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!

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.

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.

Goodbye, 2008

It's that time of year again. The list from the beginning of 2008 was carried out pretty well, with at least a 50% success rate. Here's a list of what I'd like to see happen in 2009 for myself. See you in OH NINE!

1. Get new DSLR and new point and shoot
2. After getting #1 done, take more pictures
3. Fit into a size 30" jeans again
4. Recycle/reuse/conserve more
5. Be healthier in general
6. Stop renting
7. Go out more
8. Drink (it really is socially crippling to not drink)
9. Smoke less
10. Make more lists

Below is the worst animated GIF I've ever seen in my life.

Oh happy day!

After years and years of sweets-induced cavities, I ended up with a mouth full of amalgam fillings. Yes, those are the ugly silver ones. Today, this holy Tuesday, I got the last of them replaced with enamel-colored fillings. It all started here.

The lower right side of my mouth is still numb and I occasionally poke at it just to make sure of it. You can totally see the effect of the novacaine in the photo...my mouth doesn't always look that retarded.

Yay for teeth!

Things to strive for in 2008

1. Learn to speak Spanish fluently
2. Work on creative projects outside of work
3. Explore my city
4. Learn new skills
5. Eat at new restaurants
6. Take more photos
7. Get cable (maybe)
8. Buy an iPhone
9. More time at the gym
10. Save money

Top 10 bands/artists to work out to

Ten of my favorites while on the treadmill, in no particular order:

1) Sally Shapiro
2) The Jesus and Mary Chain
3) Andrew W.K.
4) Sean Paul
5) The KLF
6) The Faint
7) Timbaland/Justin Timberlake/Nelly Furtado (let's count them as one)
8) VHS or Beta
9) Madonna (I had to include her)
10) Old School vs. New School hip hop remix album

Related: I bought an ab roller at the thrift store yesterday. I haven't really got it to work my abs yet, but my triceps seem to get pretty sore using it. I wouldn't mind firm, non-flabby triceps.

I need to be somewhere like this

I really need to be where the leaves change colors. So, so pretty. I'm tired of green and brown all the time. Every now and then city living misses big time.

Fruits and veggies

Recently I decided that my diet is not what you'd call "good." In addition to the sheer quantity of food a day, the quality of what I eat doesn't help (read: pastries with frosting/icing, candy, anything fried, etc.). After this realization (and the fact that I couldn't fit into my slim 29" shorts anymore), a change in diet was needed. This means that, yes, I will have to cut out all but three meals (with little snacks between each). For the first week, I felt hungry all the time (I know, I know. You're thinking I'm hungry all the way regardless...screw you!).

I started reading The Man Who Ate Everything by food critic Jeffrey Steingarten and at the very beginning of the book, he lists all the food that he wouldn't ever touch. These things included kimchi, Greek food (!!!), anchovies, clams, okra, and coffee ice cream. I thought: I would happily eat all these things, and quickly so. Then I realized my problem: I have no food aversions...at all. I'll eat anything. It's a great survival mechanism, but it also makes it very easy for me to over eat.

My game plan? Start eating more veggies and fruits. Fruits are easy because they're sweet and don't need much preparation. Also, work provides fruits, so all I have to do is go to the kitchen and pick out something that isn't rotten yet. I've also been doing pretty well with the veggies. I snack on cherry tomatoes and baby carrots. A favorite of mine has been kale, with some lemon juice and pepper. So far so good. Keep your chubby fingers crossed for me.


Kiwis, plums, and grapes.


Banana, apple, pear.

Goodbye, silver tooth fillings

Today marks the fourth(!) time I've been to Dr. Atrouni's office in the past three weeks. Every visit has been a sweeping success. Most of my disgusting silver fillings have been replaced by enamel-colored ones. Dental artistry indeed! Besides from the great dental work, the hospitality of the staff is hands down the best I've ever received from a dental/medical office. They talk to me and ask about my day. They even take pictures of me with my phone for my blog (thanks, Lauren!).

Whenever my teeth are being worked on, I get headphones and a DVD of my choice. For some reason I always pick Friends. I guess I'm just hoping it's one of the Thanksgiving episodes. Thank you, Dr. Atrouni (and various assistants), for being there with me when Rachel and Ross broke up and for being there when they got back together (remember when Monica had to cook with Mockolate?!!).

Till we meet again, I promise I'll floss (more) regularly!


Dental dam doesn't taste good.


A shot of my digital x-rays that I snuck in.


My mandibular central incisors.

Not so smooth move

If you ever decide to take an herbal tea laxative, make sure you drink lots of water afterwards and only drink one bag's worth of the tea at a time. It started when I was feeling a little bit blocked, if you know what I mean. After a couple days of being...um, blocked, I thought it was time to make good use of the Smooth Move laxative tea left over from my Master Cleanse days. Instead of steeping just one bag, I thought it would work twice as fast if I used two bags. There's an 8 to 12 hours wait, the box said.

Trouble started the next day when I couldn't stop visiting the throne. It's a good idea to keep your whole day free if you're going to take this tea. Nature will call often. As I sit here writing this blog (two days after the fact), Nature is still tugging at my sleeve...ever so slightly.

Fun Friday

There are surprisingly a lot of people at the gym on Friday night. I'm starting to worry about my Bay-to-Breakers run. It's a month away and there's no way I think I can run a 12k (7.something miles) course all the way through. Well, actually, I ran almost 5 miles today and wasn't too tired afterward. Runners have 3 1/2 hours to cross the finish line; after that they take it down and you'd be running aimlessly around the city.

Right now I'm at Helena's waiting for Morrissey to come on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Actually, she's waiting for him to come on and I'm looking up pictures of Carrot Top and his waxy-lookin' skin.


CT with Sly and Tom Jones. Three lookers.

Good for wrinkles or full of sugar?

Can anyone confirm the beneficial effects of pomegranate juice? Are the antioxidants as protective as it says on bottle? I guess with a fruit that requires so much motivation and ambition to eat, one would assume that there's a greater reward.

That said, I really don't care for Odwalla's PomaGrand. With 27g of sugar per serving (two per bottle), it's still incredibly tart/pucker-inducing. I prefer Pom.



BTW, whoever tried to "hide" my drink didn't do a very good job. You suck.

New year, new things

I've been kinda going crazy buying new things for the house. When I first moved out on my own, I pretty much bought everything second-hand. Then IKEA opened and all my stuff was either plastic or partical board. I've recently adopted the belief that if I buy something cheap, even though it looks nice at the time of purchase, said item will crap out soon thereafter.

With this new doctrine in mind, I've been replacing things around the house with upgraded versions. Yesterday I got a simplehuman trash can for the bathroom to replace the plastic one I've had for years. Today I dragged Audrey with me to a Target in San Bruno and I got a new stool (which can be seen in the reflection off the toaster oven in one of the pictures below, a few canisters for rice/sugar/oatmeal/whatever, and an awesome new set of pots and pans. I can't wait to start cooking with these.

I'm also waiting for a new home phone, researching a good set of knives (any suggestions?), and will be soon looking for a new comforter and bed set.




UPDATE:
What good are new pots if you can't pose with them?

Soup and brown rice.

It might not look like much, but it tastes awesome.

Eating again

Soup for the clean colon. It's nice to chew again.

Sunday

Sunday and I'm headed to work again. I really wouldn't mind, except that I think I over did it with the herbal laxative last night. I've been having stomach issues all morning. Hopefully it won't too much of a problem while I'm at work. Damn you Master Cleanse!