Running Journal, Monday, 2010-09-06

Running Journal, Monday, 2010-09-06
Resting heart rate: 100 bpm (60 second test, about 75 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.02 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,852 calories
Weather: brilliant sun, low humidity. Tough running weather.
Temp: 33 C (91 F)
Time: 1:30-2:15 p.m. (45 minutes)
Terrain: flat
Comments: Very high heart rate today after running. Ran a circuit of the American River College campus combined with a lap around the soccer fields. We are transitioning from Safeway's Sport sunscreen to ones which do not possibly cause cancer; so today we ran out and used some of the Badger sunblock. It is thick and difficult to apply to large areas such as legs and arms. Brought my GPS unit along, and about five minutes into the run the clip which holds the arm strap broke. The unit came with a belt clip, but I am hesitant to add additional weight to my running shorts. Perhaps I can MacGuyver something. ARC's new library seems open to students now. It feels very nice to get exercise. Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) I hope to go for a 45-minute walk in the early morning cool.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 5.9 km (3.72 mi), http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4020214
Weight: 78.8 kg (173.72 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: Banana + oatmeal + raisins, grapefruit, homemade smoothie: boysenberry yogurt + three-berry frozen berries + walnuts + vanilla whey protein powder + Trader Joe's green mix

Radio Songs

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

• Helen Jane Long's "Expression", featuring Helen Jane Long on piano and Jonathan Hill on violin, on the Warner label (#69972). Audio.
  
  
• Helen Habershon's "For Rowena", from her 2009 album "Found In the Rain", on the CD Baby label (#345502). Audio.
  
  
• Arthur Sullivan's "Cello Concerto In D Major" (third movement). Audio.

Via KXPR, 88.9 FM Capital Public Radio, out of Sacramento, CA:

• Howard Hanson's Merry Mount suite, performed by the Nashville Symphony, Kenneth Schermerhorn, conducting, on the Naxos label (#8559072). Not sure what part we heard, but I believe it involved what sounded like horse hooves.
  
  
• John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme". Audio. Still gives me chills to hear it.
  

Why Do People Paint the Bottom of Trees White?

Hmm:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5415717_do-paint-bottom-trees-white.html

Apparently:

1. Helps prevent sunscald
   
2. Protecting against sunscald can prevent openings for tree boring insects
3. Prevent splitting of the bark in cold weather
   

Probably other reasons. Some white mixtures seem to contain alkaline substances for insect and snail protection.

Random Product Links

During a recent vacation, we noted a number of products worth following-up on:

The Foodie Handbook: The (Almost) Definitive Guide to Gastronomy, by Pim Techamuanvivit (ISBN-13: 978-0811868532)

Ex Officio Soy'r Clothing

Baskets of Cambodia

Corinthian Bells Windchimes (a huge model with beautiful bass notes)

Earth Creations

Laughing Elephant, specifically the text "Optimism"

The store Accoutrements in Ashland, Oregon, had interesting clarinet ornaments which looked sort of like this one.

Many of the gifts above were discovered at Pico's Worldwide in Jacksonville, Oregon.

World Centric Compostables

A number of businesses (for example, the Ashland Food Co-operative) in Ashland, Oregon, utilize the products of World Centric compostable plastics:

http://www.worldcentric.org/biocompostables/utensils

They work great and are indistinguishable from normal plastic cutlery.

Random Viral Videos

From a discussion of video's to watch, during a recent vacation:

• Spaghetti Town
• RCA Color TV ad from early '60s
• I Want My Maypo
• Simon's Cat
• Maru the Cat

Crater Lake Junior Park Ranger

Life goal achieved.

Running Journal, Saturday, 2010-09-04

Running Journal, Saturday, 2010-09-04
Resting heart rate: 82 bpm (60 second test, about 75 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.02 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,852 calories
Weather: brilliant sun, low humidity. Tough running weather.
Temp: 30-32 C (86-90 F)
Time: About 90 minutes (~16 min/mi)
Terrain: Mostly flat; highest to lowest point is about 15 feet
Comments: Returned to the Parkway for the first time since early July. This weekend is Labor Day weekend, so the parking lots at Sunrise Bar and Bridge Street were fairly full around 1:00-3:00 p.m. Many families and friends launching rafts, inflating rafts, bringing ice chests and gear to the riverside. Noticed a few tips: (1) bring a bag of grocery store ice and break it along the beach before putting it into the raft; (2) the water will cool the air inside the raft, which may deflate the raft a bit; (3) the few people using hand-pumps to inflate their rafts seemed worn out; (4) use ropes to tether rafts together, if desired; (5) your pet may need an inflatable life jacket. One person was jumping into the river from the middle of Jim's Bridge near Sunrise Bar. Many families were swimming; one had a pop-up tent for portable shade. We parked at the north side of the river, at Sunrise Bar, so Dawn would have a shady spot while I ran. We started from the 19.5 mile marker. Almost immediately, we saw a young black-tailed deer dart across the bike path, nearly bowling over an approaching bicyclist. We heard a rustling to our right and saw one additional black-tailed deer. Then, a coyote, tongue lolling, trotted out of the small bushy area and away from us. I tailed it for a moment, but it avoided us. Continuing, we found ripe wild grapes on the vine. We noticed a small fire had damaged vegetation on the bikepath just past Sunrise Avenue. A stream of water was rushing into the American River just beneath the fire-damaged area, creating a waterfall. At the one-half mile point, I continued alone, as Dawn began to feel a bit of soreness. Just past the Bridge Street parking lot, I heard a very strange bird call, which I do not recall hearing before. The first three miles out I took slow and easy. The salmon spawning channel, flowing just two months ago, now is overwhelming dry. Signs were also erected to inform users salmon spawning stones would be placed in the river during the month of September. After mile 21, much of the left side of the trail was in open sun. The Illinois Avenue boat launch was similarly busy. It was really hard to enjoy the first half of the run; running slow is relatively less interesting, but necessary. Just before the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, construction has been completed on two massive retaining walls, which is great, since the placer deposit stones frequently rolled right to the edge of the bikepath. Now there is a well-defined trail on both sides. On the run back, I noticed some small, red flowers. Beautiful purple flowers were noticed. Running into a headwind cooled me considerably. I began to run a faster pace, although running 15-16 minute miles in 90 F heat is still rough. I finished a bit tired but strong.
Goal Time: To finish
Distance (running): 9.88 km (6.14 mi), http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4014800
Weight: 78.8 kg (173.72 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Right leg a touch sore. Nothing else.
Foods eaten today: Banana + oatmeal + raisins, cottage cheese, Gu Energy Gel Vanilla Gingerbread, homemade smoothie: boysenberry yogurt + three-berry frozen berries + walnuts + vanilla whey protein powder + green mix from Trader Joe's

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-09-01: Donate Blood, Lose Three Turns

Running Journal, Wednesday, 2010-09-01
Resting heart rate: 57 bpm (60 second test)
Body Mass Index (BMI): (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): calories
Weather: warm, sunny
Temp: high of 34 C (93.2 F)
Time: n/a
Terrain: n/a
Comments: Donated blood at work on Tuesday; so no strenuous exercise for 72 hours. I walked six miles today to and from work after dropping my car off at a muffler shop (Muffler Express) which got high marks on Yelp. Everything went fine, although I covered the 5K (~3.1 mi) walk back in about 35 minutes, which is (was) insane. But I had to get there before 5:00 p.m. Our car had a small crack in the muffler flex pipe, which was venting a small amount of exhaust into the passenger cabin. West Sacramento is a very interesting place, full of old and new.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): n/a
Weight: 79.4 kg (175.05 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: Banana + oatmeal + raisins, Siggi's Pomegranate and Ginger yogurt, blackberries, Trader Joe's spicy egg-white sandwich, cottage cheese, spinach salad + non-fat feta cheese + cherry tomatoes + pine nuts + pear dressing + shredded carrots + micro greens + croutons, cranberry-pomegranate juice, green tea + lemon juice, almonds, walnuts, chocolate meal replacement shake, vanilla bean yogurt, Sicilian olives

"I Would Like To Switch To Door Number Two, CSUS"

Signs of the times, I guess, of the state of higher education in California.

Due to ongoing class reductions, the CSUS computer science department has chosen to offer only one section of CSC 132, "Computing Theory". As an Open University student, I attended today's first class session anyway, with hopes of accommodation, buoyed somewhat by the CSUS class scheduler's modification of the class status from "Waitlist" to "Open".

I found the class full to standing room only. After class, the instructor rebuffed my request for consideration. First consideration goes to waitlisted, matriculated graduate students; second consideration goes to waitlisted, undergraduate students. Anything left goes to Open University students. I asked whether the class was consistently this full each semester, to which the instructor replied the department had declined to open a second section. She volunteered if I was a matriculated graduate or undergraduate student, I could get onto the list. I thanked her (sincerely) and left.

It is a tough choice, but fair.

Tomorrow, my second choice: CSC 139, "Operating System Principles".

I need CSC 132 as well as STAT 50 to complete the prerequisites for entering the CSUS graduate school program. Seeing as all three STAT 50 sections and the one CSC 132 section were full this semester, I am feeling some concern right now for Spring 2011.

UPDATE: Which means, back to Riverside 1002, heh. I have had nearly every class in that room.

Running Journal, Sunday, 2010-08-29

Running Journal, Sunday, 2010-08-29
Resting heart rate: 82 bpm (60 second test, 38 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.0 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,864 calories
Weather: pleasant, sunny
Temp: 26 C (78.8 F) , 2.0 m/s NW wind
Time: 45 minutes
Terrain: flat
Comments: No pain today; have not run since July 14, 46 days ago, almost seven weeks. Have been so busy with work, vacation, healing, and vacation. Have been feeling the itch to exercise for some time, though. School starts tomorrow; have not yet taken the time to examine how I might fit in progressively increasing exercise into my new weekly schedule. With a class, it means getting to work earlier and leaving later. Very pleasant weather, today. There is a feeling of being on the cusp of transition into Autumn, in the leaves and the cooler breezes. Looking to the west, great billowing white clouds are seen soaring over the distant Coastal Range. The skies in the Central Valley remain pure blue. I prefer running in the cool morning air, but I will take exercise when I can get it. Heart rate is a bit high after this first run; will keep an eye on that. Wore my replacement Garmin GPS unit on my left bicep today for the first time. I am cautiously optimistic it will work out. The benefit of wearing it on my arm, versus clipped to my shorts, is my lightweight running shorts do not fall down from the weight. With the camera already in one pocket, adding a relatively heavy GPS unit to the other side would probably be a lot to ask. This Garmin GPS unit is a replacement for the one which originally came with my watch. It cost $10 on eBay, versus hundreds of dollars for a new Garmin GPS watch. So I am hoping it works out, and so far it seems to stay put on my arm even under exercise conditions. About 4.0 mph, on average, today. I ended up running out too far today, and did not have enough time to make it back to the starting point. I found Winston-Churchill Middle School, on Whitney Avenue, which has a creek on its eastern side. Overall, a very positive first run back.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 6.2 km (3.9 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3999433
Weight: 79.4 kg (175.05 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Right hip felt a bit sore; fine after cool down
Foods eaten today: Oatmeal + raisins + banana, Siggi's grapefruit yogurt, three-berry smoothie, blueberries

Saturday Afternoon Neighborhood Dogs

These dogs wandered onto our property today:



UPDATE: Allie and Sunshine are their names. We found a Missing Dog poster the following Wednesday. Called to let them know we had seen them and they let us know they had found them.

My Favorite Stargate SG1 Episode: Past And Present

It just so happens to also be the only ... maybe the only ... one I have seen:

http://www.gateworld.net/sg1/s3/311.shtml

The character of Ke'ra (Megan Leitch) was brilliant and full of empathy. At least until the part where it is revealed she transforms into a world-destroyer, later.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAF19VVowC4

Radio Songs

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

• Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", performed by the Time for Three orchestra, on the Koch label (#2035). Audio. You don't need to be religious to enjoy good music, heh.
  
  
• Luigi Boccherini's "String Quintet in E, Op. 13 #5", performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Sir Neville Marriner conducting, on the EMI label (#15490). Audio.
  
  
• Gabriel Faure's "Dolly Suite, Op. 56", performed by the BBC Philharmonic orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier conducting, on the Chandos label (#9416). Audio.
  

Radio Songs

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

• Vivaldi's "Concerto for 2 Mandolins in G, RV 532," performed by the Piedmont Ensemble, featuring Rolf Lislevand, Stephen Murphy, mandolins, on the NAIVE label (#30429). Audio.
  
  
• Ennio Morricone's "Lady Caliph," performed by the Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra, featuring
  Yo-Yo Ma, cello, Ennio Morricone conducting, on the Sony label (#93456). Audio.
  
  
• Vittorio Monti's "Csárdás," performed by the La Pieta orchestra, featuring Angele Dubeau, on the Analekta label (#23125). Audio.
  
  
• Carter Burwell's "Bella's Lullaby," from the Twilight soundtrack, on the Chop Shop/Atlantic label. Audio.
  
  
• Karl Jenkins' "Palladio," performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Karl Jenkins conducting, on the Sony label (#62276). Video. It's the song popularized by De Beers. And I have never seen a harpist (Welsh harpist Catrin Finch) walk and play at the same time. Awesome.
  
  
• Schubert's "Moment musical #4 in c-sharp minor," performed by David Fray, piano, on the Virgin label (#94489). Audio.
  

Pictures From My Summer Vacation: Ashland, Oregon and Crater Lake

Plus, we find the Yreka Bakery on the return trip:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/schultkl/sets/72157624620761713/

Super bonus: I stepped foot on the Pacific Crest Trail for the first time.

Sorry for no captions. Out of time.

Notes

• Wishing Crater Lake had a rim trail. Or does it? Seems like it just has a partial rim trail. We will be back next year to spend a night at the lodge.
  
  
• Noting just as something we observed near the Ashland Food Co-op: Pelton House B & B
  
  
• Umpqua seems to refer to a group of Indians that lived in the south-central Oregon area. The word seems to mean "thundering waters" or "across the waters"; another definition is "satisfied"-- as in a full stomach.
  
  
• We saw the second-best preserved Shakespeare First Folio in private hands (Paul Allen's copy was published in 1623). It was opened to The Merchant Of Venice, which is playing in the Festival's 75th anniversary year this year. We both wanted to own a reproduction. You can read the book here: http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/facsimile/book/SLNSW_F1/2/?size=small&view_mode=normal&content_type=
  

The Yorozu

Noting as a place I would like to visit in the near future:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-yorozu-sacramento

Sacramento IBC Wonder Bread Bakery

On the way see the new Rifftrax "Reefer Madness" live show in theaters last Thursday, we passed the Sacramento IBC Wonder Bread/Hostess Bakery. Smelled divine.

Random Things I Learn From The Person Who Cuts My Hair

I get my hair cut regularly at the Paul Mitchell Partner School at MTI College. Relatively inexpensive (in money, not time) and a fun atmosphere. Some random notes from this trip:

• Not only was Hattori Hanzo a character in Kill Bill, apparently there is a company which makes outstanding hair shears: http://www.hattorihanzoshears.com/. And when I say outstanding, I mean amazingly expensive. She was upset because they were not getting delivered fast enough.
  
  
• Blunt or feathered lines along the back; I chose feathered
  
  
• She shared a tip for hair drying: perpendicular for the top, then parallel for the sides
  
  
• She uses a Denman brush while blow drying the hair.
  
  
• Apparently Paul Mitchell makes a styling product for use while blowdrying hair and then another one for use as a finishing spray. Sort of makes sense.
  
  
• They are having an annual sale on the big Tea Tree bottles; two for $28; usually they are $40.
  
  
• She loved razor combs. She had a Paul Mitchell Carving Comb: a regular comb on one side and a razor comb on the other; it looked like something Darth Maul might wield. She swore by it.
  
  
• Her favorite movie was The Hangover. Current favorite movie in theaters (her second job) is Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
  
  
• Not sure what to call the people who cut my hair; they refer to themselves as future professionals, which is sort of vague to people who are not in the know. Not really barbers, hair stylist sounds a bit overkill, since I just get a hair cut. Hmm.
  

And that's all I learned this time.

They Might Be Giants In Concert: Stern Grove Festival

Stern Grove Stage and Grounds

We watched a free They Might Be Giants concert today at the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco.

Set List

1. Alphabet of Nations
2. We're The Replacements
3. New York City (cub cover)
4. Dr. Worm
5. Asbury Park
6. Meet the Elements
7. Your Racist Friend
8. Spider
9. Birdhouse in Your Soul
10. Withered Hope
11. Meet James Ensor
12. Upside Down Frown
13. Ana Ng
14. We Live In a Dump
15. Letterbox
16. Band recognition bits
    
17. Damn Good Times
18. Encore: She's An Angel
19. The Guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)
20. Particle Man
21. Encore 2: The Mesopotamians

Notes

• I'm not sure about the setlist between "Alphabet Song of Nations" and "Asbury Park." I wrote down the rest so I am pretty confident about the rest. I know Dr. Worm was before Asbury Park.... That's all I got.
  
  
• Show lasted from ~3:15-~4:33 p.m.
  
  
• Lots of great lines between songs: (1) "Hearing lots of song requests we're not going to play"; (2) "We're from NYC and we brought this weather with us."; (3) Lots of riffing on how the good vibes in California threatens to tear apart their band--apparently being from NYC they find it very challenging; (4) "This song goes out to Nick, who has something very important to say to Kat, and the rest is between them" (wedding proposal?); (5) "We were planning to bring along the giant confetti cannon, but the airlines see 'cannon' on the manifest and they get twitchy."; (6) "I am already disoriented from all the secondary smoke blowing in from the crowd."; (7) "I've heard about bad lines of sight before, but imagine having hundred-year old conifers between you and the stage is new on me."; (8) "We're really big on Second Life and Friendster; we spend about 20 hours a day on Second Life."; (9) "If you have any questions, please go to our web site...depechemode.com...and we'll get back to you right away."; (10) "We'd like to thank Frank Riley for booking us here; all your favorite bands are booked by him; he's one influential dude."; (11) "This is the Bill Cosby theme from 1972" while introducing the band recognition bits; (12) "Let's have a love-in, people...."; (13) "Corporate sponsorship is a drag" while exhorting people to donate; (14) "EWOKS, EWOKS, EWOKS!" when coming out for their second encore--in reference to all of us in the trees on the hillside facing the stage; (15) "If you know someone who can help, they should help us."
  
  
• I have not been a TMBG fan, still not sure I am onboard fully, but they put on a very entertaining show. Well done.
  
  
• Stern Grove Recreational Park is an amazing place: the smell of eucalyptus; the cool air; the lush greens and towering trees; the beautiful wooden structures and rough-hewn stones. Five minutes after leaving heavily trafficked 19th Avenue behind, you'd never know you were in the middle of a major metropolitan city. Fantastic.
  

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