August 2010 Archives

This past weekend we took a trip to two our America's prettiest National parks, Yosemite, and Sequoia. Sequoia was a bit out-of-the-way from SF, but after hearing that it has some of world's largest trees, it got me really interested, especially after Yosemite became some what of a let down as it requires you to park in a super crowded parkinglot and get on the shuttle to see the El capitan up close.

Sequoia sure paid off, as we walked down the trail to see the famed General Sherman, a teenage bear walked by us, a brief acknowledgment, and it walked away.

Having worked in China for 4 years, 99% of the things I bought that's made in china failed, earlier this year, the one last thing that I thought would NOT fail for a while, failed. My question is, why certain items that are exported here from China don't fail, while their domestic versions SUCK ASS. List of items failed on me that's made and sold in both China AND USA below:

TV - Changhong brand, failed after 2 days, TV repair man had to come in and fix it.
Closet - the steel rod bent and it collapsed 4 months after purchase
Cordless Phone - worse than a cord phone, can't use it 3 feet away from the base
Humidifier - this actually didn't fail, it's Beijing's water that made it unusable after 3 months.
Kingston USB flash drive 8gb - fails after 3 months.
then I bought a different brand, PNY - fails after 3 months.
then I bought a domestic brand aigo - fails after 3 months as well, on the day.

Now the Hard drive... sigh...

The Karate Kid was a beloved classic of my childhood, only thing was I was too young to relate to that story. This 2010 remake of the story had many elements I loved, though I thought it really should have been called "The Kung Fu Kid".I chose this movie as my opener of the Summer season not because it's a nostalgia film, but I chose it because I felt the need to pay respect to Will Smith, who is the producer on this film. Making this film sounds near impossible, taking the consideration of a production in China, writing a story that's both true to the original franchise and a step up from them. Plus a corny story of an early teen's "coming out of his shell" story. In the end, the movie was pulled off, and it is truly enjoyable. I had a lot of fun as a picky early 30 something and I'm not afraid to say it. I also wanted to commend Jaden Smith, I felt he truly related to that character, who was singled out and lonely.

There are two things I really look forward to around my birthday in June. One of them is a Pixar film. It has become my annual tradition ever since Toy Story. This year once again they didn't disappoint. The 3rd film to end this story well. It wasn't as powerful as UP since all the main characters are already established, but still, it is a film that will beat out its' competition once again.

Then of course, this must see. Christopher Nolan is somewhat of a Hollywood effect whistle blower, everything's gotta have real physics and textures, script aside, that creative vision alone is worth seeing.

Alright, this wasn't a summer flick, I just happen to finally see it. I love Michael Moor films, he fights for the common man, not afraid to piss people off, and I think he is one of the visionaries in America. I hope more people watch his films than people watching FOX.