Home of Hope Golf Tournament

Home of Hope Golf Tournament, a photo by bandarji on Flickr.

Register now! Early bird registration ends March 31.

Home of Hope is holding its first annual golf tournament at the Wente Vineyard Golf Club in Livermore, California, on Saturday, May 4, 2013. Sign up as a four-man team or be randomly assigned the day of the tournament. Two flights offered: competitive players must submit their NCGA number.

Loads of fun planned. Six holes will have surprises. Make a hole in one? Win a car! An auction will commence at the tournament's conclusion.

Greens fees are normally $120. For only thirty dollars more, you'll be fed twice and have chances to win fabulous prizes, all while helping less fortunate children in India.

Home of Hope is a non profit charitable organization, tax ID 94-2242348, sec 501 (c)3.

Some Recent Concerts

Took Anjali to a few shows over the past few months. Quite a variety too: folk, punk, bluegrass and "guitar".

Us at a show

Jonathan Coulton

First up was Jonathan Coulton, possibly best known in geek circles for writing the end credits songs for the Portal video games, and for the theme to the television show Code Monkeys.

Enjoy this video of a "hacker" trying to gain access to a honey pot host. The song is Still Alive, written by Coulton for Portal.

And here is Jonathan performing Code Monkey.

A Punk Show

Cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes was a good choice, since Anjali might recognize some of the songs. And, choosing a show with bluegrass-punk band Old Man Markley ended up great; some mellow to balance out the fast drumming and distorted guitar work of the other music. The first act was New York City punk band, Runny.

Runny was wild!

Here is a video of All The Living Things You Gave Me Are Dead.

Next up was Old Man Markley, combining punk energy with bluegrass melody. These guys put on an awesome show.

Old Man Markley on stage

Here are John Carey and Katie Weed of Old Man Markley playing Song Songs.

The Gimmes put a cap on the evening. A lot of energy. They played songs from many genres and various decades. Spike even sang in Japanese.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

Here is a video of I Believe I Can Fly. Can you identify all the celebs?

I also found this funny. DNA Lounge was the venue, and the ATM cycles through several interesting message screens.

Reminds me of an old Dead Kennedys cassette tape

Steve Vai

Steve Vai puts on quite a show

Most recently, we went to see Steve Vai. Wow, what a show! Not just a guitar god, Vai is a performer. He wants you to leave entertained. Another guitarist on stage, Dave Weiner, played The Trillium's Launch during a solo bit, which was a nice acoustic addition. Vai played Frank, a tribute to Frank Zappa, who Vai used to tour with. The song has a lot (a lot) of harmonics work in it.

Not sure what show we'll catch next. Ideas?

Last Third of PhotoadayMay

I am taking a picture each day in May, for an online photo challenge. Here are the final eleven days of May's contest. For each, I am digging up an old photo for each day's inspiration as well. My first ten days and second ten are available for viewing as well. Finally, a slide show of the entire month's photos.

photoadayMay Another Ten Days

I am taking a picture each day in May, for an online photo challenge. Here is the second group of ten days from the month. Click here for the first ten days. I wanted to share the photos taken so far, and to share a photo from my past for each day's inspiration. Beneath, I shall explain how the photos fit the theme for the day.

photoadayMay First Ten Days

I am taking a picture each day in May, for an online photo challenge. Now, I am ten days through the thirty-one. I wanted to share the photos taken so far, and to share a photo from my past for each day's inspiration. Beneath, I shall explain how the photos fit the theme for the day.

Photo Challenge: photoadaymay

Chantelle (Twitter @FatMumSlim) posted a photo challenge on her blog and I have decided to participate.

Inspiration For Each May Day

Use hashtag #photoadayMay for all your posts.

1. peace {something peaceful, a peace sign etc}
2. skyline {where the sky meets land, can be buildings, the beach, forest, whatever!}
3. something you wore today {while you're wearing it or not}
4. fun! {something you do for fun - big or small}
5. bird {a bird in the sky, an ornament, a picture, a pet etc}
6. you {a self-portrait, a picture of a picture of you, your reflection in the mirror}
7. someone that inspires you {could be someone in real life, someone well-known}
8. a smell you adore {perfume, a food, flowers, anything!}
9. something you do everyday {share something from your daily routine}
10. a favourite word {a word that you love to say, write or read}
11. kitchen {can be a picture of your kitchen, something from a kitchen or a cafe kitchen etc}
12. something that makes you happy {a person, a thing, etc}
13. mum {a picture of your mum, the word mum, a mum, mother's day celebrations etc}
14. grass {the green stuff that grows on the ground etc}
15. love {something that represents love, something or someone you love}
16. what you're reading {a book, a newspaper, a blog, a sign, a note etc}
17. snack {something you're eating as a snack}
18. something you made {food, craft, a child, anything!}
19. a favourite place {a place you love being in}
20. something you can't live without {something you'd rather not go without in your life}
21. where you stand {take a photo of where you're standing}
22. pink {something pink}
23. technology {something that uses technology}
24. something new {what's something new in your life?}
25. unusual {share something a little odd or weird}
26. 12 o'clock {take a photo at noon or midnight, whatever you're doing}
27. something sweet {a candy/lolly, a cake, a person, something cute ... anything!}
28. the weather today {is it sunny, rainy, cloudy today? Shoot it!}
29. a number
30. your personality {show us your personality in a photo, a word etc}
31. something beautiful {share something beautiful in your life}

I'll update this blog with links to the photos as I take them, as well as links to ones from others I find interesting. Enjoy!

Bay Bridge Lightning Strikes

Bay Area thunderstorms? Yes, they evidently happen! And, here are a couple cool photos of lightning striking the Bay Bridge. Bay Bridge Lightning Strike by phil_mcgrew and Untitled from an unknown source.

Bay Bridge Lightning Strike by phil_mcgrew

Untitled from unknown source