Review: The Sirens' Call

Hayes says attention has become a scarce commodity

On CBC Radio's The Current, I heard an interview with Chris Hayes, the author of The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource. He is an American commentator, news anchor, and hosts a weekly podcast on MSNBC.

He gives the perspective of someone who works in the media of how it's so crucial to have the attention of the audience all the time, and how reporters and editors try to sustain that attention through breaking news, a ticker tape running at the bottom of the screen, or the stories they choose to cover.

While a few decades ago TV viewers were pretty much rapt with attention, these days people -- like himself -- are watching television but also scrolling on their phone and watching a video on their laptops.

How did we get this way?

Hayes is a commentator and podcaster

This is what Hayes tries to explain in his book, and believes attention is fast becoming a scarce commodity thanks to technology. Because of smartphones, the internet and social media, our attention spans have become shorter and shorter; conversely there is so much information out there thanks to the internet, we are overwhelmed and can't learn or absorb as much, or there is so much choice, we don't know where to begin and flail. 

He points out the biggest companies in the world are tech firms: Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet (Google's parent company), Meta and Amazon. They are all making money from us -- from monopolising our attention. But it started further back with slot machines, and then video games and now the limitless scroll on our phones.

Meanwhile the media try to grab attention with horrific news like plane crashes, or wars, and if that's not happening then salacious content called clickbait. Yes the media is guilty of trying to get our undivided attention too.

Not only are companies vying for our attention, but we ourselves want attention too, called social attention. Hayes says humans need to interact with each other and explains that prisoners in solitary confinement can't stand being alone

However the other extreme is social media like Facebook is selling users' attention to advertisers. Instead of seeing posts of what their friends are doing, they see a lot of advertisements, and that is a waste of time and energy. But that's how social media monetises our attention and makes a lot of money from it.

The same goes with Google. It became really good at finding information we needed, but now when you search for something, the top four entries are advertisements that are somewhat related to what you were looking for. Hayes cites in 2004, 99 percent of Google's US$3.2 billion in revenue came from advertising.

Then there are people who crave or demand attention and here Hayes apologises in advance for discussing Donald Trump (the book was written before he was elected a second time), and Elon Musk.

Hayes says back in 1858 there was a political debate on slavery by Democratic senator Stephen A Douglas and Republican Abraham Lincoln. They debated seven times in seven towns. The format? The first speaker talked for an hour, then the second one rebutted for 90 minutes and finally the first speaker gave a 30-minute rebuttal.

How did people in the 19th century have the attention to listen to a three-hour debate? Today the presidential TV debate is less than an hour. Hayes adds Trump either avoids debates and when he does, he shows no debating skills and can't even string a proper sentence together. 

Finally towards the end of The Sirens' Call, Hayes explains three negative things that are happening today: trolling, where people behind screens can provoke online; whataboutism, where those being attacked deflect criticism and turn the tables; and conspiracism, which is total disinformation, but appeals to many because they neatly explain things (incorrectly). 

So what can we do to retain our attention? Hayes harks back to the time when we made trips to the video store to rent a movie, we made a commitment to focus on the task at hand. And he gives the example of how vinyl records have made a big comeback, as not only is the sound quality better, but also makes the choice of music for us. 

Other examples are print newspapers, where editors have carefully curated the news according to its importance in terms of length and pictures, and group chats which have zero advertising and people can keep up with others in real time.

Will people actually follow through with his suggestions? Not really. His book has a lot of examples and points, but are already preaching to the choir who are looking for more concrete ways to safeguard and focus our attention. Maybe that's his next book?

Trump Distracts from US Open Final

Alcaraz (right) beat Sinner to win the US Open this afternoon

The men's singles final at the US Open started 45 minutes late this afternoon because American President Donald Trump attended the match so all the spectators had to go through intense security checks.

At first it was delayed 30 minutes, and then another 15, and then the show had to start despite hundreds of people still waiting to get into Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

One man from Brooklyn who works for a private equity firm waited over an hour and 15 minutes and still had not reached the entrance, and blamed Trump for the delay.

Trump was sitting in the suite sponsored by Rolex

"One hundred percent him. Very selfish. I would expect someone like that to have a little bit more grace to know that an event like this would be held up for him being here, especially in a city that hates him," he said.

When Trump was shown on the big screens, there was a lot of boos and some cheers. He sat inside a suite along the sidelines of centre court, opposite the umpire's chair. 

The last time he attended the US Open was in 2015 and the booing was so loud that multiple media outlets wrote about the crowd's reaction. 

So there was an uproar yesterday when the United States Tennis Association in a memo asked broadcasters of the US Open to censor any protests or reaction to Trump's appearance.

"We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President's attendance in any capacity," the USTA said in the memo. It said Trump planned to watch the match from a suite as a guest of sponsor Rolex, prompting additional security for the event.

Despite the boos, Trump took some photo ops

"We regularly ask our broadcasters to refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions," USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre said.

But many people were not pleased that this directive came down. Why was the USTA censoring people's reactions to Trump being in the stadium? 

As The Guardian's Bryan Armen Graham pointed out, world leaders have had negative reactions towards them at sporting events: 

"Crowd dissent on broadcasts is not a breakdown on civic order. It is its expression. Then UK home secretary Theresa May was booed at the 2012 London Paralympics. French president Emmanuel Macron was whistled during the 2023 Rugby World Cup opening ceremony in Paris. In the US, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is all but guaranteed a chorus of boos during public appearances, and that's practically a standing ovation next to the venom reserved for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman from fans. And Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, have been given hostile receptions by sports crowds. Somehow the United Kingdom, France and the United States survived those incidents intact," he wrote.

"That the USTA thinks Trump must be insulated from reality hints at something darker. It is reminiscent of regimes where the leader's image must be protected from public ridicule. It shows how much Trump's first term -- and his bullying of cultural institutions -- still shapes behaviour. In his first presidency, he was broadly reviled by athletes and sports bodies. Now, as Tom Dart wrote before this year's Super Bowl, he is increasingly accommodated or treated with silence."

A glum-looking Trump at the end of the match

Indeed. For the most part, Trump wants to be there for the attention. So let him have it. 

But really the attention should be focused on the two players, Italian Jannik Sinner and Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz -- the latter prevailed in the end in an exhilarating match.

And when it was over, there was a quick camera glance at Trump. While everyone else was energised and clapping, he looked glum.

Osaka Sparkled with Glittering Labubus

Osaka shows off Arthur Flashe at the US Open

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka made great strides in this year's US Open, reaching the semi finals, but was defeated by Amanda Anisimova 6-7, 7-6, 6-3.

Not only did Osaka garner attention for her bling outfits that she had a hand in designing, but also carrying her glittering Labubu-esque dolls, a different one each day clipped to her bag that she brought court side.

Each match she carried a different Labubu

Perhaps what was more upsetting for her than losing in the semi finals was not being able to show off one more Labubu.

"Oh, don't make me cry, man. Oh, my God, the most devastating question," she said with a smile when asked about the Labubu that never was.

"I wanted to make one of myself in last year's outfit, and it was the green one. I would have had the bow, and I'm sick about it," she revealed amidst laughter. "Oh, my God, that's, like, the worst thing. Honestly, I'm fine losing, but don't ask me about this Labubu, man. Yeah, it would have been me."

Osaka worked with artist Kerin Rose Gold to create the tennis-themed five-inch Labubu figurines each carrying a tennis racquet.

There was Billie Jean King as Billie Jean Bling and LaBillieBoo (complete with oversized red eyeglasses), Althea Glitterson (Althea Gibson, one of the first Black tennis players), Andre Swagassi, a play on Andre Agassi with a headband, and Arthur Flashe, an homage to Arthur Ashe.

Gold with King and Labubu

Billie Jean Bling and Arthur Flashe even have their own Instagram accounts.

During the US Open it took Gold nine to 12 hours to complete one Labubu from scratch, including five hours to 3D print it and then another few hours to glue all the crystals on.

Gold also helped create the sparkling roses in Osaka's hair for her appearances.

If Labubu fans want one, they can order a "Lablingbling from Gold's A-Morir website with prices ranging from US$351 for a mini-sized one, up to US$737 for Labillieboo and Andre Swagassi...

Auger-Aliassime Puts up Tough Fight Against Sinner in US Open

Sinner (left) beat Auger-Aliassime to meet Alcaraz in final

In the end Italian Jannik Sinner prevailed, but Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime put up a damn good fight in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open that lasted three hours and 21 minutes. The final score was 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and the crowd was cheering on Auger-Aliassime when he came back from the devastating first set to climb back, win a set and then hang on as much as he could literally to the end.

The fourth set was going the Canadian's way, 2-1 at first, but then several double faults and enforced errors led to Sinner leading 4-2. Auger-Aliassime dug deep and managed to get one more point before the Italian completed the set 6-4.

He fought for as many points as he could

Auger-Aliassime, ranked No. 25 has played Sinner several times before, and one has to imagine how intimidating it could be playing against the world's No. 1 seed. But the Montrealer managed to keep up and had a few zinger shots that excited the crowd and one could see the delight on his face and a few fist pumps to keep him going.

"I just want to take a moment to soak in the tournament and everything that was good," Auger-Aliassime told the media after the game.

"You obviously build your future with what's good in you, and then you try to improve a little bit, step by step. So I'm just trying to take that all in.

"We were fighting out there. We had some good points. I was going toe to toe at times, some sets dominating. Of course, I feel competitive, but the future will tell how close I am [to Sinner's level]."

After the second set that Auger-Aliassime won, Sinner left the court for medical attention and it turns out later he had abdominal issues. But Sinner managed to keep going, but had to fight for points and Auger-Aliassime faltered a few times with double faults and some enforced errors.

Dabrowski (left) and Routliffe won doubles

Sinner now faces Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in the final.

Nevertheless it was a fantastic match for the Canadian and we're so proud of how far he's gone at the US Open. What a way to close out the season!

Canadians didn't lose out completely -- Ottawa native Gabriela Dabrowski and her partner Erin Routliffe won the women's doubles today, the second time in three years. 

They defeated American Taylor Townsend and Czechia's Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4.

Remembering Fashion Designer Giorgio Armani

Armani has had a presence in Hong Kong for decades

I woke up to the news this morning that Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani had passed away at the age of 91 in Milan.

When I was a teenager, I would flip through Hong Kong weekly magazines that were celebrity focussed, and had lots of advertisements and the ones that captivated me the most were those of Armani. The suits weren't boxy, but sleek, feminine, stylish and confident.

Armani Aqua restaurant in Chater House

These suits and also dresses were classic yet modern, and looked comfortable, effortless, yet elegant.

In Hong Kong his clothes were first carried by Joyce boutique and later Armani opened his own shops. He was very ambitious in 2011 when his brand took over Chater House in Central and opened the restaurant Armani Aqua and Armani Prive Bar, boutiques Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, and a flower shop called Armani/Fiori. The facade was covered in bamboo that lit up at night.

It seemed like the Armani-focused complex was more of a massive marketing exercise than a successful business venture; at the end of 2023, Armani's lease of Chater House ended and auction house Sotheby's took over the space.

Nevertheless Armani was not deterred. Last October he crossed Victoria Harbour and setup in Tsim Sha Tsui's Canton Road with a 9,000 sq ft store spread across two floors. There's ready-to-wear clothes, shoes, accessories, high jewellery and evening wear for women. For men there's a made-to-measure service for tailored suits.

The Chater House space had bamboo motifs

And for those who want a taste of Armani, last month the designer opened Armani/Caffe in Pacific Place serving dishes like saffron risotto, spaghetti al pomodoro, and veal Milanese.

His brand will definitely live on in Hong Kong.

Auger-Aliassime Advances to US Open Semis

Auger-Aliassime is playing really well at the 20205 US Open

Team Canada is still red hot with Felix Auger-Aliassime advancing to the semi-finals after an epic four-hour match defeating No. 8 Alex de Minaur 4-6, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.

"Four years is a long time, even if in the span of a lifetime it's also not that long. But 2021 does feel like a long time ago. I feel like I'm a different person," Auger-Aliassime said. "With the opportunity I had to start on the pro tour so young, it allows me now, with a second wind, another opportunity to find myself in the semis of a Slam. And I'm still only 25."

De Minaur fought hard in the over 4-hour match

Pulling off this upset is one of the most important victories in his career and it comes four years after he reached the US Open finals the first time in 2021.

Now Auger-Aliassime is older and wiser, though in the last few years he struggled with injuries and confidence issues. 

During the match he remembered the words of advice Rafael Nadal told him.

"I once asked him what the difference was between his career and that of other really good players who didn't have the same career," Auger-Aliassime said. 

"He said it was the ability to win matches when he wasn't playing his best, because it gave him the opportunity to play better in the next round and to stay alive in the tournament. What you don't say is, 'Today is not my day. It'll go better next time.'

Auger-Aliassime kept Nadal's advice in mind

"I have tried over the years to get better with that, and to doubt myself less when things aren't going great."

He definitely put that counsel to practice today amid the excitement of being in the quarterfinals.

"Just a lot of nerves today through the whole match," Auger-Aliassime said after the match. "It wasn't pretty at all times but that's what grand slam matches are. Sometimes, some days you won't feel your best but I was willing to dig really deep and do everything I can to stay here, right now."

Indeed!

He will play against No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner in the semis, while Carlos Alcaraz faces Novak Djokovic.

Wild Card Run Ends for Williams and Fernandez

Williams and Fernandez after losing their match today

The US Open run for Montreal's Leylah Fernandez and American tennis champion Venus Williams is sadly over, after they were soundly defeated by top seeded American Taylor Townsend and her Czech Republic partner Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-2 in a 57-minute match in the quarterfinals.

Nevertheless, it was still a win for both Fernandez and Williams, who have a mutual admiration for each other.

"I was so inspired by Leylah," Williams said. "I really got so much confidence playing with her, having an opportunity to play more matches in the doubles, and it was just an amazing experience to be able to do that."

The wild card pair enjoyed their time on the court 

For Fernandez, it was a thrill to play with her tennis idol, and a reminder of why she pursued the sport.

"The most important thing is that I started playing tennis for the love of the game and for bringing joy on court, not only for myself but also for the fans."

But wait -- the run for Canadian women in doubles is not over yet.

Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa and New Zealander Erin Routliffe are getting closer to possibly clinching a second US Open women's doubles title.

The third seeds had a shaky start but eventually defeated 11th-seeded Timea Babos of Hungary and Brazil's Luisa Stefani 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

Red Hot Canadian Tennis Talent

Fernandez (left) and Williams (right) are playing well together

Team Canada is flaming hot this year at the US Open. 

Montrealer Leylah Fernandez's profile has bumped up exponentially since she had Venus Williams as her doubles partner and the pair -- who only started playing together last week -- are now in the quarter-finals.

The wildcard pair have made the quarter finals

They were a wild card entry, with Fernandez at 22-years-old, and Williams at 45.

Today they defeated 12th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4 handily in one hour and 14 minutes.

"We're on the same wavelength and hopefully we can keep it going," said Williams.

"I have full confidence in Venus, and I hope she has full confidence in me during our match," Fernandez said. "We're just going out there, playing our game: Be offensive, aggressive and ready for the ball."

The pair are even getting coaching tips from Serena Williams, and sister Venus suggested on a live interview that it was time for Serena "to show up."

Auger-Aliassime beat Rublev to get into quarters

Then on the Canadian men's side, fellow Montrealer Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. On Saturday Rublev abruptly ended Hongkonger Coleman Wong Chak-lam's fairytale run at the US Open.

"[Monday] is my first time playing on Arthur Ashe in a few years, and I think it feels even better than the first time," said Auger-Aliassime, referring to the 2021 US Open semis. 

"At 21, I was on my way up. I had a few setbacks, injuries, struggles with confidence. Then to come back the second time in the quarterfinals here, it feels much better, more deserved."

It's been exciting watching Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime play awesome tennis and get the recognition they deserve. The future is bright for tennis in Canada!

Wong's Fairytale Run at the US Open Comes to an End

Wong has proved to himself he can play against top players

Coleman Wong Chak-lam's run at the US Open sadly came to an end today, but not without putting up a fight against world No. 15 Russian Andrey Rublev in a five-set thriller, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre's Grandstand court.

The match, which lasted more than three hours, saw Wong take the first and fourth sets, and serve a total of 25 aces. The 21-year-old is pleased with how he has improved significantly.

Rublev (left) said Wong played with no fear

"I'm getting closer, and I've proved to myself that I can do it," Wong said of wanting to break into the top 100. "I need to keep believing. I can see that I have the potential and I can scare the big guys.

"I believe in myself more now. I was still in Challengers, and now I'm in the US Open third round, almost beating a tough top 20 player, going five sets with them. It means I'm capable of pushing them all the way."

Rublev was gracious towards his Hong Kong opponent, ranked No. 173.

"It was a tough match, he played really well," said Rublev on the court afterwards. "He played aggressively and with no fear, it was tough. I didn't start well, he was all over me and I needed to fight for every ball to turn it around.

"He was fighting until the end in the last game. I'm happy I was able to win and get to the next round."

Indeed. Rublev will be facing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who stunned world No. 3 Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Wong hopes to break into the top 100 rankings

In the meantime, Wong will return to Hong Kong to play in a Davis Cup match against Uzbekistan next month.

He'll probably have a hero's welcome back and a lot of Hongkongers excited to watch him play. We've got Olympic swimmer Siobhan Haughey, fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long, and now tennis phenom Wong.

Wong has put Hong Kong on the map in tennis and definitely one to watch!

Latest Scam: Woman Left with HK$80K Restaurant Bill

The "date" was at Man Wah in the Mandarin Oriental

Women in Hong Kong have another thing to worry about when going on dates -- their suitor may leave them on the hook for a very expensive meal.

In the case of one woman, she was left to pay the restaurant bill of over HK$80,000 (US$10,264) at the Chinese restaurant Man Wah in the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong when her date claimed towards the end of the meal that he had to go to the washroom and never came back.

Really expensive champagne

Why was it so expensive? They had ordered the set meal of HK$2,388 each, featuring dishes like braised bird's nest, abalone, M9 wagyu, and steamed grouper.

But then the man, purporting to be a 26-year-old lawyer, chose a HK$71,800 bottle of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay champagne. The total cost of the mean was HK$84,453.

The woman had met the man on the Telegram messaging app a year ago and they arranged the date on Thursday at Man Wah.

When he didn't come back from the washroom, she called him several times but was not able to reach him and she had to ask friends to help her foot the massive bill and eventually filed a police report the next day.

The police arrested a 23-year-old man surnamed Wong in Tseung Kwan O for allegedly obtaining property by deception on Friday and seized the clothes he had worn the night of the date.

He's not the only guy who has done this version of "dine-and-dash" -- last month the police arrested a 29-year-old man who allegedly impersonated a firefighter on dating apps and apparently tricked three women into paying for lavish meals totalling HK$3,800 before running off.

But this latest scam of picking probably the most expensive bottle on the wine list is absolutely outrageous!

Tennis Phenom Coleman Wong Blazing Trails in US Open

Wong is enjoying his ride into the third round of the US Open

The US Open has started and already Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko was eliminated in the first round.

But there's another dark horse to cheer for -- 21-year-old Coleman Wong Chak-lam.

The Hongkonger has made history not only to qualify for the US Open, but to also to be the first to make it to the third round!

Bruce Wong (far left) is so proud of his son

Earlier today the world No. 173 Wong upset No. 85-ranked Australian Adam Walton 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours.

There were huge cheers for Wong when the match ended, and he looked in disbelief that he has made it this far.

"I'm swinging it, I'm feeling good," Wong said with a big smile. "This is my first main draw, first best of five, first everything. For me, for Hong Kong, for my team, everything is very new, so, no pressure.

"This is something that I dreamed of. For every tennis player, to keep going in a slam, it's one of the biggest tournaments in the world. So, at the moment, I'm still digesting, I still need to calm down, but I'm really happy."

After the match he used his coach's phone to call his parents to come to New York to watch him play this weekend. His father Bruce is a primary school headmaster, and his wife a teacher, both busy gearing up for the school year that starts on Monday.

Wong will meet No. 15 Rublev in the next match

Bruce Wong told RTHK he didn't have high expectations for his son, but him making it into the third round has made the family proud.

"It was really unbelievable for most of the Hong Kong people, like myself. Of course we're very happy, not only because of the result but the performance," the father said.

"In these few months, there were so many ups and downs, a lot of struggles. We're so happy we can see some good results at this moment."

Wong, who trains at Rafael Nadal's tennis academy in Mallorca, Spain, will next meet Russian Andrey Rublev, ranked No. 15.

"For me, I just want to go out there, enjoy, and I'm in the third round of the US Open, so I don't need to think so much," Wong said. "I just want to go out, enjoy the atmosphere, feel the vibe, and... stay as long as I can, because this is tough. Everyone is so good, everyone is so tough to play, so this means a lot to me."

Wong has an awesome attitude about being in this major tennis tournament -- relishing every moment, and trying not to put too much pressure on himself. He is the underdog, but at the same time totally blazing trails and giving Hongkongers someone to be proud of on the world stage.

WhyteCliff Park a Gem in Howe Sound

Whytecliff Park is a gem of a place... if you're in West Van

Yesterday after a lunch of Vietnamese food to refuel from climbing up the Grouse Grind, we headed further west to Whytecliff Park, a small inlet in Howe Sound that has a beach (a rocky one, not sandy), where people sunbathe, go into the water and snorkel, or check out some sea lions frolicking in the water.

The park opened in 1909 and is apparently home to more than 200 marine animal species. Whytecliff Park is also one of the first Marine Protected Areas in Canada.

The water is relatively clear with marine life

We wandered along the shoreline, and on the east side it juts out to an island that can be accessed during low tide. We happened to be there during low tide and one of the tide pools had two giant purple starfish! 

Then we clambered onto the island and admired the panoramic views of Howe Sound, and could see Gibsons across the water (a 20-minute ferry ride away) on the Sunshine Coast. We managed to spot a sea lion poking his head above the water, and a heron standing on a rock.

The children we were with hand fun looking for tiny crabs that were hidden under barnacle-covered rocks; the crabs would flee to anywhere moist otherwise they would bake in the sun. One even found a live crab far from the shoreline and carefully brought it to the water in the hopes that it would be OK.

What a lovely place to visit! As my cousin who took us here said, one needs to take advantage of beautiful places like this (aside from paying for parking), as Vancouver is so expensive to live in!

Two purple starfish were spotted in a tide pool

It's also quite far -- about an hour away by car, but definitely a memorable visit on a gorgeous sunny day.

Hiking Up the Grouse Grind

The morning light on the Grouse Grind

After many many years, we did the Grouse Grind again. One can't consider themselves a Vancouverite if they haven't done the Grouse Grind. Some people do this monthly, weekly and even daily! I can't imagine doing it so often!

My young nephews had done it recently so it was something I wanted to try again, just not on my own!

Endless wooden stairs along the 2.9km trail

We went very early this morning, arriving just after 8am and started around 8.22am. We wanted to avoid the heat and it was good that not many people were there either. However, soon after we started, I found the trail tough, as I was not used to going up so many stairs, and huffed and puffed my way up. 

The 2.9km trail is divided into 40 sections, and every quarter of the way there was an AED, or automated external defibrillator kit attached to a tree in case someone needed it! We took breaks along the way, and at the halfway point I ate a power bar and immediately felt better -- I needed that extra energy and water. I drank a lot of water!

I wasn't the only person struggling, others were too, and some were regulars who had the Grouse Grind pass around their necks. They were impressed the kids were going up so fast and hardly breaking a sweat!

My face was so red -- but I told my relatives that it also gets red after a 5K run -- so this was normal. Boy was I so relieved when I saw the clearing towards the top and the sound of the gondola meant I was near the end! I rounded up the rear and not including all the breaks, made it in 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Stunning views of Vancouver below

Thankfully there was a water station up at the top as well as washrooms, and you could buy snacks to refuel. 

Since we were up there we did a quick walk around and saw the Grizzly Bear habitat. We saw one bear, around 24 years old, who has lived up there for over 20 years. I had no idea Grouse Mountain had this area for two Grizzlies. The one we saw was cooling off in the small pond, humans staring at him in his enclosure protected with an electric fence. The bear was neutered to keep his testosterone in check.

There's also a lumberjack demonstration, where they throw axes, climb up a tall tree pole, and walk on logs in the water, but we were too early for the first show.

As we walked back a girl flew over us on a zipline which looked exciting and terrifying at the same time!

A Grizzly cooling off in the water

We took the Blue Grouse Gondola down, which costs $20 for adults, $10 for children. That was fun in itself, and much faster than the old school gondola which is still running on another track!

Don't think I'll be doing the Grouse Grind anytime soon, but now I understand why so many people do the Stairmaster machine at the gym!

Picture of the Day: Steamed Crab and Pork Patty

Steamed pork patty surrounded by crab legs

Tonight we went out for dinner at Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant in Richmond and had some staple dishes, like winter melon soup, crispy chicken, sweet and sour pork, and steamed fish. They were all very good, perfectly cooked. 

The winter melon soup was perfect for today, which reached a high of 27 degrees.

We also ordered steamed crab -- with pork patty cooked together with the chopped up crab.

One of our friends at the table had seen this combination on a TV cooking show in Hong Kong where a top chef made it, and it looked so delicious that they asked the Golden Paramount manager if this could be done for us.

My picture is of the dish half eaten, but you can see the pork patty has soaked up the sweet juices of the fresh crab meat. 

Will we see this variation in other Chinese restaurants around town? Very high chance. 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Luckily nets prevented foul balls from landing on us!

Today I finally went to my first baseball game at Nat Bailey Stadium, watching the Vancouver Canadians against the Tri-City Dust Devils.

The main issue was heat and we slathered on sunscreen before we left and armed ourselves with wide-brimmed hats.

Our next challenge was finding parking, and we managed to get a spot over a block away which wasn't too bad. For easy security checks, no large handbags allowed, unless they were see-through tote bags and indeed a few women did have see-through vinyl bags. 

A sushi roll, wasabi and soy sauce run a race...

We had a spare 15 minutes to get a baseball cap ($35), two bratwurst hotdogs, a Gatorade, double fried fries and a large bag of popcorn.

Our seats were a few rows behind the plate, but right in the sun. Our hats weren't enough to save us from the heat...

Two girls did a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in harmony, followed by O Canada. And right at 1.05pm, the game started.

It wasn't until the fourth inning when the Canadians got two home runs, but then the Tri-City Devils caught up quickly in the fifth, making it 2-2.

We couldn't take the heat anymore and moved up to the covered area which helped us cool down immensely. However the sun began creeping up to our knees... the people in front of us moved to find other seating. Eventually we moved one or two rows up too.

In the sixth inning the Canadians got two more home runs to make it 4-2. The Devils had a time-out conferring what to do, and changed their pitchers four or five times halfway through the game.

Finally the Canadians were able to get in one more home run, and hold off the Devils from scoring any to make it 4-3 in the final score.

Ruck and Broderick were at last night's game

Halfway through the game there was a race between a sushi roll, a clump of green wasabi, a Kikkoman soy sauce bottle, and two Kikkoman boxes? ran around the bases. There was also a 50-50 lucky draw and apparently the guy sitting next to me won over $3,600!

There was also the chicken dance which my nephew jumped up and danced to with a big grin on his face.

When the game ended we were exhausted and dehydrated. We went to Granville Island, and I quickly finished a cold fruit ice tea drink, and half an ice tea lemonade!

Fun experience but wow very exhausting in the heat! Next time an evening game!

Turns out last night actors Matthew Broderick and Alan Ruck, who starred in the 1986 comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off were at the Canadians game and sang Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Berry Good Deal

White Spot restaurant has a great deal this summer -- The Blueberry Bundle.

For $20 you get a side of green salad or Caesar salad, a Legendary burger and a blueberry pie made from blueberries from a farm in Maple Ridge.

The highlight is the dessert. While it's not exactly a baked pie, it's really a lot of fresh blueberries marinated in a light sugar syrup and placed in a pastry cup, topped with whipped cream.

The deal is so good I've had it twice in one month!

Hongkonger Makes into the Main Draw at US Open

Wong is the first Hongkonger in the main draw at US Open

When the US Open starts this weekend, it will be very interesting to watch, not just the debut of Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko, fresh off her win at the National Bank Open in Montreal, but also the first Hongkonger to reach the main draw of the American tennis tournament.

Coleman Wong Chak-lam, 21, beat Brit Billy Harris 6-3, 6-4 to qualify for the US Open.

"At the moment I don't know what I'm thinking," Wong said immediately after his historic win. "It was tough last night. I didn't sleep the best knowing how close I was.

Wong (left) won US Open boys doubles in 2021

"I know I have the level, and I know I just need to be calm and to play my game. I'm in the main draw and I want to go for more."

In the first round Wong may encounter the likes of Jack Draper, Ben Shelton, or Andrey Rublev in the first round that starts on Sunday.

It won't be Wong's first rodeo, as he won the boys' doubles championship in 2021. 

Nevertheless, according to the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, Ip Koon Hung was the last player from Hong Kong to compete in the main draw of the men's singles at the US Open back in 1947.

Ip and another man, Edward Tsai both representing Hong Kong have ever reached a tennis major in the Open era -- most recently in 1954.

Ip was the first when he played at Wimbledon in 1951, and did it again the following year.

Meanwhile Tsai managed to reach the second round in 1953 and 1954, the last time a Hongkonger appeared at a slam.

Handing Out Cash in a Potato Chip Bag

Greco (right) handed a potato chip bag with cash to a reporter

A long time advisor to New York City mayor Eric Adams has been suspended from his re-election campaign after she gave cash in an empty potato chip bag to a journalist. For the record it was sour cream and onion flavoured chips.

Winnie Greco, who is ethnic Chinese, met up with The City's Katie Honan at Whole Foods, where Greco at first offered her the chip bag as a snack. According to Honan, she refused, but Greco insisted she keep it, and then the two parted ways.

When Honan got to the subway station, she looked inside and saw that there was a red envelope stuffed with cash -- one $100 bill and several $20 bills.

The red envelope was stuffed with over US$100

She freaked out and called her editor, and then tried to call Greco back, telling her could not take the money and had to return it. But Greco claimed she was not in the area anymore.

The City promptly reported what happened to the city's Department of Investigation, and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn contacted the newspaper's lawyers.

In response, Adams' campaign spokesman, Todd Shapiro said, "We are shocked by these reports," and added "Winnie Greco holds no position in this campaign and has been suspended from all volunteer-related activities."

But it was Greco's lawyer, Steven Brill, who had to somehow spin the narrative to explain the red envelope that made the situation even worse.

He claimed it was common in Chinese culture to give cash to reporters "in a gesture of friendship and gratitude."

"I grant you this looks odd," Brill said. "But I assure you that Winnie's intent was purely innocent."

Honan doesn't know why Greco gave her money

He said her attempt to give money to the reporter might have been "misconstrued" and that she is "apologetic and embarrassed."

Does anyone actually buy this apparent explanation?

The reporter Honan, who covers City Hall, was asked by the CBC if she knew why Greco gave her the money and Honan said she didn't know why.

But the way Brill explains it as a cultural thing just looks terrible, and it also makes it look like all ethnic Chinese reporters accept red envelopes!

For the record no one in Hong Kong gives lai see in Cantonese or hong bao in Mandarin to reporters. It is absolutely forbidden.

However on the Chinese mainland, this practice is very common. Since reporters' base salary is very low, they often pad it by collecting hong bao and writing stories praising whichever companies that gave it to them.

Many years ago in 2007 in Beijing, I witnessed this first hand when I accompanied a reporter to an innocuous event. She was handed a hong bao of 200 yuan, which wasn't much, but the reporter refused it outright.

The public relations person politely tried to explain it was "transportation money" to compensate for the trouble of getting to the event, but the reporter flatly said she didn't need the money because our company would reimburse her for the transportation costs.

It went back and forth for a few minutes until the PR person gave up.

But apparently those covering the oil and gas industry, and probably now electric cars would get very thick red envelopes...

Nevertheless, halfway around the world in New York, why would someone even consider giving out red envelopes to a reporter?

In any event, Greco was already investigated last year by the FBI, and for her close ties to China, and this latest incident will surely be probed further. It's going to be hard for Greco to spin the story out of a sour cream and onion chip bag...

China Marks 60 years of Control of Tibet

Festivities marking 60 years of the Tibet Autonomous Region

There was a big party on Lhasa to mark the 60th anniversary of the Communist Party of China's governance of Xizang or Tibet with a massive parade complete with goose-stepping soldiers, colourful floats and dancers dressed in costumes representing 56 ethnic minorities.

President Xi Jinping was on hand to witness the celebrations. One China expert pointed out Xi's appearance should put to rest any rumours of the leader's health as it would not be a good idea for a 72-year-old with health issues to go to Lhasa, which is at 3,636 metres above sea level.

Xi made his second trip to Tibet since 2021

The last time Xi visited Tibet was in 2021, his first trip there. But interestingly this time Xi did not speak.

Wang Huning, China's No. 4 official, said that since the 18th party congress in 2012, under Xi's guidance and comprehensive plan, "Tibet has entered its best period of development, experiencing the greatest changes and bringing the most tangible benefits to people of all ethnic groups".

During the parade, floats representing several different cities drove past Xi and the audience at the foot of the Potala Palace. 

While China regards this anniversary as one that benefitted Xizang, others see it as six decades of iron fist control over the religious region that used to be governed by the Dalai Lama. 

Military strength on display at the anniversary

In March 1959, the Tibetan spiritual leader fled by foot across the border to India and settled in Dharamshala, where he and his entourage and followers have been ever since.

Six years later the Communist Part established the Tibet Autonomous Region, after Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Guangxi, and Ningxia.

The Dalai Lama has been playing a political game of chess with the CPC over who and where the next leader will be. In early July he said he will have a successor that he himself will appoint and "no-one else has any authority to interfere in this matter".

According to Tibetan tradition, Dalai Lamas are "reincarnated" after they die. 

However, Beijing claims the religious leader's successor would be from inside China and must be approved by the government.