jfin is here…

… I entered some random music-associated competition.  I think it was a coloring-in competition.  I won a harmonica.  It was awesome.  And that was the only thing I have won in my whole life.  Except for the time Coca-Cola seemed to have shipped a pellet full of Coke bottles with ‘one free Coke’ under the lid to the school tuck shop.  But that doesn’t really count.  Oh, and $200 out of the pokies in Vegas.  I lost that again soon after.

We went to the Mount Baker Film Festival in Bellingham on Thursday night … $6.50 to sit in a theatre packed with 1500 raucous skiers and snowboarders and watch 1.5 hours worth of fever-inducing deep pow segments shot at Baker from a range of different ski/board movies.  Entered a competition without really thinking and got the call on Friday to say that I had won a snowboard .. Arbor Crossbow 162.  Sweet.  Thanks to the kind folks at Fairhaven Bike and Mountain Sports. :)

Bring on the winter…

Went to see Into the Wild last Friday night. It’s the movie adaptation of the book by John Krakauer (same guy who wrote Into Thin Air).

“Freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead, 22 year-old Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) instead walked out his privileged life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people. Was Christopher McCandless a heroic adventurer or a naive idealist, a rebellious 1990s Thoreau or another lost American son, a fearless risk-taker or a tragic figure who wrestled with the precious balance between man and nature?”

Fantastic movie. Some great wilderness / outdoors shots and full of a range of uplifting, desperate, happy, introspective, sad, and thought-provoking moments. I was struck by (among other things) how it showed the effect of single-mindedness combined with a failure to forgive on both an individual and family.

“Happiness is only real when shared.”

It was also a reminder for me of the tension between working a “corporate” job, doing the friends / church / city-living thing, and the enjoyment and peace I get out of being out in the wilderness. Sometimes I think I’m erring on the slightly cautious side at this point in life, but then “the wild” isn’t the only thing we have that is beautiful or brings challenge. That said, anyone for a trip out to the Pickets next summer? I love the look of those jagged mountain peaks. :)

Go see it, if you get a chance. And the soundtrack (Eddie Vedder solo album) is well worth a purchase / listen.

Listening to: Eddie Vedder - Society

That was one frustrating game to watch. The All Blacks should have been all over the French .. in fact, they were - except for when it mattered. The rolling phases of pick-and-go play was great to watch. Some good running with the ball. But just couldn’t get all the way.

Where was the drop-goal attempt in the last two minutes? You know, when they were set right in front of the sticks, not when the kicker (McDonald?  McAlister?)  was back in his own half. Sure, Carter and Evans were both off the field but come on.

Of course we’ll ignore the forward pass that was part of the winning French try. Can’t really ignore the tidy defense, and how they took their opportunities - unlike the ABs.

Gah. And now they’ll talk about it for another four years. The joys of being a New Zealander…

Listening to: Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name Of

Summer is out, autumn is in, and winter is on the way.

It’s been a little while since I did this blog thing.. Hill had some holidays, so we both enjoyed being in the same city for four weeks. I went to Chicago for a few days of work-related training (crossing timezones while flying domestic .. hmmm). Wedding planning. Hiking. Climbing. Church. Working. And just generally living, I guess…

One trip, two weekends ago, was a 16-mile round trip to the Tuck and Robin Lakes up in the Cascades. About three hours drive east from Seattle to the trailhead (near Salmon La Sac). Beautiful alpine lakes, surrounded by granite, green, fall colors, and even some snow. Good solid climb to get there, too. Photos here.

Looking forward to having Mum and Dad visit in two weeks time.

Hales Ales in Fremont, Seattle, make a fantastic jerk chicken salad. Brings tears to the eyes. You should try it sometime.  Along with their Cream Stout, of course.

Listening to: Minus The Bear - Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!!