The first of two U.S. presidents to turn 90 this year hits the milestone on June 12, with his wife exactly one year behind. As we’ll see later this year, presidential longevity clearly remains a bipartisan matter, crazy socks or not! Click here to see GHW’s 90th birthday skydive. (Photo: Al Torres)
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, almost 93, visited her husband’s resting place on this day, the tenth anniversary of his death. Mrs. Reagan leads the notable recent longevity of first ladies as now the oldest living, though with years yet to go to become the longest living. (Photo: AP)
88-year-old Ann B Davis has left us. “Alice” of course never will. (Click on photo for details. Courtesy: Biography.com)
“The Missile” bookends the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. (Photo: www.cbgphoto.com)
As usual, the word-wise Phil Liggett phrased it appropriately. For the Missile’s victories in the first and last stages of this year’s Amgen Tour of California, the past week has been nicely held together by “Cavendish bookends,” much to Peter Sagan’s disappointment no doubt after clearly gunning for two in a row to wrap up the event. In the end, with Sir Bradley Wiggins’ overall victory and Mark Cavendish’s comeback performance, it’s plain to see British legs rule California roads. I myself am thrilled to have been right there, live at the final finish line in Thousand Oaks, even as the peloton flew by faster than most our heads can turn!
Our vantage point du jour.
They’ll be coming, and quickly!
There’s an uncelebrating Peter post-finish.
All the winners are on the podium.
What I said two years ago regarding cycling in Idaho I say again. Better yet, it’s just been said again for me:
“Idaho’s rule is pretty straightforward. If a cyclist approaches a stop sign, he or she needs to slow down and look for traffic. If there’s already a pedestrian, car, or another bike there, then the other vehicle has the right of way. If there’s no traffic, however, the cyclist can slowly proceed. Basically, for bikers, a stop sign is a yield sign.” (Joseph Stromberg, Vox)
Unfortunately nothing has changed in the past two years. California is still not Idaho, as I remain in the former while responsibly cycling as if I were in the latter, free of any so-called “guilt” yet always a mouse with an eye out for the cat. After all, common sense and a good workout prevail in my book, cop risk notwithstanding.
At the end of the cycling day, a welcome relief it will certainly be when California– and the entire country for that matter– finally gets it together and follows Idaho. At least then the current sensible actions of so many road-safe cyclists, yours truly among them, will cease to be an unnecessary and potentially costly crime.
“At the moment many state traffic laws criminalize the way sensible, careful bicyclists ride.” (Click for full article)
“The Missile” Mark Cavendish narrowly takes Stage 1 of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. (Click on image for full photo gallery.)
From Bike World News: “I wanted a jersey that spoke to my inner drive to win, but also shows off my fun side. Working with SUGOI they quickly understood my vision, and I hope people love the jersey as much as I do!” says Peter Sagan.
At its core, the jersey is built on SUGOI’s custom RS Jersey. The bold design depicts Sagan’s “Green Machine” – a personality that cannot be contained. Lurking just below the surface of his Cannondale Pro Cycling livery, a powerful engine of fire and fury are ready to be unleashed at just the right moment in a race. His Slovakian DNA runs deep within his embedded national emblem and the eyes on his back address all those attempting to catch his wheel. (Ron Callahan, 5/5/14)
On this eve of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California, the timing is perfect– by design of course. Peter Sagan might be on your back in more ways than one, so watch out! Click here to read more about the new, eye-catching “Green Machine” Signature Jersey. My own eyes will certainly be open for it.
A comparison to the “Oil Baron’s Ball” seems an apt one. Fights or not, I’m glad to see this “Texas representative” in Washington for the occasion.
The uniter (Allison Shelley/Getty Images)
It turns out there is something everyone in Washington can agree on: They all love Patrick Duffy.
The “Dallas” star was the toast of the town when he came to D.C. last weekend to attend the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner — a.k.a. the “nerd prom,” an annual schmooze-fest that brings together Beltway insiders and Hollywood elite to celebrate journalism. Think of it as Washington’s version of the Oil Baron’s Ball, but without the food fights.
Throughout the weekend, social media buzzed with pics of muckety-mucks posing with Duffy, including MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, who ran into the actor at a pre-dinner shindig and tweeted, “This weekend is gonna rock when the first person I meet is ‘Bobby Ewing.’” Later, CNN reporter Elise Labott tweeted a selfie with Duffy, along with her observation that “[h]e’s still so handsome.”
Duffy also got a shout…
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At this rate, now four months into 2014, one third down, it looks like I’m on par to beat my own annual cycling mileage record. We’ll see what ends up appearing in those empty squares, thanks to the workings of Strava.
Click to enlarge.
MacLaine with one of my all-time favorite men! (Click for more classic photos)
To the many famous figures now exactly twice my age, add one more. The venerable Shirley MacLaine turns 80 years old today, in good company of course, alongside such recently minted female octogenarians as Florence Henderson, Joan Collins, Joan Rivers and Dianne Feinstein. Here’s a well-deserved nod to yet another double, twice 40 that is, in this case one remarkably unmatched performer with 80 ways to prove it!
They’re back, kind of. I traveled to Las Vegas on the long-anticipated yet largely unplanned occasion of my 40th birthday, searching amidst the unruly masses for any remaining shreds of a bygone era. Clearly such appealing elements weren’t to be found in a typical tourist’s wardrobe, as sadly enough no one dresses anymore. In fact it’s perplexing and question-inducing when someone like yours truly actually does! But this is beside the point. (And not unique to Vegas, I know.)
“Back” to what I was saying: I found them. In case you’re looking for them too, they’re at Rio. Boldly, stylishly and in true rambunctious form, as sure as you’ll cash out too late, The Rat Pack Is Back! I imagined a Dean Martin Las Vegas dinner roast for my 40th, and thankfully I got as close as I could get. Suffice to say, this “classic” performance did not disappoint.
Friday, March 28, 2014
As I mark this memorable day, the last full one of my 30s that is, suddenly I feel myself in the presence of some decent company. Here’s to 40 things turning 40 this year. Let’s make that 41.
40 at 40, some in better shape than others of course.
The Chicago River flowed green once again, as per tradition for the city’s famous annual Irish revelry. From Saturday’s celebrations through today’s “real” date, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Courtesy: Lee Hogan/For Sun-Times Media (Click for more photos.)
Who says Russia doesn’t have a sense of humor?
(in addition to the final medal count, of course!)
From end to beginning, there’s ultimately humor in error–
encouraged perhaps by The Daily Currant.
(Click on images for full story.)
Good one, Matt, however scripted it might have been!
Click image to see video clip. Photo: perezhilton.com
She joined a big list of celebrities in welcoming Jimmy Fallon to his new job. And with this quick cameo after so very many years, 80-year-old Joan Rivers has been publicly welcomed back to “The Tonight Show,” hereby un-banished!
Photo Courtesy: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Tonight Show
Some Olympic blunders are horrifying, then sad in their downward aftermath. Others are horrifying, then spectacular in their upward recovery. So it is– the latter– for one American figure skater who suffered a severe wipe out on the ice, looking for a moment like he was finished for the night.
From here, his only way was up. (Photo: Reuters)
Au contraire! To the amazement of the audience– including yours truly in front of the television– he picked himself up to complete what was from then on a seemingly perfect performance, in the end trading the encouragement of onlookers for his own inspiration to us all. An indelible moment it was, and an even better comeback it became– literally from the ground up– for Team USA champion Jeremy Abbott.
Here’s to the first 50 years of “Beatlemania”– on this the anniversary of the so-called British invasion, the band’s debut U.S. performance– February 9, 1964 on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Even long after the two surviving members are gone, The Beatles will no doubt live on strongly and timelessly!
American Taylor Phinney in the overall lead, flanked by not-your-usual podium girls. (Photo: AP)
As the XXII Olympic Winter Games get underway, while Jay Leno bids farewell (again) to “The Tonight Show”, a uniquely different event has been taking place this week that’s truly a first: The inaugural Tour of Dubai is underway for a whopping total of… well, four days. Sixteen professional cycling teams are braving the region’s flat, sandy terrain for a cumulative distance of 417 kilometers, not even 65 miles per day! Hmmm, I wonder is they’ll even break a sweat? Maybe best they don’t; the cycling season is young yet, after all. Next up after Saturday: The six-stage Tour of Qatar.
Meanwhile, back to Sochi and/or Jay’s next gig.
Three in a row, is it? True enough, this marks the third consecutive year of Super Bowl commercials that’s leaving me, on the whole anyway, unimpressed. Not since 2011 have I been altogether razzle-dazzled by a steady stream of spirited spots. Oh sure, it’s great to see Arnold Schwarzenegger having fun in a long wig, as well as brief glimpses of Erik Estrada and Mary Lou Retton when the ’80s come calling, while Hyundai’s steadily improving body styling definitely deserves another check mark, somewhere. Still, I’m fairly certain I’ll remember little if any of this annual coveted-yet-costly ad time in a day or two. As such, my top three favorite 2014 Super Bowl Commercials are as follows, for my own reference as well as yours:
3) Audi A3: “Doberhuahua”
2) Jaguar F-Type Coupe: “It’s Good to Be Bad”
1) Chrysler 200: “America’s Import”– starring Bob Dylan!
Wouldn’t you know it– my three “winners” are all car-related, again! While there will be scads of recaps, analyses and opinions flowing hither and yon in the coming days, for the final score alone I’d think there’s much more to say about this year’s one-sided game itself. Then of course there’s Joe Namath’s absolutely fabulous fur coat to save the evening– now that’s impressive!
Joe Namath throws Super Bowl XLVIII’s coin toss in style! (Photo Courtesy: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
After a solid start to my 2014 cycling, I’m left to wonder how the next 11 months will unfold.
“At 92, she’s defying odds and even setting a couple records. She’s the oldest person to ever host SNL, she’s the oldest Emmy winner in history, and she’s even made it into the Guinness Book for the ‘Longest TV Career For A Female Entertainer.'” (HuffPost, 1/17/14)
Here’s to yet another remarkable birthday for one remarkable lady– and another to come next year no doubt. Happy 92nd, Betty White! You really are “the luckiest old broad on two feet.”
If you go in expecting it to be absolutely ridiculous– funny in a few places yet just downright stupid in more– then you won’t be disappointed. The storyline just can’t seem to stay on track, if ever there was an intended track from the outset. Through ups and downs, along with a scattering of chuckles among just as many eye rolls, it’s quite a ride! Because I for one really like the main characters– the “team” if you will– I was excited to see them again. The many celebrity cameos are commendable, a close second to my number one reason for sitting through the entire rudderless production. A big fan of all things ’70s as I am, it’s like looking in the mirror– or wishing I was, that is! With your expectations properly calibrated as mine quickly became, you too should enjoy Anchorman 2. It’s silly, it’s tired, and most of all of course, it’s all about the fabulous wardrobe!
They rode their wave of last year’s big success to an encore performance at the 2014 Golden Globe Awards. With their well-scripted one-liners complementing their natural style, the Fey-Poehler duo delivers again!
“About how many kilometers did you ride last year?”, I asked him just after our photo was taken. His answer comes out to about three times my amount– that is, what equates to around 310 miles per week to my 110, roughly 1350 miles per month to my 475, and more than 16,000 miles for the year to my less than 6,000. Altogether, it looks like my own dust settles at about 35 percent of his answer to my question: “about 26 thousand kilometers.” Naturally he’s the pro and he’s getting paid; I’m not and I’m not, as reality likes to remind me. Still, it feels good to be more than a third of the way there!
A privilege and a pleasure it was to meet cycling great Peter Sagan at Cannondale’s 2014 team launch party on January 7 at the Canyon Club in Agoura, California. For as exhausted as he and his teammates surely must have been by the end of the evening, together they put on one excellent show for all of us. You won’t find them spinning through the streets of Thousand Oaks for long however, as races are fast underway. We’ll see Peter back here in no time of course, ready to defend his green jersey in the Tour of California come May. For now– one week in– let the cycling year begin, for the pros and all of us somewhere behind them!
Having cycled more than 5700 miles in 2013, you’d think I were in top physical shape. Let’s just say that for as much as I love food, a smaller number on the scale is in order for early 2014. It happened last January: Patrick and I both lost TEN pounds in 30 days! Then throughout the year we put it back on and then some.
2013 brought us our seemingly well-planned move out of San Francisco to the sandy outskirts of Los Angeles, a big lifestyle change that we welcomed at the time while viewing as a relatively short-term stepping stone. As such we’re already plotting our next move into the new year, likely within Southern California– but perhaps not.
For better or worse this was our year of change, challenge and consideration. As ’13 becomes ’14 we’re braced for more of the same while welcoming our longer-term home. Along this path of course will come my much-anticipated life milestone, about which many of you will soon be hearing in advance!
Another year, done. Here’s to a prosperous, rewarding and all-around fabulous 2014 to come!
Large cooked scallops tend to cool quickly. Mindful of this culinary reality, you won’t want to devour such a decadent creation right away; rather, the robust combination of flavors and textures deserves to be steadily enjoyed throughout its inevitable temperature descent. As creamed spinach, butter croutons and “citrus foam” team up with succulent sea meat on a spacious plate, in the company of thick crispy blocks of bacon, subtle oven-dried tomatoes and delightful dabs of salmon caviar, how could you possibly go wrong?
I myself am about to go wrong if I say more, because the reciting of these stunningly compatible ingredients seems to be compromising my writing concentration, leaving me yearning for another go at this exceptional entree. As such I shan’t go on but to recommend your own selection of this curiously named “Scallop BLT” upon your visit. The title proves deceiving, as what arrives before you is anything but a sandwich!
First you need a starter course, of course. Dare I suggest the above presentation of house-cured salmon adorned with olives, hearts of palm, breaded goat cheese and sea urchin vinaigrette– creatively unveiled on a “slab” fit for any fashionable kitchen– or is this just too much for you to contemplate from such a distance? Skip to dessert shall I, to the lavender creme brulee, fireside even? You’ll certainly want to top it off with some of the strongest and most satisfying coffee I’ve tasted in recent memory.
Anyone who says fine dining is dead has not experienced Maravilla at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. To dine here is to experience an evening of sincere yet simple elegance. The retelling of my pre-Christmas dinner reaches no quick end, as my numerous positive impressions abound– from selection, to service, to overall atmosphere, not to mention the welcoming bar to start off! Altogether, Maravilla leaves me with a glow on my face, a growl in my stomach and a tighter button on my pants. But why take my word for it? Savor it all for yourself.
In case you need one more reason to feel older, here it is: The DC-10 made its last passenger flight today. The three-engine wide-body workhorse of the 1970s and 80s has now been retired from commercial service throughout the entire world, after having finally bid adieu to U.S. air travelers six years ago. I fondly recall the many flights of my youth aboard a DC-10, leaving me now with this personal reminder of time’s passage. And to think, I also remember when DC-8s were still lugging us here and there– but really, why show my age?
Ryan R. Sanderson 