Steve Morse Band: Some YouTube Vids, And Some Photos I Took

I went to see my favorite guitarist, and his trio, play in a neighboring town the other night, on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. You've likely never heard of this guy. He's not going to be at the upcoming Grammy awards. He didn't appear on American Idol. He hasn't kissed Madonna onstage. He's not in the news with his drug problems, or sleeping with some Hollywood starlet, and he doesn't have questionable gender.

He is, however, an incredible musician and composer. If you have musical training, you'll be impressed with the complexity and clever construction of this guy's compositions. If you're a guitarist, you'll be completely flabbergasted at his unbelievable technique, and how effortless he makes some of the most intricate, difficult, challenging guitar work in the world. If you aren't a musician, you might like it anyway. Who knows ... ?

There are five videos here, which is probably at least four and a half more than you'll actually watch. They capture different "moods" of what these guys, Steve Morse, bassist Dave Larue, and drummer Van Romaine, perform in concert.

They make it look so easy, but this is about as hard as it gets.

Highland Wedding


Night Meets Light


Tumeni Notes


General Lee


Simple Simon

A Really Cool Steel And Glass Sculpture (Photo Essay)

The Gordon Heuther Gallery is a short distance from where I live, and I pass it all the time going to and coming from town. Some time ago I noticed this really interesting sculpture made of stainless steel and thick sheets of variously colored glass. I took a couple pictures of it one day and posted them in my Picture Gallery:

http://www.wireclub.com/Galleries/ViewImage.aspx?ImageId=1781488

http://www.wireclub.com/Galleries/ViewImage.aspx?ImageId=1781483

I was again driving past the gallery on a bright, sunny day and the sculpture caught my eye. I remembered that those two pictures had been taken on an overcast day, and wondered if the sculpture would look better in bright sunshine. I think it does.

Televangelist Pat Robertson Blames Haitians For Earthquake (YouTube Videos)

The world's foremost Christian televangelist Pat Robertson stated on his television program "The 700 Club" that he believes that the Haitians brought the recent devastating earthquake on themselves when they allegedly made a "pact with the devil". I've provided three YouTube videos on this topic.

The uncut video from "The 700 Club":



A segment from ABC news on this topic (representing the "mainstream" news approach to this controversy):



A video made by the online organization "The Young Turks" (representing online media approach to this controversy):



And finally, I've presented a PrintScreen of Pat Robertson's explanation for this on his own official website.

My Own Little (Happenstance) Vineyard (Photo Essay)

All of my friends know I live in the wine growing region of Napa Valley, and you've seen my many photos of vineyards around here. But did you know that I have my own vineyard too?

It's kind of a small one. Only two vines. Two very puny, pointless vines. And they never receive any care. They aren't ever pruned, watered, harvested, or messed with in anyway. In fact, I didn't even plant them. They just sort of appeared by themselves. They're only a few feet away from my neighbor Rugierro's vineyard, so I assume that some grapes were dropped there by birds, or perhaps somehow some prunings took root or something. (shrugs) Who knows ...

(The word "happenstance" in the title courtesty of Karma.)

One Year Of Weekly Photos From My Porch, Part One: The Photos

I purchased a small, compact digital camera in November of 2008. In December, I began taking photos of a particularly nice view that I have from my porch. I've taken many, many of these shots, and once a week, posted the best, or most interesting, one for that week. Here is one full year of weekly photos, arranged chronologically. If you expand the first photo by clicking it, and then click "Next" repeatedly, you'll travel through the entire year.


I've also included the comments that were attached to those pictures. In some cases, the person making a comment left Wireclub, and their comments were deleted automatically, thus in some places, the continuity of the string of comments is broken and they may seem disjointed.

#01: December 13, 2008
> Karma says December 14: These are crops of what?
> StuckInTheSixties says December 18: This is the Napa Valley, Karma. This is my next-door neighbor's vineyard. The grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon.

#02: January 3, 2009
(no comments)

#03: January 10, 2009: Karma says January 12: Another hare raising moment in the Napa Valley.
> barnestorming_girl says January 13: whats up doc!!!!!! lmao
> ThatGirl says May 02: vermin..... Cute vermin... but vermin...
> StuckInTheSixties says May 03: I saw one here just today, but alas, no camera in hand ...

#04: January 18, 2009: Karma says January 25: Crane?
> StuckInTheSixties says January 25: Grey Heron (see caption) ... or was that one of your Karmaisms that flew over my head?
> ThatGirl says May 02: Nice to see he stuck his neck out for you... whatta friend...
> StuckInTheSixties says May 03: Are you and Karma related? Hee hee hee!
> ThatGirl says May 03: Ahhh I miss my JiggyJig... *sigh*
> StuckInTheSixties says May 03: Me too ... sigh ...

#05: February 7, 2009
(no comments)

#06: February 15, 2009
> StuckInTheSixties says February 20: It's a very nice place to live ... very quite at night. Pretty in the daytime. I'm very lucky.

#07: February 21, 2009
> lovebugu says February 21: so natural love it
> StuckInTheSixties says February 22: This is sort of the standard shot I take from my porch. It's the best peek between other buildings, trees, and such.

#08: February 27, 2009
> Karma says March 01: Lovely

#09: March 6, 2009
> missteree7 says March 16: What a view

#10: March 12, 2009
> glowingtoad says March 15: wow is beautiful stucky .
> StuckInTheSixties says March 15: This is what I see if I turn my head to the right as I sit here typing. I'm very very fortunate. By the way, if you look REALLY REALLY closely, you can see a turkey vulture flying.

#11: March 22, 2009
> XkittyXbearX says March 23: wow that's gorgeous.
> StuckInTheSixties says March 24: I'm very fortunate to live here.

#12: March 28, 2009
> rosy_cheeks says March 31: Oh, it's so pretty. This makes me wistful, it's still pretty grim around here, weather-wise. We're expecting snow Thursday...

#13: March 29, 2009
(no comments)

#14: April 7, 2009
(no comments)

#15: April 18, 2009
> ThatGirl says May 02: Yep. Glass of wine, Zappa in the background, and mindless chit chat into the wee small hours.
> StuckInTheSixties says May 03: Not Zappa in the background. Some jazz, perhaps some Mozart. Maybe Bonnie Raitt. But I concur with the idea ... If where I sit in front of my computer, if I turn my head to the right, this is what I see. I'm lucky!
> ThatGirl says May 03: I'd take Bach over Mozart, but yes indeedy.
> StuckInTheSixties says May 03: Yeah, glass of wine, warm breeze, Brandenburg Concerto #3 ...

#16: April 25, 2009
> Cornelius Focker says April 25: beautiful
> Outbackjack says April 25: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

#17: April 28, 2009
> PTBO52 says May 03: Your so lucky!! Beautiful view!
> StuckInTheSixties says May 03: I am lucky, indeed.

#18: May 5, 2009
(no comments)

#19: May 16, 2009
(no comments)

#20: May 22, 2009
> Secks_Hair says November 28: It's beautiful. *sigh*

#21: May 26, 2009
> PTBO52 says June 01: Looks less smoggy!
> StuckInTheSixties says June 01: Smog is a rare thing around here. Visibility can, however, be affected by moisture in the air. The ocean, and San Francisco Bay, is close by. The nature of the way the weather works in this part of California flushes the smog out. A bit south of here, in the San Jose area, it can be quite smoggy when it's clear here. And of course, Los Angeles, 350 miles to the south, is a cesspool of smog. Yuck!

#22: June 1, 2009
> PTBO52 says June 08: Nice clear picture!
> Cornelius Focker says June 08: exhilarating
> sweetnsassygal77 says June 08: absolutely beautiful!!
> Karma says June 08: Beautiful

#23: June 11, 2009
(no comments)

#24: June 17, 2009
> PTBO52 says June 20: Weekly photo Stuck?
> StuckInTheSixties says June 20: Yep. I forgot to add the caption. Done.
> Karma says June 20: Seems dry on your side of the fence
> StuckInTheSixties says June 20: It's dry everywhere except right directly under each vine, where drip irrigation puts a little bit of water exactly where it's needed, when it's needed.
> StuckInTheSixties says June 20: The vines are getting really bushy. They'll be pruned back pretty soon.

#25: June 21, 2009
> StuckInTheSixties says June 28: This is what I see out of my window if I turn my head to the right. It's very pretty!

#26: June 28, 2009
> barnestorming_girl says July 03: beautiful darling love these photos you post..
> Outbackjack says July 03: Did you mow the lawn or just stomp on it?

#27: July 4, 2009
> Karma says July 07: Nice
> barnestorming_girl says July 08: looks great!

#28: July 11, 2009
> Outbackjack says July 11: Weekly photo I assume. Nice.
> StuckInTheSixties says July 11: Wider angle than usual to bring the clouds into the picture.
> Karma says July 12: I just still surprised there isn't enough rain in your area to keep weeds green
> StuckInTheSixties says July 12: It rains from October until April or May. Then everything dries out. Occasionally an unseasonal day or two of rain might hit during the summer when some tropical thing comes up our way, or when some northern thing comes down. Messes things up for both the vintners and pot growers. (laughs)
> barnestorming_girl says July 12: great photo darling

#29: July 12, 2009
> PTBO52 says July 19: Is that a rainbow?
> Karma says July 19: Lovely
> barnestorming_girl says July 19:

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
In the land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to
Dream really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to
Dream really do come true

If happy little bluebirds fly
Above the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?

That photo made me sing that song!!!! lmao Beautiful photo darling
> Doodsy says July 19: wow, what a great view to wake up to every day
> PTBO52 says July 19: SITS "What a Lucky Man"

#30: July 25, 2009
> barnestorming_girl says July 26: It look's nice and warm! I miss summer! lol
> StuckInTheSixties says July 26: Remember your little heat wave some months back? Want that again?
> barnestorming_girl says July 26: (touch wood) we dont have that little heat wave again!)
> Doodsy says July 26: What a great view mate...yeah no more heatwaves and fires thanks.

#31: July 25, 2009
> StuckInTheSixties says August 03: I'm looking at that view ... right ... now. I'm a lucky boy.
> Audi says August 04: thats an awesomely beautiful view right there. i would be happy if i had a place with a view like that lol
> Karma says August 06: When do the grapes get picked?

#32: August 8, 2009
(no comments)

#33: August 14, 2009
> StuckInTheSixties says August 16: Taking a weekly photo? Or just a regular series of photos? Oh, of course! Do it, by all means! I'd love to see it!
> StuckInTheSixties says August 16: At first I just kind of pointed my camera in that direction and tried to get a good picture. But fairly soon I figured out how to frame the picture pretty close to exactly the same way each time. I make the exact same zoom adjustment, try to leave a little strip of the dry grass at the bottom, and line up the left side of the picture with the left edge of that big Oak tree. I take a series of four shots, and change the exposure setting one click for each of them, and take the one that looks the best. I've also figured out that the shot seems to be much better as the sun is dropping towards the end of the day. Right now, the shots are pretty much the same week after week. The vines have finished growing leaves, and are now putting their energy into the grapes. Soon the leaves will start changing color as autumn sets in. When that happens, I'll try to get a bunch of really cool shots around the valley here.

#34: August 22, 2009
> barnestorming_girl says August 24: beautiful darling
> StarFlavored says August 24: thats absolutely beautiful! i think im gonna move into that little red barn too!
> StuckInTheSixties says August 26: I have a good porch for relaxed beer consumption. Wine too. The sports talk will have to be limited to NFL.

#35: August 27, 2009
> StuckInTheSixties says September 02: This was taken with a pocket-sized Kodak camera that cost about $100, and was not "PhotoShopped" or anything. I took a half dozen shots, each with a different setting for exposure. This was the best of the bunch. Just a nice sunset.
> barnestorming_girl says September 02: again beautiful photo darling
> Karma says September 02: Absolutely wonderful

#36: September 2, 2009
> NewHat says September 06: It's a little pink, don't you have a more masculine sky?
> glowingtoad says September 06: wow stucky thats beautiful !!
> Karma says September 06:
> StuckInTheSixties says September 07: They've actually been trimmed back a bit. Harvest is just barely beginning, by the way!
> barnestorming_girl says September 07: Harvest time soon!! Waaahooooooo we are all coming avo for wine!!! lol

#37: September 5, 2009
> barnestorming_girl says September 07: beautiful darling
> StuckInTheSixties says September 07: Thank you Darling!

#38: September 19, 2009
> StuckInTheSixties says September 20: A few vineyards have begun harvesting certain selected varieties. Harvesting will begin in earnest quite soon, within a week or two, and quickly will increase to a fever pitch as vintners strive to get the grapes when they're just at the right moment.

#39: September 25, 2009
> StuckInTheSixties says September 28: This just happens to be the best view from my porch. Right around here, literally a few minutes walk, or a few seconds drive, are views that blow this one away. And within, oh ... say, fifteen to thirty minutes travel are an infinite number of views that will just take your breath away. Fall has come, and as the vines begin changing color, I'll start making specific trips around here to get the really fantastic pictures. Within a few weeks, the travelogue pictures will be rolling off my camera. (laughs) But yeah, it's a nice view, ain't it?
> barnestorming_girl says September 28: beautiful view
> Karma says September 28: Great

#40: October 2, 2009
Karma says October 04: So pretty
> StuckInTheSixties says October 04: The vines are just starting to turn yellow. The yellow will be much more apparent in a week or two.
> barnestorming_girl says October 04: beautiful darling
> barnestorming_girl says October 04: Just saw the cat! Is that blackie???? He made it! I sent him there for you!! lmfao
> StuckInTheSixties says October 04
Thank you ladies!
> StuckInTheSixties says October 04: Neighbor's cat. She's skittish, and won't let me approach her. I believe the term is "scaredy cat."
> StuckInTheSixties says October 05: It's not paradise, but it's a nice place to live.

#41: October 7, 2009
> Karma says October 10: No pickers yet?
> StuckInTheSixties says October 10: My neighbors' vines were harvested at night a few days ago.
> barnestorming_girl says October 11: awesome photo darling

#42: October 16, 2009
> PTBO52 says October 17: Looks so green! Everything here is brown, most of the leaves are gone.
> StuckInTheSixties says October 17: The vines are green because they're drip-irrigated. If you look closely at the bottom of the vines closest to you in this picture, you can see the black plastic water line that, when charged, drips water directly at the bottom of each vine. Anything not watered around here is quite dry and brown. Actually, four days ago we got a very stiff rain, the hardest October rain in fifty years, and if you look at the dry, brown grass at the bottom of this picture, just above and to the left of the little "Share This" doohickey, you can see faint traces of fresh green growth as a result of that rain.
> barnestorming_girl says October 18: beautiful darling

#43: October 20, 2009
> PTBO52 says October 25: I'm on the next plane lol
> Karma says October 26: Beautiful
> barnestorming_girl says October 27: I'm coming with PTB
> StuckInTheSixties says October 27: Over the next few weeks the vines will probably turn quite yellow. I never really paid attention to it in this way before getting the camera, and now I'm curious to see how it's going to change as it gets colder.

#44: October 27, 2009
(no comments)

#45: November 7, 2009
> barnestorming_girl says November 09: even your grass is green now!
> StuckInTheSixties says November 09: Yeah, we got a several inches of rain one day a few weeks ago, and it brought up some new grass.

#46: November 15, 2009
> Outbackjack says November 16: Heaps greener,you seem to get some nice weather for this time of year,but I guess you are in California afterall.
> Karma says November 16: Beautiful. As always
> StuckInTheSixties says November 16: The green is a result of a few inches of early rain that fell a month or so ago. It would not be unusual at all for it to still be quite dry right now, but it's at this time of year that we begin shifting over to the rainy season. This view has always been here right under my nose, but until I started taking pictures of it, I simply took it for granted and gave it no thought. Now I find myself looking at it every day, and scrutinizing the changes as they occur. I find myself now wondering when all of the leaves will have fallen, so that the vineyard is once again just bare to the bones as it was when I started this weekly series.
> barnestorming_girl says November 18: beautiful darling
> StuckInTheSixties says November 18
Thank you, Darling! As always!

#47: November 17, 2009
(no comments)

#48: November 29, 2009
> badgirl__72 says November 30: you have an awesome view
> StuckInTheSixties says November 30: I do. I'm very fortunate. From where I sit and type, I can turn my head to the right, look out the window, and this is what I see. Actually, given the placement of trees, and the relative location of our houses, I have the crappiest view of all of my nearby neighbors.
> barnestorming_girl says November 30: beautiful again darling
> StuckInTheSixties says December 05: Thanks Darling!

#49: December 3, 2009
> lois_lane says December 09: I should send you one from my porch lols...BURRRRRR *Grabs scarf and Touque* this looks nice

#50: December 13, 2009
> PTBO52 says December 14: Looks a lot cooler sits?
> StuckInTheSixties says December 14: It's pretty chilly here now. Winter solstice is only one week away.
> barnestorming_girl says December 20: that was my B'day!!! waaahoooo lol looking really cold their darling
> StuckInTheSixties says December 20: That day had some pretty cold, semi-miserable weather. (shrugs) It is winter ... officially in another day or so.

#51: December 17, 2009
> barnestorming_girl says December 22: beautiful darling
> StuckInTheSixties says December 22: Thanks Honey Bunny! I have a plan to chronologically place of these "porch photos" for the entire year of 2009 in one blog.
> Karma says December 23: Great idea
> Karma says December 23: Or make them into a mpg.
> StuckInTheSixties says December 23: What's an "mpg"? I only know that acronym as "miles per gallon"...

#52: December 21, 2009
> Grace says December 27: you need some snow I am willing to share mine
> StuckInTheSixties says December 27: No snow, thank you!
> barnestorming_girl says December 28: beautiful photo darling I will send the heat up for ya!
> StuckInTheSixties says December 28
I'd like that! Why don't you warm me up instead?
> barnestorming_girl says December 28: anytime darling with pleasure



Be sure to take a look at "One Year Of Weekly Photos From My Porch, Part Two." It's a really cool little video that Karma made of the photos.

One Year Of Weekly Photos From My Porch, Part Two: Karma's Kool Video

Karma got this inspired idea of taking the photos and putting them into a video, so that one would change to the next, and with it set to music. This collection is only forty-two of the fifty-two Weekly Photos. Only the photos that were of the same basic view were used.

Karma:

I had SITS send me all the photos he has posted taken from his front porch this past year. I'd never made a video or posted on YouTube before, but I had a program for making videos and wanted to give it a try. The proggy I had was lame and a pain, so I downloaded a different one that was easy as pie. The photos are in chronological order, and the accompanying music is the theme from an old US telly show called Northern Exposure (1990 - 1995).

Sick, Twisted Snowmen - A Blog For Geoff and Mousie

These are all "Calvin And Hobbes" comic strips, written and drawn by Bill Watterson.

A Vineyard Here, A Vineyard There - Part 1

These are some relatively random vineyard photos that didn't really fit too well in previously blogged photo-essays. There were so many I had to make two blogs.

A Vineyard Here, A Vineyard There - Part 2

These are some relatively random vineyard photos that didn't really fit too well in previously blogged photo-essays. There were so many I had to make two blogs.

A Little Gift From Me To BadGirl

Happy Holidays, Nips!