Jesuit High School Freshman Football Family Social

Sharon and I joined Jack at the Jesuit High School Freshman Football Family Social. It was a team social for all players, coaches, parents, siblings and extended families to kick off the freshman football season.

In one of those small world stories, we ended up sitting next to the Koons. Their daughter played softball with Jillian at St. Francis. Jack has played baseball with Cooper, Jillian's younger brother, for the last four years.

Celebrating Jack's 14th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 13th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 12th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 11th Birthday and a party

Celebrating Jack's 10th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 9th Birthday and a belated party

Celebrating Jack's 8th Birthday plus a party and a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 7th Birthday plus a party and a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 6th Birthday plus a party and a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 5th Birthday plus a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 4th Birthday and a party

Celebrating Jack's 1st Birthday Party

2012 Jesuit Frosh Football versus Rio Americano

2012 Jesuit Frosh Football versus Rio Americano, a set on Flickr.

Jack played in the first game of the 2012 Jesuit frosh football season and in his first tackle football game. Although he did not start on either offense or defense, he played four or five plays on offense and several series on defense in the first half. Jack played wide receiver on offense and free safety on defense.

Jesuit ran out to a 26 to 0 first half lead over Rio Americano. As a result, the coaches emptied the bench in the second. It looked like everyone of the 60 plus boys on the team got a chance to play. Jack played one series on defense in the second half.

Jack still needs to be more aggressive. It seems like he has slid a little on the depth chart over the last two weeks. It will be interesting to see how the playing time sorts out over the course of the season.

Jesuit won the game by the score of 40 to 0. The log for the 2012 Jesuit Frosh season is here.

2012 Jesuit Marauders Freshman Football Game Log

Overall - 5 wins and 5 losses
League - 2 wins and 2 losses

08-30-2012 - Jesuit 40, Rio Americano 0 - [Away]
09-06-2012 - El Camino 20, Jesuit 12 - [Away]
09-15-2012 - Jesuit 14, Christian Brothers 7 -  (Holy Bowl @ Hughes Stadium)
09-20-2012 - Napa Indians 32, Jesuit 24 - [Away]
09-27-2012 - Jesuit 20, Vintage Crushers 13 - [Away]
10-04-2012 - Jesuit 14, Ponderosa Bruins 6 - [Home] - League
10-11-2012 - Folsom Bulldogs 34, Jesuit 13 - [Home] - League
10-18-2012 - Jesuit Marauders 27, Vista Del Lago 14 - [Home] - League
10-25-2012 - Lincoln-Stockton 35, Jesuit 0 - [Home]
11-01-2012 - Oak Ridge Trojans 27, Jesuit Marauders 0 - [Away] - League

Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime

In early August, I finished reading Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. Released in early 2010, I had heard of the book through the popular press. Then, after Sharon and I watched the HBO movie by the same name, I bought the book from Amazon in March.

The book examines the 2008 presidential election. Based on hundreds of interviews, it looks behind the scenes primarily at the Obama, Clinton, Edwards, and McCain campaigns.

Two-thirds of the book is spent tracing the history of the Obama and Clinton campaigns, including how they both came to be in the race and how the Clinton campaign got off track. Views into the Edwards camp are sprinkled into this section.

The last third of the book focuses on McCain and his ultimate choice of Sara Palin as a running mate. I found the events leading up to the choice of Palin remarkable. The book paints an incredibly unflattering picture of the process to select Palin and then of her ability to cope with the pressures of the campaign.

It is difficult for me to judge how accurate the book is in its portrayal of the different candidates and their campaigns. Nevertheless, I found it fascinating. In addition to showing Palin in a negative light, the book also paints a particularly ugly picture of Edwards. Conversely and somewhat surprisingly at least to me, Biden is shown is a positive light.

I recommend the book. I enjoyed it and give book a B+ grade.

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 27

On day 27, I traveled 25 miles across central Utah. Starting from the Pony Express Simpson’s Springs Station [N40 02 22.0 W112 47 15.3], I rode along the Simpson Springs and Pony Express Roads until I reached Highway 36. Turning north on Highway 36, I finished the ride at the Pony Express Faust’s Station [N40 10 27.0 W112 25 38.8]. Along the way, I passed the sites of the Government Creek [N40 05 08.0 W112 41 07.0] and Lookout Pass [N40 07 10.7 W112 34 35.2] Pony Express Stations.

The ride climbed gradually for almost 16 miles before topping out at a grade of 9.5 percent and starting downhill. While I have been enjoying watching the terrain in Google Earth (see the view as I climbed into Lookout Pass below), I am finally back to a section covered by Google Streetview.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

ESPN Films 30 for 30 Shorts Episode Guide

ESPN Films has announced the return this fall of the Emmy-nominated documentary series 30 for 30 and is also expanding the brand to include a 30-part digital short film series. The 30 for 30 Shorts will premiere monthly on Grantland.com and each short will be complemented by a written feature and additional material to provide context.

30 for 30 Shorts film topics include:

1. Arnold’s Blueprint - Michael and Jeff Zimbalist - September 26, 2012

Arnold’s Blueprint focuses on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s teenage years in the Austrian Army and is directed by Michael and Jeff Zimbalist, who previously directed the highly-acclaimed 30 for 30 film The Two Escobars. This 10-minute film focuses on the years before he was the “Universe’s Perfect Specimen,” when a young Schwarzenegger seized upon an opportunity to use the sport of bodybuilding to catapult himself to international stardom. The short documentary will show how the young Austrian farm boy’s mandatory military service played a critical role in his journey to international fame.

2. Jake - Jonathan Hock - October 25, 2012

For a generation of young sports fans who found their inspiration on the shelves of the local public library or at school book fairs, Alfred Slote is a name revered and cherished. With novels such as "Hang Tough, Paul Mather," "Stranger on the Ball Club," and "Tony and Me," his unique ability to evoke real empathy for his characters influenced countless adolescent readers. While all of these books are "baseball books" on the surface, Slote's real interest as a storyteller was not the game, but the people, and he elevated the genre of the children's sports book by creating human dramas where the real action was off the field.

3. The Arnold Palmer - Barry Gordon - November 28, 2012

An exploration into the history, mystery and industry surrounding “The Arnold Palmer,” the lemonade-and-iced tea beverage that has become a piece of Americana.

4. Ali: The Mission - Amani Martin - January 16, 2013

This short tells the story of Muhammad Ali's trip to Iraq prior to the Gulf War in 1991 to call for peace and negotiate with Saddam Hussein for the release of U.S. citizens taken hostage after the invasion of Kuwait.

5. Disdain the Mundane - Nelson George - February 13, 2013

Walt "Clyde" Frazier, from time as a New York Knick to his days in the broadcast booth, has been celebrated for his unique panache. "Disdain the Mundane" explores the evolution of his unique style.

6. Holy Grail: The T206 Honus Wagner - Nick and Colin Barnacle - February 27. 2013

The T206 Honus Wagner baseball card is over 100 years old, worth more than 2 million dollars, and has a life story that is a marriage of myth and reality. Only a handful have ever come to market but the wealth and heartbreak created by this two-inch tall piece of paper is unimaginable. The T206 Honus Wagner: equal parts nightmare and fantasy.

7. Silver Reunion - Rory Karpf - March 27, 2013

In Manchester, Tennessee a secret meeting will take place. But this is no ordinary gathering; instead, a monumental decision will be made. Forty years after the USA men’s Olympic basketball team declined their Silver medals after controversially losing the Gold to the Soviet Union, the 12 players from that team will gather together, and like the jury in 12 Angry Men, they will come to a unanimous decision – accept or refuse the medals for a game many of the players believe they never lost.

8. The Irrelevant Giant - by Don Lepore and Shaun Silva - April 17, 2013

In 1983, during Bill Parcells' rookie season as head coach of the New York Giants, he came to know a very special athlete. The NFL draft's John Tuggle not only made his team against all odds, he left a lasting impression.

9. The Other Side - Vanessa Roth

When 18 children – nine from Palestine and nine from Israel – come together to form a kids soccer team, they come face-to-face with the other side for the first time in their lives. United by the common goals of teamwork and dedication to a shared purpose, they confront generations of fear head on. Is peace through sports really possible, or is it hopelessly naive to think that a handful of 12-year-old soccer players can begin to change their world?

10. Tommy and Frank - Richie Keen

An intimate, funny and compelling take on the unique relationship and shared legacy of Tommy John, the chatty Indiana lefty who won nearly 300 Major League games, and Dr. Frank Jobe, the unassuming L.A. Orthopedist who conceived and performed a revolutionary elbow operation on John in 1974.

A preview of the 30 for 30 Shorts series featured:

Here Now - Eric Drath - May 15, 2012

Spend eight minutes in Pete Rose's current life.

8/3/2012 - ESPN Films Launches 30 for 30 Shorts on Grantland.com

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Artemis Fowl: Book One

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!


by Eoin Coller

Code Expiration: November 20, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Beth Orton - Call Me The Breeze

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!


British thrush returns after a six-year absence with a timeless updating of classic soul and pop.

Code Expiration: November 20, 2012

2012 Spirit of Jesuit BBQ

Saturday night, Sharon and I went to The Spirit of Jesuit Welcome Back BBQ dinner. Every fall, at the beginning of the school year, the Jesuit Boosters Club and Loyola Guild host a BBQ for all the parents (new and returning) to celebrate the “Spirit of Jesuit” High School. We sat with the Renterias and several other freshman families. You can barely see Sharon's and Julie's heads in the back center of the picture.

The BBQ was held in the quad on campus. We are going to be spending a lot of time at the school over the next few weeks!

2012 Rio Linda Frosh Football Jamboree

2012 Rio Linda Frosh Football Jamboree, a set on Flickr.

The Freshman Jesuit Marauders Football team played in the Rio Linda Football Jamboree. This was essentially a scrimmage against three other teams. Starting at 9 am, the Marauders played 15 minutes of defense against Placer on the east end of the field. Jack played free safety for the entire segment. He broke up one long pass. Jack came down with the ball, but it was knocked away by the offensive player. Jesuit then played offense for 15 minutes against the Placer defense. The Marauders ended up scoring two touchdowns, while Placer scored one.

Switching the teams around, Jesuit played 15 minutes of defense against Rio Linda. Jack played about 1/3 of the snaps at free safety. After a 15 minute offensive set against Rio Linda, the teams took a 10 minute break.

In the third set, Jesuit played defense and then offense against Pioneer. Given the number of players of the roster, Jesuit finished by playing two set minute sets against Placer. Jack played wide receiver for three or four snaps in the last offensive set.

On the way home, Jack expressed some surprise over the day. He didn't expect to be playing starting free safety for the Marauders Gold team; Jack only found out when they got there in the morning. In contrast, Jack said that he had been practicing with the first team offense all week, but didn't really play offense today. With 60 plus boys on the roster, the coaches have some challenges. It will be interesting to see how they use Jack in practice this week and in the first couple of games.

Overall, the Marauders looked better on offense than defense. I had frankly thought it would be the other way around. It seemed like their linebackers were getting pushed around.

The first game is Thursday, August 30 at 3:30 pm against Rio Americano.

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 26

I rode 32 miles across central Utah. Starting from the Pony Express Black Rock Station [N39 52 41.1 W113 16 17.5], I traveled along the Pony Express-Overland Stage Trail and then turned on the Simpson Springs-Caliao Road. I finished at the Pony Express Simpson’s Springs Station [N40 02 22.0 W112 47 15.3] Along the way, I passed markers for the Dugway [N39 51 29.7 W113 02 09.6] and River Bed [N39 57 35.8 W112 53 42.5] Pony Express Stations. This desolate stretch of Utah has a number of markers for the pony express that were erected by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1939 or 1940.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Four years ago, I read a factual look at pirates titled Under the Black Flag. Throughout the book, Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island was referenced as an example of pirate life. A kindle version of the book is actually available for free from Amazon. At the time, I downloaded the book and had it on my iPhone and iPad.

On the flight from Frankfurt to Philadelphia, I finished reading Rule 34 and needed something else to read. I started reading Treasure Island and was hooked. Somehow, I avoided reading the book in school.

Written in the 1880s by by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, it is viewed as the quintessential pirate story. The influence of Treasure Island on popular perceptions of pirates is enormous, including treasure maps marked with an "X", schooners, the Black Spot, tropical islands, and one-legged seamen carrying parrots on their shoulders.

I enjoyed the book. It makes me think that I should expand my reading list to include other classics that I missed or ignored over the years.

First Day of Ninth Grade

First Day of Ninth Grade (High School Freshman)


First Day of Eighth Grade

First Day of Seventh Grade

First Day of Sixth Grade


First Day of Fifth Grade


First Day of Fourth Grade

 

First Day of Third Grade


First Day of Second Grade


First Day of First Grade


First Day of Kindergarten

Milo Greene - Don't You Give Up On Me [Official Video]

This is the third segment of Moddison; the fourth segment is Perfectly Aligned.

Maker Presents - Milo Greene

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Pocket Yoga - Practice Builder

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!


Create custom yoga routines in minutes.

Code Expiration: November 13, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - ZZ Ward - Save My Life

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!


Genre-breaking artist out of rural Oregon is causing a stir with a sound that reaches from blues to hip-hop.

Code Expiration: November 13, 2012

Celebrating Kathy's Birthday

Saturday afternoon, Sharon, Jack and I went to a birthday party for Sharon's sister-in-law Kathy at their home in Elk Grove. The group included Tom, Becky, Kevin, Tim, Kathy, Erin, Eileen, Sharon, Jack and I. In a different twist on things, Tim had a chef come and prepare the dinner. After dinner and presents, the group spent the evening in the pool.

2012 Football Meet the Marauders

2012 Football Meet the Marauders, a set on Flickr.

We went to the 2012 Jesuit Football Meet the Marauders event. This is an intra-squad scrimmage followed by an introduction of the players and a barbecue.

The frosh team decided not to cut any players this year. The roster for the team that they distributed lists 63 players. At some point, I am going to figure out the average size of the players. Although they are only freshman, the overall team size is smaller than I expected. There are a lot of smaller boys.

At this point, Jack is second string free safety and the second string wide receiver. He did very well in the scrimmage.

The team is essentially playing a 4-4-3 defense. At free safety, Jack is by himself 10 to 12 yards off the line of scrimmage.

Playing free safety with the second team against the first team offense, Jack had a nice interception which he returned about 20 yards down the sideline. He had another chance at an interception over the middle.

Playing wide receiver with the second team against the first team defense, Jack caught one pass on a hook pattern for a short gain. He had one other pass thrown his way on a deep pattern, but the pass was slightly off target.

Particularly on defense, Jack seemed a little timid about sticking his body into the contact. Several of the parents noted that the team has not had any real contact in practice. After the scrimmage, Jack groused that the he got hit the hardest of anyone all day. One of the best and biggest players [Beau] tackled him with when he was returning the interception and then again after he caught the pass on offense. The team has a scrimmage with Rio Linda next Saturday. Given that Jack has never played tackle football before, it will be interesting to see how Jack reacts to more realistic game situations.