Month: October 2006

Papa Beckord  10.20.2006

Who would have thunk it…Alferd Packer the Musical! Not only was I unaware that the life of the notorious Colorado cannibal was material enough to make a musical out of, but his name is Alferd…not Alfred.  I learned a lot today, Mom.

While home in Colorado, I had visions of my dad and brothers becoming an Alferd Packer scenario of their own (without the music)…while the girls played, the boys hunted.  My dad and brothers are by no means hunting specialists, and in their conversations the night before they started their trek…it sounded like potentially a bad idea for the three of them to prance around in the woods with guns.  I am not a gun lover and I am not a “hunting as a hobby” lover, but to each their own.  Luckily they all came back without eating one another, but my big little brother (younger than me, but larger than all the guys in our family) had the most horrific experience.  Towards the end of his day, after departing from my dad and other brother, he shot a deer in the rear with his last bullet.  Being the compassionate guy he is…he decided he couldn’t leave the deer to suffer, so he continued to follow it until the poor thing couldn’t go any further (the deer, not my brother).  He then pulled out his trusty little pocket knife and had a moment I would not like to discuss.  Brian left the deer in the woods (dehydration and fatigue prevented him from lugging the 150 lb animal 2938579237 miles through the woods).  I can’t imagine what my little brother had to go through, but I think it was a sign that he has the guts and to become a doctor.  Once the boys returned with their loot…we went out to a steakhouse.

In other news, Cooper and I shot our first traditional Jewish wedding this past weekend at a hotel in San Francisco.  I wish that all weddings required the guests to link arms and circle around for a half hour…much better than dancing to “Shout” or “Baby Got Back” or the “Electric Slid” (although these are also enjoyable, just not as enjoyable as the hora). The best moment…trapping Cooper in the middle of the circle.  

Joy of life number 9287987532: Going out for a long breakfast on the weekend with friends.  I love nothing more than having the free time to eat a long and leisurely breakfast and chat.  This morning Cooper and I met Greg and Emily at the Sunny Side Café, a fantastic breakfast joint on Solano Avenue.  The “speckled pear French toast” was out of this world and Cooper’s breakfast sandwich/eggs benedict was so savory.  I don’t need to do anything else with my day other than enjoy such a gastronomical event. But, Cooper and I decided that we did need to stretch our legs and do some shopping for new wedding photographer attire…Cooper needed new “slacks” (that word sounds so old fashioned) and I needed something a little warmer to wear now that fall is upon us.  Walnut Creek is such a clean place…I never see a dirty spot anywhere.  People are so clean that the stores in all the shops and major department stores allow their dogs to join in on the shopping fun.  After each shop Cooper and I would report back what type of dog we saw.  I love that this world (or at least the bay area) is becoming such a dog friendly land.  Rock on dog lovers.  Rock on.