The GeekHiker

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 31, 2010

An Ironic Idea

With a name like “GeekHiker” and a blog, finding balance between time immersed online and time offline and away from technology out on the trail is pretty much a given.

I don’t know that I always succeed.

I try, of course, to strike a balance between the two. Most of the week, though, I work, go to the gym or run errands, and come home. I’d love to say that I get off work, throw on the hiking boots and hit the trail but, alas, the sun has gone down and I’m more likely reading or watching TV or, yes, spending time online.

7 Comments

Posted in Computers, Television

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 27, 2010

Really? You’re Gonna Call It That?

As a computer guy, I’ll admit that my feelings about Apple are mixed.

I admire their operating systems, which are very stable and efficient. I usually detest their hardware design, not being a big fan of all-white, “futuristic” looking things. I’ll never forget the round mouse, where you never knew where the top was. And, honestly, I just can’t get behind any device that I can’t replace the battery in (I’m ‘lookin at you, iPod).

Still, even though I work with PC’s most of the time, I have to admit begrudging admiration for a company that can cause such a stir whenever they come out with a new product.

12 Comments

Posted in Computers

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 25, 2010

A Fee-Free Rant

I’m not the first person to blog about the subject of fees, and I probably won’t be the last.

Maybe this is one of those minor things, but last weekend it got so annoying it’s prompted me to write a bit of a rant.

I hope you’ll forgive.

11 Comments

Posted in Hiking, Rants

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 21, 2010

Go Team Coco

(Because occasionally one needs to post on less weighty matters. *)

To start, I’ll be completely honest: I never watched Conan O’Brien on a regular basis.

Not because I didn’t like the guy, or find him on occasion downright hilarious. No, I’m just not a late night kind of guy. That era belongs squarely to my college years.

Like so many others, though, I’ve been catching his opening monologues on Hulu ever since the tussle with NBC started a couple of weeks ago. And I get exactly why he’s suddenly so popular.

5 Comments

Posted in Friday Sillyness, Television

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 20, 2010

Back To Baja

I went back across the border this weekend, to the secret spot in Baja I went to last year.

Second time out of the country, and I still have no stamps in my Passport. No lengthy stop at the border, no visa, nothing. Hell, we nobody even asked us any questions.

Blank pages bug when you’ve actually used the damn thing.

11 Comments

Posted in Life, Random Thoughts, Stuff I Like, Travel

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 15, 2010

Gift Giving

Now, normally I’m not the type to brag about the gifts I give people. I have, however, decided to make an exception here.

See, sometimes there’s someone in your life that is just that special. Some that’s faithful, loyal, and true. Someone’s who’s always there for you, who always has your back. Someone who, even when you make a wrong turn in your relationship and end up on the rough road by mistake, always brings you back to the smoother path. A friend who just never lets you down, who gives of themselves and asks for little in return.

With someone like that, it’s always good to give back and buy them something nice to show your appreciation. And so it was that today…

16 Comments

Posted in Friday Sillyness, Random Thoughts

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 12, 2010

Random Thoughts ‘Whilst Hiking 2

I was tempted Sunday to linger in Griffith Park and watch the sunset over the basin and Santa Monica Bay. Having neglected my flashlight (very bad practice for a hiker, btw), and with dinner-time hunger creeping in, I elected to return.

The walk down was just as scenic, with long shadows creeping their way over Glendale and a rosy pink glow catching the snow-capped peaks up in the San Gabriels. The view, on a remarkably clear day, left little to complain about.

12 Comments

Posted in Hiking, Random Thoughts

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 10, 2010

Random Thoughts ‘Whilst Hiking 1

I headed out today for a short, completely unstructured hike to break in a new pair of hiking boots. Well, I’d intended it to be short: as it turned out, I wandered around and up and down ridges for over six miles. Whoops.

I ended up at Griffith Park since my original hiking destination was suffering from full-parking-lot syndrome. Griffith Park isn’t my favorite hiking spot, as I usually find it to be too crowded with huge groups, loud families, and over-primped people working on their exercise programs. It’s not exactly conducive to finding a little peace and solitude along the trail, if you know what I mean.

15 Comments

Posted in Hiking, Random Thoughts

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 7, 2010

Brief Holiday Rundown

Just a quick rundown of the holidays, for posterity’s sake. The holidays were pretty mellow, so don’t expect a lot of excitement here. Then again, a mellow holiday is probably exactly what I needed.

* * *

After the exceptionally clear flight up to Northern California, the remainder of the day was very busy. After picking me up, The Parentage and I had lunch, then went to a meeting, then headed through accident-laden traffic to see my Grandmother. You may recall that she is the one who developed delusional disorder (similar to dementia) last year.

In the year since I’d last been up north, the doctors have been tweaking her medication, and I do have say that this visit was remarkably different from the previous one. Unlike last time, she wasn’t having discussions with people no longer alive or staring vacantly off into space.

9 Comments

Posted in California, Family, Hiking, Stuff I Like, Travel

Posted by: GeekHiker | January 4, 2010

Putting Christmas Back In The Box

After a morning bike ride, I spent Sunday taking down the Christmas decorations, boxing them up, and putting them away. It was surprising how long it took, cutting into the time I’d planned to spend reading that afternoon, though I did manage to finish “Dead Pool” by the end of the night anyway.

The work didn’t excite me too much; it even caused a bit of frustration. I found myself unusually irritated at little things, like when the blinds decided to fall apart when taking down the lights from the front window, or when the box into which I’d stuffed all the lights fell apart just as I was putting it away.

I’m not perfect, and I’ll admit that watching those lights fall to the floor rubbed me the wrong way. I ended up working my frustration out with a bit of swearing and slamming of cabinet doors. Had anyone been in the room, they probably would have thought I’d lost it (and for a moment, perhaps I did).

16 Comments

Posted in Random Thoughts