Wikipedia Editing

Playing with this Microsoft Excel to Wikipedia table convertor:

http://excel2wiki.net/wikipedia.php

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Convert_tables_and_charts_to_wiki_code

Mall Art

Really like this artwork:

Source: Westfield Downtown Plaza Mall, outside store Getta Clue

An Open Letter to KXPR 88.9 Sacramento

Dear Capital Public Radio Classical KXPR:

Please, please, please: select a new on-air tagline to replace "the classical station."

Reasons to select a new on-air tagline

1. It states the obvious
2. It buries "classical" between two dead-weight words
3. It says nothing about what makes KXPR a great classical music station

Compare to San Francisco-based KDFC's "Classical. And then some."

• "Classical" becomes a first-class citizen, out front and center
• "And then some" telegraphs a vitality and positive energy to match the on-air talent
• Listeners hear the tagline in a professionally-produced and packaged sound clip (please also package-up ads)
• Packaging KXPR's sound clips and ads frees on-air talent to talk about the music and connect with listeners

I suggest holding a contest, inviting submissions, and allowing people to vote on your web site.

Thank you.

Ambrose Bierce

Listened to this discussion about Ambrose Bierce on KQED 89.3 FM's "Forum with Michael Krasny"; pointed me to his memoir, "What I Saw of Shiloh."

Still digesting the imagery and new words (for example, "mien"). Powerful.

Revolution Foods

A Revolution Foods truck passed me on the way to work several weeks ago.

I know nothing else about this company.

Mary Oliver

Listened to Mary Oliver read poetry on San Francisco-based non-profit City Arts & Lectures . Loved it.

Sadly, no podcast.

She differentiated between "turning into" a writer versus "becoming" a writer; the former, she said, reminded her of people who lock themselves in rooms and sharpen their pencils, while the latter go out and live their lives and integrate poetry into it.

Bonus random connection event: Linda Hunt, the host, played the character of Shadout Mapes in Dune (1984).

Radio Songs

Heard on a random Sacramento station:

Galveston, Texas-born Barry White's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," from his 1974 album "Can't Get Enough," on the 20th Century Records label. Video. The original had cowbell. Look at that blaze orange suit!

Heard on KDVS 90.3 FM out of Davis, CA:

Los Angeles-based Army Navy's "The Long Goodbye," from their 2008 album "The Last Place" on the The Fever Zone label. Audio. Eminently sing-alongable. Sort of reminded me of Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Tokyo-based Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Simoon (シムーン)," from their  1978 eponymous album on the Alfa Records label. Audio. Lovely. 

Heard on KXPR 88.9 FM out of Sacramento, CA:

Somerville, Massachusetts-native Alan Hovhaness's "Prelude and Quadruple Fugue Opus 128", 1936. Audio. A fantastic early morning accompaniment to crossing the flooded causeway into the rising sun.

Imperfect Veneer

The above advertisement for "Make a Smile" dental here in the Sacramento region shows what happens when a half-baked idea gets the green light.

This ad ran on page 39 of Sacramento Magazine's November 2011 issue (meant to reflect Norman Rockwell's iconic 1943 painting, "Freedom From Want"):

1. Giraffes eat only plants; monkeys and hippopotamuses eat primarily plant-based diets (even the cat supplements it's diet with plants)--the entire premise seems half-baked.
2. Dental floss at each place setting?
3. In some ways, it comes off avante garde--the artist seems to have replaced the traditional grandmother and grandfather with a same-sex couple.
4. The turkey looks abnormally large.
5. Kind of creepy looking teeth-shaped salt and pepper shakers

To me, it all kind of comes off as the kind of turkey day animals might celebrate in a sanitarium--and, indeed, we cannot see the guests arms, so perhaps the nurses have placed them into straight jackets. It might also explain the lack of decoration on the facing wall and the joyful grins.

Haunting.

Five Years At HP -- The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly :)

Five Years At HP -- The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly :)

Note: these will likely only make sense to those who were there. I wrote these in 2005, after working five years at HP's Roseville facility, where we manufactured high-end supercomputers for North American region and the world. I am not sure I even remember the details of them all, anymore.

The weirdest thing about leaving HP along with 15,000 others, that year: the concurrent e-mails prompting me to select a five-year HP Product Service Award Gift. :o) I still have the crystal  planar bowl, somewhere, in Wisconsin.

First: The Bad and the Ugly

• Me: “Hey Darryl, I need one more code release, just one more man....” ;)
• prdmbpa:/var/opt/bp/home/mbpbat DEFR
• Andy Taff/Su Chu/and so forth: “Hey Kevin, I need a SolConfig set-up done by this afternoon for proto picks....” ;)
• Suky: “Hey Kevin, can you help me out with these fifteen P1 BLT tickets in the queue?” ;)
• You overpaid me by HOW much??? :P
• Mostly irrelevant but compulsory organizational meetings ;)
• Voice-mail: “Hi this is Kevin Schultz at the New HP....”
• Bonuses section of Carly earnings announcement: “You’ve all worked very hard. However, <$lame_excuse>”
• (sfadmin:pts/0) cab01:/var/opt/sf/home/sfadmin/voltest/bin> ./VolTestMain -i2k
• Order Execution team during ESG07a Rel 5: “Kevin, Frank wants to volume test some test picks tonight to test the backflush code, could you be available?” ;)
• Houston folks, ESG07a Rel 5, one week into testing: “Hey Kevin, did we need to set-up inventory for test orders flowing through MBP?”
• Operating on not enough sleep from the Houston hotel room during ESG07a Rel 5 volume testing: “Whoops, I just set all test orders in development backplane to BPCO.” x_x
• Roseville War Room during ESG07a Rel 5: co-worker starts singing (whining) along to music and not realizing it because music was turned up too loud.  Said person eventually ended up blowing out the iPod ear buds. :P
• Overhearing Kurt’s daily soccer and on-line role-playing-game teleconference ;)
• Don Bowen, talking to us in the RP cafeteria: “There’s a rumor they’re moving the factory to Houston....”
• Cliff Henson, during site closure announcement, after answering 2 questions and telling people they just lost their jobs: “I think all your questions are answered on this handout and y’all should go back and read it.  Thank you.”
• Dysfunctional management: Cliff Henson, Robert Sharpe, C. Kevin Harper, Charlie “The beatings will continue until morale improves” Baugh, David Witt (others....)
• TeamPlayer (TimeWaster) 
• Porting sfweb to Oracle (awk/sed/ksh/TCL/remsh/chicken-wire/weboor)
• Non-productive interruptions inherent with cubicle office environment
• Sean: Zebra printer noise -- *whiiiiiine* *cut*
• HP laying off folks right before the winter holidays in 2002.
• On the job for a week or two and watching security walk your co-worker/friend out the door. :P  (Yes, I know now why y’all fired him) ;)
• Huddling around RP ceiling speakers to hear quarterly earnings announcements
• Sitting across cubicle wall from Don Conner at RP and listening to him record voice-mail greetings until he got it right ;)
• Robert Sharpe bringing the wireless telephone headset into the bathroom.  Wild.
• That squeaky cart wheeled slowly down the hallway in R4.  *squeak* *squeak* *squeak*
• The alarm bell of the door in the corner of R4 going off for 10 minutes. *ringggggggggg*
• Cell-phone ring-tones going off for 30 seconds with no one around ;)
• Piercingly shrill SAP support pager going off but slow response because the wearer wears headphones.  :P
• Sitting across R4 cubicle wall from someone who hung their phone headset on the vertical cubicle connecter.  *clink* *clink* *clink* .... :P

All's Well That End's Well: The Good

• Kurt’s stories. “Party foul” :)  Also one of the few people I know to have a saying, “Pull a Kurt.” :)  Too much about Kurt to list here. “Dude!” ;)
• Lieu Nguyen: Surviving serious illness, and handling stress so peacefully
• Dave Horowitz’s hockey stories
• Trivia at TGIF
• Basketball at RP
• RP Follies
• Jim Behrens: Chupacabra :)
• Monthly team birthday lunches (thanks Jewel)
• Jay: Hospitality and can-do attitude
• Chris Bell: Not being an absentee dad
• Kindness and maturity of Indian contractors I worked with during ESG07a Rel 5.
• Trent: “Wag monk”
• John: “You can always tell if someone washes their car themselves by looking for dirt on the rims” ;)
• Julie: Beach Buddy ;)
• Doug Walters: Duct tape :)
• Mary Kay Kane yelling: “Hey everybody! .... Happy birthday, to you....”
• The Phantom Glenn Thomas, for having a protocol regarding the invocation of his name. :)
• Alex Ulbrich: stories about life as a private investigator, rolling out of a moving vehicle at night to gather intelligence on potential insurance abusers. LOL
• Naeya: for her grace and for making fantastic Halloween costumes
• Kathy: Standing up for me
• Mike: TCL ;)
• Mila Congrove (SI): Positive attitude and I loved her accent :)
• Cecilia, Jackie, Chris, Terri, and Ken (Sodexho): Super bean and rice, or rice bowl with veggies.  And the black cook from RP who told me I could drive to LA on Hwy 99 in five hours.  Even after I tried it and failed to do so, he claimed he could do it. :)
• Sodexho’s vanilla bean yogurt (my favorite)
• Kris: battling through arm problems.  She had a note above her desk at RP quoting either Bill or Dave: “If anyone ships defective product to meet a deadline, I will personally fire them” (paraphrase).
• Julia: taking care of all those animals, tirelessly helping out, always pleasant to chat with
• DC: “I never thought I could get soaking wet in 5 seconds while running in the rain from my car to the entrance to a shopping mall until I moved to Houston” ;)
• Tom: That dog won’t hunt. :)
• Osamu Hayashi (Hayashi-san): Kevin-san. :)
• Suky: “Oh my gosh!” :)  Thanks for teaching me about The Tube. :)
• Budd: future executive vice-president, I tell you ;)
• Noeli: Introducing me to Marisa Monte and other Brazilian music, and being a friend during ESG07a Rel 5.  Ate mais!
• Countless kindness of everybody on the team.  Thanks for giving me a chance.  I’ll definitely let you know where I end up.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

Restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinner in Sacramento for 2011:

Yelp's List: http://j.mp/uTGhN3

CSUS University Center Restaurant (Sacramento): http://www.enterprises.csus.edu/dining/ucr/index.html 

Silva's Sheldon Inn (Elk Grove; ): http://www.silvassheldoninn.com/holiday.html $??? THANKSGIVING 2011  Serving from 1-5:30  Reservations required  686-8330 Tuesday -Saturday after 4p.m. A SAMLING OF THE MENU  Dinner includes soup and salad.   Butternut Squash Soup served with a Savory Crouton   Mixed Baby Green Salad with Honey Toasted Walnuts, and Cranberry Vinaigrette   - MAIN COURSES -   Traditional Roasted Turkey with Cornbread Stuffing, House made Cranberry Relish, Mashed Potatoes and Turkey Gravy Center Cut Pork Chop Stuffed with Apples, Bacon and Sage, served with Apple Cider Cream Sauce   Prime Rib of Beef served with Creamy Horseradish Sauce   Organic Farm Raised Salmon Grilled, and served with Garlic,Herb Butter   Half Duckling Roasted crisp, served with Cranberry, Orange, Port Wine Sauce   Children 10 yrs. and under may select from : Turkey, Prime Rib or Fresh Fish Desserts are all made in our kitchen and are priced separately  Beverage selections are priced separately  18% Gratuity added to parties of eight or more

Sam's Hof Brau (Sacramento; American): http://www.thehofbrau.com/sams-monthly-specials This Thanksgiving… Enjoy the Freshness of Home Without the Dishes!  Choice of Roast Turkey or Bakes Ham Entree for $12.49 Includes Yams, Mashed Potatoes, Dressing, and choice of Vegetable or Salad and a piece of Pie! Valid Thanksgiving Day only (open from 11am-8pm) *not valid with any other promotion of discount

OpenTable's list: http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=1&m=35

Buca di Beppo's (Sacramento; Italian): http://www.bucadibeppo.com/thanksgiving/ Celebrate an American Feast with an Italian Twist… and Family-Style with portions meant for sharing!  Make your reservation now for a Traditional Thanksgiving Meal and complement your meal with our Classic Italian Favorites. Our thanksgiving Feast inclUDes _ Turkey • Sausage Stuffing • Mashed Potatoes • Gravy • Green Beans • Cranberry Sauce  SMALL Serves up to 3 $39.99 LARGE Serves up to 6 $69.99

Formaggio Taverna & Patio - Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova (Rancho Cordova; Italian): http://j.mp/uFfbkD Thanksgiving, November 24th - 11am to 8pm. Entrees: Turkey $30 Prime Rib or Salmon $28 Butternut Squash Ravioli $28 Includes Salad & Dessert Buffet Complimentary Wine 

Grange (Sacramento; Californian): http://www.grangesacramento.com/events.aspx Thanksgiving Dinner November 24, 2011 2-7pm  $65 plus tax, plus gratuity  First Course (choose one) Delta Pear Salad Mulled Wine Poached Pear, Deviled Walnuts, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, Picked Greens, Sherry Vinaigrette Smokey Pumpkin & Black Bean Bisque Spicy Spoon Bread Croutons Confit California Albacore Tuna Warm little farm fingerlings, shaved fennel, water cress Preserved lemon citronette  Seasonal Salad Greens White Balsamic – Cranberry Vinaigrette   Second Course (choose one)  Organic Roast Turkey  Stuffing, Pancetta Brussel Sprouts, Sweet Potato Gratin, Roast Heirloom Carrots, Cranberry Relish, Natural Jus  Dungeness Crab Stuffed Passmore Trout Marcona Almond Puree, haricot vert, wild rice, Brown butter Vinaigrette  Martin Amigh Braised Lamb Shanks Stone ground polenta, Root Vegetable hash gremolata, Pomegranate braising jus  Autumn Vegetable Strudel Braised greens, Sweet potato, Sweet & Sour onions
Dessert (choose one)  Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie Cinnamon Ice Cream  Pumpkin-Chocolate Bread Pudding Seasonal Creme Anglaise  Apple Cranberry Cobbler Oatmeal Crisp, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 

Il Fornaio (Sacramento; Italian): http://www.ilfornaio.com/images/thanksgiving/IF_TG_menu_A_11_11.pdf Thanksgiving 2011 Thursday, November 24, 2011 Join us this Thanksgiving 11:30am-8pm for a four-course feast with an Italian twist: $35 for adults, $18 for children 12 and under. A la carte menu will also be available. Start a new Thanksgiving tradition with your family at Il Fornaio. 

La Provence (Roseville; French): http://www.laprovenceroseville.com/docs/october/THANKSGIVING%20%20prix%20fixe%202011.pdf Thanksgiving Dinner at La Provence For the table An assortment of artisan pâtés, spreads, tapenade and breads Starters Potage de Courge d’Héritage Heirloom squash soup garnished with crème fraîche Salade de Betteraves et Roquefort Roasted beets, Roquefort cheese, honey walnuts, wild arugula, citrus tarragon vinaigrette Main Course (choose one) Dinde en Deux Cuisson Lacquered and roasted breast of turkey, confit of leg Accompanied by traditional cranberry sauce and turkey gravy Pavé de Saumon Crispy pan-seared salmon, fennel and Fuji apple salad, cider sauce Côte de Bœuf Bordelaise Thyme and Dijon crusted prime rib with a Côtes-du-Rhône shallot sauce Suppléments (Sides for the table) Haricots Verts Sautéed Blue Lake green beans Choux de Bruxelles Brussels sprouts sautéed with cherrywood smoked bacon and shallots Purée de Pommes de Terre Roasted garlic mashed potatoes Dessert (choose one) Crumble de Canneberges Cranberry and grape crisp Tarte de Potiron Pumpkin tart Gâteau au Chocolat Flourless chocolate decadence cake served over crème anglaise $45 per person $12 children 10 or under plus tax and gratuity Corkage Fee $13 18% gratuity and one check for parties of 7 or more Sous Chef Derrick Sand Chef Partner Shane McMahon Pastry Chef Sandra France 

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood (Sacramento; Seafood): http://j.mp/vpe18R Thanksgiving 2011 Thursday, November 24, 2011 Join us on Thanksgiving! 

The Mustard Seed (Davis; Californian): http://www.mustardseeddavis.com/ Thanksgiving 2011 Thursday, November 24, 2011 We will be serving our Annual Traditional Thanksgiving Feast. Four Courses for $48.00 a person. Featuring Organic turkey breast with all the trimmings. 

Osteria Fasulo (Davis; Italian): http://osteriafasulo.com/ Thanksgiving at Osteria Fasulo Thursday , November 24th. 2011 11:30am till 6:00pm Tacchino Tonnato Thinly sliced cold turkey in a tuna creamy sauce * Tortellini in brodo Homemade turkey ground stuffed tortellini served in turkey broth * Tacchino Ripieno Stuffed turkey breast with prosciutto & Fontina cheese And a white wine sauce * Torta di Castagne Homemade chestnut cake served with vanilla ice cream Buon Appetito! $ 45.00 per person 

Piatti (Sacramento; Italian) : http://j.mp/uhh6nF Thanksgiving 2011 Thursday, November 24, 2011 Join us on Thanksgiving! Open 12pm-7pm 

Rudy's Hideaway Lobsterhouse and Bar (Rancho Cordova; Seafood): http://j.mp/tsaY9T Thanksgiving 2011 Thursday, November 24, 2011Serving dinner from Noon to 6 pm. Featuring a Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings including mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie for $23.95. Come celebrate with us! 

Sienna (El Dorado Hills; Californian): http://www.siennarestaurants.com/schedule-of-events.htm Thanksgiving 2011 Thursday, November 24, 2011We are preparing a spectacular Feast Buffet featuring Hand Carved Prime Rib & Roast Turkey, Fresh Shrimp, Roasted Salmon, and much more! From 12pm-8pm, $32.95/Kids U12 $15.95 

Tazzina Bistro (Woodland; American): http://www.tazzinabistro.com/files/Thanksgiving_2011_No_wine_pairings.pdf Tazzina Bistro Thanksgiving Prix Fixe Menu Starters Mixed Baby Lettuces balsamic vinaigrette, pickled red onions & cucumber Caesar Salad with garlic croutons & Grana Padano cheese Tart Apple Salad with Granny Smith apples, endive, romaine, radicchio, Shaft's Bleu cheese, candied pecans & sour apple vinaigrette Prawn Cocktail with housemade cocktail sauce Wild Mushroom Pâté with crostini, white truffle oil & toasted hazelnuts Caramelized Onion Soup with garlic crouton & Gruyère cheese Clam Chowder Entrées Herb-Roasted Turkey with Wild Mushroom dressing, mashed potatoes, lots of gravy "love" & cranberry-orange relish Children’s Turkey Plate with mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry-orange relish…$8.95 Beluga Lentil Ragout with roasted garlic, herbs, broccoli, roasted carrots & gremolata Kurobuta Baked Ham with gingered sweet potato purée, braised cabbage & orange maple glaze Snake River Farms Kobe Burger with Tabasco Aioli, sweet & spicy pickles, grilled red onions, choice of Shaft's Bleu cheese or white cheddar on ciabatta bun with French Fries Grilled Salmon with roasted pepper-olive relish, braised greens & crispy horseradish potato cake Grilled Flat Iron Steak with roasted garlic butter, broccoli & potato-Gruyere gratin Dessert Pumpkin Mascarpone Cheesecake with whipped cream & caramel sauce Chocolate Mousse & Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée Apple Pie with vanilla bean ice cream Three Course Prix Fix $32.00 per person Two Course Prix Fix $27.00 per person Children’s Entrée A La Carte Historic Cranston's Building     614 Main Street Woodland, CA 95695 (530) 661-1700 

Zinfandel Grill (Sacramento; Californian): http://zinfandelgrille.com/index.php/menus/thanksgiving-2011.html Thursday, November 24, 2011 Join us at Zinfandel Grille for Thanksgiving! Special three course menu including a traditional turkey dinner from 1-7pm for $32.95 per person and $10.95 for kids! 

Other:

Sheepherder Bar & Grille (Rancho Cordova; American): special Thanksgiving menu 11:00-6:00 p.m.

Rio City Cafe (Sacramento; American): http://www.riocitycafe.com 

Black Angus Steakhouse (Citrus Heights; Steakhouse): http://www.blackangus.com/ special Thanksgiving menu & regular menu

The Broiler Steakhouse (Sacramento; Steakhouse): http://j.mp/vPagNT special Thanksgiving menu & regular menu

The Firehouse Restaurant (Sacramento; American): http://www.firehouseoldsac.com/thanksgiving-november-24/ Thanksgiving 2011 Traditional Menu November 24, 2011 12:30 ~ 8 p.m.  First Course Please Select One   Seafood-Stuffed Prawn stuffed with a scallop-crab mousse rolled in puff pastry and baked golden, sauce cardinal and crème fraîche   Leek Tart with Duck Confit savory herbs with chèvre, roasted fall vegetables and house-cured duck confit salad  Second Course Please Select One   Mixed Greens spiced walnuts and blue cheese, pickled beets and citrus fruit and orange honey vinaigrette  Butternut Squash-Pear Bisque roasted squash and warm fall spices, sherry-infused velouté and toasted pepita-root vegetable ragoût  Third Course Please Select One   Herb-Roasted Turkey boneless breast with cranberry relish, spiced apple-pecan stuffing, mashed potatoes and sage velouté   Prime Rib slow roasted with signature dry rub, mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables, demi-glacé and horseradish cream   Salmon seared with smoked salmon persillade, lacinato kale with garlic and bacon, confit potatoes and Dijon crème   Braised Lamb Shank slowly braised with tomato and herbs, wild mushroom risotto and pistachio-lemon gremolata  Fourth Course Please Select One   Pumpkin Spice Cake maple filling, cream cheese icing, caramel sauce and vanilla anglaise   Chocolate Bar chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache, hazelnut royaltine, chocolate cake and vanilla bean chantilly  $46.95 per person  Deneb Williams ~ Executive Chef Jill Berger ~ Pastry Chef   Split entrées not permitted. Tax, gratuity and beverages not included. Gratuity of 20% will be added to parties of six or more guests. Special holiday menu.  As a courtesy to other guests, please turn off electronic devices. A corkage fee of $20 will be applied per 750 ml bottle brought into the restaurant.  ~  Thanksgiving 2011 Vegetarian and Vegan Menu November 24, 2011 12:30 ~ 8 p.m.  First Course Please Select One  Leek & Chèvre Tart savory herbs with chèvre, roasted fall vegetables, toasted almonds and frisée  Eggplant Napoleon fried eggplant and olive tapenade with sweet pepper hummus (vegan option)  Second Course Please Select One  Butternut Squash-Pear Bisque roasted squash and warm fall spices, sherry-infused velouté and toasted pepita-root vegetable ragoût  Mixed Greens baby greens and spiced walnuts, pickled beets and citrus fruit and orange honey vinaigrette (vegan option)  Third Course Please Select One  Yam-Ricotta Gratinée caramelized onions baked in herbed artisan ricotta with crisp pickled fennel salad  Paella “Style” Risotto artichoke hearts, peas and tofu, fire-roasted bell peppers and tomatoes and saffron-infused rice (vegan option)  Fourth Course Please Select One  Pumpkin Spice Cake maple filling, cream cheese icing, caramel sauce and vanilla anglaise  Apple-Cranberry Crisp spiced apples and cranberries and pecan-oat crumble (vegan option)  $46.95 per person   Deneb Williams ~ Executive Chef Jill Berger ~ Pastry Chef  Split entrées not permitted. Tax, gratuity and beverages not included. Gratuity of 20% will be added to parties of six or more guests. Special holiday menu. As a courtesy to other guests, please turn off electronic devices. A corkage fee of $20 will be applied per 750 ml bottle brought into the restaurant.  Deneb Williams ~ Executive Chef  Jill Berger ~ Pastry Chef   Beverages of soda, milk or juice included. Split entrées not permitted. Tax and gratuity not included. Gratuity of 20% will be added to parties of six or more guests. Special holiday menu. As a courtesy to other guests, please turn off electronic devices.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Sacramento; Steakhouse): http://www.ruthschris.com/Menu/Thanksgiving Ruth's Chris Thanksgiving Day Menu This Thanksgiving enjoy a 3-course turkey dinner for $34.95* First Course (Choice of) Ceasar Salad Steak House Salad Seafood Gumbo Entree Roasted Turkey Breast Sliced oven roasted turkey breast, served with homemade gravy, Ruth's sausage and herb stuffing and cranberry relish. Sides (Choice of) Garlic Mashed Potatoes Sweet Potato Casserole Green Beans with Roasted Garlic Creamed Spinach Dessert A Dessert duo Pairing of Pumpkin Cheesecake and Vanilla Ice Cream *A la carte dinner menu will also be available.

Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar (Sacramento; Seafood): http://www.scottsseafood.net/_pdf/Tdaymenu_2008_rev.pdf Their 2008 menu: Oven Roasted “Diestel Ranch” Turkey $25.95 with garlic mashed potatoes, natural gravy, pancetta-sage stuffing,  candied sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans almandine  and pumpkin cheese cake for dessert

Scott’s Seafood On the River (Sacramento; Seafood): http://www.scottsseafood.net/_pdf/Tdaymenu_2008_rev.pdf Their 2008 menu: Oven Roasted “Diestel Ranch” Turkey $25.95 with garlic mashed potatoes, natural gravy, pancetta-sage stuffing,  candied sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans almandine  and pumpkin cheese cake for dessert

Hyatt Regency Dawson's Restaurant (Sacramento; American): http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/images/hotels/sacra/SACRA_thanksgivingmenu.pdf Thanksgiving Dinner November 24, 2011 Puree of Sweet Potato and Apple Soup, Crème Fraiche Sage and Country Sausage Stuffing Mascarpone and Lemon Whipped Potatoes Candied Garnet Yams Brussel Sprouts with Brown Butter, Hazelnuts and Orange Zest Roasted Mushrooms, Pearl Onions and Fennel Pan Seared Pacific Salmon, Roasted Root Vegetables Dry Rubbed Chicken Breast, Melted Leeks, Natural Jus Carved Items Whole Roast Turkey, Traditional Giblet Gravy and Fresh Cranberry Relish Rock Salt and Rosemary Crusted Prime Rib of Beef, Au Jus, Horseradish Rum Raisin Glazed Ham, Assorted Mustards Salad Bar Crisp Romaine and Baby Spinach, Assorted Dressings and Toppings Marinated Mushroom Salad Sherry Vinegar and Herbs, Lentil and Wild Rice Salad, Roasted Sugar Beets French Beans and Bleu Cheese, Bay Shrimp and Lobster Salad with Cucumber Sweet Onion and Louie Dressing Seafood Bar Chilled Prawns, Fresh Lemons and Cocktail Sauce Oysters in the Half Shell with Champagne Mignonette Smoked Salmon, Capers, Shaved Red Onions and Tomato Dessert Station Pumpkin, Cherry and Old Fashioned Apple Pies, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Pastries, Fruit Tarts, Bread Pudding, Assorted Cheesecakes and Made to Order Crepes Hyatt Regency Sacramento 1209 L Street, Sacramento, CA  95814 For Reservations please call 916-321-3600 $44.95 adults, $22.95 children 5-12 years of age Hours: 5:30p.m - 10:00p.m Nightly Reservations: 916 321 3600

Hyatt Regency Vines Cafe (Sacramento; American): http://sacramento.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/restaurants/index.jsp#1923 Thanksgiving Buffet – Thursday November 24th Time: 11am – 4:00pm Price: Adults - $44.95 Children 5-12 years old - $22.50 Children 4 and under free Reservations required by call 916-443-1234 No Thanksgiving is complete without a slice of pie. Or two. Or three. Celebrate Thanksgiving at Hyatt Regency Sacramento on Thursday, November 24th from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Join us for a bountiful buffet featuring traditional holiday favorites. Up to three hour complimentary valet parking included.

Ryde Hotel's Thanksgiving Day Feast (Ryde; American): http://www.rydehotel.com/html/thanksgiving.html THANKSGIVING DAY FEAST RYDE HOTEL & EVENT CENTER THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2011 12:00 PM-4:00PM STARTERS International Cheese And Fruit Selection Ambrosia Holiday Fruit Salad Fruited Baked Brie with Sliced Baguettes Local Greens with Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Sugared Walnuts and Pear Vinaigrette Selection of Relishes Rolls and butter ENTREES Roasted Turkey with Maple Herb Butter Apple Cider Giblet Gravy Fresh Cranberries Apple, Cranberry and Sausage Dressing Sangria Baked Ham Mashed Potatoes With Chives Candied Yams Green Beans Almondine DESSERTS Chef prepared Apple, Pecan and Pumpkin Pie with fresh whipped cream Bread Pudding with Crème Anglaise $35.00 Per Person plus tax and gratuity Children 10 Years And Under Half Price Parties Of 8 Or More Subject To 18% Gratuity Chef Michael Ivie Ryde Hotel 14340 Highway 160 Walnut Grove, Ca. 95690 Reservations Call 916-776-1318

Also, too, my list from 2007: http://schultkl.blogspot.com/2007/11/sacramento-area-thanksgiving.html

Sacramento Downtown Free Parking Spots

Sacramento Downtown Free Parking Spots:

• Between 5th and 6th Street on W Street (Google Map: http://g.co/maps/9k74d)
• Park before 8:30 a.m.
• (Unverified) Between 6th and 7th Street on P Street (Google Map: http://g.co/maps/bhdcp)
• (Unverified, 2004) 1900 block of G Street http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/people-places/content?oid=31507 (Google Map: http://g.co/maps/zq6ez)

Others?

The City of Sacramento publishes the location of "long-term" meters, here: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/transportation/parking/onstreetmaps.html

However, they do not show controlled areas.

Six Month Feedback on Raised Work-Surface

I wrote this feedback for my raised work-surface at my place of employment; adapting to share my thoughts with the general public. I raised my work-surface in April, 2011.

Six Month Feedback on Raised Work-Surface

·         General Feedback

o   I suggest a strategy of standing and sitting:

§  I stand for two hours, then sit for two hours

§  Adjust as needed (sit more if tired, and so forth)

o   Per above, I suggest you obtain a chair with proper ergonomic seat height (see “Suggested Equipment,” below)

o   Occasionally, I still feel some light back soreness—but I would never go back to sitting all day, given the choice

o   Food for thought, only—electric or hydraulic height-adjustable desks would allow for variable work-surface heights throughout the day

·         Installation

o   I raised two work surfaces and left one lower, which allows a bit more room to spread papers and such, and looks a bit cleaner

o   Face monitors toward a low-traffic area, to minimize passer-by distractions/eye-contact

o   Before the movers arrive, make it easy for them by moving all objects off of the desk, disconnect any cables, remove things from walls, and so forth, as needed

o   Set work-surface height at distance from 90-degree elbows to the floor

o   Monitor at time of installation, to properly set the ergonomic work-surface height (critical):

§  Take a tape measurement from the floor to your 90-degree elbow to determine the ergonomic desk height

§  After installing the work-surface, confirm the height (for example, place an unplugged keyboard on top and verify ergonomic arm position)

§  A bit low work-surface height is better than a bit high work-surface height, as you can always fine-tune height increase (for example, standing on a mat)

§  Surface height should feel comfortable!

·         Standing “Pros”

o   Standing eliminates post-lunch lethargy, for me

o   I perceive an increased focus while standing

o   I still feel a bit of back soreness while standing, from time to time—standing helps but is not a miracle solution

o   Some argue standing is good for dieting as it burns more calories than sitting:http://lifehacker.com/5798791/calculate-how-many-calories-you-can-burn-if-you-switch-to-a-standing-desk

·         Standing “Cons”

o   Standing all day, like sitting all day, is hard on the body, but in different ways—to compensate, alternate between standing or sitting, and take breaks, walk around, and so forth

o   Shorter colleagues may find a high work-surface challenging during desk-side meetings (a good reason to keep at least one lower work-surface)

·         Suggested Equipment

o   Foot rest

o   Anti-fatigue mat

§  $10 at Harbor Freight Tools for four 2’x2’ foam mats

§  Alternatives at Amazon.com

o   Chair with ergonomic seat height

§  A short-term work-around: adjust existing 30” stool with reams of paper until 90-degree elbows (while seated)

§  Chair options: foot-rest, seat back

Radio Songs

Heard on 90.3 FM KDVS out of Davis, CA:

Belfast, Northern Ireland-natives Language of Flowers' "Tara Mascara," from their 2004 album, "Songs About You," on the Shelflife Records label. Audio. Fun lyrics: "Your family name is my number one aim." 

Los Angeles-based Earth, Wind, and Fire's "I've Had Enough," from their 1981 album, "Raise!" on the ARC/Columbia Records labels. Audio. Love the horns! :o) 

Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany-native Paul Van Dyk's (Matthias Paul) "Kaleidoscope," from his 2004 album, "Reflections," on the Vandit label. Audio. 

Chicago-based Fruit Bats' "Shivering Fawn," from their 2011 album, "Tripper," on the Sub Pop label. Audio. Mellow and much appreciated in the early morning commute. 

Essex, England-native Blood Orange's (Dev Hynes) "Sutphin Boulevard," from his 2011 album "Coastal Grooves," on the Domino Records label. Video. 

Sacramento Greek Festival

Dawn and I attended the 48th annual Sacramento Greek Festival on Saturday. :o) http://sacramentogreekfestival.com/


Noting for 2012: We tried stifado, moussaka, fasolakia, tiropita, dolmathes, pilafi, avgolemono soup and horiatiki salata plus dessert of kourambiedes, galaktobouriko, koulourakia, diples, yiaourtopita, and melomakarona, with drinks including Retsina (wine) and Greek coffee. ^__________________^


Retsina: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retsina ; we drank a bottle (with two others) of the Retsina shown in the Wikipedia article, from Greek producer Kourtaki.


Felt greedy when I saw all the other foods we missed, like the gyros, kalimari, and so forth, but very happy I listened to my stomach's fullness sensors.


A vendor from "Sheet Guys" (http://sheetguys.com) told us he would give free shipping if we call him (his name was RT) and tell us we saw him at a Greek festival. He sells 1,500 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets.


The place was packed with people on a Saturday night around 6:30 p.m. We stayed until 9:30 p.m. 

When You Die You Never Fear Anymore

I misheard this lyric last week as "When you die you never fear anymore."

I forget the correct lyric, but I thought that was so cool it was worth writing down.

CostCo Sightings

Random observations from CostCo:

• Overhearing one food sample presenter remark to another, "If I see one more piece of freaking cheese..."
  
  
• Seeing a raised truck with an American flag on a pole and several cases of Top Ramen in the bed. 

No judgments--just psychologically memorable as unusual.

Forks Over Knives

On Sunday, while others were distracted by Akira Kurosawa's epic masterpiece Seven Samurai, I watched "Forks over Knives" (2011; Trailer #1; Trailer #2),

First, the high points the movie claims during the trailer:

• (Trailer #1) ?: "This could be the first generation of children in the United States that lives less than its parents."
  
  
• Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn: "Heart disease is an absolutely toothless paper tiger that need never ever exist."
  
  
• Dr. John McDougall: "People who were raised in Japan, the Philippines, Korea, China, never had heart disease, prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis...."
  
  
• Dr. T. Colin Campbell: "We learned we could turn on and turn off cancer growth just by adjusting the level of intake of that protein."
  
  
• Dr. John McDougall: "I knew, at that point, what caused most diseases...."
  
  
• Dr. T. Colin Campbell: "Our national authorities are simply excluding this concept...to protect the status quo...."
  
  
• Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn: "With a Western diet, there are gonna be half-a-million people in this country, this year, who will have to have the front half of their body divided, their heart exposed; some people would call that extreme."
  
  
• Dr. T. Colin Campbell: "I know of nothing else in medicine, that can come close to what a plant-based diet can do."
  
  
• Dr. Pam Popper: "If you go through life thinking what happens to you from a health perspective is based on your genes you're a helpless victim."
  
  
• San’Dera Nation (random patient): "I reversed the diabetes. The diabetes is not coming back."
  
  
• Rip Esselstyn (son of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn): "To me the answer is so simple, it's criminal. It's just, people starting to take responsibility for their health and starting to eat more plant-based foods. It's that simple."
  
  
• (Trailer #2) Katie Couric: "Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in this country...."
  
  
• Tagline: "What if we could cure sickness without medicine?"
  
  
• Tagline: "What if our nation's health crisis could be solved?"
  

• Dr. T. Colin Campbell: "If everyone were to adopt this, I...I really believe we could cut health care costs by 70-80%...."
  
  

• Tagline: "Two men who grew up on farms turned their backs on the past and turned to science to find the answer."
  

• Dr. T. Colin Campbell (speaking about milk): "When I was young, we promoted our product because it was nature's most perfect food; but it took a slightly different twist as time passed. I mean it's the most perfect food--for calves."
  
  
• Dr. T. Colin Campbell: "I mean it's so provocative, this information: we learned we could turn on and turn off cancer growth just by adjusting the level of intake of that protein."
  
  
• Dr. Junshi Chen: "Because they are all Chinese, genetically they are all the same. Why they have so much difference in single cancer mortality."
  
  
• Tagline: "What if there was a single solution to all these problems?"
  
  
• Dr. T. Colin Campbell: "On the one hand, I'm coming from the scientific route, getting some ideas. He's coming from the clinical route. Here's the science, here's the clinical evidence. What they do together's amazing."
  
  
• Tagline: "A solution so overlooked that no one is taking it seriously?"
  
  
• Tagline: "Two men one improbable conclusion"
  
  
• Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn: "The greatest gift that you could possibly give to their family--if you can make them be aware of the incredible power to avoid life's most painful events, you just don't have to have those kinds of events."
  
  
• Tagline: "What if they're right?"
  
  
• Dr. T. Colin Campbell: "I can say this with a great deal of confidence, that our national authorities are excluding this concept of nutrition from the debate and the discussion in order to protect the status quo...."

Some thoughts:

• I went in skeptical, expecting a weak argument--and came out pleasantly surprised at the amount of information and quality of information presented.
  
  
• This movie pulled no punches in casting a negative slant on the practices of the USDA with respect to commodities (namely, both advocating for, and regulating the same industry) and the opinions of former President of the American Dietetic Association, Connie B. Diekman.
  
• The main target of the movie seems to be animal protein, whether by meat, dairy, or other dietary products.
  
  
• They claimed acidosis results from consumption of dairy, which leaches calcium, contributing to osteoporosis.
• The movie claims "Over 50% of our firefighters who die in the line of duty are dying from heart attacks and strokes."
• It talks about the USDA food pyramid (then MyPyramid, now MyPlate) and it's origins and how milk and meat remain(-ed?) a key part of it.
• The movie claims people need Viagra because of cardiovascular dysfunction brought on by high cholesterol diets.
• The movie talked about stretch and fullness sensors on the stomach and how different foods fill the stomach differently (oils: most caloric, barely fill; vegetables: least caloric, completely fill)
• The movie also talked about endothelial cells on the interior walls of blood vessels and how they serve a critical role in preventing heart disease.

CSICOP savages the movie here: http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/a_review_of_forks_over_knives

2011 7th Annual Japanese Film Festival of Sacramento

Shortbread cookie provided with peasant tea during intermission of "Seven Samurai"

Dawn and I attended the 7th annual Japanese Film Festival of Sacramento this weekend. This year, the committee selected the following films (descriptions from the festival guide):

• ‎"Dear Doctor" (2009; Trailer (in Japanese)):
  
  "Winner of two Japan Academy Awards for Best Screenwriter/Best Supporting Actress. A doctor faithfully serves 1,500 residents in a Japanese Mountain Village. Dr. Ino is humble and selfless and he makes house calls. The villagers think he is a saint. The doctor is actually a fake, would be physician. The story is about a decent man who is caught in a web of his own lies and wants out. The reaction of the villagers when they learn the truth is acid comedy. Film maker Miwa Nishikawa's movie asks what counts in life and how well do we know each other?"
  
  
• "Still Walking" (2008; Trailer):
  
  "Two adult children return to visit their parents in a family reunion. Family tensions and old hurts contrast with the peaceful setting in a beautiful seaside town. Grandfather Kyobei hides behind his newspaper at the family table. Grandmother Toshiko is cute as she bustles around the kitchen throwing insults saying, "I'm not being cruel, it's normal." Second son, Ryo can't live up to his parents' memory of his dead brother. Brilliantly acted, Director Hirokazu Kore' eda's 7th film has parallels with Ozu's Tokyo Story."
  
  
• "Tokyo Godfathers" (2003; anime; Trailer):
  
  "It's Christmas Eve in Tokyo. An alcoholic, Gin, an aging drag queen, Hana, and a teenage girl, Miyuki, are unlikely friends who are homeless. They discover an abandoned baby girl in a trash barrel. In their odyssey of learning how to care for a baby, they learn about themselves. The film pays loving tribute to the Tokyo's snowy winter beauty. Director Satoshi Kon's animated film is one of the rare movies which use anime to tell a story of human suffering, love, and redemption which is too painful to be realized in live action."
  
  
• "The Harimaya Bridge" (2009; Trailer):
  
  "American Daniel Holder goes to Japan to bring back his late son's art work. He dislikes the Japanese because his own father died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp during WWII. While wrestling with his personal demons in Japan he finds peace within himself. Producer Danny Glover has a supporting role in the movie which is in English with Japanese subtitles and in Japanese with English subtitles. African American film writer and director, Aaron Woolfolk was a junior high school English teacher in rural Japan. Beautifully shot scenes are Japanese in spirit and technique and reveal Woolfolk's love for that country."
  
  
• "One Big Hapa Family" (2010; Trailer):
  
  "Documentary with live action and anime. Yonsei Japanese Canadian Jeff Chiba Stearns uses his anime art to explore four generations of intermarriage in the Koga family. The story of the Canadian Issei, Nisei, Sansei, and Yonsei generations is told through interviews, archival photos, historical film footage, home movies, and animation. Issues of racism, integration, and the instinct to retain the Japanese Culture and language are expressed with a freshness, wonderful sense of humor and open heart. In his journey of self-discovery, documentarian Stearns also explores the reasons why over 98% of Japanese Canadians have intermarried."
  
  
• "Seven Samurai" (1954; Trailer):
  
  "Akira Kurosawa's great film inspired the next 50 years of international film making. The story is simple and clear. Farmers in a small village approach seven ronin samurai to teach them how to fight bandits who will rob their barley crop. The samurai agree for daily rice and lodging. Seven Samurai is anchored in Japan's feudal values of caste and social hierarchy. Kurosawa also argues for individual worth and humanism through Seven Samurai's misfits and renegade heroes. The battle scene of sweeping tides of men moving from a higher to lower plane has been called one of the glories of world cinema. There is deeper meaning in this movie by one of the greatest film makers at the height of his powers. The samurais win the battle but it is the villagers who are the winners."
  
  

My favorites, in order, excluding Seven Samurai, starting with my most favorite:

• ‎"Still Walking": What happens when familial expectations fall apart? An annual family reunion strains and strengthens social ties. The movie sensuously highlights Japanese food preparation, summer heat, childhood friendships and adult dysfunctions. By turns both cruel and kind, the family's matriarch and patriarch find their attempts at control over their childrens' lives frustrated--or do they impact them more than their children let on? Rich landscapes of Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan inspire. This was my favorite movie, showing limits of control and our ability to forgive and accept our own loved ones.
  
  
• "Dear Doctor" (2009): A quack in a remote Japanese mountain village finds his practice challenged by unexpected developments. Everyone suspect--and accepts. The town has never had it so good; or has it? Another lushly-filmed movie in high summer, the greens and the mountains dazzle. A study in contrasts between institutional and rural doctor-patient relationships, Shôfukutei hits all the right notes.
  
  
• "Tokyo Godfathers" (2003; anime): In the cool dark of the theater, I felt the fall of snow watching this film. Set at Christmas, three homeless companions make a discovery which will change their lives forever. Winter is pitch-perfect, even if some scenes and plot resolutions stretch credibility.
  
  
• "The Harimaya Bridge" (2009): This movie had moments of greatness (for example, the Shinto shrine marriage). Bennet Guillory comes across as a caricature of Americans abroad. Misa Shimizu shines, as do Saki Takaoka and actress Misono. Cinematography in Kochi Prefecture is amazing. A great debut film by Oakland, CA-native Aaron Woolfolk.
  
  
• "One Big Hapa Family" (2010): A short (50-minute) documentary of growing up Japanese-Canadian, by Jeffrey Chiba-Stearns. I actually liked this a lot, but could not rank it higher than a feature film and all its attendant challenges. Chiba-Stearns talks in detail, showing several provocative historical photos about the Canadian Japanese internment camps and how World War 2 triggered mass assimilation of Japanese-Canadians. Informative, entertaining, and moving--and this was my lowest ranked screening! :o)
  
  

Festival Notes

• Gave my ticket to Seven Samurai to a friend who had never seen it; I watched it in 2010. Just an epic film.
  
  
• Overall, another great festival year.
   
• The crowed seemed bigger this year--we missed out on getting a goodie bag on opening night, as we arrived just before showtime and they had ran out. So--no list of goodie bag items, this year.
  
  
• The goodie bags did look the same as last year, however (small #3 brown paper shopping bag), with rice crackers, coupons, organic seeds, and so forth.
  
  
• Noticable lack of political sponsorship (again) this year. Where are you, Doris Matsui?
  
  
• On Thursday, we attended a rare screening of Kenji Mizoguchi's film "Osaka Elegy" (1936), a companion piece to his film "Sisters of the Gion" (1936), which they screened in 2010.
  
  
• Coincidentally, the Sacramento Trash Film Orgy (http://trashfilmorgy.com/) kicked off their summer schedule this evening with a Zombie Walk, so as we exited the theater, we encountered zombies wandering about for the midnight showing of "Return of the Living Dead" :o)
  
  
• First year I remember raffles--one before The Harimaya Bridge and one before Seven Samurai
  
  
• Another first--peasant tea and cookies during the intermission of Seven Samurai.
  
  
• Hats off to the staff of the Crest Theater--all class.
  
  
• Tables in the lobby: books for sale, cards for sale, donations for Japan relief fund, donations for the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church, and so forth.
  
  
• Not sure why, but this year I did not feel as moved by any of the films. :o| Distracted by so many other things going on in my life, presently, I guess.

Links to Previous Years

• 2010 (6th Annual)
  
  
• 2009 (5th Annual)
  
  
• 2008 (4th Annual)
  
  
• 2007 (3rd Annual)

Radio Songs

Heard on 90.3 KDVS out of Davis, CA:

Hawaii-native Herb Ohta, Jr.'s "Pana Mai" from his online album, "‘Ukulele Nahenahe", on the Lele Music Productions label. Audio sample or hear the full audio at the MP3 streams at the 56:05 mark.

? and The Mysterians' "96 Tears (in Spanish)". Audio at the 88:00 minute mark.

Dolores Solá's "Cobardía" -  from her album "Salto Mortal" on the OJO! records label. Audio.

13 Assassins (2010)

We watched director Takashi Miike's 2010 movie "13 Assassins" Wednesday evening at Sacramento's Crest Theater.

Miike also produced the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, "Departures". Both movies deal with the topic of death and have cello music in their respective soundtracks--the similarities end there.

First, the bad news (no spoilers): I found this a challenging movie to watch. Miike opens with an extended, uncomfortably up-close-and-personal act of seppuku, then moves, in turn, through rape, murder, butchery, torture, and debasement. I think that was maybe the first 30 minutes. o_O;; The final 45 minutes depicts the graphic butchery of an army of men through--essentially--long, extremely sharp knives.

I struggled to keep up with the quickly scrolling intro expository subtitles. Differentiating the 13 assassins also proved difficult, equating characters to their choice in weapons.

Second, the good news: The acting, while good, was not great, mainly due to the massive amount of ground to cover, both literal and figurative, which left much less time for character development. I found the cinematography, the choreography, and the attention to detail with the sets pitch-perfect. Miike's attention to detail shines through in every scene. It is just an amazingly well-executed movie.

Final verdict: if you enjoy well-executed period pieces and do not mind gratuitous, over-the-top violence, this movie will not disappoint! :o)

Almost forgot: +1 for including a line referencing the Japanese folklore monster tanuki :o) I believe the exact subtitle was an assassin exclaiming "Are you a raccoon goblin?" when they first meet Kiga in the mountains on their way to Ochiai. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanuki

Romanticized Pasts

Noted today how two people in disparate fields--Paul Krugman (Economics) and Richard Stallman (Computing)--both seem motivated by a romanticized vision of the past. In Krugman's case, a middle-class New York City suburb in the late 50's and early 60's. In Stallman's case, the bohemian M.I.T. computing culture of the early 70's.

http://thebrowser.com/interviews/paul-krugman-on-inspiration-liberal-economist?page=full

Trader Joe's - Receipt Amount Ending in Zero

Trader Joe's currently offers customers tallying a "*.00" price on their receipt a free spin on their prize wheel.

Here is one combination which totals zero-zero:

FISH SALMON CHIMICHURRI FILLET $7.95
BEEF SIRLOIN ROAST FULLY COOKED $8.99
KERRYGOLD IRISH UNSALTED BUTTER, 2OZ @ $2.79/OZ $5.58
YOGURT GREEK STYLE PLAIN $1.99
ORGANIC SOUR CREAM - PINT $2.49
SUBTOTAL $27.00
TOTAL $27.00

I think we won an insulated bag on our spin.

Zipcar - Day One

Via Wikipedia, "Zipcar is a membership-based car sharing company providing automobile reservations to its members, billable by the hour or day."

Brand new to the Sacramento-area, Zipcar now has five downtown locations: (1) 18th and Capitol Avenue; (2) 11th and L Street; (3) 10th and I Street; (4) 16th and J Street; and (5) 28th and J Street. These locations primarily serve denizens of Sacramento's dense urban core. (Did I just call Sacramentans dense? No offense intended!)

The Sacramento City Council voted to bring Zipcar to the city in late March, 2011, as a way to reduce fleet costs for City employees. From a March 28 article in BizJournals, "The only [startup] cost to the city is the loss of money from 10 spaces taken by the Zipcars and signs."

We signed up with Zipcar as an experiment. We own a car with a manual transmission and a driver in our household faces two challenges: (1) they are learning how to operate a manual transmission; and (2) they have not driven for a number of years and want confidence behind the wheel. So, Zipcar seems like a natural complement to getting back behind the wheel. Low investment and on-demand. Plus, we used code 75ZIP11 when signing up to get $75 free in credits, if used during a specified window (30 days?).

Our Zipcard--a credit card used to unlock the car--arrived in about a week. The reservation process went smoothly. We found our car--a silver, 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid--in a Zipcar parking spot just off 11th and L Street. It was clean, inside and out. Unlocking the doors stumped us, at first--until we noticed the Zipcar activator in the upper-left of the driver's side window. *Click* went the locks and we hopped in. Turning the car on immediately provided relief from the 93 F ambient temperatures.

Early evening downtown traffic was moderate. We drove for just under an hour, returning before our time expired. Everything went smoothly, until we drove west into the setting sun, which provided a bit of tension as we fought sun-blindness.

Afterwards--Temple Coffee for post-stress drinks.

Overall a very positive experience.

Given the $8/hour price, can see this coming in useful for trips to the San Francisco area: (1) gas is included in the hourly rate; (2) 30 locations downtown and 13 in the East Bay (and a handful in the South Bay); (3) brand new, shiny, hybrid vehicle; and (4) no parking fees once you arrive. Which works out to maybe $32 round-trip for transportation to/from The City. Budget in public transportation of $2/ride, each, and tolls of ~$10, for a total of roughly $60 for transporting two people for a day. Compare that to the alternatives: (1) Amtrak: $116 for train fare, plus public transportation fees, so maybe ~$130 total; or (2) Personal vehicle: (180 miles / 30 mpg) * $4/gal = ~$25; parking fees = $25/day; tolls = ~$10, so ~$60.

On the way home, we realized we had forgotten to wave the card over the Zipcar reader to logout of our reservation. A call to Zipcar customer service clarified turning off the car ends the reservation. The customer service call went through efficiently and was handled quickly. The attendant even suggested we can review our reservations online, to see if they went over/under.

So, all-in-all, a great first experience.

For an alternative, more in-depth experience, see: http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/low-car-diet/content?oid=2082256

Radio Song

Heard on 90.3 FM KDVS out of Davis, CA:

Ghent, Belgium-based Soulwax's "E Talking (Live)" from their 2005 album "Nite Versions Live" on the PIAS label. Video.

Radio Song

Heard on KYDS 91.5 FM out of Sacramento:

Berkeley, California-based Rancid's "Killing Zone," a non-CD bonus track from side four of their LP release of their 2003 album "Indestructible", on the Hellcat label. Audio. Liked the driving guitars.

There is also this song I hear occasionally on KYDS with a female lead singing "I Drive Away" in a death metal voice, then she switches back to a clear voice. I have no idea who sings it; perhaps a local band?

Radio Song

Heard on 90.3 KDVS this past Wednesday:


Montreal, Quebec-based The Arcade Fire's "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" from their 2010 album "The Suburbs" on the Merge and Mercury labels. Audio; Video (live). Love the synth.

Belinda Darby, Homeless Computer Science Ph.D.

PEGGY PEATTIE / Union-Tribune

At work, I keep a copy of IKEA's "America At Home" on my desk; while thumbing through it on April 15, I found a picture of homeless woman Belinda Darby.

It turns out Ms. Darby holds a doctorate in Computer Science. :o|

http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/print-article-2864-print.html

Born in Decatur, Ill., Darby, her four siblings and her parents moved to Chula Vista in 1968, when she was 8. She graduated from Bonita Vista High School, went to college and eventually got a job in computers, working for IBM in National City. She met her husband and moved to Oram, Utah, where he died suddenly at his desk in 1990, from a massive heart attack. Devastated, Darby took her daughter to live near her sister in Florida, where she stayed until 2002, when her parents became ill. She spent four years taking care of them until, in 2006, her father died. 

Four years out of the workforce and heartbroken, Darby had a nervous breakdown. She couldn’t work, she couldn’t eat, she couldn’t sleep. She eventually had to be hospitalized. When she got out of the hospital, she was out of cash and out of ideas. So she took to the streets.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080511/news_1h11athome2.html

The second photo depicts Anthony Robinson and Belinda Darby, homeless on the streets of San Diego. Robinson, in a sweat shirt watching a DVD, was a poor kid from South Carolina who had trouble with the law. Darby has a Ph.D. in computer science.

“They found each other on the street,” Peattie wrote. “Each night Robinson sets out their blankets and erects a shaky wooden table. And while Darby sleeps, Robinson gathers partially full cans from local Dumpsters to keep them fed.” 

Months after the photo shoot, Peattie said she receives text messages from the couple asking if she's having a good day. 

“America at Home” is available in local bookstores (Running Press, Philadelphia, $40) and can be ordered online with a custom-made dust jacket with a photo of your own. Information: MyAmericaAtHome.com