A Life of Picasso: The Triumphant Years, 1917-1932

I finished reading A Life of Picasso: The Triumphant Years. The third volume of a planned four volume set, this book covers Picasso's middle years. I read the first volume [The Prodigy] in 2009 and the second volume [The Cubist Rebel] in 2011.

One of the things that spurred me to read the first two volumes was the variety of Picasso's work that I have seen over the years. This book expands upon this theme. I never realized that he spend time designing sets and costumes for ballets. In addition to a dizzying variety of paintings during this period, his work included sculptures, tapestry, lithographs and the patterns for some furniture!

I also surprised by how successful his was. Picasso had a large apartment in Paris, an estate in the country and vacationed in the south of France every summer. He and his first wife Olga [a Russian ballerina] were very much a part of high society. They enjoyed formal dinner parties and all the social niceties attendant to the life of the rich in 1920s Paris.

I had forgotten how much I had struggled with the second volume two years ago. Like that volume, I labored through the first half of this book. I ended up putting the book aside in August and reading something else; this is something that I can't remember doing in the last twenty-five years. Flying to Seattle and back, I got a chance to refocus on the book. The second half was definitely more readable for the causal reader than the first half. The first half of the book was just too involved with all of the machinations of the high society life that Picasso was living.

I don't recommend this book for the causal reader. Nevertheless, I am interested in getting the fourth volume which is supposed to be published next year. I am interested finishing the story of Picasso's life.

2013 Sacramento Farm-to-Fork Tower Bridge Dinner

Sharon and I went to the 2013 Sacramento Farm-to-Fork Tower Bridge Dinner. Sharon got the tickets through her work. We sat with the Ralph's. After dinner, we ran into Tim and Kathleen. It was a very nice event. Definitely something that we would be interested in doing again in the future!

2013 Jesuit Homecoming

Jack went to the Jesuit Homecoming with Sammie. The group of five couples met at Pat and Kristi's house for pictures. In one of those odd twists, Kristi was a law clerk for Sharon more than twenty years ago. From there, the group went to Palermo Ristorante Italiano for dinner. While the kids were at dinner, we met Pat and Kristi at Mikuni's.

Julie [David's mom] and Denise [Eric's mom] took the group to the dance. After the dance, the kids went to Denise and Ed's house. They spent some time in the hot tub and then watched a movie. Jack and Andy spent the night. When I picked Jack up the next morning, Ed said that the kids stayed up past 2:30 am!

Jesuit Homecoming

ESPN 30 for 30 Vol II Trailer: The Legend of Eddie Aikau

The ninth film--The Legend of Eddie Aikau--in ESPN's 30 for 30 Volume II premieres Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 8 pm ET.

California Historical Landmark #339

New Almaden Mine
California State Historical Landmark #339
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This landmark is located on north bound old Highway 101 (Monterey Rd), 1/2 mile south of Ford Road, San Jose, California. There are 42 other California State Historical Landmarks in Santa Clara County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 14.906 W 121° 47.400.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

The Indians used pigment from this cinnabar hill for paint. Mercury was mined as early as 1845. The gold discovery made mercury indispensable, and the mine, the most productive in America, became world famous. It sold for $1,700,700 in 1864.

ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: Collision Course

Grantland and ESPN Films have released the thirteenth film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.

30 for 30 Shorts: Collision Course

The latest film, from acclaimed director Billy Corben, tells the story of fast times, faster boats, and the man in the middle of it all

You can find Collision Course on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9694677.

More about the film at: http://espn.go.com/30for30/film?page=collisioncourse-the-murder-of-donaronow

Jesuit Fall Ball Cardinals versus Woodland Wolves

Jack played in his first game for the Jesuit Fall Ball Cardinals. They played against the Woodland Wolves at Woodland High School. The Cardinals have a large roster and the coaches are using different groups against different teams. The team tonight included 3 seniors, 7 juniors and 4 sophomores [Alex and Sam at catcher, Bryce at first base and Jack].

At the plate, Jack was 1 for 3 with a single, a fielder's choice, a stolen base and two runs scored. In his first at-bat, Jack hit a 2 and 1 pitch into left field for a single. He stole second and eventually scored on a pair of singles by the Cardinals. Jack hit a grounder back to the pitcher in his second plate appearance. The runner on first was forced out at second, but Jack was hustling up the line and was safe at first. He went to second on an error on the pitcher's pick off throw and scored all the way from second on a single into left field. In his third at-bat, Jack struck out looking on a series of pitches that were very low and outside. A couple of the boys from both teams got victimized by these kinds of calls as the game got late and it started to get darker...

In the field, Jack played four innings in centerfield and four innings in right field. He had no put-outs or assists.

The Cardinals beat the Wolves by the score of 5 to 2.

The Jesuit Fall Ball schedule is here.

Gold Creek Trail Run

When I was in Bremerton, Wallen and I ran 5 miles along the Gold Creek trail at Green Mountain. Exporting data from the Runkeeper app on my iPhone, I generated the following views of the run in Google Earth and a map in Google Maps. It was an interesting trail run.

View Larger Map

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Kings of Leon - Temple

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: December 17, 2013

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Sheryl Crow - Give It To Me

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: December 17, 2013

Jesuit Fall Ball Schedule 2013

Cardinal Baseball '13

DATE              OPPONENT               LOCATION                    TIME

Thur Sept 5       Intrasquad             Jesuit                      3:45
Fri Sept 6        Intrasquad             Jesuit                      3:15

Wed Sept 11       Intrasquad             Jesuit                      3:45
Thur Sept 12      Intrasquad             Jesuit                      3:45

Sat Sept 21       Dublin (DH)            Dublin                      9:30

Wed Sept 25       Woodland               Lee JHS                     5:00
Sat Sept 28       De La Salle (DH)       Jesuit                     10:00

Tue Oct 1         Laguna Creek           Laguna Creek                4:30
Thur Oct 3        Franklin               Cosumnes River College      4:15
Sat Oct 5         Davis (DH)             Davis                      10:00

Wed Oct 9         Grant                  Grant                       4:45
Thur Oct 10       Davis                  Jesuit                      3:30

Wed Oct 16        Grant                  Grant                       4:45
Thur Oct 17       Laguna Creek           Jesuit                      4:30
Sat Oct 19        Del La Salle (DH)      Jesuit                     10:00

Wed Oct 23        Laguna Creek           Laguna Creek                4:30
Thur Oct 24       Laguna Creek           Jesuit                      4:30
Sat Oct 26        Rio Americano (DH)     Rio Americano              10:30

Wed Oct 30        Uniform Return         Equipment Room              3:10

Jesuit Fall Baseball 2013

After deciding not to go back out for football this year and failing to make the soccer team, Jack spend two weeks working out for Jesuit fall baseball. They posted the team last Thursday. Jack was one of five sophomores to make the team. The other four are either catchers [Alex and a new boy named Sam] or pitchers [Wolger and Cosca]. Cosca was the only freshman to play JV baseball last season.

Unlike a lot of schools, Jesuit does not have a baseball program for incoming freshman. The school encourages freshman to play other fall sports. Additionally, there is not a JV fall ball team. There is just one fall team coached by the varsity coaches. Jack indicated that the roster has 28 boys. Apparently, they are not going to take every player to every game. Jack also indicated that there was 7 or 8 players who were pitchers only.

Jack said that he tried to get #21 [the number he wore for Jesuit last spring], but had to settle for #33. He wore #33 for the Gunners and Outlaws over the last five years.

2013 Holy Bowl - Jesuit versus Christian Brothers

Jack had two classmates from Jesuit [Andy and Carter] spent the night on Friday. Sharon and I plus the three boys took off for Hughes Stadium a little before 2 pm. At this point, it was raining hard. I parked in the parking garage near an exit and close to where I parked last year. While the boys roamed, Sharon and I tailgated by ourselves next to the car. About 3:30 pm, we wandered over to the Jesuit Tailgate party and had an early dinner. Although it sprinkled off and on over the course of the evening, the rain had pretty much stopped at this point.

From there we headed into the stadium and watched the first half of the JV game. Like last year, we sat with the Chappelles. The game was tied 7 to 7 at half-time. At this point, we wandered back out to the parking lot. We caught up with the Renterias. After visiting with them for a while, we headed back into the stadium to watch the end of the JV game. Walking into the stadium, we ran into the Sanborns. The JV team ended up losing by the score of 14 to 7. Michael Chappelle scored the only touchdown on a long pass.

On the strength of Jesuit's Ben Parietti's Holy Bowl-record 280 yards rushing and four touchdowns, Jesuit beat Christian Brothers by the score of 52 to 28. Coming into the game, Jesuit was ranked 18th and Christian Brothers was ranked 19th in the Sacramento area. Jesuit looked much better running the veer than they did last year.

We made a fairly easy get away after the game and were home a little after 10:30 pm.

2012 Holy Bowl

ESPN Films - Nine for IX - The 99ers

I watched The 99ers twice: once by myself and again with Sharon. This is the eighth film in a new series from ESPN films. Called Nine for IX (as in Title IX), the series includes films about women made by women.

The 99ers looks at the women's soccer team that won the 1999 World Cup at the Rose Bowl. The film uses two different vehicles to advance the story.

First, eight of the women from the team had a reunion at the Rose Bowl. They sit as a group on the field and talk about their experience.

Second, Julie Foudy who was the team captain took home video over the course of the 1999 World Cup run. Foudy also serves as the narrator of the film. The behind the scenes video is mixed into footage of the games and the footage of the women sitting and talking. The blend results in a very effective story.

There is some amazing footage of the games and the massive crowds at the games. The short footage of the finals game in Pasadena is remarkable.

I recommend the film. I previously watched Abby Head On. Wambach belongs to the generation of players that followed the 99ers. Abby Wambach appears in a short segment of The 99ers having lunch with the 1999 team. Although Abby Head On is not as powerful as The 99ers, I will probably try to get Sharon to watch that film with me.

The 99ers is available on iTunes.

California Historical Landmark #888

I stopped at this waymark on the way to dinner after the IBM Briefing. In an odd twist, Jayne had stayed here the night before the briefing.

Hayes Mansion
California State Historical Landmark #888
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at 200 Edenvale Ave, San Jose, California. There are 42 other California State Historical Landmarks in Santa Clara County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 15.773 W 121° 49.224.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

Jay Orley and Everis A. Hayes built this Mission Revival style mansion, designed by George W. Page in 1904. The Hayes brothers were early San Jose Mercury publishers, prominent valley politicians, and were actively involved in establishing the Santa Clara Valley fruit industry. The mansion consists of 62 rooms, 11 fireplaces, and was paneled in over a dozen different woods.

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 68

On day 68, I rode 19.2 miles across Nebraska. Starting from the corner of Highway 30 and Haythorn Road, I rode along the Lincoln Highway. I turned off the highway in Gothenburg and stopped at the Gothenburg Pony Express station in Ehmen Park.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

ESPN SEC Stored Trailer: The Book of Manning

The ninth film--The Book of Manning--in ESPN's SEC Storied film series premieres Tuesday, September 24 at 8 pm ET.

Starbucks Pick iTunes Pick of the Week - Neko Case - Night Still Comes

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: December 10, 2013

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Jack Johnson - As I Was Saying

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: December 10, 2013

Back from Bremerton 2013

I spent the day winding my back to Sacramento. I drove from Bremerton back to Sea-Tac and caught a very full morning Southwest flight. I was back to work in the afternoon.

I am struggling with the current book that I am reading: the third volume of the life of Picasso. On the flight home, I achieved one of my goals for the weekend. I got to page 400. I now have a chance to finish the book by the end of the month.

Sharon, Jack and I need to make a trip to the Northwest to visit the Wallens and Geselbracht.