Out with the old, in with the new...

With 2008 coming rapidly to a close, it is time to reflect on the past 12 months. Why do we reflect on the past? I suppose it is a chance for us to assess our lives in a "forced" way; you know, the end of the year and all. We should take a look at how we walked the planet and make plans for the next 12 months to be a shining time for accomplishment, fulfillment of dreams, etc. Realistically the difference between December 31st and January 1st is minimal. But symbolically it can be a huge difference for us personally. We seem to have three options: 1) We can wipe the slate clean...of all of our failures, shortcomings, sins, whatever shame and disappointment burdens us, and we can look forward to a fresh, clean year to screw up. 2) We can also build on the successes, accomplishments, and good feelings we had as well. 3) We can ignore the changing of the year and just continue to live our lives as if there isn't anything different between one day and the next. No judgment from me, it can be either of the 3, and there is no right answer on how to express the new year, is there?  It is our choice.

I think I have always been in group #1...wipe it clean, start it over. It might change a little from year to year, but generally I think about renewal, improvement, forgiveness. And most years I fail to renew, improve, or stop bad habits. Last year I realized that I seemed to keep having the same end-of-the-year thoughts and frustrations of not being able to change myself so I resolved not to set any resolutions, but instead I set 1 goal for myself: I wanted to be passionately involved in something that God put in my path. Now how to define "involved"...basically I was going to try to listen to that inner voice that is always trying to tell us what to do. Most times I ignore the voice and avoid "involvement" at all costs. In 2008, I set the goal to jump in enthusiastically.

So 2008 had barely started when the opportunity presented itself...Africa. More specifically a microfinance opportunity for Africa. I have been spouting off for the past few years about how to sustainably help Africans, now I had a chance to put all my brilliant theories to work. As the year progressed, it got deeper. Lori and I helped to buy some land in Kenya to build a future around. No real plans, just a good opportunity presenting itself. We continued to pay the rent on the existing orphanage, and upheld all of our commitments to help as needed. Then in the spring, I helped develop a basic structure of a sustainable model where a "for profit" investment would help fund "not-for-profit" projects. Basically the model is built on the idea of a "corporate" community. The community of people would develop a corporate structure that would develop businesses to employ community members and throw off profits. A portion of those profits would then go towards charitable projects like health clinics, schools, churches, job training and so on. The sustainability comes from the fact that the community supports the charitable work, and it isn't dependent on outside agencies and donations. Way too much of the work being done in emerging economies is based on donations and outside charities. (It is evident when the fastest growing jobs are all in the charitable works field.)

Our model was presented to the board of directors for Christian Relief Fund in October. They liked the approach and wanted to experiment with two areas of the world that they had communities that they believed could start and support these types of works: Honduras and Kenya. However, more details about how to structure a community-held corporation would have to be explored, developed and detailed. But despite the lack of information and detail, they voted to create a budget and project. The real opportunity for my personal commitment came when a board member asked me if I would consider a nomination to become a member of the board for CRF and lead the microfinance effort. So here is where the rubber meets the road...the inner voice was screaming, "yes, do it!", but my sensible side kept arguing that I didn't have time, blah, blah, blah. Then I remembered my goal...passionate involvement. So I said, "yes, I would be happy to accept a nomination." God made sure I had no way out by giving me a unanimous approval.

As I look forward into 2009, I guess I am now becoming more of a #2 kind of person...I need to build on the commitments I made in 2008.  I've got one foot in the pool, but need to jump in with both feet, arms, legs, torso, head and most importantly, my heart. 

Wish me well in 2009, and if you want to join me, let me know!

Happy New Year! I hope you find something to be passionately involved in.

Chow!

Best Month Ever!

This December has to be one on my list of best months in my life...ever. It is strange because the joy of my personal life is juxtaposed against a crazy, frustrating work situation. Even though I feel unbalanced, the good is outweighing the bad. I guess I should elaborate a little.

Even with my terrible travel schedule, my family life is amazing. I really feel like I am truly connecting with my kids. We are communicating, and more importantly, I think they are starting to listen to me. We have turned that corner. I am no longer the parent that embarrasses them in front of their friends (I still do that, but now it seems okay). Maybe I do know something useful to them now. Whatever has happened, I will take it!

Melanie just spent the weekend with me because she wanted some time alone with me in LA. She has been catching glimpses of Jeff and my summer and has decided that she wants some “LA Memories” of her own. So as a reward for getting all her college applications done, we flew her down for a long weekend. She and I planned a bunch of events with my So Cal friends, and we almost pulled it all off. The weekend started on a Friday afternoon after I picked her up from the airport. She spent the afternoon hanging out in my office while I finished up a few last minute tasks. We went to dinner at my favorite little Chinese restaurant Wacky Wok (yes, that is the name). The owner spent time chatting to us, which always impresses Mel. The food was excellent (as always), and we even walked out with a few leftovers. Our next stop was Blockbusters for a couple of movies to watch on my new BluRay player and big screen HDTV. She and I playfully argued as usual about her annoying habit of talking nonstop through the best parts of the movie, and we stayed up until late.  We got up early the next morning, ate her favorite breakfast (potato and egg tacos), and then hit the La Brea Tarpits Museum. It was actually a nice little museum and park. There is still tar bubbling up to the surface in many spots. After that we met some friends at In-n-Out for lunch, and the girls decided to kidnap her to take her shopping. I eagerly agreed, making up a lame excuse to head back to the condo for a quick nap before picking up her older brother at the airport. We met up with the girls later for dinner at an awesome Korean BBQ restaurant. We had created a FaceBook event for her arrival to LA, and 10 people showed up for our dinner. We all had fun cooking our own food on a sizzling grill. After dinner we all went back to my place and pulled out the Guitar Hero 3 and Karaoke Revolution games. Now that was a hoot! Mel showed her skills at GH3, and I showed my obvious lack of talent at holding a note. I can now give my total and utter respect to William Hung of American Idol and YouTube fame. Singing in front of people even with the words coming across the screen is so hard and embarrassing! The crowd finally left at 2:30 in the morning. I think my neighbors are now advancing a petition to have me take voice lessons. Our plans to wake up really early the next morning to drive to San Diego were blown when we didn’t get up until 11. We decided to chill by going out for brunch at Dinah’s Diner, and then hit the Santa Monica Pier. The weather was cool but the air was so clear that the mountains were out. We thought it would be perfect to ride the Ferris wheel and take some pictures of the surrounding scenery.  It didn’t disappoint. The view was spectacular, and the crowd sparse, so the operator of the ride made it extra long. After our Santa Monica Pier experience we made it home in time to catch some NFL games on the tube (Go Cowboys!) Our final memory-making event was watching the Survivor Finale at night after a dinner of leftover Chinese food and homemade Won Ton soup. The little miss caught an early Monday morning flight home and the boy and I went in to work.  Later that week she called me to tell me her awesome news…she was accepted to two of her colleges that she applied to. One acceptance came with a certificate acknowledging that she was a candidate of “distinction”. Wow, is she proud of that (and rightfully so!)

Jeff was able to squeeze in a week of work before heading to Seattle. If you recall, he spent the summer interning in our accounting group. He had a little project left to finish, and the CFO asked him to come after his finals to put a few hours in. He made good friends here this summer, and they were genuinely glad to see him. He spent the week finishing his inventory project. He and I picked up our roommate habits pretty quickly, and moved through the week efficiently. He has a new female interest in his life, and Cindy (in the office) and I wouldn’t let that rest. She is like a big sister to him, and he has really connected to her; what am I saying, he has connected to all of them. I love watching him interact with my friends here in LA. I get to see a different side of him. We talked about this new person in his life, and I think he will be able to ask me for advice when necessary. 

That is what makes this one of my best months in my memory…the promise of better relationships with my kids, the continued promise of success for my kids as I see them moving into different (and more adult) phases of their lives, and the memories of laughter as we had fun with my friends in LA. They are such a great and generous bunch always willing to help me out.

I won’t even bore you with the negative stuff; it will only depress and anger me. I had it all typed up, but I am erasing it now…

Chow!

Giving Thanks

Obligatory Thanksgiving Blog...everyone is doing it, why not?

It is tough to pick just a few things to be thankful for, so I will start with new thoughts that I have never had before this year:

1. I am thankful that mom, dad, Chuck and Dee are still healthy and able to fully enjoy life. They all lead vibrant and exciting lives as retirees. I haven't thought about this much until this year. Terrible of me, I know, but you just expect your parents to be around forever, and this is the year I am realizing that I am thankful to be able to talk to them, see them, and continue to learn from them.
2. I am thankful that Melanie misses me while I am gone. She is realizing that we think alike, have the same sense of humor, and that I know what she is thinking. She wants to be friends with me, and that makes me thankful.
3. I am thankful that Jeff calls me just to "jabber". It still isn't as often as I would like, but it is still nice when he calls just to say "hi" or to talk about something that happened to him, or to share a funny anecdote from his college life. 
4. I am thankful that neither Melanie nor Jeff has ever asked us for money. This tells me that we have raised pretty responsible people who have learned to live within their means and aren't too focused on material things. Maybe I don't have to worry about their futures that much.

So those are the new thoughts. The "usual" things I am privately thankful for everyday, but publicly during this week are:

1. I am thankful for my marriage. 25 years is a long time. Lori and I have now been married more than half of our lives. It is too easy to take for granted. When I am in LA, I seem to worry about stupid stuff. As soon as I am "home" in Seattle I worry less and fall into a pleasant life. That is directly related to how well Lori has made our home.
2. I am thankful for my healthy, relatively happy kids. They are smart, successful, and a perfect reflection of great parenting...ha! They really are the pride of Lori and my life. 
3. I am thankful for old friends who have stood by for decades. We don't get together enough or even talk to each other enough, but these special people are constantly in my heart and in my thoughts.
4. I am thankful that we are both employed. We usually complain about our jobs, but this fall we are just grinning and bearing it. 
5. I am thankful that I am healthy...no major issues, just nagging pains that tell me I have been alive a long time. How's that for perspective?
6. I am thankful for my faith. God has been very good to me this year; bringing new people in my life to love and be loved by (PJ, Lexi, Mike, ATJ, Shiran, Spencer, Palo, Jana, Melissa, Alissa, Sylvia, Candace, and others), giving me opportunities to serve him, and giving me a hope.

So that brings me to ask you a question...

To whom are you thankful? Who do you express your thanks to? For me, I need to be "vocal to the locals", or those in my life that make a difference. I also need to raise my voice upwards to God. It might only pop into our heads and hearts once a year, but this really should be an everyday experience. I will try to be thankful on a daily basis. That means I will have to be exceptionally good at observing when others make a difference in my life, or the lives of others. 

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Chow!

The Miracle Shampoo

The holidays are approaching and I was reading a story about the Maccabbean revolt and the miracle of the oil for their sacred lamp. Story has it that as the Maccabbes retook the temple of Jeruselem, they found it destroyed by the occupying forces of Antiochus V. After rebuilding the temple, they needed to consecrate it. They relit their holy lamp in the temple to begin the re-dedication of the temple and discovered that they didn't have enough olive oil to keep their lamp burning during their ceremony and, in fact, they only had enough oil to last a single day. Unfortunately it would take 8 days to press, bless and purify new oil for the lamp. What to do? They prayed for God to intercede. The miracle part of the story we all know...the lamp continued to burn for 8 days and never went out while they made new sacred oil. This miracle became the basis for the Jewish Holiday of Hannukah, the Festival of Lights.

My story is related, but I don't know what spiritual reference I can take from this, but my bottle of shampoo hasn't run out in over 10 months of use! This is my "Miracle Shampoo!" Okay, it is a large bottle of Costco Shampoo, but seriously, it continues to give me a single pump of 'poo every time I ask for one. It feels empty, and has for over a month. In anticipation I went to Costco and bought a couple of replacement bottles. My bottle has lasted so long Costco changed the package...my white bottle with sloped shoulders has been re-designed to a stylish brown color with more of a square look...that is how long this sucker has lasted. I bought those replacement bottles (yeah, annoying that they come in 2-packs only) back in August, and here it is almost November and my hair is still shiny clean, bouncy, and luxurious. Well, as much as it can bounce. Those two bottles of new shampoo are sitting in my closet gathering dust. Every morning as I prepare to pump a squirt of shampoo, I say a little prayer that it will continue to give me cleansing...and I haven't been disappointed yet.

I brought that bottle of shampoo down to LA  from Seattle when I moved down in January. It wasn't completely full, but close enough. I moved it from my apartment in Venice to my condo in Culver City. You have to remember, every time I move it, I have to pump it to secure the pump down...that wastes a lot of valuable stuff, and I have done that twice...make that three times. For some reason I couldn't secure the pump and had to pump it a second time when I moved to Culver City. So I haven't been overtly conserving shampoo. When I wash my short hair, I do only pump it once, which is plenty. But by my calculations I have pumped it over 200 times, and it always delivers. It should have run dry months ago...

I can't explain it, and am afraid to take the lid off the bottle to look inside. I will just continue to pump it every morning until it gives up its last gift. That bottle has already given me so much, I can't expect anything more.

Maybe that is the spiritual lesson...think about someone who is always there for you, and has never given up on gifting you something you need...an encouraging word, a hug, or that look that says, "you're my friend, and I've got your back." 

I will let you all know when that bottle finally runs dry...then I will look for my next miracle bottle.

Chow!

Long Road to Columbus, OH

Well, I drove the boy from Seattle to Columbus so he could start his Junior year at OSU in Columbus...I guess I should say it right; THE Ohio State University. The wife and I decided that he would need a vehicle this year in case he lands a sweet internship at one of the big accounting firms. Plus it's hard to be a "baller" without wheels, and we don't want to be "salting his game."

We started the drive from lovely, chilly Seattle; hoping to make Bozeman, MT by the end of day one. We got a late start, so we thought 650 miles on day one would be okay. Plus driving east means losing one hour every day as we passed through time zones. Our adventure started out badly...we barely got out of Seattle when we saw flashing red lights in the rear view mirror. Unfortunately Jeff was behind the wheel, and the woman officer cut him a

lmost no slack. He was only obeying my orders to "follow that Jackrabbit Dodge Nitro" through Ellensburg, WA. Seems "Smokey" had radar up in the sky in a little Cessna plane and pulled both of us over. The officer just dinged us for 10 mph over...that was nice of her.

Day two our goal was to make it to Mt. Rushmore, SD for a quick stop at the National Monument, then boogie all the way to Sioux Falls, SD for the night. That was

a big day, 900 miles and a hemorrhoid for me. Mt. Rushmore is very cool...much more impressive than I was expecting. It was also a lot further off the highway than we thought, and we burned a couple hours sightseeing. I had to make up some time. I was behind the wheel this time when a young highway patrol officer pulled me over for exceeding the speed limit. I truly believed the limit was 75, and I was right at 75 when I passed him. He corrected me and said that the speed limit through that lovely stretch of South Dakota is 65 mph. He then asked where we were headed, and I told him that I was taking young son back to college. He asked where Jeff went to school, and after we answered, I knew he would let us off when he asked about the football team losing to USC. We made small talk, and the nice officer let me off with a warning and then the locations of other similar reductions in speed limit to be careful of. How helpful that information was! 

I thought day two was the long one, but day three turned out to be the longest spent behind the wheel. We drove non-stop from Sioux Falls, SD to just east of Indianapolis, IN...5 states in one day. I was tired of driving past corn fields, soybean fields, cleaning bugs off the windshield, and eating fast food, so we decided to stop for a nice sitdown dinner at a big truck stop...aren't they supposed to be known for having good food? Well this one didn't live up to those expectations. The value was there, but so was the heartburn and queasiness. 

We slept in on Day 4, and rolled into Columbus right around lunch. We spent the afternoon moving his stuff into his frat house room, going to his storage facility to get the rest of his stuff, and then arranging, rearranging, and re-rearranging his room to his satisfaction. It was hotter than blazes, and after climbing up 4 flights of stairs who knows how many times, I was done.

Saturday was a fun day. We met up with my friends (who have a cute daughter at OSU) and went to the OSU-Troy game (Buckeyes win big). My buddy Bartman was honored at halftime along with his '73 team and the '68 team for their National Championship seasons. After the game, Jeff and I hung out with our respective friends. I am sure his evening involved rounds of Beer Pong and young ladies, while mine was spent talking with friends about the "good old days." After getting back to my hotel room I started missing my son. We spent 4.5 days in a vehicle talking about our lives, our worries, our hopes and dreams (barely, but it sounds good), and like I have said before, we are starting to become better friends than father-son. Plus this was the end of the summer where he and I lived together, worked together and socialized together. I miss him a ton.

As he dropped me at the airport for my flight to LA, he told me he had a lot of fun with me. That meant a lot to me. He is an awesome kid with loads of potential.

Chow!

Young at Heart

This summer has been an interesting one for me. As many of you know, I am a middle-aged boomer with very traditional views, but it just feels like I am living two lives right now. I have my "traditional" life in Seattle as father, husband, pillar in the community-HA!, etc, and I also have a less traditional life in LA. My work is there, and I have developed a different, younger group of friends. In Seattle I am "Larry"...in LA people call me "eldub". I didn't create this parallel life purposely, or purposefully, it just sorta happened. I am not regretting either life, it is just an interesting observation I am making right now. I wanted to explore how this LA life came about, so bear with me while I do a little forensic blogging.

I believe it starts with my oldest son, Jeff. If you've been keeping up with the blog, you all know that he has spent the summer with me in LA. He interned with our CFO helping install QuickBooks in our accounting department. I will say that Jeff has helped me connect to my younger side by acting as, what I will term, a portal to youth. Even before he came to LA he had a bunch of his friends alerted, and they all invited me to become their "friend" as soon as I had a FaceBook page. I wonder why they want to add me to their social network, but as one of Jeff's buddies says, "Age is just a number, man." Yes, but my number is much, much bigger than theirs.

I will also say that work is a huge influence in building my Eldub persona as well. Eveyone at the company (except the CFO, CMO and me) are young. That is the world of start-ups. I even hired a couple of youngsters as Ops analysts recently. Spencer and Shiran are both 20-somethings that I have been able to build personal and professional relationships with. 

But at work, that "youth portal" is definitely Cindy, or PJ, as she is known by to her friends. She very quickly had me involved in her posse, dragging me around LA for various events. Between Jeff and Cindy I found myself involved with a bunch of 20-somethings. We just "hang out"...dinner, movies, wii, brunch, the zoo, aquarium, Guitar Hero, and more dinners.  I enjoy their company, and I hope they enjoy mine. Cindy is the social director of her group of friends. Let's see...that list is pretty long now. Cindy is the ringleader; she is overly-generous with her friends, and cares a great deal about each of them. Cindy works with me, and is the most responsible person I know. Next is Lexi. While she is only 23, she has the wisdom and maturity of someone very much older. Her dream is to get into Med School so she can do Pediatric AIDS/HIV work. I think the next group has to be done all together...they are the second ring out (if you believe in bullseye relationships)...here goes: Jisun-Joanne-Ricky-Chelsea-Matt-Jocelyn-John-Jena-Michaela. I have spent less time with them, but don't have less fun with them though. I enjoy hearing Jisun and Joanne make fun of their Asian fathers...but then have to remind them that I am the same age as their fathers, oh, and I happen to be Asian too. Ricky, John and Matt are extremely fun, and seem genuinely interested in consuming as much alcohol as they can...hmmm, I wonder if I was like that at their ages too. Chelsea has dreams of becoming a jazz singer. She has the style, grace and talent...just needs to be discovered. Micheala is the best hugger on the planet. Her hugs tell others that she loves and cares about them...even if she is meeting you for the first time. Can you get that from a hug? Definitely yes. Jocelyn is classically beautiful. I think she looks like Uma Thurman, but she is sweeter and funnier. Jena just left the US to study dance in Ireland...talented? Absolutely!

What I enjoy is that they seem to want to include me in their events and antics. I hope I am not trying too hard to act their age, I am just hoping my youth is coming across as more of a mindset. Our discussions are responsible, mature and interesting. I think the most interesting observation is that our discussions are free of topics that are focused on adult conversation topics with a tone of "responsibility"...meaning they aren't linked to discussions about bills, raising kids, taking the car in for tune-ups, etc. Maybe that is the key...I dunno. I need to ponder on that a little more. I hope they find me funny, interesting to talk to, and wise. Maybe they want my perspective on things...who knows?

I do wonder all the time, if I am THAT guy, or the "creepster" that tries to hang out with younger people, pretending, looking , and trying to be young again. They assure me that I am not, but when I meet some of their parents, it feels like that to me.  But creepsters have ulterior motives, and I don't. I am just having fun with fun people that happen to be half my age. OUCH!

Here is a revelation for me...until my move to LA, I worried about the future with Millennials leading the way. I thought they were a bunch of spoiled children that didn't know what hard work and sacrifice meant. I am so very wrong. These kids are amazing...talented, unafraid to try things, start their own businesses, find their passions and try to earn a living through them, and setting and meeting goals. I am impressed by each one of them for different reasons, and realize that at their age I didn't dream the way they do. I wasn't as optimistic about my future as they are with theirs. And hopeful...these kids are full of hope. Yes, they may be impatient for wealth, status and might put too much value in material things, but overall, I am impressed. 

My second life also got validation from a very strange place...from the pulpit. My FaceBook friend, Jeff Berryman also happens to be my minister in Seattle, and his sermon 3 weeks ago was about how little we know about this group of "consumers." Millennials don't discover religion the same way as previous generations. He was advocating that some of us older people get to know some younger ones. 

So there it is...my purpose for this newly developed life in LA. I have to use these relationships for God's glory, not my own. Okay, forensic discussion over.

Can we be friends on FaceBook? Look me up...Larry Wu of Seattle.

Chow!

Tremor Memories

After just 6 short months in LA, I experienced my first earthquake today...a smallish 5.4 Richter scale one, enough to shake things up, including my heart, but not big enough to cause any serious damage.

Wow, I thought I had recovered from that large earthquake in Seattle in 91, but when the shaking started, I had a little panic attack, and wanted to move from LA. Crazy, irrational, I know, but it was a very strong emotion. I still have a stomach-ache from the tremors of today.

Here is a funny anecdote...I just closed today on a condo in LA. I was supposed to close last week, but that underwriter didn't approve the loan because the condo building I am in didn't have earthquake insurance!! Now I am thinking...uhmm how smart was that? I was joking with my friend Julie that as soon as I don't have insurance there will be an earthquake...then we laughed. Whose laughing now? But the good news...maybe there won't be another one for a few years now. Fingers crossed.

My first thought was panic based...get me the f out of this building! But then quickly it turned to, "is everyone safe?" I needed to make sure Lori and Jeff were okay, which they were. I had a hard time using my cell phone and had to turn to the land line to finally get a hold of her. She was busy shopping in Bed, Bath and Beyond for stuff for the condo when it hit. She just continued shopping...now that is a pro for you!

Just posting this blog is helping me deal with that totally irrational fear and worry that the "big one" is just around the corner. God help me deal with this!

Chow!

"Longer than me..."

"How long do you want your daughter to live?"

I was exchanging e-mails with a friend of mine back in Seattle, and she was sharing some tough news...our mutual friends from church have been going through a very tough 3 years or so. Their 6 year old daughter, Jenna, is fighting a losing battle with cancer. It has been a horrible rollercoaster ride for them as the cancer went into remission, came back, seemed to be ebbing, and now finally the really bad news. Little Jenna has been through every treatment available, and last week the cancer board at Children's Hospital in Seattle had a tough question for her parents..."How long do you want your daughter to live?"

As a parent, I never want to hear that question asked of me. Kill me before you ask me that one. How does one answer that question? That question has to be the most misplaced, mistaken, and depressing question in the world. That is not the dream parents have for their children when they are born. Our children's lives are supposed to be full of potential; they are to live a lifetime's worth of fulfillment, and enjoy long lives filled with love, family, and achievement. Parents aren't supposed to outlive their children. Being asked that question crushes a parent's dreams and devalues their purpose in life.

What do you say to Jenna's parents? There aren't words that can comfort, ease the guilt, or ease the pain. "She's a fighter. She has lived a life filled with love. She has changed people's lives with her strength, courage and faith in God. You should be proud of her. She will be in a better place." All said with a forced smile, a pat on the shoulder or a hug. But empty and hollow in effect. How do they keep their faith and belief in God? I am guessing they face it one day at a time.

What do Jenna's parents say to the doctors caring for their daughter? How do you decide how long your baby should be with you? There isn't a right answer, is there?

If you believe in the power of prayer, please keep Jenna and her family in your prayers. Pray for another miracle, pray for peace, pray that her parents don't blame each other or themselves. Pray for their faith to remain in God, and that he gives them understanding.

Go hug your kids, your parents and your friends. We can never express our love and appreciation enough.

Chow!

Ketchup Post: Summer 2008

Here is my "catch-up" post for this summer. It has been one crazy summer so far! I have been meaning to write something, but when I sit down at the keyboard, something always comes up.

Let's see...what has been happening?

Well, the job has been wildly exciting, frustrating, and crazy busy. I have been spending much more time in LA than I had originally planned. I was HOPING that I could spend 2 weeks in LA, and 2 in Seattle. No way. I am spending almost 4 weeks in LA, and a long weekend in Seattle. So much time in fact, that I just bought a condo and furniture. I move in at the end of July. That is a story in itself. I will save that material for a later post. Where was I? Oh, yes, work. We are getting ready to launch 5 new flavors, switch from glass to plastic, and move from one warehouse to another. It is wacko to do all those in the space of a month, but we are going for it! We are seeking our second round of investor financing, and I have been busy doing presentations, calls, and getting information out to prospective investors. There is no shortage of VC guys out there interested in our little brand. I guess it helps to have the giant cola brand from Atlanta involved in our "bidness".

Family life is strange with the current situation. Time spent at home is not enough, and the family misses me. What they don't realize is that I miss them more than they miss me! It is hard living on your own in a strange city, KNOWING that the situation won't change. Other times of separation have always ended up with us together in one city. This situation won't have that same outcome unless I can convince Lori to move to LA. Can you say "Hell Freezes Over?" This summer has blessed me with my son being with me in LA. He is a finance/accounting major in college and our CFO asked if he wanted an internship over the summer. We are roomies, and I am really enjoying having him around. It is so much better having him here. He will learn a ton being at a small company as it suffers through cash-flow issues, seeks funding, and grows rapidly. 

Our relationship has always been pretty good, but we are learning much more about each other living together in a small apartment. It is hard to explain...I was just talking about this new relationship with a neighbor friend over the 4th of July. You all have read my story about becoming more like friends with growing and maturing kids. She is having the exact same experience with her daughters! As they mature away from home, their relationship is in limbo...between parental and friend. That is where Jeff and I are, but I think we are moving more towards friendship now that we live and work together. 

We did something amazing this weekend that I have to share. He and I have been talking about his relationship with Christ, and Jeff has been interested in being baptized. Well, that happened this afternoon! We were on the beach, catching some rays, and I asked him, "why don't we baptize you now?" He responded, "sure, why not?" We entered the pounding surf and I took his confession of faith. He had a strange (slightly embarrassed) look on his face, like the words coming out of my mouth absolving him of sin, gifting him the Holy Spirit, and accepting his confession of faith weren't really mine (they aren't). Then I dunked him as a wave passed over us. It wasn't magical, but it made my heart swell with pride and love for my son...now we are brothers in Christ as well! He has always been a thoughtful person. He and I have discussed his faith for years...when his friends were being baptized as teens and pre-teens, we talked about what kinds of sin his friends were confessing. My philosophy has always been that I want my kids to struggle with their own faith, not mine. I want them to need the power of Christ, and the realization that they can't do it without him. I told him that I wanted him to struggle with lust as he dated, struggle with doing right v. wrong, thinking bad thoughts while trying to remain pure in heart. Only then would he realize he couldn't do it without Jesus. One of my long-standing prayers was answered today...Thank you God!

Jeff will help move us into our new condo since I will be back in Seattle right after the closing of escrow. I am making him wait for all the deliveries of furniture, appliances, and cable, phone, utilities installation. It is a nice 2 BR, 2 BA 1140 sq ft beauty with new appliances, granite, marble, paint, carpet, and fixtures. I had to outbid 3 other buyers, so you know the real estate business in LA county isn't hurting too bad. I think I still got a pretty good deal, and I think getting in before the end of the summer is key to hitting the low point in the market. We will have a new President this fall (Go Obama!), and he will have to push the economy to recovery. The entire mortgage application process is now a killer...poor Lori had to fax 42 pages of account verifications, tax returns, and past pay stubs to the mortgage company. What makes it funny (almost) is that we have a high credit rating, I put 30% down, and we don't have any other debt. The mortgage underwriters are focusing on the wrong customers.

So, work is crazy, family life is wacky, and I am moving...not much else happening here.

Chow!

New Roommate

I had a nice Father's Day gift this past weekend...my son will room with me in LA for the summer. Jeff flew down on Saturday, and will intern at the company I work for in the accounting department helping them install Quick Books for inventory tracking. I can't believe what a big difference it makes having family here in LA with me. I didn't think about it too much when I was here alone.

Alone, I looked forward to calling the family in the evenings...with Jeff here I forget to call home.

Alone, I hated cooking for myself...with Jeff here I find myself wanting to cook for him.

Alone, I would never go to the movies...with Jeff here I am planning what movies I can finally go see!

Pretty pitiful, right? After 5 months of living on my own here in La-La Land, I am full of contemplating my navel, etc. I can honestly say what I am feeling, and am happy to do it.

Our relationship is changing, you all have read about how in past entries. We are now conversing more like adults (I can't say friends yet) than father and son. He hasn't had too much time to get used to it, but I think he will. He is more open about his life, things that happen (relationships), and what he worries about. I think working in the same office will take some getting used to, but I think I can help him get some real experience.

I have high hopes that we will be good friends by the end of the summer. That is my goal.

Chow!

Separation of Church and State?

Today's sermon was from a series Pastor Brad is doing based on questions from the congregation. The question for today was, "How do I reconcile my faith with my need to be a patriot/citizen of a government?" Seriously great question...one I have had for myself for a while. Can I be obedient to my God and obedient to civil authorities without compromising myself? I have always had disdain for governments, finding them to be the "enemy", justifying my hatred of politics because I thought being obedient to government laws, taxes, and politics made me unholy. Pastor Brad has me thinking otherwise

1. In Romans 13 (1-4), we are asked to be good citizens because governments are part of God's design to help preserve order and keep the effects of evil from the majority of humans. We need good governments to create a good environments.
2. Governmental structures can't create righteousness, but they can help reflect and uphold it. Basically good laws can't make anyone good.
3. Christians are citizens of God's kingdom first, but that kingdom isn't of this earth. While we are on earth we need to consider ourselves ambassadors. Ambassadors are supposed to be the best representatives of their home countries, while living in a different host country. We need to be true to our home customs and beliefs, while living within the laws of a foreign government.

As good as these points are, it still didn't tell me whether to vote Republican or Democrat. It seems like both sides try to play to the faithful. How can it be that 80% of white evangelical voters are Republican, but 80% of black evangelical voters are Democrats? They each pick different issues to drive their faithful into a frenzy...for the conservatives, they push Pro-Life and the rights of the unborn. The Dems like to enflame passions around economic rights and equality. Which is more scripturally correct? Both are. But which is more important for the majority of the people? That should be our method for evaluating issues. Using the entire scripture and not just snippets to justify our argument.

So isn't it important to make sure God is on our side? Whether it is about the Iraq War, or abortion, we believe we need to have God on our side to be right. Winston Churchill said it best when asked that question...his answer? It is more important to be on God's side.

Here is another test...which side is best in representing humility and respect? Wow, tough question...at this point, neither side seems to be putting Titus 3:1-2 to heart. Paul (while imprisoned by the Romans) writes to Titus to "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peacable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men."

So ignore all the noise from talk radio and cable news network talking heads. They have already decided what they want to believe...no amount of arguing will change their minds. They make money by catering to people who already believe the same way. All sides have their media outlets so don't get too worked up by the noise you hear and see. Do what is right, honorable, and what you believe is what God intended in every situation. Too often that will be a toss-up, but don't use your best judgement, use the tools provided to you...scripture, your brothers and sisters, and your Christian leaders. And of course...prayer.

God wants to make sure we have a safe haven of order so that we can be what he wants us to be...children of His. So exercise your voice and vote.

Chow!

My Face is now in the Book

Well, now as a middle-aged guy it feels strange to have a profile on Facebook, but it was necessary to sign up to see my buddy's wedding photos. That is my story, and I will stick to it. Secretly I have been wondering about places like MySpace and Facebook, and now I am deep into it. The boomer in me wanted to stick strictly to "business-oriented" networking sites like LinkedIn, but I have also been envious of those laughing and sharing fun, friendly stuff on their social networking pages.

At first I thought I would just put a profile quickly together and that would be that...nope, I started visiting my new-found friends' profiles, taking quizzes, posting photos, adding links, etc. I was hooked. Don't even get me started on posting messages on the wall. I haven't poked anyone, gifted anything, or goosed my buddies...yet. I am afraid that if I get started I will never stop.

It is fun. I can't believe what I have missed out on all these years. It is also strange to have your kids, their friends, and your nieces and nephews as "friends". I guess I will have to get used to it. I will have to be careful to not try to appear too young, but I gotta tell you it makes you feel young at heart...and cool!

Okay, call me an idiot, but you'd better confirm me as a friend if I send you an invite!!

Chow!

Bears 1; Hunter 0

Many of you don't know that I enjoy spending time outdoors, communing with Mother Nature, and killing as many of her forest creatures as I can. No, that isn't entirely true, but I do enjoy the sport of hunting. 

I just returned from a week "off the grid"...no mobile phone, no laptop, no e-mail. The first couple of days were nerve-wracking as I adjusted to the unconnected life. After the 3rd day, I could relax a little, and by the end of last week I was weaned off the instant communications that haunt my business life. It didn't take long for me to get back in the swing of things as I started my drive home...once my mobile phone found a strong signal, it downloaded 139 e-mails and 10 voicemails...sigh.

The hunt was for spring Black Bear in Montana. The bears are supposed to be coming out of hibernation ravenous, but this year winter refuses to release its snowy, cold grip on NW Montana. Where we usually hunt in t-shirt and shorts, there was still feet of snow, with more forecasted. It was cold, windy, and no place for slumbering bruins to wake up to. Spring bear hunting is for those who want the combination of the challenge of finding a large bear and those that want that perfect pelt or coat. After hibernating all winter, the bears grow a long, full coat to show off in the spring. 

We had a good group of hunters at the lodge. Two Norwegians came the furthest to make a hunt. The rest of the group had two people from North Carolina, 1 from Alabama, 1 from Indiana, and two from the Boston area. 9 of us total. Only 2 hunters scored on bear, and both were different color phase black bears. One was blonde, and the other red. That area of Montana is known for having all the color phases of black bears, so a great opportunity for a unique trophy.

One of our hunters and guides were almost made into trophies themselves. A pair of Mountain Lions made a stalk on one of the Norwegians and his guide. They found themselves trapped between a large male (about 90 lbs), and a female (about 70 lbs). The female was on the trail behind them, attempting to push them towards the male in an ambush position high above the trail. They were able to scare them off without having to injure either of them. When they walked out of the woods, they could see where the cougars had tracked them in the snow earlier in the day. After that story, I jumped at every twig snap and suspicious sound.

One of the best parts I enjoy about hunting is just seeing wildlife. We saw countless deer and elk, large flocks of wild Turkeys, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, and even a Beaver! Montana is loaded with wildlife; we even saw a pair of Golden Eagles, a pair of Bald Eagles, and nesting pairs of Osprey. One evening on our drive back to the hunting lodge we decided to count the elk and deer...1078 deer and 139 elk in a 40 mile stretch of Montana highway. It helps to have the sharp eyes of the guide with you, but the sheer number of deer was staggering. Many were lucky to have survived the brutal winter, and it showed. Gaunt, small, and tired looking deer. The snow on the ground made it difficult for spring growth to appear, and the deer were willing to risk getting clipped by a fast-moving car to feed on the shoulders of the highway.

I saw only 1 bear all week on the second-to-the-last day of the hunt. It was a trophy for sure. It was a very mature boar, chocolate brown in color. He was feeding on a cliffside above me about 600 yards. The shot required sniper skills due to the angle, the distance, and the 20 mph cross wind, but I had the rifle to make that shot. I had a steady rest, but my windage and elevation calculations were off, and I missed by a foot. The bear was startled as the bullet struck the rock next to him, and he bounded up the mountain to safety. I had hoped he would come back out the next day in the same location, but no such luck. As they say, that is why it is called "hunting" and not "killing." I know Lori and a few people from work were cheering for the bear all week, so there are some happy people. I felt fortunate to be able to enjoy a week climbing up and down hills, eating food someone else cooked, and enjoying some wilderness without the distraction of work. 

I have been invited back to hunt this fall. The fall hunt is very different as the bear are fattening up for the long winter on Huckleberries. They collect in large numbers high up on the mountain tops beyond the timberline feasting on the juicy sweet berries. The hunters ride horses and mules to the top and glass over the collection of bears, and make a stalk on their desired trophy. Anyone want to join me?

Chow!

No Time to Just Think Anymore

It has been 3 weeks since my last post, and I have hit the wall. It isn't that I have writer's block, it is just that my mind isn't allowed to just wander anymore and think about "stuff".  I would love to just think about what is going on with the campaign progress, the economy, the Sonics leaving Seattle, or about my family. It is thinking about those things that get my creative juices flowing. I have been so busy at work that I can't even look for a house to work on!

I spend my days (and nights) stressed about work. It can't be healthy to have my mind on work 24/7...but that is the world of a start-up executive.  The things I have to worry about don't just involve me or my immediate family anymore. It isn't just about my performance. I now have to worry about a group of employees that are not only depending on me to bring success to our small company; but also a fledgling brand that needs to get off the ground, and about cash flow. That is the new one on me. Trying to stretch 3 weeks worth of money into 3 months creates bad feelings and has me dancing all day. Luckily my sparkling personality has helped to create good credit situations when we have no reason to get it. Things will get better when we get a bridge loan that we have been waiting for for over 2 months! That loan will give us adequate runway to market ourselves, get some bills paid, get us some long-awaited inventory and human capital to grow. This same scene is playing out in hundreds of thousands of start-up businesses just like this one. We'll see if this idea is truly a sustainable one...I think it is.

Fortunately the change in the economic picture hasn't negatively affected us, yet. Unfortunately it is unscrupulous vendors that cause me to lose sleep, go hypertensive, and give me grey hair. If I could only trust vendors...there is that word again, "trust". If I picked one value that is failing American business, it is that one. It seems like we aren't people of our word anymore. We need it all in writing, in contracted legalese, and if not, we can't be held responsible. This is a lesson we are teaching the world...and they have learned it well.

Even with the stress, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. Well, that isn't true. I would trade it for a spot where going public or being acquired is a sure thing! I have done more, learned more, and met more influential people in 3 months than in the previous 10 years of working for a large corporation. There is no where, or no one to hide behind. When someone says, "you are the man!", believe them...you are the man.  And then go do what a "man" (or wo"man") does...do what you say you will, when you say you will do it. Don't lie, shirk your duty, or relinquish your responsibilities. Take the heat, and take your lumps. Then, and only then can you sleep at night knowing you have done all that you can do. 

There, I feel a little better. Unfortunately I didn't come up with earth-shattering insight, but I needed to exhale a little this week. Blow out a little frustration and drop a little negative energy. It hasn't been a great week, but it is over now and that is a great milestone for the state of mind I am in.

Chow!

Obama Demonstrates True Character

The news stories around storied preacher The Reverend Jeremiah Wright and his association with Barack Obama are such a perfect example of opportunistic dog-piling by the campaigns of McCain and Ms. Clinton, and the evil press. I have read too many commentaries about Obama's speech and have been following the calls by the media and Hillary to distance himself from, and to condemn the preaching of his long time minister. Hillary even went so far to say that she would never go to a church that had a minister like that. She doesn't belong in a church anyway.

I was so impressed by Obama's ability to both answer his critics and show loyalty and love to his friends. It isn't time to abandon Rev. Wright. He is a long time friend, mentor and teacher. Obama showed us all how to disagree with his friend without throwing him under the bus, as Hillary wanted him to.

Here is the real question...why didn't Hillary speak out in support of her husband after he admitted to indiscretions with his intern? She "suffered" quietly and privately, so the stories went. While she and Bill are still "married", she has yet to stand up in public and show as much love as Obama showed his friend. I know the answer...it has to do with how Hillary makes decisions. Her method is simple, she will do what is best for her image. She decides selfishly on what course to take. She barely spoke out in support of one of her best friends, confidants, (and probably co-conspirators) Vincent Foster after he committed suicide under questionable circumstances. If it doesn't work in her favor, she will remain quiet and ask for privacy. If it serves her purpose, she will jump up and down on her soapbox to make sure we all know how unfairly she is being treated.

Obama is all class. He has been friends with Rev. Wright for over 20 years. Those types of friends don't come along very often. I don't agree with everything my friends think, or say, but I still love them for who they are, not how they can help me. He explained his relationship perfectly. My admiration for the man continues to grow. He is thoughtful, he doesn't panic, and he knows how to handle adversity...qualities I want in my friends and my president.

My guess is that Rev. Wright hasn't all of the sudden become who he appears to be. Why is he now just getting all this negative publicity? It isn't like he just learned to hate white people and white society. He might not say it, but I will help him...this is Whitey's world. There is still a race problem in the USA. White people don't see it, experience it, or suffer from it because of one reason...uh, they are white. White people will never understand racial bias because they are on the "right" side of the bias. There is nothing wrong with him stating the truth as he sees it. He doesn't have to present it from the White side of things...that isn't the side he is on. Yes, there are sides...this doesn't mean I am a racist. It just means that I am on a different side than white people...simple as that. Don't read any more into it. I don't have a hateful bone in my body just because of a person's skin color, name, home country, language, etc. It takes more than that for me to hate you!

Okay, I admit he said some hateful things...but he is a preacher, he is making a point. His caricature descriptions and language help cement the point he is making. The apostle Paul was very descriptive and colorful with his description of the religious leaders and Pharisees of his time. Jesus wasn't afraid to tell the truth about the world either. By the way, Jesus hung out with tax collectors (the gangsters of his day), harlots (the ho's of his day), and the marginalized of society. He didn't condone their jobs, lifestyles, or behavior, he just loved them and hung out with them. Imagine Jesus at the mercy of our media today.

As an Asian American, I experienced enough bias in my life to know that I have to act white to be accepted. Seriously, it is the hardest acting job to pull off. And the worst part...with all this acting I am still not totally accepted. I am allowed in a little way, but kept from the best seats in the house. And that is based solely on how I look, my heritage and my old home country.

Peace to all! Don't let the smoke and mirrors distort the truth. Obama (or McCain) in '08!!

Chow!

Big Sis Turning 51

I was in denial last year when my oldest sister turned 50. That meant I was that much closer to the half a century mark, and I couldn't acknowledge that, yet. But this year, she commented that I have given everyone a birthday "shout out" except her. I had to remind her, no, actually I didn't. Dad's was a Father's Day tribute...ha. I have no real excuse, that is just my feeble attempt to justify why I didn't. I will make up for it this year.

If I had to pick one word to associate with Irene, it would have to be "Pioneer".  As the oldest of 4 kids born into a Chinese-American, Roman Catholic, globe-trotting family, she lead the way for all of us. Just being in that kind of family broke a lot of barriers, but she broke so many other barriers socially for us as well.  In our family, Mom and Dad laid down the law. Irene chose to skirt that set of laws and broke rules to ease our oppression. Sneaking out at night, missing curfew, smoking, etc. She found the gaps in Mom and Dad's security system, and pushed the limits of what they accepted to pave the way for us younger ones.  I think I had a much easier teen existence because of her influence. 

I would say that she was also the experimenter, going through all the social change of the 60's and early 70's as a teen. But, she and Viv suffered a little for her pioneering ways. The 'rents wouldn't trust either of them to date while in high school, and I think that had some negative consequences for both of them as they discovered "men" later in life after never having to deal with "boys" earlier.

I thought she was all rebel, while I was all conformity. I toed the line, she obliterated it.  As a youngster, she fought with authority, while I respected it.  I still remember the first time I saw her drinking coffee...I thought, wow, she is going to get in trouble for that! I think she was 14...which made me 10. It was a glass of iced coffee, and we were on the front porch. It was as if it were a glass of whiskey it was so taboo! She even gave me a sip!

She was cool. She always had the hippest outfits...hot pants, go-go boots, platform shoes, bell-bottoms, beads, headbands, cool shades, etc.  She had a cassette player and radio all in one! And it was always tuned to the WEEL (1310 on AM). She always tried to get us to have the same hipness. She drove an Austin-Healy Bug-eyed Sprite in college (when she could get it to start), and had very cool artsy type friends. Her choices in men were suspect, but I remind you of her upbringing.

That pioneer and rebel is now a grandmother. She wants her grandkids to call her "Meemaw". Now how cute is that? Her kids are maturing and starting to really understand how much she loves them, and always has. She found her true love, Paul, who is her soul mate (gag). Those parents she used to clash with as a teenager?...she now takes care of and watches out for. She has come full circle. My parents trust her completely. They work together in the realty business, and she is their trusted advisor. She loves spending time with them, and they eat together almost every weekend, and many times during the week. 

I purposely skipped the middle part of her life, because that journey was a difficult one for her, and hard for her family to watch her go through. The back half is the best part so far. That tough section of road taught me to respect her even more. I am amazed at what she can do, and what she is able to endure.

The pioneer has truly found her life. 

Happy Birthday Irene! 

Chow!

One Silver Astronaut

I had my first non-work night out on Friday night. Even though it involved work people, we went more as a social group than a work group...you're right, that doesn't count. Okay, still looking for my first social night out in LA.

Anyhoo, we started the evening at Meesob, an Ethiopian Restaurant with high marks. We re-named it, "We-sob" because of the poor service. Our table of 10 seemed to get zero respect...almost as if we weren't there. Every other table seemed to get great service, but not ours. We even tried to catch the attention of waiters, waitresses, bartenders and bus persons, asking for someone to take our drink, appetizer, and dinner orders. It took 1 1/2 hours to just get our first round of drinks and 6 Samosas for snacks. Once we had a waitress, we shouldn't have let her go. We got there at 7:30 pm, and needed to get out by 9 to make a debut show by the band, "One Silver Astronaut" playing down the street. I will let you guess what time we got out of there. Almost 10.

"One Silver Astronaut" is a local band that my friend's son plays in. My buddy, Milt's son Patrick happens to be in LA going to grad school, and he is such the music fiend. He ended up in this band and they are just starting to play live around town. The lead singer/guitar is Shane Mills, who has a sweet voice. Their drummer plays a complex beat that demonstrates his obvious talent. Paula, the female vocalist adds just the right amount of depth. They have a fiddler as well, which is different. Patrick plays a great bass. While their sound is not unique (rock/pop), their original songs have great messages, lots of emotion, and sound like you've heard them on the radio before, as if they have been around a while and have already been discovered. Unfortunately the crowd was a little small, but everyone seemed to enjoy them. The crowd was extra small this night because the 10 of us stuck in an Ethiopian time warp didn't make the show until the very last set of songs. We were all disappointed that we didn't make it in time, but what we did hear was amazing.

Do me a favor and go to iTunes and download a song or two...my favorite is "Work in Progress", followed by "Camouflage". Remember, you heard about them here first.

Chow!

Another Driver in the House

My last teenager just got her driver's license on Tuesday. This is the final sign that we are officially becoming empty nester's. I have been nagging her since August to study, practice, and take her driver's license test so she can be one of the "cool" kids and drive herself to school. She was content to let her mom drive her everywhere...since Mom was on speed dial and was willing to jump at a moment's notice to pick her up or drop her off at all hours of the day and night. But no amount of coercion could convince her to take that last driving test. She had already aced the written part.

Secretly, I think she was worried about not passing. So she let that beautiful, nice, 2000 RAV-4 sit in the driveway. Her mom made her drive them both to school, to band events, and even to do her paper route, but that car was sitting there begging for her to drive it, and she did nothing really to get her independence. Don't ask me why I was so eager for her to get her independence. I wanted her to get a social life, and become less dependent on us, I guess.

I would drag her out on Saturdays to practice her parallel parking...I don't know, isn't that the toughest part of the driving test? I just thought it would build her confidence. I even made her set goals for herself...ones that she wouldn't reach, for some reason. She promised she would get her license before her cousins came to visit at Thanksgiving...that came and went. Another promise during Christmas break was broken.

Well, she called on Tuesday saying she passed her driver's test on the first try! She was pretty proud of herself and immediately went out to get a parking permit for the school parking lot. She now feels, "normal" whatever that means. She pulled off the parallel parking in one try. She said the test was easier than she thought, and that she was worried for nothing...so it was true! She was afraid of failure!

I never worried about her as a driver. She is a good driver, in command and control, and relaxed behind the wheel...or so it seems. She has decision-making issues like all new drivers, but overall I am not too worried about her. I actually worried more about my son, but maybe that is because he was the first one.

Anyway, she is now happy she has her license (duh!), and feels cool pulling up to the parking lot with all the other upper classmen (another duh!). She will never admit that I was right, but the way she wanted to surprise me with the news tells me it was on her mind...right at the very top.

I am not so happy about the added insurance costs, cough, cough, but it is a rite of passage that all kids have to go through. I am really happy for her (and her mom!). Now her mom has all that extra time in the morning that she doesn't know what to do with.

For all of you kids out there stressing about that driving test, think about this...you only need 80% to pass...that isn't too hard. You can almost cause an accident and still pass...maybe not, but close. Too many times you all are focusing on perfection. Not necessary with that final driving exam. So, focus on passing, not perfection. Okay, enough advice. Be careful out there, there is now one more teen driver on the road.

Chow!

Birthday Boy...Birthday Man

Valentine's Day happens to also be my oldest "child's" birthday. He turned 20 this past week, and it caused me to really think about a day when I can't consider him a child. He is already so grown up, independent, less reliant on his parents. We are at that awkward stage in life...in between taking care of him, and letting him take care of himself.

This is the point in child-parent relationships that nobody tells you about. You have to face it all on your own. It is a strange, weird feeling. When your children are your babies; totally dependent on you for their care, it is easy to assume that role. Raising them is the objective...caring for them is definition of the word, parent. Making sure they are well-cared for IS athe job of a parent. Even through high school, they NEED so much from us parents.

Now that he is 20, a sophomore in college, and thinking about careers, an adult life, and more importantly, a separate life, it gets tough. There is a feeling that we are starting to intrude on his life. I ask myself, what is my role now? Consultant? Advisor? Certainly not raising him anymore. No sense nagging him anymore...if he hasn't grasped hold of the meaning of life now, it is probably too late. The switch from primary caregiver to whatever I am now happened so quickly. It caught me by surprise. I sent him a nice e-mail on his birthday, talking about my 20th birthday, and then it dawned on me...our relationship is changing. I don't FEEL like his Dad anymore. I am not sure what I am, but not a Dad.

Seriously, I can't believe how amazing he is as a son. He really makes me proud. And that is the sad part...it is as if I am admiring him from afar. I am not able to toss him up in the air and make him laugh anymore. I can't fix his hair, tie his shoes, teach him to ride his bike, or tuck him in bed. I have to watch him live his life from an outsider's perspective. I have noticed that my wife and I are reliving some of those early parts of our kid's lives...remembering the funny way they pronounced words, the cute stories from their childhood; maybe that is my way of trying to slow it all down.

I remember what I wanted at his age...I wanted the respect from my father. I wanted him to know that I was capable of making good decisions, I knew what I wanted, and I was on my way to getting it; all without his help. My mom will always be my mom, and I will always let her take care of me, but with Dads it is different. Sons must show fathers their abilities and be released.

So, for his birthday present, I guess I will give him my respect as a man, and become his friend. I will let his mom take care of him. I will just love him, and hope to be a great example for him.

Chow!

2nd Celebrity Encounter...sort of

I got back to my apartment on "Super Tuesday" to 3 messages on my phone...the first message was from Mitt Romney making sure I voted for him at the primary elections...nope. Second message was Mitt Romney asking if he could count on me at the California primary...delete.

The third message had me...it was Scarlett Johannsen. Sounded just like her, and then she said her name..."Hi, don't hang up, this is Scarlett Johannsen and I wanted to remind you about how important today's primary voting is..." Wow, Scarlett called me to remind me to make my voice heard. Then she said the magic words..."Barack Obama". Okay, no deleting this one, let her finish her plea. Plus, I like the sound of her voice better than Mitt's. Sorry Mitt, it is just that you sound like you are reading your message to me off of a script. Scarlett sounded like she was talking to me, PERSONALLY. She deserves an Academy Award nomination for best actress for the phone message she left. Oh, and she is darned cute!

I told you all before, I am a solid conservative that wants Barack for President. I can't explain it other than my need for change. I don't see it in Hilary (her life is full of special interest ownership), and I am afraid the John McCain will not be able to enact the change we need in the US.

Unfortunately Hillary took California. Washington State settles things today. Obama seems to be a cash-making machine...that usually bodes well for candidates. I see a strong finish for him, and hopefully he slides into the National Democratic Convention with enough support to put himself on the ballot. I think a great strategic move would be to announce his running mate now. I think John Edwards would help him take it...

Life in LA continues to shock me. I am amazed daily at the displays of wealth (or pseudo-wealth). I am dazed by the focus on physical beauty. If SoCal was a swimming pool it would be only 6 inches deep it's entire length it is sooo shallow.

My friend LR took me to Aunt Kezzie's for lunch the other day...now that was real food! Awesome southern comfort food. I had the smothered pork chops, cabbage, corn bread, red beans and rice, and dressing and gravy (don't you dare say "stuffing"!) I will go back for more cornbread, fried chicken (looked amazing!), ribs, and greens.

My co-workers have been dragging me to all kinds of California natural places, raw food restaurants, organic, local, etc. The raw food restaurant Cafe Euphoria was unique...the food is not cooked at all, but they seem to be able to duplicate (well, that is a little bit of a stretch) breads, meats and other foods that normally NEED heat to make. I had a Cocao-Euphoria "sandwich". Some dried leathery "bread" with coconut jerky (the meat substitute), lettuce, guacamole, and dried fruit. It was tasty, and the texture was reminiscent of meat and bread...sort of. It was a little chewy, but the flavor was good. The unexpected part was how it left my body the next day. We will leave out the details, but "violent" describes it best. I could actually feel the scraping action on my colon. Oh, I said I would leave out the details. Sorry!

After a few weeks of organic, I rebelled and had to have a burger. I took a friend to The Counter in Santa Monica. If you love burgers, this is a must stop for you. It is like In-n-Out meets Starbucks. The level of personalization is amazing. The quality of the ingredients are superb. They don't hand you a menu, they hand you a clipboard with blueprints on how to build a burger. Pick a meat (the beef is Niman Ranch, the Chicken is Rosie, and the Turkey is local, heirloom), even a veggie burger. Pick a bun...English Muffin (homemade), Honey Wheat (same), and Homemade White. Soft, doughy, fresh...yum! Pick your toppings next. 16 types of cheese, and over 30 other toppings of vegetables, fruits, pickles, onions, chili, salsa...you get the idea. Pick your sauce...no need to explain the variety of mustards, ketchups, bbq sauce, and Teriyakis. Pick your sides...less choices here...yummy sweet tater fries, regular garlic fries, onion rings, and 50/50's of each. For those of you that can't decide, they do have a few pre-made uncustomized burgers. You can even get your burger in a bowl (bunless). I will have to go back because I saw so many other toppings I want to try. I did a 2/3 lb. well-done beef, honey whole wheat bun with jalapenos, avacado and chili, with a 50/50 sweet and regular fries, and an Arnold Palmer to drink.

LR promised me a list of "musts" restaurants on his local hit list. Game on! He and a co-worker had a 15 minute "argument" on which place in LA had the best hot dogs. I think arguments need to be resolved the old fashioned way...I will just have to try them all and decide for myself!

Life in LA continues on...more stories to come.

Chow!

First Celebrity Sighting in LA

Okay, my first week in LA and I have a celebrity sighting to report. I was invited to attend a presentation by renowned homeopathic/naturopathic healer, Malcolm Smith. The event was being held at the home of an Acupuncturist and her husband in the old, ritzy section of Hollywood. One of the guys at the office was helping to host, and he invited a bunch of us along. The promise of dinner (and lack of a social life) prompted me to accept. I am not normally a passionista about homeopathic healing, but the subject sounded interesting. It was going to be a video presentation of some "before and afters" of his patients. Amazing was the word being bandied about. Okay, I am up for amazing, plus I had nothing planned that weekend.

On the way over, my co-worker casually mentioned that "Bonnie" would be there. I asked "which Bonnie?", and he answered, "Bonnie Rait". How cool is that? We got there early, because one thing is certain in SoCal...the parking will be horrendous. We found a tiny spot and wedged his Corolla in tightly. The host and hostess had turned an old school into their home, and the living room was now the presentation hall. Very nice. Bonnie came early and was very friendly, chatty and very much the personality she appears to be on TV, at concerts, etc. She brought her assistant and her blind tea cup poodle.

Dr. Malcolm (as he likes his patients to call him) was genuinely amazing. I believe there are mentally ill people that have physical ailments because of their mental state. He can help them. Not sure I buy completely into his methodology and antidotes, but the transformations in people were astounding. One psychopath changes before your very eyes into a normal, approachable, and much more handsome guy. I think his best results were on the clinically depressed.

Here is how it goes...remember, I am not a firm believer in this, but should report it to you all to judge for yourself. The newest homeopathic methodology involves categorizing humans into 1 of 3 buckets...Animal, plant, and mineral. In each of those categories, based on your description of yourself (through a series of questions), Dr. Malcolm can determine what type of animal, plant or mineral you are. There in lies the treatment as well. Your imbalance in health (physiological and mental) lies in the fact that the characteristics you are displaying need to be counter-acted by the same type of animal, plant or mineral. Basically restoring your balanced self. I know, sounds confusing. Let's take the psychopath we mentioned earlier...this guy basically was exhibiting characteristics of Nazi-ism and Adolph Hitler. Those characteristics map to the plant family...a particular type of fungus or mushroom. So the treatment is more of that mushroom. A tincture is made of that fungi and given to the "patient". Within 24 hours, if the treatment is a "match", there should be signs of improvement. Within 6 months, there should be drastic if not complete healing...and there was. You could see the lines on his face soften with each recording. The language, the achievement, the loss of physiological symptoms, the smiles, the amazement of friends, family and colleagues...all from a couple of drops of mushroom tonic. Mushroom cancels mushroom. I started wondering if he could heal me of my Type II diabetes, my high blood pressure and my sleep apnea...but it is hard to justify the $1500 consultation. But I do wonder what type of animal I am...oh yea, I am an animal. I married a plant though...ha!

I move into my new bachelor pad in Marina Del Rey, 1 block from famed Venice Beach. I have a nice studio apartment, but the rent is sky high! This weekend is SuperBowl, I will spend it with a friend in Malibu...I guess he lives right on the beach. Nice life...

I was also invited to a gallery opening...wow, making the social scene in LA. The artist is an awesome photographer. He will be exhibiting a new series of shots taken in China while on assignment. Check him out...Stephen Wilkes.

Chow!

Kenya Update

All the horrible news coming out of Kenya has me worried for the orphans and staff of Ring Road and the new works in Mombassa, Malindi and Eldoret. Eldoret was our latest project, with about 388 orphans needing sponsorship. On our visit to Eldoret in July, we were expecting to meet 17 orphans...we were surprised by the large group. We had promised support to the 17 only, and increased that count to 30. After returning to the US, we ended up supporting close to 100 or more, with that number growing every week.

Currently Eldoret and Mt. Elgon are experiencing the most horrific violence and effects of the violence. You have to remember that most Africans rely on gathering food and fuel on a daily basis. With the curfews, looting, killing, gang activity it is nearly impossible to find food. Unscrupulous business people with food and water have found they can double, triple and quadurple prices during the strife. The roads are so bad anyway, but now with rival tribes setting up roadblocks no humanitarian aid can get through.

We lost communication contact with our workers in Eldoret for a while, but now that e-mail link has been re-established...with almost daily bad news I am not sure that was a blessing or not! I can't really mean that.

Thank God that most of our kids and staff are safe, being fed, and can still find hope in the darkest of situations. The stress the staff are going through is taking a toll. They will need a vacation when this blows over. We had one staff member, Thomas take a beating for saving an orphan from being burned alive. In the process he had his valuables stolen. His father-in-law was killed. Other that this bad news, we don't know of any other direct victims. Jared, our intrepid leader in Kisumu has been caring for not only the Ring Road kids and staff, but the commuity as well. He took a credit line out and bought a large quantity of corn for the surrounding community. The church and school are the beacon in that slum. He even risked his life to take money to Kitale, Eldoret, and Malindi...traveling on his own dime and again stretching his credit line to get bare essentials for thousands of people...Kikuyu or Luo.

What would I do in that situation? I wonder that often...what kind of servant would I be?

What to do? Pray for peace, understanding, forgiveness. When I hear some of the chilling stories of neighbor on neighbor violence I wonder how forgiveness will happen. Only through the grace of God...but too many of us aren't counting on that...we would rather take our own vengeance, and exact our own retribution.

To think that the tribal conflicts are based on an arbitrary assignment of class by the British colonials...they needed domestic help, so they enlisted the Kikuyus because they happened to be closest to the settlements. When the Brits left, they handed over many of the civil service, merchant, and white collar jobs to the Kikuyus. Same thing happened in Rwanda with the Tutsis and the Hutus...that one is even more bizarre...the best jobs in Rwanda were given to the tribe that had lighter skin...what a crock! Amazing what colonialism has accomplished over the past couple hundred years. I know that is a tough stance to take, but I look at the results and it bothers me.

The best way to help...Go to http://www.christianrelieffund.org/ and send in a donation...if you mark the donation "for Kenyan Relief", 100% of the money donated will go to Africa...zero administration costs. The need is immediate and is the fastest way to get aid to those in peril. The real risks are starving and disease. Please help.

Chow

Moving to LA

What a whirlwind month...I resigned from my old job as a consumer strategist in the food and beverage world to take an operations job with a new beverage company. Leaving was tough, because I absolutely loved helping my clients with consumer and branding issues, and the value I was adding was clearly measurable and appreciated by the clients.

I tried to leave under the best of circumstances. I made it fairly easy on my old company...I waited until they had adequate resources to backfill me, I kept great files and records, and I kept my expenses up to date. What I didn't expect was a nasty certified letter from the CEO accusing me of violating my non-disclosure and non-compete (while I was still an employee)! Seems impossible...but the threatening tone just pissed me off. I fired off a rebuttal, and haven't heard a thing. I don't think they have a leg to stand on, but the bitterness of their tone was unexpected. We shall see what they intend to do.

The new job has a whole new series of challenges. I will be heading up operations for a small health beverage company. The person I replaced may not have been the best ops choice for a new company. Looks like systems, processes, specs and cost containment are my first order of business. I will be looking for a good ops analyst and QA head first up. Know of any good candidates you can send my way?

The new job required me to relocate temporarily to LA...West LA to be specific. I drove down in a downpour and my new colleagues blamed me for bringing Seattle weather to LA. It has been cold and rainy all week! I will be in LA for 3 months, and then will split time between Seattle and LA for the rest of the year. If it works out, that will be the solution until my youngest gets out of HS...and then the dreaded relo question comes up.

My temporary digs are at Marina Del Rey...nice, near Venice Beach and the canals. I need to find a different apartment that is less expensive...this one is $3000 a month!

I am excited about the change, the challenge and the company. More details to follow!

Chow!

Obama or Hillary

Many of you don't know me well enough to understand my political leanings, so I will tell you that I have been a solid Republican since I turned 18 and could vote (haven't missed a Presidential election). I have voted that way for almost 30 years...but after the past 7 years, my disgust and wretching over the current administration (and my powerless apathy towards him) has me looking for...you guessed it, "CHANGE!!!"

I read in an editorial about boomer aged Republicans and Independents leaving in droves and heading to the Obama camp. I believed I was the only one...I feel smarter now. Barack Obama seems to be the one candidate that really believes that he can make change happen in Washington, DC. It might be a pipe dream, but I am willing to invest my one measly vote to see that come true. There is just one problem...I may not get a chance to vote for him if he doesn't win the Democratic Presidential nomination over Hillary Clinton. My dilemna...if Obama wins, I vote Democrat for the first time, if Hillary wins, I will vote for any ol' Republican candidate. That just doesn't seem right to me. Then it dawns on me...voting is personal, it isn't about the issues, it is about the person representing the issues.

I gotta tell you, I truly cannot stand that woman. I have been trying to justify why for a long time, but I think it comes down to one word...TRUST. I don't think I can trust her. I believe all her qualities...experienced, intelligent, funny, clever, quick-witted, charming, the list could go on. I get that. But I also get that forboding feeling in the pit of my stomach...I can't tell when she is putting on an act or when she is being genuine. I just can't tell! Is it important that I tell when she is genuine or not? I think that is the character I am looking for in a President. If it ain't visible, it ain't there.

Here is my other view on this 2-Party election...the difference in where the country SHOULD be on the issues v. the difference between where the two parties ARE on the issues is much greater. For example: where the country should be on an issue like education for children is so very far from where the two parties are dickering that it almost makes no difference. Same with the defense budget, farm bill, Global Warming, dependence on fossil fuels, etc. Splitting political hairs v. making drastic changes necessary isn't worth debating anymore. Both parties are pitifully far away from where we should be as a people. The two groups aren't even that far off on abortion or immigration. So jumping to the democratic side doesn't feel that rebellious or disloyal. It just feels right...but only if Obama is the candidate.

Ramblings of a man hoping desperately that this one candidate, fresh faced, eager, and full of character can really bring about real and necessary change. Corporate America has really done enough...time to let the people rule America.

Go Obama!

Chow!