What’s That In The Kids’ Meal?...
Current mood: My thoughts don’t have a curfew...
Category: My thoughts don’t have a curfew... Food and Restaurants
Some people smoke. Some like to drink themselves blind.
I, enjoy fast food.
Yeah, it's crack for fat people.
While waiting for my heavily sodiumized To-Go order to be brought out, I noticed the toy display for the kids' meals had something that really caught my eye. Now, I'm no expert, so I'll just let you take a look for yourselves:
So, here's my question: Is that, or is that not, a toy bear with a "butt-plug"?
It's a stretch, I know, but that's just how my thoughts roll.
Sound Assumptions...
Current mood: Sometimes IT requires Colombo-like focus...
Category: Sometimes IT requires Colombo-like focus... Web, HTML, Tech
The ability to smell whether or not a hard-drive has fried. To hear the death clink of a skipping CD. To connect ethernet cables into the back ports of computers simply by feel.
These are just some of the skills you need in order to be a "handy PC/Mac fix-it guy". But you know what those IT fellas never stress? Listening with your gut.
FLASHBACK: 5 months ago
My mother bought some new Dells for her company, and naturally, she wanted me to help her set them up so they'd be ready to go upon the first few clicks on a keyboard. An easy can-do job, and most everything seemed to work fine.
Except for one computer.
At the time, I didn't think much of it, but in the crystal-clear view of hindsight, perhaps I should have done a bit more Sherlock Holmes instead of John Holmes when it came to the task at hand. You see, it was making this "whirring" sound, not unlike a computer that's overclocked and running 3 fans at the same time. The noise wasn't that bad, and the person using the machine seemed to be fine with it. I too, had been used to loud computer fans on my older Macs, so I assumed it was an acceptable machine fluke.
Flashforward: Present Day
Checking up on the Dell systems, I listened to that one troubling computer again, only this time it sounded like a nuclear-powered weed whacker going 400 miles an hour. This was getting a bit ridiculous. I turned off the computer and popped open the hood.
Sweet Christ.
Apparently, someone though it'd be a smart idea to tape the installation CDs for the Dell inside a clear-pouch window. Unfortunately, the glue for the pouch was weak, so all this time the pouch slipped off, slowly getting shredded by the CPU fan causing that awful ruckus.
Needless to say, I removed the culprit most swift-ricky-tick. A couple spritzes of compressed air to clear away the shredded plastic and voila! The computer was as quiet as a zen garden.
If you get anything out of this story, I hope it's this: No sound rings louder than the one made by a single hand THWACKING a forehead over carelessness... ;)
My Father Knows His Geography...
Current mood: I’m sure I shouldn’t be worried...
Category: I’m sure I shouldn’t be worried... Life
I worked up quite a sweat this morning while moving boxes around, and my father astutely announced: "You sweat Brazil, huh?"
Flashes of Carnival in Rio, women in dental floss bikinis and tropical sand being kicking in the mid-day sun sprayed into my mind. But why would that make any sense at this moment?
With my puzzled look, my father goes ,"I meant your shirt. Your sweat looks like the shape of Brazil."
How my father would see my perspiration of a country in South America is my dad at his best. Though, if I had sweat a picture of Jesus, that would have made for a more interesting tale... ;)
Whoa, Haven’t felt THAT in awhile...
Current mood: If it’s a 3, don’t even bother me...
Category: If it’s a 3, don’t even bother me... News and Politics
Living in "Earthquake Country" is like living with an explosive blood clot in your head -- you're never really sure when it'll blow, but when it does, it'll either kill ya or make you stronger.
After living in California for so many years, you'd think I'd be used to it by now.
But I'm not.
I've survived a few major earthquakes, jolts and tremors, but today's Chino Hills quake was the first time I was actually able to do something about protecting myself.
I remember the Whittier quake vividly because it happened while I was in the toilet. Believe me, that is the WORST place to be during a rolling jolt. Suffice it to say, going to the bathroom the next few days gave me a bit of anxiety.
During the Northridge quake, I was asleep and quite paralyzed by fear. I could feel the room shake like a giant baby's rattle, yet I couldn't move to duck and cover. I simply stared at the ceiling, awaiting whatever was going to happen. In the end, I got lucky - the only thing that broke in the whole house was a lamp that sat by my bedside. It lept over a bunch of toys and paper, only to crash and scatter all over the carpet.
Today I was awake and working at the computer when the "pre-shock-shock" sent my Spidey-Sense into overdrive. I know what it feels like when a big heavy truck drives by.
This was no truck.
I dove under the desk, my heart running faster than my brain. Staying calm was an easy montra to remember, but repeating it over and over and over again just to convince myself was an exercise in self-control.
And just like that, it was over. The news says there's been like 27 aftershocks, but I haven't felt them. I've become a quake snob -- if it's not over a 4.0, I don't give a shit.
Mom and Dad are all right, and I'm still here typing. And looks like LA is getting back to being it's usual crazy. Can't ask for much more than that... ;)
My Brush With The Dark Knight...
Current mood: Sooooooo excited...
Category: Sooooooo excited... Movies, TV, Celebrities
A few months ago, I had gone to China on vacation in Yunnan (see archives for the pics if you want to check that out), and after the tour we also made a stop in Hong Kong. Guess who was in town at the same time as me?
I couldn't have planned it better. Here's a pic from the local news: Mr. Shawshank Redemption and Mr. Memento in the flesh.
They were in town for a few days, so I thought - what the heck? Shouldn't pass this up!
Most of the interiors and night shoots were in a part of Hong Kong called Lan Kwai Fong, a tourist area filled with ex-pat bars, dance clubs and a portion of the business district. A real "Word Hard, Play Hard" kind of area.
Here was the name the production was under during the shoot.
From what I can piece together, this was the hotel that the stuntman jumps from in the movie. Interiors for the crimeboss capture were also shot here as well, but don't quote me on that.
Here's me with the other onlookers trying to get a glimpse at the production. Since this night was mostly for interiors, the only person we got to see was Nolan.
This was taken minutes before director Chris Nolan stepped out of the black Mercedes. I still regret not having a telescopic lense that night to get the shot. By the time I recognized him, he was already inside the lobby.
The white van carried a bunch of the crew that was working on set.
Security was pretty tight-lipped, considering that they were trying to keep this thing a secret in one of the biggest little cities in the world. The crowd was roudy, but polite -- which is not typical of Hong Kongers at all...
I don't know if it's in the movie or not, but the news said that Morgan Freeman also shot a dialogue scene here, on the longest escalator in the world. Eh, I guess they figured that if they made it this far, might as well feature this thing too.
NOTE: This escaltor was also featured in the film Chunking Express by Wong Kar Wai. It's used in the plot, and I won't give it away here.
And just like that, after a few days, they were gone. I still didn't get to see Bale or Freeman, but hey, it was all fun.
The Dark Knight opens nationwide tomorrow.
Okay Warners, I've plugged the film. Where's my money?... ;)
Shanghai 2008: The Art of Everywhere, and Heading Home...
Current mood: Last of the lingering thoughts...
Category: Last of the lingering thoughts... Travel and Places
The Truncation of Phrased Expletives...
Current mood: Perhaps he’s the more creative one...
Category: Perhaps he’s the more creative one... Writing and Poetry
My father, ever the wordsmith, has created a word that sums up FUBAR better than FUBAR sums up itself.
"Shituation"
Shit-u-a-tion (shit-oo-ey-shuh n) - noun
manner of being poorly situated; location or position with reference to an unwanted and or hostile environment: The shituation of the house allowed for a great view of a brick wall.
poor condition; case; plight: He is in a desperate shituation.
a state of dire affairs of special or critical significance in the course of a play, novel, etc…
God, I hope this makes it into the lingual-lexicon... ;)
Shanghai 2008: Hungry For More...
Current mood: Making my mouth water...
Category: Making my mouth water... Travel and Places
When in Shanghai, soup dumplings are a must. This spot is a happening joint for just such a delicacy.
This version is first steamed, then deep-bottom fried, giving an interesting crunchy texture, and soooo very bad for your health.
Caution: You will lose the roof of your mouth no matter what.
Next version: Regular steamed dumplings. This place is located in Yu Gardens, another must-see place.
This woman can separate the pieces with her eyes closed, always the same shape. She's awesome.
Opting for the small order of 12 steam dumplings, again, just so you know I was there...
The only thing I ate in Shanghai that required a knife and fork.
Ah, the famous turtle and sea-horse soup. I have video of me trying this (wait 'til later).
Thai cuisine, Shanghai-style. Consuming this much white bread at one sitting, even if it's covered in spicy curry, does not make it a healthy choice...
The good news: Spicy Shrimp is tasty. Bad news: I couldn't feel my tongue. Still worth it.
A genuine Starbucks knock-off.
A wine bar that serves BBQ with its Pinot-Grigio. An interesting combination that's easy to overlook.
Believe it or not: Fake Vegetarian Braised Pork, made with tofu and wheat protein.
Meatballs made with potato-paste and tofu.
Ah, the requisite fast-food shot.
Actual size of a Shanghai Happy Meal.
What happens when you bring Bruce Lee and fried chicken together. It'll knock the taste right into you.
Living in an alternate reality where Pizza Hut is a revered eatery. Like Taco Bell in the movie "Demolition Man".
It's a smaller pizza, but packs 4 times the flavor. Everything tastes better in Shanghai.
Yes, this was the only time where the baristas understood me perfectly. Venti? No Problem!
Honestly, I have no idea why the top row of drinks are upside down. But I though you'd like to ponder that for yourself...
Shanghai 2008: Street views, Peeps, Etc...
Current mood: Sometimes life moves pretty fast...
Category: Sometimes life moves pretty fast... Travel and Places
