A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
Reviewing 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