A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
. 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 the timing of contact to control the…
Read More: Clinic 02: AVAC 3.5+ Adult Tennis Clinic
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 never barks and is very affectionate and playful. .
Read More: A long weekend with TeddyIn 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 the timing of contact to control the shot's direction (do not turn your body). This simplifies the shot as…
Read More: Clinic 01: AVAC 3.5+ Adult Tennis ClinicDuring 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. Prepare early! . . Work on staying further away.. Keep feet further apart (wide…
Read More: Lesson 04: Tennis with Gary Jordao – SpacingDuring 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. Prepare early! . . Work on staying further away.. Keep feet further apart (wide…
Read More: Lesson 03: Tennis with Gary Jordao – Spacing
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 .…
Read More: Welcome 2024!
Which are the best restaurants, spas, and travel destinations? . At the end of 2023, I am rating the following (from 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…
Read More: Best of the Best 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…
Read More: The Year in Sports 2023During 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 so I can execute a full forehand or backhand stroke. . . . Forehand. Prepare early! . . Work on staying further away.. Keep feet further apart…
Read More: Lesson 02: Tennis with Greg Jordao – SpacingAfter discussing multiple problems with Ryan Reidy, he made the following recommendations: . . . . Serve . To add power and add a flatter serve to my repertoire, point the front foot more diagonally (when beginning the serve motion). . To give you more time with the racket drop, hold the tennis racket upright (in an "L") immediately before the Trophy Pose. Do not…
Read More: Lesson 13: Tennis Serve Lesson with Ryan ReidyReviewing the GoPro Hero7 video of my tennis strokes, I observed the following errors: . . . . . . Forehand. Use a wider stance (should be sitting down). Not twisting enough before ball contact. The left (non-playing) hand drops down during the stroke. Stand on your toes (not flat-footed). Move more. Two-handed backhand. Preload (twist) more. Start with the racket high up, before initiating…
Read More: Tennis Ball Machine at AVAC
On Saturday, December 23, Inna and I decided to visit nearby Santana Row and watch the latest Hunger Games movie - The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Both of us have read the Hunger Games series of books by Suzanne Collins and enjoyed the first Hunger Games movie, starring Jennifer Lawrence. . . The newest Hunger Games movie is a prequel that focuses on Coriolanus…
Read More: Review: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Earlier this year, the Almaden Quicksilver Trail was closed due to heavy rain that washed it away. Trail repair took many months, and I was finally able to return to the trail today. . . . Though I struggled during ascents, I had an excellent ride on my Specialized S-Works FSR mountain bike. . . . . The weather was perfect - 50 Fahrenheit -…
Read More: Return to Almaden QuicksilverAfter playing against Gary Jordao in Paul Moore Park, he identified several deficiencies in my tennis game. . We rallied and played for 30 minutes before transitioning to lessons. We had many long rallies, and I could tell he had excellent technique and control of the ball. . Top Observed Errors. Preparing too late. . You need to start preparation as soon as you identify…
Read More: Lesson 01: Tennis with Gary Jordao – Prepare Early
L'Elisir d'Amore . Opera in two acts by Gateano Donizetti. Libretto by Felice Romani. . . . . We were not planning to see The Elixir of Love, but a chance to purchase inexpensive Box Seats ($10/seat) changed our minds. . . . On the day of the Opera, Inna suffered from a migraine, so she did not enjoy the Opera as much as she…
Read More: Elixir of Love at SF Opera
Today, we attended Storm Large's Holiday Ordeal concert at Bing Concert Hall in Stanford, CA. . . What better way to spend a holiday than with Storm Large? Storm will love you, leave you, delight you and abuse you with wicked charm and stunning vocals ‘till you’re begging for more. Holiday Ordeal is a night of music, gags, and gifts, with songs ranging from “2000…
Read More: Storm Large Holiday Ordeal
While visiting Sedona and staying at the Hilton Sedona at Bell Rock on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 2023, we decided to visit the famous Grand Canyon. . . . . Though we have stayed in Sedona twice before, we never found time to visit the Grand Canyon, a mere 2.5 hours away by car. On one occasion, it snowed during Thanksgiving, and the roads…
Read More: A Day trip to the Grand Canyon
. . . The Top 10 Sedona Hikes. . Devil's Bridge. Directions from Hilton Sedona. Drive north on Hwy 179, approximately 7.6 miles. . Turn left onto SR89A to Dry Creek Road. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road. . Turn right on Long Canyon Road. . Parking on the right.. Trail Info: . A moderate to strenuous 4.2-mile out-and-back trail starts with a winding trail…
Read More: Top 10 Sedona Hikes
I made a car rental reservation with Avis Car Rental through Costco Travel. The Avis Car Rental booth is conveniently located next to our Vdara Hotel in Bellagio, Las Vegas. I reserved a mid-size SUV, intending to pick it up on Wednesday morning, November 22. I planned to drive to Sedona with a stop at the Grand Canyon and an eventual car drop-off at Phoenix's…
Read More: Return to Sedona
A few weeks ago, Inna and I discussed our plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. We were reminiscing about our past trips to Sedona and how much we enjoyed hiking there. We also missed the amazing Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. . . . . . Why not visit Las Vegas and Sedona with a stop in the Grand Canyon? Since we could…
Read More: Back to Las Vegas