Yesterday I took a mental health day and we went to Ogden.
We took Frontrunner, which in itself was a blast. The cars are double-deckers so you can sit in the top row and watch all the single driver cars go by on Legacy Highway and I-15 (pretty rightously indignant of me huh?). The trip took about an hour from the 5300 so. Traxx station to the Ogden Frontrunner depot. The best part was that it cost only $12 for 4 of us for both Traxx and Frontrunner. I don't know how crowded it gets during rush hour but there were plenty of seats for us during the seniors run.
We then went to a place only a few blocks from the Odgen Frontrunner station called iFly. It is a big fan in a tall room that lets you simulate skydiving without the fear of hitting the pavement at terminal velocity. It was a blast.
Again we were there during off peak time, but the instructor spent a lot of time with us telling us how to get the most out of our experience. Each of our "flights" (we had two of them lasting about 1 and a half minutes each) was guided by the instructor. On the second "flight" he did a few tricks with us, letting us soar up to the top of the tall room (30 -40 feet tall) and down again. What a rush! It was a bit of a workout but it beat the heck out of a ride at the other amusement park in that area. The cost was a bit steep ($50 each) but I would definately go again. You really felt like you were skydiving and there was no fear of suffering from deceleration trauma.
We also got a video of each of our turns set to reggae music. All in all a really fun experience.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
What is Wrong with the Movies?
The Movies have changed in the past 40 years, and in my opinion not for the better.
Movies used to be made because someone cared about a story and they were able to assemble the right people to tell that story. Yes, some of them became iconic representations of what people felt at the time, but that was a result of the movie being made, not the reason for it.
I was watching a movie review program this week and they were recapping the movies from the first half of 2010. I hadn't seen any of them. I thought about the last time I went to see a movie in the movie theater.
I saw "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr. at Christmas. Everyone I went with said they liked it. To me it was 2 hours of video games. Every 3.2 seconds something or someone was flying through the air, clinging to life, or about to have their life ended.
That's why I don't go to the movies. Too many are made to be blockbusters, as Sherlock Holmes was. They go into production expecting to be the next big thing. They give the audience what they want so they can tally up the numbers and say "I told you this would be big". That is why we get the video game masquerading as a movie, because that's what the "audiences" want.
The story telling movies are relegated to the Indie festivals, most being seen by artsy-fartsy types (some of my best friends are artsy-fartsy types) and don't get into general release unless someone channels them into the mainstream movie market.
What happened to the making of movies like "Its a Wonderful Life", "Twelve Angry Men" and "The Great Escape". These movies were made because someone cared about the story and had the ability to tell it.
There are a few crafts men and women who are doing this now. Rob Reiner and the Coen Brothers are a few. Look at "The Princess Bride" and O Brother Where Art Thou?". Neither of these were accepted by the general public until they were in release for a while. Many of these artist's films are still unknown to much of the public.
Back to the movie review show. I don't want to see a movie in its first run because I don't believe the hype. The studios promote the heck out of a film because they have so much at stake with each film. They can always find someone to say "this is the film of the year" and I don't want to spend countless hours and dollars seeing everything that comes out and weeding through the dross to find the good stuff.
An example is the movie "the Hangover". I think this is a really funny movie. I have rented it several times and I still get a kick out of it. The thing is that there are so many ensemble guy movies out there, most of them really bad (the latest that comes to mind is "Get Him to the Greek" and anything with Seth Rogen) and all claiming to be the next big thing, that I don't know where to spend my time and money until the movie has passed me by.
These movie review shows give me enough of a glimpse beyond the hype that I can whittle the field down to a few I want to see. I just wish I could get this information when the movie is first out. Oh well, I guess I will put my copy of "A Few Good Men" into the DVD player and wait for the next round of "the BEST Movie of the Year" to come out.
Movies used to be made because someone cared about a story and they were able to assemble the right people to tell that story. Yes, some of them became iconic representations of what people felt at the time, but that was a result of the movie being made, not the reason for it.
I was watching a movie review program this week and they were recapping the movies from the first half of 2010. I hadn't seen any of them. I thought about the last time I went to see a movie in the movie theater.
I saw "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr. at Christmas. Everyone I went with said they liked it. To me it was 2 hours of video games. Every 3.2 seconds something or someone was flying through the air, clinging to life, or about to have their life ended.
That's why I don't go to the movies. Too many are made to be blockbusters, as Sherlock Holmes was. They go into production expecting to be the next big thing. They give the audience what they want so they can tally up the numbers and say "I told you this would be big". That is why we get the video game masquerading as a movie, because that's what the "audiences" want.
The story telling movies are relegated to the Indie festivals, most being seen by artsy-fartsy types (some of my best friends are artsy-fartsy types) and don't get into general release unless someone channels them into the mainstream movie market.
What happened to the making of movies like "Its a Wonderful Life", "Twelve Angry Men" and "The Great Escape". These movies were made because someone cared about the story and had the ability to tell it.
There are a few crafts men and women who are doing this now. Rob Reiner and the Coen Brothers are a few. Look at "The Princess Bride" and O Brother Where Art Thou?". Neither of these were accepted by the general public until they were in release for a while. Many of these artist's films are still unknown to much of the public.
Back to the movie review show. I don't want to see a movie in its first run because I don't believe the hype. The studios promote the heck out of a film because they have so much at stake with each film. They can always find someone to say "this is the film of the year" and I don't want to spend countless hours and dollars seeing everything that comes out and weeding through the dross to find the good stuff.
An example is the movie "the Hangover". I think this is a really funny movie. I have rented it several times and I still get a kick out of it. The thing is that there are so many ensemble guy movies out there, most of them really bad (the latest that comes to mind is "Get Him to the Greek" and anything with Seth Rogen) and all claiming to be the next big thing, that I don't know where to spend my time and money until the movie has passed me by.
These movie review shows give me enough of a glimpse beyond the hype that I can whittle the field down to a few I want to see. I just wish I could get this information when the movie is first out. Oh well, I guess I will put my copy of "A Few Good Men" into the DVD player and wait for the next round of "the BEST Movie of the Year" to come out.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Memorial Day
We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We didn't go with the crowds this time. We went at our own pace and that seemed to work out just fine.
I wanted to do something fun this weekend, but each suggested activity came with throngs of people recreating along with me. This holiday is the unofficial opening of summer and with the cold wet spring we have had here in Happy Valley, it was a chance for the masses to get out and stretch.
On Thursday I noticed a lot of campers heading out of the city. The news reported that some of the high country camp grounds were still buried in snow. Camping sounded like the makings for a congested fight for survival rather than a relaxing long weekend.
On Friday my brother invited us up to the land. That sounded nice. We would be away from the crowds and it was only a two hour ride, rather than the 4+ to Moab.
They couldn't arrive until Sunday afternoon and we wanted to get back Monday so we decided to go up Saturday evening. We arrived about 9 pm, the roads were surprisingly clear of travel trailers and overloaded mini-vans. We set up our sleeping arrangements in the cabin and fell asleep to the sound of the wind and the light show of billions of stars over our heads.
We got up Sunday and went for a walk and then returned to the cabin to lunch and a nap. There is nothing like a nap in the day when there is nothing else to do and no one to bother you. I drifted off to sleep dreaming of the creatures that share this land with us. We often see evidence of other inhabitants on the land but rarely see one. They must lurk just out of sight, being curious but afraid.
That afternoon the others arrived and we had dinner. It was good to spend some time with my brothers and family. The kids are getting so big and are really fun to hang out with.
Just before we set off for home we heard a pack of dogs/coyotes/wolves. I'm not sure what they were but they howled and barked and yelped. We usually hear them in the spring, but these seemed closer. My brother and I sent off to look for them. As soon as we crested the hill outside of camp they went quiet. It was dusk and the light was dim. We couldn't see them at all but we knew they were there. We wanted around for a while until my brother suggested we might not want to encounter them. We scurried back to camp before it got dark and we might accidentally stumble upon them.
The drive back Sunday night was uneventful just like the drive up Saturday night. You wouldn't know it was a major holiday weekend. It was a pleasure, not at all what I expected.
We awoke in our own beds Monday morning and went about the day gardening and cleaning house. Except for a parking lot jam at Home Depot we were left to our own devices and set our own pace.
This less hectic pace allowed me to think about the people who are no longer with us but that have left a huge imprint on my life. Two women stand out in particular; my mother and my grandmother. I had time to reflect on how thankful I was that they were part of my life and that they would always be a part of me.
I am also thankful for the service men and women that have given their talents, time and in some cases lives, so that we may continue to take for granted the liberties we have. Each day I enjoy their efforts without knowing them.
Here I am back at my desk on Tuesday morning, my hands are rough from the yard work, I am sleepy and achy from the physical exercise, but I am thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to have a slow weekend and thankful for those who, seen and unseen, have done so much for me.
God Bless You.
I wanted to do something fun this weekend, but each suggested activity came with throngs of people recreating along with me. This holiday is the unofficial opening of summer and with the cold wet spring we have had here in Happy Valley, it was a chance for the masses to get out and stretch.
On Thursday I noticed a lot of campers heading out of the city. The news reported that some of the high country camp grounds were still buried in snow. Camping sounded like the makings for a congested fight for survival rather than a relaxing long weekend.
On Friday my brother invited us up to the land. That sounded nice. We would be away from the crowds and it was only a two hour ride, rather than the 4+ to Moab.
They couldn't arrive until Sunday afternoon and we wanted to get back Monday so we decided to go up Saturday evening. We arrived about 9 pm, the roads were surprisingly clear of travel trailers and overloaded mini-vans. We set up our sleeping arrangements in the cabin and fell asleep to the sound of the wind and the light show of billions of stars over our heads.
We got up Sunday and went for a walk and then returned to the cabin to lunch and a nap. There is nothing like a nap in the day when there is nothing else to do and no one to bother you. I drifted off to sleep dreaming of the creatures that share this land with us. We often see evidence of other inhabitants on the land but rarely see one. They must lurk just out of sight, being curious but afraid.
That afternoon the others arrived and we had dinner. It was good to spend some time with my brothers and family. The kids are getting so big and are really fun to hang out with.
Just before we set off for home we heard a pack of dogs/coyotes/wolves. I'm not sure what they were but they howled and barked and yelped. We usually hear them in the spring, but these seemed closer. My brother and I sent off to look for them. As soon as we crested the hill outside of camp they went quiet. It was dusk and the light was dim. We couldn't see them at all but we knew they were there. We wanted around for a while until my brother suggested we might not want to encounter them. We scurried back to camp before it got dark and we might accidentally stumble upon them.
The drive back Sunday night was uneventful just like the drive up Saturday night. You wouldn't know it was a major holiday weekend. It was a pleasure, not at all what I expected.
We awoke in our own beds Monday morning and went about the day gardening and cleaning house. Except for a parking lot jam at Home Depot we were left to our own devices and set our own pace.
This less hectic pace allowed me to think about the people who are no longer with us but that have left a huge imprint on my life. Two women stand out in particular; my mother and my grandmother. I had time to reflect on how thankful I was that they were part of my life and that they would always be a part of me.
I am also thankful for the service men and women that have given their talents, time and in some cases lives, so that we may continue to take for granted the liberties we have. Each day I enjoy their efforts without knowing them.
Here I am back at my desk on Tuesday morning, my hands are rough from the yard work, I am sleepy and achy from the physical exercise, but I am thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to have a slow weekend and thankful for those who, seen and unseen, have done so much for me.
God Bless You.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
All Hope Is Lost II
OK so I was on a downer bender when I wrote this. Thanks to everyone who commented.
The Jazz did end up sucking, lots of people are upset about Bob Bennett being kicked to the curb (see my favorite newspaper's opinion section today) and I still maintain we as a society would do better if we focused on curing cancer rather than putting instructions on plastic grocery bags.
The Jazz did end up sucking, lots of people are upset about Bob Bennett being kicked to the curb (see my favorite newspaper's opinion section today) and I still maintain we as a society would do better if we focused on curing cancer rather than putting instructions on plastic grocery bags.
Monday, May 10, 2010
All Hope Is Lost
I had a boss who used to say "If you are a hammer everything looks like a nail". I guess I was a hammer this morning because everything I looked at seemed to fit the title of this post - All Hope is Lost.
I opened my favorite newspaper and saw this headline plastered in big type on the front of the sports page. Way to support the Jazz. They were referring to the fact that the Jazz lost it's third game in a row to the Lakers. The Jazz are facing elimination but once again "Salt Lake's Independent Voice" shows it is a class act (scarcasm).
Entry number two in this category is the elimination of 3 time Senator Robert Bennett from consideration as candidate by the delegates at the Republican Convention this week. Are we really that short sited that we can push a public servant to the curb that quickly without at least having the people have their say? If this is the future of our political system maybe "All Hope is Lost".
The last concept in this thread is the scariest one. It refers to nothing less than all of humanity. When I went shopping this weekend I found a plastic bag with directions on it. Are we really that stupid or lazy that we need instructions on a plastic bag? Next thing you know there will be a disclaimer that the provider of the bag will not be responsible for its improper use; oh yeah, we already have this with dry cleaning bags. I say we need to let people suffer from their own mistakes and maybe we can thin out the herd enough that we won't have to have directions on plastic bags. If this is the way things are going 
maybe "All Hope is Lo
st".
maybe "All Hope is Lo
st".Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Vote Carroon
Yesterday Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Carroon chose his running mate. She is Republican state representative Sheryl Allen. Nice move Mr. Mayor.
I am a fan of Peter Corroon's work as Mayor of Salt Lake County. He has been active in the green movement and has set fiscal restraints on the County that were needed. I have a friend who works for him and has only good things to say about him. He is for small, transparent, effective government. The City Weekly likes him.
I am not a fan of the present Govenor, Gary Herbert. He is a clone of the Utah legislature and was not voted in (he was Lt. Gov when John Huntsman Jr. resigned to be emperor of China) Herbert has been absent on critical issues and seems wishy-washy. His greatest public appeal has been to be a flu fighter. He could have been a stand up gov this past legislative session but chose to just let bills slide through, he signed 400 bills and vetoed only 3.
Other reasons that Ms. Allen is a good choice as a running mate for Peter Carroon; she is from Davis County, one of the more moderate counties in Utah (unlike the one behind the Zion Curtain), she is an educator and will most likely keep education in the forefront of her political asperations and most of all she has made a career of opposing the dominant thought pattern in the Utah Legislature. That makes her OK in my book.
Another reason to vote for Carroon/Allen is that they are 20 points behind the present Govenor. I am always a fan of the underdog, particularly if they are better than the favorite.
Anyway, here is to a fun political season and if nothing else hopefully I have sparked some interest.
I am a fan of Peter Corroon's work as Mayor of Salt Lake County. He has been active in the green movement and has set fiscal restraints on the County that were needed. I have a friend who works for him and has only good things to say about him. He is for small, transparent, effective government. The City Weekly likes him.
I am not a fan of the present Govenor, Gary Herbert. He is a clone of the Utah legislature and was not voted in (he was Lt. Gov when John Huntsman Jr. resigned to be emperor of China) Herbert has been absent on critical issues and seems wishy-washy. His greatest public appeal has been to be a flu fighter. He could have been a stand up gov this past legislative session but chose to just let bills slide through, he signed 400 bills and vetoed only 3.
Other reasons that Ms. Allen is a good choice as a running mate for Peter Carroon; she is from Davis County, one of the more moderate counties in Utah (unlike the one behind the Zion Curtain), she is an educator and will most likely keep education in the forefront of her political asperations and most of all she has made a career of opposing the dominant thought pattern in the Utah Legislature. That makes her OK in my book.
Another reason to vote for Carroon/Allen is that they are 20 points behind the present Govenor. I am always a fan of the underdog, particularly if they are better than the favorite.
Anyway, here is to a fun political season and if nothing else hopefully I have sparked some interest.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Hi There
Hello,
I have been absent from the blogosphere for a month now. Not intentionally, not due to injury or dementia, but due purely to a lack of interest on my part.
I have been on a few trips into the outback without my trusty blog machine, but each time I resurfaced I thought more about getting my work done than regaling you all with the details of my exploits.
To those who are followers of this blog, both of you, I hope my absence has not caused any emotional inconvenience. I thank you for your continued support and hope you have not completely lost interest.
More to come . . . .
I have been absent from the blogosphere for a month now. Not intentionally, not due to injury or dementia, but due purely to a lack of interest on my part.
I have been on a few trips into the outback without my trusty blog machine, but each time I resurfaced I thought more about getting my work done than regaling you all with the details of my exploits.
To those who are followers of this blog, both of you, I hope my absence has not caused any emotional inconvenience. I thank you for your continued support and hope you have not completely lost interest.
More to come . . . .
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