One of the perks of going to King’s is getting done with school earlier than most. Last year, we went camping at Tahoe with the Tat’s and Yu’s. I still have the bug from being outdoors, but knowing the family aren’t quite the outdoorsy type… decided to try glamping. I typed in Grok, “Best Bay Area glamping” and was recommended to go to Wildhaven Sonoma. A short 2 hour drive… with a fully furnished cabin with AC, heater, power, queen sized mattressed bed… community shower with hot water, propane grills, and individual camp fires. There was also a private access to the Russian River – which we didn’t take advantage of.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Glamping
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Get my money's worth
We got this TV about a year before NN was
born. It was a deal… one of the last TV’s
Toshiba made. When I bought it from Best
Buy… I did my research to a point where I drove up… found the sales man… and
said, “I want this.” I still remember
him saying, “Wow… you know what you want, don’t ya?” 17+ years later… we finally have to bid
farewell to old faithful. It started
kibutzing about 6-7 years ago. Then
about 3 years ago… it went out on us once.
We went to Costco to get a replacement… and upon coming home… plugged it
in one last time to check before tossing it.
And amazingly…it came back to life.
The kids were so disappointed!!!
This time, we weren’t as lucky.
With TV’s having an estimated lifespan of 5-7 years…. Our TV lasted 3
times that. We got our money’s worth.
As we went to Costco… it was thrilling being able to grab, not a shopping cart, but a little flatbed. And as we wheeled the TV through the crowds… we can sense the eyes of envy staring at us. It was just a simple 55” OLED. I bet some of the eyes were mocking at us… laughing for not buying a bigger TV. It’s ok… this is a temporary TV until we move into a better home with a living room fit for a nicer TV. Like the Toshiba… I look forward to this being another 15-17 year temporary TV.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Under my wing
One of my direct reports recently made manager… and he’s enrolled in a Front Line Leader course. One of the assignment he has is to solicit comments from his team and peers. Then process and digest the comments and create some sort of action plan. I remember doing something like this when I first made Sr. Manager… and it was so natural for me to build a presentation that walked my boss through everything. Was I wrong in expecting him to do the same? Not only did he not do the same… he was completely unprepared. Was opening files left and right… pulling up empty PDF’s… moving files from one screen to another. 10 minutes into his presentation… I did what I’ve never done before. I stopped his presentation. I flat out told him… this is out of character. He’s unprepared and this is not professional. He’s wasting my time and wasting his own time. After pulling a rug out from him.. I threw him a life jacket and said, “Run it back and we can do this again.”
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Dance Showcase - Showtime
Annual dance showcase… and once again… NN’s class dominated. There’s good… and there’s not so good. And then, there’s simply great. NN has always stood out as a dancer. Ever since she was dancing for Arrows in the Christmas Performances, her natural abilities outshone her peers. Throughout the years at TKA… her class would somehow end up with the best numbers. This year was no exception. And even in an off year… where I think the dance teacher is out of ideas or low on creative juice or distracted. NN… ever having a chip on her shoulder for being overlooked or typecasted as the smaller, cute Asian, was given some major prominent roles this time. NN sometimes wonders… how far she would go had we put her in formal training. Forget regrets… or life is yours to miss.
Sunday, May 04, 2025
Talking talking talking
Day 2 of NN’s last tournament of the season (that she can attend). She already missed day 1 cuz of her AP exam. I hinted we can avoid the 2 hour drive… but she insisted. I had a bunch of podcasts and songs prepared. And then… we started talking and talking and talking some more. She threw out memes about Trump and the Trade Wars, but everything she said lacked critical thinking of research. I started explaining to her some of the math and data behind what was happening. She was flabbergasted at how the world is shaped… how unfair the world is. The talk then moved to relationships… family history… I gave her my view of recycling. My pet peeves. My view of church and religion. At times, she got upset at me for making a hot take and being argumentative. I didn’t take the bait… I simply explained how I can easily argue the other way, and probably win the argument. But the point wasn’t to win… but to understand all sides… and make an informed decision, instead of believing what social media tells you in an IG short. After a frustrating day on the courts… we grabbed a quick bite… picked up a Dutch Bros… and started on a 2 hour drive home. And once again… we talked, talked, talked. Didn’t even need to play any of the podcasts.
Saturday, May 03, 2025
Performance Review
NN had her AP mock exam… so SW and I went over to shoot some hoops before picking up NN. Last time… he went a little too far and trash talked a little too much. This time, it was a lot friendlier. We both won 1 game… could’ve played a third, rubber match. But decided it to call it… and head over to 7-eleven to grab a slurpee. It’s been a little rough since the mall incident and I wasn’t sure what we can talk about. I decided to do a little “performance review” with him… asking him about his greatest strengths and biggest areas for improvement. He must’ve been sensing the same tension because he answered without the usual sarcasm. I was floored. Then I went one step further… I asked him to rate me. What are my great strengths and my areas of improvement.
Strengths: I’m well connected. I can get things done. I also have drive. I will get things done.
Areas of Improvement: be more modest. Some times, I’m wrong… and I refuse to admit
it.
I thanked him for his honesty. I think… as father and son… we’ve moved onto a new level of closeness.
Friday, May 02, 2025
Lunch with the Sons
After Jeff’s bday lunch… and NN’s volleyball season wrapping up… had the sudden realization it was Mark’s bday. And maybe it’s time for a get together. We met up at good ol St. John’s. Short and Stubbs haven’t changed. If anything… he lost whatever weight he gained the last time we hung out. Mel noticeably got a bit more… tired. Anderson is Anderson. Long gone are repeating the same jokes… replaced with conversations centered around aging parents and growing kids. How did 30 years pass by so fast?
Thursday, May 01, 2025
Thunder-snore
Came home in time for SW’s 14th birthday… and longing to do anything to please the kids these days, I threw the idea of out of watching a sneak preview showing of Thunderbolts… an MCU movie that SW was supposedly interested in. The 8PM showing was already sold out… so we opted for the 9PM showing. With a two hour run time… three days of traveling… a dark room… a full, hearty dinner… it was the perfect formula for a nice $18 nap. $36 if you count Joyce’s nap. The kids loved the movie though… and really… that’s all that matters.
Happy Birthday SW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!