Game Over

I am 43 today. 

Happy Birthday to me!

See you around...

Sheesh!

Two weeks of work at my new job (training the first week in downtown Boston, and then spending a full week at my home store) has left little desire to post. And with my birthday coming up on the 24th (Thanksgiving), this particular blog is coming to a close.

It has been a great year, considering I was severely underemployed for most of it. I read a ton of books (as usual); held another successful Wyman's Pond Music Fest; made it to four concerts and a Red Sox game; hiked an even dozen mountain trails during this year's Mountain Quest (and it's not over yet); and finally landed a good-paying job with potential.

Voyage 42 has been a great trip.

Mountain Quest 12: Temple Mountain

Muddy & wet on the trails (I even slipped a few times), but a great day. There were lots of stone cairns (including a few set up as chairs) atop the various high points. I thought I'd hit all three peaks, but I actually only made it to Holt Peak. It was a fun day, and nice to get out and about in a week when I was working my new full-time (and hopefully long-term) job. I got some cool shots with the macro setting on my camera. And while the sun set behind the mountain, the full moon rose in the sky ahead of me on my descent... I'm not sure how many climbs remain in 2011's Mountain Quest, but this one was a suitable final ascent, if it indeed turns out to be the last.

A New Age

Now that I have a new job (and a fresh start) I am going to pack my life with productivity and remove as much frivolity and non-productive pursuits as possible going forward.

Today I:

• Ate right all day.
• Shaved my head.
• Did laundry.
• Practiced my guitar for several hours (1:15 - 3:30 pm).
• Food shopped.
• Worked out (7:30 - 8:30 pm).

I also spent time online making sure I know how to get to Copley Place for the week. It looks like Alewife → Red Line → Downtown Crossing → Back Bay Station. It should be an interesting day tomorrow...

Status: Employed

Brookstone.

1st Blizzard

We had the first blizzard of the winter of 2011 overnight. The snow began around 1:30 and I lost power (and heat) at 5:45 pm. A giant branch snapped off and crashed down upon my roof at 8:30 pm (from the tree in Jean Marie's backyard) from the weight of all the snow. I read by candlelight ("Crazy '08" and July's National Geographic) in my big chair with Sabrino sleeping on my lap. I took lots of pictures. Then I did some drawing (a woman's profile, and a mountainside dream home), read "Green Lantern vs. Aliens" (DC/Dark Horse, 2000), and kept my fingers crossed for power & heat (to no avail) before going to bed at 11 pm.

I awoke at 3 am and put the stove on again for a half hour, and took more pictures while listening to my iPod. The sky was eerily bright even that late. Then it was back to sleep. A tree came crashing down up the hill (another loud gunshot of sound) as I dozed. I finally got out of bed at 9:30 am, when the sun was up enough to help the burner keep my apartment warm. It never got cold enough for Sabrino to want to join me under the covers, so that was good.

The plow guys came by at 11:30 and did a great job, so at 12:15 or so (after calling Ma to let her know all was well at this address - they only lost power for about 5 minutes!) I went out to shovel my steps clear, and clean off & move my car back to its proper spot in front of my door. I took more pictures, of the fallen rooftop tree limb and the rest of the aftermath, and when I finally went back indoors the power was back on! Sweet.

Game Over

Ski Valley is done (or at least my small part of it). I got to work yesterday after a ten-minute snow & ice scraping of my car, and the trailer was gone. Jaime was working on Unit 60 (the last of the cooperative owners), and Jim didn't even make it down because he was onto the next job. I read the latest issue of Wired magazine while I did my work for the day, and later Jim met me in K-Mart plaza to give me my final pay ($100).

Other notes from the day:

• Ben & Jerry's Schweddy Balls ice cream is very good!
• My cat rocks.
• There is nothing like Ragu with angel hair pasta & ground beef. Mmmm...
• I took down my a/c from the window. The apartment is noticeably warmer already.
• We are supposed to get nearly a foot of snow today! I thought it was only supposed to be a dusting.

Mountain Quest 11: Pratt Mountain

 

 

text later.

The Ocean (Finally)

After a short day at work at Ski Valley I headed down to Colt State Park in Bristol, RI. Since I haven't been to the beach yet in 2011 I decided I'd make the 30 mile drive south from work, finish my book ("After the Party") and walk around for awhile in the sea air.

 

 

 

Crazy Cat

My 15-year-old cat behaving like a spring kitten!

Mountain Quest 9B: North Pack Monadnock

I headed down the north slope of Pack Monadnock, and after a few minutes of confusion (this side of the hill isn't as well-marked as the south side), I found my way down the Wapack Trail. I found a very cool tree that looked like an upstretched hand and took a few goofy pictures until the only two people I saw for the rest of the day passed me in the opposite direction. The two guys had beards and muddy boots and they let me know that North Pack was deserted. Sweet!

The hike was long and leisurely, and I wore myself out quite nicely. When I got to the top of North Pack at 4:30 I beheld sweeping vistas all around me, and there wasn't a soul for miles. I celebrated by eating the Snickers bar I'd brought, and damn, if it didn't taste better than any candy bar I'd had in years. After taking in the view for a bit, taking some photos and standing on all three 'highlands', I decided that haste was required to make it back to my car before sundown. The hike back was fun, and I had Almanac Mountain and Abbie Barrett (her new EP kicks ass) on my iPod for musical accompaniment.

When I got back to the summit of Pack Monadnock it was devoid of humans and the sun was setting rather swiftly. So after getting some awesome pictures both at ground level and back atop the tower I opted to make my descent via the paved road instead of risking darkness on the trail, and having to navigate the cliffs near the base with just a penlight. It was a nice walk, if a bit awkward because of the angle my ankles were forced into. There was only one other car left in the lot at 6:30. I outlasted nearly everyone. What a day. I covered 7½ miles in 4½ hours, and every step was absolutely worth it. Except for the summit of the first peak I had two mountains to myself. I had plenty of water and food. The weather was perfect and the wide variety of scenery was sublime. I was on my own schedule with no boss but myself, and I accomplished something substantial and real. Today's adventure definitely ranks in my Top 5 Days of 2011, and I can't wait to find a way to top it in the weeks to come...

Mountain Quest 9A: Pack Monadnock

2290 feet. text later.

Mountain Quest: Wachusett 4

I was supposed to work in Seabrook today resetting a Staples, but there was no work info in my e-mail in-box, so I had an unplanned day off (score!). So I decided to climb yet another 'unblazed-by-me' trail on Mt. Wachusett.

I began my hike on what I thought was the Echo Lake Trail, but I set off down the wrong path. After some pleasant small talk with two beautiful women and their dog, and a quick converse with two helpful women further up the path at the Harrington Trail juncture, I turned around and wound up taking the Jack Frost Trail up the mountain. I crossed two streams, and then I came across yet another attractive woman who was making her way down a steep area. She indicated the quite-vertical slabs of rock over her shoulder as the direction I was to proceed, so I thanked her and scrambled up the side of the hill. What fun!

The rest of my ascent was via the familiar Mountain House Trail (Jack Frost doesn't like the summit, apparently). When I got to the top the place was packed. "Holy Tourist Season, Batman!". So I took a few pictures, buried my nose in "Havoc's Sword" for a few minutes, and ate my almonds and apple before I fled the crowds of gawkers. I went back down Mountain House to Jack Frost, but then I took the High Meadow Trail, and then ended the hike with the Echo Lake Trail (finally!). The lake itself was unimpressive, but it was a nice interlude (though there were more people with dogs, and even a pair of mountain bikers). Most of the day's hike was pretty solitary but I did pass a few couples in both directions, either with or without dogs. Miranda Lee Richards accompanied me on my iPod, and a mere two minutes from my car, the skies opened up and poured all over everyone else. A great day, and the people weren't too annoying (whattaya want on a dry cool Saturday?). Mission Accomplished.

Car Trouble

My tire finally gave out after months of shuddering and wobbling. I noticed it was flat at the job site, and so I drove it on the near-flat to fill my gas tank, put on the spare (donut) tire, and after a harrowing (yet thankfully uneventful) drive home, arranged for a new tire tomorrow afternoon when I get back down to Rhode Island (and there goes this week's entire $120).

BAH!!

I plan on replacing the passenger side tire the following week as well, so the car is balanced. *sigh*

Is it Really Time Off...

...if nothing happens in between?

I was lucky enough to be extended an invitation to do the rest of Phase III. The deal isn't quite as good (phone and gas are included in the base pay, instead of the way things were done the previous two times, each of the aforementioned being additional to the amount in the past), and it also requires 'clean-up' of Phase II, in which nothing had been done in the intervening 5 weeks since my contract was over, despite having left detailed notes.

So: I am very grateful to have the work (I even postponed my other job to do this), but it's not like the prime deals I enjoyed the first and second times around this particular block. The Big Bonus: working outdoors in a place I have grown to love during the best season of the year in New England!

Mountain Quest: Wachusett 3

Today I approached the mountain from the north, and slogged up the Bolton Pond Trail and then the Old Indian Trail. It took me about 80 minutes to hike up the super-muddy trail (which at times had actual running water hogging the path), which has many cool sights.

There is a loud and swift river running along the right hand side of the BPT, and the namesake Bolton Pond is a very cool place to stop at while the sun is over it. I got a few good photos there, and at Balance Rock, a famous two-stone marker where the trail splits into several routes. I crossed over several ski trails about halfway up the slope. It was sunny and humid, if a bit chilly, but I brought my sweatshirt (which I wound up donning for the descent).

On the way back down it took me about 70 minutes, including one point where I slipped and fell on my ass. As I have practiced over and over in my head, I reflexively dropped my iPod as I fell, and neither it, nor my camera (or my cell phone which I always forget is in my backpack) was harmed in any way. Mojave 3, Nick Drake and Miranda Lee Richards accompanied me musically on the way down. And i got a few cool pictures of the moon! It's a good thing to occasionally look over one's shoulder from time to time on a descent.

Today's was another great hike, proving that just because one climbs the same mountain several times, it does not mean that one cannot find new and interesting ways to enjoy said mountain. I've climbed three completely separate and distinct slopes of the mountain to date, and there is still at least one more worthwhile (West Side Trail to Semuhenna Trail) route in case I can't go further afield. What a day! Sweat-soaked (yet again), chilly and hungry, but as always, a great use of downtime...

Mountain Quest: Mt. Grace

Today I climbed Mount Grace, the 3rd tallest peak in Massachusetts. What a great sunny day.

It was very humid, the mosquitoes were out in full force, and I am extremely pleased with myself for thinking to bring both bottles of water instead of the customary one. After the initial 'around the base' trek (some of it actually going downhill) I passed in order: ancient rusty ski lift equipment, an old engine, and a small camp shed with picnic tables and a giant spiderweb (that unfortunately my camera couldn't capture decently). There were a few times below the summit where I was SO worn out, sopping wet with sweat, and fatigued from the muddy slog as the bugs swarmed from all sides, that I thought about turning around.

When after 80 minutes (give or take) I finally reached the summit, I took off my backpack, grabbed my camera and an apple, and climbed 4 flights of the fire tower before a fear of heights (and the hornets!) made me walk back down. But after eating and resting, I knew I couldn't go home without making another attempt. So I walked back up slowly and safely, and made it up all nine flights to just under the locked tower. The view was magnificent. Broad vistas in all directions that I photographed from a sitting position. After a few minutes of taking in the sights (and hurriedly carving a 'Kz' into the top landing), the hornets became too much to ignore, and I proudly marched the 68 feet (vertical) back down to trusty terra firma, quite satisfied with the way I conquered my fear. I know I would have kicked myself forever had I gone home without succeeding in the attempt.

It was way too buggy to read, so I headed back down the trail (70 minutes or so back). I listened to Mojave 3, Nick Drake and Ivy on my iPod, all fitting bands to accompany me on my descent for the laid back mood in which I inhabited. My water ran out halfway down, and there were a couple of places (damn you, humidity!!) I was dying, but I made it back to my car, sweat-drenched and happy. Someday I will make the hike again, but I am going to ensure beforehand that it is going to be a crisp fall day, and not another devilishly humid one...

Mountain Quest: Crow Hills

Redemption Rock - humid - no vertical

Mountain Quest: Wachusett 2

After feeling restless all day I got off my ass around 4 pm and took the Harrington Trail up Mount Wachusett today. It was a humid day, but it didn't affect me adversely until I got close to the summit. There was a lot to see, including two huge windmills that lay still in the non-windy air. About 3/4 of the way up the mountain the route becomes a vertical scramble. I pushed forward with all of my energy and will, and made it to the top, but not without a few stops to catch my breath and drink some water. Once at the summit there were far too many mosquitoes to allow for comfortable reading, so I ate my food, drank my water, and took a few pictures hurriedly before heading back down, with "Hanging Gardens" by The Necks playing on my iPod. As I reached the bottom of the mountain, I was startled by the windmills 'whooshing' in the breeze, especially after one of the giant vanes caught my eye (out of its corner) way up in the treetops. Spooky! By the time I reached my car my shirt and jeans were soaked with perspiration. Hikes like this one are why I always shower just before I leave the house, so it's an honest sweat, and not an end-of-day 12-hour reek. Anyway, the climb was a great use of my time and physical energy, and i felt worlds better after putting forth the effort.

Mountain Quest: Watatic

It was nice and sunny, and dry and brisk too (in the fifties). A perfect day to climb a mountain. I made it up the hill in an enjoyable and steady 45 minutes, beating last year's time. I passed a lot of people (2 duos and a quintet of old folks) on the way up. There were mushrooms all over (like my other recent climbs), and a few spots of running water and/or mud (non-issues). It was definitely a great day, especially since I had the summit to myself! 20 minutes of solitude to take in the view, snap a few pictures, eat my customary apple and almonds, and read some of "King's Captain". On the way down I listened to Vanessa Kafka (mostly the live stuff and the ep), thinking that all of the WPMF bands should cover each others' songs for an album. I would call it something like "Local Musicians Share Under the Covers" (haha).

Concert: Ivy @ Iron Horse Music Hall

A few weeks ago I bought one ticket to see Ivy, one of my all-time favorite bands, at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA. Today I left the house all shiny and clean at 3:30 pm for the 64-mile drive, with camera, book (Dewey Lambdin’s “King’s Captain“), bottles of water,an apple and a scribbled map of downtown Northampton all on the passenger seat beside me. After a pleasant 90-minute drive through western Massachusetts I arrived in town, and found a convenient parking meter just past the Iron Horse. I fed the meter with six quarters (enough to get me to the ‘free-to-park-after-6pm’ mark), grabbed my novel and wandered around the downtown area in search of the Northampton Brewery.

I spent an enjoyable two hours reading, talking to the spunky and very attractive bartenders, devouring my absolutely perfect Green Mountain Burger, and trying a trio of their beers. I had decided to avoid any IPAs since that is my beer style of choice, and so I began with their Altbier. It tasted like the intersection of an IPA and an Octoberfest. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t anything special. Next was the Magic Carpet Rye. It was lighter in color than the Altbier, and had a stronger scent. The aftertaste was good, the flavor complemented my burger, and it wound up being my favorite of the bunch. The last one I had was their Conundrum. I’ll call it a “Guinness Light” and leave it there. Unremarkable. Overall the beers at the oldest operating brew pub in New England were not bad, but rather disappointing nevertheless. However, the service was stellar (thanks Jess and Krissy!) and the burger (beef ground on-site daily from local sources) was easily the best I have had in years. At 7 pm I settled my tab, grabbed my book, and hoofed it across the square to the Iron Horse.

When I arrived the opening act, The Sometimes, were already in full swing. They sounded (most of the time) like a decent blend of Toad The Wet Sprocket and early U2. They had a lot of energy and I was pleasantly surprised with their set. Then, after a 30-minute intermission (and running into Dominique downstairs), Ivy took the stage. They kicked ass.

They played songs from all across their career, including “The Best Thing”, “Edge of the Ocean”, “Keep Moving”, and “Streets of Your Town”, with which they kicked off the show. They also performed several new songs, including “Fascinated”, “Suspicious”, and “Lost in the Sun”. They had a lot of energy, Dominique was as sexy as ever, and the band each had their shining moments (Adam is a killer bass player). Top it off with several good Long Hammer IPAs (home again, home again – jiggity jig!) and a super hot waitress (brown hair, fresh scent, black tights and a black skirt) smiling nearby whenever I needed a refill, and a seamless drive home, and this was the best Tuesday of 2011 by leaps and bounds…

Mountain Quest: Ball Hill

I loaded up my backpack with the usual items and headed over to Leominster State Forest to hike a new (to me) trail, Ball Hill.

It was a nice sunny day when I arrived at 3:30, and there were few people around. The hike was a big loop, with no summit view or clearly delineated high point, but it was a decent walk. There were mushrooms of many varieties and colors, the foliage was still very green, and I found an interesting tree with a very cool bark pattern.

As I've said elsewhere it wasn't annoying, it wasn't difficult, but it wasn't very fun either. I am glad I hiked the trail, but it was very rocky, the footing was uneven, it was humid (not the trail's fault, but it detracted from the experience), and more of the hike was accompanied by unfavorable odors (swamp, animal poop, etc...) than by the clean fresh scent of trees and fresh water bodies. So: a day well-spent, but definitely no repeat value for this guy. When I return I will try yet another trail, or just walk Crow Hills again, which was fantastic last year.

Mountain Quest: Wachusett

Today at 4:30 pm I began Mountain Quest 2011 with a repeat of last year’s first climb. I went up the Mountain House Trail, and though it was very muddy from the week’s rain, I made the ascent in a swift 36 minutes. There were a lot of people on the trail (there were ten cars in the lot when I parked), but they were all headed down so I didn't get passed on the way up like I did last year. The final short portion of the trail above the summit road was closed for construction, so I hoofed it up the tarry surface to the top, which was dominated by a huge fenced-in area full of holes, digging vehicles and other non-naturey eyesores. I spent ten minutes or so enjoying the view (both Boston and Worcester were easily seen on the eastern and southern horizons, respectively), taking a few photographs, and reading while I ate an apple and drank some much-needed water.

 The descent took a startlingly swift 28 minutes. It felt like I hadn’t even made a climb today. On the way down as I listened to Ambrosia, England Dan & John Ford Coley, and Train on my iPod I passed several sets of dogs and their owners making a sunset ascent. I ended the afternoon down at the lake, where I floated in the middle of the water for a half hour, and then read my book (Dewey Lambdin’s “Jester’s Fortune“) for another half hour as I dried off. The sunset was amazing, as always, and I drove home tired and content, from an honest day’s outdoor exertions…

Deluge

It's raining cats & dogs today! I woke up to the soothing sound of a downpour on my roof, and after getting dressed to run out for half & half and pie, I took a few pictures of the morning:

 

You can see where the drops hit the roof of my car. It was coming down super-hard when I snapped this, and as I left the house a local outdoor cat sprang out from under my stoop.

Fantasy Football

I just got done drafting my fantasy football team ("Nantucket Surf") on Yahoo. I set up a league for my brother Jason, his older son Cooper, my nephew Hayden, and my two friends Brian and Dan. Should be a fun season.

A Three Hour Tour

I only had morning appointments at work, so when I got home (after a great lunch of chicken and corn bread shared with my cat) I packed my backpack and cooler and headed down to the lake.

Everything has been packed up for the non-summer, and the big wooden shed is full of everything that used to go in the smaller plastic shed. The hammock is down and the port-a-potty is gone. All the chairs & tables are stacked near the shed too. So I grabbed a chair from the shed, rolled the spool over, and set up camp. I finished the last 20 pages of "The French Admiral" with a Magic Hat HI.P.A. (goooood beer), and then slathered on the sunscreen so I could paddle out to the middle of the lake with another beer to bask in the afternoon sun. There were a lot of planes flying overhead. The lake was deserted except for some jackass mowing the lawn of annoying neighbors on the other side of the cove. I floated for awhile, paddled in for another beer, paddled back out, and headed in for good after an hour and a half of peace.

Later I started a fire and cooked several hot dogs, which weren't very hot when I ate them, and they tasted a bit too much like lighter fluid. I also called Erik, Jay & Brian to see if they want to hang out Saturday night at The Cactus Club. After I ate I began Harry Turtledove's "A World of Difference". It's starting off well but I am going to wait and read the next 'Alan Lewrie' adventure, "Jester's Fortune" first. I left around 7 pm after packing everything up. What a great day.

Errands

On the way home from a great day at work (sunny, high 70's, 3 units signed off) I made three stops:

1. Barnes & Noble - for a new journal.
2. Ocean State Job Lot - for some super-cheap canvases, paint brushes and acrylics.
3. Michale's for three big tubes of acrylics ($3.99 each, except for the cadmium red, which was $0.79!).

Sweet.

Hurricane Irene

• Just a lot of rain, and a bit of wind filled today's grey day due to Hurricane Irene (downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reached Massachusetts).
• TV was Friday's latest "Thundercats" and a lot of Bianca de la Garza talking about the weather.
• I also read the amazingly perfect for kids of all ages "Marineman" comic book series. I need to get the trade paperback for a few of the kids.
• Mac & Cheese and ground beef for a late lunch.
• ...And I just bought one ticket to see Ivy at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton for Tuesday September 13th!