Saturday, August 20, 2005
Goodbye Blowout
Well, last night was the last night I'll spend exclusively in the company of my friends this year. The evening began (again) at Kenka because we simply couldn't resist the cheap eats and ridiculously cheap Kirin Ichiban drafts. Ben, Scott and I went through fourteen of 'em for just $21. I guess I'm drinking a lot lately but it's a celebration, bitches!
Kenka offers complimentary cotton candy to all diners at the end of the meal.
Ben tries his hand at collecting it onto a pair of chopsticks.
I enjoy a pensive moment at Astor Place.
Eating and drinking at Kenka takes a long time, so we didn't finish our meal until well after 9PM. The plan was to meet Mike and Hyde somewhere to sing karaoke so as the meal went on, my phone was abuzz with messages as we struggled to coordinate our evening. While the East Village is full of legit karaoke bars, most of them have per-song charges or specific drink minimums. So we instead went up to Hyde's favorite local bar which has karaoke parties on the weekends. Being in midtown would also be easier on Scott and Ben since they would eventually have to get back to Grand Central to catch the last train. Hyde got there first (of course, since she lives right nearby), then the three of us showed up shortly before 10. Mike rolled in about ten or fifteen minutes after that.
I immediately signed up for my "signature" song, "New York, New York" as I knew my friends would enjoy it the most. Hyde was eager to sing a duet with me (as I was to sing with her) and we settled on "Summer Lovin'" from Grease. Kind of apropos I think (if only halfway). Hyde also sang a few tunes by herself like "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and at one point joined four other girls in singing "Lady Marmalade."
When my turn came, I think I did pretty well. The more I sing "New York, New York" the better I feel about it. I don't really need to read the words anymore; if anything, they sort of fuck up my own personal pacing. Hyde and I got to sing a little bit later which was a lot of fun. I've never sung "Summer Lovin'" before but I think I did OK. She was much better than me (given that she is an actual trained vocalist) but that's unimportant in the world of karaoke. As a gag, the bartender (who knows Hyde very well) suggested I change one lyric from "Wonder what she's doing now" to "Wonder who she's doing now." I oblidged and got a laugh or two, including a chuckle from Hyde herself.
Might those be the hands of Hyde in the shot? Could be...
After our songs it seemed that no one else in our party wanted to sing so we went up to Hyde's place to hang out. We chilled out up there for a very long time. Scott ended up leaving to catch that last train home but Ben stayed. The four of us hung out until around 4 AM. At some point we went up to the roof for a fantastic view of midtown (better than the view from inside the apartment, if that's possible) Ben was trying to convince me to let him sleep at my Dad's place instead of going home with Mike which I simply could not agree to. I am simply unable to predict Dad's reaction to a surprise guest in the house although I'm confident he would not be very enthused about it. Hyde offered to let him stay on her couch but warned that she was leaving early on Saturday morning. The funny thing is, once Ben started talking to Hyde about fixing her computer (remember that he does this for a living), he arranged it so that he could stay there and then just fix the machine during the next day. So Ben successfully negotiated a place to stay in Manhattan for the night and a job the following day! Quite impressive.
Since Hyde asked me to promise to help her wake up in the morning I hung around a bit longer but fell asleep around 5. I did not sleep very soundly so I had no problem getting up at 8:15 to make sure Hyde got up in time to leave. It felt very strange leaving her apartment with Ben still on the couch (asleep by this point) but I didn't want to find out what would happen if my Dad woke up and I wasn't at home. Thankfully, I made it home before he got up and simply crawled into my bed and got a few more winks.
This afternoon, Salena came down and the three of us went shopping. I was planning on buying a bag to carry my laptop in but Dad just so happened to have a bag around the apartment that could do the job. Serendipitous! We instead focused on getting me some new clothes. I suppose I already have a lot of clothing but to be frank, I have way too many T-shirts and not nearly enough nicer things. We went down to the Old Navy near Herald Square. I got a bunch of polo-style shirts and a couple pairs of pants. I dare say that if my weight loss keeps up, I might be able to go below a 40 inch waist soon!
When the subject of dinner came up, Salena thought I should try something other than Japanese food since that's going to be my everyday food for the next nine months. Suddenly, I recalled the name of an Ethiopian restaurant that I had been hearing a lot of good things about: Queen of Sheba. I proposed it and the idea was approved.
You need to understand the backstory here: seventeen years ago, our nuclear family had our first experience with Ethiopian food at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. None of us had ever eaten that cuisine before and we are horrified by the experience. What we thought were napkins was actually a rubbery kind of bread. There were no utensils, you had to pick up the food with the bread and eat it. We found all of the items revolting and I clearly remember making jokes along the lines of "If this is what food is like in Ethiopia, no wonder the people are starving." I was a real smart-ass back then. Long story short: we ate ice cream afterwards for dinner since we all hated the food and neither me nor my father have eaten Ethiopian food since.
Salena demonstrates how Ethiopian cuisine is eaten.
Thankfully, this latest experience was overwhelmingly positive. Yes, the bread is a little odd and spongy but I enjoyed everything this time. As you can see, our dishes were presented on a giant tray and we all just went at it. I found the vegetable dishes my sister ordered were much tastier than the meat ones. The biggest drawback is the presentation doesn't allow you to know which dish you are eating, so I have no idea what to recommend! Also, I was eating a lot of the bread out of necessity which isn't so great for me but I'll survive.
After dinner Salena and I said our goodbyes because it's unlikely that we'll see each other again before I leave (she's not going to make it to the airport for my early departure). It's hard to believe that I have less than 36 hours left in these United States!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday, August 19, 2005
Round the Melting Pot
Quite a day! Let me explain.
I got up early to work out. I ended up running a little late so I skipped the cardio today. I don't want to make a habit of that since I'm still pretty heavy but I know that the cardio exercise isn't the linchpin of my exercise routine; the weight stuff is.
I ran out to the post office around noon. My aforementioned eBay auction ended and I had to ship out the item in question. Did I mention that I received three times what I paid for that silly thing? It's true! Anyway, I sent the card on its way, carefully wrapped in cardboard cut from the package I received yesterday.
What package was that? My digital camera! It arrived Wednesday evening and it's totally awesome. I bought a Canon Powershot SD400, just like I wanted. Coincidentally, it ended up costing almost exactly the same amount of money I earned from selling that card! Of course, Mom paid for the camera which I really appreciated.
Enough about my wheelings and dealings on the Internet. Today I spent nearly the entire day with my friend Scott. For those of you who haven't been reading closely, Scott has been living and working in Japan for five years now and will actually be near the school I will be attending this year.
Scott and I met down in Chinatown around 1PM. We meandered about, without particular purpose, until Scott suggested we go and eat some dim sum. He knew a great place which took a little legwork to track down but it ended up being right on Elizabeth St. It's called Jing Fong and it's a sight to behold! Unlike most eateries in Chinatown, this one is in its very own building. Indeed, in order to reach the dining room you must go up a very long escalator (easily the longest one I've seen outside of the subway). Once upstairs, you will find yourself in a very spacious and attractive dining room. It's big, like a banquet hall really. It's the kind of place I'd imagine Chinese people might go to get married. In fact, I was so moved I decided to break in my new camera by taking a picture:
That's Scott showing off for the camera. Obviously I need a little practice operating this thing. It wasn't nearly as dark as it appears, I just used the wrong exposure setting. Remember, unlike a film camera, I can choose what "speed" to use for each picture. I'll get it working sooner or later; I'm only a third of the way through the instruction booklet, give me some time!
After our incredibly filling meal, we continued our journey around the neighborhood. Partly out of nostalgia, we dropped in on the old Chinatown Fair arcade on Mott St. Like most U.S. arcades, the machines are aging and not nearly as magical as they appeared just five or six years ago. Indeed, most of the games that were there five or six years ago are still there today. I didn't really play anything for two reasons: it would be a waste of money to play any old games and the new ones were all being played by virtual experts. Scott played a little but we moved along.
I don't know how many hours we spent cruising the shops. We stopped at one point for some bubble tea but otherwise we were strolling or browsing all afternoon. When the time came to leave, we simply walked north to the East Village, another neighborhood we used to hang out in a lot (I still do). More browsing was at hand. Eventually we walked up to Union Square where we had a seat on a bench and just talked about life, Japan, Hyde, and even the ways of a Jedi.
What the hell am I talking about? Ehh, it's kind of personal guy stuff that you wouldn't be interested in hearing. It wasn't just sex talk (though we did find time for that), we were talking about real emotional issues. To put it bluntly, I received more sage-like advice regarding my life that I hope to actually follow instead of doing what my instincts tell me. Or maybe I'm confusing my instincts with my impulses.
Funny side note: while we relaxed in the park, a strange girl with a film crew asked us some banal questions for her "project." Nearly all of the questions were about GE and she wanted us to come up with "funny" answers on the spot. This is hard work when her questions are as basic as "What did Thomas Edison invent?" When pressed, she admitted the "project" was, in fact, for GE. What a bunch of egomaniacal jerks. Except her, I guess, she seemed nice.
We returned to the East Village, took a stroll over to Alphabet City and then looped back into the Village again. Our plan was to check out a karaoke bar that Scott had suggested we visit soon. Unfortunately, there was no indication on the outside of when it was open so we just walked around and periodically checked in. Eventually we encountered an employee who told us they open at 9.
Faced with well over an hour to kill, we opted for dinner at ケンカ (Kenka). What a wild scene! It was packed and noisy, but not just because of the customers. They were playing loud music that sounded like patriotic tunes from the war or something. Also, the artwork on display was quite eclectic. We had a clear view of a photo of Hirohito and his wife which was right above some pornographic artwork and what looked like a creepy bondage image of a girl tied up in a kimono. Most importantly, the food was excellent, the menu was quite varied (though I was surprised not to find any yakitori) and the prices were excellent. They serve Kirin Ichiban drafts for only $1.50!! Scott and I drank six (total) with our meals and the check was still less than $30! Go check this place out immediately.
After dinner we finally went to check out this karaoke bar. We were the only two people inside and the prices were quite high. Every drink was at least $5 and there was a two-drink minimum. Singing cost $1 a song. Seeing these costs we decided not to try any karaoke that night and left the singing to tomorrow (Friday) evening.
We weren't ready to stop drinking so we walked around to find a new spot. Scott remembered an old hangout in SoHo so we went on a long journey. Sadly, our half-hour walk ended in disappointment when the spot he remembered was now an Indian restaurant (closed to boot). We grabbed one last drink at the nearest bar and then walked to the nearest 6 train to head home. So it looks like tomorrow will be the big climactic gathering of most of my friends. I will enjoy it!
Today had a sad post-script though. It seems my friend Hyde, whom I met through the "blogosphere," is ending her blog. I will miss reading her stories very much. Hopefully we can maintain our friendship via e-mail during my studies abroad.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I got up early to work out. I ended up running a little late so I skipped the cardio today. I don't want to make a habit of that since I'm still pretty heavy but I know that the cardio exercise isn't the linchpin of my exercise routine; the weight stuff is.
I ran out to the post office around noon. My aforementioned eBay auction ended and I had to ship out the item in question. Did I mention that I received three times what I paid for that silly thing? It's true! Anyway, I sent the card on its way, carefully wrapped in cardboard cut from the package I received yesterday.
What package was that? My digital camera! It arrived Wednesday evening and it's totally awesome. I bought a Canon Powershot SD400, just like I wanted. Coincidentally, it ended up costing almost exactly the same amount of money I earned from selling that card! Of course, Mom paid for the camera which I really appreciated.
Enough about my wheelings and dealings on the Internet. Today I spent nearly the entire day with my friend Scott. For those of you who haven't been reading closely, Scott has been living and working in Japan for five years now and will actually be near the school I will be attending this year.
Scott and I met down in Chinatown around 1PM. We meandered about, without particular purpose, until Scott suggested we go and eat some dim sum. He knew a great place which took a little legwork to track down but it ended up being right on Elizabeth St. It's called Jing Fong and it's a sight to behold! Unlike most eateries in Chinatown, this one is in its very own building. Indeed, in order to reach the dining room you must go up a very long escalator (easily the longest one I've seen outside of the subway). Once upstairs, you will find yourself in a very spacious and attractive dining room. It's big, like a banquet hall really. It's the kind of place I'd imagine Chinese people might go to get married. In fact, I was so moved I decided to break in my new camera by taking a picture:
That's Scott showing off for the camera. Obviously I need a little practice operating this thing. It wasn't nearly as dark as it appears, I just used the wrong exposure setting. Remember, unlike a film camera, I can choose what "speed" to use for each picture. I'll get it working sooner or later; I'm only a third of the way through the instruction booklet, give me some time!
After our incredibly filling meal, we continued our journey around the neighborhood. Partly out of nostalgia, we dropped in on the old Chinatown Fair arcade on Mott St. Like most U.S. arcades, the machines are aging and not nearly as magical as they appeared just five or six years ago. Indeed, most of the games that were there five or six years ago are still there today. I didn't really play anything for two reasons: it would be a waste of money to play any old games and the new ones were all being played by virtual experts. Scott played a little but we moved along.
I don't know how many hours we spent cruising the shops. We stopped at one point for some bubble tea but otherwise we were strolling or browsing all afternoon. When the time came to leave, we simply walked north to the East Village, another neighborhood we used to hang out in a lot (I still do). More browsing was at hand. Eventually we walked up to Union Square where we had a seat on a bench and just talked about life, Japan, Hyde, and even the ways of a Jedi.
What the hell am I talking about? Ehh, it's kind of personal guy stuff that you wouldn't be interested in hearing. It wasn't just sex talk (though we did find time for that), we were talking about real emotional issues. To put it bluntly, I received more sage-like advice regarding my life that I hope to actually follow instead of doing what my instincts tell me. Or maybe I'm confusing my instincts with my impulses.
Funny side note: while we relaxed in the park, a strange girl with a film crew asked us some banal questions for her "project." Nearly all of the questions were about GE and she wanted us to come up with "funny" answers on the spot. This is hard work when her questions are as basic as "What did Thomas Edison invent?" When pressed, she admitted the "project" was, in fact, for GE. What a bunch of egomaniacal jerks. Except her, I guess, she seemed nice.
We returned to the East Village, took a stroll over to Alphabet City and then looped back into the Village again. Our plan was to check out a karaoke bar that Scott had suggested we visit soon. Unfortunately, there was no indication on the outside of when it was open so we just walked around and periodically checked in. Eventually we encountered an employee who told us they open at 9.
Faced with well over an hour to kill, we opted for dinner at ケンカ (Kenka). What a wild scene! It was packed and noisy, but not just because of the customers. They were playing loud music that sounded like patriotic tunes from the war or something. Also, the artwork on display was quite eclectic. We had a clear view of a photo of Hirohito and his wife which was right above some pornographic artwork and what looked like a creepy bondage image of a girl tied up in a kimono. Most importantly, the food was excellent, the menu was quite varied (though I was surprised not to find any yakitori) and the prices were excellent. They serve Kirin Ichiban drafts for only $1.50!! Scott and I drank six (total) with our meals and the check was still less than $30! Go check this place out immediately.
After dinner we finally went to check out this karaoke bar. We were the only two people inside and the prices were quite high. Every drink was at least $5 and there was a two-drink minimum. Singing cost $1 a song. Seeing these costs we decided not to try any karaoke that night and left the singing to tomorrow (Friday) evening.
We weren't ready to stop drinking so we walked around to find a new spot. Scott remembered an old hangout in SoHo so we went on a long journey. Sadly, our half-hour walk ended in disappointment when the spot he remembered was now an Indian restaurant (closed to boot). We grabbed one last drink at the nearest bar and then walked to the nearest 6 train to head home. So it looks like tomorrow will be the big climactic gathering of most of my friends. I will enjoy it!
Today had a sad post-script though. It seems my friend Hyde, whom I met through the "blogosphere," is ending her blog. I will miss reading her stories very much. Hopefully we can maintain our friendship via e-mail during my studies abroad.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Our Only Hope Is Adorable
Scouring the web has led me to discover another fun, free waste of time!
ゲルゲルパニック - Gerugeru Panic for those J-challenged
It's all in the mouse. You have to move your panda around and click the button to shoot the falling...things. The bigger ones split up into smaller ones. It's quite challenging! Don't forget to turn on your speakers either.
Fight Panda! For Everlasting Peace!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
ゲルゲルパニック - Gerugeru Panic for those J-challenged
It's all in the mouse. You have to move your panda around and click the button to shoot the falling...things. The bigger ones split up into smaller ones. It's quite challenging! Don't forget to turn on your speakers either.
Fight Panda! For Everlasting Peace!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Blasphemy?
I knew tonight would be a lonely one, so I hit the video store and picked up Constantine and The Eye 2. I only had a chance to watch the first movie so far but it left me wondering something.
The movie is all about angels and demons and that sort of thing. At one point Satan shows up, played by Peter Stormare, but when he has a clash with God, God does not appear. He just does some divine stuff without assuming a form.
I realized that I see movies with Satan in them all the time. Usually it's a cool actor playing the role and having fun with it, like Pacino. So why don't we see nearly as many movies with people playing God? He's nearly always an abstract representation. Are people uptight about playing that role? Or do those weasel Hollywood screenwriters simply balk at the idea and leave Him out?
Oh yeah, the movie wasn't very good. Just OK.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
The movie is all about angels and demons and that sort of thing. At one point Satan shows up, played by Peter Stormare, but when he has a clash with God, God does not appear. He just does some divine stuff without assuming a form.
I realized that I see movies with Satan in them all the time. Usually it's a cool actor playing the role and having fun with it, like Pacino. So why don't we see nearly as many movies with people playing God? He's nearly always an abstract representation. Are people uptight about playing that role? Or do those weasel Hollywood screenwriters simply balk at the idea and leave Him out?
Oh yeah, the movie wasn't very good. Just OK.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Monday, August 15, 2005
Happy Meal
Ahhhhh, I'm so happy right now! Let me elaborate.
First of all, I'd like to share two unmistakable signs that I am, in fact, getting thinner. I weigh myself often but whenever I look in the mirror I see the same egregious fat man. However, there are clear indications that my waistline is slowly decreasing.
Firstly, there's my belt. I wear this belt nearly everyday because, as a fat guy, I tend to buy larger pants/shorts and then use a belt to ensure a comfortable fit. Lately, I've noticed that I've had to pull my belt two notches tighter than before (my regular spot is clearly visible on the belt) and I've reached the innermost notch. It's still a little loose, actually, so I might need a new one!
Secondly, there's my jeans. I bought a new pair of jeans at Old Navy during this past school year. They were noticeably tight when I first bought them but they were cheap and my old pair was literally disintegrating off of my body. By the end of the school year they were so tight they didn't fit anymore, a clear sign that I was fatter than ever before. However, given a break in the heat wave I put them on tonight. Not only did they fit, they were a little loose! I may still look heavy but I am the leanest I have been in years.
Anyway, on to the important events of the evening. Tonight I had dinner with Hyde! I hadn't seen her in two weeks; she had gone to a wedding on the West coast and then somehow we didn't meet up for a week since then. Just between you and me ("you" being the entire Internet), I really missed her and I was worried that she was giving me the big brush off. But that paranoid theory is gone now because we had dinner together!
Keeping it local, we rolled over to Yakitori East where I had a delicious meal two weeks ago. I had blown off the notion that we needed a reservation so, of course, the place was packed and we had to wait for twenty minutes. We spent those twenty minutes across the street at the Overlook Lounge which has an unusual feature: a wall of cartoon art drawn by reputable artists. I don't know why so many cartoonists drank & drew there, and I didn't ask. We had one drink apiece which killed enough time to roll back across the street to eat dinner.
Dinner was delicious as well as a funny experience. At one point, Hyde went to the restroom and two folks at the next table began speaking to me. They were students visiting New York to study English; one Japanese, one German. They asked me if "fucked off" was the correct English expression to describe drunkenness. I told them they wanted to say "fucked up" instead and explained that "fuck off" was an insult. This sprang into a full conversation where I told them about my upcoming trip. When Hyde returned we all started talking about our studies and foreign language ability; as luck would have it, Hyde is studying German as I am studying Japanese so the two of us each had an edge speaking to these students. We invited them to join us at Hyde's favorite bar after dinner but they were part of a larger group and the girls they were with didn't seem too psyched about getting more drinks.
Besides that unusual meeting, Hyde and I had a great, long, personal talk. She's a very private person so I felt honored that she was opening up to me. I've tried my best to be as honest with her as possible (probably too honest) so for her to reciprocate was very reassuring. As I said, I was beginning to worry that my professed affection for her was driving her away. Now I've gotten over that baseless anxiety.
After dinner we went to her regular bar but not for very long. She's been through a lot lately (check her blog for a sample) so she decided to turn in early. However, we parted ways acknowledging that we both wanted to spend more time together before I left for Japan. Depending on our respective schedules, I think we can fit in 2-3 more evenings this week. I'm especially eager to sing karaoke with her because her voice is sensational and I want her to hear me belt one out.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
First of all, I'd like to share two unmistakable signs that I am, in fact, getting thinner. I weigh myself often but whenever I look in the mirror I see the same egregious fat man. However, there are clear indications that my waistline is slowly decreasing.
Firstly, there's my belt. I wear this belt nearly everyday because, as a fat guy, I tend to buy larger pants/shorts and then use a belt to ensure a comfortable fit. Lately, I've noticed that I've had to pull my belt two notches tighter than before (my regular spot is clearly visible on the belt) and I've reached the innermost notch. It's still a little loose, actually, so I might need a new one!
Secondly, there's my jeans. I bought a new pair of jeans at Old Navy during this past school year. They were noticeably tight when I first bought them but they were cheap and my old pair was literally disintegrating off of my body. By the end of the school year they were so tight they didn't fit anymore, a clear sign that I was fatter than ever before. However, given a break in the heat wave I put them on tonight. Not only did they fit, they were a little loose! I may still look heavy but I am the leanest I have been in years.
Anyway, on to the important events of the evening. Tonight I had dinner with Hyde! I hadn't seen her in two weeks; she had gone to a wedding on the West coast and then somehow we didn't meet up for a week since then. Just between you and me ("you" being the entire Internet), I really missed her and I was worried that she was giving me the big brush off. But that paranoid theory is gone now because we had dinner together!
Keeping it local, we rolled over to Yakitori East where I had a delicious meal two weeks ago. I had blown off the notion that we needed a reservation so, of course, the place was packed and we had to wait for twenty minutes. We spent those twenty minutes across the street at the Overlook Lounge which has an unusual feature: a wall of cartoon art drawn by reputable artists. I don't know why so many cartoonists drank & drew there, and I didn't ask. We had one drink apiece which killed enough time to roll back across the street to eat dinner.
Dinner was delicious as well as a funny experience. At one point, Hyde went to the restroom and two folks at the next table began speaking to me. They were students visiting New York to study English; one Japanese, one German. They asked me if "fucked off" was the correct English expression to describe drunkenness. I told them they wanted to say "fucked up" instead and explained that "fuck off" was an insult. This sprang into a full conversation where I told them about my upcoming trip. When Hyde returned we all started talking about our studies and foreign language ability; as luck would have it, Hyde is studying German as I am studying Japanese so the two of us each had an edge speaking to these students. We invited them to join us at Hyde's favorite bar after dinner but they were part of a larger group and the girls they were with didn't seem too psyched about getting more drinks.
Besides that unusual meeting, Hyde and I had a great, long, personal talk. She's a very private person so I felt honored that she was opening up to me. I've tried my best to be as honest with her as possible (probably too honest) so for her to reciprocate was very reassuring. As I said, I was beginning to worry that my professed affection for her was driving her away. Now I've gotten over that baseless anxiety.
After dinner we went to her regular bar but not for very long. She's been through a lot lately (check her blog for a sample) so she decided to turn in early. However, we parted ways acknowledging that we both wanted to spend more time together before I left for Japan. Depending on our respective schedules, I think we can fit in 2-3 more evenings this week. I'm especially eager to sing karaoke with her because her voice is sensational and I want her to hear me belt one out.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Back in the Game
Well, I worked out today after taking it easy this weekend. I weigh myself every time I go to the gym so I expected to have put on a few pounds. Instead, I seem to have lost three pounds since Friday! Looks like I'm becoming one of those fat-burning machines. Either that or I sweat it all out during this heat wave we've been experiencing.
More good news: the counter has returned! Thanks to something I spotted over at Hyde's site, I got myself a free counter. I got to pick a color that matched the current background and I was even able to start it at 5600 which is about where it left off in April. Apparently I also get some kind of e-mailed reports regarding who is visiting my site and it's supposed to ignore any visits I make, thus giving me a more accurate idea of how many other people visit. Sounds cool!
Oh yeah, I leave in one week. Can you believe it?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
More good news: the counter has returned! Thanks to something I spotted over at Hyde's site, I got myself a free counter. I got to pick a color that matched the current background and I was even able to start it at 5600 which is about where it left off in April. Apparently I also get some kind of e-mailed reports regarding who is visiting my site and it's supposed to ignore any visits I make, thus giving me a more accurate idea of how many other people visit. Sounds cool!
Oh yeah, I leave in one week. Can you believe it?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, August 14, 2005
For Sale
One rare Magic: The Gathering card. See my auction here.
Only 3 days! Act quickly! EDIT 8/15: The auction is over. I'm getting paid...boo-ya-ka-sha!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Rhymes With Brooms
So much to say right now, not sure how I'll spit it all out. Laws may have been broken but I deny everything.
Friday night was another hometown BBQ at Ben's house and I've got plenty of fresh mosquito bites to show for it. I think bug repellent must be a myth; there's no way I could have been bit up any more. I know wearing shorts doesn't help matters any but given the obscene levels of heat and humidity in New York these days, I cannot bear the thought of walking around in long pants and sleeves. Irregardless, everything was delicious, I had a lot to drink and enjoyed myself thoroughly. My favorites were the grilled mushrooms. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy eating mushrooms? Unfortunately, it was the last time I'll see Dylan until next year. He's going on vacation and won't return before I leave.
I spent the night up there and got a ride back to the city on Saturday with Kate and Josh. Sadly, their van did not have air conditioning so I felt exhausted when I got home. I passed up my usual workout and just tried to relax. Since Dad is off sailing I figured I would try and invite someone to hang out with me here in the apartment for a change. I called Joe and suggested this. He countered by inviting me to a pizza* party at his home. I agreed and took a train all the way out on the Harlem line.
I got to Joe's home around 8 PM. I knew nearly everyone there, save for Joe's sister's boyfriend who was a lot older than all of us which was really weird. We ate around 9, using some McDonald's to mask the taste. It was the first McDonald's food I had eaten since seeing Super Size Me and it ended up being the only thing I ate yesterday (actually, as of this writing it's the only thing I've eaten all weekend). I had one cheeseburger, simultaneously wishing I could eat another but realizing that it tasted kind of gross and that I wasn't really hungry.
The effects were nearly immediate. Despite the two air conditioners cooling the room I began sweating and drinking lots of water. 12 Monkeys was on TV but it started to get too intense. I suggested we watch something else. Joe put in Half Baked which was completely surreal because we were fucked up watching a movie about people getting fucked up.
My first trip to the bathroom was very awkward. During the incident last summer, I had spent a good amount of time hiding in the bathroom when Joe flipped out. So being in that bathroom again, fucked up again, it recalled those unpleasant memories. I guess we can all laugh about now (including Joe).
Obviously, I cannot keenly recall the order of events. Someone started playing music. I had an extended conversation with someone about my upcoming visit to Japan and my experiences from my first trip. When we ran out of water (the tap water was not to be trusted) Joe wanted me to come with him to the store. I didn't feel comfortable with that. Somehow he and his brother drove to the store and returned with gallons of water. Some people were drinking beers, some were smoking something or other, I spent a good deal of time pacing in the kitchen, trying to understand who and I where I was.
Alone, my thoughts drifted to my friends. I wondered where they were and what they were doing. I wondered if my Dad would be angry if I knew what I was doing at that exact moment. I wondered if Hyde was trying to call me or if I should try and call her. I dismissed this idea as you don't want to start making phone calls in that state of mind. It's kind of a rule.
Confused, I thought I might be nauseous. I felt compelled to keep drinking water even though I wasn't that thirsty. I wondered if I should vomit to try and end the experience. Instead, I opted to lay down in Joe's room to try and sleep a little bit. I ended up disrobing even though I was now actually cold. Of course, I couldn't sleep at all. I felt a wave of visual and borderline tactile sensations wash over me. The lights were out in the room but I could still hear noises from the other room and see some light creep in under the door. I imagined that the room was being detached from the building, like I was being taken away. I started talking to myself in Japanese just to see if I was coherent. I imagined that I was in Japan already, despite the numerous American flags hanging in Joe's room. I thought of Hyde again and eventually, I found myself invigorated. I got up, wrapped myself in a red sheet and went back into the other room.
Everyone else was still awake and alert. Clearly, we were all still feeling altered. The TV was tuned to MTV and I found the images to be genuinely bizarre. I was obviously coming down but I still couldn't make sense of anything that was happening on the screen. I found this slightly reassuring, since I know that when I am "normal" I loathe everything MTV does, so if I was recognizing that than my head must have been clearing up.
As people started to leave, it came down to just Joe and I in the living room. We both discovered we were thinking of watching something and we both decided it would be fun to watch the Transformers movie. Those toys (along with all the media associated with them) were an integral part of my early childhood and I was in the mood for some nostalgia. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold up twenty years later. The animation was noticeably chopping and disorienting. Continuity errors were abundant. Unfulfilled and suddenly tired, I went off to sleep. I don't know how successful I was though.
Joe actually had to go to work today so he dropped me off at the station this morning. I don't know if I'll have another chance to see him before I go although he was optimistic that we would hang out one more time. I got home around 1PM and started typing this. I don't know if I'll go outside again today given the terrible heat outside. I suppose I should try getting some exercise in.
*We did not eat any pizza. Use your imagination.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday night was another hometown BBQ at Ben's house and I've got plenty of fresh mosquito bites to show for it. I think bug repellent must be a myth; there's no way I could have been bit up any more. I know wearing shorts doesn't help matters any but given the obscene levels of heat and humidity in New York these days, I cannot bear the thought of walking around in long pants and sleeves. Irregardless, everything was delicious, I had a lot to drink and enjoyed myself thoroughly. My favorites were the grilled mushrooms. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy eating mushrooms? Unfortunately, it was the last time I'll see Dylan until next year. He's going on vacation and won't return before I leave.
I spent the night up there and got a ride back to the city on Saturday with Kate and Josh. Sadly, their van did not have air conditioning so I felt exhausted when I got home. I passed up my usual workout and just tried to relax. Since Dad is off sailing I figured I would try and invite someone to hang out with me here in the apartment for a change. I called Joe and suggested this. He countered by inviting me to a pizza* party at his home. I agreed and took a train all the way out on the Harlem line.
I got to Joe's home around 8 PM. I knew nearly everyone there, save for Joe's sister's boyfriend who was a lot older than all of us which was really weird. We ate around 9, using some McDonald's to mask the taste. It was the first McDonald's food I had eaten since seeing Super Size Me and it ended up being the only thing I ate yesterday (actually, as of this writing it's the only thing I've eaten all weekend). I had one cheeseburger, simultaneously wishing I could eat another but realizing that it tasted kind of gross and that I wasn't really hungry.
The effects were nearly immediate. Despite the two air conditioners cooling the room I began sweating and drinking lots of water. 12 Monkeys was on TV but it started to get too intense. I suggested we watch something else. Joe put in Half Baked which was completely surreal because we were fucked up watching a movie about people getting fucked up.
My first trip to the bathroom was very awkward. During the incident last summer, I had spent a good amount of time hiding in the bathroom when Joe flipped out. So being in that bathroom again, fucked up again, it recalled those unpleasant memories. I guess we can all laugh about now (including Joe).
Obviously, I cannot keenly recall the order of events. Someone started playing music. I had an extended conversation with someone about my upcoming visit to Japan and my experiences from my first trip. When we ran out of water (the tap water was not to be trusted) Joe wanted me to come with him to the store. I didn't feel comfortable with that. Somehow he and his brother drove to the store and returned with gallons of water. Some people were drinking beers, some were smoking something or other, I spent a good deal of time pacing in the kitchen, trying to understand who and I where I was.
Alone, my thoughts drifted to my friends. I wondered where they were and what they were doing. I wondered if my Dad would be angry if I knew what I was doing at that exact moment. I wondered if Hyde was trying to call me or if I should try and call her. I dismissed this idea as you don't want to start making phone calls in that state of mind. It's kind of a rule.
Confused, I thought I might be nauseous. I felt compelled to keep drinking water even though I wasn't that thirsty. I wondered if I should vomit to try and end the experience. Instead, I opted to lay down in Joe's room to try and sleep a little bit. I ended up disrobing even though I was now actually cold. Of course, I couldn't sleep at all. I felt a wave of visual and borderline tactile sensations wash over me. The lights were out in the room but I could still hear noises from the other room and see some light creep in under the door. I imagined that the room was being detached from the building, like I was being taken away. I started talking to myself in Japanese just to see if I was coherent. I imagined that I was in Japan already, despite the numerous American flags hanging in Joe's room. I thought of Hyde again and eventually, I found myself invigorated. I got up, wrapped myself in a red sheet and went back into the other room.
Everyone else was still awake and alert. Clearly, we were all still feeling altered. The TV was tuned to MTV and I found the images to be genuinely bizarre. I was obviously coming down but I still couldn't make sense of anything that was happening on the screen. I found this slightly reassuring, since I know that when I am "normal" I loathe everything MTV does, so if I was recognizing that than my head must have been clearing up.
As people started to leave, it came down to just Joe and I in the living room. We both discovered we were thinking of watching something and we both decided it would be fun to watch the Transformers movie. Those toys (along with all the media associated with them) were an integral part of my early childhood and I was in the mood for some nostalgia. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold up twenty years later. The animation was noticeably chopping and disorienting. Continuity errors were abundant. Unfulfilled and suddenly tired, I went off to sleep. I don't know how successful I was though.
Joe actually had to go to work today so he dropped me off at the station this morning. I don't know if I'll have another chance to see him before I go although he was optimistic that we would hang out one more time. I got home around 1PM and started typing this. I don't know if I'll go outside again today given the terrible heat outside. I suppose I should try getting some exercise in.
*We did not eat any pizza. Use your imagination.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
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