Straight No Chaser

March 24, 2012 Saturday

http://www.pechanga.com/

Connie, Russ, Chris and Betsy were going to see Straight No Chaser, an a capella group, at the Pechanga Casino and invited us to join them.  Also a belated birthday celebration for Russ and myself.  Pechanga is less than 40 miles from our house close to Temecula. 

We met there and gambled a little before dinner.  Connie had picked Kelsey's for dinner because of the variety of food.  We ate dinner and then headed toward the theatre.

The theatre was nice and intimate and Connie did a great job on getting the tickets.

Time for the show.  I can't lie.  I was a little apprehensive about watching an a cappella group let alone listening to them.

http://www.sncmusic.com/

Watch the video on the link above - Chasers at sea. 

First a little background:

The group formed in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Together the 10 students -- Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Walter Chase, Mike Itkoff, Patrick Hachey, and Kevin Caroll, became Straight No Chaser. Their name was inspired by the title track of Thelonious Monk's 1967 album, Straight, No Chaser, and is a conscious evocation of the popular American slang phrase often employed in the requesting of a drink.

Well I was pleasantly surprised.  The song choices were varied and it was interesting how the voices came together to actually sound like there were some instruments being played.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzccH05dMbY

The concert was good and very entertaining.  Afterwards we gambled a little more.  No big winners as I recall.  Bridget did see a celebrity, who has a history of gambling problems.  I'll leave it at that.

Good times with the family.

Art & Brunch Weekend

March 9, 2012 Friday

Held the second Friday of every other month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Kettner Nights in Little Italy North has become the place to be for the arts and design crowds.

In downtown San Diego’s Little Italy, the art has as much flavor as the espresso and tantalizing marinara.  Come explore this ever-growing distinctive neighborhood with an art walk through the businesses and studios on Kettner Boulevard and beyond.
(They explained it better than I could.)

We decided it was time to check this out.  Drove around for awhile looking for free parking.  Found one by the Harley dealer.  All our friends were there as they had a band playing.

http://www.noel-bazafineart.com/Noel-Baza_Fine_Art___India_Street_Gallery/Home.html

We went there and checked out the SD landscape.

Paintings of the city by 3 artists who make San Diego their primary subject. Wade Cline is one of the best known painters in San Diego. For decades his moody, softly lit scenes have captured transient moments of mist and marine layer that are a part of our daily life. Brad Maxey and Kim Reasor are both transplants to San Diego and each present a distinctive view, finding beauty in the midst of the mundane, capturing elusive light reflections and the ever evolving landscape at the edge of America.

All the Galleries had drinks and snacks and most had the featured artists there.

http://www.mixturehome.com/about_facts.php

We also went in the home design and furnishing places and antique shops.

Then it was time for dinner.  We went to Mimmos Italian Village.
http://www.mimmos.biz/index.htm

We had the Ziti with Sausage and Quattro Stagiono.  Very good.


March 11, 2012 Sunday

Sunday Brunch at Cafe Merlot at the Bernardo Winery.

We were seated outside and started with a cheese plate.  All sorts of cheeses, crackers, bread, nuts, olives and fruit.  But best of all was the pitcher of Sangria.  There were all sorts of fresh fruit mixed in with the sangria and it was heaven.

http://www.cafemerlot.com/index.html

We ordered the sausage and cheese omelets.  Great way to start Sunday.

Titanic

Feb 25, 2012

We went to the exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum.  It has been 100 years since the Titanic sunk.  As you enter you were given a boarding pass of a passenger, either male or female depending on what you are.  At the end you find out what happened to your passenger.  It opened on Feb 10, 2012 so there was still a lot of interest so it was crowded.

On April 15, 1912, Titanic, the world’s largest ship of its time, sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming more than 1,500 lives and shaking the world’s confidence in the infallibility of modern technology. One hundred years later, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which showcases 200 artifacts retrieved from the wreck site of Titanic, arrives at the NAT.

The story of the sinking is legendary; now experience the wonder and tragedy of the ill-fated “ship of dreams” on a journey through Titanic history.

Experience Titanic's fateful 1912 maiden voyage and take on the identity of a real passenger onboard Titanic as you explore magnificent re-creations of the Ship's interior. Discover how the 'unsinkable' Ship met its tragic end and connect with the passengers and crew, as you view haunting artifacts recovered from the wreck during the eight research and recovery expeditions conducted by RMS Titanic, Inc. since the Ship’s discovery in 1985.

RMS Titanic, Inc. has a singular purpose: to faithfully and respectfully preserve the memory of Titanic and of all who sailed with her. In all activities and events related to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, the San Diego Natural History Museum wishes to remember and honor those whose lives were lost due to the Titanic’s tragic sinking 100 years ago.

The items were interesting.  Items in leather seemed to be well preserved.  A lot of dishes were unbroken.  Very worthwhile.

My person died, but Bridget's survived.

See below.  I doubt that we will go. 

The San Diego Museum of Natural History invites Titanic fans to mark the moments when the luxury liner hit an iceberg (11:40 p.m. April 14, 1912) and then sank (2:20 a.m. April 15, 1912).

Also a local restaurant in Balboa Park will be serving the last meal on the Titanic on Saturday and includes a museum visit. 

http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/whats-on-our-plate/titanic-centennial-first-class-wine-dinner-package/

Menu:

http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/WebAds/April/TitanicWebMenu.jpg

Ingrid Michaelson

Feb 18, 2012

if you were falling, then i would catch you
you need a light, i'd find a match
cuz i love the way you say good morning
and you take me the way i am
if you are chilly, here take my sweater
your head is aching; i'll make it better
cuz i love the way you call me baby
and you take me the way i am
                                 Ingrid Michaelson

For some strange reason a local radio station brought Ingrid Michaelson to a local car dealer for a free concert.  And the House of Blues where we were 2 days ago brought food.  Nothing else going on so we went.

i just want to be ok, be ok, be ok
i just want to be ok today
i just want to be ok, be ok, be ok
i just want to be ok today
i just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
i just want to feel something today
i just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
i just want to feel something today
                                Ingrid Michaelson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B95UrgA0-U

A nice musical set and very intimate with a meet and great after.  Fun times.

 I edited me out and just left the pretty girls.

Valentine's Day 2012

Feb 12, 2012

All the restaurants were offering specials for Valentine's Day that were good on the weekend since Valentine's Day was on a Monday.  We decided to go to Morton's Steakhouse,

http://www.mortons.com/sandiego/

The food was excellent as always.

Feb 16, 2012

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
                             The Fray

For Valentine's Day Bridget wanted to go see The Fray at the House of Blues in San Diego.  She got the tickets, but the bad thing is you have to stand as there are few seats and it was sold out.

They had an opening band.  Scars on 45.

http://www.scarson45.com/

They are an English band just starting to get airplay.

And bowl me over black and blue
It's far too hard to say I'm all over you
And take my pulse and hose me down
My hearts on fire
I've said these words a thousand times
The bathroom mirror stopped and smiled
So take my pulse and hose me down
My hearts on fire
                               Scars on 45

Look and see if you can find how they got the band name.  They were quite good. 

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
                                      The Fray

The Fray took the stage and the crowd loved it. 

Last Thursday at House of Blues The Fray proved to San Diego that they’ve still got it. In support of their new album Scars and Stories they kicked off their tour with fantastic English opener Scars on 45; and a set list chock full of great new tunes like “Heartbeat” intertwined with oldies but goodies like “Cable Car” and “How To Save a Life.” Although the new album was only released three days before the show it seemed like fans were almost as excited for the new stuff as the older singles.

Continue reading on Examiner.com The Fray takes over San Diego - San Diego Concert Photography | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concert-photography-in-san-diego/the-fray-takes-over-san-diego-review#ixzz1rVlNCmuD

Set list:
Munich
Turn Me On
Here We Are
You Found Me
The Wind
Happiness
Rainy Zurich
Maps
Never Say Never
Be Still
Run For Your Life
The Fighter
48 To Go
How To Safe a Life
Heartbeat
Cable Car
Encore:
UnGodly Hour
Look After You
Enough For Now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaNtVS18mEo

The lead singer Issac went into the crowd during the concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2cRBO85MPI


It was a great concert with 2 fantastic bands.  We had a great time.

Colbie

February 2, 2012

Stop me on the corner
I swear you hit me like a vision
I, I, I wasn't expecting
But who am I to tell fate where it's supposed to go with it
Don't you blink you might miss it
See we got a right to just love it or leave it
You find it and keep it
Cause it ain't every day you get the chance to say
Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart
It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun
Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky
Shining how we want, brighter than the sun
                                            Colbie Caillat

http://www.colbiecaillat.com/


Bridget got free tickets from a radio station to Colbie Caillat at Pala Casino.  We went there after work.  Pala Casino is not too far away.  We ate at home before going there.  The theatre seats only 900 and at least we were not in the back you never know about free tickets.

http://www.palacasino.com/casino/

It was the start of her tour for her new CD.  Since it was intimate she talked a lot between songs.  The concert was good.  Had fun after the concert gambling.  Won a big $10.00.  Paid for dinner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vdK131V7O0

Christmas 2011: Let Me Show You The World From My Eyes

Dec 24, 2011 to January 1, 2012

Let me take you on a trip
Around the world and back
And you won't have to move
You just sit still
Let me show you the world in my eyes
                                      Depeche Mode

It's been awhile since the little Taylor family plus Brian and David had been together (last Christmas) and now we have Luke.  We arrived in Texas on Christmas Eve.  Noah was coming in later.  We went to Jen and Brian's place then we met up at Court and David's place.  Court and I went to the airport to pick up Noah.  Together at last.  We had a fantastic pasta meal for Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day was celebrated at Jen and Brian's house.  We opened gifts and just enjoyed each others company.  Luke took a break between opening his presents.  Jen and Brian fixed a gourmet meal for dinner.  Brisket, mash potatoes, honey balsalmic carrots, salad and orange jello salad.  We couldn't even eat dessert.

Before flying to Texas I was exposed to several coworkers that had various stages of pnemonia and colds.  Of course I got sick right before we left and I gave it to everyone else in Texas.  I tried to be careful and washed hands often.

 Luke was going to have a blessing ceremony so we went shopping, looking for a blessing gown.  David got sick so only Court and Noah came up the next night.

The next day Bridget and I also went blessing gown shopping and we brought Five Guys burgers back for lunch.  That night was the bowl game for Louisville so we all went to Court and David's house to watch.  Luke was dressed in his Louisville clothes that Uncle Noah bought for him..

The next day was the Blessing Ceremony.  Brian's parents came up from Waco.  It was a very nice ceremony with proper reverence.

Noah had to go back to Louisville.  Before he left we took him to In-N-Out now that they are in Texas.  It had been a year since he had eaten there.  Bridget and I drove him to Love Field and then got lunch at Uncle Julio's.  It was very good.  That night was the Baylor University bowl game.  Luke was sporting his Baylor clothes in support of his Dad's college. 
http://www.unclejulios.com/

Brian started back to work on 12/30/11 from his family leave.  Only problem was they did not set up his computer so he got to come home early and return after the new year.  Later that night we went to Court and David's house and met David's dad, Ed.  Soon we are to be family.  We had Italian food for dinner.  It was very good.

On New Years Eve morning, Bridget, Jen, Brian, Luke and I were going to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  Luke didn't cooperate so we improvised.  Brian and I drove there and did take out.  Bridget and I love Cracker Barrel and Brian had never eaten there.  We took Jen there last August.  There are no Cracker Barrel's in California.  That night we went to Court and David's home.  They ordered Mexican food from a restaurant they took us to on our first visit to Dallas.
http://www.mattitos.com/

On New Years Day we said our sad goodbyes and headed back to San Diego.  It was a great trip and we are so fortunate that we were all together.

See Jen's blog for a different viewpoint.
http://jenandbrianingram.blogspot.com/2012/03/december-part-2.html