Luck With Strangers

Sorry but I'm postponing my Weekend Meme this week to bring you a recent strange observation I have; I'm having great luck with strangers while sucking my existing relationships. It's hard to explain but let me use some examples:

Strangers:

1) During the SF trip, I met someone who was willing to drive me around the city. We went to the Golden Gate Bridge for the very first time, he also brought me up to Twin Peaks. Nice guy, really.


It was really foggy, and I was on the bridge.

2) Met some really great folks through JS. I feel like I can form some great friendships if I ever go back.

3) I got pictures with Francois, Arpad, Dillon and Steve. (Yes, we're on first name basis now)

4) I've had a SF "boyfriend" for a day and a half, another very sweet guy. We're both unemployed so we shared some comraderie and we've had a lot of fun during those 36 hours. There's certain romantic quality with a relationship with an expiration date. You might think it hardly quantify as anything much and you're right, but during those two days we felt free to let our emotions ran as far as possible and it was pretty sweet.

5) Just went to see Margaret Cho's Beautiful Tour and look what I've got:


Sorry but that shirt had become my favorite and I'm wearing it a lot.


Liam's hand felt incredibly warm on my shoulder, nice guy. And I really should look in the mirror and learn how to smile.

Existing Relationships:

1) I actually baked some brownies for CuteCub who just moved into my neighborhood because I said I would and of course I do like him. He said he would stop by for them but he never did and now he's avoiding me.

2) BL is behind on his studies and giving me the brush off.

3) Medic Guy is moving to Washington D.C. but he said he's willing to give up everything to be with me. I've had to reject him which I really don't like to do. We've broke up and getting back together 5 times, it proves that we're really not compatible. Since he said he likes D.C., he should really follow his instincts. I'll pursue S.F. to my best abilities. You really can't live for another person.


I wonder if it's me who's not interesting anymore after getting to know me or maybe my luck in relationships have turned. Maybe I should use this luck to find a job since I seem to be able to charm strangers. It might not have anything to do with charm or luck at all but I got to meet tons of people in the past week alone, more than I've had in the past year beforehand.

Have a grest weekend!

Oh and I won the captioning competition for Lil' Bastard comix at The Mangina Monologues... Can I get a What-What? lol.

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Restaurant Review: The Cliff House

Met up with my high school friend MH on Monday, we decided that we were going out for dinner. Originally we've made a reservation somewhere downtown, but she's accomodating enough to ask if there's anywhere I wanted to go. Given it's my last night in San Francisco and she drives, I said "Let's go to the beach!". Earlier that day another friend told me that I should go see the ocean, and it's only half an hour drive to Ocean Beach.

MH and I have known each other since the last two years of high school when she transferred to our all-guy school from an all-girl school, that was 14 years ago and we're in our 30s now. There's a lot of history there, she played Juliet to my Romeo and our group of friends had a lot of fun. There was a big exam ahead of us that determine whether we'll be able to go into an university, but we didn't care. We hang out every weekend going to karaokes and camping trips, party at people's houses, chasing each other around and do the beat down during recess. That's probably why we all failed miserably when the exams came but still that was the best time of my life.

We got to the beach around 7 and the sun has begun to set. We went in the Cliff House and decided to have dinner there. MH had read my blog before, so it doesn't take much to come out to her. Her blog is in Chinese and from what she wrote, I know that she's a foodie too.

There are certain history associated with the Cliff House and to dine while sitting on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean is such a treat.

It's a little high in the price range, but we did go a little all out. I ordered 3 appetizers, MH had an entree and we both ordered desserts.


Row 1: (Left) Shrimp & Scallop Ceviche with Avacado Mousse, (Mid) Charcuterie Plate with Rabbit Terrine, Chicken Liver Pate, (Right) Beer Braised Black Mussels
Row 2: (Left) Rack of Lamb with Garlic Flan and Eggplant Quinoa, (Mid) Chocolate Fondant, (Right) Assembled Pistachio Cheesecake.

The ceviche was served with lavosh chips and have a very light grapefruit taste that is so refereshing. The charcuterie plate is very nice, although the toast is a bit oily and I'm not very fond of prosciutto. The lamb is very nicely cooked, The mussels are unnecessarily cayenned and so is the cheesecake. The chocolate fondant is not melty in the middle, but generally we throughoutly enjoyed the meal and the service was quite good. B

Adjacent to that is Sutro Bath, one of the earliest swimming pool houses in the country. By the time we finished eating, it was already too dark to go take a look, maybe next time.

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Music Invasion: Jamie Cullum's "Blame It On My Youth"

Lately I've been listening to this song for quite a bit, I guess I'm feeling sentimental. (Plus, I think I can kill this sucker in any karaoke/piano bar) Sorry I can't find a better video.



Blame It On My Youth

If I expected love when first we kissed
Blame it on my youth
If only just for you, I did exist
Blame it on my youth
I believed in everything
Like a child of three
You meant more than anything
You meant all the world to me

If you were on my mind all night and day
Blame it on my youth
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
Blame it on my youth
If I cried a little bit
When first I learned the truth
Don’t blame it on my heart
Blame it on my youth

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Barkeep's Note: Blackberry Martini

One of the amazing things from a party during last week was that the host of the posted some cocktail recipe at the drink station so the party goers can make it themselves and this is the one I absolutely love:

Blackberry/Blackcurrant Martini

A glass full of ice
1 shot of Stoli Blakberi vodka/Absolut Kurant
1/2 shot of triple sec
1 tablespoon of lime juice
Top it off with cranberry juice

Given I can't drink much and I used a big cup so most of it is ice and cranberry juice, but I like it so much that now this is my new favorite.

Hope you can try it sometimes.

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The SF Stories

Alright, sorry about the spastic posts during this week but I'm back in Philly, although I might never be the same again. Exaggeration or not, this trip to SF has been eye-opening in many ways and I think they are all for the better.

JS is an Asian guy that I've met probably 4-5 years ago in San Francisco during a conference. We've met each other through Bear Buddies, and afterwards we exchanged information. Nice guy really, but since I have no clue on when I'll return to SF, his information got lost. A year ago I saw him on a bear site online and we got to talking again.

He told me that he has met a couple and had started to get serious and they are now a thruple. They moved in together, and life is good and happy. Of course, I'm happy for him and I'm also quite jealous. JS and I have a good rapport and he told me that if I'm ever in town, I should stay with him and his hubbies. When I planned my trip to San Francisco, I told him about it and thought maybe we can hang out but since it's a rather long period that I'm visiting I didn't want to impose.

We hung out on the Friday night before Folsom at a bear bar called the Lone Star. I arrived a little early and the bar is a little intimidating. I was relief to see JS and his hubbies coming in. They all seems very nice and genuine. Hubby #1 is a lawyer while JS and hubby #2 are high level software developers for some big time software company. They own a home in SOMA, life should be pretty good.

After two drinks, the bar started to get very busy. We were standing in between of the back patio area, people were trying to get by from all sides so we kinda huddled up. That's when JS start making out with hubby #1 then hubby #2, then me... Well, that's not all that went down, pants were unzipped, things were exposed and my face went bright red. Then four other friends showed up, more making out, more stroking, a contest of who can suck the best tits commenced. One of them called this group the incestuous bunch and I can see why. By the end of the night, I think I've kissed almost all of them and made out with at least 5. (Don't judge me, I was on vacation.) No sex though, everyone was taken so we all went our separate ways.



Actually I find thing in SF to be quite open, people there are friendlier and less stuck up even more supportive of each other. A former colleague JM moved there 4 years ago, we hung out and apparently he has became a bear with his fuller body and his new formed beard. He found a job at UCSF helping with HIV behavioral research and sharing a house with two girls. He told me when he grew up, he had 3 dreams: To live in SF (where the gay folks are), to study Arabic (he's Jewish and thought knowing Arabic will bring piece), to work in the HIV field (in hope to cure AIDS). He's achieving these goals and it makes him happy and content. Too bad I don't have any dreams, but I think I'm liking the thoughts of living in San Francisco. (Living costs are extremely high and I don't think I'll ever be able to own something in this town, but it feels right.)

Oh, the huddling took place again during Folsom and this time it ended up with somebody wiping someone else's boot off with a handkerchief.

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Travelogue 2008: San Francisco Part 2

Eat.


Your.


Heart.


Out.

Haha! For more NSFW Folsom Street Fair 2008 photos, try here. I'm actually impressed that my cell phone cam worked.

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Weekend Meme: Alphabet Meme

This week's Meme should have been the Gentleman's Lists over at Chris' Mangina Monologues but I'm not doing that well on that one and getting around 13/25 from the new list and the old list, barely passing as one and I'm too ashame to publish my results. So after much digging, I found the originator of some memes is Ur-Spo from Spo-Reflections. I think I've secured another Meme bank that could last me for a while.

So here:

A is for age: 33
B is for beer of choice: Shandy. I just tried it a few days ago and it was good. I can definitely tolerate that.
C is for career: IT Manager, well, I'm unemployed now.
D is for favorite drink: Arnold Palmer (Half lemonade, half ice tea), the older I am the more I like lemons.
E is for essential item you use everyday: My laptop, other than that there are 5 things I have to have when I leave my house; My glasses, my wallet, my keys, my watch and my iPod.
F is for favorite song at the moment: "Nobody" from Wonder Girls (This one has subtitiles), The song is eating my brains out. Does it qualify as a favorite?
G is for favorite game: Mahjong, period.
H is for hometown: Hong Kong
I is for instruments you play: Piano (Very elementary)
J is for favorite juice: Orange juice
K is for kids: Maybe someday
L is for last kiss: Last night
M is for marriage: Maybe someday, with the right person under the right circumstances.
N is for name of your best friend: Well, if I say a name, the others would be seriously offended.
O is for overnight hospital stays: A few but the last one is during a company camping trip where I get my back muscles pulled after a whole day of kayaking and helping my colleagues get out of jams. They gave me some strong muscle relaxer and my colleague was laughing because a hunky male nurse was helping me in and out my bed and I had a smirk on my face.
P is for phobias: Snakes. I tremble just at the thought. Also a small phobia of height.
Q is for quote: "Nobody can wish you succeed as much as you do." - Tim Gunn (lol.)
R is for biggest regret: Comfortable being clueless about sex and my homosexuality until I was 23.
S is for Shirts: I have around 30. My favorite is a white shirt with white sewn stripes from Armani Exchange, I've had it for 5 years.
T is for time you wake up: 8:30-9:00ish (lol)
U is for underwear: Trunks
V is for vegetable you love: Pea shoots. (It's a Chinese thing)
W is for worst habit: Procrastination and being too cautious.
X is for x-rays you have had: Chest
Y is for yummy food you make: My favorite is a mushroom barley risotto using truffle oil. I didn't write down the recipe, but maybe next holiday I'll try doing it again.
Z is for zodiac sign: Cancer/Leo Cusp, More of a Cancer I'd say.

Have a great weekend!

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Travelogue 2008: San Francisco, Part 1

It's funny, when I tell my friends that I'm going out to San Francisco for a week, a few of them took it as my last day on earth and insist on seeing me before I leave. Do they know something I don't?

I'm starting to realize how much I don't like flying for a long period of time and I made the wrong decision to choose a window seat. Not incredibly smart on my part. I begin to be aware of my slight claustrophobia and something smells like feet. Good thing I dozed off a bit, but then I don't want to fall asleep because I don't want my snoring to annoy my fellow passengers.

From the recommendations of a friend, I made reservations at a hotel that turns out to be more motel-like. I thought it belongs to the Best Western group but I guess the setting is very different. The queen bed turns out to be more of a double, there's a shower but not a bathtub, there are no electricity outlet other than the ones using for the lamps, there are no Comedy Central or Bravo but that's HBO and my recording from last night's Project Runway didn't work on my laptop plus the walls are thin but I guess I'm not here to sleep, much. It would do for now, I doubt there are empty rooms somewhere else with an event this big in town.

Negativity aside, San Francisco seems to have lifted my spirit. Dare I say it even happy? I've noticed a surge of woofiness in the city. Hot, hairy, macho bear-type guys walking around the city. Seems like the average height of this city is a few inch taller than Philly. Guys somehow seems to be generally better looking and a lot of them seems to be better built, especially around Castro. There seems to have a sea of huge, muscular, hairy chested guys, their chests seem to be an entirely separate creatures struting down the street before their owners.

There are also tons more Asians and gaysians alike in the city. I went back to a Japanese diner on O'Farrell Street that I liked. And the next table came a bunch of late teens, early 20s speaking Cantonese. Nothing can make me feel older. So I guess I'm more ordinary here, and perhaps inferior unless I hit the gym mad for the next 18 months.

Walking around Chinatown comparing what is new and what is old, I found a vegetarian place that one of my friend has brought me to 7 years ago in which I have fail to find when I was back there 4-5 years back. They make some sweet and sour seitans that resemble sweet and sour pork, bbq pork and roast duck. Oh heavenly, too bad I've already ate, but I do have a few more days to go, so in my best Schwazenegger impressions: "I'll be back!"

After walking around for 6 hours, I think I might rest and catch up on True Blood tonight, maybe I can even catch Little Britain on Sunday. Woohoo! (Um... just watched an episode of True Blood, exactly how many muscled naked guys having sex can they fit in 60 minutes? I'm about to cough up my unemployment funds and subscribing to softcore HBO... and one guy was dancing to Jonny McGovern's Soccer Practice, lol.)


The Japanese Diner - Dojima Ann


Got this strange shot in the tunnel on Stockton Street.


The vegetarian restaurant on Washington Street that I vow to go back.


On my way to Castro.

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Asians in the Media (Sept 08 edition)

It's premiere week and I've got treated to a two-hour premiere of Heroes. After last season's writer strike kerfuffle, I'm happy to report that the show has been restored to its former glory. The story is gone from 18 century Japan and returned to the 21st century, where they are out to save the world again. More people with different special abilities, more schemes, secrets and mysteries. I love my superhero soaps!

Of course adorable Hiro (Masi Oka) is back with his sidekick Ando (James Kyson Lee) at his side. Can I also note how hot Mohinder Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) looks? I wasn't expecting that body of muscles under that suit and tie professor outfit and his calm and collected persona.


Sorry, but I couldn't find that a better pic.

Another show that I'm getting into is The Mentalist on CBS, I seem to remember another show on USA networks called Psych with a similar subject matter but this is done with less comedy and with more of a Silence of the Lamb vibe. It is about a person with extraordinary observational and logical skills that allow him to find certain facts about a person or a crime. These people can pass themselves as psychic and that's where the fun kicks in. Patrick Jane ,played by Australian actor Simon Baker, is one such person that used to play a psychic on TV John Edward style until during an interview he disclosed that he was helping the polic to catach a serial killer and caused the detath of his wife and kid. Now he had become a full time detective to go after the killer. (Guessing spoiler: Could he have split personality and was the killer himself all along?)

Amongst the casts is the very handsome Tim Kang, who has been in The Sopranos, Third Watch, Chappelle's Show and even Rambo 4. Hopefully this show will be a success and he will get his big break to stardom.


Hunky, no?

Over at 8Asians, Jun wrote an article about a girl group that caught Perez Hilton's attention called Wonder Girls. They are a mixture of Spice Girls and Wonder Woman who took South Korea by storm. The song is called "Nobody". Not understanding Korean, I don't know what they are singing but the video is really funny and cute.



The song actually starts in the 2:00 mark. It could have been a Dream Girls tribute. They all look really pretty in their 60s get ups. I still can't judge whether they can sing or rap, but it's pop. Ernie tipped his reader about another Korean singer named BoA is entering the American market, and potentially becoming the first mainstream Asian singer in the States but other than a decent song for the girl's toys Bratz, I'm not feeling her that much. I remember another Asian singer named Coco Lee tried to get into the US market without much success before and yet I see so many white/black guys with Asian girlfriends, strange.

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How a Person Whom I've Never Met Before Managed to Break My Heart

A few laptops ago, a person from the San Francisco bay area befriended me on Gay.com. Let's call him Mr. Oakland. Mr. Oakland is a few years older than me, he's a bit shorter, a mix of French, Irish and Native American, handsome with a solid body (My favorite type, solid, built and "stout" which makes his chest looks giant, i think they call it rugby built now). He told me that he likes Asians and find me cute. He has lived in Korea for a while and learned how to speak Korean and even got a Korean name that means something along the line of pure as water. He works as a ESL teacher, I find his mannerism simply adorable. For the past few years, we have communicated a bit and I never got how he could be single, he told me that there aren't as much Asians in his area as I think, and he's adversed to gay bars. One time he called me out of the blue just to chat because he was stuck in traffic on the bay bridge and tells me that he'd like to date me (not sex) if I ever goes to San Francisco. I told him that I'll be going to Folsom in late September and he said he'll like to see me then. He truly seems to be a sweet person with a heart of gold.

As I was checking my MySpace page just now, I stumbled upon a notification about him updated his profile. So while being curious I went looking and he wrote that he's no longer single as of 10 days ago, my heart sunk. Not that I'm expecting to fall desperately in love with Mr. Oakland and move in the next day lesbian style, but I thought we'd have a good time together. I guess it's bad timing and it just reminded me how life doesn't wait, things happen around you in which you have no control over. With a little further digging, I discovered that Mr. Oakland has found himself quite a hunk; a hot, handsome, rugby built mate who's into sports just like himself. He's a good guy and he deserves to be immensely happy and I think he is happy now. Good for him, his boyfriend is a lucky man. I'm sure quite a few of his 200+ friends/buddies would be quite heartbroken as well. I can only blame myself for not living close enough.

This seriously casts a shadow over my SF Folsom trip, but it's too late to change my mind now. I fully intend to have as much fun as I could.

---

On another note, I'm starting to think maybe I only have crushes on people that I can't have - the unattainables. Is it the thrill of the chase or some deeper psychological hang-ups?

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DVD Review: Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

Sorry for missing a few days, probably since now I don't have to go to work, my activity level has decreased and I've gotten lazy.

Well, I've spent a day with my now very good friend BL on Sunday. We went to have dim sum with another friend, you always need more people for dim sum, that way you can sample a bigger variety of food without getting too full. After dim sum we went for a light grocery shopping and we seperated to do our own shopping. I've had to exchange some undies I bought during Macy's shop for a cause event and I was ecstatic that they let me do the exchange with the same discount I've received without any hassle, especially when they costs twenty-some dollars a pair. At least now I know the kind of undies I like are called Trunks, which also happened to be a Dragonball Z character, I wonder if that's because the creator of the anime loves wearing them as well.

After the exchange and a light nap, I went to his place to print out my itinerary. I don't have a printer at home, I had one but then I don't use it and it was just sitting there collecting dust and I threw it away. While we were listening to Audra McDonald's new CD, reading an article teaching me how to cruise and watching part of a DVD called Broadway's Finest Leading Ladies, our buddy CL called and said he'll drop by and asked if I mind cooking dinner. So my eyes lit up and went for groceries.

It took about an hour of cooking and another half hour to eat. The baked stuffed sage chicken and my own brand of lemon garlic parmesan pasta came out alright. I'm thinking of posting the recipe on here but I need to remember to snap a picture before doing that. With some self made Pepperidge Farm/Haagen-Daaz ice cream sandwiches at hands, we sat down to Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman (1994).

---

I always thought Ang Lee was gay, probably because he directed Wedding Banquet (1993) which is one of my favorite gay films of all time. Not many straight Asian guy will write and direct a gay movie, Brokeback Mountain in 2005 just added to my convictions. But then Ang is married to a woman with two kids, should I assume that just because he's married, it doesn't mean that he don't bat for our team?

The thing about Ang Lee that impresses me so much is that his ability to tackle modern topics with a heavy Chinese sentiments. The movie is about this retiring big time Chinese chef and his relationship with his 3 daughters which all have trouble building relationships. The first 5 minutes or so shows the high art that is Chinese cuisine with the father spending a whole day cooking a dozen of dishes for his 3 daughters and himself. BL owns the movie and he told us when he first watched it with a friend they were eating fast food or instant noodles and can't help but got discouraged by the disparity. "And the daughters are still complaining?" The movie showed how some Chinese dishes are made, I cracked up while the father blew air into a goose before roasting it. Of course, my confidence in cooking has significantly depleted from watching this movie and from eating at A&Y's.

The title "Eat Drink Man Woman" describes the basic needs of human, they are, as the movie described, the source of happiness. The oldest daughter is a stuck up high school teacher who is destined to be an old maid. The second daughter is a successful business woman who can't commit to her boyfriend and ended up breaking up with him while continuing their sexual relationship. The youngest daughter is a high schooler who ironically works at a fried chicken franchise, who looks innocent at first but not so while the movie progresses. The three girls lost their mom a few years back and their relationship with their father has deteriorated since, but things changed while their father unexpectedly falls in love.

It is a great movie with a perfect blend of comedy and drama. It is also culturally interesting even though it's predictable at times. If you don't have anything better to do, I strongly recommend you rent this one out to see it for yourself, it might make you hungry so get some popcorn or Chinese take out while you watch. A-

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Music Invasion: Sherry Vine's "4 Minutes to Make You Cum"

As the title would suggest, this is totally NSFW but pretty hilarious.

I think I've heard Sherry Vine's name at the drag queen challenge in Project Runway, but even after watching her video, I couldn't remember which one was her. So I checked and found this, she was the one in Keith's sad chicken outfit:



Here's the hilarious video:



My question to this is: How does saying "tick-tock-tick-tock" ease performance anxiety? lol.

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Weekend Meme: Google Images Meme

Found this week's Meme over at Erik's blog: Gambrinous With Griffonage. It's another get to know you Meme, but I love pictures and graphics so I hope you like it.

Here are the rules:

a) Answer the questions below;
b) For each answer, do a Google Image search with minimal words of explanation, and take a picture from the 1st page of results and post it with your answer;

1. The age you’ll be on your next birthday: 34



2. Place you want to travel to: Greece


I mean look at it, who wouldn't?

3. Your favorite place: Beach


Or a pool, better yet, a pool by the beach. lol.

4. Your favorite food: Shanghainese Food



5. Your favorite pet: Dogs


They're just too cute.

6. Favorite color combination: Brown and Blue


Soothing colors

7. Favorite piece of clothing: Sandals


I've got the tan lines to prove it.

8. Your all time favorite song: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered by Ella Fitzgerald


I've quite a few favorite songs, but this always takes the cake.

9. Favorite TV show: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart


Am I the only one who finds Rob Riggle hot?

10. First name of your significant other: Don't have one right now



11. Which town do you live in: Philly



12. Your screen name/nickname: YvesPaul


All I've gotta say is, be careful where you leave your comments.

13. Your first job: Waiter



14. Your dream job: Music Producer



15. One bad habit that you have: Nose-Picking (Nasal Territorial Marking)



16. Worst fear: Being Thrown Into a Snake Pit


Snakes are my worst fear.

17: Things you’d like to do before you die: Hang Gliding


It would be the closest feeling to flying.

18. The first thing you’ll do if you get $1,000,000: Buy a Condo


I sincerely doubt that a million dollar would get this condo.

19. Your husband/wife: Don't know yet.



20. What present would you like for your next birthday? A Scholarship, maybe? lol.



Have a great weekend!

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Banksy in New Orleans

Banksy hit New Orleans back by the end of August and left some intriguing Katrina related and some Americana images:





You can practically feel the wind.


Gotta love this one.


TV, yes. Boombox, maybe not.


Is this Abe Lincoln?

New Orleans specific:





Americana:


I guess Simpsons are still cool. :)

---

I guess this following series can qualify as the dumbest news of the week. A man destroying a Banksy with red spray paint. I wonder if he owns he building, if not the owner should sue him for damages. Don't thy know how much a Banksy can yield?


Perfect masterpiece worth hundreds of thousands


Stupid idiot with spray paint


Value = $0

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