Trip - Chandelier Tree

On our trip, we took a little diversion to ride through the Chandelier Tree. Some stats for you.  It is 315 feet high, 21 feet in diameter, amd 2,400 years old.  Quite an age!  Soon after Michael went through, I did, and then came a big automobile. It was a 1960ish Dodge and barely made it.  The wife of the driver had to direct him through.  Later on we rode through a couple of Redwood forests; they were amazing.  Tall, dark and silent; in fact quite eerie.

Trip - Manzanar

On the penultimate day of our trip we passed through Lone Pine on the 395.  Just to the north we stopped to have a look at Manzanar.  It is a controversial place, as it is one of the ten internment camps erected to incarcerate Japanese Americans from 1942 to 1945.
People still argue over the correct name of the facility with the more militant insisting that it be called a concentration camp.
There is no doubt that to many of the internees the incarceration was a dreadful punishment for just being of Japanese heritage.  Some no doubt were spies, but mostly they were peaceful citizens as shocked at the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor as anyone else.  So if the same thing happened today, what would you do?
To read more about the events you can read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzanar

Video - Hackett

I've never actually posted a joke on the blog before - well, not in video form.  My friend Kevin sent me this one delivered by Buddy Hackett, who was surely one of the funniest men in the business.  It is somewhat off-color so be prepared to be offended. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln0oWjjAW8w

Sunday's Column - Mojave Narrows

Pelican Lake at Mojave Narrows Regional Park

This week the column goes out into the country, or El Campo as it's known south of the border.  Mojave Narrows Regional Park is set in a area of urban build up which makes it seem even more countryfied.  There are two lakes and an area to rent horses and the bucolic atmosphere pervades the entire place, it's always a pleasure to visit.  You can read the column at http://www.sbsun.com/trevorstravels/ci_21817765/mojave-narrows-desert-oasis

About four years ago, I did a series of ten videos called Trevor's Treasures, which were my ten favorite places to visit in the Inland Empire.  The Mojave Narrows Regional Park was number ten on that list.  I have all the videos as a permanent link here on the blog, but this is the one for the park. http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1676043380

Tirade - Football

It's taken me a long time to appreciate American Football (It took me one game to realise I hated the English style!)  But can someone tell me why we have to start the season - well pre-season - in August.  Then we have dozens of games every Sunday, several more later in the week and it all comes to an end in January.  Then we have the appalling prospect of basketball for months until the pre-season of baseball begins and Dodger fans can begin to dream again.  (Normally those dreams are turned to nightmares quite early, of course!) It's not that football players play basketball so why the rush?  Could I make a suggestion.  Lets start the season in late September, then if the weather is too bad to play in the north, then let's make two divisions, north and south or those with covered stadiums and those not.  Then we could also limit the number of games that come on each day.  That way we get a longer season.  This stuff is not hard to figure out. Come on People!

Right Track - clear choice

Worth considering - or is Romney "lying" again?!

Music Track - More MJQ

I played a little of the Modern Jazz Quartet here a few weeks ago and I had a lot of mail about it, all positive.  So here's another piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY_byFYO8Fo&feature=related

Corfe Castle

I was reading an on-line British newspaper the other day and there was this charming photo of one of my favorite places in England - Corfe Castle.
I first went there when I was about 17 with my first girlfiend and another couple.  It was the first trip I'd ever taken away from my parents and so far away.  In those days the drive was about three hours with no motorways to help.  The drive from Wareham down to Corfe was the last link and we were all pretty tired, when all of a sudden as we came around a bend the Castle popped into view.  It's an incredible sight.  The castle, built by William the Conquerer in the 11th century, was blown to pieces by Oliver Cromwell in 1645 after the civil war ended.  Immediately in front here is a pub called not unnaturally The Castle.  To the right out of frame is another one called The Greyhound.  I have been back many times to the village, but never stayed again.

20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago today I joined the motorcycling community.

This is a rather grainy photo of me riding away on delivery of my first Harley - a 1993 FXRS.  The young lady on the left is Molly, the saleswoman, who sold it to me.  I had never ridden a motorcycle before except a 150 cc Honda around the parking lot of a rider safety course three weeks earlier.  I was extremely nervous riding this 1340 cc bike away.  But now it's a distant memory.  I wonder what Molly is doing now?  My first traffic problem was at the end of the road I was about to turn into.  It was the crossroads of Washington and Lincoln, about the busiest in LA.  On that day however they were making a film and there were several cops around to watch me negotiating this intersection.  Thank God I didn't drop it.

Wind

Men often say they think they're getting like their fathers.  I can relate to that, but I also sometimes feel I'm getting like his father, of whom I was exceptionally fond.  He was in the Royal Navy and was very affected by the weather. He lived in Southampton, Hampshire during the years that I knew him, and generally the weather is not too bad down there.  But he hated it when the wind went round to the east.  He would humph around the house tapping the barometer.
He had served the first few years in the Royal Navy under sail, and I suppose much of his dislike came from the feeling of vulnerability if the wind was in your face and your enemies on the Continent had it at their backs.  Also all that dirty air the Germans. French and other foreigners breathed out was coming our way.
Here too in Southern California, an east wind is not good.  In the current season it is hot and unhealthy from the desert, and a little later it becomes the dreaded Santa Anas (in actuality, the Santana Devil Winds) which blow hot air and fire danger.  In the photo above you can see it's blowing from the east.  Grandad wouldn't like that!

Video - Magic

I really hate magic tricks.  They make me feel dumb.  And the reason most magicians won't tell you how they do the trick is because once you know how it's performed then you feel even dumber.  So here's an explanation of various tricks and how they happen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IAgpnJeVoY&playnext=1&list=PLCE5173B757CF295C&feature=results_main

Sunday's Column- USS Iowa

The column this week is about The Big Stick, which was the nickname of the USS Iowa.  She is perhaps the ultimate battleship with nine massive guns, now silent as she sits in San Pedro as a museum. 

The Business End of USS Iowa

Be prepared for lots of climbing up and down stairs as there is a lot to see.  And don't get behind little kids!
You can read the entire column at www.sbsun.com/trevorstravels

Tirade - Changes

I'm sure I'm not different from a lot of people but I'm always suspicious of unnecessary changes in my life.  Particularly with computer stuff.  Recently Hotmail have seen fit to change their contacts layout.  It is nowhere near as good as it was, even though it's prettier.  Also Morgue File, where I get my pictures, has changed their format.  Once again it's prettier but it's not as good and I swear they're cutting down the number of free pictures.  No doubt as an inducement to purchase better ones.  So when you young 'uns think you need to change something to seem as if you're making a contribution.  Please re-consider if it's really necessary.  Come on People!

Right Track - New Yorker

I didn't watch the infamous First Debate, as I knew I would be bombarded with clips and opinions the following day.  I find such things rather embarrassing, and I don't know why. 

But the New Yorker, not one of the most right wing rags around, has a front cover this week that rather proves Clint Eastwood's heavily criticised performance at the RNC conference was on target.