superOEUVRE

Books bought at the Seattle Public Library Book Sale, for a grand total of $6.75:

Eating Naked, Stephen Dobyns
Why We Love, Helen Fisher
The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion
Beloved, Toni Morrison
Hamlet, Shakespeare
Julius Caesar, Shakespeare
King Lear, Shakespeare
Richard II, Shakespeare
Complete Sonnets, Shakespeare
Print: 25th Anniversary Edition
Let Me Finish, Udo Grashoff
Brief Encounters with Che Guevara, Ben Fountain
The Beacon Best of 2001: Great Writing by Women and Men of All Colors & Cultures, ed. Junot Diaz

Positions I've applied for in the past week:

Help Desk Consultant, Catalyst, UW Libraries. I think the interview went well. Reply by Thursday, I think.
Graphic Designer for UW Honors Office. I have my heart set on this, but if it doesn't come, it doesn't.
Still have to send in my résumé to Edison for volunteering at Sakura Con.

The past few days have been a good blur. Friday Motown, Benihana, Barbero Ann, Dara bo Bara, and Nades kicked it at the only place we know how. Good times, good walk back with Da RA, and I had a five minute talk with a guy I thought was Adil in the light of the streelamps, but turned out just to be a friendly drunk. Speaking of, so many drunken revelers that night. First Friday since school's started, I guess. I didn't mind hearing the ones singing outside my window as I tried to sleep since they were singing Grizzly Bear's "The Knife."

Saturday I woke up too late to go to the Book Sale with the girls, so instead I IMA'd with Kevs, then we hung out with Mattlock and Nandrew, plus Alexa, Mattlock's GF. We bussed it to Pike, the couple bought esspensive specialty teas, then on to International District's RE PC, and Uwajimaya where I bought two red bean buns, one of which is still waiting for me in my fridge.

I've been hanging out with Matt and Andrew a lot since school's started and they're really great. Hilarious, you guise. Although I didn't know whether to be offended or amused at Matt's Ryan Playlist. Village People? Come on now. We had a 90s Hip Hop and R&B dance party in their room some time last week. When, I'm not sure. Hilarious.

Saturday night, I stayed the night at the Girls' Apaato, ready for the book sale. Afterwards, I studied with Dara, finished some reading, then Andrew, Dara, and I rode our bikes to Gas Works, then visited the fleeting Kelsey and Nadine at the Apaato again.

Today, I had a job interview, applied for another job, ate dinner with Matt and Andrew (here now forever termed The Dynamic Duo), and one of Andrew's friends and his friend, who were nice enough guys, funny, but also totally dudes with casual talk of football, strip clubs, and pr0n. So uncomfortable, admittedly hilarious though.

Met with Nicole's Frigs who were waiting for her, talked with them with the Dynamic Duo who happened to know Tracy and Jessica since they lived with a friend of theirs last year at Steven's Court. Eventually we all just ended up convening at the Duo's cluster to celebrate Andrew's birfday a day early with his mother's excellent homemade plum cake.

The girls all left, Kevin visited briefly, then I read Gold Watch by Momoko Iko while Andrew played Spore over the projector. Gold Watch is so sad. So. Sad. God. I left after finishing, but not before visiting Dara to vent about Teh Sad. Returned to my room, finished Tagalog homework, then blog.

Hopefully I'll wake up for the early IMA trip at 7:00.

Okinasai, Masu. Wake up. It's morning time.

Magandang Gabi!

It's nice to have productive days. I woke up fairly early as Tim left, but I didn't actually wake from sleep around an hour later. I had intended to go to the IMA in the morning, but I can work on that later, right?

DXARTS 200 was good, interesting, and James, Nands, Eva, and Marie (I think) were there, so that was cool. Various people I've seen in and out of Design were in that class as well. Are we all double majoring? If I were to double major, it would be in either DXArts, Political Science, Diversity Studies, or Comparative Literature (Film?). Sounds good. I want to enter Women Studies next quarter if I can fit it in.

AAS 306 was also fine, Tagalog is so intimidating. I still wish I could just learn Kapampangan but I'll settle. I think I did alright during introductions, but apparently Nades and Jac(k?)ob say I actually speak Tagalog with a Japanese accent. Where the hell did that happen? Reslyn's friend Jorge is there, also CSE Mark.

During the break, I walked over to see Nicole at her apartment, but I was hungry so I waited for the bus to get to The 8 to see Nades and Kevs, but Kevin had already left by the time I got there so I ate with Jac(k?)ob and Nadine, melon and a chicken pesto sandwich.

ART 207 was refreshing, people dressing to the 9's since we're all judging each other's design sense. Nicole, Reese, Tony, Kelsey Cole, Jeremy, Cara, James, Epitome of Halvsie were all there and some others I recognised from ART 166. One big happy family? We have a cardboard box due this friday, more ridiculously priced supplies to purchase, and a textbook that was never provided in MyUW. Speaking of, for some reason MyUW is telling me that I'm not registered for this quarter. Hope it's a glitch.

After class, Nicole and I took the bus to U Village, scoped for a good weather-resistant jacket at H&M to no avail, and bought our supplies for design. I hauled 60+ pounds of 11x17 paper from Office Depot to the 65 Bus Stop. No fun, but I did it as punishment for not going to the IMA earlier.

Bus to Girls' Apaato, rested before we bussed Downtown. Met these giddy freshmen girls and their guy friend going to see the Mariners. Hilarious. Their wide-eyed-ness was endearing and it even counteracted a normally-considered annoying high pitched loopy voice. In my head I just kept repeating, better enjoy it before you all drift apart and become bitter, jaded fogeys, but it brought me back to early last year and I couldn't help but smile at them. Teeth Geeks, Boy Friends, Jammed Printers, and Fat Babies, tee hee.

Nicole and I got off at Westlake, said goodbye to the freshmen, and wandered into Westlake where I bought Disgaea 2 with my new credit card. It's going to be the death of me. No more new games until Order of Ecclesia next month, I swear.

Short stop at Urban where I just stood around the first floor playing my DS. I didn't even notice Nicole's many calls. She finally found me and was like WTF?! and I was like OMGLOL!! Nicole returned a shirt at American Eagle, and this time I told her where I would be sitting down playing my DS for easy reconnaissance. Downtown H&M was also disappointing for me, although Nicole did buy a new shirt.

A very slow 49 took us back to UW where we met Lorraine at the UBS at 8:00 PM and Nicole bought a textbook. I gave Lorraine the wine opener Tim got for her, and then we split again as Nicole and I headed to NorCamp to see Nades and Kevs at Ian's. The girls left after we toured Kevin's room, and I rested, practised my new Tagalog vocabulary using the very useful iFlash application, and spent the rest of my time skimming teh internetz for gaming news. Now, I blog.

Good day for productive wanderings. Tomorrow is AAS 330, which I'm really excited about, work which I'm very depressed about, and The Office party at the Girls' Apaato. Let's do this. Not too shabby.

No. You're a Towel.

Glimpses of my past week since I closed the tab that held my lengthier post on accident.

Ate at the Hawaiian place near 50th with Nicole, Anna, Lorraine, and Kevin. Kevin and I walked Nicole back to her room. She's dirty and dark. Bugs Bunny a rapist? So wrong.
Getting lost (shopping-wise and literally) around University Village with Nicole and Reese. I like foraging for cheap things in Crate & Barrel, Storables, and H&M.
Hanging out in Dara's room with Kevin, watching The Prestige with two of her residents.
Staying the night at the Girls' Apaato, staying up and talking til 3-4 in the morning.
Helping move people in is so tiring, somewhat lonely
Downtown trip with Nicole and Nades, met a nice lady on the bus who I offered my seat. She correctly guessed my age and laughed when she heard me tell the girls that I had never had so many keys in my life. She chuckled and grinned, "You must be so young." It reminds me of our bus trip with Glenn Close last winter. I miss last year's closeness and proximity to everyone, but it's not like I haven't been down to see the girls, right? You guys should come visit the boys sometime, too.
The Girls' roommates are nice, I especially like Kelly & Molly

Anyway, I guess I'll go into my day yesterday for the post proper. Morning meant the Farmer's Market with Nadine, Brie, and Lorraine. I tried a lot of bread and cheese samples, but ended up buying some honey. We seriously need to frequent this place. The four of us went to Lorraine's Apaato afterwards, had a good chat.

Nades, Mandrew, and I were all three of us supposed to go to the IMA, but since the weather turned to grey showers we all were feeling lazy and apathetic, so I just went back to my room and fixed some stuff up. Richard visted the room and Tim and I had a good talk with him. Kawaii, desu ne?

Dara called and said she was starting her doody shift, so I headed over there to keep her company, drew a bit, then we decided to eat. Big dinner yesterday with Kevin, Dara, Brie, Alex, their two friends from CK, Mandrew and his friend Elaine, John, and the newly arrived Nandrew. North Campus won't be so lonely after all, I guess.

I'm especially surprised that Alex and I got along so well. We got to talking and it was good since conversation was so easy with Brie and him, though I never really talked to them during the year. Talked about CWC, even.

Everyone dispersed. Kevin left without saying goodbye way before anyone else did, though. The last three that were left was Nands, Scooter John, and me so Nands took me to tour his room, we helped him set up and get ready for the crazy party he, John, and Matt were going to somewhere on Queen Anne. I hope they got back in good fashion, crazies.

Walked to the Girls' Apaato later that night to see Nades and Matto. Got a call from Matt using Nades' phone to come over, so I got ready to leave, but not before I invited Kevin and Karstin, but sort of cringed while walking there with them since Kevin's a totally different person around the Juniors. Ah well, losing him won't be so bad after all if that's how he's like that from now on. Sad, though.

We cooked zucchini, onion, and dooughnut (HAHA) tempura with Molly, and it was good. Kevin and Karstin left, early though, and afterwards Matto, Nades, Molly, and I just hung out talking in Nades' room. Very fun, very funny. I'm don't even remember what we did, but I wish Arabella was there too.

Came home around 1 or 2 in the morning last night, Matto had accompanied me to the Quad when I told him I would be fine from there. Got a really fuzzy, warm feeling walking back through the wooded trail across the street from the main sidewalk of the three dorms. The yellow street lights and the hazy glow of it all, being alone walking in the dark towards home from a meeting with good friends, isn't it all you can ask for?

Talked with Tim last night 'til, again, 4-5 in the morning, though he needed to go to work training in the morning. At one point he killed a giant spider running rampant near the room as I hyperventilated and cringed and squealed.

Earlier this morning I woke up to a call from my parents dropping more things off. Small but significant visit. I felt bad that I wasn't more warm, but I just can't help it. Now, I'm listening to Bon Iver using Tim's nifty iHome stereo-ipod player, and getting ready to leave for Elliot Bay Books downtown, to get a book signed by the one and only Twyla Tharp for Lorraine. This is going to be her Birthday Present. Hope she likes it.

You're like a whole new person, guy.

The Meal of Friendship. Eat It.

The first day at school has been magical. Magical. Lorraine and I had ourselves an adventure.

Off to a rocky start, however, since the transition to my room and the hauling of items to the fifth floor of McCarty North was rough. I did get to play Hotel Dusk for a little bit during the trip, but after my parents left and the necessary goodbyes were said and done, I gathered my textbooks from ART 120 and C LIT 301 to sell at the UBS. Not before calling everyone and either telling them to call me when they were moving in, to call when they were done with errands, or to ask if they my parents could drop something off at their house to bring to UW since I forgot it. Sorry for the nuisance, y'all.

I'm holding off on decor, since I'm waiting for Tim to arrive to decide on final arrangements and to loft our beds. I got to meet the RA of our floor, who's a total cutie patootie, but I think he's straight, but it's nice to know, teehee. I didn't even fumble over myself nor get overly shy talking to him, so I'm proud of myself. Later, when I told Tim about him, Tim asked if he was "family?" I said, "What, you mean Asian? Well, I think he's Indian, maybe Indian." Tim laughed, "No, I meant is he gay?" It's interesting, my initial response, I think.

I set off for the Ave, making a detour through The Main Route, meaning walking down the aisle between the wooded area and the tennis courts, between the schools of Music and Art, the Quad, Red Square, Henry, Airbridge, Shmitz, Ave. I diverted a little, when I decided to walk through the Art Building, loitering around the second floor, presentations from the UW Design Show just a few months ago, when people filled every space, giddy, well dressed, and proud of their work. I feel so ready for Design. I only have a few reservations about Design Drawing, because I hardly ever work in pencil.

I plan on using The Secondary Route later, meaning through the corridor passing the three main dorms of north campus, Stevens Way, Padelford, Communications Building, HUB lawn, between the Suzzallo and Allen Libraries, Mary Gates, Johnson, Johnson Circle, Meany, Gould, Ave. Then, there's my Bike Trail, meaning Tennis Courts, Hutchinson, Balmer, Denny, KITSAP LANE (Shark Tank to the Left), 15th, Ave. The three main paths I make on any given day. It feels so comforting to tread them again.

I set off, textbooks in hand course strictly following The Main Route after exploring the Art Building. I walked up the entire route of the Ave from Campus Parkway until I reached the UBS, where I see none other than Kelsey Cole walking upwards from the textbooks floor. The first of many amazing chance occurences. We stopped to chat, mostly about design, Timea, Axel, our summers, and her new job at the Art Library (SO JEALOUS! CONGRATULATIONS!). We both went down to the bottom floor, I sold my books back, earning 30 dollars. I think I also might have been in line behind Carston, but I didn't really know if it was him or not.

I bought an Environotes graph paper notebook and a set of clear thumbtacks. I had hoped to buy some alligator clips for my room decoration scheme I have in mind, but they sold individual, average-sized clips for 56 cents a pop, so I said no way, José. No way.

I walked down the Ave again and I wanted to browse 2nd Time Around, but it was closed! Can you believe that? I always just assumed it was open all the time. Dejected, I walked back up to American Apparel, just to browse, found nothing worth purchasing due to crazy prices. Again, I crossed the street and walked up a ways to Buffalo Exchange, and bought two shirts on the cheapsies. One was American Apparel, so I feel like I've won, and won hard.

Feeling adventurous, at the cash register, I asked the kindly store clerk if she knew where the Half Priced Books on the University District was located. She smiled and directed me westwards towards Brooklyn. After passing Brooklyn, 12th, and 11th, I landed on Roosevelt & 47th and there it was. I've never been to this place before, this northwest of campus, so I felt extra courageous. The store is huge. Huge. I've decided that I'm going to buy all my class books there, because after calling up Nades I asked if she could find out the books I needed for my Asian American Theatre class, but not without a necessary chat about teh anime. I found 3/5 of them, each for only 5~6 dollars, ten to fifteen dollars below the asking price of UBS.

I had now acquired my Graph Notebook of Note-Taking, my Thumbtacks of +5 Clarity, Water Tunic, Smoke Tunic, and Three Tomes of the Orient, all packed into my Lavender Buffalo Satchel so I headed south down Roosevelt, to see the sites. Passed by an car dealership, but then I saw it, Trader Freaking Joe's. I had been trying to find this place since CamCam brought us Mango Mochi. I felt so amazed, but did not go in since I didn't know what I would get. I went as far down as 45th, and ventured back towards the Ave with my spoils.

Emboldened by my questing, I sought new sources of discovery. I did not hesitate to cross the street to inquire the new releases at the Neptune Theatre, and travelled deep down into the grotto of Neptune Music, where an obviously suspicious store clerk took my bag. Thinking of the remaining two Tomes of the Orient needed to acquire the Complete Drama Set of +5 Credits, I wandered into Twice Sold Tales, where I was set upon by two Ginger Kittens, apparently the children of the mother we had met so many moons ago. Adorable! I found another piece of the Pentaset, only needing now the rarest and most expensive of the all. I did not think to search the post-theme relevant Magus Books, though I will tomorrow.

I received a call from Lorraine, who had returned from her interview, we agreed to meet so we could go to Scarecrow Video, since neither of us has gone there before and we'd been wanting to visit it. We decided to meet at Thanh Vi since I was hungry. Ordering my sandwich, the amazingly nice store lady, (April?), remembered me! We talked and I told her that I got accepted into Design School, and she said that it was inevitable since I was a nice dresser! I will now only ever buy my Vietnamese sandwiches from there.

I bought my sandwich to go, way before Lorraine would meet me and since she was coming from the south, I headed down the Ave to meet her on her way. I got a call from Tim then, and just as I answered, I had to pause and squint because I saw a lanky guy with a bike, and I kept second guessing myself and lo and behold, it was Matto! The world is so amazing. Stars aligning to create the beginnings of the best day on campus ever.

I didn't notice but he was talking to Lorraine already, so I finished talking to Tim, who said that he would drop by with some stuff later that night at the room. Matt, Lorraine, and I talked, I told him how seeing him around Seattle randomly is the highlight of any trip outside. That kid is everywhere.

Matt left for Red Robin to meet Minjae and Minjae's GF, and Lorraine and I headed up towards 47th again. Lorraine was parched so we stopped by Sureshot where Lorraine got herself an iced tea and she also got me a water since I wasn't allowed in because I was eating my sandwich.

By WOW, we saw Sherrylyn! It was so nice to see her after she left Haggett for a sorority. Again, the planets colliding. We made our way to Half Price Books, which was on the way to Scarecrow. Lorraine bought an old record, this girl group from the 40s, the Andrews Sisters, the ones who sang "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B," which would serve our journey very well in our travels.

This time we walked up Roosevelt, and we went into every building that caught our interest. We stopped into a small little store with a whole bunch of movie paraphernalia, called Cinema Books, where a very kind old lady, talked to us about Ethel Merman, who I asked about since I saw a book about her in Half Priced Books. She told us that Elizabeth Taylor had steely grey eyes, not lavender eyes. We talked about TCM and Hitchcock, and she commented how she loved the Andrews Sisters, seeing the record in Lorarine's hands. Lorraine purchased Christmas ornaments of glamourous 40s Hollywood starlets that her mother collects and we bade our farewell.

We passed by The Seven Gables Theatre, where we decided that we must all see Burn After Reading sometime since it looks really good. We also passed this pristine white, greek-architecture inspired building amidst a sea of deep green grass where a man was reading a book. It was like a cool drink of pristine land in an urban environment. We walked up the steps to the building and found out it was a library! What?! Right there?! Lorraine and I, feeling spontaneous both got Seattle Library Cards. So cool. It took a while to track down my address to my new dorm, but it was worth it.

Finally, at 50th & Roosevelt, we made it to Scarecrow where we rented My Blueberry Nights for the gang and That Thing You Do for her roommates, one of which who loves Liv Tyler but has never seen the movie.

We headed back down Roosevelt afterwards, and we once again peeked our heads into Cinema Books and said hello to the store lady, who I hope never feels lonely in her seemingly neglected shop. You guys, we need to be her friend. I don't ever want her to feel lonely since she's so nice.

We made our way to Trader Joes, where I wanted to buy those caramel waffle things Kevin likes so much, since I've been craving them since the last time we had them. So good. Our cashier was this really eccentric, soft-voiced gigantically tall man, who had a goofy smile and asked us sincerely about our day. We told him all the things we did and he replied not annoyed that we took so long in what was intended to be small talk, but asked questions and responded in turn. I love so much the kindness of strangers. It makes you believe in the essential goodness of humanity, right? It's comforting.

We walked again across 47th, Lorraine made stop the Bank of America, while I walked up a block looking in vain for Game Crazy. Where the eff are you?! I noticed that the apartment next to Lorraine's was named the Lothlorian. Lorraine lives in the Rivendale. Hilarious. Owned by the same people. Lorraine went into the administrative entrance of the apartment area, where she tried to pay off the cost, but was advised to pay with her roommates.

We walked through the gallery, and Lorraine noted that the Socialist Feminist Society of Seattle had their headquarters. We meant to simply look at a poster by their door, when a man came out, old and kind (a trend, I see), and he told us about the group's mission and even gave us a tour of their offices. I felt so privelaged. Henry, his name, asked us about our majors of choice, I responded with Graphic Design and he nodded in amazement, Lorraine said sociology, and he looked at us like we were his children and he was proud. He introduced us to Helen, who rant the publishing sector, and she gave us pamphlets and we signed up for an email newsletter. Currently their working on immigrants rights at the US-Canadian border. Henry and Helen noticed the Andrews Sisters album and Henry was really excited. It was so cute! We can learn so much from our elders. It amazes me that they're such an untapped resource for today's youth. Amazing how much life they've lived, you know? That's gonna be us some day.

We talked about old movies and the like, about how Lorraine's portion of the apartment block (Rivendale) was once a ballroom. Amazing. We said our goodbyes, and we walked to Lorraine's apartment on the other side of the block. I got to meet her two other roommates, Anna (who used to be Megan Aitchison's roommate! Small world!) and Amanda, and I had already met Diana. Lorraine and I made spaghetti with ground turkey and I've never had so much fun cooking before. I want to have bouts of domesticity like Lorraine. It's so fun and rewarding to eat what you've cooked yourself. We shared with Anna and the three of us talked and laughed and we invited Anna to come with us to my room to watch My Blueberry Nights with Kevin, who had just called saying he was moving in.

We met Kevin and his parents at the McCarty Parking lot. We helped them schlep things up to his room, across from mine. Anna, Lorraine and I then went to my room, and we met my RA again, who informed us for the first time that it was an all male floor. I'm not really amazed at this, meaning overcrowded restrooms (probably ill-kept, too, since these are gross boys we're talking about) and no girls to chat with except on the floor above us (which is all girls). Ah well. We got to know our RA better, and he seemed really nice. Dara (da' RA! GET IT?!?!) called and said she was done with her RA training, so she was coming over. She arrived at my room but we were at Ian's getting water for Lorraine's heat flashes, but when we got there Dara and my RA were talking and it was fun to meet new people. Carston arrived and Kevin took him to my room, and it was a big reunion.

Dara told us her floor was BATMAN THEMED! So of course Lorraine, Anna, and I had to check it out, though Kevin and Carston stayed behind to fix up their room. Dara's floor decorations were amazing. She is so good at typography. Seriously. Her handwriting is impeccable. She made Lorraine and me nametags to put up on our walls. She has her own bathroom and shower and an amazing view. She toured us around the floors' themes. The other good one was Alice in Wonderland Theme. Amazing. The other floors were ok to passable, but I remember Where's Waldo, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and "Mythical Beasts" themes being there as well. Dara had to leave for another RA event, so the three of us returned to my room, and Tim called saying he was driving over with his little sister.

Lorraine received a call from Sam G., who was having a really bad set of days. I hope she feels better soon. Lorraine and her were on the phone for a long time, so Anna and I had a lot of time to talk and get to know each other. Some forty minutes later, Tim arrived, and his sister (a new freshman) and Anna hit it off really quickly. We actually all got in trouble for being too loud. HAHA bad memories of McCarty and Loudness.

Tim's sister (Tiffany, BTW) said she was getting hungry, and we didn't mind accompanying them, so Tim drove us to Little Thai, where they bought food. I called Julius to come meet us, and he arrived while we were at Taco del Mar and I was buying a chicken quesadilla. Tim and Tiffany had to leave, so off they went while Julius, Anna, Lorraine, and I walked to the girls' apartment. We made ramen/saimin noodles. We were there til 12:00, we made wishes at 11:11, gossiped and laughed. Julius and I did the dishes, and the girls at the apartment cooed.

Lorraine left her keys in my room and reminded me to check on them as we left, and Julius and I talked about Phylis and Danny J before we split to different paths at Kitsap Lane. I was scared by myself on the way back, but made it to McCarty unscathed. I took a shower and while I was brushing my teeth afterwards, Kevin walked in, even though he said he was sleeping early. Turns out he was interior decorating and stayed up later.

Good Day. Amazing Day. I'm tired now and it's 2:00 AM. I have to get up early for Dawg Days volunteer training. Hope tomorrow's just as spectacular.

I'm Gon' Slit Your Wrists. Vertically.

Excellent time yesterday with Chacha, Ara, & the oft-unseen Danny J. That kid is hilarious.

Day started with my parents tricking me into going to King's Wok for a birfday party for the daughter of one of the unknown-never-seen-them-before-in-my-life-but-am-somehow-affiliated-with-maybe-even-related-and-never-will-see-them-again-until-four-or-five-years-later-at-another-filipino-get-together families. It was alright, met the daughter of one of my mom's coworkers who's going to UW next year. Living in Terry, taking chem, & excited. She was alright, though I'm pretty sure the chances of us seeing each other again are pretty slim. Got the her number though (You see me rollin, you hatin').

Afterwards we traipsed to le Mall, where I saw Phyllis Joco working the ~~corner~~ cash register at Kohl's. I told him about the vidjo games to be had and he said he was actually scheduled to be gyming. Boo, you whore.

Bought the plain white slip on Vans I had been coveting the entire summer, just as the weather to wear them dies down. Search for the Perfect White T-Shirt was in vain.

Chacha's was fun, he had Castle Crashers, which was very Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time 'esque. Very cool art direction, too. I called up Daniel, seeing as how ~~we didn't have a Wii to play brawl~~ I hadn't seen him in forever, and he arrived, telling us that just before he ditched Phyllis, who invited him to go gymming, saying that he was taking his brother to music lessons. Oh, Daniel!

An unknown number called my phone while we were there and I freaked out and didn't answer it. Arabella volunteered, but when it went to voicemail, Chacha commandeered the phone and left a ridiculous message, imitating the antics of the latest hilarious-for-him-awkward-for-us-semi-racist youtube video he was currently LOL'ing about when we're not together. Needless to say, I freaked out even more. Turned out that it was my Uncle, whose home phone I never got around to adding to my phone. Your move, Chase.

After Chacha felt uncomfortable and embarrassed since his parents came home from their dinner event, he suggested we vamoose, so we went to my house, and watched 3/4 of The Pianist before the DVD spazzed on us and after I had silently teared at many a dramatic event only Holocaust-centred movies can produce. This coming right after I watched this scary History Channel special on ~~f*cktards~~ Modern American Nazis. So ridiculous.

After the premature ending, Danny J. had to leave, then Chacha and Ara stayed behind and we gabb'd, youtube'd, and ffffound'd. I pressured Chase to start a ffffolder, and I hope he follows through. I really want those two to start drawing more, to at least keep journals, so I gave them each the gift-I-always-give, meaning moleskines. They best use them. Don't worry those of you whose birthdays are coming up but already have moleskines; I know exactly what to get you.

Today I watched Legally Blonde and its sequel with my parents and got a haircut. Packing is a cruel mistress, and I had to forgo watching The Dark Knight with Lolau and Nicram. Now, I'm seriously LOL-ing MAO at Nadine's latest posts because they are made of funny.

Also, I like where this thread is going.

Contact Lunacy

For lack of a better post, here's a rundown.

Watched Son of Rambow and The Fall with Lo, Kel, & Chacha
During the movie, I felt something crawling on my arm and screamed since it turned out to be a spider. I killed it but it was traumatising
I wanted to shake that little girl. ENUNCIATE!
Purchased back to school items, my favourite part of any school year
Finally got my hands on the reprint of Hotel Dusk, although it has that gigantic fugly banner on the cover art. Oh well, it was $19.99 so I'm satisfied.
Disgaea DS comes out this month! So does Rune Factory 2 but I'm not sure if it's a buy or not.
I must finish Persona 3 FES before school starts, and as such, my sleeping patterns are all funked up
Lauryn, who is only human, is also on repeat
I'm wondering who uses my last.fm to get to Old Boy, according to site tracker
I want to work on a new layout for OB, but I lack the javascript skills, so help a brotha out, Kevs and Nands. Nades?
I'm on Ouran 11 and it's too cute and I won't allow myself to finish Parakiss until I finish Ouran.
Ara, Chacha, Kevs, & I are playing Castle Crashers at Chacha's, but any'a'ya'll can come too if you want
I didn't search through the Popscene Gallery well enough because Mariela is in a shot! So cool!
Dawg Volunteers move in on the 16th, and I can't wait
But I haven't packed up yet.

There we have it. Excuse me, I must get back to Persona now. I've just recruited Fuuka and it's AWWW RIGHT!

There the Long Delayed Frisco Spaces

Right now, I'm lost in Sleeping States. I bought it yesterday at Cellophane Square. A little known album that's been out for two years, that's been rotting for lord knows how long, that's been criminally overlooked by the masses? I'd like to think it was meant for me. My heart breaks every time I listen to him. It's like finding a familiar voice. That he sings these lovely, lonely, solitary songs for another man only ever seals the deal. I love you Markland Starkie.

Great San Francisco Trip '08

After a mishap with my ticket (I bought them not knowing the destinations were in reverse), I purchased a correct ticket at great expense but was reassured in my plannings.

TUESDAY the 2ND
Arriving at San Francisco Int'l Kelsey, Misha, Monica, & I boarded the BART, stopping at Daly City. We saw Pinoy Idol posters, and Mariela, rushing towards us told us Daly was prime Filipino territory. Not enough time to explore as we took a shuttle to SFSU. We walked to her apartment she shares with her roommates Kimberly (who was our favourite), Angela, Amanda, Ashley, & Mark. Immediately a trip to Downtown and I visited my first H&M and bought pantalones. Their Forever 21 has three floors, the third of which Mariela didn't even know about until recently. Gigantic. Mariela confessed her summer revisiting to anime & manga, and I confessed my love for Special A and it just so happens she was loving it too! CRAZY. I had to call Nadine when I found out. I wish Mariela and Nadine knew each other better. Anyway, we watched Special A & Ouran High School Host Club later that night. Mariela introduced me to Parakiss, which I LOVE.

WEDNESDAY the 3RD
While Mariela had class, we bought supplies for Kabobs that Monica and Kelsey would make for the roommates and us for dinner. We prepped the meal, then Mariela took us to Japantown, where we ate curry, took photobooth pictures at Pika Pika, browsed magazines about Japanese style and design, and rummaged through manga and I saw the largest, most unholy gathering of yaoi I have ever seen. Oh, San Francisco! Such a good day. Afterwards we went to The Street That Should Have Been Named Love and took in the sites. Kabobs were amazing.

THURSDAY the 4TH
Breakfast at Squat & Gobble, then Mariela had class. We browsed Stonestown Gallery, the gigantic mall north of SFSU, then on the bus back to Mariela's apartment, Kelsey got us lost. Monz and I tried to exact our revenge, telling Kelsey we didn't have the key, though Mariela gave it to us earlier. We split off from Kelsey and Misha, got lost ourselves, then made our way back hoping to be there earlier than them but we were foiled. Afterwards a trip to that one bridge, then exploring Haight and Amoeba music a little more, before going back to the apartment to rest up for PopScene! Clubbing was SO FUN! Except, Misha and Monica didn't take to it, but Kelsey, Mariela, her roommates, and I danced like crazy. We even danced on the DJ stage for a good portion of the night.

I checked the website and they actually have photos from that night in their gallery, not that I see any of us in them. I remember the girl in the black and white, intricately patterned dress in one of the pictures as being an exceptionally good dancer. We left the club, and Mariela and I sang songs on the walk to the bus stop at 2/3 in the morning. That was my favourite part of the trip. Singing while walking San Francisco streets with my longest of friends. Mariela, you have a beautiful singing voice. If I could just remember one thing from the trip always, it would be this.

FRIDAY the 5TH
After much needed rest, we took a bus to Mission for shopping, and I found my new favourite store, Needle & Pens. We ate at a Mexican restaurant, browsed a bit, then made our way to In-N-Out, Pier 39, ate ice cream, & laughed as Monica informed us about Twilight. We watched the Sea Lions, and NOOOOO! you cannot feed them, and if you do, you are a worse-than-a-child-rapist. That night, we ordered Chinese food and watched the first Pokemon Movie, and more episodes of Ouran, which one of us happened to like. A lot. HAHA. I stayed up while everyone went to sleep, and wrote Mariela a letter which I saved on her desktop. I hope you found it already, grrl.

SATURDAY the 6TH
We took the bus to Daly City once more, and gave Mariela our goodbyes. I gave her a premature goodbye hug, which was funny. We took the BART, waiting on the opposite Mariela, heading towards SF Int'l, and Mariela was heading to Antioch.

Back Home & Reflection

There was probably more to the trip than that. I probably got things and events out of order, if not whole days mixed up, and I also left out the more minute details and inside jokes, like the drunk friend of theirs that we met coincidentally at the PopScene, who we later met again on the bus, drunk and giggly with his boyfriend(?) and another friend. Also, the high school girl we overheard talking melodramatically to friends on the bus about her high school drama, the tanlines on Misha's legs, the Gamestops I visited without finding Hotel Dusk (which is going to be reprinted and available today!), the clever Californian-Kiwi ads on the subway stations, the sense of urbanity onboard those buses, conversations about the prospect of sadness and loneliness of being old in the city, the beautiful business district where they held a mass pillow-fight, the conversations I forgot about but remember laughter and bittersweetness and sometimes tension and annoyance, the crazy bible-thumpers who preached on their campus, the other pair of pants I bought, the unwashed youth, explaining the 10 dimensions and Post-Modernism, Mariela forgetting my vegetarianism everytime we ate, music swapping, Kidz Bop versions of Lil' Wayne's Lollipop, explaining to them my scary dream the night before we left for SF, and the strange guy who sat next to me on the plane trip back home, and infinite other things time and memory keeps away from me.

Overall, it was a soul-nourishing vacation in a series of soul-nourishing past few days. When we came back home, Sunday Nadine, Kelsey, Lorraine, Chase, Kevin, met at my house. Before Chase and Lorraine arrived, we read the hilarous parody and summary of Twilight. After Nadine left, we watched the VMAs, then Kevin left and eventually also Lorraine. Chase and Kelsey stayed behind and we all talked 'til 4 like we always do, and those have also been my favourite parts of summer. Talking to you two about our lives, asking questions, laughing, sometimes with others (like Arabella that one night of the Olympic Opening Ceremony), always late into the evening. You two are hilarious.

I woke up early Monday morning, however, to meet Kelsey, Chase, and Nadine to board the 10:15 ferry, but had to change it to the 11:30 since Kelsey and I (and probably Chase as well) woke up late. We browsed Uwajimaya, Pink Godzilla, met the Matt (who's on strike LAWL) and Arabella, bussed to U District with the intention to buy textbooks (only Nadine did), then visited Yunnie and Lorraine at her new apartment. It was then that I bought Sleeping States' There The Open Spaces. I had Kelsey and Chase listen to it on the car ride back and they did not approve as much, but I love it. I love it.

On the way to the ferry back home, Nadine and I were singing more R&B gems, particularly "In the Still of the Night," and "One Sweet Day," the latter of which was amazing in the amount of voice warbling and pitch shifting HAHA. I love singing nowadays. I can't help it. Whistling was always a way to sing without exposing my horrible singing ability, but I don't care anymore. Sorry in advance, guys.

All in All: I miss Mariela, I miss Seattle, and I miss school. I've been missing so many people (Nicole, Dara, & Kevin in particular) and nights and dinners with everyone on campus. I can't wait to move in again I'm anxiously looking forward to seeing you.

They're Forming in a Straight Line

I think I'm all packed up and ready to go! Minus toiletries, since I need to brush my teefs tomorrow morning, but I'm crazy excited. I've mapped out seven Gamestop locations within a mile (I think) of SFSU, so I'm totally prepared. I've even quasi-memorised the streets and location (19th Ave, Eucalyptus, Ocean Ave, Sloat, Vincente, Sunset Blvd, right, Mariela?). This is desperately needed in a more or less humdrum August month.

If someone can make me a macro/LOLpolitician with a picture of Sarah Palin with the text below her saying "IT'S A TRAP!!" I would be most appreciative.

Last night, I spent 4 hours drawing in my big sketchbook, the one I bought at Barnes & Noble, senior year of High School. I remember I was there with Lorraine & Minjae, and I was torn between purchasing this amazing art book or the sketchbook. The art book was definitely my taste, though. Actually, for days I came back to B&N just to find the book and flip through it.

Minjae convinced me that it would be better to buy the sketchbook, the the hopes that I could work on drawing to reach a comparable level to the artist I admired, and I thank him for that. I'm actually three quarters through it which is MADNESS, seeing as how I never actually finish notebooks or sketchbooks, ever.

I wish I knew how to manipulate vectors more. It's so hard to translate analog into digital. Hand-made things just have so much more to them, no?

Speaking of, I had my television set to Comedy Central last night, and I stopped drawing to watch comedian Dov Davidoff. Hilarious. At one point, I woke up my parents from laughing so loudly. And I paraphrase: "Good people make things, you know? Wouldn't it be nice if you were with a stripper and she was like, 'Naw, I don't want anymore cocaine.. but if you hand me some yarn, give it over and I'll knit you up a nice sweater!'" HAHA, maybe you had to be there.

To tie these two things together even more, I want to learn how to book-bind. Like DIY needle, thread, blank pages, & cardboard cover book-binding. I just need to find the instructional materials from ART 190, then I'll be rolling.

I especially appreciated this, his shout out to The Gay Man. HAHA TOAST IT. WALRUS! GROCE!

Narrowing Down the Top of the Pops

Essentially, my beef is that I have too many songs on my iPod, around half of which I have no personal connection to in any way. I read about this romantic notion a few months ago, a guy had forgone any newfangled mp3 player and resorted to his old sony walkman, with two mix cds, fourty songs spread between them. I want to do the same thing.

Although I want to whittle down my library of songs, the problem in this romantic ideal is that my song collection is so huge because I, like any normal human being, have a lot of cherished singles. So with your help, dear readers, I'm going to run down shortlist of about 5-6 artists every now and then, each song or artist sharing key traits. Essentially, through sharing my choices, I can gain perspective and help in the crystallisation of my absolute favourites. Introducing The 40 Song Playlist Project. Here we go.

The Crooners

Criteria: General oldies vibe, romantic drawls, male, & known specifically by two names. I'm saving the Platters and Nina Simone for another post.

Bobby Vinton, I Love How You Love Me
+ Holy F*CK. Only one of the most romantic and beautiful and soft-focus starry-night and warm-blanket songs EVER. Not only the song I spin over and over during Valentines Day, my favourite holiday, but I play the shiz out of this song ALL THE TIME. I cannot say how much I love this song. In fact, it's covered by Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Magnum, and I will definitely feature that song in my Top 40, other songs be damned.
+ At his greatest during a time of so many other Bobby's, (Darin, Rydell arrive off the top of my head), I don't think any other guy fits my self-described genre more than him, save for the iconic Frank Sinatra. Sadly, I don't really have any connection to Frankie except "L.O.V.E." and "My Way," the latter of which my grampa sings every time he gets near a Kareoke machine. Anyway, Bobby Vinton encapsulates more of the sweet, innocent, dewy-eyed tender lovestruck-ness I adore, so he's in, and Frankie, sadly out.
Honourable Mention(s): Blue Velvet, Mr. Lonely, Roses Are Red

Sam Cooke, Bring It on Home to Me
+ A song whose narrator seeks forgiveness and redemption with soaring strings and Sam Cooke's signature gravelly yet silky voice makes this song stand out among all his others. I mean, the politically powerful "A Change Is Gonna Come" is arguably his best work, and "Summertime" has something to it no other song made after it has ever achieved, but I can't shake off the pure and sappy melodrama that is this song. I know it's corny of me, but the number of times I've sung this in the shower don't lie. When it comes to masterpieces and the heartfelt, the heart wins, right? I'll probably add more than one of his songs in my Top 40 anyway, which at this pace, might have to change into a Top 100. The live version I have is even better, if you can even fathom that.
Honourable Mention(s):: A Change Is Gonna Come, Summertime, Mean Old World

Paul Anka, Put Your Head on My Shoulder
+ The ultimate slow dance song, the prom song I wish we had. I used to think this song was sung by Bobby Vinton, but I stand corrected. It's such a simple song, a suggestion at its core, one I can't help but smile at. And isn't it romantic? See a trend going on here? Interesting note, Paul Anka came up with a covers album in 2005, Rock Swings, and covered the likes of "Wonderwall" & "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Yikes. Stick to what we're used to, Paulie.
Honourable Mention(s): None. I only just found out this was a Paul Anka song. Woops.

Otis Redding, That's How Strong My Love Is
+ Nicole and I have an ongoing debate: of Otis Redding or Sam Cooke, who is the better of the two? I happen to be on the Sam Cooke side of things, but I have to say, the raw, commanding Redding has one up on Cooke in terms of passion. You feel his strength from his recordings, but live, you'd have to agree the the two are just as powerful. Anyway, the two covered each others' songs so much, it's not hard to find a version that suits one or the other perfectly. I love this song for the because, whereas the Sam Cooke Song I chose pleads and begs his lover to return, Otis makes her understand that coming back isn't just the best for her, it's the best anyone will ever have. If only we could all be so lucky, non?
Honourable Mention(s): These Arms of Mine, I Love You More Than Words Can Say

Hank Williams, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
+ Just that we needed a (relatively) sad song, and who else to sing it but the tormented Hank Williams. Literally. He suffered from crushingly painful spina bifida, and it drove him to drink, drug, and demise. At least we've the gift of his haunting and deadpan, wavery drawl as his legacy. Even in his voice his anguish permeates. You knew he meant every word of his lyrics and he made you feel the same way for him and for yourself. Don't knock him cause he's country 'til you've tried it out. His songs are economical and, yes, melodramatic, but with his honesty and humility, he became the root of country and folk that most, if not all, modern country stars severely lack. He's the sensitive cowboy that doesn't devolve into farce, more Brokeback than John Wayne, more needed now more than ever.
Honourable Mention(s): All the Love I Ever Had, Your Cheatin' Heart

Buddy Holly, Dearest
+ The last song to be featured in this particular category, also one of the simplest in terms of straightforwardness of lyric, length, and intstrumentation. I love every awkward thing about Buddy Holly, a style encapsulated by his signature glasses frames. This song was recently featured in the movie Juno, and as soon as I heard the familiar strums of guitar, I felt the familiar sense of glee and puppy love this song inspires. I love how his voice reaches for those low notes as he sings "I Love You." It's the aural image of the young teen, thinking his feelings are so important, and attempting to project and reflect that seriousness in the gravity of a low voice uttering the most serious of all sentences, as if daring the world to tell him that he's too young and immature to know true love at all. Of course, Buddy Holly returns to his sweet, regular croon and one remembers the lightheartedness, and, yes, fleeting loves of youth. Reminds the relationship between me and music, and you could say that in the same way, I love this song and while the feeling lasts until the next, it's very, very dear.
Honourable Mention(s): That'll Be the Day, Everyday

TL;DR? Oh well, here's a wrap-up. As it stands, I think if I were to choose one song of these six to add to my ultimate 40, it would be, funnily enough, "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," purely for the specific emotional attachments I have to it. I say it's funny considering I only just now learned the real artist behind it. I think I would also have to add "Bring It On Home to Me" because I've sung it too many times to go without. Admittedly, I like him better than Otis Redding and I'm leaving out "I Love How You Love Me" until I get to the Jeff Magnum version. Hank has to go, only because of size issues, but I have to say, it hurts most of all to neglect "Dearest," and I might come back to include it after all.

What do you think of my choices? Is there any artist that I forgot and should be severely pointed and laughed at? Is there any little known gem I should be educated about? Tell me and I'll take heed.

There It Goes There It Goes

When We Were Young and Fresh

Weekend Update!

FRIDAY

Saturday

Sunday

Okinasai, Masu. Okinasai, neh.