One of the things I have striven for in writing these pieces about my friends has been to focus on who they are as people, why I like them as people.  I haven't wanted to focus on their worldly achievement or success, becaue, frankly, that isn't a factor in why I would keep someone as a friend.  But the fact remains that sometimes a connection ( Read more... )

I managed to get myself onto the road by 7 am on Tuesday morning.  Even with a stop at the bank to beg from the ATM for hand-cash.  The advantage about traveling eastward at that hour was that very little traffic (in relative terms for LA) was heading in that direction.  So I made very good time and had gotten as far as Newberry Springs (on the I- ( Read more... )

After the excitement of crossing west Texas, I'd planned a side trip on my return to L.A., to go visit a friend in northeastern Arizona. This would involve getting of the I-10 at Deming, New Mexico, and heading northward on the two-lane U.S. 180. Across the desert flats and up through the Mogollon Mountains. I had a lovely day for it, and the ( Read more... )