"If I had a million dollars..."

("if i had a million dollars")

*sings*

It'd be so cool if I had a huge wad burning a hole in my pocket :D I don't understand why people think it would be bad to have so much money you didn't know what to do with. You would always come up with something eventually, even if that something is giving it all away. Infinite monies, yum! ^_^

For starters, though, I would buy some wicked t-shirts.

HoLY mACaroNI!!!

Daniel Pinkwater is serializing his new book FOR FREE ONLINE *falls over*

I'm sooooo excited. Seriously, he's one of my favorite authors of all time, not to mention my FIRST favorite author. Ah, fourth grade.

And WHO should let me in on this delightful news, but Cory Doctorow (via boingboing) All of this makes me terribly happy.

Let's just proclaim it all at once!

First, I have a job.

It's that short-term Japanese travel agency, but they called and said they will be giving me a call later with my hours etc.

Huzzah. That's really all I can expect anymore, anyways...

SINCE

it looks like I will indeed be going to Tokyo for one (1) semester. Not two, but one. I'll still get a homestay and some advanced coursework. This is a good thing. I'll have something to build on when I get back. When I get back to do two sciences and something American. Whoo haa.

I feel pretty good about this arrangment. I will have to miss the boy, but only for a semester. I guess it's sort of the best of both worlds.

I only have one more year of school left!

Also: I need to get used to carrying ID, because on Monday I can officially go into a bar and no one can stop me. No more hatachi, but there's nothing at all wrong with nijuuichi ;D

UPDATE: Dude, I just got a call from Golden Gate Perk, one of the cafes I really wanted to work at. They were offering me a job. UGH, and I can't take it, cuz they don't want me if I'm leaving, which I am. *sigh* How frustrating...

Chore Day

Today is going to be a day for washing dishes, picking up the bedroom, destroying computers, taking out the trash, and laundry.

Also some JAPANESE.

Currently investigating the possibility of only doing one (1) semester abroad and coming back to graduate on time. It could happen, theoretically.

Also gonna continue my computer learnin'.

So far this morning I've eaten cereal, munched on a very very stale brownie with coffee, and putzed on the net. The boy had a shower and is off to write.

I guess I have a lot to do. First step is groceries, I think. We're out of some important stuff like bread and milk @_@

%_%

Today is too stressful, so I'm opting for some simple wisdom.

I got up at quarter to 4.

The boy went to bed at four and I woke up. Tried to fall asleep again, but couldn't so I finally just got up. I was thinking about too much crud. Like The Mouse and the Motorcycle. I really want to see that movie.

Also school.

I'm pretty much to the point where I wish I could just quit. The way it stands, no matter what I do is a complete hassle and I don't want to deal with any of it anymore. Maybe I SHOULD just work at a coffee shop forever.

But then, I can't seem to get a job at a coffee shop, so that may be out of the question as well.

It's all ridiculously stupid.

Anyways, this past weekend not much happened. I read a lot. Haruki Murakami - After the Quake and South of the Border, West of the Sun. Both very good. I missed his style. Had photograms taken on Sunday. Made a little money which should just go straight to the boy. We went out for yellow curry at this little Thai hole in the wall around the corner.

I meant to write more and with better quality about both of these things but I'm in no mood right now to do much but spew.

Ugh. The idea was to wake up and make myself tired and go back to bed, but instead I became more awake, had breakfast, and am now going to have to sit here for hours with nothing to do.

The sun's coming up.

The morning, too.

Long, that is. Actually, the boy came home early yesterday. Still without its rough spots, the afternoon continued on. There was macaroni and cheese, candy and soda, and much laundry.

I slept, but the boy did not, so this morning I do my normal thing.

And then I eat a sandwich, realizing it is lunchtime.

Then I think maybe I wasn't that hungry, but I was.

Or something.

I actually ended going back to bed for a little, just to chill.

I'ma eat some Oreos.

The afternoon is long.

This morning I had the worst muffin I've ever eaten in my whole life at this cafe off Van Ness and Geary. It was blueberry. If I would've known it was going to be that horrible I would've had a donut or something. All of it looked pretty bad. Getting anything at all was against my better judgement, but I had arrived 15 minutes early and felt like a snack.

Randy came and we drank coffee together for a half hour before he headed to work. Neither of us had much to talk about. We generally chat a bit online daily, and never have much to say even then, so it was pretty dull conversation. Nice to see him, though. He's my first friend here besides the boy.

After that I've mostly just been reading and putzing around online. I have enough quarters for one more load of laundry. I'll do it in the machine that works. I'm not sure what to wash. Some combination of shirts and pants, I guess. We have some clean towels already. I should also do dishes. There really aren't that many and it's all easy stuff, nothing terribly messy. I'd like to pick up some more and wipe off the table, too. It's really dirty with coffee grounds, crumbs, granola, cheese... I guess I'm pretty sloppy.

*sigh*

Having issues (with myself)

Library was fine.

The walk back (and mostly uphill) was a bit strenuous.

Got exercise anyhow.

Good books.

No news on jobs.

Slacked off, ate dinner.

Didn't do dishes.

Sifted through allllll the laundry.

All.

Did a load, but the machine broke.

Damn.

EVIL.

Gave up.

One of my brain is now going to berate the other half for being immature and childish.

Not about the laundry.

I'm going to bed soon, and sometime the boy will be home.

Things Done and To Do

Bad pun.

Apparently my library book is overdue. This is very sneaky, however. For the last several books I checked out I received notices a few days in advance of the due date. I thought it was terrific and brilliant. So helpful! Now, rather than check my library account on their website for my due dates, I could just relax and read my e-mail like I do several times a day anyways. This time, unfortunately, I got a message saying my book was due over a week ago and that I would be held responsible for ten cents a day. Granted, that isn't much, but they had lulled me into this state of security with their friendly reminder e-mails and then turned around and ignored me. *sadface*

I wanted to go tomorrow. Today was supposed to be coffee with Momo (which turned out to be "fruit salad while I waited for her to arrive because I was too early) and the afternoon domestic. Is ten more cents so dear? Yes, yes it is. I will go. But first I will chill here a little longer and do pointless things ^_^

Dreams and

If you are choking on a hot dog, Dr. Freud will see you momentarily.

Restricted communication. Afraid to say something.

Choking dreams are often a fearful experience and it is not uncommon for dreamers to awaken from them.

The dream dictionaries were not very helpful, and no, I did not dream I was choking on a hot dog, FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!

I sacked out around 11:30, but couldn't sleep. I even thought about getting back up and talking to Scott, but I didn't feel like I would get anywhere. It is just Tokyo crap that is bothering me. Stupid stupid stupid.

Anyways, I finally feel asleep and ended up having this dream where I was being choked. Not by a person, not by food, (hence the dream dictionaries completely failing me.) It was actually, mostly my clothing and this weird...chokey...band that was around my neck. I dunno how it got there or what I thought it was, but I couldn't get it off in the beginning so it was pretty scary. Then I got that off, but I was wearing this turtle-necky thing that was still choking me.

I woke up.

So the third example was right about THAT if nothing else.

The second dictionary may have a point...

BUT I think it doesn't take a whole lot to see that I'm feeling a little held back.

Here are some bullet points:

- My mom said you don't pay $48,000 for fluency. At the time I couldn't think of anything to say to that, but after I got off the phone I realized that that's certainly a plausible salary for someone fluent in Japanese and English. A year abroad outbound, a year of work inbound? (eventually anyways...)

- This is what "serious" Japanese majors do. It's the kids who are just there for fun who don't go. It's important.

- I was really looking forward to the advanced classes. I need those. Rehashing, while necessary at times, isn't enough to get you fluent.

- I won't be able to do a home stay again. I was very excited about interacting with Japanese kids and being involved with a family-- and not through babysitting or something.

Add to the fact that I now have to write some letter begging SFSU to let me in for fall and only found that out after taking the train out there, wasting quarters and time, etc etc.

There are still pros to staying, but last night all the cons attacked.

Sorry, but...

this kid is really cute and I had to repost this. It's likely you have seen it, but it's just such a goofy pic. I CAN'T HELP IT!!!

Brazilian Soccer

This is silly.

A Leisurely Account of What Today Has Brought Thus Far

The sky was very grumpy-looking this morning. I was certain it would rain all over me on my way to Starbucks for the open interview session, but things cleared up in a jiffy without me even noticing. Turned out quite beautiful.

The first dilemma of the day was the distressing lack of fruit around the house. There was juice and preserves, neither of which are fit (as bananas are) to put in cereal. So, I had it plain. On the bright side, I managed to figure out a recipe that will work for the coffee we bought the other day. The recommended amount per 6 oz of water stated by the package makes ridiculously strong. Trial and error have brought us to a happy level.

My laptop died while I was in the shower. All I asked was that it play me the new Phoenix CD, but apparently that was too much for it to handle. The screen was a pretty blue color. I think now the battery is dead.

On the way to Starbucks I was glared at by a boy in a cable car. They rolled by and he didn't take his eyes off me. Would've been rather creepy if he wasn't in the middle of the car going away up the hill. A fairly intense gaze.

Later on I was halfway across the street when an undercover cop car suddenly started flashing and sirening. It was a little awkward because he wasn't really moving fast when he did it. Seemed silly for him to stop at the light, though, with all the noise he was making, so I ended up moving back (though I wasn't really in his way yet...) Strange!

My interview went pretty well. I arrived early and casually at a fruit salad until 1 o'clock. It was my second job fair at the same location. Maybe I'm right for the company now, since I won't be leaving in September. I feel like I answered all of her questions well. Also noted that it would be pretty nifty if I could work at one of the stores near Mission and 2nd, where the boy is. I should be hearing about this in the next couple of days, and if not Starbucks, then maybe Golden Gate Perk.

After that, the boy and I had lunch at the sandwich place near his work. The toasty one. I had roast beef and provolone with lettuce, tomato, and mustard. Unfortunately all the veggies did was take away from the yummy taste of the meat. Still very tasty, though. It was good to have lunch together today, because I know the rest of his week is really busy. Have to take advantage of the days that work.

Frank Chu was following me around. Well, maybe not, but I saw him twice. We must make similar rounds.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that the coin-op laundry place around the corner stole fifty cents from me, which not only puts me out fifty cents, but also ruins plans for clean clothes. I really wanted that detergent. Of course, there are other things I can clean this afternoon, but that little disheartening episode has taken a bit of the wind out of my sails.

Hence, a brief bout of surfing, and making sure we spell "hordes" correctly each time.

The day's activities

Thanks Ian.

I had a job interview. I suppose it went ok. The whole I'm not really sure what I'm doing in the fall thing makes me sound very sketchy. Also, I don't think he was pleased with my lack of experience in coffee shops. I did see him write "good" at least once.

I think I imagined he was commenting on my vocabulary.

That place has this really tasty looking cappuccino cake, but I haven't tried it.

Dessert was brownie...and how!

I think I'm going to have to work harder at adjusting my food schedule. Or maybe I should just try really hard to let go of the schedule. It's nice having a schedule now, though. Maybe it's a crutch, but it helps me not worry so much about it. In other words, I think the fact that my schedule is off is contributing to the rise in food-related moodiness.

I'm going to be writing a book review for LD soon. I guess my review copy is in the mail. I think I will try to do some preliminary research. I feel like to write a competant review of the novel, I will need to know a bit more about the context, namely post 9/ll data, surveillance, etc. I should look over the press dealio again tomorrow and pick out some things to read about.

Actually, I read a lot today. All online. I realize that's why it's taking me so long to get through The Amber Spyglass. I'm not reading it ;p

Which is fine, because I read about other things and played some games and got really frustrated with Circle of Dawn. Past injuries.

Oh and I've been having strange dreams lately. The only part I really remember anymore about last night is that it was really hard to walk. I had a long way to go and every step was so painful I felt like I was going to collapse. I probably did eventually. There was other stuff too...but it's escaped me.

1001 of Everything - The Ones I've Done

Sorry this took so long. I actually went through them that same afternoon, but all the lists have to go through moderation. They're up now, though.

Books

Movies

Albums

Ta-da. Not terribly impressive, but it was a decent time-wasting endeavor. Now if I don't know what to read (when does that happen? I always have a backlog of a thousand million trillion things to read...) I can just zip onto that list and look for something unhighlighted that sounds interesting.

Holy cow, I want this.

Why didn't I think to search for something like this sooner? Gamefly (which has probably been around forever) allows the ease and laziness of a Netflix account, only for video games. That is already kickass, but what makes it even better is that in addition to the stuff you would be able to find at the Blockbuster down the street, they send HANDHELD GAMES. I have always wanted to rent Gameboy games, and now I can. This officially rocks. Or at least it would, if I had a job ;D

I'm supah.

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 80% Spider-Man 65% Robin 57% Green Lantern 55% The Flash 50% Supergirl 47% Wonder Woman 37% Batman 35% Iron Man 30% Catwoman 20% Hulk 20%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

The jig is up...

looks that way, anyhow. I'm not going to linger on this terribly, but for anyone who hasn't heard yet, it is incredibly likely that I WON'T be going to Tokyo in Sept.

Yes, that's WILL NOT.

It's not a very long story, mostly to do with little scraps of grimy green paper and how I don't have many of them. Also how I will have to relinquish all the ones I do manage acquire to the bank until I die.

In any case, I am surprisingly unscathed. I spent one fretful (to understate) afternoon and now feel fairly upbeat, even...cheery. There are many more pros than cons and just because I don't go to Tokyo NOW doesn't mean that I will never go. Also, maybe I'll get a job now...

That's not set in stone, but, like I said, it's a good bet. California has been treating me well thus far, so hopefully it will continue to do so in the future.

!

The weekend passed rather featurelessly. That's not true. The boy brought home presents, in fact, there have been quite a few lately including Ox and a keychain of Icebat. The time consuming one was God of War. Yes, I've been meaning to finish that game for quite some time now, so we played the whole thing :D It was grand. I'll be 1Uping about it soon. There were also brownies. In fact, there still ARE brownies, which makes me happier about tomorrow ^_^

He also got himself a present, namely, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. I'll probably manage to say something about this as well, even though I'm not playing too much of it. It's not exactly a shining example of Castlevania-y goodness...(quite the opposite in many, if not all, respects ;p)

Yesterday was THE LAST Doctor Who. My first end of a season. Awww. We only have to wait until X-mas for a new ep. That is sort of cute. I'm glad Rose is gone, but at the same time I feel horribly because the Doctor really liked her and I don't like seeing him upset ;p

The only other thing I think I will mention (besides requesting crossed fingers for the week's interviews) is that I applied to write for Joystiq today. I'm fairly certain I haven't got a chance in hell, but stranger things have happened. Not to me personally...but...

;D

It would be nifty.

Rearranged my links

They are categorized and added to. I haven't given up on an aggregator, but at least in the meantime I won't have to worry about tracking down what I want all the time.

Banana!

UPDATE: So I added a bunch more stuff from my laptop. While I was at school in my dorm I surfed a lot and came up with many MANY links to things that I never really got around to reading because I forgot them once I quit using my laptop in favor of the (online) desktop here at the boy's apt. Maybe I can start.

So, there are a lot of new links. Check them out! I wouldn't have saved them if I didn't think they were nifty. I will check them out too :D