[rchen.net]

390,000 lbs of CO2!

2008-10-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

Whooops. If you see me walking around the house in a down jacket this winter, now you know why. (Per assumptions here.)

Un. Freaking. Believable.

2008-10-05T00:55:00.000-07:00

John Williams is going to fire the orchestra and buy a Yamaha Electone.

Domo-kun at Target

2008-09-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Whoa. つーか、ワオ。

Mileage Plus Retirement

2008-09-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

This past week, somewhere over Da Nang, Vietnam ("The Nang!"), I rolled my United Airlines odometer by flying past the 1,000,000th mile. No credit card points, chocolate pudding, or codeshares here: This is 1 million actual flight miles on actual United-operated equipment, rapidly-deteriorating travel experiences and all. (Around the FlyerTalk forums this is referred to as BIS, or Butt-In-Seat, miles.)

Since most of the miles were accrued SFO-NRT (5124 miles), that works out to about (1000000/5124 miles * 9.5 hours per flight / 24 hours per day =) 77.25 days spent inside an airplane, most of it in Economy, over the last 20 or so years I've been signed up with Mileage Plus. Numbing. Brings shudders. But you know, slightly more bearable than earning with, say, SFO-SEA hops.

While others have reported a lackluster passing of this milestone, mine went pretty well -- since none of their systems talk to each other, though, I had to self-identify the occasion to the flight crew. No one sang, but everyone thought it pretty cool in a bemused "Oh, you're one of *those* people" way:

Hats off to Captain Mayer for finding the exact spot on the flight chart, which I got to take home!

For all this I'll now receive:

* Premier Executive status for life (big plus being reciprocal privileges on Star Alliance)
* 2 regional upgrades at the end of every year
* 3 systemwide upgrades on a one-time basis

It's a pretty dubious achievement, sadly, since it appears quite clear that I will outlive the airline.

I also learned that Singapore and Bangkok crew bases are being closed in October 2008. Yup, union contracts stipulate that the least-paid, hardest-working cabin crews get terminated first. This is a really screwed-up business.

But in the meantime, I'm now officially a liability to the company! Everyone fly United! Pay those fees!

And now, excuse me while I join the apparent bank run now in progress over accrued miles.

When in Bangkok...

2008-09-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

... eat tonkotsu ramen as the locals do. Of course.

From Bangkok '08

View Larger Map

Gyunoya WTF? FTW!

2008-09-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

Where am I?

From Bangkok '08

Hint: People eat gyudon with a spoon in the right hand, fork in the left. Authentic-tasting 大盛り goes for THB 160.

View Larger Map

Is that a flux capacitor you're holding?

2008-09-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

Them DeLorean people sure do have interesting tastes. (Nothing NSFW in this eBay auction, really. Just a bit nutty on many levels.)

RNC Wrap-Up

2008-09-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

...and my first Hulu.com embed.

Choose Your Tax Proposal

2008-09-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

(via FF @shellen)

Separated at Birth

2008-09-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

Google Chrome

Simon

Milpitas Moments

2008-08-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Dearest People of Milpitas,

The stellar reputation for East Asian cuisine in your fine city is well deserved; We truly enjoyed the Chinese dinner on our drive back from Monterey.

The parking skills/manners of the local residents, however, leave much to be desired:

(Something to beware on my next trip to the US outpost of Pepper Lunch.)

E28 M5 meets peak oil

2008-08-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

Not too shabby on longer trips!

One Perfect Day

2008-08-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Amidst the general bankruptcy that is the state of inflight experience, I actually enjoy reading the Three Perfect Days feature on United Airlines' inflight magazine. It's written by a local resident, which to me is important for credibility.

My friend Josh is now at it again with this site: www.your24.com . Would be nice to have an authoritative repository of locals' recommendations...

Hello from Laguna Seca

2008-08-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

(from Bringatrailer.com, where I apparently spend way too much time lurking.)

Phew!

2008-08-09T00:17:00.000-07:00

Put me in the true-believer category. Moore and Hopelain, who are married, have created a place that's distinctive and personal. While the flavors are familiar, the way they combine them is unique. Not everyone will appreciate their efforts, but those who do will probably become regulars.

Tokyo Streetview

2008-08-04T15:09:00.001-07:00

Google Map's Streetview feature lands in Japan (via nobilog) and I'm floored at the coverage. They've driven down some seriously narrow streets. Time to find my kindergarten!

大きな地図で見る

Lamborghini Tractors

2008-08-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

In a parallel universe, we would have exotic cars made by Kubota and Yanmar.

New York for Kids: Emergency Vehicles on Demand

2008-08-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

"Dad, when's the next building fire so we can see more firefighters?"

"Kids, I've already arranged for the police to shut down Columbus Circle station."

Fathers Day Moment

2008-06-16T23:15:00.000-07:00

I don't get no respect from the big girl.

Concorso Italiano? Here?

2008-06-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

The new venue is a serious downgrade from the previous golf course.

Google's Whip on My Street

2008-06-10T23:42:00.000-07:00

The Google Streetview coverage is looking mighty impressive these days. Lots of signage visible from the most recent election.

And of course, Los Banos!

Chickenjoy!

2008-05-31T15:28:00.001-07:00

On Death Row, I would order Popeye's chicken and dip it in Jollibee gravy.

Camino Restaurant - Open for Business

2008-05-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Woo-hoo! Can't wait to go eat.

Camino Restaurant
3917 Grand Avenue, Oakland

Hours:
Sunday - Thursday 5:00 - 10:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Friday & Saturday 5:00 - 11:00

510-547-5035

Fine gift for mom: Free admission!

2008-05-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

... at 24 Hours of LeMons this weekend, Altamont Speedway. Who wants to come watch?

(Discount ~ All-C) + Intercontinental Air Service = FAIL

2008-05-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

Wow, they've all gone kaput while I wasn't looking. It's really too bad as the customer experience was said to be pretty satisfying all around.

MaxJet
EOS
Oasis Hong Kong