My Lil Xuân Shine is back writing consistently on his blog. I am so glad that he finds the time to practice his writing. He is showing improvements. Of course, I love seeing my kids blogging. Đạo and Đán don’t write much anymore. I hope they will come back as well. Free-writing or blogging is so much fun. They can write whatever they want. There’s no restriction or limitation. All they need to do is just type, just like what I am doing now. They know at least one person is reading their blog and commenting on them as well.

Turning Beethoven’s masterpieces blues is a fascinating concept and Jon Batiste pulled it off with his imaginative Beethoven Blues. The album kicks off with his fusion of “Für Elise (Batiste).” In this 4-minute piece, he plays classical then injects the blues into it. The album also ends with another version of “Für Elise (Reverie).” In this 15-minute extended piece, he plays improvisational jazz. The result is just mesmerizing. Batiste demonstrates his exhilarating chops in “Symphony No.5 Stomp,” which reminds me of Cecil Taylor’s style. His boogie-woogie skills are undeniable in “Waldstein Wobble.” His rendition of “Ode to Joyful” is fleeting yet relaxing despite hearing my kids played for hundreds of time when they first started taking piano lessons. I’ll be spending more time with this album in the next few weeks somewhere on snowy mountains.

2Advanced Studios was rebooted about seven months ago. The site is the same, but the platform has changed. They replaced Flash with Rive and React JS. The interaction is slick, but accessibility is still an issue. The all-cap typesetting is still horrendous. I am not excited about the return of the bygone era.

I joined George Mason University in October 2011. I designed, developed, and maintained the law school website from 2011 to present. Take a look at the evolution of the law school homepage from Mason Law to Scalia Law from 2012 to 2024.

The temperature is dropping. It’s time to store away our rollerblades and scooters and bring out our skis and snowboards.

This Friday will be my last day at the law school for 2024, but then my other job will start on December 20 if Whitetail can manage to open. I can’t wait that long to hit the terrains; therefore, I will be driving 10 hours to Stowe this Saturday. Since the kids still have school, I will spend time alone to relax and de-stress.

My wife and I hadn’t planned our “me time” trip, but it just fell into place. I always encouraged her to take some time for herself to recharge. I am sure the kids and I drive her to the wall everyday. I was glad that she traveled to Paris a few months ago with her aunt, cousins, and sister. It would be nice to go on a ski trip with the fellows, but none of my friends would be interested in the winter sports.

Then again, I am completely comfortable traveling alone. I would spend all day on the mountains anyway. After a long day of skiing and snowboarding, I would find a nice place to eat and check out the area or see a movie in a theater. Of course, I can just kick back reading a book or writing a blog post.

As for spending time on the mountains, I am looking forward to applying the carving techniques I have been learning all summer. Using my rollerblades, I emulated ski carving with proper stance and driving with my outside foot. I practiced my snowboard stance on my actual snowboard. I hope these off-the-snow techniques will transfer on the snow.

Carving is my only goal for personal development this season. I am looking forward to helping others learn snowboarding. I can’t wait to spend time with my family on the mountains this winter.

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In the past few months, I volunteered to design a brand new site for Liên Đoàn Hùng Vương 612. Check out the new site or read about the case study on my portfolio site.

Not sure when was the last time I replaced the windshield wipers for both minivans, but I bought them from Costco. They were Michelin brand, which weren’t so good. I don’t recommend them. I replaced them with Toyota genuine parts this time.

• Toyota Sienna 2018 SE at 80,000 miles. The full assembly cost $34 (with 25% discount) for both.
• Toyota Sienna 2011 XLE at 195,000 miles. The full assembly cost $34 (with 25% discount) for both.

While replacing the wipers, I put a towel on the windshield to prevent the medal J-hook from cracking the glass. I learned this tip from watching George Fotinakes’s video.

Went back to the anh Hùng this morning to replace pads and rotors. Once again, he only replaced the two rears:

2 Rear Rotors: $112 (25% discount)
4 Rear Brake Discs: $40 (25% discount)
Labor: $70
Total: $222

Note: Toyota Sienna 2011 XLE at 195,000 miles

Dear Ðán,

You turn 13 today. Happy birthday. You are growing older and wiser. I hope you will make good choices. Out of my four boys, I worry about you the most. I must admit. I screwed up.

I screwed up my responsibility as a father. I am failing to prevent you from sinking into the digital ocean. Every single day, my heart drops seeing you glued to your chair playing video games.

For someone with so much potential, you dropped everything except spending time on your PC. I don’t want to see you this way and it is all my fault. I was too soft and too weak. I caved in.

I am hurt that you don’t want to spend time with me and told me to leave you alone. I am heartbroken that you said you don’t need me anymore, except when you need help with your English homework.

Of course I jumped at the opportunity to help you with anything. I am glad that you reached out to me when you needed me. I am so relieved that you are staying on top of your school work. I am proud of your grades. Your hard work paid off.

Education is important, but so are family, friends, and self-care. Sitting in front of your PC every chance you get is not healthy, mentally and physically. Not knowing when to walk away is an addiction. Not knowing your limitations is an addiction. Getting angry when being asked repeatedly to get off is an addiction.

It is so hard for me to write this letter. I want you to be happy. I want to stay out of your way, as you have wished, but I can’t turn the other way when I see you become less active and less interactive.

I am lost for words and for directions. I don’t know what to say and what to do. I hope that you will turn out OK. I hope that I am just worrying too much about you. Deep down, I love you from the bottom of my heart whether you know it or not. I am here when you need me.

No matter what goes on. No matter what happens. You will always be my son and I always want what is best for you.

Love,
Dad