Blink, For Whom the Bell Tolls and Pan’s Labyrinth Posts Still on the Way.
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eschapp
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eschapp
Flix – Jeremiah Johnson
I’ve really been on a wilderness kick lately, and the latest movie I’ve seen reflects that trend. Jeremiah Johnson is the story of a mountain man. The movie opens with a song and a narration:
His name was Jeremiah Johnson, and they say he wanted to be a mountain man. The story goes that he was a man of proper wit and adventurous spirit, suited to the mountains. Nobody knows whereabouts he come from and don’t seem to matter much. He was a young man and ghostly stories about the tall hills didn’t scare him none. He was looking for a Hawken gun, .50 caliber or better. He settled for a .30, but damn, it was a genuine Hawken, and you couldn’t go no better. Bought him a good horse, and traps, and other truck that went with being a mountain man, and said good-bye to whatever life was down there below.
Basically, Jeremiah escapes the tragedies of war and his life by moving into the mountains to become a fur trapper.
His first winter nearly kills him, but with a little help, Jeremiah becomes one of the best trappers. The story is very complex, there is humor, action and despair throughout the film and Robert Redford does a very good job of acting. Jeremiah does get into many fights with local Indians (Flatheads and Crows I believe) and while some the fighting scenes could have been done better, the are sufficient. Really the story and cinematics (unbelievable mountain views) make up for any of Jeremiah Johnson’s Shortcomings.
If you are at all interested in the outdoors, camping, backpacking, or even just the 1800’s I definitely recommend watching this film, especially if you thought Cast Away need a little more action. Even better, use the film as a launching point of whatever adventure of your own you can create. It doesn’t have to be as drastic as moving into the solitude of the mountains, a weekend camping trip, a road trip with some friends, or even a day bicycling can create memories that you’ll cherish forever.
How about it? Are there any other movies out there that have inspired you to act? Or are there other great movies about the outdoors?
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eschapp
New GAG Goal, out of the Heat
My GAG goal for last week, to not use air conditioning went pretty well. No having air really didn’t alter my life too much, except that I ended up sweating a lot more and it was harder to sleep. It really got better as the week went on as I got used to the effects of the heat.
My GAG goal for this next week will be somewhat harder for me. I want to be on time the entire week. I have a bad habit of being 5-10 minutes late for appointments/work because I fail to allow myself enough time. That all ends this week. More generally I think that this is a problem for society, and that everyone should make an effort to be on time. My dad always said, “if you’re getting there on time, you’re all ready late.” So for the week and hopefully much longer I’ll try to be early for all of my appointments.
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eschapp
I’m No Tree Hugger But Leave No Trace Is a Good Mantra.
I would never call myself an environmentalist, at least in the political sense, but I do enjoy the outdoors and many activities that it enables. Camping, running, sports, or even just sitting outside are only possible if we maintain nature responsibly.  Before I give the impression that I’m a hippie tree hugger, let me clarify what I mean. Generally, I am okay with people using nature for profit or commercial enterprises (developing marshlands, draining fields, farming, logging, or whatever else) as long as those enterprises are responsible. No slashing and burning, no strip mining, and planting new trees for every tree felled are all adequate practices. But what I have learned to accept as my general rules when I am camping or using the outdoors are the following basics which come from LeaveNoTrace.org:- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Of course these rules come from the Leave No Trace Organization, which is geared primerily towards camping, hiking and backpacking. They govern the proper conduction you should utilize when using/appreciating nature. But once again these rules boil down to: Be Responsible for your own actions. If you are concerned about getting caught for doing something, or are wondering if something you might do is wrong, chances are that it is wrong. Use your common sense when using nature, and we’ll have many many years of outdoor fun.
What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy nature? Or do you have something to add about how to respect the world we live in?
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eschapp
GAG Goal for this Week
If you don’t know what GAG (Going against the Grain) Goals are, Andy Drish uses them over on his blog. The basic idea is to set a goal for yourself that different than your normal routine, different in a good way. I’ve decided to use this concept from time to time in my life.
So for the next couple of weeks my GAG goal will be to not use Air conditioning in my home. The benefits include lower energy costs and it is also better for the environment. The downside is of course I’ll be sweating in the 95 degree heat here in Fargo, ND. But it wouldn’t be going against the grain unless it were difficult.
Finally a special thanks to Andy, who introduced me to GAG.
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yickit
Just a quick update. Trying to sleep without air conditioning is tough. Its tougher than I thought it would be. I’m not really sure how people used to sleep in the heat. I have struggled to sleep all week and the effects are draining, but I only have a couple of days left so I’ll tough it out.
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eschapp
New Posts Later this Week, Sorry for the Delay
yickit 11:49 pm on June 18, 2007 Permalink |
I forgot to add this. If any of you like to read, the books the movie is based on is a better way to delve into this story. The two books Jeremiah Johnson was based on are:
1. “Mountain Man” by Vardis Fisher;
2. “Crow Killer: the Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson” by Raymond W. Thorp and Robert Manson Bunker.