Sunday, March 17, 2019

Early blooms at Filoli Gardens

After a long, rainy winter, we visited Filoli Gardens to observe and photograph the latest blooming flowers. According to Filoli, the following flowers bloomed: tulips, camellias, and daffodils.


When we arrived at around 1:00 p.m., we had to circle around the parking lot a few times to find an open space. Having parked the minivan, we queued in a long line to purchase admission tickets. We brought two cameras to our outing: the large Canon 5DS for serious photos and the Canon G7x Mark 2 for quick shots (used mainly by Inna).


Once we purchased the tickets, we toured the beautiful Filoli mansion before viewing all the flowers. We enjoyed visiting the multiple rooms in the large mansion, including the Foyer, kitchen, butler's pantry, drawing room (aka Music Room) with two pianos, reception room, and the library.


While not as fancy or exquisite as Italian palazzi in Venice or Turin, the furnishings had some considerable taste and understated elegance.


The greenhouse had many beautiful flower arrangements. We enjoyed the aroma of the freshly blooming flowers and rested a bit while sitting in the provided chairs,


We spent about 90 minutes touring the gardens. Many of the tulips were just starting to bloom, so the fields were not as colorful (as we have observed from previous visits).


We enjoyed our time here and hope to return when more flowers bloom.



Saturday, March 16, 2019

Review: Old Stock - A Refugee Love Story

On the spur of the moment, Inna purchased tickets for the Klezmer musical "Old Stock - A Refugee Love Story," playing for only 2 days at the Bing Hall at Stanford University.


A brief Synopsis according to Sydney Festival:
A dark, funny and high-energy klezmer-folk tale inspired by the real-life story of two Romanian Jews seeking refuge in Canada in 1908.

It’s early 20th century Halifax and Chaim and Chaya, hounded from home, are waiting for immigration to decide their future, under threat of tuberculosis and typhus. Will they survive in this new land?

With neo-klezmer songs written by director Christian Barry and acclaimed genre-bending performer and musician Ben Caplan (Sydney Festival 2014), this quirky one-act musical is written by award-winning playwright Hannah Moscovitch, who based it on the story of her own Jewish great-grandparents.

This bewitching music-theater hybrid and cautionary tale for modern times – performed with instruments ranging from fiddle to clarinet, accordion, banjo and megaphone – was nominated for six Drama Desk Awards, won multiple Edinburgh Fringe awards and was a New York Times Critic's Pick.
Review

Having never seen the show, I was unsure to expect. I ended up enjoying the show much more than I expected, especially the singing of Ben Caplan. It was a very odd combination of drama, comedy, dancing, and storytelling.


Here is a short video clip of music from the show:




Sunny Day at Hollister Hills SVRA

After a very long and soggy winter, the weather in Northern California returned to ordinary - beautiful and sunny! I was eager to return to off-road motorcycling and decided to start my 2019 season on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

It was already quite busy when I arrived at Hollister Hills SVRA at 9:30. It became even busier throughout the day. Because of the recent rains, some of my favorite trails were still closed, so I could not ride on all of my usual trails.

I brought my 2015 Yamaha WR250F off-road green sticker, all prepped by Jeff Morris.


I started out on the TT Track in the Lower Ranch to warm up my body after a long winter of not riding. I was slow and not shifting very smoothly. After a few laps, I rode the Harmony Gate Road - an easy trail to warm up on. I did pretty well but did not feel comfortable yet. I rode a few more laps on the TT track to warm up before tackling more challenging trails.

Here is a GoPro Hero7 Black video of my ride at Harmony Gate Road:



Finishing with the warm-up, I tried to ride on Rancho Road but encountered a very deep, long puddle. I was not sure how deep it was. With no one else crossing, I decided to try some other trails. ( I did not want to get stuck in knee-deep water). I switched to Middle Field Road, followed by Adobe Road, which was much more accessible.

It was crowded with many dirt bikes and ATVs on the trails. I decided to spend more time training on the TT track. Overall, I had a pleasant start to the season. I hope to return when all the trails are fully open.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Review: Cirque du Soleil Volta

I originally purchased tickets for the Cirque du Soleil Volta production on Wednesday, February 27. Still, Inna had an evening class scheduled, and I was forced to sell our tickets to the show.


However, a bit later, Inna found tickets for the March 12 show and purchased them.
We really enjoyed the show and all of the incredible acrobatics.


Here is an iPhone 7 video of some of the highlights I recorded during the show:



I immensely enjoyed the show - especially the trampoline jumping and BMX biking.

Friday, March 8, 2019

Review: Newsies at Bellarmine

Plot Summary:

With the Spanish-American War over, newspaper sales were down, and Joseph Pulitzer decided to increase the price that newspaper boys pay for 100 newspapers from 50 to 60 cents. The boys (many of them orphans), loosely organized, decide to strike to force Joseph Pulitzer (and other newspaper publishers) to back down. With the help of Governor Theodore Roosevelt, the newsies eventually prevailed.



Bellarmine Production

For a high school, the production of Newsies at Bellarmine was not half-bad. The dancing was unsynchronized, and the music lacked punch. Except for the lead JP Micallef (playing Jack), Lauren Chivers (as Katherine Plumber), and Leo Mangalindan (as Joseph Pulitzer), the overall singing was a bit on the weaker side. The stage was stark (similar to the Disney Newsies production).

Now that I have seen it, I don't know whether I would ever choose to see it on Broadway. The music and the dancing did not really appeal to me. It is not in the same league as Chicago, Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate, or Avenue Q.

Bellarmine Newsies Cast

CharacterActor
Jack KellyJP Micallef
CrutchieEli Gordon
DaveyConor Gallivan
LesDonovan Cozort
Darcy/SnyderDominic Mattiello
Bill (Hearst)/Scab 3/KidWill Wrapped
Wiesel/StageManager/Mr. Jacobi/MayorArash Shabany
Oscar DelanceyJesus Perez Frias
Morris DelanceyArturo Collazo
Joseph Pulitzer/GoonLeo Mangalindan
AlbertFabian Lucero
ButtonsGabriel Young
FinchLucas Kihmm
HenryJosh Frojelin
Jo JoAllison Dosdos
MushMichael Young
RaceJosiah Cannon
RomeoCameron Tsang
ElmerAbbe Pingol
SpecsDylan Jee
SplasherKaylie Moniz
"Tommy Boy"May Nagao
"Mike"Jocee Ang
"Ike"Prema Yousuf
Spot Conlon/Scab 1Francesca Meninger
Katherine PlumberLauren Chivers
Seitz/PolicemanQuinn Dembecki
Bunsen/Policeman/GoonZen Chamberlain
Hannah/Nun/PhotographerAnela Quiroz
Bowery Beauty/NewsieHannah Luscher
Nunzio/Guard/RooseveltWill Meckstroth
Medda Larkin/NunGigi Ward
Woman/Nun/Bowery Beauty/NewsiePhoenix LaFreniere
Dance SwingsDominic Macasiray
Carolyn Zazueta


Musical Numbers
Act 1

Prologue: Rooftop, Dawn
"Santa Fe" - Jack, Crutchie

Scene 1: Newsboy's Loading House & Newsie Square
"Carrying the Banner" - Jack, Newsies, Nuns

Scene 2: Pulitzer's Office
"The Bottom Line" - Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen, Hannah
"Carrying the Banner" - Newsies

Scene 4: Medda's Theater
"That's Rich" - Medda
"I Never Planned On You/Don't Come a-Knocking" - Jack/Bowery Beauties 

Scene 5: Newsie Square, Next Morning
"The World Will Know" - Jack, Davey, Crutchie, Les, Newsies

Scene 6: Jacobi's Deli & Street, Afternoon
"The World Will Know" - Jack, Davey, Les, Newsies
"What What Happens" - Katherine

Scene 8: Newsie Square, Next Morning
"Seize the Day" - Davey, Hack, Les, Newsies

Scene 9: Rooftop
"Santa Fe" - Jack

Act 2

Scene 1: Jacobi's Deli
"King of New York" - Davey, Katherine, Les, Newsies

Scene 2: The Refuge
"Letter from the Refuge" - Crutchie

Scene 3: Media's Theatre
"Watch What Happens (reprise)" - Davey, Jack, Katherine, Les

Scene 4: Pulitzer's Office & Cellar, Afternoon
"The Bottom Line" - Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen
"Brooklyn's Here" - Spot, Newsies

Scene 5: Brooklyn Bridge & Medda Theatre
"Brooklyn's Here" - Spot, Newsies

Scene 6: Rooftop, Night
"Something to Believe In" - Katherine, Jack

Scene 7: Pulitzer's Cellar
"Seize the Day" - Newsies
"Once and for All" - Jack, Davey, Katherine, Newsies

Scene 8: Pulitzer's Office, Next Morning
"Seize the Day" - Newsies

Scene 9: Newsie Square
"Finale Ultimo" - Company


Sunday, March 3, 2019

Alpine Meadows Powder

After waking up around 6:45 a.m., I showered and dressed for snowboarding at Alpine Meadows. Carlo and Susan - our hosts at the Truckee Airbnb - prepared a delicious breakfast for us: yogurt, scrambled eggs, hot coffee, and tea.


After breakfast, we drove to Alpine Meadows, arriving at about 8:12 a.m. The drive was supposed to take 25 minutes, but it took about 30 minutes (due to traffic and snow-clearing machinery). We parked in the central Alpine Meadows parking lot, wore snowboarding boots, and headed for the slopes.

It was foggy windy, with blizzard-like conditions. I was worried that it would start raining (like it did on Saturday, March 2 at Squaw Valley, but it did not).

Here is a GoPro Hero7 Black video featuring highlights of my snowboarding:



We took the nearby Roundhouse Express chairlift to mid-mountain on our first run. As we were some of the first snowboarders at Alpine, we really enjoyed making fresh, virgin tracks in the freshly fallen snow.


In comparison to Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows is a much smaller ski resort and a lot less crowded. We really enjoyed not waiting in long lift lines!


Unlike the light, dry powder in Mammoth, the powder at Alpine Meadows was wet, heavy, and sticky. We definitely prefer the light, soft powder of Mammoth Mountain.


We spent the rest of the day on the Summit Express chairlift, which we used to get to the top, and then snowboarded in the fresh snow in the "Three Sisters" area.


After 4 fun runs, we decided to eat an early lunch in the Alpine Meadows cafeteria on the second floor. The resort food was as usual: mediocre and very expensive. I ordered a chicken noodle soup with tater tots while Alex ate a slice of pizza and french fries.

After finishing lunch, we continued our snowboarding at the Summit Express chair. The weather was still quite foggy, with strong winds at the peak.

As riding wet powder is quite tiring, we finished snowboarding at 1:30 p.m. and returned to our car for the long drive back to San Jose. It took us 4.5 hours to return home. Thankfully, there was not too much traffic (and the roads were primarily clean).






Saturday, March 2, 2019

A Soggy Day at Squaw

A few months ago, I purchased 2-day Squaw Valley lift tickets for a planned trip to Truckee, CA. However, due to the extreme snowfall, all of the roads to Truckee were closed.

After our recent epic snowboarding trip to Mammoth, we decided to head back to Squaw Valley (before the warmer temperatures melted all of the freshly fallen powder). My plan was to head to Truckee on Friday night, snowboard at Squaw Valley on the first day, and Alpine Meadows on the second day.


When I looked for accommodations in Truckee or Squaw Valley, there was absolutely nothing available. Luckily, I found an excellent Airbnb rental in Truckee for a reasonable price ($460 for 2 nights) with a superb cancellation policy (in case of unexpected road closures).


On Friday, March 1, Alex and I drove to Truckee, arriving at around 8:00 p.m. I was worried about and encountered heavy traffic in the San Francisco Bay area, but the winter road (US-80) was surprisingly straightforward. Since we were hungry, we decided to eat at the Old Town Tap (as recommended by my wife, who evaluated some of the restaurant reviews).


When we arrived in Truckee, the Old Town Tap restaurant was bustling, and no tables were available. After contemplating eating at the bar, we found a table for 2 and pointed it out to our hostess. She sat us down at the table, and we ordered a few dinner items. I selected a Caesar salad to share with Alex. It was significant.

Besides, I also ordered the "Potato Pizza" (sweet/red/purple potatoes, roasted garlic, mozzarella, rosemary oil, thyme, parmesan), while Alex selected the Margherita Pizza (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, parmesan). The pizzas were acceptable - not at the level of our local Pizza My Heart eatery, but not bad overall.


After dinner, we drove to our Truckee Airbnb rental, where my hosts, Susan and Carlo, greeted us. They were very kind, offering us wine and snacks and showing us the house and our rooms. Since we were tired, we didn't stay up very long and went to bed around 10:00 p.m.


Saturday, March 2, 2019

I showered and dressed for snowboarding after waking up at around 6:45 a.m. Carlo and Susan prepared a delicious breakfast, including freshly baked frittata, yogurt, and hot coffee and tea. We enjoyed our breakfast (but it may have been too much for me).

After finishing breakfast, we started our drive to Squaw Valley at about 8:00 a.m. The drive was supposed to take 25 minutes, but it took about 40 minutes (due to traffic and snow removal machinery). We parked in the main Squaw Valley parking lot, put on our snowboarding boots, and headed for the slopes.

He is a GoPro Hero7 Black video of our snowboarding at Squaw Valley.



It was cold and cloudy, with light, wet snowflakes sprinkling down. (Eventually, it started raining, and we were completely soaked!). Visibility was also abysmal. It felt like snowboarding inside a cloud.


We decided to explore the mountain by riding on a few different lifts and trails:
  • KT-22 Express
  • Red Dog 
  • Gold Coast Funitel (gondola)
  • Siberia Express
  • Gold Coast Express
  • Big Blue Express
Since we like fresh powder (and it is easier to find in the trees), our favorite runs were in trees. We enjoyed Chute 75 and Moseley's (accessible from the KT-22 Express).


We stopped by the KT kitchen for lunch, which sells burgers and sandwiches. I ordered a chicken sandwich ($16.00) with fries ($8.50), while Alex settled on a burger ($16.00) with french fries ($8.00). My chicken sandwich was overcooked (not to mention highly overpriced). Resort entrees at Mammoth, Whistler, and other resorts are far superior to Squaw Valley.


We stopped by for a snack at the Gold Coast Lodge, which offered a better variety of resort fare. We may stop by there next time (and avoid the KT kitchen altogether).


At about 3:30 p.m., we snowboarded down the mountain. Since it started to rain, I decided to call it a day and head back to our Airbnb to dry off.

Suzanne and Carlo - our Airbnb hosts - helped dry off our soggy snowboarding gear. My pants were soaked entirely, and our ski jackets were wet. Carlo even lent his rain gear for our dinner excursion. Even after 2 turns in the dryer, our snowboarding pants were still damp. It was one soggy snowboarding day!


At about 6:45 p.m., we drove into Truckee for dinner. At first, we stopped by the Truckee Tavern and Grill, but the wait was 1-2 hours. We kept walking, stopping by the Old Town Tap, where we were promised a 30-minute wait for a table. After about 30 minutes, we sat down at a high table, from which we could watch all of the sports. The Golden State Warriors were playing the Philadelphia 76ers and leading in the 4th quarter by a score of 116 - 113. The Golden State Warriors eventually won!

We ordered a slightly different dinner than the previous day. After asking for 2 hot teas, we also ordered a Caesar Salad (shared), a Margherita Pizza, and a Hummus plate. Alex enjoyed his pizza, while I enjoyed the hummus (though it's not at the level of Oren's Hummus Shop in Palo Alto). Our waitress was fantastic and managed to keep our hot tea refills coming. I had 4-5 hot teas and multiple glasses of water! For dessert, Alex ordered soft-serve ice cream with hot fudge on top. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and returned to our Airbnb by 9:00 p.m.

Although we enjoyed Squaw Valley, we felt that the slopes were not at the level of Mammoth Mountain.