Disneyland

For those of you who know me well, you know that I'm a big Disneyland fan. That said, I'm strictly a Disney park fan. I don't own or wear Disney t-shirts, hats, and jackets, and don't have a Mickey Mouse paraphernalia or DVD collection. I mean, I can barely muster the patience to sit through a full length animation film.

Google "Disneyland fan" and see how whacky it gets. Many of us Disney fans in our later 30's share a common bond. We didn't grow up with the internet and CDs. When we needed information for a book report, we went to libraries studied the dewey decimal system. We can recall the A-E paper tickets and the dire difficulty of deciding which E ticket ride to go on: Pirates of the Caribbean or the Jungle Cruise. Tarzan's Treehouse was the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. By the way, this was my favorite attraction as a child, as well as the now defunct Submarine. Thankfully, it will re-submerge in the summer of 2007!

In this picture below, you can see my younger brother and I enjoying a chocolate Sees lollipop We're at the Disneyland hotel. It must have been around 1974; I was four and my brother was two. We were on our first trip to Disneyland with our parents and grandparents. I can still actually remember some things about that trip...

I am lucky to have such wonderful memories of family trips to Disneyland. My grandparents and parents spoiled us rotten. We were lucky to have the full Disney experience many times before we became cynical teenagers.

Since this picture was taken, we returned as a family to the park in 1976 (Anaheim) and 1985 (Tokyo). Over the years, I visited Disneyland with high school friends, college friends, girlfriends, and with my brother after college. In 1995, and against the wishes of my then girlfriend, I visited Paris Disney. As a French person, she couldn't understand that I'd take a whole day out to run around in a place she called "a kingdom made of bubblegum" (rough translation). Whatever. Needless to say, it did not have the "Disney" feel to it, but I enjoyed it just the same.

My dream job when I was younger was to join the Imagineer team. My dream was to design and conceptualize new rides. I even had an idea for a whole new "land" to add to the park. Unfortunately, I quickly learned in junior high school and high school that math and science was not my thing.

Well, maybe I don't necessarily need to be an Imagineer. All I want to know is what the overall architecture of Pirates of the Caribbean looks like. How is that building built? How many levels does it house? Are there backlot breakrooms behind the big scenes?

All of this Disney nostalgia has come about because Cappy and I have made plans to take my niece and nephew to Disneyland later this Spring. They have both been to Tokyo Disneyland (and the accompanying Disney Sea) a few times, but they both haven't been to the Anaheim Disneyland for a long while--I'm talking pre-Winnie the Pooh and the new Autopia. And this is the first time we're traveling with the kids.

This upcoming trip is nearly exciting to me as the first time I ascended the escalator at Châtelet-Les-Halles in 1994. I guess this says a lot about where I am in my life. Does that mean I'm finally turning the corner on the kid bit? Perhaps...

The best thing now is that both kids are taller than 40" which means they can ride on almost anything. Also, if you could see all the emails flying back with my brother and sister-in-law, you wouldn't be able to tell who is more excited--the aunties or the kids?

I Love Sushi

Feast your eyes on chirashi sushi, agedashi tofu, and garlic calamari from Bellevue, Washington's, "I Love Sushi." We all shared the calamari and tofu. My parents had tempura and my niece and nephew shared a "Caterpillar Roll." My brother had an amazing tofu steak and my sister-in-law enjoyed....I can't remember. Some kind of sushi roll maybe?

You'd think there'd be an abundance of quality Japanese restaurants where I'm currently living. Sadly, there is not. A co-worker told me that near authentic restaurants can be found in San Mateo, but I have yet to explore that area...

Seattle, or I should say the Eastside (Bellevue/Redmond), is becoming decidedly similar to many other American urban cities. The live/work lofts are invading towns; Walgreens, Jamba Juice, and Crate and Barrels are following you everywhere you go. Rather than Pacific NW restaurants, there are Ruth's Chris Steakhouses (what does this name even mean??), PF Changs, and the overrated Cheesecake Factory's all over. Ugh.

Needless to say, I did re-realise how much I love the Pacific Northwest. I love the cool crisp air and the lovely shades of green everywhere. And the great Japanese restaurants!

I've just re-read this entry (about 30 min. after having written the top bit) and have noticed a quirky habit of mine. Ever since I was able to write, I've recorded nearly everything in my life. Weird unimportant things and big things. I was apparently an early follower of Joan Didion's claim, "We write to experience life twice. Once in the moment and once more in retrospect." This is not verbatim, but you get the picture.

Also, and perhaps neurotically--from my earliest diaries to every travel journal I've ever written, I recorded what everyone has eaten. From family trips to Japan, to summers in Hilo, I had nearly every dinner recorded. Maybe not everyday, but at least 3 out of any given week.

Typical journal entry from 4th grade: "Today I saw Brad playing kickball. In class, we watched a movie about colonial life. I went home and practiced piano. We ate meatloaf and rice and salad. I helped mom do the dishes." (Brad = my big crush of 4th grade)

I'm not sure why I did this. I still do it, to an extent. There has to be some comfort in knowing what I ate in Paris on New Years Eve 2005? Maybe. Why do I feel compelled to record meals? Well, not every meal. Just certain ones during certain times in my life.

I once imagined what it would be like to record your entire being. Say, if you had amnesia and "forgot" your entire life. How much could one record to recall their former life, personality, habits, hobbies, etc. ? My "life recording" would have weird entries that I'd ponder in my post-amnesiac state. "You never eat pork but you enjoy the occasional hot dog or prosciutto. You have a pathological fear of holes and you prefer dog people to actual dogs." What the hell?? Would i like the one I've recorded, would I be able to relate to myself or even make sense of the "old" me? I often think of this on my drive in to work. I have no idea why.

Anyway, back to the recording food bit. A few months ago, Cappy and I stopped into Cody's Bookstore in the city. I found a book published by a guy who photographed everything he ate for one year. Everything. Every snack, breakfast, and hungover late night meal. Now that's taking it a bit too far. Then I realised there are copious blogs on this same topic. To do this for myself would be not only uninteresting, but absolutely frightening.

In my mind, recording things I've eaten in writing is not the same as a photo journal of everything. Maybe it's a bit OCD. I don't think so.

I'm a nut.

Renegade

Can you guess what is going on in this picture?

You're looking at an animal escape simulation drill at a Tokyo zoo.

The mini can (car + van) is attempting to head off the "renegade ape." Now here's an important question: would the zebra stripes actually confuse or amuse a real ape? In any case, you know a lot of thought went into that paint job. The vehicle probably bears a special mark, "To be used expressly for animal escape drills."

Not to worry though--the ape was successfully apprehended by a lethal, yet virtual shot from a tranquilizer gun.

I am certain that this drill warranted an opening and closing ceremony with appropriate aisatsus. Was the renegade ape sent off with hearty "banzai" cheers? And how about the selection process for the ape... Surely it was deemed too "dangerous" for a woman. I'm certain that the "ape" had to go through some semi-rigorous warm up drills, both before and after his "escape."

What is even funnier is that this ape apparently frightened the hell out of a few children. I've since lost the article, but the look on the children's faces was priceless. It was not a look of horror--for the ape was clearly nothing like a live mammal. Rather, the look of horror was probably due to the horrific face that was created.

It was constructed with what looked like felt in various earth tones. The eyebrows were heavy and severe. The mouth was drawn from a disfigured clown with a demonic grin. Spooky. Definitely spookier than a real ape.

Poor children.

School

It's official. I am now a doctoral candidate student. The road from, "I'm thinking of applying to graduate school, " to "All of my application materials have been submitted," to "I've been accepted" has been pretty fierce. Months of waiting, doubt, and despair. It hasn't sunken in quite yet, but the celebration began last night. I'll be whittling away my free time and embarking on 3-5 years of slog starting Fall 2007.

Why? Why now? For all the cons, there are a million pros.

Specifically, the sentiment from this quote:
"Is the life I'm living the life that wants to live in me?" -Parker Palmer

Cubicles are not normal environments for humans. And technology is like fruit--gorgeous but unreliable. You never know if that gleeming apple is going to be crunchy, mushy, or housing a worm. It's just not my passion.

I want to live.

GD

Laurent Manrique of Aqua is an international playboy with extra flair when it comes to inventive French/Asian cuisine. Each dish arrives spectacularly dressed with white gold cufflinks and Manolo Blahnik slingbacks. One leaves an Aqua dining experienced refreshed, inspired, and enchanted.

Gary Danko however, is your quiet unassuming uncle who once made a mini art deco table/chair out of a soda bottle cap and wire. The ambiance of his restaurant recalls the comfortable feeling of watching Little House on the Prairie DVDs--you're awashed with a feeling of indulging yourself with a tried and true classic, unpretentious, and wholesome. Sitting in the mirrored dining room, images of the homes of nearby patrons flashed into my mind: their dark wooden staircases, beds with 2000 thread-count sheets, with lighting and decor comparable to the dining room itself.

The service was impeccable as one would expect from a restaurant listed as a Relais au Chateaux establishment. The feeling was very adult Disneyland--from the clean cut staff with their polished and rehearsed repartee, and as many smiles that one encounters at the floating market in Thailand. Or in Thailand in general. The atmosphere is festive--about 6 people were celebrating birthdays in our area of the dining room, including yours truly. I half-expected a banner to float along the ceiling "Welcome to the Happiest Dining Room on Earth!"

Typical dialogue:

Customer: "I'd like to try four courses"

Note:
Gary Danko allows patrons to select 3-5 courses. You can mix and match to allow for 1 appetizer and 3 main dishes, 3 appetizers and one dessert, etc.

GD waiter: Excellent!

Customer: "I'll go with the trio of créme brulée with cookies, blueberry French toast with maple syrup emulsion and salted almond ice cream, pineapple upside down milk cake with walnut streusel and burnt caramel ice cream, and baked chocolate soufflé with two sauces. And I'd like them all at the same time. And also, the a.c. is quite strong in this corner..."

GD waiter: Absolutely! Most excellent choices, just brilliant! I'll bring over a pashmina shawl to drape over your shoulders. (said in a rapturous yet controlled tizzy)

Before I list the dishes we enjoyed, I'd like to state that Mr. Danko has the best pastry chef in town, if not North America.

Cappy:
Seared Ahi Tuna with Avocado, Nori, Enoki Mushrooms and Lemon Soy
Roast Maine Lobster with Abalone Mushrooms, Edamame Beans
Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Spaghetti Squash, Cipollini Onions, Sour Cherries and Almonds
Trio of Créme Brulée with Cookies

Me: (Winter Tasting Menu)
Glazed Oysters with Osetra Caviar, Salsify and Lettuce Cream
Horseradish Crusted Salmon Medallion with Dilled Cucumbers
Guinea Hen Breast and Confit Leg with Cornbread Pudding, Brussels Sprouts and Quince
A Selection of Farmhouse and Artisanal Cheeses Presented Tableside
Baked Chocolate Soufflé with Two Sauces

It was a phenomenal experience. We left with hearty greetings, a morning muffin (pineapple upside down cake), and a signed copy of the menu.

Hats off to Cappy for this wonderful birthday dinner!

Lists

Because I feel unoriginal yet inspired, here are some lists a la Tyra Banks.

Favorite Breeds of Dogs:
(even though I'm allergic and prefer dog people to actual dogs)

1. Pugs
2. Corgies
3. Shih-Tzus
4. Daschunds--the sweet ones that don't bark
5. Papillons

Favorite Desserts:

1. Itsu's Ice Shave (Hilo, Hawai'i)
2. Cafe 100's Peach/Pineapple Turnover (also Hilo)
3. Nestle's Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Hazelnut Gelato
5. Fresh Strawberry Shortcake

Things that make me happy:

1. Drawings from my niece and nephew
2. Knowing I've made a difference in the lives of my students
3. Cappy's deep belly laugh
4. Emails and "talking story" with my mom
5. Working out at the gym
6. Onekahakaha Beach with my niece, nephew, and Cappy
7. These words/phrases: "Fax Successful" "Yes!" "Receiving message" "Meeting Cancelled" "Your reservation is confirmed" "This is not a bill" "

Favorite All-Time Songs:
(a few of many...)

1. The Unforgettable Fire- U2
2. Where's the Ocean -Toni Childs
3. Perfect Circle-REM
4. Island of Life-Kitaro
5. Question of Lust-Depeche Mode
6. In this Heart-Sinead O'Connor
7. Over and Over-Morcheeba
8. Song to the Siren-This Mortal Coil
9. Marlene Dietrich's Favorite Poem-Peter Murphy

Guilty Pleasures:

1. Star, In Touch, and Us and me--uninterrupted on the couch by the window
2. Spa Chair pedicures
3. Vh-1's Behind the Music
4. True Crime on screen or in print
5. Costco samples--even though I KNOW what an English Muffin tastes like...
6. Listening to DeBarge, the Jets, and Klymaxx at work.

More lists to come. Or maybe not.

Todd

It's been a long while. So long in fact that I've nearly forgotten that I have a blog. As of late, and as usual these days, I can't be asked to spend recreational time on the computer apart from work. My diary is not online, things have been hectic, and I've been forgetting to jot down potential entries. And also toss in a cold/flu that has lapsed and relapsed more times than necessary.

A bit of a catch up then?

As you know, and if you don't-- i'm still mired in the world of educational technology. I remain the dispassionate one about pastries as i swirl about in my day-to-day world of baked goods. That said, I have have learned why Microsoft's Vista is clever yet vindictive, and why the ADDIE Model and Rapid Prototype Development may become a part of my daily vocabulary. Good times indeed.

Thankfully, I have tossed many other bean bags in up the air... and some due to for landing any time now : )

And I'm not to thrilled to report that the Tubular One is now no longer a senior citizen. According to her vet, she's now geriatric. I've been contemplating the purchase of the book, Older Dogs for Dummies to help her deal with her challenges. The spark in her eye has dimmed, but she still hobbles around on her constant search for baby carrots. From the way she keeps her nose to the ground, I'm not convinced she believes that her bc's actually come from the refrigerator.

I've devoured these two films in the past week or so: Jesus Camp and Devil's Playground

In a recent past life, I must have been a religious fanatic. I feel that I was isolated geographically and emotionally from the outside world. Kept away from things and shunned from others. One who lived and breathed dogma, pleats, and pastels. Maybe I ate copious amounts of jello mold and smiled at people I didn't like? There's no other explanation for my recent Christian coalition of film.

I am fascinated by the ways and ideas that overly govern lives. I certainly believe that a higher power gives strength and is a spiritual compass, and is a code of conduct, etc. But it rings highly untrue for me. Yet, the lifestyles of the fanatic utterly fascinate me, albeit from a double glass window perspective.

Thus, I am certain of the strenuous imprisonment that I must have faced in a recent past life. Since I was young, I've had an aversion to any/all types of commitment. Identity, politics, sexuality, geography, religion, awareness--you name it. For my sins, I'll be born into a tightly knit Mennonite community. Then in my next, you'll certainly find me running guns and girls for the Lord.

Oh and I have to mention Top Design. My hairstylist/drag queen Scott claims that another interior design show was much better Top Design. Let me just say that I'd watch anything hosted by Todd Oldham. He is the cutest design nerd, like the boy I used to have a crush on in junior high school. What is it about this man? His misshapen hair and smile? His cartoon-like voice? His sincerity? His hipster downtown clown fashion?

I want Todd to be my best friend. I want to take him shopping, I want to invite him to my dinner parties, and meet him for happy hour after work on Fridays. The show is itself is OK, the contestants are boring, and the judges aren't that exciting either. But, with a host like Todd Oldham, it doesn't matter. He so totally rocks.

Sushi

What you see here is the beginnings of a multicultural sushi party--part Iron Chef, part birthday party... Add a few bottles of sake, edamame hijiki salad, squid, miso soup, wasabi peas, ice cold Sapporo and a few good friends, and you've got a raucous dinner event.

It was absolutely intoxicating and I'm not even speaking of the fermented beverages. The sushi rolls last night were easily much better than any restaurant in the greater Oakland/Berkeley vicinity.

The multicultural aspect was represented by a few interesting rolls: Leslie's South of the Border Burrito roll, Lorrie's Kolohe roll, my Korean roll, Cappy's Chop Suey Roll, TA's S.E. Asia roll, and so on....

Other things:

-Though most of us couldn't feel our extremities, we managed to find things to keep us warm in South Lake Tahoe last weekend. Notably, we found solace in a drink called the "Toasted Drop" at a bar called 19 on the top floor of Harvey's casino. If you don't know what i'm talking about, or haven't been there, you should definitely check it out.

-I recently attended a JET (Japanese Exchange Teaching) Alumni Shinnenkai dinner for those ex-JETs in the Bay Area. Most of the ex-JETs were in their 20's--they either just returned or had been back in the States for a few years. The dinner was at a San Mateo restaurant called, Chika. They are known for, or should be known for their Japanese spaghetti, croquette, and seafood gratin. I can't wait to go back to Chika, preferably very soon.

When I was a JET in Fukushima-ken, it was before the time the internet was widely used. I talked to someone about how it would have been great to have had the technology that exists today. Rather than instantaneous emails, IM chats, and things like Skype, I actually hand wrote many letters and on occasion-- dragged the Board of Ed's waapuro home on my bike. For photos, I snapped them on my small shoe size Olympus camera. When the roll was shot, I walked it to a photo shop who then printed out my photos for me to collect a week later. When I wanted to speak to my family, we tried to shoot for once every other week.

I wouldn't say being technology insufficient was really that much of an inconvenience. I mean, would I have really taken advantage of all the things that I got into in my small town?

My town, Nozawa, could be best described as a one 7-11 town. When I got my paycheck--I trundled over to the local hardware/Target-like shop. I'd plunk down cash for rubber boots, and trivets that I didn't need. I spent hours volunteering at the local nursing home--which was probably better spent than surfing the internet and chatting with friends back home. I read books from cover to cover. I greeted elementary school students who'd show up at my door with Pocari Sweat, bags of chips and snacks, and coloring books. I spent time with my good friend Chieko at her bar, the AC Club. This restaurant/bar could have been in the middle of Osaka. They had a wonderful Italian menu and Guinness on top. To this day, I still miss the AC Club's special-- Spicy Italian seafood spaghetti. Perfectly cooked pasta, spicy shrimp, fish, and squid and a shared bottle of Beaujolais (an Aizu favorite) with Chieko afterwards...

I hope to visit Nozawa again at some point this year, or next. As for the sushi party, I'm thinking that should be a weekly event. OK, monthly.

January

Happy New Year! I've been awful about posting in the last few months. Mostly because I can't be asked to get back on a computer after spending nearly all day typing, uploading, and editing at work. I see that it's been a few weeks since my last posting, and nothing appears for 2007. Sad.

Latest:

-Magic. Cappy got me a beginner magic set--yes, a real magic set. I won't be slicing anyone in half, but I am now able to pull off some basic card tricks. I've always had skewed visions of becoming the first queer Korean/Japanese-American street magician. If you didn't know this about me, we've clearly got to catch up. Will I perform for friends and co-workers? Highly unlikely. Will I be the coolest magic Auntie to my niece and nephew? Mostly definitely. Will I have given up this magic thing by my next blog posting? Perhaps...

-A friend and I were discussing the joys of being Asian-American in suburban American public schools. First music ever bought? Me: The Xanadu cassette soundtrack. Her: J.Geils Band. Favorite fashion? Esprit--essentially, Garanimals for pre-teens. Shared wonderment: When we look through our old yearbooks, we noticed something similar. The raccoon eyed-big hair-rocker girls still look like they're about 25 years old. Why is that?

-Cappy has secured reservations at Gary Danko for my birthday! I'm very excited. By the way, I share my birthday with Chris Martin of Coldplay, the new James Bond, Karen Carpenter, Lou Reed, Jon Bon Jovi, and Dr. Seuss.

-I've finally submitted everything for my grad school application. Thankfully, Jonathan Cainer says that just a bit more patience is required and I do not have to defer gratification for too long. An arbitrary reading, but one that gives me a bit of comfort.

There are a bunch of other things I'd like to write about, but it seems we're about to be going... We're heading to South Lake Tahoe very soon. I'm hoping it won't be a 5+ hour crawl up a slippery slope. For as much as I'm looking forward to gliding over powder, I'm also looking forward to a racuous roadtrip with some good friends.

Whirlwind

Have you ever felt that you've lived a year in two weeks? Or something close to that? The past few weeks have been a whirlwind and the reason why I haven't been posting recently. Here are some of the things that have kept me away from my computer:

Hilo comes to Oakland:
The cheery Libra-Army Horse with the bling, the charming tropical storm, the woman of every hour, the social butterfly with more friends than Oprah, the Tubular One's new best friend, a.k.a. my mom--was here for a visit earlier in November. Her visits are always like protracted slumber parties with Diet Pepsi. Our friends were treated to her colorful stories and infectious laughter. I remember growing up how I always felt that my friends found my mom a lot more fun than me. But thankfully now I can stand back and admire her without anger or jealousy. She has the ability to engage people in a disarming way, can charm anyone, and can probably sell grains of sand to a lifeguard at Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore.

The visit was somewhat bittersweet however. My aunt and her daughter also were in town from Hilo--which is one of the reasons my mom came to Oakland. For as fun as it was, we were also very sad about my aunt's diagnosis of ALS. The good news is that my aunt is now being treated for the early stages and is surrounded by wonderful friends like my mom and her family. What has been amazing is that friends and co-workers have come forward with information I never knew. A co-worker told me that her grandmother was diagnosed with ALS at age 70. My good friend wrote me an email about how she worked for a ALS physician at the University of Chicago. Another friend is going to let me know about the current ALS stem cell research at UCSD. I've been learning so much.

Ayame Kai:
Ayame Kai is the annual Holiday Bazaar at the Buddhist church in Seattle. For over five years, my mom has been peddling her Hawaii-made goods at this fair of sorts. If you've seen her o-musubi towels, you know what I'm talking about. For me, Ayame Kai means heavy lifting at 7.30 a.m. (unloading the truck in the rain), and putting on my happy face from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Last year, Cappy modelled a dress, which drew a big crowd. Unfortunately, this year Cappy was sidelined after a long business trip in Miami.

What is Ayame Kai like? Imagine swarms of Japanese-American ladies with silver and purple hair reaching and grabbing for towels, t-shirts, and purses. They turn our booth/table into a feeding frenzy--kind of like koi fish at feeding time. The morning hours of 10-12 pass like minutes. We sell and sell, ladies stop to chat with my mom, we trip over each other reaching for the cash box, we help three people at a time... It's a situation. Now here's the unfortunate bit of this year. Usually, the church sells bento boxes--rice, teriyaki chicken wings, and tsukemono. This year, the cooks were on strike due to an inter-church misunderstanding. By the time I went to the food concessions a little after noon, all that was left was mochi, brownies, and snickerdoodles. No spam musubi, no curry rice, no fried saimin. We lunched on Diet Pepsi and crumbly cookies.

Las Vegas
Family members from the Big Island and Kauai crashed into downtown Las Vegas for a long weekend of wedding frivolity. We were stationed at the Main Street hotel. It felt like the lost red light district of Honolulu with saimin and spam musubi. The wedding was in an ultra chic "chapel" at the Mandalay Bay hotel. The reception was at the Venetian. The best part of the downtown Hawaii-Vegas experience was the ability to get portuguese sausage, eggs, and rice for breakfast with side orders of kim chee and poke. And for some reason, I always tend to win big with dealers wearing Aloha shirts.

Beatles Love/Cirque du Soleil
All I can say is "Wow." I got tickets for Cappy and I, and also treated my parents for their birthdays. If you don't know about this show, it might be because it only opened in June of 2006, so it is fairly new. Apparently there are 6500+ speakers in the space that seats 2000.

I've not been a huge Beatles fan in my life. I mean, I've appreciated them and can sing along to many of their popular songs but I never would called myself a fan. Not anymore. I often thought the Beatles were overrated, but I realised that I only thought that because they've been over-exposed. The original recordings snapped and buzzed as if we were right in the recording studio. The version of "Strawberry Fields" and the mash up involving my "A Day in the Life" brought me to tears, literally. It was gorgeous.

We sat in the lower orchestra seats just near the side stage. My dad, who generally sleeps in anything from Shakespeare to weddings was very much awake. He kept pointing and saying, "Hey look there! Look over here! Wow, look at that puppet!" It was very endearing. After the show, my mom told me that the music brought her back to the days when her and my dad were dating. And now 40+ years later, they're still together.

I think the best part about the Beatles Love show was the anticipation. We knew we were in for a treat, but had no idea what to expect. It was really a transformative experience, at least for me. I developed a new love for the music and a creative bug. Or so I wish. At various points during the show, I kept thinking that I'd love to quit my job and concentrate 24/7 on a new skill like the cloud swing or the tissus. How many people concentrate on one skill for years and years?

I've not been able to mention the Bridal Shower or the trip to Chuck E. Cheese with the niece and nephew. Both of these warrent separate entries, for obvious reasons.

I'm off in search of ginger crab for you know who. The effort to dismantle a crustacean is infuriating. So much effort for so little reward.

Hummer

True story:

My brother and sister-in-law took the kids to McDonald's last week. This is not a regular thing, but a once in a while special treat.

All was fine until our nephew Ryan opened up his Happy Meal. He was not too thrilled with the toy. Not at all pleased. You see, his last Happy Meal offered up a 3-inch Hummer. This time he wasn't as "fortunate." On this grisly day, he received an ugly Ronald McDonald doll for his sins.

He wasn't going to take this sitting down. Not this Aries-Dragon boy. Apparently, he then walked up to the counter and pleasantly asked if he could get a Hummer toy instead. "Oh I'm sorry," the young woman at the counter cooed, "We gave out Hummers last month. We have a different prize this month."

Unsatisfied with this response, but anger in check, he then boldly asked, "Can I talk to your manager?" Oh, yeah, have I mentioned that Ryan celebrated his 6th birthday last April?

At this point, my brother noticed that Ryan had been gone for over five minutes. As he walked up to the front counter, he found Ryan was gazing up at a tall man wearing a brown tie. Clearly, the manager. He was calmly explaining the Happy Meal toy policy to a very attentive little boy.

Satisfied with the answer, Ryan smiled politely and said energetically, "Thank you!"

Now, I'm not sure I would have been so bold to ask to talk to a manager of any kind, at age 12, much less six. Ryan has an unapologetic savvy confidence about him that I don't always see in many adults, much less other six year olds! What a funny kid.

And what weekend with kids is complete without a trip to Chuck E. Cheese, a.k.a., Germapalooza? We braved the Pachinko parlor-like bells and whistles, flashing lights, the rodents of unusual size singing and playing air guitar in the "Pizza Time Theater," and kids running all over the place. It was our niece's 9th birthday. Ayu and Ryan loved it.

I was thinking of things that I would loved, if only they came around sooner in my life. Chuck E. Cheese, Toys R Us, a new water slide at the Kona Surf Hotel, and McDonald's Playland came on the scene when I was 12. Though my brother was in heaven, I felt cheated. I was just beyond the age when things like that would have been thrilling.

Actually, my first memory of McDonald's Playland was a bit painful. My grandparents took us to the newly remodeled McDonald's in Kailua-Kona for breakfast. We usually stopped there before our long drive back to Hilo on the other side of the Big Island. I guess I was a bit over zealous and somehow got myself stuck in the "Hamburglar" Tower. Jesus Christ. It took a bit of relaxation, flexibility, and pre-teen meditation to get out of that iron contraption.

Technology brings a whole new world to kids these days. I remember being excited with Intellivision. Black and white Atari asteroids no longer held its appeal. After Intellivision, there was no going back...

Computer games for kids are insane these days. My niece is able to purchase, name, decorate, train, feed, clothe, and jump Arabian horses. Ryan grips a realistic racing steer wheel and races through the desert, city, and highway. It's like their imagination is worked out for them already--all they have to do is go out an experience click and scroll. Well, that's probably not true, but it seems that way.

This past Sunday night, my niece had to create a poster of her heritage. I was shocked and amazed to watch her gather and print out her research in less than 20 minutes. She's amazing and only 9-years old. In no time, things were downloaded, printed, glued, constructed, and colored. Perhaps what she does is the norm for kids these days. It just blew me away.

I can't imagine what it would have been like to have had internet access in elementary school. When I had to do a book report or paper, my mom used to drive my brother and I to the nearby Newport Way public library. We enacted our dewey decimal system skills and located heavy books. Rather than googling an image, I would get my brother to sketch out things for me. I thoroughly loved hunting down information, writing notes, and making copies.

I just wonder what is lost with all the shortcuts to so much information. Maybe kids build other skills? Perhaps instant internet access removes ambiguity tolerance and the virtue of patience. Asking for the manager at McDonalds, anyone?

Kids these days grow up with the confidence that everything and anything is available by simply moving a little mouse on a screen. It's so odd, isn't it?

ALS

Anatomy of a Fatal Neurological Disease:

-Certain fatality within 2-5 years of diagnosis
-Ultimate loss of motor coordination and muscle atrophy
-Loss of voluntary movement
-Retention of basic senses
-Retention of memory, personality, and intelligence
-Difficulty breathing, swallowing, speaking

This is a brief description of ALS (Amytrophic lateral sclerosis) commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Unfortunately, I've become very familiar with this in the past 72 hours.

My mom's best friend from Hilo flew to the Bay Area this week. After one short hour with a specialist at UCSF, she was diagnosed with ALS and coldly given the worst prognosis anyone could imagine.

I suppose when you dispense death sentences on a regular basis, one probably develops a professional indifference. The specialist at UCSF was terse, cold, and indifferent. But for those who travel across the Pacific Ocean however, a sentence of 2-5 years of life could be a bit warmer, don't you think?

Pisces Thursday

For all those afflicted with a Sun in Pisces, Jonathan Cainer would like to tell you...

If efficiency were the dominant principle in the creation of the universe, all the leaves on all the trees would be the same shade of green. Nature isn't always economical in the way she uses up energy. The cosmos was surely created by some very lavish, extravagant impulse... and if the inhabitants of this earth have big ideas, it is because they too have this same generous spirit keeping them alive. Be led by your heart today. It really does know where it is going.

This is tremendously reassuring, yet unnecessary. I do have a strong vision of where I'm headed. So given that: the democrats are now awake/have awoken others, I've secured two recommendations for my skool application, I've gloriously re-discovered Blue Bell Toll, Britney finally dumped Kevin, and my car is ready for pick up...all is right side up. For the moment.

Transitory

Apparently, the tip of Mauna Kea's 13,796 feet tall volcano mountain will become immersed underwater in 80 million years. I can't even fathom what a million years would feel like, much less 100 years. They say the Big Island sinks one foot every hundred years under the enormous weight of the volcanoes.

So all of the Hawaiian islands have been biding their time on the Pacific plate, while we're presently biding our time over Hayward fault. This is humbling. Saddening, even. Makes my internal snarkiness over annoying trivialities seem like pointless waste of time.

But is it a waste of time? Tiny trivialities annoy me right now. When I'm cut off on the Bay Bridge, my adrenaline level does not register the blessing of time and the big picture.

This recalls the most obvious, bordering on boredom question--why is it so hard to live for the now, when we're striving to live for later?

I mean, why spend the best years of your life avoiding sugar, cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol, random acts of debauchery, McDonalds and white flour? If I reach 80, will I feel that my life had achieved some golden status--having avoided the wonderful misdirection of dangerous vices? What would that Golden Girl Scout feeling be?

Hawai'i will disappear. If humans make it that far--they will be living in intelligent homes, mentally transporting themselves to and fro, and will subsit on a mentally guided menu that can be downloaded and invisibly applied to the blood (or cholorphyll) stream. Should we prepare now the annals of island existence?

If 80 million years is so far off, why does it make me sad? And if the little things don't really matter, why have a flurry of little things put me in a bad mood?

Herbal Bistro

One of my favorite things to do here in the States is go out for brunch. Wake up later on a Saturday or Sunday, get dressed, walk the dog, get the paper, and head out to a small cafe. Going out for brunch was not very common in many of the places I lived abroad--and it was the one thing I really missed about the States.

Now I can consult the Zagat San Francisco for tons of amazing breakfast cafes. Some specialize in cornbread pancakes and others in homemade corned beef hash and eggs. In the past four years, Cappy and I have established a nice rotation of great breakfast restaurants.

Last Saturday however, we inadvertently tried something new. Cappy stumbled upon a "Crêperie" not so near our neighborhood. She rang my cell phone and waved at me from across the street, pointing to the place she was walking into. I was in Long's buying Motrin--left the house with a terrible headache.

So I arrived at the "Crêperie." Cappy was waving at me with a giddy and amused look on her face from a table next to a faux brick wall. There were "Parisian" decorations everywhere. The menu was typed in a Mac II font and turkey-ham was listed in every instance of meat.

There should have been washers and dryers in the back room though--if you know what I mean....

Top 10 Signs That You MAY Be Dining in a Pot Storefront:

1. You're one of two patrons at 10:45 a.m. on a Saturday morning

2. Reggae music is blasting at a Saturday night volume

3. It takes nearly 15 minutes for lukewarm cups of coffee to arrive at your table

4. CASH ONLY signs are enthusiastically posted in more than one place

5. One waiter is visibly straining with his whole body to squeeze oranges for an 8 oz. glass of juice

6. There are half empty bottles of wine standing behind the counter. However, the menu only features non-alcoholic beverages.

7. You feel a sudden and unexplainable craving for beef jerky, pizza, and potato chips

8. The two staff people look like they should be fitting you for fins and a dive belt, not frying your eggs

9. One waiter makes 5 very casual trips back and forth to your table (in the space of three or so minutes...) each time, with a very friendly and mellow smile on his face:

1st trip: The food
2nd trip: Forks
3rd trip: The water you asked for 15 minutes ago
4th trip: One Spoon (!?!)
5th trip: Salt

10. Your paid order ticket goes into a special box in the top drawer of the register

Good times.

Dyke Dolls

Have you heard of the site/store called DYKEdolls ? Their aim is to "redefine culture one girl at a time." Whose culture, I wondered to myself?

Anyway, they sell the world's first lesbian action figure dolls. There are even different categories of Dykedolls: the butchie Bobbie dolls, Baby Dyke dolls, So Cal skater chick dolls, etc. You can even accessorize your dyke dolls with a leather harness/dildo or a tanktop and briefs. Unfortunately, there aren't any fanny pack-tie dye-Michigan-women's fest-mullet lesbians. Now that would make a killing, that's what I'd call a lesbian action figure.

Great concept, I say!

And get this, in addition to store locations in NYC, Baltimore, Virginia, and L.A., you can also get your Dyke Doll fix in Iceland, Spain, and Italy.

But get this---as you know, Asian adoptions are getting quite expensive these days. Korean babies seem to top the list, with Chinese babies slowly climbing the charts. So how can you get your own Asian baby for the low price of $11.00?

How about the dolls simply called "mommies?" Feast your eyes on the heartwarming image (just above) of two white mommies, Kelly and Christine, and their precious little Soo Jin. What the fuck!?! Apart from the fact that they resemble a papier mâché figure I made in high school, it's just wrong.

But then I was thinking, why isn't there a DYKEdoll boutique in Seoul? Too bad. How else will the little Soo Jins of Seoul dream of a better life with not one, but count 'em TWO white lesbian mommies in America?

Don't get me wrong, I think the concept of this company is great. Would I buy a dyke doll for myself or anyone else? No, but just like bobblehead dolls and Japanese comic books, I can appreciate the appeal for many.

In the mid-90's I spent a heartwrenching year (and a few months after that in the later 90's) in Seoul, South Korea. My main purpose wasn't to bring English to the Children of Choson, but to do some research on my own adoption.

To make a long story short, what I learned was pretty repulsive. KSS (Korean Social Services) had a pretty tight and greedy hold on anyone trying to conduct any blood relative research. Basically, if you wanted them to open a drawer to begin looking up your records, it was about $25, then for them to browse through some files, you're set back another $25, and so on.

Somehow, and with the help of a good friend/adoptee activist, I was finally able to visit the baby orphanage where I supposedly spent the first 9 months of my life. I was even given a special "tour" that was set up for me.

Imagine a room full of toddlers, boys and girls between the ages of 2-6 frolicking together in a room without furniture. Imagine a few raggedy dolls peering up at you from the floor--looking as sorry as the kids themselves.

The only light came from a large window way above their heads. Painful. Even more so to hear that some of the kids' parents actually lived down the road. Many kids were placed in the "orphanage" for reasons such as: "Their parents already have one girl and didn't want another," or "Her father just lost his job." Hmm. Perfect excuses to kick your kid down to the local orphanage.

I was also introduced to some "special kids" who had a room of their own. These were boys and girls with various handicaps, or downs syndrome. And to shield their special eyes from the light, let's just say this room saved the orphanage a lot on monthly electric bills.

All this for the love of bloodlines. I don't condone white women, or anyone who wants to adopt babies from Korea. But I am sickened by the attachment of Korean adoptees to a really great action figure concept.

What's wrong with white lesbians adopting Korean babies? Nothing. What's wrong with DYKEdolls promoting the Korean "baby mill" in the year 2006? Everything.

Wink

What is it with people (not cats) who wink? I'm not referring to the sassy come hither winks. I'm talking about the business wink. The at-work wink. What IS that? And how does the male corporate wink differ from the female corporate wink? What has brought this on? Let's explore this shall we?

i've been "winked" at by two different people at work. Once by a scruffy older gentleman with a corner office, who despite the immediate mental associations, is actually a cool guy. When I sat down with him in one of the first meetings i had with him, he threw his hands up at a chart and said, "This makes no fucking sense!" Brilliant, because I love people who curse out loud. The second winker is female. I'll get to her in a second...

So the older gentleman wink.... I was emerging from the kitchen with a frothy beverage, and he was headed in the opposite direction. I smiled my usual cubicles-are-not-meant-for-humans-but-I'm-pushing-through-the-pain grin, which was met by a quick and chirpy wink, if winks can be chirpy.

Here are my quick and dirty interpretations:

-"Hey...you're on my radar!"
Possible Meaning: I'm familiar with the work you've been doing, so keep it up?

-"How YOU doin'?"
Possible Meaning: This is how I greet ALL the ladies!

-"Hello there"
Possible Meaning: My bank account frickin' kills, how YOU doin'?

All reasonable guesses, none too offensive. My take on this is sociological. I mean, what's the point of letting that in?

But on to the second aforementioned female winker. The occurances are so random:

Situation 1:
I'm talking with someone and she walks by, and does the passing-by-wink

Situation 2:
We're talking about nonsensical things and she'll say, "so i basically eat an apple every morning.." and then the period-end-of-the-sentence-wink!

Situation 3:
I'm talking to other people, she walks into the room, catches my eye and there it is, another hey-i-see-you-wink!

For some reason, i find her winks to be less predictable, yet with more wacky interpretations. Quite frankly, I find them a bit annoying. They're like shorthand or something. Shorthand, for what? Is it a conspiratorial in-the-trenches thing, a secret club sans club thing, or an unconscious nervous thing? There's no need to decide!

So what would you say? Male winker: possible meaning 1, 2, or 3? Female winker: compulsive tick or hey-you're-my-people?

I really don't think that neither of the male nor female winks are flirty in nature, given the space in which they were delivered. And yes, you never know, but my senses tell me that the corporate wink is one that is part conspiratorial and part revelational.

One can easily keep a lot repressed in a corporate environment--true thoughts, feelings, opinions, attitudes, etc. So maybe the wink is the only harmless and untraceable flag that waves amongst people breathing recycled air? Its message can't be saved into a hard drive, not cc'd to anyone else, nor forwarded via voicemail. A well choreographed wink can simply disappear into the air, silent yet resolute....

Maybe I should stop analysing and start drafting my own wink strategy?

Request

A brief service announcement from Penny:

It has been a while now that I've entered the blogosphere--it's weird to think that I actually have a blog, quite honestly. We're talking of one who works in a high tech company, but is not one who gets overly excited with gadgetry and technology. I know, tell me about it. I feel like the only one working at Dunkin' Donuts who doesn't like pastries.

So now, a little over a year and 100+ blog postings later, I'm happy to be in regular correspondance with a few of my regular reader friends. Thank you for the continued support! Though you don't post your comments online, I do appreciate how your email comments turn into longer email discussions.

But what about the others?

Here's my humble request to other frequent "anonymous" posters and silent readers at pennylane productions. Yes, I'm talking to you! I've seen you here every other week or month or so. You click around, snicker, jeer, and maybe even roll your eyes a bit!? What's up? If you're a friend of mine, you've got my email--so drop a line every now and then! Tell me who you are, what you're up to, and what you really think.

I must say it feels rather odd to to know that regular anonymous comment posters or unidentified readers keep reading without saying hi. It's almost like people wandering through your house, opening drawers and looking at books on my nightstand--then quietly slipping out the back door. I suppose that's the "brilliance" of anonymous viewing--that fantastic and voyeuristic view into people's lives. But I'm no Zach Braff, who seems content with a website and thousands of anonymous readers and comments. Me? I'd like to know who I'm drivelling to.

Identify yourself, silent reader and/or occasional commenter. Cheers.

Lately:

-My quirky and unreliable Samsung phone has been dropped, slammed, and kicked one too many times. A co-worker suggested that I invest in a Sprint phone from Costco--thereby assuring me a phone for life with their return everything anytime policy. She claims a man had successfully returned a $3 bag of potato chips. What might have been the issue there? Too salty? An unreasonable ratio of oil to actual potato? Anyway, I was able to get a swanky ultra thin phone. Now I can treat camera snapshots of the Tubular One with sepia tones and little cartoon stamps. Brilliant--for those who like stuffed animals in cars.

-My venture into the world of academia has taken flight. That is to say, I'm gathering my passport, taking care of innoculations, trying out travel umbrellas, updating my Lonely Planets... Is it like riding a bike? I hope so.

-A few small trips... Cappy and I are looking forward to a family wedding in November. Las Vegas baby! Though, I guess the reception at the Bellagio won't be so bad : ) We also may be headed here for a taste of fall later in October with some friends. Apparently this place is LGBT and dog friendly!

-Latest Lotto fantasies:

1. Soundproof room with a killer drum set
2. Small condo in the city for convenience when I'll be spending more time near a library
3. House in Hawai'i for weekends and holidays (preferably Big Island--Puna or Hakalau)

And lastly, signs that you've got this nasty bug I've acquired:

-you can't get enough sleep
-you've got aches and pains
-you feel that feel you literally can't get out of bed for more than one day
-coffee doesn't taste/smell good

Ugh.

NYC

What can I say about our trip in the East Coast? It was all about the food, or a lot of it was. The best part about dining in NYC is definitely the possibility of 11 pm dinner reservations.

The dining experience was definitely a refreshing departure from the low fat/low cal California cuisine.

Here is a list of the highlights. My top 4:

Carnegie Deli
http://www.carnegiedeli.com
Totally famous and very touristy. Cappy had the "Woody Allen," 1/2 corned beef, 1/2 pastrami, and I had the pastrami. I probably should have had the corned beef as it was absolutely perfect. The sandwiches feature enough meat for a small family, a dish of 5-6 pickles, and crinkle-cut fries.

Now, I don't mean to be a buzzkill on this whole NY deli experience--but I thought it would be great to show the possibility of such a monstrous highly stacked sandwich, but then in actuality, serve something more reasonable. Or allow people to choose something they can actually finish. The highly stacked sandwiches struck me as kind of obscene. But Americans tend to have a soft spot (literally) for the sputtering over-the-top joy of oversized portions. In Tokyo, the "Woody Allen" sandwich could easily feed a family of four.

Unfortunately, we didn't have an appetite for the famous cheesecake, nor a sidedish knish. A knish, I've learned is essentially is a pastry packed potato. In any case, I did wonder--which kind of food is more aligned with heart disease? New York deli food or local Hawai'i lunch plates?

Aquagrill
http://www.aquagrill.com/menuspage.htm

Earlier in the summer I was a bit enthusiastic about our heavenly dinner experience at Aqua. My heart is still with Aqua, but our experience at Aquagrill was also something extraordinary.

We were blown into the front doors (literally, thanks to Ernesto) at 11 pm. The dining room was buzzing with energy as if it were 7.30 pm. I had Alaskan halibut that was as tender as sole with a sauce straight out of a small cafe on the Île-de-France. A light and slightly tangy Dungeness crab and watercress salad was carefully placed on top of the fish. Cappy went for the Diver Sea Scallops and risotto. I can't really comment further on her dish because I was quite wrapped up with the halibut and crab.

We ordered their special dessert, the "Saturday Night Soufflé." It was a lovely hazelnut soufflé with freshly dripped chocolate and kahlua sauce. We're not generally dessert gals, but who could resist? At the end of the night, the host/manager whispered to us that that the dessert chef had made one more soufflé for the staff. She then got us a small plate with a bit of it, which was also shared with the waiters. Nice.

Aquagrill is known for their friendly and laid back atmosphere. People are very real and hospitable. In fact, the biggest shock I had in NYC was seeing how friendly people were in SoHo, Tribeca, the West Village--all over really. People would go out of their way to help you.

In fact, I'm not sure this old NY joke stands anymore, at least not in the West Village area:

Question: How do you ask for the time in New York?
Answer: Do you have the time, or should I just go fuck myself?

Now it's more like...

Question: Do you have the time?
Answer: Sure--oh wait I don't. Let me walk you to a place with a great clock made of spoons and marzipan.


Balthazar
http://www.balthazarny.com/splash.html

A very Parisian experience in SoHo. Great, great great. Though NY is now smoke-free, I could still visualise the secondhand smoke hanging in the air as our cheese platter made it's way to our small table. Apparently, they've got an amazing brunch.

Sunny Palace
http://www.sunnypalace.com
Great dim sum. Chinese-Americans in Jersey. It's actually much better than anything Chinese I've had in the Bay Area or possibly even Vancouver B.C. for that matter.


Hobbit List:
These are places we'd like to have tried, but unfortunately don't have the Hobbit multiple-meal capacity, nor the will to make up for it with extra exercise:

1. Papaya King
http://www.papayaking.com
Hot dogs and a smoothie for under $3. Who could resist? We walked by this place, but we were heading elsewhere for dinner.

2. Degustation
http://events.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/dining/reviews/21rest.html
Check out the menu. I'm still sad we couldn't get to this one.

3. Jane
http://www.janerestaurant.com
Could we somehow airlift this place and plop it right down near Lake Merritt, Oakland?

NYC vs. SF

Food:
SF/NYC (tie, a very close tie)

Vibe:
NYC
For me, it kind of approximates the pre-dot.com SF--less attitude and less pretension from conservative transplants from the Midwest and East. And I may prefer the Korea-like passionate truth heartiness and soul, and creativity and energy.

Transportation:
NYC

Weather:
SF
No contest.

Energy:

SF
Ten years ago, my answer would have been NYC. Though I love the creative bustle of NYC, it now feels something I'd love to visit more frequently, rather than reside in. SF is thankfully far away from the neurotic state lines of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and less about the I-can-trace-my-ancestors-to-the-Mayflower thing. Also, I love being close to nature with the amazement that you couldn't possibly be so close to a major metropolis.

Also, NY feels like a dysfunctional relationship. One that thrills and inspires, but drains and depletes. SF feels like a perpetual crush, less heavy on commitment, but easy to get caught up in for years that seem like weeks.

Place I'd rather live:
SF
Though--a loft in Manhattan to visit for shopping, dining, theater, music, and Christmas wouldn't be bad either.

Santa Barbara

Am writing this from Santa Barbara. Just got back from the East Coast, but had to make a quick work trip to the land of the perpetually tanned and just-out-of-the-spa peeps. Specifically, the township of immaculate shrubbery and exotic cars, a.k.a. Montecito. I'm staying here in a room facing the ocean that I can barely see through the coastal fog.

The last time I was in this "town" (or rather, a resort villa for the rich and famous) I ran into one of the rich and famous, literally. We nearly knocked each other over. See if you can guess who I'm talking about. Think 80's Brat Pack. Male. No, not Emilio Estevez. Not Judd Nelson--(wait--who else was in the Brat Pack anyway?? And why do I have all this useless knowledge in my head??) Need more hints? His brother was recently divorced from a two time Academy Award winner. OK, if you still don't know who I'm talking about, you're probably too young.

A few more clues/observations: he really does have rosy red cheeks, he's just a tad taller than I am, he drives a black Mercedes, and he's very polite. A couple of years ago, I was walking down State Street in a stride faster than my usual local Hawaiian turtle pace. I was looking up at a building on my right, and suddenly felt the side of someone hitting my left shoulder. I turned to my left and uttered a "oh sorry," and heard a familiar voice utter the same. I then heard a woman's voice call "Rob!" I looked up and realised that I ran into Rob Lowe. Woo hoo. Didn't he videotape himself and a few underage girls at a Democratic convention a few years back? Isn't he a total Schwarznegger supporter? Eeew.

So, here I am in Santa Barbara two years later. Once more for a work trip, but with a different company. I haven't run into a celebrity yet. I was too tired after our all day long meeting for any celebrity stalking. My co-worker here from Seoul would love to run into Brad Pitt though. How special.

The only person I'd like to run into today is someone who'd be willing to do a 2-hour Swedish Massage for free.

I'll be posting very soon about our trip to the East Coast. Here's a bit of a preview:

-We realised that the 295 and the 95 are not the New Jersey Turnpike, but totally lead you to it

-We experienced a "Woody Allen" at the Carnegie Deli

-We visited the Hogwartian Bryn Mawr and Mall-like UPenn

-Had some fun late nights in SoHo

-Saw Rent (my first time, Cappy's second...and I LOVED it)

More stories and observations to come. Notably, my case of culture shock and surprised appreciation of the very friendly and chill folks in NYC. It was amazing and quite surprising to have encountered people in NYC that were actually much friendlier than those in the Bay Area. I'm not kidding.

More on that later.