Ever notice the golden columns on the Jing'an Temple subway station platform? As the number of Shanghai subway stations shot up over the past few years, station engineers strived to include unique features in each station's (re-)design. Next time you pass through the station, take a second to appreciate Jing'an Temple's unique, gold-colored columns and temple-themed exits.

This is not well thought out but have you ever wondered what most people would actually be driving or whether they would be if auto financing did not exist back home? After living in Shanghai for many years, it occurred to me, as i have just come back to the US, that the US and its inhabitants may actually be a lot healthier financially if we all just bought cars we could afford NOW, not later. SO many people would no longer snicker at the Aveo 4 or the Yaris or even the Smart car because... well, they are practical and afforable.

Look at China, those who can afford a car, buy what they can afford, period. Lost of cheap little Santanas on the road...yes, I know they are overpriced old tech cars, but relatively speaking, they are what people afford. Sure we see the Ferraris, Jaguars, Mazeratis Benzs and BMWs but really its mostly affordable cars.

In fact, just think about how many people back home actually buy cars in cash and how many people don't... then ask yourself, if you had to pay cash for your car purchase, what would it be? Would you have bought your current car had it been a cash purchase? This isn't meant to be a snub at people who make less or have more financial obligations, just wanted to think about how financing makes us all think we can afford more than we should.

Read news of vigil for two jailed reporters for Current TV, who were arrested and convicted for an illegal border crossing and an unspecified "grave crime" in North Korea earlier this year, to be held in San Francisco tonight. The two American journalists were captured in North Korea and sentenced to 12 years hard labor.

As sympathetic as i am for what the families of these journalist must be going through, I do have to wonder about whether reporters, consider these things before trying to break their next story. It seems that they knew what they did was wrong as one of the reporters admits what they did was illegal in a plea for diplomacy to help them out. The US Government has been pleading clemency but with the worst relations in decades happening now, I suspect they will become a pawn in PyonYangs dangerous game of politicking.

more info on vigil: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12678956?nclick_check=1

I got a few notes telling me that they felt bad that I was so sad from reading my notes. Am I sounding sad??? I am actually extremely happy to be able to come back to the US and be here with my family. I am trying to make my family work and my son certainly makes me feel loved and appreciated. I have yet to be affected by the fact that I will need to find work in a very serious recession, but with a bit of a safety net, I am being allowed this luxury of time with my son...kind of the point of my previous note I think. But yes, I am very happy to be home.
If only the world were this simple again...

But given the happenings around the world, I am also sad. My current status says a lot about what I am thinking... "Riots, racial inequity, ignorant masses, govt restricting information, hundreds of deaths and most people can only talk about the Pop King?" I mean come on... one death versus hundreds, and under such tragic circumstances. Sure sure, MJ was the king of Pop and he will forever be immortalized by his music. Ah the power of the media as another Michael said to me...

Riots, race riots, in China, and possibly, and in my mind, probably, incited by actions of politically motivated parties outside of China who do not need to bear the price of their actions. Sad, really sad

Happy Independence Day!

The whole family stopped by the local park for the community's annual 4th of July events at the park. There was the whole family activities section, colouring, bouncing castles, egg tosses, local police display booth, dunkin booth and a variety of snacks and such. Devon has a taste of going solo in the bouncing castle ad decided maybe sub 3 years old is a bit young when in with a bunch of rambuncious 5-10 year olds...but he survived fine.

On the way back we stopped off on the way home for his snack...2 huge chicken tenders, about a 1/3rd of a pound if my math serves me right. Then we headed home where finally we really enjoyed ourselves playing catch in the living room where he is finally starting to get the hang of playing toss and catch.

I think of this and remember the one time i recall playing basketball with dad when i was really young and wondering why we didnt get more chances to do that. In fact mentioning this fact much later in life to friends still brought a tear to my eye as really, my own dad was and is not that athletic and yet i still wish there were more such occasions. Some of my other most enjoyable childhood memories are of playing frisbee in the street in front of our house with dad.

It is these memories that I remember most and hope i will get more chances to play catch with Devon and an important reason why coming back was so important.

After arriving back in the US, I am really feeling m age. I know I am old when:

1) I need to stop 3-4 times justto ride up the hill after taking Devon to day car on bike. Never mind that its a steep 0-72 m elevation change in the last km or so... I used to train for racing in these Berkeley hills dammit... but my body is just NOT happy... anyone have Advil

2) Light Blue cars... We had them back in the late 70's and well, they are back AND... I find my self kinda liking these as I shop for a new car... ACK! (photos links below)

http://images.cars.com/supersized/DMI/11948/1823A.jpg" alt="" title="" />

2b) Related to this, 4-door cars are looking very appealing AND I find myself considering turning down a good friend's offer to take her SuperCharged S2000 for a few weeks later this Summer... I actually do not need the speed thing nearly as much and keep thinking that it would be no fun if Devon can't enjoy it too...airbag OFF switch anyone? ;)

3) The sun is still out around 8pm and I am actually tired enough to consider going to sleep at the same time as Devon...AND I have actually slept thru the night several times starting around this time! Must be that I need a drink...