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Movie: The Squid and the Whale (2005)
A character study of a family going through a divorce in Brooklyn in the early 80’s. The film takes on the challenge of treating all four characters fairly while still conveying the pain caused by the others. There is a little unevenness, but it’s still impressive how well it does. Referred by Sean
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Wet at Vedauwoo
It seems like months since we’ve done any climbing and we’re itching to get on some rock at Vedauwoo, but alas, the weather does not comply. Instead we explore some of the territory east of the main area on foot, and despite the drizzle Vedauwoo supplies us with soul-nourishing experiences, as it always seems to.…
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Movie: Brokeback Mountain (2005)
I’ll admit, I just wanted to see what all the fuss is about. Ang Lee does get some mileage out of the gay cowboy taboo, and the movie conveys some appreciation for what the experience of it might be like. As a love story I only halfway bought it, I’m not sure why. As a…
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Movie: Thumbsucker (2005)
The great thing about this coming-of-age flick is how it sets up the same cliché plot structures you might expect for the genre, then just leaves them uncompleted when the next twist comes along. On the way it also hits many modern issues with spot-on satire. Feel the pain of characters attempting to change themselves,…
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Tobico Marsh Trail
Today’s outing is a lovely 2.5-mile loop in the Tobico Marsh State Game Area north of Bay City. Mom hikes this trail frequently, and we can see why. It’s thick with life – we see a few varieties of mushrooms despite the dryness and Ann spots a snake snacking on a frog. The only downside…
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d & e get hitched
This is the third wedding Ann and I have attended since our own, all quite different. The common thing is that we always feel like we’re saying our own vows to each other again, along with the bride and groom. It’s refreshing. It was also an honor to be present at Doug & Elizabeth’s ceremony.…
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Hall Lake
Looking for a nearby hike, we find our way to the Yankee Springs Recreational Area. The Hall Lake trail gives us a couple of miles worth of exercise, while serving up ducks, a Great Heron, and turtle tracks. There is also a good supply of mosquitoes, and it’s hot and muggy out, so we don’t…
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Douglas Beach
These Lake Michigan beaches are some of the nicest I’ve been to. We start in Mom’s old neighborhood at Douglas Park Beach, where she painted her popular Lake Effects posters. The roads are shady and quiet here, the beaches sunny with sand so fine it buzzes when you walk on it. There seems to be…
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Cousin Dougie’s Bachelor Party
In keeping with the time-honored tradition of comitting the events of a bachelor party to utter secrecy, I shan’t post about it on my blog. Well, not the best bits anyway. Frisbee golf – that won’t upset anyone. I kind of like the game, to my surprise, but not because I’m any good at it.…
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Indian Valley Campground
Our accomodations for the week are provided by the Indian Valley Campground on the Thornapple River outside Caledonia, MI. During the week it’s a peaceful, sleepy place. The Thornapple is so calm here I can’t tell which direction it’s flowing. Birds seem to love it here, and we see cardinals, mourning doves, and catbirds. Ann…