Rice bowl with top

Today I left the office early for my annual OBGYN appointment. The doctor's office is on California Street in the Inner Richmond district. After my visit, I headed a few blocks west for a late lunch at one of my favorite Asian restaurants, Mandalay. I hadn't been there in awhile and needed to get my Lap Pat Dok (tea leaf salad) fix.

Luckily, they were still serving lunch and I ordered the special combination Tea Leaf Salad and Basil Chicken. Delicious. After I got my complimentary soup, they brought out my combination with a bowl of rice, just like the one shown in the picture. What I liked was that the bowl had its own lid, something I'd only seen with larger rice bowls.

I'm not sure why, but I found the small bowl with lid concept to be simple yet ingenious. The lid keeps the rice moist and warm. It made me immediately think of my family dinners in New York's Chinatown, as Dad always takes an empty rice bowl and puts it on top of the remaining rice in another bowl.

It typifies what I admire so much in Asian design: practicality, compactness and elegance.

70th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

image source: Society for American Baseball Research

As we celebrate our nation's anniversary, I am moved to find out that today is the seventy-year anniversary of Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech. Reprinted from Lou Gehrig's website:
--
"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.

"Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I'm lucky.

"When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that's something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies - that's something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter - that's something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body - it's a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that's the finest I know.

"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
--
While the video does not broadcast the entire speech, I cannot watch the video with dry eyes. The speech is being commemorated today at 15 Major League ballparks.

Come to me, my pretty...

As Tweeted earlier today, I got my car back from the body shop this afternoon. The car was only gone 5 days, but I missed driving it so much. My rental, a Nissan Versa, wasn't a bad car. It has more headroom, trunk space, and higher visibility than my Bimmer, but it simply doesn't handle and drive as well. It's been my ultimate driving machine for the past 5 1/2 years.

Just a few things I missed: taut steering, the accelerating power and sound of the car's STRAIGHT 6-cylinder engine, stability, suspension, the firm leather seats, the lighted vanity mirror on the driver's side, thermometer (especially in summer to see the wide temperature ranges in the SF Bay Area), and most of all, the manual shifting. And because I would have to push the accelerator hard on the Versa to get decent power, the gas mileage wasn't that much better than my car under typical driving conditions. I know I'm among the minority that drive and enjoy driving stick shift, but for me, it isn't really driving without it.

Welcome home.

It's just a flesh wound...

Yesterday, as mentioned on Twitter, my bumper suffered a scratch leaving an always insane parking lot at the Marina Shopping Center just off Hillsdale Boulevard in San Mateo.

I headed back to the office and drove to AAA's location on Delaware Street. Since it had been 9 years since I last had any body work done, the office explained they no longer have agents filing claims in person. It was all done over the phone. They thoughtfully took into account there'd be people like me who actually still tried to drive to the claims office, as I was offered to go to a cubicle that had 2 phones and could file the claim from there. I graciously accepted their offer.

While on the phone with the claims representative, we were discussing which body shop I wanted to use. Believe it or not, my encyclopediaic memory couldn't recall the body shop I last used 9 years ago. They worked on my last car twice and loved the results both times . Lo and behold, the claims rep said she could look into my file history and found it.

Near the end of the claims process, my cell phone was ringing with a number I didn't recognize. It was Hertz, already checking with me to arrange to the rental I'll need once the car goes into the body shop.

This will be the 6th time in 26 years I will need to have body work done on my car. For living in a densely populated area, it's not unusual. Thus, the reason why rates are considerably higher than what they would be in Columbus, OH. I like the progress that's been made in servicing claims. It's still going to be a hassle, but much less of one than I've had previously.

Microfiber towel - Aquis

A few minutes ago, I ordered from Amazon.com a large Aquis towel. I first bought these as gym towels for my workouts at USF's Koret Center. These now hang next to my bath towel at home.

Why now at home? Well, for many years, I used 2 bath towels (1 for shampooing, the other for drying the rest of me). Because they are very large and hang on the same rack, they take longer to dry. Once I no longer needed the Aquis towels (my current gym supplies towels as part of my membership), they were sitting in my closet not getting much use. I decided to give them a trial run, reducing the bath towel count to 1.

It's been at least 3 months and I haven't gone back. I bring out a fresh Aquis towel and throw the used one in the wash. My weekly laundry loads are now a lot lighter (especially in the dryer) and don't feel so burdensome to do. I pull the washed Aquis towel out to air dry, which by the next day can be put away. I can't do that with a bath towel. While Aquis does sell towels specifically for shampooing, I buy their adventure (darker colored) towels because they don't show dye remnants after I get my hair colored.

My highest bowling score ever, 221

Location: Lane 23, Mel's/Redwood Lanes, Redwood City, CA.
Date and Time: May 15, 2009, 7:30 p.m., game 5 of 6.

Last night, I bowled my highest game ever. As seen in the picture, 221. This would have been the last game I ever expected to bowl over 200.

Why? A group of teens were put next to me (Lane 22) into my 4th game. They were clueless about lane courtesy. Most of them were standing on the lane. The youngest one, a boy about 11, stood in my lane and crossed into it several times. It wasn't until the same boy ran up and bowled just as I was in my approach, a staff member took the kids aside and explained to them their actions were distracting me. By then, I was steamed but was determined to finish the game and leave.

When I bowl alone, I often go too fast and don't pace myself. My highest scores have taken place with groups because I have to wait for my turn. I felt hungry and annoyed. I decided to order chicken tenders to help me settle down. Bowled a strike in the first frame. Nibbled on chicken tenders. Then 2 more strikes. Nibbled more chicken. The teens began to notice and got excited when I got to my 5th strike (5-bagger). Then in the 6th, 7th and 8th frames, I didn't spare or strike (open frames) but did get 8 pins each time.

Because I had 3 consecutive open frames, I didn't give much thought about reaching 200. Until I bowled a strike in the 9th frame. I then saw my score was at 191, my previous all-time high. I bowled 3 strikes in the 10th frame, clapped really hard and took a look at my final score. I got so excited I had to go over to the couple I see on Fridays and tell them my score. They both came over and looked at the scoreboard and offered their congratulations as well. The boy who bowled in front of me told me I was awesome. Snapped the picture of the scoreboard. Tweeted and sent the pic to Facebook.

I decided to bowl one more game, just to see how well or poorly I'd do afterwards. Not shabby. It was 181. Called it a night. When I was getting ready to leave, the staff member who spoke to the kids apologized about what they did.

Bowler chick, a la Wade Boggs, has arrived.

Bath cabinet

About a month ago, I tagged along with Josh and Amy to Ikea in Emeryville. I fully intended not to buy anything, but saw a bath cabinet (as seen here) that I really liked. Solid wood, espresso color. Would match the sink cabinet in my bathroom now. Ended up buying it.

When I got the cabinet home, it wasn't assembled right away. But 2 weeks ago, I got it put up and this is what it looks like in my bathroom. Pretty snazzy.

Introducing Kim, Angry Asian Girl

My cubicle mates Gromit and my magnetic "lobstah" from Boston have a new friend. Her name is, Kim, a.k.a. Angry Asian Girl. Former UC Berkeley student Lela Lee created Angry Asian Girl in 1994. I first came across Kim at my favorite neighborhood gift store, Tutti Frutti.

The cartoon on this tote bag (as seen here) was my introduction to Kim's sassy attitude. I laughed so hard probably because I saw a bit (OK, a lot) of myself when I'm not in such a great mood.

I admire Kim because she says things I would like to say but couldn't, wouldn't and shouldn't. Especially if I want to remain the upstanding, well-loved person I have been for so many years (snicker if you like, as this keeps my ego in check).

Kim now has other friends (Wanda, Deb, Maria and Xyla) and a meathead of a boyfriend named Bruce. Check them all out at the Angry Little Girls website.

Springing forward

I haven't written in the past 2 weeks because for me there were changes other than setting our clocks an hour ahead a few weeks ago. And I'll leave it at that. My close friends and family know the details. Entries for the next month or so may be sporadic.

Other than my intentionally cryptic announcement, I just joined for the first time in almost 30 years, a formal bowling league at Bel Mateo (very close to work). Signed a membership card, paid dues ($20/year), and bowled 3 games tonight with 3 guys: Jeff, Dave and Mike, who happen to be all awesome bowlers. I forgot how much fun league bowling is. It's more fun than it is competitive, lots of camaraderie and support. Relaxed pace enough that one can socialize with fellow bowlers.

Not that I didn't enjoy my time playing softball, but I wish I would have gotten into league bowling a lot sooner. I am probably having more fun now than I did 30 years ago. Since I began bowling Thursday lunch with the office in February, I've gone 2-3 times a week. I've become hopelessly addicted to the game.

It's not easy being green

Since San Francisco began banning plastic bags about a year or so ago, I bought reusable grocery bags to store in the trunk of my car. My office is located next to Whole Foods and got into the habit of using a reusable bag whenever I went there for lunch.

Or tried. I often would forget to bring it or not bother at all because it was too big for the few items I'd buy for lunch. I later bought a smaller bag specifically for lunch. But again, I'd forget the bag was stored in one of my desk drawers.

Then I found an even smaller and foldable lunch bag as pictured in this blog entry. It cost me only about $2 and easily stores in my purse. Even if I take out only my wallet on my way to lunch, the bag is always near the wallet as my reminder to pull both out.

Whole Foods gives you the option to donate or deduct 5 cents whenever you bring in your own bag. I've brought the bag in often enough that it will pay for itself very soon (if it hasn't already).

The bag is the perfect size and always fits my lunch purchases very neatly. There's even a side mesh pocket to hold a bottled beverage and separates it from hot food. While I'm far from being a poster child of green, having this foldable bag comforts me in knowing I am contributing in a small way.

Bowler Chick

Since I've blathered on all week about getting back into bowling, my new ball came in today. Immediately after getting the ball, I headed to Presidio Bowl to try out the ball. I bowled terribly.

First, I realized that holding your own ball is not the same as holding a house ball. Second, bend my knees. Third, release the ball a bit earlier to get a better follow through.

My sister Cindy comes in tomorrow and I'll be off work (but accessing email regularly) until next Thursday. I want to squeeze in one more practice session to work on a consistent release, which is my biggest problem right now.

But most importantly, I've got the pretty ball and flashy shoes now. I may not bowl like a pro, but I'm having a ton of fun looking like one.

Bowling in style

For those of you that follow me regularly on Facebook and Twitter, I've been writing about my excitement of getting back into bowling regularly through a group organized at work.

At the recommendation of my colleagues Albert and Scott, I went online yesterday to bowlersparadise.com. They told me Bowlers Paradise had the best price and selection. I checked out at least 2 shoe and 2 other bowling websites. Shoe websites had cheaper prices, but lousy selection. Other bowling websites had a lot to choose from, but higher priced than Bowlers Paradise.

The shoes in the picture, Elite Athena, in black and hot pink, were the ones I selected. There were 2 other color combinations available, but I wanted some flash. When I got to the checkout section of the shopping cart, I was a bit surprised to be charged $10.95 for shipping, but figured it would have been the same had I ordered a ball, which is much heavier and larger than shoes.

I didn't regret my decision one bit. Bowlers Paradise is located in Sacramento and they shipped my shoes FedEx overnight. I got them shortly after 10 a.m. today, about an hour before I was ready to head out to bowl. The shoes fit comfortably right away and there is a ton of padding around the opening. Everyone noticed them and complimented me on how cool they looked.

Then it was lane time. Aside from Wii bowling, the last time I bowled was about 4 years ago at an outing with my previous company. I bowled a bunch as a kid and was in organized leagues in junior high and through my employer while I was a student at Ohio State. I had my own ball in college (fuschia/hot pink) but not my own shoes.

Now, with my own shoes, but no ball, and some practice on form playing Wii, I actually did a bit better. Scores were 132 and 129. My average in college was never more than 120. I once bowled a 191 (and got a trophy for high women's score - scratch), but I could easily bowl 90 the next game.

Just like it was in college, I had so much fun and got so amped afterwards, I am seriously considering buying a new ball. As much as I'd like to order it online, buying a ball through a pro shop is still the way to go. One needs the tactile experience (feel of the ball, an expert to fit and properly drill the finger holes, etc.)

As it was in softball, I knew I was a die hard carrying my own bag with cleats, mitt and bat. I see myself going down that road with bowling. Already got the shoes. If I get a ball, there's no way I won't have one without a bag.

Memories of Jong Mea - continued

This morning, I got another very nice comment on the Jong Mea posting I wrote in February 2007. It was from someone who patronized the Columbus location back in the 70's. What made this comment exceptional was that it was from Doug Ritter (Ritterling), a former radio disc jockey in Columbus (WCOL-AM 1230) and San Francisco (KITS-FM 105.3), the only 2 cities I consider as home.

Doug wrote:
Lani-
I believe that you were working the register the night I proposed to my wife in 1978. Jong Mea was our favorite restaurant and a perfect place for me to propose. I was a disk jockey for 1230 WCOL, (the studios were a few blocks down Broad Street) so we stopped at Jong Mea often after I got off the air. Pamela and I are still happily married after nearly 29 years! We still point out the old building to our three kids whenever we visit the city. Perhaps its time for a new Jong Mea?
Thanks for the good times!
Doug Ritter (Ritterling) St, Louis, MO

Well, Doug, if you find this blog posting, I'm speechless at how much our restaurant meant to you. Wow, you proposed to Pamela at our restaurant. Your former radio station holds equally special memories for me as I was a big fan of WCOL-AM in my early teens. In fact, it was the station that got me exposed to Top 40 radio.

During the summer of 1974, I got a bit of spending money thanks to WCOL. The disc jockey called my house at random and asked if I knew how much was in the jackpot. I said I didn't know. The deejay asked me to guess, and I blurted, "$150". It happened to be the correct amount during bonus hour, which I got $300. My mom picked up the check for me at the station. It was the highlight of my summer vacation.

Thank you, Doug, for sharing such a wonderful memory.

Ancient Chinese secret (and it isn't rocket science)

As I twittered today, I am still flabbergasted as the number of novice chopstick users who insist on holding them from the center and then seeing the sticks cross each other. NO NO NO NO NO. You may as well start counting how many times the food MISSES the mouth. The YouTube video embedded on this blog entry is very short and sweet, and is exactly the way I use chopsticks.

Hey, I appreciate that your attempt to use them is your way of recognizing my ancestry. But it pains me to see how awkward it looks on you. Next week is Chinese New Year so if you want to impress your Asian friends, you better start practicing now.

Jong Mea - Indianapolis, IN

Almost 2 years ago in February 2007, I wrote a blog posting about my family's restaurant, Jong Mea. Today, I got another nice comment from someone who patronized the Mansfield, OH location. I am so honored to hear from those who have commented have such fond memories of our restaurant.

The picture shown on the left, courtesy of flickr.com compatriot Namey McNamerson, is the dining room of the Indianapolis location. I didn't spend as much time here as I did in Columbus, as my parents didn't manage the Indianapolis location until the late 80's.

Again, to those of you who have written, thank you so much for sharing your memories. My parents will be excited to hear that you enjoyed your time at Jong Mea.

In search of shades

OK, I admit it. I am very brand conscious when it comes to sunglasses. I used to buy sunglasses off the department store rack for about $20. I didn't quite get why anyone would spend $50 or more on a pair of sunglasses. Until I got tired of scratched lenses and stretched out frames year after year. I decided I would splurge and got my first pair of Vuarnets. I had them for about 3 years until I left them on a softball field never to be seen again.

I got another pair of Vuarnet, then Revo, Ray-Ban, Oakley, and the current brand for the fashion conscious, Maui Jim. Since the Oakleys, I have gotten very particular about what I buy. My small face requirements include the following:

• Eye size no more than 50 mm
• Bridge size no more than 17 mm
• Temple length no more than 135 mm
• Nose pads that keep the lenses from hitting my cheeks
• Spring hinges preferred

My last pair of prescription glasses often drove me nuts because the bridge size was 21 mm and brushed against the inner eyelid, often fogged up and found myself constantly taking them off. My current pair fit so well (no fog up and no taking off) that I'm using those measurements to find the right pair of sunglasses. Which I find to be difficult, because most Maui Jim eye size frames I like are too big.

But tonight I got lucky. I found on eBay, a discontinued style, Bikini, that meets my size requirements for a fraction of the original retail price. I ordered them tonight and should get them later this week. I'm retiring my current pair of Maui Jims because they lack spring hinges and are starting to feel stretched out after 5 years of wear. Tightening the temple screws helps only slightly for a short time.

Can't wait to get them.

Watching reruns not on TV

Before heading out to Christmas dinner at Pauline's a few days ago, I spent my downtime online. If you haven't already figured it out by now, I'm online constantly. Even a lot longer than I am watching TV anymore. Don't let my athletic tendencies fool you. I, Lani Chin, consider myself a full-fledged honorary and proud member of geekdom.

But what I did online was watch TV. I was at Hulu.com, watching reruns of a favorite NBC program in the 70's (1972-1979), "Emergency!". While it was actor Robert Fuller as Dr. Kelly Brackett, F.A.C.S. (right of center in blog pic) that got top billing, it was Randolph Mantooth as Fireman John Gage (center) that brought hormone overloaded teenage girls like me to watch the program every Saturday night.

A similar site to Hulu.com, Joost.com also features films and TV shows. The best part: both sites allow you to view the shows for FREE. I took a look at Joost last night and found, for me, it doesn't offer as much as Hulu. Hulu also has many other current TV programs (Family Guy, Fringe, Chuck, Heroes) and feature films also available for viewing.

It's a great option when there's nothing interesting currently on TV to watch. Check it out sometime.

Hell On Wheels

Pictured to the left is the latest in the fleet of junk from the neighbors from hell. I have to admit the noise and seedy visitors have all but disappeared.

I think the C.W. Nevius column in the San Francisco Chronicle published a few weeks back really did make an impact. Compared to what it was previously, it's a major improvement. However, the house still sticks out like a sore thumb.

The dilipidated truck with the white and blue covers in the driveway hasn't moved. An old washer that looks like it hasn't worked in 30 years sits on the wall to the right of the stairs leading to the house.

I wouldn't be surprised to find the truck gone in the next few weeks because it isn't DMV registered. Slow but measurable progress is being made.

A Matter of Loaf and Death

I've been a HUGE Wallace and Gromit fan for about 15 years. So when I found out there's a new short feature film (like "A Close Shave" and "The Wrong Trousers") that is debuting on December 3, I got all excited. Problem is, it will only be shown in the U.K. and Australia. No date announced as to when it will be available in the U.S. It's likely this will be featured later in 2009 in an animation film festival.

I'm glad to hear that creator Nick Park has returned to the short feature format. While I did like "Curse of the Were Rabbit" very much, the short features have a lot of charm, wit and sight gags packed into 30 to 60 minutes that a full length feature tends to drag out. And while Mr. Park stresses this is being tailored for British audiences, I think that's great. Much of the charm of Wallace and Gromit is because it is very British.

Jolly good.

Neighborhood Nuisance, part 2

As mentioned in my last blog posting, my neighbors across the street were likely the subject in a recent San Francisco Chronicle column. The picture from that entry was taken in June. The picture showing in today's entry was taken 2 days ago.

It does look like some effort is being made to spruce up the house. The house was painted about 2 months ago, but there hasn't been any progress since. The upper right window displaying a fan is still broken. The dilapidated truck in the driveway is now covered loosely with blue and white covers. There's still debris scattered around the outside areas.

This past week, a camper shell from a truck was sitting on the curb in front of the house. It moved to the sidewalk yesterday. Today, there is a bunch of metal debris sitting where the camper shell was. As I vented on my Twitter postings this past week, the sound of someone rummaging glass in the garbage bins could be heard for several hours late Thursday night.

Come on. I don't live in Pacific Heights or St. Francis Woods but I consider my neighborhood, the Inner Sunset, to be nice and a desirable place to live. It's inconsiderate, uncaring bums like my neighbors that rob me of my homeowner pride in one of the most desirable cities in the world.

Next step: Notify the Department of Health about the eyesore sitting in the driveway. Slowly but surely the problem will be eradicated. I want my peace and quiet.