A FEDERAL CASE & AFTER THE CATCH

YOUR TEXTS AND TWEETS COULD BE EVIDENCE

     The federal charges against a former BP engineer, alleging he deleted 300 text messages which seemed to indicate the leak of the Deepwater Horizon was worse than the company was saying is important for many reasons.

       The impact on the case is obvious. What is says about personal responsibility in a corporate crisis is another subtext and so too is the disposition of all those texts and tweets that millions send through the ether every day. When is a message yours, and when does it belong to others, your employer or a federal prosecutor?

        When I was an investigative reporter all our work got a legal review before broadcast.  One of our attorneys advised that once we cleared legal and broadcast the program, all our notes relevant to the investigation should be destroyed, putting them beyond the reach of a subpoena, should litigation result, as it would occasionally.  It made you think.  Some times I dumped notes, other times I kept critical files. Later of course those files became debris for later staff people to discard, though many of my files are in curated collection at an historical society.  I'm sure the statute of limitations has run on all of that work by now.

SPEAKING OF WORK

       Here are a few seconds of watching a fisherman work,

after the catch of the day has been hauled off the boat.

See you down the trail.

A NEW ERA IN CALIFORNIA MUSIC

THE PAINTED SKY IN HARMONY

     Jazz, blues, acoustic, Celtic, bluegrass, country, western and classical musicians sought out the famed Painted Sky Recording Studio in Cambria. 
      A frequent reader of this blog is more than likely familiar with the extraordinary history.  
      One of the last concerts at the old venue featured Jude Johnstone and Ray Bonneville which you can read about by linking here.
       Another extraordinary night featured Inga Swearingen, often heard on NPR  and it was powerful the night Michael On Fire played.

       All those years and countless great nights are history and prelude for the New Painted Sky, located in the old Creamery

in historic Harmony California, about 5 miles south of Cambria on the Pacific Coast Highway 1.

    Concerts at the Painted Sky are intimate affairs, like a house concert.  Artists who are in the studio often put aside a night to entertain small and appreciative crowds.
     It has become an institution for California and other musicians and for the music lovers of the Central Coast.

     You may recall the circumstances by which producer, sound engineer Steve Krimmel and music fans lost the old location for antique storage. A point of view here.

    It is still a work in progress, but Steve has the sound about
where he wants it. The touring of a sensational young
group of guitarists The New West Guitar Group

   provided the context for a the launch of the new Painted Sky, in Harmony.  

    Your intrepid blogger/correspondent, armed with iPhone provides about a minute's look at the dawning of a new

era.

See you down the trail.

THE GREAT ONES

REMEMBERING GREATNESS

     Reading of the election difficulties of two long time US Senators, Richard Lugar of Indiana and Oren Hatch of Utah renewed a nagging thought.  From where are the new "Lions" coming?  Generally, and this is a purely subjective take, the quality of upper chamber, the US Senate, has been in steep decline over the last decade.

       There was a time when men and women of conviction and deep political differences could legislate. There was a time when our Federal legislature was not mired in a morass of gridlock, petty interests, cheap hustles, and political gamesmanship above all else.  

        If you doubt that, then regard those times in our history when we recovered from war, helped Japan and Europe rebuild and re-tool, led the way in manufacturing, education, medical research, science, when the economy grew, and there was a sense of prosperity and hope.  It took an obliging, motivating, visionary Senate and even House.

       Here's a way to spend a few educational moments.

Link to this historical list of members of Senate. 

       Some of the names will recall history lessons. Others will remind you of people of skill. Here's just a few names, from our era, to say nothing of the historic Henry Clays or William Jennings Bryans, etc.

       Everett Dirksen, John Foster Dulles, Margret Chase Smith, Lyndon Johnson, Estes Kefauver, Barry Goldwater,

Mike Mansfield, Stu Symington, Alben Barkley, Clifford Case, Jacob Javits, William Promire, John Tower, Edward Kennedy, Abe Ribicoff, George McGovern, Birch Bayh, Edward Brooke,

Mark Hatfield, Harold Hughes, Robert Dole, Richard Schwieker, Robert Taft, Lowell Weicker, Hubert Humphrey, Sam Nunn, et al.

      These people were not saints, nor necessarily towering luminaries, but they were legislators, capable of working, achieving compromise and serving the interest of the Republic and the Senate.  Do you think some of the newly elected, or those circling to get in are of this calibre?  Perhaps some are unless they come in as "true believers" in an ideology over the common good of all. 

REMEMBERING A JAZZ GREAT

A CAMBRIA LOCAL

FOR JAZZ FANS

   Our unique village said good bye to one of our unique 

citizens, Red Holloway a jazz and blues legend.  Here is a 

five minute video with just a few of the highlights from

what was an extraordinary jazz and blues tribute Sunday

afternoon.  

       I shot this with a IPhone, so you are not going to see

a master production, but it will give you a taste.

      I suggest you click the youtube icon and watch it in a larger format

LOCAL COLOR

     And here in less than 30 seconds is a glimpse of 

the famed Morro Rock-one of the Great Icons of the 

central coast.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) JUST FOR FUN

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

     Perhaps you've read recently that the system you are reading this on, and the technology base of all of our computing may be rapidly out of date.  

     Apparently designers are close to building processing technology, chip high rises if you will, that will accelerate computing time to near warp speed. We are told the glue that is required to hold chip circuit boards in a vertical stack has been improved and there could be exciting news in the near future.  Of course that would mean all of our current technology will become slow, glacially so, by comparison. But in that cloud is the silver lining of potential business opportunities. 

      In the meantime I am fascinated by how creative minds are putting current technology to use. Here's an example.

It is a presentation made at MIP, a production and media trade show held in Cannes France.  When I was ceo of a television and media production company I made twice annual trips to this event.  It is a place where you see cutting edge uses of technology.  Enjoy this wonderment with IPads.

       Thanks to my friend Will Murphy for spotting this 

and sending it along.

THE CAMBRIA LOCAL

      An apology upfront. This is just plain silly season stuff.

It was in the mid to upper 70's under brilliant blue skies

and the Friday Lunch Flash Mob was out in force enjoying a perfect day.

       "Oh, look at all the crows", someone said.  "I wonder if

they'd like some of this extra food", someone else offered.

Well, before long it was show time.

       I hope wherever in the world you are, you can

find some reason to smile this weekend.

       BTW, the same Will who tipped me on the IPAD display has requested a longer Pacific Moment.  That's coming 

next week to LightBreezes.

       See you down the trail.

ENOUGH ALREADY & A PACIFIC MOMENT

IS IT ME
OR IS NEWT BEING A JERK?

     One of the hot and trending topics of the day is that 

failed Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is still getting

Secret Service protection. According to published records, that is at a cost of about $ 42,000 a day.  $42 K a day to protect Gingrich?!! 

      The porcine and largely unpopular former Speaker of the House was never a serious candidate, other than in his own mind.  His staff abandoned him.  Voters rejected him. Party leaders despise him.  Comics mock him. It seems the only thing he's qualified for is to be a stand in for the Pillsbury dough boy.

       I have long suspected this whole candidacy  farce is about feeding his considerable ego, trumping up his profile so he can earn bigger dollars as a lobbyist and "advisor" and to sell what ever book his swampy mind conjures. 

       I hope the GOP convention planners ice Gingrich.  In the meantime taxpayers should demand this demagogue not only no longer get Secret Service protection, but pay back what his coverage has cost since he "suspended" his pathetic campaign. Can you say contemptible? 

ANOTHER FACE OF THE PACIFIC

   It is evident some of you didn't care much for the video of the Slime Eels posted yesterday.  
     They are oddly fascinating, but I was taken by surprise they are being harvested in the local sea bed.

    Well for those of you, some who posted a reply and some who sent me an email, not so positive about those creatures,

here is a more tranquil short on the Pacific, just a few miles north.

See you down the trail.

A REAL AMERICAN IDOL & SOMETHING NEW FROM THE WATERS

THE PASSING OF AN ICON

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

    In many ways Dick Clark was the curator of American pop culture as well as one of its progenitors. His boyish charm helped ease counter cultural influences of Rock into American mainstream life.  American Bandstand not only made stars and hit records, it made the connection between  boomers and music.

    Clark always seemed the cool and upbeat host and DJ, but he was also a skilled production executive and businessman.

He built an empire from his production of television specials, game shows and show business ownership.

     I met Clark a few times, first as he promoted Dick Clark's caravan of Stars, then later as he tended to his restaurant franchise business.  The last time was as the production company I was the head of did business with his giant company.  

      Of course, like Guy Lombardo before him, Clark is linked in many minds with New Year's Rockin Eve.  I had very mixed feelings about his staying on the air, after his debilitating  stroke.  It was difficult to see the smooth television persona struggle.  But it was also good for us, to see this determined and driven personality refuse to submit to a condition.  

     Clark pioneered much of contemporary American entertainment.  He remained a pioneer to the end.  Many

men of his age, wealth and condition would have simply backed away, but he stayed in the pop culture spot light he

helped illuminate.  

      This is not meant in an unkind way, but Ryan Seacrest is 

the likely heir to the role in Americana that Clark created. It

may also be that a Seacrest stardom would have been impossible without the pioneering of Dick Clark. He was an original.  Maybe even an American Idol.

WARNING

THIS IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH

    I was fascinated to learn of a new catch coming from about 10 miles out from Morro Bay at a depth of about 130 fathoms.  

      Here, in less than a minute, is a video to tell you more.

See you down the trail

A THRILL OF THE COAST

SUN TO FOG

     This evening shot captures the foggy edge of a day

that ranged from the extremes available at the coast. A very warm and bright sunrise, warm morning, brilliantly sunny mid day and the rolling in of a massive bank of marine clouds and haze, pre sunset, strings together a series of micro climates and clothing adjustments.  Shorts and short sleeves, give way to jeans and fleece.  The cool marine fog fills the valleys, obscures the mountains and shrouds the trees that just a couple of hours before were brilliantly green under a cobalt blue sky.  Living near the Pacific brings these changes and diversity.

PERPETUALLY SUNNY

      Though I'm a little dubious about these things, I'm happy

to note that a fellow blogger has awarded me the Sunshine Award.

       I appreciate the sentiment, and certainly appreciate the awarding blogger Bruce Tayor's Oddball Observations, but as an old journalist I'm suspect of these awards that form a kind of mutual admiration society.  Boy, do I sound like a cynic at the Banquet of the Sunshine Society, or what?!  

      This kind of mutual support in the blogosphere is actually a wonderful thing.  It is kind and generous, and of that I am appreciative. I think it is nice that people pass this along to 

others.  That it helps grow awareness of other bloggers and writers is fine as well.  But it reminds me a bit of kids sending secret "I like you, will you be my girl friend?" notes  on the playground.  Sweet. Cute. But my posts are often

not either.  So, Thank You Bruce.  Thank you Sunshine Award

originators and fellow recipients.  As someone who loves

the sunshine, and sunny dispositions, I accept on behalf

of those of us who take our sunshine with reality, on the rocks, shaken and not stirred.  

       So, something about me, an obligation of the award.  I love film and cinema.  I admire artists regardless of medium.  I think creativity is one of the highest achievements of the human mind. My heroes include John Muir, David Brinkley, Ernie Pyle, my father Karl and there are others.  One current hero is my friend Bob Foster some 56 days into a bone marrow transplant. My clan were Picts. The bloodline is Scots, Celt, Anglo Norman, (English), Welsh, Pennsylvania Dutch from the Palitinate.

      I have two published books, and would love to add to that number if I can get a deal for #3.  #4 is a work in progress.
       Another obligation of the award is to nominate another blogger.  I think Mollie, who I have known since her birth,
is a very deserving recipient.  She is an enormously talented
young writer who has shown a gift as she plumbs what it 
means to be a young Christian in the 21st Century.
Mollies lightbymorning blog.  
        See you down the trail.