Runaway sock
When I used to live in a brownstone-like apartment in Brooklyn, I took my laundry to the cleaners a good seven blocks away. That was the closest one available. So, when I lost a sock, there was a lot of territory to cover and very likely that it would have been dropped along the way. I then moved into a high-rise building that had its laundry room on the second floor. I was on the ninth. I could have lost it on the elevator or someone could have taken it when moving my wet clothes to the dryer since I was taking up a washer. The next two apartments had washing machines on my floor so it was just a matter of walking backwards from my apartment bedroom door to the laundry room (usually less than 30 feet away). The next one was another laundromat situation, but at least this one was right across the street and they folded your clothes. So, if a sock was missing, it probably was because I missed putting it in the bag when I dropped it off.
So, HOW THE HELL DO I LOSE A SOCK NOW THAT MY WASHER AND DRYER IS LITERALLY OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM DOOR!??!?!??! WHERE IS MY SOCK!?!??!! Damn it!
Thursday, November 25, 2004
I thought I would take a hiatus from the hiatus to list my thanks this Thanksgiving day.
I am thankful for:
* life
* health (for now)
* having a job where I like the folks I'm with and it's low-stress and i get to work with celebrities
* parents who are okay with this job and are supportive
* responsible, encouraging sister and new brother-in-law
* agreeable roommates
* the nice, comfortable apartment that we share
* being able to read (erudite op-ed articles in the NYTimes and frivolous but relevant US Weekly gossip, alike)
* washer and dryer in my apartment
* this laptop that I am using to blog
* new york friends (both of them)
* new york city
* mothers (see special note)
special note:
mothers are amazing! well, my mom has been very supportive all along with this career change (well, starting from when i was almost crying to her telling her that i hated my other job and couldn't go back). but also, one of my roommates' mom is in town. this morning, she made her son, joe and his roommate, joe (that's me), breakfast. the amazing part was that it was good (nothing fancy or anything) and satisfying, but it's all stuff that's been in my kitchen all along! why couldn't i have made this for myself? moms are awesome at finding random scraps of foods in refrigerators and making full meals out of them!
Thursday, November 11, 2004
November 11, 2004
I am taking a hiatus on this daily log.
Yes, it's an easy "out" for me to neglect my daily duties (since I've already started this hiatus).
I do not care what you think.
If you want to know about my daily life, you're welcomed to participate in it rather than read about it. Who am I? A celebrity?
Speaking of: I told some of y'all that Stephen Spielberg came into the store the other day. On Monday, he was in a picture in the New York Post with Tom Cruise on the set of War of the Worlds in Newark, NJ wearing the coat he bought at the store! It was not credited, as the picture was just a candid.
I am taking a hiatus on this daily log.
Yes, it's an easy "out" for me to neglect my daily duties (since I've already started this hiatus).
I do not care what you think.
If you want to know about my daily life, you're welcomed to participate in it rather than read about it. Who am I? A celebrity?
Speaking of: I told some of y'all that Stephen Spielberg came into the store the other day. On Monday, he was in a picture in the New York Post with Tom Cruise on the set of War of the Worlds in Newark, NJ wearing the coat he bought at the store! It was not credited, as the picture was just a candid.
Friday, October 29, 2004
For Tuesday, October 26 to Thursday, October 28, 2004
I worked these three days. Nothing exciting happened. In fact, Tuesday was the slowest sales day of the month at the store. CONgratulations to me.
Though I've never worked in a retail store before, most of the jobs I've done in one way or another. I've served clients in a one-on-one capacity (like food service at my parents'); I've used a cash register; I've done inventory; I've folded sweaters (at my own home); I've cleaned and vacuumed; I've chatted with people (not a very hard job, is it?). What I have never done though is work a credit card machine, where I swipe a credit card into the machine, wait for it to produce that double receipt, have you sign it and me take the WHITE copy! It's deceptively simple: swipe, punch in dollar amount (any amount you wish! - doesn't force you to coordinate with the register) and press enter. And just having a credit card number will do! If I memorize your credit card number, I can charge you again and again! That was my one though of the day.
Last night (Thursday), I went out to drinks with my old coworker. Her friend was having a birthday party so I tagged along. She also wanted me to meet someone she recently met who was in a fashion-related industry. Very cool people and I appreciated that. These are white folks. Do I have any white folks reading this? A shout out to the white people. Thanks.
Going home to Florida today.
I worked these three days. Nothing exciting happened. In fact, Tuesday was the slowest sales day of the month at the store. CONgratulations to me.
Though I've never worked in a retail store before, most of the jobs I've done in one way or another. I've served clients in a one-on-one capacity (like food service at my parents'); I've used a cash register; I've done inventory; I've folded sweaters (at my own home); I've cleaned and vacuumed; I've chatted with people (not a very hard job, is it?). What I have never done though is work a credit card machine, where I swipe a credit card into the machine, wait for it to produce that double receipt, have you sign it and me take the WHITE copy! It's deceptively simple: swipe, punch in dollar amount (any amount you wish! - doesn't force you to coordinate with the register) and press enter. And just having a credit card number will do! If I memorize your credit card number, I can charge you again and again! That was my one though of the day.
Last night (Thursday), I went out to drinks with my old coworker. Her friend was having a birthday party so I tagged along. She also wanted me to meet someone she recently met who was in a fashion-related industry. Very cool people and I appreciated that. These are white folks. Do I have any white folks reading this? A shout out to the white people. Thanks.
Going home to Florida today.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
For Monday, October 25, 2004, I did the following:
I woke up at 10:45 this morning. It was my day off. I am very happy about that. However, I had a big project due for my FIT class. I did the majority of it so I wasn't as nervous.
In the morning, I made myself some tea and surfed for news. I printed out 4 NYTimes articles because I felt I hadn't read any Times articles in a while. I brought them out to the living room sans laptop. I didn't finish any of the articles. I read enough to know what happened. Oh well.
I then started to do my project. I cut and pasted (with scissors and a glue stick). It was like arts and crafts. In the middle, I made plans to have lunch with a friend. We ate at May Rose (subtitled Comfortable Food). It was alright. Then I went downtown to Aveda to pick up the tickets/booklets to allow my lovely female roommates their pick of cheap Estee Lauder items for Friday. After that, I went to my sister's workplace to pick up some magazines. I needed a couple of tearsheets for my project. I then headed back home to finish up the work.
FIT class was as confusing as ever. She doesn't tell us all the things she wants us to do for the following class. When the next session comes along, she expects all these things. And students get confused and frustrated. There's this one girl who is really frustrated but she handles it poorly. It's not that she yells or anything but she stupidly talks back to the teacher in a way thata makes you want to cringe. I feel like, "Girl, you are stupid. Don't make the professor feel dumb. Yes, she did not say to do X, Y and Z but now she expects it. There is a better way of getting your point across. You don't want her mad at you." I seriously want to tell this to her. I am imagining going up to her and opening with, "How old are you?" As I am almost certainly older than her, I will share the wisdom of my experience (school and corporate). Anyway, I had to leave class early because I had this benefit concert to go to. I left class at 7:30, just as she was about to begin her lesson. Prior to that was attendance, giving back homework (I'm doing worse and worse), and her explaining the project that was due that session.
I left class, went back home to drop off my bag and took a cab to Lincoln Center. I met up with my friend who I invited to go. I got these tickets for free because I volunteer with this organization that had some. On the website, the show is about:
"On Monday, October 25, 2004, GMHC will return to Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall with a new and exciting gala benefit concert event — Showstoppers! — featuring legendary Broadway stars performing the signature "numbers' for which they are best known. Avery Fisher Hall was, of course, the site of our triumphant 2003 concert production of Jerry Herman's Broadway musical, Mack & Mabel."
It was a packed house, but in the audience I saw Isaac Mizhari and the mom from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I'm sure there were other "regular" celebrities beyond the Broadway crowd.
So, I went to that. I didn't go to the reception at Tavern on the Green afterwards though. My friend had to go home and I didn't want to go by myself. So, I came home. Passed a McDonald's on the way and bought some Chicken Selects (twice in 4 days). Yum.
Good night.
I woke up at 10:45 this morning. It was my day off. I am very happy about that. However, I had a big project due for my FIT class. I did the majority of it so I wasn't as nervous.
In the morning, I made myself some tea and surfed for news. I printed out 4 NYTimes articles because I felt I hadn't read any Times articles in a while. I brought them out to the living room sans laptop. I didn't finish any of the articles. I read enough to know what happened. Oh well.
I then started to do my project. I cut and pasted (with scissors and a glue stick). It was like arts and crafts. In the middle, I made plans to have lunch with a friend. We ate at May Rose (subtitled Comfortable Food). It was alright. Then I went downtown to Aveda to pick up the tickets/booklets to allow my lovely female roommates their pick of cheap Estee Lauder items for Friday. After that, I went to my sister's workplace to pick up some magazines. I needed a couple of tearsheets for my project. I then headed back home to finish up the work.
FIT class was as confusing as ever. She doesn't tell us all the things she wants us to do for the following class. When the next session comes along, she expects all these things. And students get confused and frustrated. There's this one girl who is really frustrated but she handles it poorly. It's not that she yells or anything but she stupidly talks back to the teacher in a way thata makes you want to cringe. I feel like, "Girl, you are stupid. Don't make the professor feel dumb. Yes, she did not say to do X, Y and Z but now she expects it. There is a better way of getting your point across. You don't want her mad at you." I seriously want to tell this to her. I am imagining going up to her and opening with, "How old are you?" As I am almost certainly older than her, I will share the wisdom of my experience (school and corporate). Anyway, I had to leave class early because I had this benefit concert to go to. I left class at 7:30, just as she was about to begin her lesson. Prior to that was attendance, giving back homework (I'm doing worse and worse), and her explaining the project that was due that session.
I left class, went back home to drop off my bag and took a cab to Lincoln Center. I met up with my friend who I invited to go. I got these tickets for free because I volunteer with this organization that had some. On the website, the show is about:
"On Monday, October 25, 2004, GMHC will return to Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall with a new and exciting gala benefit concert event — Showstoppers! — featuring legendary Broadway stars performing the signature "numbers' for which they are best known. Avery Fisher Hall was, of course, the site of our triumphant 2003 concert production of Jerry Herman's Broadway musical, Mack & Mabel."
It was a packed house, but in the audience I saw Isaac Mizhari and the mom from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I'm sure there were other "regular" celebrities beyond the Broadway crowd.
So, I went to that. I didn't go to the reception at Tavern on the Green afterwards though. My friend had to go home and I didn't want to go by myself. So, I came home. Passed a McDonald's on the way and bought some Chicken Selects (twice in 4 days). Yum.
Good night.
Monday, October 25, 2004
For Saturday October 23 and Sunday October 24:
These two days just blurred together because I worked both days.
Um...let's see what's happening here.
Met Josh Hartnett today. Brought him some clothes, told him that this shirt fit him well when he asked. Nice, unassuming, tall guy.
I went to see the Grudge last night. It was not scary at all. I hate scary movies that are not scary. Not once did I flinch. Well, once. When the guy almost slipped on something wet on the floor and it made a squeek noise. It came during a rather quiet scene.
I went to bed at 4 last night and woke up in time to go to work. I'm kinda proud of myself. I was doing my project due tomorrow.
I was thinking about how I may sound disingenious when I say "hello, how are you?" to each customer walking into the door. But I do mean it. I don't really care what their answer is, but I do mean to say it. Wait, I guess that's pretty fake then, huh? Oh well. Well, I gave that same "hello, how are you?" tone to Josh Hartnett when he walked in because I didn't recognize him. Heh heh. But he probably thinks I'm this retail peon, which of course, I am.
I came home today to a dark living room and dining room. I thought, everyone had stuff to do on a Sunday night. Then, one by one, they started to come to life. Regina's door opened as I walked down the hallway. She was up from her nap (she says she was cleaning her room). Later, Manboo got home from Atlanta; then Wendy from D.C., then Fookwanzaa from study group. The Commune was accounted for. I hate a late dinner while the others had a late night snack.
It's almost 2 am. I shall go to bed soon.
These two days just blurred together because I worked both days.
Um...let's see what's happening here.
Met Josh Hartnett today. Brought him some clothes, told him that this shirt fit him well when he asked. Nice, unassuming, tall guy.
I went to see the Grudge last night. It was not scary at all. I hate scary movies that are not scary. Not once did I flinch. Well, once. When the guy almost slipped on something wet on the floor and it made a squeek noise. It came during a rather quiet scene.
I went to bed at 4 last night and woke up in time to go to work. I'm kinda proud of myself. I was doing my project due tomorrow.
I was thinking about how I may sound disingenious when I say "hello, how are you?" to each customer walking into the door. But I do mean it. I don't really care what their answer is, but I do mean to say it. Wait, I guess that's pretty fake then, huh? Oh well. Well, I gave that same "hello, how are you?" tone to Josh Hartnett when he walked in because I didn't recognize him. Heh heh. But he probably thinks I'm this retail peon, which of course, I am.
I came home today to a dark living room and dining room. I thought, everyone had stuff to do on a Sunday night. Then, one by one, they started to come to life. Regina's door opened as I walked down the hallway. She was up from her nap (she says she was cleaning her room). Later, Manboo got home from Atlanta; then Wendy from D.C., then Fookwanzaa from study group. The Commune was accounted for. I hate a late dinner while the others had a late night snack.
It's almost 2 am. I shall go to bed soon.
Friday, October 22, 2004
For Friday, October 22, 2004:
I woke up like any other day. Went to bed late. Well, I was in bed for a while but fell asleep later.
Today, we got a new shipment in at work. We get new stuff each week so the store looks different every week. These crazy folks come in knowing we get new stuff and ask "what's new?" No one does this at Banana Republic! Weird.
I'm getting the hang of things. I just need to learn to remember these customers' names. I'm also looking for a sewing machine for the new store.
I came home to an apartment with two roommates out of town, one who is studying or not here, and one who's working on Saturday. So Regina and I went to McDonald's for our Friday night date. I ordered 3 McChicken Sandwiches, a large order of French Fries and a 5-piece Chicken Selects. Yum!
I ate, and then went to Kinko's to pick up my order. I had some oversized 14x14 print done for my FIT class. It turned out okay. It's the background for my project. I'm designing a cruisewear 2005 collection. So, I'm going to put my croquis on top of this color background that I had printed up. It's due Monday. It's Friday! I'm actually working ahead of schedule. I still have to do the important things though: the actual drawings. :) Whatever.
What else is happening with me? Retail is interesting and there are things that I do here that are not cookie cutter. I don't have to follow some book as to how to pair pants with shirts, but then again, getting to be creative with something like that isn't a great accomplishment either.
I think the hours just kinda stink. I don't have time to do much. I certainly don't have time to shop! I don't have time to do volunteer things since I work weekends and also until 8. Eh! Who cares?!
I want to be those people who come into the store. Almost all entrepeneurs, with some fashion drones thrown in. It's not the lawyers or doctors or bankers. Sure, they could afford these clothes but they don't have the leisurely time to shop during a weekday. These designers, photographers, art directors (and not all just creative jobs either) apparently make good money and still have time to shop. I'm sure they work hard, but they're not corporate slaves either. Slavery is not a good life. :) I don't really want to be that, but I also don't think I'm built for anything else. Among my close friends, I don't see enterpreneurs. Is it because they're mostly Asian and we've been taught to get corporate jobs and work hard at it and make money so that we can spend it well on the two days that we have time off? Need to think about this more because my life now is worst than corporate drone-ism; it's retail whoring. Eh! Baby steps.
I woke up like any other day. Went to bed late. Well, I was in bed for a while but fell asleep later.
Today, we got a new shipment in at work. We get new stuff each week so the store looks different every week. These crazy folks come in knowing we get new stuff and ask "what's new?" No one does this at Banana Republic! Weird.
I'm getting the hang of things. I just need to learn to remember these customers' names. I'm also looking for a sewing machine for the new store.
I came home to an apartment with two roommates out of town, one who is studying or not here, and one who's working on Saturday. So Regina and I went to McDonald's for our Friday night date. I ordered 3 McChicken Sandwiches, a large order of French Fries and a 5-piece Chicken Selects. Yum!
I ate, and then went to Kinko's to pick up my order. I had some oversized 14x14 print done for my FIT class. It turned out okay. It's the background for my project. I'm designing a cruisewear 2005 collection. So, I'm going to put my croquis on top of this color background that I had printed up. It's due Monday. It's Friday! I'm actually working ahead of schedule. I still have to do the important things though: the actual drawings. :) Whatever.
What else is happening with me? Retail is interesting and there are things that I do here that are not cookie cutter. I don't have to follow some book as to how to pair pants with shirts, but then again, getting to be creative with something like that isn't a great accomplishment either.
I think the hours just kinda stink. I don't have time to do much. I certainly don't have time to shop! I don't have time to do volunteer things since I work weekends and also until 8. Eh! Who cares?!
I want to be those people who come into the store. Almost all entrepeneurs, with some fashion drones thrown in. It's not the lawyers or doctors or bankers. Sure, they could afford these clothes but they don't have the leisurely time to shop during a weekday. These designers, photographers, art directors (and not all just creative jobs either) apparently make good money and still have time to shop. I'm sure they work hard, but they're not corporate slaves either. Slavery is not a good life. :) I don't really want to be that, but I also don't think I'm built for anything else. Among my close friends, I don't see enterpreneurs. Is it because they're mostly Asian and we've been taught to get corporate jobs and work hard at it and make money so that we can spend it well on the two days that we have time off? Need to think about this more because my life now is worst than corporate drone-ism; it's retail whoring. Eh! Baby steps.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Why does my count always say 197 posts despite me posting every day? Does it mean it's deleting my old posts?!
For October 21, 2004 - it was the same. More people came in and bought expensive stuff without looking at price tags or at least not balking at a $200 henley.
Things that I have thought about in the past week but didn't get to write because I forgot so I wrote it on a piece of paper at work just for this moment. They include:
** There's a mirror there at work so I can look at myself every time I pass or every 20 minutes, whichever happens first. And I do (look in the mirror, that is).
** There are definitely boy jobs and girl jobs. Girls make the coffee (cappucinnos actually) for the morning meetings. The boys take down the flag (yep, got a flag of some sort).
** On my first choice, I got to put in a CD of my choice and I chose Al Green's Greatest Hits.
** Ellen Degeneres' people called yesterday (and I picked up). Her assistant (Kellen) needed some clothes sent overnight because Ellen is shooting an AmEx commercial and wanted some of our clothes. We apparently have done this before and the others didn't bat an eye.
My room is a mess. I want to finish reading my book. And subway rides are back in my life.
For October 21, 2004 - it was the same. More people came in and bought expensive stuff without looking at price tags or at least not balking at a $200 henley.
Things that I have thought about in the past week but didn't get to write because I forgot so I wrote it on a piece of paper at work just for this moment. They include:
** There's a mirror there at work so I can look at myself every time I pass or every 20 minutes, whichever happens first. And I do (look in the mirror, that is).
** There are definitely boy jobs and girl jobs. Girls make the coffee (cappucinnos actually) for the morning meetings. The boys take down the flag (yep, got a flag of some sort).
** On my first choice, I got to put in a CD of my choice and I chose Al Green's Greatest Hits.
** Ellen Degeneres' people called yesterday (and I picked up). Her assistant (Kellen) needed some clothes sent overnight because Ellen is shooting an AmEx commercial and wanted some of our clothes. We apparently have done this before and the others didn't bat an eye.
My room is a mess. I want to finish reading my book. And subway rides are back in my life.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
For Monday October 18; Tuesday October 19; Wednesday October 20 -
Monday was my day off. But I still had to do homework. I actually got finished earlier. I think I woke up around 9:30 or so. I went to class and my grades are not as good as before. :) It's alright. I got home, cooked, went on the computer. Went over to a friend's place to watch a movie.
Tuesday - work day. It was fine. The big boss was there and we had to talk. He has a japanese accent and it was sometimes difficult to understand but it was alright. What happened there? Not much. People come in and buy thousands' of dollars worth of stuff. But the night before, I had a dream that I got invited to the Olsen twins' apartment. I know where they live. Well, I know what building it is. It isn't done yet. It's four units combined into one. Anyway, I got invited to it. Ashley has one unit as her bedroom; Mary-Kate the other. There's a living area which is one unit in itself. Anyway, I toured it and we hung out. And these girls are messy! They have stuff lying all around the place. I woke up and went back to bed and I continued that dream! It was real! It happened. And they came to my workplace two weeks ago (I wasn't there).
Wednesday - work day. Same ole, same ole. Oh, I made a mistake. I rang up someone without charging them tax. And then I had to ring him up again. I've seen so many black American Express cards. My boss has one. I then went to the gym and came home. Cooked and am eating right now. Will probably organize my room or something.
Later. Did you miss me?
Monday was my day off. But I still had to do homework. I actually got finished earlier. I think I woke up around 9:30 or so. I went to class and my grades are not as good as before. :) It's alright. I got home, cooked, went on the computer. Went over to a friend's place to watch a movie.
Tuesday - work day. It was fine. The big boss was there and we had to talk. He has a japanese accent and it was sometimes difficult to understand but it was alright. What happened there? Not much. People come in and buy thousands' of dollars worth of stuff. But the night before, I had a dream that I got invited to the Olsen twins' apartment. I know where they live. Well, I know what building it is. It isn't done yet. It's four units combined into one. Anyway, I got invited to it. Ashley has one unit as her bedroom; Mary-Kate the other. There's a living area which is one unit in itself. Anyway, I toured it and we hung out. And these girls are messy! They have stuff lying all around the place. I woke up and went back to bed and I continued that dream! It was real! It happened. And they came to my workplace two weeks ago (I wasn't there).
Wednesday - work day. Same ole, same ole. Oh, I made a mistake. I rang up someone without charging them tax. And then I had to ring him up again. I've seen so many black American Express cards. My boss has one. I then went to the gym and came home. Cooked and am eating right now. Will probably organize my room or something.
Later. Did you miss me?
Sunday, October 17, 2004
For Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, 2004
Saturday, I worked. It was fine. Nothing special but I think everyone there (even after four years) are still surprised that people actually buy these ridiculously overpriced casual items. We sold 150% of goal.
Anyway, I bought myself a pair of jeans today. I was going to "borrow" the clothes everyday. If you go to the store, do NOT get the #3 sized long sleeve t-shirt in orange and heather grey. I've worn those. But I decided to get the jeans because this gay couple liked my jeans and how it fits on me. And you know gay guys...they got style. But I don't think it highlights my ass very well.
Afterwards, we went out for drinks on the company dime. I had my usual dirty Grey Goose martini. Yum....
I came home..kinda drunk. I hadn't had anything to eat before the drink. I had a friend come over. We ordered food, ate it and then I slept.
Sunday, I worked. It was an hour later than the weekdays. That was nice I guess. But it's still work. Yeah, I really need to ease into this work thing. I met the CFO of Pfizer today. He apparently shops here a LOT. He got like a couple of thousands' worth of stuff. That means two jeans, a wallet and a shirt. That's all. The wallet was like 400 bucks! It's ridiculous.
I am now home and eating ramen for dinner. We're watching anime from Fookwanzaa in Manboo's room. Don't tell him that we're in here. We = his four roommates (and our laptops of course).
Alright. I'll stop here. If there any updates, I'll let you know. Tomorrow is class. I need to do homework. I had planned to do some tonight. At this rate, it may not happen!
Saturday, I worked. It was fine. Nothing special but I think everyone there (even after four years) are still surprised that people actually buy these ridiculously overpriced casual items. We sold 150% of goal.
Anyway, I bought myself a pair of jeans today. I was going to "borrow" the clothes everyday. If you go to the store, do NOT get the #3 sized long sleeve t-shirt in orange and heather grey. I've worn those. But I decided to get the jeans because this gay couple liked my jeans and how it fits on me. And you know gay guys...they got style. But I don't think it highlights my ass very well.
Afterwards, we went out for drinks on the company dime. I had my usual dirty Grey Goose martini. Yum....
I came home..kinda drunk. I hadn't had anything to eat before the drink. I had a friend come over. We ordered food, ate it and then I slept.
Sunday, I worked. It was an hour later than the weekdays. That was nice I guess. But it's still work. Yeah, I really need to ease into this work thing. I met the CFO of Pfizer today. He apparently shops here a LOT. He got like a couple of thousands' worth of stuff. That means two jeans, a wallet and a shirt. That's all. The wallet was like 400 bucks! It's ridiculous.
I am now home and eating ramen for dinner. We're watching anime from Fookwanzaa in Manboo's room. Don't tell him that we're in here. We = his four roommates (and our laptops of course).
Alright. I'll stop here. If there any updates, I'll let you know. Tomorrow is class. I need to do homework. I had planned to do some tonight. At this rate, it may not happen!
Friday, October 15, 2004
For Thurday October 14, 2004
I was talking to something and we fell asleep whilst talking so I didn't get to post yesterday.
Yesterday was kinda uneventful. I woke up at noon. I made some tea for breakfast. I then went to see my sister at her job. She was printing up some color stuff for me for my FIT class. After that, I came home for a while to do more of nothing. I think earlier that morning Regina came into my room at 7 o'clock to say hi. We had discussed the night before about how she tiptoes around the house when she leaves because no one is up yet. I told her that I didn't care, that I could easily go to bed if she ever woke me up. So she did just that and I did just as I said I would: sleep for another 5 hours. After coming home, I also got ready to go meet my old manager for drinks. She was in town for the week. She has a 6-month position in London. That took another 3 or so hours. It was fun. She's great and I really like her. Asked about grad school recommendation (sorta) but she poo-poo'd (not really) on it mostly because she thinks if fashion is what I want to do, then I should do that now. But she had a totally different direction in how I should approach. She thinks I should be the business person to all these up and coming creatives/designers. I should work for free now but ask for equity stake in their emerging company. That's so entrepeneurial and I don't know if I'm there yet. But what does it take to be enterpreneurial? We'll see. After that, I came home and did nothing. Until I talked to that friend.
Friday, October 15, 2004.
It was my first day of work at this retail store. It was good. I can't honestly say that I am totally excited about doing this for the rest of my life but then again, I really really don't want to be a sales associate all of my life. But for a three-week trial thing? Sure. I like this company and I like the people (it's a small group of folks). It's a medium size chain in Japan. There's one company in the States and we're it. They opened one up in Paris last year. So, mom-and-pop in a lot of ways but they have support from Japan. Best of both worlds I guess. The clothing is casual but EXPENSIVE. I had to change into something they own and I need to buy some of the stuff (we get 70% off). The jeans I was wearing was $380 and the long sleeve plain t-shirt was $113. I KNOW! But people come and buy! And these are repeat customers who know the two older sales associates. And they don't even live in New York. Some Cambridge/Nantucket woman bought $3000 worth of stuff over the phone! The store gets new merchandise every week so they always call to ask "What's new?" Did a little bit of everything. Tomorrow's a bigger day I guess, more people/walk-ins.
Alright. I want to go to sleep. We'll see when I get to do that.
I was talking to something and we fell asleep whilst talking so I didn't get to post yesterday.
Yesterday was kinda uneventful. I woke up at noon. I made some tea for breakfast. I then went to see my sister at her job. She was printing up some color stuff for me for my FIT class. After that, I came home for a while to do more of nothing. I think earlier that morning Regina came into my room at 7 o'clock to say hi. We had discussed the night before about how she tiptoes around the house when she leaves because no one is up yet. I told her that I didn't care, that I could easily go to bed if she ever woke me up. So she did just that and I did just as I said I would: sleep for another 5 hours. After coming home, I also got ready to go meet my old manager for drinks. She was in town for the week. She has a 6-month position in London. That took another 3 or so hours. It was fun. She's great and I really like her. Asked about grad school recommendation (sorta) but she poo-poo'd (not really) on it mostly because she thinks if fashion is what I want to do, then I should do that now. But she had a totally different direction in how I should approach. She thinks I should be the business person to all these up and coming creatives/designers. I should work for free now but ask for equity stake in their emerging company. That's so entrepeneurial and I don't know if I'm there yet. But what does it take to be enterpreneurial? We'll see. After that, I came home and did nothing. Until I talked to that friend.
Friday, October 15, 2004.
It was my first day of work at this retail store. It was good. I can't honestly say that I am totally excited about doing this for the rest of my life but then again, I really really don't want to be a sales associate all of my life. But for a three-week trial thing? Sure. I like this company and I like the people (it's a small group of folks). It's a medium size chain in Japan. There's one company in the States and we're it. They opened one up in Paris last year. So, mom-and-pop in a lot of ways but they have support from Japan. Best of both worlds I guess. The clothing is casual but EXPENSIVE. I had to change into something they own and I need to buy some of the stuff (we get 70% off). The jeans I was wearing was $380 and the long sleeve plain t-shirt was $113. I KNOW! But people come and buy! And these are repeat customers who know the two older sales associates. And they don't even live in New York. Some Cambridge/Nantucket woman bought $3000 worth of stuff over the phone! The store gets new merchandise every week so they always call to ask "What's new?" Did a little bit of everything. Tomorrow's a bigger day I guess, more people/walk-ins.
Alright. I want to go to sleep. We'll see when I get to do that.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
For Wednesday, October 13, 2004
I'm the only one of my roommates who doesn't have curtains in his bedrooms.
This morning, I woke up at around 12:30. Don't remember what happened. I was online (of course). I submitted some grad school things. I'm researching it.
Called the retail store to let them know that I'll be there on Friday for the three-week trial.
I then proceeded to spend the next 2 hours on Lego's. I brought the Lego's home to build the obstacle course for the kids. The first meeting with them was tonight. At 5 something, I cleaned up and brought what I had built to the Lower East Side. There were 9 kids. All new. It was good. I'm glad that the extra mentors came. I'm afraid I may not be able to continue because of the retail job. It looks like a good group this year though. We had them break into teams and compete against each other. Kids love that. Don't they know they're all dumb? :)
I then went to the gym and spent some time there. Nothing exciting.
I then went to the 24-hour post office on the west side. Had to get some stuff to my parents. Cross-towned it home. I never used to take the bus. Now, I'm willing to stand and wait for a bus. I just wasn't before.
I got home and immediately cooked something because I haven't had any solid foods all day. I made some chili. Well, it was ground beef that I took out of the freezer before I left for Lego's, a can of tomato sauce, a can of beans and an onion. And mixed it all together. That's chili to me!
I ate it in my room because Manboo because there were college young 'uns outside (all women of course). I watched the game.
After the guests left, we all ended up in the living room. Then Fookwanzaa came home and the five roommates had a good time just chatting and relating stories.
The party broke up around 2.
I should go to bed. It's 3.
Why do people like Oprah so much?
I'm the only one of my roommates who doesn't have curtains in his bedrooms.
This morning, I woke up at around 12:30. Don't remember what happened. I was online (of course). I submitted some grad school things. I'm researching it.
Called the retail store to let them know that I'll be there on Friday for the three-week trial.
I then proceeded to spend the next 2 hours on Lego's. I brought the Lego's home to build the obstacle course for the kids. The first meeting with them was tonight. At 5 something, I cleaned up and brought what I had built to the Lower East Side. There were 9 kids. All new. It was good. I'm glad that the extra mentors came. I'm afraid I may not be able to continue because of the retail job. It looks like a good group this year though. We had them break into teams and compete against each other. Kids love that. Don't they know they're all dumb? :)
I then went to the gym and spent some time there. Nothing exciting.
I then went to the 24-hour post office on the west side. Had to get some stuff to my parents. Cross-towned it home. I never used to take the bus. Now, I'm willing to stand and wait for a bus. I just wasn't before.
I got home and immediately cooked something because I haven't had any solid foods all day. I made some chili. Well, it was ground beef that I took out of the freezer before I left for Lego's, a can of tomato sauce, a can of beans and an onion. And mixed it all together. That's chili to me!
I ate it in my room because Manboo because there were college young 'uns outside (all women of course). I watched the game.
After the guests left, we all ended up in the living room. Then Fookwanzaa came home and the five roommates had a good time just chatting and relating stories.
The party broke up around 2.
I should go to bed. It's 3.
Why do people like Oprah so much?
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
For Tuesday, October 12, 2004
I woke up this morning around 10 something. I didn't do much in the morning. I checked email, tried to find out about unemployment insurance, read some news (realized that I haven't read an entire NYTimes article from beginning to end for a while), thought about my homework for class and asked my roommate what her color theme preference was for a cruisewear 2005 collection that I was creating. Lots of little random stuff = time waster.
A friend discovered IM at work so we IM'ed for a bit. I made myself some lunch. And then got ready for my second interview with this SOHO boutique. I left 30 minutes before the meeting but got to the place in 15. I walked around SOHO. Went into the Apple Store. Not that exciting but still a looong line at the counter. Doesn't everyone who was ever going to buy an IPod, already buy it?
Went into the John Varvatos store. $285 for a cotton hoodie?! Ridiculous, but I wasn't really seeing any lightweight, thin cotton hoodies for sale anywhere though! Am I forced to buy it then? I was embolden to go in because I was wearing a suit and didn't look like a scrub. But I've gone in there looking scrubby (jeans and t-shirt, but fancy t-shirt). It's all about attitude. You can always pretend you're some international rich kid from Asia (if you're Asian that is).
I went to my interview. It went fine. Short. And I came home. I made some dinner at 4 PM. I also made a smoothie. The frozen fruit from our sangria for the housewarming is still around and no one seems to want the extra calories from the fruit. I, on the other hand, didn't care about calories. The more the better. I also made chicken and ate the rest of the spinach that I made earlier for lunch. I just had spinach and two eggs for "lunch." Anyway, it was good. Then Regina comes home, makes her own food. Two minutes after she finishes her food, we made popcorn to eat.
I waste more time on the computer. I think I spend more time on the computer these days than while I was working. We watch some TV. Wendy comes home; she makes dinner. Manboo comes home. Has a friend visiting for a little before she has to head out to dinner. We (Regina and I) made her change the channel for us because we were too lazy to get up from the couch and our laptops to fetch it 10 feet away. She was nice. Fookwanzaa comes home and has a friend in town as well.
After several more shows, I come to my bedroom to arrange some stuff. I had done laundry earlier in the evening so I'm folding clothes. I organized my paper inbox a little bit. Far from done. I have bills that I haven't paid, but they haven't hounded me though. Hmm... Can't be good. It's gonna bite me in the ass sooner or later.
I took some jacket out of their garment bags. It's getting cold!
It's 1:18 AM and I'm going to bed soon. Why are my days not productive?
BTW: I got the job at the Japan-based boutique. It's selling clothes. I can't believe I'm selling clothes.
I woke up this morning around 10 something. I didn't do much in the morning. I checked email, tried to find out about unemployment insurance, read some news (realized that I haven't read an entire NYTimes article from beginning to end for a while), thought about my homework for class and asked my roommate what her color theme preference was for a cruisewear 2005 collection that I was creating. Lots of little random stuff = time waster.
A friend discovered IM at work so we IM'ed for a bit. I made myself some lunch. And then got ready for my second interview with this SOHO boutique. I left 30 minutes before the meeting but got to the place in 15. I walked around SOHO. Went into the Apple Store. Not that exciting but still a looong line at the counter. Doesn't everyone who was ever going to buy an IPod, already buy it?
Went into the John Varvatos store. $285 for a cotton hoodie?! Ridiculous, but I wasn't really seeing any lightweight, thin cotton hoodies for sale anywhere though! Am I forced to buy it then? I was embolden to go in because I was wearing a suit and didn't look like a scrub. But I've gone in there looking scrubby (jeans and t-shirt, but fancy t-shirt). It's all about attitude. You can always pretend you're some international rich kid from Asia (if you're Asian that is).
I went to my interview. It went fine. Short. And I came home. I made some dinner at 4 PM. I also made a smoothie. The frozen fruit from our sangria for the housewarming is still around and no one seems to want the extra calories from the fruit. I, on the other hand, didn't care about calories. The more the better. I also made chicken and ate the rest of the spinach that I made earlier for lunch. I just had spinach and two eggs for "lunch." Anyway, it was good. Then Regina comes home, makes her own food. Two minutes after she finishes her food, we made popcorn to eat.
I waste more time on the computer. I think I spend more time on the computer these days than while I was working. We watch some TV. Wendy comes home; she makes dinner. Manboo comes home. Has a friend visiting for a little before she has to head out to dinner. We (Regina and I) made her change the channel for us because we were too lazy to get up from the couch and our laptops to fetch it 10 feet away. She was nice. Fookwanzaa comes home and has a friend in town as well.
After several more shows, I come to my bedroom to arrange some stuff. I had done laundry earlier in the evening so I'm folding clothes. I organized my paper inbox a little bit. Far from done. I have bills that I haven't paid, but they haven't hounded me though. Hmm... Can't be good. It's gonna bite me in the ass sooner or later.
I took some jacket out of their garment bags. It's getting cold!
It's 1:18 AM and I'm going to bed soon. Why are my days not productive?
BTW: I got the job at the Japan-based boutique. It's selling clothes. I can't believe I'm selling clothes.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Monday, October 11, 2004
I woke up at 9 this morning. That's the earliest in weeks! Took another 3o minutes to round up the gang but Wendy, Regina and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond to get stuff. It turned out that none of us had anything to get. It was Joe and Joe who needed stuff, both of whom couldn't make it. And we have this coupon for 20% the entire purchase. We went to get throw pillows for our rugs but they didn't have the color that we wanted. We ended up asking them to get them out of their warehouse somewhere. They will arrive later this week. We wanted the colors Sienna and Merlot. After leaving the store with 40 dollar's worth of candles (all three of us got some; Regina more than the others), we went to have lunch at Petite Abeille's around the corner.
I proceed to head home while Regina and Wendy stopped off at Sephora and Jo Malone. They came home very happy with their free samples. When I got home I discovered that we have electricity! Made no difference to me. I had electricity in my living areas all along. And I even did laundry!
I proceed to do my homework due in another 5 hours. I do this all the time. But it went well and I got it done in a couple of hours. I then proceeded to just organize my thoughts in Excel spreadsheets. I was thinking about my job application process, graduate school requirements, and some other stuff.
Regina and I ordered dinner. It arrived and we ate it. I couldn't finish. I then went to class. We learned to draw skirts today. We also "studied" color. She told us to read the two pages on color theory. That was her lesson. She's not very organized. And college students can be so annoying, especially those who are dumb and/or stupid.
I then went to the gym for about an hour. Caught the subway and bus up back home. I got back around 10:30. I heated up the lunch leftovers and the dinner leftovers. We were waiting for Fresh Direct. It arrived at 11:37 or so. We unpacked the groceries.
I am going to bed soon.
Other thoughts not related to my actual movements: Not working isn't too much different from working. I'm still pretty inactive.
I'm supposed to think about the question "Do we need Jesus as a Savior?" A friend and I are thinking about that question and all other questions and answers that result from this initial question. This was posed last Tuesday. We were both going to think about it. I haven't all this week. I thought about it when he mentioned it to me. If he's reading this, I haven't thought about it after that initial talk. :) I have four questions that come out of that. They are very very basic questions but I'll email them to you. I have no answers (I never do).
I woke up at 9 this morning. That's the earliest in weeks! Took another 3o minutes to round up the gang but Wendy, Regina and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond to get stuff. It turned out that none of us had anything to get. It was Joe and Joe who needed stuff, both of whom couldn't make it. And we have this coupon for 20% the entire purchase. We went to get throw pillows for our rugs but they didn't have the color that we wanted. We ended up asking them to get them out of their warehouse somewhere. They will arrive later this week. We wanted the colors Sienna and Merlot. After leaving the store with 40 dollar's worth of candles (all three of us got some; Regina more than the others), we went to have lunch at Petite Abeille's around the corner.
I proceed to head home while Regina and Wendy stopped off at Sephora and Jo Malone. They came home very happy with their free samples. When I got home I discovered that we have electricity! Made no difference to me. I had electricity in my living areas all along. And I even did laundry!
I proceed to do my homework due in another 5 hours. I do this all the time. But it went well and I got it done in a couple of hours. I then proceeded to just organize my thoughts in Excel spreadsheets. I was thinking about my job application process, graduate school requirements, and some other stuff.
Regina and I ordered dinner. It arrived and we ate it. I couldn't finish. I then went to class. We learned to draw skirts today. We also "studied" color. She told us to read the two pages on color theory. That was her lesson. She's not very organized. And college students can be so annoying, especially those who are dumb and/or stupid.
I then went to the gym for about an hour. Caught the subway and bus up back home. I got back around 10:30. I heated up the lunch leftovers and the dinner leftovers. We were waiting for Fresh Direct. It arrived at 11:37 or so. We unpacked the groceries.
I am going to bed soon.
Other thoughts not related to my actual movements: Not working isn't too much different from working. I'm still pretty inactive.
I'm supposed to think about the question "Do we need Jesus as a Savior?" A friend and I are thinking about that question and all other questions and answers that result from this initial question. This was posed last Tuesday. We were both going to think about it. I haven't all this week. I thought about it when he mentioned it to me. If he's reading this, I haven't thought about it after that initial talk. :) I have four questions that come out of that. They are very very basic questions but I'll email them to you. I have no answers (I never do).
Sunday, October 10, 2004
So today was definitely a lazy day.
I went to bed at 3 AM yesterday.
I got woken up at 7 AM this morning.
I was up until 10 something.
Went back to my room.
Didn't come out until 6 something.
I slept, just basically hung out in my bed.
I went outside to the other parts of the apartment. Soon after, I joined Regina at a Barnes and Noble where we proceeded to make fun of celebrities in the magazines (like they care; they only have a billion dollars). We then walked down to Union Square to eat some comfort food at Chat 'n Chew. I just wanted some meat-y. I ordered the TV Dinner special (Chicken Fried Steak, Green Bean Casserole, and Mashed Potatoes). Mmmm good...just like mom (if she was a white woman in the south and not the Chinese one I actually have) used to make.
We then walked home (dang, it's gettin' chilly out these days). I proceeded to commune with my roommates the only we know how: sitting at the dining room table with our respective laptops, surfing the web. Fookwanzaa comes home and we ostracize him for not bringing his computer out of his bedroom to join us. He goes to his room to study. I IM some folks. I do laundry of my sheets. As I type, I'm still on IM conversations.
I will probably do this until I go to bed. That's about all for tonight folks.
So today was definitely a lazy day.
I went to bed at 3 AM yesterday.
I got woken up at 7 AM this morning.
I was up until 10 something.
Went back to my room.
Didn't come out until 6 something.
I slept, just basically hung out in my bed.
I went outside to the other parts of the apartment. Soon after, I joined Regina at a Barnes and Noble where we proceeded to make fun of celebrities in the magazines (like they care; they only have a billion dollars). We then walked down to Union Square to eat some comfort food at Chat 'n Chew. I just wanted some meat-y. I ordered the TV Dinner special (Chicken Fried Steak, Green Bean Casserole, and Mashed Potatoes). Mmmm good...just like mom (if she was a white woman in the south and not the Chinese one I actually have) used to make.
We then walked home (dang, it's gettin' chilly out these days). I proceeded to commune with my roommates the only we know how: sitting at the dining room table with our respective laptops, surfing the web. Fookwanzaa comes home and we ostracize him for not bringing his computer out of his bedroom to join us. He goes to his room to study. I IM some folks. I do laundry of my sheets. As I type, I'm still on IM conversations.
I will probably do this until I go to bed. That's about all for tonight folks.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Saturday, October 9, 2004
I woke up at 10 something today. I wanted to wake up earlier to go to the gym and then go to this job interview. I woke up in time to just go to the interview. I took a shower and read through the notes on the company that I had printed the night before. I was reading about the different lines of clothing/jeans that they had. I left at 10:30 for the 11 AM meeting. I got there on time and met up with John and Emily. It was fine. I was not nervous. In fact, I feel like they were more nervous than I was. They were trying to sell me on the company, which is fine. I mean, I am desperate too. So, there needs to be a second interview with the boss. John told me that I will already get a call for that. They are meeting with other candidates. I was their first one. I left there feeling fine. I don't think too much of it. If I get, I'll probably take it.
I came home and ate and hang out for a little bit. Then I left to go to the Greenwood Cemetery. There was a tour there. Steinway (of the piano fame) is buried there. There were also catacombs, which are considered medium-prestige as a plot. We were there for about an hour. I ran into Josh on the subway there. We were supposed to meet at the cemetery. I sidled up to him on the sidewalk like an admirer. He didn't realize it was me until I said hi and he kinda jumped back. I get that a lot.
After getting back to Manhattan (oh, the cemetery is in Brooklyn), I met a friend for coffee. We caught up for an hour and then I came home. I've been home ever since. It's 2:30 AM now. Regina and I took some crazy pictures with Regina. It makes her look like a ghost. I was playing with settings on my digital camera. We watched the Apprentice that I had taped from this week. I rummaged for food. Ate Manboo's leftovers. He's out of town. He ain't gonna need it. I hadn't had dinner.
Alright. Will go to bed around 3 AM tonight. Good night.
I woke up at 10 something today. I wanted to wake up earlier to go to the gym and then go to this job interview. I woke up in time to just go to the interview. I took a shower and read through the notes on the company that I had printed the night before. I was reading about the different lines of clothing/jeans that they had. I left at 10:30 for the 11 AM meeting. I got there on time and met up with John and Emily. It was fine. I was not nervous. In fact, I feel like they were more nervous than I was. They were trying to sell me on the company, which is fine. I mean, I am desperate too. So, there needs to be a second interview with the boss. John told me that I will already get a call for that. They are meeting with other candidates. I was their first one. I left there feeling fine. I don't think too much of it. If I get, I'll probably take it.
I came home and ate and hang out for a little bit. Then I left to go to the Greenwood Cemetery. There was a tour there. Steinway (of the piano fame) is buried there. There were also catacombs, which are considered medium-prestige as a plot. We were there for about an hour. I ran into Josh on the subway there. We were supposed to meet at the cemetery. I sidled up to him on the sidewalk like an admirer. He didn't realize it was me until I said hi and he kinda jumped back. I get that a lot.
After getting back to Manhattan (oh, the cemetery is in Brooklyn), I met a friend for coffee. We caught up for an hour and then I came home. I've been home ever since. It's 2:30 AM now. Regina and I took some crazy pictures with Regina. It makes her look like a ghost. I was playing with settings on my digital camera. We watched the Apprentice that I had taped from this week. I rummaged for food. Ate Manboo's leftovers. He's out of town. He ain't gonna need it. I hadn't had dinner.
Alright. Will go to bed around 3 AM tonight. Good night.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Friday. October 8, 2004
Howdy doo.
I'm realizing that since I write this before I go to bed that it's gotten somewhat shorter. I really just want to go to bed sometimes. But at least I remember the activities and can expound on them if you ask me (don't ask me). Update to last night: I don't know what time I finished the blog but I went to bed at 2 AM.
Today: I woke up at noon. And people were around the house....washing dishes, complaining about stomach problems. I mean, don't these people work!? Am I the only sucker who forfeited his pay to hang out at the house all day. Wendy and Regina were home. I'm like, what day is it?
I checked my voicemail and noticed that my friend left me a message at around 9 something. She asked if I wanted to do some temp work for her company and she would pay me. I called her back, got her voicemail. Figured it was too late, I told her thanks for keeping me in mind but let me know if there's other stuff I can do. She calls me back not long after and told me they still needed someone to do this admin-labeling type work. I said yes and that I would see her at her office in a couple of hours. I showered, changed. I met up with my sister because I had some stuff to give her. She in turn had a magazine for me. I walked to her office. We met up and we then walked to Macy's for her to return something; the subway for me to get down to the my friend's office at Aveda. For the next 7 hours, I was there cutting labels and pasting them on the samples to go to the national sales team. The new product (I hope I don't get in trouble for announcing this sooner than its official release) is called Control Tape. It's like those Listerine Strips, but they're gel strips for your hair packaged similarly. It melts in your hand with water or something like that. I have a sample if you'd like to try it. Coming to an Aveda store near you. Anyway, I was there for a while. I met some cool people. One of the marketing managers who stayed late with me had her boyfriend there as well doing this temp-y work. My friend left around 6. She was coming back during the weekend to do her other stuff. So, for a while, it was just the three of us and it was fun. She brought us cookies. I felt like it was arts and crafts day. I got a tour of the Maya Lin-designed office. It wasn't very big but it was nice. I think I would like to work for a company that size (about 50 people in that office). The official organization is much larger and based in Minneapolis. But I realize I think that 30-50 is a good number of people. Intimate but not cult-like.
After that, I came home to a dark house. During my temp work, I got a text message indicating that a fuse had blown and our apartment was dark. Only certain outlets were working. I come home to a refridgerator that has been moved around in the kitchen so that the plug would go into a working socket (thankfully also in the kitchen). The dryer cord was plugged via three surge-protectors-as-extension-cords to my bathroom outlet. The living room lights were out. The hall lights were out. However, my bedroom was fine. My main light was on. And the outlet for my TV was one. Yippee for me. The outlets in the room of the causer of the outage was also functioning. He and I share a bathroom and that power outlet was also working. The bathroom right next to it - not working. Ha ha. So, for me, life is just dandy.
I made myself some dinner in a working microwave. Watched a little TV. Then my roommates came home from small group and piled into my room (the one with light) and we chatted and laughed about onion-ass or ass-onion and LCD. Yeah, you had to be there.
We disbanded after a while. Some went to bed, some went online shopping (clearly Internet still works), some went to pack. I washed my dinner dishes. And printed up some material for a meeting I have tomorrow. As of this writing, I have to review it. It's 1:40 now. But I will...soon.
And here I am. 1:41 AM. I'm going to review my notes.
I'm going to some cemetary tomorrow as well as my meeting. I may also go to the pop-up Target store in Times Square. It's going to be so crowded, I'm sure.
Chow! Er, I mean ciao!
Howdy doo.
I'm realizing that since I write this before I go to bed that it's gotten somewhat shorter. I really just want to go to bed sometimes. But at least I remember the activities and can expound on them if you ask me (don't ask me). Update to last night: I don't know what time I finished the blog but I went to bed at 2 AM.
Today: I woke up at noon. And people were around the house....washing dishes, complaining about stomach problems. I mean, don't these people work!? Am I the only sucker who forfeited his pay to hang out at the house all day. Wendy and Regina were home. I'm like, what day is it?
I checked my voicemail and noticed that my friend left me a message at around 9 something. She asked if I wanted to do some temp work for her company and she would pay me. I called her back, got her voicemail. Figured it was too late, I told her thanks for keeping me in mind but let me know if there's other stuff I can do. She calls me back not long after and told me they still needed someone to do this admin-labeling type work. I said yes and that I would see her at her office in a couple of hours. I showered, changed. I met up with my sister because I had some stuff to give her. She in turn had a magazine for me. I walked to her office. We met up and we then walked to Macy's for her to return something; the subway for me to get down to the my friend's office at Aveda. For the next 7 hours, I was there cutting labels and pasting them on the samples to go to the national sales team. The new product (I hope I don't get in trouble for announcing this sooner than its official release) is called Control Tape. It's like those Listerine Strips, but they're gel strips for your hair packaged similarly. It melts in your hand with water or something like that. I have a sample if you'd like to try it. Coming to an Aveda store near you. Anyway, I was there for a while. I met some cool people. One of the marketing managers who stayed late with me had her boyfriend there as well doing this temp-y work. My friend left around 6. She was coming back during the weekend to do her other stuff. So, for a while, it was just the three of us and it was fun. She brought us cookies. I felt like it was arts and crafts day. I got a tour of the Maya Lin-designed office. It wasn't very big but it was nice. I think I would like to work for a company that size (about 50 people in that office). The official organization is much larger and based in Minneapolis. But I realize I think that 30-50 is a good number of people. Intimate but not cult-like.
After that, I came home to a dark house. During my temp work, I got a text message indicating that a fuse had blown and our apartment was dark. Only certain outlets were working. I come home to a refridgerator that has been moved around in the kitchen so that the plug would go into a working socket (thankfully also in the kitchen). The dryer cord was plugged via three surge-protectors-as-extension-cords to my bathroom outlet. The living room lights were out. The hall lights were out. However, my bedroom was fine. My main light was on. And the outlet for my TV was one. Yippee for me. The outlets in the room of the causer of the outage was also functioning. He and I share a bathroom and that power outlet was also working. The bathroom right next to it - not working. Ha ha. So, for me, life is just dandy.
I made myself some dinner in a working microwave. Watched a little TV. Then my roommates came home from small group and piled into my room (the one with light) and we chatted and laughed about onion-ass or ass-onion and LCD. Yeah, you had to be there.
We disbanded after a while. Some went to bed, some went online shopping (clearly Internet still works), some went to pack. I washed my dinner dishes. And printed up some material for a meeting I have tomorrow. As of this writing, I have to review it. It's 1:40 now. But I will...soon.
And here I am. 1:41 AM. I'm going to review my notes.
I'm going to some cemetary tomorrow as well as my meeting. I may also go to the pop-up Target store in Times Square. It's going to be so crowded, I'm sure.
Chow! Er, I mean ciao!
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Thursday, October 7, 2004
Hello kids.
This morning I woke up around 11 AM. I meant to wake up at 8. I mean to do a lot of things. Whatever.
I got ready to go to a job fair called the Fashion Expo at the Metropolitan Pavillon. I had never been to a job fair before. I've been to a career fair. I kind of know what career I want. Difference with a job fair is that you actually interview at these, or they're more closely considering you if you're the perfect fit. I got there; I had to stand in line to get in. The line wasn't as long as for the Elie Tahari sample sale next door, but I still had to stand in line. Registration includes submitting your resume. They sometimes take a quick glance to make sure that you have 2 years' of fashion experience. An event coordinator came out several times to the line to mention that. Most of you know full well I do not have such experience. But someone I got passed the lady by dressing well and moving along quickly to the other registration lady to pay her the admissions fee (yeah, there's a fee).
I walk in there and there's a lot of people standing lines to talk to the popular companies. Men's Wearhouse - no line. Saks Fifth Avenue - line. TJX (owner of TJMax) - no line. Polo Ralph Lauren - line. I stood in only one line (Saks) for forty minutes. Talk to the woman for like 7, which was pretty considering some people sit and stand up in about 2. Anyway, she saw my resume and said, but you don't have any retail experience. I told, that's right. I sneaked in there. But we had a good chat about needing that and what I could do. She was going to talk to someone about some position. I'll follow up with her tomorrow and I'll keep y'all posted. I then walked around for a little more, knowing that everyone I would meet would probably tell me the same thing about not having retail experience. I saw an old professor from FIT and I said hello. And then I booked it outta there. I was there for probably 2 hours.
I left to go home. Susy called on the way home and we chatted for a while. I even read some entries from this blog. She didn't know about it. I reheated lunch. Ate it. Surfed a little. Then, had to leave to go to the Upper West Side to have coffee with a friend. He's coming from the Bronx (I know, it's Canada to me). I figure that was mid point. I had to be there at 5. From 5-6, we drank coffee at Edgar's Cafe (named for Edgar Allan Poe, who used to live in that building when he wrote the Raven).
I then jetted to the East Village to the Kaplan Center to attend some free Personal Statement seminar. It was alright, not that great. Very high level stuff. After that, I got home at around 8. Manboo and Regina were on the couch, starting a bottle of wine. I checked email (it's been like 4 hours after all) and joined them. We watched Reality Bites. I had never seen it. I like it. They all look so young. Wendy came home. Fookwanzaa came home.
After the movie (and two bottles of wine), we disbanded. Regina went to bed. Manboo went to talk on the phone. I IM'ed some folks. Still IM'ing while I'm writing this. I have Will and Grace in the background. I taped it earlier this evening.
Hello kids.
This morning I woke up around 11 AM. I meant to wake up at 8. I mean to do a lot of things. Whatever.
I got ready to go to a job fair called the Fashion Expo at the Metropolitan Pavillon. I had never been to a job fair before. I've been to a career fair. I kind of know what career I want. Difference with a job fair is that you actually interview at these, or they're more closely considering you if you're the perfect fit. I got there; I had to stand in line to get in. The line wasn't as long as for the Elie Tahari sample sale next door, but I still had to stand in line. Registration includes submitting your resume. They sometimes take a quick glance to make sure that you have 2 years' of fashion experience. An event coordinator came out several times to the line to mention that. Most of you know full well I do not have such experience. But someone I got passed the lady by dressing well and moving along quickly to the other registration lady to pay her the admissions fee (yeah, there's a fee).
I walk in there and there's a lot of people standing lines to talk to the popular companies. Men's Wearhouse - no line. Saks Fifth Avenue - line. TJX (owner of TJMax) - no line. Polo Ralph Lauren - line. I stood in only one line (Saks) for forty minutes. Talk to the woman for like 7, which was pretty considering some people sit and stand up in about 2. Anyway, she saw my resume and said, but you don't have any retail experience. I told, that's right. I sneaked in there. But we had a good chat about needing that and what I could do. She was going to talk to someone about some position. I'll follow up with her tomorrow and I'll keep y'all posted. I then walked around for a little more, knowing that everyone I would meet would probably tell me the same thing about not having retail experience. I saw an old professor from FIT and I said hello. And then I booked it outta there. I was there for probably 2 hours.
I left to go home. Susy called on the way home and we chatted for a while. I even read some entries from this blog. She didn't know about it. I reheated lunch. Ate it. Surfed a little. Then, had to leave to go to the Upper West Side to have coffee with a friend. He's coming from the Bronx (I know, it's Canada to me). I figure that was mid point. I had to be there at 5. From 5-6, we drank coffee at Edgar's Cafe (named for Edgar Allan Poe, who used to live in that building when he wrote the Raven).
I then jetted to the East Village to the Kaplan Center to attend some free Personal Statement seminar. It was alright, not that great. Very high level stuff. After that, I got home at around 8. Manboo and Regina were on the couch, starting a bottle of wine. I checked email (it's been like 4 hours after all) and joined them. We watched Reality Bites. I had never seen it. I like it. They all look so young. Wendy came home. Fookwanzaa came home.
After the movie (and two bottles of wine), we disbanded. Regina went to bed. Manboo went to talk on the phone. I IM'ed some folks. Still IM'ing while I'm writing this. I have Will and Grace in the background. I taped it earlier this evening.
Wednesday - October 6, 2004
Good evening. Or good morning.
What happened today?
I woke up at 8 something. I had to get a cable for the printer. I went to a Staples. And came back and installed the printer. It's up and running. For the next three hours, I adjusted the powerpoint, printed 100 invitations/100 envelopes, stuffed them, put stamps on them, sealed them.
That brings me to around noon. I had a lunch meeting with my old coworkers. So, I took the train down to the World Financial Center. I hung out with them for a couple of hours. Just catching up on working folks' lives. I'm not jealous at all, despite them liking their jobs and not complaining. I then went to the Church Street post office. It's newly renovated. I don't know how long it has been since it was renovated; but I remember five years ago, it wasn't like that.
I came home to find Regina lying on the couch reading a magazine. It's like 3 o'clock. I saw her leave for the doctor in the afternoon so I knew she wasn't feeling well. But it still seemed a little lazy of her to sit at home during a weekday doing nothing. Oh wait, that's me every hour. She was waiting for her food. I reheated some of my old stuff. And I ate one of the fried goodness things she ordered because there was a minimum charge. And then I ate the other one. It was good. Fried good. Drank a soda. (I've been averaging 2.5 cans of Coke per day - but that will end when the housewarming stash is done; I think I finished the last one tonight).
At 5:30 or so, I left the house to go to the Lego meeting on the Lower East Side. It's just the mentors tonight, getting together to discuss what to do and the high level approach. We still don't have it all down and prepared. We'll see. I brought home the Lego kit with me. I volunteered to build the entire obstacle course that we'll be practicing on. http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=14190 So, the roommates will be having a lot of fun this weekend!
I got home around 8 and cooked up a storm. Well, I was just messy. But no one was around so I ate by myself. I watched Reno 911. I then cleaned up (both the dishes and my room). My room has been messy for a day and a half. I've been in a rush every time I go out so things have just been lying on the floor.
I took a call from my mom regarding a couple of more addresses for the Orlando reception. I updated and printed up the rest of the list.
I IM'ed a friend for a bit and then I printed up some resumes.
It's 1:42 AM. I will wash my face, take out my contacts and go to bed. The Coke, however, may keep me up.
Good evening. Or good morning.
What happened today?
I woke up at 8 something. I had to get a cable for the printer. I went to a Staples. And came back and installed the printer. It's up and running. For the next three hours, I adjusted the powerpoint, printed 100 invitations/100 envelopes, stuffed them, put stamps on them, sealed them.
That brings me to around noon. I had a lunch meeting with my old coworkers. So, I took the train down to the World Financial Center. I hung out with them for a couple of hours. Just catching up on working folks' lives. I'm not jealous at all, despite them liking their jobs and not complaining. I then went to the Church Street post office. It's newly renovated. I don't know how long it has been since it was renovated; but I remember five years ago, it wasn't like that.
I came home to find Regina lying on the couch reading a magazine. It's like 3 o'clock. I saw her leave for the doctor in the afternoon so I knew she wasn't feeling well. But it still seemed a little lazy of her to sit at home during a weekday doing nothing. Oh wait, that's me every hour. She was waiting for her food. I reheated some of my old stuff. And I ate one of the fried goodness things she ordered because there was a minimum charge. And then I ate the other one. It was good. Fried good. Drank a soda. (I've been averaging 2.5 cans of Coke per day - but that will end when the housewarming stash is done; I think I finished the last one tonight).
At 5:30 or so, I left the house to go to the Lego meeting on the Lower East Side. It's just the mentors tonight, getting together to discuss what to do and the high level approach. We still don't have it all down and prepared. We'll see. I brought home the Lego kit with me. I volunteered to build the entire obstacle course that we'll be practicing on. http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=14190 So, the roommates will be having a lot of fun this weekend!
I got home around 8 and cooked up a storm. Well, I was just messy. But no one was around so I ate by myself. I watched Reno 911. I then cleaned up (both the dishes and my room). My room has been messy for a day and a half. I've been in a rush every time I go out so things have just been lying on the floor.
I took a call from my mom regarding a couple of more addresses for the Orlando reception. I updated and printed up the rest of the list.
I IM'ed a friend for a bit and then I printed up some resumes.
It's 1:42 AM. I will wash my face, take out my contacts and go to bed. The Coke, however, may keep me up.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Program Details from the lecture with Helen Zia
The year 2020 is when China is expcted to overtake the U.S. economy and when the Asian/pacific American population is projected to approach 20 million. In a critical dissection of history, economic trends and demographic predictions, Zia addresses such questions as: As economic powers shift, what population changes can we expect in the U.S.? If as predicted, racial minorities will become the majority population in most U.S. urban cities, what are the political and economic implications for our communities?
Based on history, what policy reactions can we expect from the U.S. government in response to China’s growing economy? Previewing some of the work from her forthcoming book, Zia explores these questions regarding the near future for communities of color by revisiting some lessons of our collective pasts.
The year 2020 is when China is expcted to overtake the U.S. economy and when the Asian/pacific American population is projected to approach 20 million. In a critical dissection of history, economic trends and demographic predictions, Zia addresses such questions as: As economic powers shift, what population changes can we expect in the U.S.? If as predicted, racial minorities will become the majority population in most U.S. urban cities, what are the political and economic implications for our communities?
Based on history, what policy reactions can we expect from the U.S. government in response to China’s growing economy? Previewing some of the work from her forthcoming book, Zia explores these questions regarding the near future for communities of color by revisiting some lessons of our collective pasts.
Good evening. How is everyone?
I was so frustrated this morning. My laser printer was supposed to arrive yesterday. I checked on the Costco website for the tracking. It did say that it was delivered yesterday but I thought they might have taking it back to their site because the work day was over or something. So, I was expecting it today. I woke up at 10:30 and just worried over that for about 5 hours. I'm like that. Once I focus on something (and it's always something stupid), my life is on hold until that's fixed. One time in college, I was waiting for the maintenance people to take a couch out of my single dorm room. It took several days and I couldn't do anything until then. I couldn't study; I wouldn't set up my computer. It was ridiculous.
So, I was online, did some sorting of the computer files because 30 GB is getting filled up with crap. I watched a couple of Cosby Show episodes. I made ramen noodle lunch.
At four o'clock, I was supposed to meet someone for coffee. He was supposed to call or email with a place beforehand. He never did. At four, he called and asked for a raincheck. It was just as well. I had not gotten ready. I still had bed head; I hadn't changed or brushed my teeth. Anyway, I got ready and headed out.
I went to AI Friedman and the Art Store to get some art supplies - markers, protective covers and colored pencils. I needed more skin toned colors.
After that, I went to a talk by Helen Zia at NYU at its law school. When I find the synopsis of her talk, I'll include that here. It was good and informative; nothing new though. Asian American struggle; we have to be active and have a concerted effort to this activism. Learn from lesson of Harlem Renaissance. That didn't happen by chance. Poets and writers weren't automatically getting published; and musicians were automatically being heard. There was focus in getting that out there.
After the talk, I headed towards my gym since it was close-by. I brought my stuff. I ran into my old roommate and her current roommate. We chatted for a bit while we walked. They live in the area. I went to the gym and did my thing.
After the gym, I went to the 24-hour post office. Got me 100 stamps. I took the crosstown home. I got home to find my printer! Yay!
Problem: don't have the right cable. Damn it! Well, will be waking up at 7 to go to Staples to get one. I need to print 100 invites, 100 envelopes and mail them by the mid morning if possible; afternoon at the latest.
I made some dinner at around midnight. Chatted online with a friend. And it's now 1:20 AM. I am going to go to bed as soon as I wash the dishes.
Good night.
I was so frustrated this morning. My laser printer was supposed to arrive yesterday. I checked on the Costco website for the tracking. It did say that it was delivered yesterday but I thought they might have taking it back to their site because the work day was over or something. So, I was expecting it today. I woke up at 10:30 and just worried over that for about 5 hours. I'm like that. Once I focus on something (and it's always something stupid), my life is on hold until that's fixed. One time in college, I was waiting for the maintenance people to take a couch out of my single dorm room. It took several days and I couldn't do anything until then. I couldn't study; I wouldn't set up my computer. It was ridiculous.
So, I was online, did some sorting of the computer files because 30 GB is getting filled up with crap. I watched a couple of Cosby Show episodes. I made ramen noodle lunch.
At four o'clock, I was supposed to meet someone for coffee. He was supposed to call or email with a place beforehand. He never did. At four, he called and asked for a raincheck. It was just as well. I had not gotten ready. I still had bed head; I hadn't changed or brushed my teeth. Anyway, I got ready and headed out.
I went to AI Friedman and the Art Store to get some art supplies - markers, protective covers and colored pencils. I needed more skin toned colors.
After that, I went to a talk by Helen Zia at NYU at its law school. When I find the synopsis of her talk, I'll include that here. It was good and informative; nothing new though. Asian American struggle; we have to be active and have a concerted effort to this activism. Learn from lesson of Harlem Renaissance. That didn't happen by chance. Poets and writers weren't automatically getting published; and musicians were automatically being heard. There was focus in getting that out there.
After the talk, I headed towards my gym since it was close-by. I brought my stuff. I ran into my old roommate and her current roommate. We chatted for a bit while we walked. They live in the area. I went to the gym and did my thing.
After the gym, I went to the 24-hour post office. Got me 100 stamps. I took the crosstown home. I got home to find my printer! Yay!
Problem: don't have the right cable. Damn it! Well, will be waking up at 7 to go to Staples to get one. I need to print 100 invites, 100 envelopes and mail them by the mid morning if possible; afternoon at the latest.
I made some dinner at around midnight. Chatted online with a friend. And it's now 1:20 AM. I am going to go to bed as soon as I wash the dishes.
Good night.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Howdy.
I'm doing this night thing.
Today, I woke up around 1 PM. I'm starting the lazy phase of the non-work state.
I woke up this afternoon, drank some tea with milk (Hong Kong style) and a Coke. I had no lunch. I worked on my homework all afternoon. I did this last week too. I had to draw a bathing suit and a cover-up. So, I drew a bikini and a poncho-style cover-up. It was in green, with patterns. One of the themes for Spring '05 is wild patterns. I also drew four thumbnails of the rest of my Cruise-Wear '05 "collection." I drew a fitted polo, slim pants, long flowy skirt, and a cardigan with a fur collar (fur is back).
This page has a good summary of the 10 trends for Spring '05: http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/shopping/fashion/spring05/9912/index.html
In the middle of my homework doing, I got a visit from an old small group member. She's here from California. She stopped by, got a tour of the apartment. We chatted for a bit. She left to allow me to finish my homework.
I made it just in time. Rushed over to class. It went well. We did necklines. I got my homework back from the ethnic faces project. I got an A-. I am incredibly surprised, considering this kid in front of me is a better artist. And he got a B. I guess he just didn't follow the directions or something. All I know is, I need some skin color colored pencils. Asian folks shouldn't be literally yellow. This week's assignment is rendering of these six blouses. These are the first lessons in actually design of clothing. The professor did a demonstration at her desk while we watched. It's so cool how she can make these drawings so quickly but beautifully.
After class, I went to Kum Gan Sang for dinner with my old roommate and some friends for a birthday. They've never been to a Korean restaurant. But we got the regular stuff: two orders of bu gol gi, one order of dak gui (didn't realize they served chicken), one gop dol bi bim bap and another one without beef for the vegetarian. They seated us in the back which meant we couldn't see the lady at the waterfall playing her zither or whatever the hell she plays. But it also meant they didn't kick us out when we sat there for 30 minutes after we got the fruit plate (paltry pineapple and 3 grapes).
We went down the street to the supermarket to get some mochi ice cream. We each ate one in front of the supermarket, on the street. I walked home.
Came home to find Manboo, Regina and Wendy on the couches with their respective laptops watching a poker tournament on TV. After laughing at them, I joined them with my laptop. We proceeded to IM each other. Fookwanzaa was studying. He joined us a little later, not wanting to be anti-social. But the party had disbanded. Some went to sleep, others went to call their girlfriend. FYI - LB went to bed. MB called his GF.
I organized my inbox, get some Kaplan stuff in order, chatted a bit with some folks.
It's 2:19 AM. I am going to bed soon. After this episode of Family Guy.
I'm doing this night thing.
Today, I woke up around 1 PM. I'm starting the lazy phase of the non-work state.
I woke up this afternoon, drank some tea with milk (Hong Kong style) and a Coke. I had no lunch. I worked on my homework all afternoon. I did this last week too. I had to draw a bathing suit and a cover-up. So, I drew a bikini and a poncho-style cover-up. It was in green, with patterns. One of the themes for Spring '05 is wild patterns. I also drew four thumbnails of the rest of my Cruise-Wear '05 "collection." I drew a fitted polo, slim pants, long flowy skirt, and a cardigan with a fur collar (fur is back).
This page has a good summary of the 10 trends for Spring '05: http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/shopping/fashion/spring05/9912/index.html
In the middle of my homework doing, I got a visit from an old small group member. She's here from California. She stopped by, got a tour of the apartment. We chatted for a bit. She left to allow me to finish my homework.
I made it just in time. Rushed over to class. It went well. We did necklines. I got my homework back from the ethnic faces project. I got an A-. I am incredibly surprised, considering this kid in front of me is a better artist. And he got a B. I guess he just didn't follow the directions or something. All I know is, I need some skin color colored pencils. Asian folks shouldn't be literally yellow. This week's assignment is rendering of these six blouses. These are the first lessons in actually design of clothing. The professor did a demonstration at her desk while we watched. It's so cool how she can make these drawings so quickly but beautifully.
After class, I went to Kum Gan Sang for dinner with my old roommate and some friends for a birthday. They've never been to a Korean restaurant. But we got the regular stuff: two orders of bu gol gi, one order of dak gui (didn't realize they served chicken), one gop dol bi bim bap and another one without beef for the vegetarian. They seated us in the back which meant we couldn't see the lady at the waterfall playing her zither or whatever the hell she plays. But it also meant they didn't kick us out when we sat there for 30 minutes after we got the fruit plate (paltry pineapple and 3 grapes).
We went down the street to the supermarket to get some mochi ice cream. We each ate one in front of the supermarket, on the street. I walked home.
Came home to find Manboo, Regina and Wendy on the couches with their respective laptops watching a poker tournament on TV. After laughing at them, I joined them with my laptop. We proceeded to IM each other. Fookwanzaa was studying. He joined us a little later, not wanting to be anti-social. But the party had disbanded. Some went to sleep, others went to call their girlfriend. FYI - LB went to bed. MB called his GF.
I organized my inbox, get some Kaplan stuff in order, chatted a bit with some folks.
It's 2:19 AM. I am going to bed soon. After this episode of Family Guy.
Monday, October 04, 2004
I'm going to write the day's event at night before I go to bed instead of the following morning. Like I have said before, I tend to forget things and I don't want you to think that I don't do anything during these days when in fact I do.
So, on October 3, 2004, I did the following:
I woke up at around 1 or 2. Heard the polish bad outside. Manboo and Wendy were making lunch. I invited myself to it. It was good.
After some computer time, we went shopping at Bloomies and Diesel. It was 20 off 20 (20% off the already discounted 20% employee discount). Wendy got her thing. Manboo got his. I just watched. Then we waited for the actual employee friend. That took an hour or so. The waiting. But it was fine. Did you know they sell Air Stockings there? Also, when the friend showed up, we went upstairs to have her pay with her cards and ID's. When we were done, we saw Vera Wang there. I wanted to say "I love your dresses" but it wouldn't really be coming from someone who knew. After Bloomies, we went to Diesel. I didn't plan on getting anything but last minute I tried on something that was just right. And I bought it. It's a zip up cardigan type thing with high collar in black. I like it and you will too. Wendy liked it. She and I combined are a powerhouse of style. But she also doesn't shop at Diesel. Manboo got a western shirt to go with all the other western style shirts he owns from Diesel.
We came home; all worked on our computers for various reasons. Wendy was looking up puppies and recounting the advertising descriptions of those puppies for sale or up for adoption. Manboo was doing fantasy football. I KNOW!
I made dinner but didn't get to eat it because I was making plans to meet someone. I left to go meet someone. We watched the Shining on cable and hung out. Then I came home. I ate the dinner that I made but hadn't eaten. It was heating up in the rice cooker. Now, it is 4:18 and I am going to bed.
So, on October 3, 2004, I did the following:
I woke up at around 1 or 2. Heard the polish bad outside. Manboo and Wendy were making lunch. I invited myself to it. It was good.
After some computer time, we went shopping at Bloomies and Diesel. It was 20 off 20 (20% off the already discounted 20% employee discount). Wendy got her thing. Manboo got his. I just watched. Then we waited for the actual employee friend. That took an hour or so. The waiting. But it was fine. Did you know they sell Air Stockings there? Also, when the friend showed up, we went upstairs to have her pay with her cards and ID's. When we were done, we saw Vera Wang there. I wanted to say "I love your dresses" but it wouldn't really be coming from someone who knew. After Bloomies, we went to Diesel. I didn't plan on getting anything but last minute I tried on something that was just right. And I bought it. It's a zip up cardigan type thing with high collar in black. I like it and you will too. Wendy liked it. She and I combined are a powerhouse of style. But she also doesn't shop at Diesel. Manboo got a western shirt to go with all the other western style shirts he owns from Diesel.
We came home; all worked on our computers for various reasons. Wendy was looking up puppies and recounting the advertising descriptions of those puppies for sale or up for adoption. Manboo was doing fantasy football. I KNOW!
I made dinner but didn't get to eat it because I was making plans to meet someone. I left to go meet someone. We watched the Shining on cable and hung out. Then I came home. I ate the dinner that I made but hadn't eaten. It was heating up in the rice cooker. Now, it is 4:18 and I am going to bed.
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Hello. I woke up this morning and found two people cooking in my kitchen. They were my roommates. One of them foolishly asked if I wanted to have some of what they were about to make. And I said, "sure." Sucker! Now I get lunch without having to lift a finger. Instead, my fingers are typing this blog for you wonderful people. Ain't life grand?
On the other hand, outside of my bedroom window and along the other bedroom windows of my apartment are floats upon floats for a POLISH parade happening nearby. These big floats have sound equipment and women belting out their songs. One song sounds very much like the theme from Scooby Doo, but slowed down (the part that goes, "Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You? We got some work to do now. Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You? We need some help from you now.")
Okay. Yesterday - October 2, I woke up early to attend an orientation session for volunteers at this health clinic. Very interesting mix of people who volunteer, some of who clients at this clinic. Anyway, that lasted until 2:30 in the afternoon. I went to the gym and stayed there for a while. It wasn't terribly long but I felt it was given that I didn't do too much exercise. I see no improvement. I think it's my diet.
I walked home from the West Village. (I'm afraid all this cardio is not doing me good in the not-lose-weight-but-gain-muscle department). I got home and had me a McDonald's double-cheeseburger that was left over from the day before.
I was tired considering I went to bed around 3 AM (couldn't really sleep well until 5 AM) and had to wake up at 9 AM. So, I, of course, watched some TV and laid on the couch to take a nap, which I did. I heard people coming in but I continued to sleep. Then I woke up to Manboo coming into the living room. And he's talking to a baby stroller parked behind one of the couches. I don't give a second thought to why a baby stroller is in our apartment. But I do think Manboo was crazy talking to it like there was a child inside. I thought he was just pulling my leg. Whoever brought the baby would certainly take the baby with him/her to the roommate's room. And for like a couple of minutes, he kept talking to it. I went over and saw a freakin' baby in there! It was 3 so it wasn't really a baby. This was the child who stayed at the party longer than several of our older friends. =) Anyway, the child woke up and Manboo and I entertained her. We put on Finding Nemo, the only child-appropriate movie we have. Queer as Folk, Sex and the City, or Fight Club just wasn't going to do. We hung out, she ran on the couch from one end to another. Her mother come out a while later and took her home. That was the end of that.
I tried to find something to eat but it was kinda late. I needed to get to a club by 10 to surprise a friend. I got out of the house and walked to Meatpacking. But I caught a crosstown that happened to pass. Meatpacking sucks now. All these people who think they're trendy (some of whom are, most of whom aren't) just crowding the street. Not that I was a frequenter of that area before. I joined the trendy-wanna-be influx too but...yeah well. I'm just jealous that I'm not part of the beautiful people.
After the surprise, I headed to another club in Chinatown (ahh...home...) to meet some old HFG folks, several who are in from out of town. That was fun only because I could dance my ass off. Given how I dance, the cardio probably already burned all of my ass off. Damn! Chinese guys have little ass as is. Oh well. Got a couple of drinks there and had me a good time.
I got home at 2:30 AM. Went to bed a little after 3.
On the other hand, outside of my bedroom window and along the other bedroom windows of my apartment are floats upon floats for a POLISH parade happening nearby. These big floats have sound equipment and women belting out their songs. One song sounds very much like the theme from Scooby Doo, but slowed down (the part that goes, "Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You? We got some work to do now. Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You? We need some help from you now.")
Okay. Yesterday - October 2, I woke up early to attend an orientation session for volunteers at this health clinic. Very interesting mix of people who volunteer, some of who clients at this clinic. Anyway, that lasted until 2:30 in the afternoon. I went to the gym and stayed there for a while. It wasn't terribly long but I felt it was given that I didn't do too much exercise. I see no improvement. I think it's my diet.
I walked home from the West Village. (I'm afraid all this cardio is not doing me good in the not-lose-weight-but-gain-muscle department). I got home and had me a McDonald's double-cheeseburger that was left over from the day before.
I was tired considering I went to bed around 3 AM (couldn't really sleep well until 5 AM) and had to wake up at 9 AM. So, I, of course, watched some TV and laid on the couch to take a nap, which I did. I heard people coming in but I continued to sleep. Then I woke up to Manboo coming into the living room. And he's talking to a baby stroller parked behind one of the couches. I don't give a second thought to why a baby stroller is in our apartment. But I do think Manboo was crazy talking to it like there was a child inside. I thought he was just pulling my leg. Whoever brought the baby would certainly take the baby with him/her to the roommate's room. And for like a couple of minutes, he kept talking to it. I went over and saw a freakin' baby in there! It was 3 so it wasn't really a baby. This was the child who stayed at the party longer than several of our older friends. =) Anyway, the child woke up and Manboo and I entertained her. We put on Finding Nemo, the only child-appropriate movie we have. Queer as Folk, Sex and the City, or Fight Club just wasn't going to do. We hung out, she ran on the couch from one end to another. Her mother come out a while later and took her home. That was the end of that.
I tried to find something to eat but it was kinda late. I needed to get to a club by 10 to surprise a friend. I got out of the house and walked to Meatpacking. But I caught a crosstown that happened to pass. Meatpacking sucks now. All these people who think they're trendy (some of whom are, most of whom aren't) just crowding the street. Not that I was a frequenter of that area before. I joined the trendy-wanna-be influx too but...yeah well. I'm just jealous that I'm not part of the beautiful people.
After the surprise, I headed to another club in Chinatown (ahh...home...) to meet some old HFG folks, several who are in from out of town. That was fun only because I could dance my ass off. Given how I dance, the cardio probably already burned all of my ass off. Damn! Chinese guys have little ass as is. Oh well. Got a couple of drinks there and had me a good time.
I got home at 2:30 AM. Went to bed a little after 3.
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Woke up early today; early for a Saturday.
Yesterday, October 1 - Yeah, again, I didn't do much. Some of the things that I did do. I went to the Whitney. I walked from my apartment on 30th and Madison to the museum on 75th and Madison. It was a good walk. I don't know how long that took, but I think that's how I waste time. I walk place. I walked back after a 20 minute tour of the museum. I had already seen most of it.
Then I came home to a Bible study leader on her way to lead her flock. Yep, Regina. I KNOW! Who knew!?
Manboo and I hung out for a while after she left. We ate at L'Express. After 2 McChicken sandwiches, 2 doublecheeseburgers and 1 chicken select strip earlier in the eveing, I had a steak frites (medium rare) at the restaurant.
I came home and went to bed at 3 AM.
Yesterday, October 1 - Yeah, again, I didn't do much. Some of the things that I did do. I went to the Whitney. I walked from my apartment on 30th and Madison to the museum on 75th and Madison. It was a good walk. I don't know how long that took, but I think that's how I waste time. I walk place. I walked back after a 20 minute tour of the museum. I had already seen most of it.
Then I came home to a Bible study leader on her way to lead her flock. Yep, Regina. I KNOW! Who knew!?
Manboo and I hung out for a while after she left. We ate at L'Express. After 2 McChicken sandwiches, 2 doublecheeseburgers and 1 chicken select strip earlier in the eveing, I had a steak frites (medium rare) at the restaurant.
I came home and went to bed at 3 AM.
Friday, October 01, 2004
I woke late again today.
Yesterda, September 30 - I woke up kinda early that day. I went to a new dermie. She was okay. Got a couple of little growth/wart-y stuff removed. Yeah, kinda gross. That anesthetic was strong. They melon-balled those things outta there and I didn't feel a thing.
After the dermie's visit, I went to visit Namita at her place of work. I didn't go in of course. Didn't want to run into people. We gossipped for a while. I needed my deposit check from my old apartment. The beginning of the month is a scary time for me.
I then headed over to get new paper for the invites. It started raining by the time I got but I had my umbrella. I was singing in the rain...because I had an umbrella. I went over to Kinko's to submit the new paper. Long line at Kinko's. The people there are like those at the DMV. Slow and a little bit...er...not so smart. Some dude was complaining and spoke to a manager. Don't know how effective that was since his work still didn't get finished.
I came home to see and hear Manboo being sick. I heated up some food and ate it. I must have cooked a lot of food to keep heating shit up.
Worked on the computer (read surf). Didn't hear anything from the stuff I submitted the day before. Regina came home and showed us her brand spankin' new laptop. It was cool. It was a notepad type thing. The handwriting recognition software sucks. "Write this down bitch" turns into "something something british."
From 8 - 9, I watched Joey and Will and Grace. Not too shabby. I watched 5 minutes of the debate. Because of all the dumb jokes people make about George Bush, I would think it's so hard to speak impromptu style like this. I couldn't take it. I was pre-embarassed for him, so I turned it off and went to the gym. Living on the east side and having a west side gym is not very convenient. I mean, actually it's fine if I walked. I decided to take the subway because I got a day Metrocard. It took me 30 minutes to get there. If I walked, it would have taken 20. I decided to do the same coming back. Bad choice. I left my gym around 10:40. Got home at 11:30. Ridiculous.
Once I got home, I heated some stuff up and ate it. It wasn't enough for how much I felt I had worked out. I just did upper body stuff.
No applications tonight. Went to bed at 3 AM.
Yesterda, September 30 - I woke up kinda early that day. I went to a new dermie. She was okay. Got a couple of little growth/wart-y stuff removed. Yeah, kinda gross. That anesthetic was strong. They melon-balled those things outta there and I didn't feel a thing.
After the dermie's visit, I went to visit Namita at her place of work. I didn't go in of course. Didn't want to run into people. We gossipped for a while. I needed my deposit check from my old apartment. The beginning of the month is a scary time for me.
I then headed over to get new paper for the invites. It started raining by the time I got but I had my umbrella. I was singing in the rain...because I had an umbrella. I went over to Kinko's to submit the new paper. Long line at Kinko's. The people there are like those at the DMV. Slow and a little bit...er...not so smart. Some dude was complaining and spoke to a manager. Don't know how effective that was since his work still didn't get finished.
I came home to see and hear Manboo being sick. I heated up some food and ate it. I must have cooked a lot of food to keep heating shit up.
Worked on the computer (read surf). Didn't hear anything from the stuff I submitted the day before. Regina came home and showed us her brand spankin' new laptop. It was cool. It was a notepad type thing. The handwriting recognition software sucks. "Write this down bitch" turns into "something something british."
From 8 - 9, I watched Joey and Will and Grace. Not too shabby. I watched 5 minutes of the debate. Because of all the dumb jokes people make about George Bush, I would think it's so hard to speak impromptu style like this. I couldn't take it. I was pre-embarassed for him, so I turned it off and went to the gym. Living on the east side and having a west side gym is not very convenient. I mean, actually it's fine if I walked. I decided to take the subway because I got a day Metrocard. It took me 30 minutes to get there. If I walked, it would have taken 20. I decided to do the same coming back. Bad choice. I left my gym around 10:40. Got home at 11:30. Ridiculous.
Once I got home, I heated some stuff up and ate it. It wasn't enough for how much I felt I had worked out. I just did upper body stuff.
No applications tonight. Went to bed at 3 AM.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
My god! I can't remember what I did yesterday! I think I may have to write at night the day's events.
This is what I think happened (and I didn't even drink!):
I woke up and ate cereal in front of the television (like a kid on Saturday mornings).
Ummm...then 6 hours passed.
Then I went to 148th and 8th for a mentor orientation for Lego's. Yep, doing it again. Will probably go to the same location but contemplating a Queens location. Got home around 9 PM. Went to the Kinko's on the way home to check out the proofs. The paper I used was too waxy and the ink easily smudges off. So I had to get new paper, which I did today.
When I got home, I heated up some food and ate it. I read GQ while Regina used my computer for her work. Fookwanzaa was eating his Subway sandwich while on the Internet. We're a very "connected" household. I opened up one of the large-ass Ruffles potato chips we had left over from the housewarming. We have literary 8 bags of the SUPERSIZE bags of Doritos, Tostitos and Ruffles (what weird names). Regina cursed me out for opening the bag. And then she grabbed a handful.
We went into Manboo's room to watch two episodes of the BCC comedy Coupling. Funny. I get the humour. I wonder if British humour changed or I did. It's not as...foreign.
Then, I looked online for a couple of non-permanent jobs that I would be interested in, like interns for a fashion PR firm, a television advertising data analyst, host at a restaurant, or sales associate at a SOHO boutique-y company. I highly doubt I'll get these and I'm honestly at a lost why. Well, there are many reasons but I just don't know how to fix them. That scares me sometimes but procrastination makes it all okay.
I went to bed at 2:30 am.
This is what I think happened (and I didn't even drink!):
I woke up and ate cereal in front of the television (like a kid on Saturday mornings).
Ummm...then 6 hours passed.
Then I went to 148th and 8th for a mentor orientation for Lego's. Yep, doing it again. Will probably go to the same location but contemplating a Queens location. Got home around 9 PM. Went to the Kinko's on the way home to check out the proofs. The paper I used was too waxy and the ink easily smudges off. So I had to get new paper, which I did today.
When I got home, I heated up some food and ate it. I read GQ while Regina used my computer for her work. Fookwanzaa was eating his Subway sandwich while on the Internet. We're a very "connected" household. I opened up one of the large-ass Ruffles potato chips we had left over from the housewarming. We have literary 8 bags of the SUPERSIZE bags of Doritos, Tostitos and Ruffles (what weird names). Regina cursed me out for opening the bag. And then she grabbed a handful.
We went into Manboo's room to watch two episodes of the BCC comedy Coupling. Funny. I get the humour. I wonder if British humour changed or I did. It's not as...foreign.
Then, I looked online for a couple of non-permanent jobs that I would be interested in, like interns for a fashion PR firm, a television advertising data analyst, host at a restaurant, or sales associate at a SOHO boutique-y company. I highly doubt I'll get these and I'm honestly at a lost why. Well, there are many reasons but I just don't know how to fix them. That scares me sometimes but procrastination makes it all okay.
I went to bed at 2:30 am.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
It's been 38 minutes since I woke up today. I don't know why I wake up so late. I went to bed at 1 AM hoping that I would wake up earlier. Alas, that didn't happen. Well, Manboo's home too. He's "sick."
Yesterday, September 28, 2004 - I woke at 3 PM. It was rainy. I was in all day except for a midnight run to Kinko's to drop off the invites. I sat at the dining room table for most of the day. I wasn't even on the couch much if I was watching TV. Because I woke up so late, my eating schedule got a little sidetracked. I ate leftovers around 4. So, I wouldn't be hungry for a while. But I already took out the ground beef to thaw. And I didn't use it, Manboo would put in the fridge, I'd forget about it and when I take it out to use a couple of days down, Wendy and Regina will throw it away while I'm cooking it thinking that it has gone bad. Anyway, the point is, I'm going to have to stay up to cook and eat this meat. In the mean time, I drank some Coke (which fills me up really easily) and ate some of Regina's popcorn.
What did I do? I applied for some random jobs haphazardly online. They're like assistant jobs or temporary events planning jobs.
Manboo and I tried to figure out how to transfer files to each other on our wireless network. While we were doing that, I watched an episode of Coupling that I downloaded. Actually, because I was watching an episode of downloaded Coupling, Manboo suggested I get it off his share drive, which wasn't available and that is why we were trying to figure out how to transfer files.
I guess that's all. That's all?! I didn't go to the gym because I just went yesterday and I read that my muscles (ha!) need rest.
FYI: I made ground beef with that preserved pickled thing in the rice cooker.
I went to check out the Melvis Italy page. Josh is skinny. Gucci bag - I like.
---->
Today: I think I'll visit a couple of new retail stores that opened this week. It took me an hour to write this....well, I was watching TV at the same time. And drank my coffee.
Yesterday, September 28, 2004 - I woke at 3 PM. It was rainy. I was in all day except for a midnight run to Kinko's to drop off the invites. I sat at the dining room table for most of the day. I wasn't even on the couch much if I was watching TV. Because I woke up so late, my eating schedule got a little sidetracked. I ate leftovers around 4. So, I wouldn't be hungry for a while. But I already took out the ground beef to thaw. And I didn't use it, Manboo would put in the fridge, I'd forget about it and when I take it out to use a couple of days down, Wendy and Regina will throw it away while I'm cooking it thinking that it has gone bad. Anyway, the point is, I'm going to have to stay up to cook and eat this meat. In the mean time, I drank some Coke (which fills me up really easily) and ate some of Regina's popcorn.
What did I do? I applied for some random jobs haphazardly online. They're like assistant jobs or temporary events planning jobs.
Manboo and I tried to figure out how to transfer files to each other on our wireless network. While we were doing that, I watched an episode of Coupling that I downloaded. Actually, because I was watching an episode of downloaded Coupling, Manboo suggested I get it off his share drive, which wasn't available and that is why we were trying to figure out how to transfer files.
I guess that's all. That's all?! I didn't go to the gym because I just went yesterday and I read that my muscles (ha!) need rest.
FYI: I made ground beef with that preserved pickled thing in the rice cooker.
I went to check out the Melvis Italy page. Josh is skinny. Gucci bag - I like.
---->
Today: I think I'll visit a couple of new retail stores that opened this week. It took me an hour to write this....well, I was watching TV at the same time. And drank my coffee.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
I really need to update earlier in the day. I am forgetting what I did a mere 24 hours ago. It's 3:30 or so. I'm sitting at my dining room table. It's raining outside. It's dark and dank and damp. The student roommate is cleaning house (well, his part of the house at least). So, for people who wonder what I do all day. Well, half the day is gone when you wake up at 3 PM. To my defense though, I do not usually wake up this late. I went to bed at 5:30 this morning.
So, yesterday, September 27, 2004, the following things happened.
I woke up around 10:30 AM or so. Noticed that my PC in my bedroom wasn't connecting to the internet. I walked to the dining room area to see if it was a wireless problem. I spent an hour and a half tinkering with my computer settings (Microsoft automatically updated my XP software the night before - I was aware of it though) thinking it was due to a change from last night. My roommate comes out at noon, asks me if I am having trouble connecting to the internet. We both try to figure it out. He makes the wise and practical and non-lazy decision to get up and look at the cable modem itself and notices that it wasn't plugged in well. Problem solved - 10 minutes. I agonized for the last 90 that my Monday morning internet fix was going unsatisfied. I hate that I'm not a wise, practical, non-lazy person. Dang it!
I checked my email (nothing major of course). Then I got paid. I paypal'ed the roommies for Costco costs. I paid some bills too, as it's that time of the month.
I ordered lunch with Fookwanzaa and OG, as the latter just got back from work. So weird to see them together. Not really, despite looking alike, I'm not really doing double-takes though their mannerisms are very similar. I guess it's like how some people think my sister and I speak and motion similarly. But then again, we're not twins or even both boys/girls. It's so funny that they call each other "bros," as in "hey bro, can you help me move this?" I also like that Fookwanzaa ordered food for his brother, as in he didn't really consult with OG to find out what he wanted; it's like he knew or that OG would be okay with it. I guess on both counts, it'd be true. Is it a twin thing? Or a close-family thing?
All these activities are my (successful) attempt at procrastinating. It's 3 PM; I have a class at 6:20 PM this evening. I have homework that is due. It's a drawing project. I have to draw four different ethnic faces. We learned faces the other week. I haven't practiced all week. This isn't like a problem set where you can figure out the answer. Drawing is practice, practice, practice to get technique. In my case, to get a perfect oval or something. Anyway, after lunch, when one brother went to finish his problem set; and the other brother went to finish building the IKEA dresser, I pulled all my drawing and tracing pads, the magazine tear sheets, my color pencils, ruler and eraser. I whipped them faces up in 2 hours. They all look the same except for the color shading of their skin. The "black" woman kinda looks like Mrs. Roper from Three's Company. The "latina" looks like John Leguizamo in drag (like in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar"). Well, I don't pretend to be an artist. It's fun drawing though (when no one's looking). It's just a right-brained activity that I haven't indulged in so long. And the structure that I have in this class to do this makes it more..well, structured. Give me a pad and pencil before this class and I wouldn't know what to do, where to start.
I finished up, packed up my stuff, stuffed in some gym clothes into the messenger bag and walked to class. The roommie wanted to catch his TA so we left at the same time.
Class was okay. Got last week's assignment back. Learned about customer profiles, drew another pose, got our assignment to make a 4-5 piece "cruisewear" collection. It's like bathing suits and cover ups, but not the summer kind. This is to be worned in the next couple of months as folks go on holiday. The difference is that the pieces will be limited as people aren't packing up as much to go on a week holiday. Summer collections may have more pieces since you can't wear the same suit to the Hamptons two weekend evenings in a row! I think that's the difference. Not sure. Don't care too much.
After class, I went to the gym since I was on the west side of the island anyway. Went well, got to do what I wanted to do. Still not very structured or anything. I'm sore now, that's how I guage progress.
I got a call from a friend while I was in the gym so I called him back after I had done my deed at the gym. Got his wife at first, spoke to hear for a while; that got me out of the gym (walking) and all the way to the nearest subway station. I figured, since I hadn't even started talking to the husband yet, I might as well get a Starbucks frap as I don't want to get onto the subway train and cut our conversation short. And I was hungry. I hadn't had dinner yet. Anyway, walked all the way home while talking to my friend. Good to catch up.
Came home, started cooking at 11 PM; made me some penne, brocolli and chicken. For the marinade for the chicken, I used all those limes that we had from the Coronas. It was good if I do say so myself.
I watched an episode of Will and Grace at midnight. 5 hours later, I went to bed.
So, yesterday, September 27, 2004, the following things happened.
I woke up around 10:30 AM or so. Noticed that my PC in my bedroom wasn't connecting to the internet. I walked to the dining room area to see if it was a wireless problem. I spent an hour and a half tinkering with my computer settings (Microsoft automatically updated my XP software the night before - I was aware of it though) thinking it was due to a change from last night. My roommate comes out at noon, asks me if I am having trouble connecting to the internet. We both try to figure it out. He makes the wise and practical and non-lazy decision to get up and look at the cable modem itself and notices that it wasn't plugged in well. Problem solved - 10 minutes. I agonized for the last 90 that my Monday morning internet fix was going unsatisfied. I hate that I'm not a wise, practical, non-lazy person. Dang it!
I checked my email (nothing major of course). Then I got paid. I paypal'ed the roommies for Costco costs. I paid some bills too, as it's that time of the month.
I ordered lunch with Fookwanzaa and OG, as the latter just got back from work. So weird to see them together. Not really, despite looking alike, I'm not really doing double-takes though their mannerisms are very similar. I guess it's like how some people think my sister and I speak and motion similarly. But then again, we're not twins or even both boys/girls. It's so funny that they call each other "bros," as in "hey bro, can you help me move this?" I also like that Fookwanzaa ordered food for his brother, as in he didn't really consult with OG to find out what he wanted; it's like he knew or that OG would be okay with it. I guess on both counts, it'd be true. Is it a twin thing? Or a close-family thing?
All these activities are my (successful) attempt at procrastinating. It's 3 PM; I have a class at 6:20 PM this evening. I have homework that is due. It's a drawing project. I have to draw four different ethnic faces. We learned faces the other week. I haven't practiced all week. This isn't like a problem set where you can figure out the answer. Drawing is practice, practice, practice to get technique. In my case, to get a perfect oval or something. Anyway, after lunch, when one brother went to finish his problem set; and the other brother went to finish building the IKEA dresser, I pulled all my drawing and tracing pads, the magazine tear sheets, my color pencils, ruler and eraser. I whipped them faces up in 2 hours. They all look the same except for the color shading of their skin. The "black" woman kinda looks like Mrs. Roper from Three's Company. The "latina" looks like John Leguizamo in drag (like in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar"). Well, I don't pretend to be an artist. It's fun drawing though (when no one's looking). It's just a right-brained activity that I haven't indulged in so long. And the structure that I have in this class to do this makes it more..well, structured. Give me a pad and pencil before this class and I wouldn't know what to do, where to start.
I finished up, packed up my stuff, stuffed in some gym clothes into the messenger bag and walked to class. The roommie wanted to catch his TA so we left at the same time.
Class was okay. Got last week's assignment back. Learned about customer profiles, drew another pose, got our assignment to make a 4-5 piece "cruisewear" collection. It's like bathing suits and cover ups, but not the summer kind. This is to be worned in the next couple of months as folks go on holiday. The difference is that the pieces will be limited as people aren't packing up as much to go on a week holiday. Summer collections may have more pieces since you can't wear the same suit to the Hamptons two weekend evenings in a row! I think that's the difference. Not sure. Don't care too much.
After class, I went to the gym since I was on the west side of the island anyway. Went well, got to do what I wanted to do. Still not very structured or anything. I'm sore now, that's how I guage progress.
I got a call from a friend while I was in the gym so I called him back after I had done my deed at the gym. Got his wife at first, spoke to hear for a while; that got me out of the gym (walking) and all the way to the nearest subway station. I figured, since I hadn't even started talking to the husband yet, I might as well get a Starbucks frap as I don't want to get onto the subway train and cut our conversation short. And I was hungry. I hadn't had dinner yet. Anyway, walked all the way home while talking to my friend. Good to catch up.
Came home, started cooking at 11 PM; made me some penne, brocolli and chicken. For the marinade for the chicken, I used all those limes that we had from the Coronas. It was good if I do say so myself.
I watched an episode of Will and Grace at midnight. 5 hours later, I went to bed.
Monday, September 27, 2004
This is getting a little connfusing. But then again, so am I.
This is what I did yesterday, Sunday, September 26:
I woke up at 11:30, thinking that I was one of the later ones because everyone had brunch to go to. But we all woke up around the same time. Manboo, Regina and I piled onto his bed to talk about how drunk she was, and how too late he got drunk. After they got ready and left, I started "cleaning." I think I said some of these things for yesterday.
And like I said, I went shopping and got me a t-shirt that says "Muther Trucker." Ha! I love it. I got a green v-neck sweater. Green is in. Did you people watch the Emmy's? But that means it will be in for exactly 2 months and then you'll wonder why the hell you got something in green?! Just like those ribbon belts being peddled by Ralph Lauren and J.Crew alike earlier this summer. Granted, it's a summer item because it's lightweight and colorful; it ain't coming back. They'll try to sell it again next year, possibly, but...er..no. I also got more stationery for the invitations to my sister's reception in Orlando.
I got home. I surfed or tried to do something online. I can't even remember what I ate yesterday. Anyway, hung out with the roommates for a bit. And then an impromptu arm wrestling competition broke out. One roommate's twin brother was still around. It was his last night here. We pitted twin versus twin. Their arm wrestling match lasted a while! Wonder twin power! One roommate had to study. The rest of us just chatted about our regular topics (e.g. would you date someone with three boobs in a sash-formation?). Good times.
Good night.
This is what I did yesterday, Sunday, September 26:
I woke up at 11:30, thinking that I was one of the later ones because everyone had brunch to go to. But we all woke up around the same time. Manboo, Regina and I piled onto his bed to talk about how drunk she was, and how too late he got drunk. After they got ready and left, I started "cleaning." I think I said some of these things for yesterday.
And like I said, I went shopping and got me a t-shirt that says "Muther Trucker." Ha! I love it. I got a green v-neck sweater. Green is in. Did you people watch the Emmy's? But that means it will be in for exactly 2 months and then you'll wonder why the hell you got something in green?! Just like those ribbon belts being peddled by Ralph Lauren and J.Crew alike earlier this summer. Granted, it's a summer item because it's lightweight and colorful; it ain't coming back. They'll try to sell it again next year, possibly, but...er..no. I also got more stationery for the invitations to my sister's reception in Orlando.
I got home. I surfed or tried to do something online. I can't even remember what I ate yesterday. Anyway, hung out with the roommates for a bit. And then an impromptu arm wrestling competition broke out. One roommate's twin brother was still around. It was his last night here. We pitted twin versus twin. Their arm wrestling match lasted a while! Wonder twin power! One roommate had to study. The rest of us just chatted about our regular topics (e.g. would you date someone with three boobs in a sash-formation?). Good times.
Good night.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
September 25 - Yesterday was the housewarming. It was fun. In the afternoon, we made sangria, cleaned the fridge, moved the furniture around and vacuumed and other stuff.
The party was good. That's all I can say. I didn't drink too much. People drank and ate a little and toured our wonderful apartment. The floor above us was also having a party so we went up there to tour their apartment. They were nice and let us come in and drink their alcohol. We did the same when they came down. We met some of their guests and they met some of ours. I'm glad that we met our neighbors. New Yorkers never do that.
It lasted until 3 something. I went to bed at 5:30. I woke up at 11:30 this morning and chatted with two hung over roommates (I was fine by the way). They went to their respective brunches. I cleaned the place as best as I could. They should never let me have that responsibility. I gloss over things. (If you're my roommate, I'm just kidding - I clean everything REAL GOOD).
Afterwards, I went shopping. Got a couple of things.
Wait, I think I'm treading on "today" terroritory. Alright. That's all for now.
The party was good. That's all I can say. I didn't drink too much. People drank and ate a little and toured our wonderful apartment. The floor above us was also having a party so we went up there to tour their apartment. They were nice and let us come in and drink their alcohol. We did the same when they came down. We met some of their guests and they met some of ours. I'm glad that we met our neighbors. New Yorkers never do that.
It lasted until 3 something. I went to bed at 5:30. I woke up at 11:30 this morning and chatted with two hung over roommates (I was fine by the way). They went to their respective brunches. I cleaned the place as best as I could. They should never let me have that responsibility. I gloss over things. (If you're my roommate, I'm just kidding - I clean everything REAL GOOD).
Afterwards, I went shopping. Got a couple of things.
Wait, I think I'm treading on "today" terroritory. Alright. That's all for now.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
People are getting ready for our housewarming party at our apartment. They're vacuuming, swiffering, and all that other stuff. One hundred odd people will be passing through our living/dining/bedroom and hallways. I don't think they care that their shoes are stepping on dust. It's not like we ever live in a pigsty. But if they want it to look good for the first 10 people who show up, that's fine. Me? I'm, er, blogging and surfing the web.
Yesterday, September 24. I woke up early-ish as I had mentioned before. I didn't do too much. I surfed. One roommate didn't have to work so we were looking at Christian singles dating sites for a while. Unfortunately, we found them to be HILARIOUS! It's 10 AM; we weren't drunk. We were just mean. It all started because of a SPAM email that I got. Then we just googled for similar sites. And there are a lot out there. FYI: crossdaily.com has the applicants respond most comprehensively AND one doesn't have to register to view them. We skipped over anything that had us register.
After finding another reason to send us straight to hell (making fun of singles, us being single ourselves), we found our way to our nearest Borders to read magazines of a frivolous nature. We got our usual suspects (US Weekly and Star are staples).
We had lunch at a nearby restaurant. I had the chicken pot pie. It was good. It was also probably the frozen kind they buy at Costco. At least the view was nice. We sat outside.
After lunch, we got home to more lounging and some cleaning. We also watched the whole two hours of MTV's True Life. This episode was about several kids' senior year of college. Brought back some memories, like the prom. But all in all, it was yet another opportunity to make fun of people.
We debated over what else to get for our housewarming deeming our existing inventory too small. In the evening, I went to a local supermarket to fill up our coffers a little bit. Apparently, it's not enough since the others are at Costco now.
After a ramen noodle dinner (did I post that I had that last night? - it was from the same package), I headed out to see a movie. Despite not having had a lot of sleep, the Bourne Supremacy kept me up. It was good. Despite getting good reviews, I feel like this could have been another episode of some Alias-y/24-ish type of show. Granted, I've never seen a complete episode of Alias or 24. In my head, it would be like this movie.
After the movie, I came home, ate some snacks and went to bed. I think I slept for 10 hours. I'm still tired. I may take a nap.
Housewarming party details to come. Stay tuned.
Yesterday, September 24. I woke up early-ish as I had mentioned before. I didn't do too much. I surfed. One roommate didn't have to work so we were looking at Christian singles dating sites for a while. Unfortunately, we found them to be HILARIOUS! It's 10 AM; we weren't drunk. We were just mean. It all started because of a SPAM email that I got. Then we just googled for similar sites. And there are a lot out there. FYI: crossdaily.com has the applicants respond most comprehensively AND one doesn't have to register to view them. We skipped over anything that had us register.
After finding another reason to send us straight to hell (making fun of singles, us being single ourselves), we found our way to our nearest Borders to read magazines of a frivolous nature. We got our usual suspects (US Weekly and Star are staples).
We had lunch at a nearby restaurant. I had the chicken pot pie. It was good. It was also probably the frozen kind they buy at Costco. At least the view was nice. We sat outside.
After lunch, we got home to more lounging and some cleaning. We also watched the whole two hours of MTV's True Life. This episode was about several kids' senior year of college. Brought back some memories, like the prom. But all in all, it was yet another opportunity to make fun of people.
We debated over what else to get for our housewarming deeming our existing inventory too small. In the evening, I went to a local supermarket to fill up our coffers a little bit. Apparently, it's not enough since the others are at Costco now.
After a ramen noodle dinner (did I post that I had that last night? - it was from the same package), I headed out to see a movie. Despite not having had a lot of sleep, the Bourne Supremacy kept me up. It was good. Despite getting good reviews, I feel like this could have been another episode of some Alias-y/24-ish type of show. Granted, I've never seen a complete episode of Alias or 24. In my head, it would be like this movie.
After the movie, I came home, ate some snacks and went to bed. I think I slept for 10 hours. I'm still tired. I may take a nap.
Housewarming party details to come. Stay tuned.
Friday, September 24, 2004
I don't know why I am up at 9 AM, considering that I went to bed at 3.
Yesterday, September 23. I went to the gym in the afternoon, got a call from my parents afterwards to meet up with them for a late lunch. I needed a talk from my friend to get me through my trip to meet them because that parent conversation earlier was frustrating me. But the lunch was fine. I saw their developed pictures from the wedding. I had brought my laptop for something else so I had a chance to show them my digital pictures. My mom bought some NYC tourist t-shirts for some of the workers at home. Then I left them to come home around 4. I met someone for drinks at 5. He had to go to a dinner reception at 7 which allowed me to come back home and take a nap. I was very buzzed from the two dirty martinis I had on an empty stomach. I woke up to find my roommates chatting and eating, so I made myself some quickie ramen noodles (courtesy of my parents during a chinatown grocery store run). We got to talking about one of my roommate's crack-like addiction to DVD purchases during his last few years. We were trying to rattle off movies that a guy like him would own. Around 10:30, I went to a club with the person I had drinks with earlier. Danced the night away with pretty cool music. They played pop songs like those in my MP3 collection to which I dance when getting dressed every morning. I got home around 2:30 PM, took a shower, and went to bed.
Today's my mom's birthday. It's also someone else's birthday today because I remember thinking, "hey, that's my mom's birthday."
Yesterday, September 23. I went to the gym in the afternoon, got a call from my parents afterwards to meet up with them for a late lunch. I needed a talk from my friend to get me through my trip to meet them because that parent conversation earlier was frustrating me. But the lunch was fine. I saw their developed pictures from the wedding. I had brought my laptop for something else so I had a chance to show them my digital pictures. My mom bought some NYC tourist t-shirts for some of the workers at home. Then I left them to come home around 4. I met someone for drinks at 5. He had to go to a dinner reception at 7 which allowed me to come back home and take a nap. I was very buzzed from the two dirty martinis I had on an empty stomach. I woke up to find my roommates chatting and eating, so I made myself some quickie ramen noodles (courtesy of my parents during a chinatown grocery store run). We got to talking about one of my roommate's crack-like addiction to DVD purchases during his last few years. We were trying to rattle off movies that a guy like him would own. Around 10:30, I went to a club with the person I had drinks with earlier. Danced the night away with pretty cool music. They played pop songs like those in my MP3 collection to which I dance when getting dressed every morning. I got home around 2:30 PM, took a shower, and went to bed.
Today's my mom's birthday. It's also someone else's birthday today because I remember thinking, "hey, that's my mom's birthday."
Thursday, September 23, 2004
It's at 10 AM now. I am in my apartment alone (I think). The working roommates are at work. The grad student roommate is probably still asleep. I'm thinking how weird it is that I am watching people outside of my window going to work and...doing things, while I am here doing nothing. How long do I expect this to last? And it's not like I'm anxious about it though I really should. I act like I'm on vacation; I feel like I'm lazy. Uh oh, friends told me this would happen. Well, they said it would happen to someone like me. They know that I can ride this non-active state for a while. And I was going to prove them wrong. Eh! What can I say, I was wrong.
September 22 - Yesterday's activities included walking out of the house to go window shopping. I put some non-jeans and non-t-shirt and went walking up to Fifth and Madison Avenues. I got the nerve to go into the Bergdorfs and Louis Vuittons and just browsed like I was some sort of rich international trust fund kid. After several hours of pretending, I walked home and I was there for the night. This is around 5 PM. I made dinner for myself and a roommate. I talked on the phone with my old worker for about an hour. I watched the Bachelor (the entire two-hour premiere). I voted for the Bachelor who did not eventually get chosen by the ladies. I now have less vested interest in the show because of it. A couple of more hours on the computer before bed concluded yet another Wednesday in my life.
September 22 - Yesterday's activities included walking out of the house to go window shopping. I put some non-jeans and non-t-shirt and went walking up to Fifth and Madison Avenues. I got the nerve to go into the Bergdorfs and Louis Vuittons and just browsed like I was some sort of rich international trust fund kid. After several hours of pretending, I walked home and I was there for the night. This is around 5 PM. I made dinner for myself and a roommate. I talked on the phone with my old worker for about an hour. I watched the Bachelor (the entire two-hour premiere). I voted for the Bachelor who did not eventually get chosen by the ladies. I now have less vested interest in the show because of it. A couple of more hours on the computer before bed concluded yet another Wednesday in my life.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
I want to answer one of the most asked questions these days of my unemployed state: what do you do all day? Honestly, I don't know. I schlep around for the most part. It's not like I'm watching a lot of TV or sleeping or reading, but I do do a lot of those activities (the reading is more like surfing the internet).
So, I'm going to log what I do each day on this blog. I know what you're thinking: we'll see how long this lasts. And I agree with you 100%. But I have this inspiration right now to do this. It will most likely fade but who cares.
Posthumously, I'd like to post for this past Monday and Tuesday. I start this week because preparations for my sister's wedding this past weekend has passed (not that I signed up to do anything for the wedding except to attend and dance during the reception).
Monday, September 20.
My old roommate, Susy, was in town from Miami for my sister's wedding. We met up with our old third roommate, Namita, near her workplace for lunch at one of our favorite haunts, Burrito Loco (affectionately called "the Loco"). After lunch, she and I walked around the Village, bought some cupcakes from Magnolia to torture one of my current roommates. Susy had an evening flight to catch so she left. I prepared to get to my FIT class. My class ends around 8:30. I came home, cooked some food, ate and watched TV/surfed the web. Went to bed around midnight.
Tuesday, September 21.
I woke up around noon or so (I'm feeling sick). My parents called, waking me up. We met up around two (it took them a while to get into the city from Flushing). We ate lunch in K-Town at Seoul Garden. Afterwards, we went in search for invitation-quality paper goods for my sister's Orlando wedding reception. Two stores later, we decided on the paper and envelopes. I had developed a mockup of the invitation to show my parents during lunch. We went to a local Kinkos to find out how much printing would cost. The one we asked didn't have the right sized feeder so it wasn't sure. I will have to find another one. (Did you know that it's not FedEx Kinko's?). After my parents went back to Queens for their dinners with old classmates, I headed home to do more of nothing. I ate, talked to the roommates, surfed the internet for news and fashions from Emmy night (which I missed, on purpose). Around 10 PM, I met up with my roommate from two apartments ago for drinks at a new place near his apartment on 17th and 8th, called Nooch. It's an Asian fusion (mostly Thai and Japanese) restaurant. We just had drinks. I ordered a dirty Martini, as usual. It was good to catch up with my friend. Got home around midnight. Found the home dark as the two (of four) roommates were already asleep (working folk!) and the other two were out of town.
Today is Wednesday. I will post my day's events later. Aren't you excited?!?
So, I'm going to log what I do each day on this blog. I know what you're thinking: we'll see how long this lasts. And I agree with you 100%. But I have this inspiration right now to do this. It will most likely fade but who cares.
Posthumously, I'd like to post for this past Monday and Tuesday. I start this week because preparations for my sister's wedding this past weekend has passed (not that I signed up to do anything for the wedding except to attend and dance during the reception).
Monday, September 20.
My old roommate, Susy, was in town from Miami for my sister's wedding. We met up with our old third roommate, Namita, near her workplace for lunch at one of our favorite haunts, Burrito Loco (affectionately called "the Loco"). After lunch, she and I walked around the Village, bought some cupcakes from Magnolia to torture one of my current roommates. Susy had an evening flight to catch so she left. I prepared to get to my FIT class. My class ends around 8:30. I came home, cooked some food, ate and watched TV/surfed the web. Went to bed around midnight.
Tuesday, September 21.
I woke up around noon or so (I'm feeling sick). My parents called, waking me up. We met up around two (it took them a while to get into the city from Flushing). We ate lunch in K-Town at Seoul Garden. Afterwards, we went in search for invitation-quality paper goods for my sister's Orlando wedding reception. Two stores later, we decided on the paper and envelopes. I had developed a mockup of the invitation to show my parents during lunch. We went to a local Kinkos to find out how much printing would cost. The one we asked didn't have the right sized feeder so it wasn't sure. I will have to find another one. (Did you know that it's not FedEx Kinko's?). After my parents went back to Queens for their dinners with old classmates, I headed home to do more of nothing. I ate, talked to the roommates, surfed the internet for news and fashions from Emmy night (which I missed, on purpose). Around 10 PM, I met up with my roommate from two apartments ago for drinks at a new place near his apartment on 17th and 8th, called Nooch. It's an Asian fusion (mostly Thai and Japanese) restaurant. We just had drinks. I ordered a dirty Martini, as usual. It was good to catch up with my friend. Got home around midnight. Found the home dark as the two (of four) roommates were already asleep (working folk!) and the other two were out of town.
Today is Wednesday. I will post my day's events later. Aren't you excited?!?
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Friday, May 07, 2004
Monday, May 03, 2004
I Saw Her on the L Train
March 28, 2004
By JASON GORDON
THE New York subway has become the city's last bastion of
hope for romantics. That's partly because the subway is one
of the only places where people aren't subdivided into
small cliques depending on social class or musical tastes.
And instead of the carefully selected and touched-up photos
that people present online, under the bright, fluorescent
lights of the subway you can see exactly what someone looks
like. There is no dark lighting to cover a premature
wrinkle, a scary makeup job or a bad hair day.
The subway exposes people when they are their most
unfortunate selves, and I, for one, love it. Every day,
millions of naturally stunning women parade in front of me,
and all I have to do is look up from my seat to appreciate
them.
From a distance, I admire these beautiful women, and I
speculate about them, based on how they're dressed. You can
tell who feels comfortable in a pants suit and who'd prefer
to be wearing a thrift-store dress and fishnet stockings.
But who knows if the woman in a Versace business suit
really has a thing for leather?
Recently, a friend told me that she had seen in the subway
a man so beautiful she felt like a 16-year-old looking at a
photo of Luke Perry at the peak of his "Beverly Hills
90210'' fame. She pictured their entire future together. I
told her that she had just had her first subway crush.
A subway crush is simply someone you most likely will never
talk to or even meet, but will stare at adoringly from
afar. It's a crush in the simplest, most intense sense of
the word. During the limited span of your ride, you can
imagine any future you want with this person. She or he may
not even be your type, but you find yourself becoming
temporarily infatuated.
Could it ever go further?
I will always remember the day I was riding the L train and
a young woman sitting across from me was reading John
Kennedy Toole's novel "A Confederacy of Dunces.'' She had
short black hair and was wearing your standard Williamsburg
outfit of Converse, stockings, and all black everything
else. It was the novel that brought her to my attention.
The words immediately formed in my brain. "That's one of my
favorite books."
Amazingly, she smiled at me and asked me what I was
reading. I told her it was a manuscript of David Brock's
new book, "The Republican Noise Machine,'' and explained to
her its premise. She immediately went into a little rant
about how important it is for people our age to be involved
in politics.
It turned out she worked for a cause I really believe in.
At this point we were both just smiling at each other,
waiting for one of us to ask for the other person's phone
number. I asked first, and she gladly gave it to me.
The next day I called her and asked if she wanted to go out
the following evening. She said yes and plans were made,
but that night we bumped into each other at Dan Kennedy's
reading of "Loser Goes First." It was a complete
coincidence but a great one. We spent the entire event
together.
We confessed to each other our love for David Sedaris and
Scrabble. We confided to each other our favorite private
hideaways in New York, where we can go and not see anyone
we're friends with. Mine was a park near Riverside Drive.
Hers was a doughnut shop in Chinatown. She hated new bands.
I loved finding them. She didn't own a computer. I was
addicted to mine.
We dated for a year before moving in together. I was
against marriage and so is she, but after three years
together she wanted a ring and I gladly got it for her. It
was a small ceremony and we both cried. We pooled our money
in a bid for me to run for governor, then senator. I won
and we moved to Washington. We had three children, named
Jagger, Bowie and Moz. I was asked by my good friend
Hillary Rodham Clinton to be her vice president. I
accepted.
Eight years later, I ran for president and easily beat
Giuliani. My wife was the most fabulous first lady since
Jackie O. We retired young and moved back to Manhattan,
where on a gorgeous spring day I caught her sunbathing on
the roof of our brownstone rereading "A Confederacy of
Dunces.''
That, at least, was my fantasy; in reality, I never said a
word. I thought about her for a week or so, I told my
friends about this woman I saw reading my favorite book and
I even checked the Missed Connections section of
Craigslist. I hoped I would see her again, but I don't know
if I'd even recognize her.
Jason Gordon is editor of the Web site Product Shop NYC, an
online popular culture magazine.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/28/nyregion/28crush.html?ex=1081769499&ei=1&en=2806d6abb9cfd4fa
March 28, 2004
By JASON GORDON
THE New York subway has become the city's last bastion of
hope for romantics. That's partly because the subway is one
of the only places where people aren't subdivided into
small cliques depending on social class or musical tastes.
And instead of the carefully selected and touched-up photos
that people present online, under the bright, fluorescent
lights of the subway you can see exactly what someone looks
like. There is no dark lighting to cover a premature
wrinkle, a scary makeup job or a bad hair day.
The subway exposes people when they are their most
unfortunate selves, and I, for one, love it. Every day,
millions of naturally stunning women parade in front of me,
and all I have to do is look up from my seat to appreciate
them.
From a distance, I admire these beautiful women, and I
speculate about them, based on how they're dressed. You can
tell who feels comfortable in a pants suit and who'd prefer
to be wearing a thrift-store dress and fishnet stockings.
But who knows if the woman in a Versace business suit
really has a thing for leather?
Recently, a friend told me that she had seen in the subway
a man so beautiful she felt like a 16-year-old looking at a
photo of Luke Perry at the peak of his "Beverly Hills
90210'' fame. She pictured their entire future together. I
told her that she had just had her first subway crush.
A subway crush is simply someone you most likely will never
talk to or even meet, but will stare at adoringly from
afar. It's a crush in the simplest, most intense sense of
the word. During the limited span of your ride, you can
imagine any future you want with this person. She or he may
not even be your type, but you find yourself becoming
temporarily infatuated.
Could it ever go further?
I will always remember the day I was riding the L train and
a young woman sitting across from me was reading John
Kennedy Toole's novel "A Confederacy of Dunces.'' She had
short black hair and was wearing your standard Williamsburg
outfit of Converse, stockings, and all black everything
else. It was the novel that brought her to my attention.
The words immediately formed in my brain. "That's one of my
favorite books."
Amazingly, she smiled at me and asked me what I was
reading. I told her it was a manuscript of David Brock's
new book, "The Republican Noise Machine,'' and explained to
her its premise. She immediately went into a little rant
about how important it is for people our age to be involved
in politics.
It turned out she worked for a cause I really believe in.
At this point we were both just smiling at each other,
waiting for one of us to ask for the other person's phone
number. I asked first, and she gladly gave it to me.
The next day I called her and asked if she wanted to go out
the following evening. She said yes and plans were made,
but that night we bumped into each other at Dan Kennedy's
reading of "Loser Goes First." It was a complete
coincidence but a great one. We spent the entire event
together.
We confessed to each other our love for David Sedaris and
Scrabble. We confided to each other our favorite private
hideaways in New York, where we can go and not see anyone
we're friends with. Mine was a park near Riverside Drive.
Hers was a doughnut shop in Chinatown. She hated new bands.
I loved finding them. She didn't own a computer. I was
addicted to mine.
We dated for a year before moving in together. I was
against marriage and so is she, but after three years
together she wanted a ring and I gladly got it for her. It
was a small ceremony and we both cried. We pooled our money
in a bid for me to run for governor, then senator. I won
and we moved to Washington. We had three children, named
Jagger, Bowie and Moz. I was asked by my good friend
Hillary Rodham Clinton to be her vice president. I
accepted.
Eight years later, I ran for president and easily beat
Giuliani. My wife was the most fabulous first lady since
Jackie O. We retired young and moved back to Manhattan,
where on a gorgeous spring day I caught her sunbathing on
the roof of our brownstone rereading "A Confederacy of
Dunces.''
That, at least, was my fantasy; in reality, I never said a
word. I thought about her for a week or so, I told my
friends about this woman I saw reading my favorite book and
I even checked the Missed Connections section of
Craigslist. I hoped I would see her again, but I don't know
if I'd even recognize her.
Jason Gordon is editor of the Web site Product Shop NYC, an
online popular culture magazine.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/28/nyregion/28crush.html?ex=1081769499&ei=1&en=2806d6abb9cfd4fa
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Two young couples told me this weekend that they are expecting a baby. They both married within the last two years. I am very excited for them. And despite all the talk about how people change when they marry, and how life as they know it is essentially over when they have children, I think they're still the same people. They're now just people who got married. They're now just people with kids. Just because you graduated from college doesn't make you a different person from the one you were pre-bacalaureate. You just now have a degree; and having it means that you have more privileges and different responsibilities (which one can opt to not take, of course).
All of this is to say, yay, I'm glad my married friends are having children!
All of this is to say, yay, I'm glad my married friends are having children!
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Monday, January 05, 2004
I hate being sick. And I've noticed that a lot of people are ill lately. Not a good way to start the year, but it does give you a little time to think about what you want to do. However, for me, it's another reason to procrastinate on getting started on those resolutions.
Home Alone 3 is totally different from the first two. It doesn't flow at all. And this kid is smarter than the other one. He's all scientific and....stuff. He has all these little home-made inventions. Macauley was cute, but dumb. And this one, it's all high-tech. The "thieves" are trying to retrieve some high tech chip that's gonna ruin the world. Oh, I'm talking about this because it's midnight on a Sunday and I'm awake because I took a nap earlier in the day.
So, in the movie, this kid's bedroom is huge! It's not huge by suburb standards, I guess. It just got me thinking about how my bedrooms from since I was born have gotten smaller and smaller. I think my bedroom now is the smallest one that I've ever lived in, short of the ones I've shared (or my dorm room in college, but at least there was a sink in there).
Why the hell am I watching this?!
Home Alone 3 is totally different from the first two. It doesn't flow at all. And this kid is smarter than the other one. He's all scientific and....stuff. He has all these little home-made inventions. Macauley was cute, but dumb. And this one, it's all high-tech. The "thieves" are trying to retrieve some high tech chip that's gonna ruin the world. Oh, I'm talking about this because it's midnight on a Sunday and I'm awake because I took a nap earlier in the day.
So, in the movie, this kid's bedroom is huge! It's not huge by suburb standards, I guess. It just got me thinking about how my bedrooms from since I was born have gotten smaller and smaller. I think my bedroom now is the smallest one that I've ever lived in, short of the ones I've shared (or my dorm room in college, but at least there was a sink in there).
Why the hell am I watching this?!
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