Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Mayfly 2018
Sea Ranch • Big Island - Hawaii • Spring Training • 23andme • Yosemite • Vancouver Island • Raising Junior • Profoundly Sad • Roaring 20's • Volvo • Morgan's Wedding • Camp Fire • 30.8 miles
You can find my previous Mayfly summaries here!
What is this?
Monday, February 25, 2019
Sunday, February 24, 2019
91th Academy Awards
This year, I ended up picking three of five major categories correctly, including getting Best Picture, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress. Rami Malek had the best odds to win Best Actor, while Roma was favored to win Best Picture. I just refused to predict either one. I felt that Christian Bale should have won Best Actor for his performance in Vice. I chose Green Book for Best Picture because leaving the theater I was thinking how much I enjoyed it.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Canon East Sacramento plus SacYard
Catching an Uber, Sharon and I headed to Canon East Sacramento. We met the Renterias and Alan Wackman and his girlfriend Heather for an early dinner. We split a number of small plates, including: Kusshi Oysters, a citrus salad, wheatberry grain bowl, roasted beets, roasted sunchokes and Adobe fried chicken. Alan brought a couple of bottles from their winery.
After dinner, we all wandered to SacYard. We got there to watch the last minute of the Kings versus Thunder basketball game. With Buddy Hield guarding Paul George, George missed a three-pointer at the buzzer and the Kings won by the score of 119 to 116. Sharon and I eventually caught an Uber home.
After dinner, we all wandered to SacYard. We got there to watch the last minute of the Kings versus Thunder basketball game. With Buddy Hield guarding Paul George, George missed a three-pointer at the buzzer and the Kings won by the score of 119 to 116. Sharon and I eventually caught an Uber home.
Friday, February 22, 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
WWII Practice Bombing Target
I came across this historical marker during my long run on Sunday at Sea Ranch.
WWII Practice Bombing Target
1944-1946
Marker 35E-2
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This site is located on the Bluff Trail near 42145 Rock Cod, 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. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 45' 05.4" N 123° 31' 30.8" W.
Naval Pilots based in Santa Rosa practiced dive bombing here as part of their final pre-combat training. They used Gualala Point Island, a prominent offshore land mass, to identify the target, which was in the vicinity of the large mound seen in the meadow about 50 yards from this spot.
1944-1946
Marker 35E-2
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This site is located on the Bluff Trail near 42145 Rock Cod, 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. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 45' 05.4" N 123° 31' 30.8" W.
Naval Pilots based in Santa Rosa practiced dive bombing here as part of their final pre-combat training. They used Gualala Point Island, a prominent offshore land mass, to identify the target, which was in the vicinity of the large mound seen in the meadow about 50 yards from this spot.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Celebrating Tim's and Eric's Birthday
A large group, including Tom, Eric and Ashley, Kevin and Leah, Tim and Kathy, Erin and her old roommate (Cormac was working), Eileen and Will and Sharon and I, went to dinner at Red Lobster to celebrate Tim's and Eric's birthday. Sharon had Mahi Mahi, while I had a Bar Island Lobster Bake. [Note to self], don't get the Lobster Bake again. We went with the group to celebrate their birthdays at Red Lobster once before.We finished the evening with cake and presents at Tom's house. Kathy made a bundt cake. Sharon got Tom and Eric both socks.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
1,605 Miles
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 am still trying to figure out a physical challenge for 2017...
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.
For 2016, I am looking forward into 2017. 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.
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 am still trying to figure out a physical challenge for 2017...
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.
For 2016, I am looking forward into 2017. 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 18, 2019
The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin
My book for February is The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin. This is the second volume in her Broken Earth series. I read the first book--Fifth Season--last fall. The first book won the the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2016. This book won Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2017.
The Obelisk Gate takes place on a single supercontinent which suffers from catastrophic climate change every few centuries. This change is called a Fifth Season. The book continues forward from an especially bad Fifth Season at the end of the first book. It follows two main characters: a mother and daughter who are magically talented.
As I said when I read the first book, this is not a genre that I typically read. Even more than the first book, this is a fantasy novel.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first book. It is much slower paced. I give it a B-. The final book in the trilogy won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2018! I will end up reading it...
The Obelisk Gate takes place on a single supercontinent which suffers from catastrophic climate change every few centuries. This change is called a Fifth Season. The book continues forward from an especially bad Fifth Season at the end of the first book. It follows two main characters: a mother and daughter who are magically talented.
As I said when I read the first book, this is not a genre that I typically read. Even more than the first book, this is a fantasy novel.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first book. It is much slower paced. I give it a B-. The final book in the trilogy won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2018! I will end up reading it...
Sunday, February 17, 2019
To Windsor and Back
From there, Tomasin, Snipes, David and I headed to John and Zeke's in Healdsburg. Bachman met us there.
Eventually, we headed back to Windsor and met Julie at El Farolito for dinner. We wandered back to the Tomasin's house after dinner and watched some of Saturday Night Live.
Snipes and I rolled from Windsor a little after 10 pm. Dropping him in Davis, I was back in Carmichael about 12:15 am Sunday morning. By the time I fed and walked Tiber in the neighborhood, it was 1:00 am.
It was great to see Snipes, Bachman and Tomasin!.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
2019 Sharks versus Canucks
Friday, February 15, 2019
At Eternity's Gate
With the Oscar Awards on Sunday, February 24, Sharon and I are working our way through the last couple of nominated movies that we haven't seen. Friday night, Sharon, and I watched At Eternity's Gate on the AppleTV.
The film stars Willem Dafoe as van Gogh, Rupert Friend, Oscar Isaac, Mads Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner and Niels Aarestrup. For his performance, Dafoe was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.
At Eternity's Gate is a 2018 biographical drama film about the final years of painter Vincent van Gogh's life. It was shot on location in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône and Auvers-sur-Oise, France. There are all locations where Van Gogh lived and painted during his final years.
More than twenty years ago, I read a Lust for Life, a biography of Van Gogh, by Irving Stone. Additionally, Sharon and I saw several traveling Van Gogh exhibitions in Los Angeles and Denver in 1999 and 2000. We visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 2016. I always look for Van Goghs when we are visiting museums.
Nevertheless, I didn't enjoy this film. When the music started during the opening credits, Sharon said "this is going to be boring." There are several long two person dialogue scenes in the second half of the movie that are very slow. While I appreciate what they were trying to do in portraying Van Gogh, I don't recommend this movie.
The film stars Willem Dafoe as van Gogh, Rupert Friend, Oscar Isaac, Mads Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner and Niels Aarestrup. For his performance, Dafoe was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.
At Eternity's Gate is a 2018 biographical drama film about the final years of painter Vincent van Gogh's life. It was shot on location in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône and Auvers-sur-Oise, France. There are all locations where Van Gogh lived and painted during his final years.
More than twenty years ago, I read a Lust for Life, a biography of Van Gogh, by Irving Stone. Additionally, Sharon and I saw several traveling Van Gogh exhibitions in Los Angeles and Denver in 1999 and 2000. We visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 2016. I always look for Van Goghs when we are visiting museums.
Nevertheless, I didn't enjoy this film. When the music started during the opening credits, Sharon said "this is going to be boring." There are several long two person dialogue scenes in the second half of the movie that are very slow. While I appreciate what they were trying to do in portraying Van Gogh, I don't recommend this movie.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Back from HIMSS19 plus Valentine's Day
Up at 4:30 am in Orlando, I caught a 7:25 am flight from Orlando to Love Field in Dallas. Boarding with A22 and having only 50 minutes between connections, I made the choice to sit in the front of the plane. Sitting in row 3, I was the third person off the plane in Dallas. With the flight from Orlando a little late, I dashed to the next gate. The flight to Sacramento boarded within about 5 minutes of me getting in line. Boarding with A39 on a newer 737, I didn't get an exit row for the first time in a long time... I was on the ground in Sacramento just after noon west coast time. It took forever to get my luggage.
On my home, I stopped at OBO' Italian Table & Bar and picked up Valentine's Day dinner. The prepared meal included crab lasagna, broccolini rabe, focaccia and dessert.
Sharon and I finished the day with a very nice dinner in the garden room. I got her a Victoria Secret sport top and an Apple Watch band. Sharon gave me some concert tickets. Up and moving for more than 21 hours, I crashed.
On my home, I stopped at OBO' Italian Table & Bar and picked up Valentine's Day dinner. The prepared meal included crab lasagna, broccolini rabe, focaccia and dessert.
Sharon and I finished the day with a very nice dinner in the garden room. I got her a Victoria Secret sport top and an Apple Watch band. Sharon gave me some concert tickets. Up and moving for more than 21 hours, I crashed.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Map of Sea Ranch Run
Using data from Runkeeper on my iPhone, I generated the following Google Map of my Sunday run when we were at Sea Ranch. I covered 8.96 miles down to the Gualala River Beach Park and back in one hour and 45 minutes.
As I have said before, this is one of my favorite places in the world to run.
As I have said before, this is one of my favorite places in the world to run.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
California Historical Landmark #1035
We visit the light station and climbed to the top during our trip to Sea Ranch in January.
Point Arena Light Station
California State Historical Landmark #1035
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at 45500 Lighthouse Road, Point Arena, California. There are 7 other California State Historical Landmarks in Mendocino County. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 57' 16.3" N 123° 44' 25.6" W.
In 1989 the Point Arena Light Station was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its statewide significance in the area of maritime history. Coastal traffic increased substantially during the 1860s, and heavy storms and fogs often made trips along the coast treacherous. The first buildings at the station were constructed in 1870 and were destroyed in 1906 during the San Francisco Earthquake. At that time the U. S. Lighthouse Service decided to use reinforced concrete in the light house replacement. Prior to this, reinforced concrete had not been employed in the construction of a California lighthouse. Thus, when the Point Arena Lighthouse began operation in 1908, it became the first lighthouse of reinforced concreted in the State. Strikingly situated between the Pacific Ocean to the west and rolling farmland on the east, the Point Arena Light Station retains the character and appearance of one hundred years ago.
California State Historical Landmark #1035
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at 45500 Lighthouse Road, Point Arena, California. There are 7 other California State Historical Landmarks in Mendocino County. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 57' 16.3" N 123° 44' 25.6" W.
In 1989 the Point Arena Light Station was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its statewide significance in the area of maritime history. Coastal traffic increased substantially during the 1860s, and heavy storms and fogs often made trips along the coast treacherous. The first buildings at the station were constructed in 1870 and were destroyed in 1906 during the San Francisco Earthquake. At that time the U. S. Lighthouse Service decided to use reinforced concrete in the light house replacement. Prior to this, reinforced concrete had not been employed in the construction of a California lighthouse. Thus, when the Point Arena Lighthouse began operation in 1908, it became the first lighthouse of reinforced concreted in the State. Strikingly situated between the Pacific Ocean to the west and rolling farmland on the east, the Point Arena Light Station retains the character and appearance of one hundred years ago.
Monday, February 11, 2019
To HIMSS19
I caught a 12:30 pm Southwest nonstop flight from Sacramento to Orlando. Boarding with A36, I got an aisle exit row seat. I spent most of the five plus hour flight working on my status report on the wifi and reading a book.On the ground in Orlando, it was a zoo. Landing just after 8:30 pm, it took more than 45 minutes to get my luggage and then another 15 minutes to get an Uber. There was a herd of people waiting for Ubers and Lyfts. It was 10 pm by the time I got to the hotel.
I am attending the HIMSS [Health Information and Management Systems Society] Conference over the next several days at the Orange County Convention. Unlike Las Vegas last year, Orlando is very spread out. This is not going to be convenient...
Sunday, February 10, 2019
South America Dinner
Sunday afternoon, Sharon and I went to Tom's house for a great South American dinner to celebrate the trip. The group included Tom, Jim, Eric and Ashley, Kevin, Leah, Lydia and Amelia, Sharon and I.
Saturday, February 09, 2019
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
With the 91st Academy Awards scheduled for February 24, Sharon and I are working our way through the last few major nominated movies that we haven't seen. Saturday night, Sharon, and I watched Can You Ever Forgive Me? on the AppleTV. The movie is based on Lee Israel's 2008 memoir of the same name.
The moves stars Melissa McCarthy as Lee Israel. It also features Richard E. Grant as Jack Hock, Jane Curtin, Anna Deavere Smith, and Ben Falcone in supporting roles. McCarthy and Grant earned respective Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, the 76th Golden Globe Awards and 72nd British Academy Film Awards.
The movies follows Lee Israel as she tries to revitalize her failing writing career by forging letters from deceased authors and playwrights. In real life, it is estimated that she foraged more than 400 letters. The film's title was taken from an apologetic line in a letter forged by Israel posing as Dorothy Parker.
Although slow in spots, Can Your Ever Forgive Me? is an enjoyable film. McCarthy and Grant's performances are very good. In particular, McCarthy really inhabits the role. Nevertheless, I think that Glenn Close is going to win the Oscar for Best Actress...
The moves stars Melissa McCarthy as Lee Israel. It also features Richard E. Grant as Jack Hock, Jane Curtin, Anna Deavere Smith, and Ben Falcone in supporting roles. McCarthy and Grant earned respective Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, the 76th Golden Globe Awards and 72nd British Academy Film Awards.
The movies follows Lee Israel as she tries to revitalize her failing writing career by forging letters from deceased authors and playwrights. In real life, it is estimated that she foraged more than 400 letters. The film's title was taken from an apologetic line in a letter forged by Israel posing as Dorothy Parker.
Although slow in spots, Can Your Ever Forgive Me? is an enjoyable film. McCarthy and Grant's performances are very good. In particular, McCarthy really inhabits the role. Nevertheless, I think that Glenn Close is going to win the Oscar for Best Actress...
Friday, February 08, 2019
Frame Sibling Lunch
Sharon and her two brothers, Tom and Tim, went to lunch at Piatti to celebrate their birthdays. [Frame Sibling]
Thursday, February 07, 2019
Throwback Thursday - Lake Almanor - July 1997
Dinner in Chester during the 1997 trip to Lake Almanor. From 1988 to 2014, a group of the Davis mafia spent a week at Lake Almanor or Lake Shasta every summer.
Wednesday, February 06, 2019
Twenty-four years ago today
Sharon and I had our first date twenty-four years ago today.
Part of an e-mail that I wrote Nooter afterwards is here.
Part of an e-mail that I wrote Nooter afterwards is here.
Tuesday, February 05, 2019
Gualala Lumber Mill
I came across this historical marker during my long run on Sunday at Sea Ranch.
Gualala Lumber Mill
1868-1906
Marker 35E-1
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This site is located on the Bluff Trail between the Northern edge of Sea Ranch and the Gualala Point Regional Park. 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. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 45' 27.9" N 123° 31' 35.7" W.
This mill was at the bend in the Gualala River. Large redwoods were transported from the surrounding forests to the mill by oxen teams, train and the river itself. Milled lumber was then taken by train tow miles north to Bourn's Landing and shipped by small "doghouse" schooners to San Francisco. The mill burned in 1906.
1868-1906
Marker 35E-1
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This site is located on the Bluff Trail between the Northern edge of Sea Ranch and the Gualala Point Regional Park. 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. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 45' 27.9" N 123° 31' 35.7" W.
This mill was at the bend in the Gualala River. Large redwoods were transported from the surrounding forests to the mill by oxen teams, train and the river itself. Milled lumber was then taken by train tow miles north to Bourn's Landing and shipped by small "doghouse" schooners to San Francisco. The mill burned in 1906.
Monday, February 04, 2019
Map of Redwood Regional Park Hike
Using data from Runkeeper on my iPhone, I generated this map of our hike in the Redwood Regional Park. Sharon and I covered 6.6 miles in 2 hours and 22 minutes.
Sunday, February 03, 2019
Super Bowl LIII
Flying in from the East Coast, Pat and Bernard showed up at the house in the second quarter of the Super Bowl. We had a very nice visit. Sharon made a great dinner of rubbed ribs.
The Super Bowl was very odd. Distracted on a couple of different fronts over the course of the evening, I should probably go back and rewatch the game. The New England Patriots beat Los Angeles Rams by the score of 13 to 3 in the lowest scoring Super Bowl ever. No Super Bowl had gone into the fourth quarter without a touchdown. This one did with the score tied 3 to 3. Julian Edelman was the game's MVP with 10 receptions for 141 yards.
The Super Bowl was very odd. Distracted on a couple of different fronts over the course of the evening, I should probably go back and rewatch the game. The New England Patriots beat Los Angeles Rams by the score of 13 to 3 in the lowest scoring Super Bowl ever. No Super Bowl had gone into the fourth quarter without a touchdown. This one did with the score tied 3 to 3. Julian Edelman was the game's MVP with 10 receptions for 141 yards.
Saturday, February 02, 2019
2019 Kings versus 76ers
Saturday night, Sharon, Janie, Kevin, Eric and Larkin all went to the Sacramento Kings versus Philadelphia 76ers NBA game. Before the game, Sharon, Janie and I went to dinner at Camden Spit and Larder. I had house pappardelle pasta [butternut squash, cultivated mushrooms, hen egg, parmigiano reggiano, gremola], while Sharon and Janie split an organic roast half chicken [olive oil whipped potatoes, rapini, green sauce, charred lemon]. I gave my meal a "B-".
With the Kings leading from the start, Jimmy Butler pulled the 76ers ahead by one point at 98 to 97 with 4:30 left in the game. Butler had two four point plays in the fourth quarter. The Kings closed the game on a 11 to 5 run to win by the score of 115 to 108.
The 76ers were led by Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler. Embiid had 29 points on 11 for 18 from the field, 0 for 5 from three and 11 for 13 from the free throw line. He added 17 rebounds. Butler had 29 points on 11 for 18 from the field, 4 for 8 from three and 3 for 3 from the free throw line. Both Embiid and Butler played 39 minutes. Ben Simmons added 22 points.
J.J. Redick didn't play. Without Redick in the line-up, the 76ers went 1 for 13 from three in the first half. Reddick leads the team with 8 three point attempts per game.
I saw Bulter play for the Timberwolves in November before he was traded to the 76ers. I am still in awe of how big he is!
The Kings were led by Buddy Hield. Hield was 12 for 21 from the field, 7 for 13 from three and 3 for 4 from the free throw line.
Overall, the Kings just felt like a deeper team than the 76ers. The Kings now have 5 wins and 2 losses in games that I have seen in person during the 2018-2019 season. My goal continues to be to see at last one game a month.
A Celebration of the Life of Gene Klotz Jr.
Saturday morning, Sharon and I went to a celebration of the life of Gene Klotz at St. Anthony Catholic Church. There was a busload of Farm Credit people that Sharon and I have worked with over the years, including Randy and Marilyn Patane, Larry and Jeana Hultquist, Ernie Hodges and his wife, Dan Mattos, Dave Parker, Mary Patten, Kevin Ralph, Dan Clawson, John Braas and Ron Dolinsek. In somewhat of a surprise, we ran into my first cousin Pete. My guess is that there may have been as many as 350 people at the service.
After the mass, we went to Willow Ballroom and Event Center. The family hosted an open bar and a buffet lunch.
After the mass, we went to Willow Ballroom and Event Center. The family hosted an open bar and a buffet lunch.
Friday, February 01, 2019
The Wife
With the Oscars nominations announced on Tuesday, January 22, Sharon and I are working our way through the rest of the major nominated movies that we haven't seen. Friday night, Sharon, and I watched The Wife on the AppleTV. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Meg Wolitzer.
The Wife stars Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, and Christian Slater. Close won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress (tying with Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born), and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her performance. She is nominated for the Academy Award for Actress.
The plot follows a wife who questions her life choices as she travels to Stockholm with her husband; he is set to receive the Nobel prize in Literature. Sharon saw several major plot twists coming before I did!
I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would; it exceed my expectations. I liked Close's performance more than Sharon did. She appears to be the favorite to win the Best Actress Oscar.
The Wife stars Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, and Christian Slater. Close won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress (tying with Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born), and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her performance. She is nominated for the Academy Award for Actress.
The plot follows a wife who questions her life choices as she travels to Stockholm with her husband; he is set to receive the Nobel prize in Literature. Sharon saw several major plot twists coming before I did!
I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would; it exceed my expectations. I liked Close's performance more than Sharon did. She appears to be the favorite to win the Best Actress Oscar.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Gene Klotz Jr.
Sharon and I worked with Gene at Farm Credit.
It is with great sadness that the family of Gene Klotz, Jr. announces his passing on January 22, 2019 at the age of 60. Gene will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Laura and his children Michael, Kevin, and Megan. Gene was an avid outdoorsman. Gene loved to deep-sea fish, duck hunt, dive for abalone and crab. Gene enjoyed spending time at his family's ranch in the California foothills and his duck club in the Sutter Buttes. A memorial service in memory of Gene will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:00 am, St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 660 Florin Road, Sacramento. A reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to California Waterfowl Association or a charity of your choice.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Map of Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Hike
Using data from Runkeeper on my iPhone, I generated this map of my hike in the Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park on Saturday. I covered 10.7 miles in 3 hours and 53 minutes.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers.
Looking for a change of pace after reading the 1,000 page Lyndon Johnson biography, my book for January was Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers. I previously read her first two books: The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet [July 2017] and A Closed and Common Orbit [April 2018]. I really enjoyed both those books for their characters and world building.
Record of a Spaceborn Few, the third in Becky Chambers’ loosely linked science fiction trilogy, explores the Fleet, a massive collection of ships that is home to the Exodans. The Exodus are the distant descendants of Earth-born humans. Following a few key characters, it explores the evolution of society aboard these ships.
While this book continues the author's world building, it is a much more pedestrian slice of life story than the first two books. While I gave the first two books a "B+", I would give this book a "C". It is not a bad book, but I just didn't find the story and the characters compelling. With so many possible good books in the world to read, I don't recommend this one...
Monday, January 28, 2019
Neighborhood Homeowners Association Meeting
Sharon and I went to the neighborhood homeowners association meeting at Rod and Kathy's house. Sharon was elected to the board! I love our neighborhood.
After filing for bankruptcy twice last year, one of our neighbors has lost his house in a foreclosure. Unfortunately, he is still in the house and now has three renters. The bank now has to file an unlawful detainer to get him out. It will be interesting to see how long it will take to get this situation resolved...
After filing for bankruptcy twice last year, one of our neighbors has lost his house in a foreclosure. Unfortunately, he is still in the house and now has three renters. The bank now has to file an unlawful detainer to get him out. It will be interesting to see how long it will take to get this situation resolved...
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Back from Oakland
Up fairly early, we grabbed a cup of coffee around the corner from the hotel. We decided to stop for a hike on the way home. We ended up going to the Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland Hills. Sharon, Jack and I hiked there once before in May of 2015. When we got there, the parking lot and the surrounding streets were packed, but we got lucky and got a spot in the small lot at the Skyway Gate Staging Area.
We ended up hiking longer than we originally intended. We hiked out on the east side of canyon and then looped back along the stream trail in the bottom of the canyon. We hiked more than six and a half miles in just under two and a half hours. I will post a map in the next couple of weeks.
We stopped for lunch at Gott's in Walnut Creek for burgers. We got there early enough that we beat the crowd that showed up for lunch.
We rolled back up to the house in Carmichael at 1:50 pm.
We ended up hiking longer than we originally intended. We hiked out on the east side of canyon and then looped back along the stream trail in the bottom of the canyon. We hiked more than six and a half miles in just under two and a half hours. I will post a map in the next couple of weeks.
We stopped for lunch at Gott's in Walnut Creek for burgers. We got there early enough that we beat the crowd that showed up for lunch.
We rolled back up to the house in Carmichael at 1:50 pm.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
To Oakland
Up at 5:20 am, we were out the door about 6:50 am. We pulled up to Jack London Square in Oakland about 8:35 am. The square was closed for the A's Fanfest so I had to drop Sharon down the block from the Waterfront Hotel. Sharon spent the day in a McGeorge MCLE class.
From the there, I headed south to the Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks. My plan for the day was a long hike. After a couple of quick stops, I pulled into the park about 9:30 am. I hiked for almost four hours and covered eleven miles. A map of the hike is here.
I pushed myself hard. The only time I stopped for any length of time was at the top of Tolman Park to take a few pictures.
Finishing up my hike about 1:30 pm, I grabbed a bit to eat and headed back to the Waterfront Hotel. When Sharon signed up for the class, she proposed that we spend the night and have dinner in Berkeley. We got a nice corner room with a view with a 270 degree view of the area.
After getting settled into the room, we wandered over to Scott's Seafood. We did some planning for our next big trip.
We finished the day with dinner at Chez Panisse Cafe in Berkeley. Sharon had eaten there in 1987 or 1988 with Tom, Becky and Paul. We had a very nice dinner. I started with a salad [Butter lettuce, Cara Cara orange, Oro Blanco grapefruit, and avocado salad], while Sharon had soup [Cannard Farm cardoon soup with rosemary and olio di peperoncino]. For entree, I had duck [Sonoma County duck confit with winter squash purée, cauliflower, and toasted hazelnut salsa], while Sharon had rock fish [Pan-fried rockfish with leafy broccoli, fingerling potatoes, and Meyer lemon-olive relish]. We split a dessert [Coffee-caramel custard with crème Chantilly and orange currant cookies].
From the there, I headed south to the Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks. My plan for the day was a long hike. After a couple of quick stops, I pulled into the park about 9:30 am. I hiked for almost four hours and covered eleven miles. A map of the hike is here. I pushed myself hard. The only time I stopped for any length of time was at the top of Tolman Park to take a few pictures.
Finishing up my hike about 1:30 pm, I grabbed a bit to eat and headed back to the Waterfront Hotel. When Sharon signed up for the class, she proposed that we spend the night and have dinner in Berkeley. We got a nice corner room with a view with a 270 degree view of the area.
After getting settled into the room, we wandered over to Scott's Seafood. We did some planning for our next big trip.
We finished the day with dinner at Chez Panisse Cafe in Berkeley. Sharon had eaten there in 1987 or 1988 with Tom, Becky and Paul. We had a very nice dinner. I started with a salad [Butter lettuce, Cara Cara orange, Oro Blanco grapefruit, and avocado salad], while Sharon had soup [Cannard Farm cardoon soup with rosemary and olio di peperoncino]. For entree, I had duck [Sonoma County duck confit with winter squash purée, cauliflower, and toasted hazelnut salsa], while Sharon had rock fish [Pan-fried rockfish with leafy broccoli, fingerling potatoes, and Meyer lemon-olive relish]. We split a dessert [Coffee-caramel custard with crème Chantilly and orange currant cookies].
Friday, January 25, 2019
Bohemian Rhapsody
On Sharon's birthday, Sharon, Janie and I watched Bohemian Rhapsody on the AppleTV. The film has received a number of award nominations. It got five nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Rami Malek. The film also won Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actor – Drama (Malek) at the 76th Golden Globe Awards.
Bohemian Rhapsody is a 2018 biographical film about the British rock band Queen. It follows singer Freddie Mercury's life from his joining the band in 1970 to their Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985. The movie stars Rami Malek as Mercury, with Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, Allen Leech, and Mike Myers in supporting roles. I frankly didn't recognize Mike Myers in the film!
The film is a massive box office success. It grossed over $802 million worldwide on a production budget of about $50 million. It became the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2018 worldwide.
I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Malek's performance is very good. After seeing the film, his Golden Globe for Best Actor - Drama makes more sense. While I don't think the film will win best picture at the Oscars, I think Malek has a chance at best actor. Like Bale's role in Vice, it is a very physically transformational role. I have now seen all eight of the films nominated for best picture.
Bohemian Rhapsody is a 2018 biographical film about the British rock band Queen. It follows singer Freddie Mercury's life from his joining the band in 1970 to their Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985. The movie stars Rami Malek as Mercury, with Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, Allen Leech, and Mike Myers in supporting roles. I frankly didn't recognize Mike Myers in the film!
The film is a massive box office success. It grossed over $802 million worldwide on a production budget of about $50 million. It became the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2018 worldwide.
I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Malek's performance is very good. After seeing the film, his Golden Globe for Best Actor - Drama makes more sense. While I don't think the film will win best picture at the Oscars, I think Malek has a chance at best actor. Like Bale's role in Vice, it is a very physically transformational role. I have now seen all eight of the films nominated for best picture.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Celebrating Holly and Sharon's Birthday
Sharon and Holly went to dinner at Canon in East Sacramento to celebrate their birthdays.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Celebrating Sharon's Birthday
Taking the afternoon off, Sharon and Janie went for a long bike ride on their new bikes. They rode from our house to Arden Pond to Watt Avenue. Out and back, they covered 13.5 miles.
Afterwards, they picked up take out Chinese food from the Mandarin Restaurant. The three of us watched Bohemian Rhapsody on the AppleTV while we ate dinner.
We finished the dinner with a Nothing Bunt cake and presents. I got her some bike shoes for the Peloton One bike.
Afterwards, they picked up take out Chinese food from the Mandarin Restaurant. The three of us watched Bohemian Rhapsody on the AppleTV while we ate dinner.
We finished the dinner with a Nothing Bunt cake and presents. I got her some bike shoes for the Peloton One bike.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
2019 Oscar Nominations
My selections are shown in red. I say selections, rather than predictions, because I refuse to choose Roma for Best Picture.
Best Picture:
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favorite
Green Book
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice
Lead Actor:
Christian Bale, Vice
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity’s Gate
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody - actual winner!
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
Lead Actress:
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Glenn Close, The Wife
Olivia Colman, The Favorite - actual winner!
Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Supporting Actor:
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell, Vice
Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, Vice
Marina de Tavira, Roma
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone, The Favourite
Rachel Weisz, The Favorite
Best Adapted Screenplay
BlacKkKlansman - winner
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star is Born
More Oscar Nominations
Best Picture:
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favorite
Green Book
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice
Lead Actor:
Christian Bale, Vice
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity’s Gate
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody - actual winner!
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
Lead Actress:
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Glenn Close, The Wife
Olivia Colman, The Favorite - actual winner!
Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Supporting Actor:
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell, Vice
Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, Vice
Marina de Tavira, Roma
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone, The Favourite
Rachel Weisz, The Favorite
Best Adapted Screenplay
BlacKkKlansman - winner
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star is Born
Monday, January 21, 2019
2019 Sea Ranch - Day 4
I wandered out on to the bluffs before 7 am and took pictures of the moon reflecting on the water in one direction and the sun rising in the another.The four of us went out for an early morning bike ride. Unlike the first three days, it was a clear and beautiful! Sharon turned back early, but Phil, Marlene and I rode to the ninth green of the golf course. We ended up riding about 7.5 miles in 45 minutes.
Afterwards, we had breakfast and then scrambled to pack up the house. Sharon had made a 12:30 pm wine tasting appointment in Sonoma that we were trying to make. We pulled away from the house just after 10 am and dropped the house key in Gualala.
Phil made good time. We rolled up to Donum Estate at 12:35 pm. We did a nice wine tasting with the same person that we had in December. Afterwards, we did an art walk through the property. Donum Estate has more than $130 million invested in large art works!?!
From there, we headed to Bouchaine Vineyards. We sat outside and ate lunch on the back deck. Sharon and I have been coming to Bouchaine for almost nine years. I am looking forward to them opening the new tasting room this year.
We were back in Carmichael about 5:30 pm. It was a nice weekend. [Note to self], I want to find a weekend for Sharon and I to go back this year just the two of us.
Sunday, January 20, 2019
2019 Sea Ranch - Day 3
Sea Ranch is one of my favorite places in the world to run. I went out for a long morning run. Heading north, I ended running all the way to the end of Sea Ranch and into the Gualala River Park. It drizzled on me for about the first twenty minutes, but then actually cleared up. I came across several Sea Ranch historical markers that I have never seen before, including the Gualala Mill and the World War II bombing range. In total, I covered just under 9 miles. I will post a map in the next couple of weeks.
Phil got back to the house just as I did. He had gone for a bike ride, but missed the turn on the way back and ended up going longer than he intended.
After a late leisurely breakfast, we headed north on Highway 1. The plan for the day was to visit the Point Arena lighthouse, hike in the area and get a bite to eat at pier in Point Arena.
We made a couple of brief stops in Point Arena and Manchester before heading out the peninsula to lighthouse. Sharon, Jack, Drew, Morgan and I actually visited the lighthouse in summer of 1999. It is the tallest lighthouse on the west coast and California Historical Landmark #1035. We listened to a short presentation in the museum and then climbed to the top. I am not a heights person, but I have to admit it was a cool view.
Talking to the person at the desk, we decided to hike along the bluff in Point Arena-Storentta Public Lands. We hiked about 1.6 miles out and back. There were some expansive views. The rock formations and the colors of the cliffs were very different than Sea Ranch.
We stopped at the Chowder House and Tap Room for a late lunch. We had some chowder and chili. I got a chance to watch part of the Saints versus Rams NFC Conference finals game. I think that the no-call on the pass interference at the end of the game is likely to fundamentally change the way instant replay is used.
From there, we made a stop at the Vue Kitchen in Gualala. On the bluff over the Gualala River, this location has been a number of different names over the years. It wasn't open at all last year. I watched the beginning of the Patriots versus Chiefs AFC Championship game.
We bought some steaks for dinner and headed back to the house. Sharon, Marlene and Phil lounged in the hot tub, while I watched the end of the Patriots versus Chiefs game. I also struggled to get the AppleTV working. I bought the oldest of the AppleTVs that I own and I couldn't get it to use multi-factor authentication. I had hoped that we would watch a movie [First Man?].
We finished the day with a late dinner. We ended visiting around the dining room table until almost midnight. I kicked myself several times over the course of the weekend. In the past, I have brought DVDs or hooked up an AppleTV so we could watches movies at night. It seemed to me that the inability to do this really changed the cadence of the weekend.
Phil got back to the house just as I did. He had gone for a bike ride, but missed the turn on the way back and ended up going longer than he intended. After a late leisurely breakfast, we headed north on Highway 1. The plan for the day was to visit the Point Arena lighthouse, hike in the area and get a bite to eat at pier in Point Arena.
We made a couple of brief stops in Point Arena and Manchester before heading out the peninsula to lighthouse. Sharon, Jack, Drew, Morgan and I actually visited the lighthouse in summer of 1999. It is the tallest lighthouse on the west coast and California Historical Landmark #1035. We listened to a short presentation in the museum and then climbed to the top. I am not a heights person, but I have to admit it was a cool view.
Talking to the person at the desk, we decided to hike along the bluff in Point Arena-Storentta Public Lands. We hiked about 1.6 miles out and back. There were some expansive views. The rock formations and the colors of the cliffs were very different than Sea Ranch.
We stopped at the Chowder House and Tap Room for a late lunch. We had some chowder and chili. I got a chance to watch part of the Saints versus Rams NFC Conference finals game. I think that the no-call on the pass interference at the end of the game is likely to fundamentally change the way instant replay is used.
From there, we made a stop at the Vue Kitchen in Gualala. On the bluff over the Gualala River, this location has been a number of different names over the years. It wasn't open at all last year. I watched the beginning of the Patriots versus Chiefs AFC Championship game.
We bought some steaks for dinner and headed back to the house. Sharon, Marlene and Phil lounged in the hot tub, while I watched the end of the Patriots versus Chiefs game. I also struggled to get the AppleTV working. I bought the oldest of the AppleTVs that I own and I couldn't get it to use multi-factor authentication. I had hoped that we would watch a movie [First Man?].
We finished the day with a late dinner. We ended visiting around the dining room table until almost midnight. I kicked myself several times over the course of the weekend. In the past, I have brought DVDs or hooked up an AppleTV so we could watches movies at night. It seemed to me that the inability to do this really changed the cadence of the weekend.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
2019 Sea Ranch - Day 2
When I got up Saturday morning, it was raining off and on. The plan for the day was golf at the Sea Ranch Golf Links. With the weather looking worse on Sunday, we decided earlier in the week to shift our tee time from Sunday at 10:20 am to Saturday morning. We ended up outsmarting ourselves.
While Phil went out for an early bike ride, Sharon and I hiked south along the bluffs for about 30 minutes When Phil got back, we had breakfast and debated the plan for the day. We ended up deciding to go to the golf course and see how things went.
We ended up playing nine holes. After hitting the ball fairly well on the driving range, I struggled. I ended up shooting a very liberally scored winter rules 58. I will eventually post the scorecard. It stopped raining for a couple of holes early, but then started again. It was muddy and wet. The sixth and ninth holes were particularly soggy. Interestingly, I actually putted pretty well. The less said about the outing the better...
After golf, we made a stop at the Gualala Hotel. The bar and restaurant recently reopened after being closed for a number of years. Sharon went there with the girls years ago, but I don't think that I had ever been inside.
Back at the house, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the hot tub. Although a little small, it was a nice hot tub with a only limited view of the ocean. While I can understand the desire for some privacy, I prefer a set up that takes better advantage of the ocean views.
In the late afternoon, I wandered off north along the bluffs by myself. Sharon, Phil and Marlene caught up with me and the four of us explored Shell Beach before heading back to the house.
We finished the day with dinner back at Gualala Hotel. I started with a bowl of hearty chili [local produced grass-fed Covelo ground beef and kidney beans] that was very good. Sharon and I both had a salmon special which was solid. The four of us shared a bottle of Woodenhead Pinot Noir.
Like Friday night, everyone crashed fairly early. This was partly due to the fact that I screwed up some of my planning for the trip. More on that on Sunday's post...
Friday, January 18, 2019
2019 Sea Ranch - Day 1
For the fifth time in six years ['18, '17, '16 and '14], we are spending a weekend in January or February at Sea Ranch with the Sanborns. This also marks the seventh time in nine years [2013 and 2011] that we have spent a long weekend at Sea Ranch in the winter.The Sanborns rolled up to our house in Carmichael a little after 8:00 am. We loaded up Phil's truck and were on the road just before 8:30 am.
As a change of pace, we decided to go to the coast through the Anderson Valley. This added more than an hour to the trip, but gave us a chance to explore some new wineries. Our first stop was Pennyroyal Farm. We did a wine tasting paired with a small cheese tasting.
We continued up Highway 128 and stopped at Toulouse Vineyards. I enjoyed both of the stops. They were much more causal and relaxed than wine tasting in Napa. Both places were very friendly.
From there, it was about another hour and a half to Gualala. We rolled into town about 3:40 pm and picked up the key.
The four of us are spending three nights at Seascape. We have never stayed at this house before. It is located at the end of Wild Boor Reach. This is probably the closest we have ever stayed to the ocean. As a separate project, I need to make a map of all the houses that we have stayed in Sea Ranch!
After getting the truck unpacked, Sharon and I took a two mile walk along the bluffs. I love the trails along the bluffs.
We finished the night with a late dinner. Marlene made a great lasagna. Somewhat uncharacteristically, everyone crashed very early...
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Neighborhood Book Club
Sharon is part of a neighbor book club that meets about every two months. Thursday night, they met at Michelle's house to discuss Less by Andrew Sean Greer.
The book won a number of awards, including: the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for fiction; a New York Times Notable Book of 2017; a Washington Post Top Ten Book of 2017 and; a San Francisco Chronicle Top Ten Book of 2017. Sharon was not enthusiastic about the book...
The book won a number of awards, including: the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for fiction; a New York Times Notable Book of 2017; a Washington Post Top Ten Book of 2017 and; a San Francisco Chronicle Top Ten Book of 2017. Sharon was not enthusiastic about the book...
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
COO of The Corp
Students of Georgetown, Inc., commonly known as "The Corp" is a 501(c)3 non-profit public charitable organization at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. It is the largest entirely student-run 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the world, with seven subsidiary companies generating annual revenues in excess of $5 million. Only undergraduate students of Georgetown University work as employees or sit as members of the Corp's Board of Directors, distinguishing business operations at the Corp from other student-run companies such as Harvard Student Agencies, which allows non-students and alumni to serve as board members.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Celebrating My Birthday
Sharon and I finished the day celebrating my birthday at Mas Taco Bar in Arden Town. After a guacamole and chips appetizer, we tried Butternut Squash [braised swiss chard, peptic salsa verde], Baja Fish [blackened salmon, mango salsa, tapatio aioli, cabbage, jalapeno], Banh Mi Shrimp [pickled vegetables, jalapeños, cilantro, Asian bbq sauce, laughing bun] and Fried Oyster [tapatio aioli, cabbage, cilantro, onions] tacos.
Presents included cologne and a subscription to Sirius radio for my new car.
Presents included cologne and a subscription to Sirius radio for my new car.
Monday, January 14, 2019
Sunday, January 13, 2019
The Favourite
Continuing our quest to get a jump on seeing all of the potential Oscar Best Picture nominees, Sharon and I went to see The Favourite at the Roseville Century 14 and XD. I am not sure that I had ever been to this theater before.
The American Film Institute selected the movie as one of the top 10 films of 2018. It received five Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It won Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for Olivia Colman.
The story examines the relationship between two cousins vying to be the court favorites of Queen Anne in the early 18th century. It stars Olivia Colman as Anne, Queen of Great Britain, Emma Stone as Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham and Rachel Weisz as Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough.
When Sharon walked out of the Green Book last weekend, we both thought "that was a good movie." Neither of us felt that way walking out of The Favorite. Sharon gave it a 6.5 on a scale of 10, while I gave it a 6. There are strong performances by Colman, Weisz and Stone, but the movie was slow in parts and had a very unsatisfying ending. While I think it will receive a number of Oscar nominations, I don't believe that it will win Best Picture, Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress.
The American Film Institute selected the movie as one of the top 10 films of 2018. It received five Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It won Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for Olivia Colman.
The story examines the relationship between two cousins vying to be the court favorites of Queen Anne in the early 18th century. It stars Olivia Colman as Anne, Queen of Great Britain, Emma Stone as Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham and Rachel Weisz as Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough.
When Sharon walked out of the Green Book last weekend, we both thought "that was a good movie." Neither of us felt that way walking out of The Favorite. Sharon gave it a 6.5 on a scale of 10, while I gave it a 6. There are strong performances by Colman, Weisz and Stone, but the movie was slow in parts and had a very unsatisfying ending. While I think it will receive a number of Oscar nominations, I don't believe that it will win Best Picture, Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
2019 Kings versus Hornets
Larkin and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Charlotte Hornets NBA game. Trailing at half-time by the score of 59 to 57, the Kings made a nice run at the end of the third quarter to lead by six points. They held on in the fourth quarter to win by the score of 104 to 97.
Borden Bogdanovic was the leading scorer for the Kings. He had 22 points on 9 for 17 from the field, 4 for 7 from three and 0 for 0 from the free throw line. De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield each added 21 points.
Kemba Walker was the leader scorer for the Hornets. He had 31 points on 11 for 24 from the field, 3 for 12 from three and 6 for 8 from the free throw line. Tony Parker is on the Hornets this season, but was given the night off.
The Kings are a fun team to watch this year. The Kings now have 4 wins and 2 losses in games that I have seen in person during the 2018-2019 season.
Larkin and I had dinner at Tequila Museo Mayahuel before the game. Sharon and I had dinner there in 2016. I was amazed at how many people were on K Street before and after the game. Putting the arena downtown is one of the best things that has happened in Sacramento!
Friday, January 11, 2019
Master of the Senate by Robert Caro
My book for December was Master of the Senate by Robert Caro. For Christmas in 2017, Drew gave me The Passage of Power, the fourth book in Caro's planned five book biography of Lyndon Johnson. I decided to buy the first book and start at the beginning. I finished the first volume [The Path to Power] in March and the second volume [Means of Ascent] in May. This is the third volume. This book fits into my long term project to read books about all of the presidents.
The book was released on April 23, 2002. It won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography, the 2002 National Book Award for Nonfiction, the 2002 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography, and the 2002 D.B. Hardeman Prize.
In this third volume, Master of the Senate, Caro chronicles Johnson's rapid ascent in United States Congress, including his tenure as Senate majority leader. Like the first two books, Caro does a deep dive into supporting parts of the story to provide context. For example, the first 100 plus pages of the book examine the history of the Senate! Other tangential areas that the author covers deeply include Richard Russel, Leland Olds and the Federal Power Commission, Hells Canyon and the civil rights struggles of the 1950s.
With Johnson's eyes on running for President, the books does a particularly deep dive into his battle to pass a landmark civil rights bill through Congress without it tearing apart his party. Even in the 1950s, the attitude of the southern bloc of the Democratic party towards civil rights was mired in the early 19th century... Although its scope was limited, the ensuing Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first such legislation since the Reconstruction era.
I appreciated the book. At more than 1,100 pages, it is a load. It don't recommend it as a stand alone book. You need to start with volume one of Caro's biography of Johnson.
A footnote. I have always prided myself on finishing at least one book a month. This marks the second time in more than twenty-five years that I have fallen short of that goal. In the fall of 2016 when I started a new job and was more than a little off my feed, it took me four months to work my way through Hamilton. Due to the length of the book and some craziness at work in November, it took me three months to work my way through Master of the Senate.
The book was released on April 23, 2002. It won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography, the 2002 National Book Award for Nonfiction, the 2002 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography, and the 2002 D.B. Hardeman Prize.
In this third volume, Master of the Senate, Caro chronicles Johnson's rapid ascent in United States Congress, including his tenure as Senate majority leader. Like the first two books, Caro does a deep dive into supporting parts of the story to provide context. For example, the first 100 plus pages of the book examine the history of the Senate! Other tangential areas that the author covers deeply include Richard Russel, Leland Olds and the Federal Power Commission, Hells Canyon and the civil rights struggles of the 1950s.
With Johnson's eyes on running for President, the books does a particularly deep dive into his battle to pass a landmark civil rights bill through Congress without it tearing apart his party. Even in the 1950s, the attitude of the southern bloc of the Democratic party towards civil rights was mired in the early 19th century... Although its scope was limited, the ensuing Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first such legislation since the Reconstruction era.
I appreciated the book. At more than 1,100 pages, it is a load. It don't recommend it as a stand alone book. You need to start with volume one of Caro's biography of Johnson.
A footnote. I have always prided myself on finishing at least one book a month. This marks the second time in more than twenty-five years that I have fallen short of that goal. In the fall of 2016 when I started a new job and was more than a little off my feed, it took me four months to work my way through Hamilton. Due to the length of the book and some craziness at work in November, it took me three months to work my way through Master of the Senate.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Celebrating Tom's Birthday
Eric, Ashley, Tom, Sharon and I went to Il Fornaio for dinner to celebrate Tom's birthday. We had an appetizer and entrees off of the January Friuli Venezia Giulia regional menu. Friuli Venezia Giulia is a northeast Italian region bordering Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea.
We split Spiedini con Polenta e Funghi [roasted assortment of chicken, beef tenderloin, sausage & applewood-smoked bacon a top soft polenta with sautéed mixed] as an appetizer. Ashley and I both had Risotto Miramare [carnaroli rice with shrimp, calamari, crab, peas & tomatoes]. Sharon had Ravioli d’anitra Agli Asparagus [housemade ravioli filled with roast duck, prosciutto & Piave Vecchio cheese topped with asparagus cream sauce, radicchio & Grana Padano]. Tom had Galla Filetto di Bronzino all Greca [grilled fillet of seabags with black & green olives, capers, tomatoes & Trebbiano wine; served with mashed potatoes & sautéed organic spinach]. Eric had Gamberoni all Buhara [prawns sautéed with paprika, garlic, brandy, capers, marinara & cream; served with spaghetti tossed with sliced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil & Italian peperoncino]
Sharon and Tom had the wine flight. It included: Pinot Grigio, “Il Yamato”, Scarbolo, 2017; Ribolla Galla, Buzzinelli, Collio; Sauvignon Blanc, Vie di Romans, 2015, and, Pinot Nero, Hermann ‘Red Angel’, 2014.
We finished the night with presents and cake at Tom's house.
We split Spiedini con Polenta e Funghi [roasted assortment of chicken, beef tenderloin, sausage & applewood-smoked bacon a top soft polenta with sautéed mixed] as an appetizer. Ashley and I both had Risotto Miramare [carnaroli rice with shrimp, calamari, crab, peas & tomatoes]. Sharon had Ravioli d’anitra Agli Asparagus [housemade ravioli filled with roast duck, prosciutto & Piave Vecchio cheese topped with asparagus cream sauce, radicchio & Grana Padano]. Tom had Galla Filetto di Bronzino all Greca [grilled fillet of seabags with black & green olives, capers, tomatoes & Trebbiano wine; served with mashed potatoes & sautéed organic spinach]. Eric had Gamberoni all Buhara [prawns sautéed with paprika, garlic, brandy, capers, marinara & cream; served with spaghetti tossed with sliced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil & Italian peperoncino]
Sharon and Tom had the wine flight. It included: Pinot Grigio, “Il Yamato”, Scarbolo, 2017; Ribolla Galla, Buzzinelli, Collio; Sauvignon Blanc, Vie di Romans, 2015, and, Pinot Nero, Hermann ‘Red Angel’, 2014.
We finished the night with presents and cake at Tom's house.
Wednesday, January 09, 2019
Tuesday, January 08, 2019
Jack back to school
Finishing Jack's three week Christmas break, I got up at 3:30 am. I got Jack and Sharon up about 4:00 am. We rolled from the house about 4:30 am. Jack was supposed to take a 6:50 am United flight to Chicago. For reasons I still don't understand, the flight was repeatedly delayed. Eventually, the flight took off, but went to Denver. After a short stop, it continued to Chicago. Jack then caught a 6:00 pm flight to Washington National. He was finally in Washington DC shortly after 9:00 pm.
Catching an Uber, Jack was back in Georgetown to start the second half of his junior year a little before 10 pm eastern time. He was a few things that he is going to have to sort out at the start of this semester.
Typically, we have flown him nonstop to Baltimore or Dulles, but they don't seem to run those flights in early January. In the almost twenty five years that Sharon and I have traveled together, we have one rule: any day that you end up where you were supposed to be is a good day.
Catching an Uber, Jack was back in Georgetown to start the second half of his junior year a little before 10 pm eastern time. He was a few things that he is going to have to sort out at the start of this semester.
Typically, we have flown him nonstop to Baltimore or Dulles, but they don't seem to run those flights in early January. In the almost twenty five years that Sharon and I have traveled together, we have one rule: any day that you end up where you were supposed to be is a good day.
Monday, January 07, 2019
Roma
Roma is a 2018 drama film written, co-produced, co-edited, and directed by Alfonso Cuarón. It stars Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Marco Graf, Daniela Demesa, Enoc Leaño, and Daniel Valtierra.
Set in 1970 and 1971, the film is a semi-autobiographical take on Cuarón's upbringing in Mexico City. It follows the life of a live-in housekeeper to a middle-class family. The title refers to the Colonia Roma, a neighborhood in Mexico City.
I have to admit that I struggled more than a little with the film. The cinematography is gorgeous, but the film is in Spanish with English subtitles. Reading a summary of the film afterwards, I realized that I missed a couple of nuances because I was focused on reading the subtitles. Sharon suggested that we might need to go back and watch it again without subtitles... At this point, I give it a luke-warm thumbs up. it will be interesting to see if it actually gets a best picture Oscar nomination.
Sunday, January 06, 2019
Green Book
Continuing our quest to get a jump on seeing all of the potential Oscar Best Picture nominees, Sharon and I went to see Green Book at the Palladio 16 in Folsom. The film was chosen by the National Board of Review as the best film of 2018 and as one of the Top 10 by the American Film Institute. The film won several awards at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali).
Set in the Deep South in the 1960s, the movie follows a tour between African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and Italian-American bouncer Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen). Vallelogna served as Shirley's driver and bodyguard.
The screenplay was written in part by Vallelonga's son, Nick Vallelonga. It is a true story based on interviews with his father and Shirley, as well as letters his father wrote to his mother. The film is named after The Negro Motorist Green Book, a mid-20th century guidebook for African-American travelers written by Victor Hugo Green, to help them find motels and restaurants that would accept them.
I thought that the movie was very good. I really enjoyed it. I would guess that the movie as well as Mortensen and Ali will get Oscar nominations. I particularly enjoyed Viggo Mortensen's performance.
Set in the Deep South in the 1960s, the movie follows a tour between African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and Italian-American bouncer Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen). Vallelogna served as Shirley's driver and bodyguard.
The screenplay was written in part by Vallelonga's son, Nick Vallelonga. It is a true story based on interviews with his father and Shirley, as well as letters his father wrote to his mother. The film is named after The Negro Motorist Green Book, a mid-20th century guidebook for African-American travelers written by Victor Hugo Green, to help them find motels and restaurants that would accept them.
I thought that the movie was very good. I really enjoyed it. I would guess that the movie as well as Mortensen and Ali will get Oscar nominations. I particularly enjoyed Viggo Mortensen's performance.
Saturday, January 05, 2019
Taking down the Christmas decorations
Sharon and I spent all of Saturday taking down and packing up the Christmas decorations. Usually, this takes us all weekend, but we made a big push and got everything packed up and out of the house in one day! There are still about thirty boxes in the garage that I need to move to the storage shed on Sunday.
Although it rained off and on over the course of the day, I was just thankful that it was pouring rain like it was two years ago! While I love the house at Christmas, it feels right to take everything down, turn the page on the holiday season and start into the new year.
Although it rained off and on over the course of the day, I was just thankful that it was pouring rain like it was two years ago! While I love the house at Christmas, it feels right to take everything down, turn the page on the holiday season and start into the new year.
Friday, January 04, 2019
Cafe Bernardo
Sharon, Jack and I finished the week with an early dinner at Cafe Bernardo at Pavilions. Jack had a four cheese pizza, I had a butternut squash & white bean soup and a turkey burger and Sharon had a mushroom & Jarlesberg cheese salad and a grilled salmon plate.
2019 Oscars Nominations Predictions
2019 Oscar nomination predictions from Goldderby.com as of January 4, 2019
BEST PICTURE
A Star is born
Roma
Green Book [Golden Globe: Best Picture - Musical or Comedy]
The Favourite
BlacKkKlansman
Black Panther
If Beale Street Could Talk
Vice
First Man {Digital HD - January 8}
Mary Poppins Returns
Bohemian Rhapsody [Golden Globe: Best Picture - Drama] {Amazon Video and iTunes on January 22, 2019}
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
Christian Bale - Vice [Golden Globe: Actor - Musical or Comedy]
Viggo Mortensen - Green Book
Rami Malek - Bohemian Rhapsody [Golden Globe: Actor - Drama]
Ethan Hawke - First Reformed {Digital HD - available}
John David Washington - BlacKkKlansman
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born
Olivia Colman - The Favorite [Golden Globe: Actress - Musical or Comedy]
Glenn Close - The Wife {DVD release date - January 29} [Golden Globe: Actress - Drama]
Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me? {Digital HD from Amazon Video and iTunes on February 5, 2019.}
Emily Blunt Mary - Poppins Returns
Yalitza Aparicio - Roma
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Mahershala Ali - Green Book [Golden Globe: Actor in a Supporting Role]
Richard E. Grant - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Elliott - A Star Is Born
Timothy Chalamet - Beautiful Boy
Adam Driver - BlacKkKlansman
Michael B. Jordan - Black Panther
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk [Golden Globe: Actress in a Supporting Role]
Amy Adams - Vice
Emma Stone - The Favorite
Rachel Weisz - The Favorite
Claire Foy - First Man
Nicole Kidman - Boy Erased {Digital HD - January 15}
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The 2018 Oscar nominations are here.
The 2017 Oscar nominations are here.
The 2016 Oscar nominations are here.
The 2015 Oscar nominations are here.
BEST PICTURE
A Star is born
Roma
Green Book [Golden Globe: Best Picture - Musical or Comedy]
The Favourite
BlacKkKlansman
Black Panther
If Beale Street Could Talk
Vice
First Man {Digital HD - January 8}
Mary Poppins Returns
Bohemian Rhapsody [Golden Globe: Best Picture - Drama] {Amazon Video and iTunes on January 22, 2019}
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
Christian Bale - Vice [Golden Globe: Actor - Musical or Comedy]
Viggo Mortensen - Green Book
Rami Malek - Bohemian Rhapsody [Golden Globe: Actor - Drama]
Ethan Hawke - First Reformed {Digital HD - available}
John David Washington - BlacKkKlansman
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born
Olivia Colman - The Favorite [Golden Globe: Actress - Musical or Comedy]
Glenn Close - The Wife {DVD release date - January 29} [Golden Globe: Actress - Drama]
Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me? {Digital HD from Amazon Video and iTunes on February 5, 2019.}
Emily Blunt Mary - Poppins Returns
Yalitza Aparicio - Roma
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Mahershala Ali - Green Book [Golden Globe: Actor in a Supporting Role]
Richard E. Grant - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Elliott - A Star Is Born
Timothy Chalamet - Beautiful Boy
Adam Driver - BlacKkKlansman
Michael B. Jordan - Black Panther
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk [Golden Globe: Actress in a Supporting Role]
Amy Adams - Vice
Emma Stone - The Favorite
Rachel Weisz - The Favorite
Claire Foy - First Man
Nicole Kidman - Boy Erased {Digital HD - January 15}
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The 2018 Oscar nominations are here.
The 2017 Oscar nominations are here.
The 2016 Oscar nominations are here.
The 2015 Oscar nominations are here.
Thursday, January 03, 2019
Vice
On Christmas Day, Sharon, Jack, Tom and I went to see Vice at the Century Arden 14 and XD. Although Tom suggested the movie, it is on several lists of possible nominees for the best picture Oscar. The film has already received numerous award nominations, including six at the 76th Golden Globe Awards. It got a Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Vice is a 2018 American biographical comedy-drama film written and directed by Adam McKay. The film stars Christian Bale as Dick Cheney, Amy Adams as Lynne Cheney, Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush and Tyler Perry as Colin Powell.
The plot follows the arc of Dick Cheney's life and career. I was fascinated by the portrayal of Cheney's early life; he is shown as a hard drinking kid who funked out of an ivy league college. I wonder how accurate this is.
This is a solid movie. I am sure that Christian Bale will get an Oscar's best actor nomination for his performance. I am not sure how accurate the overall story is to the truth, but I enjoyed the film.
Vice is a 2018 American biographical comedy-drama film written and directed by Adam McKay. The film stars Christian Bale as Dick Cheney, Amy Adams as Lynne Cheney, Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush and Tyler Perry as Colin Powell.
The plot follows the arc of Dick Cheney's life and career. I was fascinated by the portrayal of Cheney's early life; he is shown as a hard drinking kid who funked out of an ivy league college. I wonder how accurate this is.
This is a solid movie. I am sure that Christian Bale will get an Oscar's best actor nomination for his performance. I am not sure how accurate the overall story is to the truth, but I enjoyed the film.
Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Crazy Rich Asians
Saturday night, December 22, Sharon, Jack and I watched Crazy Rich Asians as a HD rental on the AppleTV. The movie is based the 2013 novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan. At the 76th Golden Globe Awards, the film received two nominations (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for Wu).
The film stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Nico Santos, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh. It follows an American professor who travels to meet her boyfriend's family and is surprised to discover they are among the richest in Singapore.
While it had some nice moments, the movie was not very good. I kept looking at my watch to see how much longer it had. When I asked Sharon what she thought of the movie, she said "I thought it would be better." I don't recommend it. Interesting, Jack was more positive about the movie than Sharon or I were. Apparently, this is the first of three books and they are going to make a sequel...
The film stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Nico Santos, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh. It follows an American professor who travels to meet her boyfriend's family and is surprised to discover they are among the richest in Singapore.
While it had some nice moments, the movie was not very good. I kept looking at my watch to see how much longer it had. When I asked Sharon what she thought of the movie, she said "I thought it would be better." I don't recommend it. Interesting, Jack was more positive about the movie than Sharon or I were. Apparently, this is the first of three books and they are going to make a sequel...
Tuesday, January 01, 2019
2019 Kings versus Trailblazers
Sharon, Jack, Jason and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Portland Trailblazers NBA game. Sharon gave Jack the tickets for this game for Christmas [section 104, row Q, seats 16, 17 and 18].
I had a ticket for my work's balcony seats; I sat in these seats once last year. The seats include a hosted bar and food service. The food service included a series of small plates each quarter. The group from work included Bill and Ed from my teams and Heather and David from Sean's teams.
Trailing by ten points for most of the game, the Kings pulled ahead in the fourth quarter. The Kings then went cold; they were 1 for 17 in the end of the fourth quarter and the overtime. The Kings lost the game in overtime by the score of 113 to 108. It was a very disappointing loss...
Buddy Held was the leading scorer for the Kings with 27 points. Held was 11 for 23 from the field, 5 for 8 from three and had no free throws! The Kings only got to the free throw line 12 times compared to 30 times for the Trailblazers.
Damian Lillard was the leading scorer for the Trailblazers with 25 points. Lillard was 8 for 21 from the field, 1 for 9 from three and 8 for 8 from the free throw line. Jusuf Nurkic had a career night for Portland with 24 points, 23 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 steals.
The Kings now have 3 wins and 2 losses in games that I have seen in person during the 2018-2019 season.
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