A quick note and a quick recommendation that, uh, I’ve made before, actually.

So the hike that I’d been planning to do tomorrow, my first in a month, got canceled. Sadly, there is an early-season fire in the nearby area, burning west of Mt. Baldy Village. Hopefully they’ll get it contained soon, before the high temperatures and winds of a mini heat-wave kick in this weekend.

Depending on how hot it is, hopefully I’ll get out for a short hike sometime over the weekend. A simple out-and-back, so depending on how the knee holds up, I can turn back at any time.

Plus, I know you’re all just dying for a hike post, aren’t ya?

* * *

On a completely separate note: a couple of weeks ago, as you may recall, I met the artist Keith Knight at the Festival of Books, chatted with him, and bought his books.

He also, by the way, was raised on a steady diet of “Star Wars” and ends a conversation with “stay cool”, which I am completely too geeky to ever end a conversation with. Well, at least not without people snickering. Heh.

Anyway, as of last week, he’s started a daily strip, so I figure for this Friday, I’ll pass along the recommendation to you. This one is a great example, me’thinks.

Main site here with a weeks delay, or available more up-to-date here. Or if you’re really lucky, the strip is in your paper (if not, let them know); the LA Times doesn’t currently carry it. Damn fools.

Happy Friday.

Last night, on the way home from work, I stopped at the movie theater to see “Iron Man“.

I needed the distraction. In the worst possible way.

(Okay, the quick review: The critics are right, much like “Batman Begins“, a good and entertaining treatment of the first (and most difficult) film in any superhero series: the “creation of the hero” flick. Robert Downey, Jr., like him or not, is always interesting to watch on screen, and gives a surprisingly nuanced performance; it’s not surprising that the film keeps him out of the suit as much as possible because he’s fun to watch. The film isn’t overwhelmed by special effects, it’s got a decent story that keeps a lively pace, and has a light touch. Be sure to stay until the end of the end credits for a nice little cameo. Oh, and Gweneth Paltrow, for probably the first time ever, didn’t annoy the hell out of me, so that’s a nice little bonus the film has going for it.)

So, what did I need the distraction from?

Monday, any way you look at it, was a heavy news day. Between the earthquake in China, the disaster in Myanmar (Burma), the tornadoes back east, reading this article on how far above the level of CO2 in the atmosphere we are than we should be (and wondering, again, why I’m not looking harder for a job where I can bike to work), and fires up in the Angeles… there’s a whole lot of bad stuff going around right now.

I can’t stop myself from keeping up-to-date on it, though. I like to know what’s happening out there in the big, bad world. It’s too easy, I think sometimes, to simply ignore it all.

Still, I arrived home Monday night to find myself feeling a bit down about all the bad news going around; not so much depressed as simply overwhelmed by it all. Especially the unfolding events in China. It’s always difficult to watch devastating earthquakes elsewhere in the world, knowing that it’s not a matter of if it’s going to hit LA, but when.

Tuesday, of course, was more of the same on the news, so the movie was a nice distraction. For two hours I got away from it all.

There’s a not-to-small part of me that feels bad about that, though. After all, for a lot of people in the world, they can’t get away from it all. Ever. I’m not talking just about those living through the current disasters, but even those who live poorer lives on a day-to-day basis.

It’s self-inflicted, “I just realized (again)” how lucky I am to have the freedom and ability to slip into a cold, dark movie theater for a couple of hours and tune the rest of the globe out. It’s not an uncommon feeling for those of us that are that lucky, I suppose. It often makes me wonder if I should even go, or instead give every one of those ten bucks that might have been spent on the movie to a charity instead.

Sometimes I think I’m too hard on myself, other times I’m not so sure. I do give the money to charity, yet, I go to the movies anyway.

And despite the nagging feeling, I find myself wishing I could find a hot date to join me to see Indiana Jones next week. And slip out of reality in a cold movie theater for another couple of hours.

Getting up early in the morning on a weekend to wash the truck is bad enough. Doing the job single-handedly is a time consuming exercise that, with all the washing and towel-drying, actually resembles, well, exercise.

But the fact that my local car-wash is located behind a donut shop cooking up the first, warm, fresh, delicious-smelling, drool-inducing batch of the day as I’m doing it?

Well, that’s just a sick form of sugary torture.

(The title will make sense only at the end, but I couldn’t resist using it.)

First off, before anyone asks, yes of course I called my Mother today to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day. I would have taken her out for brunch but, well, the 800 mile round trip was a little much to squeeze into a Sunday.

We had a brief but wide-ranging discussion, covering everything from religion to politics to their upcoming travel plans. On those more serious topics: one of the best gifts that she gave me was the ability to debate, and to debate both sides, of just about any given issue.

When I was a kid, especially in high school, we would do exactly that: take an issue, any issue, and debate it extensively. Then we would switch sides of the issue and go at it again.

From this I learned how to see both sides of an issue. On the one hand, it sometimes makes it difficult for me to state a definitive position on issues, but on the other, I’m so thankful in the worldview it’s given me. That I can see the shades of gray in a world that so very often, unfortunately, wants to render each and every issue into black and white. As we all know, the world really doesn’t work that way.

And that was but one of the many gifts she has given me.

I’m wishing her Happy Mother’s Day here on a blog that she doesn’t read, that she doesn’t even know exists. Don’t feel bad for her not knowing about it, though: there’s so much else that we do share, this one little thing is but a trifle.

* * *

The rest of the day was spent at The Museum of Jurassic Technology (a little more info here, but it may be a spoiler if you’re planning to go). It is, bar none, the oddest museum I have ever seen.

I recommend it wholeheartedly. But I can’t describe it to you. Hell, I’m still trying to figure it out myself. It is, positively, the most fascinating, random, eclectic place I’ve ever been.

So, of course, I’ll be heading back at some point.

If you go, though, don’t be surprised if , as you exit, you find yourself facing your companions, looking at each other, and saying “whoa” in a manner that would make Keanu proud.

Goodness knows that’s exactly what we did.

Then we had dinner at the Hare Krishna place around the corner, which somehow fit in perfectly…

(Amazingly, this is written without a single joke relating to a particular infamous ice-skater, but feel free to add your own.)

If you scroll down the site as it is right now, you’ll probably notice something: there’s not a single hike posted. Only a lowly backpack from almost three weeks ago.

If you’ve stopped by seeking hiking posts, you’re probably disappointed. Perhaps even tearing up just a little bit. There, there. *pat’s on back* Don’t fret, just click here.

Unfortunately, there won’t be any new hikes posted for at least a couple more weeks. Sad, no?

Seems when I took the fall on the trail on the backpack a couple of weeks ago, it did a real number on the left knee. The cuts, which were surprisingly deep, are now almost healed, and I think I’ll nail a pretty cool scar out of it. So that’s a plus.

(As an aside, I always love how differently men and women interpret the thought of a scar. Without fail, all the women at my office react to the idea of getting a scar with “ooh, I hope it’s not noticeable.” Men, on the other hand, think: “Scar! Cool!” Mars and Venus indeed.)

The tendon in front of the knee cap is another story altogether, still inflamed from the impact and slowly healing. No, I haven’t been to the doctor (I’m a guy, remember?), but given that the injury seems to be slowly but steadily showing improvement makes me thing it’s gonna be okay.

Given enough time.

So no hiking for a while. And only light cardio in the gym. Certainly no running, since any sort of impact like that hurts like hell. I’m a bit concerned over the lack of cardio, as you might imagine. Let’s all hope I don’t get to the point of changing my name to “RoundHiker” any time soon, if you know what I mean.

Only problem is, I need to hike. Really get out there, you know? Not just park the car and walk a few feet under some trees. No, I need to get out there and walk up a hill. Boulder hop up a canyon. Clamber up to the top of a peak.

And not being able to do so, not having the ability to do so, is killing me.

I’m filling the time as best I can, with various group activities and a trip out of town or two. Still, it’s not quite enough.

On the plus side, I’m supposed to be on a group hike two weeks from now. I figure I’ll see how I’m feeling, go out there, and turn around if things don’t feel good. As a result, it may or may not yield a hike post. “Got out of car, hurt like hell after 100 yards, went back to car” isn’t the best hiking post, wouldn’t you agree?

Although, somehow, I’d probably still manage to shoot 50 pictures in that 100 yards. Heh.

Oh, well. Better to let it heal right rather than screw it up even more, right?

Or so I keep telling myself.

Well, thank you all for the nice comments on yesterday’s post. The whole thing was a little surreal.

I’d be remiss, though, if I didn’t point you all in the direction of fellow blogger Lori MacBlogger, who wrote a piece (and a wonderfully written piece at that) that actually was published in the LA Times last week. The real paper, mind you: paper, ink, held in the hands of thousands of people, the whole deal.

Go check it out.

I don’t spend a whole lot of time looking at the Blog Stats pages that WordPress provides. As lovely as they are, with cool charts and lists of incoming links and references and what not, obsessing over my daily hit count just isn’t my thing.

After all, I have some high quality commenters, which is better than a 10,000 hit day any day.

Still, late Friday night, after having finished packing for a weekend trip out of town, I found myself perusing the page before shutting down the computer for the weekend. My attention perked up a bit when I saw an incoming link from the LA Times.

The LA Times?

“Why on Earth would the LA Times be linking to me?” I thought in my weakeaned “I’ve been packing for waaaaaaaaay too long tonight” mental state.

So I followed the link.

And I gotta tell ya, to be cited in another blog, to be quoted for pete’s sake, is just the oddest thing.

At least it’s just odd and it didn’t go to my head. Gave me a chuckle, actually.

Especially after I returned today and looked at the Times post again, still blinking in the randomness of it all. And I noted how many people had commented on it.

Zero.

Heh.

*Because writing this post is a lot easier than going over several hundred photos from the weekend’s road trip and attempting to write a post at 9:00 on a Friday night.

(Sorry for the lack of posting, I’ve been riveted to “Carrier” all week…)

A couple of weeks ago, an absolute first happened: a woman made the first move on the dating site, sending me an e-mail.

Once I picked myself up off the floor, nursing the bruise on my head from where it struck the coffee table after I passed out from the shock of it all, I replied. I answered her questions, asked a couple of my own, it was all good.

Honestly, given my track record in on line dating, I didn’t expect a response. Oddly, I got one. Heck, I didn’t even pass out the second time.

This went back and forth for another couple of times. As I sent off my third e-mail, I was already, in my mind, prepping the next one, in which I would invite her out for coffee.

Evidently, it was one e-mail too late: I never got a reply.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know all the unwritten rules of online dating. I mean, hell, they’re unwritten for goodness sake.

And maybe there’s an unwritten rule out there that says “thou shalt offer to meet for coffee upon dispatching thine third e-mail to the party interested in thee”, or something like that.

Or maybe she went out over the weekend after I sent the third e-mail and found the love of her life.

Who knows? Who cares? After only three e-mails, I certainly don’t.

But, isn’t it kinda, in its own weird way, funny? I mean, seriously, you wouldn’t just get up in the middle of a conversation with someone, mid-sentence, and walk out, would you? No, of course not. Especially if you were the person that started the conversation. That would be rude.

Apparently, though, those kind of social norms don’t apply in online dating, as I’m learning. It seems for all the unwritten “rules” out there that might apply, there are none regarding common courtesy… ah, well, live & learn…

Bear Canyon Trail Camp is one of those places that really shows how remarkable the Angeles National Forest is. Situated only a few miles north of Pasadena, the camp feels remote and wild and far removed from Los Angeles.

Bear Canyon is a great overnighter, but can also work as a dayhike, using the tables at the campground as a great picnic spot.

The hike starts and follows the trail to Switzer Falls for about the the first 1.5 miles. Note, if you are backpacking, the Forest Service advises to park in one of the lots along Highway 2, adding an additional half mile along the road to Switzers Picnic grounds at the start and end of the hike.

As the trail crosses the creek instead of turning upstream to the falls, continue downstream along the Arroyo Seco. The trail will continue following the creek to the confluence with Bear Creek (approx. 2.5 miles from the start at Highway 2).

Emerald Pool below Switzers Falls

Along the Bear Canyon Trail

Continuing along Bear Creek, upstream now, the trail will weave back and forth, requiring a few easy creek crossings. About 1.5 miles from the confluence, you’ll arrive at Bear Canyon Campground.

Rushing Bear Creek

Afternoon light through maple leaves

Bear Creek near the campground

Pitch a tent anywhere in the wide shady camp area. Be sure to keep an eye out for poison oak, which was plentiful this year. Fire rings and picnic tables are supplied, but there are no restrooms. The creek had plentiful water this spring, but it may be more dry in the late fall.

Total Distance: ~4.0 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,400′/1,400′

Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/

Directions: From Interstate 210, exit Highway 2 North in La Canada Flintridge. Follow the highway to the signed Switzer Picnic area at mile post 34.2. If backpacking, park at one of the two lots along the highway. If dayhiking, descend to the parking area (note: narrow road) and park in the parking lot, or along the highway if the lot is full and NFS has closed the gate. National Forest Pass required.

There’s nothing quite like the Festival of Books. Despite the reputation LA has as a vacuous, non-reading town, thousands of people show up on the UCLA to celebrate the written word. That’ by any definition, is pretty cool.

Of course, it also happened to be blisteringly hot. It was my only complaint of the day, really, as I drained my Camelbak, downed giant sodas and even went for the oh-my-God-I-can’t-believe-it’s-so-sweet-it-hurts cherry Slushie.

Buh, oh, maaaaan, did it taste good…

The day was spent wandering amongst the tents and books, temptation everywhere. At least I held back on picking up tons of publisher catalogs this time around.

I did attend one discussion, called “California: the Great Experiment” with some authors of California history books, discussing the past and possible future of the state. It was fascinating, both as a discussion and with the questions asked by the audience.

Besides that, the day was spent wandering around, looking at books:

Festival Entrance

Books!

Booths at the bottom of the steps

The Janss Steps. You’ll try to avoid going up and down them all day. You’ll fail.

Where else can you get these? How can you not want a Shakespeare or Austen action figure? LOL

So what books did I get?

Ask the Pilot (I’ve the author’s column on Salon.com for a while, so I got his book)
Signspotting 2 (half price!)
Time Out California (Free!)
The Bad Driver’s Handbook (I needed some funny)

But the real pleasure of the Festival was meeting an artist I’ve long been a fan of: Keith Knight. I’ve been reading “The K Chronicles” ever since I was in college. He used to live in the Bay Area and recently moved down here (to my old neighborhood, no less) to pursue additional projects, all of which is chronicled in the semi-autobiographical weekly cartoon.

I bought his books, which he autographed with a signature and quick sketch (it amazes me when anybody can turn out a drawing in 30 seconds flat). We chatted for a while about life and projects and all that. It was a real pleasure.

Go check him out. Read his comics at Salon, which have only gotten better over the years as he has delved into more personal things in his life. His comics about his wife’s (whom he lovingly calls “The Wifey”) health scare a while back were particularly poignant; his strip on bacon was sublime. He has no idea who the GeekHiker is, but he gets the GeekHiker recommendation anyway.