Live Oaks Homes of Rivermark

On a recent and brief (mostly business) trip back to California, I was able to stop by my old community and take a photo of the Live Oaks homes within Rivermark.  I think these homes are iconic, representing a well  planned group of neighborhoods at the heart of Silicon Valley.

Many more great photos may be found on Flickr in the Rivermark group.

Related silly questions

1) They call them spiders, but what do they spide?  I originally asked this here, funny answers...

2) They are called fingers, but what so they fing?

3) What exactly do hammers ham?

4) When's the last time you've seen a grocer groce?

Update: This link wasn't the inspiration of my quick article, but something funny I found soon after: Do fingers fing?  And then Urban Dictionary has a say: fing (nsfw).

The Hobbit translated into what?

Fiscal Cliff | The Simpsons | Animation on FOX

Driving to work this morning, saved by the bell and other things

Commute today was very light into work. Of course, all the time I saved this morning will be taken back in holiday traffic on the drive home.

On a lighter side, since the traffic was so light, cars were moving above the speed limit.  Waze proved to be very valuable in noting locations where cops were waiting to catch speeders.

Quite Possibly the last PB and J I'll ever make with Wonder Bread

I'm about to make with the quite possibly be my last peanut butter jelly sandwich made with Wonder Bread

Possibly my last #sandwich made with #WonderBread with #PeanutButter and jelly piled high. I debated using the #Nutella but I decided with using peanut butter and #jelly instead for tradition sake.

R.I.P., Hostess

Mid Nov in Silicon Valley with Family (mostly not pictured)

The floor

Cascal

Santana Row Counter

Koi Palace

I've only been gone 18 months! #49ers Stadium

OK, so I've only been gone like 18 months!  The house that we owned is in the Rivermark area, practically in the shadow of the future home of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, CA.  When we sold the home, there was nothing more than a proud sign and a parking lot at the site of the planned stadium.



Eighteen months later?



I don't think I've ever seen this much progress on a project in California in such a short time! Supposedly, the stadium is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2014 season, followed by opportunities for Super Bowls and other events.

Parking is a big weakness for this stadium.  There is almost no parking on the stadium property.  But let's not bother with details right now.

The jury is still out as to whether this will improve home values near the stadium.  Some say it will bolster values, and other say it will drag them down.  If this project is handled like AT&T Ballpark by the San Francisco Giants, values will soar due to ongoing redevelopment efforts nearby.  If the project is handled like the Oakland Colosseum, eh, watchout!  I already know the 49ers wanted to avoid the AT&T Ballpark model, so a bit of concern is appropriate.  It all depends on how Santa Clara City itself handles things.

Breakfast with my Father-in-law, and this giant donut

https://www.instagram.com/p/SECKpphR26/

Last movie I'm going to see at Winchester Century 22

[UPDATE: Time has finally caught up with this relic.  This gloriously aged structure was torn down recently to make way for shops and condos or something.  Work continues to protect her sister building, Century 21.]

https://www.instagram.com/p/SCBO2BBR6U/

Monterey Bay in November

Lunch with customer (no, I don't golf)

https://www.instagram.com/p/R--E9jBRy6/

My wife and I enjoyed a pleasant evening (on Alvarado St.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/R_cfdNBR_F/

Praying Mantis

Found this little guy on top of a trashcan in Wellesley.  Didn't seem to be doing much, but it did take notice when my wife and I took a few shots.  It's kinda creepy to have a bug watch you while you are watching it.



Grist Mill

A few weeks ago, Allie and I spent an afternoon on a short drive around the area to catch Autumn near its peak in MetroWest.  It's a beauty place near Wayland Inn just off of Highway 20.  It was just past peak, but still very beautiful.



Kimball Farm in Littleton, PA

A popular attraction just outside of the MetroWest area is Kimball Farm.  It's an outdoor family entertainment place with great seafood, driving range, batting cages, famous miniature golf (designed by some Hollywood types, so I hear), arcade, bumper boats, and even more famous ice cream, oh and a few farm animals too...and don't forget the iconic weather vane.  My wife and I had a chance to enjoy the "farm" several times this summer, but only really explored it at a company event held there.  The miniature gold course is one of the best I've seen in terms of creativity.  There's even one hole that pretty much requires you to float your ball down a stream in order to have a chance at getting a hole-in-one.



Walking around Philidelphia

On a recent trip to Pennsylvania, I had a chance to briefly explore Philidelphia.  The day I was there, it happened to be some celebration as taking place in front of the First Bank of the United States. 

Merchants' Exchange Building was kinda strange.  It is a bit boring on the front ,but the back is round.  Or is that the other way round? :)

Independence Hall from the backside (again, really, is this the back?).

Manhole cover in front of the Independence Hall...wait, I mean, to the building's rear...oh never mind.  I thought this would make for an interesting angle of a shot.

Maybe I'll get more time to explore this city and its long history at some later date.