Sunday, February 25, 2024

Dinner at Chez TJ

For Inna's birthday, I made reservations at the famous Michelin 1-star Chez TJ restaurant in Mountain View for Friday, February 23, at 19:30.


We were provided multiple wine menus after arriving and sitting at our table. After some discussions with the waiter, we select a half bottle of Vouvray. We had always loved Vouvray after spending some time in the Loire region of France.

Chez TJ is a contemporary French cuisine restaurant in one of Mountain View, CA's most historic Victorian homes. Originally built circa 1894, the structure was home to Julius and Fanny Weilheimer. Julius was a Vice President of the Mountain View Farmers and Merchant’s Bank as well as a member of the town Council. In the early 1980s, George Aviet and Thomas J. McCombie acquired the property and served their first dinner on November 26, 1982.

Our Chef's Tasting Menu consisted of the following items:

  • Silver Sky Ranch Sweetbread, Burtn Onion Consomme
  • Royal Osetra Caviar, Avocado, Barley
  • Star Route Farm Red Beet, Hokkaido Scallop, Citrus Lace
  • White Asparagus, Razo Clam, Favas from the Garden, Monterey Bay Seaweeds
  • Black Bread
  • Sacramento Sturgeon, Kalugo Caviar, Hearts of Plam, Oroblanco
  • Alphonso, Mango Sorber, Millet Crumble,
  • Golden Beet Ravioli, Winter Black Truffle, Marin Roots Chickwood
  • Broken Arrow Ranch Quail, Salsify, Morels, Rhubarb
  • Poppy Sunflower Seed Pain Levain, Cara Cara Ricotta
  • It's Always Sunny: Vanilla, Yuzu, Kalamansi
  • Burnt Honey Sesame Ice Cream, Honey Comb
  • Nectarine & Cherry Pate De Fruit
  • Coffee Caramel
  • Cranberry Walnut Mendiant
Executive Chef: Stan Michalski
Executive Pastry Chef: Christine Johanson


We had a wonderful 2.5-hour dinner, enjoying very unique dishes. Our favorites included Sacramento Sturgeon with Caviar and It's Always Sunny dessert/.




Saturday, February 17, 2024

Review: Andrey Makarevich

Last year, Inna purchased two tickets to see Andrey Makarevich for Saturday, February 17th 19:00 concert at Fort Mason, San Francisco.

 

We left early to eat dinner in San Francisco before the concert. After parking in Fort Mason, we learned that our favorite local German eatery, Radhaus San Francisco, was packed. After paying $16 for all-day parking, we decided to grab an UberX and drive to our favorite Napizza Restaurant. We had limited time, and it was raining, so getting an early dinner made a lot of sense.

After arriving on Chestnut Street, we were greeted with the friendly "Buona Sera" as we sat inside Napizza. After looking at the menu, we decided to be adventurous and order different items (we usually order Pizza Mortazza)

  • Appetizer: Polpette al Tartufo (Meatballs)
  • Entree: Pizza Capricciosa
  • Drinks: Hot Green Tea

Our waiter quickly brought out the Polpette al Tartufo  (3 meatballs in a delicious sauce), which we devoured as we waited for our entree. A few minutes later, the freshly baked Pizza Capricciosa arrived. I loved the dough and the fresh toppings.

We liked the atmosphere and the loud Italian Pop music blaring on the sound system. It was almost like being back in Italy. We didn't have time for dessert, though Inna had her eye on an Affogato (or Tiramisu).

She ordered an UberX to take us back to the concert. After waiting for 7 minutes in heavy rain, the UberX driver canceled the ride, but Inna managed to secure another ride.

We returned to Fort Mason with 10 minutes to spare, though slightly wet from the unusually heavy rain. We met up with our friends and sat down in our designated seats.

Andrey Makarevich came out on stage. It was just him and his new Yamaha acoustic guitar. He played many songs and frequently read poetry. It was a somber occasion, with the recent murder of Alexei Navalny by Putin's thugs.

Spotify Tracks:

Я расскажу вам про стран

The concert lasted about 2 hours (without any breaks). After the concert, we returned home, as we were pretty tired.



Saturday, January 20, 2024

Zoom Serve Lesson with Ryan Reidy

In today's Zoom Serve Lesson with Reidy Reidy, I learned some tips for improving my serve and other strokes.

Serve Tips

  • Pick a target
  • Decide between kick-serve, flat, or slice serve
  • Use Continental Grip
  • Do not use the racket to bounce the ball (it forces you to change your serve grip)
  • Toss the ball higher.
  • Hold the racket loosely, with a few fingers off (to make it loose), and get more leverage.
  • The lasso effect (racket 360-degree rotation) is more critical than the racket drop.
  • Legs should explode as the racket reaches the head
  • On a pinpoint stance, twist the front foot clockwise on its toe to get more of a corkscrew loading effect
  • Keep your head looking at the ball through the whole serve
  • Try to start slow and accelerate through the serve
  • After hitting the ball, use the left arm to stop shoulder rotation (for even more power)

Forehand Tips 

  • For right-eye dominant players, use an open stance or half-open stance (not a closed stance) 
  • Get to the best position before the ball bounces (move as fast as possible, even on slow balls)
  • Prepare early (rotate the shoulders)
  • When the ball bounces, separate the left and right arms to initiate the stroke.
    • The kinetic chain starts from top to bottom (hand, shoulder, hips, legs)
  • Throw the right arm to initiate the stroke, accelerating gradually upwards
    • On the rise-balls can be hit more flat (as they already have an upward ball trajectory)
  • Hitting on the rise creates a rebound effect and provides more power (counter-punch)
  • Shorten the backswing and hit further in front
  • Observe the ball without moving your head, and look through the racket's sweet spot.
  • In Open Stance, the left foot should be slightly above ground before contact.
  • In Closed Stance, move your right foot forward after contact (hips should have rotated 180 degrees), and pivot around your left foot.
  • On stroke completion
    • The right shoulder should be ahead of the left shoulder
    • The right arm should be straight
    • Catch the racket over your head (on a topspin forehand)

Two-Handed Backhand Tips

  • Get to the best position before the ball bounces (move as fast as possible, even on slow balls)
  • Prepare early (rotate the shoulders)
  • When the ball bounces, initiate the stroke by moving the racket down with your right arm.
    • The kinetic chain starts from top to bottom (hand, shoulder, hips, legs)
    • The left arm should straighten out during the stroke
  •  Hitting on the rise creates a rebound effect and provides more power (counter-punch)
  •  Observe the ball and look through the racket's sweet spot without moving your head. 
  • You should pivot on the toes of your front foot

Footwork Tips

  • Get to the ball before it bounces!
  • Move forward to backward to attack the ball, and take it on the rise if possible.
  • Use rhythm steps for (1-2) to move and adjust position near the ball
  • Use cross-over steps for more considerable distances

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Lesson 06: Tennis with Gary Jordao - Early Prep

During today's lesson with Gary Jordao, I focused on improving my forehand and backhand spacing. 

I have developed a bad habit of getting too close to the ball. I need more space between me and the incoming tennis ball to execute a full forehand or backhand stroke.

After a 30-minute class, we played a singles match. I was still slow to prepare, and my split step was often missing. My forehand still has too much backswing, and I don't often bend my knees enough.

Additional Tennis Clinics

Forehand

  1. Split step when the opponent hits the ball
  2. Prepare early (twist the shoulder)
  3. Work on staying further away.
  4. Keep feet further apart (wide stance)
  5. Bend the knees
  6. On low balls, bend the knees even further!
  7. Breathe out during the stroke

 Backhand 

  1. Split step when the opponent hits the ball 
  2. Prepare early (twist the shoulder)
  3. During the backhand stroke, avoid turning the wrist
  4. Work staying further away
  5. Keep feet further apart (wide stance)
  6. Bend the knees
  7. Make sure to continue the stroke low to high without stopping

Helpful Video - Tennis IQ


 

Video Recordings 








 








Monday, January 15, 2024

Clinic 02: AVAC 3.5+ Adult Tennis Clinic

In today's Adult 3.5+ Tennis Clinic at AVAC, Josh Martin, our tennis pro, had us focus on the following items

  •  Forehand Technique
    • Early preparation (prepare before the ball bounces)
    • Hit the ball in front of you (most everyone is always late) 
    • Hit upwards (even on returns)
    • Accelerate through the shot
    • Use timing of contact to control the direction of the shot (do not turn your body). This simplifies the shot as only timing changes.
      • Hit earlier for cross-court shots.
      • Hit normal for down-the-line shots
      • Hit late: bad (jammed) 
    • Swing 
      • Shorten the swing (a long swing will not work for fastballs)
  • Serve Technique
    • After the service, get ready immediately. 
      • Practice going back to "ready" position after each serve
    • Toss the ball higher
      • Better racket drop
      • To disguise the serve
  • Return of Serve Technique
    • Split step
    • Turn
    • Hit (power comes from forward momentum - not the swing)
    • Step forward

A long weekend with Teddy

Inna and I were fortunate to dog-sit a Bernie-doodle named Teddy for 3 days. 


 We enjoyed playing with Teddy and going out for daily walks. He does not ever bark and is very affectionate and playful.

Monday, January 8, 2024

Clinic 01: AVAC 3.5+ Adult Tennis Clinic

In today's Adult 3.5+ Tennis Clinic at AVAC, Josh Martin, our tennis pro, had us focus on the following items

  •  Forehand Technique
    • Early preparation (prepare before the ball bounces)
    • Hit the ball in front of you (most everyone is always late)
    • Use timing of contact to control the direction of the shot (do not turn your body). This simplifies the shot as only timing changes
      • Hit earlier for cross-court shots
      • Hit normal for down-the-line shots
      • Hit late: bad (jammed) 
    • Swing 
      • Shorten the swing (a long swing will not work for fastballs)
  • Serve Technique
    • After the service, get ready immediately. 
      • Practice going back to "ready" position after each serve
    • Toss the ball higher
      • Better racket drop
      • To disguise the serve
  • Return of Serve
    • Split step
    • Turn
    • Hit (power comes from forward momentum - not the swing)
    • Step forward

After the clinic, I played singles tennis against Diego. 

Diego was able to return my fast serve. He mentioned that he could quickly tell where I would serve due to my lowball toss. In addition, after hitting the serve, I was too slow to get back to the "ready" position for his fast return.

Diego's serves were relatively slow, and I should have attacked them.

Friday, January 5, 2024

Lesson 04: Tennis with Gary Jordao - Spacing

During today's lesson with Gary, I focused on improving my forehand and backhand spacing. 

I have developed a bad habit of getting too close to the ball. I need more space between me and the incoming tennis ball to execute a full forehand or backhand stroke.

Forehand

  1. Prepare early!
  2. Work on staying further away.
  3. Keep feet further apart (wide stance)
  4. Bend the knees
  5. On low balls, bend the knees even further!
  6. Breathe out during the stroke

 Backhand 

  1. Prepare early! 
  2. During the backhand stroke, avoid turning the wrist
  3. Work staying further away
  4. Keep feet further apart (wide stance)
  5. Bend the knees
  6. Make sure to continue the stroke low to high without stopping

Video Recordings

 



 






Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Lesson 03: Tennis with Gary Jordao - Spacing

During today's lesson with Gary, I focused on improving my forehand and backhand spacing. 

I have developed a bad habit of getting too close to the ball. I need more space between me and the incoming tennis ball to execute a full forehand or backhand stroke.

Forehand

  1. Prepare early!
  2. Work on staying further away.
  3. Keep feet further apart (wide stance)
  4. Bend the knees
  5. On low balls, bend the knees even further!
  6. Breathe out during the stroke

 Backhand 

  1. Prepare early!
  2. Work staying further away.
  3. Keep feet further apart (wide stance)
  4. Bend the knees
  5. Make sure to continue the stroke low to high without stopping

Video Recordings

 








Monday, January 1, 2024

Welcome 2024!

 With Covid-19 gone, we are happy to move into 2024! Let's hope for better tidings.




2023 in Review

Highlights 

  • A fabulous trip to Southern Italy with stops in Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Pompei, Salerno, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, Matera, Alberobello, Otranto, and Ostuni
  • An exciting trip to Costa Rica featuring close encounters with toucans, sloths, and monkeys
  • A relaxing trip to Spain with stops in Barcelona, Girona, and Costa Brava
  • Trip to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Sedona
    • Watching Las Vegas shows: Awakening, Michael Jackson One, Mystere
    • Hiking Bell Rock, Little Horse, Fay Canyon, Boynton Canyon
    • Walking around the Grand Canyon
  • Fun, short trips to 
    • Pismo Beach (enjoying sup surfing and walking on the beach)
    • Arnold
    • Calistoga (enjoying the thermal pool and nearby restaurants)
  • Learning to wing foil at Crissy Field and Sherman Island
  • SUP Surfing in Capitola
  • Attending Donizetti's Elixir of Love Opera  in San Francisco
  • Attending Mashina Vermeni's concert in San Francisco
  • Alex completed his first professional 6-month Co-op
  • Dog sitting Teddy

Lowlights

  • Alex developed problems breathing and had to be taken to the emergency room.
  • The appalling attack on Israel by Hamas
  • The horrible war between Russia and Ukraine
  • Boris' outbreak of Colitis
  • Inna's spells of dizziness/vertigo
  • Additional Federal and State Taxes
  • Alex missed his surf camp in Costa Rica.
  • Dinging the Fanatic Allwave 9'3" SUP at the Hook (requiring a costly repair)

Home Improvement

  • Installed new California Closets in two bedrooms
  • Installed six new Nest Fire Alarms to replace ancient Firex models
  • Changed Water Filter


Gifts

We prepared the following gifts for New Year's Day:

Boris:

    • Hoka Athletic Shoes
    • Phone carrier for my Toyota Sienna Van
    • Mountain biking pants
    • Patagonia Sweater
 Inna:
    • Bose QuietComfort 45 SE Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones
    • Morphing Mugs Harry Potter
    • UGG Women's Cozy Slippers
    • Gourmet Chocolates

 Alex:

Vladik:

    • Beanie Hat
    • Levi's Jeans

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Best of the Best 2023

Which are the best restaurants, spas, and travel destinations? 

At the end of 2023, I am rating the following (in order of best to worst) based on my personal experience.


Restaurants

Even though Michelin has not rated it, Mama's Fish House on Maui is our favorite restaurant worldwide. Mama's Fish House combines an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere with exceptional cooking and a magnificent tropical setting (overlooking Maui's North Shore, near the famous Ho'okipa Beach) to create an unforgettable dining experience using only the freshest fish caught on Maui.

At the end of 2023, I am rating the following (in order of best to worst) based on my personal experience.

  1. Mama's Fish House, Maui, Hawaii 
  2. The Plumed Horse, Saratoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  3. Lagoon Restaurant by Jean Georges, St. Regis, Bora-Bora, French Polynesia 
  4. Manresa, Los Gatos, CA (3 Michelin Stars) (closed)
  5. Solbar, Calistoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  6. Gary Danko, San Francisco, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  7. Ristrot Guivol, Turin, Italy
  8. Weinstube Baldreit, Baden-Baden, Germany 
  9. Plachutta, Vienna, Austria 
  10. Humuhumunukunuku'apua, Maui Hawaii 
  11. La Foret, San Jose, CA (Michelin Rated)
  12. Bouchon, Napa, CA  (Michelin Rated)
  13. Solo, Portland, Maine
  14. Araxi, Whistler, BC
  15. Cucina Rustica, Sedona, Arizona
  16. Eataly, WTC, New York City (and Munich)
  17. Tatte Bakey, Boston
  18. La Toque Restaurant, Napa, CA

SF Bay Area Restaurants

  1. The Plumed Horse, Saratoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  2. Solbar, Calistoga, CA
  3. Bouchon, Napa, CA  (Michelin Rated)
  4. Foreign Cinema, San Francisco (bad neighborhood)
  5. Teleferic Barcelona, Los Gatos
  6. ASA Restaurant, Los Gatos
  7. Chez Philippe, Los Gatos
  8. Napizza, San Francisco
  9. Cote Ouest Bistro, San Francisco 
  10. Red House Cafe, Monterey
  11. Sotto Mare, San Francisco
  12. Passionfish, Monterey
  13. Cracked & Battered, Marina, San Francisco
  14. Golden Triangle, Los Gatos
  15. Lele Cake, San Jose 

SF Bay Area Coffee Shops

  1. Philz, Los Gatos, CA
  2. Captain + Stoker Cafe, Monterey, CA
  3. Equator Coffees, San Francisco, CA
  4. Blue Bottle, Los Gatos, CA
  5. Coffee People, Portland, OR

SF Bay Area Bakeries

  1. One65, San Francisco
  2. Tartine Bakery, San Francisco
  3. Bouchon, Napa
  4. Arsicault Bakery, San Francisco
  5. Schubert's Bakery, San Francisco (Cakes)
     

Dishes

Pizzeria

We have had pizza everywhere in the United States (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, etc.), France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Japan. So far, our favorite pizza restaurant is Pizzaria D'Angeli in Naples, Italy. We also had fantastic pizza in Japan - at Pizzeria Mar-de Napoli in Tokyo.

  1. Pizzaria D'Angeli, Naples, Italy
  2. Pizzeria Scugnizzo, Turin, Italy
  3. Waikiki Pizza Restaurant, Bardonecchia, Italy
  4. Bricks Restaurant Pizza, Turin, Italy
  5. Don Kilo, Barcelona, Spain
  6. Napizza, San Francisco, CA
  7. Keste Pizza, Greenwich Village, New York City (Keste #1)
  8. Eataly, World Trade Center, New York City ("Capricciosa" pizza)
  9. Eataly Lingotto, Turin, Italy
  10. Pizzeria Mar-de Napoli, Tokyo, Japan ("DLC winner" pizza)
  11. Juliana's Pizza, Brooklyn, New York City (#1 Special)
  12. Hearthstone in Red Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Gelato and Ice Cream

We also really liked Fresco Gelateria in Sorrento. We also tried many exceptional gelaterias in Florence, Siena, Lake Como, Venice, and Lucca.
  1. Fresco Gelateria, Sorrento, Italy
  2. Gelato in Bologna, Italy (near Piazza Maggiore)
  3. Gelato in Florence, Siena, Lake Como, Venice, Lucca (Italy) 
  4. Fresco Sorrento Gelato, Sorrento, Italy
  5. DelaCrem, Barcelona, Spain
  6. Bacio di Latte, Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA
  7. Gio Gelati, San Francisco, CA
  8. Bella Gelateria, Vancouver, BC 
  9. Grom Gelateria, Turin, Italy
  10. Grom Gelateria, New York City (also in Florence and Siena) 
  11. Kamakura Gelato, Kamakura, Japan
  12. Eataly, New York City (and Munich)
  13. Gelateria La Romana, Turin, Italy
  14. Dolce Gelato, Laguna Beach

Spas

Our favorite spa is Aquadome, in Langenfeld, Austria (near Tyrol), but we also really liked the thermal baths in San Montano in Ischia, Italy.
  1. Aquadome, Langenfeld, Austria
  2. San Montano Resort & Spa, Ischia, Italy
  3. Friedrichsbad Therme, Baden-Baden, Germany 
  4. Caracalla Therme, Baden-Baden, Germany
  5. Alpentherme Gastein, Bad Hofgastein, Austria 
  6. Miri-Miri Spa by Clarens, St. Regis, Bora-Bora 
  7. Scandinave Spa, Whistler, Canada 
  8. Tabacon, Costa Rica 
  9. Spa LaQua, Tokyo, Japan
  10. Spa World, Osaka, Japan
  11. Solage, Calistoga, CA 
  12. Indian Springs, Calistoga, CA 

Hotels

Our favorite hotel is St. Regis in Bora Bora, Tahiti.
  1. St. Regis, Bora Bora, Tahiti, French Polynesia
  2. San Montano Resort e Spa, Ischia, Italy
  3. The Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico
  4. Nayara Springs Relais & Chateaux, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
  5. Makanda by the Sea, Costa Rica
  6. Tabacon Thermal Spa, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
  7. Hotel Davanzati, Florence, Italy

Books (all-time)
  1. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
  2. Night by Elie Wiesel
  3. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
  4. The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
  5. The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
  6. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
  7. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
  8. 1984 by George Orwell
  9. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
  10. The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk
  11. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
  12. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
  13. Shogun by James Clavell
  14. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
  15. Sophie's Choice by William Styron
  16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  17. Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
Books (2023)
  1. Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
  2. The Incredible Life of Hubert Wilkins by Peter FitzSimons
  3. The Second World Wars by Victor David Hanson
  4. James Cook: The Story Behind the Man Who Mapped the World by Peter FitzSimons
  5. Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
  6. Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
  7. A War Like No Other by Victor David Hanson
  8. Batavia by Peter FitzSimons
  9. Nancy Wake by Peter FitzSimons
  10. Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen by the Sinai by Matti Friedman
  11. Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman
  12. Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana
  13. Hitch22 by Christopher Hitchens
  14. American Journey: On the Road with Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and John Burroughs by Wes Davis
 
Movies (all-time)
  1. The Godfather (1972)
  2. Schindler's List (1993)
  3. Casablanca (1942)
  4. Gone with the Wind (1939)
  5. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
  6. Dead Poet's Society (1989)
  7. High Noon (1952)
  8. 12 Angry Men (1957)
  9. The Lord of the Rings (2001)
  10. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
  11. The Matrix (1999)
  12. Sophie's Choice (1982)
  13. Goodfellas (1990)
  14. Amadeus (1984)
  15. Aliens (1986)
  16. All Quiet on the Western Front (1939)
  17. Good Morning Vietnam! (1987)
  18. Modern Times (1936)
  19. Das Boot (1981)
  20. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
  21. The Godfather, Part II (1974)
  22. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
  23. Unforgiven (1992)
  24. Point Break (1991)
  25. Double Indemnity (1944)
  26. Some Like It Hot (1959)
  27. Scarface (1983)
  28. Judgment at Nurenburg (1961)
  29. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
  30. Seven Samurai (1954)
  31. Groundhog Day (1993)
  32. Before Sunrise (1995)

Movies (2023)
  1. Oppenheimer

Miniseries (all-time)

  1. The Winds of War (1983)
  2. War and Remembrance  (1988)
  3. Band of Brothers (2001)
  4. The Pacific
  5. Pride & Prejudice (1995)
  6. Shogun (1980)
  7. Masada (1981)
  8. The Thorn Birds (1983)
  9. North & South (2004)
  10. Black Mirror (2011)


Rock Concerts

My favorite rock concert was Elton John's Made in England Tour at Tacoma Dome. It was my first Rock concert and a truly fantastic experience. I have been to his other concerts, i.e., the Red Piano in Las Vegas, but they had a different atmosphere and intensity.
  1. Elton John's Made in England Tour, Tacoma Dome, Washington on 9/9/1995 
  2. Leonard Cohen, HP Pavilion, San Jose, 11/7/2012. 
  3. The History of the Eagles, HP Pavilion, San Jose, 1/29/2013 
  4. Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road SAP Center, San Jose, 10/19/2018
  5. Postmodern Jukebox, The Warfield, San Francisco, 12/13/2015 
  6. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, 5/30/2015 
  7. Carlos Santana, Shoreline Amphitheater, 2002
  8. Elton John's Million Dollar Piano, The Colosseum, Las Vegas, 10/13/2011
  9. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Uptown Theatre, Napa, 2/23/2019
  10. The Gipsy Kings, Mountain Winery, 8/27/2014. 
  11. Lara Fabian 50, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 9/20/2019

Opera


My favorite opera is Carmen by Georges Bizet, due to the fantastic music and dramatic story. I am also partial to Puccini, especially Madame Butterfly.
  1. Carmen, Houston Grand Opera
  2. Madame Butterfly, Houston Grand Opera, 1993
  3. Marriage of Figaro, San Francisco Opera, 6/21/15
  4. Barber of Seville, San Francisco Opera, 11/23/13
  5. La Traviata, Houston Grand Opera
  6. Don Giovanni, San Francisco Opera
  7. La Boheme, San Francisco Opera,  11/22/14
  8. The Magic Flute, San Francisco Opera
  9. Lucia di Lammermoor, Houston Grand Opera
  10. Elektra, Houston Grand Opera
  11. Salome, Houston Grand Opera

Musical Theater

My favorite musical is Chicago (most recently seen at Ambassador Theater on Broadway), but I am a massive fan of Kander & Ebb musicals (which also include Cabaret, Liza with a Z, and Fosse). I also like most Cole Porter musicals (Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate!) and George Gershwin (Crazy for You).
  1. Chicago, Ambassador Theater, Broadway, New York City 12/18/2016, 9/25/2018
  2. Fiddler on the Roof, Broadway Theater, New York City, 12/23/2016 
  3. Cabaret, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco 
  4. Anything Goes, Golden Gate Theater, San Francisco, 1/19/2013 
  5. Grease, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco 
  6. Monty Python's Spamalot, Orpheum, San Francisco 
  7. My Fair Lady, Vivian Beaumont Theater, New York City, 9/22/2018
  8. Kiss Me, Kate!, Orpheum, San Francisco 
  9. Saturday Night Fever, Orpheum, San Francisco 
  10. 42nd Street, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, 7/15/2017
  11. Mary Poppins, Orpheum, San Francisco, 5/12/2013 
  12. The Book of Mormon, San Francisco, 1/7/2014 
  13. Showboat, War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 6/13/2014 
  14. Aladdin, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 4/17/19
  15. Mamma Mia, Orpheum, San Francisco
  16. Phantom of the Opera, Orpheum, San Francisco, 8/21/2015
  17. Cats, Neil Simon Theater, New York City, 12/24/2016 
  18. The Lion King, Orpheum, San Francisco
  19. Les Miserables, Orpheum, San Francisco
  20. Avenue Q, New World Stages, New York City, 9/24/2018
  21. Hello Dolly!, Orpheum, San Francisco
  22. Mathilda, Orpheum, San Francisco, 7/23/2015
  23. Wicked!, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 8/31/2019
  24. Fosse, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
  25. Hamilton, Orpheum, San Francisco, 8/17/2019
  26. Miss Saigon, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 11/15/2019
  27. Evita, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
  28. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
  29. Annie, Portland, Oregon

Theater (Drama & Comedy)

I am incredibly partial to William Shakespeare's dramas, especially Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear. Having seen them long ago, I have yet to be exposed to more recent productions.
  1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Geary Theater, San Francisco, 11/20/2019
  2. Emma, TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, 12/4/2015 
  3. Les Liaisons Dangereuses, New York City, 12/22/2016 
  4. Disgraced, Berkeley Rep, Berkeley, 12/12/2015 
  5. Cyrano, TheatreWorks, Mountain View, 4/24/2016 
  6. Outside Mullingar, TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, 10/7/2016 
  7. The Hard Problem, Geary Theater, San Francisco, 10/19/2016 
  8. Daddy Longs Legs, Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto, 12/3/2016 
  9. Oleanna, Houston, 1992

Hiking Trails

Half-Dome was the longest, most challenging hike I have done. It has fantastic overlooks of Yosemite Valley. However, the other hikes in Silver Falls State Park in Oregon are also excellent.
  1. Half-Dome, Yosemite, CA 
  2. Little Horse Trail to Chicken Point, Sedona, Arizona
  3. Silver Falls State Park, Oregon 
  4. Dipsea Trail, Sausalito, CA 
  5. Devil's Bridge, Sedona, Arizona
  6. Big Basin Redwoods, Boulder Creek, CA 
  7. Sanborn County Park, CA
  8. Castle Rock State Park, CA 
  9. Mt. Shasta, CA 
  10. Point Lobos Natural Reserve, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 
  11. Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, CA 
  12. Huddart County Park, Woodside, CA

Ski Resorts

My favorite place to ski and snowboard is Whistler, near Vancouver, British Columbia. Whistler usually has great snow with minimal elevation gain, excellent, inexpensive restaurants, and a tremendous youthful vibe (with many other nearby activities such as tubing, ice skating, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, & snowmobiling). It also has a fabulous Scandinave Spa! However, I also enjoy the fantastic powder at our local Mammoth Mountain.
  1. Whistler/Blackcomb, BC, Canada (best ski resort) 
  2. Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA (best California powder)
  3. Verbier, Switzerland
  4. Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, CA (best local powder)
  5. Mount Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood, Oregon
  6. Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe, CA
  7. Mt. Bachelor, Bend, Oregon 
  8. Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe 
  9. Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA
  10. Mt. Rose, East Lake Tahoe, NV 
  11. Sierra-at-Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA
  12. Bardonecchia, Turin, Italy (most delicious food of any resort)
  13. Sugar Bowl, Lake Tahoe, CA (closest resort) 

Mountain Biking Trails
  1. Soquel Demo Forest, Santa Cruz, CA
  2. John Nicholas Trail, Los Gatos, CA
  3. Almaden Quicksilver County Park, San Jose, CA
  4. Saratoga Gap & Long Ridge, Saratoga, CA
  5. Santa Teresa County Park, San Jose, CA
  6. Joseph D. Grant County Park
  7. Limekiln Trail, Los Gatos, CA
  8. Monte Bello OSP
  9. Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz, CA

Off-Road Motorcycling Trails

My favorite place to ride off-road dirt bikes is in Hollister SVRA. I have taken classes with Brian Garrahan and have ridden multiple 4-stroke and 2-stroke motorcycles.
  1. Hollister Hills SVRA, Hollister, CA
  2. Carnegie SVRA, Tracy, CA
  3. Metcalf, San Jose, CA

Windsurfing/Wing Foiling Spots

My all-time favorite place for windsurfing is on the Northern shore of Maui at Spreckelsville Beach. However, I also enjoyed windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge ("The Gorge" near Hood River, Oregon) at Sherman Island in Rio Vista Coyote Point, 3rd Ave, and Crissy Field in San Francisco.
  1. Spreckelsville, Maui, Hawaii
  2. Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
  3. Crissy Field, San Francisco, California
  4. Sherman Island, Rio Vista, California
  5. Swell City, Hood River, Oregon
  6. Rowena, Hood River, Oregon
  7. Event Site, Hood River, Oregon
  8. Coyote Point, San Francisco, California
  9. 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA
  10. Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz, California

Surfing Spots
  1. Trestles, San Clemente, CA
  2. Ala Moana State Park, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
  3. Rockpile Beach, Laguna Beach, CA
  4. Huntington Beach, CA
  5. Surfer's Point at Seaside Park, Ventura
  6. "The Hook", Capitola
  7. Newport Beach Pier
  8. Dolores Beach, Laniakea Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
  9. Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach, CA
  10. Pleasure Point, Capitola (great beginners spot)
  11. Steamer Lane, Capitola (experts only)
  12. San Clemente Pier, CA
  13. Manresa State Beach, Capitola

The Year in Sports 2023

 

 
How was 2023 in Sports? Except for tennis, I was less active than in previous years.
  • 78 days of playing tennis at Almaden Valley Athletic Club
  • 12 days of surfing (Capitola, Lihue's Kalapaki Beach)
  • 10 days of wing foiling (Crissy Field)
  • 0 days of snowboarding
  • 5 days of swimming at Almaden Valley Athletic Club
  • 5 days of hiking in Sedona
  • 10 days of indoor bike riding (Keiser M3i) 
  • 2 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park)

How was 2022 in Sports? Except for tennis, I was less active than in previous years.

  • 146 days of playing tennis at Almaden Valley Athletic Club
  • 18 days of surfing (Capitola, Lihue's Kalapaki Beach)
  • 19 days of windsurfing and wing foiling (Crissy Field)
  • 0 days of snowboarding
  • 5 days of swimming at Almaden Valley Athletic Club
  • 0 days of hiking
  • 10 days of indoor bike riding (Keiser M3i) 
  • 10 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park)

How was 2021 in Sports? With Covid-19 raging, it turned out quite different, with much more surfing and mountain biking than in previous years.

  • 77 days of playing tennis at Almaden Valley Athletic Club
  • 42 days of surfing (Capitola, Rockpile Beach, Trestles)
  • 20 days of windsurfing (Crissy Field)
  • 3 days of snowboarding (Palisades Tahoe)
  • 11 days of swimming at Almaden Valley Athletic Club
  • 12 days of hiking (Sedona, Vasona Lake)
  • 14 days of indoor bike riding (Keiser M3i) 
  • 38 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park, John Nicholas Trail), with almost 60,000 feet of elevation gain!

How was 2020 in Sports? With Covid-19 raging, it turned out quite different, with much more surfing and mountain biking than in previous years.

  • 77 days of playing tennis (Sunnyvale Tennis Center) before Covid-19 closed it. I really miss playing tennis!
  • 14 days of working out in the gym (City Sports) before Covid-19 locked it
  • 46 days of surfing (Capitola, Rockpile Beach, Trestles)
  • 12 days of windsurfing (Coyote Point, Sherman Island, Waddell Creek, 3rd Ave)
  • 0 days of snowboarding 
  • 11 days of hiking (Vasona Lake)
  • 2 days of off-road motorcycling at Hollister Hills (on a Yamaha WR250F)
  • 19 days of indoor bike riding (Keiser M3i) 
  • 59 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park, John Nicholas Trail), with almost 100,000 feet of elevation gain!

How was 2019 in Sports? With colitis in September, I missed a lot of tennis and gym days. I did manage to enjoy many fantastic hikes. In addition, this was the most incredible year for snowboardingBardonecchia, Verbier, Mammoth, and Alpine Meadows!

  • 124 days of playing tennis (Sunnyvale Tennis Center)
  • 66 days working out in the gym (City Sports)
  • 20 days of surfing (Capitola, Oahu)
  • 15 days of windsurfing (Coyote Point, Sherman Island, Crissy Field)
  • 15 days of snowboarding (Mammoth, Verbier, Alpine Meadows)
  • 16 days of hiking (Yosemite, Sedona, Vasona Lake)
  • 1 day of off-road motorcycling at Hollister Hills (on a Yamaha WR250F)
  • 4 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park)
How was 2018 in Sports? It was my best year for windsurfing!
  • 147 days of playing tennis (Sunnyvale Tennis Center)
  • 90 days working out in the gym (City Sports)
  • 23 days of surfing (Capitola)
  • 16 days of windsurfing (Coyote Point, Sherman Island)
  • 13 days of snowboarding (Whistler & South Lake Tahoe)
  • 12 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park)
  • 4 days of hiking (Santa Cruz)
  • 3 days of off-road motorcycling at Hollister Hills (on a Yamaha WR250F)
How was 2017 in Sports? It was my best year for gym workouts!
  • 228 days of playing tennis (Sunnyvale Tennis Center)
  • 98 days working out in the gym (Forma Gym)
  • 7 days of windsurfing (Coyote Point, Sherman Island)
  • 5 days of snowboarding (Whistler & South Lake Tahoe)
  • 21 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park)
  • 3 days of hiking (Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge)
  • 6 days of off-road motorcycling at Hollister Hills (on a Yamaha WR250F)
How was 2016 in Sports? It was my best year for tennis and off-road motorcycling!
  • 241 days of playing tennis (Los Gatos Swim & Racquet Club)
  • 0 days working out in the gym (Forma Gym)
  • 0 days of windsurfing (Coyote Point, Sherman Island)
  • 1 day of snowboarding (Whistler & South Lake Tahoe)
  • 1 day of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park)
  • 0 days of hiking
  • 11 days of off-road motorcycling at Hollister Hills (on a Honda CRF250R)
How was 2015 in Sports? It was not my best year.
  • 0 days of playing tennis
  • 0 days working out in the gym (Forma Gym)
  • 1 day of windsurfing (Coyote Point, Sherman Island)
  • 6 days of snowboarding (Whistler & South Lake Tahoe)
  • 7 days of mountain biking (Almaden Quicksilver Park)
  • 0 days of hiking
  • 2 days of off-road motorcycling at Hollister Hills (on a Honda CR150F)