What firehills want

I got following items from Amazon in December.

CDs:

Living with War - Raw/Neil Young
This new LWW version includes the original mixes done the day of each session, with no choir and no remixing. Attached DVD includes documentaries of each session and LWW news like CNN.

Good As I Been To You/Bob Dylan
I don't keep in hand now, so I bought it. Dylan studied harry Smith's "Anthology of American Folk Music" and released this in 1992.

Dr.John Plays Mac Rebeback/Dr.John
Right Place, Right Time-Live at Tipitina's Mardi Gras '89/Dr.John
Mercernary/Dr.John
3 CDs of Dr.John. First one includes his piano solo, which is very impressive.

DVDs:

To Tulsa and Back- On Tour with J.J.Cale
JJ's documentary film, which was made during tours in the U.S. in 2004. It includes many accoustic version by JJ and interviews.

Live at Montreux 1980/1974/Van Morrison
I will go to Kissimee, Florida from tommorrow, 4 night. I got a ticket of his only concert in Florida in the begining of the year. I saw van Morrison only in DVD up to now. They are "Last Waltz" and "Wonderland Concert 1977". Latter is with Dr.John on piano, which has a good value, doesn't it? "Live at Austin City Festival" which can be got in live site only before but now we can get through his official site.

I think my favorites hasn't changed so many years. The other day, I talked with my colleage about my favourits. He said "It's classic!". But It's OK, I don't mind at all.

971 The River

I usually listen to CDs, MP3 player or The River(97.1), classic FM station in Atlanta. No DJ, no introduction of songs and no Cm for 52 minutes per hour. We can hear streaming. I like it.

These are playing list in the morning on Dec 25.

7:25 a.m. Cocaine
Eric Clapton - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
7:19 a.m. Tiny Dancer
Elton John - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
7:10 a.m. Fame
David Bowie rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
7:05 a.m. Turn The Page
Bob Seger - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
7:01 a.m. Lola
Kinks rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:57 a.m. Good Times Roll
Cars rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:53 a.m. Already Gone
Eagles rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:48 a.m. Gold Dust Woman
Fleetwood Mac rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
6:40 a.m. Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:36 a.m. School's Out
Alice Cooper rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:32 a.m. Urgent
Foreigner - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:29 a.m. Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:24 a.m. Peace Of Mind
Boston rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:21 a.m. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
6:10 a.m. Sweet Home Alabama
Lynyrd Skynyrd - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:05 a.m. Southern Cross
Crosby, Stills & Nash rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:02 a.m. Live And Let Die
Paul McCartney rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:58 a.m. Beast Of Burden
Rolling Stones rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:54 a.m. Dream Weaver
Gary Wright - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:51 a.m. I Won't Back Down
Tom Petty rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
5:42 a.m. Behind Blue Eyes
Who - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:34 a.m. Paradise By The Dashboard Light
Meatloaf - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:31 a.m. Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Creedence Clearwater Revival

St. Simons Island, Georgia

Even on Xmas eve I went to St. Simons Island for business trip, through I-75 and I-16(pic 1). Passing Macon, day broke. Macon is called "Heart of Georgia" because it is the center of Georgia geographically. For me "Macon" is the birth place of The Allman Brothers Band, where there was Capricorn Records. Duane Allman was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the band was born in Florida in 1969 but moved to Macon soon.　I didn't stop in Macon unfortunately. I arrived St. Simons Island at 12 pm. I had a lunch at Buba Garcia's, Mexican restaurant. Then I had some business here and moved to Jesup. next stop was far away via GA-520/US-82, on which I was stopped by police. Wow! Maybe I was at 70 miles on 55 miles road. But fortunately policeman gave me a warning (pic 2) only. 700 miles a day on this day, which was my longest drive a day.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

On Dec 23, I made a business trip to Blue Ridge, Georgia, via GA-140, I-575 and GA-515 for around 2 hours from my apartment. It was a small town but people was so kind. I got lost my way and asked a man in a bank, he told me the way with good-fellowship smile at me. After my business I had a lunch at a Chinese restaurant. I was surprised to see Chinese restaurant here in north Georgia. It seemed no Japanese restaurant. Chinese people and Chinese food is great. Pic is I-575 North.

firehills went to Dallas, Texas

I went to Dallas, Texas on Wednesday for business trip. I got up at 4am! I parked my car at Park & Ride in Heartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and got on Delta Airlines. I had to get my shoes off even in domestic air fright. What a pain! It was raining in Dallas. I visited some of my customers and went back to Dallas Fort-worth International Airport, got on Delta again, came back to Atlanta at around 10:30pm and arrived my apartment after 11pm. It's a hard schedule, so no time to visit anywhere, no time to see ZZ Top's live. I didn't know they performed in Dallas on that day. Of course, it was a business.

Bea's Best Atlanta-2nd round

It has been from 45F to 70F this week in Atlanta, which has been a golfing day everyday. Of course I has been working on weekdays and I went to my office on Saturday, so I played only today, on Sunday. I usually look for public courses at Atlantagolfer.com, and I found Crooked Creek GC in Alpharetta. However when I arrived at the course, a man in the pro shop told me this was a semi-public and visitors couldn't play at weekend. So I went to the course nearby I knew, which was Bear's Best Atlanta, same as last week.

I arrived at around 8:30am, but the start was delayed due to frost. The driving range was opened after 9am. I practiced about 50 balls and checked in at 9:50am. Shotgun start from 18th hole. My driver was terrible at front nine but it started to work at back nine. 54 and 45, total 99 was a little bit unsatisfactory but I could find something in today's round. Today I found some female fore caddies here. Unfortunately they didn't join us. I will sure to come to this course next time. I'm sure...

India Pale Ale by Sweetwater Brewing Company

I like bitter and dry beer, espacially ale. I had a Indai Pale Ale of Sweetwater Brewing Company last night. This is really bitter. If you like it, Coors or Bud is a kind of just water.

Neil Young's Xmas Song

Up to now it seems Neil Young doesn't have a Xmas song. However he wrote some songs with the word "winter", which are;

Here for You/Prarie Wind
Journey Through The Past/Time Fades Away
Little Wing/Hawks and Doves
No Wonder/Prarie Wind
Turbine(a.k.a.: "Winter Winds")/Unreleased
Whatever Happened To Saturday Night/a.k.a.: "Saturday Night"/Buffalo Springfield Box Set
Winterlong/Decade & Crazy Horse at the Fillmore 1970 [CD/DVD]

One more. Not his own song, but he took a part of lead vocal on "Greensleeves", whivh is in his contribution to Ben Keith & Friends/Seven Gates: A Christmas Album.

Bob Dylan's Xmas Song

Bob Dylan hasn't recorded any Xmas song. Is it right? No. Here it is. "Three Angeles" in "New Morning". He wrote "They've been there since Christmas morn". "They" mean three angels. He told session musicains during recording that he wrote this song because he saw the Xmas decoration at a church, according to "Down The Highway-The Life of Bob Dylan". This is only song which he uses the word "Christmas", isn't it?

Three Angels

First Release
New Morning
1970

Three angels up above the street,
Each one playing a horn,
Dressed in green robes with wings that stick out,
They've been there since Christmas morn.
The wildest cat from Montana passes by in a flash,
Then a lady in a bright orange dress,
One U-Haul trailer, a truck with no wheels,
The Tenth Avenue bus going west.
The dogs and pigeons fly up and they flutter around,
A man with a badge skips by,
Three fellas crawlin' on their way back to work,
Nobody stops to ask why.
The bakery truck stops outside of that fence
Where the angels stand high on their poles,
The driver peeks out, trying to find one face
In this concrete world full of souls.
The angels play on their horns all day,
The whole earth in progression seems to pass by.
But does anyone hear the music they play,
Does anyone even try?

Copyright © 1970 Big Sky Music

Unplugged/Neil Young

I got VHS of Unplugged/ Neil Young through Amazon's Market Place. But I don't have a VHS player, I don't have a time to got to buy it, I was considering which DVD/VHS player/recorder I should buy. One of my friends in Japan is a fan of Nicolette Larson, and he is asking me to burn it to DVD and send to Japan. Anyway I found VHS player in my office fortunately, I watched it this evening. Color is very well because this is an official recording. I wonder why this is not released in DVD. This is a rare item which we can watch Nicolette Larson or Nils Lofgren.

1. The Old Laughing Lady
2. Mr. Soul
3. World On A String
4. Pocahontas
5. Stringman
6. Like A Hurricane
7. Needle And The Damage Done
8. Helpless
9. Harvest Moon
10. Transformer Man
11. Unknown Legend
12. Look Out For My Love
13. Long May You Run
14. From Hank To Hendrix

The Band
Neil Young:Lead Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Pump Organ
Nils Lofgren:Vocals, Guitar, Autoharp, Accordion
Astrid Young:Vocals
Nicolette Larson:Vocals
Ben Keith:Dobro
Spooner Oldham:Piano, Pump organ
Tim Drummond:Bass Guitar
Oscar Butterworth:Drums
Larry Cragg:Broom on "Harvest Moon"

Posted at 9:45pm, Dec 11, 2006 in Atlanta

Bear's Best Atlanta

On Sunday, I went to play golf at Bear's Best Atlanta. All holes are designed same as famouse holes designed by Jack Nikulaus. Another Bear's Best is in Las Vegas.

I arrived at 8:30am but nobody there because of frost delay. I went to pro-shop at 9am but I was told to came back at 10:15-10:30. I waited for more than 1 hour and checked in. Play fee was $105 including cart. We have to wait another 1 hour to start. Driving range was opened after 11am. While I practiced, fore-caddie came to see me. There are no fore-caddie in Japan, and my experience in the U.S. to have a fore-caddie was only in Pebble Beach and Riviera.

We tee-offed at 11:40am from 10th hole, blue tee, 6447 yards. This was the best course I have ever played in Atlanta. Fairways and greens are perfect in this winter season. I could not enjoy each hole because I lost 2 balls in front nine, scored 49. But I could survived and scored 46 in back nine. Total 95 was not too bad for me in this tough course. Playing partners were so nice, one was a lawyer and the other was an African-American and he scored maybe 70s.

Picture is 11th hole, par 3, 185 yards. I shot with 4 iron and hit green but unbelievably back spinned and my ball went to water.

Van Morrison at Silver Spurs Arena At Osceola Heritage Park Kissimmee, FL

I got a ticket of Van Morrison at Silver Spurs Arena At Osceola Heritage Park Kissimmee, FL on Jan 2, 2007. $177 with all included through Ticketmaster.com. I don't know I can take holidays at the beginning of 2007, but I have to go.

Augusta National Golf Club

I went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for business trip last week. On the way to Myrtle Beach, I visited August National Golf Club, off I-20 at Washington Rd on Dec 5. I could not find the entrance easily because sign was very small and it said just "Members Only". Of course I could not go in. These are photos I took from the parking on opposite side. I really want to play here in Augusta (maybe impossible).

Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis

On Dec 3, I went to Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis which was owned by Dekalb County. When I arrived at the course at around 7:30 am, there were only 2-3 cars in the parking. I asked at the pro-shop but she said that due to frost delay, start would be after 9 am. I checked in at 8:30am with payment of $27 only. I started at 9:10am for the first party, but I was alone with walking. I don't mind if I am alone on the golf course because I am real golf nuts. From blue tees with 6318 yards par 71. I was surprised that this course was really nice, very flat, easy to walk, tall trees separate each hole, really good course. I don't know why Atlanta City doesn't have this kind of good course. I made 49-43 with 38 putts. With 38 putts at 92, my shots seemed really nice.

Because I was alone, I finished 18 holes in just 3 hours. I recommend this course to average golfers like me, because it is very very flat, with very good green and fairway's condition, only $27 play fee by walk, good exercise.

Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course

On Dec 2, I went to Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course, which is owned by Atlanta City. This is the last course of Atlanta City municipal course with 18 holes I played . In the trees, it seems very hilly. When I checked in, I saw start book but almost empty. I was told to start alone soon because nobody here. This is a debut round of my new Callaway wedge and bag. 6159 yards, par 72, back tees. 52-50, woo!. It is unexpectedly hilly which I can not know even in Google Earth.

This course was built in 1940 and it was the site of Civilian War. I was thinking about myself who was playing golf on the ground making myself at home (to be honest, I didn't think such things because I was just looking my balls under trees).

Saturday Night Live - 25 Years of Musical Performances, Volume 2 Live

I got Saturday Night Live - 25 Years of Musical Performances, Volume 2 Live in Amazon's market place, which includes Neil Young's "No More". Recoreded at Sep 30, 1989. I bought this only because Young's tune.

Callaway's wedge, Stand Bag and

I got these stuff the other day.

1.Callaway RH-X Tour Wedge Vintage Mens Sand 56°-13°(Bounce) Steel S300
I like Callaway. I used to use Nike's wedge, but after I got this, my clubs are all Callaway's.

2.Callaway Terra Firma Xi Stand Bag Black
Nike's stand bag I bought in 1999 in California has sunburned, fasteners was broken, etc. I have to buy new one. I usually walk on the golf course, so stand bag is necessary.

The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited

I got "The Harry Smith Project: "The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (2 CD/2 DVD BOX SET)" from Amazon. Harry Smith's "Anthology of American Folk Music" is the album which Bob Dylan was very interested in around 1960, before his debut. Harry Smith was an ethnologist, born in 1923 in Portland, Oregon, and in the end of his 20s, collected 78 EPs of 1920s, 1930s blues, hillbilly, folk songs, spiritual or instrumentals. He edited them to 6 LPs, with classification of Ballads, Social Music, Songs and released them in 1952 from Folkways Record.

"The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (2 CD/2 DVD BOX SET)" is named "Revisited" and recorded live performance of "The Hal Wilner's Harry Smith Project Concert" in London, New York, and Los Angeles in 1999 and 2001. Performers are Beck, Kate& Anna McGarrigle, Garth Hudson, Geoff Muldaur, Van Dyke Parks, or Lou Reed, etc. I like it, but Hal Wilner should have invited Bob Dylan.

Three Neil Young Albums

I ordered VHS of Neil Young's "Unplugged" in Amazon's market place. I love this CD but no official video. It is one of rare videos which Nicolette Larson sings. Caption seems to be in German, I wonder it was released in the U.S. or not.

Second, I ordered "Living with War Law". Without chorus, this is a pure Rock'n Roll version of previously released "Living eith War".

Third, "Saturday Night Live - 25 Years of Musical Performances", Volume 2 Live" in market place too. Young sings "No More"of his album's "Freedom". I ordered it only because Young's song.

Fourth, I got a bootleg, "Neil Young with Gone with The Wind Orchestra" which my friends in Japan sent me. Set list is here.

Brown's Mill Golf Course

Just after 1200 miles driving to Mississippi and Alabama, I went to Brown's Mill Golf Course on Sunday, Nov 26. It is only because I am real golf nuts, or golf dependency. Anyway, this is one of Atlanta City municipal courses. Atlanta City has four 18-holes munis. This is the third course for me to play. I usually arrives golf course at around 8am. I check in at 8am, and I find almost no reservation here especially in the morning time. An African-American woman in the pro-shop tells me to start anytime. I start with 2 sum of Americans. I usually walk. They walk as well. Starting from blue tees, 6539 yards, par 72. This course is in a hilly terrain in Atlanta City, but very very flat and walkable. Not many trees, no lost balls. I believe this is the best municipal course in Atlanta to play for average golfers like me.

However, my driver shots are terrible. I satisfy only 3 driver shots. 49-44-93 with 28 putts. Score is average but putts is like pro!

Choctaw, Biloxi in Mississippi and Orange Beach in Alabama

Firehills made business trip to Choctaw, Biloxi in Mississippi and Orange Beach in Alabama during Thanks Giving holiday. Why in Thanks Giving? Because I am a temporary bachelor here in Atlanta and I had to learn about our market. Our company sells a kind of consumer products, and casinos are one of good potential customers for us. Other than holidays, I can't go far away from Atlanta. I left Atlanta with my colleague on last Thursday morning and arrived Choctaw in Mississippi after a lo---ng drive. On Friday we went to Biloxi at Gulf Coast. Some casinos were still closed. There were almost nothing along the Beach road. I was surprised damage by Katrina still existted after 1 year. But there was a extremely beautiful beach! Then on Saturday, we went to Orange Beach in Alabama. This town also has a beautiful beach. On Saturday, after another long drive of 400 miles, I arrived my apartment. It was a long holiday. To be honest, I lost $4 only at casino in Choctaw. I spent most of the time for business. I'm sure.
Pics are Silver Moon Casino& Hotel in Choctaw, firehills at Biloxi, and Orange Beach in Alabama.

Jesse Winchecter sings about Biloxi;

Biloxi

Down around Biloxi
Pretty girls are swimming in the sea
Oh they look like sisters in the ocean
The boy will fill his pail with salted water
And the storms will blow from off towards New Orleans

The sun shines on Biloxi
The air is filled with vapors from the sea
And the boy will dig a pool beside the ocean
He sees creatures from a dream under the water
And the sun will set from off towards New Orleans

The stars can see Biloxi
The stars can find their faces in the sea
We are walking in the evening by the ocean
We are splashing naked in the water
And the sky is red from off towards New Orleans

©1970 Jesse Winchester
From the LP “Jesse Winchester”

Neil Young sings about Alabama;

Alabama

Oh Alabama
The devil fools
with the best laid plan.
Swing low Alabama
You got spare change
You got to feel strange
And now the moment
is all that it meant.

Alabama, you got
the weight on your shoulders
That's breaking your back.
Your Cadillac
has got a wheel in the ditch
And a wheel on the track

Oh Alabama
Banjos playing
through the broken glass
Windows down in Alabama.
See the old folks
tied in white ropes
Hear the banjo.
Don't it take you down home?

Alabama, you got
the weight on your shoulders
That's breaking your back.
Your Cadillac
has got a wheel in the ditch
And a wheel on the track

Oh Alabama.
Can I see you
and shake your hand.
Make friends down in Alabama.
I'm from a new land
I come to you
and see all this ruin
What are you doing Alabama?
You got the rest of the union
to help you along
What's going wrong?

From the album "Harvest" 1972

Linus and Lucy Theme by Vince Guaraldi - The original song

I know Vince Guaraldi Trio only in "Peanuts", or "Charlie Brown". I can't foget these comfortable jazz music. I have several CDs of Vince's.

Ray Sings-Basie Swings & a Charlie Brown Christmas/Vince Guaraldi Trio

I went to Starbucks for lunch and found these CDs. It cost too much here, but I bought them.

Ray Sings-Basie Swings/Ray Charles+Count Baisie Orchestra=Genius2(2006, Concord Records)

a Charlie Brown Christmas/Vince Guaraldi Trio(1997, Starbucks)

Neil Young - Imagine

I like this song by Neil Young better than John Lennon. Sorry, John's fan.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse at Filmore East March 6&7, 1970

I bought "Neil Young & Crazy Horse at Filmore East March 6&7, 1970" at Best Buy in Atlanta. It cost more than in Amazon, but I couldn't wait until Amazon's delivery.

In March 1970, "Deja Vu" by CSNY was released. This album was a more than $2 million pre-sale album and became one of the best selling albums in 1970. But Neil Young had been playing with Carzy Horse before "Deja Vu" and his rock'n roll with Crazy Horse was completely different from with CSN.

CSN had holiday from Jan 1970 after a long gig, but Neil Young started short U.S. tour with Crazy Horse and Jack Nitzsche. Filmore East was a live performance of one of these stages. Sound is good, as Neil Young approved to release this album as a official one. It is said Neil Young would issue as a box set, but he changed his mind to issue these unreleased tapes like Bob Dylan's "Bootleg Series".

"Come on Baby Let's Go Down Town" on Filmore East might be same recording as one in "Tonight's The Night", I think. Sound is better than "Tonight's The Night".　"Down by the River" more than 12 minutes and "Cowgirl in the Sand" more than 16 minutes are really something.

The stage at this time was with acoustic set by Neil Young and electric set with Carzy Horse. I wonder why no "Cinnamon Girl", which bootlegs of this stage includes and why no acoustic set (it is said tapes of acoustic set is lost. I can't find any bootlegs of acoustic set). 43:19 minutes isn't enough but this is really wonderful live album. I can't believe that this is a recording more than 36 years ago. Hurrah for Neil!

Best Live Rock Recordings (1969-79)

There was "Best Live Rock Recordings (1969-79)" in All That Jazz's article. 7 of these 10 album are my favourites.

Time Magazine's The All-TIME 100 Albums

On Nov 13, Time Magazine released "The All-TIME 100 Albums".

North Fulton Golf Course

On Nov 20, I went to North Fulton Golf Course alone. I played 36 holes at Stone Mountain Golf Club, but I didn't mind at all because I was a real golf nuts. This course is one of 4 municipal courses of Atlanta City. It took about 30 minutes from my apartment. I arrived at 8am but start was delayed due to frost. I checked in and started at around 9am with 2 sum and single, who I found he was a PGA pro, lesson pro I thought. He made 37 and 39. This course is flat and very walkable, with some hilly holes in back nine. Play fee was $24.76(incl tax). I made many good shots and scored at 44, 45.

Stone Mountain GC Stone & Lake

On Nov 18, Sat, I went to Stone Mountain GC again with my colleagues. It's 3 degree F in the morning, cold. We teed off at 8:30am from white tee, 6129 yards, par 70 at Stonemont Course. I made 47 and 45 with 34 putts. I didn't use my driver. It worked. But green was so fast and to read direction was so difficult.

One of my colleagues wanted to play one more round at Lakemont Course. I had no objection at all because we rode electric carts, no walking. We started at 1:30pm from white tee, 6008 yards, par 71. 46 and 48 with 40 putts! 2 lost balls and 40 putts. I don't remember 40 putts for long time. It is said direction on every greens went to the Stone Mountain. On 16 hole sun went down and after 18 holes it became completely dark.

Wave Music System by Bose and "The Road to Escondido" by JJ & EC

My stereo set of Pioneer was broken finally, which traveled between Hong Kong, U.S.A. and Japan more than 10 years. I decided to buy Bose's Wave Music System. I don't mind audio system at all even if I am a maniac classic rock fan. Wave Music System is quite good. It performs very well comparing to ordinary mini stereo set. No problem at full blast. It costs $499 only before tax.

I bought J.J.Cale & Eric Clapton's "The Road to Escondido" in a record shop in a mall which Bose had retail shop last last weekend. This album was recorded in August 2005 in California and I found Escondido in northern San Diego. Clapton plays his guitar quietly and calmly as we can listen in his Crossroads Guitar Festival with JJ. I like his guitar with JJ. Anyway, this collaboration album goes down history, I believe. After coming back to my apartment, this CD continued to play by Bose's Wave Music System for a long time.

North Fulton Golf Course

I woke up at 7am. Fine day. Yesterday I played 36 holes at Stone Mountain Golf Club. I rode electric cart but I had a muscle ache this morning. But I'm real golf nuts.

I arrived at North Fulton Golf Course, which was owned by Atlanta City. I checked in alone at around 8am, but I could tee off at around 9am, with Hoan, Jose and Chris. I teed off from Back tee, 6,301 yards, par 71, with Chris. My driver shots improved from previous few rounds, and made 44, 45, total 89.

Chris was very good player. I asked in a round and found he was a golf pro. Ah! his driver shot went straight and very far, 280 yards or more. He was born in Atlanta and grew up in North Carolina and came back to Woodstock, Georgia. He is very nice person even if with players like me. He told me "You're good player" after the round. I was very happy to hear that.

This course is better than Bobby Jone GC where I played last week. Back nine is hilly , but it has wide fairways in some holes, walkable, downhills, uphills, doglegs, long par 3s with only $24.76(incl. tax).

Stone Mountain Golf Club Again

On Nov 18, Sat, I went to Play golf at Stone Mountain Golf Club again. At 8:30am we started at Stonmont Course. I made 47-45=92(34 putts). Not too bad for me. I hit my driver several times and balls didn't go to the trees. After having a hot dog and Miller Lite, we started at Lakemont Course, which might be tougher than Stonemont Course. My driver was not too bad again, 46-48=94(but 40 putts!). Scores were very stable. It is said putts on both courses would move toward to the mountain, but I could not read correctly because some putts move toward the mountain very much, but some went almost straight. Or it was because of my putting stroke problem, wasn't it?

Bobby Jones Golf Course

On Nov 12 (Sun) I went to Play golf at Bobby Jones Golf Course. On Sat at Stone Mountain GC Stonemont Course, my driver shots were so terrible, into the trees many times, so golf nuts like me wants to play again very soon. It's so cold in the morning but very fine day. The course is owned by Atlanta City and managed by American Golf. It is in downtown Atlanta but away from center of downtown, so many trees here too.

I checked in at around 8am and pro-shop man told me I could start any time if available. Play fee was $29.35, walking. In Atlanta, I always ask at pro-shop whether I can walk or not, because there are so many courses which is hard to walk. Here, he told me "I'm walking all the time, yes you can walk, some holes are hilly but you can. Good exercise".

I started at around 8:20am with Tracy and Roy, both seemed 60s. I didn't use my driver and hit tee shot with fairway woods and 4 iron because the course has 5,666 yards only with par 71 from white tees. It worked very well and front nine was 44 (3 pars) and back nine was 40 (1 birdie and 3 pars). Ah, my first round in Atlanta with 80s.

Relatively short course, but some par 4s has 400 yards. Good course. I can say condition of the greens are not too good. I don't know Bobby Jones played here or not but this is one of old courses in Atlanta, built in 1934.

Stone Mountain GC Mountmont Course

On Nov 11, 2006 (Sat) I went to play golf at Stonemountain Golf Club Mountmont Course with my colleague. We played with a guy from India, who came to Atlanta for a conference and would fly back to India in the afternoon. He got a rental club. He was also real golf nuts!

Stonemont Course isn't hilly comparing to Lakemont Course where we played last week. There are almost no water hazard. However my driver shot was terrible again. I lost a few balls and hit provisional balls a few times. My score was 51 and 47, total 98 at 6,129 yards, par 70 course. Not long but many par 4s has 390 yards, so if tee shots are in the trees, it is impossible to get on the green in two. I finally changed my strategy. It's too late though. At 18th hole, par 5, I hit tee shot with 5 wood which wouldn't reach to the bunker on the left, and 4 iron, then pitching wedge, and got a par.

Above pic is Stone Mountain GC, Stonemont Course 1st hole.

"Someone Like You" by Van Morrison

I was watching "Bridget Jones's Diary" on Bravo at 10pm on Nov 10 and I found ending music was by Van Morrison, one of my favorite singers. It was "Someone Like you" in his album "Poetic Champions Compose". I belive I have all of his official albums but I didn't recognize it.

My most favorite song by Van Morrison is "Wonderful Remark" in the album "Philosopher's Stone". This song is the ending of the motion picture, "King of Comedy", which was produced by Martin Scosese and performed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis. Music of this movie was produced by Robbie Robertson of The Band.

River Pines Golf Club

On Nov 5 (Sun) I went to play golf at River Pines Golf Club in Alpharetta. I arrived at around 7:20am, but start was delayed due to frost. It was so cold at around 40F in that morning. This course was a public course and play fee was $55 (walking). I asked the pro shop if I could walk or not on this course and he said "very walkable", so I decided to walk. After practicing at the driving range which I could shot on grass, I started with three Americans who rode electric carts. Yes, this course is walkable, relatively flat and wide course, but 13 holes come with water and there are a lot of trees. I got 2 pars with 20 putts, 48 strokes on front nine, but I lost my balls at 3 holes, 52 strokes with 17 putts on back nine. My tee shots was still not good and I practiced 50 balls at the range after 18 holes.

Pic is the club house from the green of 9th hole.

The Tour Championship 3rd round

Today I went to East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta to see The Tour Championship. I left my apartment before 9am went via GA-400 south and I-85 south. I was surprised to see there was a tollgate on GA-400, which was only 50 cents. Parking for the tournament was a parking of Turner Field. I didn't find the way after getting off from I-85, but I could get into the right parking luckily. There were not so many cars parked in the lot, because 1st party would start 11am. A party but Davis Love alone who shot 82 at 1st round. A bus took me to East Lake Golf Club which was on the corner of 2nd Ave SE and Memorial Dr SE, off Glenwood Ave on I-20. I was in a lot of trees and houses.

I exchanged my e-ticket to formal admission ticket at the entrance and took a look at the shop, the went to driving range, where K.J. Choi was practicing his short iron. Every shots by pitching wedge or 9 iron were around pin at 150 yards or something. I bought a cup of coffee and took a seat beside 1st tee. Against expectation, there were not too many people here. Today's Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that the tournament was criticised because of no appearance of Tiger Woods and Phil Michelson.

It was too cold to wait David Love on the 1st tee. His hooked his driver shot. I watched 2nd party and 3rd party but only one player hit fairway. Hmm. After David Toms' tee shot, I walked with him to 6th hole, then I waited for Ernie Els. Big Easy's swing was very easy, slow and very beautiful. It was nice to see big names like him very close from a few yards. Thank you, Tiger. I walked with Ernie to 10th hole and I had a hot dog near 10th hole. I waited for Vijay Singh there and walked with him to 12th hole. 12th green and 13th tee was very close, so I decided to wait for Retief Goosen here. I walked with Retief to 15th hole and waited for Adam Scott. After Adam's tee shot at 15th hole, I moved to 18th hole, 235 yards, par 3. I could see several parties very close to teeing ground. After Retief's tee shot at 18th hole, I decided to leave here before heavy traffic.

I bought a $20 cap which had The Tour Championship and East Lake GC logos. Traffic was unexpectedly no problem at all. Thank you again, Tiger.

City Club Marietta

On October 28, I went to play golf at City Club Marietta, which located at the center of Marietta, 30 minutes by car from my apartment in Sandy Springs. This is a municipal course which is owned by Marietta City. I arrived at 8am and teeing time was 8:30am, play fee was $55 including electric cart. I played with 3 Americans. They seemed around 60 years old and very average golfer. Their score was not less than 100. Me too. I didn't keep my scores but I scored less than 50 at back nine. This course is very hilly as always in Atlanta. There are no flat lie and greens are so small. Rating from white tee, 5,396 yards, is 71 and slope rating is 119, so it should not be so tough. But my tee shot was terrible and I could make only approach shots and putts. I asked them "Are there any flat courses in Atlanta?". They told me "No, you must go to Texas or Florida". Atlanta City locates at a height of around 300 meters, so there should not be many flat courses here.

Blue Heron Golf Club

I went to play golf at Blue Heron Golf Club on Sunday, October 22.

After I worked at my office from 8am to 10am, and received a washer and a dryer from Lowe's at around 12pm. Set up of a washer and a dryer finished at around 1pm. Then I went to Blue Heron, which is open to public and has 1 par 5, 5 par 4s and others are all par 3s, total par 61 course, with 4,1-2 yards at blue tee. Condition of greens and fairways are not so good and very hilly, narrow fairways. It was very tough for me. I walked alone but I recommend not to walk here. Play fee was $32.10, including electoric cart. I didn't keep my scores but I made some good shots. I finished 18 holes for 3 hours. It was my first appearance at golf course in Atlanta.

Maria Muldaur gives Bob Dylan the blues treatment

Maria Muldaur gives Bob Dylan the blues treatment

I posted Maria Muldaur's "Heart of Mine: Love Songs of Bob Dylan" here.

Young sings to family of 20,000 at 20th Bridge School concert

REVIEW by San Francisco Cronicle
Young sings to family of 20,000 at 20th Bridge School concert

I went to Shoreline Amphitheater to watch Bridge School Concert in 2001. That was just after 911. It was a great concert as well.

The Times They Are A-Changin’ to Perform on "The View" Oct. 25

Broadway's new Bob Dylan musical The Times They Are A-Changin’, created by Twyla Tharp, will perform "Like a Rolling Stone" on ABC's "The View" Oct. 25.

Former Broadway stars Jane Fonda (There Was a Little Girl, Strange Interlude) and Ellen Burstyn (Same Time, Next Year and Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All) will also appear with the gals on the show that airs at 11 AM (ET). Check your local listings.

(By Playbill.com Oct 24, 2006)

Firehills safely arrived at Atlanta on Oct 9

I arrived at Atlanta on Oct 9 safely. 12 hours flight by economy class from Narita was a kind of torture for me. Beer was not free of charge, 3 times meal looked like a dog's breakfast. I drove down to Dunwoody from the airport and found that Atlanta had ocean of trees. It looked like I was in "Jukai" around Mt.Fuji in Japan.

Going to Atlanta

I will get on DL56 of Delta Airlines at Tokyo International Airport at 3:30pm today, and I will arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 3:00pm on Oct 9 local time, which is 5:00am on Oct 10 of JST. I may update my blog in a hotel in Atlanta next time. Bye-bye Nippon!

The Way of The Guerrilla

I have finished to read the Japanese version of "The Way of the Guerrilla: Achieving Success and Balance as an Entrepreneur in the 21st Century (Guerrilla Marketing)" by Jay Conrad Levinson. Amazon.com says "According to Jay Conrad Levinson, to flourish into the next millennium companies must encourage managers and employees to achieve equilibrium between their personal and professional lives while they simultaneously develop relationships with customers and suppliers that build trust and loyalty. The Way of the Guerrilla: Achieving Success and Balance as an Entrepreneur in the 21st Century outlines his blueprint for this corporate future through four distinct sections: The Goals, The Setting, The Tools, and The Secrets."

This book was written almost 10 years ago, but I think the principle of the way of business, marketing or life is always same and the author emphasizes this universal truths. If you see the English title, it seems this is written for entrepreneur but every business person can learn the way of the guerrilla.

Neil Young with Linda and/or Nicolette (7): Unplugged

"Unplugged" is the last album which Nicolette Larson sings with Neil Young, recorded at Universal Studios, Los Angeles on February 7, 1993. VHS tape is available in U.S. I will get it after I arrives at Atlanta. In this MTV program, Young covers his electric songs like "Mr. Soul" or "Like A Hurricane" and from old songs like "Mr.Soul" at Buffalo Springfield to new songs from the latest album "Harvest Moon" at that time.

1. The Old Laughing Lady
2. Mr. Soul
3. World On A String
4. Pocahontas
5. Stringman
6. Like A Hurricane
7. Needle And The Damage Done
8. Helpless
9. Harvest Moon
10. Transformer Man
11. Unknown Legend
12. Look Out For My Love
13. Long May You Run
14. From Hank To Hendrix

Berkeley Country Club

Yesterday I was invited to Berkeley Country Club in Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture by a member of this club. It took about two and half hours by my car. Too far away from my home and total toll to use highways were JPY7,400 (US$64!!). The golf course itself was not too bad (greens were so fast!), but it costed too much.

My score? I didn't keep it yesterday, but front nine was more than 50 and back nine was 43 or 44. My driver shots dramatically improved and got 4 pars on back nine. Approach shots and putting were also very well, I got pars with 1 putt on both 17th and 18th which has about 400 yards.

Guitar Legends J.J. CALE AND ERIC CLAPTON Unite For an Epic, Soulful CD Release “THE ROAD TO ESCONDIDO”

Guitar Legends J.J. CALE AND ERIC CLAPTON Unite For an Epic, Soulful CD Release “THE ROAD TO ESCONDIDO”

J.J.Cale and Eric Clapton will release "The Road To Escondio". I don't need to comment anything about both guitar legends.

Amazon.com: Live at the Fillmore East: Music: Neil Young

Amazon.com: Live at the Fillmore East: Music: Neil Young

Neil Young starts to release his Archives. They say his Archives will not issue as a box set. It may be something like Bob Dylan's Bootleg Series.

Related link

Google AdSense

Google AdSense

I put Google AsSense to sidebar on my blog. It took some time to be approved and I still don't know how it works. Anyway, now I have Google's services below;

AdSense
Calendar
Finance
Gmail
News
Personalized Homepage
Personalized Search
Picasa
Reader
Spreadsheets

Regarding other Google's services, I like Earth, Maps, Sightseeing and writely...

Tony Joe White - Swamp Music: The Complete Monument Recordings

Tony Joe White - Swamp Music: The Complete Monument Recordings

Rhino Handmade has just released only 5,000 copies of Tony Joe White's "Swamp Music: The Complete Monument". I must order this! But I will be leaving Japan for United States on October 9. So I have some problem of timing when or where it should be delivered. Tony Joe White's 5,000 copies may not be sold out soon, I hope. See Nicolette Larson's Live At the Roxy. It's still there.

Sitemeter

This is a pie chart of country share of visitors to my blog, provided by Sitemeter. 59% from Japan and 29% from United States. Foreigner's share is gradually increasing. However page view is still not much and visit length is still so short. Not only does Sitemeter display the number of visitors to my web site, it also keeps statistics on the number of visits each hour and each day. Good tool for blog.

"American business idioms" by David A.Thayne

I have finished to read "American business idioms", which was written in Japanese by David A. Thayne and published by Nikkei Business Library in 2003. Title is also in Japanese, so this English title is my translation, sorry. Japanese students are learning English at least from junior high school to high school for 6 years, but teachers or school textbook doesn't teach phrases like this. The author puts business idioms at various situations into one volume. Only 200 pages pocket edition is easy to bring everywhere and turn pages from time to time. It also has some explanations of difference of culture between Japanese and American.