Bitch and moan

I told myself this evening I’d do a blog entry, only to find I’ve bitched and moaned with nothing written worthwhile. It’s been the same at work. Fatigue kills creativity.

Kevin called today and confirmed what I already figured out, 5 of the units in our building are now under contract. It’s good news, but all I want to know is (and have been for over a month), when the hell do we get to move?

The Slanted Screen

Today we headed to the Roxie Film Center on 16th and Valencia in the Inner Mission district to catch the documentary, “The Slanted Screen”. Written, produced and directed by Jeff Adachi (current SF Public Defender), it addresses and examines the stereotypes of Asian-American males in film.

I only found out about the film on Friday at work. I was in the lunchroom grabbing a yogurt out of the fridge and decided to browse through the Datebook (entertainment) section of the San Francisco Chronicle. When I checked the screen times, only evening times were listed. I didn’t want to be in the Inner Mission during evening hours, so I checked SFGate.com to see if they listed daytime hours. No luck there either.

I really wanted to see this film. Especially since I read that veteran actors Mako and James Shigeta were interviewed for the documentary. So I went to Google, entered “Slanted Screen” and found the website. I already prepared myself to wait for the DVD release. I e-mailed the address listed at the website to let them know to contact me once the DVD became available.

Within 2 minutes of my e-mail, I got a response back. It was from the writer and director himself, Jeff Adachi. WOW. I was talking to a celebrity. He said there were 5 screen times on Saturday and Sunday, which I replied back and asked when they were because we’d make time to go. I also wished him luck on his Q&A Friday night at the Roxie. Jeff replied back again very quickly, and said thanks for the support.

As a film lover, it was great to see so many movie clips during the documentary. Actors such as Sandra Oh, Ming-Na, Tzi Ma, Daniel Dae Kim, and Lucy Liu wouldn’t have the roles they have now if Nancy Kwan, Bruce Lee, Mako and James Shigeta didn’t pave the way for them.

image courtesy of “The Slanted Screen”

Frito bandito

Yesterday I went to Costco to pickup a bag of Tostitos and guacamole for today's Finance department potluck at work. I didn't want to take the bag home and so I left it on the kitchen counter by the toaster and microwave ovens. I kept thinking I should leave the bag in my cubicle. I rationalized that because it wasn't an open bag left on the center table, it wouldn't be considered food for everyone else.

As an "asset protection professional", I should have known better. This morning the bag was gone. I checked the cabinets, hoping someone would have put it away for safekeeping. It only cost me $4 for the chips, but the hassle to drive out to the market and buy another bag is what I was hoping to avoid. Luckily, Cynthia, the Accounts Payable manager, was going to Safeway to buy lettuce and tomatoes and offered to pick up chips for me.

If I find out who you are, I want my $4.

Gently down the stream

Tonight was gym night. Visits to the gym at first were exclusively the treadmill and elliptical. So that I could get some variety in my workouts, I tried out other equipment such as the stationary bicycle and stairmaster. Neither I liked very much.

I tried rowing about 4 months ago and find I really like it. It’s not stressful on the joints as running on the treadmill can be, and I get much more of an overall workout rather than just my lower body. I now find myself not working out so much on the elliptical. This helps avoid exercise burnout and helps me vary my workout routines.

Rowing gave me an excuse to watch on TV (at the gym) the Giants clobber the Astros 14-3. Barry Bonds is still stuck on career home run 713. He’ll break Babe Ruth’s record soon enough, but it’s not pretty. It’s painful to watch him run, especially with Steve Finley beside him in the outfield. Bonds and Finley are about the same age, but such a contrast in their physical conditioning.

Finley already has 7 triples this season. A triple requires someone to run full speed on the bases. Steve does it with ease. Home runs (except inside-the-park) only require a jog and to touch all bases. If you look at photos of Bonds and Finley 15 years ago, Finley looks the same. Bonds, considerably heavier.

Barry’s godfather Willie Mays has to be muttering, “Oh, Barry. Say it ain’t the steroids…”

image courtesy of topendsports.com

Microclimates

It is such a relief to find that we’re finally rid of the rain. Our regular spring/summer weather pattern has returned. Because the temperatures can vary 10 to 20 degrees, I am always clicking the thermometer in my car to check the outside temperature.

When I left the office today, it was 76°F. Driving north on Highway 101 to San Francisco International Airport, it went up to 82°F. I continue north to Highway 280, and this is where I always get the biggest temperature drop. At the Westborough exit in South San Francisco, it drops to 69°F. I drive another 7 miles or so and reach the 19th Avenue/Golden Gate Bridge exit.

It is now 63°F and the fog has come in full force. The temperature dropped a total of 19 degrees on a commute that is a bit over 22 miles. My sunglasses (always on retainers) and air conditioning are now off. The car windows are open. Another reason why I’m still a San Francisco resident. I love fog.

photo courtesy of travelblog.org

Waiting game

Yesterday I got a message on my voice mail at home from Mark, the loan consultant with Circle Bank in Novato (in Marin county), the lender chosen to finance our condo/TIC unit. He had a few questions about the loan application. Nothing earth shattering.

I called Mark back this morning. He thought it was great that my family is funding most of the down payment. I agreed. Without my family, none of this would be happening. He closed the call telling me that our chances are pretty good that we’ll be able to qualify for the best loan option available for the condo, a 5-year fixed rate with 30-year amortization.

We should have an answer in the next week or so. In the meantime, we still have to wait on when 2 more units will be sold.

Spring sale

I got in yesterday’s mail my REI catalog announcing their big spring sale (20% off most full priced items). Up until now, I have bought something from this sale for at least the past 6 years. I’ve browsed the website for the past hour, and found zilch, zip, nada. Oh, the tragedy of it all.

The closest to anything I want, but don’t need are the Keen Seattle Shoes, a Mary Jane style shoe with the famous Keen front toe bumper. I tried them on about a year ago and really, really liked them. I just forked out tonight a 6-month advance on my gym membership near work and saved myself $20/month.

My life as a mini-Imelda must end. Mortgage payments will soon begin.

image courtesy of REI.com