Snow

Wet snow two days ago whilst I was traveling home from Trumbull, CT. Yesterday there was a bit of snow flaky goodness on the wife's car in the AM.

Today, I just tuned into the Patriots game on the tele and wow...it's snowing hard enough that you can't tell where the yard-lines are on the field.

I hope this is a sign of things to come. I don't care how hard the snow makes my life. I'll pay the electric heat bill. Just give me feet upon feet of the white stuff. Makes me happy!

Maine Primitive Gathering

I have just returned from the Maine Primitive Gathering. Leah and I spent the weekend up there learning all sorts of new things; Birdcalling, plant identification, trading blankets, etc... all cool stuff.

I got to meet a lot of interesting people who share the same interest of relearning some of the lost arts from 'primitive' times. Personally I partook in learning some flintnapping, blacksmithing, knife making, plant identification, bird calling, an archery tournament (borrowed a bow), potluck dinner, and of course camping.

The gentleman teaching the flintnapping is actually known as one of the top flint-nappers in the world, an experience I was not about to pass by. I also got to meet Mr. Arthur Haines, one of the top plant experts in the world as well.

The experience in itself was totally awesome and I look forward to hopefully spending more time with these people learning new skills. I just wish it was a bit closer than Maine.

Clash of the Gods

An excellent show on The History Channel, "Clash of the Gods," examines those myths and legends we are all familiar with. The Greek & Roman gods, legends of Grendel and Beowulf, Odysseus, and a Gorgon are the latest topics that have been covered.

Not only does this show examine the legends as they were told, but it also brings to light present day archeological examination of how these legends may have come to be. They do a good job of summarizing how it may have been possible for these places, peoples, and journeys to have actually taken place. With a little embellishment of course.

It would be awesome if we could go back in time to these periods in history with the knowledge we have now and see how correct we actually are...

Tis the season of change!

I went for my usual hike up the side of Mt Tom today. You know, up the telephone line trail to the top. It is my preferred method of ascent as it is the steepest and shortest way to get all the way up.

On the way down I got whiffs of that "fall" smell. The dead-dry leaf smell coupled with pine pitch. An all to familiar smell up atop Mt. Tom. I am looking forward to the leaves falling completely so I can scope out the sights and check out a few odd...or old...trails I have come across in the middle of the woods.

The wildlife study atop Mt. Tom also seems to be continuing. Oxbow Associates is performing a pretty thorough examination of the local flora and fauna at the request of Holyoke Gas and Electric. Although I do not know of too many details, what I do know is that they are interested in installing wind and/or solar energy equipment atop the mountain. I'm still not sure where I stand on this. They need to release more details before I come to a conclusion.

---
On a different note of 'change', the wife and I have become addicted to a new show on TV, "Weeds." The show follows the life of a windowed mom of two who turns to selling marijuana to provide support for her family in an affluent fictional development in CA. Her world starts spinning round and round when things spiral out of control without warning. Sounds odd, yes, but really...it's a funny show!

Mary-Louise Parker plays the naive mom of two breaking into the Mary-Jane dealing world. She hooks up with a few street-smart growers and dealers, and the result is most entertaining. Just picture a rich, innocent-looking white mom deposited into the back-street drug-using subculture. Seem a little out of place?

Throughout the show they do use pretty good taste and the actual use of drugs is not shown heavily on screen. The producers also do an excellent job of reeling in the comedy once in a while to remind viewers that the world of drug dealing can be quite serious despite the light-hearted on-screen scenes.

Check it out on Netflix on-demand, Netflix DVD rentals, or the latest episodes on the Showtime channel.

Trip

In MN for a little corporate visit. Should be fun...

...

I have decided that should the weather be good in August when I go to New Hampshire, I will clamber up the side of Mt. Washington.

Currently my diet of slim jims and watching TV is probably note the best way to attain conditioning for the long haul...

Maine banning smoking at public beaches?

Apparently Maine has a passed a bill into law banning smoking at public beaches, state parks, and other public attractions. The smokers are of course up in arms about it.

"What next, I won't be able to smoke in my back yard?" They say. Well, no, that will not happen. You see, Mr. Smoker, your back yard is private property, not public property. And as long as your smoke isn't annoying someone on public property, you are fine.

One of the factors cited in the passing of the law was the improper disposal of butts. Yes, there is nothing more disgusting than walking a beach littered with butts. I do realize that the vast majority of smokers do not dispose of their waste in such a manner, but unfortunately we must make a blanket law in this case.

You smokers can cry violation of civil liberties all you want. The bottom line, however, is that you have chosen to engage in an activity that is a hazard to the health of other people around you. Secondhand smoke is an infringement on other people's health. This makes people who do not smoke not able to go to public places of their choosing.

What we have here is an infringement of civil liberties on both parties. Given the choice, the party who is voluntarily causing a health hazard should be the party who takes the brunt of the legislation. You chose to start smoking, knowing it is a hazard to you and others around you. It is a problem to me when you choose to sit next to me and I inhale your smoke. Go away.

There are many hazards that come along with smoking. The obvious is cancer and other respiratory diseases that the smoker and people exposed to secondhand smoke can come down with. The less obvious, but still important in terms of public beaches and forests, is the disposal of butts. Not only can they start fires, but the butts themselves are a hazard to animals that may eat them; They are a hazard to children who may play with them; Lastly they also do no biodegrade, so when deposited in a public place we need to spend money to have someone else pick them up lest they become unsightly.

If you would like more information see the bill here: http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNews/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/1858/ItemId/10514/Default.aspx

Slobs

Something has been annoying me these past few days. The other day I went for a hike after work. I parked in a rather uncommon spot for the trail head, only hikers who are super familiar with these particular trails park at this spot.

So I parked, and go hiking. It was a good hike, up to Mt. Tom, played around the mountain a bit, then back to the car.

So as I am getting back to the car I notice a discarded Pretzel Time food container discarded on the ground. In the middle of the trail, not 50 feet from the parking spot. One of those cups that the pretzel bites come in. I thought maybe I didn't see it when I embarked on my trip...but no...no, I'm pretty sure it wasn't there.

Being the good doobie I am I picked it up...yep, fresh grease in the bottom of the container and not a speck of dust, dirt, or other nature-goodness in it. As I was mumbling under my breath about how lazy people are I noticed there was a new car parked next to me. It wasn't there when I had left.

And guess what was on the dashboard...a fresh solo container of Pretzel Time dipping cheese that goes along with the pretzel bites. I said to myself "are you serious. Really? Are you kidding me??" I so felt like taking that pretzel time cup and putting in under the guy's windshield wiper with a note saying "ground is not trash can, slob!"

So, Mr. VW Passat driver...pick your crap up off of the ground. Squirrels don't like pretzel bites. And I find it ironic that you are probably the outdoorsy somewhat fit type out for a hike, yet before you left you consumed 1000 calories of butter-filled heart-stopping crap food. Yeck.

Hike

Went for a hike today up at the old Eyrie House ruins. When I was up there admiring the view I noticed a little placard on the parking lot fence that said "John's Place". I wonder who John was. Perhaps someone who enjoyed the view from up here?

Check out the first part of this video I found on youtube. Must be from back in the 60s. Some guy drove his car off of the parking lot up by the Eyrie House whilst being chased by the State Police.

Weather

The weather seems to be turning nicer, at least during the day. I'm not sure what this whole 19 degrees a night thing is all about, however. Seriously...19 degrees?

I am debating what to do tomorrow. I know I need to get the car inspected. And I know I need to do shopping. I do not, however, know which outdoor activity I should partake in. Certainly a geocache, yes?