Calistoga Trip

For Inna's birthday, I had planned a two-day getaway retreat at Calistoga, featuring rest & relaxation at the Indian Springs Resort & Spa.

Friday, February 27, 2026

After Inna and I finished work, we started our drive to Indian Springs Resort & Spa in Calistoga. There was some traffic on the way, and we arrived later than expected. After checking in at reception, we picked up our room keys for #22. We parked our Tesla Model Y near our room and unloaded the car. 

I had initially made dinner reservations at Lovina for 20:15. After a 10-minute walk from room #22 at Indian Springs, we checked in at Lovina and were quickly taken to the table upstairs. After being seated, we ordered the following items:

• Appetizer: Freshly Baked Bread
• Salad: Sonoma Apple Salad, Mushroom Soup shots x 2
• Boris: Wine Forest Risotto
• Inna: Seared Wild Halibut, Berry Collins (non-alcoholic)

As expected, the freshly baked bread and Sonoma Apple Salad were excellent. We shared both the Wine Forest Risotto and the Seared Pacific Halibut. They were both excellent. The Mushroom soup shots were also excellent.

After dinner, we returned to our room and changed into swimsuits. We walked to the nearby thermal pool and jumped in. The water was quite hot, but we got used to it eventually. We swam around for an hour and returned to our room at 23:30. Floating around, I even fell asleep for 20 minutes.

We observed a unique phenomenon from the thermal pool, called the 22-degree Halo.

The Science of the 22-degree Halo

While it might look like a ring of light or a thin cloud, the halo is caused by refraction—the bending of light as it passes through ice crystals.

• The Clouds: Even if the sky looks clear, there are often high-altitude cirrus clouds drifting about 20,000 to 40,000 feet above you.

• The Crystals: These clouds are so high and cold that they are composed of millions of tiny, hexagonal (six-sided) ice crystals.

• The "Magic" Angle: As moonlight enters one side of these hexagonal crystals and exits the other, it is bent at an angle of exactly 22 degrees. This consistency is why the halo always appears to be the same size, regardless of where you are standing.

Why it looks like a ring

Because the ice crystals are oriented in all different directions in the sky, they refract the light in a circular pattern around the moon.

Fun Fact: Because the light is being refracted (like a prism), you can sometimes see a faint red tint on the inside of the ring and blue on the outside, though it's often too dim for the human eye to pick up at night.

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Folklore vs. Reality

In many cultures, a lunar halo is seen as a weather predictor. The old saying goes: "Ring around the moon, rain or snow soon." There is actually some truth to this! Cirrus clouds often precede a warm front, which frequently brings rain within 24 to 48 hours. So, while you were enjoying your swim, the sky was likely signaling a change in the weather

The frogs near our room were extremely loud, but stopped ribbiting when we came near. After resting a bit, we turned in.

Saturday, February 28, 2025

At 08:00, Inna had a migraine, and we decided to skip the Restorative + Meditation Yoga at the Reflection Room. 

At 09:00, we decided to drive to our favorite Michelin-rated Solbar restaurant for breakfast, located at the Solage Resort (just a few minutes away from Indian Springs). Solage also has free Tesla destination chargers, and we parked our Tesla Model Y at a charger and started the charging process. I charged the Tesla for one hour (from 54% to 64%) using 480V.

From the charging lot, we walked a few minutes to Solbar. The weather was sunny, beautiful, and warm for a February day. We decided to sit outdoors,  as the indoor area was entirely empty. In fact, we got so hot, sitting by in direct, morning sun, that we asked our waiter to move our table to a shaded area.

Initially, I was planning to order my all-time favorite Lemon Ricotta pancakes, but I changed my mind as I wanted a breakfast with protein. We ordered the following items:

• Boris: Yogurt + Granola, Coffee
• Inna: Duck Hash, Coffee

My Yogurt with Granola was excellent, and the Duck Hash was amazing. We were so full that we cancelled the order for Lemon Ricotta pancakes!

After breakfast, we decided to hike in the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. ChatGPT suggested that we hike the highly rated Redwood Trail, and we drove to the Bothe State Park, to the gravel parking lot near the Redwood Trail trailhead.

The hike was excellent with beautiful redwoods, streams, and lush surroundings. Luckily, it was not muddy (but next time, we should bring our hiking boots).

For lunch, we decided to drive to St. Helena and try the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (famous for its grass-fed meats). After being seated indoors, we ordered the following items:

• Drinks: Seasonal Sparkling VA
• Appetizer: Burrata
• Salad: Garden Salad
• Entree: Flannery Flat-Iron Steak (medium-rare) with French Fries

The Burrata and the Garden Salad were excellent. The Flannery Flat-Iron Steak was excellent, too (though the portion was on the smaller size.) There were a few large groups of women dining (not sure if these were bachelorette parties).

After lunch,  we returned home, as I had work to do, and Inna decided to return to St. Helena to explore the town further. When I finished with my work, I reassembled my Sonicake travel guitar and played for a bit, until Inna returned.

We decided to play ping-pong and headed to the pool (where the ping-pong table is located). A few young teenage girls were playing, so we waited by the fireplace patiently for them to finish. Fortunately, they finished 15 minutes later, and Inna and I played 3 games. I won the first, Inna won the second, and I barely won the third game. All of the games were quite close.

We returned to our room, resting for a bit, and reading the news. The U.S. had attacked Iran, and I wanted to read all about it. After reading the news, I returned to the room and played my Sonicake guitar some more.

At 20:00, we walked to Sam's Social Club for dinner. After looking at the dinner menu, we ordered the following items:

• Drinks: Might Dry Apple Cider
• Appetizer: Grilled Octopus
• Inna: Piri Piri Chicken
• Boris: Cheeseburger with Fries

Inna loved the Grilled Octopus and her Piri Piri Chicken. I liked my Cheeseburger. Overall, the menu was quite limited.

After dinner, we walked to downtown Calistoga to burn off some calories. Being Saturday night, there were a couple of bars playing loud music. One live singer was doing a decent job on Adele's "Someone Like You."

We returned to our room and decided to head to the thermal pool. We spent two hours floating around, enjoying the warm water and the beautiful night sky (which was much clearer, showing more stars). Unfortunately, the 22 Degree Halo we had observed on Friday was gone (though the moon still shone bright).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Sunday, March 1, 2026

I woke at 07:30, took a shower, and shaved. At 09:00, we drove over to Solbar for our morning breakfast. I was hoping to charge my Tesla Model Y. Luckily, all the Tesla chargers were free, and I plugged in my Tesla (to charge it from 50% to 84%).

After sitting down at Solbar/Solage, we ordered the following items:

• Duck Hash, Coffee
• Yogurt + Granola, Coffee

The Duck Hash was excellent, and the Yogurt + Granola was also fantastic. We walked back to Indian Springs Resort & Spa and changed into our swimsuits. We ended up swimming for about an hour (from 10:00 to 11:00). It was a bit colder and more cloudy than on Saturday. 

I returned to our room and changed out of the swimsuits. I walked back to Solage to pick up the charged Tesla and drove it back to Indian Springs Resort & Spa. Inna was already there, and we quickly packed our suitcases and checked out of the hotel.

Inna explored Calistoga downtown for a bit, while I read my Kindle Colorsoft. When she returned at 12:45, we started our drive to Bouchon Bistro in Yountville.

We found a parking space near Bouchon Bistro and checked in at 13:15. Inna got a fantastic outdoor table. After sitting down and looking at the menu, we ordered the following items:

• Appetizer: Freshly Baked Baguette
• Soup: Mushroom Soup (Soup du Jour)
• Salad: Salade maraîchère au chèvre chaud
• Main: Epaule d'Agneau (Lamb) with beans
• Dessert: Chocolate Mousse

The mushroom soup and salade maraîchère au chèvre chaud were excellent. The Lamb was superb.  We also enjoyed the Chocolate Mousse.

The drive back home was fairly smooth with mostly light traffic, and we arrived at around 16:50.

Calistoga Trip Review

Highlights

• Swimming and relaxing at Indian Springs' Thermal Pool
• Seeing the 22-degree Halo from Indian Springs' Thermal Pool
• Dining at Solbar and Lovina, in Calistoga
• Dining at Bouchon Bistro in Yountville

Lowlights

• Inna is getting a headache on Saturday morning

Links

• Indian Springs Resort & Spa, Calistoga
• Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
• Lovina Restaurant in Calistoga
• Solbar at Solage in Calistoga
• Farmstead Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena
• Sam's Social Club at Indian Springs Resort & Spa
• Bouchon Bistro, Yountville

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Birthday Dinner at Evvia

For Inna's Birthday dinner, I made reservations at Evvia - one of our favorite Palo Alto restaurants. Evvia serves authentic Greek entrees, and we really like the high-quality dishes. 

I was really tired from work and came home around 18:30. We even contemplated cancelling going to Evvia, but I decided it was worth the effort to revisit this local gem.

We arrived at 19:30 and were quickly seated indoors, at a table for two. Inna immediately noticed the clientele, which seemed to consist of upcoming startup founders.

After sitting down and looking at the menu, we ordered the following items:

• Appetizer: Grilled Octopus, Greek Salad
• Boris: Lamb Shank
• Inna: Sea Bass/Banzino
• Dessert: Cheesecake with Huckleberries
• Bread

We started munching on freshly baked bread as we sat down. The waiter was fast and efficient and quickly brought us the Horiatiki / Greek Salad, followed quickly by the delicious Grilled Octopus. We enjoyed both of the dishes.

Next came the main course, which was the large Lamb Shank for me, and a Sea Bass / Branzino for Inna. The Lamb Shank had the best-tasting lamb that I could recall. Inna's Branzino was also exquisite. We really loved our dinner.

For dessert, we ordered a Cheesecake with Huckleberries and it was excellent!

Throughout the meal, service was excellent, and we loved our time here. 

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International Guitar Night at Villa Montalvo

For Valentine's, Inna decided to treat me to a fun evening of guitar music at International Guitar Night at the Villa Montalvo.

International Guitar Night (IGN) is a celebrated touring acoustic guitar festival that showcases some of the world’s most inventive and expressive guitarists. Founded in 1995 by Brian Gore, IGN brings together a rotating lineup of virtuosos from diverse countries and musical traditions — playing solo sets, duets, and ensemble pieces that span fingerstyle, classical, jazz, flamenco, world music, and more.

📅 Upcoming 2026 IGN Concert at Montalvo

• Date & Time: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 7:30 PM

• Venue: Carriage House Theatre inside the Montalvo Arts Center

• Featured Artists:

  • Thu Le — acclaimed classical guitarist from Vietnam blending Eastern and Western traditions

  • Lucas Imbiriba — Brazilian guitarist mixing flamenco, classical, Latin rhythms, and rock influences

  • Alexandr Misko — Russian fingerstyle innovator known for percussive techniques and custom instruments

  • Taimane — Hawaiian ukulele star expanding the instrument’s musical range (genre-blending performance)

This lineup reflects the 26th anniversary North American IGN tour and highlights both technical mastery and genre-defying creativity.

Solos

Thu Le

• Quizás, quizás, quizás (Osvaldo Farres)
• Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Francisco Tarrega)
• Tango en skai (Roland Dyens)

Lucas Imbiriba

• Canción del Mariachi (Desperado)
• Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
• Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)

Taimane

• Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin) with Fur Elise (Beethoven)
• Carmen
• Jupiter

Alex Misko

• Intergalactic March

Duets

Lucas Imbiriba & Thu Le

• Malaguena

Taimane &  Lucas Imbiriba

• Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd)

Taimane & Alex Misko

• E Ala E (Hawaiian)

Finale

Thu Le, Taimane, Lucas Imbiriba, Alex Misko

• Beat It (Michael Jackson)
• Hotel California (Eagles)

IGN Concert Review

Highlights

• Excellent guitar playing, especially by Lucas Imbiriba, Thu Le, and Taimane
• Favorite performances
• Canción del Mariachi (Desperado) by Lucas
• Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)
• Malaguena
• Hotel California

• Small, intimate venue at Villa Montalvo
• Excellent choice of music (many popular songs)

Lowlights

• None

Links

• Villa Montalvo Concerts
• Lucas Imbiriba
• Thu Le
• Alex Misko

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Super Bowl LX: Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots

Since the Super Bowl LX Seahawks vs. Patriots was playing at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, I decided to arrange a place to watch it locally. I looked around at Double D's, but it was too expensive ($150/person). Many other places were already all booked. However, I found that Water Tower Kitchen in Campbell had reservations available (with a minimum $50/person spend). I made reservations for 3:00 p.m. and arrived at around 2:30 p.m. to secure good seats. Luckily, we arrived at a half-empty restaurant and were seated in a convenient location (upstairs), with excellent viewing of multiple TV sets.

We ordered the following items (I was very hungry from the previous mountain bike ride around Lexington Reservoir):

• Shareables: Hummus with Pita, Buffalo Chicken Bites
• Alex: Miso Salmon, Strawberry Drink 
• Boris: Baja Shrimp Ceviche & Shrimp Salad, Calisqueeze Blood Orange Wheat Beer

The food was average, but I really liked my Calisqueeze Blood Orange Wheat Beer. It was really delicious, and I had two glasses! (one for free, since the waitress was too busy).

The Super Bowl was not very exciting as the Seahawks steamrolled the Patriots.

When Bad Bunny's half-time show came on, the restaurant dimmed the lights, and lots of young, Spanish-speaking ladies came out dancing. 

We watched the first 3 quarters, but the game was starting to get boring, and we returned home during the fourth (and final) quarter.

	3	6	3	17	29
	—	—	—	13	13

Super Bowl LX Recap: Seattle Reigns Supreme

February 8, 2026 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 29

vs

N.E. PATRIOTS 13

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

1st Quarter: Defense First

The game opened with a physical statement from Seattle’s defense. After a long opening drive led by Kenneth Walker III, the Seahawks settled for a 41-yard Jason Myers field goal. The Patriots' offense was held to a quick three-and-out.

2nd Quarter: The Battle of Field Position

The "Dark Side" defense intensified the pressure on Drake Maye. While Seattle's offense moved the chains, they couldn't crack the end zone against a disciplined New England front. Two more Jason Myers field goals extended the lead as the Patriots went into the half scoreless.

3rd Quarter: History in the Making

Seattle burned eight minutes off the clock with a methodical drive to start the half. Myers knocked through his fourth field goal, tying the Super Bowl record. A late New England surge was snuffed out by a Derick Hall sack-fumble.

4th Quarter: The Floodgates Open

The final fifteen minutes provided the fireworks:

• Seahawks TD: Sam Darnold connects with AJ Barner for a 16-yard score.
• Patriots Response: Drake Maye hits Mack Hollins for a 35-yard TD strike.
• The Dagger: Uchenna Nwosu returns a fumble 45 yards for a defensive TD.
• Record Broken: Jason Myers hits his 5th FG of the night.

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Key Game Awards

MVP	Kenneth Walker III (135 Rushing Yards)
Special Teams	Jason Myers (New SB Record: 5 FGs)
Halftime	Bad Bunny w/ Lady Gaga & Ricky Martin

Links

• Water Tower Kitchen in Campbell
• Super Bowl LX: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots

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Mountain Biking around Lexington Reservoir

I had decided to try using my iGPSPORT BiNavi GPS Bike computer to mountain bike from my house to  Lexington Reservoir and back. This is a popular, highly rated trail also available on Komoot.

It was a very difficult, 20-mile climb with 2835 feet of elevation gain. It has some spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. It took me 3 hours to complete the ride, and I had to walk my bike through some of the steepest sections.

The heart sensor was extremely useful in preventing me from overexerting myself. The cadence and speed sensors were less useful.

• 19.80 mi
 
• 2:35:18
 
• 2,835 ft
  

• 137 W
 
• 1,275 kJ

	Avg	Max
Speed	7.7 mi/h	26.5 mi/h
Heart Rate	145 bpm	190 bpm
Cadence	81	132
Calories	2,366
Temperature	55 ℉
Elapsed Time	3:09:54

Links

• GPX Studio (for planning rides)
• Komoot

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Playing Golf at the Pruneridge Golf Club

Since our tee time was not found (booked for 09:30), we decided to practice driving the ball at the Pruneridge Golf Club. When we arrived at 09:00, the parking lot was already getting quite full.

I had a lot of difficulty getting sufficient depth and consistency.

Perhaps I should be looking to purchase some Golf Clubs?

• Callaway Edge Regular Flex 10-piece Golf Club Set, Right Handed
• Golf Bag with Multiple Pockets, Dual Strap, and Rain Cover Hood
• Golf Net with Practice Mat, Golf Hitting Aid Nets 10x7FT for Backyard Driving Chipping, and Training Swing

Links

• Pruneridge Golf Club

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Vasya Oblomov at Chez Nous Cafe

Inna decided to treat me to a concert of Vasya Oblomov, who was playing at Chez Nous Cafe in Redwood City.

Overview

In late 2025–early 2026, the Russian musician and songwriter Vasya Oblomov is on tour promoting his new studio album: Как всё было на самом деле (English: How It Really Was ) and performing many of his well-known songs live.

Tour Purpose & Style

• The tour centers on presenting  Как всё было на самом деле and includes live performances of new material alongside fan favorites.

• His live shows are known for their intimate atmosphere, with a focus on direct connection with the audience, live instrumentation, and storytelling through song.

• Oblomov’s music blends satirical, conversational lyrics with memorable melodies, often touching on social commentary and everyday life.

🎤 Vasya Oblomov Concert — Redwood City

📆 Saturday, January 31, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM Pacific Time
📍 Chez Nous Cafe — 2159 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061, United States

Classic & Signature Songs

• Магадан (Original / TV Version / Live)

• С чего начинается Родина

• Кто хочет стать милиционером?

• Письмо счастья

• УГ

• Грёбаный стыд (feat. Гарик Сукачёв)

• Доброта

• ИМХО

• Wi-Fi

• Одноклассники

• Начальник

• Поганенький у нас народ

• Правда (feat. Сергей Шнуров & Noize MC)

• Во внутренней эмиграции

• Думай о хорошем

• Прощай

• Намедни

• Ритмы окон (various versions)

• Многоходовочка

• Корпоративная

• Боярышник

• Идёт ЕГЭ, качается

• Смысл Ж

• Комариная песня

• Встань-ка, страна огромная
  
  

Newer or 2025 Tracks (Studio/Live Versions)

• Время жить и время умирать

• Намедни (Version 2025)

• Когда б враги не развалили

• В любом случае

• Живи (Acoustic live 2025)

• Стояли люди на ветру

• Где никто не хочет войны

• Место, где мы росли

• Колыбельная

Links

• Chez Nous Cafe, Redwood City, CA
• Vasya Oblomov (Spotify)
• Vasya Oblomov (YouTube)

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iGPSPORT BiNavi Bike Computer

After trying various bike computers, including the Garmin 1040, Wahoo Roam 3, and Wahoo Bolt, and being somewhat dissatisfied with the value/price, I decided to mount my iPhone 14 Pro Max on my 2011 Specialized FRS S-Works mountain bike. However, all of the extended front bike computer mounts were insufficiently long or sturdy enough to accommodate my heavy iPhone.

I realized that I had to use a smaller bike navigation computer instead of an iPhone. Thus, I decided to take a chance on the iGPSPORT BiNavi bike computer.

According to ChatGPT, here are the highlights and lowlights:

⭐ Highlights (Pros)

📍 Navigation-First Design

Turn-by-turn guidance with clear visual/vocal prompts and auto-zoom approaching turns helps riders stay on route.

🗺️ Advanced Mapping & GNSS

Dual-band GNSS (L1+L5) and support for multiple satellite systems improve positioning accuracy.
Offline maps are available so you can navigate without a phone or data plan.

📊 Rich Data & Connectivity

Supports >160 data metrics and connects via ANT+ & BLE to sensors (heart rate, cadence, power, e-bike, etc.).
Syncs with apps like Strava and TrainingPeaks.

🖥️ Display & Design

Large 3.5″ transflective touchscreen readable in sunlight with glove-friendly buttons. Does not work well wil polarized sunglasses.

🔋 Long Battery & Build

Up to ~35 h battery life, USB-C charging, and IPX7 water resistance make it reliable for long rides.
Light and compact compared with some competitors.

🔦 Ecosystem Integration

Works seamlessly with iGPSPORT smart lights and radar (e.g., SR mini tail light), enhancing safety features.

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⚠️ Lowlights (Cons)

🗺️ Map Handling Issues

Some users report map copying being slow or problematic, and maps not appearing until GPS signal is strong.
Some difficulty installing certain region maps (e.g., Brazil) properly.

🔄 Navigation Shortcomings

Rerouting after deviating can be inconsistent or less sophisticated than other brands (user reports mixed).
In certain reviews, route visuals (e.g., thin colored track lines) can be hard to read on maps without adjustment.

📚 Usability & Learning Curve

Some users feel firmware and interface refinement still need work; instructional material could be better.

🕶️ Screen Viewing

Like many transflective displays, some users mention visibility quirks with polarized sunglasses—you may need to adjust angles.

🛠️ Build & Accessories

• USB-C cover and seal quality raised user curiosity (minor concern, but something riders noted).

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Book of Mormon at the Orpheum

Today, we saw  "The Book of Mormon" performance at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco. We had seen it many years ago (and had forgotten a lot of the songs). This performance seemed fresh (and a bit different from the one we had seen last time).

We really enjoyed the peformance a lot (despite having off-cetner seats) - a last minute purhcase through StubHub.

The musical was hilarious and a giant parody of the Mormon religion (and maybe even all religions). There were many funny moments: the song "Hello" at the beginning of the musical, the "Turn It Off" number, and especially the Uganda natives' performance of what they have learned for the elders.

According to ChatGPT:

Overview

The Book of Mormon is a satirical Broadway musical (2011) by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez. It follows two young Mormon missionaries sent from Utah to a struggling village in Uganda, using sharp humor to explore faith, optimism, culture clash, and the human need for belief.

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Plot Summary

Act I
Elder Kevin Price, confident and idealistic, dreams of converting the world and rising quickly within the LDS Church. He is paired with Elder Arnold Cunningham, a kind but insecure missionary who compulsively lies to gain approval.

They are assigned to a poor Ugandan village plagued by disease, poverty, and a violent local warlord. The villagers are skeptical of religion, having already suffered greatly despite believing in God. Price becomes disillusioned when his polished missionary lessons fail, while Cunningham begins improvising wildly embellished versions of Mormon doctrine that unexpectedly resonate with the villagers.

Act II
Price spirals into anger and doubt, questioning God and abandoning his mission. Meanwhile, Cunningham’s fabricated but hopeful stories inspire the villagers to imagine a better future.

When church officials arrive to evaluate the mission, Cunningham’s lies are exposed. However, the villagers defend the emotional truth of his message: the stories helped them survive. Price ultimately realizes that faith’s value lies less in literal truth and more in its ability to give people hope and motivation. The missionaries succeed—not by strict doctrine, but by compassion and sincerity.

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Major Musical Numbers

Act I

• “Hello!” – Missionaries introduce themselves door-to-door in a bright, cheerful opener.

• “Two by Two” – The elders are paired up and sent to their missions.

• “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” – Price proclaims his destined greatness.

• “Hasa Diga Eebowai” – Villagers express despair through darkly comic defiance.

• “Turn It Off” – Missionaries explain emotional repression as a coping mechanism.

• “I Am Here for You” – Cunningham reassures Price in his own awkward way.

• “All-American Prophet” – Cunningham presents a hilariously distorted Joseph Smith story.

Act II

• “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” – Price’s nightmare fueled by guilt, fear, and doubt.

• “I Believe” – Price recommits to faith with over-the-top sincerity.

• “Making Things Up Again” – Cunningham embraces lying as a survival tool.

• “Man Up” – Price confronts the limits of blind obedience.

• “Joseph Smith American Moses” – The villagers perform Cunningham’s reimagined doctrine.

• “Tomorrow Is a Latter Day” – The hopeful finale celebrating belief and change.

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Tone & Themes

• Tone: Outrageous, irreverent, but surprisingly heartfelt

• Themes: Faith vs. literal truth, optimism, friendship, cultural misunderstanding, and the power of storytelling

Here are some videos of popular songs from the The Book of Mormon.

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Zolushka at Palo Alto Oshman Family JCC

Inna decided to see the newly composed/revised version of Zolushka. This was a more mature take on the "Cinderella" children's classic with a unique (more mature) update to the themes in the original version.

"Zolushka" (Cinderella) is a unique Russian-language musical performance taking place at the Oshman Family JCC Click to open side panel for more information in Palo Alto. Described as a "musical fairy tale for adults," this interpretation of the classic Charles Perrault story is presented as an author-led reading featuring live singing and choreography.

The performance is scheduled for tonight, Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall (Building F).

Creative Team and Performance Style

This production is a collaboration between prominent Russian cultural figures, offering an ironic and modern take on the traditional tale.

• Libretto and Lyrics: Written by renowned writer and poet Dmitry Bykov, who appears as the playwright and narrator.

• Music: Composed by Alexei Ivashchenko, known for his work on the musical Nord-Ost.

• Format: The show utilizes an "author reading" style where actors perform roles with musical accompaniment by the Stellar Jazz trio.

• Cast: The performance features actors Maria Ivashchenko, Artyom Lyskov, and Tatyana Kolosova.

 

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Dinner at Ettan, Palo Alto

Before our planned stop at JCC to see Zolushka, Inna had made dinner reservations for 6:00 p.m. at the highly rated Ettan Indian Restaurant.

We had eaten at Ettan last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ettan is extremely popular and challenging to reserve on short notice.

At around 17:12, I dropped off Inna at Ettan and parked the Tesla Model Y in a nearby parking garage. We looked at the menu and ordered the following items:

• Drinks: Bangalore Days (Inna)
• Snack: Sesame Leaf (Amazing!)
• Appetizer: Ettan Salad, Lamb Galouti Kebab (4 pieces)
• Main: Chicken Biryani
• Sides: Garlic Naan

We absolutely loved the Seasame Leaf Street-food snack! It was the highlight of the dinner. The Ettan Salad was small but delicious. The Lamb Galouti Kebab was average (skip next time). 

The Chicken Biryani had very little chicken (and was mostly rice). Our local Namaste Indian restaurant has better Biryani. The  Garlic Naan was excellent.

 We had an excellent waiter, and everything was very smooth. 

Links

• Ettan (Palo Alto)
• Namaste (Los Gatos)

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Kasia Smolarek at De Anza

Inna decided to purchase tickets to Kasia Smolarek's Classical Guitar concert at De Anza College's Visual and Performing Arts Theater (VPAC). 

When we arrived at De Anza College, we had difficulty finding the VPAC, as I had programmed 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. (instead of Visual and Performing Arts Theater). Even though we arrived at 19:21 for the 19:30 opening time, we had to drive another 9 minutes. We were about 9 minutes late to the concert and missed the first piece - Domenico Scarlatti's Sonata K.466.

Here’s the program for tonight’s Kasia Smolarek concert (Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the VPAC Theatre, De Anza College in Cupertino, CA):

🎶 Program:

• Domenico Scarlatti — Sonata K.466 & Sonata K.178

• Niccolò Paganini — Caprice Op. 1 No. 24 (a famous virtuosic showpiece)

• Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco — from Caprichos de Goya:

  • XII No hubo remedio

  • XX Obsequio al Maestro

  • XVIII El sueño de la razón produce monstruos

• Francisco Tárrega — Fantasía on Verdi’s La Traviata

• Joaquín Turina — Sevillana Op. 29

• Agustín Barrios-Mangoré — Mazurka Apassionata & Vals Op. 3 No. 8

• Leo Brouwer — La Gran Sarabanda

This program takes you on a journey through Spanish and Latin American guitar repertoire, blending baroque elegance, virtuoso showpieces, romantic transcriptions, dance-inspired works, and modern masterpieces — all performed on solo classical guitar. 

I was hoping that Kasia would play some of the more popular Classical Guitar pieces, but her recital focused on the more obscure (at least to me) Classical guitar compositions.

Of all the pieces she played, I enjoyed the following pieces:

• Agustín Barrios-Mangoré — Mazurka Apassionata & Vals Op. 3 No. 8

• Niccolò Paganini — Caprice Op. 1 No. 24

 Kasia Smolarek Concert Review

Highlights

• Kasia's playing of the following pieces:
• Agustín Barrios-Mangoré — Mazurka Apassionata & Vals Op. 3 No. 8
• Niccolò Paganini — Caprice Op. 1 No. 24

Lowlights

• Not playing any of the more popular Classical Guitar standards
• Spending a lot of time tuning her guitar (after every piece)

Links

• Kasia Smolarek's Concerts
• De Anza Visual and Performing Arts

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