Monterey Whale Watching trip 2010

Our trip report, from October 30, 2010:

"The Monterey Whale Watching trip went really well. The $1.00 for motion sickness pills is quite likely the best money I have ever spent. We did see Risso's Dolphins, Northern Elephant Seal, Harbor Seals, and various birds, including Shearwaters, Black-Footed Albatross, Common Murre's, Cassin's Auklet, and all manner of gulls. The Monterey Bay Whale Watch company gave us a free pass to come back anytime for a free trip to try again. Awesome. Also, Kate Spencer, the naturalist on the tour, has a web site here showing off her artistic talents: http://www.katespencer.com/ "

Radio Song

Heard on 91.5 FM KYDS (re-broadcasting 1580 AM KSSU out of Sacramento State University):

Amherst, Nova Scotia-born Feist's "1234" from her 2007 album "The Remainder" on the Cherrytree/Interscope Arts & Crafts labels. Video.

Keep The Channel Open

(via):

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open." -- Martha Graham

Movie Review: Red Cliff (2008)

The epic scale of human butchery in this movie might shock, if not balanced with equally epic and magnificent cinematography.

I am not really sure what else to say about this movie.

The death of Pit in the arms of Sun Shangxiang seemed at first glance like a muted, out-of-place anti-war note. More likely: the movie intended to show it as a counterpoint to Lady Sun's eagerness for battle. Earlier in the movie, Zhou Yu says, "After my first war, I never desired another."

The opening scenes disorient and advance much too quickly. Was that guy just beheaded the same as the guy just speaking up in front of the Emperor? Yes. Was that 30-second segue all we get from Cao Cao's appointment to the time he gets to Jing province? Yes. Who are these guys fighting against Cao Cao? Who is the baby and who are the two women being rescued, and why should we care? The baby is rescued and never seen again; one woman is killed, the other throws herself into a well to avoid capture. If Liu Bei cares, he never really shows it for the rest of the film. Odd.

The movie hits its stride when Cao Cao's army finally gets to Red Cliff. Settled in, we see characters using intelligence to succeed in the face of overwhelming odds.

I just can't get all that worked up about this movie. It represents an amazing achievement in terms of scale. It cost USD$80 million to produce. Personal preference, I guess.

Kevin Voted Today

Governor

Jerry Brown

Lieutenant Governor

Gavin Newsom

Secretary of State

Debra Bowen

Controller

John Chiang

Treasurer

Bill Lockyer

Attorney General

Kamala D. Harris

Insurance Commissioner

Dave Jones

Member, State Board of Equalization, District 2

Chris Parker

United States Senator

Barbara Boxer

Congressional District 3

Ami Bera

Senate District 6

Darrell Steinberg

Member of the State Assembly

Richard Pan

Judicial

• For Chief Justice of The Supreme Court: Shall Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye be elected to the office for the term provided by law? Yes
  
  
• For Associate Justice of The Supreme Court: Shall Associate Justice Ming W. Chin be elected to the office for the term provided by law? No
  
  
• For Associate Justice of The Supreme Court: Shall Associate Justice Carlos R. Moreno be elected to the office for the term provided by law? Yes
  
  
• For Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District: Shall Associate Justice George W. Nicholson be elected to the office for the term provided by law? Yes
  
  
• For Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District: Shall Associate Justice Harry E. Hull, Jr. elected to the office for the term provided by law? Yes
  
  
• For Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District: Shall Associate Justice M. Kathleen Butz elected to the office for the term provided by law? Yes

State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Tom Torlakson

Los Rios Community College District, Trustee, Area 2

Robert G. Jones

San Juan Unified School District, Governing Board Member

Greg Paulo

County, Sheriff

Scott Jones

Proposition 13: Legalizes marijuana under California but not Federal law. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production, distribution, and sale of marijuana. Initiative Statute.

Yes

Proposition 20: Redistricting of Congressional districts. Initiative Constitutional amendment.

No

Proposition 21: Establishes $18 annual vehicle license surcharge to help fund state parks and wildlife programs. Grants surcharged vehicles free admission to all state parks. Initiative statute.

Yes

Proposition 22: Prohibits the state from borrowing or taking funds used for transportation, redevelopment, or local government projects and services. Initiative Constitutional amendment.

Yes

Proposition 23: Suspends implementation of air pollution control law (AB 32) requiring major sources of emissions to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or less for full year. Initiative statute.

No

Proposition 24: Repeals recent legislation that would allow businesses to lower their tax liability.

Yes

Proposition 25: Changes legislative vote requirement to pass budget and budget-related legislation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Retains two-thirds vote requirement for taxes. Initiative constitutional amendment.

Yes

Proposition 26: Requires that certain state and local fees be approved by two-thirds vote. Fees include those that address adverse impacts on society or the environment caused by the fee-payer's business. Initiative constitutional amendment.

No

Proposition 27: Eliminates State commission on redistricting. Consolidates authority for redistricting with elected representatives. Initiative Constitutional amendment and statute.

Yes

Measure D: Shall the order adopted June 25, 2010, by Sacramento County LAFCo, ordering the incorporation of the territory described and designated as "City of Arden Arcade" be confirmed subject to terms and conditions specified in the order, including payments to Sacramento County commencing FY 2012-2013 and terminating after $219,000,000 is paid, and for the City to levy and collect the same taxes, fees, charges, assessments and rates currently imposed by Sacramento County, as particularly described in the order?

Yes

Member, City Council

1. Liz Rice, Fitness Instructor
   
   
2. Chris Napoleon Smith, University Financial Director
   
   
3. David A. Pegos, Agricultural Department Representative
   
   
4. Ralph A. Mercello, Certified Public Accountant
   
   
5. Robert J. "Bob" Matteoli, Retired Engineer
   
   
6. Joel E. Archer, Arden Arcade Incorporation Chair
   
   
7. Anthony A. Hernandez, Arden-Arcade Planning Commissioner
   
   
8. Warren Harding, Parks Director