
Wayne Chan
All Stories

I just came back from vacation, and I am now a new man.

Wayne’s World: An Earth-shattering revelation
Wayne Chan wonders if he had the proper response to the recent 5.2 magnitude earthquake.

Wayne’s World: When enough isn’t enough
Chan describes his latest quandary.

Wayne’s World: Two doctors and two lawyers walk into a bar…
What is a reputation worth? Even if it’s not exactly true? We all want to be seen as hard working and highly skilled at something. To be a lifesaving doctor...

Wayne’s World: When fighting over a check becomes a sport
There’s a customary ritual in my family. I don’t think we’re the only family that practices this ritual. In fact, I know we aren’t.

Wayne’s World: We are so much more than hamburgers and pot roast
Chan looks at the Taste Atlas 2024/25 list of the '100 Best Cuisines in the World.'

Wayne’s World: Setting a new world’s record for grocery lifting
Wayne Chan writes about how his fridge and freezers are packed with mystery food he didn’t buy.

Wayne’s World: The quips and foibles of a successful marriage
For those of you who might not my last column, here’s the recap — after playing two sets of tennis on a hot Tuesday evening, I became dehydrated from...

Wayne’s World: Not an ideal way to feel young again
Talking about someone collapsing to the ground probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind if you’re thinking about something funny, but since it happened to me, I can...

Wayne’s World: The definition of a rocky relationship
The twist in this controversy is that this isn’t a dispute between two different neighbors -- it’s a conflict between two people living under the same roof.

Wayne’s World: The secretive world of a baked bun dealer
Wayne Chan shares the strange journey his family took to find pork buns recommended by his Auntie Lucy.

Wayne’s World: How a dim sum treat can beat a trip to the beach
This last week I had an incredible family reunion. The operative word is “family” because for me, that’s what it was. The reunion was between myself, my brother Steve, and...

Wayne’s World: The three words I’m not allowed to use
There’s a delicate balance that every married couple have to manage if they’re going to make it for the long run. Apparently, I just stepped over the line.Picture this: My...

Wayne’s World: Learning what you’re truly missing out on
I recently learned that a father’s job is never truly done. And I’m glad it’s not.In my case, for those who have read this column, you may already know that...

Wayne’s World: Getting from Point A to Point B with perks
It’s amazing how many things you really can’t live without until the moment you realize you’ve been living without them your whole life. Take my car, for example.I’ve owned a...

Wayne’s World: How I developed my own AI after turning 60
What have I learned about turning 60?The surprising thing I’ve learned is that it’s mostly about the details. For example — I forget things. But, the detail is, the things...

Wayne’s World: To be a dragon or not a dragon, that is the question
I have a confession. I have been living a lie.This doesn’t come easy for me. Actually, it started out very innocently. As a matter of fact, it started out when...

Wayne’s World: The promise and reality of our vegetable garden
Picture this: A gentle climb into a rolling hillside gives way to an organic family farm, with rows of delectable fruits, herbs and vegetables sprouting up in a celebration of...

Wayne’s World: Beware of the unconstitutional yoga pose
“Uuuuggghh!”That’s the sound I made that got me into trouble. Specifically, it’s the sound I tend to make when I’m getting out of a nice, comfy sofa.I don’t know why...

Wayne’s World: With gratitude comes hope
I have a funny story to tell, but I can’t bring myself to tell it.I’ve been out traveling abroad. I feel truly lucky that I have the opportunity to travel...

Wayne’s World: How even a picture-perfect evening can turn you into a nervous wreck
Picture this.A perfect day. My wife Maya and I spent an entire day on the Island of Capri. Beautiful weather, wandering around narrow cobblestone paths winding around town, a boat...

Wayne’s World: A tall tale told at Yappy Hour
I went to an amazing Yappy Hour last night.No, that’s not a typo. I’m not being lazy with spell check. Last week, I went to Yappy Hour.Here in our neighborhood,...

Wayne’s World: Pictures worth more than a thousand words
Here’s a quick story. It’s just a moment, but tells the story of two brothers. They happen to be our sons.Every summer we go up to Vancouver, Canada for a...

Wayne’s World: Wracked in pain and loving it
OK, I’m just going to say it — exercise is just a real pain.Wait, that’s not what I meant. It sounds like I hate it. I don’t hate it. In...

Wayne’s World: A welcome part of the pride
Another Mother’s Day has come and gone.It’s a day where we get to celebrate the dedication, guidance, and love of someone you literally couldn’t live without.But on this Mother’s Day,...

Wayne’s World: The dreaded follow-up question
I’m in Taiwan right now, visiting with my family and my wife’s family.It’s been a terrific trip so far, especially since we haven’t been able to visit for a few...

Wayne’s World: The long and winding big circle
“Maybe we need to take Molly in for a checkup.”For anyone who doesn’t know, Molly is our 4-year-old English cream golden retriever. The one who thinks we should bring her...

Wayne’s World: A Promise To Keep – A Letter To My Daughter
Last month was a big month. Our 25-year-old daughter, Savannah, moved out to her own apartment.Savannah was diagnosed with autism when she was 3 years old, and she has been...

Wayne’s World: Washing my hands of the whole dishwashing thing
The other day, in the middle of washing dishes, I started thinking about how my ancestors, a thousand years ago, must have had to do the same tedious chores I...

Wayne’s World: A massage to die for
I’ve been thinking about getting a new chair for my desk. I’m sitting here at my desk writing — and thinking — I need a new chair for my desk....

Wayne’s World: A revelation and inspiration, just down the street
My wife Maya and I were taking one of our first vacations as a couple together without kids. Our first vacation alone together, in about 20 years. We were in...

Wayne’s World: When a nose is not a nose
Yesterday I learned about being a “nose.”I have a nose, and as far as I can tell, I’ve been using it all my life. But as far as being a...

Wayne’s World: On this tennis court, a different kind of love game
I play tennis every week, and believe me, I always come prepared.But on this one occasion a while ago, I hadn’t practiced my serves, my groundstrokes, or even my volleys....

Wayne’s World: A difficult pill to swallow
Your honor, in my defense, I’ve never said that my wife is ridiculous.By my actions, it may seem like I think my wife is ridiculous, but point of fact, I...

Wayne’s World: The most beautiful picture created from just a few words
A picture is worth a thousand words. That’s what they say, at least.I’m sitting on a deck, looking at a 180 degree view of the Howe Sound near Vancouver, Canada....

Wayne’s World: A tycoon’s to-do list
It’s not easy being insanely, crazy, filthy rich, but somehow, some way, I’ll manage.You see, soon they will draw the numbers for the Mega Millions lottery, which since no one...

Wayne’s World: Able to leap tall mattresses in a single bound
Sometimes the private conversations between a father and son are sacred and not to be shared. My wife Maya learned that lesson the hard way.My son Tyler and I were...

Wayne’s World: A case of curious stares
Has anyone ever written a humor column about having seizures during COVID? Looks like I’m about to try.On top of the shared experience all of us have had to go...

Wayne’s World: A moment you never saw coming
This is our first regular column from Wayne Chan, a Poway resident who will write about family and community life and share humorous views of topics of the day.Let me...

Guest Column: A winter wonderland without the winter
The Winter Olympics has been an Olympian effort, if I ever saw one.I’m not talking about the athletes, although their dedication to their chosen sport is as always, a marvel...

Guest Column: A Lunar New Year reset and a miniature dragon
It’s time for a reset.It’s been a long year. It’s been a long two years, as a matter of fact. It’s time for all of us to come together, celebrate...