Torch Song for the Olympic torch

Betcha the Olympics committee wonders why oh why did they allow San Francisco, unabashed political arena, to be the only American point on the torch relay route dubbed the “Journey of Harmony”.
Extinguished in Paris (oft joshed at for their cowardice), many cringed at the thought of what Bay Area pro-Tibetan protesters might do [...]

Who’s buying who? — Tech Quickie

Catching you up on all the latest plans and rumors circulating about the Big Cheeses in the Bay, and how they plan to get even bigger:

Yahoo! to use Google search ads… in advanced talks
Yahoo! to merge with AOL… still in talks
Microsoft to purchase Yahoo!… over Y!’s dead body, sadly
Google to [...]

Chapter 27 — movie review — Screener!

Director: J. P. Schaefer
Starring: Jared Leto, Lindsay Lohan
Genre: Indie, Drama
Opens in San Francisco April 18th, 2008
I wrote the bulk of this review in March 2007 and am surprised at how neutral I was about the &%(@! subject matter. In light of the Beijing Olympics protests, this might be proper timing to remember someone [...]

Google’s version of Yahoo’s Search Assist

You knew it was coming, you might have even seen or used the private tests, you might even argue that it was on G Labs/toolbar prior to Y! launch, but anyways, Google’s public test version of Yahoo’s Search Assist drop-down has finally launched today.
As to be expected, the big G’s autocomplete suggestion drop-down is [...]

Hydration Café — restaurant review — California

Cheap, fast, tasty. That’s all I ask a bento box to be, but places usually skimp on flavor, busting the sacred trinity. Hydration Café does not skimp. For about $5 and some change, you can get a generous portion of your choice of fried cutlets (chicken, pork, squid, mackerel, tofu, vegetarian fish [...]

Caffé Macs — restaurant review — California

I’m sure Caffé Macs (Apple’s eatery) was attempting to be set itself apart from all the other Silicon Valley Corporate Cafés by adding an extra “f”, or maybe they did that because that’s what the food deserves. Okay, that was harsh, but clever, no? And wait, isn’t caffé Italian for coffee not cafeteria? [...]

eBay Park Café — restaurant review — California

Oh no! I’m officially a Silicon Valley whore. I’ve worked at Apple, Yahoo!, Adobe, (am still currently a Research Consultant for Google), but eBay made me a juicy offer and a tops title plus pet insurance(!), so I’m there now, helping with the overhaul design bonanza. Woowoo! So far, it’s an [...]

Café Adobe — restaurant review — California

Holy crap Jack Black works here! A doppelgänger who speaks spanish. It’s like Nacho Libre, cafeteria version. I haven’t ordered from his section, I usually stick to the daily specials like veggie paninis or falafels. Consistency is not their game, with tender wedge fries one day and denture-denting the next. [...]

Saravana Bhavan — restaurant review — California

If you think Amber India is good Indian food, then stop reading right now. If you’re one for a little adventure, try Saravana Bhavan. Piquant, pungent, vegetarian South Indian (Tamilnadu, I believe) cuisine that won’t break the bank (prices have been steadily increasing probably due to popularity, ~$5.85/main dish) revolves around various categories [...]

Karaoke Room 2

I could have sworn there was already a Karaoke Room 2 but by the McCully Times supermarket(?). Maybe that was Karaoke Room 1? I even asked the clerk about it and I’ve already forgotten the info. Erg, I have got to pay attention. It was awesome ‘cos you could get drinks [...]

Zoo (2007) — movie review

Director: Robinson Devor
Starring: John Paulsen, Coyote, Russell Hodgkinson
Genre: Documentary, Indie

Okay, you’re going to think I’m a sicko, but when Chris told me there was a documentary made circumscribing events involving a richie being humped to death by a horse, I asked him to track the sucker down. Morbid curiosity I guess, but I didn’t [...]

Hoshi — restaurant review — California

Damn, forgot the camera again. Hoshi is not a place to order sushi rolls. You probably will be disappointed. And you might be taken aback when their grilled fish entrées reach your table as it is the whole fish, head, bones, fins, tail and all. This is a place to drink [...]

GocHi Japanese Fusion Tapas — restaurant review — California

There’s something wild happening in Cupertino, the education-centric mecca for droll family life and ethnic fairs held in the duck-ruled pond/park because they don’t even have a Downtown to party in. Well, they’re all partying over at GocHi now.
I’ve heard about the horrendous wait for a table there. I’m not stupid; I do [...]

Gamba Karaoke

We love this place so much that we wanted to keep it a secret. But we also love this place so much that we had to try to drum up some business for them. Go Gamba!
Before we found this place, South Bay karaoke hunts were all about masking feeling uncomfortable while a Korean [...]

Tanto — restaurant review — California

I was pretty much jazzed about any plate of raw fish set in front of me until I moved to the Bay Area, where sushi is prevalent, but good sushi is rare (so you know if I, the human garbage disposal, am saying that, then there must be something amiss). Even some yummy stand-bys [...]

Whoa Wrinkles! — Ad Alarm

[Ad found on moviefone.com]
I’m not sure what’s more frightening, this ad or that women who shell out big bucks for “miracle goop” that they believe will erase time. In this case, a lot of time. The helpful Flash slider “wipes” away the wrinkles, displaying the sandblasted face of the “same but new [...]

Moon Phase (aka: Tsukuyomi) Complete Series Box Set — anime review — early!

Episodes: 1-26
Genre: comedy, vampire, supernatural, romantic
Release Date: March 18, 2008

So I’m not an Anime enthusiast; even the occasional Anime series makes me cringe (do they have to squeal and flap their arms all the time?), but if you are making an attempt because, like me, your betrothed is up to his eyeballs in coursework and [...]

Be Kind, Rewind — movie review

Director: Michel Gondry
Starring: Dante “Mos Def” Smith, Jack Black, Danny Glover
Genre: comedy, mainstream
Release Date: February 22, 2008

We saw this and I wrote this nearly a month ago, but I kept procrastinating, reluctant to shed negativity on such a wonderful person like Michel Gondry.. but I guess it has to be done.
I had high hopes for [...]