Long-form

Long-form blog posts and editorials. Topics cover both personal and the world at large. 

Don't you wait no more - 10 things I think

10 THINGS I THINK

1. So the great Volkswagen automotive empire is in grave trouble after the EPA found its four-cylinder diesel products to have cheated the emission regulations. In what can only be described as a deception of the most wonton, it’s near unimaginable that a company of VW’s stature (currently the largest automobile manufacturer on the planet) needed to hide special software in its diesel cars to pass stringent pollution standards. Over half a million vehicles in the United States alone, and magnitudes more in Europe; surely they’ve got the engineering might to avoid such silliness?

We learned today that VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn has resigned (at the same time somewhere, Ferdinand Piech lit up a cigar), though in statement he claims he was personally unaware of any wrongdoing (sure…). It’ll be interesting to see just who within the company will indeed be thrown to the proverbial wolves, though a scandal of this scale (the company has set aside over 7 billion dollars to cover potential fines, fixes, and lawsuits) most certainly isn’t the act of one person.

German news sources have indicated that Volkswagen may not be the lone manufacturer to have cheated the emission systems, and if that’s true, the era of diesel engines in passenger cars may well and truly be done. Oil-burning cars have proliferated in Europe (and in America to a much smaller extent) with the promise of excellent fuel mileage and low emissions. However, the VW scandal has showed that perhaps diesel engines simply cannot be made clean if large number of automakers has to resort to cheating the tests.

Dirty diesel engines are unacceptable for use when the modern petrol equivalent (not to mention hybrids and pure electric) is vastly more advanced, cleaner, and in the case of hybrids, equally excellent on gas.

Criminal and congressional hearings are pending so the proceedings will get juicier yet. Pass the popcorn, Dr. Piech.

2. It’s barely two weeks old, but I have to say The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is absolutely brilliant. As an avid fan of his all through his Colbert Report years, I already had great expectations when it was announced that Stephen Colbert would replace the legendary David Letterman on the Late Show desk. I’ve watched every episode thus far, and those expectations have very much been met.

It’s great to see elements of Colbert Report carryover to the Late Show, likely bolstered by the fact we are deep amongst presidential primary season. Stephen forgoes the typical lengthy opening monologue that’s signature to late night talk shows. Instead, he says a few jokes, then transitions quickly to the desk and spends a few segments discussing current event, with graphic overlays on the screen. Fans of the Report will immediately recognize the similarity. It’s no surprise: the writing and production team (and Colbert himself!) is largely the same people transplanted from the old program to the new. I sincerely hope Colbert continues what is indeed his signature; leave all the goofs and role-play shenanigans to Fallon and Conan.

Colbert has shown to be an excellent interviewer as well, which should be of no surprise yet somehow it was still a bit of a shock to me. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the interviews he has done the past decade, Colbert did it in his conservative political pundit character. Now that he has ask questions of celebrities and dignitaries as his true self, it’s definitely weird to see at first, but Colbert is indeed a natural. His command of the floor, the interviewee, and the audience is impeccable.

3. During the Labor Day holiday weekend, I made a trip to visit my friend in Dallas, Texas (thanks, Southwest, for the cheap flight). It turned out to be a massive mistake to choose that particular weekend, because it was absolutely boiling hot (the weekend after was some 15 degrees cooler). A person from San Francisco like me simply isn’t cut out for constant 100 degrees weather. The worst part is it never cools down; incredulous I was to come out of a movie theatre at two in the morning and the outside temperature was still a healthy 96 F. Shouldn’t it cool down more than that once the sun has disappeared from the horizon? Astrophysicists have got some explanation to do.

Okay, the heat wasn’t so bad really, partly because anywhere I went that’s indoors, there’s that lovely manmade invention called air conditioning. I think the reason San Franciscans can’t tolerate hot weather is because almost none of us have air conditioning, so when its hot, its hot everywhere - inside or out. That said, due to complications from climate change and the ongoing drought, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more and more Bay Area folks install AC in their homes. I certainly pine for a unit during these few weeks of Indian summer.

Anyways, the places and people of the Dallas area were lovely indeed. Once you get over (or used to) how incredibly hot it is, I can definitely see living there being a viability. One thing for sure that will keep me from doing so is how incredibly flat the area is. There’s no elevation or mountains in any direction the eyes can see. As someone who’s grown up on the coast with mountains everywhere, it was a bit disconcerting and disorientating. I literally could not have told you where north was. I wouldn’t dare look to the sun for direction because I would’ve burned to a crisp.

Of all the cities I’ve been to this year, nothing has yet to beat the sublime of Seattle. I may have to go back sooner than I thought.

4. After two years with my beloved iPhone 5S, I will bid adieu to it this Friday when I pick up the new iPhone 6S Plus. Long have I suffered from the constraints of a four-inch screen, so it’s quite exciting to go from that to a positively gargantuan (for a phone) 5.5-inch of the 6S Plus. Certainly won’t be able to put it in my pants pocket, that’s for sure (I’m patiently waiting for the fashion word to leave behind the skinny jean and embrace once more the baggy-style pants).

As a hobbyist photographer, more so than screen real estate I’m most anticipating the vastly improved camera (compared to the 5S). They say the best camera is the one you’ve got with you, and like most people I always carry my phone. Nobody does mobile camera quite like Apple: the quality and ease-of-use is unmatched. The 6S Plus has finally pushed the iPhone pass the 10MP threshold (12MP), which means I can now comfortably use it in place of my micro-four-thirds Sony NEX without worrying about pixel count (yes, I’m a pixel whore).

With Apple’s new upgrade program introduced for the iPhone 6S line, my soon-to-be 6S Plus will be carrier agnostic, which will make it massively easy to travel out of the country: all I’ll have to do is purchase a local sim-card and plug it in. AppleCare is included in the price so I’ll be covered if I ever feel impelled to angrily throw my phone in disgust or run the device over with my car.

5. Lots of discussion going round about who will succeed Daniel Craig as the new James Bond, even though Craig is signed for one more film after Spectre. Idris Elba seems to have received the most mention, while I’ve read recently that Tom Hardy might also be a candidate. Personally I would be fine with either of those two; both would bring a much-needed “bad-boy” edge to the role, in contrast to the clean-cut image of Daniel Craig and his predecessor Pierce Brosnan. I don’t think anybody will do “disdain for the suit” quite like Tom Hardy.

To me, Daniel Craig is the second best Bond only to the great Sean Connery. Craig’s slew of Bond films has put a more humanized spin to the spy, one that was previously made to look invincible by the likes of Brosnan (credit to the writers and producers as well, obviously). The same sort of connection to realism is what made Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy so endearing (and some of my favorite films).

6. Given the option to pick between rice or noodles as staple food for the rest of my life, I would pick noodles in a heartbeat. I may have grown up eating rice everyday, but as an independent adult, I’ve found I desire the taste of noodles that much more. Whether it is ramen, pho, or chow-fun: I would happily pick those options over rice any day.

Except for spaghetti. I’m just not a fan of Italian noodles.

7. Apple is often not the first to market with a particular technology (people like to think iPhone as the first smartphone, but it most certainly wasn’t), but when it does release a product, the company usually nails it like no other. Look at the newly introduced iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil for example: it’s an absolute game-changer for digital creatives that draw. Other companies have produced large tablets and styluses before, but none on paper has combined hardware and software so beautifully like Apple did with the iPad Pro.

The key, is the Apple Pencil. We knew from previous iPad products that Apple would have no issues engineering a proper slate of glass, and the iPad Pro looks very much to continue that excellence. Clearly, Apple has given thought to just what consumers can do with all that extra tablet real estate. The Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro represent (on specs at least) the complete digitization of the drawing fundamentals. How the basic pencil interacts with the paper surface, the nuances of force, and the angle of attack - the Apple Pencil offers the closest digital facsimile. If I like to draw or am otherwise proficient at it in the slightest, the iPad Pro would be top on my Christmas wish list.

The Wacom is obsolete now.

8. Lost amidst the diesel emission scandal is the strong rumor that the Volkswagen Group will takeover the Red Bull Racing Formula One team, with the Audi marque as the team name, and Red Bull staying on as the title sponsor. It’s a delicious rumor indeed, especially for fans like me that want more major manufacturers participating in the sport. Audi has utterly dominated Le Mans the past decade so they’ve got nothing more to prove in that arena; F1 is the logical next challenge.  

Prospects of the much-missed (by me, if not others) Stefano Domenicali being back in the paddock are also welcomed. Let’s hope Audi engineers can conjure up a better power-unit than the wretched job Honda and Renault has done thus far.

With the enormous scandal looming over the Volkswagen, chances are good the rumors of the takeover will stay just that. I don’t think the governing board will approve of such frivolous spending (as the saying goes, to amass a small fortune in motor racing, one must start with a bigger fortune) whilst it’s staring down a multi-billion dollar hole.

The timing really sucks.

9. I was reading about a shortage of teachers in the San Francisco public school district due to the high housing cost and the average teachers salary not coming anywhere close to being able to afford it. It’s satisfying to see these societal consequences of the tech-boom and subsequent real estate bubble finally manifest, because hopefully then the local politicians will take notice and finally do something to alleviate the glaring cost issues that plague San Francisco.

As a product of the same public school system, the service is immensely essential, and not having enough teachers is a serious matter that will affect the next generation of kids. Not everyone in San Francisco is wealthy enough to send their kids to private school, and even if San Francisco does become the Manhattan of the West (it’s fast getting there), there aren’t enough nor can the city build enough private schools to accommodate all the rich persons’ kids.

San Francisco needs to massively increase its new housing construction to bring balance to the market so the middle class can afford to live in it. Otherwise, public services like schools and parks will only continue to deteriorate.

10. Rest in peace to Yogi Berra, one of the most enigmatic (his many quotes are famous and they are baffling) yet beloved sports figures of our time. 90 years is a long life lived indeed, and I’d be so lucky to live as long and fulfilling an existence as he did. He was a hero of the Second World War as well; Yogi’s life is definitely one worthy of great celebration.

To the beautiful you - 10 things I think

10 THINGS I THINK

1. I am currently boycotting watching NFL games on television. After last week's cluster-fuck of events, I simply cannot continue to support a league that is so cavalier and careless with such important moral issues. I'm not sure what the impetus will be for me to reverse course, but the NFL definitely need to doing some major house-cleaning and shore up its conduct policies. 

2. It may be an utterly useless skill in a word connected by wi-fi, but I now know how to crimp and make ethernet cables. Add another bullet-point to the resume. 

3. Just devastating what happened to Giancarlo Stanton. Fast-ball straight to the face without catching any helmet and not bracing yourself is probably a batter's worst nightmare. 

4. Really though, now that Luca Di Montezemolo has officially vacated Ferrari's chairman position, can we please revert the awful 'LaFerrari' name back to its prototype designation (F150)? 

5. New York Times' expose on the death of adulthood in American culture is a fascinating read. From my perspective, even though i'm turning 27 this year, I definitely don't feel any more "adult" that I were back when I was 17. Quite strange, isn't it. 

6. There should be no need to announce you're in a relationship on Facebook - especially when you don't even name who the significant other is! Are people so full of themselves that they feel the need to be congratulated on starting a relationship? 

7. At work, people always come to the counter and/or call just when I need to leave the desk for a moment. Meanwhile, I've been sitting in the same spot for an hour and not one peep. Laws of relatively can be such a pain at times.

8. It saddens me to see people get mad or irritated over things that probably won't even matter come the following day. Let's exert our energy on positives things, or matters that will still be of consequence many months afterwards. 

9. I've persevered: I did not preorder the iPhone 6. I adore my bank accounts too much to forsake my not-even-a-year-old 5S. Curse my financial sensibilities. 

10. This: 

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Good to be bad - 10 things I think

10 THINGS I THINK

1. The Giant Race was an absolute blast; I'd never thought that running together with 20,000 other people could be so awesome. Of course, having the stunning San Francisco skyline as a backdrop just intensifies the beautiful atmosphere.

I finished the 10K distance in a little over an hour, which was actually faster than i thought I would run. According to the stats, I'm within the upper third percentile amongst all runners, which I must say is quite satisfying. There's no way I can match the physical specimens that posts incredible times; all that matters to me is being healthy and fit. 

I'm already massively looking forward to next year's event. And to think: I used to hate running. 

2. I probably couldn't have had more of a twenty-something living in San Francisco sort of weekend. Went out with the boys after work on Friday for some grub and drinks, ended up half drunk, and did not return home until well into the morning. Naturally then, Saturday was spent recovering from the previous night's activities. I wasn't hungover per se - there was no headache, but I definitely wasn't feeling well.

Somehow, I still managed to get of the house on Saturday to eat lunch with my friend. Afterwards, I simply stayed in and watched television until it was time for bed. Didn't get much sleep because I had to wake up in an ungodly hour to get ready for the 10K's 7am start time. 

After the race I had an american-style breakfast at a restaurant, and then spent the rest of the day watching NFL and Giants baseball at my friend's abode. Mix in a certain California burrito for dinner, and the sum of it all was an interesting and joyous weekend indeed. 

3. The new Mercedes-AMG GT completely copies the rear three-quarter profile of the Porsche 911. It's a stunning looking car - don't get me wrong - but it's one of those design elements you can't un-see once you've notice it. 

4. The video of Ray Rice pummeling his then girlfriend is absolutely horrific. I'm glad he's banished from the league now. While it's never too late to do the right thing, the stern response on Monday from the league and the Baltimore Ravens should have come many month ago. Those entities deserve zero praise for their failure to fully realize the severity of Rice's offense. 

You should never put your hands on a woman. Full stop. 

5. The comedy world is suffering massively this year. The tragic death of Robin Williams still freshly hurting in our hearts, and then last week came the unfortunate passing of Joan Rivers. The pioneer for female comedy, the best I admire about her is the willingness to say whatever the heck that's on her mind, and subsequently not giving one ounce of fuck what other people thinks. 

While I don't think one should be as antagonistic as Joan Rivers can be at times, speaking your mind and not caring what people think is definitely a great way to live through life. May she rest in peace. 

6. The 2016 Mazda Miata will be tough to resist when it hits dealership floors. When you think about the essence of what makes a truly great sports car - front-engine, rear-wheel drive, as small and lightweight as possible - the forthcoming fourth generation MX-5 appears to be it. Best of all, just about any car enthusiasts can afford one.

Your place is definitely not safe, my beloved WRX STI.

7. iPhone users have clamored for a larger screen, and soon we will finally be able to eat that cake with the iPhone 6. I'll take one in space gray, coupled with the navy blue leather case. My wallet, though, has an entirely different opinion. I'm nowhere near the time to upgrade my phone so if I were to get the 6, it's going to cost me dearly (read: full price). 

Someone please stop me! 

8. I just may be the cleanest and tidiest person out of my group of friends. Good thing I haven't got that cleaning compulsion when I'm amongst other people's clutter. Though I'm sure some of my friends wish the contrary. 

9. You know you're old when you tell someone you immigrated to America back in 1996 when you're eight years old, and she replies that was the same year she was born. I think being employed at a college campus will eventually work against me because I keep getting older, but the students stay around the same age range. It will only get more depressing as the years roll past. 

10. Big series this weekend for the Giants, facing the Dodgers at home with a chance to pull even in the NL West pennant race. I'm both excited and dreading the epic showdown because the outcome can either be really good or completely terrible (Giants got swept last time the Dodgers were in town). Won't stop me from watching, of course. The work week needs to be over with quickly. 

Sorry I'm late - random thoughts

It is what happens when you procrastinate. But not really, I did NOT procrastinate at all, and still somehow someway thing still end up piling up together. You know the semester is coming to an end when you seem to have so much stuff to do yet you don't even realize you have that much (?). Such was the timeline between this past saturday and yesterday, in which literally I had thing after thing to do, and all of them were due this week (sure I fit in cleaning my far and going to a Giants game, but otherwise I would go INSANE). 

So it was to my relive that last night I slept really well because all the stuff I had to do for school (and otherwise) was over with and now i can enjoy some time for myself (like sleeping without feeling like you still have hella stuff to do - it is a great feeling). Anyways you know how I said last week that perhaps this weekend might be a bad time to go to LA? It is actually a great time to go to LA this weekend, as I literally have nothing to do that is school related (thank you god). Sure there are big things still due, but heck I can do them later (that would be procrastination).

Anyways, I finally gave in to the hype and purchase an iPhone! I originally had said that as soon as Verizon get the iPhone, I will for sure get one (no way I am ditching to AT&T for its unreliable network, and no more mobile to mobile with my Verizon network friends). Now I originally plan to wait for the iPhone 5, which usually, would come out in June according to Apple's normal refresh cycle. But it is widely believe that the fifth generation device will not bow until September, and I realize I just cannot wait that long (not to mention my contract was up). Nonetheless, here I am with my iPhone 4, and OMG it is so cool!!!!

But really, curse Apple for making products that are beautiful and make sense (and curse them for being so darn expensive). You get over the sticker shock really quick after using any Apple device (I honestly should work at an Apple store). Anyways, now that I am a slave to the $30 dollar a month ("unlimited", right...) cellular data, you bet your ass I am going to use it as much as possible to get my money back (hello Pandora!). Going to use 3G as much as I can, even if wifi is available, and it drains the battery more. 

Speaking of battery, why are people so afraid to abuse it? It is ONLY a battery, a thing that powers your device. Stop treating it like its a baby (oh, I'm trying to save the battery, wait, I better turn off stuff I don't need). It is one of those things where it deteriorates by itself even if you don't use it. Besides, if you are worried about wasting your own energy bill, charge it at a public place (thank you Starbucks, campus, public library) and pilfer other people's electricity (not that I am condoning such theft, maybe...). You freaking paid for the device, use it comfortably and not worry so much about something as minor as battery life (please environmental groups, don't sue me. my friend is not a lawyer.. yet).

So did I mention I washed my car? Yes indeed, after 7 months in the elements (I wish I had a garage), I finally gave it the bath it probably did not deserve. I did not know the car and my wheels was this color! Is it something manly that if your car is absolutely filthy on the outside (not the inside, my car's inside is always clean... can't stand a dirty interior) that shows you actually use your car and not care about how it looks (probably ties in to the low maintenance factor). But you have to clean it sometime right? (once every half a year seems like a pretty nice schedule to me). Of course when the car was new I care more about how it looks, but nowadays as long as it runs fine I am okay with it looking like pulp. It is a tool after all, to get me from point A to point B. When you are as busy as I am (wait... doing what?), keeping the car clean (on the outside) is not that much of a priority.

Which is why in the future I will lease my automobiles. First of all my liability decrease dramatically, and I get a new car every two years, which is not so bad at all (ah, that toxic plastic bonding agent that normal people refer to as new car smell). Besides, you know every year some new car will always come out and you're like WOW, too bad I can't upgrade because I am still trying to pay off the car I have and I will take a lost if I trade it in (gap insurance, people, buy it). 

But of course it rains the day after I washed the car (I love you San Francisco!). Thankfully I had waxed it too (ouch, my arm), so the water just sort of sheeted off. But still... gir. 

Hey guys, who here does NOT stare at a monitor for house on end at night (crickets...). Well I recently found an app (for both Windows and Mac) that helps preserve your eyes in these situations. It is called f.lux (http://stereopsis.com/flux/). Basically it matches the color temperature of your monitor to your interior lighting at night, and by doing so it is much easier on your eyes. It takes awhile to get use to at first, but once you do, and you stare at a monitor that does not have f.lux installed, it is as if you are staring right into the sun (my retinas). Best of all, the app is FREE. So my friends who like to burn the midnight oil by perusing their computers in bed, use the program to save your eyes (because otherwise how else will you ogle at the opposite sex?)

Three more weeks of undergrad left. Expect reflection/nostalgia blogs in the coming weeks (yay...)