Holey Moley…
Sunday, July 9, 2006
We got it. Yep, we got the place. Check out the news HERE – all about our new home and the process of getting it.
I know it’s actually a pretty good excuse, but I hate the fact that I haven’t updated in weeks. I’ve done quite a few updates, so look around. Since the new blog and photo sections have stuff about the condo, I’ll brush on a few other things quickly:
Newbie Ride – I spent a great June 17th. riding all OVER the hills with some new riders. The ride was a joint Bay Area Riders Forum (yes, “BARF”) and South Bay Riders event intended to match new and experienced riders for a tour / instructional ride around the amazing roads out here. The mellow pace and guided format meant to improve the skills of newer members of our riding family while also (hopefully) providing an alternative influence to the “squid” mentality that is so prevalent. Too many new riders hit the hills (figuratively and literally) with little to no protective gear or skills to safely experience the twists and turns of the Santa Cruz mountains. I really hope my input on some of the newer riders will make them safer in the long run.
That said the ride was not without drama. One rider lowsided on the first left-hand switchback coming down Pescadero from 84. Those who ride around here are VERY familiar with that tricky off-camber turn, as the view and sudden openness of the hilltop distracts you after just coming out from a dense canopy. He was a little shaken, but nothing serious to him or the bike. One of the guys from my group decided to fill up his nice 2005 GSX-R (oy!) Anniversary Edition in Davenport. No problem, except for the fact that he grabbed the GREEN handled pump. You know, the one that says “DIESEL”. Thankfully he question as to whether the station sold diesel fuel led to the discovery that his tank was now full of bad juju. We dismantled the tank assembly, disposed safely (*cough*) of the bad stuff and added some proper gasoline before heading off an hour later.
Kids, what you gonna do?
Mabel has been going like a madwoman…lots of work and now the house on top of it. She managed to find time to do some couch shopping with me, so the ultra-comfy yet ultra-ratty beige couch will be leaving us soon. It will join the futon and patio set that were sold on Craigslist, hopefully to be followed be the entertainment center too. Sadly, we’re also selling the dining room table that Mabel’s Dad made for her. It’s as sturdy as a rock (and weighs as much as a boulder) but it simply doesn’t physically fit into our new place. It will certainly give the next owner years of service, so we wish it well.
It’s late, so I’ll keep the movie reviews short:
• The Princess Bride:
“My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Mandy Patankin is just one of the great character actors in this fantasy movie that, despite a childhood theme and demographic appeal is endlessly entertaining. Mabel had never seen it…so it was a must. “As you wish!”
• The Fog of War:
A rather gentle treatment of Robert McNamera, as he provided eleven lessons from his rather amazing life. Spanning history from his application of statistical analysis of WWII bombing techniques and humble upbringing to his involvement in the Cuban missile crisis and Vietnam it glosses over the tremendous human cost of war somewhat, yet also gives a firsthand glimpse into the decisions and challenges our leaders faced. The fact that nuclear war was literally moments away or that the Vietnam conflict left many to die over political as opposed to strategic policy is stunning. I strongly recommend seeing it.
• The World’s Fastest Indian:
Sir Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro – a Kiwi with big metal hardware in both his garage and pants. He established speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats on an streamlined 1920 Indian motorcycle (quite a bit “upgraded” of course) that he worked on tirelessly (obsessively?) for years. It is inspirational without being maudlin by showing a man well beyond his “prime” still managing to teach the young guns a thing or two. Loved it.
• Donnie Darko:
A cult movie I had never gotten around to seeing. Jake Gyllenhall (no, I’m not going to check the spelling, so if it’s wrong so be it) in a rather striking flashback / forward film that never quite managed to grab me. It struck me at times as forced cleverness – and the rabbit was plain weird. Not bad, not great…just sorta cool-ish.
• Evita:
Yes, Madonna sings better than she acts. But that’s not exactly a challenge, is it? If I were an Argentine I may consider taking up arms…against the producers of this movie.
• The Big Lebowski:
Another classic that Mabel had not seen. Enjoyable as always, and John Goodman should be in every movie. He never fails to steal scenes with his intensity and gentle giant bearing. John Turturro is riotously funny as the bowling Jesus…definitely worth seeing.
• Serenity:
I never watched “Firefly”, the TV series that begat this movie. Perhaps that’s why I was never really engaged with the characters. That said, there are a few great scenes for sci-fi fans and the role of Malcolm Reynolds was perfectly cast. The one scene where the Captain of the spaceship Serenity sarcastically asks a crew member is HE wants to lead the ship had me rolling. I won’t spoil the gag…but don’t run to see it, just watch it when you get the chance.
• Jarhead:
“Ooh rah”. Or maybe “meh”. A biography of sorts from a Marine in the first Gulf War…it tries too hard to be Full Metal Jacket and fails. Badly.
In the queue – Raging Bull (a classic I have never seen). We’ve cut back on the Netflix thing with the impending move. Actually the DVD player is packed, so we may not see it for a while.
Thanks for checking in. Comments, as always, are welcome!