After starting to put something together here I really abandoned it the last several months. Suffice it to say a lot has been going on, and this was something I just couldnn’t justify spending time on.
I’m in a new gig as General Manager of a small company previously based in San Jose and recently moved to Roseville, Castle Copy Services, Inc. It is going extremely well, but leaves little time for extra projects. This definitely changes the direction for this blog away from resume/portfolio for the time being. So when I have time to post it will likely be of a personal interest.
We woke up to a world of white this morning after getting a couple inches of snow last night. The kids threw snow gear on as quickly as possible to get out and start playing by 7:30 AM. It was still snowing and they were in heaven. I was able to take some pictures before heading off to work.
Run to Feed the Hungry has become an annual holiday tradition for countless area families. Beginning in 1994 with only 800 runners, the event now ranks as Sacramento Valley’s largest annual run & fun run/walk. In 2008, over 28,000 participants attended and we met our goal of raising $750,000 for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. As we approach our 16th year we look forward to another record crowd and donations topping $800,000.
We are all registered and ready to race on Thanksgiving morning. Yep, the whole gang is coming. The two little girls will be in strollers, and Cade and Anika will tread it out with me and Aubrie. Assuming we can navigate the traffic and crowds okay I think it will be a fun experience. Most importantly, we want to help those whose holiday table will not be so abundantly blessed as ours. And we want the kids to see the power of charity, especially when it comes from 30,000 strong. I will hopefully have a recap afterwards, but I want to help promote the event. Check it out and have a happy Thanksgiving!
It’s been just over a week since the release of Raditude by Weezer. After listening to it probably 15 times now I am ready to declare it a worthy album. I’m not blown away like I was with the red album, but there are a handful of songs that made the cut for my iPod. (Being a 2GB Nano I don’t put every song on there) I’ll give the proverbial thumbs up or thumbs down for each song below…
Tracklist:
01. (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To 3:28 - THUMBS UP! The first official single from the album is going to be a big time hit. You can’t not like this song. It’s just totally good Weezer. 02. I’m Your Daddy 3:08 - THUMBS UP! The “party” feel of the album starts with this song. I like the electronica in the song, and Rivers-style lyrics/vocals make it fun to sing along with. 03. The Girl Got Hot 3:14 - THUMBS UP! Oh my goodness me, just the name of the song tells a compelling story. This song is way cool. Probably the next single off the album, they could kill this on the radio. 04. Can’t Stop Partying 4:21 - THUMBS UP!The dark horse song of this album. My first time listening I was thinking at this point that they were overdoing the party/club thing, but I’m completely addicted to this song now. 05. Put Me Back Together 3:15 - THUMBS UP! My favorite song on the album and up there with my Weezer faves. It makes me feel vulnerable and sad but hoping for a happy ending. Rivers kills on the vocals and the guitar riffs are classic. 06. Tripping Down The Freeway 3:40 - JURY STILL OUT. I don’t know about this one. It’s not a bad song, but I don’t love it. 07. Love Is The Answer 3:43 - THUMBS DOWN! I’m going to pretend this song doesn’t exist. 08. Let It All Hang Out 3:17 - THUMBS UP! This is a cool song. Good writing and stuff, stuff. My only complaint is the high pitched guitar screeching that it starts with which kicks in every once in a while…that’s pretty annoying. 09. In The Mall 2:39 - THUMBS DOWN! Not to be condescending, but this feels a bit Jr. High to me. Okay, that was condescending. 10. I Don’t Want To Let You Go 3:48 - THUMBS UP! Another incredible, low key and desperate love song by Weezer. I can’t get enough of these. 11. Turn Me Round 3:08 - THUMBS DOWN! I can’t explain it except to say I get tired of this song pretty early on, and I think I’ll start skipping it entirely pretty soon.
Bonus Tracks:
01. Get Me Some 3:36 - JURY STILL OUT. I’m luke warm. 02. Run Over By A Truck 3:33 - THUMBS UP! Way different song. It’s pretty cool. Check it out. 03. The Prettiest Girl In The Whole Wide World 4:00 - JURY STILL OUT. I think this is a thumbs up, but most of the time I’m not really paying close attention by this point, so I just have a generally good feeling about this song right now. 04. The Underdogs 4:39 - THUMBS UP! A nice song to finish up with. At this point I’ve completely forgotten about the party songs I was rocking to just a few minutes ago. I’m back to the contemplative, peaceful state of mind that Weezer can always take me to.
To the band in case you are reading (ha ha), thanks Rivers, Pat, Brian and Scott for some sweet new tunes! I hope to see you guys perform again in Northern California soon.
