The Part You Don’t See….

Posted on by January 18, 2019

A good documentarian probably lets the subject of the film tell the story.

They don’t intrude.

Here’s the story of the filming of Alex Honnold’s free solo of El Capitan.

That’s some crazy stuff….climbing like that.

And…it’s pretty crazy to film something like this.

Only a great climber and filmmaker could do it.

Jimmy Chin (and crew)!

You have to be unobtrusive when someone’s doing something like climbing 3.000 feet of vertical.

It would be like, “SHHHHHHHHHH!! DADDY’S SLEEPING!!!!!” quiet.

This is the side of the story that doesn’t really matter until you catch yourself wondering how they got the shot.

I am anxious to be able to watch Alex Honnold climb this rock.

I might even make some popcorn.

The Terrifying Art of Free Solo Slacklining UNTETHERED….a film by Levi Allen

Posted on by January 16, 2019

I heard a story on the radio about pro football players who had retired before 1993 and the small retirement benefits they receive.

It was Hall of Famers….living at poverty level….unable to pay for their funerals.

Man.

That was pretty bad.

These guys do it for the thrill.

They do it because they love what they do….and love life.

There’s no retirement package for a slackliner.

I’ve walked a slackline a couple of feet off the ground before….for a couple of steps….and…it’s pretty darn hard.

For me, at least, it’s pretty darm (!) hard.

I’m terrified to get up on the house and do roof repairs.

I’d be afraid to do this.

But…enough about me.

Watch the video….it’s a good one.

Family of 7! Off-grid in Canada!!

Posted on by January 13, 2019

Big ice storm here….the trees bending and popping….getting ready to let mayhem rule on our power lines.

Maybe we’ll lose power soon?

I better write fast.

Here’s a family who live in Canada….solar powered homestead….off-grid.

Check out the new “battery bank”, too!

The technology is going to improve to the point where “off-grid” isn’t going to be nearly as challenging someday.

That’s pretty exciting!

This is a cool family….and this looks like an appealing way to live.

The trees outside are popping….got to go.

 

Another great video from Exploring Alternatives….

the conundrum….

Posted on by January 10, 2019

Here’s a nice video about a woman living in a yurt on some friend’s land up in Canada.

It made me think about the things we do to support the things we have.

Maybe that’s part of being a “grownup”?

We have….and pay for the things we have….by working.

We have, sometimes, because we work.

Why else would we buy things except that maybe we deserve them….because we work so hard?

And….how do we find free or cheap things that suit our needs when we’re spending all our time at work?

That’s a conundrum.

You can’t buy back time.

But…I like to make hay while the sun is shining….so I’ll ride this gravy train as long as the wheels stay on the tracks.

I like to take care of my family’s needs….as best I can.

That’s worth a lot.

Ahhhhhhhh….it’s pretty straightforward.

Just work….and fit all the rest of the stuff we claim as “life” around it.

Right?

The video is by “Exploring Alternatives”…..excellent videos that can be found HERE !

in the ditch

Posted on by January 9, 2019

I’m tired when I finish a day of driving the mail around.

Coming out of town on my way home from work, I must not have jumped on the transition from 20 mph to 55 mph quick enough, because a guy on a motorcycle pulled up fast on my tail and then zoomed around me.

Kind of startled me.

I thought, “Man! Look at that guy go!! WHAT’S HIS HURRY?!”

I wondered if I’d catch up with him later.

When I got to the next big curve, he was climbing out of the ditch, his bike on its side….down by the trees.

He’d gotten there long enough before I did that a couple of people had already stopped their cars, asking him if he was OK.

When he passed me just a little earlier, he was proving a good point.

I was going too slow.

His moving argument lost most of its potency when he put it in the ditch a quarter mile farther up the road, though.

My goal is to make it home.

That’s it.

Just make it through and make it home.

I just want to, like my Dad used to say, “keep it between the fenceposts”.

That dude lost it.

Man.

I’m glad I don’t zoom around everybody.