Put The PA in Party! Sid's 75th!

This past Sunday was my dad's 75th birthday bash.

With a group of family and friends acting as stellar cooks, caterers, busboys and electricians we pulled off a fantastic celebration of my dad's life so far.

There were just short of 200 guests from all aspects of my dad's life. Colleagues from both Catlin Gabel and Charles Wright (my dad was a teacher for those not in the know), professional acquantances, Portland friends, a college friend or two and lots of family were there.


We held it at Catlin Gabel in the school's lunchroom, a converted barn from the old farm days of the property. For those familiar with The Barn you know how fitting a place it is for a CG alum or retiree to have a gathering.

Cousins Katherine and Stu, my mother and I planned the entire event. There was beer and wine, Stu smoked fifty pounds of beef onsite and acted as chef, aunts Alice and Debby made fantastic salads. Stu's girlfriend Hilary handled signage and nametags and balloons and making it pretty. Kat and Stu had custom shirts and hats for the organizers to wear. There was music and a microphone and words from Sid himself.

For me this was an opportunity to recognize the importance of my dad in my life. He's been there for me countless times and it was nice to be there for him this time. As was evident by the turnout and the overwhelming sense of fun, many others feel similarly.

There are more pics coming soon. But a few here show cousin Stu carving beast; my dad talking with Greg Wentworth; nephew Nathaniel enjoying cake.

For those of you that were there please post a comment about your favorite parts of the evening or whatever strikes your fancy.

B!

CD Baby

You’ve probably heard about CD Baby. It’s a local company devoted to selling music online. Particularly independent music, the kind that won’t see the major retailer's store shelves.

My friend’s band, Fuzzball, just released a CD and CD Baby has it. I ordered it last week and it arrived yesterday. I have to admit, the shopping experience on CD Baby was unlike any online shopping I’ve ever done.

It started with the CD being out of stock. So they allow you to input your email and they notify you when it arrives for sale. Here was the email:

It's back in stock now. You're the first to know.

It just got here an hour ago.We can send it to you in tomorrow morning's mail. Just click this link:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/fuzzball

Enjoy!

This appears to be a company about the little touches. They probably send that same email to everyone but it didn’t feel like it to me. Impressions, turns out they matter. It’s not that their interface was better or easier to use (although it was easy) it’s the confirmation emails that I received that made me smile and appreciate this company. This one came to me from the sender “CD Baby Loves Bruce”:

Bruce -Thanks for your order with CD Baby!

This is just a happy
automated email to let you know a real person will email you as soon as your
package is sent, and you will also receive a paper receipt with your order in
the mail.

Please save this email in case you have any questions about your
order.

And the final email from them:

Your CD has been gently taken from our CD Baby shelves with sterilized
contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.

A team of 50 employees inspected your CD and polished it to make sure it was
in the best possible condition before mailing.

Our packing specialist from Japan lit a candle and a hush fell over the crowd
as he put your CD into the finest gold-lined box that money can buy.

We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched
down the street to the post office where the entire town of Portland waved "Bon
Voyage!" to your package, on its way to you, inour private CD Baby jet on this
day, Wednesday, January 23rd.

I hope you had a wonderful time shopping at CD Baby. We sure did. Your
picture is on our wall as "Customer of the Year." We're all exhausted but can't
wait for you to come back to CDBABY.COM!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sigh...

--Derek Sivers, president, CD Baby

This is a company that deserves more of my business. In a world of increasing automation and ‘bots that do everything, it was nice to find a company that uses that technology creatively. They set a high expectation for me and have delivered.

Anyway, check out Fuzzball’s CD “The Last Umbrella Stand” It’s good power-pop with really interesting cover art and (shameless self-promotion) yours truly even got a shout out on the album thanks. That’s always a cool thing. It’s permanent. Like “Kilroy was here” or some such thing.

B!

A Salute To A Great Man: Spread The Love

I first met Timber Jim in 1978. Well, I didn’t actually meet him. But I went to almost every Timbers match as a kid and that was the year Jim started sawing logs, standing on poles, banging drums and leading us in support of our beloved Portland Timbers.

Today, Timber Jim announced his retirement as mascot of the Portland Timbers. His final match will be our home opener against Puerto Rico on Thursday, April 17.

I finally met Jim in 2004 when I started regularly attending Timbers Army gatherings and post-game celebrations. At first I was in awe of him; This larger than life figure of a man who gave of himself to bring joy to us all. As I got to know Jim on a more personal level my admiration, respect and love for him grew as well.

He is, without a doubt, one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

I am privileged to have spent quality time with him, difficult time with him and take great pride to be able to consider him a friend.

We all are richer for knowing him.

Jim, my friend, I wish you the best. With a tear in my eye and a pint in my hand. You are one of a kind and it has been an honor.

RCTID

Bruce! (Obi)

Gmail Revisited

Some recent trinkets from my Gmail adbot email reader

Jello shot release cups - www.twistnshot.com - Release Jello shots with ease! Reusable Plastic shot cups.

Johnny Drama T-Shirt - www.CollegeFlavor.com - People Will Stop You at The Bar & Ask Where you Got it.

Ethical Hacking - www.intriniumsecurity.com - Find IT security weaknesses before the hackers do!

And from the SPAM filter:

Spam Primavera - Toss with linguini, serve immediately

Spam Veggie Pita Pockets - Serves 8

Creamy Spam Broccoli Casserole - Makes 8 servings

It Puts The Lotion In The Bucket

I need some lotion. Good lotion. Lotion for a guy.

I’m finding that my skin (especially my expansive forehead) is getting very, very dry during these winter months. I really hate lotion but I really need some. Currently I’m using Vaseline Intensive care with aloe. It comes in a light green bottle. It doesn’t smell too bad and does a decent job.

But I’d like something even more neutral in its odor. I’m not much of one for scents. Might’ve been at some point in the past, but they really aren’t for me in 2008. I’d also like to avoid ones that are too greasy. The Vaseline is OK, but I still can feel that I’m wearing lotion and almost always feel the urge to wipe my hands on a towel for a good long time after using it.

So to all of my friends out there in interwebland, is there a lotion that you use and recommend? A lotion designed for a guy or neutral enough to allow me to deal with it?

B!

Full Moon at Sunset

Last night as I was leaving IKEA (ugh!) the sun was setting in the west and a full moon was rising in the east. The day had been cold, crisp and clear. It was a stunning mix of colors and awe.

This morning on my way to work, driving the sunset freeway toward the west the same full moon (I’m pretty sure it’s the same one) was framed by the arches of the west hills of Portland. Another gorgeous sight.

I should’ve had my camera with me.

B!

Please, Speak up.

This blog has been getting a lot of visits lately. Granted, many of them are directed here because of one or more odd google searches, but still. Lots of visits.

But, even with all the traffic, it's been pretty quiet around here. So, if you've enjoyed (or even not enjoyed) what you've read here, try to feel unshy and post a comment or two.

That is all,

B!