The Hermit points to all things hidden, such as knowledge and inspiration,hidden enemies. The illumination is from within, and retirement from participation in current events.
The Hermit is a card of introspection, analysis and, well, virginity. You do not desire to socialize; the card indicates, instead, a desire for peace and solitude. You prefer to take the time to think, organize, ruminate, take stock. There may be feelings of frustration and discontent but these feelings eventually lead to enlightenment, illumination, clarity.
The Hermit represents a wise, inspirational person, friend, teacher, therapist. This a person who can shine a light on things that were previously mysterious and confusing.
I can't claim to have played this video game, so I'm only judging from the content of the commercial. (Yeah, I guess I'm a little judgmental today.)
I guess the whole concept is that you don't have to be bored in the rain, you can go into another world and meet your friends where it is sunny, but there's no excitement in their voices whatsoever. If I'm playing a videogame, I want to live a fantasy, I want the game to draw me in with magic or give me an experience that I wouldn't be able to have otherwise, I don't want to do day-to-day stuff. That's probably why my fascination with The Sims has been short-lived.
The game is obviously catering to women, as if they are easy to be fooled by cutesy graphics and immune to the lame concept. Oh, let's go to the mall with your friends in cyber space, or watch fireworks, no, not real ones but the ones done in cutesy graphics in our TVs. It's sad when you can go to the mall or go fishing in real life with your friends but you have to resort to playing a video game. (Get a hobby! Learn a skill! spoken by the unemployed.) At least with Nintendogs, it saves you the hassle of cleaning up after your dog. I would think the people at Wii could come up with a better game to advertise, I'm surprised.
Dudes, you are all successful individuals that have enough money to do whatever whenever you want. And does a successful, attracive landscaper, interior designer TV personality really want to do gardening in a game after work? Call me gullible.
Some day two weeks ago I was watching You Are What You Eat on BBC and was inspired to make a miso soup with onion, broccoli and edamame. I also added tofu, wakame and some ground pork in it for good measure. I pretty much ate it for quite a few days last week and then made it again this week because I had some miso and edamame left over. I don't understand why but all the sudden I get this strong craving for chocolate at night, it was so strong that drove me a little crazy. I passed by Whole Foods and they had seedless green grapes lying around for people to try and they were unbelievably good, so I got them instead. I don't normally make a conscious effort to eat healthy, but I prefer a balanced meal so when I eat meat I'd have to have some veggies and some starch. When the grapes didn't satisfy my sugar cravings, I gave up and got myself a box of Ferrero Rocher. It's not until yesterday that I realized I have mistakenly put myself on a low-carb diet with the soup, which explained my sudden sugar cravings. I've unknowingly lost 2 pounds. (lol.)
My mahjong friends A&Y had asked me to cook for them and their friends and families for Thanksgiving. Since I'm having so much fun with them, I said yes. But it's going to be 20+ people and I'm feeling the pressure that I've bitten more than I can chew. It's practically catering, which I've never done before.
I have no idea how much of each I have to make. I would love to do two medium-sized turkey or a turkey and a glazed ham than one huge bird. The orange cranberry sauce can be store bought plus a few things to make it unique, roast peppers can be store bought, so can the pumpkin cheescake. The caramelized onions, maple glazed carrots, the aioli and the tiramisu can all be made ahead.
I used to make the seafood fettucine all the time when I was living in New England. They sold gthe dish in Hong Kong's Pizza Hut and it requires a rare Campbell's Oyster Stew to make it taste right. I wonder if I can hunt it down in some bigger supermarket. If not, I'll do my baked mac & cheese. I'm thinking the total prepare and cook time will take about 6-7 hours, it'll be a busy day.
Since everyone attending are Chinese, I don't know if anyone have had a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner before. I realize that it gives me some leeway (like not making mashed potatoes or rolls, gasp!) and probably they wouldn't know any better if I've screwed up but I'm not planning on it. I'm testing my memory now by recreating some of those dishes and have it for dinner this week, I just hope everything goes well.
Feel good movie of the year, that's why I was surprised to find out that it's produce by the other side as evident on how violent and intolerant the gays are for chasing them out of a public space while they were doing nothing but singing hymns, right.
As I've said before, I've always hated (strong word, but yes) the anti-gay demonstrators in all the pride events who have a loud speaker shouting hate speech during in gay neighborhoods. Yes, they have the rights to say what they want to say, but it's crossing the line when I'm supposed to enjoy my time and yet getting yelled at. It's a way to lower my quality of life just because of my sexual preference. I don't go in front of their churches every Sunday, yelling at their bigotry, maybe we should start doing that? I'm always tempted to get some loud speakers for me and others to surrounding that particular group and start yelling back. So when we got to do that last Saturday, I was thrilled.
The conventional wisdom is that these people are not worth it, we are just going to waste our breath. Gay people as a group are too nice, we take the high road way too often or maybe some of us are actually ashamed to be gay, but if our oppressor don't get any resistance from us, why would they stop oppressing us? If a bully at school take our lunch money away everyday and we don't even say a word, why would they not continue doing that? Are we waiting for others to pity us until they give us our rights? How do we suppose that would work?
There have been talk about organization like the Human Rights Campaign have not been doing anything but asking for donations, at a time like this when we clearly need organization for protests or a spokesman to go on TV show to debate and exert the importance of equal rights, and instead we get Dan Savage, Michelangelo Signorile, Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar. Not that there's anything wrong with Dan Savage or the others, but what is the Human Rights Campaign doing with all their received donations at this crucial time? Regrettably the last news I've heard from them is with their exclusion of Transgendered rights which spewed a fight with the transgendered community. I'm afraid during this bad economy that organization might not last long with their inaction.
While I'm not advocating for violence (or maybe I am), where are our gym bunnies and the roidheads when we need them? We have to get ourselves organized and do more in this crucial time for change. The gays are pitched against Blacks right now and at the end we will all be brushed off as minority issued that concerns no one. I'm surprised to hear Mike Huckabee say that the gays haven't been oppressed or at least not with violence. Maybe that just means he haven't actively participate in the killing of Harvey Milk or Matthew Sheppard amongst other gay bashing incidents and how dare we compare our agenda to the civil rights movement that African-Americans faced. What does it say about this country that some of us still have to fight for equality?
I'm skeptical of what One Day Without Gays might bring, since the Latinos just did that not long ago and it hasn't gotten them anywhere and I'm pretty sure that the urge to protest will just die down from here. Other than boycotting business that donated to Yes On 8, there isn't much any of us can do but to wait for actions from our government which moves at a slow pace. Maybe I should go back to my Tai Chi boxing class, just in case.
I'm still getting over a cold that started mid-last week. It's actually not quite a big deal other than having some coughs and minimal nasal congestion. I think I should be all recovered by Thursday. After Saturday's miraculous warmth of 70-some degrees, the weather has dropped colder and I don't think it'll get warmer again until the end of winter. There's nothing I enjoy more than being in bed under my covers and feeling the cool breeze coming from my window.
The leaves on the maple and gingko trees have turned to a bright yellow, falling to the ground and covering everything under them. It really makes you appreciate the controlled nature that the city has to offer. I'm spending most of my weekend time with my Asian friends, playing Mahjong and eating. I figured that most of them are young, single and have limited responsibilities, maybe that's why we are able to meet up so often. During the week, I write my blogs, read others and get in touch with what's going on, do house chores, grocery shopping, cook, cruising online etc. I really should be mad at myself for not looking for a job yet, but I'm not. I can also find some sort of entertainment somewhere, and the unemployment compensation is more than enough to support my current lifestyle so it doesn't offer much kick in the ass.
Since I was so impressed with HBO's True Blood, I ordered Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse Vampire Mystery box set from Amazon. It contains the first 7 paperbacks in the series and I've been reading them constantly, they are a mixture between supernatural mysteries and romantic novels. The mysteries are quite simple, but I always liked vampires and the TV series gave me a good base for context. I am afraid that I might know the plots for the TV series for seasons to come. It's good to know that the books slightly differs from the show, a friend asked me to go watch Twilight with him around Thanksgiving, I'm actually looking forward to it.
I find myself having trouble putting a book down once I get into it, so nowadays I read until I must go to sleep. Sometimes that means 4~5 o'clock in the morning, but who cares? Isn't life grand?
As I've said, I wasn't feeling in tip top shape and I started the day with an extra sense of grumpiness (which is a more masculine word for bitchiness) and the sense of dread were magnified when I see the signs that I'll be force to carry.
It's just too much, a freaking red heart with a Chinese character on it that forces everyone nearby to ask "What does that mean?". It's like my Chinese vampire costume on Halloween that nobody knows what it represents. I normally don't like the attention anyhow, and it kinda defeats the purpose of letting yourself heard in a protest. Although I later learned to appreciate them, just because it is big enough to hide my face and makes it so much easier to find my friends in the large crowd.
It was going to rain and pour all day, but it didn't happen during the protest which some of us took it as a sign. The ones who organized this thing had a broken microphone, so we missed all the speeches, all that is there was a bunch of people chanting. The chants were nothing smart... "What do we want? Equal Rights! When do we want it? Now!" but you can see the spirit rising. About 2,000 people showed up at city hall, we chanted, we marched around, some cars that drove past us honk their horns to show their support. It's a good feeling.
The best part of the day comes when three anti-gay bible thumpers came out and preached that we're going to hell or some bullshit. I've always tempted to surround them on Gay Pride day and yell back at them with loud speakers, shame them back to show that we're nothing to be messed with. Apparently I'm not the only one who thought that way. They were standing on a little stool, holding up their bibles and started preaching, some city officials were there as their bodyguards, but then more and more protester surrounded them. Some of the protesters were saying that it will just give them more attention which they seek and they are not worth the effort. But it is really not for them, we need to make ourselves feel good.
People started chanting stuff like "Hey, hey, ho, ho, homophobia has to go!" or "Love is love!". Some started to sing "For The Bible Told Me So.", or the ever so popular Na, na, na, na, Na, na, na, na, hey, hey-ey, Goodbye!". I watched as the circle surrounding them get smaller and smaller until they were at arms length and was fantasizing maybe I could be the first one to lunge in and make the whole even so much more exciting. But at the end, the securities must have felt threatened and outnumbered, so they escorted those guys out and everybody felt overjoyed by this small victory against hate. Not long afterward the crowd dispersed, and then half an hour later it started pouring hard.
I would have liked it more if the protest can be more of a nationwide movement for gay rights instead of focusing on Prop 8 in California. Since we are now fighting as one people, I'd like to see progress happening all at once. Also, I see people going there with ulterior motives, like cruising, making a name for themselves, media whoring etc. I know someone had to speak up and such but I can't help but be a bit disappointed.
Your Asian news correspondent Trisha Takanawa signing out.
For more pictures, go here. And here's Sister Unity's take on the issue:
Just getting over a cold and I'm wondering the logistics of being sick and going to yell at City Hall in the rain for 3 hours. Had a few discouraging conversation with some friends but I think I'll still go anyway. I think they don't understand that for me this protest is not for show, it's about justice. Resident psychologist Ur-Spo over at Spo-Reflections just talked about something called Child Complex, and I think I have it, in fact I think I'm running my life with it.
This week's Meme is from Christopher over at Mangina Monologues, I think it summed up my week. Maybe these deadly sins are just normal human emotions after all, that or maybe I'm just a big sinner. Seven deadly sins actually sounds like those old kung fu movie like that Five Deadly Venoms, we can probably write another movie script for this concept. Instead of Brad Pitt's murder thriller Seven, this would be more like A-Team. Each sin is a name of an agent; Gluttony and Sloth could be a fat nerd hackers, Lust is a busty female agent, Envy would be another female agent with skills to change appearances, Wrath is your traditional hot head with fire arms, Greed is your stealth thief, Pride would be the pretty boy. Ooh, I think I remember something similar mentioned in Pulp Fiction... Was that Fox Force Five?
Anyway, here are the questions:
1. If you could kill someone (or injure them eggregiously) who would it be and why? Bonus points for ‘how’.
Let's see how I can respond to this without sounding like a psychopath, I guess it's not possible so here goes: From the short list of people I think don't deserve to live, I think I hate my ex-boss the most. He's a degenerate, selfish, fake son-of-a-bitch who's totally corrupt and use people's donations to HIV/AIDS patients for his own salary and lavish lifestyle. How? When you know a person's habit enough, it's actually not that hard. I plead the 5th on this one, I might need to use those schemes in the future. (evil grin)
2. You have been given 25 Million dollars, and you have to spend it all (no donations to charity or investing). What do you spend it on?
A duplex condo in San Francisco. Another huge condo in Hong Kong for my family. Enter into UCSF and study music, art, photography and all other leisure stuff, maybe even study in a culinary program and learn how to be a chef. Maybe even open up my dream non-profit bistro. I doubt that there's any money left after that.
3. You have the opportunity to steal anything in the world without getting caught. What is it and why?
Money from a bank? Money would offer me most freedom and I'll be able to do what I want to do. If I have to choose objects instead of money, it'd have to be some gold bars, they will be easier to break off and sell untraceably.
4. You have the opportunity to pawn off one facet of your life to someone else forever. What is it and why?
Work, lol. Can I pawn off work without pawning off the paycheck part?
5. If you could have sex with anyone (or anything) throughout the history of the world without repercussions, who or what would it be and why?
Let's see. I don't really think it matters who it is, I just like the experience to be good. So it will come down to who has reputation on being able to provide good sex, I'd think I would enjoy it a lot if I can have sex with Zak Spears. But if possible, I think an orgy of 20 will provide a lot more stimulation.
6. Describe the time in your life when you were the most bitterly jealous.
I have to say that doesn't happen to me much. I don't get bitterly jealous. Of course I'd really like to have a lot of money and live an easy life, but so far I haven't encounter someone that I'd really like to trace places with.
7. If you could have free, no-death, GOOD plastic surgery on anything and everything that you want, what would you alter and why?
Let's see, liposuction everywhere for sure. Hair plugs. Maybe a more pronounced nose and a stronger chin? I've just grown to like my face, but my mom had teased me for having a wide and flat nose when I was young.
Well, all. I'm getting ready for the protest. Have a great weekend!
I don't understand how an obvious bigot like Bill O'Reilly is now in the spotlight over his bigotry to homosexuals over the whole Prop 8 issue. Given, by me mentioning him on my blog I'm pretty much increasing his celebrity status which I really hate do but I've been seeing him in various clips on pretty much all my news blogs these few days. And, with him showing up at the Daily Show last night just pushed me to the edge.
If there's ever a poster boy for all the oppressers in the world, I believe Mr. O'Reilly would be it. Prejudice against all the minorities in a very self-righteous authoritative manner (see Ludacris), Mr. O'Reilly is not beneath twisting the facts to prove his theories. Although I have to give it to him that he's a master of cutting people off when they try to counter or cutting people off by saying something arbitrary like "You're wandering" or "Sorry, but we don't have time." Obviously, his show is not meant for intelligent, but then that's generally true for programs on Fox News.
What I really don't get is why are Bill O'Reilly's opinions all the sudden important that we have to watch it from everywhere? We all know that he's a bigot and he's only using the issue to gain attention, does what he has to say really matters? God helps the ones that use Mr. O'Reilly as their own moral compass.
Here seen Mr. O'Reilly actively trying to create a cultural war between the Blacks and the Gays, and cutting people off when they are trying to make a point:
Here seen using tricks to get out of an intelligent debate:
If all gay folks are going to hell, I hope it'd be a different hell that Mr. O'Reilly is heading to; it's be exhausting for us to hunt him down every single day to skin him for the rest of eternity. I'm still advocating to get a list of Fox News' Sponsors and boycotting them. Who's with me?
I was just at a meeting with the folks at the Gay Luck Club discussing about the National Protest this Saturday and I was appalled to find out that some local LGBT minority organization is refusing to endorse the protest because people of color were not included in the organization of "No on Prop 8" and now their communities are getting blamed for it. I've heard about the background story to it, some argued that Californians didn't do the best job they can before the election to reach out to the minorities and no rallies were organized beforehand but who would benefit from refusing to endorse the protest now?
I guess it is confusing for people with multiple identities and minorities often felt that we are not included in the decision making process of things, we all want to be heard, but to withdraw support and use it as a bargaining chip in the political field is wrong. "We're not going to support you until you let us in the process." No, if you believe in the cause, support it. It should be as simple as that. I don't tell Red Cross to make me a board member before I donate blood. What kinda passive aggressive bullshit, is that? Either get yourself involved in the organization of things or start your own activity to protest. Sure, the race issue is important but when there is a common enemy, you don't start the fight by fighting amongst ourselves. If we do, racist homophobic fuckers like Bill O'Reilly will win.
I guess when an organization takes form, it'll run with a mission and forget all common sense. How would people know that we are serious about marriage equality if we can't present an united front? And must we include people of every race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age group, income level, intelligence level, mobility level in every decision we make and activities we do? Not that I don't have any respect for people different than me but why are they waiting to be asked? We all have resentment about The Man, the older white man that controls everything but to a point we'd have to say fuck the man and start doing our own thing and organize our own rallies even we might be fighting for the exact same cause.
As if the former post is not enough, I thought if I am attending the protest this Saturday, what sign should I be bringing with me. Since we're not only protesting against Mormons but homophobia in general, even though we'd like to lay the blame on some particular group of people it's hypocritical for us to target a single group to express our anger upon. Although, there are a lot of anger to express:
Yes, my people are angry and rightfully so. That poor old lady has rights to express her ignorant views, but she should know better than to express them in front of a mob, she was asking for it and she got what she asked for. I understand a lot of folks are advocating for a peaceful demonstration, but what's the point? If we seem like the harmless fags that we are, who will take us seriously? What would people lose if they deny us? There has got to be consequences, or at the very least we have to seem threatening enough so folks will think twice before they decide to fuck with us. Yes, I am a vengeful fucker.
Take Michelangelo Signorile's brilliant reasoning skills with a Mormon Texan who donated to help Prop 8 pass, I can only wish I can be as well spoken and as patient as Michelangelo. You have the right to believe in what you believe in, but you do not have a right to make it into a law that will take other's people's rights away, but when talking doesn't work what is there left to do? Some people's conviction on their own fear and hate is so strong that they will keep making excuse of it so that they'd be righteous enough to not feel shame, while others are just plain stupid. I'd like to think I could bash some reasoning into their heads like the hollow piñatas that they are, but I still hope it wouldn't need to get to that stage.
Meanwhile, I have to think of a sign. How about Same Tax, Same Rights or I Pay School Tax For YOUR Children? If we're not allowed to have the same rights, shouldn't we get a discount? Actually the best sign I see so far is this one:
Definitely thought provoking. What do they want us to do? Turn straight? Do we have to go out and rape every women for them to get the point? Can you tell I have serious issues now?
If he thinks what we're doing is rioting right now, wait until he sees me loot a Best Buy or an Apple Store, I've been eyeing a iPod Touch, an a few iPhones for a while. (Oh, might as well grab a big flatscreen, a new laptop and a Dyson while I'm at it.)
I've read a few analysis on why Proposition 8 had passed:
Black voters: This is the first election that we have an African-American presidential candidate, which encouraged a lot of African-American voters to come out and vote. And seventy percent of black voters came out in support of proposition 8. Some implied that if it wasn't for an African-American candidate, Proposition 8 wouldn't have passed. As Jon Stewart had said "It appears that the oppressee had become the oppressor." To think that if any one group of people would understand the harm of discrimination, it would be a minority person. Apparently no one learns from history, they should seriously consider cutting off that subject in school and reinstate the music programs, at least it helps people to learn math.
Religion and Mormon funders: The reason on why Black voters and Hispanic voters go for Prop 8 is because these populations are usually highly associated with religion, Christianity to be more specific. I never understood why, since Christianity itself did not originate from their lands. If the white folks had came to my land and killed my people and brainwash me with what they believed in as a way of education, I would have been very skeptical and reluctant. I would have been killed of course, but I wouldn't have believed that it's their god's will to kill my people and enslave me. Religion had been used as an excuse for a lot of death, they might apologize for Galileo's death hundreds of years later and people would still believe in it but to me the more I learn the less credibility I have and don't get me started on Mormonism, that's just plain stupid. Are they trying to cause a stir to justify their own existence? (Although those guys in the Mormon calendar were quite hot.)
Confusing voting procedures: I don't know whether it was intentional but it is outrageously difficult to vote. First of all, 'Yes' on Prop 8 means banning gay marriage and 'No' on Prop 8 means refusing to ban gay marriage, I find this 'Yes' means No, 'No' means Yes thing stupid. You have to be very aware on gay issues to know how to vote and to the general public, it can be challenging.
Other than that as Rachel Maddow had pointed out poor people can't afford to stand in line for 3+ hours for their turns to vote. Tim Robbins got turned away from the voting place he had been voting for the past decade, his name simply disappeared and apparently he is not the only one, it happened once every 12 minutes. Uncalibrated machines that turns your vote from one choice to another, and this:
It is obviously designed to confuse. Given not is related to Prop 8, but how difficult should voting be? And even though your vote went in, it doesn't guarantee that it would be counted.
I am, of course, very disappointed that Prop 8 had passed, not because I want to get married anytime soon but since W. had became the president watching an important election is like watch an episode of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. I can't believe the amount of prejudice that exists. Much like people though Obama is a terrorist and yelling "Kill Him.", I can't believe how ignorant people can be and to a point that the ignorance would turn them angry towards an issue.
Maybe it's a good thing that Prop 8 had passed, I always thought the best thing to unite a group of people is to have a common enemy. Religious people and the right wing succeed because they like rules and structure and that makes them good at organizing. While the left wing and liberalists are too free-loving for their own good. To have an injustice in California might wake up every fags and others to roam the streets and voice their opinions. Rather than waiting for gay marriage to get passed state by state, since we have just elected a new president that represents change, we might as well got them done all at once. It's time, the perfect time, for us to fight back.
This coming Saturday, November 15th, is the day for National Protest Against Prop 8. Protests are going to be held simultaneously at 10:30 PST/1:30 EST in cities all around the country, for location details please visit here. If I'm paying the same amount of tax, I should have equal rights, isn't that what consumerism is all about? Imagine if they allow gay people to not pay school tax because we can't adopt or have children, how many straight folks will pretend to be gay just to get that benefit.
Like I said, even though I'm not eager to get married, I'll be damned to be told what I can or cannot do. I'm leaving you with wise words from Keith Olbermann:
I love BBC America. The Graham Norton Show, Coupling, Robin Hood, Hex, Hotel Babylon, Cash in the Attic and even You Are What You Eat with the lady who likes the examine poo. (Although I'm not into Dr. Who/Torchwood/Primeval like many others are.) I'd like to believe that BBC America brings the best shows of UK and put them all into one channel, even the news program on that channel seems a lot of unbiased, but lately my favorite show on that channel is probably Skins.
Skins promotes itself as a dramedy. The whole series was pretty much filmed in Bristol, UK and they recruited high schoolers and college students between the age of 16 to 19 in that town to star in the show. The theme of the show is around life of teenagers which coincidentally have a lot to do about sex. Yes, there are a lot of teenage nudity involved and I'm glad to say that none of the kids turns me on. I have forgotten that the bodies of a teenage boy lack of muscle definitions, so I'll know to stay off chicken nights at the local bars.
There is a certain organic elements to the show. One of the teenagers has even wrote an episode. Given the plot is a little exaggerated and crazier than I've ever remembered to be, the show is still very interesting. Between these 9 teenagers, each of them is the center of their own episodes with storylines interweaving them together. Pushover Sid is in love with his manipulative best friend Tony's rich girlfriend Michelle, but later chase after Cassie who has an eating disorder. Crazy stalker girl Sketch is completely infatuated with gay boy Maxxie, got rejected publicly and turned her infatuation to his best friend Muslim Anwar. Party boy Chris had sex with his teacher who caused him to be expelled from college, and later got little miss perfect Jal pregnant.
The show deals with sex, family, death and cute puppy love, actually wild teenage party where people have sex and use drugs are called Skins party now. The show is a bit like the standard soap operas but with much younger stars and it operates in a two-season cycle, after the first two years the entire cast is changed to a whole new group of people. The third year starts in 2009.
Skins is on BBC America at 10pm on Sundays. It's funny, heart-warming and cute, catch it if you can.
I don't usually pay attention to any commercials, I would usually change the channel whenever they come on. Maybe subconsciously it had swayed me when I'm at the supermarket, but I had to say commercials have minimal effects on me. I don't watch the Home Shopping Network or QVC, I find it too boring and I honestly don't have money to buy things I don't need.
Since it has gotten cold out, I have seen more pest activities in my apartment. Little mice, harmless but I'm used to living alone and intend to keep it that way. When Principe was still with me, he was in charge of pest control. I think 2005 was the year that we first saw any pests, maybe there were too much constructions going on in the city or maybe we had one too many flood. ES who lived all the way across town around 20 blocks away started having pests as well. We started using glue traps, although sometimes it can be messy and annoying as they sticks to other surfaces they were easy to set. The downside being that the mice don't actually die and they scream in the middle of the night when caught or some would eventually struggle off it, neither me or Principe would want to get close to the one who get stuck so it's just worst.
Later we changed for the spring traps, a lot more effective than glue traps but it's a pain to set them. Let's just say I'm a coward, so since Principe left I haven't been able to do anything. It's not like they have been showing up much until recently, so while seeing a commercial about a product called Riddex on TV that offers a clean and safe way to "irritate" the mice away I went online and ordered the product immediately thinking that I wouldn't have to deal with mice or roaches from now on.
The website and commercial said that the product costs only $19.99. Upon filling the form up with my credit card information and click order, it added $25.00 shipping and handling fee to the order without saying anything ahead. It prompted me to press a button to confirm. I thought $25.00 is too much, so I closed my browser up thinking that it will not get through but sure enough 2 weeks later, I get the products in the mail. I thought the order didn't went through since $25 sounds expensive enough to ship it with next day air and it should not have took two weeks.
Anyway, I figured since it's here I'll try it out but they don't work. You're supposed to plug it into a wall jack and it'd disperse electrical energy or some crazy ultrasound thing to chase the mice away. I know, the technology sounds too iffy to start with, but I thought it'd be illegal for them to scam people on TV. What do I know? It's basically just a tiny box with flashing lights, a mouse passed by it like nothing happened. I bought the new D-con twisting box which is much easier to set and dispose but so far it has caught diddly squat.
Talking about infomercials, I saw this on BBC America:
I can't help but laugh my butt off this one. It's called Snuggie which is a blanket with sleeves and short enough that you can walk around with it. Basically a bath robe wore the wrong way. And all the reasoning for a product like that are stupid... a blanket slip down too easily. Seriously WTF? The people wearing them look stupid too. They either look like they are aliens from those 70s TV shows or they are Klan members. Apparently somebody else feels the same way:
I mean if you can handle a blanket maybe you shouldn't be ordering anything. Just don't buy anything from these infomercials, it's where bad ideas goes to die.
hey guys, I feel very inactive these days. I think I have to start looking for a job now. lol. This week's Meme is from Chris at My 2 Cents.
1. Are your parents married or divorced? Neither? 2. Are you a vegetarian? Nope, but I do enjoy vegetarian food every once in a while. 3. Do you believe in Heaven? If there's one, I doubt that I can get in so it's wiser for me not to. 4. Have you ever come close to dying? Nope, not yet. 5. What jewelry do you wear 24/7? A white gold bracelet my aunt give me for my graduation. 6. Favorite time of day? Late night about 11pm - 2am. 7. Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Yes, I don't dislike it. 8. Do you wear makeup? Nope, not my usual routine. 9. Ever have plastic surgery? Not really, why? Do I need some? 10. Do you color your hair? I've done it before, I like it natural dark brown but my hairdresser love adding red to it so I haven't done it for a while. 11. What do you wear to bed? Nothing much, lol. 12. Have you ever done anything illegal? Sure, who hasn't? 13. Can you roll your tongue? Nope. 14. Do you tweeze your eyebrows? Nope, mine are naturally perfect. haha. 15. What kind of sneakers? Don't like sneakers much. 16. Do you believe in abortions? Sure, it's not of my concern so I don't care. 17. What is your hair color? Black. 18. Future child’s name? I have to see the child to know. Of course there are names that I'll never use for a child but I don't have a set name. 19. Do you snore? Yes, unfortunately. I have a travel buddy who ended up getting another hotel room just to be away from me. haha. 20. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? Somewhere with a beach... Greece? 21. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? No, that'd be weird. 22. If you won the lottery, what would you do first? Buy a house, that's my dream. 23. Gold or silver? Silver color, but not the material. Silver itself is hard to maintain. 24. Hamburger or hot dog? Burger, of course. 25. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Hong Kong cafe food 26. City, beach or country? City or Beach, I've never lived near a beach, might be nice. 27. What was the last thing you touched? TV Remote 28. Where did you eat last? At home, Homemade lentil soup and sandwich 29. When’s the last time you cried? I honestly don't remember. 30. Do you read blogs? Yeah, a few times a day. 31. Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? Only for Halloween or charity. 32. Ever been involved with the police? Define involved, oh wait, most cops are overweight, aren't they? 33. What’s your favorite shampoo conditioner and soap? Shampoo: Giovanni's Tea-tree Triple Treat, Conditioner: Alba's Hibiscus, Soap: Anything from South of France or Tom's of Maine's Calendula 34. Do you talk in your sleep? I guess I do 35. Ocean or pool? For Swimming? Pool. 36. Who would you take on a ménage à trois for a dirty weekend? I think Zak Spears and Ryan Kwanten 37. Window seat or aisle? Aisle, I have long legs and mild claustrophobia. 38. Ever met anyone famous? Just added Margaret Cho and Liam Sullivan to the count. :) 39. Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life? Not by far. 40. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Twirl and slurp. 41. Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey? Neither. 42. Basketball or Football? Neither. 43. How long do your showers last? 15-20 minutes. 44. Automatic or do you drive a stick? Neither but I am a gay guy. 45. Cake or ice cream? Ice cream 46. Are you self-conscious? Yes, very. 47. Have you ever drank so much you threw up? Yes, once or twice. 48. Have you ever given money to a beggar? Yes. 49. Have you been in love? Fortunately, yes. 50. Where do you wish you were? Out drinking with my friends. 51. Are you wearing socks? Nope 52. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Yes. 53. Can you tango? I can rumble. Tango, not so much. 54. Last gift you received? A shirt. 55. Last sport you played? Pool, I won't classify that as a sport. 56. Things you spend a lot of money on? Music. 57. Where do you live? Philly 58. Where were you born? Hong Kong 59. Last wedding attended? A&Y's 60. Most hated food(s)? Dried oysters 61. Can you sing? I like to think so, but it's not for me to judge. 62. Last place you went on holiday? What is this British? Holiday... San Francisco 63. Favorite regular drink? Iced Tea 64. Current fave song? John Legend's It's Over and Everybody Knows
From watching True Blood and how Prop 8 unfolds, I was reminded about the power of faith. It's a constant struggle between good and evil. You have your gods and demons and your sickness and bad luck are due to evil spirits and some kind of exorcism are performed on you. Usually with bells and drums or some kind of heavy objects banging on your forehead until the evil desist. Other than the traumatic experience of watching The Exorcist when I was 6, I actually have seen an exorcism performed on my mother when she was terminally ill with cancer. Of course, that didn't work nor did her new found faith in Christianity. It worked for some other cancer patient, but not on her. I guess you really have to believe in it to make the healing work, not just saying so. I guess faith healing is for the ones that truly have faith. I'm like my mom, we're both too skeptical and mentally incapable to cut out our doubts. I can embrace simple concepts like Karma but the little facts and fantastic stories that comes with it are a bit too much to handle.
I was talking to my friend about my hope of moving to California because my experience out there is very different from my life here in the East Coast. People here are more reserved and defensive, they don't act friendly easily. I find people out west are a lot friendlier, plus there are a lot more Asians and gays which makes people more accepting on folks like me. At least they don't seem to ignore me because stereotypical Asians around here can't communicate.
My friend, however, thinks differently and said that it is all just a state of mind. When people are out traveling they have a different viewpoint, a more relaxed and excited mental state which affects our communication styles and tend to be open on meeting new people. There are also the fresh meat factor; a new face in a new place always draws more attention, so you're more likely to feel good in a new place when everything is fresh. But then if you actually live in that place, you will eventually return to your usual self.
There might be some truth to it, I just thought if I really believe that my outlook will change then it will happen just like faith healing. That, or maybe I should move every 3-4 years to keep the excitement going. I think for me faith is more about making up your mind and do it, then the actual belief of a higher power.
I didn't want to get into the whole ordeal with Proposition 8 and Poll Tax just yet, actually I'm still quite depressed about Prop 8 so I figured I'd drown out my sorrows by "torrent-ing" the whole series of True Blood until now and let Ryan Kwanten's naked body distract me for a bit and it did do its job.
I was wondering how come every character in this series is so well drawn out and the stories so realized and come to find out that this series is actually based on a novel series by a very scary looking lady named Charlaine Harris. Her Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series became so popular that it caught Six Feet Under's creator Alan Ball's attention to make it into a TV series.
In the near future the Japanese has invented synthetic blood, which helped vampires to "come out of their coffins" and integrate themselves with normal society. Much like the gays, religious leaders had come out against these fangers but there are also those who come out in support of equal rights. But in a small backwards Louisiana town like Bontemps, the jury is still out.
Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) grew up with a cursed ability; she's a telepath. Her ability has caused her not be able to get close or intimate with anybody. After losing her parents to a flash flood, she and her brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) went to live with their grandmother. As they grow old, Jason moved to his parent's house while Sookie stayed with her grandmother and works as a waitress at the local restaurant/bar. When Sookie started dating a vampire named Bill (Stephen Moyer), Bill's world overtook Sookie and the people around her.
Other than the incredible hot sex god Ryan Kwanten and his overwhelming amount of nudity (I swear his lower ab was talking to me and he's totally my No. 1 celebrity fantasy now), Stephen Moyer, Sam Tremmell who played the owner of the bar and Michael Raymond-James who looked a little like Carmine Giovinazzo from CSI:NY are all very handsome and rugged, they would have been perfect for any western flicks. I also realized that I like Ryan Kwanten because he looks a bit like Ken Ryker or maybe they both look like Ken dolls, although Ryan's chest hair is a bit jagged up.
Do watch the series if you can, I still plan on buying the DVDs and I just got around buying those novels, the first 7 just came out as a paperback box set for a low price on Amazon. Now I'm torrenting Season 4 of Weeds, cheers.
It reminds me of Girls Will Be Girls who said "I should have told you that B- is just a bloodtype, not a lifestyle choice."
Woohoo! U.S.A has became Obama Nation! That's a huge relief. After over two years of campaigning, we have a final results and it's a good one.
I don't know when Obama has reached the idol status, but he symbolizes a lot of different things for different people. It's inspiring to hear that an African American in Harlem saying that he now can honestly tell his son that he can truly be anything he wants to be now that Obama has been elected. But at the same time, my mind has been put in alert mode. When Matt Lauer came up with a special report this morning interrupting the usual program, I thought Obama got shot or something, it just turned out to be stupid W. giving his congrats. (When he said a lot of people have waited for so long (for an African American), I took it as for him to leave and I laughed hysterically. I was also tickled pink when I saw my first Nade/Gonzalez sign yesterday. I'm just so evil sometimes.)
On the other hand, I'm still very much astounded as people are still voting against gay rights. Even with Californians, 52% still say Yes to banning gay marriage. It's disappointing and saddening. Given the counting is not completely finished yet and who knows, maybe the absentees and the overseas are compsed by more educated people and the results will turn the other way but I'm not optimistic, I rather be surprised if it does turn the other way.
Arizona and Florida both passed to amend the definition of marriage to strictly between a man and a woman. Arkansas passed to ban gay adoption, that's really backwards. You rather sacrifice the happiness of Orphans to make a statement about your disapproval of gays. Cross Arkansas off the list of places that I'll ever visit, other than that all the red states in this following map are now deemed dangerous:
No surprise on Texas and other small time states that lack any big cities, but I am surprised for Louisiana and Mississippi. As if Katrina didn't teach them anything, maybe another hurricane and Kanye West would remind them why it's bad to have Republicans in office. I also thought that Georgia would vote the other way, maybe it's just me.
I'm also very impressed by John McCain's and Obama's speech after they've got the results. Particularly Obama's speech is the best one I've heard from him so far. For the entire speech, you can visit Kyle's entry at his blog - Strange Relationship. Although right now people seems to dislike Michelle's dress, what do you think? lol.
I was chatting online earlier and saw someone from Georgia blasting in every local channel that voting for Obama will mean higher taxes, economical downturn, further racial conflict, vulnerable to terrorism and all that good stuff; and that was on a gay site. Some people on that site express that they are still a little bit undecided, which baffled me quite a bit. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but still...
Maybe McCain had been revered as the Maverick some while ago, but he had voted 90% of the time with George W. Bush so he had to be a 90% idiot. And even if we disregard that fact, his campaign has been nothing if not completely divisive that it would do more harm to the country than good. There has been so much lies and dirty politics that it is completely what we have been despising George W. and his cronies for. Plus, his choice in a running mate is so ridiculous that it is completely unfathomable that anyone could vote for him. While McCain had befriended every wingnuts and racists across the country, Obama had come out to say "No to Prop 8" and even getting endorsed by Republicans. What kind of self-hating fags would actually consider to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket? I'm convinced that the ones voting for McCain are either rich or racists, but even if you're rich, it really wouldn't do anyone any good if the country goes down to the drain so who are we kidding? And the undecided are either stupid or they are just seeking attention. (Yeah, that's right. Judgmental is part of my personality profile.)
As much as I dislike McCain's campaign or his choice in Palin, I don't wish him harm which is more than I can say for his supporters. I understand how they can be in such panics, especially after being fed so much lies about Obama being a terrorist and all. I just wish that they will not literally harm Obama when he gets to be the next president. I still wish that he would have chosen Hillary for the vice position, because as much as they dislike Obama, they hate Hillary more and that will protect him from getting harmed just like Cheney did for W. But all in all, I hope that everyone who can vote will turn up and do so, no matter what the outcome will be and can someone arrest those people who commits voter frauds?
I've heard people sending out fliers confusing voters about having a "rain date" or that voters from different parties are voting on different dates. The uncalibrated voting machine that when you press Obama, it will go for McCain instead. Or the voter registration committees that go out and register voters but if they find out that you don't share their political view points, they will not register you even though they said they will. Robocalls that spit out venomous lies and causes paranoia. All the people who participated in these dirty tricks should be investigated and imprisoned for at least 10 years.
I hope that Obama will win, I hope that Prop 8 will not get passed, and even though things don't go my way, I hope that we got the largest turnout in voting history ever. I'd like to advocate for peace, we have endured 8 years of W., I hope people who were against Obama can do the same for the next 4-8 years no matter what their political or racial views would be.
Although if things go my way, I'd be tempted to buy a bottle of champagne, get drunk and possibly go out flip some cars and loot for a bit like the way Phillies fan celebrates their win. lol.
I'm officially naming this year my very first Halloween. I've had so much fun Friday night, we started off hosting a fundraiser for a local HIV/AIDS group and I was complemented as I walking down the street, which I guess started my night right. Other than some snafu with the raffle prizes, we did pretty good. SV brought 3 Spiderman costumes for himself and two friends, we kept made fun of him that he should be stuffing his crotch a lot more, but he insisted that he'll have his mask on all night so nobody would be able to tell who he is so it wouldn't matter. But still... lol.
The two most impressive costumes of our party would probably be from Dennis, the iPhone and this guy's Mariachi Mummer style one:
From Left to Right: Pierre, Dennis, CL and the Mariachi Mummer.
When we get to the Henri David ball, there were already tons of people in very elaborate costumes. I was a bit shocked and awed. I guess it is the local version of New York, LA or SF's Halloween Parade, we just rounded the folks up and put them in a hotel. I didn't know people invest that much time and effort in something that only happen once a year but I really appreciated everyone's costumes. Within 5 minutes, I got approached by this handsome devil for a photo:
In no way am I flattered, since I have heavy make up on. But I guess my costume speaks to certain people, especially for the one's who know what a Chinese vampire is, then they like my costume a lot, but not everyone get the cultural reference, a jackass reporter from a local gay newspaper said out loud "I wonder if I should tell that guy that he has a tag coming out from his forehead." Some people should just shut the hell up if they don't want to sound stupid, but maybe next year I will do something not so obscure to please the general public.
With the elections coming up in a few days, the costumes are getting more political than usual. Not that I have any previous data to compare it to but you can imagine how many Sarah Palins were out there this year, I'd like to see one doing that American flag bikini, gold heels with an AK-47 look and I'm surprised that no one is doing it.
Other than that, there's a contest stared around midnight where people go up on stage and compete in different categories. Most Hilarious, Most Creative Couples, Most Celebrity Resemblance, Most Decadence, Most Horrifying, Best Period Costume, Most Convincing Female Impersonator, Most Beautiful Female Impersonator and Most Spectacular. People were walking mighty fast and my little camera phone is too slow to catch a clear picture so I don't have anything for most of them. I'm especially angry at myself for not getting the spectacular 10 person entourage for Queen Elizabeth. Very well done, but they zoomed in the venue and left immediately after their win for Best Period which I was also tempted to go up even though I know I definitely would lose but I was too shy. Oops, just found someone who managed to snap a shot here:
From Left to Right: One-man Elephant - Winner of Most Spectacular, Batwoman - Winner of Most Beautiful Female Impersonator and CL with the Pizza Killers - Winner of Most Horrifying.
Toy Soldier - Winner of Most Decadent, who I find strangely erotic, and The Swamp Thing - Contender of Most Spectacular who got a consolation prize from Henri David, notice that he's sprouting red.
Afterwards, we went to Chinatown for dinner and the waitress ladies were all over me and my costume, which made me feel really good. lol. It was an amazing night and I wish that I would be drunk or at least buzzed, but not a drop of alcohol was in me. Hope I don't turn into an alcoholic. I should have gone clubbing.
I had a great time last night at our Halloween fundraiser and then going to the Henri David ball, a lot of people invested a lot in their costumes, so are so magnificent that I was awed. I'll make it a separate post when I have time, but I really had a great time. Although the night had really wore me out and I didn't officially wake up until 12:30pm today and I got dragged out for Mahjong right after, so I apologize for the late meme.
Today's meme is brought to you by Ur-Spo at Spo-Reflections. (thank you again and again) Although Halloween is over, let's invoke some scary memories. What was the scariest movie you have ever seen? It's got to be the Exorcist. My mom loved scary movies and we saw it with her friends... when I was 5. You can imagine what a traumatic experience it could be for a child. I think it was about the time I discovered my shadow as well and it scared the crap out of me. We also watched a Japanese black and white vampire movie together and that one also gave me nightmares for weeks. (I'm surprised nobody called social service on her.)
What was your favorite Hallowe’en costume as a child? I didn't really wore any costumes when I was a kid, although I've always wanted to be able to fly and once aftrer watching Superman I asked my mom who's a brilliant seamstress to make me a cape. She did, the Sherlock Holmes kind, and I got teased for it.
Given enough money what would be your fantasy Hallowe’en costume? Oh, that would be a working Transformer costume or actually my dream costume would be one of the Saint Seiya/Knights of the Zodiac. Their armors can be assemble into one of the 108 constellations. My favorite would probably be the Gold Libra one, not because I'm a Libra, I'm not but because he got the most weapons. So my fantasy would be having that made in gold plated titanium with real working shields and weapons. Although be able to transform my costume into a car or a plane and be able to fly would be cool too. hehe.
When was the last time you went trick or treating? I never did, if I've done that in France that is, if they have Halloween in France I wouldn't remember.
What is your favorite Hallowe’en candy? Riesen, that my mortal enemy. Chcolate covered chewy chocolate caramel pure evil sinfulness. That or Green & Black's white chocolate bar with real vanilla, I'd be sugar comatosed. Funny story - when I first come to U.S. I didn't know what the right amount of chocolate is to give away, so when the kids knocked on my door I gave them each 5 big chocolate bars and tons of kids end up at my door.
Tell us about a scary nightmare you once had My scariest dreams are the sleep paralysis one that I thought I woke up and not be able to move. Though they are conquered and never appeared anymore.
What is your supernatural fear? That some ghost would appear right behind me all scary and shit...
What is your ‘creepy-crawlie’ fear? Snakes, period.
Tell us a time you saw a ghost or heard something go bump in the night I think I dreamed about my mom the night she died and told me that everything's gonna be ok. Not much else.
Would you stay overnight in a real Haunted House? No, if I know I'm gonna feel unsafe why bother? Unless I got stranded all Rocky Horror Picture style.
Are you a traditionalist or a creat.ive carver of you Jack-o-Lantern? Creative. I like those 3-D images with people's face or haunted houses.
How much do you decorate the house at Hallowe’en? Nothing at all. I did the pumpkin carving at a friend's place, I usually don't decorate for any festivals.
What do you want on your Tombstone? With fond memories
Have a great weekend and don't forget to set your clocks back an hour!
