Kaaboo

The opportunity to see Hall and Oates convinced me spending $130 for a Friday day pass was worth it.  In their second year, Kaaboo targeted their lineup for the ‘mature’ audience.

Unfortunately, I had to chair a 1-2pm work meeting so I left work right after 2pm.  This cut into seeing some of the lesser-known acts that played earlier Friday.  I arrived during Saint Paul and the Broken Bones show.  Great horn-based soulful music fronted by a flamboyant singer/showman with a matching voice.  Worth seeing again.

Saint Paul and the Broken Bones

During intermission, I ran into an ex-neighbor Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was with 2 friends and I assumed since they were about 24-25 in age that they were there to see some of the acts targeted for the younger audience (i.e., Fall Out Boy).  No, they were there for Hall and Oates, and Jimmy Buffett.  Then I noticed their matching Hawaiian shirts.

Hall and Oates took the stage.   They were excellent and the crowd was into them.  Most songs became sing-alongs.  Check seeing them off the list.

Daryl Hall

I walked around during the next intermission.  Kaaboo did have the acts stick to the schedule probably due to their hard shutdown of outdoor concerts of 10pm.  I did find Vietnamese noodles ($10) that were tasty.  But $18 for a gin & tonic didn’t make me want a gin and tonic.

Jimmy Buffett took the stage.  Parrot heads were everywhere with gaudy hats and shirts.  I moved about to avoid several Bro packs that were loudly talking amongst themselves.  Hey Bros, enjoying the concert?

I burned out with 30 minutes left and started the walk home.  Already the Lyft line was 150+ people waiting and a steady stream of cars queued into their area.

Alan Doyle in Fairport

Alan Doyle playing Rochester is a good excuse for another New York trip.

I took the usual Wednesday night red-eye, arriving in Syracuse on Thursday, August 24.  A flight low light was in Chicago airport – my united pass was not good at the united club in my terminal and the person said I needed to go over 3 terminals.  No thanks.  A light rain preceded my Syracuse landing.  Bill picked me up, drove to Dunkin Donuts for an emergency coffee then off for the first of many Onondaga park walks.  Then the required nap.  We then drove to Borio's to watch the slow sailboat races.

Friday was an all-day tour of Rochester.  Tried to get Adam Donle at RIT to join us, but he had singing try-outs.  As co-pilot, I could not determine why Google maps had us leave a highway to later join up the same highway.  Then we ran into road construction and will forever believe Google maps.  Our first stop was for a double IPA at Rochester’s Dinosaur Barbeque followed by the River Walk to the High Falls.

I Think We Found the Trail.

Enjoyed a stop at the River Walk Museum.  There was a pedestrian walkway over the Genesee River with a spectacular view of the falls on one side and the Genesee Brewery on the other.

View towards the falls...

...and view the other way.

Reminder, the brewery had an outdoor cafe with a perfect view of the falls.  Need to return to take a tour and check it out.  After our walk, we ended up back at the Dinosaur for chili nachos and another beer.  We then drove to the East Side and walked around East Street and Park Avenue.  There was the usual wow housing.  Then we wandered around the Eastman House’s outdoor gardens.

The first floor is only french doors.

The Alan Doyle concert was outdoors in Fairport.  The site was a quaint stop on the old Erie Canal whose waterfront has been developed since Randy lived there.  The Jumbo Shrimp, a 2 person band, opened the concert and were great.  The second band, out of Boston, was more popular but I still liked the first better.

Bill and I were again second row.  Worth the Trip.

Alan was third and was his usual greatness.  Bill sent Rick Soliway a picture of the High Falls with my usual “where in the world is Carmen Sandiego” question.  He recognized it. He was in Rochester for his High School reunion.  We wanted to get together after the concert, but I was dead tired.

Saturday was the usual grab a bagel breakfast from Bruggers and enjoy it with a walk in the park.  Lunch was ice cream at the mall and the highlight was dinner at the Stevens.

All 5 were there plus Emma, a friend of Mesi.

Sunday:  another bagel and walk of the park, farmers market, ice cream at the mall.  The day was highlighted by dinner with Tina and watching the Laura-trained Liverpool HS band perform.  Laura was out of food and broke, so we all went to Wegmans shopping so mom could buy.

Monday (fly day): Stella’s for breakfast followed by a long park walk.  Always great conversation on those walks.  As for flying – NOT SO FAST.  The flight was canceled and I got on an early exit flight on Tuesday morning.

Burt Bacharach at the Belly Up

Never pass on seeing incredible talent.

Burt apologized for not wearing his usual black jacket but he fell down steps at the beach earlier that day and it involved ‘broken bones’.  Ouch.

A few songs without the band.

Burt also said they would play a number of melodies to compact some of the songs.  I did not know only 2 songs over 90 minutes of the performance.  An incredibly deep catalog.

Chick Corea in Hollywood

Chick Corea was playing with an all-star band.  I chose the second show for Saturday night thinking the traveling would be easier given the start time of 10:30pm.

Well, the actual start time was much closer to 11:30.  Buying a solo ticket and with the Catalina Bar and Grill being only a table seating venue (determined from online pics) I wondered where I would be seated.  Turns out there were solo tables next to stage left.

I ordered a drink and walked around the venue.  Herbie Hancock was at the bar and we had small talk.

There's Chick hidden behind the guitar.

The band took the stage.  Chick was playing at stage right so I had an obstructed view of him.  However, Dave Weckl gave a drum clinic about 5 feet away from me.

That man can play the drums.  

Pre Legend & Luau Thursday Surf Session

Bob invites the regular Cymer surf crowd to his parent’s mansion on La Jolla Village beach on the Thursday before the contest.

The view to La Jolla

I do the usual provisioning of 3 growlers of Pizza Port IPAs, and local pizza is ordered.  Surf conditions were lacking but the water was warm.  A low point was when James stepped on a stingray.  Ouch.

Notice Jame's foot in the cooler

Notice Sara's right knee bandage

Annual New York State Summer Trip

I took my usual red-eye flight arriving at 10 am on a Thursday.  After the required Dunkin Donuts stop we did a short walk in Onondaga Park.  Then it was nap time for Randy.

The upside-down traffic light near Coleman's, with the Green light on top. 

This trip had 2 overnighters.  The first trip was to Ithaca.  We hiked Taughannock Falls on day 1.

Taughannock Falls.  Notice how small people are in the viewing area (lower right).

Happy hour was at the Ithaca Ale House in the commons, followed by pizza at the Nines.  Yum.  We stayed at the Meadow Court motel.  Never again.  It was very noisy with, as Randy put it, meth dealers.  Day 2 was breakfast at the State Diner with entertainment provided by the local police and a stopped SUV.  After several police cars showed up the 2 SUV riders were handcuffed.  Worth having a second cup of coffee to watch this.  We hiked the strenuous Lucifer Falls, swam at the Lower Falls (very refreshing after a sweaty hike), an ice cream at Doug’s Fish Fry, happy hour of a Tanqueray and Tonic at the Sherwood Inn followed by an excessive fried fish at Doug’s again.

Lucifer Falls hike.  Notice the flaking shale rock to be walked under.

No York State does have nice parks.

Luckily, Howie and Diane were in town and drove out in their 2007 Austin Martin Vantage to meet us post-dinner at the park.

The second overnighter was a trip to Stockbridge, MA to tour the Norman Rockwell museum.  We had lunch at Once Upon A Table which was down a quaint alley.  Afterward, we headed home by way of an overnight at Tracy's place in Albany.  A fun get-together evening cookout with excessive wine, port, and a late-night perimeter walk.  Tracy was back in Albany to move all her stuff out of her townhouse and haul it to Phoenix.  Good luck to her.

Tina was able to join a cookout at Bill’s place.  Plus later, Laura and her boyfriend Matt brought over dessert.

Matt, Tina, Bill, and Laura

Saturday night, we joined Tina and Laura for a trip to Cazenovia Lake to hear Adam sing barbershop.

At Brewster Inn in Caz prior to barbershop.

Stevens:  we were able to catch up with all 5 of them for lunch.  They literally just got back from a vacation in Canada.  Ben is showed me his YouTube channel and how adept he is with a GoPro, Ben was demonstrating how to make origami and Mesi instructed me on how to cut and dice avocados.

In Syracuse, we played only one round of golf at the usual place, and Bill crushed me.  Must have been since we played a different course.

The temperature was hot.  We still had many Onondaga Park walks and expanded to Beaver Lake for a loop.  We had meals at Beeville diner, Borio’s, and the new Clarks Ale House.

The new Clark's Ale House.  Still have Beef on Wick.

Randy was able to overload the dishwasher with soap, which leaked out like a I Love Lucy show.  After he cleaned 30 years’ worth of slim off the door gasket, it was watertight again.  He also was able to delete McAfee off my iMac which got my Apple TV working again.  Randy has to earn his time in Syracuse.

Leah Party – A Celebration of Rhine and Cheese

Commandment:  when Leah throws a party you must attend.

Southwest teased me by posting my flight would be departing 1-hour late meaning OAK arrival would be 9pm.  Not good.  But, I noticed there were 2 other flights to OAK leaving in the next 1.5 hours.  The Person Behind The Counter made it so, and I was now scheduled to arrive about 30 minutes ahead of my original arrival.  Winning!  And a note to self:  this was only possible due to no checked luggage.  Once the luggage is checked you cannot change your flight.

Leah, Damon, and Finley picked me up then off to a waterfront winery under the guise of picking up wine for the party.  Might as well sit down and have a glass, shall we?

Friday evening was finished with Leah beginning the party food preparation.

Saturday was party preparation day.  Sweep the backyard, provision run (twice), food preparation, hang outdoor lights, pack coolers with drinks.  And for me, a nap renamed ‘party prep meditation’.  

Chillin' while waiting on the party to begin

The party begins.  Plenty of people that trigger face recognition but name forgetness.  An eclectic mix.  Leah’s parents arrive and always great to talk with them.

Jim, Lynn and me

Patricia and I caught up on life.  This is a person I only see when visiting Leah but we have some deep conversations.  Next on her life to-do list:  El Camino de Santiago.  

I crashed at about 11:30pm.  Plenty of food still there.  People were encouraged to take food on the way out.  I woke about 2am and people were still outside talking.

Breakfast at Rockridge Diner

Sunday was the cleanup day.  Leah and I put in a few hours then took a breakfast break.  Damon injured his back due to overexertion Saturday so he was in recovery mode.  Then Leah’s niece showed up.  We chatted for a bit then off the airport!

OK, a few beers were left over

Parvo Stelar at Observatory North Park

One of the best Coachella features isn’t fighting the traffic/crowd of getting there is that a few of the acts will schedule SoCal performances.  Parov Stelar played the Observatory North Park this evening.  Electronica/swing/jazz/dance at its best.

Petersen Automobile Museum

Bill and I traveled to the Petersen Automobile Museum.  The museum has been rebuilt with an interesting outside shape.

It was 3 floors of more 1-off autos than I care for.  And most of the second floor was on how to design a car.  But I did find some gems.

Beautiful

Over the top

The 1967 Ford GT and the 2015 model.  Wow.  I liked the ’67 more.

Ford would be in sooo much trouble if this were on the market

Ah yes, Ken Block’s bad-ass Ford Fiesta.  A screen was showing some of his driving stunts such as burning tires off the rims.

Part of the tire print on the wall

The Petersen had an exhibit of BMWs.  What, only 3 BMWs?  It must have been in the fine print that the exhibit concerned painted BMWs.

Bad Decision

What was the Bad Decision?

Big Head Todd and the Monsters @ Belly Up

BHT played at the Belly Up.  Tracy and I both wanted to see them and I also wanted to see the opening act of Mike Doughty.

We strategized about getting there as the doors opened in hopes of getting good seats.

As it turned out we were about 20 minutes late joining the queue.  We got seats in the backstage right.  The best seats (already filled) were stage left which has a less obstructed stage view.  We had an obstructed view and it got warm as the show progressed.

Mike Doughty came out accompanied by a person playing the standup bass.  It was an OK performance.

Tracy and I decided to brave the crowd during the band changeover.  Our view was very good when BHT took the stage but degraded as the tall people pushed ahead of us and their girlfriends went into dance mode in a crowded group.

Our View Until Tall People Pushed In

We moved back to listen to a few more songs then left about 2/3 through the concert, having enough of the Belly Up crowd.

Less Crowd

Starting to really like Largo and the Coach House.

Nosara 2015

I traveled to Costa Rica for my annual 4-week trip.  Tracy took me to the airport early so we stopped at Stone Brewery in Liberty Station for a drink and nosh before the drop-off.  A teacher was at the bar enjoying a beer while grading papers.

This outbound flight took me to LAX for a red-eye.  My private shuttle was awaiting and delivered me to Kaya Sol in the late morning.  Painless travel.  Note for future travels:  Sambuca is available in LIB duty-free for $20, after customs and before baggage pickup.  I carried a package of earplugs for Kaya Sol in exchange for breakfast.  When checking in they said the bedroom ceiling fan wasn’t working but that it would be fixed.  The fan was replaced during my last week; however, the light on the new fan did not work.  Bill and I decided to not tell them and see if the light doesn’t work on next year’s trip.

Waves were bigger during the first part of the trip and were listed at flat, flat-1, or 1-2 at end of the trip.  The Holden was the board for those days.

Water temperature was 86-87F. Base wax was not staying on the Holden over the red-painted area.

Huge New Home in Perfect Location

I re-met Margaret and Patrick from San Francisco.  And also Mike and Jane also from the bay area.  Joel joined from the bay area after a few days.  They were here last year.

Also re-met Wayne, a bald guy from Long Island who lives in Nosara part-time.

Bert arrived on 18 December and left on the 28th.  He struggled with surfing throughout the trip and admitted the Infinity might not be the board for this break.

Next Day after Evening Rain

Walking back from a surf session, Bert and I and another person came across an iguana with a bad attitude on the trail.  Iguana would stand his ground and hiss.  The third person took a stick and poked the iguana.  The iguana would continue hissing and whip his tail at the stick.  Then it bit off the end of the stick.

Nosara has a dog problem.  In particular, the restaurant across from kaya sol owner has a dachshund that continually barks.  The photographer Andrew has an unleashed dog that barks at beach runners and bikes, digs up baby turtles, and eats them.

But the worst dog award goes to 2 dogs owned by a shaved-headed guy and his Asian girlfriend.  The smaller dog bit a person on a bike, then bit Bert.  The girlfriend obviously did not know what to do and nervously giggled.  Episode #2:  Bert and I were walking back on the trail and the girlfriend had the dogs on leashes about 10 feet off-trail.  She could barely hold them as they barked, growled, and lunged at us.  Episode #3:  I was walking back on the trail.  The guy had leased dogs about 4 feet off-trail.  As I passed, the smaller dog lunged at my free hand and almost got it.  The guy said "Sorry about that".  Episode #4:  Bill and I were walking in ankle-deep water at sunset.  The couple and 1 of the unleased dogs were sitting onshore.  The dog spotted us and aggressively ran to us.  The guy noticed and his voice commanded the dog back.

Good note:  I did not see the aggressive dogs or owners for the last 2 days.  I hope they just finished their last Nosara visit.  I checked, and telescoping batons are illegal but slingshots are not.

The kitchen stove gas ran out on a Saturday morning.  We resigned ourselves to the fact it might not be refilled until sometime next week.  I told 1 person at the hotel desk and got a weak response.  I told another person (Andrea) later that day and it was fixed in 1 hour. 

We dined mostly at the hotel restaurant.  Local and reasonable, they had a good Caesar salad.

Jennifer and her family were in town.  We dined at Kaya Sol one evening.  Jennifer had a scare on a surfboard and hasn’t been on a board since.  Hope she gets over it.  It was good meeting her family.

Bill was scheduled in for the last week.  I watched the gypsy cab bus show up and depart without Bill.  Oh well, he is lost somewhere in a foreign country.  10 minutes later GC #2 showed up with Bill, and an 11 pack of Imperials, Sambuca, and Baileys.

Bill Always Shows Up Prepared

Bill started the next day surfing the white water.  We talked about leash management and popup timing.  Bill progressed to paddling out to the smaller breaks and catching a few waves.

Bill brought a small fan to help circulate cold air from the bedroom.  Good move.

Bill, Bill, BILL!!!!

Mainly due to the low tide at daybreak, we would schedule dawn patrol walks to watch to sunrise.  Nice colors.

Morning Light

Pack list add items:

Additional 275 contacts.  Use 2 per surf per day.

Calvin Klein cotton briefs for lounging when only 1 person

Hard squeegee for wax removal

ADK hat with next coverage

Koozie for beers

Old surfer journals to swap w/ Bert

Wide mouth water bottle

Bottle cleaner for water bottle

Noodles to protect packed boards

Duct tape for noodles

Pizza port sticker for frig

Sharpie pen in zip lock bag

Individual salt/pepper

Ziploc baggies for freezing food

Candle or canning wax for painted area on Holden

Surfboard handle

Light-colored, high collar, non-cotton shirts that can be sink rinsed.