blog
I use this section as an archive documenting things I’ve done in recent and not-so-recent years.
I’ve Played in Some Bands…
Since high school, I've played in a number of bands. Like many others, making music has been a continual source of satisfaction and expression for me. I can remember back to one particular day, gathering at Lyle's place (drummer) with about 6 guitar players and myself...
Baseball in Yokohama
Final score: Yokohama DeNA Baystars 6, Tokyo Yakult Swallows 1 After the game, players and coaches threw balls into the stands.
Hanshin Tigers! Fure fure fure fure!
It was with much excitement and anticipation that I attended a baseball game at Koshien Stadium. With Natalie living for the time being in Japan, the opportunity to visit this amazing country also meant the opportunity to experience Japanese big league baseball. There...
There and Back on Bike, May 2016
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Holiday Photo 2014
A little fun was had whilst taking our holiday photo Warning: This is what can actually happen when you're taking a holiday photo by yourself with the camera set to a timer. You can't really check on what others are doing while waiting for the shutter to click.
Baby Room
Back in 1979 my sister Shelley asked me to paint Nils' room. Heck yeah, my parents' first grandchild and all. In turn, Nils and Sarah asked me to help paint their baby's room, the first great grand child. This team effort included young Theo's help with birds, and...
Pennant Race
I fess up, I've not added a post to this blog in almost a year, let's just say I had a few other things going on. I've also been encouraged (ahem) to be a little less public with my personal life. OK. However, my last post will bear resemblance to this one. As I...
Baseball Magic in Oaktown
I'm a local. By some stroke of luck, I was fortunate enough to grow up in what I think was the golden era of sports in Oakland: the A's won 5 straight division titles and 3 world series starting in '71; the Raiders were a perennial powerhouse, winning a Super Bowl in...
AL West Champs – How Sweet It Is!
As I write this, it will be 41 years tomorrow that my dad extracted my brother and I from school to attend a baseball game. October 5, 1971 was a warm Indian summer morning in the bay area. That afternoon, game 3 of the 1971 American League playoffs would take place...
Fireworks 2012
Family night at the Coliseum - 9th inning drama to down the Red Sox, capped with a fireworks display viewed from the playing field...
Not in our house, baby
I suppose it’s jealousy, but only to a certain degree. Oakland fans and Boston fans: 2 distinctive breeds. For a variety of reasons, the Oakland A’s draw the largest crowds when three teams are in town: the Giants, Yankees and Red Sox, and at times, it might seem...
It’s not every day your daughter graduates from high school
Natalie, member of the class of 2012
ML’s 50th
Got to hand it to them, my brother Mark and his wife Suzanne throw a mean party. These photos are mainly from the band's perspective...
Lester story
Our anniversary falls on the same day as Lester's birthday, so in his honor... (circa 1986) As I entered my driveway after a day at work, I saw Lester jump up from a laying down position near the fence, tail wagging wildly. I knew he had jumped the fence again, but...
Return to Monaghan’s 2012
Our gig coincided with a partial solar eclipse. We had a great crowd this particular day.
Best spot to see a ballgame
My little league pitching career came to a screeching halt when, at 12 years old, I could no longer find the strike zone. Fortunately for my team, we had other arms to take my place, and I settled in behind home plate. I relished being a catcher, and from their...
Surf Tahoe
It's been 30 some years since I saw Sammy Hagar play. If I recall, it was a new years eve show at the Cow Palace, but there's a good chance my recollection of the date and venue are off by years, miles, or both. I got an email recently from the manager at the Cabo...
Battle of the Surf Bands
(Listen) Last time I played in something like this was back in '79 (whew). Ferenc of Pollo del Mar and DJ Cousin Mary of KFJC lined this one up and all the bands knocked it way out of the (menlo) park. If you couldn't be at the British Bankers Club in person or...
A friendly rivalry (of sorts)
The first year my daughter was on the roster of a tournament team, she was 9 years old and only saw garbage time on a team that won just 1 or 2 games all summer. My friend Mike's daughter had a similar experience on that same team, our girls represented the younger...
Catan final standings 2010
Since we started documenting victories in 2008, here are the family records through 2010: Natalie and Eric tied with 24 wins each, Rocky 18, Mary Ann 13 As of new years day 2011, I'm in the lead (probably the only time I can boast this) with 2 wins.