A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
After returning from a ball-machine session at AVAC, Inna and I decided to return to Los Gatos and visit our favorite local patisserie, Fleur de Cocoa. Inna agreed to drive her new Tesla Model Y, and I enjoyed the smooth, quiet ride. . . . When we arrived, it was pretty busy (with all the inside tables full). We also noticed that most outdoor tables…
Read More: Lunch at Teleferic
On March 30, 2022, I finally received the Tesla Model Y, which I had ordered on September 21, 2021, with the following options: . . White paint. Black interior . . Tow Hitch (for attaching mountain bike racks). . . . The Tesla Model Y was dropped off at around 4:00pm on March 30, 2022. I was contacted a few days before my delivery and…
Read More: Taking Delivery of a Tesla Model Y
I made dinner reservations for Inna's birthday at Dio Deka in Los Gatos for 19:45. We arrived on time and parked on the street on Los Gatos Blvd. . . . . After ordering a Japanese Kiss cocktail (as Strawberry Margaritas were not available), Inna and I ordered Tzatziki with pita bread and Octopus to start our dinner.. . . . After sitting down and…
Read More: Inna’s Birthday Dinner at Dio Deka
I decided to try the highly-rated Asa Los Gatos restaurant for Valentine's Day. When researching restaurants, I was surprised that Asa was nearby in Los Gatos and unaware of its existence. . . . I made reservations for Monday, February 14th, at 19:45, and we arrived on time. After being seated, we looked over the menu and ordered the following dinner items:. . . Appetizer:…
Read More: Valentine’s Dinner at Asa Los Gatos
I was excited when Tony invited me to play golf at Pruneridge Golf Club. Although I took golf lessons many years ago and played miniature golf multiple times, I have never played a real game of golf. . . . . . I met Tony at the Pruneridge Golf Club parking lot at around 8:15 a.m. Very thoughtfully, Tony brought over two sets of clubs…
Read More: Playing Golf at Pruneridge Golf
Having seen The Art of the Brick Lego creations during her visit to Boston in 2014, Inna was excited when she learned of a new Art of the Brick exhibit in San Francisco. She purchased tickets in advance, for a 14:00 entrance on January 22, 2022. . . . . On Saturday, we started our drive to San Francisco around 10:50, arriving downtown around noon…
Read More: Art of the Brick
On Sunday, January 2nd, 2022, Inna and I decided to try eating lunch at the recently opened Epernay Bistro on Main Street in Los Gatos. . . . Since the weather outside was sunny and pleasant, we decided to eat outdoors, ordering the following items: . Boris: French Onion Soup, Truffle Fries, Cappuccino. Inna: Eggs Benedict, Cappuccino . . Although the service was a bit…
Read More: Lunch at Epernay Bistro
On Christmas Eve, Inna and I strolled through our Almaden Winery neighborhood to enjoy and delight in the elaborate Christmas ornaments set up for display. . . . For Christmas Eve, Inna ordered a few ethnic Russian favorites, including: . 'Olivye' Salad. Roasted Duck. Holodetz. Shuba. . . I really liked the Roasted Duck - it was delicious!. . . . . .
Read More: Christmas in the Neighborhood
With a Covid-19 outbreak at N.U.in London, we suggested that Alex return one week earlier from London, UK. Instead of Sunday, December 19th, we modified Alex's return flight to San Francisco for Sunday, December 12th. . . His American Airlines Flight from London's Heathrow Airport arrived on time in San Francisco (thankfully, ahead of the big winter storm heading for Northern California). . Alex almost…
Read More: Dinner at Golden Triangle
Inna found out about a Pink Martini Concert in Palo Alto (for which tickets were sold out), but she purchased excellent seats for a concert at SF Jazz (201 Franklin St, San Francisco). . . After driving to San Francisco, we decided to park at the Performing Arts Garage, where I parked my van. It seemed safer than the other parking lots nearby (due to…
Read More: Review: Pink MartiniAfter watching a few tennis instructional videos on YouTube (MyTennisHQ), I have listed tips to improve my tennis skills. . . . . . And here's another GoPro Hero4 video of my ball machine training session. . . . . Forehand Drive Issues to work on:. Keep the head still, looking through the racquet's strings to see the incoming ball. . Accelerate the racquet through…
Read More: Tennis Forehand Tips
After watching a few tennis instructional videos on Youtube (2 minutes tennis), I have listed tips to improve my tennis skills. . . . . . Here is a GoPro Hero4 video of my recent service practice. . . Open video Tennis Serve Issues to work on:. Being still before starting the serve motion . . Tossing the ball in front. More coiling, separating arms…
Read More: Tennis Tips
For our 20th Wedding Anniversary, I made dinner reservations for 6:45pm at Flowers, Saratoga. We noticed Flowers nearby when we last dined at The Plumed Horse (for Alex's Bellarmine Graduation). It was an exquisite restaurant, and we wanted to try it.. . We arrived on time and parked in the parking lot near Plumed Horse. . . . . . After checking in, the hostess…
Read More: Anniversary Dinner at Flowers, Saratoga
On October 5, 2021, I joined the Almaden Valley Athletic Club (AVAC) to resume tennis training. The monthly membership cost is $200/month for one adult. In addition, I had to pay a $175 membership joining fee.. . . In 2020, I was well on my way to improving my tennis skills, moving from a USTA 3.0 rating to 3.5. This training involved daily training on…
Read More: Tennis at AVAC
After surfing for many weeks at famous surfing spots in Laguna Beach: Thalia Street, Rockpile Beach, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and Trestles, I realized that my surf paddling could use improvement. . I discovered Rob, a local surf trainer, teaches proper surf paddling techniques. He runs a website called surfingpaddling.com. He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and offers online and private lessons..…
Read More: Surf Paddling at Linda Mar
For my 53rd birthday, Inna made reservations at Dio Deka, a fine Greek Restaurant in the heart of Los Gatos. After arriving at 19:15, we were treated to a lovely outdoor table. . . . . . After carefully looking at the menu, we ordered the Japanese Fairy Tale cocktail along with Octopus and Pita. . . . . Later on, we ordered the main…
Read More: Boris’ Birthday Dinner at Dio Deka
Since I could not find time to ride my 2015 Yamaha WR250F off-road dirt bike, I sold it to make space for other toys. . . . After placing an ad on Craigslist for $5.00, I found a buyer for $5,000 (including my riding gear) in two days. I was sad about selling this excellent motorcycle that has given me so many exciting memories of…
Read More: Selling Yamaha WR250F Dirt Bike
On September 15, I placed an ad on Craigslist.com to sell Alex's 2008 Lexus RX350 AWD. Since Alex would be away at Northeastern University in Boston for the next 4 years, he would not need the Lexus. . . . . . After placing an ad, I received multiple inquiries. I was able to sell it in one day. The demand for vehicles must be…
Read More: Sellling Lexus RX350 AWD
With Alex departing for London (to study abroad with the N.U.in London program at Northeastern University), Inna and I took out for his last dinner in Los Gatos. . . . . We chose one of his favorite local restaurants, The Pastaria & Market, in Los Gatos. . . . . . . When we arrived at about 7:30pm on Thursday, September 2nd, the restaurant…
Read More: The Last Supper at Pastaria
While working from home in San Francisco, I was fortunate to rent an Airbnb (3038 Baker Street) 5 minutes from Crissy Field.. . . . . During the summer, San Francisco experiences consistent daily winds from 15-25 knots from 15:00 - 20:00. I was fortunate to have windsurfed daily after work. . My usual routine was as follows:. Check the Crissy Field video cam for…
Read More: Windsurfing at Crissy Field