Saturday night ramblings

Some work friends and I went to see the Boss on Tuesday in Concord at the Sleep Train Pavilion. Bruce puts on a helluva show and I like his new Pete Seeger stuff. Without fail, every time I hear “Mrs. McGrath” I get goose bumps...hot damn! The one criticism I have of his latest offering is all the extras. Last Tuesday's show had 17 musicians! Pete's songs don't need much dressing up, the words and emotions (chutzpah?) stand for themselves. I also find it hard not to think about 2nd grade music class when I hear "Old Dan Tucker" or "We Shall Overcome".

Earlier today, I went on an 8.3 mile hike in Butano State Park. This park is 16 miles south of Half Moon Bay, in the middle of no where and situated in some of the most fertile land (outside of Beemer, naturally) that I've been in. This hike didn’t offer great views of expansive ocean, sweeping vistas, etc but the diversity and abundance in the flora, fauna and wildlife was amazing. I had a hard time looking at the trail at times because I was busy checking out the surroundings.

After the hike and lunch at Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero (the best cream of red pepper soup), I did a little surf fishing near Santa Cruz. The surf perch weren't bitting but I did learn how to find and catch sand crabs from a local. I'm due for a good day of fishing.

We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is thesame. -Carlos Castenada, mystic and author (1925-1998)

I agree with my friend Drew about the new Dixie Chicks CD. It's also good music.

I'm prepping myself for the Haight Street Fair this Sunday. I like mid-day drinking but usually half way thru it I get this primal hunger. I'd bitch slap my Momma for one of her pork butt sandwiches or a bowl of her tortilla soap. Sorry ma.

What does it take to be a mystic?

Silence s'il vous plait!

The 2006 Men’s French Open final has all the makings. Passing of the touch? Dunno. Nadal owns Federer on clay and I think he’ll prevail again on Sunday. I'll be rooting for Federer, however. Nadal is simply unbeatable on this surface but I don't buy into the hype. I've not seen much of his grass or hard court game. While I'm at it, he could also loose the capris.

Martella 2003 Fiddletown Grenache. I drank it slightly chilled (as recommended) and it was delicious. This bottle had a ton of fruit (strawberry), pepper notes and nice, firm tannins. The juice worked well with my pork chop, cous cous and corn on the cob dinner.

The new Drive By Trucker CD “A Blessing And A Curse” is a good’un. Listening to that or any southern rock nowadays makes me want to go camping. Tarver!?

I’m going to get my friend John to catch a football by summers end.

Bordeaux Night

St. Julien specifically. Clos du Marquis 1995. My old man and I split a case a few years back when I was living in Europe. During the move out west, I took a bottle with me. A medium body, complex wine with smooth edges, depth, ripe plum and cherry notes, great nose, hints of dust and a long, long finish. Well made and fun to drink! This wine has a few years in her for sure.

That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes...

I saw the Artic Monkeys last night at the Warfield. What a show! I was impressed with the lads (all around 18 I believe) work ethic and approach to the music. I was expecting (mistakenly) an Oasis Show (of which I've been to two) with the brattiness and swagger of the Liam brothers. Nope, these kids laid it all out-no break, no encore just an hour plus of biting, punk rock. I bought the CD awhile back but I don't listen to it much honestly but I would definitely go to their show again. Fittingly, the boys ended the night with Fake Tales Of San Francisco. Thanks Waller for dragging me to the show.

At the concert, there was a 12 or 13 year old boy standing across the aisle from me. The little skater must have known all the lyrics. He minded me of yours truely at the REM Document Tour at Pershing Auditorium a few years back.

The odometer reads 7867 and I can honestly say I love my car. GM needs to take some lessons from Toyota. I don't believe a $1.99 a gallon cap is going to do it. That's just a fart in a windstorm.

The reverse commute is fantastic over the Golden Gate Bridge. One of my best commutes yet! What kills me, however, is the 30 degree drop in temperature from San Rafael to the City. Almost Africa hot to Baltic in 30 minutes or less!