Radiohead's NW Visit

I don't know why but I've never had a desire to see Radiohead live, but since they were in town and I miraculously landed a lawn seating ticket (the show was supposed to be sold out), hey what the heck! The weather wasn't particularly cooperative but it did clear up before the show started (and didn't drizzle again 'till around the encore).

I don't think I've ever seen a band command so much respect from its audience. A lot of the tracks were subdued and stripped down and so had a lot of either silent or soft sections. During these sections, the crowd was dead silent. Sure, you'll hear a little scream here or there, but its not like a scream inside a subway station.....its like a scream inside a church!

Thom's voice is unique and I don't think I ever fully appreciated it until this live experience. Hearing him perform "there there" and "videotape" sent chills up my spine (and no, it wasn't the weather!)

Seattle PI review

Shawn and Nastia

It can get really tense watching gymnastics simply because you don't want someone to miss the bar, fall off the beam, or get hurt. But when the moves are done right, its a magnificent sight. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Luikin are a contrast of sorts....Shawn is short and powerful and Nastia is thin and elegant. If I were to follow what the NBC broadcasters were saying, it appeared that they were both not given as much due by the judges...but held their own and in the end performed so well any lesser scores would have been a clear injustice in front of the world. Congratulations both for finishing Gold and Silver, as you both had hoped it to end.

Welcome Back Vinnie!

It's been a great week and I am finally able to settle down and dedicate this entry to the return of Vinnie to KLLC of San Francisco, reviving once again the Sarah & Vinnie Morning Program. I do feel a personal bond with this show because I was there in the very beginning when they switched on from an all music format. Listening to the show was a great way to start the morning. When Vinnie left (or was fired) I can't say that I was upset, but I certainly stopped listening to radio and the switch to Sarah and NoName only made it worse. Plain and simple, in the voiceover words of Morgan Freeman's Red (from Shawshank Redemption): "I just miss my friend."

Anyway....enough sappy banter. It's great to see Vinnie back and I really like what Vinnie said when he mentioned hoping this return to the bay area would be his last move.

I sure hope so, good buddy. Catch you later...on streaming net. And hopefully one day when I make my own return to the bay area, I hope to turn on the radio in the morning and start the day right.

Squeek to a win

Last night's win wasn't pretty, and writers probably use it to summarize how the team's been this year. Still, I think the team's fine. They can go a similar route like the Rockies. Remember that this is the first year for most of the new players. It's a year of absorption. I look forward to next year when they will truly shine. Does that mean this season's done? Heck no. There's still a lot of games left and at rate the rookies are learning who knows how far this thing can go. I like how they've managed the rookies so far...show you can play at a high level and be consistent, and you stay. Stray some, you go down and work on it. Maybe we'll call you back. This pretty much is filtering the rookie corps and the way it stands right now it looks like Lewis and Bowker have shown staying power.

It was bittersweet seeing Mark Sweeney last night. I really liked him and wished the Giants kept him the roster (and last night's pinch hit says a lot).

All is full of love

I don't know why it's taken me this long, but perhaps it was because of a hunger for more inspiration from music. That's what happens when the artists you normally follow are still in the midst of the next album or on tour, and you've already exhausted everything in their catalog. Similar to your primal instinct for finding sustenance, you begin to open yourself to what's out there and are less exclusive in your quest. Alas, the realization finally came when I was listening to a collection of Bjork tracks...and there it was: All is full of love. If listening to it doesn't capture you, then the video probably will...and chances are, you'll be as captivated. And as if I've known her for a long time, did I realize I've known her all this time....with Isobel....and Army of Me. Not that I had not heard All is full of love before, but I guess it's different now and the time is right. And with a sizeable catalog left to consume, I am filled with joy :)

Gotta Happen

It was sad news that Baron decided to opt out of his contract, but I think it's for the better. I remember posting in one forum that if he really didn't want to stay that he should just go opt out now and find another place where he'd be happy (whatever that means to him). I have faith in Chris Mullin, that he will do what's best for the team and I'm sure his decisions do not revolve around Baron alone. I know it's still a business, but Golden State gave him a chance to shine again and if that means anything to him, hopefully he will at least give respect and dignity to Golden State...whatever he feels this city deserves, and what that ultimately says about who he is.... Amen.

WALL E

It was just one of those hot days when the thought of sitting in a cool dark place was too good to pass up. I was a little skeptical and felt that this may be that chink in the armor for Pixar...but alas I was proven wrong (and happily so).

They love ya, man! They really love ya!

It was heartwarming to see how well received Omar was in his first return to Cleveland after joining the Giants in 2004. There are just so many positives you can say about Vizquel as a person and as a player. He's remembered the most, however, for defense, and in the video tribute they played in his honor, that was the clear highlight. But he also does the little things.....like that squeeze bunt that won the game that day :).

Push! Push!

I don't think I've ever watched a golf program as long as I did on Sunday. And it simply was because Tiger wasn't blowing everyone away.....he was clawing his way back each time (talk about a handicap, huh?......with that knee, i mean, ah you get what i mean). And Rocco was just playing it cool and that was terrific. Come Monday it really didn't matter who could have won. This whole saga, beginning all the way back from Friday, was one great hell of a show. And Rocco deserves as much credit for keeping pace on all levels. On his way to receive his trophy, Tiger met with his wife Erin and daughter, Sam Alexis, and as he tried to hand over Sam back to Erin, she reached out back to him. Tiger's instant reaction was to get her back. at least for a little while longer. Surely, this was a warm moment for him as a father.

Battlestar Galactica

I've heard from a lot of people: "the new Battlestar Galactica is reaaallly good." So when I was browsing through used dvds at my local Half-Price Books, I grabbed what I think was Disc 1 (the long pilot/miniseries). Well, what can I say? Minus some of the weird horniness, I'd say it really is good stuff.

It's a great story, that of low-tech being the saving grace in what had become a too tech-savy world (is this a message for us folks in these times?.....maybe....)

Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell really fit the characters they play. I'm pleased to see their more complex rivalry compared to having just plain mudslinging between military and political factions.

Anyway, I'm just on disc 1 so who knows how this will all unfold. I just bumped up disc 2 on my Netflix Queue.

Boink!

I was doing laps around the channels and made a pit stop every now and then at the NBA finals, just to see how Boston and LA were doing. After the 2nd quarter and with LA leading by close to 20, I started skipping it. I thought to myself that while Boston loaded itself with power players, it just wasn't ready yet as a team, and maybe Doc Rivers was still trying to figure out how to mix this mean cocktail :).

But alas, the Celtics bounced back and won it. They focused on tight defense, used bench players efficiently, switched players around...was that teamwork? From the outside it looked like Doc just finally found the right combination and strategy. But reading more about it on the net and the papers this morning, I did notice that hidden element that worked behind the scenes. They stopped looking at the score and players expressed the desire to be accountable. Yeah, I think there was a team in that scene.

On the other side of the court, maybe they should try something else. I'll admit it now, I really don't like Kobe. And if he's been playing it like "I'll let you kids try it yourselves first and then I''ll jump in and show you I can win this game all by myself", well......good luck to ya, man.

Triple Play!

When Jose Castillo stepped on the bag and threw to second, I felt that chill behind my neck. Could they actually pull it off? Once the relay to first came I stared at the umpire and when he stretched out his arms that chill immediately escalated to a freeze...and then joy. I was so happy to have witnessed that triple play first hand. Even though it was through streaming video, the feeling was the same had it been live. Keiichi Yabu, in one pitch, ended the whole inning. How cool is that?

Sweep!

Well well well......here we are defeating the first place Diamondbacks. We aint that bad you know? This 3-game sweep wasn't cheap, either.....winning against Haren and Randy Johnson. Still, the local papers remain negative...which is neither good nor bad. I'd just conclude that it means their expectations are higher :)

Indy 4

Had Tom Selleck not been committed to a TV series a long time ago, this franchise would have been really different. But luckily, as fate would have it, Harrison Ford landed the role and he has kept it interesting and fun to watch. His brand of humor really works when it's not the primary selling point of a movie.

It would have been great to have Sean Connery and Denholm Elliott back for this reunion, but Karen Allen and John Rhys Davies were both welcome faces. Spielberg and Lucas really beat up Harrison and there were times it felt like I was watching John McClane's brother! :)

Hang in there

It's been a tough losing streak the past six games, but the team just needs to hang in there...things will get better on their own. With Velez and Bocock now back in Fresno, hopefully it gives them the motivation to work on what they picked up from playing the major league level and get them back soon. At the same time, its pleasing to see more new guys like Travis Denker and Alex Hinshaw getting a chance to get more exposure.

I honestly can't wait to see Zito back on the mound. I personally like the progress he's made the past two games and I do believe he will bounce back, despite what everyone says. The bullpen has struggled lately (Wilson's saves have been shaky) and I think the pre-game meeting Bochy had with them helped lift their spirits a bit.

Can't end this entry without acknowledging Aurilia and Vizquel, who despite age, are showing the youngsters how to persevere, continuously bounce back, and contribute to the team.

Tina Dico at the Nectar Lounge

It was a really warm weekend and what better way to celebrate it than with a Sunday night live music gig....well, late night, that is.....the tix did say 8pm but I don't think the front act even started 'till about 9 and Tina's set was pushed to 10......coincidence or the fact that her latest album's titled "count to ten" :). Anyway, on to the show! Having seen her before when she was doing shows at Chopsuey, I think she's more confident this time and there's something really bright about her, or maybe that was just the lighting :).

She performed a lot of tracks from her latest album, and halfway through the set she did do a medley of songs from her previous albums, and even gave in to a few requests (yes, the folks asked for 'Warm Sand'). Having worked with a band in her other shows I think has added a nice dimension to her performance, but this night when she played acoustic with us, brought out some interesting variations, where I think in some situations the way she played and sang was intended to go with a band behind her, be she continues to perform the same way. And it does work, actually, and really exposes her voice and guitar work.

Pushed far enough

Annika Sorenstam and Justine Henin have both made the judgement that they have pushed far enough and its time to throw in the towel. I've always admired the seriousness that Annika brought to her game. Even when she smiled or laughed a bit, you knew it was never going to last.....her face would turn back to serious (or neutral) and she'd be ready for the next swing. Justine Henin is not too far from that mold, I think. I haven't seen her as much as Annika, but whenever I think of someone who has indeed stretched it far enough or made that full extension to earn every point, I'd think of Justine. It's amazing how much she can do with that frame. Anyway, farewell to you both, and all the best in that next step in your lives.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

Watching the news clip on Sergio Garcia after he won the Players Championship, the last thing I thought he would say....and what was on my mind.....he actually said. Smiling, he started his acceptance speech with a thanks to Tiger Woods for not competing in the tournament.

The Anointed One

I was anointed by the pagan goddess :)

One of the things I miss about San Francisco is that it's a major stop for artists. When I heard that Goldfrapp was doing a show at the Warfield, my heart sank. It wasn't until the last week or so when circumstances turned in my favor and I found myself back in SFO just in time to watch a cold-infected Alison courageously sing, among other tracks, Utopia. I was one happy camper :).

QnA from SFGate

Take Notice

In one of my email exchanges to a former co-worker, I got the sad news that she had a diminished interest in the Giants this year and I found myself trying to sell the excitement of the new crew, one highlight of which is how refreshing defense from left field now looks like with Fred Lewis. He again showed this last night when made a perfect relay to throw out Josh Bard from second base. Like I've been saying lately to quite a number of folks, you just have to give this crew a chance. Emmanuel Burris is one of the new additions to the next generation, and he delivered.

Let's not end this entry with all glowing praise to the young guys. Last night's rally, after all, would not have been possible if that old, slow, guy named Bengie Molina hadn't hit a monster homerun off of Trevor Hoffman. Yes, it still pays to have veterans mixed with the kids, because experience is still a valuable commodity, and Bengie's got a lot of it......and a lotta Heart....ya need to impart that trait to the kids as well.