Book Review: Blind Man's Bluff

To begin the journey of underwater espionage, we first opened to a story of a USS Seawolf sub that was once a highly respectable submarine, but has been replaced by a newer nuclear powered sub. Now the Seawolf is forced to play cat and mice game with Russia to test their Sonar systems. Diesel powered submarine engines are the earliest stages of underwater watercraft before it was transformed into nuclear powered boats.

USS Seawolf

Anyway, the story begins with the submarine Cochino. It's a diesel powered submarine which is also one of the first boats to operate underwater while using a sonar for eavesdropping purposes. Well, that obviously gone wrong and Cochino blew up and a lot of people were killed. So there was that deadly beginning.

Well, as technology flourish, instead of having to snorkel to get fresh air, submarines can now remain under water indefinitely due to the invention of nuclear powered engines. This allowed US Navy to spy on their rivals more effectively. The reason US was desperate to create an effective espionage machine is because during that period, Russia and Cuba were trading military weapons and natural resources, which also enforced a socialistic ideal in Cuba. Since Russia was United States' rival, Cuba being Russia's ally clearly imposed a threat. Therefore, in order to prevent any unwelcomed attacks, US began the long road of underwater espionage.

So it goes..

The book spoke a lot about Submarines, from old Boats to new designs. It also spoke of the USS Scorpion, how on one of its trial run, it never made it back to base. Well, here comes John Craven. With his crazy intuition style probability method of tracking down watercraft, he freakin' found USS Scorpion! Who would've thought! Well, the book goes on for about 100 pages going over the process of finding good ol' Scorpion. They found out that it was a torpedo that jettisoned within the torpedo room (because of a defective electrical ignition device) that cost the lives of over 80 men.

Then the book goes into the real spying technology.. tapping phone and cable lines in Russian territory, invention of robotic sweepers to sweep up any russian military scraps, and also high pressure cameras that allow images to be captured under the deep sea. There aren't any real conflict that happened throughout the book, but it really engages the reader by keeping them on their toes because you never know what will happen next. It is a very powerful and educational novel about the history of underwater defense and the numerous lives that were lost in order to keep America safe.

I enjoyed reading this book and applaud the bravery of the men who tread the deep sea to shadow Russian submarines and who participated in other dangerous missions in order to provide valuable information for our nation in preparation of war and defense.

First 10k RACE!

Hello! I had my first 10k race over the weekend at Central Park. It was their Park to Park race through NY Road Runner. I was really crampy, crabby, sleepy that day, but nonetheless, I finished!!!

I must say, road running is MUCH MUCH more entertaining than running on the treadmill. It was held on sunday, day after the Bon Jovi Concert in Central Park, so there were still garbage somewhere along the roads.

I am going to participate in a Cystic Fibrosis 4M Race on 7/27. Then I have scheduled a few more races in August before my big half marathon in September in Queens. I have recently joined a road runners club and yesterday when i met them for the first time, it was EXHAUSTING! Everyone ran faster than me (even Bertha who is in her 70s.) However, everyone was coaching me on how to run better and faster. I'm actually happy that I joined the group! woohoo! Free training tips and advice!

Anyone want to join me on a road rage running?? hahaha, I'm just kidding.

However, after my birthday, I have to get back on track with my pending projects (still a secret) and finish watching all the seasons to 'Angel.' Yes, i'm an official Angel fan.

5K & NY Philharmonics

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to run a 5k race in the bronx. It's called the 'Hunts Point 5k Hustle.' It is held by the Sustainable South Bronx http://www.ssbx.org/ which promotes urban forestry in the Bronx. Research shows that if we plant trees in high level crime areas, crime rates tend to drop. Therefore, I believe in the Project: South Bronx and I hope they will continue to flourish in beautifying Hunts Point.

Anyway, my run was all right! I didn't do as bad as I thought I would! I came in 114 out of 162 and my time was 9:50 per mile. Look me up! It's cool!

http://www.citycoach.org/site/v2/HuntsPointHustle2008.html

For pictures of the race, goto:

http://www.karaflannery.com/galleries/hphforjames/source/080621_008.html

So now, I'm looking forward to my next race, which will be in July 12, 2008. This is in Central Park and it's the Park-to-Park 10k race. Hopefully I will finish. haha.

On the other hand, on Tuesday the 24th, I went to the Concert in the Park featuring the New York Philharmonics. They were playing music from Russian Composers which consisted of Shostakovich's Festive Overture, Op. 96, Medelssohn's Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and Sousa's Three Marches. Tchaikovsky & Sousa's pieces are the popular pieces that we still here on major films. At the end of the event, there were fireworks! all in all, a wonderful, magical night. There were a lot of people there and stupid me forgot my camera.

Well, I think that sums up the exciting life of Anna! Until then....adieu

Book Review: Omnivore's Dilemma

Should we eat meat? What are the consequences of over indulgence? Why are Americans getting more and more obese? This book answers these questions in an honest no bullshit type of way, with little room for the readers' mind to wander. It's a powerful, gripping book that once you begin, you can't stop reading.

Actually, the first 100 pages is quite a boring read. It started by talking about the history of corn. Throughout the entire book, the correlation between meat and corn are being addressed over and over again, hence it is important to know the corn's history.

After you survive the first 100 pages, you will breeze through the rest of the book. It addresses the dilemma of being vegetarian, hunter's dilemma, and farmer's dilemma.

Quite frankly, being a vegetarian, I find this book (written by an omnivore) quite informative to both meat-eaters and non-meat eaters. For meat-eaters, it tells them how our meats are produced and how packaging affects people's view about animals that become meat and our meals. For non-meat-eaters, the writer shows admiration and frustration vegetarians have to face on different occasions. However, the bottom line is clear-- Americans should be educated about the how meats wind up on our tables, and to eat it gracefully and with appreciation.

Here, the writer draws a fascinating comparison between assembly line grown animals and pasture grown meats. He depicts the ecological, nutritional, and humane advantages of pasture grown animals, which is non-existence in the mass-animal production plants. Of course, mass produced meats are less expensive but we are paying our dues in other ways such as deterriation of our environment, an increase of health problems, and government subsidies to animal manufacturers that are coming from our tax dollars. This is all crazy stuff!

I think it is a great read because it is not arguing people to become vegetarian or omnivores, it's just telling the history of our meals like it is. The conclusion of right or wrong is up to the readers. Let me know what you think of the book! I'd love to hear your feedbacks.

Weekend Plans?

This Friday will be the Opera In the Park at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, starting at 8PM.If anyone is interested in going, please email me! I'm definitely going to be there butt early so I can get a nice view of stage. Below is the link for the Opera information

http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/news/features/detail.aspx?id=4174

Who could resist contemporary public style opera performing in the park?

Also, if you are a runner or you would like to do something for a good cause, this saturday I will be running a 5k Race, it's called Hunts Point 5k Hustle. It's through Sustainable South Bronx (non-profit organization) to promote urban forestry effort. It's held at Hunts Point Riverside Park beginning at 9AM. 5k is about 3.2 miles and should last maybe an hour or two. If you're interested, please sign up at

http://www.ssbx.org/

Email me if you're going so I can email you a meeting spot for us to run together.

After the 5k run, if you're up for it, there's a composting workshop held at the queens botanical garden. Email me if you wanna go! I am definitely going to compost all my rotten food this year! haha.

Tonight I will be going to the food film festival for some hot free movie screenings! It's being held at Grimaldi's in brooklyn, it will be starting at 8:30PM.

http://www.nycfoodfilmfestival.com/

Ok, that's all for now!

KOOZA! Cirque Du Soleil in Philadelphia!

So, I have the luxury of driving to Philadelphia for the Cirque Du Soleil show. I started driving Friday night and got to the hotel about 11PM. We stayed right next to Chinatown and the Gallery (if anyone know what i'm talking about, you know i was staying at a ghetto hotel.) Below is a picture of South Street Entrance to Penn's Landing.

The next morning, we got up really early (about 11am. haha) and started marching towards Penn's Landing. Penn's Landing is actually named after William Penn (duh.) He was granted land from the English government, so him and other Quaker friends (from Friends of Society back in 1700s) came over and this is the location they landed. So, we were walking through Penn's landing and there was the Independence Seaport museum. We went in, and saw a lot of stuff about boats. They have an interactive boat section where you can climb into a boat, see what shape boat goes faster, etc., etc.

Anyway, we left the museum about 2PM and went to tour the boats (part of our admission.) There were the Olympia and the Becuna. Below is a picture of both ships. The Black submarine is the Becuna and the one next to it is the Olympia.

The Becuna was a submarine that first launched in 1944 and retired on 1969. The interior is uber cramp. Some of the space is not bigger than 12 inches wide and I'm not sure how they managed to maneuver around all the machinery and electrical stuff. They have slide in beds and stuff and some of the sailors sleep with the torpedos. Crazy stuff.

The Olympia which is much much bigger, was first launched in 1895. It retired as of 1922. It is a battleship (made famous by the game battleship.) And oh my goodness! It was beautiful! The sailors used to sleep in Hammocks!

Then we walked some more, through South street.. we got Rita's water ice and then we headed towards Avenue of Arts for Cirque du soleil. The Chapiteau was BLAZING HOT! they didn't open the doors until 10 to 4P. However, the SHOW WAS FREAKIN Amazing! It was about a boy's dream and a journey to search for happyness. The contortionists were UNBELIEVABLe!!! man... they're good! Below is a picture of the wizard that helped the boy along his path for happyness.

Then after the show, we went to Rittenhouse Square, then back to Chinatown for dinner.

The next day, we went into the Reading Terminal Market for brunch. Then we drove back to NYC. All in all, fun trip. It was definitely worth the heat, the drive, the EVERYTHING. It was a GRAND time!

What is Shoo Fly Pie?!

So yesterday, one of my co-workers told me about this pie that the IT group bought from Lititz, PA and it's called 'Shoo fly pie.' I looked at my co-worker, dumbfounded, and said, 'what?!' she said, 'you know.. Shoo fly, shoo! Shoo fly pie!' I'm becoming more and more confused and asked, 'ew, what's that?'

Apparently, the history of shoo fly pie comes from the south. People used to make these pies and put them out to cool, but because the pie is soooo saturated with sugar, it attracts the flies. So, when people see the flies coming close to the pies, they'll say, 'Shoo fly, shoo!' Hence the name, Shoo Fly Pie. Also, there's a song about shoo fly pie and apple pandowdie.. look it up! check it out!
I tried a piece.. not bad.. not as sweet as pecan pie, but it's a hybrid between pecan pie and coffee cake crumbs without the nuts.

Book Review: Red Moon Rising

So I just finished this book:

And for those who doesn't read and only read crazy interesting books, here's your chance to learn something crazy interesting and EASY TO READ!!!!!

It begins with German's attack on England with their newly invented missile. After the war, World War II, Russia and the United States began to indulge in missile research. Russia especially, was looking to invent the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. So it goes...

My opinion is that it really introduces details that one cannot find in history books and American films about the space age. It gives you that warm fuzzy feeling as if you know the characters in the book because Matthew (the author) present the figures' biographies and personal cherishable moments. However, it also implicitly reveals the propaganda tactics by the two countries: Soviet Union and the United States.

Here's the exciting part of the entire book though: Rockets! Space Crafts!

So, Check it out!