Phil Stillman

Kids and Bikes

2008-08-10T13:57:00.000-07:00

Oldest daughter, Sarah, just started a trip with two friends to bike across America. I got to see them off, as did many of her friends.

Meanwhile, second daughter, Sheryl, just got her M1 license, so I let her take a spin with a friend in my old Yamaha 350XT.

Smart car

2008-08-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

We are the proud owners of a smart car! We rented one during a vacation in Italy and fell in love with it. After ordering online, we waited 14 months and picked it up in May. The two-seater runs on gasoline, getting pretty consistently 40 mpg. Its 1 liter, 3 cylinder, 71 hp engine will get it up to 90 mph but it gets blown around in the wind a bit. It's very roomy inside and has many great features. It has been a great commute car.

One of the most common questions is about the smart car's safety. The "tridion safety cell" is a reinforced steel cage that encircles the passengers and the car has earned a five-star IIHS crash rating.

Boston

2008-08-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to go to a conference at the Fairmont in Copley Square. Siggie made friends with the hotel dog, Katie.

This photo of Trinity Church, the Hancock Center and the hotel was taken from the steps of Boston Public Library. Just down the street we saw the newly opened Apple Store, the largest in North America.

We got to play tourist a bit and really enjoyed one of the historical walking tours.

Curling in North Dakota

2008-08-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

We went to the 2008 Men's World Curling Championship, which was held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota in early April. We were guests of Rudi Bloomquist and the Devils Lake Curling Club and it was a great excuse to see a unique sport and visit with family out on the farm.

Aunt Alta and I couldn't resist these "rock hats" in the gift shop.

Kiely

2008-04-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

We went to Phoenix to be with Gregory and Jeanette as they welcomed Kiely Grace to their family. What fun!

Siggie did the most to help, including some dual tasking here.

Uncle John and I got Gregory out to see the Giants play a cactus league game against the Cubs.

I got to make a special trip to Tucson to visit Aunt Liz. We went to the Whipple Observatory. See it up there?

Ethiopia

2007-11-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

Siggie and I spent two weeks with a great local team of health practitioners, working in rural Ethiopia in conjunction with Project Mercy. This photo shows the women members of our team pointing to the area where the compound is located, southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa. Project Mercy is a superb organization which provides community development to one of the poorest areas of Ethiopia. The 53-acre compound features a school of around 1000 students, an orphanage, a church, and one of the best rural hospitals in the country.

Many of the children we saw had severe malnutrition and the many conditions associated with it. In addition to treating acute problems, we distributed vitamins and "Atmit", a food supplement which Project Mercy adapted for Ethiopians.

One of our clinics was in a tiny village where clean water and a school have transformed the community. Here Siggie is interacting with the school children.

Most people in the rural areas live in one-room huts called "tuckals". This vantage point shows the Great Rift Valley, which runs through Ethiopia.

Ireland

2007-10-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

We spent a wonderful week visiting our dear friends, Ron and Joyce Grainger, and their family. They took us to Howth Harbor, just outside Dublin, to see Mark, Rachel and Ali again, and to meet Rachel's husband, Arun.

We drove up to Northern Ireland to meet Ron's mom and brother and to explore Belfast and environs. What an incredible difference from our visit north over a decade ago! Kudos to all involved in the peace agreements!

The Graingers treated us to a night at Kilgraney House, a beautifully restored Georgian farmhouse, where we had a fabulous six course dinner. We toured through southeastern Ireland, including a stop at this splendid castle in Kilkenny.

Back on the Blog

2007-09-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

My last posting was a couple weeks before my dad had an unexpected cardiac arrest. He subsequently passed away about a week later and I was pretty depressed for quite some time. In addition to going on with life and managing the estate, doing the blog was just too much.

Today is my dad's birthday and I've decided to resume the blog in his honor.

Go Spartans!

2005-10-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

We went to our first San Jose State University football game, the first season under coach Dick Tomey. The Spartans played valiantly, at one point going for it on 4th and 12 and scoring a TD, but fell short in the final quarter by seven points. We had a great time yelling cheers with Sarah and visiting with an alum from the Class of '42.

Dad's heart attack

2005-09-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

We got a call from my sister, Barbara, that my dad complained of some chest pain. She took him immediately to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, where they diagnosed a subendocardial myocardial infarction and took him right to the cath lab. They found two significant lesions in the right coronary artery and placed two Taxus stents with good result. We drove up to Redding to see him and, as you can see, cheer him up with the nano and iDog. He did well and was discharged a couple days later feeling well. The miracles of modern medicine!

I love my nano!

2005-09-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

I use my 40GB iPod at work nearly every day and I "needed" music during my runs. OK, so that's just an excuse, but I love this 1.5 ounce marvel! It fits snugly in the nano armband, providing up to 1000 songs from my various playlists. And the 1.5 inch diag backlit LCD screen is beautiful. I also got a cute toy called the iDog, which plays nano music while barking, flapping its ears and flashing colors on its head.

Katrina Relief

2005-09-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

Siggie spent the last few days in Louisiana and Mississippi helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. She went with a team of eight people from our church, under the auspices of CityTeam Ministries, working in an emergency shelter serving about 600 evacuees. In addition to providing basic needs like food and clothing, she was able to encourage and just come alongside many people who had lost everything. Here she is pictured with a pastor from Africa who came to help, our dear friend Tim Strong and three of the evacuees.

Labor Day Beach Party

2005-09-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

Cozette Cermak opened her beautiful beach house to a bunch of old friends for sand castle building, body surfing and birthday celebrations. Here Bill Cameron is constructing the second tower adjacent to the five foot main sand castle, complete with a moat, bridges, towers and intricate passageways.

After dinner Mike Simpson sang ballads for Christian Geisler as Priscilla Cameron looked on. Mike just released his first CD, "Sorrow and Love", and it is an excellent compilation getting radio play even on the East Coast.

Big Basin to the Coast Hike

2005-08-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

Our small couples group (which isn't so small) embarked on a hike from the Big Basin Park Headquarters to Waddell Beach, some 12-13 miles. It was a perfect day and we passed by a couple beautiful waterfalls along the way.

We saw dozens of Ariolimax californicus along the way and I couldn't resist getting a close up with Rachel Stump donning her banana slug hat. Mike Gallagher is seen in the background.

We couldn't hike all the way to the beach without having a barbeque, especially with Aussies in our group. Here is Horst Brenner fanning the flames with Keith MacBeth looking on with more than casual interest.

Pori Family Reunion

2005-07-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Two weeks after the Jennings got together it was time for Phil's family. Here you see host Al Pori looking at an article featuring his dad. In the background you can see siblings Myrl and Marcia, and Michael, the son of sibling Theresa.

Part of the fun of a reunion is to see what we all have in common, and we decided it was all about the hairy arms. From left: Craig, Kevin, Phil, Michael, Ken and Earl

Wharf to Wharf

2005-07-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

This is a six mile run from the Santa Cruz wharf to Capitola, 15,000 runners on a mostly flat course with ocean views and music along the way. Sarah ran with our neighbor, Gene Rickey, and I finished along with their family friend Don and daughter Nicole.

Jennings Family Reunion in Oregon

2005-07-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Siggie's family gathered in Oregon for the week. This was taken in Portland after "the girls" all had their nails done together. Top: Erika, Libby, Siggie Bottom: Jeanette, Cecelia, Elsa, Jan

Next stop was Pacific City on the Oregon Coast. Here's the traditional group shot featuring everyone, including the person who took the photo (who has been PhotoShopped in). Can you tell who that was?

The Jennings siblings: Cece, Siggie, John and Elsa

Yvonne's Jubilee

2005-06-28T22:52:00.000-07:00

We had the privilege of joining the Juarez family in celebrating Yvonne's birthday in San Diego. It was great to see Luis and Yvonne, their kids and their son-in-law Craig. Pictured here are Siggie, Tracy, Craig, Yvonne, Daniel, the two Louies and me.

Jenn Hunziker's Graduation

2005-06-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

Our neice, Jennifer, graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Design. As you can see, she's more than a little excited about it.

Jenn's cheering section in the Auditorium, where she received her diploma: Barbara, Betty, Dad, Janelle, Derek, and Max

Proud parents Andre and Betty

Mundy Morning

2005-06-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

Our neice and nephew, Gregory and Jeanette Mundy from Phoenix, visited with us for a week. Here they are dressed for Jeanette's tenth high school reunion.

Happy Birthday David

2005-05-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

David is home for the weekend, showing off the 1991 Honda Civic he purchased in Redding just a few days ago. He installed a new CD player (birthday present) which will seamlessly play tunes from his iPod. Thanks to Dave for helping me with my blog!

Speaking of cars, congrats to Danica Patrick for her fourth place finish at a very exciting Indianapolis 500.

Sarah Stillman, AS Vice-President

2005-05-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

We are so proud of Sarah, the incoming vice-president of the student body at San Jose State University. She's working with a great team and we wish them all the best in the coming year.

El Camino Hospital

2005-05-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Today I started working with the anesthesiology group at El Camino Hospital. I am pleased to be joining them and look forward to contributing to their group.

CMAA President Passes the Crown

2005-04-30T23:39:00.000-07:00

Why is this woman smiling? Why, she's finishing her year as president of the California Medical Association Alliance and is pleased to pass the responsibility to Tricia Hunstock of Santa Rosa. David and I got to join her at the CMAA Annual Session in Sacramento. The organization gave her a beautiful diamond studded 75th anniversary medalion bracelet in appreciation.

These are two of my favorite people and Siggie's presidential aides during the last year. Eleanor Beil runs the CMAA website from Fresno and Debbi Ricks is the current president of the Santa Clara County organization.

Interview and House Offer

2005-04-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

What an amazing day! I had an interview with Dr. Bob Pinsker, the president of the anesthesia group at El Camino Hospital. This would be a great fit for my situation since it's only 20 minutes away and is an excellent hospital. I also talked to several of the partners and in the midst of that Siggie called to say we had a legitimate offer on the house! Hallelujah, after being on the market in Redding for almost a year!

Wine Tasting Event

2005-04-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Sarah was one of the hostesses, representing J Lohr Winery, at a fundraising event for the Santa Clara Medical Association at La Rusticana D'Orsa Winery in Los Gatos. Siggie and I were on the organizing committee and helped set up and host the event, which was very well received.

No more GAS

2005-04-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

The president of Group Anesthesia informed me today that they did not wish me to continue with the group. The reasons for this are many, and despite earlier warnings, I am still pretty shocked and dismayed. I will continue working through the end of June, unless I find something before that time and work out an earlier parting of ways.

Redding

2005-03-16T16:19:00.000-08:00

Visited Redding this weekend to see my dad and spiff up the house. We are hoping to sell it soon!

Sheryl in Australia

2005-03-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

Sheryl is studying in Australia through the University of California's Education Abroad Program. She's at the University of Wollongong, on the coast south of Sydney. If you want to follow her adventures visit her blog at: http://stillsheryl.blogspot.com

Million Dollar Baby

2005-03-04T17:08:00.000-08:00

I was impressed that this movie did so well at the Academy Awards and went with Sarah to see it today. I have so much respect for Clint Eastwood and he did an outstanding job of both directing and acting. Hillary Swank and Morgan Freeman both deserved top awards. I truly enjoyed it, although it is tear wrenching and had a few medical foibles.

Tribute to Aunt Theresa

2005-02-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

On Monday, the extended Pori family gathered in Santa Cruz for the funeral of Theresa Johnson, my mom's little sister. It was a beautiful service, with the highlight being Earl, Craig, Kevin and Ken playing one of her favorite songs, "Wild Horses." I had the great honor of reading the eulogy, which was written by her sons. Afterwards the family and several friends met at our house and we all had a good time of reminiscing, catching up and grieving together. Aunt Theresa, we will miss you and look forward to seeing you in heaven!

Now I'm a blogger

2005-02-18T16:44:00.000-08:00

My wife is a blogger. My son is a blogger from the early daze. My daughter in Australia just started a blog. So now...we'll see if I do much to keep it current!