautious with a capital C. However I did notice certain spots on the road in which I definitely felt more confident, so perhaps the secret is just to ride. To ride longer and gradually better.
That is so obvious and yet so... frustrating. I want a secret. I want instant success. I have channelled the attitude of America, the desire for results without work. Ha ha. I want to just KNOW how to ride without having to work for it. I want magic. I'm a pathetic lazy sod.
I have not yet ridden the Monster again. Ross has several times, and he said he could understand why it scared me. That makes me feel better, but it doesn't make me want to rush into riding the Monster again. I'm more interested in getting back on the VFR. I'm glad I didn't sell it yet; it is a sweet bike.
Part of the challenge of dealing with a motorcycle is the sheer difficulty of dealing with this large mass of metal, of understanding the ways in which it moves and the ways in which you, as a smaller, frailer mass of flesh, can manipulate it.
That is so obvious and yet so... frustrating. I want a secret. I want instant success. I have channelled the attitude of America, the desire for results without work. Ha ha. I want to just KNOW how to ride without having to work for it. I want magic. I'm a pathetic lazy sod.
I have not yet ridden the Monster again. Ross has several times, and he said he could understand why it scared me. That makes me feel better, but it doesn't make me want to rush into riding the Monster again. I'm more interested in getting back on the VFR. I'm glad I didn't sell it yet; it is a sweet bike.
Part of the challenge of dealing with a motorcycle is the sheer difficulty of dealing with this large mass of metal, of understanding the ways in which it moves and the ways in which you, as a smaller, frailer mass of flesh, can manipulate it.
New cell phones
We finally broke down and got new cell phones.
We've had 'em for probably about four years, and Ross has subjected his to all sorts of damage (like throwing himself at the ground while running, and smashing into Toad's head). The batteries didn't like to charge anymore, and Ross' phone didn't always ring when it should.
So we got 'em. The LG VX8300, which has all sorts of features we'll probably never use. I've gotten carried away and have downloaded three different ringtones, and I'm tempted to download a game. I've resisted so far; I downloaded one game for my ipod and that has given me untold hours of entertainment. I'm a huge sucker for the peculiarly addictive delight of small-screen video games. I think it might have something to do with the age I grew up in... or simply a game-oriented mind. Ross, who is after all only one year older than me, is completely impervious to the lure of games, video or otherwise. It must have to do with brain chemistry or upbringing. Or both. It's just that... god, I love games. There is certainly a social element, as any game is better with involvement of friends, but I'll happily play some games solo for hours and hours. I'm not as bad as some - I do not live for games. I don't have an online persona; I don't spend my fortune on virtual gadgets.
So. Cell phones. I was listening to mpr today and they used a Cake song for bumper music and I had a sudden brainstorm that perhaps there were Cake ringtones. Indeed there were, and moments later I had "Never There" as a ringtone. Lyrics are amusingly apt - "You're never there, you're never there, you're never ever ever ever there."
We've had 'em for probably about four years, and Ross has subjected his to all sorts of damage (like throwing himself at the ground while running, and smashing into Toad's head). The batteries didn't like to charge anymore, and Ross' phone didn't always ring when it should.
So we got 'em. The LG VX8300, which has all sorts of features we'll probably never use. I've gotten carried away and have downloaded three different ringtones, and I'm tempted to download a game. I've resisted so far; I downloaded one game for my ipod and that has given me untold hours of entertainment. I'm a huge sucker for the peculiarly addictive delight of small-screen video games. I think it might have something to do with the age I grew up in... or simply a game-oriented mind. Ross, who is after all only one year older than me, is completely impervious to the lure of games, video or otherwise. It must have to do with brain chemistry or upbringing. Or both. It's just that... god, I love games. There is certainly a social element, as any game is better with involvement of friends, but I'll happily play some games solo for hours and hours. I'm not as bad as some - I do not live for games. I don't have an online persona; I don't spend my fortune on virtual gadgets.
So. Cell phones. I was listening to mpr today and they used a Cake song for bumper music and I had a sudden brainstorm that perhaps there were Cake ringtones. Indeed there were, and moments later I had "Never There" as a ringtone. Lyrics are amusingly apt - "You're never there, you're never there, you're never ever ever ever there."
I feel such a weird frustration at this juncture of my life... It's exemplified in my work situation, in which I KNOW that I have a great job, in which I'm paid very well to sculpt all day, I have flexibility galore, my boss knows and trusts me and is a friend, and... I get to sculpt all day! But I also have all this frustration about the fact that I'm doing essentially the same thing over and over. And for whatever reason I feel like I'm regressing to an earlier, less social version of myself in which I submerge myself in my work and don't connect with coworkers.
I'm wallowing in the negative view.
What makes me happy is going home and being with my Ross and my Toad and my yard and my house. What makes me happy is going climbing with my dear friends and pushing my mental and physical limits. What makes me happy is pulling weeds from my garden and lawn, and moving plants and watching plants grow. What makes me happy is doing things that I don't have to do but want to do anyway. What makes me happy is reading books... but then I become frustrated when I think about the fact that at one point in my life I yearned to write science fiction books and could have if I had sufficient gumption/encouragement/dedication. I get frustrated and angry. Maybe I am only now dealing with anger that has built up for a long time. And maybe some of that anger is aimed at myself, which leads me into a difficult and unproductive cycle of frustration and self-blame and guilt and bad feeling. It is SO difficult to be proactive and positive.
Of course even in writing that I think that some people do not find it so difficult, and if only I could be one of those positive people... and thus begins the cycle of guilt and blame.
I'm frustrated that I'm not and have never been ambitious. And because of the peculiar state that I've been in, I find it easy to blame my parents for my lack of ambition. It's not particularly fair, but there it is. Maybe this is a step along the way to truly owning my own lack of ambition. If so I should be celebrating.
The truth is that I could start writing the great american novel tomorrow. It is not too late for anything, ever. How's that for a positive thought? And here's another: I can do stuff. So do it - now. That's part of the point of this blog.
I'm wallowing in the negative view.
What makes me happy is going home and being with my Ross and my Toad and my yard and my house. What makes me happy is going climbing with my dear friends and pushing my mental and physical limits. What makes me happy is pulling weeds from my garden and lawn, and moving plants and watching plants grow. What makes me happy is doing things that I don't have to do but want to do anyway. What makes me happy is reading books... but then I become frustrated when I think about the fact that at one point in my life I yearned to write science fiction books and could have if I had sufficient gumption/encouragement/dedication. I get frustrated and angry. Maybe I am only now dealing with anger that has built up for a long time. And maybe some of that anger is aimed at myself, which leads me into a difficult and unproductive cycle of frustration and self-blame and guilt and bad feeling. It is SO difficult to be proactive and positive.
Of course even in writing that I think that some people do not find it so difficult, and if only I could be one of those positive people... and thus begins the cycle of guilt and blame.
I'm frustrated that I'm not and have never been ambitious. And because of the peculiar state that I've been in, I find it easy to blame my parents for my lack of ambition. It's not particularly fair, but there it is. Maybe this is a step along the way to truly owning my own lack of ambition. If so I should be celebrating.
The truth is that I could start writing the great american novel tomorrow. It is not too late for anything, ever. How's that for a positive thought? And here's another: I can do stuff. So do it - now. That's part of the point of this blog.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Summer garden
Cimicifuga racemosa. Snakeroot.
Sundrops?
Delphinium, with a side order of asiatic lillies.
The same.
Climbing with katie
Had a girls' climbing day at Taylor's Falls with Katie. Tried to get Diane to come, too, but she had stuff goin' on. So Diane is moving to Boston, where she got a job with Sensable (the company that made the 3-D modelling software we were using at work). She's here through August, and has expressed a desire to get in some climbing before leaving town. But more about that later. For now the topic is me and Katie, climbing at Taylor's.
We went to the Picnic area on the Wisconsin side of Taylor's Falls. It's called the Picnic area because it is at the far southern end of the park, closest to the beach area where families gather to picnic and grill on summer days. A quick hike up a steep hill takes you to the top of the cliffs and to the very recognizable formations at the top of the climbs. As we reached the spot I groaned upon seeing a bunch of webbing and a climber flaking out a rope; I assumed that the spot was well and truly occupied and we would have to hike on. But the guy said they were almost done, and Katie and I dug out the ropes and webbing and gear and started setting anchors. As we finished our toprope setups they were tearing theirs down, and soon we were scrambling down the "easy" way to the base of the climbs.
The left rope is hanging on "Picnic crack", a very leadable 5.6 crack. In fact, after we both toproped it I pulled the rope and lead it, and then belayed Katie from the top. We then rapelled back down. She had never rapelled before, so I had the pleasure of introducing her to another essential climbing experience.
This happens to be one of the best spots for a hot summer day; shady all day with a fairly flat area for setting out gear. It can be comfy, as can be seen below. The greenish sunny area past my foot is the river.
Katie didn't realize I was taking this picture of her.
And I didn't realize she was getting in to this picture!
The blue rope was hanging between two climbs; "Picnic Face" goes straight up the face at and to the left of the rope, rated 5.10, and "Picnic Right" goes up a diagonal crack out of the photo, and then up and over the tiny overhang just right of the rope. It's a committing lead; you get gear in just below the overhang, but then the next good gear spot is a ways up. I lead it once, years ago, and on the same day my friend Tracy lead it and fell from above the overhang. It was actually a sweet catch; I hardly felt the impact when my belay caught him, but it shook him quite a bit and seemed to be the beginning of his loss of interest in climbing.
After doing those routes Katie and I pulled the green rope and scrambled around the corner to "Weird Overhang". I had done this route with my friend Dave years ago; he led it, couldn't get past this weird spot below the overhang, and I climbed up and finished the lead. This time I was going to do the entire lead. I was being kind of wimpy, taking my time and doubling up my pro. The awkward spot is in a flaring corner; you have to pull up and into the flaring corner, and then the left wall of the corner falls away into a sloping ledge. A sloping ledge may sound easy to climb on to, but the only foothold to get onto the ledge is a small, triangular spot in the corner, and the hand sequence is tricky; a righthand crimp allows you to grab a sidepull above the ledge with your left, and then by folding your torso over the ledge you can reach a good solid crack with your right. Then you can place protection in this crack (from this somewhat strenuous position) or a bold climber might make the move to get a foot up on the ledge before placing pro. I was not that bold climber; I tried a couple of overly large cams in the crack, and then had to downclimb to get the proper size cam from the other side of my harness. Then, however, it was cake.
Once you're on the sloping ledge you're actually squeezing into the space below the overhang. Swing out around the left end of it and up the wide, easy crack, and you're done. I threw a couple of cams into cracks at the top, tied off a tree root, and belayed Katie up. After feeling a little wimpy about my ascent I was made to feel like a hero as she groaned and gasped, said "I don't think I can do this" at the hard spot, and finally finished it off. When she came over the top she said, "You're a rock star." I dissembled and preened.
We finished off by rapelling the blue line, climbing it again, and hauling our packs to the top. An excellent day with plenty of climbing.
We went to the Picnic area on the Wisconsin side of Taylor's Falls. It's called the Picnic area because it is at the far southern end of the park, closest to the beach area where families gather to picnic and grill on summer days. A quick hike up a steep hill takes you to the top of the cliffs and to the very recognizable formations at the top of the climbs. As we reached the spot I groaned upon seeing a bunch of webbing and a climber flaking out a rope; I assumed that the spot was well and truly occupied and we would have to hike on. But the guy said they were almost done, and Katie and I dug out the ropes and webbing and gear and started setting anchors. As we finished our toprope setups they were tearing theirs down, and soon we were scrambling down the "easy" way to the base of the climbs.
The left rope is hanging on "Picnic crack", a very leadable 5.6 crack. In fact, after we both toproped it I pulled the rope and lead it, and then belayed Katie from the top. We then rapelled back down. She had never rapelled before, so I had the pleasure of introducing her to another essential climbing experience.
This happens to be one of the best spots for a hot summer day; shady all day with a fairly flat area for setting out gear. It can be comfy, as can be seen below. The greenish sunny area past my foot is the river.
Katie didn't realize I was taking this picture of her.
And I didn't realize she was getting in to this picture!The blue rope was hanging between two climbs; "Picnic Face" goes straight up the face at and to the left of the rope, rated 5.10, and "Picnic Right" goes up a diagonal crack out of the photo, and then up and over the tiny overhang just right of the rope. It's a committing lead; you get gear in just below the overhang, but then the next good gear spot is a ways up. I lead it once, years ago, and on the same day my friend Tracy lead it and fell from above the overhang. It was actually a sweet catch; I hardly felt the impact when my belay caught him, but it shook him quite a bit and seemed to be the beginning of his loss of interest in climbing.
After doing those routes Katie and I pulled the green rope and scrambled around the corner to "Weird Overhang". I had done this route with my friend Dave years ago; he led it, couldn't get past this weird spot below the overhang, and I climbed up and finished the lead. This time I was going to do the entire lead. I was being kind of wimpy, taking my time and doubling up my pro. The awkward spot is in a flaring corner; you have to pull up and into the flaring corner, and then the left wall of the corner falls away into a sloping ledge. A sloping ledge may sound easy to climb on to, but the only foothold to get onto the ledge is a small, triangular spot in the corner, and the hand sequence is tricky; a righthand crimp allows you to grab a sidepull above the ledge with your left, and then by folding your torso over the ledge you can reach a good solid crack with your right. Then you can place protection in this crack (from this somewhat strenuous position) or a bold climber might make the move to get a foot up on the ledge before placing pro. I was not that bold climber; I tried a couple of overly large cams in the crack, and then had to downclimb to get the proper size cam from the other side of my harness. Then, however, it was cake.
Once you're on the sloping ledge you're actually squeezing into the space below the overhang. Swing out around the left end of it and up the wide, easy crack, and you're done. I threw a couple of cams into cracks at the top, tied off a tree root, and belayed Katie up. After feeling a little wimpy about my ascent I was made to feel like a hero as she groaned and gasped, said "I don't think I can do this" at the hard spot, and finally finished it off. When she came over the top she said, "You're a rock star." I dissembled and preened.
We finished off by rapelling the blue line, climbing it again, and hauling our packs to the top. An excellent day with plenty of climbing.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Riding course!
On Sunday, June 24 I took the Riding Course, Advanced Rider Defensive Skills Training and Advanced Rider Defensive Skills Development for street motorcycle riding. I had a lot of anxiety in the time leading up to this course; I haven't been riding that much this year and have had very little time at highway speeds. The course is held at the Dakota County Technical College grounds in Rosemount, a 28 mile drive (on highways!) from home. Yet I had signed up for it because I really want to improve my riding skills, and a class like this seemed to be the perfect solution.
I went shopping a couple of days before the course, and bought a much needed mesh jacket, armored pants, and summer gloves. The ride to the course went without a hitch.
The course itself was amazing. I was in the beginner class, and we had alternating classroom and track sessions. Each time out we added an additional element to our cornering.
1. Notice the X's that mark the turn-in points for the turns.
2. Hit the X's before turning in.
3. Flick rapidly and with control into your turn.
4. Shift your weight toward the turn and look through the corner.
5. Stay relaxed in the straights, wiggle your arms to stay loose.
6. I don't remember what else we added, because by this time it was near 90 degrees and I was tired. I definitely slowed down in the later sessions, just to stay in control and comfortable.
By the time we finished I was utterly drained. I had been drinking water all day, but the mental and physical stress had exhausted me. The highway ride home was tiring and busy, but I just stayed at a comfortable speed and stayed focused.
Wow. Most excellent practice. I want to do it again; hopefully at a cooler time!
I went shopping a couple of days before the course, and bought a much needed mesh jacket, armored pants, and summer gloves. The ride to the course went without a hitch.
The course itself was amazing. I was in the beginner class, and we had alternating classroom and track sessions. Each time out we added an additional element to our cornering.
1. Notice the X's that mark the turn-in points for the turns.
2. Hit the X's before turning in.
3. Flick rapidly and with control into your turn.
4. Shift your weight toward the turn and look through the corner.
5. Stay relaxed in the straights, wiggle your arms to stay loose.
6. I don't remember what else we added, because by this time it was near 90 degrees and I was tired. I definitely slowed down in the later sessions, just to stay in control and comfortable.
By the time we finished I was utterly drained. I had been drinking water all day, but the mental and physical stress had exhausted me. The highway ride home was tiring and busy, but I just stayed at a comfortable speed and stayed focused.
Wow. Most excellent practice. I want to do it again; hopefully at a cooler time!
The parental visit
Wow - a month since I last posted. How horrendous.
One of my excuses is that my parents were visiting for over a week. We spent a couple of days bumming around, shopping, having a family get-together... and then my dad came down with an infection and had to spend a couple of days in the hospital. Bad vacation! But fortunately they still had another 3-4 days of vacation left, and we had more time to bum around, visit relatives, and shop.
One of my excuses is that my parents were visiting for over a week. We spent a couple of days bumming around, shopping, having a family get-together... and then my dad came down with an infection and had to spend a couple of days in the hospital. Bad vacation! But fortunately they still had another 3-4 days of vacation left, and we had more time to bum around, visit relatives, and shop.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Top 25 SF movies of the last 25 years
My boss Rick brought in a magazine with the above mentioned article in it, which prompted me to make my own list. I kept a substantial portion of the magazine list but had to make a few changes. Note: the 25 year limit eliminates the original Star Wars trilogy, and the first Alien movie. I probably won't remember them all off the top of my head, but here's an attempt (not in any particular order)
The Matrix
Firefly/Serenity
Star Trek II - the Wrath of Khan
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Aliens
Farscape
Galaxy Quest
The Fifth Element
Starship Troopers
Babylon 5
Starman
Children of Men
The Matrix
Firefly/Serenity
Star Trek II - the Wrath of Khan
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Aliens
Farscape
Galaxy Quest
The Fifth Element
Starship Troopers
Babylon 5
Starman
Children of Men
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club show
Last Saturday was the VJMC show, and Ross spent the previous two weeks prepping a $20 Honda 450 to ride to the show. He slaved over the thing to get it running and we set off that morning on it's maiden voyage. I rode my 1990 Honda CB-1, which is officially old enough to be vintage (it has to be over 15 years old). From behind Ross I got to enjoy the incredibly loud muffler of the old Honda, and the occasional burning oil smell. We met Bill and Susan at Bill's place. Bill has an old Honda 750 that he had recently got running and had just stripped some nasty aqua paint off of. Susan has a Yamaha SV 650, a thoroughly modern motorcycle.
Together we rode to the Maplewood Suzuki dealer, where the VJMC show was on display.
Bill's bike in the foreground, mine is the bright blue one.
The trophies for the winners.
A nice lineup, including a beautiful blue Honda Dream.
Ross' bike in the foreground!
A lovely older Honda with a lovely younger woman on it.
After the show we decided to go to Bob's Java Hut for a drink. On the way there Susan and I lost Ross and Bill on the highway. Ross ran out of gas, had to pull over on the non-existent shoulder and restart his bike. We all got there eventually and lazed about with iced teas. Bob's is a most excellent place to people-watch. I felt pretty darn good on the motorcycle. I just love that Honda CB-1. It's small and maneuverable and lovely.
Together we rode to the Maplewood Suzuki dealer, where the VJMC show was on display.
Bill's bike in the foreground, mine is the bright blue one.
The trophies for the winners.
A nice lineup, including a beautiful blue Honda Dream.
Ross' bike in the foreground!
A lovely older Honda with a lovely younger woman on it.
After the show we decided to go to Bob's Java Hut for a drink. On the way there Susan and I lost Ross and Bill on the highway. Ross ran out of gas, had to pull over on the non-existent shoulder and restart his bike. We all got there eventually and lazed about with iced teas. Bob's is a most excellent place to people-watch. I felt pretty darn good on the motorcycle. I just love that Honda CB-1. It's small and maneuverable and lovely.
Fascinating movies
Other fascinating movies we've watched recently;
"Donnie Darko". It achieved cult classic status while flying under my radar, and I finally thought to put it on my Blockbuster list and thus end the wait. Wow. I appreciated it even more after Googling it and reading some snippets about the back story (not all of which I absorbed from the film after one watching). I don't want to say too much lest someone want to see it without my opinion clouding their minds... I appreciate how open to interpretation the whole thing is, even though the ending does suggest one truth. In that sense it reminds me of "Pan's Labyrinth", in which to the very end it is not clear whether the true story is in the girl's imagination, or in the harsh and violent "real" world.
"The History Boys". I read a snippet about this in the City Pages, and remembered to pick it up at the video store. My. How literate and theatrical (as it well should be, having begun life as a theater production). Loved it. Beautiful storytelling. Great characters. Great faces. Subtle. Dramatic.
"Children of Men". Wow. Bleak, desperate vision of the future - a near future in which infertility is rampant and the youngest person in the world is 20 years old. Clive Owen blows me away. I haven't seen him enough; he rocks the screen. Michael Caine is marvelous as an old hippie growing and selling his own pot. Funny man. The film made me think about how lucky we are to be living in the world we do... and also how fragile it all is.
"Donnie Darko". It achieved cult classic status while flying under my radar, and I finally thought to put it on my Blockbuster list and thus end the wait. Wow. I appreciated it even more after Googling it and reading some snippets about the back story (not all of which I absorbed from the film after one watching). I don't want to say too much lest someone want to see it without my opinion clouding their minds... I appreciate how open to interpretation the whole thing is, even though the ending does suggest one truth. In that sense it reminds me of "Pan's Labyrinth", in which to the very end it is not clear whether the true story is in the girl's imagination, or in the harsh and violent "real" world.
"The History Boys". I read a snippet about this in the City Pages, and remembered to pick it up at the video store. My. How literate and theatrical (as it well should be, having begun life as a theater production). Loved it. Beautiful storytelling. Great characters. Great faces. Subtle. Dramatic.
"Children of Men". Wow. Bleak, desperate vision of the future - a near future in which infertility is rampant and the youngest person in the world is 20 years old. Clive Owen blows me away. I haven't seen him enough; he rocks the screen. Michael Caine is marvelous as an old hippie growing and selling his own pot. Funny man. The film made me think about how lucky we are to be living in the world we do... and also how fragile it all is.
Climbing on a Wednesday
I'm so behind on posting... a week and a half ago I took Wednesday off work and went to Red Wing with Shawn and Mike. I was really hot to go to Red Wing after a great day there the previous weekend. In short order I warmed up on Two-Tone Zephyr and then led, with no fanfare, Call of the Mild, a 5.11 route that I had yearned to lead for a while. Then led, with one hang, No Whippin Boys. Goals are goin' down!
Shawn led this route that traverses out under a huge overhang... can't remember the name, but it doesn't get climbed much and really needs to be rebolted. I think it's 5.11ish. He led and I followed, pulling on the draws through the crux. Then he led Geriatric Sex Maniacs from Mars and I toproped it. A good day, and I'm itching to have another one like it.
Shawn led this route that traverses out under a huge overhang... can't remember the name, but it doesn't get climbed much and really needs to be rebolted. I think it's 5.11ish. He led and I followed, pulling on the draws through the crux. Then he led Geriatric Sex Maniacs from Mars and I toproped it. A good day, and I'm itching to have another one like it.
Romance for dummies, romance for smarties
I got sucked into signing up for Blockbuster Online, their answer to the "threat" of Netflix, and it has allowed me to finally watch some movies that I've always intended to see... and to be more spontaneous when I go to the video store. We've had some amazing viewings and some bombs as a result.
I picked up "The Holiday" one evening for two reasons - I was weary and wanted some fluffy, mindless entertainment, and I've totally got the hots for Jude Law. There's something magical about the look of polite inquiry he often gives. I don't know, it's hard to define his charm. He smiles well.
Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz star as two women who meet online in their quest to trade their homes (in L.A. and rural England, respectively) for a vacation. In the process they meet two nice guys (Jack Black and Jude Law) and have romance.
Anyway. The movie was a meaningless fluff of overblown Hollywood pablum... through which bits of genuine sweetness and charm shone. There were setups that made me cringe, ridiculous mood-establishing shots that could have been dropped with absolutely no damage to the plot. But still moments, moments, only moments of real romance and beauty. Dialogue that sounded horrendously in need of editing, and then a glance, a moment of contact. The revelation of Jude Law's life as a widower and single parent after the first impression of him as the drunken younger brother willing to jump into bed on first aquaintance is quite nice, and then the girls playing his daughters were absolutely wonderful.
Kate Winslet is sweet and talented. She does a good job, has no chemistry with Jack Black, but pulls off the role of the Brit rediscovering herself in L.A. I've always found Cameron Diaz appealing, and this role is no exception, but she's kinda over the top and really plays to the Hollywood excesses of the movie. Jude Law helps save her performance; he is disarming and adorable from the start. Jack Black is actually quite fun to watch playing it straight. He could do better as a romantic leading man, but it's so interesting watching him not be Jack Black that I could forgive him his faults.
Then we watched "Before Sunset" which I had read about years ago and never seen, but always kept in the back of my mind. I read about the sequel a few years ago and it reminded me forcibly that I did indeed want to watch them both someday. And now that day finally came, and it was every bit as good as I thought it would be.
Richard Linklater has created something fine and true with these movies, something that touches the truth of what we are and what we want and how we reach out for contact.
"Before Sunset" occurs over a single night, as Jesse, an American travelling in Europe, meets Celine, a French woman on her way to Paris. They connect, get off the train together in... Vienna? and walk around the town for a single night. They share thoughts, drift about town, drifting closer and closer to the possibility that neither speaks of but both have imagined from the start - that they might sleep together on this, their one night together. Their thoughts and expressions tell us so much about them, about their romantic ideals, their dreams, their cynicism. It is almost as wrenching for us as for them when they part, Jesse on his way to catch a flight, promising to meet again six months later.
"Before Sunrise" picks up later, 10 years? Jesse is in Paris on a book tour; Celine sees his picture on a poster and shows up at his talk. I just found myself utterly and completely wrapped up in these movies. They made me think, imagine, dream. Most definitely something more than mindless entertainment.
I picked up "The Holiday" one evening for two reasons - I was weary and wanted some fluffy, mindless entertainment, and I've totally got the hots for Jude Law. There's something magical about the look of polite inquiry he often gives. I don't know, it's hard to define his charm. He smiles well.
Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz star as two women who meet online in their quest to trade their homes (in L.A. and rural England, respectively) for a vacation. In the process they meet two nice guys (Jack Black and Jude Law) and have romance.
Anyway. The movie was a meaningless fluff of overblown Hollywood pablum... through which bits of genuine sweetness and charm shone. There were setups that made me cringe, ridiculous mood-establishing shots that could have been dropped with absolutely no damage to the plot. But still moments, moments, only moments of real romance and beauty. Dialogue that sounded horrendously in need of editing, and then a glance, a moment of contact. The revelation of Jude Law's life as a widower and single parent after the first impression of him as the drunken younger brother willing to jump into bed on first aquaintance is quite nice, and then the girls playing his daughters were absolutely wonderful.
Kate Winslet is sweet and talented. She does a good job, has no chemistry with Jack Black, but pulls off the role of the Brit rediscovering herself in L.A. I've always found Cameron Diaz appealing, and this role is no exception, but she's kinda over the top and really plays to the Hollywood excesses of the movie. Jude Law helps save her performance; he is disarming and adorable from the start. Jack Black is actually quite fun to watch playing it straight. He could do better as a romantic leading man, but it's so interesting watching him not be Jack Black that I could forgive him his faults.
Then we watched "Before Sunset" which I had read about years ago and never seen, but always kept in the back of my mind. I read about the sequel a few years ago and it reminded me forcibly that I did indeed want to watch them both someday. And now that day finally came, and it was every bit as good as I thought it would be.
Richard Linklater has created something fine and true with these movies, something that touches the truth of what we are and what we want and how we reach out for contact.
"Before Sunset" occurs over a single night, as Jesse, an American travelling in Europe, meets Celine, a French woman on her way to Paris. They connect, get off the train together in... Vienna? and walk around the town for a single night. They share thoughts, drift about town, drifting closer and closer to the possibility that neither speaks of but both have imagined from the start - that they might sleep together on this, their one night together. Their thoughts and expressions tell us so much about them, about their romantic ideals, their dreams, their cynicism. It is almost as wrenching for us as for them when they part, Jesse on his way to catch a flight, promising to meet again six months later.
"Before Sunrise" picks up later, 10 years? Jesse is in Paris on a book tour; Celine sees his picture on a poster and shows up at his talk. I just found myself utterly and completely wrapped up in these movies. They made me think, imagine, dream. Most definitely something more than mindless entertainment.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
First day at Red Wing
Sunday I woke stiff and sore from the run on Sat. Ross and I met Micah, Jen, Everett and Brenda for breakfast at the Zumbro Cafe. Love the Zumbro. Love the company. Love the food; I was very hungry, and had eggs benedict plus much of an order of pancakes.
Then I met Katie and Kimson at Shawn's house shortly before noon, and the four of us drove down to Red Wing. The climbing at Red Wing is on once-quarried limestone cliffs at Barn Bluff, at the southern end of the city. When we pulled up to the parking area I was appalled at the number of cars there - obviously LOADS of people were climbing. We had to search for unoccupied routes to start on. And then we were joined by Adrien, a woman Katie had climbed with at the gym, so we broke into the female group of me, Katie and Adrien, and the male group of Shawn and Kimson. Us women climbed Pleasant Summer Absence, a shockingly easy 5.10, and then Vertical Vice, the hardest 5.8 in the world. It has been climbed so much that the once-useful small edges are all rounded and polished (a disadvantage of the rock at Red Wing) so I usually work my way up to the left of the bolts. I was the designated leader for the women, and felt pretty good in that role aside from some trepidation on Vertical Vice. There's a challenging move on the upper part of the route, but then the killer for the leader is the delicate traverse above the difficult move which also ends up being well above the last bolt.
So we went on from there, climbing several routes. Around 5 o'clock the crowds really thinned out and we discovered the beauty of starting late; we had the place to ourselves and the late afternoon sun coming around the bluff made everything glow.
Shawn led Prairie Fire, which is something of my nemesis, since there's one hard move I had not been able to do, and it's an intimidating lead. I toproped it and managed to do the hard move! The same anchors can be used to climb No Whippin Boys, which is a stellar finger crack - one of the rare routes at Red Wing which take trad gear (i.e. nuts and cams for protection, rather than bolts). I tried to lead it last summer and ended up leading it in the worst possible style, pulling on gear all the way and hanging repeatedly on the rope. I didn't have gear to lead it with on Sunday, but I did climb it smoothly and in control. The lead is in my future!
Me on my new Mammut 10.2 mm rope. It feels really good in the hand while belaying. It does pay to get a quality rope.
Katie belaying Adrien. Apologies for the sideways picture.
Kimson belaying Shawn.
Katie climbing Vertical Vice.
Then I met Katie and Kimson at Shawn's house shortly before noon, and the four of us drove down to Red Wing. The climbing at Red Wing is on once-quarried limestone cliffs at Barn Bluff, at the southern end of the city. When we pulled up to the parking area I was appalled at the number of cars there - obviously LOADS of people were climbing. We had to search for unoccupied routes to start on. And then we were joined by Adrien, a woman Katie had climbed with at the gym, so we broke into the female group of me, Katie and Adrien, and the male group of Shawn and Kimson. Us women climbed Pleasant Summer Absence, a shockingly easy 5.10, and then Vertical Vice, the hardest 5.8 in the world. It has been climbed so much that the once-useful small edges are all rounded and polished (a disadvantage of the rock at Red Wing) so I usually work my way up to the left of the bolts. I was the designated leader for the women, and felt pretty good in that role aside from some trepidation on Vertical Vice. There's a challenging move on the upper part of the route, but then the killer for the leader is the delicate traverse above the difficult move which also ends up being well above the last bolt.
So we went on from there, climbing several routes. Around 5 o'clock the crowds really thinned out and we discovered the beauty of starting late; we had the place to ourselves and the late afternoon sun coming around the bluff made everything glow.
Shawn led Prairie Fire, which is something of my nemesis, since there's one hard move I had not been able to do, and it's an intimidating lead. I toproped it and managed to do the hard move! The same anchors can be used to climb No Whippin Boys, which is a stellar finger crack - one of the rare routes at Red Wing which take trad gear (i.e. nuts and cams for protection, rather than bolts). I tried to lead it last summer and ended up leading it in the worst possible style, pulling on gear all the way and hanging repeatedly on the rope. I didn't have gear to lead it with on Sunday, but I did climb it smoothly and in control. The lead is in my future!
Me on my new Mammut 10.2 mm rope. It feels really good in the hand while belaying. It does pay to get a quality rope.
Katie belaying Adrien. Apologies for the sideways picture.
Kimson belaying Shawn.
Katie climbing Vertical Vice.
Get In Gear!
I ran the 30th annual Get In Gear race this Saturday with my cousin Sara. It was a far cry from last year's race, with steady and increasing rain, and a temperature in the 50s. I couldn't have asked for a better day - a hint of chill that turned into just the perfect baking heat (for my tastes) with morning sun.
It's a huge event, and even bigger this year because of the 30th year. It's like running in a giant river of runners, but the course is utterly beautiful and Sara and I had just the best time. I know I did, anyway. We talked of many things. It felt great to me until about mile four or five, when my legs and hips started complaining, but when I said, "I'm feeling pain," Sara said, "We're almost done!" and that carried me through the end.
Through silent mutual agreement we sped up across the Ford Bridge, passing people left and right, and kept that pace through the last winding, tree-lined avenue toward the finish line. I had a tiny bit of energy left for a last minute sprint to the finish line, and then when I dropped to a walk I swayed on suddenly weak knees. But we grinned in triumph; we had pulled it off.
Then off to an Indian buffet with Sara, Chris and the boys (Ross had to work) and home to the most delightfully lazy afternoon. Ross and I were invited over to Andy and Betsy's for dinner, so I didn't even have to cook.
It's a huge event, and even bigger this year because of the 30th year. It's like running in a giant river of runners, but the course is utterly beautiful and Sara and I had just the best time. I know I did, anyway. We talked of many things. It felt great to me until about mile four or five, when my legs and hips started complaining, but when I said, "I'm feeling pain," Sara said, "We're almost done!" and that carried me through the end.
Through silent mutual agreement we sped up across the Ford Bridge, passing people left and right, and kept that pace through the last winding, tree-lined avenue toward the finish line. I had a tiny bit of energy left for a last minute sprint to the finish line, and then when I dropped to a walk I swayed on suddenly weak knees. But we grinned in triumph; we had pulled it off.
Then off to an Indian buffet with Sara, Chris and the boys (Ross had to work) and home to the most delightfully lazy afternoon. Ross and I were invited over to Andy and Betsy's for dinner, so I didn't even have to cook.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Gym climbing
Climbed in the gym with Shawn last Sunday. We've got a 5.11 lead route that we've been working on. It's so rewarding to work on projects in the gym because the improvements are so easy to see. This route begins with about 15-20 feet of technical, balancy climbing, and then a dynamic move off of two, smallish crimpy handholds to a bucket. At this point the wall begins to overhang and the sequence to the next clip is challenging. Actually the next three clips are challenging, but I learned that I could indeed do them. Physically and mentally, I learned.
The grand rounds
Ross got an assignment. A secret assignment. He got to write an article for Motorcycle Classics, and because of time and weather pressures he ended up riding the Grand Rounds in the Twin Cities on his Honda CB400f. I followed in the car and took pictures. It's something that I've dreamed of doing on bicycles, but it was actually really great via motorized vehicle. We went through some parts of the cities that I've never been to, which was really a treat. Any one of these cities is certainly big enough that I haven't seen all of it.
Things grow
I don't know why I even posted this picture, cos that was two weeks ago and things are getting huge and green now! We've got tulips with a hint of red beginning to show. Tulips make me so happy. Spring air makes me so happy. I revel in the glossiness and vigor of tulips. I love their gaudy show of color. I delight in their display.A spontaneous haiku.
Tulips are flashy
Some red, some yellow, some pink.
They're askin' for it.
Climate blogging
http://tamino.wordpress.com/
A cool blog I stumbled across today.
Admittedly, I tend to look at the pro-global warming blogs and sites rather than the (in my opinion) wacky nutjob "global warming isn't happening" sites, but the blogs I've looked at seem to belong to intelligent, thoughtful people who really care about science and believe in what they're doing.
A cool blog I stumbled across today.
Admittedly, I tend to look at the pro-global warming blogs and sites rather than the (in my opinion) wacky nutjob "global warming isn't happening" sites, but the blogs I've looked at seem to belong to intelligent, thoughtful people who really care about science and believe in what they're doing.
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