RamblingDyna

I just found out that actor Sean Connery, who passed away last October, died of complications due to Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's debilitates cognitive function. The cause of his death hit me three-fold: He was my mother's favorite movie star, they are both in their 90s, and she too has Alzheimer's. According to a recent   AARP feature story ,  I was shocked that the great jazz singer Tony Bennett has Alzheimer's. Tony was also another idol of my mom. She would always perk up whenever she heard his infamous "I left my heart in San Francisco" ballad. Photo by Dyna Lopez In 2017, one year after his diagnosis, my mom, brother, and I watched him for the first time performing in San Francisco to a packed audience amongst a sea of silver-haired ladies. He was 90 at the time and did not disappoint. He belted out hit after hit and showed no signs of the debilitating disease. She sang along to a melody that was unfamiliar to my brother and me. My brother asked her, ...

Ohhh, I've neglected my site for so long. After a brief a hi-cup, I'm back on track. But let's start with the fun stuff. We've had two nice weekends in row so why not enjoy some fun outdoor events. Mid 70's temps are rare and nice for San Francisco. Yes, please just walk away from the computer over the next two days. Try try try to refrain from checking your emails on your cell phone. So wazzz up? SAT 10/3 Food On Fillmore: Fillmore between Pine/California St. *** free *** Oktoberfest at Pier 48 Dancing in the Streets: 2nd/Market and Civic Center *** free * Blue Grass Festival at Golden Gate Park: Fri-Sun *** free *** SUN 10/4 Castro Street Festival - Sunday 10/4 *** free *** Sandcastles at Ocean Beach - *** free *** Give your eyes a computer screen break - slather on that sunscreen, exhale, and stroll through the city streets. Next week it's back to business. I'll post a list of workshops to attend that can help you and your business grow. Or at leas...

Professional Networking and Workshops This Week in San Francisco Bay Area. Bring those business cards, questions and ideas. RSVP through the links below. Check back for updates! SESSIONS MIXER . This is a pure social mashup event = geek + business+pixel. No lecturing. I’ve never heard of this type of event! Sounds like a playground for entrepreneurs with no rules as long as you can play well with others. http://mixer10-linkedin.eventbrite.com/ Why: Tables and booths for demos, business pitches and giveaways = heaven When: Tuesday, 7/28. 530pm-10pm Where: Financial District, San Francisco Mula: $15 BRINGING AUTHENTICITY BACK . Lecture by best-selling author and renowned marketing expert, Rohit Bhargava – different approach to marketing. http://www.svama.org/ Why: “Learn why authenticity is the new secret to effective marketing and how you can make your business...

I’m not a small business owner but I do feel for the little guys scrounging around to make ends meet in this tough economy. With San Francisco office rentals still too high to afford, one can only work at home and have business meetings at restaurants and cafes for only so long. Plus, getting out of the house (and pajamas) by noon and connecting with people the old fashioned way (versus online) is good for your soul and psyche. It’s not a good sign if you end up talking to yourself more than to people face to face! There are two office space rentals that I fell upon that cater to start ups, freelancers and small businesses. But more than just space, they offer a sense of community with various support systems for those brave enough to jump off the cliff and just do it. Each one offers affordable rates and various plans. Daly City Business Center is right off Highway 280 near Serramonte Mall in Daly City, a 10 minute drive south west of San Francisco. http://www.dalycity.or...

My company, Inquirer.net, had a booth at two Asian festivals last month in celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month. We baked in record temperature weather in San Francisco Civic Center –Little Saigon and the next day in Sacramento, Old Sacramento district. You can read my complete festival news stories on: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20090522-206481/20000-join-Sacramentos-Pacific-Festival http://globalnation.inquirer.net/features/features/view/20090525-207041/Filipinos_join_San_Francisco_Asian_Festival I attended similar cultural events before for fun. Professionally, I managed and worked the Sega of America booth at professional trade shows such as the Licensing Show in New York. Totally (first time typing and saying "totally") two different scenes, environments and subcultures. I definitely found the Asian festivals more fun so it didn’t feel like work. I interviewed two professional athletes, Mark Munoz (“Philippine Wrecking Machine”), an up and c...

Click on above title link for complete news story. See my video on INQUIRER.net VDO - Inquirer.net Video caption should read "Sad Day for Same-Sex Marriage Supporters" It was an eerie moment as I waited for a half hour behind a barricade with hundreds of other people including the media in front of the steps of the California Supreme Courthouse building in San Francisco. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting for 10am, when seven judges announce their decision of whether same-sex marriage is valid in California. About 30 community organizers and representatives had the opportunity to the be first ones to get the news as they lined up on the courtroom steps, cornered off from the masses . Around 10 minutes before the closing bell, they entered the building. 10:02, 10:03, 10:04. Not a word. The crowd and cameras started to get restless jostling for a closer look or ear. Then I saw one of the men who entered the building step out and did a thumbs down as he shaked his head. Within ...

I've been soooo busy these past two weeks that I neglected my blog. Like a plant without water and proper sunlight, my blog has laid dormant in the dark lone corner. Time to rejuvenate and give it a kick start! Ding dong...Bueller? Bueller? I'll start by summarizing why I've been away. Two weeks ago I played SF city tour guide host to my friend (and former Sega of Japan colleague) who visited me from Tokyo for four days. Half the time I was working so thank god she knew how to take public transportation by herself (Bay Area Rapid Traing (BART) and the MUNI cable car). Since s he stayed in the heart of Union Square, we walked through Chinatown all way to Northbeach. Strange, but for a Friday dinner night, Chinatown wasn't busy with the usual foot and car traffic. Northbeach was pretty oh hum as well. Yup, it's the effects of the poor economy. Last Tuesday , I was in downtown San Mateo for dinner and it was a ghost town. A sign that more people are making their...

Filipino welterweight champ, Manny Pacquiao (Pacman) who put his boxing idol, Oscar Del La Hoya into retirement last month, made a special appearance at San Francisco's AT&T Park last Tuesday, as part of the annual Filipino Heritage Night which celebrates Filipino culture and history. In the "Battle of East and West" Pacquiao will fight Great Britain's Rick "The Hitman" Hatton this Saturday on May 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bobble Heads in his likeness were given out to the 11,000 Heritage Night ticket holders and he threw the ceremonial pitch before the San Francisco Giants grand slam victory over San Diego Padres (8-3). Last year 4,000 attended the event. The $50,000 raised from the event will benefit charities in San Francisco and the Republic of Philippines.

I took a City College of San Francisco podcasting class and about nine of my classmates and I had the unique opportunity to shoot, with our college loaned Flip Cameras, a live evening radio show at the Coffee Bar, a two level, industrial and contemporary loft size corner building in the Potrero hood of San Francisco. I used my Canon to shoot the latter half of the show, since the Flip’s zoom feature was inadequate. Unfortunately, since I didn’t return to class the following the week (blame my work schedule) I couldn’t access and use the Flip videos. This video is from my Canon only. Now back to the bar. What it lacks in dessert selection, makes up for it with its healthy sandwiches, good coffee, rich hot cocoa, and generous wine and cheese/fruit pairings. It’s no surprise that a majority of the crowd were sipping red wine on this clear Wednesday night due to the topic of discussion – booze! Get Smart Radio is a monthly 1.5 hour live broadcast hosted by Deborah Pardes who sings and p...

I've heard about the SF Asian Film Festival for the longest time but have never gone to see a film. I guess I just took advantage of the fact that because I live here, there's always next year, yada, yada yada. The truth is that I'm too busy with my own life to care what else is happening outside my perfect shiny bubble (movie title hint). I kid. I kid. Now where's my dam mirror??? That changed Friday when my friend invited me to hang out with some filmmaker friends to see their comedy premier, "Self Absorbed" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3459B5wDuZI at Sundance Cinemas (former Kabuki Theater) in Japantown, San Francisco. The plot is based on a story about a secret group of people with special powers. A smooth talking, silver coated bagel monger and a petite, energetic blue mop (say whaaaat?) are not your typical superheroes. Marvel are ya paying attention? The whimsical and light piece is one of the many works featured in the 94 minute short program serie...

Mark your calendar right now: March 12 - 22 The 27th Annual Asian American Film Festival is back with a vengeance - 120 independent national and international Asian films featured in San Francisco, San Jose and Berkeley venues. It's the largest and only one of its kind. Win a free trip to Vegas or shopping $$$ if your photo wins the best photo contest. Now where did I put those dusty Polaroids? Check out the after parties too! http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2009/festival/festival-tips/sfiaaff-parties-happy-hours/ Be there or lose out.