Tate McRae - "Sports Car"

This tune, from the wonder of Calgary, is getting lots of air play these days on the radio. I can see why.  (The tune is reminiscent of the Pussycat Dolls.)

 

In Honor of Paul Fearn: "Heart of Gold" - DMTC - April 30, 2011

R.I.P. - Remembering a fine actor, Paul Fearn, upon his passing. 

Here's a song from "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," as presented by Davis Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) on April 30, 2011. 

World Wide Wicket Company President J. B. Biggley (Paul Fearn) sings "Heart of Gold" with his love interest, Hedy LaRue (Brittany Bickel). Present near the start is J.B.'s nephew, Bud Frump (Jason 'Clocky' McDowell).

White Cat II

To close out Jasper’s birthday, it was time to do the late-night walk. 

When we walk, I prefer to carry a pooper scooper - scoop and putter - to deal with exigencies. 

On the return leg, Jasper abruptly stopped and spun around. We were being stalked - by a White Cat! This was a different cat from the White Cat who stalked us several years ago. I found this omen to be portentous. A White Cat! 

I wanted to introduce myself to the White Cat, but as we approached the cat arched its back in cautionary alarm. Jasper’s forthright canine approach was scaring the cat. I needed to tie Jasper to a tree or pole, but none was available. So I laid the pooper scooper down on the sidewalk and tied Jasper’s leash around the scoop and putter, hoping that would hold Jasper, and I approached the cat. 

Jasper wasn’t deterred, and continued approaching the cat. His leash wrapped around the pooper scooper putter, which clattered noisily on the pavement. Jasper panicked at the noise, and bolted. Lashed like Ahab to the White Whale, Jasper fled a block down the street, pursued as if by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by the Pooper Scooper putter. Meanwhile, the cat withdrew a cautionary distance, in order to observe - whatever this was. 

Well, so much for diplomacy. Maybe another night. Jasper eventually returned, and we continued home.

Shoplifting, in Bulk

Tonight, I was in a Walgreens drug store just before closing time - in this case, 9 p.m. (some Walgreens are open 24-hours). Significantly, this store had not locked up the more-expensive personal care items they sell, like shaving items and shampoo, as has become common in many California stores. 

Walking through the aisles, I noticed a man with an unusual shopping style. He was taking bottles of shampoo off the shelves and stuffing them into a large garbage bag. The bag was so heavy he could hardly move it. "Hmmm...," I thought. 

I wandered along on my own business. I almost forgot about the guy with the bag. Then someone spoke on the store intercom with a mix of sarcasm and wonderment: "The guy is in the back stuffing his bag!" Indeed! Plus, he was not alone. There were at least three, maybe four men, hauling bags out of the store. They were very businesslike in demeanor, and uncommunicative, as they made a big raid on the merchandise. They did not mask themselves but they averted their faces from cameras likely present in the store. There were no outward signs of guns. 

And the store employees did not interfere. They continued along with their tasks. Among them, I could sense an undercurrent of fear, yet they displayed a lackadaisical insouciance. I noticed one of the employees come in from outside, He was likely a security guard, perhaps catching a car's license plate number in the parking lot. 

"Was that a theft?" I asked an employee. "Oh yes." she replied. "It happens often." "It occurred to me I should interfere, " I continued. "Oh no, don't do that," she replied. Referring to her fellow workers, she said, "We're not security guards. Interfering is against corporate policy. The product is just product. We'll have some more product later this week." 

Reflecting, I think I've barely missed similar shoplifting episodes at other stores. One of the most controversial features of California's Proposition 47, passed in 2014, was the reduction of penalties for shoplifting, as long as the stolen goods have a value no more than $950. Criminals have taken this lenience as license to brazenly take whatever they want from stores. 

I favor reducing that $950 limit, but the resistance necessary to enforce that lower limit will put customers and employees alike at risk of violence. Insouciance won't be enough. 

Closing time is a risky time.

[UPDATE:  Jenny informs me that last year's Proposition 36 reduced the $950 limit.]

Happy 7th Birthday Jasper!

Happy 7th birthday, baby dog Jasper! To celebrate, we walked all the way to Safeway (my former dog Bella’s favorite place), in order to search for Bella’s favorite shocking discovery, rotisserie chicken hidden in the bushes.

R.I.P., Paul Fearn

R.I.P. Various pictures of our good friend, and excellent actor, Paul Fearn, at DMTC.  Paul was active in so many theaters over the years.  He really left a mark on Sacramento-area theater!

Davis Enterprise picture of "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," March 2008. Val (Paul Fearn), Kenny (Brennen Cull), Max (Kevin Caravalho), Lucas (Josh Smith), Brian (Jason 'Clocky' McDowell).

“The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” July, 1992. Erin Renfree-Davis as Molly Tobin Brown and Paul Fearn as Johnny Brown.

Merlin (Paul Fearn) waits backstage ("Camelot" - February 20, 2007).

Nimue Dancer (left, Meg King) ensnares Merlin the Magician (right, Paul Fearn) to the eerie song of Nimue Singer (off camera right, Bridget Maguire). ("Camelot" - February 21, 2007).

The Enchantment of Merlin. Nimue Dancer (Meg King), Merlin (Paul Fearn), and Nimue Singer (Bridget Maguire, background). "Camelot" - March 17, 2007.

"Laughter On The 23rd Floor," March 30, 2008.  Lucas (Joshua Smith), Milt (Darryl Strohl), Val (Paul Fearn), and Kenny (Brennan Cull).

King Herod (Paul Fearn), "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus from left; Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Pamela Kay Lourentzos, Amanda Yount, and Jennifer Berry. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod, plus Nikki Nicola and Pamela Kay Lourentzos (Nancy Longo obscured). "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus too. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

The cast of "The Secret Garden," in "Come Spirit, Come Charm," June 12, 2008. Karina Cruz, Scott Sablan, Bridget Maguire, Paul Fearn, Maya Rothman, Joshua Smith, Kaylynn Rothleder, Andrew Lampinen, Caitlin Kiley, Christian Salmon, Linnea Lampinen, Jabriel Shelton, Emily Jo Seminoff, Anne Marie Pringle, Darryl Strohl, and Norma-Jean Russell.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 15, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

"The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl," with Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," June 17, 2009.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 17, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

Concert version of "Tommy," July 22, 2007. Captain Walker (Paul Fearn) and Mrs. Walker (Kat DeLapp).

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn) and Frederick (Travis Nagler), amongst the ruins at Tremorton Castle. "The Pirates of Penzance," September 15, 2007.

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn), "The Pirates of Penzance," October 7, 2007.

The cast of "The Secret Garden," in "Come Spirit, Come Charm," June 12, 2008. Karina Cruz, Scott Sablan, Bridget Maguire, Paul Fearn, Maya Rothman, Joshua Smith, Kaylynn Rothleder, Andrew Lampinen, Caitlin Kiley, Christian Salmon, Linnea Lampinen, Jabriel Shelton, Emily Jo Seminoff, Anne Marie Pringle, Darryl Strohl, and Norma-Jean Russell.

Kacey Musgraves - "'Slow Burn"

I like this contemplative, psychedelic country tune from 2018 (Pam uses it in ballet class).

 

Jack White - "Archbishop Harold Holmes"

Pop music is such a strange place! "Archbishop Harold Holmes" appears to be heavily-influenced by "Trouble," from Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" and is now getting radio air play. I like how Jack White features his 18-year-old rocker daughter Scarlett here.

 

"Prom" - Woodland Opera House - April 26, 2025

Saw Woodland Opera House’s “Prom” Saturday night. Saw lots of familiar faces, including, most remarkably, Scott Martin, who was in my first WOH show, "Fiddler on the Roof," twenty-eight years ago. Good times!