catbirdseat

The Moose and the Fat Kid are seldom far from one another.

We're in the midst of a knock down drag out arms race between the spammers and those who write antispam code. It is interesting to watch. Meanwhile, antispam legislation could put an end to it, but spammers are well represented by their Republican congressmen, so don't get your hopes up.

Every time I see a homeless mentally insane person on the street, I think of Reagan and how he closed so many of the institutes that provided care for these people. It is a fact.

I worked on trail building in the Darrington RD. My group of 10 rebuilt about 400 ft of badly eroded tread on a steep slope. The rain held off while we worked Saturday and only set in as we hiked out. On the road back into town we encountered a number of cars pulled off the road with people milling about. We stopped to inquire about what was going on and learned that they were searching for a dog that had been missing for 11 days. They had lost two beagle/hound mix dogs and one had been recovered and turned into the ranger station. The other was reported seen on the road where we found the people searching. Just about everyone had plunged into the brush calling the dog, when this very skinny animal comes onto the road looking very skittish. A white pickup pulled up belonging to the owner who managed to grab ahold of the frightened beast. The dog was tied in the bed of the pickup with its nose in a bucket of chow as we left. That probably wasn't the best idea for them to let it eat ad lib, starved as it was.

I think that regardless of one's own thoughts are on the risk of the route, he should also consider those of his SO. Whether her concerns are valid are irrelevant. She will worry nonetheless if you go. I'm thinking I don't want to put her through a lot of worry, especially since the route will still be there next year and likely with less notoriety about it.

I'll give you a piece of my mind. The expression you seek is "peace of mind".

Don't speed and you will never get speeding tickets. I wasn't speeding when I was pulled over in Snoqualmie by a cop who was going the other way and pulled U-turn. I got out of a ticket by denying that I was going over the speed limit. He said I was 10 over and I said I was not. I got a warning, but he got me on expired proof of insurance.

I'm supposed to be climbing this route in another week and now my wife is trying to disuade me. She thinks it is a death route.

It seems to me that Americans more than any other people insist on having their familiar cultural icons wherever they go. Why is this? Are we more conceited? Are we just less exposed to other cultures? Why don't we better appreciate differences. I think it is horrible how the rest of the world seems to be trying to emulate us culturally. The world is trending towards the same numbing sameness that we find in this country.

I guess what she is asking is tourism always negative in a cultural sense? I think it can be economically beneficial. If your belly is empty, you tend to place more emphasis on getting more food as opposed to preserving your own culture.

Ken, sometime in the near future, medical science will figure out a way to defeat the need for sleep. It will be equivalent to extending our lives by 1/3. Think about it.

I may be stating the obvious, but whatever system you use, remember to talk about what it is before the leader sets out on the first pitch. It's really easy to get all excited and forget to talk about the system you are going to use. As for myself, I like Matt's system of three "huge" tugs only when the follower is on belay. That way, there can be no mistake wherein the leader is taken off belay prematurely. He is on belay the entire time he is building the anchor.

Dru's new avatar image

Did they know it would take two ropes to accomplish the lower before they stated? I, as the belayer, would want to have personal responsibility for all aspects of the lower. This means that the climber doesn't unclip from the top anchor until I've tied the ropes together myself. I've seen what can happen when a bunch of people are around you talking at you, distracting you. Sometimes you have to tell everyone, "just shut up, I need to concentrate on what I'm doing".

Sounds far out, but we're more into climbing than backpacking, but there likely will be some interest.

Fantastic pictures. Now I want to go to Nepal.

Sounds like some high maintence ex-girlfriends i have had. She left out the most important part of the story. The only thing that was left in the box after Pandora slapped the lid back on it was Hope.

He wagged his finger at me when I told him to "have a beer". What's with that?

Saturday, hiked easy 8 miles to check out new Lime Kiln Trail. Looks great. No eagles in the nest yet. Sunday, yard work and afternoon with wife at Folklife where we watched some Scottish Fiddlers. Monday, hiked up old Mt. Si trail with a heavy pack to top of Haystack in 2 hours flat. On return to parking lot, met JHamaker pulling up to climb at Little Si. Lot all full. Was more than happy to give a fellow cc.com person my parking spot.

After a little research I've learned that 1) Stun guns aren't all that expensive, 2) Some are pretty small, and 3) Only a few states restrict them and Washington is not on the list.

I've heard it said that it is easier to get a license to carry a gun than it is to carry a Taser. Is that true?

The article suggested that "back then" the people didn't criticize the judgement of those running the government. If you don't think Lincoln wasn't criticized for his actions during the Civil War, you better go do some reading. Lincoln had a huge number of detractors who fought him tooth and nail. The country was divided. It was only through his keen political skills that Lincoln was able to stay the course.

The problem with the gun is that it represented a huge escalation of the situation. Once the warning shot was fired, a whole chain of events was unleased. Had the gun not been present, it is likely no one would have been hurt. A stick or hiking pole would have been a more suitable defense, and would have likely held the dog off until the owner arrived. Guns are so destructive that obviously they should be a last resort. For that to be so, you need a first resort, like a big stick. I was out running in Kinnear Park once. I had sprinted up a big hill and was out of breath. A big guy was walking his little white shaggy dog when the dog rushed me. I was forced to stop and and yell, "call your dog off". The guy did absolutely nothing. I kicked at the dog to keep it off me. He rushed me and grabbed my arm. I was so out of breath I was helpless. He raised a fist and only some fast talking and an "apology" got me out of a beating. If I had a gun, I likely would have shot the guy or his dog. It would have been far worse with the gun. If you bring you dog with you on the trail, please use a leash. I am sure you little puppy is an absolute angel, but I don't care. Use the leash.

See post by Poseur . Ah, Personals. That was a funny thread. Bring back trask.

Plan Nine from Outer Space Jaws II Jaws II was so bad we laughed a bit too loudly and got kicked out of the theater.