August 30, 2003
KTUH Alumni Show
There you have it. Three good looking guys. From the left, Frank B. Shaner, Kamasami Kong and yours truly.
August 14, 2003
Amoeba Music
It's been almost a week since being in San Francisco and I am still thinking about that great city. I am sure some of that is clouded by a tourist's rose colored lense but all the better to remember. One favorite hang out is Amoeba Music. Gone are the days of independent record stores in Hawaii. So here's another reason to go to SF. Amoeba Music is reminisent of stores like Vinyl Donut or Hungry Ear only the size of Tower Records. The place is huge. I could have spent hours in there just browsing. Instead I caught up with Nueva Vida's ex-keyboard player, Allen Leong. 
He's got a little longer hair than when I last saw him. I don't even remember when that was. Besides working full time at Amoeba, Allen's one of those popular side men playing with jazz bands around the Bay Area. Most of which is outside of SF. There's an active jazz club scene in the City and around the Bay Area. The recommended place for jazz was Yoshi's in Oakland where Pharoah Sanders was playing. Pick up a Bay Guardian to find out all the other places with jazz and whatever music suits your fancy.
August 07, 2003
Chinatown SF
If you ever visit San Francisco and want to stay in a centrally located hotel try the Royal Pacific right on Broadway. It is one block down from Stockton street and right in the heart of Chinatown SF. This city is a walking city. If you can dump your car and walk, do it. From the RP you get easy access to everything Chinese. Right across Broadway is North Beach and little Italy. You will never need to worry about where to eat. There are great restaurants to choose from. Try the Stinking Rose if you get a chance. Everything is made of garlic or has garlic in it. It's highly recommended but admittedly, you will reek afterwards.
Today, it's off to explore the shops around North Beach. Lots of funky shops line the streets. Although I am seeing a lot more empty store space, the area still hasn't lost its charm. It's easy to wish there were places like this in Hawaii but the dynamic back home is very different. People here are walking the streets well after midnight. I'd guess, just from listening to them, many are from Europe or somewhere USA. The tourists here are looking for an experience that is vastly different than Hawaii. In addition the locals are also looking for diversity. It certainly makes for great exploration.