Tags: japan
Devastating earthquake. Have been feeling too numb to write. Nicholas Kristoff said it well today in his NY Times article “Sympathy for Japan, and Admiration.” Watch Japan in the coming days and weeks, and I bet we can also learn some lessons.”
I have been emailing/texting friends in Japan. One was under her table while writing. All wrote about how shaken they are – emotionally.
With prayers, and hope.
Happy New Year.
2010 turned out to be a good year for SORAsound. As always, of course SORA has been the main focus of our lives. Business wise, SORAsound started working with a few new manufacturers, and parted ways with some others. For example, while we have expanded our analog offerings, in the digital arena, we primarily offer EMM Labs and 47 Labs now.
Also, some may notice that we have cleaned up SORAsound website. As always we appreciate and listen to your advice.
May 2011 be a happy and healthy year for you and your loved ones.
Tags: SORA
My gorgeous little boy is 8 years old today. One may say he does not qualify as “little boy” anymore.
I’m out of country again and missing his birthday. Most days, and in particular since his birth, when I remember and have my head on the shoulder (as the French would say), I count my blessings. On the top of the list, I feel blessed for having a happy, healthy kid we are so proud of. No different from any other parents, of course.
Being a father is the best thing that has happened in my life (yes, much better than music and toys including audio goodies). When you are a father, you’re willing to give your life for your children. In the meantime, your own life becomes more valuable to you, because it has been enriched, and because you know a little soul depends on it.
Anyways, off the soapbox. Happy birthday my lovely boy.
Tags: Auckland, food, New Zealand, travels
I have been in Auckland for a few weeks now. I will be posting some pictures soon. Love the people here. New Zealanders are some of the most open, approachable and sweetest people I have ever met in my life. I love their accents, and their sense of humor. Many times I catch myself not listening to what they say, but listening to their accents instead.
Auckland is a beautiful city. A bit spread, so despite being much bigger (size, and population) than San Francisco, it feels half as populated.
Cafe culture is great here. People seem to get out of their beds early, go to cafes, and have great coffee/breakfast. Easy to talk to the people sitting next to you. They are willing to tell you all about their city and country, helping you out with suggestions and directions.
At this point my favorite area in Auckland is Ponsonby, a Bohemian area, kinda up and coming, similar to where we live in Chicago, a bit like Berlin. As soon as I arrived in Auckland, took my shower, hired a cab to take me to this great cafe in Ponsonby, called Dizongoff. I have been a regular ever since.
I love New Zealand cheese. So delicious. Have also had some good New Zealand wines. I’ll be missing SORA’s birthday again but will be back home in time to celebrate Christmas with Nami and SORA. As always, a phone call or email away from my good friends.
Tags: Dick Durbin, politics, Senator Durbin, SORA
What a delight. By total coincidence SORA and I were at a Cafe were Senator Dick Durbin was holding a press conference. I had a question to ask, as always leading to a follow up discussion. My main question was regarding the economy. I wanted to know how the senator rated the success/performance of Obama administration’s stimulus plan. He gave it a 5. I said “WOW, I would have given it a 2 or 3.” But his explanation was good and I appreciated that.
We even talked about another country. I wish I had used a bit more polite word in talking about the president of that country.
I thanked the senator and sat at a table with SORA.
Lo’and behold, Senator Durbin asked me if he and his wife, Loretta could sit with us. We were together for 45 minutes. I still had a lot of questions that I forgot to ask! He and his wife were two of the most humble, down to earth people I have ever met in my life. It was almost like being in a flight and making a conversation with the person sitting next to you.
Senator Durbin is an intelligent, knowledgeable gentleman, even if one disagrees with him politically. He can talk about many subjects and trends, and links them together. He reminded me of a boss / friend I have who used to be a Harvard Business School professor. In fact, I wrote to my friend about the senator that evening. My friend thanked me, and said he is a fan of Senator Durbin.
SORA was also very interested despite initially being shy about it. Later on he asked me questions about the Senator, our President, etc. I was happy to have such a conversation with him in particular since last week I drove him to South Chicago to show him President Obama’s neighborhood (easier to get in the White House than to the beginning of that block!)
Absolutely made our day. I can not thank the Senator and Loretta enough for their time and generosity.