Last Ski Outing Of The Season

Rick and I hit the slopes for probably the last time in the season on Friday (March 29th, 2024).

It's Easter

 Wishing you a Happy Easter!

Hawaiian Punch Commercial (1975)

Another commercial from the past.  We thought this was really funny back then.

Start Of Baseball Season

Opening night 2024 Mariners season 

Dave Niehaus Welcomes Back Baseball for 2024

Go Mariners!  Baseball season begins tonight (March 28th, 2024)

Senator Joe Lieberman--First Jewish Candidate On A Presidential Ticket

 Joe Lieberman, the senator from Connecticut who became the first Jewish Vice-Presidential candidate, has died of complications from a fall.  

Lieberman was named by Al Gore to be his running mate in 2000, the first known Jew to run on a major party presidential ticket. He may have become the first Jewish vice president if the US Supreme Court would have allowed a recount of the Florida vote. He was later under consideration to run as a Republican VP by Senator John McCain. 

With moderate views on social issues and hawkish defense views, Lieberman found himself in a political no-man's land in the increasingly polarizing political landscape. He left the Democratic party after losing in the primary to retain his senate seat, he would run as an independent in that election and keep his seat. 

Joe Lieberman was 82. 

Cougars Name McCoy As Interim

 Washington State University has announced that Anne McCoy, senior deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator, will take over the empty athletic director position at an interim basis at the school.  

It was announced yesterday (March 26th, 2024) that Pat Chun had resigned from the AD position to take the vacant spot at the University of Washington. 

Campus reaction to Chun's leaving has been predictably unfavorable, from Coug fans angry that he is going to the school's arch rival and those angry that he is leaving in the middle of a search for a new men's basketball coach   Kyle Smith, announced the day before (Monday, March 25th, 2024) that he will leave the school to coach at Stanford.  

Washington State president Kirk Schulz has announced a nationwide search to replace Chun as AD.   

Vintage Burger King Commercial - Have it Your Way - 1974

I can't believe this ad campaign by Burger King was 50 years ago.  

Kyle Smith Leaves Pullman For Stanford

 It's not shocking but sad for Cougar fans like myself, it's been announced that men's basketball coach Kyle Smith, who led the team to a surprising NCAA tournament appearance, and a victory in the first round is leaving the program for former conference rival, Stanford.   

Starting next season, Stanford, along with California will compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, as part of a mass exodus, from the Pac 12.  

Cougar Dream Season Ends

 The 23-24 men's basketball season for the Washington State Cougars ended last night (Saturday, March 23rd, 2024).  The Cougs were beaten by the Iowa State Cyclones 67-56.

The loss was devastating as the Cougs now return to Pullman, but fans on social media saluted the incredible season that saw a team predicted to finish ninth or tenth in the conference, gain it's first NCAA berth since 2008.  This is certainly a season to remember for Coug fans. 

Go Cougs!!!

 Washington State faces Iowa State for the right to advance in the NCAA tournament.

Cougs Beat Drake In Tournament

 In a game that was too close for comfort, the Washington State Cougar men's basketball team defeated Drake 66-61.  The Cougs advance to play Iowa State tomorrow (March 23, 2024).

Oliver Enjoys The Sun

Oliver, posing next to a blossoming tree.

One More video from Snoqualmie Summit--3

Here is a much longer video.  Hopefully, soon, we can tackle tougher terrain.  

It's Spring

Our tree is now in full bloom!

Cougs Are Dancing Again

 The Washington State University Cougars are in the NCAA Tournament (The Big Dance) for the first time since 2008.  The Cougs were perhaps the biggest surprise of the year, going 24-9 in a year where they were picked, at the beginning of the season, to finish no higher than 10th in the Conference.

The Cougs earned the number 7 seed in the East Region and will play the 10th seeded Drake this Thursday (March 21st, 2024) at 7pm PDT.

Remembering My Father

 Today (Monday March 18th, 2024) marks 8 years since my father's passing. 

Familiar Names In Tod Goldberg Novel

 I just finished Gangsters Don't Die,  by my cousin, best selling author Tod Goldberg.  It was the third in a series about a fictional hitman who posed as a Las Vegas Rabbi. 

Tod, much like his brother, Lee, also a writer, often uses real names in his work for fictional characters.  This is something that I have come to expect.  However, in this book, I was shocked to see the names of both my grandmothers, Esther Barer and Marie Granek, as well as names from my childhood, Clara Jaffe, Leona Siegel, and Violet Epstein, all members of the Walla Walla synagogue in the 60s.  Their characters, mentioned in passing, were part of a widows' coffee klatch.  In reality, I think they were featured in an old Walla Walla newspaper as part of the B'Nai Brith Women.  The BBW put on an annual rummage sale. If you have the book, you can find the names on page 342.

Also in the book, there was a "Cousin Mike".  Was I the inspiration for that character?  I'll probably never know.   

Happy St Patrick's Day

 Wear your green!

More Skiing at Snoqualmie--2

This one is actually the first one that Rick took.  I'm still getting used to recently purchased skis.  

The conditions were sunny and warm.  A great day to be on the slopes.

Thursday on the Summit

My buddy, Rick and I had a great time skiing at Snoqualmie Summit.  Rick was able to shoot me going down the hill.

Eric Carmen--Rock And Pop Artist

 The death of Eric Carmen was shocking.  He was 74.  His band, the Raspberries did the hard rockin' "Go All The Way" before going solo with soft rock classics like "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again". He totally reinvented himself.

I was surprised of the outpouring of grief on social media (the bulk of his work was in the 70s) and also that he was of Jewish origin.  May his memory be a blessing. 

Carmen's death was announced Monday (March11, 2024) by his wife.

Dog Time

Oliver and I share a moment.

Russell Wilson Now A Steeler

 Russell Wilson, the only quarterback to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, will have a new address. 

After two unsuccessful seasons with the Denver Broncos, Wilson is slated to play quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Wilson left Seattle in a 2022 deal that was thought by some to be a fleecing of the Seahawks.  As it turned out, Seattle seems to have gotten the best out of the deal. 

Oscars 2024: 'Oppenheimer' wins Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards

Well, I did watch the Academy Awards last night (March 10th, 2024), actually, I usually watch bits and pieces.  The program ran twice, so I could watch most of the program.  

Congrats to Oppenheimer, seemingly a well deserved best picture winner.   For other winners, click here.

Maui 10--Close Up On Our Whale Watch Journey

 We purchased this picture taken by a professional photographer on our trip. 

Maui 9--Gekko Sighting

Saw this little fellow crawling on the wall near the pool at the Worldmark.

Steve Lawrence--Singer From Yesteryear

 

A singer the  grown-ups listened to, legendary crooner Steve Lawrence has died. He was 88.  Lawrence, with telegenic looks and a smooth voice, was a staple on variety shows in the 60s, often teaming up with his wife Eydie Gorme.  Sadly Gorme died in 2013.

In 2006, Deb and I went with my dad and Jean to see Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme in Palm Desert.  It would be the first of many concerts that we would enjoy at McCallum Hall. 

Maui 8--Where We Stayed

We had a great pool at the Worldmark in Kihei.

Maui 7--Whale Watching

We went on a boat tour, Sunday to watch the whales. Although, they were easy for us to see, they were nearly impossible to photograph with a phone camera. We still had a great time, as there was lunch served on the boat. 

 I Hope to have better pictures of the whales soon.

Maui 6--Relaxing On The Island

 I took this from our balcony.  Our second day there.  

Maui 5--The Grand Wailea Resort

We had dinner and explored the grounds at The Grand Wailea Resort, a luxury hotel, not far from where we stayed.

Maui 4--More Sunset

We did one sunset video.

Maui 3--The Sunset

This was taken from our room at the World Mark in Kihei, Hawaii.  

We welcomed great views each night.

Maui 2--Funny Signs

Fun signs at Moose McGillycuddy's where we had our first meal. 

It was down the street from where we stayed in Kihei.

The bar and grill afforded a great view of the beach across the street.

Fun Trip To Maui

Deb and I enjoy a cocktail on our 6 hour flight to Hawaii.  

More photos to come.

Cougs Beat Bruins

The Washington State Cougars kept their winning ways up with 77-65 victory over the longtime basketball powerhouse UCLA Bruins.

One Year Without Dasher

 It was one year ago today that Dasher passed away.  It was a devastating time, but our one year old pup Oliver has made it much easier.