Hi, my name is Eric
Eric T. Brandt's Personal Blog: First Entry Earth Date: January 31, 2025 – Tahoe City, California, USA
To be honest, I’m scared shitless. I’ve been a talker, a rocker, and have flapped my lips pretty much without hesitation my whole life. Now, here I am, in my early 60s, looking over the fence in both directions—at the past, the future, and today.
As noted (and as a caveat for anyone who might risk diving into whatever I spew forth in this, and possibly future, entries of this "blog"), Eric T's ‘blog. Aptly named, don’t you think?
Moving on… I suppose I should give you some background—at least enough to give you a sense of where I’m at and what to expect in these upcoming entries.
Just for the hell of it, let me ask: How am I doing so far? I don’t want to ask this too often, but I’d appreciate, and will always appreciate, any comments, feedback, cheers, etc.
Before I get to the meat of the matter, as they say, let me regale you with some important caveats and warnings. Cutting to the chase, as they say, clearing throat here—let me just interject to hopefully save a little bit of my embarrassment. When I dictate into my iPhone, and I say "parentheses," it easily adds the actual parentheses for me. However, when I dictate into my computer (also an Apple product), why is this so?
I want to continue this diatribe, but there will likely be more such comments in the future. I have a longtime close friend who is high up in the world of Apple, and I certainly don’t want to shine any negative light on the company I thoroughly enjoy being a part of.
As you may be noting, I’m off to a blog start with a somewhat “stream of consciousness” approach. I hope this hasn’t thrown you off. I can honestly promise you that there will be all sorts of exciting stories to come.
I’ve had, to reference Steve Martin in one of his earliest hit comedy bits, a "wild and crazy life" full of joy, adventures, challenges, beautiful places, beautiful faces, and experiences I could never have dreamed of when I was a younger man. Suffice it to say, as you may come to realize if you continue following along with this, life’s been good to me so far. Special thanks to the one and only Joe Walsh.
OK, I know what you’re thinking. Something like, “OK, Eric. Cut to the chase. What’s the big secret? What is it that you’re holding back on? This is a blog! Anything goes, right? Just spit it out and get it over with. Tell us some stories! Make us laugh! Make us cry! If you think you can…”
Let me just say right now, that my dad, who was a graduate professor at Stanford, an entrepreneur, a writer, a thinker, a novelist, and much more… is saying the same thing you are thinking: “Get on with it! Spit it out!”
So, be it. Are you ready? In spite of being a highly outgoing and forthcoming individual, there are some things in my life that I’ve felt are appropriate and necessary to keep under wraps—or at least not talk about widely and openly.
“Now I’m all mixed up,” as Tom Petty would say in one of his great songs.
I know what you’re thinking. At the beginning of this diatribe, I promised full disclosure—or at least to get to the point, throw it on the table, and get on with it! You, whoever you may be, and wherever you may be, are correct.
My goal is to be forthcoming and forthright, moving forward with strength, vigor, and positivity—no matter what.
So, here we go. I could use a shot of Jäger right about now for some courage, perhaps. To be honest, which I always have been and always will be (and certainly intend to be here, in this blog), I’ve always been honest and forthright. Breathe, grasshopper! All will be well. The truth will set you free!
So be it.
On May 17, 2022, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called PCA. This stands for posterior cortical atrophy, a rare derivative of Alzheimer's disease.
It affects the function of the brain. In my case, it specifically impacts sight, spatial awareness, and memory.
I now converse regularly with neurologists and others in the medical world. I’m a frequent passenger on Amtrak and have my favorite room. I get to travel to faraway places, and I meet people from all over. While it can take me out of my comfort zone, I’m always amazed and thrilled by the “kindness of strangers,” which, by the way, is a fantastic book if you ever have the chance to pick it up.
I have three absolutely fantastic and wonderful grown-up kids. I have old friends, close friends, new friends, and many others I stay in contact with to share memories, concoct wild and crazy plans, and dream of adventures. Most of all, I’m given the gift of being able to continue to write and record songs and music of my own. I continue to play with the band I started many, many years ago right here in Tahoe City, with my partners in crime and friends in every manner, who formed the band “The Beer Gardeners.”