This week, the prize for the two dumbest in the Pacific Northwest goes to....
This week, we have had two incidents - both ended luckily w/o any major injury to humans or animals, but they still only proves that we are still surrounded by some pretty stupid people.
Man falls into crater
Last Saturday, someone decided to snowmobile up to the crater rim on Mount S:t Helens. Remember the volcano that "blew up" a number of years ago, and that until recently been off limits due to increased pressure inside the mountain (=fear of another massive eruption). Hiking to the rim make for a wonderful trek, a true Northwest classic. But some fat ass decided to instead take his sled into the area, and drive/ride all the way up to the rim. Up there he crawled out to the edge, which turned out to be a corniche (snowy overhang). The corniche collapsed under him and the guy tumbled some 1,500 feet into the crater. His son would have gone down with him as well, had a fellow sledder not just barely been able to hold onto the sons foot. The guy who fell did survice the fall, w/o any major injuries but had to be airlifted out of the crater later in the evening with a helicopter.
Story in Seattle Times.
I sort of would have understood it if he'd hiked up, but he rode up inside an area that should be closed off to snowmobiles. Hikers/climbers fall all the time, many times the falls are deadly, but it is different when you try to "conquer" a mountain under your own muscle power, compared to when you just ride up on your fat ass.
If you make it to the top climbing, hiking, running, you have actually "accomplished" something.
No, I don't dislike snowmobiles, they are great fun, but they really should not be allowed inside pristine recreation areas where nature, wildlife, and views are truly unique. It is enough with the noise from just ONE sled to ruin the entire day in areas like that.
Driver follows GPS - blindly
Than a few days later, a local tour buss full with teenage students rammed into an old concrete bridge inside the Washington Arboretum and ripped a large part of the roof off the bus. The bridge is almost 100 years old, and hence has been there "forever". The driver, not injured in the accident claimed that he "just followed his GPS". What happened to basic map skills and direction finding abilities? One can not just follow the directions of a GPS. One actually have to look up - literally - and drive the bus as well. Not just "follow" the GPS' instructions. It should be something that any driver should be aware of, but even moreso of a professional, like a tour bus driver hauling kids around.
See more in Settle Times and a few days later.
Seattle is easy. We have ridges that go north south. Each of the have water on East and West side. Bridges crosses the water (Lake Washington) East-West. The entire area is a built up on a grid system. As long as you know what "quadrant" (SE, NE, NW, SW) you're in, the rest should sort of follow.
No, time for drivers in general to "shape up" and start driving - instead of chatting on phones, putting on make-up, reading (yes, I see it every morning), or more focusing on everything ELSE than driving.
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Dr. Hans Blix - a PeaZeMaker
Dr. Hans Blix, the somewhat famous Swedish diplomat (and Bush' nemesis during the buildup to the Iraq war) arrived in Seattle today for a few days. Already signed up for the lecture at UoW long time ago, I also got invited to a great little private reception and buffet before his speach. Dragged the wife and dad since I thought they'd enjoy it as well (they did).
Over a glass of red, I got a few minutes with Dr. Blix, commending him on his work for "detent" and disarmament specifically and world peace in general. A really nice guy (well, he is actually 79, maybe gentleman would better suit him...) and I feel sad that I never sort of paid any attention to him until my time in Texas when he was the face of the IAEA and later head of the UN WMD inspections team in Iraq. He has had a very long career in both the Swedish Foreign Office, as well at UN "before" Iraq. But I guess that that's the way they work most efficiently, in the quiet, in the background, never getting any recognition until they sort of retire - and then it all comes at once, proven by a large number of standing ovations tonight.
Apart from a very interesting lecture, very fitting the culture and general approch of people here in the Pacific NorthWest (where neither support for Bush or any Iraq - or Iran - war is very strong), he also pulled of a few good jokes, and a some memorable phrases, most notable probably being:
"The United Nations is not there to take us to heaven, but to help us avoid going to hell." (Dag Hammarsköld)
So apart from a nice dinner buffet, a nice one-on-one chat with Dr. Hans Blix, a good lecture, most amazing was probably to see how increadibly well respected he is (a true Statesman) and how highly his work is regarded here in the U.S. He is likely more of an international "superstar" here, outside his native Sweden.
In any case, an evening when you're proud of being Swedish!
And, almost forgot. First fall storm hit just as we were leaving home. Camera in the car, I took this picture crossing the SR-520 bridge. You could actually feel the shaking when up at the East highrise. Down on the pontoons, it was pretty smooth, but it looks sort of weird. Such a contrast between the south (angry) and north side (calm and relaxed). No windsurfers out today, though they normally have a field day during these few storm events.
Over a glass of red, I got a few minutes with Dr. Blix, commending him on his work for "detent" and disarmament specifically and world peace in general. A really nice guy (well, he is actually 79, maybe gentleman would better suit him...) and I feel sad that I never sort of paid any attention to him until my time in Texas when he was the face of the IAEA and later head of the UN WMD inspections team in Iraq. He has had a very long career in both the Swedish Foreign Office, as well at UN "before" Iraq. But I guess that that's the way they work most efficiently, in the quiet, in the background, never getting any recognition until they sort of retire - and then it all comes at once, proven by a large number of standing ovations tonight.
Apart from a very interesting lecture, very fitting the culture and general approch of people here in the Pacific NorthWest (where neither support for Bush or any Iraq - or Iran - war is very strong), he also pulled of a few good jokes, and a some memorable phrases, most notable probably being:
"The United Nations is not there to take us to heaven, but to help us avoid going to hell." (Dag Hammarsköld)
So apart from a nice dinner buffet, a nice one-on-one chat with Dr. Hans Blix, a good lecture, most amazing was probably to see how increadibly well respected he is (a true Statesman) and how highly his work is regarded here in the U.S. He is likely more of an international "superstar" here, outside his native Sweden.
In any case, an evening when you're proud of being Swedish!
And, almost forgot. First fall storm hit just as we were leaving home. Camera in the car, I took this picture crossing the SR-520 bridge. You could actually feel the shaking when up at the East highrise. Down on the pontoons, it was pretty smooth, but it looks sort of weird. Such a contrast between the south (angry) and north side (calm and relaxed). No windsurfers out today, though they normally have a field day during these few storm events.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
HelliZh Run and a night at the MovieZ
Due to boat issues, we had to bail on the Steamboat Festival at the Center for Wooden Boats. That sort of sucks, but a rock is a rock is a rock, and with no marine shops carrying Volvo propellers, well, boat remained home. So did the family. Wife sleeping, me taking care of the backyard.
Until I mentioned that I'd take Phoebe for a walk. That eventually resulted in a small argument and getting dragged in (or out) for another 14 mile run. I was up for a different route, preferably with some "scenery", but wife was dead set on "no hills" (what does she think, this is the Pacific NorthWest with ONLY hills).
So, ended up taking the same (boring) route as Sunday. Sammamish River Trail. did not feel good but I was at least "fluid". Could have gone a bit faster - thanks to great music in my ears, a first! Wife was behind, but did keep up OK.
Home again it turned out we were about 15 minuters faster than last weekend, but wife complained and told me she "hated every minute" of the run. My comments were of course "I did not pick it" and "why did we not turn around?".
After a quick shower, a bite to eat, we put the camping chairs in the car and went down to Carillon Point for an outdoor showing of "Casino Royal", the latest bond movie (part of the outdoor summer movies, organized by HopeLink). We hit the parking just in time, and got pretty good spot for our chairs.
Sitting outside on a slightly chilly summer night, with a good flick and a comfy chair, well it does not really get better. The legs needed som rest and we both enjoyed the movie before going back home and hitting the sack.
Until I mentioned that I'd take Phoebe for a walk. That eventually resulted in a small argument and getting dragged in (or out) for another 14 mile run. I was up for a different route, preferably with some "scenery", but wife was dead set on "no hills" (what does she think, this is the Pacific NorthWest with ONLY hills).
So, ended up taking the same (boring) route as Sunday. Sammamish River Trail. did not feel good but I was at least "fluid". Could have gone a bit faster - thanks to great music in my ears, a first! Wife was behind, but did keep up OK.
Home again it turned out we were about 15 minuters faster than last weekend, but wife complained and told me she "hated every minute" of the run. My comments were of course "I did not pick it" and "why did we not turn around?".
After a quick shower, a bite to eat, we put the camping chairs in the car and went down to Carillon Point for an outdoor showing of "Casino Royal", the latest bond movie (part of the outdoor summer movies, organized by HopeLink). We hit the parking just in time, and got pretty good spot for our chairs.
Sitting outside on a slightly chilly summer night, with a good flick and a comfy chair, well it does not really get better. The legs needed som rest and we both enjoyed the movie before going back home and hitting the sack.
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