I'm amazed at the price of gas these days. It's crazy. The last time I filled up my Explorer, it cost $70! And that was at Costco, when gas prices were still under $4.00/gallon! Ugh. $70 is a pair of shoes. $70 is 41 cups of Peets coffee (plus change). $70 is a new pair of jeans (as long as you're not buying designer jeans). $70 is a weeks worth of groceries (sometimes). $70 is about 15 frozen yogurts. $70 is a whole lot of doggie treats and toys.
It seriously made me pause and wonder if it was time to get a more fuel efficient car. Who knows how long gas prices will stay at this inflated level. If it costs me $70 each week to fill up my tank, that's $3,640/year or $303/month. That's a car payment!
Granted my daily commute is something like 10 miles, round trip. But we do drive the Explorer to other places. After I told Greg how much it cost to fill up my tank, he replied, "We're not driving your car anywhere." The funny thing is that we've actually started to not drive my car. And it's not only when we're going someplace together. I've taken the Scion (aka Milk Truck) instead of the Explorer when I'm going someplace, like JACL volleyball or the store, by myself.
I wonder if the benefits of getting a new, more fuel efficient car would be worth it. I probably wouldn't need to fill up as much as I do now. When I did fill up, it wouldn't be as expensive as it is now. I wouldn't be so reluctant to drive my car more than 10 miles each day. Of course the extra driving might off-set the lower frequency of filling up. And it's probably better for the environment too.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
We're Going to Disneyland!
Actually, we went to Disneyland last week. We were attending a Greg's cousin Brian's wedding in Pasadena this past weekend and drove down a few days early to spend a day and half at Disneyland and California Adventure with Greg's brother, Jeff, and sister-in-law, Jeanette.
The last time Greg and I were at Disneyland were our respective high school Grad Nights. That was a looooong time ago...slightly longer for me than him, but who's counting. Jeff and Jeanette, on the other hand, are Disneyland regulars. They go *at least* once a year. And they don't have kids! Of all the people we could experience Disneyland with, Jeff and Jeanette are by far the best people. They have Disneyland down to a science...fast passes, what to ride and when, hidden Mickey's, where to eat, parades, where to shop, firework shows and more. It was like having our own personal Disneyland tour guides.
We both agree that Disneyland has changed since Grad Night. A lot of things are the same (Main Street, Mad Hatter Tea Party, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn). They've incorporated a lot of the movies, Disney and non-Disney, into the park. The submarine ride has become the Nemo Submarine ride. There's a Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride, a Roger Rabbit ride and an Indiana Jones ride. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow has been incorporated into the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. And what happened to the Sleeping Beauty castle (I found out that it's not the Cinderella castle like I always thought it was)!? I remember it being grey (v. pink) and much bigger than it was on this trip. Space Mountain was also completely re-done. Greg says it's better than before. It's faster, smoother and darker so you can't anticipate where the roller coaster is going to go next. I think this was the first time I rode Space Mountain, so I'll take Greg's word for it.
Of course, California Adventures and Downtown Disney were completely new for us. California Adventures is a much smaller park than I thought it would be. Apparently they built it where the parking lot used to be. There were some cool rides at that park and several parts of the park do look like places in California. My favorite part of California Adventures was Disney Animation, an interactive experience that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the art and magic of animation. They had a special Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs animation exhibit when we went. Downtown Disney has a lively vibe with lots of shops and restaurants. It reminded me of Universal City Walk.
By the way, Brian and Christie's wedding was classically beautiful and quite grand. They had an outdoor ceremony at the posh Langham Hotel (formerly a Ritz Carlton), rose petals covered the center aisle, trellis decorated with flowers, string quartet playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Pachelbel's Canon in D, cocktail reception on the patio overlooking the pool, ornate ballroom with fancy chandeliers, and beautiful dramatic center pieces. Christie was a beautiful bride. She and her dad did a charming father-daughter dance to Moon River. Her dad is a good dancer! Brian's brother and cousins, including Greg, succeeded in getting him drunk. It was a lovely affair.
The last time Greg and I were at Disneyland were our respective high school Grad Nights. That was a looooong time ago...slightly longer for me than him, but who's counting. Jeff and Jeanette, on the other hand, are Disneyland regulars. They go *at least* once a year. And they don't have kids! Of all the people we could experience Disneyland with, Jeff and Jeanette are by far the best people. They have Disneyland down to a science...fast passes, what to ride and when, hidden Mickey's, where to eat, parades, where to shop, firework shows and more. It was like having our own personal Disneyland tour guides.
We both agree that Disneyland has changed since Grad Night. A lot of things are the same (Main Street, Mad Hatter Tea Party, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn). They've incorporated a lot of the movies, Disney and non-Disney, into the park. The submarine ride has become the Nemo Submarine ride. There's a Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride, a Roger Rabbit ride and an Indiana Jones ride. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow has been incorporated into the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. And what happened to the Sleeping Beauty castle (I found out that it's not the Cinderella castle like I always thought it was)!? I remember it being grey (v. pink) and much bigger than it was on this trip. Space Mountain was also completely re-done. Greg says it's better than before. It's faster, smoother and darker so you can't anticipate where the roller coaster is going to go next. I think this was the first time I rode Space Mountain, so I'll take Greg's word for it.
Of course, California Adventures and Downtown Disney were completely new for us. California Adventures is a much smaller park than I thought it would be. Apparently they built it where the parking lot used to be. There were some cool rides at that park and several parts of the park do look like places in California. My favorite part of California Adventures was Disney Animation, an interactive experience that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the art and magic of animation. They had a special Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs animation exhibit when we went. Downtown Disney has a lively vibe with lots of shops and restaurants. It reminded me of Universal City Walk.
By the way, Brian and Christie's wedding was classically beautiful and quite grand. They had an outdoor ceremony at the posh Langham Hotel (formerly a Ritz Carlton), rose petals covered the center aisle, trellis decorated with flowers, string quartet playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Pachelbel's Canon in D, cocktail reception on the patio overlooking the pool, ornate ballroom with fancy chandeliers, and beautiful dramatic center pieces. Christie was a beautiful bride. She and her dad did a charming father-daughter dance to Moon River. Her dad is a good dancer! Brian's brother and cousins, including Greg, succeeded in getting him drunk. It was a lovely affair.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Scavengers Have Arrived
Every year the city of Santa Clara has a city-wide clean up campaign. What does that entail? Basically, it means that residents can throw away anything they don't want by taking it to the curb. It literally is anything: couches, bookshelves, mattresses, vacuum cleaners, books, appliances, patio furniture, clothes, old calendars even toilets. Not only does the neighborhood look like a dump for a few weeks, but the scavengers come out as well.
I'm not talking about people who poke around because they're curious about what other people are throwing out. The scavengers I'm talking about are the ones who really go to town on the things people throw out. They drive around in vans or trucks, pick through boxes, and even bring tools in case they need to disassemble things. It's a little unnerving when strange people are rummaging through piles of junk outside your home at all hours of the day. Some of these people were pretty creepy looking. Personally, I wouldn't take any of the stuff that's been thrown out, mostly because I don't know where it's been and it just seems gross. But I suppose for some folks, that really doesn't matter. The clean-up campaign definitely confirms the saying, "One person's trash is another person's treasure."
I'm not talking about people who poke around because they're curious about what other people are throwing out. The scavengers I'm talking about are the ones who really go to town on the things people throw out. They drive around in vans or trucks, pick through boxes, and even bring tools in case they need to disassemble things. It's a little unnerving when strange people are rummaging through piles of junk outside your home at all hours of the day. Some of these people were pretty creepy looking. Personally, I wouldn't take any of the stuff that's been thrown out, mostly because I don't know where it's been and it just seems gross. But I suppose for some folks, that really doesn't matter. The clean-up campaign definitely confirms the saying, "One person's trash is another person's treasure."
Friday, April 4, 2008
Sign 'O' the Times
This past week in Vegas has confirmed that I'm *definitely* in a different phase of life. There was a time in my life when business trips were something I looked forward to: staying in swanky hotels, eating fabulous meals at fancy restaurants and of course, the non-stop partying. And what better city to do those things than Vegas, right? But it was a struggle this time.
The hotel is definitely swanky and I'm glad I had the opportunity to stay at the Wynn, but I missed my bed and for some reason found it difficult to get a good night sleep. And no, it's not because I was out partying till all hours of the night. I mean it's not like the room or bed was uncomfortable, because it was fine. They even had turn down service every night where they literally fold the bed sheets down, lay down a towel/rug next to the bed, close the curtains, turn down the lights so the room has a soft glow, turn the TV to pretty floral images and classical music, and leave Belgian chocolates on the night stand. Maybe I missed snuggling with Greg as I fall asleep or tucking Tachi into bed before getting into bed.
What about the fabulous meals at fancy restaurants? There are tons of high-end restaurants in Vegas from Nobu to Mesa Grill to Lawry's. But we didn't go to any of them. My company provided breakfast and dinner for all attendees from my company. And we were *highly encouraged* to partake in those dinners. Um, yeah. Since my co-workers and I chose to eat elsewhere, we opted for less extravagant restaurants at the hotel. The food was good, but we refrained from splurging. That's fine with me since I'm still trying to lose the 15 lbs I gained on our honeymoon.
And the partying? We went to a party at Rain one night. It seemed like a cool club, but it was just strange being there with everyone dressed in business casual attire, checking email on their mobile devices and talking shop. It felt a bit like "Man Jose" because the male to female ratio was 4 to 1. But then what do you expect when you're at a party that's sponsored by a bunch of telecommunications companies on a Tuesday night? The party ended by 10 pm, and my co-workers suggested checking out the Ghostbar or Playboy Club, but changed their minds when they saw most of the folks from the Rain party were making their way same places.
I really had to dig deep to rally and grab a drink with my co-workers. They wasted no time getting the bar tab started and giving me grief when I'd order a diet coke. "There's Jack in that coke, right?" "Oh, come on...you're falling behind." "You're going to have to catch up." I think I ordered a diet coke as my first drink because I honestly couldn't think of a drink to order. It's been a long time since I've ordered a mixed drink. I would've ordered a glass of wine, but if I drink too much wine I get sleepy and a headache. I did learn about (and try) two vodkas that I had not heard of before: Hanger One and Effen. Pretty good stuff. I think I consumed more alcohol this past week than I have all year. And I managed to be in bed before midnight every night! Ah, how times have changed.
The hotel is definitely swanky and I'm glad I had the opportunity to stay at the Wynn, but I missed my bed and for some reason found it difficult to get a good night sleep. And no, it's not because I was out partying till all hours of the night. I mean it's not like the room or bed was uncomfortable, because it was fine. They even had turn down service every night where they literally fold the bed sheets down, lay down a towel/rug next to the bed, close the curtains, turn down the lights so the room has a soft glow, turn the TV to pretty floral images and classical music, and leave Belgian chocolates on the night stand. Maybe I missed snuggling with Greg as I fall asleep or tucking Tachi into bed before getting into bed.
What about the fabulous meals at fancy restaurants? There are tons of high-end restaurants in Vegas from Nobu to Mesa Grill to Lawry's. But we didn't go to any of them. My company provided breakfast and dinner for all attendees from my company. And we were *highly encouraged* to partake in those dinners. Um, yeah. Since my co-workers and I chose to eat elsewhere, we opted for less extravagant restaurants at the hotel. The food was good, but we refrained from splurging. That's fine with me since I'm still trying to lose the 15 lbs I gained on our honeymoon.
And the partying? We went to a party at Rain one night. It seemed like a cool club, but it was just strange being there with everyone dressed in business casual attire, checking email on their mobile devices and talking shop. It felt a bit like "Man Jose" because the male to female ratio was 4 to 1. But then what do you expect when you're at a party that's sponsored by a bunch of telecommunications companies on a Tuesday night? The party ended by 10 pm, and my co-workers suggested checking out the Ghostbar or Playboy Club, but changed their minds when they saw most of the folks from the Rain party were making their way same places.
I really had to dig deep to rally and grab a drink with my co-workers. They wasted no time getting the bar tab started and giving me grief when I'd order a diet coke. "There's Jack in that coke, right?" "Oh, come on...you're falling behind." "You're going to have to catch up." I think I ordered a diet coke as my first drink because I honestly couldn't think of a drink to order. It's been a long time since I've ordered a mixed drink. I would've ordered a glass of wine, but if I drink too much wine I get sleepy and a headache. I did learn about (and try) two vodkas that I had not heard of before: Hanger One and Effen. Pretty good stuff. I think I consumed more alcohol this past week than I have all year. And I managed to be in bed before midnight every night! Ah, how times have changed.
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