Boy, it's Hot!

Super hot days like these are annoying... because it just makes me sit around and not want to do anything. It's hard to even lie back and watch a movie or read a book, because just sitting there sweating is so darn uncomfortable. Plus, i'm awfully tired and out of it after a busy day yesterday, and not much in the mood to do anything at all, let alone leave the house.

Yesterday, spent pretty much all of the afternoon and evening helping Anh-Thu start moving stuff to San Diego. Nik dropped by around 11:30, and we went off to Anh-Thu's to load up my car. Traffic was a pain, and took 2 hours or so just to get down there. Carrying all her stuff to her place on the third floor was tiring too. Still, she's living in a really cool place, really close to campus and right next to a bunch of plazas and stuff. Her apartment is really nice as well, although it should be since its on the expensive side. It's kind of weird, because the first floor is a parking garage, and then the 2nd and 3rd floors are the actual apartments. Anyhoo, me and Nik spent the rest of the afternoon crafting a magnificent work of art, also known as a bookshelf. Master carpenters indeed! And then spent all this time trying to figure out how to line up these stupid metal support beams for a bed. Stupid Ikea! At least the little fellows in the instruction manuals were funny. Anyway, went out to dinner at CPK. The potato pizza they had there was kinda neat =) And then spent the evening watching Anh-Thu decorate a bit before we headed back home by 10 PM. Pretty tiring day, especially since it was stupidly hot while we were moving stuff. Still, i enjoyed helping out.

I also managed to scratch the front of my car. Sigh. I had my old car for years without doing a thing to it. I have this car for 10 months and manage to scratch up the back and the front. Anyway, gonna try and get estimates at another place tomorrow morning and possibly during my lunch break. At least this gets me motivated to get my car touched up. Although it'll cost me more money.

The last Thursday I also got to visit with Harriet who was down in LA since her sis was visiting UCLA. It's always nice getting to see Harriet, because I can talk to her about all sorts of different things. We went out to eat at Applebee's and walked around for a bit, just chatting about different things going on. It's always months and months between visits, so hopefully i'll get to see her again soon.

Work has been tough lately... just so many emails, and we're extremely lacking on help with people leaving and being sick. It means more hours for us, but I think its taking it's toll on me. I need to take some vacation days or something.

Picked up a new extended edition of Gladiator, a new SE of The Truman Show, and The Transporter on Saturday too. Watched Transporter today, and i'll probably try and watch Gladiator too while i lounge in the heat. I plan on selling/getting rid of some movies, probably trading them to Blockbuster. So we'll see when i can go with Jon.

I finally picked up my super cute Hula Monkey from Anna. It's like one of those hawaii girls that bobble around that you put on your car's dash, except it's a monkey. I think i'll bring her to work and let her sit on my monitor or something. I don't really have room on my car, I don't think.

My legs are pretty sore after playing basketball so much the last few weeks. Around my shins i guess. It hurts when i put a lot of pressure on my legs, or try and run. Hopefully its cleared up by Tuesday so i can play. Everyone keeps mentioning how dark i am now too, since i'm out in the sun so much.

Ah well... i guess that's it for now. So damn hot!

I'm Free!!!

Debt free!!! Mailed off the remaining 1K that i had on my credit card that had built up over the last couple years while I was in San Diego. Well... now i'm paying back my mom for my car, but still. No more credit card balance is pretty cool, other then my normal expense card (gas, food, entertainment). I would have been able to pay it off with my last paycheck anyway, but I also recieved a big FAT bonus from work that made paying off that last 1000 a little bit easier =) That's right, a got a pretty hefty performance and profit bonus from work this last Thursday. I ended up getting a 6K bonus. 6000!!! That's for the Jan - Jun period too. Man, that's crazy. After taxes, it ended up being around 3100 or so, but still. That's like 1/5 of my yearly pay, which is bad ass. I ended up giving 3K to my mom as i need to start paying her back, but i'm trying to think of a few little things to get for presents to myself.

I tried buying a new hard drive this weekend... WD Raptor at Fry's... but i couldn't get it to work right, which is pretty annoying. I ended up returning it and ordered a new heatsink and fan online. So at least i got something. Trying to find other deals or think of what my computer or what I could use, outside of DVDs. It's funny... i'm pretty content with everything i have now. Maybe i'll buy some clothes or something.

Framed my WoW poster and its now on my wall above my DVDs. I took a pic, but i'm too lazy right now to post it. I'll do it sooner or later.

Been busy, helping my friend from work finish moving, going to the company picnic to play a little basketball, and then helping Jennifer buy a desk and bookshelf at Ikea yesterday. My car came in handy with all that extra space =)

Been playing Madden... watching Simpsons episodes... playing some CS: Source. I still need to finish reading my book. I guess i'm a lot busier and occupied then i used to be.

Can't really think of what to say... hands are tired from typing all day at work. Guess that's all for now.

Tired...

Woke up at 6 today to get to work at 7. Got in another game of basketball during lunch, playing 4 on 4. I still can't hit my layups, although i did get another 2 pointer and a game winning bucket. I need to learn how to finish a drive. More ball tomorrow. My ankles are hurting a bit though from all the running. I'll tough it out though. I'm gettin old =( After work, we spent like an hour trying to move a couch from the second floor by lifting it off a balcony down to the first floor, with 3 guys holding it up top and 2 of us down low ready to catch it. It was pretty interesting, and kinda funny at the same time since we kept thinking the couch was totally gonna just fall or land on someone. Moved it over to the new place, and then went off to eat at a Pho place right around the corner on Univeristy. I haven't had pho in awhile too.

Didn't get a chance to pick up a wireless network adapter for Jennifer, but we plan on doing that tomorrow after i'm off work. I stopped by Best Buy today but didn't see Madden 06, so i'll try and look for it more tomorrow, as well as getting around to buying Sin City and Simpsons Season 6.

Friday after work, it looks like I'll head over to Boomers, since one of the girls from work and who is roomates with one of my coworkers is moving, so i guess some of us are going to hang out there for a bit, and probably spend most of the time going off to bowl or something. Should be interesting and fun. Been having a good time out with my coworkers lately too, which is definitely nice. I think a lot of the guys are just happy to do something besides go home and play WoW. I'm just happy to be doing something.

Some of the guys mentioned that they're hoping to go to Europe sometime next year too, which i'm definitely up for. Possibly early next year. We'd also be able to stay with the pals we met from Europe who were down here visiting, so we probably wouldn't have to shell out a lot for a place to stay. Plus, with all the vacation hours i've been racking up, it would be like a week of paid work too. Pretty exciting, and hopefully plans come together for that. It was just mentioned in passing, so who knows if it'll actually pan out. I think it will though.

Tired... 11:30, trying to stay up a bit longer to watch some TV. Pretty busy week... was hoping to meet up with Ryan to learn a few things, but i guess that'll have to wait a bit too. Alright, poof!

Do do be do do

We're down 9 to 5... I hit a 2 pointer to make it 9-7. A drive to the basket to make it 9-8. Assist on a fast break to make it 10-9. And then i don't get another shot as we end up losing 11-9 =( Sigh. Fun basketball game today though. I'm finally feeling confident that i can play well and make smarter decisions. I'm already looking forward to playing again on Thursday, and REALLY looking forward to the game at our company picnic on Saturday. I can't wait.

You know what? PB in SD has like no asian people. At all. It's interesting walking down and every place requiring you to be 21 or over, but still. Don't get me wrong, i love all the ladies. But that crowd is hardly my type. I guess that age thing probably prevents a lot of college kids from being down there. I could use a nice, cute, sweet college going girly =P

Ugh, tomorrow is going to be tough. I'm helping my coworker move tomorrow, and we have mandatory overtime too. Since we need this guy's truck, i'm going in 2 hours early tomorrow, so it'll be work from 7 AM to 6 PM. After that, going to go move a couch and stuff. After that, supposed to go and pick up a wireless adapter and install it for Jennifer's computer. I'm going to be pooped! Busy busy. I'll need to grab Madden and Simpsons tomorrow too.

I watched The Island finally. Pretty good action movie, although some annoying product placement and one action scene that kind of bugged me. I love Scarlett.

It's only Tuesday. Looking forward to the weekend already. Emails are really grinding on me lately. Typically i'm up for overtime too, but the last two days i've passed on it.

Gonna watch the Real World, and then crash early. I need me sleeps.

Stuff

It's been nice being fairly busy this past week. Going to Yardhouse last Wednesday, then Steelhead Brewing Co. on Friday, and spending the day in San Diego yesterday, its been a nice change of pace. Along with having worked more OT last week, as well as my ususal basketball and football games, i feel pretty good being occupied with things to do!

Going out with coworkers has been especially nice, although it does mean spending a healthy chunk of change being out eating and drinking. Still, well worth it to be able to hang out with guys away from work and have something different to do in the evenings. It would certainly be nice to be able to do that with guys from work every couple of weeks.

Yesterday, I spent 2 hours driving down to SD (stupid traffic!!!) and got a chance to spend a few hours visiting some old friends from Target before hanging out with Andrew the rest of the night. It's funny.... all the guys I knew and hung out with at Target are still there, doing pretty much the same old thing as when I left a year and a half ago. Still working, still going to school. It's funny how so little has changed. It was nice getting a chance to talk to John, Mario, Darren, and see familiar faces like Lee and Carmela. It was also odd to find out what happened to some of the guys I knew too. I also had a Target hot dog for the first time since i left! Haha. After hanging out at Target for some time, I went to chat with Khoi for a little bit to see what was going on with him. Anyhoo... after that, finally went down to Andrew's place, went down to PB to get some food, sat around chatting and drinking a few beers, met some random white hippie guy that sings reggae, and spent an evening playing pool with some of Andrew's friends before driving back by 2:30 AM. Gosh, it's nice getting out for a change.

Today... didn't do much. My coworker never called, so I just hung out, got around to watching more episodes from my Batman DVDs, watched Anchorman (pretty funny), and did some cleaning.

Simpsons Season 6 comes out on DVD this week, along with Sin City. I also plan on buying Madden 06. And there's a new 311 CD coming out as well as a Limited Edition CD for The Killers Hot Fuss. Not sure if it's worth rebuying for 3 extra tracks, even though I am a huge fan. That's a lotta money to spend this week =( Oh well, at least I get paid this week!

Anyhoo... not much else going on! I feel like Nachos.

Tired...

It's 11 PM... trying to stay up so i can watch Adam Carolla's show. It's so strange to grow up listening to guys like him and Jimmy Kimmel on KROQ and all of a sudden they're on TV and somewhat famous. You know Money the sports guy on KROQ right now for Kevin and Bean? He's going to be doing Laker pre-game shows. Pretty neat. I guess if you want to be famous, work at KROQ =)

Been busy with work, working some more OT this week. I think that's like 3 straight weeks of sporadic overtime. It's not getting any better either, what with one of the guys having his last day tomorrow. Doing emails and listening to people whine is starting to grind on me. One of my pals at work whose working for IS was telling me i should totally interview for a position and that it would be easy for me to do. I think that's a good place for me to try and move up to, and I had a chat with Ryan about him helping/teaching me some stuff so i'm better prepared for future opportunities. So maybe some time next week i'll head over to UCI after work and get some tutoring =P

Spent Wednesday night at the Yardhouse drinking, hanging out with a ton of guys from work. It was pretty fun, although i passed on a trip to Claim Jumpers tonight since i'm rather tired after a 10 hour day and basketball. Plus, i figure i might as well save the 30 bucks. I've spent a lot on food lately. And since i'm hoping to roll down to San Diego on Saturday to party with Andrew, i should probably save a few extra bucks. Hopefully i'll get the chance to visit a few others on my way down too. If anyone i knew from SD reads this, lemme know!

The other job i was thinking about, a QA Compatbility Lab job, is going to be a no go, since my coworkers were telling me that it wasn't worth it because QA pay is less then Tech. So i guess i'll hang tough til i learn enough to move on. Money isn't a big deal to me right now, as i can definitely get by on what I make now.

Madden should be out on PC next week. That should help me pass the time and let me really get into something. Go Raiders.

Wow, i actually have stuff to do? This weekend... roll down to SD. And probably help my pal at work move a couch. Next weekend... company picnic. Maybe help Anh-Thu start moving. In October i'm planning on seeing Thrice play at UCI with some coworkers. BlizzCon in late Oct.

I got a cool WoW poster today. The one on the online store. Kinda nifty, I think i'll frame it.

My momma got me the Lucky Bamboo i've wanted to get for awhile for my desk at work. We'll see if it dies on me or brings me some luck.

Weezer - Perfect Situation. This song totally feels like my life.

Tell me there's a logic out there.
Leading me to better prepare
For the day that something really special might come.
Tell me there's some hope for me.
I don't wanna be lonely
For the rest of my days on the earth.

More Stuffs...

So.... some more random things worth mentioning. There's a company picnic party in 2 weeks, on August 20th. *sigh* Anyone want to go with me =) Or know a cute single girl that wants to hang out that afternoon? Pretty please? =(

Me and Jennifer caught Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last night. Pretty good movie i suppose. I guess i'm just a bit caught between the 1971 movie, the book, and the new one. I really didn't like the additions of Willy Wonka's father and that whole backstory, and Wonka was a bit too weird. Gene Wilder in the original film had a certain heart that I enjoyed more. The Oompa Loompas were incredibly odd in this film, however I did enjoy their songs quite a bit. I really want to go back and read the book now though. Maybe i'll pick it up after I finish reading A Long Way Down.

I also watched High Fidelity, which I thought was a great movie. I don't know, I guess I can level with John Cusack's character in the film quite a bit. I think that i'm going to buy/read that book next and see how it compares with the movie. Or maybe just read it in the bookstore rather then buying it. I'm finding a good time relaxing at B&N with a Caramel Frap, my mp3 player, and a good book.

Speaking of my mp3 player, I love it. I love it! I can shoot hoops with it without it getting in my way, which really helps me stay out there practicing. I can use it at work, which is a lot handier then using CDs on my work computer. And i can walk around and shop with it as well. I've only had it a week and its come in so handy =)

I'm thinking about applying for this QA Hardware Compat Lab job at Blizzard. I think hardware is a little more my thing, as I do enjoy building and fixing comps, and i certainly know my hardware. In any case it would be a nice change of pace from doing emails all day.

So anyway... the other night when I was talking to Jennifer, I was going over my life and where I am. You know, it's a bit difficult to go through life living in Irvine and Orange County and being surrounded with families and people with moderate wealth. I think it gives you a different perspective on life and a hyped up perspective about how life is supposed to be. But actually living, and working everyday, things just reveal themselves differently. Shit, my hand hurts really bad. I'll finish my thoughts later or another day!

Adam Carolla's new show is on tonight... gotta stay up and watch.

Life, Money, Futures, and Obligations

So as I mentioned, I spoke with Jennifer a lot about my life and what i'm doing with it. With her, I can just start talking about these sort of things, extrapolating all my thoughts on to her without feeling aprehensive, and getting her opinion on things. I really enjoy being able to do so with her. It's far nicer then the awkwardness that I feel when I speak with someone new; I really hate that about myself. Some people are just openly friendly and talkative with everyone they meet. Me? I just stand there looking like a doofus trying to dig for something, anything, remotely interesting to say or blindly end a small chat when I have the opportunity to at least flirt or show some semblance that i'm some what of an interesting individual. I'm one of those guys who 5 minutes later thinks of a billion things i should have said or done, and start feeling like a bonehead. It's really hard not to get frustrated with yourself when that sort of thing occurs. Say for instance, in an entirely hypothetical situation (yeah right) you meet someone new at work and they say something to the like of "I'm working the morning shift too!" Bonehead Stan response? "Oh, neat." Smarter Stan response that should have been said? "Wow! Hopefully i'll get to see you often then!" Yeah. Head. Wall. Smash. Repeat.

Alright, so i've got no game. Which is a bit funny, because after mentioning to my friend at work that I ran into a new GM, and hanging out at Dave & Busters the other night, he thinks i'm going around trying to find girls left and right. And that i'm crazy for Korean girls. I wish. The sad part is that a girl who would probably suit me the best is someone quiet and probably not exactly an all out party chick. Not that i dislike that sort of thing. But the idea that I probably need to be the one trying to hit on a sweet and quiet girly versus one that would actually start something with me probably isn't going to help me very much. Whatever.

But anyway, the point was that I spoke to Jennifer a lot about how I felt that having a girlfriend felt to me like it would be last "piece of the puzzle" for me right now. Like i occupy myself with plenty of different things, like reading books, playing some games, watching movies, playing basketball, and what not, that the other gaps in my life would easily be filled in by a girlfriend. Think Tetris. The girlfriend is that darn super long line piece that you always wait for in order to get that Tetris. Meanwhile, all the other stupid pieces keep piling up as you try and fit them in to the correct places. I think that's a pretty good metaphor for things, right?

Well, she mentioned to me that it seemed like I was leaving myself desperate for someone, and that I was pretty much putting everything into waiting for a girl to come. I guess that's kind of true, but i don't think i'm desperate, per se. I just feel that i'm content with every other part of my life right now that it's the only thing missing. I guess companionship is pretty important to my happiness. But really, I have a stable and job that i actually enjoy, decent money (more on that later), a better relationship with my mom lately, some good friends, some different hobbies (Jennifer keeps saying i need one, but I think i have quite a few already). It just seems that i need that extra piece; someone to call and talk to every night, or someone that i can rely on to hang out with every weekend. You know what? I think i just want to feel that someone out there really, truly cares for me. And someone with whom I can return the favor. It's all the little affectionate things that I truely miss; holding hands, hugs, pecks (not always full blown making out, but that's pretty cool too ^_^), little presents and gifts, you know, things like that.

I have more of a "voice" in my blog today. I think it's because I spent a lot of time reading today, where there are 4 distinct voices and personalities sharing their thoughts. Alright, heading out to dinner with Abe and Andy. Plenty more thoughts to come.

Crud.

RE: Yesterday's post. A no go. Word through the grapevine is that there is a boyfriend. Ah well, figures as much. I'm not too dissapointed, and half glad I didn't try anything yet. Still, hopefully i'll run into her some more and say my hellos.

Went to Mitsuwa with Jennifer, along with some ice cream at Han's Ice Cream and Deli after work. And took Peanut for a walk. I like talking with Jennifer, and I spent a good time explaining my thoughts, feelings, and positions regarding money, life, parents, and futures. When i'm less tired, i'll come back and revisit them here.

I'm exhausted after working late last night, heading to work early this morning, and 3 straight days of basketball. Friday is going to be most welcome, even if i'm not doing anything special. Sleep and relaxing.

Man, there's going to be a lot changing at work the next few weeks... one fellow is leaving to go back to school, another is going to be helping the IS department for the next few months two, which kinda sucks since I talk to him often. Some phone guy is coming to emails, as well as a new guy next week. The turnaround is a bit dissapointing, I guess.

My stomach hasn't been agreeing with me again lately... ugh, this comes and goes so often.

Off to sleep... so tired. Kind of glad I didnt end up catching a movie with Jennifer like we were planning. Poof!

Space Monkey!!!

Random

Funny how a few little things can help cheer you up or give you a little hope out there. I'm feeling a bit better... although i'm pretty sure a lot of it is just due to wishful thinking. Even so, I like it... I like feeling that I have a chance, playing out possible scenarios in my head, thinking that a slight passing could evolve into something. Not that I get my hopes up; I know that things never seem to play out the way you hope, and I of all people am used to finding myself dissapointed. And something tells me i'll probably never get the chance to do what i kinda hope to. Still, considering my current position, a seemingly friendly new face is somewhat exciting to me. Now to figure out how to find time to bump into and strike up another chat... (yes, this is referring to a nice, lovely girly i bumped into today at work (and no, its not really anything, just got to chit chat for like a minute walking up some stairs))

I got an mp3 player today, which i ordered on Sunday night from Dell. A Creative Labs MuVo TX FM. Only 512 MB, but it was only 80 bucks, and it should come in handy for me. I'll get to use it at work, and its small enough that i can use it for some light workouts and running, as well as just chillin back and relaxin at the pool, which i hope to do more since i had a pleasant time doing it this last weekend.

Some OT today... a lotta basketball this weekend (yesterday, today, and again tomorrow). I'm not playing very well, and i'm getting rather angry at myself. I'm not sure what it is... I guess i'm just passive and keep getting more and more unsure of myself. Need to work harder.

Nothing else new going on... still reading... been watching Coupling again... playing a few games here and there. Pretty simple still. Nothing to add, nothing on the weekend. Float on...

EDIT: Oh, and after looking at Anna's pics from Hawaii, this colorful rainbow cake with sprinkles is awesometastic. Sprinkles! If i had a pet, that was a girl, i'd name her Sprinkles. =P