IN THE THRONE ROOM OF MOUNTAIN GIANTS

Yesterday I found myself surrounded by the mountains of my childhood dreams. Finally, after so many years, I visited the Legendary Mountains - the European Alps - Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jurasses Mountain. I visited the villages where legends started: Courmayeur and Chamonix. The excitement of these magical names was more than I could bear. I might be smiling non-stop for 3 months.

During my teenage years, I bought every mountaineering book I could afford. I read about mountains, read again, discussed with my climbing buddies, dreamed, and read again. These are the mountains where Walter Bonatti "almost" died MANY times. Cats are supposed to have 9 lives? Walter Bonatti had 9 times 9. My heroes Herman Buhl, George Mallory, Heinrich Herrer, Chris Bonington and others pioneered many "impossible" first ascents on these two mountains. They survived blizzards, extreme weather, rock avalanches, severe injuries, and other challenges. In the 1870's Edward Whymper climbed here many times with his pack full of bottles of fine wine and metal brandy flasks; in case the wine bottles broke. Rheinhold Messner and Peter Habeler set fantastic speed records in the Alps, blazing up many standard 3-day climbing routes in just a few hours. Most of my childhood heroes proved themselves in these mountains with harrowing tales of near-death, survival, and indomitable spirit to continue.

Two days ago I arrived in Torino Italy late at night. I was determined to wake early and get to Mont Blanc, Courmayeur and Chamonix. The night passed with me being more excited than a young boy waiting to open my Christmas gifts. I couldn't sleep at all. At the first opportunity, I jumped out of bed, packed my hiking clothes in my bag, and took off to catch the first train to the mountains. I could NOT wait.

Courmayer, Italy and Chamonix, France. These beautiful mountain towns are dominated by Europe's largest mountains – Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses. These towns were my target.

The early morning train cruised through the fertile Piemonte plains of Italy, famous for lush farms that produce some of the world's best food and wines. The numerous farms had corn higher than my head, hay for cattle, grapes for wine, beautiful farm houses, and roads that led to quaint villages. Finally we reached the base of the mountains. The train started the long, winding climb up the Aosta Valley. Reaching the town of Aosta, I traded the train for bus transport. I stopped for about an hour to visit Aosta, a beautiful mountain town by any standard. I wandered through the local outdoor market, watched motor-less glider planes soaring above the mountains, and was blessed by the statue of Saint Anselme with Mont Blanc beckoning to me in the background. I enjoyed Aosta, but could not stay. Mont Blanc dominated the background like a giant king. My heart was pounding with each glance. Mont Blanc was calling to me, demanding, “COME…”

Our bus chugged up the Aosta valley on winding, steep curves above a raging river. Immediately I wondered where I could rent a kayak or raft? That river looks FUN with lots of boiling white water churning over and around the numerous boulders. Next time.

We passed villages that contained small mountain houses built to prevent snow build-up on the roofs and destruction by avalanche. Finally we reached the town of Courmayeur. Courmayeur's scenery is dominated by the towering pinnacles, glaciers, and water falls of the massive Grandes Jorasses mountain. The Grandes Jorasses is awesome and intimidating. How many tales did I read about near death epics climbing this mountain? Many. Immediately I felt the urge to strap on heavy boots and climbing gear to test myself against this magnificent mountain. Mont Blanc? It was hidden behind another mountain, but still the king whispered with greater power, “COME…” I spent an hour or two hiking around Courmayeur; a great little mountain village. I could live here happily.

But I had to go to Chamonix. Why? To take the telepherique, the cable car, the tram to the top of Mont Blanc. I wanted to see the view from the top, even if I had to cheat and take the easy way. Reluctantly leaving Courmayeur, I boarded the bus with a group of French high school students. We drove to Chamonix through the long tunnel going underneath Mt. Blanc. Arriving in Chamonix, I was immediately stuck by the immense presence, the overwhelming size of Mont Blanc. I fell in love with Chamonix. What a great beautiful place, surrounded by mountains. No wonder so many people spend much of their lives here climbing, skiing, hiking, and enjoying the mountain life. I MUST return.

I jumped out of the bus and walked quickly to cable car, telepherique, to take me to the top ridge of Mont Blanc. The cable car goes to a pointed rock at 3854 meters (12,644 feet) called the Auiguille du Midi (Middle Needle). This is not the top of the mountain, but near enough for lazy people like me. The car was filled with people from all over the world. Most of them were tourists like me. Some were serious mountain climbers with all the heavy equipment, ropes, and pointed metal tools for climbing ice. Many years ago I was part of the group with the mountaineering equipment. But now I have a titanium hip. Those days are behind me.

Boarding the cable car, we climbed into the clouds that enveloped the top of the mountain. Looking through the windows we could see silhouettes of climbers traversing the top ridge of the ice. Finally we reached the top of the tram ride. We were enveloped in a snow storm, but still the scenery was spectacular and exciting. How I longed to go out hiking in the snow. I MUST return for some of the easy climbing up here.

The snow storm intensified until it became a heavy wind and thunderstorm. We couldn't go down the mountain until the storm passed by. Lightning and thunder rocked the cable car station, but fortunately we were warm and cozy inside the hut and rock cave. While waiting, I chatted with a group of tourists from Japan. They were having a superb time during a 10 day hiking trip in the European Alps mountains.

Finally the storm passed and we managed to reach the bottom just in time for me to catch the last bus back to Courmayeur and Aosta and the train. Maybe that was a mistake. NOW....now I wish that I had missed the bus. I wish that I was forced to spend another night in the magical presence of Mont Blanc. I longed to spend more time in Chamonix – much more than the few hours allotted to me. NEXT time, I will bring my wonderful wife and we WILL enjoy several days up here. I hope I can teach her how to climb steep ice slopes with me. We need to enjoy much more of the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) on the immense summit region. I need to find a way to reassure her that the many "near death" stories for other people won't happen when I'm involved......

After the bus and train, I returned to my hotel late at night. I fell asleep with more dreams – dreams of Mont Blanc, the Grandes Jorasses mountain. Dreams of the mountain climbers who were my heroes. While sleeping I dreamt that they all whispered to me – “COME AGAIN. CLIMB again. CLIMB even if only the easy portion.”

Yes, sometimes we are lucky enough to reach our childhood dreams. For me, that day is coming.

Return to Italy - The Ronin in Torino

Dateline: Torino Italy, July 22

The evening drive from the airport greeted me with the sights of Torino; lush green farms with corn growing higher than my head, charming old buildings, the castle perching like an eagle on top of the mountain, the river flowing lazily in the evening sunlight, and people sitting at cafes dressed for the hot weather and discussing...whatever. Yes, I must be in Italy again.

One reason I write this blog is to let my family and friends know where in the world I am. This is the only way most of my family has any idea of my location. The Roaming Ronin (me) travels so often that even I don't know where I am most of the time. Without this blog, I might never remember where I've been. Ah...but what a way to remember. Tell my stories, look at my photos. OK, I admit it. I'm selfish. I write this blog for me. If anyone else reads it, that's just icing on the cake.

Now it's Saturday morning. I'm off to a new adventure. I'm going into the mountains and see if I can get some pictures of Mount Blanc, the tallest mountain in Europe. I'll post some pictures here. Let's see, I can't write Italian yet. I'll try French language. Bon voyage, mon ami!

No brain, my way of life

右脳、左脳、没脳
Right Brain, Left Brain, No Brain

My previous blog was about reaching a state of "no mind" to achieve success in martial arts and sports. My wonderful wife somehow found that article inspiring. Reading my writing, she cleverly disguised her admiration behind a fit of laughing. Her eyes gleamed when she said, "No mind? There's a better way to describe you. It's called No Brain." Then she resumed her giggles and laughter.

Ah yes, it's great to be loved.

But I must admit my clever wife is correct. I spend most of my time in a state of no brain. I remember all the very difficult things, such as how to solve difficult challenges in business or engineering. But I forget small things such as:

- My wife's birthday and and our wedding anniversary. This year I guessed within 2 or 3 days of the actual date.
- Different colored socks on each foot. Once I wore different shoes. At work I explained that I was taking dance lessons and needed to remember "right foot" and "left foot."
- The location of my keys and eyeglasses. It's really hard to find eyeglasses when I can't see very well. My keys...always lost.
- Sometimes I forget the location of my car. But this is a good thing. The policeman helping me reported that traffic safety dramatically improves whenever I do NOT drive. Ha! Everyone's a comedian. I will try to remember not to drive on the grass in front of his house...not again, anyway.
- how much money I might have in the bank. Why call the bank? I know there is still a lot of money there. They can make more.
- Anything I might have been talking about when a beautiful woman walks by.

Yes, normally I wander around the world in a confused state of no brain. Small things usually they play a game of hiding from me. They hide under my bed, behind bushes, or anywhere my brain might have strayed off to and then returned without memory.

Sometimes my state of no brain can be dangerous. When I was 17 years old, I was climbing a cliff and forgot to use my safety rope. I fell 30 meters and hit the ground. (true story). Fortunately, I managed to survive. But I learned my lesson. After that, at least 70% of the time I used my safety rope to prevent falling.

Sometimes no brain is embarrassing, sometimes not. With my wife, there's not too much embarrassment. She's accustomed to my lack of memory. When I wear a brown sock and blue sock, she just shrugs and hides her amusement behind loud laughter.

In business situations, however, I must be more careful. One day I shaved only half my face. Fortunately no one seemed to notice...but for some reason everyone kept pointing to the right side of their face when looking at me. I suspected that they must have had some type of nervous problem. I was relieved that I didn't suffer from THEIR problem. When I got home and looked at the mirror, I realized maybe MY problem was bigger than their problem.

My wife has learned to adjust and help me minimize no brain. Before I go on a long trip, she gives me a repeated quiz. "Do you have your passport?" yes. "Do you have your passport?" yes. "Do you have money, cell phone, computer, suitcase, clothes?" yes. "Do you have your passport?" Yes. Finally we arrive at the airport and I kiss her good bye. After she drives off I remember I forgot to say something to her...something very important before leaving my wife on a long international trip. Oh yes, I remembered! I call her quickly on the cell phone. She answers and asks what's up? I say, "Honey, I love you so much. You are the greatest. Can you do me a favor? I forgot my passport..."

Quiet Focus for Success

不心
"No mind" state for success

The ancient Chinese and Japanese martial arts masters emphasized the importance of reaching a state of "no mind" to be successful. Reaching the "no mind" state comes from years of training and repetition until the body, mind, and spirit act as one. There is no need to think, no need to recognize and consider. As soon as something is sensed, act immediately without thinking. Yes, this is necessary and natural for sports, for martial arts, mountain climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. But I often wonder, how to translate this to business and life? Is it possible to achieve a "no mind" state that provides the same success in business as in sports?

In Karate do （空手道） TaijiQuan (太极拳), sword fighting, or other martial arts, the masters train us to reach a state where we don't think, we just do. Once an attack starts, you have no time to think through a list of options: attack the attack, block, move out of the way, counter-attack? In that instance you will be too slow and lose. The only option is to sense and act. there's no time to think. Training your body, mind, and spirit to act together is the only way to accomplish this state of "no mind."

Snowboarding, skiing, and rock climbing use the same principle of "no mind." The best masters of these sports don't think. They see or feel, and do. When I was spending a lot of time rock climbing, I learned quickly that if I stopped to think and be afraid, I would hesitate and fall. Success came by focusing ONLY on the next move, not thinking about anything. Just make my body move upward the next one, two, or three moves.

Snowboarding and snow skiing is the same way. The best snowboarders don't think about movement or how to do the next turn. They look down the hill, never at their feet or hips. They just look, decide the course, and then go. Going down a steep demanding course should be no different than water going down the hill. Just look, go, and move down the mountain like a smooth, well-rehearsed dance. A dance that changes instantaneously with each small change in the mountain. I haven't reached that stage too often in snowboarding. Sometimes I start thinking about something, and then I fall. Usually I fall quite often.

"No mind" is a common and necessary state for all sports: martial arts, rock climbing, snowboard, tennis, golf. You can only reach this state after tremendous practice and training until your body, mind, and spirit act as one without thinking.

My big question is: how to accomplish the "no mind" state to accomplish more in life? Can we reach "no mind" for business and other parts of life? Is it desirable? What do we sacrifice when reaching this state? What works in sports should also work well in the bigger area of life and business. It must be possible to train ourselves and reach a focus where our ability in life simulates our ability in sports.

Unfortunately, I'm not that clever. I only have questions, not answers. Maybe I need to go do some field testing for my job: time for tennis or golf, anyone?

我的汉子的天： 才， ability, talent, gift

日本語：サイ、sai, 天才 tensai = genius 画才 gasai = artistic talent
中文： 才 cai, 才干 caigan = ability, competence 才气= literary talent

English Slang: There's the Rub

English Slang: There's the Rub = that is the difficult part of this problem

I heard this idiom today on the radio during discussions of the problems between Israel, Lebanon, and the Palistinians. The radio people were discussing different things that contribute to the problems. Then one person mentioned a major reason for the difficulties. The other radio person said, "Yes, there's the rub. (the most difficult issue). It might be impossible to resolve that issue peacefully."

Other sentences for "there's the rub."

"John and Jane have lots of disagreements, but the main problem seems to start from that fight they had 4 years ago." "Yes, there's the rub. How do we get them to forget that fight?"

"The car won't start." "Oh, there's the rub. Someone stole the battery."


我的汉子的天： (I'm trying to learn Japanese and Chinese languages)
勉 = diligence.
日本語：べん　勉強＝benkyou, study, 勤勉　kinben, diligence
中文：mian 勤勉的, qinmiande, diligent 共勉【gongmian】 mutual encouragement.

Chinese Weddings in America

Our best friends' wedding! July 11, 2007

I love to see immigrants come to America, contribute their energy to grow and improve our country, and quickly become part of America's family. Yesterday we were privileged to be invited to one small chapter of the growing story of the formidable friendship between America and China: the American wedding of our good Chinese friends.

Zheng SongFeng and JoAnn Du (Du Juan) got married here in Los Angeles. It was a fantastic day and evening. What a great way to celebrate their love and commitment to family.

To make the day even happier, their friends Mr. Liu Ziqiang and Ms. Zheng Yuhui decided to get married on the same day, same place, and almost same time. Great friends help bring great fortune. The two couples were able to enjoy a 2-for-1 wedding discount!!

Apparently July 11, 7-11 in numbers, is a lucky day according to Chinese fortune tellers. The lucky husbands knew that they will receive constant reminders of their anniversary whenever they drive past the numerous 7-11 convenience stores in America. Even better, if the men happen to forget their anniversary until the last second, they can quickly stop in a 7-11 store and buy some inexpensive candies and chocolates for anniversary gifts.

Of course I am joking a little bit. Even geniuses-in-training like these two men should have enough common sense NOT to purchase their anniversary gifts at convenience stores. Hopefully they will remind each other in advance to buy something good (and hide the amount that was spent from their Ministers of Finance...er...wives.)

The two couples celebrate the same happy wedding day. Happy friendship, new families, and new homes. Above the four happy newlyweds are the flags of the United States, State of California, and Los Angeles County. Friends, welcome to America! Thanks for joining our diverse international community that contributes so much to America's success.

SongFeng is a very happy and lucky husband. His beautiful wife JoAnn takes great care of him and supplies much of the family's finances while he pursues his dream to earn a PhD from UCLA. Soon SongFeng will learn that men are far more successful and happy in their careers and life when married to a great lady. Men want to impress their ladies and make them proud. JoAnn is very clever. Making her proud will take SongFeng's best efforts. He has great achievements in his future.

JoAnn also is living the American / Chinese dream. She graduated from a good university in China, worked for awhile, then came to America to get a graduate degree from Notre Dame university. Now she works for a prestigious engineering company that helps provide technology for new factories in China and other parts of the world. (OK...she works for me, the not-so-humble Roaming Ronin.)

We all enjoyed the wedding, dinner, and lots of talking together. My wife Wonderful Jane and I were treated like part of the family. Our young friend Lisa was the honored Flower Girl.

The evening ended with an omen of long life and happiness. Just as we left the restaurant after the wedding dinner, a HUGE full moon greeted the new married couples by rising above the horizon in the moon's best splendor. Mother Moon was very big and bright while she smiled down over a clear, cloudless night with warm temperatures and a soft breeze. This is one of the best signs that God is smiling on SongFeng and JoAnn.

To our newlywed families: to SongFeng and JoAnn, to Ziqiang and Yuhui : CONGRATULATIONS!!! Wonderful Jane and I pray that your marriage brings you a long life of happiness and shared challenges together.

North Korea Gives Me Indigestion and a headache

"China is gravely concerned about the current situation in North Korea".... so am I

Of course, my humble worries and position don't matter in the least to Kim JongIl, the beloved leader of North Korea, the DEMOCRATIC People's Republic of Korea DPRK. When millions of his people are starving, beloved leader Kim JongIl still spends about US$650,000 annually just on fine wines. He spends a huge budget on military rather than economic development. Why would he care about me and my thoughts?

However my worries are important to me, at any rate. I spend a lot of time in the neighboring countries of South Korea, Japan, and China. I worry about the safety of me, my friends, and loved ones. Also, I enjoy trying to understand how the people of our different countries think and view this situation.

Do we have a REAL threat here? Certainly there is a a threat of stupid actions or words coming from one or more countries involved in this situation. But stupidity, or seemingly stupid actions, are a hallmark of many government leaders through history. Why would that be surprising? But as for real threat? I'm not sure. North Korea loves to use threatening words.

Usually I try to stay away from political discussions when I travel to other countries. I just wonder why America must be the world's policeman?

But let's get back to North Korea. I can't understand them, but then also I can understand. North Korea's actions are all based on achieving one strategy: keeping Kim JongIl and his family in power for as long as possible. They are not "President" or "Prime Minister." This is a royal family in the tradition of Emperors of China, Korea, and Japan for many thousands of years. They have only one real goal: stay in power as long as possible. Repress the average people. Punish, threaten, or kill anyone who disagrees.

The DPRK economy is a total failure. They cannot feed their people. People are so desperately poor that they are escaping to the relative paradise of Northeast China, which is a desperately poor part of China. North Korea's leaders really only have one currency for making money: weapons and war. Build weapons that outher countries will purchase. AND threaten to go right to the brink of warfare hoping to convince someone to pay them to walk back from the edge of the cliff.

South Korea seems to have a sensible policy that says, "OK, we will help you. If you North Koreans screw us, no problem. We'll send more money and assistance. " North Korea might be bad, but at least they're not Japanese. South Koreans know that Korea has a 5,000 year history. Korea has been separated for only 50 or 60 years: a brief moment in time. North Koreans are their family, even if their crazy little brothers. Sooner or later they will reunite. War MUST NOT happen. They must help their crazy little brothers. They cannot reunite until North Korea's economy can raise to a higher standard. Otherwise, a collapse of North Korea's economy might cause a chain reaction collapse of South Korea's economy. Patience is the name of the game in South Korea.

If a fight broke out between USA and North Korea, most South Koreans would support North Korea. Thinking of family, that makes sense. Brothers might fight and argue their whole lives, but they will unite against outsiders.

China has its own sensible strategy that is similar to South Korea's: "OK, we will help you. If you screw us, we will find a quiet way to get even." China treats North Korea as the crazy little brothers. China worries that a collapse of North Korea's economy would spark a mass exodus of refugees into one of China's poorest regions. North Korea demands and receives a lot of economic assistance from China and South Korea. However, their patience is running thin. Right now China seems to be playing the game of "talk softly in public but carry a big stick when meeting in private."

Japan, not America, is the biggest wild card. North Korea hates Japan, but they love Japanese money. Unfortunately for North Korea, Japan has shut off most of their economic assistance. Japan is upset that North Korea abducted many innocent young Japanese people to live in North Korea. Until this issue is resolved, no money from Japan. North Korea hopes military exercises will bring Japan back to giving out free money.

Many Chinese and Koreans don't mind if North Korea threatens Japan. However, nobody wants Japan to have a strong military. A nuclear armed North Korea will result in a nuclear-armed and much more heavily armed Japan. Therefore, I suspect South Koreans and Chinese prefer if Japan feels a little threatened and uncomfortable, but not to the point where Japan increases its military.

And America? Where do we stand? That's a good question. The Bush administration talks tough and acts tough in some ways. Fortunately they are using patience and diplomacy. The truth is something we've known for many years: war CANNOT start. If war starts on the Korean peninsula, most of the 15 million people in Seoul will be killed within the first day.

Our Ambassador to South Korea causes big headaches when he says, truthfully, that North Korea is a huge violator of human rights. Millions of people are starving, the elite people do well, many people are killed or thrown in prison for small or imagined crimes, and many innocent South Korean and Japanese people have been abducted and forced to work in North Korea against their will. Also, North Korea depends on criminal activities for a lot of their revenue: making counterfeit money, drug sales, and other bad stuff. OK, all of this is true. But diplomats aren't supposed to say the truth. Diplomats are supposed to say complimentary things. The South Korean government and newspapers are really irritated when American diplomats point out unfortunate truths about North Korea.

The Bush administration sees no reason to pay North Korea to move back from the cliff of war. The previous Clinton administration thought it was good thing to pay North Korea to act like nice guys. Who was correct? Pay someone when you know they will cheat on any agreement? Why pay? Why is it America's responsibility to give DPRK a lot of money?

Inside America we have a big political debate. George Bush's critics dislike anything he does. In Iraq, he should have used multi-national diplomacy and patience. Then they say, in North Korea he should forget other nations and deal with DPRK alone. George Bush can't win with Democrats. Everything is wrong. If he walked on water, they would say, "George Bush is so stupid he cannot swim." Some people want us to think there is an easy solution to the North Korean problem. However, they say, George Bush is unable to find the simple solution.

In the meantime I still spend a lot of time in that part of the world. I realize how limited is my ability to comprehend anything. I really like to worry about a simple thing: millions of North Koreans are starving and dying from lack of food. Is there a solution? Someday I hope the answer is yes.

Passing the Torch to the Younger Generation

前事不忘 後事之師
Use incidents from the past as lessons for the future

One of my great pleasures is to help teach lessons to younger people in our industry. I tell many stories about all the problems I had and, hopefully, how they can achieve more success than me.

Here is a great picture, not "Beauty and the Beast," more like "Pioneer and the Geek." These are two of my good friends. Brian Wilson is one of the original pioneers of our industry. Brian started in filament winding when Mount Everest was only 2 meters high, silk was the only fiber available, and the filament winding machines were operated by a horse going around in circles.

Maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit. I think Brian started working in filament winding in the 1950's, when the science just started...or when it was really not science but only trial and error. He's the PIONEER.

Next to Brian is Joann Du, Chinese name DuJuan. She is the GEEK. She is only 25 years old and just finished her Master's Degree from Notre Dame University. She is incredibly bright and just starting to learn about filament winding and our industry. It's my great pleasure to introduce her to one of the original Pioneers of our industry. Hopefully she will be able to learn from the old guys like Brian and me. Then we can hand off the torch and let Joann's generation do the hard work of taking our industry to a much higher level than we ever dreamed possible.

I can't wait. It should be an interesting future.

Mornings at Huntington Beach

Work Hard, Play Hard, Play even a little bit harder.

I love going to the beach in the mornings. I am lucky that way. I live only a few minutes from Huntington Beach. Every morning I head over to the beach to exercise - karate, walking bicycling, and (sometimes) going out in the waves with my small kayak boat. Usually I see dolphins swimming close to shore eating their breakfast of fish. When I see the dolphins, I feel refreshed and know the world is OK.

The people I see every morning are inspiring. Life is to be enjoyed. Work hard, but also play hard.

The surfers are amazing. People of all ages get out in the waves every morning and enjoy the ride on the surf. If the surf isn't so high, they just sit out in the water and ride the waves up and down. One of my friends thought surfing was only for very young people. Then she saw some old men 60 and 70 years old, sitting out there enjoying and riding the waves with the young guys. What an amazing sight.

Other people just walk, ride bicycles, ride roller skates, or just sit and watch the ocean. This is the right way to start the day. A good way to start each morning. Remember - live in the moment. Enjoy a part of each day - who knows how long any of us will be on earth.

Work hard, play hard, and sometimes play even harder.