Walking out of customs and into the arrival area, I was met with scores of eager families with signs in Chinese. Most probably names of their loved ones. Little kids ran up to uncles and aunts. Friends waved at friends. Boyfriends hugged and kissed girlfriends.
I smiled at the sight and walked on by. I wondered if any of them has SARS. Then I walked a little faster.
"What's the most significant thing you've gotten out of this trip?" Masako asked.
I scratched my chin. "Hmmm." There was so much. It was my first trip ever to Hong Kong and Tokyo; heck, it was my first trip ever to Asia. I struggled to find the right answer. Unfortunately, the first answer I gave her was a lie.
It's not that Kris is unintelligent. Far from it. Her Ivy League graduate degree is plenty proof of that. In fact, she's one of the most intelligent people I know.
It's just that… well… let me tell you the story and you can see for yourself. (She's going to hate me for this.)
There's a particularly musky taint to your fart after you've had buffalo meat. This, and many other interesting facts, was what I learned on my very first visit to Denver, CO.
I also learned these fun facts:
Trying to survive the NYC subways? Here are some tips for a more comfortable and safe ride.
It was truly an awful sight. It was one of the Five Most Ungodly Sights Ever, right next to monkey brains, overturned eyelids, a smashed up brand new BMW M3 with Dinan aftermarket parts, and Michael Jackson's nose.
I cry just thinking about it. I'm crying right now.
"What's that noise?" asked Kathy. I followed her gaze up to the ceiling. The muffled sound of men's voices could be heard.
"Sounds like a bunch of guys up there," I answered.
I'm a commuter again. It's an almost-two-hour trip (one way) that I make with sleepy half-closed eyes and a yawning mouth.
This adventure of mine began when I moved back into San Francisco. I work in the South Bay area and lived down there during my first year of employment.
The rustle shuffle crunch of the leaves. The smoky oaky smell of fireplaces. The brisk sharp chill of the air.
Ah. It's a wonderful life here in New York during Thanksgiving.
I just finished reading Robert Cialdini's "Influence". It's a book about six basic behavioral principles that can be used to influence people.
So it was with great interest that I engaged in a conversation with Stephen, a gentleman sitting next to me on my Southwest flight to New York. He offered me some drink coupons and then tried to sell me some air treatment equipment.
Weekly random rambles, musings & writings of Mike Lee in San Francisco, CA