Merry Christmas, from Phantom Ranch!

@ the bottom of the Grand Canyon

Today

K Max Heli Lift Truck at the Canyon

http://rainierheli.com/pages/Heavy_Lift/?PHPSESSID=1d67fa136bd503923a23d5b8c5afc052

Here are some pictures from the vehicle extrication at Grand Canyon National Park, on November 30th 2009.

What I Don't Have

Everything I can possibly give will not be enough for someone whom wants something I don't have in the first place. People are imperfect and varied, which is what makes relationships with other humans so special and wonderful.

Turkey Blow Up: Thanksgiving 2009

Prep:

I am a go with the flow kind of person. I dubiously turn tragedies it into a quirky anecdotes for the amusement of myself and friends. I would much rather laugh about failures and misadventures, than mull over what a fuck up I am, or someone else is.

That being said, I had high expectations for a fun relaxed and insanely busy Thanksgiving in my home this year. The God of propane and propane accessories had other plans. I had a minor gas leak, which took my kitchen out of service for 45 minutes, and my stove out of commission for about 3 hours. Thank goodness for my neighbors and use of their oven. I am glad Brandon was already planing on joining us for dinner, hence had a free oven.Turkey was only served one hour late, and almost every single person had a great time. Its about the people, really, not the stinking bird!

High on the Canyon: Boundary Patrol

I have muled it in the moonlight, hiked it in deep snow and extreme heat, excavated its history, rafted its waters and swam through its rapids, but nothing made my love for it feel so large as a boundary flight patrol. Damn, I am in love with this canyon!

The Esplanade.
Prop effects.
Best High Ever!
I really do love my job.
Near Peace Ferry and Meadview.
The Meadview Strip with my Park's Patrol Plane.

Halloween 2009 Hike

I spent this Halloween on Tanner Beach, which is located at the bottom of, you guessed it, the Tanner Trail. I hiked in with my Ranger friend, Laura, who happens to be made of similar to mine own go-with-the-flow material. She should have been a big mean grouchy panted person, due to cold weather, a surprise upper respiratory infection, and oh, I don't know, being in the backcountry instead of in Vegas for Halloween, but man we had a great time! Even in a tent on sleeping pads, our matching synthetic 25 degree Kelty bags were not sufficient for 41 degree lows. We did not get out on the Beemer trail as planed due to, perhaps being too relaxed and enjoying out vacation too much, or we can blame the nasty chest congestion Laura woke up with on Day 2. I lost one half of my expensive Leki hiking poles down a gully in the dark night at the end of our hike and we then topped out in the chilly night air, to find my truck battery dead.

A BIG Thank you to Dutchy, for the late night Jump and last minute Dachshund Sitting.

http://www.smokeythepig.com/albums/Tanner/

Handi Girl Takes Down The Tool

I know I wrote a lot about my Pre Riot Fest excitement, but failed to update on the actual event. I was sort of waiting to sort out photos, but then I got lazy or more likely, distracted. The music was awesome, but here is my favorite cultural memory:

I entered The Punken Drunken Bowling Fest with some high school palls. I am a shitey, but happy bowler. Free Jameson's was passed around, which may explain the following event.
Our lane was situated between a group of skinny intellectual type musicians and a set of "gone to the beer belly" heroes of high school pasts. Further down to our left was a group of Punker girls to include a chick with staples in her head, wearing a safety helmet and a full leg splint. Every one was having great time when one of the very tall (6-5 or so) beer bellied man ran up to one of the more compact (read smaller than me) guys, belly first, of course. It was as though BeerBelly was a shepherd attempting to heard Compact Boy, his naughty sheep, with aforementioned belly away from... I don't know, maybe the Jameson's? I had not seen these two talk or even look at each other, so I was mildly confused. Beer belly gesticulated and seemed concerned that Compact may have had a problem. Compact suddenly did have problem and just as Beerbelly was backing off gave him a big what for in the face. That is, he punched Beer Belly in the face. At the same time, Handi Girl, whom I later learned was highly medicated and just released from the hospital, made a running jump, circling her arm around BeerBelly and bringing him to the ground, where she proceeded to beat the ever loving shite out of him.
Nobody puts Baby in a corner.

Murder and Mayhem in My Bed: A Book Review

Why is it that I find this book so fascinating come bedtime? I put off reading this book about Mormon history, faith and violence, because I thought it might be a bit on the hateful side. I prefer my newspapers and non fiction books with a complete scope of facts, and am often disappointed by the lack of information conveyed due to a skewed view point. Yes, yes, the story of Mormonism's creation is ever so out there, just as is the stories of the creation of the Muslim and Christian faiths. Religion, well, it is not generally a credible thing. People use their faith as launching pads for great acts of charity as well as heinous crimes against mankind, no matter the brand. It is not the roots of a religion which ultimately matter, but the modern day applications of it.

The only beef I had with Krakauer's report, was his portrayal of the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping. He stated that she was more prone to succumb to the brain washing of a violent pedophile because of her Mormon upbringing, not because she was a child. Krakauer supported this idea not with facts but by failing to mention the threats made against Smart's family, in particular her younger sister, as well as statistics involving abducted children and Stockholm's Syndrome. Children are amazingly adaptable, and rely on their survival instincts more than their rationale. Aside from this minor disappointment, I thoroughly enjoyed this case study, per say, of the ladder of religiously inspired fundamentalism and violence.

Riot Fest Bowling

My vacation itinerary includes the following:

RIOT FEST 2009 DRUNKEN BOWLING TOURNAMENT
Friday October 9th and Saturday October 10th come join us at the legendary Fireside Bowl as the First Annual Riot Fest Drunken Bowling Tournament commences! Put together a team with a witty name and bowl on the lanes that you probably used to spit on as a teenager with members of some of your favorite bands! Registration will cost $96 for a four person team and both nights the bowling will start at 10:30 PM so there's no need to miss any of the shows. Each night's winner will get backstage passes to the remaining Congress Theater show of their choosing as well as chances to win various forms of free shit throughout the night. Sorry kids but because of the late running time these events will have to be 21+.
The Fireside Bowl is located at 2648 W. Fullerton, as if you didn't know that already.

Count Downs

9 days till I fly to Chicago

10 days till I hang out with Wild Bill and Aunt Mary

11 days till I go to Riot Fest 2009

12 days till I get to see the Dead Milkmen

14 days till I fly back to the park

15 days till I start my much better job!

Out of the Woods

You're out of the woods, You're out of the dark, You're out of the night.
Step into the sun, Step into the light.
Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place
On the Face of the Earth or the sky.
Hold onto your breath, Hold onto your heart, Hold onto your hope.
March up to the gate and bid it open!

-Wizard of Oz

I would not usually be pleased to catch myself singing this ef'ing shrill song, but the circumstances surrounding said spontaneous outbursts are nothing but joyful. Life is good. New job is good. I'll take your peppy lyrics and raise you a swing in my walk and some pepper in my talk.

In other news: Cell phone died. "No chargeee no more." Driving 90 miles to get an iPhone this weekend. I can be reached by email or via my home phone, should you have either of those. I think you can message me via this site should you be lacking complete information.

Recommendation: The Weight Of Silence

I found this little gem of a book while traveling back from Buffalo NY to Arizona. As usual my mid flight was completely canceled and I ended up with some time to spare. I visited the airport Barnes and Noble and asked for a truly wonderful piece of fiction. As of late I have been hitting the non fiction department quite a lot. I was due for a piece of fiction I could sink my teeth into. The clearly passionate female staff member handed me this book: The Weight of Silence by first time Author, Heather Gudenkauf. I ended up saving it for a later day. When I picked it up I could not put it down until I finished it that night.

Synopsis: Two little girl friends disappear. One, a shy selective mute, and the other, a socially adept ray of sunshine. They both are found missing from their rooms in the early morning hours. The story is told from the perspectives of both girls as well as that of parents, a sibling and a Deputy.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

http://theweightofsilence.com/WeightOfSilence/

Missile Toe's December 2009 Line Up

If you happen to be in Akron, Ohio in December, Missile Toe will be out playing as usual. Perhaps I will come home for the holidays after all?

Missile Toe: http://missiletoe.com/index.html

Gigs: http://missiletoe.com/gigs.html

Appalachian Trail 2007

As always, a sarong is involved... the Argyle socks are just a bonus.
My kinda camping, thanks to Ranger Liz!
hitchhiker (not me, the leaf)

As A Small Child...(For my Baby Brother, on his 20th Birthday)

As a small childI often felt alone
whether in the same room with my vocal family
or from the dark stairwell above
listening to their oh so poigniantly temporary enjoyment of life,
or peacefully alone in a room
memorizing the pattern of a particular wallpaper
or tile.
I would feel the beauty or sadness in a moment
The current of which would sweep me off to another land
A small island
where my soul could sing or cry
dance or bask in the sun soaked rain of emotions
in a way i was unable to around people.
I knew the god they spoke of came from the same space as fairy tales
and that the real power in the universe was
far more Everything
then they let on.
I had chosen to be here
but was a bit lonely
waiting for my kindred.
Someone had to speak this wordless language
of observation!
Michael was finally born into this world when I was 11.
He knew a place a lot like my island.
Said he'd just been there himself.
When I felt that current take me away, I took him with me.
Oh, he was a wise man,
Small and kind.
Stronger then anyone I'd ever met.
Accepted me.
Understood everything.
All the time.
I would sit on the dark steps
holding his pudgy body to my chest
and cry on his shoulder
as he held onto me
because that is what babies are are supposed to do.
12-25-2007

Life on the Rocks

My Office Space Droid

My office has it's own Gnk Droid.

Flying Circus of Physics

For a truly enjoyable learning experience visit:

http://www.flyingcircusofphysics.com/index.aspx

DIY Helicopter

http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/2009-08/will-chinese-farmers-diy-helicopter-fly

A Chinese farmer is awaiting government approval to launch his $1,600 DIY helicopter. Gives me an idea...

Williamsville, NY

I have noticed that Frank Lloyd Wright is every hometown's Sweetheart.

No, that glowing orb is not of the moon, but of man made creation. Civilization is fantastic!

18 years of Anticipation for The Dead Milkmen Show

Finally!

http://www.riotfest.org/

October 9th and 10th The Dead Milkmen shall return to the stage in Chicago's Riot Fest line up. As a young fan, I was either too young or too grounded to see a Dead Milkmen show, and then they dit the darndest thing. They retired. Before I could drive a car. So, not fair, I know, but now since they are playing again, I feel better about the whole situation. ;)

Akron, O Akron!: Pull of the Past and RooBrew

Though I have moved Westward, I have noticed that my heart is still stuck on Akron. While I have no plans to move back, my mind frequently wanders that way, to caress an old memory or dance in its afterglow. Why you ask? It is all Highland Square's fault. The tiny diners (RIP Dodie's), historic architecture, alternative coffee shops and passionate local music scene in which I grew up has imprinted in a way which allows the Rubber City to call to me when I am in far away wild lands. I shall resist no more. While this blog will mostly detail "Arizona Stunts and Adventures" as well as culinary delights, I shall sprinkle in North Coast tid bits with wanton disregard.

Here is today's plug for a local Ak Rowdy business This particular venture based in personal satisfaction and joy, the joy being in drinking a well crafted beer. Raise up a Pint of RooBrew to memories of heroism and debauchery as well as to the next, the wickeder, the new!

http://www.roobrew.com

Trial Run of the Old Pueblo Route

Come September, I will start riding the Old Pueblo route so I can get ready for February's Old Pueblo 24 hour bike race!

http://www.epicrides.com/twofour/24.htm

Cupid Cupcakery in Akron Ohio

My friend, a software engineer happens to be the best maker of cupcakes in the land. She now has her own home based shop: http://www.cupidcupcakery.com/

Playing around on Mt. Humphries

Mamma Bird

I need a better zoom lense, but for now, here is a shot of my resident Mamma Bird.

For the Birds

My new roomies don't pay rent, and yet I am so very fond of them!

Crazy Screaming Man in my Yard Last Night

I woke up at 1:30 am this morning to the psychotic piercing screams of "Aaaaaaaagggggghhhh!" "F##k Youuuuu!" "Huh huh huuuh!" "I'm gonna get youuuuuuuuuuuuu!" "Come and get me Aggggh!" and etc. I called Park Dispatch, as did many other folks. We are used to the coyotes (and the occasional intoxicated resident en route home) hootin' and hollering in our woods but not some schizo or drugged out violent wacko. It's just not that kind of neighborhood. The Fuzz came and took him away to jail. Ha ha ha!

The Other Day..

Park folks tend to move on up, on and out in a frequent fashion. It's hard to be a settled Gypsy. My good friend, Doctor Nez, is known to end many tales with, "...such is the lonely Ranger life." I must say it is worth it every day, over and over, and gives me (after occasional tears) that much more to laugh about. Example:

I woke up early and refreshed from a full nights sleep, went to work, got Carbon Monoxide poisoning, went home, went out to catch a Sox game which was preempted for the Stanley Cup, and got dumped for the state of Main.

Life is flippin hilarious and I love it!

On My To Do List This Year

Some things I would like to do again or for the first time this year.... because they make me happy...especialy the Helitorch!