Them Crooked Vultures Roseland

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

I’ve been a fan of the Foo Fighters for years and really enjoy the charisma that Dave Grohl bring to his music. A few weeks ago a good friend of mine (and total Dave groupie) mentioned that Dave’s new band, Them Crooked Vultures was going to be playing a small gig in Portland. I check out the single they released (New Fang) and enthusiastically got a ticket to the show. I downloaded the album on Amazon and was even more impressed. Dave, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and the legendary John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) mix 70’s classic rock, grunge and an alternative vibe into a solid set of great songs. The concert exceeded my expectations, but it did help that I was in the front about 8′ from the band. The sound was tight, big and well put together. When they introduced John Paul Jones the house, full of people from 10 to 50, went nuts. The guy is simply a Legand. Looking forward to seeing my next rock show! Metric is in Portland on Dec 8th. Should be a great show as well.

Skiing at Mt Hood

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

I headed up to Mt. Hood Meadows this past weekend to kick of the ski season. The mountain opened up early on November 11th with a 30″ base. SInce then it has been dumping powder. I picked up a season pass with a few friends and am planning to head up as early and as often as I can this year. I outfitted the new SportWagen with a ski rack and picked up new chains (which worked great on Saturday) to make sure that I’m solid going up and back. The conditions were very good with lots of great packed powder. By mid day the sun came out and I could see the peek of Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson in the distance. Simply a wonderful way to kick off the season. Looking forward to heading up again this Friday. You are welcome to join me!

Jessica Birthday

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

We went back to Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant to celebrate my wife birthday. The restaurant is always an adventure and even more so with a great group of friends. Fun to see the belly dancers bouncing around and only have your finger to grab and eat your food. Great food followed by a few games of ping pong, darts and billiard down the street.

Family in PA

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

In 1979 my father received the F. Lammot Belin Arts Award, one of the most prestigious awards given to regional Pennsylvania artists. This year was the 45th anniversary of the award and all past recipients were recognized in a weekend long celebration in Waverly. It was a blast to see my father and all amazing artist I knew growing up get recognized again and talk about their work. By brother also came back into town to participate in the celebration. Good time had by all.

Bill and Aaron fishing in NY

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

After New England I headed to Pennsylvania to spend time with my family. Dad, Carl and I headed up to Pulaski for three days of salmon fishing. The water was high and the fishing challenging but we did manage to land a 27″ steal head. The weather was about 45 deg but I’ve learned to have good gear to ensure a great time no matter what the weather!

Aaron & Jessica’s weekend in New England

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

We had a great time visiting our ‘Cuse friends in New England in early October. It was great to catch up, pick apples, bake pies, eat great meals together and spend some time with the kids. We’ve been going back east every fall for the past few years and I think that it has been a great tradition that we’d like to keep. Looking forward to see everyone next year if not sooner in Oregon!

On July 14, 2009 seven brave souls set forth from a tiny Maupin port aboard a tiny ship. I wrote a blog post about the disaster at Oak Spring Hole. This video was shown on October 1, 2009 at the EMERGE: Post-Raft Trip Dinner as a testament to their survival of the oak springs hole. The Skipper, Professor, Maryann & Movie Star sang the lyrics below while the movie played before dinner.

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,

A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this Maupin port
Aboard this tiny ship.

The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The oak spring would be lost,
the oak spring would be lost.

The ship set ground on the shore
of this uncharted desert isle
With Gilligan
The Skipper too,
The Millionaire
and His Wife,
The Movie Star
The Professor and
Mary Ann,
Here on “Wim Wiewel’s Island”!!!

So this is the tale of the castaways,
They’re here for a long, long time,
The movie hunk lost his wedding ring
He’s in for some couch surfing time.

The first mate and the Skipper too,
Will do their very best,
To make the others comfortable,
Although there soaking wet.

No glasses, no hat, no wedding ring,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As bruised up as can be.

So join us here for dinner my friends,
You’re sure to get a smile,
From seven soaking Portlanders,
Here on “Wim Wiewel’s Island”

Apple Picking & Pie Baking 2009

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

This past weekend was our annual trip to Mt. Hood for fresh apples and the pie baking back at our place. Not as many apples on the trees as years past. We were a little early in the season. But we did get Elstars, Jonagolds and Granny Smiths to make 6 apples pies. Good time had by all!

Bill, Dede & Aaron in Pittsburgh, PA

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

A few weeks ago I went to Pittsburgh for work. Bill and Dede drove down to spend some time. We enjoyed a few meals together and toured Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water and Kentuck Knob. Looking forward to seeing them in again in a few weeks.

10th anniversary in Hood River, OR

Originally uploaded by MediumTall

We’ve know each other half our lives…. It’s been a lot of fun. Many adventures shared. New friends made together. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring but I know that with her by my side it will all be alright.