New Pics

I just added a couple of new pictures to the blog page. One is of this year's first Halloween picture . Another is of a bouquet that Nancy arranged after picking some flowers from our front yard this afternoon. In a few weeks we probably won't see too many roses. The weather will be too cold. Chilly and rainy weather usually makes it way to Elk Grove around Halloween. The pictures can be seen to the right and at the bottom of the blog page.

Dinner at Palermo's Italian Restaurant

Nancy and I had dinner tonight at an Italian Restaurant in Elk Grove - Palermo. The host, and owner of Polermo, makes each diner feel as if she/he is a special guest who has come to his establishment in search of an authentic meal from Sicily. It is not a place to have dinner if you are in a great hurry. The atmosphere is one of relaxation and conversation. The restaurant is conducive to both. Even though it was very crowded at the time we arrived (around 7:15 pm), the restaurant's tables are spaced well enough apart so customers don't intrude on one an other's discussions. We enjoyed each course of our meal and there was ample time between each item served. Nancy and I talked a lot and just forgot about the hour. There also were several birthdays being celebrated, so we heard the words to the song "Happy Birthday" multiple times. Polermo's is an interesting addition to the Elk Grove dining scene,if tonight is any indication, it should weather the current economic downturn quite well. It offers something unique to the area, while avoiding the cookie cutter atmosphere often associated with "chain" establishments such as Marconi Grill, Outback or On the Border.

After our meal we did some shopping for display items to be used to decorate our house for Halloween. Each year we add a few more decorations. We're expecting around two hundred and fifty kids to show up this year. October is just around the corner and Halloween is not that far off. The stores already have a good selection of scary stuff. A lot of the decorations make sounds and movements. Technology at it's best!! It makes the night for trick or treating even more fun!!

CES Boys Visit Benihana

Dan, Dave, Paul and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Benihana last night. Jose, our chef, did an excellent job in preparing our food and, as always, the service by the Benihana staff was excellent. You can see our meal being prepared by viewing the short clip posted to my photobucket site. Take a look:

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w275/jimdaviselkgrove/?action=view&current=BenihanaMealSept08.flv

New Pictures Added

I've posted a few new pics that I just happen to come across while checking one of my external hard drives. They looked rather interesting. I particularly like the one from Louisville. Louisville's Portland area provides a photographer with an eye full of interesting sights. The larger version of the pictures are at the bottom of the blog page.

Video Link - Fab Four

Click on the below link to see Artie and the boys (The Fab Four) perform a little of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" at the California State Fair. The video was captured from quite a distance using my Sony Cypershot DSC100 Pocket Cam.

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w275/jimdaviselkgrove/?action=view&current=FabFourAug08.flv

USC vs Ohio State

There were a lot of good college football games on TV today. Having a 1080p HD TV really adds to the viewing pleasure. I especially enjoyed watching USC dismantle the Buckeyes. Ohio State has a pretty fair team this year, but they were no match for the Trojans. A neighbor friend of mine. who is a devout Ohio State fan (he is very zealous when it comes to discussing his Buckeyes), is probably in shock about this time. This game may have hurt him worse than the loses in the BSC championship games over the last few years. It appears that things are shifting in regards to which teams are the best in college football. It's about time.

I am still recuperating from my hernia surgery. I feel great and the pain has subsided. It will still be a couple of more weeks though before I can do my normal treadmill routine, but that is to be expected. All and all, the experience (my first real surgery) has been quite educational and hopefully it will improve my health in my advancing years. As they say, this growing old is not for sissies.

Hernia Surgery - Update

My hernia surgery has been fairly uneventful. Meaning... my recovery seems to be proceeding normally for the procedure. I haven't driven for a few days, but today I made my first outing without feeling any significant pain. It's a little tough getting in and out of my car, but that is to be expected at this point. Each day I have a little more energy and better stamina. Hopefully within a couple of weeks I'll be pretty much back to normal. I miss my treadmill workouts. I think I can start using the machine again, but at a very low rate of speed and without any incline. I plan to give it a try... maybe tonight.

Thanks for the phone calls during my recuperation period. Chatting helps to pass the time while one is in a couch potato mode. I've been lying on my sofa most of the time. Fortunately there have been several exciting games (both football and baseball) on during my recovery. My laptop helps me to pass the time as well. I hope to increase my activity level this week. I've been getting fatigued easily, but my energy level is getting higher by the day. I'll post another update in a few days.