Land of Non Sequitur

2011-06-28T20:40:00.000-04:00

2011-06-28T20:38:00.000-04:00

2011-06-28T20:09:00.000-04:00

2011-06-28T20:05:00.000-04:00

2011-06-06T13:14:00.000-04:00

Closing Time Sunday Chat - Mets/Braves
(06/05/2011)
Sunday June 5, 2011
7:59

Andy Behrens: I ask you, where would you rather be than Citi Field tonight? This game is HUGE.
8:00
Comment From Moose
I was promised cuervo.
8:00
Comment From Ian
Mets fans do not appreciate your sarcasm
8:00

Brad Evans: Good evening fellow Arcadians! What should we sprinkle on Dan Uggla's donut tonight? Nuts? Powdered Sugar? Sugary confetti?
8:00
Who's your winner tonight?
Hot 'Lanta
( 54% )
Noo Yawk
( 46% )

8:00

Andy Behrens: Brad is mixing drinks. Please wait for him, Moose.
8:00
Comment From chris
torii hunter for adam dunn, who wins?
8:00

Scott Pianowski: Don't blame us, Mets fans. Blame that opening-night cat.
8:00

Andy Behrens: Dunn. BELIEVE.
8:00

Brad Evans: Be sure to tip your bartender.
8:01
Comment From Max
It was very nice of ESPN to put the Mets on the same night as the NBA Finals so we don't have to watch them
8:01
Comment From John
Pena or Hafner?
8:01

Andy Behrens: Is death an option? Because I'll take death. Failing that, Pena.
8:01

Scott Pianowski: Brad took his talents to South Beach once. Spring Break, 1998. Legally, we can't discuss it.
8:01

Brad Evans: Pena. In power terms, he's the only Cub worth a damn.
8:02
Comment From Drake
Bourgeois or E.Young?
8:02

Brad Evans: EY Jr. Rumors flying around the Mile High City Fowler could be optioned to Triple-A to free up PT for Young. Bourgeois doesn't have an everyday spot in the lineup currently.
8:02

Andy Behrens: Can we complain about the Cubs for a minute? Great. Because they're AWFUL. Carlos Zambrano, totally on point today:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0606-cubs-cardinals-chicago--20110605,0,765489.story

This is just a miserable lineup. Barney, DeWitt, Campana ... awful.
8:03

Brad Evans: The Triple-A comment was actually inaccurate. They're more Arizona Fall League.
8:03

Andy Behrens: The Rox also have a kid named Charlie Blackmon at Triple-A, hitting everything. But EY Jr. would be next, year.
8:03

Scott Pianowski: Mike Quade doesn't realize that "I could care less" means you care.
8:04

Andy Behrens: We should note, however, that Jason Bourgeois is back. He was getting time at 2B before the injury. And the Astros' MIs are terrible.
8:04
Comment From Lee
Which catcher with the surname Montero should I bank on ROS: Jesus or Miguel?
8:04

Brad Evans: Miguel.
8:04

Andy Behrens: Oh, goodness, yes. Miguel.
8:04

Brad Evans: Keppinger has played well since his return.
8:04

Andy Behrens: And Barmes has hit well lately, too. But that doesn't make him good.
8:04
Comment From Spirit29
Is Erik Bedard for real?
8:04
Comment From Ian
Zambrano was just bitter about the loss
8:05

Andy Behrens: But he was also right. And bitter.
8:05

Brad Evans: Fo' Rizzle. I'm heavily invested in Bedard. Command has been terrific.
8:05
Comment From Bert
Michael Morse is NUTS right now
8:05
Favorite knuckleballer of all time:
Jim Bouton
( 1% )
Hoyt Wilhelm
( 10% )
Phil Neikro
( 40% )
Tim Wakefield
( 35% )
R.A. Dickey
( 7% )
Brad Evans
( 8% )

8:05
Comment From alexi casilla
how good am i really?
8:05

Brad Evans: Beer nuts, NUTS?
8:05

Andy Behrens: You're fast, and not necessarily good. You're certainly not as good as your average over the last two weeks.
8:05

Scott Pianowski: That was a blast from Michael Morse, absolutely. But 1B ump Gary Darling is horrendous.
8:06
Comment From Spirit29
Rate these 3 OF: Ibanez, Ludwick, Morse
8:06

Brad Evans: Morse, Ludwick, Ibanez
8:06

Andy Behrens: (I was too hard on Keppinger, who is not quite awful like Barmes).
8:06
Comment From Ryan
Ubaldo looks like an absolute mess right now. Should I drop him in my 10-teamer?
8:06

Brad Evans: Umm, did you see his CG SHO last time out?
8:07
Comment From rahmdiggy
no
8:07

Andy Behrens: No.
8:07
Comment From Ryan Moore
Will Alex Rios rebound?
8:07

Scott Pianowski: I had a dream last night that they put a driving rotary into Yankee Stadium. Robinson Cano committed a four-base error because he was trying to aid a stray kitten. Maybe that Nyquil was a bad idea.
8:07
Comment From Disco Stu
If I could bother you dudes, could you give me the best possible 5 man rotation in a 12tm keeper out of these names: Peavy, Kuroda, Nolasco, Matusz, Vogelsong, Zimmerman, Lilly, Wandy, Porcello
8:08

Brad Evans: Ozzie is trying to send a message to young Rios right now. Brent Lillibridge is temporarily taking over in center for the next "few days." If he produces, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that becomes a platoon situation. Rios is a bigger mess than Dunn right now.
8:08

Andy Behrens: Nolasco, Zimmermann, Kuroda, Matusz, Wandy for me.
8:08

Andy Behrens: Rios has been a wreck in the field, too.
8:08

Brad Evans: Nolasco, Zimmermann, Wandy, Kuroda, Matusz
8:08
Preferred rallying cry:
Let's Go Mets
( 30% )
Tomahawk Chop
( 70% )

8:09
Comment From Frandon Bunston
Can we get a M.C Hammer or Vanilla Ice Poll?
8:09

Andy Behrens: Everyone would agree on Vanilla, so no.
8:09
Comment From Radiator charlie
when is brett lawrie coming up
8:09

Brad Evans: If we're reaching back into early hip hop, why not include Rob Base. Bid Daddy Kane also feels slighted.
8:10
Comment From Steve Belskie
How good is Aaron Crow? 20 save kinda guy?
8:10

Andy Behrens: He was placed on the 7-day minor league DL, but eligible to get back on Wednesday. He'll be there this week, in all likelihood.
8:10
Comment From Hungry
What major league stadium has the best food?
8:10

Brad Evans: Crow may not even log a save opportunity. Yost made it very clear earlier today Soria is on the brink of retaking his old gig.
8:10
Who's your NBA Champion when the series ends in 47 days?
Miami Heat
( 39% )
Dallas Mavericks
( 61% )

8:10
Comment From rahmdiggy
adam lind for real?
8:10

Andy Behrens: San Francisco has GREAT food. I think the park is a little overrated, but the food is awesome. Baltimore, good food. Wrigley, awesome encased meat.
8:11

Brad Evans: What? You didn't believe before? He's as real as Jose Bautista.
8:11

Scott Pianowski: I tried to trade Crisp for Lind today, then stupid Lind hit two homers before Brad could even say no.
8:11

Brad Evans: Never would've accepted it anyways.
8:11

Scott Pianowski: I'd stand pat with your team too.
8:11
Comment From Andrew
The Nacho Supreme at Busch is the best thing I've ever had.
8:12

Scott Pianowski: Lind is worth more. True.
8:12

Brad Evans: Dude, you have to tag the Bratzel. But not in public.
8:12

Andy Behrens: My daughter is playing a miniature accordion right now. I have to go shut that down, please hold...
8:12
Comment From Pepsipete
I just got Lind off waivers believe it or not
8:12

Scott Pianowski: Andy earned an accordion scholarship, but he doesn't like to brag about it.
8:12

Brad Evans: Is your league comprised of a ship of fools or car of idiots?
8:13
Comment From Dan B
Charlie Hough
8:13

Scott Pianowski: Yes, good one.
8:13

Brad Evans: Good call.
8:13

Scott Pianowski: First starter for the Marlins, right?
8:13
Comment From Frandon Bunston
Who the heck is that in your avatar , Brad?
8:13

Scott Pianowski: Reggie's titanic 1977 homer was off Hough, the third one to the black seats.
8:13

Brad Evans: Speak quietly and carry a big stick...
8:13

Scott Pianowski: Let Teddy Win!
8:13
Comment From Disco Stu
Is Joyce for real or sellllll high?
8:14

Brad Evans: Sell high. And I'm the biggest Joyce fan out there. He won't be able to sustain a .340 BA. However, his 20-plus pop and 90 RBI potential is very real.
8:14

Andy Behrens: She locked herself in the bathroom with the accordion, so I can't take it away. Well played, daughter.
8:14

Scott Pianowski: I'll never understand how even soft knucklers are in the mid-60s.
8:14

Andy Behrens: If Brad says to sell Joyce, then you know it's time.
8:14
Comment From Moose
Frandon Bunston is one of the best usernames I've ever seen.
8:14
Comment From Ian
No one is going to trade for Joyce!
8:15
Comment From Greg
Are the Bulls going to win tonight?
8:15

Andy Behrens: I'm banning Greg.
8:15

Andy Behrens: *Banned*
8:15
Comment From Shane
Sell high on Choo or hang onto him?
8:15

Andy Behrens: Hey, Scott is trying to sell Choo!
8:16

Brad Evans: Recent players traded for Joyce: Jose Valverde, Jon Lester and Drew Stubbs
8:16

Andy Behrens: I would be willing to buy him, too, but I don't have a great match for Pianow. In part because Uggla is a disaster.
8:16
Regarding Vancouver's Game 2 game winner, what's the dominant theme?
Great play by Burrows
( 38% )
Thomas screwed up
( 32% )
Chara screwed up
( 30% )

8:16

Andy Behrens: So, if you're in a league with idiots, you should sell high.
8:17

Brad Evans: Correct.
8:17
Comment From TedBell
Finally figured out what Andy is eating in the picture. It's a Fried Kholodet, right Biedrens?
8:17

Andy Behrens: No comment, Theodore.
8:17

Scott Pianowski: Choo is priced to move, Andy. I'm the chump who traded you Pena for one of the La Roches.
8:17

Brad Evans: Jair Jurrjens and Jeremy Hellickson are other fast starters I'm selling.
8:17

Andy Behrens: Well, that was trash-in, trash-out at the time.
8:17
Comment From Lee
I thought we were supposed to hold on to bourgeois??
8:18

Brad Evans: Mills must get creative with the lineup card to fit the speedster in. Keppinger really needs to move over to SS and player there full time.
8:18
Comment From Zach Britton
Have I peaked?
8:18

Andy Behrens: Not forever, but maybe for this year.
8:19
Comment From Ian
Who gets injured first: Reyes or Bedard?
8:19

Brad Evans: Chipper Jones....AGAIN.
8:19
Comment From Lawrie, B.
How about the daily update about me?
8:19

Brad Evans: Placed on the Triple-A 7-day DL. Your promotion is probably two weeks away.
8:20
Favorite burough:
Brooklyn
( 27% )
Bronx
( 12% )
Queens
( 8% )
Staten Island
( 3% )
Manhattan
( 35% )
Jeff
( 16% )

8:20
Comment From Guest
Vogelsong is just ridiculous
8:20

Andy Behrens: The DL stint is retroactive, and it's just 7 days. Eligible to come off on Wednesday. I would be surprised if he's two weeks away. But in any case, he's close. And he's a 5-cat guy.
8:20

Brad Evans: Sabean really should smother Zito in sardines and feed him to the sea lions.
8:21
Comment From Steve Balboni
Better from this point on: LaPorta or Smoak?
8:21

Brad Evans: Smoak.
8:21

Andy Behrens: OH MY GOD, STEVE BALBONI! I loved you. Smoak.
8:21
Comment From rick
Lester or Marcum?
8:21
Comment From King Albert
I'm BACK
8:21

Brad Evans: Lester. But it's very, very close.
8:22
Comment From Jimbo
Carlos Marmol, WTF?
8:22

Andy Behrens: The Cubs brought you back, Albert. Part of Jim Hendry's plan to woo you.
8:22

Scott Pianowski: Carlos Zambrano joins the chat.
8:22

Andy Behrens: Extra bases for Beltran, and the Mets have a one-run lead. So it's basically over.
8:22

Brad Evans: Behrens, I'm so thankful you gave up your Cubs season tickets.
8:23

Andy Behrens: Hah. Not only did I do that, but I talked others out of theirs, too.
8:23

Brad Evans: You're a wise, wise man.
8:23

Andy Behrens: (We went in on a full Bulls package. Much better investment).

I'm not going to subsidize the Hendry/Ricketts regime.
8:23
Comment From Zambrano
I told you....tear down Wrigley field and build a new stadium
8:23
Comment From Jon
In five years who is the best of the young braves staff....Hanson, Minor, Teahran?
8:23

Scott Pianowski: Wrigley Field (and the neighborhood) is terrific. Everything else, broken.
8:23

Brad Evans: Hanson, Minor, Teahran in that order.
8:24

Andy Behrens: ...and all the owners complain about is the field.
8:24

Andy Behrens: I'm in lock-step with Bradley right there.
8:24

Brad Evans: New ownership should never have removed the trough-styled urinals. Bad karma.
8:24

Scott Pianowski: No Old Style for you, Z.
8:24

Andy Behrens: Wish I could own Minor in a Triple-A fantasy league.
8:24
Comment From Andrew
Is Swisher finally turning it around?
8:24
Comment From Spirit29
FF for Corey Patterson?
8:25

Andy Behrens: I don't think you should have ever really been worried about Swisher. We know who he is.
8:25

Scott Pianowski: Patterson is priced to move, too. Step up, Bradley.
8:25
Comment From TedBell
When Bobby Valentine speaks, God kills a kitten
8:25

Brad Evans: See this week's Flames...I'm a buying the Patterson resurrection provided he stays put in the two-spot ahead of Bautista.
8:25
Comment From LePunk
Jay Bruce for Shawn Marcum, which side wins in a vacuum?
8:25
Comment From Spirit29
Rate these 1B: Smoak, Hosmer, Trumbo
8:25

Brad Evans: Hosmer, Trumbo, Smoak
8:25

Scott Pianowski: There's a one-trade minimum in this chat. I hope my colleagues realize that.
8:25

Andy Behrens: In a vacuum, they both die. TRICK QUESTION. Bruce in terms of fantasy value.
8:26
Comment From DwyaneWadesTears
I am many and constantly flowing
8:26

Brad Evans: Trumbo is absolutely destroying pitches right now. Revamped approach doing wonders.
8:26
Comment From Mookie Horner
When Bobby V talks I kill a kitten.
8:26

Andy Behrens: I love the name "Mookie Horner." Picturing Bob Horner's hair on Mookie Wilson. Awesome.
8:26
Comment From Guest
Pick one to own right now...Bourgeois, Brantley, Rizzo
8:27
Comment From Flex
rank 'em: D. Brown, Lomo, Melky
8:27

Brad Evans: Ummm....Are you in a six-team league? Brantley is available, really?
8:27

Andy Behrens: For this year, LoMo, Brown, Melky.
8:27

Brad Evans: Melky, Lomo, Brown
8:27
Pick your Valentine:
Bobby
( 70% )
Ellis
( 13% )
Darnell
( 17% )

8:27

Andy Behrens: It's pretty funny that they sit Brown against lefties, when he's hit them well.
8:27

Brad Evans: How could you leave Saint off the Valentine list? Travesty.
8:28
Comment From Alex
Jimmy Rollins or Yunel Escobar?
8:28

Scott Pianowski: I almost put him on, but February 14 is such a faux holiday. Treat your lady right on any day.
8:28
Comment From Spirit29
Can I trust Jhonny Peralta?
8:28

Brad Evans: Rollins was walking around with a heavy limp after today's game. A stint on the 15-day DL could be in his near future. Escobar for now. J-Roll long-term.
8:28

Andy Behrens: No. But you can own him.
8:28
Comment From Ian
Mr. Met is to Mr. Red Legs as Homer Simpson is to Flanders
8:28

Scott Pianowski: Never trust an infielder with a misspelled name.
8:29
Comment From Guest
please rank Nunez, Axford, League, Bailey???
8:29

Brad Evans: Nunez, Bailey, Axford, League
8:29
Comment From Guest
ROS: Trumbo, Morse, Moreland?
8:29

Andy Behrens: Does anyone really prefer Mr. Met to Mr. Red Legs? I thought everyone loved Mr. Red Legs.
8:29

Brad Evans: Trumbo, Moreland, Morse
8:29

Andy Behrens: Moreland is only 40 percent owned, by the way. Killing it. Great park, lineup, etc.
8:29

Brad Evans: I prefer Mr. Pretzel over them all.
8:30

Andy Behrens: Orel is talking rhomboids.
8:30
Comment From J.C.
John Lackey or Travis Wood???
8:30
Comment From Guest
12 team league Brett Anderson worth keeping?
8:30

Andy Behrens: You've already lost, JC.
8:30
Comment From Justin
buying jordan zimmerman?
8:30

Brad Evans: Without question. He has several nice matchups upcoming. Great buy low opportunity.
8:31

Andy Behrens: You should all buy Zimmermann.
8:31
Comment From Pepsipete
Alex Avila for real?
8:31
Comment From Dave
So Behrans are you saying you would take Moreland over Trumbo??
8:31

Andy Behrens: Yes, I would take him over Trumbo.
8:32

Brad Evans: And I will take Trumbo over Moreland. Behrens and I will cage match to the death.
8:32

Andy Behrens: Alex Avila seems to just kill the Sox. Maybe I'm making that up, but it feels that way. He's for real.
8:32
Comment From CJS
Rank: Belltran, Hart, BJ Upton
8:32

Andy Behrens: I would not enter the cage for either player. But I like Moreland's situation just a bit better. I think we've probably both hyped both players. No throwdown needed.
8:32

Brad Evans: Upton, Hart, Beltran (He's bound to land on the DL eventually).
8:32
Comment From Bon Wa
I need help coming up with an appropriate description for how bad Justin Morneau is. Can anyone help?
8:32

Andy Behrens: He is weapons-grade bad.
8:33
Comment From Frandon Bunston
Rios bad
8:33
Comment From Ian
As bad as attendance at Citi Field
8:33
Comment From Cary
Andy, you drop Morneau to pick up Trumbo?
8:33

Brad Evans: Sound the horn!!!
8:33
Comment From Moose
Brad Evans fantasy advice bad.
8:33

Andy Behrens: I dropped Morneau in a small, hometown mixed league when Hosmer came up. No one has yet added Morneau.
8:33

Brad Evans: Moose burgers...good.
8:34
Comment From Joe
Drop Belt for Moreland with I. Davis on the bench?
8:34

Andy Behrens: Valentine: "I'm not surprised he's hitting .170 with that swing." Oof.
8:34

Brad Evans: You do realize Belt is probably out for the next three weeks? Wrist is currently in a cast.
8:35

Scott Pianowski: It's so cheesy when analysts are "not surprised" at something that's already occurred that they never spoke of.
8:35

Andy Behrens: ...so yeah, I'd drop Morneau for lots of guys, I guess. His is an injury problem. Not just about luck.
8:35
Comment From Master Mind
Rank Them: Romero, Latos, Masterson, Hellickson, Pinada
8:35
Comment From Jared N
What do you guys do in H2H if your up in all pitching categories, and you still have pitchers going?
8:35

Brad Evans: Pineda, Romero, Masterson, Latos, Hellickson (Time to take a profit, peeps)
8:35

Scott Pianowski: Drink from the cup, Jared.
8:36

Andy Behrens: You preserve the ratios, depending on your lead in Ws and Ks. You can usually tell if those stats are at risk.
8:36
Comment From Dave
Piano man...please settle Trumbo Moreland....Evans and Behrans are split on them
8:36

Scott Pianowski: Mitch Moreland for me. Hell, Keith Moreland for me.
8:36

Andy Behrens: Ted Bell: Funny, but can't post. Please try again.
8:36
Comment From Bill
Bench your staff as long as your innings are met. Don't risk it.
8:37
Comment From Ben Greive
Chris Iannetta or Jorge Posada?
8:37
Comment From Teddy
Hey Brad, I'm gonna get you for identity theft!
8:37
Comment From Scott
Ted Bell is funny.
8:37

Andy Behrens: OK, that's probably a joke, but Iannetta.
8:37
Comment From CJS
anybody but Posada
8:37
Comment From Guest
Why does everyone seem to hate on Hunter Pence?
8:37

Scott Pianowski: Because he runs like a wounded animal.
8:38

Andy Behrens: He's kind of a spaz, yeah.
8:38
Comment From james23tennman
How much will Houston play Bourgeois?
8:38

Brad Evans: RE: Pence. Supporting cast is abysmal. People are naturally prejudiced about players with high socks.
8:38

Andy Behrens: I can't believe they won't get him 4 games a week. But they're allowed to be dumb.
8:38
Comment From Ian
I prefer the verb "lumbers"
8:38
Comment From Moose
Piano wounds animals in his free time too, so I'd listen to the man.
8:38
Comment From Guest
Pence runs like bizarro T-1000
8:39

Brad Evans: Richie Sexson was a classic "lumberer"
8:39

Scott Pianowski: No, no, Moose. I love animals. I'd never go hunting.
8:39
Comment From Bon Wa
If Aramis Ramirez was a pretty girl where would you take her on a date?
8:39

Andy Behrens: Olive Garden. Obviously. Where I take 'em all.
8:39

Brad Evans: Behrens has a Moose rack in his Wisconsin cabin. True story.
8:39
Comment From CJS
White Castle
8:39
Comment From Nick
Pence or Stanton?
8:40

Andy Behrens: I do have a nice rack, yes.
8:40
Comment From Kenny
Alexi Casilla, Macier Izturis, or J.J. Hardy!!!!!!!!!!!
8:40
Pick your Hudson:
Tim
( 22% )
Henry
( 8% )
Orlando
( 6% )
Street
( 7% )
Kate
( 49% )
Jennifer
( 9% )

8:40

Brad Evans: Power = Stanton. Well-roundness = Pence.
8:40

Andy Behrens: Never has a Casilla question been asked with such enthusiasm. Hardy > Casilla > Izturis.
8:40
Comment From B.Morrow
Should owners be worried about me?
8:41

Andy Behrens: (But I'm biased against Izturises, so that's probably wrong).
8:41

Brad Evans: Great buy low opportunity on Morrow. K/9 is actually better than last year. Bad luck has plagued him.
8:41

Scott Pianowski: Mike Scioscia likes most of his infielders to be anonymous and interchangeable.
8:41
Comment From Flex
peripherals are still good on Morrow... hold on
8:41
Comment From CJS
Dead Honus Wagner or living Posada?
8:42

Brad Evans: Dead Cannonball Titcomb over Posada.
8:42

Scott Pianowski: Wagner against lefties.
8:42

Andy Behrens: Dead Honus still has the on-base skills.
8:42
Comment From Mike
Should I be able to get anything good for Ichiro?
8:42
Comment From Jared N
Concerned with Jason Heyward?
8:42

Andy Behrens: I will trade for Ichiro, Mike.
8:42

Andy Behrens: Make me an offer...
8:42

Brad Evans: Worried the shoulder injury will eventually led to a surgical correction. Yes, very concerned.
8:43

Scott Pianowski: Wayward Heyward, as an owner in the Roto Arcade Pro-Am says (ruefully).
8:43
Comment From Jon
Freddie Freeman worth a pick up now?
8:43
Comment From Jared N
Nelson Cruz has been great lately. He finishes in the top ___
8:43

Brad Evans: He was worth a pick-up two weeks ago. He's hitting well over .300 since May 1.
8:43

Andy Behrens: "bunk." Always makes Kinsler sleep in the low bunk.
8:43

Brad Evans: Top .0000000000000000000001%
8:43
Comment From Brett Lawrie
When will I replace the bums currently manning 3B in Toronto?
8:43

Brad Evans: 10-14 days
8:43

Andy Behrens: As soon as you're less bruised, inflamed.
8:44
Comment From Lil Bo Peep
Rank: Morrison, Pagan, Gardner, Pierre, Bourgeous
8:44

Brad Evans: Pagan, Morrison, Gardner, Pierre, Bourgeois
8:44
Comment From TedBell
D.Stevenson making it chippy
8:44
Comment From Moose
Can't believe I laughed at a bunk bed joke.
8:44

Andy Behrens: We have to keep it clean-ish, Moose.
8:44
Comment From Pepsipete
I don't think there have been enough Brett Lawrie questions
8:45
Comment From Keith
Top 3 buy low pitchers?
8:45

Brad Evans: Morrow, Wandy, Carpenter
8:45

Brad Evans: Scherzer and Anderson as well
8:45

Andy Behrens: You know, I write about him constantly because I think he should be added pretty much everywhere. There's 1-2 guys a year I'll do that with, I guess. Meh. Suck it up.
8:45
Comment From Drew Storen
Am I in jeopardy of losing my job as the Closer?
8:46

Andy Behrens: You just had a rough day. Long leash.
8:46
Comment From Frandon Bunston
Ubaldo?????
8:46

Brad Evans: Yes another discount opportunity, though the sales price may not be as good as it once was
8:46
Comment From Anibal Sanchez
Why am I only 80% owned?
8:46
Comment From Dan
Rank: Shields, Beckett, Sanchez, Matusz for rest of this season.
8:47

Andy Behrens: Because no one owned you to begin the year. 80 percent is huge, from where you started.
8:47

Brad Evans: Shields, Sanchez, Beckett, Matusz
8:47
Comment From Ben
I am cooking Lamb Shank. That is all.
8:47

Andy Behrens: No sides, Ben? Salad?
8:47

Andy Behrens: Orel is now talking Agbayani.
8:48
Comment From Ian
Rice
8:48
Comment From Moose
If that's Roethlisberger, he knows lamb shank brings in the la-dies.
8:48
Comment From djarm67
Will Ogando be SP the whole season or should I trade him?
8:48
Comment From Mookie Horner
Ben's colon is trouble.
8:48
Comment From Ian
Agbayani, Mo Vaughn, Bobby Bonilla...Orel clearly did some homework before this Mets game
8:48

Brad Evans: I'm still selling on Ogando. He continues to defy the underlying stats, but the law of averages will eventually come into play -- at least, I think.
8:49
Comment From Sunny
Alexi Ogando's xFIP is though the roof. Sell high
8:49
Comment From TedBell
Mavs get 3-pt opportunity off ugliest 2-on-1 in history of basketball... that was WNBA-esque
8:49
Comment From uhhhhhh
turner raburn craig or espinosa??
8:49

Brad Evans: Craig, Espinosa, Turner, Raburn in that order.
8:50
Comment From Tyler
Uggla or Ackley ROS
8:50

Andy Behrens: I'd take Espinosa there, by an eyelash, but Craig should be owned in lots more leagues.
8:50

Brad Evans: Uggla. There's only one direction to go....
8:50

Andy Behrens: You'll regret dumping Uggla. (I hope. Because we can't trade him).
8:50
Comment From uhhhhhh
even tho TLR is messing up craigs playing time?
8:51

Andy Behrens: Yeah, that's the annoying detail with Craig, for sure.
8:51
Comment From Brandon
Edinson Volquez is back! Is he a Top 60 pitcher going forward?
8:51

Brad Evans: Craig should see regular PT with Holliday out. The crazy thing: StL keeps playing extra inning games allowing Craig to log 2-3 at-bats per day.
8:52

Andy Behrens: Edinson is back, for the record. Top-400 in the first inning, top-40 thereafter.
8:52
Comment From Jared N
Allen Craig's owned % should be ___
8:52

Brad Evans: 40
8:52
Comment From Jared N
Which Dodgers RPs are you owning (if any)?
8:52
Comment From CJS
Bigger impact, if any this year: Moustakas or Jennings?
8:53

Brad Evans: Jennings, assuming he gets the call before September
8:53

Scott Pianowski: xFIP lies. Stick with FIP.
8:53

Andy Behrens: I have completely given up on that bullpen, even in leagues where I can't afford to. The only guy I'm owning is Kenley. No idea if he'll get another shout, but I love the K-rate. You can have everyone else.
8:53

Brad Evans: tERA is also a sound indicator
8:54
Comment From uhhhhhh
There are not enough mustaches in baseball anymore. I miss Jose Valentin
8:54
Comment From Brandon
Can't believe I'm typing this, but who would you rather have: Alex Rios and his crappy attitude or Angel Pagan and his general usefulness (when healthy)?
8:54

Scott Pianowski: I should have had Jose and John Valentin in the poll. Terrible oversight, even with the slightly-different name.
8:54
Comment From Jon
You can hear the pain in Bobby V's voice that he wasn't included in an ownership group
8:54

Brad Evans: Pagan. Honestly, Rios offers a little bit more pop. The Contradiction, more speed.
8:54
Comment From John Axford
Uhhhhhhh, I beg to differ
8:54
Comment From Lil Teddy
SIERA is the least sucky of them all.
8:54

Scott Pianowski: That's how BP promotes it.
8:55
Comment From Sean
Trade Mike Stanton for Josh Johnson and Melky Cabrera
8:55
Comment From Tyler
in a heartbeat
8:55

Brad Evans: If you're sound in homers, and it's not a keeper, not a bad deal.
8:55

Andy Behrens: Melky would barely be part of that equation for me. But that sounds like a need-for-need deal, Stanton and Johnson.
8:56
Comment From Shane
Lincecum for Youk - Who wins
8:56

Andy Behrens: Timmy wins.
8:57
Comment From Mike
Should I trade Ryan Howard if I have Justin Smoak?
8:57

Andy Behrens: Probably not, no.
8:57

Brad Evans: Not unless you're getting elite talent in return.
8:57
Comment From Jon
Two guys, one spot. Freeman and Trumbo. Who starts.
8:57

Andy Behrens: Trumbo.
8:58

Brad Evans: TRUMBO!!!!
8:58
Comment From Matt
Tell me about Scherzer. Worth holding on to over Porcello or Zimmerman? He's going down hill fast...
8:58

Andy Behrens: I have captured and hidden the accordion, just so you know. I realize I left you all hanging on that situation.
8:58

Brad Evans: Consecutive 7 ER games and a bout of gopheritis have inflated his ERA. He'll be fine.
8:58
Comment From Radiator charlie
scherzer gave up two bombs to morneau he BLOWS!!!
8:58
Comment From Hanley Ramirez
My season is an epic fail. Sorry.
8:59
Comment From Moose
I can thankfully breathe a sigh of relief, knowing Andy is depriving his daughter of fun.
8:59

Andy Behrens: She was only doing it to torment me. She's not innocent here.
8:59
Comment From Jared N
Daniel Bard got the save in Oakland today. Thoughts?
9:00

Brad Evans: He's clearly next in line if Papelbon falters. Nice temporary add for those chasing saves. Paps could face a suspension for his tirade yesterday.
9:00

Andy Behrens: Bard could close for most teams, easy. Papelbon needed a time out today.
9:00
Comment From Doc
Bard or Rauch, not a holds league
9:00

Andy Behrens: Bard.
9:00

Brad Evans: Bard
9:00
Comment From tony
should i order mexican or pizza to eat while i ignore this baseball game?
9:01

Scott Pianowski: Mexican.
9:01
Comment From Mookie Horner
That's a pretty sweet uncle to give her an accordion.
9:01

Brad Evans: Mexican pizza
9:01

Andy Behrens: OK, that's just evil, Uncle Mookie.
9:01
Comment From Birdman
I had pizza once but Mexicans stole it...
9:01

Scott Pianowski: It was actually Joakim Soria.
9:01
Comment From Bob S.
Thoughts on Rajai Davis?
9:01
Comment From Barry
Niese, Danks or Pineiro rest of way?
9:01

Brad Evans: What you see is what you get. Tons of speed, some BA upside, runs potential.
9:02

Andy Behrens: Niese > Danks > Pineiro.
9:02
Comment From Jon
Why are we watching the 86 mets?
9:02

Brad Evans: Danks. The man has to win a game eventually.
9:02
Comment From Bob
Think Tulo is getting ready for a big June?
9:02

Andy Behrens: He's always ready for a big August/September. Dunno 'bout June.
9:03

Brad Evans: Funston and Pianow are about to enter. Cue "Welcome to the Jungle!" Have a good one Arcadians.
9:03

Andy Behrens: I hated Ray Knight long before I had any reason to hate Ray Knight.

Awful highlight.
9:03
Comment From Moose
"Just watching him swing gave Orel sweats." DANGEROUS SENTENCE.
9:04

Scott Pianowski: Ray Knight was pretty annoying, yes.
9:04

B-Fun: Evening, folks
9:04
Comment From Nick
Thoughts on Anthony Rizzo????
9:04

Scott Pianowski: Good luck in Petco, kid.
9:04
Comment From TedBell
Wasnt Ray Knight married to an unattractive female golfer?
9:04

Andy Behrens: Well, she was a really, really good golfer. So that's hot.
9:04

Scott Pianowski: Yes. Babe Didrickson Zaharias.
9:05

B-Fun: My thoughts are that he's a good player with highly inflated numbers (environment). He won't be worth the hoopla that will surround him
9:05
Comment From Mark
Any Thoughts on Pineda?
9:05

B-Fun: Much love
9:05
Comment From joe
Is Hanley going on the DL? Will a dl stint help him?
9:05

Scott Pianowski: Fun while it lasts, Pineda. A whole lotta fun. I wonder what they do if they contend into September, which I expect.
9:05

Andy Behrens: I'm going to go see Pineda this week at the Cell. All kinds of excited.
9:05

Scott Pianowski: He gone.
9:05
Comment From Mookie Horner
Ray Knight was an unattractive female golfer.
9:06
Ray Knight:
Hero
( 35% )
Zero
( 65% )

9:06

B-Fun: I think Hanley is going on the DL, especially since he can be retro'd to May 29
9:06

Andy Behrens: Maybe they give him one of those non-injury DL rests, as the Pads did with Latos last year. Pineda has an elbow issue in the past.
9:06
Comment From Nick
Zero
9:06
Comment From Master Mind
re: Pineda - - -what's there to say other than he's awesome
9:06
Comment From MRD
stud or dud would have been better
9:06
Comment From Ian
Here come all the Seattle questions...
9:06

Scott Pianowski: MRD is a pretty fancy name though, MRD.
9:06

B-Fun: Wheelhouse
9:07

Scott Pianowski: Funhouse.
9:07
Comment From Dan
Utley 3/4 today. Trust him enough going forward to get rid of Pedroia?
9:07

B-Fun: No, I think not
9:07

Scott Pianowski: How tiny is that league? Three teams?
9:07
Comment From Gamblin Man
I'm tryin to hit a HR on the waiver wire. Whose my best chance? Volquez, Colon, Morton, or Niese?
9:07

B-Fun: I'm assuming you meant you'd deal Pedroia
9:07

Andy Behrens: Later, weasels. I need to return the accordion.
9:07

Scott Pianowski: Volquez has the highest upside, easily.
9:08
Comment From Kenny Williams
Time to cut bait on Rios for anything???
9:08

B-Fun: Obligatory weekly patience call on Rios -- I'm still playing the waiting game on him
9:08

Scott Pianowski: Might as well ride out another month of Rios. You'll get almost nothing now.
9:09
Comment From Guest
when will lawrie get called up
9:09

Scott Pianowski: This week? My least favorite question, when will ___ get called up.
9:09

B-Fun: I heard Lawrie was a hot topic tonight -- I'm thinking one more week before teams feel it's safe to call these guys up w/o service time ramifications -- maybe 10 days

[Additional Entries] 9:10 - 10:19
[Additional Entries] 10:19 - 10:53

Writer: Scott Pianowski

Closing Time Sunday Chat - Mets/Braves
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2011-06-06T13:13:00.001-04:00

2011-06-06T13:13:00.000-04:00

This is level 2 click on the bottom one 1st

2008-01-11T02:04:00.001-05:00

This is level 2 click on the bottom one 1st

if you play SuperMario you will love this one

2008-01-11T01:54:00.000-05:00

You will first think its stupid but 1:30 mins in you will laugh your face off (only if you have played SuperMario bros)

Back in Asia

2007-11-19T23:50:00.000-05:00

I am going back to Taiwan with my parents, on Thanksgiving day. We are having dinner first then we will head to the airport.

My first stop will be in TW, then to China and HK for a day each, It should be fun.
I dont like flying too much but I at least I finally get upgraded to business this time, I am looking forward to the menu. nice job EVA i get to choose what I want to eat first.

Golf

2007-10-14T23:43:00.000-04:00

I went to play golf with my co-workers today. We went to Patriot hills upstate, with a 1:20 tee time. Its been a while I have played, the last time I played was in Tainan-Taiwan. I was happy with my score, only about 35 strokes behind Tiger Woods. Not too bad for the 1st time in 3 yrs.

Here is the movie of one of the holes

Me and my #1 wood

2007-10-03T01:15:00.000-04:00

Golf is one of the hardest thing I have ever tried

Emily and Allen's wedding in Tuscany

2007-09-29T00:38:00.001-04:00

Canadian book buyers are mad!

2007-09-26T01:56:00.000-04:00

After decades of higher book prices being explained away by the weak Canadian dollar, book buyers suddenly find themselves paying "more" money for the same book.

From USA Today:

Among books released in recent weeks, as the currencies approached parity, the list price on Alan Greenspan's The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World is $35 U.S. and $42 Canadian. Suggested retail prices for James Patterson's You've Been Warned are $27.99 and $32.50.

"Before, when there was a 5% or 10% difference (in the currencies), people would ... accept that the Canadian price was higher without making a calculation," says Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Capital Markets. "Now that we're spot-on parity, it's tougher to explain away that difference." Books have their prices set months in advance, so it's tough luck for Canada, though David Kent, CEO of HarperCollins Canada, says his team is working on it. "One tactic they're taking: Putting stickers with adjusted prices over older Canadian prices."

Sorry, Canada. We suppose you'll have to visit the library for something to read while you wait in line for your excellent health care.

2007-09-20T01:44:00.000-04:00

Picture was taken on the 1st day of the trip in Zürich Switzerland. It did not take me long to find Credit Suisse (the bank I used to work for). Zürich is a very friendly place, I took about 5 hours to visit most of the sites in the Old Town.

The river in the picture is the one that runs through the center of the Capital. As you can see the water is crystal clear. I wish the Hudson would be like this.

What's With All the Flower Cabs?

2007-09-20T00:24:00.000-04:00

Personally, I think they're pretty tacky- and so do a lot of people I know, but no one I've asked knows exactly why they've been painted.

"The project is called Garden in Transit and it's a mobile public art project to help "celebrate the 100th anniversary of New York's first traditional metered taxicab." The decals that decorate the cabs were painted by 23,000 children and adults from organizations around New York City. The waterproof decals are decorating thousands of cabs in the city."

US Open tennis

2007-09-09T17:21:00.001-04:00

I had free tickets to see US Open, Watching tennis makes me want to play it.. I think its been years since I have played.

Random thoughts while in Italy

2007-08-29T12:31:00.004-04:00

-Its Wed I feel like I have left New York for a month. This is the 4th city in a week.

-Florence is very small I ran into 2 other people groups that are going to the wedding this weekend.

-Too bad I cant upload all the nice photos i have taken, but some places were amazing.

-Overnight train from Switzerland to Italy was not long enough, We did not get enough sleep.

-80% of all people with babies use bugaboo (or how every you spell it) i guess its because of all the uneven streets.

-Pizza and pasta are much better in Italy

-Statue of David is much better then I thought 17 meters, which makes me wonder if they made Goliath how big would that be.

-Fruits and dairy are much better in Switzerland

-I did not get a watch or a swis army knife while I was in Switzerland.

-I am lucky that I like wine because

wine = 1 euro
water = 2 euro
coke = 4 euro

-For some strange reason my left leg is sore, It is always my right one that is sore.

-I bought a bottle of Italy Vodka, ya Vodka and it was good, I had it with lunch today.

-Crocs are popular here also!

-I would like to paraglide again.

-There are more UBS the Credit Suisse in Switzerland.

-So far I saw 8 Ferrari Switzerland 1 Ferrari in Italy strange huh?

-I learned alot about basamic Vinger

-Truffles are eaiser to find.

-I wonder how a Vespa would ride like..

Till next time

TW vs Korea

2007-08-19T01:05:00.001-04:00

8 New Books for Harry potter

2007-08-15T17:41:00.001-04:00

(Taken from NY Times)

Memo to the Dept. of Magical Copyright Enforcement

China has a world-leading knack for churning out copies and counterfeits, and the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” last month prompted a surge of peculiarly Chinese imitations as well as a quickie unauthorized translation. Below are excerpts from the publishers’ summaries and the texts of the various “Harry Potter” counterfeits that have been circulating in China in the last few years, translated by The Times from the Chinese. While the selections may not always make sense (even, or perhaps especially to, “Potter” aficionados), we can promise you this: no spoilers.

Anna Bhushan

Harry Potter and the Leopard-Walk- Up-to-Dragon

Harry Potter and the Chinese Porcelain Doll

Harry Potter and the Waterproof Pearl

Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Relative Prince

Harry Potter and the Big Funnel

Harry Potter and Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

Harry Potter and the Chinese Overseas Students at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry Potter and the Showdown

I think this is one of the reasons for the MTA fare hike

2007-08-14T11:16:00.000-04:00

This MTA employee is hard at work

dirty dirty chinese

2007-08-09T13:18:00.000-04:00

It's wrong on so many levels, but what really gets me is that the cartoon conflates the questionable safety of food from China with Chinese restaurants in America. The message, if it isn't obvious: when it comes to Chinese restaurant food, you might as well be eating out of the garbage.

here's the Asian American Journalists Assocation's response to this cartoon: AAJA Writes Letter to Universal Press Syndicate Opposing Pat Oliphant's Latest Racist Cartoon

Being a a Taiwanese China Basher all my life, things like this opens the door to all sorts of China-bashing. It's hard enough that it's generally considered fair game to make fun of Chinese, but if you read the news, it's practically considered fashionable. And in the United States, when it's "cool" to bash all things Chinese, you don't have to take too many leaps before some dumbass thinks it's "cool" to bash an Asian American guy in the head with a baseball bat. Dramatic, yes, but it's happened before, hasn't it?

UPDATE: here is another one.

Yes, another one. (Thanks, Mariana.)

who will be the new sulu?

2007-08-07T18:32:00.000-04:00

As Trekkies (like myself) are aware, a new Star Trek movie is currently in the works over at Paramount, an attempt by Alias and Lost creator J.J. Abrams to revive the creaky sci-fi franchise. It's been announced that the story will go back to the beginning, the younger years of iconic Trek figures like Kirk and Spock, with Heroes' Zachary Quinto already cast to play the pointy-eared Vulcan. But hey, you can't have a Trek movie without the rest of the gang... including our man Sulu. Here's a casting breakdown that's been going around for the rest of the original series characters:

STAR TREK
Feature Film
SAG
PARAMOUNT PICTURES/BAD ROBOT

[JAMES KIRK] 23-29 Handsome,cocky self assured and
earnest. Great physical condition. 6 ft or less

[LEONARD(BONES)MCOY] -28-32 Medic on the Enterprise.
Smart, clever and a bit danger-loving. Dark hair, blue
eyes.

[UHURA] 25ish -African American. Brilliant, beautiful,
heroic and FUN!, Uhura is almost tom-boyish - as if
she grew up in a houseful of brothers.

[SULU] 25-32 -Asian American male (preferably
Japanese). Helmsman on the Enterprise. Extremely fit,
capable and dedicated. A bit of a wildcat.

[MONTGOMERY(SCOTTY) SCOTT] -28-32 a brilliant ship's
engineer. Must be able to do a flawless Scottish
accent!

"A bit of a wildcat"? This should be interesting. I imagine the part will probably be pretty small. So who will be the next Sulu? Man, I would love to hang out at the auditions for this role. I can think of a good handful of talented Asian American actors who might be able to fit George Takei's shoes quite nicely. (No, not Masi Oka.)

HSBC song?

2007-08-02T15:38:00.000-04:00

HSBC: Let's Live It

Can this be for real?

We hope so. It would make a very nice theme song to the HSBC sitcom we've been planning.

I heard that this was produced somewhere in Asia, no one really knows if this is official,

But, I think this can't compare to the chase girl who's going to make it after all.

What a great place to work for!! I am looking for this job!

2007-07-27T02:05:00.000-04:00

They did this video one night after work. its a company called Connected Ventures, Maybe I should create a company like CV

Lip Dub - Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger from amandalynferri and Vimeo.

A picture inside my Vault

2007-07-25T17:43:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I wish.. Its a picture of the largest drug bust ever 207 million dollars.

Photoshop a girl's best friend

2007-07-18T13:27:00.001-04:00

1-18-08

2007-07-17T10:18:00.000-04:00

1-18-08, no is not the day that i am going to retire, but its the release day for this movie, by far this is the most interesting trailer I have ever seen. It was during the previews of the Transformers when I saw this preview, Its what people are now referring to as the trailer to JJ Abrams Top Secret Movie titled Cloverfield.

And the best part, it’s for a movie no one really even knew existed. The trailer apparently ends without even a title, just “Produced by J.J. Abrams” and the release date “1.18.08″. You can read the trailer description, but everyone is saying not to read just watch the Trailer

And tell me this is not the best trailer you have seen.

The odds of being hit by lighting bolt.

2007-07-12T17:05:00.000-04:00

Dispelling the myth of an unsafe subway ride

Published July 12th, 2007 Subway Security

It’s a popular refrain from out-of-towners from all over. “The subways aren’t safe,” they say. “You ride the subways at 3 a.m.? And you’re still alive? You’re nuts.”

Well, good news to those of us who don’t fear late-night subway rides: The New York City subways are indeed safe. In fact, crime on the subway is down to an all-time low, according to a report in the Daily News. Based on MTA and NYPD statistics, New York’s illustrious tabloids proclaims, your chances to being a victim in the subway are about the same as if you were struck by lightning.

Some 1,157 felonies have been committed in the subways this year - an average of 6.1 a day. And just 427 robberies have been reported in the underground this year, compared with nearly 9,300 in total in 1990, NYPD Transit Bureau Chief James Hall said. “That’s pretty amazing,” Hall said of the decline, crediting the hard work of transit cops and commanders.

It’s actually unprecedented, according to former Transit Bureau Chief Michael Ansbro, who spent nearly four decades with the NYPD bureau and the formerly independent transit police force. “It’s never been this low,” Ansbro said.

With an average of 4.9 million riders on the subway each weekday and 2.5 million each weekend day, the odds of becoming the victim of a crime on any given day is approximately 1 in 714,000. That’s about the same odds a U.S. resident faces of getting zapped by a bolt of lightning in any given year, according to the National Weather Service.

For straphangers, that’s great news. For years, the New York City subways have had to live down crime-ridden stereotypes. The hijackers in The Taking of Pelham One-Two-Three and the nuts in Money Train have long represented the subways in the minds of the rest of America. While smart New Yorkers know better, it’s reassuring to hear the subways are still safer.

Now if only we could stop hearing that familiar refrain of “Ladies and gentelmen, this is an important announcement from the MTA” every five minutes while riding the subways around the City.

Graphic above from the New York Daily News.

A less friendly neighbor

2007-07-10T10:13:00.000-04:00

The apartment next door is a rental, and in the past year it's been leased by two Korean girls which uses it for their schooling, but they behave more like like a cast of refugees. Finding their leftover Korean food on the floor in the garbage room (Rather then in the compressor). Most of my other neighbors are all very friendly, but the worst is this one, also I glance at them and we happen to make eye contact, they will pretend not to see me. They also have an unfortunate habit of kissing their boyfriend all day/night without shades. Adding that as part of my view is just gross, Its funny to see it for the 1st time , but after the second time its like poking my eyes with sharp thorns.

The other day I was thinking please go away, then I've finally saw this Today!

hummmm. Global Warming?

2007-07-09T12:24:00.001-04:00

Transformers

2007-07-03T11:38:00.001-04:00

As a kid there was only 3 things on my mind Yankees, GI Joe, and Transformers. So I guess it was not too hard to imagine that would stay up until 3:30 am on a workday for this movie.
I think that there is an 8-year-old boy inside every man, Transformers is just the ticket to bring the kid out.

I my opinion the graphics were stunning and most of scenes were pretty good, particularly the fight scene between Optimus Prime and Bone Crusher. I thought Optimus Prime possibly could have kicked a bit more arse, but I won't put that against the movie as it was done much better then I have expected. The movie does showcase spectacular chases and animated transformation sequences seamlessly blended into live-action surroundings. There's no longer any question whether special effects can be made more realistic: The issue is whether disposable actors can be trained to play better with bluescreens.

Like any Hollywood action blockbuster, you can't go into Transformers expecting it to make a lot of sense, it is a movie about giant robots who shift shape, after all. The plot is cliché at the best, he human characters are as stiff and inhuman as the robots; they include Sam Witwicky a Hero, nerd, geek then of course, Sam's unattainable dream girl Mikaela, she is a stone-cold hottie who knows cars and engines inside and out; then lastly, our group of soldiers under attack in Qatar is led by the dedicated Sergeant Lennox, who only wants to get home to see his wife and baby girl. On the other hand, complaining about Hollywood movie contains clichés is like complaining about paying too much in taxes, it is just a part of life.

Here are a few gripes, some scenes were too quickly-cut and closely-shot to be clear or comprehensible, also I have no idea why does this film have to have the faintly racist idea that comedic relief consists of, mostly, Black men (Bernie Mac) shouting at women?

Nevertheless, the movie was the best movie I have seen this year, (I only saw 3 movies) and I haven't seen a movie as good or left a cinema feeling i got my money worth in a very long time.

50 most expensive cities.

2007-06-20T10:53:00.000-04:00

Its interesting to see that Singapore is more expensive to New York, and Taipei is on 48, which means every city on the list is more expensive then Taipei.

Getting sick has its upsides.

2007-06-18T14:02:00.000-04:00

I was pretty sick last night, so I just lay on the sofa and watch TV all night. I got to see CMW (Chien Ming Wang) pitch awesome game versus the Mets. The Yankees cruised behind Chien-Ming Wang. They took two of three of this version of the Subway Series and split the six games during the regular season.

Chien-Ming Wang looks as good as ever. His strikeouts are on the rise, and his starts almost always serve as a means for the Yankees to rest their weary bullpen. He's economical with his pitches, and he works quickly. When Wang starts, the Yankees win more than 60 percent of the time. They can't ask for more than what Wang's given them.

Yankees 8, Mets 2:

Sarfari for the PC

2007-06-11T23:57:00.001-04:00

It claims to be faster then any browser, I am pretty happy with Firefox, but lets see what Safari is got?! I used it on the Mac about 4 yrs ago.

But I have to say Mac makes crappy stuff for the PC.

-Note blogger does not seem to like it too much.

William Hong? I dont think so

2007-06-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

I thought he was going to make me laugh, but... just watch..

Richard's Wedding

2007-06-11T11:36:00.001-04:00

I went to one of my best friend's wedding few weeks ago. He was one of the guys that made a nice long speech in my wedding.

I had a great time there, it was definitely very nice to see some old friends.

Even tho I was a bad friend when I didn't attend his wedding in Korea, but I did manage to attend this one.

Out of all of my friends he is probably the most romantic person I know. He sing for wife at the wedding.

Last Night's Complete Win

2007-06-08T01:03:00.000-04:00

I have not blogged about my fav Yankee last night

Yankees 5 White Sox 1: Chien-Ming Wang was brilliant, going the distance while allowing only one run and six baserunners. Wang also struck out four as he cruised to an easy win, his fifth of the season.

Kickboxing class

2007-06-08T00:54:00.001-04:00

After a really rough day at work I went to the kickboxing class at the gym today. I Think that I am going to feel it tomorrow. Its going to be worse then basketball..

My its kinda fun to meet other people that you live with in the same class. My partner was regretting taking the stairs to class. She and 3 other classmates and were all from the same Apartment line. 6a, 8a, 19a, and 24a

I also ran into my old coworker from Morgan Stanley, how funny is that

My fastest run

2007-06-05T01:53:00.000-04:00

I tired today, but I still can't seem to break that 2 mile 24 min mark. My personal record was set in January of this year. That is right before I left for Paris and Taiwan. Well I will be adding this tracker on the right frame of my blog to remind myself that I need to break that record

Manhattanhenge 2007: May 31 and July 11

2007-05-31T11:51:00.000-04:00

Manhattanhenge 2007: May 31 and July 11

Neil deGrasse Tyson's office has sent over the dates for this year's Manhattanhenge, the two days each year when the Sun sets in precise alignment with the Manhattan street grid, (which isn't actually set due north.)

On May 31, a Thursday, Manhattanhenge begins at 8:17 p.m.
On July 11, a Wednesday, Manhattanhenge begins at 8:25 p.m.

Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, first wrote about Manhattanhenge in 2002.

Microsoft Surface (Must check out the demo)

2007-05-30T11:48:00.000-04:00

WoW, Microsoft as not Wow-me in years. This is something that I would expect from Apple, you must check out the demo!!. The inner geek in me really want one of this!!

My Mastercard momement

2007-05-29T10:19:00.000-04:00

Shared limo-ride with Rice family - $20
Gatorade for everyone - $9
Bootleg movie - $0
Watermelon, and ice-cream - $0
Beef noodle from San-Wu-Jo $6
Ride back to the city - $40

A win under the belt for "The Three Jewels of CYM" ... Priceless.

TA's Annual Bike Vs. Subway Vs. Car Commuter Race

2007-05-24T18:41:00.001-04:00

TA's Annual Bike Vs. Subway Vs. Car Commuter Race

Today was Transportation Alternatives' Battle for the Fastest Commute! where a bike rider, subway rider, and cab rider are pitted against each other to see who can get to a destination fastest. This year, the race started at 8:25AM at Fix Cafe on North 11th Street and Bedford in Williamsburg and ended at Bellevue Hospital at East 26th Street and First Avenue in Manhattan.

And results? Lucie Olewinski, the bicyclist, was the fastest, making it to Bellevue in 15 minutes. Subway rider Philip Pond made it there in 19 minutes while it took cab rider James Vincente 23 minutes. Olewinski's win is not surprising, but we're stunned that Pond was able to get to the finish line so fast - he must have caught a flier at the Bedford L. Interestingly, Hopstop says it would take 27 minutes by subway and walking while Google Maps says it would take 14 minutes by car.

Olewinski, a nurse practitioner who commutes to her night shifts at Bellevue by bike, told TA her "victory proves to would-be bike commuters that getting to work by bike is fast and easy" and also encourages others to "take advantage of the good summer weather and give bike commuting a spin." There are currently over 120,000 people who commute by bike - here are some maps for cycling in the city.

It's Bike Month in NYC - there are tons of events still! And here are results from Transportation Alternatives' commuter races in 2006 and 2005.

The 'Smart' way to travel around NYC

2007-05-24T09:58:00.000-04:00

The MetroCard is taking another step toward obsolescence.

Smart cards, already in use for a pilot program on the 4 5 6Green subway line, will soon be tested on the city's bus routes.

Smart cards are small passes that can be affixed to wallets and key chains and waved in front of scanners, such as in the checkout line at supermarkets. The technology is already widely used in Asia, and can allow riders to seamlessly move between transit systems without purchasing different tickets.

Baby Falcons at the Throgs Neck Bridge

2007-05-24T09:38:00.000-04:00

Baby Falcons at the Throgs Neck Bridge, this is probably the cutest thing ever, look at their faces... soo cute!

Here's some feel-good news, courtesy of the MTA. It's a set of peregrine falcon chicks at the Throgs Neck Bridge! A wildlife expert from the DEP, Chris Nadareski, examined and tagged the chicks, all of which are female. And while the baby falcons are super cute, they are getting ready to grow up:

Mayor Says Yahoo! About Hybrid Taxis

2007-05-23T12:25:00.000-04:00

I cant wait, its about time that we are doing something like this.

Yesterday afternoon, Mayor Bloomberg announced that every yellow taxi on the streets of NYC will go green under the hood in five years. His latest implementation of PlaNYC involves using requirements set by the Taxi and Limousine Commission to have cab owners upgrade their hacks to hybrid vehicles so that the entire fleet will be hybrid by 2012. Yahoo! exec Patrick Crane was on hand at City Hall to donate ten of the new hybrid vehicles as part of Yahoo!'s green initiatives, which seemed pretty nice, but proved that purple interiors can be a matter of taste. Council Member David Yassky (Brooklyn) has been hailing this issue for the last five years. We're glad he finally managed to flag it down.

They were all tricked out with the soon-to-be-mandatory upgrades like credit card payment devices. The spoof door-signs advertising the cab rates were cute, although we don't recommend trying to figure out how they translate. At any rate, these ten cabs will help the city achieve taxi hybrid-ization; here's the timeline for the roll-out:

By October 2008 - 1000 yellow hybrid taxicabs
October 2009 - 4000 yellow hybrid taxicabs (30% of the fleet)
October 2010 - 7000 yellow hybrid taxicabs (53% of the fleet)
October 2011 - 10000 yellow hybrid taxicabs (76% of the fleet)
October 2012 - all yellow taxicabs will be hybrid (100% of the fleet)

Bloomberg stated that by mandating cleaner environmental standards for the 13,000 taxis in the city, it would be the environmental equivalent of removing 32,000 individually owned non-hybrid cars from New York's streets. The Mayor evinced little respect for the federal government that gave up on a plan of incremental fuel-efficiency improvements, and he's picking up the slack:

The Ford Crown Victoria, the current workhorse of the taxicab fleet, achieves only 14 miles per gallon (mpg). After October 2008, all new vehicles entering the fleet must achieve a minimum of 25 mpg (based on EPA city surface street ratings), and after October 2009, all new vehicles must achieve a minimum of 30 mpg.

The owner of Taxi Club Management, which has 120 hybrid taxis in its fleet, told AMNY, "Drivers love it." But one taxi driver, who switched from a Crown Vic to a hybrid, explained to the NY Times, in spite of big savings on gas, "The only bad thing is that repairs can be very, very expensive." And a group representing disabled riders was upset that the mayor isn't concerned about taxis that can transport the handicapped, so the News asked Bloomberg about it, only to have him reply, "I'm sure you have found somebody that isn't happy and we appreciate the efforts that you make."

One funny anecdote we heard at yesterday's press conference relates back to the introduction of Yahoo!'s green-city challenge in New York two weeks ago. NYC is already a winner in that we've got ten new hybrid taxis from Yahoo!, but someone less interested in being green than getting some cash unbolted the marquee on one of the cabs and boosted its compact fluorescent bulbs. The theft went unnoticed until the green-cab driver took a fare onto the Long Island Expressway, and under high speeds the under-bolted marquee flew right off onto the side of the road.

Currently, NYC is still in the running to be the most-green city and score some more free cabs, so...instead of kicking the crap of of those four other frontrunners, here are some some tips to be greener.

Wall Street bonuses to rise in 2007

2007-05-22T23:52:00.000-04:00

Hoping for the best but expecting the worse

I hope the report is right!!

Neat Ads

2007-05-22T22:45:00.001-04:00

NYC's Taxi Fleet Going Green!

2007-05-22T11:47:00.000-04:00

Finally!!

NEW YORK (AP) - The city's yellow taxi fleet will go entirely hybrid within five years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday.

"There's an awful lot of taxicabs on the streets of New York City," Bloomberg said. "These cars just sit there in traffic sometimes, belching fumes.

"This does a lot less. It's a lot better for all of us," he said of the hybrid plan.

Nearly 400 fuel-efficient hybrids have been tested in the city's taxi fleet over the past 18 months, with models including the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h and the Ford Escape.

Under Bloomberg's plan, that number will increase to 1,000 by October 2008, then will grow by about 20 percent each year until 2012, when every yellow cab -- currently numbering 13,000 -- will be a hybrid.

Hybrid vehicles run on a combination of gasoline and electricity, emitting less exhaust and achieving higher gas mileage per gallon.

The standard yellow cab vehicle, the Ford Crown Victoria, gets 14 miles per gallon. In contrast, the Ford Escape taxis get 36 miles per gallon.

In addition to making the yellow cab brigade entirely green within five years, the city will require all new vehicles entering the fleet after October 2008 to achieve a minimum of 25 miles per gallon. A year later, all new vehicles must get 30 miles per gallon and be hybrid. Bloomberg made the announcement on NBC's "Today" show.

Hybrid vehicles are typically more expensive, but the city said the increase in fuel efficiency will save taxi operators more than $10,000 per year. Yahoo Inc. said it would donate 10 hybrid Ford Escapes for the city's effort.

Shifting the taxi fleet to hybrids is part of Bloomberg's wider sustainability plan for the city, which includes a goal of a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Part of the plan could include congestion pricing for drivers entering some of the busiest parts of Manhattan.

Turning over the taxi fleet by 2012 is not an impossible goal. The life of a New York City taxi is typically about three to five years; the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission requires all vehicles to be retired within a certain time frame.

Fernando Mateo, president of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, an advocacy trade group, applauded the city's effort to go green.

"In the short term, they're going to have to spend more money, but in the long run they will save money," he said. "We support getting more hybrids on the road."

The government does not own the city's yellow cabs, but sells licenses to individual drivers and operators, who must purchase their own vehicles that meet the specifications of the Taxi and Limousine Commission. The agency serves as the regulating and licensing authority for all vehicles per hire in the city.

Grid lock

2007-05-21T17:47:00.001-04:00

I wish we this would take in effect soon!, it just makes so much sense.

The Mayor is right on target in suggesting congestion pricing (CP) for the Big Apple. We need it to reduce traffic strangulation, make business more efficient, allow us to grow and maintain our pre-eminence as the least gas-guzzling and most energy efficient city in the US. We also must maintain our competitive advantage with other world cities; no wonder our closest competitor London, has already implemented this NYC-born concept (Nobel laureate William Vickrey, Columbia University).

Never a dull moment.

2007-05-16T13:21:00.000-04:00

This is what happend with you have not played ball within 600 days

2007-05-14T12:06:00.000-04:00

I played about four 16 pt games this weekend with Riceman. While I was playing I felt a leg cramp coming on and took it easy. After the game I told Riceman the IC 5 years ago would just play with the same intensity and probably be on the floor holding the leg in pain.

I have some internal bleeding on my lip when someone elbow me, also I have trouble getting up from a chair and walking up and down the stairs this weekend. My best friend was Salonpas (Japanese BenGay) this weekend, so with that said,

WHO IS PLAYING this weekend?

CMW (Chien Ming Wang) did not have it last night

2007-05-11T09:24:00.000-04:00

It was apparent early that Chien-Ming Wang didn’t have it lst night . He was giving up flyballs, always a sign of trouble for him (reminder:SINKER), and missing his spots. Despite that, he could have escaped the initial damage if his defense had helped him out. Bobby Abreu made two bad plays in the outfield and Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez couldn’t complete a rundown. Suddenly, it was 4-1 and things got worse after that.

Inexplicably, Torre sent Wang out to pitch the seventh inning of a close game and by the time he left and Luis Vizcaino came in, it was 7-1. The Yankees got a run back in the bottom of the inning, but Vizcaino and Sean Henn combined to give up seven runs in the eighth to put the game completely out of reach.

Movie review: Election, A Low-Key Gangster’s flick

2007-05-11T09:13:00.000-04:00

This is perhaps one of very few Chinese films that is reviews by NYTimes writers and its nice to see that they used different actors in this flick. Its refreshing that this movie did overuse actors in crime dramas we've seen over the past few years since Chinese "The Departed.

I was able to see this flick few weeks ago down in Soho, fun to watch

For all of you TinTin fans. (fixed, image was not working)

2007-05-08T11:17:00.000-04:00

Wang: Almost Perfect, but a Hero In my heart

2007-05-07T14:51:00.000-04:00

I was at the Yankee game on Saturday to see my Taiwanese bro Chien Ming Wang Mariners-Yankees game. I did not realize that Chien-Ming Wang was trying to throw a perfect game. After watching David Wells and David Cone each throw perfect games my heart can no longer take the excitement it brings, and whenever a Yankee pitcher is trying to make history.

I'm sure that everyone in Taiwan saw his every pitch, watching every game he appears in. Chien-Ming Wang is a national hero in Taiwan, so important, in fact, that he made the Time 100, in the category of Heroes & Pioneers. Whenever he pitches, the small country comes together, putting aside their political differences to cheer him on.

I can only imagine what it would have been like there had Wang actually pitched that perfect game. Pandemonium in the streets Green and the Blue celebrating as one, that would have been nice. We might even see "Wang for President" T-shirts, like how we see "Pedro for President" here in the USA.

Broussard broke up the perfecto, with a Home Run, quickly pulling himself together and finishing the eighth inning. After the game Wang claimed he didn't know he was pitching a perfect game until someone brought it to his attention, but he also said he didn't understand why no one would go near him when he was sitting in the dugout. He's still the Yankees ace and the pride of Taiwan, and definably my Yankee hero.

Summer movies are here.

2007-05-03T14:18:00.000-04:00

This is a pretty good lineup:

May 4: Spider-Man 3
May 18: Shrek the Third
May 25: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
June 8: Ocean's Thirteen
June 15: Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer
June 22: Evan Almighty
June 29: Live Free or Die Hard, Ratatouille
July 4: Transformers
July 13: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
July 27: The Simpsons Movie
August 3: The Bourne Ultimatum
August 10: Rush Hour 3

My Apt makes it in NY Times

2007-05-02T10:35:00.000-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/fashion/29condo.html?_r=1&ref=fashion&oref=slogin

The article is totally inaccurate the few times I was up there, I saw a bunch of rich Mainlanders talking about how mart and successful their offspring were, also all the rich college kids that likes to have kimchee and drink beer to stink-up the room.

Yankees need to hire an exorcist

2007-05-02T09:33:00.000-04:00

At this point the Yankees may want to hire an exorcist. Phil “Franchise” Hughes was cruising along with a no-hitter in the seventh inning when he heard his hamstring “go pop”. Now he is out 4-6 weeks and the Yankees will have to find another starting pitcher.

Phil Hughes SP Hamstring
Carl Pavano SP Forearm
Chien-Ming Wang SP Fingernail
Jeff Karstens SP Leg
Mike Mussina SP Hamstring

Imus get fired for making fun of women's basketball, and these guy gets aways with this?

2007-04-24T18:04:00.000-04:00

Its hard to believe in this day and age, and in NEW YORK!! That DJs are still making raciest remarks. As an adults I think most New Yorkers can laugh at it and let it go, but what about the next generation? Also Imus made fun of womans basketball team and gets fired, and these DJs from 2 different stations (we have 92.3 and Power 105) who makes fun of millions of Asian Americans only gets suspended?

Here's the latest news on the fight against JV & Elvis at 92.3 FreeFM, for their racist Chinese restaurant prank call segment... If you haven't heard if the offending clip yet, it's been taken down from the 92.3 FM website, but you can listen to it here or here. The good guys over at Fallout Central have also uncovered and posted two other previous racist segments by the unfunny pair: "You rike a fortune cookie?" and "Rice pickles." It seems that making fun of Asians is a regular feature on their show. That's racist!

The controversy has reached mainstream media, being reported by the likes of CNN: Shock jocks in trouble. The segment features Vicki Shu Smolin, President of OCA-NY. I cringe everytime I hear bits from that idiotic recording. So what now? The two hosts have been suspended for the prank, but what does that prove? They'll eventually do something like this again, or worse, inspire assclowns on other radio stations to do the same. These guys and their producers need to get canned.

Meanwhile, OCA has met with Power 105.1 management about their "Are You Smarter Than An Asian?" morning show segment from a few weeks ago, and has accepted apology: Power 105 Clears the air with apology to Asians. OCA apparently came out of the meeting convinced everyone had a better understanding of their concerns. Personally, I'm not all that impressed. And they should've known better than to produce and air that segment in the first place. But that's how things are. Oh yeah, be sure to read this great blog entry by Professor C.N. Le from a few weeks back, regarding the Imus controversy, because it makes some great observations about racist radio and public reaction: Larger Context of Imus Racist Comments

Good job on the Apt

2007-04-24T13:57:00.000-04:00

Reposted with the real link
Congrats to Rice family on the great investment

Living dangeriously

2007-04-24T11:52:00.000-04:00

I saw someone getting hit by a car this morning in front of Port Authority. Things like this never comes to your mind when you see it occur right in front of your eyes. Not to my surprise I live between two of the most dangerous intersections on Manhattan

Double eyelid, left eye only part II

2007-04-24T11:43:00.000-04:00

This has re-occurred, I had this same problem few months ago

For some strange reason my left eye turned in to a double-lid two nights ago, I often get it on

My right eye, but it usually lasts about 1 day, but now going into day 2 my left eye is still a double lid.

Srange-Ooo

[BTW the picture is not me, but that is how I look right now]

Winner of the this years Pulitzer Prize

2007-04-24T09:33:00.000-04:00

One of the saddest thing I've seen in years, these are such powerful photos. disease happens with disturbing frequency and the consequences for families are very profound.

Back from TW

2007-04-24T09:25:00.000-04:00

It was a nice trip back to TW. I saw my parents, friends and relatives. The trip is too short, but I got a lot done. But most importantly it was great to see my parents very healthy and living happily.

Flying on Friday the 13th

2007-04-12T16:52:00.000-04:00

I will go back to Taiwan to visit my parents tonight, its funny how the flight is on Friday the 13th. Well I just hope that everyone is scared and will not fly today, so I can use my mileage to upgrade to Business Class. Its a short trip back to Taiwan I will be back on April 26th

Christmas and New Years were warmer.

2007-04-09T17:07:00.000-04:00

I saw it on the news yesterday that this was the coldest Easter Sunday in 67 years. The funny thing is that this past Christmas and New Year's were warmer. Yesterday's temperatures were more appropriate for mid-February than early April and more snow fell during a Yankees game yesterday.

Things I dont understand and hate about New York.

2007-04-04T12:39:00.000-04:00

No matter when we go or how many clerks are working, we always have to wait in a long line at the checkout,

Starbucks seems like a hideout, but it’s really an extension of work. It seems to me that most people there are only pretending to relax. In actuality i see everyone is working. they’re study for exams, meeting clients, tapping at keyboards and making phone calls, also I would hope one day Starbucks would wake up and change that shabby brown décor.

The homeless crackhead on the the tain is more New York than most people in New York.

Breakdance for cash on the street or subway station. If you're a commuter, inexplicably don't be in a hurry, create a semi-circle that completely interrupts the flow of traffic. It just makes us look stupid.

Walking a dog smaller than my foot. Oh and don't worry; your no one will crush your doggie.

Wear a Red Sox hat, if you are actively wearing a Boston hat around New York City is downright insulting. If you love Boston so much, then get the F out of here

New computer

2007-03-28T09:27:00.001-04:00

I have recently purchased a new computer, it is running windows Vista, it funny how long it took Microsoft to make the graphics interface to look like a Mac. The intel Duo core was not as fast as they advertised.

Friend interviewd on Esquire magazine

2007-03-27T00:18:00.000-04:00

One of my best friend has been interviewed on the Esquire in Magazine in Taiwan.

300 "mindless" movies don't necessarily have to be "bad" movies.

2007-03-19T14:08:00.000-04:00

300 offers a pretty weak story: I am not even going to warn you about spoiling the story, because there is no real storyline, If i can spoil it in few sentences, you are not watching this movie for its plot!! so here is the plot: Ancient Sparta is about to be invaded by a massive horde of bloodthirsty Persians. Typically muddled politics prevent Sparta's powerhouse army from getting involved, so it's up to King Leonidas and his band of 300 Spartans to keep the armies at bay while his queen does all she can to sway the politicians to her way of thinking. Period. That's all there is to 300.

Visually I think the film is great, the sepia-toned haze behind every scene, and it definitely have earned its R-rating. It's got more battles, brawls, monsters and maniacs, story line and acting on the other hand the acting was sub par, some of the most memorable characters in 300 don't utter a single word. The action sequences are numerous, frequent, cleverly mounted and pretty damn creative. And since 50% of the movie is basically swords, shields, spears and skin-slices.

Two hours of non-stop insanity would start to grow a little tiresome, and since much of 300's plot is linear at best (and entirely predictable at worst), I thought it helps that we have a few strong actors in the mix. As Leonidas, Gerard Butler is a wild-eyed force of nature, but that was not enough. He growls and glowers and skewers and slices. the endless array of soldiers, killers, hunchbacks and blade-armed executioners (

Characters actually stop to pose once in a while, just so we can appreciate the gooey and bizarre artistry of it all. Sword battles are sped-up and slowed-down as the pulse of the battle rages on; billions of red-spot blood splatters dot the screen -- it's a mood that suits a strange and exciting experiment such as this one. It might be a fairly mindless affair, but 300 is also proof positive that "mindless" movies don't necessarily have to be "bad" movies.

Basically, if you sat through stuff like Gladiator, Troy and Alexander and wished those movies were just a little more "fun," then I'm pretty sure you'll dig into 300 with both fists and come up grinning. The flick's got non-stop beefcake for the ladies, incessant and crazy carnage, and topless ladies for the guys, and some intersting cinematography / special effects.

Something to know about bottled water.

2007-03-07T14:35:00.000-05:00

Bottled water — a $22-billion industry — is the fastest growing beverage industry in the world. Close to half of the U.S. population drinks bottled water on a regular basis, despite the fact that it can be up to 1,000 times more expensive than the tap.
A bottle that holds 1 liter of water requires 5 liters of water in its manufacturing process
Aside from the huge environmental strain, these imported waters are expensive for purchasers. It’s estimated that a $1.50 bottle of water costs just $0.22 to produce and deliver, leaving $1.28 per bottle in profits.
About one-quarter of U.S. bottled water comes from a municipal water source.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) conducted a study of 103 brands of bottled water (over 1,000 bottles were tested in all) and found that one-third contained synthetic organic chemicals and bacteria.
One sample even contained arsenic levels above state health limits.
The NRDC maintains that city tap water is required to undergo more rigorous testing and has higher purity standards than bottled water.
City tap water can have no confirmed E.coli or fecal coliform bacteria. FDA bottled water rules include no such prohibition (a certain amount of any type of coliform bacteria is allowed in bottled water).
Most cities using surface water have had to test for Cryptosporidium or Giardia, two common water pathogens, that can cause diarrhea and other intestinal problems, yet bottled water companies do not have to do this.
The plastic bottles in which bottled water is typically sold are made of plastic polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. The manufacture of these bottles can release phathalates, which have been found to cause birth defects in animals, into the environment.
Perrier Vittel-a division of Nestlé S.A., the world’s largest food company-is the largest bottled water company in the world. Perrier Vittel serves customers in 140 countries on five continents with more than 70 bottled water brands. Its major competitor, the DANONE Group, whose brands include Evian and Volvic, holds the number two spot worldwide in bottled water.

What If Kid's Drawings Were Done With Skill?

2007-02-26T16:53:00.000-05:00

This is quite cool, but I can't help it notice that all the drawings contain monsters! (except for one).

Ot the site just picks out monster drawings, but why do kids like to draw monsters? is it because of all the pokemon, dragon ballz, and the like??

I find that interesting, maybe Eatgod would have something to say about it.

Parents in TW

2007-02-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

It makes me really happy that my parents are going to have a lot of fun in Taiwan. My Mom is very excited over the fact that she gets to do a lot more for TC in Taiwan and China, and that Eatgod's Mom and Eatgod's sister will take good care of them.

Its been a long time since my parents saw their sisters and brothers. It will be a good time for them to catch up. Of course she will miss each other, but mom and I both agreed that on a daily basis, life will be more exciting for both of them.

New Photo, Paris France

2007-02-13T18:49:00.000-05:00

This Photo was taken in front of my hotel, Hotel Costes K, the K means Avenue Kleber, and the location is between Trocadéro and Champs-Elysées. Its a 10 min walk to work.

I dont love Paris, but I like Paris. Week 2

2007-02-13T18:46:00.001-05:00

From PARIS

Click on the Image for more images

The reason that I have not blogged on the second week in Paris is because all the execs are in Paris on that week. The head of Hong Kong, The Global Head, and the London managers were all in town on the same week. So from Monday - Friday I was out almost every night. Which includes one night that I got back at 5:00 am. This drove LL crazy because in New York would not smell like a cigarettes.

Socializing with your bosses are fun the 1st day, not so fun on the second day, then torturous on the third day. I like the French style, they hate to binge, unlike my Americans and the British bosses. But it was also great to see to Le Cabaret club, Hotel Costes, George V Hotel bar, and the original Buddha bar.

But I had the most fun with LL on the weekend; we just explored and enjoyed the food from high end to low end, fashion, and the coffee! We even explored the city’s outer rims. Then and spend the last night gazing at the Eiffel tower, but it took us about 3 mins to figure out that is the limit we can stare at something.

Hello Mona, Its been 3 years

2007-01-29T18:37:00.000-05:00

From PARIS

Click on the pictures to see few more pictures

This is the 1st weekend in Paris, It was also my 1st 2 days off. Since it was such a nice day on saturday we walked around Montmartre, and shopped at small stores Then we waled to the park next to Eiffel tower to look around.

Sunday I went to Louvre just to see Mona Lisa once more, plus to finish off the parts that i did not finish last time I was here.

Freedom Wine, day 5

2007-01-28T15:13:00.000-05:00

I did not sleep last night, I was thinking about too many things about work, it was on my intend to change the work flow globally and how to present it to management in such fashion, that there will not be too many voodoo dolls of I-Chen around the office. Anyway, unlike yesterday I got to work at normal time and I did not get lost.

The morning was interesting, I was able to follow all the things I have learned the 1st week and feel pretty good about taking things back to NY. I had a quick lunch at my desk, and someone popped open a bottle of wine and asked me to have a glass, and asked me how it was. The flavor was outstanding, I liked it very much, so I told them that that was the best wine was I had thus far, then everyone laughed because it was Spanish wine. I told them that it would taste better if French wine was called Freedom wine It might have been better. HaHa.. There has been enough American/French jokes this whole week, I think the whole office is used to it.

Later on that day Jean-Philippe, my co-worker offered me to spend the weekend with his family. That was very nice of him, but he did not know that LL was coming to visit so I had declined his offer.

Its Friday afternoon, I time to escape from work early and meet up with LL. She had arrived in Paris Friday morning. We walked around for a little and we went back to the hotel.

Lost in Paris Day 4

2007-01-25T12:31:00.001-05:00

The day started out pretty good, slept well and I had a beautiful pastry I got from the night before from Dalloyau waiting for me It was also snowing a little, It was a Kodak moment. So taking things literally it was a Kodak "moment" because very quickly I was annoyed at the cold and windy weather. To make my day worse I got lost it took me an extra 20 mins to get to work.

I guess it was not a lost clause because, I did get to see many Parisian morning activities, I see many things like children going to school people running late to work, and people going bread shopping. Thursday night I had French Pork knuckle and it was quite delicious. It was the first time that I had it non-Taiwanese style. Yummy!

How you say... My Knee hurts (With French accent)

2007-01-25T12:17:00.000-05:00

It was another cold winter morning in Paris, I got to work at 7:30, the sun usually comes up around 9:00 so it was pitch dark when I woke up. For lunch I went to a sandwich place to have a quick lunch, then I had coffee with few more people who I usually talk on the phone with, to put some faces to the voice. Its quite interesting to see that the Paris office has nice break rooms for employees, It had few chest high tables for people stand around and hang-out in the break room.

Later on, I left work around 9:00pm. All the shops were closed and its was very cold so I decided to grab some bread/wine/cheese with my co worker while she was shopping for her self. She offer for me to go over for dinner because she was cooking for her family, but i did not feel like to intrude, also by the time she finished cooking it would be like 10, also I was hungry and tired. Then I had to call my boss's boss's boss to tell him that I was too tired to go out drinking with him, this Walsh dude can drink.

So my dinner was simple, bread/wine/cheese, I was just too tired to eat anything heavy. Anyway the night was going normally until I slipped in the shower while reaching for the soap. Thankfully, I landed on my knee and didn't break anything, but now I got a huge bruise on my left knee and I can barely walk now and it really sucks.

Un croissant s'il vous plaît - Day 2

2007-01-24T09:28:00.000-05:00

I had a horrible time typing with the French keyboard yesterday, and It was much worse then the British keyboard but, after getting more used to he French keyboard I am less stressed-out about writing reports and emails at work.

So, after the second day I have realized that my French co-workers are all very nice. They all want to make sure that I don't eat alone. For lunch I went to a French homestyle restaurant, we had some side dishes and a steak paired with what else.. wine. After few long meetings I, and a conf call with NY I left work around 8:45pm .

I went to Monoprix supermarket at St. Augustine to buy some non-mutant fruits and water, then head back to the hotel for some dinner. I had room service because I was very tired and I've realized that the dinner is cheaper for room service then its from the hotel restaurant, and the food are both prepared from the same kitchen ?!

After dinner I called to chat with LL, then bagged my super expensive laundry then went to sleep.
Anyway, I can't believe how much things cost in the hotel, thankfully I am not paying for any of this.

Laundry:
Jeans 12 Euros
Socks 3.5 Euros
Shirt 10 Euros
T-shirt 8 Euros

Internet:
1hour 10 Euros
24 hours 17 Euros

Movie 15 Euros

M.E-Shean Chien

2007-01-23T05:38:00.000-05:00

I flew with a new airline that leaves from Newark to Orly called L'avion airlines, I was lucky that the plane was half empty, so I got to use the seat next to me. For some reason I was unable to sleep well on this red-eye flight, and I paid for it when I got to the office on Monday.

I've arrived at Paris around 9:00 and got out of baggage around 9:20am. Since this is a business trip I have asked the hotel to arrange car service to pick me up from the airport, so after baggage claim I saw this guy holding M.E-Shean Chien, I looked at the sign and though its unlikely that he is picking up a dog called M.EShean (Chien=dog in French) So I guess it was for me, geez talking about butchering a name...

After checking into my room, I realized that room is really small, but very clean and cozy, I took a quick shower then head into the office. it was about noon when I reached the office Its located between Hugo Boss and LV on the Champs-Elysse.

After few long meetings I left work around 8:30pm I had to leave from this Star-Trek like capsule, which allows only one person to step into the chamber where the door slides open on one side then closes from the other. Then I had dinner at the hotel then showered, and went to sleep right away.

There are few things I've realized this time in Paris so far

1. Cars drive way too close to each other, even for Taiwan standards
2. Some bars are used as Cafes in the morning
3. When they say sale, they mean SALE, things are cheap when its on sale.
4. La Galate de Rois is a pastry that is made only in the first 3 weeks in France, and its very yummy.
5. Everyone seem to be awe when I drink espresso/cafe, everyone asked that too Strong?
6. I can get used to the caffeine work culture here at the workplace.
7. I can also get used to the drinking at work culture, once around lunch time and once after market closes.
8. Most Parisian understands its difficult for foreigners to speak French.
9. French keyboards are very different the qazwm are all rearranged, and the numbers on top are all symbols by default.

Parlez vous anglais?

2007-01-18T16:41:00.000-05:00

I will be leaving for Paris this Sunday for 2 weeks on a 7 hour flight to Paris for business.

My office (picture on right) in Paris is right off the famous Champs-Elysée, and It is also very close to the Arc de Triomphe. Its funny I've always thought that the next time I'm in Paris I would be retired and old.

So to kick off the theme of this trip, the first thing off the plane on a red-eye flight is to check into the hotel then head into the office. I am under a lot of pressure to get things to work between New York and Paris, and this is the first time I am managing a project in this caliber, where my F-up would have a huge impact to the company. And its not easy, I need to work around politics, language barriers, culture differences, and of course French labor union laws to make this happen. So I cant even begin to think about enjoying the city of lights when the underlying of the my oxymoronic project is having Americans work the the French and trying make things work for Wall Street firm in a Socialist society.

However, aside from the downside of this trip, I get to live like a Parisian for 2 weeks, which is what I try to do when I travel, but I am even more excited about having to sip on Cafe O'lay for 2 weeks! Ha ha (Coffee lovers, HATE ME haha!!). Also, I am sure I will get experience the Parisian nightlife when I go out with my Parisian co-workers. Oui Oui.

Extra Euros

2007-01-15T11:40:00.001-05:00

Does anyone want to sell me some Euros? I just need like 20 thanks

Nike plus is pretty cool

2007-01-15T11:14:00.000-05:00

I figured that I did not have time to run 10 miles before I goto Paris next week, but it looks like I have done it.

Procrastinated review of the latest Bond movie

2007-01-02T10:11:00.000-05:00

I normally don't say much about Bond movies because, frankly, we don't expect much from them, at least, not from a physics standpoint. The movies are mostly pure fantasy, usually equiped with the hottest cars, poker hands, and women.

To me James Bond is a fantasy has gone flat, so to pump it up with some stylized reality, they have cut out of the usual physics clichés, bad guys firing submachine guns endlessly without so much as nicking anyone, characters repeatedly jump from 20 or more ft without so much as a twisted ankle, people running on foot routinely catch up with various motor vehicles, and an indestructible, indefatigable good guy. The list could be quite long.

When engaged in what has to be one of the highest speed chases ever filmed, at least for a foot race, Bond chases a bad guy to a high rise construction job. Desperate to escape, the bad guy naturally runs to the top of the highest possible structure, a horizontal crane boom from which there is no escape, but then does so in a series of highly improbable but spectacular leaps to nearby structures. Bond follows and eventually catches up.

Also when Bond steps up to the gambling table in this movie he actually loses, and when he eventually does win, it's by a combination of psychology, mathematical analysis, and luck, not just because he's Bond. The new sense of reality actually makes the scene dramatic. Could Bond's new gritty sense of realism extend to other venues? Are we about to see some improvements in Hollywood's movie physics that lead to better movies? Who knows, but Bond's new infusion of realism has definitely freshened his Martini.

Bottom line: Best Bond ever.

9th year

2006-12-27T04:35:00.000-05:00

The day before Yesterday was thhe 9th year that I have dated LL. Wow time flies that
was a long time, come to think of it my previous recoard was 4 months.

Strange time to blog

2006-12-27T04:20:00.000-05:00

My mom had somehow found her way to the ER again, I guess this is when my
blackberry becomes a handy blogging device.

I think that she will be okay this time she this time, but I am still
waiting for results. I have to be at work in 3 hours and runnign for abou 30 mins the night before did contrubute to my fatigue, I am so tired.

Scared of Santa

2006-12-05T15:41:00.000-05:00

Photo Gallery of Kids Scared of Santa: Isn't this an actual Phobia?

Healthy-er City!

2006-12-05T15:37:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City's board of health on Tuesday voted to phase out most artificial trans fats from restaurants, forcing doughnut shops and fast-food stands to remove artery-clogging oils from their cooking.

The law will require McDonald's and other fast-food chains that have not already eliminated trans fats to do so by July 2007. They will be given a three-month grace period before facing fines.

Makers of doughnuts and other baked goods will be given until July 2008 to phase out trans fats.

"We know that trans fats increase the chance of heart attack, stroke and death, and they don't have to be there," New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden told a news conference after the vote.

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Trans fats increase those health risks by increasing bad cholesterol and reducing good cholesterol.

Frieden said that New York City expects to withstand any lawsuits challenging the ban, and said the action was well within the jurisdiction of the board of health.

"People are no longer dying of typhoid fever. They are dying of heart disease," Frieden said.

In a separate vote, the board of health also ordered restaurants to standardize how they display the number of calories in dishes on their menus in an effort to combat obesity.

That law, to take effect July 1, applies to restaurants that already report the calorie counts and requires them to display the numbers on menus and menu boards. It is expected to affect about 10 percent of New York City restaurants, including many fast-food establishments.

Instant Wii Play

2006-12-04T09:53:00.000-05:00

Nintendo's new $250 videogame console Wii is really made for the non-gamer, the system comes with the game Wii Sports, a collection of cartoonish tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing scenarios. I had presumed that it was merely an elaborate demonstration of the Wii Remote, which responds to natural motions rather than arcane button combinations. I discovered quickly that it might be the greatest videogame ever made.

LL and I cleared a decent amount of space between the couch and the TV-the need for playing room cannot be overstated. We selected Tennis for two players. The TV's wide screen split into two frames, one for each side of the court. I tossed the ball in the air with a tap of a button, then swung my arm. A perfect serve. LL returned the serve with a flick of his wrist, then I swung again. Early clumsiness fast became aggressive, aerobic, precise gesticulation. You develop a forehand, a backhand, even an overhead smash, just like on the real courts, and you work up a sweat doing it. Each time the virtual racquet hits the ball, it delivers an unbelievably satisfying "thok."

This past Sunday, I found myself playing bowling Mom (61) and my newphew (7) on the Wii, There is really no learnig curve, because its like playing the real thing. It is hard to find an event that the whole family can enjoy and I think the Wii is it!

Why Americans Should Never Be Allowed To Travel

2006-11-29T16:07:00.000-05:00

I doubt it, but this is what they say:
The following are actual stories provided by travel agents:

I had someone ask for an aisle seats so that his or her hair wouldn't get messed up by being near the window.

A client called in inquiring about a package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, "Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train to Hawaii?"

I got a call from a woman who wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information when she interrupted me with "I'm not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown is in Massachusetts. "Without trying to make her look like the stupid one, I calmly explained, "Capecod is in Massachusetts, Capetown is in Africa." Her response ... click.

A man called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that is not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state. He replied, "Don't lie to me. I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state."

I got a call from a man who asked, "Is it possible to see England from Canada?" I said, "No." He said "But they look so close on the map."

Another man called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas. When I pulled up the reservation, I noticed he had a 1-hour lay over in Dallas. When I asked him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, "I heard Dallas was a big airport, and I need a car to drive between the gates to save time."

A nice lady just called. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20am and got into Chicago at 8:33am. I tried to explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of llinois, but she could not understand the concept of time zones. Finally I told her the plane went very fast, and she bought that!

A woman called and asked, "Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know who's luggage belongs to who?" I said, "No, why do you ask?" She replied, "Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said FAT, and I'm overweight, is there any connection?" After putting her on hold for a minute while I "looked into it" (I was actually laughing) I came back and explained the city code for Fresno is FAT, and that the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.

I just got off the phone with a man who asked, "How do I know which plane to get on?" I asked him what exactly he meant, which he replied, "I was told my flight number is 823, but none of these darn planes have numbers on them."

A businessman called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China. After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded him he needed a visa. "Oh no I don't, I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those." I double checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa. When I told him this he said, "Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express."

A woman called to make reservations, "I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New York" The agent was at a loss for words. Finally, the agent: "Are you sure that's the name of the town?" "Yes, what flights do you have?" replied the customer. After some searching, the agent came back with, "I'm sorry, ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a Hippopotamus anywhere." The customer retorted, "Oh don't be silly. Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!" The agent scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, "You don't mean Buffalo, do you?" "That's it! I knew it was a big animal!"

what do you call a person who speaks three languages?... trilingual
what do you call a person who speaks two languages?... bilingual
what do you call a person who speaks one language?... american

Rachel Green

2006-11-24T13:07:00.000-05:00

I watched "The Break-up" on Wed with LL and I have to say it was a good movie, But the thing that I was most impressed about this movie; was Jennifer Aniston's acting, until I saw this movie she was at par with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Keanu Reeves. I she was Rachel Green from Friends in every movie I saw before this one. (I did not see Good girl). But I am happy for her she finally can act!

Wiik one

2006-11-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

Its Friday after thanksgiving the market closes at 1:00, that means I get to leave early!

LL and I have been playing the Tennis game on the Wii, and now our arms are both very sore from playing tennis. I am very impressed that the Wii can simulate my Cross court-Top Spin-Forehand. And Wii bowling was able to simulate my natural hook kinda scary, but at the same time I am very impressed.

RICHER THAN YOU THINK?

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

Next time when you feel poor, make your self feel good, or bad.
Check on the Global Rich list

If you make 50k a year, you are in the top percent!!

New Photo

2006-10-30T19:13:00.000-05:00

This photo was taken in Mahe, the first island we landed on in Seychelles. It is a strange hotel, the shower and the bath is literally open to the bedroom. It was cool for the 1st 5 mins then it was kinda annoying. Never the less it was fun.

A good firm to work for.

2006-10-26T16:29:00.000-04:00

I have officially resigned from my postion at Morgan Stanley this past Monday, I have to say this is the best company I have ever worked for. Many things that didn't make sense in other firms makes tons of sense here. I have never worked with such an intelligent group before and they really made me really special. Unlike other places, when I work hard, I do not feel alone, because everyone here is a workaholic.

Upon leaving the firm I felt extremely guilty about my resignation, because I have only been here for about six months. My boss flew from London the day after I handed in my resignation and we had a long talk. I was expecting very negative comments from management, but to my surprised and shocked that they were very nice to me and asked me repeatedly if I can stay, and also offered an optionally (if I can't stay he will keep my spot open for 3 month). My boss even took the whole group out for a farewell meal.

Sadly this Friday will be my last day here at Morgan Stanley, and I do not regret ever working for this organization.

Here is the mesage from my ex-boss

IChiban has submitted his resignation today and His last day with the firm will be Friday Oct. 27.

While he has only been with the team for a short period of time, he has been of great value the Agency Desk. His contribution and involvement with team will be missed. Please join me in wishing IChiban well for the future.

The brighter side of China

2006-10-24T14:03:00.000-04:00

The Y + Yoga Centre in Shanghai appropriates the traditional settings for Yoga practice and fuses it with a modern, yet appropriate, setting. The center is nestled on the second floor of a building which houses a variety of shops and shares its space with a day spa.

Y+ creates an instant ambiance of tranquility through the use of delicately chosen colors in the entrance and main area of the facility. The choice of bronze walls and a combination of bright green and wood inside create a fresh and rejuvenating environment upon entry. The yoga centre comprises of three yoga rooms totaling 1200 meters squared, four massage rooms, a meditation room and a number of communal facilities including a shop and cafe.

Olympic Education Model Schools

2006-10-23T17:27:00.000-04:00

By Grant Clark

Oct. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Chinese children will be taught how
to behave at sports events as part of an Olympics program in
schools, organizers of the 2008 Beijing Games said.
Sports officials and the Education Ministry have selected
556 so-called ``Olympic Education Model Schools'' with a view to
boosting knowledge in the run-up to the country's first Olympics.
``By bringing Olympic sports knowledge into the physical
education curriculum, the program will promote competition events
and audience courtesy,'' the Beijing Organizing Committee, or
Bocog, said in a statement on its Web site today.
Overseas athletes have complained about mobile phones
ringing and audience chatter at some Chinese events. Top-ranked
golfer Tiger Woods regularly pulled away from shots at a Shanghai
tournament last year as fans took his picture, even after they
received printed instructions on etiquette.
The Olympic program will target teenagers and seek to get
children involved in preparations for the 17-day event starting
Aug. 8, 2008, Bocog said in the statement. It will also involve
international student exchanges.
China yesterday appointed 356 schools outside Beijing to
join the program after previously announcing 200 in the capital.