Gig Review - Antonio Sanchez & Migration @ Yoshi's SF

On Tues night (23rd Sept), we made it up to the city to check out some of the best. Antonio Sanchez, as you likely know, is a phenomenal drummer who's recently played with the best of the best.  His band, Migration, consists of Scott Colley, Miguel Zenon and David Sanchez (no relation). 

Antonio made a very self-effacing comment that this was his first visit as a "leader" (quotes emphasized by Antonio), and while that's no small task, it's kinda cool. The really cool part is that this is not your typical "drummer" lead group that focuses a bit on the other players and then get ready to hunker down for the 15 minute drum solo.

Feh :(

Thankfully, Antonio gets it! He's got 3 of the most amazing musicians and he certainly let's them shine. While someone has to be the leader, live music, not even jazz, is a democracy, he does so as subtly as possible, allowing the creative energy to flow richly. When you've got Miguel and David interjecting with their own individual styles that so seamlessly mesh with the groove Scott and Antonio lay down, you just can't help boppin' along and having as much fun engaging with them as they are having trying to bring smiles to the audience and to the others on stage.

What a great night. Most of you know how much I enjoy live music. This was likely the highest level of musicianship I've seen assembled in one venue. Simply stunning.

2006 Seghesio Sonoma Coast Arneis

Arneis. Yes, Arneis. I know what you're thinkin'..."WTF is Arneis?" Well, it's a white Italian, specifically, Piedmontese, varietal that's more challenging to grow than Pinot Noir.

Again, I know what you're thinkin' "WTF could be more difficult to grow than Pinot?"

Arneis. Translates to "Little Rascal." One more time, I know what you're thinkin" " WTF...isn't that a TV show from the 30's?". Well, yes, but that's a whole different thing.

THIS Arneis is a really great find in our challenge. It's very Italian in style. Not as restrained as a white Cote d'Or, and not nearly laid back as Bordeaux's Sauv Blanc or Semillon, this Sonoma Coast grown wine is far more exciting, challenging, fiery and fun than its frog cousins. It appeals to your visual senses with a deep straw hue and to your nasal senses with it's stealthy anise aroma, taunting you to just taste a bit.

OK. So I did.   ....and now I'm hooked!

Chrysann came over for dinner on Sunday and we had this with our melon and jamon salad. It proved to be a great complement, providing further sweetness to play off the saltiness of the lovely Spanish cure as well as bright citrus notes and a very subtle anise tone to sharpen the effect of the sweet Galia melon.

....So before Summer turned to Spring, I turned to Arneis for one last summer fling.  We'll have to do this again...and soon.

2006 Seghesio Family Sonoma Coast Arneis

~$18

92 Points

Sunday in the Park

Here's a link to some pics from the dreaded crappy-fone-cam at the park on Sunday.

Look at all the GREAT t-shirts!!!

Inflection Point in Life - Take the challenge!

I was lucky enough to meet Ryan a couple of times before he passed, and yesterday, everything that everyone said was just validation of why I like him and Jen so much, and why I needed to be there. Of course, to support her, but for myself, and for Tina, too.

I really enjoyed the service; it felt so honest, comfortable, unpretentious and "connected", just like I heard from those who shared. Connected is just a remarkable way to describe someone. I wish I could be just a wee bit as connected as Ryan was.

The amazing impact that one life had on the world was evident both by the many touching and heartfelt stories we were lucky enough to hear yesterday, but also by the number of friends that were at the amphitheater yesterday, and their level of gratitude to have been touched by him.

I did some thinking and took some notes on the flight home last night, trying to make sense of my feelings.  To that end, and to further extend the touch of Ryan's energy in this world, I'm taking the challenge to make the following commitments in my life:

1) Whatever you do, do it with PASSION. Ryan was good at some things, great at others, but passionate about everything. If it's worth my time, I want to be passionate about it and be as committed to it as possible.

2) Care more. If I can make just half the effort to care about people the way Ryan did, people will be appreciative, thankful, and the effect of that is that I will be happier :) It's pretty tough to have a shitty or pessimistic attitude when people are appreciative of your honest and selfless help.

3) Smile alot. See pics of Ryan. Always freakin' smilin! Also, see #2 -- tough to be unhappy when you're smiling :-)

4) Be myself. He was SOOOO himself. People loved him for what he did and what he did was who he was.

5) Love more. Can you really love too much?

6) Be greatful...for every second, every memory, every friend.

7) Be positive to everyone. See this. I think Will may have pinched this from Ryan.

That's a good start. I'm working on this in every portion of my life from this day forward. I don't wanna be like Ryan. We're each individuals and they broke the mold after him, but I sure do want to live life like Ryan did :-)