Happy New Year's

I wish everyone a happy 2010. I am grateful for so many things, not least my present employment, family, and friends. That's it!

Mark

Trip to Vegas

It is almost 2:00 AM and I just got back to my hotel room from the casino at the Hilton. I earned $10 playing blackjack and lost $50 on sports gambling. Not that bad.
There is something in Vegas that gets my juices flowing. The rush of gambling, the different people in town, the lounging poolside, the varying quality of the buffets.
If I became dictator of Las Vegas, I would ban smoking in the tables. Cigarette smoke makes my throat scratchy! Designated smoking areas, I am fine with.
While I was playing blackjack, I met two women on vacation from the UK. Jane (from Manchester) and Karen (from Scotland). Very funny and witty. Not bad looking, but probably in their 40s. They were worth a laugh!
I head back to L.A. tomorrow afternoon. I wish I would stay in Vegas one more day, but then I would probably lose my shirt. Besides, the SEMA convention starts tomorrow and the Hilton will be so crowded.
Mark

Pacific Surfliner

Today, I took Amtrak's train from Los Angeles to San Diego for an interview. I rode Business Class both ways. I can grow to like train travel. Comfortable, clean, and not much longer to S.D. than if I drove there. It's great to not worry about clogged traffic on I5.

Mark

Gutted by Game 4

Why can't Broxton get Stairs out? Last year, a pinch-hit home run. This year, a crucial walk. Broxton is a good reliever, but two meltdowns in two years. Ugh.
Can the Dodgers come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NLCS? Sure they can. Will they? No, not with Cliff Lee pitching in a possible Game 6 or 7. I hope I am proven wrong.

Mark

Who You Calling Deranged? | The New Republic

Who You Calling Deranged? | The New Republic

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Very interesting viewpoint on the radical Right.

Game 3 of the NLCS

Good thing I had a birthday party to go to. This was a horrible 11-0 loss. I know Cliff Lee is pitching very well, but still.....only 3 hits.
Now we need former Phillie Randy Wolf to win Game 4 for us. If the Dodgers win this game, then we are back on track to advance to the World Series. Our offense needs to perk up, though. Manny Ramirez's bat speed has noticeably slowed down in the latter half of this season. Why throw a slider to him now that you can throw high heat?

Go Dodgers!

Dodgers in Six Over the Phillies

Ah, the NLCS starts today. The Dodgers will avenge their loss to the Phillies last year, and win in six games. The difference: the lefties the Dodgers can throw at the Phillies. Kershaw and Wolf in the rotation, Kuo as middle reliever, and Sherill as possible save guy. Ethier and Kemp have developed as hitters, so much so that Manny Ramirez does not have to carry the team as he did last year.

Go Dodgers!

Dodgers v. Cardinals: Game 1 of the NLDS

Good first step for the Dodgers. 5-3, Kemp hits a 2-run Home Run, and excellent bullpen relief. One win down, ten to go.

I did notice that in the 9th inning, quite a few fans were driving out of the Dodger Stadium parking lot. I used to condemn all those fans for leaving early, and I would stay until the end of the inning. However. I do emphasize that for people who have to go to work the next day, I understand why one has to leave early. You figure you might get home at midnight, and get up at 6:00 AM the next morning, that's not many hours for sleep.

Mark

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Being a player in fantasy football, I find myself stuck near a computer and/or my iPhone just to check on stats. Today is a good day to stay home. For those who want some lounging around a pool or enjoy their drinks inside a cabana, I recommend Shangri-La in Santa Monica. A cool ethos. I went last night to celebrate a friend's birthday, and I found myself with a slight headache this morning (although I only had one drink).

Mundane thoughts today, but I am intellectually lazy today. Oh well, back to watching the Chargers-Steelers game.

Mark

Benched | The New Republic

I find this a very intersting post on whether the Roberts Court will actually embark on a conservative jurisprudence course.

Benched | The New Republic

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The New Republic article about Dutch health care

Good article about the Dutch health care system. No public option but lots of quasi-public features. With the likelihood that any health reform in the U.S. with a public option included fading by the day, the Dutch example is more relevant.

http://www.tnr.com/article/health-care/going-dutch?page=0%2C1

Mark

Dallas Cowboys' New Stadium-Is This the Wave of the Future?

I watched the Dallas-Carolina game tonight on ESPN, and I have to say that from the comfort of my place, the stadium seems to be the wave. Certainly I would prefer that more people can see their teams, not less. Those $29 standing room places do provide the common folk with a reasonable outlay to watch their team. Jerry Jones [owner of the Dallas Cowboys] thinks big, and his vision is to be commended.

Can ANYONE step up and built a stadium in Los Angeles with minimal amount of public funds so that we Angelinos can root for a team their own?

Mark

Starting Out My Blog

Hello,
My name is Mark Wong and I have just started on writing my blog.
Presently, I am looking for my next job after five years as a legal recruiter. I have just begun seriously looking. I am optimistic about finding a job that I will like.
In the meantime, I will channel my energies out to various outlets. This blog will help me pass the time.
Any topic which strikes my fancy will be posted. I welcome feedback as well.

Sincerely,

Mark