Conzelman Road must be the most exhilarating ride from San Francisco. It takes a long climb to the top of the hill past the Golden Gate Bridge. Then a steep and winding downhill run toward Point Bonita light house.

There is great view all the way. I'm glad I've stopped for pictures!

2015.07.27 comments

Beside the Ikea bed, I also have a great hack for the 6 outlet wall plug. IKea sell these adaptor that converts a typical two outlet socket into six for cheap. The problem? It only fits three prong socket. If you live in an old house with only two prong socket you are out of luck. The solution? Just use a hacksaw to cut off the two grounding prong.

Does it violate any code?!? Well don't do it at home then, if you don't know what you are doing. The bottom line is the house does not have ground wiring. There is no way anything can get a ground connection. In reality this is really a much safer alternative to the cheater plugs you are going to use anyway. Moreover, how is two sockets ever enough? So typically what happens is people add more adaptor to increase the number of outlets, resulting in a grotesque and unsafe bunch of adaptor over adaptor. The six outlet adaptor change all these by providing a secure and low profile outlet. I plugged a few of these to every room and it makes significant improvement to the power need.

To be extra professional, add a "No Equipment Grounded" sticker on the adaptor (if you have installed GFCI plug there will be surplus stickers).

2015.07.26 comments

I have made another trip to the Point Reyes lighthouse with Ian. It is an incredible place to appreciate the enormity of land and water, see some wildlife, and for some moment, enjoy a complete tranquility when even the sound of wind and wave have subsided.

See all picutres.

2015.07.25 comments

I have seen a few great movies over a number of months. What is common among them? They all tell story about young people. They all evoke romantic view and sweet memory. And they are all wonderful stories that linger in my mind long after the movie ends.

In A Story of Yonosuke (横道世之介), Yonosuke arrived in Tokyo to attend college. An awkward simpleton is people's first impression. Nevertheless, Yonosuke approach every person and everything with such curiosity and positivity that you cannot help but like him. Shoko unstoppable laughter in their first meeting is unforgettable. Her energy is like a nuclear plant that makes everything glows.

At Middleton is main characters is not youth but an older father and mother accompanying their children on a college tour. College is often a transformative place where young people learn about different ideas and grow mature. During the visit, the parents Edith and George were by accident separated from their children. They embark on a college tour of their own. Together they experience that freshness and excitement once more, rekindling the life that has long become dormant and inhibited. As a middle aged man myself, I feel very touched by events.

Blue is the Warmest Color is about a young lesbian couple. Adèle was still in high school when she first meet the blue haired art student Emma. The film flows along naturally. They become committed and they eventually have to face difficulty in sustaining their relationship. All the time Adèle had undiminished devotion to Emma. I really like the house party scene. Without a word, we sense the mood change and we sense that they have enter a different stage of life. The days of naive young girls has become past memory.

Each film is slightly melancholy yet charming and delightful. I am going to make second or third viewing whenever I have a chance.

2015.07.17 comments