Tuesday, February 28, 2023

White Fir Wood Cluster

Sharon and I explored this Sea Ranch Architectural Marker on Day 5 of our Sea Ranch trip in July.

White Fir Wood Cluster
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This marker is located on the Meadow Trail near Pine Meadow Road, Sea Ranch, California. The Sea Ranch Archives Committee has identified twenty-six historic sites scattered about The Sea Ranch. They have constructed trail markers with information explaining the significance of each place. They were placed as part of The Sea Ranch 50th anniversary being celebrated from Memorial Day 2014 to Memorial Day 2015. Since then, a number of architecture and landscape markers have been added. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 43' 10.7" N 123° 27' 20.1" W.

WHITE FIR WOOD CLUSTER

This cluster is the lower of two sets of cluster housing built for sale by the developer. These modest dwellings were envisioned, according to Al Boeke, as "changing rooms" between city living and the outdoors, where one could enjoy activities such as hiking the network of trails that crisscross the area. The four demonstration units at the head of the meadow, just below the first car barn, are of post & beam construction. The balance of the complex was revised to reduce costs. The integrated site planning makes these dwellings fit into the topography particularly well.

Site Plan and Architect, Demonstration Houses:
MLTW/William Turnbull, Jr., 1973

Architect, Remaining Houses:
Oceanic Properties, Inc., Al Boeke Consultant, 1974-1980


WHITE FIR WOOD CLUSTER

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Back from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Up and moving before 7 am, Sharon and I wandered down into the casino to see if anything was open for breakfast. We were pleasantly surprised to find the Hard Rock Cafe open for breakfast. There was only one other couple in the place. I had pancakes and eggs, while Sharon had a omelette.

We scooped Tiber up from Best Friends on the way home. We were back in Carmichael about 10 am.

While the hotel room and the Hard Rock Live venue were good, the rest of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino leaves a lot to be desired. The casino doesn't have the restaurants and bars to handle several thousand people. The night that we saw Bill Mahr there was also a MMA fight in a smaller space near the auditorium.

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Hidden Falls Hike plus Bill Mahr

Saturday morning, we headed up to Hidden Falls Regional Park. Sharon has hiked there twice before with Holly and her brother Tom.

We did a short training hike for Hadrian's Wall. We hiked 4.2 miles in just over two hours. We stopped and had lunch along Deadman Creek. We need to come back and do a long training hike in the next three months.



After the hike, we headed to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Wheatland. Sharon had given me tickets to see Bill Mahr for my birthday. We decided to make a room reservation and stay the night.

After getting checked into the room, we wandered down to the Casino for a cocktail. This turned into an adventure. There was only one small bar open. We had to wait in a fairly long line for a drink.

We headed back to the room to get cleaned up for dinner. Sharon had made a 5:45 pm reservation for dinner at the Council Oak Steaks and Seafood Restaurant in the casino. Wandering down, we found the area overrun with people having dinner at the bar. Luckily, we got seated a little early. Unfortunately, the experience turned into a fiasco from my perspective. We had some oysters and split a wedge salad. After we finished the salad, we sat there for almost an hour before we got our entree. Someone came over after about 45 minutes and apologized for the delay, but started by saying "don't worry, Bill Mahr will start twenty minutes late..." Not a good customer service strategy. When the food finally did come, it was cooked, but not warm! Sharon had a filet migon, while I had a New York strip. The experience was horrible as well as expensive. We ate some of the food and then headed to the show.

I rarely say this, but I will never go back to the Council Oak Steaks and Seafood Restaurant again.

We wandered to the theater and got our seats. Consistent with the theme for the evening, there was a large concession stand that was swamped with people. The theater holds 2,500 people and the show appeared to be close to sold out.

Sharon and I both really enjoyed the show. We have been watching Real Time with Bill Mahr on HBO for almost twenty years. Bill Mahr was on the stage for about an hour and twenty minutes.

After the show, we wandered back to our room and crashed about 11 pm.

Friday, February 24, 2023

My Life 2021

This picture was taken at the Army/Navy game in 2021. It includes Nooter, Larkin, Snipes, Tomasin and Wallen. Although I have known both Larkin and Nooter for more than forty years, it was the first time that they met.
All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Survivor: Season 43

In December, Sharon and I finished watching season forty-three of Survivor. Season forty-four premieres March 1.

The show was filmed from May 2 through May 27, 2022. It premiered on September 21, 2022 on CBS. The season concluded on December 14, 2022. This is the twelfth consecutive season to be filmed in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji..

Mike Gabler was named the winner of the season. He defeated Cassidy Clark and Owen Knight in a 7–1–0 vote. Gabler, aged 51, was the second oldest winner. Gabler has stated he intends on donating the one million dollar prize to support veterans in need by giving it all away to a collection of veterans' support organizations with which he'd partnered.

I would have bet against Gabler and Knight making the final three. Although I understand the logistics of filming in the same place, I would love to see the show in other parts of the world.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Madrone Cluster

Sharon and I explored this Sea Ranch Architectural Marker on Day 5 of our Sea Ranch trip in July.

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

This marker is located near 320 Madrone Meadow, Sea Ranch, California. The Sea Ranch Archives Committee has identified twenty-six historic sites scattered about The Sea Ranch. They have constructed trail markers with information explaining the significance of each place. They were placed as part of The Sea Ranch 50th anniversary being celebrated from Memorial Day 2014 to Memorial Day 2015. Since then, a number of architecture and landscape markers have been added. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 43' 18.9" N 123° 27' 24.9" W.

Madrone Cluster

A key element of Lawrence Haprin’s plan for The Sea Ranch was to conserve common open space by closely clustering dwellings, a concept first demonstrated with the Hedgerow Houses and Condominium One. This U-Shaped group of houses, constructed by Oceanic Properties, Inc., is an orderly complex of integrated forms gathered around a central car barn, with autos sheltered like agricultural animals. The view sheds, however are oriented outward-to meadow, forest and sea.

Site and Two Demonstration Houses:
MLTW/Willima Turnbull, Jr. 1973
Architect, Remaining Houses. Oceanic Properties, Inc. Al Boeke Consultant, 1974-1980


Madrone Cluster

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

1,318 miles

I am going to write a separate post on how my body feels [Not 28 Anymore]. In 2022, I ended running, hiking and walking 1,318 miles plus covering 1,418 miles on the Peloton bike. Both results are down from 2020 and 2021. I have finally started to incorporate strength training into regular routine; I did 212 Peloton strength classes last year. This includes upper body and core and is an average of more than four days a week. I played golf seventeen times last year. I did 21 Peloton Yoga classes. With two major trips planned for 2023, it is going to be very difficult to maintain the running and biking mileage.

I finished 2021 more dinged up than any year in recent memory. My heel has brothered me since the Run to Feed the Hungry, I twisted my knee playing golf and then aggravated my hip trying to work myself back in shape after twisting my knee. Nevertheless, last year, I ended running, hiking and walking 1,358 miles plus covering 1,628 miles on the bike. Both of the results are up slightly from 2020. Building on the rhythm, I did 141 Peloton strength classes; this is up substantially from 2020. Incredibly, I played golf nineteen times. My main two goals for 2022 are even more Peloton strength classes combined with some yoga classes.

In 2020, my training routine changed radically in March when we started working from home. I ended up running, hiking and walking 1,339 miles; this is 25.7 miles a week. The difference was I almost doubled my miles on the Peloton bike. I covered 1,606 miles on the bike. The most miles I ever did on the old bike was 1,092 in 2013. Additionally, I did sixty-one Peleton weight classes; I am finally getting into a rhythm that includes a regular strength workout. My goal for 2021 is to double down on the strength classes and add a few more yoga classes. I only did six yoga classes in 2020. One side note, we played golf twelve times last year. This probably more golf than I have played in any year since the early 1980s when Nooter and Wallen were still living in Sacramento.

In 2019, I ran, hiked and walked 1,285 miles. This is fewest miles that I have logged in more than fifteen years. It is a little deceiving; I added 871 miles on the Peloton Bike. This is the most miles I have done on a bike since 2014. I have been trying to focus on a broader range of activities. To this end, I topped the move goal (900 calories) on my apple watch for 155 straight days in the last half to the year. I also did 761 push-ups and weights as part of the Peloton bike work-out 30 times. I am still struggling to incorporate a strength work-out into my regular routine... My goal for 2020 is to run and cycle more miles and do more push-ups and weight work-outs than 2019!

In 2018, I ran 1,605 miles and cycled 91 miles. My goal for the year was to average 30 miles a week. I ended up averaging 30.8 miles per week. It was the most miles that I have run in a year since 2011. In addition to the mileage goal, I focused on my weekly steps total. My goal was 140,000 steps a week. Essentially, I was running 30 plus miles a week and walking 30 plus miles a week. Finally, I finished the year with a string of more than 70 days meeting the move goal on my Apple watch (900 active calories). Combined all of this kept my weight in a nice range for last half of the year. I am switching my goals for 2019. With the purchase of the Peloton bike as a present for our anniversary, I am going to try to do more 1,000 miles on the bike in 2019. I have also started to do push-ups again; my goal is 3,000 push-ups in 2019.

In 2017, I ran 1,510 miles and cycled 131 miles. My physical challenge for the year was running 200 miles in July! My 2017 Run To Feed The Hungry time was the best since 2014. Unlike 2016, I finished the year feeling strong.

In 2016, I ran 1,340 miles and cycled 474 miles. This is the fewest miles that I have run in a year in at least the last eleven years. I struggled the last couple months of 2016. Between the new job, a couple of minor medical procedures, getting sick, settling Jack in Georgetown and a change in my routine from the last two and a half years, I lost a couple notches in my level of fitness. This was highlighted by embarrassing times during the Run to Feed the Hungry. Like the American River 50 in 2007, I looking for a physical challenge in 2017. I am toying with the idea of a 100 to 120 mile hike along a section of the Pacific Coast Trail in Northern California [Boreal Ridge on Highway 80 to Chester on Highway 36].

In 2015, I ran 1,604 miles and cycled 401 miles. My goal was to work out with weighs 52 times this year; I have failed over the last three years at my strength training goal.

In 2014, I ran 1,583 miles and cycled 886 miles. I averaged 30.4 miles running and 17.0 miles cycling every week! My goal was to restart a sit-up, push-up and light routine that I have done in the past. I failed in this goal.

In 2013, I ran 1,521 miles and cycled 1,092 miles. My goal for 2013 was to best both the running and the cycling totals. I accomplished the running goal. Additionally, I was going to try and lift at least 48 times (4 times a month) at Arden Hills. I failed in this goal.

In 2012, my goal was to start cross-training. I ran and hiked 1,441 miles. This included two full weeks off during the trip to Italy in the summer. Additionally, I cycled 1,133 miles. Most of this cycling was done on a stationary bike. I covered 1,016 miles virtually biking across America.

In 2011, I ran 1,763 miles. This seems impossible in a year that I took almost nine weeks of vacation!

In 2010, I ran 1,700 miles. This included two full weeks off during the trip to Spain in the summer.

In 2009, I ran 1,832 miles.

In 2008, I ran more than 1,925 miles!

In 2007, I ran 1,721 miles. This included successfully completing the American River 50.

In 2006, I ran slightly less than 1,680 miles.

In 2005, I ran slightly less than 1,630 miles.

On our trip to Florida in Summer of 2004, I started to play with the idea of running the American River 50 in April of 2007. I committed myself and started to train.

Monday, February 20, 2023

At Bartley Cavanaugh

Sharon and I met the Gainsleys at the Bing Maloney driving range. After hitting a few balls, we headed down Freeport Boulevard to Bartley Cavenaugh. Sharon and I last played Bartley Cavanaugh with Jack in 2011.

Teeing off about 10:30 am, we played eighteen. I haven't played golf since November with the Gainsleys at Bing Maloney. It showed. Although I felt ok on the driving range, I was wildly inconsistent on the course. I got a little frustrated at a couple of points. I ended up with a very, very liberally score 114.
Sharon pulled a muscle in her back earlier in the week. She putted a few holes and then played the last three holes tee to green.

Afterwards, the four of us had an early dinner at the Freeport Grill. Sharon had fish and chips, while I had spaghetti and meatballs.

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Star Lounge

In 1928 The Eastern Star Hall building was built by a group of women who wanted a building of their own. They gathered funding for the project and facilitated the construction, "For women by Women." This current structure is listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places as a fine example of Romanesque Revival architecture and a rare example of a local building devoted to a women’s organization.

For over ten years, the Eastern Star Hall historic building was vacant until current ownership saw the opportunity to breathe new life into this piece of Sacramento’s history and transform the building into the Historic Hyatt House and Star Lounge. For almost one hundred years, this historical place was a gathering ground for all Sacramentens. At the Star Lounge, we take the responsibility of creating an inspiring space for the public as an honor. By bringing the refined craft of art, music, food, and a great cocktail, The Star Lounge continues the tradition of keeping this space an incubator of creativity, an oasis of thought, and a great place to let loose and unwind.

After taking the Valetine's Day decorations to the shed and dragging back the Easter decorations, Sharon and I finished the day having dinner at the Star Lounge. Walking into the restaurant, we ran into Sharon's hair dresser Kelly and her husband.

We had Happy Hours Smash Sliders [Faria brioche ~ smoked cheddar ~ pickle ~ aioli] and Short Rib Tacos [lime cabbage slaw ~ avocado purée ~ cotija]. For dinner, we split a Caesar Salad and a Seasonal Flatbread [prosciutto ~ Laura Chenel chévre ~ arugula ~ castelvetrano olive].

It is a very nice venue. We are definitely going to go back.

Saturday, February 18, 2023

2009 Oscar Nominations


Best Picture
   ✔ Slumdog Millionaire - winner
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
   ✔ Frost/Nixon
   ✔ Milk
    The Reader

Best Actor
   ✔ Sean Penn – Milk - winner
    Richard Jenkins – The Visitor as Walter Vale
   ✔ Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon as Richard Nixon
    Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as Benjamin Button
    Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler as Randy "The Ram" Robinson

Actress
    Kate Winslet – The Reader as Hanna Schmitz - winner
    Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married as Kym Buchman
    Angelina Jolie – Changeling as Christine Collins
    Melissa Leo – Frozen River as Ray Eddy
    Meryl Streep – Doubt as Sister Aloysius Beauvier

Best Supporting Actor
    Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight as The Joker - winner (posthumous award[A])
   ✔ Josh Brolin – Milk as Dan White
   ✔ Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder as Kirk Lazarus
    Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt as Father Brendan Flynn
    Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road as John Givings Jr.

Best Supporting Actress
    Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona as María Elena - winner
    Amy Adams – Doubt as Sister James
    Viola Davis – Doubt as Mrs. Miller
    Taraji P. Henson – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as Queenie
    Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler as Cassidy/Pam

Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
   ✔ Milk – Dustin Lance Black - winner
    Frozen River – Courtney Hunt
    Happy-Go-Lucky – Mike Leigh
   ✔ In Bruges – Martin McDonagh
   ✔ WALL-E – Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter

Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
   ✔ Slumdog Millionaire – Simon Beaufoy; based on the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup - winner
    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Eric Roth and Robin Swicord; short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald
    Doubt – John Patrick Shanley; based on his play
   ✔ Frost/Nixon – Peter Morgan; based on his stage play
    The Reader – David Hare; based on the novel Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink

More Oscar Nominations

Friday, February 17, 2023

Milk

Friday night, Sharon and I watched Milk. We saw Sean Penn introduce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the Golden Globes. Talking about Penn and googling his films, Milk came up. We have talked about watching the film in the past.

Milk is a 2008 biographical film based on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. Milk was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Dustin Lance Black, the film stars Sean Penn as Milk, Josh Brolin as city supervisor Dan White, Victor Garber as San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, Diego Luna as Jack Lira and James Franco as Scott Smith. I was surprised to see James Franco in the movie.

Milk received 8 Oscar nominations at the 81st Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won two: Best Actor for Penn, his second Oscar, and Best Original Screenplay for Black.

This is a very good film. Sean Penn's performance is special. I recommend the movie. I enjoyed it more than any of this year's Oscar nominated films...

California Proposition 6 on the California state ballot in the November 7, 1978 election plays a large role in the last third of the film. The failed initiative sought to ban gays and lesbians from working in California's public schools. While I can remember voting for the first time in the 1976 general election, I have no recollection of this controversial ballot initiative.

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Zachery Taylor

My second book for February was Zachary Taylor: The American Presidents Series: The 12th President, 1849-1850 by John S. D. Eisenhower. It fits into my long term project to read books about all of the presidents. I finished the book on my flight home from Phoenix.

The author was a United States Army officer, diplomat, and military historian. He was a son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.

Taylor was a Kentucky plantation farmer and slave owner. He was born into a prominent family of plantation owners of English ancestry who moved westward from Virginia to Louisville, Kentucky. Taylor was a descendant of a Pilgrim leader of the Plymouth Colony and a Mayflower immigrant. Taylor's second cousin was James Madison, the fourth president. He was also a member of the famous Lee family of Virginia and a third cousin once removed of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

His father, Richard Taylor, served as a lieutenant colonel in the American Revolution. Taylor joined the U.S. Army in 1808. He received a commission from President Thomas Jefferson as a first lieutenant of the Kentuckian Seventh Infantry Regiment. While maintainng his plantations, Taylor had a long military history including serving in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War, Second Seminole War and the Mexican-American War. His success in the Second Seminole War attracted national attention and earned him the nickname "Old Rough and Ready." His victories as the general leading the troops in the Mexican-American War made him a popular hero and served as a springboard for the Whig party presidential nomination in 1848.

Taylor’s sixteen months as president were marked by disputes over California statehood, the expansion of slavery to California, Utah and New Mexico, the Fugitive Slave Act and the Texas–New Mexico boundary. Taylor opposed slavery in the new territories as a needless source of controversy.

Taylor died in office on July 9, 1850; he was 65 years old. Taylor was the last president to own slaves while in office.

This book is short compared to many of the presidential biographies that I have read. I didn't realize that he had died in office. Reading in the Kindle app, you don't have a sense of how thick the book is. All of sudden, Taylor got sick and died. The book was a solid introduction to Taylor, but I probably need to read a longer book about Taylor.

One footnote, in the section of this book about the Mexican-American War, I surprised that there was no references to Grant. I read and enjoyed Chernow's book about Grant last year. I thought that he had a somewhat prominent role in several of the key battles.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Benjamin Franklin

I walked by this historical marker several times while I was in Philadephia for the Army/Navy Game.

Benjamin Franklin
Pennsylvania Historical Marker

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

This marker is located at 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The GPS coordinates for this location are 39° 56' 55.8" N 75° 08' 48.4" W.

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

Benjamin Franklin

Printer, author, inventor, diplomat, philanthropist, statesman, and scientist. The eighteenth century's most illustrious Pennsylvanian built a house in Franklin Court starting in 1763, and here he lived the last five years of his life.

Benjamin Franklin

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Valentine's Day 2023

Sharon and I had a very nice early dinner with a wine pairing at Ella Dining Room and Bar. We sat at the bar. Sharon gave the meal a "9." The menu included:
  • amuse bouche - EAST COAST OYSTER [CHORIZO OIL, BLACK LIME]
  • first course - GRILLED WHOLE LOBSTER TAIL [LEMON CONFIT, TSAR NICOULAI GOLDEN RESERVE CAVIAR, SALSIFY PURÉE, AMARANTH, SHISO]
  • second course - TRUFFLE STUFFED QUAIL [CHANTERELLE CUSTARD, CARAMELIZED CIPOLLINI ONION, SHAVED BLACK TRUFFLE, CRISPY ONION]
  • entrée course - BRAISED SHORT RIBS [POMMES PURÉE, GLACE DE VIANDE, GLAZED CARROTS, GARLIC CONFIT, CHIVES]
  • dessert course - CREAM PUFF [BLOOD ORANGE CURD, CITRUS SUPREMES, MANJARI CHOCOLATE]
I got Sharon some Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne and a France wine puzzle, while she got me a set of Power Beat Pro headphones.

Monday, February 13, 2023

Back from Phoenix

I got emails from both Southwest and Clear about how busy they expected the airport to be on Monday. With so many people flying out on Monday, I was a little anxious about getting an Uber.

I ended up getting up about 5 am and calling for an Uber about 6 am. Even that early, it took more than twenty minutes to get a driver and for the car to show up.

Although the airport was starting to get busy, I got through security quickly with CLEAR and TSA Pre. I spent a couple of hours doing a walkabout around the airport, eating breakfast, working on the Super Bowl blog entry and doing some work.

I had a B7 boarding pass for Southwest. Southwest now lets you upgrade to A1 through A15 in the app. When I looked on Sunday and earlier on Monday, it said that it wasn't available. I happened to check again sitting at the gate. It was available and I ended up with boarding pass A1!?! Boarding first, I was able to get really the only good seat on an older 737-700: the exit row aisle.

I got a couple of alerts from Flightaware saying that Phoenix was congested. Pushing away from the gate on time, the Captain came on and said that we were 20th in line for takeoff. Taking off almost 30 minutes late, we were on the ground in Sacramento on schedule. It was an easy flight; I finished reading a short biography of Zachery Taylor.

I drove into work for a lunch meet and greet with our new CISO.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Super Bowl XVII

Dragging myself out of bed, I eventually wound my way to the Fitness Center. I ran for just over an hour on the treadmill. A small group met in the lobby and ran outside. I would have loved to run with them, but I just can't carry enough speed at this point (anymore?). Talking to them later, they ran about 8:40 miles.

After getting cleaned up, I met the group in the hotel lobby. We caught a bus to Top Golf near the Glendale Stadium. I ended up playing in a couple of games with Jesse, Lyndy, Peter, Rob and Derek. I did't embarrass myself; my swing wasn't bad. I finished second in the first game. We didn't finish the second game.

There were several former players walking around. I got a picture taken with Orlando Pace, an offensive lineman who played with the Rams.

About 2:30 pm, the group walked about three-quarters of mile to the stadium. We had club level seats in section 218 (row 9, seat 15). We were on the Eagles side of the field; there were a lot of loud, rowdy Eagles fans before the game.

It was a very entertaining football game. With about 10 seconds left in the game, the Kansas City Chiefs kicked a field goal to beat the Philadelphia Eagles by the score of 38 to 35. Patrick Mahomes was the MVP.

After the game, we walked back to Top Golf and caught a bus back to the hotel. By the time we got back to the hotel, it was after 10 pm. I crashed.

It was a very unique opportunity! I enjoyed the day immensely!

Saturday, February 11, 2023

To Phoenix

Taking advantage of an unusual opportunity, I headed to Phoenix for the weekend. Rolling from the house about 7:10 am, I actually got an electric vehicle charger on the third floor of the airport parking garage.

I caught a 9:10 am Southwest flight from Sacramento to Phoenix. Boarding with A14, I got a very nice aisle exit row on a newer 737-800.

On the ground just after noon, I caught an Uber. I had an interesting conversation with a talkative Uber driver. With the Super Bowl and the Waste Management Golf Tournament this weekend, he said that Friday was the busiest he had ever seen the airport. He said that there were hundreds of people trying to get rideshares. Apparently, I hit a calm spot in the weekend.

I am spending two nights at the Hotel Senna in Scottsdale. After getting settled in the room, I wandered down to the fitness center. I did a couple of Peloton strength workouts and ran for an hour on the treadmill.

Getting cleaned up, I met a group in the lobby and walked to the Citizen Public House for dinner. I had The Original Chopped Salad [Smoked Salmon, Couscous, Arugula, Pepitas, Asiago Cheeese, Currants, Dried Super Sweet Corn, Marinated Tomatoes, Buttermilk-herb Dressing] and Pan Roasted Nordic Halibut [Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Crab Beurre Blanc, Crispy Leeks].

Walking back to the hotel after dinner, downtown Scottsdale was a mad house. I finished the day with a nightcap with the group in the bar at the hotel.

Friday, February 10, 2023

Only Murders in the Building - Season Two

After finishing season one in late January, Sharon and I knocked out season two of Only Murders in the Building over the last two weeks. We both enjoyed the second season. I recommend the series.

Season two included guest appearances by Amy Schumer and Shirley MacLaine. The series was renewed for a third season. Season three is rumored to include Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep.

Thursday, February 09, 2023

The Relic Master

My book for February is The Relic Master. Carmen's parents talked about the book while we were at Drew and Carmen's house at Christmas. Always looking for something different to read, I decided to pick it up.

Set in 1517, the main character is a relic hunter who procures “authentic” religious relics for wealthy and influential clients. The historical fiction includes a number of actual historical figures including: the German painter Albrecht Dürer, Fredrick III, Cardinal Albert of Brandenburg Archbishop of Mainz, Friar Martin Lurther and Pope Leo X.

It enjoyed the book, but it is a little bit pedestrian. It has a surprisingly low score on Goodreads. I did find the background about relics and indulgences interesting.

I didn't realize until finishing the book that The Shroud of Chambéry is now The Shroud of Turin. Although not displayed very often, this is something I would be interested in seeing...

Tuesday, February 07, 2023

Random Musing

I left Sut/ter Health almost exactly nine years ago. It took them over a year to replace me. Since then, Sut/ter has had five technology leaders/CTOs: Wes; Frank; Bill; Charles; and, now James

I have been in my current role as Technology Executive/CTO of Adven/tist Health since November of 2016.

Monday, February 06, 2023

Celebrating 28 years since our first date!

Sharon and I went to happy hour at Ruth's Chris Steak House to celebrate the 28th anniversary of our first date.

Twenty-eight years ago today [Monday, February 6, 1995], we had our first date at Mace's.

Mace's closed in 2005 and Ruth's Chris opened in the same location.

An email that I wrote Nooter a few days after our first date is here.

Sunday, February 05, 2023

Training for Hadrian's Wall

With the hike along Hadrian's Wall looming in June, we are starting to do training hikes on the weekend. I am hoping to work Sharon up to a hike of 12 or more miles.

Sunday morning, we hiked towards Granite Bay from Rattlesnake Bar on the Pioneer Express Trail. We hiked the other direction from Rattlesnake Bar with the Gainsleys on Valentine's Day two years ago. I ran this section of the trail during the American River 50.

We covered about 6.4 miles in three hours and sixteen minoutes.

Saturday, February 04, 2023

Aftersun

Saturday night, Sharon and I watched Aftersun. This is part of our annual odyssey to watch the films with Oscar nominations. Paul Mescal received a Best Actor nomination for his role in the film. Aftersun was also named one of the best films of 2022 by the National Board of Review.

Aftersun is a drama written and directed by Charlotte Wells. It stars Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio and Celia Rowlson-Hall. Set in the early 2000s, the film follows Sophie, an 11-year-old Scottish girl, on vacation with her father at a Turkish resort on the eve of his 31st birthday.

My interest was peaked when I noted that it was filmed in Turkey. Filming took place in Ölüdeniz, Turkey. This resort area is about 100 miles south along the Turkish coast from Bodrum. The scenery in the part of the film where they took a bus to the mud baths looked very similar to the terrain when we drove to the winery south of Bodrum.

When the movie was over Sharon and I expressed surprise that Mescal was nominated for Best Actor. We both thought that the performance of young actor who played the daughter was better. Mescal in not winning Best Actor... The movie is slow in spots. Talking about it after it ended, I do like the way they ended the movie. It is not bad, but I don't recommend it.

Friday, February 03, 2023

California Historical Landmark #328

While we were in San Francisco in October for Brian and Sam's wedding, I did a walkabout and found three different California Historical Markers, including: #328 Long Wharf; #1010 Original Site of the Third Baptist Church, and; #1024 Juana Briones, Pioneer Settler of Yerba Buena.

Long Wharf
California State Historical Landmark #328

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

This landmark was located at the intersection of Leidesdorff and Commercial Streets, San Francisco, California. There are 48 other California State Historical Landmarks in San Francisco County. The GPS coordinates for this location are 37° 47' 39.3" N 122° 24' 09.6" W.

California Historical Landmark #328

In the spring of 1848, the old Central or Long Wharf was built 'from the bank in the middle of the block between Sacramento and Clay Streets, where Leidesdorff Street now is, 800 feet into the Bay.' After 1850 it was extended 2,000 feet and the Pacific mail steamers and other large vessels anchored there. Central or Long Wharf is now Commercial Street.

Thursday, February 02, 2023

Only Murders in the Building - Season One

Last weekend, Sharon and I finished watching season one of Only Murders in the Building. It is available on Hulu.

Only Murders in the Building is a mystery comedy-drama television series created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman. The ten-episode first season premiered on Hulu in August 2021. The series received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series and for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

The plot follows three strangers played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. After a suspicious death in their affluent Upper West Side apartment building, the three neighbors join together to investigate and start their own podcast about their investigation.

Watching the first episode of the season, I had the same experience I had when I watched the first episode of Ted Lasso. I was very surprised by the tone of episode and touched by the portrayal of the main characters. The show is very multidimensional. Both Sharon and I enjoyed season one. I highly recommend the series.

Wednesday, February 01, 2023

Sharon and Tom's 2023 San Francisco Adventure - Day #3

Sharon and Tom did a morning walk in the Presido, including the Chapel and the cemertery.

Checking out of the lodge, they headed to Jack's apartment. The three of them went to lunch at Swan Oyster Depot.

Heading out of the city, Sharon and Tom made a quick stop in Orinda to vist with Drew and Carmen. The house that Drew and Carmen are renting was built for the "Original Tarzan" actor Johnny Weissmuller as his summer home in the 1930s.

Dropping Tom at home, Sharon was back home in Carmichael about 3:20 pm.