#19 : Read 10 New Books

Another hit. Recommend.

Lost 1-2 to SFU. A better game, but still questionable subs. Nevertheless, Brit had the biggest cheering section.

#57: Take Devin to a Giants game.

Fog burned off the first pitch and made for a perfect day at the ballpark. Sat next to the CEO of Uber, so greats as well.

Beautiful Day at the Ballpark.

Game one ended in a double overtime 0-0 tie with San Jose State. Way too many girls played. Stupid substitutions. It was one of the more painful games to watch.

Found it.

Looking for Ramen in San Francisco.

Season starts tomorrow up North at San Jose State and University of San Francisco. Both are projected to be tops in their respective leagues, but that always seems to be the case with UCR opponents.

#72: See a movie outdoors.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s at Mr. C’s.

Riverside won it’s one and only preseason game, but not too much was learned as to what this team will be. We’ll soon find out as the season begins on Friday in San Jose.

Can’t believe we’re here. Proud of my girl.

 

It’s always the little bites….  Took us months to get a reservation, but the first bite made it worth the wait.

Irvine, CA—The Big West announced the results of the 2016 Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll today, and the nine conference head coaches are collectively predicting a sixth place finish for UC Riverside this season.

But don’t worry, Highlanders fans. Conference coaches have been woefully inaccurate when it comes to assessing the UC Riverside roster over the past three seasons.

Consider that in 2013, Big West coaches picked the Highlanders to finish last. UC Riverside finished third, and advanced to the Big West Championship Game before falling to Cal State Fullerton via penalty kicks.

Two years ago, Big West coaches again picked the Highlanders to finish last only to watch as UCR finished in fifth place, one game out of playoff spot.

Last season, conference coaches pegged UC Riverside to come in eighth place, and they finished fourth, advancing to their second conference tournament in three years.

The program is finally gaining a bit of respect from the rest of the Big West, as the team’s predicted sixth-place finish is its highest since 2007. That version of the Highlanders was picked to come in fifth place.

Head Coach Nat Gonzalez returns seven starters from a year ago, with goalkeeper Elizabeth Silas (0.94 gaa, 20 starts), forward Tyler Cunningham (7 goals, 3 assists), midfielder Alexa Bustamante (3 goals, 3 assists), and defender Amber Marani (1 assist) gone due to graduation.

Back in the fold for her senior season is Blanca Barrio, who finished fifth in the Big West in points a year ago with five goals and seven assists. Conference coaches selected Barrio to the preseason all-conference team. In just two seasons with the Highlanders, the San Bernardino native ranks second on the team’s career assist chart.

Seniors Brittany Mata (3 goals, 3 assists), Danielle Lopez (1 goal, 3 assists), and Sammy Arellano (2 goals), along with sophomore Darielle O’Brien (2 goals), are the other leading returners on offense for UC Riverside.

The Highlanders take on Grand Canyon this Saturday at 6 pm PT in the team’s lone preseason match of the season at Sliver Lakes Complex in Norco, California. The regular season kicks off on Friday, August 19 with a 4 pm match at San Jose State.

2016 Big West Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
	School	1st Place Votes	Pts
1	Long Beach State	6	77
2	UC Santa Barbara	2	69
3	CSUN	1	53
	Cal State Fullerton		53
5	Cal Poly		39
6	UC Riverside		36
7	UC Irvine		35
8	UC Davis		30
9	Hawai’i		13

#19: Read 10 New Books.

Normally I wouldn’t choose to read a book about two sisters, but throw in France, WWII and survival and I was hooked. Excellent, sometimes heartbreaking novel.

A true Italinano dinner at Mr C in Beverly Hills. Little did I know it’s the same family as Harry’s Bar in Venice.

Not an ab in sight.

#47: See 10 New Movies in the Theater

Not as good as the previous ones, but better than most spy thrillers that Hollywood has pumped out in recent years.

Friday night splurge. Halibut w/ truffle.

#19: Read 10 New Books

A thorough look at the rise of Hemingway.

 

One of my favorite pics.

New spot in the Arts District.  Scallops and truffles.

jet from henry james on Vimeo.

#67: Jet Ski

A magical morning on the Pacific with a few hundred sea friends.

Not a bad place to spend the weekend.

My niece helped us move Brittany into her final college apartment today and in return got a mini makeover from her Aunt Sonia.

Almost had a heat stroke, but a fun day paint balling with this crew.

Bowling for birthdays at LA’s oldest bowling alley. 

We took this at our supper club last night. We met a few winery owners from Napa, one of whom was also celebrating a birthday today, so we had to hang out until at least midnight which turned into closing down the bars on Sunset. Grow up already, Sonia.

#19: Read 10 New Books

Four months later, I finally finished this incredibly well written tome worthy of the man who is probably in top five of most impactful figures in American history.

#46: Celebrate Brittany’s 21st.

 

Turns out we’re seeing her a lot. Apparently we’re fun in Vegas.

I may see her in passing a few times when she needs my assistance, but her and her four friends are mostly on their own… I think.

I swell with pride for the strong, intelligent and loving young woman you have become.

Restaurants are popping up like wild fire in downtown LA.  Tonight, we tried the Vienameese hotspot, Little Sister. It was great. The salt and pepper lobster was phenomenal.

#15. Try 6 Downtown Coffee Joints

Checked out the new Brooklyn hipster swap meet transplant, Smorgasbord in the former wholesale produce district.

I vividly remember meeting you as a freshman in college. Hard to believe it’s been 25 years.

BBQ for breakfast/lunch, Cubs win, Giants win, half a dozen chapters of a good book with fireworks to come.

Just we needed, more sun.

Thank you, Pa for an epic family vacation! Six days, sixteen very different personalities with more than enough room to properly celebrate your 70th in style.

With a ton of pictures and videos, it should be one hell of a vacation video. Should be done by X-Mas.

We had some epic whiffle ball games that resulted in a few bruises, cheers, jeers and tears.

 

loco from henry james on Vimeo.