Wow!  Over 2 years.  Any chance anyone still looks at this?  If so, comment, and I'll post some updates.

Thoughts for mid-January

Sayings of Zen:

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.
It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.
Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
Some days you are the bug; some days you are the windshield.
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Seriously. Can you imagine anything more adorable than these two? Merry Christmas!

Here are some things I will be thankful for in this coming week. Actually, I am ALWAYS thankful for these things...


Jeff & Charlotte...

Jana and Sam...




And Scott (aka Uncle Awesome), shown here on one of the TWO sofa sleepers we carried up to his second floor apartment last week...

And, of course, my lovely bride and the 34 years together we've been blessed with.

Happy Thanksgiving, all.

So, let's see, it's been what, a year?

So, we finally did something outside of the norm, so I thought I'd post a few pics. Went out to Sonoma, CA for our niece Laura and her fiance Jason's wedding. Great flight out - be it a bit early after a short night's sleep. Got to see some things I'd only seen on TV or films before...

And, some awesome scenery in wine country...

We enjoyed a lovely rehearsal dinner on Thursday evening at El Dorado Kitchen...


And then, Friday afternoon, witnessed the wedding ceremony at the Vianasa Winery. It was a beautiful sunshiny day, but a bit windy.






Then, on to a delicious dinner and lots of fun at the reception!



On the way back to the airport, we had a bit of a detour across one of San Fran's hilly streets...


In all, it was a great time. Now, back to the real world...

WARNING! MAY BE MORE POSTS IMMINENT!

But, for now, how about a pic?

Yes, we had Tulip Time fun. The Dutch cuteness was overwhelming. I'll put together a bit more later. Until then, enjoy the above pic!

My 15 Favorite Albums - volume one

I posted this on my Facebook page, where I have been doing the majority of my [limited] posting recently. This was in response to Jana's "tagging" me (see her list on her site, the link is on the right). Thought it might be of interest to some. Maybe not. It wasn't as hard as I thought...in fact, as the title indicates, there may be another list coming. Or not. I mean, I haven't posted here since last year, so it could be 2010 before I get around to it.

1. The Who, Live at Leeds: One of the best live rock & roll albums ever. Saw these guys in concert in 1981 (post Keith Moon), it was an unbelievable show. Maximum R&B, baby.
2. Rush, 2112: Probably three of the most accomplished rock musicians (Neal Peart, best rock drummer ever), and the pride of the Great White North. The last song on the album, “Something for Nothing”, is one of my all time favorites. I have searched YouTube in vain for a video of them performing this. Some of the other early stuff (Farewell to Kings, Fly By Night) is kinda special to me, as well. The later stuff, not so much.
3. Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon: This album was on the top 25 for YEARS, and for good cause. One of the early “concept” albums, few have pulled it off as well since. David Gilmour’s solo on “Money” is a R&R standard. I’m sure drummers everywhere have used “Time” as a practice tune, as well.
4. The Who, Tommy: The. Rock. Opera. If I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand.
5. The Concert At Woodstock: See above. An eclectic mix of the greats of the 60’s and 70’s. Don’t miss Alvin Lee & Ten Years After, “I’m Going Home”.
6. Van Halen, any: Hey, they’re Dutch kids. How can I not like their music? I really have no preference on David Lee vs. Sammy, either. If only Eddie could pick it up a bit on the guitar.
7. Queen, A Night At The Opera: Can’t hear this one without thinking of Garth & Wayne in the Pacer. Freddie Mercury was an outstanding vocalist, Brian May a tremendous guitarist.
8. The Who, Who’s Next: Great tunes - "Baba O'Riley", "Bargain", "Behind Blue Eyes", and "Won't Get Fooled Again". The rebellious teen in me loved the cover art, as well.
9. Pink Floyd, The Wall: Second best concept album ever. One of the greatest guitar solos ever on “Comfortably Numb”.
10. The Beatles, Abbey Road: OK, you knew there had to be at least one Beatles album. The irony is, the band was about to break up, but this was considered one of their best products. Not a bad song on the album, in my opinion.
11. The Doors: These guys were way ahead of their time. The tunes still work today.
12. Deep Purple, Machine Head: “Smoke On The Water” has one of the most recognizable guitar riffs ever. I wore that track out on the album.
13. Black Sabbath, Paranoid: From my “banger” days. “Iron Man”. Need I say more?
14. Jethro Tull, Aqualung: After “Aqualung” and “Cross-Eyed Mary”, turn to the second side to hear Ian Anderson’s religious commentary. Thought provoking.
15. Steppenwolf, Steppenwolf and Monster: More from my formative years. Who doesn’t remember “Magic Carpet Ride”? “America” was a favorite from the Monster album.