Switchfoot

We went to see Collective Soul in August and a band I hadn't heard of - Switchfoot - was playing with them.    Turns out they put on a very fun show!

I had stepped back to get a drink when they started and this is the view I saw as I was returning.

Before the show I had read that they were a Christian band so I was like - rut row - we're going to get preached to all night.

However, that was not the case!  They aren't a "Christian band",  they are a band whose members happen to be Christian.  That's what the band says and I believe them.  If there was any preachin' going on I didn't hear it!

The stage performance was very energetic and uplifting, I'm glad we stuck around to watch it.

Here is the singer Jon Foreman coming out into the audience for some fun.  He was practically leaning over my seat!  The audience loved it.

The band even brought other performers onto the stage.

This was nice to see and it seemed even the band enjoyed it.

At one point they brought four brothers up and turned over their instruments for them to play a Switchfoot song.  It went great!

The brothers taking a bow.

And then came the bubbles.  Oh the bubbles! 

Again, very uplifting to watch.

A look back behind my seat during one of the songs.

This woman really lit up the stage when she came out to sing.

I believe this was the last performer they invited up.

Anyway a very good time - I'd recommend seeing them if you can.  They are from San Diego so hopefully they will put on shows often.

Thank you and good night!
 

Today Is Our 40th Anniversary

Forty years ago today I talked the most wonderful woman into marrying me.  We just told a few of our closest family and friends, ran up to Carson City, Nevada and got married one fine Saturday afternoon.

Here is the chapel where we were married - 112 North Curry Street in Carson City, Nevada.  It is about a half block from the Nevada State Capital building.  This photo was taken about a month before our marriage.  This building was originally a home and has been at this location since at least 1860 - before Nevada was even a state!

My wife and I with our first kiss as a married couple.

We were flat broke at this point in time with just enough money for rent, food, and a little gas for the car.  Everything for this wedding and reception was donated to us by my parents, my wife's mother, and wedding guests.

Therefore, we didn't have an official photographer and relied on our guests to capture the moment.  Thank you!

The wedding party with our friends Dolly and Brian.

My wife is looking out the window watching for my parents, I suspect.  They had taken the scenic route to Carson City that morning, going to South Lake Tahoe on the way.  Unfortunately, August is the height of the busy season there and traffic was at a standstill, so they missed the wedding.  There was another wedding after ours so we couldn't delay and since this was pre-cell phone had no way to contact them to see what happened.   As it turns out, they arrived just as we exited the chapel.  As you can imagine, they were extremely upset with themselves over the whole situation.

One final photo at the chapel.

My wife's sister graciously offered us her home for the reception.  Here we are upon arrival.

That's my niece Renee looking on.

And one of the beautiful bride.

My wife and I with my parents.

All of the single males in attendance

My wife's grandparents - a very kind couple.

My closest of friends John.

The wedding cake, I would imagine purchased by my mother-in-law.

Cut the cake!

We've never understood the tradition of smashing food into your new spouse's face, so we did it very gently and respectful.

Say ah!

Perhaps we should have used silverware.

One more pose!

I had forgotten about this photo.  It came out very well. 

Since these photos are from various guest cameras, they are of various quality.  The photos with darker, richer colors are from someone's instant Polaroid.   While the colors are richer, I've noticed that those photos are also starting to break down after 40 years.

My wife's sister Debbie.

My new brother-in-law Neal.

My nephew Mark.

My mother, wife and I at my car.  Not sure what we were doing.  Probably inspecting the "Just Married" decorations that had been added.

My sister Karen, her new son Raymond, and boyfriend Tim.
 

Washington DC Wedding, April 7, 2001

If you were married on the shore of the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC on April 7, 2001 then I have a surprise for you.

I happened to be walking by when I noticed a very joyous moment that I was in the perfect position to capture forever.

Not only that, but I had my newly purchased first digital camera in my hand.   So I raised it to my eye and captured these two photos.

As you can see I captured a perspective that no one else did, even the photographer.   It shows not only the couple getting married but the parents and guests, all with huge smiles on their faces.

Here it is over 21 years later and I discovered these photos when going through my archives.  I decided to post them here in case I can by chance make someone's day.   If this was your wedding and you contact me, I'll also send you the original digital files.  But we aware this was a very early digital camera so there isn't much more detail than you see here.

Enjoy!

 

Beautiful San Diego Sunset

 

While out to dinner last night, we witnessed this spectacular sunset.   Nature is beautiful.

San Diego Padres vs Colorado Rockies

My employer put together a group trip to see the Padres, so my family went!   The San Diego Padres played a home game against the Colorado Rockies, and the Rockies whipped them pretty soundly.  Oh well.

We still enjoyed the game.  Here is my son David with his sons Teo and Troy.

David made a trip to get refreshments and struggled to climb over the seat in front of Troy with them.  The gentleman behind troy volunteered to hold the tray while Dave climbed the seat and unfortunately the huge container of popcorn tipped over and spilled right down Troy's back!  I didn't get a snap of it as I was busy laughing alongside everyone else in our section.  It was quite amusing I wish I had a video of it!

Troy took it very well and laughed himself!

Here is David returning with a fresh popcorn container - not climbing the seats this time ha ha.

My wife enjoying the game.