Saturday was a BBQ with the AHS crowd in San Ramon. For our monthly get-together, we met at Billy's house for some perfect weather grilling. Not to mention watch some college football. The interesting thing was that the Northwestern peeps outnumbered the Cal folks. Chi-town represented.
So it took me three tries to get to the freeway entrance to get to the East Bay, but after that it was smooth sailing. And there was an element of peace of mind since my car was in working order. But I still needed to stop by the dealership to get my key fixed. After getting the car engine replaced... the key sort of stopped working, that is, I could no longer lock my car door. Thankfully, it was just a battery replacement fix. So with a $5 fix I was headed back to Billy's.
Sunday was an early morning. I had to go to the nearest Target, since something the cashier had failed to remove the security tag to something I had bought the day before. I also picked up some more Guitar Hero and Wii Music. I put back Rock Band, 'cause I haven't yet decided to buy it for the Wii or PS3 that I want to get. I drove to Daly City via freeway and then took the advice of my GPS and drove home locally from 99 Ranch. I am never driving locally again... it took forever. By this point I figured I should take advantage so i drove to SOMA to pick up Anne for a day of yarn shopping at Imaginknits. Um, I must have had some great parking karma stored up today, because I didn't have to walk far at any of the places I went to this morning.
We spent a good deal of time there, I got enough yarn to cloth 40 sheep. I think anytime you see me in the near future, I'll be knitting. I even found some yarn that looked like tourmaline, but couldn't figure out what to knit, so I put it back. Hopefully I'll be able to finish all my projects.
Anne and I headed to Tartine, but it was too crowded so we headed over to Craig's Place which was a nice place, nothing to write home about however. Then I picked up some ice cream (long line this time) at Bi-Rite and brought home some Salty Caramel for my next parental visit.
P.S.: Bond is set to break all sorts of records this weekend... I am so happy. It is NOT a Bourne ripoff.
P.P.S.: My Mac is on its way!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
This is Why I'd Stay for the Credits
As a big movie fan, I often sit through the credits to see the "extra" bit at the end or the bloopers that sometimes run during credits. But once in a long while, it's just worth it to see a friend's name scroll by and cheer for their hard work.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
London (Part II) Something Old, Something New
We got the opportunity to experience the best and the less best of London weather.
Old: Sunday and the British Museum
On Sunday, we did the "Old." We took the tube and eventually arrived at the British Museum. It is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than 7 million objects are apparently amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents.
It's been 20 years since my mom's last trip and she really wanted to see the Eygptian exhibits before her trip. I, on the otherhand, headed straight to the Greek exhibits to make up for all the things I DIDN'T get to see in Athens. While it was great to see all these amazing collections all in one place, there was a bit of, wow, what about all the countries this stuff came from? Didn't they get to keep any of it.
It took me a good four hours and a lovely lunch with dessert in the museum cafe to finish the whole museum in one day. And during that time, I got to see a lot of cool objects like, the Rosetta stone, a mummy crocodile, a giant sketch by Michaelangelo, the infamous Portland vase, that famous Japanese wave print that they have plastered on every item everywhere you go and the friezes along the Parthenon.
The most fun I had was tracking down something I really wanted to see was the Sutton Hoo mask. I am an avid fan of the Food Network show Ace of Cakes, and in this one episode they were tasked with making this mask in cake. The pictures provided where 100% clear, so they "made up" some stuff as the design element--I had just wanted to see how close they came. Too my surprise and disappointment, it turns out they ultimately created the replica that sits in the museum, with details interpreted by the museum team... the real mask which is also displayed is a bit older. I am not sure what it says about me that I get my cultural lessons now from a reality show. Nevertheless, it was a very fun little "side" trip that I managed to accomplish.
The most interesting thing to me though was how admittance worked. Unlike the NYC Met, a donation really meant a donation, and not a cash register line where you had to feel like an @ss for saying, "no, I don't want to make a donation, I know it's free." (I never had to say it, I just waived my employee pass since they were both corporate sponsors.) Nevertheless, the British Museum was beautiful, well maintained and had some amazing traveling special exhibits.
New: Monday and the Tate Modern
On Monday, our last, full day in London, we did the "New." We took the tube, crossed the beautiful and somewhat slippery Millennium Bridge and eventually arrived at the Tate Modern.
I don't know what it is but since I went to the modern exhibit on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery (thanks Stacey), I have really developed a love for Modern Art. All those years of going to Whitney Biannuals never made the same impact that one hour on that floor did. Modern Art was provocative and different, but it never spoke to me. It never made me want to sit or look at it from all angles like I would a great Renaissance piece. I never studied a modern piece too long for what it was trying to say unless it was an assignment. Not the way I would willingly forego food and water in order to figure out why an artist included that piece of fruit or object and what that piece symbolized all those years ago. Modern art did strike some emotion in me, but it was usually an uncomfortable feeling, never really about beauty and awe.
I really wanted to know if this new found interest was a one-time thing, or perhaps an area that I had finally grown to appreciate. After the Tate Modern, I think I have a better idea. I like three dimensional pieces, I still like paintings from the "old guys": Picasso, Jasper Johns etc., but I am still not 100% on board with mixed media art that includes video. I can appreciate it more, but sometimes to me, it's still someone's home movies. I'll give it some more time.
For lunch that day we went to Wagamama, a restaurant chain, serving pan-Asian food in the style of a modern noodle bar. I figured after putting my dad through so much modern art, of which he in general is not a fan, I owed him either hot, pub food, fish and chips, or ramen. Ramen appeared first.
Most important:
Seeing Maggie and going to London in general will be possible again, since three times really is a charm. After massive food poisoning the first time, and an airline strike that effectively ended the second visit, this third visit was my "final" go... if it had gotten ruined, that was it... London which I adore in writing would be off the trip list forever. Now as it is, if McCain had been elected, I would have had somewhere to go. :)
Old: Sunday and the British Museum
On Sunday, we did the "Old." We took the tube and eventually arrived at the British Museum. It is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than 7 million objects are apparently amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents.
It's been 20 years since my mom's last trip and she really wanted to see the Eygptian exhibits before her trip. I, on the otherhand, headed straight to the Greek exhibits to make up for all the things I DIDN'T get to see in Athens. While it was great to see all these amazing collections all in one place, there was a bit of, wow, what about all the countries this stuff came from? Didn't they get to keep any of it.
It took me a good four hours and a lovely lunch with dessert in the museum cafe to finish the whole museum in one day. And during that time, I got to see a lot of cool objects like, the Rosetta stone, a mummy crocodile, a giant sketch by Michaelangelo, the infamous Portland vase, that famous Japanese wave print that they have plastered on every item everywhere you go and the friezes along the Parthenon.
The most fun I had was tracking down something I really wanted to see was the Sutton Hoo mask. I am an avid fan of the Food Network show Ace of Cakes, and in this one episode they were tasked with making this mask in cake. The pictures provided where 100% clear, so they "made up" some stuff as the design element--I had just wanted to see how close they came. Too my surprise and disappointment, it turns out they ultimately created the replica that sits in the museum, with details interpreted by the museum team... the real mask which is also displayed is a bit older. I am not sure what it says about me that I get my cultural lessons now from a reality show. Nevertheless, it was a very fun little "side" trip that I managed to accomplish.
The most interesting thing to me though was how admittance worked. Unlike the NYC Met, a donation really meant a donation, and not a cash register line where you had to feel like an @ss for saying, "no, I don't want to make a donation, I know it's free." (I never had to say it, I just waived my employee pass since they were both corporate sponsors.) Nevertheless, the British Museum was beautiful, well maintained and had some amazing traveling special exhibits.
New: Monday and the Tate Modern
On Monday, our last, full day in London, we did the "New." We took the tube, crossed the beautiful and somewhat slippery Millennium Bridge and eventually arrived at the Tate Modern.
I don't know what it is but since I went to the modern exhibit on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery (thanks Stacey), I have really developed a love for Modern Art. All those years of going to Whitney Biannuals never made the same impact that one hour on that floor did. Modern Art was provocative and different, but it never spoke to me. It never made me want to sit or look at it from all angles like I would a great Renaissance piece. I never studied a modern piece too long for what it was trying to say unless it was an assignment. Not the way I would willingly forego food and water in order to figure out why an artist included that piece of fruit or object and what that piece symbolized all those years ago. Modern art did strike some emotion in me, but it was usually an uncomfortable feeling, never really about beauty and awe.
I really wanted to know if this new found interest was a one-time thing, or perhaps an area that I had finally grown to appreciate. After the Tate Modern, I think I have a better idea. I like three dimensional pieces, I still like paintings from the "old guys": Picasso, Jasper Johns etc., but I am still not 100% on board with mixed media art that includes video. I can appreciate it more, but sometimes to me, it's still someone's home movies. I'll give it some more time.
For lunch that day we went to Wagamama, a restaurant chain, serving pan-Asian food in the style of a modern noodle bar. I figured after putting my dad through so much modern art, of which he in general is not a fan, I owed him either hot, pub food, fish and chips, or ramen. Ramen appeared first.
On a Marketing note, Wagamama has a number of interesting features gimicks:
- Orders are taken via PDSs, and wirelessly networked to the kitchen, so that as soon as an order is taken it can begin to be prepared.
- Food is delivered to the table once cooked, with side dishes being served instead of starters
- Customers sit on either side of large tables - one table can seat 20 people or more.
Most important:
Seeing Maggie and going to London in general will be possible again, since three times really is a charm. After massive food poisoning the first time, and an airline strike that effectively ended the second visit, this third visit was my "final" go... if it had gotten ruined, that was it... London which I adore in writing would be off the trip list forever. Now as it is, if McCain had been elected, I would have had somewhere to go. :)
44th US President
It's happened!
Barack Obama is the new President of the United States.
Barack Obama is the new President of the United States.
There is an elation and peace that there hasn't been in 8 years. It was a privilege and honor to get to have a voice in this election. Boy am I glad I flew back from London in time to participate. This is the first minority president the US has ever had...but more importantly a substantial win, a distinct majority. Hopefully this will send a message throughout the US and the rest of the world. Our new president may face a difficult 4 years ahead, but for tonight, there appears to be real reason to rejoice.P.S.: I guess this means no more Tina Fey as Palin though... SNL must be a bit sad. :P
Not Patron: But Totally Stirred and Shaken
So this weekend, I went to London so that I could see 007 two weeks ahead of time. Well, I WAS in London and I did see James Bond Quantum of Solace, but I did a few other things this weekend too.
While I've loved all the gentlemen who have played James Bond through the years, and loved the camp and the over-the-top, debonair attitude of the spy in Her Majesty's Secret Service... I must admit my total and utter adoration of Daniel Craig. This is a new Bond and a better Bond...
I thought the "Nike" chase scene in the last Bond was cool and couldn't be topped, but the car chase scene at the beginning of Solace was unforgettable. There were so many twists and unexpected turns. And he is so utterly cool and calm, different from the "Remington-steelness" of Pierce Brosnan.
I was a bit concerned since I heard this Bond was a bit shorter in running time. But it was not too long, not too short, just perfect. I was never bored, kept breathless enough times but still left wanting another one. But the new crew that is putting together these scripts and the new list of director's (I think this one was the one who did Monster's Ball) is really going for quality.
The bad guys are badder (thank goodness). The girls are still pretty but not the focus, just cool set dressing (then again, it wouldn't be the same without them). [I must admit that one girl was a bit annoying and kinda wish the ending had gone the other way... then again it wouldn't be Bond-like enough.] The locations are gorgeous and perfectly used for maximum effect. And it's still tongue in cheek.... no speedo though... too bad. :)
On a more personal note, I still really liked the first movie, but the physical environment left a bit of a bad taste due to the company I was with... but this time... watching it in London, with a notable US audience, the last show, was incredibly fun and a great memory.
While I've loved all the gentlemen who have played James Bond through the years, and loved the camp and the over-the-top, debonair attitude of the spy in Her Majesty's Secret Service... I must admit my total and utter adoration of Daniel Craig. This is a new Bond and a better Bond...I thought the "Nike" chase scene in the last Bond was cool and couldn't be topped, but the car chase scene at the beginning of Solace was unforgettable. There were so many twists and unexpected turns. And he is so utterly cool and calm, different from the "Remington-steelness" of Pierce Brosnan.
I was a bit concerned since I heard this Bond was a bit shorter in running time. But it was not too long, not too short, just perfect. I was never bored, kept breathless enough times but still left wanting another one. But the new crew that is putting together these scripts and the new list of director's (I think this one was the one who did Monster's Ball) is really going for quality.
The bad guys are badder (thank goodness). The girls are still pretty but not the focus, just cool set dressing (then again, it wouldn't be the same without them). [I must admit that one girl was a bit annoying and kinda wish the ending had gone the other way... then again it wouldn't be Bond-like enough.] The locations are gorgeous and perfectly used for maximum effect. And it's still tongue in cheek.... no speedo though... too bad. :)
On a more personal note, I still really liked the first movie, but the physical environment left a bit of a bad taste due to the company I was with... but this time... watching it in London, with a notable US audience, the last show, was incredibly fun and a great memory.
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