: : salaciousGROOVE : :

2004-05-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

Ch Ch Ch Changes /
we've moved

2004-03-03T14:30:00.000-08:00
why i havent been blogging lately

so, the reason i havent been doing any writing lately is

wait

hold on

"what honey?"

"right now? you know its like 2:30 and i should be working"

"but we just did that this morning, and twice yesterday"

"I dont think at least once a day is too much.... no way!"

"i'll do it any time you want, you know that!"

ok... brb... B wants me to go take jo out for a poop

2004-02-01T13:48:00.000-08:00
Hakuna matata!

sit back, relax, and let me tell you an very cool story. it is about B and i, nach, and about our past few days....

but let me preface alll of this by saying life is amazing. i have never ever been more happy on more consecutive days, weeks, than i have been now.the things that get me down or provoked are continuing to be complex... too much mayo on the lettuce side of a sandwich, realizing you are wearing two diffent colored black socks, near the end of the day... things like that. but for the record... you really wanna be me!

ok, so...

ever since the Lion King was announced that it would be at the Orpheum theatre in SF, i have been trying to get good seats. no luck though, as it has become the hottest tix in town. so i figue may, maybe for my bday, or june...

so we are siting on the couch the other night, deep in conversation about which american idol wannabe should win, or maybe it was about howard dean's discussed re-appropriation of electoral votes in major metropolitan areans that are supported by large mid class minority populations.... but i bet it was the american idol thing... when i jusmped up to take one last look at Lion King tixs. Hell, we were gong to the bay anyway, staying over at Diva on Thursday, and maybe i can get some last minute cancellations...

So i end up buying a couple of seats that seem to be either late releases, or cancels. yeah a couple of seats in the 5th row, orchestra, near the center, but along an aisle so you can see the characters coming down to the stage... oh yeah, and it was OPENING NIGHT! and there were VIP passes to a lounge and free champagne and wine. we opted to pay for martinis, caring on the choices we made earlier at Asia de Cuba for dinner....but i digress....

Lion King was one of the most moving plays i have ever seen! the costumes, and life that was brought to the stage by actors is something i will never forget. I wished i could bottle the amazement i felt from time to time, serve it chilled when i need to be inspired. GO! please. the voices and story were very close to the original animated masterpeice (yes, Kevin.. Lion King is a masterpiece). The show was amazing, and to make things even better, the play was bookended between a dinner at Asia de Cuba and cocktails at LushLounge. Dinner consisting of seared pork, served carpacio style, a tasty little chicken appetizer and an entree of butterfish. KettleOne martinis to clense the palatte and we were set for the play. After, a quick cab ride to Lush found us staring into the window of one of our favorite bars...

Wellington, a longtime bartender at Lush noticed us standing outside, and pre-emptively made some stoli Lemon Drops, which rival the ones B and I make. His are at least rimmed with memory and nostalgia, as B and I have closed the night down from there on more than one occasion. It was great to see him, and better yet to get a little more of that VIP treatment we were enjoying so much that night. TO be recognized after over about 18 months , especial when B has gone back to her natural hair color, is especially warming.

Anyway.. getting long winded, and you probably need to get back to work. I'd like to give a shout out to all my homies, and to K and M, and a big Mahalo to the G man and Cara. big ups to Nashville bound Pat. and to my shorty BDawg... i loves you girl! Out.

-c monkey

2004-01-03T19:13:00.000-08:00
every ending creates a new beginning...
So i dont really have time to do our new year's story justice, but i just wanted to say hello to everyone, and let you know that B and I are so looking forward to this new year. As you know, we learned so very harsh lessons this year, struggled with issues, jobs, cities, overcame self doubts, fought off illnesses... man it was one of the bestyears of our marriage...

we have never been closer, or more confident in our love for each other, and our commitment to making this a marriage that our families are proud of. As you can see from the photo....

we are so happy.

happy new year all. i'll update more later.
-c

2003-12-26T09:57:00.000-08:00
It came upon a midnite clear...

happy holidays to everyone! sorry for lagging so badly on the blog. I'll try to do some catching up...
So, the smiths decided to have a holiday party, which meant we needed to string the house with lights, decorate the tree, and make invitations. then, of course, we needed a pretty holiday dress, and a beautiful blonde to put in it. The party was a great success! it is funny how excited people in MB get when there is a chance to dress nicely. the ladies were all dolled up, dresses for all, and the men actually wore shirts with buttons. We served snacks, booze, white castle burgers, booze, dessert and booze. At about 11, we had a gift exchage that went quite well, especially since i ended up with a nice bottle of wine.

And so the days passed without incident, working hard, and coming home to my lovely wife each night, until a few days ago, when we had a 6.5 earthquake, that was centered about 20 miles north from us. I was at work, and B was home. It bouced all our stuff around, and was pretty scary. For those who have seen the garage, we have our CD collection out there, and about 1000 CD were tossed to the floor, breaking cases. We also lost some wine and champagne glasses. Every shelf was in disarry, but we really didnt lose anything that was irreplaceable. All in all, chalk it up to another interesting experience in life. We have been feeling aftershocks even now, and some times it gets under you nerves.

Then christmas eve, B was working, so i went to spend the evening with her at Rose's. we have come cocktails with friends, mosied up to Legends, toasted the bar, and came home.

We stayed up late that night, watching the No Doubt Live CD. The next moring was christmas morning, our 5th one together. B couldnt get a chicken, so what the hell... lets have turkey! We cooked our first turkey together, a 12 lber, and it was really good. also called some family and figured out how to make gravy. Spent the day together down at Roses, playing backgammon. B got me a Backgammon set for xmas. It is something we have been wanting for a long time, and she found a great board, big, with ceramic stones, so it really nice to play on. Right now we are tied at 3 a peice, but i am sure she is going to figure this game out and beat me something good. And although we didnt travel to see anyone, we still had our family with us for the holiday.

well.. thats all for now. my girl just awoke, and i am gonna kidnap her and take to otter rock for some breakfast.

merry christmas everyone, and have a great new year. One of my resolutions is to continue the blogging, and i expect you to hold me to that...(right Pat?).

love to you all
-c

2003-11-25T09:01:00.000-08:00
i only did it 'cuz i was drinking...

In October, when we first heard about porno karaoke from our Berlin trendsetters, we figured the concept was too risque for the American public. But with strip aerobics classes at Crunch, and burlesque shows at clubs such as Forty Deuce (LA) and Galapagos (Brooklyn), it seems US partygoers might not be so conservative after all. A version of porno karaoke has made it to the Big Apple. NYC club Remote Lounge hosts Karma Sutra Karaoke. Just like in Berlin, male/female teams have one minute to perform their own audio for the heated porno clip playing on screen. The crowd then decides who has delivered the most comic, creative and believable performance.

Around the world and now here in the US, "freedom of expression" is taking on a whole new meaning. These days it seems that more people than expected want an opportunity to experiment and have fun in ways formerly thought of as taboo.

(thanks to trendestters.com for this)

-c

2003-11-24T09:46:00.000-08:00
finally...

something worth breaking the silence for Let them sing it for you

-c

2003-10-23T10:57:00.000-07:00
um. yeah.

World Beard and Moustache Championships Carson City 2003

2003-10-17T11:57:00.000-07:00
in a world where...

we should really become more honest with each other, and ourselves... let it all out

if you are catholic... use this.

-c

2003-10-16T16:23:00.000-07:00
ITMS for everyone
ok... here's the deal.
go download iTunes music store from apple. once it is installed, and you have created an account, go buy this song

Apple has now encoded every song with a url, so i can create a list of songs that i like, and you can find them, and buy them.

now the fun begins...

more on my project next week, as i hope to have at least part of it done.

-c

2003-10-15T22:34:00.000-07:00
ch ch changes

not much needs to be said... a picture speaks a 1000 words.
discuss

So a quick update in the life and times of the BDawg and CMonkey...
things in morro bay are great. work is keeping me really busy. Karen (b's mom) came down with her friend carol and we had a great time. BBQ'd some bird, went dancing at happy's. it was great to see her, and she fly back to portland safely.

and now it is thursday, and we are having a little baby shower for Brookalucious, who is gonna pop next month... so stand by for photos from that.

btw... apple iTunes for windows is released today. be the first to get yours.
-c

2003-10-13T14:49:00.000-07:00
monkey business

Monkeys Control Robotic Arm With Brain Implants (washingtonpost.com)

2003-10-12T10:39:00.000-07:00
catching up with...

harbor festival 2003

this year, at harborfest, there were some folks from nashville, where uncle pat is gonna move to, so B and I invited him down to spend the weekend with us. he got in friday night, and met us at legends, where we met some really great people and had a rockin night. Rachael was with us, and the 4our of us bounced between happy's and legends the whole night.

saturday came way too eary, but after a breakfast of machaca and egs, and chirizo and egs, and breakfast mess (thanks maha!), oh, and a morning margarita or 3hree, we took a boat over to the fest. Emory's friend is Frank, who has a platform boat and drove us to the backside of the fest, and right up the ramp to the wine tasting tent. UB had joined us for breakfast as well, so the 5ive of us now got some tix for wine tasting and seafood.

harborfest was a blast. pat got to give his cd to karen taylor-goode, a nashville songwriter. we drank some local wines, wandered the fest, and then dove into gafco for a few. so many friends and acquaintances were out and about, it made for a great day, as anticipated. Brad had to split, and rachael had to work, so the 3hree of us went home, chilled out and played some cards.

later that night we decided to go out and bar hop again, but B had hit a wall, and after a few hours of playing poker and rummy, she went to bed. Rachael , Pat and I went out, over happy's where the big daddy blues band was playing. they were great... a bunch of older, tight musicians, a little grey in thier hair, and had the chops to play all kinds of music. Rach and i danced all night, and i even snuck a dance in with cherise, who was there with a bunch of folks. infact, i think everyone was there... it was just a great night, a lot of good vibes, and good peeps. best of the night came when pat got up on stage with the band and got a few solo shots and fills on his harmonica. he met the band at a break, and in typical musician fashion, got to play...

we closed the bar down, to the sound of elizabeth saying" uncle pat, you were really great!" and in this town, being B's uncle is like having the keys to the city...

Sunday am came as quickly... and B had to work. pat and i and brad, the 3hree mouse-cateers hung out the bar with her through out her shift, eating eats and drinking drinks, and as soon as she got off work, we b-zounced out to otter rock to catch louie, frankie, and jerome! pat also sat in with them for a while, and we all danced and again... had a great time (kinda gets redundant huh.... we go out, we dance, have a great time! i love living here. i love my wife and family. i love our friends. just had to say that)

as the sun went down, legends followed happys, and as the town still had the big party spirit in play, we sat at the bar, and ran into folks we had met on friday, like pat murphy, and his buddy kevin. at some point, a shot of tequila was chased by some blasters of red bull and jager... and then monday morning came. i woke pat up about 4our-ish so he could get back to fresno, and i went back to sleep until about 730.

and harborfest 2003 came to a close.

-c

2003-10-08T09:12:00.000-07:00
see... i told you so

well, actually smitty pointed it out first, but it bears repeating

2003-09-29T15:15:00.000-07:00
interesting service from Mickey and Minnie

Disney launches MovieBeam in 3 markets - 2003-09-29 - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals

so between stuff like this, netflix, TiVo... i really dont have much use for network tv

-c

2003-09-26T16:04:00.000-07:00
have you ever...

felt like this?

2003-09-26T09:17:00.000-07:00
another musician... another sad day

Yahoo! News - Rocker Robert Palmer Dead

2003-09-18T16:59:00.000-07:00
tihs is a tlite aera

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Fcuknig amzanig huh?

-c

2003-09-12T09:13:00.000-07:00
"nothing is as macho as johnny cash's voice" -bono
johnny cash died. not really sure what to say. i saw him once, at a show in reno of all places. it was a good show, not a great show, but it was just the sound of his voice that lifted the performance for me. that deep, dark, and humble voice, combining power, mystery, anger and love. when he sang, heartbreak spilled from his throat. and such a staggering presence, tall, handsome, intimidating. he shot a man. in reno. just to watch him die.

i also went to memphis with B one year. i didnt want to go to graceland. we went to sun studios, where johnny recorded. i sat on a bench out side the front door, imagining that johnny had sat there too. i dont remember who turned me on to johnny cash. maybe it was just something i discovered on my own. but i am glad i did. crazy... i find that as i type this, thinking about it, that i get a lump in my throat. i guess his music andimage meant more to me that i recognized. ya knew his time had to come at some point. but why now?

the king is dead.
long live the king.

-c

2003-09-09T13:59:00.000-07:00
just a few snaps from the ol' camera

tea party time b and mahala b and heather

what i am beginning to realize is that when you have the camera, you dont get to have any photos of yourself with pretty women. i am gonna have to work on that...

-c

2003-09-02T10:03:00.000-07:00
due to technical difficulties

actually its financial oversite, but i let my .Mac account run out, so there are some images, links that are not working. I should have things back on line by next pay check....

stay tuned for photos of B at a t party, stories of random drunkness, and trucks!

-c

2003-08-30T13:21:00.000-07:00
overheard
bethany: "i like this makeup"
christopher: "really. what's it called?"
bethany: "MakeUp for Ever."
christopher: " oh."
Bethany: "they dont make it anymore."

-c

2003-08-28T22:06:00.000-07:00
note to self

bisexuals are the new black

2003-08-28T09:52:00.000-07:00
and then marya said

"monkey, did you ride your skateboard to work today?"

i guess you needed to be there.
as i was!
-c

2003-08-28T09:49:00.000-07:00
on instant messenger and other stuff

right now it is 9:00 am PST. i am at my desk at work, doing a document for a client, but also mutlitasking as well. see... michael, my little brother (younger brother) is on IM with me from HK. its kinda funny, but when we were growing up, and thru the years, i really dont think we have talked as often as we have in the last couple. i can remeber when people were complaining about the web, and email, and VM and such, that it was going to be the end of direct communication. i actually believe, and have seen, it to be different. sure, we type conversations in fragments, in abreviations and in phrases rather than sentences. yeah, we leave disjointed vm and send 3 sentence emails. but i have also sat at dinner tables where people havent even talked to each other. (not my family of course.. if you know the smiths, you know we love to talk). i guess the point i am trying to make is that i love the short emails. i love the IMs. i love the fact that someone is thinking of me, and pops open a window and says hello. i love the fact that i can do the same. so smitty is in HK, pappa goodrich is in HI, Maha is in sacto, B is in MB, and marya is right across the hall.

but somehow, they are all in the same room with me.

-c

2003-08-18T09:39:00.000-07:00
ok. time to get dressed

somedays i have a hard time figuring out what to wear, especially when my wife isnt home. so i just go here for a little inspiration.

-c

2003-08-18T09:06:00.000-07:00
and then Mahala said....

ok, so i dont know if any of you have felt it, but i know that B and I and Maha have...

there is some strange happenings happening right now with Mars being so close to the earth, and with that great big full moon the other night. Bethany and I have felt the efects of that big red planetand i must say "i like it!" Maha, on the other hand, seems to be feeling the ill effects of it all, as are some of her friends. i did some poking around on the web googling the influence of mars in taurus and pisces, and was pretty amazed at what it was saying about us.

here is the facts though: At 5:51 a.m. Aug. 27, Mars will be closer to Earth than any time since 57,617 BC. The two planets will be 34,646,418 miles apart.

on another note, we had another perfect weekend. living in paradise isnt all that great. living in morro bay, now that is paradise!

-c

2003-08-12T10:57:00.000-07:00
other people's blogs
i read a lot of blogs. smitty. marya's. and i often read jeffery veen's. i enjoy seeing how a person's job influences the way they think... or does the way they think enfluence the jobs they persue...

i need to get to work and think about that

-c

2003-08-11T21:06:00.000-07:00
back to school

for those of you who do not subscribe to wired, you really need to know about this. MIT has begun to make all of its courseware available online, free of charge. This idea could possibly change the world.

i am going to begin taking a course in product design from the school of management.

Really, you should check this out. go pick up wired. read.

-c

2003-08-11T13:23:00.000-07:00
earth. wind. and fire
is there a better band? if you dont feel it, you just dont feel.

B and I went out thursday for burritos and movies. We had the killer tri-tip burrito from the roach coach, but what made it taste better was that we snuck it into the movies to see Pirates of the Caribbean. and again, when i grow up i wanna be johnny depp.. or at least jack sparrow. I loved the movie, loved the acting, loved the girl, loved the story, loved the burrito. It was funny, not silly. It made me want to watch. the special effects were spot on, not overdone (hello george lucas? you reading this...?). the story was simple, yet complex enuff to keep you guessing at what would happen next (george?). The acting was not smothered by the fx. might have to buy this one. now i know what keith richards did before the stones.

B and I had a rocking weekend! pushing the limits, demonstrating excessive behavior when ever possible. And we never even left our neighborhood! oh yeah, my brother got married this week. nathan and ashley snuck off to the biggest little city in the world to deal into lifes biggest gamble. The payoffs can be great kids... i can vouch for that, but sometimes they carry a price too. Advice to the newlyweds. fold often, fold early. be patient. read those around you. and when you push it all in, and fourth st kicks the shit out of you, theres always tomorrow. Good Luck, and if you two need any advice you have 4 brothers that would love to tell you what to do.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately, mostly papers of how designers are reacting to the world's events, and how we might be able to help change the world. At work, we are getting better shots at bigger projects and i am having to think a lot. But it is cool, because i am using that grey matter again. And i have quit smoking (again) and will start running again as soon as i can catch my breath. I think the increased level of work product is making me think of raising the bar in my personal life too. Dont be suprised if ol' christopher, well, suprises you. lots of ideas on the horizon, and its time i make a stand with a few of them.

I love my wife. she is making me stronger each day i know her. she challenges me to be better and many days i need that. a lot of times people say you should do things for yourself, be self motivated and be self healing. but you know what... it is an amazing feeling when you do things for someone else. try it today. you'll see what i mean.

-c

2003-08-03T17:32:00.000-07:00
SPEED

how i spent my saturday

-c

2003-07-29T18:06:00.000-07:00
well, that didn't work

not sure why i think this is funny.

trust me.

it is

2003-07-29T17:37:00.000-07:00
of all the bars in all the towns, you had to stumble into mine

so last week, the 19th was the 4year mark to the day i met B. we returned to the scence of the crime, and actually sat in the same chair i was in when i met her. yes, we are a little sentimental, but you have to remember where we were coming from. Our meeting was perhaps the biggest thing in our collective experiences, and we really dig our lives!

Sunday last was our 1ne year anniversary! Many of you who check this blog periodically were at the wedding, and i want you to know that B and I are holding up (and exceeding) our promises to each other, and to you. We are having so much fun in live and love, and can remember life without each other (sort of). Our celebration kicked off in style, and we parties like the rock stars we are. We took a crusie on Tiger's Folly, a little sunday morning champagne brunch around the bay,

followed by Video Games and a drink (2) at GafCo, then cocktails at Rose's, followed by cocktails at OtterRock, where we met. The boys were playing, Louie, Frankie and Jerome,

and we danced, and laughed, and visited with people who knew us when we were just dating. Bethany was as radiant as ever. Warning: be sure to eat large quantities of greasy foods, like nachos, before spending the day drinking cuba libre's. wished we would have taken our own advice, but by the end of the day, not only did we liberate a small island country, but we were fluent in espanol as well.

We received some pretty cool gifts as well, and we thank you all! Not only is your taste impeccable, but your generosity and support for us has been outstanding. So now we are looking forward to the next big milestone in our lives, the start of football season.

Work is good, lots of proposals on the table, and we (Web Associates) are poised to take another leap forward in who we are as a company. it is exciting here.

Life is great. Lula and Jo are funny as ever. This weekend, after some meetings in the Bay area, we are taking mom and dad to the grand national drag races at sears point. Maha is coming down as well to spend some time with us. Two words: SUN SCREEN

oh, almost forgot.. i killed a gopher! finally got one of those rat bastards (bastard rats?) He was decomposing in the tunnel, and it was too icky to take the trap off of his smashed little head, so we tossed him and the hardware.

well... in closing i just have one word to say:
goodbye

2003-07-09T08:34:00.000-07:00
sucking at this bloggin' thing

i spend my day in front of a computer, typing away. is it the only excuse i have left for not keeping up my blog?

yes.

now i have used up all my excuses. and i am trying to quit smoking.

again.

so i am crabby.

-c

2003-06-29T09:41:00.000-07:00
another sunday morning

i am off to seattle today, this afternoon to attend NECC. I am already missing my chick. add to that the fact she has to work today, so we cant spend any time together before i leave. and it is foggy in MB. you get the picture.

yesterday we did some honest to goodness yard work. cleared out all the weeds in the front of the house. sure looks better....

i hear stirring in our bedroom... B might be waking... i'll get back to you soon. gotta run.

-c

2003-06-22T11:38:00.000-07:00
everything old is new again....

so its been a really really long time since i posted anything. kinda figured out why...

i am very happy. and i think that i was posting like a madman when i need a place to rant, som area of therapy where i could blurb my head off, and get some air in my brain and figure shit out.

and ya know... i've figured it out. well, most of it. here is some things i do know:

i love my wife. she makes every breath of air richer, and deeper and filled with so much joy and anticipation and desire and excitement that sometimes i just like to sit next to her and breathe.

i like my job. i am again using my brain, my words, my ability to think. i enjoy getting up each day (well, most days) and figuring out what comes after what comes next. i am building new relationships with clients, and expanding on old ones with my friends at work.

morro bay is the best place on earth. when i left noCal, and moved here, one half desperation, one half expectation, and one half divine guidance. there were times i so badly wanted to move from this shitty little fishing village with its shitty little fish and chip joints, shitty bars, and, did i mention, shitty foggy weather and the wind coming off the ocean. well, i can tell you that i have found a home here in morro bay. and so morro bay, i apologize for all that i said behind your back.

i wake up each morning and walk into the living room, open the blinds, and let the sun slip across the carpet, warming the room left chilled by the brisk ocean breeze. i then run my hands thru the rumpled mess of hair, on my way to the dining room, where i look out the picture window at the rock, and the ocean, and the lemon tree. my backyard. i turn back toward the bedroom, gather a towel, almost awake now and step into the bathroom, turning the water on high and hot. i pull back the curtain, step into a stream of water and realize that i am a swordboat captain....

oh.
nevermind. wrong story. anyway.. i love morro bay. i hope to live here for a very long time.

i can also tell you that family has never been more important to me than right now. i dont get to see my folks much, but i do talk to them more than ever. gary is still in oahu, but we use our free weekend minutes to call him there. we saw michael in sf, went to sushi and drank sake-tinis, before he returned to hong kong. we talk to karen now and again, and mark and UB. pat the hat was a recent visitor, surprising us with a trip over from the valley on the same weekend that marty and suzie were here. i think you get the picture. family is cool. i can't wait to have one of my own.

i will try to keep this more current. i really didnt realize how many of you actually read it. so i will again make it a goal to write a little bit about us, especially now that we are in a happy place in life.

a man once said if you give a man a fish he will eat for a day. if you teach him to fish he will eat for a long time. but if you move to a fishing village on the central coast, and marry a beautiful loving woman who happens to be tending bar at the best fish and chips house on the waterfront you can have your fish, and a beer too.

which is what i think i will do.

-c

2003-05-17T09:53:00.000-07:00
today is your birthday

actually, yesterday was my birthday.
i am 39.
and i am very , very happy.
more later.

-c

2003-05-03T08:10:00.000-07:00
not happy with Blogger right now

somehow, blogger just ate my month of april. check the archive if you need to ketchup.

i am going for a cup o joe
-c

2003-05-02T10:52:00.000-07:00
about 11 more years till i am 50

so it is friday, its raining in the central coast and it is very hard to get my head wrapped around work today. We are making plans to go to E3 again this year, and i am making biz dev calls today. Things at work are great though, lots of opportunites in the channel, just need to drop the big hammer on 'em and close 'em up!

lots of stuff happening for us lately. MB is a great place to live, and we have lots of friends swinging by, having beers and such. Its a really nice change from the dungeon that seattle was. B got a little project at CalPoly. She is going to be producing a brochure for the Dairy Dept there. Should be fun for her. She is the guest bartender at Happy's this weekend for the Car Show. Come by and let Miss B rev your motor and rotate your tires!!

I have become rather addicted to the gals at suicidegirls There is something quite cool about chicks, tats, and nipple rings that i haven't quite put my finger on (so to speak) Also,
-c

2003-03-25T15:47:00.000-08:00
you know you are in California when....

you spend your saturday morning at a driving range... a bucket of balls and a cup o joe. a lite lunch with your wife sitting outside in the sun, followed by 18 at Hunter's Ranch. Couldnt have picked a better day to golf with Buck for his B'day. Never played Hunter, and my putting looked like i never played at all. my score matched my tee time, but i dranks some beers and smoked some fags, and struck some balls and clubbed some.... anyway... the golf was good.

So we got our house in MB. i will have photos up soon, but we move in this weekend. So we will finally get to settle in a little more, unpack the cat and the dog, and let the fish out of the suitcase. Gary came out for B's Birthday, and we went to Wildhorse for a great 96 Zin.

so... B is looking into a gig at the IAMB where Brookaliscious works, tending bar for a while. just till we get over the hump again of the move. but things are very good here, and we are very optimistic about it all.

Still listening to: Groove Armada - Love Box

-c

2003-03-20T11:43:00.000-08:00
just press copy

so i am sitting in a starbucks in san raphael, drinking my 4th grande whatever, only this time iced. I feel like tweak from SP. i am wireless with the iBook, and am sorrounded by socccermoms and coeds and businessmen all doing the same exact thing. there are a total of 16 people in the store sitting down, and 7 of them are typing away, most like connected and all drinking coffee. its strange to be doing this...

i am sitting here, and there is a bombing raid going on in bagdad, and i am going to a meeting to talk to a guy about some stuff for some people. and i miss my wife. Stayed at Acqua lst night. Very cool little boutique hotel in mill valley. i am gonna stay there when we come up for some sears point races. It is part of the joie de vivre hotel group, wich also includes the pheonix in the city. I imagine we will be staying there as well. The rooms are very modern, minimal, with big fluffy beds and mint shampoo. very Standard. which seems to be setting the, well, standard.

Best video out there right now is Everclear's Volvo Driving Soccer Mom.

Whats on my iPod you ask?
LoveBox - Groove Armada (thanks babe)
100th Window - Massive Attack
wearing a groove in the tracks, especially the GA record.

ok. off to lunch... San Jose Taquieria... they just dont get any better than deep fried pork in a corn tortilla!
-c

2003-03-13T15:50:00.000-08:00
Hippo Birdy Two Ewes....

Tomorrow is B's Birthday. Not sure what we are doing, dinner with friends and fam, cocktails, asprin and a good nights rest. or not.
Gary got into town from hawaii, flew in on the red eye and boy were his...um.... eyes red. Good to see him. He is down stairs snoring like a madman.

We looked at a couple of houses. I like them both for opposite reasons. One is a cute little place in DT MB, the other is on the strand, and is a totally party house. not sure which we can have, but i'll take either one. That is the last BIG thing on the list. Got a formal offer on a director of strategy gig yesterday. Gonna review it with B and then most likely sign. Duh! Great gig! What i really wanted, and one i can really add value with. More on it later.

For some reason the archives are not updating... i'll get to that soon. lots of great stuff in there for those who arent up to date with what is going on. Anyway... Do you want to know what i got B for her birthday... Do ya? I got her a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. " Alex, I'd like to buy a vowel " Tell ya about it after tomorrow. Not sure if she even reads this, but jic.

btw. I am very happy. and am sleeping much better. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. They have been working.

-c

2003-03-11T08:30:00.000-08:00
On sun, beaches, more sun, fish tacos, and..... sun

we made it home. crazy drive though, ripping down the I-5 in a 17 foot truck, pulling a car. My balloon knot was in a , well,.... a knot! It is amazing how sketchy you can be when you are rolling down Shasta Grade pinched between a cab over Pete' with a refer on and a Jimmy haulin' logs. Anyway. First night we stayed in Portland with Karen and had a great time. Actually hung out till about 2 the next day. Then it was off to medford. was gonna try to make a run for the border, but 6 hours of driving that thing really frazzled me. The next morning we did something really smart. We bought some battery operated speakers so we could use the iPod in the truck. I havent found a good FM transciever for car use yet, so at Fred Meyer we hooked up some little Sony speakers and 'TA-DA' static free music from Medford to A-town.

Crossing the border into California was really surreal. You had a strong sense that you were in Cali, and not just from the signs that said "welcome to...", or the better freeway surface, or the Orca painted CHP cars. We felt it. California. it had to be the cheese. From the border, another long 7 hours in the drivers seat to Roseville, where we stopped to see Marty and Suzie and saw Gina play soccer. Then off to Maha and K's for some dinner at Bandera in Sac. Took a cab for obvious reasons. More on Bandera later. Good story there.

Friday morning we walked to Lucky for some breakfast with K and M, then off to TGIF with my 'rents. Michael was in town, on his way from florida to hong kong, and drove up from the city to have lunch before he had to go back the HK. Nathan swung by too, and showed us his back hair. Had a really good time with everyone. It's kinda strange, the older i get, the cooler my folks are. Go figure.

Finally, at about 130 we got back on the road and did the final push into Atascadero. We went to Brad's, and after washing some of the road off, unhooked the car and went into Morro Bay to finalize the journey. We went to the Inn at MB to see Brooke.

SO... for the past few days, we have been in MB loking for a house, and today i am talking with some folks about a gig. Things are on the move! I will update you all a little more later. I am off to make some coffee. But fyi....

"there is no place like home" - dorothy

-c

2003-02-28T14:00:00.000-08:00
California here we come! Right back where we started from!

so the wheels are in motion... we get a truck on the 4th in the am, hope to be packed and out the door that night, or by first light of the 5th. South to Portland. Stop in and say hello to Karen. Head for the border. South. Crossing that oregon/cali border willbe like a stone lifting off my back. And then it is south... to sacramento... check in with the 'rents, the bros and K and M. Sushi... sake... mmmmm

then the final push into the CC, thru SF, king city, finally atascadero to uncle brads. I can finally say that i am very happy about leaving. I battled it for a while, thinking that we failed... but ya know, if a suit coat doesnt fit in the shoulders, no amount of tailoring is gonna make it work. your will end up in a straight jacket by the time the alterations are finished.

more on the trip home later. and a really big thanks to those who made seattle bearable:
Matt, Grant, Anna, Brian, and Nick, B's trainer, and the sexiest trainer in seattle! Thanks folks. you always have a floor to sleep on as long as we have a floor.

-c

2003-02-25T14:59:00.000-08:00
Elvis has left the building

So we are calling it quits here in Seattle. It just is not the right town for us. From day one, dear reader, you have seen us struggle at trying to live in this city, fighting for cabs, getting lost, dealing with the gloom....

Well, we have decided to move back to SUNNY California! Back to Morro Bay where we first met. Back to 3 stacks and a rock. Back to Brooke. We dont even know what we are going to do when we get there... but we do know that we just do not want to live any longer in Seattle.

Uncle Brad is letting us stay with him for a month or two, until we find work and a house. We are packing the boxes the remainder of the week, and should be on the road March 1. So many things to do now... and as usual... we'll keep ya posted.

"Oh Auntie Em... theres no place like home!"

-c

2003-02-19T14:21:00.000-08:00
things to do in Denver when you're dead...

OK, so i am not in Denver, but i am still stuck in Seattle. And I might as well be dead. lets see...it rains everyday, the sun rarely comes out, i have formed an allergy to all the indoor dust that accumulated due to the closed windows and electric heaters, Bethany isnt sleeping well and... the mexican food here sucks ass.

Bethany however is a great cook... last night she made fish tacos. Beer battered atlantic cod, shredded cabbage and a tangy little dill sauce wrapped by a white corn tortilla... mmmm good!

Oh yeah, regarding the night we had on Valentine's day cuz i know you are dying to live vicariously through us... so here is the ingredients:

georgeous wife
victoria's secret apparel
cosmopolitans
sugar rubbed pork (insert joke here)
spinach (for better vision)
a variety of adult oriented programming

take a few parts of that and some more of this and a pinch of the others. mix thoughly. heat rapidly, then stir gently and let simmer.
repeat.

did i mention the sheep skin rug? I always forget to do that.

-c

i al

2003-02-12T13:28:00.000-08:00
overheard...

in the men's room at a seattle bistro-
"dude, your mom thinks I'm hot. She kept staring at me, and gave me extra pie this morning"
"she doesnt dig you man, that pie is like 9 days old."
"yeah, but pie for breakfast - beats a salami sandwich"

and listened to...

Whats on my iPod for Valentines Day?

Kylie Minogue - Love At First Sight
Gloria Estefan - Por un Beso
Zero 7 - Destiny
Van Halen - Dance The Night Away
Prince - Gett Off
U2 - Unchained Melody
The Police - Roxxanne
Elvis Costello - Spooky Girlfriend
Rolling Stones - Lets Spend the Night Together
Nirvana - Come as Your Are

bonus track:
Lyle Lovett: If You Were To Wake Up

-c

2003-02-11T07:49:00.000-08:00
on why i love my wife, and other things close to my heart

its kind of hard some days, ya know. I havent taken to seattle like i thought, neither has B. And we have pretty much thrown in the towel of ever feeling like we like it here.

"some days are dry. some days are leaky." - U2

Yesterday was one of those days. the leaky kind. We beat seattle up like the red-headed step child it is, as cities go. And... to make matters worse, over the weekend we saw Sweet Home Alabama, cuz i like chick flicks and Reese and I used to be hot and heavy. Well, she is hot, and i am heavy (at 170lbs this is about as big as i get!)

Anyway. The movie sucked ass. Even cute little reese couldnt help a bad script, bad costar and bad accent. We sat thru it just cringing. what was worse was that we had such high hopes for it... but alas. In fact, we saw three movies this weekend, Mulholland Drive, Catch Me, and Sweet Poop Alabama. (B and I have taken a fancy to the words poop and poo. I think it is the seattle sound influence. you know that sound dont you? It is the sound of your social life being flushed down the toilet of boredom, mediocrity, and bad flannels)

Mulholland Drive.... even the lesbian scenes couldnt make the story comprehensible. No matter how many times i rewound the movie to that part where the girl was on top of the other girl on the couch, and then she took her shirt off and they made out. I watch that about 40 times, and still, I could figure out how the little old people from the limo shrunk into keebler elves at the end, or WTF was with Twinkies, or who was the crazy one, the brunette (see HOT!) the blonde (see hot wacko) or David Lynch (see really wacko).

Catch Me If You Can was fun. Well paced, good performances all around. Best part of the flick though was the opening titles. This should win an art direction award. Leo, who i really hated in that movie about with big boat hitting an icebrick, and the so predictable ending, actually did a good job in CMIYC.

So, Back to why i love my wife...

Have you ever spent 78 straight hours with someone, without more than a couple minutes away from them? Have you ever been taken to unbelievable hieghts of passion, desire and downright lust by the fairer of the sexes? Have you ever had moments of silence that were so perfect that to try to describe them here would actually interupt even the memory of the moment like an airhorm in a gym? Have you ever looked into the face of compasion, and commitment, and love? Have you ever sat on a sheepskin rug, eating killer chinese food, watching Joe Millionaire with a 6'0 tall raven haired woman that makes you want to go out and do all things right, but you never want to leave her side long enough to actually put some shoes on and get out into the world? Have you ever spent 5 minutes with my wife?

then you understand how i am feeling.

-c

2003-02-06T10:02:00.000-08:00
Nothing up my sleave... Presto!

So last night was magical!. I mean literally. We went to our salsa classes last night, and again, we did well, but we really need some real floor time as to get our rhythm and flow and comfort levels up. But all in all i would highly recommend Salsa classes for anyone who wants to dance. Just stick with it. It is hard the first few weeks, but it is really a gas when things start to come together. more on that later...

After class, we go to Wallingford to hook up with B's trainer Nick (who deserves a HUGE shout out for the work he is doing with B. Nick, I for one, thank you) and with Brian and Sonjia. We stopped into Al's on 45th across from Taco Time. They stand us up (nice!), but I get to meet Whinnie, a really sweet bartender, and Jason, who sells large format boats, like cutters. Really nice guy who encouraged us to hang in there, Seattle aint that bad... but that he so wants to move to the southwest west! lol.

But truely the highlight of the night, well, the parts i can speak of in this semipublic forum (wink wink, nudge nudge, know-what-i-mean...) was meeting Cliff Gustafson!

Cliff is a magician's magician. A Prestidigitator! He was dressed in a tuxedo, a dapper gentleman, who would move from patron to patron amazing them with slieght of hand, card tricks, misdirections and should I dare say it.... MAGIC!

He did it all... "guess which card..", " is this your card...", "and whats under here.." At one point he even turned a penny into a dime! But he highlight of the tricks for me was the popping card trick. He had me choose a card from a stack, and write our names on it in big black marker. I picked out the Ace of spades (duh) and, after writing, slipped it back into the deck. Cliff shuffled, riffled and cut, and then wrapped the deck with a FAT PINK rubber band. He said some magic words like" ok, here we go" and then BLAM! Our card, the Ace of Spades, jumped to the ceiling of the bar, sticking on the surface, so that we can see the writing. And the rest of the cards fell to the floor, still bundled up by the rubber band. And if you were to go there today, it will be on the ceiling staring back at ya!

If you ever need a Magician, you can email Cliff . I recommend it!

2003-02-04T13:28:00.000-08:00
As heard on TV

"I couldn't pay attention to what she was saying, I was too busy staring at her chest." - Joe Millionaire

-c

2003-02-03T08:05:00.000-08:00
Chicago.

yep. its the real deal. Enjoyed every minute of it, especially the last scene where rene's legs go ALL THE WAY UP to there.... i have always like her, but never found her as sexy as in the final dance number as Roxie. Speaking of dance numbers...

The whole movie was a dance fest. Strong steps and moves by everyone, expecially CZJ (meow!, here kitty kitty). The vixens from the chorus were smoking as well. I plan on buying this one when it comes out, and most definetly will see it again n the theatres.

What i found most interesting though was the way the transitions from song and dance number were brought back into the story as film. I saw the stage production of Chicago in LV a few years back. After each dance number, there is typically an applause, but not in the movie houses. So the interconnection of the performance pieces and the storyline was very important, so as not to leave a void in the film. If you havent seen it yet, go this week. If you have, go this week again!

oh yeah, its raining in seattle. go figure.

Whats on your iPod? I need to know.

-c

2003-01-30T14:45:00.000-08:00
Dancin' Dancin' Dancin' ! ! !

Last night was a breakthru for us dancing machines... los máquinas que bailan. We stopped at Tango for some Mojitos before the lesson, and then, for some reason, did very well! I was really stoked, because we have been frustrated as of late. Last night thought, we even were able to do the more complex steps and turns, a very sexy turn that wraps us in each others arms and mmmmm...

So i am really looking forward to another lesson. We have decided to continue in the series...

Work is going really well too. I have hit a stride with productivity, and am treating my role much differently than before. I have grown more confident on the fone and seem to be saying more relevant things, as meetings are getting scheduled.... now if i just remember what i said?

for the record... joe should pick zora. kimberly should win idol, and Gwen and Jilliane should go on a doubledate with B and I.... (and yes, Virginia, there is a SantaClaus)

(wearing a groove in Phantom Planet's 'the guest')

-c

2003-01-28T15:32:00.000-08:00
If you are reading this...
Shout it out, or just email me right now.

-c

2003-01-28T07:07:00.000-08:00
What am i doing up at this hour?

its 6:45 on a tuesday morning and i am already in the office. and that sucks because i left my beautiful woman in bed with 2wo other girls (Lula and Josephine... cat and dog). I have picked up a wicked sinus since moving to seattle, and so i am off to the doctor's this morning to see about my sinuses, which have been obstructed as of late. The finger just aint cutting it anymore, so maybe i'll get some drugs to clear it.

So we went out the other night for the battle of the bands, and although we had a good time, we didnt have a great time. It is so strange. New years eve we danced around and wiggled and jiggled and had a blast in the salsa room. But now, armed with only 3 lessons, we get frustrated with each other when we dance, and it begins to spoil the evening, I am not yet a good lead, and B is not yet a good follow. I think that we just dont know enough to really dance how we want. We watch all these great couples who are ripping up the floor, and then i lead B right into my foot, stubbing her toe on my shoe. And we are equipped with about 4 turns, and 2 cross body leads, but i cant get to each one quick enuff, so we have to go back to a basic before i can turn her. I am dancing like fred (mertz, not astaire). So i have made a commitment to myself to practice, and even take some extra lessons to become a better lead. More on that as it develops.

Whats on my iPod you ask?

Tie up my hands - Star Sailor
Androgony - Garbage
So Easy - Röyksopp
California - Phantom Planet
Gett Off - Prince
Big in Japan - Tom Waits
More than This - Charlie Hunter with Nora Jones
Blue Monday - Flunk
You're So Vain - Carly Simon
Levon - Elton John

but I cant really talk about it.

But i can tell you, i miss California.

-c

2003-01-23T14:37:00.000-08:00
" and on the 5 you should have your weight on your front foot.... your own front foot'

OK... let me first apologize for all times i thought i was a good dancer. Now that B and I are taking Salsa lessons here in Seattle.... i am unlearning all the things i learned from great dance movies like Lambada! or that one with Cheyenne and Venessa Williams, or even that movie with that girl and the midget who met in the barnyard in.... oops... wrong movie.

So, at first we struggled. I was wimping out in the lead role, and not owning our floor space. B was frustrated because she wasn't being led. but... last night, we had a much better night of it. Things, though not yet perfect, are beginnning to come together. I am working to be a stronger lead, and not be such a pantywaist, and B is giving me constructive criticism and support, like "Push me!" "Harder!" "Quicker" "Do it Faster!!!"

[smoke break]

This saturday, we are going to the century ballroom, where we are taking classes, for a battle of the salsa bands. and gosh darn it, i am having a lot of fun again in life. it is amazing what a little backbone, confidence, honesty, love and a dirty martini can do for you!

till we meat, again.
-c

2003-01-22T10:16:00.000-08:00
Secret Agent Man

Ok.... i must admit that when i was growing up, i wanted to be a secret agent. Bond. James Bond. And i have a thing for Miss MoneyPenny (especially post Timothy Dalton Bond, played by Samantha Bond...hmmmm). I always knew that there was a whole lot more to the quiet, demure woman behind the desk...

I am one of those rare individuals whom have finally, finally, realized thier childhood dream. I am a Secret Agent Man!. I first found out about Agent Provacateur from an article in some fashion mgazine that was disguising itself as porn. I ordered the AP catalogue (spelled that way cuz its european). It came packaged like a very large deck of cards, resplendent with scantily clad models posing in knickers (again, european... although i have taken a fancy to the word knickers.)

And now that i have married a woman that looks great in damn near next to nothing... i think i shall spend more time looking for damn near next to nothing. i could spend my time doing worse ya know....

-c

2003-01-20T15:41:00.000-08:00
"I'm not bad, I just dress that way...."

For those of you who are big fans of HBO's Sex and the City, you already know that Carrie Bradshaw is a shoe whore, and i mean that in the most admiring way. Those of you who know me know i have a thing for shoes, especially high heels, and usually worn by my wife! So you can imagine my pleasure, our pleasure, when B found these pumps by Marc Jacobs.

And with us taking Salsa classes, she is gonna continue to be one sharp looking dame... (he says reaching for dimes for her dance card).

more on the salsa lessons later...
-c

2003-01-17T16:25:00.000-08:00
I found a really good fotographer (yeah, like i discovered him...)
ira lippke

-c

2003-01-17T09:02:00.000-08:00
'...brought to you by the letter E, the number 3 and a variety of helper apps..."

What an interesting week it has been. not a lot of sleep, not sure why. I think the Vegas trip actually knocked me off my game for a while...BUT I AM BACK BABY!

speaking of vegas, i was recently reminded of a turn at the roulette tables... I was doing well, up about 5 bucks and thought i felt a lucky streak coming on... so i reached into my pocket and digging deep, tossed a photo of my wife on black. I figured...man, if having 1ne bethany is great, imagine having 2wo. The marble tosser guy just looked at me and said " sir?" so i said "Money plays on the line!" and he said "Sir, that is a photograph. I need you to remove it from the table." I bet if he would have seen my wife in person... the bet would have stood.

Speaking of my wife... keep it down to a whisper.

This week brought to you by:
Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska
Buddha Bar IV
Buddha Bar Paris
Back to mine: Faithless
Badly Drawn Boy: have you fed the fish today
Beattles: Revolver
Beck: Sea Change
Blondie: Best of
Boy George: A night in with Boy George
Coldplay: A rush of blood...
Curtis Mayfield: Superfly
DJ Shadow: endtroducing...
Duran Duran: Greatest
Eminem: the eminem show
Foo Fighters: There is nothing left to lose
Johnny Cash: live at san quentin
Kylie Minogue: Fever
Lazy Dog: Vol1 Disc 1
Lyle Lovett: anthology
Massive attack: Protection
Missy Elliot: underconstruction
Nirvana: NeverMind
No Doubt Rock Steady
Norah Jones: come away with me
Prince: Best of...
Sondre Lerche: Faces Down
Star Sailor: Love is here
Wallflowers: Red letter days
U2: all that you cant leave behind
U2: pop
U2: Zooropa
Ultra Chilled: 03
Willie Nelson: Teatro
Zero 7: simple things

and Bethany.
-c

2003-01-13T11:12:00.000-08:00
random quote

"sometimes God will mumble/But the devil always enunciates" - Rob Jugklas, memphis blues singer

speaking of...

run, dont walk to your nearest record store (CD's will work as well) and get one of the Buddha Bar collection Buddha Bar IV subtitled DInner and Drink. Global down tempo at its best. Also, if you are following michael's journies in the far east, he recommended the Morcheba downtempo collection in the Back to Mine series. All of the discs in that series are great. The idea is to have musicians create a 'mix tape' of the music they would spin once the return home, as it were. There are some great aural nuggets to be found in the series.

Also, the Punta Del Este Sunset disc is a great addition to your global downtempo. It is an eclectic collection of the sunset vibe from Uruguay. It is the Ibiza of Argentinians, Brazilians, Peruvians, and recently some Americans. This collection is the live performances by A Man Called Adam in January 2001 at Sunset. Listen to it anytime, especially while holding a mojito in one hand, and your muse in the other.

-c

2003-01-13T10:22:00.000-08:00
cutting class on a monday am

just returned from the 2003 CES in Vegas. actually came home sat night, as I missed my wife (as gary pointed out... she must be one hot woman to bring me home from vegas early!) It was an interesting trip. I went there with some ZAAZ folks, as we had some product and service tie ins with our clients: SPOT. I was there on a biz dev mission, and was really suprised at the amount of facetime and real opportunity that was available to me. People wanted to talk, they wanted to hear, and best of all they wanted to talk to me after the show. This week will be spent lining up those opportunites, and hopefully creating some new clients.

who says size doesnt matter...

everywhere at CES the theme was the same... if you need to use it.... make it smaller. if you need to view it, make it bigger. amazing array of flat panel HDTV from every vendor in that space. also, historically audio focused cos are kicking out AV products. and convergence is still king. multi function pda/devices were everywhere, and they were difficult to see, as the form factor and ID of the newest micro devices continues to become smaller. UI and UE seem to be reaching a new level of next gen maturity, as product design is beginning to catch up with the HCI needs. i show you examples of the sweet products, but of course my digital camera is as big as a breadbox and CES has a no BB policy.

VEGAS BABY!!! V E G A S....

:: did not attend the AVNs, although at every turn there were strippers and pornstars in hotel lobbies, clubs and casinos. even shared a taxi queue with one.
:: did gamble, but not much. 3 was (still) my lucky number. played roulette for a while, pink slipped my last 5 bones on 3 and hit! payed $175. that gave me enough motivation to loose it all at a crap table. later hit 140 in a dollar slots with a mild investment of 20, but, again, needed to use the 'earnings' as WAM (walking around money). so needless to say, no jingle-jingle-jingle on the flight home.
:: i desperately needed to us a restroom, the only one which was unoccupied in the downtown/freemont area was in a smaller, skankier topless bar. it took me about 60 minutes and about 6 cocktails to finally find my way out. but i am nothing if not persistent.
:: one thing i can say... vegas was less fun that i anticipated, mostly because i realize that my wing man is B, and i really needed her there to enjoy the sites and sounds. inside jokes are much less funny when you are mumbling things to yourself. maha put it best...."with out B there, you couldnt strut around..." not my fault i have a big ego and size 10 shoes.... well... 9 1/2 in the winter.

And how about those gold pantied pansies.... guess i'll have to root for the jets...um, the falcons...or um well... anyone but DAHRAYDAHS

more...
later....
-c

2003-01-07T11:20:00.000-08:00
rectum... damn near killed him!

gross out on a monday night. Since MNF is over, and we needed to resort to trash tv, FearFactor was on, so we had that going for us, followed by the premiere of The Bachelor! As many of you may not know, each episode of fearfactor has an eating challenge. Last night menu consisted of inches of horse rectum. 13 to be exact. and some little spritly woman ate it. every inch. in front of horses no less. the camera work was classic. with each bite of the horse rectum, a long tubular thing with pockets of chewy, squishy glands or something... the camera would pan over to the horses that were still alive, with shots of their hind quarters, and their tails flickering to reveal...rectum. but rectum in context. One would not have thought that eating a horse's ass could be so....rivetting.

speaking of horse's ass...
Joe Millionaire. I wont go into details. we can let the smoking gun do that for you. but i will let you know that Joe is now on our TiVo season pass. You should watch it. We do.

-c

2003-01-01T13:37:00.000-08:00
"Sir, can you please step over to the car, and I need to see some sort of identification."

Let me back up to go forward...

Bethany and I went to a new years party down at pier 66. And man did we have fun! My wife is soooo beautiful! The party was sponsored by Absolut Vodka, so we drank. Absolute Mandarin and RedBull. Repeat. Although there were 6 different bands in 3 different rooms, we stayed in the Salsa Room all night. And danced! Did i mention how much fun we had? Sure, we really don't know how to latin dance, but you couldnt tell last night. We cha cha'd and mirangued our butts off. There was a dj to get the room warm, and then a 9 piece band turned up the heat. We met some fun people, watched some really good dancers, and had a giggle. It was our 4th new years eve together, and our first as a married couple, which added to the fun. We missed Kevin and Mahala though, who are our NYE buddies, but they were in Portland with Q and Lars.

So we finally decide its time to go home, at about 1:30 on the first morning of 2003. We get our coats, and on the way out we call a cab. "be there in 5 to 15 minutes". But about 15 minutes later every person in the building spilled out onto the streets and right into any cab that was available, which in truth was only 4. 4 freaking cabs showed up to serve a party of 1200. And people would run up ahead of the queue to hijack your cab. So i stepped into the middle of the street to stop the next cab... that didnt come. So i just stayed in the street, with cars whizzing by, most likely driven by drunks. By now it is 2 am.

"Sir, I need to ask you to get out of the street."

OK, so a Seattle police officer had walked up and made me get out of the street. I tried to tell him that i was getting a cab for my wife, but he pointed out that i should stay on the sidewalk. He assured me that there would be plenty of cabs on the way, and that i should just relax. About 15 to 20 minutes later, a few calls back to the cab company and NOTHING! NOT A SINGLE CAB! So each time i saw headlights coming down the street, I would step off the curb, get into the middle of the lane, and wave down the 'cab', THAT NEVER CAME! Bethany had gone back under the eave of the building, and I was again in the middle of the street!

"Sir, I really am serious. I need you to stay out of the street. There is a lot of traffic passing thru here, and it really could cause a problem. Please, stay on the sidewalk."

So I step back to the curb and explain, again, what I am doing. Every other city in the world lets you step into the street to hail a cab EXCEPT SEATTLE! (by the way... as i am typing this, B is fixing a great smelling breakfast, and we are drinkling Mimosas from the Tiffany champagne glasses her dad got us for our wedding... quite possible the coolest gift ever).

So I step back to the curb. Again. And I wait. Again. And I call. Again. And eventually I am back in the middle of the street. Again. By now it is 2ish. I am pissed off. It is cold. There are very few people even left around the building and the cleaning crews are pulling up. And there are still no cabs in sight.

"Sir, can you please step over to the car, and I need to see some sort of identification."
"But I am not even in the street. I am just trying to get a cab!"
"Sir, I have you on video. Do you need to see it? Now please, I need your ID."

So the same officer who has asked me to get out of the street 2 other times has actually videod me in the street. He calls in my id, i have no warrants. and he , again, asks me to stay out of the street. About 5 minutes later, a cab approaches and some random couple runs for it. NO WAY! I run as well, and we reach the car at the same time. I tell them it is mine, i am pissed off, i have been waiting, blah blah blah, and i get into the car. B climbs in as well, and we get home.

It's now 2:45 am, January 1st, 2003. I am very excited about this coming year! Happy New Year everyone.
-c

2002-12-27T09:20:00.000-08:00
shrimps on the barbie...

yep, thats right... I am the proud owner of a new 3 burner gas grill. B got me a grill for christmas, and last night we fired up a few ribeye's and some fries and feasted on the tradional 'steak-ona-plate" post holiday meal. The owner of the Dahlia Lounge has a great meat rub...(careful!) that we seasoned the steaks with. Tasty!

Speaking of the Dahlia Lounge...
B and I went to see the nutcraker last friday night. She has never seen it, so i thought it would be a great way to start the real holidays. Scored some choice seats in the loge, second row, at the old Paramount Theater in Seattle. Great show, lots of fun. Then as we were leaving, I had reserved a horse and carriage to tour us thru the downtown area, on our way to the Dahlia Lounge. B said she felt like a real princess. At Dahlia, which came highly recommended by everyone at ZAAZ, we had a few cocktails and the most exquisite potstickers we have ever had. They were stuffed with shrimp and scallions, with a sweet chili dip. They have my highest recommendations. Then B had the most wonderful crabcakes, with BIG chunks of crab, not just the little shredded parts. I am talking straight outta the claw and into the cake! It was delicious. I had a great steak as well, followed by a few more cocktails at the bar. Then, as the night wore on, we cabbed it back home, snugged up by the fire with Jo, Lula, our new kitten, and fell asleep. Lovin' the holidays.

We spent Christmas at home this year. Drank some wine, watched some movies, and roasted a pork loin stuffed with dressing. Again, another tasty treat. spent some time on the phone with family, but that only made B sad, missing her family a lot over the holidays. Next year we will be sure to make it to at least one of the meals, as it is a very important tradition with her.

New Year's plans are in the bag. We are going to a party at the Waterfront, to see Maceo Parker, and 3 other bands. This will be a slight departure from our usual NYE festivities, as before we would be with friends, clubbing somewhere. But this time is is just us. Time to go looking for a great shirt for the night, and hopefully B can find a killer ' little' cocktail gown. I will tell you about...

later.

2002-12-16T14:49:00.000-08:00
'tis the season...

with the holidays upon us, i find it increasingly difficult to live in seattle. I hope this is very temporary. I cant find those goods and services that i knew about in SF. I am working during the day, and have limited time to run around downtown seattle lookling for gifts for my wife. But the good news is that we take the entire holiday week off... so i whould be able to spend one day downtown 'wrapping' things up.

other than that things are going as planned. it rains here. and it is windy. B isnt really happy yet. She has no friends, and hasnt gone back to work, so her day is rather empty. She is so used to working that it is an awkward transition. I think she will begin looking for work after the new year.

She did join a gym last week. her strength coach is the personal trainer for Gary Payton of the Sonics. Now i really need to be careful or she'll break me in two. I am going to join as well. the caved in chest pot bellied noddle arm look is so last week. Time to do something different.

For all of you who read this... we really miss you.
friendless in seattle
-c

2002-11-22T16:09:00.000-08:00
well it's about time...

ok... the big news that i couldnt talk about before was that B and I are moving to Seattle. Already moved anyway. And we are really loving it. (backing up to go forward)

A few month's ago i was approached about an opportunity in seattle at zaaz, a boutique internet firm in seattle. they were looking for someone to come on board for business development. after a few calls, trips, and many, many cocktails, B and I decided that it would be a great opportunity for us. we have never really explored seattle, in fact B had never even been here. We flew up a few weeks ago, lined up a little condo in the greenwood area, about 15 min north of seattle proper right off the 99 (aurora). 2br 2bath backyard for jo fireplace for B and a w/d for c. did i forget to mention a underground garage. and all for 600 bones LESS than our place in burlingame.

first things first: yes the weather might suck (it hasnt yet), and there is a lot of granola freaks here, but i really think this is gonna be a good thing for us. there is something kind of calming about moving to the 'burbs. there is no rat race, hustle and keeping up with that you find in the inner city. and we are staying in more. staying at home sipping wine sent to us by the wine of the month club. (actually we dont really sip. we drink. if you have every drank with us you would....well... nevermind)

We are gonna spend thanksgiving here. Gonna miss going to cali to visit family. But hopefully we can make a trip after the first of the year. I am putting together a trip to vegas for CES in january; hopefully B can come with and get some winter sun. MacworldSF is the week before, so i may be able to do both...the 6 day road trip and sponsored vacation. more later....

Bethany is gonna take some time off from the job. She is working at getting the house in order. the coolest thing about this is that she can come with me on road trips. maybe we can see the country together from seats 24 E and F. the funny thing though is that she already has some job opportunites here. i hope we can be a single check family for a while, at least thru the holidays and into the new year.

i am gonna try to keep this a little more current and relevant. i dont even know if anyone knows of it or reads it. if you do, send us an email at this address. i am also going to show B how to blog, and then we can also get photos going, etc

more later. its friday and its 5ive oclock somewhere, and i can hear a beer being chilled at the casa de smith.
adios

2002-10-14T15:39:00.000-07:00
i really need to update this

soon.

did i mention G squared is the king?

2002-10-11T13:32:00.000-07:00
its 5ive o'clock somewhere...

1 handfull of mint
2 teaspoons of sugar
1 lime sliced, squeezed
2 shots white rum
splash with soda

muddle
shake
drink
repeat

2002-09-30T13:42:00.000-07:00
"insert your title here"

What a crazy week it has been.

monday:
monday night football with cindy and dan at the brewery, shooting pool and slinging stories

tuesday:
for reasons we can not mention, and for some we can, like our couch being delivered, we celebrated late into the night

wednesday:
k and m were in town, came by, where we went to the brewery, shot pool and told lies

thursday:
a repeat of wednesday, except for the brewery, pool, and lies
i cooked a tritip and some garlic smashers and had tritip sandwiches. we also drank a bit. the kids spent the night, then flew back to sacto the next am.

friday:
all i can say is wow

well... i can say a little more than that. We went and saw Elvis Costello at the Warfield in the city. B hooked us up with floor tix. the opening band was very cool. it was the guy from Rushmore and his band Phantom Planet. Also, the vocalist acted in Donnie Darko. They were tight, fun, and all guitar hero moves.

Then is was time for the magic. Elvis Costello and the Imposters. 2.5 hours of inspired genius, musical mayhem, and iceberg coolness. A great mix of his old and new, taking from every album except the burt experiment and the julliet letters. Opened with Miracle Man. close his first encore session with allison. came back out for another encore, ran through creepy version of when i was cruel. did a pumped of version of watching the detectives. kinda blue.45, radio radio. just an awesome performance by a rock and roll icon. even came back for another encore. was a spectacular night.

saturday:
we had tickets to tease-o-rama at bimbo's 365 in the city. luckily we showed up at the venue quite early, so we got very cool seats. a duece right off the right corner of the stage. great seats! of course i forgot the camera. but the show was a past-present look at burlesque, with some great performances by dirty martini, dita von teese, katherine d'lish, and others. i love going to bimbo's. it is so classy and stylish. and my wife was so beautiful.

sunday:
mimosas, football, and thai food with uncle larry later that evening.

not a bad life.

2002-09-24T08:52:00.000-07:00
Whole lot o' shaking going on

I am very excited. I am very nervous. Today is a very exciting day. I hope you can read about it soon. But for now... mums the word... safetly of the universe, that sort of thing.

Our new couch is arriving this morning, which is exciting , though not the secret stuff. B found a great red leather sofa. It is, i think, our first major piece of furniture we have purchased together. And it is a beauty. We have been without a sofa since the Bush street apt. Sitting is separate chairs while watching TiVo gets a little distant from time to time.

So i guess TiVO has now moved up to the level of network. We dont really watch HBO, FOX, or E! anymore. We watch TiVO. B got the TiVo for me as a gift. Changed my life. Funny how an appliance can do that. But it alsopointed out how much bad network TV we were watching.; you know, the late night, have a bowl of ice cream at 11:30 and watch springer cuz there is nothing on type of TV. Now its quality programming at all hours..

Whats on my TiVo Season Pass:
Sex and the City
The Sopranos
The Anna Nichole Smith Show
Survivor: Thailand
Queer as Folk
Real Sex
Six Feet Under

Hard to concentrate today.

2002-09-24T07:45:00.000-07:00
On Target, and other things the weekend brought...

Not sure what it is about weekends, but they are most brilliant! My wife and I went out Fridat night to a little Italian joint in the nieghborhood. Great food, great service. I had the Saltamboca (sp) while she ended up with a spinach ravioli. Popped over to Mollie's, the little Irish pub down the street. Being neither Irish, or beer drinkers for that matter, we drank Mandarin/tonics and sat at the bar, like two newlyweds. Date night can be so fun! The next morning I felt a little worse for the wear, which is unusual for me, but I made some breakfast and soon we were on an adventure...a shopping trip to Target.

What is it about Target? Doesn't matter what socio-economic sector you inhabit, Target is always cool. While the Michael Graves inspired toaster collection can be a little odd, it makes perfect sense that Phillipe Starck has product on the shelf. We went in for a toaster, as the door of our oven is all funky right now, and wont close all the way. We ended up with:
toaster
candle
palm soap brush
glad trash bags (kitchen)
power pump sport ball pump (for the basketball i just bought at a garage sale)
soccer ball
showerhead (one of those rainfall type...(run, dont walk and get yourself one. It will change the way you and your significant other shower!!!)
ziploc bags (gallon size)
2 halloween masks
bath rug (sky blue)
non stick kitchen tongs
12 in wooden spatula (for discipline)
US mag
People mag (both featuring Gwen and Gavin's wedding photos)

We were on a roll, especially after downing a couple of #1's at T-Bell, then a slurpee...

2002-09-20T15:48:00.000-07:00
Some change in my pocket going jingle-ingle-ingle...
I am trying to use wisdom in my next digital hub purchase. I need (see want) a new printer that can print photos, as my HP deskjet 920c is a piece of crap; i also need an airport basestation and a firewire drive. i want my oompa loompa now. Drove down to Frye's in palo alto, collected all three, and then all i bought was wired and red herring. waste of gas.

I need to get my career back on track. i am a designer selling IT. I need to be selling design services. I need to win the lottery. I need to pee but there is a plumber here installing a new toilet.

"Hey, can you spread some cool design over this?
My friend chris heatherly got a job with disney. (he is not the guy in the goofy costume...or maybe....). chris was a strategist at frogdesign, where i worked for a while. quite possible one of the coolest and most insightful, stubborn, arrogant, funny, generous friends i have ever made. he and meryl got married on the same day bethany and i did. and the funny thing was he and meryl were at a dinner with meryl's roommate claire and myself, and the two of them got together for the first time later that night at (((THUMP))) in the city. Actually, they didnt even make it out of the parking lot....

I miss my friend chris.

2002-09-19T09:31:00.000-07:00
Lyle Lovett was a musical genius! I was so stoked to be in the audience the other night. It was B's first time seeing him. He had the LARGE band with him, 15 pieces, including 4 singers that wailed. It was a beautiful night under the stars, a light breeze... what was amazing is how different some of the songs felt. I have been listening to lyle for a lot of years now, but that night things seemed different.

Maybe it is because i am very happy. And very much in love with my wife. What amazed me was the song 'flyswatter". The words were different now. I think it is because bethany is so supportive of us, of me. And the song reminded me of her, and my love for her. Yet it is a working class ballad of a man getting ready to go to work. But he does take time to reflect on the reasons he is working, and who he is working for.

Flyswatter / Icewater Blues [Monte Trenchmann's Blues]

Honey put down that flyswatter
And pour me some ice water
And would you bring me my hammer
And could you find me some nails
For soon I'll be going
To work for this living
And with you here to guide me
Then I cannot fail

The morning it stumbles
Right in through the window
And this getting up early
Gets old anyway
And if you listen close dear
The crying that you hear
Is the nighttime lamenting
The start of the day

And it's hotter than concrete
In July in Houston
And it'll get worse here
Before it turns nice
But old Tink's in the backyard
And I swear that boy's so smart
He's got everything ready
So we'll be all right

So honey put down that flyswatter
And pour me some ice water
And though I'll soon be going
Well I haven't gone yet
So come stand here beside me
And hold my hand gently
And tell me do you remember
The first time we met

I love you Bethany

2002-09-16T09:48:00.000-07:00
Tomorrow we wil be going to the Lyle Lovett - Bonnie Raitt show at the Shoreline. I have always been a huge Lyle fan, and this will be the first time B gets to see him.

I love my iBook. And my iPod. Just added the iCal feature to the iPod. I really think i need to get a bigger iPod, as i have already filled its 10g. I am buying a firewire drive to use as a jukebox so i can clear some room on my iBook. I need to dump a bunch of video too, as Tom needs his camera back. Starting to really get into the digital hub mindset. I think next we need to go for the wireless network of Airport.

My laundrymat across the street has wireless DSL. I wont mention where it is, cuz i dont want a bunch of freeloaders sitting across the street using it like a wifi substation (even though i have been known to do the same when my DSL is down). But you know you live in the bay area when your laundry is wired.

We are working at putting some of our wedding photos online. Not really happy with how the iPhoto app creates navigation, but it may just be a matter of hacking it. Hard to spend time doing this kind of stuff when you have to work. You can check out the progress here

Things are going really well right now for us. Work is busy, as always, but our social life sure isn't suffering. Just saw Coldplay at the Greek with K and M. If you have never gone there it is pretty incredible.

Jack Johnson on the stereo, making me think of hawaii...

Have tix to go to Elvis Costello at the Warfield, and ND and garbage at the Compac (HP) pavillion in SJ. We are also going to Tease - O - Rama this month. Halloween is coming up... most likely we will be at a party in the city for that as well.

enuff.

2002-09-16T09:26:00.000-07:00
ok... so this is my second attempt at posting...

the first one went somewhere, not certain, but i do remember typing a ton. I am starting this blog to keep my family and friends apprised of all the stuf my wife Bethany and I do. Our friends and family are pretty well georgaphicaly dispersed, so this may help with phone call costs, etc.

Michael, my Brother is in HK right now on a mission to save the planet. I just read his blog, and will try to figure out how to link to it. You would think after 6 years in the internet industry i could just add a link here link.

more later... i am doing this on the clock