2018 PBA-PWBA Storm Striking Against Breast Cancer Doubles

source: PBA/PWBA
L to R: Storm Bowling founders Bill and Barbara Chrisman,
EJ Tackett, Liz Johnson and Luci Bonneau Tournament founder Donna Conners

Article by bvint - link to PBA/PWBA article

EJ Tackett, Liz Johnson Win PBA-PWBA Storm Striking Against Breast Cancer Doubles in Dramatic Fashion

As a big fan of the PBA and PWBA, I'd like to see more mixed tournaments. I eagerly await the match to be shown on YouTube.

Again, congratulations to EJ and Liz.

Alaska and Canada Vacation

Norwegian Spirit
 Western Mediterranean

Norwegian Jewel, Alaska

It's been a month since my last posting. I spent the first two weeks of July on vacation with my family to Alaska and Canada.

As it was last year, our visit to Alaska was on Norwegian Cruise Lines (Jewel). The cruise ship (Spirit) we took last year to Italy, Spain and France began service in 1998 and is 879 feet long (see June 4, 2017 entry). Jewel entered into service in 2005 and is 965 feet long.

This was my third cruise vacation. My first cruise was on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas in 2008 to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. It was the last vacation Cindy, Sherman and I took with them. My parents had a great time, staying out late most nights.

We continue to do cruises as a family vacation because it's great value. Tremendous bang for the buck. No schlepping luggage, no extra expense for dinners and/or arguing where everyone wants to eat. You get to visit a bunch of different ports and cities.

It all can become a blur after awhile. But what you will remember beyond the countless photos is the time spent with your travel companions.

ESPN's SC Featured

source: ESPN
SC Featured

For the past year, most of my Sunday late afternoons and evenings have been stuck on ESPN2.

I've previously raved about the feature stories on ESPN 30 for 30. If you love sports documentaries but can't always devote 1 1/2 to 2 hours, then there's E:60. If you only have 30 minutes, then I strongly recommend SC Featured.

Archives of SC Featured stories can be found at the WatchESPN archives as well as ESPN's YouTube page.

Here's the story I finished watching a few minutes ago.

Save Cloverleaf Bowl - SIGN THE PETITION!

From Patricia Brown who posted the petition at change.org:
As of this writing, the petition has received over 8,000 signatures.

A developer is proposing to tear down the buildings in the old Fremont Center at the corner of Fremont Boulevard and Grimmer Boulevard in Irvington and replace them with 272 housing units.

The Cloverleaf Family Bowl, which has greeted generations of bowlers for 55 years, is one of the buildings that would be demolished.

The proposed project site extends from Fremont Boulevard west to Bay Street, and from Grimmer Boulevard south. It includes the Bank of America and the businesses south of that along Fremont. All commercial buildings on the site are proposed to be demolished except the Taco Bell drive-in restaurant.

Mike Hillman says: This is wrong on so many levels. If Cloverleaf Family Bowl has given you memories and happiness then I ask you to please write to the email in the article. My family has been in this business and location for over 55 years now. The last thing Fremont needs is more residential and eliminate one main source of family entertainment. Nobody does more for the kids and families than Cloverleaf Family Bowl. Our seniors included.

The parent company of Taco Bell discovered the center had been devalued by the loss of tenants (with the previous landlord) so they purchased the shopping center. Then one day we get a call and find out that developers are interested in purchasing the shopping center and that it is under contract. Then earlier this week, an article in the Tri City Voice was published and this was a bit of a shock to all of us that things had progressed to this point. And to read that EVERYTHING will be demolished here EXCEPT Taco Bell. 

A day may come where we will need to go to city council meetings. I would hope that we could count on a lot of people to support us and attend the meeting and show these people how much we mean to the city and the families that live here or bowl here. My family has been here for 55+ years in this business. I have been inside this building almost every day of my life. We are not giving up! 

Mel's Bowl/Redwood Lanes closed on May 8, 2011 to make way for condominiums (see April 11, 2011 blog entry). We can't lose any more bowling centers, especially Cloverleaf.

Dwight Clark - January 8, 1957 - June 4, 2018

source: Brian Murphy, KNBR
Dwight Clark

On June 4, 2018, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark lost his battle with ALS.

I watched, heard and cried to dozens of tearful, poignant tributes from former teammates, coaches and sports media who all became family to him.

Here's video of one of Dwight's last public appearances, Dwight Clark Day at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017.

Goodbye Chase VISA - Member Since 1983

Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me thrice, goodbye.

I've been a Chase VISA cardholder since 1983.

With a sizable balance.

This was a result of taxes owed and important big ticket purchases compounded by unemployment (June 2010 to January 2014).

Yes, I'm paying more than the minimum amount due when the bill comes. Yes, the cost of living in San Francisco doesn't help. Yes, I should be on a tighter budget. So don't tell me what I already know.

But I've NEVER BEEN LATE on payments. It's my guess the interest I've paid to Chase over 30+ years is a few thousand dollars.

Thinking my 35 years with Chase should count for something, I call Cardmember Services a few years ago to request my APR to be waived or reduced. Perhaps for a few months, maybe a year. Chase tells me no.

Yet they send me promotions via email, snail mail and online with fat offers to transfer a balance to my account interest free for a limited period. The latest, an upgrade to Chase VISA Preferred and offer to transfer a balance. With no tiny font disclaimer of ineligibility for existing Chase cardholders, I eagerly apply and am immediately approved for the card.

A week later, I receive 2 letters from Chase. One letter contains the new VISA card. The other, a letter refusing to honor my request to transfer the balance. Why? Because it's another Chase account. They'd make no profit from a 15-month 0% interest fee card.

Therefore, I'm calling it quits. Two weeks ago, I opened a VISA account with my credit union. I apply on a Friday. I'm approved on the following Monday. I've been a member there since 1992. Later that week, that same credit union completes the balance transfer to my new VISA for most of what I owe on the Chase account. With no annual fee and 0% APR for 14 months.

It's clear to me who wants my business. It isn't Chase. Goodbye and good riddance. It wasn't all that nice knowing you.

Alive and Well in America - Xenophobia

source: @lionnessmom76 Twitter
Suraya Entezam

On May 21, Air Force veteran and Fremont, California resident James Ahn posted a video on his Facebook page showing a woman yelling at him, calling him ugly Chinese and go back to his country. Mr. Ahn is from Seoul, South Korea.

On May 17, New York attorney Aaron Schlossberg goes into a tirade to deli employees speaking Spanish to speak English. He later apologizes, says he's not racist.

Meet Suraya Entezam. Ms. Entezam herself is not U.S. born as can be detected in her accent yelling at Mr. Ahn.



I find disheartening that these incidents are taking place in areas of the United States where there is a significant foreign-born population.

Over Labor Day Weekend last year, my cousins (brother and sister) were in San Francisco to attend the funeral services for their aunt. Both encountered xenophobic incidents during their visit. One was at San Francisco International Airport, the other on BART. Irony on the BART incident - the female passenger told my cousin to go back to Korea.

Fear, anger and ignorance and alive and well in the United States. We give the rest of the Americas (Central, South and North) a bad name.

The Picture People - Out of Business

Picture People, Foster City, Californa
October 1, 2001 to September 20, 2007

On Thursday, May 18, my former employer, TPP Holdings DBA The Picture People closed doors permanently.

While it's sad, it did not come as a surprise to many of us who were once employed there. I was separated from Picture People in September 2007 when headquarters moved from Foster City, California to Plano, Texas.

Like my other former employer, The Sharper Image (see blog post November 18, 2017), shut down business operations in 2008. There have several relaunches beginning in 2010, the latest is through Camelot Venture Group in April 2018.

With the recent store closings for Macy's and Sears, traditional retail in malls as we once knew it has changed. It's looking more like a future destination to the mall won't just be for shopping or the movies.

Other than my two rounds of four-year employment with Sharper Image, my six years of continuous employment with Picture People is the longest I've worked anywhere. As it usually is in retail, turnover is frequent. So when one stays for at least three years, he/she would be considered an old-timer. Bonds form and cement into lifelong friendships.

Alumni from Sharper Image recently announced plans for a second reunion this fall. Picture People from the Foster City headquarters held a reunion in March 2014.

It's my hope that those who suddenly lost their jobs will receive some kind of employment assistance.

2011 May 19

Heard this song at the end of USA Network's In Plain Sight episode "I'm a Liver Not A Fighter". It aired on June 19, 2011, a month after my almost 2-year relationship ended with a longtime friend I had a crush on from the moment I met him in 1988. Bawled my eyes out. The relationship didn't last, but the friendship continues (now 30 years).

Maybe.

Music and Lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

iPhone 8 Plus - 4th Apple phone

iPhone 8 plus

iPhone 4S, 5S, 6S

Happy Mother's Day!

My history with the iPhone began in 2012, starting with the 4S model (see blog entry September 27, 2015). As of yesterday, I retired the 6S and bought an 8 plus. The battery on the 6S was on its last legs almost a year ago, but I did not update at that time because my contract to pay off the phone wasn't until April 2018.

I chose the 8 plus over the 8 because I needed a bigger viewing screen for my middle aged eyes. I chose the 8 plus over the 10 because I wanted to keep Touch ID. Face ID replaces Touch ID on the iPhone 10.

As I never owned previous iPhones for more than 2 years, I didn't realize how quickly the battery power deteriorates until I got the 6S. Especially when I used the GPS. Power would drop 10% to 15% in less than 10 minutes.

Prior to Apple, the only other cell phone brand I've owned more than once is Nokia (see blog entry March 7, 2014).

As I did with the previous iPhones, I buy a new phone cover. I'll get that tomorrow or Tuesday. I also ordered a new 2-in-1 adapter (newest iPhones no longer have a earphone jack) yesterday. I'm seriously considering a magnetic holder to put on my car's dashboard.

Let's hope the latest and almost greatest iteration of this iPhone will have a more robust battery life than the S's.

PBA Tour Final and PWBA Challenge

source: PBA
Top L to R: E.J. Tackett, Tommy Jones, Marshall Kent, Jesper Svensson
Bottom: L to R: Anthony Simonsen, Dom Barrett, Jason Belmonte, Sean Rash

This weekend, at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Michigan (Detroit area), eight of the top PBA earners the past two years compete in the PBA Tour Finals. All bowlers but Australian Jason Belmonte are former or current Weber Cup (Weber Cup is between Europe and United States) members.

Matches will be televised on CBS Sports Network over the next five Tuesdays beginning on May 22 at 10 pm Eastern Time, 7 pm Pacific Time.

source: PWBA

For the women, the PWBA Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 24 in Orlando, Florida at 4 pm, Eastern, 1 pm Pacific Time live on Xtra Frame.

This event will take the top four in the points standings compete in a special finals bracket.

Congrats to the eight men who made the finals. Best of luck to the women who will be competing for one of the four spots.

Pablo Pitches in a Pinch

source: Jeff Chiu, AP
Pablo Sandoval, relief pitching
SF Giants vs LA Dodgers, 28 April 2018

I haven't posted in the past 2 weeks due to a bunch of weekend bowling activities.

April 14 and 15 - worked and bowled in Pacifica at Sea Bowl for the SFUSBC City Tournament.

April 21 and 22 - in Reno at the National Bowling Stadium bowling Women's USBC Championships.

Today, Women's Peninsula USBC Open at Bel Mateo (where I bowl Monday nights).

Yesterday, back in Pacifica at Sea Bowl for the yearly meeting and election of SFUSBC Directors. Appointment approved and got my navy association polo to make it all official.

Also yesterday, the Giants and Dodgers played a doubleheader (day and evening game). The day game was to makeup April 6's rained out game in San Francisco.

Had it not been for the doubleheader, it was unlikely we would have seen 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval make his pitching debut.

Since Pablo's return to San Francisco late last season, he's performed admirably in a utility/supporting role. He's played 3rd and 1st base and is listed as an emergency back up catcher for the Giants.

He added another position to his player résumé. Relief pitcher.

The Giants were down 15-6 with another game still yet to play. On those occasions where the game is a blowout, a MLB team will have a position player come in to pitch.

Enter the Panda.

He pitched a perfect 9th inning. 3 infield ground balls = 3 outs. If you missed it yesterday as I did, here it is:

Oakland to Columbus - Nonstop

Southwest Airlines
Nonstop Oakland to Columbus

My last trip to my birthplace, Columbus, Ohio was in August 2013, when I flew back for my 35th high school reunion.

That was 5 years ago. I was able to get a non-stop on Delta from San Francisco to Cincinnati, rent a car and drive the 110-120 miles to Columbus.

If there's any opportunity to fly non-stop, I'll take it. Even if it costs me $100 more. I've been stranded and delayed more times than I can remember when I have to take a connecting flight.

It amazes me with how much we've gained in technology and I still can't fly directly to Columbus, Ohio. The state's capital city. A metro population of more than 1 million. The city The Ohio State University calls home.

When they announced our 40th high school reunion a few weeks ago, I was prepared to fly directly to Cincinnati again. Prices were higher than I hoped, so I was going to wait a few more weeks to see if the prices would come down.

Frustrated with less than ideal options on flight times and cities where I'd have to stop, I did a Google search with the hope there is now an airline carrier that does offer non-stop from the San Francisco Bay Area to Columbus.

Success. My search results found a 2015 press release from Southwest Airlines announcing a non-stop service from Oakland to Columbus. Woo hoo to the max.

I signed into my Southwest account right away and booked the flights tonight. The cost isn't cheap, but about $100 less than Delta, and only 4.5 to 5 hours flight time. A flight from San Francisco with a stop in Phoenix would add 3-4 more hours in travel time.

Hello, Columbus. See you in September.

2018 Weber Cup Team Selections

source: bowlingdigital
Anthony Simonsen

source: bowlingdigital
Kyle Troup

source: bowlingdigital
L: Tommy Jones, R: Chris Barnes

source: Weber Cup
L to R: Dom Barrett, Martin Larsen, Jesper Svensson, Stu Williams

This year's Weber Cup will take place on June 15 - 17 at Arena MK, Milton Keynes. Team Europe looks to repeat for their sixth consecutive win. Team USA seeks their first win since 2012.

Team Europe's roster remains unchanged for the third year in a row.
Captain Dom Barrett, Martin Larsen, Jesper Svensson and Stu Williams.

Team USA has struggled badly the past three years and hopes to recapture glory days with the return of two former Weber Cup bowlers: Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes. Barnes will resume duties as Team USA's captain.

The only returning member from USA last year is Kyle Troup. This will be Troup's third Weber Cup. New to Weber Cup for Team USA is Anthony Simonsen. I like USA's combination of youth and experience, but not sure it will be enough to match Europe's chemistry, experience and fire power.

As an American, I'd like to see Team USA do well, but I'm partial to Team Europe. Based on the number of blog entries I've written on him over the years, it's been no secret how much I like Dom Barrett. I also think Europe is a better team and predict they will prevail. If they don't, I won't be heartbroken about it either.

Good luck to both teams.

Why Bowling Should Be An Olympic Sport

source: Bowlingdigital.com

There are numerous articles over the past decade on the push to make bowling an Olympic sport. In 2015, bowling was 1 of 26 venues to be considered for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. By 2016, the list had been narrowed to 5, but ultimately did not make the final cut.

Bowling was featured as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea. From Wikipedia, In all, a total 24 Ten-pin bowling bowlers, 12 male and 12 female, from 21 nations competed in the exhibition, which was held on September 18 at the Seoul's Royal Bowling Center.

Forward 30 years later. The website, bowlingdigital.com proves there's a lot more than 21 countries that are bowling. "World Bowling provides governance to international bowling and is made up of 115 member federations within three geographical zones." The 3 zones: Europe, America, Asia.

In November 2017, the 53rd QubicaAMF World Cup took place in Hermosillo, Mexico. There were 72 men and 57 women from 75 countries registered as participants.

Currently, the closest event to resemble bowling's equivalent to the Olympics (every 4 years), is the World Games. The most recent games took place in Wroclaw, Poland in July 2017.

To give you a flavor of international bowling, watch at least 20 minutes of the 15th Brunswick Euro Challenge in Unterföhring (suburban Munich), Germany. Sweden's Jenny Wegner defeated USA's Anthony Simonsen (women have an 8 pin handicap) in the championship match.

Danielle McEwan, Bernice Lim, Sin Li Jane, New Hui Fen, Daphne Tan, Dom Barrett, Stu Williams, Richie Teece, Sean Rash and Darren Tang also bowled this tournament.

Bowler's Thumb

my thumb on the mend

It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me - I bowl year round. At least 3 times a week: Monday and Wednesday night league + Sunday morning practice.

With all that bowling and double layers of protection tape on my thumb to prevent swelling, sweating and soreness has a big drawback. The lack of moisture, especially in winter, causes the right side of the thumbnail to crack, split and bleed.

My remedy so far has been to moisturize and bandage the thumb. Healing can take weeks only to find the end of the thumbnail split again.

I've tried liquid bandage and super glue. Didn't help. Exacerbated the dryness and caused the skin to peel further down the base of the thumb (see above photo). The affected skin area is red, raw and very sore.

Waterproof bandages work, but not ideally. In most cases they're too small, too big and/or they're nasty looking from dirt buildup having worn them all day.

finger cots, size medium

After some online research, finger cots seemed to be the right solution. So I bought some on Amazon for a little over $5. And yes, they look like mini-condoms.

After I got them, I'd only gone through maybe 1/3 of the box. Why? The medium size is too small for my thumb. If I wore them like I was supposed to, it'd cut off the circulation at the bottom of my thumb. I then tried to wear them only halfway down, but they'd never stay on. By morning, I find it strewn on my bed, making it look like I had too much fun that night.

My next solution: new finger cots for the same price, size extra large. Hopefully, the better fit will result in a thumbs up outcome.

2018 Asian American Bowling Association - Lunar New Year Tournament Results

source: aababowling.com

In my little corner of the bowling world, it's nice to know that I can participate in local handicap tournaments, bowl well, and make out with some cash. Especially if I'm able to win back what I paid in entry fees. Anything more is icing on the cake.

For 2018's Asian American Bowling Association's Chinese New Year Tournament, my Wednesday league night teammate Jason Wu and I did that. We finished in a 4-way tie for 20th place among a total of 333 teams. We'll split $65.

To see the complete list of cash winners, go to http://www.aababowling.com

Next up, 2 April tournaments: San Francisco USBC's City Tournament at Sea Bowl, April 14 and 15. I'll likely be there on both dates, as a participant and SFUSBC board member. On April 22 and 23, I'll be in Reno for the Women's USBC Nationals at National Bowling Stadium.

What's For Lunch at Storm Nation?

source: bowlingdigital.com
L: Darren Tang, R: Michael Tang

Pardon last week's absence. I spent the weekend seeing old friends and all of Sunday in San Jose at the Asian American Bowling Association Chinese New Year Tournament in San Jose.

Without further ado, San Francisco's Darren and Michael Tang are the latest young hotshots on the PBA Tour. Darren is with Storm, younger brother Michael is with Roto Grip.

At a recent visit to Storm Nation, PBA and Team USA bowler Chris Via is a little confused at giving PWBA bowler Leanne Hulsenberg at lunch the right kind of Tang.

Be sure to watch them in action on Sunday, March 25 on ESPN at 10 am Pacific Time (1 pm Eastern). Team Tang will bowl as the 5th seed at the Roth Holman PBA Doubles from my birthplace, Columbus, Ohio.

2018 PBA League Draft

source: PBA.com
eligible bowlers for 2018 League Draft

Two days ago, the PBA held their league draft. For 8 PBA League teams, they have to declare 3 bowlers from their 2017 roster that will not be included in the draft.

This leaves team managers to select 2 players to complete their roster.

On the left are the 51 eligible PBA bowlers for 2018's draft. Only 16 of them will be selected. Last week's PBA Tournament of Champions winner Matt O'Grady was the first bowler drafted.

Among the 35 bowlers that were eligible for 2018 but not drafted were PWBA members Danielle McEwan and Liz Johnson. They both bowled on teams in 2016 and 2017.

In my opinion, 35 bowlers not selected is too many. Based on the popularity the league has had since moving it to Portland, Maine, I'd like to see 2 more teams added to the league. And make one of them from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Abacus: Small Enough To Jail - Documentary Feature Oscar Nominee

source: Twitter

Congratulations to Steve James, Mark Mitten, Julie Goldman and the Sung Family for their Documentary Feature Oscar nomination.

If you like documentaries and haven't yet seen it, I strongly recommend it. Despite my personal connection to the Sung Family, this is an excellent film. Yes, I've already seen it 5 times (see March 14, 2017 blog entry).

You have no excuses to say you can't find it. It's available on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes and was featured on PBS's Frontline.

Here's the trailer: