Personal

FYI:

I have a busy few weeks coming up.
I have a lot of work backed up.
I am not going anywhere. I will be checking this website frequently as usual.

But, I don't think I will have time to post too much stuff.

We'll see...

Talk to you later.

PS. Send me greetings.

Long shoe horn

Even if I am (somewhat) fit and have 31 Inch waist, I find it uncomfortable to bend over to tie my shoes.  Doing it sitting down is not helping too much either.  I remembered this long shoe horn from my grandparents' house.  I had to buy one for myself.  Now I understand why old folks own these.

I only have 24 friends on facebook. I only keep close friends and family on my facebook. Some people have 400, 500, 1000+ friends in their facebook account. That's not how you use facebook. You cannot put hundreds of total strangers along with your family members. There is no way you can have meaningful relationship with 400 people at once.

Anyway, below is some of my old posts from facebook:

• Working on an ultimate Star Wars movie for Labor Day. So, when I hit "Play" all 6 episodes will play back-to-back without showing opening & ending credits. But, should I start with episode 4 or episode 1? (my g/f said "Start with episode Geek").
• (picture) With 5 times Grammy award winner Al Jarreau. At his kitchen. It was 1999. Long story...
• (picture) T-Shirt ($3.00), Pants ($13.00), Glasses ($13.00 frame, lens, & shipping). Shoes ($45 - 4 yrs old). Homer Simpson coffee mug ($5.00). I had my hair cut 6 months ago ($14.00). And I proudly belong to no gym.
• It's very easy for me to prove that I am not a racist. I just whip out the photo-album of my ex girlfriends. A Wal*mart version of Miss Universe going on there... (and special Olympics)
• I should change my match.com profile subject to - "Babies OK, just don't be crazy"
• Some teenager boy asked me if I was famous. I said "no". He was pissed. He walked away and said "All I wanted was an autograph..."
• thinking maybe I should start wearing vests as my signature look...
• Sick of people stealin' my soda. I swear, I will put Viagra in my next soda, so it will be easier to find the culprit. "Will the real soda thief please stand up, please stand up, please stand up..."
• Good morning, it's 7am. I'm gonna brew coffee and go to supermarket... :)
• Making corned beef brisket (for one). No cabbage... cabbage was not on sale. :(
• (pictures) I try to tell them that I can eat a lot. But people don't seem to understand what I mean by "A LOT". So, here is a picture album of a lunch last year. (38 sushis, 6 green mussels, 8 quail eggs)
• You cannot be my friend if you have more than 400 friends. No hard feelings if I delete you (you will probably not notice anyway).
• (picture) And they say I don't have good taste in music.
  
• I bought a box of facial cleansing tissues. This is brilliant. Now I don't have to go wash my face. I just wipe as I watch TV. Let's see what other feminine care products I can play with.
• (pictures) I was out to Costco to relax. You tell me, do I look relaxed and happy? I forget all about work and stress... shopping is good. Life is good.
• Very tired and stressed. Going to Costco to relax (and to pick up a case of Red Bull). I guess I will eat out...
• (video of Marshal Tucker) I met Marshall Tucker on Dec 2002 at backstage of Key Club (Hollywood). I shook his hand and took some pictures. Love this song.
• finished grocery shopping at midnight. Just brewed coffee. Burning midnight oil and loving it. A lot of personal web projects to take care of. I'm a geek and I'm proud...
• (picture of my mother) OK Mofos, my mother is now in facebook. Everyone chill... Say hello to my mother.
• Yesterday one of my dates called. She said "I have a surprise for you. You will like it. Can you guess what?". So, I replied "You are a man?". She didn't like my joke. I thought it was pretty funny. Hm...
• Last week I bought 6 pairs of pants, 12 t-shirts, & 2 pairs of eyeglasses. I am old, single, thin, and I like clothes. What was the single word to describe that? - OK don't tell me. :(
• (picture) It took me 6 months. But, I am back to 30 inch waist. I look 10 yrs younger except for the age-spots.
• ‎7am. I had absolutely no sleep. Can't wait to Monday so I can sleep at work. I figured, I might as well get paid for it.
• Hates it when a girl posts her picture at Match.com but the picture shows two girls side by side wearing similar cloths. So, what am I to do? I cannot ask her "Are you the one with the hooters? or are you the ugly one?" - Quite the conundrum.
• Going to see my parents. I'll be back around 4-6pm. God bless everyone.

Do you guys listen to public radio station?

I listen to very little radio. 

Local NPR (National Public Radio) station is one of a few stations I listen to.

I listen to NPR station as I get ready for work in weekday mornings (I have a radio in the bathroom).  That's about it.

But, during the weekend, I try to catch 2 programs.  I usually miss them, but, sometimes I catch the show.  They are pretty enjoyable with coffee or tea.

They are This American Life, and A Prairie Home Companion.

I give you a little sample.

• This American Life - Episode 401 "Parent Trap
  • From above link, click "STREAM EPISODE"
  • A good story about "Lucy" starts at 25:00 (minutes) - you can fast forward.
• A Prairie Home Companion - "Guy Noir" (beow)
  • Guy Noir is a recurring skit (episode) they do every week.

Here's Part 2 if you are dying to find out what happens...

I have an annoying coworker that I avoid eye-contact with.

He's 14 years younger than I am, and about 150 pounds heavier than I am.  He is huge.  I will call him H.

When H first got hired about 2 years ago, I tried to be nice (as usual).  I was very nice to him during his training year. 

About 2 years passed.  And he tuned out to be such a jackass, I had to stop talking to him altogether.

Story continues on next page (it's a long story)

Hi.

Just letting you know that I am back.
I had a busy 2-3 weeks.

I went to Costco in San Diego.
I went to The Sea World.
I ate 1 pound burger - they put my picture on the wall of fame.
I took a 5 day vacation.
I went to a street fair in my city.
I went to Costco in Valencia.
I went to Costco in Oxnard about 3 times.
I bought the cutest lunch-box at Costco (you know which one I'm talking about)
I ate out a LOT~!!
I gained 2-3 pounds in 2 weeks!
What else...

All that busy time reminded me that I am truly happy with my every-day routine.

Anyway, I'm back and I am well (I was not sick or anything).
Now I'm back to my normal diet and exercise routine.
I can lose 3 pounds in no time.

Talk to you later~!

John

Here's a printer I bought almost 2 years ago (September 2010).  I paid $50.00 with free shipping at that time.

My old printer died this weekend.  So, after 20 months, I finally opened this printer.  It prints good.  I am happy.

I went online and checked the price? They still sell this printer for $160 and up.

I don't go to Starbucks Coffee.  I go to Starbucks Coffee only when I meet customers or when I have a date.

I don't like people at Starbucks Coffee - they all seem snotty and hard to deal with.  They all seem to drive SUVs and watch foreign movies with subtitles. Their faces seem to tell me "I'm better than you".

I hate the words "Bartista" "Venti" "Grande", etc..  I never once used those words in real life.  I always use terms such as "Regular" or "Large".  I refuse to say "Venti".

Last few years, I struggled to find good coffee that will replace Starbucks.  I have tried many different brands of coffee.  The only good coffee was Peet's Coffee.  I believe Peet's Coffee is definitely better than Starbucks Coffee.  I love Major Dickason's Blend.  But they are expensive.  I buy Peet's coffee occasionally as special treat.

Costco periodically sends out $4.50 coupon for 2.5lb bag of Starbucks' French Roast.  This coupon brings price down to $15.49.  It's an incredible bargain that I cannot refuse.

I have 2 coffee grinders.  One grinder (pictured right) is dedicated to Starbucks' French Roast only, so I don't mix flavors with other coffees.

I have tasted many different coffees.

At the end, Starbucks Coffee is the best coffee.  And Costco makes it possible for me to afford them.  (Another reason why I love Costco)

Sometimes I buy 2 bags and save $9.00 with the coupon.

I hate to love Starbucks Coffee.  But I love it.

PS:
Kirkland Signature's Papua New Guinea coffee is equally good.  They are bigger and cheaper (3lb for $13.89).  They are amazing.  It's a little mild, but not too mild.  I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people favor this coffee over Starbucks'.  I highly recommend Kirkland Signature's Papua New Guinea coffee.

Another sign of getting old

First time in my life..... I bought flowers to decorate my place.

Check out my poor-man's dining set.

I hate to replace them.  I love my apartment, and I enjoy living here a lot.  But, I just don't feel the need to spend money on this apartment.

Another sign of getting old

Took place Saturday, March 27, 2010

I just finished a personal gig at Los Angeles and was on my way back to Ventura County.  I was on 101 Fway in Los Angeles County.  The Sun was setting in front of me.  I was minding my own business.

Then one slow moving BMW cut me off and started to clean his windshield with soapy water.  I was hit by his fluid.  That got me so angry.

I've been driving for 20+ years and I have a perfect driving record.

All my life, when somebody washes windshield in front of me, I would always cut him off and give him the same treatment.  That rich buger in BMW was going to get it.

I was ready to pay him back. I took my time and waited for the right moment.  LA traffic is heavy.

I followed him for about 4-5 minutes, and I got the perfect setting for me to cut him off in offensive manner and give him the squirt of justice.

I changed into the fast lane and started to pass him.

Then I took a look at the driver.

He was a young dude. 

I could clearly see that he was struggling to see in front of him through the glare caused by setting Sun in front of us.

The poor guy was only trying to clean his windshield so he can see better.

At that moment, I felt ashamed that I thought about paying back to this guy.

Using windshield wiper while driving is an annoying act.  But, people use windshield wiper because they try to see better.  They don't think about people behind you.  All they have in mind is "Oh my God, I cannot see"

Some people don't realize that people behind them will get hit by their washer fluid.  They are simply clueless, just like my parents.  They don't mean anything bad.

I believe my days of "pay back" is over.  I'm getting old.

I hope the dude in BMW reached his destination OK.

Some people know me that I easily get excited at something.  That's how I am... I get obsessed.

I've been drinking wine lately.  Not a lot, but...  I drank wine 10 days straight. (half of cup here, a sip there...).   That's significant, because I normally drink 2-3 times a year (no more than 1 can of bear at a time - basically, I drink when I have to fit in with my boss & coworkers).

Last Friday, my neighbor invited me to her wine party.  So, I was there drinking wine and smoking cigar with a bunch of young people.

Then I found out that wind is good for my health.

I will be stupid if I don't drink wine every day

More on this coming... pictures maybe...

PS. I've been doing so little shopping lately.  It's boring...  

I always go to grocery shopping late at night (around 12am).

But, today (Sunday), I thought it would be fun to do grocery shopping in the mid-day when all stores are packed... 

OK, I tell you why I went out shopping so early.  I didn't know when Trader Joe's would close.

I bought 4 bottles of Charles Shaw wines.

Also known as "Two Buck Chuck" these $2.00 wines are well known to have taste equal to $75.00 wine.  You can only buy them at Trader Joe's.

Charles Shaw's Awards
At the 28th Annual International Eastern Wine Competition, Shaw's 2002 Shiraz received the double gold medal, besting the roughly 2,300 other wines in the competition.

Shaw's 2005 California chardonnay was judged Best Chardonnay from California at the Commercial Wine Competition of the 2007 California Exposition and State Fair. The chardonnay received 98 points, a double gold, with accolades of Best of California and Best of Class.

Check out my wine opener - It was $5.00 at Linens and Things (purchased 4 years ago - used it about 3 times so far)

*Also, another sign of getting old.

My new year's resolution is to save as much money as possible.  I am likely to focus on thrifty life-style as I get older and hope for home ownership.

As I try to save money, I am realizing that my blog is suffering.  This website is suppose to be about shopping

"Saving Money" clashes with "Shopping"

I shall think of ways to make this website interesting.

For now, I will tell you a story that took place last Christmas.

This story was never supposed to be shared.  This is something I did in secret.

On December 25, 2009, I woke up 6am and went to the public laundry room at my APT.  We have 3 washers and 3 driers there.  There, I put quarters on all the machines.  And I left a Christmas card.  So, the first person to use the laundry room on Christmas day would get wash and dry on me.

Of course, that card in the picture was from Costco.

A week went by.  And it was my turn to use the laundry room.
There, I saw this note.

I felt very good.  This happy feeling was definitely worth of money.  Actually, I spent so little money to have this much satisfaction.

I didn't even know who wrote that note, but that was the point, doing something to people I don't even know...

I don't believe the other person knew who I was also.  Because I just wrote "John".  I didn't give my last name or my APT number.

Merry Christmas~!  (2 months late, but...)

Here are 3 more signs

1. I used to hate couples figure skating.  It was boring.  Anyway, I was checking out Winter Olympics the other day.  They happened to show couple's figure skating.  As I was watching couple's routine, I found myself getting teary eyes.  It was beautiful and touching.

2. I am scared of teenagers.

3. When I was younger, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and all the holidays didn't mean much.  Now, I am more into the spirit of season.  Now I wear Santa's hat during Christmas time.  I have a green hat for St. Patrick's day.  I exchanged gifts on Valentine's Day.  I try to be cozy and friendly with people around me.  Change of season means a lot to me now.  Holidays are beautiful.

* I thought I would grow old to appreciate classic music.  But, no.  I still hate classic music.

This took place last month at Costco.

I thought nothing of it at that time, then I found myself keep thinking about that incident.

I went to Costco tire center for free tire maintenance. There, I saw a gentleman waiting for his car.  So, we started to chat.

First we talked about how many miles we drive.  Then we talked about where we like to drive to.  We talked about lobster buffet at Chumash Casino.  He bragged about his son and his business.  I happened to know the area where he's son's business was at, so we talked about the beautiful scenery in that area.  We were talking about nothing but fun stuff (food, relatives, beautiful scenery...)

Then another gentleman (I'll call him the "new guy") walked in.

After a few minute, the new guy opened his mouth.  "What nationality are you?" he asked to the gentleman.  The gentleman revealed that he was from Middle-East.  And the new guy started his conversation.

The new guy started by stating that he'd been to Egypt and some parts of Asia.  Then he talked about history, religion, and politics about the gentleman's home country.

"Your country's religion focuses on.... blah blah"
"Your country's war changed... blah blah"
"Obama's view on middle East is... blah blah"

New guy walked in and sucked out the fun.   Then he put the gentleman in the hot seat that he didn't ask for.  The gentleman was doing his best to explain things.  But, according to the new guy, he knew Middle-East better than the gentleman who lived there.

I walked away from that area, because I didn't want the new guy to think I was enjoying the conversation, or I was impressed.  But, in fact, I was disgusted. What was wrong with this guy?

I felt sorry for the gentleman.  Luckily, the conversation only lasted about 10 minutes.  The gentleman's car was ready.

I could have used an "ASS" stamp from Conan O'Brien show on the new guy.

(vid) Ass stamp in action

Happy new year everyone

What are your new year resolutions?

My 2010 will be all about saving money.

I think I spent too much money on everything last year.

In 2010, I will tell stories about how much money I put into savings account.

I will not tell you the Dollar amount.  But I will talk about how much % from the paycheck I saved.

In 2009, I put in about 5% of my take home pay to savings account.  I spend more than 50% of all my paycheck on bare essential living expenses.

This will be difficult - But it has to be done. 
Home ownership is what I am after. It may take 5-10 years to buy a house, but it will only happen if I start saving money at some point.

###

My basic rule goes like this

• Don't get sick, drive careful.
• Keep working on personal projects.
• No major purchases for 1 year.
  • No guitar, no camera, no LCD TV, no furniture
• Never withdraw from savings account.
• Spend less than $40.00/m on clothing
• Spend less than $20.00/m on snack
• Re-use everything.

Exceptions

• Build one computer from scratch.
• Buy 60 pairs of socks (my next personal project)

Merry Christmas everyone.

I got my gift - from me to me.

It's a Gibson Les Paul Studio (Fireburst with gold hardware)

My next guitar will be a Fender.  But, it will be 10 years later. 

I was home alone for Thanksgiving Day.

I was not sad or felt lonely.  You see, I know the art of living alone.
I managed to entertain myself.  I was very productive.  I spent a few nights working until the Sun came up.  It was a good weekend.

I made both turkey & ham for myself.  I spent about 3 hours in the kitchen.  Turkey was very tender.  I glazed the ham.  I watched Twighlight Zone Maraton from the kitchen.

Dinner came out good.  I enjoyed it very much.

I had so much food left over that I vaccuum packed half of all my food and put them in freezer.

Thanksgiving Day - (ham is still in the oven)

Day after Thanksgiving - Leftover

Just when I thought I would spend the entire weekend alone, somebody invited me to their family dinner on Saturday.

I went to their house with a jar of "Chocolates of the World".  They had a big family.  There were about 20 people.  I used my usual charm to get friendly with people around me. It was a good time.

Although I spent most of my 4 days weekend alone, Thanksgiving 2009 turned out to be a memorable one.

I had a good time.  It was so much fun working on my projects.  It's good to be alive.

PS. I am sick of turkey.

This is a true story.

Last year (2008), H found me on eHarmony. She was in her 20's. She was a lot younger than I was.

She was tall, blond, and highly educated. She was not skinny. She was not fat. She was just right that most men would love to keep her for life. She always had a big smile on all of her pictures. She was beautiful.

We chatted. She said she was OK with my age. Then she wanted to meet me ASAP. So, I told her to slow down. I couldn't believe I was saying that, but I guess that's why she picked me.

Then she requested to become my FaceBook friend.

She seemed very distracted for a few months. I was not happy about how the communication was going. I said to myself "Whatever" as we lost communication.

When I was just about to forget about her, she came back. We talked some more. Then we were arranging for our first date.

Then she stopped communicating again.

Several months past.

One day, I visited her facebook page for no reason, and discovered that she passed away 8 days after our last communication.

She died on my birthday.

I learned that she's been sick for a long time. She probably knew she was dying while we were communicating.

I keep thinking.

I am trying to locate her grave, so I can visit her.

I will always remember H on my birthdays.

I am still doing good with my fitness goal.

I've been running twice a week for 6 months now.  I rarely skip my workout schedule.

On Mondays & Wednesdays, as soon as I get home from work, I run a steep hill for 15 minutes.  I do light workout on Tuesdays & Thursdays. 

Today I wore Adidas shirt, Adidas shoes, and Adidas shorts.  I think they are all from Costco.

I tell ya.  I look absolutely adorable in these.