“My job as a chess player is to crush your mind.” – Kasparov

(quoted by Sting on NPR from game with Kasparov, Sting and several friends).

The Moonger

This year our beloved child, our dog Sundog, died. We still talk to her, where we believe she waits for us in paradise. We had room in our family for a new member, and this is MoongChee. A boy, this time. He likes me a lot He likes to cuddle – he relaxes when he puts his head on my shoulder. We got him from the rescue in Prague, just like we rescued Sundog. We’ve all adapted to each others’ idiosyncrasies.

Click any image to enlarge. There are also a couple of videos in my YouTube library.

Oct 31, 2009 Pics

Every year or so, for you distant friends and family, I post a few photos so you’ll know what I look like. These are the latest:

Click any image to enlarge

New York City (again)

Went all over NYC again – well, lower Manhattan – everything below Central Park. This time went to Queens (Astoria), too, and made another visit to Jersey City.  Wish I’d had time to visit Flushing, but just to see it. If I lived in Queens, it’d be Astoria most likely. Still, like Manhattan far better. What I saw of Brooklyn on the way to the airport last time didn’t impress me. This time, we flew LaGuardia exclusively (next time it’ll be Newark). Jersey City – gosh – I couldn’t bear actually living there unless I was one stop from Manhattan.  The trains take longer, come less frequently, don’t announce the stops, don’t identify themselves (the maps are the same on all the trains), and when you get out, there’s not much there, except a nice tiny farmer’s market at Journal Square. Still, that was Journal Square. Exchange Place seemed nice, but I didn’t go far from the hotel there, either, last time. So I don’t know. I guess I’m more suited to Manhattan. Spent a lot of time in K-Town this time. That was great.  Was in the bowery some, Soho, Noho, Nolita. Best breakfast – I kid you not – out of principle more than anything – was from a bagel cart street vendor.

Grand Hyatt New York - from Hyatt.com

Chicago (yet again)

Fifth or Sixth time here, at least. Hotel Burnham. Wow! What a great hotel, and right in the loop. Explored the North side. Liked most of the areas off the red line. Andersonville was great, if kind of awkward, but Edgewater sucked, other than Francesca’s where I had dinner – that was good. The area off the Fullerton exit by DePaul, I liked a lot. In fact, stumbled past the Apollo Theater and caught a show. That was a high point.

Hotel Burnham - from TripAdvisor

Vancouver

How many wonderful things can I say about Vancouver. It’s a bit like Seattle, but I like it a lot better. Why? The trains. They just built a new line, so unmanned subway trains are in lots of great places. The West End was my favorite. I got myself out of the tourist district by the water. That was awful. Lots of overpriced … tourist stuff. But the West End was superb – Korean and Japanese restaurants – restaurants from all over the world. Coffee shops. Loved it. The weather was lovely. Hyatt Regency Vancouver.

Hyatt Regency vancouver - from Hyatt.com

Dallas

Of course, I’ve been to Dallas many, many times. This time I took my brother-in-law for his last trip while visiting the US.  Had desert, went to Book Depository (he wanted to see it), and spent the rest of the time in Koreatown. Hyatt Regency Dallas.

Hyatt Regency Dallas - from Hyatt.com

Aruba

Lizards! I love the lizards. Went snorkeling again – liked that. Out by the wrecks, though, the waves were particularly choppy. Takes an athelete to fight them. The reefs were better. Dessert at Hyatt Regency Aruba was The Mediterranean. It was fantastic. Before you rush off to your Hyatt and get one, make sure they’re using pistachios, and that they’re using cardamom, and the olive oil cake, and the whole thing – not some vanilla ice cream and sponge cake. I’ve seen it done badly – get it right, or don’t order it.

Hyatt Regency Aruba - from Hyatt.com

New York City

Stayed three nights in the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, and two in the Grand Hyatt New  York. Loved the ferry across the Hudson River. Better than the tour boats. Coffee, smoothie, and roasted nuts outside in Financial District (Wall Streeet area) was fantastic. Ukrainian food. Italian food. Chinatown.  Hated Times Square. Didn’t like the tourist zones – Wall Street itself for instance. Walked most neighborhoods south of the park. Central park itself was nice, but I liked the little urban parks better. The one next to K-town (Koreatown) is great, for instance. Subway system was fantastic.

Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson - from Hyatt.com

Kansas City

Went to the Plaza. Saw the dragonboats waiting for the festival on the river. Introduced my brother to barbecue and to creme brulet.  Hyatt Regency Crown Center. He thought KC was quite impressive compared to Oklahoma City. True, but he hadn’t seen New York City yet.

Hyatt Regency Crown Center - from Hyatt.com