Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

My second book for November is Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. At Danny's Wedding in September and in San Jose in early November, Tomasin and I were talking about books and he mentioned Carl Hiaasen. Digging around on the web, Skinny Dip appeared to be one of Hiaasen's most popular novels.

Skinny Dip is a caper novel first published in 2004. Apparently, a caper story is a subgenera of crime fiction. The typical caper story involves one or more crimes perpetrated by the main characters in full view of the reader.

Set in South Florida, the story is about a woman, Joey Perrone, who takes revenge on her cheating husband after he has tried to murder her. It is also one of Hiaasen’s more topical novels, since the plot also revolves around the ongoing restoration of the Everglades to a natural habitat.

While I enjoyed the book, I am not going to grade it. I will read at least one more of Hiaasen's novels as a break from more ambitious books. I am just not sure how strongly I would recommend the book to someone else.

Sanborns at the Fall Dinner Party

Cibo 7

After spending the day tearing the treadmill apart, replacing the running deck and then putting it back together, Sharon and I went to dinner at Cibo 7. We used a very generous gift card that the Larkins gave us during the Sea Ranch Anniversary trip last year.

We split a Charcuterie & Cheese Board as a starter. I had Corn & Calabrian Chile Risotto [blackened prawns, portabella mushroom, caper sauce], while Sharon had Veal Saltimbocca [prosciutto, sage, Pt. Reyes coma, polenta, blooms dale spinach].

We wandered through a Barnes & Nobles after dinner. With the shift to Amazon and e-readers, it was a nostalgic experience...

A Hectic Seven Weeks

It has been a crazy two months.

Seven weeks ago, we hiked with the Larkins and the Gainsleys in the American River Canyon.

Six weeks ago, we spent Saturday with Janie at Donum Estates and Ad Hoc celebrating Janie's birthday.

Five weeks ago, we were in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire on our Fall New England trip. We took the cog train to the top of Mount Washington and hiked on the Appalachian Trail.

Four weeks ago, we were in Washington DC for the Georgetown Fall Family Weekend.

Three weeks ago, we had our fall dinner party!

Two weeks ago, Sharon was in Sedona, while I spent the weekend in San Jose at the International 7s Rugby Tournament.

Last week, Sharon was in San Francisco with Mary and Janie, while I was in Washington DC visiting the Nooters.

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend at home with nothing on the calendar!

Captain John Lonergan

I stumbled across this marker while exploring Burlington during the second day of our F@ll 2017 trip through New England.

Captain John Lonergan
Vermont Roadside Historical Marker
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This marker is located at 115 St Paul Street, Burlington, Vermont. The GPS coordinates for this location are 44° 28' 35.5" N 73° 12' 50.2" W.

Captain John Lonergan
1837-1902
Hero of Gettysburg

In this park on July 22, 1863, Vermonts only ethnic Civil War unit was welcomed home from the battle of Gettysburg. Lonergan commanded Co. A, 13th VT Regiment the Irish Company and he received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in the battle.

The five VT regiments on 9-months duty formed the 2nd VT Brigade on October 27, 1862. In late June of 1863, the brigade marched from Union Mills, VA, to Gettysburg in six days.

On July 2, 1863, the Irish Company helped recapture four cannons and took 83 rebel prisoners. The next day Lonergans men led the way when two VT regiments flanked Picketts forces assaulting Cemetery Ridge, causing heavy rebel losses.

The Irish battle cry:
Faugh a ballaghClear the way!

Mass of Remembrance for Rebecca Frame

Sharon and I went with her brother Tom to St. Ignatius for a Mass of Remembrance for Rebecca Frame. Becky passed away two years ago today.

Afterwards, Sharon, Tom and I went to dinner with the Rositanis (Larry, Robin and Christian) at Mana Japanese Restaurant Alta.  Mikuni's it is was not...

Unbelievable By Kathy Tur

My book for November is Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History by Katy Tur. I saw Kathy Tur interviewed about the book on the 11th Hour with Brian Williams.

On somewhat of a fluke, Tur was assigned to cover Trump's initial press conference announcing that he was running for president. Although she was a London based correspondent for NBC, Tur just happened to be in New York and in the news room when they were looking for someone to send. The assignment stuck and she followed Trump through the course of the entire campaign.

The book is a blend of her life, the trials and tribulations of being a reporter following a presidential candidate and a look at the Trump campaign. The chapters alternate between the campaign and election night.

In respect to Trump, the book crystallized two things that I was talking to the Nooters' about last week. First, Trump is very thin-skinned. Second, he plays fast and loose with the truth. I have spent my life in leadership roles in large companies. Regardless of what you think of Trump's politics and policies, I don't believe that you can be an effective leader with these characteristics...

I was raised in a large corporate farming family in rural Northern California. I self identify as a conservative Republican. I enjoyed the book.

Larkins at the Fall Dinner Party

2017 Washington DC - Day 3

Wallen had a 8:00 am flight from National. Up at 5:00 am, he had some trouble getting the Uber App to use his credit cards. After some running amok, Nooter ended up calling for an Uber using his account. Although I heard them walking around upstairs, I never woke up enough to get out of bed. I felt bad for Wallen. He spent all weekend getting over a cold.

I didn't roll out of bed until after 8:30 am. Although I had originally been thinking about going into Georgetown to have breakfast with Jack, there just wasn't enough time. Nooter made omelets for breakfast and he, Barb and I worked on solving the world's problems.

Nooter offered to take me to the airport. We rolled from their house about 11:50 am. He was thinking that I was taking off too early, but by the time we stopped for gas and fought our way through the traffic, it was 1:10 pm when we got to the airport.

I breezed through TSA Pre security and got to the gate about 1:25 pm. The plane started boarding about 1:45 pm. Holding an A29 boarding pass, I was able to score another exit row aisle. The flight pulled away from the gate about 2:15 pm. It was an uneventful flight. With the Wifi not working, I read most of the flight; I finished Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen about 30 minutes before we landed. I was back in Sacramento just before 5:00 pm and home in Carmichael by 5:50 pm.

Although it was a quick trip [I was on the ground on the East Coast almost exactly 48 hours], I really enjoyed having a chance to catch up with Nooter and Barb. They did a really nice job with the remodel of their house. Hopefully, Sharon and I can get together with them for dinner next time we are in Washington DC!

2017 Washington DC - Day 2

After a late night, it was a slow morning. Nooter eventually went out and got some bagels, cream cheese and lox for breakfast.

We got organized and headed to the Wharf DC. This is a newly developed area along the Potomac River south of Mall. We wandered around. Stopping at The Fish Market, Nooter, Barb and I shared a dozen oysters. We bought some crabs for dinner.

From there, we head to The Sovereign in Georgetown. This is a Belgium inspired bar and restaurant that Sharon and I found when we were there for the Family Weekend last year. Jack joined us for a couple of hours.

In the late afternoon, we headed back to the Nooters. With everything starting later on the East Coast, Wallen and I ended up watching Georgia (1) get beat by Auburn (10) by the score of 40 to 17.

While Rob was fixing dinner, the four of us watched the Alabama (2) versus Mississippi State (16) football game. Tomasin, David and Julie were in Starkville with Mikey for the game! It was a close game with Alabama winning by the score of 31 to 24.

We ate the crabs as hors d'oeuvres. Nooter made a shrimp creole for dinner.

It was another late night. Barb and I watched most of Saturday Night Live before I crashed after 12:30 am.

2017 Washington DC - Day 1

Although I have been to Washington three times so far in 2017 [Easter, Move in Weekend, Family Weekend], I haven't had a chance to visit with the Nooters since last fall. I decided in early October to use some airline miles and schedule a quick trip back primarily to see the Nooters with the added bonus of spending a little time with Jack.

Up at 4:00 am, I caught a 6:30 am Southwest flight direct from Sacramento to Baltimore. Boarding with A35, I was able to score a great aisle seat!

I worked on the wifi for most of the trip, including finishing up my weekly status report. iMessaging with Nooter and Jack, we set up the plans for the day. We landed about 25 minutes ahead of schedule at 2:00 pm. Nooter and Wallen picked up me at door 9.

We headed towards the Nooter's house. After a tour of the house, Wallen, Nooter, Barb and I spent the afternoon catching up. There are a number of things going on in with Nooter's job.

Jack took an Uber from Georgetown to the Nooter's house. He got to the Nooter's about 5:40 pm. Jack, Wes, Barb, Wallen, Nooter and I eventually had a very late dinner at the restaurant where Austin works: Crave

After dinner, Jack caught a Uber from the Nooters' back to Georgetown about 11:30 pm. Nooter and I ended up talking until after 1:00 am. Although I had originally planned to spend a night at a Courtyard Marriott in Rosslyn, I ended up staying at the Nooters.

2017 Kings versus the 76ers

Larkin and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Philadelphia 76ers NBA Basketball game at the Golden One Center. It was a close game for four quarters. Falling behind in the last couple of minutes, the Kings rallied to win by score of 109 to 108.

Robert Covington was the high scorer for the 76ers. He had 24 points on 7 for 16 from the field, 6 for 12 from three and 4 for 5 from the free throw line.

Zack Randolph was the Kings leading scorer. He had 20 points on 7 for 14 from the field, 2 for 2 from three and 4 for 6 from the free throw line.

I spent most of the evening focusing on either Fox, Simmons or Embiid rather than following the ball. Although he hit the game winning shot, Fox had a horrible shooting night. In 30 minutes, he had 11 points on 4 for 13 from the field. Fox missed a number of lay-ups and floaters. Simmons got in foul trouble in the first half, but still ended up with 18 points (6 for 8) and 6 assists in 27 minutes.

Embiid looks out of sorts. Although he had 22 points (7 for 20) and 15 rebounds, he just didn't look like the dominant, mobile player I saw against Cousins last season. At one point, he tripped over his own feet.

At half-time, I ran into Sharon's nephew Kevin. He was at the game with his brother Eric; they are 76ers fans?!?.

Including preseason, the Kings have 2 wins and 0 losses in games that I have seen in the 2017-2018 season.

Mary Maloney

Mary Maloney is spending a few days with us. Sharon made a nice salmon dinner for the three of us.

Mary and Sharon are planning to spend Thursday in Napa with stops at Donum Estates and the Oxbow Market. Mary, Sharon and Janie are then planning to spend the weekend in San Francisco.

The Guest and The Host - Take You Everywhere

Gainsleys at the 2017 Fall Dinner Party

2017 Silicon Valley Sevens - Day 2

Up fairly early due to the time change (fall back), Tomasin, David and I eventually wandered to a Denny's for breakfast. I think that it was the same Denny's that we ate at with my sister and her husband three years ago... After breakfast, we headed back to the room and watched some of the Eagles versus Broncos NFL game.

We took off for the stadium about 10:45 am. After a number of consolation bracket and collegiate games, the USA played Fiji (@ 12:26 pm). They won by the score of 24 to 5 with Stephen Tomasin scoring a try.

I hung around for a couple more of the matches before heading home. I rolled back into Carmichael a little before 4:00 pm.

The USA team ended up playing Australia in the finals. Leading 12 to 0, the USA team ended up losing by the score of 15 to 12. Stephen Tomasin scored another try in the game.

I always enjoy Tomasin's company. My shock for the weekend was realizing at dinner on Saturday that David is 31 years old. It doesn't seem possible. Tomasin, Nooter, Swedberg and I spent the Columbus Day weekend in October of 1986 in New Orleans. Julie and a three month old David made an appearance.

I also told Tomasin that Stephen's participation in rugby is really a legacy of his life. Tomasin continued to competitive rugby much, much longer than the rest of us. He played on a Santa Rosa division two national championship team for two years in his late 30s. David, Mikey and Stephen all had a chance to watch Tomasin play when they were teenagers. Watching him play shaped their lives.

2017 Silicon Valley Sevens - Day 1

With Sharon in Sedona, I took off in the late morning for San Jose. The plan for the day with to caught up with Tomasin and David at the Silicon Valley Sevens International Rugby Tournament. Tomasin's nephew Stephen plays for the USA team.

I got there in time to see the USA beat Tonga by the score of 29 to 7 (@12:50 pm). Stephen Tomasin scored four trys in the game!

It was a long day with lots of international and collegiate games. The USA beat New Zealand by the score of 24 to 12 (@4:28 pm) and then the USA beat Chile 29 to 7 (@8:00 pm) in the last day of the game. Stephen Tomasin scored another try in the game against Chile.

There was a busload of Tomasins at the game, including John, David, John's sister Kathy, John's mom Pat, John's brother Jim, Jim's wife, Stephen's brother Nick and a couple of Jim's wife's kids. We ran into Brain Lowe and Paul Cutter. Tomasin and I played rugby with them on the UCD team almost forty years ago!

Afterwards, Tomasin, David and I had a late barbecue dinner at Henry's World Famous Hi-Life. I had some pork spareribs and frankly wasn't that impressed with the food...

Fighting the crowds leaving the Sharks game, we crashed at the Courtyard San Jose Airport.

Sedona

After spending a couple of days teaching training classes in Yuma and Phoenix, Sharon and Holly are off to Sedona for the weekend.

They are staying at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock in the Village of Oak Creek. This is the view from Sharon's hotel room!

I had a chance to spend the afternoon in Sedona during one of the spring training trips. Sharon and I need to spend a long weekend there!

First Unitarian Universalist Society Meeting House

I stumbled across this marker while exploring the Church Street Marketplace during the second day of our F@ll 2017 trip through New England.

First Unitarian Universalist Society Meeting House
Vermont Roadside Historical Marker
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This marker is located at 152 Pearl Street, Burlington, Vermont. The GPS coordinates for this location are 44° 28' 50.0" N 73° 12' 45.3" W.

Designed by noted architect Peter Banner of Boston, the Federal-style Meeting House was built in 1816 for the First Congregational Society (Unitarian) and is the oldest surviving place of worship in Burlington. Banners design features a projecting square tower with octagonal belfry in front of the two-story brick nave. It was renovated in 1845 to reflect the Greek Revival style, retaining the towers original design aesthetic. Its location and design have made the Meeting House one of the most recognized and significant historic landmarks in Burlington. In 1982, following a merger of the Unitarians and Universalists, the congregation voted to become the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington.

Origin by Dan Brown

My second book for October was Origin by Dan Brown. I finished the book on the flight home at the end of our fall New England trip. This is the fifth installment of the Robert Langdon series, following Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol, and Inferno.

Origin is set in Spain. The action takes place in a number of places that we visited during our 2010 trip to that country, including Le Pedrera, Sagrada Familia, the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace) and Cathedral de Almudena. I really enjoy books that intersect with our love of exploring the world.

A large part of the beginning of the book is set in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. While we have been to the Guggenheim Museums in New York, Venice and Las Vegas, we haven't made it to the one in Bilbao. Based on the descriptions in the book, this is definitely on my list as a stop either before or after the Camino...

One of the things that has always intrigued me about Dan Brown's books is that there is an element of science fiction. In this case, artificial intelligence and quantum computers play a major role in the plot. Like the Ancillary Mercy book I recently finished, it raises some interesting questions about artificial intelligence.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a fast moving, easy read. Angels and Demons has always been my favorite Dan Brown book with The Da Vince Code coming in second. It would actually rate this book better the Da Vince Code. I give it a "B+".

As a footnote, I kept picturing Robert Langdon as Tom Hanks as I read the book...