I credit Mike Lee with the inspiration for this year's Christmas Card Video. I hope you've had a great 2009. May your holidays be warm, and the new year bright.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bucket List:
A Bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket (die). I watched the Rob Reiner film and found it interesting. So, as a subject for writing, I will start my Bucket List. And yes, I am dying....just like everyone else. It’s just that I’m currently doing it comfortably. Here’s the ten I can currently think of:
1. I’d like to sail along the Fjords of Norway at the height of summer sunlight.
2. I will marry the girl of my dreams.
3. I want to ski black diamonds well into my 70s.
4. I want to take my dad to New England, where he can give me a tour of his mission.
5. I’d like to walk along the Great Wall of China
6. I will hold my own child, and have a little talk together
7. I want to shoot even par on a regulation golf course.
8. I will be debt free by age 40.
9. I’d like to revisit Denmark, the land of my mission, and talk with people I knew when I was a missionary.
10. I would like take an extensive tour of the Israel.
The Celtics, The Lakers, and the Kobe Dilemma:
My goal is to compare and contrast the Celtics and Lakers, and why the Lakers can’t win with Kobe Bryant. I realize that the NBA finals are just finished, but I cannot help but compare the Celtics and the Lakers, as has been done so many times before. This scenario will demonstrate why Kobe Bryant really isn’t the MVP; rather he may be in fact be the reason why the Lakers currently cannot win it all.
In 2003-2004, the Lakers had 4 All-Stars signed: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton.
In 2006-2007, the Celtics had 3 All-Stars signed: Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.
In 2003-2004, Karl Malone and Gary Payton humbly took a back seat to Kobe and Shaq; Kobe and Shaq both argued throughout a moderately successful season, and then made the NBA Finals a spectacle for their argument, and lost to the Detroit Pistons in 5 games.
In 2006-2007, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett spoke to the media about how each player was for the team, and then went out and played that way. Each stepped up when it was their strengths could lift the team to victory; in addition, they graciously stepped aside when a teammates strengths were critical to win. In other words, they didn’t allow their ego to deter the others from displaying their strengths. This team play resulted in a successful season and a NBA Finals victory.
In the summer of 2004, the Lakers were forced to lose 3 All-Stars because of Kobe’s ego. The Lakers were unable to replace the talent.
In the summer of 2008, I predict the Celtics’ players will acknowledge their teammates and continue to have All-Stars for next season.
Kobe is very talented, but team-player is not one of his strong areas. We continue to hear Kobe cry for help (which he got in Pau Gasol in 2007), but continues to fail in team play. I understand the NBA has invested in Kobe, but I cannot understand how he can be named MVP when he struggles to play well with the other players. Laker fans should only hope he again begs for a trade, and the management obliges. I, being a Jazz fan, only hope that the Jazz stay Kobe-less.
Facebook:
Recently, I decided to join the network of Facebook. I knew there were pictures of me on it, and I decided that I better sign up and determine what pictures were on the open web. My friends have given me a warm welcome, and I guess I’ll have to stay up to date with this new-fangled networking tool. And no, I haven’t seen any questionable pictures of me...(I mean there aren’t any)....,so I guess I’ll have to keep it that way.
Mets Update:
I was saddened to find out that the NY Mets fired Willie Randolph. He has been a manager after my own heart. Can I say I disagreed with a few of his decisions? Yes, I think even he regrets a few of his decisions, but at the time, they seemed good. But I wish him well in the future, and I hope the NY Mets management will reconsider their error, apologize publicly to Willie, and plead for him to lead the team again. Okay, back to reality, I hope the NY Mets organization will hire somebody who can lead like Willie......because we know we need to win.
New Interns:
Life is a challenge in late June and early July. It’s the time of new interns. For my residency
program, we had the new interns start yesterday. I congratulate them, welcome them, and finally challenge them to excel. It is difficult, but thousands before them have succeeded and so will they. And now only time, patience, and work separate them from their goal. May God grant me that patience.
Mountain Biking:
So I recently had a fever to go Mountain Biking. My friend Luke and I had a good time up along a trail off the Angeles Crest Highway. There were a few technical turns, a punishing uphill climb, and single track fun. Plus, the stream at the bottom was a nice addition.
A Bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket (die). I watched the Rob Reiner film and found it interesting. So, as a subject for writing, I will start my Bucket List. And yes, I am dying....just like everyone else. It’s just that I’m currently doing it comfortably. Here’s the ten I can currently think of:
1. I’d like to sail along the Fjords of Norway at the height of summer sunlight.
2. I will marry the girl of my dreams.
3. I want to ski black diamonds well into my 70s.
4. I want to take my dad to New England, where he can give me a tour of his mission.
5. I’d like to walk along the Great Wall of China
6. I will hold my own child, and have a little talk together
7. I want to shoot even par on a regulation golf course.
8. I will be debt free by age 40.
9. I’d like to revisit Denmark, the land of my mission, and talk with people I knew when I was a missionary.
10. I would like take an extensive tour of the Israel.
The Celtics, The Lakers, and the Kobe Dilemma:
My goal is to compare and contrast the Celtics and Lakers, and why the Lakers can’t win with Kobe Bryant. I realize that the NBA finals are just finished, but I cannot help but compare the Celtics and the Lakers, as has been done so many times before. This scenario will demonstrate why Kobe Bryant really isn’t the MVP; rather he may be in fact be the reason why the Lakers currently cannot win it all.
In 2003-2004, the Lakers had 4 All-Stars signed: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton.
In 2006-2007, the Celtics had 3 All-Stars signed: Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.
In 2003-2004, Karl Malone and Gary Payton humbly took a back seat to Kobe and Shaq; Kobe and Shaq both argued throughout a moderately successful season, and then made the NBA Finals a spectacle for their argument, and lost to the Detroit Pistons in 5 games.
In 2006-2007, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett spoke to the media about how each player was for the team, and then went out and played that way. Each stepped up when it was their strengths could lift the team to victory; in addition, they graciously stepped aside when a teammates strengths were critical to win. In other words, they didn’t allow their ego to deter the others from displaying their strengths. This team play resulted in a successful season and a NBA Finals victory.
In the summer of 2004, the Lakers were forced to lose 3 All-Stars because of Kobe’s ego. The Lakers were unable to replace the talent.
In the summer of 2008, I predict the Celtics’ players will acknowledge their teammates and continue to have All-Stars for next season.
Kobe is very talented, but team-player is not one of his strong areas. We continue to hear Kobe cry for help (which he got in Pau Gasol in 2007), but continues to fail in team play. I understand the NBA has invested in Kobe, but I cannot understand how he can be named MVP when he struggles to play well with the other players. Laker fans should only hope he again begs for a trade, and the management obliges. I, being a Jazz fan, only hope that the Jazz stay Kobe-less.
Facebook:
Recently, I decided to join the network of Facebook. I knew there were pictures of me on it, and I decided that I better sign up and determine what pictures were on the open web. My friends have given me a warm welcome, and I guess I’ll have to stay up to date with this new-fangled networking tool. And no, I haven’t seen any questionable pictures of me...(I mean there aren’t any)....,so I guess I’ll have to keep it that way.
Mets Update:
I was saddened to find out that the NY Mets fired Willie Randolph. He has been a manager after my own heart. Can I say I disagreed with a few of his decisions? Yes, I think even he regrets a few of his decisions, but at the time, they seemed good. But I wish him well in the future, and I hope the NY Mets management will reconsider their error, apologize publicly to Willie, and plead for him to lead the team again. Okay, back to reality, I hope the NY Mets organization will hire somebody who can lead like Willie......because we know we need to win.
New Interns:
Life is a challenge in late June and early July. It’s the time of new interns. For my residency
program, we had the new interns start yesterday. I congratulate them, welcome them, and finally challenge them to excel. It is difficult, but thousands before them have succeeded and so will they. And now only time, patience, and work separate them from their goal. May God grant me that patience.
Mountain Biking:
So I recently had a fever to go Mountain Biking. My friend Luke and I had a good time up along a trail off the Angeles Crest Highway. There were a few technical turns, a punishing uphill climb, and single track fun. Plus, the stream at the bottom was a nice addition.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Greetings from high above Phoenix, AZ. I have just departed Phoenix on my way to Washington, D.C. A CIR convention starts this evening.
3. Angels Baseball. In reality, we are all NY fans. I’m a Mets fan, and my sisters are Yankee fans. But since no NY was scheduled to visit LA during their trip, we got tickets to Oakland vs. Anaheim. As always, a night at the ballpark was fun.
7. Others: The Getty Villa, In-and-Out Burger, The Glendale ward including with a surprise Sunday school lesson, and games (i.e Settlers of Catan). Let’s just say we had fun.
For my Mom:
So, now it’s a week late, but I’d like to dedicate this to my mom. We recently reflected on my childhood rearing. Here’s a few highlights:
But as I have a bit of time, I thought that I should catch up on some loose ends. Mainly, updating my blog, finishing up a presentation for work, catching a little sleep, and playing a few games...maybe chess, maybe sudoku.
Michelle and Marianne:
I have had a great time after returning from Florida. My sisters Michelle and Marianne arrived the following day for a week's visit. We were saddened to discover Deborah and her family would not be joining us because of illness. We did make due however.
Our vacation together was fun. Here’s some highlights:
1. The Price is Right. I’ve been a fan for years. Perhaps this is best evidenced by a computer program based on TPIR that I created in Jr. high school. I confess my inconsistency in watching the show, but I have enjoyed it. 
I’ve offered to take my family to the show whenever they came out, and Marianne and Michelle were the first to take me up on that offer. We didn’t know that the tickets were rather meaningless. We didn’t have reservations as we thought. We arrived at the said time, but didn’t get in the first taping of the day. Apparently large groups get priority over reserved tickets. I guess some people had arrived 4 hours before the designated time.
I’ve offered to take my family to the show whenever they came out, and Marianne and Michelle were the first to take me up on that offer. We didn’t know that the tickets were rather meaningless. We didn’t have reservations as we thought. We arrived at the said time, but didn’t get in the first taping of the day. Apparently large groups get priority over reserved tickets. I guess some people had arrived 4 hours before the designated time. Well, we waited and made it in for the second taping. Ironically, our show should air today. To our disappointment, we didn’t get called down to contestants row, but we did have fun and made a new friend in a wonderful, retired woman whom we sat next to.
I did learn a bit about attending the show. Plan to attend the afternoon showing. It’s less busy and you’ll get in; You avoid LA’s morning rush hour; and if you don’t get in, you don’t need to wait around to see if you’ll get in the next taping.
Please don't forget to vote for your favorite Price is Right Game on this week's poll.
2. Disneyland. Doesn’t everyone love this place. We had a fun time. We mostly rode the adult rides, and it was fun. Space Mountain is my fave; Indiana Jones is Marianne’s fave, and Michelle’s fave is probably the Haunted House. We also enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, and the Matterhorn. Here’s a picture of a couple of kids on Buzz Lightyear’s ride.
3. Angels Baseball. In reality, we are all NY fans. I’m a Mets fan, and my sisters are Yankee fans. But since no NY was scheduled to visit LA during their trip, we got tickets to Oakland vs. Anaheim. As always, a night at the ballpark was fun.4. Hollywood Boulevard. Despite multiple trips to SoCal, my sisters had never walked Hollywood Blvd (a.k.a. the Hollywood Walk of Fame). We ventured down for an afternoon. Marianne got spooked. Granted, we didn’t want tickets for a taping for America Gladiators, especially from dudes in a less-than-impressive Spiderman suit or a Sponge-Bob Square Pants. In the end, we did visit the Kodak theatere, the Chinese theater, and stop in souvenir shops.
5. The Beach. Any trip to SoCal could be incomplete without a trip to the beach. Marianne and I hit the boogie boards and threw the frisbee while Michelle soaked up the sun. Marianne was also dying to be covered with sand, so Michelle and I did our best. She objected when we tried to cover her face; maybe next time.
6. Little Tijuana and Little China (and little Phillipines and little.....) We had a great time on Olvera Street and in one of the walking areas in Little China. Michelle suggested that they get some toy accordians. I’m hoping I’ll be available to hear their first concert after a little practice.
7. Others: The Getty Villa, In-and-Out Burger, The Glendale ward including with a surprise Sunday school lesson, and games (i.e Settlers of Catan). Let’s just say we had fun.For my Mom:
So, now it’s a week late, but I’d like to dedicate this to my mom. We recently reflected on my childhood rearing. Here’s a few highlights:
One morning during my years in elementary school, my mother had told me to make my bed before leaving. I was heading out the door, when she asked if I had made my bed. I told her that I had not, and put up an argument. She won, and I marched downstairs., but instead of performing the task, I ran downstairs and then right back up. She asked if I had made my bed. I lied and left for school. To my surprise and embarrassment, my mom came to my classroom, and announced that she needed to take me out of class for about 15 minutes. She marched me home to make my bed and promptly returned me to school. You imagine I never tried that again.
Like most children, video games, computers, and TV were exciting, and I was less enthusiastic about reading. However, my mother felt strongly about reading and would give us a book every year for Christmas. At first, I was surprised, because it was not something I usually requested from Santa Claus, but over the years, I got used to expecting an unknown book. Most of the time, the book would sit on the shelf for months, until she insisted I read it. I appreciate my mother’s emphasis on reading, because it has helped me appreciate it and discover great stories and ideas, and take time to enjoy good literature.
Sports:
MLB:
So, I wrote that on the way out to D.C., but I’ve returned and now I’m intent on publishing this blog. I just wanted to tell you about my Mets. I’ve been fortunate to be able to attend several major league baseball games. My friend Dan attended the Mets/Dodgers series with me, and although the Mets struggled here in LA, they were still fun to cheer on. The Rasmussen’s also came down from Visalia to attend the Dodgers/Cardinals game. I’m still waiting to catch a homerun, but its been fun watching the best in baseball. (P.S. I hear Pedro Martinez will be back on the mound come Tuesday against the Giants. Go Mets, and welcome back pedro. We’ve sorely missed you!)
NBA:
To my beloved Utah Jazz, I congratulation them on a fantastic season. I was sorry to see them not beat the Lakers, but they gave the Lakers all they could handle. Despite losing in the playoffs, it was a great year: 54-28 is a great record, and we played tough. I can't wait for another good year.
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