The fan, the keyboard, the mouse, the monitor stands, the monitors themselves, the phone, my cellphone, my chair, my water bottle–the list goes on.

Is anything made in America now? Apparently not.

Really? A fucking sticker on the back of your hoop-dy is how you choose to honor your loved ones? I think it’s just… tacky, I think is the word. Yes, tacky.

Almost every person that sees your car has no idea who you are, let alone the name you are memorializing. When I see those stickers I think, “So? Who the fuck is that? I don’t know that person. Why should I care?”

But mostly, I think it says something about our car-culture in California–and that annoys me. People think so highly of their own vehicles–it’s such a big part of who they are. So their truck is naturally the best place to put their “In Loving Memory” sticker. I love my car, and I loved my friend, so therefore he gets a sticker on my car.

Makes perfect sense, I suppose. Or maybe I’m wrong. In that case, maybe you could explain it to me?

I still think it’s fucking stupid.

Why does this bother me so much? Hippocleides Doesn’t Care is something that I’ve spent hundreds of hours of my free time working on. It’s my buddy. This blog is my friend. And I feel like I let him down.

In today’s world almost everyone has abandoned their LiveJournals and blogs for FaceBook. And I must admit that I am far more active on FaceBook than I am at www.teebiss.com

FaceBook is good for quick little blurbs like “TGIF!” and “Just ate a banana” and “What should I do?” And my blog has been where I expound on my thoughts.

This website is also my de facto digital photo repository. Yet another sore spot for me–I’ve been posting my albums here, but little pics here and there on FaceBook.

Why can’t I happily use both? Hippocleides is where my heart lies.

I’ve been somewhat burnt out on social networking lately. FaceBook and Twitter just aren’t doing it for me. I feel like I need to return to my roots.

More to come…

So what does that mean? It is a mystery.

It’s been said that snowfall was normal this winter. However, our reservoirs are still rather low.

It feels a bit early for the weather to be so warm and the rain to stop. I’m worried about the pending trout season. I’ll just have to get out early, and often this season.

I’m ready for summer already. I miss the high Sierras.

The hotel is nothing special–it’s definitely not the Ahwahnee! But the bed was comfortable, the room was clean, and it was quiet. We had a huge window next to the bed where we could look out at all the snow and admire the pine trees and sheer granite walls.

On the first night we dunked (coffee and pie) at the food court, had drinks at the Mountain Room bar, and a great dinner at the Mountain Room proper.

On day two the weather cleared up a bit, but it was still cloudy and it rained at times. We spent the entire day taking pictures as I hit all the highlights–Swinging Bridge, Curry Village, Stables, Visitor Center, Museum, etc.

On our last day the weather was gorgeous. Clear blue skies and warm(er) temperatures. Too bad we had to come home =(

Click here for pics of our trip!

More camping, more fly fishing, more good times, more friends, more fun =)

Happy Holidays!