BlackBerry, Android, or iPhone...

Now that I've used my first iPhone for close to a month, its time for me to compare it with Android and BB. I've been a BB user for over six years. As for Android, I own a SonyEricsson Xperia X10 but used it for about   eight months before it went out of commission and haven't used it since. More on that later. So what do I think about each? Here it goes.

BlackBerry 9000 Torch

• My firm only began to support non-BB devices recently. So by necessity, I've been using BB for work. 
• Having the keyboard is definitely a plus. 
• BBM - the best mobile instant message apps. Too bad it's only supported within the BB platform and BB users are quickly diminishing. Hello WhatsApp. 
• Easier access and better sync with work related e-mails. 
• OS is slow - takes for ever to switch open or close apps and eats up memory quickly.
• Browser is a piece of shit - not worth spending the time to surf the web. It takes forever to download pages and when they do, can't read easily

Android: SonyEricsson Xperia X10

• It does have the look and feel of an iPhone; but it ain't an iPhone.
• Not as user friendly as iPhone; but, allows the user to customize the phone more to his/her liking. This means that if you have the time and the know how, you can customize a lot of the features on the phone to fit your needs. This also means that an average user will not be able to use half of the features on the phone.
• Google kept coming out with newer versions of the OS; but SonyEricsson was always slow in rolling out the upgrades to its phones; and ATT further delayed the roll out to its branded phones. So I had to flash my phone to get the upgrades. 
• Crashes too often, especially if I ran one too many apps. Sometime crashed over 10 times a day, which was the reason why I stopped using it, even before my contract expired. Maybe partially due to the fact that I flashed my phone with upgrades without ATT's approval, which is also the reason I didn't go to ATT to get the phone fixed. 
• Never will I get SonyEriccson phone (now Sony); and, not likely to get Android phone either.

iPhone 4S

• Made me appreciate perfectionist Steve Job's insistence of design and user friendliness. 
• There is not much you have to do to set up the iPhone; most of its features, etc. are already decided for you; which may be frustrating to some who wants to customize, but because this product was very well thought out - it is so easy to use and the features that are build in are those features that we would want and use.
• OS is excellent - transition is smooth without noticeable lag
• Browser is 100 times better than BB - quick and fast and makes web surfing relatively easy
• Camera - again, its very quick and you don't notice any lag between pictures (unlike other phones where each time you take a picture, you have to wait for 2 second for the camera to process the image - that 2 seconds can feel like eternity).
• If you have a large iTune collection, you really need the iPhone. 
• Display - everyone is talking about Galaxy SIII with its 4.8 inch screen. I kind of like iPhone's 3.5 inch screen. Any larger screen and the phone will be too wide for me to carry on one hand comfortably. In this case, bigger doesn't necessary mean better. 
• Frame is solid. 
• Siri - well, we don't get along too well, too many misunderstandings. Let's hope she will improve over time.
• Lack of physical keyboard is definitely a negative; but, I guess I'll have to get used to the virtual keyboard. With iPhone, I can live with that.  

Needless to say - I really enjoy my iPhone. It will be interesting when BB 10 comes out. Will I upgrade my 9000? Stay tuned. 

Adventures in Finding a Babysitter

Back in the late 80's, there was a movie called "Adventures in Babysitting" starting Elisabeth Shue. Remember her? She was in Karate Kid and Back to the Future II & III. Probably better know for her role in Leaving Las Vegas, which got her an Oscar nomination. Back to "Adventures in Babysitting". The plot was simple. A suburbanite teenage girl starts her boring weekend evening with a couple of kids she's babysitting. One thing leads to another and they end up having an adventure of their lives as they they navigate through the city ghetto.

I was reminded of that movie recently when the Wife and I were interviewing for our Baby H's babysitter. Now, the adventure was our, as we looked for a babysitter. Never appreciated how difficult it is to find a good babysitter, especially in the city. It's not like in the suburbs where you can hire the neighbor's kid to look after our Baby H. Most of our neighbors are young couples. The adventure starts with asking our friends, looking for ads, posting ads... basically, have to comb through strangers to find someone we can trust with our baby girl. Not an easy task to say the least.

We interviewed three candidates - and luckily for us, we found someone that we liked.

First candidate - she was a dancer from Japan. In her mid to late 20's. She looked responsible. But didn't strike us as really excited about being a babysitter. She was referred to us by a family friend. Immediate first impression was just not good. We weren't sure whether she liked kids or not. At best, she was indifferent. But she had babysitting experience. We had our doubts. After the interview, asked her for a reference, to which she did not take too well and wondered why we needed a reference. Did not go well, obviously.

Second candidate - he was also a dancer from Japan. He wasn't really a serious candidate. He went to the same school as the Wife in Japan. I guess we can say he is a family friend. But no experience with babysitting. I can see he likes kids. One of his dream is to go back to Japan and become a teacher. That passion alone will not convince us to trust the life of our Baby H to him.

Third candidate - now, she really impressed us. Immediately when she came to our house and introduced herself, she went straight to Baby H and began playing with her. Really energetic and you can tell she loves kids. She is a professional. She works for one of the nursery/daycare in the city. She is studying for her doctorate degree in early child development. And she wants to open her own nursery/daycare in the city. What really impressed us is that she wanted to see the Wife feed Baby H, put her to sleep, and the whole evening routine. She wanted to observe so that if and when she baby sit for us, she knows what to do and what not to do - to keep Baby H within her daily routine and her comfort zone. We were sold. Needless to say, she is our babysitter.

How did we come across this great babysitter? Our family friend's baby girl goes to the daycare that the babysitter works at. I do consider us lucky to have found a babysitter relatively easily.

The Halal Guys

53rd and 6th Halal Cart, also known as the Halal Guys. I've heard about them. I've seen the long line that forms on southwest corner of 53rd and 6th in Midtown. Everyone lined up for their chicken and/or lamb on rice with special white and hot sauces. You see a lot of street vendors in NYC. Apparently, not all of them are the same. The Halal Guys is apparently the best of the best. 

I finally had the chance to try the halal on 53rd and 6th. Meat on rice is $6 a plate - and you get a very generous portion of meat (either chicken or lamb; or you can ask for a combination) over yellow rice. It also comes with few pieces of pita bread and a garnish of iceberg lettuce. You don't want to forget the white sauce and the hot sauce on the side. 

My thoughts on chicken and lamb on rice.

1). I like the fact that lamb meat is diced. You can taste the meat better, which is quite tender. 

2). It is nice that they give you the sauces on the side - so that you can adjust as you like it. Go easy on the sauces. 

3). Hot sauce is very very spicy. You'll feel it till the next day. 

4). The portion is HUGE. I ate the whole thing - but regretted later in the night. That was a lot of food for $6. 

Overall, its one of the NYC experiences. If you are out late at night after few drinks, this is a good place to stop by for some cheap food before heading home. Like going for ramen noodles when you are out late in Tokyo. Definitely, for $6/plate, it is good eats!

Why I Pay Premium for Top Brand Name Goods

I love my Tumi carry-on roller luggage. It's six years old. It's been to all corners of the globe, well not quite all but it has taken a lot of abuse. It usually fits nicely in airplanes' overhead compartment. But there are times when it has to sit alone down in the baggage compartment - especially when I want to take bottles of wine or shochu with me or when my contact lens solution doesn't quite fit nicely in a 3oz bottle.

Yes, it was expensive compared to similar sized roller luggage, but I thought "why not"? I look good with a Tumi; and besides, I've always wanted to be a cool frequent traveler with my Tumi luggage dutifully following me quietly behind me as I walk through famous airport terminals of the world - the likes of Changi, Heathrow, JFK, Charles de Gaulle, Incheon, Narita, and O'Hare.

So I was very disappointed and distraught when coming back from our vacation last summer from Florida, the airline temporarily borrowed my Tumi for a couple of days and had the nerve to return it to me (no pun intended) with pieces missing. That's right, my Tumi had one of its wheels torn out and missing. To make matters worse, by the time I discovered the damage it was past the 24-hour window the airline allowed o report and file a claim - 24 hours since the luggage was delivered to the concierge in our apartment building. Believe me I called and tried but with no avail. That was

The damage didn't look that bad. Perhaps all I have to do was to replace the wheels. So I dropped in at the Tumi store near our apartment and explained what happened. They said to bring in my Tumi and they'll send it to the main repair facility somewhere down in the South. The repair center will assess the damage and give me an estimate of the cost. That was last fall and I never got around to actually lugging (note: the wheel is missing) my damaged Tumi to the store.

Finally, I got around to taking my damaged Tumi to the store last month. The clerk assessed the damaged, filled out the work order, and asked for $20 (handling and shipping). I should get it back in 2 to 3 weeks. Well, it was actually more like 5 weeks. I called the repair center (at the number the Tumi store gave me) to check on the status. The parts were delayed so it took longer than usual - but its not fixed and my Tumi is on its way back to New York. Oh, and by the way, its no charge to me. That's right, I don't have to pay anything to get this fixed (except for the $20 handling fee I paid the Tumi store).

My Tumi arrived last week. All fixed up with a new set of wheels and a new handle. It gave me good six yeas and now I can get another six years out of my Tumi.

Products from top brand name do cost more. But you get "something" in return for the premium you pay. It could be excellent customer service, it could be unbelievable support, it could be the quality of the product, it could be the best overall customer experience, or a lifelong relationship. For many (although may not admit it) it could simply be the conspicuous showing of your wealth. Whatever that "something" is for a particular consumer, its worth the premium to purchase the good because the customer see the value of the "BRAND". The more consumers see that value, the more valuable the "BRAND" gets. It takes investment of time and money to build up the value of the "BRAND"; and requires continuous investment to protect that value because it can easily be devalued. There are brand owners who see the importance of investment; then there are also many brand owners who do not see that importance.

As a consumer, I pay the premium for the "BRAND" because I'm investing in the "BRAND" so that over time, I get that "something" in return. The tough part (as in any investment) is to discern what brands are worth investing in.

... or maybe I pay the premium because, damn it, I can and I just want to flaunt my wealth.

Aureole: New York

Search for a restaurant for our first date night began only after we secured a baby sitter. We didn't want a restaurant that was far from our apartment; yet, we didn't want a place too close (although there are many within walking distance). The search got even narrower when we went to OpenTable to look for restaurants with available tables on the particular date and time our baby sitter is available. So began our first date night adventure.

We narrowed it down to Aureole: New York - the flagship restaurant of Charlie Palmer. I had lunch there once at the Bar Room and recall thinking that I needed to come back for dinner. The restaurant moved here from their former Madison Avenue location when One Bryant Park opened summer of 2009. The location is prime - a block from Times Square and Bryant Park with never ending foot traffic. 

The space is separated into the Bar Room and the Dining Room - a set up that you see in most high end restaurants these days. In the front of the house is the the vibrant Bar Room - an open space with high ceiling which probably helped to absorb the noise; and floor-to-ceiling window facing the 42nd Street. Then in the back is the Dining Room. Lower ceiling and dimmed lighting made it cozy but with sufficient noise to feel the energy. 

We went for the 5-course Dinner Tasting.

First Course - HAWAIIAN HAMACHI

avocado, pineapple, yuzu citrus, baby red shiso

Second Course - SCOTTISH LANGOUSTINE

basque peppers, potato gnocchi, sauce bouillabaisse

Third Course - BLACK BASS

mussels, purple potatoes, mustard greens, tomato

Fourth Course - PRIME NY STRIP

leeks, hens of the woods, potato puree, natural beef jus

Dessert - PINEAPPLE BAKED ALASKA

coconut, mango, passion fruit

The bouillabaisse sauce in the second course was quite memorable - you can taste the vastness of the ocean all squeezed into a couple of spoonful sauce on the plate. 

Black bass was cooked to perfection - the skin side charred just the right amount so that you can feel the crunch when you bite into the skin; yet the meat was moist with the broth from the mussels. 

Potato puree with the beef dish had a hint of wasabi, reminded me of Japanese style beef steak with wasabi soy sauce. They go quite well together - wasabi and beef. Maitake mushrooms (or also know as hens of the woods) on the plate added to the aromatic experience of the dish.

I couldn't quite figure out what the dessert was. I didn't know what a baked Alaska was - so I had to look it up when I got home. According to Wikipedia, "Baked Alaska (also known as glace au four, omelette à la norvégienne, Norwegian omelette and omelette surprise) is a dessert made of ice cream placed in a pie dish lined with slices of sponge cake or Christmas pudding and topped with meringue. The entire dessert is then placed in an extremely hot oven for just long enough to firm the meringue." I actually enjoyed the contrast in the creamy texture of the ice cream and the fluff meringue. 

Overall, the portions were just about right for a tasting menu. Each course had solid base; but with touches of Asian flavors to lighten the dishes. 

The Dining Room was full when we were seated, I suspect with the theater crowd. When we left, it was probably 1/3 full. Not sure if it got full again with late crowd. 

Very much enjoyed the dining experience. The food was not extraordinary; but it was not forgettable either. I'm sure to come back again, if not for dinner, for lunch. 

Aureole

One Bryant Park

135 West 42nd Street

New York, NY 10036

Tel: 212.319.1660

http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/Aureole/NY/

Rat Race in NYC - Extrovert v Introvert

Some of us really enjoy the lifestyle that NYC has to offer. Living in the center of global activities and one of the biggest (if not the biggest) metropolitan cities in the world. Then there are some of us who would never think of living in a city like NYC. Perhaps visiting the city once every five years to take in the sights, enjoy a show or two, dine/wine at a 4-star restaurant, and indulge in shopping; but one week is enough and would rather go back to the slower and quieter lifestyle. 

There's no doubt in my mind that to live and survive in NYC, you have to participate in the rat race - whether at work, in the neighborhood, within the play date circle, or with the social circuit. It can be tiring and can wear you out. 

I was reflecting back on a client dinner I had, as I walked back to my office today. It's always fun to get together with clients over drinks, dinner, or lunch. Gets me energized to take on more challenges. Its the same when I'm with friends on the weekends. Whether its drinks at a scotch bar, wine party at home, roof top hang out, I do enjoy spending time with people and it energizes me. 

So what does it have to do with rat race? I'm entertaining the idea that my survival in NYC has something to do with the fact that I'm actually an extrovert. The reason that I'm still enjoying the NYC after over six years  must be because I enjoy being with people and it energizes me to helps me survive the rat race. I have always thought of myself as an introvert. But if "extrovert" is defined as "a person who's energized by being around other people," then there's definitely a part of me that is an extrovert; and that's the secret of my success. 

I'm not suggesting that if you don't like the lifestyle in NYC, you are an introvert. But being an extrovert does help to adjust to the fast paced rat race that NYC is. 

... or maybe its just the alcohol that's doing its magic to ease the pain and suffering from the race. ... no, I do really enjoy the life that NYC has to offer. 

A Moment in the Life of ...

Birth of a child will completely change your perspective on life; my friends reminded me repeatedly during the 10 months leading up to the birth. Conceptually, I understood what they were saying. But it never really hit you until you come home from the hospital with the little precious baby who is barely learning how to breath on her own. 

My life has always been about living my life for what I want it to be - to achieve success at work, with family, and every other ways the world defines success. Blame it on ambition, motivation, drive for success, or peers. How has it changed? I come to realize that there's another perspective on life - that it is okay to live my life for what it is. What's the use if in the pursuit of happiness, I miss the moments that make life it self. It's all about living the life for what it is; and experience, enjoy and take in every moment. Then and only then will I achieve the life that I want it to be. 

I began writing blogs back in 2006, although not updating diligently as I would have liked to or should have. Back then, it was all about the life of wine and dine in NYC. But its now time for me to re-launch my blog with expanded scope - to reflect my new perspective on life. If I discipline myself to write to captures those moments, it will help me to experience and enjoy the same.

So here we go.

A moment in the life of me!