KOST 103.5 FM is in full holiday mode

Need some holiday spirit? If you are like my sweetheart, then you'll love station KOST 103.5 FM. You should see him jumping ups and downs when his expectation of Xmas music finally arrived. They are playing their Christmas Music now 24 hrs 7 days a week. It's great. We both love this time of year!

Next thing I look forward to is the Xmas tree, plus the joy of decorating it. If you think me as a fanatic, think again. Our former neighbors' habit of putting out Xmas lights as early as October each year cheered us.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. It's the most wonderful time of the year regardless of the economic slow-down!

Chinese Dance Festival 2008

Chinese American Dancing Group presented Bravo! Chinese Dance at San Gabriel Mission Playhouse in November 2008.

I joined the group in March this year after my retirement. This group has the reputation of capturing the beauty of Chinese dance, skillfully combining the rhythms of basic movement and the graceful choreography of Chinese dance. In two performing nights, we showcased some of the best performances in the culture and lifestyles of various Chinese tribes with beauty.

The two programs I danced were From the Yellow River's Plateau (陜西風情) and Dance of the Yi Tribe (彝族的都火與搶親). Both are traditional Chinese folk dances with spectacular costumes and unique tribal music. It was a blast!

To Work With or Against China?

China is stepping up its computer espionage attacks on the American government, on defense contractors and on businesses, according to a report by a congressional advisory panel published Wednesday.

The United States-China Economic and Security Review commission said in its annual report that China’s military modernization and its “impressive but disturbing” space and computer warfare capabilities “suggest China is intent on expanding its sphere of control even at the expense of its Asian neighbors and the United States.”

In addition, Beijing’s “continuing arms sales and military support to rogue regimes, namely Sudan, Burma, and Iran, threaten the stability of fragile regions and hinder U.S. and international efforts to address international crises, such as the genocide in Darfur.”

Champagne Phones in a Beer Economy

The recent release of the Vertu $10,000 Ferrari phone left me wondering who buys these things, and will they still be buying them in the tanking economy?

And of course there has been the pricey Prada Phone, Armani phone, and who knows how many others. “I think a lot of those sales are drying up right now,” said mobile phone analyst Avi Greengart. “From what I am seeing conspicuous consumption is going out of style.” You think?

But perhaps the best reason? You are looking at it. “If you look at the publicity they generate,” said Mr. Greengart, “it’s almost a marketing expense.”

Milarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint (Movie)

"Milarepa" is the story of a young man in the 11th century whose initial search for vengeance leads him to singular enlightenment as one of Tibet's greatest mystics. "Singing Saint" Milarepa was a sinner in early life, but he began to regret his action and became a Buddhist. Milarepa joined up with a Buddhist wise man called Marpa. The pair founded the Kargyupa school of Buddhism, and Milarepa became Tibet's greatest saint. He wrote down thousands of Buddhist songs and became a teacher of other holy men.

Bhutanese director Neten Chokling's fantastical biopic dramatizes the early years of Milarepa (Gimyan Lodro), the 11th-century man who would become Tibet's preeminent mystic. Born into privilege, Milarepa (Thöpaga) is plunged into a life of darkness when greedy relatives stage a power grab after his father's death. The young man learns black magic to seek vengeance, but some unexpected life lessons along the way steer him onto a more spiritual path. In the end, however, Thöpaga realizes that revenge is a dish best left unserved. His enlightenment guides him toward the path that will make him Tibet's great poet, mystic and cultural hero.

Filmed in India's Spiti valley near the Tibetan border, the movie's spectacular scenery and compelling message counterbalance the somewhat plodding pace and wooden performances by a cast of non actors. Like other aspects of the production, we overlook the problems because of the sincerity and import of the film's message.

If you'd like to learn how Milarepa got enlightened, expect the sequel in 2009.

Asia's Economic Lessons for the U.S.

The U.S. is mortgaging its future by outsourcing technological inventions in exchange for short-term cash. The current economic crisis should be a wake-up call that the U.S. needs to boost its productive capacity and win in global markets—something we've been neglecting for the last 40 years.

Outsourcing is necessary when the technological and manufacturing investment required of these businesses is too high for any nation, let alone an individual company, to handle on its own. The question is not whether or not to outsource, but are you outsourcing to advance your competitive position in the industry or are you really just on your way to exiting the business altogether?

In the case of the VCR, the TV industry, and most consumer electronics, U.S. companies chose to exit each business. Better profits were available elsewhere. But the price paid by the U.S. for this choice relative to its industrial competitiveness is enormous. For the last 40 years the U.S. has reduced its productive capacity and its ability to innovate, all for the sake of short-term profits and cash flow.

Without giving it a second thought, the U.S. has been willing to trade long-term national competitiveness for short-term cash. If this continues, the present may be ours, but the future will in the hands of someone else.

Life List?

After seeing the movie 'The Bucket List', my ex-coworker Bill Murrell told me that he put his life list to paper. His is currently 69 things long. And he also encouraged me to make my own 'life list' and work on it. Here is my reply:

There are things in life that we can never imagine ourselves doing, but we celebrate those who do. My list includes bungee jumping, jumping out of an airplane for "fun," running into a burning building and being a professional educator.

I understand the rush that you feel when bungee jumping or sky diving is awesome; I'll take your word for it. I am awestruck by the many men and women who risk their lives every day in service of our country, whether in the military, law enforcement or fire services. As a Buddhist, now I want to focus on the one and only goal, which is, 'To be enlightened before I hit the bucket'.

John Goddard was an exceptional to make 127 things at age 15. I only had one thing in mind at that age: 'To be a successful ballerina'. Nonetheless, dancing is still my favorite hobby. I just finished our annual Dance Performance last weekend and it was a blast for me.

Endeavor on your life list, my friend. I'll share your glory.