Trash and Treasures

I've been stressing all week over that lousy "green logo" campaign. I thank the many of you for your suggestions but I think I'm pretty loaded on the sarcastic ideas already. But I do applaud your enthusiasm. So since green is on my mind, I thought I'd tell you how I've been being green myself – by helping people recycle their unwanted stuff (and selling it for cash, heehee, I keed).

It's so exciting to find something for free. It's kinda like a reward for doing nothing. But it's not always easy. Combing Craigslist (CL) for freebies is like scouring a beach with a metal detector. It's a lot of searching, and most of the time you only find nickels and cheap jewelry. But once in a great moon, you'll hit the jackpot such as the playstructure above I picked up last year. Yeah, poor guy's rental house burned down so he had to unload it quick. But just finding it is only a part of the quest. You have to be the first to respond and then you'll have to consider the distance to justify its worth. Conversely, giving stuff away is not easy either. Often times you'll get flooded with emails, but no one can come quickly because of the distance. Getting and dumping things can be such a chore.

Freecycle.org
Recently I joined Freecycle.org and have been snatching up treasures left and right. Freecycle is a collection of Yahoo Groups based in individual cities. You join the particular group for your city (or any city) and you can subscribe to the messages. Most of the ads are giveaways but some are also seeking stuff. It can be anything as long as it's free. Great way to both collect and purge away your excess items.

The best part is that all the ads are within your city, so you'll never have to worry about driving far. And if you're unloading stuff, you'll know the recipient won't be far either. This is a huge advantage over CL, which covers the entire bay area.

All the messages get emailed to you once they are placed (although sometimes I get the message late - don't know why). This is good and bad. The good part is that you'll get the messages ASAP so you can respond immediately. The bad is that your inbox may get flooded by all the other ads that you're not interested in. It all depends on how active your group is. I think the Castro Valley group has like about 10 posts per day. So if you don't want a cluttered inbox, I suggest a secondary email. Plus it helps to be checking email frequently.

Just this month I've picked up the Playstation, aquarium, hot wheels tracks/cars, tennis rackets, and other misc. toys - all in great condition. Stuff like this is near impossible to find on CL. I've also seen other stuff like clothes, garden tools, appliances, desks, etc. It seems most of the people are getting rid of things that their kids have outgrown. Furthermore, I've noticed that most charitable people tend to be nice and they're encouraged that their old stuff will bring happiness to others. It's a win-win situation and you may make a friend (or a repeat customer). So sign up today. The only warning is that in the CV and tri-valley areas, you'll be competing with me for the good stuff ;) So good luck to you!

I need to take my job more seriously

Some days I just can't seem to take my job seriously. Take this whole month for instance. Our agency wants to jump on the global warming bandwagon (as we continue to operate our fleet of 500 diesel buses). We want to be more green because it's hip and responsible, plus Al Gore's a popular guy in Silicon Valley. So anyhoo, we're having this contest to come up with a logo and slogan to slap on our buses and trains to tell people we're "Going Green." We've had like 50 employees and their spouses submitting all kinds of ideas so obviously some people are really taking this to heart. Furthermore we just hired a new junior designer and she's real gung ho about it too. So between her and the others, I'm hoping that there's something good to pick from.

But just because we're being flooded with ideas, I'm not off the hook. As a resident designer, I'm still expected to submit something. And of course, expectations are much higher for someone of my design caliber ;) Problem is that I just can't seem to focus on the task at hand. Maybe I'm just insensitive (no way!) or maybe I just think the whole campaign lacks sincerity and reeks of hypocrisy. Well whatever the reasons, I find myself spinning my wheels and going nowhere. My designs often start out this way. It seems like I need to exorcise about 20 jokes before I can even start to get productive. So as I proceed through this creative process, let me share with you some slogans that almost made it to the GM:

1. We mean it when we Green it
2. The gas is Greener on our side
3. We've got the ride, if you've got the Green
4. Hey kids, it's Green... like weed!
5. Like real gas but it Snot!
6. We're Treehuggers, but our buses aren't
7. We cut routes, not trees
8. Less buses, less smoke
   
9. My other car is a Kinkisharyo (our light rail manufacturer)
10. Thanks to your green, we can be green
    

Yeah pathetic, I know. So if anyone else has any better ideas, I'm all ears.

The Wedding Banquet

It has come to light that some of you don't know that I'm actually related to Jimmy. Well yes I am. How else do you think I get to attend this banquet? As an exclusive blog reporter?? The only people invited are connected either by blood, cigarettes or mahjong tiles. Anyway, we're related like this: Jimmy's dad's mother is my father's older sister. Which makes me Jimmy's bewl-sook (according to Matt). I really have no idea, Jim usually me Cuz, or Blood, or Ninja.

So Saturday we convened at Peony Restaurant for the Jimmy and Jeanie's wedding banquet. Unlike the wedding reception, this banquet was all about the parents entertaining their friends and relatives. None of Jim or Jeanie's friends were there, so there was no dancing or professional entertainment, just lots of alcohol (sorry Jeanie, I forgot to take those 2 extra bottles home). Jim told me he just needed to show up wearing that jacket. He's just an honored guest. Just eat all you can, smile at the camera and keep all the gifts. Can life be any sweeter?

It's hard to believe that we were there 11 years ago enjoying our own wedding banquet. We've been back several times but this is our first visit with three kids. Having a mobile 11-month child is no fun at a banquet when you're there for 3 hours. We were hoping she would sleep, but no chance. For most of the dinner she had to be held either by me or some other unsuspecting family member. What we really needed was a portable playpen. The boys on the other hand, can entertain themselves, as long as we bring toys for them to play with (gameboy, ipod, cards, etc.).

They changed the menu. No longer was the standard cold-cuts and jellyfish dish. It was replaced by some shrimp and fruit salad drizzled with either mayonnaise, ranch dressing or sour cream (couldn't tell). Then the usual abalone, fish, lobster, duck, and fried rice dishes followed. The good thing about having 3 kids at your table is that you'll have more food to go around. That is unless you have someone like Colby who loves shellfish and keeps taking all my lobster! Overall, the dinner was very good and it was great to see all my cousins again because fact is, we only see each other at parties and funerals.

So the next Jimmy event will be his birthday party on the 29th. I'm really looking forward to that. Jeanie already told me some of happenings and I can't wait. I think I need a bigger memory card to record more videos. Below is the album where you can see the rest of the banquet pictures.

Jimmy Wedding Banquet

Whoa? Where did all this traffic come from?

First I want to say "Welcome" to all my new visitors. Wow Jimmy, you're a popular guy! Traffic to my blog has tripled this week as word of Jimmy's nuptials spread among the disgruntled B-list people. Haha, I keed, I keed. And the video has been viewed over 100 times. I think this speaks volumes about the kind of friend Jimmy has been to all of us. And it's moments like these where I'm happy my blog can help people reconnect with old friends near and far.

During the ceremony I was a little disappointed that Rev. Godfrey did not share any fun stories about their childhood together. Lord knows there are tons. Maybe because since Godfrey is now a pastor, he doesn't want to bring up the past. So let me.

Back during high school one of our favorite pranks was to toilet-paper people's cars, houses, etc. One late night in 1985 I went along with Dave, Rev. Godfrey and Jim on a TP adventure. After TP'ing June's, Karen's and Evie's cars, we proceeded to Jackie's house. As we were decorating her car, we noticed Jimmy was missing. We looked around and saw him hiding behind a bush. We thought maybe he was peeing, but instead he was frantically removing his underwear. He came out and carefully hung his underwear on the car antenna. Of course we started busting up laughing and then the lights came on. We quickly ran behind some bushes and spied on an angry Jackie surveying the mess. When she came across the underwear you can hear her say, "What the...?" Her reaction was just priceless. She eventually did bust us, and considering Dave, Goff and I are slim guys, she pretty much knew who the briefs belonged to.

Come back next week when I hope to post pictures from this weekend's wedding banquet. If you can't remember to check back, you can always subscribe on the box to the right. That way you'll get the blog emailed to you whenever I post. I tend to post at least once a week. Anything more will reflect my boredom at work.

And lastly I just want to wish a happy birthday to two former celebrities on my blog who share the same birthday tomorrow, Burt and Grace. I wish you many more exciting events to fill your lives (because I'm always looking for content for my blog). To everyone else, thanks for stopping by!

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Lau

Well it finally happened. Jim and Jeanie got married yesterday!! I was among the privileged few to get to witness the event. I know many of you wanted to attend but Jim has just got way too many friends. And according to Jimmy, you would've all been invited, but in order to do that, he needed about 50 people to cancel :P. But no worries, thanks to all the cameras available to me (from my employer) you can relive the day's events through my lens.

Many people dread outdoor weddings but I must say the weather was absolutely perfect yesterday, around 75 degrees at the San Ramon Golf Course. Because it was an Hawaiian themed wedding, it was the most colorful and unique wedding I've ever seen. Also it's quite comfortable not having to wear a suit, especially outdoors. With the attire, tiki torches and hula show, it felt just like being on vacation at the Hawaiian Polynesian Gardens (minus the mosquitoes and the mormons).

Below is a video montage of various clips I took with my trusty Canon Powershot S2is. My 1gb card was able to record about 8 minutes of video. Of course the YouTube clip is quite choppy and pixelated. If you want to see a higher resolution Quicktime video, click here.




I took many more photos that you can see here (click on the album icon below). And if you need to ask, yes, that's Will's gf and yes, Suzanne is due next month and yes, Jimmy did really use his teeth to grab the garters (yes, both of them).

Jimmy Lau Wedding

I declare September 2007 as The Month of Jimmy because I'll get to party with Jim three times this month. This Saturday will be his official Chinese wedding banquet (maybe he'll actually wear a tie) and then at the end of the month I'll be at his Retro-80's 40th birthday bash. Fun and exciting times ahead indeed. Congratulations Jim and Jeanie!!

Children's Discovery Museum - Free this Saturday

Just got an email from Chrissy. Not sure if we can go because we have YFC later that day (although we may try). Anyway, you need to print out this PDF ticket to get into the Children's Discovery Museum for free this Saturday. I know some of you are near San Jose so you may be interested. Parking may be tough so of course I would recommend taking Light Rail which stops right in front. Here's the blurb on the email:

Free Coto Passes for 3rd Annual Healthy Children's Day -
September 8, 2007 - Print attached Pass for Free Admission

Assemblymember Coto invites residents of the 23rd Assembly District to the 3rd Annual Healthy Children's Day at the Children's Discovery Museum of San José. The event is designed to promote healthy living habits, literacy, and child safety. The Coto office would like to thank our sponsors: The Children's Discovery Museum of San José, United Latinos Vote, Wells Fargo, Garden City Sanitation, PhRMA, Comcast and the Community Health Partnership,

The Children's Discovery Museum of San José has agreed to admit up to 5 members per family if they have a Coto pass. In addition to the exciting programs offered by the Children's Discovery Museum, the following agencies will be providing activities for children and information to families: Child Quest International, Sportsbasement, Devil Valley College, Mt. Diablo Dental Hygiene Association, Central YMCA, Kaiser Permanente, San José Giants, California Optometric Association, and Children's Health Initiative.

Please note: Child Quest International will be providing free fingerprinting for children with their parents/guardians. They do not "register" children when they are fingerprinted. Child Quest does not keep/register/store any of the "fingerprint data." All "fingerprint data" is given back to the parents/guardians upon completion. In addition to fingerprinting, Child Quest will have assorted safety information and tips (videos, brochures, safety tip sheets, etc.) and showcase some of their more successful prevention education programs offered to the community. For more information, visit: www.childquest.org

WHEN: Saturday, September 8, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Children's Discovery Museum of San José, 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA

Resistance is Futile

Yesterday I said the only thing I was looking forward to this week was Jimmy's wedding. Well I lied (sorry Jim). Today on my calendar at work in big red letters, "NEW IPODS 10 A.M."

Oh man, if my wife wasn't reading this, I'd be blogging about my trip to the Apple Store where I blow $600 on two new iPods. Fortunately for ______, the iPod Touch is not available until the end of the month. I'm not an impulse shopper but even my normally-reliable self-control may be no match for these tasty offerings. True wifi (Safari, YouTube, Google Maps, etc) on a widescreen iPod! Also the iPhone 8gb dropped $200 to $399! If I can only find a reliable hack to use it on T-Mobile Prepaid... And the new Nano "Fatty" looks tempting too. Hmm, decisions, decisions...

Click here to get yours.

The Last BBQ of the Summer

Lunch at my desk again. Can you guess what I'm having? Yep, leftover BBQ.

Yesterday we went to Chris' house in Walnut Creek where it was a cool 97 degrees. They have this big inflatable water slide from Costco where the kids played and attacked us with waterguns. But we got them back good as Chris and I secretly loaded our guns with ice cubes, heehee. It's quite hilarious seeing kids shiver in 97 degree heat.

If you ever wanted to know the main difference between my kids and Chris' (other than being boys and girls), just take a good look at the picture. Notice which side of the slide is sagging. I honestly think the combined weight of both our boys is equal to Vanessa carrying a book bag.

We left early for another BBQ at my inlaws. Only they didn't really BBQ. They cooked on this Flavor Wave oven. Seems pretty cool. The tri-tips and chicken tasted like it was BBQ'd (or broiled). Best thing about it is that you can see the food while it's cooking to make sure it doesn't burn. The only bad it that it's huge! The only sensible place to store it is in your oven. That way when you open the oven and see it, you'll be reminded that you don't need the oven after all! Sells for around $100 but cheaper on ebay (minus the bonus food presser). I'm hoping we can find one for free.

It's hard to imagine that summer is essentially over. Those three months just went by so fast. Colby restarts preschool today after a week off. And tonight we'll restart our homework battle with Dustin. I've also noticed more traffic this morning. Sigh. Right now the only thing I'm looking forward to is Jimmy's wedding this Sunday! So if you haven't received your invite by now, um... you're not invited. Sorry.

I've been Simpsonized!

Pretty cool, huh? Go to simpsonizeme.com and get one made of you.

The Choice is Yours

Normal, non-techie, sensible, productive, tidy, reliable, creative, don't-want-to-be-interrupted-by-system-nonsense people will prefer the iMac. Others, unfortunately, will go straight to Dell.