Butte Trivia Bee for Literacy Cranks, and Cracks, Up

big-roomA new world ranking of countries and their literacy rates puts the United States at 7th. Who’s No. 1? Finland.”  Source: The Washington Post, March 8, 2016

Now there’s a bit of trivia I didn’t know.  And it was published by a renowned newspaper for others to read so it must be true, or at least is mostly accurate.  At minimum it makes one ponder.  Fortunately the USA is in the top ten but we can do better.  Think about it.  Without the printed word we’d have nothing but space, blank space.  All you’d see is a bunch of black ink, dots, and squiggly lines.  Continue reading “Butte Trivia Bee for Literacy Cranks, and Cracks, Up” »

Posted in Community | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Butte Trivia Bee for Literacy Cranks, and Cracks, Up

Coldplay Tops Family’s Bucket List

coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-tourKate introduced me to them.  Our SUV, loaded with ski gear, skidded over a snowy highway.  We caught glimpses of powder covered peaks between wind blasts.  I didn’t mind the weather—I enjoy winter driving so long as crazy people don’t hit me.  Kate inserted a CD and I daydreamed.  The music calmed me into a Zen-like trance, the keyboards, guitar and bass pulsing at each mile post.

“Who is this group?”

Coldplay,” Kate said.  “They’re British.” Continue reading “Coldplay Tops Family’s Bucket List” »

Posted in Parent and Kids | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Coldplay Tops Family’s Bucket List

Coming up…2016 Butte County Trivia Bee

eric-etcguy-w-poster1_160923So thrilled to support the 10th Annual Butte County Trivia Bee on Friday October 28, 2016. The event will be held in the Sierra Nevada Brewery “Big Room” (Chico, California). All proceeds support Adult Literacy Programming. Last year I co-emceed the event which had a turnout of nearly 400. Great fun. I’ll co-emcee again this year. Though I wear size 8 shoes and have a size 13 mouth, I think I can behave myself…..More info to come.

See more updates at the Etc.Guy Facebook page.

Posted in Community | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Coming up…2016 Butte County Trivia Bee

Everybody Has Their Guy (or Man)

Dave Barry Etc GuyIn the dictionary there are words for everythingDave Barry

Every person has their guy.

The three of us loitered outside the concert hall killing time.  Jane and Peg, music moms, stood with arms crossed and discussed car problems.  Jane gushed about her guy as I walked up.

“He’s the best,” Jane said, her eyes beaming like sun rays.  “My Volvo has 450,000 miles.  My guy fixes brakes, radiators, rebuilds engines…sigh…he even folds shop towels.”  Jane’s eyes glistened and I saw my reflection.   She clasped her hands, “Ooooh, there’s no one like him.” Continue reading “Everybody Has Their Guy (or Man)” »

Posted in The Humor Project, Words of wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Everybody Has Their Guy (or Man)

Voter is Stuck in the Middle With…Who?

Bob HopeI love to go to Washington.  If only to be near my money. 

(Bob Hope)

Our family debates are more introspective than lively, more on her end than mine.  Maybe I’m just cynical.  But discussing the upcoming Presidential election with my voting age college daughter isn’t boring.  She leans further left than me, with her youthful, trusting, and idealistic viewpoint, but considering our choices I don’t want to vote for either candidate. The billionaire braggart, born more than halfway between third base and home plate, offends me.   I’m never impressed with people who are impressed with themselves.  Continue reading “Voter is Stuck in the Middle With…Who?” »

Posted in Parent and Kids | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Voter is Stuck in the Middle With…Who?

Bucket List Trips With Parents Were Worth It

Galapagos Islands tortoisesNote: We’re in the season of Mother’s and Father’s Days.  This story appeared in several newspapers and magazines.  I wanted to share it again.  Dedicated to parents.

I don’t remember my parents pursuing fun.  They worked too hard.  Nor did they understand the concept of a bucket list.  The buckets we used carried paint.  Continue reading “Bucket List Trips With Parents Were Worth It” »

Posted in Parent and Kids, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Playoffs Are All That Matter

Eric characture cropped colorHockey Player Magazine, May 2016

It’s only an eight game schedule but my body thinks otherwise—the season feels like 80 games.  My legs burn with each stride while my lungs gasp for more air than a carburetor.  But we’re in the playoffs and complaining is for sissies.  Everybody’s whipped, even our rivals, and it’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff.  Lose two games and we’re out until September.  No one wants to hang up their skates in early May.

My Blazers entered the playoffs in the middle of the pack and I’m the middle-aged guy in our pack chasing players ten to thirty years younger.  I’m a forechecker and harass opponents trying to break out of their zone.   I chase, because with higher mileage and less horsepower, I’m easily caught by the younger bucks.  Continue reading “Playoffs Are All That Matter” »

Posted in Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Paradise Chocolate Fest Benefits the Kids

2016 Fest PC 2“All you need is love.  But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”  Charles M. Shulz

“I owe it all to little chocolate donuts.” John Belushi

It’s time for hype, chocolate hype.  And it’s okay to indulge.

Experience a chocolate paradise on the Paradise/Magalia ridge nestled among tall green pines in the Sierra Nevada Mountain foothills, where we strike the perfect balance between a historical Gold Country past and the comforts of modern living.   Join a community with a big heart and love of chocolate for the 11th annual Paradise Chocolate Fest benefiting non-profit youth organizations on the Paradise Ridge. Continue reading “Paradise Chocolate Fest Benefits the Kids” »

Posted in Community | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Millennial Daughter to Vote Absentee

election ballot infoLike religion, politics, and family planning, cereal is not a topic to be brought up in public.  It’s too controversial.”

Erma Bombeck

My oldest daughter, a college freshman, will vote absentee this year–her first election. She leans left of my views where I straddle right on money issues and left of center on social issues. I seldom argue about politics, preferring to discuss cereal selection. For me, incumbents on both sides of the aisle are fair game to vote out (my version of term limits). Continue reading “Millennial Daughter to Vote Absentee” »

Posted in Parent and Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Hockey Mom Earns Frequent Flyer Miles

Eric characture cropped color

Hockey Player Magazine, Feb 2016

(Note: Names below were changed.)

We boarded the jet two hours late, me and 350 others.  No explanation was given other than lousy weather in Europe.  My original seat selection was along the back row aisle near the lavatory.  I’m one who plans ahead— the ten hour flight from Oakland to Stockholm would test my prostate, larger than a hockey puck, to the max.  Two minutes in the penalty box is rough enough.  No pre-flight drinks for me. Continue reading “Hockey Mom Earns Frequent Flyer Miles” »

Posted in Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments