A GREAT HIKE AND A GREAT MEAL

We hiked on the Upper Bug Springs trail. The weather was perfect; sun warm but the breeze was cool. The last time we did this trail, we scouted out a great area of boulders in a wash/canyon to explore so this is what we did. As we approached the end of that approximately mile long section by the creek (very mysterious and so un-desert like; lots of trees and no fire damage) we cross country'd on our left and soon came to the wash.

It was very steep in places but we never felt unsafe. At our age, we don't take climbing/scrambling risks anymore just to catch that superb view. After winding our way around stupendous rock formations (lots of hidey-holes's and great lunch and break spots) and walking up up up; we finally got to the top of the ridge and it was perfect. Not all our explorations end so well. There were several flat large areas, fantastic view, no bugs and both dappled and sunny spots.

After the hike, we stopped at Beyond Bread. They were having their Octoberfest special: a bratwurst on a pretzel bun with German potato salad for only $7. They only had a little over one serving of potato salad left so asked if we wanted a substitute, so we picked a small garden salad with their fantastic thousand island dressing. Well, the portion was huge. There was more than enough potato salad for bill and i to share; we didnt' even need the green salad and the bratwurst was a foot long  (i'm not kidding). There was some sauerkraut on it and spicy dijon mustard and the bun was absolutely delicious. crusty and crunchy on the outside (and luckily not too crusty because of my continuing pain when biting down hard in my newly placed crown area) and the inside was soft and pillowy. the sausage was excellent; mild and flavorful.

They are having this special for the whole month so we'll be sure to come back before 10/31.

MONEYBALL

This movie is the story of Billy Beane, a 'failed' major league baseball player and General Manager of the Oakland A's. After once again losing players to teams with much more money, he hires a computer whiz (played by Jonah Hill, who i think has lost a lot of weight since this picture was filmed.) who groups together players for a winning team based on numbers and averages and the times the player gets on base.

This was beyond radical at the time and the scouts (all grizzled veterans of 'how the game is played') grumble and rebel. Brad Pitt plays Billy and i think this was his best role. He has weathered a bit (cuz of all those children and being the husband of angelina?) and has lost that pretty boy look.

The story was just mesmerizing and fast paced and it was very very interesting to see how a team is constructed and the interaction of the players and managers and how players are traded. One thing that was really clear is that the team is NOT a family; its just a random grouping of individuals; being placed at the whim of the management.

The only females in the film were Billy's ex (played by Robin Wright - formerly Sean Penn's wife; very short on film time) and Billy's daughter.

We gave the movie a 9; i would have given it a 10 but the ending dragged on; showing in too slow paced sequences the dilemma Billy was faced with re: his position in baseball. This was a true story. I got very emotionally involved at the baseball playoff games; exciting.

TRUST

This movie was never released in theaters and i don't know why. It was excellent; both Bill and I gave it a 9.

Clive Owen plays the dad and Catherine Keener the mom of a 14 year old girl who gets involved chatting on-line with another high school kid who lives out of state. As they become friendlier and start sharing confidences, he tells her that he is really 20. Well, she is shocked but still computer chats, texts and phone talks with him because he is giving her all the support and validation she needs as an adolescent who is trying to fit in yet be different, who is testing the waters of boyfriend and girlfriend, who is awakening sexually, who is starting to rebel against her parents, etc.etc.

Then he reveals that he is really 25. but again by this time she is even more emotionally dependent on him. They eventually meet and he's in his late 30's - at least. but gently and persuasively he is able to get her to be less angry and to trust him again and by this time he's telling her he loves her and yes, you guessed it; they have sex in a motel room.

From here to the end of the movie, it continued to surprise us and take turns that we weren't expecting. Eventually, the relationship is discovered and the film shows how dependent she has become on him; shows how the mom reacts differently than the dad and how it effects their relationship; highlights her peers' response and how the law enforcement people and counselors handle all this. It does NOT become a mel gibson-harrison ford-revenge at all costs- shoot em up movie.

The ending is not tidy or neat and just hints at healing in the family. and the predator scene at the finish of the movie (as the credits are rolling) is superb and perfect.