陳培勇的世界

That's it. I give up. I will succumb to old age. The next time I get sick or hurt or whatever I will rest it off. This is getting ridiculous, 6 days and my ankle is still not better. I should've known. Two years ago when I got sick, it took more than a week to get better because I had to work. Just have to face the music.

When she calls, I get all silly inside. Even if it's for nothing...

posted by John @ 8:22 PM Comments: 0

Darn my foot is still healing. When will it get better? I forgot to watch Enterprise today. I'm such a complainer. I received my free gift from the dental office today. Too bad it's big and black and white. Can't really use it. Oh well, I give it to my dad. I'm still living my dream. It's still making me happy. All I need to do now is accomplish things. Just do things that are worthwhile. And so far, I am just about there. Becoming the person I want to be. I unplugged the battery on my car. Now the check engine light stays off. So whatever the problem was is now gone. I wish I had an mp3 player in my car that can display Chinese characters. I want to go to China. Anyone want to join me?

posted by John @ 9:14 PM Comments: 0

Another superb weekend. It's been a toasty few days but for some reason I've felt fairly comfortable. I don't like heat normally. Saturday was the debut of me scheduling things for my friends. There were a few setbacks due to my confidence in someone. She made it seem more difficult. You have to ask people's opinions. Make sure they are ok with it first. How do you know they'll like it? People are generally amicable, especially towards friends they've known a long time. So as I phoned back and forth making sure everyone was ok with the destinations and plans, I found out no one really cares as long as we're together. Exactly what I thought in the first place. You make the decisions, they say yes or no. Simple. I found this out only after many long and arduous phone calls. Luckily, the result was, it ended up being a blast. So it was well worth it. Oh right, these friends I am talking about are my age. Yes, rare that I hang with people approaching the quarter century mark.

In the morning I sprained my ankle at Villa Montalvo. It's a nice little "high society" sort of area. Which means lots of trees. tiny roads, and hills. I have to go back there with a healed ankle next time. The place is grand. They even hold concerts there. The traffic will be terrible. At least all the roads are one way. Too bad they are poorly marked.

Visited Japantown with Nam and Jack on Sunday sans Kim. Methinks her "whirlwind honeymoon" is still in progress. Again, it was hot but it didn't bother me that much. I finally found those shade covers you put on back windows. Saw a lot of cute chicks and nice costumes. My limping foot wasn't as much of a drag as I thought it would be. It was so crowded that you could hardly go any slower. Although any sane person would have rested his foot, you're not gonna call me a cornflake. I like crowds. I like live performances. I like people. I like things to see. I like things to buy. I like pretty people. I like having fun. I like eating at restaurants I've never been. I like free rulers. I like seeing people smile. Only two negative comments. My San Francisco street prowess is still quite mediocre. Led the trio on a wild goose chase, a waste of parking money and also lots of time. Number 2 would be it's freaking hot in Jack's car. Cancer or dehydration... quel choisir?

My foot was way better today. Max temperature achieved by Corolla is 102 degrees on 880 right before Dixon Landing Road.

Mission Impossible

posted by John @ 7:06 PM Comments: 0

I just put my camera on delayed exposure. I was behind a set of ropes off the sidewalk trying to set it on a metal post to get the right picture. As I climbed over, I forgot about the ropes and tripped. As you can see, no one decided to help. Well, Deepak did when he noticed I wasn't getting up right away. Notice the devil flames erupting from someone's head.

Happiness is as happiness does. It's weird, I've been feeling extremely good the past couple of weeks. It's just been nice cloudy cold weather. No stupid drivers doing stupid things. Getting on track with some of the goals I have set myself. Another one set down....

Oh gosh... I am so hungry. I'm going to go eat.

Seriously Nam, your April 19th post. Come on. COME ON!???!!!!

posted by John @ 10:10 PM Comments: 0

$5500

Not a small sum of money. Luckily I'm loaded. That's how much it's going to cost me to get those briliant smiles everyone raves about. I looked at it this way, $3700 for regular so it's only that little bit more. So, 4 more appointments before I actually get started. I'm excited. Although, that means no vacationing for me this year. I need to cut down somewhere to make up the cost.

The last few days have been wonderful, truly fantastic. Hoang introduced me to something I miss from Hong Kong, Hui Lau San. Oh, you don't understand how good this dessert is. I don't like how the prices are the same numbers as they are in HK. $1 USD is 7 HKD by the way. Doesn't matter it's good. It's too cold to eat it now though but still... mmmm.... You gotta try it. It's basically fresh fruit smoothie. Some ice cream or pudding depends on what you order. It's under ABC Restaurant in Milpitas.

Dreams.
I've been imagining myself in a dream the past few days
Dreams are better left hard to get, I read somewhere
I know what I play out in my head is hardly going to come true
But for now, it makes me happy
What will be, Acceptance, Fruition, Bliss
I'm like a crazy person who is escaping from reality
I'm warping it to my desires, to how I want it to be
I don't care. I feel good. I feel alive
One of the rare times in my life,
Where I feel I want to be here
I want existence
Dreams
As long as I can still separate truth from fantasy
I'm still sane. hehehe

Go hiking!

posted by John @ 10:24 PM Comments: 0

I slept the whole day today, that's why I am up so early this morning. I'm not worrying even though I have to wake at 7AM to make my othodontist appointment. Which reminds me, I have to call in early to make sure they're there. There's always hiccups for me and the things I do. They just moved to a new office last Friday so I have to make sure they are accepting appointments. You'd think the front desk person would have called me to confirm. But unfortunately...

Had a rainy day hike with Kim today. She had a full plate in front of her today so the hike had to be cut short. Nonetheless, it was extremely pleasant because conversation was swift and relaxing. Being that it was a duo hike, it made it a lot easier to express some of the more personal feelings, I had bottled up inside. We were attacked by lots of fleas and the light sprinkle didn't help much. But all in all, a wonderful day. Was going to watch Kill Bill with Nam, afterwards, but I was just so exhausted afterwards that I fell asleep until... hmm... just an hour ago. Odd since we didn't get to work out all that much because of the impending rain. It started pouring real hard just after we got into the car so everything fit perfectly.

Oh, I forgot to state who flaked on me for last week. That would be Ernest. He planned a night out for the 7 of us, and when the time came he said he had prior commitments. Good one, guy. When the host fails to arrive, you've got serious problems. We still went out anyway so it was alright.

Beginning to re-examine my policies on this whole thing. I always thought since I am a flake, then I should just stop agreeing to go to places with people. I'll tell them, "Count me out for now, I'll call you if I can come along." It sorta mimics how I handle the lateness problem, I just double the time I tell people that it would normally take me to get there. I thought problem solved. But somehow I think, I should be more firm when it is to places that I am fairly sure I don't want to go. I just get clouded under that single statement. It's like just tell Jack you don't want to go to the Vienna Teng concert. Well, it's not like I don't want to. I sorta do. It's just October is really far away. I don't know how much of a flake I'll be then. Just tell Nam, you don't want to go clubbing the other night. I sorta did, but I back-pedaled. And then, the question comes up: Why don't you want to hang out with your friends anymore?

It's the flakiness. It's like playing hookie. It's so much fun. Like, I should be there but I am not, so I am a rebel. Stupid thinking. It's sad being a hypocrite. Eh... one of many attributes that I need to work on myself. But I think, I need to put this whole sordid mess on the save-for-later pile. (Perfect procrastination thinking, huh?) I just think I'm too emotional about it right now. It's making me paranoid and making me hate myself and blah blah other things. So this week, I'm going to go about doing things I enjoy.

Finally, the last 4 episodes of Enterprise of the season is going to be aired. Last we saw T'Pol, disobeying a direct order from Archer, refuses to take the Enterprise away from the Xindi. We see the Enterprise shot up real good. Finally, after 3 seasons we see people die in numbers. Only one other person had died and that was earlier this season. But it's the emotional response of T'Pol that interests me. Her Vulcan training is not enough to cover up her affection for Archer. I sure hope it isn't some sort of sickness. They always make up a sickness to explain Vulcans showing emotions.

Cheers!

posted by John @ 1:40 AM Comments: 0

92.7 FM

It wasn't a great channel. If you listened to it 2 hours straight, you would start getting repeats. But it was all I have. I love dance music. I didn't like how they never played remixes either, but oh well. Suddenly, the other day, it turned into a hip-hop station. I thought I was hearing some new song added to the mix, so I would check back every so often. The odd thing is I kept hearing the same songs. Made me think there were like 4 songs in the music now, all hip-hop. California loves to party by Dr. Dre, Some Snoop Dogg, and Some Puffy, and probably one other song on repeat. What's annoying is that we have so much hip-hop in the Bay Area. We no longer have a purely pop station. I guess it doesn't make money here. 95.7 and 97.7 both died. Yup, I'm getting old. The music I like is no longer played on the radio.

Finally got the wall built up in my room. So, I have an actual door. A room all to myself. The possibilities are endless.

Don't you hate it when you are attracted to someone you shouldn't. You know they won't return the favor but you go head-on into liking them anyway. I hate this feeling. Well, it makes me feel alive but it also makes me feel helpless. Just wish we had more control on who we like. I mean, what's the point? You're just going to get your feelings hurt in the end. I'm good with pain. I'll probably continue dreaming up the wild futures I'll have with her. I'll hang out with her more and just fall deeper and deeper in love. Damm, I'm such a sucker.

posted by John @ 12:48 AM Comments: 0

There's been a few interesting tidbits happening to me, recently. Well, I think it's interesting anyway.

Firstly, Genoveve joined us for hiking on Sunday. I probably spelled her name wrong but who cares, she's not going to know anyway. Gen is a climber. She loves to explore every nook and cranny, travel the path that isn't there. She's pretty cool. I am also a climber but I suffer from, doing-it-all-by-myself syndrome. So it was really neat climbing up the waterfalls. Hehehe, sounds so exciting, waterfalls. They were really just small trickles. I think I had the most fun that day hiking because my criterias were met.

1. A good workout
2. New people to talk to. Gen isn't new but I see her so infrequently.
3. A good sunny day

Monday, I had to go back to the dentist to put on my permanent crowns. Small world. She knows Stephen Yao. Went to school with him, even. Dr. Yao is going to be my orthodontist per Lee's recommendation. I was all thinking I could ask Dr. Yao if he could recommend a better dentist. Welp, can't do that now, my dentist still has controlling interest in approving my orthodontic work. Besides, even though she's not very good, I've come to like her. That and her office hours are the most flexible so far from the places I called in. I'll take pain. Oh yeah, I got an appointment to get braces. Finally, how many years have I talked about it? 2? 3? So, 6 visits and $800 later I am finally approaching the goal. I can't wait to fork out 4-5k for some pearly whites. SMILE FOREVER!!!!!! I can smile for myself.

I'm currently living in my sister's unoccupied room. I cleaned up my place for the "guy" to come over and build a wall. He said he'll be by Tuesday or Wednesday. So which is it? I should have voiced my concerns more loudly. The "guy" is very busy so he can't be sure. He took 2 months to build the extension on my house not because it took that long. In fact he was here only 9 or so days total. It's just that he was so busy he couldn't be here everyday. I don't know how long I can wait for the wall. And I fear saying anything is gonna cause ruckus. But I will have to, because I am in a fowl mood. So I might as well take it out on something.... or someone. HAH!

posted by John @ 5:15 PM Comments: 0

Kim on a cold mountain day. I thought this pic looked good.

1. Everyone is gone. Pin went to Japan to teach last year. West joined the Navy two weeks ago. Quynh went to Japan for vacation two days ago. Phung went to China for vacation yesterday. I'm all alone. But... I'M ALL ALONE! I get the whole place to myself. Well, living the way I do, living with 7 or so people is a pretty empty house. Today continues my foul mood, however, since my future again rests on lofty bows. What I need is a night out, but sadly, I am too picky to call people. Instead, I tried to do nothing.

2. Annoying things that happened today. I received a letter that my specialist for orthodontics had been approved. Unfortunately, it's to some guy I did not put on the referral letter. So now i have to call up this lousy insurance to do it all over again. I really wonder if I get anything out of this insurance at all. I'm pretty much paying big bucks already. $800 already for the crowns. And up to $3000 more for the actual braces. I really hate bother.

3. Putting wood in my room will cost $300 bucks. I think I will have to decline. Too cheap and poor.

4. Still owe $1000 for IRS. No money to pay it though.

5. Have to take care of bills from 3 extra people. Annoying since I have no money. Hope to get paid next Tuesday.

6. I want to end on a good note. I hacked my DVD player to burn at 4x instead of the default 2.4x. In lamens (never seen this word before so no idea how to spell) terms 45 mins for a full dvd will finish in 25 mins. I didn't get to test this since I have no 4x media. But I just wanted to point out something good.

posted by John @ 11:27 PM Comments: 0

Corn Flakes

How do these people find me? I feel like Ashley Judd in "Where the Heart is." She's whimpering about how bad men are able to find her and screw up her life. How do they know these things? Is there a list somewhere with my name on it? I just don't understand why or how people can be like this? Is this normal? Someone tell me this is normal and people flake all the time and I am just being anal about it. Because, this has become a weekly ritual. Someone just has to flake on me to make the week whole? What? Do I just ignore them? I'm at my wits end. Anyway, she called on Wednesday to go have dinner and discuss plans (What plans you ask? Well that's for me to know and you to ask me later in private. =D) I say, tonight is good but she says she's busy. How about Friday? Sure. Knowing her, I expect her to flake. Lo and Behold she calls today to flake. I'm just glad she didn't try to reschedule as I would have blown up and said no thanks. Maybe she caught the tone in my voice and canceled it at that and didn't say anything else. I thought I sounded cheery enough though. I try to be nice. HEY, maybe that's why people think it's ok to flake on me.

I try to make an ultimatum, people who flake on me don't deserve my time. But it's hard when it's people you like who flake on you.

And now for something completely different...

I don't read Nam's blog regularly. Partly, because I don't have the time. Partly, because he's so mean. But mostly because the font is so freakin' small, it hurts my eyes. So I ressurected my blogging ritual last night, I thought I just had to get in touch with Nam. Too bad, he's also lagging in the writing department. I was happy to see that he did have a new entry. But for some odd reason (probably envy because I am that kind of person) I kept thinking bad stuff of what he wrote. Can he be entirely happy? TV says mom says if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. So I'll just say, I hope Nam's happiness lasts a long time. He deserves it.

You know you're old when they remix songs that were already good in the first place. In other words, oldies become new again.

Time After Time - From Cyndi Lauper to INOJ
Actually thought the remix was good but since I can barely hear the vocals, I give the nod to the original

Eternal Flame - From Bangals to Atomic Kitten
Oh no, don't go there. Eternal Flame is one of my all time favorite songs, but I guess Tash did a good job. I can actually listen to the song without being revolted.

Take my Breath away - From Berlin to Jessica Simpson
Oh my gosh, Jessica butchered this classic. She always whined like that? I didn't notice before. I guess, since Newlyweds, I look at her differently. Now, the size of her brain stands out more than the size of her breasts. OOOOhhhh, I chose brains over looks. I am a good person... puuutttthhhhhhhh

posted by John @ 5:53 PM Comments: 0

Alright, here I go with starting a new blog blog blog. Thank you Jack for all the help.

I just watched The Swan on Fox. I kinda like it but I kept questioning the ethics behind it. I mean, is this really what we need to do to ourselves to be happy. I felt for the women on the show. I sorta went through some of the turmoils myself. So it made it easy to understand them but still. Something is creppy of unnecessary surgery like that. Although, Rachel did come out pretty gorgeous.

Heck, what kind of hypocrite am I? So I just came back from the dentist for the 4th time in my quest for the perfect smile. Sadly, though, I must return for a 5th visit next week. All this work, planning, not to mention the money and I still have no metal in my teeth... well, not the teeth straightening kind anyway. I just want to smile.

I got a call from Bethany today. The Dean of the program said registration is tomorrow. The building has been finalized. Not really sure why I didn't tell him I am no longer interested. I keep leaving things open so that I can change my mind later. But I hate changing my mind. I always say I want to be on track and step-by-step reach the goal. But why do I leave so many loose ends? I just love annoying myself I guess.

I am not going to bother proofreading this because I am going to mess with some other aspects of this thing. Laters.

Currently enamoured by "Stay" by Hungry Lucy. Download it here.

posted by John @ 10:59 PM Comments: 0