are we going overboard to create a false sense of security?

are all these 21-year old anti-drinking rules resulting in fewer drunks in America than in Europe?

Last nite, I went to Whole Foods to get some fruits, they wouldn't let me buy a small bottle of port because I didn't have my ID with me. Fine. Fair.

Today, I went again to pick up a a couple bottles of beer to go with my lunch. I made sure I brought my Swiss driver's license. Still no dice. I was told that my license didn't have any physical description of me. Apparently, the picture on my driver's license is not a physical description of me.

I was then told that dumb dumb Schwarzeneger signed into law that it would be acceptable to use a passport, even if it doesn't have physical descriptions either.

What the hell is going on in this country, or this state?

People seem to have forgotten the point of checking IDs. 1. make sure the holder is more than 21 years old, 2. make sure the ID is not fake and the ID matches the person holding it. So assume that my brother is using my license to get booze, and the white dude in the supermarket can't tell my brother from me since we are Asians, but the fact a CA license would say that I have brown eyes would really help him to pin point that he is indeed NOT the true owner of the picture ID?

What is even dumber is a governer would sign this crap into law, then sign a loophole into law so that a passport, even without a "physical description" could be used to purchase booze. "To encourage tourism", the manager of the store said. So, let's allow the foreigners who are on vacation in this country get booze easier than the people who actually live here...... Better yet, let's allow anyone with a passport get booze easier than someone without. What kinda shitty logic is that?

Just to state the obvious, with my Swiss driver's license, I can rent a car, check into a hotel, probably even buy a gun, but.... I can't buy a bottle of beer.

So, my plan is buy some nice paper and something to laminate it with. Make a little booklet, then I will put my picture on it with my birth date, and print "Republic of Genovia" across the front cover. Will this home made passport do the trick? Do you think the dude at the supermarket will know that I am the prince of Republic of Genovia that only exists in The Princess Diaries?

food in Taiwan

watching the travel channel. Some dude (bizarre food) is in Taiwan chowing down some stuff.

The first stop I caught was him at some place eating stinking tofu. He didn't do so well. Couldn't stomach it. Then he tried the 1000 year old eggs. Didn't do well either.

Stop II. Scheelin night market. Oyster fry with egg. He survived. Chicken butt. Survived. Then he went shrimping which was grilled immediately after. Coffin planks. I personally have never seen what the big deal is. He was of course, fine. Fried chicken uterus. I must admit I haven't tried it yet. I think it's a new thing. I guess the thought of it is a little repulsing. Duck tongue. Yamm.... Duck head. I wouldn't eat that myself. Just don't see the point. There is nothing but very thin skin on it.

Stop III. Rooster testicle soup. Ah... I think I have had it before. I wouldn't eat it myself again. Again, don't see the point. Dude liked it.

Stop IV. Taipei 101. Hardly the place I would go to get good food. It's the stuff you can get in any food court. (Note to Zimmerman dude: the soup - does have pig's blood cubes, but it's not dried.) Pigeon egg marinated in soy and black tea. I think it's 鐵蛋, no?

Stop V. Wu-lei. He ate at some 泰雅 restaurant. Again..... I am not sure that is where I would get 泰雅 food. But then again, I have no idea what 泰雅 food should really taste like. He had fried bees. Weird.

I have always wondered where you take foreign visitors. I guess the show took him to places I have never been to.

back to the states!

Woowooooo!
I am back! Haven't been back for 6 month and I am happy to be in the states again. At least I can speak the language!

Two observations/experiences.
On the way from SFO to Los Altos, I was reminded by how many cars were on the road of the Economist article that Americans on average generate at least twice as much CO2. Just on my SFO to hotel trip, I have driven more than I did in the last three months combined!

Went down to the supermarket to pick up some fruits. I also picked up a small bottle of port, but the 18 year old cashier wouldn't get me buy it just because I didn't have my ID with me. I might have a baby face, but I am 34!!!!!!

goin' to bed now.......