Neil Diamond "Holly Holy" on The Ed Sullivan Show

Almost forgot about this favorite song. A song to close out the Sixties (November 30, 1969). I started to listen to pop music in earnest in January, 1969.  Symbolism of the simple set here is very harmonious with Hopi ideals.

 

"Grease" - Woodland Opera House - August 8, 2026

On Saturday evening, August 8th, I went to see "Grease" at the Woodland Opera House, in order to see Rachel Rycerz play Miss Lynch, and to shake loose some memories, since I had played Eugene in DMTC's "Grease" in April, 2003. 

The cast is solid, with Hayden Williams-Moran as Danny and Emilie Schwarz as Sandy; William Kuykendall as Teen Angel and Miller Traum as Johnny Casino. Maria Tilve is excellent as Rizzo, as is Amelia Robinson-Burmester as Marty. And Rachel Rycerz plays Miss Lynch very well! 

After the show, I conversed with Erik Catalan, who directed this show - his first directing job, apparently. Usually Erik is center stage. I asked him if he wanted to be in the show. He didn't answer directly, but I think the answer is yes. It certainly looked like fun. How long have I known Erik? Since 1998? 

I was surprised by "Raining on Prom Night," which is typically a solo by Sandy, but here featured four vocalists (Lauren Battaglia, Kaori Catalan, Lela Rose, and Juniper Thompson). Erik explained that the change helped the flow of the show. (Or something like that; maybe it's to give Sandy some rest? I dunno. I wasn't paying close attention, thinking instead how theater has kept Erik young.) 

This version of "Grease" includes songs from the movie. The first dance number, "Grease," is done to the Frankie Valli song whose style never fit with the rest of the show, but was a concession to the disco times of 1978, when the movie was released. I liked the fact that the entire company did this dance number, but thought it needs even more precision to have maximum effect. The other dances were fine!

Curtain descends after bows....   

Skating On Edge of Disaster

I felt I was skirting the edge of disaster on the night of seeing Green Valley Theater's "Disaster! The Musical." I tried to prepare. Since I hadn't been on the Cosumnes River College (CRC) campus for quite a few years, since well-before the pandemic, I made sure to arrive with twenty minutes to spare for meeting any challenges. 

My first problem after entering the west side of campus was trying to comply with the Cosumnes River College (CRC) parking-permit requirement. I waited in a long line of vehicles to obtain the permit, but when I got the permit dispenser I could not figure out the proper process. I grew increasingly desperate as the line of impatient motorists behind me grew, so I finally threw my hands up in exasperation and drove over to the east side of campus, where I found a parking permit dispenser in a remote parking lot where I could carefully study the tutorial on the dispenser's screen in order to finally obtain the $2 daily parking permit. 

Then there was the challenge of actually finding the theater. I have supreme confidence in my ability to find my way in any challenging geographic situation, no matter what. That meant that, yes, I was soon lost. Trusting Apple Maps on my trusty iPhone, I noted that they helpfully label the theater on their map of the CRC campus, but unfortunately their label is on the wrong building. After meeting another lost theater patron, and waving my wallet at a group of musical-theater enthusiasts singing a strange song about needing money (college campuses can be strange afterhours), we finally found the theater, ten minutes late, but fortunately curtain time was late too, so all was well. 

After the show, I wandered back across the empty, confusing campus in search of my car in that remote eastern lot. Good, there it is! But as I got in and started driving away, in the remote distance, someone was waving a light on his phone, trying in a remote feeble way to flag me down. What kind of chaos is this? I worried because some of Sacramento's most-difficult gang territories aren't that far from the CRC campus, and I hadn't been in this neighborhood for years (not since working with the 2020 census, stumbling into yards labeled "beware of dog" and finding lonely Pitbulls needing company). 

It was a black man in guerilla garb, age somewhat indeterminate, but maybe about 40. What did he need? He explained his predicament. He had been begging for money at a nearby stop sign for hours but had only collected $21. He was trying to travel to his father's house near the intersection of Elverta and Watt. 

I pondered this request. He wanted to travel from Sacramento's far-southern suburbs, through the center of the sprawling city, to Sacramento's far-northern suburbs, starting this journey at 11 pm? This was the most-ridiculous story I had ever heard. No one does anything like this - without a car the challenges are simply too great - which meant that his story could only be true. 

So I told him to jump in and keep his money. We had a cabbages-and-kings kind of conversation on the long drive and I was finally able to drop him off, coincidentally, not far from my friend Joe the Plumber's storage unit, which Joe secured in the most-inconvenient-possible location in the city for his purposes, for reasons that still elude me. 

So, all was well, and disaster averted.

"Disaster! - The Musical" - Green Valley Theater Company

Opening night of Green Valley Theatre Company's "Disaster! The Musical," at Cosumnes River College (CRC), was excellent! 

There's nothing better than the pop tunes of the 70s and the various disaster movies of 70s, and combining the two means a good time will be had. 

Probably the cleverest song is the opening song, "Hot Stuff," which is adapted for rapid exposition. The second-cleverest to me was "25 or 6 to 4." I got so caught up in the show that the song "Ben" somehow didn't register with me, since one of the characters is named Ben (no doubt named just for this purpose). 

A floating casino experiencing repeated disasters is a clever setting. I'd like to see a sequel, maybe based on my favorite disaster movie, the first disaster movie, "Airport" (1970). Or dare I hope? "Airplane" (1980)? 

Post-show mixing pictured here.

Shit, Someone Has Set Fires All Over The Neighborhood

For clarification, this was Sacramento, CA, near 21st St. and 2nd Ave., on the evening of Monday August 3rd. The fire in the picture was about one block from my house. Fire department response was slow, due mostly to having to respond to simultaneous fires, but things seemed under control Monday night.

One fire was along the east sound wall along the railroad, with apparently some carryover over the wall into the Larkin St. cul-de-sac. Then there was a separate fire around 2027 Second Ave., and nearby there too, along Sloat Way cul-de-sac. I could see smoke from another fire in the distance that I thought was near Sloat Way and 24th Street, but when I went there about an hour later I couldn't find the fire's location. I'm still mystified by that one. Since my house backs out on Sloat Way I was really worried by these simultaneous fires.

Even the most urban parts of California are susceptible to quick moving fires (plus Monday was the hottest day of the summer so far). 

I did not see any perpetrators, but it is unusual when about three fires are underway simultaneously several blocks apart to the west of me and smoke from another fire is visible several blocks away to the east. Sometimes that can happen when a much larger fire nearby drops burning debris over a wide area, but here there was no larger fire. It could partly be coincidence, of course; some mix of events. I jumped immediately to the thought of arson. I could be wrong, of course, but in the moment that is the more likely explanation. 

According to rumor on Reddit, someone was apprehended.

And yet, because the fires were fairly-quickly put out, it's as if they never happened.  The world spins on, until the next time this happens.

2027 Second Ave., 7:25 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2026.

2027 Second Ave., 7:29 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2026.

2027 Second Ave., Wednesday morning, August 5, 2026.

The Drama of the Cones

Fighting ICE has a number of ancillary aspects, including protecting cones. 

Faygo has several videos on this theme - I share this video because you can hear me negotiating in the background.

.  

 The officer arrests the cones.

@obriengoespotatoes SACPD shares information with ICE. As of the recent city council vote, Sacramento is solidifying its participation in an intelligence center (CCIC) which includes DHS, despite public outcry. #ICE #protest #Sacramento #SACPD #immigration ♬ original sound - O’Brien Goes Potatoes

 

What kind of asshole moves a cone?!

Darina Moseeva

Apparently she's not yet a prima ballerina at the Bolshoi, but she'll be there in a few minutes.

@ballet_fan11 Дарина Мосеева #никия #баядерка #балет ♬ оригинальный звук - Balletfun

"Dear Evan Hansen" - NorCal Arts - 24th Street Theater - July 31 and August 2, 2026

Friday evening, July 31st.  Program is here.

Bows

x

x

x

Jacob W. and Larry R.

Ashlyn C., Jacob W. and Larry R.

Keeley W. and Larry R.

Keeley W. and Larry R.

24th St. Theater on Friday evening.

I obtained a ticket for Act 2 on Sunday afternoon, August 2nd.

x

Bows

x

24th St. Theater on Sunday afternoon.

Memorial Gathering for Jon Beaver (1938 - 2026) - July 26, 2026

The gathering was held at the Innovation Center at Granite School in Folsom, with about 140 people in attendance.  The gathering featured experienced representatives from SO MANY different community musical theaters in the Sacramento area.  Jon was a busy man!  Jon had a wonderful, boisterous personality; perfect for being a lawyer, and perfect for theater - and a liberal's liberal too!  The best!  

Jon's widow Eileen Beaver (costume manager for SO MANY shows; these days, particularly for Sutter Street Theater in Folsom) will sorely miss him.

"The Odyssey," Seen with the Classics Book Club - July 25, 2026

Great fun!

Dinner afterwards at Cafeteria 15 & L.

Posing for pictures in the Esquire IMAX lobby.

Franklin Blvd. Corridor Upgrades

The Franklin Blvd. corridor in Sacramento is getting various upgrades (but it still retains that workaday grime that reminds me so much of Albuquerque). 

They now have separated bike lanes (whose cement barriers unfortunately confuse drivers like me, and I understand there has been an uptick in auto accidents there recently). 

And so many nice murals! The last picture here is of a mural being painted by the artist Eric even as I took the photo.

Iran (So Far Away)

Thanks, Andrew!

 

Iran vs. the USA

@cpscott15 How are negotiations going? #iran #trump #vance #israel #usa ♬ Funny Song - Sounds Reel

Headline Writing Used To Be a Skill

Headline writing is a skill that many fail at. I like this current one on ABC News: “NASA detects rare phenomenon of a black hole 'devouring' a star with help of AI.” 

Another reason to oppose data centers, I suppose.

Thug Life on the Protest Front - John Moss Federal Building (July 23, 2026)

Protesting life. Three bullies showed up yesterday evening to interfere with a birthday party. Confrontation was their goal. Pushing led to punching and one the bullies suffered broken glasses and small cuts. 

Strangely, as if to prove his authenticity, the battered bully stated his name and address. Also strangely, there was no talk of politics. Sometimes the street is the street and bullies be bullies!

@theactionjaxon

♬ These Days - Rudimental,Jess Glynne,Macklemore

The Afterlife of “Better Call Saul” Filming Locations

It’s interesting to see the afterlife of “Better Call Saul” filming locations; in this case, the underground Neff Copiers parking garage.

 

Anywhere Man Gets The Spirit

I’ve been periodically checking out Anywhere Man’s content, because I saw him at Sacramento’s Howe and Arden protest several months ago. (He travels the country as a modern-day hobo.) And he captures the spirit of the Sacramento crew. Sweet!

@anywheremanhobo @KcBoucle @O’Brien Goes Potatoes ♬ original sound - Anywhere Man Hobo

Hopefully Jasper's Last Splint Refurbishment (July 22, 2026)

This week, Jasper’s splint bandage design pattern is Grey Elephants on a pink background. 

The intention right now is two more weeks with this bandage, then an X-ray on August 4th, and then a decision if the splint is necessary any longer.

Secret - The Pierces

Matt likes this song (and I secretly like it too).

 

Silliness in my Neighborhood

 

Sacramento City Council - July 21, 2026

Today was a frustrating day at the Sacramento City Council chambers, where Item #11 regarding Sacramento accepting federal money to support the Central California Intelligence Center (CCIC) was voted upon. Citizens vehemently oppose the proposal, because there is no way to prevent the Sacramento Police Department from outing the identities of undocumented immigrants to ICE through CCIC, but a majority of council members seem to trust SacPD representations that that won't happen. 

So we slip farther down that slippery slope. 

Comments on Item #11 start at 25:45 and end at 1:13:30. 

Acquaintances speak (T. at 48:05 and S. at 1:00:20). 

Police presentation - 1:15:20 

Vang speaks 1:26:00. Talamantes speaks at 1:31:40. 

Council chamber cleared at 1:32:15 after Talamantes announces support. 

Maple speaks at 1:54:20. McCarty speaks at 1:55:50. 

 The vote is at 1:56:35 to a closed chamber.

 

Warm Sector

It's been a pleasant summer so far in Sacramento, but now we find ourselves in the warm sector of the former Tropical Storm Elida, with all that toasty El Niño air streaming north directly from the distant tropics, and - I want to be somewhere else.

The Golden Helmet of Mambrino

On Saturday, I hurried to finish protesting ICE, because the big event of the day was about to start: our Classics Book Club (which just finished reading Emily Wilson’s translation of “The Odyssey”) was gathering at Sacramento’s Esquire IMAX Theater to watch Christopher Nolan’s take on “The Odyssey.” I grabbed my rent-a-golden-plastic-Roman helmet and headed to the theater. 

Lo, there was just one problem. I hurriedly called Gabe McAuliffe to confirm my worst fears. I got the week wrong. The Classics Book Club will assemble next Saturday for the big event. I was a week early. 

I felt conspicuous wearing the golden plastic Roman helmet in the lobby of the theater. Fortunately, the theater patrons were all smiles and appreciated my spirit. I felt conspicuous mostly because my helmet was the wrong era. They didn’t have 10th Century B.C. Greek bronze helmets at Broadway Costumes. They didn’t even have Spartan helmets. No, all they had was a modified hard hat; a golden plastic Roman helmet. So, I fancied myself a critic from the Roman future, maybe a scholar from Nero’s entourage, ready with lame zingers to assail Matt Damon (too amiable to play General Groves in 2024’s “Oppenheimer”; maybe not amiable enough to play Odysseus). 

Standing in the theater lobby, a song crossed my mind. Later, the same thought independently crossed Gabe’s mind too: “The Golden Helmet of Mambrino,” from “Man of La Mancha.” Just the relic to enchant madmen - a shaving basin, aka a golden plastic Roman helmet.

 

I was reminded of this scene from a favorite movie from 1970, "Start the Revolution Without Me":

 

Just Struck Me As Funny

@masinikeug Today moods 🍍😂 ##tictoc #masinikeug #entertainment #trend #tiktok ♬ original sound - masinikeug

Turkey-Poop Poultice

This week, Max the Dog has been visiting, as his family has gone to frolic in the surf. Max and Jasper are old friends and get along well, as we walk around the neighborhood.

Jasper’s injured foot has been slowly healing, but the abscess he got on his neck from the infected scratch from the dog attack persists, and appears to itch. 

Yesterday, Jasper watched Max roll on the grass. Jasper then maneuvered a turkey out of its familiar spot next to the dentist’s office and took its place. Jasper then found a pile of turkey poop (and taking Max’s cue) proceeded to roll in it, paying particular attention to smear the poop on his lingering abscess, almost like a turkey-poop poultice. 

I guess it can’t be much worse than Ivermectin. 

Given that I can’t really wash Jasper when he has a splint on his leg, I used scissors to cut the poop out of Jasper’s hair. 

Today (July 16th), I notice the abscess is bit smaller than yesterday. I guess this turkey-poop poultice really works!

Don’t Forget, If You Find Yourself Wanting Something To Do In Sacramento, There’s Protesting!

@roetheone There’s so many things to do in the Sacramento area #fyp #sacramento #davis #elkgrove #rosevilleca ♬ original sound - Roe

At The Emergency Vet Again - July 12, 2026

Well here we are again, and since it’s Sunday again, we’re back at the emergency vet, for nearly identical reasons as last Sunday. I rolled Jasper in his stroller into the alley behind my house. He didn’t see a squirrel this time, but he heard a squirrel, and that’s good enough. I had a better handle on his leash than last time, so he stumbled out his stroller instead of leaping, but it was still enough to dislodge his splint. 

When I have Jasper I need to avoid the oak tree behind my house. Too troublesome. 

It’s nearly six weeks since the dog attack, and Jasper doesn’t seem to be in much discomfort or pain. The wait here is long. Hopefully we can do this today.