Posted 7:59 AM by Blah blah

Living with Your Parents Again (Parents)

Poor Mira. Her very strict Korean parents are insisting she live with them after she finishes college this winter.

Of course, she doth protest most vehemently. I wrote this in her comments box:

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. :( But it is not the end of the world. I, stubborn as I am, lived with my parents for one year after finishing college. It was hell, yeah, but think of it this way---during that time your parents will get a chance to get reacquainted with you.

They most want to see how well their experiment has turned out, how well they have instilled their values and culture in you. They have probably been harboring all these wild fears about the Pamela Anderson monster you may have turned into. Living at home again gives you both the chance to see each other day after day. Gingerly, mistrustful at first, you and your parents will slowly get comfortable with each other again.

That's when their irrational fears about you will clash with the reality of the mature, delightful, caring woman you have become. Day after day of seeing how you are living a fine life---without their help---will renew their pride, rekindle their confidence in you. They will see that you ARE living more of their values than they had expected. Only close daily contact will do that.

Over time, you and they will learn to tolerate what both had previously thought intolerable. Their fears will shrink, you'll get to see them as human beings instead of prison guards, and you'll also learn what topics to avoid and just say 'yes mom' to avoid World War III.

It takes years to get there, sometimes. I also went through that roller coaster. But you know what? Living with my parents, at least briefly, was necessary for both sides to start that process of reconciliation.

Will you and your parents be able to be totally open and frank with each other? Will you be bosom friends? Probably not. Probably you'll be more like distant acquaintances with a grudging respect for each other.

Learn to deal with the politics of your parents, learn what to say and what to keep to yourself, and with time, they will get so used to you they will find someone else to nag.

That's been my life. Good luck, mon ami!"

Posted 4:45 AM by Blah blah

More on the California Recall (Politics)

I asked Esther and Bich Ngoc, both in Los Angeles, what they thought of my views on the California recall.

Esther wrote: "I, too, was very disappointed in all of the performances except for Camejo and McClintock. I thought their performances soared way above those of their opponents'. I think as a result of this debate I will probably vote for McClintock, since I tend to sway to the right, anyway. Ariana Huffington seemed so trite and any bias I had towards her as a fellow female was just totally negated by her politics of complaining and no real good solutions. Arnold basically gave a just-above mediocre performance as in most of his movies. He learned the bare bones of each issue and learned to articulate in his limited English-speaking ability his true feelings on each issue. And he really does care about the issues--he is just a n00b politician and inexperienced so that passion hasn't burnt out, yet. It is really unknown if that is enough to carry him through his term in office if he were to be elected. Bustamonte was 'above it all' and totally arrogant, thus rude. Any left-leaning tendences of mine came to be ashamed by the snobbery he displayed. Just the fact that he articulated that he grew up with 5 other children and in a working family at the end of the debate didn't prove enough that that experience had even taught him any humility. So that plus soft money's a cover-blow in my mind. Conversely, McClintock is a bit conservative for me but the fact that he was unwavering in his stances made me proud of my *right*-leaning tendencies. The fact that he seemed to know the issues in extreme depth since he could talk about length and stipulate so objectively as opposed to subjectively (like all the other candidates who sounded more like they were whining) made me respect him even more."

I wrote back: "Thanks for your reply. Yes, I also respected McClintock and Camejo the most after the debate. I felt like McClintock was someone who represented a fair and more traditional Republican view, someone who was earnestly concerned with dealing with practical realities.

My problem was with his conservative views.

He's anti-abortion, anti-gun control, against any new taxes, for education vouchers (that I think could make our schools more stratified), and for building more nuclear plants to help provide more energy.

I disagree with all of those views. I do think we need to raise taxes on the top earners. I'm undecided about Prop. 54 (which he is for).

I agreed with what he said in the debate about supporting disadvantaged kids and ignoring race. Also I agreed with his support for giving more local governments a better source of funding and stopping mandated state funding (Bustamante agreed too)."

From Bich Ngoc: "No way in hell would I ever vote for McClintock.
His stance on social issues is way out of step with one of the most
progressive states in the nation."

She sent us this editorial from the Los Angeles Times:
_____________________
Why the Recall Is Wrong

Californians are faced with the most important election in recent memory: the decision on whether to remove and replace Gov. Gray Davis. The implications of this recall go far beyond whether the abysmally unpopular Davis stays or goes.

Davis is a leader of intellect but of no soul. He is a competent policy wonk who can speak at length about budget subventions (don't ask) but can't get legislators of his own Democratic Party to, as he once put it, "implement my vision." For one thing, nobody knows what that vision is. Love them or hate them, former Govs. Pat Brown and Ronald Reagan knew where they wanted to take this state. Davis' modest ideas of where he should steer the ship of state have been those of the overnight helmsman, not the captain. He has spent too much time avoiding issues: not dealing with the energy crisis and not providing relief for small businesses until it was almost too late; not cultivating legislative relationships that could have made him an effective governor.

Davis is, however, a moderate Democrat who has been in step with what most Californians want in environmental protection and personal freedoms. He has been a counterbalance to the more extreme, sometimes downright goofy wing of the state's Democratic Party, the one that once gave the state the Commission on Self-Esteem. But what Davis will most be remembered for is relentless fund-raising from deep-pockets labor and corporate donors. He was hauling in $1 million per month, even at the height of the energy crisis. Not an endearing legacy.

*

No on Recall

So why not replace him? The Times opposes the recall because it doesn't make sense. There were no reasonable standards in calling for a new election. Davis was elected last year with 47% of the vote; months later, political opponents spent millions to replay the election. Now the state will spend $66 million for a special election, with 135 official candidates, come one, come all. If the recall prevails, the winner, with a minority of the overall vote, would replace a governor who got a large plurality. It's undemocratic.

There is another good reason why we oppose this recall. The alternatives — as much as truth hurts in this nation-sized state that deserves better — are not superior to Davis. In fact, they are potentially worse. Consider:

Arnold Schwarzenegger: What a shame that Schwarzenegger, with his power to attract worldwide media attention, failed to lead a serious discussion of what ails California and how to fix it. Instead, he was happy to feed voters predictable lines from his movies: "Let's terminate them. Let's say" [can you possibly guess?] " 'Hasta la vista, baby' to those guys." His outreach to the common man was, shall we say, thin: He told firefighters he identified with them because he had played one in a film. He ran away from a widely respected advisor, investor Warren Buffett, because Buffett dared to suggest that the state's property tax structure was out of whack. A moderate Republican who had a golden opportunity to bring people together, Schwarzenegger squandered that capital by spending most of his campaign ducking the direct and tough questioning that he would have to face as governor. Finally, Schwarzenegger seemed to have only a casual acquaintance with the truth as practiced outside Hollywood. In discussing a controversial 1977 magazine interview about sex and drugs, Schwarzenegger first suggested he was young and foolish at the time, and the next day seemed not to recall the interview. Finally he suggested he had just made it up. His assertions that his statewide after-school program, when it takes effect, will not take money from other state programs — when the truth is that it will — suggests a consistent tendency to, at best, oversimplify and, at worst, shade the truth. Though that may be considered roguishly charming in a high-powered movie star, it is neither appealing nor desirable in a governor.

Cruz Bustamante: Bustamante brings to mind the man who was holding someone else's overcoat when the storm hit; luck and the ability to see the obvious opportunity have served him well. But the lieutenant governor has been a disappointing and an unimpressive candidate. His up-by-his-bootstraps, son-of-a-barber American dream story is nice, but it's not enough. While he has been taking millions of dollars from Indian gambling interests, his grasp of economics has proved tenuous. He actually believes that state regulation of gasoline prices would benefit consumers. The only federal attempt to fix gas prices, in the 1970s, led to shortages and lines. Bustamante also has insisted that the energy companies that triggered the state's power crisis also caused the state's fiscal crisis. It's a good sound bite, but surely the lieutenant governor and former Assembly speaker knows that the cause was the national economic downturn and the collapse of the high-tech industry, especially in Silicon Valley Or does he?

Tom McClintock: McClintock is the anti-mealy-mouthed candidate. He's done his homework, has been consistent and has fully articulated his positions. The problem is, McClintock would have to govern all of California, not just the conservative wing of the GOP. His intolerant social views — on public services for the poor, on gays and on abortion, as well as his draconian solutions to problems of illegal immigration and his opposition to banning assault weapons — are out of step with mainstream California. Still, he almost won statewide office last year as controller in a race with then-political unknown Steve Westly. No doubt McClintock has a bigger future in GOP politics, but he is unsuitable for the top job in the nation's most diverse state.

Peter Camejo: Camejo, the perpetual Green Party candidate, has some good-sounding ideas about making taxation policies more fair. But his simplistic tax-the-rich reform doesn't take into account that California already has one of the most progressive income tax systems in the country.

Arianna Huffington: Huffington, conservative-turned-libertarian/liberal-gadfly author and columnist, sparked necessary conversation about the need for fundamental, statewide reforms. Controversy over her own payment of taxes damaged the credibility of her campaign against greed.

*

Replacement: No Endorsement

If state voters are to throw out a governor less than one year into his term, the replacement should be demonstrably superior. This field of contenders offers no such person. Changing the governor in midstream would not address what really ails California state and local governments; the recall of Davis instead would invite more political chaos and economic uncertainty. Worse, the state and the nation could look forward to more recalls pushed by poor losers who simply didn't want to wait for the end of a four-year term. The vituperative, scorched-earth politics of partisan payback would be never ending.

The recall is a form of misdirected anger at what's wrong with Sacramento. Here's what causes most of California's dysfunction: illogical tax laws and policies; gerrymandering; term limits, which take power from the elected and hand power to the lobbyists; a political system fueled by big business and big union cash; and, yes, ill-considered ballot initiatives and recall elections. As soon as this recall is over, voters finally can collectively concentrate on ridding Sacramento of the real causes of the state's problems. Recall might feel good, but it would cause the worst political hangover California has ever had.
_____________________
Thanks, Bich Ngoc! I agree very much with this editorial. Davis, despite his flaws, speaks very much for centrist Democrats like me. McClintock is way too conservative on social issues (anti-abortion) and doesn't want to ban assault weapons, plus energy is not the MAIN cause of our economic crisis. I am against legislative term limits, since they put more power in the hands of legislative staff and lobbyists.

I have a big problem with California's recall, ballot initiative, and proposition system, since it lets voters completely bypass the state legislature. We elected the legislature to represent us---we shouldn't bypass our own representatives or own election results with "whoops, I changed my mind!" As anti-recall advocates have stressed, it sets a very bad example for the future, in which people use the threat of recall as a weapon, in which the governor can only lead in a short-term way to serve the fickle polls or fear being kicked out when a small fraction of the voters change their minds.

I want to vote exactly like the LA Times said: NO on the recall, and no endorsement for the replacement candidate.

However, if Davis loses, the replacement candidate does become important, although I don't like any of them. Since Arnold has recently begun to lead in the polls of candidates to follow Davis, it gives me a chill. I reluctantly need to vote for Bustamante as the replacement candidate, just to keep the leadership of California Democratic.

Practically then, I'm voting for NO on the recall, and YES on Bustamante for the replacement.

Posted 8:20 PM by Blah blah

California Recall. The TV Debate. (Politics)

I finally watched the California governor's TV debate over the Internet. You may see the full 90-minute debate in streaming video on C-SPAN.

This is what I wrote to the California Broadcasters Association afterwards:

"Hi, I just saw the CA Recall Debate on C-SPAN. I was disappointed by the format and thought it promoted lots of rude personal attacks and lack of civilized behavior.

I wish you would keep a more traditional debate format next time, with designated statements and rebuttals from everyone. I wish the moderator would be more forceful in preventing personal attacks, which only made people lose respect for the candidates who engaged in them, as well as for California's government.

Please throw away this free-for-all format. It did not work!

Besides that, I thought Republican Senator Tom McClintock conducted himself the best in this debate, though I disagree with his views.

I will vote against the recall and support Gray Davis."

Although I'm a centrist Democrat, I actually liked the behavior and style of Republican Tom McClintock the best! He was sincere, forceful, and yet humble when he spoke. He showed respect for all the other candidates and didn't get caught up in shouting matches. He was well-informed and thoughtful. Personally I liked him the best.

However, I disagreed with most---not all---of his political views. But I could see myself working smoothly with him to solve California's problems. He's someone I'd like to work with and off of whom I'd like to respectfully bounce ideas for improving our state.

It's too bad the Calif. Republican leadership, trying to go with the popular flow instead of picking the most qualified candidate, are backing Arnold Schwarzenegger instead and keep urging McClintock to drop out.

Arnold (Republican): I liked him as a person. He still acted more like a guest on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect than a knowledgeable future governor. He seemed sincere about his passion for the causes in which he believed. He was NOT robotic and didn't seem like a scripted dummy. I didn't feel like his quip to Arianna, that he "had the perfect part for her in Terminator 4," was malicious. I felt he was just trying to lighten the hostile atmosphere she exuded. Despite his passion for the few issues on which he had studied, I felt he lacked depth of understanding.

Peter Camejo (Green Party): I admired his earnestness about his causes, though I feel he's a bit too liberal for me. I liked his frankness in speaking the harsh truth, in his eyes. He seemed like the cranky old man you tend to have at town hall meetings, saying the complaints that should be said but others are afraid to. However, I find he lacks charm. Bottom line: I agree somewhat with his views but find him too liberal.

Tom McClintock (Republican): covered above.

Arianna Huffington (Independent): where do I start with this woman? Most of anyone there, she brought an arrogant, nasty tone to the debate which I really disliked. I think she turned off most of her audience with her repeated interruptions of the other candidates, angry personal attacks on Arnold, and inability to listen to others or follow the moderator's instructions. Yes, she's very smart, articulate, fiery, and great with the sharp retorts. In other words, she's perfect for that political circus TV show The McLaughlin Group.

However, she's not fit for working together with others in a civilized way to make policy. She's too iconoclastic and speaks likes the columnist she is, instead of like the uniting politician who needs to be humble and bring opposing sides together. To put her in office would only spark more bitterness and government gridlock. I don't even remember most of her political views, since she was so busy attacking her fellow candidates and showing her poor listening skills.

Cruz Bustamante (Democrat): I was most disappointed by Bustamante, especially during the later part of the debate. As a Democrat, I wanted to like him, but he didn't inspire me at all. For the first part of the debate, he was trying to take the high road and speak in a quiet, civilized, confident way. I liked his behavior in the first part, which showed his knowledge and experience with the real legislative issues.

However, he acted condescending in the second part, telling Arnold and Arianna several times that they "probably didn't know" or "didn't understand how the process worked." The way he nodded and sarcastically said "yeah yeah, sure, Arianna" showed a slight nasty edge which I disliked. Also, he absorbed and agreed with several of their criticisms of his current government---a good refreshing thing, I thought.

However, he didn't come back with any inspiring message. It felt more like he kept saying, "yeah, I agree with you the situation sucks. We can only tweak this and that incrementally, but we're not gonna solve the problem yet." I felt his proposed solutions were too wimpy and not enough. Promoting community colleges, education, and reducing worker's compensation costs as his main solution to helping business in California? C'mon. That helps somewhat, but that doesn't address the heart of our business and unemployment problems. Helping all these community college students does nothing for the tons of experienced older unemployed people who are not in school right now.

He definitely was a good listener, which I liked. He showed compassion, although I thought it was too much compassion for illegal immigrants and not enough for the people who legally live here. On the illegal immigrant issue, he was way too liberal for me. Ensuring all kids of illegal immigrants have health insurance? C'mon! Legal resident adults need health care the most!

Bottom line: Bustamante listened well and he had a detailed understanding of the issues, but he was a bit too liberal for me on certain issues, plus he was condescending to others and uninspiring overall. I thought his personality was too weak and more like that of a number two person than a leader. Also his solutions were not ambitious enough for my taste.

Who am I voting for then October 7th? Gov. Gray Davis. I've only heard him speak for a total of 20 minutes. I heard him answer reporters' questions a few weeks ago at the previous debate in Walnut Creek. I was impressed with his humility, good listening skills, and thorough grasp of the detailed issues. He's not the most exciting person, but that's not as important as his pragmatic approach to solving California's problems. If only Gray Davis would get together with more like McClintock and Bustamante, I feel our state government would stand a better chance of making progress.

Please join me and vote NO on the California recall!

Posted 6:37 AM by Blah blah

Duke has been writing good, eloquent, personal stuff recently, the stuff I would try to write if I had the energy.

Think of it this way---the more time I spend to make my blog interesting, the more boring my real life gets. And vice versa.

Tonight: Pei-lan's birthday dinner, with her biology friends. Clubbing in SF. Meeting Chinedu.

Next on this blog...

the new NBC show Coupling.

Posted 6:22 AM by Blah blah

Problems with the Do-Not-Call List (Consumer Law)

As you probably know, U.S. district Judge Edward W. Nottingham decided this week that the government's "do-not-call" list, a scheme to stop telemarketers from bothering us, was illegal.

50 million Americans, including I, have already signed up on the list, which tries to forbid people from selling by phone to anyone on it. Businesses who do face a fine of up to $11,000.

However, you may not know why he rejected the list. The judge actually makes a great point. His problem is with this part of the Do-Not-Call Registry:

"Q: If I register my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, will it stop all telemarketing calls?

A: No. Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most, but not all, telemarketing calls. You may still receive calls from political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors or companies with which you have an existing business relationship."

Judge Nottingham's point: why should we make an exception for calls from political groups and charities, when they are just as bothersome to us? Why make a distinction here between commercial speech and political speech? That violates the First Amendment.

I think most people would agree that we'd like the government to block as many calls as possible, whether people call for "socially beneficial reasons" or not!

To Soo the lawyer: what do you think of the judge's ruling?

Do-Not-Call Case Spotlights Vagueness of Commercial Speech Law (Washington Post):
__________________
Nottingham voided the [do-not-call list] because it offered consumers the option of banning unwanted calls from for-profit businesses but not calls from charitable organizations, which, the judge reasoned, are just as intrusive. This "content-based" discrimination between two otherwise indistinguishable forms of speech, Nottingham ruled, violated the First Amendment.

Yet the FTC created the exemption for charitable calls in the first place because it believed that the First Amendment required it to do so....

Such is the legal hall of mirrors known as commercial-speech doctrine, the body of Supreme Court precedent that has perplexed judges, lawyers and academics for years...

The Supreme Court has long recognized a distinction between political and artistic speech, which are entitled to the highest degree of protection from government regulation, and commercial speech, defined as statements about the price and quality of goods or services. Commercial speech is given less protection because the government needs to protect consumers from false advertising and other forms of fraud.

But that seemingly clear distinction has proved increasingly fuzzy in an age of socially aware corporate communications, such as a recent campaign by clothing retailer Benetton that called attention to the plight of prisoners on death row....

Although most telemarketing calls are commercial calls, Nottingham noted, the FTC registry...was discriminatory because, in terms of invading privacy, there is no difference between a charitable or other noncommercial call and a profit-making one.

"For government to decide that people who don't want to be disturbed by political or charitable calls have less worthy interests than people who don't want to be disturbed by commercial interests is the worst kind of line drawing," said Laurence H. Tribe, a professor of constitutional law at Harvard University.

Posted 5:24 PM by Blah blah

Bush's Religious Dogmatism (Politics)

DOGMATISM: "Arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief."

Isn't that how Bush speaks in every major speech, including his recent U.N. one?

The tagboard on the left is too small for me to answer Soo. Soo said:

"I'm not sure how compelling an argument you can make that [Bush] is following the voice of God...but let's say he is. It seems to me he's following not just God's voice, but others as well: economic advisers, military planners, civilian leadership, etc. I don't think he's foreclosed from following his religious convictions among his other beliefs; I'm not sure how that violates the separation of church and state.

By the way, it should also be noted several European countries have Christian-based political parties that are, not only active, but in power as well. Germany, Denmark, and even France have strong Christian-based political parties. Even Europe is not as secular as you might think."

First, I said Bush is acting as if he IS the voice of God. Despite the efforts of people like Colin Powell to be a voice of moderation, Bush has consistently favored Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, and the rest of the hawks in his belligerent speeches and policies. He acts as if he rules by divine right, forgetting about democracy and the millions of Americans angry at how much his spending spree in Iraq has cost our economy.

Soo, I wrote about Bush's use of religion to influence his political policies here:

"Bush puts God on his side" and
"The battle for American science," which talks about how creationism is making some comeback in biology classes.

As the second article says: "US scientists say they are indicative of a new climate that has emerged under the Bush administration: one driven partly by close relationships with big business, but just as much by a fiercely moral approach to the business of science."

Many have written about Bush's increasing use of religious language in his policy speeches, his talk of good vs. evil. Yes, they have the Christian Democrats in Germany, but how much of the population is actively religious or willing to let religion into policy discussions? I have no problem with being religious, but I DO expect politicians to listen to ALL views and look at the evidence before deciding on votes.

If they are dogmatically following the Bible, they are not flexible enough to really represent the people or make pragmatic policy. The Republicans rule now by ideology. The Democrats under Clinton ruled by practicality and realism.

As Clinton said recently in his great speech at the Harkin Iowa steak fry, the Democrats are actually willing to admit they are WRONG once in a while!

Posted 7:57 AM by Blah blah

Summertime (Singing)

I just got this email. Another shock:

"Hi Raymond,

I'm from Holland and a Dutch collector of Gershwin's song Summertime. Together with some international friends we have about 2600 different recordings of this song. We also have a great database with information like recording date/place, album, musicians etc.

On your site I found a short version by you. Is there more, maybe with the Stanford Symphonic Chorus. I'm interested.

Can you give me your family name for the information in our database. And maybe a recording date.

Yours,

Henry"

Some guy in Europe actually liked my singing! I had sung the first two verses of "Summertime," from George Gershwin's fantastic opera "Porgy and Bess," and posted it on my singing page .

I performed with Stanford Symphonic Chorus some years ago, and he thought this was one of our songs. It wasn't. I was just singing in the bathroom!

I'm really a lousy singer, but if you're interested in the other songs I recorded for my singing page, please email me and I'll give you the login and password for my Yahoo Briefcase, where I uploaded the songs. (Yahoo made all files in Briefcase hidden from the public.)

Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky

But till that morning
There's a'nothing can harm you
With daddy and mamma standing by

Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

I love Gershwin's music---especially this song! Much of Gershwin is both bittersweet and inspiring, like "Summertime." To hear a REAL professional sing the first part of it, click on this Porgy and Bess page . Magnifique.

Posted 5:42 AM by Blah blah

(View Archived Tags: In case you didn't know, you can see all of the messages on my tagboard on the left, from March till now. Just click on that icon of a piece of paper, next to the smiley face.)

College Life

The bioinformatics program here was started by a very friendly woman. She went to Harvard and Penn State and spent the last two years doing research at the National Science Foundation in Washington, DC. She has been incredibly nice to me.

I'm so used to impersonal, uncaring bureaucracies in college, but here I'm shocked that people, including administration folks, are actually willing and eager to help students. Teachers give you their numbers and invite you to call. Everyone is within a few minutes' walk of each other too, plus the classes are NOT overcrowded, and I seem to be able to add whatever I want---even late adds. For an Oracle DBA class, the teacher happily said I could audit it for free, if I didn't want to formally take it. They have brand new flat screen Macs in the library (at least 15) for all students to get on the Internet. There is no line, no need to take a number for these Macs. The library is air-conditioned, a plus since it was 94 F on Monday and I was literally dripping sweat. Registering for classes is incredibly efficient and simple. It's all online. Or you may use a touchtone phone system. Several classes also offer an online section, for working people who can't be there physically.

Please tell me this is not a dream. Sorry, I'm still in shock.

Posted 6:19 AM by Blah blah

My New Interests: Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (Biology)

I'm taking classes in molecular biology and genetics, starting this week. My new career goal: bioinformatics (i.e. computational biology)! Advances in modern biology have really reinvigorated my interest in science. I like the whole idea of this field because it would integrate my previous background in chemical engineering and software. Since I'm also very interested in using science to help society, I could use this knowledge in helping to solve crimes (forensics), in drug development, and in better understanding the human genome.

I'd like to meet more people in bioinformatics, biotech, and data warehousing. Please let me know if you have friends or acquaintances I can talk to!

I'm going to Pei-Lan's birthday dinner this weekend and meeting some of her fellow coworker "nerds." She and I have been having very interesting talks recently. Originally from Taiwan and National Taiwan University, she got her PhD in plant biology in N. Carolina, and she works as a postdoc at UC Berkeley. She studies how plants react and adapt to stress. Pei-Lan loves molecular biology.

Saw this April 2001 NOVA science program "Cracking the Code of Life" on Sunday. Loved it! You may watch the full program online on this site. It "chronicles the race to capture one of the biggest prizes in scientific history: the complete letter-by-letter sequence of genetic information that defines human life -- the human genome."

Transcript of the episode.

Watch these four NOVA TV programs online in full, in streaming video.

Likewise, PBS's Frontline, the best documentary and investigative journalism TV program, lets you watch 23 of its programs online in full. All are excellent.

Watch their heartbreaking episode "Burden of Innocence."

"After years of wrongful imprisonment, what awaits men who are released after their innocence is finally proved?" This program covers the sad tales of five men who were imprisoned for years for crimes they did not commit. After their happy days of release, it tells how they could not find jobs, were socially shunned, and suffered huge psychological, economic, and other problems readjusting to society.

See the Innocence Project:

"The Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law was created by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld in 1992. It was set up as and remains a non-profit legal clinic. This Project only handles cases where postconviction DNA testing of evidence can yield conclusive proof of innocence. As a clinic, students handle the case work while supervised by a team of attorneys and clinic staff.

Most of our clients are poor, forgotten, and have used up all of their legal avenues for relief. The hope they all have is that biological evidence from their cases still exists and can be subjected to DNA testing. All Innocence Project clients go through an extensive screening process to determine whether or not DNA testing of evidence could prove their claims of innocence. Thousands currently await our evaluation of their cases.

DNA testing has been a major factor in changing the criminal justice system. It has provided scientific proof that our system convicts and sentences innocent people -- and that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rare events. Most importantly, DNA testing has opened a window into wrongful convictions so that we may study the causes and propose remedies that may minimize the chances that more innocent people are convicted.

As forerunners in the field of wrongful convictions, the Innocence Project has grown to become much more than the 'court of last resort' for inmates who have exhausted their appeals and their means. We are now helping to organize The Innocence Network, a group of law schools, journalism schools, and public defender offices across the country that assists inmates trying to prove their innocence whether or not the cases involve biological evidence which can be subjected to DNA testing. We consult with legislators and law enforcement officials on the state, local, and federal level, conduct research and training, produce scholarship, and propose a wide range of remedies to prevent wrongful convictions while continuing our work to free innocent inmates through the use of postconviction DNA testing.

We hope that this site will raise awareness and concern about the failings of our criminal justice system."

FAQ about DNA evidence, by the Innocence Project.

"Burden of Innocence" covers the distressing reality of what happens after the Innocence Project does its work.

Posted 5:55 PM by Blah blah

Comedy Hypnotist Show (Events)

I went to my friend Lisa's comedy hypnotist show last Wednesday. It was one of her many fundraisers for SIDS. Being the fool I am, I volunteered to be hypnotized. The hypnotist, Dave Hill, had us shake our butts, had me dance with a man, and had us all treat our shoes like phones.

Left: me ordering pizza. The girl to my left, Winnie, sang in the group Rubber Band that night.
Right: Lisa stepping all over her man to get what she wants. She's doing her Uma Thurman Avengers fashion impression. Dave Hill is on her right.

Click for full-size. Photos by Tony:

Posted 8:06 AM by Blah blah

Worst Jobs in Science (Science)

From Thea (i.e. "Sya"), who is getting her PhD in biology at Dartmouth. She always writes so carefully and thoughtfully.

Yes, this is another cut-and-paste job. I could not imagine stuff as juicy as this myself!

The Worst Jobs in Science (Popular Science)---"From fart sniffer to postdoc, the most torturous ways to make a living in science":
____________________
BARNYARD MASTURBATOR

Researchers who want animal sperm —to study fertility or for artificial insemination—have a suite of attractive options: They can ram an electric probe up an animal's rectum, shove an artificial vagina onto the animal's penis, or simply do it the old-fashioned way—manual stimulation. The first option, electroejaculation, uses a priapic rectal probe to send electricity pulsing through the animal's nether regions.

"All the normal excitatory signals that stimulate ejaculation, like touch, sight, sound and smell, can be replaced with the current from the probe," says Trish Berger, professor of animal science at the University of California, Davis. "It's fascinating. Of course, this is a woman talking."

Electroejaculation generally requires anesthetizing the animal and is typically used on zoo dwellers. The other two methods—the artificial vagina, or AV, and the good old hand—require that animals be trained to the procedure. The AV—a large latex tube coated with warm lubricant —is used primarily to get sperm from dairy bulls (considered the most ornery and dangerous of bovines).

The bull gets randy with a steer; when he mounts the steer with his forelegs, a brave technician, AV in hand, insinuates himself between the two aroused beasts and deftly redirects the bull penis into the mock genitalia, which he must then hold tight while the bull orgasms. (Talk about bull riding!) Three additional technicians attempt to ensure this (fool)hardy soul's safety by anchoring themselves to restraining ropes attached to a ring in the bull's nose. Alas, this isn't always absolutely effective: Everyone who's wielded an AV has had at least one close call, and more than a few have been sent to the hospital.

The much safer "digital pressure" is used mostly with pigs, who are trained from an early age to mount a small bench while the researcher reaches around with a gloved hand and provides appropriate pleasure—er, pressure.

The best job in science? We nominate the pig.

Posted 11:42 PM by Blah blah

My Weekend

Dinners with three girls in three days. Hockey. Rollerblading. Housekeeping. Studying.

Posted 1:53 PM by Blah blah

"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"

- Abraham Lincoln

Posted 5:44 PM by Blah blah

Vanity Date (Geez..)

Oh God. Look at this: Vanity Date.

"Welcome to VanityDate.com, the world's most judgmental, shallow dating website. At Vanity Date we have a vision of creating the largest database of the world's most good looking, rich and superficial people. Now, this doesn't mean you have to be a super model, but you have to be a so called 7.0 and above to be allowed full access to the database or be talented and have an income over 200,000 dollars per year. Leave a bad taste in your mouth? If so, then we have accomplished our goal. Remember though, intelligence is encouraged. In fact, if we find out you have an IQ below 100, you will be kicked off the site....

Do I have to be good looking to use this site?
Yes and No. If you are not very talented or accomplished, then looks will cut it. Beauty is not skin deep. Sometimes it goes as far as your bank account, your talents or what you have accomplished in the world.

Who decides if I get accepted or rejected?
The members vote on whether to accept or reject your profile. A small rotating panel of judges comprised of entertainment industry veterans, models, business people and your normal everyday joe schmos also help judge and have the last say. Remember, this site is not exclusive to good looking people. It's about Vanity. If you have a right to be vain, then you are in.

Can I be overweight and be on the site?
Yes you can. However, you still have to be accepted by the panel of judges who do see beauty in men and women that have plus size measurement.

What if I am handicapped or disfigured in some way?
It's ok as long as you are good looking or have a right to be vain.

Will you guys rot in hell?
Yup.

What is a verified member status mean?
A verified member is a member of this site that has been seen physically by one of our staff members. Incentive for verified members is a discount off of the standard subscription fee. We highly encourage all members to become verified as we are trying to eliminate a common complaint from other dating sites that potential lovers look nothing like the photos they submit.

I'm an aspiring model, can I gain exposure from this website?
Yes, if you wish too. Make sure to check the option for aspiring model or model in your profile section. If you do, we will show you to our partner modeling agencies.

What if I have a great body but my face is not so hot?
Then make sure that your picture shows your body. We encourage all applicants to submit a head shot and body shot. And please don't lie about your weight."

Posted 12:13 PM by Blah blah

My Housemates' Vietnamese Engagement Photos (Photos)

See their Official Online Photo Album. You need to set up an account with Ofoto.com.

Posted 6:02 AM by Blah blah

New Charlie Rose Interviews (Current Events)

Yay! Charlie Rose has finally updated the interview archives for his show, after a month delay. Just look at the caliber of his guests! Listen:

Charlie Rose Archives.

Some of his latest guests:

New York, September 16, 2003
Jordan's King Abdullah II talk with Charlie Rose in Washington about the outlook for discussions with U.S. President George W. Bush on the Middle East peace process, the outlook for United Nations involvement in the reconstruction of Iraq and reasons for anti-American sentiment in the Middle East.

New York, September 15, 2003
New York Times writer and author Thomas Friedman talks with Charlie Rose in New York about his views on the Pentagon's "failure" to plan for a post-war Iraq, the importance of Iraq in determining the future world makeup and Friedman's reasons for being "deeply worried" about the future of Israel.

New York, September 15, 2003
Paul Krugman, a professor at Princeton University and a columnist for the New York Times, talks with Charlie Rose about his book "The Great Unraveling: Losing Our Way in the New Century," his assessment of the Bush administration's economic policy and outlook for the U.S. economy.

New York, September 12, 2003
The Cast From `Matchstick Men'
Actors Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, actress Alison Lohman and filmmaker Ridley Scott talk with Charlie Rose in New York about their new film "Matchstick Men," which opened nationwide on Sept. 12.

New York, September 10, 2003
Former Sec. of State Shultz
Former Secretary of State George Shultz , a member of Stanford University's Hoover Institution, talks with Charlie Rose in Palo Alto, California, about the outlook for the reconstruction of Iraq, the potential threat from Pakistan and the global fight against terrorism.

I met George Shultz before when I was in this summer medical program at Stanford.

I really want to make more witty, intellectual friends. Where are you guys? (Or girls?) Is there anyone around here who can talk with me about these issues? And who has a sense of humor about it? Sometimes I feel like this blog is a note in a bottle, floating but never really picked up. My mind is constantly hungry for stimulation. Help me.

Posted 6:54 PM by Blah blah

Friendster name

New people have been adding me to their Friendster friends list. To add me, use the name "Raymond Rayning." Go to user search and enter the first and last name to see my Friendster profile.

Posted 11:13 AM by Blah blah

Models Dream of Other Jobs (Modeling)

At NY Fashion Show, Models Dream of Other Things (Reuters):
______________________
[A]t Peter Som's Spring 2004 collection the young women were paid in clothes, leaving them coveting a regular paycheck and a steady job instead of the tedium of day-to-day modeling....

"I would like to be an engineer. I love math," Lisa, a 21-year-old blond, size 2, model from Florida said, adding with a laugh that she would return to college "when my modeling career dies, in about a year."

Lisa isn't quite ready to quit yet but complains that modeling is a "very lonely" business.

Dasha, 19, a brunette Estonian national living in Florida, dreams of becoming an architect. "A soon as I make enough money to go to school I'm getting out. I want to go to like an Ivy League place to study architecture."

Quiana, a 21-year old model from Virginia dreams of becoming a pediatrician. "People think it's so much glamour and glitz, but it's just a job, she said. Models were always on the run -- "running to a fitting, to a show, to a photo shoot, like headless chickens."

Two hours before Som's show begins, backstage is a frenzy of powder puffs and hair spray. The 21 lanky models move between 10 make-up artists, 9 hair stylists and 17 dressers.

Minutes before show time, they assemble by clothes racks and undressed, apparently oblivious to the throng of people looking on. As they wriggle into outfits, double-sided tape is used to keep gowns in place and the soles of high-heeled shoes are scored with a razor blade to give traction.

After almost two and a half hours of preparation, and more than 30 minutes late, the models take to the catwalk.

Their mission, according to Som's publicity, is to somehow leave the audience with a feeling that these clothes are "about a feeling of knowing innocence, unbridled happiness and leaping toward the future."

Model after model parades down the runway with no smiles in evidence and no obvious sign of that "unbridled happiness."

Posted 10:37 AM by Blah blah

Is Your Writing Male or Female? (Writing)

"Inspired by an article in The New York Times Magazine, the Gender Genie uses a simplified version of an algorithm developed by Moshe Koppel, Bar-Ilan University in Israel, and Shlomo Argamon, Illinois Institute of Technology, to predict the gender of an author.

Simply type or paste your text in the box below. Click submit for the results."

The Gender Genie.

Cool! I tried it on my old entry, "I Dislike Timid Girls."

Result: Male score = 991. Female score = 901. My writing is MALE.

Posted 8:24 AM by Blah blah

Dear Raymond (Funny)

From a reader:

Dear Raymond,

I can't begin to imagine how much time and energy you put into your blog.
I guess the point of all that work would be because you love it.

Me:

All that time and energy I put into my blog is the only thing that stands between me and a life of crime.

The more comments you leave to which I must respond, the more you keep the streets of San Jose safe from hoodlums like me.
______________
Dear Raymond,

You know, it doesn't feel like people are commenting on what you write. I was reading about somebody proposing to a girlfriend and getting married and have no clue how that ties into anything.

Me:

Yeah, people are mostly drunk when they comment on my blog. I really need more
sober people like YOU. You're right---Cheshire Dave's engagement has nothing to do
with me and my blog whatsoever. How dare he derail our highbrow train of thought by posting such a trivial matter!!

No, he's a friend in Emeryville who has his own blog. He used to write for my
blog.
______________
Dear Raymond,

About 9/11... Somewhere deep down you must know that your blog affects people.

Me:

Not just deep down---I force people to read it! I accost strangers on the street and
drag them over to a computer, where I mash their faces into the monitor to see my blog.

If I'm busy, I ask my Italian tough dude friend Guido to do it.

Posted 7:20 AM by Blah blah

Dominating Google and Yahoo (Internet)

Hey, Tiger Cafe is actually ranked #10 now, if you search Google or Yahoo for "Raymond." My site is ranked higher than the CBS TV show Everybody Loves Raymond.

My dreams of world Google domination are slowly coming true!!! Huh HAHAHAHA Yuk Yuk Yuk Cackle Cackle Cackle SNORT...

My dream is to be #1 on Google and Yahoo, in 100 countries, just like Madonna's new children's book.

My dearest wish, members of the Academy, is that tons of non-English speaking people---especially Saudi Arabians---searching for "rain," "Rebecca Romijn-Stamos," or Supreme Court Judge William "Rehnquist"---will all hit me instead and stand awed at the details of my trivial life.

Because it's all about ME, isn't it? Me meee meme ME!

Posted 6:48 AM by Blah blah

Madonna's New Book (Books)

I laughed my ass off at this review. The indulgences we offer celebrities are astounding.

Madonna's kids' book lands with a thud:
Million copies of overblown, empty story (San Francisco Chronicle):
______________
Slipcased, with a first printing north of 1 million copies, simultaneously released in 30 languages and 100 countries, pop singer Madonna's first of a projected five children's books landed in about 50,000 bookstores nationwide Monday. The last time a five-book series launched with such a bang, the first installment was called "Genesis."

Unlike the Pentateuch, the five books of Madonna begin with a 46-page kids' book titled "The English Roses." Read attentively, it yields an extremely personal, almost confessional glimpse into the author's raw feelings. Unfortunately, those feelings bespeak a persecution complex so narcissistic that she ought rather have paid readers $100 an hour than charged them 50 cents a page.

Posted 4:27 PM by Blah blah

Knowing What You Want (Relationships)

From Edie's blog:

"Why are women condemned for knowing what it is they do and don't like?

I can usually tell after 2 or 3 dates if a guy and I are compatible, before it gets to the stage of having to 'work on' each other. Nice boy, bad boy, it goes so much deeper than that. We all compromise to some degree, we're all grown ups who realize there is no 'perfect' person out there waiting for us. However, wouldn't it be nice to find someone who makes us feel comfortable?
-Cara

[I say the same thing for men knowing what they want.]
...
Now, there's 2 sides to a relationship: on the one hand, love does take work, and it's not effortless and easy. I've been married for nearly 2 years, and trust me, I know it takes work.

However, there is a difference between making things work because there is a lot of good there that you want to keep, and making things work simply because you feel like you have to, perhaps to avoid seeming shallow.

In the first flush of love, little things don't seem as big a deal; later on, they become the things that annoy you the most. And "dealing with them" isn't always the solution. People are who they are. If Edie wants someone more demonstrative, and this person isn't, and can't be because that's not who he is, it will make for a very long and possibly painful relationship as she continually asks for what he can't give. It doesn't hurt to ask, but be prepared to either accept the status quo or move on.
- Michalita"

Poem

THEIR SEX LIFE, by A.R. Ammons

One failure on
Top of another.

Posted 3:15 PM by Blah blah

Wanted: Feminine Man with Balls (Entertainment)

Salma Hayek stars in the new movie Once Upon a Time in Mexico, with Johnny Depp.

Salma Hayek looking for man with more balls than her (Ananova):

She said: "My mum's always asking me: "When will you finally get married?" And I always say: "When I find a man who has more balls than me".

The actress, who says she has come close to marriage four times, added: "What worries me the most is that most men are so weak. Because of that they act like they don't care and like machos - because they are too fragile inside.

"They're scared of confrontation and afraid of so many things. And because of this they build up their life so they have to deal with their feelings as little as possible."

The star, who is currently dating Hulk actor Josh Lucas, said her ideal man would be in touch with his feminine side.

She said: "I find feminine men unbelievably sexy. But most men are completely incapable of getting in touch with their feminine side. They don't have the courage to confront this part of their soul."

And she added: "What am I supposed to talk about with a man who doesn't know what it's like to be a woman?"

Posted 2:48 PM by Blah blah

Autumn Leaves (Poem)

Found this wonderful poem today. So apt:

seasons change
as the sky
alters its mood

scented air drifts inward
whispering softly
filling our dreams

hurry up sunshine
you had your turn

tones of gray
replace
golden hues

lovers begin anew
refreshed
with anticipation

autumn leaves
cling tightly knowing
their grip will fade

weary trees pause
to nap beautifully
in living stillness

precious moments
will never die

reflect and admire
their fading beauty

Posted 11:37 AM by Blah blah

Clinton Speaks in Iowa (Politics)

I watched Bill Clinton make a fantastic speech yesterday at the Harkin Steak Fry in Iowa to over 7,000 people. I watched it on C-SPAN. Twice. He was that good. He gave the most inspiring speech for me, as a Democrat, that I've heard in a long long time. He was funny, positive, witty, relevant, persuasive, and soulful. I feel like the tide is turning in the Democrats' fortunes for the White House next year.

I wish the rest of the country wakes up in time. If I find his transcript, I will print it here.

Clinton Assails Bush at Gathering for Hopefuls (NY Times):

"The setting for Mr. Clinton's rare public speech on the American political scene was the annual steak fry held by this state's senior senator, Tom Harkin. It was attended by seven of the nine Democratic presidential candidates.

Six of them also spoke to the crowd tonight, but Mr. Clinton's speech, even though it was arguably not one of his strongest performances, almost entirely obscured their words and served instead to underscore the contrast between the political skills of Mr. Clinton and those of this year's crop of candidates."

Campaigns Still Clinton's Strength (USA Today). Analysis of Clinton's renewed prestige among Democrats and how active he is behind the scenes.

Posted 8:56 AM by Blah blah

New Feet (Funny)

My friend Ellen in Manila just showed me her new feet:

Yeow! A steamroller ran over her toes the other day.

No, silly. It's a pair of her new slippers!

She fooled her dad too with that picture.

Posted 8:40 AM by Blah blah

Dinner at Lisa's (Friends)

Lisa, my cheeky British friend, made a nice dinner for me at her house last night. Her birthday was Wednesday. She was also in full mommy mode, stopping every so often to talk child lingo with her two sons, Matthew (5-year-old) and Daniel (1-year-old). Matthew is starting kindergarten and has this coy way of looking at you. Both are sooo adorable. She says Matthew has at least two girlfriends already. Ha! Also it was good to see her husband Paul again, a shy software guy.

She made "al dente" rice, a nutty, crunchy rice that I have never tried before. It was delicious. She also made a vegetable dish that looked like Chinese food plus some very yummy pork chops.

While we were eating, Matthew said, "Watch me!" He ran to the sofa and tried to do a somersault on it. Then he jumped on it a few times and dived onto the other sofa. Haha! Reminds me of ME as a kid. I loved to jump on sofas and beds. I was such a monkey.

Her right foot, sadly, is still painful and visibly swollen. The capsaicin (i.e. pepper) cream I gave her a few weeks ago is very effective, cutting her pain by 60%. Still, pain is her constant ball and chain. Pain radiates throughout the middle of the sole of her foot. Her nerve was cut and she has no feeling in the lower part of her toe. She had trouble walking several blocks to the store the other day, and she cannot move her ankle around comfortably to practice driving a car. Plus, she's begun to put more strain on her foot as she runs after the kids daily. I pray for a faster recovery. She has such a sweet and inspiring attitude about the whole situation, saying her foot injury in July has helped bring her all these new friends.

Lisa and I click so well. We can both be such big teases. It's always a delight to talk to her and her family. Thanks for being such a wonderful friend, sweetie.



I also wrote this on her guestbook: "The dining hall at my UC Berkeley dorm, International House, was somewhat of a meat market at the start of each semester. I love the place! We also had 'face books' after a few weeks, with photos of the residents. Watching everyone jostle to make friends with the most attractive people was hilarious. I remember once I was having dinner with this pretty PhD political science student from Japan, and this guy came up to us and literally got on HIS KNEES in the cafeteria to ask her for something. He grovelled. What a wimp! Haha."

Posted 5:31 PM by Blah blah

September 11th: Two Year Anniversary (Sad)

Thank you, Fred, for this link: Attack on America: remembering Sept. 11th.

My blog entry from one year ago.

My blog from Sept. 11, 2001. Includes my pics from the top of the World Trade Center, where I had dinner.

Posted 8:09 PM by Blah blah

Profile: Director Ridley Scott (Entertainment)

The direct approach works well for Scott (Boston Globe).

Talks about his style, methods, vision, and road to success. Instructive.

Posted 5:32 PM by Blah blah

My last word on the "nice guy" debate. I wrote this on Chinedu's guestbook on MixerMixer:

"I was so over that Nice Guy debate over a year ago, but dating in general is fascinating. Plus Edie is a fantastic writer who openly expresses what she goes through before, during, and after every date. I think my point is you don't throw away the 'nice' parts of yourself. Most women actually like those and usually wouldn't date someone they think is a liar, cruel, inconsiderate, etc. It's just to remember to be assertive, confident, interesting, show leadership, etc. as well as being 'nice.' Show some mystery and patience and be nice in moderation. Let her work for you and make sure she shows interest in you before doing a song-and-dance for her. That's where guys overdo 'niceness' and it turns into desperation and neediness."

Edie: Dating Stories (Gossip)

Edie in Manhattan has been capturing tons of people's attention for months, including mine, with her juicy dating stories. Read about all the curious guys she has been meeting, including "Alf," "Tim Russert," "Mallowmar," and "Cowboy." Slightly neurotic, foolishly impulsive, and sometimes very shy, Edie feels like a real-life Ally McBeal. Seems like things are starting to go well with her and "Cowboy," for a change!

- Her July stories
- Her August stories
- Her September stories

Read her Aug. 18th entry and comments to see what she says about the "Nice Guy" question:

"I thought someone would make the 'bad boy winning over nice guy' observation. This is really not the case here. Cowboy is no bad boy. He is a really nice guy. And, I would love it if he was demonstrative as Mallowmar. His acting in this way would not have the effect of lessing my interest in him, but rather the opposite.

Also, I knew, before I experienced his reticence, that Cowboy and I would probably be more compatible than Mallowmar and I. We had an amazing email correspondence. You will remember my unusual nervousness before our first date. Our conversation is relatively effortless. We think the same way about most things. We share a lot of interests. These are all very real reasons for, at this point anyway, preferring Cowboy.

I like Mallowmar, too. It is just that our conversation isn't as good, we don't share many interests, and I sometimes feel ill at ease with him.

Lastly, I want to make clear that I have never gone for bad boys. I really like nice guys, and I don't understand women that don't.

Posted by: edie at August 19, 2003 11:54 AM"

Posted 7:18 AM by Blah blah

The World's Most Famous Blogger (War)

Salam Pax, the 29-year-old architect from Baghdad who became the world's most famous blogger during the Iraq war, has published his first book: Salam Pax: The Baghdad Blog. Published by The Guardian, where he is now a regular contributor, it seems to be mainly his blog put in print. The Anne Frank of the Iraq war, Salam was blessed with incredible luck and courage to faithfully counter official rhetoric and stereotypes about Iraqis. Like it or not, he is our window to the mind of the Iraqi people, the blunt talk behind the spin.

By Salam Pax: 'I became the profane pervert Arab blogger' (The Guardian):

"Salam Pax describes what it was like to play cat-and-mouse with Saddam's censors."

Posted 6:32 PM by Blah blah

Christina: A Lonely Day (Photos)

My friend Christina, in Nanjing, China, just sent me these new photos of her. I assume they were taken by her new husband. She's wearing these gym-type clothes which really show off her dancer's body. For four years, as a teenager, Christina had been a dancer in the Chinese army. Yep, the government actually has official dancers that entertain and follow the soldiers.



I love her chestnut-colored long hair. This is the first time I've seen her navel. Not that I can do anything about it.

Her photos. As usual, login: tigercafe, password: password.

Posted 4:00 PM by Blah blah

Cheshire Dave: Engaged!

Our former cowriter here, Cheshire Dave, just got engaged!!! Read his story of how he proposed. He lives near Berkeley.

I'm so happy for you and Sarah, Cheshire! Please invite me to your celebrations!

Posted 3:43 PM by Blah blah

New Photos (Photos)

Well I just posted a ton of new pics here from my last few days. Also, check out my housemates' Vietnamese engagement party pics from Aug. 30:

My photo albums
Login: tigercafe
Password: password

I was gonna pick out some of my favorites for ya, but there are too many! You're just gonna have to log into my photo albums.

Look at the 5 most recently changed albums. Thursday was our Ryze pearl tea night. Friday night, I ran a dinner/comedy event in downtown San Jose. Saturday, Patrick organized a Thai dinner and dancing at Molly McGee's. Sunday we rollerbladed, and I was so exhausted I couldn't join people for the 70s/80s disco. Yep, it was my "party animal" weekend!

Posted 4:33 PM by Blah blah

HTML Crazy (Web page design)

Ooh! Look at how I just changed my MixerMixer profile page! It's pure HTML. No graphics! Guess how I did it? Haha!

RAYMOND for Dummies

Hi, I'm Raymond!

My grandparents are from Fujian province in China.

I'm originally Chinese from the Philippines,

but I grew up in New England and Silicon Valley.

Speak Taiwanese. Would love to make new friends.

Am outgoing, articulate, curious, funny, and creative.

Look for the same.

I like perceptive people:

N

(This is NOT graphics, folks! It's a letter but in "webdings" font!)

Posted 8:25 AM by Blah blah

Party Animal

Any of you are welcome to join me at any of these events. Sign up!

Thursday:

Stephanie invited me to my first meeting of the Pearl Tea Time group at Ryze.com. I'm going to their dinner and tea tomorrow! This is my reentry into the Ryze social network.

Friday:

Pjammer's birthday dinner and ComedySportz show. Interesting group of folks are coming. Lisa's birthday is also around this time. She will try to make the comedy show at 10:30 pm. I'll be meeting this very friendly, volleyball-playing girl Jacqueline for the first time.

Saturday:

Saturday night I'm going to Patrick and Ladda's birthday event for Ladda's friend. Dinner at Thai Chili and dancing at Molly McGee's later. Thai food and Molly McGee's event.

Also Saturday---
Ryze's For the Love of Sushi Network is putting on this sushi-making party in Sunnyvale, 5-9:30 pm, sponsored by Mason and Eric. I may go to the beginning of it. Learn how to make it!

Sunday:

Big Ryze volleyball event, in San Francisco Marina District. 1-5 pm. Sponsored by Sanford. Followed by group dinner. Contact me for details. Not sure if I'll go.

Posted 7:19 AM by Blah blah

Dr. Love?

All these people have been asking me for love advice recently. One after the other, I swear. Yeah me, like I know anything. I need to set up a stand like Lucy's in Peanuts: "The psychiatrist is IN. (5 cents)"

Or maybe I should shave my head, grow a moustache, bring on that Southern twang, carve a dimple in my chin, and talk like this: "When you're dating someone, if you make a quick judgment, you can miss some really nice guys. Women need to let first impressions accumulate. You should also get a first impression when you're alone together, a first impression when he's under stress, a first impression when he's sick, a first impression when there's conflict... This chemistry thing is way overrated. If you think marriage is like a long date, it ain't! And the guy that's the most fun on a date is not necessarily the best mate."

That's Dr. Phil.

Who's gonna be MY adviser? I'd like someone who preferably speaks in rhymes so my poor grey cells can remember. Like a rapper. A rapping love adviser.

Yeah.

Wheel me in your latest load of troubles, guys. I'm one big set of floppy ears. But before that, please remember:

Dr. Love needs his own set of ears to talk to.

Posted 3:51 PM by Blah blah

"Good Talk is Pure Gold" (Relationships)

Interview with Garrison Keillor, one of my favorite modern authors. (Salon.com) He used to be the relationship advice columnist for Salon:

"A good relationship comes down to conversation and sex and good manners, I suppose. And if you can continue your conversation and your bawdiness and your good manners for more than 10 years, then you're doing awfully well. Conversation is the truest barometer in a relationship and when you're not moved to open your heart to your lover, something's wrong that needs fixing. We all know that. And yet it's a fabulous gift, true conversation. The world is so full of cant and rote and reflexive chatter, that good talk is pure gold, and it's what lovers need from each other."

Posted 11:45 AM by Blah blah

Emotionally Insecure (Relationships)

A Note To My Girlfriend Who Thinks All Men Are Jerks (Craigslist):

"He finally calls thinking they can just hook up. Her attitude towards him is hot and cold and totally unpredictable. She’s totally sweet one minute and a bitch the next because she’s torn between wanting to be with him, but hating the fact that he isn’t up her ass. Of course, this whole time they’ve been seeing each other, his intentions has never changed. He is still the same guy as when they first met. So after all the emotional episodes she exudes, it starts to wear on him. He doesn’t want to deal anymore and starts distancing himself or moves on to some other girl. She senses his distance and becomes desperate so makes herself available for him. So now the few and far in between times that he does call to hook up, she accomodates.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not building a case for the 'men are jerks' notion, just trying to get you to see the pattern you have created for yourself. Every time you act out on your insecurities, you become someone who’s unbalanced and emotionally draining to others around you. I can guarantee, that is not the kind of girls most guys want to date. The kind of girls that most guys fall in love with are girls who are their friends. Girls who are rational, stable, and fun to be around. A girl who knows the difference between physical and emotional connections, who understands and appreciates the physiological needs while separating that from the emotional needs."