Phil Houtz

square earth theory

Uncharted Territory Now Charted by Fascinating Maps

There’s a peculiar comfort in a map – it extends the boundaries of our consciousness to the furthest regions, giving a clear picture of relationships that might otherwise be lost in the murky fog of our lizard brains. Maps bring to light new possibilites. Maybe I can get there from here… and reveals existing boundaries

Project Trail Dog: the Going Gets Ruff

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When I decided to take on the project of a new dog, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I had previously taken Mr. Moose on a “test drive” and satisfied myself that he was an intelligent dog, willing to learn, eager to please and able to settle down. He met my sketchy

Bucket o’ Links #2: Unnatural Animal Acts

Animals the way nature never intended. Jerry, the World’s Most Human Chimp Unicorn taxidermy ($900) Smuggler busted with geckos taped to chest (pic) Chimpanzee baffled by magic act (Japanese) Paper Keyboard Cat Wall of Fluff (way too much cute) Homing pigeons courier memory cards for whitewater photographers Dog eats Taco Bell burrito in 1 second

Bucket o’ Links #1: Cool Gear

Here are a few links I’ve collected over the years, but an never going to get around to blogging. Enjoy, there are plenty more where these came from: Accessories Bacon Wallet: Looks like bacon, won’t attract dogs. The Goat Do-It-Yourself Gear Backpack Stove: Use a Pepsi can (these work great!) Lifehacker Messenger Bag: Make your

Wildlife Photo Winner: Three Wolves and a Moon

Jose Luis Rodriguez may have faked this year’s most amazing wildlife photo but he could be responsible for the year’s most awesome meme: three wolves jumping over a fence under a full moon. The photoshopped version of Rodreguez’ photo comes from myconfinedspace.com, a site that recycles NSFW, crude, lewd and silly images, by way of

How to Keep a Firm Footing in Icy Weather

There’s nothing worse than going for a morning stroll only to find yourself with the “rubber side up” as they say. Black ice, slippery sidewalks and refrozen snow can be a game-changer for people (like myself) in a certain demographic. I don’t make it to the snow very often, and when I do I’m usually

boney bluff aka sphinx of mu

Day Hike: Mysterious Sphinx of Malibu Found?

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The ruins of a lost civilization are overlooked by hikers on a daily basis in the mountains above Malibu…at least that is what Robert Stanley claims. My mission last week was to explore part of the Santa Monica Mountains and see what, if anything, I could find that supports Stanley’s notion that a lost civilization

Day Hike: Searching for the Lost City of Mu

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Is it possible that there is a lost civilization in the mountains above Malibu? Robert Stanley seems to think so. In 1985 he discovered evidence that convinced him that a pre-Chumash civilization once inhabited the region. The book Weird California fleshes out some of Stanley’s observations, noting that he discovered walls, ramparts and foundations that

car camping

Where to Camp in Ventura County

Whether you’re coming from out of town or just need a quick overnight outdoors break, there are more places to camp around Ventura than you might imagine. The Real Cheap Sports blog has a comprehensive list of campsites in Ventura county. They list phone numbers, locations, amenities and fees. By the way, Real Cheap Sports

Sushi: UR Doing It Wrong (Sushi Etiquette)

The first time I had sashimi, on our honeymoon, I was afraid I would commit some terrible culinary faux pas. Turns out I was right…I’ve been a sushi blunderer all my life. Via Swiss Miss (view their comments for more etiquette tips!)

RIP Art Clokey, Gumby’s Dad

I had the pleasure of meeting Art Cloakey quite a few years ago. He denied that Gumby advocated LSD and he seemed genuinely hurt by Eddie Murphy’s Saturday Night Live portrayal of the little clayboy. “Gumby is an ambassador for all that is good and innocent in the world,” Cloakey said. While Gumby himself brims

Hot Around the Collar: Tools for Walking Dogs

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I’m hoping Moose will be a good trail dog someday. But first I have to figure out how to take him for a walk, without him walking me. Here’s what happens: Moose is pretty dialed in with having me as his pack leader. But on walks he becomes very focused on what’s ahead. He starts

2010 Goes to the Dogs

Suddenly all my plans for 2010 have changed. I’ve been gifted a monstrous dog, that I’m calling Moose, a one year old puppy. the dog is a mix of German Shepherd and we’re not sure what…something that was brindle in color and rather big. Possibly greyhound, possibly Great Dane. We’ll see. Moose has a good