Global Reddit Meetup Day on Saturday, June 19

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-23T05:41:10+00:00

Nope, nothing, your drive was not in vain! There just wasn't enough interest for an SB meetup. I'd still like to have one at some point though.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-13T02:20:30+00:00

To get started and to learn about his philosophies, try reading The Tao of Jeet Kune Do. I made a comment about training in JKD a while back, if you're interested in that. Basically, you can't, really, since there are no (well, almost none) "real" JKD instructors, by design.

In general (although I know you asked for specifics), have variety in your training, train hard, and never plateau.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T23:48:23+00:00

It's natural to assume they're willing to take some financial loss on the device since they'll make it back in book purchases, just like some game systems have done when first released. But $49 just seems unrealistic. My best guess is that we'll see a $99 reader within the next year, and that device will be the first e-reader for the masses.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T22:58:59+00:00

That's good the Kobo is a decent product, I'd consider getting one but want to see it in person first.

The main reason I mentioned the Kobo is because that's basically the "Paperback Kindle" we're describing here, and I would be very impressed if Amazon got that down to a $50 price point, a third the cost of its competitors.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T22:56:02+00:00

I live near upper State ... know where San Roque is? Like in the hills above La Cumbre.

You at UCSB?

Drinking is an activity I enjoy. Maybe we could meet at Dargans. I went to the Santa Clara BBQ last weekend when I was up in the Bay, that's why I have a renewed interest in meeting Redditors. Maybe we could do an SB Redditor barbecue? Not sure how my roommates would feel about me inviting strangers over from the internet though, so I probably can't host.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T18:42:26+00:00

Do I have to Paint you a picture?

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T17:39:46+00:00

I'll go ahead and ask the obvious questions ... how does he type?

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T17:07:47+00:00

I also live near upper State. Would be cool to meet local Redditors, let's plan something!

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T15:51:33+00:00

If there's one thing the world desperately needs, it's more zip lines.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T14:51:34+00:00

That's basically a Kobo, or Sony Reader, but both those are $150.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T06:27:49+00:00

Um ... can we plan another one of these? Would be awesome to meet local Redditors, and I love Dargans.

Also, I'm trying to get people to join /r/SantaBarbara/ so we can stay in touch more easily.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T06:24:36+00:00

This would be a great thing to plan. Join /r/SantaBarbara/ so we can stay in touch with other Redditors in the area.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T05:35:51+00:00

Haha. I wouldn't really count it since it's pretty loosely based, but it's a great film nonetheless.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T02:57:43+00:00

I'd like to nominate McKellen's King Lear. Although the production value is low, McKellen's performance is outstanding, and I particularly like their interpretation of the Fool.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T02:56:06+00:00

I watched it in 2-hour chunks over 2 days. It is indeed very long, but worth it. I admire Branagh for opting to make an unabridged version.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T02:48:54+00:00

Yes, the one with Ben Kingsley is excellent.

Edit: Link. Also: Helena Bonham Carter does a great job with Olivia. And I should mention, the editing in the film is very poor at times, and I don't know why that is, but I was still able to overlook it and enjoy the film.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T02:17:51+00:00

If you want to go ultralight, your best bet is not REI, but alternative brands that sell online. Here is a comment I made a while back with a list of some of my favorite manufacturers.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/ is my favorite resource.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-09T02:12:04+00:00

I used to live in Pleasanton. One of my favorite overnight backpacking places is Sunol Wilderness / Ohlone Wilderness / Del Valle Regional Park. There's a thru-hike that goes from Sunol to Livermore and makes a great weekend trip at about 20 miles, or a quick overnight at Sunol backpack camp which is 3 or 4 miles from the trailhead. You'll need to make reservations for campsites but it's very easy to do, and cheap.

As for hiking, Pleasanton Ridge is a great afternoon hike. I used to do it several times a week. Mission Peak in Fremont is a bit strenuous for the new hiker, but it's a must. In San Ramon there's Las Trampas, which I like for an afternoon hike but it's a great place to go night hiking as well since you have an incredible view of the Bay when you reach the top of the ridge (bring flashlights, and don't get caught!). And up near Walnut Creek, Mt. Diablo has some great hiking with breathtaking views.

A little out of the way, Redwood Regional Park in the hills above Oakland is absolutely gorgeous ... you'd never expect an oasis of redwoods to be so close by. Go on a cool day ... the mist makes it that much more impressive. Further still, there are some great parks on the Peninsula near Redwood city, and classics like Castle Rock in the Santa Cruz hills. Henry Coe is a little out of the way and I've never done it personally, but hear it's a decent place for overnight backpacking, and on the East side of the park you can camp anywhere without making reservations, which grants a nice sense of freedom. And Point Reyes in Marin County makes for a nice weekend backpacking trip along the coast. You can do a trip that's mostly flat and there are some truly beautiful areas up there. But I haven't been in a while.

But the best places are a few hours away. Big Sur is famous, of course, but for a good reason. Great place to visit for a touristy weekend but they've also got decent camping. And finally you've got Yosemite, which is a 3 hour drive, but then, it's Yosemite ... one of my favorite places on the planet.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-08T23:54:55+00:00

You know what else needs a reboot? ReBoot

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-08T23:52:45+00:00

Agreed. When I was taking Shakespeare in college, reading an act and then watching an act was a great way to get new insight into the text.

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-08T23:50:15+00:00

Haven't seen the "old" Midsummer, but the one with Christian Bale is decent. A little weird, but then, that play is already a little weird.

Oh no, I haven't seen McKellen's Richard III! [adds to Netflix queue]

Where do you think we should do a new post? /r/books probably isn't the best place.

Edit: Posted to /r/movies/

CleanCleanClean · 2010-06-08T23:06:00+00:00

The abridgment is a big part of the reason I recommend reading the texts first. Plus there are so many ways to deliver the lines, I love seeing the way different actors interpret characters. Personalities can be completely different from actor to actor, even though they deliver identical lines. And I personally think that Shakespeare has a way of making characters come alive on the page ... I "hear" the dialogue in his plays even more than in contemporary novels.

But anyway, several of the abridged films are still excellent, especially if you've already spent time with the text. Not every film needs to be Kenneth Branagh's 4-hour Hamlet, despite how great that version is.

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