2014 Kings versus Grizzlies

Jack and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Memphis Grizzlies NBA Basketball game. Although the Kings closed the Grizzlies lead to 3 points with 6 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Kings lost the game by the score of 97 to 85.

We went to this game hoping to see DeMarcus Cousin battling Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Unfortunately, Cousins was out sick.

Zach Randolph led all scorers with 22 points on 8 for 16 from the field and 6 for 10 from the free throw line. Randolph added 12 rebounds. Gasol had 18 points.

Rudy Guy was the leading scorer for the Kings. He had 20 points on 7 for 14 from the field and 6 for 7 from the free throw line. Playing in place of Cousins, Reggie Evans had 17 points and 20 rebounds!

The game had an odd start time: 3:00 pm in the afternoon. The attendance was announced at 16,240, but it didn't seem that full to me...

Kevin's Wedding

Saturday night, Sharon, Jack and I went to Sharon's nephew Kevin's wedding at Mulvaney's Building & Loan in downtown Sacramento. Sharon's brother Tim officiated.

As Sharon said in a response to Drew, "it was a really lovely intimate event: nice ceremony, great room with Christmas decor and fabulous food!" There were about 40 people at the wedding and reception.

Sharon's niece Erin got married in July. Sharon's brother Tom officiated at that wedding.

Cowboys and Aliens

With Sharon out with Liz and Mary and Jack over playing video games at Marco's house, I watched Cowboys and Aliens on a Blu-ray DVD. The movie stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. Ron Howard is listed as one of the producers, while Steve Spielberg is an executive producer.

I enjoyed the scenery. One of the filming locations was Plaza Blanca, "The White Place", where Western films like The Missing, 3:10 to Yuma, City Slickers, Young Guns, and The Legend of the Lone Ranger had been filmed. Reading about the film, the director tried to make the movie look and feel like a traditional western.

Although I enjoyed the scenery and watching Daniel Craig's performance, it is just an odd mishmash of stuff. I don't think the film works. It don't recommend it.

We have a copy of the 2007 remake of 3:10 to Yuma that I need to watch...

Thanksgiving 2014

After running the Run to Feed the Hungry, we spent the rest of the day getting the house cleaned up and dinner prepared.

With Kevin and Leah getting married on Saturday, we hosted a large group for Thanksgiving. It is the largest group that we have ever had for a dinner. The group included: Tom, Becky, Kevin, Eric, Tim, Kathy, Eileen, Janie, Jim Dunn, Leah, Leah's father and mother, Leah's uncle and his wife, Leah's sister and her four year daughter, Sharon, Jack and I. Nineteen people in total! With all of the leafs in the two tables and using the folding chairs we have, we can actually seat twenty people...

People started arriving about 3 pm. With Leah's uncle and his wife flying in the afternoon, we had a late dinner [6ish?]. Sharon got a couple of Turduckens with Cajun corn bread stuffing.

Leah's four year old niece had a great time playing with Tiber. Leah's sister lives in France. Walking Tiber on the leash in the front of the house, I realized that the four year old spoke only French.

We finished the evening watching the 49ers getting beat up by the Seahawks [19 to 3]. The 49ers looked pathetic.

2014 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the tenth time in the last eleven years [2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

For the third year in a row, we parked on University Avenue and walked across the Guy West Bridge to the campus. We got to starting line earlier than last year. Sharon, Jack and I were actually together at the start for the first time in a couple of years. I lost track of Jack almost immediately and never saw him again.

I was very disappointed in my time this year. My time was 55:49 for an average pace of 8:59. My 5k pace was 8:48. My splits were ugly: 1-8:47; 2-8:39; 3-9:00; 4-9:03; 5-9:11, and; 6-9:03. The race seemed more crowded at the start so the first mile was slower. My legs were dead in the second half of the race; I just couldn't carry any speed.

In 2013, My time was 52:58 for an average pace of 8:35. My 5k pace was 8:28. My splits were: 1-8:29; 2-8:15; 3-8:35; 4-8:47; 5-8:38, and; 6-8:39.

In 2012, I ran a 53:50 for an average pace of 8:40.

Jack ran the race in 47:26 for a pace of 7:38. Jack's pace for the first 5k was 7:09. In 2013, Jack ran the race in 47:38 for a pace of 7:40. In 2012, he ran a 50:41 for a pace of 8:10.

The weather was perfect!

California Historical Landmark #251

Back working in Sonora in June, July, August, September, October, November and December of 2014, I started exploring the California Historial Landmarks in Calaveras County. Sites that I visited included: Valley Springs [#251], San Andreas [#252], I.O.O.F. Hall [#256], Fourth Crossing #258, Congregational Church [#261], Stone Corral [#263], Chili Gulch [#265], Jenny Lind [#266]; Mokelumne Hill [#269]; Pioneer Cemetery [#271], Douglas Flat [#272]; Carson Hill [#274], Robinson's Ferry [#276], Angels Camp [#287], Altaville [#288], Vallecito Bell Monument [#370]; Old Mining Camp of Brownsville [#465], Red Brick Grammar School [#499], Calaveras County Courthouse and Leger Hotel [#663], Angels Hotel [#734]; Prince-Garibardi Building [#735], and; Birthplace of Archie Stevenot [#769].

Valley Springs
California State Historical Landmark #251
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at the intersection of State Highways 12 and 26, Valley Springs, California in Calaveras County. There are 40 other California State Historical Landmarks in Calaveras County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 11.474 W 120° 49.745.

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

The original three foot narrow gauge line was built by the San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada Railroad, extending from Brack’s Landing on the Mokelumne River, east to Valley Springs. The depot and turntable were built around the time of completion of the last section, which was finished in April 1885, at a total cost of $409,570. The line was changed to standard gauge by Southern Pacific around 1904. It was then extended 13 miles further east to Kentucky House to service the Calaveras Cement Company in 1925. Passenger service ended around 1932 but the line continued to serve as a freight line, until closure of the cement plant. The last rail shipment of cement was in 1983.

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

In the car riding back from Los Angeles, I finished reading Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie. Looking for some science fiction after reading Bully Pulpit and Grisham's Gray Mountain, I started searching for recent award winners and this book stood out. Ancillary Justice won the 2014 Hugo Award, 2014 Nebula Award, the BSFA Award, the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Locus Award.

Set in the distance future, the plot revolves around an empire that uses artificially intelligent space ships. The ships control human bodies, known as ancillaries, used as soldiers. The ships are staffed by human captains and lieutenants. A ship and one of the ancillaries are the main characters.

In the book, the ruling society does not distinguish people by gender. This is conveyed by using female personal pronouns for everybody. Gender and gender specific characteristics are also completely absent from the book.

I enjoyed the story. It is apparently part of a trilogy. I will read the next book. While it was much, much better than the 2013 Hugo Award Winner [Redshirts] that I read earlier this year, I am still fascinated that Ancillary Justice won so many awards. It is a good book, but I am not sure that it is a great book.

As a footnote, I read this book as an e-book on the Kindle app on my iPad.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Juxtaposer

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Code Expiration: February 17, 2015

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Sturgill Simpson - Just Let Go

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Code Expiration: February 17, 2015

Illinois! - Virtually Biking Across America - Day 105

On Day 105, I rode 20.7 miles from Missouri into Illinois. I started the ride at the junction of Highway 100 (Manchester Avenue) and South Big Bend Boulevard. I followed Highway 100 into the downtown. I turned left on North Broadway, left on Clark Avenue past Busch Stadium, right South 8th Street, right on Chestnut Street toward the St. Louis Arch and left Memorial Drive. I followed Memorial Drive to Eads Bridge across the Mississippi River into Illinois. Across the River, I took Riverpark Drive to Collinsiville Ave to St. Clair Avenue. St. Clair Avenue eventually turns into the Lincoln Highway. I finished the ride at the junction of the Lincoln Highway and Highway 159 [North Illinois Avenue] in Fairview Heights.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

I got a good view of Busch Stadium as I was riding along. Jack is a huge Cardinals fan; we need to make a trip to St. Louis.

I was also able to see the St. Louis Arch from a number of different angles.

Back from Los Angeles

Sharon's plan for the day was starting early towards home. We were up before 7 am. Sharon and I wandered down to a Starbucks in LA Live for some breakfast.

Packing up the room and loading the car, we were on the road by 7:50 am. I drove two plus hours to Lost Hills at the junction of I-5 and Highway 46. Gassing up the car, Sharon drove the next leg to the Westley Rest Area near the junction of I-5 and I-580. I drove from there until Eight Mile Road in Stockon.

After a quick lunch in the car at Sonic, Jack drove the rest of the way home. We were home about 2 pm.

With three drivers, it was a much easier drive than the trip to San Diego and back in 2011 or the trip to San Fernando and back in 2007.

I was very glad we went to Drew's birthday party!

To Drew's Surprise 30th Birthday Party!

Up fairly early, Sharon swam in the pool while I ran 3.6 miles on the treadmill. After packing up the room, we grabbed some breakfast sandwiches at Subway and gassed up the car. We were on the road about 10 am.

Sharon had made a hotel reservation for the JW Marriot for Saturday night. I didn't realize until that morning that this was at LA Live next to the Staples Center.

I drove this leg. The traffic was great until we got about 10 miles from the hotel. It took about 40 minutes to go the last ten miles to the hotel... I am always amazed at the amount of traffic in Southern California. We got to the hotel about 1:40 pm.

Checking into the hotel, Jack studied and got a room service pizza. Sharon and I wandered around LA Live. We ended up having a nice light lunch at Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill. Afterwards, I wandered towards the old downtown to get a birthday card and some wrapping paper.

We took off about 4:30 pm for Nicki and Drew's bungalow. Nicki had organized a surprise birthday party for Drew. Everyone was supposed to get there at 5 pm with Drew arriving at 6 pm.

Drew ended up arriving at about 6:15 pm. I think he was somewhat surprised. In a bizarre twist of fate, Drew ended up parking Bruce right behind my car on the street. He noticed the Jesuit Marauders license plate frame and took a picture. I am not sure what he was actually thinking at that point.

There was a nice group of about 25 to 30 people for the party. I ended up talking to Max, Graham and Kyle and his girlfriend [a professional volley player in Europe!?!] for a long time. Nicki had a buffet of Mexican food.

After dinner and cake, they did presents. We gave Drew Sharon's empty iPhone 6 box with the money to get a new phone.

We ended up staying until about 10:30 pm before heading back to the hotel.

It was a very nice evening. I was glad that we had made the effort to come down for the party.

To Harris Ranch

Rushing back from working in Sonora, we loaded the car. We left Carmichael about 3:40 pm into the heart of the Friday afternoon traffic. With Jack driving, we stopped in Elk Grove for a quick visit at the Foys. Back on the road, Jack drove until Stockton. Sharon took over and drove the next hour to Santa Nella. I drove from there to Harris Ranch. We got to the hotel about 7:35 pm. Sharon had booked a mini-suite with a view overlooking the pool and a discount voucher for dinner.

After getting checked-in and settled into the room, we walked across the parking lot and had a late dinner at the Harris Ranch Restaurant. Jack had Beef Wellington, Sharon had a filet and I had prime rib.

We crashed hard about 11 pm. Looking forward, Saturday and Sunday are going to be long days...

Lie To Me - Milo Greene

Gray Mountain by John Grisham

I finished reading Gray Mountain by John Grisham. Somewhat unbelievably, this is the 28th book by John Grisham that I have read in the last twenty-two years.

The most striking aspect of this book is the portrayal of the coal companies. Gray Mountain explores mountain top removal mining practices, black lung disease, and coal slurry. The coal companies behind these issues are painted as pure evil.

The poverty of the Appalachian region also plays a major role in the book. I have not had a chance to travel through this part of the United States. It is difficult for me to envision the abject poverty described.

The story follows Samantha Kofer, a third-year associate in a major New York Law firm. After the Bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, she becomes a legal clinic intern in Virginia's coal mining country. As I have said before, I don't remember Grisham ever portraying working at a big legal firm in an attractive light.

Gray Mountain is not as good as Sycamore Row. Sycamore felt different than the pile of legal thrillers that Grisham has turned out; maybe it was the connection with a A Time to Kill. Except for the betrayal of the coal companies, the plot Grey Mountain will eventually blur together with the pile of Grisham's legal thrillers. Nevertheless, it was a nice light change of pace from the Bully Pulpit. I gave the book a "C+."

California Historical Landmark #271

Back working in Sonora in June, July, August, September, October, November and December of 2014, I started exploring the California Historial Landmarks in Calaveras County. Sites that I visited included: Valley Springs [#251], San Andreas [#252], I.O.O.F. Hall [#256], Fourth Crossing #258, Congregational Church [#261], Stone Corral [#263], Chili Gulch [#265], Jenny Lind [#266]; Mokelumne Hill [#269]; Pioneer Cemetery [#271], Douglas Flat [#272]; Carson Hill [#274], Robinson's Ferry [#276], Angels Camp [#287], Altaville [#288], Vallecito Bell Monument [#370]; Old Mining Camp of Brownsville [#465], Red Brick Grammar School [#499], Angels Hotel [#734] and Birthplace of Archie Stevenot [#769].

Pioneer Cemetery
California State Historical Landmark #271
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located on State Highway 12, 0.7 miles west of junction with State Highway 49, 1.8 miles west of San Andreas, California in Calaveras County. There are 40 other California State Historical Landmarks in Calaveras County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 12.497 W 120° 42.467.

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

This pioneer cemetery was said to have been established in 1851. Most of the graves are unmarked - stones appeared over only three of them in 1936. This cemetery is located almost opposite where the town of North Branch originally stood, before the site was mined for gold.

Starbuck iTunes Pick of the Week - Monsters Ate My Birthday Cake

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Code Expiration: February 10, 2015

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Vance Joy - Mess is Mine

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Code Expiration: February 10, 2015

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 104

On Day 104, I rode 15.03 miles across Eastern Missouri. I started ride at the junction of Highway 50 and Highway 141. I headed north on Highway 141 to Highway 100. I rode east on Highway 100 (Manchester Avenue) to the intersection with South Big Bend Boulevard.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Star Trek: First Contact

Sharon, Jack and I watched Star Trek: First Contact on Saturday night. Released in November of 1996, I can remember going to see the film in the theater by myself, while Sharon was traveling for work; it may be the only movie I have ever seen in the theater by myself. After seeing Star Trek into Darkness, we have started a loose project to go back and see all of the other Star Trek films in order like we did with the James Bond films.

Star Trek: First Contact is the eighth feature film in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. It is the first film to feature no cast members from the original Star Trek television series of the 1960s. The primary cast for First Contact is from the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series.

The plot of the film involves the crew of the USS Enterprise-E traveling from the 24th to 21st century to save their future after the cybernetic Borg conquered Earth by changing the timeline. The Enterprise arrives in the past, on April 4, 2063, the day before humanity's first encounter with alien life after Zefram Cochrane's historic warp drive flight.

While the special effects are much better than most of the previous Star Trek films, I am just not a fan of time travel movies...