LAKERS!!!

first team to sweep their opponents 4-0 in the first round of the play-offs!

tragedy

i just found out that my former colleague and musical comrade, tony carbone died last month. he'd been battling brain cancer for the last few years and finally passed away in his sleep at his home.

i met tony in 1999, my first year teaching at whittier. he was a fellow sub and my next-door-bungalow neighbor in 3rd grade. he was also a musician, so naturally, we became buddies. his students loved him, and he was a very creative teacher, but when he was unceremoniously "let go," our contact became sporatic (although we did manage to coordinate a thingz/bikeride show). i was overjoyed when he got a job teaching 4th grade at lee elementary, just up the street from my house. whenever i'd see him drive by on his scooter, he'd always wave or stop by for a quick chat to catch up. he was always very positive and funny, no matter his circumstances.

he was also very humble, despite the fact that his band bikeride were an international sensation! well... maybe that's over-stating their fame since you've prolly never heard of them, but they did tour the globe and release 4 records, garnering positive reviews in the LA times and rolling stone, as well as kajillions of other indie rock 'zines. he was an AMAZING song writer and an AMAZING human being. he brought joy to everyone he met--kids and adults alike. he is definitely missed.

go check out--better yet, go BUY--some bikeride music. if you like beatles-style pop songs and beach boys harmonies with a little brazilian-prog-country-rock mixed in, you'll be happy you did.

RIP, tony.