I start each week by reviewing a living document I have titled, “2024 Annual Planning.” It sounds strategic and boring, but it is more of an annual bucket list than anything else. At the start of the year, I create a Christmas list of experiences that I want to complete throughout the year. It covers everything from cooking (learn how to make Limoncello and Detroit Style Pizza) to the outdoors (go snowmobiling in powder) to thought (read the Bible and Quran) to giving back (attend trail work sessions). It is a great mechanism that makes it easier to spend your time how you want to spend it.
One of the items on the list for this year was running Mt. Diablo. The mountain is the most prominent peak in the East Bay. When we lived near Auburn and visited family in the Bay, the mountain would loom large over the Central valley throughout much of our drive. Those drives sparked a curiosity that has grown over the years as the peak is so often visible regardless of where you are in Northern California (you can even see it from the top of Bear Valley Ski Resort in the Sierra!).
This past weekend I got the chance stay with a good friend in Berkeley and to run up Mt Diablo. While the trail up was nothing to write home about, you could see for days from up top (supposedly more land and water can be seen from the top of Diablo than from any other park in the lower 48). Well worth it!
One of my bucket list items from the prior year was to see Hot Mulligan live. The concert (which coincidently was the last time I was in Berkeley) ended up falling a bit flat but their opener Carly Cosgrove ended up exceeding expectations.
One of the standouts from their set was “Really Big Shrimp.” The opener off of this week’s playlist is a fantastic cover of that track from the equally great Arm’s Length. The rest of playlist stays solidly in the emo lane so if the\is isn’t your thing, probably pass on this week.
Happy listening.
Looking for new music? Love art? Every week I create a short, five track playlist of the songs I am feeling at the moment along with a beautiful, found postcard. It’s a spark of joy for your eyes and ears.