Janie's Birthday

We celebrated Janie's Birthday on Saturday.

A picture of Janie and Sharon from Janie's birthday party fifteen years ago is here.

Celebrating Janie's Birthday

Sharon, Janie and I rolled from Janie's house about 10:20 am. The plan for the day was wine tasting in Sonoma and Napa Counties and Dinner in Yountville to celebrate Janie's birthday. Following Waze through Woodland and Winters, it took us about an hour and 45 minutes.

The first stop was Donum Estates. They were having their Harvest Festival and celebrating the opening of their new tasting room. Sharon has been a wine club member at this winery since we stopped with the Sanborns on the way to Sea Ranch earlier this year.

From there, we headed to Bouchaine Vineyards. Both Sharon and Janie are wine club members and had a shipment to pick up. Sharon has been a wine club member at this winery since we stopped here on Valentine's Day in 2010.

After a stop at Cabi at the Outlet Stores in Napa, we headed to Ad Hoc in Yountville for an early dinner. The menu included Arugula Salad, Roasted Pork Belly and Lamb Shank Ragu. A copy of the menu is included after the jump.

We got back to Janie's house about 9:10 pm. A long day...

To SoCal and back

Up at 4:00 am, I caught a 6:25 am Southwest flight from Sacramento to Burbank. I spent the day working in Glendale. At the end of the day, I caught a 4:00 pm Southwest flight that actually left at 4:20 pm back to Sacramento. I was home about 6:20 pm. A long day... It seems like every Southwest flight that I have taken out of SoCal this year has been running behind schedule.

Eric Frame - State Senate 2018

Bill Simmons Podcast - NBA Over/Under - Western Conference

In today's podcast, Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House, Jason Concepcion, and Kevin O'Connor to discuss the NBA Western Conference Over/Under Wins totals for the 2017-2018 season. At 27 1/2 wins, the Kings have the lowest over/under in the Western Conference. Last year, the Kings won 32 games. Everyone on the podcast loved the over. Watching the Kings rookies on Monday night, I also actually like the over. I have to figure out some way to bet on this in the next two weeks...

2015-2016 Kings Season

During the 2015-2016 Sacramento Kings season, the Kings
were 2 and 2 in games which I saw in person, including:

REGULAR SEASON

10/28/2015: Clippers-111, Kings-104 [0-1] - Larkin

01/09/2016: Warriors-128, Kings-116 [0-2] - Larkin, Tomasin, Mikey, Snipes, Keith

02/19/2016: Kings-116, Nuggets-110 [1-2] - Sharon

04/09/2016: Kings-114, Thunder-112 [2-2] - Larkin {last game at Sleep Train}

2025-2026 Season [1-1]
2024-2025 Season [5-4]
2023-2024 Season [6-2]
2022-2023 Season [5-3]
2021-2022 Season [1-5]
2020-2021 Season [1-0]
2019-2020 Season [1-4]
2018-2019 Season [7-4]
2017-2018 Season [5-2]
2016-2107 Season [5-3]
2015-2016 Season [2-2]
2014-2015 Season [1-4]
2013-2014 season [3-2]
2012-2013 Season [1-0]
2011-2012 Season [3-2]
2010-2011 Season [3-6]
2009-2010 Season [4-7]
2008-2009 Season [2-7]
2007-2008 Season [7-7]
2006-2007 Season [5-9]
2005-2006 Season [8-8]
2004-2005 Season [10-4]
2003-2004 season [12-3]

2017 Kings versus Spurs

Larkin and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus San Antonio Spurs preseason NBA game at Golden One Center. Holding on to a small lead for most of the game, the Kings won the game by the score of 106 to 100.

Frank Mason was the Kings leading scorer. Mason played four years at Kansas and was drafted 34th overall in the second round of the 2017 draft. Playing 22 minutes, he had 17 points on 5 for 10 from the field, 2 for 4 from three point range and 5 for 6 from the free throw line.

When he was in the game, I focused on watching De'Aaron Fox. In only 17 minutes, Fox had 16 points on 6 for 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from the free throw line. I was very impressed. I think that it is going to be hard to keep him off the court.

Looking at the box score after the game, I was surprised to see that LeMarcus Aldridge was the Spurs leading scorer. In only 15 minutes, he scored 17 points on 7 for 10 from the field, 1 for 2 from three and 2 for 3 from the free throw line.

Sharon and Janie were also at the game. Sharon got the tickets for her company's suite. We met them at halftime. Rather than returning to our seats, Larkin and I spent the second half standing at the top of the lower bowl behind section 117.

Larkin said that he didn't think that he had ever been to a preseason game before. I can find at least three times that I went to preseason game: once with Snipes (10/26/2006) and once with Jack (10/9/2007).

American River Canyon Hike

Ever since I started carry a Garmin to run, I have been fascinated by maps of runs and hikes. Using RunKeeper on my iPhone, I built a map of our hike in the American River Canyon on Saturday.

Larkin Ranch Hike

Almost four years ago, Sharon and I hiked with the Larkins and the Gainsley from the Larkin's property down into the canyon of the Middle Fork of the American River. At the time, I said that I would have loved to gone all the way down to the river.

Larkin and Cindy planned out a second hike for Saturday for the same group that dropped all the way to river. We left the Larkin's barn about 9:30 am. When we got to the river, there was actually a 50k from Foresthill to the Auburn Dam Overlook underway. The race was crossing the river at that point. We continued down river to Maine Bar for a leisurely lunch.

After lunch, we climbed out of the canyon. There were two pretty good hills: the Maine Bar Trail and the final section up to the Larkin's property. We stopped briefly at the memorial for Barbara Schooner.



In total, we covered 8.7 miles in six and a half hours. It was very nice hike. A map of the hike is here.

After the hike, we relaxed in the Larkin's pool house. We eventually cooked some steaks for dinner. It was late by the time we wandered home...

Serritella's

Finishing up a hectic week, Sharon and I had an early dinner at Serritella's. I had lasagna, while Sharon had veal.

Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

My second book for September was Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie. This is the third book in a trilogy. I read the first book Ancillary Justice in November of 2014 and the second Ancillary Sword in May of 2016.

I finished the book on the flight to Burbank on Tuesday evening. I am now essentially reading everything on the Kindle app on my iPhone. While I have always viscerally loved the feel of real books, it is just too convenient to always have my book in my pocket.

Ancillary Mercy received the 2016 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. It was also nominated for the 2016 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

As I have said before, I read science fiction partly because I love to see how authors play with ideas about technology. This book concluding the trilogy plays with some interesting ideas about artificial intelligence.

While I enjoyed the first book, I was surprised that it won so many awards. I found the second and third books in the trilogy very pedestrian. I generously give this book a "B-". With so many great books to read, I don't recommend it...

Back from SoCal

After spending the day working at the Glendale Hospital, I caught a 5:55 pm Southwest flight from Burbank back to Sacramento.

To Burbank

Traveling for work, I caught a 5:30 pm Southwest Flight from Sacramento to Burbank. In spite of having A37, i didn't get an exit row. I spent one night at the Courtyard Los Angeles Burbank Airport. While I usually try to have dinner with Drew when I go to SoCal, this was a quick trip planned at the last minute...

Jack's 2017 Fall Semester Classes

ACCT 102 - Accounting II

This course is designed to give you, as a manager in a non-accounting job, the fundamental vocabulary, concepts and procedures to work with management accountants in an informed way to answer questions like these: How effectively are my actions linked with corporate strategy? What activities of mine are differentiating and add value? What are my commodity activities that either destroy value or waste resources? How do I analyze the way a cost is accumulated to make sure it is relevant to a specific decision I must make? How do organizational control and incentive systems affect the motivation levels and actions of people who report to me?

In short, understanding the fundamental vocabulary, concepts and procedures of management accounting will help you
a. grow revenues and profits while planning and controlling related expenses
b. manage risks
c. understand, measure and drive performance

MGMT 201 - Management & Org Behavior

This course is a comprehensive overview of the management process and organizational behavior from a behavioral and social science perspective. Topics include: management across cultures; managing with ethics and social responsibility; fundamentals of organizing; organizational culture and design; leadership; motivation; communication; interpersonal skills; teamwork and group dynamics; goal-setting; alternative work arrangements; power and politics; conflict and negotiation; managing change; and management development. Emphasis is on the analysis and understanding of human behavior in organizations.

STRT 265 - Business-Govt Relations

The "Business and Government Relations" is an alternative to Business Law in satisfying the "legal and political environment of business" requirement. The course is designed to prepare you for the time when you, as a senior manager of a business firm, will find your business activities being partly determined by government policies. Over the course of the semester, you will learn the Skills: to analyze normative arguments about what government and corporate policies ought to be; to analyze positive arguments regarding claims made about the effects of government policies on business; to understand the how and why of government policy-making; and to learn to "forecast" changes in government policy. You will develop Substantive Knowledge: of political institutions, here and abroad; of the effects of differing government policies on national industrial organization; and of the effects of business on government, in the United States and abroad. You will Reflect: on the appropriate role of corporations in the democratic political process; and on how your civic obligations should affect you in your role as a manager. The course readings will compare American political and business institutions with those of other democratic capitalist countries.

THEO 011 - Intro to Biblical Literature

Introduction to Biblical Literature promotes the close reading of ancient texts, first on their own terms and then in relation to how they have been interpreted over time and may be interpreted today. As such, IBL teaches students to think critically about what a text is, and how it functions for those who value it. Learning to read texts in context challenges students to question the assumptions they bring to biblical texts and to enter into an adventure of discovery of the Bible, its origins and significance over time. IBL asks students to become “strangers in a strange land” as they confront the various “distances” they experience when reading biblical texts. Meeting unfamiliar language, cultures, customs, mores, and ideas requires that students suspend their judgment about what they think they know and asks them to learn how to expect the unexpected, as they delve deeper and deeper into biblical literature and the worlds from which it emerged. In this way, IBL can be a very liberating experience for students and lays a foundation that they can rely on in other courses they will take in during their undergraduate years.

ARTH 102 - Renaissance to Modern Art

This course surveys the major achievements in western pictorial art, sculpture and architecture from the early Renaissance to the twentieth century. Students will develop skills in analyzing and interpreting original works of art.

Fall 2016 Semester
Spring 2017 Semester
Fall 2017 Semester
Spring 2018 Semester
Fall 2018 Semester
Spring 2019 Semester
Fall 2019 Semester
Spring 2020 Semester

Rebecca L Frame Memorial Scottish Rules Bocce Ball Tournament

Sharon, Janie and I spent the afternoon at the 5th not-so-annual Bocce Ball tournament at Tom's house. More than 25 people showed up. There five initial flights, two semi-final matches and the finals. I made it into the semi-finals, but lost to Eric. Fittingly, Eric won the tournament.

At the Rebecca L Frame Memorial Scottish Rules Bocce Ball Tournament

A post shared by Mark Heringer (@heringermr) on Sep 25, 2017 at 5:58am PDT

The Guest and the Host - Best Friend

Arden Hills

Sharon and I had dinner in the restaurant at Arden Hills. We spilt a fig salad which Sharon wasn't crazy about and both had the burgers. The spin class instructor and her husband (Donna and Steve) came over to say hello. We spent part of the evening working on the October trip.

Song for 2010

There are a number of songs that are a staple on my running playlists. This is one of them. It is poignant because it makes me think about the people that have dropped out of my life due to death, life styles and geography.

The song for 2010 is If I Could See You One More Time by Marshall Tucker.

Other than Drew and Morgan, Marshall Tucker is the only band that has shown up twice in the Soundtrack for My Life so far.

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

House of Cards - Season Five

Sharon and I finished the fifth season of House of Cards on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. We finished season one in October of 2016, season two in November of 2016, season three in April and season four in June. This season was originally released on May 30, 2017.

Season five follows the twisted events of Frank Underwood's (Kevin Spacey) reelection as President of the United States. The season ends with Frank's resignation as President. As Vice President, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) then becomes President. The last episode closes with Claire staring towards the camera audience and coldly declaring: "My turn."

We have watched a lot of House of Cards over the last year. While I enjoyed season five, I don't think seasons four and five are as good as the first two seasons. I didn't like season three. Although I often felt like the storyline of season five jumped the shark, those feelings were tempered whenever I turned my attention to the real world...  Netflix has not yet announced a season six.

My Life 2013

In 2013, Sharon, Jack and I spent thirteen days in Hawaii, including the islands of Oahu, Kaui and Maui.

2013

All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

140,694 steps

Tapa the World

After a stop at Janie's house to pick up some clothes that Sharon ordered, we met Tom, Eric, Ashly, Kevin and Leah at Tapa the World. Tom wanted to go out for Spanish food in celebration of his and Eric's Camino journey last year. We had a number of small plates with a Paella Mixta for seven as the entree.

We wandered back to Tom's house afterwards for cake and coffee to celebrate Ashley's birthday. We watched most of the Emmys. I was surprised at the number of series that I was only vaguely aware of or had never heard of. With streaming services such as Amazon and Netflix joining all of the cable channels, there is an amazing proliferation of content.

Baby Driver

Saturday night, Sharon and I watched Baby Driver on the AppleTV. Although Sharon suggested it based on a recommendation from her hairdresser, it is a movie that I have been hearing good things about since the beginning of the summer. At one point, I was actually interested in seeing it in the theater..

Baby Driver is a 2017 crime action film written and directed by Edgar Wright. It stars Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. The plot follows Baby (Elgort) as a young getaway driver and music lover who works for a kingpin (Spacey).

The movie is one long playlist. The music drives the film. I will probably end up buying the soundtrack.

Although the film jumps the shark a little in the last thirty minutes, I enjoyed it. Jon Hamm is very good. I recommend Baby Driver.

My Life 2007

Sharon, Jack and I spent a great week in Santa Fe in 2007.

2007

All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

BMW 530i

Almost three years ago, Sharon and I leased a car for her. It was the first time that we had ever leased a car. This month, we turned that car back. I am pleasantly surprised with the overall transaction. The only charges at the end of the lease were for some scratches on the rims. Although Sharon was toying with the idea of getting something else, Sharon felt in love with another BMW when she drove it and signed another three year lease on the spot!

Camino Island by John Grisham

My book for September was Camino Island by John Grisham. Somewhat unbelievably, this is the 31st book by John Grisham that I have read in the last twenty-five years. I am not sure that this is something that I should be proud of... It is the second of his books that I read this year and he has another book coming out in the fall.

Like The Whistler that I read earlier this year, it is not really a legal story. The two main characters are a book store owner and a young author. The plot revolves around the theft of some original manuscripts from Princeton University.

As I have said about a number of the recent Grishman books, it is not a bad book. It was a nice light change of pace. I will continue to read Grisham novels as filler between more ambitious books. They serve as a nice mindless break.

Eric Frame for State Senate

Sharon's nephew Eric is running for the State Senate.

Jury Duty

I spent Thursday afternoon, September 7 and all day Monday, September 11 serving on jury duty.

Seahawks versus Packers

Finishing up the Danny Hunter Wedding weekend, the Wallens came over to our house Sunday afternoon to watch the Seattle Seahawks play the Green Bay Packers. The game wasn't being broadcast on the networks in Northern California, but I have NFL League Pass.

The group included Wallen, Jill, Nate, Sam, Murphy, Madison, Beck and Tal. They are all big Seahawks fans; Wallen actually has Seahawks season tickets.

The Packers beat the Seahawks by the score of 17 to 9. It was a pretty ragged game. The Seahawks managed only three field goals. While Aaron Rodgers was 28 of 42 for 286 yards, Russell Wilson was 14 for 27 for only 135 yards.

Danny Hunter's Wedding

Saturday afternoon, Sharon and I went out to the Hunter Stallion Station for Danny Hunter's wedding. I would guess that there were about 160 people.

There was a nice group of the Davis Mafia, including Tomasins, Wallens, Chabriers and Snipes. The Wallens brought their whole family, including Nate, Sam, Madison, Becky and Tal. David and Chris Tomasin were also there.

I ended up sitting next to Tomasin at dinner. I always enjoy his company. It is hard to believe that it has been six years since the New Zealand tour. Rugby World Cup is in Japan in 2019...

Becky and Tal's wedding is next. It will be in February on the big island in Hawaii!

Dinner with the Wallens in Elk Grove

After work on Friday, Sharon and I headed to Elk Grove to catch up with the Wallens. With a number of people coming into town for Saturday's wedding, the Wallens rented a house for the weekend.

John, Jill, Nate, Sam, Murphy and Madison were there when we got there. Becky and Tal rolled up a couple of hours later. Murphy and Madison are both at a great age. Nate made butternut squash and pork tacos for dinner.

We had a very nice visit. It has been almost exactly 40 years since I met Wallen in an farm appraisal class at UC Davis.

My Life 2009

Jack spent a week playing in an eighty-six team tournament at Cooperstown.

2009

All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Sheldon A Beitzel

I worked for Sheldon's dad George from 1980 through the early 1990s (1992?). I was working for George when he found out that Joan was pregnant with Sheldon.

Sheldon A Beitzel - September 23, 1981 - August 14, 2017

Sheldon Beitzel passed away on August 14, 2017 in San Francisco, California. He was born on September 23, 1981 and raised on the family ranch in Elk Grove California. He attended Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Joseph Kerr Middle School and one year at Elk Grove High School. He then transferred to the new Sheldon High School where he was the first graduating class of 2000. Sheldon was an avid swimmer and won numerous honors and awards for swimming and academics. He went on to attend college at Sonoma State University and obtained a degree in Business Management in 2005.

He moved to the San Francisco area to begin a sales career in risk management with Suhr Risk Services. He earned a CIC, CLCS, CWCA and CRIS designations and was promoted to senior vice president.

Sheldon had a passion for helping others and was selected to membership in the San Francisco Guardsmen. The Guardsmen are a well-known group of volunteers helping to improve the lives of Bay Area at risk youth. He also volunteered his time by serving on the board of directors for the Asian American Contractors Association and the non-profit group Asian Inc .

If you knew Sheldon, you knew he was always up for adventure and to socialize in one way or another. He really enjoyed travel and had just returned from a trip to Sweden and Iceland to visit a college friend. He has also traveled to Belize, Costa Rica, and Central Europe. Sheldon was a certified scuba diver and an avid target shooter. His light-hearted spirit and positive energy is what we will remember about Sheldon. He always had time to listen and truly cared about everyone around him.

He is survived by his parents, Joan and George Beitzel of Elk Grove, his brother Eric Beitzel, step sister Lily Beitzel, niece Titaree Faksorn also from Elk Grove, as well as his Uncle Paul Beitzel from Yountville and his other Uncle Don Postle from Sacramento. A small family celebration of life and burial will be held privately at Pleasant Grove School Cemetery. Donations may be made to the San Francisco Guardsmen. https://guardsmen.org/donate-now/ 1016 Lincoln Blvd Suite 205, San Francisco, CA 94129.

Cautionary Tale... [Right Knee]

Wrestling as a freshman in high school, I torn up my right knee. I was an obstinate kid with parents who were struggling with their own demons. I wouldn't let the doctor operate on me. It was probably one of the best decisions I ever made; they would have made a mess of it 45 years ago. I went on to play three more years of high school football and five years of very competitive rugby without too much trouble with my knee. I have always felt blessed by how well my body has held up over the years.

Nevertheless, every once in a while the right knee would give me problems. From a distance, Tomasin has speculated that I have a partially torn MCL. It bothered me for a couple of days in February. After doing our first spin class in a couple of months on Sunday, August 20, it started bothering me again. Rather than backing off a little, I pushed hard over the next six days to reach my weekly running mileage goal (30 miles). This included several 7 to 8 mile runs.

By the time we left for Washington DC at the end of the week, the knee was giving me more trouble than it had in a long, long time. I tried doing a light workout when we got back from DC, but only made it worse.

I shut myself down over the last week and have gotten the knee back to where it feels pretty good. [Note to self], the lesson learned is that I have to listen to my body and be more careful, particularly with my knee.

Dinner at the Sanborns

After spending the afternoon dragging the fall boxes out of the shed, Sharon and I went to the Sanborn's new house for dinner on Monday night. After hanging out in the pool and spa, we had a great dinner of Ahi, rice and asparagus. Sharon made a tomatoes and burrata cheese salad.

Wonder Woman

After a lap around Ancil Hoffman Park with Tiber, Sharon and I spent the loin's share of the day cleaning out the garage and taking a load to the dump. I am still hoping that some day we can get two cars in the garage!

Sunday night, Janie came over to test a cocktail for the fall dinner party. After dinner, the three of us watched Wonder Woman. Part of the DC Extended Universe, the film stars Chris Pine, Robin Wright and Gal Gadot.

I saw Robin Wright interviewed about the film on the Late Show with Steven Colbert when it was released. Wright talked about how much she had to train.

The film tells the story of Princess Diana [Gadot] growing up on the Amazon island of Themyscira. After American pilot Steve Trevor [Pine] crashes offshore of the island and is rescued by her, he tells the Amazons about the ongoing World War. Diana then leaves her home in order to end the conflict and becomes Wonder Woman in the process.

All three of us thought the movie was slow. Sharon said that it didn't live up to her expectations. I don't recommend it...

Notre Dame plus Baywatch

Saturday afternoon, Sharon and I went over to Tom's to watch the Notre Dame versus Temple. It was a small group that included Tom, Jim, Sharon and I. At half-time, the four of us watched to Jersey Mike's Sub for sandwiches. I had never heard of the place before...

On solid play on defense, three 100-yard rushers and first-time starter Brandon Wimpish throwing for a pair of touchdowns, Notre Dame thrashed Temple by the score of 49 to 16. Next week, The Irish host No. 15 Georgia. This is only the second meeting between the two schools. In the first meeting, the top-ranked Bulldogs beat No. 7 Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl to win the 1980 national championship.

Looking for a movie to watch on Saturday night, Sharon and I settled on Baywatch. Based on the television series of the same name, film stars Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron It includes cameo appearances by David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson.

Sharon liked the movie more than I did. The best thing about the movie was it didn't take itself too seriously. I don't recommend the film.

To Carmel and Back

Leaving Carmichael about 7:05 am, I headed for Carmel. It took me about three hours and forty minutes with two quick stops. I am always surprised how long it takes to get to the Monterey Peninsula; it seems like it should be shorter.

The plan for the day was to meet Drew, Morgan and David for lunch at Flaherty's Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar at 11:30 am. Getting there early, I walked down to beach and back.

Unfortunately, things went awry. Drew got into some kind of kerfuffle with his mom about going to lunch with me. This spilled over into an argument between Drew and Morgan. The end result was that only Drew showed up for lunch. Drew and I had a nice lunch and visit.

Although I was philosophical about it with Drew during lunch, I was very disappointed not to see Morgan. I am deeply hurt that she wouldn't meet me for lunch. I had been really looking forward to see both of them.

It is hard for me to understand how there can be so much acrimony after more than twenty-five years. As Drew and I discussed at lunch, I can't imagine the running amok that is going to take place around the first wedding... I don't think that Drew's mother appreciates the secondary impacts of these kinds of trials and tribulations to Sharon and Nicki. The situation also caught me guard because I probably have come over to Carmel five times in the last ten plus years to have a meal with either Morgan or Morgan and Drew.

It took a little over four hours to wind my way home. Given it was the start of three day weekend, this was probably pretty good time. I was back in Carmichael a little after 5:00 pm. It was a long day with almost eight hours behind the wheel.

Dadland: A Journey into Uncharted Territory by Keggie Carew

My book for August was Dadland: A Journey into Uncharted Territory by Keggie Carew. I bought the book after hearing the author interviewed on a NPR podcast earlier this year. The book was the winner of the 2016 Costa Book Award for Biography.

The book is a biography of the author's father Tom Carew. Much of the book was researched and written after Tom already had dementia. His daugther worked to unravel her father's story based on news accounts, letters and interviews. What she found astonished her... The book is part family memoir and part military history.

Largely unbeknownst to his family, Tom Carew was part of Operation Jedburgh. This was a clandestine operation during World War II. Personnel of the British Special Operations Executive, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services and the Free French Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action were dropped by parachute into occupied Europe to conduct sabotage and guerrilla warfare. They led the local resistance forces in actions against the Germans. After serving behind enemy lines in France, Tom was dropped in Burma to organize Burmese resistance to the Japanese.

The early sections of the book covering Carew's time in France and Burma are very compelling. I found the second half of the book focusing on Carew's job and family struggles after the war to be less interesting. Nevertheless, I give the book a strong "B" grade.

Reading the book, I realized that while I understand the events of World War II in Europe, I don't have a clear picture of the events in Southeast Asia. [Note to self], I need to find a book that provides an overview of World War II in Southeast Asia.

Jack's 19th Birthday!

Jack's 19th Birthday!

2017 Georgetown Move In Weekend Day 3

55 hours...

Up at 4:00 am, Sharon and I caught a taxi to the airport at 4:30 am. We took a 6:00 am Southwest flight from Reagan airport to Midway. We had breakfast at the same place that we ate on the Easter trip, but it had changed from Harry Caray's Seventh Inning Stretch to the Go-Go White Sox Grill! The waitress said that it had changed owners. The restaurant is named after the nickname for the team’s 1959 American League championship club.

We boarded a 8:45 am flight from Midway to Sacramento. We were on the ground more than 20 minutes ahead of the scheduled 11:15 am, but it took for forever to get the bags. By the time we got the bags, walked to the car and drove home, it was just after 12:00 pm.

Door to door, we had only been gone 55 hours! Given how far we went and how much we got done, this is hard for me to believe.

I am very glad that I went.

2017 Georgetown Move In Weekend Day 2

After a long day and a relatively late night, Sharon, Jack and I slept late. Sharon and I wandered down to the concierge lounge for breakfast.

Eventually, the three of us grabbed all of the bags and caught a cab to the campus. Dropped at the front gate at 37th and O Streets, we dragged the bags across the campus. Jack is in McCarthy Hall this year.

It was a very different experience than last year. With the freshman moving in over the weekend, there were only a few parents on campus.

We unpacked the bags. We then wandered down and picked up a cart. Sharon and Jack had stored three boxes last spring. We quickly got the boxes and dragged them back to the room in the cart.

After we got the boxes unpacked, we wandered up and explored the remodeled Leavy Center. Heading back to the room, we ran into Jack's new roommate Victor. Victor is older and a junior in International Relations. He has an interesting and very different background.

Grabbing the suitcases, we caught an Uber back to the hotel. While Jack took a nap, Sharon and I walked into Georgetown. Sharon did a little shopping and window shopping. Typically, we have made a stop at ENO, but it is closed on Monday. We ended up wandering up to Graham Georgetown Rooftop lounge and then down into The Alex Craft Cocktail Cellar & Speak-easy.

Walking back to the hotel, we got cleaned up for dinner. The three of us walked to dinner at Flavio. I had a Flavio pizza, Jack had Ricotta Gnocchi and Sharon had Bronzino. After dinner, we walked to the front of campus and said goodbye to Jack. We got an Uber back to the hotel and crashed.

2017 Georgetown Move In Weekend Day 1

Over the summer, Sharon and I decided that both of us were going to go back with Jack to help him get moved in for his sophomore year at Georgetown.

Up at 4:20 am, Sharon, Jack and I were in the car by 5:00 am and on our way to the airport. We caught a 7:00 am Southwest Flight nonstop from Sacramento to Baltimore. Sharon and I have been arguing over the last few months about the merits of flying into Baltimore and then catching a cab to Washington DC. Although Jack did it once during the school year, this is the first time that we have tried it.

We landed at BWI a little after 3:00 pm. It took us almost 40 minutes to get off the plane and collect our luggage. We caught an Uber at 3:44 pm. We got to the Georgetown Marriot at 4:43 pm. It has taken almost an hour from Dulles [DCA] to the Georgetown Marriott.

Checking in and getting settled in the room, Sharon and I went down for a snack in the concierge lounge. We have stayed at this hotel a number of times. I really like the rooms and the lounge since the remodel.

We took a cab to dinner. Sharon made a reservation for dinner at Paleo. We ate there with Mary Maloney when we toured Washington DC in '11. More recently, Sharon ate there with Mary in May when she picked Jack up. I was surprised that she didn't pick somewhere new. We spilt some shrimp and rabbit tapas. Overall, I was very underwhelmed by the food and the wine recommendation.

Catching an Uber back to the hotel, we finished the night watching the finale of season 7 of Game of Thrones.

Small Birthday Celebration plus

With the three of us scheduled to fly to Washington DC early Sunday morning, Sharon, Jack and I had a small early birthday celebration for Jack. We barbecued hamburgers and corn. Sharon made a yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

Afterwards, we watched the junior middleweight Mayweather versus McGregor fight. I was pleasantly surprised that fight went 10 rounds. Overall, the fight was reasonably watchable... I had never paid for a pay-per-view fight before.

Celebrating Jack's 18th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 17th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 16th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 15th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 14th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 13th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 12th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 11th Birthday and a party

Celebrating Jack's 10th Birthday

Celebrating Jack's 9th Birthday and a belated party

Celebrating Jack's 8th Birthday plus a party and a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 7th Birthday plus a party and a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 6th Birthday plus a party and a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 5th Birthday plus a photo album

Celebrating Jack's 4th Birthday and a party

Celebrating Jack's 1st Birthday Party

Madi Sipes delivers sultry blues in latest single "After Hours"

Madi played at Sharon's Picnic in Provenice in May.

Madi Sipes delivers some sultry blues in latest single "After Hours" [Premiere] - EARMARK

The San Francisco-based trio, Madi, Caleb, and Nick, recorded “After Hours” in the Hollywood Hills with producer Andrew Heringer at Mirror Wall Studios. Heringer has also worked with Milo Greene, Crywolf, and Damien Rice.

My Life 2008

2008

All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Dylan Carlson

While a number of boys that Jack played baseball with and against went on to play in college, Dylan Carlson was drafted by the Cardinals and went straight into the minor leagues. Carlson was the Sacramento Bee's All-Metro player of the year in 2016. Jack played with Dylan on the Elk Grove Gunners team that went to Cooperstown in 2009.

Carlson is finishing up his second year in the minor league with the single A Peoria Chiefs.

Nevada Historical Landmark #121

Wandering home from the Petersen Shootout, I made a circuit around the Carson Valley stopping at a number of Nevada Historical Markers, including: Luther Canyon (Fay Canyon) [#118]; Walley's Hot Springs [#120]; Pottsville [#121]; Sheridan [#122]; Boyd Toll Road [#124]; Gardnerville [#129]; Minden [#130], and; Dresslerville [#131].

Mottsville
Nevada Historical Marker #121
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This marker is located at 1277 Foothill Road, Gardnerville, Douglas County, Nevada. There are 17 other historical markers in Douglas County. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 55' 52.1" N 119° 50' 24.2" W.

This is the site of the settlement on the Emigrant Trail known as Mottsville, where Hiram Mott and his son Israel settled in 1851. Their homestead was the scene of an impressive number of firsts in Carson County, Utah Territory:

1851: Israel Mott's wife, Eliza Ann Middaugh, was the first white woman settler.

1854: Mrs. Israel Mott opened the first school in her kitchen. The Mott's second child, Louisa Beatrice, was the first white girl child to be born.

1856: Judge W.W. Drummond held the first session of the United States District Court of the Third District of Utah Territory in the Mott barn built in 1855.

1857: The third child of the Motts died and was buried in the yard. This tiny grave was the first in what became the first cemetery. The cemetery, 300 feet east, is all that marks the site of Mottsville today.

Song for 2009

For more than twenty-five years, a group of the Davis Mafia families took an annual summer trip to Lake Almanor and Lake Shasta. I have a lot of great memories from those trips. One of those is Drew and Marlana playing February.

The song for 2009 is February by Dawson & Marie.

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

2016 St. Francis Sr Prom - Jason and Jack

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Late on Friday, Jack suggested that we go to the San Francisco Moma on Saturday. Leaving at 10:30 am after Sharon and I worked out, it took us almost three and a half hours to get into the city. The world is a parking lot... It was a little after 2 pm by the time we got into the museum.

The special exhibition was Edvard Munch: Between the Clock and the Bed. It included a number of self portraits at different ages. I had seen an extensive exhibit of Munch at the New York Moma a number of years ago.

The Sfmoma has expanded a lot since Sharon and I toured it with the Larkins more than ten years ago. I enjoyed the larger collection of Warhols and Lichtensteins as well as a couple of post World War II German paintings.

We finished the day in San Francisco with dinner at Anchor and Hope. The restaurant is located in a hundred year old warehouse. Sharon had sea bass and Jack had lobster rolls. While I rarely order it at a restaurant, I had salmon.

We had a couple of very nice glasses of MacPhail pinot noir. We are going to have to look for their tasting room the next time we go to Sea Ranch.

Tom, Eric and Ashley for Dinner

We had purchased a pile of food for dinner with Pat, Bernard, Ryan and Brianna on Wednesday night, but they didn't make it to the West Coast. To use up the food, we invited Tom, Eric and Ashley for dinner. We barbecued a skirt steak.

Jack and Jason's 2017 Road Trip - Day 5

Drew said it was about 12:45 am by the time Jack and Jason got back to the Mirror Wall Studios from Disneyland. The plan for the day was seeing the San Francisco Giants play the Philadelphia Phillies at AT&T Park. Leaving Southern California after 11 am, they rolled back to the Bay Area.

Jack and Jason saw the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies by the score of 5 to 4. Jeff Samardzija struck out six over six innings to win for the fourth time in five starts. Buster Posey and Pence each hit RBI singles in the third to back Samardzija (8-12). Pence and Span scored moments apart on Jarrett Parker's two-run double in the fifth.

Playing left field, Jesuit High School 2011 graduate Rhys Hoskins went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored for the Phillies.

After the game, they headed back to Sacramento. Dropping Jason at home, it was after 1:00 am before he pulled up to the house.

Jack and Jason's 2017 Road Trip - Day 4

Spending the night at Drew's Mirror Wall Studio, Jack and Jason were up early and heading to Disneyland. Drew said that they left the house at 7:17 am... Before he left on the trip, Jack said that he was really looking forward to spending the day at Disneyland.
They will be heading back to the bay area on Thursday to see the Giants play the Phillies.

Jack and Jason's 2017 Road Trip - Day 3

After spending the night in San Diego, Jack and Jason headed back to Drew's Mirror Wall Studio. In the afternoon, the two of them hiked from Drew's house up to the Griffith Observatory. It is about six miles round trip.

The plan for the evening was seeing the Los Angeles Dodgers play the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium. Although Jack said that he didn't remember it, Sharon, Morgan, Jack and I saw a game at Dodger Stadium in 2005. A picture is here.

With the game tied 1 to 1 in the bottom of the eighth, Joc Pederson got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in the go-ahead run in a five-run eighth inning. Peterson was hit in the upper right thigh by a pitch from Jake Petricka, forcing home Yasmani Grandal with two outs and opening the floodgates for a Dodgers offense that had been stifled most of the game. By the end of the inning, Los Angeles had batted around in taking a 6-1 lead.

The Dodgers are 50 games over .500. They might challenge the record for the most wins in a season this year.

The boys headed back to Mirror Wall Studios after the game. The plan for Wednesday is Disneyland!

Rosary for Joseph Anthony Mellish

Sharon and I went to the Rosary for Laura's dad. Liz was also there.

Jack and Jason's 2017 Road Trip - Day 2

After spending the night at Drew's Mirror Wall Studio, Jack and Jason headed to San Diego. I called and talked to Drew while they were all at the studio. Their plan for the day was seeing the San Diego Padres play the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park.

Rhys Hoskins (Jesuit 2011) batted fourth and hit the first two home runs of this major league career. Hoskins' home runs went 402 and 400 feet, respectively. Texting Jack during the game, he said they went crazy when Rhys hit his first home run. In spite of his two home runs, the Padres beat the Phillies by the score of 7 to 4.

They were planning to spend the night at the apartment of a friend in San Diego. Jack and Jason are heading back to Los Angeles on Wednesday to see the Dodgers play the White Sox.

Jack and Jason's 2017 Road Trip - Day 1

After getting up at 5:30 am to watch Tottenham beat Newcastle by the score of 2 to 0, Jack and Jason took off on a multiple day baseball and Disneyland road trip. The first stop was Oakland Coliseum. They saw the Baltimore Orioles play the Oakland Athletics.

Matt Chapman hit a tie breaking three-run homer in a five-run fourth inning. The Athletics overcame an early two-run deficit to win by the score of 9 to 3. I had to laugh; looking at the box score, I didn't recognize a A's single player!?!

After the game, they headed to Southern California. They spent the night at Drew's Mirror Wall Studio. On Monday, they are heading to San Diego to see the Padres and Phillies at Petco Park.

Morning Run to the Soundtrack of My Life

Ten years ago, I built a playlist called Soundtrack for My Life. Although the playlist has been on my phone ever since, I can't remember the last time that I listened or ran to it. Searching for something to listen during my morning run, I landed on the playlist.

I really enjoyed running with the playlist on shuffle. Almost every song has some strong set of memories associated with it.

As well as updating the My Life picture series this year, I am going to update the Soundtrack for My Life Playlist. The last ten years are going to have a lot of Drew's music...

Nice 6.5 mile run this morning [https://t.co/NpV258qggV] listening to the soundtrack for my life [https://t.co/udx49W1s4a] #Runkeeper

— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) August 13, 2017

Joseph Anthony Mellish

Sharon's grammar school and high school friend Laura's dad passed away.

Joe Mellish passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours on August 10, 2017 at the age of 84. Joe was born in Plymouth, PA on April 7, 1933. He graduated from Penn State University in 1955 with an Aeronautical Engineering Degree. He then served in the Air Force as a Navigation Officer from 1955-1958. Joe moved to Sacramento in 1958 and worked for 38 years at Aerojet. He met his wife Claire Nevins, while they both were working at Aerojet. They were married in 1960 and raised their 4 children in their current home. Joe was an avid Penn State Nittany Lion Fan and was often cheering on his team at Players in Fair Oaks with his fellow Penn State Alumni. Joe enjoyed watching sports, wine tasting, traveling the USA, and spending time with friends & family. Joe is survived by his wife of 57 years, Claire, children Laura, David (Kristi) and Steve (Valerie) and sister, Irene. He has 3 grandchildren, Daphne, Bryce and Brenna. He was preceded in death by his eldest son Mark. A visitation will be held on August 15th from 5-7pm with a Rosary at 7pm at Nicoletti, Culis & Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento, CA. Mass will be held on August 16th at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Church, 1333 58th St., Sacramento, CA. A private burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Mary's Church Building Fund in Joe's memory.

Zip Lining - Mystic Mountain, Jamaica

Sharon and Janie's Caribbe@n Cruise - Day 6

Rombauer Wine Dinner

Sharon went with Tom and the Rositanis to the Rombauer Wine Dinner at Matteos. Our neighbors Rod and Kathy were also there.

MENU

Bruschetta with Grilled Fig, Whipped Brie, pecans
and balsamic date syrup

Spicy Wild Salmon
in sesame wonton cornet with flying fish caviar,
Ginger crème fraiche and chive

Pan Seared Foie Gras BLT
with lemon tarragon aioli, heirloom tomato and micro arugula on whole wheat walnut sourdough toast

Rombauer Chardonnay 2015, Carneros
Rombauer Chardonnay 2016, Carneros


Blistered Sweet Corn Soup in demitasse
with wild boar belly bacon shingle and harissa chili oil

Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Napa Valley

Grilled Leg of Lamb and Lamb shank Crisps on Baby Field Greens
with aged sheep’s milk Manchebo, macerated foothill stone fruit, toasted pistachio and plum mint vinaigrette

Rombauer Merlot 2014, Carneros

Grass Fed Wagyu Beef Burgers with Fried Green Tomato
house made Portobello bacon, garlic aioli and cave aged blue cheese on Brioche bun
Served with truffle asiago shoestring fries

Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley

Burnt Chocolate Pots du Crème
with blackberry guajillo chili salsa
Pernod whipped cream and Mexican wedding cookie

Rombauer Zinfandel 2015, Sierra Foothills/Northern California

Somm

Last Friday night, Janie, Sharon and I had dinner at the taco bar at Mesa Mercado in the Milagro Centre. Afterwards, Janie talked us into watching Somm on Netflix.

Somm is a 2013 documentary. It follows four sommeliers as they attempt to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier exam. The test has one of the lowest pass rates in the world; the pass rate is less than 1%. It is common for many Sommeliers to make five or more attempts before finally achieving success.

One part of the three part exam is a blind tasting of six different wines. I always laugh when I hear people describing all of the different flavors that they can taste in a wine. My taste buds are not particularly sensitive.

The film was surprisingly watchable. I give it a mild thumbs up.

Jack back from SoCal

After spending the weekend with Drew and Nicki in Southern California, Jack was scheduled to fly back from Burbank at 6:30 pm on Sunday. Over the course of the afternoon, the flight was pushed back later and later. It eventually took off about 10:10 pm; it was more than three and a half hours late.

Apparently, the plane had a mechanical problem in Phoenix. Southwest gave Jack a $100 voucher for the delay. He hung out at Drew's waiting for the flight, but said there were a lot of grumpy people waiting for the flight when he finally got to the airport.

I picked Jack up about 11:30 pm. It was after midnight on Monday morning by the time we got home...

Sanborns plus Frame Family Dinner

Staying overnight at the Sanborns, Sharon and I slept fairly late. Eventually, we got the group rallied and went to breakfast at the Catta Verdera Country Club with the Sanborns and Gainsleys. After breakfast, we wandered home.

While Tom and Eric were hiking the Camino, Tom sent a group text saying that he wanted to start a monthly Sunday afternoon family dinner. He has been trying to do it the first Sunday of every month.

Sharon and I headed over to Tom's a little after 2:30 pm. It was a big group, including Tom, Eric, Kevin, Leah, Lydia, Leah's mom Terry and dad Steve, Leah's niece Bella, Tim, Kathy, Erin, Erin's boyfriend Cormac, Eileen, Eileen's boyfriend Will, Sharon and I. Tom served an assortment of pasta and sauces.

Catta Verdera

Saturday afternoon, Sharon and I met the Sanborns and the Gainsleys at the Catta Verdera Country Club. The Sanborns are members. The plan for the afternoon was to play nine holes of golf.

We started off as two threesomes. Marlene, Sharon and I were in one group, while Phil, Kevin and Donna were in another. With the course fairly empty, this collapsed down into one big group about the fifth hole.

I shot a liberally scored winter rules 58. I had a number of solid shoots, but really fell apart on the third and eighth holes.

After the golf, we headed to the Sanborns. They bought a house above the twelfth hole in early July. The house has some great views of the surrounding country club and down into the valley. We swam in their pool and had a late dinner off filet minion.

We finished the day playing Mexican Train until almost midnight. Sharon had played the game when she was out with Janie last weekend and then ordered a set from Amazon.

The Sanborns new house includes a Casita over the garage. Sharon and I crashed there, while the Gainsleys stayed in the guest bedroom.

Jack to SoCal

I took Jack to the airport. He caught a scheduled 5:00 pm (actual 5:16 pm) flight to Burbank. Jack took an Uber to Mirror Wall Studios. He is spending the weekend with Drew and Nicki in Southern California.

John Oliver's Warren G. Harding Movie

Shortly after I finished reading a biography of Warren Harding, John Oliver ran this video on Last Week Tonight.

Oakland Raiders Training Camp

I spent a large part of 2015 and 2016 working out of the Napa Valley and staying at the Marriott. Making a swing through a couple of our sites, I ended up at the Napa Valley Marriott again last night with the Oakland Raiders. My 2015 experiences are here, while the 2016 notes are here.

Fourth-year quarterback Derek Carr leads Oakland Raiders into Napa training camp | napavalleyregister.com

This is the team’s 22nd consecutive summer in the Napa Valley. The complex has 2½ practice fields and a field house, and sits on a five-acre site, adjacent to the Marriott, where the team is headquartered during its four-week stay here.

200.3 Miles

Coming into July, I set a running goal of 155 miles for the month. With five full weekends, a mid-week holiday and Sharon gone for eight days on the cruise, it seemed like an opportunity to push up my mileage. Additionally, I felt out of sorts last fall and wanted to see if I could improve my fitness a notch or two.

I was so far ahead of the pace for my goal in the middle of the month when Sharon came back from the cruise that I decided to shoot for the moon. I ended up running 200.3 miles in July. This is just under 6.5 miles a day for 31 days. My records go back to the beginning of 2005 when I started to train for the American River 50. The most miles I have previously done in a month in the last twelve and a half years was 190. Additionally, I only reached 180 miles twice in that 150 month period.

I amazed at how good my body feels; my hips and knees feel great. I started the month with a pair of Hoka running shoes. I have run in Nike Air Pegasus for more than twenty years. Earlier this year, both Larkin and Wallen recommended Hokas and I decided to give them a try. I am very pleased. I give the Hokas partial credit for my ability to turn the 200 miles.

I can't carry the speed that I could ten years ago. I tend to warm up and cool down for extended periods on the treadmill. Outside, I walk and stretch in the middle of a run. As Jack said when we were running in Amsterdam last year, "you have one gear, but, damn, you just keep going." My motor is definitely a big diesel engine at this point.

I am ready for the Camino... Too bad we can't leave tomorrow.

698,093 Steps

July broke a record for Sacramento heat

First, we had record rainfall. Now, we have record heat.

July broke a record for Sacramento heat. How hot was it? - Sacramento Bee - July 31, 2017 4:12 PM

The heat wave that has the Sacramento Valley clenched in a sweaty grip broke a record Monday: Temperatures hit at least 90 degrees in downtown Sacramento every single day in July.

That’s never happened before in records dating back to 1877 for downtown Sacramento, according to the National Weather Service.

With another month to go, and a significant blast of hot weather coming this week, 2017 could challenge 2016 for the dubious distinction of the hottest summer ever recorded in California.

“It’s definitely going to be right up there,” said Michael Anderson, the state climatologist.

The National Centers for Environmental Information, a federal agency, said the statewide average temperature of 75.5 degrees last summer was the highest ever, and beat the average by 3.3 degrees. The statewide high temperature last summer was 90.6 degrees, or 3.4 degrees above average.

While Sacramento broke a record for 90-degree days in July, the city has actually seen fewer 100-degree days for the summer than it saw by this time in 2016.

So far this year, Sacramento has seen 20 days of 100-degree temperatures, said Idamis Del Valle, a meteorologist with the weather service. Last year the city had 22 days of 100-degree weather by the end of July, she said.