Yeah, What the Dalai Lama Says...

I saw the below quote attributed to the Dalai Lama floating around on Facebook today.

I am not 100% sure if he actually said this, but I am sure that the sentiment is something I believe...

We all gotta make our way in this world, and making some money to do so is part of the equation for most of us.

But the bottom line for me is:

Life is short. Sure, be responsible, but do not sacrifice your mental or physical health, and do not delay experiences for "sometime in the future," when you assume you'll be healthy and wealthy in the name of money or the maniacal pursuit of it.

Mona Plays Live in Ballard

An up-and-coming band I've kept my ear on recently, Mona, played a gig last night at the small Tractor Tavern venue in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. A buddy and I went to check them out and were glad we did.

More info on Mona HERE.

In addition to their ripping set of melodic, edgy rock and roll we also were fortunate enough to meet each member of the band at some point in the evening and we can report that members of Mona are approachable, good guys who appreciate people who come out to their shows.

Unfortunately, my point-and-shoot digital camera was on the fritz, so the few pictures I attempted to take did not turn out very good. Here is one that kinda (but not really) turned out at least somewhat visible...

More pictures of Mona that I took when they played the Showbox SoDo earlier this year are HERE. Mona are the last few pictures in the set.

Opening bands Sunday evening, Funeral Party and Locksley, were both quality and if you're interested in new bands to check out, I'd add them to the list.

Pac-12 Week 6 Re-Caps

Oregon...it took you until the third quarter to do it, but you destroyed Cal as expected. Star RB James may be out due to injury for the next game, however. Luckily for you, it's at home against an ASU team that has issues when playing on the road against good teams.

Cal...on the up side, this year you didn't fake injuries against Oregon (that we can tell), but on the down side you got your butt whipped and are now 0-2 in the conference.

Washington...nice job taking the week off.

USC...you performed your "bye" duties equally well.

WSU...oh so close. You didn't exactly "Coug it," but you also didn't finish it off against a feeble UCLA.

UCLA...it took WSU coming to your home field and a full four quarters worth of effort, but you did win a Pac-12 game.

OSU...a win! Your very first of the season no less. Things are looking up after beating Arizona, at least until next weekend.

Arizona...wow, if there was a game for the taking this was it and you blew it. To Oregon State. Not a good season.

Stanford...a win against Colorado. How did you build your schedule to be so soft for so much of the first half of the season? Makes for a nice 5-0 record, but one wonders if that's just because of who you have been playing.

Colorado...no shame in losing to Stanford, but would be nice to see you try and get a few wins here at some point.

ASU...a good win. Winning on the road is always a good sign, especially for you. But, beating Utah is not exactly a statement that you're ready to win the league. Next week will be that test in Eugene.

Utah...your education on the quality of football in the Pac-12 compared to the Mountain West continues with your home loss to ASU.

Pac-12 Week Six Quick Picks

Quick picks for week six of the Pac-12 season...


Oregon vs. Cal in Eugene (Thursday) - Cal played Ducks close last year in Berkley. Not the case this year. Ducks win at home 41-24.

UW had the weekend off. So does USC.

WSU vs. UCLA in L.A. Hmmm. Both teams have question marks, but pretty even. I want to pick the Cougs here, so I will. WSU wins 22-14.

OSU vs. Arizona in Corvallis. Both hurtin' units looking for a win. Arizona has more overall talent and a better QB, so they win...28-17.

Stanford vs. Colorado in Palo Alto. Stanford continues win streak. Beats Buffs 33-10.

ASU vs. Utah in Salt Lake City. ASU takes another step toward a Pac-12 South title with a road win here 35-14.

Rainy Weather Music Recommendations

For the first time in a while, I drove to work today in the rain. Yes, summer here in Seattle seemed short and the previous winter and spring were wet. But, in any case, it's been a while since I did my commute in the rain.

That got me thinking, what are some good bands or albums to listen to when it's gray and rainy? For some people, foul weather may bring on a desire for bright and sunny music that reminds them of a more pleasant season - reggae, Beach Boys, pop and the like.

For me, however, I go the other way - embrace the gloom, marinate around in it and find music that goes with the feel. That's not to say...depressing...but just that fits the environment.
Anyway, here are a few ideas for music that goes with gray rainy weather:

• Radiohead - pretty much anything by them, but more particularly OK Computer, Kid A and Amnesiac.
• The Good, the Bad & the Queen - an album by Damon Albarn of Blur, Paul Simonon of the Clash and others.
• Rubber Soul by the Beatles - Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, Michelle, Girl and other songs really fit the rainy mood.
• Suedehead by Morrissey - it's a "best of" compliation from the Mozzer, but it's genius and fits a melancholy mood.
• Ten by Pearl Jam - Once, Evenflow, Alive, Porch, Jeremy...all great foul weather rock.
• Lifeblood by Manic Street Preachers - icy, detached, sythy-rock with some guitar...this entire album connotes bad weather.
• Metal Box by Public Image Ltd. - grindy, scratchy, warbly avaunt guard music. Gray, dark and challenging - just like a winter day.
• The Joy Division - pretty much anything by this band.
• Kill to Get Crimson by Mark Knofler - mellow, soulful, beautiful. Check it out next time there's a light rain falling. 
• Bleach by Nirvana - you sick of the rain? You pissed off that it's dark, cold and damp for like nine months out of the year? Crank this up and get that angst out!
• Zooropa by U2 - Lemon, Numb, Stay, Zooropa and pretty much everything else here fits rain.

There are just a few suggestions, and I'm sure you have your own favorites for those not-so-great weather days. Feel free to let me know. It's October now, so I'll be looking for some new tunes for the upcoming season.

Restaurant and Bar Recommendations - NYC

Just got back from a weeklong business trip to Dayton, Ohio (1 day) and New York City (4 days).

Here are a few food and drink tips for anyone going to either city...

DAYTON

• Chappy's Tap Room & Grille. This is an oasis for beer lovers, and the food is dang good too.

NEW YORK CITY

• Veritas - this used to be a high end, white table cloth, expensive place with a spectacular wine selection. Wall Streeters were the primary clientele, along with perhaps couples splurging on for that big anniversary or special occassion. We were one of those couples a few years ago and enjoyed it. However, that incarnation died at the very moment the economy and Wall Street went in the tank back in 2008. Today, the restaurant is still in the same location, still called Veritas and still has a wonderful wine list. However, the decor, service and food selections are dialed down to a more casual and affordable level. It's still a nice place to be sure and the dinner I had was great. But, the whole affair is more approachable.
• Hi-Life - this is one of those joints that as an out-of-towner you would just walk right past and not really think much about. There are two Hi-Life's in NYC, and I was at the one on the Upper West Side. This little joint has a diverse menu (chicken pasta bowl over here, sushi plate over there, steak, salads, etc.), local beer on tap (I had the Blue Point Lager) and a nice setting. In warm weather you can sit outside and watch the NYC world go by. Casual, affordable and unpretentious.
• Wong - a new place in the west village with an inventive menu. Small, popular and tastey, this hit the spot for us as we'd been craving some good Asian fare. I had the Cha Ca La Vong.
• Dos Caminos - above average Mexican food at several locations around the city. We ate at the one in midtown. Just what we wanted after a morning of hoofing around the city.
• DaNico - ironically, one thing New York's Little Italy is not known for is great Italian food. However, DaNico's is pretty dang good. It's more the rustic Tuscan and Sicilian fare rather than high end Northern Italian. But, relax...not everything has to be "hot, hip and trendy." Have a good time and enjoy some hearty Italian food and plenty of good wine selections in Little Italy.
• Pravda Bar - an old favorite and still a happening joint in the later hours of the evening. It's literally underground and decked out in Russian decor, and all this makes sense as they specialize in vodka drinks. We tasted a few of the home made infused vodkas on offer.
• Jane - for our last meal in NYC before heading home, we had brunch at a place called Jane on Houston Street. Brunch is a big deal in NYC, and picking your place can be a hit and miss affair. This place had good reviews online, was within striking distance of our hotel via subway and...you can make reservations. This last thing was the clincher. Most places you cannot reserve, so you end up standing in line for an hour or two waiting. Not so here. And, turns out we made a good choice. A nice place, great food (several types of unique Bennedicts) and friendly service. Note: They don't serve any alcoholic beverages at brunch before 12 p.m.

PAC-12 Week 5 Recap

Washington...you beat Utah on the road. Nice win and you are at the top of the PAC-12 North for now. Next week vs Colorado could be good for you too.

Utah...welcome to the PAC-12. This ain't the Mountain West.

WSU...hey, lookie here Cougs! A win! With your third victory this season you are half way to being bowl eligible.

Colorado...you are the team WSU beat. Heavy sigh.

OSU...you played better, but still lost at home to ASU. Is 0-12 a possibility? At 0-4 you are a third of the way there.

ASU...you won on the road vs the lowly Beavers. Took care of business.

Stanford...you killed UCLA. Your wins are piling up, but they are against poor teams. Bigger tests coming.

UCLA...you are not good. Season looking bleak.

USC...you beat Arizona. You were supposed to, so you are back on track.

Arizona...you, OSU and UCLA will battle it out for worst record in the leave. Which of you is the worst? Can't wait to find out.

Oregon...you did not play and await Cal, the only league team who slowed your offense. Be ready and motivated and you should win at home.

Cal....you also did not play and go to Eugene this week.