Hollywood Nights

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Island jumping

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

This weekend I joined Renee and Sean in Maui to hike and camp at Haleakala National Park. We cruised up the volcano crater, nearly 10,000 feet above sea level with our packs strapped to back. At the summit, where the thick clouds lingered around the crater, we could see for miles. Barren volcanic dust, lush green valleys, the bluest of skies and desert tundra - all in the same place. Horay bats kept us awake at night. We hiked for seven miles on Saturday, camped and then continued up the mountain. After our nearly 3,000-foot climb, we headed to the beach.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Where am I?

If you have failed in your attempt to contact me, don't worry. My phone has been turned off/not working. This is due to the unfriendly fellows who shattered my car window, stole my wallet and cell phone. I'll be back soon. Until then I can be contacted at charlton.brian@gmail.com

My daring rope swing jump

It goes by quick so watch closely. I swing over the slippery rocks, and into the freezing mountain water. What a rush!

Check out Web album from hike

Peekabo! I put up a Web album after I hiked, along with Randy and Kiff, the Jackass Ginger trail. This short valley loop wandered through the thick Nuuanu forest and eventually passed one of the coolest swimholes on Oahu: Jackass Ginger. We passed stands of swamp mahogany, bamboo, and guava and later climbed the beautiful Nuuanu Trail. At the waterfall, we dared to swing from the rope, over the slippery rocks (I know cause I fell) and into the freezing cold mountain water. So CLICK HERE

My work uniform

On a reporting trip to Kauai to cover the fallout of a tour helicopter crash, I stopped at a scenic point overlooking the rush green mountains and Hawaiian fishing pools. This island is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. The white sandy shores, majestic waterfalls, endless mountains and low-key lifestyle made for a long day of work.

Kona sunset

From the shores of Kona, the sun dips into the ocean each night. Pure beauty.

Monday, March 19, 2007

My AFI quest: 16. All About Eve

My latest quest is to watch all of the movies ranked by AFI's top 100 list. The greatest American films are on that list and my goal is to view as many as possible before June. My roommate has a collection of thousands of DVDs, so this is my chance.

This weekend I saw All About Eve, a 1950 drama staring Anne Baxter as Eve and Bette Davis as Margo Channing. Davis is one of the biggest female stars of all time and she was powerful here. This movie, while terribly slow at parts, had amazing writing. "Bill Sampson: We have to go to City Hall for the marriage license and blood test.
Margo Channing: I'd marry you if it turned out you had no blood at all."

This was my 20th movie from the list. Others include: 2. Casablanca; 6. Wizard of Oz; 7. The Graduate; 9. Schindler's List; 10. Singin' in the Rain; 11. It's a Wonderful Life; 12. Sunset Boulevard; 14. Some Like it Hot; 15. Star Wars; 20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; 25. E.T.; 29. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; 49. Snow White; 58. Fantasia; 60. Raiders of the Lost Ark; 71. Forrest Gump; 76. City Lights; 77. American Graffiti; 84. Fargo; 95. Pulp Fiction.

Pearl Harbor 10K

I've spent most of this tropical winter trying to get back in shape here in Honolulu. I've decided to share my weekly racing adventures as I compete in the local road race scene. On Saturday, I woke at 6 a.m to drive to Pearl Harbor to compete in my second 10K in two weeks. The visitor center at Pearl Harbor was quiet when I got there with only a few runners milling around. I would soon find out that the race was one of the least organized events I've ever participated in. Examples: No mile markers, fewer than 100 people, different starts for some runners and T-shirts from the concession stand. The course was brutal. It ran through a grassy area, over the hilly bridge and onto the Ford Island where we ran along long, unshaded runways. I could feel the sun melting me. But I still got a sense of pride as I ran on the same ground where American soldiers were once attacked. I finished the race in a slow 44:37, 7:12 pace. Next week: A 5K on the other side of the island.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Links to some of my stories:

VP Dick Cheney thanks Michigan military

Yzerman retires, but will stay involved

Domino's Pizza Expands locally, globally

GM and Delphi cutbacks leave Flint very depressing

Summer fairs get biodiesel

Mich. Teen Said Hiding After Mideast Trip

Officials expand efforts to curb gun violence in Detroit

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

The next chapter

The next chapter of my life has started. So I bought a brand new 2006 Toyota Corolla Sport. My diploma is on my wall, my new job starts soon and I'm ready for the post-college world.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Goodbye old friend

Well, it's over. After seven years, my first true love and I must take different paths. I'm proud to say we never gave up on each other. We refused to quit. I couldn't move on and she wouldn't give in. She stuck with me through the years. She met tons of my friends from cross country runners to State Newsers at Michigan State. We traveled together all over the country. We lived in different cities. We survived in rain, snow and terrible conditions. No matter what was going on in my life, she was always there. She was the rock in my world. She seemed to calm me as she belted Bob Seger hits when I felt lonely and she would jam to the hardest rock tunes during my "rebellious years." I'm sorry about that one time I hit her in anger after I found out I needed surgery on my knee. I thought it might have ended years ago. She had bumps and bruises and some scratches along the way. There were tear-filled conversations and injuries maybe too expensive to pay. But we stuck it out, for that I'm proud. Now we're faced with saying goodbye. My first love, a 1991 red Ford Probe two-door, hatchback car. While driving home during a Slurpee run, an old man pulled in front of me. I had no time to react. I slammed on the brakes and served to the right, but I couldn't save her. She of course saved me. I hit the other car straight on, she absorbed the impact. Besides soreness, I'm okay. But she's not. She still drives, but her hood, front end and lights are beyond repair. And with tears, I must say goodbye to the one object that has lasted with me through the years. Regrets? I should have cleaned her more, given her more oil and waxed her body with more pride. I wish I had the money to rebuild you. It was only fitting that my Slurpee flew out of it's cup and onto her floor. I must have drank thousands of them while in her. And so on mile 114,076 I say goodbye. So long my old friend. Now we have to give up. We must find new paths. I'm sorry.

Monday, August 15, 2005

Turning on the charm

Great news for me this week.

Bob Seger's new cd "Face the Promise" is expected to be released Nov. 8. It's his first studio album since 1995. I can't wait.

The Sopranos added a "7th season" or as they say eight bonus episodes. That means 20 more episodes! The 6th season starts in March and the extra eight will start to air in Jan. 2007.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

The shore at Blue Lake Resort

It's easy growing up. It just happens. It's full of moments you miss and people that are just blurry images lost somewhere in your memory. If I told you that I grew up one week a year on a little lake where cell phone waves didn't quite travel, you'd think I was crazy. But it happened. In a small, brick laden cottage surrounded by sandy terrain and cool summer days, I aged seven days each August. Sure it was only one week a year, and most of my living was spent elsewhere. But the people that moved overloaded vans and trucks into these makeshift homes know my story. Each year, I get to sum up my stories, in a couple sentences. If I have nothing to tell....it wasn't a good year. For 15 years, my family has enjoyed this vacation. This year when I returned for the first time in two years, I realized how many different shoeprints I left in the sand and I forgot how crisp the stars when they reflect off the blue water. And this time, I spent most of the week stunned at how old everyone is getting. The kids that I used to chase after in the dark hoping to flash my flashlight at them, are getting married and having kids. And the kids that were once just being pushed around in strollers are shining the flashlights and finding puppy love. The trees are taller and the cabins older, reflecting experiences only I can remember. And now that the long car ride home is over, I must tuck my memories there back inside my head... and collect new things to share next year.

Sunday, July 24, 2005

My summer internship is coming to an end. One week to go. This picture was from the intern party. Joey and Henry both are on the business desk with me.

Eric and Amy get married! The wedding was held last week and now the Moraths are in Hawaii.