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The Magic of Fetal Development

2012-02-12T15:03:00.001-05:00

The Stages of Fetal Development (from NHS pregnancy desktop)

Amazing. This biological mechanism from conception to birth. It’s a mystery, magic, and divinity. The genetic structure telling exactly where the nerve cells should go. The complexity of this is beyond human mathematical comprehension. For example, the fetus’ brain, the complexity of the folding, where is this intelligence of knowing that a fold could actually hold more information than a linear line. (Although sometimes, I feel like my brain is a single strand of nothingness.) How does a woman/mother become a walking immunological cardiovascular system – a mobile system to nurture the child? That is just magical. Here’s introducing bé mèo in-utero…

Thor and theoretical physicists - movie review

2012-01-02T18:29:00.004-05:00

Vịt and I finally watched Marvel’s Thor, a film based on a comic book that was inspired by the Norse god of thunder. It’s about an arrogant warrior who, at the start of the movie, violates a truce by attacking the Frost Giants. As punishment for breaking the truce, Thor is exiled to earth. What’s fascinating about the film is the Einstein-Rosen bridge for Thor’s passageway to our planet. Thank goodness movie producers sometimes side with the scientists to call the passageway the Einstein-Rosen Bridge instead of a wormhole. For that, the film keeps you in the realm of what is theoretically plausible, and what makes the film feel real.

My all-time favorite flick is the 1997’s Contact. Much of Contact “feel real” goes back to astrophysicist Carl Sagan, who wrote the original novel. Jodie Foster’s wormhole ride to a distant planet shows enough quantum theory to be surprisingly credible, and what might be possible one day. Anyhow, we’d give Thor a grade B. (Thanks goodness for fined abs Chris Hemsworth). We’d highly recommend Contact, if you haven’t seen it.

Birth Plan draft

2011-12-29T19:15:00.001-05:00

After a few editing and advice from friends and books, we now present to you our draft of the birth plan.

Father: Papa Vịt

Birth Attendants: Papa Vịt, XYZ hospital nurses, Dr. Doula (if available)

Philosophy: natural, non-medicated birth. We have read birthing books and have been trained in the Bradley Method. (We failed the class for not showing to a couple of sessions, but we got the gist of it.)

Environment
• Wish to remain hydrated with Gatorade, clear fluids, and ice chips
• Option to have small nutritional snacks (crackers, nuts, yogurt, avocado)

First –Stage Labor
• Privacy… We would prefer Papa Vịt to be the primary support person.
• Prefer freedom to walk around during labor.
• Minimal exams to avoid becoming distracted or discouraged, gently as possible when performed to avoid premature rupture of membranes.
• Manage pain in the following ways: massage, relaxation, rhythmic breathing, etc.

Second-Stage Labor
• Freedom to move around and try different pushing positions
• Please use perineal massage, warm compress and support to prevent tearing. If necessary to alleviate clitoral tear or fetal distress, please do a pressure episiotomy.
• Immediate mother-infant skin-to-skin contact… please do not wash baby before attempting breastfeeding

Third-Stage Labor
• Withhold clamping and cutting the umbilical cord until blood has transferred to the baby and cord has stopped pulsating.
• Please administer Piticon only if threat of hemorrhage.
• Jeff would like to cut the cord.

Post Baby Care
• Please do administer Vitamin K Shot and Erythromycin Ointment

In Case of Transfer: If mother and baby have to be separated, Papa Vịt will stay with the baby.

Feeling Guilty (and evil)

2011-12-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

I feel a little guilty admitting that I love sending our holiday card and getting other people's. In general, I'm not a fan of this kind of paper communication—I would much prefer to use e-greetings or evites when propriety dictates that one must be thanked or invited to something. But even I see that getting an electronic holiday card wouldn't be nearly as charming as the standard-issue photo card. It's classy when people personalize their cards, but I'm still very pleased to receive cards from my friends whether they personalize them or not. The photos that people choose and the card styles or companies that they use are a little window into each family's personality. And maybe we feel like this time of year must be a bit heartening to the postal service, which is otherwise suffering in the face of so much electronic communication.

To celebrate my hypocrisy about holiday paper communications, here’s the traditional Christmas Carols in a minor key, just to make them sound sort of evil:

Bun in the Oven - Second Trimester Blues

2011-09-26T19:39:00.004-04:00

You know, this whole second trimester thing is just not really working for me. Everyone says it's supposed to be the best time, because you're done with morning sickness and aren't yet huge. But since I didn't have any morning sickness, now is when I'm being punished. Sleeping is soooo fun, let me tell you. And my nose is a lovely Rudolph-esque shade of red. My eyes are puffy, and I’m such a klutz. Also, I'm having eating issues. I can't eat nearly as much as I'm used to eating, and some foods give me gastric distress, although I can't really pinpoint which foods they are. I bet it’s the cheese. I may be lactose intolerant, though. And when I get hungry, I get immediately, urgently, feed me now or someone will pay hungry. There's little warning. So let me just say that I don't like it.

And I haven't been drinking or eating sushi.

I think everyone in my division basically knows now. I told my confidential news to the world’s worse confidant. I will not mention names because no harm has been done; I’m gonna get noticed one way or another. Truly, she was the most genuinely excited and supportive of all the people I’ve told. She’s a mother herself, so perhaps this will actually improve her attitude toward me in general. You know, I've never experienced such generosity in D.C. (and others too, of course) as I have since I've been telling people that I'm pregnant. People who also have kids bend over backwards to give helpful advice. For example, Erica (a friend of a friend), whom I’ve met for exactly two hours gave us four books that are useful for infant issues. One of my friends invited us over for bun rieu dinner and chatted about parenting and private school woes. She is expecting her third child in January. Another former colleague of mine gave us a used baby car seat. And another gave us a used baby swing, playpen, crib and a knitted blanket. This makes me feel more confident about having a baby, and having it in Washington D.C.

I am 24 weeks, and I fit in my regular clothes. I could feel Bugger moving, but I’m slightly worried because of the “slow” fetal development. Now, if only my Mom and Dad, would call me and ask how am I doing instead of the silent treatment.

Điều Răn

2011-08-15T19:38:00.002-04:00

MƯỜI BỐN (14) ĐIỀU RĂN CỦA PHẬT
1. Kẻ thù lớn nhất của đời người là chính mình.
2. Ngu dốt lớn nhất của đời người là dối trá.
3. Thất bại lớn nhất của đời người là tự đại.
4. Bi ai lớn nhất của đời người là ganh tỵ.
5. Sai lầm lớn nhất của đời người là đánh mất mình.
6. Tội lỗi lớn nhất của đời người là bất hiếu.
7. Đáng thương lớn nhất của đời người là tự ty.
8. Đáng khâm phục lớn nhất của đời người là vươn lên sau khi ngã.
9. Phá sản lớn nhất của đời người là tuyệt vọng.
10. Tài sản lớn nhất của đời người la sức khỏe, Trí Tuệ.
11. Món nợ lớn nhất của đời người là tình cảm.
12. Lễ vật lớn nhất của đời người là khoan dung.
13. Khiếm khuyết lớn nhất của đời người là kém hiểu biết.
14. An ủi lớn nhất của đời người là bố thí.

MƯỜI BỐN ĐIỀU RĂN CỦA MẸ! (Remix 14 điều răn của PHẬT) Teehehe...

1. Kẻ thù lớn nhất của con là nó (vợ con)
2. Ngu dốt lớn nhất của đời con là không hiểu được nó
3. Thất bại lớn nhất của đời con là không bỏ được nó
4. Bi ai lớn nhất của con là phải sống với nó
5. Sai lầm lớn nhất của đời con là quyết định lấy nó.
6. Tội lỗi lớn nhất của con là nghe lời nó
7. Đáng thương nhất của đời con là bị nó sai khiến
8. Đáng khâm phục lớn nhất của con là Con vẫn chịu được nó.
9. Phá sản lớn nhất của đời con là: Cuộc đòi con bị mất trong tay nó!
10. Tài sản lớn nhất của đời con là “những thứ” nó đang giữ.
11. Món nợ lớn nhất của đời con là tờ giấy ly hôn.
12 Lễ vật lớn nhất của đời con là “sự hết lòng” của nó đối với con
13. Khiếm khuyết lớn nhất của đời con là con không lấy được 2 vợ ( hu..hu.)
14. An ủi lớn nhất của đời con là ai cũng như con!

(from KT)

It's positive!

2011-07-16T19:37:00.000-04:00

One of the first things Vit and I established when we first became romantically involved is that we both wanted to have children. We share a deep love of science and the natural world and wanted to share our sense of wonder with children of our own. At the same time, in our sharing we were hoping to experience the world vicariously through fresh eyes, reliving the thrill of learning and discovery.

When the pregnancy test finally came up positive, we were launched into a whole new realm of learning: reading up on diet, lifestyle, and fetal development. We were also put into an unanticipated tour of various types and standards of prenatal care. The bookcase is filled with overdue library books on the topic of expectant parents. We are elated. Boy or girl, we just can’t wait to meet our first babe. The grandparents are thrilled as well.

Awesome Video Game Music

2011-05-10T20:15:00.007-04:00

So instead of making dinner and hanging out with Ong Xa, I'm playing video games. Here's a challenge for you music folks -- Zelda medleys.

Baby twin talking

2011-04-01T13:23:00.000-04:00

Mommy facebook pages are furiously linking to this viral video of twin boys talking to each other. Ok, so they aren't really talking. They are cracking themselves up by mimicking their parents and each other. One of my nephews has language delays, so I find this video fascinating. It shows the basic pre-language stage of joint attention and mimicry. In order to talk, we have to have the ability to copy and the interest in caring what others think. Once again, kids say the darnest thing, right?

Holiday Carols

2010-12-22T21:49:00.003-05:00

In light of the tough stock market, I present you traditional Carols with a Twist.

White Christmas: What!? Hasn't anyone heard about Diversity? Hello?!? Been living under a rock for the past few months?

Blue Christmas: Blue! White!! Make up your mind!!! Commit!!

Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer: You know, if you'd not hit the schnapps, we wouldn't be in this pickle. However, since you're the only one who can guide a sleigh tonight, perhaps you'll consider a bit of make-up to tone down that shiny nose?

Jingle Bells: One horse open sleigh? Sounds a bit chilly, and remember that being at the wrong end of that horse could wreak havoc on that cashmere scarf!! (Dry cleaning doesn't take out smell, you know.)

Mele Kalikimaka: Supposedly, this is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas, to you. What they don't tell you is that it's really intended to encourage Mainlanders' tongues to tie. Yeah pal, they're laughing at you, big time!!

Here we Come a-Wassailing: This begs a few questions: Is wassailing painful? Do you really want to wassail in public? Should everyone else duck?

And Now It's Christmas: Whoa. Newsflash!!

Go Tell it on the Mountain: A blatant example of geographic discrimination. And in this year of inclusion! What ARE you thinking?

Frosty the Snowman, Let it Snow, and other frozen water themed carols: Frosty got lost and ended up in the MGM Grand, causing the first major snow storm in Las Vegas. And now, you're giving it permission to snow? That's just a little bit extreme ...

I'll be Home for Christmas: The one caveat being, what's on the menu? We've got choices, people!!!

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer: Isn't she the one who made such a big deal about looking both ways? Perhaps we might want to follow our own advice, grandma?

A Holly Jolly Christmas: You ever SIT on Holly? It's sharp, and not especially jolly. Find another bush to sit on ...

Oh, Christmas Tree: What?! You've resorted to talking to a TREE???? If it talks back, we know a therapist who can help you with that...(we suggest our shrink, Dr. K :-)

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing: Are all angels named Harold? What about Bob, Tom and, lest we forget, Maude? Furthermore, this is a meritocracy: What if Harold just can't sing? What then, smarty pants?

Deck the Halls: We suggest you resist the urge to deck anyone this holiday season. We know times are tough, money tight and tempers are on edge. Seriously, don't deck anyone. It's just not worth it...

Little Drummer Boy: We'd love to comment, but for the life of us, we just can't figure out the point; strumming, drumming with ox and lamb keeping time? If they can keep time, what's the kid doin'? Nope. Don't get it.

God, Rest ye Merry Gentlemen: With all that cooking over the holidays, the Ladies could use a good nap, themselves!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas: Hey!! There's a purpose to this letter every year. Waddya think we're tryin' to do now? What we're trying to say is:

We hope you have a peaceful and prosperous holiday and a Happy New Year!!

[Contributed by an Alert Reader]

We got married on 10-10-10

2010-10-20T21:39:00.012-04:00

And so it is.

The two families create a bond that will last.

The Bride's family - Everyone is very different, but so much alike. That would be the best way to describe the Doan Family. We all have very different gifts, talents and interests, but we all share one common belief - that “no matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?” The Doan family is composed of computer & vehicular engineers, tree huggers, manicurists, writers, entrepreneurs, and seamstress. People say that a strong family bond is made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning. As our family continues to grow and develop, we value each other’s individuality. I wouldn’t trade my family for the world!

The Groom's family - Bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake) is my favorite food, but it’s also an accurate description of my family. Bánh xèo is a cuisine that has a little bit of everything fresh mixed together to create a satisfying taste. As an only child, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing a bit of everything. My mother invests all of her love, compassion, and support into me. Her wit, wisdom and great judge of character is guaranteed to please. My father and I are like two volumes of one book. We share the same noble eyebrows and artistic talents. He’s the most intelligent man I know. He doesn’t tell me how to live, but rather he lives and lets me watch him do it. In my opinion, without a doubt, I have the best parents in the cosmos.

One of the happiest days of our lives. Here's to us - Rùa and Vịt.

Happy Ninja Day

2007-12-05T07:50:00.000-05:00

Secretive and silent, like an espionage, the ninja stalks through Japanese history like a shadow, striking fear into the hearts of peasants and emperors alike. Today, we honor those ninja and ninjas wannabes.

Ninja Natural Habitat
If you're trying to find a ninja, (make sure you have a written will and you've said goodbye to everybody you love) these are the places they're most commonly found, how do I know? Well let's just say I've lost a lot of interns...
- Behind you
- In front of you
- In the shadows of you and your loved ones
- The tree in your backyard
- Inside your mind
- In small villages
- In your bath tub (under the bubbles!)
- In your clock
- Anywhere you can't see

Go Ninja Crazy!

And here is Ask-a-Ninja's take on the Writer's Guild strike.

Things that worry me (but I don't show it)

2007-04-18T22:16:00.000-04:00

The new information from Virginia Tech is scaring me. I am horrified, shocked and saddened. Blacksburg, VA is small like my Gettysburg, PA. Both colleges are in small towns and it scares me, still, that this kind of horror could’ve happened in G’burg. Luckily, none of my friends are affected by the recent massacre, but the grief is so massive that even I shed a tear. Can you imagine some student sitting across the classroom with headphones and refusing to respond to anyone in the classroom? I definitely can! These college students are in every classroom I’ve been to. Professor Lucinda Roy is a hero for showing genuine concern for the student, and actually tried to help but could not get across to him. I worry that this is going to happen at UDC, even though I hide my paranoia really well from someone I care. I'm not in general a fearful person! The whole situation does not settle well in my gut.

As if it hasn’t been discussed, this whole situation should indicate that we absolutely need to review the gun policy; otherwise, we’re looking for more episodes like this in the future. There are many lone nutjobs, even the ones that have no history of violence. So long as there is access to guns, there are gonna be school shootings, subway attacks and even office shootings and at home in your neighborhoods. Metal detectors don’t solve anything. The authority should look into gun owners. Duh! Silly ATF people, when are you gonna comprehend this simple crackdown?

Also, what the hell is going on with counseling services or lack thereof in colleges? This is such a tragedy. I visited Gettysburg counseling services several times, voluntarily, over my years at the school, it helped me to stay balance. It’s so absurd how few therapies are available out there and how insurance companies don’t care much about metal health. People around me are genuinely good, but how much of those caring will do for a nutjob? We are bombarded with deliverables and deadlines to meet. How can we tell who needs help!? I am not paranoid! I worry about college students is all. There should be gun control and easy access to good counseling. This whole event makes me worry. My prayers and sympathy go out to the victim’s family and friends…Let’s go, Hokie!

Good reads and more books

2007-04-05T14:37:00.000-04:00

I’ve recently joined Goodreads, thanx to U2Lorax’s invitation (Squirrelly, April 3, 2007). It’s a site where you and your friends can talk about books. I’m not a voracious reader, and I don’t have many recommendations, but a couple of my chummies are fantastic reviewers on books. I would recommend this site if you’re into reading and don’t mind the numerous e-mail updates from your inbox.

I’ve come across this nifty blog book meme. (Stolen from Everyday Randomness). The drill is to boldface the titles you’ve read. Some peeps italicize the ones they want to read (but have not read yet) - I will not bother with that. Movies don't count. I’m not sure what the selection criteria were for the list. They’re not all classics, but I suppose that all were, at one point or another, best sellers. Thanx to SG for introducing me to “A Prayer for Owen Meany”. That has got to be the best book on the list. There’s no booky meme for Vietnamese classics. I would be very interested if someone could compose that and send it my way. I’m always looking for a goodread, and of course, until I get that 2 extra hours in a day, I won’t be so bitter about finding the time :-)

1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25 . Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela's Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She's Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller's Wife (Audrey Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones' Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte's Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard's First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down (Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)

Gỏi cuốn (Vietnamese Spring Rolls)

2007-04-04T21:13:00.000-04:00

I made some very delicious gỏi cuốn for GA, who has turned 6-0h, woo hoo! This is the second time I've made her vegetarian Vietnamese fresh spring/summer rolls. I wanna post the recipe so you guys can give it a try (and a reminder for me :-) It's a lot of fun making these rolls. Lots of variations, but the below recipe, I chose meat for my stuffing. If you're a vegan, try the fried tofu with mints and bean sprout. Most important of all is the sauce. I am still learning how to make better hoisin sauce myself, so Good Luck!

Ingredients for the rolls
* Rice paper sheets
* Small package rice vermicelli
* Cooked lean pork loin
* Cooked shrimps
* Bean sprouts
* Cilantro
* Basil leaves
* Lettuce
* Cucumber

Ingredients for the sauce
* Hoi Sin sauce (you can buy the sauce at the local asian food store)
* Coconut milk
* Rice vinegar
* Crunched roasted peanuts
* Mayo (my latest addition to the sauce and it actually tasted good)

Preparation of the filling
(1) Cut the cooked pork into small strips
(2) Heat up the shrimps over water vapor. Peel them, remove the head, legs and the intestine part (dark black line on the back of the shrimp)
(3) Cut the cucumber into halfmoons
(4) Cook and drain the vermicellli
(5) Wash the herbs and put everything on a big plate

For the sauce
Mix about 2/3 cup of the hoisin sauce with 1/3 cup coconut milk. Add a sprinkle of rice vinegar. For the serving garnish with the roasted peanuts.

Now wet the rice paper and put it on your plate. Add a bit of the vermicelli, herbs, meat, shrimp, cucumber and bean sprouts on your sheet and start to roll it carefully. Fold it from both sides and roll it again. This takes a bit of gentleness because shortly after the rice paper is dipped in the water, it' becomes extremely soft and fragile. Once you learn to fold it, you'll want to make lots.

Now dip it in your hoisin sauce and bon appetite! Some people like to eat it spicy. So for those who like it spicy you can add to the hoisin sauce some of the hot chili sauce (so good, tears are running down my face :-) I don't cook often, like my mom does. I make my dinners and lunches depending what's left in my space of the fridge, which is a small lower cabinet. Another of my never ending housemate issue.

If I'm unclear, check this professional site recipe. Enjoy!

Denim decision

2007-03-30T21:42:00.000-04:00

Brother in Black has bought his very first pair of loose jeans!! Wowzer! I think he's found a girl that he wants to impress. There's no other reason why he asked me for money to buy new clothes. He has put his gothic outfits neatly in the closet. I told him, once he goes denim trousers, there's no turning back. The fabric is so comfortable and fashionable. On a good day, I love to wear a pair of my Diesel jeans. And I wear them until they are worn out with mud stains or ripped, but I would often sew them back and wear them again for a few more months. It's so hard for me to find a well fitting pair of hip-huggers. I don't enjoy shopping much, so when I find a pair, I keep them for as long as I can. If they're flattering and comfortable, I'd buy the same two pairs. I don't go for trendy because they'll soon be obsolete. Being petite, it's tough to find a pair that fits well. Also, call me cheap, but I don't buy jeans that are more than $100, like the ones on the runway, Tsubi and Acne skinny jeans -- too expensive!

I bought my nephews jeans for school, and they look so cute on little people. With a graphic t-shirt, it's an automatic fashion on the school grounds. I'm so proud that Brother in Black has turned denim. Next to go is his long hair, I hope. These days, I can't seem to relax. I keep picking battles with myself and with close friends and family. I'm pretty sure this internal turmoil will put in a rut. I can't seem to learn my lessons. Before you know it, Brother in Black will have his hair in cornrows, and then I'll have to threaten him to put them in dreadlocks, or else! I dunno what to do with myself these days. Until I figure that out, I'm gonna enjoy tomorrow's NCAA game: Buckeyes Vs. Hoyas. Go Hoyas!! I'm doing so well on my brackets this year. Go G'town!!

A row of Narcissus and watershed clean up fun

2007-03-23T21:06:00.000-04:00

It is beautiful here in the District of Columbia metropolitan 'burbs. We've had some rain but our average today was the late 60's. I attended an all-day clean up with some colleagues and members of the World Bank volunteers. We accomplished some storm drain marker installations, mulching, grading and trash pick-ups at Watts Branch Park. Very successful considering the dangers surround the DC parks. I saw a couple of hypodermic syringes. I took pleasure at the sight of the beautiful yellow trumpet-shaped bulbs. Beautiful indeed. However, daffodils could kill you if ingested. So my tree-hugger and destroyers of spring flowers friends, leave the daffodils alone.

I'm attending a citizen's summit tomorrow. Enjoy the weekend weather, folks.

First day of Spring

2007-03-20T17:49:00.000-04:00

My all-time favorite Spring poem by William Wordsworth:

Daffodils (1804)

I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Go check out the 15th annual Environmental Film Festival. Some colleagues and I are checking out the American Elm: Majestic Imperiled Renewed tonight. Most screenings and discussions are FREE! Ya know I luv free stuff ;-)

I checked out this Hurricane on the Bayou film in Boston, MA at the IMax theatre. Two words: wicked awesome! The message to save the wetland was riveting and empowering. The filmatography is excellent. I highly recommend this documentary at the Enviro Film Festival.

Omigosh, Jake is touring my town!

2007-03-16T22:45:00.000-04:00

I'm a huge fan of this uke master. Hot-cute-Japanese-hot-hotness Jake Shimabukuro is playing at the Rams Head in Annapolis tomorrow, on Saint Patty's Day. Oh.my.gosh! I just heard the news today. Friend is calling me at midnight to see if we can get tickets. Oh please gawd almighty, I'm a fan. I have his CD that is waiting for an autograph. I'm in love with the four-stringed ukulele, honest.

Up-to-date (3/17/07) damn. did not get tix to the show; instead, i've been sniffing dimethyl ketone all day :-( On the brighter side, G'town, baby!! Road to the National Championship! Woo wee! Happy St. Pat's Day!!

Uh oh, Mr. President is crying.

2007-03-15T11:12:00.000-04:00

I read this article at the newstand. Beware the ides of march. I'm not sure what I'm trying to say. Time Mag did a good job. Never knew or liked Reagan anyways. The Republicans are tumbling, no big surprise. The Dubya administration let Reagan down, shame on you. On the top right corner of the Time cover page, it says: "Why Will Ferrel Can't Keep his Clothes On". Haha. I'm renting "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" this weekend!

Warbler rediscovered

2007-03-10T21:29:00.000-05:00

Spring is near, this rediscovery is great news.

Science Daily — Ornithologists across the world are celebrating with the news that a wetland bird that has eluded scientists ever since its discovery in India in 1867 has been refound. Twice.

Large-billed Reed-warbler: the world's least known bird. (Credit: Philip Round/The Wetland Trust)
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The Large-billed Reed-warbler is the world’s least known bird. A single bird was collected in the Sutlej Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India, in 1867, but many had questioned whether it was indeed represented a true species and wasn’t just an aberrant individual of a common species.[...]

But, in a further twist to this remarkable tale, six months after the rediscovery, another Large-billed Reed-warbler specimen was discovered in the collection of the Natural History Museum at Tring, in a drawer of Blyth’s Reed-warblers (Acrocephalus dumetorum) collected in India during the 19th Century. Once again, Professor Staffan Bensch confirmed the identification using DNA.

“Finding one Large-billed Reed-warbler after 139 years was remarkable, finding a second—right under ornithologists’ noses for that length of time—is nothing short of a miracle,” said Butchart.

Jolie adopts Vietnamese child

2007-03-08T19:33:00.000-05:00

In honor of International Women's Day, I'd like to post this news: Angelina Jolie is adopting again, this time, a Vietnamese boy. I wonder what made her decision for Vietnam?

Angelina Jolie nộp hồ sơ tới bộ Tư pháp VN xin con nuôi

Jolie và cậu con nuôi người Campuchia - Maddox
Nữ diễn viên Hollywood nổi tiếng hôm qua đã nộp hồ sơ tới Bộ Tư pháp VN, xin nhận bé trai khoảng 3-4 tuổi ở trung tâm bảo trợ trẻ em mồ côi Tam Bình tại TP HCM làm con nuôi. Tuần trước, cô bắt đầu làm thủ tục tại Sở Di trú và Nhập cư Mỹ. [...]

Thông tin "bà Smith" muốn nhận con nuôi Việt Nam dấy lên từ cuối năm 2006, khi cô và Brad bất ngờ tới TP HCM và tới thăm trung tâm bảo trợ trẻ em mồ côi Tam Bình như những du khách bình thường.

Ngày 19-1, Angelina Jolie trở lại để họp với tổ chức Hợp tác tài chính quốc tế tài trợ cho dự án tại các nước tiểu vùng sông Mekong (IFC-MPSDF) - cơ quan hợp tác với quỹ Maddox Jolie do cô thành lập. Nhân dịp này, hai phóng viên của báo Times (Anh) đã tới Trung tâm Tam Bình để thực hiện phóng sự về Angie. Họ đặc biệt chú ý tới các cậu bé khoảng 5 tuổi.

I'm all about saving the orphans. Not because of any special calling from the Man upstairs, but because it is a responsible duty to care for parent-less children. I'm more likely to adopt a child than to live alone. Would I qualify financially? Probably not right now, but if I can help avoid world overpopulation, I'd go for saving the orphans.

Happy International Women's Day, ladies. Make your man massage your feet, rub your bunions and corns, and love it!

It Ain't Easy

2007-03-05T17:22:00.000-05:00

Just when I was inquiring about Congressional greening efforts, JP sent this short article to me from CQ Today. I can't find the online version, so here is the whole write-up:

March 2, 2007 – 9:01 p.m.
At the Capitol: It Ain’t Easy Being Green, But the Effort Has Begun
By Susan Ferrechio, CQ Staff

Not to be upstaged by the “green” advocacy work of former Vice President Al Gore, House Democratic leaders revealed last week that they are starting their own green program at the Capitol, a program aimed at improving energy conservation and efficiency.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced March 2 that she has asked the chamber’s newly appointed chief administrative officer, Daniel P. Beard,to come up with a plan to make the Capitol more environmentally friendly.

Beard has been asked to submit a preliminary report by April 30 on what kinds of improvements should be made, with final recommendations two months later.
A letter signed by Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., and House Administration Chairwoman Juanita Millender-Mcdonald, D-Calif., instructs Beard to take steps that reflect “the most up-to-date industry and government standards for green building and green operating procedures.”

The leaders’ “Green the Capitol” initiative could end up a bit lopsided, however. Beard’s authority extends only to the House side of the Capitol. There’s no word yet on whether the Senate intends to follow the House lead.

It is that easy, we just have too many stubborn knuckleheads in Congress. However, I do have faith that this effort will pull through.

Maryland Clean Car Act, success!

2007-03-02T12:24:00.000-05:00

After all the steam and the heated debates between environmentalists and car dealers on this initiative, we are good to go on continuing the fight against global warming.

The state Senate approved the "clean cars" bill last night, making it nearly certain that Maryland will become the 11th state to follow California's lead in cutting smog and global warming gases.[...]

The measure is designed to force manufacturers to sell fewer gas-guzzling SUVs and other large vehicles and to instead market more hybrids and other cars with fuel-efficient engines.[...]

Brad Heavner, executive director of Environment Maryland, said the law will mean that vehicles in the state will emit 4.4 million fewer tons of global warming gases per year by 2020. This isn't enough to stop climate change, he said, but it's a step in the right direction because cars and trucks emit about a quarter of greenhouse gases.[...]

Among those voting in favor of the bill last night was Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus, an Eastern Shore Republican, who said his rating from an environmental organization "was about 16 percent" out of 100. But he said Maryland must reduce Chesapeake Bay pollution from all sources, including nitrogen from vehicle exhaust.[...]

What the bill will do

• Reduce global warming emissions from new cars sold in Maryland by, on average, 30 percent by 2016.
• Penalize automakers that don't meet the standard. They must offer customers incentives to buy hybrids and other efficient vehicles.
• Cost buyers about $1,000 more per vehicle, on average. Most of the cost will be for big vehicles that need engine upgrades to pollute less.
• Require all cars sold in Maryland to have about $150 in smog-control equipment not standard in most states.

The bottom line is emission needs to be cut. We need to reduce nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide in our air. It’s going to be a higher cost for consumers, but only for the SUV gas guzzlers. If California strict guidelines could do it, our dealerships can adjust. Woo hoo for Maryland. (How about you, DC?)

For more comments and debates, go here and the Q&A on the bill is here.

Feeling down

2007-02-26T20:37:00.000-05:00

A tear was shed yesterday, today. I said goodbye to a friend. Thanks for the memories, KF. I still haven't finished moving my crap to the upstairs room. Not feeling well. Rocky ran away and a Lost Dog sign is up. Where are you, Rocky?!

In the meantime, enjoy this lovely classic:

Truyện Kiều

2007-02-24T23:55:00.000-05:00

Trăm năm, trong cõi người ta,
Chữ tài, chữ mệnh, khéo là ghét nhau.
Trải qua một cuộc bể dâu,
Những điều trông thấy mà đau đớn lòng;
Lạ gì bỉ sắc, tư phong,
Trời xanh quen thói má hồng đánh ghen.

Those are the first six lines of this narrative poem I've been reading. Here's the text in Vietnamese. The epic poem is written by the 18th century writer Nguyễn Du. I'm on page 8 in over a week. There are 3,254 verses. It has taken me so long to read one whole page and re-reading it so that I can understand what's going on. The tale is really good thus far. It talks about the life of a girl, Thúy Kiều, and the sacrifices she makes for her family. The rhythmic of each line is really cool. I shouldn't dwell too much on each stanza because I will never get to finish the book. If you can read Vietnamese real fast, come sit with me. I'll make organic (Trader Joe's) hot cocoa :-)

Really, if you have time, check out the book.

Brain freeze Friday

2007-02-23T15:58:00.000-05:00

You Are Emerald Green

Deep and mysterious, it often seems like no one truly gets you.
Inside, you are very emotional and moody - though you don't let it show.
People usually have a strong reaction to you... profound love or deep hate.
But you can even get those who hate you to come around. There's something naturally harmonious about you.

What Color Green Are You?

"Moody and deep hate from people", haha. Even I admit that is true. Doomed. Unloveable.

Oh well. For your viewing pleasure, here's an aurora over Iowa, taken last December '06:
Stunning.

Mucho busy

2007-02-19T13:25:00.000-05:00

TN accidentally locked me down in the basement this morning. She thought that I had gone to work, so she locked the doorway down to the basement. Neither of us has the key to open. One can only unlock from one end only. So once again, I climbed the barbed wired fence to the front door to open the passage way. That was fun with all the ice and snow on the ground. Our dogs thought my act was amusing.

In a couple of weeks, four strangers are moving into the tiny house. I have to haul my tables, beds, drawers, bookcase, etc. up the stairs into a tiny room on the main floor. My back is killing me. Brother in Black is a huge help. Listening to Dam Vinh Hung while re-organizing my stuff. Brother in Black is sick of DVH's voice, so I have to put in some devil music. He likes Avenged Sevenfold and something calls Burn the Priest. They're metal and rock music.

Gosh, my back hurts. I gotta come up for air some time soon, I hope.

Flowcharts of science and faith

2007-02-18T18:21:00.000-05:00

(Click chart to enlarge)

This post is dedicated to my theologian friend, ThP. Just for fun, you know amusing and meaningful. The science chart’s got twists and turns, and it is constantly changing. Faith chart is so much simpler. If you add the social, political, and financial element to the science, that chart would be much more complicated. At that point, I wouldn’t blame you for choosing the faith path.

(Stolen from Omnibrain.)

Happy 4705 Lunar New Year

2007-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Chúc mừng năm mới! This is the Year of the Boar (year 4705). Based on the moon and sun movements, this new year falls on the 18th of February (Western Calendar). Tết, as we Vietnamese calls it, begins with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the full moon 15 days later.

For millions of Asian throughout the world, Lunar New Year is very important. It is a traditional time of the year and also a chance for everybody to meet their relatives, friends, and of course par-tays! We prepare heaps of different foods and sweets, candies, beers (yum, Heineken) and soft drinks. My American friends and newer generation of Vietnam-americans don’t like the traditional cakes very much. The square cake, Bánh Chủng and Long cake, Bánh Dày are symbols of Land and God. To learn more, go here.

I went out to Eden Center to get some of them cakes. Got some plastic mai flowers for the family. Bought a few Tết cards (good gawd, they were so expensive, $3/card with envelops that don’t fit well) to mail out. I was looking for some firecrackers, particularly the braided string-of-50 Doughboy, but they don’t sell them anymore because of bodily injuries when explode. I asked the vendor, in Vietnamese, if he sells the powder so that I can make my own firecrackers. He gave me a weird look, so I walked away. I realize that there are illegal ways of obtaining firecrackers; I just don’t have the connections, so I ask random people, that’s all. I also realize the danger of handling the explosives. I hear that kids light up the noisemakers, throw them in the crowd then run away, leaving the unfortunate victims with burn degrees. Speaking of which, if you go to Chùa Giác-Hoàng this Tết, be careful of them irresponsible kids, and I mean my cohorts of 18-30 years of age. They’re stubborn and annoying.

At any rate, Happy Lunar New Year. I really want one of these t-shirts, the "What the (con) heo?!" one. Kid size, please, tee hehe. Below is a poem I stumbled upon, written by Trần Tế Xương:

New Year Tết
Anh em đừng nghĩ Tết tôi nghèo,
Tiền bạc trong kho chưa lãnh tiêu,
Rượu cúc nhắm đến hàng biếng quảy,
Trà sen muô'n hỏi giá còn kiêu,
Bánh đường sắp gói e nồm chảy,
Giò lụa toan làm sợ nắng thiu,
Thôi thế thì thôi đành Tết khác,
Anh em đừng nghĩ Tết tôi nghèo.

Here is the English translation:

Friends, don't think I'm poor this Tết!
I haven't yet withdrawn money from my safe
My chrysanthemum wine, they deliver it late;
And the lotus tea, the price is still bargained for,
For my sweet cakes, I'm afraid they would run down
At the heat, the same as my pork pastes.
Come on, never mind, let's wait until next year
Friends, don't think I'm poor this Tết.

Cung chúc tân xuân, năm Đinh Hợi, oink oink!

Update (2/18/2007): I went to the Zen Buddhist temple and got my blessings. Then I went gambling at a friend's basement and lost a lot of those blessings. Here's to the new year. I had fun though. Ya'll be careful out there. Drive carefully in the snow storm if you must. Watch out for the ice as you walk. I fell already, so I'm good for the rest of winter.

(Insert hiatus excuse here)

2007-02-16T18:54:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me in real life and has stumbled on my blog has recognized me after reading about four posts. It is funny how all these connections get made. I have only once had a blogger out me by giving someone else my real name (with disastrous consequences), but I've outed myself through my ranting any number of times. It's always interesting to watch how this process works – the ways in which people figure out who I am. The day after my last post, Trynn Diesel's identity has been exposed at the workplace. After agreeing to help with restoration PR, BlogSpot has linked my pseudonymous name to The DC Pope Branch. Subsequently, all Trynn Diesel’s plans to take over the world brought to a standstill.

I have decided to keep this blog and re-evaluate what I say on future posts (…not!). I've never looked at blogging as being a way to communicate with people I actually know. Brother in Black doesn’t read my blog. In fact, he teased me about it. I often vocalize my angst about work, family, friends, work for Brother in Black to listen. He said so long as I don’t write what I say on blogger, I’d be fine.

Again, it's always fascinating what connections are made. The emails I get from people I know and don't know, and what some blog entries lead to. It's like a backstage reality. Although I think people who know me know me better if they read my blog than just the "in person" stuff. I’ve tried my best to carefully guard my secret identity. Apparently, I’m not very good at it. I’m ashamed to explain the flaws in my secrecy attempt. I honestly don't care one way or the other about my blog identity. The revelation of who I am in the blogosphere and who I am in real life mean crap diddly to me -- so long as you don't put me in a compromising position.

In the meantime, check out my newly introduced blog links on the sidebars. Very interesting reads.

The 007 marathon: Casino Royale

2006-12-03T12:17:00.000-05:00

Two words: "Thumbs up!" Coba007 (Cô Ba 'double oh seven') likes double/secret agents, particularly James Bond's -- cool gadgets and awesome adventures. Brother in Black and I went to see this flick. I loved Casino Royale. I think it's the best Bond 007 film yet. The film did a great job rebooting the 007 franchise. Daniel Craig is surprisingly good. He doesn't look like anyone's idea of James Bond (looks and all), but he plays the character very well. If you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil the fun. If you like Star Wars, Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones, and the adventurous flicks, you'll like Casino Royale. If you're seeking for realism, this film is not for you. One thing that stood out about 007 films is the witty repartee in the dialogue. I laughed and enjoyed this movie:

Vesper Lynd: Am I going to have a problem with you, Bond?
James Bond: No, don't worry. You're not my type.
Vesper Lynd: Smart?
James Bond: Married.

And when a bartender ask if if he wants his martini shaken or stirred, 007 allegedly responds "why the hell should I care?" Haha. Anyhow, the writing and direction are excellent. Very good panache and concept. A good Saturday night movies at the theatre.

One more: "Drat! The bastards got me!!" Tee hehe.

World AIDS Day (cross blogging)

2006-12-01T08:56:00.000-05:00

This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise: Accountability. It is dedicated to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic and to remind world leaders for their promises in the fight against AIDS. U2Lorax has some useful links for you to take some actions. For Vietnam, I’m only aware of UNAIDS organization that coordinate HIV/AIDS-related activities. Worldwide, there are about 38.6 million people living with Aids this year (BBC). The United States has the ABC Approach that lower the risk of acquiring AIDS during sex:

Abstinence or delay of sexual activity, especially for youth,
Being faithful, especially for those in committed relationships,
Condom use, for those who engage in risky behavior. >

I’d like to emphasize "B" again: Being tested for HIV and being faithful in marriage and monogamous relationships. As for sexual transmission and prevention against HIV, my only comment is for the men. Please use water-based lubricant condoms AND buy new packs of latex for when the condoms have expired! Latex breaks over time, and it is useless unless you check the expiration date. Don’t forget to donate and take action!

Do you ... ?

2006-11-27T12:33:00.000-05:00

"Do u still keep unfashionable eyes?"

How would one respond to that question? "Yes", "No", "Maybe", "I dunno", "Can you repeat the question?" An acquaintance has asked me that question recently, and I can’t seem to come up with an answer. It’s true that I have no sense of fashion. (I’m a river rat, remember?) Ask anyone, my wardrobe is a disaster zone to the fashionable eyes. The old washing machine doesn’t clean well and it has ruined my favorite t-shirt and my nice pants. Ugh! But I digress.

A couple of weekends ago, on the street of West 27th, Manhattan, I saw this lady in a well-put outfit that was to die for. The shoes, scarf, jeans, jacket were perfect. They were black, brown and gray. An awful color combination, but her stride of fashion confident was immeasurable. What caught my eyes were the vintage men’s shoes. I think they were from Salvatore Ferragamo. I don’t know where she got the gray jacket from, but it was a short sleeve wool coat, classic! The brown pashmina scarf was loosely tied around her neck. And the shoes!! Did I mention the shoes? I would never have pulled that off. The shoes were black and brown. The skinny black jeans really brought out her thin legs. Among her accessories, she had a Chanel bag and Christian Dior big-ass sunglasses. I thought she looked classic.

So, do I keep unfashionable eyes? I suppose no. Good fashion is in the eye of the beholder. Any of my Club Bed friends that see this lady on the street of Manhattan, New York, would probably give her a disgusting look. I, on the other hand, find her style intriguing. Her outfit is definitely affordable, and the accessories (I’m sure they were fake Chanel and Dior gray market stuff) were unnecessary, but she had to have them. The long hair hides her dangling earrings, but they were nice. My job is fine. I still use Heineken to pass the evening hours, and I will not, under any circumstances, "improve" myself just so that you’ll like me. The End.

For every romantic possiblity, no matter how robust, there exists at least one equal and opposite sentence, phrase, or word capable of extinguishing it. –Malcolm Gladwell-

I AM that opposite sentence.

Lots to be thankful for...

2006-11-23T16:03:00.000-05:00

Gobble Gobble readers,

This Thanksgiving (and everyday), I am thankful for a wonderful family and supportive friends, for my nephews and niece, for colleagues who guide me, for woods and marshes and other creatures, for books and email messages, for tropical fruits and dogs and magnolia trees, for rivers and fire and duct tape, for sunshine and snowflakes and moonlight, for all that helps keep me in balance for when I begin to fall apart. Thank you and Happy Turkey Day.

Love,

Trynn Diesel

A Tribute for Bosox's Mullah, by SG

2006-11-21T12:31:00.000-05:00

I, like many other sports fans, was sitting around watching football on a Saturday that seemed like any other when I heard the news. My initial reaction was that of the classic “Noooooo!” for my father read what I knew in my heart to be true but had been dreading nonetheless. The great Billy Baseball Mueller a.k.a “Mullah” has in fact retired from playing Major League Baseball. He is a super professional and personality that simply cannot be replaced.

Our great resident blogger Trynn Diesel first fell in love Mullah on a fall day back in 2003. As the Boston Red Sox entered the post-season for the first time in 4 years, the fandemonium was out of this world. It would later lead to T-shirts, Red Sox Tickets, pictures, and classic computer backgrounds in honor of her “man”.

2003 was a season of change for the Old Towne Team, bringing in a lot of new faces causing skepticism, doubt, and much grumbling on sports radio. New first basemen arrived from various cities, including Kevin Millar, days away from bring shipped to Japan; Jeremy Giambi, the not nearly as talented brother of famous Yankees slugger Jason Giambi; and finally David Ortiz, a player the Minnesota Twins had been waiting to rise to his potential but ran out of patience. At third base a new player was brought in from the San Francisco Giants by the name of Bill Mueller, but the sox already had a young third baseman Shea Hillenbrand.

Obviously this situation could not work forever and Jeremy Giambi disappeared and Shea was traded to Arizona, where he whined and lashed out, a trend that would lead to his future dismissal from the Toronto Blue Jays. The path was now clear for Mullah to rise up and play classic dirt dog baseball on his way to the 2003 AL batting title. Although Bill and the Red Sox suffered a huge disappointment in the 2003 playoffs, as they always say in Boston there’s always next year.

2004 brought many of the same faces to Fenway including that of Bill Mueller. Although he did not win the batting title, his bat could not have brought more to the Red Sox. Perhaps his most famous Red Sox moment occurred in July of 2004. On a rainy Saturday, the Sox were scheduled to play the Yankees. The Yankees assumed the game would not occur and were ready to leave when the Sox said I don’t think so, we’re playing this game today. So perhaps one of the most recognized fights in all of baseball took place when Alex Rodriguez decided Bronson Arroyo intentionally threw a 75 mph curve ball at him. Eager to prove his devotion to the pin stripes, he picked a fight with the 100 lb Arroyo, only to find none other than Jason Varitek in his way. Too fired up to stop, A-Rod quickly asked Varitek if he would like to go? Varitek attempted to reason with the hysterical A-Rod but to no use. Varitek finally gave A-Rod what he wanted in the form of some face hitting and a classic WWF style body slam. Benches cleared etc, some excellent side fights took place, but the game continued. Red Sox Nation was more fired up than ever and found themselves down in the bottom of the ninth. Bill Mueller stepped to the plate and hit a game winning HR to the bullpen off arguably the greatest closer of all time to lift the Red Sox hopes and hearts to make the playoffs.

Bill’s batting contributions did not stop there. Many people will never forget Dave Roberts stealing second base to score the tying run in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees. One cannot argue that Roberts was a hero and they could not have won without him, but what if the next batter had not hit a single but struck out or grounded out. Fortunately for the Nation, Bill Mueller stepped up to the plate and hit a single again off of Rivera, the most feared closer in baseball. The rest is history.

There are many moments and even players in those 2003 and 2004 season that overshadow Bill Mueller. He was content and proud to show up to the ballpark everyday and give it his all and let others such as Millar (Cowboy Up), Johnny (Bunch of Idiots), or Ortiz (Walk-off hits in ALCS) shine. He knew what the game was about and what he was about, and Red Sox Nation could not have been luckier to have him. Dan Shaunessy of the Boston Globe wrote a wonderful tribute to Bill Mueller when he sadly but quietly left the Red Sox in the 2005 off-season. I feel Shaunessy sums up the feeling of the Nation best in his concluding paragraphs, though I hope you take time to read it all…

But when you look at Doug's ball or the World Series trophy or the banner that'll forever fly over Fenway, remember the quiet guy who did so much to bring that happiness to the Nation: Bill Mueller. Stealth Star in a clubhouse of Idiots and Cowboy Uppers.

Pondering about the future

2006-11-20T19:52:00.000-05:00

There are ninety days left in the lunar Year of the Dog. We have to get married within that ninety days. Here's what I have to do:

(1) Tell my parents, important family members, and close friends the good news!
(2) Arrange for our families to meet
(3) Announce my engagement
(4) Have an engagement party, I love parties.
(5) I want a secular formal wedding
(6) Set my limited budget
(7) Decide who's paying for the wedding, I really hope my hubby will contribute
(8) Start my guest list, I can only think of 20 people that will attend my wedding
(9) Select date and time. It's gonna be Friday evening December 22, 2006 (aka First day of Winter)
(10) Select and reserve my reception site, that local bar with the nice chairs.
(11) Choose bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers. You know who you are (cuz I don't)
(12) Shop for my wedding dress and accessories, including veil, gloves and shoes
(13) Plan my honeymoon. To the Galapagos Island, honey!
(14) Throw a bachelorette party, tee hehe.
(15) Finalize the seating chart. I am not putting TN with TT in a table together. Neither, CM and TL, nor TP with TH.

Finally, I will enjoy my wedding and I will smile. "It's only once in a lifetime". I believe it will bring me and my hubby great fortune when we get married next month. We have only 32 more days! Mark your calendars and send us your gifts. I will put the bridal registries online soon. Woo hoo! Omigosh, I am so excited! Stay tuned for wedding photos.

PS: Don't read between the lines.

It's my Happy Day.

2006-11-18T12:18:00.000-05:00

Whaddaya doing on your birthday, Trynn Diesel? I am taking a Pope Branch Stream Walk tour. Yup. Me and my hip waders are reunited once again. This tour is for my job. I have been assigned to work on the post-restoration effort of Pope Branch Park. I’ve never been to the site nor have any clues as to the damages of the area. You can say that I’m an office drone – not by choice. I blame the DC government bureaucracy. Anyhow, I plan on studying the tributary for three hours in the AM, then go home and clean up my flooded carpeted floor basement. Stupid pipe system is loose again, for the 5th time! Now that Mary has been “evicted” (lucky her!), I’m doing all the cleaning and fixing myself. Tammy helps, but her schedule at the Nails Salon is so busy that by the time she gets home, I’ll probably be done. Yup. That is what I’m doing on my happy day. It’s good that I’m busy with menial not-my-responsibility work – because I don’t have to think about my bitter break-up or buying a house for my folks. Good god! Where is that scotch whiskey I asked for?

Khúc Hát Mừng Sinh Nhật
Tác Giả: Phan Đình Tùng

Ngày hôm nay ta cùng hợp hoan nơi đây
Mọi người bên nhau ta hát mừng sinh nhất
1,2,3 ta cùng thổi tắt nến
Happy birthday, happy birthday to you
On this day, all together will be
I will all sing for your birthday
One, two, three we blow out the candle
Happy birthday, happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, happy birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to me! I’m really happy that I have made it this far.
On a happy note, SG’s got a really, really good job in Boston. Woo hoo!! Wicked awesome!

2006 Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam

2006-11-17T12:14:00.000-05:00

Blah blah blah. Bush this, Bush that. Omigosh, Dubya tries his hand at playing the saron. Wow. [insert sarcasm here!]

I'm sure the atmosphere over in the East is different from discouraging me here. I’m happy that Vietnam is hosting the APEC, and it is going smoothly, compared to the 2003 summit attack attempt in Bangkok. Tuoi Tre did a nice job on reporting the event.

Hai vị Lãnh đạo khẳng định tiếp tục nỗ lực để phát triển hơn nữa quan hệ "đối tác toàn diện trong thế kỷ 21" giữa hai nước theo hướng tin cậy, ổn định lâu dài. Hai bên nhất trí sẽ tích cực thúc đẩy các dự án hợp tác kinh tế song phương, khuyến khích các cơ quan và doanh nghiệp hai nước tăng cường trao đổi thương mại, hợp tác lao động, du lịch và giao lưu văn hóa, phối hợp tổ chức các hoạt động có nội dung phong phú và thiết thực kỷ niệm 15 năm ngày thiết lập quan hệ ngoại giao giữa hai nước trong năm 2007.

Tổng thống Hàn Quốc bày tỏ lòng mong muốn của các doanh nghiệp Hàn Quốc tham gia vào các lĩnh vực phát triển của Việt Nam và khẳng định Chính phủ Hàn Quốc sẽ tiếp tục đóng góp tích cực vào sự phát triển kinh tế của Việt Nam thông qua việc tăng quy mô viện trợ không hoàn lại và cho vay ưu đãi EDCF. [...]

Thủ tướng [New Zealand Helen Clark] cho rằng quan hệ thương mại và đầu tư hai nước vẫn chưa tương xứng với tiềm năng. Do vậy, hai bên có thể thúc đẩy nhanh hơn nữa trong lĩnh vực này và tiếp tục hợp tác trong lĩnh vực khoa học kỹ thuật, giáo dục đào tạo và du lịch, vì lợi ích của nhân hai nước.

I am disappointed that the report did not cover the Kyoto alternatives. I know New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark was on the agenda to talk about climate change on why actions must not be delayed. It's true that if we don't have an understanding from the Asian countries on global warming, we're gonna have calamitous consequences. All I’m reading is how Bush is being entertained by Vietnamese leaders. I’m glad that the President said that he would seek implementation of UN resolutions on North Korea and urging regional leaders to consider free trade areas. Too bad, though, that the bill to normalize trade with Vietnam did not pass in the House.

Tổng thống Bush đến Á châu trong vị thế yếu hơn sau bầu cử giữa kỳ muốn tái khẳng định lập trường của Washington về vấn đề an ninh và thương mại trong khu vực.

Tuyên bố tại Singapore ông Bush thúc dục các lãnh đạo Á châu hãy gởi thông điệp mạnh mẽ cho Bình Nhưỡng rằng họ không thổ phổ biến vũ khí hạt nhân và hãy theo đuổi con đường đàm phán ôn hòa.

My Life, Rated.

2006-11-15T17:48:00.000-05:00

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	4.4
Mind:	4.6
Body:	6.1
Spirit:	5.9
Friends/Family:	2.7
Love:	2.3
Finance:	4.5
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

(Via Groaning Jock's)

Approaching my quarter-life crisis, that is all. Where's a shoulder to cry on? Better yet, just give me a six-pack of Bud Lite and a bottle of Lagavulin, then I'll be out of your hair for a while. I am so hurt.

We finally have a plea bargain

2006-11-14T17:41:00.000-05:00

State v. Donta Allen. Our beloved Linda Trịnh's justice is coming. It has been one year, eight months and 22 days since Linda was taken from us. The wait has been long enough. Today at 10:08 in the AM, the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some served time from the prosecutor's life imprisonment term.

BALTIMORE - A man who killed a Johns Hopkins University student during a burglary last year pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder in a plea deal giving him a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

Donta M. Allen, 28, admitted in court to killing Linda Trinh, 21, in her apartment near the university's Homewood campus in Baltimore in January 2005. The crime shook the prestigious university, which was already hurting from the murder of another student nine months earlier.

Some of Trinh's family members cried and hugged outside the courtroom after Allen pleaded guilty instead of going forward with a trial, which had been scheduled to begin Tuesday.[...]

Warren Brown, Allen's attorney, said he encouraged Allen to accept the plea deal, because he believed his client "would have been found guilty easily" and would have "died in jail."

Allen gave an incriminating statement to police, saying he intended to burglarize Trinh's apartment while she wasn't home. When he found her in the apartment, the two got into an argument, which became violent when she tried to call police. He also told police he had burglarized the apartment once before.

Police had DNA evidence linking Allen to the crime because his genetic profile was detected under Trinh's fingernails.[...]

Trinh was found in the apartment on the afternoon of Jan. 23 after police responded to a suspicious death call. She was face-down and partially clothed in her bathtub with about two inches of water and a cell phone. She had been asphyxiated by strangulation, and she had contusions on her neck and bruises on her arms and legs from blunt force.[...]

[Prosecutor] Fraling initially planned to seek a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole. He declined to comment on the case. Sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 8.

I sat at the very last row in the back, holding back my tears. Tears of joy that the case is settled by a plea bargain rather than by a jury trial. I don't think I can handle a lengthy court process or have to testify in a jury trial. The visuals and photos will just rip me apart. There will probably be continuances. The elements of offenses are overwhelming against the defendant. I won't go into details, but this voluntary manslaughter is beyond my comprehension for a motive. Whatever Donta Allen decides, I am counting on the prosecution to prove Allen's unlawful entry, his mental state and the circumstances to the judge in bench trial.

I find that life in prison sentence is a much lesser alternative punishment than the death penalty. In Vietnam, life imprisonment means that the prisoner spend his life in prison. After 30 years, he may be granted amnesty. I am all numb, and there's no reaction in me. Whenever I look into Linda's parents' eyes, I see a deep sadness and also a startling strength to forgive. I could never find the strength to forgive. I would be just too wicked depressed. I look forward to the sentencing hearing on January 8. If the Honorable Judge Brown permits, I'd like to give a family/friend statement to Donta Allen. It won't be easy for me, but it must be said. There's never really a closure. We can only hope that Mr. Allen will show some remorse.

Go Vote! Freedom isn't Free.

2006-11-07T15:38:00.000-05:00

Election Day. DC Government has given me one hour to go vote. I'm outta here to my precinct. You should be too. I hope this lyric from the song "Freedom Isn't Free" inspire you...

Artist: Trey Parker Lyrics
Song: Freedom Isn't Free
What would you do
If you were asked to give up your dreams for freedom
What would you do
If asked to make the ultimate sacrifice

Would you think about all them people
Who gave up everything they had.
Would you think about all them War Vets
And would you start to feel bad

Freedom isn't free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don't all chip in
We'll never pay that bill
Freedom isn't free
No, there's a hefty fuckin' fee.
And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?

What would you do
If someone told you to fight for freedom.
Would you answer the call
Or run away like a little pussy
'Cause the only reason that you're here.
Is 'cause folks died for you in the past
So maybe now it's your turn
To die kicking some ass

Freedom isn't free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don't all chip in
We'll never pay that bill
Freedom isn't free
Now there's a have to hook'in fee
And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?

You don't throw in your buck 'o five. Who will?
Oooh buck 'o five
Freedom costs a buck 'o five

PS. I have another nickname at the office. "Buck 'o five", but the co-workers are teasing about my weight. Go vote now!

UPDATE (11/8/06): Folks, sorry if I had mislead you with this song about partisan affiliation. I knew who I voted for, and I stand by my choice. This is a country music parody song. Gotta listen to it, don't read it.

Running out of seafood by 2048

2006-11-03T16:59:00.000-05:00

Study reports that overfishing, pollution could kill off fish in less than fifty years.

There will be virtually nothing left to fish from the seas by the middle of the century if current trends continue, according to a major scientific study.
Stocks have collapsed in nearly one-third of sea fisheries, and the rate of decline is accelerating.
Writing in the journal Science, the international team of researchers says fishery decline is closely tied to a broader loss of marine biodiversity. […]

Protecting stocks demands the political will to act on scientific advice - something which Boris Worm finds lacking in Europe, where politicians have ignored recommendations to halt the iconic North Sea cod fishery year after year.
Without a ban, scientists fear the North Sea stocks could follow the Grand Banks cod of eastern Canada into apparently terminal decline.

The graph shows the prediction of the total collapse of fish stock. This is not another green scare or environmental political intimidation. Keep on over-fishing and polluting the water, and you’ll see the devastating consequences. These researchers are from a reliable source, and they are calling for better marine mgt and tighter control on pollution. Trawling should be banned, and industrial net fishing should be stopped. They should do more line fishing instead. The problem is who is going to enforce the ban? The ocean is an open source. Vietnam and China are crazy about fish, over fishing. The US is one of the major polluters with more than 3 million tons of fish discharge. This is not a matter of seafood-loving eaters; it is a threat of losing fish species due to irresponsible fishing.

Update (12/28/2006): For detailed info on speceis, fishing methods and depleted or overfished stocks, visit Fish Online. Check out the list of fish to eat and fish to avoid (at the present). Fish to avoid have high levels of by-catch. I love fish, especially the ones that are well managed and in sustainable stocks. It'd be most depressing if we run out of seafood in 50 years. (I like cods and halibuts, but I will avoid them for now.)

Funny Election Campaign Ad

2006-10-26T17:30:00.000-04:00

In less than two weeks, the polls will be open for the midterm election of public officials. It is a holiday for Maryland, but I have to work on that day. DC allows its employees to take one hour off to cast their absentee ballots. Joy! Political ads are entertaining these days. Some has potential for great film making; others are just downright wrong. This one has to be the funniest:

It doesn’t matter what political standpoint you lean, ain’t nobody gonna vote for Republican Bill Sali. Speaking of idiotcracy, WTH is Republican congressional candidate, Tân Nguyễn, thinking!? Sending intimidating letters to Democratic Hispanic voters in OC is just not right. You won’t get my vote anh Tân. Threatening letters don’t scare me, unless it’s from an ex. Anywho, make your plans to go to the polls on that Tuesday (Nov. 7). Hopefully, the voting problems will resolve and go smoothly. There are sneaky sleazy people out there, I know. Don’t forget to enjoy the Halloween festivities. I am in the process of finishing my classy Oriental costume, despite the turmoil going on in the household and the wicked burn on the house settlement contracts. I’m not cut out for investment ventures. I acted too slowly and someone else has gotten a higher bid, bummer.

Since we’re on the subject of wickedness, guess who is driving 10+ hours to DC? SG!! The one and only queen of all evil! (hehe) No more Hennessy cognac and XO liquor shots -- bring back the cheap beers, and I’ll be in happy land.

Up-to-date (10/27/06):

Shmeedawg/Siquophrenia/SupaShmee is coming to town too!! Friday night wicked fun.

Regatta race and Baltimore weekend wicked fun

2006-10-23T12:35:00.000-04:00

I had a wicked good time at the 12th Annual AWS Paddlesport Regatta. I didn’t win a trophy or the 21-speed hybrid Trek bike, but I had a wicked good time assisting paddlers and event volunteers. The best part was seeing my partners-in-crime, aka the Anacostia River Rats. Any chance of friends reconnection, I’m there in a heartbeat. The race was a great success. Thanx to everyone who participated and helped at the historic BWP marina. Despite the dreadful sediment buildup by the bike bridge, we were blessed with the high tide and the gorgeous weather. Just south of the Anacostia River on each side is a small forest mixed with deciduous trees with some white pines. The Quercus and Acers are changing colors. The infamous poison ivy vines had dropped their berries and now had turned vibrant red. Wednesday’s cold front, unfortunately, did not bring many wildlife critters on the river. But on Saturday, the day of the Regatta race, the sun was bright, the sky was blue and the humidity was low, so the whole autumn day was simply beautiful. KT and I saw a 12 lbs. red fox at the bank of the river, and the paddlers were treated with the bald eagle hovering above us with a flock of sea gulls.

Right after the race, WH and I borrowed two sea-kayaks and paddled four miles down the river. We first saw a few cormorants diving for fish and taking flight off from the water. WH, a New Hampshirian, was proud to see the Great Blue Heron walking on the mudflats. There were red ear sliders basking in the sun on a tree log and a whole bunch more seagulls at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. And yes, we did see and hear the Canada geese honking as we paddled pass the Langston Golf course. We joked that the Pepco power plant was a great sight for the environment with dark smoke puffing out of the pipe towers. At any rate, this is obviously not a full report of the Regatta and the A River because I did not take any pictures. I just bought a 5.0 mp Panasonic digital camera, but I didn’t take it along – still afraid that I might lose this one in the river. I’m sure AWS and other newspaper crews document the race well. My excuse: I had too much fun to take pictures. Grrr, a certain energy geek left without saying goodbye, which was kinda a bummer. Then again, he had better things to do, so does everyone else.

Immediately after we put our kayaks back on the rack in the marina, I head up to check on my soon-mother-to-be friend in Baltimore. We talked for hours and met up with some folks at a house party. I took a shot of straight cognac and almost fainted. I started to sing but failed miserably because I just couldn’t remember the words. I had a wicked good visit and sleepover until the part about my social/marital life status came up. The End.

Came Sunday, I drove back to the DC area to work at the salon. The first words came out from my favorite technician, MN, was “where were you yesterday? We thought you quit or got fired. Why didn’t you call? What were you doing?” (all in Vietnamese, of course). Before I could respond, my face blushed and surprised that some people cared about my whereabouts. I know, I know – I can be such a biatch sometimes, and say the wrong things all the time, but I do appreciate the sentiment. By the way, I did get fired once at a job. It was an internship, no biggie.

Disclaimer: When I said, “I had a wicked good time”, I meant it, not like “staying the course” symbol for out of touch that Dubya had been trying to explain. Say what you really mean.

Biology 101 for the jocks

2006-10-16T17:14:00.000-04:00

Ohio State University head football coach, Jim Tressel, teaches photosynthesis to the football players.
"Photons from the sun are what makes this whole process possible". I am speechless. Speechless.

Phở 301 restaurant review

2006-10-10T17:40:00.000-04:00

I don’t usually go out to restaurants unless I am invited. I eat a lot at home. Lately, I have gotten some nice cash flow in my bank account to take my family and friends out ($1,500 in the checking account, baby!). Phở 301 just opened a few weeks ago – newly renovated and ready for business. I took Brother-in-Black, housemate MD and three out-of-control rascals on the first visit. Yesterday, long-time friend ThP and I went out for late lunch. He was very hungry, and I was tired, so this so-called review will be very rough.

Phở (pronounced “faah”) is a popular Vietnamese noodle soup. Phở 301 has eight styles of beef noodle soups: the regular beef noodle soup, soup with well-done brisket, or well-done flank, or fat brisket with tripe, with soft tendon (yum!), or combinations of the eight kinds. Additionally, you can have chicken noodle soup or shrimp. It is garnished with many spices that include: meat, marrowbone, salt, pepper, fish sauce, onions, shallots, anise, cloves, coriander, lemons, chilli, sweet basil, bean sprouts, chili sauce and hoisen sauce. What makes phở exceptionally great is the broth. On a separate small bowl, I tend to mix the hoisen sauce with the chili sauce, and then add a spoonful to my dish as I finish my bowl. Phở is nutritious. It has fresh, natural ingredients. You can eat it in the morning, lunch or dinner. When I am down with a cold or flu, I prefer phở over chicken noodle soup. Then after that meal, I sleep like no tomorrow. It’s an over-indulgence.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is casual. I enjoy the traditional Viet paintings on the walls. There’s a touch of modernity with the fake tropical fish wall tank and the 50-inch plasma TV. Phở 301 is located in Langley Park, MD on University Blvd E. Despite the Phở 75 restaurant right across the street, 301 triumph in cleanliness. Make sure you bring cash because they don’t have a credit card machine. Each table is equipped with a load full of chopsticks and soup spoons. The utensils are clean, but I always wipe them again with a napkin. Oh, try the tropical fruit smoothie with tapioca. Remember to chew the tapioca balls -- don’t laugh at me ThP! I can’t believe ThP tried to make me say grace. Thanx for the humor and the criticism, ThP.

Final word on Phở 301:

Broth (flavor, fragrance, clarity): ***
Meat (tenderness, quality) : ***
Noodles (texture, clumpiness) : ****
Vegetables (variety, freshness) : ***
Overall: ***1/2 out of 5 stars -- leaving room for improvements :-)

Pros: Comfort food
Inexpensive
Fast service
Waiters are friendly – some are single, ladies :-), speak English well
Clean
Cons: Parking, crowded on the weekends
Random loud arguments in the back that migrate to the front desk
Plasma TV can be a distraction
Cash only
No vegetarian dish (you can request it, but the broth is made from meat and marrowbone)

Đàm Vĩnh Hưng in Cowboy Hot, I mean Hat.

2006-10-10T12:06:00.000-04:00

Some of my Việt friends are teasing me without any signs of remorse, but this male artist, Đàm Vĩnh Hưng, is so cool. He has been around for a while and apparently very popular among the Viet communities. I suppose his good looks and gelled highlights just slipped through my pop cultural radar. I have been listening to his voice all day yesterday, ok – all afternoon on my day off. He is more R&B and Soul genre than Jazz. I like this particular song: Khóc cho người đi. The long crescendo on the eighth line blew me away, haha. To all seriousness now, this is a sad song, a song about moving on and about the healing process from a broken relationship, yadda yadda yadda! The harmonic sound of the 2-string đàn cò in the background music has a very soothing tone and dynamics. It’s a fiddle played with a bow. The base is held between the musician's feet in sitting position, a bit different from the holding position of a violin. PS. I want Best of Đàm Vĩnh Hưng CD for Christmas. I am gonna whine until I get it. Enjoy.

ở lại đây chỉ còn hai chúng ta
nói ra đi những suy tư buồn phiền
ngại ngùng chi vì ngày mai chách xa
sẽ không còn gì oán trách nhau
người tình ơi dù lòng anh đổi thay
trái tim tôi vẫn mong anh được vui
đừng bận tâm về chuyện hai chúng ta
cuộc tình mình xem như là cơn gió
người tình ơi ta đã không sống được với nhau
thì đành chia tay những giấc mơ mà thôi
những ngày vui ta bên nhau ôi đẹp làm sao
lòng quạn đau nhìn về những ngày xưa
tình xưa nghĩa cũ sẽ không bao giờ lãng quên dù ngày mai sẽ mãi mãi không còn nhau

Thôi đành chôn sâu trong tim một cuộc tình đau giọt nước mắt khóc cho người đi

Humor in education

2006-10-06T17:15:00.000-04:00

These math answers are dedicated to my housemate, MD, a math teacher. Here is her class website. I was never good in mathematics, just enough to get my grade and run with it. The second one with the infinity explanation is hilarious.

As for science, here are some enticing responses from school children:

Many dead animals in the past changed to fossils while others preferred to be oil.

Genetics explain why you look like your father and if you don't why you should.

Some oxygen molecules help fires burn while others help make water, so sometimes it's brother against brother.

Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun. But I have never been able to make out the numbers.

To most people solutions mean finding the answers. But to chemists solutions are things that are still all mixed up.

Rain is often known as soft water, oppositely known as hail.

Cyanide is so poisonous that one drop of it on a dogs tongue will kill the strongest man.

Isotherms and isobars are even more important than their names sound.

The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Fourth World Movement

2006-10-04T12:26:00.000-04:00

I don’t want to blog about (1) the disgusting son of a dog Florida ex-congressman Foley, (2) the three school shootings (I cry when I hear this kind of news. I condemn those gunmen to the pit of hell!), (3) the scary North Korea nuclear tests, (4) the unrelenting violence in Iraq, (5) the Bosox not in the playoffs (I’d like to see the Dodgers kick the Yanks’ bottocks in the ALCS and then win the World Series), (6) how I failed to get tickets to see “An Enemy of the People” at Shakespeare’s Theatre Co., (7) still no hot water over two weeks now, (8) my depressing e-breakup or (9) why my co-workers think I need to enroll in an anger management class (no comment).

Instead, I would like to introduce you folks to the Fourth World Movement. I have been an on-off active member of this fantastic organization for about ten years counting. When I was 13 or 14, I presented an appreciation plaque to the Ambassador of Sweden in front of the Capitol on October 17 Day event. A month later, that ambassador was fired because of some tax evasion or scandal. At any rate, years ago GG and JA introduced me to Tapori’s Children Network, where I participated in various activities and collected their minibooks on true stories of children throughout the world. Tapori is part of the widely known Fourth World Movement. The staffs are passionate and friendly, and they are tireless with their efforts “to overcome extreme poverty”. This October 17 is the next big event. Come check out the children’s life-size silhouettes display of hearts and messages – right out in front of the Capitol Building. Ask about their motto and ask to be a member and receive their newsletters. Hooray for the Fourth World Movement Volunteers!

Up-to-date (10/12/06):

Corrections: (1) No silhouettes at the Capitol. The display will be at the UN up in NYC. (2) The plaque was presented to the Ambassador of Switzerland, who got ousted because of money from WWII and Jewish families that was supposed to be neutral but it was concealed capital, or something like that… (3) My MLB playoff prediction was so off. Wait til next year, I suppose.

I need a taser...and a free theatre ticket

2006-09-29T17:26:00.000-04:00

What a long week it has been. LL says I shouldn’t have quitted my other job. But I did, and I don’t have regrets. I just miss the extra time I would have had at home. Then again, things aren’t great at my house. Flat mates are being unbelievably difficult. No…that’s not why I need a taser. Lately, I have been at the office doing Teacher Workshops (PLT, WET, WILD) until 8:30pm and bravely walking to the NY Ave/ FL Ave Metro at night to catch my train home. Pepper sprays aren’t as fun as electroshock guns. Despite the controversies associated with taser use, I want one! I’m only using the shock gun for self-defense. It’s easier to use the taser to take the creepy druggie down to the ground -- with minimal physical exertion, and with a minimum potential for injury, I think. Not to worry, I’m gonna call the cops and the paramedics to check on him after I electrocute him on the sidewalk. Anyhow, I’m just happy that the workshops ended for now. Maybe tonight, I’ll get to talk to my oh-so-wonderful housemates. I do like their company, it’s the lack thereof that’s keeping the distant farther and farther away. Whatever.

Nothing much is happening this DC weekend. The "Deadskins" (SG’s term for the Washington Redskins) are gonna lose this home game against the Jaquars. On Sunday, I need to reserve a couple of free threatre tickets for the October 19 productions. The League of Washington Theatre is giving out more than 2000 tickets for your chance to see a professional production. Still waiting for The Departed to come out in the movie theaters. What else is new?

$3b Investment to Fight Warming

2006-09-22T19:06:00.000-04:00

British billionaire Richard Branson announced he would pledge about $3 billion to fight global warming at the Clinton Global Initiative.

"Venture capital companies that focus on renewable energy are popping up all over the place," says Deloitte's Professor James. And while Mr Whitehorn talks cryptically about a car he has been testing that runs on Virgin's own secret biofuel, the real secret to success in the renewable energy industry will be a long-term commitment and financing.[...]

It seems there is a compelling commercial logic behind Sir Richard's drive for new fuels.

Sir Richard Branson, the man behind the Virgin brand, said all the profits generated from his transportation sectors (airline companies) will be invested in finding renewables, sustainable energy sources in an effort to promote alternative energy, to wean the world off from fossil fuels.

Kudos to you Sir Knighted Richard. Thanks to President Bill Clinton and Al Gore for their endless promotional efforts.

Lưu Quang Vũ poetry

2006-09-19T20:22:00.000-04:00

I’m in the mood for some poetry, and I find this Vietnamese poet and playwright interesting. Lưu Quang Vũ (1948-1988) is famous for his works in "Cô Gái Đời Mù Nỏ Xám" (The Girl in a Gray Beret), "Tôi và Chúng Ta" (Me and Us) "Lời Thề Thứ Chín" (The Ninth Oath) and "Lời Nói Dối Cuối Cùng" (The Last Lie) among his thirty plays in the span of ten years. I look forward to seeing one of his plays on stage one day. He writes very nice love poems too. His poems are dramatic and moving. The rhythm and tone flows together like – a song. Here’s one of my favorites.

Việt Nam ơi

Những áo quần rách rưới
Những hàng cây đắm mình vào bóng tối
Chiều mờ sương leo lắt đèn dầu
Những trẻ ngồi quanh mâm gỗ
Lèo tèo mì luộc canh rau

Mấy mươi năm vẫn mái tranh này
Dòng sông đen nước cạn
Tiếng loa đầu dốc lạnh
Tin chiến trận miền xa
Những người đi chưa về
Những qủa bom những hầm hào sụt lở
Những tên tướng, những lời hăm dọa
Người ta định làm gì Người nữa
Việt Nam ơi?

Mấy mươi năm đã mấy lớp người
Chia lìa gục ngã
Đã tận cùng nỗi khổ
Người ta còn muốn gì Người nữa
Việt Nam ơi?

Người đau thương, tôi gắng gượng mỉm cười
Gắng tin tưởng, nhưng lòng tôi có hạn
Chiều nay lạnh, tôi nghẹn ngào muốn khóc
Xin Người tha thứ, Việt Nam ơi

Tổ quốc là nơi tỏa bóng yên vui
Nơi nghĩ đến lòng ta yên tĩnh nhất
Nhưng nghĩ đến Người lòng tôi rách nát
Xin Người đừng trách giận, Việt Nam ơi.

Tôi làm sao sống được nếu xa Người
Như giọt nước bậu vào bụi cỏ
Như châu chấu ôm ghì bông lúa
Người đẩy ra tôi lại bám lấy Người
Không vì thế mà Người khinh tôi chứ
Việt Nam ơi?

Không vì tôi đau khổ rã rời
Mà Người ghét bỏ?
Xin Người đừng nhìn tôi như kẻ lạ
Xin Người đừng ghẻ lạnh, Việt Nam ơi

Người có triệu chúng tôi, tôi chỉ có một Người
Tất cả sẽ ra sao
Mảnh đất nghèo máu ứa?
Người sẽ đi đến đâu
Hả Việt Nam khốn khổ?

Đến bao giờ bông lúa
Là tình yêu của Người?
Đến bao giờ ngày vui
Như chim về bên cửa?
Đến bao giờ Người mới được nghỉ ngơi
Trong nắng ấm và tiếng cười trẻ nhỏ?

Đến bao giờ đến bao giờ nữa
Việt Nam ơi?

Your body and your government

2006-09-15T19:16:00.000-04:00

I know my friend, TN, who is pregnant with child, is gonna kill me for posting this clip. But I must support this government initiative, (only because it wouldn't work) haha.

Talk about female reproductive signals...You men are too funny -- The vagina: Gateway to Information.

Catch 33 flash game

2006-09-12T18:56:00.000-04:00

Here's a fun game of Catch 33. It's suppose to improve your memory and observation skills. My score was 61 seconds...shows you how much I don't give a damn -- I mean it shows I forget a lot of details :-)

On that note, go vote PG County!! You have 1.5 hours left. Prince Georges Co. has extended its voting time by one hour and Montgomery County by two hours (ending at 9:00 PM). Go vote!!

That Tuesday on Sept. 11

2006-09-11T20:14:00.000-04:00

When I was a junior in High School, god parents JA and GG took me and NQ to Wall Street to observe the inside of the stock market – the so-call pit. The trip was mostly geared for NQ’s interest in the trading markets. I just tagged along for the sightseeing and who could refuse a trip with JA and GG? It was fun, educational, entertaining and always intuitive. After chatting with JA’s stockbroker and surviving "the pit" tour, we took a taxi cab to downtown. We stopped at the foot of the World Trade Center.

I remember looking up and up and up, unable to see the top -- wondering at the amazing architectural feat of engineering standing before me. I could’ve sworn that the twin towers were swaying back and forth in the sky as I look up. Face to face with these twin giants, we finally decided to take the tour up to the towers. I forget which one we went on, but we actually went to the 72nd floor or something like that. From the window looking down, I felt like a small bird watching over the city. It all seemed like I could take my boyfriend up to the tower one day and just hang out at the food court.

September 11, 2001. 8:30 am. I was getting ready for my Inorganic Chemistry class, all showered and incompleted homework in my bag (I didn’t get to finish it the night before because, yeah…) My roommate NQ turned on the TV to CBS The Early Show. I saw WTC, one tower standing, the other on fire with a hole near the top. It was the jetliner that made the firing hole. Before NQ and I could make a reaction, another jet dived into the other tower, and we all knew. My heart dropped, and I just walked out of the dorm without saying a word. Even Steven Spielberg can not do a stunt like that. I found myself at the CUB desk sitting on the couch (instead of sitting in my Chem class, which was cancelled anyway). I overheard someone said that a plane has hit the Pentagon, and I lost myself. My family were in the area. My friends live and work near there. My godparents are in the vicinity. What is happening? Are there more planes? Are my family and friends in DC ok?

I called my parents, but the phone line was busy. I tried again and again. No connections. I called everyone on my crummy paper phone list, and finally reached Cathy T (my niece-in-law (?), and she said that everyone is ok. The rest of the day was a blur. I managed to e-mail my HS Spanish teacher Mr. W to check on everyone. I dunno why I contacted Mr. W. He e-responded back that the school was ok, but everyone is pretty much shaken from the news. I finally calmed down when I got to talk to ba and mẹ, and they said that everyone in the family was ok.
I tried to talk to my co-worker, BB if his family and friends are ok, but I my voice was shaken and I could not continue. I think he was a little freaked out at my reaction, but BB was quite comforting for not pushing me to say anything.

Nearly 3000 innocent people died, just four shy of the number. Many of them heroes died trying to save lives. I think we grew up a lot since September 11, 2001. Many bloggers today are remembering September 11. It’s not easy to forget. It's easy to over analyze and twist the facts. It’s easy to point fingers and blame the ones that seem vulnerable. I'm not hurt or angry anymore. I'm just determined that it should never happen again. We need a department of peace, ya’ll.

Marriages: the real and the fake

2006-09-08T19:32:00.000-04:00

I've talked about phony marriages ages ago, and I am contradicted. The state of Virginia is cracking down on fake marriages. Investigators have found that it is hard to tell between a real and a fake one.

Twenty-two people were charged, including "facilitators" who brokered the marriages for fees ranging from $2,500 to $6,000, illegal immigrants who wanted a marriage as a means of obtaining permanent residency, and U.S. citizens who received initial payments of $500 plus monthly installment payments totaling up to $3,600 for their participation.[...]

"We don't normally take an opinion on matters of the heart, but it's safe to say in this case that we do not believe in love at first sight," Rosenberg said.

The investigation, using confidential informants and undercover agents, revealed extensive evidence of the fraud, including payments between individuals and efforts by facilitators to coach couples on the questions customs agents might ask them to verify the marriage's legitimacy, like what side of the bed each slept on.

There is the ugly ugly truth, and there is the "opportunity" for a better life. Can you imagine the nightmare of a fake ceremony? Kissing and cutting the wedding cake with your “husband” while his real girlfriend looks on with rage. Then you have to go through the passport panel trying to prove that you and “your husband” are in a relationship. Personally, I can not fake things if my life depends on it. Everyone can tell when I lie, even my two year old nephew knows it. I scratch my right ear when I try to hide something. Don’t know why. Weird.

It is a dangerous position for taking the mid ground, but I don't have much to say about this scheme. I still think it's wrong (if you get caught). But what if you’re just trying to help a friend? Statistically, one in five marriages are bogus anyways :-) Do let me know your stories and your views (anonymously). I am curious.

Wicked frustrated with the judicial system

2006-09-07T14:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was supposed to be the first day for Quyên’s murder trial. I knew I couldn’t attend because of work, but I waited patiently for any news. The last set date was postponed because the prosecutor was busy. This time the trial lawyer quit his job, so now the case has been pushed back again! For the third time!

The trial for Donta Allen, the accused killer of undergraduate Linda Trinh, has been postponed from Sept. 6 to Nov. 14 because the state's attorney assigned to the case has resigned.

This is the third postponement of the trial, originally scheduled for Jan. 17 and then for April 25.

If you had recalled, Donta M. Allen was indicted in April 2005 and was to be arraigned in May – got postponed. I’ve been trying to find any news on what really happened at the arraignment, but I had no information. I looked at the Maryland court websites and called the front desk myself, and I haven’t been successful.

I sure hope there’s a bright side to all these delays – that all the evidence are collected and all witnesses are gathered and all speeches are meticulously worded and the murderer has time to reflect on what a massive sin and hurt he has bestowed upon all of us. We still miss you very much Linda Quyên Trịnh.

Slay them teletubbies

2006-09-05T19:13:00.000-04:00

Finally, a stress reliever that's worth my time. Go on, destroy those scary teletubbies with various weapons. The chainsaw is the coolest one of all. I've always hated the teletubbies, scariest children show ever! Muah hahahaha.

Blogging hiatus explained (sorta): C&O Canal towpath

2006-09-04T15:55:00.000-04:00

I've been so busy trying to take over the world these last few weeks that I've forgotten about this lil' blog. I made a few weekend road trips here and there - wrote in my journal as I went and then burnt the sappy thoughts on the camp fire. I do, however, would like to share with you the C&O canal adventure.

Once upon a time, two crazies decided to take on a 184.5 unpaved miles bike trail in two days. One crazy tried "to kill" the other, while the other moaned about the pain of constant pedaling. One of them had never biked more than five miles; the other still wanted "to kill Trynn". One mid August weekend, SG and I bought our $14 bike racks and got too excited about a bike trip. Brother in Black daringly drove us to Cumberland, Maryland for our starting point. The day was beautiful. We load our food and camping gear (~15 lb/each) onto the racks. I won't go into details about how we shove two mountain bikes into Cammy's trunk. I will tell you that we used bungee cords and my dollar ropes to hold the trunk door down. I made a few stupid moves. One of which is not having proper gear, like biking shoes; instead, I was wearing sandals -- what an idiot (right photo). That was not such a big mistake. My seat cushion was not as comfortable as I thought. I could've easily pulled a hamstring if we had completed the towpath. My *ss was definitely aching for days. You would've noticed my pain if you had seen me walk. Aside the pain, which is good pain by the way, the towpath was amazingly beautiful.

We got to Cumberland at noon and biked 60 miles. We were not allowed to exceed 15 mph, and we didn't wear a helmet. SG enjoyed the Paw Paw tunnel very much, hehe. The last two miles on our first day was exceedingly painful for me. My pain threshold can only be pushed so far. Because of my constant complaint, SG agreed to stop and camp out. At that time her bike rack was falling apart and was holding on loosely in place by my dollar rope (lucky me!! ha.ha). Remember folks, rope and duct tapes are your two best friends for life! You don't know why or when you'll need them, but they're handy when you need them most. We were fortunate not to have experienced any violent summer tropical storms or have to use our supply of inner tubes. SG went down the Potomac River to relax her muscles. The Icy Hot patch helps too. For supper, I cooked curry-flavored rice pilaf with turkey slices. The two of us ate all four servings. My buttocks and legs were in so much pain that my brain could not register the loud banging of the train engines on the railroad switchyard during the night. I slept like a baby with her eyes rolled up. The next day, we biked to milepost 95 and got picked up by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Brother at Williamsport Visitor Center. This is another testimonial why I love my brothers.

I would recommend this adventure to anyone (not for the faint of heart). You could do 20 miles on Harper's Ferry or select some other segment of the C&O, and it shoudl be lovely. It would be much more enjoyable if you plan it on three to four days for the whole path. Leave some time to check out the local towns and the local shops. You'll probably look a little silly from exhaustion, but no one would dare laugh at you; instead, they would leave a shocking look to their faces when you tell them your trek. We had one lady that was speechless after we told of our lil expedition...And no...we did not do this for a cause, we just felt like biking 184.5 miles (though we only made 95 miles). For more information, check out the C&O Canal Bicycling Guide. Make sure you bring a friend or a group; it's more fun that way. Then again, you have to watch your back cuz SG would try "to kill" you along the way.

RIP Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin

2006-09-04T14:39:00.000-04:00

What a shock. It is a sad day that naturalist Steve Irwin died. If I had to die young, I would not want to die from something I love.

UK wilderness expert Ray Mears said that Mr Irwin's death was a tragedy and that his thoughts were with his family, but that the incident served as a warning that "some things in nature should be left alone".

How unfortunate it is to be struck in the heart by a stingray's barb. Poor guy. I haven't forgiven him for holding his baby in one hand and fighting off a crocodile with the other. That was when I thought he had gone too far! Nonetheless, Steve was a real hands-on conservationist. His eccentric style served its purpose in that it brought awareness to the general public who see animals as scary and ugly. We will all wish the best for his wife and family.

Joe Bob is eloping with SG, nooooo!

2006-08-08T20:04:00.000-04:00

My favorite beruit partner SG is leaving to Lyndeboro/Boston forever, I know it. It hasn't hit me yet, or maybe I am in denial, but what am I gonna do and where am I gonna hang out after work or on the weekends!? Surely, I am gonna be depressed for a long while. What am I gonna do when SG is 500 miles away? There'll be no more talks of Red Sox nation, no more power hours, no more random ghetto mall movies, no more beer pong tourneys, no more weekend strenuous outdoors expeditions, no more random gossips about hook ups, no more evil eyes glaring at me, and gosh darn it -- not even heated games of trivial pursuit (haha).

You will be sorely missed, SG, by all of us in MD. It's all Joe Bob's fault. Good luck with the new job, you wicked cool budget analyst. I'll be waiting in spirit at the endline of the Boston Marathon cheering for ya. Let us know when you get that trailer down by the river. My cabin across the prairie, between the green valleys, next to the waterfalls will be quite welcoming when you get the chance. It has been a real fun year. Enjoy your beautiful City on a Hill. Go easy on the men. I am counting on Joe Bob to take care of ya :-)

Where the sidewalk ends...

2006-08-02T19:48:00.000-04:00

No, I don't mean the 1950 flick. I'm having this massive guilt for leaving my job. The first time ever -- since graduating from G'burg! All my co-workers had been very kind and helpful to me these last few days. One of them is wicked pissed at me. I'm such a girl. This emotional component is the hardest. I hope my decision turns out for the best, a kind of inertia for what's next, and in making what's next worth all the trauma of getting to it.

Environmental Specialist, here I come. I hope NE District of Columbia will treat as kindly as EPA did. My last day will be tomorrow. I shall shed a tear because this sidewalk has ended, but a new concrete one shall be paved -- whether for the better is another story...

News break

2006-07-29T19:15:00.000-04:00

My cousin, VD and his family live in downtown Seattle. This shooting news from yesterday scared me. Fortunately, the gunman is taken to custody and VD is fine. Six victims: one dead, five wounded, all women.

According to Amy Wasser-Simpson, the vice president for planning and community services for the Jewish Federation, the man had told staff members, "I'm a Muslim American; I'm angry at Israel," then began shooting.

Obviously, the suspect is upset about what was going on in Israel, but gosh damn it, why hurt people!?! I'm glad that VD is ok.

More pleasant news: PG County 5th District Court Judge R. Palumbo has left the bench. Yahwoo! He mistreated women who came before him seeking protective orders in domestic-abuse cases, and using his status (salary: $118,502) as a judge to sway police. Yvette Cade, 30-something, was a victim of abuse came before Palumbo to seek help. Instead of help, the douchebag judge dismissed the protective order standing between Cade and her abusive husband. In October, "the husband" doused her with gasoline and lit her on fire. Cade suffered 60% burns on her body. Palumbo has been limited to administrative duties since. Thank goodness he has resigned.

Speaking of leaving, I'm composing a resignation letter from my current job. It's time to move on. As Connie Chung gracefully (haha) puts it, "thanx for the memories". I will work for one more week (haha) at the EPA building, then start my new one on August 7th. SG, DY and I went to a local (shady) bar last night to celebrate my news and SG's resignation from her wine super store. Omigosh. Identical "quitting our jobs" twins! Bottles up.

There's an article in the July/August 2006 issue of Maryland Life magazine about my kayaking trip last summer. I forget what page.

Violation of international law

2006-07-27T17:03:00.000-04:00

I don’t know the best way to respond to Kumea’s frustration about the Middle East crisis. The way I see it, this war is between Israel and Hezbollah, and the sad realization is that Hezbollah is in Lebanon, involving innocent civilians – which is a direct violation of international law.

I found Mr. Fouad Ajami's attempted explanation enlightening partly because I’m learning the turmultuous history of that region. Below is the excerpt from his essay:

Pity Lebanon: In a world of states, it has not had a state of its own. A garden without fences, was the way Beirut, its capital city, was once described. [...]

That raid into Israel, the capture of the two Israeli soldiers, was a deliberate attack against the new Lebanon. That the crisis would play out when the mighty of the G-8 were assembled in Russia was a good indication of Iran's role in this turn of events. Hassan Nasrallah had waded beyond his depth: The moment of his glory would mark what is destined to be a setback of consequence for him and for his foot soldiers. Iran's needs had trumped Hezbollah's more strictly Lebanese agenda. [...]

But the Lebanese have been given to feuds among themselves, and larger players have found it easy to insert themselves into that small, fragile republic. Now the Lebanese have been given yet again a cautionary tale about what befalls lands without sovereign, responsible states of their own. [...]

Lebanon's strength lies in its weakness, went an old maxim. And the Arab states themselves were for decades egregious in the way they treated Lebanon, shifting onto it the burden of the Palestinian fight with Israel, acquiescing in the encroachments on its sovereignty by the Palestinians and the Syrians--encroachments often subsidized with Arab money. Iran then picked up where the Arab states left off. Now that weakness of the Lebanese state has become a source of great menace to the Lebanese, and to their neighbors as well.

No one can say with confidence how this crisis will play out. There are limits on what Israel can do in Lebanon. The Israelis will not be pulled deeper into Lebanon and its villages and urban alleyways, and Israel can't be expected to disarm Hezbollah or to find its missiles in Lebanon's crannies. Finding the political way out, and working out a decent security arrangement on the border, will require a serious international effort and active American diplomacy. International peacekeeping forces have had a bad name, and they often deserve it. But they may be inevitable on Lebanon's border with Israel; they may be needed to buy time for the Lebanese government to come into full sovereignty over its soil.

Currently, still nothing good is coming out of these hostilities.

• Following the deaths of four UN observers in an Israeli air strike, Australia has withdrawn 12 UN peacekeepers, describing the prospect of sending an international force to Lebanon right now as a "suicide mission"
• A poll of Israelis published by Israel's Maariv daily newspaper suggests 82% back the continuing offensive and 95% say Israel's action is justified [...]

Foreign ministers from key countries - including the US, UK and regional powers - attended emergency talks on the crisis in Rome on Wednesday.
They did not call for an immediate ceasefire, vowing instead to work with the "utmost urgency" for a sustainable truce.

I don’t mean to point fingers, but Lebanon can’t seem to control its minority groups and militias; therefore, there’s no security and control in its state. Israel’s action is not accepted either. I only hope that there’ll be some type of peace treaty between the two factions. Ugh!

Must.think.cooler.thoughts

2006-07-21T17:22:00.000-04:00

Washington DC is experiencing Code Red air quality. The heat wave + three beautiful rascals = system.overload. I'm glad the AC is working at the mall and at my folks' apartment. I can deal with my basement room not having AC, but I can't handle it if the kids are there. It's just too hot.

The photo above is for some cool thoughts. It's the Yellowstone River, upstream of the Grand Canyon in the winter. It rarely freezes over because its waters are "geothermally heated". Have a nice breezy weekend, everybody.

Camping with the wild ponies

2006-07-18T07:02:00.000-04:00

At some point on vacation, I’d like to relax, to enjoy quiet time and to connect with the natural outdoors. Not very long ago (haha), godparents GG and JA enrolled me and He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named brother in an overnight week-long camp with 4-H. During that time, I’ve learned to be reflective and to take advantage of silence. Despite the whirl of activities like swimming, hiking, group singing, arts & crafts, archery, horseback riding, bocce and canoeing, we have lots of quiet time.

This past 3-day weekend, quibbling niece (4), nephews (10, 2), Má Năm, her honorary son (14) and I camped at Eagles Nest campground on the Assateague National Seashore beaches. Let’s just say that each one of us connect to the natural world at different levels. Má Năm loves electricity and her various electronics (MP3 player, queen-size air mattress pump, fan, cell charger, alarm clock and some other gadgets I have never seen before or see her use them). I must say, she’s amazing behind the wheel. It has been a long time since I was last a passenger in a car. Of all the nail technicians I’ve worked with, she likes camping the most. Her honorary son enjoys sleep and very much looks forward to going home to see Disney’s "High School Musical" (or some cheesy TV kid show). His favorite part about the trip was playing in the Atlantic Ocean waves (until the lifeguards kicked us out of the water because of the approaching summer t-storms). Buzz-cut nephew likes to torture animals. I found various critters (sea urchins, water hermit crabs, fiddler crabs, snails) by the pier early in the AM and brought back for show-and-tell. Before I realized what had happened, the sea creatures were all dying or dead. He stone speared the giant jellyfish with sharp rocks from the shore and poked the hermit crabs out of their shells. He lured the wild ponies with M&M chocolates and purposely hit the ponies in the head with a stick. Behind all those "macho" attitudes, he’s really scared of bugs and all things that crawl and slither. Quibbling niece loves to ask "why? why? why? why?" and insists that I give thorough answers - but they don’t have to be correct; they just have to be within her realm of understanding, such as "if you don’t put that fish hook down, you’ll injure yourself; because the hook is pointy and sharp; because Zebco made it so that the fish won’t get away when it’s hooked by the mouth; because kids aren’t suppose to play with sharp objects; because I TELL YOU SO!". Youngest large-eyes nephew is quite a character. He keeps me sane simply by being himself. He wakes up earlier than the other campers and enjoys playing in the waves and digging for Emerita talpoida mole crabs. He likes to talk and easily befriends with nearby campers. At nightfall he persist that I tell him a story “ngày xủa ngày xữa…” for everyone to hear before bedtime.

When everyone’s asleep, and Má Năm has had her third glass of red wine, I make my escape with a couple of Heinekens out to the edge of the fishing pier. On the first night, I was on the dark side of the lone thin pier and counted the shooting stars. I also saw teenagers skinny dipped at the dock, yelling “OMG, it’s cold! it’s cold! Ahhh. Haha. Jelly! Sh*t! What the h*ll was that!?” So much for quiet time, but I didn’t (couldn’t) complain. It was too amusing. When it finally got all quiet, I got to thinking. Ok, anybody that knows me know that I hate thinking, so technically I was contemplating, contemplating about why my hands aren’t silky smooth, why my second toe is longer than the big one, why the monkey bite scar (among many others) is still noticeable, why my PJ’s got a hole in it, and why Metallica songs are in my head and why I didn’t ask for that gentleman’s number at the hookah bar??? Before heading back to the communal tent, I skipped a few stones and walked back to my campsite satisfied. With the stressful world we live in, I’m glad to have the air in my lungs and the growing circle of friends and family that care about each other despite the dramas and rumors.

Being in the outdoors setting teaches us how to be calm and reflective. Moments of contemplation (when we get them) help us to relax and slow down. It’s one of the best parts about camping. The beers help too (when the kids are asleep). I am, however, delighted to be back in the city, back to work, back to civilization. It is a shame that since I’ve been gone, Israel has been bombing Lebanon. There’s nothing good that will come out of this. The invasion has already destabilized Lebanon. If someone had bombed my airport, my cell-phone networks, bridges and killing my civilians in my Sims City, I'd retaliate with utmost force. Seriously, the attacks have to stop; Lebanon is having a hard time already, politically and emotionally. I do hope both sides will soon find a way to end the violence. Nowal has an online petition for Israel to leave - come on over to support that appeal.

Bomb in Mumbai

2006-07-12T20:33:00.000-04:00

Seven bombs struck a commuter train in a Mumbai suburb. There are anxious relatives gather around the lists of the names of dead and injured at hospitals today. The initial speculation is Kashmiri separatists -- damn despicable scumbags! My condolences go out to the people of Bombay/Mumbai. I have not heard back from Rustom. I hope his family and friends are ok. For more updated info and how to help, go here.

In other news, Zidane apologizes for the headbutt.

WHAT WAS SAID?
BBC Radio Five Live asked a deaf lip reader to read Materazzi's words phonetically to an Italian translator:
She deciphered the insult as being "you're the son of a terrorist whore"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BBC's Ten O'Clock News called in experts to study the television footage who said:
Materazzi told Zidane to "calm down" before accusing him of being a "liar" and wished "an ugly death to you and your family". This was followed by "Go f*** yourself" [...]

There were claims the Italian had called Zidane a "terrorist", but in Tuesday's edition of the Italian newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport, Materazzi said: "It was the kind of insult you will hear dozens of times and just slips out on the field.

Geesh. Why the headbutt? It hurts the scalp. If someone had insulted my mother, I'd give him the high kick, not launching my crown into his chest. That way, the ref would give me a yellow card instead of a send-off. Though, I'm glad Zidane apologized -- it's a professional thing to do.

Ahoy, Mateys -- restock the rum!

2006-07-10T12:15:00.000-04:00

"Two students and a kid [tickets], please." Haha. Trynn Diesel is cheap!

Last night, Brother in Black, SG and I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2 at the one and only ghetto mall. I love the ghetto mall ::insert sarcasm::, and I actually liked POTC2 despite NQ and PN's disappointments. The story line was quite weak, but we were there to root for Captain Jack Sparrow and his bottle of rum and his "jar of dirt". SG pre-gamed with a couple of drinks (naturally :-); Brother in Black got some love by females friends at the mall (the horror in my eyes! girls are manipulative, deceitful and devious!); while I reminisced about life on the open sea. I won't spoil the plot's details for those that haven't seen the flick yet. If you're seeking great special effects and non-stop action, this is the summer movie to see. And if you love pirates and rum like SG and I, Cap. Jack will live up to your expectations. If ya want to wait and rent the film, I don't blame ya. By the way, I don't think the Garifuna people were as vicious as the film has depicted -- their cannibalistic role was pure entertainment.

World Cup final: WTH? What could Italy's Materazzi have possibly said or done that Zidane wouldn't have experienced before in his career? That headbutt was uncalled for. Congratulations, Italia! Great song choice for the trophy/ending ceremony: U2's "One"

Wedding, yay!

2006-07-07T17:53:00.000-04:00

Yup. I'm driving mum and dad to a friend's wedding tomorrow. Congratulations Mr.& Mrs. Tang Kien An. I found this silly "how-to" lifesaver that just might do the trick while I attend the reception. No harm intended.

How to stop people from bugging you about getting married:

Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

Ok, serious now... since the family is devout Christians (funny how so many Asians are pulled into these Western religions...i dunno), here's a quote from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Chúc mừng An & Thanh.

Save the amphibians

2006-07-07T16:23:00.000-04:00

Climate scientists have warned that global warming could spur deadly disease epidemics. The study suggests that the amphibian world is experiencing such effect. Therefore, humans and other species should consider themselves duly warned.

Hundreds of amphibian species will become extinct unless a global action plan is put into practice very soon, conservationists warn.

Campaigners are forming an Amphibian Survival Alliance, to raise $400m and carry through a rescue strategy.

More than a third of all amphibian species are said to be in peril.

In a policy statement issued in the journal Science, researchers blame a number of factors including habitat loss, climate change and disease.[...]

The losses are caused by land-use change; commercial overexploitation; invasive species pushing out native amphibians; and a wave of disease.

The situation led to a summit last year being called in Washington DC, where a global action plan was agreed.

Amphibians are extremely sensitive to environmental change. There are rigid evidences of its peril that warn of such climate change dangers. Lots of talk and not enough action...

Today is the one-year anniversary of the 7/7 bombings in London. I was horrified at the time. Aside from my former roommates' safety, I was concerned about the racism and xenophobic notion against Muslims in London and other European countries after that bomb incident. It's kinda sad how some people are fearful of change and being open minded to others.

And I shed a tear or two...

2006-07-05T19:23:00.000-04:00

I'm back from my extended Fourth of July weekend ocean holiday. What an amazing time at the New Jersey seashores. The beach house, the 4 foot waves, the night board walk, the Cape May lighthouse and of course the hospitality from Green's Liquor store was amazing. I love it. My only advice to you all beach goers is to bring along sunblock lotion (UVA & UVB, SPF 30 at least). More importantly, make sure the sunscreen lotion is effective, not from two years ago. Otherwise, you'll look like me now, a red lobster with irritable pain all over. Nevertheless, I had a blast with my G'burg friends. Throughout the weekend, SG's mission was "to kill Trynn"; NQ was to take my inheritance (which was kinda sad cuz we all calculated how much I was worth, and it's only $3,000 tops); LG's mission was to construct a perfect coverup so that no one would ever noticed I'm gone. Well, mission: impossible because this time I plead that I am loveable and capable; therefore, this world needs me. Kind of a lame excuse, but hey I am still alive, hehe. I love you gals (happy teardrop discharge).

Portugal lost to a freakin' penalty kick by French midfielder Zidane. Soo deeply disappointed (a teardrop is shed). C. Ronaldo still has a lot to learn. He cried long before Portugal defeat was official, what a sensitive sweetie :-) We all have to move on somehow. Come Sunday, I hope France wins, they didn't cheat as much as Italy. Any team that defeats Brazil and Portugal deserves the Fifa trophy.

In other humanitarian crisis news, North Korea has shot off the seventh missile (sniff sniff). The long-range ballistic missiles that could have reached the United States (thankfully) failed. Someone should bonk Kim Jong Il in the head and leave him mentally retarded. The North Koreans will continue their missile testing no matter what anyone says. With every failure launch, they'll learn a little more. That's what scares me.

Won on penalties, omigosh Portugal advances

2006-07-01T20:18:00.000-04:00

I know England fans are plotting to throw eggs at my face, not at my car, but at my face for cheering on Portugal in the quarter-finals. What an amazing match! I asked Brother in Black to tape the game for me. While working, I took a few glimpses at the play (ok, I watched practically the whole game), and I must say that both teams were really good. The result of the penalty shootout kicks were used to select a winner to progress to the semi-finals. I must admit, the shootouts were pure drama. Did you see my C. Ronaldo in action, did ya? did ya? Whoa! Ok, NA and England fans, the match was a tough fight for both team nonetheless. I really think that penalty shootouts are not fair for determining which team wins. The winning decision should be for the team with fewest yellow cards and red cards, that's all.

Speaking of yellow cards, Brazil lost, Muhahahaha!! Second happiest moment of my day! It was a fair win for France, but a big surprise nonetheless. I think Portugal should be ruthless with this team because the French offense is unbelieveable. However, the good French players are old! over 30 years old! Their stamina will soon run out (tee hehe)! I'm predicting Germany v. Portugal in the finals -- with the trophy in the hands of the Portuguese (more rotten eggs in my face, (figuratively) I'm sure -- cuz no one I know is rooting for them).

In other news, I'll be out-of-town at this location. Can anyone guess? Anyone other than SG, NQ, LG and Cammy the Camry. Happy (early) Fourth of July, everybody.

We're gonna be toast!

2006-06-29T17:18:00.000-04:00

Portugal slowly approaches the quarter-finals -- sadly without Deco...England seems very confident. It's all you, Christiano. Don't disappoint Scolari.

In the next couple of weeks, I'm playing the waiting game on the side. Wait for a rejection. Wait for an offer. Wait for some type of decision that will eventually come. Back to WC, on this day, Argentina won the World Cup in 1986. They're taking on Germany tomorrow -- my prediction? It's gonna be tough for Argentina. With the enormous fan support, I think Germany will win. But gosh, Argentina does have amazing talents.

The Bob Dylan of Vietnam

2006-06-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

I'm beginning to enjoy Trịnh Công Sơn's legacy and lyrics about love and antiwar. My mom is a fanatic of his songs, mostly mirrored by vocalist, Khánh Ly. Here're some of Trịnh's poetry translated in English. Below is relative to my day, it kinda speaks to me, haha.

Mỗi Ngày Tôi Chọn Một Niềm Vui by Trịnh Công Sơn

Mỗi ngày tôi chọn một niềm vui
Chọn những bông hoa và những nụ cười
Tôi nhặt gió trời mời em giữ lấy
Để mắt em cười tựa lá bay

Mỗi ngày tôi chọn đường mình đi
Đường đến anh em đường đến bạn bè
Tôi đợi em về bàn chân quen quá
Thảm lá me vàng lại bước qua

Và như thế tôi sống vui từng ngày
Và như thế tôi đến trong cuộc đời
Đã yêu cuộc đời này bằng trái tim của tôi

Mỗi ngày tôi chọn một niềm vui
Cùng với anh em tìm đến mọi người
Tôi chọn nơi này cùng nhau ca hát
Để thấy tiếng cười rộn rã bay

Mỗi ngày tôi chọn một lần thôi
Chọn tiếng ru con nhẹ bước vào đời
Tôi chọn nắng đầy, chọn cơn mưa tới
Để lúa reo mừng tựa vẫy tay

Và như thế tôi sống vui từng ngày
Và như thế tôi đến trong cuộc đời
Đã yêu cuộc đời này bằng trái tim của tôi

Mỗi ngày tôi chọn ngồi thật yên
Nhìn rõ quê hương, ngồi nghĩ lại mình
Tôi chợt biết rằng vì sao tôi sống
Vì đất nước cần một trái tim!

Flash Flood Warning

2006-06-26T18:48:00.000-04:00

It’s been raining heavily the last two days. Part of the Beltway is shut down due to a mudslide. The Orange Metro Line is closed. Many roads are blocked. There has been a few outages and random basement flooding in homes. Luckily, my basement is spared. The loud thunder scares the kids, ha.ha (and even me, hehe). For the next several days, there’ll be more rain coming, more flash flood warnings. What concerns me is the stormwater surface runoff. Right now, the Anacostia River does not smell very pleasant. You can expect a large quantity of pollutant on the waterways after this week's t-storms.

Off on a tangent: Portugal beats Holland -- one to nil! My guesstimate is that they'll go all the way to beat England and go to the semi-finals. Portugal will contend either against Ghana/Germany/Brazil/or Argentina -- they all have really good talents. Boy oh boy!! It's so hard to predict. I hope there won't be any power outages during the game. That would be uncool.

Just a few quick things

2006-06-24T20:12:00.000-04:00

Talk about positive feedback… why are people still puzzled about global warming?

The researchers estimate that if global warming continues at its current pace, about 90 percent of the carbon in yedoma permafrost could be released. Most of it would go into the atmosphere as either carbon dioxide or methane, the researchers say.

Maybe the nay-sayers need to go see the documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. Actually, everyone needs to see it. Surf around the website, especially the Take Action section. You’ll learn a thing or two. It is a really well done website and the movie too. The nearest showing from Lanham is in Silver Spring, Md. So, hop on to the closest bus stop or ride the Metro train and/or carpool to see this awesome film.

In other news, (1) Darwin's Harriet dies. She was recognized as the oldest living chelonian (tortoise or reptile with a shell) by the Guinness Book of Records.

(2) Niece and nephews have moved into our family, for a few months or until Bac Gai returns from Vietnam. With the three kids, my folks’ apartment is illegally crowded. I’m moving back in for a little while to help babysit. Kids are funny and entertaining creatures.

(3) A random gunfire shattered our back porch window, four feet above from my bedroom window. Tammy freaked out, but I insisted it was just a stray bullet. Mary is out-of-town for the weekend. SG said that it’s not uncommon to find bullets lodge in random places around the house. I mean, it’s not like a drive-by shooting or a revenge shooting. It’s simply just a stray bullet that will cost us a 4’ by 5’ window pane. That is all.

(4) Argentina beats Mexico in the World Cup and Germany gains highest point in Group A. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s Portugal v. Holland, too intense.

(5) I got approved to get another passport! It's been almost a year. My passport had mysterious "disappeared" at my folks' ironclad safe. After all the investigation and scrutiny, the USCIS is making me another passport. It'll probably arrive in the next month or so, hopefully. Watch out world!

Cammy's got a bumper sticker

2006-06-21T19:11:00.000-04:00

Your Bumper Sticker Should Be

Come to the darkside, we have cookies

What Bumper Sticker Should Be On Your Car?

(stolen from Jenspeaks)

Into the dark side, here I come. I hope they have chocolate chip kinds with moo cow milk. Oh wait, I'm lactose intolerance. I'll take the chocolate chip cookies, and Cammy the Camry can have the milk. Oh wait, Cammy is severely allergic to milk. She'll only take petroleum liquid, go figures.

Check out the sunrise at Stonehenge. Happy Summer Solstice!!

Portugal rocks! Good set up by Sabrosa!! Next match: Holland (yikes - a very important game)

Consequences of cờ bạc (gambling)

2006-06-20T22:04:00.000-04:00

Có không ít bạn trẻ nghĩ là “ngày mai mình bỏ cờ bạc”. Nhưng các bạn đâu biết rằng ma lực của nó lớn hơn nhiều ý nghĩ đoạn tuyệt của họ. Đôi khi thua thiệt các bạn trẻ lại muốn gỡ gạc, được thì lại muốn được thêm. Vì thế nhiều sinh viên nhà ta đã bị cuốn trong vòng được - mất. Để rồi vài năm không tìm được lối ra. Được thì ai chẳng thích nhưng không ai có thể làm giàu bằng con đường cờ bạc. Nhất là các bạn trẻ lại càng không. Chắc chắn là như vậy. Cờ bạc không phải là một “giấc mộng” để các bạn làm giàu. Nó chỉ kéo các bạn tụt xuống dốc đen mà thôi. Chẳng thế mà phải về nhà kể rõ “sự tình” cho bố mẹ nghe với số nợ. Thế là học cũng không mà tiền thì vẫn nợ.

Trynn có bạn nợ lên đến con số khủng khiếp hơn: $5,000.00. Con số đó làm cho bất cứ ai nghe thấy cũng phải giật mình. Bố mẹ họ giàu, nhưng tiền có phải là vỏ hến đâu mà cho các cậu mới hơn 20 tuổi đầu phá như vậy. Bố mẹ họ cũng chỉ biết kêu giời mà thôi. Hay bạn có một thời đốt tiền chơi thì nay trả nợ hết quay về quy y cửa “trại giam”.

Trynn bây giờ mới biết “đen tình đỏ bạc” nghĩa là gì. Nếu ai đã một lần hay nhiều lần đốt đời theo giấc mộng đỏ đen thì xin hãy dừng lại. Đó không phải là cuộc đời của bạn. Nếu bước vào đó bạn sẽ phải trả giá bằng chính cuộc đời tương lai trước mặt. Bước vào đó bạn sẽ mất cả tiền bạc, học hành dở dang, tuổi trẻ của bạn sẽ chỉ là con số không tròn trĩnh. Sẽ chẳng có ai muốn cuộc đời, tuổi trẻ và mọi ước mơ của mình dừng lại ở tuổi 21. Tất nhiên là như vậy.

If you feel you have a gambling problem, get help. Start with Gamblers Anonymous.

Racism at the World Cup

2006-06-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

I like football (soccer), and I don't mean to give a buzz kill at the world's number 1 sport, but this news report is disturbing and disappointing.

In Germany and several other European nations, crowds shower minority players with racial insults at times. Several of the U.S. team's African-American players who compete professionally in European leagues say they have been targets of discrimination and verbal and even physical abuse because of their race — on and off the field. There are concerns about how racial incidents might affect the World Cup in Germany, where the 32-team tournament begins June 9 and will be held in 12 cities.[...]

Players lining up before each game will hold banners condemning racism, and, beginning with the quarterfinals, team captains will read anti-racism messages before games. There will also be two anti-discrimination days during the event. The World Cup's slogan: "A Time to Make Friends."

German officials are concerned that neo-Nazis and other racist groups could try to disrupt the event, citing what they call a recent increase in violence against dark-skinned people. Two weeks ago, Uwe-Karsten Heye, formerly German chancellor Gerhard Schreder's spokesman and now head of an anti-racism group, warned World Cup visitors "with a different skin color" to avoid towns and villages outside Berlin and other rural parts of the former East Germany.

Of course, this is not grounds-breaking news because Europe (and everywhere else) has experienced problems with racism through the ages. I don't see any wrongs in cheering for your country team, but displaying racial pride towards the home team and opposing teams is out of line. African football players sometimes are pelted with bananas and monkey noises during the game. Even certain sections of the stadium are organized between neo-Nazi, Aryan Nation and other disgusting groups all chanting pro nazi slogans flashing nazi salutes and waving the swastikas flags (photo above). Unbelieveable. And this is 2006. I'm ashamed to say that some (mostly of older generation) Vietnamese I know (even family members) have a narrow-minded set against African descent. Though the level of hatred is often subtle, I still can not convince them the alternative. I don't mean to bring this up, but my former bf used to be involved (probably still is) in fights, yes organized gangster fights with other members of another race, be it dark skin or Hispanics descent. I swear, this "hidden" behavior of his is a disease, a mental disease that's really hard to stabilize.

At any rate, I don't know what my point is. It's just disappointing that even "my" team, Portugal is conforming to the racist acts. C. Ronaldo is way too arrogant, not my type, (but thank god for those fine abs, haha). As far as why these bigotry and racial angst occur, some say that it's due to the influx of African immigration and European Union ragged economies. Still not a very good excuse. Haven't they heard, the best Olympians are from African descent.

In the meantime, keep on enjoying the FIFA world cup. To my fellow Vietnamese cohorts: don't gamble, just enjoy the game. You might develop another mental disease...compulsive gambling, ekk!

Happy Father's Day

2006-06-18T18:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day, Ba and Big Brother and all the other fathers out there. This day is about the children and the kids.

The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
~ Confucius

If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right.
~ Bill Cosby

Ninja knows everything, ask him

2006-06-15T19:29:00.000-04:00

This video is for you, SG, CD & CS. We now can prove that only ninjas have the ability to climb the walls of Plank Gym to hang those posters. Omigosh, why did I have doubts before?!

Notice the Ninja's emphatic declarations (hilarious) and his mysterious ninja powers. By the way, if you send the Ninja an email, there'll be an autoreply sent back saying:

"The Ninja will read your question carefully and then decide whether or not it's interesting and funny. If it is, he'll answer it and look forward to killing you soon. If it isn't, he'll still kill you, but he won't enjoy it. In the mean time, please go to http://askaninja.com and connect with your fellow ninjas and pirates. Thanks again! -Team Ask A Ninja-

PS Help the Ninja out, go buy a T-Shirt at http://ninjamartstore.com!"

I'd rather die by the hands of the Ninja than to fall out of a kayak and drown. Please, even if I die because of sea-kayaking, make sure you say my cause of death was by the sword of the Ninja in your eulogy. Funeral for Loan Nguyen is tomorrow evening. I'm gonna be speechless at the procession, so don't talk to me.

Potomac River fish kill

2006-06-13T15:56:00.000-04:00

This news shouldn't be too surprising to marine scientists that work in the lower Potomac. Virginia and Maryland environmental agencies are investigating a large fish kill in the Potomac River. They have found the culprit:

"The river certainly doesn't look as bad as it did over the weekend," he said. That was when thousands of fish of all kinds washed up dead on the fringe of beach at the base of the cliffs. [...]

The fish, of many kinds and sizes, were apparently killed by an algae bloom, an explosion in the water of a huge cloud of microscopic creatures. The bloom turned the color of the six-mile-wide river from its normal majestic blue to brownish red, Parker said. Scientists in Maryland and Virginia have now identified some likely suspects. All are one-celled. Some are named karlodinium, heterocapsa and procentrum.

All are dinoflagellates, a class of algae with properties of both plants and animals. Dinoflagellates convert sunlight to energy like plants. But the creatures' tiny tales (flagella) enable them to move like animals. The good news, experts said yesterday, is that none of the organisms found so far in the Potomac are toxic to humans.[...]

"I only got a couple of hand dip nets full of dead fish, which is nothing unusual," he said.

Obviously, the dinoflagellates is capable of producing toxins that are harmful to fish. It is safe to say that these toxic organisms can be blamed on pollution. Just check the fish kill index. I enjoy fishing and 'gut n clean' the fish for dinner (oh bite me, TM). I do encourage recreational fisher(wo)men out there to be careful of their catch. Report to the authorities of any sightings of massive number of dead fish. Be responsible and take me fishing!

Disclaimer: this report has nothing to do with the drowning incident. In fact, this news was published a week ago.

Sad news...

2006-06-12T20:03:00.000-04:00

I have tragic news. My neighbor’s (Bác Xuân) grand-daughter, 21, passed away yesterday by drowning on the Potomac River. The family and friends were having a cookout gathering by the Harry Nice Bridge on Route 301 South. Her body was found in the water by rescuers about half an hour after she fell off her personal watercraft. She was not wearing a life jacket, and I was told she could not swim. The winds were up to 30 mph, and it could be that the white caps and choppy waters contributed to her demise.

This is truly tough because I’m familiar with the area. I’ve kayaked out there at several occasions and have swim meters out from the shore for clamming. Oh gosh. My condolences go out to Bác Xuân and her family and friends. The grand-daughter (whom I can not reveal her name right now) has entered the United States for nearly a year, but her young life has cut short unexpectedly. Funeral arrangements are scheduled for later this week. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the family. Please take care of each other.

Up-to-date (6/19/06):

I found the report, here. Five have drowned in past six weeks in this area. My gosh. I'm taking my niece and nephews for swimming lessons (you too Brother in Black).

Wedding (not mine), hooray!

2006-06-11T18:18:00.000-04:00

I've been invited to a July wedding, yay! Congrats to Chi Mi/Phuong/Mai (having multiple names is fun; confusing trynn diesel is much funnier! ha.ha.ha.) I tried to look for love poems in Vietnamese in honor of your happy day (via gigablast seach engine) but can't find any that I like. I stumbled on this cute poem from my writing pad under a stack of old magazines and silly textbooks. I just replaced the words "God" with the "Buddha" -- is all:

Love –anonymous

I asked Samyaksam Buddha for a flower
He gave me a bonquet
I asked Pratyeka Buddha for a minute
He gave me a day
I asked Sravaka Buddha for enlightenment
And he gave me you.

C. Ronaldo is still hot

2006-06-11T16:59:00.000-04:00

Ok, I lied. I ended up watching several matches thus far (while working, tee hehe). Gol!!! Thank goodness for basic cableTV at my folks' place and at the shop. The announcer was speaking Spanish, so Espanol is coming back to me :-) Soccer is quite violent, if you haven't noticed already. The Argentina v. Ivory Coast match was ridiculously painful, as in 'stop tripping each other!!' Too many yellow flags were thrown on that game. Way to go, Trinidad & Tobago! That's you, LH, PH and KM! Germany won, but the play was terrible; they better shape up if they want the Cup. England was superb. Michael Owen is ever so cute. Portugal match was intense. C. Ronaldo is still good-looking (muy caliente), even though he fails to make some easy goals. Next stop, going against Iran, easy! Portugal v. Mexico is the match I look forward to. I will not tolerate anymore sloppiness, C. Ronaldo ;-)

Fifa World Cup 2006

2006-06-08T11:51:00.000-04:00

Finally, the World Cup is upon us. I was in Toronto four years ago in a bar watching Brazil beating Germany. What a surprise win. I thought Germany would've gotten the trophy, but Brazil’s got Ronaldinho and this FIFA Cup, he’s back again. Here’s a rundown of the groups (via Sky Sports). I won’t post any updates until the finals, so keep tabs on your own. I’m only going to watch a couple of games (at any place that will take me in at an absurd time, that's you SG). Kick off starts mañana!

2006 WORLD CUP FINALS GROUP TABLES

Group A
Costa Rica
Ecuador - just lost to Macedonia, not good.
Poland - no superstars, but a competitive team.
Germany - they're hosting; there'll be a lot of fan support.

Group B
Paraguay - inconsistent, dunno.
Sweden
Trinidad&Tobago - first timers; no idea how good they are.
England - Wayne Rooney (injured, hopefully will recover soon), David Beckham (mid-fielder), Micheal Owen (striker)

Group C
Argentina - great talent
Ivory Coast - first timers, also called Cote-Dlvoire
Serbia&Montenegro - Very tough defensive play by this team.
Netherlands - aka Holland

Group D
Mexico - My neighbors will be cheering loudly for them.
Iran - no chance.
Angola
Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo, hot!

Group E
Italy - Extremely talented.
Ghana - Didn't do so well at African nations Cup, dunno.
USA - I dunno anyone on the team.
Czech Republic - Stop getting injured!

Group F
Brazil - Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, every football player's fear.
Croatia - high hopes.
Australia - Very good chance.
Japan - very aggressive, they have as good as a chance against hostess, Germany.

Group G
France
Switzerland - Maybe will advance.
South Korea - If Bi-Rain was on the team, I'd root for this country, hehe.
Togo - where is Togo? Seriously, I've never heard of this country.

Group H
Spain - definitely will advance.
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia - dunno background.

Here is the game schedule. The time zone difference will be hard to catch live games, so have fun watching when you can. Check out BBC Sports for statistics and difference in talents of each team. I'm cheering for Portugal cuz Ronaldo is so cute! Go nuts! GOOOAAALLLLL!!!

Up-to-date (6/9/06):

Ok, so who has cableTV in Lanham? I guess this CUP is a great opportunity for me to make new friends in the neighborhood, tee hehe. Found this cool YouTube preview clip:

Go Portugal!!

Number of the Beast, my blog birthday

2006-06-06T12:10:00.000-04:00

Brother in Black (of all people) pointed out that this blog is a demonic site. Today is the one-year anniversary of my weblog. No where among my posts do I preach in favor of the Antichrist or the Omen, geesh! I know I'm going to hell at age 77, but that has nothing to do with my blog birth-date, 6.6.06. There's no sum of apostate power or false prophecy or conspiracy theory. I leave all that wickedness in my other blog (just kidding)!

If you feel my weblog is diabolical, by all means, go ahead and perform an electronic exorcism, whatever that is. In the meantime, I'm celebrating my blog birthday by conjuring up a couple of dead people, talk to my four houseplants and cast a spell on my stalking ex.

Al Gore's climate change interview

2006-06-02T12:20:00.000-04:00

NPR interviewed Al Gore about his book and film An Inconvenient Truth. Everyone, global warming nay-sayers and believers (the smarter ones) alike, should listen to the man. Just so you know, JA, my celebrity and hero, worked side by side with Gore in Congress back in the days. Genuinely caring wicked smart people think alike.

Excerpt: 'An Inconvenient Truth'

After more than thirty years as a student of the climate crisis, I have a lot to share. I have tried to tell this story in a way that will interest all kinds of readers. My hope is that those who read the book and see the film will begin to feel, as I have for a long time, that global warming is not just about science and that it is not just a political issue. It is really a moral issue.

Have a great weekend everybody.

Note: Under the NPR link, click All Things Consider, search for "Al Gore Sounds Global Warming Alert" and listen to the program. For some reasons, certain computers can not be directly linked to the website above.

This is a bit scary...

2006-06-01T19:00:00.000-04:00

Your Stress Level is: 70%

You are prone to stress, and you're probably even pretty stressed right now.
Life's problems seem to pile up on you, and this often makes you feel depressed and burned out.
Learn to take time to relax and enjoy life, even if things are stressful. It's the only way you'll get through the bad times.

How Stressed Are You?

Now that you know my stress level -- Be careful how you approach me, because I might bite ya. With the heat wave in the combination, come near me at your own risk ;-) Bwah hah ha ha!

Poison Ivy loves CO2

2006-05-31T12:20:00.000-04:00

No, not this Poison Ivy, this "leaves of three, let it be"vine. Poison ivy is in peak bloom right now, although the dead ones in late autumn still have plenty of urushiol (the oil that cause skin irritant) and will cause the same itchy blistering effect. Imagine that effect (photo on the right) all over my face and legs two years ago. More than 80% of people (that's about 40-50 million in this country) are allergic to the urushiol in poison ivy. Everyone has a different sensitivity. Most people don't have a reaction the first time they touch poison ivy, but they develop an allergic reaction after repeated exposure. Two years ago, at about this time of year, I had direct contact with the plant's leaves -- at first accidentally, and I had no allergic reaction for days. So I thought I was invincible, the almighty Trynn Diesel is indestructable against urusiol. I started pulling the vines ferociously at the tree nursery like a mad woman. Well, let's just leave the little details out. It turns out I suffered from a delayed hypersensitivity, days after the exposure. The doctor gave me some medications and several tubes of topical cortizone (anti-itching cream). Despite all that blistering on my face, I managed to attend a semi-formal reception, a graduation and a local concert. I just wanted to tell my idiotic story.

At any rate, this post was supposed to be about a fascinating study done by Dr. Jacqueline Mohan and her colleagues on the fast growth effects of Toxicodendron radicans to global warming.

Global warming may spell bad times for polar bears but it seems to be a boon to poison ivy. A six-year experiment to find out how increased levels of carbon dioxide affect forests uncovered a surprising result: In the area used for the experiment, poison ivy grew like crazy. Melissa Block talks with ecologist Jacqueline Mohan is a scientist at the Ecosystems Center in Woods Hole, part of the Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts.

Listen to this NPR report. I also like the closing song by the Rolling Stones, classic!

Can you imagine my evil laughs (Bwah hah ha ha) when the vines go after the politicians who think global warming is a myth? I wish each and everyone of them could experience the agony I was in, then I can happily point and laugh and do a little "told you so" dance.

No Politics Day

2006-05-29T10:48:00.000-04:00

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Thank you veterans for your services and thank you for those who gave their life for what we have. Thank you. I know a few Vietnam Vets, and I'd like to bow my head and say cám ỏn (KC, BS, WL, DC).

Enjoy the much needed break and a relaxing Monday.

Wedding, (not mine) woo hoo!

2006-05-26T19:09:00.000-04:00

This weekend is Ty and Tuan's wedding. There'll be dancing, good food and fun. I don't have a date, and I don't care. Weather looks promising, only 10% chance of precipitation! My schedule (and everyone else's) is gonna be pretty jam-packed: Get up extra early to pick up the boys (ring bearers/altar boys/tray bearers); drive to Baltimore for the morning church ceremony; drive people back to Silver Spring; change in the car for the evening reception, haha; pick up my niece and nephews and head to the restaurant in Wheaton; try really hard not to cry (out of happiness), then finally God forbids, I WILL have some fun.

Much congratulations, T&T. One day, you're gonna look back on this happy day and chuckle a bit. Happy! happy! happy!

Up-to-date (5/29/06):

What a beautiful wedding. Quite luxurious. The "Just Married" vehicle was a red Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with 500 or so hp. I wanted to pop up the hood just to see the superchargers and tubes and wires, but the doors were locked. The groom's parents' car was a silver Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG equipped with a V8 engine (5.5 L or 5400 cc). I was afraid to ask about the fuel economy because I may have to egg the luxury roadster. Let's say the consequence would've been that I would be in deep shit. Anyhow, I took pictures with my cheap camera named Cassidy, but my silly compooter could not load them. Don't know why, maybe flickr is down at the moment -- wait until the next update. Great wedding. I had loads of fun. Congrats! I apologize for my cheesy toast; it was definitely an impromtu speech -- I don't do well with impromtus, hands get shaky and sweaty, and I come up with the silliest rhymes (in Vietnamese). Best wishes you guys!

Hamilton riding the waves

2006-05-26T12:15:00.000-04:00

Whoa! Check out the Tahiti wave in the video below. I'm ready for the beach (cook-out and barbeque)! The smell of a three-day weekend is quite soothing (except that I have to work tomorrow, damn!)

That's Laird Hamilton surfing the world's most dangerous waves. No thanx. I'm not gonna venture that (haha). I did several damaging somersaults on a meesly three foot wave. No way am I gonna ride out in that unforgiving waters. Besides, I've already picked my poison: sky-diving.

Anacostia wetlands threatened by rCg

2006-05-24T12:20:00.000-04:00

I mentioned about the problem created by the rCg (resident Canada geese) against the Anacostia wetlands, and now I've finally found a well-written coverage from the City Paper that I'd like to share. (Thanx BN) Please read on.

(1) The gun hunting idea never went through. PETA (people eating tasty animals, haha) opposed to the lethal control of rCg, bummer. All proposed options have issues. We just can't win (not yet though). (2) Replanting wild rice is not tenable because it gets mowed down. (3) Dogs and noisemakers is only a temporary showdown because dogs get tired and noisemakers annoy the tourists more than the rCg. (4) Egg addling/oiling will keep the population in check, but it will not lead to a significant decrease for some time. The results of the count support this idea. I like idea no. 1: lethal control. Come on, people (PETA!). This option will reduce most rCg and will keep the population in check. Step back from the ethical viewpoint a bit and look at the big picture. Man makes mistakes, how do you suppose we learn from them if you won't let us?

It took 750,000 plant seedlings and $6 million to re-create Kingman Marsh. Shredding it was quick work for the resident geese.

For months after the planting, the marsh did beautifully—so well that the Army Corps, the National Park Service, and the D.C. government decided to remove the fencing during the winter of 2001. That decision proved to be an expensive lesson: Never underestimate the appetite of the resident Canada goose. In the words of Dick Hammerschlag, who monitored Kingman annually from 2000 to 2004, “the geese came in and shredded the marsh” that spring, eating all the newly accessible soft young plants as they emerged. The area lost approximately 80 percent of its vegetation cover, as well as species richness and diversity, according to a report written by Hammerschlag, who works for the U.S. Geological Survey. In areas without enough plants, water flow washed away the silt, lowering the marsh floor by a couple of inches. Wetland plant seeds have a low tolerance for flooding: If the water is too high, they won’t rebound. “It was a vicious cycle,” Hammerschlag says. “The marsh couldn’t outgrow the geese.”[...]

Steve McKindley-Ward, a horticulturist with the private, nonprofit Anacostia Watershed Society, has been trying to cultivate wild rice and other plants in Kingman Marsh. He and others have recreated a field of anti-goose fencing consisting of circular wire “exclosures,” each 30 feet across. Every man-made attempt to tinker with nature has its drawbacks, and in the case of the fencing, says McKindley-Ward, the wild-rice plants end up being too well-protected. The fencing keeps out not only geese but all grazers, including beavers, muskrats, and herons. Subject to no grazing, the plants grow too thick—a problem that causes disease in wild rice.[...]

Perhaps that’s because there’s a lot to debate. Start with the fact that the goose quandary is a man-made problem; activists opposing goose kills invoke the argument that the current situation is not the goose’s fault. “Because of the way we manage landscapes, there are more geese, and many that aren’t migratory. But it’s all our doing, all our making,” says John Hadidian, director of the Humane Society of America’s Urban Wildlife Program. Killing geese to save wetlands is “convoluted and tortuous logic that doesn’t speak well to our ecological wisdom and certainly doesn’t speak well of our humane treatment of animals.”[..]

Although the formal assessment process started more than a year ago, the need to address the problem was evident long before that. “I began discussions with NPS on this back at the end of 2002. I’m not exactly proud to say that over 3.5 years has passed without any real action, but this is not due to my lack of trying,” wrote the D.C. Watershed Protection Division’s Pete Hill in an e-mail.[...]

Goose reduction requires a weapon more powerful than vegetable oil, a fact that places ever more pressure on the Park Service’s ongoing deliberations on the goose boom.

I don't know what's going to happen with the marsh restoration project. Anacostia is part of the Chesapeake watershed. It's the only local river where I kayak on. It needs to be rebuilt back to better water quality. How are we gonna do this with all the bureaucracy and the "oh they're (giant rGg) eating the wild rice, how cute" mentality!? Ugh, bureaucrats grind my gears.

(Fight on, you guys. How's your back, SMW?)

American Idol 5 finale

2006-05-24T07:30:00.000-04:00

Based on performances, Taylor rocks! I almost cried when he sang Do I Make You Proud, loved the transition from the grindy-sound to clear note in the middle, and then the last key change made me shiver. I called ten times to vote but only got through to two counts, which meant a lot of people were voting, so Taylor is gonna win. Who's Katherine? Dial Idol also predicts a win for Taylor by a huge margin of error. Tonight will be my TV night, ya'll. I need it, after what had happened in the past few days, I really need it! If a t-storm comes tonight, I'm gonna curse the heavens!

Up-to-date (22:30):

Omigosh. Prince on American Idol. Yaayyy! The world stopped its revolutions, and I could not blink. It was so cool. Everyone knows that Prince is the greatest musical genius of our time. It was a fantastic finale. Lost was unreal. I'm getting the DVD set (or you could buy it for me, tee hehe); I need to slo-mo some scenes to catch up what is going on before the next season starts.

Da Vinci Code film, what's the big diggly deal?

2006-05-23T22:33:00.000-04:00

"So dark the con of man". I know I'm a bit late on this movie debate, but so what? Back in October '05, I saw protesters against the production of this Da Vinci Code film. They're saying that it's blasphemous and that it ridicules the Catholic Church and Jesus Christ. WTH? (ok, that's the wrong choice of my response) The book itself is a work of fiction with a lot of real research. Come on, lighten up. I read the book, (although I enjoyed Dan Brown's Angels and Demons more) and it was entertaining. According to the protesters, if I go see the movie, I'm doomed to hell. Not a good way to discourage me, people. I'm not too serious about seeing the movie either because I'm sure Hollywood won’t do the book justice. I tried to explain to the kids (ages 9-20) the other day about the significant of Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings and its implications of Jesus' personal life, and they gave me wicked nasty faces. Obviously, these kids were raised strict Catholics, so I quickly redeemed myself and said: it's ok to not believe in that. Toward the end of the shindig, I was hit in the head with a semi-deflated kick ball, several times. I'm sure it was totally unrelated to what I said. (Of course my explanations were in Vietnamese, so a few of my points weren't clear, but hey, I didn't deserve the abuse). I did feel unwelcome (because of past family dramas and what not).

At any rate, those kids don't scare me. I'm actually envious of them for having that much faith. I want that kind of strong faith. It will make me a much more happier person, don't ya think? Of course Chị Nguyệt declined my invitation to see the flick after I told her what it was about. I think her faith would be strengthened if she sees the movie. By no means am I trying to dissuade her faith. I told you I was jealous. I wonder if they have the book translated in Vietnamese. Back to the movie, here's a review by an Opus Dei member. And here's a hilarious take on the silliness of the protests.

The painting (fresco in 1498) above is (part of) Da Vinci's The Last Supper. The arrow points to the mysterious hand with a knife and the "lady" on the right is Mary Madeline, Jebus' wife. To learn more, visit Dan Brown's official website. I particularly enjoyed the attempted rationalization of the Mona Lisa, the Vitruvian Man and the number "phi". Fascinating!

Up-to-date (5/29/06):

Chị Nguyệt finally reasoned with me that Cha Long (Father Long from Our Lady of Vietnam Roman Catholic Church) forbid the church members to go see the movie. He said it's "bất kinh và có hàm Ý báng bổ". Well, one church goer was listening. I offered her the book to read, but she quickly declined. *head shake* I offered to read one excerpt to her, she quickly went to her room. (Disclaimer: The passage I was gonna read was on the number "phi" since she's a math teacher and all.) Oh well. Why must you make enemies, trynn diesel? I thought you were for peace and love!? I think Chị Nguyệt is ok. She must be proud for overcoming my devious blasphemous temptation. Seriously Cha Long, you won't be able to keep your church members in the long run if you prohibit them without reading the book (did you?). I mean, it's not the greatest book ever written -- the greatest ones are JRR Tolkien's LOTR trilogies, hehe. Anyhow, for what it's worth, I guess you're just doing your job. I like your church. I like the programs you have for the youngsters. I like the way you present yourself during services, very disciplined. [Off in a tangent] I wonder how you sleep at night when your sermons are based on gossips from people's personal lives? Again, why must you make enemies, trynn retardo diesel!?

Happy Graduation c/o '06

2006-05-18T19:53:00.000-04:00

This year, Gettysburg has chosen (or successfully invited) Bruce S. Gordon to be the c/o 2006 commencement speaker. After an eye-opening Bill Cosby’s speech at a predominately black women’s college, Spelman, I’m curious what Gordon has to say. Don’t get me wrong, graduates, I’m there to cheer you on. Just some quick recap what Bill Cosby said:

ATLANTA - Bill Cosby challenged Spelman College's graduates "to take charge" Sunday, adding those leaving the historically black college for women have no choice but to lead.
"You have to know that it is time for you all to take charge," Cosby said. "You have to seriously see yourselves not as the old women where the men stood in front and you all stood behind, because the men, most of them are in prison."
Added Cosby: "It is time for you to pick up the pace and lead because the men are not there. They're not there and every one of you young women know it."

My favorite part:

Cosby told the graduates that the same male students who are dropping out of high school "have memorized the lyrics of very difficult rap songs."
Added Cosby: "And they know how to send their sperm cells out and then walk away from the responsibility of something called fatherhood."
Cosby said he acknowledged that his criticisms are not meant for all black males, but he said 70 percent of black graduates this year are female.
"Who's running the show?" Cosby asked. "It appears that the male is, but I have news for you. It's your turn.
"We want you to lead in business. We want you to lead in medicine. We want you to lead in everything."

Though, he exaggerated a bit, but his point is well-taken. Haha, "send their sperm cells out". Can you imagine if he was giving this speech in Gettysburg? Or at Harvard? Also, Cosby gave Spelman College $20 million. Wow! Speaking of money, the cost to go to Gettysburg is:

Tuition: $33,700
Telecommunication Fee: $280
Student Activities Fee: $70
Room (regular dorm room): $4,380
Board (unlimited access): $3,880
Total: $42,310

Now, multiply that total by four, and that, my friend, explains why I’m hovering just above the poverty line. Notice I didn’t include the cost of weekend beer runs and school textbooks. I love you, my Alma Mater. Seriously, graduates, make the best of your education. In the words of Shel Silvertein:

Put Something In

Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-grumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.

Happy graduation! See you folks this weekend and beyond. Wait, wait, don't tell me. I'm gonna take a wild guess that the groovy Valedictorian is ND :-) Congratulations graduates!! Come join the real world. The doors won't be open; the beds won't be made; you're gonna have to do it yourself. Lots of possibilities and amazing prospects.

Up-to-date (5/22/06):

Still recovering from c/o 06 commencement. My ears are still ringing from the extremely loud air horns. I don't why, I always seem to gravitate toward the people with the air horns. It was a windy graduation, literally. I was sleep-walking through most of the ceremonies. We stopped by the Ragged Edge coffee shop for lunch (so glad they're open). Thanx KL, ND, "Gi" and MN! And much congratulations!!

Now where are my happy pills?

Up-to-date #2(5/23/06):

ND is moving and working in the DC area as a consultant. Watch out, world. He's wicked savvy.

Unsolved oil pollution, whodunit

2006-05-17T20:46:00.000-04:00

I care very much about ecotourism and clean tourism (because one day I'm gonna take over the world, and I'd like it to be sustainable and biologically and culturally diversed :-). The Int'l Ecotourism Society, defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." In addition, it should increase awareness of the environment and cultural settings. The local culture, flora and fauna should be the main attractions. That being said, whenever there's a problem, the indigenous people and the local communities should participate in the management. I stumbled on this report about an oil-like residue on the resort beaches of Hàm Tiến - Mũi Né (Ninh Thuan province) in Saigon, Vietnam. Authorities have no idea where the oil gravels came from or the origin of the black objects. The gravel could be crushed easily leaving a sticky residue, kind of like hot asphalt.

Dù đã chập choạng tối 15-5 nhưng anh Nguyễn Văn Chi, trưởng bộ phận ẩm thực khu resort Sài Gòn - Mũi Né, vẫn nhiệt tình đưa chúng tôi “khảo sát nóng” và ghi nhận tình trạng từng vệt đen như bụi than pha lẫn vào cát đang hiện diện ở khu vực bờ biển này... Đặc biệt, nhóm chúng tôi nhặt được không ít những viên mềm mềm màu nâu đen, to cỡ đầu ngón tay cái (tạm gọi là “sỏi dầu”) bị sóng biển đánh dạt vào bờ.[...]

Cũng qua khảo sát, kết quả đánh giá bước đầu cho thấy những viên dầu có thể là dầu thô. Tỉnh chúng tôi hiện chưa có điều kiện phân tích xác định nguồn gốc dầu nên sở đã đề nghị Tổng công ty Dầu khí VN hỗ trợ khảo sát, xác định nguồn gốc dầu; đề ra các biện pháp phòng, chống và xử lý hiện tượng ô nhiễm do dầu...”

How could the investigators not know the source of the spill? They should start asking the oil plants nearby. They should look under the water for sunken freighters or oil tankers. Has there been an oil spill in history that went unsolved? Enlighten me. It's not that I don't care about the resorts (cuz they put up hotels to detriment the ecosystem), but what about the fish people, who's going to save the little fishies? Be vigilance and try harder with the investigation, do it for the fish-es.

Job, why bother?

2006-05-16T20:56:00.000-04:00

Directly stolen from grrlscientist. It doesn't scare me because I can show up at the interview and point and laugh at their stupid proposals. Then, I'll give them the evil eye and tell 'em to go to hell.

When confronted with job ads like this, is it any wonder that people give up on their job searches?

Highly competitive postdoctoral position available in the Department of Evolutionary Biology at [name elided]. Applicant must hold a PhD in molecular biology or evolutionary biology with a cumulative grad and undergrad GPA of 4.0. Graduates of MIT or Stanford preferred. Minimum ten years' postdoc experience required, the candidate must also possess an IQ of 160, perfect spelling and grammar, and be prepared to write a 150-page "demo" grant application describing why you want to work for us. Must be fluent in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Finnish as well as having a keen knowledge of Excel, Powerpoint and Access. In fact, you should be prepared to demonstrate that you have mastered every piece of software on the market. Candidate must pass background and credit checks, as well as drug and alcohol tests. Excellent health required -- and you will be required pass a stringent physical exam. Must be a motivated, passionate self-starter with excellent "lab hands" and people skills, combined with the ability to think outside of the box. Automatic disqualifiers: gap(s) in employment history, use of curse words, ACLU membership, keeping a messy lab bench.

The successful candidate should expect to attend 20 individual interviews, including one all-day panel interview with the entire research group, pay for your own parking, and buy lunch and snacks for everyone in our research group.

Compensation: $10/hour, 10-15 hours a week with the possibility of increasing to 20 hours per week if you're exceptionally good. No more than that, though, or we may have to start paying you some benefits.

Please send letter of interest, CV, and 15 letters of recommendation to;

[contact information removed]

Haha, "lab hands", I wonder what they look like?