Monday, April 30, 2012

2012 PAL Golf - SEAS versus SI


Jack played for SEAS in the PAL golf match against SI at the Emerald Lakes Golf Course. SEAS ended up winning the match by the score of 241 to 254. Jack shot a 54. Watching him play the ninth hole, he had a great clip shot over the lake and on the green. Jack three putted for a bogey.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

2012 Petersen Shootout Day 3


I dragged myself out of bed about 7:30 a.m. and headed down to the buffet for breakfast. Afterwards, Larkin and I packed up and checked out of the room.

I made a decision sometime during the weekend that I was going to make a loop east before heading home. I made a loop that included east on 80, south on 95 through Silver Springs, west on B2 [15 miles of gravel road along the river] to 50, west on 50 to Carson City and north on 395 back to Reno.

Unfortunately, I didn't do all of my homework. I probably missed a number of historical waymarks that I probably could have hit. I stopped at five Nevada State historical markers, including: Buckland's Station #192, Camels in Dayton #199, Halls Station #200, Chinatown #163 and Dayton #7. I also hit three Pony Express Markers, including two in Dayton and one on B2 west of Fort Churchill. Additionally, I stopped at Fort Churchill and walked a loop through the ruins.

I rolled back into Carmichael just before 2:00 p.m. I have a new set of irons coming in the next week and I am already looking forward to the 2013 Petersen Shootout.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

2012 Petersen Shootout Day 2


The cost for the weekend included buffet breakfasts for Saturday and Sunday. Larkin and I had breakfast in the hotel. Afterwards, we grabbed our stuff and headed to the bus. One of the guys on the trip works for Trailways and arranged for a bus to pick us up, take us to golf and then bring us back to the hotel after golf.

Everyone was supposed to be at the bus by 9:30 a.m. Sitting on the bus, Rod sent a text at 9:32 saying to be there at 9:45. Eventually, the group was rounded up and the bus left about 10:10...

We played Wildcreek Golf Course on Saturday. The format for the day was a Shamble where you play your ball from the best tee shot. Larkin and I were playing in a foursome with Ken and Tim. Both of them could crush the ball; they were consistently hitting the ball 260 to 280 yards. I ended up shooting a 100. Except for chipping around the greens, I felt like I played pretty well. Larkin struggled more than I think I have ever seen him struggle.

Taking the bus back to the hotel, we got cleaned up and headed to dinner. The cost for the weekend included dinner and a hosted bar on Saturday night. I had prime rib. Afterwards, the group headed to the hospitality suite for some entertainment. Several of the guys on the trip are very talented. They have fantastic ability to play parody songs making the lyrics as they go.

I ended up wandering down into the casino and playing blackjack for about three hours by myself. I was hoping to have the opportunity to play with a group, but could never make a connection with anyone else. I was probably up $50 to $100 at one point and ended up down about $25. I crashed back in the room about 2 a.m.

Friday, April 27, 2012

2012 Petersen Shootout Day 1


For the third year in a row, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout Golf Tournament. This golf outing is organized by one of the coaches [Rod] from Jack's Outlaws Baseball Team. The group totaled 24 guys.

Leaving Carmichael about 9 a.m., I was at the golf course a little after 11 a.m. The group played the Somersett Golf Course on the first day. Larkin and I were in the last group of the day playing with Shawn and Dave.

Looking at the course on the satellite, it looked like an open course with few trees. I got a rude surprise. While there were few trees, the course was narrow with lots of very rugged outbounds and sand traps.

I bought a new driver and 5 wood for the trip. Overall, I felt like I was striking the balls as well as I ever have, but I struggled with my control. With the tight course, this was a problem; I hit a number of balls outbounds.

I needed up with a very liberal winter rules score of 118. I shot 65 on the front nine and a 53 on the back nine. I actually won one of the closest to the pin holes. On a 193 yard par three, I hit a my five wood into the wind and on to the front right of the green. I was the only person that landed a ball on the green on that hole.

After finishing up golf, we headed to the hotel and checked in. Like last year, the group is staying at the Eldorado. We got cleaned up and headed up to the hospitality suite.

Larkin and I ended up having a late dinner at The Brews Brothers microbrewery in the hotel. We finished the evening wandering through the casino watching people gamble. Neither of us gambled, but I am planning on playing some blackjack tomorrow night.


Thursday, April 26, 2012

California Historical Landmark #260

Armistice Oak Tree Site
California State Historical Landmark #260

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located southeast corner of El Camino Real and Lincoln Streets, Santa Clara, Santa Clara, California. There are 42 other California State Historical Landmarks in Santa Clara County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 21.130 W 121° 57.250.

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

California Historical Landmark #260


Here, On January 8, 1847, Francisco Sanchez, Leader of a California Band surrendered himself and some American prisoners and arms to Lieut. Grayson thus ending the battle of Santa Clara or the "The Battle of the Mustard Stalks," of January 2, 1847. This armistice ended the last uprising against the tide of American Conquest in the Santa Clara Valley.

California Historical Landmark #260

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

2012 Outlaws Baseball AAU Game #4

The Outlaws played their fourth 14U AAU game of the spring season. They played the Best Speed Hornets. This is the third time that they have played this team. The Outlaws lost 12 to 3 in the first meeting and 6 to 5 in the second match-up.

At the plate, Jack was 1 for 1 with a walk. In his first at-bat, he hit a 2 and 2 pitch for a soft line drive into right. Jack ended the inning at second when Josh was thrown out trying to steal third on a passed ball. He walked on five pitches in his second plate appearance. Jack ended the inning there when Bailey struck out looking to end the inning.

In the field, Jack pitched two innings and played one inning in centerfield. He had two put-outs and one assist. At pitcher, Jack threw 38 pitches: 18 balls and 20 strikes. His control was better than Sunday; Jack struck out two and walked one. His put-outs were on line drives back to the pitcher. I am always amazed at his hand-eye coordination. One of the balls that he caught was smoked right back at him. It would have bounced off my face. Jack quickly turned and doubled the runner off second.

With the rain starting to fall harder, they called the game with the score tied 1 to 1 in the bottom of the fourth. The box score is here.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

2012 PAL Golf - SEAS versus Holy Spirit

Jack played for SEAS in the PAL golf match against Holy Spirit at Valley Hi Country Club. SEAS ended up winning the match handily. Struggling with his driver and the longer course, Jack shot a 65.

Monday, April 23, 2012

SEAS Golf Qualifying Round

Over the last six weeks, Jack has been playing golf on Saturday mornings and Monday nights with the SEAS golf team. Typically, they have taken a group lesson with a pro on Saturday morning and played at Emerald Lakes in Elk Grove on Monday nights. He actually went and took a golf lesson before the two baseball games on Saturday.

The last couple of weeks they have been playing on Monday night to qualify to play in the weekly PAL golf match. Jack's scores have not been low enough to qualify him for match play. With Tuesday match scheduled against Holy Spirit at Valley High Country Club, Jack really wanted to make the cut. He ended up shooting 53, more than 10 strokes below his previous best, and qualified for the match. Finishing the round, Jack was pretty sure that he had shot low enough to qualify and was on cloud nine. When they announced the qualifiers and called his name, he was giddy...

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - After Friday Night Lights

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - After Friday Night Lights [book]

Buzz Bissinger

Code Expiration: July 17, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Jack White - Blunderbuss

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Jack White - Blunderbuss

The title track from longtime the White Stripes frontman's solo debut.

Code Expiration: July 17, 2012

Sunday, April 22, 2012

2012 Outlaws Baseball Tournament #5 Day #2


Back at Consumes Oaks High School, the Outlaws played the second day of a 14U All World Sports Tournament. They played the Albany Gators.

It has been an odd spring for Jack. He played basketball in January and February while the Outlaws had three tournaments. He played in some of those games. Jack missed a scrimmage for his confirmation retreat and then a tournament for our spring training trip. He then missed the first day of the last tournament taking the Jesuit Placement tests. Added to all of this, Jack is playing on the SEAS golf team and is manic about qualifying for one of the matches and the TOC. As a result, I don't feel like he has ever gotten in the groove this spring.

Jack started to look better at the plate on Sunday. In the first game, he was 1 for 4 with a run scored. In his first at-bat, Jack hit a 3 and 0 pitch for a fly ball right at the left fielder for an out. He had a very good at-bat in his second plate appearance. Running the count to 2 and 2, Jack fouled off a pitch and then looped a hit into right center. He stole second and then scored the Outlaws first run on Chance's single to center. In both his third and fourth at-bat, Jack hit 1 and 1 pitches into right and left center for outs. He made good contact in all four plate appearances.

In the field, Jack played seven innings at third base. He one put-outs and two assists. Jack made a nice play on a foul pop-up. I love watching him play third base. Jack looks very comfortable on the larger field.

With seven different Outlaws collecting a hit, the Outlaws beat the Gators by the score of 6 to 1. The box score is here. Personally, I felt much better about the team after the game...

Until the next game... The Outlaws turned around and played the West Coast Ballers. The Ballers eventually won the tournament.

One of the problems for the weekend is that the Outlaws were short two of their top pitchers. Josh got a deep bruise in the AAU games last weekend and was very limited in his mobility. Joe was MIA.

At the plate, Jack continued to make good contact, but was 0 for 2. In his first at-bat, he grounded a 1 and 0 pitch back to the pitcher and was thrown out at first. Jack hit a 2 and 0 pitch into right center for an out in his second plate appearance.

In the field, Jack played two innings at third, pitched 2 2/3 innings and played 1/3 of an inning at first. He had one assist. Jack had his longest outing at pitcher since last October. He threw 60 pitches: 32 balls and 28 strikes. Jack had trouble finding the strike zone; he walked four batters and hit two more. With a number of errors behind him, Jack gave up nine runs, but only two of the runs were earned. The Outlaws play at shortstop for the weekend was not their strength.

The Outlaws got hammered by the score of 15 to 1. They eked out only two hits: one by Chance and one by Bailey. The box score is here.

Although they got blown out in two of the four games over the weekend, I never felt like the Outlaws were overpowered. The Outlaws have three tournaments in May. I am hoping to see them continue to play 14Us. Although given their pitching depth they are likely to get blown out of some games, I feel like they need to be on the bigger field to get ready for high school.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

2012 Outlaws Baseball Tournament #5 Day #1


The Outlaws played in an All World Sports tournament at Consumes Oaks High School in Elk Grove. A number of people, myself included, pushed the idea that the Outlaws should play up on 90 bases against 14U teams in the second half of the spring season to get ready for high school. The Outlaws are all 13 years olds with one 11 year old. Although they have played some 14U AAU games, this was their first 14U tournament. The Outlaws played the FEBA Eagles in the first game.

At the plate, Jack was 0 for 2. In his first at-bat, he struck out swinging on a 1 and 2 curve ball. After Trevor reached base on an error, Jack grounded a 1 and 1 pitch into a 4-6-3 double play in his second plate appearance. The Outlaws got only one hit in the game; an infield single to the left side by Cooper.

In the field, Jack played four innings at third base and one inning at first base. He had three put-outs, three assists and one error. I charged him with an error on a slower roller to the left of the mound. There was some indecision on whether he, Greysen or Cooper were going to field the ball. Jack eventually gloved it, but rushed the throw and airmailed it over Josh's head. He played a couple of nice plays at third. In the third, Jack handled a grounder to the right side and threw the runner out at first. With a runner trying to advance from second to third, Josh threw back to Jack who tagged out the runner to end the inning. In the fourth, Jack fielded a grounder to the left side, caught the runner off second and threw to Trevor who applied the tag.

Committing four errors and having a bushel of balls drop in front of the outfielders, the Outlaws lost the game by the score of 10 to 1. The box score is here. The Eagles outfielders were playing really shallow, while the Outlaws outfielders were playing deep.

The Outlaws played Mud Hens Baseball in the second game. The Mud Hens only had seven players and ended up forfeiting the game. The Outlaws gave them a couple of players and played a practice game. The practice didn't go any better than the first game of the day.

At the plate, Jack reached base twice. He walked and was hit by a pitch. The Outlaws managed only one hit in this game; a ground ball by Johnny.

In the field, Jack played first, third and pitched 1/3 of an inning. He struggled on the mound and had a hard time getting the ball down and finding the strike zone.

Essentially, the Outlaws lost the game by the score of 9 to 1. The box score is here.

No one finished the day feeling very good about the Outlaws efforts. I didn't feel that the team was overmatched as much as the scores would indicate. The Outlaws just did not execute at all.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

California Historical Landmark #924

Wa Jen Ha Lio
China Camp
California State Historical Landmark #924

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at the entrance to China Camp Village, China Camp State Park, on North San Pedro Road, 5.3 miles southeast of State Hwy 101, Santa Venetia, California. There are 13 other landmarks in Marin County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 48.792 W 122° 28.659.

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

California Historical Landmark #924
One of the earliest, largest, and most productive Chinese fishing villages in California, China Camp was in operation by 1870. The Chinese immigrants and their descendants introduced the use of commercial netting to catch bay shrimp off Point San Pedro. The shrimp were then dried and exported to Chinese throughout the world. China Camp represents the last surviving Chinese shrimp fishing village in California.
California Historical Landmark #924
California Historical Landmark #924
California Historical Landmark #924

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 14

On day 14, I rode 25.5 miles on Highway 50 in Nevada. I ended the ride in Austin, Nevada on Virginia Hill Street next to the St. Augustines Catholic Church. Built in 1866 of native brick and stone, it is Nevada's oldest Catholic church building.

The last couple of miles were a hard steep climb into Austin with the grade reaching 9.5%.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.


Maloofs couldn't afford Sacramento arena deal

Maloofs couldn't afford Sacramento arena deal - Marcos Breton - The Sacramento Bee
It's all a smoke screen to cover up the fact that they can't make a deal because they don't have the money.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Ancil Hoffman Park Run

While we lived in Elk Grove, my standard run was a square loop on the street along Elk Grove Boulevard to Franklin to Laguna to Harbor. With the move, I have a much nicer run! There is a trail around the Ancil Hoffman golf course just outside our door. I have seen lots of deer and turkeys. Two loops around the golf course gives me just under six miles. Effie Yeaw Nature Center is to the northeast of the golf course and I have just started to figure out how to work those trails into my run.





Monday, April 16, 2012

Milo Greene at Lollapalooza

Milo Greene will be appearing at Lollapalooza in Chicago in early August!

The Milo Greene Lollapalooza page is here.


Milo Greene are cinematic indie-popsters from Los Angeles, comprised of Robbie Arnett, Andrew Heringer, Marlana Sheetz, Graham Fink and Curtis Marrero. Arnett, Heringer, and Sheetz met in college, where they created a fictional character known as Milo Greene, sending out emails in his name to promote their creative endeavors. After college, and various musical projects of their own, Arnett, Heringer, and Sheetz reunited at their very own song-writing retreat at a cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, directly overlooking a lake, completely secluded from the background disturbances of big city life.

Here, removed from any day-to-day conveniences like television or the internet, they began writing and composing their music. As the songs came together, Fink and Marrero were enticed to join and the entity known as Milo Greene came to life. The four voices of Milo Greene’s members weave and blend into one voice, creating songs that live and breathe with the range of an omniscient, collective consciousness. Their music functions like that of a symphony, with each voice and instrument standing strong on its own but coming together to create something beautiful, transcendent, and ethereal.

“The music of the new L.A. quintet blends two-, three- and four-part harmonies, serpentine folk-pop melodies and agitated beats into songs that rejoice a little, ache a little and leave sepia-toned images in your head when they’re through,” said Buzzbands.la while NPR noted: “Milo Greene makes folk-tinged music with perfectly blended male-femaleharmonies, but they marry that sound with thunderous live drums and infectious sing along choruses.”

Milo Greene have toured with the likes of The Civil Wars, Grouplove, and The Belle Brigade; are signed to Chop-Shop/Atlantic Records; and are in the process of finishing the recording of their debut album which was recorded at Bear Creek Studios outside of Seattle. The as-yet-untitled debut, which the members of Milo Greene co-produced with Ryan Hadlock (Ra Ra Riot, Stephen Malkumus, The Gossip), will be released in the summer of 2012, coinciding with the launch of an extensive U.S. tour.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - BBC America's Planet Earth

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

Code Expiration: July 10, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Alabama Shakes - You Ain't Alone

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Shakes - You Ain't Alone

Soulful Selection from a Southern ensemble who's debut is prompting references to Janis Joplin and Otis Redding.

Code Expiration: July 10, 2012

Sunday, April 15, 2012

2012 Outlaws Baseball AAU Games #2 and #3

The Outlaws played a doubleheader in the AAU Delta Valley League on Sunday afternoon at Inderkum High School. They played the Best Speed Hornets in the first game. The Outlaws lost to the Hornets a week and a half ago.

Jack really struggled at the plate in the first game. He was 0 for 3 with two strike-outs. In his first at-bat, he struck out looking on a low strike with the count at 2 and 2. Jack struck out swinging on a curve ball with the count at 1 and 2 in his second plate appearance. In his third at-bat, Jack grounded a 2 and 2 curve ball back to the pitcher and was thrown out at first.

Jack played very well in the field and looks extremely comfortable on the larger field. Playing third base for six innings, he had 3 put-outs and 2 assists. Jack handled two ground balls to the left side and threw the runner out at first. On the second ground ball in the sixth inning, Jack went ranged far to his left to get the grounder and make a very nice play. He also had a line drive hit at him that he handled easily. Jack had two other put-outs. He tagged out a runner trying to steal third and a runner trying to take third on throws from Jordan.

Collecting only three hits and running themselves out of a big inning, the Outlaws fell to the Hornets by the score of 6 to 5. The box score is here.

The Outlaws turned around and played the BOBA Silverhawks in the second game.

Jack looked better at the plate. He was 1 for 1 with a walk and two runs scored. In his first at-bat, Jack hit a 0 and 1 pitch for a hard grounder down the third base line. The third baseman made a great stop behind third base, but Jack beat the throw to first. The first baseman couldn't handle the throw in the dirt and Jack went to second. He scored on Jordan's single down the third base line. Jack walked on 8 pitches in his second plate appearance. Running the count to 3 and 2, he fouled off two pitches before walking. Jack stole second and scored on Carlos' grounder through the left side.

In the field, Jack played first for an inning, shortstop for an inning and third base for two innings. He had 2 assists and one put-out. At third base and shortstop, Jack handled grounders to the left side and threw the runner out at first. He also tagged a runner trying to steal third.

Playing on 90 foot bases, I had expected that the catchers would have a hard time throwing out runners. The opposite has been true so far; a lot of runners are getting caught stealing...

Behind some struggling pitching and a couple of errors, the Outlaws fell to the Silverhawks by the score of 10 to 3. Jack scored 2 of the 3 runs. With the game starting late, the teams only played five innings. The box score is here.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

How I spent my afternoon...

When we were in Half Moon Bay for our anniversary trip in 2005, Sharon admired a lighted wall mirror in the hotel room. Jack got one for Sharon for Christmas that year and I spent most of a day during hanging it.

Even before we moved to the new house, Sharon started talking about how she had to have another mirror. I ordered one and it has been sitting on the floor the last couple of weeks. I finally found an afternoon to get the mirror mounted and wired.


Friday, April 13, 2012

Arena deal for Sacramento falls apart

Arena deal for Sacramento falls apart - ESPN
The Kings' future in Sacramento is uncertain again.

A tentative deal for a new arena has fallen apart, leaving open the possibility the team's owners could again try to move from California's capital.

The Maloof family has balked at terms of the agreement reached last month, and though they say they want to remain in Sacramento, Johnson isn't so sure after meeting with them Friday and hearing their list of concerns he said hadn't previously been disclosed.

"It just feels like they were coming up with reasons of why not to do the deal," Johnson said.
I predicted almost a year ago that the Maloofs would lose both the Kings and the Palms within four years. I believe that they are making up reasons not to do the deal because they do not have the financial wherewithal to participate in the development of a new arena under any terms or conditions. The Maloofs are broke... What they really want is for someone to write them a big check like $50 million that they were going to get for moving the Kings to Anaheim.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Virtually Biking across America - Day 13

Highway 50 in Nevada was named The Loneliest Road in America by Life magazine in July 1986. Watching Google Streetview as I am riding provides a sense of how desolate the area is. I am going to drive the road at some point...

On day 13, I covered 23.5 miles. Starting from the Cold Spring Pony Express station, I rode east on Highway 50. The first 16 miles were downhill and very fast. The road turned up and I started climbing with the grade reaching a moderate 6.5%. I finished on Highway 50 about 25 miles west of Austin.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.



Wednesday, April 11, 2012

California Historical Landmark 780-5

Jack and I stopped at this waymark briefly on our way back from skiing at Sugar Bowl. Last summer, I followed the tracks from Roseville to Rocklin to Newcastle to Auburn.

First Transcontinental Railroad - Colfax
California State Historical Landmark #780-5

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This landmark is located at on Grass Valley Street at the Railroad Tracks in Railroad Park, Colfax
in Placer County, California. There are 20 other California State Historical Landmarks in Placer County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 06.013 W 120° 57.164.

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

California Historical Landmark #780-5
Central Pacific rails reached Illinois-town on September 1, 1865, and train service began four days later. Renamed by Governor Stanford in honor of Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House of Representatives and later Ulysses S. Grant's Vice President, the town was for ten months a vital construction supply depot and junction point for stage lines. The real assault on the Sierra began here.

California Historical Landmark #780-5

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Skiing at Sugar Bowl


With Jack out of school for two weeks for Easter break, he and I spent the day skiing at Sugar Bowl. We got there by 8:20 a.m., were on the lift at 9:00 a.m. and skied three hard hours before taking a break for lunch. With a clear, bright day, the snow got very heavy and wet in the afternoon. Jack struggled initially in the heavier snow. After a couple of falls, he said "I need to focus and concentrate" and then did a lot better.  We skied until after 3:00 p.m. and were back in Sacramento by 5:00 p.m.



Sunday, April 08, 2012

Easter 2012


We have been scrambling over the last couple of weeks to get the house into shape to host Easter. It is hard for me to believe that it has only been a little over three weeks since we moved. It seems a lot longer. The last three weeks has included our annual spring training trip and a baseball tournament in Reno.

We had 10 for Easter dinner, including Tom, Becky, Kevin, Kathy, Eileen, Jim, Janie, Sharon, Jack and I. Sharon made a great dinner of leg of lamb and ham. During dinner, we talked to Tim at his office, Erin at Pomona and Eric at Gonzaga.

While I was doing dishes after dinner, most of the group walked down to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and to the American River.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

The Descendants

After spending the day getting the house ready for Easter, Sharon and I watched The Descendants on Directv Cinema. When we moved, I had the Directv DVRs connected to the internet. This allows us to rent movies and have them downloaded to the DVR.

George Clooney received an Academy Award nomination for best actor for his role in the film. Additionally, The Descendants received Academy Award nominations for best picture, best director and best editing. It won an Academy Award for best adapted screenplay.

Sharon enjoyed the film more than I did. I thought it was a little slow, while Sharon felt like the pace and look of the film portrayed real life.

Friday, April 06, 2012

California Historical Landmark #987

Treasure Island-Golden Gate Exposition, 1939-40
California State Historical Landmark #987

This landmark is located at the Naval Station, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. There are 48 other California State Historical Landmarks in San Francisco County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 48.927 W 122° 22.271.

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

California Historical Landmark #987

This artificial island was constructed of bay sand in 1936-7. It was the site of the Golden Gate International Exposition, February 18, 1939-September 29, 1940. Tall towers, gigantic goddesses and dazzling lighting effects turned the Island into a "Magic City." The exposition celebrated the ascendancy of California and San Francisco as economic, political and cultural forces in the increasingly important Pacific Region. From 1939 to 1944 the Island was the landing site for flights of the China Clipper. Treasure Island has been a U.S. Naval Station since 1941.

California Historical Landmark #987

Thursday, April 05, 2012

The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood

I finished reading The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood by Jane Leavy in late March. This is a 2010 biography of Yankee baseball star Mickey Mantle. I brought the book after hearing Jane Leavy interviewed by Bill Simmons on his B.S. Report podcast.

I frankly did not realize how good a career Mantle had. He received three American League Most Valuable Player Awards and played in twenty All-Star games. Mantle appeared in 12 World Series, winning 7 of them. He holds the records for most World Series home runs (18), RBIs (40), runs (42), walks (43), extra-base hits (26), and total bases (123). He is also the career leader in walk-off home runs, with a combined thirteen, twelve in the regular season and one in the postseason.

This is a very different biography then the Willie Mays book that I read last summer. Leavy has written a nonlinear biography that takes the form of 20 days in Mantle’s life. Some of the days are stretched to cover nearly a season or an entire childhood. Leavy uses this format to look at the patterns and influences in Mantle's life.

Late in Mantle's life, the author spent a weekend in Atlantic City following Mickey and interviewing him. She tells this story in parts over the course of the book. This experience provides some interesting first hand exclamation points on Mantle's personality.

This is a very well researched and written biography. As a baseball fan, it is definitely worth reading. Jane Leavy has also written a Sandy Koufax biography that I am going to add to my pile of books.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

2012 Outlaws Baseball AAU Game #1 versus Best Speed

The Outlaws will be playing games this spring in a 14U division of the AAU Delta Valley League. The Outlaws are a 13U team with a couple of even younger players. This will give the boys an opportunity to play on a field with 90 foot bases. They have been playing 80 foot bases in the 13U tournaments since last summer.

The Outlaws played the Best Speed 14u Hornets in the first game of the season at Case Field. The bad news was that this field had a grass infield with very, very long grass.

At the plate, Jack was 0 for 2 with a strike-out looking. In his first at-bat, he grounded a 3 and 0 pitch down the third base line. He hit the ball hard enough that it carried to the third baseman. Jack got thrown out at first by half a step. Jack struck out looking on a 0 and 2 pitch in his second plate appearance. He took the first pitch for a called strike and then fouled off the next two. Jack took a very low outside pitch for a called third strike. He was muttering in the car afterwards about feeling locked in and then taking that low pitch.

In the field, Jack played four innings at third, one inning at first and pitched an inning. He had two put-outs and three assists. At third, Jack handled two ground balls to the left side and threw to first for the out. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily he handled the longer throw on the 90 foot bases. This is the first game that Jack has ever played on 90 foot bases... He also tagged out two runners at third: one caught stealing on a throw from the catcher and one picked off on a throw from the pitcher. At pitcher, Jack handled one hit back to the mound and threw the runner out at first.

Jack pitched for the first time since last October. He pitched the sixth and last inning of the game throwing 26 pitches: 14 balls and 12 strikes. Jack told me afterwards that his strategy was to pitch high and tight and then low and away. He struck out the first batter looking, got a ground ball from the second batter and then walked two batters before striking out the fifth batter looking to end the game. Jack was very excited about pitching...

The Outlaws gave the game away. They gave up 11 walks, hit 4 batters and committed 5 errors. Additionally, four of the six hits by Best Speed were infield grounders that died in the tall grass. The Outlaws ended up losing by the score of 12 to 3 in six innings. The box score is here.

One of the most interesting things to me was that there was not a single kid on the other team that was physically much bigger than Jack. The Outlaws will be playing in four 14u tournaments during April and May. It will be interesting to see how Jack stacks up.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

J.J. Redick and Milo Greene

From ESPN's Harry Abbott's TrueHoop Blog:
According to Redick, he was in Portland on an off-day in early January doing what most people do, browsing the internet. He stumbled on a music blog that suggested Milo Greene’s “1957” as a “must-listen track.” So like any music fan, J.J. listened, loved, YouTubed, loved some more, and immediately purchased the song.

“Believe it or not -- I listen to ’1957' before every game,” he said.
When Drew and Milo Greene were at SXSW, they went to San Antonio, saw the Spurs play the Magic and got a chance to connect with J.J. Redick.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Golfplan with Paul Azinger

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Golfplan with Paul Azinger

Personalized tips from a Ryder Cup Captain.

Code Expiration: June 26, 2012

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Trampled by Turtles - Midnight on the Interstate

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Trampled by Turtles - Midnight on the Interstate

The Northern Minnesota's band's new Stars and Satellites demonstrates the savvy and skill of folk/bluegrass-influenced ensemble.

Code Expiration: June 26, 2012

Monday, April 02, 2012

2012 Kings versus Timberwolves


Sharon, Jack, Joe [a classmate of Jack] and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Minnesota Timberwolves NBA basketball game. Sharon got four Kings Row 2 seats in section 112 from work. Leading most of the game, the Kings won by the score of 116 to 108.

Tyreke Evans was leading the scorer for Kings. He has 24 points on 8 for 14 from the two point range and 8 for 11 from the free throw line. For most of the game, Evans was playing small forward. With Thornton turning his ankle early in the game, Evans was on the floor with Isaiah Thomas at the point guard and Jimmer Fredette at the shooting guard for several long stretches of the game.

I have been very critical of Jimmer in the past. Against the Timberwolves, he scored 19 points in 25 minutes on 7 for 15 from the field, 3 for 7 from three and 2 for 2 from the free throw line. Being guarded by Luke Ridnour, he looked more effective than he did against Chris Paul and Mo Williams.

I was not as impressed with Kevin Love as I expected to be. He was the wolves leading scorer with 23 points on 8 for 17 from the field, 3 for 5 from three and 4 for 6 from the free throw line. Love added 7 rebounds. The Kings did a very effective job of pushing him around.

It was interesting sitting so close. While it is hard to get a feel for the flow of the game, it is great to be able to see their faces, hear them and watch the players beat on each other. Hunter and Snipes were in their seats. We waved at each other, but did not connect at half-time.

The Kings now have 3 wins and 2 losses in games that I have seen in the 2011-2012 season.

Sunday, April 01, 2012

2012 Outlaws Baseball Tournament #4 Day #2


Jack played with the Outlaws in the second day of the All World Wild Wild West Jackpot Tournament at the Golden Eagles Sports Complex in Sparks, Nevada. With his confirmation retreat and our spring training trip in March, Jack missed a scrimmage in El Dorado Hills and a tournament at Manteca. As a result, he has not faced live pitching since February 26. With a few snow flurries before the game, the Outlaws played the Reno Hurricane Orange at 8 a.m.

At the plate, Jack looked rusty. He was 0 for 2 with a walk, a run scored and two strike-outs. In his first at-bat, Jack walked on six pitches. He stole second and went to third on a passed ball. Jack and Josh scored on Jordan's single to right. He struck out swinging on three pitches in his second plate appearance. In his third at-bat, Jack struck out swinging on a 3 and 2 pitch.

In the field, Jack played five innings at third base. He had one assist and one put-out. In the fourth inning, Jack took a throw from Jordan at catcher and tagged out the runner leading off third. Jack handled a grounder down the third base line in the fifth inning and threw the runner out at first.

On a very cold morning, the Outlaws jumped on the Hurricanes for six runs in the bottom of the first and won the game by the score of 10 to 2 in five innings. The box score is here.

After a two hour break, the Outlaws played the Reno Hurricanes. This is their "B" team.

At the plate, Jack was 1 for 2 with a strike-out, a walk and an RBI. In his first at-bat, he walked on four pitches. Jack went to second on defensive indifference. With one out and Jack running, Josh lined out to the pitcher and Jack was doubled off second. Jack struck out swinging on a 1 and 2 pitch in his second plate appearance. This was a terrible call; the catcher appealed to the umpire between the pitcher on a checked swing. There is no way that the umpire was in position to overrule the call. In his third at-bat, Jack ran the count to 2 and 2, fouled off a pitch, took a ball, fouled off another pitch and then hit a hard line drive into center field to score Joe. He went to second on the throw to the plate. Jack went to third on Josh's ground out and ended the inning there.

In field, Jack played five innings at third base. He had two assists and two put-outs. Jack fielded a bunt and a grounder to the left side and threw the runners out at first. Trevor threw out a runner trying to steal third with Jack applying the tag. In the fourth inning, the batter hit a hard fly ball to right center. Trying to stretch the hit into triple, Chris fielded the ball at the fence and it threw to cut-off, Joe winged it to Jack and Jack tagged the batter out at third.

The Outlaws scored 13 runs in the first four innings to win the game by the score of 13 to 2. The box score is here.

With the win, the Outlaws were the #1 seed in the tournament. With the Storm and the Hurricanes Orange battling for the #2 seed in the afternoon, the Storm allowed too many runs and the Hurricanes Orange slipped into the championship game against the Outlaws at 4:45 p.m.

The Hurricanes Orange started a little left hander who effectively worked the outside of the plate. He struck out 6 of the first 12 batters that he faced.

At the plate, Jack was 2 for 3 with a strike-out, two runs scored, two RBIs and a home run. In his first at-bat, he struck out on swinging on a 3 and 2 count.

With the Outlaws trailing 2 to 0 in the bottom of the fourth with one out and Joe on third, Jack grounded a 2 and 2 pitch to the right side. The second baseman was able to make a diving stop going to his right, but Jack was safe at first and Joe scored for the RBI.

With two out, Jack came up a second time in the bottom of the fourth. He crushed a 2 and 2 pitch for a line drive into right center. On the artificial turf, the ball rolled all the way to the fence. Even though Jack got tangled up with the third baseman, he was able to motor all way for an inside the park home run!

Jack played five innings at third base. He had one assist on a grounder to the left side and the throw to first for the out.

The Outlaws chased the left hander and abused two others pitchers in the bottom of the fourth. They ended up scoring 10 runs. The Outlaws won the championship game by the score of 10 to 2. The box score is here.