California Adventure: Hiking Half Dome

After our family has been going to Yosemite for years, I've never hiked half dome. So this past trip, I did it solo. I went with just my basketball shoes, and a waterbottle that I refilled with the river's water. I saw some incredible sights, and even a tough trek through snow, once I got high enough in elevation. Here is an overall layout of the hike. The first waterfall to climb is Venal Falls, then Nevada Falls. There is a lot of mountain to climb before reaching the side of half dome. Here is an overall layout:

First here are some pics of the first waterfall: Vernal Falls. Also known as the mist trail, a hiker is going to get soaked since the trail leads right next to the falls. It can get pretty cold, but once at the top, it can be pretty refreshing.

This is a view hiking up the stairs right at the base of the falls.

After reaching the top, the view is pretty amazing. It's all Lord of the Rings style.

After Vernal, the next waterfall is Nevada falls. The trail doesn't lead right next to the falls, but the taller Nevada is quite a sight.

A rock juts out at the top of the falls.

After a long hike through the forest toward the base of half dome, I didn't expect the eventual 4 feet of snow that hid the trail. After being lost for a little bit, I guessed my way up to the base, and found the trail. After a steep hike up half dome itself, there is a place where cables are fastened to the rock so climbers can pull themselves up. Wooden planks are driven in the rock for climbers to stop and rest. The picture below shows this:

I got as far as the red dot. Because of the snow, the cables and planks weren't up. I knew this going up, so I was not disappointed. There was still a great view. So with this final pic, I got to where there is a little saddle on the left side of the rock. I took it in, then went back the same day.
So all in all? Heck of a dang trip.

Pics from Yosemite

Hey yall. I just got back from Yosemite with Grandma and Grandpa Elms, Father Bill, Shawna, Amy, and Ellie baby. The trees were in bloom, the falls were full with water, and the whistle pigs were out in full force. Here are some pics.

I look like a mojado.

Grandma Lois and Granpa Bill gettin sprayed by Yosemite falls

Yosemite falls from a distance

Father Bill gives my niece Ellie a dogwood blossom. What a babe.

Entering the valley I got the balance of a jungle cat.

Me and the Bubster with the jumpoff

At least I don't gotta pay those property expenses...

For all those supporting me as a I look to start my career, I got some bad news today. I did not land the job in Glendale. I was a finalist, so that gives me confidence in finding another job soon. I guess that's not the direction I needed to go. I got my head up. So I'll keep trying to grab the bull by the horns while fighting off that stinking bear.

Top 5 Music Videos

Well, top 5 for the day, anyway. I'm gonna leave the superlatives for VH1 and their countdown shows. But these are 5 videos that I thought were cool. Let's see if you can come up with some of your own.

5. Bjork-Human Behavior
I remember that this video scared the crap outta me when Drew and I watched 120 Minutes with Matt Pinfield in the twilight of Monday mornings. The video has killer teddy bears, giant flittery moths, and a fresh faced Bjork who started shrieking and hasn't stopped since. I was surprised to see that this was directed by Michel Gondry back in 93.

4. Fatboy Slim-Weapon of Choice
To get Christopher Walken to dance is cool enough, but I like the eerie feeling the empty hotel gives. If Jack Nicholson could dance in the shining, it would be this video. The video truly goes off the wall when Walken takes flight off the walls.



3. Beastie Boys-Shadrach
Everybody might be pointing to Sabotage, but cool as it was at the time, everybody and their dog has copied the retro feel idea. Just look at Foo Fighter's Road to Ruin video. So I chose Shadrach, which is an animation of actual concert footage. The result is great.

2. UNKLE-Rabbit In Your Headlights
They used to run a disclaimer before this video, because it's extremely graphic. The main Russian guy is creepy, and you would never guess how it ends. It's unsettling, shocking, not for the squeemish, and great. Check it out.

1. Chemical Brothers-Let Forever Be
How do you create a kaleidoscope of real life? This video does it, and it's trippy. They mix up the real with the fantastic, and sometimes the worlds blur together. Don't know what I'm talking about? Watch.

There you have it. Anybody else want to think of some? Also, notice there are no hip hop videos here. Are there any truly cool ones? I leave it up to yall.

Art Will Triumph

Hey y'all. Check out this hilarious Human Giant clip, featuring the voice of Tracy Morgan.

It's hard enough for black actors out there, let alone invisible ones. So what do you do when prejudice stares you in the face? Play the video for the touching answer. (contains strong bleeped out language)

Papa and Pepa's Pet Puppy Pug-Chuy

Chuy, Chewie, Chooie. I don't know the name exactly. But one thing I do know, this dog aint got no beak.
They got the dog from Pepa's nail lady, since the husband didn't want it around their new grandbaby. So they got him for free.
Papa and the dog bake cakes all night.
Pug-nacious. Papa & Pepa's new dowg.

Me in a suit

Dane Cook Can't Captivate Crowds with Crap Comedy

Daryyl, it's your boy. This guy does a great impression. Wonk.

This just in

I passed my actuarial exam this past Monday in Culver City! After 3 1/2 hours of a grueling test, I was relieved to have passed it. Now I can say, I'm bonafide.

In case you needed another reason to dislike Steve Nash

Maybe he just got confused and thought he was supposed to be "Stevie Nicks." I honestly believe that he could find a job after basketball as an extra on Showtime's "The L Word."

Oh, and mad props to Dirk for stealing my junior high school haircut.
Nick Carter would be proud. This is what Kobe thinks of it all. I can't wait for the playoffs.

Skip the Jazz

So everyone's talking about how great the acquisition of Kyle Korver was from the Jazz, and to be honst, I'm a little sick of it. And furthermore, I hate how everyone says he's an Ashton Koosher look-alike. In reality, he looks more like the costar of a recent critically-acclaimed Spanish horror film.  Word? Word. 

Super Sunday, Super Surprise

for pats fans! But hey Boston, don't worry, Dawson knows just how you feel.

A Sty for Y'all!

On the hotter of the two Clintons, no less.

Yes.

Just like Kirby says, my girl Julia Stiles combines hotness with intelligence. And this pic reminds me of my girl Whoopi when she was the intergalactic sweetness in that Star Trek thang. Whoop de whoo!

Haka Caca

With my boys. Ty who? Colt Brennan is a wanna-be me.

PEDs

My noogies were named in the Mitchell Report. That's why they're dimpled.

Lakers Upset Scrooge on Christmas Day

Try stopping Baby Bynum, you gayf.

Shilling for Andrew

Here are his latest creations:

http://www.cafepress.com/unga

Excitation!

Yes! I am so excited! Not only am I close to graduation, and not only is Christmas fast approaching, but the movie I've been looking forward to all year is finally coming out! National Treasure: Book of Secrets is finally debuting, and if you love Nic Cage as much as I do, then I know you're in for a treat. Maybe he'll be as good as he was in Honeymoon in Vegas. I'm gushing here.

A Message from Ellie

"Uncle Tim! Why'd you leave me with Aunt Amy?"