Category Archives: Personal

Personal

Planning to Camp? Know the Stay Limits on Angeles National Forest

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

If you’re like me, dispersed camping is one of the best parts of exploring the backcountry — find a quiet spot off the beaten path, set up camp, and enjoy some real solitude under the stars. But if you’re planning extended stays in the Angeles National Forest, there are some stay-limit rules worth knowing before you head out.

The Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument have put stay limits in place for camping, effective now through December 15, 2026. Here’s the breakdown: Continue reading →

Inspiration, Questions and Answers, Writing

Question: When a writer presents their manuscript to an editor or a publisher, what prevents them from just stealing the work and publishing the book under their own names?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Answer: Professionalism. An editor or publisher will only ever get one chance to “steal” someone’s work. After that they’re out of business, sued into oblivion, and Chernobyl when it comes to ever being employable ever again. The only writer who is worried about an editor or publisher stealing their manuscript is the noob who doesn’t understand that their work isn’t worth stealing. The amateur. The wannabe too scared to break in who is looking for a reason – any reason – to ensure they remain anonymous and unpublished.

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California, National Forests, Personal

Some National Forests Temporarily Closed For Public Safety Finally Reopen!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has taken three national forests off the regional closure order that came into force as wildfires spread throughout California due to the incredibly inept forest management (or lack thereof) of the California state government. Inyo, Sequoia, and Sierra National Forests were removed from the list.

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California, General, Jeep

Why do California drivers rarely give signal when changing lanes?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

This question was posed to me, and the answer is pretty simple: People in California very often do use their turn signals.

In California, though, the turn signal is a challenge. It has nothing to do with being inconsiderate or laziness. It’s a peacock showing colors, or a baboon showing it’s big colorful butt. It’s an aggressive challenge to the person in the next lane: “go ahead, try to stop me.” The driver in the next lane can either submit to the dominance displayed by the signaling driver, or issue a formal challenge in the form of acceleration.

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General, Personal

Dodge #1, Ram Trucks #3 in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

While you’ll find me over in the Jeep camp when it comes to FCA, I believe in credit where credit is due:

Dodge has become the first domestic automobile brand EVER to score a No. 1 ranking in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study – up from No. 8 in last year’s IQS results. Having watched (and participated) in the recent growing pains as FCA has built up the brand, I can certainly say that I’ve seen significant improvement in the overall quality as well as the focus on the customer over the last few years.

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