How About a Little Coverage of the Millions of At-Risk Kids Not Trapped in a Balloon (or Hiding in the Attic)?

Arianna,
The credibility of your site is called into question every time you put your name and face as the lead story on your site. It’s not about you and it’s not Pravda, so back up and back off, or risk the megalomania that has befallen every other person who prostrates themselves at the feet of the Fourth Estate.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Death Ride Journal, Part II

OK, so it’s been a week since my last posting.  Some good times on the bike, a good deal of adjustment and refinement to the steed and its rider.  On Monday, I dropped about 175 dollars at the Olympic Bike Shop and got: (1) a new rear cassette with the highly sought after 12-27 range cogs, the 27 being the magic climbing element. ($75).  Also, I bought (2) a new pair of Pearl Izumi shorts, 3-D something for $75, (3) new Specialized gloves for $35, and (4) Cytomomax energy mix (Cool Citrus!) for $22.  Unfortunatlely,Monday was pretty much a wash because of my error regarding the cassette-I have a 10 speed, not a 9 speed.  The 9 was my last bike.  Of course, I did not realize this until I  mounted the cassette and put a new chain on, also 9 speed.  No wonder it shifted like shit!   I changed it all back to the original cassette and chain after realizing my error, but did a thorough cleaning of the chain, which was much needed.  Did a quick half hour of sprinting after getting it back together.

Tuesday, June 30th, I made the cassette switch and purchased  a shorter, taller Bontrager stem ($50),  on Tuesday.  That As I was making the switch in the parking lot of the pharmacy across the street, I ran into my friend Joel Gimbert,  rather fortuitously, as he is a good road rider friend and past Death Ride finisher.  He is a local tile and flooring contractor and offered to accompany me on a training ride or two.

On Wednesday July 1, I rode to Squaw with Joel Gimbert,    We rode down to Sugarpine Point Park, down around the Erhman Mansion, and then to Tahoe City on the bike path, wherever possible.  Down the River on the bike path to the River Ranch and Alpine Meadows Rd. Up the three mile climb to Alpine, back down and on the Squaw Valley, with a quick loop around Snow Peak Rd., and then back to the bike trail and home.  About 42 miles.

Thursday I rode to Barker Pass, climbing Blackwood Canyon three times for a total of about 4,500 hundred feet over about 60 miles.  If I had the cool GPS with topo, I’d embed it here:

On Friday, July 3rd.  I went down to Emerald Bay again, shaving some time of my previous attempt.

Saturday, two short bike rides in the woods on the Intense 6.6 and the Bontrager single speed

Sunday I did the big ride.  A reasonably early start:  from Homewood to Truckee, then up Martis Peak Rd., a two mile steep (8oo feet elevation)paved fireroad, then over Brockway Summit (7,047).  Down to King’s Beach, over to Garwood’s Restaurant for a quick water bottle refill (with ice!  It pays to know Suzanne.) After that, I decided to tackle Ward Valley as well, about a 700 ft elevation.  Flatted the rear at the top, right at the start of the descent.  Fixed it with many pumps from the Crank Bros. Mini Pump.

Nero fiddles as Rome Burns. Fiddle strings 200 billion each

There are only four, right?  My grandfather and namesake, Joseph Leo Pistorio was a violinist for the Boston Pops for many years during the 50’s through the 70’s.  He thought that long time conductor Arthur Fiedler was pompous. arrogant and not very nice.  I’m sure now that was envy, as Grandpa did his best to cultivate those traits as he got older, and was pretty successful.  

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced today he was allocating another 800 billion in bailout money for the financial sector.  This time, he pledges to spread the money around trickle down style in the form of guaranteed student loans, credit card credit and other small consumer loans.  I’ll believe it when the check clears.

Meanwhile, I was laid off my job by a company whose future is in doubt, and am making less money than I have in over 20 years.  I guess I should be thankful to be working at all, but like most, I keep wondering where my bailout is.  I promise to throw a killer party when it all comes together.  Scouts honor.

 

Joe

Wal-Mart Warns Workers Of Democratic Win

Why can’t they stick to destroying small business communities and peddling cheap Chinese products?
This company is a symbol of what is wrong with our country- rich corporate elites who have their finger on the pulse of the country’s economic and political situation and think they can manipulate the situation to their advantage. Strangely enough, that absolute power has corrupted them absolutely, and now they treat their employees like cattle by trying to scare them.
Most of the employees in non union stores would benefit from unionization, as it would give them a better wage, benefits and some political muscle to stand up to the management. I will continue my boycott of WalMart indefinitely, even though a dozen eggs is only $1.89.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Isn’t this how the Donner Party started?

On May17th, our band, Vibemosphere, played a spring party atop a mountain knoll outside of, or I should say above, Downieville CA. The party was great and we played well and had a good time. (more on that in another post). Since I love to mountain bike and Downieville is a well known destination, I packed my bike stuff and cycle, along with the drum kit and headed down.

We played until 2:30 AM, and other people jammed until 4:30 or 5 AM. It was Spearhead I heard blaring through the sound system at 4:20 AM, cranked to 11. A little extreme, but who am I to judge?

Anyway at around 10:30 AM on Sunday I finally got my drums dusted and packed. With help form the rest of the band (Brett Kendall on bass and Matt Etchison on guitar, I got my drums back in Jeep and off I went down the hill. Did I mention it was a 3 mile, 1500-2000 ft climb on a one lane dirt track to Anders’ and Mary’s place? So down the road I go, past the little punk who commandeered the mic for some nu metal vocal stylings, (i.e. screaming) after being told twice by me that it was not OK to sing. Needless to say, he did not get a ride.

I went to town to confer with Brett and Ernesto (friend of the band, or FOB) about a ride plan. It was already about 85º at 11 AM and with the presence of Brett’s two dogs, Malcolm and Plainie, Brett decided it was too hot for all parties concerned. I was feling alittle bleary but not willing to give up that easily, so I wandered around the parking lot checking out who was getting ready to bike and I struck up a conversation with a guy with an eastern European accnt. He said he was hopingt o do the Downhill, but that the shuttle was not running yet, due to snow at the top. I had e-mailed Downievill Outfitters and received the same information. I was mentally prepared to do an out and back up the trail as far as I could before I felt like turning around, but my new friend Detelin was far more optmistic: We have two vehicles now, and enough room on my rack, so let’s shuttle” he exclaimed. “well, I demurred, “what about the snow at the top, the bike shop guys said it was still snowed in…” “Ah, he said, we talked to them too and they said some people are doing it, so how bad can it be.” Needing only a little encouragement to throw caution to the wind, we loaded up the bikes and his friend ,Jivko or Jick for short, and Detelin’s son Martin loaded up. These gents are from Fremont, CA, and represent the whole of the Bulgarian community in Fremont. They were quick to make a joke and really loved to ride downhill, as they claimed 20 or 30 trips last year for the ride.

Detelin is around 50 on a Cannondale Jekyll, Jick a little older on a 5 yr. old Stumjumper hardtail, Martin 18, on a Schwinn Rocket, and me 46, on my Intense 5.5.

We talked about riding and such as we climbed 49 towards Bassetts and Packer Saddle, the jump off point.

When we made the turn off at Bassetts, it’s still a thousand feet of car climbing to the Saddle. It wasn’t long before the dirt gave way to 4 foot snowbanks. I know from my one time on the trail that it is very shaded, and travels along the Yuba River corridor for almost its entire length. This led me to believe that there would be plenty of snow, but these guys kept dismissing it, so I kept my fears to myself. At the saddle, the lot was free of snow and the trail sign showed an inviting brown ribbon to us. 10 yards later (literally), the trail disappeared under a blanket of white about 2 feet deep. There were some old tracks (snowshoe I think), but no bike tracks. We floundered around at the top trying to follow the trail by the small sections that peaked out between the snowdrifts. We made it back to the road and towards Butcher Ranch. It was muddy where it was not snow, and much deadfall littered the trail . We hiked mostly after attempting to ride in the soft snow and going over the bars several times, laughing the whole time. Our feet were wet, but it was so hot, that it felt OK (to me anyway). After losing the trail a few times, we crossed the Rock Garden, where I promptly slipped and fell walking the bike over the torrent. I nailed a sharp rock with my left tricep. it’s still a lovely bluish green today. After the rock Garden and a couple of patches of snow, the trail was wide open and dry.

Nice and tacky and fast. Detelin and I led the charge, bunnyhopping the rocks and roots with abandon. We hauled ass as the river hauled snow melt in the gorge, providing a nice visual and auditory display of beauty and power for us to have in the background. We made the whole trip in three hours, with about and hour and a half of snow slog. It was well worth the effort in the end. Here are a couple of related videos (one of the Rock Garden during the race) and some stills of the boys.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5jFdMuE_zLE]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1JGjcre0L64&feature=related]

Everyone agreed that the effort was worth it and new friendships were made with the hope of future rides with Team Bulgaria.

Joe Pistorio

My Turn: Follow the ‘Ten Commandments’ for Tahoe drivers

My two cents regarding driving in Tahoe in the summer, inspired by the Vatican’s publication of their Ten Commandments for Drivers back in June of 2007.

http://sierrasun.com/article/20070625/OPINION/70624004

I’ve taken the liberty of putting some driving tips for vehicle drivers in our area. Some of these sins of the road are usually associated with tourists, but I feel we can all stand a refresher course for safe and courteous travel in the Tahoe Basin, and beyond.
With the publication of the Vatican’s “Driver’s Ten Commandments,” I think it’s a good time to share them.
Drive the speed limit. Please maintain the posted speed limit. Driving 5-10 miles under the speed limit is unsafe. Slow drivers are probably the single most irritating aspect of driving here in the summer. Yes, the lake and surroundings are beautiful, but please drive your car. Sometimes we locals are just trying to go about our daily lives.
Use your turn signals. It’s easy and courteous, and helps us understand why you are suddenly braking in front of us for no apparent reason, unaware of your intentions.
Use your mirrors; rearview and side mirrors. The mirror is a miracle of modern man, first patented in 1903. Yes, objects are closer than they appear, but if you use them while pulling out and backing up, you may see me traveling at the speed limit on the road.
Hang up and drive. Don’t drive while talking on your cell phone, unless you have a hands free device. The signal strength for any carrier is spotty at best anyway, so if you have a good signal, pull over properly and take the call.
Share the road. Watch for cyclists and pedestrians in the roadway. Share the road. The roads are not wide and the shoulders are narrow at best, so give riders, runners and walkers a little room. Similar to the Vatican’s number 9.
When you are making that right turn, complete that right turn. Get as close the right for right turns and drive through your turn. Roads are narrow enough and we don’t need your vehicle’s backside in the middle of the road.
Pull over if you are lost. If you are confused or trying to find your way, do everyone behind you a favor. Signal and pull over and let traffic pass. Once traffic passes, then use your turn signals and mirrors to safely get back on the road and find your way. Everyone wins.
Don’t drive under the influence. Period. The average drunk driver operates a vehicle on average of 400 times before he is arrested. Your number is up.
Merge and yield — politely please. Wait your turn and communicate with the other drivers.
Don’t be afraid to apologize. Nobody is perfect. If you make a mistake, apologize with a wave. We are all in the same boat, so to speak. If someone makes a mistake, suppress the urge to signal your displeasure with harsh words or gestures.
Smile, you’re at Lake Tahoe. You’re here. You win.

‘Drivers’ Ten Commandments’
As listed by the Vatican’s document, are:
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting
condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims
together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

Joe Pistorio is a Homewood resident.

I beg your pardon

From my letter to the editor regarding Bush’ pardon of Scooter Libby, published in the Sierra Sun in Tahoe City, CA in July, 2007

http://sierrasun.com/article/20070710/OPINION/70710012

I’ve taken Sen. Joe Biden’s advice to heart and called the White House regarding President Bush’s decision to commute the 30-month prison sentence of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby. Well, I’ve been getting a busy signal for the last two hours, so I think I’ll e-mail.
I encourage you to contact the White House too and let them know what you think. What’s that emotion north of indignation? Outrage perhaps. Yes, that’s what I feel. Personally, I think former Ambassador Joe Wilson had it right when commenting on President Bush’s decision. Wilson said recently on NPR’s Morning Edition that this proves “this administration is corrupt to the core.”
Ambassador Joseph Wilson is the former diplomat whose wife was at the center of the CIA leak investigation that sparked the Libby case. In denouncing the Bush administration, Wilson told NPR, “I would only hope that Americans now realize, with this subversion of our system of justice and the rule of law in this country, just exactly how corrupt they are.”
Thanks and Happy Independence Day. This is the day we celebrate the act of defeating the oppressive illegitimate tyranny that threatened to enslave us. But please don’t read into it, there’s no metaphor or serendipity with the timing, I assure you.
And yes, Bill Clinton pardoned plenty of people, but none were involved in a conspiracy to deliberately expose the identity of a covert operative for the CIA to discredit her husband politically.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
Please send your comments to comments@whitehouse.gov.
Vice President Richard Cheney: vice_president@whitehouse.gov

Joe Pistorio
Homewood

The Jungsters, Unearthed!

It’s been awhile since I posted. I’m fairly sure no one gives a hoot that I have a web site and a blog and whatnot, but I enjoy it. So here it is. Been a crazy summer here in Tahoe. Family reunions back east, trips to LA, Shasta, Sonoma, and the Bay Area several times. Trying to learn a new dance. Anyway, big news is that the Jungsters have posted videos from their vault on You Tube. In case you did not know, The Jungsters were a seminal 80’s rock band from Washington, DC. This was their first and only video outing for public television in June 1987.

Yes, it’s rare footage of the darlings of the late 80’s/early 90’s set on Capitol Hill, the Jungsters! (pronounced “Youngsters”.)
Bob Breeden, Brad Jones, Joe Pistorio, Bruce Smith, and Simon Watkins. Recorded before the advent of digital recording. Yes, people, I’m talking Lo-Fi, with on the fly editing from the crack team at the world famous Media General Head End Facility in Fairfax, VA. These clips are cool. They have video transitions that will make you flashback, colors that will boil your eyeballs, and a wardrobe that would be difficult to replicate in this day and age. Don’t be surprised to see several of the techniques in the next Michel Gondry video for the White Stripes. Several of the Jungsters, in their many iterations (we went through as many bassists as Spinal Tap did drummers. Doug E Bass, Simon, Eric, and Tom

See the gymnastic maraca shaking! Hear the nearly on-key ensembles! Marvel at the mathematical consistency of the timekeeping! It’s all here. Also, see roto toms in action! Short pants! Headbands! Blue tiger pattern muscle tee’s! Straw hats!
(In our defense, it was about 100 degrees in there, with mucho humidito, but we should have insisted on long pants.

Simon Watkins, Bruce Smith and Joe Pistorio are still active on the music scene in Los Angeles, Austin and Lake Tahoe, respectively See a fresh faced Bruce Smith, leader of the eponymous Bruce Smith Band (Bruce Smith Band) has a new release, Another Day In Texas http://www.theconnextion.com/index.cfm?%20ArtistID=79&NoFrame=Yes). Simon plays with several jazz artists in the Los Angeles area and tours with Craicmore, a celtic based world music band. (www.craicmore.com). He maintains a website, (www.simonwatkins.com) and is a hard core philatlelist. That’s stamp collector to you. Joe Pistorio works in production as a producer (www.joepistorio.com) and plays with Nothing But Trouble, an electric blues band in Incline Village, NV. Brad Jones plays in Harrisburg, PA area bands with one of our successor bassists, Tom Phillips. Bob Breeden lives in the Southland area of California and is very active in his church. LuAnne Chapman, was also in the band later as keyboardist, flautist and singer.
A little dickhead named Eric was the bass player after Simon. He was such a little pussy boy and threatened to quit every time he did not get his way. I made my desire to beat his ass known on many occasions and had to be content that he lived in fear of me. Not really, but I liked to think so.

Many thanks to Simon for getting the tape he had (an old ¾” I gave him back when) transferred to a digital medium, which we uploaded together when I visited him at the compound in Malibu, meaning I edited and uploaded and Simon practiced jazz from the Great American Songbook on his upright bass as I wrestled with the compression. The results will live on in infamy.

The songs:

“Don’t Come Running”(To Me)

“Cicada Bluez”
“Cicada Bluez II”
“7:09’er” I
“7:09’er” Take 2

, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFyF7bUftH0],[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_rmZJFCu5k],[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlZkqtI5yRI],[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keQ9FNXUx30]

Joe Pistorio, Broadcast Producer On Line Reel

Check out my reel of agency producing advertising work, both new and archival. www.joepistorio.com.
I also have experience in the commercial production industry. Work in LA as a local.