thoughts of the day

I had a deep conversation with a Dr. Friend over late night beer session (all I had were tw beers, and the conversation turned philosophical).


Here are the scenarios
a) My Dr. Friend had a patient who is on respirator, he is not conscious, and is unlikely to never be conscious again. The family thanked the Dr. for Saving his life. Should they thank him? Is the Dr. doing the right thing? Would it be better for the good Dr. to let the man go and have his salvation, or is it his duty to save lives no matter the circumstances.


The conversation then turned a tangent.


b) Where is the progression in all the scientific leading us? Will it lead us to answer the big bang, the start of life, and ultimately the meaning of our existence? Is there a limit to what science can explain? Or will philosophy takes over?

If so, what is the reason if it is reason at all that philosophy come about?

This then leads back to a conversation with a lovely young lady who I cherish very much when I dined with her.

The question raised was:

c) "Is there a perfect someone for you out there" if so, how would you know? Does perfection exist? Or is happiness merely equates to satisfaction of what you have because that is all you can have? If so, is happiness really happiness with satisfaction?
d) Also what will the world be if all countries are developed and there are no more poor ppl? What happens when we run out of ppl to exploit?Semi deep shit….my head hurts…

Spiderwoman

Spiderwoman and MasterLee after the race.
hey, where is Estella?













Congradulations to Spiderwoman for her first Triathlon! Sorry I can't go cheer you on this time :) but MasterLee and the Good Doctor are there, so are JellyFishes, so there were plenty of moral support for you. But again, Congrad. on your first Triathlon. Now you just have to sign up for next year's LA triathlon and the Tahiti Half Ironman in two years with us :)

BTW, Male Jellyfish and Eye Doctor. I am taking away your "Man Cards"! You two are in the same league as the Wang Twins and the Banker :) You can redeem your Man Card next year byt completing either the LA tri or Malibu tri !

go for it.

What a Joke

This is such a joke..

Oprah gets her way... again
I'd open the door if it was Vivica Fox or Tyra Banks!! j/k


CHICAGO : The tabloid war between Oprah Winfrey and French luxury retailer Hermes International ended in a decisive victory for the US talk show diva Monday when the company's president of US operations apologized on-air. Winfrey, who was recently named the most powerful celebrity in the US by Forbes magazine and is considered a cultural icon with an immeasurable influence over her millions of viewers, instigated a boycott after she was turned away from a Hermes store in Paris in June. Tabloids were abuzz with the snub and Oprah's conviction that she was turned away because she was black.
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hile I do believe that Oprah got slighted. I don’t think there is anything wrong with what the story employee did. When a store is closed, it is CLOSED. You help the customers that are still in the store and NOT let any new customers come in. I do like Oprah as a person, however, bringing race into it is just absurd… Sometimes I just wish the “Race” card is not being played every time something is wrong.

Funny TV Show

Mondays: 10:00PM. Travel Channel. Anthony Bourdain, No Reservation. http://travel.discovery.com/fansites/bourdain/bio/bio.html
The funniest travel show out there. Similar to Globe Trekker but with more edge to it. The best episode so far is when he travel to Vietnam and hung out with some of the local officials It was hilarious.

Here is a brief web rip of Chef Bourdain’s bio. Obviously a talented and funny individual.

Biography: If I may quote right from the book as the good chef describes himself during his post high school days..."I was a spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless young lout, and badly in need of a good ass-kicking". And then it started to go downhill from there (my words). Born in New York in 1956, Anthony Bourdain began his journey as a dishwasher (he needed the money) and was so moved by the events at a wedding reception that took place at his first restaurant that he decided to become a chef (see chapter 2, titled "Food is Sex".) He enrolled at the CIA, and graduated to a career that can only be described as amazing. He is now executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in New York City. Chef Bourdain is also the author of two novels, "Gone Bamboo" and "Bone in the Throat" (Canongate). His first non-fiction work, "Kitchen Confidential" (Bloomsbury) caught the attention of the public, and is must reading for members of the hospitality industry (for all kinds of reasons), This is a book that will make you laugh; make you wonder; and will possibly scare the hell out of you. Please be advised that "Kitchen Confidential" is not for everyone.

Marriage of "The Banker"

(Johnny with his "Guns"...notetice how he likes to compare the size of his "Guns" to the statue in the background!!)

On Sunday, Johnny surprised all of us by announcing that he is getting married on the 29th OF THIS MONTH! Though the wedding ceremony will be in Taiwan in mid October, the 29th will still be the official wedding day. Johnny sure doesn’t waste time doesn’t he J Congratulations buddy! I promise I will not cry this time J

Studying in the Cofee Shop (Another Mental Training)

BTW, Studying in cafes in Irvine is another form of mental training. The light, the crowd, and in most cases, gorgeous girls, are major distractions. Just the other day, I saw the most gorgeous Persian Girl in the coffee shop sitting across from me (why are there so many Persians in the coffee shops anyway, hummm! I wonder), even though I had my ipod on and my favorite Rachmoninov Concerto on. It is still really hard to concentrate, but I must TRAIN myself to do it because on the day of the GMAT, the test room will be quite noisy too. Maybe I should get a seat facing the wall or something.

Mental Toughness!!...?

I’ve been feeling a little bit down lately. I am not sure if it is the post Triathlon syndrom, or the changing of the seasons. I have been feeling a little bit “Empty” inside. Not just about the direction I am heading in my career, the goals I set for myself to achieve, and regret and repent I have inside about past actions. I just had this uncertainty feeling inside me. Especially late at night when I get home from work or from my GMAT study in the coffee shops around town.


This feeling of directionless emptiness, I know, will only be temporary. I am fortunate to have great friends surrounding me, and random messages from fellow bloggers are also encouraging. What helps even more is that little book by Coach John Wooden about the simple meaning of life! (To summarize, just do the best you can and think simple and you will be happy). I know that is true. The key is how to think and view life in a simple tense.

I think I am in need of some meditation. Will make a date tomorrow morning to the temple to just meditate.

6th Annual City of Los Angeles Triathlon

Well, the day has finally come. Here goes nothing!
here is a quick recap of my thoughts during my Triathlon experience. I want to thank those who came out and cheer me on! you guys are the best. FW, lets go to Malibu yeah? I'll call ya :)

9/10 (Day before the race)

10:00AM (Downtown LA) – Why is that policy car following me so closely, shit I am getting a traffic ticket! This totally sucks.
10:15AM (Downtown LA) – Well, just got a ticket for not having my front license plate, LA cops sucks, and it is not even the end of the month yet…

11:00AM (Sheraton Downtown LA) – Okay, finally dropped off my T2 transition bag. Where are all the freebies?

4:00PM (San Gabriel Home) – Still feeling my brains pounding against my skulls. I really think I am catching a cold. Well, better take a nap now before heading down to Mike’s place tonight…


9:30PM (Mike’s house) – Went over the course map for the last time with Mike, Money seem to be very excited about the race. I wonder if she knows she can’t come tomorrow? The UCLA vs. Rice game is a joke. Can’t believe UCLA put Rice on the schedule. I am optimistic about UCLA’s chances against OU next week tho. OU and all the teams in the Big 12 SUCKS…. Okay, better head to bed now. But I am feeling jittery. Good thing I brought my Sony Vaio S360 and 1st season of Southpark with me….that Butters is so funny.

9/11 (Race Day)

1:00AM (Mike’s house) – Still awake. For some reason I can never seem to sleep the night before the triathlon.
3:00AM (Mike’s house) – My Razor is beeping. Time to wake up, do some last min. carb load and do some stretch. I think I should start drink Gatorades from now till the race.
5:00AM (Venice Beach) – Arrived at the start of the swim. Why are we here so early, there’s hardly anyone here….man, I gotta pee, is the bathroom open?
6:30AM (Venice Beach) – okay, putting on my wetsuits now…the water feels fine, better get Mike and head into the water for a warmup. Less than 1 hour before my heat starts…
7:15:AM (Pacific Ocean) – Man, I hate ocean water…so salty. I hope my TVR goggle ($30) will hold up in the water. That is the most expensive goggle I can find yesterday, beat my speedo one…oops, I goota pee again….should I? ney…..

7:25AM (Venice Beach) – The gun is off. Everyone is rushing into the ocean. Here we go!

7:45AM (Pacific Ocean) – This water sucks. It is so not clear, who gives this a A+ water quality rating must be an idiot. The guy behind me is hitting me…dumbass can’t swim straight or something….let me hit him back. Hey, I am at the 750 meter mark already. That was easy. Time to turn back!!!
8:02AM (Venice Beach) – wow, made it on shore already. That was easy (37 min. on my ironman watch). I am doing better than I expected in the swim. I wonder how far ahead is Mike. Hey, where is my fan club? My squire (Aka Spider woman), the Wangs (all four of them)? Johnny little John John? Da bull? Hayama? Oh well, I guess they can’t wake up. That is cool its just me and the road now!
8:07AM (T1 exit) – Okay, Mike’s bike is not here, so he is definitely ahead. I gotta put the HAMMER DOWN now.

9:00AM (Hollywood Blvd) – Almost 1 hour into my Bike. I am making good progress. Lets paddle harder. The condition couldn’t be more perfect, there’s no sun at all. My hamstring is a bit sore tho. Better get some Gatorade at the next fluid stop.

9:15AM (Downtown LA) – The downhill from Grand to Staple Center is AMAZING! I THINK I just hit 45MPH on my Bike. Now I know why I do this. It is for moments like this, the best natural high you can feel.

9:20AM (T2) – Allison just informed me that I am 2 min. behind Mike. Lets do it!!!!!

9:24AM (Grand) – Man, this hill sucks! Did I just say I love the natural highs of downhill.. well, this sucks….I don’t think I can run up there…should I walk? Ney! Just a little bit of push.

9:45AM (Near little Tokyo) – Just saw Peggy passed me by, man, Jerry’s wife is FAST! Hey, that is mike too. I think I am still only 2 min. behind….time to refuel and kick some ass. My legs are not feeling too well tho. Lets IMAGINE that I am actually running at a fast pace, maybe I’ll go a little bit faster than this pathetic pace….hey who is that girl? She looks nice…

9:55AM (Running away from Little Tokyo) – Hummm! Who is this girl. She’s got nice long long legs. Nice hair. Nice nose. And those lips….they look like Cherry….smells nice too!! Whoo hoo, this definitely makes my day. Hey, there is a camera man too. Lets pose a little, who knows, maybe I’ll be on TV!!! Hee hee. Wait, should I run faster?

10:05AM (Near Disney Concert Hall) – Well, the girl is gone now. She is HOT HOT HOT! Who is she. Man, the guy in front of me smells….really smells. Lets pick up the pace and pass him.

10:20AM (Near the finish line) – Man, the downhill run is even harder than up hill. My body is falling apart….Wait, I hear cheers. I think I see Mike, Fanny, and Allison….Lets sprint. I gotta at least passed the smelly guy!!!
10:23AM (Finished) – THAT WASN’T TOO BAD WASN’T IT!!!! Under 3 hours…Lets do it again next year!!!