Viking Honir Veranda Stateroom #335

It was not crazy about the our room abroad the Viking Honir on our Passage to Eastern Europe Trip. I felt that there wasn't anywhere in the room to sit and relax. I like to have somewhere to work on my blog, but the only small desk space in the room Sharon used as a spot to do her makeup.

The room is listed as approximately 205 sq ft including the balcony. A floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opened onto a private veranda furnished with two chairs and a small table. We never used the balcony. I think that the balcony is 30 sq ft so that the room size is approximately 175 sq ft.

For comparison on the Viking Homelands cruise, the room on the Viking Venus was 225 sq ft. This included interior living space of approximately 185 sq ft. and balconys space is approximately 40 sq ft. Although it is only listed as 10 sq. ft. bigger than the room on the Honir, it felt a lot bigger...

I really liked our room on the Seabourn Encore for the Greece and Turkey trip. It was approximately 365 square feet. This included interior Living Space of 300 square feet and a private balcony of 65 square feet. It actually had a set of curtains that you could draw between the bed and the sitting area.

I never documented our room for the Nile cruise on the MS Antares. It was a fantastic room! I need to go back and do that in the future.

In spite of my dislike of the room, we will probably do another Viking River cruise. I am interested in a Viking river cruise on the Rhône River (Lyon & Provence) and the Douro River (Portugal’s River of Gold).

Survivor 50

In early February, Eric, Tom, Jack, Sharon and I did a snake draft of the contestants on Survivor 50. Thursday night, we got together to watch the finale.

This is the eighteenth consecutive season to be filmed in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. With 24 contestants, this is also the largest cast the show has had to date.

Several celebrity fans got involved with the game this season. Country music singer Zac Brown and YouTube personality MrBeast made appearances on the island as part of tribal rewards and advantages. Musician Billie Eilish and Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon had their names attached to special advantages used this season.

Aubry Bracco was voted the Sole Survivor and won the $2 million grand prize. She defeated Jonathan Young and Joe Hunter (Sacramento Fire Captain) in a 8–3–0 vote. Hunter is married to Kayte Christensen; She is a former WNBA player and works as the Sacramento Kings television color analyst. Cirie Fields was awarded $100,000 as the winner of the "Sia Fan Favorite Prize."

I won; I had picked Aubry with my first pick. As I admitted to the group at the time, she had very high odds in the Polymarket and Kalshi prediction markets. This highlights the problem with prediction markets: they are riddled with insider trading.

2026 San Francisco - Day #3

After breakfast at the lodge, Donna, Kevin, Sharon and I hiked to the Golden Gate Bridge. We covered 3.2 miles in just over an hour and a half.

After making some plans to get together in the future, we checked out and loaded up the cars.

We had a great time at the Presidio with Donna and Kevin!

Sharon and I timed it so we could scoop Jack up in front of Trader Joes at noon. With a stop for lunch at Taco Bell in Cordelia and Raleys for some supplies, we were home just before 3 pm.

The three of us finished the day with a Survivor 50 Finale watch party with Tom and Eric. We got pizzas from Serritella's. More in separate post.

2026 San Francisco - Day #2 - Presidio Golf Course

After breakfast at the lodge, we headed to the Presidio Golf course. It is only about ten minutes away from the lodge. We had forgotten Sharon's golf shoes so she spent some time in the pro shop buying a new pair.

Although it is an odd driving range on a hillside, I felt very solid. We had a 10:10 am tee time. I got off to a strong start. On the front nine, I hit six of the seven par four and five fairways. I had a par, three bogeys and three double bogeys. I finished the front nine with a very honestly scored 51.

Something happens to my swing as I get tired. I started to struggle on the 11th and 12th holes. I used a couple of mulligans and only hit four of seven fairways on the back nine. Nevertheless, I felt ok about the back nine until the 18th. I had three strong shots to end up about 30 yards in front of the green. I then skulled my chip shot over the green in a deep bunker. I made an absolute mess of the rest of the hole. It initially soured me on the whole day.

I ended up with a liberally scored 60 on the back nine for a 111 total. If I had avoided the ten on the last hole and carded a 107 or 108, I would have been very happy with the day... It was disappointing because I have been pretty successful over the last few rounds of avoiding the big blow up holes. Kevin had an 83, while Sharon had a 108.

Back at the lodge, we relaxed in the room. Getting cleaned up, we wandered down to the evening wine and cheese reception.

Eventually, we wandered down the block to the Dalida restaurant. We ate there before with Holly and Van in February 2025. We split a number of plates, including: Breaking Bread [Hummus, muhammara, smoked yogurt, pickles, marinated olives, chubby pita]; Grapeleaf Duck Dolmas [Karkhazian leaves, rhubarb amba, pickled strawberries]; Dungeness Crab Hilopides [Squid ink hilopides pasta, fennel, oven-dried tomatoes, garlic breadcrumbs, avgotara]; Kayseri Manti [Butter-roasted lamb dumplings, garlic yogurt, Urfa-tomato sauce]; and Aleppo Half-Chicken [Sweet pepper glaze, gigante beans, sundried tomatoes, olives and caperberries].

2026 San Francisco - Day #1

When we were in Sea Ranch in February with the Gainsleys, we planned a trip to San Francisco to play golf at the Presidio. Rolling from Carmichael about 12:10 pm, we pulled up to the Lodge at the Presidio at 2:15 pm. Taking 80 to 37 to 101, the traffic was surprisingly light.

After getting settled in the room, we connected with the Gainsleys and did a short hike. Wandering across the Tunnel Top Park, we walked along the Crissy Field Promenade to Crissy Field and back. We covered just over two miles in fifty minutes.

We have a great view of the Golden Gate bridge from our room. We are in Room 218; I think that we have stayed in this room before.

Getting cleaned up, we took an Uber to the Holbrook House in the financial district for a drink and some hors d'oeuvres. We then took an Uber to the Delfina Restaurant in the Mission District.

Sharon and I shared a Insalata di Campo [chicories and greens, Delfina pancetta, walnuts, parmigiano, balsamico}. For entrees, I had Pasta alla Vongole [mafaldine, littleneck clams, 'nduja], while Sharon had Paccheri all'Amalfitana [HMB petrale sole, San Marzano tomato]. Sharon didn't like her entree...

After dinner, we got a Waymo back to the lodge. While Sharon and I have ridden in a Waymo a couple of times, it was the first time for the Gainsleys.

Hanging out in the Gainsleys' room for a bit, Sharon and I crashed just before 10:30 pm.

Frances Ha

Saturday night after we got back from the Donum Estates Spring Celebration, we watched Frances Ha. Sharon is the reading the Lena Dunham memoir and the film is mentioned in the book. The film is ranked 90th on the New York Times list of the 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century.

Frances Ha is a 2012 independent film. Directed by Noah Baumbach, the script was written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig. It stars Grewig with supporting performances by Adam Driver, Michael Zegen and Mickey Sumner.

The film follows Frances Halladay (Gerwig), a 27-year-old apprentice for a dance company living in New York City. Frances is a terminal optimist, but her life is a bit of a chaotic mess: she isn't really a dancer, she doesn't quite have an apartment, and she is fiercely, codependently attached to her best friend from college, Sophie (played by Mickey Sumner).

Before he became a massive household name through Star Wars and Marriage Story, a young Adam Driver played Lev, a wealthy, trendy hipster who briefly becomes Frances’s roommate. Michael Zegen (Joel Maisel from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Benji is Lev’s roommate—an aspiring sketch writer who lives off a trust fund and spends his time watching television and making fun of Frances.

The film received several notable accolades and nominations across major industry awards and critic associations, primarily recognizing Gerwig's breakout performance and the film's editing. In particular, Greta Gerwig received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.

Sharon liked the movie more than I did. I got bored. While it is an interesting piece of Baumbach and Gerwig's career, I don't recommend it.

Pickleball

Sharon and I wandered down to Greg and Michele's house on Sunday morning to play pickleball. Jim and Debbie were also there. I ended up playing in three different games: once with Sharon and twice with Jim. With a gusty north wind blowing, it was a fluky morning...

Donum Spring Celebration

Sharon and I spent the day at the Donum Spring Celeberation. We have been wine club members there since February of 2017.

Donum Estate is home to The Donum Collection, one of the largest accessible private sculpture collections in the world. It features over 60 monumental, site-specific works dotted across the landscape by globally renowned artists such as Ai Weiwei, Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, Louise Bourgeois, and Richard Hudson. The newest piece is Look III (Show) by Antony Gormley.

'LOOK III' 2016 | Antony Gormley (1950, UK)

Antony Gormley’s Slabworks extend the language of his earlier Blockworks and explore the human body as both structure and presence. Composed of interlocking planes that build a body, these works hold a tension between inward reflection and outward orientation. Cast in solid iron as a single form, the Slabwork 'Look III' conveys weight and permanence, while its open, stacked construction introduces a sense of balance poised against vulnerability. Originally conceived in response to a commission for Pilane, an ancient burial site along the Baltic coast of southern Sweden, the Slabworks were developed in dialogue with an expansive landscape: open ground, distant horizons, and vast skies.

Their form recalls both the precariousness of a house of cards and the enduring mass of megalithic structures, binding contemporary urban sensibility to deep historical memory. At The Donum Estate, 'Look III' is sited on a hillside, where its verticality and shifting planes engage directly with the surrounding terrain and long vineyard views. Set within an open landscape, the figure becomes at once a solitary presence and a point of connection—anchored to the earth, oriented toward the horizon, and in quiet conversation with the land.

Fogo De Chão

Friday night, Sharon and I met Phil and Marlene at Fogo De Chão in Roseville. Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse is a high-end, authentic upscale churrascaria known for its continuous tableside service of fire-roasted meats. The dining experience centers around traditional Southern Brazilian culture and gaucho-style cooking. Sharon and I ate at a similar restaurant in Florida more than twenty years ago.

We all had the Full Churrasco Experience. This selection features house specialties like Picanha (prime part of the top sirloin), filet mignon, ribeye, lamb chops, and beef ribs, all seasoned and roasted over an open flame.

For the price, Sharon and I weren't impressed with the food. We probably won't go back.

At Ancil Hoffman Golf Course

Trying to tune up for a round at the Presidio next week, Sharon and I played nine holes at Ancil Hoffman on Friday morning. We had a 7:32 am tee time. We got paired with two brothers from Roseville: Len and Shane. Sharon and I both walked.

Hitting a few balls on the driving range, I felt very solid. I started strong. I was on the green in regulation on the second and third holes. I parred the par four third hole. I struggled a little with the wet rough and greens, but was very happy with how I was playing.

The wheels started to come off on the fourth hole. By the seventh hole, although I was making good contact, I started pushing everything hard left. I thought that I had fixed that problem, but it came back today as the round progressed... I have got to sort this out over the next few days.

With a gallery loss in the ninth, I ended up with a fairly honestly scored 57.

National Ge0graphic: 100 Places That Will Change Your Life

Mind: Intellectual & Historical Growth

1. Athens, Greece: Walk the Acropolis to stand where democracy and Western philosophy were born.
2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia: Witness the largest religious monument in the world, a feat of Khmer engineering.
3. Great Wall, China: Walk the winding stone paths to contemplate human perseverance and isolation.
4. Oxford, England: Immerse yourself in the "city of dreaming spires" and its 800-year academic legacy.
5. Kyoto, Japan: Master the art of the tea ceremony and explore the quiet precision of Zen gardens.
6. Florence, Italy: See the works of Michelangelo and Da Vinci where the Renaissance redefined humanity.
7. Machu Picchu, Peru: Study Incan astronomy and agriculture at this cloud-level citadel.
8. Cairo, Egypt: Stand before the Pyramids of Giza to feel the weight of 4,500 years of history.
9. Petra, Jordan: Marvel at a city literally carved into rose-red desert cliffs.
10. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: See the living laboratory that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution.
11. St. Petersburg, Russia: Explore the Hermitage and the grandeur of the "Venice of the North."
12. The Smithsonian, Washington D.C.: Visit the world's largest museum complex to see the scope of human achievement.
13. Timbuktu, Mali: Visit the fabled center of Islamic scholarship and ancient manuscripts.
14. Cusco, Peru: Explore the Incan capital where colonial and ancient stonework seamlessly merge.
15. The Parthenon, Greece: Contemplate the perfection of Golden Ratio architecture.
16. Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt: Revisit the spirit of the Ancient Library of Alexandria in this modern marvel.
17. Cambridge, England: Experience the intellectual rigor of the world’s second-oldest English-speaking university.
18. The Louvre, France: Lose yourself in the world’s most visited museum of art and history.
19. Persepolis, Iran: Witness the monumental ruins of the seat of the Achaemenid Empire.
20. Xi’an, China: Stand before the thousands of unique faces of the Terracotta Army.
21. Cartagena, Colombia: Walk the walled city to learn about Caribbean colonial history and literature.
22. Heidelberg, Germany: Experience the romanticism and intellectual depth of Germany’s oldest university.
23. Auroville, India: Visit the "City of Dawn," an experimental township dedicated to human unity.
24. Island of Rhodes, Greece: Explore the medieval street of the Knights and the site of a lost Wonder.
25. The British Museum, London: See the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles in this global archive.

Body: Physical Challenge & Vitality

26. The Swiss Alps: Take in the thinning air and grand vistas on some of Europe's highest trails.
27. Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Snorkel the world’s largest coral system to witness vibrant underwater life.
28. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: Feel the rumble of the Great Migration across the vast savannah.
29. Patagonia, Chile/Argentina: Hike the rugged trails of the "End of the World" amid glaciers and granite peaks.
30. Himalayas, Nepal: Test your limits on the roof of the world in the presence of Mount Everest.
31. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon: Soak in silica-rich geothermal waters surrounded by volcanic lava fields.
32. Boundary Waters, Minnesota: Paddle through a pristine wilderness of 1,000 lakes and no cell service.
33. Amalfi Coast, Italy: Navigate the "Path of the Gods" for vertical views of the Mediterranean.
34. Kauai, Hawaii: Hike the Na Pali Coast to see the "Garden Isle" in its most rugged form.
35. The Amazon Rainforest: Experience the sensory overload of the planet's most biodiverse ecosystem.
36. Milford Sound, New Zealand: Kayak through glacial fjords where waterfalls drop from 1,000-meter cliffs.
37. The Grand Canyon, Arizona: Hike from rim to river to see millions of years of geological time.
38. Mont Saint-Michel, France: Climb the winding stairs of this island abbey as the tide rushes in.
39. Table Mountain, South Africa: Hike to the flat-topped summit for a view of two merging oceans.
40. Denali National Park, Alaska: Experience true scale in the shadow of North America’s tallest peak.
41. The Dolomites, Italy: Tackle the "Iron Ways" (Via Ferrata) in these jagged limestone mountains.
42. Bora Bora, French Polynesia: Swim with rays and sharks in one of the world's most beautiful lagoons.
43. Lake Baikal, Russia: Walk across the world's deepest and oldest lake, frozen clear as glass.
44. Okavango Delta, Botswana: Navigate the reed-filled waterways in a traditional dugout mokoro.
45. Appalachian Trail, USA: Walk a portion of this 2,000-mile journey of endurance and forest immersion.
46. Yosemite National Park, California: Stand at the base of El Capitan and feel the power of granite.
47. Torres del Paine, Chile: Trek the "W Circuit" for views of the world’s most iconic spires.
48. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe: Feel the spray of the "Smoke that Thunders," the world's largest falling curtain of water.
49. The Sahara Desert: Traverse the dunes by camel and experience the silence of the deep desert.
50. Great Rift Valley, Kenya: Explore the cradle of humanity where the earth is literally pulling apart.

Spirit: Inner Peace & Connection

51. Varanasi, India: Watch the Aarti ceremonies along the Ganges, the most sacred site in Hinduism.
52. Santiago de Compostela, Spain: Join the "Camino" pilgrims at the shrine of St. James.
53. Lumbini, Nepal: Visit the peaceful garden known as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha).
54. Sedona, Arizona: Meditate among the red rock vortexes believed to hold intense healing energy.
55. Mount Sinai, Egypt: Climb the biblical peak to watch the sunrise over the desert.
56. The Vatican City: Witness the intersection of high art and global Catholic tradition.
57. Lhasa, Tibet: Visit the Potala Palace, the historical winter home of the Dalai Lama.
58. Assisi, Italy: Find tranquility in the home of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
59. Jerusalem, Israel: Experience the spiritual density of the Old City, holy to three major faiths.
60. Mount Kailash, China: Complete a "Kora" (pilgrimage circuit) around this sacred Himalayan peak.
61. Bodh Gaya, India: Sit under the Mahabodhi tree where the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
62. Rishikesh, India: Practice yoga in the "Yoga Capital of the World" along the foothills of the Himalayas.
63. Mount Athos, Greece: Visit the "Holy Mountain," a center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism.
64. Iona, Scotland: Experience the "thin place" on this island, a cradle of Christianity in Scotland.
65. Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan: Visit 88 temples on a journey of self-reflection and perseverance.
66. Western Wall, Jerusalem: Place a prayer in the cracks of the last remnant of the Second Temple.
67. Glastonbury, England: Explore the myths of King Arthur and the spiritual energy of the Tor.
68. Mecca, Saudi Arabia: The ultimate spiritual destination for Muslims (restricted access).
69. The Golden Temple, India: Witness the Sikh tradition of community and selfless service in Amritsar.
70. Mount Fuji, Japan: Ascend the sacred volcano that has inspired poets and monks for centuries.
71. Taos Pueblo, New Mexico: Experience the enduring spiritual traditions of the Pueblo people.
72. Montserrat, Spain: Visit the "Serrated Mountain" and the shrine of the Black Madonna.
73. Uluru, Australia: Respect the sacred Dreamtime stories of the Anangu people at this red monolith.
74. The Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan: Float in the lowest place on earth and experience its healing minerals.
75. Medjugorje, Bosnia: Join the thousands who visit this site of reported modern miracles.

Soul: Reflection & Humanity

76. Easter Island, Chile: Contemplate the isolation and mystery of the massive Moai statues.
77. Antarctica: Experience the absolute silence and raw purity of the uninhabited continent.
78. Cape Town, South Africa: Witness the resilience of the human spirit at Robben Island.
79. Bhutan: Discover the kingdom that measures "Gross National Happiness" over profit.
80. Bagan, Myanmar: Watch the mist rise over 2,000 ancient Buddhist pagodas.
81. Luang Prabang, Laos: Participate in the silent morning alms giving to the local monks.
82. Mesa Verde, Colorado: Reflect on the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans in their cliff dwellings.
83. Samaná, Dominican Republic: Watch humpback whales and reconnect with the rhythms of the sea.
84. Venice, Italy: Contemplate the fragile beauty of a city built on water.
85. Serengeti (The Migration): Connect with the primal cycle of life, death, and renewal.
86. Chichen Itza, Mexico: Reflect on the astronomical brilliance of the ancient Maya.
87. Lalibela, Ethiopia: See the monolithic churches hewn out of solid rock from the ground down.
88. The Taj Mahal, India: Stand before the world’s most famous monument to eternal love.
89. Isle of Skye, Scotland: Find your soul in the "Old Man of Storr" and the misty Fairy Pools.
90. Maasai Mara, Kenya: Learn about the coexistence of traditional culture and wild nature.
91. Old Havana, Cuba: Experience the soul of music and dance in a city frozen in time.
92. Zanzibar, Tanzania: Wander the Stone Town spice markets to feel the blend of African and Arab soul.
93. Prague, Czech Republic: Walk the Charles Bridge to feel the fairy-tale magic of Central Europe.
94. The Alhambra, Spain: Discover the mathematical and poetic beauty of Moorish architecture.
95. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: Sail among 1,600 limestone islands and reflect on nature’s artistry.
96. Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil: Stand on the "Devil’s Throat" walkway to feel the roar of nature.
97. South Island, New Zealand: Find solitude in the vast, cinematic landscapes of the Southern Alps.
98. Costa Rica Rainforests: Embrace "Pura Vida" and the importance of conservation.
99. Provence Lavender Fields, France: Experience the sensory peace of blooming purple landscapes.
100. Baffin Island, Canada: Find the soul of the Arctic in a world of ice, Inuit culture, and polar bears.

Glasses

Well, I made it almost 70 years without needing glasses.

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Late Tuesday afternoon, Sharon and I saw the Devil Wears Prada 2 at the CinemaWest Country Club Theater. We rewatched The Devil Wears Prada about two weeks ago.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a comedy drama film directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna. A sequel to the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci reprise their roles. They are joined by Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, and Kenneth Branagh.

Set two decades after the events of the first film, it follows Andy Sachs (Hathaway) as she helps Miranda Priestly (Streep) navigate a new media landscape and corporate threats to the survival of Runway magazine. We were glad that we had rewatched the original recently; the back stories from the first film were important.

I think that I enjoyed the film more than Sharon. There are a number of things about the plot that I enjoyed, including: the demise of print media and the corresponding shift to social media; a short segment with the management consultants describing how to fix the company; and the scenes filmed in Milan. We have been through Milan twice, but never really explored the city. I have added Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper to my list of Places to Travel. Sharon doesn't think that the film will garner any Oscar nominations...

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Rewatch)

Saturday night, Carmen, Drew, Jack, Sharon and I watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Jack, Sharon and I had watched the movie in 2018 after Paul Newman died.

At the 1970 Academy Awards, the film received seven nominations and won four Oscars. The wins included: Best Original Screenplay: William Goldman; Best Cinematography: Conrad L. Hall; Best Original Score (Non-Musical): Burt Bacharach; and Best Original Song: "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (Burt Bacharach and Hal David).

It was also nominated in the following major categories but did not win: Best Picture; Best Director: George Roy Hill; and Best Sound: William Edmondson and David Dockendorf. Despite the iconic performances of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, neither lead actor received an Oscar nomination for their roles in this film.

I had forgotten how long the chase scene is in the middle of the movie and how long they were in Bolivia. Although more than fifty-five years old, I feel like the movie holds up pretty well and is pretty rewatchable.

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head is included in the Soundtrack for my Life.

Mother's Day 2026

After a hectic celebration on Saturday, we had a very low key day.

Up early, I took Jack to the Amtrak station to catch a 7:27 am train back to the city. Saturday night, he thought he was catching a 7 am train...

Drew and I walked Tiber. We had a leisurely breakfast on the deck with Dawson, Carmen and Drew. Afterwards, they rolled to Chico.

In addition to a rose bush for the pot in the front of the house, I gave her a card and a workout jacket.

Naps in the afternoon.

After hanging out on the back deck, we finished the day with leftover tri-tip, salad and potato salad from Saturday.

Mother's Day/Morgan Birthday Celebration

When we had lunch with my sisters in December, we put a get together on the calendar for today to celebrate Mother's Day and Morgan's Birthday. We were able to get everyone together! The group totaled twelve including: Jack; Drew, Carmen and Dawson; Morgan, Daniel, Lee and Clem; my sisters Sharon and LeeAnn; and Sharon and I.

I worked over the last couple of days to pull together a menu. It included barbecued tri-tip, Santa Maria Style Picnic Slaw, Grilled Asparagus with Lemon & Parmesan, and potato salad. I got tiramisu for dessert. I barbecued the tri-tip, Drew made the slaw and Daniel grilled the asparagus. It was a nice early dinner. After taking some pictures, we had dessert on the deck.

Dawson, Drew and Carmen spent the night. We finished the day watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Once upon a Time... in Hollywood (rewatch)

Friday night, Jack, Sharon and I rewatched Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. We had seen it in the theater when it first came out. Sharon actually saw it twice in the theater: once with me; and once with Jack. The movie is on the New York Times list of the 100 best films of the 21st century.

The movie was nominated for ten Oscars, including: Best Picture; Best Director (Quentin Tarantino); Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio); Best Original Screenplay (Quentin Tarantino); Best Cinematography (Robert Richardson); Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt; Best Production Design: Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh; Best Costume Design: Arianne Phillips (lost to Little Women); Best Sound Editing: Wylie Stateman; and Best Sound Mixing.

Although I predicted it to win best picture in 2020, it was beat out out by Parasite!?! It took home two wins: Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt (for his performance as Cliff Booth); and Best Production Design: Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh (for their meticulous recreation of 1969 Los Angeles). This was Brad Pitt's first-ever Oscar for acting (he had previously won as a producer for 12 Years a Slave).

Both Sharon and I enjoyed rewatching the movie more than we expected.

Jack is back plus Survivor 50 Episode #11

I picked Jack up at the downtown Amtrak station at 3 pm.

Thurday evening, Sharon's brother Tom and her nephew Eric came over for dinner. Sharon made a boneless leg of lamb, potatoes and aspargus.

The five of us watched episode eleven of Survivor 50. In early March, the five of us drafted the Survivor 50 contestants.

Our updated draft board is here.

Dean Dahnke Pictures

My sister LeeAnn's husband passed away on April 25th.

A short obituary is here.

Morgan - Over the Years

Happy Birthday, Morgan!

from 2009

Bullet Train

Flying from Frankfurt to San Francisco, I watched Bullet Train on my iPad. Seeing me watching the movie, Sharon ended up watching it on the inflight entertainment system.

Bullet Train is a 2022 action comedy film directed by David Leitch. It is based on the 2010 Japanese novel by Kōtarō Isaka. The film is known for its fast-paced dialogue, neon aesthetics, and interconnected plotlines.

It centers around a group of assassins on a Japanese high-speed train who end up in conflict with each other. The ensemble cast consists of Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny, and Sandra Bullock.

Although more violent than I expected, it was entertaining. It was a good way to kill a couple of hours on an eleven and a half hour flight.

Pickleball

Sharon and I wandered down to Greg and Michele's house on Sunday morning to play pickleball. Over the course of three games, Sharon and I lost to Jim and Debbie by the score of 11 to 4, Sharon and Jim lost to Greg and Michele by the score of 11 to 8, and Jim and I lost to Greg and Michele by the score of 11 to 8.

Afterwards, the six of us hung out in Greg and Michele's backyard.