Well, I have not blogged in over  a week. I got decidedly sick last week, and it is still lingering. I missed some work days, and have just been laying reallllll low. I feel...ok...but just ok, no better.

The plan is to leave tomorrow morn and fly to Topeka and then drive back with Gretchan and Rory over the course of a week or so. We'll see some friends in Colorado Springs and then hop, skip and jump our way back to sweet Portland.

That's the end of my rock and roll adventures...this round anyway. I'll likely keep on writing when I am back. Though, be warned, this was written knowing Rory and Gretchan would read this. Rory won't read this now that we'll be back together...so...I may touch on some other topics...

Honestly, I listened to about 2 hours of music the last 4 days, all of iPod random. I was too down and out to actually get up and change things. But, here was my list before I got really sick:

Henry Rollins-Think Tank (spoken word)
Pearl Jam-vs.
Otis Redding/Jimi Hendrix-Historic Performances of the Monterey Pop Festival
Pearl Jam-Yield
Temple of the Dog-Temple of the Dog
Mother Love Bone-Apple
Alice in Chains-Facelift

It was strange. Today was not the hottest day we've had, but somehow it just felt so bad out there today. At Nike today, saw a coaching friend who works with USA Paralympic cycling...I walked up to the gym, and there he was. Weird.

Had a leisurely breakfast, hung out with Leo, then went to work. Listened to NPR this morning until I couldn't handle the news anymore. Then I put some rock on the stereo.

Did some laundry once I got home, washed my bike, played a bit of guitar.

My soundtrack today:

Spinal Tap-Motion Picture Soundtrack
Defiance-Out of the Ashes
Prince-Purple Rain
Ozzy Osbourne-The Ultimate Sin
The Who-Quadrophenia

...yesterday I just rested. Did a few minor thing around the house, but mostly played guitar and just hung around. Helped out with set-up at the Montavilla Farmers Market, and shopped.

Then...wow. Let me just start this next part of the story by saying that my stereo, while nice "consumer grade" is NOT "audiophile-level". My power amp is high-end late 80's JVC. I scrimped and saved and got it when I graduated high school. My CD player is a Goodwill special Sony 5-disc platter, my turntable an early 70's handbuilt Pioneer, and my speakers pioneer CS-911. The other matching JVC stuff I bought in 1989 is long burned out and gone. However, the amp has been a faithful, stable, strong friend that has been used countless hours and pushed hard. So....I have noticed some 'problems' with it's output lately. Bear in mind, I have been running it hard and long. Likely between Friday afternoon and Saturday it ran 20 hours. Not even counting Sunday...so...I was worried, but I needed a new Grado needle for my turntable, so I went to Fred's Sound of Music on Hawthorne. There, the sales guy drew a diagram for me to troubleshoot the system....

 So...this week will be the troubleshoot of the system. Also, we chatted about a new system...oh man...I am giddy with what can be had these days.

Also, the market manager, Amanda (who shall remain annonymous), and our friends Elaine and Paul (who shall also remain anonymous) were talking about my 'cat blog' talking about all the cat pictures I put up....so...no more cat pictures.hahaha I am going to act like they aren't around.

So, back to my day...after a bit of time at the stereo shop, I took some pics of the new bathroom paint.

Pleasant.

I also did some garden harvesting and cooking of the dinner...

 Course 1: Salad. Garden lettuce and cabbage salad from our yard. Simplicity Gardens tomatoes and Rose.

 Course 2: Kale salad with Simplicity Gardens garlic. Also has capers and raisins.

 Course 3: Our garden zucchini. Frog Meadow farms potatoes and carrots from...somewhere...I don't know.

Eaten while watching the documentary 'Pearl Jam: Twenty'. See the mid-90's look of Stone Gossard (L) and Jeff Ament (R).

Also, I finished some repairs to my Epiphone Dot. Got this super cheap a year or so ago from Guitar Crazy. Bob there sold it to me for less than $100, since it had all sorts of electrical issues. He knew I like to tinker...so...Finally got it all done. New pickups, new chrome parts to replace the ugly black ones...and...now...she...rocks. Sounds great, nice thick neck. So, we'll call it an Epiphone Dot 'CUSTOM'.

 ...and here's Leo...

 I forgot to mention in the blog that I had an epiphany of sorts while at work last week. I was folding some laundry, and I came up with the greatest band name ever. Here it is.

Well, that about sums up my day.

Here was my soundtrack:

New York Dolls-New York Dolls

The Police-Ghost in the Machine

Henry Rollins-The boxed Life (spoken word)

Pearl Jam-Twenty (soundtrack)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-Hypnotic Eye

Motley Crue-Shout at the Devil

Also I played guitar for about 2 hours. Just put the iPod on random and picked out songs to play with/learn. I think, with my trusty wah pedal, that I figured out the intro to "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye.

Finalllllly stayed up lllllllllllate. Not rocking...as I should have been, but paining two coats of Yolo Water.07 on the bathroom. I started about 5 Friday night, and finished the second coat and the clean up around 1 am. Legit. Finished 3 beers and 1/2 bottle of Spanish Cava. But, the paint looks great. I am good at painting. Real steady handed and all.

Then this morning I awoke at 6:30 and was working at 7. Finished the bathroom (electric covers, moving things back in, pics on wall, etc), then....went straight to sealing the trim around the windows. I trimmed them myself years ago, but never sealed them. Until now. Currently, it is 8:06pm on Saturday. I finished about an hour ago. Took a couple breaks, played a bit o' guitar, ate...re-hydrated. Because it is hot and the house had to be opened up all day. Likely lost 8 pounds of sweat.

Big list o' records last night and today...

Pearl Jam-Backspacer
Bob Mould-District Line
Dead Kennedys-Give me Convenience or Give me Death
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-Hypnotic Eye
Albert King-Born under a Bad Sign
Jack White-Lazaretto
Donnas-Get Skintight
Night Ranger-Dawn Patrol
Sugar-File Under: Easy Listening
Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath
Mike Watt-Contemplating the Engine Room
Pearl Jam-No Code

Also listened to the iPod on 'Hard Rock' genres for about 4 hours after I got sick of flipping vinyl...lotsa Maiden, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Cinderella, Motley, G n R...epic

Had a normal day at work. Did some NPR time in the morning, had a nice coffee...though...no paper. It arrived sometime while I was at work. So, that was a bummer. I like my coffee/paper...

Anyway, stopped on the way home from work and got some paint for the bathroom, which will be my Friday evening/Saturday job. Laid on the couch and watched a hilarious Australian movie one of my patients told me about called Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Crazy funny about drag queens doing a show in the outback. From the mid-90's...but funny.

Then played some guitar with the iPod on 'random'. I did listen to one tasty vinyl selection-

Led Zeppelin-Physical Graffiti

Here is what I found later in the evening when it cooled down...6 of my cat collection lounging at the 'Feral Cat Neighborhood Retirement Center'....jeez...what a way to live.

Been a couple of days. Had a rough ride to Nike and back yesterday...just felt slow and terrible, so I rode reallll slow.

Today went to PACE as usual on Tuesday. Had a normal day. Saw an old patient visiting from Sweden...that was fun.

Soundtrack of my life the last 2 days:

Iron Maiden-The Early Years (DVD)
Wilco Johnson/Roger Daltrey-Going Back Home
Everclear-So Much for the Afterglow
Pearl Jam-Vitalogy
Pennywise-From the Ashes
Iron Maiden-The Final Frontier
John Butler Trio-April Uprising

Gretchan and I's brush with fame....So, one of our favorite shops of quirky usefulness, HandEye Supply, had a photo contest of people using their stuff, and both Gretchan and I made it...! See me in the lower part in my Blue work suit with bottle opener. Gretchan is smaller, in the center, near the top in white.

See the poster here!

...and they're having a 'Pearl Party' Thursday night.

Currently, I am going to sit outside with my dog, put some new tires on my Zipp 404s, do some guitar work, have some ice cream, drink some wine...and who knows what else.....

Watched the final Tour de France stage, took down the French Tricolor flag, and went to help set up at the Farmers Market. Bought some goodies and came home. Did some mowing and weeding, planted some garden starts, and washed my VeloForma for my commute tomorrow.

Had a delicious lunch and washed the dog. Did some laundry and then hung it in the sun to dry. Got one of my guitars ready for some major electronics work this week, then I turned up the music and rocked.

My soundtrack today:

All iPod random...about 9 hours worth.
Metallica-...And Justice for All
Sugar-Beaster

Here is some pics from the day...

All 4 kittens exploring my tree

My last Tour de France breakfast...Pirate Bread sourdough toast, 2 Frog Meadow Farms eggs, Simplicity Gardens tomatoes, Stumptown Latte, glass of Oregon Water, and jam...yes.
And a sad Leo...he likes an early morning office breakfast.

My delicious lunch...Frog Meadow Farms Green Beans, Olive Oil/Onion/Simplicity Gardens Zucchini pasta, our own backyard garden Swiss Chard/Garlic/Kale salad, cheese and tomatoes. Righteous.

And some shots of the flowers down the West side of the house.

Well it ended up I decided to have a lazy day. Watched the Tour dozing in my chair in the office wrapped in a cozy blanket, sipping my several lattes...then...I just got lazier. Had a leisurely breakfast, caught up on the Wall Street Journals, then read some more. And then read some more.

Oh sure, I did a few things around the house, but mostly I laid around and read and listened to music...That's about it. I wish I could say more happend. I did play a little music, not much though. I really just did nothing.

The soundtrack was a wide variety today:
The Who-My Generation
Iron Maiden-Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Iron Maiden-Peice of Mind
Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughn-In Session
AC/DC-If You Want Blood
Arrested Development-3 Years, 5 months, and 2 Days in the Life of
Donnas-American Teenage Rock and Roll Machine
Jeff Beck-Truth
Buddy Guy-Rhythm and Blues
KISS-Creatures of the Night
REO Speedwagon-You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish
Screaming Trees-Invisible Lantern
Grin-Gone Crazy

A quiet Friday. An early, uneventful Tour watching day...well...the end was awesome...but the early stuff I saw at home was quiet. A cool morning, so I sat in the office with Leo and sipped my cappucinno while watching. Got to work early so I could see the rest of the stage and did my massages.

Rode home, did some laundry, and cooked up a huge pile of Kale-lacinato and curly. Also had some farmers market tomatoes, green beans and cheese. Read my new "vintage Guitar" magazine. Then I got busy.

Cranked some music, hung some laundry on the line, mopped the floor and washed the fronts of the doors, the appliances, and all the cabinets.

My soundtrack this afternoon:

The Replacements-Let it Be
Muddy Waters-Live at Neport, 1960
Duke Ellington-Ellington and his Orchestra at Newport, 1956
A Perfect Circle-Mer do Noms
Aerosmith-Rocks
Butterfield Blues Band-East/West
The Allman Brothers Band-At Fillmore East

Strummed a little, but gearing up for a big work day tomorrow.

Some guitar time, mostly blues and Stones/Pearl Jam. Had a teeth cleaning with Dr. Dan yesterday, oh, and had to get on the ladder and clean out the overflowing gutters from the gutter-clogging 30 minute downpour we had yesterday. Crazy.

Took an early night last night and went to bed wayyyy tooooo early for a rock and roll summer fantasy camp...but, it was nice and chilly last night, so I slept hard.

Today got up for Nike and watched the last mountain stage of the Tour...wow....Nibali is absurd. Horner looked daring, and TeJay impressed. It's just so nice to get up and be able to wathc the tour and sip my latte.

Music this afternoon:

Iron Maiden-Number of the Beast
Mountain-Live, "the Road goes ever on and on"
Sound City Soundtrack-Real to Reel

Did some DIY sewing work today. Had 4 pair of natty cut-offs, that I put a cuffed leg onto. Got out Gretchan's sewing machine, and made it happen. Not much listening time today; I was sewing for a bit.

Sugar-Copper Blue
Night Ranger-7 Wishes
Neil Young-Dreamin' Man, Live '92
Eric Clapton-Blues

Today was a day...where just...not much happened. No Tour de France today, it was the second rest day. So, Wall Street Journal, coffee, and my usual breakfast made a slowish start to the day.

Watered outside, fed the 8 feral cats, fed our dog...strummed the guitar a bit, went to Nike and did 5 hours, then rode home. Super easy ride for me today since my legs feel crapppppy.

Made a kale salad from the yard, had a cheese/egg quesadilla, and made some reading time.

Records today:
KISS-Lick it Up
R.E.M.-Monster

Guitar work:
-worked on sus chords-d sus, a sus, g sus and e sus

The big Drywall day. Got the third coats sanded and the final thin coat done. Later in the day did the final sanding and priming...see below...

 So...not bad. This is our main living room skylight that is operable. You can see the imperfections...bearing in mind that I am a Massage Therapist, not a drywaller.

 Showing my "skills" in feathering into existing heavily textured ceiling.

 Kitchen skylight...again...not bad. Not great, though.

 Bathroom. Gretchan will lie in the tub and seeeeee those imperfections....

On the other hand, my new coffee station is righteous.

So...the soundtrack of the day:

Rush-All the World's a Stage
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-MOJO
A Perfect Circle-Thirteenth Step
Sean Lennon-Into the Sun
R.E.M.-Document
ZZ Top-Fandango!

Been busy the last few days. The kittens (all male) got their "sugical procedure", and all are back with mom cat...whew...it was touch and go whether I'd catch them all. But, thanks to our friend Kristin W, I caught 5, including the "guest" kitten that has adopted our backyard pride. Turns out the "guest" was already fixed, but Kristin dropped tham off and picked them up. They were all reunited with momma early yesterday morning. Snuggling and growling at me ensued.

Worked yesterday and then came home and did some laundry and other smaller projects around the house. Today was one of the big ones. drywall mud and sand our 3 skylight shafts. yeah...it was ok. I find drywalling to be cathartic.

My soundtrack? A long list...

Fitz and the Tantrums-Pickin' up the Pieces
Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers
Cream-Fresh Cream
Johhny Winter (dead and gone, RIP)-Nothin' But the Blues
Lazy Smoke-Corridor of Faces
Allman Brothers Band-Eat a Peach
Chris Robinson Band-Phosphorescent Harvest
Neil Young-A Letter Home
Metallica-...and Justice for All..
Dead Kennedys-Mutiny on the Bay
Bruce Springstein-Born to Run
AC/DC-Highway to Hell

 5 of our 7 black cats happily eating

Thursday early morning...the LAST intact, free male kitten. Soon, even he couldn't resist the smelly, wet, delicious food available for him.

Did this one day late. Got home from work, and it was an "important" day. Had appointments to trap the 4 feral kittens that reside in my backyard. Put the cat food in the traps, set them...and BAM...within minutes...

...caught one. Before I even walked away.
...Put that cat and cage in the garage. Looked out the window...and...

...another. First five minutes...and 2 were caught.

Then, a break, as I left to go to dinner with my clinic driector, David, and our old partner, Shawn. Went to Laurelhurst Meat Market for some ridiculous steaks, and appetizers. Also had a big, fat Bordeaux...yes...

Came home several hours later...and 2 more caught. However...1 I caught is some neighbor feral who has been hanging around my kittens. So...one kitten still roams in my backyard. BUT, I caught 4 to be fixed. Hopefully I can catch the last one as well. Tonight...

Had a bit of time to play/listen:

Bob Mould-Life and Times
Metallica-Ride the Lightning

Rest day at the Tour, so no internet this morn. Just straight into Rock n Roll.

Fleetwood Mac and Friends-Blues Jam at Chess
Metallica-Death Magnetic
Jack White-Blunderbuss
Bob Mould-Modulate
Roger Daltrey and Wilco Johnson-Going Back Home

Getting ready for "Cat Trapping summer 2014" extravaganza tomorrow. Hoping to trap all 4 little ones and have them fixed...fingers crossed.

...and here's some photos...

Nike day. Had a couple of rubs and a long ride. Stayed home late to see Nibali today. Dang...exciting day at The Tour...Bastille Day. Played the French national anthem and went to work.

Home...took a cold shower after the ride and had some lunch. Then started in on the rock and rollllll...well...OK...I actually fell asleep to Mudhoney's newest...but the nap was nice. Despite Leo's napping allllll day while I am gone, he napped with me.

Rock today was:
Mudhoney-Vanishing Point
Rolling Stones-It's Only Rock and Roll
Cream-Cream
Surf Punks-My Beach
Humble Pie-Rockin' the Fillmore

tooks some pictures today, but the camera died...so I'll have to put them onto tomorrow's blog.

Didn't get a chance to blog yesterday...I was so tired from all the brush/yard work and the heat, that I turned the fan on HIGH and went to bed...

sooooo...

yesterday was hot. I repaired our front deck and did a ton of pruning/weeding/hacking things down. Very satisfying. had the iPod on for several hours. It ran through some nice random stuff. Only had to forward it past a few things I wasn't ready for.

Today promised to be another swelter...but...as with Oregon...it was great. Had thunder-8times!-had lightning-3 times! That's amazing for here. Stayed cool, and I did some coffee station work, cleaned the oven, did some caulk work, some guitar work, and some guitar playing.

Today my soundtracks were:

Albert King/Stevie Ray Vaughn-In Session (DVD)
Metallica-St. Anger
Slayer-Reign in Blood
The Clash-London Calling
Nirvana-In Utero
Rush-Moving Pictures
Roger Waters-The Pros and Cons of Hitchiking
Rolling Stones-Goats Head Soup

The picture is my Sunday Farmers Market Lunch-

Eggs by Frog Meadow Farms
Spinach by Frog Meadow Farms
Tomatoes by Simplicity Gardens
Toast by Pirate Bread (not at the Market)

And faithfully walking my dog, Leo. And a glimpse of my new Nike Skateboard shoes...

Not much music today; had a buddy over after work for a little grillery in the back.

Did listen to:

Ratt-Dancing Undercover
Defiance-Rise or Fall
Police-Regatta de Blanc
Dead Kennedys-Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

A sleepy day. Full day at Portland PACE, then came home had some beer and played some guitar. Played some Zeppelin and Clapton.

Easy day, house stayed cool.

Crazy stage yesterday at the Tour de France.

Music of the day:

Led Zeppelin-Houses of the Holy
Neil Young-Le Noise
Eric Clapton-Just One Night

Some Tour de France this morning...not much, though. Had to watch the end at work...

Played some guitar this morning and went to work...Put up the Tricolor though...

Listened to NPR and had the Tour on

Got home from work, had a Sessions Lager and made dinner. Fresh zuccini, onion and olive oil over Tortellini. Had a nice glass of King's Raven Winery Phoenix.

After dinner, and a walk with the dog, listened to:

Talas-Sink your Teeth into That

Ratt-Invasion of your Privacy

Jeff Beck and the Yardbirds-Shape of Things

The Who-Who's Next

Watched the Tour stage 3 today. Again, read my Wall Street Journal and strummed the guitar while I watched the race. Had a brilliant espresso and 2 duck eggs and fried potatoes...

Then I watched the 4 cats in the yard before my ride to Nike. Had a short day there and came home rocked the guitar for an hour, then fell asleep listening to some music:

Suicidal Tendencies-Suicidal Tendencies
Robert Sumlin and Friends-Robert Sumlin's Blues Party
Scorpions-Love at First Sting
David Lee Roth-Eat 'em and Smile
Triumph-Stages

A good Sunday. Work and leisure. Woke up for stage 2 Tour de France. Crazy stage just like a classic. It was nice to have breakfast and watch uninterrupted.

2 duck eggs, english muffins, espresso and raspberries from our backyard.

Righteous.

Today I did a few more hours of yardwork and listened to the random iPod. Had some disco, old school soul, some punk and some metal. I love random.

Had some guitar time, played some Lynyrd Skynyrd, some John Mayall, some Albert King, some Pink Floyd, some Motley Crue, some Metallica.

Rocked the Flying V today...

Played the following albums at full volume today:

Pearl Jam-Yield

Accept-Balls the Wall

Police-Zenyatta Mondatta

Oasis-(What's the Story) Morning Glory

Bob Mould-Beauty and Ruin

Pearl Jam-Twenty (DVD)

Cleaned the kitchen tile and grout on my hands and knees and did a full vacuum and went to the farmers market. Got some potatoes and tomatoes. Picked some sweet kale from the backyard garden and made a sweet salad with garlic and raisins.

It was soooooo tasty.

Then I found a FREE pile and there was a framed picture in the pile...so I brought the picture home and put an old poster of John Lennon in it....then hung it in my room. My wife will like it...right?....I mean, who wouldn't want John Lennon and Eric Clapton from the 1968 Rolling Stones "Rock and Roll Circus" on their wall?

Heck yeah.

Today more work. Don't worry, though, I did play some rock LOUD...played through:

Pearl Jam-Ten
John Mayall-70th Birthday concert
Mountain-Live
Guns n Roses-Appetite for Destruction
Joe Bonamassa-Dust Bowl

Did lots of weeding again and played with the backyard feral cats. Also, restrung 2 guitars, and cleaned the lot. Oh, and I removed and lubed 2 complete sets of guitar tuners...My Hamer Flying V is still in the "guitar hospital" in the garage (see photo).

Ohhhhh, I almost forgot I watched most of Stage 1 of the 2014 Tour de France. Kittel was righteous. In the photo is my morning espresso, Wall Street Journal, VeloNews TdF stage-by-stage guide, and my laptop. I like July.

In addition to my guitar time and my iPod random time while weeding, I listened to:

Iron Maiden-Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden-Flight 666 soundtrack album
Dead Kennedys-Plastic Surgery Disasters
Def Leppard-On Through the Night
Reo Speedwagon-You Can Tune a Piano, but you can't Tuna Fish
The MC5-Kick Out the Jams

Well...the summer "fantasy" part hasn't really happened. I basically did 6 hours of weeding and cleaning today, washed the dog, did 3 loads of laundry. I don't really know any rock stars who do that...whatever. I did play for almost 90 minutes today; that was nice. I am really enjoying the Les Paul.

Ate the fridge clear of leftovers and played with the kittens a bit.

Now, the neighborhood seems to have woken up and it sounds like the fiework time has started. It was nice and quiet today though.

I did the old iPod and headphones while outside working, so it was crazy random through several hundred songs as I was out there. Some 80's, some 90's Alternative, some blues, some Heavy Metal...it was great. I love hearing "Hanger 18" by Megadeth followed by "Peace, Love, and Understanding" by Elvis Costello. Random iTunes rules.

I also listened to:
Ratt-Out of the Cellar
The Dils-Class War
Scorpions-Blackout
Surf Punks-Locals Only
Albert Collins/Robert Cray/Johnny Copeland-Showdown

Enjoy some photos from the day:

 OH, and I got my Velonews TdF guide ready for tomorrow and put the route map/stage winner paper up on the Fridge. Maybe Talansky for the win?

Today was an OR Project day at Nike. Just 3 athletes, the rest are racing...so a short day with a long ride.

This morning I did my iPod on random and played guitar for about 2 hours. Watched "James Bond: Skyfall"...well...only a bit...walked the dog, dealt with my 93-year old neighbor who is a shut in (she had an ambulance call), and was basically just goofing off.

Got home from work, ate, played some more guitar, drank a Session Lager.

Here is how I have the living room set up since the family is gone. Guitars everywhere and my main 2 amps set up. Hooked up and ready.

Listened to:

iPod randon "Hard Rock" file: Kiss, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Pantera, Anthrax, Metallica, Scorpions, Guns N Roses, Iron Maiden, etc.
The Who-Tommy
Dead Kennedys-Plastic Surgery Disasters
Style Council-Introducing the Style Council
Cream-Fresh Cream
Metallica-Live now (Bootleg)