Weekend edition

Kev's visit:
My friend Kev drove down from the bay area and we hung out for a bit since his wife was at a bachelorette party. It was nice to just shoot the breeze about everything from family planning, housing market woes, remodeling to home theater. Kev is one of my home theater shop talk buddies. He's been interested in a used Toshiba XA2. I had him do a blind A/B shootout of Star Wars SD DVD on both the PS3 and XA2. The image that he liked better was on the XA2 (which he didn't know was the XA2 until I told him). But what I found interesting is that he said that had I not performed the blind test, he would have been content with the PS3 upconverted image.

Since we live farther away from most people, I can count the number of visitors on my side with less than two hands. I think Kev is like visitor # 6?

Final Four:
I've been glued to CBS for most of the weekend.

- Memphis vs Texas -> *yawn*
- NC vs Louisville -> *yawn*
- Kansas vs Davidson -> Man, could've made the brackets ugly. In fact I was hoping history would not be made! What a heartbreaker. Davidson had this game. It just seemed that Curry should not have been the one to take the ball in. He took way too much time dribbling when it was obvious he was going to be the one to make the last key 3 pointer. Duh, of course Kansas was going to madly defend Curry and force him to pass to a lesser shooter. Terrific game up to the end.
- UCLA vs Xavier -> So this is what Bruins are like when they dominate! The "Love-fest" continues. I hope we can repeat the same level of play with Memphis -> frustrate them with the slow-grind-it-out style and signature Bruin defense. Shipp's got to get out of his slump!

Team Fortress 2 !

Meet the Team Fortress 2 cast - this video cracks me up everytime. haha!


Team Fortress 2 actual gameplay on my favorite map: CTF_2FORT!

This is other game I have been wasting a lot of time on. I can't say enough good things about Team Fortress 2. Valve has hit a home run here. Not only is this game one of the more balanced multiplayer shooter games I have played in a long time, but it's also a very polished game too. You can tell right away that a lot of love and care went into making of this game. Valve also put a lot of humor into the game like the voice taunts and character stances yielding plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. In terms of visuals, it doesn't try to be photo realistic like a lot of next gen games. It's more cartoonish that adds to the humor. I think the best way to describe game is that it looks as if you are playing through a Pixar movie but with guns, LOTS of GUNS. In fact, I've always been impressed with the Steam Engine. Amazing visuals without requiring gobs of system resources. If only other game developers could be as efficient. I am running Team Fortress 2 at 1600x1200 + high settings on my four year old PC! Both the Dawn of War series and Team Fortress 2 have great replay value and what I've been really happy about is that these games have effectively suppressed the itch to get a new gaming rig.

Dawn of War - Soulstorm

Man, I lost count of how many hours I've burned playing the Dawn of War series. Viks just shakes her head in dismay. Ever since Dawn of War has been released in 2004, it's been my favorite real time strategy game. I stopped playing RTS games like Command and Conquer because of Dawn of War. The recently released DoW Soulstorm is now the 3rd expansion pack (it's actually a quasi standalone as you don't need the previous games to play all 9 races in single player campaign or skirmish mode). The game has retained and expanded on the same great gameplay, frenetic pace, right balance of farming vs action (emphasis is on the action though - turtling will end your game fairly quick). Each race has a really nice variety of weapons, special abilities and battle styles making the strategy very deep and the voice acting is awesome and really immerses you into the game. In addition to comments I already made above, I think what sets DoW apart from other RTS games is that your infantry is not marginalized as soon as your opponent has tank vehicles ie the Celestian squad of the new Sisters of Battle race has excellent anti-vehicle abilities. The various infantry classes are in fact key to winning.

But we all know things in life are never perfect. There are known bugs in the 1.0 release. Some reviewers have poo-poo'ed the game saying it's more of the same and that the graphics are showing it's age. My personal take is that it's not "more of same" it's actually "more of a good thing" - and that's a good thing! And regarding the graphics - given that the engine is relatively old, I think the game still looks terrific. I use to think graphics were the highest priority when it came to the overall gaming experience. But Dawn of War has so many good things going for it that I don't even notice that the graphics are not Crysis-like/photo realistic. And lastly, you come across some whining about race balance issues. I won't say that the game is 100% perfectly balanced but I'll say it again - Dawn of War has so many good things going for it that even with all the "issues," there are enough good elements to outweigh the bad.

Up to now, it's been Josh, Danny, Nick and myself playing together in co-op multiplayer on the previous expansion packs. We usually play skirmishes vs the CPU given the varying skill levels among us. We haven't played Soulstorm together yet but I am looking forward to some great multiplayer action soon!

X-Arcade stick on my mind

A few years ago I wanted one but could not justify the cost since they were practically as much as a new game console. Today they are about half the cost of a new game console. But it's not that the X-arcade stick went down in price. Game consoles are just much more expensive these days.

So why do I want one now? Call it "stars aligning" or whatever but it all gradually started with watching movies with the Marvell characters (ie X-men, Spiderman, Hulk) and the new trailer for Ironman! I remember how much fun I had playing those characters in my Marvell vs Capcom 2 game. So I dusted off my old Sega Dreamcast (yes, it still works great), started playing a bit, and was reminded again just how over the top the game is and also how pixelated the characters look today. Then I remembered why I didn't play the game as much as I wanted to. While the game is incredibly fun, the Sega DC gamepad is a real stinker when it comes to performing special moves . The Sega gamepad just feels awkward when it comes to fighting games, the controller response is hit & miss, and the experience just results in frustration.

I also started to get the Street Fighter itch again! Last week I was in nostalgic mode -> reminiscing the good ol' days in high school cross country where Ansen and I would take a "detour" during practice and go to Roundtable Pizza and play Street Fighter 2. I was never quite good enough to beat a lot of those guys in the arcade but I held my own. For me, the SNES gamepad was spot on for doing the "Hadokens" and "Shoryukens." Street Fighter is making a comeback now with Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and Street Fighter IV for PS3!

So the timing just feels right to get a high quality joystick. The Hori Fighting Stick 3 seems to get good feedback but I'm leaning more toward the X-Arcade as it seems to be more true to the original arcade experience. X-arcade also has adaptors for both the DC and PS3 (but PS3 is USB so I'm not sure why an adaptor is needed - need to call) I haven't made up my mind yet as to whether the X-Arcade Tankstick or the Dual Joystick is best for me. I really don't need the trackball of the Tankstick but I was reading a review about how spacing between the player 1 and player 2 controls of the Dual stick can feel a bit too close for comfort.

Can you hear the difference? MP3: 128kbps versus 320kbps

Try this test out! It's quick and painless.

I got it right but I listened twice using my Plantronics USB headphones (which I primarily use for my work IP softphone). It might have been easier had I used quality speakers.

Jim + SMC's wedding - Yank Sing

"Bloggers" photo

Since many people commented that they could not hear my speech, here it is for those interested.

My name is Warren, and I have the great privilege of being both the best man and a good friend of the bride.

Three years ago Jim was actually my best man and standing right here where I am.

When I first found out that Sabrina said "yes" I was really excited for Jim. During his bachelor party last Sat, friends were asked to share an anecdote about Jimmy. I kept quiet for the most part since I didn't really want to give away too much of what I was going to share this evening.

Way back in the day, Jim was a first year in college and I was a second and we both lived on the same dormitory floor in Rieber Hall at UCLA. But I didn't really know Jimmy at the time. I was actually friends with his roomate Ed who was also a 2nd year.

Now if you lived in the dorms chances are the food you ate was not exacly what you would call fine dining. So I’d go over to Ed’s to see if he wanted to order from Thai Talay. But Ed was hardly ever there. Jim, for some odd reason was there a LOT - studying hard of course.. So I just started shooting the breeze with Jimmy . To my surprise Jimmy was a really easy guy to talk to - very laid back and very approachable.

We both moved out of the dorms and into the same apartment complex. Jim and I were pretty comfortable around each other at this point. We actually lived right across from each other and our apartments were so close that from one of the living room windows, you could see very, very clearly into the other person's living room window. And because of this, Jimmy and I would routinely have obscene finger gesture wars across the windows.

Soon enough, Jim became my go-to guy for many things:

- If I was hungry at dinner and didn't feel like cooking (or if I was tired of hamburger helper), the first thing I'd do was look across and see what Jim was cooking.

- If I was hungry AFTER dinner, I'd go over to Jim's apt to see if they had any ramen noodles or sometimes we'd go to Norm's for some late night STEAK AND EGGS.

- If I felt the need to procrastinate , I'd invite myself in and just pester Jim and his roomates.

- If I needed groceries, I'd call Jim and ask "Hey, when are you going to Ralph's next?"

All that time I was thinking and laughing inside. “Hmm .. I sure do bug him a lot. One of these days he’s gonna crack and tell me to bug off” But Jim never once snapped at me although he must have felt like it many times. This just speaks to some of his good qualities. He’s very patient, very generous, and always willing to go out his way for you. And what I admire the most is that Jim is consistently like this to his family and to all his friends. So it’s not hard to see why Sabrina agreed to go along for the ride.

So now would be a good time to share how Jimmy and Sabrina met. By this time we were all out of college and working. Sabrina (who I affectionately call Sabrina…Ming…Chou) - Sabrina and I had a mutual friend from high school and we both work at the same company. For the longest time, I'd have lunch with Jimmy and Sabrina separately. And at that time I was not intentionally trying to play matchmaker but in my mind I thought "hmm..you know, Jimmy has this happy aura around him, is down to earth, and laughs a lot” Sabrina Ming Chou – also has that happy aura around her, is down to earth, and laughs a lot.." -> I wonder..

So one day I tried to casually ask them both to lunch on the same day and I asked both of them if they minded that I was bringing a friend. I remember Sabrina being pretty laid back about it but Jimmy, on the other hand, was a little suspicious and asked "uh, why?" I tried playing it down and the three of us ended up eating at Tung Kee Noodle (of all places).

Now if you thought that there were sparks between the two. That would be a big NO. I’d have to save their intial meeting was a little more FIZZLE than sizzle.

After that lunch I remember Sabrina telling me "Hey. Your friend Jimmy . He's kinda quiet huh?" And I said to myself "Well, so much for that"

Fast forward a year or two to my wedding. Little did I know at the time that the Jimmy was hitting on Sabrina Ming Chou - at my wedding! Can you believe this guy? A few months after my wedding I get an interesting message from Jimmy to the effect of "hey. uh. i got something to tell you. you know your friend Sabrina Chou? I kind of like her"

It took some time but when you see the two of them now, you realize they’ve come a long way from that very first time they met. It’s clear how well they compliment each other . The way they balance each other, laugh together, how they affectionately look at each other, and even the way they argue with each other - it’s quite entertaining! I can safely say that today there's definitely more SIZZLE than fizzle.

Jimmy, Sabrina, I just want to say that I'm incredibly happy for you guys Sabrina, you got a great guy who’s who will go to great lengths to make you happy. Jim, without a doubt you found your match. Try not to screw this up? But seriously, I want to wish you guys all the best in the coming years and a long and happy life together.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please all join me in a toast.

To Jim and Sabrina ...Cheers!

Jim + SMC's wedding - Shakespeare Garden

Excellent time for a bird to turd on you

Jim + SMC's wedding rehearsal

Lunch at Ton Kiang

Wedding rehearsal in the Shakespeare Garden

Jim's bachelor party

Dinner at Morton's steakhouse.

Jim, Josh, Mike T, Mike C, Nelson, Greg, myself went mountain biking at Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz. Man, what a brutal workout but at the end, you feel pretty good that you went through the pain.

Cal at UCLA 03/08/08 Josh Shipp shot

I couldn't watch this game but wow, what a shot. Almost as thrilling as Tyus Edney's coast to coast in 95. And yah yah, it was a "questionable" call on Ryan Anderson when Westbrook tried to get the steal but it happens.

Got out of the market

It looks like it was a suckers rally earlier this week. Given our financial goals within the next two years, I decided to pass on dollar cost averaging and just get out of the market. I haven't sold our Bonds or TIPS yet, just the stock funds. Now it's time to look for more conservative, defensive positions. Like many people in 2000-2002, I chose to ride it out and got burned pretty bad. This time I'm getting out while we're ahead. Right now there is just way too much doom and gloom - more & more home foreclosures, tightening of credit, weak dollar, inflationary pressures, etc. And yah, I know people say election years are often good years for the stock market but I am just not convinced this year (or at least the next two quarters) are going to be very good. From all the news outlets that I can see, it seems like corporate profits have been mixed but the trend could get consistently worse and then maybe we'll start seeing higher unemployment rates. And logically wouldn't that perpetuate a viscous cycle? It's going to be interesting to see how Bernanke handles the rate cuts and juggle stock market growth vs inflation.

With the above said, I'm thankful for our diversified strategy. Just seeing how a lot of the high fliers & momentum plays of last year have fallen so hard recently - I think to myself how worse it could have been. I'm not trying to preach or evangelize here. I'm just saying our allocation mix had the right risk/reward ratio for us. I'll definitely go back to the same allocation mix when things are less crazy. And of course knowing when to get back in is extremely challenging. You just never really know when the market is at it's bottom.