Patrick's Diary - 4/14/2016

It's 3:46 am on Saturday. Before kicking off my weekend of Carnival by watching the first televised BPL match on NBC Sports Network at 4:45 am, let me finish my diary for Thursday. 

I arrived at work at 9:15 am on Thursday, then wrapped up several things and conversations in the morning. When I had a chance to review credit card daily transactions online, I felt so irritated to see another monthly charge from Kylin TV for my parents' Chinese TV program. As I shared before, I upgraded this program from 1.0 to 2.0 last month and they shouldn't charge me anything in April for April because 1.0 program was stopped by 3/31/2016 and 2.0 program wouldn't be charged for until May since April had been charged in March included in a 100 bucks front fee. I had been worried if this could happen, so confirmed with them several times in March. It's why I was so frustrated when I saw the charge coming in again. 

I immediately called their customer service and the representative was very nice to check it out for me but the response was so disappointing. She told me because Bank of America issued me a new card as one of their security routine last month, Kylin TV wasn't able to collect my fee for March and this charge was for catching it up. It's definitely not true. I remembered this whole thing of upgrade actually started my updating my credit card information in my old account for 1.0 in early March. Yes, they did delay the charge for March a couple of days but was able to do it on 3/23/2016 when we were in Waikiki, which was clearly stated on my online statement and I clearly remembered seeing it online in our hotel room. I was pretty sure it not being updated in their system but the representative insisted on having me send them the proof of my payment. This Chinese Great Wall Platform has been the primary entertainment for my parents for the last 8 years after they emigrated from China. When we lived in the townhouse in Lynnwood, I had this platform installed through Dish Network. After moving into this house in December, 2009, I tried to relocate that service but the signal from satellite couldn't be brought into our house because the tall trees surrounding our backyard blocked it. Learning this program, which is internet-enabled, on a flier at Ranch 99 a couple of months later, I subscribed the services from Kylin TV and it had entertained my parents very much since then. 

Coming back home, I scanned my online transactions on which two charges were clearly specified and sent the two pages to Service@Kylintv.com as the representative directed me earlier. I would call them to follow up on Friday. Compared to 303 bucks new charge for Xfinity, this duplicated charge of $42.68 wasn't humongus. My concern was this to become a nightmare. Especially, I am not able to access the old account for 1.0 any more, so don't know what's going on with my personal information in it. I guess they are trying to kill the old version, so whenever the subscribers upgrade, they close the old account immediately. However, everything would be resolved on Friday, I would explain in my diary later. Now, I am awaiting them to credit this duplicated charge back to my credit card.

To try to squeeze more benefits from Xfinity, I started watching movies on StarZ after dinner. I watched the last 20 minutes of Cinderella first, then Ricki and the Flash in and out of naps. After it ended, I got up to catch up my diary for Wednesday because I planned to go to work earlier on Friday morning, then I would leave earlier to go to Optical Reflections before they would close at 6:00pm. I got a text message from them earlier that my son's contact lenses were ready to pick up. 

Patrick's Diary - 4/13/2016

I decided not to get up in early morning on Friday to catch up the diary for yesterday but do it now, it is 16 minutes to midnight.

JP Morgan released somewhat positive earnings and forecast, which I didn't learn in detail. However, markets responded with excitement. Dimon seemed mentioning US Economy being healthy, he probably wanted to be a hero again. My GTZ portfolio bumped up 6.4% when markets closed. Gopro shot up by almost 20% because a respected designer was hired from Apple. I am pretty sure it to be a turnaround story. In Waikiki, I saw its products in several beach oriented stores, which made sense. Back in Seattle, I observed Hero 4 series presented in Fred Meyer as well, which might indicate its popularity to be extended to mass markets. We will hear good news for this quarter, I believe.

I left home not too late but encountered massive backup on I-405 Southbound when approaching Kirkland. Fortunately, I had prepared for it because I did hear traffic reporter at Spirit 105.3 saying an accident causing huge congestion but hadn't caught where it was. At that point of time, I might not pay attention to what she said at the beginning. When I saw the warnings on the message board hung over the freeway, which said 4 miles backup from 8th Street in Bellevue where the earlier accident incurred, I immediately realized what happened and got out of the exit of 124th Street in Kirkland. Driving onto 124th Street, then turning onto 124th Ave, I followed a service truck for a while. The pace was slow but traffic was normal. 

I was very familiar with Kirkland at both sides of the freeway. Before getting a more meaningful job in early 1998 when I just came back to US after almost 10 years, I ever tossed Wall Street Journals to the front yards of the subscribers' houses in west side of the freeway in Kirkland from 11:00 pm to 2:00 am the next morning every night for 3 weeks. The first week, a very nice retiree sat in my car to guide me through the delivering route. In the following week, I drove through the neighbourhood myself by following his instruction recorded on the tape. In the 3rd week, I already made this journey automatically. Of course, almost everyday, new subscribers were added and existing ones dropped, so I had to adjust the route flexibly in my mind. At the end of the 3rd week, I got a job as computer sales at the eastside of freeway in Kirkland. Tell you the truth, I still miss those three weeks, I should go back to that route sometime. After coming back from Chicago, I was hired as a staff account by Waste Management Snoking Operation in Kirkland for a short period of time in 2000. Every working day, I drove through 124th Street. In 2005, I did consulting work for Aerojet located in a business park on Willow Road Everyday, I drove through the local route in Kirkland after getting out of the exit of 160th Street in the morning and before getting onto I-405 from the entrance at the same street to head home in the afternoon. While driving on 132nd Ave to appreciate the quietness, I heard traffic reporter saying only one accident on I-5 being handled. Did it mean the massive backup on I-405 having been cleared? 

Driving onto 140th Ave, I made up my mind to get back onto I-405 after passing 8th Street because I should be able to bypass the spot of the accident. 

Getting onto I-405 South at the entrance of 12th Street in Bellevue, I drove to the office on wide opened road. I didn't know if the backup had been dissolved but was happy to arrive at the office within an hour, which was even faster than in normal mornings. 

On my way home in the evening, I seemed hearing on the radio that Mariners walked away with a win in the final home game before heading to NYC to play Yankees. It sounded a big night for NBA because Kobe Bryant would retire. I was tired and fell into sleep quickly after watching a MLS match - Timbers hosting FC Dallas for a short period of time. As I remember, they quickly lost to visitors several goals in the beginning. 

After Colorado gave the win to Cruz completely, Missouri decided Trump and Clinton winning of the leftovers after so many weeks. 

Patrick's Diary - 4/12/2016

Let me get this straight, I caught up my diary for Monday at 3:00am on Tuesday and I am wrapping up for Tuesday at 2:47 in the morning on Thursday now. 

It's not like on Monday, I stayed in bed a bit late on Tuesday morning, so arrived at work much later than usual. As a natural result, I arrived at home close to 7:00pm. On the way home, the rain was very harsh for a period of time but I loved it as I had expressed. The rain might lead to heavy congestion, which also drove the toll to increase to 10 bucks. I haven't taken the toll lane for several months because it's too expensive and I have tried to manage to avoid the rush hours. 

Checking the new monthly charge for my subscription to Xfinity, I was shocked it to reach 303 bucks. Though I do enjoy its full services, it costs so much. I will keep it for several months and try to squeeze more benefits from it, which means I will rely on it dominantly for my entertainments toward the end of this year. If I don't feel it worth so much money, I will call them to get a better deal. To me, 200 bucks a month to covering TV, Internet and Landline may be more reasonable. Another big expense is monthly fee for our cell phone family plan of 1000 minutes, which costs 230 bucks a month. My son and I only use 100 minutes a month at the most. I may have it cut to 130 bucks. Before doing it, I need to evaluate if the data plan is necessary for us or not. If eventually I decide to have both cut, it will save me 2,400 bucks a year. 

I would like to clarify that my blog is totally my personal property. When I talk about saving cost, it is totally my personal goal. Anyone coming to my blog shouldn't try to relate it to others. As I shared, I like writing, so updating this blog for my records is my hobby. I never thought about to impersonate anyone because who else has the unique experience as I have had? For example, I represented one government unofficially at the age of 22 to negotiate with a 3rd ranked official of another government. You may laugh at me why you are still so mediocre today. I am not materialistic in my heart, so do things totally by passions unless realities don't allow me to do. I have been living in my own world all my life. 

Gail from Reflection Optical called me at work to verify the order I placed with them for my son's contact lenses. Because our vision insurance provider was changed to Davis Vision on 1/1/2016, I thought I might have to switch to Costco. However, I drove to their store on Monday after work to check if I still could do it through them or I had to get a printed prescription for my son to bring to Costco, Jessica told me she had already successfully processed my claim for the order I placed last time, so I might already have credits with them because I paid for the last order out of my pocket 3 months ago. I prefer staying with them, it's not because of better deals but long term relationship. I have ordered eyecare products from this store since 2003. 

After dinner, I noticed Mariners playing Rangers. I don't know what's going on, they seemed pretty unsync when the catcher stepped the foot onto pitcher's lower leg. There is a long way to go for this season again. Though I must save the money on entertainment, I will go to Mariners' game once or twice during the summer.

Switching to FSI, I watched the replay of CR7's hat-trick to save Real Madrid in the quarter final of UEFA Championship Cup. I am not sure if I caught Manchester City getting over PSG to advance through a highlight on TV screen correctly or not. I had hoped PSG to shine in this season.

It's decision time, do I keep wrapping up my diary for Wednesday or should I go back to bed to sleep another 2 hours? 

Patrick's Diary - 4/11/2016

It's first day of working in this new week after an enjoyable weekend. I tried to pick up as much as I could, then went back home in an off-peak hour on I-405 northbound. It's cloudy and raining but I loved it. As I shared, I am concerned the weather turning fantastically too early and don't expect a hot summer. Summer in Seattle is arguably the best in the world: Sunny and Cool. I don't mind to experience a normal April now though I do love warmness and sunshine as every Seattleite else. 

I should keep going to gym in weekdays but was too tired to go after the dinner. Staying in bed, I learned GOP in Colorado canceling the Caucus, which sounded in favor of Cruz. I didn't have energy to figure out what happened. As I mentioned, I wouldn't seriously propose for our economy and policy in public until the stage of General Election. Currently, every candidate is trying to downplay others to get nomination. The execution of nominating process has become so bizarre, especially in GOP side. 

I noticed IRS had refunded me earlier than it promised on its Website. Combined with my salary in April, after paying property taxes and credit card balance, which included the cost of my son's dorm and dining account in addition to final portion of our vacation expense in Oahu, I wouldn't be able to recover the tuition for Spring Quarter entirely I had paid for my son through the reserves as I had expected. I need to squeeze the cost a little bit more in the rest of the year. However, I feel great that I could get the income tax refunds. Last year, because of the gains in stock markets in 2014, I paid back a couple of thousand dollars; This year, I lost in 2015, but got back a couple of thousand dollars, Though, it's always better to make money, Having the loss offset partially through refunds is a psychological gain. I printed off the backup from my online account to slide them into the binder to close the tax year of 2015 completely because the account will be closed by IRS and every taxpayer needs to open a new one for another tax year in 2017.

Patrick's Diary - 4/10/2016

It's my soccer Sunday, I had watched five soccer matches since early morning, though falling into sleep from time to time, which no consumption of coffee should be entirely blamed. Checking on a website last night, I learned the people with O-Positive blood type like me should avoid caffeine. So, from tomorrow, I will not drink as much coffee as I have been taking in the office.

The first match was between Leicester and Sunderland. I didn't know Yedlin playing for the latter but it made sense because he wouldn't have a chance to play for Tottenham. Leicester kept winning to get closer to its historic BPL championship.

Before Tottenham taking Manchester United, I watched the second half of Schalke playing Dortmund at Bundesliga. I wasn't sure if they wanted to please me or not, both scored four goals in total to make a draw at the end after I started watching the match. The fans were energized anyway. I filmed clips instead of snapping the photos because it's hard to find the clips for current matches at Bundesliga on Youtube.

Going downstairs to the living room, I kept watching BPL match on big screen. No goal had been made until late second half after Manchester United made some substitutes. Tottenham won big at the end and they are poised to take runner-up in this season. 

While watching the match, I tested barbeque grill and even fried two eggs on the burner. It worked very well though cleaning needed to be done because so many stains were on it. I can't recall if I cleaned it after the last BBQ meal we made in last year. I should have, but why was it so dirty? My mom had gone to the kitchen to cook congee, so she mentioned to me to have some congee for lunch with the baked potatoes I planned to make. 

My parents ate Chinese wraps or burgers, whatever you name it, they made for lunch while I was eating the baked potato with mayonnaise. Watching Sounders' challenging Houston Dynamos, I was disappointed. Martins was a very practical super star at MLS but we lost him to Chinese possibly due to the money temptation. Soccer is the hottest sport in China but not in US. It makes sense Chinese willing to invest more in it. The super stars MLS are getting are fake because they are retiring. Martins is younger and definitely more valuable with his dominant skillsets. Coming back to my bedroom to watch the second half, I fell into sleep to miss the equalizer Marshall scored. 

Mariners were swept by Athletics in their home opening series, I don't know if this indicated another disappointing season or not. Switching to FSN1 to watch NYC taking Chicago Fires in the funny soccer field made from Yankees' baseball field, I almost fell into sleep the entire match but did notice the scoreless board at the end.

Staying in the bed, I watched the entire match in which Galaxy played Timbers. The visitor scored the goal first and almost won the match until a sarcastic perfect diving header was made by their own defender. The talking point actually was De Jong's dirty fault on one of timber's ankle. I am not sure if referee wanted to please De Jong whom might be another practical star like Martins given all fake super stars hadn't performed across the clubs at MLS. 

Going downstairs, I ate two Chinese wraps and drank a bottle of Heineken while watching Out of Sight, an old movie I first watched in a theater alone at 2:00 pm in a weekday afternoon in 1998 while my wife then was at work. I never told her that. During that several weeks, I didn't have much to do, so watched several new releases by myself. Another one I watched and can remember was Six Nights & Seven Days.

Patrick's Diary - 4/9/2016

I did plan to watch soccer matches in the morning but was very sleepy. Bayern Munchen playing another team was televised on FSN1, I kept it on but fell into sleep most of the time. Manchester City to play West Brom at 10am was to be televised on NBC, I planned to catch that one but eventually wouldn't do it either.

After eating the lunch, I started my GOPRO Saturday again. It's a very sunny day in Seattle, the fields at Lynnwood High School were all filled by the people playing soccer. On my way to Safeway, I passed by my rental townhouse. Checking on Zillow several days ago, I was happy to see the current Zestimate showing the selling price of it going back to the point when I bought it in April, 2006. After my son graduates, if it is vacant, I will give it to him; if it is rented, I will give the rent to my son; if he wants to move to the other area even in Seattle, I will sell it to give the cash to him for buying another property wherever he resides. 

Having a grande latte, I picked up the medication at Safeway. On the way to gym, I saw a plenty of cars on 525 being headed to I-5 and I-405. People tried to get out of the houses to enjoy the sunshine. A new face was at the front desk at the gym and he was pretty enthusiastic. I made the comment of seeing only several people working out and we both agreed that most of the people went outdoor today. 

Coming back home, I tried to start lawn mower, which had been put in the garage unused since last fall. It didn't start after I pulled several times. After pouring lube into it, it worked. I didn't encounter a big issue, so wouldn't need to go bothering Dennis to take a look at it. However, it needs to be tuned-up. The grass was very thick, so the mower stopped working after a while because grass was stuck under it. I stopped and detached the loader to dump the grass into the new waste container I just ordered. Since moving in December, 2009, I hadn't ordered Yard Waste Service until last week. Because we have the smallest yard in this neighborhood, it was really no need to have it. Recently, my dad collected a lot of waste and often used others' containers. One time, he even dumped the waste into recycling container to draw a warning note. So, I believed it is the time that we need to have this service. 

I didn't watch Mariners' home opening game much because I was sleepy but did watch the entire game tonight. It's not a good night because Athletics won big but fans still had a lot of fun. Baseball is a sport at slower pace but fans are more enjoyable than those for others at faster-pace. 

My son called me close to 11 pm but I missed it. Calling him back, I learned he wouldn't take classes in Summer quarter. I agreed it making sense. He is only 5 credits behind the graduating schedule and can catch up in the following 6 quarters. He also plans to talk to several advisers about his major. He actually has qualified BA in Economics and seriously thinks about if he still wants to pursue the Economic major. I encouraged him to do it because he had taken so many courses to qualify it and it opens more opportunities for him to get a job after graduation. According to my observations of his personalities and capabilities, Political Science and Psychology all fit as well. If he wants to get a PhD, I also support him. Actually, being accepted into a PhD program, he will be almost independent financially. MD & JD are different animals though. 

I used to sing this song - 晚秋 (Late Fall) frequently, even after moving to Seattle, I sang it in late 90s and early 2000 in the parties when friends got together. 

Patrick's Diary - 4/8/2016

It's not a relaxed Friday but I managed to leave the office at 2:30 pm to enjoy the sunshine on the road back home. Oh, a collision before the exit of 70th Street caused a massive backup on I-405 Northbound. A female husky in a honda in front of me seemed so happy in this huge congestion because I saw her waving her arms and swinging her head with long beautiful hairs to sing a song possibly with the radio. Passing the spot of the accident, I saw four cars involved, the truck's ass in a very bad shape and a sedan's front severely damaged. A big trailer was at the end, though I didn't view much significant damage on it.  

It's already almost 4 o'clock when I arrived at home, however, per my mom's comment, it's so early compared to yesterday. Coming back to my bedroom, I watched CNN for a while. The debate for whether Trump should be nominated if he wouldn't get the enough votes for the first ballot was on. I don't think GOP to shut down Trump if he will be an obvious leader in the race. This is a show. 

One of my CUMT alumnas popped a question about economics major at US Colleges. I guess her purpose was to start a meaningful and educational conversion. After briefly checking out some information online at midnight, I did post an opinion in our US Chat Group on Wechat. However, I wouldn't make comments in US and Global Economy until the stage of General Election as I had mentioned. Then, I will keep reading the two books I introduced before while expressing my own opinions. Now, I enjoy singing songs in Chinese and English; practice and watch soccer; embrace uncharacteristically fantastic sunshine in Seattle as one of the commentators described in Mariner's home opening game.

Yes, Mariners opened the home game tonight but I only watched the first inning, then fell into sleep before I got up before midnight. Checking on IRS website, I found my refunds being approved and to be remitted to my account on 17th. With my salary, year end bonus (Very little compared to bonus-oriented companies) and income tax refunds, I will be able to cover all family expenses in first quarter, vacation expense in Oahu and my son's college expenses for Spring Quarter for his sophomore year at University of Washington without touching the reserves I made for him. In this regard, combined with my employment in the next two years and the rest of the reserves, we can go through the next two years smoothly if no any negative surprise would pop. In addition to regular family expenses, we should still be able to afford a two week vacation each year supported by year-end bonus and income tax refunds if no gains would be made in stock markets. According to his current pace, my son should be able to graduate in May, 2018 with a less money-making major. However, if he can get a job with the salary of 40,000, which shouldn't be very difficult, he will have a comfortable life by himself because I have a free townhouse for him. If it is still rented then, he can take the rent to lease an apartment wherever close to his work. I just don't have extra money to buy a new car and don't want to borrow a car loan. Let's see if I can drive my Caravan for another two years. 

Ok, I enjoyed singing Aha's Take on Me in early 90s after I first watched their MTV in a hotel room in Asker. However, two years ago, I found a new song they made - Time and Again, which may fit my current age of 50.