Happy 4th of July! Some updates on my life: I finally submitted my application for Citizenship to the US. I got a crazy-a$$ speeding ticket (but got out of the worst part). I entered into a relationship and ended it shortly after it began (for good reasons). I realized the importance to focus on things that are important in my life, and not the day-to-day. Lastly, I am finally learning German (after all these years of having a German father).

Why the change? Those who know me knows that I have always been a procrastinator. Finally I decided that I no longer want to "be lazy" on things that are important to me... I never knew I would be this way, but it happened. So far II have been a happy man the past few weeks :) I know I know - whats the secrecy? The reason is because I don't know how certain things will turn out (scared as hell, but excited and hoping for good things) so I don't want to jinx it. More updates later :)

Got to spend a few days with my god daughter Megan in hot, humid Orlando...

Yeah I know - carrying 40 lbs on my shoulders for hours on end can't be good for my knees - oh well, things you do for kids :)

Spent a week in Dusseldorf, Germany attending Drupa 2008. Met up with a lot of my colleagues from the US, Asia and Germany, got hooked on soccer, and met several new friends. More details to follow... :)

See the red arrow? That's swelling and edema (liquid) between my knee cap. That's what happens when you run all your life. So on doctor's orders I should 1) rest my legs for another 6 weeks (total of 3 months), and 2) find a new low-impact sport/hobby soon.

What to do when it is beautiful and sunny in L.A.? I'm going to sign up for surf lessons. Yup - I am going to overcome my fear of shark attacks (damn you Stephen Spielberg!) while sitting on my board. I guess if I want to enjoy snowboarding I *should* obey my doctor... :(

I have been following the career of Kevin Garnett since his early days with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and have been rooting for Boston this NBA season. Last night he finally won the ultimate goal in his career - a NBA championship ring! It's great to see how fundamentals can always win... now I am wondering what other sports I can watch... Euro 2008?

ALWAYS be nice to the front desk personnel. Be EXTRA nice. You just may get upgraded to the $400-a-night suite for the 3rd time in a week - all you have to do is SMILE and be EXTRA courteous. Life is good on the road :)

As usual, I slack at posting for weeks, and suddenly I act all ADD and post multiple posts in one morning - this is the last one for today, picture taken the night before I came back to the U.S. from my vacation in Tokyo and Hakone. Pictures will have to wait a bit, as I am updating my site authoring software right now.

Even though I have been going to Japan (every other year or so) since I was 15 I have never been to Tsukiji Fish Market - even though everyone tells me I must go take a look (c'mon - what's the excitement over waking up at 4:00am to go see people buy/sell fish? Especially when you are IN THE WAY of them doing business, while bothering them by taking pictures and walking slowing through their narrow hallways). My brother and I finally made it there, but just a bit late (got there at around 11:00am, when most of the fish stands have already closed for the day). For those who are still interested to check Tsukiji Fish Market out click here.

The REAL reason why I am writing this post is for Sushi Yamasaki. I should note that while I was reading my copy of the March 2008 issue of GQ on the flight to Tokyo I read this article by Alan Richman, who said that the best oo-toro (fatty tuna) in Japan is found at Sushi Dai at the Tsukiji Market. I told my brother about the article and we decided to go check it out...

When we walked to Sushi Dai we instantly noticed a stupid-as-heck line that is longer than a Hanna Montana concert pre-sale ticket line. While we stood in line I realized that almost everyone in line was a tourist - Korean, Chinese, American (one even had the issue of GQ in hand), and Japanese tourists from out-of-town - everyone had a copy of some tourist guide... that's when I realized that SUSHI DAI IS NOT WORTH WAITING AN HOUR FOR, and got out of the queue...

With my newfound task of finding an alternate restaurant, I had one criterion - the LOCALS MUST LOVE IT - I didn't travel thousands of miles just to eat at a tourist trap! We did a full circle around Tsukiji only to come back to Sushi Dai, but noticed a Tsukiji employee (they have uniforms and badges) taking some suit-wearing men into a smaller restaurant next door called Sushi Yamasaki (やまさき) - this only meant ONE THING - not only is this place good enough for the local fish market employees, it is also good enough to bring *their* clients to! Once we realized that we queued up in line (3 people in front of us instead of the 40+ at Sushi Dai) and I HAD THE BEST CHU-TORO (medium-fatty tuna) AND UNI (sea urchin) I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE SO FAR.

For those who would like to check Yamasaki out - here is the address of Sushi Dai - just go there and walk next door ;) Although they have set menus (good for those who don't speak Japanese), I would recommend finding a friend who can translate and order a la carte. You won't regret it.

This year our company sales meeting became "International", as we invited our counterparts from Japan, Germany, and South America to Guadalajara, Mexico to share ideas on how to push our company to the next level (and do some R&R together). After three days of non-stop meetings, we took an excursion to Jose Cuervo's Distillery in Jalisco. This picture was taken right after our tour, with Motonori Nagai, director of CGS Japan.

Forgot to post this picture, taken in January when some friends and I boarded at Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake - I've been there once more since then - it's only 2-hours away from L.A. so it makes an easy weekend trip! I hope to go again before the season ends... With the warm weather in L.A. the past week that could be very soon - bummer because I just bought myself a brand new Burton Custom board and new bindings!

Finally - as the season is coming to an end - I have to give props to Sierra Snowboard for the awesome discounts, as well as Whiskey Militia for their daily fill for my gear-shopping-addiction.