What is that acidic, gaseous "thing" that comes up your throat while you're running? It leaves a burning sensation that lasts a few seconds and tapers out like. Probably didn't help that I had KFC yesterday and banana this morning. I can't remember this ever happening during my runs. Ugh....

Oh hey if you happened to be in Berkeley check out this creamery gelato place that my friend owns: Gelato Milano. Ask for a RippleFX discount.

Two Reviews: East Bay Express and The East Bay Monthly

We're having a company picnic at 12:30pm tomorrow at some park nearby. I went over to the nifty weather.com to check out...umm tomorrow's weather. Let's just say I'm not exactly looking forward to it (see pic).

Here's the email I got about the picnic...
(it's not as funny as it sounds)

We'll be playing Kickball and S-P-U-D...in sticky mucky heat. Now that is FUN you can't get anywhere else.

A week after visiting New York's fabulously priced (ie "suggested donations") American Museum of Natural History and seeing the stuffed animals, my siblings and I decided to make it a Father's Day outing at The Oakland Zoo.

To be sure, the real deal is much better.

Situated above the Oakland Hills, the zoo is a constant reminder that there are animals beyond the usual domesticated fares of—the house canines and the feisty felines. While nothing impressive as compared to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the Oakland Zoo is what it is...a small affair that is family friendly.

The Oakland Zoo is the smaller and more awkward sister to the SF Zoo. There are the usual (unstuffed) african elephants, the elands, gazelles, condors, lions (in a place appropriately named Simba), giraffes, tigers, gorillas, chimps, etc...For a full list of animals at the Oakland Zoo, please visit here.

As a service to these "footballers", what do you say of us performing a "washing of the feet" for these players in the upcoming World Cup in Beijing—Fifa World Cup Feet Washing Service. As Sandy would point out to my niece Lauren, "uncle goofy."

Okay...moving on: as wonderful as New York was, it is good to be back here. I can't imagine ME finding much spirituality with all the rampant materialism in New York. Wide indeed is the gate—a very enticing gate—of New York City.

Not to say that spirituality doesn't exist there. While we were there, Sandy was able to "by chance" hook up with some of her old church friends (5th Home?) from Cali who had decided to move to New York. It's too bad I didn't meet up with them and talk to them, in retrospect, to see how living in NY has work on their perspectives of things.

Some churches in midtown New York are wonderful old type churches that are surrounded by modern business type buildings. It felt out of place, like an afterthought. Of course that was not the case as these newer buildings were build around these churches.

I miss our church here, even if it is mobile.

Wow it's been awhile since I updated. Since time is money, here is my quick update of the 'rediscoverd NYC' trip in digestable bite-sized bullets.

- Manhattan is amazing. Go. Go there now.
- There are plenty of real coffee and bagel shops, not those Starbucks/Noah's Bagel hacks. Even the restaurants are terrific.
- subnote: Soon to come to New York—a first!!!—a Starbucks will be opened within a Starbucks. Haha. Just kidding...
- Smiling at the crowds is futile, even deemed madness.
- Real walking requires a nice pair of running shoe, like Asics. Doesn't matter if they are old or new. Oh and only tourists wait for the "walk" sign.
- Peace can be found nearby, at Central Park.
- A camera phone won't do when your camera dies, especially when you stumble upon a film shoot that involves Jodie Foster.
- Oh if you can make it to Joe's Shanghai, go. We promise it's totally worth it.
- I uploaded the ONE day pics here: the New York Trip, June 7-11, 2006.

For some odd reason Ian (that's SIR to you) McKellen is in all summer movies these days.

Last Friday I went to watch the The Da Vinci Code with Sandy and some friends. Did anyone notice all the super villains making their appearances in this movie? There was Magneto, Doctor Octopus, and The Cleaner. And had they hired Liam Neeson as Robert Langdon we would have Ducard of the League of Shadow.

Some people are still trying to process the movie. I recommend reading the book.

Happy Birthday Euge (PongOR). Thanks for a nice and relaxing BBQ last Saturday. It's always nice to see such a close knit group of friend (the TASers) having fun. And I am glad I was able to become an "honorary" TAS member. Good times, good times.

I uploaded Eugene's Birthday BBQ to flickr so enjoy them.

On Sunday I'm reminded why men don't go to the opera. It's long, and slow, and NOT in English. Maybe because Madame Opera is a tragedy, but I would have preferred a comedy, like The Marriage of Figaro. I don't know, opera just feels like a very expensive anime. Thanks to Markus for organizing and Jen as the guest of honor.

I uploaded the opera pics here: Jen's Madame Butterfly Opera Party.

I just got a call from one of our core to bring OJ tonight for our smallgroup meeting. There are 24 folks coming tonight. Thank goodness there's a grocery or convenient store (ie. 7-11) on the way to Kat's place, where we meet. The only problem with that is to carry them...on my bike.

If you see a guy on a bike somewhere on Central Expressway, with OJs in hand, please regard him in safety...

Sands, yes basically I still owe you three OJs. Or was it two?

Update: I was informed by Sandy that 7-11 does not carry OJs in the big plastic containers...just the small ones.