Saturday, December 02, 2006
magoo -
I think we got the same 10 inches that you did, except ours is likely to stick around for a bit.
I think we got the same 10 inches that you did, except ours is likely to stick around for a bit.
Um, unfortunately, we lost the camera on the way back. So, I can't prove definitively that we went to brunch. However, I do have stock footage of Ginnu ( or someone who could be Ginnu ) smiling in front of a plate of food.....................
Apparently, I am not as prompt as Bruce in recycling my mags. I still have my print copy of Maclean's. Almost the entire last page of the article is missing online.
After considerable pleading on my part and the promise of another meal out, Ginnu has agreed to attempt to scan that page into the computer and then paste it onto the SJC. This may take a day or two as G has just learned to scan stuff this week and has only done it once. That and the fact that Ginnu is busy, presently, telling anyone who will listen that it's only Dec. 2nd and she's finished her Christmas baking, shopping and house decorating. Gotta go now Ginnu's just remembered there's one person she has yet to e-mail with the news.
Apparently, I am not as prompt as Bruce in recycling my mags. I still have my print copy of Maclean's. Almost the entire last page of the article is missing online.
After considerable pleading on my part and the promise of another meal out, Ginnu has agreed to attempt to scan that page into the computer and then paste it onto the SJC. This may take a day or two as G has just learned to scan stuff this week and has only done it once. That and the fact that Ginnu is busy, presently, telling anyone who will listen that it's only Dec. 2nd and she's finished her Christmas baking, shopping and house decorating. Gotta go now Ginnu's just remembered there's one person she has yet to e-mail with the news.
Well, that's strange. I could have sworn that the whole story was there when I posted the link. Bbob, there is about 500 words or so missing, and unfortunately I just recycled my magazine copy. Personally I think that it is more than likely that he made it.
I guess the part I have a problem with is connecting his dealership's failure and his loss as a motivational speaker with any questioned summit without knowing all the factors relating to these enterprises. For example, what role might his bombastic personality might have had on car sales or motivational talks.
What I find curious is that since this story broke last August, Everestnews, who has always been one of Byron's biggest supporters has not mention him or this story even in passing. I know that he was on their speaker's bureau for a time. And to be honest, aside from a few of the "big" names, I don't think many are making a living on the rubber-chicken Everest talker tour. I don't think that it's that big of a draw anymore, and if the lack of the word "Everest" on the mountaineering bookshelves is any indication, I'd bet that I'm right.
Also interesting is Terry's reference to my knowledge of the local climbing community - frankly they share Terry's feeling, and could care less if he made it or not. My sense is that they just wish he'd go away quietly and cease with the threats.
I guess the part I have a problem with is connecting his dealership's failure and his loss as a motivational speaker with any questioned summit without knowing all the factors relating to these enterprises. For example, what role might his bombastic personality might have had on car sales or motivational talks.
What I find curious is that since this story broke last August, Everestnews, who has always been one of Byron's biggest supporters has not mention him or this story even in passing. I know that he was on their speaker's bureau for a time. And to be honest, aside from a few of the "big" names, I don't think many are making a living on the rubber-chicken Everest talker tour. I don't think that it's that big of a draw anymore, and if the lack of the word "Everest" on the mountaineering bookshelves is any indication, I'd bet that I'm right.
Also interesting is Terry's reference to my knowledge of the local climbing community - frankly they share Terry's feeling, and could care less if he made it or not. My sense is that they just wish he'd go away quietly and cease with the threats.
Hey Bruce - thanks (regarding www.macleans.ca/topstories/canada/article.jsp?content=20061127_137057_137057) - When I first looked at it I thought "this is too long - I'm not going to read all that" but then a read a little and couldn't stop. The last paragraph ends with "And yet,". Am I missing something? Or, is that just a trailing thought?
It's funny. I never thought that he didn't summit, but he damn sure tried to pass off someone else as himself in his motivational video. I think that's all he's guilty of - stupidity. He probably summited, but without a photo, it'll forever be questionable and I think that's reasonable.
Tim - I think you'll enjoy Isaac's Storm as would most on this blog. History, weather, disaster - how could we not?
Tim - I think you'll enjoy Isaac's Storm as would most on this blog. History, weather, disaster - how could we not?
Um, Terry please be sure to get a photo of the brunch... You know to prove that you're the dutiful SO you claim to be. :-)
Grover, Grover, Grover.........(sigh)............On the SJC, it has never been necessary to inform oneself before opining. In the instant case this is especially so as I have not given an opinion about whether TCCD summited. But here goes.............I have changed my mind several times on this question. Like most people, I am influenced heavily by the fact that Byron is such an egocentric, dislikeable individual. I WANT him to be proven to be a fraud.
Still, that egocentricity and dislikeability does not necessarily make him a liar. The lack of a Summit photo with Byron in it and his apparent attempt to portray the Danish climber's photo as a picture of himself certainly damage his credibility.
On the other hand, several years ago at the Banff Mountain Festivals, I raised the subject with Laurie Skreslet ( the first Canadian to summit Everest and , admittedly, a friend of Byron's ). He was unequivocal in stating that it just wasn't in Byron's nature to lie about such a thing.
Similarly, I find it interesting that there appears to be a Summit photo of several of Byron's Sherpas. Given the compensation they were receiving, I find it hard to believe that they would summit without him. Even if they had to short-rope him to the top a la SHP.
Also, I find interesting Byron's statement, " How much money would I have to pay 7 Sherpas to keep them quiet ? When would one have too much chang and let it slip ? " ( I paraphrase. )
There IS an element of subtle rascism in the easy assumption that as poor third world people , of course they lack integrity and could be bought off by Byron for a pittance. But follow that logic a bit. If Byron could pay them off, why couldn't someone else now easily induce one of them to tell the ' truth ' and expose Byron?
Byron's planned career as a motivational speaker is in ruins. He has lost one of his dealerships. His reputation has been destroyed. Personally, I would be inclined to go as low-profile as possible. Maybe, that's just not Byron's nature. Instead, He continues to pursue what he perceives as vindication through lawsuits and press interviews.
I am reminded of the story of the scorpion who asks a frog to ferry him across a river. The frog says " but you'll sting me and kill me ". The scorpion responds " but that wouldn't make sense 'cause then we'd both die. As they cross the river the scorpion stings the frog. As he is dying and they are both about to drown, the frog asks the scorpion why he did it. The scorpion responds " it's my nature ".
In short, I am undecided as to whether Byron summited or not.
Bruce is better tied into the local climbing community than I am and is more informed of the 'facts' of this matter.I'd be interested to see him post on the subject.
Finally, it is a beautiful sunny 'big sky' Alberta morning here. We have come out of a week long bitter cold snap. In a week, my 9 month old Nephew Michael will be Christened here in Calgary. The following week, I'll travel to Ottawa where my Family will join together for the Christening of my newest niece Finlay. Thereafter, we will celebrate Christmas amongst friends. I simply don't care about Byron Smith very much just now. I think I'll take my Bride, Ginnu, to brunch.
Still, that egocentricity and dislikeability does not necessarily make him a liar. The lack of a Summit photo with Byron in it and his apparent attempt to portray the Danish climber's photo as a picture of himself certainly damage his credibility.
On the other hand, several years ago at the Banff Mountain Festivals, I raised the subject with Laurie Skreslet ( the first Canadian to summit Everest and , admittedly, a friend of Byron's ). He was unequivocal in stating that it just wasn't in Byron's nature to lie about such a thing.
Similarly, I find it interesting that there appears to be a Summit photo of several of Byron's Sherpas. Given the compensation they were receiving, I find it hard to believe that they would summit without him. Even if they had to short-rope him to the top a la SHP.
Also, I find interesting Byron's statement, " How much money would I have to pay 7 Sherpas to keep them quiet ? When would one have too much chang and let it slip ? " ( I paraphrase. )
There IS an element of subtle rascism in the easy assumption that as poor third world people , of course they lack integrity and could be bought off by Byron for a pittance. But follow that logic a bit. If Byron could pay them off, why couldn't someone else now easily induce one of them to tell the ' truth ' and expose Byron?
Byron's planned career as a motivational speaker is in ruins. He has lost one of his dealerships. His reputation has been destroyed. Personally, I would be inclined to go as low-profile as possible. Maybe, that's just not Byron's nature. Instead, He continues to pursue what he perceives as vindication through lawsuits and press interviews.
I am reminded of the story of the scorpion who asks a frog to ferry him across a river. The frog says " but you'll sting me and kill me ". The scorpion responds " but that wouldn't make sense 'cause then we'd both die. As they cross the river the scorpion stings the frog. As he is dying and they are both about to drown, the frog asks the scorpion why he did it. The scorpion responds " it's my nature ".
In short, I am undecided as to whether Byron summited or not.
Bruce is better tied into the local climbing community than I am and is more informed of the 'facts' of this matter.I'd be interested to see him post on the subject.
Finally, it is a beautiful sunny 'big sky' Alberta morning here. We have come out of a week long bitter cold snap. In a week, my 9 month old Nephew Michael will be Christened here in Calgary. The following week, I'll travel to Ottawa where my Family will join together for the Christening of my newest niece Finlay. Thereafter, we will celebrate Christmas amongst friends. I simply don't care about Byron Smith very much just now. I think I'll take my Bride, Ginnu, to brunch.
Tim - please pass along my congratulations to your brother. I'll have to try and track down the book north of the 49th.
Friday, December 01, 2006
thanks for the link Bruce. Was a very balanced report of an out-of-balance individual, IMO.
I remember early snows (Sept/Oct) were an annual event growing up in the panhandle of Texas. Nice to know that our Environmental Protection Agency is currently arguing before the Supreme Court that there is no such thing as global warming.
Blue northers are exciting events, with nothing but "bob y-ir" fences to stop the arrival of those arctic winds. That spelling of barbed wire is from my brother Pete's new novel, Lone Star Law (shameless plug). If you like Tony Hillerman/Larry McMurtry and want a brief explanation of the savings and loan scandal, you might give it a try. I promise you will learn at least a dozen new Texas idioms, which Pete has been collecting for some time [You may also notice that he refused to let me (or anyone else) edit it]. I'm waiting on the Erik Larson hurricane book right now.
My condolences to our northern friends--I remember that pathetically low hop across the sky that the sun would make about this time of year.
I remember early snows (Sept/Oct) were an annual event growing up in the panhandle of Texas. Nice to know that our Environmental Protection Agency is currently arguing before the Supreme Court that there is no such thing as global warming.
Blue northers are exciting events, with nothing but "bob y-ir" fences to stop the arrival of those arctic winds. That spelling of barbed wire is from my brother Pete's new novel, Lone Star Law (shameless plug). If you like Tony Hillerman/Larry McMurtry and want a brief explanation of the savings and loan scandal, you might give it a try. I promise you will learn at least a dozen new Texas idioms, which Pete has been collecting for some time [You may also notice that he refused to let me (or anyone else) edit it]. I'm waiting on the Erik Larson hurricane book right now.
My condolences to our northern friends--I remember that pathetically low hop across the sky that the sun would make about this time of year.
Do I have to actually read Terry's opinion before I opine on it?
Sigh.. that's too much work!
We Seattlites are finally defrosting after a lovely week of real snow. Our puppy, not knowing what to make of his first snowfall, enjoys a game of Snowball Fetch (Much easier than the regular game of fetch, wherein the argument over "Drop it" is a perpetual battle of the minds. His usually winning, I'm chagrined to report).
(BTW, I realize that our definition of "real snow" is not the same as our Canadian friends'. Or PBob's. But this was actual snow --about 10-12" total at my house--that has actually accumulated in my backyard and stuck around for a few days.)
And November broke the record for the Wettest Month Ever in Washington.
We're very busy, weather-wise, here in Pacific Northwest.
Sigh.. that's too much work!
We Seattlites are finally defrosting after a lovely week of real snow. Our puppy, not knowing what to make of his first snowfall, enjoys a game of Snowball Fetch (Much easier than the regular game of fetch, wherein the argument over "Drop it" is a perpetual battle of the minds. His usually winning, I'm chagrined to report).
(BTW, I realize that our definition of "real snow" is not the same as our Canadian friends'. Or PBob's. But this was actual snow --about 10-12" total at my house--that has actually accumulated in my backyard and stuck around for a few days.)
And November broke the record for the Wettest Month Ever in Washington.
We're very busy, weather-wise, here in Pacific Northwest.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Oh Magoo, not harping, just providing the latest chapter is all... Sort of a, "Where are they now?" thing.
At first I thought, oh no, there goes Bruce again... still harping on the TCCD, but this looks interesting, I'm going to finish it later...
... soon as my fingers defrost.
CSTerry: I can't remember your take on this??
Have you guys seen the new interactive weather map at weather.com? Wow, that thing has been extremely accurate. If you go to http://www.weather.com and halfway down the page you see a link for interactive radar map, click on it.
I'm sure this is the earliest snowfall I've ever seen in Texas.
... soon as my fingers defrost.
CSTerry: I can't remember your take on this??
Have you guys seen the new interactive weather map at weather.com? Wow, that thing has been extremely accurate. If you go to http://www.weather.com and halfway down the page you see a link for interactive radar map, click on it.
I'm sure this is the earliest snowfall I've ever seen in Texas.
Now you can all see if you agree with Terry's opinion.
www.macleans.ca/topstories/canada/article.jsp?content=20061127_137057_137057
Merry Christmas!
www.macleans.ca/topstories/canada/article.jsp?content=20061127_137057_137057
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Hi Rose
Thanks Bruce - I will look at that at the bookstore
Thanks for the pictures - that's great - Texas and China
Thanks Bruce - I will look at that at the bookstore
Thanks for the pictures - that's great - Texas and China
Monday, November 27, 2006
Another one from Galveston Island
This is a little south of Galveston, Texas on the Gulf of Mexico. Hard to believe this tranquil Gulf can unleash such a fury on its residents.
I'm reading a great book called, Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson - it's about the 1900 hurricane that is still the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history.
We've been spending Thanksgiving in Galveston for several years now.
