Black Friday 2014 - Samsung Smart TV

Samsung TV remote

As tweeted earlier this week, I splurged again for a big ticket home item. First the buffet, then the clothing armoire, and now a new TV.

I got a new TV because I watched most of last weekend's Niners game with the right half of the screen dimmed. It would usually go away if I turned off and on the TV. But it didn't this time. My Toshiba Regza 47" is almost 8 years old, so I knew the problem was only going to get worse.

I spent the next few days conducting my own due diligence as to what would be my next TV.

My requirements:
- Samsung or Sony
- LED/LCD flatscreen (no Ultra 4K yet)
- 48" minimum screen size
- 1080p
- internet access and ability to set up apps such as Skype, YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime
- price not to exceed $750
- order it before Thanksgiving

It then came down to where I'd buy the TV - Amazon or Best Buy. I loved Best Buy's offer on all TV's with at least a 51" screen would get free delivery, setup and haul old TV off for recycling. Earliest date I could get the TV would have been today.

I ended up going to Amazon. As an Amazon Prime member, I'd get free shipping and delivery by Black Friday, 2 days sooner than Best Buy's earliest date. It would arrive in time to watch Saturday's Ohio State-Michigan game.

I chose a Samsung 48" LED 6350 series 1080p Smart TV with a quad processor. I used my remaining American Express Membership Rewards points which helped me keep the total price (tax included) under $600 -- 1/2 the cost of the old TV bought in 2006. I'll put the old TV out curbside for donation this week.

My housemate Wil brought in the TV while I was out at bowling practice. When I got home shortly before noon, he helped me take out the TV from the box, assemble the stand and turn on the TV. I was surprised at how much lighter the new TV was than the old one. So light in weight that I was able to place it under one arm and hold it without much effort.

Here's what the setup screens looked like:

The setup instructions were extremely easy. Once the stand was assembled, it took no more than 5 minutes to get the TV on.

Smart TV access is not yet installed due to the terrible wifi connection in the living room. A wifi repeater and ethernet connectors are on order which should strengthen the wifi connection.

Until then, access to Amazon Prime films and YouTube is on hold for now. Can't wait.

Farewell to the Flan Man

source MiLB.com

San Francisco Giants nation has suffered 2 losses in the past 2 days. Yesterday, 3rd baseman and 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval signed a 5-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Today, Giants 3rd base coach Tim Flannery announced his retirement. Most Giants fans know 'Flan' for his band, The Lunatic Fringe, and their involvement in community events, most notably, their work in assisting Bryan Stow, a Giants fan severely injured in a parking lot at Dodgers stadium in March 2011.

In his role as 3rd base coach, Flan is famous for his animated, enthusiastic directions to Giants baserunners. During the 2014 post season, he amused fans with his overestimation of Buster Posey's baserunning speed. Posey was thrown out at home 3 times.

My favorite memory of Tim Flannery was on May 25, 2013 in a home game versus the Colorado Rockies. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Giants were down 5-4. Angel Pagan hits a deep driving shot into right field, enabling baserunner Brandon Crawford to score and tie the game. Flannery appears near the end of the video clip. He frantically waves Pagan home while in a sprint alongside Pagan on the way to a walk-off inside-the-park home run to win the game 6-5. For me, it was the most memorable moment for the 2013 season.



Man oh man, Flan. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your family. I'm going to miss you and Pablo so much.

2014 World Series Film

source: SF Examiner

Last Monday (November 10) Fox Sports 1 aired 2014's World Series Film. As I did in 2012, I recorded it on my DVR when it re-aired Wednesday morning.

I immediately watched when I got home from bowling and watched it again the next evening. The DVD is on order at Amazon and will be available to ship on November 25.

Like I did with the 2012 World Series film, I'll probably watch the DVR recording at least once a week for the next year.

As mentioned in my November 25, 2012 entry, the team that wins the World Series usually chooses a well-known actor who is an avid fan of the team.

For the 2010 film, it was Rob Schneider. 2012, Benjamin Bratt. 2013 (Boston Red Sox), Ben Affleck. This year's narrator, Colin Hanks.

The 2012 film ended with a very funny segment of Giants players doing Hunter Pence impersonations. For 2014, players did impersonations of none other than NLCS and World Series MVP, Madison Bumgarner.

Below is a video clip. Performances by Bruce Bochy, Jeremy Affeldt, Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, Bumgarner's post season housemate Tim Hudson, Javier Lopez, 2012's subject Hunter Pence, and Michael Morse.

Moving in, phase III: Self-Espressions

TV stand

Shoe Cabinet

As I'm gradually settling in and unpacking the rest of my boxes, you may have noticed I'm very partial to furniture in an espresso color.

Bathroom Wall Cabinet

Bed

Coffee Table

Rack of hooks

The latest piece of "espression", a clothing armoire, will arrive in the next 2 to 3 weeks.

My Favorite Highlights of SF Giants' 2014 Post Season

source: SFGiants.com
L to R: Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence

Without a doubt, Madison Bumgarner dominated the 2014 post season. Without him, San Francisco does not get a third World Series title in 5 years.

But the humble Bumgarner will tell you as well as all Giants players and management, they credit their success as a team effort.

For example, 3rd baseman Pablo Sandoval batted .366 with 26 hits. Right fielder and media darling Hunter Pence batted .333 with 22 hits. If Bumgarner hadn't overwhelmed with his cyborg like statistics: 52.2 innings pitched, 7 appearances, 6 of them starts (including a complete game shutout), a stingy 1.03 ERA, Pence or Sandoval would have been a shoo-in for World Series or NLCS MVP.

Pitching, defense and "small ball" were the key components for the Giants to capture World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014. In the photo for this blog entry, 3 of the 4 players - Bumgarner, Sandoval, and Posey have played on all 3 championship teams. None are yet at the age of 30. Pence, with 2 World Series rings, is the oldest at 31.

So I'll close out with my favorite highlights of the San Francisco's 2014 post season run to the World Series.

NLCS, Game 5, bottom 9th inning.
Left fielder (natural 1st baseman) Travis Ishikawa hits a 3-run walk-off home run to win the National League pennant. See October 17 blog entry.



World Series, Game 7, top 3rd inning.
Rookie 2nd baseman Joe Panik dives for a smash off Kansas City's Eric Hosmer. Not only does Panik stop the ball, he flips the ball from his glove hand to shortstop Brandon Crawford to force out baserunner Lorenzo Cain. Crawford is then able to relay a strong throw to 1st baseman Brandon Belt. The initial call of safe at 1st base is overturned and changed to a double play. The momentum the Royals had gathered until the double play suddenly ended.



World Series, Game 4, bottom 5th inning.
Giants are down 4-3. Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson makes an awesome diving catch in shallow center field off Giants batter Juan Perez. Hunter Pence, on 3rd base knows Dyson is going to have a hard time making a strong throw to home plate after the diving catch. Pence tags up and scores to tie the game 4-4.



World Series, Game 4, top 6th inning.
Score is tied 4-4. Brandon Belt fields a ground ball hit by Kansas City's Nori Aoki. Belt touches 1st base, then throws to Crawford who relays a strong throw back to Belt to complete the 3-6-3 double play.



Wild Card Elimination Game, top 1st inning.
A do-or-die game and the first playoff game for the Giants, Brandon Crawford's grand slam home run at PNC Park to start the game sets the stage for another successful run to a third World Series title in five years.



Honorable Mention, Michael Morse. NLCS Game 5, bottom 8th inning and World Series Game 7, top 4th inning.
His home run in NLCS Game 5 ties the game at 3-3 versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
His RBI single in World Series Game 7 allows Pablo Sandoval to score and break the 2-2 tie in the top of the 4th inning, ends up being the final score and enables San Francisco to win their third World Series Championship in 5 years.



Special thanks to G4MarchMadness for the terrific YouTube videos.

Quest for Three: Congratulations San Francisco Giants, 2014 World Series Champions

source: posterrevolution.com

And now, 2014.


YES! YES! YES!


You guys rock.

Big, big congratulations to 2014 NLCS and World Series MVP/Stud, Madison Bumgarner, for his outstanding post season efforts.


Bumgarner, along with 7 other Giants active on the 2014 World Series roster were members of the 2010 and 2012 teams.


Jeremy Affeldt
Santiago Casilla
Tim Lincecum
Javier Lopez
Buster Posey
Sergio Romo
Pablo Sandoval

Dynasty? In the age of the 162 game schedule, free agency and wild card playoffs, it's pretty damn close.

Moving in, phase II

Den - Office - Storage

Bedroom

Three weeks in, I am about two-thirds unpacked. The only room I haven't completely unpacked is the den. Originally built as a dining room, my housemate set aside this room exclusively for my use, so I've decided to make the room into a den/office/reading room.

Although I'm now living in a house almost 300 square feet larger than my previous rented house, I moved into the house as a secondary occupant. Which means no garage, no master bedroom with enclosed bathroom and most importantly, less storage. I've been spending a bunch of time online researching storage ideas.

Kitchen

Bathroom

Living Room

At first, I was thinking about an armoire and storage cabinets. Since I don't know how long I'll be here (I hope for awhile), I want the storage to be inexpensive, versatile and mobile in the event I'll have to move again.

I'm really keen on finding storage ideas for unused spaces. This is common in big cities with small dwellings like Tokyo, New York, Paris and of course where I live, San Francisco. I found a few other nifty ideas on Pinterest and pinned them to my page for future reference.

I installed a shower pole caddy in the bathroom today. I have on order with The Container Store for a couple of narrow storage drawers that I hope will fit in the gap between the refrigerator and kitchen closet. If it works, then I'll add with other storage pieces from the same modular line for the den.

Updates, likely sporadically, to follow. Comforts of home are always a work-in-progress.

Memories of October 16 and 17 - We Own The Pennant

image source: Twitter, @SF Giants

October 16 is going to hold a lot of wonderful memories for me.

Five years ago yesterday, it was a dinner with Jeff and longtime friends at PPQ, one of my favorite restaurants of all time. Twenty-five years ago today, it was the Loma Prieta earthquake (see blog entry, October 17, 2013)

Last night, it was the San Francisco Giants in post-season.

After building a reputation for pitching, defense and mastering the art of "small ball", the San Francisco Giants win their third National League Pennant in five years - with 2 home runs in the 8th and 9th inning.

Michael Morse, pinch hitting for pitcher Madison Bumgarner:

Then, in the 9th inning, Travis Ishikawa, who was on the 2010 team and returned to the Giants this year, hammers a 3-run walk-off homer and enable the Giants to make it to another World Series.

I'll never tire of seeing these clips over and over again. WOW.

Moving In, phase I

Bed duster is now a temporary window shade. Coach purse strap used to tie the blind. Airbed is used as an anchor to keep the window open.

As many of you already know, I moved to a new home over the weekend. The sweet house I rented in the Outer Sunset was sold and the new owners moved in.

I've moved only 9 times in my entire life. Which is why I absolutely, positively hate moving. I put everything off until the last minute. What I saved in money using non-professional movers was lost in time. Too much time. I've begun to unpack but it'll probably take me at least another week before everything is where I want it to be.

For the first time in 31 years, I am now a resident of a zip code other than 94122 (17 years) and 94118 (14 years). I moved to the Lakeside District, which is in zip code 94132, on the south side of San Francisco. I am sharing a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house east of 19th Avenue, just across from San Francisco State University and Stonestown Shopping Mall.

I chose to share a house with another person because 1-bedroom apartments in my price range and desired neighborhoods were too old, too small, too dark and lacked amenities such as on-site laundry and a full kitchen.

As the wall color and bedroom layout is just like my other place, I woke up very briefly thinking I was still at my old place. I'm not, so I've got to get back to unpacking a few more boxes.

More updates to follow.

Priced to Move - Everything Must Go

If you've clicked this blog entry in hopes to find the latest and greatest clearance sale, you're out of luck. It's all gone.

For the first time by myself, I hosted a moving/garage sale. Compared to most garage/moving sales, I had a rather sparse selection. One could call it a 'quality over quantity' kind of sale.

I began the sale around 10 am. A portable heater and a small folding table that doubled as a desk in the second bedroom kicked off the first items sold.

By 3:30 pm, everything I had put out was gone, including a wardrobe everyone seemed to like except me. Probably because it was the biggest reminder of the Kiwi ex-boyfriend.

During the 5 1/2 hours of the sale, I got to meet to some very interesting people:

• Katie and her grandmother. Katie was moving into a place 3 blocks away. She took my library chair/stepstool, bookcase and table runner. 

• Wayne and his mom. Wayne grew up in the Sunset and now lives in Daly City. He spends Saturdays with his mom and garage sales is one of the activities his mom enjoys. Wayne's mom got a kick out of the very little Cantonese I knew. They ended up taking a suitcase, 2 backpacks, a lounge chair pad, a fan, a comforter, 2 bed pillows, 4 accent pillows. 

• Ruby, a friend of a friend. My friend/ex-co worker Sherri told her about the sale. Ruby texted Sherri to ask if she wanted anything. Sherri asked if I had any knives. Ruby bought the wine glasses and got for Sherri a Wusthof knife set.

• Jose Sr. and Jose Jr. The father-son painters were the last visit and officially closed business for the day. They took the CD boom box, dishes, side tables, corner nightstand, and most importantly, the bed and 2 wardrobes. They were so appreciative they bought me takeout from the corner Chinese restaurant when they had to clear the truck bed of the first round of items they got. 

I credit my success of clearing everything because I was intent on selling, not haggling. The most I got from a single item was $10. The money made was enough to hold off a weekend ATM visit. Mission: Everything Must Go, accomplished.

Autumnal Equinox 2014

image source: The Epoch Times

Depending on the source, 2014's Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere will take place tomorrow, September 22 or Tuesday, September 23.

For us former spring chickens who equate fall as a miserable time because it starts the school year, this means there is an equal amount of night and day.

And the realization it'll get darker a lot sooner until December 21 or 22. Then daylight slowly returns.

And here's a short and sweet video from Kurdistan Planetarium to summarize my favorite season of the year:

A&E's Longmire - cancelled

source: TV Guide

Disappointed to find out from USA Today's Jayme Deerwester that A&E's Longmire got cancelled.

It was A&E's second highest rated TV series.

One of the reported reasons for the cancellation was the average viewer age was 60 years old.

Dumb, dumb, dumb. And stupid.

Not only did the clueless executives that made this decision insult a demographic with deep pockets, they've cancelled the primary reason why many of us watch series television: the ability to tell a story (see previous blog entry of July 13, 2012).

In a world where so many of us are on information overload and short attention spans, it's a series that needs to be watched over time to be fully appreciated.

And for me, Bailey Chase (Deputy Branch Connally on the far right in the above photo) was a nice distraction. I'm not one normally one drawn to men dressed as cowboys, but whenever Branch wore his stetson and jeans, he got my attention.

Kudos to the network that decides to pickup the series. I think this would be a great addition on TNT.

****UPDATE: August 14, 2015****
Thanks to the fans, Longmire returns for a 4th season, beginning September 10 on Netflix.

New Season of Bowling

panoramic view, National Bowling Stadium

As it was today for the NFL, it's a new season. My new bowling season begins tomorrow night. I find it's a lot like starting a new school year. We get to see those that took summer season off, who are the new kids (bowlers), and which bowlers moved to different teams.

For me, the official end of year of fall-spring-summer season the past 3 years is marked by the Chinese-Japanese (Asian-American Bowling Association) Labor Day Tournament held at the National Bowling Center in Reno, Nevada.

I LOVE bowling in the Stadium.

In this year's tournament, I was happy with my results. Nothing eye popping, yet bowled 2 of 3 squads above my season average. The past 2 years, I stayed at Circus Circus. This year, I splurged a little and stayed at the Silver Legacy, which is only a block away from the Stadium.

Over the past 2 months, I've been working on a new release (technically, an improved old release) which has resulted in a faster ball speed. Still need to work on maintaining consistency. My goal is to raise the average 5 to 10 pins this season. It's been stagnant the past 3 seasons.

To all other league bowlers out there starting your new season, best of luck to you. Bowl well. Even more importantly, have fun.

AT&T Park - The Gotham Club

image source: The Gotham Club, San Francisco

Introduction at the website's home page:  If you have ever played for the New York Gothams, New York Giants, or San Francisco Giants, you are a member. If you have never played for the Gothams or Giants, this is your opportunity to join.

Club venues: The Clubhouse, The Bullpen, and The Game Room. As a bowler and avid San Francisco Giants fan, this would be my ultimate gift of a lifetime.

However, I can only wish. Membership is invitation only with a $2,500 initiation fee with $1,250 annual dues.

Oh well.

Earthquake, 6.0, Epicenter - American Canyon in Napa County

photo by: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, SF Chronicle

As many friends and family from outside the San Francisco Bay Area have already inquired, yes, we're OK. But at the quake's epicenter in American Canyon (Napa County), there was considerable damage. I'm sharing SFGate's Storify to show you some of the local social media feedback.

Many longtime residents have said this morning's quake was the strongest they've felt since the last "big" one, the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989. As I wasn't in town to feel the Loma Prieta earthquake, I have no comparison. This morning's was definitely a strong jolt. I suppose if I were still living in a 3rd floor apartment with older windows I would have been a lot more alarmed.

Marvelous Mo'ne

source: New York Times

She's 13 and caught the attention of many MLB and NBA standouts such as Jimmy Rollins, Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Kevin Durant.

Why? If you're 13, throw a baseball at 70 miles an hour, give up only 2 hits, and strike out 8 to throw a complete game shutout then maybe you'd get their attention too.

Meet Mo'ne Davis. She becomes the first female pitcher to win a game in Little League World Series history.

Poised, modest and articulate, her first love is basketball. The Philadelphia native's future goal is to play point guard for the University of Connecticut and then the WNBA.

Best of luck to Mo'ne and her Taney Youth teammates in Williamsport. It's a big deal when grown men travel hundreds to thousands of miles to watch her pitch and hold up "I Want To Throw Like A Girl" signs.

See the wonder girl in action.

Remembering Robin Williams: What Will Your Verse Be?

image source: Hollywood Reporter

On August 11, 2014, actor/comedian Robin Williams took his own life at his home in Tiburon (Marin County) California.

In his memory, I am reposting a February 23, 2014 blog entry. Rest in peace, Mr. Keating.

****
As many of us know, the narrative in Apple iPad's latest ad is a scene from one of Robin Williams's finest films as English teacher John Keating in , "Dead Poets Society", directed by Peter Weir. The film was released in 1989.

For a film to be 25 years old and have "dead" in its title, Mr. Keating's powerful words are still very much alive.

The original scene from the film:



And, the same words used as powerfully, 25 years later:

Aaron Craft - former Buckeye, future Warrior

image source: ESPN

As reported this past week, the Golden State Warriors signed former Ohio State Buckeye defensive standout/point guard Aaron Craft to a partially guaranteed contract.

Undrafted, Craft played in this year's NBA Summer League. His play impressed new Warriors head coach Steve Kerr enough to sign the Findlay, Ohio native.

Whether or not Aaron's career will go far in pro basketball, his 3-time first team Academic All-American selections tell me he'll do well in whatever he decides to do. This Ohio State alum and San Francisco Bay Area resident is very excited he's here. Best of luck to you this season, Aaron.

Courtesy of David Allin, here's a video highlighting Aaron's career at Ohio State:

James Shigeta, June 17, 1927 - July 28, 2014

image source: NBC News

Earlier this week, actor James Shigeta passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 85 (some news sources listed his age at 81).

Mr. Shigeta's best known and biggest role was as Wang Ta in the film "Flower Drum Song". As I wrote when I shared his obituary from the Los Angeles Times on my Facebook page, Mr. Shigeta's role left a deep impression on me. It was the first time I ever saw Asian Americans speaking without exaggerated Asian accents.

"The Joy Luck Club" and "Flower Drum Song" were among the few Asian Ameican films that have had any mainstream success in the US. Which is why most of Mr. Shigeta's career after "Flower Drum Song" were mostly in support roles such as "Die Hard" and "Midway".

For cinephile and/or Asian American culture geeks, there are 2 documentaries that discuss this issue: Arthur Dong's "Hollywood Chinese" (September 10, 2012 blog entry), and San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi's "The Slanted Screen" (May 21, 2006 blog entry). I highly recommend them.

Bruce vs. Bruce, the encore

image source: Bruce Lee Foundation

Last week, on July 20, martial arts legend Bruce Lee would have been 74 years old.

Almost 2 years ago (September 4, 2012), the San Francisco Giants honored the San Francisco native with Bruce Lee Tribute night at AT&T Park.

In my opinion, this was one of the best tribute ideas the Giants organization has ever had. My absolute favorite part of the tribute was the promotional video, "Bruce vs. Bruce" (the other Bruce, Giants skipper Bruce Bochy).

I've watched the video at least a dozen times. Thrilling, brilliant, ultra cool and very funny. See it again here: