Let the games begin! - 2012 reflections

Welcome to my annual last day of the year reflection blog post extravaganza (holy run on sentence, Batman)! 2012 will go down as, unfortunately, just another year I’m afraid. I want to embellish it to bits by saying it was legendary (thanks, Barney) and all but to sum it all up it was just like any other year. That’s quite okay because the most important thing is and always will be that me, my family, and my friends are all healthy and in good spirits (or what they choose to tell me anyways). As I always say, as long as you have that, everything else will take care of itself.

2012 was suppose to be a banner year for me, being that I turn the coveted (or dreaded) quarter century age mark in life. It’s the year to do it big, right? Wrong, nothing too exciting happened. I settled right into post education adult life; work, home, and sleep! I didn’t even leave the Bay Area the whole entire year! What kind of debauchery can possibly happen when I did not even leave the safe cocoon that is my lovely hometown of San Francisco (and various surrounding areas that are obviously not as cool nor popular). Alas, being the president and CEO of the homebody association affords me a particular set of skills which allows me to be wholly entertained even though I am home practically all the time. Plus, I save a lot of money (and not just on my car insurance!)

Oh, 2012 signals the end of the numerical repeating digits in dates. Savored it while I can indeed. My birthday this year landed on the magical numbers 12/12/12 (that’s December 12th, 2012 for the less inclined). Couple with that fact I turned a quarter century old, i would say that it is pretty special of a date. It’s extremely too bad that I spent the entire day (and night!) stuck at work. But when you are this old (and face it, once you get pass 25 years of age, I think people should stop counting. It’s depressing, you know) I think the celebrations of birthdays can wait a day or two later. Being an adult and all the entails unfortunately can supersede any and all kinds of trivial celebration of human life events. Be that as it may, I did reward myself with the motherlode of birthday presents to myself - to be explained later (call it, a quarter life crisis).

I do envy the kid(s) that turned 12 years of age on 12/12/12. Now those kids are the utmost special out of all of us that celebrated birthdays on that day.

Anyways, let’s get on with the reflecting, shall we?

ADULT LIFE

My message to you kids that are still in college - STAY THERE! Sure, all the work load and the trials of finals week is no walk in the park (which ironically, our generation seldom have actual walks in the park), but at least vacation is awesome, right? And plus, the real world is indeed scary, because there just aren’t any jobs available for the career you majored in! Of course you’ll just pick any random job to scraped on by living, but that’s not really how you’ve envisioned things now, did you?

I faced that conundrum when I got out of college year and a half ago - there was ZERO jobs. I majored in business, which one would assume would always be in demand because all fields require some business accumen (haha!). Well, that’s true, but businesses just was not looking for those kind of people when I got out. The hot thing in demand was (and still is) engineers. Curse the people that told me not to get into CS (computer science) when I was choosing majors (there’s a meme in there, somewhere). Even if you didn’t have work experience, as long as you’ve got some kind of engineering degree, chances are high you’d be hired somewhere within two months post graduation.

So I did what plenty of my peers are doing - getting any job just to have some form of sustainability (thank heavens my student debts are not nearly as rough as some of you have it). My plan post graduation was simple really - work, save, and use that money to start my business somewhere down the line (probably in my early thirties - I did pledge to play and be merry until I am 34(!)).

A stroke of good fortune this year aided me tremendously on that goal. My old tech support job (while I was still studying undergrad) at San Francisco State had an open position posted in January of this year, so naturally I applied (nothing like doing things you’re familiar with). Due to my bright smile and charming looks, I somehow got hired (haha!). The job gave me the stability I didn’t really knew I needed until I had it (it paid twice as much as the job I currently had back then). Money for the most part was no longer an issue (and mind you, I’m wasn’t making that much - it’s wasn’t even full time!), and with that I can actually plan stuff out way beyond just a year (and ticked off one of my childhood dreams). Of course, ultimately it is supremely wonderful to work with familiar faces again - and a brand spanking new library building to work in!

I found that planning is a must when it comes to the adult stage of life. Back when you were a kid, everything is basically all laid out for you (go to school, go to school, and yeah, go to school). But as an adult, you have to constantly look ahead. I hated doing that at first because I am more spontaneous of a guy than anything - let’s go through today and worry about tomorrow when it comes. I am not sure if it’s societal pressure or natural progression of life, but I just couldn’t live like that anymore. Even if the plans are not as intricate as those plans to capture and kill Bin Laden (too soon?), you’ve got to have a framework in mind. Guess they were not kidding about those “where do you see yourself in five/ten years” questions.

It all goes back to money, naturally. Money is freedom. Freedom to do what ever the heck you want. As an adult with a stable occupation, it should not be a problem at all. What people really have to worry about it “post work”, also known as retirement (you know you are old when you are planning for your retirement already). That’s when you need the money because you have zero income (otherwise, it’s not retirement, now is it?), and you still have to live conceivably a few more decades (got to start young with that whole living healthy business). Government sure as hell not going help when it comes to our generation (Social Security, what Social Security?!). So, you’ve got to do it on your own.

That means saving money for retirement. Wade through all the bullshit financial planning books tell you, and most would agree that start saving as young as possible is the best way to have the most money at the end when you really need it. At the ripe age of 24 this year (actually quite late compared to plenty of people), I got myself a Roth IRA to supplement my work’s 401k. Is it painful to see a chunk of my money disappear into the abyss, one in which I cannot touch (without incurring heavy taxes) until I am in my sixties? FOR SURE. But I remind myself the adage: “out of sight, out of mind.” You just have to treat that money like it was never there (and live accordingly so you won’t miss it).

Well then, let’s see; in 2012 I got a steady job that pays, and I planned for my retirement. My god, I am ready to live in Pleasantville, aren’t I?

GREETINGS, SPORT FANS

2012 was an incredible year for Bay Area sports fans.

As we found out towards the end of 2011, the 49ers are good again! It has been a decade in the making but wow is it nice to see some winning football on Sundays from the hometown team. It was absolutely crazy during the playoffs earlier in the year, especially the divisional game against the New Orleans Saints. 49ers fans have waiting years to see such a performance from their team. That game is up there with some of the best football games I have ever watched (and I’ve got it saved in digital form!).

As we all know, it was all for naught as come the next game, it all came crashing down against the New York Football Giants in the NFC Championship game. Being sports fans, you come to expect failure and/or disappointment from your teams. After all, it is practically impossible for the team you root for to win it all each and every year (Yankee fans like to think so). I think what we don’t want, is for the team to lose it in a way that is just plain stupid. If it was not for Kyle Williams muffing two punts in the game, I am confident in saying we would have celebrated a 49ers Superbowl win. That night was particularly interesting because it was Lunar New Year, and the game was encroaching on the usual big family dinner (it went overtime). Imagine the disrespect at the table! A night to remember, for sure, either way.

On the baseball front, the Giants was on a comeback tour in 2012 after a disappointing 2011 campaign. Everything hinged on the comeback of the golden boy; Buster Posey. We all felt that if he is healthy enough to play the full season, we’d at least be in good shape to make the playoffs, and perhaps even more.

Turns out, the team did better than that. Much better.

I still find it hard to believe the Giants won the World Series - AGAIN! Who would have thought that the magic of the 2010 World Series run can actually be topped. The whole of the 2012 Giants season was just magic; one after another. For sure there was ups and downs (looking at you, Melky Cabrera), but the sum of it all, you have to say, WOW.

To note a few things: Matt Cain threw a perfect game (the first perfect game I have had the pleasure to watch from beginning to then end), aided by a spectacular catch by Gregor Blanco that people will tell you is a once in a many thousands chance of making. Buster Posey had the comeback season we all prayed and hoped he would (but wouldn’t fault him if he didn’t), and won the Most Valuable Player award in the National League (and I thought I’d never see another Giants players win the MVP, post Bonds era). Our pitching staff is lights out as usual, even with Tim Lincecum having the worst year in his life, and Brian Wilson lost for the season 4 days into it. Our bats, while not world beating, came through in the clutch (the complete anti-thesis of 2011) often enough to win 90 plus games during the regular season and battle their way into the playoffs towards the World Series win.

And what playoff run! The first time I watched the Giants World Series commemorative DVD, I bawled my eyes out. All the story lines that tugs at your heartstrings. The team won six consecutive win-or-go-home elimination games to advance to the World Series. It’s complete insanity every time I think about it (that NLDS game five in Cincinnati will live on in infamy for me - I lost 10 years of my life watching that game). Then, the Giants swept the Tigers in the World Series - with the Tigers being the team EVERYBODY in the sports world picked to win.

Alas, it is the story lines that made the entire playoff run:

Tim Lincecum took the demotion to the bullpen like a man, and was absolutely lights out in that role. After a regular season of stinking up the place, it was nice to see him perform like we all knew he could. It’s almost unfair to the other teams that we have a two time Cy Young Award winner, pitching like his vintage self, coming in as RELIEF! It was plenty satisfying seeing Timmy strikeout batter after batter. Ryan Vogelsong’s story needs no introduction. After almost a decade traveling and bouncing around the world in various baseball clubs, it probably does not get any better to see a guy that works so hard to finally reach the top of the mountain in his profession. His numbers in the playoffs are ridiculous, and it warms the fans heart to see a good guy like him fulfill a lifelong dream, after a equally long struggle to get there.

Speaking of struggle, that term fits Barry Zito’s tenure with the Giants the most. He just never showed up to be the guy that was promised to the fans when he got that enormous contract six years ago (with big money, comes BIG responsibility). So imagine the scenario - Giants down threes game to one in the NLCS agains the Cardinals in a must win elimination game, and Zito is your starter (what can possibly go wrong?!). I must admit as a fan, I was not all that confident going in. I’ve seen this play before; you’ve always hoped that Zito gets it together and have one of those games of his life. Sadly, he never delivered in previous chances. On that night, he did. 7 and 2/3s shut out innings was something I am willing to bet nobody saw coming. Then, in the World Series, he got the start in GAME ONE - and WON against Justin Verlander (with the help of Pablo Sandoval channeling his inner Babe Ruth). The sentimental feelings in you can’t help but just admire at such circumstantial beauty when it happens like that.

It’s hard not to be romantic about baseball, indeed.

BOUGHT A CAR

It was splendid birthday and Christmas for me indeed in 2012 (it’s what happens when your birthday is so damn close to the holidays - people tend to lump the two together when it comes to celebrating) as I bought myself the biggest present of all - a brand new car. To explain, let’s step back for a bit.

I’ve been a car enthusiast ever since I was old enough to know exactly what they were and what they did. When I was young, back in China on the weekends, it was Formula 1 racing on the television that got me into the absolute speed of an automobile (I still watch and follow F1 to this day). Fortune has it that I was lucky enough to immigrate to this great land of America and thus is afforded a future where driving cars was in my future when I grew up (I’d still be on a bicycle if I never came here, or dead because Chinese made cars are not exactly what you’d call safe). The thirst for all things automotive never ceased.

Before I was old enough to get my license, the video game medium allowed me to enjoy car and car culture. Much thanks goes to Polyphony Digital, the team that brought to the world the Gran Turismo (GT) series. The game is an automotive museum, one that would allowed you to (albeit virtually) drive cars from all makes and all era. The games were indeed a virtual encyclopedia of cars, and also allowed users to do upgrades and tuning, which foster my interest in that aspect (and a royal money pit!). Forbidden fruits of cars like the Subaru WRX STI, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and the Nissan GTR (to name a few) from the Land of the Rising Sun were ONLY accessible through videos games like GT.

As with any automotive enthusiast, the goal in life since youth was to own a fast car. I’ve done the usual gauntlet of car magazine subscriptions, and Internet car forum participation. Of course, my first car (2006 Toyota Corolla) would be nothing to write home about in terms of performance. It’s due to the fact being a boy in the high teens, insurance premiums were astronomical, and getting fast car right off the bat is just irresponsible (plus, high chance I might not be alive right now). Did not stop me from not modifying the car though; wheels, suspension, brakes - the works on the car (looking back, what an absolute waste of money!). I did not touch the engine because I knew immediately that if I want to go faster, I need to get a faster car instead. My next car would be just that.

2012 proved to be a good time to get my second car. I am turning 25, so insurance premiums would go down dramatically, and I’ve worked long enough to have a considerable amount of money saved up for a down payment. I started researching what car to buy earlier this year, and settled on a brand new 2013 Subaru WRX STI (your average 305hp four door all-wheel-drive rallye car). I’ve wanted one of those ever since Subaru (finally!) started importing them to America back in 2004. Why a brand new car even when it makes economical sense to purchase used and let the first owner take the depreciation hit? Because when it comes to performance cars, you just cannot trust the previous owner. They say they “babied” the thing, but really, can you trust it? I cannot.

I put in an order at the dealership late October (due to specificity of the equipment and color I wanted in the car, I had to have one custom made), Sidebar: if you guys are looking for a good Subaru dealership in the Bay Area, go to Putnam Subaru! and I picked up the car from the dealership just five days before my birthday (as Obama would say, not bad!). From video game to reality right in front of my eyes. I was quite emotional when I turned the key for the first time and drove it off the lot (and into a tree! haha, just kidding).

Yes, I guess you can call it a quarter life crisis car (haha!), and indeed it’s not very financially responsible right now to throw practically my entire life savings towards a largely depreciating asset. But you’ve have to love cars like I do to understand the lifestyle choice. Plenty people like me out there that would rather eat ramen noodles every meal of the day just to save enough money to afford a fast car (and parts for modification are not cheap either!). Everybody has that one thing that they were willing to sink a lot of money into (god I wish mine was stamps instead of cars), and mine just happens to be a horseless carriage.

ODDS AND ENDS

The top 10 songs most played in my iTunes rotation in 2012:

I upgraded my DSLR camera in 2012! Jumped from a relatively weak Canon XSi to a professional grade Canon 7D (thank you Amazon for your amazing pricing!). What professional grade equipment allows you to do is get to the results you want in a faster, more efficient way. Strictly speaking, photographs are still being taken the same way, ever since the mechanism has been invented. The advancement in technology is mainly to get better results, faster. Setting selection and general camera operation is light and day better with the 7D compared to the XSi (so is the price, unfortunately), and the 7D is weatherproof so shooting in inclement weather is as concern no longer.

I do wish I went out more to shoot in 2012. The level of production in terms of quantity was dramatically less than 2011 (those of you that got my 2013 Calendars, the photo selection process was a big head scratcher!). What’s to blame? I was in money saving mode. All my focus for the majority part of the year was to save money for the payment for the car. Going out costs money. Even if you don’t buy anything to nourish yourself, gas is quite expensive if you haven’t notice. Besides, I’ve done most of the landscapes in the San Francisco area for the most part, so for new shots I would have to travel further. Unfortunately, not in the plans for 2012. 2013 though, watch out!

2012 was the year I practically stop playing video games. I just no longer have any interest in it whatsoever. Not sure if it is a part of growing up and transitioning out of the phase, or perhaps I just need new games. It is definitely hard these days to convince myself to plop my butt down for a few hours and focus on a video game. I think the trivial-ness of it finally has dawn on me (I can hear parents around the world applauding). These days I am much into doing things (even if they are recreational) that are tangible. Even when I Youtube surf, I find videos that are instructional and teaches me things I’ve yet to learn (no cat videos here, though Gangnam Style is a must, isn’t it?). Thank heavens the Playstation can double as a Blu-ray player, which is infinitely helpful when it comes to watching The Dark Knight trilogy in all it’s intended glory!

Yes, I still exercised five days a week in 2012, and eat incredibly healthy (annoyingly so, according to my friends). You’ve got to be proactive and be healthy when you are young, unless you enjoy pain and paying for prohibitively expensive medicine later on in life. I’m going on my 6th year of this lifestyle and it just keeps getting better and better. Are there bad days where I just don’t feel like doing that pushup and eat a four by four? Actually there isn’t (four by four sounds repulsive - two by two is more like it!). I’ve gotten to the point where on days I DON’T work out, I feel absolutely terrible compared to days that I do. Is it a sickness? Perhaps, but every time I take off my shirt in the bathroom = worth it.

25 THINGS I LEARNED IN 2012

Drinking is bad, and expensive. I’m not doing it again. Ever.
Cable television is a waste. Cut the cord and stream your shows. What about sports? there are ways. No longer am I dumping $70 a month for only a few channels. The whole delivery system is monopolistic and archaic.
The common person just don’t take care of their automobiles. No wonder automakers make a killing off you junking your car every five years (or less!). I smell business idea.
America is (for the most part) a knowledge economy. We get paid for what’s in our head. Don’t be selfish, though - it’s our obligation to share it, paid or not. Blogs are the best invention of the Internet for that regard - sharing of knowledge.
On the same token, never stop the thirst for knowledge. Even if it’s as trivial as “what to use for windshield washer fluid.” Learn something. Everyday.
I think deep down, Psy is not happy that his song about rampant materialism and it’s pitfalls got embraced only as a catchy tune with a wacky dance. The west sees him as a caricature, but he’s a very deep person musically speaking. Shame.
When you see someone doing something or having something you like/want, instead of turning green with jealousy, say to yourself: “Good for them. I’ll get there one day.” Boom. You’ve just set yourself a goal.
Save at least 15% of your monthly paycheck (and no, your retirement/401k does not count towards your percentage).
Track ALL your spending. Once you make a habit out of doing it, it’s quite easy to see where you money go, and make things REALLY hurt when you stray from the norm (oh, nice shoes! what? $100 dollars!?)
Once you have a fast car, you find yourself driving slowly - because in the back of your head, you know you can go fast at any time.
Invest your money - it loses 3% of it’s value due to inflation every year if it is just sitting there under your mattess. It’s how the rich get richer.
If you are doing a service, the only standard that matter is the one of the customer. Perform it up to theirs. No use to go overboard and waste energy if they are not even going to notice the different.
“Thank You” notes and shout outs never go out of style. Be the last word in the conversation.
Best time (read: cheapest price with the best seats) to buy tickets on Stubhub is two hours before the game. It’s the planning equivalent of Russian Roulette, but hey, save a buck, right?
With the amount of information on the Internet, if it takes you more than an hour to buy a car at the dealership (meaning you’ve spent to long time negotiating a price), you’re doing it wrong.
When Amazon started charging sales tax, you realize the number one reason why you shop there in the first place.
People are too preoccupied with what OTHER people like or don’t like (the proverbial “haters”). Who the hell cares! As long as they are happy, good for them. Bashing people due to different preferences is completely stupid.
The State of Florida cannot run a presidential election vote count to save it’s life.
You should not be asking questions that can be answered by the information on the first page of a google search of the same question. It’s just spells lazy this day and age.
Following too close in traffic will only serve to give the front end of your car many, many rock chips.
Reading one novel a month does the mind and body good.
Cleaning your living area once a week will do wonders for the overall cleanliness. It’s quick, easy, and things wil never deteriorate into what can be called “out of control” mess (that jello pudding under the couch).
Important to spend time with the family. Becoming an adult, it’s easy to “drift” apart due to various circumstances. Just a phone call once in awhile would suffice.
“Objects that are in motion, stays in motion.” Laws of physics apply to everyday human life as well. It’s why getting started is the hardest part.
Smile.

A NEW YEAR

Plenty people these days hate on the concept of “New Years Resolution”, claiming it’s a false sense of hope, and how people usually don’t follow through. While that may have some truth to it, I think the sense of renewed rigor and motivation that comes with the turn of the Calendar is quite beneficial. Hey, even if people don’t exactly do what they say, at least there is impetus and motion! The most important (and hardest) part is to get started.

With that being said, I will conclude this absurdly long post by exclaiming proudly my hopes for 2013: work my ass off, pay off debts, save plenty of money, take lots of photographs, travel out of State at least once (New York City is calling my name), read 12 books, blog once a week, hang out with friends and family, and finally, lots of sleep and exercise to go along with it all.

Let the games begin!

Healy Chen

Long-form

Let the games begin! - 2012 reflections