At last weeks Berkeley Speech and Debate Tournament–one of the most prestigious and difficult tournaments in the nation–Oomung and Mark, for the first time this year, did not make the final round. Normally, no big deal. The competition was tough and there were many nationally ranked teams represented. But when the ballots were returned and the results were reviewed, I can honestly conclude that their bad luck in round two was the result of sabotage by an inexperienced, racist, nincompoop of a judge who I would like to identify.   At this last tournament, My daughter Mia, a CAL freshman,  volunteered her experience and time to help judge at  the tournament .  She also  watched  her brother’s event Interpretive DUO.  It was immediately apparent to Mia  that Mark and  Oomung’s judge was a bit  unusual since he judged each round lying on his back in the center of the room on a cluster of tables.

To make a sad story sadder, of the five teams in their round,  the bottom three teams all had finaled in previous tournaments this year and were given last place.  Of the judges top three picks,  none made it to finals and the second place team,  who by all appearances had never done a duo piece in competition,  although they were from Burbank  (where the judge was from ),  was ranked 2nd place.  If you are a judge from Burbank,  could you possibly NOT know the contestants from Burbank?

If you can read the judges signature on the ballot or recognize the reclining judge in the pictures,   please let me know by emailing me at msyn@carabelli.com.      Honestly, our kids and us parents prepare and sacrifice too much to get to these tournaments to end up with judges like this!  Its like  letting a blind man judge figure skating at the Olympics.

Leonard Bane Bearden, Jr 1938-2010 from Meng Syn DDS on Vimeo.

Few people stay connected to you for your whole life from childhood that are not your relatives. Because we shared the same passion for FLY FISHING  in the 70’s,  Len took a chance on a young kid with no life experience and hired me, mentored me, and toughened me up at the Millpond in Los Gatos.  Through my education, my marriage and family, and my career, he was my fishing partner , my patient, and one of the last friends of his generation that I could count on . So many from that generation that he and I called friends, are gone now–Myron Gregory, Andy Puyans, Bob Nauheim, Mike Fong, Ernest Schwiebert, Mel Krieger, Kay Mitsioshi, Lee Wulff, Poly Rosborough, Bill Schaadt, and many more They are missed but  not forgotten…..

Me then…

Gina and I on Calero Lake from Meng Syn DDS on Vimeo.

Are you an old painter, new painter, wanna-be painter, or all-through painter? Or, maybe just want to work in oils too? Then take a look at Lee’s website, and see what wonderful opportunities are open to you!

Ever think about taking an oil painting class? Lee offers four each week. They are given at University Arts in San Jose, CA on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Stop by the next time you’re in the neighborhood. Lee and her students always will welcome you.

The days photos are posted on my Flickr Account and the original stills can be freely downloaded.

Kerry and Jeff from Meng Syn DDS on Vimeo.

On September 12, 2009, Gina and I attended the wedding of our good friend Sherry’s daughter whom we’ve known since she was in high school.  Kerry use to babysit our kids and like me , is a UC Davis grad.  Currently, Kerry is a physician assistant at an Orthopedic Group.   It was a perfect day and a perfect wedding and once again, I feel myself getting older. Congradulations to Jeff and Kerry.

Also Available on YouTube

LELAND HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING SKIT 2009 from Meng Syn DDS on Vimeo.

Anyways, the “Caine” piddled out to a rain shower by the time it hit Maui. We managed to meet it on the North Shore to see if any surf came in which it did not but we found a GREAT fish resuraunt over their called Big Mama’s Fish House! Next year im taking some advanced windsurfing lessons at those perfect beaches on the North Shore.

Enjoyed our last vacation with Mia before the College tour of duty at Berkeley. We stayed 5 days the Kaanapali Alii and 5 days at The Grand Wailea