Exhausted

The combination of the trip to New Jersey, work and babysitting on weekends/weeknights has taken its toll. I'm exhausted to the point that it is difficult for me to write clearly for a sustained period of time. At work, I can drink coffee and take my time to prepare for meetings and perform day-to-day operations. But when I get home, I feel like zonking out.

After work, I'm usually taking care of the kids from 7-10PM, and get some free time only after I put Russell to bed. Writing is a form of relaxation for me. However, this week I'm finding it difficult to write down my thoughts on a few current events of note. Let me try again tomorrow night.

Dragon Boat Race Weekend

Outside of my family and work, my proudest achievement has been the creation of the California Dragon Bost Association and the nurturing of the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Championships. In just ten years, the organization has grown to become the largest dragon boat association in the United States, hosting the largest dragon boat race in the US as well. We've also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity, and allowed thousands of high school students to participate in this ancient Chinese sport for free. In dragon boat circles, I am known as the "Thomas Jefferson of dragon boating" for my work in getting the organization and race off the ground during the period 1998-2002.

Since the kids were born, I've been basically missing in action when it comes to dragon boating. This year, I only attended one race all year--today's races at Treasure Island in San Francisco. What a beautiful venue. What awesome people I saw again today, especially some old friends from teams I have both raced with and against. I hope to return once again to the sport not just as an announcer, but as a paddler.


The race venue, at Treasure Island in San Francisco, offered a spectacular view of the Bay Bridge 


We've hit the big time: the Goodyear blimp covered our races this year


My dragon boat broadcast partner, Mr. Brett Byers, announces a race 


My old friends from the Concord Pacific Flying Dragons of Vancouver, Darby and Fred, stopped by the race announcers booth (I'm wearing the wireless microphone in the middle) 

It's Punky's 1st Brithday!

My little Punky is one year old today. Last night, we had a party with just immediate family in attendance. I spent most of the night separating Russell and his cousin Andrew from one another. They nearly came to blows while playing with the toys around the house. I hope it's just a phase.

Because he had a cold, Punky was a little cranky on his big day. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all. The food was pretty good too (unfortunately, I was too busy to take pictures of the food).


That hat on Punky did not stay on for long! 


Punky and me--check out that double chin! 


Russell tries on the birthday hat for size 


Aunt Anna holds the Punkster 


While enjoying his ice cream cake, Cousin Andrew wonders what all the fuss is about 


The Birthday Boy walks with the help of his grandma 


Punky's mammoth, 10-inch ice cream birthday cake from Tucker's in Alameda 

A Big Weekend Coming Up

There's a trio of important events coming up this weekend. First of all, Saturday (8/27) is Punky's first birthday. It's hard to believe that my little boy is one year old! He's still like a giant, puffed-up teddy bear to me, except that this little Punkster can walk and almost talk. We're having his birthday party on Friday night, though, because Jenny's cousin Brian is getting married on Saturday. So everyone in Jenny's family will be going to the wedding, except for me and the kids. Yup, I get to babysit on Saturday night. Wish me luck.

As for the third big event, it is none other than the 10th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships, a race I helped to start back when I first moved here. I'm going to try to attend the race as a spectator on Saturday morning. As the "Voice of Dragon Boating", I'll be the race co-announcer on Sunday. It will be the only race that I will have attended all year. If you are around on Sunday, stop by the race announcers' booth and say "hi".

Vacation Pictures of the Day

The most satisfying aspect about our trip to New Jersey was seeing Russell and Punky get along with their cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Each has their favorites: Punky took to his grandfather immediately, while Russell succumbed to the massive quantities of seafood that his grandmother prepared for him. The Fabulous Brewser Boys played with their Chen cousins as if they had known them all of their lives. Life is good.


Happy Birthday, Cousin Jimmy! 


Cousin Megan gives Punky the dreaded Vulcan Headlock 


Russell discovers the joy of Thomas the Tank Engine 


Punky races Cousin Timmy in the kitchen 


Russell tries cheesecake for the first time 


Russell contemplates a half-eaten egg sandwich on the plane ride back home 

Vacation Pictures of the Day

Our vacation in New Jersey last week gave us a chance to see friends that we haven't seen in a long time. These include folks from my hometown, college and old work colleagues. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to see everyone. For those of you I missed this time, we will see you next year. But preferably not in August.


Mr. Drew finally gets the chance to see eye-to-eye with Russell 


My college friend Jeff took me to lunch at Carmine's in New York 


At the jungle gym with Lucy's daughters Jennifer and Stephanie 


Phyllis holds Punky while Russell sleeps on the sofa 


Long-time friend Ukey meets Punky 

Yet Another Must Read at the American Thinker

After reading about ten billion editorials on Hiroshima earlier this month--all of them getting the point completely wrong--I decided to act. In my opinion, the bombing was completely justified, and well deserved.

Here is my piece about Hiroshima at the American Thinker. A teaser:

Now that our annual self-flagellation over Hiroshima and Nagasaki is over, we Americans owe it to ourselves to look back at the wartime events leading up to the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan. For 60 years, opponents of President Truman’s decision to use atomic weapons have sustained a steady drum beat of criticism in the unassailable forums of America’s newsrooms and college classrooms. Their second-guessing has led to a gradual erosion of America’s perceived moral superiority over our enemies as well as negative repercussions for our present conflicts on the world stage—much to the delight of our adversaries.

Vacation Pictures of the Day

I can now reveal to the public that we were on vacation last week at my parents' home in New Jersey. The trip was exhausting, and the hot and humid weather did not make things any easier. While there were many highlights, the things that stick in my mind were Punky's love for his grandparents, Russell's new talkativeness and the theme from Thomas the Tank Engine (which we saw about 1000 times over the 10 day period). While I gather my thoughts about the trip, here are some pictures to keep you busy.


At the airport, Russell holds the DVD case along with his new duckie backpack '


Cousin Megan checks to see if Russell has all his marbles 


Punky's checks out his new sunglasses 


Russell also notes the reduced glare from wearing sunglasses 


Cousins Jimmy and Timmy greet Russell 


A proud Grandfather Chen checks out the Punkster 


Grandma Chen elicits a laugh from Punky 


The Fabulous Brewster Boys check out the new portable DVD player--a must-have for parents with young children 


Punky greets Cousin Max with a punch to the chest 


Russell eyes Megan's Three Egg Omlette at the local IHOP