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2013-05-21 02:56:46 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Diablo Excellence Awards

My extremely smart high school senior is getting a science excellence award tonight...very proud!

2013-05-20 04:31:15 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

King's X - It's Love

Here is a band that should have ruled rock and roll in the 1990's, but they never really scored any radio hits.  Their music is complex, combining progressive, soul, a little jazz, and some metal elements.  They were quite often billed as a Christian band, but I don't believe that was ever really the case.  They certainly explored religious themes (in fact, their album Faith Hope Love had a complete chapter from the Bible in the sleeve insert), but I never considered them explicitly Christian.

This track was their first to score some decent radio play and was what first made me take notice of them.  As usual for me, the more progressive the music is, the more I like it.  The harmonies and time signatures of this song give it a very progressive feel, but yet it is very accessible.  Enjoy "It's Love" from King's X.... more »

2013-05-19 23:32:56 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

2013-05-19 20:27:57 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Gotta Love Google

I got a notice this morning from Google that some loser in Buenos Aires was trying to login to my Google account and they advised me to change my password. This is great service from something I don't even pay for!

2013-05-17 20:23:15 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Such a great reminder for the phase of parenting my wife and I are in right now...failure and consequences are amazing teachers.

#parenting

http://bible.us/r/24.Q

2013-05-16 19:35:16 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Déjà vu.

#IRSscandal   #BenghaziCoverup   #APwiretapping  

2013-05-09 22:16:14 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Building a better mousetrap...or wheel

I love when innovation happens in places you least expect it. I know I have never looked at a bicycle wheel and thought about it could be improved...but these guys did. Very cool stuff!

2013-05-05 00:31:36 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Living Colour

While this all-black heavy rock band had some radio success in the late '80s and early '90s, I think they are one of the most under-rated bands out of that era.  Mick Jagger saw something in them - enough to produce their first album and have them as an opening act on the Rolling Stones tour - but I think many stumbled on the "black rock group" thing.  I admit that I thought it was odd at first - but I became a quick convert after listening through their first album.  They can rock - and they bring excellent lyrical content to boot.

While many might be familiar with tracks like "Cult of Personality" or "Glamour Boys", my favorite track from Living Colour is "This is the Life" from their second album "Time's Up".  It has a driving beat, heavy guitar, and lyrics that are inspiring.  Give it a listenand ... more »

2013-05-02 20:33:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

National Day of Prayer!!!
As we Pray for America, who’s pledge of allegiance recounts that we are “one nation under God”, and whose currency states that it is “in God we trust”, we want American’s to encounter the God who rules over their country. He is the One who gave us this promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. As we encounter Him, we will be changed, and will change America through prayer.
Amen :) #prayforamerica #godblessamerica

2013-05-02 18:23:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Journey - Rubicon

Here is a seldom played track from Journey's Frontiers album. While Journey always cranked out chart-topping hits, many other of their album tracks were outstanding songs. Enjoy a trip across the Rubicon with Journey from 1983.

2013-05-01 15:50:10 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

The Crimson Chariot Returns

After 3 long weeks in repair, my car is back good as new. I was SO tired of a rental car!

2013-04-29 19:07:05 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Breaking Bad

I know, I know...I am late to the party.  This is an amazing show...one of the best written I have ever watched.  With The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, AMC shows it knows how to put out quality shows.

But I am disturbed by my own behavior...why do I find myself rooting for this meth manufacturer that kills people?  Is there something wrong with me?

#breakingbad  

2013-04-27 04:40:32 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Date Night Cooking Class with my Honey

My wife and I did another cooking class where we prepared a salad with fresh made bleu cheese dressing, smoked gouda mac and cheese, pan roasted rosemary potatoes, Beef Wellington with a balsamic reduction sauce, and a chocolate molten cake.  I have pictures of everything but the cake because I was so anxious to eat it that I forgot to take a picture!  Fun night...good food, nice people and cooking with my awesome wife!  

2013-04-26 02:19:30 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Rude Driver

This guy stole my parking spot tonight...maybe the collar was too tight...

:)

2013-04-23 23:44:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Funny ad campaign

I heard this on the radio a couple of weeks ago and started laughing.  Too bad they are closing in the US - their business model just doesn't fit our lifestyle here.

2013-04-22 17:25:38 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

bible.us/r/x I just finished Life Application Study Bible ® Devotion Bible reading Plan at YouVersion.com

2013-04-21 23:10:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

A Tale of Two Terrorists

What a difference a few decades make...Columbia University should be ashamed.  What is the message here?

2013-04-21 23:09:13 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

A Tale of Two Terrorists

What a difference a few decades make...Columbia University should be ashamed.  What is the message here?

2013-04-21 04:51:37 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Saddleback Church

As many know, Pastor Rick Warren recently suffered the death of his son Matthew. Pastor Greg Laurie (of Harvest Crusade) is speaking this weekend on "Hope For Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones" - something he knows all too well. I am looking forward to a great message!

2013-04-20 23:31:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

My University of California, Irvine Student

We spent some time at the UCI campus today with my son who will be attending there this fall. He was so excited to envision himself there in a few months!

2013-04-13 16:26:45 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

A Celebration of a Life - Art Bobke 1929-2013

As many of you know, my sweet father passed away at the end of February after a two year descent into Alzheimer's.  It was a tough two years and we are all glad he is at peace but we certainly miss him very much.

My father loved nothing more than gathering his family around him.  For his 75th and his 80th birthdays, we had big family celebrations and he just washed himself in the joy of his children and grandchildren.

We thought there was not a better idea than to gather together again after his death to celebrate his life - how he touched us, how he taught us, and how he loved not just us but SO many people.  So today, my brothers and sister and all their families gather here in California to remember our Dad, our Opa, and our father-in-law Art Bobke, to share our common and individual memories and to saygo... more »

2013-04-09 03:08:02 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Inexperienced Teenage Driver vs. My Crimson Chariot

My beautiful red Infiniti - brand new as of July of last year - was besmirched by a very sweet but inexperienced young high school girl on the way home from work today.  My Crimson Chariot is looking pretty unsightly from the rear.  I am glad I have good insurance and the whole incident is her fault (she "merged" into my bumper), so it will not cost me anything but time and hassle of getting it repaired.  I wonder if the rental car place has a red Infiniti for $30 per day...probably not.

The funny thing about the whole accident is that I had to console the girl because she had never had an accident before and was totally freaked out.  She is 17 and has only had her license for a year and she started crying when she saw my car.  Poor thing - she was afraid I was going to scream at her or something.  I don'tenvy h... more »

2013-04-08 19:25:29 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

One last pic from Monterey, CA...it was a great weekend

2013-04-08 18:18:11 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Yup.  

Basically, she outlined the problems with the euro perfectly, that Germany would chafe at the inevitable need for greater inflation, and that the poorer countries would inevitably be uncompetitive and need bailouts that would not easily be forthcoming.

2013-04-08 18:16:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

The Legacy of the Iron Lady

Margaret Thatcher was an amazing woman. Formidable in leadership with a heart of gold underneath, she sets the standard of a British PM as Reagan set the standard for the US presidency. We will sadly not see one like her again.

RIP Mrs. Thatcher.

#ironlady

2013-04-07 02:22:09 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Hmmm

Wait... Ohhh...

2013-04-07 01:24:09 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

More Monterey Pics

My son's band did a great job and our extended family got to watch on the live Internet stream...heading home soon!

2013-04-06 20:15:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey

It is very cool to see all these talented kids playing today!

2013-04-06 01:54:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

At Fishermans Wharf in Monterey...absolutely beautiful day!

2013-04-06 00:21:23 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

On the way to Monterey

We had to stop for In'N'Out on our road trip...

2013-04-03 02:40:33 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Achilles Last Stand

Here is a seldom heard track from the mighty Led Zeppelin.  This one is from their 1976 album Presence.  This is one of their longer tracks - that is probably why I like it so much!  I think the bass line in this track is amazing and Bonham is just thrashing the drums.  The creativity in the studio by Page is really showcased here with all the overdubbed guitar tracks.

Zeppelin is one of the few big bands of that era that I never did get to see in concert.  Here's to a reunion of sorts with Plant, Page, Jones, and Bonham (Jason, John's son)!

Put on your headphones and make some time to enjoy "Achilles Last Stand".

2013-04-02 22:54:10 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Old things become new...

2013-04-01 17:40:27 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Activision Human Animation

Ok...this is cool and creepy at the same time...

2013-04-01 16:08:19 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Google never ceases to amaze me... A revolution for email.

2013-03-31 03:20:11 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

2013-03-24 05:14:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Date Night

Always yummy at Cheesecake Factory!

2013-03-23 16:46:22 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2013-03-17 16:56:59 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

Happy Palladius Day

I am not Irish and this day really does not inspire me to celebrate anything, but for those that are inspired, I hope you have fun and stay safe.

Given the fact that this day is based on more myth than fact - Patrick was not Irish (he was Scottish), his name was not Patrick (it was Palladius), and the reason he came to be in Ireland originally was that he was SOLD INTO SLAVERY in Ireland for six years - the real reason for the celebration is a mystery to me.

So Happy Palladius Day - a day where a Scot sold into slavery in Ireland and returned as a religious missionary to the land of his enslavement is celebrated by wearing green clothes and drinking copious amounts of beer!  And people complain about "Hallmark Holidays"....

2013-03-16 17:53:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Historic Tech Sounds

For those of us that can remember the early days of the advent of consumer technology, this series of videos is a blast from the past that will make you wax nostagic.  I showed my son the Pong clip and his only response was "How boring!".  I told him that it was the coolest thing I had ever seen when my Dad brought the Atari Pong game home.  We played it for HOURS.

I guess I won't get so mad at them when they spend hours in front of the XBOX now...

2013-03-16 03:51:15 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Welcome to Deep Tracks!

As a teenager, I became obsessed with listening to everything I could get my hands on that the bands I loved recorded.  This included album tracks that were just not popular (no radio airplay, etc.), alternate takes of well-known songs, rare live performances, guest appearances on other artists albums, and other unusual or forgotten songs.

I found that there were other OCD fans like me of their favorite bands and it became a challenge to find and share these types of tracks amongst our friends.  It was more difficult back then without the Internet - you had to read fan magazines and newsletters and search through record stores looking for things you hadn't heard before.

With the easier availability of YouTube, iTunes, and other Internet music and video sites, I thought it might be fun to build a community around that same concept ofs... more »

2013-03-16 03:25:55 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Proud Dad Moment

My eldest son got his first real paycheck today from his job at OfficeMax.  While it is my wife's and my goal to teach him to be a good steward of the money entrusted to him, it is great to see the pride he had taking that first check to deposit in his account!

2013-03-15 21:53:08 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Heard on SiriusXM today

Kathleen Madigan is one of my favorite comedians, and I caught one of her better lines today...

"Canada is so funny.  It is like America's attic.  You don't really think about it and then you go up there and you say "Wow, look at all this crap!"

2013-03-15 02:35:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

When Finishing Last is Not Really Last

Great story about a great racer and why finishing was more important than in what time or what position.  Here's to all Dad's out there that inspire the best in their sons!

2013-03-11 00:43:18 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

The Pope's Last Official Message Before Retirement

Contrary to what the news may have reported, the Pope's last official message was not his address to the crowd after his helicopter ride over Vatican City...

2013-03-11 00:42:35 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 1 +1s)

The Pope's Last Official Message Before Retirement

Contrary to what the news may have reported, the Pope's last official message was not his address to the crowd after his helicopter ride over Vatican City...

2013-03-10 22:15:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

In-N-Out

For those of you in California, Vegas, Arizona, and now Texas, you may have partaken of a particular most excellent hamburger place called In-N-Out.  It is my all-time favorite burger and the In-N-Out locations are classic California.

This is an interesting story of the family behind In-N-Out and the young heiress in control of most of the company now.  As usual with a family-owned business, there is a bit of drama...

2013-03-05 21:40:08 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

For the Love of the Game

I came across the movie "For the Love of the Game" on TV this afternoon.  It is one of the better baseball movies out there.  For all the duds Kevin Costner has made, he does baseball movies well - primarily because he really loves the game.  Plus, the movie has Vin Scully as the announcer/narrator throughout the film - and there is none better than Vinny.

There is something about baseball movies that move me emotionally.  I can't help but think of my Dad - who spent hours throwing the ball with me in the yard, who coached my Little League team, who took me to my first Major League game (and many thereafter), and who taught me to love the game.  It is a legacy that he passed on to me and that lives on in me and my kids.

Today, watching this movie that tells the story of the parallels between baseball and life, I am missingmy D... more »

2013-03-05 18:50:06 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

2013-03-05 03:50:12 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

2013-03-02 17:30:52 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Since I will be working on Sunday I am going to make my contributions today. =P

#sciencesunday

#OW