HOT

The heat is getting serious throughout the whole week. I couldn't sleep without Turing on the AC last night. Weather report stated it's was the hottest night ever since most of the area were still in their 70s-80s. (I think I'll drop dead when I see the electricity bill).

While I'm enjoying the hot weather under a chill room w/ AC on, I still feel the pain for the people who doesn't have electricity in their area due to blackout (energy over consumsion). In this hot days (w/ temp in 1xx inland), you really can't live w/out AC (or at least a fan). Although I have tried to cut down my energy consummion, but I really can't help turning on the AC w/ 85+ in my house. I can't imagine what's like w/out power at my place.

So, what causes this crazy weather? The answer: Human. The use of chemicals creating green house effect. Increasing tempeture over the world, increasing rain precipitation, increasing the size of the hole in the ozone layer, increasing UV level. We are just totally destroying human natural just to make our living better. Are we selfish? Sooner or later, we'll have to live into a "fake" world created by in-door like lighting to simulate sunlight and moonlight. So, all the stuff that is in the movie will come true. It's the end of the world. It's judgment day for us.

PS: another hot night w/ no wind (70-80) degree thought out the night :(

CASPA Summer Symposium

CASPA Summer Symposium
The Booming Fabless Across the Pacific 2006


Time: July 15, 2006 (Saturday), 12:30pm to 5:00pm
Agenda:
12:30 - 1:00 PM Registration/Networking
1:00 - 1:15 PM CASPA President Opening Remarks
1:15 - 5:00 PM Speaker Presentation and Open Q&A
Place: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Distinguished Speakers:
Mr. Nick Yu, Vice President, CDMA Technologies, Qualcomm Inc: "Growing Pains of the Fabless Semiconductor Industry - The Past, Present and Future"
Dr. Roawen Chen, VP of Manufacturing Operation, Marvell Semiconductor: "The Marvell Growth Story, and the Challenge/Opportunity of Fabless Industry"
Mr. Joseph Hong, General Manager, Faraday Technology USA: "USA Business Development Experiences of a Taiwan-based ASIC Service Company"
Mr. Sheng Lee, Chief Technology Officer, Ralink Technology Corp: "The Emergence of Ralink Technology as a Successful WLAN Chipset Supplier"
Mr. Xiaolong Liu, Executive Vice Managing Director, Shanghai Zhangjiang (Group) Co., Ltd. "The Development of Semiconductor Industry in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park"
Mr. Mark Ding, President, SEMI China: "Mainland China IC Industry Development and Opportunity Update"

I went to this event to support my cousin. It's pretty interesting to hear what people have to say about the industry today. As you have guessed, India and China are one of the popular vocab behind "fabless", which is the topic for the day. One of my favorite talk is given by Mr Xiaolong Liu, who is actually selling the hi-tech commerical area in Shanghai. It sounds like they are trying to turn Zhangjiang into "china silicon valley". I would love to check out the place if I'm going to Shanghai again. I really wanna to get a feel of the "new techie" Shanghai.

Deja Vu

Semi-Final: Germany VS Italy 0:2 (OT)

History repeated itself in this WC. It really makes you think that it's impossible to rewrite history.

Germany vs Italy
-----------------
Germany has faced Italy 13 times and they had only won 3 games (Friendly 1995, Friendly 1994, and Friendly 1986). The recent friendly game that they played was on 3/1/2006, where Italy scored 4:1.

France vs Brazil
-----------------
The mighty Brazil just never seems to be able to win France in FIFA games(FIFA Condederations Cup 2001, 1998 WC Final, 1986 FIFA WC).

England vs Portugal
---------------------
They faced each other in Euro 2004 and Portuagal defeated England in PK (6:5).

Maybe it's not just skil and luck afterall; destine also plays a role in this :P

Goodbye Nakata

Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, one of the most famous Asia players, has announced his retirement from professional football today at the age of 29. He is the one who introduce me to Japan soccer team in 2002. I guess part of it is because of his "look" :P Come on, who can resist this cool charm

This is a picture taken from Tokyo International Airport as he leaves to Germany in May 2006. Who would ever guess that he is a professional football player?

Seriously, I don't know anything about how he plays outside of the WC. Digging through his profile on Wiki and FIFA sites, it seems like HE IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYER IN ASIA. It sure is a great lost for Japan and Asia football. Too bad that we won't be able to see him wearing the blue samurai jersey anymore, but we can always review it through youtube :D (it's a digital world after all)

Thinking back at the WC, Japan didn't perform as well as in 2002; but they always has been Asian #1 football team. With players aging in their 30's, will they have a chance in another 4 years? I don't want to see Asian football teams falling out in the future WC.

Farewell to the Man of the Match on 6/18.

picture source: http://fifaworldcup.com