Entertainment

No Fog, Please!

Posted by golfkat on August 4, 2019
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My brother and I are going to a Giants game tonight at ATT, make that Oracle Park in the city. Most of the time, we welcome leaving the Valley heat and heading to the cooler Bay Area weather. Here is the most common weather related quote through most of the past century.

Anyone who’s ever spent the summer months of July or August in San Francisco knows that weather can sometimes dip down into the 50s and 60s. Sure, you’re in California but the summer months in San Francisco can often feel like the fall in New England. The summer months are so unseasonably cool here that there’s a witty quote often credited to Mark Twain in which he says, “The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco.” Funny, right? The only problem is, Mark Twain never said it. According to the fact-checking website Snopes.com, an extensive review of all of Twain’s writings and private letters can find no instance of the great American author ever saying such a thing. In fact, the origins of the phrase are completely unknown.

So, we will leave home in the late morning, in shorts and polos. When we arrive in the Bay Area, we will have our sweaters, down parkas, and long pants. It is all part of the charm of this great state. And it is a reminder of the days when our Dad drove us up to Candlestick for a Sunday day game. We often had dinner down at Fisherman’s Wharf before heading home. Those were some great memories with our Dad. Each time we go together, reminds us of those great days. Thanks, Dad!!!!

Speaking of long pants, how about a pair of Levi’s? The right field wall at the ballpark is called Levi Landing, for good reason. Here is why.

A native of Germany, Levi Strauss found success in America by selling dry goods. In 1853 he moved to San Francisco to cater to the growing number of gold prospectors that were flocking to the city each day in search of fortune. Strauss saw that the pants the prospectors were wearing couldn’t hold up under rough conditions, so he decided to create something that was more durable. He teamed up with a tailor by the name of Jacob Davis and together they patented the first “waist overalls,” as Levi’s jeans were initially called, in 1873. His iconic “501 jeans” would first be sold to the public in 1890. Strauss passed away in 1902 but today just about every person owns a pair of jeans, thanks to him … and it all started in San Francisco. Side bar: Ironic that Walter Haas, then owner of Levi Strauss, was owner of the rival Oakland A’s across the bay for many years.

So, we will weather the storm in our Levi’s, and enjoy some great seats. My brother’s high school classmate gave us her season tickets for this game!!!! So, a big thank you to KH!!!!

And last but not least, did you know fortune cookies were born in San Francisco?

Fortune cookies did not originate in China. Fortune cookies were first served at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in the 1890s. They were made by the San Francisco bakery Benkyodo. No one knows for sure how the cookies made the leap over to Chinese restaurants, but by the end of World War II they were popping up in restaurants all across the country.

So, while you are sweltering in the heat, or lighting your fireplace, we will be at the game, misquoting Mark Twain, wearing our Levi’s, and feasting on x rated fortune cookies. And maybe a crab sandwich and a few beers. Perhaps this game will be among the last for some of our hometown heroes, like Mad Bum.

We will drive up Friday, take BART into the City, and have our crab sandwich. After the game, we will BART back to the east bay and stay overnight. Then a quick breakfast with my buddy, Mike, before returning home. It will be a quick overnight trip.

San Diego, Diego!

Posted by golfkat on August 3, 2019
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Let’s see how much San Diego has changed since 2012.

 

From 2012:  The eighth largest city in the US is San Diego.  It is also the site of a three game series between our San Francisco Giants, and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in downtown San Diego.  I have attended games at the old Jack Murphy Stadium, now called Qualcomm Stadium over in Mission Valley. The climate is mild, the city/suburban area is close to Mexico, and the Navy has a presence, which began back in 1901.  Lately, biotech and golf club manufacturers have taken over the areas north of San Diego.  One of my favorite golf venues, Torrey Pines is located up the road in La Jolla.  It is always rated in the top ten public golf courses in the country.

I had an office here back in the 70s, as well as access to a company apartment, which I did not care for.  The office was in Mission Circle (Mission Valley area), near the shopping center, and most of the time, I stayed in a Mission Circle hotel.  It was only a ten to fifteen minute trip over to the San Diego Airport.  Not many people know that San Diego has hosted two world’s fairs, the 1915 and 1935, well before I was born.  I was responsible for setting up the professional relations department, which included peer review, provider relations, and quality assurance for our company.

Downtown San Diego, where I will stay on this trip, is the home of the revitalized Gaslamp Quarter, home to snazzy bars and restaurants.  And the new Petco Park is easily within walking distance from downtown hotels, the harbor, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza, and the San Diego Convention Center.  Both of my sisters have some history here.  One, lived just up the road in Del Mar with her husband Norm, and their two now grown boys.  My youngest sis graduated from San Diego State here in the 70s.

Obviously, the climate is a big deal here, as San Diego enjoys one of the most temperate climates in the world.  The population of 1.4 million would not trade it for the fog of the Bay Area, or the humidity of the east coast (or the smog and traffic of LA).  Median income is about $70,000.  It is also one of the ten safest cities in the US.  Tourism, the US Navy (largest employer), and the port are San Diego’s big three of commerce.  The border between Mexico and San Diego is the busiest international border crossing in the world.  But be careful if you decide to cross!

Among the leading high tech companies based here are Qualcomm, Nokia, LG, Kyocera, Cricket, and Novatel.  Among the leading biotech firms are Elan, Celgene, Neurocrine Biosciences, Nventa, BD Biosciences, Biogen Idec, and Vertex, and research organizations like the Salk Institute, Scripps Research Institute, the West Wireless Health Institute, and Sanford-Burnham Institute. Also, famous golf club manufacturer, Callaway is just up the road in Carlsbad.  In fact, I am currently playing Callaway irons that my son bought for me a few years ago.
The major sports teams are the NFL San Diego Chargers (now in Los Angeles), and the MLB San Diego Padres.  The current Los Angeles Clippers began their franchise here under the name of the San Diego Clippers, who moved here from Buffalo (Braves).  San Diego State University fields Division 1 sports teams.  And of course, the successful San Francisco Forty Niners head coach, Jim Harbaugh, learned his trade here at the University of San Diego.
Tourism is a major industry here, led by the great weather and beaches, followed by the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Sea World, and Balboa Park.  Old Town San Diego is worth a stop, if for nothing else but a good southwestern or south of the border meal.  It is also a pretty good convention town with lots of great seafood joints, and lively bars, especially in the Gaslamp Quarter downtown.  And do not forget to check out beautiful Coronado Island.
Anyone famous from San Diego?  Here are a few including Heisman winner Marcus Allen, actress Annette Bening, golfer Billy Casper, Hall of Fame hitter Ted Williams, Ted Danson, skateboarder Tony Hawk, NASCAR’s Jimmy Johnson, Gregory Peck, Tony Romo, the late Junior Seau, Craig Venter, Bill Walton, Pete Wilson* (one of my favorite Republicans, believe it or not), Raquel Welch, Eddie Vedder, Phil Mickelson, Ray Kroc, Wyatt Earp, Cameron Diaz, and Dennis Conner.
I am here only to cruise the Gaslamp Quarter, watch a few Giants games, and enjoy the great seafood and weather here in San Diego.  I may have ventured out to La Jolla, and Torrey Pines but the Giants have significantly improved from their lousy .500 start (equal wins and loses).  Someone also suggested I go out to the famous San Diego Zoo, more to practice my animal photography than anything else.  I think that is a great idea.
Mostly, Go Giants!!!!
*Former Gov. Wilson has been the only head of a state or country who cut the welfare rolls during my lifetime!!!
 Fast forward to 2019:  The Giants have been resurrected by Reverend Bochy!  It is a miracle!!!!  I saw two friends, one form the Bay Area, and one from the Valley.  The weather was fantastic, and the G-me

n won two out of three.

Sandy Aygo!

Posted by golfkat on August 1, 2019
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When we were kids, we thought San Diego might as well have been in another state.  It sounded far, far away, like Hawaii or Alaska.  We just never realized it was just down the road from one of our favorite childhood places, Disneyland in Anaheim.  If only we looked at a map back then!
Through the years, we spent many vacations in the San Diego area.  We even thought about relocating there when I retired.  During my working career, I had an office and company apartment in San Diego, and often flew down twice a month.  Alas, we decided to stick closer to home.
But I soon learned one thing, that perhaps saved or at least has prolonged my life.  I found out that drinking and eating a big meal, even on a liberal expense account, was not a recipe for longevity.  So, I am grateful for the experience, if for no other reason than injecting some common sense into me at an early point in my working career.
Now, on my twice yearly trips to San Diego, I tend to seek out healthier food, specifically seafood.  I still have a few beers, and some semi healthy ballpark food. But I have learned my lesson.
On a completely different note, I rarely rent a car down here, unless I plan to drive quite a distance.  I prefer using public transportation and Uber.  I also try to walk most everywhere, or rent a bicycle.
But Mexican food is a big draw here.  The food is a reflection of their proximity to the border.  Specifically, the quality of the tortillas seems superior to the more northern parts of our great state.  Some of the little Mexican places have their staff out front making fresh tortillas  They taste and smell so good, like they are supposed to, and I can eat them without anything on them!  It might even feel a bit like Mexico City at times.
The abundance of seafood here seems much superior to other parts of California.  It feels like a permanent seafood frenzy down here.  Our favorite place of late is Point Loma Seafood, introduced to us by my dear high school classmate, Julie.
Friday nights at the ball game are often craft beer nights.  The stadium here, Petco Park, has a nice grassy park behind the center-field fence.  They have numerous craft beer vendors, food booths, and of course, the ubiquitous loud (and hardly enjoyable) music.  It creates a great (wild and crazy)  atmosphere for a party, rather than a baseball game.  And it seems to attract the younger demographic, which major league baseball is trying to do.  Maybe the rest of the league should pay attention?
Anyway, I think you can easily ascertain that I prefer attending Giants games down here, as opposed to San Francisco.  The weather is better, the beer is cheaper and more plentiful, the stadium is actually nicer, and San Diegans welcome us here.  About the only aspect of this visit that is worse are the homeless.
With the Gaslamp area getting rather seedy and rundown again, I seem to prefer Little Italy.  It has a plethora of places to eat, and a wonderful Saturday morning street market.  And it is much cleaner, with fewer homeless, and tourists.  And of course, there are always the beaches, those damn beaches!
Note:  Despite what they say is a heat wave in SD, it will be cooler than the Valley!
See you there!

Beat the Heat in Pismo

Posted by golfkat on July 16, 2019
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In order to beat the Valley heat, we are once again driving over to Pismo Beach on the central coast of California.  So, not only do we love the cooler weather, our little Labradoodle, Lexi loves it too.  And we get to eat at some of our favorite places, like Ember in Arroyo Grande, since they have an outdoor patio dining area where Lexi is welcome!!!
The mostly boring drive of about three hours is tolerable. But summer lodging rates on the beach are somewhat inflated, though not as bad as the Monterey Peninsula or further south in Santa Barbara.  I guess we should not complain!  And most all of them charge extra for having even a small dog in the room.
But once we get here, we enjoy ourselves immensely.  While the cooler weather draws us, we end up doing the same things: dining, walking, taking Lexi to the beach, maybe some wine tasting, and light shopping.
Something funny about Pismo was chronicled in the old TV show, Dragnet.  Joe Friday’s partner at the time, Harry Morgan (aka Colonel Sherman Potter in MASH), plays Bill Gannon.  He takes a disability retirement in Pismo Beach.  After eating clam chowder for about 8 months, Bill’s health returns, and his teeth stop falling out!  He is reinstated to the LAPD, and tells Joe Friday the reason for his return to health, “The clams, Joe, the clams.”
One of my favorite stops these days is the Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles, just off Highway 101.  Again, they have a shaded outdoor patio for us to eat, enjoy some 805 (my favorite beer, a blond ale, now), and allow Lexi to join us while we eat.  So, not only are the craft beers (usually a dozen or more) excellent, the food is also equally good and interesting.
If you get over to the coast, I highly recommend dining at Ember.  The food and ambience is unmatched, not only for this area, but stands up to most places in the Bay Area as well.  Their website touts, “Ember is all about authentic hand-crafted food cooked by a wood fire.  We aim to create the ideal environment to experience Central Coast food and wine.”  We have enjoyed many memorable meals there.  Just remember, they open at 4pm, do not take reservations, and are closed Monday and Tuesday.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded them one of the top 100 wine restaurants in America.
Maybe there are some other things to do without food or wine?  I doubt it.

Central Coast Follies

Posted by golfkat on July 15, 2019
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For those of you who already love the central coast, the great wines and weather, I need not say or write more.  For those of you unfamiliar, here is a short but sweet laundry list of things to do.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park (for thank sinking feeling)
Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary (for the adventurous)
Whale watching (Have you read Melville?)
Hearst Castle (for Julia Morgan fans)
The Missions- six different missions on the El Camino Real (not the position!)
Pinnacles National Park-the newest national park (Thank you, Mr. President!!!)
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (a plethora of nature)
Solvang-a bit of Denmark in California (home of tennis great, Rocket Rod Laver)
Natural Bridges State Beach (no dentists allowed!)
Ember-our favorite restaurant on the central coast
Firestone-Walker Brewery in San Luis Obispo (with outdoor patio for Lexi)
The California Market in Pismo-lots of good natural and organic food choices
The Beach-Lexi loves it!!!
Cool weather!!!
Most of these attractions are outdoor activities.  I have already covered wine tasting, hanging out at the beach, cycling the coast, or playing a few rounds of golf.  We are going mostly to relax, and dine at our new favorite restaurant in the entire world, Ember, in Arroyo Grande.  When you are in the area, please eat here, you will not regret it!!!  In fact, we are meeting dear friends here on Sunday eve.
I may also see some friends, like the old “Bagman” from college.  He was not a bagman in the traditional sense, no drugs involved!  He was known to wear only a paper bag over his head, no other clothing, other than sneakers and socks, and make a midnight circuit around a huge, one block area consisting of a women’s only dormitory!!!!
NOTE:  There are some wineries, like Laetitia in Arroyo Grande on the Central Coast making sparkling wines, mostly all chardonnay based, but not too bad.  But just in case, I have my favorite Veuve du Vernay from Loire, France, just in case!!!!  See you there!
It is cool, man, cool!

Pimm’s Cup No. 1 at Wimbledon

Posted by golfkat on July 8, 2019
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From my trip to Wimbledon in 2009.  Today is day one of the tournament.  It might be a little too warm for me there, right now!
I had a very refreshing and intoxicating drink at Wimbledon last week, and again today.  Here is more about it.  I may start drinking it when I get back home.

With Wimbledon kicking off this week it seems like the whole world has tennis fever. Even if you don’t know your backhands from your forehands, the tournament is a good reason to sample one of Britain’s tastiest exports: the Pimm’s Cup. Traditionally made from Pimm’s Cup No. 1, lemon juice, a soda like ginger ale or 7-Up (or sometimes lemonade and soda) and garnished with a cucumber, the cocktail first made its mark in the mid-19th century as a British summer favorite. London bar owner James Pimm began serving the concoction as a digestif, and it became so popular that he bottled his own gin-based liquor, Pimm’s Cup No. 1, for sale.

What started as hand candy for British socialites is now the official drink of Wimbledon. Several London restaurants are rolling out their own versions of the classic drink: Mixed Doubles (Pimm’s, strawberries and Lanson Champagne) at Bluebird, for example. And stateside, the New York branch of London’s Soho House is serving up the Wimbledon Pitcher. This party-sized Pimm’s-with-a-twist-includes strawberries, oranges, and some Hendrick’s Gin for an extra kick. Not a member? We’ve got the classic and the Soho House version after the jump so you can make them at home. Just don’t attempt hit the courts afterward.

I was able to get to the famous Court #1 to see Ivo Parlevic, a 6’8″ Serb pound millions of aces against Fernando Verdasco in a spirited match with 3 tie breakers.  Then the highlight was getting to see the remaining American male, Andy Roddick, the 6th seed, against a fellow named Tomas Berych, the 20th seeded Czech I think.  Andy’s serves register easily in the 130 mph+ range.  Andy won in three straight sets.  He is a fan favorite here as well, perhaps more than the local boy, Andy Murray.

It was my last day at Wimbledon, as I need tomorrow to run some errands, and rest up for the long flight home on Wednesday.  Those of you who noticed my reportage regarding bikini tops and halters, should know that today was bare chested day.  I think the females were arrested, but the males were left to run unfettered.  I think the streakers were camped out overnight, and wanted to go to the nearby jail for a shower.

Also, no big scandals here this week.  With Jacko and Farah getting all the press, this City is relatively calm with the dirt and slander.

But I did meet two nice people in my 3 hour queue.  One, a local Indi-Brit lady who runs her own consulting company.  The other an Aussie lass with her Mum, who is taking two years off to travel the world.  It really helps pass the time in the queue to have interesting people to talk to.

I also got to see the new American female phenom, Melanie Oudin, from Marietta, GA.  She almost beat the Polish 11th seed, Agnes Radwanska.  Mel is only 17, and had to enter through qualifying.  She needs some work on her mobility and her serve.  Last week, she beat the former top ranked women, Jelena Jankovic .  But she will be at Wimbledon for years to come.  Another highlight was watching the U.S. pair, the Bryan Brothers, Bob and Mike, the number one ranked team in the world.  Bob, the lefty is better than Mike, but together, they are just about unbeatable.  They move about like gazelles in heat.

Speaking of heat, it is quite warm here, though they finally closed the 100 million British pound roof today when it sprinkled for about two minutes.  I will be coming home looking more like I spent 11 days at the beach.

Pimm’s Cup
1 1/2 oz Pimm’s Cup No. 1
1 dash lemon juice
7-Up or ginger ale, chilled
1 peeled cucumber wheel
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Pimms and lemon juice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Stir in the 7-Up and garnish with the cucumber wheel. The actual Wimbledon version has ice in the GLASS for obvious reasons.

Wimbledon Pitcher (serves 4)
5 mint leaves
4 cucumber slices
2 strawberries, chopped (rough chop)
3 lemon wedges
3 orange wedges
8 oz Pimm’s Cup No. 1
Sprite
2 oz Hendrick’s Gin
Chop all the fruit and put it in a pitcher. Then, add some ice and the Pimm’s. Top with Sprite, finish with Hendrick’s Gin, and stir gently with a big spoon or ladle.

Maybe next year, we will have a Wimbledon party with lots of Pimm’s.wimb10s osakaamanda

Gerry’s Best Quotes 2019 (Jan to June)

Posted by golfkat on July 7, 2019
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As we begin a new year, I want to focus a little more on reflection than solely on travel.  To broaden the quotes is to broaden one’s horizons, so to speak.  So, any quote is open for saving, discussing, or discarding.  Trying something new is always a great adventure, right?
This might be a great way to start the new year.
And there is always room for some good lyrics:
Simply, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” by Aretha Franklin
“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all” – Helen Keller
 
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”— Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Life is meant for good friends and great adventures” – Anonymous (I like this one)
“In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
‘Til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains.” – Paul Simon, who sang “The Boxer” on June 3, 2016, at our concert in the Greek Theater, UC Berkeley, when he told us that Muhammad Ali had passed away.
“A work of art has no importance whatever to society. It is only important to the individual.” – Vladimir Nabokov
“He was a wise man who invented beer.” – Plato
“The legislature finds that the cigarette is considered the deadliest artifact in human history.” – State of Hawaii Legislature (trying to pass a bill to ban smoking in Hawaii).
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” – Edward Abbey (Moab’s most famous alum)
“Fascism is cured by reading, racism is cured by traveling” – Miguel de Unamuno (whoever he is)
“Education is not something you can finish” – Isaac Asimov
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another” – William James
“Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
“Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
“Bicycling is a big part of the future.  It has to be.  There’s something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout in the gym.” – Bill Nye, scientist.
“Americans fear that former Trump staffers will be released into their cities” – Any Borowitz, The New Yorker
“Learn from the mistakes of others.  You can never live long enough to make them all yourself” – Groucho Marx
“Every man is guilty of the good he did not do” – Voltaire
“Be strong, I whisper to my coffee” -Anon.
“You can lead a man to Congress, but you can’t make him think” – Milton Berle
“Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company” – Mark Twain
“I was eating in a Chinese restaurant downtown.  There was a dish called Mother and Child Reunion.  It’s chicken and eggs.  And I said, I gotta use that one” – Paul Simon
“I’m sorry, if you were right, I’d agree with you” – Robin Williams
“As a child my family’s menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it” – Buddy Hackett
“The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world” – Susan B. Anthony
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Tony Bourdain
Again, I invite you to share your favorite quotes with me.  See you again in December!!!oldman19cycle66quotes gm