THE VIRTUAL THRONE

Looking Forward to Icing

2010-11-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

Well I'd be lying if I said I haven't been busy this year. I'm not sure if you knew about my journey these past few years, but to quickly fill you in...

I got laid off just before graduating with my MBA back in 08. It was heartbreaking. I went back to school to jump-start my life, to start fresh and anew, and everything was going seemingly well, until that happened. I ended up graduating into the financial meltdown with very little job experience, and a whole bunch of debt. After collecting unemployment for a month or two, I settled into the Waikiki travel industry, and have been learning and working my butt off though this recession trying to keep my financials out of the proverbial 'red.'

I've learned more about myself in these past few years of my early thirties than I have in my entire teens and twenties, and this year have finally arrived at a place I can be proud of.

At Aqua, I have dedicated myself completely and wholly, offering to be cross-trained in as many positions at my property as possible. So far, I've been trained in back-office reservations, front desk guest service agent, and night-auditor. Mastering each has been a challenge, but gives me new insights into how a hotel operates. I've gotten so into it I autonomously wrote some S.O.P.s for the night audit position that we've never had before. I've also made it a habit to offer my graphic design services, and have been able to get portfolio work doing things such as an entrance-awning, a mock up illustration of a front-desk redesign, promotional flyers, and video advertisements that play at the front desk. I have since asked to be a part of the next 'transition team,' a trusted group of individuals who move into newly acquired properties to train and acclimate the existing staff to our company policies and procedures. The next one is forming in December, so I've got my fingers crossed...

This past year I have invested much of my time into Taiko, www.ryukyukobudotaiko.org :the group I coach/teach on Monday nights. We have doubled our enrollment, have had 2 successful fundraisers, and have a strong performing group that I think can really go places. In addition to that, our leadership team has been working on decentralizing, meaning the other instructors have really stepped up their game in order to lessen the burden on yours truly so that I can keep all the other plates spinning in my life.

Most importantly (in terms of personal achievement), this year I have finally launched my own business. As of October 2010, Sweet Ignition Design is officially in operation, and I have been spending most of my non-hotel and non-taiko time on creating logos, business cards, a micro-website www.sweetignitiondesign.com , even taking on my very 1st client, Dr Stephen Chu, DDS. Finally having my own business is so liberating and satisfying on so many levels. This step is definitely a step in the right direction in terms of my personal AND professional growth and development, that I only wish I had done it sooner.

I am both excited and validated by these three personal projects of mine, and I finally feel like I am on 'the path' that I've been searching for this whole time. Its funny, how things turn out isn't it? I am all at once no where I thought I would be, and exactly who I wanted to become. When know you are on your path, getting to the end is just the icing on the cake, and oh there will be icing.

Google: 'don't be evil' World: 'don't be naive'

2010-02-17T23:32:00.000-08:00

A week after Google released it's social networking feature, the public has gone from hype, to hysteria, to full-blown panic attack.

Google's social networking feature 'buzz' made a heck of a debut by merging social networking features into it's G-mail application. Unlike Twitter or Facebook, where users can choose who they follow or have following their 'updates,' Googlers found (some to a shocking dismay) upon clicking the shiny new 'buzz' tab, that they were already following the people they contacted most frequently, and these lists were PUBLIC for all the G-world to see. This list of new contacts could have included prospective job recruiters for competing companies, a cheating spouse's lover, or perhaps a mailto address for erectile dysfunction.

With the outcry from the public, (and now a formal investigation into certain privacy laws) Google has been scrambling to fix the default settings that buzz imposed upon its G-mail users, by allowing clear opportunities for Google users to update, edit, or if you wish delete with a kill-switch any public profile attached to you and your account. Google it seems, has lost the faith, and some respect from everyone: the average user and the tech nerd now asks themselves: what will they do with my data next??

It is no surprise to me, that a product like this was conceived from the company who's mantra is 'don't be evil.' To Google, a company invested in ideals such as openness, and transparency, a product like buzz could have been nothing but positive and productive. It embraces the notion that people can and will find a way to slide in Facebook time, and can still be productive at work. It attempts to bring the world of social networking into our daily work-flow, allowing us to pop in and out of conversations without missing a beat, or an email. Googlers (I among them) would simply defend, that online or not, you shouldn't have or do things you expect to hide from others, period. Perhaps maybe one shouldn't be courting other jobs in secrecy, or other spouses for that matter...

But, the question still remains: what will they do with us? Google has been a leader in innovating the way we interact, communicate and retrieve data. Even now, with all the criticism Google has taken for buzz, Microsoft is positioning itself to counteract the big G by integrating Facebook and Myspace into Microsoft Outlook, its own email client. Jessica Mintz from the Associated press reported wed. that "Microsoft is releasing a "beta" test version of the Outlook Social Connector. The add-onsoftware, which was first discussed last November, adds a new pane to the main e-mail reading screen on Outlook." Sound familiar? Google continues to lead the industry into uncharted territory, and the bigger issues become those of privacy, and the disconnect that no longer exists between our real and online selves. The disconnect that some of us want there.

In speaking with my friends (those that were worried, weirded out, or pissed) the conversation became less about what Google was doing with buzz specifically, and more about what we are becoming, and if we should trust a company like Google to take us there.

A concept like buzz, is the culmination of baby steps we have taken to align the online world with the real one. When we started this Internet thing, Avatars had a purpose, not just to represent us, but to misrepresent us as well. To allow us to participate in an anonymous community. Online social networking destroys the latter part of the avatar's purpose and replaces it with the profile pic: and forces us to show the net what kind of douche-bag we really are. By allowing others to 'tag' us in pictures, post about us in blogs, and read about our trivial musings can show anyone right off the bat what kind of person is behind that pic. Like in the real world, posturing and posing can be seen spotted outright, and yet the genuine traits of a person can be extracted as well. Buzz, and a host of other next-gen networking apps take us to the next level, where we now share where we are, what we are doing, who we are talking to, and when this all goes down. So how do we behave now that we have all this, and who do we trust with this information? The world? our peers? just our families? The good folks over at http://pleaserobme.com/ make a great point and have put together a convenient list of people who have just left home so they can be promptly burgled.

Does a company who's mantra is 'don't be evil' ever think that maybe the magical products and services that they create could easily be transformed into digital weapons? I'm not saying I agree with my friends, I still have my profile up and running. I want to believe that Google can fix this. That they will deal with this fiasco in a way that makes me forget just how vulnerable I've become. To reinstate my core beliefs in transparency and offer insights to us on how we might manage this new frontier. For now, I guess, I'll be OK blogging about it... with my mouse cursor over the buzz kill-switch.

Mini Meh.

2010-02-17T12:06:00.001-08:00

Well now that the Mobile World Congress is in full swing (only like the largest cell phone expo on the planet duh dudes), It looks like we have a pretty good idea of the trends to come, no matter how small (ahem) they might be. Looks like largely followed sony x-10 android phone will be gettin' bite-sized iterations of itself: one just like the daddy but smaller, and one with a sass-a -frass snap out qwerty keyboard. Both builds look slightly cheap and toy-like, but seem surprisingly responsive given-that both phones seem to be running sony's proprietary home-screen 'rachel' interface. (image courtesy of slashgear.com)

Kinda kewl, but mostly kinda been -there-done-done-that with my ipods evolution from big to tiny then really BIG again with the I-Pad.

But it micro-trend doesn't stop there: HTC is getting mini with the HD mini, and hey, LG announced the smallest touchscreen phone EVER with their GD880. Apparently elves and babies are target market of 2010, because I don't see how anyone of normal proportions could actually use these devices productively, right? Seriously, didn't we just do the whole 'mini' revolution a few years back? Is the 'retro orbit' really getting that small?

Fwd: Filipino feast & bacon maple bar from frost bakery

2010-01-16T05:11:00.001-08:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Bryce Watanabe" <brycewat@gmail.com>
Date: Jan 16, 2010 5:03 AM
Subject: Filipino feast & bacon maple bar from frost bakery
To: <blog@gmail.com>

Redmill burgers and alki bakery croissant

2010-01-16T05:04:00.001-08:00

Peggys house feast & organic brunch @ portage cafe

2010-01-16T05:02:00.001-08:00

Seattle in a flash!

2010-01-16T04:53:00.001-08:00

Holy moly that was fast! This trip was an eating tour to be sure. We started out slow and steady, so I could bring my bro up to speed with all the favorite places I found last year- breakfast in alki beach, piroshkis at pikes, etc, but it quickly escalated into something else entirely. The llamas' (leah and john who took me in for thanksgiving last year) took us to pesos, where we nibbled on some of the best pupus ever, ranging from bacon wrapped prawns, to grilled pork loin and cheese sammies. Reids buddy jen showed up to greet us in downtown with a box full of bacon maple bar doughnuts. Angel and Jack treated us to a home cooked filipino feast. Peggy took us out to an organic brunch, seasoned with its own fresh fruit and whipped cream bar. To end things, my brother, peggy and I cooked for all our new friends @ peggys house: fresh sashimi, hawaiian style poke, guava chicken, lemon butter mac nut mahi mahi, and kalbi style short ribs. We have eaten for 5 days straight, and are ready for a liquid diet in vegas! Pics to follow...

Tullys makes me smile

2010-01-12T13:20:00.001-08:00

One of the best things about Seattle? Tully's coffee. So rich and smooth it puts all the competition up here to shame. We started today by taking Melisa to her job interview in the city, went back to peggys to sleep a bit more, went to visit her at wrk briefly before checking out the scene at Bellvue Square, the shopping mall in the area. Man these people up here are rich. Or at least it seems! My brother noticed the amount of money that is being poured into streets, parks, sidewalks... Its so sad when you compare it to whats going on back home right now. I know these people are hurting from the recession too, but ya wouldn't know it.

Fwd: De plane de plane!

2010-01-12T13:19:00.001-08:00

Whoa!...that's..uh...cute! Where do they put the luggage?

*update - we finally boarded the plane 3 hours later, and just before takeoff, we had to stall for another 45 minutes due to a hydrolics issue! yowza! We flew into sea tac and baggage claim was delayed for 45 minutes our luggage load broke one of the belts on the conveyer system. shyaeesh. In bed, at peggys safe and sound at around 3am!

Here we go again!

2010-01-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

West Coast Trip

1/11/10, 2:52 pm *post-posted

Well well well. I'm back. And not just bloggin', but traveling up to the pacific northwest for the second year in a row. If the allure of the place doesn't wear off after this trip, I'm definitely moving there. My brother and I are doing it together this year, and I think he's really going to enjoy Seattle's laid back yet modern feel. I'm writing this from the airport bar, because as of right now, our flight has been delayed for about 3 hours. A small kink in our plan, we continue un-phased, and order a round of beers to kick this vacation off right. It's all in the attitude, and we are positive about being on break starting now!

TIDE CHART 08/28/09

2009-08-29T03:32:00.002-07:00

Is the ocean half full or half empty?

HIGH TIDE
1:45 PM
Elevator conversation is usually uneventful, awkward, and most times leads both parties to an agreeable conclusion about some unimportant topic or another, where the tail end of the dialogue is along the lines of: 'you are so right...I've always preferred a cold day to a day like taday..ugh its gunna be rough huh?' And that's it. End of story, go back to your own life and remember this meaningless conversation for a follow up should we ever fall into this situation again. Well today was different, for some reason or another, I divulged to my co-passenger that my last blood pressure reading I did at the longs robot was pretty high. I think the double-shot of espresso was making my conversational attempts bolder too. She beamed. 'Oh I have one of those electric machines upstairs!' and preceded to tell me how she was hypertensive and needed to monitor her bp regularly. Although a little creeped out, I was happy to get somthing real out of someone from the elevator. After lunch I was invited up to the partnership office for a free screening from my new nurse. Turns out the guy next to her has diabetes and has a blood sugar needle, (he was kind enough to give me a fresh one) and so i got a two-fer one special. Although my results were less than stellar, it wasn't as bad as I'd thought, and now I have 2 new friends and a personal clinic right upstairs.

LOW TIDE
10:30PM
I always try to give punk kids that come into the coffee shop (night job) the benefit of the doubt. I remember how it is to be young, dumb and nowhere to hang out, so when they came in as a crew, and helped themselves to water cups and plopped their baggy asses down on the couch without buying anything, I let them be. As an adolecent, I remember being yelled at by some old know-it-all or another for somthing that was stupid and harmless, like hanging out in a park after hours, or tossing beer bottles up into the air in an empty parking lot. The old man in me was getting older as I watched them, and I was tempted to just give'um the boot, but I figured I'd just wait until they did something stupid enough to get eighty-sixed. After the last rush of the evening, i checked the lobby to lock things up, and found a sculpture of trash, and 2 water cups filled with cream where they were sitting. Ahh, this destruction of faith is what makes grumpy old men who they are. I realized that I I deserved every scolding I'd ever gotten, and I actually let a 'bah!' slip out of my mouth as I cleaned up the mess.

Flickr

2009-08-26T16:13:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

One last thing

2009-08-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

On the subject of media's transormation, and my recent paranoid rants, well apparantly the subject at hand is called Net Neutrality and has been a big deal fer a while now, and as we suspected (me and my other selves), its all coming to a head.

see the following from our comrades at tech liberation.com:

http://techliberation.com/2009/04/19/internet-openness-net-neutrality-and-beyond-event-in-nyc-april-21/

Knock On Wood - for the internet (a continuation of yesterday's rant)

2009-08-20T04:42:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the whole media-convergence thing all day, and I have to put it out there, just so I can get it off my paranoid mind. This TV merger between our two local stations has got me thinking about the shift from TV to the internet. The bottom line is, that marketing geniuses are collecting data on our clicks, and following the channels that we follow online, in an effort to see where and when they can effectively advertise, thereby increasing the effectiveness of online media Monetization.

Before, there were less obvious ways to follow our consumption habits (TV ratings and surveys), but there were also less options. Even with the 300 + channels to choose from, content on TV was geared much more linearly, than say the surfing habits of a web driven consumer. The reason online media may be so hard to predict, is the 'openness' of it all. The kind of openness that network television is probably VERY freaked out about right now. Imagine having an ad for the Simpsons during a prime-time show on NBC. never gonna happen. Or a view of other news perspectives on a network news broadcast? silly right? That's just the kind of thing that drives us to Google news, or You Tube for that matter, what makes them so much more engaging, thorough, and well, maybe self-destructive.

We can look at our own internet surfing habits as the new 'channels' that advertisers are desperate to try to find. They need to know where their consumers are, and now that we are so diverse, so 'free,' that makes things very sticky for media providers that depend on these advertiser's success to keep producing the information we need them to produce. What's the reaction?

Don't be suprised if we see more restrictions on the internet. The easiest way to find us as consumers, is to keep us somewhere. That means exclusivity to links, the very foundation of the world wide web. The idea (for them) is to keep us on 'channels' or 'structured surfing habbits' that the media can control in an effort to get advertisers to maximize their returns. More legislation, and less freedom is what I fear. Kiss google news goodbye, and look forward to the linear browsing style of of MSN.

IDK just a thought.

A Map to The Cave?

2009-08-19T00:30:00.000-07:00

Well it seems that times have been pretty tough for 'old school' journalism. Media as we know it is going through some incredibly tough growing pains as it attempts embrace the digital era, and it's becoming more and more obvious, that analog anything is dead. first music, then newspapers, the print media, and today, like a scene out of a sci-fi movie, broadcast television.

If you haven't read or seen on the news (which apparently maybe we haven't), local broadcast journalism has started what could be interpreted to a political observer, as the beginnings of a socialist environment. In an effort to survive the economic downturn and avoid total shut down on a larger scale, KFVE, KGMB and KHNL are merging stations to deliver one MASSIVE media outlet here in the islands. This is good for TV news media's survival, but could be interpreted as bad, to those who may fear that a lack in competition in news journalism, will no doubt lead to 'newsy' journalism which in turn of course means we are a few paces away from a complete and total political propaganda machine. Goodbye free speech, hello Kim Jong Il.

I know that sounds worrisome. Maybe even downright bad. The fact is though, that as the media voice of traditional outlets like newspapers, periodicals, and broadcast television begin to shrink into one small whisper, the digital media outlets continue to grow, diversify, and expand into screams. Google, Twitter and even Blogs (mine excluded) have all proven to be as or more effective than the status quo, in delivering useful and relevant content to knowledge hungry users. We are in the midst of a media renaissance.

The only question then, Is what are we saying? And maybe more importantly, what are we listening to?? Where cable-fed media had us for a full 30 minutes, covering all subjects of a front page index, the bookmarks on a web browser lead users to subject-specific content as determined by that user. Netscape had it right, in that NAVIGATOR is the position we assume for our own news content. That could mean MANY different things in terms of the shaping of our information world. Will we take the opportunity the internet has to offer us to thrive in critical thinking? Will we season ourselves with the cornucopia of perspectives out there to become better informed? Or will we simply retreat to a more specific perspective, sheltering ourselves in in a cave decorated with video clips of dogs peeing on themselves, fat folks breaking furniture, and musically talented toddlers?

One thing is for sure: the dynamics of between the general public and 'journalsim' as we know it is about to become a whole lot more complicated. You excited?
Mee tube.

The Calm

2009-08-10T01:46:00.000-07:00

There are rains coming, though from the ridiculously sunny weather this weekend you'd never know it. Apparently, a small storm system is on its way, originally slated to arrive today, has been now pushed back to Tuesday.

Here in Hawaii, this is very common. Tropical storm and Hurricane warnings come and go, and usually with nothing but a drizzle by the time they make landfall. The breezy winds and sunny sky suggested to me that this would indeed be a similar case. The weather has in fact been some of the nicest weekend weather I've seen. Beach-day and hike pics to verify via camera phone:

But the steady breeze that's been playing with my curtains all weekend just stopped dead.

And wave of humidity just followed suit.

Have we actually got some accurate predictions??? We shall see...

BEST GIFT EVER

2009-08-08T03:47:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my 31st b-day celebration wih my buds. We had a world buffet, with foods from India, the Mediterranean, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Cuba, and Mexico. (Mexico was a large bottle of pitron). I had my fair share, and I'll leave it at that.

What I really wanted to blog about is the ULTIMATE gift I got. For all you creative nerds out there you understand what I'm talking about from the pic:

I have the BEST BUDS EVER.

TIDE CHART 08/06/2009

2009-08-07T02:41:00.000-07:00

Is the ocean half full or half empty?

HIGH TIDE
8:45AM
I seem to have befriended the lady that works at L&L Drive Inn next to my work. On a breakfast run, she interrupted my order to ask if I was at a surf sample sale (where the surf industry gets rid of design samples to the general public for cheap - usually held at public school cafeterias or church halls) 2 weeks ago. I instinctivley said 'no' cuz its not really my scene, but had to recant, because my friend and I did indeed drop into one on the way home from the beach. She admitted to have tried to wave at me in order to say hello. It felt nice to have a stranger forge that gap between the register.

LOW TIDE
10:45PM
I'm making a spinach and garlic pizza tomorrow night, and figured I'd stop in at the market to get some of the stuff for it on the way home from the coffee shop. I couldn't find the spinach. I looked between the kale, the choy sum, the red leaf and even the radish bunches. I finally found the last bunch, the last shredded and beaten bunch, and reluctantly went for it. The underside of the leafy mess seemed to have lodged in it, a lumpy brown formation. Again with the instinct, I brought it up to my nose.

Driven

2009-08-06T01:57:00.001-07:00

My brother is about to take the board exams for nursing. He just got back from a 10 hour study sesh this evening and was telling me about how worried he is about taking it. It's par for par for newbee nursing grads he says. Hair falls out, teeth crumble, and sleep neglected. He was telling me stories about classmates, and coworkers who've all experienced this epic moment, about a friend, who sat in her car catatonic for an hour after she'd taken it, and I could tell it's getting to him. He's been studying like this for the past two months, vacant from all conversations that have nothing to do with nursing. He's committed to this test, and has been since he started his journey into nursing two years ago.

The kind of passion I see in him I hope to someday find myself, in whatever it is I'm going to be doing for the rest of my life.

But how do people get there? How is it my brother transplanted himself from a world where he was ordering kegs to the backyard of friend's houses on weekdays, to becoming so serious and dedicated to a single personal vision?

I think about those two asian jouralists who were recently pardoned from a North Korean prison. How could anyone be so SURE the story they wanted to tell would be worth the risks involved? Is it somthing they decided to commit to? Something they just stumbled into? Where does the passion really lie? More importantly, do they think it was worth it now?

Im asking this because at 31, I still haven't found that 'thing.' I work in a coffee shop. I take reservations at a hotel. I'm a drumming instructor, a freelance designer, and a somewhat of a tech nerd. I've been a cook, recreation director, film coordinator, aquarist, marketing assistant, furniture mover, a leader, a follower, and an observer. Since I've had jobs, I've always managed at least two, sometimes three of them. The thing is, there are so many THINGS out there to get lost in, but the culmination of them doesn't add up to a single vision. Do i shave them down? Deny the curiosity? There's this saying that has always haunted me because a part of me knows it to be true: Do just one thing, but learn to do it REALLY WELL. I hate that saying. If I do ingnore the other urges picking just one, does that mean I'll finally find my path? Is that how it works? If I don't am i destined for mediocraty?

Good Morning

2009-08-05T03:04:00.000-07:00

So its been a while. I admit it. This blogging thing started out strong, but has since devolved into a quick way to purge the events of my life: a literal journal, like all the other musings out there in the bloggosphere. What's worse is that even those notable events have become few and far between. Since my trip to the mailand last thanksgiving, I've found work again (plenty of it), but not the kind that stimulates, the kind that desensitizes.

Unsharpened, I have stepped into what feels like a creative and professional swimming pool. A swimming pool filled with cement. Athletic institutions would refer to this year as a 'rebuilding season,' but I have neither the financial backing, or athleticism to afford that kind of spin. I've become so used to the arbitrary and often times mundane act surviving that I've desperately consumed the creativity and curiosity for my own life: the hunger itself. With that said, I'm making an oath to go back to the root of this blog, to wade though the puddles of my own bile; to examine what most swallow without question; to find the morsels of this life worth savoring.

So I've wiped my ass, I'm turning around, and preparing to heave on my knees.

Good Morning.

Vegas Baby!

2008-12-04T07:45:00.000-08:00

So I blinked, and I've been here for 2 days already! I cant imagine what its like to live here!

Although I was sad to leave Seattle, Peggy, and all her friends, I was excited to see Alyssa and K.K.'s new place in Vegas. As soon as i got there, I met KK's dad (Uncle Keven) and as soon as I dropped my baggs off, we went to go gambling. It was hilarious. We spent a good 4 hours playing pai gao, (a new fav game). We were supposed to go home early so we could go up the mountain in the morning, but that diddnt happen. Uncle Keven told us some pretty awesome stories and made the night memorable.

I woke up in a daze. Alyssa saved me and took me to a solid west coast coffee shop where i got myself an awesome bagel sandwich. After that and a black coffee, I was good to go. I had to get goin', cause in less than 2 hours, i was to meet up with Kari, an old friend who was driving down from Cali to party with me for a night.

Kari booked us a night at Planet holllywood hotel and casino. Man, I'll tell you what, that place is AWESOME. The entire wall of the facade is covered with a digital light show and giant video screens. It remeinded me of one of those future cities in Blade Runner.

All I'm allowed to say about the events that occurred from this point forward, is that we had an awesome time. Everything we did was legal, safe, and for the most part G-rated disney stuff. it's just that snow white never got so trashed off of long island iced teas and pitron that she...well..heh. I've leave it at that.

I CAN say, that Kari and i had some real quality time all night, chatting about all the stuff we used to back in the 8th grade, just modified for adulthood. Somewhere between the bar and buffet I realized that my friend Kari had grown into something else. She was happier, or no maybe brighter, but in a subtle way. Between swallows of egg drop soup she illuminated: 'I've lost my cynicism.' She was right. We debated all night, over things like falling in love, the congestion of boomers in the job market, and the critical differences between hope and faith, but not ONCE did Kari disagree with my ideas or ideals about the issues with a negative retort...she just came up with a better one. Even though life has changed us both, when we parted ways I felt like we were in the eighth grade again, saying 'laters' after pigging out on curly fries at Arby's windward mall. She's classic like that. It's just that we do buffets now.

Sorry bout the lack of pics. forgot my cam at home. :P

O Canada

2008-11-29T20:11:00.000-08:00

Everyone here smokes pot. Everyone. I think Peggy and I give eachother that look every time a bearded man walks by us, because the musky scent is so damned distinct. We got here on fri, and we spent last night walking the city blocks around our hotel, and grabbing a few drinks at a nearby bar. We wanted to get in bed by 12 so we could have a full day to explore Vancouver, then party at night.

I have to say, I am JUST as blown away by this city as I was with Seattle. The people here are metropolitan, friendly, and there is so much to do and see. We were a little bogged down by the rain, and it does not look like it will be letting up anytime soon. Even so, we are had a great time exploring the city today.

We started at a craperie down the block, where the food was so so. Call me a snob, but I get really pissed when i taste the tell-tale signs of a dirty coffee pot (the burned charred flavor) when its illy coffee being served.

After breakfast we made our way to the gay district on Davies street, to find the club the waitress recommended to us last night. Seemed like a cool little area, and it looks like tonight's exploits will be fun!

We zig-zagged our way a ritzy area called Yaletown, where Peggy noticed the rent for a 2 bedroom was upwards of 32,000 a month. In Yaletown, like Seattle, single rich people have dogs instead of kids. There pedestrian traffic was full of snobby-ass dogs leading their 'masters' around.

After resting for coffee, we continued our trek to chinatown, where we took in the sights and sounds of some of the seediest street-folk ive seen. A wrong turn down Hastings street kept peggy tight to my arm (more my pulling than hers) and my hand stuffed into my pocket clutching my money clip like a vulture to a rat carcass. We had lunch at a dim-sum joint (still not better than Happy Day on Waialae) andPeggy ordered for us so she could practice the chinese she's been learning in Seattle. After picking up some sho-pao (haole-manapua) for Peggy's roomates (and for our dinner) from a place called New Town Bakery (very good stuff) we headed home to the Pacific Palisades Hotel.

I went down to the pool and steamroom, while peggy started a romantic comedy marathon. We both took naps to power-up for tonight's shenanigans.

Turkey Day

2008-11-28T10:19:00.001-08:00

For Thanksgiving, Peggy and I woke up in downtown, (we crashed in a hotel the night before since we were wasted) and we decided to hit up the aquarium. Well, it was one of the only places that was open on Thanksgiving, and it fir perfectly into the schedule. We went back to Peggy's afterward and I baked an apple pie to take over to Peggy's friends house. Her family was kind enough to invite us into their home and we had a GREAT feast. At the time of this writing (FRI) i am VERY behind on time and blogs (we are driving up to Vancouver fer the weekend) so I'm just going to say that I'm soo thankful for all the good things I've seen so far on this trip, and let the pics say the rest.

Music and Beer

2008-11-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

I started Wed. with the Seattle Experience Music Project. I have to say, a pretty mean museum. Aside from all the guitars, historical exhibits, and conceptual pieces, there is a huge floor that was dedicated to interactives. Drums, keyboards, guitars, and basses to play, and if you wanted, an opportunity to create a fake band and play in front of the other guests. For the 1st time on the trip, I felt a little lonely. It would be awesome to have a family to bring to a place like this. Or a group of buds to see the city with. That aside, EMP was def worth it, even for a single nomad.

I was running late, so I had to rush through the Pacific Science Center, but was able to slow down a bit for the butterfly zoo. A billion butterflies all over the place made me feel like a kid again, until some high school bullies walked by and started mocking the experience. Man, if they only knew how bad they'd need things like this when you are 30 something. Oh well, it was off to dinner with Peggy and her roommate's crew back at the house.

After dinner, Peggy and I whisked ourselves outta the house and partied downtown in pioneer square, and then up on capitol hill. I'll just let you see the pictures from here on out.

PICTURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED

2008-11-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

GO back and see pikes, a crazy bridge, and me shooting a gun.

I never thought it would be this way

2008-11-26T09:37:00.001-08:00

Tuesday began with an exploration of downtown bellvue. Ill tell you what: I am a huge fan of the architecture here in washingtom. Everything is beutiful. Nothing is created without considerationn to form, no how simple the utility. I spent most of the morning in a mall called bellvue square, that connects 3 buldings across three blocks together via skywalk. There was a Lego store there. A LEGO store. After i changed my shorts, I managed to find a sweet little nook of a coffee shop called Specialty's Cafe & Bakery. There I had one of the best omlette sandwiches EVER, and the thing rang in at a mere 3.99. Eat that Rachel Ray. Or dont eat that, you're getting chubz.

Speaking of which, so am I. Everything I plan is around meals, like a friggin jawaiian song. I zipped off from bellvue square to meet peggy for lunch on mercer Island. I got to see where she works, and where she gchats from. It was pretty cool. She took me to a pizza place on the island that had the best dough, and was topped with sausage, mozz, parmesean, spinach, and riccotta cheese. It was amazing.

Everything up until this point in the day, no matter how awesome, is just foreplay for what happens next.

After lunch, i went off on a long freeway journey (by hawaii standards) to visit My Aunty Rexine and Uncle Bill in Gig Harbor. When I got there my Uncle was entertaining a guest, an Indian fellow who I later learned is the Cosmo Kramer of his world. Kramer (I'm such a shmuk with names) was showing us You Tube Videos of his mom belly dancing in Indian films from the ol days. As beautiful as it was, the akwardness of it all began to simmer. My uncle suggested we go shoot pistols at the shooting range, and without thought, perhaps to escape, I said 'yes.'

You, and everyone who knows me knows that I'm not that type of guy. The type of guy who goes to the shooting range with his Uncle. I suddenly realized the brevity of the situation. Like something out of a Paul Thomas Anderson film, Uncle Bill, Cosmo, and I walked into a shooting gallery together, ready to start some trouble. Part of me was very excited to shoot a gun for the 1st time. Part of me was afraid this would all turn out messy, ending with a hole in my shoulder and no health insurance. It didn't stop me from pulling that trigger.

I wont try to explan what the hell happened to me in there, but for as long as I could still smell gunpowder on my sleeves there was a big FAT grin plastered onto my face. Thank you again Uncle Bill. That was quite possibly the most exciting thing I've ever done.

2 hours later, I'm feeling like me again, no longer considering buying a bumper sticker that reads: 'Obama, leave my guns alone!' A tasty Alaskan cod stuffed with prawns can do that to you. Somthing about good food always brings me back to ME. I think there is a pattern here. Over a delicious seafood dinner, my Aunty Rexine and I talked about my future, the challenges of today's workforce, and the importance of loving what you do. It was inspiring and comforting to hear about her experiences. She drew advice from a hollistic perspective, and it was just what I needed.

The drive back to Bellvue gave me time to be thankful for such a great family. My Aunt and Uncle really made this trip special for me.

I ended the day with Peggy and a couple of Pabst Blue Ribbons (no miller lite!) and we talked candidly about life, friends, careers and love. The place was a VERY well designed bar/lounge called ama ama in west seattle. It was empty so our laughter rang out above the music. I didn't shut up until they played 'Where is My Mind' by the Pixies. Talk about a sweet-topper.

Paroshki Time

2008-11-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

So i spent the 1st full day here in seattle walking the streets of downtown. I have to say that this is one F'ing beautiful city. The highlight of it all, was finding a real-deal paroshki place. The name of the joint is PAROSHKI PAROSHKI, and as soon as i saw that sign i instictivley began to chant the name over and over while pumping my shoulders. I took my place in line (everyone with the chanting and the shoulders) and patiently waited my turn. Would I get the sausage and tomato?, the egg, spinach, and cheese? In the end it was the classic beef and onion. Lemme tell ya, the napple aint got nuthing on this flake. On the flakability chart (10 being god's dandruff and 1 being a wet frosted flake) this bad boy scores a 8.5. Its implied that I aspire to one day taste gods dandruff.

And on that note, enjoy all the following pics below from my tour of Pike's:

Thanks Mo

2008-11-24T23:55:00.000-08:00

I really appreciate what you do for me. Without getting all mushy and shit, I just wanted to show the world what unemployment looks like when you have a good friend to share it with.

The 1st Roll

2008-11-24T10:35:00.000-08:00

So as soon as i fly in, peggy takes me hunting for a bite to eat. We had a plan to hit up this joint that was supposeed to be reasonable fer drinks, but becuase of my misadventures with the GPS navigator, I was a bit late. Needless to say we finally found an 24 McDonald's (suprisingly things were closed down fer miles) and so we parked in this strip town called Alki Beach, and ate nuggets wile watching the city lights. Thousands of miles from home, and it's nuggets again. Heh. The thing is, (here we go) having them with the peggy, the cold night air, and the twinkles of the city made them taste almost adventerous. I know i know. Adventerous nuggets. Thats bold. But i swear to god its true.

I couldnt help but notice how many coffee shops and restaurants littered this area, and as we drove away peggy mentioned: 'that place has GREAT cinnamon rolls.'

Thats all I needed to hear.

So this morning, the 1st blog of the day belongs to a little place called Alki Bakery, who's quaint atmosphere rich coffee and F'in GREAT cinnamon rolls deserve a nod and a reccomendation to anyone in the market for awesomeness. I can't think of a better way to jumpstart a city adventure than this.

Departure

2008-11-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

I know. It's been a while. Since last entry (camp turned out to be so rediculously fun I had no time to blog; ive learned my lesson and have a writing schedule) things have been awesome, but in a very weird way. I am officially single again. Hard, but good and bad, you know? I hurt my back and have been outta the gym fer the last month. (No excersising due to injury= guiltless laziness) I was laid off from my job, and despite the fear and uncertainty somthing like that brings, I have become refocused and recentered. Now, as I leave for the west coast on a vacation i had planned before i was jobless, i cant help but think about how rediculously exciting this all is. For the most part, i have no idea where i am going, and even stranger, i dont really know what im coming to when i get back.

FW: Camp blog V

2008-08-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

OMG. 2 hours later...

FW: Camp blog IV

2008-08-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Kim started a painting, na'o kicked my butt in horseshoes, and reid is still perving on the uno sisters. I caught bev hiding in the cooler claiming that that her butt sweats were causing a rash. man im glad to see the twins havent changed

FW: Camp blog III

2008-08-28T17:31:00.001-07:00

My bro takes the oppurtunity to perve out on the Uno girls. 2 minutes later his nuts are black and blue.

FW: Camp blog II

2008-08-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

We are ready!!!! 2 kegs people, 2 kegz.

FW: Camp blog I

2008-08-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah!! I cant wait till we get outt town and into the country!!! 4 days of relaxation!!!!

CAMP TOMORROW!!!!

2008-08-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

OMG. my heels are kicking in my office chair like a little girl! I am sooo excited cause it's less than 24 hours till CAMP!!!!! CHEEEEEHOOOO!!! Gotta go to city mill, grab me some last minute supplies, go home and pack, and try to sleep tonight like a kid on Christmas eve! I Can't WAIT!!
Tomorrow i jus gotta load up, grab the ICE, the BEER, the fishing supplies, and head on down to camp!

There is nothing more enjoyable to me than burring these damned shoe-bound feet into some fine Malaekahana sand! Lets DO THIS!

Mecca's Return

2008-08-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

So my good friend Mecca has been back in town. It's been about a year since we last saw each other, and it seems that nuthin' ever changes, except that this time everything has changed. In her brief weeks visit, she has discovered in her old gang a wedding engagement, new jobs, new houses, new babies, new romances, new breakups, and celebrated 3 birthdays including mine. My Thirtieth.

I don't remember what page Mecca and I were on when we last talked, and it seems like no matter what happens, how many pages turn, we are still very familiar with the stories we have to tell each other when we get back together to trade them. This time I had plenty to talk about, as did she, as did mostly all of us. In a real way, her visit became a catalyst for us to reacquaint ourselves with each other as a whole, just like when she was living here; mecca was where we gathered. In her absence, 'the group' it seems is a group no more, and our lives have branched out in different directions, allowing us to develop into altogether different people. Mecca's return however, tugged at our instinct to once again, come together.

In the span of a week, I've spent more times with some old friends then I have in the past year. Time seems to be slipping by and as it does, the milestones as well. We've spent the last week at dinners, over drinks, or in front of the hibachi, reenacting these events for each other to bring us up to speed. The week went by so fast.

While at Chiko's Tavern last night, Mecca joined me fer a few drinks and a few (sometimes begrudgingly) songs. It occurred to me Just how different she had become, grown, matured, polished. Granted, there was the same giggling over bad jokes, drunken slurs, and obnoxious renditions of power ballads that we always had from before, but there was something more now. Something more tangible. I realized when we had a good heart-to-heart afterwards what it was. One of my best friends had for a week slid back into my life filling it with the same joy and excitement as she always did, and was about to slide out within the next 24 hours, but her mastery of and magical ability to bring people to together, make things fun, to conjure adventure, was now for both of us, a vacation. She would remove that persona, like a wizards cap, and go back to the life she has built for herself in Florida. No longer just the binder that holds the pages together, Mecca has become the story.

I'm about to have dinner with the old gang to say goodbye to our friend as she returns home. It took me all of 5 minutes and a few phone calls to confirm that practically EVERYONE was coming. All of us, it seems are at somewhat of a crossroads in our lives. We all have our own thing going on and soon, there will be another year before we all reconvene, and then another two, and then three... I think a part of me, is saying goodbye to the Old Mecca for good. She has done her best to keep us together, to help us stay positive, to be free, but a new part of her has grown up, found something of her own, and I'll be the first to say it makes her shine even brighter than she did before. In truth, at Thirty, all the exploring we've been doing in the absence of 'the group' has only made our stories richer, and fuller. Whether its a birthday, baby shower, or a wedding when we get together next to share our stories, they will again seem timeless.

Faith

2008-07-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

I am not a religious man. I don't go to church. My understanding of faith is built in the fabric of the love that I sense around me. That may be considered by some as a relationship with God, but I don't have a name for it, I just know that it is there.

I've been going though some tough times as of late, and now more than ever I believe in the power of faith.

Faith makes me sure that friends and family will be there when you really just need them to be. Sometimes they'll just know what to say, or when to swing by, even if they don't realize you needed them there at all.

Faith helps me to believe that those that I've hurt will be mended. It makes me understand that that the hurt i have, will dissolve and in time our stitches will hold us closer together than the flesh that was torn away in the first place.

I know that through this, my own ideas about who I am have been questioned. I have faith that I will find answers for them. That I am a man who will not give up on walking the path that teaches me to be the best man that I can be for me, and those that I love and have faith in. I have this faith, for education, understanding, therapy, and rehabilitation.

I don't know what will happen next. I do believe, that i will figure things out, keep growing, and find happiness again when happiness is ready to be found. I have faith in that.

What the thing really is

2008-07-02T18:51:00.001-07:00

I have a bad habit of using the phrase 'The thing is..' to interject or interrupt someone when i think my conversational idea is better than theirs. I do it more often than I'd like to admit. And the thing is, well, whatever I end up saying after that is a complete and utter diversion to the the actual 'thing' at hand. In fact, more often than not, it has no relation to the actual thing at all, and so my claim to revealing the actual 'thing,' this miraculous nugget of truth that somehow sheds light on the whole subject turns out to be a sham. Anyone who knows me knows that I can be a total jerk. Just to be honest about things, I should be saying something along the lines of: 'The thing is, you bore me and I'm changing the subject in an awkward way that will either force you to call me on it, or allow me to hijack this conversation. That is the 'thing.' I need therapy.

Gone

2008-06-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Everyone is leaving Hawaii. I have more and more friends to visit on the mailnand every year, mostly because people are finding it too hard to get by here. And the momentum keeps growing. By this time next year I have 2 other friends who plan to be gone, and that worries me some. After my brief stint in LA, I figured I'd be ready to settle here in Hawaii, grateful for all the benefits this island has to offer.

But Oil prices keep rising. I visit the north shore every 4 months rather than every month now, and that benefit like many others seem to be occurring with less frequency. Its becoming more and more difficult to visualize a happy life here, where we all take on part-time jobs to pay for a cost of living that is far out-pacing our regular salaries. Weekend getaways are a thing of the past, and our longstanding relationship with Vegas will begin to dissolve when the oil cartel gauges prices high enough.

If anything, this MBA I'm working for will allow me to stay, and survive just above the poverty line. The only ones who will be able to afford to stay, will be the ones working for the luxury hotels who cater to clients still rich enough to visit. And that'll be me, working for the Hyatt Regency Kaimuki (when Waikiki is underwater), renting a shitty roach-infested 4th story walk-up aptartment for 3000/mo., paying 13.oo/gal for gas for my moped, and selling crack to rich tourist kids on the side to pay for my spicy ahi habbit.

This said, I vow to count all the blessings we have here now and go on more hikes on the weekends, get out to the ocean to swim and surf, and dangint - I'm going to Vegas as soon as I can scrape up enough to do it, while our purple, pink, and white planes are still in the air.

Lucky we live Hawaii eh?

Everybody Loves Apple

2008-06-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

I admit, for all the crap I've been talking about Apple in the past few years, I have to say, they might actually be starting to win me over, and that's not a good thing. You see, I've always seen apple as a design company 1st and foremost, and their ability to sell products (computers as it happened to be back in the day) was based on integrated design that gave the consumer what they needed when they needed it. You can simply do more, faster, on an apple, based on the fact that apples design was intelligent enough to understand what its users wanted to do. That means less clicks on 'apply' and 'ok,' less sub-menus, sub-windows, and sub-folders to get through, to get to where you need to be. Of course that is assuming: you are like the majority of the general public who just wants to get the job done. I am of a different breed. I like to customize things, take them apart, put them back together, and configure my computing experience to the kind of experience I want. When something goes wrong, I like to figure out what it is, and when at all possible, I like to fix it. Apples on the other hand, need you to schedule a doctor's appointment for them at the local 'genius bar,' where the 'genius' on staff takes 45 minutes to tell you that your computer is broken, that they don't have the part, and reschedules another visit in 2 weeks. Yikes.

I may not be able to avoid the college kids a the genius bar for long, 'cause now there's the I-phone. I spent 2 years heckling and mocking apple's attempt to conquer the cell phone industry by relying on their design. Such a move is to me, a colonial display of greed and power, to enter into a whole other industry, confident that your brand and design could out-do industry veterans who have YEARS more experience under them. Such a move indeed. And they are winning, more specifically they are winning me over. The truth is, with the release of the I-phone 3G, Apple has ironed many of the wrinkles in its prior cell phone endeavor, and now, as more and more friends of mine are beginning to contemplate switching, I have a very hard time convincing them (or myself) that it's a bad idea. With the shoddy service of cell phone companies these days, it seems that Apple has become the knight in shining armor (or touch screen glass as it happens) saving us from the blandness that has become mobile service.

There is still hope however, in that competition in the industry pushes more innovation, and offers us valid alternatives to Apple's mobile monster. Google's Android platform is a promising venture forged between many industry insiders, developing an open OS that promises a mobile revolution. I am crossing my fingers that Android will be my savior. Aside from that, the mobile seas are turning red with the cannibalization of the touch screen wars. HTC, SAMSUNG, and even BLACKBERRY have products out or in development to piggyback on the innovation of the I-Phone's success. Every other week there is an article on the next 'I-phone killer,' none of which are ever valid. Someone out there needs to make a phone with a vision bigger than Apple's or we will all be waiting in a very long line at the genius bar.

Fresh Air

2008-06-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

I can say with confidence that I, Bryce Watanbe am a non-smoker. It has been half-a-year since my last smoke, and I can say that now with no doubts. I can't say however, that I am cured. The fact is, I am non-practicing niccotene addicct, and I always will be. Even today, when i step out of a bar and pass through the crowd of my old peers, quickly digging into thier pockets and purses for a lighter, I often hear myself in my own mind asking them for a drag. I haven't asked them yet. I refrain because I know that somewhere deep inside me, is a malinourished smoker who wants to be freed. I have made it my personal mission to starve him, hoping that one day, hell just dry up and dissppear, but he isn't doing that. He is still there in the shadows, waiting for me to have a moment of weakness during a stress-induced drinking binge, to prey on me at my weakest moment. I know now that he ain't going nowhere, but his voice does get weaker, and I have faith that as time goes by he'll become so faint, that I pay him no attention at all. For now, I'll chew my gum, write my blogs, and pretend not to notice the faint smells of the 2nd floor office ladies on smoke break 'round the corner.

The Heat

2008-06-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

Summer is here in full, and the concrete around me has expanded to its max. I wake up at 5 am to the sound of screaming mynah birds, a sunny glare in my face, and a sweaty pillow. I've been trying to hold myself back from driving down to Costco and bringing home a shiny new AC unit, in an effort to keep my electric bill down, but i dunno if I'll be able to make it all summer. I can smell the soles of my shoes melting into the pavement as I walk home from work, so i keep my steps quick and think about the popsicles I have waiting for me in the freezer.

Aloha Friday

2008-05-30T16:22:00.001-07:00

I love my workplace! Two of the bosses had birthdays this month, so to celebrate, they bought us all plates from Ono's! Talk about a great weekend starter!!! I just finished pouring chili pepper water over my GIANT laulau and dumping my lomi salmon into my poi. Time to eat...

testing the moblie blog

2008-05-29T14:36:00.001-07:00

Ok, somehow my phone screwed up, and deleted my blogging profile, but i think im back baby! I can once again post on the go, meaning bus blogs, at-the-movie-review-blogs, dump blogs, and real-time-natural-disaster blogs. yay! I'm going to make a serious effort to start blogging regularly. It recently dawned on me that I don't really take time in the day to reflect. Since I've quit smoking (7 months!) I've not replaced the problem-solving breaks that used to pepper my day with anything else relaxing. I just filled it with more tasks 'cause keeping busy helped me to quit. Now that I'm 7 mo. out i think I'm ready to bring some of that back into my life. I present to you, the Blog Break.

Vog Blog

2008-05-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hooray!! The trade winds are finally back and have blown that insane week of vog away!!! I don't know about the rest of the island, but I was beginning to think that I was going to get some kind of respiratory condition!! The last few days I've been hacking up phlegm and coughing like I was a smoker again. It got me thinking: If Pele started really fuming, I mean like spewing HUGE amounts of poison, would they even tell us?? Where would we run to? How could we hide from the air?? We would all be trapped on this rock dropping like flies, people would walk the streets like the undead from some B grade movie with white masks and shirts over their mouths, desperate for clean air. Medical facilities would be pilfered for their O2 supplies, and people would begin rioting on the streets. I think it's time we put the lava rocks back where they belong, give a ride to a tutu in need, and give a silent nod to Pele, the goddess who continues to spare us the true wrath of her fury.

Friday..yay.

2008-05-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

So I went out last night... stayed out till 3. Had my bro meet my sig. other, and we had a great time. Maybe too great. My head hurts, and running on three hours of sleep is pretty insane at the old age of 29. Yikes. I don't get to pau-hana tonight with the gang, cause I'm making the mac nut cinnamon rolls for Ma's day, not that I would want to go out in this condition. Gotta pre-make'em cuz no time this weekend. And tomorrow morning I have class. Yippie. Waah. SAT night is our 6mo. annivers., and I'm excited to eat at this awesome little place down the street, so that should be cool. Right now I'm running on my emergency energy stash, that came in the form of shumai and mini manapuas from happy day. Thank god they open early.

The Double Workout

2008-04-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Week after week has been pretty hectic since the camping trip. Since restarting MBA classes again at night, all new work projects up the wazoo, and a new graphic design side-job has upped the stress level to an awkwardly high level. Normally, I would be fine blowing off steam at the end of the day by hitting the gym and sweating it out... Well, today was different. I woke up extra early (kicked out of bed actually) and had a few hours to kill before clocking into the 9 to fiver, so I decided to do a morning workout instead of the afternoon one. I arrived there to find the place pleasantly empty, which means fast parking, no waiting for equipment, and zero gym-chatter. I was in heaven. In and out and a great workout in just over an hour. Well, I thought that that was that. Morning workouts from now on. A great way to jump start the day right? Only one problem... It's 4:30PM and I have the afternoon blahs like i do every other day. Bogged down with the days issues and ready to...well...hit the gym. Again. So today, for the first time, I am experiencing the double workout. I can hardly wait, and If it makes me feel as good as I suspect it will I'll have to be careful not to become some no-necked hulk that rips phone books for fun.

Maui

2008-04-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Recapping last week, I was flown to Maui to help set up an event. (pictured) The party was a success, and the clients were happy. I've been so busy recently between b-day parites, work trips, school, a new side job, and all this other stuff that I've had little time to relax. Luckily sunday was a lazy day, and we did nuthing but sleep, eat, and watch movies. it was great. But monday came, and along with it a whole new stack of paperwork, as well as a few new projects that are still in development. Hopefully the nights cool down so I can get the rest I need as it seems this summer is going to be BUSY. I need a new AC.

The Perfect Pancakes

2008-04-08T21:08:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me, you know I'm a breakfast man. If you really know me, you'd know I've been on the search for the perfect pancake recipe. I'm no chef mind you, but I do enjoy cooking. Well, today a friend and I were talkin' about the perfect pancake, and she brought to my attention a detail of which I had previously not considered: the hot oil blemish. She rattled off to me how most people just settle for a pancake riddled with spots, due to an uneven or over greasing of the pan. I then began to consider the alternative: that a pancake with a perfect skin would have to be over an ungreased (or very mildly greased) griddle. Well that was at about 10:30 this morning. By noon, I had visions of perfect hotcakes rolling around in my head. i couldn't help myself. I ran home and attempted to make the perfect pancake. And I think I came pretty damn close. Here it is for you to drool over, and if you want to make your own follow this link [the perfect pancake], and keep the following in mind:

*do 4tbsp of melted butter instead of 3
*separate your eggwhites and stir the whites up 1st before adding to the rest of stuff (prevents over beating for the rising factor)
*feel free to substitute soy milk - IM SERIOUS. It's all I had and you'd never know the diff.
*DO NOT OVERBEAT -just go until most of the lumps are gone, small lumps are OK if you sifted the flour and baking powder.
*The thicker the batter the bigger you should make'em.
Eat'um up folks.

The Weather

2008-04-04T17:26:00.001-07:00

Hey what's up with the random cold front?? I thought it was spring?
Man, it's been a busy week. And the weekend looks like it will be pretty full too...There is a photo shoot gig that I have for tomorrow, and then a goodbye party right after that. I need to reapply for FAFSA, wash that bird crap off my car, and clean my fish tank. Then, after all that hopefully I get in some quality time with the sig. other. Been a while since we had a totally unproductive Sunday just eating a late breakfast, lounging, and watching reruns of America's Best Dance Troop (why did you have to end?). Actually, it sounds like a great weekend: All the obligations at the front end, and the sweet topper at the end. [For those unfamiliar, the sweet-topper refers to the dessert, sugary ending, or sweet tooth you treat yourself with after a big meal, big day, or big moment, eg: beer on a fri afternoon, shaved ice after a good long hike, etc.] Weekend forecast: brief showers of duty due to a low-pressure responsibility system, followed by whipped-cream clouds and a sweet maple syrup sunrise.

P.C.D. Post Camp Depression

2008-04-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

The 1st few days coming back into civilization is always the hardest. I find myself staring though the value fields of microsoft access, thinking about the smells of the campfire that saturate your shirt sleeves and lulls you off to sleep. I stand at the water cooler and let my mug overflow with mediocrity whilst longing for the taste salt air, and the cool fine sand that convinces my toes that they need a good burying. I stare blankly as people around me say things that mean nothing in comparison to the moments I'm reliving in my head. All I can do is think about how long it will be before I'm back there again...

Camp Log X: The End

2008-03-30T13:37:00.001-07:00

One last breakfast of chilli-moccos, and one more dip in the ocean and it's over. We broke camp down like pros, in less than an hour. It's been a great three days, and I feel ready to tackle the next season's challenges...

Camp Log IX: 1st light Lst Day

2008-03-30T09:27:00.001-07:00

I needed this camp more than I thought I did. The sunrise is humbling, and Im thankfull to have this before starting the next school term. Classes at night and work during the day have slowly worn away at my motivations and goals. This trip has given me time to think and recharge.

Camp Log VIII: Fire

2008-03-30T00:56:00.001-07:00

The skit totally bombed. I thought that this crowd was into bathroom humor, but as it turns out they are more into miming. Note to self: Blake tap dances and will cheat to win. Fire = good, dancing over the fire to prove your 'skillz' and save a bad doo-doo joke = bad.

Camp Log VII: The Stash

2008-03-29T23:01:00.001-07:00

This is a pile of treasure collected by a family in the site next to us. Apparantly they had plently of golf balls, pierced shells, and blue glass from previous camping trips. As soon as they left we raided their wood stash for tonight's fire. There is a talent show scheduled for later. Need to practice skit...

Camp Log VI: beginnings

2008-03-29T19:10:00.001-07:00

We spent the afternoon searching for shelter with little luck. I was loosing hope when I found Blake and Franco in another campsite, chatting it up with a family of yellow-bottomed brush spiders from boston, who incidentally forgot to bring tinfoil for the sweet potatoes they were about to grill. Being prepared we gave them a few feet of ours, and in return they were kind enough to spin us brand new tents for the night.

Camp Log V: Hash Brown Donburi

2008-03-29T12:02:00.001-07:00

This is what we do. It's who we are.

Camp Log IV : morning crew

2008-03-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Last night ended with brief showers, but we managed to stay dry by lighting things on fire. Needless to say, I need a new tent. Somthing to think about over pancakes fried in bacon fat. I LOVE CAMPING.

camp log III

2008-03-28T22:22:00.001-07:00

this is Carl's poke. Its mean. not angry. MEAN.

camp log II

2008-03-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

OH man. I cant tell you how much the soft sands at malaekahana can heal your toes. Being stuck in shoes and slacks all the time makes this feel like a piece of heaven.

camp log I

2008-03-28T16:48:00.001-07:00

Just left the city, looking forward to a great weekend! campsite looks good, weather is perfect, and plenty of snacks ready to go...

Brand New Key

2008-03-26T13:09:00.001-07:00

Someone keeps stealing the bathroom key at my office. Now the thing that gets to me, is that this is the second time this has happened this month. The second time this month that I've had to hold my business for as long as possible. The second time that, when i can't hold it no more, I reatreat to the second-floor dentist office, where I sneak into the facilities there. The second time this month that I flee from the dentist's bathroom before a suspecting patron or hygenist catches me in the act. The third time I've worn a wig in an effort to not be recognized in a bathroom stall, and the fifth time I've crapped myself as an adult. Please. Give back the key. I'm about to go into the trash can in protest of such a vile world where bathroom keys are teated like a second-class inanimate objects like shoelaces or gas station receipts. It was a brand new key man, a brand new key.

He Said

2008-03-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

I think i may be in love again. Well, I feel like I am. I don't know, every time this happens, i think to myself: 'What the hell are you doing??? what are you thinking?? The thing is when all is said and done, it doesn't look like love in retrospect. Not after you're driving back home from their house for the last time, wondering what the hell just happened. Not when you think back at all the time and energy you gave away in the name of it, all trapped in pictures stuck in your friend's cameras that come back to haunt you months after you thought you'd gotten over it...Not as much as it did when you were there ya know?? When you were holding eachother in the dark, perfectly fitting together like pieces of a broken window wondering what the fuck else you could possibly say to this person other than that. It doesn't get sweeter. Or does it? I just want this to last as long as it possibly can. Professionally and intellectually I know I want so much more from life than where I am now, but in terms of my heart...I wanna be stuck here forever. I know I know, that's immature and all that. That's me. The peter pan of broken hearts. I'm scared that growing up means leaving this kind of stuff behind. Maybe growing up means a love thats deeper than the peace of mind that comes with the scent of your significant other. GRRRR. Too much thinking about it. I'm just going to enjoy it for now...

phone blog test.

2008-03-24T19:35:00.001-07:00

This is the view from my office. well, its not so much a view as it is a visual insult, and its not so much of an office as it is a desk in a hallway. I love mondays.

Media Validates Aging Artist

2008-03-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

So for the 1st time i got my adwork into a major local paper... this is a huge deal for me. I've never had the pleasure of seeing my work printed on such a grand scale. It so weird.

Deep down inside, there is a part of me that is dissappointed in myfelf though.. It's the side of me that ran away to LA to become a starving artist. The kid that said He'd never sell out, (not that I'm getting any richer) or do art for money. Of course, the 'old self' didn't do art in LA as much as he did work at coffeeshops and get high a whole lot. Dont get me wrong, that angry kid had a hell of a good time searching for more life questions to dissect, but they never ended with an answer, just another question...and well, that 'starving artist' kid managed to raise an impressive amount of credit card debt in his misadventures. And he didn't really do all that much starving...

I suppose maybe i'm just better at being a yuppie than a hippie.

I have a car now, and car payments, a Roth IRA and all that jazz. And that part of me smiles when I see the artwork in the paper that validates my own evolution. In the end I guess I'm just the kind of 9-to-fiver, save adventures for the weekends, celebrate birthdays with nice dinners, kind of man I fought so hard to become: I'm finally finding myself happy.

Keepin it Real

2008-03-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

Ok. Admission time. I know, I know, it's like the SECOND day im doing this and already I have to purge. Trust me, I wanted a few 'normal' introductory blogs to kick things off, ya know...my favorite color is green, I have a salt water tank, blah blah blah....

Last night I watched Enchanted on DVD. for the SECOND time. That's right: I paid to see it. I dont know why, but the gayness in me really comes out when it comes to Disney musicals, even if they are self-parodies. Gimme a singing virgin and an animal sidekick and I'm hooked. Aside from the instinctual draw for me, what I really like about the film is how it manages to address the things in real life that are 'fantasy killers' and forces them into song and dance for our amusement.

The only real qualm I have with the movie is one specific scene where Giselle (jezel? jah-sel?) feels anger for the first time, and in front of millions of families across the world who bought into the film up until this point...feels lust. Now maybe I'm the minority here (yeah I'm asian, --I'm talking bout the movie) but the movie went from a classy and tastefull depiction of a modern day fantasy, to a brief soft-core moment where jezebel (how could I leave that alone) is twirling her fingers around the chest hairs of a man who happens to be spoken for...WHOA...

Well looks like they thought they should keep it 'really real' after all. But then...well it just makes me wonder what Giselle goes though when she starts feelin cramps at the end of the month...

The Image of Man

2008-03-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

So this is the bloggosphere? The virtual place where all our memories and experiences will be stored? Is this the final frontier??? When all is said and done and we are extinct, leaving the barren landscape earth to the flies and the roaches, this is all that will be left. Small mainframes burried in sand and vines, holding the last depictions of earths final days... What will my blog look like on the last day before the power goes out? Will I know that this is all that is left of us, that our swan song is in flickr and myspace and trapped in a dead technology for other intelligent life to one day pry open and exclaim: 'what a damn shame...'