David B.Katague, B.S., M.S., M.A, Ph.D. Sunset Photo from the Balcony of the Chateau Du Mer Beach House, Boac,Marinduque,Philippines
Welcome to My Site
If this is your first visit, welcome! This site is devoted to my life experiences as a Filipino-American who immigrated from the Philippines to the United States in 1960. I came to the US as a graduate student when I was 26 years old. I am now in my mid-80's and thanks God for his blessings, I have four successful and professional children and six grandchildren here in the US. My wife and I had been enjoying the snow bird lifestyle between US and Philippines after my retirement from USFDA in 2002. Macrine(RIP),Me and my oldest son are the Intellectual migrants. Were were born in the Philippines, came to the US in 1960 and later became US citizens in 1972. Some of the photos and videos in this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing on your copyrights. Cheers!
THE Fairmont Fighters Chair Volley Ball Team- From Left to Right: Jay P, Glenn M, Me, Mary Alice R, Joyce G and Mary R.
Here's a short video taken by Dodie, my oldest son at the tournament.
Overheard from Barbara Simpson- THD Executive Director during the Game; This is the first time, I see Seniors acting like 20-year old kids.
The above is the schedule of the tournament. Heritage won against Plaza. Fairmont won against Liberty.
Today the Championship Game is between Heritage and Fairmont. Fairmont won.2-1.
Here are some photos at the award ceremony and reception ( Champagne).
More pictures and videos coming soon. It was taken by my nephew and namesake from Sydney, Australia. Dave also made videos of me and will be a documentary on The DAY in the Life Of David B Katague at THD. It is his birthday present to me for my coming 90th birthday this December. Dave is a professional videographer and AI expert from Australia.
I watched This Documentary in my Prime Video the other day and I agree with the review below. Now that President Biden has withdrawn, The Democrats chance of Defeating Trump has gone to higher level. Democrats unite and save America from the mad Dictator. As of this writing date, Kamala Harris presumptive Democratic Nominee is leading Trump by 8 points from Independent Voters. The future of Kamala Harris looks bright!
This documentary shows the consequential repercussions of having Trump as our President again, due to his seriously flawed personality traits. It's so much more than his leadership skills and what policies he will put into place. How can we let this man lead our nation when his core values are the opposite of what we teach our children (be honest & kind, love your neighbor, share, apologize when you've done wrong, communicate openly, be openminded, forgive, etc.)? I learned in his first Presidency, Trump didn't unite the country during crisis nor did he intelligently try to help, instead he avoided responsibilty and denied Covid existed. If President again, he most likely will promote hate and encourage separating an already divided country. I believe he only cares about himself, threatens our democracy and we have too much at stake to let him be president again in 2024, if given the chance. We need a leader with a strong sense of character who will bring the nation together, promote positive changes and not tear it further apart. We truly need a leader to step up and serve the people of our great nation...TRUMP IS NOT MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN AND TRULY NEVER DID!
Meanwhile, here's the highlights of THD Events for July 29 to August 4. The Sound Bath scheduled for Saturday, August 3 at 3PM, I highly recommend. For the Benefits of Sound-Bathing read my article on this subject at bottom of the page.💚
The next 16 days, I will be watching the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris, France. The opening ceremony the other was one of the best Opening Ceremony in the history of the modern Olympic Games. Paris was indeed the City of Light ( Lasers). TEAM USA IS doing well after the second day leading the medal count.
Here are 18 facts about Paris that you should probably know.
1. The Paris Metro has several "ghost stations" that are no longer in use. One of the most famous is Arsenal, which was closed in 1939.
2. Gustave Eiffel's apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower still exists. It's now a museum, showcasing how it looked when he lived there.
3. Montmartre, known for its artistic history, has a hidden vineyard called Clos Montmartre, which still produces wine.
4. The Palais Garnier Opera House has a hidden apartment designed for the building's architect, Charles Garnier.
5. The oldest house in Paris is located at 51 Rue de Montmorency and dates back to 1407. It belonged to the alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
6. The shortest street in Paris, Rue des Degrés, is just 5.75 meters long and consists solely of a staircase.
7. The Opera Garnier has an underground lake, originally a natural water source that became part of its infrastructure.
8. During the liberation of Paris in 1944, the secret password was "Tante Sally."
9. Rue des Morts in the 5th arrondissement was once a street where people with disfigured faces due to World War I injuries lived and received treatment.
10. La Campagne à Paris in the 20th arrondissement is a small, hidden village within the city, complete with quaint houses and gardens.
11. The Tour Jean-sans-Peur, a medieval tower built in the early 15th century, is tucked away in the 2nd arrondissement.
12. Candelaria, a speakeasy-style bar, is hidden behind a taco shop in Le Marais.
13. Le Procope, founded in 1686, is the oldest café in Paris and was frequented by Voltaire, Rousseau, and Benjamin Franklin.
14. The Canal Saint-Martin was partly covered in the mid-19th century, and today, parts of it run underground.
15. At the Arc de Triomphe, there's an elevator hidden within one of the pillars for those who can't or don't want to climb the stairs.
16. The Pont des Arts was once used as a toll bridge, where artists would set up their easels and paint the river views.
17. Place de la Concorde, now a famous square, was once the site of many public executions during the French Revolution.
18. The Bièvre River, once a prominent waterway in Paris, now flows entirely underground through the city.
Meanwhile, Another Gastronomic Event- The THD Annual Hawaiian Luau ( Cocktail Hour and Dinner) is scheduled for Friday, August 9, 2024. I am looking forward for this Event not only for the Delicious Food, but I will get a chance to wear one of my many Hawaiian Colorful Shirts. Here are the flyers:
I Hope you Attend the Chair Volleyball Games at the Yoga Room, Today, Tomorrow and Wednesday at 10:45AM.
The above reminder addressed to the THD Pet owners was very timely. The day before I received this notice as a cat owner, I was almost a victim ( that is step-on a dog poo ) of an irresponsible dog owner who did not pick her/his dog poo on the Court- yard lawn of THD . I was on my way from the Fairmount Building to Newton's via the Library. I did not report this incident to the Front Desk because I was able to avoid the poo and I was not sure whose job is it to solve this problem.
However, this same incident happened to me last year. At that time, I reported it to Liza Bellini- our Resident Liaison at that time. Lisa immediately took a dog poo plastic scooper and she told me to show it to her. I did and Lisa immediately took care of the problem. Then the above same reminder was posted.
So, there is a dog owner here at THD who for some reasons or another appear irresponsible. I hope you will not repeat this incident and Pick up your dog S--t.
Speaking of Pets, I have just finished reading an article from yesterday's issue from the East Bay Times on " Fight Loneliness with Furry Friends.
Here are excerpts from the article: Pets Provide not only psychological but also physical benefits for Older Adults.
"San Mateo County which declared loneliness a public health emergency earlier this year, has been running a campaign to address social isolation and loneliness. That included a Recent Peninsula Humane Society event promoting pet adoption and therapy animals. Recently, the county approved $1 Million in funding to implement anti-loneliness program. Pet companionship alleviates stress, improving heart rate and blood pressure and encouraging physical activity. Cognitive Decline among the aging is slower among pet owners than non-owners".
I am not a dog owner, so picking up dog poo's on public areas here at THD is not my problem. I am a 2-cats resident owner of Batman and Robin. I do indeed change their cat litter diligently for my own sake and have no effect on other senior residents here at THD. Here's Batman and Robin on their favorite spot on my patio.
From Left to Right: Robin (more white on his face) and Batman. They are both neutered males, American Short Hair Breed. Both are only 2 years old. Notice the wire netting preventing them from gallivanting outside. They love watching the squirrels and occasional humming birds in the vicinity.
Again, Be a Responsible Pet Owner and Do Not forget to clean-up your Dog S---t.
/ From my BBO news and would like to share it with my Bridge Friends here at THD
Bridge as an (Un)serious Leisure Activity
How Playing Bridge can Improve Well-being
This was going to be a column on the cognitive challenges that bridge offers as it's an important topic and many of us enjoy the mental training that comes about from learning and problem solving. I had already started to write it when a friend of mine died. Well, he was not a close friend, but a player I knew from the bridge table. His name was Nikica Staničić. One day he was there, the next he was gone, so it came as a shock to the Croatian bridge community. Our federation is small, with fewer than a thousand members, so those who have been playing for several years get to know almost everyone. And everyone liked and respected Nikica as he was such an unassuming, modest, sweet gentleman.
Nikica took beginners' bridge lessons when he was already approaching his senior years. Together with his wife Anica, he regularly played in Zagreb bridge clubs and visited tournaments in the neighborhood. They were together for a lifetime, living an ordinary, happy life, as those who manage to unite with their soulmates do. They always played together. Anica was much more of a talent and was not exactly reluctant to point that out.
Nikica and Anica
Nikica, on the other hand, couldn’t care less for the intellectual challenge of bridge. He was not upset about bad boards, he was never ashamed of himself for making a ridiculous bid or play, and, thinking back, I don’t remember him being particularly happy when he himself would score a top. Competitiveness was not in his vocabulary. I doubt he knew that there was a ranking list of players, let alone ever checked his position.
You may remember, in my June column, I was contemplating bridge as a serious leisure activity. Well, for Nikica there was nothing serious about the game, but he thrived just from being there.
Let me explain. In their regular discussions that tended towards monologues, Anica was right more often than not, but no matter what happened, he would never utter a word or frown. I believe he was secretly so proud of her and her fighting, unforgiving spirit that he genuinely enjoyed every moment. And she knew that. She was performing for him in this imaginary life at the table. Instead of getting upset or defensive, he stayed completely calm with a mysterious smile floating in the corner of his lips. Bridge was a theater, and he was perfectly satisfied playing a supporting role. While his ambitions in bridge were close to zero, that didn’t interfere at all with his ability to take pleasure from it. On the contrary, it maybe even helped since he was not struggling with feelings of incompetence and disappointment as many do. He was just sitting there with an aura of calmness, greeting every opponent in a kind and respectful manner, waiting for the unfolding plot of another board. He enjoyed the atmosphere, cherished his wife, and was so amused with all of us fighting over a deck of cards. No matter the score, he always left the tournament happy and fulfilled.
Though he was not talkative, during the last decade I witnessed enough of his well-placed, sharp, witted observations to consider him a highly intelligent person. I am sure he could have learned bridge to a much higher level if he had given it a try. But he was perfectly satisfied with his beginners' skills and fascinated by the picturesque and dynamic bridge scenery he was a part of. And that's how bridge enriched his senior years, and how he, together with Anica, enriched bridge in Croatia.
I remember one particular club tournament when I approached them during the break. We were chatting a little about unimportant daily issues when Anica blurted out that their opponents had just bid and made three slams in a row, a single round. I hadn’t played those boards yet, so obviously they had to be canceled, and I lost the opportunity to play the slammish round. I was kind of upset, but seeing them giggling about their unintentional prank was worth missing those boards.
I can still see them standing on a cold winter night, shivering in front of the club, wrapped only in long-lasting affection, sharing a cigarette as if they were teenagers. They were carefully planning their bridge excursions, sometimes sacrificing other small indulgences to make ends meet. They rarely missed a tournament in the neighborhood, even if it meant waking up early and driving a few hours in their old car, sipping an espresso to beat the tiredness. Even in their own hard times, they were the most loyal participants in any charity tournament and gave their best to support the bridge community.
Nikica played his last tournament with his wife a few days before he died. On his final board, he scored 100%. While I was relieved to discover that, I am sure he wouldn’t have minded if it was a zero.
He was one of the most devoted followers of the Croatian Bridge Federation Facebook, cheering passionately for our teams at whichever event they attended. He liked my Facebook post regarding Croatian teams at the European Championships a day before he passed. As I am writing this, his name is still on the list of the pairs who registered for the “Club Birthday Tournament” and I don’t have the strength to remove him and Anica from the list. He is so much still here. I don’t know what happened, but I am sure Heaven is a more peaceful place now.
I often see club players arguing - after all, that is an integral part of bridge that many enjoy. However, Nikica taught me that bridge can be an important, fulfilling part of our lives even if we do not take it seriously, even if we put no effort into improving or comparing ourselves with others. By focusing fully on cards and immersing in the game, we may overlook some of its additional benefits, those that Nikica was a true expert of.
Do you know players like Nikica, or maybe, are you yourself one of them? Do we need more Nikicas in bridge to make it less stressful and more comfortable for all?
This column is dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Staničić, as through the years they made Croatian bridge a better, more human place.
About the Author
Tihana Brkljačić is a psychologist and a bridge player. She teaches psychology and bridge at Zagreb university. She represented Croatia at multiple European championships and at The World Championship (Wuhan cup) in 2022. As a psychologist, her main areas of interest are in quality of life, well-being and communication. Additionally, she studies the psychology of games (focusing on bridge in particular) and consults players on various topics.
Happy Bridge Playing Everyone- See You all Tomorrow, Monday. July 29. 12:30PM. Bring your dollar and come 2-3 minutes early if you can, David. your THD Monday Bridge Coordinator
The other day, I was reading an article ( see article at bottom of the Page) on the health effects of loud and excessive Restaurant Noise from the Washington Post💚. It reminded me of our own restaurant- the Newtons here at THD.
For the last year since I moved here at THD, I heard numerous complaints both from old and new residents that noise level at Newton's at Dinner Time is so loud we could barely hear each other. There has been numerous suggestion from residents how to improve the acoustic as well as the cooling system( arctic mode) of Newtons. But as of today, I do not foresee a solution to the problem.
Today, with more new residents checking in ( July and August months) the dining room is always full to capacity at dinner time. I estimated that the total THD residents should be around 115-120. The capacity of Newtons restaurant is well below 100. Luckily a few residents prefer to eat in their apartments, but at Dinner Time Newton's inside is filled to capacity and the noise level is bad. A few residents have hearing problems, so they choose to eat alone in the corner tables.
When the weather is nice and not too hot, about a dozen residents avail themselves with outdoor dining( 2-tables for 4, and 1 table for 3) with no noise problem hearing dining conversations. However, in order to get these outdoor seats, one must be there by 4:45PM if not earlier. You can not reserved the seats unless you have an outside guest.
Inside The Newton's Restaurant at Dinner Time- Filled to Full Capacity-Out Door Tables Available during Summer Months and Good Weather
Here's the summary of the article on restaurant noise and its bad health effects to both Patrons and Staff.
From The Washington Post on the Noise Level from Restaurants:
"It’s still noisy out there( Restaurants) and Wang and other experts point to mounting evidence that excessive noise is more than a minor inconvenience. Our brains have a tough time sorting through the cacophony in crowded dining rooms, which can influence our behavior. Multiple studies show that prolonged exposure to noise has physical effects such as increased anxiety and fatigue. Taken together, these effects can make the restaurant experience more taxing than relaxing for patrons, and they can leave staff drained from a long day straining to offer service while risking permanent hearing damage.
Experts are advocating for standards that would not only alleviate customer complaints, but also protect the health of patrons and staff members. And with the number of people dining out slightly declining after a pandemic rebound, restaurateurs should have more motivation to try new technologies and materials to suppress noise and lure more diners to their tables. For details visit:
The Dwarf Variety of the Coconut- I have 4 trees in my Gardens at Chateau Du Mer, Philippines
From Roots to Fruits: Endless Possibilities of the Coconut Tree
The coconut tree stands not only as a symbol of tropical beauty but it also serves a crucial role in the agricultural landscape of the Philippines. Accounting for over 70% of the world's production, this towering icon bears a staggering yield, with a single palm capable of producing anywhere from 20 to 150 mature fruits. Beyond providing lumber for shelter or firewood, the coconut's gratifying sweetness and freshness enrich the plates and livelihoods of countless Filipinos, weaving itself into the very fabric of their daily lives.
Source:
Philippine Statistics Authority. 2021. 2016-2020. Crops Statistics of the Philippines
The coconut tree is sometimes called the Tree of life. Why?
The coconut tree provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. The inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. Coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endospermcontains a large quantity of clear liquid, called "coconut water" or "coconut juice". Mature, ripe coconuts can be used as edible seeds, or processed for oil and plant milk from the flesh, charcoal from the hard shell, and coirfrom the fibrous husk.
Dried coconut flesh is called copra, and the oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking – frying in particular – as well as in soaps and cosmetics. Sweet coconut sap can be made into drinks or fermented into palm wine or coconut vinegar. The hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration.
The Standard Coconut tree is tall and only experienced Climbers Can Harvest the Nuts or sometimes they used a long bamboo poles with sharp knives attached to it to slash the nuts at the top of the tree. Do you see any Face in the Photo? I do!
Meanwhile here's a video of Kamala Harris coconut tree-meme that has the Internet World on Fire.
"When asked to reveal her beauty secrets, actress Audrey Hepburn wrote this poem, which was read at her funeral:
1. "To have attractive lips, say kind words.
2. To have beautiful eyes, look at what people have beautiful in them.
3. To stay thin, share the meal with those who are hungry.
4. To have beautiful hair, let a child run his hand through your hair every day.
5. To have a good expectation, to go knowing that you are never alone, but together with those who love you and have loved you. People, even more than objects, must be repaired, pampered, revived, reclaimed and saved: never reject anyone. Think about it:
5. If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of every arm. As you grow older, you will realize that you have two hands, one to help yourself, the other to help those who need it.
6. A woman's beauty is not in the clothes she wears, her face or the way she does her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because they are the open door to her heart, the source of her love. The beauty of a woman is not in her makeup, but in the true beauty of her soul. It is the tenderness it gives, the love, the passion it expresses. A woman's beauty develops with the years."
She was born on May 4, 1929 (d. 1993)" Source: Gabriela Manescu
Beauty Quotes
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ...
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. ...
Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting. ..
Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.
Lastly, I attended, Jeff's Wessman 2nd Lecture on Awakening Joy for Seniors last night. It was great but what stuck in my mind is the Serenity Prayer that I am reposting for you today.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
When Jeff asked the audience of things we do that gave us joy, I blurted Writing Daily via my blogs. I was not surprised that Making a journal was listed as one of the things one can do to give us joy in the Moment!
If you are a Bridge Player, Read This! If Not You don't have too. Anyway, Have a Good Day!
Playing Party Bridge at the Sportsmen of Stanislaus County ( SOS) Country Club. Modesto, Ca-1970-1974. Me and Macrine (RIP) with Dr and Mrs. Richard LaVine.
I found this article recently in my BBO E-mail box. I am excited to share it with my Bridge Friends Here at THD as well as all the Bridge Player in the World. At the bottom of the page is my posting why playing bridge is good for your brain and mental stimulation. 💚
Greetings, fellow enthusiasts of all things bridge. In the ongoing saga of AI versus human intellect, we've seen our silicon adversaries conquer chess grandmasters with the cold precision of a robotic guillotine. Yet, there's one game where the human spirit still holds strong against the binary onslaught: bridge.
”
Bridge is one of the last games in which the computer is not better.
- Bill Gates
Yes, you heard that right - AI hasn't quite cracked the code of this intricate game of incomplete information and subtle cooperation.
While supercomputers can churn through more permutations than there are atoms in the universe, bridge remains a realm where human intuition, communication, and the occasional bluff still reign supreme. Our brains, honed by millennia of evolution and countless social interactions (and maybe a few family dinners), excel at interpreting subtle facial cues, deciphering body language, and navigating the complex dance of partnership.
But wait a moment - before you start crafting statues in honor of human superiority, there's a twist in the tale. Recently, AI managed to steal a few wins against bridge champions - not in a direct head-to-head game, though.
So, what's the verdict? Can AI snatch the crown of bridge mastery from our unsuspecting hands? Will the next world bridge champion be a series of algorithms in a trench coat pretending to be human?
Maybe. But for now, let's revel in the fact that we still hold the cards! Our ability to strategize, empathize, and bluff keeps us at the forefront of this timeless game.
Until the next deal is shuffled and the next algorithm devised, let's keep playing, keep strategizing, and keep enjoying the unique blend of logic and creativity that makes bridge - and our human experience - so wonderfully unpredictable.
Here's to keeping AI on its toes and humans on their best game!
From the BBO Weekly News: July 21, 2024
Pat Healy- One of My Favorite Bridge Partner Here at THD
