/mike

Happy New Year to all.

Thoughts and prayers to all in south Asia.

It gets worse and worse... fatalities... above 120,000.

The need continues... If diseases... break out, they could kill as many more.

Please donate to relief organizations like World Vision.

Finally played Settlers and it did not disappoint!

Thoughts and prayers to all those in south Asia. This natural disaster is a sober reminder that our lives can be taken at any time.

While tragedy hits the world, I'm reflecting on life in 2004. For me, the year was primarily characterized by the election, my first studio apartment, and our trip to Japan. I'm a year older and feeling less entitled and more grateful.

A few days ago I was inspired to make some blog changes. Since then, Cindy has confirmed that the idea might just work. The specific event I will blog about will be over by mid-March so I had best get started soon. Anyone care to guess what it will be?

Light Blogging this past two weeks. More to come later.

Merry Christmas and God Bless.

You scored as alternative. You're partially respected for being an individual in a conformist world yet others take you as a radical. You have no place in society because you choose not to belong there - you're the luckiest of them all, even if your parents are completely ashamed of you. Just don't take drugs ok?

alternative		58%
Upper middle Class		54%
Middle Class		50%
Luxurious Upper Class		42%
Lower Class		38%

What Social Status are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

I keep saying that it is the end of an era, but no one believes me. I repeat, I've thrown my last LOTR party! I have countless other wasteful hobbies - Fantasy Football, for example (I've reached the finals, too).

Katamari Damacy is addicting. I've gone far enough that my Katamari is big enough to roll over humans and buildings. I'm quite disturbed when the poor people scream "what is happening?" because I know that I'm going to turn them into a star.

I took yesterday off and moved everything. Jason helped me pack my U-Haul and drop off Grace's chair off at Cindy's apartment. I'm optimistic. Yeah. Keeping my head up! Merry Christmas to everyone!

The movie is wrapping up, but I've gone through all the extended and new scenes. It's oh so finger licking good.

The additions make the final installment of LOTR so much better.

Certain additions pace the movie more appropriately (The Land of Shadow), others help it make more sense (The Paths of the Dead), and some parts were just really cool (The Witch King Hour). Not all of it was good, but even the more flawed tidbits (The Houses of Healing) gave me a grin.

It's so great when things live up to the hype.

I'm going on a cruise! Cindy's company is organizing a trip and I'm tagging along. I can't imagine the Port doing something like this. At least in my division, we can barely stand working with each other.

Speaking of work, looks like I have an opportunity to attend the American Planning Association's 2005 National Planning Conference in San Francisco, from March 19-23, 2005. Fun fun.

by Daniel Lanois and Bono

Every chip from every cup
Every promise given up
Every reason that's not enough
Is falling, falling at your feet

Every one who needs a friend
Every life that has no end
Every knee not ready to bend
Is falling, falling at your feet
Have come crawling, falling at your feet

All fall down, all fall down, all fall down, all fall down, all fall down, all fall down, all fall down, all fall down

Every teenager with acne
Every face that's spoiled by beauty
Every adult tamed by duty
All falling, falling at your feet

Every eye closed by a bruise
Every player who just can't lose
Every pop star hurling abuse
Every drunk back on the booze

All falling, falling at your feet, all falling, falling at your feet
All the information
All the big ideas
All the radio waves
On electronic seas
How to navigate
How to simply be
To know when to wait
Explain simplicity
In whom shall I trust
And how might I be still
Teach me to surrender
Not my will, thy will

On the way to work, I was surprised to feel rather disgusted with myself. Thankfully, it wasn't self-loathing as much as beginning to see myself a mite clearer (which is a dangerous and rather unpleasant thing). The feeling honestly made me nauseous. I want to vomit the poisonous parts of my life. Of course, it's never easy. Too often, I just swallow my own bile. How sad.

On a completely different note, I got my new business cards. "AICP". Woo woo. I also clinched a playoff spot in our fantasy football league. See? It ain't all that bad.

This time I've packed my books, cds and photo albums. Despite packing my stuff away, I also put up some Christmas lights up in the apartment. A little holiday spirit is nice.

I've got Amelie playing in the background.

It's easy to tell that church has been inspiring me. I've never purchased "worship music" til today. Something strange must be going on!

Trying to get into that good holiday spirit today. I still have enough time to only do Christmas items when they aren't a chore. Ask me how I'm doing next week and I'll just be begging to get everything done.

Saw Bad Education with Cindy down at the Sunset 5. We shopped at the Virgin next door just like we did three years ago. Three years ago! That's when I first picked up the Coldplay CD.

Just finished helping my Mom cook for her potluck. Chinese mushrooms are so much better than anything else available. And they are so cheap too!

This is the life. Blogging from Oak Knoll, Cindy's new place. It's funny and crazy as any new place should be. I love it.

Lots of time for friends and errands today. Good music too. I'm listening to that Kings of Convenience cd right now. U2 played on all afternoon as Danette and Jason and I played pretend war with each other too.

Later on in the night, attended a surprise surfing party. Happy birthday Tony.

Yesterday, Cindy gave me a call and let me know that the Trashies were doing a quick acoustic set. So I took an early lunch, got some Jack in the Box, and listened eagerly in my car. I let out a little yelp when I recognized Send for Henny.

And just last week I was telling her that I didn't necessarily need to see them this weekend. It would be my third show in just a few months. After years of neglect, they keep coming back. Good for them. And thanks to KCRW for always playing them.

I got my haircut. I'd been avoiding it because I got my last chop done in Japan. In a rather illogical way, I wanted to let my vacation linger a little longer.

Friendly warning. If you are still feeling raw about Nov. 2, you probably don't want to read this.

Peter Beinart of New Republic initiates an interesting internal debate within the Democratic Party. The article is long and requires registration, but is also very interesting. His point? Get rid of the MoveOn and Michael Moores.

The challenge for Democrats today... requires a sustained battle to wrest the Democratic Party from the heirs of Henry Wallace. In the party today, two such heirs loom largest: Michael Moore and MoveOn.

While I would welcome this change in the Dems, I actually don't think it will be necessary for a 2008 presidential win. Four more years without an attack on U.S. land (I hope), terrorism may not be the big issue of the election. But I agree with his assessment that Moore and MoveOn don't actually represent most Americans on the left.

Most Democrats agree with [Moore] about the Iraq war, about Ashcroft, and about Bush. What they do not recognize, or do not acknowledge, is that Moore does not oppose Bush's policies because he thinks they fail to effectively address the terrorist threat; he does not believe there is a terrorist threat. For Moore, terrorism is an opiate whipped up by corporate bosses. In Dude, Where's My Country?, he says it plainly: "There is no terrorist threat." ... Moore is a non-totalitarian, but, like Wallace, he is not an anti-totalitarian. And, when Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe and Tom Daschle flocked to the Washington premiere of Fahrenheit 9/11, and when Moore sat in Jimmy Carter's box at the Democratic convention, many Americans wondered whether the Democratic Party was anti-totalitarian either. [Emph added]

Beinart on MoveOn.

Many MoveOn supporters probably disagree with the organization's opposition to the Afghan war, if they are even aware of it, and simply see the group as an effective means to combat Bush. But one of the lessons of the early cold war is scrupulousness about whom liberals let speak in their name. And, while MoveOn's frequent bulletins are far more thoughtful than Moore's rants, they convey the same basic hostility to U.S. power ... MoveOn sees threats to liberalism only on the right. And thus, it makes common cause with the most deeply illiberal elements on the international left. In its campaign against the Iraq war, MoveOn urged its supporters to participate in protests co-sponsored by International answer, a front for the World Workers Party, which has defended Saddam, Slobodan Milosevic, and Kim Jong Il. [Emph added]

UPDATE: Moore's response.

Had Cindy over for a nice dinner. Breaded fish over a bed of lightly dressed romaine. I had the Charles Shaw and she had the Orangina.

I'm moving home in a few weeks. It's just one of those things. It's mostly my pride that's hurt. And my privacy. But this is my decision and that's what makes it OK for me. I've had such fun at the Brookmore, even though it is grossly overpriced. These two factors lead me to have both a deep appreciation for what time I have left in my little studio, as well as a feeling of relief. I'll be able to comfortably and quickly save up for the ever important "big" expenses in life, whenever they happen.

I was talking to my cousin about real estate and she keeps telling me that there are good buys to be had. In my dream world, I'd like to get together with some people and purchase a four-unit. We would each get our own unit and it would be a happy little family community. Doesn't that sound nice? Of course, it's only an idea. And of course, I don't even have the partners to go in with yet. But the dream remains...

Part of going to Epicentre church is the acknowledgement that I'm such a Christian infant. Or maybe I'm the prodigal son. Or the lost sheep. Something like that. People don't see me as a strong Christian and I don't see myself as one either. I'm a simple, extremely flawed believer. In being humbled, I'm discovering freedom. Freedom to not pretend how solid I am and freedom to learn from some pretty incredible people.

Most of my faith is in concepts. If there is any communication at all, it is mostly me doing the talking. So based on a friend's recommendation, I'm going through a Christian book from the 1980's called Dialogue With God. How does one actually "talk" to God? What is that like? The book is practical, if not a bit cheesy. It requires quite an open mind, which I'm doing my best to maintain. I'm more comfortable with Fruedian ideas about the subconscious than Mark & Patti Virkler's two way communication with the creator of the universe. Of course, the two don't necessarily conflict, but you get my meaning.

I woke up today thinking, "Isn't the LOTR Return of the King Extended Edition out today? Oh yeah. That's next Tuesday."

Oh yeah. Last night I went to Sushi Studio to see a family friend work as a support sushi chef. Dale was great! This makes 4 times in 3 weeks. I know that I've been eating too much sushi lately, but I had previously promised to visit him. And we might be connected professionally too. During Thanksgiving, he told me that he is considering studying Urban Planning, partially due to a conversation we had. So... yeah. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

So if you are near Long Beach, go check out Sushi Studio. For a sushi bar, I found it really casual and friendly. The fish is a solid value and they feature a variety of specialty rolls that make the place accessible to everyone.

"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth."
-Pablo Picasso

We live in and are surrounded by art and my education has only begun. While I already know what I tend to like, I'm expanding my understanding of what is out there and therefore, learning about art as a concept in of itself. So I surf the net. I bounce ideas off Cindy and Richard, and I'm having loads of fun doing it. And somehow, these thoughts and ideas on art have also turned into an education in truth, in postmodernism, and also a study of God's logos.

Because I'm beginning to see art as creation, and it is a false creation, and therefore indeed a lie. It will never have the true power and wonder of actual creation. While humanity does have the capacity to make and destroy, the matter of the universe, the rules of the universe, the pieces we get to use, these are beyond our reach and perhaps beyond our understanding. We do with the toys as we please, but we cannot be apart from it because we ourselves are part of that creation.

In spite of that and because of that, art has tremendous value. If it is limited by our humanity, art then becomes an exploration of human potential. It's humanity's means to control, and explore things that we can see, and touch, and experience. It is our humble way to create something that can stir our souls and move our spirit.

"Well, I've always thought that art is a lie, an interesting lie. And I'll sort of listen to the 'lie' and try to imagine the world which makes that lie true... what that world must be like, and what would have to happen for us to get from this world to that one."
-Brian Eno (as quoted from imomus)

Three girls at my office just got engaged this past month. Today I got an email from Sammy that Amy accepted his proposal.

Celebrated Jacob's birthday today. Why does Wild Thyme always have such cranky service? Spent some time with the family too. Each visit at home becomes a glance at what life will be like if I do indeed move home. It's a mixed bag. I dunno. I just don't know.

Saw House of Flying Daggers. What good cinematic fun! Part of it is Takeshi Kaneshiro. Part of it is how the movie hits the right balance of humerous/serious. Part of it is that I'm in a really good mood.

Cleaned my apartment last night. I feel much better. I also turned on the heater, which helps. Why didn't I think of this before? I'm moving out next month because rent is too expensive (four digits plus), but I also just found out that they want to raise my rent too. Ridiculous.

Watched The Apprentice. I love that show. I'm glad to see Ivana go. I'm always hard on Asian reality-tv participants. They represent me! Still, I'm confident that even if she wasn't yellow, I'd disapprove of her stripping in order to sell a candy bar.

I also watched the first LA Mayoral debate. Rhetoric that works for me: anti-special interests. Rhetoric that doesn't work for me: class warfare. Anyway, everyone knows that Hahn has a tough road ahead of him. It'll be interesting. I don't get to vote but I'll be watching. The outcome is sure to have a major impact on the Port.

Finally finished X Men Legends, defeating Master Mold with Marvel Girl's phoenix force. Yeah! Actually, starting that game was a major miscalculation in time management. And by the end of the first level, I stopped enjoying myself and was just trying to get the damn thing over with.

I participated in a work training program on presentation tools for hostile public meetings, which was thankfully informative. Not that it will make much of a difference, but at least my nonverbal cues will be more open< and professional. Did you know that society initally started shaking hands to make sure the other party wasn't holding a weapon?

Drudge is always good for a shocking headline or two, and I was certainly interested when he linked this article. Here's the opening paragraph:

A hospital in the Netherlands - the first nation to permit euthanasia - recently proposed guidelines for mercy killings of terminally ill newborns, and then made a startling revelation: It has already begun carrying out such procedures, which include administering a lethal dose of sedatives.

After doing a google search and reading some articles, I am not sure exactly what is going on out there. Here is an aggressive condemnation of Dutch medial ethics from a reputable opinion source. The two articles present different faces on what is actually going on in the Netherlands. Whatever the specifics regarding the The Groningen Protocol, this is a complex topic with many levels and is worth discussing.

Because human life is special. Each individual is more important than any animal, plant, or object in the universe. I'm sure most people are with me on this, though they may get there from a different value set. My conclusion derives from the belief that God created man and woman and put something eternal, divine, and absolutely wonderful within us. And this applies to all people, whether they are good, bad, young, old, physically disabled, or mentally ill. We as a society should be wary of any taking of life, but special consideration and staunch protection should be made for those who are weakest and unable to decide or defend themselves (i.e. infants).

I know that advocates of euthanasia present challenging and difficult questions. They deserve honest debate. This is how one doctor frames the general issue.

However, lest it be thought that I have become hardened and indifferent to suffering let me add that, although firmly opposed to euthanasia, I consider that: (i) a doctor who has never been tempted to kill a patient probably has had limited clinical experience or is not able to empathize with those who suffer (ii) a doctor who leaves a patient to suffer intolerably is morally more reprehensible than the doctor who performs euthanasia A doctor has twin obligations to preserve life and to relieve suffering. Preserving life is increasingly meaningless when a terminally ill patient is close to death, and the emphasis on relieving suffering becomes paramount. Even here, however, the doctor is obliged to achieve his objective with minimum risk to the patient's life. This means that treatment to relieve pain and suffering which coincidentally might bring forward the moment of death by a few hours or days is acceptable (the principle of double effect), but administering a drug such as potassium or curare, with the primary intention of causing death, is not.

Makes sense to me.