This important event dates back in 1621 in the Plymouth plantation to give thanks for the harvest and gratitude, both for the settled colonies and native American Indians. It has pure secular tone, in stark contrast to most sectarian holidays observed.
This is truly a democratic holiday long before the proclamation of the founding fathers without regard to ethnicity, social groups and religion.
We celebrated this event at our family friend in Glen Ridge, NJ for several years, having great times and being thankful to be friends enjoying each other company. The turkey, its trimming, and side dishes were delicious. Variety of wine was fabulous.
What struck me most after all this years was humanity prevailed despite our different ethnicity, religion, and social biases/orientation. Thankful to co-exist and tolerate each other.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Bon Jovi on the Plaza
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Bon Jovi rocks!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A Trip to Upstate New York
This is holiday week, one day away before Thanksgiving. It is the non-commercial holiday that dates back to the established English colony in the 1600's. College kids are coming home and I am designated to pick-up my son at SUNY (State University of New York), Binghamton campus.
Drive was easy with cloudy skies, light drizzle and occasional deer carcasses from road kill. Roads are hilly. Trees are gray and leafless, a clear sign fall on its way out. Winter is around the corner.
I made great time just in time to pick him after his last class. Waited for few minutes, enough to get a quick nap after a three hour drive.
On our way back, we had sporadic light rain and traffic a bit heavier.
We talked about his girlfriend and her plans for the holidays. Switched to his majors of mathematics and psychology. We got bit involved on numbers theory and experimental psychology, not realizing I was over speeding.
On our way back, there was no radio, iTune, or text messaging. It was a pure and wonderful one-on-one conversation with my son, great time for bonding.
Some pet-peeve of the trip, upstate New York and Pennsylvania has two lane highway. I am getting spoiled on three lane highway in Jersey.
Back home, dinner cooked and served by my wonderful wife with seafood pasta in white sauce and red wine.
Drive was easy with cloudy skies, light drizzle and occasional deer carcasses from road kill. Roads are hilly. Trees are gray and leafless, a clear sign fall on its way out. Winter is around the corner.
I made great time just in time to pick him after his last class. Waited for few minutes, enough to get a quick nap after a three hour drive.
On our way back, we had sporadic light rain and traffic a bit heavier.
We talked about his girlfriend and her plans for the holidays. Switched to his majors of mathematics and psychology. We got bit involved on numbers theory and experimental psychology, not realizing I was over speeding.
On our way back, there was no radio, iTune, or text messaging. It was a pure and wonderful one-on-one conversation with my son, great time for bonding.
Some pet-peeve of the trip, upstate New York and Pennsylvania has two lane highway. I am getting spoiled on three lane highway in Jersey.
Back home, dinner cooked and served by my wonderful wife with seafood pasta in white sauce and red wine.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Susan Boyle in Rockefeller Plaza
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Kitchen Faucet
Several weeks ago, we replaced the water heater not because it wasn't working but it reached its supposed lifespan. We have great hot water alright. But by Monday, kitchen faucet had no hot water. The rest of the has hot water, bathroom sink and shower. Thanksgiving is a few days away. Imagine without hot water in the kitchen. My wife becomes anxious.
Calling a plumber right away is not a common human behavior. Plumbers are not cheap. So, I decided to confront the situation. Checked the plumbing. No leaks. Water heater running. I went under the kitchen sink, touched the hot water pipe. It was hot. The kitchen faucet was broken! I can be a plumber.
I went to Home Depot the next day.
Today, I replaced the broken faucet. Then, it dawn on me why plumbers are not cheap. Fixing under the kitchen sink is like a work-out. Working in tight space with bulky tools is a challenge. But, being limber and lean has advantage.
Now, the moment of truth. No leaks. Turned on the faucet. No water was coming out!
There was the caveat. I did not read the instruction. It said remove the aerator before turning on. I removed it then turned it on. Walla! water comes out.
At the end of the day, I save myself 200 to 300 bucks considering our economic predicament these days.
Calling a plumber right away is not a common human behavior. Plumbers are not cheap. So, I decided to confront the situation. Checked the plumbing. No leaks. Water heater running. I went under the kitchen sink, touched the hot water pipe. It was hot. The kitchen faucet was broken! I can be a plumber.
I went to Home Depot the next day.
Today, I replaced the broken faucet. Then, it dawn on me why plumbers are not cheap. Fixing under the kitchen sink is like a work-out. Working in tight space with bulky tools is a challenge. But, being limber and lean has advantage.
Now, the moment of truth. No leaks. Turned on the faucet. No water was coming out!
There was the caveat. I did not read the instruction. It said remove the aerator before turning on. I removed it then turned it on. Walla! water comes out.
At the end of the day, I save myself 200 to 300 bucks considering our economic predicament these days.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Bon Jovi
Some live concert...
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tammy, the turkey
She made a media sensation since she discovered exit 14-B of the Jersey turnpike way back in August. Motorists thought she cute alright, but created hazardous situations at the tool booth. Motorists braked quickly to avoid road kill or dodge her making the tool booth prone to accidents. Then, there were motorists, who pulled over, and walked with their kids, crossed the road to take a glimpse of her.
She was finally captured yesterday. Her new home is Popcorn Zoo Park in Forked River.
Check out the video.
She was finally captured yesterday. Her new home is Popcorn Zoo Park in Forked River.
Check out the video.
| Ledger Live: The New Jersey Turnpike Turkey |
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Autumn Chores
Autumn is, personally, a beautiful season. But, summer has "stuff" that needs to be cared off, like winterize the pool, putting But up the summer stuff to the attic, and tune-up the snow blower.
Then, there are leaves from my trees to be mulched or hauled to my backyard. My township do not provide such service.
But, I am not whining. Apple sauce cooking on stove top and pork chop with sauerkraut in the oven. It smells good. :)
Then, there are leaves from my trees to be mulched or hauled to my backyard. My township do not provide such service.
But, I am not whining. Apple sauce cooking on stove top and pork chop with sauerkraut in the oven. It smells good. :)
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Autumn
Autumn is my favorite season, not cold nor hot. It is smelling apple pie, tasting warm cider and wood stove and fireplace burning with hickory or maple wood. Air is crisp and autumn leaves on the ground smells musty and pungent.
Today, I chopped some fallen trees with my chain saw sharpened by my local hardware store. It does well beautifully. What struck me most was the fresh smell of white ash and sassafras cutting across the grain. It felt healthy.
Indeed, it was a beautiful afternoon and invigorating.
Today, I chopped some fallen trees with my chain saw sharpened by my local hardware store. It does well beautifully. What struck me most was the fresh smell of white ash and sassafras cutting across the grain. It felt healthy.
Indeed, it was a beautiful afternoon and invigorating.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Weight Loss
Here comes another article from New York Times how celebrities lose weight post partum. It claims these celebrities discovered the natural or biological process negative metabolism. It is fucking way out the truth. Third world women breast-fed their young since the dawn of the primates.It is a way to preserve the species. They are skinny as they can be. These celebrities spend too much time visiting these poor nations. It is not their legacy. The tribute goes to the women who desperately keep her brood survive.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Fight on Terrorism
US went to war against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, only to find out WMD was peanuts and sectarian violence among religious fanatics was the menu of the day (similar to christian and catholic fanatics).
Here comes Afghanistan. US is spending about 2 billions a year for the adventure which costing young lives, because of freedom. It is not freedom. It is fear that the Taliban and Al Queda will rule USA. It will not happen, but fear-mongers are good doing its job. By geography, Afghanistan is almost halfway around the globe from USA.
USA is better of by pulling its troops, Karzai and its would care less. It is corrupt anyway. Focused on counter-insurgency. It is less expensive and keeps the Taliban and Al Qaeda guessing.
USA should learn its lesson from the former USSR on their adventure in Afghanistan.
Here comes Afghanistan. US is spending about 2 billions a year for the adventure which costing young lives, because of freedom. It is not freedom. It is fear that the Taliban and Al Queda will rule USA. It will not happen, but fear-mongers are good doing its job. By geography, Afghanistan is almost halfway around the globe from USA.
USA is better of by pulling its troops, Karzai and its would care less. It is corrupt anyway. Focused on counter-insurgency. It is less expensive and keeps the Taliban and Al Qaeda guessing.
USA should learn its lesson from the former USSR on their adventure in Afghanistan.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Post Election New Jersey
New Jersey became one of the center stage characters of this off year election. The pundits, media commentators, and news inferred to some political consequences. Their behavior becomes divisive and its citizen confused and worse, polarized.
New Jersey's issues are local and domestic. It has nothing to do with the nation as whole, although, the state has suffered from the deep recession.
New Jersey voted for change. It is well and good.
The governor-elect prioritized tax relief, spending cuts and urban education. These are old issues which previous governors, Republican or Democrats, failed to resolve.
The State has too many boroughs and towns with its owns social services.
Our roads and railways are economic pipeline for the State and the nation.
A relief for a New Jerseyans involved a consolidated social services among boroughs/townships and toll roads on most traveled highways.
It is not politically appealing, a bad medicine.
It needs a super-governor. Good luck Governor-elect Christie.
My penny thought...
New Jersey's issues are local and domestic. It has nothing to do with the nation as whole, although, the state has suffered from the deep recession.
New Jersey voted for change. It is well and good.
The governor-elect prioritized tax relief, spending cuts and urban education. These are old issues which previous governors, Republican or Democrats, failed to resolve.
The State has too many boroughs and towns with its owns social services.
Our roads and railways are economic pipeline for the State and the nation.
A relief for a New Jerseyans involved a consolidated social services among boroughs/townships and toll roads on most traveled highways.
It is not politically appealing, a bad medicine.
It needs a super-governor. Good luck Governor-elect Christie.
My penny thought...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Golden Pregnancy
Wall Street got some good doses of the H1N1 vaccine for their employees, whereas rest of Manhattan and Newark areas are waiting pitifully for their turn. Another sign bottom line counts. Very sad...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
New Jersey's Governatorial Election
The incumbent governor has both a positive and a negative aspects, like Jekyll and Hyde. He is a victim of the situation. He has the good intention but the corrupt influence pulls him down. It makes the independent candidate a least resistance on Nov. 3rd election. Despite these unfavorable conditions, the Governor pulled off some admirable accomplishment. He is not a politician and a native New Jerseyan will never know that. Native New Jerseyans do not think beyond politics.
Halloween Night
We were in Manhattan. My kids, in their Halloween costume, watched World Inferno concert. Being the driver, we had about five hours to kill in the city. It was drizzly night but not cold nor windy. Most of the night reveler were in their outrageous costumes. It was past 1 am but 45th down to 28th streets teemed with humanity, some were wasted and drunk but had a good time. That's Manhattan anyway. My wife and I walked up from 34th st to 45th st between 8th and 9th Ave to enjoy the night. We were impressed for dinner at this Thai fusion restaurant on 9th Ave between 35th st and 36th st. They had tasty menu. With a bottle of shiraz, their prize was quite reasonable. Aura was a good find on Halloween.
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