Friday, September 29, 2006
Sh-t or get off the pot!
The World Chess Championship is turning into a frickin' debacle! Topalov and Kramnik are fighting over Kramnik's use of the bathroom. There have been accusations of cheating, no handshakes this morning at the board, and a delay that led to Kramnik forfeiting the game.
This is despicable behavior and an utter disappointment to me as a chess fan. I'm frankly pissed off about this. What a load of crap. This really stinks! How offal!
Please keep up on the news and fan reactions at Chessbase, Susan Polgar's blog, and Chessgames.
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
This is despicable behavior and an utter disappointment to me as a chess fan. I'm frankly pissed off about this. What a load of crap. This really stinks! How offal!
Please keep up on the news and fan reactions at Chessbase, Susan Polgar's blog, and Chessgames.
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Thursday, September 28, 2006
My win against a tough opponent this evening
I have been playing at the Chess Castle for a couple of years now. I play in the Thursday Knighters, an all-month event, which, coincidently, takes place on Thursdays. :) The tournament director, Norm, is particular difficult for me to beat. I nicked him once in a King's Gambit in 11 moves, but I was really lucky there. Otherwise, he has beaten me in all of our other meetings.
Tonight I played him again; I have the White pieces.
1. e4 e5. Every game with him starts this way. I've played the King's Gambit and the Scotch against him, but I wanted to try something different, something he did not see me play before.
2. c3. My goal with this was to eventually push d4. What I liked about this move was that it gave me a safe pocket for my White-squared Bishop.
By move 7, I had pushed my d4, and we both had castled. I had a pinned Knight on f3, but that was not a concern.
On move 8, Norm played Qb6, attacking my Pawn on b2. I calculated a couple of variations, but 9. b3 was the safest move. I did not feel a need to rush into anything just to lose material later.
We exchanged Pawns, which I liked, via 9...exd4 and 10. cxd4. I had both center Pawns as well as the f2, g2, and h2 Pawns. This left me with another chain of Pawns on a2 and b3. Norm on the other hand had four connected Pawns on his Queenside, and three connected Pawns protecting his King.
It appeared that the reason for Norm's exchange was to attack with Qb5. Inaccurate play on my part would have led to 11...Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Qxg5, losing a piece. I thought this a good attacking move on Norm's part, so I brought my Bishop back to safety with 11. Be3.
Qh5 looks like trouble for me, but it also his third Queen move. I played the natural Nbd2 to protect the Knight and to take pressure off my Queen guarding the Knight on f3.
Norm played 12...Na6 to prepare for the 14...Nb4, attacking my Bishop. I loved that Bishop, I certainly was not going to allow tradeoff of it. The trouble with that sequence is that I chased the Knight back to a6 in a couple of moves. That was a rough spot for the Knight.
I spent eleven minutes before 17. e5. I knew that push was going to open up counterplay, but I was prepared for it. He responds with the very logical 17...Nd5. I spent another eleven minutes before 18. exd6. Only after this game did I realize that the imagined threat of 18...Nc3 was nothing to fear, as I would have played 19. dxe7, 20, exf8=Q+ and ended up with a strong material advantage despite losing my Queen on d1.
We traded off a couple of pieces, and I ended up with what I thought was a worse Pawn structure. I had three sets of Pawn islands, each with two, while Norm had three and three.
He captured one of my center Pawns, but I could not take back because my d-Pawn was pinned. However, I had the handy 24.Bxh7+ followed by 25. Rad1 which protected that remaining Pawn and took some pressure off.
At this point I was feeling alright, as I had over thirty five minutes left, while Norm was getting close to eight.
I took the pin off my Pawn by retreating my King to h1 and off the dark square. Whew!
He goes Pawn hunting and ends up a Pawn ahead. However, I had my pieces in better spots, so I was looking for attack and mate. He brought his Queen over to g5 to protect the Bishop and Pawn if I decided to try to win the Pawn that was now on g7.
My nifty 33. Kh2 to drive his Queen away was what I needed for victory. On 34. Rh5+, he resigned due to 34...Kg8 35. Bh7+ Kh8 36. Bg8+ Kxg8 37. Qh7#. It felt good to win against him, as he is a tough opponent for me. It also feels good to write up this entry, as I need to wind down after a long tense game--it was over four hours long! I'm wiped now, so good night!
[Event "Thursday Knighter IX"]
[Site "Chess Castle"]
[Date "2006.9.28"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Joe Erjavec"]
[Black "Norm"]
[Result "1-0"]
1.e4 e5 2.c3 Nf6 3.Nf3 d6 4.Bd3 c6 5.O-O Be7 6.Bc2 Bg4 7.d4 O-O 8.Bg5 Qb6 9.b3 exd4 10.cxd4 Qb5 11.Be3 Qh5 12.Nbd2 Na6 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Nxf3 Nb4 15.Bb1 Rae8 16.a3 Na6 17.e5 Nd5 18.exd6 Nxe3 19.fxe3 Bxd6 20.e4 Bf4 21.Bd3 Qa5 22.Qc2 Qb6 23.e5 Bxe5 24.Bxh7+ Kh8 25.Rad1 Bf6 26.Kh1 Rd8 27.Ne5 Rxd4 28.Ng4 Rxd1 29.Rxd1 Qb5 30.Bd3 Qg5 31.Rf1 Nc7 32.Rf5 Qh4 33.Kh2 Qe1 34.Rh5+ 1-0
Tag: chess
Tonight I played him again; I have the White pieces.
1. e4 e5. Every game with him starts this way. I've played the King's Gambit and the Scotch against him, but I wanted to try something different, something he did not see me play before.
2. c3. My goal with this was to eventually push d4. What I liked about this move was that it gave me a safe pocket for my White-squared Bishop.
By move 7, I had pushed my d4, and we both had castled. I had a pinned Knight on f3, but that was not a concern.
On move 8, Norm played Qb6, attacking my Pawn on b2. I calculated a couple of variations, but 9. b3 was the safest move. I did not feel a need to rush into anything just to lose material later.
We exchanged Pawns, which I liked, via 9...exd4 and 10. cxd4. I had both center Pawns as well as the f2, g2, and h2 Pawns. This left me with another chain of Pawns on a2 and b3. Norm on the other hand had four connected Pawns on his Queenside, and three connected Pawns protecting his King.
It appeared that the reason for Norm's exchange was to attack with Qb5. Inaccurate play on my part would have led to 11...Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Qxg5, losing a piece. I thought this a good attacking move on Norm's part, so I brought my Bishop back to safety with 11. Be3.
Qh5 looks like trouble for me, but it also his third Queen move. I played the natural Nbd2 to protect the Knight and to take pressure off my Queen guarding the Knight on f3.
Norm played 12...Na6 to prepare for the 14...Nb4, attacking my Bishop. I loved that Bishop, I certainly was not going to allow tradeoff of it. The trouble with that sequence is that I chased the Knight back to a6 in a couple of moves. That was a rough spot for the Knight.
I spent eleven minutes before 17. e5. I knew that push was going to open up counterplay, but I was prepared for it. He responds with the very logical 17...Nd5. I spent another eleven minutes before 18. exd6. Only after this game did I realize that the imagined threat of 18...Nc3 was nothing to fear, as I would have played 19. dxe7, 20, exf8=Q+ and ended up with a strong material advantage despite losing my Queen on d1.
We traded off a couple of pieces, and I ended up with what I thought was a worse Pawn structure. I had three sets of Pawn islands, each with two, while Norm had three and three.
He captured one of my center Pawns, but I could not take back because my d-Pawn was pinned. However, I had the handy 24.Bxh7+ followed by 25. Rad1 which protected that remaining Pawn and took some pressure off.
At this point I was feeling alright, as I had over thirty five minutes left, while Norm was getting close to eight.
I took the pin off my Pawn by retreating my King to h1 and off the dark square. Whew!
He goes Pawn hunting and ends up a Pawn ahead. However, I had my pieces in better spots, so I was looking for attack and mate. He brought his Queen over to g5 to protect the Bishop and Pawn if I decided to try to win the Pawn that was now on g7.
My nifty 33. Kh2 to drive his Queen away was what I needed for victory. On 34. Rh5+, he resigned due to 34...Kg8 35. Bh7+ Kh8 36. Bg8+ Kxg8 37. Qh7#. It felt good to win against him, as he is a tough opponent for me. It also feels good to write up this entry, as I need to wind down after a long tense game--it was over four hours long! I'm wiped now, so good night!
[Event "Thursday Knighter IX"]
[Site "Chess Castle"]
[Date "2006.9.28"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Joe Erjavec"]
[Black "Norm"]
[Result "1-0"]
1.e4 e5 2.c3 Nf6 3.Nf3 d6 4.Bd3 c6 5.O-O Be7 6.Bc2 Bg4 7.d4 O-O 8.Bg5 Qb6 9.b3 exd4 10.cxd4 Qb5 11.Be3 Qh5 12.Nbd2 Na6 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Nxf3 Nb4 15.Bb1 Rae8 16.a3 Na6 17.e5 Nd5 18.exd6 Nxe3 19.fxe3 Bxd6 20.e4 Bf4 21.Bd3 Qa5 22.Qc2 Qb6 23.e5 Bxe5 24.Bxh7+ Kh8 25.Rad1 Bf6 26.Kh1 Rd8 27.Ne5 Rxd4 28.Ng4 Rxd1 29.Rxd1 Qb5 30.Bd3 Qg5 31.Rf1 Nc7 32.Rf5 Qh4 33.Kh2 Qe1 34.Rh5+ 1-0
Tag: chess
Update on World Chess Championship
After checking out game four yesterday, I haven't read about the tournament. I went to Susan Polgar's blog today and found this article:
Topalov may leave the match! Holy moly! Let's all keep an eye on this!
(For those who have not been keeping up on this, the score after four games is 3.0-1.0, in Kramnik's favor.)
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Topalov may leave the match! Holy moly! Let's all keep an eye on this!
(For those who have not been keeping up on this, the score after four games is 3.0-1.0, in Kramnik's favor.)
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
New books to read...
It's a partially dreary day, but it is a good day to get out of the house nonetheless. We met Melissa downtown for lunch today.
After lunch our son and I went to the library. I wanted to borrow David Shenk's newest book, The Immortal Game. However, since it is so new, there are no copies available at the main library. In the process of doing a search for his other books, I found out that he co-authored the book, "Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads". I didn't realize until today that he was responsible for that, despite that I had briefly perused it a few years ago.
Besides that book, I also picked up his "The End of Patience" and "The Forgetting--Alzheimer's: Portrait of an Epidemic." I am excited to read through all three of these works, as he certainly has diverse interest areas!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the first entries I came to was "Reformed Deadhead." It describes a person who is done with touring and wants a more rooted existence.
I have an earlier post about when I became a Deadhead, but I just realized that September 5 of this month marks the 15th anniversary of when I became a Reformed Deadhead. I had tickets for three nights at the Cleveland Coliseum, where the Cleveland Cavaliers used to play basketball. My now friend, then wife, Carillon, and I just finished the second show. For some reason we had the third night tickets in our pocket. As the show ended, we looked at each other and asked, "You done?" "I'm done." We sold our third night tickets and that was the end of our Grateful Dead show experiences.
Tags: David Shenk, chess, Deadhead, Grateful Dead
After lunch our son and I went to the library. I wanted to borrow David Shenk's newest book, The Immortal Game. However, since it is so new, there are no copies available at the main library. In the process of doing a search for his other books, I found out that he co-authored the book, "Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads". I didn't realize until today that he was responsible for that, despite that I had briefly perused it a few years ago.
Besides that book, I also picked up his "The End of Patience" and "The Forgetting--Alzheimer's: Portrait of an Epidemic." I am excited to read through all three of these works, as he certainly has diverse interest areas!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the first entries I came to was "Reformed Deadhead." It describes a person who is done with touring and wants a more rooted existence.
I have an earlier post about when I became a Deadhead, but I just realized that September 5 of this month marks the 15th anniversary of when I became a Reformed Deadhead. I had tickets for three nights at the Cleveland Coliseum, where the Cleveland Cavaliers used to play basketball. My now friend, then wife, Carillon, and I just finished the second show. For some reason we had the third night tickets in our pocket. As the show ended, we looked at each other and asked, "You done?" "I'm done." We sold our third night tickets and that was the end of our Grateful Dead show experiences.
Tags: David Shenk, chess, Deadhead, Grateful Dead
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Andrew Sullivan, a civil libertarian!
My friend and classmate, Janet Cohen, has been a reader of Andrew Sullivan for a few years now. I started out by reading a few of his essays, and I appreciated where he was coming from. I now read his blog a couple of times weekly.
Today he posted an article on a bill that, if passed, would allow the "president the right to seize anyone in this country, detain him or her without charges indefinitely and torture them in secret."
Buck Fush! He and his cronies act like he is the king. He is not. He pisses me off. I can't wait until the assclown's reign is over.
Thank you, Andrew, for your focus on all of our rights!
Tags: civil liberties, Andrew Sullivan
Today he posted an article on a bill that, if passed, would allow the "president the right to seize anyone in this country, detain him or her without charges indefinitely and torture them in secret."
Buck Fush! He and his cronies act like he is the king. He is not. He pisses me off. I can't wait until the assclown's reign is over.
Thank you, Andrew, for your focus on all of our rights!
Tags: civil liberties, Andrew Sullivan
Another nice bike ride this morning
My son and I biked up to the post office this morning. I had to run an errand related to my role as secretary of the Minnesota State Chess Association. I am coordinating the efforts of the individuals involved with the production of our journal, the Minnesota Chess Journal, so I was mailing some scoresheets from the latest tournament to one of our members who annotates games.
It was a very nice morning. It was sunny and in the high 60's. This will be the last sunny day for at least the next couple of days. So we enjoyed a ride around the neighborhood, and he fell asleep during the trip.
It was good to ride around, as I had a few reminders from political signs on some lawns about some items on the November 7th ballot. We have an opportunity to vote on Instant Runoff Voting for the city of Minneapolis. Here is specific info for that ballot item.
Also, we have a statewide ballot on an amendment to our state's constitution on the use of current vehicle taxes for a combination of road and transit spending. I consider this an important vote, as the taxes as investments in our state's infrastructure will help keep Minnesota competitive and more liveable in the future. As our ridership in transit increases, we should have less gridlock in our commutes and a cleaner atmosphere.
Tags: family life, chess, voting, instant runoff voting, IRV, elections, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, transit, light rail, taxes
It was a very nice morning. It was sunny and in the high 60's. This will be the last sunny day for at least the next couple of days. So we enjoyed a ride around the neighborhood, and he fell asleep during the trip.
It was good to ride around, as I had a few reminders from political signs on some lawns about some items on the November 7th ballot. We have an opportunity to vote on Instant Runoff Voting for the city of Minneapolis. Here is specific info for that ballot item.
Also, we have a statewide ballot on an amendment to our state's constitution on the use of current vehicle taxes for a combination of road and transit spending. I consider this an important vote, as the taxes as investments in our state's infrastructure will help keep Minnesota competitive and more liveable in the future. As our ridership in transit increases, we should have less gridlock in our commutes and a cleaner atmosphere.
Tags: family life, chess, voting, instant runoff voting, IRV, elections, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, transit, light rail, taxes
Game Three: A solid, but uneventful draw.
Game three of the match between Topalov and Kramnik was nothing spectacular. No fireworks were present, but at least the game was cooler than the last two, and the result was a draw. Kramnik was White today; tomorrow they reverse colors. I hope Topalov comes out fighting tomorrow and ends up with a win.
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Sunday, September 24, 2006
I've made almost no references to coffee!!!
Despite my nickname, I've only made two references to coffee since I started this blog in July. How is that possible? I drink a good three to four cups of coffee a day. Occasionally more. Who's counting?
Late this afternoon my son and I were traveling around the neighborhood. We stopped in at the Birchwood Cafe, which is normally closed by early afternoon. However, they celebrated their 11th anniversary this weekend, so we were able to stop in for some goodies.
Peace Coffee was preparing French presses. I love those and had a small cup. They had a few handouts, including one for a documentary called Black Gold.
From their Story page:
Late this afternoon my son and I were traveling around the neighborhood. We stopped in at the Birchwood Cafe, which is normally closed by early afternoon. However, they celebrated their 11th anniversary this weekend, so we were able to stop in for some goodies.
Peace Coffee was preparing French presses. I love those and had a small cup. They had a few handouts, including one for a documentary called Black Gold.
From their Story page:
"Multinational coffee companies now rule our shopping malls and supermarkets and dominate the industry worth over $80 billion, making coffee the most valuable trading commodity in the world after oil.
But while we continue to pay for our lattes and cappuccinos, the price paid to coffee farmers remains so low that many have been forced to abandon their coffee fields."
I believe that globalism and trade are forces that can act for good. (See my earlier post about Thomas Friedman's book, The World is Flat.) One essential part of that is fair trade. I appreciate that I can get coffee from all over the world, but I demand that the people who pick it make a good wage for their efforts.
As part of a global community, we can effect the shape of our world by the purchases we make. If economic justice is already an important value to you, look for and purchase products that reflect your values. If this is not something you have thought much about, please take a few minutes to read more by clicking on the links I included here.
Tags: coffee, fair trade, globalism, economic justice, Twin Cities
Game Two: Ugh!!!
Today's game was full of mistakes. I'm sure it's got to be the pressure of playing such a serious match. Topalov had a prime opportunity to even up the match. On move 32, he could have been ahead with an evaluation of greater than +8. However, he plays a horrible move that evens the game.
Susan Polgar provides a good analysis of the game at her blog.
This game helps prove that chess is a bitch. Unless you love her and are willing to take risks and beatings, it is not the game for you! Be patient, and you will find beauty in this!
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Susan Polgar provides a good analysis of the game at her blog.
This game helps prove that chess is a bitch. Unless you love her and are willing to take risks and beatings, it is not the game for you! Be patient, and you will find beauty in this!
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Game One: Kramnik!
That was a good game that should have ended in a draw about 40 moves back, but Topalov pushed it just a bit far and his position crumbled. Great game, anyways!
I was correct that Kramnik would play 1. d4, but it was not a Queen's Gambit Declined. Instead, it turned out to be E04, the Open Catalan System.
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
I was correct that Kramnik would play 1. d4, but it was not a Queen's Gambit Declined. Instead, it turned out to be E04, the Open Catalan System.
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Friday, September 22, 2006
She's going to Vegas, baby!
Melissa should have an excellent weekend, as she is now en route to Las Vegas for a family function. I have not yet made it to Vegas, but I will have to go with her some time when we can get a family member to watch our little one for a couple of days. Even though I'm not able to go with her, I'm glad she is, so she can have a good time. She's been there before and always enjoys it!
She called from the very small Sioux Falls airport. I told her I'm going to probably chill out and watch a documentary on Burning Man.
We're definitely an odd couple in many ways, but we have learned much from each others' quite different perspectives.
Tag: family life
She called from the very small Sioux Falls airport. I told her I'm going to probably chill out and watch a documentary on Burning Man.
We're definitely an odd couple in many ways, but we have learned much from each others' quite different perspectives.
Tag: family life
Kramnik will have White tomorrow against Topalov
On the official website for the World Chess Championship is a description of the ceremony for the drawing of lots. I thought this is a delightful way to start such a tournament!
According to Chessbase.com, Kramnik has played thirty-two games as White against Topalov from 1993 to 2006. Kramnik has mixed up his openings, but I am guessing he is going to play 1. d4, and it will turn into a Queen's Gambit Declined. I am anxious for this game. I have about 10-1/2 hours to wait!
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
According to Chessbase.com, Kramnik has played thirty-two games as White against Topalov from 1993 to 2006. Kramnik has mixed up his openings, but I am guessing he is going to play 1. d4, and it will turn into a Queen's Gambit Declined. I am anxious for this game. I have about 10-1/2 hours to wait!
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Thursday, September 21, 2006
First game of the World Chess Championship is this Saturday
Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov will be competing for the title of the World Chess Champion, with the first game this Saturday. This will be an exciting match, as these two have greatly different styles of play--Topalov is extremely tactical and aggressive, while Kramnik is positional and defensive.
I am a big fan of Topalov! His dynamic play is best typified, in my opinion, in this game against Levon Aronian.
Regardless of who wins, this promises to be a great tournament!
Note that the time for the match is 3:00 p.m. Moscow time, 7:00 a.m. Eastern Standard time. That means get up early, US chess fans!
Official site
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
I am a big fan of Topalov! His dynamic play is best typified, in my opinion, in this game against Levon Aronian.
Regardless of who wins, this promises to be a great tournament!
Note that the time for the match is 3:00 p.m. Moscow time, 7:00 a.m. Eastern Standard time. That means get up early, US chess fans!
Official site
Tags: Chess, Kramnik, Topalov, World Chess Championship
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Oil and human rights
U.S. News and World Report just printed this story, "Dictator and Diplomat", about Equatorial Guinea. The President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, heads a "a corrupt and repressive regime...but Equatorial Guinea is a growing oil producer."
As I discussed in my opinion piece over at Blogcritics, we need to invest more in alternative energy solutions, so that people like Obiang cannot continue to reap the benefits of the oil sales for themselves while withholding revenue from their citizens' basic human needs. The United States and other countries who need to purchase oil should be pushing these leaders for some basic reforms in their countries as part of their price of doing business. Otherwise, we of the oil-demanding countries are merely allowing those leaders to continue the status quo which does little if nothing to improve human rights throughout the world.
Thomas Friedman discusses this eloquently here.
Tags: Oil, human rights
As I discussed in my opinion piece over at Blogcritics, we need to invest more in alternative energy solutions, so that people like Obiang cannot continue to reap the benefits of the oil sales for themselves while withholding revenue from their citizens' basic human needs. The United States and other countries who need to purchase oil should be pushing these leaders for some basic reforms in their countries as part of their price of doing business. Otherwise, we of the oil-demanding countries are merely allowing those leaders to continue the status quo which does little if nothing to improve human rights throughout the world.
Thomas Friedman discusses this eloquently here.
Tags: Oil, human rights
Monday, September 18, 2006
Carbon neutral traveling is catching on
In August I found that science writer Chris Mooney was traveling carbon neutral. I just learned that STS9, who I saw this Friday, is traveling carbon neutral on their fall tour!
Tags: carbon neutral, greenhouse gases, STS9, Chris Mooney
Tags: carbon neutral, greenhouse gases, STS9, Chris Mooney
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Tool at the Target Center
Last night I went with my friends Jeff and Javen to my first Tool show. This was also my first time seeing any concert at the Target Center. The down side of the experience is that the sound system is pretty muddy, but at least I was warned about that before going.
Anyways, we got in our seats a few minutes after the opening band, Isis, started their performance. I did not find them all that interesting, but to be fair, I am unfamiliar with their music.
Tool began about thirty minutes after Isis finished playing. The stage was very wide with a large amount of space between each of the band members. It looked very clean. They had a curtain above them, and there were film screens behind them.
As I am very new to them, I did not know much material other than that on 10,000 Days. Those songs comprised at least half of the show. I was especially moved by the pair of songs Wings for Marie and 10,000 Days. They refer to the 27 years between Maynard's mom's stroke and her death.
I spoke with my friends after the show. They noted that Maynard was less energetic than in other Tool shows they have seen. Still, Tool is definitely music that sticks to you. It is extremely complex musically and lyrically. The movies and images playing behind them are quite thought provoking. Some are in stop motion. Others are mystical in nature, featuring Alex Grey's amazing artwork. The whole experience is quite unique, with a fanbase that comes from very diverse parts of society.
Tags: Tool, music, 10,000 Days
Anyways, we got in our seats a few minutes after the opening band, Isis, started their performance. I did not find them all that interesting, but to be fair, I am unfamiliar with their music.
Tool began about thirty minutes after Isis finished playing. The stage was very wide with a large amount of space between each of the band members. It looked very clean. They had a curtain above them, and there were film screens behind them.
As I am very new to them, I did not know much material other than that on 10,000 Days. Those songs comprised at least half of the show. I was especially moved by the pair of songs Wings for Marie and 10,000 Days. They refer to the 27 years between Maynard's mom's stroke and her death.
I spoke with my friends after the show. They noted that Maynard was less energetic than in other Tool shows they have seen. Still, Tool is definitely music that sticks to you. It is extremely complex musically and lyrically. The movies and images playing behind them are quite thought provoking. Some are in stop motion. Others are mystical in nature, featuring Alex Grey's amazing artwork. The whole experience is quite unique, with a fanbase that comes from very diverse parts of society.
Tags: Tool, music, 10,000 Days
Saturday, September 16, 2006
STS9 at First Avenue
For me last night, as it was for a few other people that I greeted, the Sound Tribe Sector 9 show at First Avenue was my "cherry show." I wanted to check them out, as I've been into Particle over the last year-and-one-half. Althought they are part of the same genre, STS9 has more of an electronica and soundscape-feel and is not techno like Particle is.
It felt strange being at this show, though. I estimated that I was about fifteen years older than the average person there last night. I was talking with a young lady at the rail before STS9 came on, and I asked if she had seen them before, telling her it was my first time. She asked me what other music I liked and I said I've been really into Particle, but was also into The Dead. She asked me what that was like, since that was before her time.
What was cool about the conversation and fans in general is that this is the evolution of the music that was part of the Haight-Ashbury scene of the 1960s. Just as the Grateful Dead's music itself evolved from jugband to psychedelia to country and blues and so forth over its thirty years, the bands playing now have come out of that tradition. It was a great realization that at one time I was the youngster in my late teens and early twenties getting into the Grateful Dead and being one of the younger people then. Now I'm older and see a bunch of new music fans who are really into bands like Particle and STS9.
The evening began with the opening band, Sub-ID. They were a two piece unit--one bassist and one computer sampler and looper. I enjoyed them and got to experience the energy of the crowd. Then, when STS9 came out, people just went nuts with dancing, moving, smiling, and grooving to the music.
The energy of the show was real intense. I backed away from the stage after two songs, as some exuberant people danced their way up front. I enjoyed this, because I definitely enjoy a bit more room to move. In that more open space I was able to feel the music in a more gentle way than by standing right up front. Regardless of where one stood, sat, or danced, the feeling was very comfortable and happy. I felt very relaxed even today.
I thought it was very interesting that they had an artist working on stage. I also liked that I was able to pick up a poster at the show. These were provided by the fine people at Conscious Alliance. In exchange for bringing ten non-perishable food items, you get a poster. Melissa and I did this in June 2004 at the Phoenix Dead show, too. I love the synergy between music and caring that is part of this wonderful array of musicians and fans!
Tags: STS9, Sub-ID, hunger relief, electronica, Particle
It felt strange being at this show, though. I estimated that I was about fifteen years older than the average person there last night. I was talking with a young lady at the rail before STS9 came on, and I asked if she had seen them before, telling her it was my first time. She asked me what other music I liked and I said I've been really into Particle, but was also into The Dead. She asked me what that was like, since that was before her time.
What was cool about the conversation and fans in general is that this is the evolution of the music that was part of the Haight-Ashbury scene of the 1960s. Just as the Grateful Dead's music itself evolved from jugband to psychedelia to country and blues and so forth over its thirty years, the bands playing now have come out of that tradition. It was a great realization that at one time I was the youngster in my late teens and early twenties getting into the Grateful Dead and being one of the younger people then. Now I'm older and see a bunch of new music fans who are really into bands like Particle and STS9.
The evening began with the opening band, Sub-ID. They were a two piece unit--one bassist and one computer sampler and looper. I enjoyed them and got to experience the energy of the crowd. Then, when STS9 came out, people just went nuts with dancing, moving, smiling, and grooving to the music.
The energy of the show was real intense. I backed away from the stage after two songs, as some exuberant people danced their way up front. I enjoyed this, because I definitely enjoy a bit more room to move. In that more open space I was able to feel the music in a more gentle way than by standing right up front. Regardless of where one stood, sat, or danced, the feeling was very comfortable and happy. I felt very relaxed even today.
I thought it was very interesting that they had an artist working on stage. I also liked that I was able to pick up a poster at the show. These were provided by the fine people at Conscious Alliance. In exchange for bringing ten non-perishable food items, you get a poster. Melissa and I did this in June 2004 at the Phoenix Dead show, too. I love the synergy between music and caring that is part of this wonderful array of musicians and fans!
Tags: STS9, Sub-ID, hunger relief, electronica, Particle
Friday, September 15, 2006
Prisoner of Guantanamo Bay story
This morning we were listening to this story of Moazzam Begg on NPR. Draw your own conclusions.
I'll repost this as I think more about it. I know right now I am appalled that people who are not charged with any particular war crime or particular evidence are being treated inhumanely. This is not how America should treat others.
Tags: Guantanamo Bay, humane treatment, war on terror
I'll repost this as I think more about it. I know right now I am appalled that people who are not charged with any particular war crime or particular evidence are being treated inhumanely. This is not how America should treat others.
Tags: Guantanamo Bay, humane treatment, war on terror
Thursday, September 14, 2006
A couple of Minnesota environmental items
Yesterday I learned that the ridership for the Metro Transit system--buses and light rail--was over seven million riders in August.
A couple of months ago I went to a colloquium on global warming at Hamline University sponsored by NextStep. Chris Coleman, the mayor of Saint Paul, was talking about increasing the energy efficiency of many of the city's most wasteful buildings. Now, Minneapolis is doing the same, as discussed in this story on the Minnesota Public Radio site.
Tags: light rail, global warming, energy efficiency, green building, Twin Cities
A couple of months ago I went to a colloquium on global warming at Hamline University sponsored by NextStep. Chris Coleman, the mayor of Saint Paul, was talking about increasing the energy efficiency of many of the city's most wasteful buildings. Now, Minneapolis is doing the same, as discussed in this story on the Minnesota Public Radio site.
Tags: light rail, global warming, energy efficiency, green building, Twin Cities
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