Monday, February 11, 2008
Video Postcard to Morgan and Drew #2 Links
Heringer's Blog: books, books, books
Wikipedia: Alice Roosevelt Longworth
Amazon.com: Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker: Books: Stacy A. Cordery
Amazon.com: The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey: Books: Candice Millard
NBA Power Rankings 2007-2008 Week 15
The Sacramento Kings are 16th in Marc Stein's weekly NBA Power Rankings; this is the same as last week. John Hollinger's NBA Playoff Odds put the Kings chances of making the play-offs at 1.6%, down from 2.8% last week.
ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - Getting their whole team back has led to an impressive 8-4 run that would be even more uplifting if the Kings A) hadn't thrown in a home loss to Seattle and B) weren't reading daily 'trade me' requests from Artest.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
We watched On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Released in 1969, this is the sixth film in the James Bond Series. It is the only film in the series to star George Lazenby as MI6 secret agent James Bond, 007. Adapted from Ian Fleming's 1963 novel of the same name, the movie very closely follows the book.On Her Majesty's Secret Service was originally to have followed Goldfinger, and early prints of that film even announced this. Later, it was earmarked to follow Thunderball but ultimately ended up following You Only Live Twice. As a result, there are several continuity errors. For example, neither Bond nor Blofeld recognize each other, despite having met face-to-face in the previous film.
In the film, Bond faces Blofeld, who is planning on unleashing a plague to sterilize the world's plants and animals through a group of brainwashed women unless his demands are met. Along the way, Bond meets, falls in love with, and eventually marries Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo.
In addition to George Lazenby as James Bond, the film stars Diana Rigg as Tracy di Vicenzo and Telly Savalas as Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
Blofeld's lair is the most visually impressive part of the movie. These scenes were filmed at Piz Gloria. This is a revolving restaurant on top of the Schilthorn near Mürren in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
2008 Laguna Youth Baseball Tryouts
Jack and I spent the afternoon at baseball tryouts. After being cancelled twice due to rain, the weather has cleared in the last week allowing the league to get the tryouts completed. This will be Jack's sixth year of organized baseball. It is the second year that he has gone to the tryouts.
There were more than 50 kids. They had each boy catch two fly balls in the outfield and throw to second, field two grounders at shortstop and throw to first and then take two throws at first. Last year, Jack nailed the tryout. This year, he was solid, but not great. Jack looked smooth in the field, but was overthrowing.
After the fielding, they lined up all of the kids and gave them three pitches against a pitching machine. Although his swing looked pretty good, Jack was only able to foul off one of the pitches.
It will be interesting to see where he ends up. Jack is hoping to move up from AA last year to AAA this year.
There were more than 50 kids. They had each boy catch two fly balls in the outfield and throw to second, field two grounders at shortstop and throw to first and then take two throws at first. Last year, Jack nailed the tryout. This year, he was solid, but not great. Jack looked smooth in the field, but was overthrowing.
After the fielding, they lined up all of the kids and gave them three pitches against a pitching machine. Although his swing looked pretty good, Jack was only able to foul off one of the pitches.
It will be interesting to see where he ends up. Jack is hoping to move up from AA last year to AAA this year.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Hugh Kirkwood Duffield
Brun's stepdad died late last month.
Hugh Kirkwood Duffield, II peacefully passed away on January 29, 2008, in Sacramento, Calif. He was born to James Edwin and Nina Duffield on October 2, 1942, in Teaneck, N.J. He is survived by his wife Velta and her extended family, son Sebastien, daughter Aldy, granddaughters Sofia, Claire, and Natalie. Hugh is also survived by his siblings Nancy, Jim, Lynn, Mark, and Sharon. He grew up in Darien, Conn., attended Denison University and eventually settled in Sacramento, Calif., in 1975. Hugh was well-respected for his expertise in matters of fine art. He started the Duffield Collection with his wife Velta. The Duffield Collection deals with appraisals and sale of fine art. Hugh filled our lives with his generous and kind nature. His sense of humor and gift of gab on any subject kept one curious about the world. Over the years he has made many friends from all walks of life. He delighted many with his piano playing and storytelling at local and Paris, France, night spots.
Hugh Kirkwood Duffield, II peacefully passed away on January 29, 2008, in Sacramento, Calif. He was born to James Edwin and Nina Duffield on October 2, 1942, in Teaneck, N.J. He is survived by his wife Velta and her extended family, son Sebastien, daughter Aldy, granddaughters Sofia, Claire, and Natalie. Hugh is also survived by his siblings Nancy, Jim, Lynn, Mark, and Sharon. He grew up in Darien, Conn., attended Denison University and eventually settled in Sacramento, Calif., in 1975. Hugh was well-respected for his expertise in matters of fine art. He started the Duffield Collection with his wife Velta. The Duffield Collection deals with appraisals and sale of fine art. Hugh filled our lives with his generous and kind nature. His sense of humor and gift of gab on any subject kept one curious about the world. Over the years he has made many friends from all walks of life. He delighted many with his piano playing and storytelling at local and Paris, France, night spots.Thursday, February 07, 2008
Music is going to become a promotional tool
Piratepods.com did a podcast with Drew in December before he started the West Coast Tour. It weaves an interview into a couple of his songs. Although it is not completely obvious, you can play the podcast on that page by clicking on the small blue triangle under the picture or you can download it.
I found his thoughts on the music industry starting at the 10:55 mark interesting. They include:
I found his thoughts on the music industry starting at the 10:55 mark interesting. They include:
record labels are trying to figure out a way to survive.The money quote at the 15:30 mark is Hefeweizen.
music is going to become a promotional tool more than anything else.
the value of the song itself has extremely decreased.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
2008 Kings versus Supersonics
Jack and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Seattle Supersonics basketball game. After leading 59 to 58 at half-time, the Kings collapsed in the second half to lose by the score of 105 to 92. The Kings were never really in the game in the second half. Ahead by eight points after three quarters, the Sonics scored the first 13 points of the fourth to take a 21-point lead.
Earl Watson had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double. In contrast, Kevin Martin was 1 for 10 from the field and finished with 5 points. Martin is averaging 23.4 points a game.
Brad Miller missed the game after cutting the index finger of his right hand Sunday. Miller was named Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 22 points and 18.3 rebounds in three straight victories last week. Beno Udrih also missed the game with the flu.
For some reason, mascots from several other teams, including the Houston Rockets, Charlotte Bobcats and the Indiana Pacers, were at the game. The mascots spent most of the first half roaming through the stands and interacting with the fans. At one point, Jack turned to me and said "watching the mascots is much more entertaining than watching the game."
We wandered up at halftime and visited with one of his classmates and his dad.
Earl Watson had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double. In contrast, Kevin Martin was 1 for 10 from the field and finished with 5 points. Martin is averaging 23.4 points a game.
Brad Miller missed the game after cutting the index finger of his right hand Sunday. Miller was named Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 22 points and 18.3 rebounds in three straight victories last week. Beno Udrih also missed the game with the flu.
For some reason, mascots from several other teams, including the Houston Rockets, Charlotte Bobcats and the Indiana Pacers, were at the game. The mascots spent most of the first half roaming through the stands and interacting with the fans. At one point, Jack turned to me and said "watching the mascots is much more entertaining than watching the game."
We wandered up at halftime and visited with one of his classmates and his dad.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Song for 1969
I grew up watching a handful of television series. One of those was Hawaii 5-0. The series ran on CBS from 1968 to 1980. The theme song made the Billboard Top 100 in 1969.
The song for 1969 is The Ventures cover of the Hawaii 5-0 Theme Song.
You can find the work in progress Soundtrack for My Life here!
What is this?
The song for 1969 is The Ventures cover of the Hawaii 5-0 Theme Song.
You can find the work in progress Soundtrack for My Life here!
What is this?
Monday, February 04, 2008
California Historical Landmark #393
California State Historical Landmark #393
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at the Southwest corner of Baywood and El Camino Real, San Mateo, California. There are 33 other California State Historical Landmarks in San Mateo County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 33.900 W 122° 19.677.
You can log your site to this site at waymarking.com!
Here stood the Hospice built around 1800 by the Spanish Padres on El Camino Real to break the journey from Santa Clara and serve the Indians of Mission Dolores. Marked By Anson Burlingame Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
NBA Power Rankings 2007-2008 Week 14
The Sacramento Kings climbed from 17th to 16th in Marc Stein's weekly NBA Power Rankings. This is the highest that Stein has ranked the Kings this season. John Hollinger's NBA Playoff Odds put the Kings chances of making the play-offs at 2.8%.
ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - With so many surprise teams in the West alone (Hornets, Lakers, Blazers) it's hard for the Kings to get any pub. But they're on the road back to relevancy whether or not they move Bibby or Artest before the deadline.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Super Bowl XLII Party
Sharon, Jack and I went to the Cunningham's for a Super Bowl Party. There were four couples and half a dozen boys ranging in age from 9 to 16. Deborah made some great chili.
If someone had told me that the Giants were going to beat the Patriots by a score of 17 to 14, I would have never believed them. All in all, it was a pretty watchable game.
Jack had my favorite quote of the day. At Mass, an adult asked him who he was rooting for. Jack replied the Giants, the Patriots are cheaters.
If someone had told me that the Giants were going to beat the Patriots by a score of 17 to 14, I would have never believed them. All in all, it was a pretty watchable game.
Jack had my favorite quote of the day. At Mass, an adult asked him who he was rooting for. Jack replied the Giants, the Patriots are cheaters.
Whale Blubber Falling from the Sky
ESPN Page 2 - The Sports Guy: A Super edition of the links
In November 1970, a dead eight-ton sperm whale washed up on a beach in Oregon. The task of removing the large, rotting carcass was given to the department in charge of maintaining the highways within the state. Their solution was to stuff the whale with a half-ton of dynamite and blow it up. The result was large chunks of whale blubber falling from the sky, and spectators running for their lives. Oh yeah, it was also caught on tape by the local news. Thirty-seven years later, it is now on YouTube for our viewing pleasure.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
We finished the evening watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While I have read all seven of the books, I realized that I have only seen the first, third and now the fifth of the movies. I have enjoyed the movies, but so much of the book gets left out.
2008 Little Dribblers Basketball Game 4
Jack's Little Dribblers Basketball team was scheduled to play John Paul II Catholic School, but they did not have a fourth grade team. The team got together at the gym and held a long practice and scrimmage.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Kings versus Hornets
With Jack staying overnight with a classmate, Sharon and I started the evening with dinner at the new Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar on the River. This location has just opened in the last two weeks in a new hotel in the Pocket Area. Sharon had Togarashi Seared Ahi Tuna, while I had Mahi Mahi.
After dinner, we headed to the Sacramento Kings versus New Orleans basketball game. This was an oddity; I can not remember a game in the last five years where just the two of us went. Jack also went to the game with the family with which he was spending the night. The Kings came out and hammered the Hornets in the first half. They ran out to a 26 point lead in the first half, led by 22 at half-time and held on to win 112 to 103.
This was the first game that Peja has played in Sacramento since he was traded to the Pacers for Ron Artest in January of 2006. He was on fire from three point range and helped pull the Hornets back into the game in the third quarter. Peja was 7 for 13 from beyond the arc; he finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds.
Chris Paul had 15 points and 19 assists a day after being picked for his first All-Star game. Every time Paul got the ball in the first half, the Kings did a good job of trapping him with one of the guards and a big man.
Artest led the Kings with 24 points. Miller and Martin both had 22 points. Miller added 14 rebounds. Brad Miller has been playing very well this year. As I have said before, the combination of Miller and Moore on the floor together for the Kings creates some difficult match-ups for many teams.
After dinner, we headed to the Sacramento Kings versus New Orleans basketball game. This was an oddity; I can not remember a game in the last five years where just the two of us went. Jack also went to the game with the family with which he was spending the night. The Kings came out and hammered the Hornets in the first half. They ran out to a 26 point lead in the first half, led by 22 at half-time and held on to win 112 to 103.
This was the first game that Peja has played in Sacramento since he was traded to the Pacers for Ron Artest in January of 2006. He was on fire from three point range and helped pull the Hornets back into the game in the third quarter. Peja was 7 for 13 from beyond the arc; he finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds.
Chris Paul had 15 points and 19 assists a day after being picked for his first All-Star game. Every time Paul got the ball in the first half, the Kings did a good job of trapping him with one of the guards and a big man.
Artest led the Kings with 24 points. Miller and Martin both had 22 points. Miller added 14 rebounds. Brad Miller has been playing very well this year. As I have said before, the combination of Miller and Moore on the floor together for the Kings creates some difficult match-ups for many teams.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)