Caught a Willie Waldman show last week!

Happy Spring, everyone! I'm glad warmer weather has returned.

Last week was very nice. After finishing a school assignment 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 Willie Waldman 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.

As always, I am happy to experience some new art and music!

"Do You Realize?" is voted Oklahoma's official state song!

A full story is located here.Congratulations, guys!!!!

Round One: Shaking the Dust Off

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.

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.

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.

She was listening to Taylor Swift; I was listening to the Flaming Lips

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.)

I had a very enjoyable weekend, and I wanted to share some anecdotes, which may or not be in chronological order.

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.)

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.

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!

Arts funding in Minnesota

One of my friends informed me about potential cuts to the arts proposed by Governor Pawlenty. Here is one perspective in the University of Minnesota's paper on it.

Five long years

Boy, have these last five years been tough at times. I'm glad to say that I'm through the hard part.

In memory of my brother, Michael -- April 17, 1970 - January 16, 2004.

Love you, bro!

The Times has an interesting article on "24."

I wanted to share this article I found on "24." It deals with human rights, torture, and related ideas depicted in the show.

We got smoked!

We lost all four of our games. It was a very tough evening!

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!

Round Four of TCCL tonight

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!

...but life has lightened up considerably.

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.

Fortunately, I recharged after getting some major work completed with school and a little fresh perspective, energy, and humor.

I started a new blog over here. Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Life has been heavy lately...

One of my favorite coffee shops composts now!

I'm sitting in Fireroast Mountain Cafe 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 Eureka Recycling. Check it out and support your local businesses that are taking a next step!

On Thomas Friedman, global warming, et al

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 Thomas Friedman's newest book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America. Since it came in the mail Friday, I've been reading it as often as I am able.

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.

I've thought more about global warming and how it is tied into other issues after reading one of his recent pieces, How to Fix a Flat, regarding the Big Three automobile manufacturers, and by watching him on Meet the Press this past Sunday.

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!

Close Guantanamo Bay!

Music and your health

I'm listening to this interesting story on NPR--Science Friday--about how listening to music that brings you joy can improve your cardiovascular health.

Thank you, Vets!!!

I honor your service to this country. Thank you!

"Keep the Camera Alive"

I took the title from Skinny Puppy's "Tin Omen." Although the song is about Kent State, I thought it appropriate to keep the world's eyes on Myanmar. The New York Times reports that the Myanmar government has sentenced 14 democracy reporters. Horrible!

Thank you, Matt and Trey!

I think laughter is one key to a healthy life. Last night, as part of detoxing from too much politics, we watched South Park's newest episode, About Last Night...

It dealt with the election and politics, but only tangentially. I recommend this if you are in the need of a good laugh, regardless of who you voted for!

Vote!

It was nice to get a reminder from Bob Weir this morning in my email!

Edit: And I got a recorded message from Bob Weir on my cell phone Monday morning reminding me to vote!!!

Happy Halloween