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It is my last day in USA. I set out to visit one long stretch beach. while buying presents for my friends.
I tried to top up my public transport card which I last used in 2016. Unfortunately, I pressed the wrong button, which means I purchased a new public transport card. Gah!
Upon reaching the destination (near Venice Beach), the first thing is that I bought See Candies chocolate. I checked with saleslady if there is any issue to carry the chocolate boxes around - I was assured that there is no problem (fast forward, the chocolate didn't melt in 2 days later by the time I reach in Singapore).
I have no plan to swim there. Probably Jaw movie implanted in my mind.
I am walking towards Santa Monica beach.
I made sure I find In-n-Out outlet so that I can try animal fries which I didn't get to eat in 2014.
Goodbye Los Angeles and USA.
As I check-in (using the self check-in machine) in front of the presence of ANA air stewardness, she checked my ticket. She wanted to smooth my flying experience. Somehow, she seemed to be surprised because my arrival destination is Haneda Airport (instead of Changi Airport).
I told her 'Hai (yes), that is right'. I assured her that there is no mistake on my air ticket.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 3:57 pm
Day 48
Finally, I am in Los Angeles for the second time. I sort of like Los Angeles city.
You will see palm trees like this in Los Angeles. It is sort of trademark to know whether you are in Los Angeles within big California state.
Instead of taking a bus to Griffith Observatory, I spent about 1 hour 30 mins to walk through this route. It was fun!
I spotted Griffith Observatory. I would advise you not to drive there. I did see crowded road leading to Griffith Observatory.
It is a 3D movie theater about the space theme. It was so fantastic that everyone clapped at the endof the show.
I would recommend this to someone who is interested in space.
I didn't make any trip to Hollywood icon on my second trip to Los Angeles because I prioritize Griffith Observatory more.
On the way back to accommodation home, I chose to walk on the same path. This time, there was no lamps. As usual, I have touch light in my bag - no problem. I was surprised that there are some people doing the same on the way up to Griffith Observatory at night. They have even much more powerful touch light (bigger light exposure!).
I had jajungmyun for the first time in Koreatown - I often wonder how it tastes like when I see Korean show. Now, I know how it is like. It is cheap and filling food!
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 3:37 pm
It is quite long hiatus from writing my personal blog here. For now, I am resuming to write where I last stop at. I do hope that I can write my Japan trip which I did in 2017.
Day 47
I woke up and check outside my accommodation. Why am I checking? I was worried if the bears broke in and took anything from me. All is well. Other than hearing insect noises, I slept well although it is cold. There is no heater in my accommodation. It was great experience for me. I have proven many people, who doubt that the Asians, like us, cannot survive there. I just needed blanket to sleep well - thick one at least!
I took free shuttle bus to a nearest bus stop where I go to the starting point of Mist trail.
Oh, oh, oh, there was a mess outside the starting point of the Mist trail - I don't know what happened.
We should not be so smart aleck that we can do this and that. I duly heed the warning even though I am expert in swimming.
After reading 'Intelligent Investor' book, I always apply margin of safety everywhere.
Hiking ah hiking!
I walked and walked....Ah, I saw the first waterfall on the shorter-leg of Mist trail.
I hear the noise from waterfall well.
In 2016, I started using (second hand) Sony RX100 MK3 camera.
Can you see mild top rainbow and obvious bottom rainbow? DOUBLE RAINBOW thanks to waterfall.
Moving close to the side of the waterfall. I am getting myself wet because of the waterfall.
GRASP! Need to walk down the rock ah. It is quite dangerous if your shoes soles is 'bald'. It is important to invest in good hiking shoes for this reason. I didn't expect it with my poor sole grip but I didn't get any injured.
Another one. I need to cross this on the rock if you want to see 2nd waterfall and continue on the Mist trail. Most people stop at the first waterfall.
I get to see the second waterfall afar. Thereafter, I need to do U-turn because I cannot complete whole Mist trail due to lack of time. I would need to leave Yosemite Nature Park by evening.
As I am out of Mist Trail. From starting point of Mist trail, I started to hike for Mirror Lake.
Indeed, I did see beautiful reflection on the lake. I am not sure what is the main attraction there other than that.
I collected my backpack from the counter area. I am quite thankful that American staff in the lodge allowing me to leave there for my Mist trial hiking.
Finally my bus came. After showing my printed paper to the bus driver (that I have paid for the trip back to Amtrak station at Merced), I fell slept instantly the moment I sat. 10-20 mins later, the bus driver woke me up because he wanted to know where my destination is at. Uh-huh, I found the paper and showed him.
I caught this beautiful sky as the bus is on the way to Amtrak station at Merced.
Probably, it was the most ridiculous plan to go back to Los Angeles by 1am. That is why I always advocate 24 hours self-check in for my solo trip like that. It was my first time doing this way.
Day 47 is the most tiring day for me. 90% of my energy was totally spent well.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 3:15 pm Day 46 of Overseas Trip 2016
In the early morning of Day 46, I went to Stockton Amtrak Station. After 30 minutes wait, the train, that I am waiting for, came. It brought me to Merced station.
At Merced station, there is a public bus that bring you to Yosemite National Park.
Makeshift bridge was built, creating detour.
I could understand when I saw a old gentleman was sitting on the rock, catching up his own breath.
It is the first beautiful sight I saw when the bus, I was in earlier, was about to enter Yosemite National Park.
That is it! Time to sleep!
End of Day 46.
Movies
Hacksaw Ridge (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
It is based on real life story. A religious guy decided to enlist to the army. During the training, he don't want to learn how to use guns. He insisted that he will train anything except guns. Because of that, he actually won the medal of honour of saving a lot of people during the Okinawa invasion in World War 2. How did he do it?
Rating: 9/10
Remark: It is one of the best world war 2 theme movies by far.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Jack Reacher has to come back to save the army lady who was wrongly charged in the army. He knew it. Way too suspicious! How will he save her?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Good show. It performs exactly what you would expect.
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
USS Indianapolis was selected to carry atomic bomb secretly from USA to Philippines. Nobody, including the captain of that ship, knew it except the assigned soldiers.
After successful mission completion, the ship was assigned to ship to another island. Unfortunately, the ship has no support that protect it from submarine. Japanese submarine spotted it. What happened next?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Fine movie. I loved the last dialogue after the military court.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 2:18 pm Day 44 of Overseas Trip 2016
I was on Greyhound bus, travelling from Omaha. On that trip, I was crossing top part of Colorado, USA.It was dry area of the mountain.
Day 45 of Overseas Trip 2016
I didn't know that the surrounding there was so bad.
It was so bad that I could see a lot of cops moving about. All was well as I was safe on Day 45 and Day 46.
Movies and Dramas
Title: Asura: The City of Madness (Korean Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
There are two sides against each other - Prosecutors vs Corrupt Mayor of a City. A corrupt cop is in between these two sides - both of them need him to accomplish the mission.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: The ending is done very well.
Title: Medical Team - Lady Da Vinci no Shindan (Japanese Drama 2016)
Synopsis:
Tachibana was hired to join a special team that dealts unknown illnesses.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is interesting way to investigate.
Title: Kodoku no Gurume Season 5 SP03 - New Year Special 2017 (Japanese Drama Special 2017)
Synopsis:
Goro sets out to find meat before meeting the client. His return to two places turn out to be busy and closed respectively. He settles for the Chinese meal at Nakano, Tokyo. He had unexpected request by his client.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is just usual one but very interesting to watch how he choose the food from the menu.
Title: Kimi ni Sasageru Emblem (Japanese Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
It is based on real life story. A professional footballer had a accident that took away his ability to walk. He was in despair until he found new sport that make him feel alive.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It truly shows what Japanese is like.
Title: Sayonara Debussy (Japanese Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Ex-prosecutor became a piano teacher. He was assigned to teach a young girl how to win the piano competition. At the same time, he unraveled the truth of the murders.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Slow but surprising way to reveal the truth.
Title: Cold Case - Shinjitsu no Tobira (Japanese Drama 2016)
Synopsis:
A police team in Yokohama was tasked to reopen the unsolved cases when there are new cases that either have similar patterns or received anonymous hints.
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Very touching stories. It is one of the best Detective dramas I ever seen.
Title: Office (Korean Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
The movie starts with the father murdering his family. He has disappeared. The homicide detectives investigate his workplace. What clues can they find by interviewing his colleagues?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: The ending is odd one.
Title: Violent Prosecutor (Korean Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
The prosecutor prefers to do brute force on suspects to extract the truth. Unfortunately, for one case, he was framed for murdering a suspect. Not knowing why the suspect is dead, he was broken person, going to prison. What will he do at prison when he learn the truth?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It is full of actions. First Class movie.
Title: Proof of Innocence (Korean Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
A investigator, who resigned from the police force, was hired by a daughter whose dad was jailed for wrong reason. The investigator, being greedy for money, decided to do good for her. The truth is something else rather than wrong reason. What will they do?
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Another first class movie. The plot is so good that you don't want to pause the show for a toilet break.
S Storm (Hong Kong Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
ICAC received a tip off that there is a bribery act inside the Jockey club. There is irregularities/corruption in football betting industry.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Decent show.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 6:54 pm Day 42 of Overseas Trip 2016
On Day 42, I attended Markel's informal meeting at the Hilton Omaha hotel, opposite CenturyLink Central Omaha in the early morning.
I walked back to host's home after the meeting.
End of Day 42.
Day 43 of Overseas Trip 2016
I hope to have lunch at Gorat's Steakhouse. I realised that it was closed for afternoon and will be reopened at evening on the same day. The owner of Gorat was kind enough to drive me back to host's home.
Inspired by his generosity, I went Gorat again to have dinner before I leave Omaha tonight by (Greyhound) bus.
Goodbye Omaha. End of Day 43.
Movies
Title: The Accountant (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
A guy with autism has the ability to identify the accounting problems. He was hired by one company client, who want to find out the missing money on its accounting record. But, something went awry. He was in kill list for unknown reason.
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Unique story. Well developed action scenes.
Title: Sully (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
It is based on the real life event where United Airline's plane, bound for Charlotte, land on the Hudson River due to emergency reason.
Rating: 9/10
Remark: It has done good job to describe the real life event. It is also heartening that the ferry workers in New York City responded to the 'crash' site quickly.
Title: Suicide Squad (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Top rank officer for US government recommended to select 5 criminals, who have unusual abilities, for one team. This team is to dealt with any future metahumans whom ordinary US army cannot dealt effectively.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Interesting way to describe how Suicide Squad was born.
Title: Deepwater Horizon (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
It is based on the real live event where Deepwater Horizon, owned by Transocean and was leased to BP for certain numbers of year, was razed to the ground. What went wrong?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: The movie shows the failure to exercise the common sense to stop the operation if you find it suspicious.
Title: Jason Bourne (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Jason is hiding and CIA doesn't know where he is. Someone hacked CIA's computer system and gave the data to Jason. This data helps Jason to recall things which he has lost from his memory due to amnesia. What kind of truth did he find out?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is the usual Jason Bourne.
Title: Suishou No Kodou (Japanese Drama 2016)
Synopsis:
The NPD has to organise the investigating team to investigate unusual murder chain. Kisaragi Toko, female detective, was the main drama character, finding out the truth. The biggest questions are why the victims are killed and how they are related to each other.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Slow paced show. There is some twist to the truth.
Title: The Hippocratic Crush (Hong Kong Drama 2012)
Synopsis:
It is about how the housemen do the on the job training before they can become certified doctors.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Great theme song. Decent show.
Title: Hippocrates no Chikai (Japanese Drama 2016)
Synopsis:
The doctor intern was assigned to a autopsy division. The head of that division is spent a lot of time to get detective's assistance to provide him the bodies for autopsy. Only selected death cases. Why?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: First episode is nerving one. The next 4 episodes are opening your eyes as to why there is a need for autopsy even though the death certificates say clean.
Title: Doctor X (Japanese Drama 2016)
Synopsis:
Michiko was called back to Japan from her job stint in USA. This time, the vice president hired her to work for her in the hospital. That hospital is to be restructured to restore its past glory.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is the same story pattern.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 9:54 pm Day 41 of Overseas Trip 2016
In 2014, I reached CenturyLink Centre Omaha at 7am. This meant that I could not get seat in front of the place where Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger sat and talk for many hours.
This time, I took Uber at 5.30am to CenturyLink Centre Omaha. The queue was about 50 people long. I was determined to join that queue even though it was raining!
Seeing these seats filled, I went to the right side to have the seat.
Bill Gates was there, throwing newspaper into the spot area of a imaginary home.
At last, a clear picture of Warren Buffett!
After the shareholder meeting ended, I took free shuttle bus from CenturyLink Omaha to Nebraska Furniture Mart. I walked for good 5 minutes to try Five Guys store for a dinner. It was unbelievably good! Omaha people are good to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders with discount offering out of sudden.
End of Day 41
Book
Book Title: Pre-suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade
Author: Robert Cialdini
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Enjoying his 'Influence' book, I wanted to know what he writes on his new book. It is very interesting insights. I highly recommend to anyone who works as CEO in SME firms and salesmen.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 8:22 am Day 40 of Overseas Trip 2016
On Day 39, I checked out at night and took Greyhound bus from Flagstaff, AZ to Omaha, NE. I arrived Omaha, NE on the early morning of Day 40.
After checking in the host's home in the early morning, I had a short sleep.
It was a pleasant hair cut done by circa 80 years old gentleman. Very careful and neat.
After that, I went to CenturyLink Centre, collecting my shareholder pass there. It is second time for Berkshire Hathaway to open the exhibition hall on the day before shareholder meeting.
These are two out of three books I bought since they are not sold in Singapore. I truly enjoy these books and inspire me a lot.
I realised these three adults are Warren Buffett's children.
After that, I took my courage to meet strangers at meet up events in Omaha.
End of Day 40.
Books
The Seven-Day Weekend: Changing the Way Work Works
Author: Ricardo Semler
Rating: 10/10
Remark: It is excellent book describing how the company redesign its jobs and work flow without HR department.
Building People: Sunday E-mail from a CEO Volume 1
Author: Liew Mun Leong
Rating: 9/10
Remark: It is very interesting to see his e-mails which he sent during his career at Capitaland.
Building People: Sunday E-mail from a CEO Volume 2
Author: Liew Mun Leong
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Interesting but the e-mails are allocated in weird way. I like his e-mail about interview using his book as a reference and customer services
Building People: Sunday E-mail from a CEO Volume 3
Author: Liew Mun Leong
Rating: 8/10
Remark: The last e-mail at his last day at Capitaland was in that volume. It is equally interesting although I don't agree with his method to analysis bubble.
Movies
Insider Men (Korean Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
A prosecutor with no connection is desperate to climb up the ladder. To achieve that, he has to aim Jung, the president candidate. However, there are two men with important positions from private sectors supporting Jung. What kind of evidence will he get to imprison Jung?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Slow and long 3 hours movie. Good story development but confusing story line arrangement.
Shin Godzilla (Japanese Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Godzilla emerged but Japanese government don't know what kind of animal it is.
They are using maximum resources to understand who it is, what it does, and etc.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: The quality of filming is at its finest - one of the best I ever seen.
Mechanic Resurrection (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Arthur is using a new identity in Brazil as if he is retired as a hired assassin. However, someone is interested to use him and no other assassin because of his skill - making the death look like accidental one. Therefore, he was forced to do it even if he rejected the buyer's payment offer.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is quite typical movie which Jason Statham usually does.
Ghetto Justice (Hong Kong Drama 2011)
Synopsis:
Lord Law, well known for having zero loss record in his law career, chose to operate in Sham Shui Po instead of Central. He was dragged to law scene after hiding himself for 7 years.
Rating: 6/10
Remark: Interesting part in early stage but boring at the end stage.
Speed of Life (Hong Kong Drama 2016)
Synopsis:
The day-to-day stories are centralized on Hong Kong traffic cops. E&C division is in charge of front line duties such as giving tickets, chasing lawbreakers and etc. AI division is in charge of investigating the accidents. Sze Ma was transferred from E&C division to AI division after being promoted to inspector. He proved that he is excellent police officer with his investigation analysis based on logic and quantitative field.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Not too bad. Interesting love side story between Sze Ma and Yiu Yiu.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 4:10 pm Day 39 of Overseas Trip 2016
I realised that there is some doubt to see one on such weather at night.
Book
Title: Think Twice - Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition
Author: Michael J. Mauboussin
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It is good book to re-examine your investing thoughts.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 2:38 pm
