Saturday, March 31, 2007

Friday, March 30, 2007

2007 Kings versus Clippers

Sharon and Liz went to the Sacramento Kings versus Los Angeles Clippers basketball game. The Kings lost by a score of 105 to 101. The Clippers snapped a 17-game losing streak in Sacramento, dating to Nov. 7, 1997.

2007 Baseball Game #1

Jack played in the first baseball game of the season. He moved up to AA this year. His team played against the Red Sox. Jack played shortstop, first, pitcher, and catcher in the five inning game. Playing shortstop in the first inning, he made a great diving backhand stop to his right. You could see him thinking about trying to make the throw from the ground, but he got back to his feet and threw a strike to first base. The runner beat the throw but rounded first towards second. The first baseman threw him out at second.

At bat, Jack had a walk and a single back up the middle for an RBI. He also stole third and scored a run.

They gave up 6 runs in the top of the fifth to lose by a score of 11 to 9. Their record for the season is 0 wins and 1 loss.

The coach presented two golden baseball to the players after the game: one for sportsmanship and one for player of the game. Jack got the ball for player of the game.

 

3rd Grade: Art Lesson E

Sharon spent the afternoon working as the art docent for Jack's class. The lesson focused on artists depictions of relationships in their art. In particular, the lesson looked at the portrayal of friendship in paintings. The class examined three paintings: Snap the Whip By Winslow Homer; Te Matete By Paul Gauguin [shown below]; and Crispin & Scapin By Honore Daumier [shown below].

Te Matete By Paul Gauguin
Crispin & Scapin By Honore Daumier

For their art project, they drew pictures of their friends playing a game.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Song for 1988

Rob and Barb were married in March of 1988. I remember standing at the wedding reception and listening to a Bruce Springsteen song from the Tunnel of Love album. Talking to Rob recently, he said that their first dance was All that Heaven will Allow.

The song for 1988 is All that Heaven will Allow.

What We Call The News

What We Call The News - Funny Video Animation by JibJab

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Drew in Placerville

Saturday, March 31, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.
ANDREW HERINGER, THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, J- PAC ATTACK
The Upstairs Art Gallery
420 Main St. Placerville CA 95667
acoustic show
$5, all ages

Puebo Grande Ruin

Pueblo Grande Ruin
National Register of Historic Places #1966000185

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This historic place is located at 4619 East Washington Street in the city of Phoenix, the county of Maricopa, Arizona.




The prehistoric platform mound and associated archeological remains at Pueblo Grande represent one of the last surviving urban architectural sites of its kind in the Southwestern United States. There is evidence that between A.D. 1100 and 1400, Pueblo Grande served as a Hohokam administration center for a major irrigation canal system.

Maricopa County AZ Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places
Maricopa County, Arizona

1966000185 - Pueblo Grande Ruin - [map] - {33.44608,-111.98493}
1971000112 - Rosson House - [map] - {33.450017,-112.066033}
1978000551 - St. Mary's Church - [map] - {33.450483,-112.069367}
1984000173 - Hayden House - [map] - {33.42939,-111.94022}
1994000571 - Scottsdale Grammar School - [map] - {33.493,-111.9236}

Kings Playoff Chances

There is a Web site that calculates what percentage chance each team has of making the NBA postseason. The probability for the Sacramento Kings as of this morning -- according to www.coolstandings.com -- is 4.3 percent. This would be the first time they missed the playoffs in nine seasons.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Josh Groban

Sharon and Janie went to see Josh Groban at Arco Arena. Sharon has been a fan since seeing him on an episode of Ally McBeal. She was very impressed with his stage presence.

A review of the Arco show at be found at:

http://www.sacbee.com/172/story/145451.html

Practice AA Baseball Game

With Jack's baseball season starting on Friday, his team had a practice game against another double AA team. Jack played innings at shortstop, pitcher and catcher. While he played well in the field, he struggled at the plate. He struck out twice and was not pleased about it.

Monday, March 26, 2007

2007 Spring Training Photo Album

I put together a photo album from this year's trip to Spring Training. There are also photo albums on-line from the 2006 Spring Training Trip and the 2004 Spring Training Trip. I did not go to Spring Training in 2005; I skied with Larkin et al at Mammoth.

Spring Training 2007

Sunday, March 25, 2007

2007 Spring Training Day 3

After Saturday's forced march, we had a much slower Sunday morning. We sat around the pool, read books and the morning paper and drank coffee. Eventually, we headed to Harlow's for breakfast. Carol found this place for breakfast in 2004.

Sunday's game was the Oakland A's and the Seattle Mariners at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Mariners ended up winning the game by a score of 10 to 6 in the 10th inning. Jack kept score for about four innings.

This was the warmest day that we had during the trip. The temperature was in the middle 80's.

In the 9th inning, everyone headed back to the hotel to watch the Georgetown versus UNC NCAA basketball game. The group this year included: Wallen; Wallen's friend Dennis; Wallen's brother Bob and his daughter Carol, his son Adam, and his son-in-law CJ and; Jack and I. Over the last four years, the trip has morphed into what I have taken to calling the "Wallen family and friends" trip. It is a much different spring training trip than the ones that Wallen and I took with the OATs.

Eventually, Jack and I headed to the airport. We had an uneventful return trip and were home by about 9:30 p.m.

Back at the pool

Keeping Score

Harlow's Cafe

Saturday, March 24, 2007

2007 Spring Training Day 2

Up early, I ran almost 5 miles on the treadmill, while Jack rode a stationary bike. He covered 8.74 miles in 40 minutes on the bike. Afterwards, we had a continental breakfast at the hotel. We eventually hit the pool and the hot tub. Jack is finally making being good progress with his swimming ability.

With a little time to kill before we took off for the game, I took Jack to Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. Pueblo Grande is a large prehistoric Hohokam Indian village site that was continuously occupied between 100 and 1450 A.D. Heavily influenced by contacts with Mexico, the Hohokam built a Central American style ball court and a large masonry platform mound surrounded by dwellings between 1150 and 1450 A.D. The mound covers 3.3 acres and stands 20 feet high. Although Jack complained all the way there, as we were leaving, he asked if we could come back tomorrow!

Back at the hotel, we loaded up the cars and headed to the Maryvale Stadium to see the Milwaukee Brewers play the San Diego Padres. This is one of my favorite ballparks in Arizona. We had some great seats behind home plate. Prince Fielder's mother was sitting in the row in front of us for part of the game. San Diego's ace, Jake Peavy, started. Milwaukee pitcher Turnbow gave up 3 runs in the eighth and the Brewers lost by a score of 5 to 3.

After the game, we spent a lot of time back in the pool and the hot tub before finally taking off for a late dinner. We walked to Lo Cascio's Italian Restaurant. By the time we finished dinner, it was almost 10 p.m. and Jack was done.

2007 Maryvale Stadium

Friday, March 23, 2007

2007 Spring Training Day 1

Up early, Jack and I took off for the airport to catch an 8:25 a.m. flight to Phoenix. Due to thunderstorms in Phoenix, the flight ended up taking off about 45 minutes late.

We landed on the ground in Phoenix about 11:00 a.m. Walking off the plane, we walked right on to a rental car shuttle bus. I have a Hertz Gold account so bypassed a long line at the rental car counter and walked straight to our rental car. We were caught up with the Wallens before 12:00 p.m.

We spent the afternoon at Phoenix Municipal Stadium watching the Oakland A’s play the San Deigo Padres. Piazza had a three run homer in the first inning. The A’s won 8 to 7 on a single in the bottom of the ninth.

After the game, we went to the hotel and checked in. For years, we have stayed in a Holiday Day Inn Express in Tempe. We switched this year to an Executive Suites Extended Stay in Tempe. While it was fine for Jack and I, it was definitely not a place that I would take Sharon! We have already started looking for a different place for next year.

We went to dinner with Doug Moore at Philly’s Sports Bar and Grill. During dinner, we watched Oregon beat UNLV and North Carolina beat USC.

Jack and I finished the evening swimming in the pool and relaxing in the hot tub.

2007 Phoenix Municipal Staduim

Thursday, March 22, 2007

March 2007 Cub Scout Pack Meeting

Jack and I went to the March 2007 meeting of his Cub Scout Pack. The program included a Father-Son Cake Bake Competition and the presentation of a number of awards. Jack finally got his Wolf and Bobcat badges, a gold arrow point and two silver arrow points. He got his pinewood derby trophies for finishing 1st in his den and having the fastest car in the pack. Finally, he got patches for the pinewood derby and Christmas caroling in December.

We did not place in the cake competition. Nevertheless, you could donate your cake for everyone to eat at the end of pack meeting. Probably due to the fact that it was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing, the boys tore into it. While the other cakes had a couple pieces eaten, Jack's was almost completely gone. Jack suggested that he should have gotten some award for the tastiest cake!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Song for 1989

In April of 1989, I made an attempt to run the American River 50 with Larkin. It was a hot day with temperatures in the 90s. I dropped at 32 miles worried that I was going to hurt myself in the heat.

Larkin and I were running listening to the same radio station. About mile 16, very close to where this picture was taken, Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann started playing. He and I were running along and singing the song out loud.

I tracked down the album, brought the CD and played the song to death on a ski trip that Larkin and I took to Mammoth.

The 1989 song is Do Wah Diddy Diddy.

On its way from China!

My Apple TV is on its way from Shenzhen, China!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Select Soccer Try-outs Day 3

Jack had his third day of try-outs for the Under-9 Select Soccer team. When the try-outs started, it was raining lightly. Within about 30 minutes, it started to pour. At about the 40 minute mark, the coach organized the boys into two teams for a quick scrimmage. He told the parents that he wanted to see the boys play one last time for 5 or 10 minutes before he made his final selections.

Jack scored within the first 5 minutes and then had a nice assist to one of his rec teammates for another score about 2 minutes later. Those were the only goals scored in about 15 minutes of play in a downpour.

Unfortunately, it was probably a little too late. We did not get a call tonight with an offer to be on the team...

Moblog Select Soccer Try-outs

Apple TV Shipped

On January 9 after the MacWorld keynote, I ordered an Apple TV. It finally shipped.

Monday, March 19, 2007

CA Historical Landmark #973

Turner/Robertson Shipyard
California State Historical Landmark #973

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This landmark is located in the Matthew Turner Shipyard Park at the foot of West 12th Street off of West K Street in Benicia, California. There are 13 other California State Historical Landmarks in Solano County.




In 1882, Matthew Turner of San Francisco relocated his shipyard to Benicia. Turner, the most prodigious shipbuilder in North America, constructed 228 vessels, 169 of which were launched here. In 1913, the shipyard was purchased by James Robertson, who operated it until 1918. The yard sways, and the Whaler Stamboul, used as a shipyard work platform, are visible at low tide.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Select Soccer Try-outs Day 2

Jack spent a second afternoon at the try-outs for the Under-9 Select Soccer team. It will be interesting to see how things turn out. There are might be four or five kids who are stand-outs, another 15 or 16 who seem relatively equal and six who are at the bottom end. Jack falls somewhere in the middle group. Selecting a team of 12, I am not sure how they are going to choose between the middle group. All of four of the coaches also have kids in the try-outs and I am not sure whether they are automatically on the team or not.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

St. Patrick's Day

Too Much Stuff

I picked Jack up about 9 a.m. from his overnight stay. After I ran on the treadmill, I took Jack to baseball practice. He had baseball practice from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Getting home from the baseball practice, we got some food in Jack and changed him into his soccer stuff. I took him to the Under-9 select soccer try-outs. The coach for the select team will be the coach of the soccer team that Jack has played on the last two years. There were about 25 boys vying for 12 spots. On the next field over, two of Jack's classmates were in the Under-10 try-outs. This group must have included almost 45 boys trying out for 12 positions. I am frankly not sure that Jack will be selected for the team; he does not have the passion for soccer that he has for other sports like baseball and basketball.

Combining the cub scout outing, playing video games until 11:15 p.m. with his classmate, the baseball practice and the soccer try-outs, Jack was tired and cranky at this point. Unfortunately, we made plans St. Patrick's day. We raced home and got cleaned up. While Jack spent the evening with his cousins, Sharon and I joined her two brothers and their wives at the St. Mary's St. Patrick's Day school dinner and auction. Sharon and her brothers won live auction bids for dinner with the priest and wine making. It was another late night.

Baseball Practice

Friday, March 16, 2007

2007 Service Awards Banquet

With Jack going with a classmate on a cub scout outing to the National Weather Service and staying overnight, Sharon and I went to the Sutter Health Support Services 2007 Service Awards Banquet at the Grand Sheraton. As part of the program, I got up and presented two 20 year service awards [Kennedy and Worley].

We sat with the Gainsley's at dinner. After the awards program was over, we adjourned to the lounge with the Gainsley's and the Mirsepassi's. Faye Mirsepassi worked with Sharon and I years ago at the bank. Her husband works in the finance department at Sutter.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

March Bear Den Meeting

Jack and I went to the March meeting of his cub scout den. The boys worked on the requirements for their weather belt loop. The requirements include making a poster that shows and explains the water cycle; setting up a simple weather station to record rainfall, temperature, air pressure, or evaporation for one week; and watching the weather forecast on a local television station. They built a rain gauge and wind vane for their simple weather station.

Moblog Mar Bear Den Meeting

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Song for 1990

On one of my trips to visit the Nooter's, Rob was playing a Jeff Healey album. Healey's See the Light and Hell to Pay albums became two of my favorite albums to listen to while I was running. I have a strong memory of running on the bike path at the University of Washington while I was there for the Pacific Coast Banking School and listening to Jeff Healey. Susan Harris also played one of his songs as the first dance at her wedding reception.

The 1990 song is Jeff Healey's Angel Eyes.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

CA Historical Landmark #1029

USS Hornet
California State Historical Landmark #1029

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This landmark is located at Pier 3 North, Alameda Point in Alameda, California. There are 35 other California State Historical Landmarks in Alameda County.

 

In 1991 the Hornet was designated a National Historic Landmark both for its service in the Pacific in World War II and as the recovery ship for the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 astronauts. Involved in several of the heaviest and most critical battles in the Pacific, the Hornet earned seven battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. The Hornet or its aircrews were responsible for destroying more than 1400 enemy aircraft. After undergoing modernization the ship was called to service in recovering the landing capsules for the Apollo space program. The Apollo 11 mission was the first landing on the moon. The Hornet, with President Nixon on board, picked up astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins from the sea in the summer of 1969, welcoming them to earth from their historic mission. The Hornet recovered the astronauts of Apollo 12 before the carrier was de-commissioned in 1970.

Jack and I stayed overnight on the USS Hornet with his Cub Scout Pack! [Day 1, Day 2 and Photo Album].

Alameda County Landmarks

California State Historical Landmarks
in Alameda County

NO. 45 SITE OF COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA
*NO. 46 Vallejo Flour Mill - [map] - (37.577433,-121.972433)
NO. 107 JOAQUIN MILLER HOME
NO. 241 Livermore Memorial Monument - [map] - {37.69105,-121.77499}
NO. 246 RANCHO SAN ANTONIO (PERALTA GRANT)
NO. 279 ESTUDILLO HOME
NO. 285 PERALTA HOME
NO. 299 CAMINO OF RANCHO SAN ANTONIO
*NO. 334 Mission San Jose - [map] - {37.533933,-121.92005}
NO. 335 Site of Shell Mound - [map] - {37.83453,-122.29283}
NO. 440 ALAMEDA TERMINAL OF THE FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD
NO. 503 SITE OF FIRST COUNTY COURTHOUSE
*NO. 510 Francisco Solano Alviso Adobe - [map] - {37.66081,-121.9133}
*NO. 586 Cresta Blanca Winery- [map] - {37.623167,-121.756333}
*NO. 641 Concannon Vineyard - [map] - {37.66674,-121.73978}
*NO. 642 Leland Stanford Winery - [map] - {37.503567,-121.911800}
*NO. 676 Site of Saint Mary's College - [map] - {37.820333,-122.261167}
NO. 694 CHURCH OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE
NO. 768 SITE OF NATION'S FIRST SUCCESSFUL BEET SUGAR FACTORY {37° 36' 1.92", -122° 4' 13.86}
*NO. 776 Site of First Public School in Castro Valley - [map] - {37.70717,-122.07367}
*NO. 824 San Leandro Oyster Beds - [map] - {37.69535,-122.193283}
NO. 849 MILLS HALL
NO. 884 PARAMOUNT THEATRE
NO. 896 FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF OAKLAND
NO. 908 BERKELEY CITY CLUB
NO. 925 PERALTA HACIENDA SITE
NO. 946 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY CAMPUS
NO. 954 CROLL BUILDING
NO. 957 WENTE BROS. WINERY
*NO. 962 Site of the Blossom Rock Navigation Trees - [map] - {37.810833,-122.174501}
NO. 968 SITE OF THE CHINA CLIPPER FLIGHT DEPARTURE
*NO. 970 Rainbow Trout Species Identified - [map] - {37.802833,-122.145501}
NO. 986 PIEDMONT WAY
NO. 1025 UKRANIA, SITE OF AGAPIUS HONCHARENKO FARMSTEAD
NO. 1027 PARDEE HOME
NO. 1029 USS Hornet - [map] -{37.77215,-122.30062}
*N0. 1036 - Coast Guard Lightship WLV 605 – Relief (decommissioned) - [map] - {37.79568,-122.28062}

List of California Counties

Sunday, March 11, 2007

USS Hornet Day 2

Reveille was at 7:00 a.m. We got up, packed up our bags and made our way to breakfast. After breakfast, we took a tour of the Captain's and Admiral's quarters. These were much nicer accommodations than the crew bunks where we stayed. They also had their own kitchen.

Everyone then went up on the flight deck for the presentation of colors and a muster out ceremony with patches for the kids. Afterwards, we went to the museum store and I got USS Hornet hats for the two boys.

We ran into a couple of other people from our pack and went back up on the flight deck for a tour of the bridge that included the flag bridge, navigation bridge and the primary flight control.

Jack, his classmate and I finished the day with one more ride in the flight simulator on an Iwo Jima mission. When we went to look for our bags, ours were the only ones left! We walked off the ship about 11:30 a.m. and headed home.

USS Hornet pic 2

Saturday, March 10, 2007

USS Hornet Day 1

After a two hour baseball practice, Jack, one of his classmates and I took off for the USS Hornet in Alameda. Jack's cub scout pack organized an overnight trip to the aircraft carrier. Last year, we went with the pack and stayed on a submarine, the USS Pampanito.

When we stayed on the submarine, it was just our cub scout pack. On the aircraft carrier, there was more than a dozen groups, including other cub scout packs, boy scout troops, girl scouts and YMCA groups. In total, there were more than 500 people participating in the live-aboard youth overnight program. Our pack actually had the largest group with 56 adults and kids.

As group, we boarded the ship and made our way to one of the crew berthing areas. After getting settled in, there was a fire drill. We were one of the few groups that ended up on the flight deck as part of the fire drill. From the flight deck, there was a great view of San Francisco and we got a chance to watch the sunset on the city. After the sunset, we made our way to one of the mess halls and had dinner.

After dinner, we wandered the hanger deck and took docent led tours of the Engine Room, Cataput Room, Brig, and Combat Information Center. We also went on the flight simulator flying a desert storm mission.

We crashed about 11:00 p.m. Unlike last year on the submarine, I did not stand one of the watches. On the USS Pampanito, we could wander around while we were on watch, including the deck of the sub. On the USS Hornet, you sat in a room while standing the watch; they did not allow you to roam the carrier.

USS Hornet pic 1

 

On the USS Hornet

Polaroid Stories

Drew and Dan have been providing a live soundtrack for Polaroid Stories.

Friday, March 09, 2007

2007 Indoor Soccer Game 7

Jack played in his seventh soccer game of the 2007 winter indoor season. Jack played forward part of the first half and goalie for the whole second half.

His team won by a final score of 8 to 0.

El Retiro San Inigo 2007

Sharon and Janie took off to El Retiro San Inigo, the Jesuit Retreat House of Los Altos. They are attending a silent retreat for members of the legal profession; this year's session is titled "A Profession for All Seasons."

Thursday, March 08, 2007

2007 Kings versus Spurs

Larkin and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus San Antonio Spurs game. The Spurs pulled away in the last two minutes and won by a score of 100 to 93.

It was a very entertaining game with the Kings leading several times in the fourth quarter. In the end, it was just too much Ginobili. He scored 11 of San Antonio's first 15 points in the fourth quarter, including three 3-pointers. Ginobili finished the game with 31 points.

Kevin Martin went scoreless in the game's first 17 minutes, but finished with 26 points and had a career-high 12 rebounds for Sacramento. I particularly enjoyed watching Corliss Williamson play; he had 21 points. Unlike some of the Kings players, Corliss looks like he knows what to do when he has the ball in his hands.

Tony Parker's fiancee Eva Longoria was sitting along the north baseline.

 

Blog Entry about Drew's Music

Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands: Reader Recommendation Week: Andrew Heringer:
Andrew was a friend of mine throughout high school, and I've continued to be amazed at his ever-growing talent and evolving style. His music has everything from reggae to folk to hard rock influences, and his inspirations range from Mozart to Mraz, Dr. Dre to Dylan.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

CA Historical Landmark #436

New Hope
California State Historical Landmark #436

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This landmark is located in Veterans Park near the intersection of South Locust Avenue and West 4th Street in Ripon, California. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in San Joaquin.

 


Approximately six miles west of this spot, 20 Mormon pioneers from the ship Brooklyn founded the first known agricultural colony in San Joaquin Valley, planting the first wheat and crops that they irrigated by the pole and bucket method. They erected three log houses and operated a sawmill and a ferry across Stanislaus. Their settlement later became known as Stanislaus City.

 

San Joaquin County Landmarks


California State Historical Landmarks in San Joaquin County
{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}

*NO. 149 Benson's Ferry - [map] - {38.25533,-121.4405}
*NO. 155 Lone Star Mill - [map] - {38.20388,-121.0918}
NO. 162 Site of Mokelumne City - [map] - {38.25248,-121.43853}
NO. 163 Site of Wood's Ferry and Wood's Bridge - [map] - {38.15751,-121.29758}
*NO. 165 Weber Point - [map] - {37.95542,-121.29222}
*NO. 178 Site of the First Building in Present City of Stockton - [map] - {37.95722,-121.29164}
*NO. 214 Site of Battle between General Vallejo and Indians - [map] - {37.66516,-121.24066}
NO. 358 Town of Woodbridge - [map] - {38.15409,-121.30082}
NO. 365 Lockeford (Locke's Ford) - [map] - {38.16802,-121.15733}
NO. 436 New Hope - [map] - {37.73564,-121.12692}
*NO. 437 First Landing Place of Sailing Launch Comet - [map] - {37.787367,-121.305083}
*NO. 513 Burial Place of John Brown (Juan Flaco) - [map] - {37.95587,-121.27684}
*NO. 520 San Joaquin Valley College - [map] - {38.15011,-121.30455}
*NO. 668 French Camp - [map] - {37.886106,-121.269964}
NO. 740 Carnegie - [map] - {37.6331,-121.5438}
NO. 755 Corral Hollow - [map] - {37.6579,-121.47724}
*NO. 765 Temple Israel Cemetery - [map] - {37.964833,-121.278667}
*NO. 777 Site of San Joaquin City - [map] - {37.67015,-121.26584}
*NO. 780-7 Site of Completion of Pacific Railroad - [map] - {37.787367,-121.305083}
*NO. 801 Reuel Colt Gridley Monument - [map] - {37.97747,-121.28642}
*NO. 931 Lodi Arch - [map] - {38.13405,-121.27213}
*NO. 934 Stockton Assembly Center - [map] - {37.938167,-121.268333}
*NO. 935 California Chicory Works - [map] - {37.863333,-121.318333}
*NO. 995 Trail of the John C. Frémont 1844 Expedition - [map] - {38.052166,-121.188167}
*NO. 1016 Stockton Developmental Center - [map] - {37.96436,-121.28689}
*NO. 1039 Sikh Temple Site - [map] - (37.93402,-121.27502)


List of California Counties

Amazon's Unbox on TiVo

Amazon's Unbox video download service "now available" on TiVo - Engadget

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

First 2007 Baseball Practice

Jack had his first baseball practice of the 2007 season. The jump to AA this year means that the games are competitive for the first time (they keep score!) and that there are kids of different ages and sizes. The team includes one 7 year old, a bunch of 8 year olds, several 9 years olds and two 10 year olds. One of the 10 years olds has to be 5 feet 6 inches and 170 pounds!

Robotic parking garage

Robotic parking garage in action - Engadget

Monday, March 05, 2007

Song for 1991

From 1991 to early 1995, I was primarily involved with one person [She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named]. When we first got entangled, she played the song Wicked Game from Chris Issak's Heart Shaped World a lot.

The 1991 song is Wicked Game.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Sweetwater Trail

Taking advantage of the springlike weather, Sharon, Jack and I went to Lake Folsom and hiked the Sweetwater Trail. We covered 5.27 miles in about 2 hours and 16 minutes not including a stop for a picnic lunch on the shore. The hike exceeded both our expectations; the trail was very wooded with a number of streams coming down into the lake.

On the way back, we left the trail and hiked for a while along Sweetwater Creek. We were surprised to see a pair of bald eagles.

Sweetwater CreekSouth Fork of the American River


Sweetwater Trail Map

Saturday, March 03, 2007

From Russia with love

Continuing my quest to watch all of the Bond films in sequence, Sharon, Jack and I watched From Russia with love on Saturday night. It stars Sean Connery as James Bond, Robert Shaw as Donald 'Red' Grant, Pedro Armendáriz as Kerim Bey, Daniela Bianchi as Tatiana Romanova and Desmond Llewelyn as Q.

The film notes the first appearance of Desmond Llewelyn as Major Boothroyd, known as Q, the character he would play in nearly all of the series' films, until his death in 1999. Pedro Armendáriz reportedly appeared while enduring great pain from cancer (he visibly limps in most scenes) in order to leave behind financial resources for his family after his impending death. He committed suicide soon after production of the film.

Released in 1963, the production values of the film are much higher than Dr. No. While watching the film, Sharon kept commenting how sexist it was. In the movie, Bond walks into an obvious trap in Istunbal in an attempt to obtain a Russia code machine. After getting the code machine, Bond, Tatiana and Kerim escape the city on the Orient Express.

AA Mariners

Jack and I went to an organizational meeting for his baseball team where he got his hat and jersey. This will be his fifth year of playing baseball. He is moving up from Single A to Double A. After the try-outs last month, Jack was drafted by the Mariners.

Over the last four years, we have played with a number of same kids every year, including the Cunningham's son. With the draft this year, it is a whole new group of kids and parents.

First Day Of Baseball 2007

Friday, March 02, 2007

2007 Indoor Soccer Game 6

Jack played in his sixth soccer game of the 2007 winter indoor season. After last week's championship game, this week starts a new eight week season.

Jack played goalie in the first half and forward and fullback in the second half. He had one great assist in the second half. Dribbling the ball along the wall all the way from midfield, Jack slammed the ball in the wall next to the goal and it bounced out to one of his teammates who punched it into the net.

His team won by a final score of 8 to 2. Their opponent was the top-rated team from the Monday night league.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Skiing at Squaw

Sharon and Janie took off for Tahoe. Sharon spent the afternoon taking a ski lesson at Squaw Valley with an instructor from Chile, while Janie worked. She noted that there seemed to be a lot of South Americans working at Squaw. They had dinner at Rosie's Cafe (Sharon said that she would not go back...) in Tahoe City and spent the night near Homewood.