My Baby Don't Tolerate

Lyle Lovett and his Large Band came through town to the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, and he brought some special Sauce! That's right, Sauce, who is the self-proclaimed number one Lyle fan just could not get enough and came for a visit to the City by the Bay. I think you actually get better seats if you bring an actual Texan with you, so of course I had to call EP. That's right, you're not from Texas! EP has also given her take on the festivities, and I couldn't have said it better myself. To hear more about the show, the venue, and the good times, click here.

Inner City Pressure

These guys continue to make us laugh with their crazy antics. I also found out that Peter has a secret love for the Pet Shop Boys, as he was very excited to see the guys from New Zealand doing a tribute to them in their song Inner City Pressure. Hilarious! This one is for you, P.

Important Business in Napa

EP and I had some meetings up in Napa today, and we thought we would take the long way home. The meetings were good, but the wine was better! A bite to eat at the Oakville Grocery (which is fast becoming our favorite little store) and then a stop at Sinskey for a glass o' vino and some conversation on the patio during a beautiful day! I am convinced we solved some world problems today (as we usually do). A quick pop in to Ernie's Tin Bar hoping for some farm fresh eggs for Brett and a couple of dogs, but no such luck. The High Life and a bag o' chips still made for a great finish to a day at the office.

Say 'Cheese'!

Finally a quality wedding picture! Its amazing how well Brett and EP's new fancy computer really picked up their likeness!

Happy Birthday Pappa Kaj!

Champagne wishes and caviar dreams! We love and miss you very much! (7/21/07)

Did You Feel That??

Apparently there was a 4.2 earthquake this morning about 4:42 am, centered 2 miles east of Oakland on the Hayward Fault. It knocked out the power in Oakland, and broke a few windows. EP and Brett got rocked in their houseboat, but Peter and I didn't feel a thing...we slept right through it! (7/20/07)

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, Eleventh Edition

Merriam-Webster updates its best-selling Collegiate® Dictionary every year with a number of new words, senses, and variants. This year, the word "ginormous" was one of approximately 100 neologisms to make the cut, while many others will stay "closely watched" by the editors for possible inclusion in future revisions. (This, of course, begs the question: so just exactly how does a word get into the Merriam-Webster dictionary?)

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to Papa Kaj and Anneke! 17 years and still counting! We are convinced the secret is home rennovations and detailed landscaping! We love you guys! Cheers! (7/20/07)

Meatballs, Volvos, and Now the Internet....

75-year-old likely set Internet speed record
Her fiber-optic connection could be world's fastest home uplink
By Louise Nordstrom
The Associated Press
Updated: 10:46 a.m. PT July 18, 2007

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - She is a latecomer to the information superhighway, but 75-year-old Sigbritt Lothberg is now cruising the Internet with a dizzying speed.

Lothberg's 40 gigabits-per-second fiber-optic connection in Karlstad is believed to be the fastest residential uplink in the world, Karlstad city officials said.

In less than 2 seconds, Lothberg can download a full-length movie on her home computer —many thousand times faster than most residential connections, said Hafsteinn Jonsson, head of the Karlstad city network unit.

Jonsson and Lothberg's son, Peter, worked together to install the connection.

The speed is reached using a new modulation technique that allows the sending of data between two routers placed up to 1,240 miles apart, without any transponders in between, Jonsson said.

"We wanted to show that that there are no limitations to Internet speed," he said.

Peter Lothberg, who is a networking expert, said he wanted to demonstrate the new technology while providing a computer link for his mother.

"She's a brand new Internet user," Lothberg said by phone from California, where he lives. "She didn't even have a computer before."

His mother isn't exactly making the most of her high-speed connection. She only uses it to read Web-based newspapers.

You've Got To Find What You Love

I came across the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005 at Stanford University. It is very inspiring, and I would have to agree, Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. (7/18/07)

Click here to be inspired to find what you love.....

The Van Emsts Return

Elizabeth and Brett have returned home from their blissful honeymoon adventure in Argentina. We picked them up this morning via Nielsen Limo Service and they looked all rested and in love. It sounds like they had a fantastic trip. Check out pics and details of their adventure here. We are happy to have them home, and I am sure Fluffer is too! (7/17/07)

Happy Birthday Markus!

Birthday greetings going out to our pal Markus! I am sure you will take some time to enjoy the surf on your special day! We will have a tasty, chilled beverage in your honor! Cheers buddy! (7/16/07)

Livin' Large in Napa Valley

We had the opportunity to have a little taste of paradise up in the hills of wine country. We were invited up to a cottage in Napa for the weekend, that was hands down one of the most fantastic places we have ever been to! It was spectacular! Complete with swimming pool, hot tub, tennis court, putting green, and bocce ball court. Yes, a bocce ball court!! The pics don't even do it justice, but good times were had by all! Good times indeed! (7/14/07)

Pics of the property, and plenty of tomfoolery during our stay.....

Happy Birthday Fiona!

Where does the time go?? I can't believe that Fiona is already a year old! I am sure she is having the time of her life in Spain and adjusting quite well to her new home! Be sure to have some tres leches for us! Feliz Cuplianos! (7/11/07) (Fiona seen here walking the Playa Negros with Mom Natalie)

EP and Brett are off to Argentina

With Elizabeth and Brett off to Argentina, Pedro and I are not quite sure what to do with ourselves, although our livers could use the rest! I am sure they are having a well-deserved, most fantastic time. If you want to get a taste of their adventures in Argentina, go to Elizabeth and Brett's Ramblings. Learn where to stay, how to avoid the barrio, and how to survive in nothing but a pair of flip flops in 30 degree temps, just to name a few. (7/11/07)

Happy Birthday Pele Evangeline!

Congrats to Kristen and D. and their newest little addition! Pele Evangeline born at 10:25 am on July, 10, 2007 @ 7 lbs. 14 oz. I am sure she is amazing! (7/10/07)

Goin' to the Chapel....

Elizabeth and Brett have officially taken the plunge! It was a beautiful ceremony and a top notch party to follow! Both of them looked like they should have been in a magazine! Thanks for including us in your special day! Here's to the adventure...... (7/7/07)

Happy 4th O' July!

It was time to get Brett and EP's wedding extravaganza started off right, and what better way to celebrate than with some food, drinks, and fireworks. P and I were a little busy during the festivities, so there are not really any pics of the action. We grabbed a quick shot just before things got started, and then the aftermath. From the looks of it, we think people had a pretty good time! (7/4/07)

Sausalito 4th O' July Parade

Here are a few pics from the parade that starts just up the street from our house on Bridgeway. It is a fun little parade that includes evertything from the Sausalito Lion's Club to Friends of Sausalito Dog Parks. Most important to note is the car load of A&J Rollers, the current Sausalito Bocce Ball Champions. They were waving with pride, while the Nielsen Trophy for Bocce Ball Champions was strapped to the hood of their car. Of course we encouraged them to enjoy themselves, as it would be their last year in the parade as champions! (7/4/07)

Gettin' Ready for the Par-tay

We are having a little soiree for Brett and EP and a handful of their visiting family and friends at our pad for the 4th o' July Nielsen style. It is a great place to eat and drink, and get a fantastic peek of the fireworks in Sausalito, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland (although they didn't do fireworks this year in Oakland, something about a hazard.) Here are a few moments of the preparation. Clearly, some of us are working harder than others....clearly. (7/3/07)