Weird Al In Concert: California State Fair

Dawn and I were at the California State Fair on Sunday to see Weird Al. We sat in Section C, Row U, Seats 10 and 11 around 7:00 p.m. with plenty of kettle corn. The place filled up completely by showtime.

1. Intro--Fun Zone (song)
   
   
2. Live action video sequence on tri-screen
   
   
3. Latest polka montage, featuring: Poker Face by Lady Gaga; Womanizer by Britney Spears; Right Round by Flo Rida; Day N' Night by Kid Cudi; Need You Now by Lady Antebellum; Baby by Justin Bieber; So What by Pink; I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry; Fireflies by Owl City; Blame It by Jamie Foxx; Replay by Iyaz; Down by Jay Sean; Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz; Tick Tock by Ke$ha (link)
   
   
4. You Make Me, from Even Worse
   
   
5. Weird Al announces they have reached the half-way point of the show and it is now the time for the drum solo (drummer strikes single note)
   
   
6. Good Old Days, from Even Worse
   
   
7. Eminem interview from Weird Al TV; Simpsons Weird Al reference
   
   
8. Smells Like Nirvana from Off The Deep End (Kurt Kobain wig, black short-sleeved tee with yellow stripes over white long-sleeved tee; song video playing on tri-screen; two cheerleaders in black outfits with red poms upstage; gargles water and throws rest of water in cup on front rows)
   
   
9. Robert Plant interview from Weird Al TV, followed by various Weird Al appearances on television, followed by Mariah Carey interview on Weird Al TV, followed by Naked Gun Weird Al reference.
   
   
10. Skipper Dan, from Internet Leaks
    
    
11. Jessica Simpson interview on Weird Al TV
    
    
12. You're Pitiful exclusive online single (Al starts with black coat and pants and rips off sequence of clothing: removing black coat reveals gold sequin shirt; removing gold sequin shirt reveals white tee with "I *Heart* Bacon"; removing accordion tee reveals yellow Atlantic Records Still Sucks tee; removing Atlantic Records Still Sucks tee reveals white Spongebob Squarepants tee; removing black pants reveals pink tutu over white boxers with red hearts)
    
    
13. UHF "Wheel Of Fish" segment; Madonna interview from Weird Al TV; various other television Weird Al references (for example, Transformers cartoon)
    
    
14. Dare To Be Stupid, from Dare To Be Stupid
    
    
15. Flintstones video on the tri-screen, followed by Johnny Carson, followed by CNR intro
    
    
16. CNR, from Internet Leaks.
    
    
17. Interlude where Weird Al relates story of how he asked his tour agent before the tour to give him one show at a state fair over a moat; "Some dreams do come true." He then gives an extended, overwrought introduction to the next song about one man's need to be a hog.
    
    
18. "Let Me Be Your Hog", from "UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff".
    
    
19. Canadian Idiot from Straight Outta Lynwood (maple leaf screensaver video and nuclear explosion on tri-screen at end of song; exploding streamers into crowd timed with bomb)
    
    
20. Avril Lavigne interview from Weird Al TV; Alanis Morissette "Ironic" video with Weird Al; "Germs And You" informational video.
    
    
21. Wanna B Ur Lovr from Poodle Hat (red suit with black and white tie; Al went into the crowd and up and down the aisles)
    
    
22. Beverly Hillbillies preview video
    
    
23. Begins song medley:
    
    
1. Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*, from "UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff".
   
   
2. Whatever You Like, from Internet Leaks.
   
   
3. I'm In Love Wit Da Skipper exclusive Straight Outta Lynwood live medley song (puts on white hat with red shirt; Gilligan video on tri-screen)
   
   
4. Confessions Part III from Straight Outta Lynwood (instead of singing normal lyrics "Oh, and sometimes in private, really like to dress up like Shirley Temple and spank myself with a hockey stick (hockey stick)" he substitutes Sarah Palin's name)
   
   
5. eBay from Poodle Hat
   
   
6. Bedrock Anthem from Alapalooza (Flintstones video on tri-screen)
   
   
7. Another One Rides The Bus, from "Weird Al" Yankovic
   
   
8. Ode To A Superhero from Poodle Hat (plays accordion and harmonica)
   
   
9. Trapped In The Drive-Thru from Straight Outta Lynwood (song video animation on tri-screen)
   
   
10. Gump from Bad Hair Day (Forrest Gump on tri-screen)
    
    
11. Eat It from In 3-D (puts on red jacket)
    
    
24. Devil Walks Among Us bit on the video screen; Michael Stipe interview from Weird Al TV; various other television appearances
    
    
25. Craigslist from Internet Leaks.
    
    
26. Snoop Dogg interview from Weird Al TV (sets up "We All Have Cell Phones" bit later on)
    
    
27. Amish Paradise from Bad Hair Day (song video costumes; video on tri-screen)
    
    
28. Celine Dion interview from Weird Al TV
    
    
29. White & Nerdy from Straight Outta Lynwood (enters on Segway, black hoodie with "White & Nerdy" in red letters, silver sparkly chain)
    
    
30. "Be Nice To Your Teeth" informational video. Madonna interview from Weird Al TV
    
    
31. Fat from Even Worse (black fat suit with red belts, grommets, silver chains; says Ho! Ho! Ho! and stage manager comes out wearing a Santa Claus outfit, with a hoe; Weird Al punches him in the face and the stage manager exits)
    
    
32. Encore: We All Have Cell Phones, So C'Mon Let's Get Real exclusive live single from Weird Al TV interview with Michael Stipe
    
    
33. The Saga Begins from Running With Scissors (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea intro; storm troopers and Darth Vadar on stage; robes outfit from video)
    
    
34. Yoda from Dare To Be Stupid (Darth Vadar theme followed by the Adams Family intro; bubble screensaver video on tri-screen; Yoda Chant half-way through, then finishes with white confetti explosion)

Show lasted from 8:00-10:30 (started right on schedule)

Great show. Two confetti explosions; no Al Bucks (no It's All About the Pentiums Baby); no Radio, Radio.

Songs by album:

Internet Leaks: 4
Straight Outta Lynwood: 4
Poodle Hat: 3
Even Worse: 3
UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff: 2
Dare To Be Stupid: 2
Bad Hair Day: 2
Running With Scissors: 1
Alapalooza: 1
"Weird Al" Yankovic: 1
In 3-D: 1
Off The Deep End: 1
Unreleased songs: 2
Total songs: 27

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Raiding, Sopron County, Kingdom of Hungary-born Franz Liszt's "La Campanella" (translated as "The Little Bell"), with primary soloist Li Yundi, on the Deutsche Grammophon label (#B0000851). Video. An amazing tour de force; the ending reminds me of Star Wars' Dual of the Fates.
  
  
• Santa Cruz de Galeana, Guanajuato, Mexico-born Juventino Rosas' "Sobre las olas" (translated as "Over the Waves"), performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Alondra de la Parra conducting, on the Sony label (#75555). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Lucca, Tuscany, Italy-born Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz", performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth conducting, on the Decca label (#473371). Video (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Nagano, Japan-born Joe Hisaishi's "Summer", performed by the La Pieta orchestra, featuring Angèle Dubeau on violin, on the Analekta label (#28725). This piece is from the soundtrack to the 1999 Japanese movie "Kikujiro". Audio. Note: Mr. Hisaishi has composed many pieces for Hayao Miyazaki's movies.
  
  
• Semyonovo, Russia-born (near Veliky Novgorod, in north-western Russia) Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto #3 in d minor, Op. 30", performed by the Rochester Philharmonic, featuring Jon Nakamatsu on piano, Christopher Seaman conducting, on the Harmonia Mundi label (#907286). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC; but it is Rachmaninoff himself). Note: I would listen to this in college over and over again; just an amazing piece.
  
  
• Ipswich, England-born Magnus Fiennes' "Hymn" performed by the Bond string quartet on their 2000 album "Born" Decca label (#467091). Audio.
  
  
• Eisenach, Saxe-Eisenach (in what is present-day Germany)-born Johann Sebastian Bach's "Double Violin Concerto in D minor", performed by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, featuring Daniel Hope on violin, on the Warner label (#62545). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK-based Radiohead's "No Surprises", performed by Christopher O'Riley on piano, from his 2003 album "True Love Waits: Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead" on the World Village label (#468034). Audio.

Via KDVS 90.3 FM, out of Davis, CA:

• San Jose, California-born DJ Shadow & Los Angeles-born Cut Chemist's "Brainfreeze Part 1" from their 1999 album "Brainfreeze: A Nonstop Live Mix of Strictly 45's and Exercise in Vinyl Destruction" on the Sixty7 Recordings label. Listen to it live at the KDVS archive; it starts at minute 71. I think. The part I heard was the part where the singers say "Everybody out to join in...Put it in the ground...put it in the air....". Great stuff.
  

Via KXPR 88.9 FM, out of Sacramento, CA:

• Worcester, Massachusetts-born John Adams' "China Gates", performed by Gloria Cheng-Cochran on piano, on the Telarc label (#CD-80513). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KXPR).
  

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Cologne, Rhine Province, Kingdom of Prussia-born Max Bruch's "Violin Concerto #1 in g minor, Op.26", performed by the Dresden Philharmonic, with Sarah Chang on violin, Kurt Masur conducting, on the EMI label (#67004). Audio.
  
  
• Frankfurt, Germany-born Klaus Badelt's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", performed by the Cincinnati Pops orchestra, Erich Kunzel conducting, on the Telarc label (#80682). Not sure what track; play them all.
  
  
• Paris, France-born Camille Saint-Saens' "The Carnival of the Animals: Aquarium", performed by the London Sinfonietta, featuring soloists Pascal Rogé and Cristina Ortiz, Charles Dutoit conducting, on the Decca label (#470 777). Audio (Aquarium is the seventh movement of this piece).
  
  
• Livorno, Tuscany, Italy-born Pietro Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo", performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan conducting, on the DG label (#449 900). Audio.
  

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-07-14: RICE

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-07-14
Resting heart rate: 63 bpm (60 second test, 75 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.78 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,883 calories
Weather: warm, sunny
Temp: high of 33 C (91.4 F) , 2.5 m/s NW wind
Time: 15 minutes
Terrain: flat
Comments: It has been one week of recovery since my last maintenance run. Ran at the American River Stadium track this evening and made it approximately 15 minutes before I felt sore in my right Achilles tendon. This afternoon I felt it lower than I did last week, closer to the ankle, so I am pretty sure it is the Achilles tendon. I contemplated going the full 45 minutes with the soreness, but (correctly, I think) chose to call it a night. Iced the area using a paper cup with a frozen block of water for about 15 minutes. Will try to start doing this twice per day, once in the morning before work and once in the evening. Wore my repaired Timex watch for the first time this evening and also wore my new ASICS running shoes. Will be wearing my shoes to work the next week or so to break them in. Disappointed with how I felt this evening, to say the least. However, to date I have had zero pain in my lower back or knees, so dealing with an inflamed Achilles tendon is welcome, relatively. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate, all of which I will be doing, save the compression part. The running environment this evening seemed typical for mid-summer: track practice at the Stadium Track, soccer and football scrimmages on the soccer fields. Water polo practice at the pool.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 81.4 kg (179.5 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Minor right Achilles tendon inflammation
Foods eaten today: Oatmeal + raisins + banana, grapefruit, cottage cheese, Bing cherries, green tea (2 cups), chocolate meal replacement shake, V-8, handful of almonds and walnuts, Greek Gods honey yogurt, mashed potatoes with basil, sliced, fresh tomato sandwich with sea salt and pepper on toasted whole wheat (2), three-berry smoothie

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Lyon, France-born Maurice Jarre's "Is Paris Burning?", performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Maurice Jarre conducting. Audio.
  
  
• Bonn, Germany-born Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto #5 in E-Flat, Op.73 ''Emperor'', performed by the Dresden State Orchestra, with Christian Zacharias on piano, Hans Vonk conducting, on the Virgin Classics label (#628435). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Somerset, England-native Helen Habershon's "Found In the Rain", featuring Helen Habershon, clarinet and John Lenahan, piano, on her 2009 album "Found In the Rain", on the CD Baby label (#345502). Audio.
  
  
• Tiflis, Imperial Russia-born (now Tbilisi, Georgia) Aram Khachaturian's "Spartacus: Adagio", performed by the Cincinnati Pops orchestra, Erich Kunzel conducting, on the Telarc label (#80657). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Lucca, Tuscany, Italy-born Giacomo Puccini's "Turandot: Nessun Dorma", performed by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel conducting, on the Telarc label (#80260).
  Video (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Turin, Piedmont, Italy-born Ludovico Einaudi's "Bella notte" from his 2001 album "I Giorni" on the Ponderosa label (#030). Audio.

Radio Song

Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Żelazowa Wola-born (forty-six kilometers west of Warsaw, in what was then the Duchy of Warsaw) Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto #1 In e minor, Op. 11 (second movement), performed by the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra, with Garrick Ohlsson on piano, Kazimierz Kord conducting, on the Arabesque label (#6702). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  

2010 6th Annual Japanese Film Festival of Sacramento

Additional goody-bag printed scalloped paper medallions (affixed to chocolate mint candies)

We attended the 6th Sacramento Japanese Film Festival at the Crest Theater this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The films this year (descriptions from the festival guide):

• Departures (2008)
  
  "Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki) is a young cellist in a small Tokyo orchestra that goes belly up. Unemployed, he sells his precious 18 million yen cello, and returns to live in his boyhood home which is inherited from his mother. Thinking it’s for a travel agency, Daigo answers a want ad “Working with Departures.” The ad is for “an encoffiner” or funeral worker who cleans and grooms bodies for burial in front of the deceased’s family. The pay is very good but the job, called “nokanshi” is not respected. Daigo takes the job and doesn’t tell his wife, Mika (Ryoko Hirosue). At first, he is sickened by the process. He learns that the ceremony which is done with grace and skill, gives dignity to the dead and comfort to the bereaved. A young girl gets her mother’s favorite lipstick to use, and a grieving husband tells Daigo that his wife “has never looked so beautiful.” Through his wise and kind boss, Sasaki (Tsutomu Yamasaki), who can enjoy a huge meal afterwards, Daigo begins to feel what Roger Egbert calls, “a deep and unsensational acceptance that the Japanese have of death.” Director Yojiro Takita’s use of flashbacks show Daigo’s relationship with the father who abandoned him and make the younger man’s self discovery and forgiveness of that parent believable. The film’s humorous episodes offer a relief from the exploring of bonds between the departed and those of us who are still engaged with the process of living. Departures is a wise, funny, and poignantly absorbing movie."
  
  
• K-20: Legend of the Mask (2008)
  
  "A big action, super hero adventure movie that rewrites history. World War II never happened because Japan and the U.S. negotiated peace. Tokyo is called Teito. It is 1949, the nobility rule, and society is divided into the haves and have nots. A phantom thief K-20 has 20 disguises which enable him to steal priceless art and jewels. K-20 also wants the Tesla Transmitter, a wireless energy device, which can reduce Teito to ashes and conquer the world. K-20 frames the hero, a poor circus acrobat, Heikichi (Takeshi Kaneshiro), to take the rap and go to jail as the captured K-20. Heikichi’s prison pals spring him from jail, and Heikichi makes use of his acrobatic skills to climb buildings, soar from bridges and wage war against K-20 to clear his name and bring down K-20. The final showdown will keep viewers riveted to their seats."
  
  
• Throne of Blood (1957)
  
  "Akira Kurosawa created a cinematic masterpiece in Throne of Blood by blending Shakespeare’s MacBeth plot with Japanese Noh Theater. Noh drama uses masks, symbols, dance and music, and Kurosawa puts these elements in the film. The saga begins when two warriors, Washizu (Toshiro Mifune) and Miki (Minoru Chiaki) lose their way in a forest during a raging storm. They meet an old hag who prophesizes military victories. Washizu’s ambitious, power hungry wife, Asaji (Isuzu Yamada) pushes her husband to ruthlessly kill his rivals. Washizu’s bloodstained rule creates opposition and his destruction fulfills the old woman’s prophecy. The character Lady Asaji is unforgettable. Her immobile face is like a Noh Mask; and she gracefully glides across the screen in Noh’s stylized manner. Lord Washizu’s inevitable end surrounded by phalanx of arrows is one of the great moments of cinema."
  
  
• White on Rice (2009)
  
  "Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe) is a clueless 40-year old from Japan who relocates to Salt Lake City to live with his married sister, Aiko (Nae). He wants a new wife because his supply of frozen cooked meals from his ex has run out. White On Rice’s non-stop laughs come from Jimmy’s social denseness at work, at home, and with women. Aiko’s husband, Tak (Mio Takada) wants Jimmy to go away and his marriage to be what it once was. Nephew Bobby (Justin Kwong) and Jimmy are room mates and the boy has more on the ball than the Uncle. Bobby is the entrepreneur who mows lawns and washes cars for pay and the gifted kid who is bored in class. Jimmy mentors Bobby saying, “… after puberty you will be as tall as the girls!” Director-writer Dave Boyle loves his characters and infuses White On Rice with the guilelessness and the warmth of spirit reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy and Jacques Tati’s Mr. Hulot."
  
  
• Memories of Matsuko (2006)
  
  "Matusko’s nephew, Sho, arrives to clean out his aunt’s apartment. Matsuko (Miki Nakatani) has been discovered murdered in a field. Sho (Eito) pieces together the life of a woman he never knew through a neighbor, former lover, and loyal friend- a punk rocker, a yakusa, and a successful porn star. Memories of Matsuko is funny, tragic, scary, joyous, and uplifting. Through flashbacks covering 40 years, Matsuko’s life is relived through painfully realistic scenes, Japanese rap, and Hollywood, Bob Fosse style musical extravaganzas. School teacher, to call girl, to gangster’s moll, and prison inmate, Matsuko is a woman who looked for love with the wrong men in all the wrong places. Scenes of domestic abuse and prison life are blended with Disney singing birds, hip hop prison songs, and Christian hymns. Sho concludes that life becomes worthwhile when we give. Matsuko gave throughout her life until the end; therefore her life was successful. Memories of Matsuko is a tremendously innovative cinematic accomplishment with deeper meanings, outstanding musical sequences, and over the top cinematography. Miki Nakatani won the 2007 Best Actress Award from the Japanese Academy Awards, the Asian Film Awards, the Mainichi Film Concours, and the Kinema Junpo Awards. Memories of Matsuko has sexual and violent scenes."

My favorites, in order, starting with my most favorite:

1. Departures
   
   Wow; just wow. Yōjirō Takita knocked it out of the park with this one. Highly recommended, A++, would buy again.
   
   
2. Throne of Blood
   
   A classic adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Toshirō Mifune is just a giant of an actor (see, also, Seven Samurai, Rashomon). Isuzu Yamada is his equal as wife Asaji. Downsides: Tedious at times; did we really need five minutes of Washizu and Miki riding horses through the fog? Highly recommended.
   
   
3. Memories of Matsuko
   
   Violence. Dysfunction. Debasement. Pain. Loneliness. Abandonment. A few rays of happiness shine through the thunderclouds in Matsuko's first few decades of life. Instead of breaking, the storm subsides into unending scuddy gray winter skies that eventually break her. A tragedy, for sure. Or is it? Did I mention it is a musical? Memories of Matsuko takes Julie Andrews' Maria Ranier character from The Sound of Music and puts her into a noir pachinko game/meat-grinder, challenging the viewer to remain indifferent. The religious message of "salvation through works" seems tacked-on and unsatisfying. Overall, a monster of a film with catchy songs and an incredible performance from Miki Nakatani, who won a well-deserved 2007 Japanese Academy Award for Best Actress.
   
   
4. K-20: The Legend of the Mask
   
   Great action sequences and special effects, with about as much plot and dialogue as one might expect from a blockbuster action film. This film never really gets us to care about the characters, but who cares? Things blow up, there is a giant Tesla machine threatening to turn the world to ash, and lots of acrobatics and action keep the pace moving. This is Bud Light, not micro-brew, if you will, and sometimes that is just fine on a hot summer night.
   
   
5. White on Rice
   
   Hiroshi Watanabe puts in a fine performance as Jimmy, a recently divorced, 40-year-old man-child who gets by on the increasingly tenuous patience of his sister Aiko's family. Jimmy starts and ends the movie in pre-pubescence, his comedic naiveté the only interruption in his host family's life of boredom and monotony. Eventually, Jimmy's obsessive attraction to Aiko's niece goes too far, and it starts the predictable PG-rated road-to-redemption story. By movie's-end, Jimmy magically ends up with an attractive, got-it-together girl ready to follow him anywhere as attendant. Funny moments exist: after Aiko's husband slips and falls on a knife, the hospital ER doc thinks he attempted to commit seppuku, causing Aiko to burst into fits of giggles. The film dips just enough into creepy stalker territory with Jimmy to make the audience catch its breath. Then things get better. Overall, a well-executed film, with mostly believable characters (save Jimmy and Bob, Aiko's 10-year-old wunderkind son).
   

Festival Notes

• Just made the connection Isuzu Yamada (Asaji, from Throne of Blood) was the woman who played the role of Omocha in the movie The Sisters of the Gion, which Dawn and I saw earlier this spring. Ms. Yamada is still alive at the age of 93. Amazing.
  
  
• Noticable lack of political sponsorship this year. Where are you, Doris Matsui?
  
  
• The event staff are so friendly. All class.
  
  
• We sat in better seats this year and saved our necks. In previous years, we sat in the lower section.
  
  
• The festival broke up the five movies this year over three days. Instead of an opening night film and four films on Saturday, there was an opening night film and two films each day on Saturday and Sunday. I think this worked out well.
  
  
• The festival was moved from mid-May to mid-July this year, due to scheduling problems at the Crest Theater. I think this worked out better for students. We missed the fourth annual festival because of school pressures. I hope this continues in 2011.
  
  
• The vendor tables at this year's event featured origami paper cranes and cards, which were pretty cool.
  
  
• Speakers announced the festival pulls in only 40% of its funds from ticket sales. The remainder comes from private and corporate donors.
  
  
• Corporate donors this year did not surpass the Silver Screen Circle ($250 - $499) of sponsorship. Times are tough all-around, it seems.
  
  
• A number of volunteers from the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church donated big bucks to underwrite the Saturday and Sunday films. I think they were the ones introducing the films on stage. They are the people really keeping this festival alive, so hats off to you!

Overall, another great festival year. Thanks so much to the Festival committee for making it happen.

Links to Previous Years

• 2009 (5th Annual)
  
  
• 2008 (4th Annual)
  
  
• 2007 (3rd Annual)
  

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England-born Gustav Holst's "Jupiter" from his seven-movement The Planets, performed by the Berlin Philharmonic, Sir Simon Rattle conducting, on the EMI label (#69690). Audio. This is another from my "Lord of the Rings or some-other-composer" series; jump to about the three-minute mark of the audio to see what I am reacting to.
  
  
• Glendale, California-born Paul Cantelon's "The Other Bolyn Girl: Original Soundtrack", performed by the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Paul Cantelon conducting, on the Varese Sarabande label. CD. I am not sure which piece, specifically. x_x
  
  
• Litomyšl-born (east of Prague, near the traditional border between Bohemia and Moravia, then provinces of the Habsburg Empire) Bedřich Smetana's "Má vlast: Vltava (The Moldau)", performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis conducting, on the LSO Live label (#0061). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Anonymously written "Woodycock", performed by the Ensemble Galilei, on the Telarc label (#80556). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Semyonovo, Russia-born (near Veliky Novgorod, in north-western Russia) Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Op.43", performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, with pianist Jeno Jando, Gyorgy Lehel conducting, on the Erato label (#26388). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• New York City, New York-born Elmer Bernstein's "The Magnificent Seven", performed by the Cincinnati Pops orchestra, Erich Kunzel conducting, on the Telarc label (#80600). Audio.
  
  
• Moscow-born Alexander Scriabin's "Two Waltzes" ("Waltz for Piano in D flat major", and "Waltz for Piano no 1 in F minor Op. 1"), performed by Xiayin Wang, piano, on the Naxos label (#8.570472).

2010 6th Annual Japanese Film Festival of Sacramento Opening Night Goody Bags

The 6th Annual Japanese Film Festival of Sacramento once again provided goodie bags on opening night:

• Assorted papercraft: (1) decorative paper-wrapped hard candy with printed scalloped paper medallion; and (2) printed scalloped paper medallions affixed to chocolate mint patty candies (pictured above)
  
  
• Festival Program
  
  
• Pink Sanrio Hello Kitty loofah
  
  
• Gekkeikan Sake and Authentic Promotions promotional pens
  
  
• Rice cracker assortment
  
  
• Organic Botanical Interests Parsley, Moss Curled (Petroselinum crispum) seeds
  
  
• Discount coupons for local Japanese restaurants: (1) Akebono Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar, 15% off; (2) Banzai Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar, 15% off lunch or dinner; (3) L & L Hawaiian Barbecue, Buy 1 plate at regular price and get any mini size plate free; (4) Nagato Sukiyaki, 15% off lunch or dinner; Yume Sushi, Buffet, & Grill, 15% off lunch or dinner

The 2010 goodie bag was a small #3 brown paper shopping bag (for example, http://www.zoolybag.com/kraft-bags.html) with a paper twisted handle and a 3"x3" sticker on the front with promotional images for each of the five films.

Goody bag contents from opening nights of years past:

• 3rd annual opening night
  
  
• 5th annual opening night
  

Radio Songs

Gustav Mahler, born 150 years ago today, on 7 July, 1860

Via KDFC, 102.1, out of San Francisco, CA:

• London, UK-born John Rutter's "Meditations for Orchestra #2", performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, John Rutter conducting, on the Decca label (#B0001821).
  
  
• Banchory, Scotland-born James Scott Skinner's "Hector the Hero", performed by Grammy-award winning Caroline Goulding, violin and Janine Randall, piano, on the Telarc label (#80744). Video (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Bergen, Norway-born Edvard Grieg's "Piano Concerto in a, Op.16" (second movement), performed by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Valery Gergiev conducting, with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, on the Decca label (#467 093). Video (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).

OBD-II Error Code P0420: Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

When the Check Engine light comes on, the error code(s) can be read from a vehicle's OBD-II interface, using a code reader; I own an AutoXray CodeScout AX700 reader (user manual). The error code experienced today is "P0420" (I just got the 420 connection, after looking at it for days).

• Error code P0420 means, "Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)". This means the onboard computer determined an error exists in the emissions system of the car.
  
  
• Each error code is made up of several sub-codes: (1) "P0": indicates the problem is in the powertrain; (2) '4': is a vehicle-specific system indicator; (3) "20": specific fault designation.
  
  
• This usually indicates one or more of three things is broken: (1) the catalytic converter, which scrubs emissions from the engine exhaust; (2) the oxygen sensor before the catalytic converter; or (3) the oxygen sensor after the catalytic converter
  
  
• There is no way to know which component is bad until a mechanic does further testing
  
  
• Buying a catalytic converter in California is a whole new world. For more information, see http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/aftermktcat.htm
  

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-07-07: Fo' Shizzle My Achizzle

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-07-07
Resting heart rate: 54 bpm (60 second test, after waking)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.49 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,877 calories
Weather: warm, sunny
Temp: high of 32 C (89.6 F) between 5:00-6:00 p.m., 3 m/s SW wind
Time: n/a
Terrain: flat
Comments: The minor pain I felt in my right calf on Saturday morning returned this afternoon. It is on the inside of the lower calf area, about the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the calf muscles. I am going with the Achilles tendon, since the others seem more obscure, have funny names, and I have not researched them fully, yet. So, no maintenance run tonight. Mandatory 3-5 days off to start healing, followed by light running until I feel better.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 80.4 kg (177.25 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Right muscle group below calves sore
Foods eaten today: Oatmeal + raisins + banana, grapefruit, cottage cheese, Bing cherries, apricots, green tea (2 cups), chocolate meal replacement shake, V-8, handful of almonds and walnuts, Greek Gods fig yogurt, mashed potatoes with basil, sliced, fresh tomato sandwich with sea salt and pepper on toasted whole wheat (2), blueberries, cilantro and jalapeno hummus with whole wheat pita, protein powder + water

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Dijon, France-born Jean-Philippe Rameau's Pygmalion Overture, performed by the European Union Baroque Orchestra, Roy Goodman conducting, on the Naxos label (#8.557490). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Genoa, Italy-born Nicolo Paganini's Violin Concerto #1 in D, Op. 6, performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch conducting, with super-star prodigy violinist Sarah Chang, on the EMI label (#55026). Outstanding. Audio 1, 2, and 3 (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).
  
  
• Şipotele Sucevei, Bukovina-born (now Shepit, Putyla Raion, Ukraine) Ciprian Porumbescu's Ballade for Violin and Orchestra, performed by the Cluj-Napoca Philharmonic Orchesstra, Emil Simon conducting, with violinist Stefan Ruha, on the Tuxedo label (#5033). Audio (note: not the recording heard on KDFC).

Running Journal, Tuesday, 2010-07-06: Minor Repairs And Restocking

Running Journal, Tuesday, 2010-07-06
Resting heart rate: 53 bpm (60 second test, after waking)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.32 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,871 calories
Weather: warm, sunny
Temp: high of 30 C (86 F) between 5:00-6:00 p.m., 3 m/s WSW wind
Time: n/a
Terrain: flat
Comments: Day off from running today to give me time to prepare all the vegetables from our Soil Born Farm CSA box. Our next-door neighbor who usually shares the vegetables with us is on vacation, leaving us the full box. This means about three hours of washing the vegetables, cooking the vegetables, eating the vegetables, then kitchen clean-up. So worth it. The veggies are out-of-the-park delicious. I am slowly getting better at preparing them. The potatoes and green beans this week go really well with butter. The other steamed veggies were outstanding as-is. And now we have prepared veggies for the rest of the week. Minor repairs today: (1) discovered Macy's has a watch/jewelry repair shop on the third floor of the Downtown Plaza mall, so I successfully replaced the band on my Timex 5B501 Speed + Distance watch for only $7; and (2) I shipped my pair of RaceReady shorts back to the company for repair (the elastic cord came loose on Monday as I put them on). Did I mention how great RaceReady is? You should buy gear from them. Heh. We purchased new running shoes on Monday as well, from Fleet Feet in Fair Oaks. For me, the ASICS Gel-Evolution 5. Also loaded up on Hammer Nutrition gel packets, so next time I do not run out of energy in the last few miles. Purchased some Body Glide anti-chafe balm to give it a try in protecting against chafing during long runs. Last time I was pretty sore from shorts chafing after 14 miles. Am also trying out Nuun's 'U' Natural Hydration Tangerine Ginger electrolyte tablets. Seems ok so far. On my last long run, I put two extra tablets in my shorts pocket. After 11 miles, the tablets had heated and rubbed together so much they had begun dissolving. So, I need to figure out another way to carry them. Shouldn't be too hard, but too tired this evening to figure out a way. Early morning run on Wednesday before work, so signing off to get some sleep.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 79.8 kg (175.9 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: Oatmeal + raisins, grapefruit, cottage cheese, Bing cherries, apricots, green tea (2 cups), fried egg sandwich + avocado, V-8, handful of almonds and walnuts, Siggi's blueberry yogurt, steamed vegetables: summer squash + carrots + beets, mashed potatoes with basil, steamed green beans, Greek Gods fig yogurt

Running Journal, Monday, 2010-07-05: It Is A Dry Heat

Running Journal, Monday, 2010-07-05
Resting heart rate: 81 bpm (60 second test, 40 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.43 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,877 calories
Weather: very hot, sunny
Temp: 28 C (96.8 F), 3 m/s W wind
Time: 11:55-12:40 p.m.
Terrain: flat
Comments: It is a dry heat. Ran a very slow 45 minute maintenance run around the perimeter of the American River College soccer fields. The ARC track team was finishing their practice. A few people were playing tennis and a number of others were practicing baseball at the adjacent field. One or two people slowly cycled past on the dirt maintenance road behind the fields. A welcome breeze helped keep the sweat down while running west and south. The ARC facilities team have locked the parking lot gates for the summer recess, leaving only the main entrance open. While putting on my shorts this morning, the elastic drawstring cord snapped loose from the rear of my shorts, where it is tacked down. I wrote RaceReady before I left and when I returned, they had already offered to repair it for me if I return the shorts to them. I am very impressed with their customer service and I told them so, and now I am telling you and the world. What a great company who make great products and stand behind them. On a separate issue, I purchased a replacement Garmin GPS unit from eBay today for my Timex 5B501 Speed + Distance watch. Am thinking of wearing it on my arm instead of my shorts so as to not put any more weight on them. Heh. Reading the injury section in Galloway's Book On Running and discovered the soreness I felt on my left side on Saturday morning was probably my Iliotibial band (IB band). Apparently, this can be caused by poor shoes as well as running on the slopes of crowned roadways. This confirms my suspicions about the roadways and it also re-emphasizes the need for new shoes, which I have not replaced since 2007.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): ~3-4 miles
Weight: 80.2 kg (176.8 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Right Achilles tendon feeling a bit sore. Otherwise fairly good.
Foods eaten today: Oatmeal + raisins + banana, grapefruit

Kincho Tee Shirts

While at Zachary's Chicago Pizza, Inc. in Berkeley on Saturday, I noticed someone wearing a tee shirt with the inscription "www.kincho.co.jp" on the back. Seem to be a distributor.

Sconehenge Scones

Enjoying Sconehenge whole-wheat raspberry scones this afternoon. We purchased them yesterday at Andronico's Solano Market in Berkeley.

Running Journal, Saturday, 2010-07-03: First Pre-Daybreak Run

Wildflowers, American River Parkway south of Nimbus Lake, near mile marker 26.5.

Running Journal, Saturday, 2010-07-03
Resting heart rate: n/a bpm (60 second test)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.49 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1877 calories
Weather: Pre-dawn to dawn; sunny; moderately humid; perfect for running
Temp: 16-20 C (60.8-68 F)
Time: 3:49 (3:54-7:43 a.m.); split at 5:48; (229 minutes / 14) = 16.4 minute/mile
Terrain: Mostly flat; about 200 feet elevation gain/loss
Comments: First day running in pre-dawn summer temperatures. Awoke at 3:00 a.m. with a little help from our cat. Arrived at Fair Oaks village around 3:40 a.m. Walked without using the Petzl headlamp from Fair Oaks village, down Bridge Street to the pedestrian bridge, and across the American River. The waning half-moon directly overhead provided mostly adequate illumination in the open spaces, with street lamps and home illumination making up the difference. The Parkway was mostly silent, the only sounds were crickets chirping and my own footsteps on the slats of the bridge. The American River reflected the moonlight. I turned on my Petzl headlamp once I reached the south embankment. The weather felt perfect. Instead of the predicted 12-13 C (54-55 F), the temperature instead dropped only to 16-17 C (61-63 F), with humidity around 65-75%. A Fair Oaks rooster crowed once from the north side of the river just as I started at 3:54 a.m. I stopped almost immediately as my shorts threatened to fall down from the weight in my pockets; I spent about 5 minutes cinching up the drawstring cord to a point where my shorts would stay put. I saw no other people on the Parkway until around 2.0 miles in, at 4:28 a.m., when a lone cyclist passed by, heading west. I did, however, encounter pre-dawn animal sightings. A jackrabbit loped across the bike path, just at the range of the headlamp's economy mode setting. It stopped at the right side of the road; as I shone my light on it, it ran back to the left side of the road. We repeated this zig-zag game one or two more times, then I intentionally kept the light away from it. It ended up bounding away into the brush (this same encounter would play out with another jackrabbit, at mile 23.5). At mile 22.0, I noticed two bright reflective eyes peering at me from the brush to my left; every so often, they would blink. Cat? Jackrabbit? My breath in the pre-dawn, cool humidity was visible in my lamp's illumination, if I forced my breath out in a certain way. At several points between mile markers 20.0 and 22.0, the sound of rushing water from the American River was heard to my left: the salmon channel and the picnic areas near mile 22.0. Running in the dark with a headlamp felt both exhilarating and senseless; the thrill of being the only person on the bike path accompanied with the senselessness of only having limited visual range and a relatively quiet environment. I stumbled a bit only once, as I tramped over a large piece of flat bark. For the most part, the bike path is flat and easy to navigate with minimal lighting. At mile 22.0, I found a trail closure sign (Measure A) indicating the dates had been shifted to Jul 6-Aug 1. I reached the CSUS Aquatic Center around 4:48 a.m. The pre-dawn brightening was now noticeably visible to the east. An orange light near the beach at Nimbus Flat blinked repetitively; I am not sure what it signified. At mile 23.5 I encountered the first Folsom Firecracker 10K race aid station: a rectangular pop-up table, several multi-gallon jugs, and folding chairs. I would see two more deserted aid stations, including one first aid station at mile 25.5. Chalk markings and signs were common between miles 23.5 and 27.0 for the Folsom Firecracker race. At first I felt upset because the 700 expected runners would interrupt my run; then I realized it started at 8:00 a.m. and it was currently ~5:00 a.m. So, as luck would have it, getting started early saved my run. By the time I reached the pedestrian bridge at mile marker 24.0, the pre-dawn sky was noticeably brighter. Noticed the digital billboard at the now defunct Folsom Auto Mall displayed the contact group: Skyhawk Outdoor. At mile marker 24.5, I turned off the Petzl headlamp and stowed it in my back pocket. I felt good; the brightening of the sky had a concomitant effect on my mood. The music in my head at this point was Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride" (audio). Every minute or two I stopped to capture photos of the Parkway during sunrise. A Hammer Nutrition chocolate gel packet boosted energy levels higher. I pushed past the Willow Creek boat launch facility, cruised past the office park edging mile 26, and followed the electrical towers along the bike path until I reached mile 27.0, my half-way point. It was around mile 26.0, or about 5:30 a.m., before I encountered the first runner on the bike path. Just prior to mile 27.0, I discovered a relatively elaborate rope swing on a moderate bluff overlooking the south shore. Nailed blocks of wood on a pine tree formed a ladder to retrieve/hang a long swinging rope. I felt less impressed with the pile of empty, alcoholic cans littering the ground. The blackberry bushes at the mile 27.0 marker were just on the cusp of ripening. I ate a few ripe ones in response to hearing my stomach gurgling, but remembered how I ate too many on one unfortunate run in 2006-07 and felt uncomfortably stuffed. Ate my last Hammer Nutrition Apple-Cinnamon gel packet, felt the energy rush, and began flying through the miles back. I remember thinking, "I feel great. This is the way runs should be." The sun broke over the horizon, bathing everything in a warm light. The soreness in my left hip, which I had felt a few miles in, disappeared. The wildlife activity in the early morning hours explodes. I encountered, up-close, California quail (one sounding an alarm at my approach while the other foraged), a red-tailed hawk with a fresh-caught mouse in its cluth, another red-tailed hawk calling from a tree-top, wild turkeys scratching the ground, and Mallard ducks, all feeding in the cool, post-dawn light. One nice thing about running out (in an out-and-back run) in the darkness, I realized, is everything on the way back seems fresh and new. At mile 25.0, the effects of the Hammer Nutrition gel began wearing off. The soreness in my left leg re-appeared and my right calf began feeling sore. At mile 23.0, two women runners wearing Fleet Feet shirts stopped me and asked about the southern trail around Nimbus Lake. My answers satisfied them, and they were off; they had always taken the bike path around the north side of Nimbus Lake, but thought (incorrectly, as it turned out) the Hazel Avenue pedestrian crossing to the north side of Nimbus Lake was closed. The number of people on the bike path by 7:15 a.m. was exponentially growing. People were filing into the CSUS Aquatic Center parking lot, stretching, laughing. A father taught his son how to ride a bicycle. A man tossed objects into the water for his dog to retrieve, in the shallows just below the Nimbus Dam. I said hello to just about everyone who seemed to want encouragement. My legs were feeling sore, though, especially my right calf. At mile 20.5, after re-starting my run after taking photos, my right-calf began feeling a touch of pain, and I decided to play it safe and walk the remaining one-half mile. Sometimes running it out works, and sometimes it only makes it worse; this seemed like an example of the latter. Walking helped a lot. By the time I reached my car in Fair Oaks, I felt looser. Overall, an overall positive first experience with pre-dawn runs, with a lesson learned in fueling properly. The Hammer Nutrition gels, which did not seem to make much of an impact the first time, definitely did make a difference today. I think the heat may have been the deciding factor, last time.
Goal Time: To finish
Distance (running): 14.0 mi, http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3852881
Weight: 80.4 kg (177.25 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Left hip felt sore, right lower calf muscle seized up during last one-half mile. Feeling a bit exhausted later in the day, after the run.
Foods eaten today:

Running Journal, Friday, 2010-07-02

Running Journal, Friday, 2010-07-02
Resting heart rate: 64 bpm (60 second test)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.90 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,896 calories
Weather: n/a
Temp: 24 C (75.2 F)
Time: n/a
Terrain: flat
Comments: 14.0 mile run tomorrow morning. Forecast predicts temperatures bottoming out at 13 C (55 F) tonight, with a high of 34 C (93 F) on Saturday, with early morning humidity between 40-60%. Excited to use my new headlamp but the sky is brightening by 5:00 a.m. Will see what time I get out there, heh. Wondering how I will feel after the run tomorrow; we are planning to go the East Bay for a symphony concert and hoping I have enough gas left in the tank for the round-trip. Last minute panic: just remembered the signs indicating the trail closure near mile 22. Conveniently, the County of Sacramento's Municipal Services Agency has posted info on the closure on their web site: http://www.msa2.saccounty.net/Documents/Updated%20Detour%20Map%206-29-10.pdf. The detour is only for a short section near the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and I know the area like the back of my hand. No worries. Route for tomorrow's run: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3852881 .
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 81.8 kg (180.3 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Feeling good.
Foods eaten today:

Running Journal, Thursday, 2010-07-01

Running Journal, Thursday, 2010-07-01
Resting heart rate: 67 bpm (60 second test, 60 minutes after running)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.67 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,889 calories
Weather: sunny, 2.5 m/s SE wind
Temp: 13 C (55.4 F)
Time: 48 minutes
Terrain: flat
Comments: My first early morning, prepared-for, run. Felt really good this morning, probably due to the boatload of carbs I ate for dinner on Wednesday evening (mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, and so forth). Skipped breakfast and ran without feeling any hunger. Took a Hammer Nutrition gel with me, but never used it. The weather was a bit cool and windy right before daybreak. Wished I had a long-sleeve technical shirt with me to start, but by 6:00 a.m., things had warmed a bit. No pain in my legs this morning like on Tuesday; I think running closer to the middle of the road greatly reduces the angle of the roadway, so one leg is not forced to extend farther than the other. I am seeing a few signs for the "Save Sacramento" campaign in yards (http://www.savesac.com/). I honestly do not know anything about it, other than a vague sense it involves incorporation.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 4.17 miles (11 minute/mile) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3848694
Weight: 81.0 kg (178.57 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Feeling good.
Foods eaten today:

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Rodrigo's Concierto Andaluz.
  
  
• Paderewski's Piano Concerto in a, Op. 17, Third Movement (Audio)
  
  
• Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. (Audio)
  

Running Journal, Tuesday, 2010-06-29

Running Journal, Tuesday, 2010-06-29
Resting heart rate: 88 bpm (60 second test, 10 minutes after running)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.43 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,877 calories
Weather: sunny, 2 m/s SE wind
Temp: 19 C (66.2 F)
Time: 45 minutes
Terrain: flat
Comments: Early morning run to beat the heat. Skipped a walk Monday evening because the heat still felt oppressive at 7:00 p.m. My left leg felt sore during the second half of the run. I suspect the sloping asphalt (for drainage) may have had something to do with it. I may have ran too fast. This evening, I purchased the Petzl TakTicca Plus E49-P headlamp. Tried it out briefly this evening outside and it seems like it will do the trick. Scared our neighbor's cat, heh. Every time I think about it, I think it is one of the greatest inventions. This evening at REI, I helped someone else make the same decision on which one to buy. The REI headlamp display shows about a dozen Petzl models; REI also carries models from Black Mountain and some generics. Too overwhelming. Looked to see whether REI has Vibram KSO shoes in stock, but no luck. Only the Flow.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 4.14 miles (11 minute/mile)
Weight: 80.2 kg (176.8 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Muscles a bit tired, right knee a bit sensitive, but no pain. Took a shower, rest of day felt fine.
Foods eaten today: Greek Gods pomegranate yogurt, Hammer Nutrition gel (tropical flavor), banana, Nuun electrolyte tablets, low-fat cottage cheese, smoothie, Bing cherries

Radio Songs

Via KDFC, 102.1, out of San Francisco, CA:

• Antonin Dvorak's Symphony #9 in e minor "From the New World", Third Movement. Video. Duel of the Fates, anyone? I guess a benefit of ripping off Dvorak is it flattens the learning curve for most of your classically trained musicians.
  
  
• Zequinha de Abreu's Tico-Tico no Fubá. Video. Very fun.

KDFC also currently advertises a new compilation of Arvo Pärt music, performed by Angèle Dubeau: https://www.analekta.com/en/news?id=101. Angèle plays the "Des Rosiers" Stradivarius violin (1733).

The Citrus Heights Dog Kicking Street Pole Banner

The city of Citrus Heights, California, a suburb of Sacramento, has a new 2009 citywide street pole banners campaign:

The second street pole banner from the left looks like a man about to punt a puppy. Once observed, I have a hard time un-seeing it.

I guess it is better than the street pole banner with the Lindsay Lohan lookalike, but please, Citrus Heights, be nice to your dogs.

Petzl E49 TacTikka Plus LED Headlamp

Looking at running during early Saturday/Sunday morning and the Petzl E49 Tactikka Plus LED headlamp seems to come out tops.

Running Journal, Sunday, 2010-06-27

Running Journal, Sunday, 2010-06-27
Resting heart rate: 71 bpm (60 second test, 60-second test, four hours after running)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.258 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1864 calories
Weather: brilliant sun, 1 m/s NW wind
Temp: 31 C (87.8 F)
Time: Forgot my watch, but approximately two hours.
Terrain: mostly flat with a steep grade at 3.0 mile mark; http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3839274
Comments: The brilliant summer heat is at last upon Sacramento. With a high of 100 F today, beginning my two-hour run around 10:30 a.m. was an unwise move. By 12:30 p.m., the temperature was nearly 90 F. The heat severely degraded my performance. It felt like a smothering blanket. Seriously considering getting a headlamp to assist with beginning my run early, especially when the runs get longer in length and time. I remember my seven-hour long runs from 2006-07, from 8:00-2:00 p.m., and how absolutely baked I would have been today. Running in the heat is no joke. There is no cheating. The voices in my head are upset I started so late; I have been warning myself the last few weeks about it, based on previous experience. The moderate temps and winds have allowed me to skate by a bit, however. Today was my first high-heat, low-wind running day, and I am lucky it was on a maintenance long-run. Unfortunately, I got to sleep late on Saturday, and it felt really good to sleep in until 9:30 a.m. this morning. The Hammer Nutrition fuel I brought with me (Tropical flavor) was just OK. I took one serving after approximately 3.5 miles, and felt an instant rush of energy/caffeine, but it faded within a half-mile. Not sure what to make of that result. The Nuun electrolyte tablets really help. Lots of sunblock sweating into my eyes today, which stung. As long as I kept moving, the airflow from movement seemed to help keep me cooled enough. When I stopped to take pictures a few times, however, the sweat started pouring down my forehead. The pavement in open sunshine is like a giant reflector for heat. Notable events from today's run: (1) seeing a string of horses and riders near the mile 22.0 mark; (2) seeing the clear waters of the American River from the Bridge Street pedestrian bridge; (3) finding a downed birds nest near mile marker 22.0; (4) running up the pedestrian walkway on the east side of Hazel Avenue (stopping to take lots of pictures of the construction); and (5) seeing an old sign post with a sticker advertising the American Discovery Trail, of which the American River Parkway appears to be (or have been, at one time) a part. No pain in joints or muscles today, which is fantastic. The water levels of the American River seem to remain high, maybe a bit lower than in previous weeks. Someone had built a D-shaped mini-rock structure at the beach near mile marker 20.5. I found a pair of neatly folded pants near mile marker 22.5 (Weird? Yes.). A crush of people out on the River today with rafts. The Chicago Avenue and Bridge Street boat launches were packed. At the beginning of the run, we saw a Sacramento Fire boat being launched. At about the same time, we saw a Coast Guard chopper fly low overhead. Overall, avoided a disastrous run today, and managed to survive with only minor tiredness. Next weekend I run 14 miles, and will have to bring my A-game or suffer needlessly.
Goal Time: to finish
Distance (running): 6.0 miles (9.66 km)
Weight: 79.6 kg (175.49 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Muscles a bit tired, right knee a bit sensitive, but no pain.
Foods eaten today: Greek Gods pomegranate yogurt, Hammer Nutrition gel (tropical flavor), banana, Nuun electrolyte tablets, low-fat cottage cheese, smoothie, Bing cherries

Running Journal, Friday, 2010-06-25

Running Journal, Friday, 2010-06-25
Resting heart rate: 53 bpm (60 second test)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.49 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1877 calories
Weather: sunny, 3 m/s NW wind
Temp: 29 C (84.2 F)
Time: n/a
Terrain: n/a
Comments: Six mile run on Saturday. After running on fumes during Wednesday evening's run, have taken two days off to fully recover. Getting out early tomorrow to beat the projected 36 C (96 F) heat. I have been doing really well and feeling good about eating several small meals throughout the day. Logistics planning is a bit more intense while I find my rhythm of what I like and what works, but I like the results so far. Getting enough sleep on weeknights is also a challenge; running in the evenings means I eat a late dinner and get to bed around 10:30 p.m. When the fall semester hits, I hopefully will have two classes on top of this. Something's got to give; until then, I am trying to build up my base.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 80.4 kg (177.25 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Bit tired; no joint/muscle pain.
Foods eaten today: oatmeal + raisins, cherry tomatoes, white nectarine, low-sodium V-8, Greek Gods pomegranate yogurt, egg white salad sandwich, green tea (2 cups), handfuls of walnuts + almonds, smoothie, apple sauce, Bing cherries

CSUS and Joe Gunchi

A CSUS alumni told me recently the CS professors there used to use a fictitious person named Joe Gunchi as a model for things not to do, in the same vein as Highlights' Goofus and Gallant.

Classical Music Comparisons: Dvorak Vs. Lord of The Rings

Listening to KDFC today and struck by similarities between the finale to Dvorak's Symphony Number Nine and the main overture of the soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings.

UPDATE: Also, Jaws. That is all.

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-06-23

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-06-23
Resting heart rate: 65 bpm (60 second test, 60 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.49 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1877 calories
Weather: mostly sunny, sunset, 4 m/s W wind
Temp: 26 C (78.8 F)
Time: 8:05-8:50 p.m.
Terrain: flat
Comments: Well, everything started out well. Solo running tonight, so the boredom of running ovals set in around the 20 minute mark. About the same time, I ran out of gas. Had eaten a yogurt and some apricots around 4:00 p.m., then a banana when I got home around 6:00 p.m. By 8:15 p.m., it was all gone and the last 30 minutes was a slog. Ran a bit low on water as well. So still fine-tuning the fueling of these runs. On the upside of things, the weather tonight was perfect, absolutely fantastic. The waxing moon is almost full and rose in the south-east over the stadium track, a bright disc above the dark greens, burnt umber of the track, and light poles. Near the end of the run, the slightly overcast skies became a sunset-light show, with deeply saturated pinks and purples. A family arrived and let their kids play in the long-jump sand pits and ignored the "stay off" signs to play soccer on the vacant football field. Lots of athletes running up the grass hills to the sides of the bleachers. Others run up and down the bleacher steps. Seeing familiar faces over the course of this week and last which is nice for a sense of community. A baseball game and a tennis match (a wheelchair match, no less) was going on, so my run was punctuated with pings of metal bats and lops of tennis rackets. The frog at the north end of the track started chirp-croaking again as the air cooled. In a nutshell, a very slow run, running on fumes, but I am glad I was able to struggle through it. Lesson reinforced to fuel better before the next outing.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 80.4 kg (177.25 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: oatmeal + raisins, low-fat cottage cheese, blueberries, apricots (2), egg white salad sandwich, Siggi's blueberry yogurt, green tea (2 cups), handfuls of walnuts + almonds, salad with kalamata olives + feta cheese + shredded carrots + cilantro dressing + croutons + cherry tomatoes + microgreens, apple juice, spinach bolani

Running Journal, Tuesday, 2010-06-22

Running Journal, Tuesday, 2010-06-22
Resting heart rate: 55 bpm (60 second test)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.55 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1883 calories
Weather: Clear, sunset, 3 m/s SW wind
Temp: 33 C (91.4 F)
Time: 7:45-8:30 p.m.
Terrain: flat
Comments: One con of running on the balls of my feet has been just a bit of soreness today in that part of my foot. Night off tonight. Quite warm today; I think we may have finally crossed the threshold into summer. o_O;;;
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 80.6 kg (177.69 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Bottom of feet just a bit sore
Foods eaten today: oatmeal + raisins + banana, low-fat cottage cheese, blueberries, apricots (2), egg white salad sandwich, Siggi's orange and ginger yogurt, green tea (2 cups), handfuls of walnuts, almonds, meal replacement shake, home-made mashed potatoes (reds + blues with loads of butter, basil, salt, pepper, and sour cream), kale, salad with kalamata olives + feta cheese + shredded carrots + cilantro dressing + croutons + cherry tomatoes + microgreens, milk, lemon balm tea

Running Journal, Monday, 2010-06-21

Running Journal, Monday, 2010-06-21
Resting heart rate: 68 bpm (60 second test, 60 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.78 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1889 calories
Weather: Clear, sunset, 2.5 m/s W wind
Temp: 27 C (80.6 F)
Time: 7:50-8:35 p.m.
Terrain: flat
Comments: Summer officially begins! And with it, the longest day of the year. Just another perfect running evening. Felt great tonight. At the end of the 45 minutes I was running smoothly, breathing steadily, and covering ground quickly. A number of American River College track athletes on the stadium track this evening. They have amazing musculature. Just wow. Maybe someday, for me. Ran ovals this evening and heard a frog chirp-croaking again, after the sun set behind the western bleachers, as the shadows grew a bit deeper and the shaded air cooler. Two not-so-pleasant bits: the portable toilets at the north and south end of the track seem to exude an off smell. Faint, but noticeable. Ran faster the last three laps and finally felt like I was pushing myself to exhaustion, but not quite to that point. Feeling very mellow today, relaxed. Probably all the classical music at work: KDFC out of the Bay area. Even better--I am running pain free. Just all around really enjoying getting back into running.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 81.4 kg (179.45 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Knees felt just a bit stiff today until I got running, then everything felt great.
Foods eaten today: oatmeal + raisins + banana, low-fat cottage cheese, Bing cherries, meal replacement shake, Siggi's grapefruit yogurt, strawberries, bananas (2), Panda raspberry licorice, blueberry + blackberry smoothie, green tea (2 cups), handfuls of walnuts, almonds