Wednesday, June 21, 2006

The Last 10 Minutes - Half Dome vs. Xbox

This is important, people. Watch the video report and click the link to the referenced article. I could write a lot about this, but I'd really like your comments on this.

Now for the silly stuff:

With the wealth of knowledge gained from Hannibal, Sylvester Stallone, and Hulk Hogan, Mr. T is ready to help fools in his upcoming reality show.

Ah, 1994. The year I graduated from high school. Shortly after I received my diploma in my oxblood Doc Martins, retro garb from thrift shops was becoming mainstream, I was still wearing my Fuc't shorts, and OJ Simpson's white Bronco was televised for all to see. Oh, you forgot about that? Well, now you can buy the commemorative souvenir, right at home next to your cap and gown. Hurry while supplies last! Otherwise, there's always the bombed Oklahoma City Federal Building.

Until Mr. T's show premieres, you can satisfy your kitsch appetite with America's Got Talent, which has Simon Cowell, David Hasselhoff, Regis Philbin, and Brandy (WTF?) collaborating for a revisioning of Star Search. If it's half as funny as The Gong Show, I may just lower myself to watch.

8 Comments:

Blogger Maya said...

Heyyyyy! My first verbal shout-out! Sorry, will now recover from hubris and address the Topic at Hand.

SO SAD. I cannot imagine growing up without thinking of camping trips (aka : living in the dirt, sans proper plumbing) with family and friends. The snow, the beach, the mountains - are all essential to being a well-developed human being, IMHO.

I think we've got to consider a few things on this front, though:

1. Parents are working more, and more often single/divorced. Thus: Less time/money to take the family to ________. I mention families in particular because it seems like a "family type activity.

2. The "popular" national parks are SO! Croweded! in the summer and too cold/far away/closed in the winter.

3. This current crop of (fatties) kids are being raised by the second or third generation latchkey/TV dinner types.. and that doesn't bode well for them as far as suddenly coming up with the idea, "hey mom and dad, can we go camping?" when they've got a PS...whatever to play with.

3b. I notice that many of the parents now (read: often the ones who wait till their 40's+) are hyper-protective about thier kids getting dirty/sunburnt/stung by a bee/injesting a peanut-type food,etc - Things like that? HAPPEN IN THE OUTDOORS.

4. Camping/outdoorsy stuff (ie skiing) used to be pretty cheap. Not anymore.

I don't however, think any of that is a good excuse to forsake the great Outdoors. Speaking of which - you would love my Annual Death March - January 1 of every (non-rainy) year, we have this great walk from SB to Carpinteria (my hometown) on the beach. Its gorgeous. Consider this your pre-invitation.

June 22, 2006 12:54 PM  
Blogger Peter said...

mmm...lots of thoughts there meeps.

1) for sure when you're in the outdoors, it has to be done right. unfortunately my folks didn't do it quite right, but well enough so that i look back with fondness and gratitude. AND they both worked full time. with 3 boys.

2) the popular parks are indeed crowded. the bay area is notoriously the worst. there is so much to do, but it can get crowded. two things you must do: go on weekdays, or go 3 hours away. neither of which is that bad. for day excursions, it's just not reasonable to expect the forest to be only yours. but it's less crowded than an arcade.

3) totally agree with you there. those people are creating lawsuit-happy morons.

4) i disagree. camping was never cheap. i ask my pop, and he says prices are about the same. the younger generation is just paying for it now :) the good thing is that everything's lighter & simpler. which means you can spend less time cursing your backpack & more time enjoying nature.

i think we're gonna aim for spending new years down south :)

June 22, 2006 2:53 PM  
Blogger Peter said...

mace, it's unfortunate that some people equate a sedentary life w/luxury. "A hike?!?! That's work!

June 22, 2006 2:56 PM  
Blogger Maya said...

Clarification: Yes, camping was always expensive (relatively) - I was actually referring more to skiing/snow type activities, which have had their prices JACKED UP to the max in the last ten-fifteen years.

My parents, bless their little hippy hearts, (we was so po' growin' up...) were really good about taking us camping with the 3 girls - and they did a great job considering that I was always the one saying, "can I just DRAW this mountain?" and "Holllld onnnnn... I wanna pick this flower and press it.." and "where is the SHOWER, for the loveapete?" and I attract bears, bees and bugs like a magnet.

June 22, 2006 3:14 PM  
Blogger Peter said...

Yeah, I agree with you on the snowboarding part. Too expensive. But last year I just bought all the snowboarding gear and need to make it worthwhile. This winter's gonna be outta control fun.

Your parents sound like fun!

June 22, 2006 3:26 PM  
Blogger Maya said...

They are still fun - actually my sisters' post from yesterday talks about how fun they still are. If you're ever in Aspen area, you've got to get together with them. Seriously - they'd happily kick my youngest sister (not the one on my blogroll) out for a week or so and you can stay in her room, no worries. Ask Scott about his skiing experience with my dad.

Hey by the way - do you know of any (relatively) inexpensive places to rent in the Berkeley/Bay Area? Let me know if you've got the inside track on anything fit for a nice young pair.

June 22, 2006 6:00 PM  
Blogger Peter said...

Someday, I'll return to Aspen. It's been almost 20 years. Me & the Missus are the apartment managers for our building & can get phone #s for you. Tell them it'll be from $1K to about $1400 for a one bedroom in a nice area. Can you believe the prices have dropped?

June 23, 2006 9:51 AM  
Blogger Maya said...

I can't believe it! Wow! I'll definitely pass the news on! Thanks!

June 23, 2006 12:14 PM  

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