Sorry to break this to you all, but Lori and I are heading to sunny Maui for a mini vacation this week. I will make sure to post photos, stories and interesting tidbits about the culture, food, etc. upon my return. I ain't taking the laptop nor a cell phone. No sense relaxing when still connected to the busy world.
We have some fun activities planned for us. We are going at sunrise to the top of Mount Haleakala for some early morning sights. We will then do the drive to Hana, hike in the National Park and explore the 7 Pools...my guess is that it is a series of waterfalls to hike and explore. We also set up a snorkling trip to Molokini Crater, an ancient caldera that just breaks the surface of the Pacific Ocean, leaving a crescent shaped island. Diving in the crater is supposed to be spectacular. Looking forward to that morning...
I will also do a little golfing, sans wife at Kapalua. Lori will find some shopping or other diversion while I am gone.
I NEED this break. Hope to pick up a little sanity while there. I want to learn a little Pidgin English as well so I can play the local v. the tourist. I think Locals get better service, prices and consideration.
Chow!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
My Son the Rock Star
I am hoping you all are starting to get an understanding of me, my thoughts, personality and even my positions on things as you read my blog posts. Less important to me is that you understand my family...but I am making an exception for today's post. Seems that my son, Jeff, the freshman at Ohio State, has found his creative outlet in a band called the "Shameless Joys". Here is a link for their first ever gig: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2814259013910148707&q=shameless+joys&hl=en
Jeff plays bass, and he looks like he dyed his hair dark black for his new look. Granted, he could use some moves while on stage, but for his first public appearance playing music he looks surprisingly relaxed, and it sounds like he can play some licks as well. He says that for their next gig he will try to be a little more animated up on stage. It also sounds like he has some groupies in the audience. The band is fronted by Mark Ferrito, who has an excellent voice, decent song writing skills, and the car to get them all around...which is key. Boyan Alexandrov is pretty damn good on lead guitar, and the drummer, Andrew Vivian, is, well, a drummer...coolest member of the band, always. Their original songs, "Jaime", and "Burning" are reminiscent of early Kurt Cobain stuff...moody, full of emotion and slightly addictive.
My advice for the stars-in-the-making "Shameless Joys"...get a look that you can own. Find someone to help with some staging, choreography, and get some X chromosomes up there to fill out the sound. You are on your way, your sound just needs a little depth and dimension, and a female's voice will help...especially if she can sing harmony.
Jeff obviously gets his musical talent from his mother...I can't read music worth a lick (even after 4 years of violin lessons). It was kinda nice to see his gig even though I couldn't attend in person. I do hope he doesn't go the way of most Rockers...hooked on drugs, booze, sex, and then flaming out at a young age. I wonder if he needs a middle aged Roadie or Manager...hmmm.
New worries, I guess and definitely more gray hair.
Rock-On Jeff and the Shameless Joys...loved the virtual show!
Chow!
Jeff plays bass, and he looks like he dyed his hair dark black for his new look. Granted, he could use some moves while on stage, but for his first public appearance playing music he looks surprisingly relaxed, and it sounds like he can play some licks as well. He says that for their next gig he will try to be a little more animated up on stage. It also sounds like he has some groupies in the audience. The band is fronted by Mark Ferrito, who has an excellent voice, decent song writing skills, and the car to get them all around...which is key. Boyan Alexandrov is pretty damn good on lead guitar, and the drummer, Andrew Vivian, is, well, a drummer...coolest member of the band, always. Their original songs, "Jaime", and "Burning" are reminiscent of early Kurt Cobain stuff...moody, full of emotion and slightly addictive.
My advice for the stars-in-the-making "Shameless Joys"...get a look that you can own. Find someone to help with some staging, choreography, and get some X chromosomes up there to fill out the sound. You are on your way, your sound just needs a little depth and dimension, and a female's voice will help...especially if she can sing harmony.
Jeff obviously gets his musical talent from his mother...I can't read music worth a lick (even after 4 years of violin lessons). It was kinda nice to see his gig even though I couldn't attend in person. I do hope he doesn't go the way of most Rockers...hooked on drugs, booze, sex, and then flaming out at a young age. I wonder if he needs a middle aged Roadie or Manager...hmmm.
New worries, I guess and definitely more gray hair.
Rock-On Jeff and the Shameless Joys...loved the virtual show!
Chow!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
TAX DAY! Dammit!
Now I remember why I voted Republican last election. I just sent in my extension filing so I can delay the inevitable for a few more weeks...or months. I can't believe how much the IRS thinks they can charge me. I don't think Lori and I are getting our money's worth. Let me change that...I KNOW we aren't.
But I guess I should take solace in the fact that I live far from harm's way, enjoy a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable existence. My accountant says that I should be glad that I an afford to pay what I owe, but then again he isn't the one writing the check. It just burns me to have to still write a big one after paying estimated taxes quarterly, Alternate Minimum Taxes and the requisite penalties, and however else the IRS likes to squeeze me.
I am thinking about seceding from the Union and starting the independent country of "Wu." Anyone willing to emigrate? National Anthem: Slow Ride
Chow!
But I guess I should take solace in the fact that I live far from harm's way, enjoy a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable existence. My accountant says that I should be glad that I an afford to pay what I owe, but then again he isn't the one writing the check. It just burns me to have to still write a big one after paying estimated taxes quarterly, Alternate Minimum Taxes and the requisite penalties, and however else the IRS likes to squeeze me.
I am thinking about seceding from the Union and starting the independent country of "Wu." Anyone willing to emigrate? National Anthem: Slow Ride
Chow!
Boomer Sentimentality and Nostalgia
Why is it that us Boomers (ages 43-61) are so darn nostalgic? The last 6 years or so I find myself trying to find old friends from High School that I had lost track of...completely my fault. I think as I was trying to grow up, I cast off my childhood chums for new friends. Now that I am starting to replay my life, I remember the early years as some of my fondest memories. I have been extremely lucky (thank you internet!) in finding some of my best friends...Robert Myers from Torrejon in Spain, Jack Avent from Riyadh, and now Mark O'Dell from Vienna, VA!
Honestly a day didn't go by that I didn't think of these friends. Mark and I lost touch when my family moved from the suburbs of Washington, DC to the wilds of the Middle East in the 70's (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, etc.). Mark might not remember it, but he taught my brother and me how to ride a bike. We basically grew up together...neighborhood football, basketball and baseball games, fishing, hiking, camping and Boy Scouts, hanging out, getting into trouble with the Fiedlers...just living the suburban life. We wrote a little after I moved, but he went to college, I had a new life, and we lost touch.
Jack was my first friend I made in boarding school Junior year of HS. Which was my first experience living away from my parents. Some called us the Odd Couple...Jack: 6'4" African American, me: 5'9" chubby Asian, but somehow we connected. I think he felt sorry for me, or he needed me to help him with his homework. Whatever the reason we became best friends. Like all friendships made by Army Brats, ours only lasted about a year. After our first year in the dorms in Bahrain we got split up for senior year. He went to Franfurt, Germany with his younger sister, and I got shipped to Torrejon, Spain with my younger brother. Jack taught me how to really enjoy Funk music...old Isley Brothers, early Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Brothers Johnson. His Mom, Pea, taught me how to love southern cuisine...chicken wings are still my favorite snack because of Mrs. Avent's influence. Ask my sister how I eat them!
The best thing that happened with me being sent to Spain was meeting my 3rd best friend (what a lucky guy I am!) Robert. He is like a brother to me. Let me correct that...he is a brother to me. We had fun. I won't give too many details or my teenage children will know that I understand what it is like to be tempted! Ha! We would go on adventures in the Madrileno neighborhoods, meet with Gypsies at the giant weekend flea markets, flirt with Senoritas at the Plaza Mayor, and discovered delicious tapas to soak up the excess alcohol. We too lost touch soon after returning to the states for college.
Well lucky me, I have reconnected with all 3 of these gentlemen, and they are successful men that I am proud to know. Mark is the most recent connection for me...just last week! He had just signed up on Classmates and I took a chance and e-mailed him. He is a way successful real estate developer in beautiful Telluride. Still married to his first wife, two lovely boys, loving life. Jack also was a recent reconnection...just about 6 months ago. He had registered on the Bahrain School website for alumni. I e-mailed him over a year ago, and kept getting an "undeliverable" error message. Hopes dashed. Then out of the blue he replied to my e-mail. I guess Yahoo kept trying to deliver it. Turns out he is a career Navy man (funny he could never swim, sank like a stone!) and his e-mail box got jammed when he was out to sea on deployment for the Iraqi War. He is also still married to his first wife, has two successful daughters in college, and he still looks like he can dunk a basketball. He plays more golf than bball though. My buddy Robert and I reconnected almost 6 years ago. It has been fun filling in the years, meeting his new wife, remembering his first wife (we all went to HS together), and making new memories. He is a career Air Force Major, although he just retired and took a civilian job with Lockheed doing the exact same thing without the pay or respect that the uniform and commission brought!
So, I will say it again, I am very lucky indeed. The internet is magical in how lost connections can be re-established. Maybe not all Boomers are this sentimental and nostalgic, but if I look at what was most influential in making me who I am, I keep coming back to those wonder years of high school.
The wife and I are getting ready to vacation in Maui next week. Expect an Aloha blog entry. Other big news for me involves a long planned and anticipated trip to Kenya for a mission trip of sorts. Details coming in future blogs as the departure date of July 8th approaches.
Chow!
Honestly a day didn't go by that I didn't think of these friends. Mark and I lost touch when my family moved from the suburbs of Washington, DC to the wilds of the Middle East in the 70's (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, etc.). Mark might not remember it, but he taught my brother and me how to ride a bike. We basically grew up together...neighborhood football, basketball and baseball games, fishing, hiking, camping and Boy Scouts, hanging out, getting into trouble with the Fiedlers...just living the suburban life. We wrote a little after I moved, but he went to college, I had a new life, and we lost touch.
Jack was my first friend I made in boarding school Junior year of HS. Which was my first experience living away from my parents. Some called us the Odd Couple...Jack: 6'4" African American, me: 5'9" chubby Asian, but somehow we connected. I think he felt sorry for me, or he needed me to help him with his homework. Whatever the reason we became best friends. Like all friendships made by Army Brats, ours only lasted about a year. After our first year in the dorms in Bahrain we got split up for senior year. He went to Franfurt, Germany with his younger sister, and I got shipped to Torrejon, Spain with my younger brother. Jack taught me how to really enjoy Funk music...old Isley Brothers, early Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Brothers Johnson. His Mom, Pea, taught me how to love southern cuisine...chicken wings are still my favorite snack because of Mrs. Avent's influence. Ask my sister how I eat them!
The best thing that happened with me being sent to Spain was meeting my 3rd best friend (what a lucky guy I am!) Robert. He is like a brother to me. Let me correct that...he is a brother to me. We had fun. I won't give too many details or my teenage children will know that I understand what it is like to be tempted! Ha! We would go on adventures in the Madrileno neighborhoods, meet with Gypsies at the giant weekend flea markets, flirt with Senoritas at the Plaza Mayor, and discovered delicious tapas to soak up the excess alcohol. We too lost touch soon after returning to the states for college.
Well lucky me, I have reconnected with all 3 of these gentlemen, and they are successful men that I am proud to know. Mark is the most recent connection for me...just last week! He had just signed up on Classmates and I took a chance and e-mailed him. He is a way successful real estate developer in beautiful Telluride. Still married to his first wife, two lovely boys, loving life. Jack also was a recent reconnection...just about 6 months ago. He had registered on the Bahrain School website for alumni. I e-mailed him over a year ago, and kept getting an "undeliverable" error message. Hopes dashed. Then out of the blue he replied to my e-mail. I guess Yahoo kept trying to deliver it. Turns out he is a career Navy man (funny he could never swim, sank like a stone!) and his e-mail box got jammed when he was out to sea on deployment for the Iraqi War. He is also still married to his first wife, has two successful daughters in college, and he still looks like he can dunk a basketball. He plays more golf than bball though. My buddy Robert and I reconnected almost 6 years ago. It has been fun filling in the years, meeting his new wife, remembering his first wife (we all went to HS together), and making new memories. He is a career Air Force Major, although he just retired and took a civilian job with Lockheed doing the exact same thing without the pay or respect that the uniform and commission brought!
So, I will say it again, I am very lucky indeed. The internet is magical in how lost connections can be re-established. Maybe not all Boomers are this sentimental and nostalgic, but if I look at what was most influential in making me who I am, I keep coming back to those wonder years of high school.
The wife and I are getting ready to vacation in Maui next week. Expect an Aloha blog entry. Other big news for me involves a long planned and anticipated trip to Kenya for a mission trip of sorts. Details coming in future blogs as the departure date of July 8th approaches.
Chow!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Asia v. US Food Practices
The news has been full of food safety issues lately. Just in the past 12 months we have seen a Mad Cow scare (never made it to the food chain), E. coli in lettuce, green onions (maybe not), Salmonella in peanut butter and now tainted pet food. It is interesting to see how two Asian countries have been affected by this type of news.
I just read an article entitled, "Japan Halts Imports From Kansas Meat Plant" from the AP. In this article it talks about how Japan ordered imports halted from this particular meat plant because...a shipment arrived without proper papers! This was the third American meatpacker to have forgotten to dot all the i's and cross all the t's for their Japanese customer.
This same week I read the angry response to the FDA's identification of a Chinese Wheat Gluten supplier as the source of the contaminated ingredient suspected in killing "dozens" of pets and injuring "hundreds" more. The Chinese manufacturer denied being responsible, and continues to ship Wheat Gluten to numerous US food manufacturers. In fact, the FDA now says that not all of the contaminated pet food has been removed from store shelves...they can't seem to trace all the ingredients properly!
Here's the basic difference as I see it...and yes, maybe I am qualified to talk about it after being in the food industry for 24 years.
In the US, we operate on a basis of TRUST first, until you are proven to be untrustworthy. Our system is set up for self-regulation and inspection. This means that if you are a food producer, you are responsible for regulating yourself. The FDA provides the rules, you oversee your own practices to ensure that your firm meets them. Inspections usually aren't done unless someone else narcs on you to the FDA...or until someone gets sick, finds a rat's head in a can, or a beloved pet dies. Then the cause must be investigated and identified. So a reactive v. proactive scenario. The FDA couldn't possibly inspect everyone, the industry is too large and the budgets too small. So, our situation in the US is built in this manner...you make sure your meet all the regulations yourself. US businesses operate this way, and when faced with a different system (like in Japan), they can't help but screw up.
You see, in Japan, they operate exactly in the opposite manner...they distrust until the food company proves over a long period of doing business that it can be trusted. The food regulators in Japan know that the system they have set up...where sometimes the following of policy (filling out all the paperwork correctly, and even posting correctly on containers) is as important as the safety of the contents. If you can't be trusted to even follow simple instructions, what else might you be incapable of? It might sound ridiculous to us in the US, but this is the system that works for them. Costs aren't even a consideration. Japanese importers might do 100% sampling and testing of goods to prove to themselves that the product meets guidelines, let alone regulations. Your specifications are used as a weapon to try to find failures. Your Certificates of Analysis are deemed worthless...they will retest all the specs to see if you pass your own parameters. In the US, Certificates of Analysis are usually guarantees that the shipment will meet the set specifications.
In the US, we import foods from all over the world in huge quantities. Our system of "trust first" means very little of what is brought into the country is actually analyzed. Once in the country, distribution nation-wide means tracking tainted or contaminated goods is a difficult and costly process.
Advice I would give to US companies looking to do more export business? Think like a Japanese regulatory scientist...
Advice I would give to the FDA and our government? Maybe it is time to flip budgets...switch the military budget over to education and the FDA (and USDA), and give the education and FDA budgets to the military.
Chow!
I just read an article entitled, "Japan Halts Imports From Kansas Meat Plant" from the AP. In this article it talks about how Japan ordered imports halted from this particular meat plant because...a shipment arrived without proper papers! This was the third American meatpacker to have forgotten to dot all the i's and cross all the t's for their Japanese customer.
This same week I read the angry response to the FDA's identification of a Chinese Wheat Gluten supplier as the source of the contaminated ingredient suspected in killing "dozens" of pets and injuring "hundreds" more. The Chinese manufacturer denied being responsible, and continues to ship Wheat Gluten to numerous US food manufacturers. In fact, the FDA now says that not all of the contaminated pet food has been removed from store shelves...they can't seem to trace all the ingredients properly!
Here's the basic difference as I see it...and yes, maybe I am qualified to talk about it after being in the food industry for 24 years.
In the US, we operate on a basis of TRUST first, until you are proven to be untrustworthy. Our system is set up for self-regulation and inspection. This means that if you are a food producer, you are responsible for regulating yourself. The FDA provides the rules, you oversee your own practices to ensure that your firm meets them. Inspections usually aren't done unless someone else narcs on you to the FDA...or until someone gets sick, finds a rat's head in a can, or a beloved pet dies. Then the cause must be investigated and identified. So a reactive v. proactive scenario. The FDA couldn't possibly inspect everyone, the industry is too large and the budgets too small. So, our situation in the US is built in this manner...you make sure your meet all the regulations yourself. US businesses operate this way, and when faced with a different system (like in Japan), they can't help but screw up.
You see, in Japan, they operate exactly in the opposite manner...they distrust until the food company proves over a long period of doing business that it can be trusted. The food regulators in Japan know that the system they have set up...where sometimes the following of policy (filling out all the paperwork correctly, and even posting correctly on containers) is as important as the safety of the contents. If you can't be trusted to even follow simple instructions, what else might you be incapable of? It might sound ridiculous to us in the US, but this is the system that works for them. Costs aren't even a consideration. Japanese importers might do 100% sampling and testing of goods to prove to themselves that the product meets guidelines, let alone regulations. Your specifications are used as a weapon to try to find failures. Your Certificates of Analysis are deemed worthless...they will retest all the specs to see if you pass your own parameters. In the US, Certificates of Analysis are usually guarantees that the shipment will meet the set specifications.
In the US, we import foods from all over the world in huge quantities. Our system of "trust first" means very little of what is brought into the country is actually analyzed. Once in the country, distribution nation-wide means tracking tainted or contaminated goods is a difficult and costly process.
Advice I would give to US companies looking to do more export business? Think like a Japanese regulatory scientist...
Advice I would give to the FDA and our government? Maybe it is time to flip budgets...switch the military budget over to education and the FDA (and USDA), and give the education and FDA budgets to the military.
Chow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
