Sharon went over and had lunch with Liz and spent the afternoon.
Friday, December 31, 2004
State of Fear
I finished reading Crichton's State of Fear. I am not really sure what to think of the book. It is part thriller and part political statement. The book questions the science behind global warming and includes a number of charts in the text and footnotes to scientific research.
As a thriller, I feel like too many things happen to the protagonist in too short period of time for the story to be believable. Much like Dan Brown's Deception Point, there are just too many outlandish plot twists.
As a political statement, it was more interesting. My emphasis in college was statistics; I got interested in computers using them to build econometric models. It is my experience that you can use statistics to argue almost any side of an issue. Along these lines, the following statement by Crichton in the author's message rings true to me:
As a thriller, I feel like too many things happen to the protagonist in too short period of time for the story to be believable. Much like Dan Brown's Deception Point, there are just too many outlandish plot twists.
As a political statement, it was more interesting. My emphasis in college was statistics; I got interested in computers using them to build econometric models. It is my experience that you can use statistics to argue almost any side of an issue. Along these lines, the following statement by Crichton in the author's message rings true to me:
"We know astonishingly little about every aspect of the environment, from its past history, to its present state, to how ot conserve and protect it. In every debate, all sides overstate the extent of the existing knowledge and its degree of uncertainity."
Thursday, December 30, 2004
BitTorrent
Wired 13.01: The BitTorrent Effect: "Analysts at CacheLogic, an Internet-traffic analysis firm in Cambridge, England, report that BitTorrent traffic accounts for more than one-third of all data sent across the Internet. "
"BitTorrent does not require the wires or airwaves that the cable and network giants have spent billions constructing and buying. And it pounds the final nail into the coffin of must-see, appointment television. BitTorrent transforms the Internet into the world's largest TiVo. "
"BitTorrent does not require the wires or airwaves that the cable and network giants have spent billions constructing and buying. And it pounds the final nail into the coffin of must-see, appointment television. BitTorrent transforms the Internet into the world's largest TiVo. "
Disaster Relief
I made a donation to the American Red Cross for disaster relief at this Amazon.com page.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
North Shore Day 3
We never seem to be able to get up and going very early when we are on vacation. Well, almost never... By the time, we got up, got packed and were checked out of the hotel, there was not enough time to stop and have breakfast before getting Jack to his skiing lesson. We ended up dashing into a supermarket in Tahoe City and getting Starbuck's coffee and bagels for breakfast.
Jack took a private ski lesson for almost an hour and a half at Granlibakken. This was his first time on skis. Jack had complained about the idea of skiing for days, but once he got going he did great. One of my goals for the trip was to get Jack into a lesson; I was very pleased to have gotten it done.
By the time, we got back to the car, it was about 1:30 p.m. and we started for home. We stopped and got a couple of fast food burgers in Truckee and then joined the long line of cars trying to get on the freeway. The chain control was right at the base of the grade leaving Truckee going west. Once we got on the freeway, the traffic crawled up the grade. It snowed pretty heavy all the way to Applegate. It ended up taking us about 5 hours to get home with two short stops.
Jack took a private ski lesson for almost an hour and a half at Granlibakken. This was his first time on skis. Jack had complained about the idea of skiing for days, but once he got going he did great. One of my goals for the trip was to get Jack into a lesson; I was very pleased to have gotten it done.
By the time, we got back to the car, it was about 1:30 p.m. and we started for home. We stopped and got a couple of fast food burgers in Truckee and then joined the long line of cars trying to get on the freeway. The chain control was right at the base of the grade leaving Truckee going west. Once we got on the freeway, the traffic crawled up the grade. It snowed pretty heavy all the way to Applegate. It ended up taking us about 5 hours to get home with two short stops.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
North Shore Day 2
Sharon spent some time logged on and answering e-mails using the PCMCIA cellular card in her laptop and then on the phone with a client, while Jack and I read our books. The plan for the day was to get Jack into a ski lesson. By the time, we had breakfast and got to Diamond Peak all of the group and private lessons were sold out for the next two days.
One of the problems with going to Tahoe during the week between Christmas and New Year's is that there are a lot of people everywhere! We may decide next year to try and take this trip at a different time.
We did some shopping and then had lunch at the Cafe Echo. This restaurant was next door to where we stayed last year. We both had fish tacos and the food was excellent again.
Afterwards, we ended to Granlibakken and spent a couple of hours sledding. As we left, I made a reservation for Jack to have a private ski lesson the following day.
Years ago (1997?) at a Western Farm Credit Legal Conference, Sharon and I had dinner at the Crystal Bay Steak and Lobster House. She had been very impressed with the food. We had dinner there on Tuesday night. The food was again up to Sharon's standards!
One of the problems with going to Tahoe during the week between Christmas and New Year's is that there are a lot of people everywhere! We may decide next year to try and take this trip at a different time.
We did some shopping and then had lunch at the Cafe Echo. This restaurant was next door to where we stayed last year. We both had fish tacos and the food was excellent again.
Afterwards, we ended to Granlibakken and spent a couple of hours sledding. As we left, I made a reservation for Jack to have a private ski lesson the following day.
Years ago (1997?) at a Western Farm Credit Legal Conference, Sharon and I had dinner at the Crystal Bay Steak and Lobster House. She had been very impressed with the food. We had dinner there on Tuesday night. The food was again up to Sharon's standards!
Monday, December 27, 2004
North Shore Day 1
We had a lazy morning and got a late start, not leaving the house until 12 noon.
It was an easy drive up through Truckee. We stopped at Squaw Creek Resort. I had mentioned to Sharon that Morgan, Drew and I had ice skated there ten years ago. This was probably a tactical error on my part. It is a very nice hotel; Sharon liked it a lot. We will probably look for an opportunity to stay there at some point. We ice skated for about an hour and a half.
Our hotel reservation was at the Cal Neva Resort [not as nice as the Squaw Creek Resort :-)], just over the Nevada border on the way to Incline Village. After checking in and getting settled, We headed out for dinner.
The place that Sharon wanted to go was closed on Monday nights. After stopping one other place that was booked, We ended up at Jason's Beachside Grille in Kings Beach. After a hour wait in the bar during which time we fed Jack, neither of us were very hungry and ended up having burgers.
It was an easy drive up through Truckee. We stopped at Squaw Creek Resort. I had mentioned to Sharon that Morgan, Drew and I had ice skated there ten years ago. This was probably a tactical error on my part. It is a very nice hotel; Sharon liked it a lot. We will probably look for an opportunity to stay there at some point. We ice skated for about an hour and a half.
Our hotel reservation was at the Cal Neva Resort [not as nice as the Squaw Creek Resort :-)], just over the Nevada border on the way to Incline Village. After checking in and getting settled, We headed out for dinner.
The place that Sharon wanted to go was closed on Monday nights. After stopping one other place that was booked, We ended up at Jason's Beachside Grille in Kings Beach. After a hour wait in the bar during which time we fed Jack, neither of us were very hungry and ended up having burgers.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Kings versus Warriors
Sharon, Tim, Jack and I went to the Kings versus Golden State Warriors game. The Warriors made the Kings look old and slow winning 98 to 94. The Kings had 2 wins and 3 losses on their recent homestand.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Christmas Day 2004
We had a great Christmas morning. Jack is at the perfect age for the holiday.
One of the things that Santa brought Jack was an ESPN Game Station [21 electronic, arcade-style games featuring baseball, basketball, football, hockey, golf and soccer]. After opening the presents and having breakfast, Jack and I dragged the box up to the bonus room to put it together.
I got a little bit of a shock when we sat down with the manual. The assembly instructions included 87 steps and the suggested assembly time was 2 1/2 to 5 hours! Three hours later, it was up and running. Sharon and I had talked about trying to put it together Christmas Eve after got back from her brother's; I am sure glad that I did not try to start then.
Given that we went out to dinner for Thanksgiving, Sharon decided to cook a turkey dinner for Christmas. After dinner, the three of us watched Elf.
One of the things that Santa brought Jack was an ESPN Game Station [21 electronic, arcade-style games featuring baseball, basketball, football, hockey, golf and soccer]. After opening the presents and having breakfast, Jack and I dragged the box up to the bonus room to put it together.
I got a little bit of a shock when we sat down with the manual. The assembly instructions included 87 steps and the suggested assembly time was 2 1/2 to 5 hours! Three hours later, it was up and running. Sharon and I had talked about trying to put it together Christmas Eve after got back from her brother's; I am sure glad that I did not try to start then.
Given that we went out to dinner for Thanksgiving, Sharon decided to cook a turkey dinner for Christmas. After dinner, the three of us watched Elf.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Christmas Eve 2004
We went to Christmas Eve Mass at Good Shepherd. Afterwards, we headed to Sharon's brother Tom's house. The group included Sharon's parent, her brothers Tom and Tim and their families, Jim Dunn and Sharon, Jack and I. We had a nice dinner and exchanged presents afterwards.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Christmas Letter
Dear Family and Friends,
2004 has been an exciting and varied year for us!
Sharon spent the first three months of the year working as in-house counsel for Tower Records on a temporary assignment. She had a great time; while we were fixing dinner one night, Sharon noted with glee that "I get to call Peter Frampton's attorney tomorrow."
In spite of their father’s complete lack of musical ability, Drew and Morgan continue to shine artistically. Drew got cast in a musical theater review of Steven Sondheim songs that was lead by the director of the UCI musical theater program. Morgan continues to excel at the piano and play in the high school jazz band.
In March, Mark traveled to Arizona for baseball spring training and a side trip to Sedona.
Jack played his second season of baseball. After playing T-ball in 2003, he played in the Rookie Division of the Elk Grove Cal Ripen League this year. Next year, he is looking forward to moving up to Single A.
In May, Mark flew with friends to Cabo San Lucas to celebrate Connor’s impending marriage. He landed a 7 ½ foot striped Marlin in the Gulf of Mexico!
Sharon had a wonderful time serving as the Art Docent for the afternoon kindergarten class at Jack’s school. She is looking forward to doing it again in the next school year.
Mark finished up his sixth year at Sutter Health. It has been an exhilarating and rewarding place to work. Sutter Health’s IT Department was rated 44th overall and 4th in healthcare in the 2004 Information Week Top 500 Innovators rankings!
In July, we traveled to the northwest for the Wallen’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. It was a great party in a gorgeous setting at the Wallen’s home on Puget Sound.
August was a very busy month! We took our seventeenth annual trip to Almanor with the Tomasins, Wallens, Hunters and Chabriers.
Afterwards, Sharon, Jack and Mark spent fifteen days dodging hurricanes and covering 1,500 miles in 15 days in Florida. Highlights of the trip include: DisneyWorld; snorkeling with manatees in Homosama; watching the sunset on the gulf of Mexico in Naples; an airboat ride in the everglades; snorkeling in the coral reef off of Key Largo; South Beach; Key West and; the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Drew returned to the University of California at Irvine for his sophomore year as a theater major, Morgan started her senior year of high school at Union Mine and Jack started first grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School.
In the fall, Jack played his first season of soccer. He had a great season and scored 14 goals in eight games.
Sharon finished the year expanding her business to include processing of Small Business Administration loans.
Wishing you a happy new year,
Mark and Sharon Heringer
2004 has been an exciting and varied year for us!
Sharon spent the first three months of the year working as in-house counsel for Tower Records on a temporary assignment. She had a great time; while we were fixing dinner one night, Sharon noted with glee that "I get to call Peter Frampton's attorney tomorrow."
In spite of their father’s complete lack of musical ability, Drew and Morgan continue to shine artistically. Drew got cast in a musical theater review of Steven Sondheim songs that was lead by the director of the UCI musical theater program. Morgan continues to excel at the piano and play in the high school jazz band.
In March, Mark traveled to Arizona for baseball spring training and a side trip to Sedona.
Jack played his second season of baseball. After playing T-ball in 2003, he played in the Rookie Division of the Elk Grove Cal Ripen League this year. Next year, he is looking forward to moving up to Single A.
In May, Mark flew with friends to Cabo San Lucas to celebrate Connor’s impending marriage. He landed a 7 ½ foot striped Marlin in the Gulf of Mexico!
Sharon had a wonderful time serving as the Art Docent for the afternoon kindergarten class at Jack’s school. She is looking forward to doing it again in the next school year.
Mark finished up his sixth year at Sutter Health. It has been an exhilarating and rewarding place to work. Sutter Health’s IT Department was rated 44th overall and 4th in healthcare in the 2004 Information Week Top 500 Innovators rankings!
In July, we traveled to the northwest for the Wallen’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. It was a great party in a gorgeous setting at the Wallen’s home on Puget Sound.
August was a very busy month! We took our seventeenth annual trip to Almanor with the Tomasins, Wallens, Hunters and Chabriers.
Afterwards, Sharon, Jack and Mark spent fifteen days dodging hurricanes and covering 1,500 miles in 15 days in Florida. Highlights of the trip include: DisneyWorld; snorkeling with manatees in Homosama; watching the sunset on the gulf of Mexico in Naples; an airboat ride in the everglades; snorkeling in the coral reef off of Key Largo; South Beach; Key West and; the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Drew returned to the University of California at Irvine for his sophomore year as a theater major, Morgan started her senior year of high school at Union Mine and Jack started first grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School.
In the fall, Jack played his first season of soccer. He had a great season and scored 14 goals in eight games.
Sharon finished the year expanding her business to include processing of Small Business Administration loans.
Wishing you a happy new year,
Mark and Sharon Heringer
Kings versus Heat
Sharon, Jack, Joe Larkin and I went to the see the Sacramento Kings play the Miami Heat. Larkin and I sat in one of the suites during the first half, while Sharon and Jack sat in our season ticket seats. During the second half, all of us camped in the suite. Donna Gainsley and her friend Laurel wandered over to visit at half time. The Kings sizzled at the end to lose the game by a score of 109 to 107. I am increasingly impressed with Dwayne Wade.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
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