Age?

Good Evening,

I know this is a rare "later in the day" blog for me. It seems appropriate since I have been thinking a lot about the aging of the world around me. Of course this doesn't apply to me, or does it? Check out this picture of me in better days (1988). I know it seems a bit narcissistic of me but I just cannot believe the difference. I definitely do not look like this now.

.

One of the things that got me on this subject was observing actors I haven't seen in a while when they appear in something now. When I see them it is hard for me to believe how old they have become. It seems my mind keeps them the age they were when last I saw them in something. Not only that but many of the icons of the past in entertainment keep dying off. Don't get me wrong here, I am not depressed about it. It just seems to "sneak up on you."

My darling youngest daughter just finished her successful run in Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors." I commend her performances. Now I would mention my other daughter as well in these pages but she does not want her or my my grandsons presented in these pages. I must respect her wishes for privacy, but am as proud of her in her life as well. Both daughters are the best things that have happened to me in my life.

My focus of late has been on trying to get myself ready to move up to Yellowstone for the next 4 months. I have about 8 days before I hit the road and am getting more and more excited (and anxious) about being a Yellowstone Ranger. Afterall, it is the oldest and first national park in the world. To keep with with the above theme of "aging," never did I, in my younger years, think that I would be a ranger, much less in Yellowstone. It does not eclipse my having taught anthropology in a college for 27 years, but hell, it's up there.

Movies: Have seen two pretty good films lately. State of Play, a film based on a BBC America mini-series was pretty good. Russell Crowe, Ben Aflick, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren were very good in this political thriller. As a movie it was good however, if you get to see the Brit mini-series it is better. Of course six and a half hours is better amount of time to tell the story. The other film I viewed last Friday, The Soloist. Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Fox are excellent in this true story. I highly recommend both, the latter especially.

Ciao Amigos y Amigas

Spring is here, Warm Days and Snow?

Good Morning,



Spring has been here in Flagstaff for a few weeks but this morning, April 11th, I woke up to this:

I love the beauty of snow and it is much less a hassle than rain. But, alas, this snow should be gone by noon as the temps are due to rise and by tomorrow, into the 50s.

Last evening I went to the "Theatrikos" production of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, which happens to have my lovely youngest daughter, Natasha as the female lead. It is the second time that I have attended a performance. Last Sunday, for the matinee, my friends Marc and Carol Hammond, along with another old friend and colleague, Edith Baker, came up to see it and Tasha. The production is wonderful. Richard Burt who plays Dromio in two parts is excellent and a standout. The whole cast does a great job. Even though I may be somewhat biased, Natasha is excellent as well. My friends agreed and we all simultaneously thought the same thing, she would be great as Kate in Taming of the Shrew.

Much of my time lately, besides my usual routine, has been spent organizing for my four month move up to Wyoming the first part of May. My thoughts have been on planning new ranger programs and on the myriad of lists I have all over the place that remind of what needs to be packed and procured for the trip. In additon, I have been thinking about my friends, the Henrys, and their monumental drive from the Phoenix area to Talkeetna, Alaska, about 3700 miles. Bob will be there for up to four years and I cannot imagine the stuff he and Cindy will have to pack in the back of their Toyota Tundra truck. I wish them well and hope to visit in early Sept. when my duty is done in Yellowstone.

As for movies to report on . . . the pickings have been "slim to almost none." It is a good thing I had Shakespeare to tide me over.

Adieu!

Day After Fool's Day

Howdy Folks,


It seems my entries in this online journal/blog are getting further and further apart. I am not sure what it is but my motivation for setting down my mundane thoughts and deeds has waned quite a bit over the last year. Even my regular journal, that I have been keeping for 12 years (since the birth of my first grandson), has dwindled down to a couple entries a month. Am not sure what has caused this to happen . . . probably just do not have much to say anymore.


My trip to California ended upon my return to Flagstaff last Sunday. It was the first trip that was completely focused on family. For the first time since Mom died I did not see my "friend" over there. Most time was spent hanging out with my daughter's family (at least in late afternoons and evenings) and with my sister, who I stayed with. Early mornings were spent at the gym and on some days following that activity, I went to a movie before "hooking up" with my grandsons and daughter. One might say it was a Little League vacation with alot of time spent at ball games.


Since my return home I have been trying to prepare a little each day for my departure to work in Yellowstone this late spring and summer. I tend to make lots of lists so as not to forget anything. When you are gone for 4 or 5 months, and are 1000 miles away from home, anything crucial you forget you have to do with out, or buy up there. Over the past 10 years of going up to the Tetons I have gotten this down to a system, but still always manage to forget something.


This brings up another related subject. Although I am excited and a bit apprehensive about the new job in Yellowstone; I am also getting tired of these moves. My older friend Ed says I need to keep doing this for a few years. He says he retired too early and it is tough to keep an interest in things without a central focus in your life. Still, I am not sure that this is exactly what I wanted. Don't get me wrong, I do want to attempt this new challenge but would have been happier to work in the backcountry office in Grand Teton Park, especially if it could have been at Colter Bay.



Finally, I took the ski racks off the car. Although we may get some flurries this spring, I think ski season is over. As in past years I realize I could have gone a few more time and regret not doing so. The weather is fairly warm every day, but still chilly most nights. Of course when I get up to Yellowstone in early May it will still be winter and there are likely to be some snow storms, especially at nearly 8000 feet at Grant Village where I will be working and living.


Movies: I saw four while in southern Cal, but nothing really that good. I went mostly to kill time before seeing my grandsons. I saw I Love you Man (mildly amusing), Knowing with Nick Cage (not that good), Duplicity (disappointing and lacking something), and the best of the lot, Sunshine Cleaning with Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin. This film is a quirky but interesting one from the people who did Little Miss Sunshine. It is not as good as that one but I'd recommend it over any of the previous three.

Ciao!