We went to the Bridge School Benefit concert to see Neil Young, Death Cab for Cutie, The Smashing Pumpkins, Wilco, and a whole host of artist. Little did we realize a Josh Grobin concert would break out.
That’s a video of him at the show singing Disarm with Smashing Pumpkins. Feel our pain.
We live close to the Grand Lake Theater, an old, beautiful, large movie house. It has a huge sign on the 3 or 4 story roof that they only turn on during the weekend. Below it is a massive marquee that juts out towards the street and under that marquee are thousands of lights. Here they are. The colors melt into each other.
There are just over 300 million people in the USA and not all of them are of voting age. There are over 6.5 billion people on this earth and every single one of them will be impacted by the outcome of this coming election. That means, you, one of the few who is lucky enough to be able to vote in America, have a lot of responsibility. The world is counting on you. So vote. It matters.
I’m as excited about this election as anyone. And I like my candidate. But this is ridiculous. The man has got my vote. Hey, I’m even imbuing him with a lot hopes and dreams I have for this country (and the world). However, I am not viewing him as a saint or a deity or religious icon or the next Che or Mao for that matter. Change and revolution doesn't happen on a poster, it happens in a people.
Isn’t it this the kind of worship that got us into the mess we’re in today (See George Bush)? Obama may be a great public servant (let’s hope so), but he’s no Jesus or Muhammad or Joseph Smith or any of those guys, and that is best for all. Stop the hero worship. The man is a man; imperfect just like you and I. We already have something to believe in and it's not just another dogma. Believe in the true promise of America. It’s got a lot to offer.
Obama isn't an icon or a catchphrase or a poster or a really, really cool t-shirt. He's got to be much more than that. He's got to be a leader. The world will be better for it.
I got a new camera, which makes me happy. It also makes me really, really, fast. Like hummingbird 1/1600 of a second fast.
If you look hard enough and far enough you’ll see the Bay in the distance. And just on the other side of the Bay is the Golden Gate Bridge. This though, is the San Francisco/Oakland that doesn’t make it into the tourist books. But it’s important, maybe more important in these times than the Golden Gate or the Transamerica building. It’s the kind of infrastructure that Sarah Palin keeps talking about. It’s the real terrorist in Iraq. And the source of power that enriches Saudi Arabi and Iran and Russia. In some ways, it’s beautiful precisely because it’s not hidden. We need to see what's driving the geo global and local politics of the day. So take a look at my neighbor. I woke up before sunrise to get a few shots of it. Even if you don’t see this in your city, it’s your neighbor too. It, unfortunately, is IT in this world right now. So let’s hope that we make change on Election Day and the politicians make a change after Election Day.
On a rainy day (it was probably rainy) so many years ago in Portland Oregon (well I’m not going to say it was that many years ago because people can be a bit touchy about things like age) Autumn was born. She grew up, moved away, went to college, got a job, met a boy, bought a couple houses, and the like (but not necessarily in that order). As the years went by she got to know a lot about a lot, but most importantly she got to know a lot about herself (what makes her tick, what kind of chocolate goes best with an Oregon Pinot, and other important stuff like that… and more). It was good. And it is good. Happy birthday Autumn. I propose a toast to you. Let’s have a little wine and some chocolate in your honor. Here's to the next 100 years (not that Autumn's even close to 100). Autumn, you rock.
Sometimes you start careening through life, thrown this way and that, and you forget to just stop. Breath. Take it all in and reorganize your priorities. It’s a beautiful world if you take a second to look at it the right way. And sometimes you need a vision or a road in the middle of the city that’s got a big pile of asphalt in it that makes you stop. Once you’ve do that, then you can go again.
They say it’s going to rain around here today and tomorrow. And they say that it’s going to snow up in Tahoe. Now that’s what I’m talking about. I haven’t seen rain since….since the last time I was in Portland. So let it rain. I’m looking forward to the sound, smell, and look of it. Damn right I’m an Oregonian living in California. I’m also looking forward to the thought of snow in the mountains. Sounds amazing. Let it snow. We need it and you know I want it. Care to toast the arrival of the fall season with me? Let’s do it with a cup of hot mint tea.
Eleven days after September 11, 2001 Michelle and I got married. Now those eleven days have turned into 7 years and in that time we’ve done a lot, moved a lot, and, most importantly, learned and loved a lot. Two weekends ago we celebrated by going to Carmel for three nights and four days. It’s a beautiful place, if not exceptionally overpriced. (Anyone looking for a $32 million dollar home? How about a $15 dollar grilled cheese sandwich? Guess which one of those things I purchased on our trip.) After we were done with our wine tasting, gourmet eating, bike riding, picture taking, hiking doing, yum drinking weekend, I had one thing to say; it’s damn awesome being married to your best friend.
Click here to see the pics.
