A poem for Mr. Chen (#2)
I'm gonna buy you a new t-shirt
Or maybe a seat in the bleacher,,
You have inspired me to be a preacher.
Matt P. '05
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Another Poem
I'm gonna buy you a new t-shirt
Or maybe a seat in the bleacher,,
You have inspired me to be a preacher.
Matt P. '05
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Look what I found!
A poem for Mr. Chen
Who, of The O.C. he was a fan.
He taught us all Math
and showed us the path
to learning all that we can!
Sunday, January 23, 2005
One-Eighth of College --- DONE!
What is now becoming tradition, Sarah K. and Emma B. have made a dinner date with me on the San Francisco side of the Bay on one of the days just before they are to leave for college. Well, the first rendezvous for dinner (Blue) was during the middle of their senior year. This past August (Fuzio) and this past Friday (Firewood Cafe), Knox and Bundy took me out to dinner.
Emma B. to my right, Sarah K. to my left and Sarah H.
The threesome again
The two claim that the real reason they come visit is to see me. In reality, seeing me is a vehicle to mining the information I have. Apparently, I often have random pieces of information that I see as a random useless fact. It has become apparent that many times these data are missing from some story or picture Emma and Sarah are involved in. For instance, there was once an incident with a classmate of theirs named Tom. Tom was supposed to go out with one of Emma and Sarah's friends on a Friday night but he called and said he was sick. Controversy arose as to whether he truly was sick or was lying to get out of going with the friend. I had a piece of information that absolved Tom of guilt in that I saw him and his parents the following day out at Trader Joe's buying Tom his favorite foods to help him feel better.
As usual, it was great to see Sarah and Emma. I'll see them again, if schedule holds to form sometime in mid-August.
The two claim that the real reason they come visit is to see me. In reality, seeing me is a vehicle to mining the information I have. Apparently, I often have random pieces of information that I see as a random useless fact. It has become apparent that many times these data are missing from some story or picture Emma and Sarah are involved in. For instance, there was once an incident with a classmate of theirs named Tom. Tom was supposed to go out with one of Emma and Sarah's friends on a Friday night but he called and said he was sick. Controversy arose as to whether he truly was sick or was lying to get out of going with the friend. I had a piece of information that absolved Tom of guilt in that I saw him and his parents the following day out at Trader Joe's buying Tom his favorite foods to help him feel better.
As usual, it was great to see Sarah and Emma. I'll see them again, if schedule holds to form sometime in mid-August.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Every Six Months
What are the things that we have to do every six months? Well, the one I always think of is the event that happens twice every year, the events I live in mortal fear of. What are these events? It's the bi-annual visit to the dentist. What is the source of this irrational fear, this sense of dread that drives me to nearly cancel the appointment in the days before? What I despise is the new high powered water pik/drill that is used to clean your teeth. My hatred of this device stems from the fact that it has a high pitched squeal and that when the sharp jet of water hits a sensitive area of my gums, it causes immense sharp pain. I can conjur up this pain at anytime, even right now, it is that pressed into my memory.
My dental hygenist, Shelly, respected my wishes (which I have since found out is not as common as I believed it to be) and cleaned my teeth with the old-fashioned metal pick. However, during my cleaning, she said that there was no way she could get at/out the plaque buildup on the rear side of the front-center-lower teeth without using the new water pik. (Hello, does this mean that in the days before this new fangled water pik, the dentists and their hygenists simply let the plaque remain in place?) Shelly was very very very very cautious and judicious in her use of the pik. But there were times when the sharp jet would hit a nerve and I would start to cringe and eventually shut my mouth. Shelly was probably laughing at the sight of this 34 year old man acting like such a baby, but she didn't laugh, encouraged me to finish and eventually we did.
At the end of the appointment, my actual dentist, Dr. Saddler, came in to speak with me. He said that he advised to schedule a deep cleaning of my teeth and gums. I would have it done over two days, one day the left side and the other the right side. I would be facing the water pik of pain for the entire two days. Luckily, I found out that I will have the side of my to be worked on numbed so I won't feel it. I plan on bringing headphones to block out the squeal. I am already dreading these two days, February 2nd and 10th. AAAGGGHHH!!!
My dental hygenist, Shelly, respected my wishes (which I have since found out is not as common as I believed it to be) and cleaned my teeth with the old-fashioned metal pick. However, during my cleaning, she said that there was no way she could get at/out the plaque buildup on the rear side of the front-center-lower teeth without using the new water pik. (Hello, does this mean that in the days before this new fangled water pik, the dentists and their hygenists simply let the plaque remain in place?) Shelly was very very very very cautious and judicious in her use of the pik. But there were times when the sharp jet would hit a nerve and I would start to cringe and eventually shut my mouth. Shelly was probably laughing at the sight of this 34 year old man acting like such a baby, but she didn't laugh, encouraged me to finish and eventually we did.
At the end of the appointment, my actual dentist, Dr. Saddler, came in to speak with me. He said that he advised to schedule a deep cleaning of my teeth and gums. I would have it done over two days, one day the left side and the other the right side. I would be facing the water pik of pain for the entire two days. Luckily, I found out that I will have the side of my to be worked on numbed so I won't feel it. I plan on bringing headphones to block out the squeal. I am already dreading these two days, February 2nd and 10th. AAAGGGHHH!!!
Monday, January 17, 2005
Three Events of the Past Week
The first I can't remember what it was at this very moment. I remember distinctly saying as the week went on that this event, whatever it was was something that I wanted to blog about. I've looked back in my calender and tried to figure it out, but nothing is jogging my memory. Thererfore, since I'm a calender/list freak and the fact that nothing is written down, this event must have been something that occurred in some spontaneous moment. What IS it? It's driving me crazy.
This past Saturday, I went and saw a financial planner. My long-time friend Kathy L. from my summer on the "Love Boat", pointed me in the direction of her former co-worker and friend Ray T., who is currently a high-level person within the Wealth-Tax Division of HSBC, which I subsequently found out stands for Hong-Kong Shanghai Bank Corporation. In our introductory emails, Ray figured out pretty quickly that I would probably need just a one time consultation to check on what I am doing is meeting my goals, both short-term and long-term. In our one and a half hour conversation on Saturday, he confirmed that how I have distributed my assets is correct. The two things that I should highly consider are A) Setting Up a Living Trust and B) Converting the TIC situation I am in into a Condo. I am glad and thankful that Ray was generous with his time to met me. It certainly is nice to know that I'm on the right path.
This morning, MLK Birthday observation day, my neighbor and friend Brian S. took my up on my offer to help him with some of his contracting work. Today's job was a "demolition" of the basement of a house he has been contracted to remodel. Demoltion in this case meant removing the everything that was currently in the downstairs basement of this house in St. Mary's Park because a new foundation needs to be poured. I like doing construction type work because it is the antithesis of the work I do. Working with one's hands versus one's mind is so different. So, the first thing I observed was the delivery of the dumpster? Has anyone actually seen how a dumpster is brought to a site? It's not exactly the most graceful looking method that Golden Gate Sanitation uses, but it does get the thing there. The first job of every demolition, I guess, is trash removal. There wasn't an exceedly amount of trash, but it needed to hauled out to the dumpster. Then the "demolition" began. Demolition is an act of removal therefore the process and it's results are not meant to be viewed as having inherent beauty. Get the stuff down and out as quickly as you can. I found that I viewed demoltion more as "disassemble" in that I would want to remove each board intact as one piece and then throwing it away. Follow this SAT analogy...DEMOLITION:DISASSEMBLE is the same as TEARING OFF THE CHRISMAS PRESENT WRAPPING PAPER:REMOVING THE CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER CAREFULLY SO IT IS IN ONE PIECE. By the end of the three hours I was very nearly at demolition mode but I'm not sure I am fully cut out for ripping this apart.
I still can't remember what the third event of the past week was. I thought that by writing about the other two I would remember that third one. Didn't happen. Perhaps the third event didn't really happen.
This past Saturday, I went and saw a financial planner. My long-time friend Kathy L. from my summer on the "Love Boat", pointed me in the direction of her former co-worker and friend Ray T., who is currently a high-level person within the Wealth-Tax Division of HSBC, which I subsequently found out stands for Hong-Kong Shanghai Bank Corporation. In our introductory emails, Ray figured out pretty quickly that I would probably need just a one time consultation to check on what I am doing is meeting my goals, both short-term and long-term. In our one and a half hour conversation on Saturday, he confirmed that how I have distributed my assets is correct. The two things that I should highly consider are A) Setting Up a Living Trust and B) Converting the TIC situation I am in into a Condo. I am glad and thankful that Ray was generous with his time to met me. It certainly is nice to know that I'm on the right path.
This morning, MLK Birthday observation day, my neighbor and friend Brian S. took my up on my offer to help him with some of his contracting work. Today's job was a "demolition" of the basement of a house he has been contracted to remodel. Demoltion in this case meant removing the everything that was currently in the downstairs basement of this house in St. Mary's Park because a new foundation needs to be poured. I like doing construction type work because it is the antithesis of the work I do. Working with one's hands versus one's mind is so different. So, the first thing I observed was the delivery of the dumpster? Has anyone actually seen how a dumpster is brought to a site? It's not exactly the most graceful looking method that Golden Gate Sanitation uses, but it does get the thing there. The first job of every demolition, I guess, is trash removal. There wasn't an exceedly amount of trash, but it needed to hauled out to the dumpster. Then the "demolition" began. Demolition is an act of removal therefore the process and it's results are not meant to be viewed as having inherent beauty. Get the stuff down and out as quickly as you can. I found that I viewed demoltion more as "disassemble" in that I would want to remove each board intact as one piece and then throwing it away. Follow this SAT analogy...DEMOLITION:DISASSEMBLE is the same as TEARING OFF THE CHRISMAS PRESENT WRAPPING PAPER:REMOVING THE CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER CAREFULLY SO IT IS IN ONE PIECE. By the end of the three hours I was very nearly at demolition mode but I'm not sure I am fully cut out for ripping this apart.
I still can't remember what the third event of the past week was. I thought that by writing about the other two I would remember that third one. Didn't happen. Perhaps the third event didn't really happen.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Far Above Cayuga's Waters
This evening, my college friend, grad-school friend, colleague friend and just plain friend, Shahana S. and I went to a Cornell University Glee Club concert. The Glee Club is doing a tour of California and tonight was their kickoff concert in Berkeley. But I think all of us were there to hear the Cornell songs. The Football Song was great and The Evening Song brought back to me a flood of memories. But as everyone in the audience stood to sing the Alma Mater, I couldn't help but realize that I was welling up.
I can now understand why old men cry at the thought of their college years. It's because THEY ARE GONE. I will never live those years of my life ever again, and that truly is sad. I think back about all the stupid things I worried about, like tests and looking good in front of my professors. Those weren't the important things, well in some ways they were, but it was the amazing experiences I had, the people I met and those friends who I still maintain friendships with today. I look at the email address book I have and there are names of Cornellians sprinkled all through there.
I sat there during the concert with all these nuggets of wisdom and clarity fly through my mind. But most importantly, how valuable the experience was. Cornell, although with its faults, was the place where I grew up. I became an independent person and some of the decisions I made there are consistent with who I am now. For example, majoring in Geology, was NOT in the cards as played by Mom and Dad, but I went down that path and loved it. Following what was true for me was an experiment I first dabbled in at Cornell and has now become an integral part of me.
I won't bore you all with the other things, but I now understand why so many parents find it so important that their sons or daughters go to their alma maters. I used to think it was all about the prestige of a child going to that school. But instead it is that the parent wants their child to live that same wonderful experience. If and when I have kids, I would want them to experience Cornell and have for it the fondness for that institution far above Cayuga's waters.
I can now understand why old men cry at the thought of their college years. It's because THEY ARE GONE. I will never live those years of my life ever again, and that truly is sad. I think back about all the stupid things I worried about, like tests and looking good in front of my professors. Those weren't the important things, well in some ways they were, but it was the amazing experiences I had, the people I met and those friends who I still maintain friendships with today. I look at the email address book I have and there are names of Cornellians sprinkled all through there.
I sat there during the concert with all these nuggets of wisdom and clarity fly through my mind. But most importantly, how valuable the experience was. Cornell, although with its faults, was the place where I grew up. I became an independent person and some of the decisions I made there are consistent with who I am now. For example, majoring in Geology, was NOT in the cards as played by Mom and Dad, but I went down that path and loved it. Following what was true for me was an experiment I first dabbled in at Cornell and has now become an integral part of me.
I won't bore you all with the other things, but I now understand why so many parents find it so important that their sons or daughters go to their alma maters. I used to think it was all about the prestige of a child going to that school. But instead it is that the parent wants their child to live that same wonderful experience. If and when I have kids, I would want them to experience Cornell and have for it the fondness for that institution far above Cayuga's waters.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Look at how good my bed looks!!!
Sunday, January 02, 2005
It's Olde Reunion Week
This past weekend I reunited with two friends from different parts of my life. It is sad that sometimes wonderful people drift out of our lives under circumstances we can control and those we can't. Whatever the reason, they are gone forever. Luckily, fate brought me back with two friends that I hadn't seen in a a couple years (Jeffrey B.) and fourteen years (Mason K.).
Jeffrey and I had a nice lunch at Max's right of Union Square. He's had a couple rough years as have I, so it was nice for us to be able to see each other when we both had pulled it all together.
Mason K. sent me an email early in my days of recovery in the Great Trauma of 2002. As I was cleaning out my inbox over the holidays, there was Mason's email. I did a search on his name and LO AND BEHOLD, Mason and his wife Amanda live in Bernal Heights. Both are Columbia graduates with Mason being an architect with a small firm in town and Amanda taking six months off before starting her postdoc in Neuroscience at UCSF. I wish I could say that the Kirby's and I live spitting distance, but alas, I live in the SW quadrant and they in the NE quadrant. If we were to walk in a straight line between the two, our beloved Bernal Hill is smack dab in the way. Amanda recently gave birth to the Kirby's daughter, Julia Rae K..
Mason, Amanda and Julia K. (January 2nd, 2004)
Glad to have them all back in my life.
Jeffrey and I had a nice lunch at Max's right of Union Square. He's had a couple rough years as have I, so it was nice for us to be able to see each other when we both had pulled it all together.
Mason K. sent me an email early in my days of recovery in the Great Trauma of 2002. As I was cleaning out my inbox over the holidays, there was Mason's email. I did a search on his name and LO AND BEHOLD, Mason and his wife Amanda live in Bernal Heights. Both are Columbia graduates with Mason being an architect with a small firm in town and Amanda taking six months off before starting her postdoc in Neuroscience at UCSF. I wish I could say that the Kirby's and I live spitting distance, but alas, I live in the SW quadrant and they in the NE quadrant. If we were to walk in a straight line between the two, our beloved Bernal Hill is smack dab in the way. Amanda recently gave birth to the Kirby's daughter, Julia Rae K..
Glad to have them all back in my life.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
The Honorable George V.
When I was making one of my first check-up visits with Dr. B at Harborview back in December 2002, I stopped by the rehab ward to see the nurses. As I was wheeling myself around I met this man in a wheelchair also wearing a TLSO. I had mine off at that point, but we TLSO wearers have an immediate bond. This man, George V. (a retired DC-10 pilot for Northwest Airlines), had a fall and had a compression of the T12. He had the T11, T12 and L1 vertebrae fused, in the same manner as my L1-L2-L3. George, however, had none of the issues with feet as I did.
When I left the hospital, I think I was rated ASIA C. George left the hospital at ASIA D (where A is best and E is worst). So he was a bit behind me in that regard. Also, George suffered (and still suffers) from spasticity, something I never experienced. We both were wheelchair bound upon leaving Harborview.
I try and visit George when I am in Seattle and he has made significant improvements. Look at this!
George standing on his own two legs! Go George!
Look at these two guys both with fused vertebrae! Medical miracles!
It turns out George is battling many of the same hurdles that I did and it was helpful for him to hear that I managed to conquer them. Perhaps he will too. I am also going to try to hook him up with my beloved physical therapist, Nancy H., and perhaps she can give him some tips and suggestions to help him along in his recovery. I’m predicting George will be walking with a cane within a year and a half. Perhaps, he should hire my father, my hard driving, “take no excuses” exercise coach during my recovery, to push him to do more in this work to gain strength and range of motion in his legs.
Ok, I had to sneak in this cute picture of me and my grandfather taken at our family dinner The Old Spaghetti Factory
Ernie and his grandfather mugging for the camera. My grandfather has always been the most photogenic one in the family. Who would have guessed?
When I left the hospital, I think I was rated ASIA C. George left the hospital at ASIA D (where A is best and E is worst). So he was a bit behind me in that regard. Also, George suffered (and still suffers) from spasticity, something I never experienced. We both were wheelchair bound upon leaving Harborview.
I try and visit George when I am in Seattle and he has made significant improvements. Look at this!
It turns out George is battling many of the same hurdles that I did and it was helpful for him to hear that I managed to conquer them. Perhaps he will too. I am also going to try to hook him up with my beloved physical therapist, Nancy H., and perhaps she can give him some tips and suggestions to help him along in his recovery. I’m predicting George will be walking with a cane within a year and a half. Perhaps, he should hire my father, my hard driving, “take no excuses” exercise coach during my recovery, to push him to do more in this work to gain strength and range of motion in his legs.
Ok, I had to sneak in this cute picture of me and my grandfather taken at our family dinner The Old Spaghetti Factory
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Football and Golf
Went to the Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals game. Seahawks won 24-21 and secured a spot in the playoffs with at best a 9-7 record and perhaps getting in for sure with an 8-8. Comments anyone on the NFC? Mom and I had a nice afternoon together although, I admit I was a bit mute.
I admit I am totally a fairweather Seattle Seahawks fan. Current bandwagon status, "HANGING ON".
Dad and I played golf at Bellevue Municipal, which was a decent course. The first six holes lulled me into thinking it was going to be a short, really easy course, with all four of the par 4's under 300 yards. Then BOOM, the long holes came and didn't end until around the 16th hole. I shot 92. The most important part of the day was that it was the first time I walked an entire 18 holes. Boy was I still the next day.
Looking good Dad!
Dork
Father and son golf. Note the beautiful weather! December in Seattle, can't beat it.
Dad and I played golf at Bellevue Municipal, which was a decent course. The first six holes lulled me into thinking it was going to be a short, really easy course, with all four of the par 4's under 300 yards. Then BOOM, the long holes came and didn't end until around the 16th hole. I shot 92. The most important part of the day was that it was the first time I walked an entire 18 holes. Boy was I still the next day.
Book recommendations
These are books that I have read during this holiday. This is in between all the family obligations and letters of recommendation I've written.
First off, Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen who here writes a comedy/mystery revolving around the natural wonders of his beloved state of Florida. And yes, a puppy plays a significant role in this book even though it's about revenge and sending a message to those who need it.
Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen
Second is a humorous, touching and educational look into the process and pains of alcoholism, rehab and the work after rehab. The fact that Burroughs is gay is a minor issue, but does add some spice. He writes well about what are possilbly painful and sad situations.
Dry by Augusten Burroughs
Last comes a fun novel about a magician in the 1920's who somehow offs President Warren G. Harding during a magic trick. The book also is set in 1920's San Francisco which is a bonus for us who live there.
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
First off, Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen who here writes a comedy/mystery revolving around the natural wonders of his beloved state of Florida. And yes, a puppy plays a significant role in this book even though it's about revenge and sending a message to those who need it.
Second is a humorous, touching and educational look into the process and pains of alcoholism, rehab and the work after rehab. The fact that Burroughs is gay is a minor issue, but does add some spice. He writes well about what are possilbly painful and sad situations.
Last comes a fun novel about a magician in the 1920's who somehow offs President Warren G. Harding during a magic trick. The book also is set in 1920's San Francisco which is a bonus for us who live there.
Monday, December 27, 2004
For those of you lived in Seattle during your Middle School years…
Dad and I ate at a place where this establishment stood (and still stands) across the parking lot.
Snowball anyone?
My, my, my………the dramas that unfolded in this building oh those many years ago!
My, my, my………the dramas that unfolded in this building oh those many years ago!
Christmas and its Booty!!
Christmas morning came and here’s a picture of me opening the many presents that were under the tree FOR ME!!!
Here I am eagerly opening a package just like when I was five years old! That's Mom to my left.
So what did I get? I got some nice clothing from Eddie Bauer. During my Thanksgiving visit, I picked up a catalog and picked out some things that I liked and here they were under the tree.
Two waffle crew shirts and a houndstooth sweater vest.
There actually was another nice sweater top but when I put it on, the cut of the shoulders was strange and it literally looked that I had shoulders that pointed up. Very strange looking, so it was promptly returned the next day.
In addition, I got a bunch of small items, a Barnes & Noble Gift certificate, a razor and replacement blades, boxers, a surprise gift from my friend Heidi and the annual stocking stuffer…replacement heads for my sonicare toothbrush.
Booty, booty, booty……..
Lastly, I asked for new bed linens this year so Mom went out and got them for me. She knows that I don’t ever use the top sheets, so clever Mom that she is, she sewed the two top sheets together to make a comforter cover. Look!!!
My new comforter cover that I match my two new sets of sheets. Isn’t Mom resourceful and creative? Yeah she is…..
It was a good Christmas in the material sense. But more important is that the family was present. As is tradition (and torture) every year, a family photo must be shot. Dad, the photo fanatic, still had not mastered the self-timer on his new digital camera. But this is the family shot of 2004.
Chen Family 2004
Here are some photos from the morning present opening gala.
Dad showing off a new "Bill Cosby Sweater."{
Marlene and her new IPOD.
Mom showing trying on her new watch (care of Dad).
My grandmother showing off her new pajamas.
Nothing more need be said!
So what did I get? I got some nice clothing from Eddie Bauer. During my Thanksgiving visit, I picked up a catalog and picked out some things that I liked and here they were under the tree.
There actually was another nice sweater top but when I put it on, the cut of the shoulders was strange and it literally looked that I had shoulders that pointed up. Very strange looking, so it was promptly returned the next day.
In addition, I got a bunch of small items, a Barnes & Noble Gift certificate, a razor and replacement blades, boxers, a surprise gift from my friend Heidi and the annual stocking stuffer…replacement heads for my sonicare toothbrush.
Lastly, I asked for new bed linens this year so Mom went out and got them for me. She knows that I don’t ever use the top sheets, so clever Mom that she is, she sewed the two top sheets together to make a comforter cover. Look!!!
It was a good Christmas in the material sense. But more important is that the family was present. As is tradition (and torture) every year, a family photo must be shot. Dad, the photo fanatic, still had not mastered the self-timer on his new digital camera. But this is the family shot of 2004.
Here are some photos from the morning present opening gala.
Nothing more need be said!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Does this have Freudian meaning?
I have begun to notice in the past three months that I have been walking around with my zipper unzipped. I will go to do my business in the bathroom and well, half my work has already been done for me as I probably didn't finish the task of making myself fully presentable from before. Why can't I just remember to do the simple task of zipping myself up? Or is this god's way of telling me to move on to the next phase of my life and wear athletic pants for the rest of my life?
Vega$
Every year, my friend Jim J. (a Biology teacher at Lawrenceville) and I make a trip to Las Vegas to feed our gambling needs. Over the course of about 6 or 7 years, he and I have gone for a two day jaunt every year except the year where I was injured. We have had other friends come along, but this is my thing with Jim.
Primarily, Jim and I play blackjack. The way I have come to approach blackjack is that when I cash in for chips, the chips reflect the "time I have on the clock". The moment I have no more chips, the buzzer has sounded and I am done for that round. I don't think of it as winning and losing, I think of it as the cost of playing and the entertainment it brings. What is fun is when a bunch of people you know all are playing at the same table with a dealer that feeds that vibe. Those moments are fleeting and magical, regardless if we are winning or losing money.
Jim and I have also started playing poker and yes I will fully admit I am riding the wave of Texas Hold Em on television. I have played at the card rooms in Emeryville but this time Jim and I played a good three and a half hours straight of Hold Em. Jim also played the night/morning before when I was sleeping. Jim taught me some good things to think about but mostly to look for four kinds of players. There are smart and dumb players. Each kind of player is either a loose (bets a lot and often) player or a tight player. Everybody likes dumb loose players at the table. Alas, the table Jim and I played at was packed with smart tight players. I probably was the least skilled player at the table. The more and more I play, the more I realize how little I actually know about the game of poker. There were a couple times where I played to the end of the hand sensing that I was going to get beat but unable to put my finger on it. Sure enough, I lost. The one that hurt the most, I had full house 8's and Aces. I was beat with a full house of Ace's and 8's. Ouch. That hand cost me about $20.
Jim and I stayed at the New York New York Hotel. Many of you have seen pictures, but here's another one.
The fabulous New York New York Hotel
The room was very large for a standard hotel room and the decor was so fabulous that even I, Ernie Chen, the aesthetic idiot, took note. The accomodations were part of a Southwest Airlines vacation package. Can you believe that I got a roundtrip flight from Oakland and two nights at the New York New York for a mere $220?
In Vegas, Jim and I met up with Erin O. (remember her from the South Bend days of this year) and her family. The O'Dea family does Vegas right. They go to wine tastings and eat at the fancy restaurants. It was nice to see Erin's family again. Alas, Raymonde was not in Vegas with us this year. The big surprise was that a former Lawrenceville colleague was in Las Vegas visiting her sister. Kathy K., the teacher who inherited my classroom at Lville, her husband Rick, Jim and I all had dinner one night. What a treat it was to see Kathy again.
Kathy K., me and Jim J.
Alas, I will say that I was definitely ready to return home. I got the gambling out of my system for another year.
Primarily, Jim and I play blackjack. The way I have come to approach blackjack is that when I cash in for chips, the chips reflect the "time I have on the clock". The moment I have no more chips, the buzzer has sounded and I am done for that round. I don't think of it as winning and losing, I think of it as the cost of playing and the entertainment it brings. What is fun is when a bunch of people you know all are playing at the same table with a dealer that feeds that vibe. Those moments are fleeting and magical, regardless if we are winning or losing money.
Jim and I have also started playing poker and yes I will fully admit I am riding the wave of Texas Hold Em on television. I have played at the card rooms in Emeryville but this time Jim and I played a good three and a half hours straight of Hold Em. Jim also played the night/morning before when I was sleeping. Jim taught me some good things to think about but mostly to look for four kinds of players. There are smart and dumb players. Each kind of player is either a loose (bets a lot and often) player or a tight player. Everybody likes dumb loose players at the table. Alas, the table Jim and I played at was packed with smart tight players. I probably was the least skilled player at the table. The more and more I play, the more I realize how little I actually know about the game of poker. There were a couple times where I played to the end of the hand sensing that I was going to get beat but unable to put my finger on it. Sure enough, I lost. The one that hurt the most, I had full house 8's and Aces. I was beat with a full house of Ace's and 8's. Ouch. That hand cost me about $20.
Jim and I stayed at the New York New York Hotel. Many of you have seen pictures, but here's another one.
The room was very large for a standard hotel room and the decor was so fabulous that even I, Ernie Chen, the aesthetic idiot, took note. The accomodations were part of a Southwest Airlines vacation package. Can you believe that I got a roundtrip flight from Oakland and two nights at the New York New York for a mere $220?
In Vegas, Jim and I met up with Erin O. (remember her from the South Bend days of this year) and her family. The O'Dea family does Vegas right. They go to wine tastings and eat at the fancy restaurants. It was nice to see Erin's family again. Alas, Raymonde was not in Vegas with us this year. The big surprise was that a former Lawrenceville colleague was in Las Vegas visiting her sister. Kathy K., the teacher who inherited my classroom at Lville, her husband Rick, Jim and I all had dinner one night. What a treat it was to see Kathy again.
Alas, I will say that I was definitely ready to return home. I got the gambling out of my system for another year.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
A Taste of My Own Medicine
The following blog entry should be music to the ears of Head-Royce students Samantha W., Courtney P. and Nikki K. to name just a few. The common thread between these three young women? They have been the focus of my unrelenting teasing. Many of you know that when I get on a roll, I can be incredibly brutal in the sheer amount of abuse (all in good fun and done with the utmost love and knowledge that the victim can handle it) is pretty massive. I was particularly harsh with Samantha W., and those students who were in that section of Honors Geometry last year, can attest that I was borderline unprofessional!
So, it was Monday afternoon and Jim and I had wandered down the the Bellagio. We were working our way down the Strip to eventually meet up with Erin and her brother Kevin. Jim and I sat down at a $5 blackjack table and our primary dealer was named Sheila. Sheila was a woman in her 50's who has found that the way she enjoys her job is to talk with her players. She also, like me, has a good sense of people and knows when she can go for the juggular. I was her target. For nearly an hour and a half, I was subject to teasing, ridicule and abject embarassment. It didn't help that Jim was sitting next to me feeding her information about me. Jim, come on now, did Sheila really need to know that I snore loudly? Things that I thought were innocently said came back to nail me an hour later. NOTHING got past Sheila. The fact that I lost my $100 budget at that table and then reached into my wallet for an additional $40 to stay with Sheila must mean something. I guess I like being the center of attention. Sheila, thank you for giving me a lesson I probably needed.
On a random note, it turns out that for the entire one and a half hours I sat at the table, each and every person who was played at the table during that time was a mathematician, scientist, engineer or a teacher of those subjects. It was a total meeting of MATH CLUB. This engineer from Dayton, OH and I were fascinated by the little machine which the dealer uses to determine if the down card is an Ace or face card depending on what she/he needed to know. We wondered why the designers of the machine didn't simplify the machine to have just one button. It's a long story.....
So, it was Monday afternoon and Jim and I had wandered down the the Bellagio. We were working our way down the Strip to eventually meet up with Erin and her brother Kevin. Jim and I sat down at a $5 blackjack table and our primary dealer was named Sheila. Sheila was a woman in her 50's who has found that the way she enjoys her job is to talk with her players. She also, like me, has a good sense of people and knows when she can go for the juggular. I was her target. For nearly an hour and a half, I was subject to teasing, ridicule and abject embarassment. It didn't help that Jim was sitting next to me feeding her information about me. Jim, come on now, did Sheila really need to know that I snore loudly? Things that I thought were innocently said came back to nail me an hour later. NOTHING got past Sheila. The fact that I lost my $100 budget at that table and then reached into my wallet for an additional $40 to stay with Sheila must mean something. I guess I like being the center of attention. Sheila, thank you for giving me a lesson I probably needed.
On a random note, it turns out that for the entire one and a half hours I sat at the table, each and every person who was played at the table during that time was a mathematician, scientist, engineer or a teacher of those subjects. It was a total meeting of MATH CLUB. This engineer from Dayton, OH and I were fascinated by the little machine which the dealer uses to determine if the down card is an Ace or face card depending on what she/he needed to know. We wondered why the designers of the machine didn't simplify the machine to have just one button. It's a long story.....
Sunday, December 19, 2004
"Why don't you ask Rich?"
The second act of of "friends in town for the weekend" had protagonists Leah and Rich (of 4th of July in Washington, DC blogfame) in town this weekend. Richard has business here on Monday and Tuesday and since Leah is done with teaching her classes this semester tagged along for the shopping, eating and visiting of me.
In recapping our lives, every once in a while, Rich would ask, "did that person ever make the blog?", and in each instance, the person I was talking about was not a blog subject. RICHARD A. is a regular blog reader!!! As our conversation over dim sum continued, every time Leah asked me a question, I sometimes deferred to her husband to answer. RICHARD A., you get major cool points.
We spent the majority of our three hours dining on dim sum. Leah loves my regular dim sum place here in San Francisco. It's down on San Bruno Avenue in the Portola District. The area is off the beaten tourist path, but the kind of place were you see true locals doing their thing. We counted that today's meal was the third time they had eaten dim sum at this restaurant.
Leah and Richard taking a break from their favorite San Francisco meal.
We spent the early afternoon driving through different neighboorhoods of San Francisco to get a feel of the city and the kinds of housing available. Hmmmm????!!!! I'll leave you with a picture that simply sums of life in San Francisco.
Leah and Richard looking over the city from the top of Vallejo Street on Russian Hill.
In recapping our lives, every once in a while, Rich would ask, "did that person ever make the blog?", and in each instance, the person I was talking about was not a blog subject. RICHARD A. is a regular blog reader!!! As our conversation over dim sum continued, every time Leah asked me a question, I sometimes deferred to her husband to answer. RICHARD A., you get major cool points.
We spent the majority of our three hours dining on dim sum. Leah loves my regular dim sum place here in San Francisco. It's down on San Bruno Avenue in the Portola District. The area is off the beaten tourist path, but the kind of place were you see true locals doing their thing. We counted that today's meal was the third time they had eaten dim sum at this restaurant.
We spent the early afternoon driving through different neighboorhoods of San Francisco to get a feel of the city and the kinds of housing available. Hmmmm????!!!! I'll leave you with a picture that simply sums of life in San Francisco.
Friday, December 17, 2004
ALL POINTS BULLETIN FOR CARLOS A P.
Friday December 19th, 2004 was a historic day for Justin D., the boyfriend of my longtime childhood friend Lynn K. It was his last day of medical school. Today? DONE. And I had the honor of having dinner with Lynn and Justin at my local restaurant called, yes, this is its name, Emmy's Spaghetti Shack. Afterwards, I took the two of them to the Bernal Heights and the two of them went down in tandem. So cute.
So here are pictures of Justin and Lynn. Somehow, pictures taken without much care and thought in my kitchen often turn out the best.
Justin D. looking pretty suave on his last ever day of medical school.
Justin and Lynn
Pedraza, this one's for you!
So here are pictures of Justin and Lynn. Somehow, pictures taken without much care and thought in my kitchen often turn out the best.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Monday, December 13, 2004
Study Day Success
The Head-Royce Upper School gives semester finals twice a year. The day before the three days of finals is a day called "Study Day". All teachers are required to be available to answer students' questions and alleviate their worries. In the past, I have left school on these days wanting to: a) slit my wrists b) seriously consider changing professions due to the fact that the students knew nothing or c) want to check myself into an insane asylum due to the chaos and frenzy of anxiety. Historically, students begin to act like freaks of nature, grow a mob mentality and all I am doing is trying to put out fires left and right.
So this year, I posted the following list of rules on my door that students had to read before entering the room.
Mr. Chen’s Study Day Rules and Regulations to make your Experience More Enjoyable
(AKA: How to ensure Mr. Chen will not lose his temper today!)
1) The question “Will that be on the test?” will be returned with a glare of sheer disdain. (If you do not know the meaning of disdain, see your English teacher, as they should have their employment terminated.)
2) If there is more than one student in the room, Mr. Chen will take a question from a student and answer for the entire room. If you have a question that applies specifically to you, please wait for a time when you will be alone OR see Mr. Chen later in the day (say after 2PM) OR email Mr. Chen (echen@headroyce.org) and he will answer your question by return email this evening.
3) If you interrupt or cutoff either Mr. Chen or another student, you will be less likely to be called on if you subsequently raise your hand. Mr. Chen will be keeping mental score.
4) The final will be worth 150 points for Geometry and somewhere between 130 and 140 points for Honors Geometry.
5) Geometry students will be allowed to write corrections for their fall final in the same manner as chapter tests. Honors Geometry students will not be allowed to write corrections.
6) Smile and breathe; you’re going to do fine as you have learned and actually know a great deal of Geometry.
7) As you enter, please bow to Mr. Chen (just like all students do for their teachers in Asia) to signify that you have read and understood these rules.
You may now enter Room 208, a happy place!
The day was great. There was NO chaos or meltdown on the part of any student. And let me tell you how CUTE students are when they try to bow. This is a keeper.
So this year, I posted the following list of rules on my door that students had to read before entering the room.
1) The question “Will that be on the test?” will be returned with a glare of sheer disdain. (If you do not know the meaning of disdain, see your English teacher, as they should have their employment terminated.)
2) If there is more than one student in the room, Mr. Chen will take a question from a student and answer for the entire room. If you have a question that applies specifically to you, please wait for a time when you will be alone OR see Mr. Chen later in the day (say after 2PM) OR email Mr. Chen (echen@headroyce.org) and he will answer your question by return email this evening.
3) If you interrupt or cutoff either Mr. Chen or another student, you will be less likely to be called on if you subsequently raise your hand. Mr. Chen will be keeping mental score.
4) The final will be worth 150 points for Geometry and somewhere between 130 and 140 points for Honors Geometry.
5) Geometry students will be allowed to write corrections for their fall final in the same manner as chapter tests. Honors Geometry students will not be allowed to write corrections.
6) Smile and breathe; you’re going to do fine as you have learned and actually know a great deal of Geometry.
7) As you enter, please bow to Mr. Chen (just like all students do for their teachers in Asia) to signify that you have read and understood these rules.
The day was great. There was NO chaos or meltdown on the part of any student. And let me tell you how CUTE students are when they try to bow. This is a keeper.
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