Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Most Dangerous Cooking Battle

[as embellished slightly from the original facebook photo album, even though I took the pictures for this blog]

Live Action Club was cancelled this evening, and since I had a non-negative amount of money in the bank for the first time in nearly two weeks, I set out for the grocery store to procure the items necessary for chili. Last time Oleya and I made the recipe, so we tweaked it to include things like fake meat and vegetarian broth. This time I looked for venison, found buffalo, but ultimately decided on lean beef (because the buffalo looked really bloody). Walking home from the store was A PAIN because there were many heavyish cans of things, and other groceries besides just chili ingredients, such as a carton of grapefruit juice.

Here is me finally getting started cooking:



You can see I was anxious to get on with it, and a little upset at the onion. Actually, I ended up mincing the garlic first, which made my fingers very sticky. Garlic is so sticky!

Then there was this horrible issue with my can opener. Or maybe the cans. Either way a titanic battle was waged wherein my finger lost:



Can you tell which cans were the bastards?



I only got cut on the first big one. I was using a spoon to pry and it slipped : / I've actually never been cut by a can before, I don't think. 22.5 years! Gah! So it goes. I used a knife to pry the other one and that worked better. I was worried my can opener (which I just bought the LAST time we made chili, only a couple weeks ago) was busted, but two of the four cans opened fine. Maybe something is wrong with my technique.

I think this is actually before I put the spices in, but we'll pretend this is the pre-simmer finale:



The real finale:



After I cooked it for about an hour or so, I decided that it was good enough and grabbed a scoop, dressed it with cheese (although not as fancy a variety as I would have liked), and added a couple slices of stupidly delicious sourdough. Yes, that's the computer desk in the background. Now you know what my life is like!!! (Just like yours! ;D) <3 Internet. <3 Food. The day was not a total failure.

Top Ten To Watch: Eurovision '08 - Part IV

Is it Thursday already?? Can it just be May now?

4. BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - Laka - Pokušaj

This song is actually pretty awesome, despite the weirdness. It grows on you the more you listen to it, I think. As I was revising my list it jumped quite a few places.



I'm not sure what is up with the semi-undead aesthetic, but here is my favorite bit from the lyrics:

I will try to kiss you and you act stupid
I will try to kiss you and you act stupid
I will try to kiss you and you act stupid
I will try to wake you up and you pretend to be awake

3. FRANCE - Sébastien Tellier - Divine

This is the song that sounds closet to something that I would listen to normally. In fact, I'm liable to look him up in a minute.



It's got some sort of indie retro flavor, got "doots" and "bops" and synth. I also really like the video. The Jesus in huge sunglasses look I could do without, but, you know...



the music is good--that's what matters! I do really like the video, too, how he's chucking the microphone between (or past!) all of him...selves. I'd be surprised if he wins, but he rocks all the same.

Media Lounge | Part: I II III | The EXCITING CONCLUSION tomorrow!!

The pepper in my cookies

Today I hung out for the second time with Louis. We baked walnut and chocolate chunk cookies that also included a bit of white pepper. I feel we (by which I mean "I," since I was the one measuring dry ingredients) may have put a bit too much of the pepper in. It's a rather strong flavor of pepper, but Louis seemed to think they were fine, which is good because he's had them before and also because he paid for the ingredients. So we did that and then we watched Harold and Maude, one of my favorite movies! His roommate was also present, and she prepared homemade vegetarian tacos and saw the movie with us even though she had just watched it last night. Lastly, there was some Smash Bros.

So, moving backwards from that, I was in the Mission feeding Oleya's rats and when I checked her mail (which is now my mail as well, for those keeping track) I found I had been paid! Of course, I finally get a check on the day my dad puts money in my account. It figures. But hey, I can afford more toothpaste now. I've been squeezing this tube to its death for over a week now.

I had tacos with meat in them (one carne asada, one chicken) at La Taqueria to celebrate. I have heard often of the greatness of their meat, but am so addicted their vegetarian burrito with the addition of avocado (and I'm usually there to split food with Oleya) so I hadn't tried it yet. Actually, meat is quite expensive. The vegetarian stuff is much cheaper and just as delicious. It's good for a splurgey-type thing.

What else happened today? Well...I had a lazy morning, which was fine. Just punked around on the net. I'm excited about more involved in previews at GamePro--they are sending me to an event April...9th? I haven't been e-mailed the details yet and the date escapes me right now. I'm just happy to go. All I have on my plate right now is a (sort of crummy) DS game and an import preview of Time Hollow (also DS). I remember seeing a big booth for that at TGS, but I didn't pay attn. Maybe I should have! Actually, soon I'll be starting Opoona for Otaku USA, so that will rock.

OH, I remember the other thing. I spent like 15 minutes hanging out with a bored GameStop employee. It was sort of nice to talk randomly about games. Ended up confessing my profession. I guess I generally do, when I'm having a conversation with someone. It feels sort of awkward not to, and it establishes that I know about games (to some extent) without a whole lot of rambling. That said, telling them almost feels against the rules somehow, like there's this game we play where I have to go in there and buy games without them realizing that it's either for work, or an after-work treat, or research, or you know, whatever. I wonder how other people feel on this topic.

I'm cold and it's like 1:30, so I guess I can go to bed now!!! Been staying up so much later, lately, but there is no incentive to waking up early for me. Work doesn't even start until 10 really for most of my colleagues, and since I commute to the living room it's not a huge deal. Also, it's not like they need me much...it'll be so nice to be needed in an office someday :D To have my presence requested... *daydream*

No! Night dream! Lights out, kids.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Top Ten To Watch: Eurovision '08 - Part III

Official Facebook Page! Comin'atcha!

6. United Kingdom - Andy Abraham - Even If

This has a very classic, old school feel to it. A little bit of funk or soul or something. I like it!



On the one hand, it's sort of a cheesy love song, but on the other hand it's a positive one, not a "you're so far away" or "get the hell away from me how did I like you." Also, I think it almost goes beyond being cliché since it's a throwback to begin with. Groovy!

5. MOLDOVA - Geta Burlacu - A Century Of Love



Lyrics are not the strong point here, but it's a very nice song to listen to--jazzy, trumpet, a little vocalese, harmony. The bubbles in the video are a cute touch!

Media Lounge | Part: I II | 4 and 3 tomorrow!

EDIT: I don't know where those pictures went! They were there earlier...so bizarre. Anyways, you'll still be able to find the videos, so I'm just gonna leave it. I can't re-upload the pix again because I don't have them anymore and I really don't fee like doing them over right now : /

Oh dude, this is awesome...

That's what I get for being productive? REALLY? So on Monday I wrote all my Eurovision entries for the week, since I was on a roll. Apparently the day you draft them is the day they will get published, even though it is no longer that day, resulting in my entries being buried before they even go up. That is so AWESOME x_x Scroll back to Monday to check them out!! : /

*EDIT* Someone smart has informed me that I should [quit being stupid and] copy-paste into a new post!!! Yay for actually using your brain! I love people who do that.

*EDIT* Even better! In the course of attempting to use MY OWN brain, I have discovered the option to change the post date and time. Three cheers for not knowing how to use your blog after how many years?

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

AIM Express Continues To Suck

Well, yesterday I thought I had finally got it working. The landlord's pop-up blocker was defeated, and I broke through to the AIM universe after weeks of silence. Unfortunately, everytime I try to log in now there is some sort of error. Figures it would happen the day after I finally get online.

Got some more work for this week, though, so at least that's nice and the people who pay me over at GamePro called to confirm my new address, so I gave them Oleya's. Hopefully that means money will come soon! Whoo...ooooooooooooo...

oo.

Top Ten To Watch: Eurovision '08 - Part II

43 participants this year! Therefore, double semi-final! Whaaaaat? More hype than you can handle!!! Here are my next two picks:

8. SPAIN - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre - Baila El Chiki Chiki

I don't even know what to say about this one, it's so geeky!! I was tempted to list it higher, but you know, the order for this isn't terribly important--I could rearrange it all day, but then it'd never get posted.



So this comedian guy with the fake hair and huge dorky glasses dances like a total nerd with female back-up. I totally approve.

7. LATVIA - Pirates of the Sea - Wolves of the Sea

Last year we had vampires, so it's only natural to have pirates this year!



As you can see, they are not kidding. Actually, they're singing this manic, thumping, synthy dance song. Take care with this one, because it's too damned easy to get stuck in your head. "With a hi hi ho and a hi hi hay..."

Media Lounge | Part: I | 6 and 5 tomorrow!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Ton Ten To Watch: Eurovision '08 - Part I

5 days in a week, so that's 2 per day. It's Monday, so we're starting now! I actually ended up watching ALL the original preview movies last night, so I have a very good understanding of what we're in for. Filling in the bottom slots of my countodown was sort of challenging. Why not include the crazy guys from Azerbaijan dressed as an angel and devil singing in crazy voices that include some piercing high notes, or the Estonian comedy act? Well! That, my friends, is because there were actually some ballads that didn't suck.

As much as most ballads, heh.

While the Swiss ballad was sung by a guy with a nice voice, the lyrics left a lot to be desired, namely SUBSTANCE. The message that the world is a bad place so we need to escape back into childlike ignorance and bliss is pretty faulty if you ask me. Instead...

10. SERBIA - Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugic - Oro


Serbia won last year, which is why the event is being held in Belgrade! This year, they entered a very pretty ethnic ballad, which is way better than some unaffecting "save the world" ballad or "oh my love come back to me" ballad. Also, I may just be a sucker for part that goes, "Nuna ney, nuna nuna nuna nuna nuna ney."

9. IRELAND - Dustin the Turkey - Irelande Douze Pointe


This is one of those you have to watch just because of the sheer insanity. It's basically a gag song wherein the turkey puppet (visible there with the bright purple...beak?) and his female accomplice sing out to all the nations to put whatever beef they may have against Ireland aside, and that they want their 12 points (the highest you can award). You will laugh, but then you'll be like, ok, where's the real entry? That said, massive applause for not putting out a crappy love ballad or a girl with no clothes singing a "come 'n get it" europop thing.

Keep in mind that you can view all these videos on the official media lounge page! For my 8 and 7 you can wait until tomorrow!!

Anatomy of a Rickroller OR How I learned to stop worrying and love that song

The follow is a Rick Astley music video and a lightly edited version of a conversation a colleague and I had today regarding...

THE RICKROLL:



ruususokkusu (01:06:22 pm): you know
ruususokkusu (01:06:31 pm): i've never been rickrolled
ruususokkusu (01:06:36 pm): so today
ruususokkusu (01:06:44 pm): i rickrolled myself
jotaku (01:06:47 pm): hahah
jotaku (01:07:00 pm): on purpose?
ruususokkusu (01:07:01 pm): and...the thing is...this song? I used to really like this song in like 4th grade ;D
ruususokkusu (01:07:12 pm): also
jotaku (01:07:18 pm): I used to like it, too. I used to think a big, burly black guy sang it
ruususokkusu (01:07:35 pm): his music video reminds me of my friend's music videos, only less trippy
ruususokkusu (01:07:45 pm): like the way he is just dancing around singing by himself mostly?
ruususokkusu (01:08:26 pm): but yeah, you're right about the burly black guy syndrome
jotaku (01:08:37 pm): it's very strange!
jotaku (01:08:46 pm): I'm lucky I didn't actually see the video as a young lad
ruususokkusu (01:08:48 pm): if someone ELSE were singing it, i think it'd probably be even better
jotaku (01:08:52 pm): I might have been confused beyond belief
ruususokkusu (01:08:55 pm): hahaha
ruususokkusu (01:09:18 pm): I think maybe everyone is just insecure because they can't make the kind of commitment this guy can!! ;p
jotaku (01:09:24 pm): haha
ruususokkusu (01:09:35 pm): Everyone is so keen on giving everyone else up that they can't stand it, so they have to make fun.
jotaku (01:09:51 pm): he is NEVER gonna give you up
ruususokkusu (01:09:55 pm): Do you mind if put this convo in a blog post? ;D
jotaku (01:10:15 pm): haha do it!
ruususokkusu (01:10:22 pm): Oh, I totally will!

Let's have a tongue-in-cheek discussion about this.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Eurovision '08 - The Hype Starts Now!

Yeah, I'm gonna do my Top Ten To Watch again this year. The first round of preview videos is all up as of Friday, so I'll be going through them starting tonight, I guess, and we'll see how long it takes. I guess it depends whether I want to sleep or not ;D

For fond memories of last year's Top Ten, check here and here.

My dream from 2 nights ago!

I forgot to post about this.

Incidentally, I just checked out my blog entry from FOUR years ago, today. FOUR YEARS! I was a freshman in college and now I've been out for a year. Wowowowowow. It's in a secret blog. My early blogging days were wayyyyyyyy emo. Way. It's BAD. I think I may even have poetry on there. Ugh!

Anyways, I saw a dream I had 4 years ago and it made me remember to post this one.

BECAUSE

I got shot! Twice! In the leg. I was in this sketchy (generic) neighborhood, entering a house, when suddenly someone threw firebombs through the window. It was some sort of gang war starting, so people were shooting and I managed to get caught twice in the leg. Then suddenly I was with some police and one of them was this exceedingly good-looking fellow--no one I know, just dreamscape-- with the most awesome soft-yet-styled-in-a-messy-way, short cropped black hair, turning silver gray. He wasn't really old enough for that, like maybe 30. So top that off with a uniform and then top me off with him because when I was injured on the floor, and for some reason freezing my brains out (shock, maybe? Although it was very coherent of me in the dream to think that maybe I was going into shock) he hugged me and kept me toasty till the medics arrived. Definitely one of the best dream "physical" contact moments I've ever had, despite, you know, being shot up in the leg.

Later there was still a war going, and I was screaming at everyone to, "Get down!" Like my mom, and some other people, some cops. Too much shooting. Anyways, then someone throw grenades at me anyhow, so being on the ground was no good either. I think that's when I woke up.

It's too bad, because there was a lot more to this dream, but I guess it's better to have a brilliant recollection of the best part than a vague idea of what happened overall. At least in this case!

Easter candy and a funny Kimagure Orange Road

Last night I stayed up late to check out some anime, like I said. The first episode of Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei was great, so I'm looking forward to seeing what else is in store. They bring you up to speed some what and still introduce another character!

Then this morning I got up, popped a couple jelly beans while breakfast cooked. I made a Sharkey-style egg (it's buried in that link...) and had some blueberry smoothie, and topped it off with a Reese's peanut butter egg. That's pretty much the extent of Easter this year for me. I mean, I'm sure I'll talk to some of my family on the phone, but it's not like I actually celebrate it, and I don't get to see anyone or have an awesme brunch. Actually, the food I had wasn't bad, but I cooked the egg and toast a little too hot. Out of practice : /

So then of course, what I do next is watch some Sunday morning cartoons. I have to fill you in on episode 26 of Kimagure Orange Road. It's just too goofy at the end. The basic plot is that Kasuga and Ayukawa are fighting over something stupid (as they sometimes do). For background all you really need to know is that Kasuga likes Ayukawa but Hikaru likes him, and Kasuga's family has psychic powers.

Anyways, Kazuya, Kasuga's telepathic cousin, has lately moved in next door so he's been featuring a lot recently. This time Kazuya tells Kasuga that if they switch places he'll be able to read Madoka's mind. Since Kasuga is a total loser, he thinks this sounds great, so he lets the kid bonk him in the head:



Of course, Kasuga gets screwed because Kazuya takes his mind and his telepathic powers with it into his body and goes off to have fun with his self-proclaimed girlfriend, Hikaru. They see a movie that clips in and out throughout the episode paralleling the plot, but it's hilarius since it's supposed to be an American movie. A super cheesy romance with fast cars XD In this shot he's feeding her some bullshit line about how the movie (in the drive-in within a drive-in) is turning into a comedy due to the ketchup on her nose, awww:



Is that supposed to be cute? He kisses her, anyways, which is something you'll need to remember for later.

So while Kazuya-Kasuga is off with Hikaru falling asleep at the lame movie, Kasuga-Kazuya, while not achieving telepathy, does achieve this:



which, I mean, they're in middle school, so that's about all he can really hope for despite all the references to "adult" relationships.

Kasuga has had enough now, so he goes back to meet Kazuya at the park where they exchnaged minds, but Kazuya still wants his shot at Ayukawa. He nearly gets it by using that cheesy movie scene! Ayukawa wasn't quite falling for it, but...



in any case,Kasuga races over to the AbCb (Abakabu--I wish this place were in my neighborhood) and teleports through the window to smash heads again just in time.

During his frantic race down the hill, Ushiko and Umao make their expected appearance, pulling their typical Romeo and Juliet nonsense--they always have a non sequitur cameo. This time they're on a bike, and Umao is looking particularly cute in his suit:



Anyways, so things go back to normal at the end after the two guys bash heads and change minds again. Kasuga in his regular body accidentally walks in on Ayukawa changing, and since he isn't a cute little preschooler this time, he gets a slap in the face. The whole point of this whole summary is so you have the context of this one great shot--the movie parallel to Kasuga's real life metaphorical crash 'n burn. The voice over really makes it, because the delivery is fakey sing-song and apathetic, but you can also read the text:


I laughed and laughed and laughed. "Carol's youthful days came to an end." I can't tell if they spelled "Carol" right or not, but it doesn't matter because I've never heard of a boy named Carol (although apparently there was at least one?)

So yeah, I always appreciate context, before stripping it for a meme. I would love if this were a meme. Yahahahaha.

Anyhow...

I think that's all I got. I didn't mean to make such a production number out of it XD but that last screen is just too much.

Happy Easter!! Or something!

Thing and Events and Such and Such

Looking back through your Wii calendar is pretty much exactly like looking through old blog posts. All sorts of old memories, parades of new Miis smacking their first Wii Sports tennis ball, etc. For some reason mine has blanked out on the entire month of November and most of October. There's this gaping stretch of blank space which I know isn't supposed to be there becase I was too playing Wii games during that time. I reviewed some, even, so I know I was using my Wii. I wonder what made it forget.

Today I did go to J-town to play Go. We sat at a big table and I drank a can of Orangina. For some reason it seemed like the right thing to order, althogh I bet his iced tea was also tasty. The session was pretty much like a private lesson. I'm psyched! Gary has been playing for a lonnnnnnng time, around 20 years, I think (since he was a kid, basically) so he gave me lots of handicap stones. Anyways, he is really cool and explains all sorts of things. It was my first time playing on a board in real life, especially a full-sized board. I've dabbled before, but never actually sat down to play play. He said I made some really good moves, although he also pointed out some totally useless ones (lack of focus, already dead, etc). We're going to play again in a couple weeks, so I'm going to try to play at least a few times between now and then.

Marc came over and we were going to watch a movie, but instead we grocery shopped and played NES games. Good news is that bread, peanut butter, juice, milk, veggies, and bananas are all re-stocked. Bad news is that for some reason I can't afford even such basic items as these without a helping hand. All my money seems to be amassing behind a curtain somewhere. At the appointed time a white-gloved hand will whip it aside to reveal a pile of mad cash, which will, of course, have to go to loans, "rent", and buying dinner for all my friends who have been spotting me.

Last night I watched the first Naruto movie. Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow! I remember reading an article about this in Otaku USA, but I had long forgotten anything it said. Basically, it's a character drama about this cowardly/bitter actress/princess who, of course, gets an attitude adjustment after meeting the powerhouse of can-doism who is Naruto. I'm not terribly interested in pile-driving through all the Naruto anime, but checking out the OVAs and movies seemed like fun.

The first movie was much better than the OVAs, especially that Konoha sports festival thing. The plot is as follows: Naruto needs to poop, but obstacles keep him from doing so in a socially acceptable manner. The resolution? We are left with the impression that in an extreme emergency, heroes are allowed to make a mess of themselves. Errrrm, right! Is that even funny for the target audience? Is this when I should start shouting, "What is it with guys and poop?" again? Or what?

You know, anime actually sounds really good right now. I think I'll have some and go to bed super late. The thing is, I should be working on this game I'm reviewing, but I'm uber stuck. There is a puzzle and it's one of those that either the answer is what I'm doing, but I'm not doing it perfectly enough for the game to register, thus making me doubtful of the solutoin, orrrrr what I'm doing isn't the answer and it's something even more ridiculous than what I've been trying to do. Either way, at this point (I've been trying to beat this level on-and-off for two days) I feel like it's the game's fault, which is a bummer because up until now I was kinda having an ok time *sigh*

I guess we should call it Cerberus syndrome.

But yeah, anime time. Tomorrow, well, I'm not sure what I'm doing tomorrow. I had wanted to make chili. If any meat eaters I know are reading this and want to front me money for ingredients, come on over and let's do it. If not, well, more work, and OH YEAH, don't let me forget to go visit Oleya's rats ;D

Thursday, March 20, 2008

666

The number of the post immediately prior to this. I noticed, that's all! I'm not saying anything!

I meant to say the other day, though, that the bucket drummer shouter/singer fellow who plays around town somehow got a set! He was jamming away on this shiny drum set while I was waiting for the bus. Interesting! He seemed equally adept at actual drums as at buckets.

Today was relatively drama free, which was nice. Worked, had dinner with Oleya, went to live action club, saw Scotty, and now, relaxing with Oleya's iBook, as I often do while she putters around with chores or showers or something. She's going on vacation! But it'll be ok.

Incidentally, I'm very VERY excited because I have made arrangements to play Go this Saturday. How excited am I? VERY VERY EXCITED. I've been wanting to play this game for so long, so it'll be nice. I will probably enjoy it with no small swirl of sad nostalgia, but, you know. So it goes.

Oleya and I will bake more cookies tonight. The rest of the pb ones. I'll wander home again eventually. Etc, etc. Koji is getting much better at playing Fly Me to the Moon. Time marches on!

This just in...

White Rabbit Press to recieve fully all of my disposable (ha!) income from now until the forseeable future. They have FREAKING GRADED READERS!!!! They have FREAKING AUDIO OF JAPANESE FOLKTALES!!!! Maybe I can find a way to survive in San Francisco after all. I'm also looking into lessons. I'd love to trade lessons for babysitting. This would be ideal. I'm crossing my fingers.

ZOMFG

Looking up that despair pic made me wonder if season 2 had started yet.

IT HAS.

CRISIS



Ok, I've been despairing about Japanese (again).

And look at this, Amity is recruiting soon again. Yes, that Amity. I'm tempted to see if they still have my info. Maybe I should fuck off to Japan before it's too late.

But I still want a career. I don't want to leave for a 2 or 3 years, come back, and find that I really have thrown it all away. That would be tragic. I dunno what to do.

How can one goal be better than the other? Why can't you have two lifetime goals? It's not like I want to be a god-- I just want to be a "games journalist" fluent in Japanese. Is that REALLY too much to hope for?

It's been almost a year since I called off my interview. It feels like ten. But no it doesn't. I was thinking that I am almost 23. Even after I have my birthday it will be seven years until I am 30. SEVEN YEARS! And even that isn't old. I wonder how long I will live.

Maybe I really do need to go to Japan. What I said to Oleya is that I would apply if I didn't hear back from the hinge by mid-April (the application date is the 28th), but maybe that is wrong. Maybe I should e-mail them now and ask if I could have an interview this year. And then go to the interview, kick ass, get a job, and go away.

But how am I supposed to walk away from what I have?

What do I have?

Not an apt.
Not a boyfriend.
Not a steady income.

I'd have two of three if I went to Japan. Plus, you know, I'd be in Japan. I could get them here, too, though, and have videogame writing. I could report while in Japan, too, though, maybe. I could take personal days during TGS and write pro-bono stories while in exile.

But I wouldn't be in exile, I'd be helping kids learn English. That is a fun thing to do. I've done it before.

...

I know this is just caffeine fueled stupidity, but...I just want to learn Japanese. I want to be fluent, so I can be awesome at my game journalist job. That much is constant. How do I do it? How? How? How?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The Rough and Tumble Fantasy Jamboree

Whoo, you crazy life, you! Always with the crazy!

The weekend featured some games, some hill climbing, some diner food, and Stephen Chow's new movie, CJ7.

Other thing as well. Some laughs, plenty of sighs, some cries.

All these things and more! What a weekend.

And that's just the weekend! Wait till you hear what happened on MONday and TUESday! Zomg is it Wednesday in a HALF hour?

Next time I go up Bernal Hill I'm bringing a camera. What a great place! You can see everything in these nearly panoramic view (there is a building and some trees on top that sort of block part of it, but you can walk around...)

Next time I have a malt, I'm splitting it with someone!

Next time I want to buy a Naruto game I will KILL THE IMPULSE. Luckily, EB has the most convenient trade in system ever and I'm now the proud of owner of Crackdown and nine dollars! The English dub of Naruto is...HORRIBLE! So horrible it actually hurts the quality of the video game as well! More on this elsewhere.

CJ7 comes to your attn as HIGHLY RECOMMEND (from me). I know it has a limited release, but if it's anywhere near it's probably worth going to. I may actually go again when Oleya gets back from her super love holiday in Seattle, if I'm not still dirt poor. It still has plenty of over-the-top action, but in the context of a touching family drama!! How? And it's funny. Annnnnd, it's everything! We literally laughed AND cried. You can't tell me there was a person in the theater whose eyes weren't welling up when...

well...

yeah.

Go see it! The girl who plays Dicky is amazing. I actually had no idea she was a she (not knowing a terrible lot about Chinese names) until I searched for an interview.

Tomorrow I'm gonna finally have a (small) grocery shopping trip. Money has been a constant source of trouble lately. Between having to send back some checks for reissue and extra problems because one of my checks was stolen! So awesome. You can't imagine how cool it is to have my bank account right now hahaha

I did finally get some more work to do, though. It is always strange to have a vacuum of free time. I don't tend to use it very wisely because it's so strange. Anyways, I think I've been enjoying things as much as I can. That should continue throughout the week! Especially now that I have work to do--it lends me a purpose so I think I'll be happier. Previews for GamePro! I'm so excited. And a Wii review. Good stuff.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Disjointedly speaking

I know the blog has been very lacking in any sort of narrative lately. At least when I updated an emotastic five times a day during school there was some sort of cohesiveness. Things hung together at least. Now I update so randomly that trying to tell what is ACTUALLY going on in my life is pretty much impossible, at least if you're just reading the blog.

Mostly I am winding my way through the perils of stress and cold apartments, more perilous still when combined. I'm also very frustrated by the prospect of remaining freelance, only because it means I will have to find a new sharable living situation instead of finally becoming master of my own domain. Either that or just start writing a hell of a lot more within the next couple months, somehow rocketing my income into the multiple thousands (by which I mean two or three) per month.

Uhhhh *ramble* Let's see. Still trying to come up with a way to become more commited, in a super strict not-fucking-around sense, to Japanese. I have passion, but it's sort of moping in a corner. How pathetic! Reading scanlated Naruto (as I have happily resumed doing) is not an effective strategy and in fact I feel like a total loser for even making that joke. Current serious endeavor possibilities include: transltaing YMCK lyrics, playing Earthbound in Japanese, reading more Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, textbook things...writing Kanji over and over and over till my hands cramp, and finally, the one true winner, talking to my roommate in his fucking native language. You'd think that would be the easy one, but it's intimidating and also not entirely fair.

I think the fairness thing is just a cop out though. If I'm so intimidated it will be impossible for me to take up ALL his English studying time with my Japanese. Plus he'll go to San Diego next year and speak so much English his tongue will fall off. I need to be a little more selfish sometimes.

So today I vow I will do at least one of those things. If not more. I will also continue to read Naruto and probably watch some Kimagure Orange Road, if the computer will handle it. I also have some puzzle games to review, but progress on those is good. I guess there is also a social plan, although the ball hasn't really started rolling on that yet. Maybe I should have a shower. Maybe I should buy more bananas since Koji ate the last one! Maybe I should...check my e-mail.

EDIT:

Well, romanizations of song lyrics are no good for translating. You really need the kanji. That said, the lyrics to Magical 8 Bit tour are proving to be so fanciful that I'm not sure the Japanese ones I found (also done by ear) are right either. Do the cds come with lyrics in the liner notes? Hopefully one day we'll find out!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Tuxedo Garden Get-Away

So I'm at my dad's place on Turtle Point in Tuxedo Park. Gonna head into NYC tomorrow and probably on Friday to get up to who know's what. It'll be nice to see Jon again, and meeting up with Joseph for the first time is going to rock. Tonight we're going to an awesome little Italian place for dinner with my dad's gf annnnd I guess until then I'm just gonna play games for work and maybe read some stuff. I dunno. I guess I should surf the internet on this GINORMOUS mac.Catch up on the forums...

Well, yesterday I caught up in QC and other comics I still like. Sad to see Animals Have Problems Too go, but I guess if it's not updating anymore there is no use pretending.

Hopefully by the time I get back I'll have three prong adapters for all my two prong outlets at Koji's place. The move went well, but the guys with the van were complete idiots/jerks/the kind of people I never ever want to hang out with...ever. Quite frankly I'm sad I had to give them money. Buuuut you know, better luck next time. I was drawn by their one hour (instead of two hour) minimum and low low price of 55 dollars per hour. Mike also helped and then he, Koji, and I had dinner in J-town. Good foods! Leftover oyakodon makes a delicious breakfast, especially when you wake up in someone else's house and have to rummage in someone else's fridge to find it and use someone else's microwave to heat it up so you can munch it while sitting at someone else's pc

CHOMPING THEIR BANDWIDTH

to check what time your flight leaves.

It was an odd morning, Monday.

But hey, it's only temporary and at least I'm not homeless! Score for not homeless!

Maybe Oleya and I will hang out this weekend and cook up some tasty food in the kitchen that is not mine.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

profile pic

Not happy about it, but it probably needed to be changed. I'll get used to it, eventually...

: /

Friday, February 15, 2008

the no-house blues

Well, not quite yet.

We're all to be out by the 15th of March. So that's in a month, which is really only half a month, because who moves in the middle of the month? I for one, hope to be out asap.

I have one appt tomorrow so far, with a fellow who recognized the Wisconsin area code of my phone. So that's promising maybe.

In other news, well, I've fallen a bit behind on work. Need to review both Zoo Tycoon 2 and The Experiment this weekend, in order to be all set for GDC, which...oddly enough, I still don't know my schedule for. If it's not too hectic I'll be able to start on Patapon, which will be XD

Might meet up with Marc after that appt for some movie/food action, if he has time. Other than that...well, the Ripten cohorts will be showing up on Sunday, so I think we're all having sushi or something in the evening.

Today my schedule was all bizarre. The vibe around the house has been breezy and strange since all of the cleaning and packing happening with my roomie who is leaving. His parents have been buzzing around with mops and rags and boxes and piles of things they want to give to us to save them from the dump. We have nowhere to put things! Anyways, they seem nice. I had to get away for a while cuz it was just too cold. Starbucks, and then the library. <3 the library.

Ate a late late lunch at this little cafe. Buffet style, but not self-serve. I had basil chicken and rice which would've been fine but for the excess of oil. Very cheap though. After three the prices drop by 30% so I only paid $3.60 for a big plate of food.

No plans tonight. Probably will end up reading or working more or something. Or I guess I have a movie I could watch.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Me today



Got my camera cords.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Dr. Goldfoot and His Bikini Machine *spoilers?* or ENTICEMENT


Have you seen this movie? I picked it nearly at random this evening to stream off of Netflix's website. I say nearly because the idea was something old and funny. Then I saw Vincent Price and Frankie Avalon's names next to each other. Done deal.

As if that isn't great enough, it takes place in San Franciso. And not just like, "Oh we're in San Francisco, here are some establishing shots" although there are plenty of those. We're talking high speed chase down Lombard Street, down the wharf, in the marina, over the bridge, through China Town, even West Portal for a second. Yeah, they warp all over hell in their effort to cram in as many landmarks as possible.

Plus, and this was the most surprising of all surprises, a cameo by The Pit and the Pendulum itself. Obviously a bit of a parody, but from the moment they walked down that staircase into the dank dark basement I said, "Hey, that looks like--" when all of the sudden Goldfoot has got one of the young lads strapped in and ready to have his shirt slit. AMAZING. I couldn't believe it.

Unfortunately it looks like you can't actually find this on DVD yet? Otherwise I assume Netflix would rent it out as well, but at the moment all you can do is stream it. If goofy fun is what you're looking for, then stream it if you can :D

EDIT: Apparently it can be found on DVD, but not at Netflix.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Library Books

I never did elaborate on what I ended up getting from the library, not that it needs a terrible amount of elaboration. Here's what I'm reading:

Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life (This explains itself.)

Modern Japanese Stories (shorts, I will enjoy this a lot)

A Short History of Philosophy (finally finally...I'm really reading about philosophy)

The Star Machine (about the Hollywood studio system back in the day)

And like I said, I did manage to actually read The New Yorker last week. We'll see how long I can keep it up. There's so much stuff to read! But I feel like I have a pretty good idea what I want to accomplish (with reading, with movie watching, with gaming) so I think if I make free-time goals it'll help me spend my time better.

Then again, we've been here before and it's ended in tears ;D I'm gonna go read some more, for the time being. It's getting later and later...

Jars are open

Jelly was good.

Sauce was BAAAAD.

Worst pasta sauce I've ever had in my life. At least Chef Boyardee tastes ok, even though you can't even really call it...anything approaching...even really food. This tomato garlic stuff actually left a bad taste in my mouth HOURS LATER. Total garbage.

I really don't like Trader Joes.

That said, the ravioli isn't horrible. I guess I'll just continue to eat it without the sauce. It's almost gone anyways.

And in the neverending fountain of uninteresting news...

the weekend is nearly over. I finished last weeks' New Yorker. I played some Culdcept Saga. There is still more Culdcept Saga to come. I watched The Fountain with Hugh Jackman, which wasn't as bad as I expected from what I had heard (which was basically just that it was bad) but I'm not sure I really liked it all that much either. A little too trip'd in the face zen.

Ahem.

I dunno. I'm in sort of an off mood. I couldn't sleep last night. Or rather, I probably could've, but I didn't much want to. I did fall asleep once I tried.

This week will be of a similar business to last week.

And then comes GDC week.

And then comes a week in NY with Dad.

My friend is playing Lumines and we listened to Shinin':



It always makes me sad. Sounds like everything is ending, possibly forever, and you can't do anything, so you might as well try to enjoy it? I dunno. I guess that does sound sort of emo but it's honestly how that song has always made me feel.

And it's that nostalgic sadness, which is always worse.

Plays straight into this weekends brand of melancholy!! Ha! Well!

I'm not so bad off, though. Randy and I had fun last night playing games and eating Mexican food. Maybe that's why I came down today. I was pretty up last night. Including awake! Yeah, maybe that's it. Just a mood thing.

No big deal.

Thus, we forge on in our quest for ever more astute analysis of VIDEOGAMES and whether they are worth our hard-earned pennies.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

EmaWii Vs. Jar - Round 2 -- YOU LOSE

ZOMG.

Why does Trader Joe seal their jars to the point where it is impossible to retrieve the contents? I would very much like some SAUCE on these DELICIOUS ravioli, but it doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon. I'm not a wimp, I swear. I can open other jars. I noticed the pattern after recalling that my jar of raspberry jelly is STILL unopened in the fridge, because even after running it under hot water (drying it) and trying, the lid wouldn't budge.

Prying failed this evening as well. I felt like the butterknife would snap. There really wasn't much leverage there anyways.

I give up. I will probably go to a normal store tomorrow and buy some sauce. Either that or just eat more plain ravioli, but that is getting a little depressing.

I finished the train sim review today, THANK GOD, and frolicked on down to that glorious library to read The New Yorker. Got through the article about stalled justice in Atlanta. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow for a break in the afternoon.

Other than that...I should really work on some Japanese at some point. Sommmmme poinnnnnt...soon.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Quick summary of current events

1) Driving school has been suspended until further notice. If anyone wants to help me out with that, or has a good suggestion on affordable road lessons in San Francisco, please comment!

2) Voted at City Hall since I couldn't find my local spot. Gah, what a line. And then at the end of the line there was...another line! I couldn't believe it >_< Anyways, GObama!

3) Crab and Grits ftw. Oleya and I ate at The Front Porch last night because I had to try the Best New Dish of 2007 (according to SF Weekly). It was suuuuper rich. Came in a big shallow ceramic dish, grits first. Then crab, chickerling peas, green onion, spicy oil, and lemon, probably some other stuff on top. I could've done with less of the oil. It was delicious, but I really enjoyed the flavor of the grits themselves, too, and it was too much. What I tended to do was take crab and other ingredients out of the middle, scooped off the top, and then grab some of the virgin grits from the edge of the bowl...until they ran out, heh. Really tasty. I would order it again except if I go back there I will maybe have to try the fish or pork chop or something.

We also had the fried plantains as an appetizer, which they arranged for special for us. Usually it comes with a specific meal, but I had to see if they would give us some...and they did! These two, were sort of spicy, but the sweetness still came through very well.

4) Train sim of doom. I'm reviewing a game right now, you might be able to guess which one. You might also be able to guess that I'm not a rail buff. I'm trying very hard. Tomorrow I will recommence the process. I think I made some headway poking around in the forums for a while today, so I might be able to achieve a bit more success.

5)I want to go back to the new library asap. It's brilliant. The space is really nice, smells all new, Japanese collection, magazines to read... Probably will go next Monday again. See what the news mags have to say about the primaries so far.

6) Oh, I'm just rambling now, probably. Tonight I'm gonna switch gears to Culdcept Saga, so my brain doesn't melt.

7) Why are Trader Joe's jars so hard to open? I had ravioli with no sauce tonight because (just like the jelly that is still sealed in my fridge) I couldn't pop the lid. I have been told to use a screwdriver (or a butter knife would probably work...)

8). . .

Yeah, I guess that's it. Today was not too exciting. Just food and work and putzing on the net.

Monday, February 04, 2008

refresh rate ++ golden

I love coming back to San Francisco. I've probably said this before, but riding across the Bay Bridge is one of the best feelings. I love going places, but San Francisco is a place for sticking with. I get a little sad because it's tied to so many bittersweet things, but ultimately, I feel super energized when I come back here.

WHICH IS GOOD! Cuz I have a hell of a lot of work to do this week. Not to mention a hell of a lot of fun to have! Things are looking up and up and up, at least in my mind.

First of all, though, I had a good weekend in Santa Cruz. Not only was it good, it was productive! We had four driving sessions and I didn't ever do anything too horrible. I didn't hurt any one or hit anything. I may have forgotten to signal once, or swung a few turns a bit wide, but fuck I haven't done this in six years, so I'm trying my hardest. I wish driving were more like playing a shooter, where you can look at nothing and see the whole picture. So far I feel very nervous when I check my mirrors or speed or even the side of the road. I know you have to do it all the time, but it's hard to keep my eyes moving and focus at the same time. I'd rather just unfocus and see it all like that time I zen'd Geometry Wars.

(Do you think in the future we'll spell all those words with "'d?" I probably wouldn't mind. It keeps the made up silly ones from looking ridiculous--I originally had "zenned")

Might go back next weekend, since Ian isn't visiting his gf until the weekend after that. I should get in as much time as I can!

Moving on (2), the local library is re-open finally! I can quit being a lazy bum and take this book back. I finished it a month ago. About time! Looking to pick up something interesting and non-fictiony. On the bus ride home this morning (after konking out for a morning nap) I read the last couple chapters of The Book Thief, which were very sad @_@

3) I have a lot of work coming in this week! I'm going to be super busy! I'd also like to clean my room! Whoo!

4) Dinner with Marc and Oleya tonight! Can't wait! And then tomorrow Oleya and I will watch some Love Hina after a hopefully terrific dining experience.

5) Prospect of visiting my dad in NY before the great hinge finally swings. This also increases the chance that I meet my editor at Otaku USA. Rockin'!

February COULD be an ok month. Further proof of this, at least I take it as further proof, is the bus pass color scheme. These passes are bi...hued. Dual-toned. Something. They have a silver strip of reflective doo-hickey down the middle, but then there are two colors. I was living in fear that they might do something awful, like make the colors for this month red and pink, but instead, they have created this excellent piña colada flavor with creamsicle orange and pistachio ice cream green. Tropical! Pineapple! Coconut! Sunshine! Sunscreen! Ozone layers! It's great!

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Mail

Yep, a bunch of things came today. Got to hear all of the new Thao with The Get Down Stay Down CD and that was good. The Cat and Girl book came along with my new t-shirt.

Tonight I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm thinking...manga or maybe a game, but definitely some manga at some point.

I had a fish sandwich at the fake drive-in by my place. The sandwich came in one of those little paper sacks. Nostalgic. It wasn't very good, though, so not quite as nostalgic. I would've made one at home except the oven still doesn't turn on, as far as I know. It actually tasted fine, but was just kind of soggy. I like American cheese and tomato on my fish sandwiches.

But someone conquered the garbage.

This weekend I'm off to Santa Cruz for Driving Lesson #1. I will maybe write a couple previews in the off hours, and probably play some games. I sort of wish I could bring my netflix and we could watch those, but I won't have them in time. They will probably be waiting on the floor outside my room when I get back.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

More Heroes

The past few days have seen both an explosion of work and otaku. It's almost like, by combining the work and otaku energies in my body I will be able to perfect my usage of chakra and jutsu the hell out of life! :D

YES, BY THE GODS, I HAVE BEEN READING NARUTO! AND ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!



Granted, I'm only on chapter 18 of 385 or whatever it's at now, but SO FAR, it's really fun. Way cooler than I thought it would be. For some reason I totally understand the draw of these things now. Take a dumb punk and watch him evolve into an ass-kicking machine! Self-improvement! Root for the underdog who can make it if he tries! This is awesome!

But I said an explosion. Surely ONE manga is not enough to justify that grandiose term. But I also have been watching more of my current anime series: Kimagure Orange Road, Denno Coil, and Gurren Lagann, the later of which I managed to find avenues to continue down despite being met with technical difficulties at my original source!

AND, yesterday was finally the day for No More Heroes to come out, and yes, the title express exactly how I feel about that. And the main character is a bad-ass otaku!



It's so cool. I need to keep playing, but it's all about the balance. The balance of my inner energies!!!!!

lol

I guess I'm in an ok mood today. Sometimes it can be surprisingly easy to just get trucking, despite the sadfaces. Especially when you have such awesome freaking hobbies!!!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Tuesday Monday

Last night my pal Koji was homeless, since he didn't forsee the bank closure for the holiday. He spent the night on my couch and we watched Singin' in the Rain, played some games, read some Naruto manga. That was a nice distraction from my sick-feelingness. It's good to have company.

This morning I didn't feel so bad, so we had Lucky Penny breakfast and then went off to begin our respective days. For my part, I took a shower and headed downtown to 1Up for some demos. Dropped by EB but of course, as I should really know by now, the ship date is never the date you can actually BUY *insert anticipated videogame* so it's always pointless to go out until the day after. Really, I should just order things on amazon and not jump around like a squirrelly second grader when something I want comes out. Pre-order and be surprised when it shows up!

Annnnnnd I can see now that I am just wasting time. I thought for a moment I had something to say for some reason. I can see now that I did not!!

*end*

Monday, January 21, 2008

Unsatisfactory Morning

I woke up today feeling sick. Just vaguely ill, and then when I got out of bed it was more than vaguely. Sorta flu-y. I hope it goes away. I made breakfast and ate that. I figured it would make me worse or better, but I feel the same. Just freezing cold and a little blerfy. Sickish. Bleck.

Wrote my article, though, so now I can just lie around all day and watch movies or feel miserable or whatever I feel like doing.

Wow, for some reason I felt like there was a point to writing this post. But I guess that's really all I have to say.

OH WAIT

It's January 21. The anniversary of my first published article. I wanted to have some sort of festivity, but maybe I will just watch Space Amoeba finally.

I hope I feel better later so I can go have dinner with Marc. Since I'm still in the country and all.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Oops I slacked

Well, today in addition to being in a rather awful mood, I finally went out and had some fun. Since I bought Indian food last time, Koji bought Indonesian tonight. It was a nice little cafe somewhere sort of Tenderloiny. I don't even know what he ordered, but it seemed like maybe the special since I saw others eating it as well. Rice, veggies, chicken, egg, and curry sauce. Very tasty, but not fancy. I liked it a lot. We stayed there for quite a while just talking and nibbling. He is a very thorough eater, always cleans his plate, picking the bones completely clean. I guess I have to admire that.

He was wearing this bizarre white hip-hop style hoodie with skeleton bones (the hood even zips up completely to make your head look like a skull o_O) only done up with some sort of braces at parts to make it look like maybe it used to be broken? Something? It looked good on him, but he told me he ended up having to buy it here because a friend told him it was always hot here. Poor guy. He got pressured by some shop keeper on market into buying this expensive hoodies that he doesn't even really like.

After dinner we bought some cookies at Walgreens on the way to his place and then sat up in the kitchen of his res hall. Then a party started in there, so we checked out his room. I guess he will only be there for tonight, since he is moving to a hotel tomorrow. He wants a new apt. If I knew for sure about my job I would be apt hunting with him, since we get along well and have the same situation of wanting to live somewhere else. As it stands, I will have to be content here for a little while longer.

Actually, I had this crazy insane idea to run off to Japan until precisely the leap year day. But that seems a little far-fetched after a day... I will probably just have to keep trucking here and do my best. Three in Hokkaido is so nice, though. He would totally help me out completely. I'd still really like to visit him at some point.

Oh, and then the point of this was to berate myself for not finishing my review this afternoon. I could've done it, but instead I played Rock Band drums to try to focus on something else. I even almost took a nap for a while, but then Esteban, one of my soon-to-be-no-longer roommates (he's moving out) showed up and asked if he could check his e-mail. And then I lent him some movies. And by that time I had to get going.

*ramble*

So I'm supposed to be writing! I'm gonna do that. About videogames, I mean. Since that's what I do!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Ah, life...

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Friday Night

I think it's ok to make a really stupid first impression, right? Because you can only get smarter from there.

I had a craigslist adventure because I wanted to eat sausage pizza and couldn't think of anyone who would be simultaneously bored on a Friday night and not a vegetarian or vegan. Not just any sausage pizza, mind you, but the Classic deep dish at Little Star Pizza, (apparently) widely known here-abouts as the best deep dish pizza around along with Zachary's, which I may have to step out to Berkeley to try sometime.

Nevermind the fact that I have never had a "true" Chicago pizza, even though I've been to Chicago more than once.

Anyways, so I ate this pizza with a very nice philosophy grad student named Ben, in the end. The ordeal of posting the ad (now deleted) and sorting replies took the better part of last night and this morning and in fact, Ben himself was rather late entering the fray, but he caught my attention to the point where when my first choice (whatever that means) flaked, I invited him.

The pizza was delicious! Ben wants to be a philosopher, which seems admirable enough. He TA's classes, so I bet he can give me reading lists and things. He used to be really into Square, but apparently doesn't follow videogames anymore. He's played NetHack, though, so that's something. I haven't even really fooled around with NetHack, although I watched Scotty a couple times.

A lot of interesting people replied to my ad, which was cool. Just as many were obviously copy-pasting their spiel from reply to reply, which is not so attractive. Although even one of those sort of caught my eye--a graduate of USC cinema. So anyways, the point is maybe I'll meet some other people this weekend, too.

... ... ... ...

I watched Scoop as an exercise in witnessing sexy people on camera, but it cracked me up quite a bit. Woody Allen does that.

How did it get to be nearly 2 am?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Progress Report: About Cars

This morning I walked down to the DMV to take the written test for my "Instructional Permit: Permits driving only. Not for ID purposes." One particular staffer was honestly terrifying. I told more than one person afterwards that I would've been crying if I didn't speak native English. She was just barking at everyone. The guy taking pictures was very nice. Mine turned out great except I look scrubby, which is cuz I was pretty scrubby.

Anyways, I can drive now, as long as there is someone sitting shotgun who has a real license.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Tale of Two Sad Foods

Sad Food, the first:

Oleya and I hit up the Café du Nord on Saturday night to see Thao with The Get Down Stay Down. The concert was great! The food...was MISERABLE. It was meant to be a splurge, as it was rather expensive, and seemed fancy. SEEMED. It was not. We ordered mac 'n cheese and made the mistake of ordering a whole separate salad, not realizing that they did have enough foresight to offer some greens with the meal itself.

The mac 'n cheese came in two triangle wedges, which was nice looking and easy to share. It wasn't very hot, though, and it tasted very cheap. It was "spicy" mac 'n cheese, but the spices--yes, the best way I can think to describe the way they tasted is "cheap," if that even makes sense. The whole thing tasted like it came out of a box, maybe, although Oleya remarked that she has had better tasting box food before, and I would have to agree.

The extra salad we ordered mostly went to waste. It was huge unwieldy wedges of iceberg, which could be foreseen from the description in the menu, but they were just too huge, the wedges. You almost had to pick them up with your hands and just take bit wet crunchy bites. We were not about to do that. I ate a couple of the tomatos and Oleya picked off the blue cheese.

All in all, a very Sad Food.

Sad Food, the second:

Yesterday I wanted to have some fish for lunch, but the oven is broken so I couldn't heat up my (embarrassingly delicious) frozen cod filets. I instead decided to go out for a sandwich, and used the Internet to try to see if I could locate a good one nearby. I found a site that told me the Honey Baked Ham Company right down the street does a sandwich and two sides for four dollars. That had to be seen to be believed, so I put on my coat.

I had originally planned on ham and cheese, baked beans, and spinach. Well, they don't melt the cheese anymore and they didn't have any baked beans. Screw that. So I ordered the turkey cranberry plain, just the turkey and cranberry, and was hoping for something as close to a baguette as possible. No go, and I ended up going with squaw bread because when I asked her what it was she described it as a dark, whole grain bread. REALLY, she should said that it would add to the horrific candy taste permeating EVERY SINGLE THING THEY SELL, or at least the turkey, cranberry sauce, and that bread. The "honey" in their name is not a joke, nor is it subtle. You have to be very careful how you utilize such intensely honey'd meat. Aiiiiie. So this sandwich was just not very good.

But still I somehow decided I should eat the rest of it for breakfast this morning. Ugh.

SAD SAD FOODS

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

What is up

Up is up! And so we continue on this rather sloooooow week. Yesterday I accomplished some things, which was nice. Invoices, assignments, post office trip. Today I have nothing to do, which is nice. I've just been assigned a preview I can go pick up tomorrow, allowing myself the freedom this afternoon to do whatever until meeting Oleya after work for Mexican food, anime, and videogames.

My Roger Cicero CD arrived today. I ordered Männersachen. I...don't even know what that word means--I didn't take much German. Not that it would be hard to find out or anything, I just haven't yet. Ok, now I got it ;p Just so you wont' all think I'm lazy. In ENGLISH: Men's Affairs. I think I like that. Anyways, his voice is just as amazing and classic as it was on Frauen Regier'n Die Welt (Women Rule The World) which is INDEED a bonus track on the disk, hence the order of it. I'll be tempted to pick up others now, though, despite the fact that the case got crunched a bit in shipping. I love his voice, I love the big band, and it's a much needed return to swing. Been a while.

Let's see. Other than that I watched Seven Up over lunch, the first in a 7 year-spaced episodic documentary series about...people! British people, in this one, kids of seven years old. They were, in a word, adorable. They talk about money, skin color, kissing, school... The wikipedia page lists copycat works for a variety of other nationalities including American, but also...

JAPANESE!

What I wouldn't give to see that.

Ok, a lot of things, but really--where can I find a copy of that?

Apparently they've also started a new batch fresh for the new millennium, but the originals are still going, too.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnd it's almost three o'clock...got some time yet to frolick about it. I took a shower already, so that's taken care of. I guess it's J-time.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

EmaWii vs. DMV-- FIGHT!

OR Declaration of Intent With Regards to Cars Etc.

I'm gonna try to get my driver's license. All I have to do is study for the permit test, learn to drive (again), and ACTUALLY TAKE THE DRIVING TEST THIS TIME. We'll see. I have road trip motivation and my friend in Santa Cruz said I can come down there and he'll teach me in his car. So there is really no reason not to do it, as far as I can tell. I mean, it doesn't cost much to buy the actual little plastic card, and I don't ever have to use it. I certainly don't want a car or anything like that. It'll just be handy if I ever need to rent one or something. And for road trips...

It's a lot better to tell your friends you want to road trip if you can do something besides read the map ;D

Anyways, so that's a long term goal, a few months out. I'm not sure if/how long you have to wait between getting your learner's permit and taking the test, but I'm sure it will take a while before I feel comfortable. I suppose I should probably take the test in Santa Cruz, too, to make things easier. I wonder how quickly I can reasonably be expected to learn. I mean, if I go to Santa Cruz and spend the good part of two weekend days driving (and a good amount of my cash on gas, dammit) say like, twice a month? I wonder how many months it would take.

I guess tomorrow I will call and make an appt to take the permit test. If I study for a week or two I should be able to get it. Most of it is common sense, if you've spent any time in a car. Plus, I did this before. Granted, that was in Wisconsin, but still...

Ah, *sigh* I don't want a California ID...

BUT I guess I'll just have to suck it up. Plus, then I can get a pic of me with short hair like it's supposed to be instead of the nasty pic I have no on my...*sniff* awesome Wisconsin ID.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

WARP THE SKY

It's come to my attention rather organically that if I borrow that phrase as my last slogan then we hit both extremes as well as the middle paradox.

Oleya and I are meeting up to see There Will Be Blood and I...can't wait! I'm going to leave early toting the copy of Wicked my mom gave me for X-mas (with the Chicago Broadway ticket--good show o_o) So far I'm enjoying the book even more than the musical, which is to be expected, I guess. So far it's a lot grittier, and uh...sexful.

Ha, I think I like that word. Now we can call all those prowling she-cats "sexful seductresses."

What am I talking about?

So yeah, we'll go see this new film that I am so hotly anticipating for whatever reason, and then we'll have some food. I am drawn to the idea of stopping by Golden Era for some vegan Chinese, but not irrevocably.

SOMETHING, ANYTHING

To go with MORE HOBBY, LESS BULLSHIT, stemming from a conversion with teh best friend regarding life, the Internet, and everything.

Today I am thinking specifically (and this is what I asked her just before announcing my coming here), "...how can I simultaneously want to insulate and expand??????"

HOW can I possibly at the exact same time (this brand spanking 08 day) want to scurry further down the rodent hole of my own exciting hobbies and yearn to broaden horizons till the sky warps?

I think the important way to start, which was expressed yesterday in the SOMETHING, ANYTHING line, is to realize that you don't have to learn everything. Stop being paralyzed by your tiny self and realize you will never wrap your mind around every single thing. If you look at something new and different everyday, no matter how briefly, then you're at least going somewhere.

Does this all become rather trite if I then express my exuberance upon finding that NPR streams a hell of a lot more than it used to? i.e. everything? I can listen to All Things Considered! I can listen to World Cafe!

As I explained to Oleya the other day, semaphores have always been my poster-boy for the SOMETHING, ANYTHING endeavor because I have always found them fascinating for some reason. I jokingly requested that we make flags and spend weekend afternoons across a park from each other.

And then we could sign things like "rofl lollerskates" and life would be complete.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Let us think not of...

...the Great Hinge.

...the weather.

...tomato soup.

Tomato soup isn't really soup at all, at least not the limited varieties I have come across. It is to be used almost exclusively as sandwich dipping sauce. I mean, ok, ketchup people, would you drink ketchup? CERTAINLY NOT. Thus, tomato soup shall not be slurped, but rather consumed secondarily riding the crust of a grilled cheese sandwich that you actually baked in the oven instead at 400 degrees.

For breakfast.

It's actually a really great breakfast on an intensely rainy day while trying to occupy yourself so as not to contemplate LARGER MATTERS. Especially when there are still X-mas cookies left, too.

Today my goal is not to clean my room, but rather, I think, to...finish BioShock and maybe write up an import preview of Xyanide, and maybe finish Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates, too. Finishings of the day be known! I'm obviously not going anywhere:

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

# of X-mas Cookies on the Decline

Well, it's the 2nd. The hinge day or so we hope.

I woke up earlier than I have been lately, had some cereal, read some manga, chatted online, took a walk to procure burrito, ate half of said burrito, played some BioShock, lost a Little Sister, decided to restart the zone later. Now it's...2:18.

I've been eating bunches of cookies and I'm sad that they will be gone sometime soon. The same thing has happened the past two years: I eat them away to the bottom of the plastic container and then refrain from washing it for awhile because it smells like X-mas. Not like we're to that point. I don't even think I'm half-way through the pile yet, but I'm already saddish.

I'm gonna hop in the shower and bus downtown to collect some work. Yep, work. I was sort of hoping we could hinge, enjoy BioShock, etc, before that would happen, but I guess I'm just meant to take assignments.

Which is fine. I guess as long as I'm picking up work this afternoon I should come back and clean my room, too. Real life must return at inverse the rate of cookie # decline...

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

2008 #1

Well, last night went off without a hitch as far as I can tell, which is about as far as my bedroom stretches. I was watching anime by that time, about a third of the way through Gurren Lagann ep 2 when the west coast switch happened. Scotty was still punking around online, too, so I said Happy New Year, finished my show, and sacked out.

Today and tomorrow present a wealth of opportunities to get right down to business on the biggest resolution, which happens to be:

MORE HOBBY, LESS BULLSHIT.

Actually, it's more like one extended opportunity, as I have absolutely NO PLANS until I find out (tomorrow) about what we shall here call "The Great Hinge." The Great Hinge will have quite a LARGE CHUNK of bearing on at least the immediate future, possibly extending into less foreseeable regions. It may not even do its hingy thing tomorrow, but the sub-hinge is that I will find out what I'm doing with the rest of my week or so.

My point is that at least for today and tomorrow, I am going to simply get over my cold and geek it up. That means more BioShock, more anime, Japanese, finishing up my latest Tom Robbins outing, etc. Sounds pretty lovely, I think.

Incidentally, let's talk for a minute about Gurren Lagann, which is being aired for free on the Anime Network's website, but seems to crash browsers or just plain not work more often than not. I did get it to work finally for the first episode, but for the second I just switched to fansubs on youtube. Annnnyways, I'm very interested to see what happens next. There's an awful lot of boobs and flaming gay, but the robots are really goofy and neat. They remind me of little cartoon characters I used to draw in fourth grade called "Headies." They were basically an egg-shaped head with little stubby arms and legs attached--a mom, a dad, a little sister, an annoying brother, a policeman, etc. The robots in this one have more useful appendages, but still retain the head as the entire core body. Bizarre! I love that Lagann's brain case acts as a shield for the pilot. Basically, I really hope they start talking about why there are giant robots fighting on the surface of the planet? Maybe that's too much to hope for? Maybe we should just be happy there are giant robots fighting at all? Could be, but I'm still interested in seeing what happens next :D

Ah, I'm so excited I'm not even sure what I should do first. I'm feeling mentally genki even if my physical self is a little phlegm-wracked.

(!)

Monday, December 31, 2007

New Year's Eve '07

Yesterday I got back from Wisconsin, packing a bunch of rad X-mas presents (minus the HD TV, which wouldn't fit--hopefully the post office can handle it, and by handle it, I mean actually deliver it to ME), some tasty X-mas cookies, and a cold, which has only gotten nastier. As a result of that last, I'm not really doing anything for New Year's Eve.

The plan was to go to Oleya's house and drink homemade eggnog, meet her bf, play videogames, probably watch cartoons or something, I dunno. Instead I'm having some soup and cookies, playing BioShock, probably gonna watch some anime...

Which sounded good, but I'm kinda bummed out now. I should just play more BioShock 'n stuff and not think about things but then I got all sappy and was reading back entries of my blog : /

Mrrf.

I'm psyched to see the New Doctor Who ep. Scotty saw it already and he was happy about it, so it must be good.

Yesterday at the grocery store I bought some "Puffins" cereal and...it's so delicious. If anyone who reads my blog is the reason I am addicted to these, please let me know. I had always meant to try them, but it was someone elses addiction that finally pushed me over the edge and I can't remember whose... All I know is that the original flavor is delicious. I bet the other kinds are good, too. Anyways, it's a good way to avoid eating whole wheat all. day. long. They are made out of corn.

Well, probably gonna do the dishes and play more BioShock. It's nice to just do whatever. I wish that soup would've been more filling. I feel like I didn't eat anything...except cookies heh. They're so good...

Hum : /

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Representative of X-mas Evening



It only LOOKS like this is all I did on X-mas. Clever editing.

Representative of X-mas Morning



We played some Blokus. Fun!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

IM IN UR MANGER KILLING UR SAVIOR

Everyone watch the new holiday classic!



So good.

I found it originally on boingboing, but you can find more stuff at For Tax Reasons.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

O: Return of the 'taku

I couldn't really think of a cornier title than that.

Anyways, net friend Louis, Oleya, and I HIT UP J-town today in a big way. First we stopped off for Okonomiyaki, which I haven't had since Tokyo. It was...amazingly delicious. Beefy, shrimpy, saucy, hot hot hot. I didn't burn my tongue though, surprisingly. We proceeded directly to the green tea ice cream cone for dessert, which was the exact brand of tastiness I had been pining away for.

After that it was time to see how much money we could save while ideally spending our entire bank accounts on manga, anime, snack food, etc. Personally, I picked up the first two Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei manga (in Japanese) as well as the first 20th Century Boys (also in Japanese.) I figure it's studying if I study them, right? You can make anything in a foreign language into studying! Just learn the words ;p I mean, that show is why I know what zetsubou means after all...

Speaking of shows, we ended up in the video store where for some reason they had more anime than I ever remember being aware they had. Pretty much anything I wanted was there, but we found the sale rack where Yami no Matsuei was only 28 dollars plus tax...the whole series. This was a nostalgia wave meant especially for me. Pre-viewed, but do I care? Do I really care? The answer is no. Oleya grabbed an identically pre-viewed and taped all together in a "box set" version of Love Hina and then we pranced away.

Nijiya was BONKERZ on a Saturday of course, and a near holiday Saturday you can expect even more. We grabbed some Gokuri Grapefruit (which they didn't have last time I was there!) and I picked up curry roux and SECRET INGREDIENT NUMBER 2 so I can make kickass X-mas Eve dinner for my family in WI.

Today is...awesome! I need to take a shower and eat some food before heading out to a concert. I don't even know who's playing, but Oleya does so it's cool :D

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Punkin' around

Well I did end up picking up some work this week. Turns out there are always more games to play (that aren't BioShock or Super Paper Mario, etc.) While running errands today, though, I picked myself up a year end game trade-in bonus extravaganza present. Took in a bunch of stuff I got for free and wasn't terribly keen on and came out with the Castlevania PSP game (with Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night) Fun stuff.

Recently been addicted to Blokus. It's a fun strategy game for four players...

Uhmmmmm...other than that been hanging out with friends. Oleya and I were burrito buddies and watched Ratatouille. Good movie, as of course, the entire rest of civilization already knew, heh. Dunno why I started blogging when I'm so tirrrrred. Sackin' out now.

Friday, December 14, 2007

mrrf

My doggy died yesterday. Very sad. She was pretty old and had lots of problems, so my mom took her to the vet and they put her down. I guess we're gonna get the ashes and think of something nice to do. Maybe sprinkle them around out in the woods where we used to live.

Last night Oleya invited me to her company X-mas party, where we proceeded directly to the open bar. Not like we got plastered or anything, that's just all there was to do before the awesome dinner. I had prime rib with garlicky mashed potatoes and veggies. Even the salad and bread was ridiculously good. Finished off with the richest carrot cake I've ever had. So much creamy frosting it was almost cheesecake-like in consistency. Met some of her co-workers, which was fun. There was live jazz.

Today is my last day in-house at IGN as they've decided they don't need a freelancer to sit around bored at the office while there's nothing exciting going on in the PC dept. Just as well if other things pan out, I guess, but we'll have to see if they pan out.

I did manage to scrounge up some work to putter about on after the deadline on Saturday, which I STILL haven't written anything for. I think it's probably just that holiday syndrome. Well, that and I've just been out doing things.

Like eating too much Japanese food and watching Advent Children with dudes from IGN! That was fun. I liked the movie, too. So pretty, la la la. Yes, I know how late I am to this party.

Speaking of parties, we're supposed to be having a Rock Band etc thing at my house on Sunday completely with holiday cheer, but I really need to clean up my room if anyone is going to fit in it. Only four people, but I have enough trouble finding places for two. Need...shelves. I wish I could just move in a studio nowwwwwwwwww...

*impatience ensues*

Anyways, I don't have any work to do at the moment...so...guess I'll just surf more.

Monday, December 10, 2007

A blog post

Oh hey I have this thing called a blog and I post on it!

HA

Uhm, let's see. ELO. I really like ELO. I've been listening to Time nearly everyday. That and Sam's Town by The Killers, even though it came out last year. I'm also gonna start getting into Bowie. I can just feel it.

Other news...is secret for now.

I spent Saturday afternoon in J-town. Found out they have the Sayounara Zetsubou Sensei manga at Kinokuniya, but they didn't have the first one. That's probably fine, since I spent enough money on miso ramen for lunch and snacks at Nijiya and the latest edition of Otaku USA (which I'm in, but probably not at my best...) annnnnd also an onomatopoeia book. I've never seen this one before and it impressed me with it's cute sample sentences. Also, there are adorable cartoon illustrations. The main character's name is Michey, which I'm pretty sure is a goofy misspelling of "Mickey" XD

So maybe now I'll study more.

heh

If I get some freeeee time.

Been making some new friends, which is cool. Maybe I'll use some of my social time to learn about other people's hobbies even though I don't have time for my own.

That could be fun.

Also: I rock at making J-curry. After learning the ancient Japanese method from Kayo, my curry is amazoring. So happy.

Oleya and I feasted on it this evening and are now about to make cupcakes for her birthday. Then I will introduce her to Super Mario Galaxy and life will be good.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

A House and a Crazy

I have a place to live!

Good. Glad that's out of the way.

It will be much much MUCH better there once I have Internet, which is thankfully (in time for the holiday!) on Monday.

I am certainly a very busy person. Still. I hope that I shall always continue to be one.

Focusing more on health would be good, though. Since my job is the anti-health hahaha Couch potato! If only I had a couch!

Other than that...there are probably things I mean to blog about...

Like how someone painted over my door in French, "Protect us, St. Christopher" and also something in Japanese.

Or how I never really see my roommates very often.

Or............how....I'm going to the FFXI Fan Festival this weekend :D

For Gamasutra!

Nooz abounds, but it seems sort of silly to ramble about it here. I ramble about it all day anyhow ;p

I can't wait for my PC to have internet so I can a) fill out invoices b) update my game blog.

I can spaz about Elebits heh


'n stuff

Wow, this is a pointless blog entry! I think I just wanted to emphasize that I have NO FREE TIME and am in fact, working even now.