tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:07:04 +0000http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/noreply@blogger.com (Michael)Blogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110462514549293374Sun, 02 Jan 2005 00:19:00 +00002005-01-01T16:19:05.493-08:00http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2005_01_01_archives.html#110462514549293374noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110454383228089575Sat, 01 Jan 2005 01:43:00 +00002004-12-31T17:43:52.280-08:00Happy New Year to all. Thoughts and prayers to all in south Asia.http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110454383228089575noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110442237275769949Thu, 30 Dec 2004 15:53:00 +00002004-12-30T07:59:32.756-08:00It 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. http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110442237275769949noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110425128266957295Tue, 28 Dec 2004 16:26:00 +00002004-12-28T12:15:14.196-08:00Finally played Settlers and it did not disappoint! http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110425128266957295noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110416188964198452Mon, 27 Dec 2004 15:17:00 +00002004-12-27T16:31:13.596-08:00Thoughts 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110416188964198452noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110391579316717799Fri, 24 Dec 2004 19:15:00 +00002004-12-24T11:16:33.166-08:00Light Blogging this past two weeks. More to come later. Merry Christmas and God Bless.http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110391579316717799noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110367324195471773Tue, 21 Dec 2004 23:53:00 +00002004-12-30T08:03:43.996-08:00You 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?alternative58%Upper middle Class54%Middle Class50%Luxurious Upper Class42%Lower http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110367324195471773noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110364954372389493Tue, 21 Dec 2004 16:59:00 +00002004-12-21T09:19:03.723-08:00I 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110364954372389493noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110318587451554628Thu, 16 Dec 2004 09:20:00 +00002004-12-16T00:31:14.516-08:00The 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, http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110318587451554628noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110312773209820803Wed, 15 Dec 2004 16:19:00 +00002004-12-15T09:26:55.536-08:00I'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.http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110312773209820803noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110303980686676150Tue, 14 Dec 2004 15:54:00 +00002004-12-14T08:05:37.500-08:00by 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110303980686676150noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110295354011515881Mon, 13 Dec 2004 15:48:00 +00002004-12-13T08:01:44.030-08:00On 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110295354011515881noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110291305365530590Mon, 13 Dec 2004 04:39:00 +00002004-12-12T20:53:38.033-08:00This 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!http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110291305365530590noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110281534607745360Sun, 12 Dec 2004 01:32:00 +00002004-12-11T17:35:46.076-08:00Trying 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. http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110281534607745360noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110275259656243160Sat, 11 Dec 2004 07:57:00 +00002004-12-11T00:09:56.563-08:00This 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. http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110275259656243160noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110260969751516875Thu, 09 Dec 2004 15:35:00 +00002004-12-13T17:13:48.650-08:00Friendly 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110260969751516875noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110252425673926662Wed, 08 Dec 2004 16:15:00 +00002004-12-08T09:14:53.303-08:00Had 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110252425673926662noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110243156821601159Tue, 07 Dec 2004 14:55:00 +00002004-12-07T09:43:34.996-08:00I 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110243156821601159noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110235023216003905Mon, 06 Dec 2004 15:24:00 +00002004-12-06T09:43:19.760-08:00"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,http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110235023216003905noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110223940127550600Sun, 05 Dec 2004 09:12:00 +00002004-12-05T01:38:06.583-08:00Three 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110223940127550600noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110208422042851123Fri, 03 Dec 2004 14:23:00 +00002004-12-03T08:39:28.780-08:00Cleaned 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110208422042851123noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110200380877059838Thu, 02 Dec 2004 15:46:00 +00002004-12-02T08:10:08.770-08:00Finally 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110200380877059838noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110188328655801839Wed, 01 Dec 2004 09:01:00 +00002004-11-30T23:20:41.436-08:00Drudge 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_12_01_archives.html#110188328655801839noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110183091834525119Tue, 30 Nov 2004 16:06:00 +00002004-11-30T23:23:44.633-08:00LA 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 http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_11_01_archives.html#110183091834525119noreply@blogger.com (Michael)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544185.post-110173985532241964Mon, 29 Nov 2004 14:23:00 +00002004-11-29T06:56:02.523-08:00Thanks 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, http://www.cham.net/mike/mike/2004_11_01_archives.html#110173985532241964noreply@blogger.com (Michael)