Camping Near The River

If

If you can put all these pictures together in your mind that was the sight of our swimming hole at a fork of the Consumnes River. We had to scramble over rocks and poison oak and around and under trees to get there but it is heaven!

This river is one of the reasons we go camping at Sly Park a couple of times every year. We brought along 8 friends for 3 days. Lotsa fun! Lotsa drinking! Lotsa food! Never enough swimming..

Summers here!

Click on the pictures to get the fullest effect.

RIP Harvey

An awesome straight man for Carol. I watched him my entire young life.

He taught me how to treat the ladies...Althought I am so much the opposite character as well. Like with my 'Lines...They just came one day'.

Super station TBS

Joey Day

I missed posting this on Joey Day. I loved watching this video on MTV back in the 80's when they actually showed music videos.

My childhood pal Unca Jesse celebrated Joey by attending this celebration in NYC. I wish I could Stow away in his bag on his NYC trips.

YEA JOEY!!!

Lotsa Good News!!

This picture is from the SF Dyke March last year. I had such a quandary about what photo or video to post today I just settled on a bunch of queer girls.

Kimm and I are quite happy about the California State Judicial Court stepping in and making things right for once. And yes we will be getting married. Although we're not sure when. Maybe if there is a hitchin' tent at the Dyke March next month we'll get the deed done there (that means you too C and S)!

Also our two very good friends N and M who both founded the Media Factory in Berkeley were just presented with Emmy's--YES EMMY'S. There's a picture of them on their site holding the golden statues. Awesome! The film they won for is called 'Sikhs in America'. It will be showing on PBS Monday the 19th (tomorrow). Check it out. I can't wait to see it. I'm so proud of them!

EMMY'S!!!

The Fall

I remember watching this on MTV back in the "120 minutes" days. By that I mean I remember watching 120 minutes by pizza at a joint near the dorms. I watched with Kris, Ken and Liz. Dreamed of Jesse in California and waited with baited breath for visits to SLC where I would buy something good at ??? What was the name of that store? The only Punk Rock Record Store in SLC in the late 80's???Does anyone remember? Near the RR tracks? My friend BYU friend Mark from Arizona had a sister who lived in sin with the owner...He had a "hardcore" show on the local station? U of U station?

Anyway, I love the Fall. I think this must have been the first Fall song that I'd ever heard. It reminded me of Redding in many ways. The spotty guy in this video is Leigh Bowery. Kimm and I are watching a documentary on Leigh as I write this. Leigh rules!

No Water

This picture looks down from our front deck onto our two water containers. Actually they're just two clean garbage bins. Lately we've been saving ALL our water. If we take a shower we catch the cold water that comes out before the hot water with a bucket. Or if I'm washing the dishes I'll put a deep bowl into the sink to catch the cold water there. Then we pour both of these containers of water down from our front deck into the garbage bins.

This water then gets used for the garden. We're pretty confidant that it will be enough.

WE'RE SCARED OF DROUGHT!! We already know we are in one. Much like the "Recession?", California is in a "Drought?".

In our garden, the two frames on either side of the wooden box are for beans and peas. Kimm read that if you build a frame out at an angle the beans and peas will hang straight down and be easy to pick.

We also have a brand new lemon tree-"meyer". (Second picture) on the left inside a round cage. Our cat Yuki was clawing on it.

We don't have much in the garden yet. Only Fava beans, beets, basil, lettuce and tomatoes. AND marigolds for natural pest repellent. AND if you look in the first picture straight down from the garbage bins past the green blob of spent poppies you'll see about 6 green starts. These are SUNFLOWERS which we grow every year and they get taller than our front deck. I'll show them at the end of summer and you can see them from start to finish. AMAZing!

NINES!

We just recently went to nine hour days at my park. This means that every other week we get 3 days off instead of 2!!! I like this.

Here's a picture of Sunol Park. Me with doggies. Sunol is an amazing park. It's the park in my district everyone wants to work at. There's a part of it they call 'little Yosemite'. You can actually get a permit to hike in and camp. We really want to do that but we can't bring the kids. Anyone want to babysit?

My New Local Faves

The Whoreshoes! They play some good ole timey music! You just can't hear enough good music like this in my opinion. They got the myspace page and the website. And tho' these pictures don't show it they all sing together which I love--AND they switch off instruments which I've never been successful at doing in my bands. Other instruments played but not shown here were banjo, keyboards, dobro and mandolin. And all hot chicks! You just get everything you want with these girls!

The gal playing bass is my neighbor and this tranquil setting is her backyard. It was a nice ending to a perfect Oakland day.

By the way..they do tour so keep an ear out for them at your favorite local bar.

This Ain't No Picnic

I love you Minutemen. D Boon is a Guitar God Extrodinaire!

One Of My Biggest Wishes

This may be one of the greatest videos ever for so many reasons. .. In my own humble opinion..

My biggest wish in life would be to be in a Runaways cover band. I fantisize about going on Craigslist and posting to meet musicians who feel like me. We'd start a tribute band! I'd be Jackie Fox (bass) OR Joan Jett (Rythym guitar)..I don't know, I think Joan is out of the question.

I could totally be Jackie Fox!

Teddy..

There's just something about this video I love.

HAPPY

Here's my new brother-in-law. I don't remember his beautiful Buddhist name but I've been thinking a lot about him lately with all the broo Ha Ha going on with the Olympic torch.

He's back in India by now. I don't know when I'll see him again and it makes me sad because I LOVE him.

BUT this is a happy post because today is the day my PROBATION at work ends! Which means that my lovely wife and I can now receive our medical benefits and save hundreds of dollars every month.

Yeah to all the gods!

And I'm thinking of you P.

Brillant!

Thanks E.!

RIP Dith Pran

Who remembers watching the Killing Fields?

RIP Dith Pran.

Would any of us know about world history without Hollywood Cinema? I wonder...

Speaking of Hollywood cinematic recounts of history..Kimm and I are enjoying the HBO John Adams mini series. Who knew Paul Giamatti could be so commanding?

Joan Jett-Crimson And Clover

God, It's hard for me to get on line lately. I've decided that If I can't blog..then at least I'm going to put on a video. You can watch it or just look at the title and decide.

I'll blog when I've finished up this 'climbing up the Ranger ladder' business. More on that later.

I love Joan Jett with all my heart and soul. She is my favorite Jesus.

WW JJ Do.

The Point

Does anyone remember seeing this animated film in their childhood? I remember watching it on TV when I was probably 11 or so. My friend Amber had the Harry Nilsson soundtrack album that accompanied it. We would sing this song over and over. And we could really git down in the part where the whale dies.

New Hero

I love me some Leslie Hall.

Cute-Well Behaved Dogs

We've been in Hawaii--Yippee!!!

It was wonderful. My little sister E. was married in a lagoon at low tide. Downhill from the beach house her dad rented for all of us to stay in. From bed I watched sunrises that I never get to see out here in the west coast.

Now we're back at work.

Adjusting to mainland life.

Reeling with melancholy.

Although I am enjoying the quiet nights around here since our return. All those giant crashing waves on the northeastern shore of Oahu gave me crazy vividly violent dreams.

This picture is of my sisters dog/ring barer. She's the most well behaved dog I've ever seen. That Aloha spirit can really turn one into a lovely pile of mushy mellow goodness!

2/25

Tedd, I miss all the fun we used to have.

Tequila

Chuck Take Five

I've been watching a lot of 'Strangers With Candy' lately. I have this Tivo-like thing on my satelite receiver and I can record stuff. I think Comedy Central is the channel.

SWC makes me think of Tedd who left us far too soon. I remember when he dressed up like Jerri Blank for Halloween many years ago. He was perfect.

We've been having this AMAZING weather for the past 10 days. All the trees are blooming--too early. But it's been SOOOO nice to have this weather after all the rain we've had!

As much as I usually hate Febuary I was thinking tonite how nice this month has been so far. I was even able to have a nice BBQ at one point.

More Randomness

Since my hiatus from the blogsphere (I'm still catching up on all the reading). I would think of things I wanted to post about. And now... here are some of them.

(By the way I'm back to my original park. Now I can get back into the old swing of things).

I was sad to hear of Suzanne Pleshette's death. I always had the biggest crush on her. I was a big fan of the Bob Newhart Show and I loved listening to her husky voice.

I was also sad to hear about the untimely death of actor Heath Ledger. I thought he was the best part of Brokeback.

We had a hard time over here trying to decide who to vote for between Obama and Hillary. Ended up voting for H. But will happily take O.

Had a great time jamming with with the band and some extra friends just reciently. Hoping to do that again. I'd be fun to send out an open invite to any friends who play to bring their insturments and just PLAY! We would record it of course. And then sell the cassettes on the black market just like the Dead did.

Any takers?

Sorry about any spelling errors. For some reason it won't spell check me!

Domestically Partnershiped

Well, we did it! We went down and uncerimonisly found a nice real estate agent to notorize us.

After 11 years we figured it was time.

Naughty Is The New Nice!

AWWWW. There they are... my little family!

I didn't get Xmas cards out this year. First time in many years--but I'm finally over my guilt about it.

So this post is my card. ENJOY!

We're heading north this holiday for Redding. Xmas with my Mom C.

Hoping to open lots of presents. See some old friends. Ride up to the snow for a romp. Play games with the family. Have a beer with Unca Jesse. All that good Xmas stuff.

I haven't been able to write much over these last few months. My hours at my current park are keeping me away from the computer more than usual. Next year in '08 I pledge to revert back to my computer nerdness. Probably around Feburary.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and a fun and SAFE New Year!

Let Me Hear You Say HO!

For the faint of heart... Don't scroll down any further unless you want to see a lot of Santa Butt.

Last weekend was SantaCon 2007. Most of it took place in Oakland and Berkeley this year. Kinda a different vibe but it was a lot of fun.

Jane and Ike

This weeks deaths are by Jane Rule and Ike Turner.

RIP Jane Rule. I learned how to be a proper lesbian by watching Desert Hearts back in 1985.

And RIP Ike Turner. Inventor of Rock-n-Roll.

Next time I go out dancing I'm only going to do moves like these!

Happy Birthday Kris

Today would have been Kris's 40th birthday.

This was our song back in 83' when we were in the middle of our torrid high school love affair.

Sung by the magnificant Tracy Ullman. The words seemed to have been written just for us.

I miss you Kris.

HEYY

X

I'd love to do a cover of this song--'We're Desperate'! It's always been one of my favorites.

As is X..

I LOVE LOVE the pic of Jello Biafra on the ground underneith the mosh pit-- scared for his fuckin' life!

And the pic of the girl near the end of the song with blood all over her face!

RIP Stormin

This is kind of late but...
I remember back in the late 70's, maybe early 80's. My eldest brother related a story that he'd heard at a Mormon Conference.
Someone (?) who spoke at this conference told a cautionary tale...
He had been visiting a large metropolitan city somewhere in the US.
While this 'goodly' man was waiting to cross the busy street in this large random city.... He was suddenly beset by the feeling of an Evil Presence! When he turned around to see who the devil incarnate was-- he saw non other than Norman Mailer.
As my brother told my family this story I thought to my young evil self...I have to find out who this Norman Mailer is....

RIP Stormin.

Update..

Well heck friends. I'm back to my lazy ways.

Here's Kimm dressed in her scary bunny costume which she made BY HAND for Halloween. I was dressed as Bret Michaels from Poison or most recently 'Rock of Love'. I opted to go for the more ROL Bret look.

So lots has happened but I'll make it brief starting with Halloween night:

Halloween is no longer in the Castro because last year someone thought it would be fun to shoot at people--so now it's officially ended an era... Which really throws a wrench into the Halloween mix around here. So we dressed up in our attire and ended up going to some of our friends homes in the neighborhood.

Missed Day Of The Dead because I was too tired to go.

My 'furlough' started at Shadowcliffs (my park). I was only hired on as a 9 month ranger and my 3 months off started in October, so as of November first I am done there until February. But I'm temping at another park. One that I worked at as a non permanent park employee back in the day (last spring/summer). The park is Martin Luther King Shoreline Park and it is about 15 minutes from my home which is REAL nice.

My good friend had a tumble off of a roof and is in a wheel chair for many weeks to come. Kimm and I emptied said friends apartment of unneeded furniture. Now he can roll around with abandon. We love you H!

My bio. mom had her birthday which she spent in Cabo--Feliz Cumpleanos Claudette!

Another good friend gave birth to a cute baby boy...Welcome K!

AND I started jammin with my two boys again--We're going to hopefully start something up. This time I hope to get my shit together and try and sing some back-up.

Happy Halloween 07

They've permanently done away with Halloween in the Castro. So tonite we have nothin to do.

But the beautiful memories of it will haunt us forever.

Here's my Favorite scene from my Favorite Scary Movie.... Evil Dead 2.

I want to be just like this guy someday.

Clarion Alley

I never get to go to anything anymore. Turns out a lot of fun events I used to attend always fall on a Sunday when I'm working.

Kimm took these pictures of the Clarion Alley Fair last Sunday.

Wouldn't It Be Fun

I have some friends who are going through a harrowing experience right now and I don't even know how to separate myself from it to write something amusing.



The only thing I can think of is how much fun it would be to be amongst the team of people who pick the clips of music that are interspersed between segments on NPR. In the past I've heard the Sex Pistols, Pixies, Tones on Tail, Miles, Pharaoh, J. Cash...I don't know the list goes on and on. And if you hear something you like you don't know the name of you can go to their web site and find out who it is!



To me there is nothing better than to hear music that I have never heard before. And to feel that craving to find out who it is so I can put it on my Ipod.

Where I'm At?

Here's some of my hot friends at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Some of the performers included...Emmylou, Nico Case, Heartless Bastards, the Mekons and the Knitters--All of whom I MISSED! GODDERRNIT!!
AND it was Kimm's BIRTHDAY as well!

"Why yes I'd love to work for the Parks fundraiser on October 6th". --Next year...? Only if held on a different day. I have to draw the line somewhere.

I've been off for awhile. But I'm back.

Besides our rainy and MUDDY birthday camping trip. We've had some after camping sickness. house dilemmas and rainy weather blahs...Fall is here. And with it, many small irritating rain storms. I really have to get a better attitude towards the rain.

I have so much to say I don't know where to begin.

My only advice at this time ...Don't get behind on reading blogs and emails. It'll mess you up foo!

Some Good Summer Fun

I never saw anything like this when I've visited Disneyland. But a friend of Kimm's step sister did work at DL in Anaheim and dressed up in one of those costumes. She said some of the kids were HORRIBLE. They would regularly get PUNCHED!

We went to this awesome spot a couple of weekends ago. (Ignore the people in these pictures-I couldn't find too much on the net about this place so I had to pick the site with the best pic.'s). Allegedly you are not supposed to talk about this gem that you have to hike in to get to. But I can tell you that if I'd known there was a BAR in the WOODS in MILL VALLEY--I would have been there years ago.

It was FANTASTIC!!!

We're going camping here this coming weekend for our birthdays which are soon arriving. Bringing about 12 people with us. Should be fun! Hopefully the weather will still be nice and warm. While there, we'll also be visiting and swimming at 'Another Best Kept Northern California Secret' on the Consumnes river which is nearby. We HAVE to have a river trip during the summer. It's written into our gay contract with Satan.

Can't Let The Summer Go By Without...

Myself and my ex-bandmates Jamie and Ilhan wanted to do a cover of this song.

I wish we had.

Its written about the infamous Gary Floyd. He hails from Texas where the Butthole Surfers are from but now he lives in SF. When I visit my favorite bar in the city I often see him.

I feel so blessed to have a BHS radio station! 24 hours a day!

This Is One Of My Most Favorite Songs In The Whole World.

Just like the title says.

I was thinking of this song today. I heard it on
KQED earlier.

I was thinking about how when I hear it..

It has this quality that tickles the back of my ears. I'm not good with words but when I hear that first stanza with the guitar and bass and drums...It just bounces around in my throat and ears and makes me happy happy happy!

Personal reminisces:

Makes me think of junior year at Shasta High in Redding Ca.

I love the Sex Pistols and PiL but can't stand Johnny Rotten.

Love to see Sid in this video.

I AM NOT FROM UTAH

Sometimes my friends do this thing that they know really DRIVES MY SHIT CRAZY!!!

They'll insist that I was raised in Utah.

As many of you know----who were raised with me---IN CALIFORNIA! (Give a shout out Unca J!)

I AM NOT FROM UTAH!!!

Many years ago after I moved to SF from Santa Cruz, I began to play with a band called Yusakuta. Not long after meeting my new band mates I let drop that I attended THE 'Y for 3 horrifying years. (Although the friends I've kept from that time are some of the most AMAZING people I've ever met.)

Ever since then they've tortured me with the 'Utah native' bullshit.

'Oh yeah, you're from Utah right?'

Oh well, most of them are from Delaware so what can you expect.

Scouts and Owl Boxes

Stupid Boy Scouts and their owl boxes. I have to miss my friends band at El Rio on Saturday night because of them!

I have to be at work by 9 AM on Sunday which means no going out for me on Saturday night. I CANNOT be hung over while working with boy scouts in 100* temperatures.

Even the thought of that is sending me over the edge...

I guess this is what being a ranger is all about....Sacrifice.

Bringin On The Heartache

Oh My God. This is one of my Top Ten All Time Favorite Videos. Was yours as un-synched as mine? Was it always this bad and I don't remember? How beautiful these boys Huh..?

Those were the days. When the the singer was young and hairless. Before the drummer's accident--And those Union Jack flag shorts--don't get me started.. !

I learned how to play guitar by watching videos like this back in the 80's.

And I've always wanted to cover this song.......Mega Witch? Mighty Tight?

Love Story 07

This is the love story between our cat Yuki and our dog Gabe.

One minute in love---next minute ready to rip each others entrails out.

Gabe's blood work came back and it is all normal.

And past couple of days. No seizures.

The next time she has 3 in a week we have to start on the dopey drugs. I hope they never come back. But they will.

Jolene

I used to listen to the Olivia Newton-John version of this song. Sitting in front of the big stereo in my parents living room. It was my brothers record. I would listen and stare at the album cover of ONJ. She was pictured in a river, only her head was showing and it was all wet. Maybe that's what made me a lesbian..?

Anyway, say what you will about the White Stripes. I still wish I could be them.

Update on Gabe: The vet took a blood sample to see what might be there. If nothing else it will give us a base line for her liver. She'll probably start the seizure pills soon.

Gabe

This is our friend C. vacuuming our dog Gabe.

Every time C. comes down from Redding with girlfriend S. She helps us figure out the most direct and simple ways to care for our brood of 4 legged creatures.

This particular problem....shedding of hair.

Gabe has been having seizures for the last year or so. But recently she started having 2-3 a day. Really short ones. The first seizures she had were quite long (15-20 minutes). And she would only have one in a day. Most times those episodes would be months apart. Now they're about 3-6 minutes long and she's having them everyday.

We've been researching dog seizures on the net but it really could be attributed to a million different things. Heredity, Food allergies, cancer, low sodium, the car accident she was in before we got her from the rescue agency, etc...

Poor Gabe. She's our alpha dog. She runs our little pack. I know the loss of control is hard for her.

Tomorrow is her vet appointment with our favorite SPCA Doc. The prognosis is probably not going to be very good. One thing I did find in the research we did is that when seizures start to cluster --that is not a good sign. And since Kimm and I are not millionaires we can only do so much for her. But we will do everything we can for our little G.

Do You Remember Lying In Bed..

With the covers pulled up over your head

Radio playing so no one can see?

Hazy Reunion Of Sorts

It's been a while since I posted as some of ya'll may have noticed.

I'll blame it on Cassie and family. They've come for a visit from Chicago for 10 days! Cassie was the singer for several bands we were in together. Here we are in my living room re-living our band Hazy.

These pictures are from a fun little party we had over here for them last weekend. Tonight is another get together at the Mint for Karaoke. I really miss C and family and wish they would move back.

Jammin again with the Band felt good. It's been a little more than a year now that I took a break from playing. Back then I felt that I needed to put all my energy into figuring out how I was seriously going to make a living doing something I wanted. Now that I've finally got the job I've been dreaing about for ever. I need to get back to what's important in my life--Playing music!

Bleech--Rain

I'm in an angsty mood today because it's RAINING! I hate rain. I know it's necessary and all that but I still hate it!

In July of all times!

I'm posting a picture of this depressing childrens book which isn't real --just to show my distaste for the weather.

On another note--I went to this beautiful park yesterday. I saw two coyotes, a northern Harrier and lots of Golden Eagles! As well as many awesome rock formations. The history of this park is really interesting. Especially the part about the Bohemian club of SF who I've always been interested in since I read Armistead Maupins "Tales of the City" many years ago.

Highlights Of Summer So Far

I've stolen this title directly from this wonderful blog by my pal J. in NYC. As you can tell I'm not too good at formatting with blogspot yet so it's all a big mess--but the photos are in order!

All of these pictures are from our Pt. Arena trip last weekend. I wish I knew how to add music to this blog. My band Hazy wrote a song about Pt. Arena several years ago that I wish I could add.

We went up there to visit friends and watch the 4th of July fireworks. The city of PA has a big celebration on the weekend closest to the 4th. It was more fun than I can ever possibly write about. We all camped out on our friends lawn (Thanks again P and L!). Spent an afternoon at the river. Danced along to live bands. Watched the fireworks. Ate, laughed and drank a lot. It was great. All for three days! The next day after we got home I started my new job at my new park!

Come and visit me!

First picture is my dog Mills down at the river. Kimm and I like to write messages on her at parties.

#2 pic. is me on our friend B.'s property in PA with some early morning libations. I'll add here that B.'s property is about the most magical place I've been too in a long time!

#3 is most of us in front of B.'s dome--which he built--kickin ass B!

#4 is me and doggies in front of Sea Ranch Chapel--very cool place to visit!

What's It Going To Be Like?

Here's Paris and Nicole from the Dyke March last weekend.

What's it going to be like now with Paris out of jail and all morally straightened up? What will any of us have to talk about? Who will Nicole not wear underware with? Who can possibly replace our most cherished debutard?

And most importantly..Who will become the next roll supermodel for our young women?

All these questions remain to be answered with time.

Who do any of YOU think it should be?

BAD BRAINS

Bad Brains has a new CD out. It's produced by Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys. I heard the ONE Reggae song on the CD. Which was pretty good actually. Apparently the rest is hardcore.

Wonder if any of the new stuff is as ENERGETIC as this video from 1982.

Happy Gay Weekend 07

Here I am chewing on the candy bra of some sweet thing at the Dyke March last Saturday. This last weekend was of course Pride weekend. We had a terrific time chewing on this and that.
This weekend was definitely squeezed full --fo shizzy!

RIP KDB

Here's Kris, Siouxsie Sioux and myself --probably '84.

Sorry I stole this picture from you Jesse.

Did you take it? And where were we?

Today makes year #5.

I was remembering the day that I first noticed Kris...

It was day #1 of my senior year in high school. I was smoking before class on a walk way above the music room. Leaning on a rail looking down to one of the parking lots with my friend Donna. Some one pulled up in their car and a couple of girls jumped out. Kris was the second one. She had on the coolest fake leather jacket and colored tights with her hair all spiked up!

It was love!

Doesn't that sound like the beginnings of a good screen play for a gay musical!

What should I call it?

Photo stolen from UncaJesse.

And I actually wasn't really smoking. But all the rest is true.

Big Love for Big Love

We're RABID about watching this show!!

Can I get an Amen?

Here's The Cake!

My girlfriend Kimm made this gorgeous cake for our friend H's 40th pirate birthday!. I missed it all--all two days of it!. Kimm left Saturday afternoon and came home late Sunday night. With all KINDS of stories! So sad for me... Please forgive me fine Irish pirate boy!

I spent all weekend working split shifts and having interviews for Ranger positions.

Today I was HIRED!!!!!

Me prayers have been answered mates!!! ARRRRRRR..I be a REAL RANGER!!!!

I've had such good luck lately that I'm wondering when I'll be hit by that Muni bus!

Although my luck wasn't good enough to allow me to party last weekend like the Irish girl I am (more Welsh actually).

I'll make it up to you next year H! Happy BDAY today!

Happy Fathers Day

This picture of me was taken by my little sister Keri when I was about 10/11. It's always been my favorite picture of myself. I'm not really sure why.

Maybe it's because it was the pivotal point in my life when I started to realize that I was really 'different' from the other girls.

But it's probably because I was wearing my two favorite pieces of clothing. My yellow ziggy t-shirt and a knitted blue and yellow vest that my sister-in-law Karen made for me.

I also remember that when this picture was taken it was a Sunday. We were in our front yard. And we were riding bikes. It was back when we could ride bikes on Sunday. Back then Mormons were even allowed to buy ice cream after Sunday school.

All that changed not long after this picture was taken. I'm not sure why.

Maybe it was because President Kimball (LDS President during the 70's) said so. But it's probably because my dad became Stake President (regional church manager) and we had to appear more holy.

But even tho' my Dad became Stake President and it ruined all of our Sunday fun, he was still the best Dad ever!

Happy Fathers day to all the deserving Dad's out and up there!

All The Good News Fit To Print

My Friends, I've got some good news!

First--Kimm and I are celebrating our 11th year together this month. We don't have a specific date. We like to call June our anniversary month. This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago at our home during a 'Naked Hot Tub Party'. Fortunately for ya'll, we have our clothes ON.

Secondly--I just received a phone call from a park supervisor who would like to interview me for a ranger position! He told me that I probably hadn't received the letter from headquarters telling me that I made FIRST POOL for hiring! Yes friends.. the tests have been taken and I passed them all with flying colors! I just have to give myself a little pat on the back. I haven't been so proud of myself in a loooong time. Now I'll shut-up.

Hopefully by this time next week I'll be a FULL-FLEDGED Ranger. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I have one last hurdle to jump.

Me And Dad

Here's me and my dad at the house I grew up at in Redding, Ca.

Believe it or not he looked EXACTLY the same then as he did up until a couple of years before his death.

The Alzheimer's changed his look dramatically.

Cartwheels

When I was 10 the most important thing to me was knowing how to do a cartwheel.

My dad realized this and decided he would teach me.

He was 58. I was 10. He stayed out in the back yard with me till I "kept my head down", and got the cartwheel right. He actually physically cartwheeled across the expanse of our lawn with me to show me how it was done.
That was my dad.

He will have been gone for two years on June 11th. I'll be posting more of him in the next few days.

Bluegrass Whore

I gots to get me in a bluegrass band.

June

June has a lot of good memories for me. And many sad ones...But lets just focus on the happy ones for now!

This song, Salad Days by Minor Threat, evokes some great memories for me. I couldn't find a video of Minor Threat doing the song. You can listen to the song and ignore the video...or watch it and fill it in with your own internal vision of friends you don't see too often anymore.

Anyway it's an awesome song.