tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55738792024-02-20T08:06:50.953-08:00iamtigerchenStart: 7/12/03Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-90362524099160570132008-12-16T20:57:00.000-08:002009-06-24T23:07:16.869-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Job Market in New York<br /></span><br />It seems like so many people have lost their jobs lately, especially in New York. I feel that almost 1/4 of the people in finance are out of a job... Some of them left willingly, some of them not (this includes me!). A lot of this happened very recently, within the last 2 months... The impact is dramatic.<br /><br />Today, I posted an ad for a sales job at the startup I'm working on. I put it on Craigslist, where I found Mike. :) (Btw, he's doing well. He's cut back on smoking by at least 50%, I think. And he reports that he's feeling quite well.) The ad I posted is <a href="http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sls/959865492.html">here</a>. With the exception of adding the $400/week base salary, I basically reposted the same from 2 months ago. The first time I posted it in October, I got 8 resumes. Today alone, it was 19. Does this represent how much the job market has changed in the last 2 months, or are people really getting so excited about $400/week?<br /><br />I had so many resumes that I couldn't even really skim each one. Like the first time, the person who got the job was the the person who called me on the phone to follow up. Of course, this wouldn't apply as much if the job was for a nuclear physicist. But I imagine most people hiring now, don't really have the time to look carefully at every resume they get.<br /><br />Out of the 19, about 4 people called me I think. Here were the main questions I asked:<br />- Do you have institutional sales experience?<br />- Are you in New York?<br />- Walk me through from beginning to end, how you generate a lead, all the way to closing a sale. (I was particularly happy that I came up with this question?)<br />- Are you comfortable cold calling?<br />- How much did you make in 2008?<br />- How much would make you happy? How much are you looking for? (Those saying six-figures are thrown out the window and off the balcony...)<br /><br />Mike and I agreed that the qualities we are looking are: hunger (for a job, not the frozen dinners in my fridge), genuine, reasonable intelligence, comfortable with cold calling, and most of all someone who'll really appreciate this lame-ass job. HBS grads need not apply.<br /><br />Most were really bad, or too experienced. One of the guys sounded really hesitant and uncomfortable on the phone. This other one said he was about to close a big deal, but his manager stepped in and tried to sell the client on something else, so the deal blew up. Did he really mean to tell me that he doesn't work well with managers or try to help? Another started his resume by saying: "DESPITE MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EGO, I HAVE A PASSION TO FURTHER EDUCATE MYSELF ON A DAILY BASIS ... I CAN BE FOUND IN MY FREE TIME LISTENING TO THE WORDS OF INDUSTRY LEADERS SUCH AS GUY KAWASAKI AND DONALD TRUMP." The Donald himself?!?! He really inspires the youth of America... This guy even had a picture of himself sporting a tight black shirt with the top 2 buttons loose and a white towel (perhaps it was meant to be a jacket) over his right shoulder. The way his eyes gazed into mine was a little hypnotic...and freaky.<br /><br />But, the last call of the night was to a great kid. He sounded enthusiastic, had just got laid off. Said that he has references who'll attest to him being the first one in, last to go. He said at his last job, he'd make 400 cold calls a day. He also said that his employer would basically setup lies in order to help them sell. His group sold sports sponsorships to events. I guess like a 4some golf outing at some event with some celebrity. And when they called any potential client, they'd make up a story saying "Oh, Bear Stearns just cancelled last minute, and you have 72 hours to book this open spot, otherwise we have 20 people we'll call up next." And if they hadn't sold it after 72 hours, they'd really tell the client that's it's no longer available. Amazing... Turns out, Mike also worked at the same company previously and he too talked about how unethical this outfit was. How funny would it be if both of my sales guys came from the same place. In fact they know eachother? This guy also talked about how he's very familiar with getting through admins and receptionists to get to the decision maker (he could really help Mike here!).<br /><br />All in all, I have a very good feeling about this kid. He's coming in Thursday for an interview - to my apt - originally I wanted to get some officespace and move out before we hired another person, but now I'm thinking maybe I actually want to find someone who can "accept me for who I am." =)Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-33128031445624674612008-12-06T15:33:00.001-08:002008-12-06T15:33:57.117-08:00living near povertyi hope i'm not revealing too much information about my colleague here, but i've never met anyone quite like him.<br /><br />some background on "mike": a couple months ago, when i posted an ad on craigslist looking for a sales guy, mike was one of probably 10 email responses i got. but he was the only one who was proactive - he found my number on our website and called me. since i was looking for a sales guy, i thought this was a good thing. when i met him i sort of knew he was out of a job, but i didn't know that he was on verge of being hungry.<br /><br />so i "hired" him and we started working together. initially, it was just commission only, but later we realized that the sales process would take a little longer than expected. and during the first month i lent him about $1600 anyway cos he said he was "out of gas." we then agreed on a base salary of about $1600 a month. he said that this would be able to cover his basic expenses and he was working hard and "adding value," so it seemed like the right thing to do.<br /><br />but yesterday he came to me and said he needed to borrow another $800 cos he wanted to prepay his rent a bit and get current on cable bills... given i didn't want him to make a habit of coming to me for money (i'm not his dad...) i asked him how he was spending his money, and why he was coming up short. and what he said shocked me.<br /><br />so right now, he makes $1600 a month. of that his rent is $500 - pretty cheap. but his cable bill is $130 - he has cinemax AND hbo. I have neither! subway card is about $100/month. he smokes, and spends about $250/month on cigarettes (an $8 pack a day). so of his $1000 disposable income (after rent and subway pass): he spends $250 on cigarettes - 25%. wow. i was floored. partly by his decision to do that, and partly by the whole addiction thing. his phone bill is probably $50. so for food and everything else - he has about $570/month. he also has a girlfriend - being the gentleman that he is, he'll buy her flowers sometimes. i think they go dutch for dinner though. he said he borrowed $20 from her a few days ago, and she wasn't too happy about it.<br /><br />about his cable bill, he said that he wouldn't know what to do without the premium movie channels, and how watching tv saves money cos then he doesn't go out. and that between 8pm - 1am, he is basically watching tv. he also said that he's been watching cinemax and gotten into some of the shows there... i heard before that cable is one of the last things an american family cuts (especially low income) - and now i'm seeing a real life example. i mean when i left my job earlier this year, i downgraded my cable, but i guess outside of yao ming games, i only watch a couple hours of tv a week (prison break and 60 minutes!).<br /><br />so now in his second month here, sales has been picking up for mike (the first month was mostly learning). he's signed up a couple clients, and we've sent out the invoices. however, the checks haven't come in yet. we expect both to come in - probably sometime this month, and then his commission will be $4000.<br /><br />what's kind of interesting is how he had already made intricate plans to spend that money. he wants badly to move out of his current apt and upgrade to about $800/month. so earlier this week he was already on craigslist and setting up appointments to see the new apts... (he said that one he saw was probably a sex lair...but that's for another day) and then he said he wanted to spend about $400 on new suits and shoes. there's certainly no dress code here, i'm often in pyjamas... and he also wanted to upgrade to a verizon plan that is 800 anytime minutes. i think i only have 450 minutes a month (ok, so they rollover.....). and true, i've also been thinking about upgrading apt and getting a new suit too. but i haven't gone to any open houses or the tailors yet...<br /><br />so i kinda talked him out of upgrading his apt just yet. and also convinced him that he doesn't need to buy new suits right now - we'll maintain our casual dress code....<br /><br />and even though i knew i'd lend him the $800, i didn't want to make it too easy for him. i asked him, "if i lend you this $800, how are you going to change the way you live so we don't end up in this situation next week?" i was really happy with his suggestion. he said he'd leave his cigarettes at home for mon-wed next week. and if he can get through mon-wed - 3 days, then he'd be able to get through thu-fri too - just 2 more days. then that'd be a whole week. one step at a time.<br /><br />i know quitting isn't easy at all, but he really really should do it. outside of the fact that it's bad for him, and he can't afford it - his girlfriend was diagnosed with lung cancer last month. so i hope i can help him with that. i was thinking about buying patches or gum for him - but he said that actually the city provides patches for free. oh, he prefers patches because he doesn't like chewing gum! funny guy.Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-71522714790774571142008-11-22T10:39:00.000-08:002008-11-22T12:56:21.580-08:00back from a hiatus of over a year - feels like it's been longer...<br /><br />let me introduce you (in the singular form) to my brother: <a href="http://liang74.blogspot.com/">http://liang74.blogspot.com/</a>. he's 2 out of 3 in my family. i'm 3 out of 3. 1 doesn't blog, as far as i know.<br /><br />so much has happened in the last year? let's start with something light, an appetizer.<br /><br />i work with this guy who's a salesperson. much of his work is calling on clients, and often it's a cold call. he's the nicest person and very earnest and polite. but he's got one really career-limiting issue! when he calls a company and talks to the receptionist, he typically asks to speak with "the analyst who covers a particular company" - this is because he doesn't know the person's name. most receptionists are helpful and put him through to the appropriate person. but, some - probably sensing he's a salesperson - tell him that they can't put him through unless he has a name. now, this really ticks him off. it makes him literally upset and angry. he'll be facetious, snarky, and even sometimes hang up the phone! he'll say things like "geez, calling the whitehouse and asking to speak to condi rice isn't this hard..." or "is this the CIA?" which is kinda funny, but really it just pisses off the receptionist on the other hand.... the best part of this is that he is actually dating a woman who's an admin. of all people, shouldn't he know how to charm admins and receptionists?<br /><br />fortunately, this story has a happy ending and he's now been able to control his emotions more and i haven't heard him be rude to anyone is about a week....Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-59726162640390018262007-10-09T06:13:00.000-07:002007-10-09T06:37:42.957-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">My Dad Is Cute</span><br /><br />I called my dad yesterday at work 'cos i had missed his call on Sunday. Never thought I'd say this, but my dad is "cute." Now, my dad is the super hard-working, frugal, no-indulgence, no frills type-a-guy. So for me to call him "cute" is a first. We were chatting about my brother (his eldest son)'s upcoming wedding this weekend and he excitedly told me about how he went and bought a new suit, shirt, and tie just yesterday!! (I later found out from my mum that it was a navy suit, light blue shirt, and light blue + red tie.) He also mentioned that he still needs to go buy some shoes. I thought it was only me who was thinking about buying a new suit for the occasion -- who knew it ran in the family?? Unfortunately, my brother decided that the groomsmen (i think there are like 6, because his fiance has 6 bridesmaids -- she said she didn't know how to turn people down!) are all going to wear tuxes...so we are all renting for the big day. I also told him about my new fashion revelation that fitted shirts/suits make a big difference...but he said that he has a pretty standard body. (I'm sure Mr. Ascot Chang (Thank You!) might have something to say about that!) He was audibly excited about the occasion and I'm so happy for him. In all my years, I've never heard him talk about shopping for clothes - and we've definitely never had a conversation about it. <br /><br />After that I called my mum and asked what she was wearing. She said that she hadn't decided yet and still needed to go shopping...and asked me what she should wear? My poor mother! Taking fashion advice from her fashion-less son.... She really should have broken with Asian values and had herself a daughter. Not only for fashion advice, but she also has been asking me about what finishing and appliances to put in the house that they're building. I hope it won't turn out like Frankenstein because I've only been telling her about what I see in 600 square feet NYC condos...that probably won't look so hot in surburban San Jose.<br /><br />I think it's about time one of their prodigal sons came through -- that is why they had 3 isn't it? Sunday will be a special day and I'm looking forward to it.Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-36152207453400364912007-10-08T06:22:00.000-07:002007-10-08T08:45:33.411-07:00i took a brief look at my blog today, and i'm embarassed....it's really boring... no wonder no one reads it!! but i'm going to try and write better. but i'm an engineer who took all his humanities class in college on pass/fail, never read the books, and now works in finance -- it's no wonder i have zero writing skillz!<br /><br />just looking around at work...this is what i see on columbus day morning:<br /><br />-- one of the bosses is out. he's gone for 2 weeks! (how many does he get a year? and who's keeping track???) i've heard that he has been thinking about going to africa to see some christian woman who can raise the dead... if it's true, then i'll go, and if i see it with my own pupils then i'll convert. sorry god, i'm not really one for blind faith. i need some evidence......just a little...<br /><br />-- another coworker is napping, we call her sleeping beauty. she probably had a rough night... and she says that she's narcoleptic. i wonder if she's narcoleptic on the weekends at brunch with her friends?<br /><br />-- on the other side is our new bulgarian (or is it hungarian?) recruit. he's a machine and comes from the hallowed halls of mckinsey. i like him, he's nice. but he works too much, and it's making me and sleeping beauty look bad... doesn't he know to not stir the pot? how do you say that in polish?<br /><br />happy columbus day everyone. an elementary school teacher just told me that she doesn't think chris should be honoured anymore... is it 'cos he's a fraud and copied the pizza and spaghetti from china and then called it his own?<br /><br />and today, being the 2nd monday in october, is thanksgiving in canada! enjoy your day off! i'll watch your stocks...Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-2934948182357607252007-04-13T14:09:00.000-07:002007-04-13T14:11:18.513-07:00<div align="center"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#eeeeee"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: left;">this pretty darn accurate i think.....<br /></div><br /><br /><br />Advanced Global Personality Test Results<br /><table bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="4"><tbody><tr> <td> <table style="background: rgb(221, 221, 221) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2"> <tbody><tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/extraversion.html" target="_blank">Extraversion</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">80%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/stability.html" target="_blank">Stability</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">83%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/orderliness.html" target="_blank">Orderliness</a></td> <td width="61">||||||</td> <td width="30">30%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/accommodation.html" target="_blank">Accommodation</a></td> <td width="61">||||||</td> <td width="30">30%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/interdependence.html" target="_blank">Interdependence</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">56%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/intellectual.html" target="_blank">Intellectual</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">83%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/mystical.html" target="_blank">Mystical</a></td> <td width="61">||||||</td> <td width="30">30%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/artistic.html" target="_blank">Artistic</a></td> <td width="61">||||</td> <td width="30">16%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/religious.html" target="_blank">Religious</a></td> <td width="61">||</td> <td width="30">10%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/hedonism.html" target="_blank">Hedonism</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">63%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/materialism.html" target="_blank">Materialism</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">70%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/narcissism.html" target="_blank">Narcissism</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">76%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/adventurousness.html" target="_blank">Adventurousness</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">56%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/workethic.html" target="_blank">Work ethic</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||</td> <td width="30">36%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/selfabsorbed.html" target="_blank">Self absorbed</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">50%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/conflictseeking.html" target="_blank">Conflict seeking</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">76%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/needtodominate.html" target="_blank">Need to dominate</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">70%</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td> <table style="background: rgb(221, 221, 221) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" bgcolor="#dddddd" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2"> <tbody><tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/romantic.html" target="_blank">Romantic</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">70%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/avoidant.html" target="_blank">Avoidant</a></td> <td width="61">||</td> <td width="30">10%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/antiauthority.html" target="_blank">Anti-authority</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">70%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/wealth.html" target="_blank">Wealth</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">70%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/dependency.html" target="_blank">Dependency</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">83%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/changeaverse.html" target="_blank">Change averse</a></td> <td width="61">||||||</td> <td width="30">30%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/cautiousness.html" target="_blank">Cautiousness</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">43%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/individuality.html" target="_blank">Individuality</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">50%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/sexuality.html" target="_blank">Sexuality</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">76%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/peterpancomplex.html" target="_blank">Peter pan complex</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">63%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/physicalsecurity.html" target="_blank">Physical security</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">90%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/physicalfitness.html" target="_blank">Physical Fitness</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">50%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/histrionic.html" target="_blank">Histrionic</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">70%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/paranoia.html" target="_blank">Paranoia</a></td> <td width="61">||||</td> <td width="30">16%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/vanity.html" target="_blank">Vanity</a></td> <td width="61">||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">76%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/hypersensitivity.html" target="_blank">Hypersensitivity</a></td> <td width="61">||||||</td> <td width="30">30%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/femalecliche.html" target="_blank">Female cliche</a></td> <td width="61">||</td> <td width="30">10%</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><p><b>Stability</b> results were high which suggests you are very relaxed, calm, secure, and optimistic.. </p> <p><b>Orderliness</b> results were low which suggests you are overly flexible, improvised, and fun seeking at the expense too often of reliability, work ethic, and long term accomplishment. </p> <p><b>Extraversion</b> results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity. </p> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> trait snapshot:</span><br /> <span style="color:black;">messy, disorganized, social, tough, outgoing, rarely worries, self revealing, open, risk taker, likes the unknown, likes large parties, makes friends easily, likes to stand out, likes to make fun of people, reckless, optimistic, positive, strong, does not like to be alone, ambivalent about chaos, abstract, impractical, not good at saving money, fearless, trusting, thrill seeker, not rule conscious, enjoys leadership, strange, loves food, abstract, rarely irritated, anti-authority, attracted to the counter culture</span></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://similarminds.com/global-adv.html">Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test</a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://similarminds.com/">personality tests by similarminds.com</a></span><br /></div>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-40574139700688073562007-03-17T19:26:00.000-07:002007-04-03T05:06:46.340-07:00<span class="body"><img src="http://www.askart.com/AskART/photos/SNY20070321_3983/1.jpg" alt="Sotheby's New York - CHILDREN IN MEETING" /><br /></span><span class="body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">CHILDREN IN MEETING by Tang Zhigang</span><br /><br />there's been a lot of hype surrounding chinese modern art lately....and i went to a gallery to check it out. yeah, even though i know nothing about art, but when it comes to modern art, the beauty is even more in the eye of the beholder right? the above was my favourite. i think a lot of chinese people would probably find it quite hilarious. unfortunately, my brother pointed out that it's not too pleasing to the eye, so i will likely refrain from <a href="http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/search/Search_Repeat.aspx?searchtype=AUCTION_RECORDS&artist=11139273">bidding </a>for it next wednesday. ha!<br /><br />many people say that part of the allure and magic of new york is that there's so much art and culture...but, honestly, i really don't know how to appreciate or take advantage of it. many of the museums or galleries are free, but even then, i don't go. THAT'S how little i get out of it.... sad huh? well, if anyone has advice on how or why to appreciate art, please let me know. i'd be very grateful.<br /></span></span>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-61207921755800167032007-03-16T10:33:00.000-07:002007-03-16T10:34:41.499-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;">Al Gore wrote me an email!!! ........NOT!<br /></span><br /><p>Dear dazhi,</p> <p>On March 21st, I will testify before Congress on the immediate action that needs to be taken to end the climate crisis. At the hearing, I will deliver the 294,374 messages you signed, demonstrating that hundreds of thousands of people share my sense of urgency.</p> <p>If an additional 55,626 people sign our message, it will be as though 350,000 of us are there at the hearing expressing our determination to convince Congress to act. Having served in the House and Senate, I can tell you that members of these committees would find this to be a meaningful and impressive show of support.</p> <p>There are only 5 days left before the hearings begin, so please do not pass up this opportunity to join in showing the broad public support we need in order to solve the climate crisis. I know you have friends or family who care deeply about this issue but have yet to sign our message to Congress.</p> <p>Ask them to help fill that committee room with 350,000 messages by visiting:</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.algore.com/cards.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">http://www.algore.com/cards<wbr>.html</a></strong></p> <p>The reason Congress has so far failed to act is not because there are no solutions to the problem. Nor is it because the majority doesn't believe that the climate crisis is real. They have failed to act, because they have not yet faced a sufficient expression of political will on the part of the American people demanding they confront our climate crisis head on. You and I know that political will is a renewable resource, and enough already exists to start solving this crisis. We just have to communicate that forcefully to the political leaders of our country.</p> <p>In the last two weeks alone 101,673 people visited AlGore.com and signed our message to Congress. This is an incredible demonstration of the energy behind this issue.</p> <p>In my testimony, of course, I will speak about the scientific evidence for global warming - just reiterated six weeks ago by the world's scientists in the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. But frankly, the debate on the science has long been over - except for a diminishing number of skeptics and deniers.</p> <p>At this point, it is far more important to deliver your message about the urgency with which this crisis must be faced. Political leaders need to know that you intend to reward those who do the right thing and that you will work to replace those who do not.</p> <p>That's why it's vital we fill up the hearing room with 350,000 messages.</p> <p>Please ask your friends to sign our message to Congress today by visiting:</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.algore.com/cards.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">http://www.algore.com/cards<wbr>.html</a></strong></p> <p>Together we are building a movement that has the potential to translate your strong feelings into effective change for our country. And we all know that when the United States changes - and offers leadership - the entire world will follow.</p> <p>Thank you,</p> <img src="http://www.algore.com/email/signature_algore.gif" alt="Al Gore" border="0" height="61" width="121" /> <p>Al Gore</p>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-58905008917664137672007-01-29T06:59:00.000-08:002007-01-29T10:56:57.284-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Injustice...</span><br /><br /><br />I've never emailed a legislator or senator or prez bush on anything before, largely because I never thought it would make any difference...or didn't feel emotionally compelled to do it. But this was just outrageous, and I've emailed every relevant govt official in Georgia to complain.<br /><br />Please check out: <a href="http://www.wilsonappeal.com/index.php">WilsonAppeal.com</a>. And read the article in: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=wilson">ESPN</a>.<br /><br />And here's the scary part. Given this type of things happen in the US, what happens in China and Russia must be a thousand times worse...<br /><br /><br />Lastly, I learned about this issue from my least favourite NBA team owner, <a href="http://www.blogmaverick.com/2007/01/27/genarlow-wilson/">Mark Cuban</a>. =)Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-77081797324645317102007-01-25T15:34:00.000-08:002007-01-25T15:40:29.939-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">ZZZZZZZ</span><br /><br />I don't know what it is, but since moving to NYC, I've had trouble sleeping... At the first place I lived, which was an older, walk-up building, I suspected it was because it was too noisy... But since I moved to a newer, quiter building, things haven't really improved.<br /><br />I have no trouble falling asleep, in fact that happens within minutes. But my issue is that I wake up too early, at around 6 or 5:30... and then I try and force myself to sleep until 8...(or 7:20 on days I have early meetings). (It feels almost like I'm taking a red-eye every night!) As we all know, anything forced is not that great... So if anyone out there is an expert on sleeping, and especially skilled at staying asleep, holler at me!<br /><br />Ok, end of whining, off to dinner!Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-86905297948692185072007-01-17T08:33:00.000-08:002007-01-25T07:30:19.687-08:00<h1> What $1.2 Trillion Can Buy</h1><p>The human mind isn’t very well equipped to make sense of a figure like $1.2 trillion. We don’t deal with a trillion of anything in our daily lives, and so when we come across such a big number, it is hard to distinguish it from any other big number. Millions, billions, a trillion — they all start to sound the same.</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/business/17leonhardt.html?ex=1169874000&en=1a9b70f2eac2b0aa&ei=5070">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/business/17leonhardt.html?ex=1169874000&en=1a9b70f2eac2b0aa&ei=5070</a></span><br /></p>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-29315788165723860882007-01-03T12:34:00.001-08:002007-01-03T12:34:22.307-08:00ok, christmas day.<br />i'm moving my blog over from msn spaces. it's a major pain in the ass to move blogs around, and you have to be really compelled to do so. well, i'm moving because 1) I only have 4 posts anyway! 2) because you have to have a windows live ID in order to comment on blogs, what a crock o' shite! i like microsoft more than google (now that I'm no longer working at microsoft i feel much more allegiance to it.... seriously!), but i can't deal with their commenting restrictions. i'll still use their Office and Windows tho. Actually, I'm still trying to get a hacked version of Vista to work, does anyone know how?Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-70107175823133107292006-12-25T09:56:00.005-08:002006-12-25T13:59:45.759-08:00<span id="BlogViewId" sortmode="Normal" sortkey="" firsthandle="cns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!122" lasthandle="cns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!107"><div id="LastMDatecns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!122">August 25</div><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px;" class="TextColor1" id="subjcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!122">Road Rage</h4><div id="msgcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!122"><div> </div> <div><span style=";font-family:Garamond,Times,Serif;font-size:130%;" >A few days ago, I was in a taxi here which I normally hate to take (the drivers are smelly, rude, expect a tip, and plus, it's just stressful watching a meter counting how much money you're going to give them for pissing you off). I much prefer the subway and bus where the service level is consistent and you don't have to take no 'tude from no one. But I digress....</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >So I was in the middle of a lot of traffic and the driver changed like 2 lanes and totally cut the guy off from behind. Not to be outdone, the car from behind promptly changed lanes and rolled his window down, as his car caught up with ours. Expecting a crass exchange of words, I was thinking "oh not again...."</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >The driver of the car behind us was a black dude, and he smiled as he leaned over: "I ain't mad at you, I ain't mad at you." I'm not sure if the taxi driver heard him or not, because he kept repeating "Just learn to drive...just learn to drive." The black dude repeated again smiling "I ain't mad at you, but you really did cross a lot of lanes there and cut me off. But I ain't mad at you." His smile was genuine and he certainly didn't sound one bit upset.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >I was so impressed with how this guy handled everything. If it had been me, I'm sure I would have flipped the guy off or something of comparable class. Even though it feels good to give someone the big finger, and have a short conversation consisting of 4 letter words, in reality it does cause stress, at least for me. Whereas for this guy, he took the high road, and was able to smile through it. Much better!</span></div></div></span>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-24465261871341312932006-12-25T09:56:00.003-08:002006-12-25T09:57:50.969-08:00<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px;" class="TextColor1" id="subjcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!120"><span id="BlogViewId" sortmode="Normal" sortkey="" firsthandle="cns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!122" lasthandle="cns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!107">August 12</span></h4><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px;" class="TextColor1" id="subjcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!120">4 and counting</h4><div id="msgcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!120">I was pleasantly surprised to learn today that my blog has caused 4 people to go watch An Inconvenient Truth (www.climatecrisis.net), and 1 of them even tried, albeit unsucessfully, to donate $50 to an environmental cause. (My 1 friend at the Nature Conservancy would be proud) The 4 impacted souls are: Mark + Molly (their Spaces can be found in my Friends section to the left) and my cousin Du Hang and his best buddy He Jiong. Du Hang and He Jiong found some $1 or free deals online to watch the movie for cheap, and Mark downloaded the movie from BitTorrent! I support protecting the environment, but am not against piracy.... <img src="http://dazhiyo.spaces.live.com/mmm2006-08-07_14.03/rte/emoticons/smile_shades.gif" /> Amazingly I think almost everyone I know has heard about the movie, but not so many have gone to see it... I highly encourage you to do so.<br /><br />It's pretty incredible that people are reading this, although too few of them leave comments. Please at least leave your name (or even a chicken scratch would do!).....<br /><br />I'm in SF for this week and have a rental car. When I was making the reservation, I requested a compact but because my flight didn't get in till 12am, they were all out of compacts when I got to the counter. My choices were minivan, 4x4, or a sedan. The cheapo in me took the 4x4 because they were all the same price. I forgot for a moment that they emit more, BUT, fortunately there was only one sedan, and the people behind me took the sedan. I actually feel alright about it because I think I won't be driving as much as them, and hence my choosing the 4x4 and leaving them the sedan actually works out better for mother earth...<br /><br />I'm sort of getting into this blogging thing. I hope you're not tired of hearing me talk about the environment... I'll think of some other topics to talk about soon.... Btw, NYC makes SF feel like a sleepy town. NYC to SF is like SF to Santa Cruz...</div>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-1570963458773437402006-12-25T09:56:00.001-08:002006-12-25T09:58:44.895-08:00<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px;" class="TextColor1" id="subjcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!119"><span style="font-size:85%;">August 8</span><br /></h4><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px;" class="TextColor1" id="subjcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!119">My favourite song...</h4><div>And now for something stupid (ie more Dazhi):</div> <div> </div> <div>This is my favourite song of 2006. If you don't believe me, just call my mobile...</div> <div> </div> <div> <div><a href="http://www.lifeaftercoffee.com/2006/06/14/my-cubicle-song-lyrics/"><u><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">http://www.lifeaftercoffee.com/2006/06/14/my-cubicle-song-lyrics/</span></u></a> </div></div>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-78343939074173240482006-12-25T09:55:00.001-08:002006-12-25T09:55:52.484-08:00<span id="BlogViewId" sortmode="Normal" sortkey="" firsthandle="cns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!122" lasthandle="cns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!107"><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px;" class="TextColor1" id="subjcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!116">Kristof on Portland's city cooling</h4><div id="msgcns!DA9EE878AA043DB3!116"><div>I'm kind of cheating today because this is a copy and paste from my favourite jounalist Nicholas Kristof of the NY Times, who, incidentally, is married to a Chinese chick... <img src="http://dazhiyo.spaces.live.com/mmm2006-07-28_14.20/rte/emoticons/smile_tongue.gif" /></div> <div> </div> <div>Anyway, it's a good read. I'm writing on the environment again because I believe it "could be the most important issue of this century."</div> <div> </div> <div>Btw, for those so inclined, here's a site where you can donate to projects like planting trees which will offset the carbon emissions from your daily life. Surprisingly, it only costs $99 a year to go ZeroCarbon. <a href="http://www.carbonfund.org/">www.carbonfund.org</a></div> <div> </div> <blockquote dir="ltr"> <div> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="font-family:Times, Times New Roman, Serif;font-size:-1;color:#666666;"><strong>EDITORIAL DESK</strong></span></td></tr> <tr> <td><br /><h2>Another Small Step For Earth </h2></td></tr></tbody></table> <div> <p><span style="font-size:-1;"><strong>By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF (NYT) 752 words</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:-0;">Published: July 30, 2006</span><br /><br /></span></span>PORTLAND, Ore. - The best argument for ignoring global warming has been that there are better ways to spend money: instead of devoting billions to curb carbon emissions and reduce the impact on sea levels in 2050, we could spend the resources developing a vaccine for AIDS or providing universal health care to all Americans. </p></div> <p>In essence, the dangers of climate change appeared distant and uncertain, while the costs of curbing greenhouse gases were immediate and appeared substantial. </p><p> </p><p>But all across the country, states and local governments have chipped away at those arguments for delay -- actually, pretty much demolished them -- by showing that there are myriad small steps we can take that significantly curb carbon emissions and that are easily affordable. </p><p>A leader of that effort has been Portland, earnestly green even when it is wintry gray. In 1993, the city adopted a plan to curb greenhouse gases, and it is bearing remarkable fruit: local greenhouse gas emissions are back down to 1990 levels, while nationally they are up 16 percent. And instead of damaging its economy, Portland has boomed. </p><p>This month Portland took an important additional step, by adopting a renewable-fuel standard. Beginning July 1, 2007, all diesel sold for vehicles in the city will have to be at least a 5 percent biodiesel blend. And all gasoline will have to contain at least 10 percent ethanol. This measure is not a magic bullet, but it has a negligible cost and is one more example of the creative thinking at local levels that is curbing greenhouse gases without breaking the bank. </p><p>Portland joins several states -- Minnesota, Washington, Hawaii, Montana, Iowa, Louisiana and Missouri -- that have passed similar laws. </p><p>''We aren't confused into thinking that we can change the world,'' said Randy Leonard, the city commissioner who sponsored the ordinance, which passed unanimously. ''We're just hoping that we can establish a template to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and promote economic development and reduce greenhouse gases. Then we can send a message. </p><p>''We get that we're an asterisk to the larger issue of oil dependence and global warming,'' he added. ''But we also think that there isn't an energy policy in the state or nation that makes sense, and here there is something we can do that does make sense.'' </p><p>The 5 percent biodiesel works in all diesel vehicles, without any loss of acceleration. The bio- component sometimes comes from discarded restaurant grease; vehicles using it smell faintly of French fries. </p><p>The benefit of the 10 percent ethanol requirement is less clear because U.S. ethanol sometimes takes nearly as much petroleum to make (in fuel to run tractors to harvest corn, for example) as it saves. But increasingly we'll probably be making ethanol from switch grass or sugar cane in ways that are more likely to save petroleum. </p><p>Portland customers may end up paying slightly more for gas and diesel because of the new regulation, but city planners say that any increase will be minimal -- perhaps a penny or two per gallon. </p><p>''This will reduce total emissions by 1 percent,'' said Michael Armstrong, a city environmental expert. ''It sounds tiny, but if you think that the Kyoto standard is a 7 percent reduction [below 1990 levels], and this one simple move would be 1 percent, then it seems more doable.'' </p><p>The city is also seeking to ensure that all city government units use power from wind or solar sources by 2010. Portland has changed streetlamps to use low-power bulbs, built bicycle trails to encourage commuting on bike or on foot, and greatly expanded mass transit. </p><p>It's true that the risks of climate change are uncertain, but when encountering other kinds of dangers -- like Iran apparently trying to develop nuclear weapons -- we don't shrug and say there's no point in doing anything because of the uncertainties. The risks of warming are potentially enormous -- imagine much of the east coast under water -- and our obligation to protect our planet is not just technical but also moral. </p><p>So it's time to abandon the old self-defeating notion that curbing greenhouse gases is too costly to be effective. Portland and other localities are showing that there's plenty we can do inexpensively, at least in the early phases -- if we don't mind rush-hour traffic smelling of French fries. </p><p>I almost didn't write this column, because with the Middle East in flames it's obvious that climate change is not the most important topic of the day. But it could be the most important issue of this century. </p></div></blockquote></div></span>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-79352213126144704022006-12-25T09:54:00.000-08:002006-12-25T09:59:48.499-08:00<div>August 3<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More than an inconvenient truth</span><br /><br />Continuing my Health and Wellness streak, yesterday I somewhat unintentionally watched Al Gore's movie: The Inconvenient Truth. It turned out to be the most important movie I've ever seen.</div> <div>Trailer is here <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUiP6dqPynE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUiP6dqPynE</a><br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>In case you haven't heard of it, it's a documentary about global warming. How fast it's occuring, how we're causing it, what's at stake, and what we can do to prevent it. What is so shocking is that in less than 50 years, our lives as we know it could be dramatically changed by global warming. One example: if a significant portion of Greenland or the North Pole were to melt (after watching the movie, not an entirely unlikely situation by any means) then sea levels around the world would rise by 20 feet. Shanghai, Beijing, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, big chunks of Silicon Valley and New York would be underwater. It's terrifying that it's so real. 100 million people would become refugees.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />But there is hope. Remember the Ozone Layer? 20 years ago when i was in primary school, that was a big deal and people were very worried that CFCs would cause it to disappear and we'd all get skin cancer. Well, today, the Ozone Layer has been restored because people around the world stopped using aerosol cans and CFCs. Global warming is a similar, but far bigger problem. What causes it is carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. This includes oil, electricity, natural gas, cars (especially gas guzzlers!), etc... What we can do is reduce our consumption of energy.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />Anyway, I hope I'm not giving the movie away. But please, watch it if you can. I swear you won't regret it. Here's a deal, if you do watch it and regret it, I'll buy you dinner! How's that? If you want to save gas, money and the environment by not going to the theater, here's a place to download a so-so version of the movie: <a href="http://www.mininova.org/tor/380594">http://www.mininova.org/tor/380594</a>. It requires Bit Torrent, I hope you know what that is. If not, ask me.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />Dazhi (bet you didn't know i'm a tree hugger) Chen</div>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-73089672927594225412006-12-25T09:53:00.000-08:002006-12-25T10:00:11.161-08:00<div>July 10<br /><br />My virgin blog....</div> <div> </div> <div>On my way back from July 4th weekend in CA, I read an article on teenage drinking in the NY Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/health/04teen.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/health/04teen.html</a> and it scared the shit out of me. Particularly this line:</div> <blockquote dir="ltr"> <div><em>Blackouts were once thought to be a symptom of advanced adult alcoholism</em></div></blockquote> <div dir="ltr">(I've blacked out about 3 times since moving to NYC...) Since reading the article, I've quit drinking. Only one glass of wine since July 3rd, 2006. A glass of wine with dinner occasionally will be permissible.</div> <div dir="ltr"> </div> <div dir="ltr">I've also started taking Ginkgo. On Friday night, I went to a poker night and while my friends were drinking beers to no end, I had 2 iced teas! On Saturday night, I went club hopping and had 1 Coke and 2 glasses of water the whole night! The funny thing is, I wasn't that tempted to drink even... I'm putting all the money I save on drinks in a piggy bank.. In NYC, that can add up to a small fortune in a hurry!</div> <div dir="ltr"> </div> <div dir="ltr">So now I'm going on a health binge.. I'm also starting to take Centrum, although I mistakenly bought the Silver version... <img src="http://dazhiyo.spaces.msn.com/mmm2006-06-24_19.45/rte/emoticons/smile_tongue.gif" /></div>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-1076714833993223132004-02-13T15:27:00.000-08:002008-11-22T13:10:25.647-08:00<a href="https://bills.bankofamerica.com/wps8307/wps">Bank of America | Online Banking | Bill Pay & e-Bills | Overview | Make Payments:�Scheduled</a>Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573879.post-1058082113434590852003-07-13T00:41:00.000-07:002008-11-22T13:10:25.663-08:00Hi, this is my diary...Dazhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884122436794322260noreply@blogger.com0