www.mark-heringer.com

Milo Greene Pics

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Milo Greene, a set by Danielle Supola on Flickr.

Fort Taiaroa

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, September 13 while we were in New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Tomasin, Hunter, Debbie and I toured Fort Taiaroa.

Fort Taiaroa
(Including six-inch Armstrong Hydropneumatic Gun
and Underground Chambers)
New Zealand Historic Places Trust #389
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This historic place is located at the end of Harrington Point Road, Taiaroa Head, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. The GPS coordinates for this location are S 45° 46.468 E 170° 43.686.

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

The Russian war scares of the 1880s caused the New Zealand Government to erect batteries overlooking the harbours of the four main centres. The strategic position at Taiaroa Head gave excellent control over ships approaching Otago Harbour. Local stone was used by prison labour with outstanding skill to form the underground galleries and storage for the gun emplacement. The six-inch Armstrong hydro-pneumatic disappearing gun is still in sound condition except for incomplete breech mechanism. Fort Taiaroa is an excellent example for a military fortification of a bygone era and in its dramatic siting is most worthy of preservation.

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 4

2012-01-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

On day four, I rode from Pollack Pines to Strawberry on Highway 50. There is a lot of downhill from Pollack Pines to Ice House Road. From there, the road climbs steadily with the grade mostly between 4% and 6% and a few steeper sections topping out at 11.5%.

I am not looking forward to the next section. Leaving Strawberry, there is a very steep grade up to the summit before dropping down to Lake Tahoe.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Celebrating Sharon's Birthday

2012-01-24T06:01:00.000-08:00

After Jack's basketball game on Monday night, the three of us went to Ruth Chris to celebrate Sharon's birthday. We went there for her birthday last year. Afterwards, we headed home and enjoyed a chocolate cake with fluffy white icing that I made on Sunday night. I got her some flowers, a subscription to the Wine Spectator magazine, a bottle of Sea Smoke Pinot Noir and a couple of very large coffee cups.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - The Little Willies - I Worship You

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

A bluegrass classic revived by an all-star cast that includes vocalist Norah Jones.

Code Expiration: April 17, 2012

2012 PAL Varsity Comp SEAS versus St. Ignatius

2012-01-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

The SEAS Eagles played St. Ignatius in the Championship game of the Presentation Tournament. They have struggled to best this team over the last three seasons. SEAS lost to St. Ignatius in the semi-final game of the Jesuit Tournament last week. SEAS did not face St. Ignatuis last season, but lost to St. Ignatius in the finals of the St. Ignatius Tournament two years ago.

Jack played 23 minutes of the 28 minute game. He had 9 points on 3 for 8 from two point range and 1 for 2 from three point range. Jack added 6 rebounds and 1 assist with 3 turnovers. He was the SEAS leading scorer and rebounder for the game. In a different defensive twist, they had him guarding St. Ignatius' best player at the top of the key one on one most of the first half.

The Eagles kept the game close through three quarters. St. Ignatius led by the score of 20 to 15 at half-time and 29 to 22 at the end of the third quarter. SEAS went on a five minute scoring drought in the fourth quarter and got outscored 14 to 6. Like last week's game, turnovers and three point shooting killed the Eagles; they had 19 turnovers against only 2 steals and shot 2 for 12 from three point range.

SEAS lost the game by the score of 43 to 28. The box score is here.

The Eagles took home the second place trophy. The boys were not satisfied with the result... Jack and Joe were named to the All Tournament Team.

The Eagles now have 5 wins and 3 losses for the season. The game log is here. Two of the losses have been to St. Ignatius.

The Eagles play St. Roberts on Friday in a league game.

2012 PAL Varsity Comp SEAS versus St. John Norte Dame

2012-01-22T13:00:00.000-08:00

The SEAS Eagles played St. John Notre Dame in the second round of the Presentation Tournament. SEAS beat SJND in the Presentation Tournament last year and in the St. Ignatius Tournament two years ago. SJND has a number of taller players. Watching the teams warm up, I was concerned because SEAS was short handed this weekend and missing their back-up center and a power forward.

Jack struggled with this shot. He was 0 for 4 from two point range. Jack added 7 steals, 3 rebounds and 2 assists with 3 turnovers and 3 fouls. He ended up playing only 13 minutes of the 24 minutes game.

My concerns about the taller SJND players were unnecessary. SJND did not have the guards to effectively use the big men. Addtionally, they struggled with full court pressure from the Eagles. SEAS ran out to a 13 to 4 first quarter lead and was never really seriously threatened.

SEAS won by the game by the score of 40 to 24. The box score is here.

The Eagles now have 5 wins and 2 losses for the season. The game log is here.

SEAS will face St. Ignatius in the championship game of the Presentation Tournament on Monday. They lost to St. Ignatius last week in the Jesuit Tournament.

Second 7th & 8th Grade Dance

2012-01-21T23:15:00.000-08:00

As part of the St. Anthony's Middle School Club, Jack went to his second 8th grade dance on Saturday night. St. Anthony's will be hosting four dances during this school year.

Jack invited six of the boys from his class over to the house before the dance [Joe, Jacob, Jake, Andy, Eric and Aiden]. The boys had pizza and then Sharon and I took them all to the dance.

After dropping off the boys, Sharon and I had a light dinner at the bar at Scott's on the River. I finished the night working traffic control in the parking lot after the dance.

High School Placement Test

2012-01-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

Jack spent the morning taking the High School Placement Test [HSPT] at Jesuit.

It seems like just yesterday that we were shopping for kindergartens!

2012 PAL Varsity Comp Basketball SEAS versus St. Roberts

2012-01-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

The SEAS Eagles played the St. Roberts Rebels in the first game of the Presentation Tournament. The Eagles lost to the Rebels in the Jesuit Tournament last year, but beat them in league. They will meet again next Friday in a league game.

Jack was the high scorer for the Eagles. Playing 20 minutes of a 24 minute game, he had 14 points on 6 for 9 from the field and 2 for 4 from the free throw line. Jack added 16 rebounds with 2 turnovers and a foul. After six games, he is the team's leading rebounder averaging 8.5 rebounds a game and the second leading scorer behind Joe with 7.5 points a game.

Leading 15 to 11 at the end of the first quarter, SEAS outscored St. Roberts by 10 points in the second quarter to lead by the score of 31 to 16 at half-time. The Eagles never looked back.

The final score was SEAS 56, St. Roberts 34. The box score is here.

The Eagles now have 4 wins and 2 losses for the season. The game log is here.

The Eagles next play Sunday at noon in the second round of the Presentation Tournament in what is likely to be a rematch against Holy Spirit.

At Bear Creek Studio

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Nevada Historical Marker #245

2012-01-19T23:59:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning when I was in Reno for the Petersen Shootout, I spent an hour wandering around looking for five different Nevada Historical Landmarks, including; Reno #30; Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot #210; Lake Mansion #227; Frederick Joseph DeLongchamps #245; and Site of Nevada's First Public Library #247.

Frederick Joseph DeLongchamps
Nevada Historical Marker #245
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This marker is located Located on the U.S. Post Office grounds, South Virginia and Mill Streets, Reno, Nevada. There are 41 other historical markers in Washoe County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 31.490 W 119° 48.732.

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

Frederick Joseph DeLongchamps was Nevada's foremost architect of his time. Statewide, he was prolific in the number of buildings he designed. From this point one can see a group of structures that stand, collectively, as a monument to DeLongchamps: The United States Post Office, The Riverside Hotel, the Washoe County Courthouse and the First Federal Savings and Loan Association. The Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, dedicated to excellence in architecture, honors the memory of Frederick Joseph DeLongchamps.

Mayfly 2011

2012-01-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

One of my passions is exploring the world. Nevertheless, 2011 was a very unusual year. In total, I took almost 9 weeks of vacation. My Mayfly for 2011 reflects a number of extraordinary adventures!

The Mayfly project, 2011

Sea Ranch • Spring Training • Zion • Bryce • Disneyland • Washington D.C.: Fireworks! • USTSA World Series • Tsadi • New Zealand: Milford Sound, Queenstown • Santa Barbara • Milo Greene 1957

You can find my previous Mayfly summaries here!

What is this?

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 3

2012-01-17T19:06:00.000-08:00

On day three, I rode 24.82 miles from Rescue to Pollack Pines. From Green Valley Road, I rode through downtown Placerville and then out Carson Road past the entrance to the Apple Mountain Golf Course to Camino. I headed east along the Pony Express Trail from Camino to Pollock Pines and ended up on Highway 50 east of Pollock Pines. There were several short sections where the grade got to 12.5%.

One interesting observation is that the software will not let you ride on the freeway.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Tetris [app]

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

Code Expiration: April 10, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - First Aid Kit - King of the World

2012-01-17T05:59:00.000-08:00

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

Code Expiration: April 10, 2012

2012 PAL Varsity Comp SEAS versus OLA

2012-01-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

Playing their fourth game in four days, the SEAS played OLA in the third place game of the Jesuit Jr. Classic. The Eagles did not face the Cougars last year, but were knocked out of the play-offs by OLA in 2010.

For the first time in five games, Jack did not score. He was 0 for 3 from 2 point range and 0 for 1 from 3 point range. Jack added 7 rebounds, a steal and a block with 2 turnovers and 2 fouls. He played 21 minutes of a 28 minute game.

The Eagles led by the score of 19 to 17 at half-time. Late in the third quarter, OLA opened a 6 point gap that the Eagles were never able to close. SEAS lost to OLA by the score of 38 to 30. The box score is here.

The Eagles hurt themselves in a number of key areas. Their two centers went 1 for 18 from point blank range. Combined with 2 for 11 from three point range, 2 for 8 from the free throw line and 20 turnovers, the Eagles were lucky the game was as close as it was. They are athletic enough to compete with all of the other top teams, but they are going to have to improve in these areas if they want to go deep in the play-offs at the end of the year.

The Eagles now have 3 wins and 2 losses for the season. The game log is here.

The Eagles next play Friday night in the Presentation Tournament.

Celebrating My Birthday

2012-01-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

After Jack's basketball game, Sharon, Jack, Tommy, Becky and I went to Centro Cocina Mexicana to celebrate my birthday.

I was frankly disappointed by the food. We had gone there three years ago for my birthday and remembered being happier with the meal.

Sharon, Jack and I finished the night at home with cake and presents.

2012 PAL Varsity Comp SEAS versus St. Ignatius

2012-01-15T23:58:00.000-08:00

The SEAS Eagles played the St. Ignatius Tigers in the semi-finals of the Jesuit Jr. Classic Basketball Tournament. SEAS did not face St. Ignatuis last season, but lost to St. Ignatius in the finals of the St. Ignatius Tournament two years ago.

Jack started at small forward and played 21 minutes of the 28 minute game. He had 4 points on 2 for 3 from the field. Jack added 7 rebounds. After four games, Jack is the team's leading rebounder. He is averaging 7 rebounds per game.

For the third night in a row, the Eagles played a very hard fought game. The Tigers led by the score of 20 to 19 at half-time. At the end of the third quarter, the Eagles led by the score of 27 to 25. Jack took a hard fall at the end of third quarter, landing flat on his back. He did not play the first three plus minutes of the fourth quarter. The Tigers made 9 for 10 from the free throw line, including a number of 1 and 1's in the last two minutes of the game.

The Eagles got outscored 19 to 8 in the fourth quarter and lost by the score of 44 to 35. The box score is here.

The Eagles killed themselves from three point range and the free throw line. The team was 2 for 16 from three point range and 7 for 17 from the free throw line.

The SEAS Eagles now have 3 wins and 1 loss for the season. The game log is here.

With the loss on Sunday, SEAS will play OLA on Monday afternoon in the third place game. SJE will play St. Ignatius in the championship game.

2012 PAL Varsity Comp Basketball SEAS versus St. Mary's

2012-01-14T23:59:00.000-08:00

Continuing the basketball weekend, the SEAS Eagles played St. Mary's in the second round of the Jesuit Jr. Classic. The Eagles lost to St. Mary's last year in the Christian Brothers Tournament. Cameron plays for St. Mary's. He and Jack played together on the Cal Ripken Laguna All-Stars in 2009.

Jack started at small forward and played 21 minutes of the 28 minute game. He had 15 points on 2 for 4 from 2 point range, 1 for 3 from 3 point range and 8 for 10 from the free throw line. Jack added 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and an assist with 3 turnovers and 3 fouls. Jack and Joe were the high scorers for the Eagles with 15 points each.

For the second night in a row, the Eagles played a hard fought back and forth game. At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied 9 to 9. St. Mary's pulled away in the last two minutes of the second quarter to lead by the score of 26 to 19 at half-time. Cameron killed the Eagles in the first half; he scored 15 of St. Mary's 26 points. St. Mary's maintained a 7 to 9 point lead through most of the third quarter. Then at the end of the third quarter, Joe took an inbound pass with one second on the clock and hit a long three. Early in the fourth quarter, Jack and Malcolm hit threes and all of sudden it was a 2 point game. In an odd development, Jack pulled down a bushel of defensive rebounds, then kept getting fouled and sent to the free throw line. At one point, Jack hit 8 straight free throws before missing 2 at the very end of game. St. Mary's lack of size and depth hurt them down the stretch. SEAS outscored St. Mary's 20 to 9 in the fourth quarter. Playing the whole game, Cameron managed only 5 points in the second half.

The SEAS Eagles beat the St. Mary's Mustangs by the score of 48 to 43. The box score is here.

The SEAS Eagles now have 3 wins and 0 losses for the season. The game log is here.

With the win on Saturday, the Eagles will be playing at least two more games in the Jesuit Tournament this weekend. SEAS will play St. Ignatius in the semi-finals of the tournament on Sunday.

2012 PAL Varsity Comp Basketball SEAS versus Holy Spirit

2012-01-13T23:59:00.000-08:00

Kicking off a weekend full of basketball, the SEAS Eagles played their first league game against Holy Spirit. This is probably the toughest team in their division. The Eagles have struggled against Holy Spirit over the last three years. Cole plays for Holy Spirit. Cole and Jack have played baseball, flag football and basketball on the same teams and against each other for the last nine years.

Jack started at small forward and played 23 minutes of the 28 minute game. He had 8 points on 4 for 6 from the field. Jack added 4 rebounds and 3 steals with a turnover and a foul. Jack was the second highest scorer for the Eagles behind Joe who had 14 points.

It was a very hard fought back and forth game. The Eagles ran out to a ten point lead in the first quarter, but Holy Spirit tied the game in the second quarter. SEAS then led 33 to 24 at half-time. Holy Spirit charged back to lead 41 to 39 at the end of third quarter. The teams swapped leads during the fourth quarter. With 1:30 to go and SEAS leading by 1 point, Jack took a pass in the corner and drove along the baseline for a nice lay-up to put SEAS up by 3. Jake added two more free throws to seal the 52 to 47 victory. The box score is here.

Holy Spirit was led by Bryce who had 18 points. One of the key strengths of the Eagles in the early season continues to be their balanced attack; 8 of the 10 boys scored.

The SEAS Eagles now have 2 wins and 0 losses for the season. The game log is here.

The Eagles will be playing at least two games in the Jesuit Tournament this weekend.

Nevada Historical Marker #247

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning when I was in Reno for the Petersen Shootout, I spent an hour wandering around looking for five different Nevada Historical Landmarks, including; Reno #30; Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot #210; Lake Mansion #227; Frederick Joseph DeLongchamps #245; and Site of Nevada's First Public Library #247.

Site of Nevada's First Public Library
Nevada Historical Marker #247
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This marker is located Located on the U.S. Post Office grounds, South Virginia and Mill Streets, Reno, Nevada. There are 41 other historical markers in Washoe County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 31.489 W 119° 48.735.

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

In 1895, Washoe County District Attorney Frank H. Norcross, later a Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court and a Federal Judge, began a drive to establish Nevada's first free public library in Reno. That year, he persuaded the Nevada Legislature to enact a law establishing Nevada's public libraries.

Nevada's first public library building was erected on this site in 1904 with $15,000 donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on land originally donated to the City of Reno by pioneer Myron C. Lake. It remained in service until 1930, when growth forced its relocation to the site where the Pioneer Theatre Auditorium now stands. The library was sold for $1 and demolished in 1931.

In 1966 the library was relocated to a new building at Center and Liberty Streets, three blocks south of this site.

ESPN Films: The Marinovich Project

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Running on the treadmill, I watched The Marinovich Project. The documentary is airing as part of a series of seven documentaries that ESPN Films was running late last year.

The film looks at the life of Todd Marinovich. Starting in the womb, Todd was raised by his father to be the perfect athlete. His father, Marv Marinovich, was a former USC Trojan and Oakland Raider. Marv was the first strength and conditioning coach in NFL history. He was obsessed with training methods and seeked out as much information as possible from other countries in an attempt to become the most knowledgeable on the subject; his practices were revolutionary at the time.

Todd become a very successful high school athlete. Playing quarter for Mater Dei and Capistrano High Schools, he set the national high school record by passing for 9,914 yards. Todd received numerous honors, including being named a Parade All-American and the National High School Coaches Association's offensive player of the year. His struggles with drugs and alcohol started in high school.

Todd played two years at USC. Although neither his coaches nor teammates believed that he was ready, Marinovich became the first freshman quarterback to start the first game of the season for USC since World War II. The Trojans went 9–2–1, won the Pac-10 conference, and defeated Michigan in the 1990 Rose Bowl. UPI and The Sporting News named Marinovich the College Freshman of the Year for 1989; he was the only freshman on the All-Pac-10 team and the first freshman quarterback named. Marinovich entered the 1990 season as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Battling with coach Larry Smith much of the year, Todd was arrested for cocaine possession a month after the season ended, left college and entered the NFL draft.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders [ahead of Brett Favre!], he spent two years with the team. In training camp before the 1993 season, Marinovich failed his third NFL drug test and his NFL career was over. He subsequently bounced around the Canadian and Arena football leagues.

Despite flashes of brilliance, Marinovich's professional career is widely considered to be a bust. In 2004, Marinovich was included in ESPN.com's list of The 25 Biggest Sports Flops, coming in at fourth on the ESPN.com editors' list, and seventh on the readers' list.

The unusual thing about the documentary is the final arc of the film. While it seems like the typical story of an athlete's struggles with drugs, it has a twist. With Todd and Marv participating in the making of the documentary and telling their story, the ending takes a somewhat unexpected turn. Overall, The Marinovich Project is a good, but not great documentary.

The Marinovich Project is available in iTunes.

2012 Best New Artists

2012-01-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Drew's band--Milo Greene--was highlighted by Esquire as one of eleven new artists poised for a big year!

JibJab 2011 Year in Review

2012-01-10T19:16:00.000-08:00

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2012

2012-01-10T09:13:00.001-08:00

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

Code Expiration: April 3, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Madi Diaz - Let's Go

2012-01-10T05:59:00.000-08:00

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

Escape and resilience inform "Let's Go," an entralling track from Nashville-based Madi Diaz, an emerging singer-songwriter who's toured with the Civil Wars and recorded with Joseph Arthur.

Code Expiration: April 3, 2012

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 2

2012-01-09T23:59:00.000-08:00

On Day Two, I rode from Rancho Murieta to Rescue. The ride included a nice climb on White Rock Road into El Dorado Hills and then a tough series of rolling hills along Green Valley Road. On several short sections along Green Valley Road, the grade reached 9%.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Virtually Biking Across America Trip Log

2012-01-09T23:55:00.000-08:00

01-01-2012 - Elk Grove, CA - 0.0
01-08-2012 - Rancho Murieta, CA - 24.7
01-15-2012 - Rescue, CA - 49.1
01-22-2012 - Pollack Pines, CA - 73.9

2012 PAL Varsity Comp Basketball SEAS versus St. John Vianney

2012-01-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

Finally, the 2012 PAL basketball season started! After literally eight weeks of practice and one scrimmage, the SEAS Eagles played their first game of the season against St. John Vianney in the first round of the Jesuit Tournament. The Eagles beat St. John Vianney last year in the Christian Brothers Tournament.

Jack started at small forward. He played 11 minutes of the 24 minute game. Jack had 4 points on 2 for 4 from two point range. He added 6 rebounds and 3 steals with a turnover and a personal foul. Jack made a nice steal and took the ball the length of the court for a layup.

Although St. John Vianney has given the Eagles some competitive games in the past two years, the Eagles ran away with the game. The Eagles led 23 to 6 at halftime. With a running clock in the fourth quarter and all of the Eagles players getting time on the floor, the Eagles won the game by the score of 40 to 12. The game was not even that close. The box score is here.

The Eagles had a balanced attack. Seven of the ten SEAS Eagles players scored 3 or more points.

I was very perplexed by the substitution patterns that the SEAS coaches were using. It is going to be interesting to see how they manage a more competitive game.

The SEAS Eagles now have 1 win and 0 losses for the season. The game log is here.

Next weekend is going to be busy. The Eagles face Holy Spirit on Friday in what will probably be their toughest league game and then will have games on Saturday and Sunday and hopefully Monday.

2012 PAL Varsity Comp Basketball SEAS Eagles Game Log

2012-01-08T23:55:00.000-08:00

Overall - 5 Wins and 3 Losses
League - 1 Wins and 0 Losses

01-23-2012 - St Ignatius 43, SEAS 28 - [box score] - Presentation Tournament
01-22-2012 - SEAS 40, SJND 24 - [box score] - Presentation Tournament
01-20-2012 - SEAS 56, St. Roberts 38 - [box score] - Presentation Tournament
01-16-2012 - OLA 38, SEAS 30 - [box score] - Jesuit Jr Classic Tournament
01-15-2012 - St. Ignatius 44, SEAS 35 - [box score] - Jesuit Jr Classic Tournament
01-14-2012 - SEAS 48, St. Mary's 43 - [box score] - Jesuit Jr Classic Tournament
01-13-2012 - SEAS 52, Holy Spirit 47 - [box score] - League
01-08-2012 - SEAS 40, St. John Vianney 12 - [box score] - Jesuit Jr Classic Tournament

2010 PAL JV Comp SEAS Eagles Game Log
2011 PAL Varsity Comp SEAS Eagles Game Log

Second ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary Series?

2012-01-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Starting in October of 2009, ESPN ran a series of documentaries that they called 30 for 30. I really enjoyed a large number of the films.

Twice in the last month, I have seen a reference to a second 30 for 30 series. In his week 17 NFL column, Bill Simmons predicts for 2012 that ESPN will launch a second 30 for 30 documentary series in October. At the 35:05 mark of his December 9 podcast with Michael Rapaport, Bill Simmons says that ESPN is starting the next 30 for 30 in October.

Elizabeth L. (Betty) Ellis

2012-01-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Sharon's parents lived around the corner from Jim and Betty Ellis. She and her brother Tim grew up and went to school with their son and daughter. We had dinner with their son when we were in Washington D.C. in July. Betty's husband Jim passed away in 2008.

ELLIS, Elizabeth L. (Betty) Passed away on 12/19/11 after a brief illness at the age of 81. Dear husband James W. (Jim) Ellis, preceded her in death; survived by son James W. Ellis III of Fairfax, Virginia, daughter Jane Ellis of Sacramento, and granddaughter Jacqueline Ellis, of Arlington, Virginia. Treasured niece Mary Hanson of Carmichael held her hand as she passed. Her other nieces and nephews always put a smile on her face and love in her heart.

Betty, a woman of incredible strength, love, and compassion, grew up in Walnut Grove, California where beloved grandfather and family patriarch, Joseph Gwerder, farmed the Delta. She spent many happy and peaceful days there with her adored aunts, uncles, and cousins, making many wonderful friendships that lasted faithfully to her dying day. Professionally, she held positions at the Pacific Fruit Exchange and Weight Watchers, International.

There will be no visitation and a Catholic Mass will be said on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 58th and M streets, Sacramento, beginning at 10 am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sacramento Food Bank and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Ma, I never thought I would say this but I will miss you telling me what to do!

SEAS Eagles Basketball Practice Panorama

2012-01-06T22:49:00.000-08:00

Jack is #10 shooting at the free throw line! [click and drag to pan the picture]

2012 Kings versus Bucks

2012-01-05T23:59:00.001-08:00

Jack and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Milwaukee Bucks NBA basketball game. Trailing by 21 points at half-time, the Kings rallied in the second half to beat the Bucks by the score of 103 to 100!

Marcus Thornton had 27 points for the Kings on 10 for 23 from the floor and 5 for 5 from the free throw line. In the first half, Thornton was 1 for 8 from the field. Tyreke Evans added 26 points on 8 for 18 from the floor and 9 for 9 from the free throw line. DeMarcus Cousins fouled out with 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Brandon Jennings led Milwaukee with 31 points on 12 for 23 from the floor, 6 for 10 from three point range and 1 for 4 from the free throw line. Jennings looked very good.

I am not convinced that Jimmer Fredette is an NBA player. He had 7 points in 23 minutes. Fredette looked ineffective trying to cover Jennings and Beno Udrih on defense.

The Kings fired Paul Westphal Thursday morning before the game and appointed assistant coach Keith Smart as the head coach. Smart was head coach for Golden State last season.

I was sure in April that I had seen the Kings play in Sacramento for the last time. When the strike was finally settled, I went back and forth about continuing to participate in the season ticket group. At the last minute, I decide to stay. While I am still not sure it was the right decision, I had a very nice evening at the game with Jack.

The Kings now have 1 win and 0 losses in games that I have seen in the 2011-2012 season.

Milo Greene Winter Tour 2012

2012-01-05T05:01:00.000-08:00

Milo Greene

2012-01-05T05:00:00.001-08:00

Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

In December, I finished reading Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams. I had seen the author talk about the book on the Jon Stewart show and was interested enough to order it. This is the third book that I have read in the last six months that I started reading with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The other two were: Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition and Appetite for America.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu is essentially a travelog. The author describes his adventures traveling to Peru, hiking the Inca Trail and exploring a number of Inca ruins, including Machu Picchu.

Woven into his story, the author tells the story of Hiram Bingham. Bingham is credited with discovering Machu Picchu a hundred years ago in 1911. The story provides a nice overview of Bingham's life story and his adventures in Peru.

Within those two story, the author also weaves a third layer: the story of the Incas. Although much more brief than the travelog or Bingham's story, the author includes a enough Inca history to provide some context to the Inca Trail and the ruins.

Written is a light breezy style, I enjoyed the book a great deal. I give it a solid B+ grade. The book whets my appetite to read more about Hiram Bingham and the Incas.

Both Larkin and my sister Lee Ann have been to Machu Picchu. I am not sure where the site falls on my list of places to see in the world. I was very intrigued by the author's description of hiking to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail rather than taking the train.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2012-01-03T06:01:00.000-08:00

Monday afternoon, Tom, Becky, Kevin and I went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at the Century 14. Sharon finished reading the book on Sunday and I read all three of the books finishing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in June of 2010.

I am pleasantly surprised by the movie. It is a solid adaption of the book. The casting of Lisbeth and Daniel Craig's performance as Mikael Blomkvist both were consistent with the pictures that I had in my head from the books.

It does remind why I love books: it is impossible to duplicate the richness and depth of a good book in a two plus hour feature film.

Tom and Becky had seen the original 2009 Swedish film version of the story and were very complimentary. We are going to have to go back and watch that version in the near future.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - The Black Keys - Run Right Back

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

A year after picking up five GRAMMY Awards for hit album Brothers, The Black Keys return with another power packed stunner.

Code Expiration: March 27, 2012

2012 PAL Varsity Comp SEAS versus St. Mels

2012-01-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

The SEAS Eagles scrimmaged against St. Mels on Monday night. Although the boys have been practicing for almost six weeks, this is the first time that they have faced another team. The PAL season is getting started very late this year. As a result, the season is going to be very compressed into a seven week period.

The scrimmage was four 10 minute quarters with a running clock. The Eagles could not get their shots to fall in the first quarter. They fell behind by the score of 15 to 6. The boys looked very tight and tentative. They did a little better over the next three quarters outscoring St. Mels by the score of 35 to 30.

Jack looked solid, but he struggled with his shot. He went 0 for 5 from the field, including 0 for 2 from three point range. Jack added two steals, two turnovers and one rebound. He also had a very nice assist on a pass to Andy.

Getting some practice for the season, I kept score on my iPad using iScore Basketball. I had the final score at St. Mels 45, SEAS 41. The first game of the season will be Sunday night in the Jesuit tournament against St. John Vianney.

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 1

2012-01-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

For our anniversary, Sharon gave me a stationary bike. She has been after me for years to cross train. I run on the treadmill a lot; I mean really a lot.

In conjunction with a web site (www.ifit.com), the bike has a number of interesting features. One of the features allows you to to draw a map in google maps and then ride the course on the bike. The bike has a screen that shows an overview of the route and the profile. Via wifi, the bike is connected to the internet and updates your location and speed to the web. You can see your progress on a computer in google maps as you are riding, including Street View.

One of my goals for 2011 is to see how far I can virtually ride across the United States. Leaving our house in Elk Grove, I rode down Elk Grove Boulevard to Grantline Road, up Grantline to the Jackson Highway and up the Jackson Highway to Latrobe Road. I ended up on Scott Road to the northwest of Rancho Murieta. I will start from here next time.

Although I had the 49er and Rams game on the big screen, I ended up watching the Street View of where I was going more than the game!

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Mission: Impossible III

2012-01-01T23:58:00.000-08:00

Sharon, Jack and I finished New Year's Day watching Mission: Impossible III as a HD rental on the AppleTv.

I particularly enjoyed the scenes shot in the Vatican and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the villain.

New Year's Eve 2011

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Sharon, Jack and I celebrated New Year's Eve at Sharon's brother Tim's house. The group included Tim, Kathy, Tom, Becky and Kevin plus the three of us. We had salad and pizza for dinner with cheesecake for dessert.

After watching the end of Jaws, Kevin put on the DVD of Big Trouble in Little China. I did not enjoy this much. Starring Kurt Russell and Kim Cattral, about the best I would say was that the movie was absurd.

While I count New Year's Eve as my least favorite holiday, we had a nice evening.

2012 is going to be an extraordinary year of change...

California Historical Landmark #86

2011-12-30T23:58:00.000-08:00

California Theatre
California State Historical Landmark #86
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at 430 Bush Street between Kearny and Grant, San Francisco, California. There are 48 other California State Historical Landmarks in San Francisco County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 47.445 W 122° 24.287.

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

On this site on January 18, 1869, the California Theatre, built by William C. Ralston, opened with the following stock company: John McCullough, Lawrence Barrett, Harry Edwards, Willie Edouin, E. B. Holmes, William Mastayer, John T. Raymond, W. F. Burroughs, W. H. Sadley Smith, John Wilson, Edward J. Buckley, Mrs. Judah Emelie Melville, Elizabeth Saunders, Annette Ince, Marie E. Gordon, Sophie Edwin, Minnie Walton, and Julia Buckley. Among artists who played here were Charles W. Couldock, Edwin Adams, John Broughan, Edwin Booth, Barton Hill, Walter Montgomery, Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Adelaide Neilson, and Lotta Crabtree. This theater remained a brilliant center of drama until August 11, 1888.

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve

2011-12-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas Ornament 2011

2011-12-28T23:59:00.000-08:00

I have bought Sharon an ornament for the tree every year since the first Christmas we celebrated together. In April of 2011, we visited Bryce Canyon. I brought this ornament while we were wandering through Springdale.

San Jose - Carmel - Elk Grove

2011-12-27T23:55:00.000-08:00

After spending the night at the De Anza Hotel in San Jose, Sharon and I got up and hit the fitness center. I ran on the treadmill, while Sharon worked out on the elliptical. While Sharon got ready to go, I wandered down the street to a Starbucks to get everyone a bit to eat.

The plan for the day was to have lunch with Drew and Morgan in Carmel. Sharon made reservations at Casanova Restaurant. We had a very nice early lunch and exchanged Christmas presents.

We drove down to Carmel Bench after lunch. The five of us walked from one length of the beach to the other. Somewhere along the way, we found a tennis ball. Drew, Jack and I played soccer with the tennis ball as we wandered along.

I have been trying for several years to get Sharon to consider Carmel as a possibility for our anniversary trip. I think that our day there with the kids cemented the idea for 2012.

Sharon, Jack and I headed back to Elk Grove about 4:00 p.m. It was about 6:30 p.m. by the time we got home. We finished the day putting away more Christmas decorations and getting ready for next year.

On Carmel Beach

2011-12-27T14:30:00.000-08:00

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Scrabble [app]

2011-12-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

Code Expiration: March 20, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Vacationer - Gone

2011-12-27T05:59:00.000-08:00

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

Code Expiration: March 20, 2012

2011 San Jose Sharks versus Anaheim Ducks

2011-12-26T23:59:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for January, we spent the morning taking down Christmas decorations. Next month is going to mark the start of a year filled with a number of major changes in our lives...

We took off in the early afternoon for San Jose. Like last year, the plan is spend the night at the De Anza Hotel and see a San Jose Sharks hockey game.

With some heavy traffic through Tracy and over the Altamont Pass, it was a little before 4:00 p.m. before we got the hotel. After getting settled in the junior suite, Sharon and I had a quick drink in The Hedley Club. We had an early dinner at La Pastaia, the restaurant in the hotel. The food was not very good; Jack's pizza was burnt, my risotto was bland and Sharon's pasta special was just plain bad. I would not recommend the restaurant.

One of the advantages of the De Anza is that it is very close to HP Pavilion. Ducking back to the room to get your jackets, we walked to the arena. Last year, I had got some seats down close to the glass at one end. I felt like it was hard to watch the game from that angle. This year, I got some seats right at center ice about 2/3's up the lower deck. It was a great spot to watch the game.

Unfortunately, the Sharks lost by the score of 3 to 2. Joe Thornton, the Shark's captain, played horrible. He had five giveaways in the game, including one for a breakaway by Bobby Ryan giving the Ducks a 2-1 edge early in the second period.

After the game, we walked back to the hotel and finished the evening raiding the pantry. The hotel offers a feature called "Raid Our Pantry." They have a stocked pantry that you can open with your room key from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-25T23:59:00.000-08:00

Although Jack is getting to be a little too much of a teenager, the three of us had a nice Christmas morning opening presents around the tree. We had a nice lazy breakfast of waffles.

After breakfast, Sharon's nephew Kevin came over. With Tommy, Becky and Eric in Arizona spending Christmas with Becky's dad, Kevin spent the day with us. For the third year in a row, we went out for a movie on Christmas Day. The four of us went to Sherlock Holmes - Game of Shadows. Both Sharon and I enjoyed the movie.

The four of us finished the day with a Christmas dinner of Chicken Cordon Bleu. On the first Christmas that I celebrated with Sharon, she made chicken cordon bleu for her parents and I. We opened the bottle of pinot noir that I brought back from New Zealand.

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

Sharon, Jack, Tim and I went to the 4:00 p.m. Mass at Good Shepherd. Rushing home afterwards, we scrambled to get hors d'oeuvres ready as everyone showed up. We have a slightly different group this year. With Sharon's brother Tom in Arizona, the group included my sister Sharon and her friend Michael, my sister Lee Ann and her husband Dean, Sharon's brother Tim and his family (Kathy, Erin and Eileen) and Jim Dunn. Donna Gainsley stopped by for a drink on the way to her parents.

Sharon made a great dinner of individual Beef Wellingtons, mashed potatoes and green beans. The starter was a shrimp salad. My sister Sharon and Tim brought cakes for desert. Kevin had to work and showed up after dinner.

After dinner, we exchanged a few gifts. The highlight of the evening was a 4 1/2 foot sword that Sharon's brother Tom gave to Jack. Really, who would give a 13 year old a sword almost as big as he is?

Table set for Christmas Eve Dinner

2011-12-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Card 2011

2011-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

See all of the Christmas Cards since 1997!

The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

I finished reading The Quantum Thief in early December. I stumbled across this book in a list of science fiction books that NPR published: Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Books For A Fantastical Summer.

I enjoyed the book as much as any science fiction book I have read in years, but it is a little disorienting. The book introduces a lot of ideas and words without any context; one review suggested that it needed a glossary. As you read, you slowly fill the details behind many of the words. The ideas include: a city that marches across the Martian desert; a cloud of universally accessible data called "exomemory" that floats in the air around people, places and things; a quantum-jail; interpersonal communication re-imagined as a dense network of negotiable privacy settings; the individual minutes of a person's life used as legal tender.

The main character is actually based on a fictional thief from a series of french books written in the 19th century. This character was literally a french version of Sherlock Holmes.

I was intrigued by the description of the author. Thirty-one year-odd Hannnu Rajanieumi is from Finland and holds a Ph.D. in string theory. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he is a director a think tank providing business services based on advanced math and artificial intelligence.

The Quantum Thief is the first book in an intended trilogy. The second book--The Fractal Prince--will be out in April of 2012. Alhthough I am still trying to wrap my brain around the last 40 pages of the first book, I have already pre-ordered second book from Amazon.

2011 Christmas Lights

2011-12-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

California Historical Landmark #46

2011-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

I stopped here briefly on my way back from working in Santa Cruz for a couple of days.

Vallejo Flour Mill
California State Historical Landmark #46
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This landmark is located in the Vallejo Mill Historical Park at the northeast corner of Niles Canyon Road and Mission Boulevard, Fremont, California. There are 35 other California State Historical Landmarks in Alameda County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 34.646 W 121° 58.346.

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

In 1856, José de Jesús Vallejo, brother of General M. G. Vallejo, built a flour mill here, on his Rancho Arroyo de la Alameda. Niles was once called 'Vallejo Mills.' The stone aqueduct built to carry water for the mill parallels Niles Canyon Road.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Carole King - Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

The legendary songwriter and performer delves into the soul songbook to uncover an off-the-beaten-track seasonal selection.

Code Expiration: March 13, 2012

Harvard Beats Yale 29 to 29

2011-12-19T23:59:00.000-08:00

Running on the treadmill, I watched Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 on the ESPN Classic channel. This is a 2008 documentary about the 1968 meeting between the football teams of Yale and Harvard. The game has been called "the most famous football game in Ivy League history."

For the first time since 1909, the Harvard and Yale football teams were each undefeated with 6-0 records in their conference (8-0 overall) when they met for their season's final game on November 23, 1968 at Harvard Stadium. Ranked nationally, Yale was heavily favored to win and they quickly led the game 22–0. With two minutes remaining on the clock they still led 29–13. As the last seconds ticked down, Harvard tied the game, scoring 16 points in the final 42 seconds. The Harvard Crimson declared victory with a famous headline, "Harvard Beats Yale 29-29."

There is an amazing array of people associated with the game. Calvin Hill (Grant Hill's father) who later starred for the Dallas Cowboys played running back for Yale. Tommy Lee Jones who was rooming with Al Gore at the time played offensive tackle for Harvard. George W. Bush was attending Yale. One of the Harvard players was dating Meryl Streep who was attending Vassar. Garry Trudeau's earliest Doonesbury comics while he was at Yale essentially feature the Yale football team.

The film mixes broadcast video of the game with interviews with close to 50 of the surviving players. The film was created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the game. In addition to actual game footage and the contemporary interviews, the film includes commentary about the Vietnam War and the sexual revolution. One of the players had served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Although not as slick as some of the 30 for 30 documentaries, it is worth seeing. I was struck by how football today looks very much the same as it did almost 45 years ago.

2011 Christmas Tree

2011-12-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

Wackman's Christmas Party

2011-12-17T23:59:00.000-08:00

After Mass and dinner at Macaroni Grill, we went to the Wackman's Christmas Party. They went with us to the Milo Greene concert at the Fillmore last month. Their youngest son has played baseball with Jack on the Outlaws for the last two and a half years. The Borjas were also there. It was a late night. By the time we got home and to bed, it was almost 1:00 a.m.

2011 SEAS Christmas Program

2011-12-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

We went to the thirteenth annual SEAS Christmas program in the morning. With the program structured around the Christmas Story, Jack's class sang Joy to the World.

This is our last lap through the school's calendar of events. It is hard to believe that after more than eight years at SEAS that Jack will be moving on in six months!

Pictures from the last eight years are here! I have to figure out if I have a picture from kindergarden.

Farm Credit West Christmas Party

2011-12-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

Sharon and I went to the Farm Credit West Christmas Party at Il Fornaio in Roseville. The group included a number of people that I knew when I worked at banks, including Norma Udell, Ernie Hodges, Dan Clawson, Dan Hackett and John Boyce. I had expected it to be more surreal than it was. It has been almost fourteen years since I worked for the Farm Credit banks. Looking back on the 80's and the first half of the 90's, it seems like someone else's life...

Rayvon Browne

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

With ukulele and vocals by Morgan!

Rayvon Browne by Rayvon Browne

California Historical Landmark #404

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

While Jack worked at a Special Olympics softball tournament, I ended up following the railroad tracks to Auburn. I had originally intended just to look for the transcontinental railroad historical marker in Roseville, but ended up leapfrogging from Roseville to Rocklin to Newcastle to Auburn. Along the way, I also stopped at California Historic Markers for the Griffin Quarry, the town of Ophir and the City of Auburn.

City of Auburn
California State Historical Landmark #404
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This landmark is located at the southwest corner of Maple Street and Lincoln Way, Auburn in Placer County, California. There are 20 other California State Historical Landmarks in Placer County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 53.766 W 121° 04.733.

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

Gold was discovered near here by Claude Chana on May 16, 1848. First known as 'North Fork' or 'Woods Dry Diggins,' the settlement was given the name Auburn in the fall of 1849. It soon became an important mining town, trading post, and stage terminal, and also became the county seat of Sutter County in 1850 and of Placer County in 1851. It was destroyed by fires in 1855, 1859, and 1863.

The Civil Wars and Milo Greene

2011-12-13T16:30:00.000-08:00

After 27 shows in 66 days across 18 states and Canada opening for The Civil Wars, Drew and Milo Green are heading home. The cities they visited included: Birmingham, AL; Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Montreal, Canada; Toronto, Canada; Ann Arbor, MI; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Vancouver, Canada; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; Santa Barbara, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Durham, NC; Norfolk, VA; Charlottesville, VA; Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; Knoxville, TN

Milo Greene at Blue Lamp

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'd like to share this event with you!

Milo Greene at Blue Lamp

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 9:00 PM to Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 1:00 AM (PT)

1400 Alhambra BLVD
Sacramento 95816

View Map

Attend

Want company? Share this event!

Starbucks Pick of the Week - Star Walk [app]

2011-12-13T04:59:00.000-08:00

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

A stargazer's guide to the sky.

Code Expiration: March 6, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Megafaun - Get Right

2011-12-13T04:58:00.000-08:00

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

Made up former musical associates of Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver). Megafaun delivers a distinctive brand of sonically adventurous, lyrically contemplative rock.

Code Expiration: March 6, 2012

The Help

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

On Saturday night, Sharon and I watched The Help as an HD rental on the AppleTv. Both of us had read the book.

The film does a very nice job with the casting. The characters in the film seem very true to the characters of the novel. Additionally, all of the central actors deliver good performances.

Although Sharon enjoyed it more than I did, the movie is a solid adaption of a very good book. Like many adaptions of novels, the movie picks and chooses parts of the film to include. There were some parts of the book that I felt were significant that the screenplay left out. From my prespective, the end result was a movie that was a little softer with more rounded edges than the book.

First 7th & 8th Grade Dance

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

As part of the St. Anthony's Middle School Club, Jack went to his first 7th and 8th grade dance of the year on Friday night. St. Anthony's will be hosting four dances during this school year.

On our way to a Christmas Party, we dropped Jack at the home of one of his classmates. The Laskins took two carloads of boys out for pizza before the dance. Jack noted that it seemed like there were fewer kids at the dance than the ones that he went to last year.

Christmas Party

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

For the fourth year in a row [2010, 2009, 2008], Sharon and I went to a Christmas Party at the home of my boss on Friday night. The group included IS leaders from across the organization, their spouses and significant others. Donna and Kevin were there. Although Sharon disagreed with me, it seemed there were more people than last year.

At the end of the evening, they held a white elephant gift exchange. We took a copy of Drew's band Milo Greene's EP. In one of those strange twists of fate, Bobbie ended up stealing it from Jerry. We introduced Jon and Bobbie to Drew's music at the end of the party in 2008. In 2009 and 2010, we took copies of Drew's Paradise Sessions and Under California Skies as white elephant gifts.

Is Albert Pujols Really Worth $250 Million?

2011-12-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Is Albert Pujols Really Worth $250 Million? - www.grantland.com

Uh, bad news, Anaheim

Just as you can't plan a parade just yet in Anaheim, you shouldn't discount a potential repeat run for the Cardinals. One player can certainly nudge a team toward a championship. But he can't guarantee it. Not even close.

Nevada County Landmarks

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

California State Historical Landmarks in Nevada County
{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}
@NO. 134 DONNER MONUMENT (or) PIONEER MONUMENT {39° 19' 25.86", -120° 13' 52.62"}
NO. 247 THE WORLD'S FIRST LONG-DISTANCE TELEPHONE LINE
NO. 292 HOME OF LOLA MONTEZ
NO. 293 HOME OF LOTTA CRABTREE
NO. 294 THE LITTLE TOWN OF ROUGH AND READY
NO. 297 SITE OF ONE OF THE FIRST DISCOVERIES OF QUARTZ GOLD IN CALIFORNIA
NO. 298 EMPIRE MINE
NO. 390 BRIDGEPORT (NYES CROSSING) COVERED BRIDGE
NO. 628 ALPHA HYDRAULIC DIGGINGS
NO. 629 OMEGA HYDRAULIC DIGGINGS AND TOWNSITE
@NO. 780-6 FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD-TRUCKEE {39° 19' 38.94", -120° 11' 7.92"}
NO. 799 OVERLAND EMIGRANT TRAIL
NO. 832 SOUTH YUBA CANAL OFFICE
NO. 843 NORTH STAR MINE POWERHOUSE
NO. 852 NORTH BLOOMFIELD MINING AND GRAVEL COMPANY
NO. 855 MOUNT SAINT MARY'S CONVENT AND ACADEMY
NO. 863 NEVADA THEATRE
NO. 899 NATIONAL HOTEL
NO. 914 HOLBROOKE HOTEL
NO. 1012 FIRST MANUFACTURING SITE OF THE PELTON WHEEL

List of California Counties

Santa Cruz Run

2011-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

After working almost 36 hours straight from last Wednesday morning to Thursday night, I went for a long run in the dark along the cliffs in Santa Cruz. I covered almost 7 miles. Using data from my Garmin 305, I created the following maps.

View Larger Map

Milo Greene - Silent Way

2011-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

California Historical Landmark #983

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

While I was working in the control center on the EPIC electronic medical record go-live in Santa Cruz, I walked along the boardwalk looking for this waymark.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
California State Historical Landmark #983
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This landmark is located at 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California. There are 7 other California State Historical Landmarks in Santa Cruz County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 36° 57.819 W 122° 01.000.

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

A local landmark since 1907, this boardwalk was one of the first amusement parks in California. It is now the only oceanside amusement park operating on the West Coast. The boardwalk is the site of two rare attractions, the 1911 carousel and the 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster. Both were manufactured by members of the Looff family, some of the nation's earliest and most prominent makers of amusement rides.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - She & Him - I'll Be Home For Christmas

2011-12-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

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

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, collectively known as She & Him, bring warmth and charm to a holiday standard.

Code Expiration: February 28, 2012

The Civil Wars with Very Special Guest Milo Greene

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Drew's band [Milo Greene] spent the last four days winding their way from California to North Carolina. They are playing seven nights in the next eight days as they finish up the tour opening for The Civil Wars. In January, they will be going up into the studio to finish up their upcoming LP.

Dec 5 - Page Auditorium - Durham, NC
Dec 6 - The Norva - Norfolk, VA
Dec 7 - Jefferson Theater - Charlottesville, VA
Dec 8 - McGlohon Theatre - Charlotte, NC
Dec 10 - Presser Hall - Agnes Scott College - Atlanta, GA
Dec 11 - Presser Hall - Agnes Scott College - Atlanta, GA
Dec 12 - Bijou Theatre - Knoxville, TN

Putting Lights on the Xmas Tree

2011-12-04T23:59:00.000-08:00

Magnum Force

2011-12-03T23:59:00.000-08:00

Running on the treadmill, I watched Magnum Force as a HD rental on the AppleTv. Filmed in 1973, it is the second film to feature Clint Eastwood as maverick cop Harry Callahan. This film features early appearances by David Soul, Tim Matheson and Robert Urich as vigilante traffic cops. Future Three's Company TV star Suzanne Somers has a brief uncredited role at a pool party. At 124 minutes, it is the longest Dirty Harry film.

I watched Dirty Harry almost two years ago with the idea that I would watch all of the films in the series in 2010.

View from the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

I spent a couple of days in Santa Cruz working in the control center for our electronic health record go-live.

Milo Greene in Entertainment Weekly

2011-12-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

The November 25, 2011 issue of Entertainment Weekly recommended one of the Milo Greene songs.

The Litigators by John Grisham

2011-11-30T23:59:00.000-08:00

Twenty-four... In the last twenty years, I have read 24 of Grisham's books. I am not proud of this. My book for November was The Litigators by John Grisham.

The book's main character is a young lawyer that walks away from the grind of a big law firm in Chicago. As an aside, I don't remember Grisham ever portraying working at a big legal firm in an attractive light. The protagonist ends up literally stumbling into a small rundown two man legal firm and joining the practice.

The majority of the plot revolves around a class action lawsuit against a drug company over the alleged health risks of a cholesterol drug. There is also a product liability subplot.

Over the last few years, I have questioned whether I really wanted to read each of Grisham's new books. I continue to read his books as a light entertaining read between more serious books. Partly due to a hectic work and personal schedule, I had a hard time getting into this book. With about 200 pages left, I got engaged and was entertained.

I read my first Grisham book--The Firm--in 1993. I had driven she-who-will-not-be-named to a class in San Francisco. Waiting for her, I spent the day running in Golden Gate Park, reading The Firm and then buying some software at an Egghead store on Market Street. Driving back to Sacramento, she and I went to Hunter's 40th birthday party!

California Historical Landmark #463

2011-11-29T19:01:00.001-08:00

While Jack worked at a Special Olympics softball tournament, I ended up following the railroad tracks to Auburn. I had originally intended just to look for the transcontinental railroad historical marker in Roseville, but ended up leapfrogging from Roseville to Rocklin to Newcastle to Auburn. Along the way, I also stopped at California Historic Markers for the Griffin Quarry, the town of Ophir and the City of Auburn.

Ophir
California State Historical Landmark #463
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This landmark is located at southwest corner of Lozanos and Bald Hill Roads, 3 miles west of Auburn in Placer County, California. There are 20 other California State Historical Landmarks in Placer County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 53.478 W 121° 07.475.

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

Founded in 1849 as 'The Spanish Corral,' Ophir received its Biblical name in 1850 because of its rich placers. The most populous town in Placer County in 1852, polling 500 votes, Ophir was almost totally destroyed by fire in July 1853 but later became the center of quartz mining in the county.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - The Barr Brothers - Beggar in the Morning

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

Code Expiration: February 21, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Jason Bajada - The Sound Your Life Makes

2011-11-29T06:58:00.000-08:00

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

Montreal singer-songwriter Jason Bajada looks inward with an artfully written exploration on love and miscommunication.

Code Expiration: February 21, 2012

Jesuit High School Shadow Day

2011-11-28T23:59:00.000-08:00

Following up on the open house last month, Jack spent the morning at the Jesuit High School Shadow Day. He went to Algebra II, AP History and AP English classes. Jack was only one of four kids in his class of 35 that did not go to the Christian Brothers Shadow Day two weeks ago. Sharon has him thoroughly brainwashed!

It is impossible for me to believe that Jack will be starting high school in a little more than eight months.

2011 Christmas Tree

2011-11-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

For the third year in a row, we got a Christmas Tree at Lamb's Christmas Trees on West Stockton Boulevard off of Sheldon. After spending most of the day shuttling boxes back and forth to the mini storage and then struggling to put up the outside Christmas lights, we took a break late in the day to pick out a flocked tree.

Dunedin Railway Station, Platform & Gates

2011-11-26T23:59:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, September 14 while we were in New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, we spent the morning wandering around downtown Dunedin. Tomasin, Julie and I wandered through the Dunedin Railway Station.

Dunedin Railway Station, Platform & Gates
New Zealand Historic Places Trust #59
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This historic place is located at 20B Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. The GPS coordinates for this location are S 45° 52.517 E 170° 30.534.

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

The Dunedin Railway Station was the last of three stations built in the city between 1873 and 1906 and was the largest and busiest railway station in New Zealand.

The station was designed in Flemish Renaissance style by the Railways Department chief architect George Troup and is constructed from two types of Otago Stone, a dark volcanic stone from Kokonga and a lime stone from the Oamaru District. The columns are of Aberdeen granite. The board area outside the station at the foot of Stuart Street provided a space for vehicles carrying goods and passengers. This area later became known as Anzac Square after the Australian and New Zealand forces which service in the 1914-1918 war.

Brief History

The Dunedin Railway Station has been described as 'the outstanding monument of Edwardian architecture in New Zealand' and as 'well suited to dramatising the adventurous achievements of the railway in its conquest of space and time'. It was constructed during a period of growth for the New Zealand rail system that occurred between the late 1890s to the early 1900s. In 1901 Joseph Ward, the Minister of Railways, proposed spending £500,000 per annum for the next five years, a plan which included the construction of the Railways Head Office in Wellington, and a new railway station for Dunedin. Dunedin was at this time the busiest railway station in the country and was outgrowing its third building. (The first Dunedin railway station was built in 1872 near the intersection of High and Rattray Streets and had been replaced twice, each time on a different site.)

A competition was held for the design of the new Dunedin Railway Station, which was won by George Alexander Troup (1863-1941). Troup had worked for a short time with the Survey Department in Otago, transferred to the Railways Department and had become their Chief Draughtsman in 1894. His success in winning the open competition for the design of the station was important affirmation of his work as Chief Railways Draftsman. The building he designed consists of a central entrance hall flanked on both sides by long wings. It was constructed from Kokanga basalt on a base of Port Chalmers basalt, with Oamaru stone dressings. The basalt was taken from a quarry in Central Otago that had been specifically opened for construction of the station. Troup had originally designed the building in brick but stone was used to keep costs down. The stone for the pillars on the Anzac Avenue facade were imported granite from Peterhead, Scotland, and the whole station was roofed with Marseilles tiles.

As his nickname 'Gingerbread George' suggests, Troup was known for of elaborate decoration and the Edwardian Baroque of the Dunedin Railway Station did much to establish this reputation. A notable feature of the station is the domed tower located at the south-west corner of the building. Other outstanding features of the station are the foyer with its stained glass windows depicting locomotives; the frieze of Doulton cherubs and foliage that runs below the balcony; the mosaic floor (depicting a railway engine as well as other railway motifs) and the ticketboxes, set within tiled arches. Troup kept costs down by using railway labour, transport and materials, although the cost still came to £800,000.

The new railway station was sited on reclaimed land and its position had caused much controversy; the local Harbour Board in particular was concerned that it would block access to the wharves. A Royal Commission was established to determine the site and it settled for the current location along Anzac Avenue. In the event, the siting of the railway station on reclaimed land affected its construction. When building began approximately 600 piles had to be driven into the bedrock to support the weight of the structure. By the 1960s the mosaic floor in the lobby had sunk and the tiles had to be taken up; a new base was put down and new tiles relaid in an exact replica of the old floor.

The gates, which are included in the New Zealand Historic Places Trust/Pouhere Taonga registration, are part of the surrounding fence that has a concrete base with elaborate wrought iron railings. Both fence and gates were part of Troup's original design, and they run approximately 50 metres north up Anzac Avenue and almost 200 metres to the south to the site of the Otago Settlers' Museum. The platform, which at the time of its opening was the longest platform in New Zealand, is also part of the registration.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, many government departments in New Zealand underwent major restructuring and retrenchment, including New Zealand Rail. As a result, New Zealand Rail began to sell many of its buildings during this period. After much discussion the Dunedin Railway Station building was sold to the Dunedin City Council in 1991, although the Council did not formally take possession until 1994. The building then underwent a major program of refurbishment, and now houses a restaurant, the offices of the Taieri Gorge Railway, a Sports Hall of Fame, and the Cleveland Living Arts Centre. The station remains a major tourist attraction.

Sir Nickolaus Pevsner, the noted architectural critic and historian, who visited New Zealand in 1958, said that Dunedin Railway Station was his favourite New Zealand building, and commented that it was not at all provinical and the booking hall was 'very very charming indeed.' The Dunedin Railway Station is Troup's most significant building and he received a Royal Institute of British Architects Award for its design. It is a significant part of the townscape and was for many years a major hub of the South Island railway network.

Cars 2

2011-11-25T23:59:00.000-08:00

With Sharon out with Janie, Liz, Laura, Mary, Sandy for a girls night out in Old Sacramento, Drew, Jack and I watched Cars 2.

As we were looking through the AppleTV for something to rent, Jack actually expressed an interest in seeing Cars 2. I was pleasantly surprised by the movie; it is a fun little movie. It is an international racing-and-spy thriller: a cross between a James Bond picture and a Looney Tunes Cartoon.

Drew ended up spending the night. It was very nice to have some more time with him.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

After the Run to Feed the Hungry and the adventure getting out of the parking lot, we headed back to the house. Sharon spent some time making pumpkin flan. Drew stopped by and we got a chance to catch up in a little less hectic environment than last Thursday at the Fillmore. It was very nice to have a chance to sit and visit with him!

We took off for Sharon's brother Tim's house in the early afternoon. They brought a new house off of Elk Grove-Florin this year and hosted Thanksgiving. It was a big group, including: Tim, Becky, Kevin, Jim Dunn, Tim, Kathy, Erin, her boyfriend [Jarred], Eileen, Sharon, Drew, Jack and I. After dinner, we celebrated Jim's birthday. We finished the night watching the 49ers fall to the Ravens by the score of 16 to 6.

2011 Run to Feed the Hungry

2011-11-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

For the seventh time in the last eight years [2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

We picked up Janie downtown and she ran with Sharon. For the first time since we started running the race, it rained on Thanksgiving. In fact, it was the first time in the 18-year history of the Thanksgiving Day race that it rained.

Jack and I ran together for the first five plus miles. Our first five splits were 8:47, 8:29, 8:52, 8:53 and 8:34. I knew I was in trouble when Jack picked up the pace through the fifth mile. With about a mile to go, he started to pull away from me. I have run a lot of miles over the last month in an attempt to get my weight back down and I just didn't have anything left in my legs when Jack kicked. I covered the sixth mile in 8:32. Based on the race results, I ran the course in 54:40 for an average pace of 8:48 per mile. Jack finished the race with 53:42 for an average pace of 8:39.

Jack was very proud of the fact that he had finally beaten me for the first time in a 10k race.

It rained off and on during the race. Walking back to the car, we were wet and cold. With Sharon and Janie finishing about 20 minutes behind us, Jack and I found some place out of the rain to wait for them. Sharon had parked in a small lot near the Guy West Bridge. For some reason, it took us almost an hour just to get out of the lot!

At the start of the 18th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry

2011-11-24T10:01:00.001-08:00

At the start of the 18th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry, originally uploaded by heringermr.

Milo Greene [Graham and Drew] at the Wiltern in Los Angeles - 11/19/2011

2011-11-23T21:01:00.001-08:00

California Historical Landmark #885

2011-11-22T23:59:00.000-08:00

While Jack worked at a Special Olympics softball tournament, I ended up following the railroad tracks to Auburn. I had originally intended just to look for the transcontinental railroad historical marker in Roseville, but ended up leapfrogging from Roseville to Rocklin to Newcastle to Auburn. Along the way, I also stopped at California Historic Markers for the Griffin Quarry, the town of Ophir and the City of Auburn.

Griffith Quarry
California State Historical Landmark #885
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This landmark is located at the southeast corner of Taylor and Rock Springs Roads, Penryn in Placer County, California. There are 20 other California State Historical Landmarks in Placer County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 51.068 W 121° 09.865.

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

Established in the fall of 1864 by Mr. Griffith Griffith, a native of Wales, the quarry located near this site supplied high-quality granite for a number of the important buildings in San Francisco and Sacramento, including portions of the state capitol. This was also the site of the state's first successful commercial granite polishing mill, erected in 1874.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - MadPad

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

Code Expiration: February 14, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Hollie Cook - Milk & Honey

2011-11-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

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

The daughter of a Sex Pistol, Hollie Cook integrates reggae and girl-group pop into an intoxicating track from her self-titled album.

Code Expiration: February 14, 2012