Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Cento Cocina Mexicana
Sharon, Jack and I finished the day by going to dinner at Centro Cocina Mexicana to celebrate my birthday.
Lunch with Wong to talk about the Gunners
I had lunch with Randy Wong at the Mission Rogelio Mexican Restaurant in Rancho Cordova. I think that the restaurant has actually changed names.
His son came to one of the Gunners try-outs. Randy is still considering having Aaron play with the team and he wanted to pick my brain on a list of issues before deciding.
His son came to one of the Gunners try-outs. Randy is still considering having Aaron play with the team and he wanted to pick my brain on a list of issues before deciding.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Man Down [2009 Northstar Day 2]
Larkin and I got up about 7:30 a.m. We wandered down to the village, got our lift tickets and some coffee and tea at Starbucks. Shortly after 9:00 a.m., we were on the gondola heading up the mountain. The base of the gondola is in building with Hunter's condo. We put on ski boots on in the room, took the elevator to the lobby, collected our skis from a locker and walked 10 steps to load into the gondola. very cool...
Larkin and I had a great two hours and a half hours of skiing. Hunter called and we met up with him at the bottom of the Comstock Express Chairlift in the middle of the mountain about 11:30 a.m. Unfortunately, things went south from this point.
On our second run on the backside on the Polaris trail, Hunter had a nasty fall.
There is some confusion about what actually happened. I was very far behind Larkin and Hunter, Larkin only saw part of the crash out of the corner of his eye and Hunter does not remember what happened very clearly.
As I skied towards Larkin, he was gathering up skis and poles and I can remember thinking "what is he doing?" since he had his skis on. Larkin started waving and pointing downhill. As I cleared the next rise, I saw Hunter along the tree line about 150 yards below us.
I was the first person to Hunter. He was face down, unconscious and bleeding from his mouth, nose and cuts on his face. He was laying with the pole under his throat which was making it difficult for him to breathe. Without moving him, another skier and I made a decision to dig the pole out. This helped his breathing. At this point, I was very worried about his right arm; it seemed to be at an odd angle.
Larkin eventually skied down with Hunter's skis and one pole. We kept talking to him. Although it is difficult to judge, it was four or five minutes before he started to respond to his name and open his eyes. We told him to lay still and not move.
Within about 10 minutes, the ski patrol was there. After checking him out to make sure that there were no spinal injuries, they got him sitting up. He had a bad concussion; he did not know where he was or what day of the week it was. The ski patrol loaded him into a sled and took him to the bottom of the hill. From there, they loaded him onto a different sled behind a snowmobile and took him to meet an ambulance which transported him to the hospital.
I was able to get Robbie's (Hunter's oldest son) cell phone number from Hunter as they were loading him in the sled. Larkin and I took the chair to the top of the backside and left a message for Robbie.
The ski patrol told us they would call and let us know which hospital they were taking Hunter to. At this point, Larkin and I stopped for some lunch and a beer.
Trading messages with Robbie, they figured out where Hunter was and they headed to the hospital. Larkin and I decided we would continue skiing until we heard from them once they got to hospital.
We ended up skiing until 4:00 p.m. We stopped back at the condo to change and pack up our gear. We headed to the hospital to check on Hunter. Hunter ended up with two broken ribs and a punctured lung. He also had a bad case of road rash on his face and the side of his head.
We headed back to Sacramento. I got home about 7:30 p.m. The kids were able to get Bobbie out of the hospital and back to the condo that night.
There are a couple of postscripts on the day. Larkin and I ski with helmets. Hunter was not wearing a helmet.
Larkin is retired and has worked as a ski instructor the last two years. He has skied over 130 days in the last two years. I have skied with Larkin for 27 years. Larkin skis hard and fast. I always have to work to keep pace with him.
On the run that Hunter crashed, I actually pulled up and stopped chasing them several minutes before Hunter crashed. In all of the years that I have skied with Larkin, it is only time I can remember actually thinking we are moving too fast.
Larkin and I had a great two hours and a half hours of skiing. Hunter called and we met up with him at the bottom of the Comstock Express Chairlift in the middle of the mountain about 11:30 a.m. Unfortunately, things went south from this point.
On our second run on the backside on the Polaris trail, Hunter had a nasty fall.
There is some confusion about what actually happened. I was very far behind Larkin and Hunter, Larkin only saw part of the crash out of the corner of his eye and Hunter does not remember what happened very clearly.
As I skied towards Larkin, he was gathering up skis and poles and I can remember thinking "what is he doing?" since he had his skis on. Larkin started waving and pointing downhill. As I cleared the next rise, I saw Hunter along the tree line about 150 yards below us.
I was the first person to Hunter. He was face down, unconscious and bleeding from his mouth, nose and cuts on his face. He was laying with the pole under his throat which was making it difficult for him to breathe. Without moving him, another skier and I made a decision to dig the pole out. This helped his breathing. At this point, I was very worried about his right arm; it seemed to be at an odd angle.
Larkin eventually skied down with Hunter's skis and one pole. We kept talking to him. Although it is difficult to judge, it was four or five minutes before he started to respond to his name and open his eyes. We told him to lay still and not move.
Within about 10 minutes, the ski patrol was there. After checking him out to make sure that there were no spinal injuries, they got him sitting up. He had a bad concussion; he did not know where he was or what day of the week it was. The ski patrol loaded him into a sled and took him to the bottom of the hill. From there, they loaded him onto a different sled behind a snowmobile and took him to meet an ambulance which transported him to the hospital.
I was able to get Robbie's (Hunter's oldest son) cell phone number from Hunter as they were loading him in the sled. Larkin and I took the chair to the top of the backside and left a message for Robbie.
The ski patrol told us they would call and let us know which hospital they were taking Hunter to. At this point, Larkin and I stopped for some lunch and a beer.
Trading messages with Robbie, they figured out where Hunter was and they headed to the hospital. Larkin and I decided we would continue skiing until we heard from them once they got to hospital.
We ended up skiing until 4:00 p.m. We stopped back at the condo to change and pack up our gear. We headed to the hospital to check on Hunter. Hunter ended up with two broken ribs and a punctured lung. He also had a bad case of road rash on his face and the side of his head.
We headed back to Sacramento. I got home about 7:30 p.m. The kids were able to get Bobbie out of the hospital and back to the condo that night.
There are a couple of postscripts on the day. Larkin and I ski with helmets. Hunter was not wearing a helmet.
Larkin is retired and has worked as a ski instructor the last two years. He has skied over 130 days in the last two years. I have skied with Larkin for 27 years. Larkin skis hard and fast. I always have to work to keep pace with him.
On the run that Hunter crashed, I actually pulled up and stopped chasing them several minutes before Hunter crashed. In all of the years that I have skied with Larkin, it is only time I can remember actually thinking we are moving too fast.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
2009 Northstar Day 1
Larkin and I took off Wednesday night after work and headed to Northstar. Hunter has a condo there at One Village Place. The plan is to start early and ski hard on Thursday.
We rolled into Northstar about 8:45 p.m. and got settled into the condo. In addition to Hunter, Loren, Danny and Robby are there for the week. Hunter, Larkin and I finished the night having a beer at Baxter's Bistro & Lounge. By the time we got back to the condo and in bed, it was after midnight.
We rolled into Northstar about 8:45 p.m. and got settled into the condo. In addition to Hunter, Loren, Danny and Robby are there for the week. Hunter, Larkin and I finished the night having a beer at Baxter's Bistro & Lounge. By the time we got back to the condo and in bed, it was after midnight.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2009 Kings versus Magic
Larkin and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Orlando Magic NBA Basketball Game. The Magic won by a score of 139 to 107. Orlando won its fifth straight game and improved to an NBA-best 15-5 on the road. The loss was the 12th in 14 games for the Kings. The Kings are now 7-13 at Arco Arena and are on pace to have their worst home record in franchise history.
The Magic went 23-for-37 from 3-point range. This is the most 3-pointers made in a game in NBA history. The Raptors had the previous record with 21 made 3-point field goals on March 13, 2005 versus the 76ers.
Despite spending the entire fourth quarter on the bench, Dwight Howard had 25 points and 15 rebounds.
At halftime, we went and visited with Liz and her sister Anna.
The Magic went 23-for-37 from 3-point range. This is the most 3-pointers made in a game in NBA history. The Raptors had the previous record with 21 made 3-point field goals on March 13, 2005 versus the 76ers.
Despite spending the entire fourth quarter on the bench, Dwight Howard had 25 points and 15 rebounds.
At halftime, we went and visited with Liz and her sister Anna.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Pony Express St George Hotel
St George Hotel
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at 400 J Street in Sacramento, California. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 34.937 W 121° 30.081.
A list of Pony Express Waymarks that I have visited can be found here. You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
The back of the marker reads:
The St. George Hotel was on this corner with the main entrance on fourth street.
The following ad ran on March 19, 1860 in the Sacramento Union Newspaper:
The undersigned wishes to hire ten or a dozen men, familar with the management of horses, as hostlers or riders on the Overland Express Route via Salt Lake City. Wages, $50 per month and found. I may be found at the St. George Hotel during Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
William W. Finney.
This was the only ad ever run for Pony Express riders. On March 20 The Sacramento Union reported We understand that about two hundred men have responded to the advertisement of the agent, Mr. Finney, for post riders on the Overland Express. The requisite number have been engaged.
NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 11
The Kings climbed one spot to 27th in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams. They are now ahead of the Thunder, Wizards and Clippers.
NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - ESPN
NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - ESPN
Kevin Martin is back in a big way. Pete Carrill is back, too. Throw in a big comeback at home over Dallas -- taking a cue from Memphis' home rout of the Mavs -- and they're starting to look a little like the Kings again.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
2009 PAL JV Rec Basketball Game #1
Jack played in his first JV Rec Basketball game of the 2009 season. They played against Our Lady of Assumption (White). All of the games this year are played at the Our Lady of Assumption school in Carmichael.
The Eagles won by a score of 30 to 6. Jack played the first and third periods and had 2 points on 1 for 6 shooting. He missed a couple of fast break lay-ups and had a couple of jumpers bounce off the back iron. Jack had a couple of nice assists. Jack was also very disruptive on defense. The other team did not score a point while Jack's group was on the floor.
Unlike the Little Dribblers of the past four years, this resembles real basketball. They play four 6 minute quarters. There are two referees for the game. They call fouls and shoot free throws.
The Eagles dressed 11 players. Jack played shooting guard or 2 with the first team that includes Joe at 1, Andy at 5, Jake at 4 and Connor at 3 with David substituting for Connor. Jack was a little frustrated after the game. His and Joe's game are very similar. Typically, they have played them on different groups in past years. I am interested to see how this group plays together over the course of the season, particularly against a more competitive team.
The Eagles won by a score of 30 to 6. Jack played the first and third periods and had 2 points on 1 for 6 shooting. He missed a couple of fast break lay-ups and had a couple of jumpers bounce off the back iron. Jack had a couple of nice assists. Jack was also very disruptive on defense. The other team did not score a point while Jack's group was on the floor.
Unlike the Little Dribblers of the past four years, this resembles real basketball. They play four 6 minute quarters. There are two referees for the game. They call fouls and shoot free throws.
The Eagles dressed 11 players. Jack played shooting guard or 2 with the first team that includes Joe at 1, Andy at 5, Jake at 4 and Connor at 3 with David substituting for Connor. Jack was a little frustrated after the game. His and Joe's game are very similar. Typically, they have played them on different groups in past years. I am interested to see how this group plays together over the course of the season, particularly against a more competitive team.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Celebrating Tom's Birthday
Sharon and I went with Timmy, Kathy, Becky and Tom to the L Wine Lounge and Urban Kitchen to celebrate Tom's birthday.
Tubing with the Boys Scouts
In March, Jack will be making the jump from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. One of the last things that he needed to do to complete his Arrow of Light [the highest rank in Cub Scouting] is attend one Boy Scout outdoor activity.
Jack, Tim, Chad, Cody and Johnny went tubing with Troop 59 to Tubes-R-Us at Cisco Grove. The boys had a great time. The place has a moving sidewalk to carry people and their tubes up the hill. Towards the end of the session, they started going down the hill as group all tied together.
Jack, Tim, Chad, Cody and Johnny went tubing with Troop 59 to Tubes-R-Us at Cisco Grove. The boys had a great time. The place has a moving sidewalk to carry people and their tubes up the hill. Towards the end of the session, they started going down the hill as group all tied together.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Liz, Sharon, Laura and Mary
On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Sharon went out to dinner with several of her friends from high school. Mary sent a couple of pictures earlier this week from the evening.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Snowmobiling Map
Last Saturday, we went snowmobiling. We covered a lot of ground. Using data from my Garmin 305, I put together the following maps and screen shots of the ride.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
13 companies hiring this year
13 companies hiring this year - CNN.com
11. Company: Sutter Health
Who they are: A family of doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health-care service providers that share resources and expertise to advance health-care quality and access, says Mike Helm, senior vice president of human resources.
Whom they are looking for: 'Health care is about people and at Sutter Health, our commitment is to put the patient at the center of everything we do. Our aging population and Sutter Health's continued investment in technology are two important forces that are fueling our need for skilled employees,' Helm says. '[We] seek to hire individuals who embrace our values. From providing care at the bedside to implementing lifesaving technology and administrative professionals, there are a variety of positions available throughout our Sutter Health network.'
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Dinner with Wallen, Becky, Hunter and Robbie
I met Wallen, Becky, Hunter and Robbie for dinner at Mason's. Although Sharon has been there for lunch and dinner before, this was the first time I have been to this restaurant. I had a spinach and endive salad and swordfish.Last month, I had dinner with Jill and Becky when they were in Sacramento looking for an apartment for Becky. Becky starts work at her new job in Roseville tomorrow. Wallen is here helping her unload the moving van and get settled in her new apartment.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Mayfly 2008
West Coast Tour • Tucson • Sutter's Fort • 21st Birthday • Ten Years at Sutter • Alaska: Skagway, Marjorie Glacier, Denali • Boulder Creek • Napa • Gunner's Baseball • 1,924 miles
You can find my Mayfly summaries for the last six years here!
What is this?
Slowest Start to a Season
With last night's loss to the New Jersey Nets, the Kings set a Sacramento-era record for slowest start to a season (8-27).
Monday, January 05, 2009
1,925 Miles!?!
On our trip to Florida in Summer of 2004, I started to play with the idea of running the American River 50 in April of 2007. I committed myself and started to train.
In 2005, I ran slightly less than 1,630 miles.
In 2006, I ran slightly less than 1,680 miles.
In 2007, I ran 1,721 miles. This included successfully completing the American River 50.
In 2008, I ran more than 1,925 miles! I realized in the fall that I had a chance to break the 1,900 mark and pushed towards it through last four months of the year. Combined with screwing around on the Wii Fit for a couple of months in the middle of the year, my right knee is not happy...
I enjoy physical challenges and need to find something different for 2009.
In 2005, I ran slightly less than 1,630 miles.
In 2006, I ran slightly less than 1,680 miles.
In 2007, I ran 1,721 miles. This included successfully completing the American River 50.
In 2008, I ran more than 1,925 miles! I realized in the fall that I had a chance to break the 1,900 mark and pushed towards it through last four months of the year. Combined with screwing around on the Wii Fit for a couple of months in the middle of the year, my right knee is not happy...
I enjoy physical challenges and need to find something different for 2009.
NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 10
The Kings climbed one spot to 28th in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams. They are now ahead of the Clippers and the Thunder.
NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - ESPN
NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - ESPN
I know Kevin Martin is back and looks deadly already ... but it's been several weeks since we mentioned Bobby Brown in this space. So let us get away with it in the first batch of Power Rankings in the new year.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
California Historical Landmark #31
Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the 21st of twenty-one places that we stopped.
Drytown
California State Historical Landmark #31
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located on State Highway 49, 0.2 miles north of Drytown, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 26.529 W 120° 51.460.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Founded in 1848, this is the oldest town and first in which gold was discovered in Amador County. Its venerable town hall and other picturesque structures remain. The town was not 'dry,' as the name implies-it once contained 26 saloons.
California State Historical Landmark #31
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located on State Highway 49, 0.2 miles north of Drytown, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 26.529 W 120° 51.460.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Founded in 1848, this is the oldest town and first in which gold was discovered in Amador County. Its venerable town hall and other picturesque structures remain. The town was not 'dry,' as the name implies-it once contained 26 saloons.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Snowmobiling
Sharon, Morgan, Jack and I went snowmobiling. Driving up for the day from Sacramento, we went to Lake Tahoe Adventures in South Lake Tahoe. They put us on a bus to the Hope Valley off of Highway 88. We spent a little more than two hours covering more than 20 miles with a couple of stops to enjoy the great scenery. With the snowfall on Friday, the trees were covered. The weather cooperated; it was mostly sunny and with a very light wind.
Sharon has been wanting to try snowmobiling for a long time. Unfortunately, Sharon got cold and was a little miserable. I really enjoyed the trip. It was a interesting way to see a lot more area than you could on snowshoes or crosscountry skis.
I carried the Garmin and will generate some maps and views of the terrain in Google Earth in the next couple of days. Given how far we went, I am very interested in exploring the area in Google Earth.
Sharon has been wanting to try snowmobiling for a long time. Unfortunately, Sharon got cold and was a little miserable. I really enjoyed the trip. It was a interesting way to see a lot more area than you could on snowshoes or crosscountry skis.
I carried the Garmin and will generate some maps and views of the terrain in Google Earth in the next couple of days. Given how far we went, I am very interested in exploring the area in Google Earth.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
For Your Eyes Only
Sharon, Jack and I watched For Your Eyes Only. Released in 1981, this is the twelfth spy film of the British James Bond series and the fifth to star Roger Moore as the British secret agent James Bond. The screenplay takes its characters from and combines the plots of two short stories from Ian Fleming's collection For Your Eyes Only: the title story and Risico. It also includes elements inspired by the novels Live and Let Die (the keelhauling sequence), Goldfinger (the identigraph sequence) and On Her Majesty's Secret Service (the opening at the graveyard).After killing Blofeld in the opening sequences, Bond becomes tangled in a web of deception spun by rival Greek businessmen against the backdrop of Cold War spy games. After a British spy ship sink off the coast of Albania, the world's superpowers begin a feverish search for its valuable lost cargo: the powerful ATAC system, which will give its bearer unlimited control over Polaris nuclear submarines. Bond's investigations leads to Greece where he meets Melina Havelock, out for revenge for the murder of her parents.
In addition to Roger Moore as James Bond, the cast includes Carole Bouquet as Melina Havelock, Julian Glover as Aristotle Kristatos and Chaim Topol as Milos Columbo.
The movie includes some great scenery in Italy and Greece. The climatic scenes are filmed in Metéora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Greece is definitely on my short list of countries to visit.
Bowling at Strikes in Elk Grove
Strikes Bowling is located in the Elk Grove Sports Center at 3443 Laguna Blvd. The phone number is 916-226-2695. The three of us bowled there for hour in the boutique section that features leather couches.
geotagged
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geotagged
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New Year's Eve 2008
For the first time, Sharon and I hosted a New Year Eve's Party. The group included her two brother's families (Tom, Becky, Kevin, Eric, Tim, Kathy and Eileen), the DiGiorgio's (Brun, Kim, Sarah and Velta) and Jim Dunn. Sharon served a late dinner of prime rib, a couple of ducks, green beans, caesar salad and rolls.
Continuing the tradition started last year, we watched Dinner for One. We have also started showing Dinner for One at our dinner parties. Afterwards, everyone headed out to the backyard to set off a few fireworks. By the time everyone left and we got to bed, it was after 1:00 a.m.
Continuing the tradition started last year, we watched Dinner for One. We have also started showing Dinner for One at our dinner parties. Afterwards, everyone headed out to the backyard to set off a few fireworks. By the time everyone left and we got to bed, it was after 1:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
IndieMonday.com Music Review - Big Tree
Morgan's band Big Tree is the featured artist this week on the IndieMonday.com web site!
It looks like the web site does not archive its reviews so I have included the write-up and the link to the song below.
Big Tree: Marshall Field
[Click here to download MP3]
Songwriting is a violent process. It’s an aggressive effort at least – to beat sense into experience. Words are the hardest part. They are the incarnation. The feeling conquered and retrieved from abstraction. A solid snatched from gases.
Big Tree is a band that wrestles with such precious particles in life. Every idea involves a struggle – the process of explaining virtually unexplainable moments or concepts.
“It’s like those unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo, you know, ‘The Prisoners,’” bassist Luke Bace explains. “You have to pull your project out of the world of forms.”
A marvelous idea, very difficult to do. For Big Tree this involves a lot of playing.
“We’ve come to the conclusion, sometimes, that we shouldn’t talk while we write music. We just play, exploring the songs together. It’s very difficult to talk about music.”
Even though there’s not much being said, progress is still being made. There is a bond between members that is organic and sinuous.
“These are four of the greatest musicians I know,” Luke said. “They really pull me up. We’re always pulling each other up on a musical level.”
This track, “Marshall Field”, is a particularly tender song. The harmonies are heart breaking. The acoustics are bare, natural, almost skeletal. The listener gets the feeling they are sitting in on a special conversation.
“In ways, Marshall Field is a stand alone song on the album,” Luke said. “It was recorded out on my porch in July – kind of an Animal Collective feel. You can even hear birds at the beginning.”
“Marshall Field” is a personal song. But the band invites other’s interpretations.
“It’s about a building on campus at our school,” Luke said. “It’s a spot we all know very well. Much of the song is a sensory exploration of that area. A lot of the songs on the album are love songs, in one way or another. This is a love song for a physical place.”
The words drip and slide from verse to verse, but the nostalgia is ubiquitous. “Brand new faces, or so they seem / Oh, I know you so, so well / I could not forget your smell.” It is something we all know, that way that places stick with you. Sometimes they are as alive as people.
“The recording was only the second take,” Luke said “During the second verse it started raining. It was so exciting. You can even hear the sound of Kaila, our singer and keyboardist, smiling. Truly amazing.”
Wonder is what comes out of this curious group. Wonder. Big hearted wonder. The immediacy of beauty. The feeling of the blindfold coming off. Big Tree reminds us that the world is ready for experiencing. -JM
*Big Tree plans to tour New England in March, further promoting the recent self-titled release album.
[Click here to download the MP3]
[Click here to visit Big Tree's Website]
IndieMonday 12.29.08
It looks like the web site does not archive its reviews so I have included the write-up and the link to the song below.
Big Tree: Marshall Field
[Click here to download MP3]
Songwriting is a violent process. It’s an aggressive effort at least – to beat sense into experience. Words are the hardest part. They are the incarnation. The feeling conquered and retrieved from abstraction. A solid snatched from gases.
Big Tree is a band that wrestles with such precious particles in life. Every idea involves a struggle – the process of explaining virtually unexplainable moments or concepts.
“It’s like those unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo, you know, ‘The Prisoners,’” bassist Luke Bace explains. “You have to pull your project out of the world of forms.”
A marvelous idea, very difficult to do. For Big Tree this involves a lot of playing.
“We’ve come to the conclusion, sometimes, that we shouldn’t talk while we write music. We just play, exploring the songs together. It’s very difficult to talk about music.”
Even though there’s not much being said, progress is still being made. There is a bond between members that is organic and sinuous.
“These are four of the greatest musicians I know,” Luke said. “They really pull me up. We’re always pulling each other up on a musical level.”
This track, “Marshall Field”, is a particularly tender song. The harmonies are heart breaking. The acoustics are bare, natural, almost skeletal. The listener gets the feeling they are sitting in on a special conversation.
“In ways, Marshall Field is a stand alone song on the album,” Luke said. “It was recorded out on my porch in July – kind of an Animal Collective feel. You can even hear birds at the beginning.”
“Marshall Field” is a personal song. But the band invites other’s interpretations.
“It’s about a building on campus at our school,” Luke said. “It’s a spot we all know very well. Much of the song is a sensory exploration of that area. A lot of the songs on the album are love songs, in one way or another. This is a love song for a physical place.”
The words drip and slide from verse to verse, but the nostalgia is ubiquitous. “Brand new faces, or so they seem / Oh, I know you so, so well / I could not forget your smell.” It is something we all know, that way that places stick with you. Sometimes they are as alive as people.
“The recording was only the second take,” Luke said “During the second verse it started raining. It was so exciting. You can even hear the sound of Kaila, our singer and keyboardist, smiling. Truly amazing.”
Wonder is what comes out of this curious group. Wonder. Big hearted wonder. The immediacy of beauty. The feeling of the blindfold coming off. Big Tree reminds us that the world is ready for experiencing. -JM
*Big Tree plans to tour New England in March, further promoting the recent self-titled release album.
[Click here to download the MP3]
[Click here to visit Big Tree's Website]
IndieMonday 12.29.08California Historical Landmark #715
Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the ninteenth of twenty-one places that we stopped.
Astronomical Observatory
California State Historical Landmark #715
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located on Consolation Street, Volcano, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 26.568 W 120° 37.878.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Here in Volcano in 1860, miner and amateur astronomer George Madeira built California's first astronomical observatory of record and operated it for two years. Using a three inch refractor telescope he studied the sun and moon, stars and planets, and other glories of the heavens, including the great comet of 1861.
The marker was moved in 2004. Originally, it was located on Shake Ridge Road at 38° 27' 57.31", -120° 38' 25.43".
On the knoll behind this marker, George Madeira built the first amateur astronomical observatory of record in California and there discovered the great comet of 1861 with a three-ich refractor telescope.
It appears that there is some debate about where the Observatory was actually located.
California State Historical Landmark #715
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located on Consolation Street, Volcano, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 26.568 W 120° 37.878.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Here in Volcano in 1860, miner and amateur astronomer George Madeira built California's first astronomical observatory of record and operated it for two years. Using a three inch refractor telescope he studied the sun and moon, stars and planets, and other glories of the heavens, including the great comet of 1861.
The marker was moved in 2004. Originally, it was located on Shake Ridge Road at 38° 27' 57.31", -120° 38' 25.43".
On the knoll behind this marker, George Madeira built the first amateur astronomical observatory of record in California and there discovered the great comet of 1861 with a three-ich refractor telescope.
It appears that there is some debate about where the Observatory was actually located.
NBA Rookie Watch - Jason Thompson
ESPN - Rookie Watch: Greg Oden, Kevin Love having big impact
Jason Thompson, Kings
No rookie has dropped as far in one month as Thompson, who continues to struggle. It seems as if his mind is racing too fast and he's trying too hard to make plays. One month ago, Kings fans were thinking that they had their power forward of the future. Now, drafting Blake Griffin is a legitimate possibility. Such is the life of a rookie.
Monday, December 29, 2008
NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 9
According to John Hollinger, the Kings currently have a 16.6% chance of winning the draft lottery.
The Kings fell to 29th in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams, down from 27th last week. They are now ahead of only the Thunder.
ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association
The Kings fell to 29th in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams, down from 27th last week. They are now ahead of only the Thunder.
ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association
The Kings' loyal subjects haven't even been able to enjoy the one thing they were promised this season -- Kevin Martin gunning for an All-Star slot -- because of an ankle injury that's cost him 22 games and counting.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Mikuni's
After Drew's show at the Cosmic Cafe, we stopped for a late dinner at Mikuni Sushi on Hazel on the way home. The Kings versus Celtics was playing on the big screens. Jack got a kick out of the fact that the Kings were getting blown out by 40 points.
Andrew Heringer at the Cosmic Cafe
Sharon, Jack and I went to see Drew's band perform at the Cosmic Cafe in Placerville. They are kicking off a West Coast Tour.
For the Saturday and Sunday shows at the Cosmic Cafe, they went to a different configuration. The venue was set-up as a theater in the round with the band in the middle and about 90 chairs set-up around the band. It was a very nice layout. We enjoyed the show immensely.
Morgan performed one of her songs and sang back-up on a couple of others. I got a copy of the Big Trees album from Morgan and I am looking forward to listening to it. Marlana Sheetz also sang one song with Drew.
For the Saturday and Sunday shows at the Cosmic Cafe, they went to a different configuration. The venue was set-up as a theater in the round with the band in the middle and about 90 chairs set-up around the band. It was a very nice layout. We enjoyed the show immensely.
Morgan performed one of her songs and sang back-up on a couple of others. I got a copy of the Big Trees album from Morgan and I am looking forward to listening to it. Marlana Sheetz also sang one song with Drew.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
To the Sanborns for Dinner
The Sanborns invited us for dinner. The group included another couple with their two young boys and french exchange student that is living with the Sanborns. The four younger boys had a great time. We had a nice salmon dinner with crepes for desert.
Sacramento Kings Kid Clinic
In 2004 and 2005 [pic], Jack went to an event at Arco Arena called Practice Like the Kings. This year, the Sacramento Kings offered a Kids Clinic for season ticket holders. Four Kings players and two of the assistant coaches held a loose practice session with about 110 kids.
Jason Thompson ran a post position drill, Beno Udrith organized a passing drill, John Salmons did a ball handling drill, Assistant Coach Randy Brown ran a defensive position drill, Quincy Douby organized a shooting drill and Assistant Coach Rex Kalamian did a conditioning drill.
Jack was wearing a Jason Thompson jersey. His first drill was the station with Thompson. I think that Thompson was surprised and pleased that someone was wearing his jersey and made several comments to Jack about the jersey. Out of the more than 100 kids at the event, no one else was wearing a Jason Thompson jersey.
Jason Thompson ran a post position drill, Beno Udrith organized a passing drill, John Salmons did a ball handling drill, Assistant Coach Randy Brown ran a defensive position drill, Quincy Douby organized a shooting drill and Assistant Coach Rex Kalamian did a conditioning drill.
Jack was wearing a Jason Thompson jersey. His first drill was the station with Thompson. I think that Thompson was surprised and pleased that someone was wearing his jersey and made several comments to Jack about the jersey. Out of the more than 100 kids at the event, no one else was wearing a Jason Thompson jersey.
Friday, December 26, 2008
2008 Kings versus Raptors
Jack and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Toronto Raptors NBA Basketball game. The Raptors won by a score of 107 to 101. Toronto won for just the second time in 13 trips to Arco Arena and the first since March 13, 1997.
With the Kings playing so poorly [they have lost 10 of the last 12 at home], I took a different approach to watching the game. Rather than watching the ball, I focused on watching Chris Bosh during the first half. Scoring 23.2 points a game, Bosh is eighth in the league in scoring. He missed the game that Jack and I saw last season with a knee injury. Bosh looks like his knees are stilling bothering him as he runs up and down the court.
Talking to Laskin at halftime, he was raving about how Jermaine O'Neal was playing. O'Neal had 16 points in the first half. I switched to focusing on watching Jermaine O'Neal and Andrea Bargnani in the second half. O'Neal had this way with the Kings. He ended up with 36 points on 15 for 19 from the field. Bargnani had 14 points on 4 for 5 from the field and 2 for 2 from three point range.
O'Neal looked much healthier than Bosh. It is amazing to think that O'Neal is 30 years old and has already been in the league 12 years.
With the Kings playing so poorly [they have lost 10 of the last 12 at home], I took a different approach to watching the game. Rather than watching the ball, I focused on watching Chris Bosh during the first half. Scoring 23.2 points a game, Bosh is eighth in the league in scoring. He missed the game that Jack and I saw last season with a knee injury. Bosh looks like his knees are stilling bothering him as he runs up and down the court.
Talking to Laskin at halftime, he was raving about how Jermaine O'Neal was playing. O'Neal had 16 points in the first half. I switched to focusing on watching Jermaine O'Neal and Andrea Bargnani in the second half. O'Neal had this way with the Kings. He ended up with 36 points on 15 for 19 from the field. Bargnani had 14 points on 4 for 5 from the field and 2 for 2 from three point range.
O'Neal looked much healthier than Bosh. It is amazing to think that O'Neal is 30 years old and has already been in the league 12 years.
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