Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Meaning of Life II (III?)
People always asks "WHAT is the meaning of life?" Perhaps a better question is: "IS there a meaning of life?" Or better yet, "SHOULD there be a meaning of life?" After all, who ever promised that there is a reason for us to discover? Even all the great men (women?) before us who invented religion did not promise a meaning of life. Let's examine them:-
(1) Western religion (grossly represented by Bible-based religions of any variation). Whether you subscribe to the Christian branch of belief-without-seeing-and-you'll-go-to-Heaven or Catholic's be-a-nice-person-and-you'll-go-to-Heaven or the Islam (?) 27-virgins-await-in-Heaven philosophy, they invariably focuses on the afterlife. Nothing says anything about the meaning of this lifetime... other than working towards what you can reap after you die (hmmmmm).
(2) Buddhism did not address that question either, reincarnation and enlightenment again focus on life after death. Some argue that Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion. Come to think about it, should Buddhism truly portrays the way the universe work, then it's just science. Science focuses on the mechanisms behind every process and cannot be further away from the meaning of life. (See my previos entry "The HOW versus the WHY".)
(3) Darwinism/natural selection. Definitely hardcore, no bullshit science. Reproduction might be the purpose of life, but definitely not the meaning. I can't relate to how great it is to have an offspring, and I definitely fail to see how that will make my life meaningful. Especially in this day and age when people just seem to be competing about who can leave a bigger carbon footprint and better drive this planet out of all higher life forms.
Perhaps all the quests for WHAT is the meaning of life is fruitless because there simply isn't one. It's like looking for that treasure that was never buried. Try as you might, you are not going to find anything because it was never there to begin with. I am starting to think that the "meaning" of life is all about distractions. It is about what kind of distractions you can find to keep your mind occupied so you don't the big void left by the lack of a meaning of life. If you think about it, everything is pretty much a distractions:- any kind of entertainment (TV, sports, gambling, shopping), power struggling, money that can buy you more distractions, vanity, and the best and most long term distraction of it all? Children.
Not having enough distractions can be detrimental -- see all the rich and famous that die from drug overdose or do a variety of stupid things that we won't even contemplate. Why do they still seek drugs when they are rich and famous, while the rest of us try to hard to get there? (Okay, don't care so much about the fame... definitely would love to be rich. ;) Because they weren't able to find enough distractions. They no longer need to keep a full time job and mingle with stupid people and deal with the stress that comes with a job everyday just to put roof over head and food on table. Thus proving my point that the "meaning" of life is all about how to fill your free time with various form of distractions.
That said, another good question will be:- Why do we have consciousness? It is obviously not essential for evolution. Brine shrimp reproduces just fine. Earth worms and cockroaches reproduce just fine. Perhaps the whole Eve-ate-the-apple incident marked the time when aliens came and modified us genetically and gave us this thing called consciousness!
(1) Western religion (grossly represented by Bible-based religions of any variation). Whether you subscribe to the Christian branch of belief-without-seeing-and-you'll-go-to-Heaven or Catholic's be-a-nice-person-and-you'll-go-to-Heaven or the Islam (?) 27-virgins-await-in-Heaven philosophy, they invariably focuses on the afterlife. Nothing says anything about the meaning of this lifetime... other than working towards what you can reap after you die (hmmmmm).
(2) Buddhism did not address that question either, reincarnation and enlightenment again focus on life after death. Some argue that Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion. Come to think about it, should Buddhism truly portrays the way the universe work, then it's just science. Science focuses on the mechanisms behind every process and cannot be further away from the meaning of life. (See my previos entry "The HOW versus the WHY".)
(3) Darwinism/natural selection. Definitely hardcore, no bullshit science. Reproduction might be the purpose of life, but definitely not the meaning. I can't relate to how great it is to have an offspring, and I definitely fail to see how that will make my life meaningful. Especially in this day and age when people just seem to be competing about who can leave a bigger carbon footprint and better drive this planet out of all higher life forms.
Perhaps all the quests for WHAT is the meaning of life is fruitless because there simply isn't one. It's like looking for that treasure that was never buried. Try as you might, you are not going to find anything because it was never there to begin with. I am starting to think that the "meaning" of life is all about distractions. It is about what kind of distractions you can find to keep your mind occupied so you don't the big void left by the lack of a meaning of life. If you think about it, everything is pretty much a distractions:- any kind of entertainment (TV, sports, gambling, shopping), power struggling, money that can buy you more distractions, vanity, and the best and most long term distraction of it all? Children.
Not having enough distractions can be detrimental -- see all the rich and famous that die from drug overdose or do a variety of stupid things that we won't even contemplate. Why do they still seek drugs when they are rich and famous, while the rest of us try to hard to get there? (Okay, don't care so much about the fame... definitely would love to be rich. ;) Because they weren't able to find enough distractions. They no longer need to keep a full time job and mingle with stupid people and deal with the stress that comes with a job everyday just to put roof over head and food on table. Thus proving my point that the "meaning" of life is all about how to fill your free time with various form of distractions.
That said, another good question will be:- Why do we have consciousness? It is obviously not essential for evolution. Brine shrimp reproduces just fine. Earth worms and cockroaches reproduce just fine. Perhaps the whole Eve-ate-the-apple incident marked the time when aliens came and modified us genetically and gave us this thing called consciousness!
Disheartening
The Hubby did more rearranging of the furniture and we have more freebies to give away. As usual, I turned to the good ol' CL (Craigslist). While we are giving away the items for free because (1) most of them we really don't think will fetch any monetary amount and (2) just want to get them out of the house ASAP, I was still hoping that some real people who will actually use the items can benefit from them. All the stuff were gone within 10 minutes of the posting time, many of them ask for all of the items. Either the individual truly just move to the area and will take practically everything, or they are just scalpers trying to turn it around for cash. It was quite disheartening. Perhaps next time I'll spend a few more minutes to sort through the email and only give the item to those who seems like a "real person." *sighs*
Craigslist - Just When I Thought I've Seen It All
moving-take our unopened freezer food
criss cross frieshot pocket calzone thingys
pie crust
steamables broccoli
family size eggplant parmesan
pasta/shrimp meal for 2
boneless/skinless chicken breast
pork chops
Sounds very healthy. =D
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
WTF 2
All of my readership (all 3 of you that I know personally) should have a certain appreciation for the saying "WTF." So here's a couple WTF stories about my marriage.
Today I ran into this neighbor. I should precede my story by saying that this being the heart of Silicon Valley, the demographic of our apartment is 80% Indians, 18% other Asians, and 2% White, give or take. So this neighbor is Chinese, not that rare overall in Silicon Valley, relatively rare in our apartment. Regardless, I started chatting with him. I had seen him with a lady before (whom I assumed is his wife) and he had seen me with Hubby. So the conversation went something like this:
"Is that your wife the other day?" Really, just making conversation.
"No, that's my girlfriend. Is that your husband or boyfriend?"
"Husband. We've been married for almost 7 years."
"Did you meet him in the US?"
"No, I'm his mail-ordered bride."
Okay, the last one didn't happen, but WTF? Was he implying that (1) I'm a mail-ordered bride or (2) I married him for a green card?
Okay, maybe he was just making conversation, but the reason I was sensitive to that was because of a previous conversation that I had before, with another Chinese. (What's with Chinese peeps and their randomly offensive questions??)
This other person, upon finding out that (1) Hubby is White and (2) he was in the Navy, blurted out that, "Oh! I know! You met him when he was in port in Hong Kong!!"
WTF? If it's not bad enough that that's their first assumption, couldn't they at least keep their opinions to themselves? WTF?
Today I ran into this neighbor. I should precede my story by saying that this being the heart of Silicon Valley, the demographic of our apartment is 80% Indians, 18% other Asians, and 2% White, give or take. So this neighbor is Chinese, not that rare overall in Silicon Valley, relatively rare in our apartment. Regardless, I started chatting with him. I had seen him with a lady before (whom I assumed is his wife) and he had seen me with Hubby. So the conversation went something like this:
"Is that your wife the other day?" Really, just making conversation.
"No, that's my girlfriend. Is that your husband or boyfriend?"
"Husband. We've been married for almost 7 years."
"Did you meet him in the US?"
"No, I'm his mail-ordered bride."
Okay, the last one didn't happen, but WTF? Was he implying that (1) I'm a mail-ordered bride or (2) I married him for a green card?
Okay, maybe he was just making conversation, but the reason I was sensitive to that was because of a previous conversation that I had before, with another Chinese. (What's with Chinese peeps and their randomly offensive questions??)
This other person, upon finding out that (1) Hubby is White and (2) he was in the Navy, blurted out that, "Oh! I know! You met him when he was in port in Hong Kong!!"
WTF? If it's not bad enough that that's their first assumption, couldn't they at least keep their opinions to themselves? WTF?
WTF
Okay, I can't take credit for this. I've read this on Craigslist many years ago -- the posting is from 2005. Can't really give credit where credit is due (not like any one post on CL with their real name), so all I can say it, it's from CL, posting #67762042.
OK, so I've immersed myself in the fresh hell that is online dating. So far, I've gotten a lot of responses. But one thing I don't understand is the number of guys who use the interjection LOL in their responses to me.
Now, as I understand it, LOL means "laughing out loud." So I try to imagine these guys laughing out loud during their messages to me, and it makes them sound like idiots.
"Hi, my name is Jim. LOL"
"Nice pic, is it recent? LOL"
"I like to cuddle on the couch with my special someone LOL"
I mean, are any of these statements remotely amusing, even in an ironic sense? It would make more sense to randomly throw in the phrase WTF, which is often what I feel about online dating and my life in general.
"How cute that you named your twin daughters Tiffany and Brittany. What exactly does "separated but flexible" mean? WTF."
"Sorry, I'm not attracted to fat, cross-eyed men twenty years my senior. WTF."
Don't get me started on the substitution of "u" for "you." I could see it if I had 11 year old boys texting me, but not 40 year olds. I mean, WTF.
OK, so I've immersed myself in the fresh hell that is online dating. So far, I've gotten a lot of responses. But one thing I don't understand is the number of guys who use the interjection LOL in their responses to me.
Now, as I understand it, LOL means "laughing out loud." So I try to imagine these guys laughing out loud during their messages to me, and it makes them sound like idiots.
"Hi, my name is Jim. LOL"
"Nice pic, is it recent? LOL"
"I like to cuddle on the couch with my special someone LOL"
I mean, are any of these statements remotely amusing, even in an ironic sense? It would make more sense to randomly throw in the phrase WTF, which is often what I feel about online dating and my life in general.
"How cute that you named your twin daughters Tiffany and Brittany. What exactly does "separated but flexible" mean? WTF."
"Sorry, I'm not attracted to fat, cross-eyed men twenty years my senior. WTF."
Don't get me started on the substitution of "u" for "you." I could see it if I had 11 year old boys texting me, but not 40 year olds. I mean, WTF.
Monday, June 22, 2009
One Big Pawn Shop of Goodies!!
The big pawn shop of goodies call America is just getting better and better. Went shopping with a girlfriend on Saturday, bought 7 (seven) articles of clothes for, get this, under $200. And I didn't shop at Target or Walmart either, not even the outlet, but name brand stores like Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. Granted, we only rummaged through the sales rack. J Jill's catalog feature an "online section" with article of clothing at the low, low price of $19.99, rivaling that of Targets.
Hubby said he wanted to look for a place that offers 12 months no interest payment to purchase our couch from. Guess what we saw on TV yesterday? Couches with no payment till, wait for it, 2013!!! Holy crap! I hope this recession never ends. That is, of course, under the assumption that I'll continue to be gainfully employed. Hopefully by the next recession I'll be equally gainfully employed and a proud owner of a house so we can do all our home improvements. =D
Hubby said he wanted to look for a place that offers 12 months no interest payment to purchase our couch from. Guess what we saw on TV yesterday? Couches with no payment till, wait for it, 2013!!! Holy crap! I hope this recession never ends. That is, of course, under the assumption that I'll continue to be gainfully employed. Hopefully by the next recession I'll be equally gainfully employed and a proud owner of a house so we can do all our home improvements. =D
Include Your Facebook Password with that Job Application...Thanks. - The World Newser
Include Your Facebook Password with that Job Application...Thanks. - The World Newser
Evidently some butthead decided that it's a good idea to ask applicants to hand over their social network passwords while applying for a job! Yes, the passwords! Not the URLs! Sure, it's shot down so fast it's not even funny, but who even thought that was a good idea to begin with???
This is even funnier in combination with this picture below:
Evidently some butthead decided that it's a good idea to ask applicants to hand over their social network passwords while applying for a job! Yes, the passwords! Not the URLs! Sure, it's shot down so fast it's not even funny, but who even thought that was a good idea to begin with???
This is even funnier in combination with this picture below:
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Filler Entry II
Does this constitute animal cruelty??? Somehow I'm not convinced that the cat gets any enjoyment out of it!!
Filler Blog Weekend!
It's filler blog weekend again!! :D I always like my audience to have something entertaining to "read" on Monday mornings. ;) So here goes:-
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Why I Hate Gray's Anatomy
Why I hate Gray's Anatomy, in the exact order:-
(1) Sappy! I've never had the luxury to have so much time and energy to waste to watch day time show, but I envision General Hospital is probably something like that. What's with the heart-to-heart talk 3 times per show!! Do you want a relationship like that with your boss:-
You snapping at your boss, "You are an asshole!"
Three hours later, close to the end of the work day, he'll call you into his office, "Yeah, xxx, you are right, I never realized that I'm SUCH an asshole and I'm SO glad you have pointed it out to me. From now on I'll try to be a better person."
Seriously? If I wasn't paid enough to put up with the asshole of a boss, I certain am not paid enough to do the heart-to-heart crap with him. For the love of God, just stay an asshole.
(2) The fine example of doctors. I don't know if they really teach you to be detached to your patients in medical school as the show claims, but I sure hope real doctors out there are offended by the way this show portrays doctors. None of them really give a damn about their patients. Patients to them are like a game. And they are excited when your symptoms are a mystery and ecstatic when you have some obscure diseases, curable or not. Really, is this the hospital you want to take your love one to? If I have some obscure symptoms, this is the last hospital I want to be at. House is an asshole too, but at least he cures his patients. I'm afraid if I'm going to Sacred Heart Hospital at Seattle (?) I'll get cancer just from the aggravation alone.
(3) Promiscuity - is this a trend that's set by ER that all medical drama must have lots of promiscuous doctors. So just like any shows, there has to be a predefined number of people in the core group, this group is actually quite big. BUT, once they get together and break up, next thing you know everybody has slept with everybody else, including some girl on girl action!! Again, what is this, day time drama?
(4) It's a medical show, it's depressing as hell. It constantly reminds me of mine and my husband's mortality.
(1) Sappy! I've never had the luxury to have so much time and energy to waste to watch day time show, but I envision General Hospital is probably something like that. What's with the heart-to-heart talk 3 times per show!! Do you want a relationship like that with your boss:-
You snapping at your boss, "You are an asshole!"
Three hours later, close to the end of the work day, he'll call you into his office, "Yeah, xxx, you are right, I never realized that I'm SUCH an asshole and I'm SO glad you have pointed it out to me. From now on I'll try to be a better person."
Seriously? If I wasn't paid enough to put up with the asshole of a boss, I certain am not paid enough to do the heart-to-heart crap with him. For the love of God, just stay an asshole.
(2) The fine example of doctors. I don't know if they really teach you to be detached to your patients in medical school as the show claims, but I sure hope real doctors out there are offended by the way this show portrays doctors. None of them really give a damn about their patients. Patients to them are like a game. And they are excited when your symptoms are a mystery and ecstatic when you have some obscure diseases, curable or not. Really, is this the hospital you want to take your love one to? If I have some obscure symptoms, this is the last hospital I want to be at. House is an asshole too, but at least he cures his patients. I'm afraid if I'm going to Sacred Heart Hospital at Seattle (?) I'll get cancer just from the aggravation alone.
(3) Promiscuity - is this a trend that's set by ER that all medical drama must have lots of promiscuous doctors. So just like any shows, there has to be a predefined number of people in the core group, this group is actually quite big. BUT, once they get together and break up, next thing you know everybody has slept with everybody else, including some girl on girl action!! Again, what is this, day time drama?
(4) It's a medical show, it's depressing as hell. It constantly reminds me of mine and my husband's mortality.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Teen suspects in El Dorado County slaying arrested in San Bruno - San Jose Mercury News
Teen suspects in El Dorado County slaying arrested in San Bruno - San Jose Mercury News
Totally a romance story idea, "based on a true story." 14-year old girl & 19-year old boyfriend. Romance that is not permitted by the girl's family. With a few twists here and there, instant tear-jerker movie!
For some reason John didn't seem to be very sold on this idea. LOL
Totally a romance story idea, "based on a true story." 14-year old girl & 19-year old boyfriend. Romance that is not permitted by the girl's family. With a few twists here and there, instant tear-jerker movie!
For some reason John didn't seem to be very sold on this idea. LOL
J.D. Flom
Dude is a friend of mine who is currently working on an indy film. Should he became the next James Cameron, let the record show that I know him waaaay before he's famous. ;)
J.D. Flom
When he sends me the link to the trailer of his latest work, I'll post it on this blog too. ^_^
You go, John! Your 6-digit, er 7-digit, income is right around the corner! =D
J.D. Flom
When he sends me the link to the trailer of his latest work, I'll post it on this blog too. ^_^
You go, John! Your 6-digit, er 7-digit, income is right around the corner! =D
Cutsey Stuff. Unrealistic Prices.
Title says all. (I can say this. This is my blog. I can say whatever I damn well feel like.)
Oh, and if you are recession rich like me, and really want these, you can find them at Mod Cloth.
Oh, and if you are recession rich like me, and really want these, you can find them at Mod Cloth.
This recession is SO fabulous! - Top Stocks Blog - MSN Money
This recession is SO fabulous!
Heh, unfortunately, I agree with Forbe's editor Elisabeth Eaves, America is now but a big pawn shop of goodies. =D
Heh, unfortunately, I agree with Forbe's editor Elisabeth Eaves, America is now but a big pawn shop of goodies. =D
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Asian A-hole!
So, Hubby and I decided to take on the daunting tasks of rearranging the furniture while upgrading some of them. In order to do that, some of the old stuff have to go to make room for the new stuff. What better way to get rid of old stuff than listing them on, you got it, Craigslist.org! So we posted this Ikea coffee table on CL for free. Little do I know, we got some 20 calls/emails within a couple of hours (yeah, made the mistake of leaving house so I could not take the ad down after the first call). Regardless, guy was supposed to come pick it up this evening, called me at 8:45 PM and asked if he could come. Well, we sleep late, not a big deal.
I didn't like people to know where I live, let alone strangers coming into my house, so we moved the table downstair for him. Guy still managed to totally drove pass us *with the table* and had to back up. Okay, I rarely say this, but should have listened to Hubby and left the table under the street lamp. No! I gave credit to common decency. We waited. When the guy finally spotted us and moved his car toward us, Hubby again suggested to leave. Again, I should have listened! But no! I said we'd be nice and actually moved the table to his car. Guy got out of his car, a lightly stocky Asian dude in his twenties. He drove a sedan, and came alone. To pick up a table!
"Will it fit into your car?" I asked. Really, more of a conversation starter... and I didn't want to move the table back up to my apartment, especially after turning down some TWENTY people to hold the table for him.
Dude had the audacity to swing open the back door and told us, "Sure, just put it in the back seat." Un-*******-believable. Mind you Hubby and I had already put the table down on the ground.
I looked at him in total disbelief. He looked back at me and waited. I took a step back so he could BETTER GET TO THE TABLE. He repeated, "just put it in sideways." Oh my ***** ******* God! Maybe that's the way things were done in HIS country, wherever he was from, but if he thought I'd put the FREE table that I was giving away in HIS car for him, he was gravely mistaken.
"Go head!" I told him. How I wish I was better at the quick wit department. I would have came up with funnier comments like, "Well, what you waiting for? The table isn't going to move itself." Or looked down at myself and go, "Yup, still got the boobs, still a girl... oh wait, where's your balls?"
To think that I held the table for HIM!
I didn't like people to know where I live, let alone strangers coming into my house, so we moved the table downstair for him. Guy still managed to totally drove pass us *with the table* and had to back up. Okay, I rarely say this, but should have listened to Hubby and left the table under the street lamp. No! I gave credit to common decency. We waited. When the guy finally spotted us and moved his car toward us, Hubby again suggested to leave. Again, I should have listened! But no! I said we'd be nice and actually moved the table to his car. Guy got out of his car, a lightly stocky Asian dude in his twenties. He drove a sedan, and came alone. To pick up a table!
"Will it fit into your car?" I asked. Really, more of a conversation starter... and I didn't want to move the table back up to my apartment, especially after turning down some TWENTY people to hold the table for him.
Dude had the audacity to swing open the back door and told us, "Sure, just put it in the back seat." Un-*******-believable. Mind you Hubby and I had already put the table down on the ground.
I looked at him in total disbelief. He looked back at me and waited. I took a step back so he could BETTER GET TO THE TABLE. He repeated, "just put it in sideways." Oh my ***** ******* God! Maybe that's the way things were done in HIS country, wherever he was from, but if he thought I'd put the FREE table that I was giving away in HIS car for him, he was gravely mistaken.
"Go head!" I told him. How I wish I was better at the quick wit department. I would have came up with funnier comments like, "Well, what you waiting for? The table isn't going to move itself." Or looked down at myself and go, "Yup, still got the boobs, still a girl... oh wait, where's your balls?"
To think that I held the table for HIM!
Recession Rich
Recession Rich - A slang term used to describe an individual who manages to do well financially, relative to broader population, during a recession. Someone that is recession rich does not necessarily need to be considered wealthy, but rather has managed to maintain a good standard of living during a time when others worry about their financial stability.
So Hubby and I definitely fall into this category. Jobs are relatively secure (knock on wood), to the point that we (at least I am) starting to feel survivor's guilt. Shoot, recession is so deep that our apartment voluntarily lowered our rent, and lowered it some more when I bartered with them. Then we realized that what's better time to bargain shop and replace all our Ikea/Target/Walmart temporary furniture than during deep recession? So we went out to buy ourselves nice (very subjective) coffee table and end table yesterday during Anderson's TV's consolidation sale.
Next we are going to get Hubby REAL computer desk and a nice COUCH with CHAISE! Sure, a HOUSE would be better, but since we won't be buying a house in any foreseeable future, nothing wrong with having all the nice furniture to move into that house with when the time comes. :)
Yes, very guilty that we are totally exploiting the economy, but hey, somebody's got to spend and try to prop the US economy up, eh?
So Hubby and I definitely fall into this category. Jobs are relatively secure (knock on wood), to the point that we (at least I am) starting to feel survivor's guilt. Shoot, recession is so deep that our apartment voluntarily lowered our rent, and lowered it some more when I bartered with them. Then we realized that what's better time to bargain shop and replace all our Ikea/Target/Walmart temporary furniture than during deep recession? So we went out to buy ourselves nice (very subjective) coffee table and end table yesterday during Anderson's TV's consolidation sale.
Next we are going to get Hubby REAL computer desk and a nice COUCH with CHAISE! Sure, a HOUSE would be better, but since we won't be buying a house in any foreseeable future, nothing wrong with having all the nice furniture to move into that house with when the time comes. :)
Yes, very guilty that we are totally exploiting the economy, but hey, somebody's got to spend and try to prop the US economy up, eh?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Meteorite Strikes Teen’s Hand; He Survives | Wired Science | Wired.com
Meteorite Strikes Teen’s Hand; He Survives | Wired Science | Wired.com
The most interesting part of this story is NOT that the boy was struck by a meteorite and survived, note this paragraph:
The most interesting part of this story is NOT that the boy was struck by a meteorite and survived, note this paragraph:
The last time there was a confirmed strike on a human was in 1954, when Ann Hodges, an Alabama housewife got smacked in the hip by a ricocheting space rock. Sadly, Hodges, a renter, got sued by her landlady for possession of the meteor. The famous rock was considered very valuable, and was anticipated to fetch $20,000 at auction, which would equate to several hundred thousand dollars today.I've always wonder the difference between a townhouse and a "townhouse-style" condo. When you own a house, you own the land, the most valuable asset in the bay area. When you own a condo, you don't own the land, you only the "space" above the land. So think about it, if your house is struck and completely destroyed by a meteorite, your ownership of the meteorite ceases when it hits the ground! Better think twice before purchasing that whatever-style condo!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Learning English
I learned some of the unusual (not used daily) terms in English from the strangest places.
(1) booboo (minor scratch or scrapes) - believe it or not, during my internship at the County Coroner's Office
(2) It's not over till the fat lady sing - only place I've ever heard or used it -- playing spades online
(3) Navel (belly button) and tympanic membrane (ear drum) - anatomy class, okay it was a strange place to learn the medical term, the strange thing was I didn't learn the layman terms till way later. And people thought I was being pretentious. :P
(4) yaddi yaddi yadda - Seinfeld, someone once asked in awe, "Did you know that's a Jewish saying?" I guess Seinfeld is Jewish.
Other miscellaneous terms - various sitcoms. Once in a while someone would ask in horror, "Did you know it has __________ connotation?" Heck would I know? I picked it up from a sitcom!
That said, I think the best way to learn common sayings are to ask the people who used it. They either hate you or they don't. Some people just get used to me asking (and explaining to me), others will avoid using what I'd ask altogether (maybe they were being polite?). But I like learning stuff that you don't find in a textbook, so I am going to continue to ask, ask, ask. :D
(1) booboo (minor scratch or scrapes) - believe it or not, during my internship at the County Coroner's Office
(2) It's not over till the fat lady sing - only place I've ever heard or used it -- playing spades online
(3) Navel (belly button) and tympanic membrane (ear drum) - anatomy class, okay it was a strange place to learn the medical term, the strange thing was I didn't learn the layman terms till way later. And people thought I was being pretentious. :P
(4) yaddi yaddi yadda - Seinfeld, someone once asked in awe, "Did you know that's a Jewish saying?" I guess Seinfeld is Jewish.
Other miscellaneous terms - various sitcoms. Once in a while someone would ask in horror, "Did you know it has __________ connotation?" Heck would I know? I picked it up from a sitcom!
That said, I think the best way to learn common sayings are to ask the people who used it. They either hate you or they don't. Some people just get used to me asking (and explaining to me), others will avoid using what I'd ask altogether (maybe they were being polite?). But I like learning stuff that you don't find in a textbook, so I am going to continue to ask, ask, ask. :D
Monday, June 8, 2009
Moola ~ Dinero ~ Money ~ $$$
Dine San Jose is going on this week where 25 participating restaurants have these 3 course preset menus for $20, $30, or $40 per person. Not only did my normally el cheapo Hubby went to dine with me, he also consented to visit up to 4 restaurants with me before the event ends on 6/13!!
Tried AP Stumps yesterday, don't get what the hype was all about. The steak was mediocre; the pork chop was way, way, way too dry. Even the creme brulee was unremarkable. Perhaps they give you the el cheapo stuff for the el cheapo menu. Rest be sure I am not going back there again, ever.
Bella Mia tonight was absolutely amazing. The salad, the RARE filet mignon, the dessert. Yum. It is at times like this that I develop extra appreciation for having a JOB! :D
Tried AP Stumps yesterday, don't get what the hype was all about. The steak was mediocre; the pork chop was way, way, way too dry. Even the creme brulee was unremarkable. Perhaps they give you the el cheapo stuff for the el cheapo menu. Rest be sure I am not going back there again, ever.
Bella Mia tonight was absolutely amazing. The salad, the RARE filet mignon, the dessert. Yum. It is at times like this that I develop extra appreciation for having a JOB! :D
Word of the Week: Limbo
Everything, and I mean literally everything is in limbo this week. And those who knows me will know that I'm not a patient person. This is killing me:-
- Apartment hasn't got back to me with a reasonable offer
- Without an offer, I cannot start seriously looking for another place
- I also need to give 30 days notice
- Can't plan weekend gaming activities unless I know if I am moving
- Work guy was supposed to call me back and still waiting
- Waiting on Hubby's final annual training approval so I can buy ticket to Hawaii and take time off work
- Not sure if vacation plan will interfere with work until I hear from guy
This week's work is Limbo. Tomorrow I am going to get an answer from the apartment peeps one way or another. At least some things I have control over.
***
For those of you who are curious. The cell phone guy never talked on his phone at * 5 AM outside my window again. Wonder why? ;)
- Apartment hasn't got back to me with a reasonable offer
- Without an offer, I cannot start seriously looking for another place
- I also need to give 30 days notice
- Can't plan weekend gaming activities unless I know if I am moving
- Work guy was supposed to call me back and still waiting
- Waiting on Hubby's final annual training approval so I can buy ticket to Hawaii and take time off work
- Not sure if vacation plan will interfere with work until I hear from guy
This week's work is Limbo. Tomorrow I am going to get an answer from the apartment peeps one way or another. At least some things I have control over.
***
For those of you who are curious. The cell phone guy never talked on his phone at * 5 AM outside my window again. Wonder why? ;)
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Because Circular Reasoning Works
Happiest time of my weekend -- posting filler posts with pictures and videos that I "borrowed" from other sources. ^_^
Eh, I guess I should give them credits: Haha.nu
Eh, I guess I should give them credits: Haha.nu
Insane
Quote from this one guy's signature from The Reason Project.
Christianity is the worship of a three-in-one god, born of a virgin that he impregnated himself, who then sacrificed himself on the cross, to himself, to spare his own creation from his own wrath.
So apt that the humanly insane would worship the divinely insane!
I Hate July
For reasons beyond understanding and due to no fault of my own, all life-changing events in my life like to happen in July, the *same* July. Three years ago, July, I quit my job, move, took a trip, and started my new job. Nothing sounded that bad huh? When was the last time you moved? Now imaging throwing in a TRIP in there. Note that we are doing a trip the American way. I say that because I have never heard people saying how they "need a vacation after a vacation" until I've came to this country. Granted, I wasn't a working professional back in HK.
To clarify it a bit, the American-style traveling is: leaving on Friday after work, coming back on Sunday (could be the next Sunday, not necessary the Sunday of the same week) dead tired, and go back to work on Monday.
So my husband, despite my objection due to job changing, insisted on doing a trip to Florida. I was waiting for the offer from the new job and had already told them that I will not be traveling anywhere in the next 6 months, imagine telling them that "except I'll need one week off the first week!" It wasn't the greatest idea. Taking a week off during my two-week's notice also seem sleazy to me. Then, of course, the job offer came, my old boss is going on her vacation 3 days before mine, so I had to squeeze in my two-week's notice (more like 1.5 week) day before she left.
THEN, speaking of when it rain it pours, the landlady called and gave us 30-days notice to move out. Her husband had passed away, and she wanted to sell the house. She was very reasonable, we can take all the time we need, providing that we would allow them to show the place to potential buyers while still living there. Great, that's just what want right? Let's go on a vacation for 7 days while buyer and seller agents AND potential buyers trample all over our house. As luck would have it, we would come back to missing only a TV if we are lucky. (And in general I don't like strangers entering into my house... I doubt many people are okay with that.) So now in addition to trip and job change, we have to find a place AND move.
So the timeline went something like this:
Weekend #1 - apartment hunting
Weekend #2 - move
Weekend #3 - leave on vacation
Weekend #4 - back from vacation
Monday after weekend #4, start new job. It was the Thursday before the trip when I had a melt down. It was the Thursday before the trip that I've decided that we are never doing another "American vacation" again. Thanks God I have a lot more vacation time than my husband. Hahaha.
Why am I going on and on about what happened three years ago? Because the same thing is about to happen again, next month! There may be some career advancement, nothing set in stone yet. Our apartment has kindly given us the offer for the new lease term and obviously grossly underestimated our ability to use the INTERNET because the price they quote us was atrocious comparing to what they are asking on their website -- in the middle of negotiating. And, again, planning on a trip next month.
Is it my astrological sign that is causing this to happen to me???
To clarify it a bit, the American-style traveling is: leaving on Friday after work, coming back on Sunday (could be the next Sunday, not necessary the Sunday of the same week) dead tired, and go back to work on Monday.
So my husband, despite my objection due to job changing, insisted on doing a trip to Florida. I was waiting for the offer from the new job and had already told them that I will not be traveling anywhere in the next 6 months, imagine telling them that "except I'll need one week off the first week!" It wasn't the greatest idea. Taking a week off during my two-week's notice also seem sleazy to me. Then, of course, the job offer came, my old boss is going on her vacation 3 days before mine, so I had to squeeze in my two-week's notice (more like 1.5 week) day before she left.
THEN, speaking of when it rain it pours, the landlady called and gave us 30-days notice to move out. Her husband had passed away, and she wanted to sell the house. She was very reasonable, we can take all the time we need, providing that we would allow them to show the place to potential buyers while still living there. Great, that's just what want right? Let's go on a vacation for 7 days while buyer and seller agents AND potential buyers trample all over our house. As luck would have it, we would come back to missing only a TV if we are lucky. (And in general I don't like strangers entering into my house... I doubt many people are okay with that.) So now in addition to trip and job change, we have to find a place AND move.
So the timeline went something like this:
Weekend #1 - apartment hunting
Weekend #2 - move
Weekend #3 - leave on vacation
Weekend #4 - back from vacation
Monday after weekend #4, start new job. It was the Thursday before the trip when I had a melt down. It was the Thursday before the trip that I've decided that we are never doing another "American vacation" again. Thanks God I have a lot more vacation time than my husband. Hahaha.
Why am I going on and on about what happened three years ago? Because the same thing is about to happen again, next month! There may be some career advancement, nothing set in stone yet. Our apartment has kindly given us the offer for the new lease term and obviously grossly underestimated our ability to use the INTERNET because the price they quote us was atrocious comparing to what they are asking on their website -- in the middle of negotiating. And, again, planning on a trip next month.
Is it my astrological sign that is causing this to happen to me???
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Significance of June 4
One day my husband randomly said that, "I am becoming more Asian," over some very bizarre (totally NON-Asian thing). Regardless, unless he understands the significance of June 4, he is definitely not becoming more Asian (well, Chinese).
Web-savvy & cynical: China's youth since Tiananmen - Yahoo! News
For those of us who had "lived through" June 4, albeit in the far away land called the US of A, it is very sad to see the new generation in China growing up without the slightest idea of what it is about.
Web-savvy & cynical: China's youth since Tiananmen - Yahoo! News
For those of us who had "lived through" June 4, albeit in the far away land called the US of A, it is very sad to see the new generation in China growing up without the slightest idea of what it is about.
"Young kids like us are maybe just more into popular entertainment like Korean soap operas. ... Very few people really care about that other stuff," says Lucifer, before mounting the stage at a Beijing club to belt out "Rock 'N Roll for Money and Sex."The China government had obviously done an awesome job in keeping the new generation apathetic about politics. But can we blame the young today? After all, nobody likes to live in political upheavals by choice (except perhaps for a few lunatics and power mongers). In the end, what do us peasants/peons want? Stability in life -- a cozy job, financial stability, raising a family. In the era when the quality of live continues to improve in China, why would anything even think about risking all they have for a political reform?Tiananmen veterans read the reaction as apathy and lament it.
"All those magnificent ideals have been replaced by the practical pursuit of self-centered comforts," says Bao Tong, former secretary to Zhao Ziyang, the Communist Party leader deposed for sympathizing with the 1989 protesters. "The leaders today don't want young people to think."
According to Bao, 76, China's youth are in the arms of the government being fed candy. They could continue this way if the economy remains strong and the government distributes wealth more equitably, he says, but he doesn't think either is likely.
...Wu contends that China's youth know more than they let on, and while they tend to be fiercely proud of their country they are also highly critical of their government. He calls them "a double-edged sword with no handle," because their opinions cut in many directions and are not guided by any single ideology or organization.
Xiaoguang, the boy born that June 4, bears out the theory. He criticizes the United States for the "inadequate apology" it made after a mid-air collision between an American spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet in 2001. He is angry at CNN for allegedly exaggerating Chinese military brutality against Tibetan rioters last year. Both views parrot the government. Later though, he scoffs at classmates keen to join the Communist Party and grouses about corruption.
His convictions are worn loosely, like a fashion, and have not translated into action. Like many Chinese people today, he appears satisfied with his hobbies, pop culture and other distractions.
It's Cold Cash, Not Cold Feet
After a long time of griping to my husband about never sending me links to interesting article that he read, finally he sent me something. Although receiving a link to this particular topic (about China) from my White husband is very odd.
Surplus of Bachelors Spurs Scam in China - WSJ.com
It's interesting how the article only mentioned the government's population control policy, but not Chinese's unnatural preference for boys. And naturally, the top few feedbacks to the article (I could only sustain my attention span to read the first 10 or so) blamed the problem on the population control policy and few that that grooms' families are the victims. The population control policy could not have single-handedly created the problem of a surplus of bachelors. The natural birth ratio of females to males are 53:47 (it's not just my bias to believe that females are the better of the two genders ;). Okay, even if you don't know that particular statistics, you should still assume that a natural population should consist of 50:50 male/female ratio, barring any wars that killed a lot of men. A better question to ask is: What happened to the girls? Some were abandoned (and get adopted to US), others were not so fortunate. Much as my friend B would want to bite my head off for saying this, I am a strong supporter of population control policies, we desperately need that in US. It is the male-loving culture that is the true center of the problem. And this is a great lesson -- lots and lots of bachelor without any single females (HAHAHA). This is evolution looking down at you and laughing. Perhaps the 30 bachelors can turn GAY in order to experience coital pleasure!
Surplus of Bachelors Spurs Scam in China - WSJ.com
It's interesting how the article only mentioned the government's population control policy, but not Chinese's unnatural preference for boys. And naturally, the top few feedbacks to the article (I could only sustain my attention span to read the first 10 or so) blamed the problem on the population control policy and few that that grooms' families are the victims. The population control policy could not have single-handedly created the problem of a surplus of bachelors. The natural birth ratio of females to males are 53:47 (it's not just my bias to believe that females are the better of the two genders ;). Okay, even if you don't know that particular statistics, you should still assume that a natural population should consist of 50:50 male/female ratio, barring any wars that killed a lot of men. A better question to ask is: What happened to the girls? Some were abandoned (and get adopted to US), others were not so fortunate. Much as my friend B would want to bite my head off for saying this, I am a strong supporter of population control policies, we desperately need that in US. It is the male-loving culture that is the true center of the problem. And this is a great lesson -- lots and lots of bachelor without any single females (HAHAHA). This is evolution looking down at you and laughing. Perhaps the 30 bachelors can turn GAY in order to experience coital pleasure!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Meaning of Life
This girl from FriendFeed (and if you are reading, that's you, Lo) was asking in our discussion forum about suggestions to what can get her out of the bed in the morning. I don't know. Much as I think being alive is totally overrated, you just don't tell people to "give up." But what do you tell an atheist, who does not believe in a soul or afterlife, what is the meaning of it all?
That said, the religious concept is also strange. I believe that life, for the most part, is meaningless and that a big part of religions is to give people something to look forward to -- the afterlife. Ah, so you see the problem there -- if afterlife is all the glory, why not go there sooner? So the creator of various religions, or denominations thereof, also build into the believe system that taking away one's own life is not allowed. It'll disqualify you at entering the door of Heaven. Let's just pretend for a moment that that is true, so instead of focusng on the present these people are focusing in the future? That this current life that we have is not as important, as long as we can just squeeze by, and only what comes after matter? Is that messed up or what? And, even if that is true, I don't see how spending eternity with the Creator is all the hype!
That said, the religious concept is also strange. I believe that life, for the most part, is meaningless and that a big part of religions is to give people something to look forward to -- the afterlife. Ah, so you see the problem there -- if afterlife is all the glory, why not go there sooner? So the creator of various religions, or denominations thereof, also build into the believe system that taking away one's own life is not allowed. It'll disqualify you at entering the door of Heaven. Let's just pretend for a moment that that is true, so instead of focusng on the present these people are focusing in the future? That this current life that we have is not as important, as long as we can just squeeze by, and only what comes after matter? Is that messed up or what? And, even if that is true, I don't see how spending eternity with the Creator is all the hype!
Ding Ding Gate II
Besides whether he gets me or not, the Ding Ding Gate also served a second purpose -- it's a great test as to whether he'll make a quality mate. You see, the biggest different (the definition) between a male and a female is the size of our gametes (eggs and sperms). A man can produce 2 million sperms at one time, and a female can only produce once a month, and for a very limited time. A man can impregnate a woman within minutes and move on; and a woman has to first spend 10 months carrying the baby to term, then raise it for a lengthy period of time. It is therefore more important for a female to be choosy... soon, I'll get to my point.
The light rail is NOT a freight train; it only takes a few minutes to pass, only a potential Darwin Award winner will be dumb enough to try to outrun a light rail train as the gates are coming down. Had he ran the gate at any given point in time, it's a very good indication to NOT REPRODUCE WITH THIS MAN'S GENES IN MY OFFSPRING. Can you imagine? Nineteen years of hard work (18 years of upbringing + 1 year of pregnancy), only so my child can be hit and killed by a train, due to nobody but his own fault! The hubby has, of course, never attempted to out run the light rail. :D The litmus test has been passed.
The light rail is NOT a freight train; it only takes a few minutes to pass, only a potential Darwin Award winner will be dumb enough to try to outrun a light rail train as the gates are coming down. Had he ran the gate at any given point in time, it's a very good indication to NOT REPRODUCE WITH THIS MAN'S GENES IN MY OFFSPRING. Can you imagine? Nineteen years of hard work (18 years of upbringing + 1 year of pregnancy), only so my child can be hit and killed by a train, due to nobody but his own fault! The hubby has, of course, never attempted to out run the light rail. :D The litmus test has been passed.
The Ding Ding Gate
Okay, the hubby has been complaining about no updates, so I better write something. I'll start with the story of the "Ding Ding Gate."
It'd appear that people like to ask "When do I know him/her is the right one?" Or is that just another one of those Hollywood stereotype? Assume people do like to ask this question, I'd say one of the many reasons is: "That he or she just gets you."
Many years ago I lived by the light rail (must cross everyday to go to and from work). Every time there's a light rail train coming, lights will go off and the gates will come down, stopping traffic from both sides. In case you miss the flashing red lights (you'll be surprised), it is also accompanied by this "ding ding ding ding ding" sound, just in case you are blind.
So I was retelling a story once and sometimes, as a ESL (English as second language) speaker, the right words don't necessarily come to mind immediately, I referred to the gate as the "ding ding gate." My roommate/ex-boyfriend for years asked me, "What is a 'ding ding gate'?" But my now-husband, then new boyfriend naturally knew what I was referring to. He is, therefore, Mr. Right. ;)
It'd appear that people like to ask "When do I know him/her is the right one?" Or is that just another one of those Hollywood stereotype? Assume people do like to ask this question, I'd say one of the many reasons is: "That he or she just gets you."
Many years ago I lived by the light rail (must cross everyday to go to and from work). Every time there's a light rail train coming, lights will go off and the gates will come down, stopping traffic from both sides. In case you miss the flashing red lights (you'll be surprised), it is also accompanied by this "ding ding ding ding ding" sound, just in case you are blind.
So I was retelling a story once and sometimes, as a ESL (English as second language) speaker, the right words don't necessarily come to mind immediately, I referred to the gate as the "ding ding gate." My roommate/ex-boyfriend for years asked me, "What is a 'ding ding gate'?" But my now-husband, then new boyfriend naturally knew what I was referring to. He is, therefore, Mr. Right. ;)
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