New Bowling Ball - Storm Match Up Solid

Storm Match Up Solid  - released June 16, 2017

With the fat payouts I got from 2 first place finishes from my Monday and Wednesday night leagues, it was time to give myself a birthday present.

I picked up yesterday a new bowling ball, a Storm Match Up Solid.

It replaces as my 'strike' ball the Storm Wipe Out (very similar colors) I bought for my birthday in 2015. The Wipe Out will still be used, but has been demoted to spare ball status.

Storm Wipe Out, June 2015

My first Storm bowling ball was the Tropical Heat, purchased in December 2012. It became my spare ball when I got the Wipe Out. As my bag carries only 2 balls and is stored in a car with limited trunk space, I retired the Tropical Heat when I got the Match Up Solid. Now scarred and scratched, the Tropical Heat sits in my study until I'm ready to part with it permanently.

Storm Tropical Heat, December 2012

All 3 balls - Tropical Heat, Wipe Out and Match Up Solid are from Storm's Hot Line, a lower mid performance ball line.

For me, the more expensive high performance balls are too aggressive for my controlled and straight bowling style. I need the control as converting spares and a few splits are very important parts of my game.

My shoes (also Storm, partially showing in the Match Up Solid picture), on the other hand, are in the premium line. I find them to be good value because the soles and heels if/when worn out can be replaced.

Admittedly, I am partial to Storm because most of my favorite professional bowlers are Storm staffers (Danielle McEwan, her boyfriend and recent 2017 PBA Oklahoma Open champion Marshall Kent, Liz Johnson, Sandra Gongora, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan - to name a few).

The coolest part about Storm bowling balls are the fragrant scents. Tropical Heat was orange creamsicle. Wipe Out - spearmint, and my latest and greatest, Match Up Solid - bourbon pistachio. Individual results vary on how long the scents last. Mine wear off pretty quickly. Probably because I bowl so many more practice games than the average league bowler.

Fragrant scents and fancy ball colors may not improve your game, but they sure do look and smell pretty on the ball return.

San Francisco Pride Weekend 2017

source: sfpride.org

San Francisco's Pride Weekend took place this weekend. The first festival took place in 1970 with approximately 54,000 attendees.

This year's festival (47th) estimates 2.3 million attendees.

Pride. In the name of love. Take it away, Bono.

USBC Bowling Academy

source: Bowl.com

Summer season began on my Monday night league last month. Wednesday night, 2 weeks ago.

Welcome.

As it is with the beginning of the season, there are bowlers completely new to the sport and there are bowlers that are returning after an extended absence.

If after those few weeks you find your game isn't where you want it to be, a great resource is the USBC Bowling Academy page on YouTube.

For a more extensive library, go directly to the USBCBowlingAcademy.com website.

In my April 23, 2017 entry, I talked about relaxed grip pressure and loose arm swing. USBC has 2 videos that discuss those very subjects.

On relaxed grip pressure:


On loose arm swing:

Transportation in Italy, France and Spain

traffic in Rome

Pictured on the left is a typical traffic day in Rome. No surprises here. Nothing's orderly and lots of horn honking.

When we got back from Italy, I couldn't help notice that New York traffic seemed tame compared to Rome.

Cars in Western Europe are much smaller than what most drive in the United States.
Parking spaces are few, if any, in the central part of the city are small and difficult to get into. Most trucks, SUV's and mini-vans are used for commercial or business purposes.

Personally, this was nice to see. I have never been a big car person and I haven't owned an automatic transmission since 1988. I'd estimate 75%-85% of the cars I saw were manual stick shifts, including the minivans.

motor scooter parking

If you don't drive or take public transit, many get around by scooter. I saw a few older ones with some rust, but most were newer and in good condition.

Most of the United States is very car dependent so it isn't likely we'd ever see anything like the photo.

As much as I love having a car, I'd be willing to drive less if we had public transit systems that are much more reliable.

Western Mediterranean Vacation - Norwegian Cruise Lines

source: Norweigan Cruise Lines

It's been hectic since I returned from vacation almost a week ago.

After a day at the office, it was back on the road with suitcase and laptop in tow to head to the greater Sacramento area (Auburn) to train for my new position at work.

When I returned from Auburn, it was the San Francisco USBC Championships yesterday and today. Considering I hadn't bowled in 3 weeks, my 9-game tournament average was still above my season (book) average.

I fully intended to write about the logistics of the vacation (the flight, hotel room, cruise ship room, food on ship, shore excursions at port, etc.), but I'm fried. Details to come in future posts.

For those of you that saw my vacation photos on Facebook and are interested in taking a similar vacation, I've included a screenshot of our cruise package.

Position Round Roll-Off Drama / First 600 Series

1st 600 series, May 3, 2017

In league bowling, a season begins and ends like a school year. It starts in August or September and ends in early-to-mid May.

My Monday night league at Bel Mateo ended last week. Wednesday's league at Classic Bowl will end this week.

In the first half of the season (September to December), both teams finished in the top 10. In the bowling league world, any finish below the top 4 is the equivalent to those lame participation awards youth leagues give out so no one's egos are too bruised. Your team still gets cash payouts, but not nearly as much as the top teams would receive.

We improved considerably in the second half (January to May). Both teams ended the regular season in first place. Monday's team, a 1/2 game margin. Wednesday's by 2 games. The top 4 teams then bowl each other to determine final standings - also known as position round.

Monday's team needed to win 2 games to finish first. We swept. Our wins were so close that our opponent's total pin count was only 7 less than ours.

Wednesday's team needed to win 2 games to finish first. Despite achieving my first ever 600 series, we won only 1. It was now a tie. Sudden death roll-off time. Team to win best 2 out of 3 captures first place.

We lost the first sudden death game. Had to win the next 2 to retain and finish in first place. Like Monday night position round, every frame was an intense battle. Held firm and won the final 2 games.

After position round, the final night is roll-off and sweepers. Roll-off is the 1st half winner versus the 2nd half winner to determine league champion. Jason, my Wednesday night teammate for the past 6 years, was my opponent in last Monday's roll-offs.

Sweepers is the chance to earn cash payouts for high bowling scores of the night. It gives individual bowlers a chance for some extra cash if they bowl well. Nice way to end the season, too.

2017 California USBC State Championships

2017 California USBC Adult Championships
Country Club Bowl - San Rafael CA

As I did this past November, I bowled a state tournament. November was the Cal USBC Seniors tournament. Yesterday and today, the Adult Championships.

The lane conditions for this tournament were the most difficult I've bowled since my butt kicking at a local tournament that included young PBA phenom Darren Tang.

For this straight bowler, that's bad.

I bowled a dismal 391 on my team squad yesterday. In my first game this morning in doubles (see above photo), the struggle continued - 127.

Not to panic. I still had 5 games, and my team had the entire lane pair to ourselves. For me, it made for predictability and a faster pace. In other words, a lot less paralysis due to overanalysis.

Finished 3 games. On to singles. Made an adjustment on how I held the ball. It worked well. Bowled 213. Got a pink pin (given to women who bowled 200+). My teammate Monica got one too. She also killed it in brackets and sidepots (over $200).

My next 2 singles games weren't as high, but well enough that I finished with a 522 scratch series, 55 pins above my average. Tournament continues through June 18, so on the very remote chance I cash out, I'll have to wait until then.

Relaxed Bowling Grip Pressure

source: USBC Queens
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

Last week, I reached a new personal scratch series high, breaking the previous one I made 2 months ago. I also bowled 2 of 3 games of 200 or more.

This week, in the 6 years I've bowled 2 leagues, both teams are in first place. Monday, 1/2 game lead. Wednesday, tied. Position round for Monday night is tomorrow. Wednesday night league, next week.

I attribute this season's consistency to 2 easy adjustments my dense brain should have figured out years ago. Especially since the same principles can be applied to throwing a softball, gripping a bat and shooting a basketball - all sports I played long before I began competitive bowling.

Relaxed grip pressure and loose arm swing.

I couldn't do either until I added more tape to my thumb to maintain a snug fit. A loose fit forces a bowler to grab the ball and/or muscle the throw.

With some cool techno background music, here's how the elite women bowlers do it.

2016 - 2017 Bowling Stats - Season to Date

Monday night, Bel Mateo Bowl

Wednesday night, Classic Bowling Center

The above screenshots are taken from my Monday and Wednesday night leagues. It's my guess most bowlers don't know their weekly statistics, or like me, never really looked at them. Or you don't care because you're there for fun. Game and series score ranges are consistent across both leagues.

This past Wednesday, I set 2 personal records, 2 games above 200 in a series, and scratch series of 575. I have a total of 5 games of 200 or above for the 2016-17 season. Of the 5, I bowled 3 of them in the past 2 weeks.

Season in both leagues will end in 2 weeks, just before I head to Europe. Both teams in currently in 2nd. If we hang on, we'll be in contention to bowl for the bigger bucks in position round.

Wish me luck.

Give Back Box

source: GiveBackBox.com

As I prepare for next month's trip to Italy, Spain and France with new comfy shoes and another anti-theft bag, I need to clear out what will be replaced.

I recently found out the pile of boxes I've accumulated from countless online purchases I've made over the years can be put to good use through a donation site called Give Back Box.

Give Back Box's mission: The purpose of Give Back Box® is to provide an effortless and convenient method of donating your used household items. Give Back Box not only provides an easy way to be part of a truly good cause, it gives a secondary use to corrugated boxes and guarantees they will be recycled.. So this is an all-round CSR & Sustainability solution that costs you literally nothing.

The process is extremely easy. From the Give Back Box webpage, click the link to print out a UPS packing slip. Affix the packing slip to the box you'll use to return clothing, shoes or handbags.

My first donation - 3 year old backpack from eBags. I'll receive a $25 credit toward a future purchase. I've posted a screenshot of the other participating merchants.

Box hoarder no more.

South Carolina Basketball - Final Four x 2

source: ABC News
Dawn Staley
South Carolina Women's Basketball Coach

source: Sports Illustrated
Frank Martin
South Carolina Men's Basketball Coach

Congratulations to the South Carolina Gamecocks Women's and Men's basketball teams for making it to the Final Four.

The men's team lost yesterday to Gonzaga yesterday in one of the semi-final games, 77-73.

A few hours ago, the women's team defeated Mississippi State 67-55 in the championship game.

Buzzer Beater Victim 25 Years Apart - University of Kentucky

source: NCAA
Christian Laettner, Duke University

To Ashley Judd and longtime Kentucky basketball fans, please look away.

March 28, 1992.
Duke versus Kentucky, NCAA East Regional Final.

In overtime, Duke power forward/center Christian Laettner catches a 70-foot pass from (source: Wikipedia) from Grant Hill. Laettner dribbles once, turns around and from the the free throw line sinks the winning shot.

Final score: Duke 104, Kentucky 103.



March 26, 2017.
North Carolina versus Kentucky, NCAA South Regional Final.

Game is tied at 73-73. With less than 15 seconds left in the game, Kentucky's Malik Monk (source: Ricky O'Donnell, SB Nation) sinks a 3-pointer to tie the game. North Carolina regains possession with 7.2 seconds remaining. North Carolina forward Luke Maye receives the pass inside of the 3-point line. Shoots, scores with 0.3 seconds to win the game 75-73.

March Madness, indeed.

ESPN's E:60 Pin Kings

source: Vanity Fair
L: Alex DeCubas R: Kevin Pedersen

After spending most of the day watching March Madness, I switched to ESPN's E:60, a sports newsmagazine similar in concept to ESPN's excellent 30 for 30 series.

Originally aired in August 2016, Pin Kings is the story of wrestling teammates Alex DeCubas and Kevin Pedersen of Palmetto High School in Miami, Florida.

Without giving away too much, their careers after high school went in drastically different directions. Click here to read about the truth-is-stranger-than fiction story from ESPN writer Brett Forest with additional reporting by Jon Fish.

Here's the trailer:

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

source: Chicago Film Festival
L to R: Vera, Jill and Thomas Sung

After months of anticipation, I finally got to see the Steve James ("Hoop Dreams") directed documentary Abacus: Small Enough to Jail this past weekend.

From the Abacus movie website, "Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Abacus becomes the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indictment and subsequent trial forces the Sung family to defend themselves – and their bank’s legacy in the Chinatown community – over the course of a five-year legal battle."

On the surface, it's a David vs. Goliath story. Underneath, it's a complicated, nuanced, story of the Chinese (American and foreign-born) experience.

Which is exactly why I wanted and needed to see this film.

For those friends that couldn't attend but want to see the film, there's great news. It will be released in theaters June 2017, and it will be on a future showing on PBS's Frontline. GO SEE IT.

And if you still miss it, set aside your undivided attention for about 15 minutes and read Jiayang Fan's New Yorker article, The Accused. It's a great detailed read about Abacus which includes information about the Sung family that wasn't in the movie.

Here's the trailer:

Team Tang

source: PBA

For professional bowling fans who missed last week's USBC Masters, the winner of the tournament was no surprise (Jason Belmonte). But two of the finalists, brothers Darren and Michael Tang of San Francisco were.

The USBC Masters was Darren's second TV appearance within 3 months, only a few months after he got his PBA card. Michael is still an amateur.

To see how Team Tang made the stepladder finals, here's the shootout match with Martin Larsen and Bill O'Neill.

An Assist Away From The Basket

source: SFGate

As the weekend winds down, it has turned out to be one of the most memorable.

• Lunch with a longtime dear friend I don't see often enough. Made it extra special when he offered (I graciously accepted) to pick me up at my office. 

• San Jose State bowlers Darren and Michael Tang bowling in the stepladder finals at the USBC Masters. Fourth seed younger brother Michael defeated Martin Larsen and big brother Darren to lose to Jason Belmonte in the championship match. 

• Set a personal new high scratch series in my last squad at the Chinese-Japanese New Year tournament at 4th Street Bowl.

• Stephen Curry offers big assist during a team timeout. A female fan tried her hand at skee-ball to win some cash. She wasn't doing well and a towel-headed Steph sneaks in for the $5K assist. 

You the man, Steph.

Bowling's Big 4 Split Converted

Tomorrow for me will be business as usual. Work at 8 am, then league bowling at 6:30 pm. Therefore, no big 4-day weekend.

In bowling, the Big 4 is known as the 4-6-7-10 split. The closest I ever came was picking it up was to knock out the 6-10 (2 end pins on the right) that deflected to hit the 7 pin (far left pin).

PBA bowler Jason Sterner converted it in 2014:

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) - 2017

source: BAFTA.org

While most of the United States is likely watching the Grammy Awards, my remote will be switched to BBC America to watch the BAFTA awards.

If you've never watched a BAFTA awards show, it isn't all that much different than its American counterpart. Only with a distinct English tone.

Host for the 12th year in a row is Hugh Laurie's Jeeves and Wooster co-star, Stephen Fry.

2016 PBA Player of the Year - EJ Tackett

source: PBA
E.J. Tackett

No brainer here. He won the PBA World Championship in December (see December 11, 2016 entry) to finish with 4 PBA titles in 2016.

Congratulations to EJ Tackett, 2016's PBA Player of the Year.

And his dominating presence continues. He climbed the stepladder to win the 2017 DHC PBA Japan Invitational last month.

See for yourself.

Lunar New Year 2017 -Year of the Rooster

source: Google image search results

A minor, probably nit-picky gripe tonight. Yesterday began the new Lunar New Year (Rooster).

I may be ethnically Chinese, but am on a mission to stop calling it "Chinese New Year". Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia are among a few Asian countries that also celebrate the Lunar New Year as well.

I even found 4 of my first 5 Google search results for "Lunar New Year" show "Happy Chinese New Year" or "Happy Chinese Lunar New Year". Hoped it would change when I cleared my cache and logged off my Google account. It didn't.

End of gripe. I wish everyone Happy Lunar New Year to family and the friends I consider family. If you're reading this now, you're probably one of them.

Bowling Alley for Real Bowlers

source: etsy.com

Today's very rainy day brought out the kids and casual bowlers out in droves.

It can make Sunday practice for league bowlers a challenge.

We find ourselves on high alert for spilled drinks, food scraps, 5-6 people who aren't bowling standing on the lane approach, and, my biggest pet peeve - failure to observe lane courtesy.

Ever since I began bowling competitively, I've told a few bowling friends if I had tons of disposable income, I'd open a bowling alley just for bowlers.

Business model: run it like a gym with membership fees. Monthly, yearly, per game, 2 to 6 game packages for bowlers who can't commit to a conventional league.

Most importantly, the best way to weed out pizza parties: NO HOUSE SHOES, BALLS OR BUMPER GUARDS.

Leagues would be doubles and trios, special events would include no-tap, Monte Carlo (hit colored pins for money), mini tournaments, fund raisers, and special parties.

The concept may not be financially sustainable, but for me, it'd be the ultimate experience - bowling purely for sport.

'Wait Wait Don't Tell Me' - Guest Host Tom Hanks

source: Andrew Gill, NPR
L: Bill Kurtis, R: Tom Hanks

On my drive to bowling practice this morning, I was tickled to hear Tom Hanks (click blue box "Listen to Full Show") as guest host on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.

If you're not familiar with the program, here's the description from NPR's website:

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program. Each week on the radio you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up.

For trivia buffs like me, it's entertaining, educational, and best of all, lots of fun. Especially when Woody's the host.

NBC Asian America

source: Twitter @NBCAsianAmerica

A few months ago, I found my cousins followed on Facebook NBC Asian America. It wasn't long before I began following them too.

From their website:
ABOUT
"NBC Asian America Presents..." is a digital video channel by NBC Asian America that features original longform content and documentaries focused on themes and voices found in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

New videos and series can be watched at NBC Asian America, as well as NBC Asian America's Facebook page, NBC News' official YouTube channel, and the NBC News app available on mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

Launched in 2014 by NBC News, NBC Asian America is the country's first English-language national news resource dedicated to covering Asian American and Pacific Islander news, features, perspectives, and more. With the launch of "NBC Asian America Presents..." in 2016, NBC Asian America has grown into a robust multimedia platform for the AAPI community by the AAPI community.

Here's the trailer from their YouTube page:

Season Enders - Ohio State Buckeyes and San Francisco 49ers

source: Forbes.com
L to R: Jed York, Chip Kelly, Trent Baalke

Happy New Year!

The much highly anticipated Fiesta Bowl (College Football playoffs) match between Ohio State and Clemson turned to be a lopsided disaster for Buckeye Nation. Clemson dominated the entire game and shutout Ohio State, 34-0.

North of Arizona, the San Francisco 49ers lost their last game of the season to the Seattle Seahawks, 25-23. As reported from numerous news sources, San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York fired General Manager Trent Baalke and Head Coach Chip Kelly.

Less than a month ago (see December 4, 2016 entry), it was in my humblest of opinions that new ownership and/or management of the team is sorely needed to rebuild effectively long-term.

Hopefully, next year there will be the photo of 3 different faces when the 2017 NFL season begins.

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou 25 June 1963 - 25 December 2016

source: biography.com
George Michael

Prior to yesterday, music already lost this year:
January 10, David Bowie

January 18, Glenn Frey

April 6, Merle Haggard

April 21, Prince Edward Rogers

November 7, Leonard Cohen
(see November 13 blog entry).

Then we sadly hear on Christmas Day, George Michael.

For me, it wasn't until he began his solo career away from Wham! I found his music with a bit more of a soulful edge.

My favorites were with his duets with 2 R&B/soul legends.

Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", 1987.


And, Mary J. Blige, performing Stevie Wonder's "As", 1999.


Really hard not to listen without a head sway, toe taps, or finger snaps. Which I'm certain is how George would have wanted it.

2016 California State Seniors Bowling Tournament

source: cssba.net

UPDATE - December 21, 2016. Final results came in today. Steve and I finished 13th, Doubles Class C. We split $168.

Last month, my Sunday practice/Wednesday night teammate Steve and I bowled singles and doubles in our first senior state tournament at Steve Cook's Fireside Lanes in Rocklin (greater Sacramento).

All squads have completed bowling but results are not yet final. Steve and I are currently in 13th place, thanks to Steve's 658 scratch series. It was nice to know that after we bowled, teammates asked if I'd bowl next year's tournament in Modesto.

Absolutely.

2016 PBA World Series of Bowling VIII - ESPN3 Live Streaming

source: PBA
EJ Tackett

Congratulations to E.J.Tackett for winning this year's PBA World Championship. A remarkable feat as this was E.J.'s second straight year in the finals match. He lost to Gary Faulkner Jr. in 2015.

Previous winners Tom Smallwood (2009) and my fave Dom Barrett (2013) finished 2nd and 3rd. Jason Belmonte finished 4th and Anthony Simonsen 5th.

Today's match aired live on ESPN. Yesterday, the other 5 tournaments that make up the World Series took place.

Oil pattern names:
Chameleon, Cheetah, Scorpion, Shark, and Viper.

I spent most of the day watching them all live. But not on television. On my laptop.

How? On ESPN3, ESPN's online streaming service (cable/satellite subscription required). Yeah, the same service that makes available college football and basketball games you can't get on television.

As written in my February 7, 2016 posting:
There will always be complainers that want matches to air live on a broadcast network like ABC (as it did 50+ years ago) or CBS (instead of CBS Sports Network)

I'll put it gently. The 20th century ended 15 years ago. There are too many other sports venues with larger markets where bowling cannot compete. Not going to happen.

It may not have happened on TV, but for me, live on ESPN3 is a terrific 21st century solution.

San Francisco 49ers - 11th consecutive loss

The York Family with Eddie DeBartolo (3rd from left)
source: 49ers.com

It's been a terrible news week. On Friday, another former high school classmate, Danny, passed away. Yesterday, it was the Oakland Ghost Ship Warehouse fire. Today, it was the passing of another longtime Monday night league bowler, Jack.

And to add salt to the wound, the 49ers lost their 11th consecutive game versus the Chicago Bears, who were 2-9 going into today's game.

I have been critical of the York family's/GM Trent Baalke's ability to manage the team pretty much from the start. It's either been a clash with successful coaches (Steve Mariucci, Jim Harbaugh), or musical chairs with a series of coaches with mediocre or no head coaching experience in the NFL (Dennis Erickson, Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary, Jim Tomsula and current head coach Chip Kelly).

Dr. and Mrs. York, you owe it to longtime fans. Sell the team to people who know something about football.

2016 - Ohio State 30, Michigan 27, 2 OT's

source: OhioStateFootballTickets123.com

source: Ohio State Buckeyes Football

I've watched lots and lots of Ohio State - Michigan games. Many live up to the rivalry hype: intense, hard fought battles.

Up until yesterday, the most memorable game for me was my sophomore year in 1979. Members of the Ohio State team included:
- defensive backs coach/Marin county native and current Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.
- place kicker Vlade Janakievski, who was 2 years ahead of me at Whitehall-Yearling High School.
- quarterback Art Schlichter, who led the Buckeyes to a 18-15 win in Ann Arbor.

Add 2016 to the list. Down 17-7 in the 3rd quarter and 2 missed field goal attempts, Ohio State is able to tie the game with seconds left in regulation.

Like the 2003 BCS Championship (aka Tostitos Fiesta Bowl) versus Miami (Florida), it took 2 overtimes for the Buckeyes to capture the win, thanks to H-back Curtis Samuel's 2 runs in the last 3 plays of the game.

Courtesy of the Big Ten Network, here it is:

Ohio State vs. Michigan 2016

source: CBS Sports
AP Top 25 - week of November 20, 2016

Thanksgiving 2016 is quickly approaching. Short work week, gluttony and big gatherings with friends and family.

Then on Saturday, the long awaited college football showdown of the season: Ohio State versus Michigan.

Ohio State is currently ranked #2, Michigan, #3, something we haven't seen in many years.

Game will be played in Columbus. To get our Buckeye hearts racing and spirits fired up, l close with a video clip of The Ohio State University Marching Band's traditional entrance into Ohio Stadium. GO BUCKS!

Famous Blue Raincoat - The Songs of Leonard Cohen

source: Amazon
Jennifer Warnes - Famous Blue Raincoat
Featuring the songs of Leonard Cohen

Canadian born poet, songwriter and artist Leonard Cohen passed away this week at the age of 82.

His song "Hallelujah" is most recognized with mainstream audiences. Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, k.d. lang, and most recently, NBC's Saturday Night Live's Kate McKinnon are among a few that have performed the song.

Like Bob Dylan, I find listening to Cohen sing difficult. I'm among those that have to listen to covers from other artists to fully appreciate their lyrics and music.

One notable example: Jennifer Warnes.

Yes, the Jennifer who sang "Time of My Life" with Bill Medley and "Up Where We Belong" with Joe Cocker.

Released in 1986 and making Billboard's 200 in February 1987, "Famous Blue Raincoat" features 9 Leonard Cohen songs (2 co-written). My favorite song from the album is "First We Take Manhattan". Soaring vocals from Ms. Warnes and great guitar riffs from Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Eye Bags, Eyes Bag

PacSafe Citysafe CS 350, 2014

I spent most of yesterday focused on 2 words with 2 vastly different agendas: Eye and Bag.

1. Eye Bags - as in puffiness below my peepers due to allergies, touching or sad media stories, lack of sleep and middle age. I copiously scrutinized the face care aisles at CVS and Target for nearly 2 hours in search of the right relief treatment.

2. Eyes bag - as in search for a new handbag. 

Specifically, a backpack. The PacSafe Citysafe CS 350 I carry lacks the organized compartments needed for even distribution of weight in the pack (bottom heavy). I'd also have to grab the excess material from the top near the zipper in order to open the bag (see photo).

Must haves for all bags: durability, brand cache, carrying ease, AND, something that made me look like I had some fashion sense.

These were my strongest alternatives (so much so they were in my shopping carts):

source: Amazon
Michael Kors Kempton Nylon Tote, size M

Michael Kors Kempton Nyton Tote, size Medium. 

Pros: Nylon material, lightweight, easy to clean. 

Dual exterior pockets

Cons: No water bottle pocket, only 1-2 interior pockets for organization.

source: Amazon
Timbuk2 Commute Messenger, size S

Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag, size Small.

Pros: Lots of storage compartments, side water bottle pocket, durability, additional zipped storage within flap.

Cons: Look is too masculine for my tastes, bulky bag size.

source: eBags
Patagonia Mini Messenger

Patagonia Mini Messenger

Pros: Full storage access within flap, side water bottle pocket, durability, size.

Cons: Too casual.

After 10 hours and recharges to my phone and laptop from all the web surfing, I pulled the trigger. Bought the little sister of the PacSafe CS 350 I currently use - the PacSafe CS 300.

source: Amazon
PacSafe Citysafe CS 300

Why? 

Cost - Amazon offers it for $20 less than most other sites. With Prime, I get free shipping and it arrives in 2 days. I also saved $40 using my American Express Reward Points and Amazon Gift Card.

Convenience - I carry it for everything. Work, weekends, travel, hands free, and makeshift defense weapon if needed. The CS 300 is 1" smaller with a shorter shoulder strap drop and has 2 additional zippered storage pockets my CS 350 doesn't have.

Once I get the bag, I'm fully aware I'll encounter the same issues with the CS 300 as I did with the CS 350. That's OK. I already know what to expect.

Orleans in Vegas - Hawaiian Invitational

2016 Hawaiian Invitational
1st squad scores

After a 2-week absence, I have returned. I missed October 16 due to a 7+ hour storm related power outage in my neighborhood. On October 23, I was in Las Vegas bowling my first Hawaiian Invitational.

The Hawaiian Invitational is an annual bowling tournament held at the Orleans Hotel. This is the same place where Liz Johnson won this summer's PWBA Las Vegas Open.

Like the Asian American Bowling Association (AABA) tournaments I bowl at 4th Street Bowl in San Jose and National Bowling Stadium in Reno, a participating bowler must be of Chinese or Japanese ancestry, or bowl in a Chinese or Japanese league.

In my long gone softball days, the big Asian tournament invitational hard core players attended was Sumitomo in Sacramento. I had informal invitations to come watch, but never got invited to play.

Of the Asian tournaments I bowl, the Hawaiian Invitational has the most participants (all 70 lanes at the Orleans are taken). Roster submissions begin early in the year, and payment (room, optional meal plan and tournament costs) must be paid in April, 6 months before the tournament date in October.

Above is a photo of my team's 1st squad scores. If you've ever bowled in leagues and tournaments, you'll notice scores are 4 games, rather than the usual 3. Overall, we didn't do badly, but total pins with handicap, was at least 500 pins from the top team scores.

For most bowlers, the best perk of the tournament is the doubles jackpot. You can choose anyone bowling the same squad time as a partner. The fee is only $3 per bowler with no limits on partners. Bowl well enough and a $6 team investment can result in over $1K prize money. Not to worry, the usual bracket and side pot bets are available too.

I had loads of fun. I consider these tournaments as reunions. It's great to see people you once bowled with in league or in other tournaments. Between squads, there's plenty of time to hit the casinos and slot machines, catch a movie in the hotel's multiplex cinema, or eat yourself silly at the buffet or any of the hundreds of nearby restaurants.

In the words of T-800 Model 101, "I'll be back."

Bimmer Bumper Boo Boo

my car's boo boo

blog entry: January 3, 2016

Two Saturdays ago, I was on my way home from bowling practice. As I was about to make a right turn from King Drive to Skyline Boulevard in Daly City, a young woman (about 27) rear ended me. Fortunately, it was only a hard tap. My car didn't shake or jerk on impact.

blog entry: January 3, 2016

She initially offered to pay cash for the damage and asked me not to file insurance as I was the second person she hit.

I said no. Once she accepted that I would contact my insurance company, she said she'd text me her insurance information. True to her word, I got proof of insurance within 2 hours of the accident. I filed the claim over the phone shortly afterwards.

Because of urgent deadlines the following week at work, I wasn't able to get the car to the body shop until Thursday.

I am currently driving a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (same color as the photo below) as my loaner until the body work is completed. The Santa Fe isn't a bad car, but it's not mine. I miss my car's handling and acceleration. Most of all, I miss driving a manual transmission.

I called the body shop yesterday. They sounded pretty certain my car will be ready tomorrow. I certainly hope so.

source: Car Connection
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

BMW Films - Return of The Driver

source: BMW Films
Clive Owen as The Driver

I bought my first BMW in 1998. I bought my third BMW in 2016 (see January 3, 2016 entry).

My first Clive Owen sighting was a 1999 neo-noir film called "Croupier".

Major crush on Clive. Big love for the BMW.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect match when in 2001, BMW announced a film series called "The Hire". The driver for hire?  The ultra-cool Mr. Owen.

The films did not disappoint. A partial list of actors and directors:

Ray Liotta, Don Cheadle, Gary Oldham, John Frankenheimer, Ang Lee, Guy Ritchie and Wong Kar-Wai. 

This past week, BMW announced a new film to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of "The Hire". Clive Owen reprises his role as The Driver. The film debuts October 23, 2016.

If you haven't seen them, the films are great short stories that highlight why BMW's are ultimate driving machines. I've included 2 of my favorites from the series.

1. "Chosen". Clive's co-star is Ang Lee's son, Mason.


2. Probably the funniest and most popular in The Hire series, "Star".
Guy Ritchie directs his former wife in the title role.
When the camera closes in on The Driver's hand toggling the gearshift in neutral, Madonna's gonna be in for a memorable ride.

PBA Fall Swing - Wolf Open

source: PBA
Tom Daugherty

The 2016 PBA Fall Season debuted last week on CBS Sports Network with the Wolf Open at Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Michigan (greater Detroit area).

Congratulations to Tom Daugherty, who began as the 4th seed and climbed his way up the stepladder finals to defeat top seed Francois Lavoie.

Here's the title match:

Noah Brown's catch - Ohio State vs. Oklahoma

source: 247 sports

Big congratulations to Ohio State's win over Oklahoma 45-24.

Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Noah Brown had probably the biggest game of his career, scoring 4 touchdowns.

It was the third touchdown Noah made that'll be the talk of college football for the season and many years to come.

See for yourself.


O-H! I-O!