October 2009, I left Juniper Networks and joined Huawei. I expected some adjustments and thought I was older, wiser and mellower then. I was right only for one of the three. I learned a lot about Huawei and visited Shenzhen several times. It was a treat to reconnect with friends at that corner of the world and reacquainted Hong Kong. Then I left Huawei in March.

Did I take less risk? You kidding? I joined this smallish company at Seattle. Yep, that started the 6th move in five years. Again, we left a four-bedroom sub-urban house and began the city life in a two-bedroom apartment. Seattle’s summer was lovely. It did rain frequently, as rumored, but they were mostly light drizzles and not constantly. Sun came out in most days and we enjoyed exploring and experiencing Seattle.

In May, we went back to Taiwan together and met up old friends. It was a blast and too short. In July, we had a big family re-union in San Jose. It was the last BBQ in our beloved Walbrook house. The kids brought their spousal units (or would-be ones) and I felt blissfully old.

Later in July was the long-planned Yellowstone trip. We spent four days in that park and got very close to many Bison. As any good trips were, we felt we should come back again someday. Soon after we came back to Seattle, Michelle and Vincent came checking us up. We went to Mt. Rainier. It turned out to be a cloudy day so I told myself to come back again. Then came the event of the year: Amy’s wedding in September.

It was a beautiful wedding in San Diego in a golf resort. But it was also an outdoor wedding on a record hot day that suit was punishing. As always, it was a big family reunion and we caught up with many. At night, cousins and their partners had a Diablo party in Sara’s house. She was a good hostess and everyone had a great time. Yep, Diablo III is now an anticipating event. That will be a new exciting party. I was wondering if these kids will play Mahjongg together when they get older. Hmm…

Seattle’s summer ended with a vengeance: record cold and snow storm came in November. We, both kids, and Mike, had a white Thanksgiving that include the usual turkey, ham, all the trimmings. Right after, we took a trip back to Taiwan together. I had my business meetings and I-Woan met up friends. Christmas sneaked up right after we have rid the jet lag. Karen arrived via San Francisco where she attended a conference, Jennifer from LA directly.

Seattle felt like home after several times with the whole family together. Except for Monty, nothing slowed down even a bit. We still miss California, but lesser.

What to do in 2011? Hmm…

Several years ago, I met someone who read every word Crichton has written. I was taken aback by such a devoted fan. Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors, but every words? Really? When I check against the list, I was surprised that how many I actually have read too.

Several weeks ago, I stood in front of the best seller rack at the Hudson at the Seattle Airport. I needed a book, any book, and I had 20 minutes or so before boarding. Mr. Crichton’s Pirate Latitudes jumped out. I have several hours to kill and none of the books on my reading list is available at this Hudson store. It is like grabbing a sequel DVD. It is a safe choice. I won’t be disappointed.

And I was not.

Crichton really writes movies: action movies. The scenes are vivid and plot twisting. The story has all the “guy” elements: treasure hunt, mission-impossible raid, sex, violence, men against nature, betrayal, revenge, and a bit politics. It is an exciting formulaic page turner. I do admire Michael Crichton’s professionalism. The 17th century Caribbean Jamaica came alive; I can hear Johnny Depp as I read the book.

As mastery and authentic Michael Crichton is, an epic novelist he is not. Do not look for deep characters, complex emotions, or some life-defining struggle. This is a well-made simple entertainment that will never enter the college literature classrooms. If you enjoy the Die Hard series, this is a book for you.

And don’t put it under the tree for your girl friend.

This is a common tale but true.

There was a brief moment of panic and disbelief when I found no wallet in the familiar back pocket. (Most men habitually check their pockets. They pat for the keys, cell phone, wallet, or what-not with a routine.) A search yielded nothing. I approached the United Airline counter for help. This nice Japanese woman immediately went to the plane. Fifteen minutes later, she came back empty-handed. I went back waiting for my connecting flight, powerless and frustrated in Narita Airport.

Five hours later, I arrived Taipei with no money or credit what-so-ever. I considered my options:

• I could call the credit card company and asked for emergency cash.
• Maybe the hotel concierge will lend me some?
• Do I know anyone in this city to borrow from?
• Would someone from US wire me money at this hour?
• Would my bank wire me some money?

In Taipei hotel room, I made a list of its contents: driver license, credit cards, insurance card, etc. Jet-lagged and sleep deprived, I started the tedious process of finding the phone numbers and reporting the lost. I stopped after three cards and went to sleep, depressed.

Losing several hundred dollars was the least of my concerns. I actually did not even know how many credit cards and debit cards were there. Although I am reasonably protected, canceling each of them will not be fun. I also needed to get a new driver’s license and other IDs. Worst, I faced the risk of becoming the next victim of identify theft. That experience can be hell and damages take years to repair.

Next day, I got this email message from my admin, “Someone called and claimed that he has your wallet. I think it is a fraud, but would check with you anyway. Did you lose it?” “Oh, YES!”

It turned out an Diana DeGette, US congress woman, found it in the seat pocket on her way from D.C. to Denver. She gave the wallet to a Tommy Walker, her assistant, who sent me back the wallet, well packed and with everything intact.

Yay. Happy ending. Next time, I will carry a spare credit card separately.

Few can tell Rapunzel’s story from memory. That is before this instant Disney classic. Now millions of kids around the world will, the Disney version of course, just like Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, Little Mermaid, and other Walt Disney classics.

This is probably also Disney’s answer to Pixar that appeared to have taken over animation the way Apple took over portable music from Sony. Disney lost its magic don’t know when. But years ago, their releases of the animation film was the most exciting event for the family. They delighted everyone, glued kids to DVD replays, and had everyone sings the theme songs. With Tangled, Disney’s back.

Every year, Taiwan’s PingXi has the Sky Lantern festival that attracts tourists and photographers around the world. The movie’s scene surely will touch many who were at that festival or witnessed something similar. But this critical movie element also introduced a confusion. Rapunzel was supposed to be from the German region, given the origin of the fairtale and her appearance. But sky lantern is a south-eastern Asian thing, rumored to be invented by a famous Chinese military strategist in the 2nd century, ZhuGe Liang (諸葛亮).

Guess it is logical for a girl growing up in one room to be barefooted all the time. But she sported no foot-wear running through forests and in the big city too. No one ever mentioned this to her ever, “Of course Rapunzel will never wear shoes. Even to meet her parents, King and Queen, for the first time.” Is bare-footing going to be acceptable as part of a formal wear now? Hmm…

Go watch this one. Make sure to take the whole family. You will be happy.

NPR’s Marketplace recently aired an interview with Stanford University’s Professor Nicholas Bloom on the topic of middle management. It was ridiculously hilarious to me, a professional manager for the past many years, that someone even thought of studying this topic.

Companies big or small, Indian or America, pursue pretty much one thing: profit. (There are exceptions; but we can statistically ignore them.) At the end of the day, the owners and investors of the company care just about only the bottom line. What happens in-between are inconvenient business necessities. They therefore ask only one question at the end: which way generates more profit, given the constrains the society imposed on the business (laws, social contracts, environment, etc.).

And, for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, all businesses created the middle management layer for one compelling reason: it works.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

Like a distant relative, we see those kids once every 18 months or so and were surprised that how much they have changed. Hermione (Emma Watson) blossomed into a lovely young lady and is my favorite. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) turned up just as expected. Ron (Rupert Grint) is now a muscular hulk, still awkward.

It is really more obligatory to view this movie, as was to read the respective book several years ago. The Harry Potter franchise really became involuntary at the end; the only reason to continue is because you have already invested so much and you needed to see to the end. It is frustrating that #7 movie was split into two. I felt helplessly being taken advantage of.

Those who did not read the book will be confused by those Horcruxes. There are three more become Harry can kill Voldemort. I wrote about this after Harry Potter #6. It may ruin your movie if you haven’t read the book.

I recommend waiting for 7.2 and watch it together.