Went on a short vacation early in the month with parents to Leavenworth, Wenachee, and Lake Chelan.  Bought a lot of apples & went fishing.  I caught my first fish after much effort and some good advice from a couple of old dudes who had decades of experience.  Overall it was a relaxing trip.

It’s nice at this time of the year.  The garden has improved dramatically in the past decade.  It provides a nice walk and some relaxing sceneries. 

Last night was the conclusion of the DNC’s nomination convention.  Mr. Obama gave a pretty good speech in both content & delivery.  Deflecting criticism of being ambiguous about what Change means in his campaign, he outlined some concrete goals such as

1. Universal Health Care
2. Withdrawal of troops from Iraq
3. Energy Independence in 10 years

One particular surprising point is his the promise to trim government spending along.  His voice alternated from deep & strong when talking about foreign policy to soft & gentle when talking about domestic lives of the American citizens.  It definitely struck an emotional resonance with people.  The recognition of patriotism in both candidates was a smart move to neutralize an implicit attack from McCain’s campaign.  Overall he set the stage for a clean & honorable debate that is refreshing compare to the bare knuckle, hit below the belt style politics favored by George W. Bush for the past 8 years.

I look forward to hear more clarifications from him, and the response next week from John McCain.

I need to build some momentum in my blog.  Maybe go easy at first, and write a little every day.  But just build the habit.  Otherwise, I seem to be stuck in a stop and go pattern.  I know that there’s a lot that I want to write.  But it’s a matter of discipline to get it on paper.  I know that I can do it.  I’ve done it already with my physical & mental exercise routines, and writing my goals daily.  So writing something shouldn’t be that freakin hard!!!

I think probably one big hurdle is self censorship, and constantly editing to make something perfect.  But screw it, life ain’t perfect, and this blog won’t be neither.  As the Nike saying goes, “Just do it!”

Have been consistently working out each morning, and definitely seeing some results, not to mention some pains.  Guess that’s my body telling me to cut back a bit.  Otherwise I feel and look great.  Guess anybody would after doing the following routines for a couple of months:

1. 2 minutes of stretching
2. 35 Pushups – Could do up to 50, buy elbow tends to inflame after a few days
3. 200 Sit Ups – Love them and could probably do a lot of more.  It’s a big contributor for my 6 packs
4. 60 seconds Yoga Bridge Pose – It’s kind of a rush afterwards when the blood flows back to the brain.

   

For my conditioning, I usually dance Salsa for a few hours a night.  But cutting that down a bit, and often just go for long walks, and occasional jogs and hikes.  Also massage my eyes.  I find that it helps to improve my vision, and helps to invigorate. 

Seattle museums allow free admission on the 1st Thursday of each month.  Eric & I decided to make the most of it, and went on an all-you-can-eat cultural buffet.  We saw a LOT of stuff that afternoon.  If you want to do the same, bring along a good pair of sneakers, because you’d be doing a LOT of running.  The following lists from my most favorite to least.

1. Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum – Has some very cool exhibits with a Cha Cha live performance.  It feels more like Planet Hollywood/Universal Studio than the typical stuffy museums.
2. Seattle Art Museum – New building opened about a year ago.  Ultra Modern Building.  I especially like the new Impressionist exhibit. 
3. Museum of History & Industry – Surprisingly big interior that illuminates Seattle’s past ~150 years
4. Seattle Asian Art Museum – Decent exhibit on Chinese & Japanese art.  The Buddhism section needs an update.  Been the same for the past couple of years.
5. Burke Museum – This place seems to be frozen in time!  Nothing changed since I first went there 10 years ago!!  Granted it’s by UW, but still, add something new exhibit already!!!
6. Wing Luke Asian Museum – This place sucks big time.  It was closed when we got there @ ~3:30pm.  There was no warning at all when I went to its website earlier that day.  We saw more cool stuff on the opposite side of the block in a Tea Gallery where the hospitable manager, Mr. Dafe Chen provided us with free samples of $100/lb Oolong Tea.  If you ever go to Seattle International district, I highly recommend it.

The downside of seeing all of the stuff is not having the time to digest and appreciate some of the fine art.  But at least now I know which one is worth my time for a more in depth visit.  Here’re the photos.

Earlier in the month, I vacationed with my folks at Ocean Park, WA. 

I was driving in a forested Wild Life Refuge on a rainy Monday morning. There wasn’t a soul in sight. Then suddenly, a blur… a black fury blur… At first I thought it was a dog. But it was too big and clumsy. Then I realized, HOLY CRAP, a freakin, monstrous black Bear! I slammed on my brake, fumbled furiously for my camera, while the bear hopped obliviously down the road, and a few seconds later disappeared into the woods.

Saw Female Agents on Wednesday @ the SIFF Cinema.  It’s a French action thriller set in days before the Normandy invasion in France.  As a friend said, it had just about everything, action, suspense, romance, and drama.  Don’t want to spoil the movie, but if you want happy endings, this isn’t for you.  But for a movie full of bullets and explosions, it’s well acted with an involving story.  I give it a 2 thumbs up. 

Went dancing at Century on Thursday.  It was like an oven in there with relief only in sporadic areas near the windows and fans.  They need some air conditioning!!!

Last Saturday’s hike was super fun!  The 5 of us were like Olympians passing dozens of mere mortals.   Memorable moments including Maurycy accidentally busting Mirek’s nose open in a wresting match on the snow.  Andreas catching Chi as she lost her footing on a steep slope.  Yours truly did a rain dance under the a waterfall.

Went to Pike Place Market yesterday and saw a booth selling leather wallets.  The vendor was eating a snack and there weren’t any other customers.  I picked up a decent looking leather wallet and started a onversation:

Me: How much is it?

Vendor: $29.  It’s on the price tag.

Me:  Ah here it is.  Ouch… too expensive.  I’ll give you $10.

Vendor: [Seems a bit taken back] No!!! [in a hurt tone]

Me: [Thinking to myself, Crap, she's either taking it personally or really a good actor]  Too expensive for me then.  [Begin to walk away]

Vendor: How Rude!!!

Me: [Controlling an urge to laugh in her face]

Ok here’s a lesson to street vendors everywhere.  When a customer offers a low ball bid, don’t become insulted and get on a moral high horse.  Instead leave the room open for negotiation.