Name Your Own Chinese Restaurant Meme

A few years ago, my friend and I were talking about how the majority of the Chinese restaurants here in the States have common keywords in their name. And that it might be fun to create a random generator online just for kicks. While I lack the proper programming techniques to do such a thing, I got inspired by a meme and decided to use their format, so here we go:

Feel free to add your own dim sum restaurant, seafood restaurant, dumpling house, noodle house, vegetarian restaurant, take out, buffet, bakery or chinese bistro add the end for flares. And in case people find this racist, I did survey over 1000 restaurant names on Yelp over 6 major cities.

And just in case anyone wants to know, mine is Lucky Chopsticks "Bar & Grill"!

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Weekend Meme: Chinese New Year Meme

So Chinese New Year is really close by, in fact I think it's this coming Monday. Friday night I went to my friend's house for a lavish 15 course end-of-year meal that spanned out for hours. We just cook and ate as we go, a few course at a time and it was delicious and left me gut-bustingly full. The so called"End-of-Year" is also called the coming together meal, where you're supposed to get with your friends and family, sort of like the Chinese Thanksgiving. So it's also understandable that it the time of the year that I miss my family in Hong Kong the most.

I'm still worried about my grandma and her stroke incident. My family has a culture of always being over-critical of each other and since my grandma had been through a war, she is stringent and a bit of a hoarder. Most of my family brought up by her had been tired of her ways. I'm sure with her 6 remaining children, somebody is bound to be taking care of her, but I'm not there. And I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to see her while she's still alive.

Well sorry for the holiday blues. No, my life is not about being sad all the time. Most of it is stuffed up with work and hanging out with friends. I just went to my friends for a meal that start on early Friday evening and we played mahjong all night until the sun came up Saturday morning where I went out to a thick blanket of snow and got home to sleep until late afternoon. Tonight, there's another Chinese New Year dinner with another group of friends. Life is good.

Today I decided to write up my own meme. There seems to be a lot of meme about all other holidays, so I'm gonna try asserting my culture here and hope some other people will follow.

Chinese New Year Meme

1. What is your Chinese zodiac sign? 
I was born on a year of the rabbit.

2. What are the traits and do you identify with any of them?
Rabbits are supposed to be clever and friendly. I think I'm pretty friendly.

3. How often do you order Chinese food? Where from?
About once every two weeks I have some Chinese food in Chinatown somewhere.

4. What is your favorite Chinese dish and what is so good about it?
Crab meat on snow pea shoots. Snow pea shoots being my favorite green vegetable ever (only in season during winter). And the creamy crab meat just add to the whole silkiness of the dish.

5. Look around for the closest thing around you that says "Made in China", what is it? (Made in Hong Kong, Taiwan or Macau would also count)
My alarm clock.

6. It is customary that during Chinese New Year we wish others "Prosperity in the New Year" or "Better Health". What is the one aspect in your life that you wish could be better?
Right now I'll go for prosperity.

7. It is also customary that kids receive red envelops with money in it for good luck. What's the best gift you've ever gotten? From whom?
I think it's the keyboard I got one year from a good friend. I took piano lessons with it so I enjoyed being able to be artistic. Another friend gave me an $100 giftcard for my birthday during my unemployment years which helped me out quite a bit. I thought that was really thoughtful of him.

8. What do you associate with the color red?
Blood, passion, loud, bold, attention seeking.

9. Look around for the closest red thing, what is it?
My red and white polo shirt, my curtains.


10. If you ever own a Chinese restaurant, you'll name it? (I'm expecting some cheese here)
Golden Dragon. It sounds traditional.

11. Name the Asian person who you have the closest relationship with and his/her role in your life.
My grandmother. Enough said.

12. Name your favorite Asian movie.
I think it's the Wedding Banquet. It's this movie about a Gay Taiwanese that had to pretend to be straight for his parent's sake.

13. Have you ever been racially discriminated? What happened?
Not blatantly. Although this one time a couple of kids were riding in my college campus and yelled out for directions, when I approach them they said "Not you, where are you gonna get us to? China?"

14. What observations/stereotypes are Asians that you believe to be true?
We are usually meeker and smarter.

15. How many languages do you speak?
English, Cantonese, Mandarin, a bit of Spanish and French.

16. If you're ever getting a Chinese Character as a tattoo, what do you want it to mean?
Brotherhood

17.When's the last time you traveled abroad? Where to?
I think it's to Mexico about 4 years ago. Just crossed the border to Tijuana, didn't fly or anything.

18. Have you ever had sex with someone Asian? Would you?
Yes. On many occasions.


I guess that's it. Have a great weekend!

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Weekend Meme: Lucky 33 Meme

I don't know what happened but since Blogspot updated the blogging interface, my blog posts had been looking a bit weird. I don't feel like I have control over this thing anymore. Maybe I'm still not used to back blogging again and I just can't find anything interesting to talk about. I'm sure this phase will pass, that or I should get an iPhone and migrate to Tumblr.

Lucky 33 Meme

1. Can you cook?
Yes, you better believe it. I'm a member of a 9 members lunch club at my current job and everytime I cook, there are dozens of people waiting to see if there are any leftovers.

2. What was your dream growing up? 
I dreamed about being a singer.

3. What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I was a lot more athletic and be good at sports. My energy level has never been that high.

4. Favorite place? 
Restaurants, coffee shops, gift shops, my hometown, my apartment, my friend's house.

5. Favorite vegetable
Snow pea shoots,  all kinds of mushrooms.

6. What was the last book you read. 
James Patterson's 11th Hour

7. What is your sign?
I was born on the day where Cancer meets Leo, I had been more Leo in my younger years but nowadays I feel like a 100% Cancerian.

8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?
Nope, never felt like I needed to get one.

9. Worst Habit?
Picking my nose and I like to procrastinate.

10. Do you personally know anybody on Blog? 
Yes, I knew a few people who blogs.

11. What is your favorite sport?
Swimming, baseball.

12. Negative or Optimistic attitude? 
I'm generally pessimistic. Optimistic people usually get disappointed, but pessimistic people usually get pleasantly surpised

13. What would you do if you were stuck in an lift with someone of the desired sex? 
I think nothing would happen.

14. Worst thing to ever happen to you?
I can't really point to something and say it's the worst thing that ever happened to me. I believe everything happened for a reason and it brings me to the place I am right now.

15. Tell me one weird fact about you: 
I have never taken a picture of my butt before. I don't actually know if I have seen it before either.

16. Do you have any pets?
Nope

17. Do you know how to do the macarena? 
I think I actually do but let me rush over this one so I don't have that song ringing in my head all day.

18. Is the sun shining where you are now?
No. It's a wintry windy day.

19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
More scary than cute

20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
Less fat, definitely and more toned

21. Would you be my good angel or bad angel?
Even though I try to be good all the time, it's more entertaining to be bad, ain't it?

22. What color eyes do you have?
Dark brown

23. Ever been married?
Never. Not legal yet and nobody would take me.

24. Bottle or Draft? 
Neither, don't like the taste of alcohol and so I don't like beer. It has to be fruity and sweet for me to drink.

25. If you won £10,000 today, what would you do with it? 
Put it in the bank. Saving it for a down payment for a nice house.

26. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew?
Watermelon, though I rarely chew gum nowadays.

27. What's your favorite bar to hang at?
There are two/three places in the city that I like to go but I think my ex had taken them after the break up. I have yet to be motivated enough to go out

28. Do you believe in ghosts?
I used to believe in ghosts and I like to keep that belief too.

29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Reading blogs and watching TV.

30. Do you swear a lot?
Nope. I still do occasionally but not habitual.

31. Biggest pet peeve?
People who are arrogant, lateness and people who block my way.

32. In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Boring

33. In two words, how would you describe yourself?
Fucking Boring

Have a good weekend!

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Weekend Meme: New Year's Meme 2012

I guess a year of non-blogging does strange things to a person. I'm not used to putting away a chunk of my time to write and I don't really know how to go about it anymore, so excuse me for my infrequency. I'm still trying to get used to blogging again. Same thing with work.

After being a 99er in 2010, I have to say that I'm still getting used to the concept of working. When I was at the Donuts, I didn't have any time off; I worked through the holidays, working 6 days a week non-stop and even on call when I needed to be. Now I work a job where there's vacation, it just seems odd and unfamiliar somehow. I guess I just don't know what to do with my free time. I'm bringing back my Weekend Meme section to slowly introduce myself back in the world of blogging. After my year-long sabbatical, I have accumulated quite a bunch of meme to play with. So let's get to it:
 
New Year's Meme 2012
 
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Work two jobs. After getting my new job at the end of May, I actually work Donuts on the weekend and that was something.
 
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I did. I forgot what it was already, maybe I didn't have any. I made some resolutions this year, lose weight, fuck more.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, nobody other than some high school friends.  

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope. Thankfully.
 
5. What countries did you visit?
I haven't visited anywhere overseas this year.  

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I think I'd like to have a new boyfriend or at least a few dates with the same person.
 
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 31, the first day of my new job. The ex-boyfriend's birthday, which is also the day we broke up.
 
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a job that pays a lot better than Donuts, with insurance and benefits.
 
9. What was your biggest failure?
My love life, I guess. If I'm an optimist then I'll see that as ending something that didn't and couldn't work.  

10. What was the best thing you bought?
A few new coats that I like. I actually spent a day at the mall and bought tons of stuff. I needed a change of wardrobe badly.  

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Throughout my ordeals, I remained true to myself. I think I'm pretty proud of that.  

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
A relative of a close friend refuse to pay my friend after he renovated her new house which is truly horrible.  

13. What song will always remind you of 2011?
My friends are into trashy songs and from working at the Donuts, I think the songs of 2011 would be: Nicki Minaj "Super Bass" Selina Gomez "Love You Like a Love Song" LMFAO "Sexy And I Know it" Maroon 5 "Moves Like Jagger"  

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sex, exercise, go out drinking.  

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stay home, work.  

16. Did you fall in love in 2011?
No new love.
 
17. What was your favorite new TV program?
Dexter, True Blood, Whitney, New Girl, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, etc.  

18. What was the best book you read?
I can't remember reading any books this year.  

19. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
Having a boyfriend? Seriously I'm not that boyfriend hungry, but maybe I am.  

20. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Bought a coat from Kenneth Cole that resembles a bit like a Mao suit jacket. Other than that, I got some new sweaters and new pants. I guess, it's modern oddity that intrigues me.  

21. What kept you sane?
I have no idea. I don't know where the resiliency comes in but I'm glad it's there.  

22. Who did you miss?
I'm not gonna lie. I do miss the ex-boyfriend but lately I'm worried about my grandma. I got news that she had a stroke two days before New Year's and half her body is paralyzed. I don't really know what to say or do.
 
23. Who was the best new person you met?
People at work. I also have this big old crush with this big hunky bear who's married with children but it's just a crush, nothing more.  

24. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2011?
Nothing is forever, nobody is not replaceable.  

25. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
That might be hard to do. "On and on it seems to go..."

Well, I'm still not feeling 100% back yet, but hopefully I'll find more and more things to post.

Have a great day!

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End of The Year Spo-Meme

It's the end of the year and I usually recount the year by showing pictures of food I made and this year is not that different but on top of that I thought I'd borrow my blog friend Ur-Spo's Meme, so we can pass it around.

2010 Accomplishment
The biggest accomplishment this year is probably completing the 10-day master cleanse diet with my boyfriend. In those 10-days, we didn't eat anything and all we took for nutrition was lemonade made with maple syrup. I think I lost 15 pounds.

2010 Discovery
Other than discovered that I can stay alive and have the will to not eat for 10 days? The boyfriend and I had discovered an Indian eggplant relish called Brinjal and we have been putting it in practically everything, I have also used it to make lamb stew, taste pretty good.

Favorite 2010 Vacation/Holiday
Since I was unemployed for the longest time, it was like a prolonged vacation.

Best dining in 2010
In February, I visited Jean Georges in New York and I had to say, the prix fixe lunch for one of the best meal I had for a low, low price.

2010 Regret
I'm going through a rather tough period right now with a job that I don't particularly enjoy and my boss just changed my schedule to 4:30 am to 2:00pm for 6 days a week, it means I have to go to bed around 7pm to get up at 3am. It practically wipe off all my social life. Even though it's tough, it's something that I have to do to earn a living, while I can't regret having this job. I must confess that I was a bit lazy and scared to look for a job in the beginning of the year.

Magic Moment in 2010
I don't know. I think one night out at the Night Market event with lots of food vendors on the street and tons of people gathering was very neat. It was good to be able to walk around with the boyfriend at night around the neighborhood as well.

What states did you visit in 2010?
I didn't go too far this year, just Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

The 2010 Surprise
That I can rely on my boyfriend and my friends in the time of need. I feel fortunate and blessed.

Three 2011 Goals
1. Get a job that is more reasonable with a better pay, better benefits and a better future.

2. Get into a better financial situation.

3. Enjoy life to the fullest with my love and my friends.

And this is the stuff I've made this past year:


Turtle Burgers


Chocolate Cupcakes with mini cherry pies baked in and a chocolate chip cookie on top.


My first fondant cake and my first adult themed cake for a friend's birthday.


A tiny, tiny birthday cake for my boyfriend's birthday but he was so drunk that he didn't even remember eating it.


Remaking Magnolia Bakery's Banana Bread Pudding


Homemade Siu Mai


36 layers of crepe and orange creams to make up a fluffy cake.

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Sunday Meme: Questions a la Randomness Meme

This week I attended a long ass training session at a retail company. 8 hours sitting in front of a computer non-stop going through orientation and company policies and stuff. It was hella boring, although I did learn a few things that I didn't know before.

If you bought something in full price and that same thing goes on sale within 10 days, you can actually get the difference back if you bring the item and the receipt back. If you don't have a receipt and take the item back to return it, you'll actually be able to get back store credit, but the amount would be the lowest in the past 180 days. Though there has to be a tag somewhere. Also I learned how to use a register.

This week's Meme comes from Sunday Stealing again. Have a good weekend!

What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
I went to my Holy Land Mitsuwa in Edgewater, NJ and got back a bunch of Japanese snacks, curry flavored crackers, chocolates, red bean/green tea buns, various rice crackers and choco flakes, chocolate coated corn flakes that goes good on ice cream sundaes, corn flakes coated french toast and any imaginable desserts. I also got bag in caramel flavor.



How late did you stay up last night and why?
Til 3 o'clock because I was watching TV, going online and reading the latest Rizzoli & Isles novel.

If you could move somewhere else, would you?
Maybe, depends on where and who with.

Have you ever been kissed under fireworks?
I don't remember when's the last time I went out to look at fireworks, it'd probably be when I was still in high school, so probably not.

Do you believe ex’s can be friends?
Depends on how you end things, some of my ex's and I had become friends.

When was the last time you cried really hard?
I don't remember. Honest to god!

What items could you not go without during the day?
It's a computer. I found out that I can go without my cell phone or my ipod.

Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
My friend Eriko when she had her second kid. Honestly I really hate going to the hospital, I guess there are some childhood trauma somewhere.

How do you feel about your life right now?
Not too great, but it's slowly looking upwards. I have hope.

If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find?
A recent correspondent with my cousin overseas, she's mailing me something, though I don't what.

Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Oh yes, unless chocolate is a drug, and it is!

Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Somebody did, but it has been a long time before I've heard it.

Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m.: who do you want it to be?
A ghost since I live on the second floor looking out on a deserted alley.

Do you think too much or too little?
Too much.

Do you believe in fairy tales?
Not really, but I do believe in happy endings.

Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work?
Yes. Maybe not licked but huffing on it.

What’s the largest age difference between yourself and someone you’ve dated?
26 years.

Have you ever been on a blind date?
Nope.

Do you have any friends that you’ve known for 10 years or more?
Definitely, though most of them are in Hong Kong.

Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?
Oh yes, I was probably 12 and I creeped out a handsome PE teacher.

What song do you want played at your funeral?
Ave Maria

Would you tell your parents if you were gay?
No. Since my parents are gone and my remaining family members are far away, I didn't think I need to concern them.

What would your last meal be before getting executed?
I would love some shanghainese food, especially the rice dumpling and a fried tofu noodle soup.

Do you walk around the house naked?
Yes, all the time.

What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?
Take off my clothes, duh.

Who is the person you can count on the most?
My boyfriend, I think. I mean, he should be, right? lol.

What is your favorite Holiday?
Usually it's X'mas but I think Halloween is creeping up to the top spot these past years.

Would you ever get plastic surgery?
A friend who works in the hospital just told me that cosmetic surgery is free for her and her colleagues. I imagine if I work there I could do so... many things. Liposuction and maybe a rhinoplasty to start.

Have you ever caught a fish?
Yes, I've gone fishing a couple times. One time at a lake, I got a couple catfish.

What is the first thing you notice about people?
Attitude. Isn't it strange?

What is the farthest you’ve been from home?
Depends on how you define home. I've been halfway across the world and I'm still away from my first home.

How did you meet your spouse or significant other (or most recent one)?
Online and then at a bar. Modern day romance are mostly conceived online, right?

Where was the last place you drove (other than home/school/work)?
Since I've only drove a few times in my life, I'd say it's about an hour north of here.

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Weekend Meme: Thanksgiving Food Meme

There won't be a turkey or any cranberry sauce for me this year. I'm a little bummed but I guess it's not gonna be too important.

1. What are the traditional favorites?
Turkey and cranberry sauce, it's a good combination.

2. What new recipes will you try this year?
A cauliflower gratin and a dressing with chestnuts.

3. What part of the meal do you never compromise?
I rarely give up desserts for other people to make, but there's a first for everything.

4. Who gets to carve the turkey?
I usually do, but it's not a tradition for me or something that I particularly enjoy doing.

5. Family style around the table or buffet style and everyone sits wherever there’s room?
I'm fine either way but there's something about sitting around the table as a family that brings people closer together as a group.

6. How many will be at your table this year?
About 20, though people might brings friends and extras.

7. Three best pies for Thanksgiving dessert?
Apple, pumpkin and pecan. They are more fitting for thanksgiving but I don't particularly enjoy pumpkin or pecan. My favorite pie is banana cream, but that doesn't have anything to do with any holidays.

8. Cranberry sauce… yay or nay?
Yay with turkey. There's something about a chunk of cranberry sauce with the grooves from the can that add a bit of decadent trashiness to the whole thing.

9. What time do you eat Thanksgiving Dinner?
I usually have a problem eating holiday meals in late afternoon. This year for me will be 8pm.

10. Favorite leftover?
Any leftovers are good leftovers. After cooking a big meal, I'd like to have enough food around so I don't have to cook anytime too soon.

Have a great weekend!

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Weekend Meme: The Fire Meme

I have been very busy looking for jobs lately and it is not easy. I went to Macy's for an interview for holiday help which I wasn't really excited to start with mostly because of pride, but I really wanted a consistent income. I didn't expect that they only pay $8 an hour which is merely higher than the state minimum wage and at the end it turns out all their positions were filled already. Seriously, how does anyone live on $8 an hour? I am working on a 3 day tech support project and I'm sending my resume everywhere. Spending a lot of money printing things out and faxing paperwork at Kinko's and Staples. Maybe I should invest money in a cheap all-in-one, that said I'm still not getting any response. I wonder why.

Today's meme is from The Queen's Meme and it has to do with fire anyway, let's get started.

1. You are stranded on a desert island. There is only one match left in the matchbox. What would you use it for?
Light a fire to keep warm, cook and keep wildlife away.

2. Do you burn bridges in relationships?
I do tend to do that. I don't know why. I guess in some way I'm intense and I don't do well with slowly fading relationships.

3. Name one thing you'd like to set on fire today.
Paperwork. I'm accumulating a lot of job seeking paperwork and it's cluttering and getting on my nerves.

4. Have you ever burned a cupcake?
Nope. When I'm in the kitchen I usually watch things like a hawk.

5. If you had your choice and could change nature's ways, instead of smoke and lava, what should spew out of volcanoes?
Melted gold.

6. When is the last time you used a Fire Extinguisher?
Never. Really I don't remember ever using one.

7. Have you ever known anyone with a fiery uncontrollable temper? How did you handle it?
I don't think I know how to calm people down. I can fix problems but I can't handle people who goes out of control. Usually just avoid the person until they calm down.

8. You are with your significant other. What song are you singing around the campfire?
I don't think we are campfire people. There's a pretty good Chinese campfire song called "The Moon Represents My Heart".



You ask me how deep do I love you
How much do I love you
My feelings are true, my love is true
The moon represents my heart

You ask me how deep do I love you
How much do I love you
My feelings won't go away
My love won't change
The moon represents my heart

A light kiss has my heart moved
A deep love have me feeling until now

You ask me how deep do I love you
How much do I love you
Go think about it, go look
The moon represents my heart

*** The song, as romantic as it might be, won't work on any other time than the night with a full moon. ***

9. What is the one thing you'd gladly leave IN your house in case of fire.
There's a drawer of old speakers, telephone and wires inside my closet that I don't need at all.

10. When is the last time you got fiery fighting mad?
It was when a stupid drunk picked a fight with me on the dance floor. I poured my drink on him but I was upset for days.

11. Do you believe in hell?
Not as a real place. I believe in living hell.

12. Do you or have you ever smoked?
I tried but never got hooked.

Anyway, have a great weekend!

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Weekend Meme: Name Meme

I have been pounding the virtual and actual pavements these few weeks trying to find a job and it's not easy. Most applications I sent out doesn't get me even a reply email and I don't know why. It might be because I worked in an HIV organization which implied that I'm either a carrier or gay, which could be perceived as undesirable. Or that my real name is overtly feminine which implied that I could be a FTM transsexual, but what's in a name really? It leaves me a bit dismayed and worried, not getting any younger here.

I've been putting off doing today's meme for a while because if reassembled carefully, I might have revealed more than I wanted. But I have handed my resume to more people than I care to, so what's a few more details?

Your Real Name: Paul

Your Gangsta Name (1st 4 letters plus izzle): Paulizzle

Your Detective Name (favorite color + favorite animal): Blue Bunny - Just like the ice cream brand.

Your Soap Opera Name (middle name + childhood street): Yves Beaudoin

Your Star Wars Name (last 3 letters of your last name + first 2 letters of your first name + first 3 letters of Mom’s maiden name): Ongpacha

Your Superhero Name (2nd fave color + favorite drink): Brown Black Currant Cosmo

Your Witness Protection Name (Grandma/Grandpa’s first name + Jones): Lancy Jones - I don't know the names of any of my grandpas and my grandma insists that her name is Lancy and not Nancy.

Your Goth Name (Black + name of one of your pets): Black Dragon

Your American Idol Name (favorite car and favorite seafood): Lotus Shrimp

Your Movie Star Name (sibling’s middle name + mother's maiden name): What if you don't have a sibling?

Your Alter Ego (name of one your childhood pets + popular brand of clothes when you were young): Dragon Bossini

Your Lawyer Name (favorite actor’s last name + favorite hard liquor): Manganiello Rum

Your Hip Hop Name (favorite candy + fruit): Riesen's Mango

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Weekend Meme: Another 50 Questions Meme Pt. 2

Happy Halloween everyone!

Last night, me and the boyfriend already went out and take our costumes for a test drive. While the boyfriend looks sexy as a German boy and getting groped. My costume, in which I still have a hard time telling people what it is got a bit of compliments and the owner of a club asked me to participate in a competition but I didn't win.

Anyway, tonight is going to be a once-a-year big event. A Halloween ball hosted by the gay uncle of Philadelphia, Henri David. I'll sure be taking some pictures and share with you guys in the upcoming days. Hope you're having some fun!

Today's meme continues last week's from Sunday Stealing and here we go:

26. Do you like someone?
I like my friends, I love my boyfriend.

27. The last song you listened to?
It would be a song called "Invocations and Instructions" by Bronson Pinchot for a Sondheim review called Putting It Together featuring Carol Burnett.



28. What time of day were you born?
I was told that I was born around 2am.

29. What’s your favorite number?
If I tell you I'd have to kill you.

30. Where did you live in 1987?
I would have been in Hong Kong possibly living with my grandma, that, or I might be studying abroad in Macau.

31. Are you jealous of anyone?
I'm jealous of a lot of people.

32. Is anyone jealous of you?
I don't know but I'm sure some people thinks that I'm having it good.

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
I was at home watching TV and thought that it was a movie filming production introduced on morning TV.

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Bang and shake the machine. And if nothing happens I'll just leave.

35. Do you consider yourself kind?
Yes, most of the time towards the older, weaker, infants, pets and pregnant women. Otherwise, I'm cordial.

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
On my biceps.

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Japanese. I read too much comic books.

38. Would you move for the person you loved?
Yes. Love is important.

39. Are you touchy feely?
Only with my boyfriend and some close friends. Otherwise, I don't like being touched by strangers at all.

40. What’s your life motto?
Try everything once.

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
Glasses, phone, iPod.

42. What’s your favourite town/city?
Hong Kong.

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
A drink last night.

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Probably not in this decade.

45. Can you change the oil on a car?
Nope, I can't even drive.

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
He was a very angry person. I saw him at a bar badmouthing me to a bartender, laughed and then left.

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?
I know my grandma quite well, I heard her story of living and then leaving Vietnam.

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
I wore my suit for a job interview. It's not extremely fancy.

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
Nope. My feet are aching a little from all the walking I did yesterday though.

50. Have you been burned by love?
You could say that but that's love, it burns.

Hope you're having a great weekend, and had some candies. This is a Halloween Sacher that I made for this year's Halloween. Cheers.

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Weekend Meme: Another 50 Questions Meme Pt. 1

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
That I desperately needed to shave.

2. How much cash do you have on you?
$57

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Core

4. Favorite planet?
It'll have to be Earth, right?

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
A Mahjong friend

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
It's an existing musical ringtone called "Fall In Love"

7. What shirt are you wearing?
A black tee-shirt from Uniqlo

8. Do you label yourself?
Sure. I'm "Asian" and "Gay".

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?
Not wearing any.

10. Bright or Dark Room?
Relatively bright.

11. Did you do anything to celebrate John Lennon's 70th?
Nope.

12. What does your watch look like?
Looks like a G-shock but it's metal.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Watching TV.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
A friend asking whether I will join him on a hauted house tour expedition.

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
About 4 blocks away.

16. What’s a word that you say a lot?
"I know."

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?
My boyfriend. Yay!

18. Last furry thing you touched?
My boyfriend. Yay!

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
Nothing at all.

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
Not a one, who still uses films?

21. Favorite age you have been so far?
Probably 18.

22. Your worst enemy?
Myself.

23. What is your current desktop picture (extra points if you post it.)?
A standard background from the computer manufacturer Asus. With a bunch of blue butterflies flying across a charcoal colored space.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
"Thanks."

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
Money sounds pretty good right now, but I always wanted to be able to fly.

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Weekend Meme: Crafty 50 Meme Pt. 2

In the upcoming weeks, there's a couple of rally that is possibly worth participating. This coming Wednesday is LGBT Spirit day which people are encouraged to wear purple in honor of the few gay kids who took their own life recently because of being bullied. I think I only have one purple t-shirt in my closet, so hopefully that day won't be so cold.

The day before Halloween is Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington D.C., even though I really want to go and participate if not just to spite Fox News, transportation to D.C. is only 4 a day and it takes a bit less than 4 hours one way, so even if I catch the 8:30 down, I won't get there until after noon, missing the opening of the rally. In the back of my mind though, I really want to be there. Why can't Oprah give me plane tickets and hotel accommodations?



Anyhow, today's meme is a continual of last week's. Twenty-five more random questions, let's hit it!

26. What do you normally smell like?
Normally I don't smell like anything, or maybe I'm with myself so much that I got used to my own smell. And when I sweat on some rare occasions, I think I smell like porcinis.

27. Do you like Carrie Underwood?
I just know this song of hers and I quite like it.



28. Been to “The Vegas”?
Nope, but I'd love to.

29. How far away do you live from your parents?
My father, if he's still alive, should be around 2388 miles away, while my grandma and extended family is about 8091 miles away.

30. Are you happy with your job?
Don't have a job right now, but if it's not for needing a source of income, unemployment is rather fun. (I know...)

31. Where do you work and what do you do there?
Again. My main responsibility right now is cooking for the boyfriend. I would rate myself doing pretty good work.

32. What did you get in the mail today?
Junk mail asking me to apply for credit cards.

33. How do you like your steak cooked?
Medium well when I eat out. At home, I mastered pan frying my steak to have a crust outside while being rare and tender inside.

34. Britney Spears …is she back?
Not likely, I mean she was a teenage sex bomb but after having two kids and shaving her own head, it's hard to maintain an innocent image.

35. What do you usually order at Taco Bell?
I don't. I think I've only bought something from Taco Bell twice in my life.

36. Have you ever sat all the way through Gone With the Wind?
I know it's a classic and all but I've never actually seen the film.

37. Have you ever been to Mt Rushmore?
No, never had the pleasure to step foot into South Dakota.

38. Is it just me, or was The Marine (w/John Cena) a really horrible movie?
It's as good/horrible as any Steven Seagal or Jean-Claude Van Damme films, but then John Cena do look a lot hotter.

39. Are surveys like the cocaine of myspace?
I wouldn't know, haven't been on MySpace for a long time and probably don't plan on doing so anytime soon.

40. Where is your favorite place (that you have actually been to)?
I like traveling, I guess I've to say San Francisco. I always manage to have a good time there.

41. What is your favorite candle scent
Interesting question. I usually don't like scented candles because they are usually very strong smelling. If I do have to pick one, I'll go for the subtler or more familiar ones like sandalwood, lavender or jasmine.

42. Do you believe places can really be haunted?
Maybe, I tend to believe places can have bad designs or bad electrical wiring.

43. Do you smoke cigarettes?
I tried but it didn't stick. I guess me and smoking weren't meant to be.

44. Have you ever been to NYC or LA?
Both. I don't think LA is for me. To that matter, NYC isn't either. LA is too broad and spread out, NYC has too many things going on, too loud and too expensive. I need a place where I can travel to most place on foot and that I can fall asleep at night.

45. How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport?
The very first time I come to the States, I took a Southwest flight and it stopped in Denver. I think I was highly unconscious then so I don't think I even saw the airport during the stop.

46. Do you think 50 questions is enough?
At one time? It's probably too much.

47. Are you currently planning a trip?
Not really, though maybe I'll stop by New York or Washington D.C. for a day trip.

48. Is Ryan Seacrest gay? Should anyone care?
In 1999 when Ricky Martin first blasted into the music scene years before he came out or people even suspected, a friend told me that he had been spotted in the beach of Phuket with an Asian boyfriend. I used to be excited knowing that Ricky is gay. But it's not like these stars will come to have sex with me or be my boyfriend just because they are gay too, so while it's nice to know, who cares? As for Ryan Seacrest, I could even care less.

49. Do you take anti-depressants? Sleeping pills
Nope, never had the need.

50. What do you think about space travel?
Foreign, boring and possibly unsafe. Too much effort and resource spent on nothing. Go to those anti-gravity chambers and twirl around, it's pretty much the same.

Alright, have a great weekend!

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Weekend Meme: Crafty 50 Meme

These few days I've been knitting a haramaki for my Halloween costume and I found out the I'm not really that experienced with knitting designs. I couple time, I've to undo and redo the whole thing just so I can get my designs in exactly the way I want it. I'm getting carpal tunnel in my fingers.

Spent a wonderful night out at a Night Market event where over a thousand people gathered out and have a block party where we got food from food trucks and tables set up by nearby restaurant. The event was so successful that the trucks ran out of food 45 minutes into the event and even though the supermarket was only a block away, they didn't think to run in and restock. They must not watch Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race. Come on people, there's money to be made! Anyway, it has been a blissful week for me since the boyfriend is back. For him however is the exact opposite since there's so much work to catch up with.



This week's Meme is brought to you over at Sunday Stealing. It's a 50-questions two-parter and since there were some questions missing, I have to go to the source over at Creative Bold to retrieve them. Here it goes:

1. Introduce yourself…
Paul here, Asian, 6 foot, 35 years old, Chinese/French/British background.

2. It’s Wednesday at noon, where are you usually?
Most likely at home.

3. What kind of laundry detergent do you use?
Arm & Hammer. Fragrance Free.

4. What brand of shampoo is in your shower right now?
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat.

5. Did you ever get into a bar and drink before you were 21?
I have been to a hotel bar in Thailand and had a glass of Creme de Menthe when I was 13.

6. What countries have you been to?
Chronologically: China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Philipines, United States, Canada, Mexico. (Layover in Japan and Israel)

7. Do you watch MTV anymore?
Not really. I did watch MTV's music video award and occasionally tuned in on True Life and the historic Snookie Slap on Jersey Shore.

8. What do you think about Oprah?
Rich, black woman by I don't know why she's so popular or what got her so rich.

9. What color are your bed sheets?
Mostly some designs of blue and white.

10. You need a new pair of jeans: what store do you go to first?
Lucky Jeans. Ok, I'm really bad at clothes shopping and once I brought a friend there and my friend told me I look good in their jeans, so I thought all I have to do is to go there and get the ones I've gotten before.

11. Did you ever watch The O.C.?
Nope.

12. What kind of car do you drive
I don't drive.

13. Honestly, is that car insured?
I guess not.

14. Do you like sushi?
I love sushi. I crave it all the time.

15. Have you ever been to Tiffany & Co. or Saks 5th Ave?
Yes to both but rarely to buy anything.

16. Did your parents spoil you growing up?
I will say no. I don't get my way very often.

17. Do you like roller coasters?
I thought I did but apparently not. Last time at Six Flags, I compared being on roller coasters as being raped. You grind your teeth and trying to hang tight while praying that it'd be over soon. After you got off, your legs get all wobbly and your butt hurts.

18. What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribe to?
I don't subscribe to any particular magazine. Nowadays the ones I buy is either Out or one of the cooking ones like Gourmet.

19. Do you remember the old WB show “Popular”?
Can't say I ever seen one episode.

20. When you go out do you prefer to go to a dance club or to a bar?
They are both good. Philadelphia has several dance club/bars that are enjoyable because I get to see people dance. The non-dance club have friendlier people.

21. What do you think about gay marriage?
Of course it'd be good to gay marriage legalized, and I think if they want gays less promiscuous or "immoral", there's nothing better than legal gay marriage to stabilize our community.

22. Who do you think will be the next president?
Hopefully Barack Obama will get to serve a second term. I hope to god there won't be a Palin/Beck ticket.

23. Are you registered to vote?
Nope, not a citizen yet.

24. Do you own an iPad?
No and I don't think I'll get one.

25. Is your bathroom filled with beauty stuff?
No. A lot of grooming stuff and cleaning stuff.

Have a great weekend!

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Weekend Meme: Photobucket Meme

The boyfriend is due to come back from his UK tour this afternoon and I'm eager to see him, if not, the souvenirs that he's bringing back. Haha.

This week's meme is from Kapgar, I'm trying to find some more interesting memes online but it's getting harder and harder but everyone loves a graphic meme, no? It's not until I did this mem that I started to appreciate Flickr more. Photobucket is, shall we say, still developing? I tried to search for bearded Asian and it yields no result. Oh well.

Here’s how it works:

1. Go to www.photobucket.com.
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box.
3. Use only the first page.
4. Insert the picture into your blog.

1. What is your relationship status?

2. What is your current mood?



3. Who is your favorite musical artist?



4. What is your favorite movie?



5. What kind of pet do you have?



6. Where do you live?



7. Where do you work?



8. What do you look like?



9. What do you drive?



10. What did you do last night?



11. What is your favorite TV show?



12. Describe yourself.



13. What are you doing today?



14. What is your name?



15. What is your favorite candy?



Have a great weekend!

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Weekend Meme: The Movie Meme

The boyfriend is touring Dublin and London for a week and a half and I'm left to my own device. Seriously, I much rather be traveling myself. Folsom Street Fair is going on right now in San Francisco and I'm sorry that I'll be missing all the debauchery. Especially given how much fun I had last time I was there, it's sort of like Christmas for me and a lot of other more adventurous folks. Speaking of which, Sue is heading to Folsom and attending all the parties, I'm so jealous.

Since I have a lot of time in my hands, I dug up an old meme from kapgar about movies, nothing kills more time than meme and movies.

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.
I don't think I've seen any one single movies more than 10 times. I've never been that obsessive. The most I can think of would be Sister Act, I probably have seen that movie 5-6 times.


2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.
One of the few I can think about is Sister Act 2, I saw it twice in theater. There must be others, but I'm not sure which. (I guess I'm really into the singing back then)



3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.
Seldom is there an actor that makes me want to go to the theater to see a movie. It'll have to be someone who choose consistently good scripts to act on. Woody Harrelson, maybe?

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.
How many can I list? This is really too many to count. Socialite, talentless singer/actress, lack luster comedians...

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.
I'm very bad at this. I have friends who can remember every line no matter how insignificant they might be but I'm really shit at this. Maybe Pulp Fiction.

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.
Chicago, definitely. I loved the musical before hand and sing the songs all the time, so I can do Chicago. Probably Rent as well.

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.
Well, the musicals above. Dick Tracy is another one.

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.
I loved Beautiful Thing and I'd recommend it to everyone.

9. Name a movie that you own.
I do have a small collection of films. Shelter (2008) is one of them.

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.
Former model Rebecca Romijn was surprisingly good in X-men.

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?
No, but I'd like to experience that, it seems like a lot of fun but I'll have to get a driver's license and a car first. Also I think the drive-in theaters are hard to find in my neck of the wood and they are a dying breed.

12. Ever made out in a movie?
You know what, no. If you're paying close to $16 for a ticket, you might as well pay attention, no?

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it.
Wow, that's another question that require a huge answer. There must be tons. Right now I think it's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, I do like my mystery thrillers.

14. Ever walked out of a movie?
Yes, two-three times. One is Bruce Labruce's Otto; Or, Up With Dead People. For me, zombie movies can either be funny or scary. A pretentious zombie movie made to ponder about existence is a bit too much. Another one involves a gay film fest entry with Thai boys doing soft core porn that has a very dumb plot which I deemed to be a waste of time. If they were hairy gentlemen, I might have stayed. And then I think I walked out of Executive Decision because it was a tad boring and my friends just wanted to leave.

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.
There are quite a few of them, but I really can't remember. I don't know if I'm getting more jaded or the recent writings and productions are not as great but crying during the movies are happening less and less.

16. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?
Something in 3D... I think it was Piranha 3D. It was fun.

17. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie?
I think it's fantasy/adventure. I like movies that bring me to a place I've never been before. It doesn't hurt if there are magic, special powers or machinery involved.

18. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
The would probably be a Hong Kong comedy called Security Unlimited, not that I can remember much of it. Other than that I've seen Bambi in Paris and another one called La Soupe Aux Choux, I remembered it as a comedy, but then I was 6 then, so everything would be pretty funny to me.



19. What movie do you wish you had never seen?
Every film is an unique experience even the scary, disgusting ones and the bad ones, the worst would be boring ones which are truly wastes of time. The Twilight series would probably qualified as wastes of time.

20. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?
Is it horrible that I actually enjoy the Jackass series?



21. What is the scariest movie you've seen?
It was a Japanese vampire movie I saw when I was 7. Nothing is scarier and creepier than Japanese horror films, and nothing is scarier when you're watching a horror film when you were 7.

22. What is the funniest movie you've seen?
Something starring Stephen Chow, probably Kung Fu Hustle.

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Weekend Meme: 29'er Meme

So the 10 day master cleanse diet is finally over, I'm happy to report that in these 10 days, the boyfriend and I didn't cheat, we just kept sticking with it and the result is good. In those 10 days, I lost almost 16 pounds, around one inch at the waist. I guess I'm satisfied with the diet.

The hardest part of the diet has to be a procedure called the salt water flush in which you put a tablespoon of salt in a liter of water and you have to chug it in order to help cleanse your digestion system. The salt water solution is not pleasant in any sense and you have to do it every night. I started having 5-6 lemonade a day, at the end I made do with 2. I guess at first I panicked a little bit but once I got used to it, it was fine. Though, it does drive me crazy a little bit thinking about food. I'm just glad it's all over. Maybe the whole diet was based on the founder getting stranded in a deserted island, all he had was a lemon tree, a maple tree and sea water and he starved to his thin self. The side effects that I've experienced include bad breath, occasional stomach cramps, low energy and dry lips.

I started my ease-out process by drinking orange juice and a big bowl of rice congee, unexpectedly I started having my long hiccups 3-4 times today. It's probably due to chemical imbalance. Tonight I'm making a curried pumpkin soup, can't wait to eat real food.

Today's meme is brought to you from Tense Teacher, hope you enjoy!

1. Which bill do you hate paying the most?
I'm bad at paying bills, maybe because I take those services for granted. But I do keep paying on time, the hardest one for me is my cable bill because they send it to me a month in advance and the due date is kinda vague. So I hate that the most.

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
Can't quite remember my last romantic dinner since it was at least 10 days before. Not counting eating at home, the last romantic dinner might be going to Jose Garces' Amada, we sat at the bar and had a few very nice tapas. It was a great experience.

3. How many colleges did you attend?
2, my undergraduate at Johnson & Wales in Providence, RI and Drexel for my master's.

4. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
No reason, really. Just grabbed it from the drawer. Though I bought it because I love Keith Haring and it was cute.

5. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
Sorry, been unemployed for a long while and I don't use an alarm anymore.

6. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
That I'd be able to eat soup and something other than lemonade when I wake up.

7. What do you miss about being a child?
That I can be taken care of.

8. What errand/chore do you despise?
Cleaning. I just dislike doing it.

9. Have you found real love yet?
I like to think so.

10. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
I seldom go into Walmart, but when I go into a megastore like Walmart or Target I usually go for cookware or shower curtains.

11. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No, not necessarily. It's a ceremony of commitment and professing love.

12. Which famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Tough question. If I choose some hot guy and not being able to screw him afterward it'll just be hard on me. It'll have to be some nice, interesting and unpredictable person or someone that I admire a lot. Mary-Louise Parker?

13. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
No, not in my life. Not yet?

14. Somewhere in California you’ve never been and would like to go?
Palm Springs or Sonoma.

15. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
A new career, no question.

16. Do you have a “go to” person?
Not really, I have a boyfriend but not a "go to" person.

17. Are you where you want to be in life?
Definitely not. Lately I realized how I don't have my wits together and I really need to do something about that.

18. Over the years, what about you do you think has changed the most?
I think my confident aspect and my social aspect. There's a period right after I come to the States that both aspect took a dip, but now they are both slowly rising again.

19. Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life?
They were really, really good. Best? Hopefully is yet to come.

20. Are there times you still feel like a kid?
All the time. I'm 35 and I most certainly don't feel like it.

21. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager?
Certain video arcade, several homes of my friends, karaokes.

22. Whom do you think impacted your life the most?
Positive or negative, I think it's my uncle.

23. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you?
Yeah, Ms. Li from Form 3 was tough but fair. She instilled a lot of her good values in us.

24. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age”?
Nope, never had the chance, don't hang out with younger people much.

25. What is the scariest thing that has happened to you as an adult?
I guess unemployment and financial instability.

26. What advice would you give to someone about to get married?
I don't know. Be considerate of each other, be forgiving and pick your battles.

27. What advice would you give someone starting their first job?
Be polite and thorough.

28. If you could go back and change one thing you did, what would it be?
Study harder.

29. If you could go back and change one thing someone else did, what would it be?
To keep my mom from seeing my dad. Life got tougher for both of us after that.

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Weekend Meme: 5 Porn Stars I Would and Would Not Do

It's 9/11, instead of covering the DADT or the Quran burning that the Westboro folks had took over as a publicity stunt. I found this on Damien's and Sue's blog, so I thought I would do a more risque meme this week.

Porn Stars I'd Do:

1. Zak Spears



All time favorite hairy daddy who knows how to dirty talk. I wasn't into him as much when he was younger but he really matures well.

2. Tom Chase



Another all time favorite porn star. Handsome, tall, hairy(now), hung, there's not much more one can ask for.

3. Carlo Masi



You shouldn't covet someone else's husband but damn if there's a beefier hairy guy with golden eyes and more upbeat personality than Carlo. Yum, dreamy.

4. Pete Kuzak



Another ultimate porn star. Every image of him is perfect. He's the ultimate fantasy.

5. Ettore Tosi



Something about Ettore really speaks to me, he's like movie star handsome and just happened to do and direct porn.

Porn Stars That I Won't Do:

1. Ken Ryker



I was a big fan of Ken, he's the first ever porn crush I had but he's messed up with drugs and albeit his impressive physical attribute, he can't get it up and he can't act for shit. Adding to the fact that he's gay for pay and looks like he's forced into performing, sex with him won't be fun.

2. Cody Cummings



Good looking for sure but again gay for pay and almost need a female costar every time. He obviously doesn't want to have sex with guy but just want the money. I don't get the appeal when even kissing a guy for him is a big deal.

3. Jeff Palmer



Used to be a bit awkward but enthusiastic about sex, so he was interesting to watch but now he seems really run down and making bareback porn. A little sleazy, a little creepy.

4. Brad Patton



Ran into him in the streets of San Francisco and ruined my fantasy. Physically impressive and mesmerizing but feminine acting and that blows.

5. Jean Franko



I'm always intimidated by the scowl of Jean Franko. He looks like he can beat me up and have his way with me and I don't necessarily enjoy that.

Honestly, even I have a huge crush on Francois Sagat, I wouldn't want to have sex with him either. Something is best left as a fantasy, I mean once the fantasy is realized, what else is there?

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