Jdorama binging
Densha Otoko
I didn't really like this drama much. Everyone is crazy about it but I found the story too hard to believe. This isn't like one of those goofball comedies. It is supposed to be more or less realistic. I just find it hard to believe Densha can be such a crybaby as I've said earlier. Jinnkama is a super babe as well. He seems to speak to her just fine without all the annoying stuttering. And then the internet forum chatter gets a little obsessive sometimes. It's as if the episode isn't long enough and they just used more lines in the forum as filler. This cannot be more true than the final episode where there were two Densha/Hermes climaxes and nearly all of the second half of the episode of the people trying to get to the 1000 post limit. They could have used the time more successfully if they showed some more side stories. Like that guy getting together with his wife. The pretty girl and the pretty guy who plan on meeting if Densha is successful. That guy who nevers leaves his room. And the famous girl who voices the anime. What happened to her in America?
Kikenna Aneki
I loved this show. I have to admit the story is pretty empty and unbelievable. Why is it so popular to run away in Jdoramas instead of facing your problems. And why is it so easy to run away and forget everything. Don't these people have responsibilities? Still, I liked it because of Ito Misaki. She was wonderfully superb in this series. I never thought much of her as an actress before. She's a pretty face and that's it. My opinion changed after this. Wow, her facial expressions made this show for me. All the smiles and enthusiasm she had to portray must have been exhausting. I read some other reviews and people still don't think her acting was all that great in this series. So I will concede that I may be blinded by her beauty and kawaii-ness when she starts to fill up with emotion and screams, "Yutaro!" I almost cry with her. I'm a little disappointed Yutaro didn't confess his love for Ai-chan in the end. It would be nice to see what kind of reaction she would give.
Currently watching L'oiseau Bleu. I've only watched 3 eps but I was hooked at the first ep. All the characters in the show seem to convey such sadness and thought. Their eyes glimmer with mystery and you just can't stop watching trying to find out why they are the way they are. They show very little expression or emotion and just go day by day doing what is expected of them. They don't seem to care about what is going on around them or the people around them. Doesn't that sound like someone you know?
Mr. Station Master and Shiori are sitting under a tree staring up at the sky. They see a shooting star. Shiori asks him what he wished for and he said he didn't have anything to wish for. She then said he must really be happy if he doesn't want anything. Oooohhhh, that just gets me right here in my heart. Too good.
I also watched 3 eps of Nurse Aoi. Blech awful show. Cute main character but blech can you be more awful than this? It's a hospital that is run like a business. Doctors don't care about patients, they only care about the bottom line. It's a nurse who cares too much about patients and doesn't follow the doctors orders. And then there is a doctor who can freely touch nurses in an inappropriate manner and get away with it. Add to that the reason why this great nurse Aoi was transferred to this decrepid hospital and you've got a series best left to the manga from whence it came.
Can you help me?
The bus leaving with highschool students.
I don't think I will ever get the hang of life. It's many twists and turns on me never seem to end. Where will I find the next surprise? I don't know but they keep coming.
Yesterday during another particularly boring physics club meeting, Prof. Epstein poked his head in asking for some extra work for Saturday morning. I volunteered happily thinking it will be a way to get to know a staff member from the Physics Department that I don't know yet. He explained to me that I will be helping out students during a 3 hour lab session. I will also be paid 40 bucks for my services. Hot damm, I'd do it for free but ok if you insist.
I have to admit I was at first worried that my knowledge of physics may be lacking to be of any help. You've all read my trials and tribulations. The only comfort I have is that although I never did well in lecture I excelled in lab getting praises often by the instructor. This morning I awoke early to lab and was told that it was a special Saturday lab for highschool physics students. Good that means my knowledge will definitely be vastly superior to them. I don't have to worry.
What a joy it is to be teaching people! I wasn't actually teaching I was just assisting but it was such a good feeling to see their inquiring faces looking at me while I explained the problem. And then a shimmer goes off in their eyes and I see understanding on their faces. I can't tell you how great the warmth and satisfaction feels. It's simply amazing. So this is why teachers do what they do. One girl asks me how many loops there are in her standing wave. I explain to her that you count the loops not the nodes. I tell her there are 7 loops. Her partner then starts to snicker and said, "Haha I told you there were 7. Haha, I was right and you were wrong." Wow, somebody looks up to me and takes my word as the final answer. I've gotten: "Are you sure?" or "I don't think so." And a lot of, "No way." But here is someone who takes my word just as I said it out of my mouth. Like if a teacher said it.
I always thought I would be impatient with people who don't understand. I thought I would just get angry that they don't see the solution to such a simple problem. But I was proved wrong. Last year, my lab partner said I would make a good teacher. She said when I eaplain to her the problem I sound very patient and she understands in the end. I didn't believe her. I thought she was just being nice. She might be but eh... more lemonade please.
Women of mystery
Ok, everyone already knows I don't understand women. But come on! This just doesn't make any sense.
A few months ago Mandy calls me out to breakfast with her and a couple of her friends. I asked her where. She told me it was somewhere on Garvey in Monterey Park. "Oh neat," I thought. I live like 5 minutes away.
"Can you pick me up?"
"I'd rather not," she mumbled. I was little hurt by that since come on I am like right there but I understand she doesn't like to drive much not even that extra few minutes for me.
"Ok, I'll meet you there then, what is the place called and how do I get there?"
"I don't know, its on the corner of Garfield I think. Hmmm, maybe next to the supermarket. It's a Hong Kong cafe. I'm not sure how to get there. I don't remember the name," she said.
Hmmm, so you don't want to drive me. You can't tell me how to get there. And you don't know the name of the place. Great. How am I supposed to get there? Boggles my mind even today how you can do that to a person. Why did you even invite me? I found the place eventually because I guessed that it was the same cafe we went to a few months prior.
Fast forward to today. Nancy asks me to go to a party her work is throwing. There's going to be free food and I should come. So I agreed and asked her what the address is. She said she doesn't know and will let me know later. Last night I see her online and ask her if she got the address yet. She said somewhere on 710 and to call her tomorrow for the address. At 4:30 today, I see her online. She lives only 10 minutes away from me. She said, "Oh I'm going with my coworker so you're gonna have to drive if you want to go." I said cool where is it, knowing full well this is the third time I am asking her. She said, "It starts at 5:30. I give u the address in a minute." I wait patiently. After 10 minutes I get no reply from her and suddenly she logs off.
Women...
Eating healthy
I went to another dorm function last night. It was entitled "Eat Healthy." I'm apparently in the minority here since I was the only one who showed up at the RA's apartment willingly. Everyone was asked to come or enticed with free food. It's always been a concern of mine to eat a bit more healthy. I usually try to eat green. That's about all I do to be healthy. So I thought I could learn something. Big mistake. The promoter was touting his miracle cure for ailments, "The Master Cleanser." Go on a 10 day lemonade/cayenne pepper diet and your body will be cleansed of all the crud you've accumulated. He had a big part of the RA staff going along with him on this diet. I just plain don't believe in that stuff. I'm not saying it can't be true but there has been no research that it has any positive gains. And don't tell me about someone who did this and their ulcer disappeared. We all know anecdotes is not evidence. There are people who pray and miraculously their disease goes away too. But you don't see everyone praying now do you? His information sheets seemed a little off too. Don't eat 2-3 hours before you sleep. I think we all know by now that it does not make you fat to eat after 10PM. Eating more than your daily allowance no matter what time makes you fat. Still I learned a few things. Lettuce is not a good vegetable and I should take in some more of that dreaded brocolli and spinach. He was a great cook and a cool guy. I'm gonna try out his teriyaki brocolli tofu stir fry.
Some girl asked me about windmills and how they work. I'm amazed at how people don't know these things. It's a magnet spinning between coils of wire. But then again, Being a Psych major she tells me how she does surveys on people and the precautions you have to go through to not introduce bias. She was trying to see what effects mothering your child has on delaying development. That stuff went over me head. Intelligence is really a tough attribute to measure.
Do not speak unless spoken to
I've been giving my cantonese a good workout these past few months since my cousins have arrived from Vietnam. I am surprised how good I am. I am somewhat at odds with my bilingualness. I prefer cantonese in just about every sense or adjective you can think of. I just feel so much more familiar with it. It's like a warm fuzzy teddy bear, you just want to hug it. But I am vastly more fluent in English and vocabularily stunted in cantonese. (I'm making up new words all over the place.) Blame my sad upbringing or lack of study on my Chinese heritage. Still my performance has been satisfactory, warrants a C+ I believe.
On the subject of sensitivity, speaking Chinese to me is like other people driving a car. Correct me if you must but criticise me and I can't handle it. Just like some people are paranoid about their driving, I am paranoid about my language. This may be why I devoted so much time into learning English properly. That and my grandma was a horrible teacher. Actually, I can't label her as a teacher since she didn't teach me anything about speaking properly. All she did was laugh when I said it wrong. And if it was a particularly funny expression that I spoke, she'd share it with the neighbors and made doubly sure I was present to hear the laughter and shame. Talk about childhood trauma.
Still, I am confident in the future when I have more time to devote to studying my language it'll be hard to tell that I am an ABC or viet kieu whichever country you think I came from.
Ou est mon coeur?
Sometimes saying things out loud helps you think better. That's what Clark Davis said in "Love's Enduring Promise." A so-so sequel to the so-so movie "Love Comes Softly." They're two very wholesome very sweet... somewhat too goody goody feely movies. Still Katherine Heigl is in it so you know if all else fails, eye candy is retained. Plus it takes place back in the old Victorian days. 1800's to be exact but everything was still prim and proper. It's one of my favorite periods to live in if I had a choice.
Anyway, talked to Nam today and my head cleared a bit and I better understand the things going in my head. It was all too simple, I just didn't realize it until I said it out loud. So I'm feeling a little better because of it. 205 said I could turn in my homework on Wednesday. Cool, I didn't finish it anyway so I could use the extra time.
My computer wouldn't boot up today. Had a weird error. The worst flashed in my eyes. I've never seen this error before. You know what I did to fix it? What I tell everyone but no one ever bothers to do it. They'd rather bother me first. Turn it on and off. Done. I mention this because my sister received a similar error and she called me about it. It was more dire in her case but luckily she had a couple of nerds at home to help her. I'm just wondering, is your computer not working either? Yes? Well, 不要告訴我.
From good to bad
Life teased me with lemonade and then prompty smacked lemons in my eye. Ouch! The rollercoaster of emotions has been on a steady downward dive for about a month now. Heh, I could say, "How come I haven't reached the bottom yet? But a depressed fellow like me knows the bottom lies much farther down. I know this territory. I can draw a map for you. I lived down here for a couple of years after all. It isn't entirely unexpected. Afterall, existentialists like me relish the fact that our pessimism is how the world should be viewed. I'm not angry or bitter though. I'm non-caring. It's an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS mood to be in. I can't help it. When things don't go your way, you either get mad or lose all feeling. The former is better than the latter if you don't know. I know some people say to not let things bother you too much but it's just as bad at the other extreme. It's when the whole world is passing you by while you stare aimlessly into a void. I am all alone down here.
.......bright side:
Just so you realize that I am completely insane and not at all making sense. One good thing to note is that I was up there once. So at the very least I know I am capable of being happy.
Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Finally made myself a pot of pho today. Wouldn't say it was exactly good or anything but it at least tastes better than some of the worst pho restaurants I've been to. Not much of an accomplishment but hey, I'm better than some professionals. I just didn't have enough proper ingredients. All in all a success. At the very least, one of my life's goal is progressing smoothly. Learn to cook well.
Finally watched Densha Otoko from Jack. Addicting series. It's easy to root for the under dog but it's still a tough storyline to believe. Basically, a japanese geek meets a beautiful girl on a subway train. A drunk guy starts to harass the girl and for some reason even though the geek is a total coward he stands up to the guy. The girl is touched by his act of kindness and they go on a date. Since he is such a loser around women he gets pointers from his friends on the internet. It's tough to watch because he fumbles and bumps his way around her and you just want to hit him when he does stupid things. But it's hard to believe any woman let alone a beautiful successful and wealthy woman would give him the time of day. Even I am a bit repulsed by how well the actor portrays his character. He's just so geeky. I'll continue watching it though because I want him to get the girl in the end because; heck, I want to get the girl in the end too. I'm sure that's what the writers were thinking. There's someone out there for everyone no matter how much of a loser you are. Oh yeah, the main character is from the short lived live action "You're Under Arrest." She was half of the butt-kicking foul mouthed police women duo. So seeing her play beauty in this series is quite a contrast.
Lovely Day
Yesterday, I saw balloons, flowers, chocolates and teddy bears for sale in the main walkways. Couples stood closer together holding hands. Girls wore frilly shiny pink dresses. I saw laughter and chatter all over. I saw an article in the newspaper that shows you how to endure V-day single. Just another day at school.
I'm pretty much unphased by holidays, anniversaries, and other events of that nature. I think it has something to do with the way I was brought up. My family was your typical hard-working Asian family trying to make it in America. My mom and dad worked sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. There was no time to celebrate anything. I always thought there were no holidays in Chinese culture besides New Year's and Moon Festival. And even with those two holidays we did barely anything due to lack of relatives. Back when we used to rent at the Walnut Woods Apartments it was festive but only because of all the other Asian neighbors so close by. Birthdays were only cake and candle. That's right one candle because my dad thought it was a waste of money and time to light so many candles. Everyone knows how old you are anyway. Presents were few and far between. money was tight. In fact, I could only count on one new toy a year which comes from the good folks at the local church during Christmas. So what is Easter and Valentine's Day and 4th of July? They're holidays other people celebrate while I watch from the sidelines.
Had a fun time on friday night. They had a Mardi Gras celebration at my dorm. They had a hypnotist show, mask making booth, fortune tellers, lots and lots of beaded necklaces, raffle prizes and a mock casino. I lost all my fake money to a pair of little 18 year-old girls playing texas hold-em. Pretty embarassing to say the least. But oh well, that's why I don't gamble.
On the homestead front it's another 4 to the table. So if my count is correct, we're up to 19. Exciting but wholly constricting according to the residents. I don't know what to say. I've been so forlorn the past 13 months that crazily I actually want to live with people! It's the same old restlessness. It's the same old grass is greener argument. It's the same old me; unstable and unpolished.
Just finished watching, "A River Runs Through it." Gotta hand it to Brad Pitt he sure made a pair of boring movies in the 90's along with "Seven Years in Tibet." This movie totally went over my head. It's an American classic about fishing in Montana. I'm a fishing kind of person, but not fly fishing. I prefer the dull quiet cast away and sit for hours on end staring at the water talking about nothing in particular. This movie made fly fishing seem like a solitaire sport. Nothing happens in the beginning of the movie and nothing happens in the end. Sorta like "Contact"
Where then?
I awake quietly to find solitude
I found my way by closing my eyes
When I feel safe I curl up
I lose all composure and strength
I exist in active phase
Neither here nor there
I do not want to be available
I cannot go forward any longer
Why doesn't this path ever end?
I languish despite the noise of you
I feel untethered from safety
But unable to leap
Attention Everyone!
Did you see that new
TRUTH commercial? You know I really hate those commercials because they're just saying crap about another company and getting away with it. That and they are damm powerful messages. I agree with the message but I still feel it's kinda not right especially since the tobacco company can't retaliate on the same medium. So sue me for feeling pity for the big bad tobacco company.
The new one has this guy holding an umbrella over a stranger when it begins to rain. Then he gets a megaphone and yells, "Attention everyone! I am holding an umbrella for this woman." Something like that. And then a guy picks up some trash off the ground and throws it away. Gets his megaphone out and says, "Attention everyone! I just picked up a piece of garbage that is not mine and threw it away." At the end it says, The tobacco company donated $250,000 to a local charity and spent 22 million telling others about it.
Here's my rendition. I spent nothing to donate blood today. Well maybe half an hour of my time. I saved 3 more people bringing the total to 9. And I am spending... hmmmm 15 minutes to tell you about it. And since this DSL line costs some money, maybe a few cents more to advertise the fact. That's the end of my spiel.
Give life.
You suck more than I do!
Just found out my blood type. I'm O positive. Sucky blood type to have because I can only receive O type blood. And my blood can only be donated to AB+, A+ and O+ bloodtypes. So it's not as useful as the elusive O- (universal donor). Of course looking on the bright side, Americans by far are mostly O. So if I do need some blood, I should be covered.
Speaking of blood types according to the Japanese I am this:
"Type O Blood people are said to set the mood for a group and to take on the role of creating harmony among its members. Their image is one of taking it easy, of being peaceful and carefree. They are also thought to be big-hearted and benevolent, and they tend to spend money on others generously. O Types are generally "loved by all." But, they also, surprisingly, have a stubborn and strong-willed side, as well, and tend to secretly have their own opinions on things. On the other hand, they have the flexible, adaptable side of readily accepting new things. They are easily influenced by other people or by what they see on TV. They seem to appear level-headed and trustworthy, but they often slip and make big blunders inadvertently. But that is also the point that makes O Types lovable."
Sailor Moon is O. Can you imagine me having long light colored hair like Serena bouncing around like I just don't care all the time? Hmmm... I do bounce sometimes, but my hair is gonna get cut soon. I think I am more this though.
"Speaking broadly, it is said that people with Type A Blood are calm, composed, and very level-headed and serious. They have a firm character, and are reliable and trustworthy (and hardheaded). They think things over and make plans deliberately, and they plug away at things steadily and assiduously. They try to make themselves more like their own ideal of what they should be. A Types may look aloof or distant to others. They try to suppress their own emotions, and because they have continual practice in doing this, this makes them appear strong. But, actually, they have a fragile, nervous side, as well. They tend to be hard on people who are not of the same type, and so they consequently tend to be surrounded with people of the same temperament."
Which everyone knows is Sailor Mercury, Ami, my favorite Sailor Scout.
Incomplete
Today is a good day. But I kept thinking of things that annoyed me. Why would I do that when I feel good? Because I am completely crazy. I was thinking about how I really hate getting text messages. Well not as much now since AT&T doesn't charge me anymore. But I remember one time Deepak was sitting next to me in the theater and text messaged me "Hahaha" and then flipped me a dime. Bastard. As to why I don't like text messages even now? It's the same reason I walk up to your door and ring the bell. TO KILL YOU!!! MWAHAHAHAH!
您是誰?
Today's post comes courtesy of Michael. As you may know if you keep up with JTS (John Tsan Story) you will know that I was involuntarily made treasurer of the small but not humble Physics Club at CSULA. My first task was to raise some money. It was decided that selling soda and water out of the community fridge was a good idea. The honor system should be enough to bound people to drop some money in the coffee can. It was heavy carrying all the liquids up to the 4th floor so I only managed to get the soda in. I was gonna bring water in the next time I passed by. But to my shock, I found all the soda gone within the week. Cool! I thought, this will be nice revenue. Peering into the coffee can I found 3 dollars. Sonuva! There should be 12 bucks! The previous year's treasurer told me, "Yeah, selling soda doesn't work. The money always get stolen. I barely broke even when I did it." Gee, thanks for telling me afterwards. What am I gonna do with all this water? I don't drink water! I gave two packs to my room mate. A pack to Kevin. And hopefully someone will drink this last pack.
Later in a dark passageway Michael approaches me and says, "I know who did it but I won't tell you who it is. Don't worry. I've already talked to him. I'll continue selling soda and get you back the money you lost."
A couple of months later Michael is down $20. But he holds steadfast to his secret. What I don't understand is this. If it's his friend, he should talk to him and at the very least his friend should not steal from him. If it's not his friend he should tell us so we can contact campus police. He says it's because the guy is a compulsive thief and he can't help himself. He has enough money but he just can't stop doing it. He doesn't want to expose the guy like that. Seems kinda stupid to me. If you don't expose him, how would he know what he's doing is wrong? Besides, he's stealing from you now, there's no use protecting him.
It would be nice to have some club money so we could invest in building a telescope.
Neither Here
T-mobile cell phone plans abound here. Seems just about everyone has this carrier with it's lousy connection. Albeit it's better than in San Jose, but still very very bad. I am really frustrated with people dropping calls on me. But I guess the lure of the cheaper monthly plans will continue to make it a popular choice. In San Jose, people have more money and the service is so lousy no one can stand it.
Driving one hour for lunch or dinner is a normal thing. Can you imagine driving up to San Francisco for lunch on a regular basis? It's almost the same amount of time and distance to drive to Diamond Bar. Wonder why it feels ok to do it here but not there. Still, if I want the good pho, I have to drive almost an hour to Westminster for the good stuff.
Left turn lanes are rarely protected down here. Is it too many cars or something? It's really nerve racking seeing only one car each light make the left turn on busy streets like Atlantic and Fremont. I want my green arrow!
The mountains are hidden. In San Jose, Mt. Hamilton is always a presence. Here, Mt. Wilson is shrouded in smog. One of my teachers said his wife didn't even understand why they call this place the Valley until a couple of years after they moved here and she saw the mountains after it rained. I thought the mountains were really far away too until I drove up there to hike.
A lot of the cities around here don't allow you to park cars on the street overnight. I guess it's a good city ordinance. You don't see broken down cars leaking oil in the neighborhood. Kinda like how my dad has that busted up Tercel in front of our house. It doesn't work! It's been sitting there for over 2 months!
Nor There
Wanton restlessness has me scouring the globe for places of residence. Arbitrary feelings and mindless thoughts pepper my inability to secure myself a single point of being. Here's the list of dreams I have mapped out. And isn't it just lovely to have a worldwide network of friends?
Southern CA - Been there done that. And Kim might be my point of entry here.
New York - Nam is gonna paint the town red in a few years.
Hong Kong - Ying-Ying is looking for a job there perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Bay Area - Jack wanders these woods
Randomness is the king of existence. Now where will I put my house next?
Vancouver - Loved the house prices. Adored the weather. Chinese people? Abundantly clear.
Paris, France - J'adore les rue de Paris. Il fait froid et les personnes sont grossières. C'est magnifique!
Things forgotten
In my haste to return to LA after my craptastic anniversary, I encountered a myriad of troublesome gremlins. One my family for once decided to do what all Asian families do on Chinese New Year's. Gamble. For once I had a family to do it with so I didn't hesitate. Luckily, we played small only 1 penny per point. And while I lost like crazy, it ended being only 4 bucks. No big deal. Big deal was the lateness of the hour. I didn't head back home until 12 AM at night. I had to nap 25 minutes at the Grapevine. I was so exhausted. Big thanks goes to my bestest buddy in the world who stayed up with me on the phone half the time. If it wasn't for her, I may well be writing this in Hell. With haste goes missing items. I shall list them.
1. Toothbrush - No more 2 minute timer! How do I know when to stop brushing!
2. MP3 USB cable - No way to power it means, my RIO carbon is a paper weight for 2 months
3. Brush - Easily replaceable
4. Shaver - I just bought it DAMMIT!
5. A pair of badminton rackets - I'm trying to score with big thigh chicks
6. Have lunch with Kim - We were supposed to go ski for my b-day but she and I both ran into conflicts. I was hoping for lunch to at least fill the gap. Oh well.
Scrabble me this
My gosh, I've met a worthy opponent for scrabble. Ok Nam and Jack are good too. But for some reason I have it in my head they'd rather do something else than play scrabble. Ying-Ying and I are tied 2-2. Well technically the 4th game doesn't count because I had to leave early in the game. She just happened to have more points but there were plenty of tiles left. So it's more like 2-1.5 I'd say.
