Inflation? What inflation?

Book Section

Of course.

The McIlhenny Company reigns supreme.

At most of our dining tables while in Japan:

and it was welcomed by some.

Absolutely stunning.

About 5000 pictures make up this timelapse demonstration of the beauty of nature:

http://vimeo.com/98276732

Memorial Day 2014

Consult your funeral director first

After the overload of protein immediately below, I felt the need for a cleansing antidote.

Herewith:

Let us all know how it worked for you.

(Please)

Consult your cardiologist first.

At 705 Divisadero, in San Francisco, we find 4505 Burgers & BBQ, a meat emporium. Their menu looks delicious, of course.
For those of us in the know, however, there are slighty illegal productions that require some memory and imagination skills. They are not on the menu.
Take, for example, the "4505 Big Mac":

The "Mac" refers to that square of fried macoroni and cheese nestled between the top meat patty and the lower cheese square.
US$18! Enjoy

"Exceeded expectations"

A weekend jaunt up North by Northeast found us with another couple on the flat flats of UCD, the University of California, Davis. We were there to attend the late afternoon presentation of "KOKORO" the 3rd annual showcase of Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan, the UCDavis Taiko club. I confess that I wasn't expecting too much.

Freeborn Hall is sort of in the center of the campus. It's a unimposing steel-frame multi-purpose space with a flat floor and a stage. Seating was deployed over about half the floor. At 4:00 pm the Mistress of Ceremonies entered stage right and announced that the performers were not ready quite yet and that lines still existed outside in front of the ticket counter. 50% of the audience had their smartphones out, playing games or something. I was getting less excited.

I should not have worried.

From the moment the lights dimmed and the curtains swung open, the space was completely filled with exuberation, youth, noise, energy, noise, drumming, noise, dancing and more noise. There was also a koto (or zither) and a flute.

The performers were all races and both sexes. They truly worked together as teams Some even sang.

But mostly there was drumming, and it was excellent. Professionally done. I was totally blown away. There are plenty more pix on the web, and I urge you to see them.

For dinner, we had heard that there was a Japanese restaurant in town. I remember my Mother telling me not to try seafood when more than 30 miles from the ocean, but I have learned that times have changed, so we went to try Mikuni. I confess I wasn't expecting too much.

Seating inside and outside (this is Davis after all.) We had a 15 minute wait and then were offered a high table which we eagerly accepted. The menu was Japanese food all right, but with a humorous California twist to most of the items (and college humor on the tee shirts: "I'm majoring in Sushiology.") We ordered a whole bunch of dishes and they arrived nicely spaced in time and all nicely presented. This was turning into a good meal.

Not inexpensive, but impressive. This was Japanese food with a California twist (notice the Jalapeno peppers.) The potstickers were deep fried and delicious. The fish was fresh and delicious. I will return some day.

All in all, a great afternoon and evening in Davis, California. My expectations were definitely exceeded. Thanks to all who made it happen.

2014 Oakland A's

This year is evidencing an encouraging start for the Athletics.

And the team seems to be having fun!

Across the Pond

Boy likes dog. Dog looks surprised.

Somehow, I found this interesting.

Posted without comment

Traffic Engineering

If you can see through the smog, all four streets lead into this intersection, but none leads out. It's an aerial shot taken somewhere in China. The results are as expected, of course, but why?

Your answers are eagerly awaited. :)

Haunting scenes. . .

from unknown sources:

Screen grabs, from Kiev Ukraine, today.

It's only mid-February, but. . .

the Spring flowers don't seem to be paying much attention:

Top, the peach tree from Akiko Hayashi.Then, the camellia and the daffodil.

Dinnertime

For some weird reason, I was captivated by the heating of this can of ravioli:


 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M-YX-r0Ll4

Seahawks vs. Broncos

Someone has to favor the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday's SuperBowl XLVIII, so I shall take that role.
Prediction: Seattle 32; Denver 28

Boeing seems to agree with me:

And, next door in Redmond, someone assembled 7000 Microsoft employees, dressed them in either
blue or white plastic raincoats, and took a picture.

Can you tell that the sun seldom smiles up in the Northwest in January?

What to do on New Year's Day

Be a fireman in Minneapolis

Prepare Japanese New Year's food in the Midlands of England:

 

 

Go swimming off Ocean Beach in San Francisco:

 

Or, perhaps, join with three other people and prepare Japanese food in the East Bay:





 

Happy New Year!

There's snow every winter.

I heard somewhere that there was some snow on the pyramid. I've been to the Luxor casino several times and during Winter it's not unusual to have some snow in Las Vegas.

So what's the big deal?

Ah, #43

One #43 sent another #43 a note:

A note from George W. Bush (President #43) to Cade Foster. Foster was the Alabama field goal kicker who missed the uprights in the Alabama vs. Auburn game. His jersey was #43.

Thanksgiving 2013

I posted this display on the main www.winnacker.com/ page for Thanksgiving, but I was not satisfied with the definition, i.e. too blurry.
So, here it is again, in a format that anyone can click on and expand. There really are an awful lot of commercial airplanes in our skies, especially on the day before Thanksgiving.

Click and enjoy.
Later, I checked and found the U.K. on October 31, this year:

Seems, rather empty, no? But I don't know if the comparison is fair.
Finally, try a YouTube of world air traffic, and watch as the sun traverses the globe:

http://youtu.be/NNzTPfARdwQ

Fun!