I'm DahVeed and I'm a Music Nazi.....

Yes, I'm a music Nazi (so says my friends) and think I might need to go to a 12-Stanza Step Program and try to kick my music habit.

My 100 gig iPod is full, my laptop is full, my 500 gig portable drive is full, my library of CD's has now exceeded 750 or so, my home pc is chocked full of another 250 gigs of music, and 200+ records...... Oh shit!! Where's my copy of Kinky Friedman's "Under the Double Ego"?

So this leaves me with a question that I have yet found an answer to..... "At what size is a music library too much and becomes unmanageable?"...... Let me know if you have an answer.....

Made it to the Bay Area in One Piece

Well, I made it here in one piece, No lost luggage, no sore or strained muscles, and no rest for the wicked... Just and I now loading up and driving up to Lake Tahoe for work on a project and a meeting on Tuesday. More news as it develops......

My last day at CVI

Well, today's my last day at CVI, and then I'm off to San Francisco on Monday morning (no rest for the wicked) to jump into my new job.

Oy vey! More info to follow......

R.I.P, Issac Hayes

Another GREAT American Treasure has been lost.
Isaac Hayes has died!

Out of all the artists, poets, historians, Isaac Hayes was one of the ones I actually got to meet and have a conversation with. He was the real thing.

He was Great artist, and an even greater man.

We're going to miss you Isaac!!

6 Month Sabatical comes to an end!!!

Can't beleive it's been 6 months since I posted. Alot has transpired over the 6 short months, and a lot has stayed the same.

• Tour De France ended in weirdness - Landis accused of doping
• Moved out of my apartment, and in with the woman of my dreams
• Rode my ass off on my bike in 100 degree weather
• Turned 48 years old
• Took up golfing
• Vacationed in San Deigo
• Had a great Thanksgiving, Christmas
• Travelled to Sedona
• Had a GREAT New Years celebration in Sedona.....no phone, no TV, no computers (and we had FUN!!

It's now 2007.....let the fun begin!

More to come....stay tuned you crazy beatniks!!!!

From HERO to ZERO!!!!

Damnit! Ivan Basso is out of the Tour De France along with a number of his fellow ethically corrupt "professional" cyclists! I am again (Festina 1998!!!!) sickened by the news that yet another team, cyclist or manager, has been suspened for doping!

But when it's 58 freaking riders....you've got a problem!!!!!

When is this going to end? I am so glad that Lance's name hasn't come up implicated him along with the others in "Operation Puerto".

OK, it's Tour De France (TdF) time.... I will have little time for anything else for the next 4 weeks other than eating, sleeping, working, and watching the TdF on OLN every moment I can.

Meester Brown's New Ride....

Well, considering how little time I have had to myself over the past two weeks, where did I ever find the time to buy a new car (more info to follow).

Last week was totally insane, and the week before merely set up the insanity. The week before last, my storage room at my townhouse was broken into while I was house sitting at my girl friends house. The subseguent listing of my stolen items for the police report (one simple call, and one simple form, and your burglary simply becomes a statistic)and for the insurance company had me blown away that I had accumulated as much crap as I had stuffed in a small, dank 4' x 10' storage room.

The bastards merely took a crow bar to the door, popped it open, backed up a truck and loaded up the contents.

Since Tucson is a veritable cespoool with crime running rampant, the police merely had me fill out a report and I never saw an officer regardless of the fact that the itmes stolen were valued at over $6700! Thank God, thank Vishnu, and thank Allah that I had State Farm renters insurance, and now I am waiting for the check to arrive so I can start replacing some of the things!

So...to make a very long story short, two weeks has past, two weeks of work, busy days off doing projects at the parents, my girl friends house, and tech work on the side, I finally had time to breath and made the mistake of driving by my neighborhood VW dealer.

I traded in the old 2002 Golf GLS for a 2006 Golf GTI (MK4).....and I am one very happy camper. If you haven't driven a GTI....go test drive one. It's a lot of car, a blast to drive, and for the money nothing can touch it!

Pictures of the Week......

Since I will more than likely not remember, let alone have the time to post a "Picture du Jour", I am resorting to letting myself off the daily posting gig.

I will try my hardest to post some of my work each week, and yes, once I do go digital I will post the usual snapshot too.

Later today I stopping by my local pro photo shop today to check out the Nikon digital bodies since I have numerous film based Nikons and have the lenses that can work on the new digital ones. I also have my eye on the Sony Cybershot, it's just too cool not to have, and it's BLACK!

But, I have always lusted after the Leica M6. Hell, I should just sell all my Nikons and buy a M6 with a 35mm lense and call it quits.

Ok, enough photo geek.... enjoy the shots.



Girls - Trinidad, Honduras


Ship Yard - Lumber - Long Beach, CA

Quick note at 3:22 AM

Damn time flys when you can't sleep, you get on the computer, and start doing some work. Scanned more photos and got the creative juices flowing, surfed a bit, and finally hit the time when I sure as shit better get to bed. I have to be up in around 4 hours and off to work in 5. AARGH!!!

Here's a few more shots from my collection. You all can tell my style is a bit graphic in nature (design versus lewdness), and yes, I don't shoot people too much. Well, there was that clock tower thing in Texas, but I'd rather not talk about it. ;-)

Good Night!

Blue Dumpster & Wall - Phoenix, AZ

Old Chevy - Half Moon Bay, CA

Uhauls - San Francisco, CA

Trucks - San Diego, CA

more.......

More......

Signs - Mt. Lemmon, AZ

Telephone Pole - Lake near Chico, CA

Pullout - Mt. Lemmon, AZ

Hydrant - Tucson, AZ

Deseret Hotel - Tucson, AZ

Model - Portfolio Shot

Tuna Boat - Puerto Penasco, Mexico

More photos.....

Finally got the scanner to work...temporary that is. At least I got a few more from my stack of prints scanned. Most are scans from laser prints I made a few years ago, so they aren't too high res.

I haven't made the jump to digital, and still have my 35mm Nikons (FM, FE, F3HP) laying around. Recently met a photographer that gave me the impetus to throw some of my work up on my blog. So, here's more.

Drinking Fountain - Presidio Cemetary - San Francisco, CA

Ann - Photo Shot/Model Portfolio Shot

Curios Shop - Tucson, AZ

Photos by D.S. Brown

Palm Trees - Tucson, AZ


Caution - Red Rock, AZ

If I can get my scanner to fully function, and also get my 35MM sldies transferred to digital I will have many more to show. For now, enjoy the few I have posted. PLEASE critigue, make comments, order large prints (hmmmm.....maybe VB can print them on his HUGE printer!).

Yo! Container Boy!

Here's the blog I was talking about.

This lucky woman has a GREAT site, her own pier/dock, and is building a lake side bungalow with 20 foot ISO's and SIPS.

Check it out!

Hey Mester Pharrington!

Dennis the Menace's greatest statement of all times. About sums up how we all feel about government, working for the man, and the present price of gas.


Ok, bend over!

My new Hero! Ivan Basso is the Man!

Since Lance is gone, Ullrich is fatter than a Thanksgiving turkey, and my friend Sven Teutenberg isn't racing the pro road cirucuit..... Ivan Basso is now my hero!

He dominated the Giro d'Italia, and has his sights on the Tour de France. I personally think he has a real chance of dominating the TdF and making Ullrich look pathetic. I am sorry to say it, but Ullrich squandered his chance to shine and beat Armstrong.

How can you beat a man that trains harder, is more focused on the goal, and is a one man juggernaut?

You can't German Boy!! Retirement is inevitable.

Starting over....again. Rinse, Lather, Repeat....

I'm back! After a long absence, I have returned. None the worse for wear but still showing show of the scars from the past 7 years, encouraged by what lays ahead, and full of excitement (and fear) over whats around the next corner.

In October I posted some quips about what was going on in my life, and where I was headed, little did I know where the next six months would take me, and what kind of growth (spiritually & emotionally) I would see, and what needed to be fixed.

Friends have asked why I included a picture of the Dalai Lama in that October post. Well, that's all part of the story and actually the start of the long road I am on.

My dear friend Swami Goldberg (my brother from a different mother) for my 47th birthay invited me to join him to go and see the Dalai Lama while he was in Tucson.

Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick!

This was a dream come true. I have always wanted to be witness to this great man (living deity?)and the abilty to sit a few rows away from him and listen to his talk on PEACE was a life changing event.

To sum up the experience..... it was incredible!!!!

So, here I am, less than six weeks after breaking up and moving out from a 7 year long term relationship (LTR), moved into my new digs (Casa DahVeed), still reeling from everything, still raw from the loss and the new found freedom, I am literally slapped awake by a little Yoda like man from Tibet. Paraphrasing his teaching..."Open yourself to the possibilities in life, be it love, wealth, or peace. Your never know when they will be standing right in front of you. Open your eyes."

Well CRAP! First off I am blind as a bat, so the opening of the eyes wasn't going to do much for me in the first place, but with the help of my best friend (and my helping him through his breakup), my "eyes" began to open.

To not bore you with all the details, fast forward to St. Patrick's Day (3-17-06). My new girlfriend and I are sleeping, and the phone rigns at 4:30 AM. It was my Mom, and she was asking me that if Dad took a nitoglycerin tablet and his chest pains went away was that a good sign or bad? "And you are asking me this because...??"

"Call 911, and if they aren't there before I am, I will take him to the hospital!. I'll be there in les that 10 minutes!". Shit! I get to the house before anyone else arrives, even the paper boy, and I whisk my DAd off to the ER down the road. I check him in at around 5:00 AM, and they get him stabilized. He had had a heart attack, but survived thank God! Considering he has had two double bypasses and a few stents put in, he is very lucky to be alive!

Having your Dad have a heart attacked is bad enough, but my sweetie and I were packed and in less than four hours were going to be relaxing on the beaches of Baja, sipping margaritas, and just being together. Well, that didn't happen!

Fast forward to 10:30 AM, I had left the ER, went home, showered, shaved, and I am having a bit of breakfast with my girlfirend, and my phone goes off. I know Dad is stabilzed in the ER, Mom is home sick in bed with pneumonia, and my sister knows what is going on, so who would be calling me on a Friday morning (since I am on vacation).

It's my Mom..... she is feeling really bad, and thinks she needs to go to the hospital too. Hmmmmmm... maybe I can get a "2 for 1" Special? I end my breakfast, go and get Mom, and take her to the ER. She's admitted due to her dehydration (eat something, drink something Mom).

So, here I am, both parents in the hospital ER, I am running back and forth between their beds, realizing I should have broguht my roller skates, but the thought of having a third member of my family in the ER wasn't a comforting thought. Thank God for my girlfriend for her emotional support and understanding. Her being a nurse, my being an ex-EMT certainly helped too.

OK...enough for now...

TUNE in later sports fans for another installment of "Parental Units in ER" or "How I spent my Spring Vacation"....

Kick in the proverbial shorts!

It's funny how the (e)universe sometimes just out of the blue kicks you in the shorts and gives you a push to move. A gentle nudge to get you off your ass and out of your rut.

I haven't touched, viewed, or done much of anything with my blog for months. Hell, I even forgot my user name it had been so long since I last logged on to update things.

Thanks to the kind souls that gave comments to my postings, and gave me advice, and links to GREAT articles (thx to womanwandering).

Once I wake up tommorow morning (and after I have poured myself a cup of coffee (french press that is) I will update what has transpired over the last 6 months, and what is to come around the bend in the very near future.

I am off to bed........

It's almost November? DAMN!

What the hell! The last time I looked it was August, I was in the middle of moving, going through the enjoyment of finally ending a seven year relationship with a wonderful woman that just didn't work out (need to do a BLOG just on the realtionship), finding a place to live, being single again, and contemplating what the hell am I going to do now.

Now, it's almost 90 days later, so many things have changed, transpired, transmutated. I have had the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and now have returned to a relatively "normal" life.

Old loves are fading, new ones are growing, and my multifactorial (thanks for the word Nancy!) causes of my old fears and limitations are slowly being torn down and replaced with a new found peace and optimism. Hell, even my parents have seen a profound change in my attitude. I am not the angry man I used to be.

Who is NCCSTOR?

My feable mind has failed me again. Old age is taking pot shots at my memory and frankly I am perplexed. Throw me a ten digit number and I'll memorize it.....throw me a name and I'll forget it before your lips have stopped moving!

OK... I'll admit that my blonde roots show through every once and a while, but GEEZ! So, this is my perdicament. I know someone, ever so causually, met through talking on the phone while working at Intuit (hell). Remember, this was over two years ago!! Now I am at a loss as to what her name is.

We email back and forth, and will again talk on the phone I am sure.

So... How can you help me?

Send me a freaking name!

Now get back to work!

Tour De France Name Change Request......

A loyal viewer (Faux Rockmeister) has suggested that we should (or should I say the France) change the name of the race to the "Tour Duh Freedom". OK.... and while we are at it, why don't we just paint a target on your back and air drop you into the Sudan. I hear they get a lot of money for short Jewish chiropractors that speak Chinese!

I am not opposed to changing the name, but come on. The Tour De France has had its name for more than 100 years! It has remained true to its concept and ideals for nearly as long, and frankly (Franc Lee?) I for one am NOT Franco-Phobic, and have no issue with the moniker of "de France".

Official Tour Website (English Subtitles)

Not until 1986 did any riders from the USA ever win or even place high enough to garner attention from anyone in the European Professional cycling community! But since Greg LeMond came along and put Bernard "Saint Bernard" Hinault on his heels, most ugly Americans didn't even know where France was, that a race was going on, and true to form didn't know which side of their croisant to butter. (HINT: it's the side that gets buttered).


Now that Lance's reign comes to a glorious end, who will follow in his foot steps and march on as the Tour's King? Will it be the Uber Putz Ullrich? Maybe Hincapie? Or could it be Senor Mayo? I guess we will have to wait till next year to find out! Who knows.... Maybe Lance will get tired of tuning Cheryl's guitars and return for a shot at Numero Ocho!!!!

G-Damn! I can't belive it's been almost 4 months to the day that I did my last post!

I am currently in my annual Tour De France viewing marathon (3 x a day), and then I have a small gap of time before the Vuelta De Espana starts on the 27th. of August.

OK! I'll admit it, I am a pro-cycling addict....and proud of it!

Best pro racing info on the web!
Best TV Tour Coverage!

Red dot! 

Oh my goodness!

A friend sent me this little funny this morning, and it brought a smile to my face. Being the anthropologist that I am I am also posting the reality to the RED dot for those Enguiring Minds that want to know.

The funny side of things.....

For centuries, Hindu women have worn a red spot on their foreheads. We have always naively thought that it had something to do with their religion. The true story has recently been revealed by the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. When one of these women gets married, she brings with her, a dowry. On her wedding night, the husband scratches off the red spot to see if he has won a convenience store, a gas station, a donut shop or a motel in the United States.

The serious side....... The RED Dot Explained...

Listenied to the news this AM and felt that everyone: Republicans, Democrats, and yes we Libertarians should go to this link for a reality check. The Cost of the Iraq War

Thanks George Bush for bankrupting MY country!!!!!

You and your Right-Wing, Right to Lifers are more interested in storm trooping a feeding tube down the throat of a lost cause that you are blind to the fact that "healthy" children are dying in our country from starvation, and malnutrition!!!!!! Shame on all of you!!

But, hell I would be for the war and killing off 1300+ soldiers if my gallon of gas would come down in price!

Thanks! 

You made my day!

Thanks Anonymous! You made my day with your comment. I was frankly posting to just vent, and have a friend review and respond.... but you beat them to it, and I am touched that you commented. Thanks! Hope you let me know if you find the answer sooner than I do.

Swim you idiot! 

Merde! What am I to do?

I am sitting at home, surfing the net for anything of interest, and pondering my navel. Frankly, I am in a rut again. Work, realtionship, and my pursuit of happiness (nookie?) has me re-analyzing what the fuck I am doing with my life. Hell! I am 46 years old, and I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.

Oh the trials and tribulation of being a Spanish Lover locked in the body and life of an Americkan White Male!

Do I sell every last possession and hit the road for a year... only to come back even more disillusioned (and broke). But wait, I am already broke and disillusioned! So why not. But then where do I go, what do I take??? AARGH!!! Where to go?

Do I keep working at my job (love the people, hate not making enuf money), buy some land up in the mountains and build my container house? Ideas....

Do I continue the status quo? What ever the fuck that is!!! do I go and bullshit my primary care doc and get a Rx for Vanax for my depression, a script for Strattera for my ADD. Oh crap don't forget the Viagra....not that I need it. Yet the avaialbility of a drug that gives me an even harder erection is something that every man (and woman) should not be with out. Sort of like a Swiss Army knife for the bedroom. Tools for the Bedroom

I am in turmoil.... I need a creative outlet, an athletic outlet, and some thing that stirs my passion. Working for a high end furniture retailer has its fringe benefits, but not having money or really any direction in life makes any fringe bennies rather a mute point. How can one pursue anything if you don't have any freaking idea what you might want to pursue (other than the company of a woman)!!!!

I am just not HAPPY! I know that I need to "grab my ass and get glad", but what do I get glad about? Do you understand what I am trying to say! I am LOST. Stuck in suburbia, mundaned out of my skull, and too full of fear to change anything! Advice and wisdom for the Masses!!!

Meester Wizard!!!!!! Help! What is this boy to do?? Any suggestions?

Best regards,

Dahveed De La Mancha

Carbon Fiber Lust! 

LUST!

There are many things I lust after, and all of you who know me wll know what I mean. One item however has been sticking in my cranium for some time now. The Orbea line of framesets from Spain! Oh my goodness! Almost as sexy as Sandra Shine or an Andrew Blake film!!!

Orbea's US Website....

One word....SALIM! 

University of Arizona BBall: Gods or mere mortals?

Holy Hoops! I cannot freaking believe the ending of the U of A -vs- ASU game on Saturday. 6/10's of a second left and Salim sinks a shot to WIN!! In your face Sun Devils!!! That's right.... who's your bitch now Stanford! PAC-10 champs!!!

On to the PAC-10 Tournie, and then let's get the March Madness going!!!!

HST pics 2 

HST pics 

Gonzo Farewell to HST!

I truly don't know how she did it, but HST's wife Anita bid adeiou to her beloved Hunter in a way that most other spouses couldn't find the courage to do. Thank you Anita for giving your man such a heroic and respectful send off.

'Loving' farewell to writer

Day of Mourning: HST is DEAD!

I just love waking up and checking the news on the net and being slapped awake before the coffee has had any effect on my mind. Today was rather rude to my cerebellum, and frankly I am in mournng to hear that Hunter S. Thompson had committed suicide. Long Live Gonzo Journalism! We loved you Hunter!

Tribute to follow.......

Full of Phlegm and still Loathing....

Thursday 1-20-05Back at work, alive and well. The mental aspect of everything going on has taken its toll as well as the cold. To much to list but suffice it to say that Senor De La Mancha is a changed man. Film at 10:00.

Monday 1-17-05 Holy Phlegm Monsters Batman! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last week's intestinal disorder turned sinus weirdness is almost gone. I am in the final stages of my malady, and only have to contend with the minute by minute battle with your friend and mine....PHLEGM. Such a lovely word.

My friends......... 

Pesky Head Cold! AARGH!!

What started last night as a not so pleasant time in the bathroom, has now turned into the beginnings of a head cold. Oh well...at least it's not the flu. Have to go to work tomorrow and survive, so it's off to bed for me. Praise all that is holy, and my thanks go out to the folks at Proctor & Gamble, and their line of VICKS products!

Ceviche! Run away..... 

Back from the bowels of hell....

Got a tad bit of food poisoning (bad Mexican restuarant!) and spent most of last night trying to understand how the human body can be brought to it's knees by a pesky little bug! Intestinal bug that is! I am praying to the Charmin Gods today for their softness in the matter. Serves me right for having Escargot Ceviche at a roadside Mexican roach coach!

Sleep tight Elfie! 

Sleep....

I need sleep. I need a Truffle ;-) Tomorrow brings R&R and money under the table (my favorite). Tonight is done! Chow!

My new car just got back from the shop. Smells a little funny, but it flys like a rocket.