It's Been Over a Year

I've been dying for another work event.  It's these things that make it all worth it.  I wouldn't go to these places and eat out as often as I do (did) if work didn't cover it.

The team that work with now is completely different from the team that I started with.  It's expected as the turnover rate is really high in my industry.

I rarely get taken out as much because the relationship with my partners isn't there any more.

Random band making noise on stage

Last year I got a little too messy.  But it was expected as we rolled in with a party bus.  This year, it was a calm limo. 

Chowing down

All new faces

I think this photo is charming

Look who I found

It was this event last year that I got really friendly with folks in the industry.  I apparently removed that entry because I was concerned with what I posted at the time.  You know, I think I was wearing the same shirt.

==

This event ends September.  And onto October!  September was... surprising.  Surprising September.  It came quick.  At a bar, my roommate talked to me about how I was doing.

"You know when you said that you're happier when I'm happy?"  Ern was referring to when I pointed out that his positive energy was contagious and when he was down, it pulled me down as well.   This is because when he rolls his eyes in annoyance, 5 bunnies and a baby deer dies.  He continued, "...I think it works with you too."

At that point I realized that I haven't been myself.  I haven't gone out so much.  I sleep a lot and all my stories involve the bus.  "I just want to make sure things are okay."

I responded that things were fine, but acknowledge that I was different.  It probably has to do with the accident and that I lost my 2010 moleskine that had these stickers that I've collected and movie stubs and laundry lists...  My memory is so shitty that I depended on that book to document my life before I had forgotten what I experienced.  Thankfully I have this blog.. but this is digital.  Like a digital web album vs. a physical scrapbook.  Different values.

Ugh.  Happy Friday night.  It's 2AM and I'm waiting for Huan to arrive around 4AM from the bay.  He has an interview at Compton.

Moving

A couple of amazing dance pieces that I got from GotThatPho

I'm Not Really Into Concerts - Is it my ADD?

I don't love any musical artist enough to sit through their entire set list.  If I wanted to listen to music, I would download the song and listen to it from my laptop...then do other things while it plays in the background like clip my nails.  This is what I've discovered going to a couple free outdoor concerts.  Ugh, so much standing.

The above photo was from the Eagle Rock Music Festival 10/2/10.  Loved the festival because there was a lot to see, weather was amazing and the company was lovely.  Thankfully there were multiple stages with different type of music so I could humor my a.d.d.

Here is Tokyo Police Club at the Toyota Antics block party on 10/10/10.  I enjoyed one of their songs, but funny enough, not the recorded version.  The balloons being tossed back and forth was my highlight.  I found myself trying really hard to enjoy the rest of the music set... but it was really forced.  Tried hard not to check facebook mobile, tried hard to enjoy the "show" ... to no avail.  But of course, loved the company and that's why I was there to begin with.  It was also nice to be outside.

Even during pop concerts I find myself bored.  I wish I could just press NEXT and the singer would go on to the next song.   I can watch this stuff on youtube and fast forward... I also have a better view looking at my monitor.

Thanks to work I've been to following

• Lady Gaga
• Britney
• Black Eyed Peas

At the block party, they borrowed a church and had a little performance.  It was cool.

Something about the standing and the crowds and the pushing and being incapable of properly appreciating music has prevented me from enjoying concerts.  But I can dance all night to a great dj.  Dancing would be different than bobbing my head up and down and swaying like a drone.  Eating, driving or talking while live music is playing in the background would be perfect, but just standing there at a concert just listening.... kills me. 

My roomies tried to explain to me that it was about the experience.  To this I snarkly replied, "experience what?"

What am I missing?

Roommate Bonding Time

"German or Shanghainese food?" Sam facebooked the roommates.  We arrived at this authentic place called Shang hai bamboo and enjoyed some pork belly with steamed rice and various other things...  pretty amazing.

Other roommate bonding things-

• Social Network movie outing.  Great movie.  Storyline. Acting. Wit.  Loved it.
• Cook dinner together.. or rather watch Ern cook while I prepare the dining table. (Safeway Select Vodka Pasta Sauce is the best)

• Breakfast - eat leftovers and clear out the fridge

:] LA isn't that lonely.  I also love eating together at the same table.  I'm going to definitely have my family sit down for meals when I have one.  I was raised at the family dining table.  Yes, I'm a let's talk about your day sort of guy.

Erik said that he never really felt at home in LA until he started hanging out with 321.  :]

San Francisco - Eating and Dancing

September 25

A couple more shots from my San Francisco adventure.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen for lunch.  Cheesy deliciousness and a lovely picnic table meal.  We watched folks take wedding pictures.

Friends with overpriced cameras taking pictures of art.  Loving the muni bus system that took us everywhere.

SO Chicken lived up to Mony's hype.  Amazingly spicy! But the spicy pain disappeared quickly so we were able to continue eating.

Amazing nap and chill time before going out.

Bar on Church, why are you so fun?  Is it the ropes we can swing on?  Is it the bartender that flirts with me everyone?  "Do you want it strong?" he asked me with a wink.  "Of course!"

Dholla brought some Four Loko (alcoholic energy drink) and hid it in the bush.  Thankfully she covered the open mouth of the can with the gum wrapper so that bums wouldn't store crack/heroin in it.  I got a message from her the next day, "did I kiss someone?  I feel like I did."  I told her it could have been anyone.. who wouldn't want to kiss Ramona Flowers?

September 26
Went to the Folsom Street Fair.  Some of the fetish demonstrations made me nauseous, it was too hot.  It was like pride, but only the leather alley part of pride.  Do not need to return again.  Or if I do go again, I'll wear my leather chaps and bring a whip.  Because I'd rather participate than just be a spectator.

No Hondas!



Using an iPhone camera app.  Being artistic is easy!






Here I am on the bus 10/8 at 8:17am. I love riding the bus in the morning. There are plenty of seats, I'm in no rush, the air is crisp. I don't have to worry about morning rush hour. Oh.. and I get to use my $30 data plan to its full potential.

The evening on the other hand is a ball of stress. Bus is crowded, every one is grumpy because we all just want to get home safely, but some idiot has to start some ruckus. Walking home is a bit scary, esp. With the recent gang violence around my corner. I'm advised to buy mace. In the AM, I walk by some schools. Kids in uniform line up, as I walk by, folks are dropping off their kids. in the PM there are shady teens/young adults hiding in the shadows around the school- drug dealing? Making out with a girl? Escaping home? I walk faster.

Without the protection on my car, my beloved "east side la" lifestyle has become less wonderful; at least at night when I'm dodging switch blades and drunk homeless praying that my legs will direct me home the fastest way possible.

I've been feeling unsettled because "to buy a car" is this giant item on my to do list that haunts all of my thoughts until it has been completed. How good would it feel to just check it off!?! Despite losing my moleskine planner, checking that off in my mind would provide great relief. Relief like going to the dentist and coming out with zero cavities.

What's taking so long?

I have the "luxury" of being picky because I don't need a car so urgently. This bus route, my friends have lend to my independence from needing to have my own car.

It's stressful. The biggest purchase of my quarter life and it will affect my safety on the road and my magic number in my bank. Oh I could have used this money for alcohol. I could have used this money for more giraffe tshirts.

What do I even look for? I am a clueless gay that has a simple request: a jeep wrangler that won't kill me. I've been through enough auto related fun.

And... I refuse to buy a hondA despite how cheap, reliable and safe they are. No! No hondas!!!! So mediocre.

Revisiting Dragon

September 24

Dragon was walking distance from Mony's place.  Apparently blog reader P saw me standing outside but didn't say hi.

Charles/Me/Sigmund/Andres

No messy stories, just running into lovely people like my old roommate Sigmund.

Jimmy shows us how to correctly photo bomb and David sends a very important text message

The best pictures were taken outside.  I enjoyed listening to Mony do business with the old owner of Dragon who read Mony's business card aloud, "director of sales, huh." He proceeded to give all of us free drink tickets.  Thank you very much.

I'm really amused by the photos that document leaving Dragon as opposed to the ones at Dragon.

Did you valet your car?  Nope.. took a 10 dollar taxi.

Just Mel's diner with terrible food.  No nachos? No thank you.  We obnoxiously sang happy birthday to John.  See him grab his cash as he doesn't want to lose his wallet again.  Had a Vietnamese connection with the girl next to us.  Ern tried to feed her calamari.