2019 BMW 3 Series - No Manual Transmission

source: Motor Trend

I'm 6 months late to this news. It was announced in October 2018 that the next generation (G20) 2019 BMW 3 series released last month will be the first not to offer a manual transmission.

No no no no no!

Currently, other German sedans in the same class, the Audi A4 and the 'C' Class Mercedes have also stopped offering manual transmissions.

I am on my 3rd BMW 3 series. All in various shades of blue.
1. 1997 318ti E36 (hatchback)
2. 2004 325i E46 (sedan)
3. 2012 328i F30 (sedan) - my current ride

I took great pains to ensure above all else, my BMW would have a stick shift transmission. It's a long shot, but perhaps by some miracle when the next generation is released in 2026 or so, they'll bring back the stick shift.

Fat chance. I can only hope.

Oh well. There's always the 2 Series coupe.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

Lakeside, San Francisco

On May 31, 2019, the current 1-year lease my roommate and I signed will end. Roommate will be leaving the San Francisco Bay Area for the East Coast to be nearer to his aging parents. Date not yet set. His current work set up is remote, so relocating out-of-state will not be an issue for him.

For now, I've made the decision to remain until the roommate has moved out. My best option would be to find another roommate. But after 5 roommates in 5 years (all but the current roommate were temporary), I don't want another roommate. Yet I can't afford the full rent. In 2 years or so, I might.

I met with the property manager last weekend to discuss a few options. She's agreed we'll chat again once the roommate has moved out.

I have looked at other places that I can afford but run into the following:
1. Size.
Most 1 bedrooms I can afford are too small. Ideally, I'd like a living area at least 700 square feet. I gave up a beautiful dining table that seated up to 8 because I didn't think I'd have room for it. In hindsight, I should have kept it. If I am going to move again, I am not giving up any more furniture.

2. Minimum income requirement.
I saw a 2 bedroom flat in the Inner Sunset I really liked. But the income requirement was 3 times my gross monthly salary. My official monthly salary doesn't meet the minimum. I do have other sources of income, but for privacy reasons won't disclose them.

3. Parking and non-coin operated laundry facilities.
Yes, I'm being very nit-picky about both. I gave up a garage to move to where I am. Although I have the option of driveway parking, I only use it when it's absolutely necessary. (Don't even get me started on roommate's girlfriend's car parked nearly every fucking weekend in the driveway).

A few Saturdays ago, I looked at 2 places. One had parking but no laundry facilities. The other, laundry facilities but no parking. I haven't used a coin-operated laundry machine since 2010. I'm too old, spoiled and lazy to have to go back to one.

Surprisingly, one of the places I looked at last month has not yet rented.  The homeowner/landlord emailed me yesterday asked if I'd reconsider with a reduced rent rate. I explained as much as I like the place, it's too small.

My vent about rent must come to an end. Gotta get cleaned up, showered and ready for work tomorrow. Stay tuned.

San Francisco USBC Open Tournament - Apri 27 and 28, 2019

source: San Francisco USBC

For all San Francisco Bay Area league bowlers, the San Francisco USBC is hosting our 13th Annual Open Championships at Classic Bowl in Daly City on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.

Teams can be comprised of all men, all women or mixed. If you are not a San Francisco USBC league bowler with membership and bowl in another SF Bay Area sanctioned league, you will be required to pay a $10 local association fee.  Click here to download a tournament entry form.

Dates and squad times:
Saturday, April 27:
1:00 pm Doubles/Singles, 5:00 pm Team.

Sunday, April 28:
11:00 am Team, 3:00 pm Doubles/Singles

Check-in begins 1 hour before squad time.
Entry fee: $30/event. Please note Doubles/Singles are considered separate events but you are required to bowl both events.

I will be there both days. On Saturday, I'll be fulfilling my Board of Directors duties helping Stephanie with the tournament. On Sunday, I will be bowling all 3 squads with my team.

Hope to see you there.

Bowling Tournament Venues Downsized

source: Trip Advisor
Grand Sierra Bowling Center
Reno, Nevada

It started in with the Hawaiian Tournament in Las Vegas. Usually held at the Orleans with 72 lanes, it was moved to Gold Coast Bowling Center. No real change, as Gold Coast has 70 lanes.

Since the Orleans renovation, the number of lanes has gone down from 72 to 52. Not yet official, the venue for future Hawaiian Classic tournaments will likely move permanently to Gold Coast.

This year's Asian tournaments in Reno, the Reno Asian (July) and Labor Day (September) will move to Grand Sierra due to renovations at National Bowling Stadium.

National Bowing Stadium has 78 lanes. Grand Sierra, 50.

For frame of reference, a few other well-known bowling centers in the United States:

• Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Michigan. 90 lanes. Site of last week's World Series of Bowling, 90 lanes. Largest in the United States.
• South Point, Las Vegas, Nevada. 64 lanes. Where I bowled Women's Nationals in 2016 and former PBA World Series of Bowling venue, 32 lanes on 2 sides.
• Red Rock Lanes, Las Vegas, Nevada. 72 lanes. Site of numerous PBA events and a popular destination for tournament bowlers.

Compared to where I regularly bowl Sunday practice and Wednesday night league:

• Classic Bowl, Daly City, California, 60 lanes.

The largest bowling center in the world is 116 lanes, Inazawa Grand Bowl in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

source: pinterest, bowlingdigital.com
Inazawa Grand Bowl

2019 PBA World Series of Bowling - Thunderbowl Lanes in Detroit

source: Fox Sports 1

What a season, PBA.
Since the move from ESPN to FS1, it's been nothing short of phenomenal.

Blue oil on the lanes featured on ESPN broadcasts has been replaced by entry angles and ball speed on FS1.

Best of all, lots more live telecasts. This past week was the 10th World Series of Bowling from Thunderbowl Lanes in Detroit, Michigan. With an added feature in the TV finals. To make the show, the Top 16 bowl off in best of 5 game single elimination matches. Top 4 make the FS1 TV show. They bowl 1 game in a 4-way match. Scores determine seeds for stepladder finals.

3/18: Cheetah - Dick Allen
3/19: Chameleon - Jason Belmonte
3/20: Scorpion - Kris Prather (first PBA title)
3/21: World Championship - Jason Belmonte (standard stepladder)
3/22: USA vs. World - World (best of 3 Baker matches)

Kyle Sherman of Brad & Kyle's YouTube page made 2 shows, Cheetah (finished 2nd) and Team USA on USA vs. World. Kyle's first Top 16 opponent to make the TV show was none other than Brad Miller. Kyle's next opponent to make the Top 4, Dom Barrett.

Here's their vlog:

Kitbull - Pixar Short Film

source: thisinsider.com

After a hectic week at work highlighted by a terribly bad Wednesday bowling night, the Christchurch New Zealand shooting, I'll end the week with a teary-eyed short film with a happy ending, "Kitbull".



Directed and written by Rosana Sullivan.

Jeff Adachi Memorial at San Francisco City Hall

source: SFGovTV

On March 4, 2019, SFGovTv streamed live San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi's memorial service at City Hall.

Featured speakers include former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown, current mayor London Breed and brother Stan Adachi.

If you're so inclined, here's the full broadcast.


Rest in peace, Jeff.

Jeff Adachi - 29 August 1959 - 22 February 2019

source: Twitter

On February 22, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi passed away suddenly after having dinner in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood.

A fierce advocate for equality and justice, he was also an accomplished filmmaker. In 2006, he wrote, produced and directed "The Slanted Screen" a documentary about typecasting Asian males in American film (see May 21, 2006 blog entry).

In 2016, Jeff also made "America Needs a Racial Facial", an 8-minute commentary of racism in the United States.
Here's a preview:


Here's the trailer for "The Slanted Screen"
Deepest condolences to his wife Mutsuko, daughter Lauren and family, friends and colleagues.

New York Visit - February 2019

Chin and Li sisters at MOFAD

Chinese Restaurant, MOCA

I missed last week's entry as it was my first full day back from my week long trip to celebrate the birth of my nephew and celebrate Lunar New Year with the family.
Other than my 3 1/2 year unemployment phase, I usually visit New York and/or Columbus about once or twice a year.

This trip was almost like the past family cruises to Western Europe in 2017 and Alaska last summer. Day begins with a big breakfast (Sherman's father-in-law cooked every morning), sight see with loads of walking, big lunch, big dinner and retire around 10 or 11 pm. For me, it isn't until 1 to 1:30 am as my internal clock is firmly affixed in Pacific Time.

Day 1, Saturday: nephew's 100-day/Red Egg and Ginger party in Flushing.
Day 2, Sunday: Museum of Food and Drink in Brooklyn (MOFAD), early dinner and Kinky Boots Broadway show in Times Square.
Day 3, Monday: Girls lunch at Tamarind Tribeca, Lunar New Year Eve dinner at home with the family.
Day 4, Tuesday: Afternoon tea in the Gotham Room at The Peninsula Hotel in Midtown, near Rockefeller Center.
Day 5, Wednesday: Museum of Chinese in America, dinner at Scalini Fedeli.
Day 6, Thursday: stroll around World Trade Center
Day 7, Friday: 9/11 Museum, visit Vera, Jill and Chanterelle Sung at IMentor in Financial District.

A great visit. Lots of family bonding time, including bedtime readings to the irresistibly cute nephew. Learned a ton at the museums, especially at Museum of Food and Drink (Chow exhibition) and Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) which included an exhibit of Kip Fulbeck's Hapa Project.

Lunar New Year 2019 - What Is Peppa?

thanks Rika for the cool image

Lunar New Year (Year of the Pig) is less than a week away. Thanks to a Facebook shared post from Jeff's brother Bill, there's a video that's gone viral about a grandfather looking to find Peppa, the pig his grandson wants for his Lunar New Year gift.

It's a short, charming video which shows the lengths a grandfather will go to find Peppa for his grandson.

Below is the video. Happy New Year!

Brad Miller & Kyle Sherman - 1st PBA TV Finals

source: Brad & Kyle YouTube page

Well, the likable boys from Missouri lost to Sean Rash and Matt Ogle in the PBA Roth Holman Doubles Finals. This is Matt's first PBA title. Congratulations to Sean and Matt.

But don't fret about Brad and Kyle. They're far from being sore losers. I've been following, but had not subscribed to their YouTube page. I subscribed today - after seeing their Vlog of their TV appearance.

If you're a serious league bowler, you should subscribe to their page too.

Keep up the great work, guys. You'll get your PBA titles soon enough.

Brad & Kyle - Practicing What They Preach

source: YouTube
L: Kyle Sherman, R: Brad Miller

Among the countless bowling instructional videos I watch on YouTube, there's been a series that I've been watching a lot of lately from PBA bowlers Brad Miller and Kyle Sherman.

Their YouTube page, Brad & Kyle, feature brief, friendly and very informative tips on how to improve your bowling game. I've been working on keeping my shoulder steady the past few weeks, so this one caught my interest:



It's very apparent they must practice what they preach. They're the top seeded team in next week's PBA Roth Holman Doubles stepladder match.

Good luck guys!

Sandra Oh - First Asian to Win Multiple Golden Globes

source: HuffPost
L: Andy Samberg, R: Sandra Oh

Before her Golden Globe award winning performance as Eve Polastri in "Killing Eve", Dr. Cristina Yang in "Grey's Anatomy" and Thomas Haden Church's girlfriend Stephanie in "Sideways" (directed by her ex-husband Alexander Payne), I first saw Sandra Oh in a 1994 Canadian independent film called Double Happiness.

I immediately became a fan.

In my opinion, she may have had supporting roles for most of her career, but she always had my undivided attention whenever she came on screen.

Congratulations Sandra!

Here's a clip from Double Happiness:

2018 Sports Stories of the Year

source: E:60's ESPN
L: Deland McCullough, R: Sherman Smith

source: Washington Post
L: Lin Wang, Charles Barkley

If you know me, or follow this blog regularly, a BIG part of my life is sports. I don't follow NCAA Division I College and MLB, NBA and NFL as closely as I did as a kid. These days, it's the sports history stories with gripping, memorable programs such as ESPN's SC Featured, E:60 and 30 For 30.

Here are my top sports stories of 2018:
Lin Wang and Charles Barkley
My Twitter feed was blown up about a story from NPR's It's Only A Game. People like Soledad O'Brien and Seth Meyers tweeted at how much they sobbed reading Shirley Wang's essay about her father Lin and his friendship with former NBA standout/current TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley.

I've read the print story at least 3 times, but it was Shirley's voice in the podcast that had me bawling for hours.
Click here to read or hear the podcast.

Deland McCullough and Sherman Smith
Their story has become one of my favorite sports stories ever. Deland is currently the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Sherman is a retired running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Deland and Sherman first met when Sherman recruited Deland in high school to play football for Miami (Ohio) University.

Here's the YouTube video:


Wishing everyone a safe, warm and wonderful 2019.

Mookie Betts in 2018

source: ESPN
Mookie Betts

What a year for Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts.

In 2018:

• American League MVP
• American League Batting Champion
• Rawlings Gold Glove Winner
• American League Silver Slugger
• World Series Champions

Betts also threw a 300 game on November 12, 2017 in the PBA World Series of Bowling in Reno, Nevada.

Here are his 2018 baseball highlights:

PBA Tour debuts on FOX Sports

source: Twitter/PBA
L to R: Rob Stone, Kimberly Pressler, Randy Pedersen

UPDATE: Two of my favorites on the PBA tour, Dom Barrett and Marshall Kent made the PBA Clash Finals. Marshall surged back with 4 consecutive strikes (HAMBONE) to defeat Dom 218-215.

Next week, on December 23, the PBA moves from ESPN to Fox Sports. The televised schedule on the PBA website has broadcasts begin next week and go through mid-June.

For this avid PBA fan, this is very exciting. The move to FOX reunites former ESPN PBA sportscaster Rob Stone with Randy Pedersen and Kimberly Pressler.

Here's the promo trailer:

Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)

source: CAAM

Lately, my Sunday afternoon and evenings have been spent on the Cinema Asian America channel watching films from Center for Asian American Media (CAAM).

CAAM is how I found out about Abacus: Small Enough to Jail featuring the Sung family. Last month, I got to see a great sports documentary directed by Ursula Liang called "9 Man". It's a modified street game of volleyball played in Chinatown playgrounds.



The other documentary is from Canadian director Jeff Chiba Stearns called "Mixed Match". The documentary explores the challenges of those with blood diseases of multi-ethnic heritage.



If you don't have Xfinity/Comcast, they are available for viewing on YouTube for a small fee.

It's A Boy

Li -Chin baby shower

I missed last week's blog post as I was in Sacramento most of the day bowling in the annual California State Senior Bowling tournament.

Four days later on November 15, after 24 hours of labor, my sister-in-law Kat gave birth to a healthy 7 pound, 9 ounce boy. Mom and Dad are home resting comfortably.

Proud dad (my brother Sherman) has been sending Cindy and me pictures almost daily since his birth. And I can't get enough of them. The proud auntie in my saw his latest photo at 10 days old and he already looks like he's 3 months old.

Best part since his birth, he sat with dad watching Ohio State annihilate Michigan 62-39 yesterday. Never too early to begin father-son bonding traditions.

I'll close with a song dedicated to Kat and Sherman, Talking Heads's 1985 song, "Stay Up Late".

Shannon O'Keefe - 2018 Qubica AMF Women's Champion

source: PWBA
Shannon O'Keefe

Big congratulations to McKendree Women's Bowling coach and 2018 PWBA Player of the Year Shannon O'Keefe on her exciting win over Malaysia's Sin Li Jane in the 2018 Qubica AMF World Cup held at Sam's Town in Las Vegas.

Without further ado, here's the semifinals and finals women's matches from Bowl.com:

Bowling Players Packing Review at Mightygoods.com

Come check out the Mightygoods.com review site. Included is my review of how I pack bowling equipment.

In awe that my review is featured alongside PBA legend Parker Bohn III.

Click here to read the review.