Cello

Looking at cellos again.

The Electric Cello Buying Guide -- 7 Key Shopping Considerations (published 2016-01-11):

• Entry level for quality solid body electric cellos starts at about $900 and run to $1500+
• Pro-level cellos are available for between $2,000 - $3,500
• Custom built or hi-spec models cost more than $4,000

Previously

Stern Grove Festival - San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Returned to the Stern Grove Festival to hear the SF Symphony Orchestra. We arrived after the intermission, snagging better-than-decent seats with clear views of the orchestra. They played Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 43. We had binoculars so had a good view. The male performers wore a mix of consistent cream-colored suits (we thought maybe these represented the official roster) and white suits (we thought maybe these represented the stand-in). The female performers wore varied tops in white. We noticed the monitors which had grills and looked like space heaters. The brass section looked really bored when they weren't playing, as did a few of the strings. The performers seemed to scan the audience when not playing. Dawn seemed to know one of the principle bass players, from university, but did not see him performing. Arriving late, we walked in on the west meadow. We donated $10 and got two stickers and heard the barker talk about his 38 years of attending and supporting the Festival and some backstory of the volunteers, how a food guy quit, and stoners sitting up in the hillside.

After the show, we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. We parked up on the hill for free and walked down to the Sausalito Ferry Company and bought matching bobble head lucky cats for our cars, as well as a tee for my mom.

We drove back to SF and briefly waited in line on Lombard Street but decided to skip due to the loooong line of cars, ending up parked on Hyde on a steep hill along the cable car line. We had a dessert supper at Ghirardelli (Lands End Sea Salt Caramel Brownie Sundae). We walked around the shops and bought a Squishables Puppycat plush.

Drove back along the cable car lines and home along 101 to 85 to 280, listening to KFOG.

Running Journal, Thursday, 2018-07-14

Black-tailed deer, east fork of Jordan Gulch 

Resting heart rate: 81 bpm around 1:45 minutes after running and a cup of coffee
Body Mass Index (BMI): 24.4
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: sunny
Temp: 21.1 C (70 F) 9 mph WSW
Time: 1:30-2:15 p.m. (45 minutes)
Terrain: Hilly
Comments: Sunblock used. Listened to an audiobook, which helped pass the time. Ran same route to the Village, but instead of going up the stairs to OPERS, I ran along the bottom of Jordan Gulch. Saw two groups of deer. One group fled partially up the hill, the other, a young buck, stood his ground and watched me. Unbeknownst to me, three forks of Jordan Gulch exist, and I took the east fork, emerging near the bookstore. Just before this, I found a small redwood grove enclosed with makeshift stick fencing, with a few chairs inside. Disappointingly, it had no small amount of trash. I then followed the path north, taking a large culvert tunnel under what turned out to be McLaughlin Drive. I then followed that road to Graduate Student Housing and from there back through Kresge/Porter to FSH. Calf muscles feel exercised and I felt a bit winded afterward. Started a bit later than I wished but had to swap the headlamp bulbs in our car while still relatively cool. If I do the Jordan Gulch bottom trail again, I'll try to take a different fork, perhaps one leading to McHenry Library.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): ~3.1 miles
Weight (after run): n/a (185?)
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Left shoulder muscle group feels sore, but been an issue for a few days
Foods eaten today: Through mid-afternoon--PB&J, two cups of coffee, Caesar salad with chicken, banana

Prius 2006 Headlamp Bulb Replacement

Old bulb (top) with detached low-beam coil; new bulb (bottom) in box with both coils

Successfully replaced both headlamp bulbs, this time on a 2006 Prius with the standard halogen 9003 bulbs (the 2005 Prius had HID bulbs).

Still a PITA. However, it seemed a bit easier than the 2005 Prius. The 2006 model seems to have different clips (just one clasp?) and cover assembly, which makes it a bit easier.

Both existing bulbs failed within a few days of the other. The first the day of, or the day after, getting my oil changed at Oil Can Henry's in Soquel. The second failed within the next few days.

Bulbs used:
Philips 9003B1 Standard Halogen Replacement Headlight Bulb

Tools used:

• Flat-head screwdriver (remove cowl)
• Philips-head screwdriver (remove cowl screw)
• Mechanics gloves
• Overalls
• Flashlight (mobile device)
• Nitrile gloves (to handle bulbs)

Found a shady spot near Rachel Carson college parking lot. Figured neighbors didn't want to hear me cursing.

Two contractors working on a roofing job came down to the lot and hopped into a white truck. I overheard one say, "I don't do drugs ... regularly." I wondered at the need to qualify the statement with an adverb.

Previously, previously

Wilder Ranch State Park - Sand Plant Beach Hike

Hiked from the Wilder Ranch State Park parking lot to Sand Plant Beach:

Wilder Ranch State Park - Map of hike to Sand Plant Beach and back

Weather was 81F and humid, windy near the cliffs (~10mph). Flat trail, low exertion. 

Dozens of harbor seals (video by Alessandra Zermini) sunned on an exposed rock near Fern Grotto Beach. Spotted a handful of nesting Brandt’s cormorants close by (video by Alessandra Zermini, on 06/30/2018).

Ate snacks above Sand Plant Beach then walked to the farm buildings and visited with the horses Christian (Chrissy) and ???.

Patio Umbrella

OSH 9 Foot Aluminum Umbrella Frame, with crank tilt

OSH 9 Foot Sunbrella Umbrella Canopy - Astoria Sunset Stripe

OSH Orchard Umbrella Cover Up To 11 Feet

IKEA Lökö base, 88 lb

Pier One LED butterfly lights with timer
Pier One chair cushions - Calliope Spice

Got the frame and canopy 50% off during 4th of July sale. Got the butterfly lights on clearance for 40% off. We already had the patio chairs and side table.

TODO: lookup how to pronounce Lökö. It's like "ur". Sort of. So, "Lur-kur"

Running Journal, Thursday, 2018-07-05

Patio furniture overlooking Monterey Bay, from fire trail along UCSC Great Meadow

Resting heart rate: 69 bpm around 6 hours after running
Body Mass Index (BMI): 24.4
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: 11:45-12:30 p.m.
Terrain: Hilly
Comments: Lots of stairs and hills. Listened to audiobook while I ran which helped. Found metal patio furniture along the trail--three chairs and a table. Visited the Jordan Gulch quarry and walked among "The Village" buildings for the first time. Noted a trail leading from the quarry base along the ravine, for next time. Campus was largely empty of students. When I felt winded (e.g., after climbing stairs) I walked until I wasn't red-lining anymore. Forgot sunblock. A successful run. Felt good afterward.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): ~3.0 miles
Weight (after run): n/a (185?)
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Left toes feeling a bit sore, but that's been an ongoing issue for a few weeks
Foods eaten today: oatmeal with raspberries and bananas, Caesar salad, hummus and guacamole with naan bread, applesauce, a few ounces of chicken cutlets, grape leafs stuffed with rice, four cups coffee, Trader Joe's Japanese Fried Rice

4th of July

Attended the San Jose Wind Symphony's "Fantastic Fourth!" concert at Oak Meadow Park, Los Gatos.

Ate waffle cones with spicy chocolate and pistachio gelato from Lolli and Pops, in Los Gatos.

Watched "Won’t You Be My Neighbor?" at the Nickelodeon in Santa Cruz.

Drove home along West Cliff Drive.

Watched Washington DC fireworks via "A Capitol Fourth" on PBS.