Hmm. So I just totaled my third jeep. That sucks.
You want to know what's worse? The damage on this third jeep was just a missing light and bumper (OK, and a little bit of paint).
Guess I'm in the market for a new car. I'm not quite ready for this, but I guess that's OK. A gas-guzzling jeep really doesn't do too well in the city.
I'm thinking about a Toyota Yaris. I took a test drive of it yesterday, and it's not bad. The only think I really didn't like about it was that the acceleration from a full stop isn't so great. But then again, I'm not doing much accelerating in stop-and-go traffic.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Well That's Interesting
Which Audrey Hepburn Are You?
Buon Giorno Principessa! You're Princess Anne from Roman Holiday. You're sweet and naive about many things, but you have a strong sense of duty. You also have an independent streak and you love to have fun when you can. You somehow always manage to get yourself out of trouble.
Take this quiz!
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Thursday, August 23, 2007
Restaurant Review - Pinkberry!
The traffic after last night's concert was really strained near the theater. I think it would be worth building a multi-level parking structure for the Greek Theater just to keep theater patrons from tearing up the mountainside with their vehicles.
Parking is so horrific there that they route cars anywhere they can, and after you park you're stuck there until enough people have left that you can get out. Talk about a major traffic hazard if you happen to be a little slow leaving the theater and your car happens to be the lone island in the middle of lots of moving cars.
I digress. This is supposed to be about Pinkberry. Pinkberry is a new frozen "yogurt" chain that originated in West Hollywood. It's quite popular.
As my boyfriend and myself were embarking on the mega traffic struggle back to South Bay last night, I spotted a Pinkberry. Neither of us had never been to Pinkberry and my boyfriend asked me if I would like to go. In the spirit of exploring new gastronomic horizons, I said "Let's do it!"
I got a small dish of original with fresh strawberries on top. The "yogurt" is tangy, almost as tangy as real yogurt, and refreshing. I can definitely see why it's addictive.
It's also mega sweet (although I think the mega-sweetness is more from the strawberries and not so much the yogurt), and the portions are large. I would say the small would be a good after-dinner treat for two. I can't imagine eating a large portion on my own.
Next time I want to try their green tea flavor. That's got to be delicious!
Pinkberry
1726 N. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
P 323 661 0411
Parking is so horrific there that they route cars anywhere they can, and after you park you're stuck there until enough people have left that you can get out. Talk about a major traffic hazard if you happen to be a little slow leaving the theater and your car happens to be the lone island in the middle of lots of moving cars.
I digress. This is supposed to be about Pinkberry. Pinkberry is a new frozen "yogurt" chain that originated in West Hollywood. It's quite popular.
As my boyfriend and myself were embarking on the mega traffic struggle back to South Bay last night, I spotted a Pinkberry. Neither of us had never been to Pinkberry and my boyfriend asked me if I would like to go. In the spirit of exploring new gastronomic horizons, I said "Let's do it!"
I got a small dish of original with fresh strawberries on top. The "yogurt" is tangy, almost as tangy as real yogurt, and refreshing. I can definitely see why it's addictive.
It's also mega sweet (although I think the mega-sweetness is more from the strawberries and not so much the yogurt), and the portions are large. I would say the small would be a good after-dinner treat for two. I can't imagine eating a large portion on my own.
Next time I want to try their green tea flavor. That's got to be delicious!
Pinkberry
1726 N. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
P 323 661 0411
Michael Buble at the Greek Theater
When I moved here almost a year ago, I knew that if I was going to pay for overpriced concert tickets to see someone sing, it would be for Michael Buble. I had no idea it would only take a year for that to happen.
Last night I saw Michael Buble at the Greek Theater. He was promoting his new CD, Call Me Irresponsible (it's really good, go out and buy a copy!).
Wow. Talk about a showman. He's funny, unpretentious, and slightly profane. He knows all his band members by name (first and last - I don't know why I found that impressive), and it's obvious that they get along. He doesn't lip sync.
If you've never been to the Greek Theater, it's awesome. It's a 5,700 seat outdoor amphitheater in Griffith Park (one of the largest urban parks in the United States). It's modeled after a Greek temple, hence the name. I think I would prefer seeing concerts there than in an enclosed theater space. Something to do with both acoustics and stuffiness.
The concert itself was very well produced - there was a continuous flow from beginning to end, and even when Buble introduced his bandmates or talked to the audience, it seemed naturally placed and appropriate. He opened with "I'm Your Man" and closed with "A Song For You". During the last lines of "A Song For You", he pulled the microphone away and just let his voice carry. While I bought good tickets, they weren't great tickets, and I could hear his voice just fine from where I was sitting (near the front of section C, if you want to get technical). Talk about a set of lungs combined with great acoustics.
I definitely didn't feel that I wasted my money on this show. It was an incredible experience and one that cemeted my love for living in Los Angeles. I honestly can't imagine living somewhere else and feeling as comfortable or as at home as I do here (even though I struggle with feeling at home anywhere).
Last night I saw Michael Buble at the Greek Theater. He was promoting his new CD, Call Me Irresponsible (it's really good, go out and buy a copy!).
Wow. Talk about a showman. He's funny, unpretentious, and slightly profane. He knows all his band members by name (first and last - I don't know why I found that impressive), and it's obvious that they get along. He doesn't lip sync.
If you've never been to the Greek Theater, it's awesome. It's a 5,700 seat outdoor amphitheater in Griffith Park (one of the largest urban parks in the United States). It's modeled after a Greek temple, hence the name. I think I would prefer seeing concerts there than in an enclosed theater space. Something to do with both acoustics and stuffiness.
The concert itself was very well produced - there was a continuous flow from beginning to end, and even when Buble introduced his bandmates or talked to the audience, it seemed naturally placed and appropriate. He opened with "I'm Your Man" and closed with "A Song For You". During the last lines of "A Song For You", he pulled the microphone away and just let his voice carry. While I bought good tickets, they weren't great tickets, and I could hear his voice just fine from where I was sitting (near the front of section C, if you want to get technical). Talk about a set of lungs combined with great acoustics.
I definitely didn't feel that I wasted my money on this show. It was an incredible experience and one that cemeted my love for living in Los Angeles. I honestly can't imagine living somewhere else and feeling as comfortable or as at home as I do here (even though I struggle with feeling at home anywhere).
Restaurant Review - Benihana
My sweetheart took me to Benihana in Beverly Hills last night. We were there a little early so we went down to Rodeo Drive and walked around so I could look at all the pretty things I can't afford to buy. Stores with security guards in black and an earwire.
When we got back to the restaurant, we had the most amazing meal. You're seated with other customers, 8 to a teppan grill. A waitress gets your drink order and gives you an oshibori towel to clean your hands with. Then the food never stops coming.
First, you're given a bowl of clear onion soup. It's salty, and delicious. They use those fabulous "french fried" onions as a garnish, and it's a perfect sweet complement to the salty onion broth.
Next, you're given a fairly standard salad with whatever magic Benihana dressing they use. It's gingery and garlicky. Whatever it is it's delicious.
Around the time you've finished your salad the chef comes in with a cart. He sets up the grill, and starts to grill onions, mushrooms, and a squash kind of like zucchini (maybe it IS zucchini!). He also starts to grill some shrimp, which will be your appetizer. When the shrimp are close to being cooked, he'll pull out a knife, cut the tails off, and then cut the shrimps into several pieces. Then he serves a portion of the shrimps to everyone at the table.
While everything that is cooked is seasoned with at least salt and pepper (sometimes soy sauce, sesame seeds, etc. are used) , you are provided with dipping sauces. I'm not sure what exactly is in the dipping sauces, but they aren't bad and they don't cover up the flavor of the meat.
After serving the shrimp appetizer, the chef will cut the cooked vegetables into bitesized portions and serve them.
Then comes the fun part. Whatever protein you ordered (chicken, steak, seafood) is put on the grill and cooked to perfection. It must take some practice for those chefs to remember exactly what everyone ordered! I had filet mignon and scallops, both delicious.
Good luck finishing all that food!
The staff at Benihana in Beverly Hills is very gracious. I would say they know exactly how to serve people food - always present but never in-the-way. No guest had to ask for a refill, and serving dishes were always promptly removed.
Last night I saw Victoria Beckham at Benihana. I had no idea who she was at the time. Afterwards I thought she was more petite than photos make her out to be, and that she wasn't nearly as anorexic-looking either.
Benihana Beverly Hills
38 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: (323) 655-7311
Mgr: Bal Tejada
When we got back to the restaurant, we had the most amazing meal. You're seated with other customers, 8 to a teppan grill. A waitress gets your drink order and gives you an oshibori towel to clean your hands with. Then the food never stops coming.
First, you're given a bowl of clear onion soup. It's salty, and delicious. They use those fabulous "french fried" onions as a garnish, and it's a perfect sweet complement to the salty onion broth.
Next, you're given a fairly standard salad with whatever magic Benihana dressing they use. It's gingery and garlicky. Whatever it is it's delicious.
Around the time you've finished your salad the chef comes in with a cart. He sets up the grill, and starts to grill onions, mushrooms, and a squash kind of like zucchini (maybe it IS zucchini!). He also starts to grill some shrimp, which will be your appetizer. When the shrimp are close to being cooked, he'll pull out a knife, cut the tails off, and then cut the shrimps into several pieces. Then he serves a portion of the shrimps to everyone at the table.
While everything that is cooked is seasoned with at least salt and pepper (sometimes soy sauce, sesame seeds, etc. are used) , you are provided with dipping sauces. I'm not sure what exactly is in the dipping sauces, but they aren't bad and they don't cover up the flavor of the meat.
After serving the shrimp appetizer, the chef will cut the cooked vegetables into bitesized portions and serve them.
Then comes the fun part. Whatever protein you ordered (chicken, steak, seafood) is put on the grill and cooked to perfection. It must take some practice for those chefs to remember exactly what everyone ordered! I had filet mignon and scallops, both delicious.
Good luck finishing all that food!
The staff at Benihana in Beverly Hills is very gracious. I would say they know exactly how to serve people food - always present but never in-the-way. No guest had to ask for a refill, and serving dishes were always promptly removed.
Last night I saw Victoria Beckham at Benihana. I had no idea who she was at the time. Afterwards I thought she was more petite than photos make her out to be, and that she wasn't nearly as anorexic-looking either.
Benihana Beverly Hills
38 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: (323) 655-7311
Mgr: Bal Tejada
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Movie Review - Stardust
I saw Stardust this weekend. It was amazing.
I wasn't nearly as annoyed with Claire Danes as I thought I would be, and Robert De Niro's performance is worth the price of admission alone. I haven't seen Witches of Eastwick, but I think Michelle Pfeiffer plays "evil witch" in such a sexy, fun, seductively dangerous way. Her performance was also a lot of fun to watch.
While the plot isn't as strong as it could be and there are many predictable moments, the film overall is enchanting and the presentation is very romantic.
I definitely recommend seeing this in the theater. At the very least, go see it. You won't be disappointed.
I wasn't nearly as annoyed with Claire Danes as I thought I would be, and Robert De Niro's performance is worth the price of admission alone. I haven't seen Witches of Eastwick, but I think Michelle Pfeiffer plays "evil witch" in such a sexy, fun, seductively dangerous way. Her performance was also a lot of fun to watch.
While the plot isn't as strong as it could be and there are many predictable moments, the film overall is enchanting and the presentation is very romantic.
I definitely recommend seeing this in the theater. At the very least, go see it. You won't be disappointed.
Friday, August 17, 2007
The Rise of the Internship
Service Learning
I didn't have any internships when I was in college.
Not that I tried. One year I refused an internship on principle (the company dicked around with my application, then wanted me to fill out an internship application after I had been interviewed), one year I didn't get any internship because I was busy with the Marines and when I was through with them it was too late to find any summer work, and one year I didn't get an internship because, well, no one wanted to hire me.
It was by an extreme stroke of good fortune that landed me the awesome job I have now. Maybe I was saving up the luck, who knows?
I've had menial jobs before, however. I worked in fast food for two years when I was in high school. I was a barista for a semester at the campus cafe. I definitely wasn't in the privileged set.
I think I have a bone to pick with the privileged set. Most of them have such a sense of entitlement that it's sickening. When I hear of a priviledged young person abuse their opportunities (mostly educational) or take advantage of people, it really bothers me. There are lots of people who struggle just to have what these almost-trust-fund babies get for free! The least they can do is appreciate what they have.
I have some family friends who are not far from me; the family is very similar to my own. White dad, Taiwanese mother, single daughter. Their daughter is a year younger than me. I don't think you can define them as upper-class, but they're definitely upper-middle-class. While the daughter is smart, she also didn't need financial aid for school. While she's held jobs, she didn't need to. Her mom (who is a housewife now) buys all her clothes and keeps her wardrobe up-to-date. She's never had to live on her own.
I am really jealous of her, in a lot of ways. She's better at piano than me, she's never had to worry about money for school (or grad school!), she always has nice things to wear and lovely jewelry. I would dare guess she's prettier than myself.
There is no equalizer - she will always be better off, financially, than myself.
I go to work seriously underdressed. On a subconscious level I know I should invest in a more office-appropriate wardrobe, but right now in my career I don't think it matters much. I'm very low on the totem pole and customers don't see me (unless they happen to be in an elevator with me) It's much easier (and cheaper!) for a guy to get an office-appropriate wardrobe than it is for a girl to. However, I do notice that a lot of the female new hires and interns dress better than I do. Maybe I've just never focused much on my wardrobe, because the call of books and movies was easier to listen to than the call of the department store (although I'll usually listen to the call of Victoria's Secret).
Maybe I'm just a fluke, a pariah to every environment I find myself in. I don't feel quite like I belong anywhere, and that's a hard thing to say about oneself.
It would be nice to blame all of that on my lack of internships. But I can't. I wish there was something positive I could say about not-being-born-privileged, but I can't. The soul-gaining experience isn't worth living in constant fear of financial deprivation and/or lack of financial stability.
And I know a lot of people probably disagree with me on all of the above. That's OK.
I didn't have any internships when I was in college.
Not that I tried. One year I refused an internship on principle (the company dicked around with my application, then wanted me to fill out an internship application after I had been interviewed), one year I didn't get any internship because I was busy with the Marines and when I was through with them it was too late to find any summer work, and one year I didn't get an internship because, well, no one wanted to hire me.
It was by an extreme stroke of good fortune that landed me the awesome job I have now. Maybe I was saving up the luck, who knows?
I've had menial jobs before, however. I worked in fast food for two years when I was in high school. I was a barista for a semester at the campus cafe. I definitely wasn't in the privileged set.
I think I have a bone to pick with the privileged set. Most of them have such a sense of entitlement that it's sickening. When I hear of a priviledged young person abuse their opportunities (mostly educational) or take advantage of people, it really bothers me. There are lots of people who struggle just to have what these almost-trust-fund babies get for free! The least they can do is appreciate what they have.
I have some family friends who are not far from me; the family is very similar to my own. White dad, Taiwanese mother, single daughter. Their daughter is a year younger than me. I don't think you can define them as upper-class, but they're definitely upper-middle-class. While the daughter is smart, she also didn't need financial aid for school. While she's held jobs, she didn't need to. Her mom (who is a housewife now) buys all her clothes and keeps her wardrobe up-to-date. She's never had to live on her own.
I am really jealous of her, in a lot of ways. She's better at piano than me, she's never had to worry about money for school (or grad school!), she always has nice things to wear and lovely jewelry. I would dare guess she's prettier than myself.
There is no equalizer - she will always be better off, financially, than myself.
I go to work seriously underdressed. On a subconscious level I know I should invest in a more office-appropriate wardrobe, but right now in my career I don't think it matters much. I'm very low on the totem pole and customers don't see me (unless they happen to be in an elevator with me) It's much easier (and cheaper!) for a guy to get an office-appropriate wardrobe than it is for a girl to. However, I do notice that a lot of the female new hires and interns dress better than I do. Maybe I've just never focused much on my wardrobe, because the call of books and movies was easier to listen to than the call of the department store (although I'll usually listen to the call of Victoria's Secret).
Maybe I'm just a fluke, a pariah to every environment I find myself in. I don't feel quite like I belong anywhere, and that's a hard thing to say about oneself.
It would be nice to blame all of that on my lack of internships. But I can't. I wish there was something positive I could say about not-being-born-privileged, but I can't. The soul-gaining experience isn't worth living in constant fear of financial deprivation and/or lack of financial stability.
And I know a lot of people probably disagree with me on all of the above. That's OK.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Thousands Standing Around
I found a link to this TSA tale-of-woe in this month's CRYPTO-GRAM. I'm glad he was at least able to catch his flight.
I now have a distinct urge to build myself a MintyBOOST!. Unfortunately, while I do have an iPod, I don't use it often enough to warrant a battery-powered charging device. I also don't own any other USB devices. For a software engineer, I'm relatively gadget-free.
One of these days I'd like to get a thumb drive and use it to store photos and files on it.
I now have a distinct urge to build myself a MintyBOOST!. Unfortunately, while I do have an iPod, I don't use it often enough to warrant a battery-powered charging device. I also don't own any other USB devices. For a software engineer, I'm relatively gadget-free.
One of these days I'd like to get a thumb drive and use it to store photos and files on it.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
A Pen
A lady from work gave me a pen today. She and her husband went to Ronald Reagan's Presidential Library and had a souvenir portrait taken of them on Air Force One. The pen she gave me was a souvenir pen from Air Force One.
I thought it was very kind of her. I've been having a couple rough weeks and this one gesture of selfless kindness really meant something to me.
I've been feeling lonely and isolated and her stopping by my office to say hello was a kind reminder that I'm not quite so isolated.
It's difficult living in a time when words come cheaply, especially living among a sea of people.
It's so impossible to ask for something as simple as a hug, we're so apart from one another. We're so poor at bridging those spaces between us when we need to most. When all you need is a touch to reconnect yourself to another person, to humanity. My words are poor substitutes for the concept I'm thinking of; I don't know the words for intimately connecting on a better plain of consciousness. Some place where there are no misunderstandings.
I thought it was very kind of her. I've been having a couple rough weeks and this one gesture of selfless kindness really meant something to me.
I've been feeling lonely and isolated and her stopping by my office to say hello was a kind reminder that I'm not quite so isolated.
It's difficult living in a time when words come cheaply, especially living among a sea of people.
It's so impossible to ask for something as simple as a hug, we're so apart from one another. We're so poor at bridging those spaces between us when we need to most. When all you need is a touch to reconnect yourself to another person, to humanity. My words are poor substitutes for the concept I'm thinking of; I don't know the words for intimately connecting on a better plain of consciousness. Some place where there are no misunderstandings.
Movie Review - The Painted Veil
I had the pleasure of watching this film over the weekend. I've read it's quite close to the book (I'd actually like to read the book now). I thought it was fabulous.
The fairly simple story set against the exotic backdrop of mainland China was breathtaking. It would have been amazing to watch this film on the big screen.
I thought the acting was fine and the casting appropriate. On IMDB's message boards several people have batted around the "Ralph Fiennes should have played Walter and Clive Owen should have played Charlie" ball a bit, and I have to disagree. While I like both Ralph Fiennes and Clive Owen, and I think they would do well in those particular parts, I think it would have made the film more dark than it needed to be. With different casting it would not have been the entertaining character study that it is. I thought Edward Norton nailed the bookish, nerdy British gentleman that is the core of Walter's character, and that Liev Schreiber was perfect as the sort of playboy adulterer the character is supposed to be.
It was very enjoyable to watch the estranged couple fall in love with each other.
Of course, one of them has to die in the end. You think real life has happy endings?
The fairly simple story set against the exotic backdrop of mainland China was breathtaking. It would have been amazing to watch this film on the big screen.
I thought the acting was fine and the casting appropriate. On IMDB's message boards several people have batted around the "Ralph Fiennes should have played Walter and Clive Owen should have played Charlie" ball a bit, and I have to disagree. While I like both Ralph Fiennes and Clive Owen, and I think they would do well in those particular parts, I think it would have made the film more dark than it needed to be. With different casting it would not have been the entertaining character study that it is. I thought Edward Norton nailed the bookish, nerdy British gentleman that is the core of Walter's character, and that Liev Schreiber was perfect as the sort of playboy adulterer the character is supposed to be.
It was very enjoyable to watch the estranged couple fall in love with each other.
Of course, one of them has to die in the end. You think real life has happy endings?
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