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Saturday, August 11, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Woof, Daddy
Drew is leaving Sunday for New York. He will be appearing in the play Woof, Daddy!
Woof, Daddy
written by Brian Reynolds
directed by Amanda McRaven
featuring:
Christa Mathis
Mercedes Manning
Jason Vande Brake
Andrew Heringer
lighting design: Karyn Lawrence
costume design: Christa Mathis
company manager: Susan Coulter
written by Brian Reynolds
directed by Amanda McRaven
featuring:
Christa Mathis
Mercedes Manning
Jason Vande Brake
Andrew Heringer
lighting design: Karyn Lawrence
costume design: Christa Mathis
company manager: Susan Coulter
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Detour Ahead
This is the leading candidate for my song for 2007. It is Morgan Heringer singing Detour Ahead.
Depending on which browser you are running and which plugins you have, the embedded control may not show up. In that case, you can find the song here!
Depending on which browser you are running and which plugins you have, the embedded control may not show up. In that case, you can find the song here!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Wasabi Sushi & Hibachi Grill
With Jack staying at his cousins overnight, Sharon and I went to dinner at the Wasabi Sushi & Hibachi Grill in Elk Grove. This restaurant has opened in the last week around the corner from our house.
Hibachi-style is a North American term for Japanese teppanyaki cooking, in which gas-heated hotplates are integrated into tables around which many people can sit and eat at once. The chef performs the cooking in front of the diners, typically with theatrical flair. The popular Japanese restaurant chain Benihana uses hibachi grill cooking as its trademark.
We both enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere; this is definitely a place that we will go back to again.
Update: Based on the menu that we took, business hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, dinner is from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Hibachi-style is a North American term for Japanese teppanyaki cooking, in which gas-heated hotplates are integrated into tables around which many people can sit and eat at once. The chef performs the cooking in front of the diners, typically with theatrical flair. The popular Japanese restaurant chain Benihana uses hibachi grill cooking as its trademark.
We both enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere; this is definitely a place that we will go back to again.
Update: Based on the menu that we took, business hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, dinner is from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Song for 2003
At some point during 2002, Sharon discovered John Mayer and his Room for Squares album. In January of 2003, we spent two weeks in the Philippines visiting Pat Funk and her family. We spent part of the trip on Boracay. Wandering through a back street market, I heard John Mayer playing on a small stereo in one of the stores. It was so unexpected and I was struck by how small the world has become.
The song for 2003 is John Mayer's Your Body is a Wonderland.
The song for 2003 is John Mayer's Your Body is a Wonderland.
Monday, August 06, 2007
2007 Almanor Highlights
This year marked the 20th straight year that I have spent time at the Dorado Inn at Lake Almanor. This year's cast included the Heringers, Hunters, Snipes, Tomasins and 15 Wallens. Highlights from the week include:
On Monday, Wallen and I spent three hours driving across two counties looking for somewhere to rent mountain bikes. Apparently, everything in the two county area is closed on Mondays. I was not pleased. I believe that we agreed somewhere during the course of the drive that we actually enjoy each other’s company.
Adding to my rant about places being closed during the height of their tourist season, the kids discovered on Tuesday that the video store in Chester is only open from Wednesday to Saturday!?!
Also on Tuesday, I watched Hunter talk on his cellphone and play golf with one arm for 1½ holes…
Chris was enlisted on Wednesday night to drive Tomasin and Hunter to the emergency room in Chester. Word from the examining physician is that he has been able to match Hunter's symptoms to Brazil Nut Disease, a condition previously only seen in the indigenous tribes of the Southern Amazon rain forest. The physician's findings will appear in the December issue of Nature.
Late Wednesday while Bobby was at the emergency room and for the second straight year, I towed Robbie et. al. in Hunter’s boat back to the Dorado Inn. Nathan and Danny remarked that they were impressed how well we did towing the boat back through the logs and up to the dock in the pitch dark. I noted that after about 30 times it gets easier.
In spite of a new, bigger engine, Hunter’s boat never ran the rest of the week. Of course, what would a week at Lake Almanor be without problems with someone’s boat. At Snipes' suggestion, I did enjoy Thursday morning's session of pounding on the new engine with a crescent wrench...
After an aborted attempt to fly Hunter to Sacramento Executive Airport to pick up his date on Thursday (a problem feathering the prop during the pre-flight checklist), Hunter's friend was forced to drive to the lake. Her arrival coincided with a miraculous recovery for Hunter.
On Thursday night, Carol channeled Connor as the arbitrator and enforcer of the rules during the traditional 21 aces event. This segment will appear in the August 24 airing of MTV's Real World Lake Almanor.
At one point, very early Friday morning, Tomasin asked me what I thought about Hunter's friend. Although Hunter was sitting to my left and she was to his left, I had to tell Tomasin that I had no idea; Hunter had her completely smothered and I had only caught a brief glimpse of her up to that point.
Due to a number of circumstances, it has been more than two years since I ran with Wallen; I have been dreading the day. Wallen and I ran on Monday and he smoked me after the turn around at the half way point. We ran again on Wednesday and I felt like I had acquitted myself a little better. When Wallen casually mentioned on Friday that he had turned a 7:40 mile over his first mile during his run that day, I realized that he was just toying with me on Wednesday.
Scattered over the week were several long sessions on the boats with Hunter, Wallen, Tomasin and Snipes discussing world hunger, a lasting middle east peace and the meaning of life. Snipes and I had a particularly good conversation on Friday about the meaning of life. We could agree on four things: faster horses (or cars or boats or planes); younger women; older whiskey and more money.
On Monday, Wallen and I spent three hours driving across two counties looking for somewhere to rent mountain bikes. Apparently, everything in the two county area is closed on Mondays. I was not pleased. I believe that we agreed somewhere during the course of the drive that we actually enjoy each other’s company.
Adding to my rant about places being closed during the height of their tourist season, the kids discovered on Tuesday that the video store in Chester is only open from Wednesday to Saturday!?!
Also on Tuesday, I watched Hunter talk on his cellphone and play golf with one arm for 1½ holes…
Chris was enlisted on Wednesday night to drive Tomasin and Hunter to the emergency room in Chester. Word from the examining physician is that he has been able to match Hunter's symptoms to Brazil Nut Disease, a condition previously only seen in the indigenous tribes of the Southern Amazon rain forest. The physician's findings will appear in the December issue of Nature.
Late Wednesday while Bobby was at the emergency room and for the second straight year, I towed Robbie et. al. in Hunter’s boat back to the Dorado Inn. Nathan and Danny remarked that they were impressed how well we did towing the boat back through the logs and up to the dock in the pitch dark. I noted that after about 30 times it gets easier.
In spite of a new, bigger engine, Hunter’s boat never ran the rest of the week. Of course, what would a week at Lake Almanor be without problems with someone’s boat. At Snipes' suggestion, I did enjoy Thursday morning's session of pounding on the new engine with a crescent wrench...
After an aborted attempt to fly Hunter to Sacramento Executive Airport to pick up his date on Thursday (a problem feathering the prop during the pre-flight checklist), Hunter's friend was forced to drive to the lake. Her arrival coincided with a miraculous recovery for Hunter.
On Thursday night, Carol channeled Connor as the arbitrator and enforcer of the rules during the traditional 21 aces event. This segment will appear in the August 24 airing of MTV's Real World Lake Almanor.
At one point, very early Friday morning, Tomasin asked me what I thought about Hunter's friend. Although Hunter was sitting to my left and she was to his left, I had to tell Tomasin that I had no idea; Hunter had her completely smothered and I had only caught a brief glimpse of her up to that point.
Due to a number of circumstances, it has been more than two years since I ran with Wallen; I have been dreading the day. Wallen and I ran on Monday and he smoked me after the turn around at the half way point. We ran again on Wednesday and I felt like I had acquitted myself a little better. When Wallen casually mentioned on Friday that he had turned a 7:40 mile over his first mile during his run that day, I realized that he was just toying with me on Wednesday.
Scattered over the week were several long sessions on the boats with Hunter, Wallen, Tomasin and Snipes discussing world hunger, a lasting middle east peace and the meaning of life. Snipes and I had a particularly good conversation on Friday about the meaning of life. We could agree on four things: faster horses (or cars or boats or planes); younger women; older whiskey and more money.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
California Historical Landmark #184
Site of Trading Post
California State Historical Landmark #184
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located on North Valley Road, 4.5 miles east of Greenville, California in Plumas County. There are 12 other California State Historical Landmarks in Plumas County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 40° 08.990 W 120° 52.785.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
In the summer of 1850, Lassen and a companion, Isidore Meyerwitz, went to Indian Valley and selected a suitable location for a ranch, where they erected a log cabin in 1851 to house their trading post. In 1855 Lassen moved to Honey Lake Valley, Lassen County, where he resided as a miner and farmer until he was killed from ambush while prospecting in 1859.
Plumas County Historical Landmarks
{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}
*NO. 184 Peter Lassen Marker (Site of Trading Post) - [map] - {40.14982,-120.87975}
NO. 196 JAMISON CITY, EUREKA MILLS, JOHNSTOWN, AND THE FAMOUS EUREKA MINE
NO. 197 BUCK'S LAKE
NO. 212 PIONEER GRAVE (GRIZZLY CREEK)
NO. 213 RABBIT CREEK HOTEL MONUMENT
NO. 231 ELIZABETHTOWN
NO. 336 BECKWOURTH PASS
*NO. 337 Rich Bar - [map] - {40.00917,-121.191}
NO. 479 SITE OF AMERICAN RANCH AND HOTEL
NO. 480 SITE OF PLUMAS HOUSE
NO. 481 SPANISH RANCH AND MEADOW VALLEY
NO. 625 PIONEER SCHOOLHOUSE
NO. 723 PIONEER SKI AREA OF AMERICA, JOHNSVILLE
Saturday, August 04, 2007
2007 Almanor Day 8
Up early, we cleaned up the cabin, packed and loaded the truck. Drew's girlfriend Kaylen has a going away party this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. and we need to get Drew and Morgan back. Kaylen is flying to New York at midnight to pursue an acting career.
After a few rushed good byes, we hit the road about 9:15 a.m. With a couple of stops, we were back in Elk Grove by 1:00 p.m. This is probably the earliest that we have been back in years.
Typically, I follow a large group down to Chico and we have a late lunch at the Graduate. I enjoyed driving back with Drew, Morgan and Jack, but it felt odd not to end the week with lunch at the Graduate.
After a few rushed good byes, we hit the road about 9:15 a.m. With a couple of stops, we were back in Elk Grove by 1:00 p.m. This is probably the earliest that we have been back in years.
Typically, I follow a large group down to Chico and we have a late lunch at the Graduate. I enjoyed driving back with Drew, Morgan and Jack, but it felt odd not to end the week with lunch at the Graduate.
Friday, August 03, 2007
2007 Almanor Day 7
After a very late night, it was a very quiet Friday morning. Eventually, I got up and ran four miles north along the lake. I struggled; I pushed myself too hard running with Wallen on Monday and Wednesday and tweaked my left hip. Jack and I played cribbage on the picnic tables afterwards.
As everyone started to stir, Snipes and I took Jack and Mike out on the tubes. Unfortunately, for the first time all week, the wind started to pick up before lunch. We went back out in the boat with Drew, Morgan, Jack, Keith and Snipes for some wakeboarding. Keith and his friend Drew wakeboarded, but it was just getting too rough.
Back at the dock, Snipes and I spent some time sitting in the boat discussing the meaning of life. Hunter organized a group for a late lunch at Plumas Pines resort. We ended up taking two boats across the lake. The rest of the afternoon was spent with horseshoes and waverunners. Much to Jack's delight, Robbie borrowed Chabrier's waverunners. Loren took Jack out for a long run on the waverunners.
While the kids ordered pizza, the Adults (Hunter, Debbie, Kurt, Tomasin, Julie, a couple up for the day who were friends of Tomasin, Wallen, Jill, Kyle and Mary Rose) went to the Peninsula Grill for dinner. I had the chef's special pasta with shrimp and scallops. The Chabriers joined us at some point during the dinner. With several people wanting to ski early on Saturday morning, we were back to the cabins a little after 10:30 p.m.
As everyone started to stir, Snipes and I took Jack and Mike out on the tubes. Unfortunately, for the first time all week, the wind started to pick up before lunch. We went back out in the boat with Drew, Morgan, Jack, Keith and Snipes for some wakeboarding. Keith and his friend Drew wakeboarded, but it was just getting too rough.
Back at the dock, Snipes and I spent some time sitting in the boat discussing the meaning of life. Hunter organized a group for a late lunch at Plumas Pines resort. We ended up taking two boats across the lake. The rest of the afternoon was spent with horseshoes and waverunners. Much to Jack's delight, Robbie borrowed Chabrier's waverunners. Loren took Jack out for a long run on the waverunners.
While the kids ordered pizza, the Adults (Hunter, Debbie, Kurt, Tomasin, Julie, a couple up for the day who were friends of Tomasin, Wallen, Jill, Kyle and Mary Rose) went to the Peninsula Grill for dinner. I had the chef's special pasta with shrimp and scallops. The Chabriers joined us at some point during the dinner. With several people wanting to ski early on Saturday morning, we were back to the cabins a little after 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
2007 Almanor Day 6
Thursday was a lazy day on the lake. A large part of the day was overcast and we actually felt a few raindrops.
Snipes, Drew, Jack and I took the rental boat across the lake to fill it with gas. After we got back, we spent some time helping Bobby work on his boat. After towing it back from the middle of the lake last night, no one was able to get the boat to started. Hunter had a new, larger engine put in the boat recently. No trip to Lake Almanor is complete without some kind of problem with one of the boats!
After lunch, Snipes, Morgan, Jack and I motored the boat up to the Chabriers. We ended up spending some sitting on the deck visiting and talking about S@nta Fe, Blackberries, Treos and iPhones.
When we got back to the cabins, Jack and I played horseshoes against Wallen and Kyle in the afternoon. We lost, but played a competitive game.
The Bob Wallen's cooked a great pork tenderloin for dinner.
After dinner a large group (Tomasin, Kyle, Carol, Chris, Snipes, Hunter, Debbie, Drew, David, Becky, Robbie plus 3 friends and me!)went to Plumas Pines and played 21 aces. At one point, Wallen got one of Drew's CDs out of his car and we played it for a while in the bar. It was after 1:30 a.m. before we got home and after 2:00 a.m. before I got to bed!
Snipes, Drew, Jack and I took the rental boat across the lake to fill it with gas. After we got back, we spent some time helping Bobby work on his boat. After towing it back from the middle of the lake last night, no one was able to get the boat to started. Hunter had a new, larger engine put in the boat recently. No trip to Lake Almanor is complete without some kind of problem with one of the boats!
After lunch, Snipes, Morgan, Jack and I motored the boat up to the Chabriers. We ended up spending some sitting on the deck visiting and talking about S@nta Fe, Blackberries, Treos and iPhones.
When we got back to the cabins, Jack and I played horseshoes against Wallen and Kyle in the afternoon. We lost, but played a competitive game.
The Bob Wallen's cooked a great pork tenderloin for dinner.
After dinner a large group (Tomasin, Kyle, Carol, Chris, Snipes, Hunter, Debbie, Drew, David, Becky, Robbie plus 3 friends and me!)went to Plumas Pines and played 21 aces. At one point, Wallen got one of Drew's CDs out of his car and we played it for a while in the bar. It was after 1:30 a.m. before we got home and after 2:00 a.m. before I got to bed!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
2007 Almanor Day 5
Wallen and I ran north from the Dorado Inn along the lake. I was able to do a little better job keeping up with Wallen than I did on Monday. Our pace got faster over the course of the run: mile 1-8:52; mile 2-8:49; mile 3-8:46; and mile 4-8:33.
After a quick breakfast, I took Jack, Morgan, Drew and Kaylen out on the boat. Drew and Kaylen both wakeboarded. Back at the cabin, Kaylen packed up and headed home. She is moving to New York City on Saturday.
The afternoon was spent playing horseshoes.
It was my night to cook so I ran into Chester to pick up a few things at the store. I had hoped to take Jack bike riding on the Bizz Johnson Trail on Thursday. I stopped at the place in Chester that rents bike only to find out that they will not rent bikes for anyone under 18! I called and talked to the place in Susanville and got the same answer; they will not rent bikes for anyone under 18 due to insurance reasons.
Hunter and I were doing dinner together. I spent the rest of the afternoon getting dinner organized. Drew did a great job making the salad, while Morgan worked on the pasta sauce. We served ham, pasta, salad, macaroni and some pasta salad left over from Tomasin.
After dinner, we had cake and ice cream to celebrate Robbie's 23rd birthday.
After dinner, we had a fair amount of excitement. Hunter has not been feeling well over the last couple of days so Tomasin, Chris and he decided to head to the emergency room in Chester. While they were gone, Robby took a few people out in the boat. The boat died in the middle of the lake and they could not get it restarted. Eventually, Robby got a hold of Danny and Wallen and I ended up going out to tow them back.
After a quick breakfast, I took Jack, Morgan, Drew and Kaylen out on the boat. Drew and Kaylen both wakeboarded. Back at the cabin, Kaylen packed up and headed home. She is moving to New York City on Saturday.
The afternoon was spent playing horseshoes.
It was my night to cook so I ran into Chester to pick up a few things at the store. I had hoped to take Jack bike riding on the Bizz Johnson Trail on Thursday. I stopped at the place in Chester that rents bike only to find out that they will not rent bikes for anyone under 18! I called and talked to the place in Susanville and got the same answer; they will not rent bikes for anyone under 18 due to insurance reasons.
Hunter and I were doing dinner together. I spent the rest of the afternoon getting dinner organized. Drew did a great job making the salad, while Morgan worked on the pasta sauce. We served ham, pasta, salad, macaroni and some pasta salad left over from Tomasin.
After dinner, we had cake and ice cream to celebrate Robbie's 23rd birthday.
After dinner, we had a fair amount of excitement. Hunter has not been feeling well over the last couple of days so Tomasin, Chris and he decided to head to the emergency room in Chester. While they were gone, Robby took a few people out in the boat. The boat died in the middle of the lake and they could not get it restarted. Eventually, Robby got a hold of Danny and Wallen and I ended up going out to tow them back.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
2007 Lake Almanor Day 4
After yesterday's fiasco, today was a just about perfect day on the Lake Almanor. Jack, Drew, Kaylen, Chris, Tomasin and I spent a long morning on Tomasin's boat. Chris, Drew, Kaylen and Tomasin all wakeboarded, while I skiied. Chris also went on the wakeskate.
When we got back to the Dorado Inn, Tomasin and I sat in the boat and debated the state of world affairs. Eventually, we got everyone organized and headed to Plumas Pines for a late lunch. I miss the Hamburger Hut.
A large group took off for the Lake Almanor West golf course after lunch. Jack and I played with Snipes and Craig. As you might expect given that I have only played once since last year, I was very inconsistent.
Tomasin made sausages, baked beans, macaroni and salad for dinner. A large group ended the night listening to Drew play music around the picnic tables.
When we got back to the Dorado Inn, Tomasin and I sat in the boat and debated the state of world affairs. Eventually, we got everyone organized and headed to Plumas Pines for a late lunch. I miss the Hamburger Hut.
A large group took off for the Lake Almanor West golf course after lunch. Jack and I played with Snipes and Craig. As you might expect given that I have only played once since last year, I was very inconsistent.
Tomasin made sausages, baked beans, macaroni and salad for dinner. A large group ended the night listening to Drew play music around the picnic tables.
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