memoryloot

I just got back from helping my sister move and had to post on an amazing invention that caught my attention a few weeks ago. When my new washer and dryer was delivered, I noticed that the delivery guys had these straps they used to move the washer and dryer. They easily moved both items in a matter of minutes without much struggle. I was so impressed I went online the next day to see if I can buy myself a pair. Upon further research, I found that people were complaining that the arm straps are bad for moving things up and down stairs. Through the magic of Amazon’s related item query, it pointed me to the Shoulder Dolly. This was supposedly a better version in which 2 movers straps on a harness and use a single strap to lift a heavy item using their legs and shoulder. I HAD TO HAVE IT!

With my Amazon credit I ordered one and finally had the opportunity to use it today. There was a bit of skepticism in the part the moving party but I was able to convince a friend of my sister to help me move the refrigerator down a flight of stairs. Lifting the thing was a amazing. But when it came time to bring it downstairs, we struggled a bit. The person going down the stairs had the bulk of the weigh on him. We then continued moving both washer and dryer which was much more successful. Especially the dryer since that was light. We easily moved it down the stairs without any struggles. It was a matter of adjusting the straps properly so that item was evenly distributed and high enough off the ground so it doesn’t interfere with the steps. My dad even asked for it when we were moving the heavy items out of the truck! Unfortunately, I didn’t bring it because we had a heavy duty dolly and the place we moved to had no stairs.

Check out their website for more information. This will certainly come in handy when I get into woodworking (hopefully). And now an instructional video to go over how to really use the thing.

I came across this list today and I would have to completely agree with their pick of “Saving Private Ryan” and maybe “Moulin Rouge” (I was teary eyed but I don’t think anybody noticed). For “Saving Private Ryan”, I saw it on TV a few years back by myself and was sobbing like a little baby at the end when Tom Hanks uttered the sentence, “Earn This.”

Other movies that got me was “Beaches” and “The Notebook”. Both chick flicks and both was so sad. “Beaches” on the value of friendship. “The Notebook” is the fact that a disease like Alzheimer completely erases a person’s memories. There is a Korean movie that similar in plot, but the victim was much younger. The title escapes me but that got me too. Something about losing your memory is sad to me. Perhaps that was my inspiration for creating this blog. In the event if I ever lose my memory (which is highly possible since my grandmother did), I can come back here and read about them. I’m very interested in seeing the “Iron Giant”. Haven’t had an animated movie make me cry but the description sounds good.

We’re down to the last week of summer. Again it went by real fast. Seemed like it was just last week since we took Memorial Day off. I haven’t done anything but ride around LA with my bicycle. Reminds me of the summers I used to have during high school when my friends and I would ride to the mall on our bikes because no one had a drivers license.

I find riding so therapeutic. It let’s me wander away on my own free wheel without burning any fossil fuel or getting stuck in the mass of gasoline driven vehicles. Riding in the heat isn’t so bad. There’s constantly a breeze when you’re moving slowly and gradually. Of course, sun-block is a must. I’m not bound by the impact on gasoline prices. I find myself feeling guilty for driving. Especially if it’s a short distance. My limit now is to take the bicycle if I’m going somewhere 5 miles or below. Ridiculous driving otherwise. I even bike to the park to run and then bike back. My trips to the local store and bank are by bike now. I look forward to picking up mail in San Marino because it’s an adventure each time I jump on the saddle. In short, I’m so glad my love for bicycling has sparked such a different and new lifestyle. I am so much at peace with myself. I’m not ever in a rush anymore. Bicycling has taught me to sit back and enjoy the ride and not focus so much on the destination.

As a result, I have enlisted 2 others on a San Diego to San Francisco bicycle ride next year. Here are the break down of the cities we’ll be at:

• Day 1: Imperial Beach to Cardiff-by-the-Sea


• Day 2: Cardiff-by-the-Sea to Newport Beach (camp)


• Day 3: Newport Beach to Santa Monica (motel/hotel/hostel)


• Day 4: Santa Monica to Sycamore Canyon/Point Mugu (camp)


• Day 5: Sycamore Canyon to Carpinteria (camp)


• Day 6: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara – our day off to hang out there (motel/hotel/hostel)


• Day 7: Santa Barbara to Lampoc (camp)


• Day 8: Lampoc to Pismo Beach (camp)


• Day 9: Pismo Beach to San Simeon Village (motel/hotel/hostel)


• Day 10: San Simeon Village to Big Sur (camp)


• Day 11: Big Sur to Monterey (camp)


• Day 12: Monterey to Santa Cruz (motel/hotel/hostel)


• Day 13: Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay (camp)


• Day 14: Half Moon Bay to San Francisco

It’ll probably happen around June, July, or August when the weather is less likely to be stormy. We still need to figure out what to buy to prepare for this trip. I’ve checked out several guide books that should help us get started. Actually, the destinations was from a guide book. I’ve also purchased Adventure Cycling maps for this trip as well. This is going to be such a great experience. I can’t wait to do it!

I finally removed 4 of my wisdom teeth this morning. The experience was very interesting because apparently, when I was sedated, I didn’t even realized it. One minute I was looking up at the light in the ceiling, the next I’m waking up with gauze in my mouth and ready to go home. The pain did not set in until I got home and had to change the gauze. Nice and bloody ordeal but still not as painful until I began drinking water and eating. The good dentist prescribed some antibiotics and and trusty ole’ pain-killers. I’ve been taking them round-robin as the time is required by the prescription.

Last week I went to the doctors to do some further testing on my HDL and triglyceride level. 6 months ago in my annual check-up I was told my HDL (good cholesterol level) was too low and my triglyceride level (fat that you burn for energy) was way too high. It made me more proned to getting metabolic syndrome which is a bad thing. So as part of my new life changing goal this year, I exercised more. This time, I’m not just doing your run-at-the mill weight training and cardio. I asked to participate in a marathon and a spring triathlon competition. I took it on myself to prepare for these events by being very persistent and running and now bicycling alot. To be honest with you I enjoy running and bicycling so much that it was almost natural for me to be doing this. At the same time, I rediscovered my love of bicycling and prompted me to be car-free during the week. Not to mentioned adding 2 more bicycles to my stable. I must digress. The results of this time’s check-up was everything was back to a healthier level just because I did one thing different, exercise. And this time I’m not going to stop.

Edit: I realized that I didn’t mention this but I did buy a new roadie for the triathlon training and for my greedy self. Pictures to come once I have a chance to take them.

Anyone on Twitter? Follow me!

Funny Sticker
Originally uploaded by jonthelam

I saw this on a car this morning and took a quick shot of it using my camera phone. This is also a good test of blogging from flickr.com. I think I’ll be using flckr for camera phone pictures and my blog album for more personal things.

I didn’t have any formal New Years Resolution. Instead, I formed some really good habits. The first thing I’ve been doing frequently is flossing my teeth. Ever since my first visit to the dentist a couple of months ago, I’ve been flossing every single day without stopping. It may not seem so ground-breaking but if you know me, it is HUGE! Considering I haven’t taken care of my teeth for 13+ years. I’ve been bad about oral hygiene. I feel I’ve talked about this before, but whatever!

The second thing I’ve been doing is keeping up with my work-out regime. I’ve been running about 6-12 miles a week. Shon and I are training for the LA Marathon 2009. I have over a year until that event takes place. We’re gonna run in some 5K, 10K, and half marathons. I think at this point, I can easily do a 5K. But I’m about 9 weeks away from doing it non-stop. All this running is making all sorts of places on my body ache.

Christmas came and went this year. I didn’t feel as festive as I have in previous years. Sure I had the chance to take my friends out to eat on 3 separate occasions. I feel a nice meal is more rewarding than gifts that people may not like or use. It was more of a favor to me since I did not have to look for specific gifts for people or write additional Christmas cards to them. Not that I wanted anything at all, but I got some pretty nifty gifts this year. I got a Tim Duncan jersey, a new motorcycle helmet, a t-shirt, a DVD, and a frame. None of which I wanted people to get me but I got them anyway. I can’t really complain because they are awesome gifts. San had suggested the reason why I don’t feel festive is because I didn’t go through the whole ordeal of figuring out what to get who. That maybe the case, but I do enjoy the fact that I didn’t have that added stress. In fact, I found my parents gift on a spontaneous shopping trip last Wednesday without really looking. I ordered a couple of items on the Internet but for the most part gift giving this year was good.

2008 is quickly approaching after 1 more week. I’m looking forward to the new year but hopefully 2008 will continue to be good to me as 2007 was. I’ve been thinking about what is going to happen in 2008 that may be significant to me. It’s a 90% chance that I will be buying my first home. Whether it being with or without the folks, I have yet decided. I’m also going to have major work done on my teeth. Yes oral hygiene has been a big priority to me recently. After seeing the Dentist for the first time in 13 years, I’ve decided to make the whole next year dedicated to taking care of my teeth. I’ll also be taking a trip to Boston and NYC at the end of April and beginning of May for a friend’s wedding. Who knows, I might even have a new car or bike. Most likely not brand new but it will definitely be an upgrade to what I have now. Of course, this won’t happen until I have my own place. That will always be priority 1 until it’s been taken care of.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’ve always wondered how the ride or even the room would look like with the lights on. Thanks to Internet I wonder no more!

I’ve been following 2 shows that’s been on for about 3 months now on channel 18 in the LA area. This is the “Asian” channel where depending on time of day various asian programming is shown here. My folks catch the prime time during the week for their Chinese soap and I watch the Korean soaps from 9:50 – 11:00 slot. The first series is called Coffee Prince’s Flagship Store and second one, Time Between Dog and Wolf. Yes funny names but very entertaining series!

The Coffee Prince’s Flagship Store is your typical Korean romance / comedy movies. The story is about a girl trying to work her way up at a Cafe and ends up falling in love with her boss. But the twist was that she hides the fact that she’s a girl and continues to work as a boy. Funny moments when she is constantly avoiding getting caught. This would be something you would call, “cute”. Way too much cheese. It finally ended this week on Monday.

The second movie Time Between Dog and Wolf was a combination of action, thriller, and romance. Basically its your typical love triangle. Throw in a few mob bosses, manipulating government agents, and revenge and there you have the movie. The acting is superb and not cheesy at all. Very action packed. Kinda reminded me of The Departed. I highly recommend catching this. I found some videos here. This show should end by next week. I’ve already finished the series tonight on my own.

I have to say, I’ve been watching alot of Korean drama the past year or so. Very good stuff!