I know, here it comes: the retrospective cliche. But what are you going to do? Highlights for 2007 included a DEAD WHALE!!!!, my first backpacking trip in 20 years, nearly losing my wife, getting lost in Ballinger canyon after dark, learning to identify birds, joining a climbing gym, and of course, my daughter’s wedding.
Tim Ferriss promises that you can lose 20 lbs. of fat in 30 days without exercise. Let’s just ignore the fact that Tim’s diet spanned six weeks (not 30 days) during which time he lost 15 lbs. (not 20), and forget the fact that Tim’s diet role model cheats by exercising a little (50 marathons…
This weekend I tried out the auto belay device at the local climbing gym. Remember, I’m not a climber. I start getting uncomfortable when I get over ten feet off the ground. And the auto belay is not giving me any solace here. The device works like those key rings that janitors clip to their…
Engadget has an article about a Land Rover concept car that uses an iPhone to control the vehicle. Aside from the gee-whiz cool factor of the thing, you really have to wonder about the logic of having a touch-screen electronic interface for a vehicle with the core purpose of traveling in harsh conditions. It seems…
How do you treat raw skin and build calluses after a weekend of rock climbing? My new challenge started a couple of weeks ago after I joined the local climbing gym. A few hours on the artificial walls and I’d peeled the skin off the palms of my hands in seven places. Three of the…
When photographer and writer Shreve Stockton found herself the guardian of a two-week old coyote pup she began taking pictures every day and mailing them to her friends. This grew to a sizable mailing list to which you can subscribe, therby getting your own daily coyote. Aside from being too cute to be legal, these…
I use Google Maps alongside with USGS and USFS maps when I plan a Jeep junket. I just find it easier and faster to browse Google Maps than an actual topo map. The downside is that Google Maps isn’t always accurate. I’ve wound up facing dead ends a number of times following roads that appeared…
