1st Quarter of 2013

New Year's Day- Hangover Run 2013

Once again the year started with a run. A trail run at Vasquez Rocks in Aqua Dulce with the Santa Clarita Runners Club. It is a long standing tradition that draws well over 100 running enthusiasts throughout the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys. It consists of a roughly 6 mile trail run up to the Pacific Crest Trail. Then, it ends with a fine party in the parking lot with plenty of food and drink to celebrate another year of living! This day was special because I brought along a newbie who recently started running to break out of the doldrums of the creative writing process. James, welcome to the club and happy running!

Soundgarden-Live at The Wiltern 2/17/2013

My return to The Wiltern LG was long awaited. The last time was about two years ago witnessing Queens of the Stone Age perform the re-release of their debut album. 

This Soundgarden show was the 1st time I have seen Chris with his old band. I recall his performance as a solo artist at the LA Invasion festival in 2007 at The Home Depot Center. We only caught the last few songs of his set but, I do remember saying to myself that I needed to see this guy again live. His vocals just blew the faces off the crowd in the arena! This show was being video taped for a dvd and TV special on "Artists Den" on KCET. I did not know this. This was great because the show only displayed this band and for a full 2 1/2 hours! The audience was hypnotized for the first three tunes and then rocked when the band broke into the older material. I had not heard of a few songs and learned that a couple were never played live before. One that stuck out was "Blind dogs", and I was extremely impressed. 

This show was extremely loud as F@#k! I am begining to like the cheap seats up on the mezzanine. I get the better feel for the crowd and of course the decibles are a bit kinder. The new CD, "King Animal" just completely rules. I made it a point to get my hands on it and thouroughly get versed on the new material. This made me really enjoy this show. Of course, the highlights for me were the older material from "Badmotorfinger", such as "Rusty Cage" & "Slaves and Bulldozers", the show closer. This last song left us devastated. The minute plus feedback was mind numbing but left us longing for more! I definitely should've got a T-shirt. 

Set List:

1. Incessant Mace 
2. My Wave 
3. Been Away Too Long 
4. Worse Dreams 
5. Jesus Christ Pose 
6. Flower 
7. Taree 
8. Spoonman 
9. By Crooked Steps 
10. Blind Dogs 
    (1st time played live, … more)
11. Rowing 
12. Non-State Actor 
13. Drawing Flies 
14. Hunted Down 
15. Black Saturday 
16. Bones of Birds 
17. Blow Up the Outside World 
18. Fell on Black Days 
19. Burden in My Hand 
20. A Thousand Days Before 
21. Blood on the Valley Floor 
22. Rusty Cage 
23. New Damage 
24. 4th of July
    Encore:
25. Outshined 
26. Black Hole Sun 
27. Ty Cobb 
28. Slaves & Bulldozers
    
    

    Basketball free throw highlight
    

    
    

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yV-tRbtDjI
    
    

    This season marked the 1st time my youngest has ever played the game of basketball. She really enjoyed softball and we tried that out for three seasons but, decided to have her give this a try. I'm sure glad we did. Of course, there was a bit of learning and extra practice time that we put into it. But, it sure did pay off. The Mystics finished #1 in their league. I wish I could be more involved with my kids sports as I was last year when I was out of work. I can't complain. They do just fine without me there all the time. I was so proud of the improvement that Paige obtained throughout the season and I wish that she continues. 

    
    

    Soccer star in the making
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    Once again, our oldest ceases to amaze us. Sydney made it to Tournament Soccer play this year and we couldn't be more proud. Not only is she doing very well in school, she has excelled at the very sport she once shunned when she was 1st introduced to it. I definitely have not been there for her during the early years as much as I should have, both emotionally and physically. I sometimes feel that she would rather have me not around. But, I also feel that this is a formative time of her life and I should just learn to "step away" and let her figure things out for herself. I prod, poke and snoop. That is what parenting a 13 year old is all about, right? Nope! Sometimes you gotta just let go. This is way too hard. 

    
    

    St. Patrick's Day 5K & The L.A. Marathon
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    
    

    What can I say? Another year another 5K to direct and a Marathon to pull off the following day. Why do things easy? The Knights of Columbus 33rd annual 5K race was held again for the 3rd straight year at Central Park. But, unlike last year it did not rain and the old hilly tough course was unleashed to the runners. What a fine day that included local charities, Honda and the local running store to set up spots to advertise. The SC Runners were in full force to lend a hand and without them, this event couldn't have happened. Thank you for all of those who volunteered and ran this race!

    
    

    Once again I headed down to Santa Monica with fellow SC Runner, Dennis to catch the shuttle to Dodger stadium so we could run back to the car on thew very festive St. Patrick's Day! Wow! What a crowd! It was a great turnout and I did Boston Qualify with a time of 3:11:48. I even got to be on TV on channel 5 when I scared Gail Anderson on Hollywood Blvd. What a day and what a green weekend. I got to even top it off with a traditional St. Patrick's Day party at a SC Runner's house, Jeff. Again, it is times like these that makes life worth living!