Mornin' All . . . that is if there is still anyone out there.




It has been almost a month since my last posting here. Not that my life is so busy that I do not have time to write, it is just that I have lost motivation to do it, not too mention anything to say.






Most of what has taken up my time, at least in my head, is getting Natasha and Jason off to Japan. There have been delays with government paperwork and a further trip down to Luke Air Force Base. It looks as if they will be flying out of AZ on March 31st, and Seattle the next day. This has been a stressful time for all of us and a combination of that and excitement for Tasha and Jason. Finally, they will be on their own as a married couple albeit in foreign land. Ah, to be young and have the whole adventure ahead! I will miss them.






The weeks have seemed to fly by and the winter has been long here in Flagstaff. However, I have enjoyed it with the opportunities to go XC skiing so abundant this season. Spring will be on us in another week but who knows if the global weather patterns will oblige with warmer weather. Many here in Flag are ready for it but I would not mind a few more days of skiing. Last weekend was Natasha's 29th birthday and we went skiing on Wednesday as part of her week long b-day celebration. This is her second time this winter after an 11 year hiatus. She has done well with it, not to mention having fun. But, from here on her outdoor fun will have more of a tropical bent in Okinawa.









There was a job offer in the Tetons but I turned it down. It was my dream job to work in the backcountry permits office. But in order to accept it I would have had 3 roommates, one sharing a bedroom with me. I am too old for that. I could share a place but not a bedroom. There is still a chance for an Interp. Ranger position but if it has the same arrangement in accomodations the decision on my part will be the same. I think they are trying to tell me something up there. At any rate, there is still a Grand Canyon gate or campground ranger position still in the wind. But, travelling this summer sounds a lot more enticing.







Movies: The Oscars and other awards shows went pretty much according to script. I was happy about Jeff Bridges and The Hurt Locker winning. Films I have seen lately have not been all that exciting to me. I took Tasha to see Alice in Wonderland, as I did when she was a child. She liked it very much; I thought it only OK. I saw Green Zone yesterday. I liked it but it is very politically explosive. Matt Damon is good in it. But, it is not Bourne like, a bit more real. The worst movie I have seen lately is Cop Out with Bruce Willis and the guy on 30 Rock. It was absolutely terrible. I wasn't expecting a great movie just good entertainment . . . I was wrong.






Adios for now!

Another Sunday Morning in Flagstaff . . . Good Morning Folks!


After a few inches of snow last weekend it has warmed up here in the mountains. Yesterday it was 51 degrees, practically summer. I hurried out last Monday to ski on the fresh stuff and it was excellent. The slopes of the AZ Snow Bowl (downhill skiing) have been so full on the weekends they have had to close them to further traffic up the mountain by about 9am. The folks from the valley head up here in droves. This long weekend for some is no exception.


I know that I have been remiss in blogging for a while. It is just that I haven't really been in the mood. My friend John Haynes died almost two weeks ago and it has hit me pretty hard. He had given up on his "chemo" treatments and wanted to go home to Prescott. I visited him Monday two weeks ago, as did many others, and he died the following night.


John was not only a good friend but he was my mentor at Yavapai College as well. I knew him for 36 years, one of my oldest friends. He was there right after my youngest, Natasha, was born and he and his wife Carolyn were at her wedding a little over a year ago. We hiked/backpacked many a trail in the Grand Canyon together. In fact he was the one most responsible for getting me in the canyon in the first place. He was my first Liberal Arts Division Chair at the college and I was his division chair when he retired. If we had been cowboys (he was raised in Kingman, AZ) I would say we rode many a trail together. Even though he was a life long atheist, I wish him happy trails. He was only 75 and in very good shape when I visited him in September. We will honor his life tomorrow at a memorial in Prescott.


As for other news . . . Natasha and Jason's progress toward moving to Okinawa for his government job took a few steps toward fruition this past Friday. We went down to Luke Air Force base for his "physical" and some preliminary processing for their flight and movement of their household goods. The only thing holding up movement forward is getting his official orders. The government moves slowly. Right now their tentative date for flying out is March 18th. They are very excited about this new adventure.


My life is plugging along as usual. Near the end of next week I will be 64 years old, another milestone along life's path. As much as my daughter likes to deny it, I think I am officially old now. I know, "you are only as old as you feel!" Well, I look in the mirror and I am there . . . as they said on the old Seinfeld show, "not that there is anything wrong with that."


Movies: The highlight of the films viewd lately was Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges in the featured role of an old country singer, much like Merle Haggard or Waylon Jennings. He is absolutely great in it and has won the Golden Globe and SAG awards for best actor. I concur with these accolades and feel he should take the Oscar as well. In addition, I have seen Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson in his first acting film in a few years and Extraordinary Measures with Harrison Ford. They were both entertaining in their way but not great films. The latter was surprisingly good even though a bit of a "tear jerker."


Well, that's about it from beautiful, and sunny downtown Flagstaff garden spot of AZ!


Adios Amigos y Amigas!

And so it goes . . . time that is . . .

Good Morning from the mountains of AZ,

Wow! It is mid-month in the New Year already. It is difficult to believe how fast time seems to be hustling along. The last few days I have been reflecting on what it means to be 64 years old (almost, but in my 64th year). I think about how old folks use to seem at this age when I was younger, and also, how they are perceived today with all the changes in diet and exercise, etc. Guess that I have been lucky, appearance wise, in that for most of my life I have looked about 5-10 years younger. This doesn't come from my own delusions but from othe people's comments.

Just this week a couple of younger folks who work out at my gym were genuinely shocked when I told them my age. The problem is that I do not feel all that junior, especially when I look in the mirror in the morning.

However I am viewed, the fact is that I am on the downhill side of life even if my youngest daughter wishes to deny it. I know all that crap about "you are only as young as you feel." One thing that bugs me the most about all this is the way you are perceived by the opposite sex, especially those a bit younger. And, I am not talking about pedophilia, just folks who would have fallen into my old "10 year down rule." I do not mean a woman who is younger than her 40s, 50s, or low 60s. They do not seem to be interested anymore, or at least the one's I'm interested in pursuing. I am not the least bit interested in a "matronly" looking woman of my age, as it seems a former relative by marriage seems to be. So, I will just plug along.

On another front, my daughter Natasha and her husband will be on their way to Japan (Okinawa) for a government job he has secured. This is great news for them as it will get them out of Flagstaff where there are few meaningful employment opportunities for them. They are both excited about the change. Natasha is an inveterate traveller so the new horizons will give her a chance to experience the Orient (as we use to call it, now more PC, Asia). I will miss having my daughter so close and treasure this almost two years (by the time she leaves) that we have had together. I wish them the best on their new adventure in life.

A week, or so, ago I got to visit my good friends the Henrys, Bob and Cindy, down in Goodyear, AZ at the foot of the Estrella Mountains. Last March was my last visit with them. As usual we had a good time together. I miss seeing them more often. What with Bob working as a Ranger in Denali Park in Alaska, it is difficult for us all to get together.

Cindy & Bob Henry, Goodyear, AZ

We are expecting a whole week of snow storms beginning Sunday night/Monday morning. The predictions from NOAA are anywhere from 3-7 feet accumulations. If htat happens that may put everything to a stop here in Flagstaff. The first major storm that dropped 2 feet in December nearly did that. The good thing is that it bodes well for skiing here. The downhillers will have great conditions at Snowbowl, and we XC skiiers should profit as well. The only problem will be getting out there if they do not get the roads plowed.

Me and Jon Marie at Flag Nordic Center

As far as XC skiing goes, I hit that magical mark last Sunday while skiing with my friend Jon Marie. I have now broken even on my season pass to the Nordic Center. This is the earliest that has ever happened, and in many years have not gotten to the even point.

Movies: I have seen only two in the New Year, one only fair, and the other not that good at all.

It's Complicated is an OK comedy for us "older" folks with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. It is amusing in places but drags a bit. It might be something for your "Netflicks." The other, The Book of Eli, with Denzel Washington is another of these Apocalyptic films that seem to be in vogue presently. Even though I like him, I found the story stupid. Gary Oldman plays his usual menacing "bad guy." I think you can skip this one unless you are "into" the violent scenes. Besides we never find out where Eli learned all the marshal arts he displays. This was definately a waste of Denzel's talents and my time.

That's it from beautiful downtown Flagstaff . . . Ciao All!

Happy New Year!

Good Morning Folks!



Happy New Year and farewell to the the first decade of this century. It is not difficult to remember the worry coming into this decade and the century, the Y2K hubub. Remember when everyone was worried about the computers of the world crashing. Also, there was 9/11 early in this decade and for most of it the debacle of having George HW Bush as our president. His war and greedy buddies on Wall St. took us from prosperity to the end of the decade in financial ruin, almost another great depression.




Personally, I lost relatives and friends during this ten year span, most important of which was my mother in 2006. I will forever miss her.





As a nation and culture we lost scores of cultural icons such as Walter Cronkite, Ted Kennedy, George Carlin, and many others too numerous to name. For me many of these deaths ended the era that I grew up in, especially those political and entertainment figures that represented those times for me. Their demise has changed my world, and in a way that makes me feel set adrift somehow.




The positive aspects of these last ten years exist as well. My youngest daughter got married, another granson appeared on the scene and I retired after 27 years of teaching college. I moved from Prescott, AZ to Flagstaff after retiring. In additon, I got to spend 9 of the last ten years as a Park Ranger in Grand Teton National Park. In this last year of the decade I bought a condo here in Flagstaff. So I actually own something, or at least my name is on it, the bank really owns it.

Tasha & Jason, a year after wedding


As a last artifact of the year 2009 I list my top ten films. My main criteria is that I have had to see them in a movie theater myself. One problem with that is I have missed some great films that did not make it to my location. In addition, some very good films that have already won awards for the previous year did not go into general release until January 2009. Some of these that I did not rate were The Reader, The Wrestler, Grand Torino, and Nixon/Frost. Almost all of these would have been in my top ten. So here goes. . .



1. Avatar
2. Up in the Air
3. The Hurt Locker
4. Inglorius Basterds
5. Invictus
6. Star Trek: the Beginning
7. Summer Hours (French)
8. 500 Days of Summer
9. Is Anybody There (British)
10. this is a tie between Brothers, and The Blindside

Honorable Mention goes to Michael Moore's documentary, Capitalism, A Love Story.


My movie count was down from 93 viewed last year in theaters to 62 this year.



Now it is on to a new decade and whatever adventures that brings to us all. Let us hope that President Obama can turn things around and that we get out of all of these wars.


As we use to say back in the 60s, that is 1960s (oh so long ago it seems now) . . . Peace and Love!

The Aftermath . . .

Good Post Christmas Morning,

I was not going to do another blog for a while but my sister Marlene wanted a film review of the two that I have seen since my last entry. So, here goes, unlike the two previous films I reviewed the two that were viewed on Christmas Eve and Xmas Day were good ones. In fact, one of them was excellent and will make my top ten for the year. That was George Clooney's new film, Up In the Air. I had been a bit skeptical when I read the good reviews beforehand, but after viewing it I was very much impressed. It is the study of a man who spends about 350 days a year flying to fire people from their jobs. It is a great character study of a solitary man who loves that lifestyle. His life and attitude changes somewhat when . . . Oh sorry, go see the movie to find out what happens to him. I strongly recommend this one, especially if you like acting and character development without all the special effects.

My Christmas morning film (for which I got the ticket a day ahead anticipating crowds) was Sherlock Holmes, featuring Robert Downey Jr as the intrepid detective and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. This was another highly advertised holiday film. I found it it a very entertaining version of the Holmes saga. Much of his original character resides in Downey's performance with a more energetic upgrade for modern audiences. For example, whereas the original Sherlock was a consummate boxer among his many talents, this version is a martial arts expert. Other allowances for attention deficit modern audiences is a lot of action sequences with a bit of down play of the more deductive detective work which is the hallmark of the original. Although, at the end he ties together all the pieces in typical Victorian detective fashion. Jude Law's portrayal of Dr. Watson is a much more action oriented one as well. I think many modern audiences unfamiliar with Holmes lore from the books will miss the many references thrown in to the mix. One example was the inclusion of the character Irene Adler (played by Rachel McAdams). Her character is only mentioned in a passing fashion in Conan Doyle's writings about Holmes, but in this film she spices things up as a "love interest."

I found the film a bit too long at 130 minutes. With some more selective editing it could have been a much more effective presentation. But still, I enjoyed it and found it entertaining. Especially I enjoyed the villain and his dark presence in the film with a shading in the background of the infamous Professor Moriarty, Holmes' nemesis throughout the original writings. In addition, I liked that the director, Guy Ritchie, kept the backdrop Victorian London, which lent itself to great cinematography.

Christmas day went off OK. With the film in the morning and a couple of hours spent with my youngest offspring in the late afternoon it was a nice day. In addition I was able to squeeze in several phone calls to my daughter, other relatives in California, and friends. Of course, underlying much of the day, was the chronic heartache of missing my mother. I do not know if I will ever get over that.

Have a great New Year and a safe celebration of same.

Winter Solstice!

Good Morning,

Tomorrow the winter solstice occurs, the marking of the official first day of winter and the shortest day of the year in this part of the world. In most North American aboriginal cultures the winter symbolized death. It is the time when the leaves are gone from the trees, the landscape becomes stark, and in the past, food/game becomes scarce. Many tribes of the plains would break-up into smaller band level units to survive. Older, weaker animals, including humans would more often die in this season.

Our culture, at least the quasi-Christian part of it, celebrates Christmas, the so-called birth of Christ, the Messiah. However, historical Jesus was not born during this time of year, but in a totally different season. As is the case with many groups, the early Christian church, the date was changed to coincide with other factors important during that time. Even though it is supposed to honor this man/god and his teachings (that most Christian don't seem to follow), it has become a time of financial gain and garish displays. Although one good result for many is the gathering together of often far flung family members.

As for my Christmas, it will be spent at home in Flagstaff for the first time ever. I will not make the sojourn over to southern California to be with family members there. Instead, the holiday, or at least the dinner part, will take place at daughter Natasha and son-in-law Jason's abode. Since I have not gotten to spend a Christmas with Tasha since she was a little girl it is nice to be able to do that. I will miss being with my sisters, niece, and brother for the holiday meal. Also missed is time spent with my grandsons, daughter Tania, and other son-in-law, Steve. It is a hectic time a year for Tania so I do not get to spend as much time with her as I would like anyway.

Most of all I miss being with my mother on this holiday. She and I spent many a solitary Christmas Eve together sitting in our respective recliners watching Xmas movies on TV while all of our other extended family members had gone off to be with their other kinsman. I remember "way back when" when everyone would stop by Mom's on Christmas Eve. The grandchildren would be running around playing and everyone else talking away with one another. The next day my mother and I would get up, unwrap our presents, have breakfast, and get ready to head over to sister Norma's house where everyone would gather throughout the day. But those days are over. Mom is no longer with us and everyone has moved on in their lives.

Movies: I have seen two films in the last week one that was OK, nothing special, and the other, atrocious. Robert DeNiro's new "family film," Everybody's Fine, struck a cord with me as a father who feels like his offspring have gotten away from him some how as he, and they got older. The movie is a bit too long and drags some, but as previously stated, just OK. The second film, Did You Hear About the Morgans, is truly bad. This cinematic offering proved once again that Sarah Jessica Parker is very limited in her acting abilities. Another actor who is limited (but who I like) is Hugh Grant. Although he is as amusing as ever, his performance here leaves a lot to be desired. I love Mary Steenburgen and Sam Elliot but they are truly wasted here. If you must see this film wait for the DVD.



I wish you all Peace and a very Happy Holiday!


Adios

Just abit more snow . . .

Afternoon from still snowy Flagstaff,

I did get out to go Cross-country skiing on Thursday, the first day the Nordic Center was open. The conditions were great and the few folks that were out early as was I, were pretty ecstatic.

There was about 2 1/2 feet of the white stuff out there at 8000 feet. Just that extra thousand feet from in town was enough to keep me breathless on the trail. After a couple of hours I was "done in" for the day.

This weekend was supposed to be fairly snowy, but no where near the blizzard and accululation of last Monday. It has turned out to be mostly snow flurries without much accumulation. Natasha and I were going to head out to ski this weekend but never made it. My plan is to try to get out again tomorrow with, without the daughter. Temps are supposed to be hirer this coming week so need to get out there again before it gets too mushy.

I did see a movie today that was a 3 3/4 stars in my 5 star rating system. The movie, Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood had very good acting performances by Morgan Freeman playing South African President Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as the Captain of the South African National Rugby team. The story chronicles Mandella's attempt to bring blacks and white Africanners together through this teams attempt to win a World Cup in Rugby. It is a very inspiring and true story. I highly recommend it even for those who do not know this sport as I do not.

Adios Amigos y Amigas . . . Felice Navidad