Sports

I'm in one of those blog funks. I'll post through it and see where we end up. Maybe I'll revamp? Disappear for a few months? Who knows.

In the meantime, here are some mundane things about sports.
• Don't look now but the Ducks are a very good team.
• The Clippers are finally obviously better than the Lakers. Unfortunately, it won't matter until they win a championship.
• The World Series Champion Cardinals were a bunch of ex-Angels, which makes me happy for them.
• I'm playing horribly in the league. Maybe it just takes a little experience but I air balled a free throw!!!
Oh and happy Halloween, everyone.

Animals

It is no secret that the residence that I am staying in has lots of cats. I've even made friends with one in particular. But there's more. Last week, I came out of my room at around 2am to find a possum -- the size of two cats -- hanging around the kitchen. It's a nasty looking thing with its long hairless tail and rat-fink face. I quietly went back to my room to get my camera but the creature was gone by the time I returned.

Market

Now that I'm starting to look into the housing market, prices are dropping. Most people already know about zillow.com, but it is a revelation to me! Input the address for a single family residence and see a price estimate. I checked out my parent's home in Pasadena and our old place in Montebello. Vewy interesting.

Panel

Yesterday went well. I filled in to represent the port at the CCAPA conference in Orange County. I was on a panel that discussed different aspects and perspectives on the continuing San Pedro Waterfront project. The best part of the experience was getting a chance to talk to the other very talented and accomplished panelists: Urban Designer Vaughan Davies, Landscape Architect Steve Hanson, and restauranter (and author) John Papadakis.

Panama Canal

Yesterday, Panama voters approved a huge $5.25 billion project to modernize their canal. The plan is to double canal capacity with larger ships. Canal capacity is at 93% and full capacity is expected by 2009-2011. Even with this project, the canal will not be able to handle the newest vessels -- everything keeps getting bigger and bigger. In any event, completion is expected by 2014 when the waterway celebrates its 100th year anniversary.

Sofia in France

This hipster chick flick was as much about the director as it was about the historical French queen, but my oh my did I love love love this film. I'm already a fan of Sofia Coppola, but Marie Antoinette connected with me in an interesting way. There was a Fitzgerald roaring 20's quality that reminded me of Gatsby or a Pet Shop Boys video by Bruce Weber I adore. And yes, the much hyped French New Wave aesthetic and ballyhooed sountrack were awesome. The opening sequence charmed and my body literally melted upon a baseline riff.

Fish Market

A few months back my coworkers and I went to the San Pedro Fish Market, which is also owned by the wife of my boss. Pedro is just like that.

The system is that you buy fresh seafood, walk it over to another counter and have them cook it with grilled onions, peppers, potatoes, lots of oil and special seasoning salt. We got the shrimp, fixings and garlic bread. It wasn't cheap. Other options include very fresh looking oysters, lobster and whole deef fried fish.

The other day, I took another walk through the Fish Market since I had some time to kill prior to a community meeting. I took a few pictures, now posted at my flickr.

Semantics

I'm in the mood to nitpick on cookie cutter housing articles I read in the paper.

1. What is consistently characterized as a debate is more like consensus. Most everyone believes that the boom days are over.

2. Not only that, the term "bubble" isn't very accurate. Prices are not dropping like a burst ballon. There is a slow leak in the tire. Maybe.

3. Lots of numbers are thrown around but there is a big difference between a reduction of sales and a reduction on prices. The big two digit numbers we hear are associated with sales of homes. The single digit numbers you hear about on actual home prices. In fact, home prices in CA will still appreciate up 7% this year.

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This isn't to say that I endorse or oppose the conventional wisdom, I'm just in the mood to clarify what I read.

My Hero

I dunno why but Dallas Willard is my hero. I've been frequenting his website and just read his speech on his road to tenure. While it sincerely is a burden to consider that asking for promotion might not be the right way to go about things, I'm nonetheless inspired and humbled by his words.

Next Up

Open to taking on a new project, I've just accepted my most unintuitive role ever: wedding coordinator!

300 Million Served

The Economist has an interesting article on America reaching a population of 300 million. Religion, open space, sexual equality and a culture of optimism are cited as factors in America's high first world fertility rate.

This is welcome news to me. For my money, a primary measure of any society is its ability to sustain its population, among other things.

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As a side note, I've posted some weekend pictures on my flickr.

APA Speakers

The California chapter APA conference next week is looking good. Not only is my favorite Urban Planning commentator Joel Kotkin giving the keynote address, yours truly is a last minute fill in panelist on Monday's 2:45pm session on the Los Angeles Waterfront (schedule).

Oct 14-15 Weekend

On Friday night, we were on our way to Alpine Village when severe rain and lighting flooded the south bay. The tarp couldn't hold a drop, the benches were soaked through and the band put on rain parkas on top of their leidenhausen. The party went on but we purchased our obligatory beer and headed to Azuma.

The next day, Jason organized a doubleheader of baseball that was half fulfilled. The ominous weather cleared up perfectly and a group of us shagged fly balls and played extreme wiffle ball. I'm satisfyingly sore in new places. A few of us watched the ball game at the Cham house and Victor arrived just as Magglio put to kibosh on the Athletics. I gorged myself on a fried chicken dinner and beer while the boys purchased more sensible meals.

And Sunday was churchy time and basketball. Playing with disfunctional ball hogs is a switch, but getting to be fun. I got myself a sweet two points. My pregame ritual consists of stopping by 7/11 on Carson and Crenshaw and buying "Focus" Vitamin water (aka kiwi strawberry).

It Had To Happen

I filled in my empty My Space profile.

Today

People say that I'm acting a little depressed. Watching the Athletics lose to the Tigers helps, though. :)

Hmph

What's wrong with having time? Pick yourself up and go. There's a whole world out there. Moping is for losers. See you later, baby see you later.

This blog has become my personal pep talk.

Just a Little Bit

What do you know? This sports psychology stuff worked. I scored a humble 5 points. We won. Everyone's happy. I must continue to think Robert Horry.

My parents just got back from a European vacation. I've added their pictures to my flickr, including Eugene and Sharon's wedding.

Nervous

Whenever I play on an organized basketball team, I get so nervous that I'm left helpless. This happen on the Jets, Titans, and now Slow Time! Why such a big deal?

Hopefully reading these crazy sports psychology articles I've found will help.

Some athletes with cognitive anxiety use pre-race mental routines, visualizing a calm place or themselves executing a flawless stroke. Other people respond well to mantras – a word or phrase repeated over and over that blocks out other thoughts.

Tonight

Lovely time catching up with Wendy Bud. Toured Ktown again and shopped for jeans at The Grove.

1st Thursday

Where I'll be tonight.

Matthew Update

Was just informed of a nice way to keep up with my brother in Japan!

Famima

Went to Famima. Finally! My purchases: unsweetened roasted green tea drink, dried bonito rice ball, and fried bread with curry.