Q4 2024 - WTF am I up to edition
Keeping the trend of only appearing once a quarter this year, welcome to the Q4 edition of “WTF am I up to” edition. It’s like my quarterly unwrapped disguised as an innocent memo.
Boss is asleep, quick throw in a post!
Happy New Years everyone. 2024 has been a ride. I got married, did a few half marathon runs, and played a lot of videos game.
Anyway, here’s what I’ve been up to in Q4.
Q4 2024 - WTF am I up to edition
Since August 30, 2024, oh holy shit I did some things. I even made a Crypto post.
The Q4 Trips
SAN FRANCISCO: In October, I did a less than 24 hour round trip to the Bay Area for work that had a happy hour to it, two same day runs in Golden Gate Park, and catching up with a High School friend.
DISNEYWORLD: I went to Disneyworld as a continuation of “Honeymoon but across random places for the next few years”. Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and Magic Kingdom were the 3 things hit and let me tell you:
Animal Kingdom is severely underrated and the Safari, Avatar ride, and Yeti ride is just too good.
A completionist approach to Magic Kingdom entails about a half-marathon worth of walking
The best rides are: Tron, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Be Our Guest, Enchanted Tale with Belle, and Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor. Also here’s my Space Mountain score.
NEW YORK CITY: New York City came thereafter, with a stay & run in Brooklyn and some park, with a detour around for San Sabino (pic of food), a visit the EY Hudson Yards Office, bagels at Court Street, and the MET.
F1 VEGAS: I became an F1 fan after spending all 3 days for the Las Vegas F1 Race, Paddock Club style. Hilariously, if you watch F1 live, you will only get to see about 50 seconds total of a car racing during the race. 50 Laps around the Vegas Strip, and you will barely catch 1 second of them. Anyway heres a pit stop.
PALM SPRINGS: To cheer a friend push the limits of his body by doing his first Ironman, like holy shit J. I was so inspired to do an Ironman until you told me someone died. bye.
A note on trips: I’m always in random places, and if I happen to know you are there, I will reach out to you. The problem is, knowing when I’m there.
Restaurants that I’m recommending
Kiyo Sushi in Irvine surprised me with superior chirashi bowls, salmon-don and hamachi-dons, and solid lunch specials.
But Gooyi92 (next to Kiyo) truly delighted me with short-rib bbqing done in front of you and great banchans. I think of this place when I don’t want to feel like I over-ate at KBBQ.
I have no regrets going spicy at KEBAB KURRY EXPRESS, which is an Afghan restaurant serving delicious savory-refreshing meals. The Indian part of the restaurant is because the husband LOVES indian food- a lighter take on what is normally heavy Punjabi food, I’m told. Took family out here too, and it turns - Grilled Lamb Chops Afghan Style are a win win.
ROL Hand Bar opened up in Irvine, and their take-out menu is a great way to skip the line and still get decent hand rolls. I still think Kazu Nori is better, but until that gets here, this is the best of what I have.
Brio Brio Cafe is a Japanese Inspired but Kind of America restaurant, known for baking its own bread and sweets. Brunch is solid, but their burgers for dinner are a war-crime.
I found my traditional diner-like-joint called Rooster Cafe, serving up a respectable breakfast burrito and signature sauces (get them all). But the facts are, you are here because the coffee shop across the street is too damn slow.
A new mazemen place opened up in Irvine called Menya Hanabi punching at the same level as my favorite, Mogu Mogu. Unfortunately, Menya Hanabi has ridiculously long lines due to its popularity.
Not a joke, the brunch service at Habana is fun.
Thanks to my wife, for my Birthday, I had omakase at Taberu Sushi, a Korean-American owned Omakase restaurant that opened less than 6 months ago.This Omakase beats every other Omakase I’ve had on sheer risk it takes with completely different and wild flavor combinations and cuts. You will not be disappointed, please me invite me.
Heng Heng Chicken Rice in Gardena/Hawthorne is a delightful comfort food of Hainan Chicken and Roasted Chicken, especially after an international flight. What’s not to love?
Foods for the Pantry
Im on a tinned fish crusade and heres my favorite, and heres the shit list:
I enjoyed the hell out of Miss Can Mackerel Fillets with Curry and Chilli Pepper.
Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil is deceptively great
This plant based caviar (ZEROE) works for taste but not texture. It doesn’t have that “popping sensation”, but it does give a great sea-water-like taste. Because it’s algae.
All of these work well in a Couscous Microwave recipe.
Athletics
At some point I ran the Long Beach Half Marathon. I posted that here. And also got some shoes, which you can see me rave about it here.
I gave Nike Run Studios a shot as a Founding Member. As solid and performance improving as a workout that it is (typically 25 minute of run and 25 minutes on the floor), it doesn’t have towels or showering capabilities. Cancelled.
I started developing runners knee after my October runs, which I addressed in physical therapy and this bad boi (thanks S + E).
I discovered my Lifetime gym’s new cryotherapy / massage stuff. Its amazing. I have guest passes.
I was also classically denied by Berlin and Chicago marathon lotteries.
And then ran a half marathon as a regular training run in December 2024. And then another 11 mile run with a friend on Dec 27.
TV Shows & Movies
Here are the TV Shows I’ve watched binged.
Diplomat Season 2 - who knew politics could be fun looking
Arcane Season 2 - This was just pure eye candy with great story.
Shrinking Season 2 - This hit me in the emotional gut. This is a must watch for all adults 25 and above.
Lower Decks Season 5 - This gave great nostalgic feels.
Pantheon Seasons 1 & 2 - This triggered a max dose of existentialism.
Secret Levels - Has been a guilty pleasure - the Space Marine one, Outer Worlds, Megaman, and Pacman.
Wicked was the best movie watched in Q4, and I saw Moana 2 & that new Deadpool movie. Not even close.
Video Games & Media
Helldivers 2 has been dethroned by Space Marine 2 for me, and while both games have intense gameplay loops, Space Marine 2 lets be live a power fantasy. No other game has come close to these two, though.
Misc.
I got my wisdom teeth removed before Thanksgiving, which led to 10 pounds of weight lost.
I changed the Newsletter Name to simply be a “Memo from Allen”
I also changed the URL to be an easy www.allen-au.com
First off, stop making me so hungry, Allen!
Second, congrats on the nuptials and other fun!
Third, we should catch up soon!