Trains at SFO

What I said: Hey Ethan, want to go check out the train exhibit at the airport?

What he heard: Blah blah blah TRAINS blah blah blah.

Pictures to show at Ethan's wedding

Darling eh?

Martin Yan

As part of his new book tour he stopped at our library. Hate to say it, but he burned a wok!! He also made a direct fat joke at one person that still left a sourness to the night. Other than that he was delightful. He massaged a chicken and de-boned it in 18 seconds. He also revealed that he picked up his first cleaver at age 28 and warns the kids not to touch a knife until they're much older.

Maya

Meet my new niece Maya! I haven't seen her for a couple of weeks now but she's more plump now. For some reason, when all the Chen kids frown they all look like me.

This is still part of my phone picture cleaning. Excuse the mess.

Redefining the dunk tank

Spring cleaning time on my phone. This picture was taken back in Jan '09.

Bush is in the center of the booth. There's no water involved. Just a big pile of shoes. I believe you can throw your own as well. The organizers yells "8 years of anger and frustration gone in 8 seconds of therapy."

I watched a radio show

You heard that right. It was a radio show and I watched it. I've been listening to NPR's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me show for about two years now. If they're not already on your podcast list head on over there, pronto. They promise you a raucous good time. It says so on the show notes.

Ok. It's a radio show. You're wondering how I listened with my eyes. It's simple, the show happened to take place at Berkeley last night. I have a friend who happens to work at Cal Performances (thanks Joe Y.!). The planets aligned and I was in row J. And wouldn't you know it, I sat right behind the guest of honor Frederica von Stade. I am not a big opera fan but she did sing a bit of Star Trek theme song.

From what I saw the show runs on spontaneity. The audience also asked about it after the show. The host explained after taping that they actually have a script. Things like the quiz show and the brief interview of the special guest are written beforehand. The panelist have a bit at the end that's also pre written. And that's it. Everything else is sharp wit and radio magic.