Monday, January 31, 2022

It's really, really, really over...

Sharon went into the Rocklin F@rm Credit West Office to drop off her laptop and fob. She got a few cards and miscellaneous gifts.

Afterwards, Sharon had a long lunch with Jeana. Walking in the door after lunch, she said "it's really, really, really over!"

Sunday, January 30, 2022

2022 NFL NFC Championship Game - 49ers versus Rams

Jack, Sharon and I watched the San Francisco 49ers play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL NFC Championship game. Leading 17 to 7 at the start of the fourth quarter, the 49ers lost the game by the score of 20 to 17.

It has been a fun month. I enjoyed watching the 49ers beat the Rams in the last game of the season to make the playoffs, Dallas on wildcard weekend and then the Packers last weekend.

It will be interesting to see what the 49ers do with Jimmy Garoppolo. It looks like he has one more year remaining on his contract with the 49ers.

Saturday, January 29, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #9

Up early, Sharon and I finished packing and loaded the car. We had a quick breakfast and cleaned out the condo.

Heading to the airport, I dropped Sharon at the curb with the luggage. Dropping the Hertz rental car, I walked back to the terminal.

We were scheduled to take a 10:35 am Hawaiian Air flight to Honolulu. Our plane didn't show up until just about the time we were suppose to depart. We ended up leaving about 11:10 am.

Walking off the flight in Honolulu, we grabbed some food and went through the agricultural inspection again. Just as we walked up to the gate, they called our boarding group.

We had seats 17C and 17D in economy plus on a Hawaiian Air Airbus 330. We were in the middle section of a 2-4-2 configuration. The seat next to Sharon was empty. Scheduled to depart at 12:55 pm, the flight pulled away from the gate about 1:00 pm.

Sharon spent the flight watching a couple of episodes of Little Fires Everywhere, while I read my book [Station Eleven] and listened to a Bill Simmons podcast. The five hour flight went quickly.

We were on the ground just after 8:00 pm. It took almost an hour to get all of our luggage. The golf clubs came off last on the oversize luggage belt.

Jack picked us up at the curb. We were home about 9:30 pm.

It was a great celebration of Sharon's birthday and her retirement!

One footnote. I don't have the best body image, i.e. how I think and feel about myself physically, and how I believe others see me. I have a mental picture of myself as a fat kid. Hanging out at the pool at the Marriott and having lunch at the pool at the Grand Hyatt, I was shocked at how out of shape the majority of the people were. Obviously, this is a different sample, but yikes people are fat. It made me feel pretty good about my shape...

Friday, January 28, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #8

Up early, I took the Holly and Van to the airport about 6:15 am. After two plus weeks on Oahu, Maui and Kauai, they are flying home.

After I got back from the airport, I walked down to the ABC Store for some eggs and water. Sharon and I had a leisurely breakfast in the condo.

The Gainsleys were changing rooms. Checking out by 10 am, they left their luggage with the bell stand and walked up to the condo.

The plan for the day was a hike in Poipu. Looking in AllTrails, I suggested that we hike the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail from Shipwreck Beach to Punahoa Point. This was a hike that the Gainsleys hadn't done before.

We ended up hiking about four miles in about two hours. There was some great views of the ocean along the bluffs. Part of the hike walks along the Poipu Bay Golf Course. We saw whale spouts and a sea turtle. A map is here.

Afterwards, the four of us had lunch at the Captain's Bar at the Grand Hyatt. I had a Ahi poke bowl, while Sharon had fish tacos..

Heading back to Lihue, the Gainsleys went back to the Marriott to switch rooms. Sharon and I took a nap. Afterwards, we started packing up the condo.

Eventually, Sharon and I wandered over to the Marriott to check out the Gainsley's room. From there, the four of us headed to Hualani's Restaurant at the Timbers Kaua'i. We had dinner at the bar. Sharon and I spilt a Kale Caesar, Kalbi Lamb and Jasmine Rice.

At the end of the night, we said goodbye to the Gainsleys. We are ending back tomorrow, while they are staying another week!

Thursday, January 27, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #7

This is destined to be known as the vacation with lots of golf. For the third out of four days, Holly, Van, Donna, Kevin and I played golf. When we hit balls at the range on Saturday, Holly made two tee times at the Wailua Manicipal Golf Course for Thursday.

We started the day with breakfast at the Noka Grill. This was the only morning that we didn't make breakfast at the condo. I had a breakfast sandwich [egg, cheese, bacon, spam, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun].

Mixing things up, we split into two threesomes. I rode single with Kevin and Donna, while Sharon and Holly rode together with Van as a single.

Although I didn't score as well as Monday I had a much better time than I did on Tuesday. The course played pretty long. Although I was striking the ball pretty well at the beginning, my short game continues to be a struggle. I parred the par four fifth hole.

It was a long round. With a couple of slow groups in front of us, it took more than four hours and forty minutes to play eighteen. It was also the warmest day of the trip so far. After about thirteen holes, my concentration started to wander and I was ready to be done. I ended up carding a 118. The scorecard is here.

After golf, we headed to the Lava Lava Beach Club for a late dinner. Sharon and I had eaten at this restaurant on the Big Island. I had STRAIGHT UP BURGER [Angus Chuck, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Cheddar]. Sharon was disappointed that they didn't have a fish sandwich.

Back at the condo, Donna, Kevin, Sharon and I wandered over to Hualani's Restaurant at the Timbers Kaua'i for a nightcap. Holly and Van spent the time packing. They are leaving on Friday.

Holly, Sharon and I finished the night watching the first episode of the Gilded Age. The series has a number of references from the Vanderbilt book that both Sharon and I read.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #6

After two days of golf, Holly, Van, Kevin, Donna, Sharon and I switched gears and decided to hike on Wednesday. The Gainsleys suggested the east Sleeping Giant trail. Taking two cars, we got an early start in order to make sure that we could get a parking spot. We ended up hiking just over three miles with almost a thousand foot gain in elevation. The total time on the trail was just over two hours and twenty minutes. A map is here.

When we got back to the condo in the afternoon, we headed to the pool at the Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club again! Sharon and I spilt some fish tacos at the pool bar.

After a short nap in the afternoon, the six of us went to an early dinner at Hualani's Restaurant at the Timbers Kaua'i. Although it was walking distance from the condo, the Gainsleys didn't know that it was there. We split an interesting appetizer: Signature Pupu Whole Fried ["Hawaiian Ehu", lime aloha shoyu, chili]. I had SESAME CRUSTED AHI [Local Yellowfin Tuna, Shiitake Jus, Jasmine Rice]. This was a very good meal; it will probably be the best meal of the trip.

Holly, Van, Sharon and I started to watch the The Glided Age on HBOMax, but gave up after ten minutes.

2022 Lihue - Day #6 at Hualani's Restaurant

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #5

The plan for day was to play golf again. Holly, Van, Kevin, Donna, Sharon and I drove over to Poipu and played the Kiahua Golf Club. Sharon and I rode together and played with Donna and Kevin. Holly and Van were paired with a couple from Spokane.

I had a great time on Monday. I didn't have a great time on Tuesday. I played horribly. Interestingly, all four of us struggled.

Although I was striking the ball well, my chipping was horrible. On the second hole, I hit two nice shots to the front of the green and then hit my chip shot very thin. It flew way past the green. This put me in a grumpy mood for the rest of the day. Altough I feel like I have been doing better lately, my chipping woes conintued over the course of the round. I ended up carding a 122. The scorecard is here.

After golf, we had a late lunch at Keoki's Paradise. I had FISH TACOS [Cajun grilled, flour tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, shaved jalapeño, lemon remoulade, tortilla chips, fresh salsa].

When we got to the condo, we wandered back down to the pool at the Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club again. It was very nice to have access to the pool.

We finished the day having a late dinner at condo with the leftovers from Monday night.

Monday, January 24, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #4

The plan for the today was golfing on the Ocean Course at Hokuala. The course is right next to the condo where we are staying.

After hitting the range, we teed off about 10:50 am. The split the group into two threesomes. We sent the girls off in the first threesome. Sharon rode with Holly. I rode with Kevin. A fourth-Tom-from Indiana joined the boys on the first tee.

I really enjoyed the day. I was striking the ball off the tee and in the fairways solidly. I parred two holes on the front nine. I ended up carding a fairly honest 111. The scorecard is here.

It was a beautiful course with a couple of holes along the ocean. The weather was perfect. After raining on us while we walked on Saturday and Sunday morning, it was clear day.

After golf, we all headed back to the pool at the Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club. It was great to cool off after golf.

The six of us finished the day with dinner at the condo. The chef that Sharon had arranged for her birthday had her assistant deliver the meal. The food was solid and there was a lot of it! The menu is here.

Sunday, January 23, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #3 - Celebrating Sharon's Birthday

For the second morning in a row, we did an early long walk with the Gainsleys and the Wongs. We covered about 4.5 miles.

After breakfast at the condo, we wandered over to the Marriott and got guest passes for the week. Sharon wanted to spend her birthday lounging at the pool and on the beach. This is something we never do.

The six of us [Donna, Kevin, Holly, Van, Sharon and I] spent the bulk of day at the pool. Off and on, different combinations would go for a dip in the pool.

At one point, Sharon and I wandered down to the beach and waded out into the ocean. It was a nice relaxing day. I really enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Wandering back to the condo, I watched the end of the Kansas City Chiefs verus Buffalo Bills AFC playoff game. In the last minute and fifty seconds, the teams scored 25 points, including three touchdowns, a two point conversion and a field goal. Mahomes drove the Chiefs 50 yards in the last 13 seconds for a field goal to tie the game and send it into overtime. Kansas City won in overtime by the score of 42 to 36.

Sharon had arranged for a chef to serve the group dinner at the condo. At the last minute, the chef called saying that she had food poisoning.

Scrambling to figure out what to do for dinner, we ended up going to Cafe Portfino. I had a pasta special with marlin, shrimp and mussles.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #2

Donna, Kevin, Holly, Van, Sharon and I started the day with a long morning walk. We walked along The Ocean Course at Hokuala to the Ninini Point Lighthouse. On the way back, we wandered through an old abandoned golf course near the airport. In total, we walked more than five miles. It rained off and on during the walk.

While the Gainsleys walked to the airport to pick up a car, Holly, Van, Sharon and I had a late breakfast at the condo. Afterwards, Sharon and I went shopping at Safeway.

In the early afternoon, the four of us drove to Wailua Falls. The double waterfall is known for rainbows and its place in the "Fantasy Island" opening credits. Sharon, Jack and I visited the falls when we were on Kauai in 2013.

On the way back, we stopped at the Wailua Golf Course and hit balls on the range. I felt good with my short and medium range irons, but not so much with my woods. It is going to be interesting to see how my knee holds up when we play on Monday and Tuesday. I twisted it badly the last time I played golf in December.

We got back to the condo just in time for the start of the San Francisco 49ers versus Green Bay Packers NFC playoff game. It was a very odd game. Essentially on the strength of their special teams play, the 49ers won the game by the score of 13 to 10.

Holly and Van made dinner at the condo for the six of us. It was a great dinner of steaks, ahi poke and vegetables. We all crashed fairly early.

Friday, January 21, 2022

2022 Lihue - Day #1

As part of Sharon's retirement and milestone birthday, we started planning a trip to Kauai last summer. We invited Holly and Van to join us. Additionally, it turns out the Gainsleys are in Kauai at the same time and our VRBO is very near their timeshare.

Sharon and I caught a 7:25 am Hawaiian flight from Sacramento to Honolulu. Sharon made a last minute decision to upgrade to first class. The plane was an Airbus 330 and the first class section was fanastic. There was more room than I have ever experienced in first class.

With a two hours layover in Honolulu, we caught a 1:00 pm flight to Kauai. We almost left Sharon's carryon behind... We were on the ground about 1:45 pm. Exiting the baggage claim, Holly and Van were waiting for us.

I caught the shuttle to Hertz and picked a rental car. With all of the luggage and golf clubs, it took two trips to get everyone to the VRBO.

The VRBO is very nice. Often a rental doesn't do justice to the pictures, this one might actually be nicer than the photos.

Holly and Van made a run to Costco for supplies. After they got back, the Gainsleys wandered down from their time share.

The six of us finished the night with a very late dinner at Dukes. I had the SAUTÉED MAC NUT & HERB CRUSTED FRESH FISH [Mahi-Mahi}.

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Farewell and Thank You

From: Sharon
Subject: Farewell and Thank You
Date: January 19, 2022 at 9:29:20 AM PST

As most of you know I am retiring effective February 1, 2022. However, today is technically my last day at F@rm Credit West as I am out on AL beginning tomorrow until the 31st when I return to hand in the keys and turn out the lights. Today caps off nearly 12 years at FCW, and a 35 year career with the Farm Credit System, beginning as a law clerk for the Federal Land and Federal Intermediate Credit Banks of Sacramento in the summer of 1986.

If you are receiving this e-mail it is because you are one of the many people at Farm Credit who has had an impact on my time here, both on a personal and professional level. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you and getting to know you. You have helped me grow as a person and as an attorney (every day is like getting a new law school exam fact pattern) and it has been my pleasure to provide you with my counsel and service.

I will truly miss you all and if you are ever inclined to reach out please do. I would love that.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Being the Ricardos

New Year's Eve, Jack, Sharon and I watched Being the Ricardos. This is part of our quest to watch movies that might recieve Oscar nominations. Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball currently has the third best odds on the Goldderby site to win the Best Actress Oscar. For her performance, Kidman won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.

Being the Ricardos is a biographical drama film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin [Trial of the Chicago Seven]. Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem star as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The cast includes J. K. Simmons as Fred Mertz and Nina Arianda as Ethel Mertz.

The film examines the relationship between I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The film is told from three perspectives: interviews with the show's three lead writers: Jess Oppenheimer (who was also the show runner), Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll; flashbacks; and preparations for a live taping in 1953.

I enjoyed the movie enough to recommend it. Sharon liked it more than I did. I would bet that the movie doesn't get nominated for Best Picture and that Kidman doesn't win Best Actress.

Monday, January 17, 2022

Belfast

Sunday night, Sharon and I watched Belfast. We are continuing our quest to watch movies that might recieve Oscar nominations. Belfast currently has the second best odds on the Goldderby site to win the Best Picture Oscar.

Belfast was named one of the best films of 2021 by the National Board of Review. It tied with The Power of the Dog for a leading seven nominations at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.

The film is a coming of age comedy-drama film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film stars Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, and newcomer Jude Hill.

The story centers on a young boy's childhood amidst the tumult of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the 1960s. The director Branagh described it as his "most personal film."

I was a little underwhelmed by the film. Unless you are very familar with the politics of Northern Ireland in the 1960s, it is a little confusing to figure out the different sides of the conflict. Told large from a child point of view, maybe that is part of the point. Sharon liked it even less. Based on some feedback from Sharon's brother Tom, we watched the film with subtitles. This was interesting because their was a lot of background dialogue that we would never have picked up. Although it wouldn't surprise me to see it nominated, I don't think that Belfast is goiing to win the Best Picture Oscar.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

2022 San Francisco 49ers versus Dallas Cowboys

I rarely, if ever, sit and watch a whole football game real time. As part of a low-key birthday weekend, Jack, Sharon and I watched the San Francisco 49ers versus Dallas Cowboys National Football League wild card game. During the week, I tried to get Rod to bet me on the game, but was unsuccessful.

The 49ers held on to win the game by the score of 23 to 17. The 49ers won the game with a dominant defense, a strong rushing attack and a myriad Cowboys mistakes.

For the 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo was 16 for 25 for 172 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Elijah Mitchell was the leading rusher with 96 yards on 27 carries. Deebo Samuel added 72 yards on 10 carries! Brandon Aiyuk was the leading receiver with 66 yards on five receptions.

Sharon and I finished the night watching Belfast.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Celebrating My Birthday

After a low-key day, Tom, Jack, Sharon and I went to dinner at Allora to celebrate my birthday.

I had the five course tasting menu including:
  • OYSTERS [HOUSE HOT SAUCE, LEMON, MIGNONETTE];
  • ZUPPA DI GRANCHIO [DUNGENESS CRAB, POTATO, CAULIFLOWER, LEEK, SHERRY, LAVOSH];
  • BUCATINI [DUNGENESS CRAB, UNI GARLIC CREAM, CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS, STEELHEAD ROE];
  • PORK OSSO BUCO [RYE SPATZLE, CHESTNUT GREMOLATA, LACINATO KALE]; and,
  • SPUMONI BOMBE [PISTACHIO, CHOCOLATE, AMARENA CHERRIES].
I enjoyed the dinner and the company very much.

For presents, Sharon gave me golf shoes and some peloton work out apparel. Tom got me a book on St Ignatuis of Loyola, while Jack and Drew gave me on Caravaggio book. [Note to self], I need to work on my listing of Caravaggio paintings that I have seen! I started this project, but haven't kept it up to date.

We finished the night watching Saturday Night Live hosted by Ariana DeBose [West Side Story] with musical guest the Bleachers.

Friday, January 14, 2022

Jack is back!

After spending the week in SoCal with Drew working on the Sound Bath business plan, Jack flew back to Sacramento. Catching a 6:35 pm Southwest light out of Burbank, he was on the ground in Sacramento at 7:55 pm. Sharon and I scooped him up at the curb.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

F@rm Credit West Retirement Lunch

While last year saw several significant milestones (pending Mayfly 2021 post), this year will see some monumentous life changes.

Sharon went into the office today for her annual performance evaluation and to do some turnover. Norma organized a retirement lunch for her.

Monday, January 10, 2022

Song for 2021

Drew and Morgan are both accomplished musicians. The Soundtrack for My Life includes several of their songs. During the pandemic, one of Drews projects--Sound Bath--has taken off.

The song for 2021 is 417hz (Removing Negative Energy).

You can find the work in progress Soundtrack for My Life here!

What is this?

As a footnote, I have started falling asleep to one of Drew's Nature Sound Bath recordings: Sprinkle (Rain).

Sunday, January 09, 2022

Brothers Heringer to SoCal

Drew and Jack took off for Southern California. Jack is going to spend the week with Drew at Mirror Wall Studio. As I have said before, I am really pleased with the way their relationship has blossomed over the last few years.

Saturday, January 08, 2022

California Historical Landmark #90

While we were in San Francisco in December, I did a walkabout and found eight different California Historical Markers, including: #88 Niantic Hotel; #90 Fort Gunnybags; #462 Site of First Jewish Religious Services in San Francisco; #408 Site of the the first Meeting of Freemasons held in California; #453 Lucas, Turner & Co. Bank; #192 El Dorado, Park House and Dennison's Exchange; #500 Site of the Eastern Terminus of Clay Street Hill Railroad; and, #119 PORTSMOUTH PLAZA.

Fort Gunnybags
California State Historical Landmark #90

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

This landmark is located at 243 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, California. There are 48 other California State Historical Landmarks in San Francisco County. The GPS coordinates for this location are 37° 47' 39.8" N 122° 23' 53.9" W.

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

California Historical Landmark #90

This is the site of the headquarters of the Vigilance Committee of 1856. On June 21, 1856, Judge David S. Terry was arrested and confined in a cell. The committee, fearing that his friends might attempt to rescue him, decided to fortify the building with gunnysacks filled with sand.

California Historical Landmark #90

The Sacramento Block was built in the 1850's as a warehouse. In 1856, the San Francisco Vigilance Committee made it their headquarters and arsenal and fortified it with gunnysacks.

The Vigilance Committee erected a scaffold in Davis Street near Fort Gunnybags and executed Brace and Heatherington (alternately, Hetherington) on July 29, 1856, for unrelated murders.

The Sacramento Block warehouse was a simple, two-story Classical Revival building built of brick and stucco. The firstd floor had casement doors and the second floor had tall casement windows. Although the Sacramento Block building was destroyed in the Great Earthquake and Fire, surviving warehouses in the nearby Northeast Waterfront Historic District are similar to the lost buidling.

Thursday, January 06, 2022

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

Adventures with Lee plus Catan

Drew and Jack spent the day babysitting Lee.

Afterwards, Drew joined us for dinner [rack of lamb] and spent the night.

Jack, Drew and I finished the day playing Catan. Drew won a close game.


Monday, January 03, 2022

Taking down the Christmas decorations

After I spent Sunday morning dragging the boxes back from the storage shed, Sharon took down most of the Christmas decorations over the course of the day. At the end of the day, Jack, Sharon and I made a big push to finish up packing everything up. We got the tree down and out of the house and all of the boxes back into the garage.

Sunday, January 02, 2022

Miscellaneous plus Wallen

I spent the morning dragging the Christmas boxes back from the storage shed. Afterwards, I took down the Christmas lights in the front of house.

Jack, Sharon and Sharon's brother Tom went to the Crocker Art Gallery. They were interested in seeing the exhibition Monet to Matisse, Masterworks of French Impressionism from the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. They had fried chicken sandwiches for lunch at Bawk!

I finished the day heading over to Davis. Wallen is driving a car from Bremerton to Todos Santos and spent the second night of the trip with the Snipes. I got a chance to visit with Wallen, Snipes and Joy for a couple of hours.

Saturday, January 01, 2022

New Year's Day 2022

After a lackluster New Year's Eve, we had a very nice New Year's Day. Drew and Carmen rolled up about 11 am. The five of us (Drew, Carmen, Jack, Sharon and I) plus Tiber headed to Bannister Park. We hiked from Bannister Park across the American River and into Old Fair Oaks for lunch. With the Fair Oaks Brew Pub closed, we had lunch at the Fair Oaks Coffee Shop & Deli.

We did the same hike last year on New Year's Eve. In total, we covered 4.3 miles in an hour and fifty minutes. A map and Relive of this year's hike is here. I was pleasantly surprised how well Tiber kept up with the group.

With Drew and Carmen spending the night, we invited Lee, Morgan and Daniel to join us for dinner. Sharon and I made cornflake chicken, scalloped potatoes and green beans for dinner. Morgan made a chocolate cake with ice cream.

It was very nice to see everyone. I love spending time with Lee.

Jack, Carmen and Drew finished the night playing Love Letters.