Nathan Shedroff created this handy SF Guide for DUX2005. I can't wit to dig into it.

This was recommended to me by my sister-in-law. My canvas bags are starting to show lots of wear after their many uses and run through the washer. I've also started to experiment with some bag designs because of my own dissatisfaction with my everyday bags. We'll see, maybe I'll take MOB route and start my own company.

My Own Bag

Locally created and made. I've put in 2 orders for some funky styles. I'll probably replace my canvas bags over time. Save the environment and start using reuseable bags and please recycle.

What I learned in Cantonese?

Ugly = Naahn Tai

Literal translation:= difficult(naahn) to look at(tai).

I was rolling on the floor when I read this. It's funny because I was feeling somewhat like the writer when I was first researching my set of cookware. I spent 4 weeks studying prices, sales, and quality of cookware. From epinions to consumer report and various cooking/food sites. I think I did more research on the cookware than on deciding where to buy a house.

Is It Ok To Festishize Cookware? Mark Morford, SF Gate

When you sneeze do you somehow close your eyes? Well think about when you're driving and you suddenly have a sneeze attack. I noticed today trying to keep one eye open when I know I'm going to sneeze...it's quite a challenge. Maybe I'm just weird that way. It can be really scarey though because anything can happen in a split second.

We didn't take as many photos as we wanted. We forgot to take photos with Lorenzo and Marissa the wonderful couple I stayed with in Napa in 2004 who we stumbled across at Century 21...nor St. Luke's AME in Harlem where Al Sharpton was speaking...nor did we take photos at all the food places we went to...and unfortunately no photo with Michael A and other relatives...major bummer!!!! Either way here are a few of sights we did remember to take photos.

We arrived and the rain stopped...when we were sitting on the airplace to return home it began to rain hard again. Wow we totally missed it. It would have been a miserable trip walking around in the rain. More details shortly for each of the restaurants, clubs, bars, lounges and places we saw shortly.

The best tea I've ever had was at the T Salon. Purchased a dozen oz of 4 blends for a hefty price but it's so worth it. Just a little goes a long way without steeping for less than a minute...rich and bold...with nice aromas...I think my wine training is effecting how i drink tea now ;) Maybe someday I'll have to open a Tea Bar or Tea Salon...maybe something like Moby's Teany but with real eletronic music and a dj. Had a fun time people watching and having a nice afternoon tea at both places with my fav cuzn.

We're definitely adding NYC to our friends and family "Share the Love" annual tour of San Diego, Lakewood, DC and Chicago. Stay tuned for additional locations and tour dates!

Ok, this was something I couldn't pass up while browsing at a children's bookstore in Union Square.

Lisa In New York by Anne Gutman and George Hallensleben
of the Misadventures of Lisa and Gaspard fame.

A great illustrated story documenting my experience in NY this past week.

Yup we're in New York City! Having a wonderful time. Here are some highlights.

Rev. Al Sharpton at St. Luke's AME Church
Visiting with Joyce
Staying across from central park in front of Lincoln Center
Dinner at Dos Caminos or was it called Dos Compadres
Lunch at Fraicha
Hanging with AG
Curry Hill in search of a jal neti pot
Empire State Building Observation Deck
Walking all through midtown, soho, greenwich village, tribeca, harold square...
Dinner at EN
The Producers
Dinner Le Madeleine
BSF on Madison Pres
...more to come

It's one of those days that something from a Podcast of our church services from HK just touch off emotional memories of who we were before. I've been trying hard to keep going like we're still there but it's completely impossible. While culturally of course it can't but you know the car gets in the way...the church is not the same spiritually for us...and we've become complacent. We miss HK...not just the place but who we were when we were there. Only a short time but we were really striving to be the people we wanted to be...spiritually, phyisically and intellectually growing. Here it's all blah. What's missing? The interesting mix of international ideas, beliefs, a spiritually moving group of friends who really taught us what it means to share Christ with everyone, anywhere on the street, the convenience of living in the city where a variety of public transportation was available and useful. Life without a car, and a small apartment can really change your outlook on life. I don't think we can really do that where we live. So between the Godcast, emails from 2 very dear friends from HK, missing out on life milestones of close friends/family, yesterday was an emotional rollercoaster of missing what we left behind in HK. Maybe someday we'll be back there again...

I made friends with lots while in HK. Even folks in my chinese classes. One fellow who happened to also be from Kali-fornia...just moved there the same time we arrived. Well he's decided to blog experience however he's missing the past year. Oh well...will have to make him remember the long hours in chinese classes.

Hey there welcome to the blog world, Jimmy!

Amazing rugs at Angela Adams. Will be placing my order shortly of a few. Can't wait to walk on them.

So my brother is considered an actor according to this movie site. He actually does the voice over for the character Leper Gnome in the game World of Warcraft. He's been there for a few years now in their game testing division. So you can imagine our surprise getting real goodies from Blizzard Software every once in a while and now hearing about my brother's part in the game both from the acting standpoint and the technical. Yeah!

I'm trying really hard but I definitely need to pray about this...I'm a shoe fanatic. In the past month I've got several pairs. I need to stop...how many pairs do you really need? I'm not shooting to reach Imedla Marcos' shoe collection but somehow I'm all about comfort and style...but they come in 2 different shoes. I really need to stop. No more shoes for the next 6 months. And that goes for purses and clothes too. I need to stop but it's very addicting...perhaps not going near stores that sell any of them will help.

While weeding all my IA books and other types of books I realized I spent so much to acquire books. However with the reduced income and constant discipline of reducing stuff at home I've started going to my local library more often. And if the book doesn't exist in their system I take advantage of the service where they will take book purchase requests. So far I've only made one purchase request however I just got a notice they will purchase it.

I was really spoiled working for academia with the awesome access to many online resources. I forgot that as part of the community I can still use their resources a few times a year and that our local library has some of the same resources. I guess my book/research budget can probably go away in the business expenses report.