- My pronouns are They/Them!!!
- Diversity and Inclusion.
- It's an honest mistake.
- the SJSU Volleyball Team that's been winning by forfeit.
This moment in time...
Thursday, October 31, 2024
An honest mistake
Friday, October 25, 2024
By Any Other Name
Was soooo excited when I saw this at Target. Immediately went onto all three library accounts to reserve the physical and digital books. I was like... 199 out of 200 in most cases!! Then all of a sudden... on back to back to back days... the libraries ping me saying the book is available. Good things come to those who wait... But waiting doesn't necessarily equate to good things. Not in the case of this installment of Picoult who apparently, has struck out again after 2022's combo piece, Mad Honey.
It's the holiday season... which is aptly timed because "By Any Other Name" is like Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol... a time period piece traversing the multi-verses of modern day Melina (Mel) and the Shakespearean Era of Emilia. The two are linked by genealogical lineage - the great, great, great grand parent of the other... and the latter is also the creative byproduct of the former, where modern day Melina, who hides her identity behind a non-binary name, recollects the triumphs and gut-wrenching/all-too-real defeats of the muse that helped shape modern day high school English classes. Though there is a contrast of the gender and class struggles from the gaps in centuries, Picoult deep dives into the raw and genuine discrimination that blindly exists or is aptly accepted today with the voice of the minority being crushed by the stalwarths of society established not by their own faults... but traces back to Eve giving the apple to Adam, or Adam accepting the apple from Eve.
Poetry is my not cup of tea... nor is the ideaology that Shakespeare or Victorian? English will cause one to float on a cloud. What floated... were the turning pages skipping the irrelevant only to find nothing was missed with every passing cloud. Picoult did light a fire under me with her all too graphic and vivid description of domestic violence and the recovery of it. Having been in two delivery rooms.. I was standing right there in the delivery room next to a 17th century midwife, no epidural, and miracle of life. I'd be remiss if I did not mention the eroticism in the love-making scenes juxtaposed with the act of pro-creation or carnal satisfaction.
As was the theme throughout the book... this compare and contrast left me doing the same with her previous works. Still vital... is Picoult's amazing use of metaphors. Character buildup... disdain or empathy alike. Long gone is that final twist that's as staple as Columbo's "one more thing." As the reader turns the pages... or in some cases, fast-forwards the pages... one can't hope and wish that this book was not actually written by Jodi... but by Mel or Emila... or by any other name...
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Climbing to the top... only to be at the bottom
Annual Jr. High basketball tryouts... SW hasn't done diddly squat all summer. He went out to "play" with me twice during the fall. And I guess he has PE and his elective. I will say... his handles has improved and he's much stronger and quicker than last year. So his skills are head and shoulders above his 7th grade self.
Results came out today... and SW bashfully says, he's the 12th best player on A-team!! SW made A-team!!! But oh... he knows full well... he's going to be riding bench the entire time.
Rewind a year ago... and two years ago... when he didn't make the top teams of his grade... and how disappointed he was. In 6th grade... he ended up being MVP. In 7th grade... he ended up being starting point guard and MVP, again. This year.... he admits... maybe he should be downgraded, just so he can get play time.
It's that whole concept of big fish, little pond. Or climbing the mountain, only to be at the bottom of the apex. When does it end for my little David who's battling his life full of Goliaths?
CONGRATS to SW. So proud of his achievements!!
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Denver Offsite
Had a leadership offsite in Denver this past week... here are some random thoughts and nuggets.
- First night arrival had dinner with my immediate team... we are not cohesive. Too many awkward silences and forced-small-talk. Dunno what to do
- Forced my team to have seafood with me the first night... I think that was a mistake. Or was it?
- I've been through the mechanical manufacturing at least 3 times... this time, things finally made sense.
- Going through SEC... I also know so much more than I did the first 3-5x I went through the shop.
- Sunnyvale is no where near Denver in terms of volume, action, opportunity.
- Watching the Denver L4's and L5's give a tour... I don't think my 4's and 5's stand a lick
- I should've moved to Denver 10+ years ago. I might be Director or VP by now.
- Shared a car with Tony...and he was the driver. Dunno how I like having my legs cut off from underneath me. I couldn't go anywhere.
- I hate flying.
- I won my turf war....for now. Maybe it was a turf battle. I was so happy when I celebrated.
- I am blessed.
Friday, October 11, 2024
Like an elephant
Met up with dad for coffee today... and the first thing he told me right after he sat down was, "I'm going deaf. Because I can't hear, I assume others can't ear so I speak very loud."
A little over a month ago... I went to brunch with him and towards the end of brunch, he got louder and louder to a point where I had to dial him down. I can't believe he remembers... and I bet it's been gnawing at him for the past month. He can finally get it off his chest. The things I say...
Saturday, September 28, 2024
The other 9
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Saturday, September 14, 2024
You don't know what you have... until you lose it....
Years and years... we've complained about the sound system at SJ. Then after moving to NV... we began to experience what true grassroots worship sounds like. Tonight, we went back to SJ for Missions Conference and OMG..... the sound was heavenly. 8 years of establishment vs a 50 year monument. You can really hear (and feel) the difference.
Friday, September 13, 2024
二人世界
Thursday, September 05, 2024
Super Mario Bro
Around 6PM, Got a text from our tenant. The utility sink in the garage is flooding. I asked if he tried to plunge it... he said yes. So I personally went there with my plunger and snake. After about 30 minutes of hardwork... I didn't get anywhere. Needed a professional power flusher.
Thankfully (maybe), the tenant already called a plumber. I would've waited until the next day. Roto Rooter came out that night... cleared the lines... and charged us a whopping $630!!! Dang!!! That's why Mario and Luigi are so rich!!!
Friday, August 30, 2024
Pest Control
Went to grab a cup of noodle to make for breakfast this morning... and when I touched it, it was wet. Then I noticed... it was all chewed up. Not just that one... but the other 20 in a pack fo 24!!! And the pack of Korean Spicy Noodles were also ripped into. Upon closer look... therea are animal droppings every where. WTF?!?!? We have pests in our garage!??!?!
How did they get in there?!?!? Where are they living?!?!?