tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306872532024-03-07T15:04:35.107-08:00Java JoeA place to talk about family, friends, life, music, chess, and COFFEE!!!!Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.comBlogger317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-62277170914883612942014-08-12T13:15:00.001-07:002014-08-12T13:15:54.331-07:00Good grief: Redux<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My only sibling, Michael, took his life 10 years ago this January. As I've described in various posts on this blog over the years, his sudden death sucked the wind out of me--for a time. I healed, which doesn't preclude some moments or days of grief, especially around the anniversary of his death or his birthday. This year, I had just a couple of sad days in the middle of January. Otherwise, I have had a pretty good year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But last night I saw the news. There were a few seconds between hearing the news that Robin Williams was dead to the mention of his suicide. My reaction went quickly from an "Aw shit!" to a pretty solid cry. Realizing that one of my favorite actors who was in my favorite movie (Good Will Hunting) succumbed to the pain that was dragging him down hurt me more than I realized it would. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Losing an artist you respect and admire is not quite the same as losing a loved one, but there is still a lot of grief, shock, and numbness. My heart goes out to all of us affected by Robin's death, but especially those who were closest to him. </span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-50581259404129636582013-01-24T22:19:00.000-08:002013-01-24T22:19:31.438-08:00I blew a winning position<div style="width:590px;height:420px;border:1px solid black;position:relative"><a style="position:absolute;top:2px;right:4px;font:normal normal normal 8pt arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:white" href="http://www.caissa.com/" target="_blank">Play Online Chess</a><iframe id="cwvif_1359094246" name="cwvif_1359094246" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><form id="cwvfm_1359094246" method="post" action="http://www.caissa.com/htbin/chessview" target="cwvif_1359094246"><input type="hidden" id="cwvpd_1359094246" name="data" value="" /></form></div><div id="cwvpg_1359094246" style="display:none">[Event "Thursday Knighter I"]<br />[Site "Chess Castle"]<br />[Date "2013.01.24"]<br />[Round "4"]<br />[White "Erjavec, Joe"]<br />[Black "Berg, Vince"]<br />[Result "0-1"]<br />[WhiteELO "?"]<br />[BlackELO "?"]<br /><br />%Created by Caissa's Web PGN Editor<br />{279MB, book.ctg} 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 c6 4. f3 Nbd7 5. Be3 e5 6. Nge2<br />Be7 7. Qd2 b5 8. d5 Bb7 9. Ng3 b4 10. dxc6 Bxc6 11. Nb5 d5 12. Nf5 Bxb5 13.<br />Nxg7+ Kf8 14. Bh6 Kg8 15. Bxb5 Nf8 16. Nf5 Ng6 17. Qg5 Rb8 18. Bc6 d4 19. h4<br />Rb6 20. Bd5 Nxd5 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 22. Qg3 Ne3 23. Rc1 Qc5 24. h5 Nxc2+ 25. Kd2<br />b3 26. a3 Qa5+ 27. Kd1 Qb5 28. hxg6 Rxg6 29. Qf2 Qa6 30. Qh4 Qd3+ 31. Bd2<br />Ne3+ 32. Ke1 Nxg2+ 33. Kd1 Nxh4 34. Rc8+ Kg7 0-1</div><script type="text/javascript">document.getElementById("cwvpd_1359094246").value=document.getElementById("cwvpg_1359094246").innerHTML;document.getElementById("cwvfm_1359094246").submit();</script>
This was a fun and wild game. However, I am not enjoying looking over the post-error analysis.Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-28221273222897257642013-01-21T16:49:00.000-08:002013-01-21T16:49:29.803-08:00Postal game, January 2011 to January 2013<div style="border: 1px solid black; height: 420px; position: relative; width: 590px;">
<a href="http://www.caissa.com/" style="color: white; font: normal normal normal 8pt arial,helvetica,sans-serif; position: absolute; right: 4px; top: 2px;" target="_blank">Play Online Chess</a><iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" id="cwvif_1358815546" name="cwvif_1358815546" scrolling="no" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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</div>
<div id="cwvpg_1358815546" style="display: none;">
[Event "Postal Chess"]<br />
[Site "?"]<br />
[Date "2011.01.02"]<br />
[Round "?"]<br />
[White "Joey"]<br />
[Black "Dad"]<br />
[Result "1-0"]<br />
[WhiteELO "?"]<br />
[BlackELO "?"]<br />
<br />
%Created by Caissa's Web PGN Editor<br />
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 cxd4 5. exd5 exd5 6. Nxd4 Bc5 7. N4f3 Nf6<br />
8. Nb3 Bb6 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. Ne5 Bxe2 12. Qxe2 Re8 13. Bg5 Nbd7 14.<br />
Bf4 Ne4 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Qf3 Bxf2+ 17. Rxf2 Nxf2 18. Qxf2 b6 19. Nd4 Re4 20.<br />
b3 Rae8 21. c3 R8e7 22. h3 Qe8 23. Kf1 Qd7 24. Rd1 Qc8 25. Bd6 Qa6+ 26. Kg1<br />
Re8 27. a4 Qc8 28. Nb5 Qd7 29. Ba3 R8e6 30. Qg3 Re3 31. Qb8+ Re8 32. Qd6 Qxd6<br />
33. Bxd6 Re1+ 34. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 35. Kf2 Rb1 36. Nd4 f6 37. Bb8 a6 38. Ba7 b5 39.<br />
axb5 axb5 40. Bc5 Kf7 41. Kg3 g6 42. Ba3 Ke8 43. Kf2 Kd7 44. g3 Ra1 45. Nxb5<br />
Ra2+ 46. Kf3 Kc6 47. Nd4+ Kb6 48. Be7 f5 49. h4 Ra8 50. Bg5 h5 51. Be3 Kc7<br />
52. Kf4 Kd6 53. Kg5 Rg8 54. Bf4+ Ke7 55. Nc6+ Kf7 56. b4 Re8 57. Ne5+ 1-0</div>
<script type="text/javascript">document.getElementById("cwvpd_1358815546").value=document.getElementById("cwvpg_1358815546").innerHTML;document.getElementById("cwvfm_1358815546").submit();</script>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-36531086499646261522012-02-20T07:30:00.000-08:002012-02-20T07:50:29.276-08:00Minnesota Open, 2012, part I<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" id="internal-source-marker_0.9215547855412161" >I have seldom taken or have had the time to write a significant blog post in a very long time. With the busy and full pace of life, I spend my down time relaxing with family, friends, television, or live music. However, I have a full day off from work today, which I intentionally chose to do after an intense weekend of playing chess in the 119th Warren Stenberg Memorial Minnesota Open.<br class="kix-line-break"><br class="kix-line-break">As usual, I played in the Sophomore section for players rated U1400. (I was briefly above 1400 in 2005, but not since.) Although I often play and occasionally beat players 1600 and above at the Chess Castle, this section is competitive for me, as I don’t recall ending up higher than an even score at any tournament. </span><br style="font-family:arial;"><br style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" >For those who don’t play chess, or for those who play casually, you need to understand the mental intensity required to play a single long game of chess, let alone five or six games over a weekend. I play often, have a moderately good understanding of the game, and have experience playing a variety of different opponents. Most of the nervousness I feel when I play is the anxiety of waiting to get started. </span><br style="font-family:arial;"><br style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" >I planned on working a half-day Friday, but a last minute appointment on Friday left me with the entire day away from the office. I was thankful to have a generally relaxing day. Before the appointment, I studied a game from Yasser Seirawan’s “Winning Chess Brilliancies.” After the appointment, I practiced some </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://chess.emrald.net/"><span style=" color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;font-size:15px;" >tactics</span></a><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" > for an hour. Both the game and tactical study were very helpful in putting my mind in the proper headspace for the weekend, and I wisely did not overdo it. I relaxed the rest of the day with music until it was time for a dinner with the family before heading over to Saint Paul.</span><br style="font-family:arial;"><br style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" >After get through a slow downtown and having a little maddening difficulty finding parking--there was a country music show on Friday night--I got to the Crowne Plaza a little before seven. After bitching about the potentially high parking price and finding that there were vouchers to reduce the cost, I tried to relax as much as I could in the beehive of activity. With over 200 chess players, families, and friends, that is not realistically possible. It only got worse as the pairings started to be posted to the wall. When the Sophomore section was finally posted, I found that I was playing the top seed in our section, a scholastic player who looked to be about late middle school age.</span><br style="font-family:arial;"><br style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" >As was the case for games one, three, and five, I played Black, and my opponents all started 1. e4. Anyone who knows me knows that I have been reliably playing the Caro-Kann, which I did all weekend. I got a good workout with it! </span><br style="font-family:arial;"><br style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" >In this game, we played an exchange variation. However, “Theory? Who needs theory?” We ended up with an unusual early middlegame position. Here was the position <a href="http://chessup.net/php/pictureParser.php?fen=r1b1kb1r/pp2pppp/8/3n4/3P4/1P3NB1/P2N1PPP/R3K2R&dcolor=D18C47&lcolor=FFCF9E&bcolor=E0E0E0">after his 14th move</a>.</span><br style="font-family:arial;"><br style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" >After my 14th move (f6), I had used 40 minutes of my 120. He was using about 10 minutes less time than me at this point, and he continued to gain on me. We played for over three hours and about 46 moves (my notation became very inaccurate as my time ran low). He won.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" >I was very tir</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;color:transparent;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ed the next morning even after a half decent night of sleep. I dreaded the three game Saturday, with games at 10, 2:30, and 7. Historically the 7 o’clock game has been exhausting for me. The coffee which I drank with more frequency this weekend than usual at times did not seem to be doing the trick. My brain felt weary, although the part that kept my analytical skills sharp and careful was working well</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:arial;font-size:15px;" ><br />(Writing this just reinforced my resistance to blogging. I enjoy telling stories, but it is just as easy to lose my sense of time while writing as it is for me while playing a chess game.)</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;color:transparent;" ></span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" jscode="leoInternalChangeDone()" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-67278037674714205382010-08-09T09:32:00.000-07:002010-08-09T09:38:32.690-07:00Rex Foundation benefit album in memory of Jerry Garcia<span style="font-family:arial;">It has been fifteen years since the death of Jerry Garcia. A benefit album for the </span><a href="http://rexfoundation.org/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Rex Foundation </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">has been put together as a compilation of Grateful Dead songs covered by such bands as Phish, String Cheese Incident, and Widespread Panic. Both as a lover of the music of the Dead and as someone who understands the value of non-profits, I plan on purchasing this album.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I found about this originally on </span><a href="http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=23732"><span style="font-family:arial;">Jambase</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-17327817304279293422010-07-11T11:06:00.000-07:002010-07-11T11:09:59.371-07:00Something beautiful on the great continent of Africa...<span style="font-family: arial;">I've been enjoying watching the World Cup over the last month. After the end of the series "Lost," the viewing of which took my wife and me one year of our lives, it has been great to have a different kind of drama to observe.<br /><br />I love competition, although I generally don't care for sports. After growing up in the Cleveland area and being a fan of the Browns as a young boy, it has been difficult to enjoy sports, especially to see any hopes crushed year after year.<br /><br />Yet, the world comes together every four years to watch the world's most popular sport, and I have like many Americans really got into this time. I have watched a few other years (a bit in 1994 and the group of 16 in the 2006 WC), but this time I have recorded and watched nearly every game.<br /><br />It helped to have a solid U.S. team this year. I didn't particularly care for the first game, in which I felt we got lucky with Green's error as goal keeper. The second game, which I watched with nearly 1,000 others in our neighborhood's theatre, was at first disappointing to watch--at least through the first half. I hoped that the coach gave the team a plan to pull out of the difficult half, and he did! They came onto the field with such energy and focus, and when Donovan shot the jubulani into the top of the net, we celebrated! <br /><br />In the last game of the group final, after England scored their goal early on against Slovenia, I felt over 70 minutes of excruciating emotion. We got close so many times, and Algerian's keeper deserved kudos for knocking shot after shot away from the inside of the goal. But when the ball came off and Donovan tapped in that shot, I felt such tremendous joy and pride for our team! I have never experienced that before!<br /><br />Although we did not have a good showing in our game against Ghana, I have kept interested in the remainder of the match. I'm typing this quickly before the final game begins, as I felt the experience worthy of at least a quick story.<br /><br />The best experience of this whole month is the celebratory atmosphere that South Africa has set for the world. The vuvuzelas were really noisy and annoying at first, and it was a hard to concentrate on the games. However, as I became accustomed to the buzz, it was just one part of the texture of the whole experience.<br /><br />Sport like this, even though there are some big egos involved, is an antidote to some of the more depressing part of modern times (many deaths in Afghanistan and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico). It's not that I've ignored those stories, but not concentrating my emotional energy on these aspects of life has been a relief. It has an infectious joy to watch a player's face when they head in a well shot ball! <br /><br />Although in three hours or so Oranje or La Furia Roja will be celebrating, while the other will feel the sting of second place, having an experience that unites people all over the world is a part of the human experience I find valuable. It helps give me a glimpse into the rest of the world.<br /><br />Thank you, Africa!</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-637368420076031602009-06-03T13:37:00.001-07:002016-09-03T22:13:27.110-07:00I gained two points in Saturday's Indy Tornado chess event<span style="font-family: "arial";">Saturday was a good day. My buddy Luke got my butt down to the Chess Castle, as this would be his last tournament in Minnesota in awhile (he's crossing the country now). I hadn't played a rated tournament since February, but I woke up in a super relaxed and happy mood, so this helped me play more inspired chess than usual.<br /><br />I think everyone of the five games I played featured my exchange sacking a piece. I'm analyzing game four against uberkid Andrew Tang, who is about 1750. Attached is the game <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> my error.<br /><br />I got to play a quick game against Luke, too. This was our first one against each other in a tournament.<br /><br />I ended up with a score of 1.5 out of five, but my three losses were against three people who ended the tournament with ratings of 2009, 1778, and 1759. I played some respectable chess, which is not my end goal, but is certainly sufficient for my satisfaction.</span><br />
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Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-43111696304276259852009-05-29T12:33:00.000-07:002009-05-29T12:38:05.489-07:00OMG! Actually chess content<span style="font-family: arial;">Tomorrow I plan to play at the <a href="http://www.chesscastle.com/">Chess Castle</a> for a Tornado tournament. My folks just visited, and my dad and I played a series of games--G/45, G/45, and G/30. This is not my usual speed, but considering that I ended up with an even score against him (he's rated 1534 after his last tournament), I feel comfortable for grinding out five games at 45 minutes apiece.<br /></span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-23788181434227861152009-05-04T13:35:00.000-07:002009-05-04T13:38:44.404-07:00Update: Fringe will get a second season<span style="font-family: arial;">This morning it was reported that <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003158.html?categoryId=14&cs=1">Fringe</a> will have a second season!<br /><br />(And life has been going well, but I've been too busy to stop and write about it!)<br /></span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-28050778117392790592009-04-10T08:08:00.000-07:002009-04-10T08:14:47.849-07:00Fringe and Dollhouse on potential chopping block?<span style="font-family: arial;">I am uncertain how my tastes in television fall with the general population, but it seems that some of the shows I enjoy don't necessarily enjoy a long shelf life. I remember being saddened when Northern Exposure was going away, but I suppose six seasons was actually not a bad run.<br /><br />In this <a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/the-10-shows-that-deserve-to-return-next-fall-but-might-not--228">article</a>, the writers discuss ten shows that might go away, including <a href="http://www.fox.com/fringe/">Fringe</a> and Joss Whedon's <a href="http://www.fox.com/dollhouse/">Dollhouse</a>, two shows I have become quite fond of. (Rock of Love is on that same list...who knows why?)</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-21328206266045190662009-04-03T14:59:00.000-07:002009-04-03T15:10:33.803-07:00Three good bands last night<span style="font-family: arial;">I went to the Cabooze last evening to catch three bands: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/billmikeband">The Bill Mike Band</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/txcorrugators">Greg Ginn and the Taylor Texas Corrugators</a>, and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jambangmusic">Jambang</a>. The first group is local, while the last two feature Greg Ginn, Steve LeLollis on drums, and Bobby Bancalari on mandolin.<br /><br />Greg played bass in the first set, which was an improvised country music set. <br /><br />For Jambang, he switched to guitar. As Steve explained to me between sets, Jambang uses a pre-recorded bass and synth track around which the three of them improvise.<br /><br />Anyhow, these guys worked hard, played well, and have a bunch of dates ahead of them. Check them out!<br /><br />Apr 3 @ Aquarium in Fargo, ND<br />Apr 4 @ Railyard Ale House & Casino in Billings, MT<br />Apr 5 @ Otherside in Missoula, MT<br />Apr 7 @ The Mix in Seattle, WA<br />Apr 8 @ Tonic Lounge in Portland, OR<br />Apr 9 @ Stillwater in Ashland, OR<br />Apr 11 @ The Inn Place Laytonville, CA<br />Apr 13 @ Red Fox Tavern in Eureka, CA<br />Apr 14 @ Bombay's in Redding, CA<br />Apr 15 @ Lost On Main in Chico, CA<br />Apr 16 @ Java Lounge in Sacramento, CA<br />Apr 17 @ Divided Sky in Meyers, CA<br />Apr 19 @ Hemlock Tavern in San Francisco, CA<br />Apr 20 @ Plea for Peace Center in Stockton, CA<br />Apr 22 @ Monterey Live in Monterey, CA<br />Apr 23 @ Fishlips in Bakersfield, CA<br />Apr 24 @ Fais Do Do in Los Angeles, CA<br />Apr 25 @ Blue Cafe HB in Huntington Beach, CA<br />Apr 26 @ Hensley's Flying Elephant in Carlsbad, CA<br />Apr 29 @ DiPiazza's in Long Beach, CA<br />Apr 30 @ Winston's in San Diego, CA<br /></span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-62225928684904339642009-03-23T14:12:00.000-07:002009-03-23T14:19:33.334-07:00Caught a Willie Waldman show last week!<span style="font-family:arial;">Happy Spring, everyone! I'm glad warmer weather has returned.<br /><br />Last week was very nice. After finishing a <a href="http://eatwellforthefuture.blogspot.com/2009/03/memo-school-assignment.html">school assignment</a> the week before, last week was relaxing with school out. I went out on St. Patrick's Day with a couple of friends at Kieran's, and on Wednesday night, I caught the trumpeter <a href="http://www.williewaldman.com/today.html">Willie Waldman</a> for the first time. What a great show! He played with Steve Molitz from Particle, Kris Myers from Umphrey's McGee, and a few other terrific musicians. The painter Norton Wisdom painted while the band played.<br /><br />As always, I am happy to experience some new art and music!</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-46356200065591879582009-03-03T11:56:00.000-08:002009-03-03T12:08:13.534-08:00"Do You Realize?" is voted Oklahoma's official state song!<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/1681694480?isVid=1&publisherID=713285227" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=14556612001&playerID=1681694480&domain=embed&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" width="386" height="322"></embed><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A full story is located <a href="http://newsok.com/for-lips-a-beautiful-moment/article/3350013">here</a>.Congratulations, guys!!!!</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-84483340892593288322009-02-20T13:09:00.000-08:002009-02-20T13:19:37.931-08:00Round One: Shaking the Dust Off<span style="font-family: arial;">The first round last Friday night was my first rated game in over a year. I have had slow time control games in chess league, but in chess league there is no expectation of playing six games in a weekend. Understanding and modifying your pace after the first game is helpful.<br /><br />Chris N. and I played. He played Black and we played a French Advanced game. Due to an opening miscalculation, I won the d5 Pawn on move 13. But he had more active and better placed Bishops during the middle and endgame. <br /><br />Anyways, I lost that game, but I found it helpful. I used too much time in the middlegame, which I think led to a stressful time in the endgame. I used that lesson to adjust my time for the rest of my games, which were much more relaxed as a result, at least time-wise.</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-31861716202015215002009-02-16T08:58:00.000-08:002009-02-16T09:07:35.393-08:00She was listening to Taylor Swift; I was listening to the Flaming Lips<span style="font-family: arial;">This weekend I competed in the Sophomore section of the 116th Annual Minnesota Open. Including this weekend, I have played in it six times since 2003. (I only missed '04 when I was living in Phoenix.)<br /><br />I had a very enjoyable weekend, and I wanted to share some anecdotes, which may or not be in chronological order.<br /><br />In round two I sat down to play a girl, who I guessed was younger than my own daughter. As we were both donning on iPods, I asked what she was listening to. (See title again.)<br /><br />Other than the little smile in recognition of divergent tastes in music, we began our game. She played the English. It turned into a very wild reversed Sicilian variation, in which I was under constant attack. As I expected that she knew these lines well, I was shitting bricks for quite a while. Unlike the game I had played the night before, which was much more balanced, this game was completely about defense for me. <br /><br />When I finished playing move after accurate move grinding down her attack, we had nothing more than a drawn position. I was relieved to escape this tense game with that draw!</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-37466317390047354952009-02-04T13:22:00.000-08:002009-02-04T13:24:34.046-08:00Arts funding in Minnesota<span style="font-family: arial;">One of my friends informed me about potential cuts to the arts proposed by Governor Pawlenty. Here is <a href="http://www.mndaily.com/2009/02/02/poeple-voted-yes-governor-isnt-listening">one perspective</a> in the University of Minnesota's paper on it.<br /></span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-65872272324721947002009-01-16T14:39:00.001-08:002009-01-16T14:41:36.289-08:00Five long years<span style="font-family: arial;">Boy, have these last five years been tough at times. I'm glad to say that I'm through the hard part.<br /><br />In memory of my brother, Michael -- April 17, 1970 - January 16, 2004.<br /><br />Love you, bro!</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-43180258484487068822009-01-08T14:14:00.000-08:002009-01-08T14:16:21.907-08:00The Times has an interesting article on "24."<span style="font-family: arial;">I wanted to share <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/arts/television/08fox.html">this article</a> I found on "24." It deals with human rights, torture, and related ideas depicted in the show. <br /></span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-62363992156694684262008-12-14T10:06:00.000-08:002008-12-14T10:16:34.861-08:00We got smoked!<span style="font-family: arial;">We lost all four of our games. It was a very tough evening!<br /><br />On a positive note, I got to see one of my buddy's band play at Memory Lanes! It was great hearing some late night punk rock! </span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-40255159151099190552008-12-12T12:37:00.001-08:002008-12-12T12:40:33.726-08:00Round Four of TCCL tonight<span style="font-family: arial;">After winning last month's round 3-1, Tal Tales has a 2-1 record going into tonight's match against the 3M64 team. It should be a tough and interesting round, as we will be playing higher rated players on each board. I'm excited to play!</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-2412767544785097342008-12-11T11:57:00.000-08:002008-12-11T12:02:35.372-08:00...but life has lightened up considerably.<span style="font-family: arial;">Last week when I posted the video, I was really stressed and down. With the Mumbai massacre and some other deaths closer to friends and family, I felt worn out.<br /><br />Fortunately, I recharged after getting some major work completed with school and a little fresh perspective, energy, and humor.<br /><br />I started a new blog over <a href="http://eatwellforthefuture.blogspot.com/">here</a>. Let me know what you think.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /></span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-68139262930179228832008-12-02T11:56:00.000-08:002008-12-02T11:57:37.595-08:00Life has been heavy lately...<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VevetJUNL9g&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VevetJUNL9g&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-28669144952591519902008-11-21T13:31:00.000-08:002008-11-21T13:34:59.921-08:00One of my favorite coffee shops composts now!<span style="font-family: arial;">I'm sitting in <a href="http://www.fireroastmountaincafe.com/">Fireroast Mountain Cafe</a> to do a little work on my thesis, and they have fliers advertising that they are composting their waste! They, along with some other Twin Cities restaurants, are featured at <a href="http://makedirtnotwaste.org/">Eureka Recycling</a>. Check it out and support your local businesses that are taking a next step!</span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-55486251743077815932008-11-18T11:54:00.000-08:002008-11-18T12:09:41.571-08:00On Thomas Friedman, global warming, et al<span style="font-family:arial;">Over the last few days, my attention has been more focused on issues of global warming and the future of our planet. What helped spur that focus was that my mother-in-law sent me <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/oped/columnists/thomaslfriedman/index.html?inline=nyt-per">Thomas Friedman's</a> newest book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America. </span>Since it came in the mail Friday, I've been reading it as often as I am able.<br /><br />I just noticed that I've paid more attention to the home thermostat, turned off more lights at home and work when they're not needed, and started going more paperless with bills. I consider global warming an urgent problem, one that I as a father, an intellectual, and a trained scientist, cannot leave alone.<br /><br />I've thought more about global warming and how it is tied into other issues after reading one of his recent pieces, <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/opinion/12friedman.html?_r=2&em&oref=slogin">How to Fix a Flat</a>,</span> regarding the Big Three automobile manufacturers, and by watching him on <span style="font-style: italic;">Meet the Press </span>this past Sunday.<br /><br />Consider picking up his book if you want a well-thought analytical study of where we are at and how we can improve our chances in the future!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/27751905#27751905" scrolling="no" width="425" frameborder="0" height="339"></iframe><br /></span>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30687253.post-78020188656268531412008-11-14T12:36:00.000-08:002008-11-14T14:18:58.659-08:00Close Guantanamo Bay!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5eqBerjcYFA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5eqBerjcYFA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Joe Erjavechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375452374103632345noreply@blogger.com0