/mike

LA is colder than usual. Collars are up and I’m digging around the closet for my scarf.

I’ll be leaving the Brookmore as 2004 comes to a close. With the submission of my 30-day notice, the official apartment hunt has begun but there is also growing momentum to move back home too. We’ll see what options become available. Anyone want a share a place in Alhambra or Pasadena?

The shopping bug hit me pretty hard last weekend. I wanted videogames, CDs, and DVDs. The first items on my list were PS2 controllers, a multi-tap and a memory card. It’s always best to start with the infrastructure first! But Best Buy was sold out. Then it started raining. I found my items at Circuit City, but was overcharged. Then the multi-tap didn’t work (apparently the new ones only work with the newer consoles). I got my refund and finally bought a non-Sony version at Game Stop. This is exhausting. I was ready to give my money away but now my consumer enthusiasm has been spent.

Thanks to everyone who helped make Cindy's birthday a rocking success!

Sushi chef Ichi-San of Kayo is now working at Japon Bistro. The decor changes but the fish is just as good.

I had the strangest dream this morning: I was in a class. There was a panel discussion and I somehow fooled the teacher into thinking that I was one of the guests. "I" had a blog which was called New York Minute, which featured prominent political news with promises of updates every 16 minutes - a kind of combination of news radio and Drudge. The panel viewed and gave commentary on different television commercials and their implications on modern American life. Molly Simms sat next to me and was impressed with my banter. I passed her a note exposing my true identity.

I started to fear that the real Mr. New York Minute would show up so I excused myself to the restroom. A classmate, who knew the truth (because we had taken classes together the previous quarter), asked me what the hell was I doing. As we laughed about the situation, her eyes became bigger and stranger until she looked like a cat. She then started to cry because of some unrelated personal issues. I offered to help but she said there was nothing I could do. She left and I was left to myself to figure out my panel exit strategy. I decided that there was no way I could keep up my charade and resolved to come clean in brilliant fashion.

The next thing I knew, the dream had changed and I was sharing a large Spanish omelet with Danette and Richard. The waiter was surprisingly not annoyed that we only ordered one entree.

Passed the AICP exam and not a moment too soon! I’m quite fond of pass/fail type examinations. What otherwise would be a C- is instead a ticket into the club.

The results of the exam are not valid for selection purposes or for employment ranking within the planning industry because the exams are not constructed to differentiate among candidates except at a passing score. [emphasis added]

Probably of even more significance, Cindy moved into her new apartment in Pasadena. Being within a few blocks of each other is going to be a beautiful indulgence, not to mention a welcome break for both our cars.

I didn’t attend the Billy Graham crusade this weekend, though I hear it was quite good. He represents an integrity that allows him to speak the Christian message of redemption and forgiveness with incredible clarity and authority. It’s a simplicity that is closer to the truth than the muck that this muddled believer can speak or handle.

It took me two hours to get home today.

Woo woo! I just got a positive evaluation at work. I didn't even know it was coming. Even though I get the feeling it is part of a larger game that's being played, any good feedback for my file is welcome.

Studying brings back lots of fun habits, like constantly listening to music and eating lots of snacks. I'm likely not going to pass. But I'm learning a lot about my profession. But I'm not going to pass.

Flashcards, snacks and distractions. Happy Veterans Day.

Super busy right now. I'm officially in lockdown mode.

Last week, I started to realized the extent that so many of us were completely and utterly emotionally invested in the election. Regardless who would have won, there were going to be a lot of broken hearts and I felt badly over that. From the friends and family [and girlfriend] in my life, I know that both sides are full of good people with the best intentions. Couple that with the fact all I can really do is vote my conscience, I took a step back from all the craziness.

So it's over. Senator Kerry shows his class and President Bush gets a second term. Now that the event we held our breath for has become history, maybe all the pent up anticipation can finally be released.

And what now? How will the elephants govern? How will the donkeys regroup? From the President, I'd like for him to show he's learned from his mistakes. From the Democrats, I hope for more Barak Obama and less Michael Moore. I guess what I'm saying is that the election craziness is finally ending. Now that the smoke is beginning to clear, things might be getting interesting again...

Voting is so awesome. Here's a picture of my polling place in Pasadena. Filling in my ballot was good closure to this long campaign. As of now, nothing has been decided. Best wishes to everyone. Really. I feel like we've had a long hard game of fierce pickup basketball. I want to give opponents and teammates a pat on the back and say "Good game, man. Good game."

I'm really tired, but not for the reason one might expect. Last night I got a late start on cooking my contribution to my work pot luck. I only got two hours of sleep. Thank goodness that How's Market is open 24 hours a day. Thankfully, my mac and cheese with bacon was a hit.

I'm watching the SNL Debate Special, which is pretty funny thus far.

More enjoyable by far, though, is my cousin's new comic strip: Jenny Jetpack! Check it out.

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Whenever people ask me what my favorite part of vacation was, I don't have a single answer. It was just everything. I took as many pictures as I could. Buildings, pets, food, signs, even people! Here are some pictures of random people:

Guy with hair I like;
Heidi (teaches English with JET program);
Schoolboys (who will probably grow up to be...);
Salarymen (and salarywoman);
People at Omotesando crosswalk;
Guys appoaching girl with business card;
Crazy costumed guys outside Mori museum;
Good looking guy (according to some, hehe).

But the most important people were Cindy's super fun friends! Rachel took great care of us in Kanazawa and Misty guided us through some sights in Tokyo. Thanks!