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Thursday, January 31, 2002
POLITICS is messy. I can't imagine being completely sold on one particular political party because I'm sure that they all have flaws.
Still, I thought that the State of the Union address was really good. I know that most Democrats cannot fathom having any semblance of respect for George W Bush, but I dunno. This past election was the first political race that I really followed, and perhaps I'm naive, but I really do agree with many of things he stands for.
Deep in the American character there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy -- especially in tragedy -- God is near.
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
IT all started when I told my parents that I planned to go back to Cambodia. My Mom said, "Why do you go to Asia to spend time with strangers? Our family never spends time together. Victor's family goes on vacations. They have better children than we do."
I usually get annoyed at such talk, but I was in do-gooder mode so I decided that she had a point. When was the last time that we had all done something fun? I resolved to plan a family trip. It would be great. In fact, my parents have never seen Jimmy and Yang Sze's condo! We could fly out to Boston on Matthew's spring break and scour the city. Yay!
I think we were all surprised by my response. From what I can tell, this is what usually happens in this situation: My Mom talks about the trip. My Dad is tired because he knows he will end up doing all the work. The kids agree but are so passively unenthusiastic that we make everything disagreeable.
Anyway, that won't be the case this time. Priceline has just accepted our offer and the Chams are headed to Boson from March 23 - 29.
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
I have 10 messages on my voice-mail. I think it might be a long work day.
Yesterday, I spent my Christmas gift certificates. Got myself two Coldplay singles, The Economist and a copy of The New Yorker. Cindy picked up The Bad Beginning. I don't remember the last time I felt so much pressure to make purchases. I think I can get used to this kind of problem.
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I have been looking at more furniture catalogues. Do I like birch or beech? I don't think I have a singular sense of style when it comes to home furnishings. I feel quite lost when trying to form opinions about chairs, tables and sofas. In a way it is comforting to have tight economic restrictions. Besides, I think I'm going to get quite a few hand me down items.
Monday, January 28, 2002
46. When's the right time to go to the bathroom in front of your significant other?
Never.
47. Favorite communication method?
Slightly tipsy shout outs at a bar.
48. What is one thing you don't leave home without?
My mouth.
49. How often do you have sex?
Sorry.
50. What's the most painful experience you've ever had?
Is it odd that I can speak freely about my most painful experiences and not about my sex life? If I were French, would I have a different attitude towards the carnal? Whatever the case, I think that two painful experiences come to mind. Both included betrayal. Once with a guy and then later with a girl.
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So that wraps up 50 questions. I honestly feel like this site is getting more and more pitiful. Last night, I confided to Cindy that I have been toying with the idea of shutting down The Hairy Years. That probably won't happen for a while. I think I'll still crank out a few weeks to see if a new direction begins to form itself.
now playing: simple things ~zero 7~
Sunday, January 27, 2002
HELPED Brenda move into her new apartment yesterday. If I were one to compare myself to others, I would be jealous. It is perfect.
Hm. Sorry I still haven't mailed some of you your Hairy CD. James, who designed it for me, hasn't be shipped his yet either.
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41. What kind of first impression do you think you give to people?
I think I come off well, if not a bit strange.
42. What's one thing you like to do alone?
Eat entire bags of microwave popcorn.
43. What's the worst thing you ever said to someone?
When I was in 4th grade, I called a Filipino guy a nigger.
44. Are you a giver or a taker?
Giver.
45. What have you stolen before?
I've been told that I used to steal baseball cards. I have also stolen pens from work.
now playing: a boy and a girl ~trash can sinatras~
Friday, January 25, 2002
36. IF you don't like a person, how do you show it?
I show no interest in them and slight disapproval whenever I feel they wrong someone.
37. How many drinks before you're tipsy?
One will do it, but I never stop with just one.
38. Favorite kind of porn?
I've always had a love/hate relationship with porn.
39. Do you have problems changing clothes in front of friends?
Oh yes.
40. Do you cry in front of friends?
Yes. I prefer to call it masculine tearing, as opposed to a self-absorbed sob fest. See I have this theory. Crying out of empathy or because you care is good. Crying over petty things that make you feel sorry for yourself is bad.
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IT is unusual for me to finish a book so soon, but How To Be Good was wrapped up last night. I'm still processing, but I think that I am impressed with Hornby as a writer. The novel still maintains his impeccable wit, but he is stretching himself, both in character and content. The result is something that may seem less trendy, but more honest and true.
Being on such a roll, I should grab another book, but I think I want to mull over this one some more.
Oh, and as for my previous worries: It was much ado about nothing.
now playing: obscurity knocks ~trash can sinatras~
Thursday, January 24, 2002
MY room is frigid. I should have done something about it a long time ago, but there isn't much point anymore.
The mechanic continues to postpone my much anticipated reunion with the Accord. I'm excited at the prospect of getting a fresh start. I've failed to love her the way she deserves, and don't plan to make the mistake twice.
One good thing about having to drive the Impala is that it only has a tape player. This sent me scurrying through my stuff to find my old stash of tapes, which eventually led me to a favorite Trash Can Sinatras compilation, complete with selected B-sides and favorites from all three albums.
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31. What kind of books do you like to read?
I primarily read a variety of fiction. Usually, I read old favorites over and over but recently, I have begun to branch out and read new books.
32. If you won the lottery, what would you do first?
Tithe, and then spend like a reckless idiot.
33. Burial or cremation?
Burial.
34. How many online journals do you read regularly?
Maybe ten.
35. What's one thing you're a sore loser at?
I no longer think that winning is as important as I once did. Consistent losing will do that to a guy.
now playing: A Worm With A Head ~Trash Can Sinatras~
Wednesday, January 23, 2002
26. DO you prefer to stand out or blend in?
I like to stand out.
27. Do you have anything monogrammed? If so, what?
I don't have any clothes monogrammed, but I do have this beautiful lighter with my initials engraved on it.
28. Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
I think I tried on a form fitting green dress before or after a Westridge prom, but we kept it in the privacy of her home.
29. What's one car you will never buy?
I'll never buy an Impala, but I drive one all the time.
30. Have you ever done drugs?
No. Um. Yes. Wait, what kind of drugs are we talking about?
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I apologize to those wonderful people who buy me books. It takes me forever to get to them.
I've finally started How To Be Good by Nick Hornby, which was a gift from Dan.
I haven't gotten very far, but already there is an interesting angle. In some ways, he seems to be leading into some strange Christian thing. This always makes me uncomfortable. As a believer, I'm always a bit tense when my faith is brought up in popular culture, especially when it is supposed to be funny. What makes me more nervous is that I have this feeling that the faith might actually be treated fairly. Can you imagine NPR, Salon.com types reading a book that says something good about Jesus? Maybe.
I'm tempted to read some reviews, but I'll pass on them until after I've finished. It seems silly to ruin my enjoyment of a good book just because of my Christian PR mentality.
Tuesday, January 22, 2002
DESIGN projects with good company make for a pretty day.
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21. What kind of watch(es) do you wear?
My cell phone serves as my watch now, but I have lost a standard Casio, white Fossil, and silver Seiko.
22. Most frivolous purchase?
On a whim, I gave my friend my credit card to purchase me a PS2. Thankfully, it plays DVDs because I would otherwise never use the thing. Hm. When I move out, I'll be sure to start and finish Final Fantasy X.
23. Do you consider yourself materialistic?
No. I was lying again. Yes.
24. What do you cook the best?
I can make a mean fried rice. I also enjoy frying up bacon, making sandwiches and tossing salads.
25. Favorite writing instrument?
My stylish silver Tombow.
Sunday, January 20, 2002
GOSFORD Park was good. Part of the draw was to see Kelly Macdonald and Clive Owen. Since the cast is fairly large, I was surprised to find that they both played very prominent roles. After talking to some friends, the consensus was that we respect the movie more than we actually like it. It might have to do with the fact that the genre is interesting, but not compelling.
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16. Would you ever admit to having done plastic surgery of any kind if confronted?
I would never do anything of the sort.
17. What's one of the "funnest" things you've ever done?
Hm. Tonight I am going to see a friend perform at The Gig. Hopefully that will be fun...
18. Do you drive stick?
Yes. Um.. no. I am a liar.
19. What's one trait you hate in a person?
I get annoyed at people who aren't self aware.
20. What's the soonest that you've slept with someone:
I know that the sex questions are what makes these things interesting, but I'm such a prude. Sorry.
Saturday, January 19, 2002
11. What's the one language you want to learn?
The cool languages to know would either be Japanese or French, but I think that I will have to choose Mandarin.
12. How do you eat an apple?
Slowly, with a concerned look on my face. See, I am mildly allergic to apples and peaches.
13. What do you order at a bar?
Mandarin and Tonic.
14. Have you ever pierced your body parts? If so, where?
Back in the early 90s, I was seriously considering getting my ear pierced. In the end I decided it that it just didn't suit my personality.
15. Do you have tattoos? If so, what kind and where?
I still toy with this one. If I had some sort of passion for a particular tattoo as opposed to simply the idea of a tattoo, I think I may actually go through with it.
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Last night I fell asleep on the sofa, watching Matthew try to finish Final Fantasy before he heads back to school. I had this strange dream about people on Cindy's livejournal. I was wearing a Guayabera shirt.
I ran into an internet friend at Kayo. We had never met and I was very pleased with the organic way in which we finally connected.
This doesn't happen often, but I am in the mood to go dancing. Ted went to Club Sugar last Thursday, but I wasn't able to go.
Friday, January 18, 2002
LAST year, when the team was going through their typical September collapse, I decided to stop the madness. I told all my friends that this time I was serious. I wasn't going to take it anymore. They politely listened, but I wasn't fooling anybody.
I will never stop being an Angels fan.
It has been an active off season. We kept the heart and soul of the team, have new upper management, two new starting pitchers, a new DH, all new uniforms, and one less fat guy from Boston. So far, so good. I'm actually hopeful for our first playoff series since '86.
I'm also pretty sure I'm going to look awful in that new red baseball cap.
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6. Favorite fabric?
Nothing beats good cotton. Oh and super soft cotton is sexy too.
7. Something you love and hate?
I love cheese, and I hate mean people.
8. What kind of bedding do you use?
I don't know anything about bedding, but I'm looking forward to learning.
9. What kind of soap do you use?
I've been partial to Lever 2000, but lately my family has been buying Irish Spring.
10. Do you tell your friends about your sex life?
We speak strictly in terms of emotions, if that.
Thursday, January 17, 2002
50 questions by Aiyah, tackled 5 at a time.
1. What's one thing you wish you could do but can't?
I'd like to be who I want to be.
2. What time of the day do you like to take a shit?
Maybe about an hour before a hearty dinner.
3. What is your ideal marriage location?
A church with lots of stained glass.
4. Which musical instrument do you wish you could play?
Id like to play guitar like that guy from the Stone Roses.
5. What's your favorite sexual position?
Wouldn't say if I knew.
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I got an anonymous missed call from a girl's group home. I had to ask what a group home was. Yesterday, I got a mysterious voice mail of someone singing the words "be-yoo-tiful". It reminded me of how I leave messages on Rob's answering machine. I usually sing lyrics to Don't Panic or Yellow. It would go something like "Look how they shine foooooor you, And all the things yooooooouu do. It's Mike. Call me. Bye."
Wednesday, January 16, 2002
I am tired.
Lately, there has been so much potential for conflict and drama that I have been on full alert, desperately extinguishing fires before they get out of control. Thankfully, everything seems to have stabilized (for now). While I'm still not out of the woods, I've done everything I can.
This applies to a lot of things in my life, including the little real estate adventure. Escrow hasn't closed, but for all intents and purposes it looks as if I've purchased myself a townhouse in Glendale.
The odd thing is that now that there isn't any major opposition, I can finally permit myself the luxury to doubt the purchase. This is a major investment. What if getting what I want is a mistake? Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited, but I just feel like I had better be prepared to take the blame if things go wrong.
Tuesday, January 15, 2002
PERHAPS it is the Lynch fan in me, but I always think that things are seedy or sketchy. On my way back to the office, I happened to walk by one of those white vans that don't have any windows. I'm always creeped out by them. Why would anyone ever buy one? I always imagine them being dirty and lived in, with only an old mattress in the back.
I also wonder about those strange Asian "clubs" on Valley. Has anyone seen them? Been inside one? Brenda and I were going to scope out Bayside or Turning Point, but lost interest rather quickly.
now playing: denmark ~the ocean blue~
Monday, January 14, 2002
DUNNO why the blogs aren't coming out. I'll just list some of the things running round my head: I'm nervous about setting the agenda for next week's Koinonia meeting.I will probably be locking in my interest rate this week.My car should be done this week too.I finally saw The Fellowship of the Ring. The themes inherent in this movie / book are so dear to me. They include loyalty, sacrifice, understanding our own limitations, and loving others more than ourselves. now playing: how can i apply ~trash can sinatras~
Sunday, January 13, 2002
WHAT makes The Lord of the Rings so good? Damn. I'll finish this later.
posted by michael at 5:53 PM |
Saturday, January 12, 2002
THE physical inspection was an unprecedented success. Outside my Dad (who is in Panama) and Matthew (who slept in), all the major players gave the townhouse a thumbs up. I'm not saying that there aren't items that will need to be discussed, but I'm glad to report that there weren't any deal breakers.
I was late to Koinonia last night. I'm glad I made it. It was good to see my friends. Jason did an exceptional job as small group leader too. Surrounded by friends who honestly are rooting for me, I realized that there are so many beautiful things happening in my life. Not just the place, but in general. To be honest, I don't deserve them. It's almost embarrassing.
Friday, January 11, 2002
LOOPY, I tell you. I feel loopy.
You see, my nap has just been interrupted. I need to head to church in 10 minutes. My face feels tight. My lips feel chapped. I went snowboarding with my coworkers. I also went on a cleaning spree last night and got only two hours of sleep.
Now that only Matt and Brenda are home, I am free to play St. Etienne as loud as I want. I get to prance up and down the stairs, dancing and singing along to Nothing Can Stop Us Now. I never felt so good,
I never felt so strong,
nothing can stop us now! Bren started to sing along and Matt gave me an amused look. You see, she recently played some Saint Etienne videos for me and the best thing about my not getting much sleep is that the songs and images are now embedded in my head, like some trippy euphoric haze.
Thursday, January 10, 2002
POOR Man is now on KIIS FM as a lackey for Rick Dees. It's sad for me to hear him sink so low. This morning he was talking about how he knew this DJ at his "old radio statio" who had a huge cocaine problem. Is he talking about Jed the Fish? To me, Poor Man is a VH1 Behind the Music tragedy.
In general, I am not really a fan of morning radio. I especially dislike Kevin and Bean. While they can be funny, I think of them as mean spirited and crass. I think I'm becoming a prude in my old age.
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I want to incorporate the words bling bling into my vocabulary. Matt used it once and it was the funniest thing I've ever heard. He said, "Sometimes, I also feel like Mom doesn't know what she is talking about, but all of a sudden, things work out and it's like bling bling!"
Wednesday, January 09, 2002
IT is hard to believe, but it is true. My deposit has just been cashed and I have officially entered escrow. It feels so good to be in the next stage. If the next 45 days go well, I'll be living at a new address soon.
Tuesday, January 08, 2002
WE haven't been able to have Zankou Chicken for a while. Work has been busy and I've been trying not to eat out as much. Today, I made an exception. It was good to talk to my buddy at work. He is 29, engaged (like all lots of my friends) and in the process of getting his first home. He was telling me about the whole escrow process... inspections, appraisals, locking in loan rates, etc.
I told him, "I'll be a happy man if I have your problems tomorrow."
I was hoping to have some news to report before I posted today's blog, but it looks like that won't be the case. I feel like a pitcher that just can't close the game. I'm anxious, but not excessively concerned. Whatever happens, I know I'm not going to give up anytime soon.
(1:10 PM) Life's small joys include getting a new box of business cards. Yay!
Monday, January 07, 2002
JESSE has one kick ass Sunday school.
I'm sad that I missed last week's class. Allison and Eddie were visiting Los Angeles and Church History was a hard sell. I'm convinced that the class needs a marketing makeover. It just doesn't convey how cool it actually is. Anyway, I think I like it because it addresses historical Christian tensions that we still feel today. It's like beginning a dialogue about the things that we should be talking about, but somehow don't. Who knows? Maybe by the end of the quarter, we'll also talk about sex. That would be hilarious.
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I haven't been sleeping very well tonight. Tossing and turning in bed, I felt like a little ball of anxiety. I'm much more comfortable in front of the computer, listening to music and reading blogs.
now playing: common people ~pulp~
Sunday, January 06, 2002
MY Uncle Eustaus passed on yesterday. He suffered a heart attack in his home in Panama. I hardly knew the man. My only memory of him is meeting him for the first time, two years ago. He was 72.
Saturday, January 05, 2002
I'M not as emotionally involved this time around. It feels so different. I feel rather calculating and pragmatic. Since I am still just looking around, I'm actually a bit interested in three at the same time. All have their pros and cons. Who knows what will pan out?
In a way, I am glad that the holiday season is over. I am ready to get back into a routine, but I don't want to make it the same routine I had this past year. It was honestly just too much. Time to implement some shut in techniques I have been learning. I’ll never be a real introvert, but I have to get away from the insane pace of before. Hopefully, this first month will set a precedent for the rest of the year. "Just relax, take it easy.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to know." now playing: father and son ~cat stevens~
Friday, January 04, 2002
THE meeting last night didn't end excessively late. I'm a bit tired today, but I don't mind because if I am going to be traveling as much as I hope, I will be needing the extra time off and cash.
I don't know why it is such work for me to get out and about. Rob just got up one day and decided to go to Brazil for New Years. Isn't that amazing? One day, I'll finally go to the UK, but for now I just want to go to New York.
Thursday, January 03, 2002
RECENTLY, I was reminded of my most vivid celebrity dreams: Francis Reader (Trash Can Sinatras): I went to Scotland to meet him and bought him a Guinness. We got drunk and sang songs. Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks): He was being tortured by the demon Bob, and I gave up my soul to save his. Bono (U2): We talked about Christianity, and I asked him about his faith, his church, and who he receives discipleship from. Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys): I snuck into a hotel to find him, but was disappointed because he wanted to hang out with the gay fans more than the heterosexual Chinese ones. Interesting that they are all guys that I respect or admire in one way or another...
Wednesday, January 02, 2002
BEING back at work isn't really that bad. Of course, I shouldn't talk until after tomorrow night's meeting. There are some potentially 'controversial' cases on the horizon.
Yesterday was my official end to the holiday season. It was relaxing to simply read, watch tv, and lounge around in different rooms all afternoon long. I finally finished the Dave Eggers book too! I really enjoyed how it examined our ultra-self-aware generation's relationship with pop-culture. Of course the brilliant (and obvious) shift is ultimately the relationship between the book itself and us, the readers. Here is an excerpt I love: "These people have already attained, at what-ever age, a degree of celebrity that you assholes will never reach, and you feel, deep down, that because there is no life before or after this, that fame is, essentially, God... As children you watched him, in the basement, cross-legged in front of the TV, and you thought you should be him, that his lines were yours, and his spot on Battle of the Network Stars was yours... So doing all this, when he's no longer such the world-conquering celebrity, gives you power over him, the ability to embarrass him, to equalize the terrible imbalance you feel about your relationship to those who project their charisma directly... You and everyone like you, with your Q and As or columns or Web sites - you all want to be famous, you want to be rock stars, but you're stuck in the terrible bind, where you also want to be thought of as smart, legitimate, permanent. So you do your little thing, are read by your coterie, while secretly seething about the Winona Ryders and Ethan Hawkes, or even the Sari Lockers-" page 317 Yeah it's an exaggeration, but it is also brutally honest and absolutely hilarious.
note: The comments link for yesterday's post now works.
Tuesday, January 01, 2002
HAPPY 2002, my friends.
I suppose it is common to not have New Years resolutions. It does seem silly to set myself up to fail.
With that said, I still hope. You see, I yearn to be that guy. I'm willing to fail. I just want to try.
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Last night began with a kitchen full of family and a house filled with the happy buzz of old friends and spanish songs. Later, we rang in the new year at Melissa's "Globalization" party. I wore my father's Panamanian shirt (nipples unexposed, mind you). We traveled the world in her house, found the inner celebrity behind us, and photographed ourselves at a furious pace. The night was indeed a flurry of enjoyable social activity. That said, it was still the all too brief, quiet, lovely moments that made 2002 worth starting.
now playing: blue in green ~miles davis~
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