Maximum MicroBrew - new blog

I started a new beer-specific blog focusing in my documentary video series, Maximum MicroBrew, starting in the Sonoma County starting with the world-famous Russian River Brewing Company. More details to follow, but check it out:

http://maximummicrobrew.blogspot.com/

story: The Picnic

(originally published in the 1988 Honor Journal of Utah State University)

The Picnic or Goodbye Blue Monday

Simon watched Maggie's hair fluttering in the wind as they drove through the countryside in his red convertible. While Maggie was looking out at the green rolling hills, Simon patted the small box in the pocket of his sports coat. He could easily see how it would all go. He would pull out the box that reeked of expensive perfume, get a disappointed expression on his face, say something like, "Oh, dear, it must have broken," and hand it to her. She would seem a bit regretful, and open it just to see how much of Simon's money had been wasted. She would look surprised as she pulled the velvet box out of the perfume case. She would look confused as she opened it, and her face would light up when she saw the diamond ring gleaming inside. She would gasp, and then sigh some pleasantry and lean toward him with her soft ruby lips, and...

"Simon, look at the cows!"

Simon looked out at the clumps of black and white cows grazing together, and then at Maggie, and smiled fondly at her. She smiled back through her windblown halo of brown hair. Yes, he thought pleasantly to himself, nothing could possibly go wrong.

After a luxurious while on the dusty country road, Simon found ‘the right place’ and parked the car. With Maggie on one arm and a picnic basket on the other, Simon found his way to the clump of trees on top of the gently rolling hill. A short length of an old, low wall still stood there, which Maggie found adorable, and Simon decided this was indeed the right place.

He unpacked the basket next to the wall, putting a silver tray of crackers and imported cheese on a red and white gingham cloth. He produced a set of delicately shaped crystal glasses, which he promptly filled with French wine from a bottle still covered with traces of thirty-year-old dust. After the light appetizer, Simon brought out china plated, ornate silverware, and two Peking duck dinners, still hot in their Tupperware containers.

After the meal, Simon and Maggie sat gazing into each other’s eyes under the warm afternoon sun. Almost reluctantly, Simon broke the silence, saying, “I’ve got something for you,” and pulled the box out of his pocket. He put on his best disappointed look and said, “Oh, dear, it must have broken,” and handed the box to her. She seemed a bit regretful, and opened it just to see how much of Simon’s money had been wasted. She looked surprised as she pulled the velvet box out of the perfume case.  She looked confused as she opened it, and her face lit up when she saw the diamond ring gleaming inside. She gasped, and said some nice things about Simon, and leaned her with her soft ruby lips toward Simon, who was trying very hard not to smirk, and…

Neither of them really felt the six-hundred-mile-an-hour winds ripping through them, and neither of them were around long enough to see the silhouette of the almost-kissing couple etched onto the wall by the nuclear blast. 

article: SRJC Football milks Rams in Clo’s Classic

(originally published in Oak Leaf News September 6, 2013)

Erik Jorgensen
October 6, 2013
SRJC Bear Cubs’ 30-23 battery over Fresno City College’s Rams in Saturday night’s 12th Annual Clo’s Classic dialed their season record up to 4-1. The Rams’ first kickoff return ended with an injured player followed by a third down fumble, while the Bear Cubs’ first play caught a first down pass conversion.
Bear Cubs quarterback Mike Pierson’s pass to wide receiver Andre Davis raised the voltage for a nine-play charge against the current for a touchdown pass to running back Darrian Roman.
The Rams discharged their next possession in the end zone, intercepted by linebacker Vaimaa Taito. A field goal from kicker Levi Paine ionized the Bear Cubs lead to 10-0. The Rams scored a touchdown, caught an interception and kicked a field goal to tie the game. Pierson hurled another lightning bolt into the end zone to thunder the halftime score to 17-10.
The second half got jump started when Davis zapped his kickoff return straight into the end zone for a 23-10 lead. Pierson said, “Andre was due for that. He’s a big player for us, and that really got us going.” Blake Richmond, free safety, said, “That gave us a big boost; we really needed that to get fired up, to play better with that energy.”
Rams player Justice Sarcedo’s interception for a run-in touchdown brought the score to 23-17 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Rams punter dropped a bad snap at fourth-and-43. By the time he recovered the ball for a quick kick, a force-field of Bear Cubs deflected the ball back for a first down recovery on the Rams’ 5-yard line. Anderson bolted across the line, amping up the score to 30-20 with 6:21 remaining.
The kickoff return started the Rams on their 34-yard line, and their long fourth-and-3 pass converted to first down on the Bear Cubs 7-yard line. The Rams couldn’t snap the trap but a field goal butted their final score to 30-23. With two minutes remaining Taito pulled down another interception and the Bear Cubs ran the clock out to victory.
Davis said a feeling of family united and charged up the team for Saturday’s victory. Pierson agreed with the bonding chemistry of family and said, “I’ve never been part of such an awesome team of guys. We’re going to take our bye week seriously and come out strong.”
- See more at: http://www.theoakleafnews.com/sports/2013/10/06/srjc-football-team-milks-rams-in-clos-classic/#sthash.h6pWermC.dpuf

Erik Jorgensen
October 6, 2013
SRJC Bear Cubs’ 30-23 battery over Fresno City College’s Rams in Saturday night’s 12th Annual Clo’s Classic dialed their season record up to 4-1. The Rams’ first kickoff return ended with an injured player followed by a third down fumble, while the Bear Cubs’ first play caught a first down pass conversion.
Bear Cubs quarterback Mike Pierson’s pass to wide receiver Andre Davis raised the voltage for a nine-play charge against the current for a touchdown pass to running back Darrian Roman.
The Rams discharged their next possession in the end zone, intercepted by linebacker Vaimaa Taito. A field goal from kicker Levi Paine ionized the Bear Cubs lead to 10-0. The Rams scored a touchdown, caught an interception and kicked a field goal to tie the game. Pierson hurled another lightning bolt into the end zone to thunder the halftime score to 17-10.
The second half got jump started when Davis zapped his kickoff return straight into the end zone for a 23-10 lead. Pierson said, “Andre was due for that. He’s a big player for us, and that really got us going.” Blake Richmond, free safety, said, “That gave us a big boost; we really needed that to get fired up, to play better with that energy.”
Rams player Justice Sarcedo’s interception for a run-in touchdown brought the score to 23-17 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Rams punter dropped a bad snap at fourth-and-43. By the time he recovered the ball for a quick kick, a force-field of Bear Cubs deflected the ball back for a first down recovery on the Rams’ 5-yard line. Anderson bolted across the line, amping up the score to 30-20 with 6:21 remaining.
The kickoff return started the Rams on their 34-yard line, and their long fourth-and-3 pass converted to first down on the Bear Cubs 7-yard line. The Rams couldn’t snap the trap but a field goal butted their final score to 30-23. With two minutes remaining Taito pulled down another interception and the Bear Cubs ran the clock out to victory.
Davis said a feeling of family united and charged up the team for Saturday’s victory. Pierson agreed with the bonding chemistry of family and said, “I’ve never been part of such an awesome team of guys. We’re going to take our bye week seriously and come out strong.”
- See more at: http://www.theoakleafnews.com/sports/2013/10/06/srjc-football-team-milks-rams-in-clos-classic/#sthash.h6pWermC.dpuf

 
SRJC Football milks Rams in Clo's Classic

SRJC Football milks Rams in Clo’s Classic

SRJC Football milks Rams in Clo’s Classic

by Erik Jorgensen
            SRJC Bear Cubs’ 30-23 battery over Fresno City College’s Rams in Saturday night’s 12^th Annual Clo’s Classic dialed their season record up to 4-1. The Rams’ first kickoff return ended with an injured player followed by a third down fumble, while the Bear Cubs’ first play caught a first down pass conversion.

            Bear Cubs quarterback Mike Pierson’s pass to wide receiver Andre Davis raised the voltage for a nine-play charge against the current for a touchdown pass to running back Darrian Roman.

            The Rams discharged their next possession in the end zone, intercepted by linebacker Vaimaa Taito. A field goal from kicker Levi Paine ionized the Bear Cubs lead to 10-0.  The Rams scored a touchdown, caught an interception and kicked a field goal to tie the game. Pierson hurled another lightning bolt into the end zone to thunder the halftime score to 17-10.

SRJC wide receiver Andre Davis returns Fresno City' kickoff. 

            The second half got jump started when Davis zapped his kickoff return straight into the end zone for a 23-10 lead. Pierson said, “Andre was due for that. He’s a big player for us, and that really got us going.” Blake Richmond, free safety, said, “That gave us a big boost; we really needed that to get fired up, to play better with that energy.”

            Rams player Justice Sarcedo’s interception for a run-in touchdown brought the score to 23-17 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.

            In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Rams punter dropped a bad snap at fourth-and-43. By the time he recovered the ball for a quick kick, a forceifield of Bear Cubs deflected the ball back for a first down recovery on the Rams’ 5-yard line. Anderson bolted across the line, amping up the score to 30-20 with 6:21 remaining.

            The kickoff return started the Rams on their 34-yard line, and their long fourth-and-3 pass converted to first down on the Bear Cubs 7-yard line. The Rams couldn’t snap the trap but a field goal butted their final score to 30-23. With two minutes remaining Taito pulled down another interception and the Bear Cubs ran the clock out to victory.

            Davis said a feeling of family united and charged up the team for Saturday’s victory. Pierson agreed with the bonding chemistry of family and said, “I’ve never been part of such an awesome team of guys. We’re going to take our bye week seriously and come out strong.”

Erik Jorgensen
October 6, 2013
SRJC Bear Cubs’ 30-23 battery over Fresno City College’s Rams in Saturday night’s 12th Annual Clo’s Classic dialed their season record up to 4-1. The Rams’ first kickoff return ended with an injured player followed by a third down fumble, while the Bear Cubs’ first play caught a first down pass conversion.
Bear Cubs quarterback Mike Pierson’s pass to wide receiver Andre Davis raised the voltage for a nine-play charge against the current for a touchdown pass to running back Darrian Roman.
The Rams discharged their next possession in the end zone, intercepted by linebacker Vaimaa Taito. A field goal from kicker Levi Paine ionized the Bear Cubs lead to 10-0. The Rams scored a touchdown, caught an interception and kicked a field goal to tie the game. Pierson hurled another lightning bolt into the end zone to thunder the halftime score to 17-10.
The second half got jump started when Davis zapped his kickoff return straight into the end zone for a 23-10 lead. Pierson said, “Andre was due for that. He’s a big player for us, and that really got us going.” Blake Richmond, free safety, said, “That gave us a big boost; we really needed that to get fired up, to play better with that energy.”
Rams player Justice Sarcedo’s interception for a run-in touchdown brought the score to 23-17 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Rams punter dropped a bad snap at fourth-and-43. By the time he recovered the ball for a quick kick, a force-field of Bear Cubs deflected the ball back for a first down recovery on the Rams’ 5-yard line. Anderson bolted across the line, amping up the score to 30-20 with 6:21 remaining.
The kickoff return started the Rams on their 34-yard line, and their long fourth-and-3 pass converted to first down on the Bear Cubs 7-yard line. The Rams couldn’t snap the trap but a field goal butted their final score to 30-23. With two minutes remaining Taito pulled down another interception and the Bear Cubs ran the clock out to victory.
Davis said a feeling of family united and charged up the team for Saturday’s victory. Pierson agreed with the bonding chemistry of family and said, “I’ve never been part of such an awesome team of guys. We’re going to take our bye week seriously and come out strong.”
- See more at: http://www.theoakleafnews.com/sports/2013/10/06/srjc-football-team-milks-rams-in-clos-classic/#sthash.h6pWermC.dpuf

Erik Jorgensen
October 6, 2013
SRJC Bear Cubs’ 30-23 battery over Fresno City College’s Rams in Saturday night’s 12th Annual Clo’s Classic dialed their season record up to 4-1. The Rams’ first kickoff return ended with an injured player followed by a third down fumble, while the Bear Cubs’ first play caught a first down pass conversion.
Bear Cubs quarterback Mike Pierson’s pass to wide receiver Andre Davis raised the voltage for a nine-play charge against the current for a touchdown pass to running back Darrian Roman.
The Rams discharged their next possession in the end zone, intercepted by linebacker Vaimaa Taito. A field goal from kicker Levi Paine ionized the Bear Cubs lead to 10-0. The Rams scored a touchdown, caught an interception and kicked a field goal to tie the game. Pierson hurled another lightning bolt into the end zone to thunder the halftime score to 17-10.
The second half got jump started when Davis zapped his kickoff return straight into the end zone for a 23-10 lead. Pierson said, “Andre was due for that. He’s a big player for us, and that really got us going.” Blake Richmond, free safety, said, “That gave us a big boost; we really needed that to get fired up, to play better with that energy.”
Rams player Justice Sarcedo’s interception for a run-in touchdown brought the score to 23-17 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Rams punter dropped a bad snap at fourth-and-43. By the time he recovered the ball for a quick kick, a force-field of Bear Cubs deflected the ball back for a first down recovery on the Rams’ 5-yard line. Anderson bolted across the line, amping up the score to 30-20 with 6:21 remaining.
The kickoff return started the Rams on their 34-yard line, and their long fourth-and-3 pass converted to first down on the Bear Cubs 7-yard line. The Rams couldn’t snap the trap but a field goal butted their final score to 30-23. With two minutes remaining Taito pulled down another interception and the Bear Cubs ran the clock out to victory.
Davis said a feeling of family united and charged up the team for Saturday’s victory. Pierson agreed with the bonding chemistry of family and said, “I’ve never been part of such an awesome team of guys. We’re going to take our bye week seriously and come out strong.”
- See more at: http://www.theoakleafnews.com/sports/2013/10/06/srjc-football-team-milks-rams-in-clos-classic/#sthash.h6pWermC.dpuf

Erik Jorgensen
October 6, 2013
SRJC Bear Cubs’ 30-23 battery over Fresno City College’s Rams in Saturday night’s 12th Annual Clo’s Classic dialed their season record up to 4-1. The Rams’ first kickoff return ended with an injured player followed by a third down fumble, while the Bear Cubs’ first play caught a first down pass conversion.
Bear Cubs quarterback Mike Pierson’s pass to wide receiver Andre Davis raised the voltage for a nine-play charge against the current for a touchdown pass to running back Darrian Roman.
The Rams discharged their next possession in the end zone, intercepted by linebacker Vaimaa Taito. A field goal from kicker Levi Paine ionized the Bear Cubs lead to 10-0. The Rams scored a touchdown, caught an interception and kicked a field goal to tie the game. Pierson hurled another lightning bolt into the end zone to thunder the halftime score to 17-10.
The second half got jump started when Davis zapped his kickoff return straight into the end zone for a 23-10 lead. Pierson said, “Andre was due for that. He’s a big player for us, and that really got us going.” Blake Richmond, free safety, said, “That gave us a big boost; we really needed that to get fired up, to play better with that energy.”
Rams player Justice Sarcedo’s interception for a run-in touchdown brought the score to 23-17 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Rams punter dropped a bad snap at fourth-and-43. By the time he recovered the ball for a quick kick, a force-field of Bear Cubs deflected the ball back for a first down recovery on the Rams’ 5-yard line. Anderson bolted across the line, amping up the score to 30-20 with 6:21 remaining.
The kickoff return started the Rams on their 34-yard line, and their long fourth-and-3 pass converted to first down on the Bear Cubs 7-yard line. The Rams couldn’t snap the trap but a field goal butted their final score to 30-23. With two minutes remaining Taito pulled down another interception and the Bear Cubs ran the clock out to victory.
Davis said a feeling of family united and charged up the team for Saturday’s victory. Pierson agreed with the bonding chemistry of family and said, “I’ve never been part of such an awesome team of guys. We’re going to take our bye week seriously and come out strong.”
- See more at: http://www.theoakleafnews.com/sports/2013/10/06/srjc-football-team-milks-rams-in-clos-classic/#sthash.h6pWermC.dpuf

Frank Herbert: Behind the Santaroga Barrier (part 2)

                  Frank was 8 when he decided to be a writer. By 19 he got his first job with a newspaper. 10 years later, when the Tacoma Times folded, he moved to Northern California to write for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Two years later his first science-fiction story got published, and his first sci-fi novel two years after that. Today, 30 years after his death, his epic series about the mystical spice-rich desert planet Dune still ranks Frank Herbert the best-selling sci-fi writer in the world.

                  In August 2013 I started researching at the Press Democrat, collecting and compiling Frank Herbert’s early journalism writing. I knew Herbert started some time in April 1949, so I started looking there.

                  I hit paydirt on Day One. The April 1, 1949 Press Democrat issue had a page-two article about Herbert’s former newspaper shutting down: “Tacoma Times Suspended.” Then on page 14 I found an April Fool’s joke, an Easter egg hidden by some time-travelling prankster: 
Herbert Family 
Now Living 
In Eureka Home

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herbert have moved to Eureka and are living at 2964 Summer Street. The change of residence was made when Mr. Herbert was transferred to that part of the state. He went north as soon as his orders were received, but Mrs. Herbert and their sons, Michael and Billie did not go to their new home until last week. Mrs. Herbert is the former Beverly Nielsen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Nielsen.

                  “Eureka,” as any student of Archimedes knows, is Greek for “Holy hypotenuse! I found it!” Frank Herbert the sci-fi writer also had a wife named Beverly (Stuart) and two sons, Brian and Bruce, born in Seattle in 1947 and Santa Rosa in 1951. Since Santa Rosa had a population of only 17,000 people in 1949, it’s an odd coincidence that two people with the same name could move in and out of such a small town during such a short timespan.

Synchronicity stretches even deeper: it was in Santa Rosa where Frank Herbert met Ralph and Irene Slattery, who influenced his writing by introducing him to the philosophers Heidegger and Jaspers, Zen Buddhism, and Jungian psychology. Irene studied under Carl Jung in Zurich, and Jung wrote the book “Synchronicity,” which became the title for two songs and an album released by The Police in 1983. That same year, their lead singer Sting began production in David Lynch’s film version of Frank Herbert ‘s novel “Dune.” Coincidentally, Sting appears on the cover of their Synchronicity album reading a copy of Jung’s book.

                  Most newspaper articles in 1949 were simply attributed “by Staff Correspondent” in the byline, the line saying who wrote the article. The Press Democrat‘s first “by Frank Herbert” article appeared April 25, 1949: “14-Year-Old Bride Misses Death by Hair’s Breadth!” 

July 1949 held nine more bylines, mostly about the new telephone building and the new freeway signs. The July 1 article “Telephone Company Endeavoring to Improve Service” dialed up  “Phone Company Statements of Improvement Expenditures Difficult to Break Down” on July 5. His two-part local history feature “When Lynch Law was Invoked” appeared on July 17 and 19, subtitled “A Story of Sudden Death and Mob Violence in 1920” and “Sheriff Petray’s Slayers Are Hanged By Angry Mob.” 

It is entertaining to read these mundane articles while also looking forward into this great writer's future. There is certainly more to come.

Copyright 2013 by Erik Jorgensen