Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

My favourite song until I was about 20 was “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” in fact it might still be my favourite song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZANKFxrcKU I am driving up a high, lonely road in Lassen State Park when I notice movement in the … Continue reading →

I sit in Okinawa and dream of spending a week at the Sheldon Antelope Wildlife reserve. The idea is to set up camp under shady trees beside small lake and take photos of the thousands of antelope that will pass … Continue reading →

Congratulations to James! After a very thorough recruitment process; written exams on plant names, behaviour, etc and two face to face interviews, James has been offered a job at the SF Recreation and Parks https://sfrecpark.org. More than 200 applied for … Continue reading →

A reminder that this blog is a personal diary and contains little of interest to anyone but me. I love it because it keeps a brief written and visual record of what I did. Without it I would forget. This … Continue reading →

John Anderson my jo, John,When we were first acquent;Your locks were like the raven,Your bony brow was brent;But now your brow is beld, John,Your locks are like the snaw;But blessings on your frosty pow,John Anderson my Jo. Robert Burns Great pleasure … Continue reading →

At OIST I learnt about the symbiotic relationship between coral and algae. Neither organism can survive without the healthy presence of the other. I feel much more research should be done on the symbiotic relationship between man and his truck. … Continue reading →

How amazing is that! Congratulations James, thank you for being such a good son. We celebrate: champagne and tiramisu, handmade by new house mate Elaine! We go to San Francisco’s oldest restaurant, or one of them. https://theoldclamhouse.com Fantastic sea food! … Continue reading →

I have to get a police report from the SFPD to launch the whole “can I get the truck repaired?” procedure. I go down to the HQ on 3rd St. It is a beautiful, shiny building. This area used to … Continue reading →

Someone is backing out of their garage on Hayes when a truck hurtling down the street smashes into them. The truck careers across the road straight into my gently sleeping, beautiful, Tacoma. This is truly a disaster. We now have … Continue reading →

Loath to leave Okinawa, the morning of departure my body revolts. My leg is very painful in a new area – hamstringish. My right eye is very red and vaguely painful. By the time I get to Haneda, I have … Continue reading →