Friday, December 29, 2006

Christmas Day Coverage...

Well, I'm giving a short recap of Christmas Day a few days late. It was our first married Christmas, and we had a good one. Unfortunately, we didn't get to spend it with family, but Al and I had a great day with each other here in UT. I spent most of the morning cooking. You never realize how much work grandmas do on holidays until they aren't around anymore and you do it yourself. Wow, they are troopers. Anyhow, we had a great dinner, and then went up into the mountains for some holiday scenery. We went to see Mt. Timpanogos and Provo Canyon, since we haven't seen them yet, and pretty soon we won't get to anymore. (I haven't officially blogged the news yet, but Alison and I are moving to Coon Rapids, MN very shortly, due to jobs. Utah was a short run.) Anyhow, after we enjoyed the beauty of Northern UT, we visited our friends Kelly and Julie, and once again ate. Too much. Pretty normal for the holidays. But Christmas was good , and we look forward to seeing the relatives we missed soon...

Al and I somewhere in the Heber Valley area during our Christmas mountain viewing...














Ducks near the Mt. Timpanogos Wilderness Area...














Mullet showing Alison his Christmas love by licking her glasses while she tried out the new down summer bag my parents and I gave her...














My new Ortlieb rear touring panniers the Hovde's and Al gave me (they also gave me a set for the front, but I don't have a front rack to mount them quite yet)...

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Response to comment on 12/16/06...

Thank you for your comment on the issue of global warming. It’s good to hear from you. I hope all is well back up north. As far as your discussion and links on this subject, I will concede now, after spending a considerable amount of my free time lately reading articles and essays on global warming, that yes, skeptics exist in the scientific community. There is not a consensus within the scientific community on the issue to the degree stated in An Inconvenient Truth, by Al Gore. However, I still feel very strongly from my own study of the subject (which by the way did not start with the reading of Gore’s book) that there is enough of a consensus to merit a change in my own impact to the environment. I will take a personal stance, and every individual must make their own choice respectively. I personally do not believe that the human consumption of fossil fuels cannot have drastic consequences, considering the incredible rate at which it has occurred within a very short time period of our planet. I do agree with you, and the essays you shared from Michael Crichton that science research must be conducted within certain parameters, and should be documented in whole to avoid bias. It is easy to realize that not all deductions that have been made within the scientific community have been correct within the history of mankind. But it is also very easy to realize that we have made incredible progress as well. There will always be skepticism, and there should be in order to prevent mistakes as much as is possible. But there will be progress alongside, whether one hypothesis prevails or another. To reach the conclusion that we as humankind cannot effectively determine and manage a problem because we have faced debate and setbacks is not something I can accept. Setbacks and debate are part of how we learn.

I also feel a strong need to comment on the political ties to the issue of global warming, which by your support of Crichton’s speeches, I have little doubt that you have considered thoroughly. We live in a country of unity, but also of intense division. I believe that since Al Gore was the author of a book on global warming, it cast immediate doubt in many individuals/groups as to the validity of any of the science claims made within his work. It would be no different if George Bush wrote the book. When a man has political ties (and thus very public allies and enemies), he is intensely judged no matter what he says. People already have their minds made up that a politician speaks truth, or is a fool. In addition to the basic political party affiliation issues, the debate over economic implications of the global warming problem cause wild amounts of debate. So once again, it is easy for me to see where people may already have their minds made up based on their desire to protect what they see as the most intelligent treatment of the economy. To some degree of truth, the data you find when searching for information regarding global warming depends on how politically/economically liberal or conservative your data source is. (I think we’re in agreement there already based on some of your comments/links). In my opinion is that politicians, economists, scientists, and consumers alike must be open minded enough to observe the world objectively, and at times challenge their own comfort and beliefs when data merits such actions, in order to sustain our race. And yes, as a Christian, I do believe that God plays the ultimate role in whether or not man succeeds in their ventures, but I also believe he has created in us the duty of being trying as hard as we can to be stewards of the situations presented to us. This means not giving up because at the signs of setbacks or debate. I can go on, but I suspect that will happen anyway in future blogs. Thank you again for your input. I am in no way wishing for my opinion alone to be heard. One cannot understand an issue without hearing all sides.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Winter walk...

I went hiking in Mueller Park today, because I couldn't stand sitting in the apartment anymore. I don't have any snowshoes yet, so it was a bit tricky in a couple areas, but I managed. I had a whole lot of fun, and the winter scenery was spectacular as usual. The photos I've posted aren't the best, as it was pretty much overcast and thus the lighting was poor. Plus, the battery in my camera was at it's limit and died halfway through the hike, so the pix are a little grainier than normal. But you can get a taste of the wintery goodness of the Northern Wasatch. The hike is a mix between tunnels of tree covered trail, and open vistas. There are usually a few other people (some with dogs) on the trail on most days, so the cougar danger is pretty low since they don't like busy areas. Today there was even a really loud guy running the trail with a mid-size pack, which would normally look pretty tough, but he kept falling down, (seemingly because he was so entranced by his iPod), so he just looked comical. Anyhow, enjoy the pix...















































Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Santa Mullet

Last night we heard a ruckus. Something was stuck coming down our chimney!! It couldn't be, yes, it is! Santa Mullet!!!














Actually, there was not a ruckus, and we don't even have a chimney. We've just aparently become the type of people that subject their pets to such uncomfortable situations as this. Although, he wasn't even uncomfortable. He sat around in his outfit for quite some time, apparently enjoying the extra warmth before he decided to regain his dignity and shake it off. Merry Christmas from the world's favorite little awkward cat, Mullet!

Snow venture...

I got my touring bike really sloppy for the first time. I my last post I wrote of the latest storm to sweep the Salt Lake Valley. I did in fact go biking since I have no skis. I wanted to ride the base of the mountains behind my apartment in the snow, so I buckled down and climbed 400 N, an outrageously steep road leading up into the hills from our place. I don't know the exact grade, but Kelly and I agree that it feels much worse than the 12% grades by his house. Steep. I did have an easier time on my touring bike than I usually do on my race oriented Lemond due to the added gearing, but it was still intense. Once up the main climb, I rode along Bountiful Blvd, which parelles the base of the mountains, and headed up to Mueller Park. I was pretty sloppy up there, where as the roads down lower weren't holding the snow. I chilled up by the creek at the mouth of the canyon where Mueller Park is nestled for a while, then returned back down to home. Good ride, but the cleanup was terrible. It's one thing to get the old Surly 1x1 all slopped up, but with a full-out touring machine with tons of gears and fenders, there are a lot of nooks and crannies to dry out. My air compressor did a good job of blowing everything dry. When cleaned and relubed, I retired the 520 back to the rack until it's next journey. I need some panniers so I can use it for what it's actually for. Camping by bicycle will be great!

The wall that is 400 N, seen here in the midst of the snowing...we're looking up, mind you, so it's steeper than it looks in the photo...



















Are we in San Francisco?? Nope, there's snow all over...














The 520 literally chillin' at Mueller Park...

Sunday, December 17, 2006

stormin'

So aparently the local news here in Salt Lake calls about any amount of rain or snow a storm. I don't no how many times they've anounced to brace for it, and I've watched as little happened. I guess they have to factor in that it does actually get bad if you go up in elevation just a bit, so it's intense in the mountains, but down here in the valley it's pretty tame. So most storms aren't much to watch here at our apartment. However, last night, parts of the Salt Lake Valley aparently got 12" of snow, and it's dumping more up in the mountains. Our place didn't see much, but it's coming down now and we can't even see the mountains out our window. Sweet. I think I may jump on the touring bike and pedal in the whiteness for some excercise, since I am still too poor to buy skis and become a real citizen of this state. Anyhow, it finally seems to be winter here....

Saturday, December 16, 2006

An Inconvient Truth...

So I just finished reading Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. I was aware that humans are not the most likely creatures to go easy on their environment, and that a whole lot of daily practices we have can be destructive, but I didn't realize how intense our climate issues have become. What struck me the most while reading his book was his comparison of how smoking was originally seen and how global warming is now seen. Smoking was never considered safe by medical science. Hardly anyone who knew anything about lungs felt that it was ok. The medical science community thought it was safe, but it was debatable among others and thus became a part of our lives when science signs pointed to it being quite stupid. Global warming, and the data collected about it points to a very grave situation presently, and the science community is in agreement that we must change the way we live to stop it from posing a serious threat to humanity. However, other interest groups outside the scientific community seem to think there is no problem, and their words cause doubt as to the seriousness of the issue. People need to know what the experts have to say. Smoking caused all sorts of fatal health problems in people, but it was limited to those who took part in it or where indirectly exposed to it. Global warming has the potential to completely destroy the environment we are dependant on. Seriously, how the hell can we ignore that for that sake of conveniently keeping our current habits??! For many, it's simply disbelief that there is an issue. It requires looking beyond our narrow view of our personal daily lives to the rest of the world. But I don't think it requires looking all that far anymore. The effects of global warming are getting more and more potent. Read An Inconvenient Truth for yourself and check out the data. And yes, it's by a politician, but no, this didn't all come out of his head. It is data found all over the scientific community from years and years of research. You don't have to read Al Gore's words; you can find the same thing all over. He's just done a great job of getting the word out. So anyhow, PlEASE look into the issue of global warming for yourself. You'll be surprised at how much we're hurting ourselves...

Sunday, December 10, 2006

A bit early...

Alison and I broke down this week. We've had some bad luck with jobs, and to make ourselves feel better we reverted to childlike methods of cheering ourselves up, and we each opened a Christmas present very very early. :) We're not sorry. :) She bought me a very cool present: a backcountry espresso brewer, by GSI. I am so set up for java in the woods. I tried it on my stove top this morning and it does a great job. I'll have to swing by REI for a little steel shot cup for it. I think they sell for a couple bucks. Anyhow, I'll have to get some pictures of it in the field sometime. Merry really early Christmas.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Being unemployed, you spend way too much time not knowing what to do with your time. As a result, you end up wasting a certain amount of time. This morning, as I was trying to make a plan for the day, I flipped on the TV to occupy my mind a bit, and I immediately witnessed the birth of a sucktorian! If you don't know what a sucktorian is, it's a microorganism that dwells in pond scum. Yes, this was on my TV, and I watched it. Life sometime reduces you to such moments. However, I guess I did learn something, albeit knowledge that will not earn any rent money. The world moves on...