Geek Toys
I am a geek and as a geek, I buy alot of gadgets or geeky stuff that only a geek like me would appreciate. I recently made a couple of purchases in which I would classifid as geek toys. Let me count the ways:
GEEK WARNING: the following may contain information in which may be classified as "tech talk" or "very geeky" to some sensitive readers. Reader's discretion is advice!
New DVD Player: I have been in the market for a DVD player. Not that I dont have a DVD player already but I watch most of my DVDs on my Playstation 2. That's fine and dandy but I have all these great VCDs I picked up in Vancouver and SF and I have to watch those on my PC. I got tired of watching movies on my PC so basically, I wanted a new DVD player to play VCDs on my TV. What I picked up was the Cyberhome CH-DVD 500 Player which not only plays DVDs but CD-Rs and CD-Rs filled with MP3 or photos! AND it plays all kinds of DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs and DVD+Rs and DVD+RW. AND it has a hack to play ALL REGIONS too, which means I can now watch ANY DVD from around the world, PAL or NTSC and even removes Macrovision so I can record video off of DVDs onto VHS! AND it was only $80 bucks! AND IT PLAYS VCDs!!!
Namco Joystick Thingy: I got one of these for work. Its basically a self contained arcade console machine in a joystick in which can directly connect to the TV and play 5 classic Namco arcade games, such as Pac Man, Dig Dug and Rally X (the MAIN REASON why I bought this was for this game, a game which was the FIRST VIDEO GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED!!). Its cool because it an ARCADE QUALITY (actually, more like arcade-like) joystick and button in which you control the action on the screen. Its really that cool! The only problem I have with it, though it may not be a problem to others, is it runs on 4 AA batteries so if it runs out of juice, you gotta get new batteries. I guess they could have put a AC plug with it but that probably clutter the feel of the joystick. *end geeky rant*. BTW, they also have an ATARI JOYSTICK version with 10 old school 2600 games. Debating if I should get that. *end geeky contemplation*
One of those Ionic Breeze Air Filters: I went to Sharper Image today and purchased a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier. Basically, its a giant air filter that clean the air in my place "electrostatically" and silently. And it makes my place smell like a swimming pool, which is the smell of CLEAN AIR, I guess. Based on what I know and people who actually also have one of these, it works really well and really cleans the air, especially if you suffer from allegeries or asthma. I suffer from neither, but recently, I have been coughing alot in the house whenever the windows are all closed. This should help!
I am such a geek.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Foreign TV
Most recently, I have been watching a lot of TV shows from other countries on DVD. Let me count the ways:
Trailer Park Boys--from Canada (eh!), a brilliant show about trailer trash in Nova Scotia filmed like a documentary, even though everyone are real actors. Though the show may seem really low brow, but its very smart and clever. Every character is memorable and hilarious with subtle little running gags that never seem to get old. And great one liners too! Now, I need to somehow catch season 3.
Coupling--recommended by my friend Jon and Muscle Shirt wearing Denny from SF, this is best describe as a British version of Friends meet Sex in the City. Very funny and thought proking, with their "nudge nudge wink wink" yet frank discussions of sex from BOTH MALE and FEMALE SIDES! NBC is planning to American version on Thursday nite (possibly to replace Friends) and though, I have serious doubts if they can recreate the magic, but if they do, they have a certifide hit. Now, I need to catch season 2 and 3!
Most recently, I have been watching a lot of TV shows from other countries on DVD. Let me count the ways:
Trailer Park Boys--from Canada (eh!), a brilliant show about trailer trash in Nova Scotia filmed like a documentary, even though everyone are real actors. Though the show may seem really low brow, but its very smart and clever. Every character is memorable and hilarious with subtle little running gags that never seem to get old. And great one liners too! Now, I need to somehow catch season 3.
Coupling--recommended by my friend Jon and Muscle Shirt wearing Denny from SF, this is best describe as a British version of Friends meet Sex in the City. Very funny and thought proking, with their "nudge nudge wink wink" yet frank discussions of sex from BOTH MALE and FEMALE SIDES! NBC is planning to American version on Thursday nite (possibly to replace Friends) and though, I have serious doubts if they can recreate the magic, but if they do, they have a certifide hit. Now, I need to catch season 2 and 3!
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Monday, July 28, 2003
Baseball
Okay, if you think trying to meet someone at a bar at night was difficult to do without a fully functional cell phone, try organizing and meeting a group of 12 to a baseball game in which YOU HAD ALL THE TICKETS TOO with a cell phone that worked only 50% of the time.
Surprisingly enough, we all made it with everyone not too late to the game and with everyone getting their tickets too.
It was the Seattle Mariners vs. the Texas Ranger. I had access to special discounted tickets from the company so I thought we all go for a day at Safeco Field. The seats weren't too bad. $6 a seat but all up in the nosebleed area behind homeplate...not as good as those dugout seats, but we still got to see all the action. And we had a good time doing it too, despite how horribly Seattle played yesterday (they lost)!
Afterwards, we hanged out in Chinatown for some bubble tea, to kill sometime to allow the post game traffic to die down. Then I went to dinner at Oi Yan's place where she cooked for a party of 6. Always good to have a home cooked meal whenever you can.
Okay, if you think trying to meet someone at a bar at night was difficult to do without a fully functional cell phone, try organizing and meeting a group of 12 to a baseball game in which YOU HAD ALL THE TICKETS TOO with a cell phone that worked only 50% of the time.
Surprisingly enough, we all made it with everyone not too late to the game and with everyone getting their tickets too.
It was the Seattle Mariners vs. the Texas Ranger. I had access to special discounted tickets from the company so I thought we all go for a day at Safeco Field. The seats weren't too bad. $6 a seat but all up in the nosebleed area behind homeplate...not as good as those dugout seats, but we still got to see all the action. And we had a good time doing it too, despite how horribly Seattle played yesterday (they lost)!
Afterwards, we hanged out in Chinatown for some bubble tea, to kill sometime to allow the post game traffic to die down. Then I went to dinner at Oi Yan's place where she cooked for a party of 6. Always good to have a home cooked meal whenever you can.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Fuckin' Phone!
Do you know how hard it is to meet someone on a Friday nite without a operational cell phone? In fact, I still dont know how I did it, but I did.
My phone on Friday, still didn't work properly and now I found out not even the text msging didn't worked either! Oddly enough, I can ONLY RECIEVE txt msgs, but can't send txt msg or call or recieve calls.
I had to meet my friend Justin at Bada Lounge in Belltown (same place that Denny was at last week while in Seattle) around 11pm, and though we were both late, and I only recieved a txt msg that he was in the area (which the msg could have been sent like 1/2 hour ago), we still manage to "run into each other."
After a drink at Bada, we had to meet our friend at Watertown, which is one of those niteclubs DJ/hosted by a local radio station. Though, mysteriously enough, she didn't show but all her friends were there. Anyways, I dont usually like going to these clubs hosted by a radio station, but the place was pretty packed and really hot (as in warm), and the music pretty good too. And the people I got to hang out with (all new, only met them that nite) were pretty cool guys and gals. It wasn't hard not to have fun at this place.
Anyways, the nite could of went anyway especially since my phone was working, but it all worked out, which is good. Not a bad way to start my first weekend in Seattle, in a long time.
Target
Never go to Target wearing a red t-shirt and your company ID card around your neck. YOU WILL BE STOPPED AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE AROUND THE STORE...TWICE!
Sleeping In
On Saturday, after spending a day doing JACK SHIT at work and then going to see Pirates of the Caribbean (which I almost fell asleep watching, though Sheldon, who saw it with me, ACTUALLY DID!), I had to go home to get ready to watch the play, Sex in Seattle: Episode 7 tonite at 10:30pm in Capital Hill. (OH, BTW, my phone works like 50% now...I mean, I was able to make some calls and recieve them during the day, but when I REALLY NEEDED TO CALL SOMEONE, it didn't want to work!!! FUCK!!). Anyways, I decided to take a nap before getting ready.
I didn't wake up till 11pm that nite!! For some reason, even though I set my alarm to wake me up, I forgot to actually TURN IT ON! I MISSED THE PLAY!! Actually, I drove down to Cap Hill in hopes of meeting everyone after the play, but I even missed that. The crew broke up into 2, half to a club and the other half getting something to eat in Chinatown. I didn't want to do either so I ended up just getting a burger from Dick's and then going home. Only in Capital Hill at 1am in the moring at a packed burger joint lining up, where you will hear the guy behind you "freakin' out" because the line was going way too slow and he had the biggest case of the "munchies".
Anyways, its like 2:15am, I am NOT tired so I am writing this blog. I guess I will watch a DVD or VCD or something but I have to remember, I do have a baseball game to catch tomorrow. I hope I dont miss that!
Do you know how hard it is to meet someone on a Friday nite without a operational cell phone? In fact, I still dont know how I did it, but I did.
My phone on Friday, still didn't work properly and now I found out not even the text msging didn't worked either! Oddly enough, I can ONLY RECIEVE txt msgs, but can't send txt msg or call or recieve calls.
I had to meet my friend Justin at Bada Lounge in Belltown (same place that Denny was at last week while in Seattle) around 11pm, and though we were both late, and I only recieved a txt msg that he was in the area (which the msg could have been sent like 1/2 hour ago), we still manage to "run into each other."
After a drink at Bada, we had to meet our friend at Watertown, which is one of those niteclubs DJ/hosted by a local radio station. Though, mysteriously enough, she didn't show but all her friends were there. Anyways, I dont usually like going to these clubs hosted by a radio station, but the place was pretty packed and really hot (as in warm), and the music pretty good too. And the people I got to hang out with (all new, only met them that nite) were pretty cool guys and gals. It wasn't hard not to have fun at this place.
Anyways, the nite could of went anyway especially since my phone was working, but it all worked out, which is good. Not a bad way to start my first weekend in Seattle, in a long time.
Target
Never go to Target wearing a red t-shirt and your company ID card around your neck. YOU WILL BE STOPPED AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE AROUND THE STORE...TWICE!
Sleeping In
On Saturday, after spending a day doing JACK SHIT at work and then going to see Pirates of the Caribbean (which I almost fell asleep watching, though Sheldon, who saw it with me, ACTUALLY DID!), I had to go home to get ready to watch the play, Sex in Seattle: Episode 7 tonite at 10:30pm in Capital Hill. (OH, BTW, my phone works like 50% now...I mean, I was able to make some calls and recieve them during the day, but when I REALLY NEEDED TO CALL SOMEONE, it didn't want to work!!! FUCK!!). Anyways, I decided to take a nap before getting ready.
I didn't wake up till 11pm that nite!! For some reason, even though I set my alarm to wake me up, I forgot to actually TURN IT ON! I MISSED THE PLAY!! Actually, I drove down to Cap Hill in hopes of meeting everyone after the play, but I even missed that. The crew broke up into 2, half to a club and the other half getting something to eat in Chinatown. I didn't want to do either so I ended up just getting a burger from Dick's and then going home. Only in Capital Hill at 1am in the moring at a packed burger joint lining up, where you will hear the guy behind you "freakin' out" because the line was going way too slow and he had the biggest case of the "munchies".
Anyways, its like 2:15am, I am NOT tired so I am writing this blog. I guess I will watch a DVD or VCD or something but I have to remember, I do have a baseball game to catch tomorrow. I hope I dont miss that!
Friday, July 25, 2003
Fuckin' AT & T
For the last couple of days, I have had NO CELLUAR PHONE SERVICE!! I can't call out from my phone, not even to my voice mail. And I can't recieve calls...either the calls go right to my voice mail or sometimes, my phone actually rings with a indication of who's calling, but as soon as I pick up, the call gets disconnected.
Of course, this is bad enough, but what makes it worst is ATT DOESN'T KNOW WHY!! I mean, they dont know if its my phone or the cell network around Redmond. And everyone I talk to (and I talked to a lot of ppl and been on the phone with them like 1/2 hour at a time) tells me something different. Of course, no one else is having this problem with their ATT phones here so it could be my phone? Or the fact that I can check my voice mail ONLY REALLY early in the day means its the network. Hmmm....
In any case, I have no phone and I had no phone for the last couple of days.
And what REALLY pissing me off, is at work, NOTHING is working!!! FUCK FUCK FUCK!!! Today is going to be a really bad and stressful day for me!
For the last couple of days, I have had NO CELLUAR PHONE SERVICE!! I can't call out from my phone, not even to my voice mail. And I can't recieve calls...either the calls go right to my voice mail or sometimes, my phone actually rings with a indication of who's calling, but as soon as I pick up, the call gets disconnected.
Of course, this is bad enough, but what makes it worst is ATT DOESN'T KNOW WHY!! I mean, they dont know if its my phone or the cell network around Redmond. And everyone I talk to (and I talked to a lot of ppl and been on the phone with them like 1/2 hour at a time) tells me something different. Of course, no one else is having this problem with their ATT phones here so it could be my phone? Or the fact that I can check my voice mail ONLY REALLY early in the day means its the network. Hmmm....
In any case, I have no phone and I had no phone for the last couple of days.
And what REALLY pissing me off, is at work, NOTHING is working!!! FUCK FUCK FUCK!!! Today is going to be a really bad and stressful day for me!
Thursday, July 24, 2003
My Friend's Mom
My friend Mike's mom, from Toronto, passed away this past weekend. I know she's been fighting it for awhile but now she her suffering is over and she is now moved on to a better place.
But what is so wierd about the situation is that after Mike emailed all us close friends about his mom, I get a bunch of emails the next day from my other friends (who may or may not have known Mike) tell me about Mike's mom and how its national news. Mike's mom is the nurse who was the second healthcare worker in Toronto to die from the SARS she recieved from helping those with SARS. Wow.
I just talked with Mike and he seem good, considering his situation. I mean, its hard enough to deal with a death in the family, but to also deal with the MEDIA too. He tells me that he's being "harassed" by the media. Her service is like on Tuesday in Toronto, with 500 people expected to attend, including the Premier of Ontario. And during the funeral of the first nurse that died from SARS, he was told it was a MEDIA ZOO.
Anyways, he send me some old photos of his mom when she was happier. I only really met her once but she was a very spunky person.
My heart goes out to Mike and his family.
My friend Mike's mom, from Toronto, passed away this past weekend. I know she's been fighting it for awhile but now she her suffering is over and she is now moved on to a better place.
But what is so wierd about the situation is that after Mike emailed all us close friends about his mom, I get a bunch of emails the next day from my other friends (who may or may not have known Mike) tell me about Mike's mom and how its national news. Mike's mom is the nurse who was the second healthcare worker in Toronto to die from the SARS she recieved from helping those with SARS. Wow.
I just talked with Mike and he seem good, considering his situation. I mean, its hard enough to deal with a death in the family, but to also deal with the MEDIA too. He tells me that he's being "harassed" by the media. Her service is like on Tuesday in Toronto, with 500 people expected to attend, including the Premier of Ontario. And during the funeral of the first nurse that died from SARS, he was told it was a MEDIA ZOO.
Anyways, he send me some old photos of his mom when she was happier. I only really met her once but she was a very spunky person.
My heart goes out to Mike and his family.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Rollerblading at 9pm
My friend Justin asked me to go rollerblading last nite. We ended up not going til 9pm when the sun was about to go down. We all met up at Alki Beach, which is in West Seattle, an area I have NEVER been. But I am glad I did, because its a really great beach with a path that can lead you right to Downtown Seattle. And it was beautiful just to watch red horizon turn into the night sky.
Anyways, this was like my third time bladin' and I was doing much better. I feel much more comfortable on them now. We had a third person, Prisella who NEVER rollerblade before and we made her do it in the dark! But actually, she did quite well, better than when I first learnt. And she even fell once which is good, so that she knew how it felt to fall down hard. Me, on the other hand, have yet to fall once while on blades, which is NOT good. One of these days I will fall...
My friend Justin asked me to go rollerblading last nite. We ended up not going til 9pm when the sun was about to go down. We all met up at Alki Beach, which is in West Seattle, an area I have NEVER been. But I am glad I did, because its a really great beach with a path that can lead you right to Downtown Seattle. And it was beautiful just to watch red horizon turn into the night sky.
Anyways, this was like my third time bladin' and I was doing much better. I feel much more comfortable on them now. We had a third person, Prisella who NEVER rollerblade before and we made her do it in the dark! But actually, she did quite well, better than when I first learnt. And she even fell once which is good, so that she knew how it felt to fall down hard. Me, on the other hand, have yet to fall once while on blades, which is NOT good. One of these days I will fall...
Monday, July 21, 2003
Suprise Guest!
This weekend started off with the surprise appearance of both Jeff R. from Dallas and Denny from SF.
On Thursday, Jeff R., an old digipen roomate came down to the NW to attend some special Microsoft Direct X conference. I have not seen this boy since forever, close to 5 years even. It was great to have a drink with him and talk the shit of yesteryear.
On Friday, I get a call at lunch from Denny. Turns out he's in town RIGHT NOW for a weekend family wedding! Talk about tellin me last minute. Anyways, he ended up coming into our area, to attend a little get together at Sheldon's place. Even though I only just saw him like a couple of weeks ago, it was good to see him again. Together, we shared our love of Shaolin Soccer to the rest of the party goers. Greatest. Movie. Ever.
Saturday. Went up to Vancouver YET AGAIN, this time I was bring a friend of mine from work who has never been around. I have been promising to show him around Vancity for the longest time and finally, we did it this saturday. Pretty much took him around Richmond and Metrotown and then to Downtown Vancouver. We did a lot of shopping and walking around. It was great to walk around Downtown Vancouver at night, and even though we didn't hit any clubs, just walking on the streets, the city was alived with people and really happening. Vancouver has truely become a great party town. We ended up driving back that night and got home at around 3am.
Sunday. First Sunday in Seattle for the longest time. Mostly spent the day sleeping in to around 1pm, and then I headed to the local import game store to pick up games for the company. Went to work for a bit and then just went home and chilled at home, watching DVDs and cleaning up the place. Its good to be at home and not be traveling (driving back from Vancouver or flying back from SF).
New Photos Albums!
Finally updated my online photo album with the following albums:
--Vancouver Road Trip: pictures of my trip to Kelowna and Vancouver with my best bud Danny. Check out all the fight pics where I start off very far from the ring, only to get RIGHT UP to the ring. Its incredible to watch a fight that close!
--Random Memories Deux: added pics of Denny in a muscle shirt and my company picnic with Akane who happened to be in town that weekend. We ate a lot.
--Don Don: this is a private album of a little photo comic strip I did for a friend. I made it private because it shows pictures of my desk at work and I dont think I am allowed to *photograph* that (plus if you look carefully, you can see one of my business cards with ALL MY INFO!. Let me know if you want to see it and I will pass ya the password.
Enjoy!
This weekend started off with the surprise appearance of both Jeff R. from Dallas and Denny from SF.
On Thursday, Jeff R., an old digipen roomate came down to the NW to attend some special Microsoft Direct X conference. I have not seen this boy since forever, close to 5 years even. It was great to have a drink with him and talk the shit of yesteryear.
On Friday, I get a call at lunch from Denny. Turns out he's in town RIGHT NOW for a weekend family wedding! Talk about tellin me last minute. Anyways, he ended up coming into our area, to attend a little get together at Sheldon's place. Even though I only just saw him like a couple of weeks ago, it was good to see him again. Together, we shared our love of Shaolin Soccer to the rest of the party goers. Greatest. Movie. Ever.
Saturday. Went up to Vancouver YET AGAIN, this time I was bring a friend of mine from work who has never been around. I have been promising to show him around Vancity for the longest time and finally, we did it this saturday. Pretty much took him around Richmond and Metrotown and then to Downtown Vancouver. We did a lot of shopping and walking around. It was great to walk around Downtown Vancouver at night, and even though we didn't hit any clubs, just walking on the streets, the city was alived with people and really happening. Vancouver has truely become a great party town. We ended up driving back that night and got home at around 3am.
Sunday. First Sunday in Seattle for the longest time. Mostly spent the day sleeping in to around 1pm, and then I headed to the local import game store to pick up games for the company. Went to work for a bit and then just went home and chilled at home, watching DVDs and cleaning up the place. Its good to be at home and not be traveling (driving back from Vancouver or flying back from SF).
New Photos Albums!
Finally updated my online photo album with the following albums:
--Vancouver Road Trip: pictures of my trip to Kelowna and Vancouver with my best bud Danny. Check out all the fight pics where I start off very far from the ring, only to get RIGHT UP to the ring. Its incredible to watch a fight that close!
--Random Memories Deux: added pics of Denny in a muscle shirt and my company picnic with Akane who happened to be in town that weekend. We ate a lot.
--Don Don: this is a private album of a little photo comic strip I did for a friend. I made it private because it shows pictures of my desk at work and I dont think I am allowed to *photograph* that (plus if you look carefully, you can see one of my business cards with ALL MY INFO!. Let me know if you want to see it and I will pass ya the password.
Enjoy!
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Sleep Depervation Weekend #3
Okay...I am now blogging what I did last weekend. Sorry for the delay but all this going out everyweekend is really takin' its toll on me and I am just going to bed after I get home from work (which is late, nevertheless). Anyways...the details:
--this was the weekend my friend from Toronto, Akane came and visit me. I haven't seen her for over a year, ever since she moved to Taiwan to teach English. Now, she is back in North America with a stop in Vancouver, BC to visit her parents. And since I was just next door....
--Thursday nite: pick her up from a hotel in which her bus from Vancouver dropped her off in Seattle at. Took her to Bucca di Beppo where we had this incredibly HUGE italian meal in which we had to take home 3 foiled plates and one pizza box filled with garlic cheese bread.
--Friday: had to go to the dentist for a 2 hour appointment in the morning, so I left her at my place by herself. Came back with half my face numb and my bathroom COMPLETELY CLEANED! YOU ROCK GIRL!!
--before I had to go back to work, I dropped her off in Downtown Seattle by herself to see the sights. I REALLY wanted to take the rest of the day off to just sightseeing with her but I really had to go to work for this dumb meeting in which we should have had a couple of days earlier. If anything, she was able to see A LOT on her own.
--afterwork, I drove around 6 pm during really bad Seattle traffic to meet her downtown. Had dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Later, we were supposed to meet my friends for some drinks and hopefully clubbin, but knowing how disorganized my friends where, we decided to catch a flick and meet them after the movie (when they should be finally ready!). We went to see League of Extraordinary Men, in which was horrible and really butchered the book I liked so much. Anyways, we were too tired after the movie so we just went home, which was good since my friends just stayed at a local billards all nite.
--Saturday: took her to local Bellevue Square mall for shopping and then to my friend Oi-Yan for her housewarming gig. We didn't stay long because we had to head towards my company picnic. And what a picnic it was. The place was huge with beautiful mountain in the background. And TONS of free food. We stuffed our face silly and even had time for a hay ride thru some trees.
--didn't really stay long at the picnic as well, because I needed to drive her back to Vancouver, so she can pack and get ready to go back to Toronto on Sunday. Took off about 3pm and got her into Vancouver by 6pm. I had a blast with her and I will really miss her. She did hint that she'll be back really soon, in which I know we will have fun again. Can't wait, girl.
--so, after dropping her off, trying to decided if I wanted to a) just go back to Seattle, b) hang around Seattle a bit and the drive back same nite or, c) see what Yvonne is up to, and crash at her place and drive back to Seattle on Sunday. I decided c)
--do you know what funny. I was looking at Yvonne's photos when I came across a familar face. I asked her who this person was, and she said Marie. OMG! I just met this girl last weekend, IN SAN FRANCISCO!! I talked a lot with Marie in SF, cuz she told me she was from Vancouver but never realized she knew Yvonne. We surprised called her and she was totally blown away like I was. Thx Friendster!!
--after having a great home cooked meal with her family, Yvonne and I went to Fluid in Downtown Vancouver where we went a lot of her friend's who was having a birthday party there. Fluid was a really cool little lounge bar though there were dancing too. The girls in the group all complained that their were too many girls in the place (!) I wasn't complaining.
--though last call in Vancouver is now 4am, we actually left around 1am and just hanged at Tim Horton's til like 3am. That's Canadiana! Then I slept (wow! can't believe I did all that on Saturday!)
--slept in...had lunch around 4pm...left Yvonne around 6...VCD/DVD shopping in Richmond for a bit and then drove back to Seattle around 10pm. Exhausted! *plop!*
Okay...I am now blogging what I did last weekend. Sorry for the delay but all this going out everyweekend is really takin' its toll on me and I am just going to bed after I get home from work (which is late, nevertheless). Anyways...the details:
--this was the weekend my friend from Toronto, Akane came and visit me. I haven't seen her for over a year, ever since she moved to Taiwan to teach English. Now, she is back in North America with a stop in Vancouver, BC to visit her parents. And since I was just next door....
--Thursday nite: pick her up from a hotel in which her bus from Vancouver dropped her off in Seattle at. Took her to Bucca di Beppo where we had this incredibly HUGE italian meal in which we had to take home 3 foiled plates and one pizza box filled with garlic cheese bread.
--Friday: had to go to the dentist for a 2 hour appointment in the morning, so I left her at my place by herself. Came back with half my face numb and my bathroom COMPLETELY CLEANED! YOU ROCK GIRL!!
--before I had to go back to work, I dropped her off in Downtown Seattle by herself to see the sights. I REALLY wanted to take the rest of the day off to just sightseeing with her but I really had to go to work for this dumb meeting in which we should have had a couple of days earlier. If anything, she was able to see A LOT on her own.
--afterwork, I drove around 6 pm during really bad Seattle traffic to meet her downtown. Had dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Later, we were supposed to meet my friends for some drinks and hopefully clubbin, but knowing how disorganized my friends where, we decided to catch a flick and meet them after the movie (when they should be finally ready!). We went to see League of Extraordinary Men, in which was horrible and really butchered the book I liked so much. Anyways, we were too tired after the movie so we just went home, which was good since my friends just stayed at a local billards all nite.
--Saturday: took her to local Bellevue Square mall for shopping and then to my friend Oi-Yan for her housewarming gig. We didn't stay long because we had to head towards my company picnic. And what a picnic it was. The place was huge with beautiful mountain in the background. And TONS of free food. We stuffed our face silly and even had time for a hay ride thru some trees.
--didn't really stay long at the picnic as well, because I needed to drive her back to Vancouver, so she can pack and get ready to go back to Toronto on Sunday. Took off about 3pm and got her into Vancouver by 6pm. I had a blast with her and I will really miss her. She did hint that she'll be back really soon, in which I know we will have fun again. Can't wait, girl.
--so, after dropping her off, trying to decided if I wanted to a) just go back to Seattle, b) hang around Seattle a bit and the drive back same nite or, c) see what Yvonne is up to, and crash at her place and drive back to Seattle on Sunday. I decided c)
--do you know what funny. I was looking at Yvonne's photos when I came across a familar face. I asked her who this person was, and she said Marie. OMG! I just met this girl last weekend, IN SAN FRANCISCO!! I talked a lot with Marie in SF, cuz she told me she was from Vancouver but never realized she knew Yvonne. We surprised called her and she was totally blown away like I was. Thx Friendster!!
--after having a great home cooked meal with her family, Yvonne and I went to Fluid in Downtown Vancouver where we went a lot of her friend's who was having a birthday party there. Fluid was a really cool little lounge bar though there were dancing too. The girls in the group all complained that their were too many girls in the place (!) I wasn't complaining.
--though last call in Vancouver is now 4am, we actually left around 1am and just hanged at Tim Horton's til like 3am. That's Canadiana! Then I slept (wow! can't believe I did all that on Saturday!)
--slept in...had lunch around 4pm...left Yvonne around 6...VCD/DVD shopping in Richmond for a bit and then drove back to Seattle around 10pm. Exhausted! *plop!*
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
SF July 4th Weekend
Ta Da! The highlights:
--got into SF at 3:30pm on Thursday where Jon and Denny went and picked me up. We started the day right by having free Quizno's sandwiches (w/ purchase of chips and drinks). Yummy.
--Thursday nite==Drink Club==Drink Club at 1015. And what a party it was! The place was packed and really hopping! AND this place was huge too (like 4 dance floors!). Got to see a lot of familar faces and met a few new ones too. And I finally got to meet and dance with the infamous PIMPETTE!! And I drank a lot too. I believe this is one of the rare times Denny and Jon have ever seen me drunk. I had an incredible time here.
--dont forget those photos albums of the nite here and here. Looking back at the pictures, I realized that there were a lot of pretty girls at this party. Funny thing was I didn't notice them when I was there. Hmmmm....I think it was because I was too busy looking for familar people at the party and having a drink with them. And from that I was totally wasted.
--Friday, July 4th...went to a BBQ hosted by this really cool girl who works at Google and Blogger.com. She made this awesome Beef Brisket. Ended up meeting these girls (sisters) who where utterly "boy band silly" about the fact that I design video games AND work for Nintendo. I now have a fan club in SF *sigh*
--watched Denny try to bartend at this restaurant in which he will be working on Saturday (his first bartending gig too). He made Jon and I drinks, though he kinda screwed up Jon's order. And the worst thing about that was, before we left, the restaurant owner CHARGE US FULL PRICE for the practice drinks we ordered! What a cheapo bitch!! Oh one more thing...Denny had to wear this muscle shirt when he was bartending. LOL. Check it out here!
--drove to downtown SF area to go to a friend's place to watch the fireworks on his roof. We literally drove for 1 hour looking for parking before we gave up! Yup, parking is THAT bad in SF! Ending up going for sushi instead of watching fireworks.
--drove back after sushi and the fireworks (and easily found parking now!) and headed to Rouge for another party. This party was not as crowded and kinda dead. We mostly sat at a table (actually 2 tables...jon threaten the party goers in
the next table for their table in which they gave up) drinking and hanging with Jon and Denny's other roomate (and her bf). Our picture can found here somewhere.
--Saturday, spend the afternoon geek shopping with Jon and Pennya. Went to the local import game and toy store as well as Fry's Electronics.
--Saturday night, hit 3 bars that nite. First we went to the Dragon Bar (formerly High Bar) to meet everyone. Then we went across the street to Chie Chie where we were there just to "fill up the place". Oh...wait scratched that...before we went to any bars, Jon and Joyce and I went to this sex shop. That was interesting!
--last bar/party on Saturday, we went to Shanghai 1930. OMG! This place was packed, even more so then Thursday's at 1015. You couldn't hardly move. It took like 20 minutes to get across the dance floor just to get to the bathroom! And yes, this time I noticed all the beautiful babies there.
--Jon had a okay time at the place, not only because of a certain passenger in his car who wouldn't leave when she was supposed to, but because he didn't like dancing with so many ppl bumping into him passing thru AND dancing next to a speaker, which gave him a headache. I wanted to help Jon but I couldn't because this damn woman kept grindin' against me...and...I...couldn't...get...a...way. Sorry Jon.
--Sunday, went to Chinatown for buns (the steamed kind) and HK milk tea and VCDs shopping. Picked up a few, as usual.
--Lowpoint of the trip. Delayed in SFO for like 1 1/2 hours and didn't touch down in Seattle til 1am. Poor John who had to pick me up too.
Other than that, WHAT A FANTANTIC trip I had! I had an incredible time with Jon and Denny cuz they really took care of me. Thx guys...you rule.
Ta Da! The highlights:
--got into SF at 3:30pm on Thursday where Jon and Denny went and picked me up. We started the day right by having free Quizno's sandwiches (w/ purchase of chips and drinks). Yummy.
--Thursday nite==Drink Club==Drink Club at 1015. And what a party it was! The place was packed and really hopping! AND this place was huge too (like 4 dance floors!). Got to see a lot of familar faces and met a few new ones too. And I finally got to meet and dance with the infamous PIMPETTE!! And I drank a lot too. I believe this is one of the rare times Denny and Jon have ever seen me drunk. I had an incredible time here.
--dont forget those photos albums of the nite here and here. Looking back at the pictures, I realized that there were a lot of pretty girls at this party. Funny thing was I didn't notice them when I was there. Hmmmm....I think it was because I was too busy looking for familar people at the party and having a drink with them. And from that I was totally wasted.
--Friday, July 4th...went to a BBQ hosted by this really cool girl who works at Google and Blogger.com. She made this awesome Beef Brisket. Ended up meeting these girls (sisters) who where utterly "boy band silly" about the fact that I design video games AND work for Nintendo. I now have a fan club in SF *sigh*
--watched Denny try to bartend at this restaurant in which he will be working on Saturday (his first bartending gig too). He made Jon and I drinks, though he kinda screwed up Jon's order. And the worst thing about that was, before we left, the restaurant owner CHARGE US FULL PRICE for the practice drinks we ordered! What a cheapo bitch!! Oh one more thing...Denny had to wear this muscle shirt when he was bartending. LOL. Check it out here!
--drove to downtown SF area to go to a friend's place to watch the fireworks on his roof. We literally drove for 1 hour looking for parking before we gave up! Yup, parking is THAT bad in SF! Ending up going for sushi instead of watching fireworks.
--drove back after sushi and the fireworks (and easily found parking now!) and headed to Rouge for another party. This party was not as crowded and kinda dead. We mostly sat at a table (actually 2 tables...jon threaten the party goers in
the next table for their table in which they gave up) drinking and hanging with Jon and Denny's other roomate (and her bf). Our picture can found here somewhere.
--Saturday, spend the afternoon geek shopping with Jon and Pennya. Went to the local import game and toy store as well as Fry's Electronics.
--Saturday night, hit 3 bars that nite. First we went to the Dragon Bar (formerly High Bar) to meet everyone. Then we went across the street to Chie Chie where we were there just to "fill up the place". Oh...wait scratched that...before we went to any bars, Jon and Joyce and I went to this sex shop. That was interesting!
--last bar/party on Saturday, we went to Shanghai 1930. OMG! This place was packed, even more so then Thursday's at 1015. You couldn't hardly move. It took like 20 minutes to get across the dance floor just to get to the bathroom! And yes, this time I noticed all the beautiful babies there.
--Jon had a okay time at the place, not only because of a certain passenger in his car who wouldn't leave when she was supposed to, but because he didn't like dancing with so many ppl bumping into him passing thru AND dancing next to a speaker, which gave him a headache. I wanted to help Jon but I couldn't because this damn woman kept grindin' against me...and...I...couldn't...get...a...way. Sorry Jon.
--Sunday, went to Chinatown for buns (the steamed kind) and HK milk tea and VCDs shopping. Picked up a few, as usual.
--Lowpoint of the trip. Delayed in SFO for like 1 1/2 hours and didn't touch down in Seattle til 1am. Poor John who had to pick me up too.
Other than that, WHAT A FANTANTIC trip I had! I had an incredible time with Jon and Denny cuz they really took care of me. Thx guys...you rule.
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Why the Hulk's pants never rips off when he grows big...
*insert Big Gay Al accent* Because his big willy will show, you silly!!
http://www.thesun.co.uk//article/0,,2-2003310256,00.html
*insert Big Gay Al accent* Because his big willy will show, you silly!!
http://www.thesun.co.uk//article/0,,2-2003310256,00.html
Monday, July 07, 2003
Other People's Album
Just got back from SF. Incredibly fun weekend in which I will write about later.
In the meantime, everyone asked me to take pictures of this weekend and well, unfortunately, I did NOT!! HAHA! I was just having way too much fun to care, really.
But other people have taken some great pictures of us at 1015 on Thursday nite for SF Drink Club. What an incredible party it was too. Check them out:
--Megger's photo album
--1015 Album at Ovahere.com (sorry, there's a lot of pictures here but I assure you, ours are in there too. There's one I like so much, I will buy a print off them!)
Enjoy!
Just got back from SF. Incredibly fun weekend in which I will write about later.
In the meantime, everyone asked me to take pictures of this weekend and well, unfortunately, I did NOT!! HAHA! I was just having way too much fun to care, really.
But other people have taken some great pictures of us at 1015 on Thursday nite for SF Drink Club. What an incredible party it was too. Check them out:
--Megger's photo album
--1015 Album at Ovahere.com (sorry, there's a lot of pictures here but I assure you, ours are in there too. There's one I like so much, I will buy a print off them!)
Enjoy!
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Vancouver Roadtrip
So, this past weekend, I was up in Vancouver to meet up with one of my best friends from Toronto, Danny and help him sell his Showdown Fightwear at WFF 5, a mixed martial art fighting tournament in Kelowna, BC. Here are the highlights:
--while driving up, I almost lost control of my car because I thought I hit some big black thing on the road. I checked our my car at the nearest gas station to find that my right front blinker light "popped " out and was hanging by the side of my car! A local mechanic in the area help fixed my light with some wiring and Duck Tape. Turns out, I didn't hit something on the road, that black thing on the road was FROM MY CAR!! It was the black rubberly fender above my right front tire...it fell and ripped off while I was driving. Eeek!
--Kelowna BC is about 4 hours away from Vancouver in the middle of nowhere. It was one the most beautiful, yet boring and long and scary and annoying and expensive ($10 CDN toll one way!) drive I have every done. Driving there was okay, but driving back was not very fun. Pitch black with absolutely no one around you. And nothing there either. We literally drove for at least 2 hours with no gas station in sight. It was really fucked up! And we made some wrong turns too. We didn't get back to Vancouver til 4:320am on Saturday. At least I got to spend quality time with Danny, talking the shit and listening to really bad hip hop on a really bad CD player thru my car's bad tape deck.
--The fighting tournament was pretty cool. There was a fair turn out, with tons of Hell's Angel members in attendance and a few incredible hot women. And the actually matches were also very exciting to watch too. I was even invited by one of judges to come up RIGHT UP TO THE RING to take pictures of the matches! Wait til I put my album up. Danny didn't sell as much as he wanted but he made some really good contacts for future business possibilities, so the trip was worth it.
--On Sunday, hanged out in Yaletown, in Downtown Vancouver for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. I use to live in Yaletown and the one of the shows was in the park RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from my old apartment. I had a rush of memories while being there but I was also blown away about how much development was in the area since I was living there. Its a REAL community now, with even its own supermarket.
--At the actually Jazz festival itself, Danny and his cousins and their friends started stalking/following this one woman around the park. Turns out this woman has been hitting people for no reason at all but then excusing herself as an accident. I thought she may be pickpocketing people but in reality, all she was doing was hitting people. Anyways, we followed her thru the nite to see if she was doing it again. But she eventually realized that she was being followed and actually approached some of us later on. The conversation went like so:
Her (approaching us): Just your cross your arm and laugh at the white people.
Us: What do you mean?
Her: You tell me.
--Had a late night meal at this great little Korean restaurant on Robson. Sitting and eating at this restaurant reminded me of all the cool little places that are still openned late at night. Anyways, didn't finish til midnight...didn't start my trip back to seattle til 1am...didn't get home til 2:30am.
Vancouver was great. Even betting getting to hang with Danny. Watch out for the photo album. Its coming!
Sleep Depervation
Since I went to Vancouver, I have been sleeping really late and I know its not going to end anytime soon because I am going to San Fran tomorrow and I know I will be partying hard all weekend long. But damn, this lack of sleep is really getting to me...let me count the ways:
(I am sure I had lack of sleep before last friday, but last friday was all I remembered)
Friday--3am--hanging out with Danny's cousin Yvonne
Saturday--4am--driving back from Kelowna
Sunday--2:30am--driving back to Seattle
Monday--2am--was at work til 12:30am and couldn't wind down til 2am
Tuesday--2am--watched Terminator 3 and then started ironing my clothes at night
Wednesday--3am--packing for SF tomorrow and writing in this blog!
I need sleep! Help me! SF is going to kill me!
So, this past weekend, I was up in Vancouver to meet up with one of my best friends from Toronto, Danny and help him sell his Showdown Fightwear at WFF 5, a mixed martial art fighting tournament in Kelowna, BC. Here are the highlights:
--while driving up, I almost lost control of my car because I thought I hit some big black thing on the road. I checked our my car at the nearest gas station to find that my right front blinker light "popped " out and was hanging by the side of my car! A local mechanic in the area help fixed my light with some wiring and Duck Tape. Turns out, I didn't hit something on the road, that black thing on the road was FROM MY CAR!! It was the black rubberly fender above my right front tire...it fell and ripped off while I was driving. Eeek!
--Kelowna BC is about 4 hours away from Vancouver in the middle of nowhere. It was one the most beautiful, yet boring and long and scary and annoying and expensive ($10 CDN toll one way!) drive I have every done. Driving there was okay, but driving back was not very fun. Pitch black with absolutely no one around you. And nothing there either. We literally drove for at least 2 hours with no gas station in sight. It was really fucked up! And we made some wrong turns too. We didn't get back to Vancouver til 4:320am on Saturday. At least I got to spend quality time with Danny, talking the shit and listening to really bad hip hop on a really bad CD player thru my car's bad tape deck.
--The fighting tournament was pretty cool. There was a fair turn out, with tons of Hell's Angel members in attendance and a few incredible hot women. And the actually matches were also very exciting to watch too. I was even invited by one of judges to come up RIGHT UP TO THE RING to take pictures of the matches! Wait til I put my album up. Danny didn't sell as much as he wanted but he made some really good contacts for future business possibilities, so the trip was worth it.
--On Sunday, hanged out in Yaletown, in Downtown Vancouver for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. I use to live in Yaletown and the one of the shows was in the park RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from my old apartment. I had a rush of memories while being there but I was also blown away about how much development was in the area since I was living there. Its a REAL community now, with even its own supermarket.
--At the actually Jazz festival itself, Danny and his cousins and their friends started stalking/following this one woman around the park. Turns out this woman has been hitting people for no reason at all but then excusing herself as an accident. I thought she may be pickpocketing people but in reality, all she was doing was hitting people. Anyways, we followed her thru the nite to see if she was doing it again. But she eventually realized that she was being followed and actually approached some of us later on. The conversation went like so:
Her (approaching us): Just your cross your arm and laugh at the white people.
Us: What do you mean?
Her: You tell me.
--Had a late night meal at this great little Korean restaurant on Robson. Sitting and eating at this restaurant reminded me of all the cool little places that are still openned late at night. Anyways, didn't finish til midnight...didn't start my trip back to seattle til 1am...didn't get home til 2:30am.
Vancouver was great. Even betting getting to hang with Danny. Watch out for the photo album. Its coming!
Sleep Depervation
Since I went to Vancouver, I have been sleeping really late and I know its not going to end anytime soon because I am going to San Fran tomorrow and I know I will be partying hard all weekend long. But damn, this lack of sleep is really getting to me...let me count the ways:
(I am sure I had lack of sleep before last friday, but last friday was all I remembered)
Friday--3am--hanging out with Danny's cousin Yvonne
Saturday--4am--driving back from Kelowna
Sunday--2:30am--driving back to Seattle
Monday--2am--was at work til 12:30am and couldn't wind down til 2am
Tuesday--2am--watched Terminator 3 and then started ironing my clothes at night
Wednesday--3am--packing for SF tomorrow and writing in this blog!
I need sleep! Help me! SF is going to kill me!
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