Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday

This day is for camping out overnight after the turkey dinner in hopes of grabbing great bargains the next morning at department stores and other retail outlets. Hordes of people bum rush the doors if they are open even a crack and the inside air wafts out the sharks in the water who have been waiting in line since the wee early hours. I cant that that I have ever indulged in this activity as I would rather sleep!! But more power to the people who are willing to brave the elements. All I can say is "Be safe out there and try not to trample the old lady looking to buy a warm blanket."

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Its the beginning of the end...

Its the beginning of the end...of the year. The traditional year end festivities usually begin after the Thanksgiving Holiday. Black Friday, Christmas shopping, Christmas, and finally New Years Eve before the year gets wrapped up. See you on the flip side.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

There's Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. The days before a major holiday. How come we dont call all of these days Eves? Memorial Day Eve, Labor Day Eve, or Thanksgiving Eve? 4th of July Eve would just be 3rd of July.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Movie Review-Ninja Assassin


Last night I attended a screening of this movie. Before the preview started there was a demonstartion of martial arts by a Chinese Kung Fu gym. Also, before the movie started, the star of the movie, Korean singer Rain, made a brief, very brief appearance before disappearing into the shadows and making his egress, just like a ninja. May have been a whole 30 seconds. He was wearing a hat that covered most of his face, just like a ninja.
Parental warning. There is copious amounts of blood and alot of graphic slicing and dicing. For the ladies, Rain does go topless quite a bit in the later half.
The story tells of a clan of ninjas who abduct young children and raise and train them to be deadly hires in the ways of the stealthy killers of lore. Specifically, we follow Raizo(Rain) from his introduction into the family to present day. He trains, learns, and is forced into the ways and laws of the master ninja. But, only to a point as his conscience can no longer permit him to become the master's prodigal son. There is no leaving the clan once you are in. He commits betrayl and becomes the hunted. His mission in life then is to bring down those who brought him up.

Theres some good martial arts and fighting scenes peppered with gunplay. The climactic final fight was shot very well against the backdrop of a burning building. The combatants sihouetted as dark shadowy figures with red-orange flames accentuating and highlighting their attacks and parrys. Theres some CG but its not as obvious and does not get in the way of the visuals. Instead it enhances the spectacles, as it should. Rain has very few lines and the ones he does have are very short. However, that is to be expected of foreign actors who are trying to break into the American movie market, ie Schwarzenegger, Van Damme, etc.

I was sitting in the second row so my viewpoint was not very good but I can still reccommend this as a bargain matinee

On The Job-Union Square For The Holidays

In the heart of dowtown lies Union Square. I have posted about this location before but they are now getting it ready for the Christmas. Unfortunately, this was an overcast day. A few hours later, it did begin to rain a bit. As we get into the holiday season, the plaza is being festooned with all the trimmings for the holidays. The center point of any Christmas display is always the large tree. Here workers are still adding lights and decorations to make look so purty. The lighting ceremony is scheduled for later and always is a thrill and delight to all who attend


The focal point of the area is the availability large number of big retail and well known shops that ring the square. On the south side is Macys with The Cheesecake Factory atop this location for those who like to take a break during their marathon shopping forays

Neiman Marcus is located in the southeast corner. In the foreground, you will see some white tent tops. For the season, a temporary ice rink is set up. Another larger outdoor skating rink is located at the Embarcadero Center at Justin Herman Plaza
To the delight of young and old kids alike, they can while away the hours gliding on the ice. Hot beverages to warm the hands and hearts. The festive mood is most evident during the evening and night hours when people are off work and can partake of the fun
To the north, there is also Saks, Tiffany, and Williams Sonoma. Other stores located within the vicinity include Nike, Disney Store, Barney's, Borders, etc. There is affordable underground parking below but can fill up very quickly. Other parking garages are availble within close walking proximity

Friday, November 20, 2009

Soccer?

Soccer or football is not as big a sport as baseball, basketball, or american football in the states. The popularity and fanaticism the rest of the world lauds on the game is not mirrored here. It has grown in acceptance over the years. However, we still dont hear too much about soccer scholarships or the big soccer game coming up on the weekend that weveryone will be watching. We mainly hear about pee wee soccer and soccer moms

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Japan Town

Japan Town is the epicenter for the Japanese community in the city. Aside from the community center, there is a thriving retail presence that caters to the Japanese taste as well as everyone else. The complex borders on Geary Boulevard which is one of the main east-west throughfares in the city. This western-most structure, the Kinokuniya building, houses a movie theater, bookstore, and video rental shop as well as other retail and restaurants


On the eastern side, across Webster St from Kinokuniya building, is the Kintetsu building. There is an open plaza where the pagoda tower. Each are named for Peace. This building also houses many retail establishements and restaurants as well as a supermarket
The Peace Plaza and Peace Pagoda on a sunny day. A stage is setup for performances here during the many festivals that are held here including the Cherry Blossom and Nihonmachi Festival. The plaza was pretty plain but delightfully renovated several years ago
Acroos the street from the Peace Plaza is another open area lined with retail and restaurants

Here is a bridge that spans Webster St and connects the two main buildings together with a covered causeway for pedestrians to use. Not to let any space go to waste, the walkway also houses some retail and a restaurant

Business Trip Massage

Whenever you are away and stay in a hotel/motel, there are invariably flyers and brochures for local restaurants/shops or for services the establishment can provide. On my last trip to Tokyo, I happen to notice this flyer inside my room advertising for massages. The hotel is part of a chain of business hotels troughout Japan. The man's face is not pictured but I would imagine that it would have been plastered with a big smile

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The layout of my blog

In my personal blog, I talk about all kinds of things. I post pictures on occassion, alot less often than I would like. The blog's interface has pictures from Japan that I have taken. I have a certain affection for Japan and Tokyo in particular. As a child, Japan was always the first place I wanted to visit when I had the chance. When I started travelling overseas, this was the first place I went to. Practically, every year since my first visit, I have made the pilgramage back there. I feel at home in Tokyo. I can't speak, read, or write the language but that does not deter me in the least. I always look forward to making some excuse to going back. Next year, I plan to go to Seoul, South Korea. I hope to visit Tokyo since I will be in Asia. So, the layout of my blog is an homage to the country that is very dear to me

Monday, November 16, 2009

The bite of Winter

Winter has not officially befallen us but it sure feels like its already barged its way in. The northwest has already been hit with some sizeable snowfall, enough for some to break out the skis and boards. The Sierras has not even had a slight dusting of powder yet. I used to anticipate the first flakes and start to get my gear ready for the first trip of the season. I still love the winter scenery but the cold bites through these old bones and flesh of mine. I used to be able to endure the cold. What got to me was the wind. It would strip the layer of heat my body generates and leave me naked in the cold.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Influenced by TV

I have always bowed to the will of television and have been very aware of that. Sometimes, I am caught off guard about how freely I let it influence me. Ive travelled to a few places and there are places that I want to travel to. I have a small list of the places that I would like to visit in the back of my mind. They also happen to be in the order that I would like to visit them in. Lately, I have been watching Korean programing that I get over the air, some subtitled and some not. This has been going on for months now. Now, before I knew, I started planning to visit Seoul early next year. Previously, Korea was not in the top 5. This was due mainly to their cuisine not being in the top 5 as well, for me. Now, its shot to the top as my next destination. I have no qualms about travelling there and not knowing any of the language. I cant read, speak, or understand the native language, but I have confidence that I can get by. The only thing that pokes at me is what will I eat while I am there. It can't all be barbecue for the whole trip, that would get a bit pricey and mundane. I am somewhat familiar with some of the dishes that they serve but most are a mystery to me. Unfortunately, alot of their dishes do not look very appetizing from the start. I defninitely dont want to be eating american fast food too much while Im there. Wish me and my stomach luck.

Random Thought-Plural "us"

So, we know that most words, when pluralized, will end in usualy an "s" ir "es". However there are exceptions. Matrices is the plural of matrix. Sure it still ends in "es" but we have to swap out the "x" for a "c". All in all, thats not too much of a stretch. Then there are the words that end in "us" like octopus or radius. We would like to say octopuses or radiuses but that would be incorrect. The correct plurals would be octopi or radii. This does not come to mind very quickly when asked this question. Oh well, that would mean the plural of Toyota's hybrid would be Prii and not Priuses.

Friday, November 6, 2009

On The Job-Columbus St

Columbus Street runs through two of the city's better known neighborhoods, North Beach and Chinatown. It runs from Fisherman's Wharf to the Transamerica Pyramid in downtown.

The North Beach area is known for its Italian heritage. Thusly, this district has many shops and restaurants that mirror this theme. Below is one of many Italian bakeries, Stella.
Another favorite is the street side cafes and restaurants that are busy during the nice balmy weekend nights
While in Paris, I found these places to be quite restful and great places to people watch. We, in the states, are too hurried and rushed to be able to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee
Known for its loving use of garlic, places like The Stinking Rose is a favorite place for people to dine






Thursday, November 5, 2009

Fall is in the air

With the changing of the clocks and the passing of Halloween, fall is in full swing. We can expect to see cooler climates and the turning of the leaves. Thanksgiving is soon to follow but dont be alarmed to see Christmas rear its head as retail pushes up their biggest season sooner and sooner each year. Before we know it, we will be shopping for gifts the day after Christmas for the following year. The winds having making themselves known of late. I dont mind the breeze but the occasional rain is welcomed as well. Years ago, I used to welcome the rain as it was a sign that there would be snow in the Sierras and ski resorts would be opening up soon.

For now, I want to enjoy the season and its trappings before I have to slog through the stores for presents

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

On The Job-Coit Tower cont

Some views are obstructed by foliage because of the homes that are built on the hill. One can easily peer into the homes of many residents that make this area home. Here we can see the Transamerica Pyramid and downtown in the background. In the foreground, a humble abode with the blinds drawn
An open view through the foliage at the base of the tower


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

On The Job-Coit Tower

Coit Tower sits atop Telegraph Hill. Shaped to resemble a firehose nozzle, Lily Coit built this in honor of the firefighters who served the city

Expansive views are offered to those who make their way up to this landmark. Some of the view is somewhat obstructed by trees. Here is the Golden Gate Bridge to the west
For a fee, you can take an elevator to the top of the monument to get an unobstructed view of the city.
The view of the empty Bay Bridge as it finally reopened after being closed for several days frustrating many a driver.





Monday, November 2, 2009

The Beatles

Its hard to believe that only half the Beatles are still living today. John passed first then George. Now Paul and Ringo are left. They have had quite the history behind them beginning with their mop top hairdos then transitioning into the hallucenogenic 70's and finally dissolving into their own solo careers. With the passing of one more, the last Beatle will be alone. I tend to think that it would be humourous if Ringo outlasted them all. Last in last out. Paul has always seemed to be the favorite and Im sure many would wish him to be the lone Beatle. But even the last Beatle will leave and we will all be saddened that day for all of them