l'atmosphere

2006-06-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

WooHoo! Well, you can forget about productivity for the next four weeks. The German institute downstairs at work is showing all the matches and throwing in free Bitburger beer and sausages so as you can imagine, the place is packed with Germans (complete with fog horns and whistles) and practically the entire security and building staff. Nothing like starting your day off with a little beer right?

I'm not the biggest soccer/football fan in the world but I do love the excitement and craziness of the World Cup.

Go USA!!

6-6-06

2006-06-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

What would the day of the beast be without a little Slayer to darken your day? God, reminds me of my youth.....minus the hair of course.

road trippin

2006-05-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

A bit late with this but on a recent road trip to California's central coast to spend a couple days camping out under the stars, there were the usual observations and revelations. Here's some of them as well as a recap:

- Monterey Bay aquarium is definitely a world class aquarium with world class prices. Of course it shows with all their high tech exhibits, with the Otters being the main attraction. Talk about a cash cow....cute=$$$$

- If you ever wanted to know - you will have to be totally loaded to afford a personal jellyfish tank....I asked for you

- Your cell phones will not work in Big Sur, however you can get wi-fi at some of the campsites. Dang those hippies are high tech!

- Note to fellow campers that blasted music from their pickup truck for 8hrs straight: You didn't have bad taste in music but this IS the wilderness and people do come out to enjoy some silence. Perhaps you were using the music to cover up any sounds from you shagging your gf, which may explain why you killed any liking of that Gnarls Barkley song by playing it over and over and over again. thanks

- Instant ramen noodles will take 10 minutes on direct flames to burn so take note next time you're hungry and in a bind, unless you want it sitting in you for an eternity

- Just two days in the wilderness and being back in the city feels so foreign. You see it with a different perspective and want to turn back around and head back.

Si Se Puede

2006-05-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

What an amazing and inspiring day it was.....nothing like walking down Wilshire blvd with half a million strangers.

May 1st flickr page

Wassup Rockers

2006-04-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

EC was nice enough to invite B and I to a screening of the latest Larry Clark (Kids, Bully)film called Wassup Rockers the other night and I swear the film was like a flashback to when we were 15. Going back to a method he used for Kids, Clark befriended a group of latino skateboarders from south central and more or less formed a film around their everyday life. Any one of those kids in the film could have been me or my friends at that age - spending time skating, running from cops, playing and listening to hardcore punk. The kids aren't the greatest of actors but I think part of the charm of the film is its amateur-ness and I think that's why I liked the film. Maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic because it was reminicent of the mid 80's punk and skate films I spent alot of time watching.

The audience was very skate friendly as well. Not only were the entire cast and director there, but also Pharell Williams' Ice Cream skate team, Obey artist Shepard Fairey, and Lil Jon (yes....the "Yeeeaaaaaah!" lil jon, who not only showed up in a crazy orange lamborghini but wore sunglasses throughout the film and is literally about 5'5 tall).

ps. and yes, that is Kid from Kid n' Play on the far right minus the 12inch high flat top hair. And for you kids that have no idea who i'm talking about, don't worry bout it. It was a weird era in hip hop......

2006-04-03T01:20:00.000-07:00

Can anyone tell me why feelings of loneliness always seem to creep up after the midnight hour?

I'm not gonna lie to you when I say that its a really shitty feeling. Not only that but in an effort to self medicate yourself, you start making phone calls and writing emails you probably shouldn't be; all in a desperate, delirious state.

But you somehow make it through the night and when you wake the feeling more or less retreats deep back into the cave which it came and you realize how pathetic you were and vow to never let that happen again.

Which of course it does.

Its so easy to see how someone could easily let the loneliness get the better of them and just wallow in despair. Luckily, I'm very aware of this and know that if I just weather the storms and keep moving forward, everything will be just fine.

**********************************************************************

MORNING UPDATE

An ipod can be an amazing friend.

Just when you're tired from the time change, feeling sick from your liquid breakfast, and there's a cloak of general "blahness" over you, it puts a one-two combination of songs into your ears that completely picks you up. This time it was a song from the 2046 soundtrack followed by Maze's slow and groovy "Happy Feelings" (i've been on an old school jams kick lately).

And just like that my mind is back on track, focusing on what it should....

let's all chant

2006-03-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

What do the a hit song from the White Stripes and Italian soccer fans have in common?

Take a listen to this short radio story to find out how a bassline is taking European stadiums by storm. Funny and facinating...

The World: Global Hit

2006-03-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

They tell you Sodom's coming
Soon everyone around us will die
Only a fool believes that he is different
From the birds in the sky

All those birds go chasing
Some better sunny days
You can't hear them singing
Cause they've all gone away

But this one bird didn't leave you
And stayed through the winter time
You can't hear it sing
But you can hear it as it flies

So don't you believe them
They'll destroy you with their lies
They only see the obvious
They see the sun go down,
but they don't see it rise

I've always liked the Flaming Lips but can't say I'm the most hardcore of fans. I do , however have always liked the whimsical lyrics and world they create. Got a chance to preview their upcoming cd and out of all the songs the one above immediately hit a chord with me and thought I'd share it.

2006-02-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

"Learning is a paradox. It is life affirming and often painful because you care about it. Without it you might as well be dead."

That moment of clarity when a situation or scenario suddenly makes sense can come in an instead; triggered by unknown forces, the universe, whatever. Its the moment when you make your first unassisted bike ride or when I assume a man realizes that he wants to make a woman his wife. Its the culmination, the tipping point so to speak, when all the knowledge you've acquired comes together and one can have the ability to look at the world in an all new way.

If you were to poll me only two days ago about the "homeless" girl that was temporarily living in my house I would have told you that I thought I was falling for her. As you might recall, HG was the delightful April fools prankster that I wasn't so sure about when we were seeing each other last year. Fast forward to a couple months ago when we started talking again more than we probably ever did and now to her needing a place to stay for a little while. Who knew that once you get all the sex out of the way you can actually start a meaningful dialogue and really get to know someone? Maybe it is just that my head is in a different place and she now seems like someone I want in my life.

How quickly that can change.

I'd like to think that I do things for people without expecting anything in return but that is pretty unrealistic. Even if all I need is some appreciation and thanks, that is still demanding something - But I don't ask for much.

The lack of a sincere and proper thanks for the accommodations was pretty much the last straw. Suddenly, all of it made sense.....plainly put, the girl is selfish. I adore the girl but when you give and give and give (its my resolution this year as you recall) and they don't give back its very hard to find a reason to keep going. It all just feels so one sided. I can't deny that I don't feel frustrated with flashes of bitterness and hurt....sort of comes with the territory when dealing with people you care for that don't seem to care about you.

She only spent two of the originally scheduled ten days at the house and while I am still very fond of her I'm moving on...

Let's pat ourselves on the back shall we?

2006-01-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Hawaiian mafia was in full effect at the Asian Excellence Awards, which is basically just an award show put together to attract ad revenue for the Comcast owned AZN channel. The formula for all these award shows goes like this:

Get a bunch of celebrities in a room + televise it = fans wanting to see famous people and in turn = advertising $$$$

Its funny how all of us transplanted islanders sort of gravitated towards each at the afterparty. Some were more 'famous' than others but its not that large of a city and usually find some common link between each other. But in the mix we had a former Miss Universe, a local tv newscaster/weather girl, an up and coming actress you'll be seeing in multiplexes this summer, a former fly girl, now judge/choreographer on a celebrity dancing show and a couple of entertainment execs.

All in all the night was fun. Got to catch up with people I haven't seen in ages, met Dr. David Ho (and which I was in awe of), a former Time Man of the Year and responsible for the AIDS drug treatment called "the cocktail", and got to mingle with interesting people (missed chatting up Lucy Liu though).

If you get the AZN channel the show airs on Chinese New Year, Sunday Jan. 29 at 8pm. Here's a few pics:

I have no idea why he was there but the ladies always love the hedgehog!

Actors Gang Does it Again

2006-01-16T17:47:00.000-08:00

Tim Robbins' theatre company, The Actor's Gang came through again with a powerful and achingly beautiful piece of docu-drama called THE EXONERATED. It affected me even moreso cause I have been lucky enough to have gotten to know some of the company members and one of them is actually in this play.

The play uses real life stories and words of 6 actual death row inmates who were wrongly incarcerated and eventually set free, but not without its consequences. Needless to say there were very few dry eyes in the house, mine included. I haven't teared up like that in a really, really long time.

Yes, the play takes the stance against capital punishment but it also shines the light on a criminal and judicial system that has its shares of flaws. I'd encourage anyone out there to check it out if its playing in your town...it will be worth it if only to show you how amazing and fulfilling theatre can be.

The EXONERATED will be touring the US for about next three months starting in Minnesota this friday.

1/21, 1/22 College of St. Benedict, MN
1/24, 1/25 Hancher Auditorium, U of Iowa; Iowa City
1/28 Weber St. Univ, Ogden, Utah
1/31 Vanderbilt Unversity, Nashville, TN
2/9, 2/10, 2/11 Stanford University
3/15 Young Auditorium, U of Wis; Whitewater, WI
3/18 SUNY Purchase
3/21, 3/22 Modlin Center, U of Richmond, VA
3/24 George Mason University; Fairfax, VA
3/30, 3/31 Northeastern U; Boston MA
4/20 USCB, Santa Barbara, CA

2006-01-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

Interesting day today was...

Good news is B and I now have a showroom handling the East Coast sales for our clothing line.

Bad news is our housemate voluntarily admitted herself to the psychiatric wing of a nearby hospital on advice of her therapist to make sure the new meds they switched her to didn't have any adverse side effects. She'll be back home tomorrow.

ps. the birds were incorrect. I didn't even hit one number in last night's draw.

2006-01-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

The birds have it in for me. For the second day in a row, I have stepped out of my house and been shat on by birds on the way to my car. It may be that they're trying to send me a message but I'll chalk it up to good luck. hmmm....time to get a lottery ticket?

2006-01-09T22:16:00.000-08:00

Its always been on B's and my general 'To do' list to one day create some sort of pop group and see if we could manufacture a hit single. I am not ashamed to admit that the Spice Girls were a brillant piece of work by whoever created them but the four Korean pop princesses above have B and I completely enraptured.

Meet.....LADY(sorry, only in korean)

Take your average pop girl group, throw in a good dose of sex appeal, then add the small little detail that all of them are post-op transexuals and its......PURE FUCKIN GENIUS! A bunch of hot trannies singing bumpin r&b club hits is something I WISH I had thought of. No, I don't have a fetish for this kind of lifestyle but its just that I've had gender bending people in my life ever since I was a kid and why not give these girls the same options as everyone else....at least it makes things interesting. From the Samoan boy in the neighborhood that used to wear dresses (and eventually became a woman) to the after dinner "spot the trannie hookers" drive thru safari trips in downtown Honolulu that my dad used to take out of town visitors on for entertainment, its never been an issue of not being exposed to that lifestyle for me. Its all about finding what makes you happy, no?

Shinae (29), Sahara (25), Binu (22) and Yoona (21) are causing quite a stir out in usually conservative Asia, especially when they are planning to do a nude photo album in the near future. I must say that their first single is now stuck in my head...the melody is very catchy!

yawn.....stretch.....breathe

2006-01-07T15:27:00.000-08:00

Time to dust off this site and come out of my holiday hibernation.

First step for me at the beginning of any new year is a general "cleanse" of all the dirt and debris, physically and mentally I've acquired over the last year.

For the mind this year: A Brazilian Samba club to remind me that we should celebrate life daily - Live and loud samba band + bootys shaking at supersonic speeds is a hell of a sexy combination! For the body: A Korean full body scrub to get a fresh new coat of baby soft skin. Sure it might seem gay to lie butt nekkid (no towel & only in a semi-private area btw)on a massage table while some stocky guy looking like a kamikaze pilot w/ a towel headband (yes, i know kamikaze pilots are japanese not korean, just roll with it) uses what's akin to a pot scrubber to sand and soap every inch of my body, including mi bits and pieces, but trust me when I tell you that I feel like I've shed a lot more than skin. And for the Soul: A beautiful hike in Topanga Canyon on a warm and sunny LA winter day.

Its a new year and as traditions dictate, let's go over a couple resolutions shall we:

- MORE TO LOVE. The fortune teller I saw last year did tell me I needed to pick up a few pounds if I wanted to have more luck, so let's see if she's on to something. I find gyms to be an utter bore so perhaps there are other means to get beefed up....break dancing, surfing, rock climbing, freestyle walking? hmmm....

- KEEP IN MIND THE "WHAT IFS" BUT FOCUS ON "WHAT IS". I've noticed that a lot of my decisions in life and love are sometimes pre-emptively sabotaged by my assumption of the outcome. Calling it "thinking too much" wouldn't be too far off. I just need to remind myself that favorable end results come from enjoying the journey there and you can never predict the future.

- THE BOTTOM LINE. F-U-N. That's what I'm making my bottom line this year. You can't go wrong doing something you have fun doing and are passionate about.

- GIVE, GIVE, GIVE. Gonna be more generous to others this year cause there is never anything bad that results because someone gives too much. And in any case it will at least make my life more interesting and spawn a positive environment in which great things can thrive. Here's to giving!

2005-11-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

What do you do when there's a million different thoughts, ideas, life moments, and general ponderings going on in your head but none of them seem interesting or developed enough to warrant a post?

Do you just write about none of them?

Perhaps.

But i'm thinking its just a lack of interest and laziness in trying to keep this up. I don't know how others do it consistently and still have a social life.

Maybe things will be clearer after I get back from a long put off trip back to the islands to see family and friends. Yup....time to recharge and reconnect and figure out the game plan for the next year. As I recall, the fortune teller did say next year would be a very fruitful one financially. I'm hoping she's right...

Observations from the past week

2005-11-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

Iman book launch party hosted by Eva Mendes at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel:

- Its probably easier to get into the Pentagon than this current Hollywood "it" spot. There are velvet ropes everywhere and your rank is measured by how many of these ropes and black-clad doormen you can get past.

- its tough enough to even get into the lobby but once inside there are vip-vip areas for people far richer and more famous than you

- free drinks and a possible chance to hang out with David Bowie will bring me and B out of our cave and into the real world any day (he never showed).

- Iman=flawless beauty. I was speechless with mouth agape when she walked by.

- there is no lack of boobage in this town

- Celeb spottings: Matthew Perry looking more like a wall street type with a suit and tie and aussie rockers JET doing the opposite, looking like they stepped out of a time machine from the 70's

Women's Professional Tennis at the Staples center:

- free tickets to see the "hot chick" of tennis, Maria Sharapova play will lure B and I out into the real world

- I hate the faux formalities and civilities of British invented sports. Sporting
events are supposed to be loud and raucous, not quiet and composed.

- I won't be going to any professional tennis tournaments soon unless I need to nap. zzzzzzz.....

- Arenas charging you double what you would pay everywhere else for Mcdonald's should be charged with extortion

a lovely time with the latins

2005-11-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

It was quite a social and varied time last week. With a million things going on in this town there is never any shortage of distractions and activites to see and do. One night you've got your earplugs in and being audio massaged (along with having your organs churned) by ridiculously loud metal bands and the mighty Boris then the next you find yourself attending the Latin Grammys.

Apparently this year's show was scaled back due to declining ratings but I still found it rather entertaining and fun even though it was all in spanish (a first for the show).

The funny thing about these award shows is that although they are supposed to be about the awards, no one wants to sit through three hours of speeches, so they've basically become all star concerts of the past years hits complete with merchandise tables and concession stands serving nachos and hot dogs in the lobby. Worked out great cause since it was being broadcast live, the commercial breaks gave you time to get some food or a beer.

The performances were good as well. Along with the usual pop fare and the currently hot reggaeton action, there were great rock performances (like the popular La Ley's farewell performance, pictured above) as well as some jazz and regional mexican groups (yes, even the "polka" groups sounded stellar!). I did discover a few new acts that I want to add to my music library which is always nice.

After the show we headed to the afterparty. A party that had so much corporate sponsorship presence that there was no escaping it. As soon as you walked in there were young runway models from a major makeup company passing out the exclusive Latin Grammy lip gloss. And if you wanted a drink, the models from the beer and vodka sponsors could have directed you to the nearest open bar. Or, if you had been thinking of getting a new cell phone, the models from one of the wireless sponsors could have let you check out their new phones. I don't really blame them though. Why put up a lot money for these parties when you can get others to pay for it?

Apparently the official party we were at did not compare to Univision party as far as celebrity sightings go but did notice a few familiar faces in the crowd. Some of them were from bands, some just freaks, like the enormous Jose Canseco wearing a very sheer, very tight black shirt. The most interesting sighting of the night though had to be the Mayor of Los Angeles. I can't really explain it well but his whole vibe is very much of a guy that grew up in the streets of LA. I kept watching his body language and he definitely is not your average stiff, vanilla politician. He was giving out street handshakes like a rapper and with his body guards around him and his sharp suit on, you'd swear he was some kind of mafia don. Or as the General so eloquently put it, "the mayor is a PIMP!".

We left the party just as they were shutting it down, incredibly heavy gift bags in hand. In it was more products from sponsors - chocolates, liquers, hair products, magazines, etc., and a curious new mint flavored bottled water. Give it a try if you like the the taste of toothpaste.

2005-11-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Honolulu Magazine - 40 Things Every Local Must Do

Face it. We're different from the 49 other states. Locals in Hawai'i have their own ideas on everything, from how food should taste to how holidays should be celebrated. We've even got our own way of speaking the English language.

So how local are you? Some say you gotta be born and raised in the Islands. Others say "local" is a state of mind. Either way, we say you can't call yourself a true local until you've done all 40 of the following. Fo' real.

Mum just sent the Oct issue and the cover story on the things every local Hawaiian must do is hilarious and very spot on. I don't know how well this will translate to non-hawaiians but I can honestly say I've done at least 35 of these. My favorite, either number 32....or 34. Shaka (aka the "hang loose" sign)in traffic.

2005-10-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

Went to only my third hockey game last night courtesy of the corporate beast called Ti*ketmast*r. A friend works for them and had an extra ticket for their suite which was on the first level, center ice. I don't even want to know how much money a year it costs to use. Personally, the seats rinkside seem much better to watch the games but the suites offer more space with satellite tvs, bigger, more complete menus, and room service (complete w/ dessert cart).

Every one loves the foam finger!

Plenty of room to stretch out or nap.

The light show was very Ice Capades-like

Beer....check
Spicy Popcorn chicken w/ fries......check
McD's sundae and apple pie (not shown)......check
Post meal heartburn.....check

The motivation of men

2005-10-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am no different than them.

I'll admit that.

There is no blind pride - no false notion that I am somehow above the primal lusts that are born into men. The lusts that destroy rational thought.

The lusts that cause one to reschedule a meet and greet with your company's CEO so you can have lunch with a beautiful production assistant 10 years your junior. A PA that you realize is mentally years apart from you and has bad grammar - a trait that, while not a deal breaker, usually signals deeper issues.

It is this Achilles Heel of men that has caused kingdoms to crumple and brothers to kill brothers. It has served as the catalyst for tragedy and brought great men to their knees.

But whether a prince or a pauper, it is what connects us all to this fraternity.

Of which I am a proud member of.

random musings

2005-10-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think that talking is overrated.

If scientists have said that the majority of human communication is done non-verbally, why do we place such importance on words? I suspect its because its convenient and easy. There's no subtle moves or signs that you have to detect and decipher. But I suppose its benefit is that you can broadcast words in songs, poems, books, etc. while doing so with body language might be difficult if not impossible.

Even language fails us in some ways though. B and I were discussing the shortcomings of the English language and came to the conclusion that it is insufficient in certain cases for describing specific things. Take the word LOVE for example. Why are there not a million words for all the different types and degrees of Love? I for one do not think its fair to group someone's love for ice cream with that of a child or spouse.

It deserves a word more special than that don't you think?

"When the lights go down in the city..."

2005-10-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

"....ooh, I want to be thereeeee in myyy ci-ty..."

I was having childhood flashbacks as I sat in the dark atop the Hollywood hills high above the Greek theatre listening to the 80's power balladeers, Journey, roll through their hits of yesteryear. It was all on a partially cheezy whim that we all we trekked up the dirt hiking trail to sneak a free concert in. Luckily, a friend just happens to live a short walk away from the venue and was having a little get together. Well, one thing led to another and the next thing you know, a bunch of us are caravaning up the street, drinks in hand acting like a bunch of kids and jumping over the bushes of million dollar mansions before trying to traverse a dirt mountain in the dark. By the time we made it up, there were at least 7 other rather "interesting" (read:weird) people up in the trees, rocking and swaying in time. I swear it looked like a scene on the discovery channel - like I was watching chimps in the wild.

Of course we had to (painfully) sit through some of their newer tunes but it was all worth it when they delivered the three punch combination of Open Arms, followed by Faithfully, and topped with Don't Stop Believin'. I would have held up a lighter if I had one. All I could think of was those days of listening to my older sister playing those songs over and over in the late 70's/early 80's. I may not know the names of the songs but amazingly I found myself instinctually knowing a lot of the lyrics and singing along.

"Sooo here I am, with Ooo-pen arms. Ho-ping you'll see, what your love means to me..........Open arms"

2005-10-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

Its official. Credit card companies are completely and utterly EVIL.

My longtime friend Mo is having to file for personal bankruptcy because those greedy bastards are more or less forcing her to do so. Sure she shouldn't have racked up 40,000 between three cards (not even counting her school loans that made her two masters degrees possible) but a lot of that went to school expenses and tuition. And so, here she was scraping by and shelling out about $1500/month to pay the minimum (just the interest really and again this isn't even counting her school loan, rent, car, etc); on time I may add, and all of a sudden the companies do their six month review and decide she is a 'financial risk' and bump her interest rate to a whopping 23%! Aren't you guys making enough money on her? geez....

She tried to work it out with them but they told her if she objects to it then just don't pay it and deal with the consequences. What's even more disturbing is that her rate would have remained unchanged if she would have had just one late payment. Guess they don't believe in being responsible and punctual. Its a f-ed up situation either way so she's had to get a lawyer and is declaring bankruptcy to get rid of the debt.

And the kicker....

The lawyer says that right outside the bankruptcy court doors are a ton of creditors waiting to give you a brand new credit card.

God, isn't America great?

2005-09-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

My housemate is a quarter century old today.

Ahhh....youth is a beautiful thing, but am I ever glad I will never be 25 again.

Haven't know the housemate for too long; about two months to be exact. B and I found her through craigslist when we were looking for a roommate. We get along well although the gap in years and thinking between us becomes very obvious on occasion. Its not a bad thing, just that we're at different points in our lives. She's still figuring out what she wants to do with her life and I've more or less put that internal discussion to rest a long time ago.

For the most part though she's been good. She's clean, pays her bills on time, and keeps to herself a lot of the time. Everything I could ask for. The "bad" stuff's kind of irritating at times but nothing to stress out about. Like the fact that:

- the girl has more hair and bath products than a family of 6
- buys groceries she never eats
- only talks about boy problems
- is a hypochondriac, neurotic and slightly paranoid (she recently thinks she's having hallucinations at night as well)
- needs a lot of self assurance (I'm not gonna knock someone for putting their faith in power crystals but I do find it funny)

But whatever....as long as the checks don't bounce and I don't have to babysit her she can pray to golden calves if it helps her self esteem and makes her feel better.

Happy Birthday