I play lead guitar in a band called Void Where Prohibited. I joined in late 1999 as the bass player, but switched to lead when Larry Carver retired and moved to Colorado. We struggled trying to find a permanent bass player and drummer, and in 2007 were able to snag Norlin Merritt and John Thompson respectively. We've been playing out regularly.
I also play bass for the John Richardson Band. John's written some great stuff and drummer Hudson Bunce is outstanding. So what am I doing in the band? Must be the charm and dignity I add.
The Sign, an Oakland based band broke up midyear, but some of us still get together regularly. I see the keyboard player, Renee Witon to trade piano lessons for guitar lessons. I'm SO getting the better of THAT trade!
Damn Neighbors, my Walnut Creek band, refuses to die. We played in March, 2007 and there's talk of a May 2008 get together. We'll see.
In 2006 I did substantial volunteer work at a nearby nursing home. Having fulfilled my commitment (and then some) I cut way back in 2007. I'll keep poking my head around to see what else I might pursue, but I haven't seen anything. Could I possibly get involved in someone's campaign? (Naaaahhhhh!)
It was somewhat gratifying to have been asked if I might come back to my beloved PG&E. I think not. Perhaps if a short-term project came up where I wouldn't have to deal with the politics of it all I might be interested. I'd spend all the money on something extravagant, but I don't really think that would happen.
For now, I'm just happy where I'm at. I'll make some resolutions, play some music, try to get the slice out of my golf swing, read, and enjoy what life sends my way.
I've been good at keeping this web site up to date, so stay tuned. You never know what you'll find! Best wishes for a fun and prosperous New Year.
That's how I started last year's New Year's essay. I guess it's the same with 2007. It was perhaps not as eventful as 2006 - it's kinda hard to top retirement as a life altering event. No, I didn't get married, and not much else compares.
One thing that was really odd to me was that in January I played 9 rounds of golf. Golf in January? This may be California, but it's still pretty cold out there, not to mention wet. I went on to play 127 rounds in 2007, 115 of them at Tilden. I averaged about 109 there in 2006 and expected to get down to somewhere between 95 and 100 by the end of 2007. It didn't happen. My yearlong average was 104, 105 for my last 20 games.
So much for improvement. Still, I found myself enjoying the good shots (I make quite a few) and dealing with the awful ones (I make quite a few of those, too). I don't have tantrums, throw clubs, shout obsenities, or do things that I don't like others around me to do. I make it a point to enjoy the walk and scenery (not too difficult at Tilden!) and the company of my fellow golfers. There's a good-sized cadre of retirees who show up on a regular basis.
I did some travelling in 2007. In another location on this site, you can find my 50-State Pledge. I want a documented visit to each in my retirement. My original estimate of 5 years was a bit much, for reasons I'll soon get into. In March I fulfilled a lifelong desire to visit spring training - not the original Lakeland, Florida for my once beloved Tigers, but Scottsdale, Arizona for the Giants. Good fun. I also documented California with Mono Lake.
In August, I made my way to Colorado (Durango) for the second Void where Prohibited reunion. I'd done Colorado in 2006 with the first Void Reunion (see my music page) but this time I drove there, taking in Nevada (Las Vegas), Utah (Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park), and New Mexico (Santa Fe Old Town). It was all great fun.
Another big plan in retirement was to have music as an important part of my life. In this I got by with a little help from my friends!
