Virtually Biking Across America - Day 91

On Day 91, I rode 9.81 miles in western Missouri. Starting on Highway 291 over the Missouri River, I headed south and exited the freeway at East 23rd Street South in Independence. I headed west. I turned right on Main Street, left on West Maple Avenue and finally right on North Delaware Street. I finished the ride in front of the home of Harry Truman.

Last year, I read Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure. In June of 1953, less than six monthes after he left the White House, Harry Truman and his wife Bess took a 2,500 mile road trip from their home in Independence, Missouri to New York City and back.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

The Monuments Men

Sharon and I watched The Monuments Men as a HD rental on the AppleTV on Saturday night. It is not a very good film. I don't recommend it.

Note to self, the film features two pieces of art that I am interested in visiting. First, Jan and Hubert van Eyck’s famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, better known as the Ghent Altarpiece of 1432, ranks among the most significant works of art in Europe. Housed at Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium, the large and complex altarpiece suffered a varied history over the centuries. Dismantled, stolen, and damaged many times over, it was reassembled, cleaned, and restored after World War II.

Second, the Madonna of Bruges is a marble sculpture by Michelangelo of Mary with the infant Jesus. The work is notable in that it was the only sculpture by Michelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime.

Back from Reno

We made a decision late Friday to shut Jack down for the weekend and head back to Carmichael. We got up early Saturday morning packed up the room. We rolled from the Grand Sierra Hotel and Resort a little after 9:00 am. With quick stops at Starbucks in Reno and for gas in Truckee, we were back in Sacramento a little after 11:00 am.

Jack missed two tournament games on Saturday. After winning their first three games in the tournament, the Elite dropped both games on Saturday and failed to qualify for Sunday. I watched the second game in Gamechanger while running on the treadmill. Leading 6 to 4 after three innings, the Elite fail behind 9 to 6. The Elite tied the game in the top of the sixth, but lost the game by the score of 10 to 9 in the bottom of the sixth on an outfield error.

Due to Jack's injury, plans for the next week are up in the air.

2014 Walbeck Elite Game #21

Nursing an injury, Jack missed this game.

Hot bats not enough, Elite succumbs to Fairfield T.C., 10-9

Elite fell 10-9 to Fairfield T.C. in six innings on Saturday at Sparks High despite racking up nine hits and nine runs.

Chase Pyles went a perfect 2-2 at the plate for Elite. He doubled in the third inning and singled in the fifth inning.

Fairfield T.C.'s Sanantonio, Leber, Tom and Hutting combined for 10 hits and six RBIs.

Fairfield T.C. jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Sanantonio started the rally for Fairfield T.C. with a single. A single by Leber then moved Sanantonio from first to second. Tom doubled, scoring Sanantonio and Leber.

Fairfield T.C. scored two runs in the third inning, and then followed it up with two more in the fifth. In the third, Fairfield T.C. scored on a two-run single by Tom, bringing home Sanantonio and Leber.

"Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved."

The scorecard is here.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 10 wins, 10 losses and 1 tie. The game log is here.

2014 Walbeck Elite Game #20

Nursing an injury, Jack missed this game.

Elite loses 6-3 to Damonte Rebs

Matt Clarke went 2-4, but Elite still fell to Damonte Rebs 6-3 in seven innings on Saturday at North Valleys High School.

Damonte Rebs had no answer for Chase Pyles, who kept runners off the basepaths in his appearance. Chase held Damonte Rebs hitless over 2 1/3 innings, allowed no earned runs, walked two and struck out two.

A. Parks got the win for Damonte Rebs. He allowed one run over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four, walked one and surrendered five hits.

Jake Mandsager couldn't get it done on the hill for Elite, taking a loss. He allowed six runs in 3 2/3 innings, walked six and struck out two.

The top of the second saw Elite take an early lead, 1-0.

It didn't take long for Damonte Rebs to respond as it scored one run of its own in the second. Damonte Rebs scored on an RBI single by Goff.

Elite brought home one run in the third inning, and matched that run total in the sixth. In the third, Elite scored on an RBI single by Alex Dailey, scoring Cooper Renteria.

The game was never in doubt after the third, as Damonte Rebs scored two runs on a two-run single by A. Parks.

Damonte Rebs built upon its lead with three runs in the fourth. B. Damon singled, scoring Seward and Goff to start the inning.

Elite scored one run in the top of the sixth to cut its deficit to three. An RBI single by Drew Gross set off Elite rally. The Elite threat came to an end when A. Parks finally got Kyle Roessler to ground out.

"Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved."

The scorecard is here.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 10 wins, 9 losses and 1 tie. The game log is here.

2014 Elite Games #18 and #19

Back at Golden Eagle for the second day of the Muckdogs 2014 Pre-4th of July Invitational Tournament, the Elite played the Muckdogs. After straining his groin yesterday, Jack said that he wanted to try and warm up and give it a go. As he warmed up, he was very uncommunicative with me and the coaches, but kept giving a thumbs up when approached. Trying to talk to him before the game, Jack said that the groin was fine moving straight ahead, but he had a problem moving laterally.

Leading off to start the game, Jack was 0 for 1 with a walk, a steal and a run scored. In his first at-bat, Jack walked on four pitches. He stole second, went to third on Coop's double and scored on Roessler's single. Jack came up a second time in the top of the first. He hit a 2 and 1 pitch into right field for a looping line drive right at the right fielder for an out in his second plate appearance.

Playing centerfield, Jack didn't have a put-out or an assist. Unfortunately, the outfield scenario unfolded in probably the worst way for him. In the bottom of the first, two fly balls were crushed to the fence in right center. Jack had to sprint to try and catch up with them. If he had been 100%, I think that he might have had a chance at the first one, but the second one was in the gap. You could tell that Jack was laboring. The coaches subbed him out at the top of the second inning.

The Elite scored 5 runs in the top of the first, but turned around and gave up 6 runs in the bottom of the first. They then scored 4 more in the top of the second. The Elite ended up holding on to beat the Muckdogs by the score of 10 to 9. The scorecard is here.

Rossitto (1-2, 6 appearances, 15.1 innings, ERA 2.739) was the winning pitcher.

The Elite traveled to Galena High School for the second game of the day. They played the Team Avenue Aces. This was a team from Fresno that filled in with a few local Nevada players.

Jack didn't dress for the game. I was encouraged when he said "I want to play" as he was walking away from the car in the parking lot.

Taking advantage of five key errors by Team Avenue, the Elite won the game by the score of 9 to 4. The scorecard is here.

Pyles (1-0, 4 appearances, 8.0 innings, ERA 0.00) was the winning pitcher.

The Elite finished the day with three wins and no losses in pool play. There are two more pool games on Saturday. In order to advance to Sunday, the Elite probably have to win at least one of the two games. Only the top two teams in the six team pool advance to Sunday.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 10 wins, 8 losses and 1 tie. The game log is here.

We spent a second night at the Grand Sierra Hotel and Resort. After some drinks in the room, Sharon, Jack and I had dinner in the hotel at RIM with the Renterias and Child's dad.

2014 Walbeck Elite Game #17

In the first game of the Muckdogs 2014 Pre-4th of July Invitational Tournament, the Walbeck Elite played the Northern Humboldt Knights at Golden Eagle Field #5. This is a 17U tournament.

Throwing at the end of the warms-up, Jack pulled a groin muscle. He did the same thing last year fielding a ball and making a throw during the game. He didn't say anything to the coaches or I, but it became apparent during the game that something was wrong.

Batting lead-off, Jack was 0 for 1 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored. In his first at-bat, Jack walked on four pitches. He stole second, went to third on Dailey's single and scored on Lee's fielder's choice. Jack hit a 3 and 1 pitch for a ground to the left side and has thrown out at first in his second plate appearance. If he had been running hard, he probably would have been safe. Uncharacteristically, I went and barked at him about loafing as he went back out in the field at the end of the half inning. I got an odd response from him…

Playing centerfield, Jack had one put-out. Running for a line drive in short right center, it was clear that something was wrong. At the end of the half innings, the coaches subbed him out of the game. At this point, we figured out that he had some kind of a groin strain.

Scoring 8 runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Elite jumped on the Knights and won the game by the score of 11 to 1 in six innings. The scorecard is here.

Pulsipher (2-2, 5 appearances, 5 starts, 20 innings, ERA 2.100) was the winning pitcher.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 8 wins, 8 losses and 1 tie. The game log is here.

Most of the team spent the night at the Grand Sierra Hotel and Resort. We had dinner at the Cantina with a group of parents including the Renterias, Roesslers and Dailey's mom.

2014 Walbeck Elite Games #15 and #16

There is a lot of baseball in the next week. The Walbeck Elite played a doubleheader against the West Lane Mets at McNair High School on Tuesday. I hate it when I can't watch Jack play.

I hate it even more when I can't even watch the game on-line. The Elite couldn't find anyone to score so I spent the day texting Rod to get updates. I have scored thirteen of the sixteen games this year in Gamechanger. One of the other parents scored last Tuesday's game that Jack missed. Using pictures of the paper scorebook that Rod sent me, I built the game in Gamechanger after the fact. Using someone else's paper scorecard is an adventure!

Batting lead-off, Jack was 1 for 2 with a single, a walk, a hit by pitch, two runs scored, two RBIs and three stolen bases. In his first at-bat, he was hit by a 0 and 3 pitch. After not getting hit in 150 plate appearances this year, Jack has been hit in the last two games. He stole second and third and scored on Dailey's ground out. Jack walked on six pitches in his second plate appearance, but ended the inning there when Dailey flied out to short. In his third at-bat, Jack hit a 3 and 2 pitch for a chopper through the left side for a single. He drove in Coop. Jack stole second, went to third on Dailey's single and scored on Roessler's single. He hit a 2 and 2 pitch for a grounder to the left side in his fourth plate appearance and was throw out at first by the shortstop.

Playing centerfield, Jack had one put-out.

Behind some solid pitching and some sloppy basics by the Mets [Rod said that there were lots of wild pitches], the Elite cruised to a 10 to 1 victory. The scorecard is here.

Child [1-0, 4 starts, 4 appearances, 15.0 innings, ERA 0.933] was the winning pitcher. I know that Child has also pitched some innings for the scout team. The Elite also got 3.1 scoreless innings from Petrucci, one of the Scout team pitchers.

After a break, the Elite turned around and played the Mets in the second game of the doubleheader.

Batting lead-off, Jack was 2 for 4 with a single, a triple, an RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored. In his first at-bat, Jack hit a 1 and 2 pitch for a fly out to the centerfielder. The book is unclear about Jack's second plate appearance. It looks like he hit a 3 and 1 pitch for a grounder to the left side. Jack was safe at first, but it is not marked as an error. I have tentatively scored it as a hit until I can talk to everyone. He stole second and third and scored on an error by the catcher. In his third at-bat, Jack ran the count to 1 and 2, fouled off two pitches and then popped out to the second baseman. Jack hit a 0 and 1 pitch for a hard fly ball to left field in his fourth plate appearance. Talking to Rod, it appears that the left fielder got a poor jump on the ball and it carried over his head for a triple. Jack scored on an error by the catcher.

Playing centerfield, Jack did not have an assist or a put-out. There was only one put-out in the outfield: a fly ball to left field!

Leading 3 to 1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Elite gave up three runs on a hit, a hit batter and three walks to fall behind 4 to 3. The Elite bounced back to score three runs in the top of the sixth with Coop's walk and Doubles by Pyles and Guzman. Jack capped off the scoring with his triple. The Elite won the game by the score of 7 to 4. The scorecard is here.

Dewitt (3-0, 6 appearances, 2 starts, 17.0 innings, ERA 1.647) was the winning pitcher.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 7 wins, 8 losses and 1 tie. The game log is here.

The Elite will be playing in the Reno Pre-July 4th Invitational starting on Thursday. There is one game on Thursday, two games on Friday and two games on Saturday. They have to be seeded first or second in their pool of six teams in order to play on Sunday.

True Detective: Season One

Sharon and I finished watching True Detective on HBO on demand from Directv.

The eight episode series uses multiple timelines to trace two Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division homicide detectives' hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana across seventeen years. It is set along the coastal plain of South Louisiana, where it was also filmed.

The series is very well done with tremendous acting by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. It is like watching an eight hour movie.

The show runner has stated that the second season will feature three new lead characters. He also stated that the season will take place in California but will exclude Los Angeles in favor of a lesser-known region of the state. True Detective season two will be about “hard women, bad men and the secret occult history of the United States transportation system.”

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Time Surfer

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



Code Expiration: September 16, 2014

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Thyme

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



Code Expiration: September 16, 2014

California Historical Landmark #432

I worked in Sonora during March, April and May and explored Tuolumne County. California Historical Markers that I visited included: Montezuma [#122], Tuttletown [#124], Mark Twain's Cabin [#138], St James Episcopal Church [#139], Shaw's Flat [#395], Big Oak Flat [#406], Tuolumne [#407], Soulsbyville [#420], Sonora-Mono Road [#422], Sawmill Flat [#424], Jamestown [#431]; Springfield [#432], Cherokee [#445] and Second Garrote [#460].

Springfield
California State Historical Landmark #432
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at the intersection of Springfield and Horseshoe Bend Roads, 1.1 miles southwest of Columbia, California in Tuolumne County. There are 19 other California State Historical Landmarks in Tuolumne. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 01.307 W 120° 24.765.

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

Springfield received name from the abundant springs gushing from limestone boulders. The town with its stores, shops, and hotel built around a plaza once boasted 2,000 inhabitants. Believed founded by Donna Josefa Valmesada, Mexican woman of means with reputation for aiding Americans in the war with Mexico. During heyday, 150 miners' carts could be seen on the road, hauling gold-bearing dirt to Springfield springs for washing.

Twenty years ago today - USA versus Columbia

Twenty years ago today, I attended the 1994 USA versus Columbia World Cup game. The USA won the game by the score of 1 to 0 on an own goal by Andrés Escobar.

There is an ESPN Films 30 for 30 about the Columbia soccer team. At the time, Columbia was one of the best teams in the world. The film has some great game footage chronicling the team's rise. Colombia was a favorite to win the 1994 World Cup.

20 years ago today, Andre Escobar scored a #WorldCup own goal against the US. #TheTwoEscobars airs at 8pm ET tonight on ESPN Classic.

— ESPN Films 30 for 30 (@30for30) June 22, 2014

Provisional Instruction Permit

Jack completed the on-line course work and passed the written test at the DMV to get his provisional instruction permit. Sharon and Jack had quite an adventure at the Carmichael DMV on Friday. Before he can start driving, Jack has to complete an hour of instruction with a licensed driving instructor.

California Historical Landmark #407

I worked in Sonora during March, April and May and explored Tuolumne County. California Historical Markers that I visited included: Montezuma [#122], Tuttletown [#124], Mark Twain's Cabin [#138], St James Episcopal Church [#139], Shaw's Flat [#395], Big Oak Flat [#406], Tuolumne [#407], Soulsbyville [#420], Sonora-Mono Road [#422], Sawmill Flat [#424], Jamestown [#431]; Springfield [#432], Cherokee [#445] and Second Garrote [#460].

Tuolumne (Formerly called Summersville)
California State Historical Landmark #407
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located in the island, center of Carter Street at intersection with Tuolumne Road, Tuolumne, California in Tuolumne County. There are 19 other California State Historical Landmarks in Tuolumne. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 57.862 W 120° 14.166.

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

Geographical center of East belt Placer Gold Rush, 1856-57. First white settlers, the Franklin Summers Family, arrived in 1854, and built log cabin half mile west. James Blakely, in 1858, discovered first quartz lode, half mile east, naming it "Eureka", which mine became nucleus of town of "Summersville", later called "Carters" and finally "Tuolumne". Other mining towns lively in Gold Rush days were Long Gulch, two miles south, and Cherokee, two miles north.

ESPN 30 for 30 Soccer Stories - Mysteries of the Rimet Trophy

I watched Mysteries of the Rimet Trophy. This is one of the 30 for 30 soccer stories that ESPN is running leading up to the 2014 World Cup. An episode guide is here.

Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, two trophies have been used: the Jules Rimet Trophy from 1930 to 1970, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy from 1974 to the present day.

The first trophy, originally named Victory, but later renamed in honour of former FIFA president Jules Rimet, was made of gold plated sterling silver and lapis lazuli and depicted Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.

The film follows the twisted path that the trophy took from 1930 to 1983. During World War II, the trophy was held by 1938 winners Italy. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA and president of FIGC, secretly transported the trophy from a bank in Rome and hid it in a shoe-box under his bed to prevent the Germans from taking it.

On March 20, 1966, four months before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, the trophy was stolen during a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall. The trophy was found just seven days later wrapped in newspaper at the bottom of a suburban garden hedge in Upper Norwood, South London, by a dog named Pickles.

The Brazilian team won the tournament for the third time in 1970, allowing them to keep the real trophy in perpetuity, as had been stipulated by Jules Rimet in 1930. It was put on display at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro in a cabinet with a front of bullet-proof glass.

On December 20, 1983, the wooden rear of the cabinet was pried open with a crowbar and the cup was stolen again. Four men were tried and convicted in absentia for the crime. The trophy has never been recovered, and it is widely believed to have been melted down and sold.

While the film is an interesting look at a piece of history, it is not as compelling as most of the other 30 for 30 films and shorts that I have seen. I think that the production values of parts of the film are not up to the 30 for 30 usual standards.

A trailer for the film is here.

ESPN 30 for 30 Soccer Stories Trailer: Mysteries of the Rimet Trophy

Foundation for Economic Education Free the World Seminar

Jack is spending most of the week attending the Foundation for Economic Education [FEE] Free the World Seminar at Chapman University in Southern California. The course description includes:

Do you wonder if America really is the land of the free?
Are you concerned about how freedom impacts your everyday life?
Have you never been to a FEE seminar before?
Explore these topics at "Free the World," where you’ll see the connection between economic freedom and prosperity. You will learn about the many components that determine how free a country is as well as how the score of each component affects the lives of the people living there. With real world examples, you’ll see just what makes some countries freer than others.

The agenda for the seminar is here.

NorCal Athletic School of the Year!

Finally, Jesuit High School was named the NorCal Athletic School of the Year. Congratulations to all who participated this year!!!

— Jesuit Sacramento (@JesuitHighSac) June 18, 2014

2014 Walbeck Elite Game #14

Spending most of the week at an economics symposium, Jack missed his first game of the summer season.

Kyle Roessler helps Elite down Easton Cats 9-4

Kyle Roessler went 1-2, helping Elite to a 9-4 victory over Easton Cats on Tuesday at Valley Oak Park.

He doubled in the fourth inning.

Jake Mandsager got the win for Elite. He allowed one run over three innings. Jake struck out three, walked two and gave up four hits.

The bottom of the first saw Elite take an early lead, 1-0. A solo blast by Aaron Lee started the inning off.

Elite didn't relinquish the lead after scoring three runs in the second inning when it scored on two singles.

Elite piled on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kyle Roessler kicked things off with a double, plating Alex Dailey.

Elite built upon its lead with three runs in the fifth. A bases loaded walk scored Chase Pyles for the inning's first run.

Three runs in the top of the seventh helped Easton Cats close its deficit to 9-4. An error, a groundout by Mendoza, and a wild pitch sparked Easton Cats' rally. Aaron ended the game by getting Ryno to strike out.

"Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved."

The scorecard is here.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 5 wins, 8 losses and 1 tie. The game log is here.