Saturday, July 31, 2010

one year anniversary

Hey, it was one year ago today that I had brain surgery! I still have a pretty clear picture in my mind of having to show up at the hospital at 6 a.m., going through the checking-in process, waiting in the 1st floor lobby area, then making our way up to the operating floor and having the surgeon shave the part of my head that was going to be cut into. Pretty much on the dot, they started wheeling me in at 8:30... I was under anesthesia before I knew it.

The waiting time was more difficult for my family - I didn't start coming back to until the late afternoon. I don't even remember their first visit to me, but I'm told I conversed a little bit with them.

Anyway, I've probably healed as much as I'm going to - I still wonder how much of my aches and pains and what-not are due to the tumor (the surgeon could only safely remove 90% of it) and how much is due to getting older.

Not related to the tumor, I decided this past weekend to more or less eliminate the consumption of red meat and poultry from my diet (allowing a taste every now and then) to try to manage my blood pressure and triglycerides. I'm reminded of a quote from a woman whom I once worked in the same office with: "It's no fun getting old."

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What else is today? It appears it's the birthday of both Harry Potter and author J.K. Rowling. What a coincidence... what are the odds?

Friday, July 30, 2010

id, ego, and superego

It will be interesting to see how the Cincinnati Bengals do having Antonio Bryant, Chad Ochocinco, and Terrell Owens all on their team this year. Will T.O., who bought the right to wear No. 81 from Bryant, be more of an ocho-uno than an ocho-oh no! this season? Even if it's a train wreck waiting to happen, it could be both entertaining and eye-rolling. We'll see...

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

finches on the salvias

Just this afternoon, I was looking at the Cleveland salvia shrubs that are at the front of the house. Three of the four are done flowering and their flowering stalks are drying. I'm glad I've taken the time to observe them, because it seems each of the last few times I looked, a bunch of birds were on them. The delicate flowers are very attractive to the bees, and rarely I've seen a hummingbird sipping some nectar. But now I am aware that birds such as finches are finding seeds to feed on when the flowering is done. So I'll put off deadheading for awhile longer until I'm sure that the birds are done with them. And I'll keep the flowering stalks on my white sage as well; they're dry, but still very striking to look at and probably getting some good use too.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

the newest Warrior Jeremy Lin

Well, I'm excited about this signing and on several levels!

Now I don't really follow the college game all that closely, not even during March Madness. I've been visiting one of the Golden State Warriors sites (Inside the Warriors, written by local Warriors beat writer Marcus Thompson II) for a little while now, and someone had been pushing for the team to sign some undrafted player named Jeremy Lin and that's the first time I had heard of the guy.

As it turns out, he's a local Bay Area product, hailing from Palo Alto. Which is one of the reasons he chose to play for the Warriors as they are the team he grew up rooting for. It seems several other teams were also interested in him, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks, whom he played for in the summer league this year.

That he played for Harvard means that he could be the first Harvard grad to play in the NBA in decades.

But what naturally means the most to me is he is Asian-American! His parents are from Taiwan. So put that all together: an Asian-American, from the Bay Area, playing for the Golden State Warriors... no wonder I've got a new favorite player in the NBA.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

the newest Warrior David Lee

Last night, I watched an interview done by the local cable sports station with newly acquired Warrior David Lee. I must say, I am very impressed by his enthusiasm and attitude for playing for Golden State! As much as the Warriors have been suffering through hard times in recent, ahem, decades, it's so nice to see such optimism - the same kind of optimism that I have each year for the team.

As is usual, you can't get something for nothing, and the Warriors had to give up three popular players (Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph, and Ronny Turiaf) plus a second-round 2012 draft pick to get him. A high price to pay, but Lee was one of the most prized free agents in this year's offseason.

With the high-level of uncertainty surrounding the Warriors right now with their impending sale, it is nice to have something to look forward to for the next season. I have been reading some of the fan comments being posted online and for now, the majority of opinions aren't thrilled about the trade; as is my way, though, I will put my trust into the decisions made by the team and think positive thoughts. And that is made that much easier by the absolute positivity displayed by Mr. Lee in the interviews I've seen. It really is contagious!

P.S. - And although unlikely, hmmm, Lee... Lee... I wonder if he is related to Clyde Lee, who played for the Warriors many years ago...