A friend of mine recently got married, a fact which makes me unbelievably happy.

I got a voicemail from her the other day, the first in several months, and it was quite unlike anything I’d ever heard before.  There was a change.  Something different.

I must admit, it was really quite striking.

Just a quick question on a Friday: do any of my wonderful, talented readers know Adobe Illustrator?

I took a class several years ago, but I find myself a bit rusty and in need of some help…

Whatever the case, have a great Friday!

So, here’s my little experiment.  I’m going to add comments as I watch the show; if any idea intrigues you, feel free to add to it.

(And if it bores you all to tears, I’ll try to blog something more interesting soon!  )

With a name like “GeekHiker” and a blog, finding balance between time immersed online and time offline and away from technology out on the trail is pretty much a given.

I don’t know that I always succeed.

I try, of course, to strike a balance between the two.  Most of the week, though, I work, go to the gym or run errands, and come home.  I’d love to say that I get off work, throw on the hiking boots and hit the trail but, alas, the sun has gone down and I’m more likely reading or watching TV or, yes, spending time online.

As a computer guy, I’ll admit that my feelings about Apple are mixed.

I admire their operating systems, which are very stable and efficient.  I usually detest their hardware design, not being a big fan of all-white, “futuristic” looking things.  I’ll never forget the round mouse, where you never knew where the top was.  And, honestly, I just can’t get behind any device that I can’t replace the battery in (I’m ‘lookin at you, iPod).

Still, even though I work with PC’s most of the time, I have to admit begrudging admiration for a company that can cause such a stir whenever they come out with a new product.

I’m not the first person to blog about the subject of fees, and I probably won’t be the last.

Maybe this is one of those minor things, but last weekend it got so annoying it’s prompted me to write a bit of a rant.

I hope you’ll forgive.

(Because occasionally one needs to post on less weighty matters. *)

To start, I’ll be completely honest: I never watched Conan O’Brien on a regular basis.

Not because I didn’t like the guy, or find him on occasion downright hilarious.  No, I’m just not a late night kind of guy.  That era belongs squarely to my college years.

Like so many others, though, I’ve been catching his opening monologues on Hulu ever since the tussle with NBC started a couple of weeks ago.  And I get exactly why he’s suddenly so popular.

I went back across the border this weekend, to the secret spot in Baja I went to last year.

Second time out of the country, and I still have no stamps in my Passport.  No lengthy stop at the border, no visa, nothing.  Hell, we nobody even asked us any questions.

Blank pages bug when you’ve actually used the damn thing.

Now, normally I’m not the type to brag about the gifts I give people.  I have, however, decided to make an exception here.

See, sometimes there’s someone in your life that is just that special.  Some that’s faithful, loyal, and true.  Someone’s who’s always there for you, who always has your back.  Someone who, even when you make a wrong turn in your relationship and end up on the rough road by mistake, always brings you back to the smoother path.  A friend who just never lets you down, who gives of themselves and asks for little in return.

With someone like that, it’s always good to give back and buy them something nice to show your appreciation.  And so it was that today…

I was tempted Sunday to linger in Griffith Park and watch the sunset over the basin and Santa Monica Bay.  Having neglected my flashlight (very bad practice for a hiker, btw), and with dinner-time hunger creeping in, I elected to return.

The walk down was just as scenic, with long shadows creeping their way over Glendale and a rosy pink glow catching the snow-capped peaks up in the San Gabriels.  The view, on a remarkably clear day, left little to complain about.