Monday, May 30, 2016

Birthday Party plus Dinner with Morgan and Drew

Sharon and I spent most of Memorial Day getting organized to throw a graduation party for Jack.

Late Monday afternoon, Sharon and I went to a 60th birthday party for one of our neighbors (*Dan and Deborah).

While Jack was attending a couple of graduation parties, Sharon and I finished the day having dinner with Drew and Morgan. We barbecued hamburgers and ate dinner on the deck. It has been very nice to have a chance to see Drew and Morgan this weekend.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

In Burges

Up at 4:30 am, I picked Jack up at the Jesuit Grad Night at K1 Speed at 5 am.

Sunday night, Sharon, Tiber and I went to dinner at Janie's house. Janie made a nice dinner of steaks, baked potatoes and salad.

After dinner, we watched In Burges. In Bruges is a 2008 British-American neo-noir black comedy crime drama film. The film stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen in hiding, with Ralph Fiennes as their boss. The film takes place and was filmed in the Belgian city of Bruges.

Janie recommended the movie because we are visiting Bruges this year. Janie had seen the movie before she went to Burges. The movie does have some great views of the city.

I don't recommend it unless you are really interested in views of the city... While the beginning is interesting, the ending is very dark.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Jack's High School Graduation

A long, satisfying day! Sharon, Jack, Drew, Morgan and I left the house at 8 am to head to the Memorial Auditorium for Jack's high school graduation. We queued up outside the auditorium about 8:30 am; there were quite a few people already there. The doors were opened a little after 9 am and everyone raced to get seats. Sharon was disappointed in the seats that we got. She was hoping to be lower.

It was nice graduation ceremony. Jack got one of the twelve awards that they gave out at the commencement. He received The Aloysius Gonzaga, S.J. Award. Named after the Jesuit patron saint of students, it is given to those Seniors who, in the spirit of the magis, have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in Jesuit's academic program.


We spent quite a while milling around outside the auditorium after the ceremony visiting and taking pictures. I ended up taking more than 110 pictures! The best pictures are organized in a photo album here.

Eventually, we rounded up a group and headed down the block to Mikunis. The group included: Sharon, Jack, Drew, Morgan, Kiki, Tom, Eric and I. We had a couple of platters. We headed home after lunch for a nap.

In the first of many graduation parties scheduled for the next couple of weeks, we dropped Jack at Travis Bell's house in the late afternoon. Sharon and I joined the last hour of the party. Most of the dad's were cramped in the family room watching the Warriors win game 6 of the Western Conference NBA finals.

After the party, we took Jack, Gabe and Jason to K1 Speed. Jesuit High School is holding the class grad night there. The boys will be there from 9:00 pm Saturday night until 5:00 am Sunday morning.

Pictures from Drew's high school graduation are here.

Pictures from Morgan's high school graduation are here.

2016 Jesuit High School Graduation Photo Album

Friday, May 27, 2016

Pre-graduation Dinner

With Drew in town for Jack's graduation on Saturday, Sharon, Jack and I had Kiki, Morgan and Drew over for dinner. We had a nice dinner of barbecued salmon, squash and salad. We ate dinner on the deck.

2016 Jesuit High School Baccalaureate Mass Pic #1

Thursday, May 26, 2016

2016 Jesuit High School Baccalaureate Mass

Sharon, her brother Tom and I went to baccalaureate mass for the Jesuit High School Class of 2016 at the Memorial Auditorium. The graduation ceremonies for Jack's class are Saturday morning.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: We Are

ESPN Films has released the fifty-fourth film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.
30 for 30 Shorts: We Are

"We Are" chronicles Penn State's path from the 2011 scandal that resulted in the removal of a statue of legendary coach Joe Paterno to the design of its community-encompassing replacement.


You can find We Are on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15695869.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Sisters


Saturday night, Sharon and I watched Sisters as an HD rental on the AppleTV.

The film stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler with a supporting cast that includes a number of current and past Saturday Night Live performers plus John Cena and James Brolin.

Afterwards, Sharon commented on how much she enjoyed the movie!?!

Friday, May 20, 2016

Rudolf Steiner College Graduation

On Thursday, May 19, Morgan graduated from the Rudolf Steiner College residential teacher training program. She still has two weeks left taking some summer classes.

In almost exactly a month, Morgan is starting work at Sophias Hearth Family Center, all the way on the other side of the country in Keene, New Hampshire.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

2016 San Jose Sharks versus St. Louis Blues


Jack and Jason went to game three of National Hockey League Western Conference finals between the Sharks and the Blues. The Sharks won the game by the score of 3 to 0.

This is the third time that Jack has been to hockey game in San Jose. Sharon, Jack and I went to games during Christmas vacation in 2010 and 2011.

In one of those random twists of fate, I had been paired up with Jason during the first day of the Freshman Overnight in September of 2012. Subsequently, Jack and Jason become friends.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Nevada Historical Marker #252

On my way home from this year's Petersen Shootout, I stopped at six Nevada State Historical Markers, including Bliss Mansion [#70], Methodist Church of Carson City [#71], Orion Clemens' Home [#78], Stewart-Nye Residence [#175], Rinckel Mansion [#252] and The Governor's Mansion [#259].

Rinckel Mansion
Nevada Historical Marker #252

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This marker is located at 112 North Curry Street, Carson City, Nevada. There are 25 other historical markers in Carson City County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 09.845 W 119° 46.079.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

Nevada State Historical Landmark #252

Completed in 1876, this palatial residence is an excellent example of High Victorian Italianate architecture in Carson City. Charles H. Jones, a French-schooled designer, constructed the residence for Mathias Rinckel using European craftsmen. The mansion is constructed of pressed brick resting upon a sandstone ashlar foundation. The sandstone originated from the Nevada State Prison quarry. The brick came from Carson Valley and knot-free lumber was obtained from the pine forests of Lake Tahoe.

Rinckel, a German immigrant and pioneer Carson City merchant, accumulated a degree of wealth in the gold fields in the Feather River District of California from 1849 to 1859. He increased his fortune in mining at Virginia City during that city’s infancy. In 1863, Rinckel settled in Carson City, where he engaged in raising livestock and butchering. As a successful merchant, he supplied the mining and timber districts surrounding Eagle Valley with meat.


Nevada Historical Landmark #252

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere

ESPN Films has released the fifty-third film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.
30 for 30 Shorts: The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere

Haru Urara was a racehorse who could never win a race, but she became a symbol of hope in Japan. And though she never did win, Haru Urawa did accomplish something greater: she saved a racetrack.


You can find The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15507776.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Five Minute Journal

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

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Five Minute Journal

Code Expiration: August 9, 2016

Monday, May 16, 2016

2016 Warriors versus Thunder

Untitled
With tickets from Kiki's mom's boss, Jack and Kiki went to the first game of the NBA Western Conference finals playoff game. The Thunder erased a 14 point second half deficit and won the game by the score of 108 to 102.

Larkin and I saw a game in Oracle Arena in 2008. It looks like we sat in almost the same spot!

Sunday, May 15, 2016

A Celebration of Life for Betty Wallen

I spent the day winding my way and back to Cobb Mountain in Lake County. I went to the burial and celebration of life for Betty Wallen.

I got to the Loin's Club early and had a chance to visit with the Wallens. Bob, John and I went out to the cemetery to make sure that everything was in order before the service. The Tomasins and Snipes rolled up to the cemetery a little before the service started. After the service, everyone headed back to the Loin's Club. It was a beautiful day and a very touching tribute.

Betty Wallen
Betty Wallen
Betty Wallen
Betty Wallen

Saturday, May 14, 2016

2016 St. Francis Sr Prom

Jack and Kiki went to the 2016 St. Francis Sr Prom. With everyone struggling to find parking, a large group met at the Capitol Rose Garden. The prom was held at the Haggis Oaks Golf Complex with a buffet dinner. Sharon and I wandered over to the K Street Mall and had dinner at Mayahuel afterwards.

DSC_0632

DSC_0585

DSC_0673

DSC_0641

DSC_0662

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie

My book for May is Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie. This is a sequel to Ancillary Justice that I read in 2014. I read this book on the Kindle app on my iPhone and iPad.

The book does a nice job of continuing to build out the universe and the main character. While I feel like the main plot was not substantial enough, I probably need to reserve judgement until I read the third book.

Like the first book, society does not distinguish people by gender. In this context, I am not quite sure how to interpret the interactions of some of the characters.

I had an odd experience with the ending of the books. Reading along in the Kindle app, I thought I had about 30 pages left and the story ended somewhat abruptly. The remaining pages were the first chapter of another book that the publisher was promoting... I really didn't expect the book to end where it did.

Overall, I give the book a grade of B-. It is clearly a bridge to the finale of the trilogy. The book moves the characters around and puts them in position for the end of the story. My final grade for this book probably needs to depend on how well the third book wraps up the trilogy. At least, I enjoyed this book more than I did the second book in Cixin Liu's trilogy...

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Nevada Historical Marker #71

On my way home from this year's Petersen Shootout, I stopped at six Nevada State Historical Markers, including Bliss Mansion [#70], Methodist Church of Carson City [#71], Orion Clemens' Home [#78], Stewart-Nye Residence [#175], Rinckel Mansion [#252] and The Governor's Mansion [#259].

Methodist Church of Carson City
Nevada Historical Marker #71

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This marker is located at 212 North Division Street, Carson City, Nevada. There are 25 other historical markers in Carson City County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 09.882 W 119° 46.181.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

Nevada Historical Marker #71

Dedicated in 1867, this church serves a congregation that was organized in 1859 and is often referred to as the "Cradle of Nevada Methodism." Like many other buildings in Carson City, the stone used in its construction was quarried at the nearby State Prison. Reverend Warren Nims (Pastor 1863-1866) was responsible for much of the original construction. Altered extensively over the years, the structure with its octagonal porch posts and pointed-arch windows is still an excellent local example of the Gothic Revival style.

Nevada Historical Marker #71

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

ESPN Films has released the fifty-second film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.
30 for 30 Shorts: A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

A.C. Green played in an NBA-record 1,192 consecutive games and won three NBA titles. What's even more impressive is how he managed to navigate the world of the NBA while holding on to his devout Christian beliefs, staying celibate until he finally married at the age of 38.


You can find A.C. Green: Iron Virgin on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15474292.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Dr. Seuss's ABC - Read & Learn

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

Starbucks Pick of the Week - Dr. Seuss's ABC - Read & Learn

Code Expiration: August 2, 2016

Monday, May 09, 2016

2016 Jesuit Awards Convocation

Sharon, Jack and I went to the 2016 Jesuit Awards Convocation. This is the third year that we have been invited [2014 and 2015]. I am still confused about why Jack didn't get any awards in his freshman year...

Unlike previous years, they didn't give any general excellence awards to the seniors. Instead, they gave out a number of departmental awards. Jack got departmental awards in English and French. I am very proud of Jack's academic accomplishments. It is hard for me to believe that he will be done with high school in a couple of weeks!

Sunday, May 08, 2016

Mother's Day 2016

Sunday morning, we went to brunch at Matteo's. Sharon and I had a crab eggs benedict, while Jack had a breakfast burger.

We ran into the Kesslers with their dog; Sharon and I worked with Mary at the Western Farm Credit Bank. [Note to self], we could bring Tiber with us when we eat on the patio at Matteos...

Sharon spent the afternoon shopping at the Arden Fair Mall.

Using some recipes from Sharon's brother Tim, I fixed a successful dinner of marinated cornish game hens, pancetta wrapped asparagus bundles and baked rice. Morgan joined us for dinner. I have really enjoyed having Morgan so close over the last year.

We finished the day with presents and dessert. Presents included: a Georgetown flag; a Georgetown license plate frame; and Paul McCartney tickets. In the homemade Mother's Day cards, we included pictures of Jack's graduation from preschool. Dessert was a lemon cake that I picked up at Whole Foods. Sharon got Morgan some socks as a birthday present.

All in all, it was a very successful Mother's Day!

Friday, May 06, 2016

2016 Jesuit Sr Prom

Jack and Kiki went to the 2016 Jesuit Sr Prom. An enormous group met at the Teichert Building on American River Drive. Unfortunately, the security guard called the sheriff and eventually ran everyone off. The group migrated down American River Drive to Oak Meadow Park for more pictures. The prom was held at the Del Paso Country Club with a buffet dinner.






Sharon and I finished the night with dinner at Cafe Bernardo. The Kaesers (Greg, wife and oldest daughter, Amanda) joined us. Sharon went to grammar school at St. Marys with Greg. Their daughter Meredith was Carter's date for the prom.

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

California Historical Landmark #392-1

Site of Haraszthy Villa
California State Historical Landmark #392-1

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located on Castle Road near the Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma, California. There are 26 other California State Historical Landmarks in Sonoma County. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 18' 01.4" N 122° 25' 35.7" W.

California Historical Marker 392-1

Here Count Agoston Haraszthy, 'Father of California Viticulture,' built an imposing villa in 1857-58, as his home. California's first formal Vintage Celebration, a masked ball, was held at this site on October 23, 1864. General and Mrs. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo were guests of honor. While living here, Haraszthy oversaw operations of the Winery and Buena Vista Vinicultural Society.

California Historical Marker #392-1

Tuesday, May 03, 2016

ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: Gonzo @ The Derby

ESPN Films has released the fifty-first film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.
30 for 30 Shorts: Gonzo @ The Derby

The lasting legacy of the 1970 Kentucky Derby has nothing to do with the winner, Dust Commander. Its true impact came from the assignment that "Scanlan's Monthly" gave to a 32-year-old writer from Louisville named Hunter S. Thompson.


You can find Gonzo @ The Derby on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15421606.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - LetterGlow

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

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - LetterGlow

Code Expiration: July 26, 2016

Monday, May 02, 2016

Nevada Historical Marker #70

On my way home from this year's Petersen Shootout, I stopped at six Nevada State Historical Markers, including Bliss Mansion [#70], Methodist Church of Carson City [#71], Orion Clemens' Home [#78], Stewart-Nye Residence [#175], Rinckel Mansion [#252] and The Governor's Mansion [#259].

Bliss Mansion
Nevada Historical Marker #70

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This marker is located at 608 Elizabeth Street, Carson City, Nevada. There are 25 other historical markers in Carson City County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 10.034 W 119° 46.328.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

Nevada Historical Marker #70

Built by Duane L. Bliss
Lumber & Railroad Magnate
1879
In its time the most modern & largest home in Nevada. Entirely constructed of
clear lumber & square nails. First home in Nevada entirely piped for gas lighting.

Nevada Historical Marker #70