Two Wongs really can make it white

Who remembers the shirts from Abercrombie a few years ago that caught a lot of heat for their slogan "Two Wongs can make it white" speaking of Chinese laundries. I had never actually heard of a stereotype of Chinese laundries so this all just seemed like clever rhyming to me. But lo and behold, in Berkeley, I see this. I think that's "Bing Wong Wash......" And Chester uses that place for his laundry...AND there are actual Chinese people working there.

Maybe I'm missing something, but was there a time in history when these laundries were all run by Chinese folks? I mean I get the Korean dry cleaner and the Vietnamese nail lady...I just haven't run across this stereotype before.

Looking for a new place to live

We're getting booted. Our landlord is selling our unit so he can buy a big time place in eyesore...I mean Rincon Tower. So with a October move date, Forrest and I are now frantically scouring MLS and Craigslist to see if we can find something attractive to buy....or rent.

I hate this unsettling feeling of not knowing where we're gonna live in less than 2 months. And prices in the city are hard to swallow, but I am NOT ready to move outta here just yet...I mean, heck, I just got here.

Live Chickens for sale

Last week I had to pop by City Hall to get certified copies of our marriage license in order to officially change my name. When walking from the bart station to city hall, I noticed the farmer's market that they hold in the plaza on Wednesday mornings. I decided to get a closer look when I got back.

I had no idea this was possible in urban dwellings, but yes...that is a truck full of cages of live chickens. You can buy then and I am assuming slaughter them at home somewhere? I happened upon this because out of all the stands, this truck had this long ass line of chinese people and a sprinkling of other ethnic groups.

I still really want to know where they are killing these birds...and, is it sanitary to do that sort of thing in such dense communities? I'm all for growing, harvesting / slaughtering your own food...shoot, Forrest's family grew up on farms. But you have LOTS of open space for that kind of thing....not shared walls with your neighbors and no back yards.

Side Note: you will also notice they are selling chicken balut 4 for $1.00..

Harassing Encounter

This evening I drove over to Sushi Groove South on my way home to grab a bite to eat. I couldn't remember if it was closer to 10th or 11th st so I ended up parking on 9th street. Then I had to make the block and half journey down to the restaurant.

It's about 630 pm so there's a fair number of cars idling on the road in traffic...Mind you, I am neither dressed provocatively nor was I trolling the cars asking folks "hey baby, do you need a date." If you must know, I was wearing a knee length black skirt with heels and a long sleeved pink sweater - very conservative, if not old school business boring.

However, a middle aged portly fellow decides to yell out of the window of his car that "you can't fucking see your face" or something to that effect about my sunglasses. As if my sole life intention was to have him look at my face and await his comments.

Instantly, I shot back "Hey cocksucker, why don't you shut the fuck up!"

Never would have guessed that a truck driver was dressed like a librarian.

More IPO Madness

To get the people at the Palo Alto headquarters all jazzed up about the IPO, they held an IPO breakfast party in the cafeteria of our new campus. We currently have about 3,000 employees and about 1,000 of them showed up by about 530 AM for the 600 am party. There was a live video feed of the executive staff at the NYSE ringing the opening bell, hot breakfast, espresso drinks and champagne were served to the employees. I've never been at a company that has gone public before...this I must say was a really great experience. There was so much anticipation and excitement in the air and collectively everyone was feeling the same feeling of mutual accomplishment that what they do every day is making a difference.

Going IPO

That's a picture of our executive staff ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday morning 8/14




So there's this guy at work, Hans, who is a total crack up. He's Mr. SUPER high energy all the time. Very fun, but sometimes draining. He has thing with rubber chickens - it's a thing from MDA summer camp that he does to entertain the kids. But being a long time VMwarian, there are now rubber chickens at loads of company functions too - and it's even made it's way to Wall Street, for opening day.

Que Es?

This plant was a part of the centerpieces at the Coadys' wedding and I was so fascinated with it, that I sadly hijacked one of the fruits for analysis at home. I haven't figured out what it is, but it smelled like a green bell pepper when I cracked it open... any suggestions?

The Coadys Wedding Celebration

Fire at the Met

Last week, the fire alarm went off as I was in the middle of making dinner. I was unsure if it was a real emergency or a drill...mind you, I am debating if I should evacuate or not. Once I finally decided to vacate the building, I went to grab a jacket, then my cell phone...contemplated changing my shoes and wondered if I should bring my iPod or a book. If this fire were any more urgent, yours truly would have been burnt to a crisp - I am basically a retard.

However once I got outside, I got to see two firetrucks and a paramedic van pull up to the building and all these official looking people file out of the vehicles and into the building...VERY dramatic. Amidst all this drama, Forrest comes home to join me on our "stoop" to wait out the perilous fire. When the neglected toaster oven has been eradicated, we were all allowed to file back into our units.
Funny thing, I was telling my coworker Jerry about the fire (he also lives in the building) and when retelling the story of the evacuation he made the comment "see this is where it doesn't pay to have the nice units on the upper floors." Huh, who knew that being poor and leasing would better because you can escape the building faster...

p.s. when leaving the "burning building" I walked briskly to the elevator, only to learn that the magnetic fire doors automatically close when the fire alarm is triggered...the best part???? I was actually disappointed that I had to take the stairs ~HA! maybe I do deserve to burn up...

Fun at the Ferry Building

Post Wedding Wine Tour

As part of the wedding weekend festivities, Laura and Frederik organized a wine tour complete with chartered bus - for those who wish to imbibe a little more ;) We started the day off at Viansa which wasn't bad...I picked up a bottle of their Super Tuscan and they had a really nice deli with oils, vinegars, spreads and other assorted snacks...to which I picked up a bottle of Pear Chardonnay vinegar... I wonder what that's gonna be like on food.

OK so I know we are adorable...but the taker of this photo was literally the gayest man I have ever met. So a group of young preppy looking fellows were taking a group picture to the left of where Linh and I are standing. I had a passing thought that they were cute...like in a young puppy dog sort of way. Linh said "i think they are gay, i heard two of them talking earlier" I said that I didn't think they were gay. At that exact moment, one of the boys comes to the front of the picture and bends over in front of everyone else "assuming the position." At that moment, I looked at Linh to say "yes, they are gay...and my gaydar is broken."

Laura & Frederik's Wedding

OK, that is my favorite picture from their wedding. It's while they are headed up to the dance floor for their first dance. You can't see their happy, smiling faces, but I really like how the sun is starting to set and the sunlight beams in through the trees...just above their heads.

Welcome to the Vine Hill House and Laura & Frederik's wedding! whoot whoot!! That's a picture of the backyard area of the private home where the reception tables have been setup. Tables were named after their favorite movie names...very fitting given Frederik's profession. I must say, Linh and I were seated at the "Boogie Nights" table...yes, apparently we were the party table.



damn! who are those hot chicks?!?! note to self, always wear flats when hanging out with Laura. I look like a flagpole, I'm so tall next to those two. Well, at least I look skinny...if not like a giant.

The infamous 'Boogie Nights' table. From left to right: Judy, Ruben, Linh and Betty.