Photography

It's been a long time since I posted photos from any walks or hikes I've done.  And that is because I haven't taken many photos to post.  Most of the hikes I've done recently are ones that I do regularly - I tend to stick to a selection of trails that are close and convenient - so unless I encounter something really unusual then I won't get my phone out.  But I don't even feel particularly obliged or motivated to take photos on trails that are new to me, like some I've done this week.  This is sometimes because the weather hasn't been cooperative.  It's sometimes because these new trails are not particularly photogenic - which might be one of the main reasons I haven't done them before.  And it's also because some of the best hikes to photograph are too demanding for my fitness level - which is unfortunate because I think they might have some of the best views.  But I will try to do better - particularly as the weather forecast for the next few weeks is looking good, so no excuses to not get out.    

Resurgence

It's nice to see Kate Bush get some long overdue resurgence in popularity, particularly in the US, thanks solely to the TV show Stranger Things.  A show that I've only ever watched the first episode of, which wasn't enough to hold my interest.  The radio station that I wake up to has, mercifully, even started to play Kate Bush's version of Running Up That Hill, rather than the crappy cover version that they had been playing.  So it is time for a prediction.  I think Stranger Things has one more season left, so it will undoubtedly promote a resurgence in another popular 80's artist.  Who will it be?  My prediction - Eurythmics and Annie Lennox.  Someone else who, judging by some of the song reactions I see on YouTube, that most Americans do not know about.         

Song of the Week #117

Yet another classic 80's tune this week.  One that I haven't heard for ages until recently, and one that I haven't really heard many times, but is unequivocally a feel-good song.

Independence Day

Happy 4th July!  Or, just to be more American, should I say July 4th?!  Those crazy Americans and their stupid date customs of month before day.  However it is not just one day off work today, but thanks to our company's summer shutdown I've got the entire week off work.  Something I would probably appreciate more if I was actually busy with work!  I was planning to go to Oregon tomorrow - down to Crater Lake in the south of Oregon, the only national park in Oregon.  But thanks to the crappy spring weather, some winter road closures are still in effect around the lake.  In addition, some of the hiking trails that I want to go on are still partly covered with snow.  So I've made the tough decision to postpone the road trip to hopefully later in the year.  That's the second time I've done that this year - that's not a good precedent.  I fear I'm becoming something of a homebody.  One more characteristic of myself that I need to change before it's too late...       

Lego Update

The Lego Titanic that I want is still sold out - despite being released about 8 months ago.

The Lego Back to the Future Time Machine that I want is still sold out - despite being released about 3 months ago.

The good news, Lego are releasing another James Bond Lego set.  Nowhere near as big or as complicated as the Aston Martin DB5 released a while ago, but it does include the first actual James Bond mini-figure.  I WILL get this when it's released at the start of next month.

Fireworks

We've not even got to 4th July yet but the fireworks have already started being set off, beginning yesterday evening.  When it was still daylight.  Despite it being illegal.  Despite it being illegal in most areas of Western Washington now.  Despite loads of signs being put up saying that fireworks are illegal.  It's ridiculous.  It's disappointing.  But fireworks continue to be pretty easy to obtain (I think you just need to go to tribal land and one of the firework stands they have set up there).  And there is absolutely zero enforcement of firework bans - not helped by the terrible policing situation we have statewide and nationwide right now - so complaining about them is utterly pointless.  It's the animals I feel most sorry for, both domestic and in the wild, who have to put up with the noise and disruption.  I should probably just accept it, and go watch an official firework display somewhere.        

Roger

What's this now, another crappy photo of a rabbit?

Well, this one is a bit more interesting.  You see those steps to my house in the photo?  Well that is - or was - where that cute little bunny ran to when it was spooked.  So yes, I think it was living under those steps - or at least it was using the steps as a convenient hiding place.  This could be considered the closest I currently have to a pet.  However I use the past tense, because my landlord has cut the grass since that photo was taken and I haven't seen it close to my house since.  I feared it would be scared away or scared to death.  But the good news is that I saw the bunny happily munching away on some grass on the other side of my driveway yesterday.  Which is a relief - because this was a really small, really young and really adorable bunny, who I would be sorry to not see again.  Some farmers or gardeners may consider them pests, but I do not.  As opposed to finding a dead mole in my yard the other day, which brings me only joy.  I haven't been afflicted by mole hills as bad as I have in other years, but they are still popping up on the fringes of my yard.