Tahoe - Still Snow

Hmm...Rex and Darla were in Tahoe last week. Seems there was still snow in Squaw Valley. But that pools looks delicious!

And the Guinness they were serving in the pub inside looks damned good too!

Hey! Mom's flowers are blooming!

Bryn Terfel in Berkeley

I'm such a huge fan of Bryn and was thrilled to have seen him at his last performance in Berkeley several years ago. Glad to read this nifty review from his recent performance.
A terrific glowing review from the San Francisco Chronicle "Terfel's artistic gifts, of course, have never been in doubt. His huge dynamic palette, from a thundering, superbly modulated fortissimo to the barest filament of sound; the dark, burnished beauty of his vocal tone; his fluent phrasing and extraordinarily clear diction; and his mastery of a wide range of vocal styles - all these and more conspire to make his every vocal performance a memorable treasure."

His Faenol Festival in Wales each August is a huge hit. What started as a night of opera under the stars is now a 4-day festival with a night of opera, pop, jazz, and Welsh music. One day (the Celtic gods willing), I'll make a sojourn there for the whole festival!

I thank dear Uncle Andy for turning me onto this terrific singer!

"The Fall"

I don't know much about this film, other that it comes out this May and is directed by Tarsem (the guy who did "The Cell" and REM's "Losing My Religion" video). It looks totally original and visually unique. I'll be sure to see this one. Check out the trailer:

Robot Socks

Looking for something for that hard-to-buy Geek Squad member?

Get 'em Robot Socks - go here.

Santa Barbara

Just got back from a 1-night stay in Santa Barbara. I was there for work, but did manage to get out a bit. I walked the downtown area and was thrilled a Farmer's Market was going on - quite festive!



I took these 2 snaps with my phone from my rental car [yes, I was driving]. Not the best quality, but this commute sure beats the hell out of my normal one.

I had some terrific fish tacos at a chain called Wahoo's. I'd never eaten at one, but it reminded me of Rubio's. But I think Wahoo's was better as they had a different take on certain items. Since I usually judge a place on their beans and rice I was pleased to have something called ahi rice [tasty] and their spicy Cajun white beans [surprising heat! ]. The place isn't exactly a destination, but a delicious meal on the cheap? Right friggin' on!

Next door to Wahoo's is an Irish pub called The James Joyce. I went inside and it was quite authentic. I stayed a bit for some music as the band was pretty good. Since it was a work night, I didn't partake in the fine Guinness being poured, but rest assured, if I'm back in the area, I'll be in this place for more than a few jars!

Viva La Absolut!

Oh how I love a good controvery. And especially when it's about liquor! I think I'll go out and buy MORE Absolut...!

CAPTION: In this image released by the Mexican advertising firm of Teran/TBWA on Monday April 7, 2008, an advertisement created for Swedish Absolut Vodka which ran in Mexico, shows a map of the border of Mexico and the United States where it stood before the Mexican-American War of 1848. The Absolut vodka company apologized for the ad campaign amid angry calls for a boycott by U.S. consumers.