kemmner torneau dress watch

Sometime in 2011, I stumbled upon a German watchmaker who sold handcrafted time pieces through an eBay storefront. At the time I had convinced myself that I needed a dress watch for business-related matters, and perhaps even a less expensive wrist option for travel needs than the Longines Master Collection watch that Emmelle had gotten me just a few months earlier. During a random night of online surfing (possible offline boozing), I accidentally clicked the Buy option and lo and behold, I added this price-friendly automatic watch to my collection.

It's nothing too special, but I think terrific value for anyone who might be considering an entry-level automatic movement watch not willing to pay the normal price tag. I do find the black leather strap to be a bit clunky - it took weeks for the leather to become even supple enough to easily close the metal clasp.





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new city, new restaurants

You can't travel around the safer parts of Oakland without noticing the high concentration of skinny jeans, scruffy beards, fixed gear bicycles and in general, a deliberate intention to appear homeless. It's hard to get away from all of that - they are everywhere! Their story is not so different from ours - San Franciscans finding a like-culture across the bridge at a much friendlier cost of living. Well, that's the narrative that I've established in my head. 

Thinking of a positive to this realization...oh yes. There is at least one.  

I speak specifically of well-regarded eateries that are both already established and are springing up in the area. Restauranteurs are answering the call to offer delicious eats on the cheap. Two specifically that we have enjoyed include Hawker Fare (closer to Downtown/Lake Merrit) and Brown's Sugar Kitchen (right in the heart of West Oakland). Both of these restaurants have received national attention and accolade, so I don't plan to add anything new to the conversation. However, I'd just like to say a few words from the perspective of proud new residents.

Hawker Fare

We've already been here a handful of times - simple, but well-executed Asian rice plates. I think I can eat a rice bowl with protein and greens/pickled vegetables for any meal of the day, and these guys do it exceedingly well. It's a perfect go-to place to take guests; a location where you don't have to fret that the bill may be uncomfortably  high for guests. The hipster vibe is readily present here; I've mentioned to Emmelle that the place feels a little bit like Brooklyn. San Francisco East or Brooklyn West, oh fickle West Oakland.

Brown's Sugar Kitchen

I have no idea how long this place has been in West Oakland, but it brings east bayers out in droves during weekend breakfast and brunch hours. We've never driven by when there wasn't a glut of eager patrons littered around the main entrance. Yes, the food is delicious but I just want to comment quickly on the audacity of the owners to build their establishment surrounded by warehouses and abandoned industry. This is the kind of establishment that will help our community thrive. It's clear to see that it's a treasure in this area, and we'll be taking weekend guests for years to come. Dining for two will always be preferred, as you can patiently wait for seating at the counter, watching the cooks churn out tasty plates.

By the way, I've never had fried chicken and waffles that I really considered memorable. After brunching at Brown's over the weekend, I'm recanting that long-held belief.

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reclaimed wood dining table

I've done a poor job of posting updates as our new home rapidly changes. I don't really know how to expand on that thought - I just haven't. Every week, something is unpacked, a small furniture piece is acquired, an accent is delivered. Now there are considerations for an accent wall, multiple rugs, art work that will help define our design style (shouldn't it be the other way around?). I'm resigned to the notion that our home will never be 'complete'. Even if we fill every corner with a desired piece, I'm certain we'll have wistful feelings to replace with something fresh. It won't ever be over.

While I say that, I'm hopeful that our dining set purchase will last us for many years to come. I've always fancied a bench and the rustic look works very well in our space. It's a reclaimed wood piece from Wooden Duck in Berkeley. There is my shout out. While we are accustomed to eating meals together in front of the TV, it's been a highly functional furniture piece when guests are over. 

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christopher nolan's batman franchise

We are a little over two months away from the release of Christopher Nolan's third and final installment of his Batman treatment - The Dark Knight Rises. After foolishly thinking that the Star Wars prequels would be the last time I obsessed over the plots and spoilers of a soon-to-be-released film, along came Nolan's trilogy masterpiece. Now, at 31, I devote a few web minutes each day to learn about the latest rumors and storyline updates. I've flip-flopped multiple times on whether I should learn every minutia of detail or wait to be pleasantly surprised upon viewing. I actually want both. Mr. Nolan - please make this happen.

Anyway, for posterity's sake, the three trailers (for me to watch incessantly over the next two months).

Teaser trailer:





Second trailer:





Third trailer:




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we moved

I haven't posted in a long time - basically a month. It's directly related to my last post - the waiting game. We are no longer waiting; we are living, storing, buying, cleaning, painting, scrubbing, dirtying. I unfortunately, lost the better part of last week due to a NY work trip. Each day brings a new set of tasks to complete, it feels like the list continues to grow. But I'm not complaining. We're excited and couldn't be happier with all that is happening. Pictures are forthcoming, and I'm eager to document the ongoing changes over the course of weeks, months, years (!). The real challenge at the moment seems to be about making sure not to fill the space too quickly, otherwise we'll want to change and discard too soon.

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the waiting list

 
We are officially playing the waiting game. This picture, taken at Magnolia in the Haight, from a few weeks back seems appropriate as we helplessly wait to sign final papers and receive keys. Having sold off a good chunk of our furniture, we've been in limbo for a couple of weeks now.Clothes splayed on the floor, suitcases trying in vain to do their best dresser impersonations. There are even a couple of new furniture pieces that have been purchased with nowhere to deliver them.

Ah, the not-so-delightful joys of moving. Let's not do this again for at least five years.
Emmelle, the one in the super champions hoodie, waits.

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pacific cannery lofts

Time to show some preliminary photos of our new pad. The hard wood floors were recently installed on the first floor; we will be doing our final walk-thru at the end of this week. If I were to editorialize this objective blog post, I would write, "Give us the damn keys already."

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welcome to san francisco east, formerly west oakland

Here is an email that was shared with friends and family earlier today. Emmelle and I officially announced our move to West Oakland San Francisco East. I'll post pictures in the coming weeks. 

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Leap Day!
-----------------------------------------------------

Distinguished friends, esteemed family:

I apologize in advance for disrupting your Facebook browsing, but I’d like to take a moment of your time to share an exciting development in the Lee-Shin household.

Monica and I recently purchased (borrowed money for) a condo in San Francisco East. We’ve been reluctant to share the news until we were absolutely certain all obstacles were cleared. We learned at the end of last week that keys will be handed over shortly; our plan is to be fully moved into our new home by March end!

Now, you may be curious where San Francisco East is located as your Google Maps search isn’t yielding a satisfactory result. Silly Google. San Francisco East is a ten minute drive from financial district and the first exit across the Bay Bridge. It has a lesser-known name, West Oakland. Here, Monica and I will re-establish some of the street cred that we’ve lost over the years. In all seriousness, our condo is part of three new developments in the area and early phase of a long-term growth plan for this once-neglected community.

While excited to be a part of the burgeoning San Francisco East community, we are certainly sad to part ways with San Francisco Main. It holds a dear place in our hearts and we vow to return in the future. For now, we will proudly march with the Bridge & Tunnel crowd.

We look forward to having you over to our humble abode once we get some furnishings inside. I’d love to be able to write that we will share some photos in the coming weeks, but I won’t, because that would be a lie. You'll just have to come over and see for yourself.

Here’s to the thug life.

Thanks,

The Lee-Shins.

meet toby

There's a relatively new addition to Mama and Papa Shin's household. His name is Toby (his former family called him Kunta Kinte); we've deduced that he is half Chiuhuahua and half Beagle. He joined the clan back in December when he was just three months old. Toby's already much bigger now but I remember the weekend they brought him home - frightened at the slightest sound, shivering when being unmercifully passed around from one person to the next, too young to recognize he's meant to lose his shit when there's food around.

A couple of months later, he's a well-adjusted, happy puppy, his mischievous deeds always forgiven because of his sweet disposition and heart-melting, doughy eyes. 
He perfectly fills the void left by C-Monster. Once again, Mama and Papa Shin are able to  spend their days feeding and cleaning a cute helpless being.



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teach me how to text

A couple of months ago, I added Emmelle to my cell phone plan that I have been sharing with C-Monster for several years. Getting on the same cell phone plan is a momentous occurrence and probably deserves to be commemorated independently, but I will focus today on our first full billing statement under the shared plan.

Here are some usage stats during January. I'm not sure if it's more laughable that I text roughly twice per day or that somebody on the plan sends over 50/day.

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