Getting back into the swing...

This is a picture of "J-Dawg" and the only chic we picked up on our hiking trip! :-)

The problem with going in to the woods, even just for a few days, is that being “unplugged” for that period of time is a good reminder of how dependant we have become on technology, being able to get the information we want in seconds, rather than days or weeks. I find myself wanting to be able to Google things that I don’t know, learn, gather information that I once had in my head (like the definition of epistemology), or basically just look stuff up on a whim. I really enjoy that aspect of being “always connected”. However, sometimes it goes to far, doesn’t it? When you miss it, when you get to the top of a beautiful mountain and you switch on your “crack”-berry to check e-mail or see if you have any voicemail. That’s just sad. I embarrass myself a bit with my level of connectedness and my constant need to troll for information, it’s tough to just be sometimes. Then I think of people that are bored with life, they just hang out and watch TV, not interesting TV but sitcoms or other junk (not that downtime is bad, but ALL the time??).

So the unplugged thing was nice, as it is every year. As I was up in Maine I realized there is something that I don’t like about our trip every year. I’m not sure what it is but there is something that I don’t like. I think, maybe, its night. I love to sleep, I love to sleep in the lean-to and I love to sleep in the cold. So what the H-E-double hockies is my problem? I think it’s the length of the sleep time, when the sun is down, we’re in the rack (pretty much, except for drinking and talking by the fire, but you know what I mean). I like to be able to get up and wander or “hunt and gather” at the computer or in a book (usually something mindless for the book). So sometimes it’s hard for me to stay in bed, especially with my sleep patterns as of late. Very strange times indeed.

I have no deep contemplations to share today, nothing of any great import at all. I have thoughts galore, but none that are fit to print. Nah, actually, I’m just getting back into the swing of things and it’ll take some time to process new thoughts and such.

Oooh, I do have one fun bit. I finally got to do some production for one of our local radio stations. I am VERY excited. I love doing production and think that it is one of the things that I am fairly good at. I got to do a spot for the local newspaper, I guess I should turn on the radio and see if it actually airs. It may get rejected by “the boss”!

BS

Baxter, Tributes...

I’m baaaack!!! I can’t say that I’m super thrilled to be back at work and back in the real world. I can tell you that the hot shower and that getting up to use the bathroom didn’t require putting on shoes and freezing was wonderful. We had a great trip, a few mishaps here and there (including them closing our favorite lean-to), all-in-all a good time.

I’ll type more later, it’s been a long day of work and such.



The picture you see here was a tribute four hikers left for their brother/friend who was killed on September 11th 2001, tribute left September 11th 2006 on the top of North Brother. It was touching, I choked up a little.

BS

Knife Edge...

So, I’m off, J-dawg, Mr. LaRoss and I are all headed to Baxter State Park tomorrow. We’ll be spending a few days hiking and hanging in the woods. This trip I look forward to more than almost anything else in the year. It’s an incredible time.

In honor of this event, we contemplate the lyrics of Brooks Williams in the song, “Knife Edge”: (in part)
-------------------------
There is a trail on Main's Mt. Katadin called the "knife edge"; the
exposed path is narrow and the sides fall dangerously away.
Ramblers are warned to take heed in bad weather.
Seems like an apt metaphor for a love song.
-------------------------

So walk the knife edge with me baby
Be my lover, be my friend
There will be wind and stormy weather
Trying to blow us off the edge

I'm afraid that I might lose you
I'm afraid that we might change
I'm afraid one day we just won't talk
And we will never be the same

We've seen it happening to others
They fall right out of touch
Like a wreck out on the highway
We look but can't talk about it much

I cannot beg for more tomorrows
I cannot wish to relive our past
No turning back from joy or sorrow
No way to know our love will last

When your heart is growing weary
And your wits are at their end
I'd like to think that I could help you
If not as your love, then as your friend

A fitting tribute for a trip to Baxter State Park, I should think. I wish you all peace and happiness. I shall return on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Who knows when the next post will be.

BS

Decisions...

Ever have one of those times when someone says something to you and you realize that they are very right. Someone told me that making a decision isn’t a bad thing, basically saying that mental masturbation isn’t the be all and end all, if one makes a decision, it’s a good thing. I think they are right and I appreciate this person very much, especially their willingness to call me on this.

I think I am starting to come to terms with what has had me in this funk lately, I think it was something that I didn’t want to find and that’s what made it all the more difficult to do so. Actually, I’m pretty sure that I’ve known what the issue was for some time, but the answer was the part that I didn’t want to find, now I am working on that part. Not easy, not good when you look inside yourself and find things you don’t like.

So, off on another adventure I go. Now I have to find the answer (or pick from the ones I already have) and then implement it. I leave the close of this very short post to the final Calvin and Hobbes printed in US newspapers.

BS