Why Is it...window condensation mainly happens on the driver side?

I park my car on the unforgiving street overnight while I sleep quietly awaiting the next day. There are times when the conditions are just right and there is condensation on the windows of the car. But, the condensation is not collecting equally around the car. The windshield will always have condensation. This usually means the driver side will have it too. On occassion, the passenger side will get some but not always. I clean the windows on both sides the same so the surfaces should be the same. But, no matter which side of the street I park on, the driver side will always get more condensation than the passenger side!

Why doesnt the passenger side get as much moisture as the driver side?

For Lunch-Hard Knox Cafe

Several years ago, I heard about this southern restaurant from a local restaurant review show on TV. Originally located on 3rd St., it has since expanded to a second location on Clement St. I tried it back then and was not impressed by the offerings.


Since I was in the area, I decided to give them a second chance. I ordered the beef short ribs with a side of corn and red beans and rice. It came with complimentary corn bread muffins

The ribs were tender and fall off the bone in a non-descript light brown gravy. I cant say there was much flavor to them. The flavor was as limp as the short ribs themselves. The corn seemed like they came out of a can. The red beans and rice was missing that smokiness that I associate with this particular dish. The corn bread had a nice hard baked exterior in contrast to the moist soft interior. The flavor was good but corn bread alone does not a meal make.

Tuesday

Yes, I know that I am posting this on Wednesday. Get off your high horse like you've never been late before. Sheesh!

I wont go into the origins of the name, you can look it up on Wikipedia. But, Tuesday is Thursday's twin sibling. It does not inspire people to write about or rejoice in its impending occurace as its not the beginning of the work week, nor is it the middle. Its in that nebulous space in between. Just as Thursday is between the middle and the end, that's why I consider them twins of a sort.

New soda drink in Japan

During my usual perusal of websites, I came across this listing at Akihabara News. Fanta has come out with a new drink flavor in Japan. According to the review, its supposed to be a zero calorie drink with extra calcium.

This is not the first seemingly odd drink that we've seen from our neighbors to the far east. There has been the ice cucumber Pepsi and green tea flavored Coke. They are much more adventurous and some may say fool-hearty, with their attempts with new flavors. However, don't let the names fool you as things like Pocari Sweat does not taste too bad if you were ever used to Gatorade Glacier. Soda flavors in the US tend to be pretty tame as all they do is add flavors like cherry to pre-exisiting recipes

What If?

What if...

This question can make one look back at glaring moments in their life with regret. Or, it can open a world of possibilities. Depending on how you view life determines which way you reflect on this question. I am sure that most are in the middle of the road while there are a few to one extreme or the other.

What if I had focused more in school? What if I had dated her? What if I made the left turn at Albuquerque? In retrospect, we wonder what things would have been like if things had gone a different way? Would things better or worse for us? Of course, people who believe in parallel universes will tell you that all those probabilities have all happened.

What if I didn't have to go to the outhouse to do my business? What if man could walk on the moon? What if I didnt have to get up to turn the channel? These questions are asked by those who would like to see whats next in the future of mankind. They are the visionaries and prophets who look forward to what will or can be.

Latly, I leave you with this thought, "What if Christopher Columbus, Albert Einstein, or Adolf Hitler had a twin brother? In a followup to the last question, what if they were named Guido, Jerry, and Hans, respetively."

A funny thing...

I saw a funny thing today. A lady was walking two small dogues. No, thats not the funny thing! The second dogue pulls over to the side near some bushes to take a smell. The first dogue walks up next to the second one, raises it's leg, and begins to pee on his head.

Thursday

With my mind wandering and not wanting to think about work, I began to contemplate today, Thursday. The days of the week have their own characteristics and connote certain thoughts when they are brought up. Saturday and Sunday are the weekend days, the days people enjoy the most. Monday is the start of the work week. Wednesday is the middle of the work week. Friday is the end of the work week. Tuesday and Thursday are somewhat nebulous as there are no specific reactions to these on the fence days. Only holidays that fall on specific days, like the 4th of July, will Tues or Thurs be hailed every so often. Aside from Thanksgiving which is always a Thursday. Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, and Labor Day are a few of the days are only celebrated on a Monday or Friday.

Checking Wikipedia, the origins of the name are attributed to either the god Thor or Jupiter.

On The Job-The Piers

Back in the day, one of the things that made a city great was its access to waterways to transport people and goods. the city is situated on a peninsula and borders the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. Rows of piers were built along the waterfront to accommodate the comings and goings of ships who would onload/offload whatever they had.


They heyday of these buildings have long passed and almost all of the shipping has been moved to the east bay where the practice still thrives

These buildings have not lost their functionality over the years. A very few are utitilized for the rare cruise ship that makes port in the city. Many are now converted into businesses that range from restaurants to chocolate manufacturing and a myriad of other uses

Happy Lunar New Year

I had forgotten to mention that, over the weekend, many countries celebrated the Lunar New Year. Alot of asian countries ushered in the Year of the Tiger. It seems as if its mostly the asian countries that do this. Vietnam has Tet and Korea and China are two of the more well known celebrants. One year, I was in Hong Kong during this time. I was told that it was going to be a quiet visit as the majority of shops are closed for a week to enjoy the festivities. And there was no mistaking the eerie calm of the streets that usually bustled with people going about their normal routines. I kind of reveled in that in a small way as I dont like crowds. However, when Im in Tokyo, I feed off the energy of the crowds in many of the popular areas around the metropolis.

Happy New Year!

Olympics Medal Count

Images found at winter2010olympics.net/

The Winter Olympics of Vancouver have gotten off to a fast start with much fanfare and contraversy. I will not go into alot of that.

With a number of games already contested, the medals have been awarded and many more are still to come. The US is doing very well at this point. The most number of medals awarded and tied with the most number of golds, 8 total and 2 golds. The golds coming in Women's Moguls and Men's Snowboard cross. Apollo Ohno garnered the silver in 1500 meter short track speed skating with the bronze going to another American, JR Celski. Bode Miller scores a bronze in the downhill. Another bronze in the same Women's Moguls that scored the first gold of the games for the US.

The medals are around 1 pound in weight, one of the heaviest in the history of the olympics, and have laser etchings of tribal symbols. They are unique in that they are wavy or undulating as opposed to the flat medals of years past.

1 Night 2 Days-Hit the pole!

As previously mentioned, my favorite Korean variety show, 1 Night 2 Days, airs on KBS America. As I planned my trip to Seoul, I had hoped to run into the taping of the opening scene in front of the KBS studio. Frequently, their adventures begins on a Friday morning on the steps of the studio's entrance. Here, they describe their destination, how they are going to get there and possibly what games will be played along the way. My chances were not that good but I thought I would give it a try. If nothing else, I will tour the studio.

Misfortune smiles upon me as their shooting plans will totally shut me out. The show's most ambitious location will be hundreds of miles away from Korea. They usually go to areas around South Korea. Once they went around North Korea to China to visit a mountain that borders the two countries. For a period of two weeks, they will be headed to the south pole. As you may have guessed, my stay in Seoul is smack dab in the middle of those two weeks. For those optimists, there may be a glimmer of hope for me as they still need to work out the schedule for all 7 members to attend. Also, weather conditions will play a big part in the outcome of their flight.

If it were up to me, I would say put it off for a month when the weather gets better and probably a little warmer. Sleeping in a tent at the south pole, you'd want all the warmth you can get

Credit:1n2dfansubs, allkpop

Games Of The 2010 Winter Olympiad

The Winter Olumpic Games start up today in Vancouver, Canada. I have been fortunate to have once visited this locale to the far north. Its a lush and scenic area where the urban jungle butts up to the natural forest. I did not get the chance to take in the 4 seasons so I cant speak to what its like right now during the winter. I may have been their during the fall and remember experiencing sun and rain all in the same trip.

The US is a fairly successful winter country as far as the games go. We are diffenitely more of a summer than a winter but we have atheletes who put up a great showing this time of year. There's a fair share of gold medals that come our way. Not too long ago, the games were on US soil in Salt Lake City, Utah. My memory fails me but I also remember Lake Placid, New York. I also recall seeing signs at Squaw Valley indicating an Olympics were once held there, long before my time.

Good luck to all those in competition

On The Job-Yerba Buena Gardens

Bordered by the SFMOMA, Moscone Convention Center, and the Metreon complex, a patch of green known as the Yerba Buena Gardens rests amongst the high rises and retail of the area. Built several years ago, this slice of Eden affords local workers a place to enjoy their lunches on a nice sunny day

Upon the grounds is a waterfall dedicated to the late Martin Luther King

Visitors can walk behind the falls and gaze out towards the Marriot Hotel
The SF MOMA is one of many museums withing the block that encompasses the park. There is a Jewish art museum and the museum of the African Diaspora to name a few

The view of the waterfall from the Metreon where retail intermingles with a cinema and various restaurants

On The Job-California St

I find myself along a portion of California St that's just west of the Financial District and in an area known as Nob Hill. Speaking of the Financial District, you can follow the California St cable car line east to the looming buildings that house these institutions



The Fairmont Hotel is one of the city's landmark hotels. The location was featured in the ABC soap opera "Hotel" many many years ago starring James Brolin and Connie Sellica(sp?). I had friends who had their wedding here in an elegant ceremony on a beautiful sunny day.

Another famous place to stay is the Mark Hopkins hotel which is just across the street from the Fairmont. While no television shows were based here, their restaurant, Top of the Mark, boasts top notch food and great views while dining.

Other locations of note include the Masonic Auditorium

Grace Cathedral has been witness to many great events in the city. It reminds me alot of Nore Dame in general shape and design

Packing For A Long Trip

Have you ever left for a trip and thought that you might have forgotten to pack something? This bit of misgiving used to cross my mind very frequently. So, I changed the way I pack for trips. I start packing anywhere from 1 to 1.5 months before the departure date. As time goes on and I remember other things I need to bring with me, I toss them into the luggage as I go. This results in over filled suitcases.

The week before I leave, I do a 180 and begin to unpack things that I have just packed. I definitely do not need all the things I have stowed away and will require some space for souvenirs and what not. By reducing my travel items in this way, I hopefully will have remembered to include everything I need and weed out what I dont require. This helps to ease the sinking feeling.

The Day After The Super Bowl-The Ads

What happened? All the money people spend on the ads and that was they best they could do last night?!?!?

I only had one bright spot that I could think of. That was the Snickers commercial with Betty White playing a pick-up game of football. She gets tackled and runs back to the huddle while a big lummox proclaims that shes playing like Betty White. To which she retorts, thats not what your girlfriend said last night. After having a Snickers bar, the player turns back into himself to continue the game. If that weren't enough, the next play involves Abe Vigoda as the quarterback, ABE *FREAKING* VIGODA!! I thought he was dead. Nice to see the old guy still kicking, long live Fish!

The beer commercials were once the highlight of the ad blitz. They got a D, bordering on F, from me. The house of beer cans was slightly humorous. They get no sentiment from me for the baby Klydesdale and baby cow advert. Etrade's talking baby has been done to death, enough already. Doritos has an honorable mention but thats not saying much in this field of third and fourth place finishers

The Day After The Super Bowl

The game did not go as most people had expected. I only watched the 1st, 3rd, and 4th quarters and was taken aback by the outcome. It seemed like the Colts had an easier time of getting into the rhythm of the game early on. Manning was not having any trouble passing. He had time in the pocket to choose his recievers without feeling pressured. Once that was established, Addai made some great headway on the ground.

Things turned around at the beginning of the second half with the Saints recovering an on-side kick. This started the turn around as they were able to score with that possession. Everything was going the Saints direction from then on. The Colts were only able to score 1 touchdown the whole second half. As impressive and effortless as that drive was, they began to peter out after that. An acrobative move, confirmed by super slo-mo, to get the ball across the plane of the goal line gave New Orleans the 2 point conversion. The clincher was Porter's interception and runback for a score. He sat patiently in his area watching the reciever and Manning while the chaos of the field was going on around him. Then, all of a sudden, he siezes his opportunity. Porter lunges forward to put himself between Manning and the reciever. Snags the pass and heads towards the sea of Saints' fans awaiting him at the far end.

That was a fun game to watch.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Right around this time, the Snow Festival(Yuki Matsuri) begins on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. The festival revolves around large snow sculptures that are built over the previous few days. Themes vary from year to year. Wooden substructures are erected as a skeleton for the mounds of snow that will be dumped around it. Then craftsmen go to work creating giant postcard scenes or recreations of buildings and edifices. Smaller sculptures dot the main Odori Park area alongside the massive productions. At the nearby downtown area(Susukino), ice carvings glisten under the mid day sun and neon of the night. A third area exists for the children to participate and frolick in. This area has changed its location several times over the years.

Hokkaido is known for some of the food that it produces. They have milk and dairy products as well as potatoes that are proud to bear the islands name. Also, they are abundant in seafood from the rich waters to the north.

I have visited the festival twice before, once in 2001 and 2006. I plan on going back next year with friends. See you there!

For more info and gallery, http://www.snowfes.com/english/index.html

Leap Year, Leap Day, Leap Minute, Leap Second

Being that is February, its got me to think about the Leap Year. Every 4 years, we add a day because our primitive way of keeping time is off. That means each year is off by 6 hours. Each month misaligned by 30 minutes. That averages out to being in error of 1 minute a day.

Tokyo Snow

Not living in an area that snows regularly, I can appreciate and gaze in wonder at the blanket of white. Tokyo does get snowed on much, but far more than the city it seems. In some of the websites that I frequent, images have been posted of the dusting the metropolis has recieved. I have not had the fortune to expeience this myself as I am usually in Tokyo around Spring. This year, I will be visiting for a few days in late March. Next year, I will be back again around this same time. *Keeping fingers crossed for snow* Here are some links to the wintery urban moments

Akihabara News
http://en.akihabaranews.com/32125/japan/let%e2%80%99s-visit-%e2%80%9cquickly%e2%80%9d-tokyo-under-the-snow

DannyChoo.com
http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/25400/Tokyo+Snow.html#6pack

On The Job-Stockton St

Stockton St begins at the bay but comes to a halt once it meets up with Market St. It passes through Northpoint, North Beach, Chinatown, and downtown before its stopped dead in its tracks. In a previous post, there was a pic of it as being the main thoroughfare through Chinatown. Here we see it pass through downtown as it comes to a close. Just north of the Macys is Union Sqaure. And, you can see the Apple store a few yards from Market St

On The Job-Painted Ladies

The Painted Ladies are a set of Victorian-style homes that are probably some of the best known residences in the city. They are the ones in the shadows in the pic below. They sit on Steiner St on the south-eastern edge of Alamo Square. Another reason for their picturesque popularity may be due to the skyline of the tall buildings that populate the downtown area visible in the background