Can the Marlins Make the Playoff?

With 12 games to play, the Marlins are 5 games behind on the National League wildcard race. Do they still have a chance? If they win all the games, then they will probably be in, and likely clinch the division. The Marlins do control their own destiny. They will play Houston, Philadelphia, and NY Mets, the teams in front of them. They must do well. If by some miracle they are in the playoff, then the history is on their side, they won both 97 and 03 world series as wildcard team.

Double Birthday

Last weekend we celebrated Victor's birthday. He will turn 5 on Wednesday but we could not wait. On Saturday we went to Costco and brought a big toy emergency response helicopter as the birthday present. This toy instantly became his favorite toy; he wouldn't let it be away from him. On Sunday we brought a birthday cake for him and Grandma, whose birthday is later this month. Oliver and Victor liked the cake so much that they had it for lunch yesterday.

Victor is doing well at school. He had some homework, and when Yang and I tried to work with him, he appeared to know everything and needs no help at all. We'll try to teach him more subjects. We started with Chinese characters and poems from Tang Dynasty. The results were mixed so far.

Drill Baby Drill

The Republic Party had their convention last week. Among other things, they nominated their candidates for the US President. I didn't watch much TV coverage due to my busy schedule. But I heard that the party faithful was ecstatic about their nominees.

During a few speeches, the whole floor was chanting "Drill Baby Drill," apparently referring to the policy of drilling for oil near the US coastline. The atmosphere on the convention floor was euphoric, a few conservatives must be a bit reluctant to chant this suggestive slogan, but went along anyway.

Any political party in this type of excitement over drilling for oil doesn't deserve to win any election. This is the most reactionary policy one that can come up with when facing the energy shortage and the climate change problem. It would be a shame if the Congress will vote on this.

Republic couples may had a good time using this slogan in their bedroom, but it's the US environment and long term energy security that will suffer in the long run. Stop them.

Mount Wanda

Mount Wanda

Another hot day in the Bay Area. Victor wanted to hike. I was surprised that he wanted to do it again. So I checked the direction and we headed to Mount Wanda, which is about 10 miles east of our house. Yang and I hiked this trail a couple of times. It's an easy trail, but with initial steep climb. I had low expectation for Victor.

Mount Wanda is part of the state park system. Near the entrance, there is a big warning sign indicating extreme fire danger.

Victor wore the odometer when we started the hike. Every five minutes he would stop and got a reading. I was hoping that we can get to the 0.5 mile mark, but Victor got thirsty and tired quickly. For a few steps, he sat on my shoulder. Adding to our misery, we didn't bring the water bottle.

Victor kept on begging me to turn back. We met two couples and their dogs heading down. Then we encountered a mother and her teen-age daughter. Victor attracted their attention. They stopped and complimented him as a brave young hiker. Victor, as always, ignored them.

We stopped just shy of the 0.5 mile mark, where the trail became flat. I didn't want to push too hard so we returned. The odometer read 2800+ steps.

Victor promised me to go further next time. If the weather becomes cooler next week, we might go further.

Start of the hike

who left her heart in Mount Wanda?

Victor with the odometer