If you need me in January, I'll be in Antarctica. I'll say hi to all the penguins for you!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I've been following the "big 3" auto debacle of late and it leaves me with mixed emotions. The socialist in me really feels for the workers who are ultimately going to be screwed because of the incredibly poor management teams heading these companies. It reminds me of the events in Roger & Me.
However, the capitalist in me is a bit ticked off that the government bailout is even being considered. Oddly, taking a page from the old-style Republican economics (where handouts are a no-no) it doesn't seem fair that companies like Toyota, Honda and even KIA and Suzuki don't have the chance to parlay their hard work into a larger advantage. For years now, not only did these companies make much better products but they also did so with a feasible business plan that did not guarantee executives outrageous paychecks unless of course, the company succeeded as a whole. The very nature of capitalism implies an economic Darwinism that says if you cannot make the grade, you'll be eliminated.
Ford, GM and Dodge have offered sub-standard vehicles for well over a decade--if you don't believe me, check out Consumer Reports. In recent years, vehicles have improved because they HAVE to (and admittedly, some of the lines, such as the F series of trucks have always performed adequately if not exceptionally). But there's no doubt the industry leaders are the Japanese companies, at least as far as consumer vehicles are concerned.
It must be maddening to be a worker in a large company where the executives make your yearly salary in about 2 hours. Beyond irresponsible business ethics, it points to the greed that has fueled our economy for far too long. The only way to survive is to acquiesce to the global market and stop being so insular--the days of America being the only player on the global stage are long gone.
However this is resolved, I hope the people whose livelihoods are dependent on the outcome are able to keep their jobs and find some way to prosper through this mess. It was really only a matter of time. In the meantime, the fat cats who are putting their companies through the wringer should face some kind of accountability, though as we know, the OTHER aspect of capitalism is that wealth of a certain degree is exempt from such penalties. Either way it's a difficult scenario and the sentiment that government should bail out the people first, businesses second seems to be the best way to allocate funds for the people, by the people-- not for the privileged, by the people.
However, the capitalist in me is a bit ticked off that the government bailout is even being considered. Oddly, taking a page from the old-style Republican economics (where handouts are a no-no) it doesn't seem fair that companies like Toyota, Honda and even KIA and Suzuki don't have the chance to parlay their hard work into a larger advantage. For years now, not only did these companies make much better products but they also did so with a feasible business plan that did not guarantee executives outrageous paychecks unless of course, the company succeeded as a whole. The very nature of capitalism implies an economic Darwinism that says if you cannot make the grade, you'll be eliminated.
Ford, GM and Dodge have offered sub-standard vehicles for well over a decade--if you don't believe me, check out Consumer Reports. In recent years, vehicles have improved because they HAVE to (and admittedly, some of the lines, such as the F series of trucks have always performed adequately if not exceptionally). But there's no doubt the industry leaders are the Japanese companies, at least as far as consumer vehicles are concerned.
It must be maddening to be a worker in a large company where the executives make your yearly salary in about 2 hours. Beyond irresponsible business ethics, it points to the greed that has fueled our economy for far too long. The only way to survive is to acquiesce to the global market and stop being so insular--the days of America being the only player on the global stage are long gone.
However this is resolved, I hope the people whose livelihoods are dependent on the outcome are able to keep their jobs and find some way to prosper through this mess. It was really only a matter of time. In the meantime, the fat cats who are putting their companies through the wringer should face some kind of accountability, though as we know, the OTHER aspect of capitalism is that wealth of a certain degree is exempt from such penalties. Either way it's a difficult scenario and the sentiment that government should bail out the people first, businesses second seems to be the best way to allocate funds for the people, by the people-- not for the privileged, by the people.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Eight days ago when I went to climb Torreys Peak, I ultimately turned around after Grizzly Peak (a high 13,000 ft. summit en route to Torreys). Conditions were bad to start with and got worse throughout the day, so even though I was relatively close I felt abandoning the summit was the right call. On the way back to my truck along the summit ridge, I came across a group of about 10 people who I had chatted with the parking lot before starting my hike. They were training for a trip to Mexico's high altitude volcanoes and wanted to get in "some good tough weather" as part of the experience. When I saw them on my retreat, I told them conditions were getting worse but didn't encourage or discourage them either way. Despite the foggy whiteout conditions, it wasn't that cold (maybe high 20's) and there wasn't lightning present. I felt a group that size must have some experienced people to gauge the snow conditions.
As it turns out, I found out this weekend that the group was caught in an avalanche on the ridge between Grizzly and Torreys--just past the point where I decided to turn around. Three people were swept nearly 1,000 feet according to reports, though given the relatively low snow accumulation, the slab that broke loose probably wasn't enough to suffocate them; I'm sure it must have been an exciting ride nonetheless. Luckily, outside of some minor injuries all three of the climbers are ok. I'm certainly not bragging, but it was nice to know for once my "mountain sense" was accurate--that the ridge was dangerous. Of course, I've had several instances where I've had similar apprehensions and watched others safely summit while I aborted my goals for the day. Either way, it's another lesson from the mountains and I'm genuinely glad the people caught in the slide were not seriously hurt.
On the other side of the elements, this Saturday, as I was driving Mystic home to Sheila's house in Lafayette, I saw an odd faint orange glow in the sky as we came to a stop at a red light. A pair of police cars sped through the light and abruptly turned into a housing complex just beyond the intersection. As the light turned green, I slowly saw the surreal sight of an apartment complex completely engulfed in flames. As much as we see such footage on the news, witnessing such an event in person is a terrifying sight. My heart dropped at the thought of the people and pets who may be inside (which is more likely to be the case in an apartment). If you read the story above, you'll see no one was initially killed but two women are severely burned and in very bad shape. At least one pet is reported as being missing, a man's little cat named Spellbound (no updates on that one). With all the wildfires in California happening at the same time, my heart has been heavy with thoughts of what the people and animals must be going through.
It makes perfect sense that many ancient cultures revered the elements as Gods; when you see the crushing power of an avalanche or the wild fury of an uncontained fire, it reminds you that the physical world is capable of amazing transformations, for better or worse. A healthy respect for these elements goes a long way, from the civilized world to the backcountry.
As it turns out, I found out this weekend that the group was caught in an avalanche on the ridge between Grizzly and Torreys--just past the point where I decided to turn around. Three people were swept nearly 1,000 feet according to reports, though given the relatively low snow accumulation, the slab that broke loose probably wasn't enough to suffocate them; I'm sure it must have been an exciting ride nonetheless. Luckily, outside of some minor injuries all three of the climbers are ok. I'm certainly not bragging, but it was nice to know for once my "mountain sense" was accurate--that the ridge was dangerous. Of course, I've had several instances where I've had similar apprehensions and watched others safely summit while I aborted my goals for the day. Either way, it's another lesson from the mountains and I'm genuinely glad the people caught in the slide were not seriously hurt.
On the other side of the elements, this Saturday, as I was driving Mystic home to Sheila's house in Lafayette, I saw an odd faint orange glow in the sky as we came to a stop at a red light. A pair of police cars sped through the light and abruptly turned into a housing complex just beyond the intersection. As the light turned green, I slowly saw the surreal sight of an apartment complex completely engulfed in flames. As much as we see such footage on the news, witnessing such an event in person is a terrifying sight. My heart dropped at the thought of the people and pets who may be inside (which is more likely to be the case in an apartment). If you read the story above, you'll see no one was initially killed but two women are severely burned and in very bad shape. At least one pet is reported as being missing, a man's little cat named Spellbound (no updates on that one). With all the wildfires in California happening at the same time, my heart has been heavy with thoughts of what the people and animals must be going through.
It makes perfect sense that many ancient cultures revered the elements as Gods; when you see the crushing power of an avalanche or the wild fury of an uncontained fire, it reminds you that the physical world is capable of amazing transformations, for better or worse. A healthy respect for these elements goes a long way, from the civilized world to the backcountry.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
This link may not mean much for people who didn't grow up in my house, but behold the greatest toys of my youth:
First off: Mom, don't throw or give away my monsters! :)
Secondly, I've been trying for years to get some info on these guys. For the life of me I thought they were called Monster in a Can, so you can forgive my memory (I was like 4 or 5 at the time). These guys are the best. I even took one of these guys up to the summit of Mount Rainier!! I think I still have the "leader" of my monsters, a blue Godzilla with an arm partcially chewed off by our long passed doggie Red, rest her cheesy smelly soul.
Canfull of monsters ruled because not only were they awesome stand alone dudes, they could easily interact with Legos, McDonald's food containers (especially the awesome UFO series). The environmentally awful chicken McNuggets containers made of Styrofoam were perfect space craft. You could cut out windows and stuff from the foam, it was easy to paint and the slot where the sauce went was the ideal spot to place the driver of the vessel (I still think of this when I play the original F-Zero).
Good times, man, good times.
First off: Mom, don't throw or give away my monsters! :)
Secondly, I've been trying for years to get some info on these guys. For the life of me I thought they were called Monster in a Can, so you can forgive my memory (I was like 4 or 5 at the time). These guys are the best. I even took one of these guys up to the summit of Mount Rainier!! I think I still have the "leader" of my monsters, a blue Godzilla with an arm partcially chewed off by our long passed doggie Red, rest her cheesy smelly soul.
Canfull of monsters ruled because not only were they awesome stand alone dudes, they could easily interact with Legos, McDonald's food containers (especially the awesome UFO series). The environmentally awful chicken McNuggets containers made of Styrofoam were perfect space craft. You could cut out windows and stuff from the foam, it was easy to paint and the slot where the sauce went was the ideal spot to place the driver of the vessel (I still think of this when I play the original F-Zero).
Good times, man, good times.
Monday, November 10, 2008
For the first time in my many years in Colorado, I had to drop some big loot and actually buy a ski pass this year. Normally, I could buck the system by virtue of my media pass, a super-sweet (and free) perk of journalists who cover the Colorado ski scene. I'm still getting the media pass this year, but Vail resorts has pulled out of the promotion, meaning I'd have to pay out of pocket to visit Keystone, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek or Vail. Of those places, I really dig Keystone and Beaver Creek and could live without Vail and Breck, but if I want to get out with friends I'll need access to those mountains. So low and behold, I went forth and got a pass.
As with any of my photo IDs, the picture quality is feast or famine. On my passport and all my previous driver's licenses, they were great pics. My current license and a few other picture IDs, I look like some kind of grizzled thug who just robbed a liquor store. My ski pass is actually somewhat in the middle. Apparently the photographer used Bigfoot film technology since the picture is blurry but somewhat recognizable. I was a little tired but I'm smiling so it generally looks like me.
I've never been terribly photogenic to begin with and a huge portion of my personal photos are in the outdoors, where I'm likely to be wearing glasses, hats, giant puffy coats, etc. Or else I try to take my glasses off in the bright Colorado sun and look like a squinty Michelin Man. My reaction to actual defined pictures of my face is always a little jarring, kind of like hearing your own voice on an answering machine.
Anyhow, I'll be off snowboarding as much as I can this winter, assuming I don't wreck on my already-damaged shoulder. If you need me, I'll be the guy with the big head and giant black helmet, scratched goggles and semi-British teeth.
As with any of my photo IDs, the picture quality is feast or famine. On my passport and all my previous driver's licenses, they were great pics. My current license and a few other picture IDs, I look like some kind of grizzled thug who just robbed a liquor store. My ski pass is actually somewhat in the middle. Apparently the photographer used Bigfoot film technology since the picture is blurry but somewhat recognizable. I was a little tired but I'm smiling so it generally looks like me.
I've never been terribly photogenic to begin with and a huge portion of my personal photos are in the outdoors, where I'm likely to be wearing glasses, hats, giant puffy coats, etc. Or else I try to take my glasses off in the bright Colorado sun and look like a squinty Michelin Man. My reaction to actual defined pictures of my face is always a little jarring, kind of like hearing your own voice on an answering machine.
Anyhow, I'll be off snowboarding as much as I can this winter, assuming I don't wreck on my already-damaged shoulder. If you need me, I'll be the guy with the big head and giant black helmet, scratched goggles and semi-British teeth.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Ack, this is nerve racking watching the election! I couldn't help but peek in at Obama's progress-- it's looking pretty good thus far, but we'll see... Colorado is looking mighty blue for now, it would be really exciting if the we went totally blue. Seriously, how is anyone voting Republican--where have these people been the last 8 years?
Also some notes from the weekend: got Mt Columbia with Mystic and Sheila on Saturday, may try class 3 routes on either Quandary Peak or Torrey's Peak this weekend if the weather is stable. I'm going to be up late doing freelance work for Nileguide.com, writing up the 20 best places to visit in Aspen. Also, I'm saving up to buy hosting for the NEW Mountainouswords.com, I'm aiming to launch it by December 14th! The blog will stay the same though, never fear. You know, the 3 of your who read it.
And finally-- this is probably the funniest article The Onion has produced in a while; apparently this is my kind of humor.
Also some notes from the weekend: got Mt Columbia with Mystic and Sheila on Saturday, may try class 3 routes on either Quandary Peak or Torrey's Peak this weekend if the weather is stable. I'm going to be up late doing freelance work for Nileguide.com, writing up the 20 best places to visit in Aspen. Also, I'm saving up to buy hosting for the NEW Mountainouswords.com, I'm aiming to launch it by December 14th! The blog will stay the same though, never fear. You know, the 3 of your who read it.
And finally-- this is probably the funniest article The Onion has produced in a while; apparently this is my kind of humor.
