Crissy Field Hike

A map of our Crissy Field hike starting from the Presido Tunnel Top Park on Day 3 of Brian and S@m's Wedding.

Brian and Sam's Wedding - Day #4

Sharon and I had breakfast in the hotel [AVOCADO TARTINE and LANDMARK OMELET]. We ran into Holly in the lobby and had a chance to visit with her for a few mintues.

Packing up the room, we pulled away from the hotel about 10:15 am. The plan for the day was the Donum Estates Fall Harvest Member Event. We have been wine club members at Donum since February of 2017. We rolled up to the winery about 11:15 am.

They held the event in the lavender field below the tasting room. We got a chance to walk through the new pavilion for the first time. We had a nice time. We had some food and tasted a number of wines. We walked up to the wind chimes, but decided not to walk to the heart. We started for home a little after 1:30 pm.

It was a very easy drive home; the traffic was very light. With a quick stop for groceries, we were home before 3:30 pm. It was a nice long weekend. It was great to get a chance to spend some time with Jack.

Brian and Sam's Wedding - Day #3

I ran down and got food from Starbucks for breakfast. Sharon's plan for the morning was exploring the new Presidio Tunnel Top Park. We walked from the Omni Hotel to Jack's apartment. From there, Sharon, Jack and I took an Uber to the Presido.

After wandering through the Presidio Visitor Center and around the Tunnel Top Park, the three of us hiked 2.4 miles around Crissy Field to the Torpedo Wharf and back. The weather was perfect. A map is here.

We grabbed lunch from a food truck and ate at the overlook in the Tunnel Top Park. Afterwards, we grabbed an Uber back to Jack's apartment. He had to get to work by 2 pm.

Sharon and I walked back to the Omni. After getting back to the hotel, I went out on a walk about looking for a couple of California Historical Markers. Wandering up Columbia towards Washington Square, I found three, including: LONG WHARF #328; JUANA BRIONES, PIONEER SETTLER OF YERBA BUENA #1024, and; ORIGINAL SITE OF THE THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH #1010.

Getting cleaned up, Sharon and I finished the day at Brian and Sam's wedding. Brian is Holly and Van's oldest. The wedding and the reception were held in the Julia Morgan ballroom. The venue was half a block from the hotel.

Sharon and I sat next to Hannah's parents--Rob and Janette--at dinner. We spent some time talking to Tom and Laurie who we met at Stacey's wedding. We wandered back to the hotel and crashed about 11 pm. I loved how close the wedding venue was to the hotel!

Brian and Sam's Wedding - Day #2

Sharon ran down and got breakfast from Starbucks. I spent the day working in the hotel room including half a dozen virtual meetings and an interview of a CISO candidate. Sharon walked to Jack's apartment. The two of them had an early lunch at Swan Oyster Depot.

In the late afternoon after finishing up my weekly status report, I wandered up to the fitness center. I was very pleased to find two Peloton bikes in the Omni's fitness center. I did a Peloton strength class, a Peloton Power Zone Endurance class and cool down class and walked on the treadmill.

Getting cleaned up, Sharon and I walked to Boulevard. We met Drew and Carmen for dinner. For starters, Carmen had HAMACHI CRUDO [preserved meyer lemon gelee, finger limes, celtuce & sicilian pistachio], Drew had AHI TUNA CARPACCIO ['scattered sushi rice' meyer lemon aioli, smoked trout roe, myoga ginger & fresh wasabi], Sharon [LITTLE GEMS & BROKAW AVOCADO basil anchoiade, deviled jidori egg, toasted parmesan & levain crisp] and I had SPANISH OCTOPUS [gigande beans brandade, grilled calamari, olive crumble & aioli].

For mains, Carman and Sharon had RACK OF LAMB [roasted fig, pistachio & mint, crispy smashed potato & tokyo turnip soubise, sheep's milk ricotta], Drew had ANGUS BEEF FILET [herbed tater tot potato, roasted broccolini, green peppercorn & bay leaf sauce, lardo & rosemary] and I had [BERKSHIRE PORK CHOP garnet yam fritters, golden cauliflower, chanterelles, quince butter & blueberries, walnut relish].

For dessert, I had MOUNTAIN ROSE APPLE CHEESECAKE [cardamom Arlette tuile, whiskey vanilla sherbet, calvados caramel], Sharon and Carmen had 'HOT CHOCOLATE' CAKE [salted caramel ice cream, almond cocoa nib brittle & dark chocolate sorbet] and Drew had BERRIES & FIGS [blueberry sorbet, coconut yogurt, golden kiwi & lime pearls]. My meal was very good, better than Thursday night at BIX.

I walked back to the hotel, while Drew gave Sharon a ride. We finished the night in Monte's Bar in the hotel. The wedding party hosted a cash bar get together. We visited with Holly, Van, Tom and Laurie. We crashed in the room about 11 pm.

Brian and Sam's Wedding - Day #1

Sharon and I took off in the afternoon for San Francisco. The traffic was light; it took just over two hours. Sharon drove and I attended a couple of meetings in Teams on my iPad using my iPhone as a hotspot. Like on the trip to Paso Robles, I am surprised how well this set-up works.

We are spending three nights at the Omni Hotel. Holly and Van's son is getting married on Saturday. We decided to come down early so that Sharon could spend Friday with Jack.

After getting settled in the room, we walked to BIX for dinner. This restaurant is located in an alley in the Jackson Square Historic District. Located in downtown San Francisco, the district dates back to the city's earliest years and the 1849 gold rush. It is known for its historic commercial buildings in the classical revival and Italianate styles. Variously described as a civilized speakeasy, a supper club and an elegant saloon, BIX offers modern American cuisine served in a soaring two-story dining room to the strains of live jazz nightly.

After a drink at the bar, we had a very nice table on the second floor overlooking the restaurant. We started with some oysters, the Potato Pillows [Crème Fraîche, California Sturgeon Caviar] and Honeynut Squash Soup [Dungeness Crab, Toasted Pepitas]. For entrees, Sharon had Mt. Lassen Trout [Haricots Verts, New Potatoes, Almonds, Brown Butter], while I had Lobster Spaghetti [Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapeños, Basil]. The food was solid.

Tiber's Ninth Birthday

Tiber the Corgi turned nine on Sunday!

Patton

On the flight from Athens to Newark, I watched Patton. Recently we rewatched Love Story, Patton won the Best Picture Oscar the year that Love Story was nominated. I downloaded the movie to my iPad before we left for the trip.

Patton is a 1970 biographical war film about U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II. It stars George C. Scott as Patton and Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley. Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and Rod Steiger all turned down the role of Patton. Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North wrote the screenplay based on the books Patton: Ordeal and Triumph by Ladislas Farago and A Soldier's Story by Omar Bradley.

Patton won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Scott also won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of General Patton, but declined to accept the award.

Although almost three hours long, this is a very good film. The writing is excellent. George C. Scott's performance is fantastic. I recommend the film.

I usually read when we fly, but this was a great way to kill a couple of hours on the plane.

Acts of John, According to Prochorus: An Apocryphal Account of His Journeys, Miracles and Death

My second book for October was Acts of John, According to Prochorus: An Apocryphal Account of His Journeys, Miracles and Death by Margarita Grillis, Prochorus and James Corr (Editor). During our excursion on Patmos, the guide mentioned this book. My interest was piqued.

The Acts of John, according to Prochorus is the English translation of a manuscript found in the library of the medieval monastery of St John the Theologian on the remote Greek island of Patmos. We toured the monastery.

The original text, dating from the 17th century, narrates the apocryphal stories of Christ’s youngest and most beloved disciple. It chronicles St John’s journey from Jerusalem to Ephesus and Patmos and his trials and tribulations. There is a lot of raising the dead and casting out of demons.

I only recommend the book as background for visits to Patmos and Ephesus. We visited the Basilica of St John in Ephesus; St. John was buried there. We also visited the house of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus. Although Mary was supposedly taken there by Saint John, this is not mentioned in the book. [Note to self], I need to find books on the Knights of St John and the Ottoman Empire.

2022 Fall Dinner Party Menu

2022 Fall Dinner Party

Sharon and I have made it a tradition to host a fall dinner party [2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003]. We skipped 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. We did hold a fall dinner party Zoom cocktail hour that year, but it was a poor substitute for the real thing.

In celebration of this year's trip, the theme was Greece and Turkey. While we were on the trip, we took two cooking classes: one in Turkey; and, another one in Greece. We used recipes from both classes in the menu. I probably contributed more to the cooking of the meal than anytime in the recent past. I made the filo roses on Saturday afternoon and barbecued the fish. The full menu is here.

The group included the Larkins, Gainsleys, Wongs and Janie. Over the last ten years, it has become part of the traditional to dress in costume to match the party theme. I have a great series of pictures of everyone in front of Sharon's entry way decorations that I will post in the coming weeks. Sharon did a great job decorating. Pictures of her tablescape are here.

During dessert, we watched Dinner For One. There was some clammoring for the Lonely Plant skits, but like last year I couldn't find them on the AppleTV.

It was about 11:15 pm when we walked the Larkins and the Gainsleys to the front gate to catch an Uber. It was a very nice evening.

Lee's 3rd Birthday

Drew, Carmen, Sharon and I joined Morgan, Daniel and Lee via FaceTime to celebrate Lee's 3rd Birthday. Sharon and I got him a Tonka Excavator. It was a great time!

2023 Oscar Favorites

Goldderby Oscar Favorites as of October 8, 2022

Best Picture [updated 1/14/2023]
    ✔ Everything Everywhere All at Once
    ✔ The Fabelmans
    ✔ The Banshees of Inisherin
    ✔ Top Gun: Maverick
    ✔ Tár
    ✔ Avatar - Way of Water
    ✔ Elvis
    ✔ Women Talking
    Babylon - January 6, 2023 with Brad Pitt
    All Quiet on the Western Front
    The Whale - December 9, 2022 with Brendan Fraiser
    Glass Onion


Best Actress
    ✔ Cate Blanchett - Tár
    ✔ Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All at Once
    ✔ Michelle Williams - The Fabelmans
    Margot Robbie - Babylon
    Danielle Deadwyler - Till
    Viola Davis - The Woman King


Best Actor
    Brendan Fraser - The Whale
    ✔ Colin Farrell - The Banshees of Inisherin
    ✔ Austin Butler - Elvis
    Hugh Jackman - The Son
    Bill Nighy - Living
    Diego Calva - Babylon


Best Supporting Actress
    ✔ Jessie Buckley - Women Talking
    ✔ Claire Foy - Women Talking
    ✔ Stephanie Hsu - Everything Everywhere All at Once
    ✔ Kerry Condon - The Banshees of Inisherin
    Hong Chau - The Whale
    Vanessa Kirby - The Son


Best Supporting Actor
    ✔ Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All at Once
    ✔ Paul Dano - The Fabelmans
    ✔ Ben Whishaw - Women Talking
    ✔ Judd Hirsch - The Fabelmans
    ✔ Brendan Gleeson - The Banshees of Inisherin
    Brad Pitt - Babylon

2022 Kings versus Blazers

Larkin and I were scheduled to go to the Sacramento Kings versus Portland Trailbrazers NBA game on Wednesday night. Still struggling with a sinus infection, I called Larkin on Wednesday morning and let him know that I wasn't going to make it. I was very disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing the Kings play.

Leading 106 to 105 with a minute to play, the Kings let the game slip away. Jerami Grant scored on lay up and a foul shot with 50 second left to put the Trailbrazers up by 108 to 106. The Kings lost the game by the score of 115 to 108.

The high scorer for the Kings was De'Aaron Fox. He scored 33 points on 12 for 21 from field, 5 for 9 from three and 4 for 5from the free throw line.

Jerami Grant was the high scorer for the Trailbrazers. He scored 23 points on 5 for 11 from the field, 3 for 3 from three and 10 for 13 from the free throw line.

First-round rookie Keegan Murray (COVID protocols) was sidelined. I really looking forward to seeing Murray play.

Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography by Rob Lowe

My book for October was Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography by Rob Lowe. Sharon listened to the audio book a couple of years ago. We have recently talked about rewatching West Wing and starting Parks and Rec; Lowe appeared in both shows.

This is an almost unbelieveable story. A teen idol at fifteen, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at twenty, and one of Hollywood's top stars, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences as a painfully misunderstood child actor in Ohio uprooted to the wild counterculture of mid-seventies Malibu. The book highlights this career through the 2010s as well as his struggles with alcohol and his road to sobriety.

The number of famous people that he is friends with or has crossed paths with is amazing. In Malibu, he was neighbors and friends with Sean Penn, Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen. His first major movie was The Outsiders; the cast included: Matt Dillon; Ralph Macchio; Patrick Swayze; Emilio Estevez; Tom Cruise; and, Diane Lane.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and very entertaining. Repeating myself, the stories are almost unbelievable. [Note to self], Sharon and I need to watch The Outsiders!

Seabourn Encore Suite 738

Sharon and I spent two weeks living in Suite 738 on the Seabourn Encore. It was very comfortable. It included a walk-in closet, two sinks in the bathroom and a hallway vanity where Sharon could sit and put on her make-up. The only gore point was the end of bed; it was almost impossible for two people to pass each other or get around each other. The one odd feature is that there is a slight step up into the bathroom.

More pics from David and Lo's Wedding

David and Lo's Wedding

Sharon and I pulled away from the house about 12:20 pm on the way to David and Lo's wedding. Dropping Tiber at Best Friends, Waze lead us on a round-about path, including 80 to 5 to Woodland to 113 to Road 27 to 505 to Winters. We took the back road from Winters past Lake Berryessa to the Silverado Trail. From there, we headed north to Deer Park, went across to 29, through Calistoga and took the Petrified Forest Road to the Mark West Event Center. oy vey. We got there at 2:55 pm.

I had a very nice evening. Our table for dinner was Drew, Carmen, Gail, Jeff, Snipes, Joy, Sharon and I. I really enjoyed getting a chance to sit next to Drew. Hunter, Yuli, Swedberg, Deb and Annell were also at the wedding.

There were over 200 people packed into the venue. When we were in Los Angeles, Tom/asin talked about the struggle that they were having managing the guest list. I actually got a chance to sit and talk to Tom/asin more than I expected.

I had booked a hotel room in Santa Rosa. With the dinner party looming, Sharon pushed for us just to head home. We ended taking off about 8:30 pm and were home just after 10:30 pm.

Bread & Butter Concert

With Sharon in Napa for the day with Janie, I walked over to the Ancil Hoffman clubhouse with a group of neighbors (Greg, Michele, Heidi, Brad, Clark, Jim and Debi) to listen to the Bread & Butter Band. Walking on to the patio, I heard someone call my name. I took me a long count to recognize Dave Newlin and his wife.

After winding her way back from Napa and dropping Janie off, Sharon eventually joined the group at the concert.

She and I finished the night playing pool with Jim and Debi. By the time I walked Tiber and got to bed, it was almost midnight.

Twenty-six Years

To celebrate our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary, Sharon and I went to dinner at Canon East Sacramento. Over the years, this was been one of Sharon's favorite restaurants. Frankly, the experience was a little subpar. Both Sharon and I felt that the menu seemed kind of limited and the service was not good. Several times in the course of the evening we literally had to wave our arms to try and get some service.

We started with a couple of OYSTERS [estate vinegars]. We split a ROASTED CABBAGE SALAD [oyster mushrooms, nashi pear, miso apple butter, dill seed vinaigrette]. For the entree, we shared BLISTERED ROMANO BEANS [horseradish-tomato jus, oyster mushrooms, gypsy pepper] and WHOLE FRIED FISH [brazino, green tomato nuoc cham, fresno chili, lemongrass]. We have had a lot of brazino over the last month.

The fish was good. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Greek wine by the glass on the menu [Romeiko - Manousakis Winery - Nostos, Crete, Greece].

Spondi

Menu from our dinner at Spondi in Athens on Day 16 of our Greece and Turkey Trip.