art-ificial ramblings...

Killing time...

2008-07-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

Something to kill the time before I go off to see my dentist:

Parking Perfection Game

Black Canary Barbie

2008-07-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

My little girl is nine years old. When she was younger, I refused to buy her Bratz dolls because I just thought they were too provocative for girls her age.

Barbie dolls used to be the wholesome, fresh-faced, plastic embodiment of clean amusement.

This new Barbie, Black Canary Barbie, is based on DC Comic superhero. Personally, she makes a great adult toy; However, I don't think this will be making it into Tianna's Barbie doll collection anytime soon.

Thank goodness for Webkinz!

"You know they didn't ever have to love me..."

2008-07-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched "Joshua". It was a good thriller and I would recommend it to anyone who likes the thriller/horror genre.

It did drag a little for me because I am used to seeing blood and gore. You won't be jumping out of your seat in fear but it is creepy. It wasn't towards the end that I became immersed in the movie.

Joshua (Jacob Kogan) plays a piece of a song on the piano for his uncle at the end of the movie and it pretty much captures the tone of his sadistic ways. Hearing the boy sing the song gave me goosebumps.

Dave Matthews wrote the song, "The Fly", for the movie and is played at the closing credits.

When I pull the wings off of the fly
The fly never wonders why I did it
When I pull the wings off of the fly
The fly never wonders why I did
You know they didn't ever
Have to love me
No, no, no

The song is hauntingly beautiful and I can't stop listening to it. I have been scouring the internet for the chords, but to no avail. Has a song ever touched you so that you become obsessed with it?

What type of kisser are you?

2008-07-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here is something funny I found from Oat

3 Years

2008-07-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

On a side note, Today, Kevin and I have reached a milestone. Our first date was 3 years ago today at Downtown Brew in San Luis Obispo. My blog buddy, Becky, list some of the reasons why she and her beau have managed to stay together and I find that it best sums up the qualities Kevin and I both share.

Social Phobia...?

2008-07-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

I have always been very uncomfortable in social situations as long as I can remember. Although, I am well read, on top of current events, have a graduate degree and have a great career, I prefer the comforts of my home and very often avoid making commitments with friends.

I believe I have a mild form of social phobia as I am prone to depression. I get tongue-tied around people and always have to rehearse what I will say in my head before I speak it. If I don't, I end up interchanging words, not finishing my train of thought, stuttering and sounding foolish.

This weekend, Kevin and I went to Santa Barbara to celebrate his best friend's birthday. It was hands down the best birthday party I have ever been to. Live band and tri-tip barbecue all on top of a very large apartment deck/patio. The highlight of the evening was the illegal mortar fireworks that went off at the of the evening. I had anxiety all week. Every time we are around Kevin's friends, I just get nervous and awkward. His friends are much younger than me and enjoy a very hedonistic lifestlye.

I feel as if I am the dull or "boring" person out of the group because I always find myself keeping the walls company. Everyone's mingling but no one chats with me. When someone does come talk to me, after a few words have been exchanged, they immediately move on. Maybe I am just not interesting enough... I have to check myself repeatedly in the mirror to make sure I have nothing in my teeth and make sure I don't stand with my arms crossed as it makes me look unapproachable. Oh yes...and smile...

It is a little easier to talk with some men. Although, I find that more men are attracted to fliratious women and since I am not very flirtatious, I am usually not the center of attention. With woman, I often feel as if they are sizing me up and because of my Payless shoes, Ross attire, make-up less face and unkempt hair, I may not look sophisticated or cool enough to converse with. I know this is all in my head; but I always feel as if I don't fit in. (I actually went and bought some make-up last weekend).

This also extends to work. I try to avoid conversations with people I work with by peering into the breakroom to make sure no one is in there before I walk in. If there is anyone in the bathroom, I will wait until it is empty before I do my business. My work doesn't involve much interaction with customers or other fellow employees so I am mostly work alone.

Oddly enough, I have been attempting to write for many years and always have difficulty crafting in "conversations". I wonder if this inability to write natural flowing conversations extends to social situations. I don't believe I need pills (Zoloft,Paxil, etc) because maybe I just have inadequate social skills and lots of insecurities (another topic).

The people who inspired me...

2008-07-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

I started thinking about my highschool yesterday as I got an email from an old peer from Classmates.com. I looked him up but didn't remember him. I was surprised to see our yearbook cover displayed. It made me feel quite proud as I designed the artwork for the cover.

While perusing through my fellow classmates, I began to wonder what happened to my favorite teachers. I looked up my old highschool and found that two of my favorite teachers were still teaching. One of them was my English Teacher, Ms. Hurley. She recently published a coming of age book, "When I was Ten". I remembered her as comical and witty. As a daily excercise, she would have logic problems for us to solve. To this day, I still love solving logic problems. She made writing/reading a lot of fun. I can't wait to read her book.

I also emailed my Spanish teacher, Mrs. J.R., but haven't heard back from her. She was the reason I kept taking Spanish year after year. One year as a class assignment, we wrote a play - a shortened vesion of the "Wizard of Oz" in Spanish and acted in it. She was very athletic and ran in many triathlons and marathons.

I couldn't find my AP calculus & physics teacher, Mr. Withers, and wondered if the rumours I heard that he had past away were real. It saddened me a little as I perused the Merced Sun-Star looking for his obituary. Wow, did he make Physics fun! and those one handed push-ups.. amazing!

Went back several years earlier and looked up another teacher - Mr. Sullivan. He was my 5th and 6th grade teacher. This guy was just amazing. He looked a lot like Bruce Willis and was just as funny. He had these classroom antics: If you yawned with our mouths open, you would have to run a lap. We used fake currency in the classroom and if you were caught littering, you had to pay a fine. We even had checkbooks and were taught to balance it. He made us write a letter to ourselves and he would mail it to us years later. Wow, did I have horrible grammer!

These were the teachers who inspired me and made learning fun. I miss my youth...

Hancock

2008-07-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

We went to see Hancock last night and although I didn't think it was as exhilarating as Iron Man, I still enjoyed it. While reading some reviews, I read GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Against Defamation) is attacking "Hancock" alleging the movie is homophobic because there are scenes in which Will's character takes a "cheap, unfunny shot at gay people" and also say “Hancock’s use of the slur sends a problematic message that it’s okay to discriminate using such hateful words.”

I just think it's getting more and more ridiculous. It's a movie. His character was an drunken "a--hole" and so they had to make him talk and look like an "a--hole". It's just a movie! Why are people getting all worked up over a "word" when there were other violent movies and video games out there that glamorizes sex, alcohol abuse, drugs and violence.

I thought the vulgarity in "Super Bad" was way more offensive and misogynistic and yet it was heralded as embracing honesty and the funniest movie of the year.

Ludicrous rants ...

2008-07-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

"You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.” John Kerry - Oct. 2006

"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people" - Rev. Jeremiah Wright - March 1008

"..people in small towns in Pennsylvania and throughout the Midwest are “bitter” and “they cling to guns or religion” because of jobs lost in the region. - Barack Obama - April 2008

and most recent:

“It’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe and all we can say is merci beaucoup.” Barack Obama - July 2008

I understand we live in a global economy, but I personally think it's already difficult trying to teach reading and writing in our US Schools. Additionally, I see the difficulties my child has in the math and sciences. I would rather see real improvements in these areas before pushing a second language. Secondly, I don't think one needs to be embarassed that one only speaks one language. Does speaking only one language make you less intelligent?

Buck Rogers

2008-07-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

When I was little, in addition to Star Trek, I really liked Buck Rogers, the tv show starring Gil Gerard and Erin Gray.

Buck Rogers is a military pilot who gets accidentally launched through time and wakes up in the future.

It was only on for a couple of seasons but it left a mark with me. My most memorable episode was the Space Vampire episode.

I found this cool website that allows me to re-watch these full episodes.

I heard rumours of a Buck Rogers movie. I think Jennifer Connelly would make a great Col. Wilma Deering, but she might be a little older now.

Maybe Natalie Portman but I don't think she possesses the sex appeal and toughness of that of Erin Gray. Kate Bekinsale was convincing as vampire hunter, Anna Velerious.

Anyone but Jessica Alba...

As for Buck Rogers, Christian Bale would be perrrrfect!

Star-Spangled Banner

2008-07-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

...Francis Scott Key

is the national anthem of the United States. It moves me to tears every time. One of my favorite rendition is by Whitney Houston.

There is only one national anthem and I believe it's wrong to change it from one anthem to another based on racial or ethic group.

Super Bad

2008-07-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Kevin brought home this movie that was highly recommended by a co-worker of his. I had remembered seeing the previews several months ago but it wasn't the kind of genre of film I was interested in.

I didn't like the amount of vulgarity that was used. As a teen, I don't remember using so much slang nor was I pre-occupied with drinking/obtaining alcohol. My parents didn't drink alcohol so we didn't have any around the house. My first drink could have been in college or later. Come to think of it...I don't remember going to unsupervised highschool parties where they served alcohol.

Tianna is nine years old and I am really scared that her teen years will be different from mine. She's already more outgoing than I was at her age. I couldn't watch the scenes in which the teens were drinking or making out fearing that this could be my little girl.

Shockingly, Kevin found it a waste of time also, while others would argue it was hilarius and filled with urbane intelligence (coworker). We didn't finish watching the movie as it became unbearable.

More Gas.. rant...

2008-07-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

We can't use fossil fuels for energy because opponents say it is to blame for "Global Warming"

We can't use Nuclear Power because opponents say it's too dangerous even though its used in France

We can't use wind turbines because opponents say they kill birds.

And now even solar power projects is put on hold.

I remember back in the 2006 elections, Pelosi said in a press release that “Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices. . ."

Where is this commonsense plan? It was $2+ a gallon back in 2006. Today it's over $4!!!

I don't think the government wants us to pay less. Will it take gas prices soaring to $10.00 a gallon before we, the general public, become outraged enough to assert ourselves over these opponents?

How stuff breaks down on gas ( 2 sources)

1. Link 1

2. Link 2

GAS!

2008-06-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

I commute over 600 miles a week. Unfortunately, my employer does not allow telecommuting (unless you live in CO). When I bought my home, I didn't anticipate gas prices rising this fast. Now, I actually have to budget for gas. Mass transit is not an option due to my child's school schedule and lack of routes. Where I have gassed up lately:

Arroyo Grande = $4.59
Lompoc = $4.59
Santa Barbara = $4.62

I've now gone over the $100 a week mark and I hear that gas will be $6-$7 a gallon by year end. I am frustrated with the rapid increase in gas prices. I am even more frustrated that our government doesn't appear to have a sense of urgency to alleviate this situation.

This article states

Starting in 2011, U.S. automakers will be required to raise the average fuel economy of new cars and light trucks from 25 mpg to at least 35 mpg by 2020 - a 40 percent increase. Reaching 35 mpg by 2020 will save 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, save consumers billions of dollars at the pump and significantly reduce global warming pollution.

That's still years away. Will I be paying $10-$15 a gallon by then? And my car already gets 31 mpg!

We're also still years away from mass production of hydrogen cars because of cost and limited access to refueling stations (You could be the few to test drive a Honda FCX Clairty if you live in Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine and can dish out $600 a month)

I've even investigated natural gas vehicle. Some government vehicles and school busses are already powered by natural gas. The Honda's Civic GX ($25K) is sold in CA and NY and are "greener" than gasoline-electric hybrids.

Downside, it's really hard to find fueling stations and they don't have as much driving range as gasoline powered cars. In addition, their fuel tanks take up more space in the trunk. I have found fueling stations in San Luis and Santa Barbara and Honda does sell a refueling pump ($3000) for homes.

Natural gas has always been cheaper than gasoline (although natural gas is up nearly 50%). There are federal tax credits up to $4000-$7000. There is also a $1000 tax credit for the pump. Sounds like a great alternative but Honda has no current plans of expanding sales beyond NY and California.

My little 2005 Nissan will be paid off next month. Yeah!! I could trade it in and buy a Prius or the Honda's Civic GX, but with a new mortgage, property taxes, bills and college loans, I really can't afford another car note.

I am all for drilling and/or finding renewable, affordable, steady alternatives.

hotpads.com

2008-06-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

great resources for forclosures....

Court rejects death penalty for raping children

2008-06-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

"The death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion.

Then what is? If it's not proportional then how about an eye for an eye - rape the rapist. His crime should be shouted out through the prison walls so the inmates can rape the "s..t" out of him.

As a mother, I was anguished. Especially when I read articles like this where the judge basically gave the rapist a slap on the wrist for repeatedly raping a child over a four year span starting when she was seven.

Children should be protected.

Puerto Escondido

2008-06-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Got back from Puerto Escondido (pics) on Wednesday early morning. I had mentioned before that we were visiting Puerto Escondido during its wet and low season. It rained everyday that we were there. The first couple of days, it rained in the evening so we had the day to explore,surf and took advantage of the hot sun.

The last several days, it rained during the day, so we stayed in doors or under tiki huts and explored the night life. Kevin attempted to surf during the rain but became sick just hours later. I also was sick the latter part of the trip. We were looking forward to the comforts of our home by weeks end.

We stayed at the Hotel Flor de Maria.

The restaurant was closed during May and June because it was the low season. There were only 2-3 guest at the hotel along with us. It is located in Playa Marinera
.
We had the best room in the hotel - small little patio with ocean view. There was a pool on the roof top where we spent most of our late afternoons cooling off from the hot sun and humidity.

It was a Very immaculate hotel and the staff were very cooperative. Since the restaurant was closed for lunch and dinner (free continental breakfast), we had to make our way unto Playa Zicatela every night in the rain. I remember already being drenched in the rain and looking up to see a truckload of police officers (toting machine guns) trying to splash water on me with their vehicle and laughing. I wasn't too thrilled about that.

Lots of bar/restaurants on Playa Zicatela. For breakfast, "El Cafecito" was a favorite. For lunch, we lounged at Los Tio's as we watched the surfers tackle the 10-12 foot waves. Our favorite dinner place was "La Siesta" owned by Francisco. The Pulpo con Ajo (octopus and garlic) and Filet Veracruzana style (peppers, onions, tomatoes, peppers, olives) were unbelievable. For the night life, we opted for a an evening at Casa De las Iguanas - trendy bar with pool tables.

Our last night (Monday), we had dinner at Cabo Blanco where they had all you can eat mahi fish and dance party.

We also ventured out unto the Harbor at Playa Principal

and uptown during the day.

Another day we rented a scooter and went down to The Pointe and also to another beach called Playa Carrizalillo. I didn't have my camera on me so I wasn't able to capture the beauty of Playa Carrizalillo. It was a great beach to go swimming and snorkeling.

There were stray dogs everywhere frolicing in the sand or following you around the beach.

Most of them appeared sickly with flees and open sores. I must have counted 15-20 of them. I was told that the rich people who live in the hills get them as puppies and then release them unto to beach when they get older. I don't know how much of that is true, but it was a sad sight.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

2008-05-31T08:05:00.000-07:00

This coming week we will be visiting Puerto Escondido, Mexico. It is located on the southern Mexico Pacific coast. We will be right in the middle of three beautiful beaches:

Playa Principal,

Playa Marinero

and Playa Zicatela. Zicatela, beach break, is a world class surfing destination, hence, the reason for our trip

Unfortunately, we are visiting Mexico during its wet season and the 10 day forcast already calls for cloudy and scattered thunderstorms. Atleast the temperatures will be in the 80's.

Foot Pull

2008-05-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

I hate using public restrooms and Port-O-Potties. If I have to, I will crouch even while using several toilet liners. What's really uncouth is when you hear someone in the stall next to you flush the toilet and then leave, neglecting to wash her hands. UUUGh, just thinking about it makes me heave. I would like to see more of these installed in public restrooms.

Driver Fatigue

2008-05-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've been catching myself nodding off as I drive. Almost every time, this occurs in the afternoon with the sun glaring down at me. The heat makes me drowsy and I feel myself nodding in and out. I would miss my exit and find myself down a road I don't remember taking. It's a miracle I haven't killed anyone or myself. And it's not just when Im driving. I could stop at a stop sign and feel drowsy and wake up to people honking at me to go becuase the light has turn green. To combat this, I make sure I stock up on Red Bull when I'm on the road and pull over when I start to feel tired.

This morning, the air was crisp and cool. I don't remember feeling drowsy and I did get to bed by 9:30 pm last night. But 30 minutes into my drive, I found myself nodding in and out sleep. I pulled over and napped for ten minutes. I was really tired. After the nap, I continued on my way to work just to find myself nodding in and out of sleep again.

I finally made it to work and pulled into the parking lot. I don't understand, I feel as if I am getting enough sleep per night, but the minute I get into my car and start driving, I nod off. I wonder if there are other factors other than sleep deprivation. Could there be carbon monoxide leakage?

Lompoc

2008-05-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

One day out of the week, I commute 1.5 hours to Santa Barbara and the rest of the week, I commute 1 hour to Lompoc. At 4.00+ a gallon, I'm averaging close to $100 a week in gas. That's a lot of wear and tear on my car not to mention the strain and exhaustion I am feeling. I've been looking at other opportunities and hopefully something will come up real soon.

When I first heard that Lompoc was the City of Arts and Flowers, I was a little skeptical. One of the things I loved about working in Santa Barbara was how beautiful the city was. Plants and flowers flourish easily along the roadside and I loved the Spanish Colonial and Mission style architecture. I was a little surprised at how dull and dilapidated some of the buildings were driving down "H" street on my way to work in Lompoc. It reminded me of deserted city in those old western movies.

This week, I took a different route to Lompoc - a 2 lane undivided highway (that takes you right by the United States Penitentiary) to escape the 30 mph limit through the city. I was surprised to see fields of vegetation and flowers. What a sight it was:

I can see now why it was known as the flower seed capital of the world.

Board Games

2008-05-13T19:02:00.001-07:00

Our family loves board games as an alternative to watching tv or playing video games. Anything from dominoes, Connect Four, Battleship, Trouble, Chess, Checkers, Scrabble, Pictionary, Trivia Pursuit, Life, Cranium, and various card games.

Recently, I had an idea for a board game and I wondered how profitable board games are these days with all the new game consoles and games on the internet (ie. Scrabulous). Is there still a market for new board games?

If you had an idea for a board game, now what?

Let's just be acquaintances....

2008-05-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

I was reading the chapter "The Law of the Few" from The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell this weekend and it made me ponder angrily over the incidents that occurred this weekend.

Most of us, I think, shy away from this kind of cultivation of acquaintances. We have our circle of friends, to whom we are devoted. Acquaintances we keep at arm's length. The reason we don't send birthday cards to people we don't really care a great deal about is that we don't want to feel obliged to have dinner with them or see a movie with them or visit them when they're sick. The purpose of making an acquaintance, for most of us, is to evaluate whether we want to turn that person into a friend; we don't feel have have the time or the energy to maintain meaningful contact with everyone.

For the most part that is true for me. With work and family, I hardly have the time to meet new people and "hang out". Recently, I met someone who wanted to move from the stage of acquaintances to friends in a matter of days. It was very exhausting for me as I don't like to chat on the phone 2-3 times a day, nor have the time to make plans for girls night out, nor take a week's vacation out of the country together. I held firm and would not move to the "friendship" level just yet. Friendship takes time to cultivate.

A week ago, I was invited to her birthday and was briefed on the plans for the evening which involved dinner at a sushi restaurant and later dancing at a local restaurant/pub. She wanted to get bottle service ($240.00) and expected everyone to pitch in. I cringed ... this was expecting a lot from an acquaintance. I believed dinner was reasonable but felt bottle service was a bit exorbitant. It was her birthday and I felt obligated. I was reassured that there was going to be enough people there to pitch in for the bottle service.

Her boyfriend had made other plans and couldn't join us for dinner or the after party. (How convenient!) When we arrived at the restaurant/pub after dinner, we discovered that her "other friends" had not arrived yet but someone had to secure the table w/ bottle service. There we were, all four of us looking at each other. Who was going to put down the credit card? My boyfriend and I looked at each other and then at her and her girl friend. This was expecting a lot from an acquaintance. My boyfriend felt obligated by chilvalry and handed over his credit card.

Her friends arrived, sat, drank and everyone had a good time. When the bill arrived, we were shocked. The restaurant had tacked on an automatic 20+% gratuity and the taxes brought the bill to $350. After attempting to collect from her friends, my boyfriend and I were left to come up with $190. This was expecting a lot from just an acquaintance.

I got a voice mail from her the next day thanking us for joining her for her birthday bash and wanted to "get together again soon". :(

Fawm Kauv

2008-05-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

After my parents left this past weekend, I was filled with nostalgia for Hmong food. Hmong food takes a little from china, Thai, Lao and Vietnamese foods. The dishes have similiar ingredients, but each uses their own spices.

This morning, I woke up with a desire to make Fawm Kauv - stuffed rice crepes /steamed rice rolls. When I was younger, my mom would make this with a cake flour mix called Softasilk. The right of amount of water and flour was very important. I couldn't remember the right mixture so I visited the local asian store and picked up a package of Steamed Rice Rolls Flour by Sing King Corp.

Cooking method (very similiar approach to making crepes):

Mix 4 cups of water with the package of flour
Add one tablespoon of cooking oil into the mixture and wait 15 minutes
Lightly spray/greese a nonstick pan under medium fire
Fill pan with thin layer of flour mixture
Cover
Carefully, take it out of the pan after 5-7 seconds
Add filling* and fold and roll

keep repeating steps 2-7

*For simplicity, I filled it with garlic, ground pork and green onion. Make sure the pork isn't clumpy. Drain any excess oils. Salt + pepper to taste. You can dip it in soy sauce. I prefer spicy banana sauce.

Things I Miss The Most....

2008-05-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

I kinda like frying up
My sad cuisine
Getting in bed and curling up with a girlie magazine
Sometimes in the corner of my eye
I see that adorable ghost
And then ba-boom I remember the things I miss the most

The talk
The sex
Somebody to trust
The comfy Eames chair
The good copper pans
The '54 Strat
These are the things I miss the most

--Steely Dan

I wasn't planning on going to the Paso Robles Midstate Fair this year, but I just found out this morning that Steely Dan will be performing on July 25th!!!! Tickets go on sale May 16th! I can't wait!!!

I would also love to see XTC in concert, too. I know I know.. Andy has stage fright, but they are one of my favorite bands of all time.