Siskiyou Extreme

Dave Campbell on Castle Lake.











On December 27th, 2010 it is decided that a group of friends and family will trek Castle Lake and brave the cold, ice and snow that will surely hinder progress.
We don our equipment consisting of show shoes, jackets, gloves, snow bibs, balaclavas and boots.
The walk to the lake is arduous. The cold mountain air stings our cheeks and ears chilling us to the bone.
All of this before we have even made it to our destination.
Finally we make our way to the lake. We pause and marvel at its splendor and beauty.
The Klamath Mountians are an awe-inspiring sight. Gazing at their magnificence is quite a humbling experience.
Castle Lake has an elevation of 5,574 ft. To give a comparison, Mount Shasta has an elevation of 14,179 feet.
The frozen lake is carved through with ski, snow mobile and snow shoe tracks.
The ridgeline is scattered with trees and strewn with granite boulders.
Ahead of us is the highest peak where three snowboarders take a crack at the virgin powder.
To the left a snowy mountain fog glides through a small valley toward us.
To the right a small group of rolling hills, caressed by evergreens catches our eyes.
We clear our snow shoes in preparation for our crossing. The snow is thick and fluffy. Powder like this is envied by all manner of snow enthusiasts.
As we press on we observe that the ice is thick with ten inches of snow atop its wintry coldness.
We pause again and stand dumbfounded at what nature has presented us.
Dave says, “This is the best place to come.”
Dave is right. The peacefulness we all felt on this day was intoxicating. The cold left our bodies and was filled with the coalescing warmth of pleasure and satisfaction.
The five of us crossed the lake and banked right on a return path to our vehicle.
We passed great snow dunes and a nearly-covered outbuilding which was climbed upon as if we conquered the mountain; a tribute to our success.
Our monumental seven-mile trek ends at the Jeep with fresh hot chocolate and a myriad of snacks.
We felt eviscerated as we left this omnipotent setting, one that we are all eager to return.
This humble Lake and mountainside are what we look to in our lives as both the Yin and Yang of our existence.
The mountain may be jagged and unyielding, but there is always a peaceful place in the heart of adversary.

Fountain Lady

Screen shot from GossipOnThis.com. Used with permission.











January 20th, 2011 Cathy Cruz Marrero told ABC News that was walking through the Berkshire Mall in Reading, Pa when she fell into the mall fountain because she was distracted because she was texting.
Cathy said she was considering suing the mall because “nobody went to my aid.”
Her video clip went viral just two days after her fall because mall security leaked the clip via cell phone to YouTube.
Those responsible for the leak have been fired.
Cathy looked somber and embarrassed in her ABC interview with her attorney by her side.
Blogger “Tie” asks, “Did anyone know her name BEFORE this lawsuit? IF not, they do now.”
As fate would have it, Cathy has more issues than texting herself into a fountain. She also has criminal charges against her for unrelated events, such as identity theft/fraud, four convicted retail theft charges, as well as a hit-and-run charge for hitting a parked car.
Cathy Marrero, as of January 23rd, has officially dropped her suit against the Berkshire Mall.
This incident highlights the dangers and issues that arise due to being distracted.
Some states are looking at making laws prohibiting the use of cell phones, iPods, and the like while walking.
While this may seem an extreme measure, the incidence of hazard and even death while being distracted are equally extreme.
For example, on March 16, 2010 a man was jogging on the beach near Palmetto Dunes in Georgia and was struck by a plane that made an emergency landing on the beach.
Lawyers argue that he would still be alive if he was not distracted by his device.
On July 1, 2008 California banned all cell phone use while driving because of the rising number of phone-related accidents on the road.
In California the fine for the first offense is $20 and $50 for every time thereafter.
While driving to Shasta College people are seen texting and talking every morning.
People need to recognize the danger of doing so to avoid the damage that can be caused to self, others and property.
Simply pulling to the side of an authorized section of road or into a parking lot would suffice.
Humorous incidents like “Fountain Lady” are great for a quick laugh, but nobody enjoys reading about a death because someone else was being careless.
Cathy had this to say to the younger generation, “Do not text and walk…It can happen anywhere.”
Good point there!

Duke It Out!

Screen shot of Duke Nukem Forever. Image used with permission from GamersDailyNews.com.

Duke It Out!

Gamers get ready to stalk game store shelves on May 3rd because the long-awaited Duke Nukem Forever is finally here!
This is the third Duke Nukem in the series and has been highly anticipated by gamers for 14 years.
Duke Nukem Forever was first revealed in April of 1997, but due to funding issues in 2009 for game co-designers 3D Realms and Apogee, they were both forced to close up shop.
In 2010 Take 2 Interactive acquired the rights and handed over game development to Gearbox Software, creators of Grand Theft Auto.
Commonly called Duke or Nukem, this game has “unprecedented interactivity, variety, realism…” states FilePlanet.com.
Duke is one of a handful of elementary 3D games of the ‘90s that sparked the 3D revolution and turned games into the detailed, high-definition graphic games that are enjoyed by millions of gamers today.
Christophor Rick, CEO of Gamers Daily News says, “It's quite possibly the longest awaited release for a game ever, it had better be good.”
“Get ready to chew bubble gum and kick ass...again…” Christophor Rick, CEO, Gamers Daily News.
Nukem is a well-choreographed first-person shooter (FPS) game whose only mission is to bring destruction and mayhem to gamers’ fingertips.
With today’s rapidly-developing technology this FPS is a first-rate demonstration of that technological advancement.
Known for its violent, graphic nature and obscene commentary, Duke Nukem carved out a place in game world history and will remain a popular relic for decades-to-come.
Some avid gamers, like Chris Jones, are skeptical. “Violence, bad language, and strippers come a dime a dozen in newer games. So what made Duke awesome back then doesn’t necessarily mean nuthin now,” says Chris.
Shane Norman, cousin of Chris Jones and avid gamer, says, “I’ve been playing games since I had a Commodore. I’ve waited for this game long enough. It’s gonna be phenomenal!”
Classics never die. This classic is bound to revive the long history of classics.
Screen shots and a demo version of Duke Nukem Forever are currently online.
Duke’s play parameters are set up like Halo, a game many people have heard of, even non-gamers. This is the next “Halo” craze.
Duke drives a monster truck, shoots aliens and pig cops and indulges in risqué behaviors, just as expected.
Nukem contains new weapons, maps, characters and rude comments, to make any player drool in anticipation.
Available in PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 formats, this game will light anyone’s destructive fire!
To speak the minds of the millions of gamers around the world, “IT’S ABOUT TIME!”