The Guest and The Host - Answers

Sharon and Janie at the 2017 Fall Dinner Party

Senator William Upham

We walked by this historical marker on our way to the Vermont State Capitol Building during day three of our F@ll 2017 New England trip.

Senator William Upham
Vermont Roadside Historical Marker
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This marker is located at 145 Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont. The GPS coordinates for this location are 44° 15' 44.8" N 72° 34' 20.8" W.

Senator William Upham
(1792-1853)

Slavery is a crime against humanity and a sore evil in the body politic.

William Upham resided here during the first half of the nineteenth century. He was an ardent abolitionist, voting against the Fugitive Slave Act and slavery in new states and territories. A member of the Whig Party, Upham represented Vermont as a U.S. Senator from 1843 to 1853. He supported the Canadian rebellions of 1837 and 1838 and vehemently opposed the Mexican-American War, 1846-1848. Senator William Seward eulogized him, saying, His national policy was the increase of industry, the cultivation of peace, and the patronage of improvement. Upham was interred at Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier.

Lady Bird

Starting our quest to see all of the 2017 Oscar nominated films, Sunday afternoon, Sharon, Jack and I went to see Lady Bird at the UA Greenback. Over the last couple of years, we have tried to guess which films will be nominated. Lady Bird is on a number of lists as a possible Best Picture nominee.

Lady Bird is a 2017 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Greta Gerwig. It stars Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalfe. Ronan was in last year's Oscar nominated Brooklyn.

Set in Sacramento, California, it is a coming-of-age story about a high-school senior and her turbulent relationship with her mother. The senior goes to a fictional all-girls Catholic high school whose uniforms mirror St. Francis.

The movie was largely filmed in Sacramento. Gerwig went to St. Francis high school and participated in Jesuit's Black Box. There are a lot of recognizable landmarks in the film.

Sharon has now seen the move three times: once with Mary Maloney; a second time with Liz and Laura, and; a third time with Jack and I. She described it as her this year's La La Land.

Obviously, Sharon likes the film a lot. I enjoyed it. I think that it does have a chance to be nominated for Best Picture. I think that Metcalfe could also be nominated for Supporting Actress.

Jack back to school

After spending the morning putting up some Christmas decorations in the house that required a ladder, Sharon, Jack and I went to see Lady Bird at the UA Greenback. This was the third time that Sharon has seen the movie! After getting some takeout Chinese food for dinner, we took Jack to the airport to wind his way back to school.

Jack convinced us to fly him home on a red-eye rather than on an early flight on Sunday. He caught a 9:10 pm American flight from Sacramento to Phoenix. After a 50 minutes layover, Jack boarded a 12:55 am flight from Phoenix to Reagan. He was on the ground in DC at 7:00 am. Jack caught an Uber at 7:20 am and was back on campus by 7:37 am.

It was great to have him home for a few days. In just a little over three weeks, Jack will be home for Christmas.

Decorating the house for Christmas

We have talked off and on about decorating the house for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but we never have... Friday afternoon, Sharon took down the fall decorations. Given our Fall New England Trip, we didn't make it to Davis Ranch this year and, as result, had very few pumpkins. I took the fall boxes back to the storage shed and started dragging the Christmas boxes back. We literally have at least five carloads of Christmas boxes.

We spent all day Saturday decorating the house. It took me all day to take down the fall lights and put up the Christmas lights. Although Sharon says otherwise, I don't remember it taking me so long to get everything put up outside!

Django Unchained

Friday night, Sharon took off to have dinner with Liz and Laura at Taro's at Arden Fair. Jack dropped her off. After dinner, they went to the UA Arden to see Lady Bird. This was Sharon's second viewing of Lady Bird; she saw it with Mary Maloney at the Tower. Laura brought Sharon home.

With Sharon out for the evening, I decided to watch Django Unchained. I have seen trailers for the movie for years, but had never taken the time to sit down and watch it.

Django Unchained is a 2012 American revisionist Western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It has a great cast, including Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson. Set in the Old West and Antebellum South, it is a highly stylized tribute to Spaghetti Westerns.

The American Film Institute named the film as one of their Top Ten Movies of the Year in December 2012. The film won two Oscars including Tarantino for Best Original Screenplay and Waltz for Best Supporting Actor.

I enjoyed the movie. Christoph Waltz is tremendous. At two hours and 45 minutes, it is very long!

Thanksgiving 2017

After running the Run to Feed the Hungry, Sharon made spiced pumpkin soufflés with bourbon and molasses sauce rather than pumpkin pies. She made these soufflés for the 2009 fall dinner party. We took off for Sharon's brother Tim's house about 2:30 pm.

At seventeen, it was a big group this year, including: Tom, Eric, Ashley, Jim Dunn, Tim, Kathy, Eileen, Erin, Cromac, Kevin, Leah, Lydia, Leah parent's Terri and Steve, Sharon, Jack and I. Tim and Kathy served a great Turducken that they got from the Nugget.

2017 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the thirteenth time in the last fourteen years [2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], 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. Sharon also missed last year when she was feeling under the weather.

For the sixth year in a row, we parked on University Avenue. For the second year, I parked closer to the H Street bridge rather than the Guy West Bridge. Although Sharon said that she missed walking through the campus, it is a little shorter walk to and from the car.

I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. In that regard, last year was a disaster. Feeling under the weather much of last fall, I ended up running a 1:03:57 for an average pace of 10:18. I was frankly embarrassed.

This year went much better. My official chip time for the 10k was 59:10 with a 9:32 pace. I was 29:13 at the 5k with a pace of 9:25. Thinking I was going to take a more leisurely approach this year, I started further back from the starting line. As a result, it took me almost 50 seconds just to cross the starting line. My Runkeeper splits by mile were: 1 - 10:07; 2 - 9:09; 3 - 9:17; 4 - 9:33; 5 - 9:41; 6 - 9:30, and; last quarter mile - 9:37. Once I got going, I felt strong. I backed off a little in the fourth and fifth miles, but was able to speed up again in the last mile and a half.

I was very happy with the results. My time was not only faster than 2016, but also faster than 2015.

Jack walked the 5k with Emma and Jason. His chip time was 1:08:18 for an average pace of 21:59. Sharon ran the 10k, but cut the corner at McKinley Park.

2017 Kings versus Lakers

Sharon, Jack and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Los Angeles Lakers NBA Basketball game. I parked in the Wells Fargo building. We had seats 17, 18 and 19 in row D of section 101. The Kings took the lead late in the first quarter. Leading by as much as 20 points in the fourth quarter, the Kings won the game by the score of 113 to 102.

Coming off the bench, Willie Cauley-Stein was the leading scorer for the Kings. He had 26 points on 10 for 14 from the field, 0 for 1 from three and 6 for 8 from the free throw line.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the Lakers' leading scorer. He had 20 points on 7 for 12 from the field, 4 for 6 from three and 2 for 2 from the free throw line.

I focused on either Fox or Lonzo Ball for most of the game. Fox started. He missed five of his first seven shots, including two airballs. In 23 minutes, Fox ended up with 13 points on 5 for 11 from the field, 2 for 2 from three and 1 for 2 from the free throw line. In 37 minutes, Ball had 11 points on 4 for 8 from the field, 3 for 5 from three and 0 for 2 from the free throw line. He added 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Ball has a very ugly shooting motion.

I was very impressed with Bogdan Bogdanovic. He looks like an NBA player.

Snipes had texted me on Tuesday night saying that Keith had bailed on him for a class reunion and wondering if Larkin was interested in going. Larkin ended up going with Snipes. We connected with them briefly before the game and then again at half-time. [Note to self], Snipes and I need to get together and catch up!

It was a very enjoyable game and evening. Including preseason, the Kings now have 3 wins and 0 losses in games that I have see in person during the 2017-2018 season.

Jack is back!

Jack is home for Thanksgiving!

Up about 4:15 am, he caught an Uber from Georgetown to Reagan. Jack took a 6:00 am Southwest flight to Love Field in Dallas. From there, he boarded a 9:40 am Southwest flight to Sacramento. Jack was on the ground at 11:30 am in Sacramento. I picked him up and after a stop at In-N-Out Burger dropped him at home.

We are looking forward to having him home for a few days!

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

My second book for November is Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. At Danny's Wedding in September and in San Jose in early November, Tomasin and I were talking about books and he mentioned Carl Hiaasen. Digging around on the web, Skinny Dip appeared to be one of Hiaasen's most popular novels.

Skinny Dip is a caper novel first published in 2004. Apparently, a caper story is a subgenera of crime fiction. The typical caper story involves one or more crimes perpetrated by the main characters in full view of the reader.

Set in South Florida, the story is about a woman, Joey Perrone, who takes revenge on her cheating husband after he has tried to murder her. It is also one of Hiaasen’s more topical novels, since the plot also revolves around the ongoing restoration of the Everglades to a natural habitat.

While I enjoyed the book, I am not going to grade it. I will read at least one more of Hiaasen's novels as a break from more ambitious books. I am just not sure how strongly I would recommend the book to someone else.

Sanborns at the Fall Dinner Party

Cibo 7

After spending the day tearing the treadmill apart, replacing the running deck and then putting it back together, Sharon and I went to dinner at Cibo 7. We used a very generous gift card that the Larkins gave us during the Sea Ranch Anniversary trip last year.

We split a Charcuterie & Cheese Board as a starter. I had Corn & Calabrian Chile Risotto [blackened prawns, portabella mushroom, caper sauce], while Sharon had Veal Saltimbocca [prosciutto, sage, Pt. Reyes coma, polenta, blooms dale spinach].

We wandered through a Barnes & Nobles after dinner. With the shift to Amazon and e-readers, it was a nostalgic experience...

A Hectic Seven Weeks

It has been a crazy two months.

Seven weeks ago, we hiked with the Larkins and the Gainsleys in the American River Canyon.

Six weeks ago, we spent Saturday with Janie at Donum Estates and Ad Hoc celebrating Janie's birthday.

Five weeks ago, we were in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire on our Fall New England trip. We took the cog train to the top of Mount Washington and hiked on the Appalachian Trail.

Four weeks ago, we were in Washington DC for the Georgetown Fall Family Weekend.

Three weeks ago, we had our fall dinner party!

Two weeks ago, Sharon was in Sedona, while I spent the weekend in San Jose at the International 7s Rugby Tournament.

Last week, Sharon was in San Francisco with Mary and Janie, while I was in Washington DC visiting the Nooters.

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend at home with nothing on the calendar!

Captain John Lonergan

I stumbled across this marker while exploring Burlington during the second day of our F@ll 2017 trip through New England.

Captain John Lonergan
Vermont Roadside Historical Marker
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This marker is located at 115 St Paul Street, Burlington, Vermont. The GPS coordinates for this location are 44° 28' 35.5" N 73° 12' 50.2" W.

Captain John Lonergan
1837-1902
Hero of Gettysburg

In this park on July 22, 1863, Vermonts only ethnic Civil War unit was welcomed home from the battle of Gettysburg. Lonergan commanded Co. A, 13th VT Regiment the Irish Company and he received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in the battle.

The five VT regiments on 9-months duty formed the 2nd VT Brigade on October 27, 1862. In late June of 1863, the brigade marched from Union Mills, VA, to Gettysburg in six days.

On July 2, 1863, the Irish Company helped recapture four cannons and took 83 rebel prisoners. The next day Lonergans men led the way when two VT regiments flanked Picketts forces assaulting Cemetery Ridge, causing heavy rebel losses.

The Irish battle cry:
Faugh a ballaghClear the way!

Mass of Remembrance for Rebecca Frame

Sharon and I went with her brother Tom to St. Ignatius for a Mass of Remembrance for Rebecca Frame. Becky passed away two years ago today.

Afterwards, Sharon, Tom and I went to dinner with the Rositanis (Larry, Robin and Christian) at Mana Japanese Restaurant Alta.  Mikuni's it is was not...

Unbelievable By Kathy Tur

My book for November is Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History by Katy Tur. I saw Kathy Tur interviewed about the book on the 11th Hour with Brian Williams.

On somewhat of a fluke, Tur was assigned to cover Trump's initial press conference announcing that he was running for president. Although she was a London based correspondent for NBC, Tur just happened to be in New York and in the news room when they were looking for someone to send. The assignment stuck and she followed Trump through the course of the entire campaign.

The book is a blend of her life, the trials and tribulations of being a reporter following a presidential candidate and a look at the Trump campaign. The chapters alternate between the campaign and election night.

In respect to Trump, the book crystallized two things that I was talking to the Nooters' about last week. First, Trump is very thin-skinned. Second, he plays fast and loose with the truth. I have spent my life in leadership roles in large companies. Regardless of what you think of Trump's politics and policies, I don't believe that you can be an effective leader with these characteristics...

I was raised in a large corporate farming family in rural Northern California. I self identify as a conservative Republican. I enjoyed the book.

Larkins at the Fall Dinner Party

2017 Washington DC - Day 3

Wallen had a 8:00 am flight from National. Up at 5:00 am, he had some trouble getting the Uber App to use his credit cards. After some running amok, Nooter ended up calling for an Uber using his account. Although I heard them walking around upstairs, I never woke up enough to get out of bed. I felt bad for Wallen. He spent all weekend getting over a cold.

I didn't roll out of bed until after 8:30 am. Although I had originally been thinking about going into Georgetown to have breakfast with Jack, there just wasn't enough time. Nooter made omelets for breakfast and he, Barb and I worked on solving the world's problems.

Nooter offered to take me to the airport. We rolled from their house about 11:50 am. He was thinking that I was taking off too early, but by the time we stopped for gas and fought our way through the traffic, it was 1:10 pm when we got to the airport.

I breezed through TSA Pre security and got to the gate about 1:25 pm. The plane started boarding about 1:45 pm. Holding an A29 boarding pass, I was able to score another exit row aisle. The flight pulled away from the gate about 2:15 pm. It was an uneventful flight. With the Wifi not working, I read most of the flight; I finished Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen about 30 minutes before we landed. I was back in Sacramento just before 5:00 pm and home in Carmichael by 5:50 pm.

Although it was a quick trip [I was on the ground on the East Coast almost exactly 48 hours], I really enjoyed having a chance to catch up with Nooter and Barb. They did a really nice job with the remodel of their house. Hopefully, Sharon and I can get together with them for dinner next time we are in Washington DC!