The Mind Ranch

Sweet Isuzu Amigo

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 10:05:00 +0000

the next year of this blog will be dedicated to my 1993 Isuzu Amigo 2WD (that I treat very much like a 4x4 rig)

Bought a used Amigo XS; white, 5-speed, San Diego in 1994. This was the third vehicle I had ever owned. Now a days it is my 'work truck' for firewood, dump runs, and yard waste. Maybe a local camping trip to Quatal Canyon, but rarely take it past the Kern county line.

This mini SUV sometimes gets confused with the Geo Tracker or the Suzuki Samuri, but indeed the Isuzu is a much stronger, solid built truck. Almost as good as a Jeep ; )

My Amigo was 'totalled' on Dec 30, 1999 - on my way to the New Year Eve bon fire in the Anza Borrego Desert. I rebuilt it to last another 10 years and this is my dedication to this special vehicle. It basically started me on my big camping and outdoors kick, which lead to my 'outside addiction', which in turn lead to a creation of my online career - Total Escape!

This lime green babe was the first real camping machine. Convertible, high clearance, 4 banger, baby has got 206k miles on the original engine and has had the top end rebuilt twice; at the moment it needs a lotta work: power steering pump, new clutch, 1st gear is grinding, etc.

mods & upgrades include:

Rancho 9000 shocks (awesome)
Optima Red Top Battery (amazing)
Calmini cam (what a waste)
4" shackle lift (darrlington)
2 additional leaf springs

Hot, hot, hot

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:36:00 +0000

My Garden Delight
Originally uploaded by danamight

Wow, it's 99 degrees at 5000' elevation. Will we hit 100 today?
This is the hottest day I can remember in Los Padres National Forest. Been living here 6+ years.

Mountain Lion California

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Last night while star gazing in my backyard, I heard the all too familiar deer munching in the empty lot next to me. After an hour or so, I heard foot steps in the leaves as she approached my yard. I stood up and told her not to eat my garden in a firm voice. She retreated back to the land above.

Several minutes later I heard a ruckus. Running, bushes trampled, rocks flying, a deer screaming. Then silence. Shortly afterward, I hear huffing & hissing noises coming from the area. I pointed my trusty 2-million-candle-power spot light up the hill to see the black tip of a long tail in between the trees. I spotted a mountain lion 100 feet away.

The deer had run off in terror and the big cat was still pacing about next door. My friend & I stood up, started talking, pointing, then it disappeared into the forest behind my house. This was the first time (in 6 years) I had actually seen a mountain lion near my back yard in Los Padres National Forest, so I thought I would share it with you.

Wild big cats, called mountain lions in California are also known as cougars.
Deer is the main food source for these large wild cats.

There is estimated to be approximately 6000 mountain lions living in the wild in California. Mountain lions are not a threatened nor endangered species in the golden state. Proposition 117 (passed in 1990), means mountain lions are now a "specially protected species," making mountain lion hunting illegal in California.

Apparently, the biggest population of mountain lions in the US lives in the Santa Lucia Mountains, Los Padres National Forest, along the Big Sur Coast. Numerous lion sighting have been recorded in - Gaviota State Park, Lake Cachuma, and Santa Barbara's "front country trails"

Mountain Lion Attacks California
16 verified reports since 1890

FAQ about Mountain Lions
from the Department of Fish & Game

Road to Nowhere

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:19:00 +0000

Road to Nowhere
Originally uploaded by danamight

Finally got outta town - during the first storm of the season. I celebrated my 12 year anniversary online w/ Total Escape by taking a much needed road trip to the Eastern Sierra. The Rock Creek area was gorgeous in the snow, with the tail end of autumn still showing. See the awesome photos!

The AWD Saabaru

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:32:00 +0000

The AWD Saabaru
Originally uploaded by danamight

After I climbed the Bishop 168 grade to Aspendell, CA @ 8500' the CHP officer parked in the middle of the road told me NO ONE gets past here without 4x4 or AWD. Lucky for me, I was prepared with new Yokohama tires & a full day of total freedom!

With the rising cost of gasoline, I am so glad I bought this compact beauty. This is now the main vehicle for Total Escape Adventures, plus all my R&D.

SaveDarfur

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:02:00 +0000

SaveDarfur.org has a post called "Helicopters for Darfur" that's worth checking out...

Sign the Petition. Help Find Helicopters for Darfur! President Bush, the people of Darfur have waited long enough…

driven drunk an average of 87 times

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:20:00 +0000

People who have previous drunk driving convictions make up approximately one-third of the drunk driving problem in America. These are people who have been failed by a system that has in turn failed to keep the rest of us safe. Even first-time offenses are serious indicators that a person is likely to become a repeat offender. First-time offenders have driven drunk an average of 87 times before they are convicted and most likely have a serious problem with alcohol.

Miller Jeep Trail 2008

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:24:00 +0000

Summer Visitors

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:54:00 +0000

I always love having visitors stop by & camp at my mountain pad.

Mountain Lions in Los Padres Forest

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:37:00 +0000

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.

Hummer MPG

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:46:00 +0000

14 MPG!
Who's buying these?

tattooless

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:24:00 +0000

Fifty Percent of People Want Their Tattoos Removed

The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery estimates that roughly fifty percent of people who get tattoos want them removed. I imagine this is not taking into consideration the amount of people dissatisfied with their existing tattoo, but do not want it removed.

Jesse Cook

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:43:00 +0000

How crowded will the mid-summer Central Valley cultural mecca of Modesto be?

the taurus dance

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:20:00 +0000

your vicious little lies
all spun up in your head
it's hard to keep 'em straight
when you're always in my bed

admittedly no conscience
you hold nothing higher
than selfish needs - to hate
musician, racer, lier

cash, booze, buds, no cares
see no focus, just pretend
bikes, cars, more hot babes
always dreaming just to win

well loved, well fucked
and mostly always broke
an egocentric looser
life in turmoil, is the joke

beer is a diet every day
the mohawk is beyond belief
wife, daughter all lost
continuing on this hellish grief

another dumb decision
is just around the corner
rally up the crew for wheelin
my lonely self, a foreigner

Ride It On

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:19:00 +0000

Ride it on baby, into my view
Ride it on baby, into your sight
Ride it on baby, just like you used to do

Did you want me love you?
Well, I'm just here for the car
And you said that you're so low
Well I won't really do you any harm

Won't you ride it on baby, just like you used to do?
There's no love that you're over feeling
And you still wanna be with me

But you're leavin like you said that you would
I'm a waitin for the car
And you love like you always say now
But you know it won't do you any harm

Ride it on baby, just like you said that you would
Oh then ride it on baby, just like you know it's understood
Ride it on baby, it's still into your view
Ride it on baby, I only wanna be with you

I'm dreamin that you're goin far
And you like takin wine
Won't you ride it on baby?
But you're so heavy-filled with pride

Ride it on baby, just like you said that you would

lyrics by - Mazzy Star

Always

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:47:00 +0000

It was a sunny Spring day & my friend met me for lunch in the village. He was in a great mood & greeting everyone with a handshake & smile. Meeting your neighbors on good terms, in the mountains, what could be nicer. Afterwards we walked to the local post office.

The skies darkened and in walked the sour looking freemason freak, the one who is obsessed with seeing me, always. The one who was so inspired by me in 2003, infatuated with me in 2004, that he relocated his entire life to be near me. And so he is, near me. Always. In the same small town, under one simple rule, he will SEE ME. Always.

As I take care of business at the counter, my friend turns to the brother leaving & says a simple Hi There. Much to my shock, I turn to see who he is meeting now & low & behold, he MUST MAKE make his negative presence known, right there in my lil post office in the afternoon - for everyone to see. Was he waving to me, or flipping me off? I couldn't tell, as my back was turned to him.

This sad villain will stop at nothing to see me flinch, to watch me cry, to get even. He has to continue poisoning our precious alpine paradise. All in the unhealthy name of SPITE. Years later, and his turmoil and drama continues. He must document every step I take, every move I make. Calling the authorities at the slightest glance. In the gas station, on the roadways, at his neighbors home, anywhere he sees me.

Inevitably we will be senior citizens here together, and he will still be pissed at the evil girl who ruined his love life.

Give it up already.

the only advice

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:42:00 +0000

direct that energy into your work grasshopper

I see nothing

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:34:00 +0000

I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath thats true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
You live your life
You go in shadows
Youll come apart and youll go black
Some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with whats not there.

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think its strange you never knew

A strangers light comes on slowly
A strangers heart without a home
You put your hands into your head
And then smiles cover your heart

lyrics by - Mazzy Star

the mountain

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:32:00 +0000

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

surround yourself

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:40:00 +0000

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.

friendship

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:42:00 +0000

Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.

~ Timothy Bentley

pumping the brakes

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:10:00 +0000

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

relentless

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 10:06:00 +0000

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

alcohol vs. work

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:12:00 +0000

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.

Be My Angel

noreply@blogger.com (DanaMite) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:29:00 +0000

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