Pip | My sidekick

I was washing my car this morning and I realized that I love her. She embodies the intersection of idealism and practicality. Ideal because I want to do my part to save the world. Driving normally, I can get between 43 and 45 MPG. Instead, I drive like a grandma and I get between 48 and 50 MPG. Yes, she's already a hybrid and I will get double the MPG of most cars on the road, I still choose to save fuel.

And Pip is pretty too.

New string of blog posts

I'm going to stop with the Things to See and Do. I'm short on time these days because of the long hours and list of ongoing errands. Instead, I will spend my free time looking for awesome t-shirts online!




I want (Not the girl, the t-shirt.)

One of my friends got this one for his b-day.

Suburban roosters

I woke up this morning to a symphony of weedwackers and lawnmowers. It sounded like everyone and his/her mother tended to their lawns before 8:00am this Memorial Day. Chores. Whoopee. [Sense the enthusiasm?]

Btw, I hate the shrubs that were planted at the perimeter of the new shopping center. It smells like manure as I run by. I hope it goes away--the smell, not the plants nor the shopping center. Hooray for Trader Joe's

Bay to Breakers: Halloween in May

The more time I spend in the Bay Area, the more I think that I should live there. This time, I fell in love with the City of San Francisco. I ran the 12k Bay to Breakers run today and boy was it awesome. Not only did i get to see a lot of SF, I got a feel for the crazy people who live in/near it. They don't take themselves too seriously and really like to have a good time. Here are some snapshots of the festivities:


My friend C and I decided to make scavenger hunt lists for each other to keep the race interesting. It was too crowded and hectic to try to run the race for time, so we jogged it for a friendly competition (prize: bragging rights). We ended up in a tie.



Before the start of the race. Everyone is so jazzed. Bouncing beach balls and flying tortillas everywhere!



Me and C. I'm not sure why I look so lop-sided in this picture.



Me as Garbage Pail Kid Hairy Cary. This was a photo cut out thing that I saw during the race. I stopped to get a photo.

Almost everyone was in a costume. I saw Viking ships, the Running of the Bulls, Team Zissou from the Life Aquatic, Indiana Jones and the villain from the Temple of Doom and...

Plenty of people in their birthday suits.



So many people running in such a beautiful day.


The swimmer is male.



Promoting organ donation.



Disney princesses gone wild! If I wasn't abstaining from alcohol, I totally would have asked to partake in that sangria. Mmm.



Sushi!



There was music and bands everywhere. People blasted music from their homes and from their cars parked along the route. So much more energy and enthusiasm than any Rock n Roll marathon!



This kid didn't run/walk. He was just hanging out with his mom, handing out high-fives. Cute, eh?





After the finish line, we headed to the Ferry building for lunch.


(I'd be broke.) Do I really whine that much? Only when I'm not fed.

Lost an excuse

As a person in her late 20's, my family and friends have continued to ask, "When are YOU getting married?" When it seemed I had no other excuse, I used to tell people that I would get married when my gay friends can get married. I have lost an excuse to not be married today. Go California!

Well. Half a year ago, I gained an important excuse--I don't have anyone to marry. That doesn't stop them from asking. They probably won't be satisfied until they feel like I am actively working on it. To that I say, bah! Give me a nursing license (specifically RN) first.

Things to See and Do - 5/16

Missed last week, but here is a list for this weekend. I'll be in the Bay Area for the weekend and running in the Bay to Breakers race on Sunday. Here is a list of things I may have been doing instead:

Trapezoid.
I have not been to an Asian American small theatre production for about 5 years. The storyline for this play sounds interesting. April 19 - May 25. $16 general admission, $14 students/seniors.

If you live on the Westside and wanted to see exotic animals without having to drive to the LA Zoo, visit Ecostation! Year-round: Saturday & Sunday 10am- 4pm & Friday 1-5pm
**Summer hours (July-August): Monday-Friday 1-5pm. Adults–$8 Children–$6 Seniors–$7 (65 and over)

Raging Waters! I haven't been here since I was in junior high. Have to go back now that I am comfortable in the water. It's going to be in the 100's this weekend. Let's cool off! Adults $34.99, $29.99 Online - Save $5.00, Children - Under 48 inches $19.99, Seniors - 55+ with ID $22.99. The season passes are on sale too!

Or, of you're in the Bay (SF) this weekend come cheer for me at Bay to Breakers! Let me know which mile marker you'll be at: 1 through 7, or Finish Line.

The Best Man of Honor Speech Ever

It's so great how much love was put into this. I guess it's one of the awesomest things about working in theatre and music.



Thanks for sharing this with me, Jeannie! I guess the season has started.

Concert Prep

I'm getting myself pumped up for the concerts I'm attending at the end of the month. Both concerts I'm attending will be at my favorite place for outdoor music, the Hollywood Bowl. Yaaay picnics.

REM, Modest Mouse, The National - May 29
The Cure - May 31
Radiohead in August (we'll save that excitement for later)

Here are some highlights from my foraging:

REM
At My Most Beautiful


REM - Be Mine (feat. Thom Yorke)

Thom Yorke is awesome...



THE NATIONAL
Relatively new to my Likes list, they are more the reason why I wanted to attend this H-bowl show. Though REM and Modest Mouse are no small beans.
NPR story
Fake Empire - Letterman appearance


The National - Mistaken for Strangers




MODEST MOUSE
My favorite album is Good News for People Who Love Bad News and I saw them perform in Santa Barbara when they toured it. I decided at that time that the band is better in studio.
Here's one of my favorites-- The View Someone made a video for this song... it's pretty cool.
Other songs I like on this album: Float On and Ocean Breathes Salty

From the new album: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Missed the Boat
I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with this song live. Would be great if they screen the video contest finalists as they perform it.

Modest Mouse - Dashboard (Letterman appearance)





THE CURE
I was listening The Cure the entire weekend a few weeks ago. When I mentioned this to one of my friends, he asked "why? were you depressed or something?" Too funny. They are the OG emo band.

Letter to Elise


The Cure - Lovesong


More for your aural pleasure:
Boys Don't Cry

The Cure makes everything better- These songs crack me up! Loving it.
The Cure vs. Justin Timberlake- Lullaby Love
The Cure vs. TLC - Scrub Close to Me
I thought of posting the Eminem vs. The Cure - Friday I'm superman, but it would have changed the way I saw/heard "Friday I'm in Love" forever.

You Tube is a Treasure Chest

Things to See and Do - 5/3

See a film or three at the Asian Pacific Film Festival. There are many films in 58 Program events and 3 venues to choose from. $8 students/seniors/member-$10 general admission per Program.

Visit the gardens at the Huntington Library, especially this one. My parents fear that I am turning Chinese. I tell them the word is turning Chinese. $15 weekdays, $20 weekend.

Three MOCA Venues: Free Every Thursday!

Pasadena Roving Archers. I really don't want to tell people about this one because it's so crowded as it is. I tried going once but I got lost and by the time I got there, the parking lot was too full.

Sorry I didn't post this sooner. I was too busy trying to get life in order this week! :)

There's a Fine, Fine Line - Avenue Q