So Sad
I’ve returned my new puppy to SPCALA. :( Mr. Echo wasn’t the right fit for my family. In many ways, he was the best puppy anyone could ask for. He walked well on the leash. He was house trained. He crate trained quickly. We was pretty good with most people. However, he wasn’t good with other animals. Our main goal was to acquire a puppy who was extremely social with people and other animals. Unfortunately, Mr. Echo wasn’t the right pup.
Mr. Echo never got along with Ezra and Blackie. I’ve dog-sat, and it normally takes a day or two for the cats to sit in the same room as the dog. This never happened. Every time Mr. Echo saw either cat, he violently lunged toward the cat. We had to keep the cats in isolation.
We tried to start socializing Mr. Echo with other dogs. A few friends on the block offered up their animals. Each time a dog would try and say hi, Mr. Echo violently lunged for the other dog. It was really scary.
We hoped he could be trained and sought help from a professional trainer. She normally works Pit Bulls that need rehabilitation. Over the phone, she agreed with our assumption. Teresa took Mr. Echo to her house for an evaluation. All did not go as planned. He went after all three of her dogs including a four year old pure bread Pit Bull. She’d never seen this type of aggression in a puppy. Puppies are supposed to be submissive to older dogs. As they grow, they could become more aggressive. Therefore, any puppy aggression can normally be curbed through training. She theorized that Mr. Echo had been weened way too early; a mother is supposed to acclimate the puppies to each other. This process teaches the puppies to be submissive. Her best recommendation was to return Mr. Echo to the SPCALA.
Of course, both Teresa and I were devastated. We’d already developed a strong bond with the little guy. We tried to ignore the fact he was part crocodile, but it just couldn’t be avoided. We really wanted a dog who could hang with other dogs. We look forward to afternoons on Dog Beach.
In the end, we did what was best for Mr. Echo and us. We returned him to the SPCALA. They agreed with our trainers evaluation. They’re going to attempt to train him and place him in the right family. Said family would be one without other animals, and the family wouldn’t want to socialize Mr. Echo. We know they’ll do their best, and he’ll have a great life.
So, the search continues. Our trainer has offered to visit shelters with us to help evaluate puppies. In time, the immediate pain will subside. Mr. Echo will always have a special place in my heart. I know, one day, he’ll make another family as happy as we were.
Sisters Visiting From Chicago
Emily and Chelsea in Seal Beach
This past weekend, Emily and Chelsea visited Long Beach. They arrived from Chicago on Thursday. Emily has been living there for some time, and Chelsea is there for the summer. I wasn’t able to take a long weekend off work, but we spent plenty of time together. It was a real pleasure to host two-thirds of my sisters.
Thursday and Friday we kept things pretty simple. They walked up and down Second Street. They relaxed in the sun and napped. Lucky them! I could have used a nap Friday afternoon. Friday night, we went to eat at Sushi of Naples. Chelsea wasn’t a big fan, but Emily likes sushi. Chelsea did pick-out a Bananas Foster like dessert which I really enjoyed.
Saturday was a more interesting day. Emily’s friend Heather drove down from Fresno. I hadn’t seen here since just after High School. Early on, it was gloomy, but we were waiting for Heather. Once she arrived, we decided to eat lunch and wait out the gloom.
We drove to Seal Beach for lunch at The Abbey. All the girls were impressed with the menu. Our eyes were larger than our stomachs, and we ordered way too much food. Somehow, our order included three pizzas plus more food! Good thing the sun finally broke through the clouds, and we walked up and down Main Street to lessen the lunch load. We found ourselves at the beach, and the weather was perfect. Chelsea dipped her toes into the water. It was her first time touching the Pacific. She wanted to swim, so we decided to visit Bolsa Chica.
After running home for swimsuits and suntan lotion, we rode south to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Everyone was excited for a few hours of quality beach time. It was almost 5pm, but the sun was shining bright. Chelsea was more excited than anyone else. She had her heart set on swimming. I told her the water was cold, but she didn’t care. She was going to jump into the Pacific. Shortly after we setup chairs in the sand, she was down in the surf. I give her credit; I still haven’t swam here. I plan to go in this August or September. The rest of the evening was spent lounging in the sand. We stayed until the air was too chilly to remain.
For dinner, we grilled on the deck. The girls helped me eat a stockpile of meat (Teresa is mostly a vegetarian). They loved the outdoor living room created by Teresa and I. Its a great spot to eat and enjoy the cool evenings.
Sunday was beautiful from the start. Heather had to leave early, but I was glad she came for at least one night. The rest of us had a long day in the sunshine. We started the morning at the Farmers Market. Again, Chelsea was more ecstatic than anyone else. She loved all the fresh food options. She and Emily picked up a few strawberries and trail mix for their plane ride home.
For lunch, we fulfilled one of their only requests, Margaritas on the Beach. Simple enough—we just walked to La Palapa. Their outdoor patios are basically on the beach. Plus, they have great food and drink! Its the perfect afternoon destination. Emily and Chelsea agreed, and I know they had an awesome lunch.
For our afternoon activity, we cruised the paved bike path on Long Beach. Emily, Chelsea and Teresa rode beach cruisers, and I rode my long board. It was good to exercise a bit, and you have to love the people watching. We rode all the way to Shoreline Village and around Shoreline Marina for perfect views of Queensway Bay. I needed the break since the entire ride was into the wind. On the way back to Belmont Shore, I was able to ride twice as fast with the wind to my back.
We finished Sunday with a walk to Yogurtland. I can’t get enough. Chelsea and Emily loved it as well. I forgot to mention, our first collective visit was Thursday evening. Its really easy when its just up the block. MMMMmm, Yogurtland.
Emily, Teresa, Simeon and Chelsea -- Our last few moments together!
Monday was a sad day. I had to go back to work, and they were leaving for home. Emily’s friend Eddie drove up from Oceanside to spend the early evening with the girls and take them to the airport. We said our goodbyes early in the afternoon. I really hope to see them both sooner than later. It was a joy to have them visit. I hoped they liked Long Beach as much as I liked having them around the house. I love y’all and miss you greatly.
I've Adopted A Puppy. What An Adult Thing To Do.
Teresa and I have been kicking around the idea of adopting a dog for sometime. Up in Oregon, we got as far as submitting adopting papers for a dog. We weren’t first in line, so the dog was adopted by someone else. Since Teresa just finished up school for the summer, we decided this would be a good time to adopt a puppy. We knew it would be a lot of work, but it would be easier with both of us around the house.
Once we finally decided to go for it, everything happened very fast. Teresa visited SPCALA while I was working. She found a dog she loved. She described a docile Border Collie Mix. After work, I rushed over the the SPCALA to visit with the little guy. Immediately, I liked him. In the getting to know you room, we sat on the floor. I rubbed his belly and he moaned with delight. He didn’t bark at all, and he was gentle with both Teresa and me. This was going to be our dog.
We weren’t able to take him home right away; he had to be neutered. We only had to wait about 24 hours. Again, it was all so fast. I was just mentally preparing for the idea of a dog, and I had a dog to call my own.
While waiting for his surgery, we contemplated a few names. I provided a few ideas, and Teresa provided a few ideas. We even got some help from naming books. We didn’t make the final call until he came home from the vet. In the end, Mr. Echo was the winner! We’re calling him Echo for short.
Lucky for Teresa and I, Emily and Chelsea just arrived for a visit. They were here when the little guy came home from the vet. Its been wonderful to have a couple extra pairs of hands. He has been really great with people, but he is getting use to socializing with other dogs. He is better at socializing with the cats, but its more ignoring than socializing. We’ve been walking him around the neighborhood, and he is pretty decent on the leash. We’ve also started crate training which is really hard. He doesn’t like the crate at first, but he eventually calms himself.
So far, this experience is a bit surreal. I can’t believe I’ve made the jump to dog ownership. I know it comes with a lot of responsibility. I know I’ve lost a few freedoms. That being said, dogs add to your quality of life. I’m looking forward to enjoying the dog beach with Mr. Echo. Once he is a bit older and trained, I know today’s decision and tomorrow’s hard work will be worth it.
Dude, Did We Just Get Scolded?
Over the weekend, I went to Santa Barbara for a quick escape from LA County. Matt and Erin invited me, Teresa and Chris for the weekend. We planned on visiting a few wineries in the Santa Rita Hills. It was Open House weekend which meant free music and food with wine tastings.
Saturday was absolutely stunning. The temperature was warm but not hot. The sun was bright. It was a good day to drive the 101. As I drove right along the Pacific, Teresa spotted some porpoises traveling north near the beach. The looked so care-free. Such a great drive.
Matt and Erin’s was just a stop off. We crammed everyone into my car, and I let Matt drive further north to the wineries. The Santa Rita Hills are part of Santa Barbara Wine Country wine country. They are known most for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It was my first time there, and it's just beautiful. I really am not a proper wordsmith, but Santa Barbara county is stunning. This particular area is a valley with wineries dotting the hills. Very peaceful.
The first winery we visited was cool. Their open house was held inside a converted barn. A single musician was playing Spanish style guitar. The free finger food included awesome goat cheese, crackers and chocolate covered strawberries. We were able to purchase tacos for a buck. The wine was good as well. We were allowed about 8 flights, and I really dug the reds. The vines were right near the barn, and the proximity made for an enjoyable setting.
We decided to try one more winery, and this is where things got interesting. The second winery was called Alma Rosa. As we drove up, I liked it immediately. It was more simple and less pretentious than others I visited in SB County. Its main buildings looked like old wood houses with a few decks connecting all the buildings. Both houses and decks were covered in flora and fauna. It was an intimate and warm setting.
We went in the first building to purchase our tasting. It was more expensive than the last winery, but that wasn’t a huge deal. Huh, it was even more money for food. I looked around, and there wasn’t any music at all. Oh well, lets just grab some wine and enjoy the scenery. After paying, we were given Orange Bracelets. We jumped in line for our first flight of wine.
Those pouring the wine were very sweet and knowledgeable. They explained each wine and had heavy pours. All things I like. After everyone in the group had a glass, we walked through two buildings to a larger deck. We all sat and started to enjoy the moment. An older gentlemen came over and said hello. He seemed kind, and I felt like he was just being polite and making conversation. I was quickly proven wrong when he said to Chris, “I see you are wearing a Orange Bracelet.” “Orange Bracelets are for those who didn’t pay for the food.” “Oh”, I said. He continued, “This area is reserved for those with Green Bracelets, who paid for food.” We looked around the large deck, and we were the only people there. I looked at my friends, and no one was eating anything. “OK”, I said. He then proceeded with, “We also have to be careful because some people try to drink wine underage.” Huh? “Can you please go back to the wine serving area which is the place for those with Orange Bracelets.” I said, “OK.” He then proceeded to thank us and walk away. I turned to Chris and said, “Did we just get scolded? Wow.” I couldn’t believe this guy’s nerve, but there was nothing we could do. We stood up and walked to the other area which was very crowded with other wearers of Orange Bracelets.
This is the guy who scolded me, and he is standing in the middle of Alma Rosa.
We brushed off the strange encounter, and we drank the rest of our flights. Everyone seemed to forget the scolding, and we even decided to purchase a bottle of wine. I dare say, Alma Rosa’s wine might have been better than the first winery. There were a few picnic tables outside of the buildings but inside a small forest. It seemed like the perfect spot to finish our wine tasting afternoon.
As soon as we sat at the picnic table, the same gentlemen appeared from behind a tree (at least it felt like he did). He walked up to our table and asked for a glass of our wine. I looked at everyone else, looked at him and reluctantly poured him a glass of wine. After my pour, he had the audacity to ask for a “fuller glass” and laughed. This guy was crazy. He proceeded to tell us he owned the place, and he was thankful for us stopping by. We had to finish our bottle with this guy making small talk. I was hoping he’d grab us another bottle, but he just walked away from the table. That being said, he remembered to tell us that the glasses weren't free. We needed to return them to the front desk. Traditionally, wine glasses are free with a tasting. Thanks for the hospitality! Chris shoved his glass down his pants.
Overall, I had a great day in the Santa Rita Hills. Thanks to everyone for the good company. SB County is awesome! I just can’t get over the owner of Alma Rosa. He has zero social skills. I’m guessing our second encounter was his attempt to smooth over the first, but he miserably failed. I won’t be going back to his winery. Its a shame because the wine is good and the scenery is spectacular.
Dirty Hippie Traverses Continent, Sees Rock & Roll Gods
2009 is the 40th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band. 2009 is the year the Beacon Theatre reopened after completing an amazing restoration. This combination provided an awesome opportunity to have one of the best Peakin’ At The Beacon runs ever. I wasn’t going to miss out on this one even though I lived 3000 miles away…
The story begins with the rumored guests: Eric Clapton, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Santana, Aretha, and so on. Anyone whoever played with the Brothers (particularly Duane), and was still alive was fair game. I decided to pick one weekend and purchase tickets to one night. It was a gamble, but it made the most sense for me. Travel would be easier, and I could see some friends who didn’t want to catch a show. The choice was made and Friday, March 20, 2009 was marked on the calendar.
Getting tickets was nerve racking. I only had one show to shoot for! Anyway, I was able to score Upper Balc via the pre-sale. During the public sale, I faired a bit better with Orch.
I spoke with Justin, and he offered Teresa and I space in a shared suite at the Beacon Hotel. He has always talked up this place, so we grabbed spots for Friday through Sunday. Its directly next to the venue. How could you go wrong?
Fast forward to March 19th; we leave from LAX to JFK on UA 22. The plane is very full. In fact, its so full, they need to move people forward. Teresa and I were selected to sit in Business. Since this was a Premium Service flight, it was first class to me. Hands down the most comfortable seats and best food I’ve had on a flight. We were super spoiled. Oh yea, I was wearing an Allman Brothers tie-dye while the couple next to us was decked out in Burberry and Gucci.
We arrive in NYC safely; Gootz picks us up from the airport. Soon, we found ourselves in Brooklyn! It was really awesome to see Gootz. She is such a great host. She had snacks and drinks waiting. We took a walk to the pier for sweeping views of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. We had dinner at a cool neighborhood pub with fantastic food. It was a relaxing night, and I really enjoyed spending time with Gootz. I wish I lived closer to her.
On Friday, she drove us to the Upper West Side. It was an adventure. We even got lost trying to cross through the park, but I was very grateful for her hospitality. Hopefully, we’d see her on Saturday.
We meet Justin, Tonya, Len and Chris at the hotel. The room was fantastic. We were lucky to reserve a corner suite with tons of light and living space. I could live in this room! Fairway Market is right across the street, so we gathered food and alcohol. I wish this market was near my house. They have everything!
Thursday’s show included Eric Clapton. That is right, Eric Clapton. The rumor was he’d play Friday’s as well. As evening drew closer, we started to organize for the show. Justin wanted to meet up with a college friend, and I wanted to see Eric and Matt. We decided to all converge on a bar closer to Midtown. In hindsight, we should have just stayed around the Beacon. We were able to meet up, but it was a hassle to take the train down and back up. That being said, it was exiting to exit at 72nd & Broadway and walk toward the Beacon. I love seeing the marquee lit with the Allman Brothers Band.
As I entered the Beacon, there was such a buzz in the air. First of all, it was so clean! I couldn’t believe all the detail within plain sight. It really is beautiful. We said goodbye to everyone and vowed to meet at set break. Teresa and I grabbed some beers and rushed to our seats. Unfortunately, our Orch seats ended up under the Lower Balc. At least everyone was standing, and there would be space to dance. The inside of the theatre was even prettier than the hallways and lobby. All of the statues and walls were fully restored. The seats were really comfortable. I felt privileged to be at the show:
The Allman Brothers Band
Beacon Theatre
New York, New York
Mar 20, 2009 (Fri)
Set I
1. Little Martha
Oteil solo on bass
2. Mountain Jam
part 1
3. Trouble No More
4. Midnight Rider
5. Forty-Four Blues
with Danny Louis, piano
6. Wasted Words
7. Gambler’s Roll
8. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More
9. Mountain Jam
part 2
Set II
10. Melissa
11. Leave My Blues at Home
12. No One To Run With
13. Key To The Highway
with Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals
14. Stormy Monday
with Eric Clapton, guitar
15. Dreams
with Eric Clapton, guitar
16. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?
with Eric Clapton, guitar
17. Little Wing
with Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals
18. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
with Eric Clapton, guitar
Encore
19. Layla
with Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals; Danny Louis, piano
The “Little Martha” opener was standard for this year’s Beacon run. Its a tribute to Duane. I really enjoy Oteil’s rendition. It was cool to get “Mountain Jam”, especially since it was spread-out across the set. I could have done without “Gambler’s Roll,” but I really loved “Forty-Four Blues.” A solid first set; it left me wanting more.
For the set break, I had ever intention of meeting up with Justin and Eric. I was side tracked by and old friend: Hugh McGee. As I walked up to the lobby, I heard someone call my name. I turned around and there he was! What a surprise! We stopped and talked for awhile, and he is doing well. He is still playing music in NoVa. He told me Pat had a show that night, and he was jealous Hugh was at the Brothers. I asked him to say hello for me. I wish we could have caught up more, but the set break was ending. We said goodbye, and I hopped we see each other after the show.
After Teresa and I grabbed a couple beers, we went down to the Lower Orch to see Tom. I’ve heard so much about him over the years, but this was my first meeting. He and his brother had great seats; they were about 10 rows back dead center. We chatted for the rest of the set break, and I was really enjoying their company. They’re down-to-earth good people and were accepting of me. As the lights went down, they invited us to stay. This was a considerable upgrade from our seats. Of course, Teresa didn’t stay long. See used her gender to scum her way to the first row. I stayed back with the boys.
From left, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, the guest Eric Clapton, Oteil Burbridge and, on drums, Butch Trucks, at the Beacon. Courtesy NYTimes.com
So, um, do you see what happened in the second set? I was 10 rows from that. Unbelievable. Rock & Roll Gods. “No One To Run With” was the start of it all. Don’t get me wrong, “Melissa” was sweet, but the energy really kicked into high gear with the “No One To Run With” jam. When Slowhand took the stage, the place went bonkers. I was afraid he’d be Flaccid Clapton, but he took Derek and Warren’s bet and raised their hand. It was all Rock & Roll. I loved the whole set. They lined up Warren, Derek & Eric. It was just amazing. Not too mention, the entire band was clicking. I can’t even pick a favorite. It could possibly be “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?” or “Liz Reed.” It was truly a special set. Wow. I’m so thankful to Tom. The seats were the icing on the top of the experience. I didn’t want it to end.
After the show, the entire lobby was on cloud 9. I met back up with Justin, Eric and even Hugh. We had an impromptu after-party in the hotel suite. It was cool to hear everyone’s description of the experience. We knew we’d something special. I was totally satisfied. I didn’t need to catch another night of the run.
On Saturday, everyone was a bit tired and went their separate ways. Teresa and I kicked around the idea of visiting the Natural History Museum, but the day was perfect. Instead, we decided just to walk through Central Park. I was happy we choose the later. Central Park is an interesting place. You feel like you have space, yet your surrounded by a huge city. The ponds and paths are definitely beautiful. Of course, the people watching is top notch. Eventually, we found our way back on the Upper West Side and were really tired. A nap was in order to prepare for Saturday night; Mark and Jeff were coming into the City.
I awoke to a phone call from Mark, he was downstairs. I gathered myself and went down to the street. I was a bit groggy, but the nap did me well. It was going to be a good night of having fun in the City. We decided to join the ABB pre-game parties. I can’t remember the name of the first place, but I’ve been there a million times. Its around the backside of the Beacon and north about a block. We chatted up war stories with a few patrons, but decided to move on after a single beer. The place was really crowded per normal Beacon pre-game.
The “Bear Bar” had recently closed, so I was in search of a new dive to call home. I found Dive 75 on the Net, and it looked promising. We walked the few blocks to 75th & Columbus with anticipation, and we weren’t disappointed. This is the type of place I’d go every Friday. No doubt, it has great character. We spent a solid couple of hours there. It is small with limited sitting. The decor is all old wood with really comfy feel. The juke box is stacked and not expensive. The beer selection was expansive and tasty. I didn’t try the food, but it didn’t matter. I still love this place. The clientele was really cool. We talked with some ABB pre-gamers and even a few normal patrons. It had a really cool vibe. Eventually, Teresa joined Mark and I. All three of us really loved Dive 75. I can’t wait for another Beacon show, so I may visit a second time.
I could have spent the whole night at Dive 75, but we decided to branch-out to Amtersdam Avenue. Our first stop was St. James Gate. Its a cozy Irish Pub, and we sat down at a table. It was hear we were joined by Jeff and ate dinner. I had a huge Irish dinner which helped to dissipate some of the beer. On top of that, it was really tasty. I was happy to see Jeff; it was a fun impromptu dinner. We decided to finish the night across the street at the Gin Mill. We played a bit of music on the juke box, but this was my least favorite bar of the evening.
On the way back to the Beacon Hotel, we walked past the backdoor of the Beacon Theatre. The show must had ended recently, but the band members were leaving the venue ! I got to shake Bruce Hornsby’s hand (Saturday’s Guest). I also was graced with Warren and Gregg’s presence. Mark was even luckier; he saw Susan Tedeschi and Derek walking down the street. It was a cool end to a fun evening. I’m glad to have seen Mark and Jeff. I really miss hanging out with old friends.
Sunday’s flight home was horrible. They air conditioning broke, and the back of the plane was so hot. I wish we were back up in Business. Maybe one day. I was glad to safely make it back to Long Beach, but I really do enjoy NYC. I can take it in small doses. I could probably even live there for a month or two at a time. Its really a vibrant place with so much to do. However, its really crowded and not that pretty. Of course, the show was indescribable. I am really lucky to have seen Eric Clapton with the Brothers. I’m already counting down the days to next year’s Peakin’ At The Beacon. For me, the best part was seeing all my friends. The Northeast is full of great people, and I miss hanging out with all these old friends. It is the hardest part about living on the left coast. Anyway, y’all should just come out here for a California Escape!
