Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Mountain Lions in Los Padres Forest


I usually see the mountain lions while driving west of Pine Mountain Club. Sometimes I've seen them darting across the Mil Potrero Highway near the meadow (in pairs 2008); On Cerro Noroeste Rd where the length of the big cat took up the width of one lane(2007); On the ridge line dirt road on San Emigdio mountain (2006). And never to be forgotten, the baby cougar in my front yard at night (2005). Not once have a seen a wild kitty while hiking in Los Padres National Forest, only the occassional bob-cat, which is a much smaller animal. They are out there for sure & their main food source is deer.


It is now mid summer & I am updating this post to link to my newest sighting in 2009.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

the mountain


Some will die in hot pursuit
In fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes

Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain

Monday, March 03, 2008

pumping the brakes



Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. ~ Ernest Hemingway

Sunday, March 02, 2008

relentless

The first thing in the human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

alcohol vs. work

If drinking is interfering with your work, you're probably a heavy drinker. If work is interfering with your drinking, you're probably an alcoholic.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Be My Angel


They say it's me that makes you do things
You might not have done, if I was away
And thats it's me who likes to talk to you
And watches you, as you walk away

Don't say it's useless, don't say forget it
Don't bring me wishes of silly dreams

Just save us all from too much freedom
Too many fingers and too many seams
They say it's you that washes the wind
And brings the night into the day
If you won't notice how can I show you
All of your worries have all gone away?

Don't leave me lonely, don't leave me unhappy
Just bring me up into your faith
If you don't need me, then don't deceive me
Letting my freedom turn to stone

Just be my angel if you love me
Be my angel in the night
Be my angel cause you need me

Be my angel treat me right

Don't say "Love me" if you don't need me
Don't send me roses on your behalf
Just take me down and walk through your river
Down in the middle and make it last

Holdin onto you, holdin onto me
Holdin on tight to my lover's cross
Don't say it's useless and don't say forget it
You are my spirit and now you are gone


lyrics by - Mazzy Star

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Narcissistic


a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.

I AM SO DAMN HOT. Hotter than you will ever be.
I AM NOT OVERWEIGHT or FAT, I AM PLUS SIZE.
AND I AM A MODEL!!!

ALL OTHER GIRLS ARE CRACKED OUT LOOSERS OR ALCOHOLICS. My eyes are turquoise. I am cherokee. I am a professional hottie.

HE HAD IT GOOD WITH ME. I PAY ALL THE BILLS & MAKE THE $510 CAR PAYMENT. THE ONLY REASON HE CANNOT BE WITH ME IS BECAUSE HE HAS A SICK, TWISTED, MENTAL DISORDER.

(drama, drama, drama)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

ticket to ride


I think I'm gonna be sad,
I think it's today, yeah.
The boy that's driving me mad
Is going away.

He's got a ticket to ride,
He's got a ticket to ride,
He's got a ticket to ride,
And he don't care.

He said that living with me
Was bringing him down, yeah.
He would never be free
When I was around.

He's got a ticket to ride,
He's got a ticket to ride,
He's got a ticket to ride,
And he don't care.

I don't know why he's ridin' so high,
He oughta do right,
He oughta do right by me.
Before he gets to saying goodbye,
He oughta so right,
He oughta do right by me.

I think I'm gonna be sad,
I think it's today yeah.
The boy that's driving me mad
Is going away, haw...

He's got a ticket to ride,
He's got a ticket to ride,
He's got a ticket to ride,
And he don't care.
Dont care.

I think I'm gonna be sad...
I think I'm gonna be sad...
I think I'm gonna be sad...




lyrics by
--- The Carpenters

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Ripping a Reality Check


PLAYA -
a dry lake bed; a flat-bottom depression found in interior desert basins.

NOTE to the non-breeders: Vulger is actually Vul·gar

1. characterized by ignorance of or lack of good breeding or taste
2. indecent; obscene; lewd
3. crude; coarse; unrefined
4. pertaining to ordinary people in a society
5. current; popular; common
6. lacking in distinction, aesthetic value, or charm

>>> freaken, fucking, F**K, F.O.A.D. s**t hole, AHOLE, poodle meat, hores, whore, hoes & anything else that HE SAYS.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Damn this is Cool


Down the Barrel of a Gun
Originally uploaded by Extra Medium
This makes me wanna get on the road & travel this week. Great lighting, textures & bizarre colors. Love it - Live it!

This flickr fellow suggest I may be as well traveled in California as "Huell Howser". Wow, that sounds like a new goal for me. DanaMite takes over the California Gold show (altho it would be available streaming off the web & not on network television). Why not! My crazy, red headed, best friend from San Diego, can be my side kick. Or the other way around, since he is the real ham. As long as I get to visit more hot springs than museums it will be okay.

My passion for local travels go well beyond any call for natural bonding mechanisms, motherhood or even wife duties. I am solo, single & loving life. Outside as much as possible. A custom 4x4 camper van w/ 32" tires & a winch is my ultimate dream machine. Living on the road part time doing research & web design for California is my ultimate path with this decade old web site. People who live to travel in my book, are the coolest around. I cannot wait to live on the road.

Wanderlust you might call it! Adventure trips await.


Tuesday, January 29, 2008

mind-fuck


Will "hell" mean him?
(Taurus males in particular are specialist at this technique, but all men who may be considered "players" are subject to such bull)

The term is crude, but it summarizes the scenario. A mind fuck is where a dishonest boy tells you whatever you wanna hear, just to make things better, just so he can be on your good side & get sex - when he wants it. Every compliment, every cover up, every opinion. Nearly everything he says that comes out of his mouth is a facade to make you believe his lies. Whether it be romance, fantasy or hopes of ever lasting love, he will lay it on so thick & juicy, you will surely fall in love all over again & again... giving him just one more chance.

Whatever he says to you - will benefit him, the secrets he keeps or his selfish schemes in some way. If he could be honest enough to share his thoughts or activity, you would scream in horror at what he's been thinking about - or worst, what he's been up to. If you actually knew what he was saying behind your back - to the "other girls", you would be filled with rage & disbelief. Confusion, doubt, pity, low self esteem, self destructive, & "sabotaging" behaviors may play a big part in the drama.

But it's easier to dismiss his fowl behavior, forgiving again, so you can have your stable, happy, family unit back - until you ultimately find the truth. One day you will see his ways - up close & personal. Shocking perhaps, then sad. How could this be happening to you? You saw it coming a mile away, years before. Beginning to wonder if this is the man you really need, you realize he doesn't need you in the same way.

Hmmmm. Or maybe he was coaxed into being with you in the first place (for ever & ever) & now he regrets his choices, looking for a possible way out.

Either way, it's all an unpleasant experience.....


I am a looser because I cheated on my wife over and over (and still do). Left her & my baby at home crying every night (that's my sick power) while I hang out at the local bars. I WILL say I have changed just to get her hopes up & break it all over again. I also lost my job several times at different places because I am an alcoholic - but I wont get help, because I LOVE TO DRINK (to escape my miserable mind/life)

I refuse to pay for her & her junk food, to sit at home & watch TV all day eating. I can barely afford my racing hobbies, much less buying more home decor (clutter). I MUST PAY my child support, but it will unfortunately cut into my money for my beer, bikes, and babes. Dang. I don't even want to baby sit my daughter because I am just too damn busy DOING NOTHING. May as well just phone my maddening mistress.

So I guess I will just let that fat bitch wife work her multiple jobs trying to make ends meet and run off to the desert every chance she wants. She'll never get to spend time with OUR daughter because she is always at day care.... while I just sit on my ass calling all my buddies, banging the neighbor chicks and be the idiot I am.... NEVER amounting to anything. Heck, some girl WILL love me tonight!

AFTER ALL, THIS IS THE AMERICAN DREAM - RIGHT?


[this marriage is not a dream, it's a nightmare.]

Monday, January 28, 2008

Snowmo the Sierra


Snowmo the Sierra
Originally uploaded by danamight
Real winter weather for California. Look out!
Late January is always my favorite time of year.

Who might be dreaming of a Sierra Nevada winter wonderland, with new snowmobiles.....


totalescape.com/trips

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Weekend Specialists



Total Escape's web master is its tour guide, and the weekend included optional excursions to nearby caves....

California weekend specialists.

[Way back in 2002, a review in Business Week magazine]

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Hot Days / Cold Nights


Hot Days in Moab
Originally uploaded by danamight
Since winter has officially started here tonight (in the mountains at 5000' - I think it may even be snowing on the ridges) I decided to post a sunny warm day memory of one of most favorite hikes in Utah. This one is called Negro Bill Canyon & it's a great half day hike. Trailhead is right off of the Colorado River along Utah highway 128

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

California Outside


The lack or lull in blogging here doesn't mean I've lost my interest, vision or blogger account. I am consumed by a new WordPress blog residing on Total Escape. Merging the top database of towns to the all the cool stuff to see & do around each region. We are talking festivals, parks, waterfalls, hikes, anything outdoorsy - in California, it's gonna be on Total Escape.

Bridging old HTML pages to new fresh data & retaining my well indexed pages w/ the search engine robots. This new Total Escape OUTSIDE blog format is my newest, easiest, most efficient way to organize decades worth of quality California content. Campgrounds, Hot Springs, Back Roads & California Sightseeing data. All the lil pieces, DanaMite tips, personal advice, secret spots & useful info that make travel w/ Total Escape so unique, different & overall better.

Starting w/ the overabundance of California Festivals, I am organizing all the local events, celebrations, jamborees, rodeos, & street fairs into a new format. HERE -
totalescape.com/outside/category/event

Pretty soon, there will be more photos & less scrolling. Bear with me on this new venture.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

All Hallows Eve



All Hallows Eve falls mid-week. Yuk! Trick or treaters were out running about in 45 degrees, but the lazy adults turned in by 9PM. I dressed in costume for a Saturday night party & danced at a mountain cabin with dozens of new friends. My platform boots were off by 2AM & I was relaxing at an after hours party until 5AM Sunday morning. Then we went for a hike on Sunday afternoon & had a BBQ too. What a fun weekend!
I usually have a Halloween Party on Halloween night, but this year I took some much needed time off. This image was from my party in 2003. Jan just sent it over this week. Boy how times have changed! Jan is now living in Utah & wanting out bad. The brave soldier to the left of me cannot stand the sight of me & took me to court based on my frequent local post office visits. How heroic is that? And today he still must see me around our small village, always turning his head - but damn he looks so cool in that hat with his big truck, with no one to smile at. Persona non grata.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Palapa Pool Paradise


The Palapa Pool
Originally uploaded by danamight
Uploading my travel photos into Flickr is great work. A solid place to keep them all & to share. Walking down memory lane & re-living all these trips is mind boggling how many places I went over the last decade. This one is from a birthday in Cabo, 2000.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

SoCal Desert Camping


Oyster Shell Wash in Anza
Originally uploaded by danamight



Oh how I miss Anza. The cooler temps are setting in & the weather is starting to get good now. The secluded campsites, the endless dirt roads, the mud caves & slot canyons. The scenery is fantastic out here in Borrego Springs East San Diego County.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Can MySpace save your Marriage?

Did you marry the wrong man? Did you walk to the alter for the sake of ego? Or perhaps you just got knocked up by a local red neck?

If you are twenty something, addicted to social networks & your new marriage is already on the rocks, do you actually think that posting your deepest thoughts, poems or songs online for you man to see is the way to win him back? Do you really even NEED him back?

Maybe making him jealous by racking up the lusty male friends will force him to behave. Doubtful. Possibly recording your very own YouTube video to air worldwide on how much his love means to you would help. Uncertain gamble.

Communication (or lack thereof) in this day in cyber-age perplexes me. The more in touch with our electronics we become, the less we learn how to talk, or how to listen. Detachment is the norm. People cannot even speak to one another honestly - anymore. Friends are mere icons of color that disappear when something wrong is said, or someone else feels threatened. It's all about superficial bull shit now, with all the glam imagery, sparkly icons, loud music blaring, sexy comment tags, cute personality quizes, ratings & hatings, bouncing baby photos, etc.

Making yourself look good or happy online is easy. Actually being or becoming happy is something completely different. Being married doesn't make you good or happy either. And becoming good doesn't have a damn thing to do with going to church every Sunday. When a marriage is based on continual lies, drug or alcohol abuse, self destructive or selfish behaviors, financial dependency or desperation.... things are bound to fall apart sooner or later.

People tend to marry young, before they really even know themselves, much less their partner. When you grow, you change, becoming a different, behaving different, eating more, drinking more, evolving (or regressing) -- it kinda throws the other person off. That's not who I married they scream!

Instead of surfing the web, throwing back another beer, ignoring your partner or watching another movie on television, make a conscious effort to repair your relationship. Seek professional therapy if you really wanna learn to communicate better with your partner. Uncover all the drama, all the expectations, the cheating, the dishonesty AND THE REASONS. If you married for the sake of a child (which is in the majority) you owe it to your family to be honest about everything - yourself, your needs, your expectations & your desires.

41 & still single - means I am in the minority of most adults & the social stigma is heavy. Lesbian? Selfish? Slut? Who cares! I come from a big Southern family where both parents have been married 4 times each & the majority of my aunts & uncles are divorced too, so marriage has never been the ultimate goal in life for me (like with most women). And since child-bearing has never crossed my mind, it means I have the free will to choose my own lifestyle & my preferred partner, if I so desire.

Here's some fun statistics.

Number of single parents in the United States -
Males: 2.04 million
Females: 9.68 million

25% of adults have had at least one divorce during their lifetime.
11% of the adult population is currently divorced.
24% of U.S. population has never married.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Stop the Abuse of California: No Littering


Baja California Mexico posts road signs along the coast reading "No Tire Basura". For all you gringos that phrase has nothing to do with a flat tire, nor the lack of services. The translation is Don’t Throw Trash or "DO NOT LITTER" & if you've ever explored the depths of Baja back roads you know that illegal dumping is a huge problem, cuz they do not have a county dump.

So, what's our excuse? Being from a developed educated country like the USA, why do so many people still leave trash laying around. Litterbugs are everywhere, leaving their piss mark on our precious lands. A bottle cap here, a cigarette butt there, a few soda cans by the road side, a plastic bag that blew outta your truck bed... all harmless, right?

WRONG.

Is it uneducated adults doing the trash tossing? Or their clueless children?
Is it lack of caring about your public lands? Disrespect for your surroundings? Or your life for that matter? Ignorance thinking the rangers will clean it up?
Maybe the wild animals can use it?

The toilet paper in the bushes (chica pick it up), the beer bottles in the campfire pit (come on dudes), the shotguns shells near the wildflowers (shooters are too cool to pick up trash) & the soiled diapers in the creek (totally gross), I've seen it all. Even the graffiti on granite boulders is another prime example of the city moving into the Wilderness Lands. Just say no to ghetto camping.

Whatever the lame reason, littering is a huge problem in SoCal that's for sure. Total Escape is a supporter of a CLEAN CALIFORNIA: Tread Lightly, Leave No Trace & annually we organize volunteer clean up days. We can only do so much in one weekend, but the real solution is in the prevention. Let's try to spread the word about the unsightly effects of littering. Call them on it immediately, when you see it happening. What are friends for!

This blog topic brought to you by Total Escape, plus numerous other fine organizations:

Don't trash CALIFORNIA
Keep California Beautiful
Clean Sweep USA
Keep America Beautiful