2010, you HAVE to be better than 2009

Man, I can't wait for this year to be over. There were some good things, but overall it sucked ass. Here's my annual list of things to work towards in the new year.

1. Post more list oriented entries on this blog. This was #10 on my list from last year, so I'm putting it up top this year.

2. End the Ikea takeover in my apartment. I'm 31, it's time.

3. A new car. I know I just got my car only a few months ago, but I'm gonna have to upgrade to a car with power everything. And air conditioning. Seriously, I don't want to have to hand-crank my windows up and down anymore.

4. A classic: exercise more. Mainly for health reasons and to prevent me from feeling like a sluggish slob, but also to look decent while shirtless.

5. Practice philanthropy. I've reached a pivotal point in my life where I've got the means to help others, either through donations or volunteering, so I'd like to try and make the most of it. I'm rejoining Taproot Foundation to put my professional skill set to work and enrich local busineses who can't afford the service otherwise.

6. Be a better friend. I consider myself a pretty decent person and a good friend, but there's always room for improvement.

7. Get to know my family better. Though I love them, I've never been as close to my family as I'd like to be. Maybe in 2010 that will change.

8. Excel at my job. In 2010, with a new job, I'll try to do more than just meet expectations.

9. Less Facebook, more blogging. Facebook is like an ADHD exercise. I've got to learn to commit myself to writing a whole blog entry more often.

10. Dress like an adult. It was inevitable: I grew up. Now my clothes have to do the same. I guess it's good that I don't own very many graphic tees but do own a few pairs of corduroy pants. It's a start.

So here's to an awesome new year for me and you.
N.B. I failed miserably in my resolution to drink more in 2009. May 2010 be a drunken haze!

Wow, ok

Tonight I got a text from my sister saying that our autistic cousin was missing and she wanted to know what the best way to get the word out about him (tv news, radio, flyers, etc.). I thought it was a joke at first since, come on, how often do you get a text saying a family member is missing?

She was driving around San Jose looking for him without any luck (as you could imagine) while I was calling all the local news stations to see if they could put out an announcement and checking with all the hospitals just in case. Frantic was way of putting it. Shitting bricks is another.

Since he's autistic, he rarely goes anywhere by himself except to and from his adult education class. I was ready to drive down to San Jose to join her in aimlessly driving around when I got another text saying that the police had found him outside of a Target store miles away from where he was last seen. Man, I would have been pissed if I had actually left. What the hell was he doing across town at Target while everyone was freaking out? Ironically, I was also at a Target store when I got the initial text.

Lesson learned: implant a GPS chip under any of your loved ones' skin...immediately.

Not completely wasting my time

Lately I've been trying to spend my time doing things other than being online or at work. Or being online at work. Last week I volunteered at the San Francisco Food Bank. It's kinda fun in an assembly line kinda way. We repackaged bulk granola and brown rice into one-pound bags, which then went into boxes. My job was to do the initial filling of the bags as close to one pound as possible. I've discovered that I've got a knack for this (hitting one pound more often than not) and one of my teammates suggested that I'd be a good drug dealer.

I didn't really think about the people who would be there, but it was surprising that most of the people there were my age or younger. I guess I expected to see more of the mom type (because that's what I see on the news when they do stories on food banks during the holidays?? I don't know).

This year I'm also doing the Adopt-A-Family program at the Raphael House again. My friend Lucie told me about it and I thought it would be nice to contribute. The house is more or less a shelter for homeless children and families in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. The program asks that you provide gifts for the children as well as a family gift and a gift card to some place practical like Safeway or Target. Last year I spent way more than I really should have, but it was really fun shopping for my girl and her family (hence the overdoing of the gifts).

My motivations aren't completely altruistic, though. Growing up, we were pretty poor and my parents used services similar to these and lately I've been feeling like I have a responsibility to "give back," as they say. If you have the time or money, you should, too. And not just because it's the holidays, but because I told you to.

You can email Anne at SF Food Bank (more info here) or Anna at Raphael House (more info here) if you are a good, decent person.


This stuff isn't going to repackage itself into one-pound bags.

I'm stressed out as fuck

So, to relieve some of that stress, I'll revisit this blog, which I more or less abandoned months ago. The thing is, I've got two presentations tomorrow and lots of stuff to design. I'll be working til at least 3 in the morning tonight. But I've got sketches done!

Adult life is tougher than what I had imagined as a child (or hoped for). Recently I've been reminiscing about how stupid I was to complain about life as a kept kid. I didn't have to pay for anything and got everything. Oh well, those days are gone, so I should probably worry about today. And these projects. And the presentations tomorrow.

Back to work.

Oh, and thanks, mom and dad, for the braces and those Nike Cortez shoes you got me way back when.


In Bataan, Philippines

One wasn't enough

Shortly after starting to contribute to Uyen's food blog, I wanted something even quicker and more instantly satisfying. It's a food diary filled with camera phone pictures of the things I eat throughout the day. Maybe I can sell it as a book one day. Probably not, though.

It was inevitable

Uyen and I have started a food blog. It's two people who eat too much writing about the food that make, eat, etc.

Brian's gonna wish he never invited me to go camping

Audrey texted me and told me to download the Mad Decent app for my iPhone. It's a very simple app: you choose an icon, touch the screen, and the app plays the corresponding sound. For instance, the default is an air horn. You tap the screen and it makes a very loud air horn noise.

My favorite is a G.I. Joe-ish looking guy on a hoverboard. The sound he makes is nothing like you'd expect. Have a listen here.

Next weekend when we're camping in Sequoia National Park, Audrey and I plan to wake Brian up each day with a few choice sounds. Good morning, Brian!

Week in review

Just some bits and pieces of me...to you.

• I've postponed the trip Patrick and I were going to take to the Dominican Repulbic, which turned into Costa Rica, but now probably Puerto Rico. It was mostly because it'll be unbelievably hot and humid there, but also because it'll be hurricane season and I kinda want to see if this Swine Flu business will taper off soon.


• I found an awesome app for the iPhone/iPod that takes your pictures and turns them into actual postcards that physically gets sent. This will be handy when I'm on Caribbean beaches.


• My garden is doing well. This season: tomatoes, beets, butter lettuce, zucchinis, eggplants, okra, and maybe some marigolds and herbs.


• I've decided I want a car. But there's that money thing I need to deal with first.


• Work has been kind of ridiculously demanding this year so far, but it seems to be getting better...at least until next week.


• I am super excited to go camping again this June. Haven't been in a while. I'll probably plan another Big Sur trip soon. I love that place. Who's in?

Here's a photo of Brian being attacked by a blue jay on one of our camping trips.

Microsoft FAIL

I just saw two new Microsoft ads (ones which follow a trail of distasteful/failed ads featuring little kids taking pictures of stuff, people being fooled into thinking they were using a better OS, Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates acting entitled, etc.) via one of the many blogs in my RSS reader. In theory, these ads make sense: with the economy not doing so hot, you want to sell buyers the idea that cheaper is better. But that is exactly it: you're selling them a cheaper product. Of course the PCs are cheaper if the specs don't match up with the competing Macs. Sure, Lauren (who happens to be an actress...aren't these people supposed to be real folk who answered an ad?) got a cheap PC, but one that completely under-performs in all aspects compared to a comparable Mac, including half the battery life.

Also, isn't Microsoft a software company? Why do the requisites of Giampaolo's desired laptop all relate to hardware? The size of the keyboard, the amount of RAM, and battery life have nothing to do with software. Hmmmm. Also, if Giampaolo wanted something portable, wouldn't he want a 13" or smaller laptop and not a behemoth 16" one? Double hmmmm. Another also: why is HP the only PC brand mentioned and bought in these ads? Did HP subsidize these spots? TRIPLE hmmmm (but that's beside the point, so I digress).

I have trouble believing that Cripin, Porter + Bugosky are 100% behind the ads they created. I think that Microsoft's marketing team bullied them into creating ads that would push the "cheaper" messaging at the expense of any real substance. But to the agency's credit, I think these were shot at Fry's. I can spot those shrub-lined parking lots any day. I love you, Fry's Electronics.

The moral of the story? There are a few: 1) Don't trust ads with "real people" who have a long acting history, 2) You get what you pay for and 3) Shop at Fry's.


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A new camera, a new venture

After getting over the shock and disbelief of my DSLR crapping out on me in China (and consequently destroying ALL my photos taken up until that day there, including ones of the Great Wall), I planned on getting myself a newer, better camera.

Last week I finally did it (after 4 months of deliberation) and got myself another Canon, this time the XSi. Instead of 8MP, now I have an insane 12.2MP per shot. I don't know when I'll ever need that many pixels, but whatever.

Today I came up with the brilliant plan to start taking pictures with it to sell as stock photography. I've gotta make it worth my while, right? I got a huge sheet of white paper and started shooting whatever was around the apartment and got some decent images. Maybe I'll make enough money to buy decent lighting supplies one day. Here are a few samples.


The creepiest mask ever made


A bloody latex hand


A souvenir from China


Sock monkey


A stone stamp, also from China

A song I still love

Sometimes I hear a song that I haven't heard in years and wonder "Why have I not heard it in years?" This Mortal Coil's cover of this song is much more wonderful than the original. Sorry, Tim. Also, how amazing is Elizabeth Fraser?




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Emojis, when letters just won't cut it

There's an app that unlocks the hidden emojis on iPhones not sold in Japan. I love them because 1) they're adorable, 2) they're prettier than letters, and 3) PICTIONARY.

Below is tonight's conversation with Ross*.



*I love my buddy Ross because he humors during moments like these.

It's all about me

On Facebook, there's this pass-it-on kind of list where you write 25 random facts about yourself and then tag 25 of your friends and they return the favor. I ignored it at first, dismissing it as another bad survey a la MySpace, but I've actually found out a lot about friends that I didn't know before. Strange as it sounds, I felt a little closer to my buddies.

So, I took some time and compiled my own. It falls in line with my resolution to make more lists this year. See below.

1. I have a hard time giving out details of my life to people, except if it's about something I've eaten or somewhere I've been. In those cases, I'll go into detail and provide photos. This list will be an exercise in self-disclosure for sure.

2. I've really never felt proud of my country until last year, when I was moved to tears.

3. I still think about going back to school to become a biologist; biology intrigues and amazes me ceaselessly.

4. Sometimes I dream about winning the lottery. Then I'd take the money, buy an apartment building, live in one of the units and rent out the rest. Maybe I'd knock out the walls between two units and make myself one big one. It would provide a place to live as well as a steady income. Is that weird...or totally rational?

5. I've done the Master Cleanse once before and am considering it again soon. I like the taste of the spicy lemonade and enjoy the challenge. What I don't like are the salt flushes. I won't go into detail here.

6. I haven't had cable since the late 90's. I have to rely on friends or online video services to catch up on the cable shows I enjoy like Top Chef and Project Runway. BTW, anyone know when (if ever) the new PR will be on next?

7. Speaking of which, Jeopardy! is my favorite show of all time. I'll sometimes plan my night around it. I can do without the short one-on-ones with the contestants. I'm usually embarrassed by the trivial (ha!) stories they tell. Also, note to self: brush up on Shakespeare trivia.

8. I wish I could sing, if only so I could do karaoke. (I'd want to do Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' "Islands in the Stream")

9. "Have I grown up yet?" is a question I ask myself often. I don't really feel 30 or anywhere close to it. I know I'm an adult by definition but feel strange when someone refers to me as one.

10. I don't drink and feel like it's a social handicap so I've made it one of my new year's resolutions to start. Patrick's been helping me but it hasn't really happened yet.

11. I love gadgets and electronics. LOVE. I couldn't/don't want to imagine life without my phone, laptop, tv, camera, etc.

12. I'm allergic to a lot of foods but still eat them anyway. I enjoy food and won't let a few hives get in the way of my pleasure. Watermelon makes my throat close up, but it's SO refreshing.

13. I miss Barcelona to death and can't wait until I'm there again. I think it's incredibly romantic. It's also very beautiful and has tons of history. Barcelona is easily my favorite city and inspired me to relearn Spanish (though Latin Spanish, via tapes). I'm also going to learn to make paella.

14. On the other hand, I was disappoint with my trip to China. If it wasn't for the amazing man-made and natural structures, I would not have ever stepped out into the VERY polluted air. The food we had wasn't that great, which I was looking forward to.

15. The longest job I had was at Johnny Rockets (over 5 years) as a server in downtown San Jose while in college. I worked short hours, made good tips, and had hamburgers and shakes all day. For five years.

16. I've been a cook, a seller of books and clothes (not at the same time), a tutor, a machinist, a server, an intern, a production artist and a graphic designer.

17. I'm grateful to have kept in touch and on occasion reconnected with old friends through social networking sites. Go Web 2.0!

18. I own a house in Sacramento with my sister which we rent out to sorta crappy tenants. I'm looking into getting a place in the city, but it seems a little out of my grasp right now. Come on, lottery. Big money!

19. I keep a community garden plot where I've grown lettuce, zucchini, watermelon, sugar snaps, broccoli, eggplants, bok choy, carrots, etc. Some were more successful than others.

20. I can't stand how cute cats are. I'm really bummed out that I developed an allergy to cats, even though I used to have two in a house I rented with Jimmy.

21. I love cooking, but enjoy buying cookware even more. I bought a bunch of stuff so I could prepare a couple dishes for a dinner Christmas eve. Then I spent three hours in bed Christmas morning buying even more online.

22. There's a scar on the bridge of my nose from when I fell when I was six months old. There's also a scar on the pad of my right index finger, but I don't know when or how it got there.

23. Oh my god, I'm almost done. My brain hurts from compiling this list. Are you still reading?

24. I can play the flute, drums, piano (and other keyboardy type instruments), and guitar, but don't because I'm not very good at any of them.

25. I love camping, especially if the camp site is next to water. I love to sit and watch the campfire for hours. I love s'mores. I hate breaking down a tent, though.

Ha-ha funny

I just want to thank Kristen Wigg for keeping SNL funny when Tina Fey isn't doing her Sarah Palin impersonation.

China diaries, pt. 3...FINALLY

Okay, so I got a little sidetracked with life and haven't gotten around to the last installment of my vacation in China. I barely remember what happened in those two weeks so I'm sure you've already forgotten I was even in China. Remind yourself here and here.

Ok, so here we go...

Day 9: Shanghai

Um, so in my notes taken on my iPhone all I have is "Really losing my patience for the Chinese." Apparently everyone pushes their way in front of everyone else...and there are lines just about everywhere you looking in China. So all the pushing and shoving and elbowing that the old Chinese ladies do on the 30 Stockton bus to Chinatown? Yup, they brought that skill from China...it's not just an act for courteous Americans that wait their turn.

I think this was also the day I went to the Shanghai Museum...a museum about Shanghai. It's located inside the Oriental Pearl, the third tallest tower building in the world. The view from the observation deck was pretty cool, but the best thing about it was the museum. The wax figures were the best I've ever seen. My favorite was the opium den with the crackheads (opium heads?). I also dug the miniature city scenes depicting Shanghai through its history


View from the observation deck...so much smog


Wax woman


Opium junkies

Days 10-12: Shanghai/Xiamen

Nothing really spectacular happened the last couple days. I was kind of over it and was really exhausted from walking around everyday. We did get a chance to go knock-off shopping, which turned out to be pretty disappointing for me. After reading about the Chinese government shutting down the knock-off operations because of complaints from the designers about intellectual property and whatnot, I was worried there was only be cheap non-designer things to buy. Leave it to the capitalists to proof me wrong! Only a could minutes on the street and a lady comes up to us with a printout with photos of bags from Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, etc. We were lead down an alley, then through a maze of side streets, and then into a showroom full of fakes. Some were pretty damned good. Our tour guide was able to talk them into selling a 4,000 yuan bag to my sister for less than 400. Lesson: don't pay the given price...ever. I dreamt of going home with an authentic looking Gucci wallet but left empty-handed. At least my sister scored.

Since not much happened, here are some more random pictures from Shanghai. Chay chen!!!


Knock-off Lane


More wax statues


Most enjoy Least annoy


Miniature Shanghai


Miniature theatre

Fucked up shit

SFist posted an article about Prop 8 Maps, which uses Google Maps to pinpoint people who donated to the Prop 8 campaign. It's kind of fascinating and kind of disheartening to see that so many people donated (I've only scanned San Francisco and San Jose). I hope I don't recognize anyone I know.