I have be watching the World Series between the Dodgers and Red Sox. Or more accurately, dozing off during the World Series. Don't tell any one, but I'm not a fan of new baseball. Analytics, the in and outs of multiple pitchers, but I do admire the many 100 mph pitchers with multiple Tommy John surgeries.
Im still mourning Vince Scully and yes I'm still ticked at Time Warner, now known as Spectrum for stealing the last years of listening to Vinny. As a Angeleno that once moved away for awhile, growing up with Vinny's voice is one thing, missing that voice from far away as you listen to vastly inferior story telling is torture.
The new replacement (I still don't know his name) and his partner Orel, are ok. But they talk way too much. Vinny was the master, fewer words, better stories and descriptions of the game.
The Insult? Fox is running two commercials with his voice over. One for the Children's Hospital and once of him reading a poem for T Mobile. Everytime I hear them, it jogs the memory. The brain goes, wait..... hey, isn't that Vince Scully? and I miss him more.
Here's to Vinny and his many years of comfort listening pleasure.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Saturday, October 20, 2018
In House Support
One of the advantages of having a son who graduated with a Computer Science degree is that we have free computer support 24hrs. a day. Remember the Wada game of Chicken where those of us that are at home play possum when mom yells for help in the middle of the night? Well that game went away after he graduated and moved back home. What about the times he is not home? Never ending Text messages until he responds, then transferring to face time. There is no escape 😂 And we have a never ending list of tasks that need addressing, fill her iPad with songs for her class? Instructions on how to hook the iPad to her projector? It was worth the 4 years of tuition.
Being There
I'm sitting in the first class of the video senior class, and I'm going, what am I doing here? They are asking what your favorite film was and favorite director. They are showing experimental avant guard films that drove me crazy when I was younger. Folks are commenting on the hidden meanings or altered reality or the message. I'm seeing crazy people that may be affected a little too much by consuming illegal pharmaceuticals. Really, this is a guy who has trouble sitting through a full length movie in a theater. I'm ready to leave after the previews. I haven't paid to see a feature film in years. It is easier to watch it in bits and pieces on TV. I can get up and go to the bathroom at any time with the knowledge that the film will be replayed over and over again. I still haven't seen the first Star Wars movie all the way through.
I am a fan of 60 minutes. I have been watching that show since it's inception. I am fascinated that they can delve into a subject for 20 minutes. And yes I loved the Mike Wallace ambushes and his confrontational interviews. "some people say...., not me of course, but other people........" Before that, I used to watch the documentary series CBS Reports. My reason for being at the senior video class is to document people's stories, especially those that get overlooked.
I'm finding the focus of the class is slowly shifting. The heart of the program is shifting away from the stories. The simple stories of life. But I'm finding I'm also there to improve my story telling. to make it more interesting than just watching talking heads. I still feel guilty that my first video did not turn out that well. I am almost ashamed to have folks view it. I know every mistake, every spot where I could have done better, areas where if I had short some other footage, etc. I was hoping to do better for those who consented to be interviewed.
I'm also finding that I'm being connected or exposed to other areas of the community other than basketball. There are a lot of issues out there that affect our unique community. Little Tokyo still exists, our unique history that influences our local communities, the aculturalization of the fourth and fifth generations. The huge issue between us and the other JA communities up and down the coast and across the nation.
Can my voice make a difference? I'm not sure, but at least I may be able to let people access stories that are often ignored and overlooked. There is an endless list of possibilities. I guess I'm sticking it out another year.
I am a fan of 60 minutes. I have been watching that show since it's inception. I am fascinated that they can delve into a subject for 20 minutes. And yes I loved the Mike Wallace ambushes and his confrontational interviews. "some people say...., not me of course, but other people........" Before that, I used to watch the documentary series CBS Reports. My reason for being at the senior video class is to document people's stories, especially those that get overlooked.
I'm finding the focus of the class is slowly shifting. The heart of the program is shifting away from the stories. The simple stories of life. But I'm finding I'm also there to improve my story telling. to make it more interesting than just watching talking heads. I still feel guilty that my first video did not turn out that well. I am almost ashamed to have folks view it. I know every mistake, every spot where I could have done better, areas where if I had short some other footage, etc. I was hoping to do better for those who consented to be interviewed.
I'm also finding that I'm being connected or exposed to other areas of the community other than basketball. There are a lot of issues out there that affect our unique community. Little Tokyo still exists, our unique history that influences our local communities, the aculturalization of the fourth and fifth generations. The huge issue between us and the other JA communities up and down the coast and across the nation.
Can my voice make a difference? I'm not sure, but at least I may be able to let people access stories that are often ignored and overlooked. There is an endless list of possibilities. I guess I'm sticking it out another year.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Saturday Night Football
Observations of a trip to the LA Coliseum for a USC football game:
Avoiding the traffic by taking the public bus, minimum $25 parking far from the stadium that increases in price as you get closer to the stadium, half drunk youth outside the stadium, crowds dressed in burnt blood red, guy in front standing up hollering as if would affect the opposition, incessant playing of the Trojan fight song, old men following rituals they would be embarrassed to do outside of the confines of SC, the feel of the band penetrating the atmosphere without electronic amplification, the clarity and brightness of the football field, the color "crimson" and the calculated profits off of the sales of university paraphernalia, security measures of metal detectors, clear tote bags, and baggage search (only one bottled water per person unopened), university success in athletics continually played between breaks, the crowd silence at the opposition scoring, did I meant the incessant playing of the fight song? the announcer who sounds like the Dodger stadium guy, large stadium TVs for those too far away to see or have a guy directly in front constantly rising to stand and block my view during critical plays, what ever happened to the Jumbotron?, a lone elderly man standing with two fingers sideways shaking to the beat of the incessant you know what, no instant replay when it goes against SC, a sound system bass that reverberates throughout the whole stadium beneath your feet, concession hawkers that need a lesson from their counterparts at the the Chavez Ravine, leaving at halftime to catch the bus back, walking through the deserted tossed remnants of pre game tailgating, waiting at the bus stop atop the 110 freeway between 10 lanes of cars exceeding the speed limit, running into two couples that we know from Torrance at the bus stop, what is it about older folks leaving early to beat the rush? USC beat Colorado 31 to 20. In all, a nice night in Southern California. Go Huskies.
Avoiding the traffic by taking the public bus, minimum $25 parking far from the stadium that increases in price as you get closer to the stadium, half drunk youth outside the stadium, crowds dressed in burnt blood red, guy in front standing up hollering as if would affect the opposition, incessant playing of the Trojan fight song, old men following rituals they would be embarrassed to do outside of the confines of SC, the feel of the band penetrating the atmosphere without electronic amplification, the clarity and brightness of the football field, the color "crimson" and the calculated profits off of the sales of university paraphernalia, security measures of metal detectors, clear tote bags, and baggage search (only one bottled water per person unopened), university success in athletics continually played between breaks, the crowd silence at the opposition scoring, did I meant the incessant playing of the fight song? the announcer who sounds like the Dodger stadium guy, large stadium TVs for those too far away to see or have a guy directly in front constantly rising to stand and block my view during critical plays, what ever happened to the Jumbotron?, a lone elderly man standing with two fingers sideways shaking to the beat of the incessant you know what, no instant replay when it goes against SC, a sound system bass that reverberates throughout the whole stadium beneath your feet, concession hawkers that need a lesson from their counterparts at the the Chavez Ravine, leaving at halftime to catch the bus back, walking through the deserted tossed remnants of pre game tailgating, waiting at the bus stop atop the 110 freeway between 10 lanes of cars exceeding the speed limit, running into two couples that we know from Torrance at the bus stop, what is it about older folks leaving early to beat the rush? USC beat Colorado 31 to 20. In all, a nice night in Southern California. Go Huskies.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Japanese American Relocation Primer
I just finished viewing the Valley PBS special "Silent Sacrifice" that a friend recommended. It is on the relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II and is from the perspective of the California Central Valley. What I liked about it was that it gave a wide view of the events leading up to, the relocation and confinement, readjustment after camp and the emotional aspects. It was in my opinion extremely well done. This is a good primer or starting point for those interested. Just be warned that it is 2 hrs. in length.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
35 and Counting
Today was like any other Monday. The search for a restaurant open on a Monday. I'm sure you can relate to that quandary. Mondays are usually the day restaurants close. What made this Monday different was that it was 35 years ago we were married.
It was at Anaheim Japanese Free Methodist, Pastor Carl Yoshimine performed the ceremony. It rained the night before so there was a possibility of moving the outdoor tables inside. The weather cleared up and sun shined warmly. It was Todd Sakata's first official catering job as the food was memorable even to this day. Gayle's Sunday school class helped serve. I ended up embarrassing Gerry Shiozaki in the garter belt presentation as the most eligible bachelor.
We at times wonder about our marriage. During marriage counseling, Pastor Carl had us take personality tests to indicate our compatibility. He never did let us see the results. She came from a family that tragically lost their dad at an early age, their mom was in ill health and could barely walk her down the aisle. We were in the later stages of turmoil as her brother had eloped a few weeks before and would have been fodder for a Korean soap opera.
Of course, my side was no different, providing enough material for a sequel. I came from a divorced family where I never really understood how dysfunctional my family life was and how it affected me until I was married. To this day, there are thankfully fewer remnants of that dysfunction in my being. Or I try to convince myself.
Our claim to longevity is that we both thank each other for putting up with each other and our foibles. But only after complaining about the other, of course. We argue as to who sacrificed more, Gayle or myself and for some reason, I always lose.
It was a scrumptious quiet Wagyu dinner at Wadatsumi, followed up with ice cream at Kansha. Then home to doze off during final Jeopardy. May she put up with me another 35.
It was at Anaheim Japanese Free Methodist, Pastor Carl Yoshimine performed the ceremony. It rained the night before so there was a possibility of moving the outdoor tables inside. The weather cleared up and sun shined warmly. It was Todd Sakata's first official catering job as the food was memorable even to this day. Gayle's Sunday school class helped serve. I ended up embarrassing Gerry Shiozaki in the garter belt presentation as the most eligible bachelor.
We at times wonder about our marriage. During marriage counseling, Pastor Carl had us take personality tests to indicate our compatibility. He never did let us see the results. She came from a family that tragically lost their dad at an early age, their mom was in ill health and could barely walk her down the aisle. We were in the later stages of turmoil as her brother had eloped a few weeks before and would have been fodder for a Korean soap opera.
Of course, my side was no different, providing enough material for a sequel. I came from a divorced family where I never really understood how dysfunctional my family life was and how it affected me until I was married. To this day, there are thankfully fewer remnants of that dysfunction in my being. Or I try to convince myself.
Our claim to longevity is that we both thank each other for putting up with each other and our foibles. But only after complaining about the other, of course. We argue as to who sacrificed more, Gayle or myself and for some reason, I always lose.
It was a scrumptious quiet Wagyu dinner at Wadatsumi, followed up with ice cream at Kansha. Then home to doze off during final Jeopardy. May she put up with me another 35.
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