A Study of Dogs in Packs

This is a representative picture of dogs in a pack. The interaction and social behavior may prove somewhat obscure to the uninitiated, but the behavior exhibited is well known to those that study...Dogs in Packs.

--Dan L.

The day before Christmas...and then after!

The day before Christmas, 85 degrees. What a beautiful day! You can see the contrail from a jet that flew over in the last hour "rising" just over the 8,849 ft. peak above my garage (my house, left, Allen's on the right...otherwise known as "Sunrise Studio"). That jet may well have come from the vicinity of Edward's Air Force Base, home of many Space Shuttle landings.













The day after Christmas, 61 degrees.
Well, no sun here...it was nice while it lasted!

Christmas Day! Our church looked so nice on Christmas Eve...

Merry Christmas! Hope you all retain the hope and joy this season brings...throughout all of the coming year!

--Dan L. and Family

San Diego, Point Loma, it doesn't get much better than this!

My wife, Cruz, in the 1980's, overlooking San Diego Bay. We were at the beautiful Point Loma Visitor's Center. Do go there!

Her back is to the bay, in front of her (over a short rise) is the vast Pacific Ocean.

--Dan

This Guy, Right Here..is the Breath of The Who!

Is it just enough to say that Mr. Roger Daltrey, the big, giant voice of The Who (unless Pete or the other guys are in their slot for the song...), is The Man?

Roger is "The Man".

Here he is, while on the History Channel...I missed those episodes...darn!
I think he was in California a lot. I am so proud! He seems so REAL, I think I'd like to meet someone like him!

--Dan L.

Can Somebody Explain This to Me?

Look, I know that many famous people have played the Gibson SG guitar. I even have one. But what on earth is this all about?

Yes, that is Prince Charles. Why? I don't know!

Just when you may have thought that Dad has been around...there is more!

My Dad and my Step-Mom, in Rome (several years ago), to meet with the Pope, John Paul II. He was a truly humble, holy, and peace loving man. My parents bowed down to respect him and his office in the Church.

I thought this picture would be cool to share...after WWII, Arnold, and all the "Dad" stuff on my blog. This was truly special for them, and the rest of our family. We were not there with them, but the picture is really neat to have.

--Dan

Arnold? Even he had to meet my Dad!

Arnold has a lot going on...actor, Terminator, husband of Maria Shriver, Governer of California, and now...he meets my Dad!

That's right. On the movie set for the production of "Twins", starring Arnold and Danny Devito, my Dad's daughter (my sister Ann, and her husband, Barrett) auditioned twin boys for the role in the movie of playing the "Twins". They did not get the role, but WE got a picture!

My Dad, and the Terminator.

Gotta love it!

Stay tuned, there's more on "my Dad" to come.

--Dan

The Power of the Ocean!

The WWII era U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Bennington, some period of time after meeting up with a BIG wave while at sea. That is what I call the power of the ocean! Photo is courtesy of my Dad, an officer of the U.S. Navy.

Amazing photo, don't you think?

My Mother...I will see you again, someday

My mother, the meaning of love. I lost her in 1962. I was barely four. I will see her again, someday. She gave me life. I will do my best.

My Dad is on the blog just a scroll down, if you look. He is the best. He did remarry, several years later. She too, is wonderful. I am surrounded by goodness, and it is OK.

--Dan

In Search of Halley's Comet

The month of January, 1985 (or '86?). It was sunset on the summit of the 10, 064 ft. Mt. San Antonio (Mt. Baldy to us in Southern Calif.). This great mountain peak can be seen from all over Southern California (even Catalina Island).

The journey to the top was maybe my 25th or so...I cannot count them. It was in the fading light of the winter sun that I was in search of the vision of Halley's comet. It only comes around once in more than eighty years, so I figured I'd better get a good look.

I did not know how to locate it, back then. It was not readily visible on that particular evening. Having to leave the top of the mountain without achieving my purpose, it was to turn into a long journey home for me that day. The long trod home, the late night arrival to my new wife...it would stay in my mind for years to come.

I was not alone, by the way. I did have a friend with me. It was quite an evening...but I did love the moment....It is what I enjoyed most, and I was truly alive.

Blurry photo due to high winds, by the way.


--Dan

California, and Edward's Air Force Base...what a great place to be!

We have visited Edward's AFB many, many times in recent years. My family has come to know that place as a second home. NASA has a major presence there. The NASA tours have been very, very fun as well. Air shows, history, Cuck Yeager (first man to break the sound barrier in 1947), the SR-71 Blackbird, F-22 Raptor, B-2 bomber, you name it...it has happened here!

Here is an image of me, Dan, in front of the F-22 Raptor (with two F-117 Steath fighters in the background), at Edwards with one of my daughters, Michelle, circa 1998...or '99..?

--Dan

Baby Jesse is baptized

On Sunday, 11/27/05, the little baby Jesse (our grandson) was baptized at our church.

There was a joyous get-together following the service. We had pizza, cake, and much love among the gathering of family and friends.


Pictured from left to right:

Michelle, Jesus (the Godparents), Fr. Jim, Serena and Rocky (the parents).

May God bless you, little baby Jesse!

I was alone, until...

My wife, Cruz, and I were married in October of 1984. I knew her for four years prior to that time. Before I met her, I felt I was very alone, though I still always had the love of my family. There was something missing.

I thank God for giving me the gift of Cruz, my bride.

Here she is, several years ago, overlooking a part of Joshua Tree National Monument towards the Salton Sea (by Palm Springs).

We were visitng Key's View, a mountain top in Joshua Tree National Monument (now a National Park), wintertime in the desert of California.

--Dan

My Hero

Who is your hero?

Mine is non other than my Dad!

Here he is, around 19 years old, in the US Navy, WWII. Notice behind him, is the brand spanking new USS Iowa, one our great WWII battleships. Photo is circa 1944.

My Dad also served in Korea.

My Dad also served his family at home. Dad is 80, now, and is the greatest man I know.

He is "The Man", A-number 1.

My hero, my Dad!

--Dan

Happy Thanksgiving!

From my family to you and yours, have a wonderful week! Today, we will have a Butterball brand turkey meal. There are seven to feed here, but the baby (grandson) is on the bottle (no, not THAT bottle...it's BABY formula!).

I will probably drive up to Lytle Creek and hang out in the forest for a while with one or two of the kids. It's something of a tradition with me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

--Dan & Family

Link Wray, is another one of those special folks we call..."The Man"

Neil Young once said: "If I could go back in time and see any band, it would be Link Wray and the Raymen."

According to Wray's official website, he invented the fuzz tone by deliberately punching holes in his amplifier speakers.

In 2002, the Guitar World magazine elected Wray one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Many reports are that Pete Townshend was quite inspired by Link Wray.

Link was famous for such classics as "Rawhide".

Link has passed away, at age 76.
We will miss him.

Thank you, Link.

--Dan

My Wish List

I saw this magazine after reading something online...I believe it was Pete's Diaries (on Pete Townshend's website) or The Who section...or something. I immediately set out to order one from England. Nobody had one in my area, so off I was on international phone bills.

Well, I never got one (none were available). Darn!

I want this issue!

My wish for today (and yesterday).

--Dan

The Blues...Can we go there?

Here is Allen, and his "new" guitar. He calls it a "Les Peavey" (or less Peavey!)

Allen and I were fiddling around the garage (Sunrise Studios, mind you!) when we came upon the idea to string up an old discarded guitar. It was all about slides, the Blues, the old great Blues players and such. It was a goofy idea. The neck on that old Peavey T-30 (a strat wanna-be?) was actually sanded down almost completely flush at one time....some wild idea that Allen had about "Getting better action". What to do with that thing...that guitar was aquired in a deal that involved a new head gasket for a friend's car. Might as well take it to the next level.

That old Peavey! The frets seem like they can fall out, almost. The nut actually does! Allen had installed a different bridge way long ago, and now he decided to raise the string height (action)considerably. Oh, I should add that one of the pick-ups is broken and sinking into the guitar. Anyway, he strung up this sorry beast, plugged it into the Hot Rod Deville and...Whamo!

That thing is really cool. It's a mess, but it actually has a great, great bite. Hooray for the crazy mad scientist in us all!

Sunrise has played host to the Phoenix of guitars...risen from the ashes, the Peavey T-30 sings the Blues!

--Dan

Pete Townshend can get a lot out of a guitar!

There will be an on-going celebration of Pete Townshend here, this week. The Who, with Pete (of course), is being enshrined in the U.K. Rock Hall of Fame. This Blog will consider how to honor Pete any way that is possible.

Pete knew what's inside! He has given us sounds that we did not know were there! We love ya, Pete! Long Live Rock!

Perspective

This is what I look like while trying to understand Pete Townshend's Blog site.

Pete, look into my eyes!


--Dan

Now enshrined in the U.K. Rock Hall of Fame with "The Who', Pete Townshend is "The Man"

Does this guy look like he hears music? He certainly makes music!
Pete Townshend, The Man.

Very few get that title. Pete is one of them.

Smash yer guitar, Pete!

A Tribute to Neil Young

Once, while on "dueling guitars" with Jimmy Page, Page said to Neil something along the lines of: "You get some real sound out of that thing".

Yes, Neil young gets some real sound.

Today's tribute to another one of those guys we call, "The Man".

Studio Renovations

Allen (background) and me, Dan...as I tried to visit the studio. Renovations forced the stoppage of music this AM. The ferocious pace of activity is evident as the photo came out as a blur...something like my guitar playing!

Yes, due to popular demand, Sunrise Studios has begun it's "makeover".

--Dan

Sunrise Stands Down for a Photo-Op

Sunrise studios was open for business on Sunday, 11/6/05. After 8 hours of warmth, heat, and home cooked sizzle, we had to "stand down".

This image would not post to the "Garage" article before it on this blog, so here it is anyway- the aftermath of all that is blues, surf, Zeppelin and of course...The Who.

This is dedicated to all of the millions of fans that don't know that they are...in search of us.

--Allen, Dan and the Band

The Garage: Sunrise Studios

This is Allen, in Allen’s garage, home of Sunrise Studios. The garage door faces East…towards the rising sun…but we don’t try to play at that hour!

This is that place where the garage band (members: Allen, Dan (and sometimes Marion) known as The FonTones do their thing.

We may not be much of a band, but it sure is a heck of a garage!

On one side is our “Hallowed Wall” (I will tell Allen that I just named it). There you will find images of many Rock Legends…like Pete Townshend, The Who, The Who, and Hendrix with The Who.

Our sound consists of The Who, The Who, Creedence, Hendrix, some old blues slide stuff, The Chantays (Who, what?...Google that one…The Chantays!) and some of many others. Notice I said “some”. We are still polishing. Heck, we are only in our forties…plenty of time left!

We consist of Allen and myself (barely) on electric guitar, Allen on electric bass (borrowed Peavey played through two Kenwood stereo speakers driven by a dual tape deck – no money for a bass amp), occasional (once) keyboards, harmonica, acoustic guitars, intermittent cat meowing and Marion (cameo) on electric guitar. Oh, you should know, Allen’s bass amp is Class “W” for “What?” That is us!

On this blog you will find an image of the famous Hallowed Wall, complete with the also famous electrical outlet that provides the power for the sound that all the neighbors love until about 9:00 PM.


“Tommy, can you hear me?”

--Dan

What About the Boy?

This is Serena and Baby Jesse. They have now arrived home!

Cruz and I are now Grandparents.

What about the boy?
He was born on 11/3/05 at 3:55 PM, 7 lbs. 9 oz., 20 in. tall!



Grace to all,

--Dan

My idea of art

I was traveling with one of my sisters up to Hearst Castle (now a State Park on the California Coast) a number of years ago. While on one of the walking tours, I happened to take a particular notice of a painting hanging on the wall. It was stunning to me. I later contacted the Hearst Castle staff regarding the origin of the painting. They told me that it was one of a number of museum "rotated artifacts" (or some such terminology). They did not offer any reproductions for sale, nor could they refer me to one.

Well, about eleven years later, I ran across the image on some website that sells various size copies of that museums collection. The image I put here on this blog is from their demo page.



I consider this this painting by Merson to be a profound insight into a classic journey in Bible history: The Flight into Egypt. This painting depicts Mary, with the heavenly-illuminated Infant Jesus, asleep on the Egyptian Sphinx (a famous symbol reminiscent of another theology that is not Christian). Joseph, Jesus' father on the viligant night watch, is exhausted from the demands of the journey. You know he has just fallen into slumber (or maybe just closing his eyes for a moment). Because the fire is still burning, though barely. The isolation of the flight from danger is evident in the solitude of the desert. The familiarity with Egypt is well expressed with the use of the Idol/Icon, the Sphinx that we are all so familiar with. It is very human, yet it is also The Holy Family. This is, in my opinion, wondrous art.

I am glad to be able to share it with you.

--Dan

Connecting

Pete T. and John E.

Somewhere in time...look at their eyes. They are Connecting.



Our wanna be garage band of two guitar people (at age 48!) has this image posted in the garage. It is my neighbor and "bandmate" Allen's garage (facing East, we call it "Sunrise Studios" a real stretch, let me tell ya!).

Allen, saw this when I showed it to him. He said, "Look at that...they are CONNECTING!"

That is pretty neat.

A Tribute to Dick Dale

Dick Dale is one of those guys..."He is the Man". So is B.B. King, so are a select few others (Pete Townshend is...well, Pete. He said, "I'm a Boy"...in the song, but he is The Man too).

If you do not think so, or don't know who Dick Dale is, go listen to a song called Misirlou.

Dick Dale King of the Surf Guitar!

Nuff said!



--Dan

Our Very Small, Very Tiny and Little Home

Today, our house is SO SMALL! Serena will have a baby here. We are in the crunch. Even the ants don't fit.



No more ants. Serena, the exterminator!

...but I will brew beer this winter...always room for that.

--Dan

Do not forget the past! My kids have not...

My kids, believe it or not, a couple of them, anyway...like the "classic rock" world (classic equals old best stuff). Long live rock!

By the way, B.B. King is gettin' on in years. Treasure that beautiful man, especially while we can still enjoy his living among us all.

Take care all of you,

--Dan

October 16....more musings...

Today is a quite cool and blustery day. A wonderful change in weather after months of heat, heat and...hot heat.Maybe next week I will go to Edwards AFB for the big air show. Chuck Yeager (1st person to break the sound barrier) is still flying in the show these days...super!

Today I listen to the Moody Blues and the song, "You and Me". It is from Seventh Soujourn. If you catch that one someday, it seems to reference God in a way...listen to the part about "loving Son".

I have been searching for Pete Townshend's 5th chapter of his novella (listed on Saturday's at his website, BUT NOT this Saturday...where is it, Pete?) Hey Pete, we all are busy at times, and so are you! I can't always get to my projects either. That's perfectly OK with me. I am patient. I don't live for your novella anyhow...just like to see how it goes. I will check again later....

'Nuff for now, have a great week any and all,

--Dan

I find this a strange world, indeed. I mean, the blogging thing. I was introduced to it by someone I have never met...Pete Townshend via his blog via his website. What a whacky world! I will occasionaly say things here...of course. I also will misspell words!

--Dan

Dan