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Sunday, July 24, 2005

do not make cops mad when violating carpool lane

Bay bridge project is making some progress, and fasttrek-lane is a success.
And, soon the bridge toll will go up to $4/car.

With its' heavy traffic, there are not much to look forward on the way home via I-80 toward San Francisco, passing Emeryville. One of few interesting things to watch include commuter lane violator(s) being pulled over by cops on right-most lane.

A few months ago, driving home from Tahoe on saturday evening, saw this cop pulling over 2 cars while issuing citation. That was something to watch. There was a car pulled over and a cop was issuing a ticket, and as another was coming down the diamond lane overpass the cop just used his right hand to tell the driver to pull over. And, another one got pulled over, forming a line of 3 cars. Well, this incident also indicates how long I was stuck there, for about 20minutes or more, which does justify these carpool lane violators' motivation. It took about 3 hours to get through sacramento and albany all the way to emeryville, then about an hour and half from there until crossing bay bridge. So it was pretty amusing to pass time while stuck at that traffic.

Assuming it was cops' routine to be there, I was on look out fo another circus. Cops and carpool lane violators didnt disappoint me. Actually today's show was much livelier. First there was a lady cop with 3 cars pulled over. Today's traffic was moving a lot faster, and I didn't realize much was happening when first car of the line started moving and the lady moved down to the second car, a golden sportscar with two seater (or so it looked). Then someone was saying a car passed past the cop's pull-over signal, and I looked out again. Two pulled-over cars were still standing and the cop hopped on to the police car and was dashing off with a siren. I was curious what would happen to those two cars waiting. Soon enough I saw the cars moving and then there came another police car with siren. So there were two police cars with siren on. The first car in waiting soon pulled over again, and waited quietly, and two police cars were in chase to the two cars, one that ignored the pull-over signal and the other that tried to get away with sneaking off. As the car neared toll gate I saw a car pulled over and two police cars behind it. And, the lady police officer was explaining the situation to her colleague, cheek all flushed in red.

I've heard there are websites where people post streets and highway locations where cops would hide-out waiting for traffic violators to catch. Perhaps this is yet another spot to watch out for, and wait in a long line rather than tryout seemingly empty diamond lane.

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Saturday, July 23, 2005

80-degree hot, but pleaseant in Tahoe, CA

Got up, went to Ernie's Cafe for Waffle breakfast, headed out to Cason City, 30miles away, for Home Depot visit, and came back. It was some 90 degress in Carson City, and the Home Depot Cafe lady has listed over 102-degree written on her menu list. Very very hot, especially in that desert area. Coming over Nevada-side hill, and seeing lake from Summit Valley area made me really appreciate being in Tahoe instead. It's green, breezy and there are fairs everywhere and people everywhere. Have to put curtains, clean kitchen cabinets, kill weeds, but when it's hot outside like this, I don't really feel like cooking under blazing sun to fight the weeds. Some of'em are grown to my shoulder length, it's only been about a month since I've been here to clean up, so it's pretty amazing.

Most of the hotels/motels around borderline have 'no vacancy' sign. So far Tahoe's enjoying the good tourism.

Alpine cafe has decent coffee and has internet access. :) I'm sitting at Alpine cafe, sipping iced-coffee and watching some high schooler being tutored, and a guy sitting at the other computer terminal is drooling over new SJ hockey stadium website. I glanced over when he was shouting 'Wow' and it does look pretty awesome. They have panoramic view, and allow mouse-over on seating charts. This winter will be pretty fun, I guess. With SF Giants & Oakland As not doing so great this season, I'm looking forward to winter hockey season.

Some lady walked in and put her name on internet signup list. Better finish now. A reminder to myself to call SBC about internet at Tahoe home ASAP.

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Wednesday, July 20, 2005

HP drops ax, Greenspan drops bomb, and we're back to regular warfield

Yesterday seem a big rally day for Wall Street and those with some interests in American economy. IBM says it's quarterly profits are good, Yahoo also reported a good earning, and news articles with a hint of booming economy here and there, w/ VC and lobbysts raising hefty sum of money.

Then, this morning came. HP's rumored layoff's official, and Greenspan announced interest rates should see steady climbing.

With oil prices, a hint of unsteady economy, most stocks shattered yesterday's big gain and plumbed even further.

That is a big 'ouch.'

And, this binge rollercoaster ride is a bit scary. Those who shelled out yesterday, which many seem to have done, was a smart choice, and those who held on to their precious stocks with a hope to see the continuation of stock climbing are punished for their greed.

The rollercoaster ride of stocks may continue today, and things may change within the same day as well.

Just reminds me of warfield, something of Civil War era, with heavy fog blinding soldiers until the enemy are within a feet apart.

It seems the image of Americans are engaging the war at ocean away, away from home turf, but when observing these stock markets the war doesn't seem far off.

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Saturday, July 16, 2005

bonjour from montreal, quebec

Phew!
a busy day.

Every part of the city I've explored today are in full festivities, so far. Latin quarter and Mont Royal area had all small shops opened under the blazing sun, and all the street performers are out.
Downtown shops on St. Catherine St. are open bright early and have setup special sale tables on street where police have blocked the traffics. By pier and old town area, as well as chinatown, there are people everywhere and everyone smiling, eating, drinking and shopping.

The city that never went sleep, still is full in swing in daylight, with music everywhere.

Took photos on my digital camera until battery was out. Saw puppet master, acrobatic students on street performance, drummers and comics everywhere.

Montreal's buzziness and 24hrs shops put San Francisco almost to shame.

Even with splitting headache from heat, I was out 10 hours straight since the morning and yet coming back to the hotel made me feel as if I'm missing out on things. The city is awesome!

I can't wait to come back and explore more of these unique districts of Montreal.

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Dinner in Old Town Montreal

After walking all day from Mont Royal to downtown, the sight of old town made my sore feet feeling fresh again. And, there were so many restaurants in this narrow streets I was certain we will eat dinner here before heading back to downtwon. In between stout buildings, this restaurant had interesting architecture/interior to it. It's 2 story building, with much of its front bein glass-covered, and there were many flower baskets hanging. The stair to upstair seem indoor, in the middle of restaurant spiral up to its second level. Didn't want to burn a hole in wallet to already stretched budget, but this look real tempting. Perhaps next time I'm in town.

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Friday, July 15, 2005

Montreal on Hot July Friday Night, It's a Festival all night


just_pour_rire_district
Originally uploaded by speattle.
After conference ended around 5pm, and parting the dinner crowds of conference members around 8pm, taking James & Nancy's advice, we toured latin quarter of the city. Actually, we just walked around downtown toward University district, then walked all the way out to latin quarter per chance and noticed its vibrant night scenes as James & Nancy mentioned. Didn't really go in to see "Just for Laugh" comedy show, but walked around and it was pretty awesome. 24hour stores were impressive, and numbers of people strolling around enjoying night performances was very pleasant. The photo indicates northern boundary of latin quarter where cops were checking bags for bottles and dangerous items in bags of people entering the festival area. Very colorful and pretty it was.

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Friday, July 01, 2005

greenspan, ayn rand and new enthusiasm

had rather a rough work week, just before 4th of july weekend.
picked up reading one of Greenspan's biography that was on bookshelf at home.
One of few things surprising to me about him was his association with Ayn Rand, and well, actually much of his life up to his growing reputation as a fine economist and FED chairman are surprises, I guess.
As usual, this biography became a page-turner that wouldn't let me partake in other normal life, but this makes me feel super good and enthusiastic, and optimistic. Makes me itching to live, to observe and not waste time being upset about things.

Haven't thought much about Rand, since I put down 'Atlandtis Shrugged', finding the book a bit boring and as socially out-dated infamous "The Catcher in the Rye" (which I also took w/o much seriousness, til much later.) I've read "The Foundatinhead" w/ much enthusiasm but also with much distain in realistic sense.

Anyways, I'm burried in Greenspan biography from his childhood in upper manhattan, through his high school, juliards, swing band days, NYU, Columbia, and his consulting gigs in '60s.

Pretty interesting, but rather in general sense, rather than focusing on his economic related work, so far.

Will see how this leads to 80's, 90's and nowadays.